GD1938 Game 11

[ernieschwitz]

Of all the countries who has lost the most men so far? Of all the countries who has lost their capitol? Of all the countries who is trying to push back a hostile invader? The Chinese think that this discussion about who is warmongering and who is not is ridiculous, considering that daily Chinese soldiers bleed for their motherland. These peaceloving nations should instead try and pressure the real foe, the Japanese, who have been at war with China for more than a year now!

[cpdeyoung]

I just have to note in this journal the comments of one W. Churchill, speaking to the topic of recent German protests that we are "warmongering" and too powerful.

... and who is it that is speaking, who is making these claims, why it is Herr Hitler, representing the government of Germany. Germany, the same Germany that painted Europe in blood two score years ago. Germany, a nation who considers its neighbors not just inferior, but sub-human. Germany, a country made by war, standing upon the bones of the states it conquered on its way to being a nation.

The Fleet is at Malta, they say. The fleet has been at Malta for a very long time. Malta is on no countries border, Malta, fortress and port, is part of the Empire. Let all nations sail a middle sea saluting one another under the colors of peace.

If the British Empire is strong I celebrate it, let it always be strong. If, as I fear, we are challenged across the world by powers who would turn to warfare to gain their ends, then let us go from strength to strength, let us be stronger still. The world is a better place with a strong British Empire.

Winston has a way with words, but I am bothered that Mussolini seems to let Hitler speak for him. I had hoped that Italy would go its own way.

Alan Brooke
November 19, 1938

[Twotribes]

Meanwhile peaceful Italy is subject to the whims of a massive force of ships that have no legitimate business in Malta. And Germany gets blamed for Britain building numerous factories of war while she only built one in response to Britain war mongering production. Further Germany has no troops in foreign Countries rattling sabers along peaceful borders.

[cpdeyoung]

Nearly the new year, no combat yet, but the year 1938 has been filled with high tension.

We now have three tank factories in operation. I have been criticized for not building an aircraft factory, and I wish I could, but the sight of exercising tanks and lorried infantry has calmed the invasion fears. There is nothing like film of tanks rushing to a beach and pushing the invader back into the waves. I think our tanks are about as good as any out there, and our divisions are gaining experience each month. We have built new access roads for military traffic, but they have proven hugely popular with the motoring public too. They are compared to "Autobahns" built by Hitler. For me they assure our armored forces and halftracked artillery can get to an invasion site quickly. We still have no real evidence that the Germans planned to invade the Home Islands, but I had to act on that possibility.

The Japanese are rapidly approaching the borders of Indochina. Will they stop when they reach them? Will there be any cooperation between the Axis powers?

1939 will tell a lot.

Alan Brooke
12 December 1938

[Twotribes]

Obviously the British are intent on war, Germany will have to rethink their peaceful intentions and gear for war in response to the aggressive militaristic bent of Briton.

[cpdeyoung]

The new year is here and Great Britain and France are still at peace. This was a quiet month mostly concerned with the flow of shipping around the world. The remarkably favorable new government in Persia has given us new resources and a tiny new military force to integrate. This new territory gives us a way to communicate with the Soviets if we all end up at war with the Axis.

Except for China, where the Chinese have a real battle with the Japanese, 1938 seems now to have been a time for building up. We began to rearm, based on our evaluation of the Axis threat. German intentions are still shrouded in mystery, but we are seeing units near the French, Belgian and Dutch borders now. The Germans protest their peaceful stance, and accuse us of militarism. We cannot allow perception to prevent the rearming of our dangerously weak countries.

Alan Brooke
9 January 1939

[Jeffrey H.]

ORIGINAL: cpdeyoung

The new year is here and Great Britain and France are still at peace. This was a quiet month mostly concerned with the flow of shipping around the world. The remarkably favorable new government in Persia has given us new resources and a tiny new military force to integrate. This new territory gives us a way to communicate with the Soviets if we all end up at war with the Axis.

Except for China, where the Chinese have a real battle with the Japanese, 1938 seems now to have been a time for building up. We began to rearm, based on our evaluation of the Axis threat. German intentions are still shrouded in mystery, but we are seeing units near the French, Belgian and Dutch borders now. The Germans protest their peaceful stance, and accuse us of militarism. We cannot allow perception to prevent the rearming of our dangerously weak countries.

Alan Brooke
9 January 1939

Watch what the other hand is doing. The Germans are threatening war with the Soviet Union over nothing more than undesireable diplomatic maneuvers.

[Twotribes]

Britain will find their war mongering ways will be self fulfilling. As for the Soviets attempts to take historical German allies will be meet with appropriate responses. There is no reason the Soviet Union needs Bulgaria EXCEPT as a means to attack Germany.

[cpdeyoung]

With all the rumors and alarms influencing us to build arms now, we are actually backing off for a period of quiet. The Germans are threatening, but have not made any moves yet, and Japan seems to be concentrating on the Chinese for now. We expect to know the course of the coming war much better soon. I cannot commit troops to a theater that may be a backwater. Once war comes it will be more difficult to move forces about, but we just don't know yet. It is often a mistake to try and be strong everywhere.

The country is calmer. Invasion panic seems over. People have heard Herr Hitler blustering for a while now, and his rhetoric wears thin. I do not think the people are complacent, only that they are going to deal with the war when it comes, and get about their lives until then.

My armour commanders are concerned that we have too big a variety of tanks. I think this cannot be helped as we are developing rapidly.

Alan Brooke
6 February 1939

[cpdeyoung]

Tired tonight, and things are quiet, so I am going to forego the journal entry.

Alan Brooke
6 March 1939

[cpdeyoung]

The decision made long ago to build armour seems to have been matched by the Germans who now have multiple factories building their panzers. We recognize the potency of armour and are not happy about this. My French counterpart and I have been discussing the recent intelligence finding that Italy is not to be seen in North Africa, other than a small garrison in Tripoli. If war comes between us we intended to run a quick campaign there, but if Italy withdrew it will change these plans. This comes at a time when the USSR has taken Turkey under its (left) wing. A Soviet presence on the Syrian border does not make my day.

The people seem reluctant to build more arms factories till war actually comes. I might argue the point, but I agree in a way. Just now we do not know what the future may bring, so we must allow life to be lived. Perhaps this generation will escape war, more likely not.

Certainly those of our generation who are Chinese have not escaped war, and the Japanese seem driven to conquer China. They are waging large war there.

Alan Brooke
3 April 1939

[Twotribes]

With a third factory of armor up and running the German economy turns to other concerns.

[cpdeyoung]

Germany now has three Panzer factories, and we have the same producing our tanks. There is a big difference between us however, as we have a global empire to defend. German intentions remain a conundrum as we know they have built up powerful forces, but where will they strike. The Poles and Czechs have much to fear I am certain, but my French colleagues are wondering too, as they try to find a decent force mix. We are glad for the peaceful times, but wonder how much things will hold. The campaigning season is just getting underway, and will end in October. Sometime between now and September is the most likely.

In the Far East a major conflict swirls around us.

Alan Brooke
1 May 1939

[Twotribes]

Thanks to Britain waking Germany up to the threat she possesses Germany now has an Aircraft Factory.

[cpdeyoung]

Administrative actions and global concerns took my time this month

No extra production, and no counter to the Luftwaffe's new toys. There are so may different things to budget for, and all can result in painful compromise.

Alan Brooke
June 1939

[ernieschwitz]

Speaking of waking up, hello world, says the USA, as it breaks isolationism.

[cpdeyoung]

Legislative news from The United States, and very good news it is! The American Congress has passed a bill in both houses authorizing the Executive to pursue new options in diplomacy and military affairs. The bill does not specifically mention Germany and Japan, but the intent is clear. I have huge respect for the capacity of the United States, and having her in the picture may save this fragile peace.

Alan Brooke
June 1939

[Jeffrey H.]

ORIGINAL: Twotribes

Britain will find their war mongering ways will be self fulfilling. As for the Soviets attempts to take historical German allies will be meet with appropriate responses. There is no reason the Soviet Union needs Bulgaria EXCEPT as a means to attack Germany.

Hrrm, attack Germany ? I did not consider that at all, especially not with respect to Bulgaria. A buffer between our Turkish border and the ever present danger of Romania and Italy seemed like a reasonable idea.

In the past now.

[cpdeyoung]

The country continues in its quiet way of life. We have built no factories again to defuse the situation a bit. The Soviet Union and Germany are still allies, an unholy alliance if there ever was one. We are wary, especially as Japan has offered alliances to Germany and Italy. The world seems heading to war, but we still do not know the nature the war will take.

The French tell us that the Japanese are rattling sabers over the French alliance with China, and some apparent concerns with volunteers joining the Chinese struggle. In my opinion our nations will be at war in a matter of months. It will be a large struggle, outcome uncertain.

Alan Brooke
26 June 1939

[Jeffrey H.]

The USA declares war on Russia. Then tells Russia to do whatever it wants to. So, the USA and England plan a land war in Asia and or Eastern Europe.

I think Germany was right to sound the alarm against the English construction of so many tank factories.