GD1938 Game 20

[RufusTFirefly]

Back from some very nice holidays in Ireland although it was cold and rainy the whole time. Came back from air at 15 degrees Celsius (60F) to 38 degrees Celsius (100F). Quite a big step.

German turn is done and saved at dropbox. Thanks for your patience.

[cpdeyoung]

Germany did indeed perform their operations this month, and they included taking Klaipeda. We are defending just now, but have done offensive operations in the south for awhile. Great Britain declared war on Italy, and promptly destroyed an Italian fleet in front of delighted spectators in Turkey. The Italians have been concentrating on the East Front, but now may have to scramble to protect their possessions from British and French offensives. This will help the Soviet war effort, and the USSR very much appreciates it.

Japan and Germany continue to wear away at the Soviet borders, but we produced more units per month than we lost, the numbers are classified, but significant. We are not crumbling, but are aware the enemy can deal us more hard blows.

Stalin

[ironduke1955]

The Japanese made serious attempts this month to get ahead of the Soviet production curve, more efforts will be made next months as the right equipment for the long slog to Tomsk is brought forward along the Trans Siberian Railway.

Troops have pulled back on both sides of the Chinese and Japanese borders cooling what was becoming a tense situation, the more troops on the borders the greater the chance of a incident, hopefully now peace can reign with the Chinese and the Japanese hopes that China will join in the Crusade against the Soviet tyrants before they turn their greedy eyes on eastern possessions of China and Japan. Siberia belongs to the East not the West.

[cpdeyoung]

The USSR is certain the enemy commanders have been badly let down by their economic intelligence services. They are taking on Russia, the same Russia that destroyed Napoleon. We have not changed. There will be no getting ahead of Soviet production. With all your might you never came close, nor will you. If your warmaking is predicated on thoughts that you are winning against our recruitment and production you need to rethink.

Stalin

[ironduke1955]

Perhaps something was lost in translation from the Japanese, the term attempt does not mean that Japan has yet got ahead of Soviet production, only that they will try to. One more small advance along the rail line towards Moscow, the Soviets bunch up on the shoulders of the Japanese thrust, waiting for a chance to launch a counter stroke. The Soviet Far East command HQ was disrupted with the loss of half its officers, command and control may be problematic for a month or two.

The Japanese thanks the US navy for the Naval review passing Taipei, especially the large numbers of Naval transports most impressive.

[cpdeyoung]

We wanted to make clear that it will not be getting easier as Japan advances west. We are very impressed with your progress, and want to see it end, soon.

(I had something happen that I have never seen before. A Chinese unit, allied with Japan, but not at war with the Soviets, actually destroyed a Soviet unit! Trigger happy!)

Stalin

[ironduke1955]

The Japanese approach Novosibirsk on the River Ob, the casualty toll rises on both sides, also the Soviets are approaching the Italian border as more of Western Europe is swallowed.

[cpdeyoung]

There is very little way to know how the other powers are doing.

I invite the USA, and Great Britain to post their activity here.

The Japanese are watching developments in Western Europe. There is no doubt that much of Western Europe has been swallowed by Germany. There are no Soviet troops in Western Europe. We do still hold some Polish territory, as do the Germans. We may hold a hex or two of Hungary, or perhaps not. This ground has been fought over too long to be sure. There are light Soviet forces in Finland, and the Germans have the rest of Scandinavia.

Germany holds France, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, I think Portugal, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Western Europe has indeed been swallowed, but not by the Soviets.

In the Balkans we have seen Soviet successes against Italian forces. We are a way from Italy, but would be delighted to get there soon.

The Soviet Union is defending herself against Germany, Italy and Japan at great cost. 5,846 infantry types lost to this point, but our defenders are of good spirit, and the lost comrades inspire us.

Stalin

[baloo7777]

The USA is at war with Germany. Both sides are engaging in ferocious battles in the Atlantic between German UBoats and American escorts and sub hunters. Our air forces in England have taken terrible losses attacking German sub pens in what should be French sovereign territory.

[ironduke1955]

Just to state the obvious the USA historically did not enter the war until December 7th 1941 due to a act of infamy performed by the Japanese. In our reworking of the 2nd World War no such aggression has taken place quite the opposite, there is no reasonable justification for US involvement other than to save the skin of the tyrant Stalin, who has behaved as badly if not worse than Hitler the German Leader. Japan only tries to redress the global balance of power what state would the world be in if Japan had not intervened as it did Europe would be under the heel of the Communist Soviet Union, why could this possibly be in the interest of the USA, a alien political system communism the very antithesis of free trade and capitalism, The Communist super power may talk of returning the stolen nation states to their people and leaders but we know that this would be a lie. Japan will keep its word the Soviet Union will not.

[cpdeyoung]

The Japanese juggernaut has not made any progress down the road this month. We have an East Fort as strong as we can make it, and we hope it can hold the Japanese while they are still a long way from our vitals. We still take massive losses but we produce more than we lose.

In the west we caused massive casualties with our armored forces, but enemy airpower dominates the skies and causes us casualties without loss.

Here is the situation near East Fort.

[falco148]

The German file has been sitting there for days now. Juergen, are you still there? Would be nice to get this one moving again.

[RufusTFirefly]

Had been on holidays for a week. Came back this evening. Turn done and uploaded.

@ Falco: You are right to remind me. I should have dropped a note that I am out of town for some days. Sorry for the delay.

[ironduke1955]

Having spent a month repositioning to gain a extra direction of attack on the formidable Soviet defenses the loss of momentum had the consequence of allowing the Soviets a extra month to dig in, a lesson form history that is not always a good idea. So no progress heavy losses to the Soviets though it is noted that the Japanese loss in precious heavy tanks exceeded the Soviet losses. We can only press what must be a weakened Soviet Line next month, the hope lies in a miscalculation on the resources allocated against the Germans and Italians. Only time will tell on that story.

[cpdeyoung]

Stavka has taken care to toughen the line facing the Japanese, and will not allow this area to be slack.

We are assaulted on all sides but continue to have recruiting centers filled with brave men.

In Persia an incident occurred which the USSR regrets and the following note was sent to all parties.

Persian bandits detonated bombs in the Persian ports. Soviet troops rushed to the aid of the British, but in the confusion friendly fire incidents occured.

Soviet troop have now occupied the Persian ports and peace has been offered to all parties concerned.

Red Army and British losses were heavy, but the ports are firmly under control now.

Stalin

We hope peace will rapidly be re-established with our British allies, and American and Chinese friends.

Stalin

[baloo7777]

The US has no doubt that the Soviets have used the unfounded Persian bandits excuse to seize land that was being administered by the UK. We deplore the naked aggression by the Russian behemoth. The cynical offer of peace, while holding the sword of war in its other hand, has shown the true nature of the Soviet leadership. We are in close contact with our allies on a further course of action in this unprovoked incident.

FDR

[cpdeyoung]

Well, maybe.

Have you ever visited these flea-bitten ports? The Soviet Union allowed the British to administer said ports, and the strip of land connecting India to the Middle East. We never said it would be forever.

The Soviet victory condition might have needed these ports, we are not sure? In any case you Americans have been having a grand old time not fighting the Axis, so you surely will love having another excuse to let us do all the fighting for you.

If your victory conditions involve countering the Axis in any way then you had better hope the USSR is a "behemoth". From our point of view "beleaguered" is more like it. Make peace now, and join the war against the Axis. Remember that if the brave Soviet people are defeated the West will not see a bowl of borsch! The Axis will have all the spoils of war, but then they have actually fought in this war. The Americans are "Westerners In Mortal Peril", but they do not realize it.

Stalin

[baloo7777]

Considering how much you say you need an ally that is fighting the Axis, you had no problem attacking and destroying innocent British troops in your land grab, while at the same time Britain is at the forefront of the battle against the Axis in the West. Why then are those ports so important you would betray an ally and yet, Mr. Stalin, you say you are not sure that the USSR "needed these ports" for victory? Are the brave soldiers of the Western Nations that are fighting the Germans and Italians not also "Westerners In Mortal Peril"? This unprovoked military attack is not designed to bring allies to your aid.

FDR

[cpdeyoung]

land grab

Those ports are not valuable property, but they might be part of my victory condition so I took them back from the British. If you know they are, or are not, part of the Persian victory condition please feel free to enlighten me.

need an ally that is fighting the Axis

Well, I want western nations fighting the Axis. If I need them or not remains to be seen. If the United States has an Anti-Bolshevik crusade as a victory condition then I would expect you to fight me. If your victory conditions involve the defeat of the Axis I would expect you to fight them. The Soviet Union is fighting the Axis. One reason is that our victory condition involves me in war with Germany and Italy. I have far less reason to want conflict with Japan, but I do not have much of a choice.

not designed to bring allies to your aid

The Soviet Union does not care for allies, and does not expect aid. We are fighting the armed forces of the Axis and want every nation to do so. Do not fight the Axis because you "like" us, fight them in fear of what their power will be if they defeat us.

Stalin

[falco148]

Italian forces surround big Soviet armored formations in Zagreb. The encirclement is tenuous but hopefully our German allies can reinforce the lines soon.
A British submarine formation is wiped out east of Malta. Malta itself is attacked again by Italian bombers and fighters but they continue to hold out.

The Soviets and the British appear to be at loggerheads at the moment. The Fuhrer & Mussolini are highly amused by this. This can only be good for the Axis...[:D]