A window of opportunity 1905

[575]

Germany:
Generaloberst v. Hammerstein-Equord looked at the President who had just told him that the Rapallo Treaty with the Soviet Union would be cancelled though the specific time and date awaited ongoing negotiations with France.
Stalin had let his minions loose on the Socialdemocratic Party and any other democratic institution in the persuit of world domination despite his words of defending the Soviet Union only.
The joint German – Soviet Testing ground would be closed down and the Reichswehr would have to find other partners.
A revision of the Versailles Treaty stipulations was being negotiated including an increase of the Army to 200,000 as well as being allowed acquiring Aircraft and Tanks.
Von Hammerstein-Equord was appreciative of the news as he too didn't like sharing too much knowledge with the Soviet regime. The work on the testing ground had been mainly technical but even such it might prove to have been too much.
He still wanted a larger Army of 42 Divisions but was satisfied for the moment. Aircraft was already party to Army doctrine so that would only be a matter of practical effort to incorporate. Tanks had also been tried out in the Soviet Union but other proving grounds were needed and small scale ones were in place like the factory one in Sweden at Landsverk works but larger areas would be needed and v. Hammerstein-Equord pointed to China historically interesting to Germany.
President Wels didn't mind a testing ground or renewed military mission to China to modernize the Chinese Armed Forces and to counter Japanese Militarism and Aggression which seemed on the move.

Von Hammerstein-Equord suggested retired General Falkenhausen as head of such a mission as he had travelled in Northen China and Korea prior to WWI.

***

Think in some earlier post I had the Soviet ambassador to Berlin appreciate the sending of a German Military Mission to China to counter Japanese Fascism. Stuff happens when you insert more paragraphs and forget the red thread of continuity.

[stevep]

Jun 26, 2021 14:50:56 GMT 575 said:

Yugoslavian Crisis - March:
Mussolini had wavered back and forth.
The French six Battleships taking to sea and convoying a Division from North Africa to Toulon was a bad sign as was the movement of the new French DLM Armoured Division to Nice. The French Airforce too was very active.

Czechoslovakia was supplying tanks and instructors to the Yugoslavians seemed they wanted to test their new equipment. The major effect of the Czechs was the Hungarians folding politically and pulling its troops back from the border regions as well as stating in LoN that it had closed down the Ustasha camps on its territory and inviting LoN to control said action.

The treacherous Germans had declared at LoN that they wouldn't supply more coal to Italy than usual to keep the Italians from mobilizing their Battleships.

The British had seemed uninterested in the affairs leaving the French to hammer but very recently the Brits had thrown in their lot stepping up patrols in the Red Sea and off the Horn of Africa.
There was also a lot of activity in Malta and Gibraltar and the Western Desert Force seemed to be on its toes though what that exactly meant was difficult to interpret.

The USA just sat behind its customs barrier offering anybody anything payment at contract signing.

Then the King and the Army commander Marshal Badoglio voiced strong critizism of Mussolini handling the crisis.
Mussolini asked Badoglio to repeat his feat of WWI of capturing Monte Sabotino, then on the border of Austro-Hungary, to force his way across the Eastern Alpes into Yugoslavia to which Badoglio replied that he didn't want to do so as that war had cost Italy more than a million men.

Mussolini finally decided to talk to the Italians; they had been betrayed by the most trusted. The Europeans had forsaken Rome and the Italians when it was the most threatened by the abominate Yugoslavians and their dictator King. Italians always having been a peoples of peace and prosperity however badly treated and thus Italy would stay so and negotiate a settlement with Yugoslavia – on Italian terms!

  Hadn't they converted them to oil fueling by this time?  Although of course with the [lack of] oilfields in Italy that simply makes Italy even more vulnerable, especially with Franco-British domination of the Med and Romania being unfriendly.

  Somehow I get the feeling that Benny is going to get a nasty shock when he appeals to the people.

[stevep]

Jun 27, 2021 8:51:28 GMT 575 said:

Germany:
Generaloberst v. Hammerstein-Equord looked at the President who had just told him that the Rapallo Treaty with the Soviet Union would be cancelled though the specific time and date awaited ongoing negotiations with France.
Stalin had let his minions loose on the Socialdemocratic Party and any other democratic institution in the persuit of world domination despite his words of defending the Soviet Union only.
The joint German – Soviet Testing ground would be closed down and the Reichswehr would have to find other partners.
A revision of the Versailles Treaty stipulations was being negotiated including an increase of the Army to 200,000 as well as being allowed acquiring Aircraft and Tanks.
Von Hammerstein-Equord was appreciative of the news as he too didn't like sharing too much knowledge with the Soviet regime. The work on the testing ground had been mainly technical but even such it might prove to have been too much.
He still wanted a larger Army of 42 Divisions but was satisfied for the moment. Aircraft was already party to Army doctrine so that would only be a matter of practical effort to incorporate. Tanks had also been tried out in the Soviet Union but other proving grounds were needed and small scale ones were in place like the factory one in Sweden at Landsverk works but larger areas would be needed and v. Hammerstein-Equord pointed to China historically interesting to Germany.
President Wels didn't mind a testing ground or renewed military mission to China to modernize the Chinese Armed Forces and to counter Japanese Militarism and Aggression which seemed on the move.

Von Hammerstein-Equord suggested retired General Falkenhausen as head of such a mission as he had travelled in Northen China and Korea prior to WWI.

***

Think in some earlier post I had the Soviet ambassador to Berlin appreciate the sending of a German Military Mission to China to counter Japanese Fascism. Stuff happens when you insert more paragraphs and forget the red thread of continuity.

  That could be good.  More training of KMT forces by Germany as well as the OTL support from Britain, France and the US is going to make things even tougher for Japan if/when they try and push south of the Manchuria region.  Plus without a major war in Europe - unless something breaks down - and hence no fall of France a push into Indo-China for resources is going to be far harder for Japan.

  Starting to see the basis for a Franco-German-British pact, probably with at least some of the small and medium sized nations giving Europe a lot more stability and peace with hopefully a good amount of economic development in the process.  There are still potential issues, such as the Polish corridor and the German minority in Czechoslovakia which the hard liners in Germany will want to incorporate and what happens with Poland, which is rather a mess.  However sorting out Italy if the chance develops could further boost things.

[575]

Jun 27, 2021 11:47:24 GMT stevep said:

Jun 26, 2021 14:50:56 GMT 575 said:

Yugoslavian Crisis - March:
Mussolini had wavered back and forth.
The French six Battleships taking to sea and convoying a Division from North Africa to Toulon was a bad sign as was the movement of the new French DLM Armoured Division to Nice. The French Airforce too was very active.

Czechoslovakia was supplying tanks and instructors to the Yugoslavians seemed they wanted to test their new equipment. The major effect of the Czechs was the Hungarians folding politically and pulling its troops back from the border regions as well as stating in LoN that it had closed down the Ustasha camps on its territory and inviting LoN to control said action.

The treacherous Germans had declared at LoN that they wouldn't supply more coal to Italy than usual to keep the Italians from mobilizing their Battleships.

The British had seemed uninterested in the affairs leaving the French to hammer but very recently the Brits had thrown in their lot stepping up patrols in the Red Sea and off the Horn of Africa.
There was also a lot of activity in Malta and Gibraltar and the Western Desert Force seemed to be on its toes though what that exactly meant was difficult to interpret.

The USA just sat behind its customs barrier offering anybody anything payment at contract signing.

Then the King and the Army commander Marshal Badoglio voiced strong critizism of Mussolini handling the crisis.
Mussolini asked Badoglio to repeat his feat of WWI of capturing Monte Sabotino, then on the border of Austro-Hungary, to force his way across the Eastern Alpes into Yugoslavia to which Badoglio replied that he didn't want to do so as that war had cost Italy more than a million men.

Mussolini finally decided to talk to the Italians; they had been betrayed by the most trusted. The Europeans had forsaken Rome and the Italians when it was the most threatened by the abominate Yugoslavians and their dictator King. Italians always having been a peoples of peace and prosperity however badly treated and thus Italy would stay so and negotiate a settlement with Yugoslavia – on Italian terms!

  Hadn't they converted them to oil fueling by this time?  Although of course with the [lack of] oilfields in Italy that simply makes Italy even more vulnerable, especially with Franco-British domination of the Med and Romania being unfriendly.

  Somehow I get the feeling that Benny is going to get a nasty shock when he appeals to the people.

As I understand they had had part/half the coalboilers replaced by oilboilers.

[575]

Jun 27, 2021 11:54:13 GMT stevep said:

Jun 27, 2021 8:51:28 GMT 575 said:

Germany:
Generaloberst v. Hammerstein-Equord looked at the President who had just told him that the Rapallo Treaty with the Soviet Union would be cancelled though the specific time and date awaited ongoing negotiations with France.
Stalin had let his minions loose on the Socialdemocratic Party and any other democratic institution in the persuit of world domination despite his words of defending the Soviet Union only.
The joint German – Soviet Testing ground would be closed down and the Reichswehr would have to find other partners.
A revision of the Versailles Treaty stipulations was being negotiated including an increase of the Army to 200,000 as well as being allowed acquiring Aircraft and Tanks.
Von Hammerstein-Equord was appreciative of the news as he too didn't like sharing too much knowledge with the Soviet regime. The work on the testing ground had been mainly technical but even such it might prove to have been too much.
He still wanted a larger Army of 42 Divisions but was satisfied for the moment. Aircraft was already party to Army doctrine so that would only be a matter of practical effort to incorporate. Tanks had also been tried out in the Soviet Union but other proving grounds were needed and small scale ones were in place like the factory one in Sweden at Landsverk works but larger areas would be needed and v. Hammerstein-Equord pointed to China historically interesting to Germany.
President Wels didn't mind a testing ground or renewed military mission to China to modernize the Chinese Armed Forces and to counter Japanese Militarism and Aggression which seemed on the move.

Von Hammerstein-Equord suggested retired General Falkenhausen as head of such a mission as he had travelled in Northen China and Korea prior to WWI.

***

Think in some earlier post I had the Soviet ambassador to Berlin appreciate the sending of a German Military Mission to China to counter Japanese Fascism. Stuff happens when you insert more paragraphs and forget the red thread of continuity.

  That could be good.  More training of KMT forces by Germany as well as the OTL support from Britain, France and the US is going to make things even tougher for Japan if/when they try and push south of the Manchuria region.  Plus without a major war in Europe - unless something breaks down - and hence no fall of France a push into Indo-China for resources is going to be far harder for Japan.

  Starting to see the basis for a Franco-German-British pact, probably with at least some of the small and medium sized nations giving Europe a lot more stability and peace with hopefully a good amount of economic development in the process.  There are still potential issues, such as the Polish corridor and the German minority in Czechoslovakia which the hard liners in Germany will want to incorporate and what happens with Poland, which is rather a mess.  However sorting out Italy if the chance develops could further boost things.

Things isn't going to go OTL in the Far East.. more on this not too far off.

I have some vision of a kind of Franco-German-British pact with add on smaller nations - just haven't fleshed it all out yet. There will of course be some tension between France and Germany as the Germans doesn't want to be wagging their tail when the French tell them to - but for starters of course. Certainly the Polish corridor will be a problem but the Germans in Czechoslovakia somewhat less as there is no Nazi's to use them for conflict.

Italy - well Italy.. Things will happen there too.

[575]

Yugoslavian Crisis April:
The Hungarians had backed out it had seemed during March but now the Fascists had toppled Government and declared the support of Italy renewed and threatening Yugoslavia.
The Sovietunion and Komintern had been voicing quite strong rethoric against the Hungarian Fascists violence spilling over on their political adversaries mostly so the Communists and other left wing fractions.
Italy wanting to bolster Hungarian military forces had run into problems as the Austrians had turned rather lukewarm to keep a corridor open for the Italians into Hungary. The Austrians well remembered the Hungarians closing down on cereals supplies in the wake of WWI.
The Austrian Army had begun receiving AA and AT-guns from the Czechoslovaks. Just in case.

Romania looked better but a lot of young men had been lost to the flu – still Romania had many sons and had by now received their share of LGL-32 figher aircraft from French reserves.

The Hungarians were soon in the process of its Gendarmerie being a numerous as its Army converting into new Army Brigades most of which were moving into the Bakony Hights behind the Danube River to protect Budapest.

The French had been moving one of the Infantry Divisions which had been motorized into the Dauphine to team up with the DLM Armoured Division and forming a temporary corps.

Albania had voiced something about Kosovo which in turn had prompted the Greeks to demonstrate in Athens of Koritza being Greek and wrongly handed to the Albanians following WWI.

By the end of the month the Italian – Yugoslavian negotiations at Lausanne broke down.

[stevep]

Jun 29, 2021 17:31:59 GMT 575 said:

Yugoslavian Crisis April:
The Hungarians had backed out it had seemed during March but now the Fascists had toppled Government and declared the support of Italy renewed and threatening Yugoslavia.
The Sovietunion and Komintern had been voicing quite strong rethoric against the Hungarian Fascists violence spilling over on their political adversaries mostly so the Communists and other left wing fractions.
Italy wanting to bolster Hungarian military forces had run into problems as the Austrians had turned rather lukewarm to keep a corridor open for the Italians into Hungary. The Austrians well remembered the Hungarians closing down on cereals supplies in the wake of WWI.
The Austrian Army had begun receiving AA and AT-guns from the Czechoslovaks. Just in case.

Romania looked better but a lot of young men had been lost to the flu – still Romania had many sons and had by now received their share of LGL-32 figher aircraft from French reserves.

The Hungarians were soon in the process of its Gendarmerie being a numerous as its Army converting into new Army Brigades most of which were moving into the Bakony Hights behind the Danube River to protect Budapest.

The French had been moving one of the Infantry Divisions which had been motorized into the Dauphine to team up with the DLM Armoured Division and forming a temporary corps.

Albania had voiced something about Kosovo which in turn had prompted the Greeks to demonstrate in Athens of Koritza being Greek and wrongly handed to the Albanians following WWI.

By the end of the month the Italian – Yugoslavian negotiations at Lausanne broke down.

  Damn I was hoping this would calm down with Budapest backing down but it looks like there's going to be at least a substantial firefight or two. 

  Not sure how effective motorised units will be in the Alps but if the French could break through with other forces they might be a very handy exploitation force.  That the Czechs are helping the Austrians should hopefully further easy relations with Germany.  Plus if the Italians or Hungarians try and do anything militarily to force a path through I could see not just Hungary getting piled on but quite possibly German forces moving into Austria to protect it.  [Which could cause problems later on as likely to heighten calls for Austria to be united with Germany].

  If there is a general war and Greece attacks Albania that could prompt concerns in Sofia and Ankara about Greek revanchism, although probably not military action by either.

  Since this crisis has been heightened by a fascist coup in Hungary that could make a lot of figures more hostile to fascism across Europe.  As such it might harden feelings about any survival of the system in Italy or if the Spanish crisis still occurs a harder line against them.  [Although with Germany non-fascist and possibly Italy as well that could be a moot point.

[575]

Jun 30, 2021 15:34:20 GMT stevep said:

Jun 29, 2021 17:31:59 GMT 575 said:

Yugoslavian Crisis April:
The Hungarians had backed out it had seemed during March but now the Fascists had toppled Government and declared the support of Italy renewed and threatening Yugoslavia.
The Sovietunion and Komintern had been voicing quite strong rethoric against the Hungarian Fascists violence spilling over on their political adversaries mostly so the Communists and other left wing fractions.
Italy wanting to bolster Hungarian military forces had run into problems as the Austrians had turned rather lukewarm to keep a corridor open for the Italians into Hungary. The Austrians well remembered the Hungarians closing down on cereals supplies in the wake of WWI.
The Austrian Army had begun receiving AA and AT-guns from the Czechoslovaks. Just in case.

Romania looked better but a lot of young men had been lost to the flu – still Romania had many sons and had by now received their share of LGL-32 figher aircraft from French reserves.

The Hungarians were soon in the process of its Gendarmerie being a numerous as its Army converting into new Army Brigades most of which were moving into the Bakony Hights behind the Danube River to protect Budapest.

The French had been moving one of the Infantry Divisions which had been motorized into the Dauphine to team up with the DLM Armoured Division and forming a temporary corps.

Albania had voiced something about Kosovo which in turn had prompted the Greeks to demonstrate in Athens of Koritza being Greek and wrongly handed to the Albanians following WWI.

By the end of the month the Italian – Yugoslavian negotiations at Lausanne broke down.

  Damn I was hoping this would calm down with Budapest backing down but it looks like there's going to be at least a substantial firefight or two. 

  Not sure how effective motorised units will be in the Alps but if the French could break through with other forces they might be a very handy exploitation force.  That the Czechs are helping the Austrians should hopefully further easy relations with Germany.  Plus if the Italians or Hungarians try and do anything militarily to force a path through I could see not just Hungary getting piled on but quite possibly German forces moving into Austria to protect it.  [Which could cause problems later on as likely to heighten calls for Austria to be united with Germany].

  If there is a general war and Greece attacks Albania that could prompt concerns in Sofia and Ankara about Greek revanchism, although probably not military action by either.

  Since this crisis has been heightened by a fascist coup in Hungary that could make a lot of figures more hostile to fascism across Europe.  As such it might harden feelings about any survival of the system in Italy or if the Spanish crisis still occurs a harder line against them.  [Although with Germany non-fascist and possibly Italy as well that could be a moot point.

Stevep;

Well calm down was my initial thought but then I changed my mind; those pesky Hungarian fascists might really do so.

Motorized units will have a major road around the Golf of Genova.. the French have enough infantry and mountain units to occupy the Western Alpes. Stuffs going to happen there.

Oh the Greeks are just being silly and overly nationalist; haven taken to the streets and yelling at the Albanians.

As I remember there are fascist regimes in Italy, Austria (Catholic-conservative), Poland (Pilsudski), Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania - is that all of them? Hungary.

For a change and important of course is democratic Germany.

[stevep]

Jun 30, 2021 17:59:13 GMT 575 said:

Jun 30, 2021 15:34:20 GMT stevep said:

  Damn I was hoping this would calm down with Budapest backing down but it looks like there's going to be at least a substantial firefight or two. 

  Not sure how effective motorised units will be in the Alps but if the French could break through with other forces they might be a very handy exploitation force.  That the Czechs are helping the Austrians should hopefully further easy relations with Germany.  Plus if the Italians or Hungarians try and do anything militarily to force a path through I could see not just Hungary getting piled on but quite possibly German forces moving into Austria to protect it.  [Which could cause problems later on as likely to heighten calls for Austria to be united with Germany].

  If there is a general war and Greece attacks Albania that could prompt concerns in Sofia and Ankara about Greek revanchism, although probably not military action by either.

  Since this crisis has been heightened by a fascist coup in Hungary that could make a lot of figures more hostile to fascism across Europe.  As such it might harden feelings about any survival of the system in Italy or if the Spanish crisis still occurs a harder line against them.  [Although with Germany non-fascist and possibly Italy as well that could be a moot point.

Stevep;

Well calm down was my initial thought but then I changed my mind; those pesky Hungarian fascists might really do so.

Motorized units will have a major road around the Golf of Genova.. the French have enough infantry and mountain units to occupy the Western Alpes. Stuffs going to happen there.

Oh the Greeks are just being silly and overly nationalist; haven taken to the streets and yelling at the Albanians.

As I remember there are fascist regimes in Italy, Austria (Catholic-conservative), Poland (Pilsudski), Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania - is that all of them? Hungary.

For a change and important of course is democratic Germany.

  575

  True about the coastal road but I would expect that would be heavily fortified.  Not sure about the Baltic states and it probably depends on how fascism was defined but there were a number of dubious states that at least bordered such things.  Mind you with the way things are going one of the most notorious, the Iron Guard is probably not going to get anywhere near power in Romania.  I think Portugal is also considered either fascist or at least a 'fellow-traveller' so to speak.

  Steve

[575]

Jul 1, 2021 11:33:42 GMT stevep said:

Jun 30, 2021 17:59:13 GMT 575 said:

Stevep;

Well calm down was my initial thought but then I changed my mind; those pesky Hungarian fascists might really do so.

Motorized units will have a major road around the Golf of Genova.. the French have enough infantry and mountain units to occupy the Western Alpes. Stuffs going to happen there.

Oh the Greeks are just being silly and overly nationalist; haven taken to the streets and yelling at the Albanians.

As I remember there are fascist regimes in Italy, Austria (Catholic-conservative), Poland (Pilsudski), Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania - is that all of them? Hungary.

For a change and important of course is democratic Germany.

  575

  True about the coastal road but I would expect that would be heavily fortified.  Not sure about the Baltic states and it probably depends on how fascism was defined but there were a number of dubious states that at least bordered such things.  Mind you with the way things are going one of the most notorious, the Iron Guard is probably not going to get anywhere near power in Romania.  I think Portugal is also considered either fascist or at least a 'fellow-traveller' so to speak.

  Steve

Stevep;

Let's just say I was looking through 2021 glasses - though I think you will be right on the Romanian Iron Guard - I too don't see it gaining much power.

[575]

Yugoslavian Crisis May:
It was over almost by the outbreak of hostilities though of course operations took a little longer than such and it all simmered into June.

The Italians had initiated hostilities by invading both Yugoslavia and France which served to split the available forces and weaken both offensives.
Prior all participants and allies had been rehearsing strategies and making new plans too. Troops having marched up on national borders.

Eastern Theatre:
The Yugoslavian Army had a few of the former Austro-Hungarian Generals serving their new nation pulling out the old defensive plans of Isonzo having had them updated to reflect the new border further east.
As in WWI the Italians this time led by Marschal Badoglio didn't break the defences and the Italian offensive would grind down within a couple of weeks even if the Italians were the better armed. Badoglio had suggested the use of gas but Mussolini himself had vetoes such action of fear of French reprisals.
The Times headline at the ceasefire read “The Italians DID cross the Isonzo”.

The Italians soon achieved airsuperiority which of course was squandered in the first day by a daylight bombing raid on Zagreb! The following melee en masse unauthorized proclaimed by churchbells toll had almost every Croat on the front line to defend the motherland.

The Czechoslovak General staff seemed to have read Liddle-Hart's writing on the indirect approach; one of their Fast Divisions crossed the Danube east of Györ and within three days having reached the Yugoslavian border the Hungarians initiated a desparate offensive out of the Bakony Heights to cut off the Czechs. Suffice to say it failed when reaching the nearby Danube.
Further south a few shots were exchanged between the former Austro-Hungarian River Monitors before the bulk of the Hungarian Army were entraining for the move north and the Romanians were entering Debrechen.
The Czechoslovak Airforce had no problem in handling the Hungarians as the Italians were much occupied with the Yugoslavians and held back substatial forces to deal with the French.

Western Theatre:
The Submarine Minelayers had been a tremendous success mining La Spezia and Genova at the outbreak of war sinking an Italian light cruiser and and old protected cruiser.
That left the Italian Navy in port for the duration of hostilities and occasional French shelling of the two ports.
The new Motorized Corps did very well mostly so because of it being a balanced force of Tanks and Motorized Infantry. The Corps had been given the normal French Corps assets plus it seemed a lot more making it able to pound the Italian positions WWI style prior to advance as well as being lavishly provided Airsupport. And a division of Battleships to provide heavy artillery support. It was rumoured that the Italians were retreating so fast that the Corps never stood a chance of catching up before Genova because of the cease-fire coming into effect.
Of course the initial battle did see heroic Italian defences but they were just outflanked in the narrow area due to some positions being close to obliterated and then overrun.
Up in the Western Alps the Italian offensive had gone nowhere; the new French fortifications had proven their worth.
Troubles being in the air. The French as well as the Italian Airforces soon realized the limits of their fighteraircraft in range. Airfields were simply too far apart and from the enemy to offer much operational time over the battlefield; more important so when in aircombat.
Douhets theory of the bomber always getting through was soon disproven to both sides. Only the French having some success in nightraids on Turin, Genova and Milan due to Italian fighters not being able to find their adversary.
Army cooperation had its own problems with poor communications interarms and frequent incidents of friendly fire; air-to-ground and vice versa. Besides this flying low and avoiding when possible enemy fighter cover the light bombers did a creditable job though light AA-guns took their toll.

One important experience was the effect of refugees of war. Of course WWI had produced refugees clogging roads in France and Belgium as well as other places but now the Italians had their experience.
The 81. Division Infanterie Africaine had been undergoing mountain warfare training and had been placed to protect the flank of the Motorized Corps' advance around the Bay of Genova.
Doing so the 81. DIA moved north to capture the pass of Col di Tenda; having achieved this the 81. DIA then moved further north along the railway to Turin. Approaching Cuneo with rumours having run ahead of the Divisions advance and the alleged atrocities comitted by its African troops the civilian population fled Cuneo en masse demoralizing the hasty defence of the city and river Stura opening the road to Turin had it not been for the many refugees clogging the road.

Other Theatres:
The Royal Navy had moved the Battlecruiser Squadron into the Mediterranean in anticipation of hostilities; also moved was the Hermes from its training assignment at Devonport. The two aircraft carriers Eagle and Couragous had had their scheduled refits postponed due to the crisis.
The Hermes had been sent to the Red Sea with a destroyer squadron and a light cruiser to give airsupport to the Division in East African waters giving the Royal Navy had its chance to tackle the Italian Red Sea flotilla – old cruiser Quarto almost outrunning its adversaries before being sunk after a long range hit as well as two destroyers though the Italians managed to sink one RN destroyer.
On the ground in East Africa the British did some probing along their French ally into Eritrea and Somalia though not much were reported mostly due to lack of efficient logistics to support a real offensive. The local Italian forces encountered the like problems.
In the Mediterranean the Royal Navy and Marine Nationale – French Navy did their job to keep the Italian in port. Only in the Adriatic did the Italians do some Naval operations in support of the Alpe offensive and running convoys to Zara on the Dalmatian Coast. A kind of Adriatic Barrage had been establish by the French British Navies though only with light forces as the majority of heavy forces had to guard the Italian Base of Taranto.
The Greek Navy seemed to be willing to face the Italians but political control had it not doing any such and present British and French forces didn't warrant any assistance.
The Royal Navy used the possibilities to increase the capacity of the Aircraft Carriers by carrying out raids on the Italians. The Airgroups soon complained of too few aircraft operational from the three Carriers because of complement.
However the British Carrier operations did impress their French ally lacking their own carrier Bearn which was still undergoing reconstruction.
Italian merchant shipping in the Med mostly ceased within a week of outbreak of hostilities due to the activities of the Allied Navies.
For some obscure reason the North African area saw close to no military activity besides Allied patrols and blockades of ports. Once again the Italians lacked the logistics and had been cut off from any forthcoming and both French and British seemed to have little interest besides patrols into Italian Libya.
The only area that would see limited fighting was Libya north of the Aouzou Strip bordering Chad where the French sent a Foreign Legion Regiment augmented by Cavalry into Libya to rub it in on the Italians. Due to Italian lack of communications and logistics the fighting was limited though the Italians had a few aircraft strafing French troops a few times.
In China the few Italian warships neutralized in place though the crews were allowed to do shore duties to protect any Italian or Western civilians.

In Poland Marshal Pilsudski had died on one of the last days of actual fighting.

[stevep]

  575 ,

   Well I wasn't expecting Mussolini to attack France, especially inland across the Alps.  I think stupid is too light a word to describe that.  Let alone the attack on Zagreb.  Not surprised that Britain quickly joined in and the fascists powers quickly collapsed.  Going to be interesting the aftermath in Rome and what territorial changes might be made.  I can't see Mussolini surviving as a politician and quite possibly not as a person given how bitter relations might be over their quick and embarrassing defeat.

  The one good thing about the Zagreb bombing is, if the king and Serbs are willing to accept it there might be a better relation between the dominant Serb group and the rest of the population.

  There are a lot of potential lessons to be learnt from this short war.  The potential of mobile warfare, especially if you can get co-ordination with air units and artillery.  Who actually sees this and runs with the idea is likely to be important.

  Similarly with air power.  Actually the strategic bomber might do better than it did in WWII OTL as there's neither radar nor any real air defence systems so they might be less likely to be intercepted, at least until after their dropped their bombs.  Still going to be serious problems with finding targets even with a probable lack of any blackout or the like and the a/c of the time simply don't have the performance to carry large amounts far.

  At sea heavy ships still seem useful, even if only for shore bombardment and support of ground forces and for deterring enemy surface ships.  Carriers have shown some of their potential, although with no Taranto type attack there's not a clear example of how devastating it might be.  Mining has been shown as potentially useful but no side has used subs, especially not for commerce warfare so that can of worms hasn't yet been opened and may not be. 

  Just to clarify, Poland wasn't involved in the conflict?  It was just a matter of chance Pilsudski died as the war ended?  Given the different circumstances it might see a move towards a better Poland for its people.  Which would further stablise Europe and isolate Stalin.

  I've lost track of the date but Pilsudski died in 1936 so is that that current year.  In which case I wonder what's happening in Spain?  Also I assume that the big three naval powers have started new construction as Britain especially can't delay replacing obsolete ships any longer even with no threat from Germany.  Let alone i would assume that Japan is buildings its new 'treaty' class Yamato ships, which even with details of them not being know would prompt a US and UK reaction. 

  Steve

[575]

Stevep;

Pilsudski died 12. May 1935 so still being on track. Poland didn't participate still awaiting negotiations with Germany on customs duties.
The French have learned something about fighter range and the Brits will know soon too. The Italians will probably draw the conclusion too. Range will be the order of the day. And bombers need protection. And nightfighting is a descipline upon itself.
The French will also like to have their own carriers with room for a big airgroup; RN may go down that line too without a Luftwaffe to make them build bombproof boxes. Italian airforce wasn't still really capable of doing much against shipping so no lesson there; and the treaties leave room for Carriers.
The Czechoslovaks will host some guests during upcoming Army manouevres. The French have found the recipe and will continue in that vein.

I know I haven't touched much upon naval shipbuilding but assume OTL stuff so far.

Spain will be coming up soon.

[575]

Yugoslavian Crisis June-July:
At Lausanne peace negotiations commenced.
Yugoslavia demanded a return of the Austro-Hungarian territory given to Italy following WWI. At the very least Yugoslavia demanded a plebicite held in the area to let the populations determine their allegiance. This also included Fiume and Zara on the Dalmatian coast.
France strongly supported the Yugoslavians though only on the Dalmatian Islands, Fiume and Zara as the change of the border to pre-WWI status might invalidate the Treaty of Versailles entirely; which was found a necessary decision as the negotiations with Germany hadn't been completed. Suffice to say the Yugoslavians were more than annoyed at this French position but then they were really in no position to go on their own.
Mussolini of course balked at this demand but somehow getting information of the French position he accepted to cede the Dalmatian Islands, Fiume and Zara which satisfied the French and most of LoN though infuriating the Yugoslavians and soon a new split would develop within Yugoslavia of Croats and Serbs even if they had just been united in war.

Hungary was once again deprived of military means and subjected to a LoN commission to supervise the execution and Admiral Horthy not being a welcome person with the European Concert.
Thorvald Stauning was a strong advocate of stripping Hungary of means of aggression as the Versailles Treaty had failed to do so as recent experience had shown.

Generaloberst v. Hammerstein-Equord made a visit at Prague and Bratislava and was an observer to the Czechoslovak fall manouevres later in the year where mobile operations were the subject building on the recent operations in Hungary.
Among these the Czechoslovaks were increasing the number of tanks with the Fast Divisions to two Battalions as well as a Regiment of Motorized Infantry in place of the Cavalry formations which were given the reconnaisance role to make them real Armoured formations. Also they were allotted more artillery close to but not on a French scale.

The sudden rapprochement of Germany and Czechoslovakia was a severe blow to Poland. Troops had been drawn up at the Teschen border but the Czechoslovak offensive into Hungary had killed off all Polish thought of settling any old scores. With Germany on friendly terms with the Czechoslovaks any such seemed farther away than any time previously.

Mussolini at the instigation of Marshal Badoglio had been removed from office. There had been a few instances of unrest provoked by the Blackshirts and Government had some difficulti in getting it quelced; the Army refusing to fire on the Blackshirt prompting the Carabineri to be called in to do the job. The Blackshirts being abolished and drafted into the Army.
Riots and insurrections would flare up from time to time making Government funnel more and more resources into the Carabineri to counter the Fascists.

[575]

Far East:
At the Komintern konference in July Stalin accuses the Japanese of being a Fascist enemy of the Revolution. He doesn't however mention Italy.
During June a clash had occurred at Lake Khanka to the North of Vladivostok where a Japanese Army Patrol had been assaulted by a Soviet Cavalry squad; the Soviets being driven off.
Later in October at Suifenhe on river Suifen on the border with the Sovietunion northeast of Vladivostok Soviet troops would fire at a Japanese/Manchouko unit setting up a border some 20 km north of the city.

Following these incidents the Soviet Special Far Eastern Army had been reinforced by units from the Central Military Districts and ordered to deploy close to the border with Mongolia to support the Revolution by defending it from Japanese invasion from Manchouko.

On 19. December a Manchouko reconnoitering unit was discovered southwest of Lake Buir on the Mongolian/Manchouko border prompting a Mongolian attack which was defeated by the Manchouko troops.
Five days later the Mongolians showed up again do evict the Manchouko troops and another troop further north still on the west bank of the lake though both attempts failed.
On 30. December the Special Far Eastern Army's 18. Corps launched an attack at Manzhouli to the north along the Northeastern Railway. Though the Manchouko border unit were putting up a stiff fight the 18. Corps was able to defeat the defenders and begin moving east with a second move south west of Lake Dalai to link up with the Mongolians at Lake Buir.
The Soviet offensive was way off what the Japanese had expected. Of course some retaliatory action was to be expected but a full Corps crossing the border. This called for a Kwantung Army reaction.