Update 6: The End of the Beginning
May 2nd, 1936 - May 31st, 1936
European News:
UKRAINIAN AGRICULTURAL CRISIS: After Black Monday, Germany instituted protectionist agricultural reforms so that German farmers were able to survive in the broken economy. However, this would pose a problem as Ukraine, which had depended on the grain trade with Germany for economic security, now had no major market to unload their grain surpluses. Even worse, German subsidies for Ukrainian grain were cut in favor for those of German farmers. The result is that ruling class of Ukrainian agrarian landowners no longer have the money to maintain their position of authority in the countryside. Already, Syndicalist farmers in Ukraine have begun to rise up, mostly the poor farmers. These problems are likely to get worse, even though grain demand might rise due to the war. This is because, while it was easy to form the protectionist policies, the German farmer lobby now demands these trade barriers be kept in place. This means that the German Reichstag has been split in the middle of whether to lift trade restrictions or not. Either way, it is tough times ahead for Ukraine.
(Ukraine: +6% dissent, -2 IC)
MEIN KAMPF PUBLISHED IN GERMANY: The Propylaen Publishing House; in association with the Grossdeutch Partei, or the ultranationalist Pan-Germanist/National Populist party; released a new series of books devoted to individual German soldiers' stories accounts and poetry from the conflicts of the Weltkrieg. Notable examples include the diary of Sergant Adolf Hitler, a signalman who amongst other distinctions was awarded no less than two Iron Crosses for his valour on the Western and Eastern fronts, before dying in the Russian Intervention. The diaries were produced during the German intervention in Russia and provide a unique and fiery insight into the nature of the bitter ideological struggle. These accounts have become the best-selling book series, not just in Germany, but throughout Europe and the United States, as some of the most inspiring stories of the First Great War. The German people have been enthralled by the eyewitness accounts of these brave soldiers, and it has brought some end to the unrest in Germany due to the war and Black Monday fallout.
(Germany: -1% dissent)
CNT-FAI & FAUD GIVEN REFUGE: After the CNT-FAI was banned from Spain, many of its supporters fled to Syndicalist nations such as France and Britain. The CNT-FAI members were all given refuge by the Syndicalist government, where they will be allowed to return should Spain reverse its decision. There are some rumors of these Syndicalist nations arming the CNT-FAI to return to Spain as paramilitary forces, although that doesn't seem to be the case with the majority of Spanish exiles. FAUD was banned from Germany earlier this month, and most members gained refuge in France, Britain, and Norway. However, Denmark refused to give refuge, and about 1,000 Syndicalists were forcibly given to the German police. However, this may not have been the best of moves, as Denmark's human rights records have been tarnished after Germany was revealed to be torturing the Syndicalists for war information.
(France & Britain: -1% dissent
Denmark: +1% dissent)
CARLISTS TAKE OVER NORTHERN SPAIN: After months of fighting in Oviedo while being encircled by Spanish forces, the Carlists have expanded their hold upon the region by staging a revolt in Burgos, which they have proclaimed their new capital. Fighting has also broke out in La Coruna. These Carlist groups have become well organized over the past few months, and it is likely that some form of international aid is coming through to the Carlists, most likely from a Catholic nation. The aid is currently of poor quality, and also of tiny quantities, but their equipment has included some modern artillery shells that can fire chemical weaponry. The Carlists have lost 900 members in the warfare of northern Spain, while the Spanish military and police have lost about 400. Spanish civilian casualties are now too numerous to count for international observers, although it is likely around 5,000. The hidden elements of the now banned CNT-FAI have also begun to stage their own revolts around Barcelona, where armed civilians have begun to kill factory owners and try to bring them to Syndicalism. Total casualties in the east are most likely around 100. Spain is tearing itself apart, and it will get worse over the following months.
(Spain: Revolts in Northern and Eastern Spain, +2% dissent)
RUSSIAN REVOLTS IN EASTERN EUROPE: In White Ruthenia, Ukraine, Lithuania, the Don-Kuban Union, and Alash Orda, several ethnic Russian groups rose up in dissent against their governments, wishing to return these countries to Russian authority. Several revolts were quickly repressed with German help, notably the Kiev and Minsk riots. However, Alash Orda and the Don-Kuban Union had serious problems overcoming the riots without international support, and only their militaries were able to overcome these problems. In Lithuania, the ethnic Russian minority didn't riot, but simply took political action against the government. There was some serious discussion over what to do with these Russians, and several political dissidents were exiled to their beloved nation. It is estimated under 10 people were killed in these riots, about 100 wounded, and over 1,200 arrested. These minority Russians simply aren't well organized or collaborative.
(White Ruthenia, Ukraine: +1% dissent
Lithuania: -1% dissent
Don-Kuban Union, Alash Orda: +2% dissent)
Spotlight #1: Russian Reformation
ECONOMIC REFORMS: Russia has been first and foremost, a country dependent on agriculture for its economic growth and stability. It is one of the few nations left that has yet to fully embrace industrialization. However, Petr Wrangel's Administration plans to change all that. The Administration has begun to prioritize industrial development, and has hopes to have industry eventually take over agriculture as the dominant sector of the Russian economy. Machinery has been ordered for Russian factories from a variety of companies, mostly from the Entente nations and the United States. The Administration has also announced that infrastructure will be a major factor in boosting the economic situation, and to that end, will expand road and railway networks, especially to some of the eastern industrial complexes. Also, twelve new government-owned companies and administrative bureaus have been created to help with Russian industrialization, such as the National Oil Advisor which will deal with exploitation of Russia's natural gas and oil reserves. Such a sweeping reform will not be completed soon, and with such ambitious goals, a fully realized industrial state may not appear for 10 years. Nonetheless, the government is confident industrialization will occur before that time.
(Russia: -1% dissent)
FINNISH-RUSSIAN TENSIONS MOUNT: During the first half of May, Russia had tried to soften the cold relations with Finland by trying to increase trade and foreign investments in the country. The Finnish government appreciated the measures, and begun to try and speak diplomatically about the former Finnish territories and begin a new relationship of understanding with Russia. That was until May 17th, when a misguided Russian military truck driven by a supposed drunk driver crashed into a major Finnish border crossing, killing 6 Finnish border guards, 20 Finnish civilians, and 13 Russians of various sorts. Then, on May 20th, a Russian fighter plane involved in an exercise lost power and couldn't turn back into Russia, forcing it to crash into the Finnish city of Lappeenranta, causing about 70 casualties. After these incidents, the Finnish government closed the border with Russia and expelled the Russian ambassador from Helsinki, until a time when Russia can guarantee no further provocations will occur.
(Finland: +1% dissent)
GOVERNMENT REFORMS: A newly created Russian Parliamentary Assembly has been created by the Petr Wrangel Administration, which has given a voice to all factions of the Russian people, from the ultranationalists to the social democrats. While the Russian people are mostly happy with this change in a seeming direction towards democracy, international observers note that the Assembly actually has very little role in government. The only major actions it can take are affirming proposals by the Administration and suggesting ones to the Administration. Government activists also note that the Assembly is crawling with people with connections to Petr Wrangel, from former Army buddies to rich businessmen. The Tsar has been kept as a ceremonial figurehead and has been given the power to dissolve the Assembly and call for new elections. This has pleased Monarchists, although some of the more radical elements do not see this as enough action on the government's part.
(Russia: -5% dissent)
MILITARY REFORMS: The Russian army has always been a huge mass of people, but it also uses the most outdated equipment for any major power in the world, or indeed even regional powers. Petr Wrangel wishes to change all of this. He has set a plan to modernize the Russian military, by giving new equipment, mostly from newly built Russian armament factories. However, since it is almost impossible for the entire Russian army to be equipped with the most modern technology, Petr Wrangel has announced that the army will be downsized severely. He has also tried to convince his generals to change their Great War doctrine of annihilation in depth, basically meaning the enemy will be crushed by a huge mass of soldiers, no matter the cost to Russia. Petr Wrangel wishes to change the doctrine. He also wishes to have combined-arms focus throughout the military, with strong emphasis on armored offensives with artillery and air support. However, such a doctrine reform not only has many opponents, but such a doctrine is unrealistic in light of the pitifully small air force and artillery support. Most opposing army commanders have been sacked due to their opposition, but many regard this as an outright betrayal of the very faction which helped Petr Wrangel rise into power.
(Russia: +1% dissent)
WHITE TERROR: Despite all these new reforms, the government still remains an extremely conservative establishment. And with Russia's history with the First Great War, xenophobia has grown steadily over the past decade. All this exploded in one swoop when the government decided to formally ban all religious establishments except the Russian Orthodox Church, foreign languages banned, and Russian culture and customs forcibly imposed upon minorities. The conservative government also created a secret police force to crack down on dissidents, especially left-wing radicals such as the remaining Bolsheviks. A large portion of the Syndicalist leadership has disappeared or fled the country, while any former members of such left-wing organizations have either been arrested or are under close watch by Russian authorities. The Jews in Russia have also been associated with the Bolsheviks by Petr Wrangel, and vast droves of them have been either arrested or exiled. What remains of them either lay hidden or have fled for the United States and other Western nations.
(Russia: +2% dissent)
Spotlight #2: The Second Great War
FRANCO-ITALIAN FRONT: France has continued their advance into Italy, and now have found large problems with their tactical doctrines. France would not tolerate an Italian pocket in Monaco on their flank that could possibly ruin their plans to further the advance, so the French decided to crush the pocket by all means necessary. Bombers and artillery basically leveled the city, but civilians had not been given any warning, although this is attributed to not alerting the enemy to such an attack. However, about 60% of Monaco's population was killed in the fury of explosions and shrapnel, while the remaining Italians hid in the hills or the ruins. Then, the French tried to use their Foudre de Guerre tactic in the ruined city. However, the speed and maneuverability of motorized vehicles in a city is drastically reduced due to narrow streets, particularly if all the buildings were bombed out. Thus, a large portion of the French forces were wiped out by ambushes, because trying to break through enemy lines in a city and encircle them is drastically different than on open ground. Thus, it is pretty much established that this tactic cannot be used in cities.
Nonetheless, the French annihilated the Monaco pocket, and proceeded to try to take the Ticino River. The French lined up their motorized divisions which seemingly would cross the river and attack. A furious aerial and artillery bombardment destroyed most of the Italian cover, although many bunkers remained. However, after this bombardment, the agile French motorized divisions flanked the Italians, while the slower infantry pushed the Italians away from the river. However, this was the only major French accomplishment. The Italians knew they were going to lose positions, so they destroyed much of the infrastructure required for the motorized infantry to be effective, mostly by blocking roads or destroying railway lines.
(Casualties-
France: 3 motorized infantry divisions, 1 infantry division, 1 militia division
Italy: 3 infantry divisions, 1 artillery brigade)
Dead Italian Soldiers on a Road After French Bombing and Strafing
ITALIAN-SICILIAN FRONT: Upon the divided Italian Peninsula, the fighting continues in the most brutal fashion of this war yet. This time, the war is locked in an extremely dangerous situation, with the Austrians holding the main bread basket of the Sicilians, and the Sicilians pushing forward on Rome. In the Austrian sector, a large number of Bohemian infantry divisions pushed the Sicilian's off the Austrian supply lines, although such an effort was extremely hard due to the Sicilian guerrilla forces which remained unchecked in the more combated areas. Thus, pockets of resistance have formed just behind the front, resulting in a dangerous situation for any remaining Bohemian infantry stationed there. Meanwhile, the Austrians continued to push forward to Naples, and managed to reach within shelling positions of the city. However, soon a large portion of the army broke off and shifted northwest, presumably to destroy Sicilian forces from behind. However, this has left what forces remaining at Naples in a dangerous position, as the remaining infantry there are stretched to even cover the dangerously exposed and thin supply line.
Meanwhile, the Sicilians have had victories of their own. While they were pushed off the main Austrian flank, they have continued their march against Rome. The Sicilians outnumber the Italians in that front by a large amount, and quickly overrun their lines. Even worse, the Sicilians were assured air dominance over the skies as the Italian fighters were busy with the French front. This resulted in several incidences of Sicilian military HQs being bombarded, resulting in deaths of several brigade commanders. With Sicilian leadership in disarray, the Italians were forced to retreat to Rome, where the Sicilians had just taken the outskirts. Sicilian artillery pounded the city, although it missed any historical areas of interest, such as the Vatican or the Colosseum. Italian forces are struggling to keep the city from falling into Syndicalist hands, with most of the remaining army units partisans. The Italian government has fled to Bologna temporarily, until such a time when Rome isn't directly threatened. Each side has forces in the enemy capital, so it is now a race to see who will capture first, or who will save it first.
(Casualties-
Italy: 1 infantry division
Sicily: 2 infantry divisions
Austria: 2 infantry divisions
Bohemia: 3 infantry divisions)
FRANCO-GERMAN FRONT: The French have continued to slowly crush the German pockets, but this strategy now no longer applies with the Germans scattered all over the countryside. Most German divisions have been completely separated, into extremely small units. Most of the German's small pockets are held by companies or even platoons, but there are many in the mostly rural areas and forests. The French nonetheless have managed to crush German resistance in Amiens and pushed the Germans back further into Lille, but have not quite defeated them yet. Hungarian forces have proven to be adequate allies, for while they are totally undependable for attacking, their defensive tactics are superb. The Hungarians have held Valenciennes and the surrounding forests against French artillery barrages. Meanwhile, the British Expeditionary Force managed to land safely in Cherbourg, although it was too late in the month to affect any battle, mainly due to trying to the Force safely across the Channel.
(Casualties-
France: 2 infantry divisions, 1 cavalry division, 1 motorized division
Germany: 5 infantry divisions)
MEDITERRANEAN SEA THEATER: The war in the Mediterranean continues to be one striking mercantile shipping with submarine wolfpacks. The Austrian submarines have plagued French shipping around Marseilles, sinking about 45 French and 12 Sicilian ships containing various supplies. However, the French port authority has decreed that due to the submarine threat, the port will be closed for the time being. The Sicilians used their submarines to harass Austria's Adriatic shipping routes, sinking 27 Austrian ships, 3 Croatian ships, and mistakenly, an Albanian ship. However, Austrian destroyers successfully hunted down one Sicilian wolfpack that was returning to port. The other wolfpack escaped. The National French have become outraged that now their ports of Tunis and Algiers are under threat of Austria's submarines, and have formally complained to their Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Shipping for the entire region has fallen 65%, which includes neutral nations such as Spain, National France, Libya, and Greece. The Italians left their ships in port, yet again.
(Casualties-
Sicily: 1 submarine wolfpack
Austria: 1 light vessel group)
ATLANTIC OCEAN THEATER: The war in the Atlantic continues to be one which the Syndicalists are gradually losing. While no major battles took place as only smaller ships of each side were sent out, there was heavy fighting in the English Channel. A middling portion of the American escort groups and British destroyer and cruiser fleet were sunk, but both side's capital ships remained mostly intact. There was an incident upon the
USS Lexington, when two American fighter planes were returning from sinking a British destroyer, when one of the pilots lost control, slammed into the other returning plane, and exploded above the deck, showering it with debris. The total casualty report for this incident was 46 men. The French tried to find and sink American ships, but they were unable to find any ships.
(Casualties-
America: 3 escort groups
Britain: 2 light vessel groups, 1 escort group)
THE AIR WARS: