Stjeand (Axis) vs Nirosi (Allies) Stjeand may look

[Nirosi]

French troops near Paris trying to hold the German juggernaut!

[Nirosi]

Allied turn of August 2nd , 1940

Paris has fallen to German troops under Manstein’s command. Rouen is still firmly in French hands, but further South Vichy was also taken by three mobile German corps. A desperate attempt to retake the city failed. Overall, the German army seems tired and overextended, however, the French will to fight seems broken and unless they witness a surprising reversal of fortunes, a majority of the French government is willing to negotiate a cease-fire to try to save what can still be saved.

[Nirosi]

With things seriously heating up in the Mediterranean, the British government decided to send even more fighter squadrons in the theater, this time directly to Egypt. However, the units to be sent will first be positioned ready to be shipped, but will be sent only after German intentions regarding the UK become more obvious. After some debate, it was decided to still send only a third of the BEF to Egypt, especially since Australia and New-Zealand promised some troops soon.

[Nirosi]

Soldiers from the II Corps evacuating Cherbourg.

[Nirosi]

Allied turn of August 16th, 1940

With the British abandoning them, and the front in chaos, France made a deal with Germany and retreated to neutrality. Most of France is now occupied by Germany.

The fighter squadrons based in Bristol and that were scheduled to be shipped to Egypt were delayed by a few days. The Luftwaffe deployment in France is slightly worrisome and could, maybe, indicate a preparation for a bombing campaign.

[Nirosi]

In a move that can be seen as a betrayal of its former ally (then again who betrayed first, if anyone, is a matter of perspective), British troops entered Syria. London did not believe that French troops in Syria would be capable of stopping an Axis invasion, so they decided to preventively invade the French mandate. However, the inability to coordinate the attack with the bombers based in Egypt and also stronger resistance than expected meant that, unlike Beirut, Tripoli could not be occupied yet, despite having surrendered to British forces. It is not believed that Italian troops in Rhodes or Eastern Libya are ready for a seaborne invasion, but this can not be known for sure.

In Malta, the defenders are holding their breath. Some more anti-air defenses are expected soon, but for at least two weeks, things could be touch and go over the sky of the small island.

At sea, U-boats where ruthless and worries are mounting in London about what is more and more been called the Battle of the Atlantic.

[Nirosi]

Allied turn of August 30th, 1940

Three Italian corps entered Egypt and advanced fast toward El-Alamein. A corps was rushed to the front from Syria to help the Western Desert Force hold the line. Little German help seems to be coming to Africa with the exception of an air group of some sort.

A massive German build-up was detected on the Vichy and Yugoslavian borders. A corps from the UK was rushed to Gibraltar to be ready for deployment to French North Africa if the Germans break their word and Vichy France joins the Allied fold again. Two more corps in England are also ready for departure if needed. With September around the corner, the window of opportunity for a German invasion of the UK is closing fast, allowing the British army to maybe send more resources oversea.

Heavy merchant and escort losses were reported in Atlantic.

[Nirosi]

Allied turn of September 13th, 1940

As expected, Germany declared war on Yugoslavia and advanced deeply into its territory, easily taking Zagreb in the process. In return Yugoslavia declared war on Italy and a detachment is now advancing toward Trieste while the rest of the army is converging to defend Belgrade.

However, Germany did not make any move into Vichy as it was expected. Only time will tell if it was a bluff or if the rain in Southern France postponed their plans. Still a second infantry corps was sent on standby to Gibraltar.

The Italians in Egypt retreated toward the Libyan border. The Intelligence Corps is still trying to assess if they were afraid of the beefed-up defenses or if it is a trap to draw the Western Desert Force out of its position. For now, General Wavell ordered his troops to stay put. The fleet ready to operate in the sector to support the army therefore returned to Malta. An infantry corps, composed of veterans from France, arrived to help and disembarked West of Alexandria. Now the British have three corps at the front, with another one coming if the Australians and New-Zealanders authorities are to be believed!

Merchant and escort losses keep accumulating faster than they can be replaced, for now. Still, U-boats seem to suffer loses too. The United Kingdom also started a modest strategic campaign on lightly or not defended German controlled targets.

[Nirosi]

The United Kingdom does not intend to abandon Malta. It is not only a question of strategic value, but also, maybe even foremost, a question of pride an honor for the Empire!

[Nirosi]

Allied turn of September 27th, 1940

German troops continued to push toward Belgrade and have started besieging the capital. It is doubtful it can last a serious attempt at taking the city.

Despite very nice weather, no attempt has been made on Vichy. The German air and land buildup at its border remains a mystery to British Intelligence. However, the new air deployment in Sicily, Sardinia and Southern Italy seems to indicate a preparation for a coup de force into French North Africa (and maybe also Malta). It is therefore speculated that the Axis waited to be ready for a move on both Vichy territories at the same time. Due to landing craft shortages (priorities are for escorts and the merchant marine), two very light corps will be sent to Gibraltar in case an assault is actually needed on Morocco’s beaches.

The Battle of the Atlantic continues to be brutal both for the escorts and the ships they are escorting. Nonetheless, German U-boats also suffered severely.

In other news, the Kriegsmarine is out for hunting… the pursuit is starting.

[Nirosi]

German Destroyer Z20 Karl Galster, probably escorting the raiding German fleet.

[Nirosi]

The HMS Nelson is part of the fleet attempting pursuit.

[Nirosi]

A Scottish fishing trawler. The captain offered assitance to the British fleet. It was politely declined for the moment.

[Nirosi]

Allied turn of October 11th, 1940

As expected, Belgrade was taken after only three days of fighting. The rest of the armed forces surrendered only a few days latter. However, many soldiers were seen fleeing to the mountains instead of surrendering.

In a stroke of sheer luck, the British fleet found the German one in the Denmark Strait. However, despite the superior firepower of the British, overall, the Germans came out on top. The group centered on the CA York suffered badly while two German groups suffered minor or moderate damage.

Still no attempt whatsoever by the Axis on Vichy territories. British Army Intelligence is now speculating that the Germans and Italians might be waiting for landing crafts to be delivered.

In other news, a German unit landed in Tobruk. Its size and nature remain unknown for now.

[Nirosi]

Allied turn of October 25th, 1940

The German fleet found a convoy off Labrador and feasted on it. The British carrier fleet managed to find the Germans under the rain and did some moderate damage on the Bismarck group. The main surface fleet however failed to find the enemy to force another surface battle. German U-boats seem to all be in Bordeaux getting repaired, and maybe even upgraded with the exception of at least a group in the South Atlantic but that seems to purposefully avoid raiding.

For the first time since the fall of France, some German troops were transferred East into Poland. Molotov tried to reassure Stalin that the pact with Germany is still strong and kicking, nonetheless Moscow asked Berlin about the transfer, especially since it involves a panzer corps. A junior diplomat of the Reich Ministry responded the usual platitudes about National Sovereignty inside one’s borders and that some troops were needed for anti partisan duties in the area.

Nothing else of interest to report except that the Italian troops still in Egypt retreated behind their border.

[Nirosi]

Swordfish coming back after a job well done despite the sub-optimal weather.

[Nirosi]

Allied turn of November 8th, 1940

Both British fleets found the German fleet South of Iceland. However, due to bad weather and fighting at extreme range during the pursuit, the results of both fights were mediocre. The Schlesien group suffered moderate damage during the surface engagement and the Barham received in exchange some very minor damage. The Scharnhorst (although some pilots claim it might have been the Gneisenau) was also moderately damaged by a torpedo from a Swordfish.

With the Winter coming, all corps shipborne still in Gibraltar returned to UK, except one, diverted to Egypt instead through the Cape of Good Hope.

In other news, Egypt was liberated by advancing British troops who nonetheless retreated a few miles after their advance. After a meeting of the 8th Army general staff, it was decided that the 2 step forward, 1 step back approach would be the safest one for the time been.

[Nirosi]

The York group containing the heavy cruisers York and Exeter (seen here anchored near St-John in picture) and their escorts arrived in Newfoundland. Both were badly damaged during the Battle of the Denmark Strait and are in no shape to be considered operational. It is assumed they will eventualy be repaired when ressources will be available for that, but nothing has been planed yet in this regard.

[Nirosi]

Allied turn of November 22nd, 1940

The German fleet, slightly battered but still very much dangerous, reached Brest where they are expected to undergo repair and resupply. Hopefully, not refit as the German ships are dangerous enough as it is. The port is extremely well defended and the rain over the area made an air raid even more difficult. So, it was decided for now to simply reposition some RAF units in the even the German fleet is still there when the rain will subside. Such repositioning has probably not gone unnoticed by OKM, or OKW or even OKL, whoever on the German side takes care of such things…

More German units arrived in Libya, at Tobruk. The Axis air cover seems serious now, probably only for defensive reasons. However, just in case, the extra British Corps on its way (was last reported off Zanzibar) and an eventual corps from Australia and New-Zealand (“soon” the Aussies said), will do much to reassure the War Office that Egypt remains safe.

In other news, many German troops are still positioned near the Vichy border in France and British Army Intelligence might have identify German paratroopers in Sicily. Assuming it is not a decoy, the Axis still seems to have hostile intentions against our former Ally, or what is left of him anyway…

[Nirosi]

Allied turn of December 6th, 1940

Many escort ships were sunk lately in the Atlantic by German submarines. Could it be that a new model of U-boat is operational? Nonetheless, despite the pain been more severe on the British war effort than on the German one, the battle is not one sided and not all U-boats come back home to tell their stories and brag about their kills, far from it. Work is also improving on new anti-sub weaponry and tactics.

The German fleet in Brest was probably warned of the RAF menace by whoever takes care of those things on the German side and moved to Bordeaux, out of reach for now.

In Libya, the numerous Axis movements and redeployments looks defensive for now while a very modest build-up of Axis forces continues in Eastern Europe, but very slowly. However, French resistance informed London that large German units have been spotted in Bayonne, near the Spanish border. Could it be that German intentions for the Spring are much more grandiose than just taking over Vichy France?