“And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.”
~Revelations 6:8
Hearts of Iron II German AAR - Written by the Victors
3rd June 1945 - 1st January 1946
Less than two years ago Germany had gone wild with celebrations as the news of the Soviet surrender was announced. These were minor parties when compared with the jubilation of June 1945. After so many years of difficult fighting in all terrain, with different tactics and enemies, the war was finally over.
Victory!
As the official celebrations began across the victorious nations, the Council had the hard work of reorganising post-war Europe. The British surrender was still not finalised, and as such a major Conference had to take place with the Council and her allies. As such, on the 15th June the Paris Conference took place to discuss Europe.
With Britain, it was decided to allow her continued independence - particularly since she was still fighting a war in the far east. The government was replaced with a more German-friendly one, and a non-aggression pact signed. Germany would retain control of bases in Cornwall and Scapa Flow for an undesignated length of time. Britain would also recognise Italian control over the Suez Canal, Cyprus and Ethiopia in return for Gibraltar and her African holdings. However this was to be short lived - it was agreed that pressure would be placed on Britain to begin a process of ‘decolonisation’, which would start immediately with India and then Egypt within ten years. It was all part of a process to weaken British power without inciting her into war again.
In India, the southern portion was given full independence, while northern India was to remain under British occupation to allow for an easier handover. However crisis soon came as Japan unleashed an invasion of British holdings in Southeast Asia. It quickly drew India closer to the Axis Powers in order to retain her neutrality, culminating in a guarantee of independence from Germany by the end of the year.
Closer to home, the Council finalised the plans to grant independence to many European states in advance of the plans to create a “European Nations Organisation.” The Balkans were the first to see her borders redrawn, as Croatia and Montenegro were granted independence, and Hungary was gifted two provinces.
The New Balkans
Similarly in the west the nations of Flanders and Mons were declared independent in early August. In addition, with the threat of a continental invasion gone, there was no need for Germany to occupy the coastal forts anymore, and Vichy France was given the regions back in return for becoming part of the Axis.
To Germany’s east, Poland, Belarus and the Ukraine were given independence in November, and more territory given to the Baltic States. As a special message of thanks to Finland, the country was gifted the city of Leningrad in a lavish ceremony in early December.
The map of Europe was thus redrawn to suit Germany, with all powerful states under her thumb and the weaker ones created as buffer zones against any possible transgression. Not that it was needed, as both Fission Bombs and the first ICBM’s began production late in the year. By now this technology was completely in the open to dissuade any would be aggressors from striking at the Fatherland.
New Europe
The European Nations Organisation was first formed on the 13th September as a joint venture between Germany, Italy and Hungary to better control the continent. By the end of the year the treaty was ratified by all other Axis members, and in addition Sweden and Turkey had announced their interest to join the alliance. A headquarter building entered the planning stages by the New Year.
Germany’s military forces began to demobilise in November, though this was restricted to the garrison troops in former occupied zones. It was hoped that the sudden burst of manpower would revitalise the industrial and economic sectors of Germany, and this was confirmed as new technologies - such as jet technology and new oil processing facilities - were developed at an astonishing pace. Utilising nuclear power for naval power was also suggested, and at Cleric’s insistence was looked into.
The Me 163 Komet
It had been decided that Germany’s power would now be shown in the air and the sea, and as such the Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe - including rocket weapons - were to be expanded upon until they rivalled British and American strength. Thanks to the great naval engagements during Sealion the Royal Navy had been reduced to just three carriers, while the USN had six. In March ‘46 Germany would have a grand total of eight, proving her naval superiority. And with the production of jet fighters, the Luftwaffe would not need the superior numbers that the Americans enjoyed to dominate the skies.
In six long years of war the balance of power in Europe had completely changed. The old powers of France and Great Britain had been shattered, replaced by a governments loyal to Germany. The Allies were now led by Free France, who could only focus on the Far East in the war against Japan. There was still guerrilla fighting happening in Africa, but that was Italy’s concern - Germany had long since pulled her forces out of the region.
The Soviet Union and her ‘communist experiment’ had failed, though the nation still existed in the cold wastes of Siberia. Like in Africa, guerrilla fighting existed along the German-Soviet frontier and in larger numbers. However for the moment the Emperor was content to let the fighting continue. At any rate, as nations were liberated in the east resistance softened as fresh garrison forces became available.
Across the Atlantic however, was a larger threat. Like Germany, the United States of America had also become a major superpower. At the moment relations remained high, but both nations knew this was because neither could afford a war with the other at the moment. Germany was rebuilding a shattered continent, while America continued to fight Imperial Japan, who now had the resources of China to hold the lines with.
Relations were helped by the death of Roosevelt in October, and the announcement by his replacement Truman that the Allied cause was lost. America’s lend-lease programme had come to nothing, and had threatened America with economic collapse and a European war that they had no right to be in. Japan was the only concern for now.
As the New Year came, Emperor Kan looked forward to a so called
Pax Germania. History was being written, and he held the pen…