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10 January 1938

Tension in the air as Germany and Italy ally, and France and Great Britain do also. The French and British staffs have been reviewing a series of simulations, wargames that they have run. These have included independent participants, to make sure preconceived notions are not hiding other salient points. These are some of the points brought out that are of interest for planners :

1. Despite the huge expense the Maginot Line does not perform as expected. Shelling and air attack reduce the "Line" to concrete rubble far too easily. The French engineers objected to the conclusions but actual tests in the field have shown that the Germans will not be stopped by these fortifications.

2. Gaming has revealed that the Axis has two alternative paths into France. The Germans may violate the neutrals north of the line as they did in the Great War, perhaps even attacking the Netherlands, or intimidating the Dutch into surrender. This attack would lead to conflict with superior German troops, and the "miracle on the Marne" may not happen this time. Lille and Paris are too close to the low countries for comfort.

3. Testing has shown that an Axis attack out of Italy can also have great success. The Germans can join their Axis partners and have successful battles here. Combined with possible Spanish involvement this is frightening.

The base cause of these gloomy scenarios is that the French troops, while brave, are not properly trained and inefficient. One on one the Germans are better soldiers, and this is going to show in a free for all campaign.

Great Britain has shifted her forces to prepare to aid the French if they are attacked. The Royal Navy knows that the Kreigsmarine will be active and that a U-boat campaign will be hard to combat. The Germans and Italians are well led, but there may be no stomach for war in Berlin or Rome. The French and British do not want war, and make a solemn pledge to not attack first.

Preparing for a possible conflict - Painting white stripes so cows will be visible in blackouts.

7 Feb 1938

The Soviet Union has attacked Poland. Poland has a long history of conflict with Russia, and with the Bolsheviks. We will defend our country!

7 February 1938

The Soviet attack on Poland had a quick success as the city of Lvov was taken. No one wants to see the Bolsheviks in western Europe. The world waits on the German and Italian reaction. Will the Axis join Poland, France and Great Britain in resisting the Reds?

The Poles are causing Soviet casualties and there are rumors of withdrawals and bold advances. Time will tell.

March 1938

Germany is concerned with the prospect of Soviet forces on Germany's Eastern Border, that eventuality will have to be dealt with as it occurs. The Polish do not want German troops on Polish soil understandably, so Germany cannot come to their aid. The Polish will have to look for aid from their Allies Great Britain and France it is hoped that aid will arrive soon. East Prussia has been evacuated as a precaution to prevent German forces being sucked into a Soviet Union v Western Allies conflict a long and bloody conflict I am sure will ensue.

It is not for the German Military to give advice to the Polish Military, but placing a thin screen of Polish Cavalry in front of Soviets tanks, while pulling the majority of the Polish army to a pre-arranged position in Central Poland does not speak well for the defence of Eastern Poland, and may not be the best way to resist the Soviets. either way this is not a German War and we will monitor the progress of the "conflict" with interest.

March 1938

Polish Command

Actually the Polish forces have a thin screen of cavalry screening Germany as well as the USSR. Poland feels that the Polish forces will defend better in the vital cities, and cannot afford to take on the Soviets in the field. Thus the "Urban Defenders" tactic. Poland may have to sue for peace as no troops from the west can arrive in Poland soon.

April 1938 Germany

Pity the Allies of Great Britain and France for they will be devoured undefended.

Player comment.

The eight Lithuanian Rifle1 troops in Klaipeda woke up to find they had no companion troops, no HQ, no possible supply source, and no information on enemy positions. I suppose they could have have moved to see what was in an adjacent hex, but then again perhaps defending the one existing city was an option too. I'll wager such recon would have resulted in obliteration.

The Poles are causing the Reds to take casualties and are building as many tanks as they can to defend Warsaw, and the Polish cities. The options for offensive action seem rather limited.

Perhaps you think there could have been a better defense of Poland. I have tried my best to fulfill the duty of defending Poland. I have given nothing to the Soviets without a fight. My defense is reasonably close to the optimum for a minor nation which has been hamstrung by imposed force reductions.

The British and French have very limited offensive options against the USSR also.

Lithuania is a bad joke.

There is no use in blaming the British and French, or me for that matter. I defy any player to do much better, the new weakened minors make for a tough task.

Chuck

2 May 1938

The USSR continues on its rampage through the Baltic nations with a fierce assault on Latvia. Riga stands defiant, but the rest of the country is taken. Lithuania is finished, a province of the Soviet empire.

In Poland things are quieter but Polish artillery from the Warsaw redoubt bombarded a Red rifle division. The Soviet formations are all large, and do not repay assaults, but we are building five light tank units each month and we will be a pretty hard nut to crack.

The Poles take notice of large German formations on their western border. We have not been attacked by the Germans, who hold no love for us, so we access these forces are a reaction to the Soviet drives. The Soviets may be attracted by another city on the Baltic, and this one is held by Germany in East Prussia. Will the Soviets challenge the Germans in this fashion. This would be a big bite to chew on.

June 1938

The Polish assessment is spot on Germany cannot move East, but if the Polish fall the red tide will wash up on German borders, Germany will be ready.

30 May 1938

The Estonians, with their French advisors, planned an attack on the 27th Soviet Rifle division, but losses were heavy and we did not damage the enemy. Polish artillery fired on the invading Reds, who seem quiet here, but very active in the Baltic states.

The British have offered peace to the Soviets as the British advisors left Latvia before the fall of Riga. France will not offer peace to the Soviets as the Poles are becoming stronger with each month and will not consider peace until all Polish lands are recovered.

July 1938


Germany waits apprehensively for the outcome of the battles in Poland, frustrated that they can only sit on their hands.

27 June 1938

Poland is delighted that Romania has joined the battle against the bloodthirsty Soviets. To celebrate powerful Polish armored forces swept out of Warsaw toward Lvov and drove back the Reds.

Germany Italy July 1938

The Soviet Union declares war on Italy and Germany.

The Soviet Baltic fleet all vessels that were not in port have been sunk.

On the Romanian front a small incursion by Soviet Infantry Army was pushed back across the River Prut.

The Luftwaffe are the only German force in play as Germany is careful to avoid Polish territory. Several tactical bombing raids were made on Soviet forward elements, it must hearten Polish troops to see their enemy receiving punishment.

The Kriegsmarine started shore bombardment of Soviet forces with no fear of the Soviet Baltic fleet.

The British have abandoned the Polish and made peace with the Soviets, Germany is sure history will judge them.

Konigsberg a German city was occupied by the Soviets Germany will not forget.

Great Britain was not at war with the USSR over Poland so much as Baltic entanglements. Like the German ally Italy surely supports Germany in the war with the USSR, but does not want to engage in full scale warfare, so Great Britain supports France, but does not want to make war on the USSR at this time. In fact Great Britain has called for a diplomatic conference to try and resolve the war. We hope Italy will join us in sponsoring the conference.

Poland is indeed heartened by the new front in Rumania. We feel that it will be very difficult for the Soviets to fight in both places and anticipate continued offensive operations against The Red Army. We do know that Warsaw will prove a tough nut for the Reds.

Greetings from Comrad Stalin,

Such a conference should be held in a neutral location. The Supreme Soviet has voted on this matter and suggests Athens be the place. No place is more historic than this, the cradle of civilization. We eagerly await the German response to this.

25 July 1938

Poland strikes out in her pain.

August 1938

Germany continues to help the poles as best they can with air support, but the Soviets have pulled back presumably to avoid German air power, and of course the fearsome Polish counter attacks.

Regards peace it is hard to talk of peace with the Soviets still attacking German and German allied forces.

Going to travel tomorrow, I will be back on 12/24

22 August 1938

Poland : The Soviets took Krakow, which will hurt each turn, as we slowly run out of supply. We cannot think of attacking the much larger Soviet concentrations.

France and England watch as the struggle between the USSR and Germany/Italy begins.

19 September 1938

Poland has had to switch to producing supplies. Warsaw is cut off from the western lands. It will still take a fight to reduce Warsaw, and the Reds seem to have other things on their minds.

France leads the Poles. England pursues the joys of peace.