GD1938v3 AAR (SECL)

[ernieschwitz]

As can be seen from the following, the defense of Wuhan and Changsha is over. Japanese troops are heading towards Kweiyang, in the east.

[ernieschwitz]

And Finally in the North, the main communist base (in History), Yenan, has just fallen. Lanchow is under threat. If it falls or if communications with it are cut to the east of the city, then Soviet help, would be forced to be delivered to Urumchi, in the Western most China.

[BvB]

also, IIRC, south of Changsha an army was cut off consisting of an HQ, 2 divisions, and 3 shattered shell units

[ernieschwitz]

There is a new issue of Dawn of the Revolution out!

[ernieschwitz]

As the above alluded to Germany has taken control of Yugoslavia. This is great news, for Germany! There was also unrest in the Baltic Countries, and their current stability is: Low. Also this turn, USSR got it's production restrictions lifted (Yay!), and thus the news about a new 5 year plan seemed to be in order.

In China things look bleak, for the Chinese. Just to give a bit of a scale to it, here is a picture of the world.

[cpdeyoung]

Bureau of Logistics
Staff notes

9 January 1939

Soviet commentators have looked at the Chinese front and find the conditions bleak for China. They do not seem to have much visibility into the Chinese situation. Chinese officials say that they lost 531 infantry types in the Japanese attacks. This certainly seems bad, but Japanese losses at 216 are much greater than Japan has been having. The Japanese will not get ground for free, and better training has made the Chinese soldier a far better opponent. China has more manpower than Japan.

China does have a logistics problem, and the root of their difficulty is the loss of so many mines. There are various ways China can get supplies, but the most obvious is another nation, or nations, stepping in on China's side. America cannot do so because of isolationist policies.

In Europe the French and British continue to rearm

[BvB]

all quiet with the peaceful European Axis. In China the attrition battle continues, slowly grinding through nasty terrain against stiffening resistance. Minor gains in ground, but inflicted a lot of losses on various Chinese HQs acting as front line defensive units, surrounding some.

[cpdeyoung]

Bureau of Logistics
Staff notes

6 February 1939

The French reveal that they are disbanding units for lack of supply. Logistics are a horrible master.

The Chinese want to make clear to the world that they have indeed suffered horrible losses. However we hear the Japanese have lost riflemen that will never serve the Emperor again. The Chinese do continue to suffer from supply problems but despite the losses to the Japanese China has a huge pool of untapped manpower. The Chinese situation seems to resonate in the West, and public opinion is strongly against the Japanese. America, which has never had a conflict with Japan, is now fortifying the Philippines and resetting priorities.

Certainly the Japanese are showing they are man killers, but China was broken at the start of the campaign. Only time will tell if Japan can hold their "gains".

[BvB]

I'm no good at posting maps or fancy stuff on computer, but Japanese depleted units continue their drive, making further gains, capturing Nanning and Lanchow (forget the name) plus a failed effort in the center against the last Chinese mine and a drive down the road toward Kuming (again forget the name without going to a map). What japan lacks in infantry and fuel it makes up for with support units, experience/morale of troops.... Due to fuel situation haven't built a single tank or plane all game and minimized movement of the growing navy. Oh, did build some transport planes, forgot - they help supply forward units or make parachute raids.

[cpdeyoung]

Bureau of Logistics
Staff notes

3 April 1939

The long period of tension continues to put a strain on logistics everywhere. France continues to be undersupplied. The French just do not produce enough supplies for the level of troops the Defense Ministry needs. Britain was happy to maintain a position of influence and control in Finland but there was no way to supply the troops there. The British influenced the Finns to approach the Soviets, and with proper assurances of Finnish sovereignty they have integrated their forces with Stavka.

There are massive forces aligned along the German-Soviet Border,

[ernieschwitz]

The "Dawn" has a new edition out.

[ernieschwitz]

Been a while since my last post (sorry about that). As can be read tensions are running high in the Soviet High Command. Not only has the Baltic countries joined the Germans (last turn) but also the Romanians (this turn). This means there is a long front, stretching from Narva in the North, to Odessa in the South where there potentially can be a conflict between USSR and the Axis.

While I am sure this bodes well for the excitement of the game in the following turns, I am not so sure about what it will mean for the USSR in the short term. We will no doubt lose ground, but the Axis has hesitated. Perhaps the defensive alliance between the Soviet Union and the Western Allies have taken the Axis powers off guard. Perhaps they were waiting for the ideal moment (maximum broadening of the front) before they will strike.

The last couple of turns a strong collection of forces have been seen along the Soviet/Polish border. The weather is fine, and those factors would usually mean that the campaign is forthcoming.

As for China... it has been reduced to three cities this turn. Chungking, Urumuchi and Kashgar. Not a great situation for China. Still hats off, they are fighting as best they can.

[cpdeyoung]

Bureau of Logistics
Staff notes

Logistics rears its problematic head again in China. The supplies are there for the troops in central China, but cannot be transported to the troops in the northeast.

China actually has some offensive potential, and has counterattacked when the opportunity presents itself. It is clear that any comeback for China depends on the future of the Allies, Great Britain, France and the Soviet Union. America can certainly play a part if the fortunes of war brings her forward. All nations concerned have agreed that China has a future, Only the Japanese and her Axis friends imagine China as a huge colony.

France continues to be low on supplies.

[cpdeyoung]

Bureau of Logistics
Staff notes

24 July 1939

Both France and Great Britain are struggling with supplies. Both nations are trying to maintain a state of high readiness, but shipping is limited. Once the government can call for civilian shipping to be converted to military use this will improve. Of course if Great Britain is at war the enemy will disrupt our supply lines.

China has almost no resources left. She is not done yet, but the end is near. Of course, the path of the war will determine her future, as it does all nations.

[cpdeyoung]

Bureau of Logistics
Staff notes

21 August 1939

The continuing peace in Europe is having a major effect on the British. Across the world the military is struggling with supply issues. Only 3500 of 10000 supply requests were filled.

The shortage of transport is the primary cause. The Cabinet is thinking of the unprecedented step of commandeering merchant shipping in peacetime.

[cpdeyoung]

Bureau of Logistics
Staff notes

16 October 1939

The continuous tension of armed camps facing each other with no moves towards peace is making the world ill. Germany and Italy grow stronger each day, poised to strike a massive blow, while the USSR and France think how to absorb it. A war that no same person wants seems to be approaching in Europe. In Asia the nation of China has been obliterated. Japan is on top of the hill, and flexing her muscle. Will she digest her big meal, or will she look further abroad?

Great Britain and France are doing their best to secure the colonies bordering the Japanese. More would be sent to Asia but the current shipping drought prevents this. The War Office is being very quiet about the Empire's defenses in the Asian theater, but demands on shipping there have been noted.

[cpdeyoung]

Bureau of Logistics
Staff notes

5 February 1940

Greece has recognized the danger from the north and has allied with Britain.Britain will try to supply Greek troops, but with current shipping and supply constraints this will not be easy. In January Great Britain built a supply complex in the British Isles. We do not know the strength of the German undersea effort, and do not want an unpleasant surprise.

[cpdeyoung]

Bureau of Logistics
Staff notes

4th March 1940

Logistical staff talks are proceeding between the British and French. Alliance cannot start till they are in a belligerent state.

[YorStein]

Reporter from the National News Department of Tropico NNDT

Question to any Military Staff willing to give an Answer :
Could you provide an rough estimate of the Number of troops involded aswell as the current losses by any or all sides ?

Kind regards from El Presidente

[cpdeyoung]

US : Losses = zero.
FR : Losses = zero.
GB : Losses = zero.
SU : Losses = zero.
GR : Losses = zero.
IT : Losses = zero.
JP : Losses = moderate.
CH : Losses = total, the entire Chinese military is destroyed. A partisan pops up once in a while.

The forces built up in the non-belligerent nations are about as large as possible in peacetime. Germany and the Soviet Union have vast forces on their borders. France is handicapped by supply concerns but has done the best she can. Great Britain has attempted to give the empire a defensive stance.

The peace cannot hold. All hell will break loose.