North/Central American News Report
HURRICANE DEVASTATES CARIBBEAN ECONOMY. Miami, USA. Before 1926, the Caribbean had become a booming area for the United States' economy. Thousands of people moved from the north into Florida, Cuba, Jamacia, and other Caribbean islands. However, this has all changed with a massive hurricane which has razed Havanna and Miami, and sent many people packing to the north. Factories, hotels, and businesses have been destroyed, ending the major land boom which has occurred in the region. (-2 Private Enterprise for USA)
South American News Report
COMMUNISTS WIN AGAIN IN BRAZIL. Brasila, Brazil. Despite the apparent failure of the government to reform the economic system into a more socialist economy, the Communist Party of Brazil has once more gained a majority in the Congress and has won the Presidency as well. The Party won on a campaign of promising intervention in the newly begun war between Chile and Bolivia. Also the President has promised that Argentinan businesses would no longer dominate Brazil, and has sworn to nationalize and socialize foriegn businesses in Brazil. (-5% Dissent for Brazil; Brazil Global Opinion to Neutral)
ARGENTINAN ELECTIONS. Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Conservatives have easily swept into power in Argentina again, brushing aside nearly non existant resistance from the Liberals and Socialists. However, the rise of the GRU, a growing Fascist movement, has several politicians concerned at the new party's extending popularity among the military and far right.
3RD PACIFIC WAR UNDERWAY. A Chilean surprise attack, under direct command of the Presidente, has managed to catch the Bolivians off guard and have regained control of Bolivia's sea access. Though the American Accord was aware of the rapid mobilization that took place within Chile in early 1926, they were unable to anticipate the modern mechanized offensive that the Chileans launched. The Chilean Army is well armed with motorized and armored forces, which they used to smash and encircle the slight superior Bolivian army. The flatlands of the coast provided suitable terrain for the victory and the Chileans have suffered miniscule casualties in the fighting. Furthermore, the proclaimed liberation of Chilean territory has resulted in the capture of the small Bolivian Navy and the destroyers have been forced into service in the Chilean Navy.
Casualty List
Bolivia: 3 Infantry Divisions
European News Report
IRISH ELECTIONS. Dublin, Eire. President Collins once more barely squeaked back into power as the defeats and difficulties of the prolonged Second World War take their toll on Irish politics. The Conservative Party, running on a pro-German and pro-peace platform, won a majority in Congress and have only barely missed getting the Presidency. Despite the growing desire for peace in Eire, President Collins has so far not shown any signs of switching from his pro-Italian and European League policies. (+2% Dissent for Eire)
PETAIN SUSPENDS ELECTIONS IN FRANCE. Paris, France. With a large part of France under foriegn occupation and much of the industry and agriculture siezed by the government for the war effort, the Lisist government under Petain has suspended the 1925/1926 elections. Much like Mussolini in Italy, Petain has gained absolute control of the battered European nation and has made a solemn pledge to the French people. In a speech under the Arch d'Triumphe, Petain declared "We are fighting to regain our respect in the world, and when this war ends the French people will recieve their just reward for their hardships." (-3% Dissent for France)
FASCISTS WIN IN POLAND. Warsaw, Poland. After heated debate and campaigning, the Polish Fascist Party has won power in the April elections. It seemed as though the Fascists would be unable to gain the majority they needed until the nation's effective founder, Jozef Pilsudski threw his formidable influence behind the Fascists' campaign for involvement in the Second World War. With much Polish territory under German occupation, Pilsudski was able to gain enough support to become the nation's new President. A few days before the combined Romanian and Polish offensive against Hungary, Pilsudski declared war on the Germany and the Common Front International. (+1% Dissent for Poland)
African/Middle Eastern News Report
BULGARIA JOINS BROTHERHOOD. Sofia, Bulgaria. With the surrender of the previous Bulgarian government to the Muslim nations and the European League, a new government has been installed. The Bulgarian Muslims, almost a quarter of the nation's population had not been allowed to participate in the government or army previous to the war. With the arrival of the Brotherhood of Islam, Bulgaria has been reformed as an Islamic theocracy guided by the Caliph of Dar-al-Islam. (+25% Dissent for Bulgaria)
Asian/Pacific News Report
MONGOLIA RESISTS CALL FOR NEW ELECTIONS. Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia. Several Mongolians Congress members have recently called for new elections and have been shouted down by the rest of Congress and the media of Mongolia. These members of Congress are well known leaders of the pro-Chinese Monarchist Party and are widely unpopular and believed to have bought their election with Chinese funding. Members of the Socialist Party have called for alliance with Russia or Nippon to create a check on Chinese interference in Mongolia. (-1% Dissent in Mongolia)
NIPPONESE ELECTION. (NOTE: As I enjoy reading it myself, I will provide all of you with Shadowbound's own interpretation of the Nipponese elections for this update) Tokyo, Nippon. What will happen? Will the Communists be swept into office on a platform of social and economic revolution, will the remaining Genro convince the Emperor to dissolve the Kokkai, or will the military lead a coup to prevent the Reds from taking power?Actually, the Communists haven't won. They
did obtain a simple majority this year, allowing them to install a Communist Prime Minister, but they lack the 3/4 majority needed to overrule the Emperor. The Communists have not made any major reforms or seek peace, but they have put their Prime Minister into office and take all the liberties a newly victorious political party is meant to do once it takes office, like filling many government posts with Commies. Friction has started to develop inside the NCP, with its rapid growth leading to a variety of different socialistic beliefs wrapped under it's red umbrella.
UCS-CHINESE WAR GROWS BLOODIER! See insert below for total details on the increasingly brutal conflict between the Commonwealth States and China.
Global News Ticker
BRAZILLIAN AIRLINES MAKES RIO-NEW YORK FLIGHT IN COMPETITION WITH AMERICAN AIRLINES. (+1 Private Enterprise for Brazil)
BOEING ANNOUNCES NEW STEEL AIRCRAFT FOR SALE TO PRIVATE AIRLINES AND US GOVERNMENT. (USA gets Steel Aircraft)
CARLISTS WIN REELECTION IN SPAIN DUE TO MILITARY VICTORIES.
SPECIAL: The Second World War
NATIONS EXIT THE WAR. Diplomats in Brussels and Addis Abba have concluded their nations' involvement in the Second World War. The 1925 invasion of Germany and the stalemate in Iberia have convinced the Belgain government to make peace while their economy survives intact. Belguim has concluded the peace without any attached terms or agreements and has withdrawn their military forces from all fronts. Abyssinia, upset at their ally's persistant global diplomatic intrigue and perfidities, has withdrawn from the African Union and made peace with Italy, while purchasing the territories of Somalia and the Horn of Africa. Abyssinia however has refused to attack the Common Front International and has condemned the actions of South Africa in attacking German forces in Central Africa. Some outside sources speculate that Abyssinian officials may have warned the German Afrika Korps that an attack was imminent, leading to the tough resistance that South Africa is now facing.
SOUTH AFRICA SWITCHES SIDES (AGAIN). Pretoria, South Africa. In a much disputed turn of events, the opportunistic South African government has made peace with Italy and the European League. In exchange they have purchased the Portuguese colony of Angola and begun moving against German possessions in Africa once more. However, unlike earlier in the war, the South Africans have run into stiff German resistance. When a corps was sent to reoccupy the territory taken by Portugal earlier in the war, a German division managed to smash two divisions and send the third running. A general offensive was also halted as five veteran German divisions which had been fighting in Abyssinia and along the Red Sea arrived. These forces were battle-hardened, well-armed, and well-led and were more than capable of repulsing the South Africans on all front. In Angola a single German division has even been able to make advances against the occupation authorities there. (Portugal loses 2 IC)
Casualty List
South Africa: 3 Infantry Divisions
Germany: 1 Infantry Division
CFI ACCELERATES RED SEA ADVANCE. French forces continued their steady advance along the Red Sea in early 1926, until May when two veteran Italian divisions from Turkey arrived and repulsed the assualt. However, the Italians themselves were forced to run when Nipponese forces arrived to assist the French. Provided with a supply sanctuary in Djibouti, the Common Front International have managed to pick up the speed of their offensive and push the Italians further north along the coast. The advance has picked up at such a rate that if it stays without hitting more resistance, the Suez Canal could fall under siege by Christmas of 1927. Casualties have been kept mostly very low due to the small scale of the battles taking place in the theater. French forces continue to take heavier casualties due to the use of drafted irregulars with very low morale and bad equipment.
Casualty List
France: 1 Irregular Division
BULGARIAN SURRENDER RATIFIED. Sofia, Bulgaria. With the horrific military defeats inflicted upon the Bulgarians by the Muslims and Romanians, Bulgaria surrendered unconditionally to the European League and Brotherhood of Islamic Nations in late 1925. In a conference at the Romanian held city of Constanta, the treaty was ratified and several changes were made to Bulgaria and the nations around it. The Treaty is as follows:
1. Romania regains their territory of Constanta and the Bulgarian coastline.
2. The oppressed Islamic minority gains the government and rules unconditionally over the masses of Bulgaria.
3. Bulgarians have a right to choose whether they live under Bulgarian or Romania rule, though migration to Greece is not prohibited.
SERBS UNDER SIEGE. As per an agreement with the Greek government, Muslim forces left their defensive positions around Kavala and Sofia in May to assualt the Serbs on all fronts. Horribly outnumbered and overwhelmed by larger amounts of Islamic armor, Serbian forces were pushed far back, losing all the territory they've taken since 1922. Islamic artillery began firing upon Pristina and Belgrade in November of '26, as the Serbian hold on its territory begins to crumble. Only the arrival of a German expeditionary force has kept the front from totally collapsing. The Islamic Bosnians have begun rioting against the regime of Alexander I, and the Brotherhood of Islamic Nations has garunteed the independance of Bosnia for the post-war period. Though most of Greece has been liberated and returned to the government at Athens, the Dydanelles and the Cyclades have been given to the Turkish government as part of the Treaty of Cornith. Furthermore, Dar-al-Islam has installed an occupation force in Albania in preparation for its independance after the war. (+10% Dissent for Serbia)
Casualty List
Dar-al-Islam: 5 Militia Divisions, 2 Infantry Divisions, 1 Fighter Squadron
Persia: 2 Militia Divisions
Turkey: 1 Infantry Division
Greece: 1 Militia Division
Serbia: 8 Militia Divisions, 4 Infantry Divisions, 1 Fighter Squadron
Germany: 1 Infantry Division
HUNGARY INVADED. After the surrender of Bulgaria and the increasing threat of war with Poland and Romania, Hungary joined the Common Front International on March 3 1926. As expected in April the armies of both Poland and Romania launched a major attack against Hungarian borders. Polish forces quickly moved south to sieze Cracow and Slovakia from the Hungarians, winning victories against the not quite mobilized Hungarian army. The Romanian assualt went just as well as the Romanian Army crushed Hungarian forces in Transylvania and moved west toward Budapest. Despite the early victories, the arrival of a German reinforcement corps has halted both advances in their tracks.
Casualty List
Romania: 2 Infantry Divisions, 1 Fighter Squadron
Poland: 1 Infantry Division
Hungary: 2 Infantry Divisions, 1 Fighter Squadron
PRUSSIA UNDER ASSUALT. Announcing Poland's entry to the war was an air raid on Berlin as Polish airships bombed the Kaiser's palace and several military arms producing factories throughout the city. Following this came an attempted capture of East Prussia by a Polish corps which was crushed by the defending division garrisoning the region. One of the Polish divisions was destroyed outside of Danzig while the others were sent with their tails between their legs back to the Polish border.
Casualty List
Poland: 1 Infantry Division
FIGHTING ON THE RHINE. Irish and German military forces continue to clash along the Rhine River as the Irish continue to launch a mechanized assualt towards Berlin. The superior mobility of the Irish have allowed them to retain the initiative, although fuel shortages caused by the vicious battles between Paris and Lyon have caused this advantage to decline as the advance continues. The attack was also canceled out by a surprise counter attack by a German armored division which forced the advance to stop just short of Schwienfurt. Other fighting has occured between several Irish and German infantry divisions between Aachen and Cologne as a stalemate ensues while the German infantry attempts to reopen a railroad into France.
Casualty List
Eire: 1 Motorized Division, 1 Fighter Squadron
Germany: 2 Infantry Divisions, 1 Fighter Squadron
FRENCH MOVE ON MARSELLIES. Despite the minor advances of the Scots and Welsh west from Marsellies in the previous year, French irregulars launched an uncoordinated assualt on weakened Scottish lines west of the city. Superior numbers enabled the French to outflank Scottish positions and once more reach the Loire River, forcing the Scottish division in the area back into the city. The other divisions that had been in the area are believed to have been moved north for the planned offensive on Paris. Fortunately for the Scots, the division defending Marsellies remained intact and even managed to destroy one of the drafted French divisions.
Casualty List
France: 1 Irregular Division
FRENCH THROWN OUT OF IBERIA. In June, minor French armored forces launched a major assualt against Barcelona and the Spanish troops stationed in the city. Though they won some initial successes, the withdrawal of the German expeditionary force took its toll as Portuguese and Spanish soldiers launched a massive mobile offensive into Southern France. Thanks to efforts by coordinated partisans in siezing the passes in the Pyrennes, the heavily mobilized Portuguese army, though briefly delayed by a Nipponese hoax invasion at Lisbon, moved on its planned attack. While Spanish forces held the main French army north of Barcelona, the the Portugese crossed through Euskadi and have already begun a rapid advance north to Bordeaux.
Casualty List
Spain: 3 Conscript Divisions, 2 Infantry Divisions, 1 Armored Division
Portugal: 1 Motorized Division
France: 1 Irregular Division, 2 Infantry Divisions, 1 Armored Division, 1 Zepplin Squadron
ASSUALT IN THE ALPS. A massive Italian army, consisting mostly of conscripts but heavily supported by modern forces and tanks, have smashed the German army in eastern Italy in a major battle of attrition. Launched soon after the fighting began near Dijoin, the offensive has cost both sides many casualties, particularly the attacking Italians. Despite the slow movement caused by the heavy fighting and the bad terrain, superior Italian numbers and airpower have allowed the European League army to advance. By December when the snow at last closed several passes, the Italians had already captured Salzburg and began threatening both Munich and Vienna.
Casualty List
Italy: 11 Conscript Divisions, 4 Infantry Divisions, 1 Motorized Division, 1 Armored Division, 1 Fighter Squadron
Germany: 6 Infantry Divisions, 2 Armored Divisions, 1 Fighter Squadron
ITALIANS RETAKE THE AZORES AND CANARY ISLANDS. The Italian fleet, using carrier-based planes to track down CFI shipping and escorts, have moved at last into the Atlantic to engage the enemy early in the year. They easily destroyed several destroyers which were maruading the Portuguese coastline and then proceeded to retake the islands lost when Nippon entered the European theater of war. Soon before the Italians arrived at the Azores, the European fleet of the Nipponese navy had begun moving south from the islands to take Italian possessions the South Atlantic. However, a desperate radio signal reached the navy, and knowing that they had no where to return to if the islands were not recaptured, the admiral ordered a full assualt on the Italian fleet. Though the ferocity of the unexpected attack played a part in the early victories of the battle, the Italians rallied and began holding the Nipponese at bay after the loss of one of their battleships. Running low on fuel and munitions, the remaining Nipponese ships began attempting to ram the ships of the Italian fleet, succeeding in sinking a Italian carrier despite the odds. Overall the entire Nipponese European fleet has been destroyed at the cost of relatively few Allied vessels. The victory here also means that the Nipponese army in France has begun to rely on the inferior supplies of the French military as the sealanes close to Nipponese shipping to Europe.
Casualty List
Italy: 1 Capital Ship, 1 Light Carrier, 1 Destroyer Group
Nippon: 2 Capital Ships, 2 Cruiser Groups, 4 Destroyer Groups
CELTIC SURFACE FLEET SMASHED. Under construction since the start of the war in 1921, the Celtic surface navies have been smashed in battle by the Kriegsmarine at the Battle of Scalpa Flow. Lured to this major naval based by the Nipponese espionage program to make the Allies believe the army Nippon would land in the British islands, the combined surface fleet was met by the Germans who were informed by a spy in the area of the fleet's presence. The combined veteran German navy easily beat the Celts in battle as many of those in the Allied fleet were inexperienced in naval combat and most of the ships were untested designs, barely used except in same cases at the Battle of Marsellies in 1924. Despite the German victory, the arrival of the victorious Italian navy from the south has forced the Kriegsmarine back behind the safety of Denmark.
Casualty List
Eire: 1 Capital Ship, 1 Cruiser Group, 2 Destroyer Groups
Scotland: 2 Capital Ships, 2 Cruiser Groups, 1 Destroyer Group
Wales: 2 Capital Ships, 1 Cruiser Group, 1 Destroyer Group
Germany: 2 Capital Ships, 1 Cruiser Group, 1 Destroyer Group
PYRRIC CFI VICTORY AT GIBRALTER. The French fleet, weakened after the '24 defeat against the Celts and Italians, have ventured forth against the Portuguese fleet at Gibralter, supported by some Spanish ships. Due to a harsh storm and constricted conditions, the fleets were forced to engage at point-blank range, inflicting heavy damage on the vessels of both sides. As the storm abated, Portuguese vessels fled into port at Gibralter, and the French won the day at a high price. Like the Germans further north, the Italian victory fleet moved north from the Azores, threatening the supplies of the fleet and the battered French were forced to take shelter at Corsica.
Casualty List
Portugal: 3 Capital Ships, 1 Cruiser Group, 3 Destroyer Groups
Spain: 1 Cruiser Group, 1 Destroyer Group
Italy: 1 Wolfpack
France: 3 Capital Ships, 2 Cruiser Groups, 3 Destroyer Groups
BATTLE OF DIJOIN. In a twist of fate, the main armies of the Allies and the Nipponese have found themselves attacking in the exact same region of France at the exact same time. The Allies began planning the offensive to be launched on March 4 to take advantage of the low morale caused by the Italian victories at the Azores and Canary Islands. Though the Allies were informed by sympathetic French civilians that the Nipponese were in the region, these reports were disregarded by the High Command. Therefore, three days before the Allied offensive on Paris was to begin, the Nipponese and France attacked north of Lyons with over three hundred thousand soldiers across the Loire River. Nipponese aircraft were able to gain air superiority through weight of numbers and this of course made a major difference in the outcome of the battle. Facing the Nipponese were about three hundred and fifty thousand allied soldiers, complete with six full armored divisions. In addition to the tactical level of surprise achieved by the Nipponese, they gained strategic surprise by an elaborate espionage operation to convince the Allies the attacks were coming elsewhere. American ambassadors passed word to the Irish that an invasion was coming in the British Islands while other Allied intelligence sources and spies in France claimed that the offensive was to be launched in Spain against Madrid. Despite these advantages of surprise and airpower, the Nipponese made small advances day by day after the initial success due to the well prepared and trained Allied forces in the region. Finally, after the city of Dijoin fell to advance French forces, the Italians set up armored spearheads north and south of the CFI positions. The new offensive crushed the defending French irregulars on the flanks along the Loire and cut off the Nipponese in Dijoin. However, the Nipponese quickly rallied for a counteroffensive and broke through the Allied forces in their rear and crossed the Loire again. Despite the escape, the Allies followed up the fighting with a new offensive around the Loire, thereby avoiding any need to actually cross the river. The attack once more turned into a slogging fest as both sides settled in for a war of attrition and slow fighting over the winter along the Belgian border.
Casualty List
Italy: 4 Infantry Divisions, 1 Cavalry Division, 1 Motorized Division, 2 Armored Divisions, 2 Fighter Squadrons
Scotland: 1 Infantry Division, 1 Motorized Division
Wales: 2 Infantry Divisions, 1 Cavalry Division
France: 3 Irregular Divisions, 1 Armored Division, 1 Zepplin Squadron
Nippon: 8 Infantry Divisions, 1 Motorized Division, 2 Armored Divisions, 2 Fighter Squadrons
SPECIAL: Chinese-UCS War
UCS BEGINS CONSCRIPTION. As Chinese forces attempt to drown the defending Commonwealth forces under wave after wave of soldiers, King George V's Parliament has been forced to call for total conscription to help hold back the assualt. Most of the conscripts have been called from Australia or India to reach the front sooner and have already made a significant difference in the fighting in the jungles and mountains of Burma. (UCS will recieve 15 Conscript Divisions a turn for 3 years)
COMMONWEALTH FORCES HIT SHANGHAI. In a surprise naval attack, the Commonwealth navy has hit the sub pens at Shanghai. Most submarines had been in for repairs and resupply so the Commonwealth forces were able to butcher most of the Chinese sailors and ships without a loss. Only a single wolfpack out on patrol managed to escape the onslaught. This has given the people of the Commonwealth a victory to go against the wave of defeats inflicted by the superior Chinese forces.
Casualty List
China: 3 Wolfpacks
CHINESE BREAK INTO EASTERN INDIA. Using modern planes and tanks, the Chinese have at last captured Rangoon and begun an offensive into India. Key to this new victory is the deployment of poison gas against the near defenseless forces of the UCS. With no gas masks or experience in treating gas casualties the Commonwealth forces are in full retreat as the Chinese push on Calcutta. Only the waves of counterattacks and reinforcements have thrown the Chinese off their advance as anti-tank weapons modelled off of CFI and European League designs are deployed against the advancing Chinese armor, inflicting heavy casualties. Chinese tank commanders have learned to deal with this by whenever a anti-tank gun pops up calling in a gas strike on its position. The downside of this technique is the time it takes to prepare a bombardment slows down the advance.
Casualty List
China: 7 Militia Divisions, 4 Infantry Divisions, 1 Armored Division
UCS: 9 Conscript Divisions, 7 Infantry Divisions, 2 Cavalry Divisions
Diplomatic Pouch
To: Argentina
From: Chile
Should you recognize our claims on the territory taken from us by Bolivia, we promise to mantain the free trade and economic relations within the American Accord. In addition we will cease our claims on Argentinan territory and not crush your army as well.
To: Brazil
From: Chile
We'd like to create a military defensive pact between our nations that is apart from the American Accord to better protect our interests against any imperialist aggression that others may make in the near future.
To: Italy
From: Dar-al-Islam
We will send forces to assist in the fighting along the Red Sea if you allow plebiscites in Syria, Jordan, and Palestine to help the Muslims there determine whether or not they should be under the rule of the Caliph or under Italian governance.
To: European League
From: Serbia
We are ready to discuss peace. We propose the following as proposed in conference between our government and that of the Muslims:
1. Bosnia and Albania are granted indpendance
2. Serbia retains pre-war borders.
3. The Adriatic coastline is returned to Italian control as is the rest of the central Balkans excepting Serbia and Bosnia.
OOC
Armored Cars, Advanced Artillery, and Light Machine Guns have been developed by enough nations that all would have them by now. But if you don't you will not get a military bonus from it now. In addition new techs have been added for your warfighting and research convienence.
Due to the reasonable point of view presented by LightFang, I'd like some opinions. Should I open up Private Enterprise for research spending purposes? This of course will represent the efforts of private corporations in developing your nation's military. If I did this, I would have to raise the cost of tech as to not give certain nations an unfair advantage. Once more, I'd like the general consensus opinion on this rule.
Another opinion is desired as well of a historic interest. Should fighters be in squadrons, wings, or divisions? I know several nations in this time period organized their air forces differently.
@Shadowbound, Amon already had radios, so that trade has been rendered moot. Also you did not send tech to the Africans because they betrayed you.
I think that the river that runs alongside Marsellies is the Loire, but if I am mistaken, someone please correct me so I can change the update.
Tommy_toon has been removed due to inactivity.
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