Update 2: The World is Madness!
January 9th, 1936 - February 1st, 1936
European News:
GERMAN EDUCATION REFORM BILL HALTED: The 'Schulreformkonferenz' meeting was brought to a standstill as the education bureau could not decide on one of four major types of education. There have been advocates of teaching Germany's Royal Dynasties, German ancient roots, local history and customs, or Greek civility, as the main point of history focus. Until this issue is resolved, there will be no much-needed education reform.
COMMUNE OF FRANCE GEARS FOR WAR, CITIZENS PISSED: When the Commune of France invaded the Italian Federation (See Spotlight), they had to gear for war. However, the Commune of France decided to take away from Government Investment and Public Spending to supplement Military needs. This has caused a severe lack of funding for healthcare and education, with about 40% of all rural schools having to be closed, as well as a removal of most extracurricular activities. Hospitals had to close, which ironically added to the amount of casualties the French sustained in the battles. This negligent behavior has prompted several riots around France, with some Nationalist French partisan groups taking over small towns.
(+7% dissent)
SPANISH PROTESTS CRUSHED BY FORCE: In Spain, the Carlist revolts were crushed with military forces as the government deemed them too much of a threat. The area around Bilbao was rife with partisan activity, but was cleansed. The areas around Oviedo are still, as of yet, under Carlist control. Army attacks there have merely condensed the Carlists enough to pose a serious threat to Oviedo. The CNT-FAI protests were broken up by the police, which caused only a few wounded protesters. The recent turmoil in Spain has worried the international community. Ireland has already been pushed towards supporting the Carlists due to their Catholic population. It is quite possible that the Union of Britain and the Commune of France might intervene with the CNT-FAI. Mittleeuropa's interests in Morocco are threatened if Spain falls. Indeed, it is not a good age for Spain.
(+3% dissent, +1 IC)
RUSSIA TAKEN OVER BY MILITARY OFFICERS: Petr Wrangel has become the new leader of Russia today, following the assassination of former President Kerensky. When word of this broke out, the population started riots, believing the military should not be combined with the government. However, when Wrangel chose the more popular lackey general Andrei Vlasov, some protests ceased. Police were needed to crush some riots, which gave way to more dissent. Overall however, Russia is better off with a leader than none.
(-1% dissent)
DENMARK FEAR NORWEGIAN INVASION, POPULACE UNCONVINCED: Danish officials tried to rally support for expanding the army with the populace of Denmark, citing fear of Norwegian invasion. However, due to the neutrality of the region and close ties with all nations, the Danish populace did not believe this. While Denmark's government did not cite any particular nation, the press believes it would be either Norway or Sweden. Despite this, the populace generally agrees the army should be expanded a small amount, for they believe one infantry division isn't enough to guarantee security.
SWEDEN POPULACE OVERWHELMINGLY AGAINST SYNDICALISM: In a recent poll by the Swedish government, 78% of the populace was against Syndicalism. It is unknown why this poll was conducted, or why the populace is overwhelmingly against Syndicalism, but it is believe that Sweden's conservative government fears a takeover by trade unions. Luckily for them, this data shows otherwise. The same cannot be said for Norway, which has close ties to the Union of Britain.
SPOTLIGHT: INTERNATIONALE COMMUNE INVADES ITALIAN FEDERATION-
On January 14, 1936, the Commune of France and Republic of the Sicilies cooperated in a joint military operation against the Italian Federation, in order to unify the peninsula under a Syndicalist government. The battles were extremely fierce, and will be explained in further detail.
(-2% dissent for all warring nations)
FRENCH ATTACK: The French used an extremely new and experimental tactic, known as 'Foudre de Guerre', literally, lightning warfare. This tactic states that rapid movement is required to encircle and crush the enemy, mainly using motorized infantry and armor. Since this was a new concept, France initially took many losses. However, the tactic prevailed due to flanking attacks and the Italians not knowing what to do. The result was a rapid retreat towards the Po River, with the French capturing back Nice and Grenoble. However, the line eventually stabilized around Milan and Genoa. It seems likely that this area will be in a stalemate.
(Casualties:
France: 4 infantry divisions, 1 light tank division, 1 cavalry division
Italian Federation: 3 infantry divisions)
SICILIAN ATTACK: The Republic of the Sicilies did not use the French tactics, but the already tried infantry assaults. This was not the most ideal tactic in the Apennine Mountains. The Sicilians did manage to push into Anzio, but it is now tied down with urban warfare. The Italian Federation had a shining victory at Monte Cassino, where the chapel was converted into a fortress. Repeated assaults by Sicilians were defeated, with the defending Italians outnumbered 4 to 1. Bombing the fortifications around Cassino are out of the question for the Sicilians, if they want to maintain popular support.
(Casualties:
Italian Federation: 1 infantry division
Republic of the Sicilies: 1 infantry division)
BATTLE OF TYRRHENIAN SEA: The Sicilian and French navies met with the Italian Federation's navy in the Tyrrhenian Sea, just near Naples. The battle started when the Italian navy saw the Sicilian navy leave port. As the attack began, a nearby French fleet attacked. The result was one of the largest naval battles fought in these waters. Due to overwhelming firepower, the Italian navy was forced to retreat. However, they managed to inflict numerous casualties on the Sicilian fleet.
(Casualties:
France: 1 light vessel group
Italian Federation: 1 battleship, 1 light vessel group
Republic of the Sicilies: 1 battleship, 1 escort group)
INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION: The international community were not kind on the Syndicalists. Austria-Hungary, who had interests in the region, quickly canceled all trade deals with the Republic of the Sicilies, as well as numerous ones with the Commune of France. Switzerland, famous for its neutrality, condemned the action and called up some reservists for defense, but did no other consequential action. National France was outraged, as always about the spread of Syndicalism. Portugal decided to prevent any Commune of France warships from entering its waters.
Update Part Two to come...
