Sweden A Scandinavian power

[chris N]

The Man , who the Germans, Austrians and now the English were hoping to defuse the problem got up from his desk. Mussolini had really created a mess. The man knew that Italy's military was ill prepared for a war. In fact the war with France had shown that an overhaul was overdue.
He proceeded to now finish getting dressed and his aide came in with his uniform jacket. He helped the Marshal put it on. The Marshal turned and looked at his aide and said, " Well we have come a long way and I trust that you my find friend are ready to help me save Italy."
Yes Marshal Balbo. And so began a new day for the Italian Empire.

[chris N]

Enter Marshal Balbo: The Italian Marshal was everything that Mussolini wasn't he was smart, and knew how to run the military. The Marshal had played a role in Italians colonial wars and had learned a lot from Italy's involvement in the Spanish Civil War. He had had arguments with the Italian Leader over Military and Foreign Policy. While not a supporter of Germany he was willing to do what needed to be done to secure Italy's role in Europe.
The Marshal was a member of the Fascist Party but he preferred the Velvet Glove to the Iron Hand. When the Italian Leader started to mouth anti- Austro-Hungarian remarks the Marshal realized that his time had come.
He thus had a secret meeting with the King, who gave his blessing to the removal of the Italian leader and his replacement by the hansome Marshal.

Thus the Marshal gather elite units of the Military and surrounded the Villia , where Benito Mussolini was staying. His troops then carried out an assault in the predawn hours taking the Blackshirt body quard unit by surprise. While there was some shootin the military accomplished its goal with the minium amount of force.
By that afternoon Marshal Balbo presented himself to the Fascist Council as the new leader of Italy. Those who continued to support Mussolini were removed.
The German and Austro-Hungarian Governments were assured that there would be no war with Italy.

[chris N]

Balbo The diplomat: The Italian leader requested a meeting with Kaiser Karl and Crown Prince Otto.He then flew to Vienna and spent nearly 6 hours hlding talks with the Emperor. He was determined to reach a settlement of the issues and to resole them once and for all. Discussed was Montenegro and the question of the Italian Royal family's claim to the crown. Trade was also an issue that needed to be resolved. He was able to return to rome with a trade agreement and having lessen the tensions between the two lands.
Discussed was rthe war in the East and the Soviet Union. The Italian leader believed that Poland and the Ukraine deserved to have thir lands eturned.

[chris N]

Sweden's Two Week War; For two weeks the Swedish Military and the Red Army had squared off in a series of clashes. The Red Army had found out that the Swedish Army had not rested on its laurels from the last war. It had modernized its equipment. The Soviets had not been able to steam roll them and as a result the fighting had ended and the Red Army had withdrawn back across the border. Soviet diplomats had apologized and the Soviet Union had paid reparations for damages done.
The Swedish Military had discovered that the military was suffering from a number of problems.They were: the Swedish 37mm ATG was not capable of taking out the heavier Soviet tanks,2) there was a need for a new light machine gun either an improved Danish LMG or an entirely new one,3: the Swedish military needed more vehicles for its troops.
The Swedish He-100 was quite capable of defeating the Soviet fighters.
Sweden would need better weapons if the war resumed.

[chris N]

The Soviets withdrew to the positions that they agreed to in their peace proposals but there was a lot of resistance to signing a peace treaty.

[chris N]

Once again a proposal to set up a Confederated Polish-Ukrainian Empire was being push . It would provide a country with the population and resources needed to allow the country to deal with it large neighbor to the east.

[AgentOrange]

Is Belgium invading Holland?

[chris N]

Now just a problem with the pint brush. Here is the correction

[chris N]

The Proposed Polish-Ukraine Confederation faced a lot of problems. There were those in both Poland and the Ukraine that were against it but the war had done one thing it had taught the people of both countries that they had a better chance of surviving united than separate. The Soviet Union threaten to resume the war and Germany and Austria-Hungary stated that if that was the case then they would not stop until the alliance had crushed the Soviet Union.
So what resulted was the false peace. The Soviet Union withdrew and the Germans and the Austro-Hungarian forces stood down. There was no way that all of the forces could be kept active. Germany kept a Corp in Courtland and Austria-Hungary kept a corp in the Western Ukraine.

[chris N]

It appeared that the situation in the East had calmed down> there was no peace treaty signed as both sides were arguing over terms but all of the Courtland territories and most of Poland and the Ukraine's territories were free of the Red Army. The British Press was calling this the "phony war".
It would appear that both sides were mistrustful of the other. The Red Army was making improvements and correcting problems.
Rumor had it that the Russians were developing a new medium tanks that would enter service in 1940.

Germany was already planning to up-gun its tank force. The Pzkpf II would cease production and production of the Pzkpf III and IV would be increased.
The pzkpf III was already rearmed with a short 50mm gun and now a plan was to equip it with a long high powered 50mm gun and the Pzkpf IV was also to be armed with a long 75mm.
Austria Hungary was still working on a possible replacement for its mainstay tank the T-38. The nation had two companies that were producing tanks for the Army the Czech plant and a Hungarian one.

[chris N]

While the fighting may be over for now another war was going on. Intelligence agents for Germany, The Confederation of Poland and the Ukraine, Austria-Hungary and Sweden were engaged in a battle with Soviet operatives. Everyone was trying to find out what were the plans of the others. Sweden was very concern that eventually it could be on the Soviet Hit list. It was running a covert operation in the Soviet Union It found some shocking info.
The map seemed to indicate a desire on the part of the Soviets to reclaim land held by Sweden and for a Soviet invasion of the middle East .

[chris N]

The Map was checked out by the Swedish Intelligence service and classified copies were made. A copy was provided to the Abwehr and to the Austro_Hungarian intelligence Service. A copy of the Map was carried by diplomatic Courier to London. The Germans had told the Swedish to be careful as they had some indication that there was a mole in the British Intelligence Service. The Swedish Naval Attache invited to new Man at the British Admiralty Winston Churchill to the Embassy. He had been given the post by the Prime Minister. Churchill upon seeing it asked is it real. He was assured that Swedish agents had risked much to get it.

[chris N]

With the end of the active war the newly formed Confederation of Poland and the Ukraine moved to repair the damage and to strengthen its military for the next round of fighting. King Stefan of Poland became the new Emperor of the new entity. The Imperial government took responsibility for National defense and foreign policy. In addition the two parts agreed to a common Imperial currency and for other things. The attempt was to harness the strengths of each part of the confederation to form a stronger one. Poland had developed an industry to produce weapons but lacked the resources to produce them. Now the new country could do that. They were now producing new tanks and planes. There was no fighting for the rest of 1939 and the winter of 1939-40 proved to be a nasty one.
Akk in all it was a time of catch up.

[chris N]

The Confederation of Poland and the Ukraine had ordered the production of the new 10TP tank, It was more armored than the 7TP Tank, which also was to be continued in production. All of the Machine gun armed tanks were to be converted to either SP gun or Anti-tank gun platforms. While the Swedish designed 37mm remained as the standard AT gun in the new army the country was looking for a new more powerful AT Gun. Being considered were the French, Belgian and Czech 47mm guns.

[chris N]

The Ottoman Empire was attempting to modernize its military. A lot of its equipment dated from the preWWI period. It had German Made 77mm guns as well as German 150mm guns that dated from 1918-29 period. It had purchased German 37mm ATG and Austrian 47mm ATG. It had aquired German Pzkpf IIs and III put they were now regared as obsolete compared to Soviet tanks. The Germans had agreed to provide upgrades that would replace the 37mm gun with the short 50mm one. Turkey was ordering some French tanks and guns. It was also buying French fighter planes.

German advisers estimated that it would take at least 2-3 years to Improve the Ottomans Army and Air Force enough to stand up to the Soviets.
German He-111s were sold to The Ottoman's Empire.

[chris N]

Great Britain: The British were quite concern with the prospect of the Soviets making a move into the Middle East greatly disturbed the government. As a result Britain increased its forces in Egypt. Britain also had interest in the Arabian Peninsula not controlled by the Ottomans and was considering sending Military forces to protect them.

Persia had now ordered more than 60 Swedish Made tanks. It also ordered 60 of the American P-36 fighter aircraft. Sweden also received an order for Antitank weapons and artillery pieces.

[chris N]

China : The Chinese were attempting to build an air Force to join their Navy. The Soviets had sold them some planes as the Soviets did not like the Japanese and anything that weaken Japan was good for them.
The Nationalist had managed to crush the Communist Chinese party. This assured the Nationalist total control of China.
The Chinese supreme leader had his people turned to the US and the Chinese buyers were quite impressed with a new fighter plane from Curtis the P-40.

[chris N]

The winter of 1939-40 was horrible. It was very cold and lots of snow. A lot of construction was impossible to do as a result of the weather. The Baltic became a mess as Icebreakers had to work hard to try to keep the sea free.
Sweden had to transport arms for shipment overseas to southwestern Sweden or to Norway. The result was the Norwegian Merchant Marine was gaining lots of business moving the goods to countries such as Persia and the Ottoman Empire. In some cases the goods were going to the Confederation of Poland and the Ukraine.

Polish factories were producing weapons for the new country's army and air force. Polish ship designers had now moved to places like Odessa to design new warships for the country's Navy.

[chris N]

Ottoman Empire: The Empire had been suffering from problems for most of the last 1oo years. The Young Turks movement had set in motion some dramatic changes. Germany had played a key role in the country's military and as a result the country had purchased a lot of weapons from that country Some of the tanks had been tested in the middle East.
The country was suffering from continued attempts at revolt by certain Arab revolutionaries. Into this time of trouble had now come the growing Soviet threat.
It would appear that the Soviets were going to claim ancient Armenia. This would result in a chunk of Turkey proper being grabbed and allow the Soviets to move into Mesopotamia.
The Turkish Empire, as some were now calling it, was seeking to build a more powerful military but all this takes time. The past 10 months had seen some progress but not enough. The question is what would Great Britain and Germany do.

[chris N]

Discussion: I am about to shift gears here because what will be explained is how I see the emergence of the Ottoman Empire into the Turkish Empire.
Turkey will play a role in the next phase of the story but Sweden will alway be the man focus.
Prior to the outbreak of World War I the Ottoman Empire had suffered a great deal. There had been two Balkan Wars and the War with Italy 1911-1912. Both had weaken the empire and lead to what would become known as the Young Turk Movement. This movement came to the conclusion that the Sultan had failed and changes were needed. Germany became involved in reforms to the military and investment in the economy.
The outbreak of World War I lead to a great deal of stress. Relations with Great Britain became poor when the British Government delayed the delivery of two battleships to the Empire at the request of Imperial Russia. In fact relations with Russia became so porr that there war fighting between the two nations from 1915-1916. Peace finally was achieved.
It was in this period that Mustafa Kemal Ataturk emerged as a leader of what was to become the Turkish Empire. The Sultan was unable to effectively rule the nation and by 1922 the Nation now changed its form of government to a Presidentcy. In 1923 Ataturk became the first President. He wanted a secular state not a religious one. He wanted to unite the nation not devide. He pushed reforms and improved the military.
He had sided with the Whites in the Russian Civil War and had been friendly with the Austro-Hungarians and the Kingdom of the Ukraine. He was not at all happy with the emergence of the Soviet Union. He could clearly see that another European war was coming and had tried to have it avoid Turkey. He had nearly died in 1938 from an illness that had left him weaken. But he had slowly recovered and was groming a seccussor.
(This is a point of diversion as Ataturk died in OTL at the age of 57)
Warned by the Germans and the Austrians of a possibl threat to his nation he had spent a lot of money modernizing the Turkish military.

[chris N]

The Turkish Air Force received 80 French made fighters over the winter of 1939-40. The Turkish Army was also receiving French made tanks a total of 32 and been received over the winter.

[chris N]

The Turkish leader was attempting to gather support now from the other European Powers so as to strengthen the Empires defenses and to discourage a Soviet invasion of his nation. Germany and Austria-Hungary were sending arms to Turkey. Turkey was repaying it with minerals and oil needed by those nations.

[chris N]

France had sent nearly 60 of the French H-35 tanks to Turkey as part of its arms deal.

[chris N]

More French built tanks poured into the Turkish Empire. Nearly 80 S-35 French tanks arrived in Turkey thus strengthening the Turkish Army.Neirther of the tanks were a match for what the Russians tank designers had been developing.

[chris N]

Swedish arms manufactures were receiving a lot of orders from not only the Swedish government but Poland, Persia, Greece and even China. The same story was true in France, Austria-Hungary and Germany as well as Great Britain. Only the countries ordering the arms changed
Romania had ordered tanks from France and Austria-Hungary.
Turkey was ordering tanks and planes from both Germany and France
Greece had ordered weapons from France, Sweden and even Italy.
China was buying weapons from Germany and the United States but had stopped buying from Russia.

[chris N]

Below King Stefan of Poland former Archduke of the Austrian Empire and Admiral of the Royal and Imperial Austro-Hungarian Navy. He reigned as the first monarch of the restored Kingdom of Poland 1916-1933.
He was succeeded to the throne by his oldest son Karl Albrecht.

[chris N]

King Stefan's oldest son was crowned as the Emperor of the new Confederation of Poland and the Ukraine. Below a photograph of the new Emperor.

[chris N]

Crown Prince Otto of the Austro-Hungarian Empire:

[chris N]

Italy was attempting to repair the damage to its relations with Germany and Austria_Hungary. The King prepares to receive Crown Prince Otto on his first visit to Italy.

[chris N]

The new Emperor of the Confederation of Poland and Ukraine's brother had been heavily involved in the affairs of the Ukraine ever since the Central powers had taken control of it. He had at one time been the candidate for the office of King. Now he was a Prince in the new Country and one of the Highest ranking Generals in the Ukraine part of the Imperial Army. He had acquired the nickname "the Red Prince" but he was no friend to the Soviets, who he hated with a passion.

[chris N]

Hapsburg's were now sitting on the throne of two of Europe's largest country's . It was now resulting in better ties between the new Confederation and the other Central Powers members. All three nations were wondering as to what was going on behind the "Iron Curtain". Swedish Intelligence had managed to score a coo=up with the Map but since then the Soviets had tighten security.
Turkey had increased its military strength in Eastern Turkey from 2 divisions to 5 Divisions plus a Brigade of Mountain troops and a Regiment of French S-35 tanks (2 battalions of tanks, a mechanized infantry BN Bn if artillery).

[chris N]

March 1940 The People of Europe were wondering if winter would ever loosen its hold on the region. It was one of the worst to befall the region. Now an new worry was what would the neighbor to the east do. Germany had been busy spending the winter re-equipping its Panzer divisions. Gone were all of the Pzkpf I and most of the II. They were replaced by the newer model of the Pzkpf armed with the 50mm gun and more Pzkpf IV. The military was testing a 50mm long gun and there were some of the Mark IV's armed with a new Long 75mm gun. There were teething problems but it was believed that full scale production of the newer Mark III and Ivs would be ready for full scale production in the summer. The 50mm ATG had now replaced the 37mm ATG in most German divisions and work was continuing on a 75mm gun.

However the Russians had been busy too. They had developed a new medium tank that could replace their standard light tank the T-26 and BT-7.
It was designated the T-34 and would be a nasty surprize to the rest of Europe. It was just being produced but full scale production would see the Red Army's ranks fill up with it.

[chris N]

The Soviet Secret Police had tighten security within the country. All of the western embassies were carefully watched. Soviet armored units had all received new tanks and equipment. Unfortunately, there had not been a lot of the T-34s arriving as there were some production headaches.

[chris N]

March 21st 1940 The first of several incidents along the Soviet-Turkish border takes place. For the next ten days the fighting gets nastier but for unknown reasons it appears not to escalate into a full scale Soviet Turkish War. This puzzles the intelligence experts as all intelligence indicated a full scale war would take place.
With every day that passes the Armed forces of the Confederation of Poland and the Ukraine grow stronger. The government has managed to repair the ships that were damaged in the last war and work had progressed on the construction of 5 new destroyers and 1 submarine. The navy had added 12 motor torpedo boats to the fleet.
As for the army designers are working on a heavier tank but all that is currently available are the 7TP and 10 TP tanks. The Poles have acquired the new 47mm ATG and have managed to equip all of the Mechanized units with it and nearly 1/2 of the Divisions have it.

[chris N]

New Swedish Armor:

[chris N]

Kremlin: The Central Committee of the Communist Party had met an approved the plans submitted to it for the start of Military operations.
They had been thoroughly briefed. The Western Powers will be totally surprised by our attack by the time it is over they will be powerless to act.

[pike]

Would Sweden have any interest in conqering the Russian islands like Novaya Zemlya in the arctic circle if it comes to a serious war for strategic advantage? I know the Russians were worried if this might happen.

Could you put a date on china / japan war please?

[chris N]

Sweden is being restrained more by Denmark than Norway in a possible war with Russia. The Swedish Royal Navy now has two battleships and three cruisers plus a dozen destroyers and 4 submarines. It had two tankers and 2 icebreakers but very little in the way of ocean going transports.

The Emperor of Japan put his foot down and the war with China has yet to take place. Japan does hold Manchuria but there was no Marco Polo Bridge Incident. It would appear that the arms build up by China will finally trigger the Sino-Japanese War three years latter than in out time line. The Nationalist were able with the delay of the war to crush the Communist once and for all. The Nationalist are now in total control. Chiang Kai Shek has shown more willingness to accept reforms for the Chinese Military. The result has been a Chinese army that is better trained and led. While it is impossibly to totally weed out corruption it is a fraction of what it was. Several Generals were shot for padding the payroll of their units with fictious soldiers. The Chinese Navy is quite large with 3 exGerman Battleships, 2 ex-American light cruisers and 12 old exUSN destroyers. It is the Navy that has finally gotten the Japanese military to press the Emperor for a first strike to eliminate the chinese threat.

[chris N]

Several new warships belong to the Red Navy has sailed from Arkhangelsk. It was the First appearance by two of the newest warships produced by the shipyard. The ships sailing was a new Heavy cruiser and a light cruiser plus 4 destroyers and a tanker. Red Air Force Bombers had been spotted flying over Arctic waters.

[chris N]

The Swedish aircraft manufacture that had been manufacturing the He 100 fighter had now developed drop tanks for the aircraft thus giving it greater endurance or range Swedish Patrol Bombers were now to check out northern waters.

[chris N]

Te crash of artillery fire was heard along the Soviet - Persian border. Soviet Forces pushed their way deep into the Northwestern part of the country. The Red Army had struck with 12 Rifle Divisions an 9 tank Brigades. The Red Air Force pounded the Persian air bases It took several days for word to get back to the capitals of western Europe that the Soviets had
finally struck.

[chris N]

The Red Army crushed its way through the mountain passes. The Persian Army attempted to resist the Soviets and the Swedish Made tanks and guns were able to inflict some damage on the Red Army but the Soviets just kept coming. Already other Soviet forces had started to push from the North. The Shah's government appealed to the British Government for help.
Britain had investments in Persia and it had no desire to see they swept away by the Soviets.
There were British Forces in Egypt and India that could be sent. It would take time. So it would be up to the Royal Air Force to buy that time by doing what it could to support the Persians. Royal Marines were landed at the oil field in the south but at the most they number less than a hundred men
No it would be the RAF.

[chris N]

Great Britain had decided on Military Intervention in Persia. If the Soviets were to capture Persia the entire Middle East and the regions oil supply would be threaten. India would also be threaten.
As a result to Indian Divisions were dispatched to the Middle East. Britain's armored Unit was to move by rail through Turkish territory to Kuwait with permission granted by Turkey.
Some MkVI light tanks arrived to boost the strength of British forces protecting the oil fields in Persia.

[chris N]

The 10th Tank Brigade arrived rather quickly by rail but it still took nearly 10 days to get it deployed. The Brigade was equipped with Matilda Infantry tanks. Unfortunately Britain was still in the process of developing better tanks and had not had to fight anyone.

[chris N]

British and Imperial forces were arriving in country at a steady trickle Two Indian divisions were brought in at the Straits of Houmus . Still british forces did arrive in the western part of Persia and an Advance element of the British force went North and it had the distinct unpleasant surprise of running into the Russian advance. bren carriers were ill suited to face the Russians.

[chris N]

Despite everything the British showed the Iron determination to do there best and it soon became a battle as British and Soviet forces fought for control of a key town. The British were able to support their infantry Brigade with the Matildas and with other armor.

[chris N]

The British had received some warning from the other European powers that the Red Army's tanks might be more than the British could handle. As long as the British had only run into T-26 and BT-7 they were Okay but some of the Soviet Monster tanks like the T-28 and the KV1 and II were more than the British anti-tank guns could handle. The two pounders rounds would bounce off of them and only a luck hit on the track would stop the tank fom moving but not destroy it. The 25pds Field gun was found capable of stopping the tanks but they were needed for artillery support.

[chris N]

Below a look at the Russian Invasion and the British Landing and movement from India. Great Britain had resolved not to allow a Soviet occupation of Persia to Stand.

[chris N]

The Persian Army was crumbling under the onslaught of the Soviet military.The British were sending advisers and attempting to use their air power in an attempt to strengthen the Persian army's ability to resist. They were surprised that German advisers were already working to reorganize shattered units.

[chris N]

RAF Fighter pilots were engageing an enemy that had gained a lot of experience in its last war with the Germans, Austro-Hungarians, Poles, Swedes and Ukrainians. Unfortunately the RAF pilots may have had a good amount of training in the Air but no combat experience. Thus Hawker Hurricanes might have been better than the Russians aircraft but they suffered loses to the Russian greater combat knowledge.. Forunately a lot of pilots shot down were able to be recovered by "friendly forces but there were some incidents where Persian civilians attacked the downed pilots thinking they were Russian. The result were that they started to fly with Jakets having a British Flag on it. Similar to what the American volunteers in China wore in our time line.

[chris N]

A BEF for the Middle East was being organized. It was felt that the size would have to be at least 12 divisions. This would mean sending troops from the UK as Egypt could at the most send just another division and India might send just one more as who knew where the Soviets would strike next. Also the new 6pdr ATG was urgently needed as the 2pdr was totally ineffective

[chris N]

Updated Map as of May 1st 1940:

[chris N]

The Soviet Red Army had seized a huge chunk of Persia. The British now controlled the entire Persian Coast but were facing strong pressure from the Soviet forces. Britain was continuing to supply weapons to the Persian Imperial Military. There were however some Communist elements in Persia that were co-operating with the Soviet Red Army. These forces were providing intelligence and attacking British and Persian supply lines.

[chris N]

British forces continued to arrive with the Eight Amy receiving 3 more divisions plus two more tank Brigades. The Tenth Army received the an Australian and a New Zealand division plus an Indian Armored Brigade.
Three additional Fighter Squadrons arrived as well as two bomber Squadrons. Below a 25 pdr the work horse of the artillery.

[chris N]

By the 5th of June the situtation was as the map below shows.

[chris N]

The Red Army continued to overrun Persia. Still four attempts to take the Imperial capital had failed. The Persians were fighting for every foot of territory. The Situation map looked as follows:

[chris N]

Sweden was now wondering what would come next. The British had two armies now in Persia and they did not appear to be able to stop the Red Army. Reports from the Persian Capital showed it to be a truly bloody encounter. The Persians were suffering heavy lose of life but were bleeding the Red Army. German experts believed that Red Army forces from the East would soon force them to withdraw or risk being cut off.
Great Britain had asked the Swedish Government to try to locate the Russian ships that had left port sever British Merchant ships had disappeared in the North Sea and the Home Fleet was mounting a search to locate the Russians.
Swedish Intelligence had now located 6 armored Brigades and 12 Rifle Divisions near the Swedish Russian Border.

[chris N]

The Soviet cruiser Kirov had not been seen by the Swedish Navy sice it had exited the White Sea with another cruiser and 3 destroyers plus a tanker. Royal Swedish Air Force Air craft had taken pictures of it. Now the Swedish Navy had dispatched a Naval task force to the far north or the next 4 months. This force included Sweden's older Battleship a light cruiser and 3 destroyers plus a taker.
Below the Soviet cruiser.

[chris N]

Fighting continued in the Persian Capital as the Red Army and the persians battled for each block of the city, The British had been forced futher south but British Air Power was finally getting the upper hand for control of the sky.
The Germans believed that the Persian Military was on the verge of collapse. They were running out of trained soldiers and supplies. While the British had been supplying arms and equipment it just was not enough.

[chris N]

Map showing Red Army gains June 21,1940

[chris N]

Great Britain and the Commonwealth had thrown a lot of Manpower into the Struggle for Persia. The Eighth Army had 1 Armored Division , 6 Infantry divisions 1 Armored Brigade and 3 tank brigades. The 10th Army had 2 Indian Army Divisions, 2 Australian, 1 New Zealand Division, 1 British Division and an Indian Army Armored Brigade. Air Power had continued to increase and the RAF/RAAF, RIAF now were beginning to control the skies over Persia. The Spitfire had made its first Appearance.

Turkey had increased its forces in the region. It now had 2 Infantry divisions, 1 Mountain Brigade, 1 Armored Brigade and 1 Cavalry Brigade. It hoped to increase its forces to 4 Infantry Divisions,2 Mountain Brigades, 1 Armored Brigade, 1 Armored Cavalry Brigade, 2 cavalry Brigades before the end of June.

[chris N]

Sweden's battleship lead a task force to the northern most port in Sweden. Fort Karl Gustav( located where Murmask would be in OTL) was Sweden's northern most port.

[chris N]

Prime Minister Chamberlain went before the House of Commons and asked for a declaration of War against the Soviet Union. He stated that in addition to the War in Persia it appeared that British Merchant ships had been attacked by soviet warships.

[chris N]

Moscow: The Polit Bureau mets to discuss the war. There is a lot of uneasiness over Great Britain's violent response to the Soviet Invasion of Persia. Many questions are asked regarding reports that the Soviet navy had been sinking British Merchant ships. Stalin had been emerging as the leader of the war click and it was suspected that he had grabbed power without any authorization to attack the British.

[chris N]

The war in Persia continued as the Red army pressed further south but that advance was slowing. It appeared that the RAF was having an impact as was the reinforcements sent in. Newer tanks were finally also starting to arrive but once again they were too lightly armed. The 2pdr was obsolete and even the new 57mm gun on the new crusader II and IIIs were to light. More 6pdr Anti-tank guns were arriving and they were proving to be much more effective than the 2pdr.

[chris N]

New Situation Map for Persia:

[chris N]

The Soviet Ambassador to France submitted a Peace proposal to end the war between Britain and the Soviet Union over Persia. It would allow the setting up of two zones. The North would be the new Peoples Republic of Persia and the south would be the British zone.

[tonsofun]

Very interesting so far. Keep it up.:)

[Reichenfaust]

I dont think Britain would take the peace proposal. Letting Russia have Persia is way to close to the Persian gulf, even the half they have.

[Nivek]

I dont think Britain would take the peace proposal. Letting Russia have Persia is way to close to the Persian gulf, even the half they have.

Plus more Oil(even if they can obtain some from the Ottoman/Turkish), in fact the soviets are waiting for a massive EU invasion for their warmongering

[chris N]

In France the workers were delaying any shipment of arms to Turkey and to the Confederation of Poland and the Ukraine. The Germans and the Swedish Intelligence service had also noticed activity by pro-communist groups.
In Britain pro-communist groups were demonstrating against the war But the British government was about to take steps to end all protest. The official declaration of war was a step by the government to show how serious the government was about the war. Generally the public began to rally around the government and the military.
Sweden was secretly co-operating with the British government in the search for the Red Navy. A British Mine layer arrived at the Swedish Port and was put into the Naval base under Naval guard.

Sweden was sold more of Britain's strike aircraft. Some RAF recon aircraft were deployed to Sweden and Swedish Colors were painted on the Aircraft.
Germany continued to have a 3 division corp in the Grand Duchy .
Everyone knew that war was bound to break out sooner or latter.

Italy's new leader fly to Germany and Britain for talks regarding the Soviet Union. Italy offered to intervene if the Soviets moved against Turkey.

[chris N]

With its peace proposal rejected the Soviets went back to attempting to achieve a military solution. However, it was decided that the Red Army needed to be ready to fight a war in the western part of the country. A strategy was being devised that would see the Red Army go on the offensive to crush the Confederation of Poland and the Ukraine.
There was also a plane that would call for an invasion of Sweden and roll the country's borders back so that the White Seas would be in total Soviet hands.

[chris N]

Great Britain had made clear to the Swedish Government its proposal to close the White Sea to the Soviet Navy by mining it. Both the British and Swedish governments were aware that such an act might very well cause a hostile reaction from the Soviet Union against Sweden. Sweden had demobilized a lot of forces after the last crisis but it had retained more divisions on active duty. Instead of 10 divisions the Swedish military had 14 divisions plus the Lapland Brigade and the Fort Karl Gustav Garrision. St Petersbug still had the ethnic German troops ( 6 bns when mobilized).
It was decided that when the British navy carried out its mining the Swedish Military would have called up an additional 4 divisions plus air Force reservist.

Below the British Minelayer assigned to do the job.

[chris N]

Sweden was now aware that the Soviets were now sealing their border
The Soviets had increased fortifications along their border but they had also increased the size of the Red Army. New Russian light tanks were replacing the older T-26 and even the BT-5 and 7. The newer model T-60 and T-70 tanks were starting to appear. But more important the T-34 was starting to appear in larger numbers. Soviet planners were constantly revising plans to invade their neighbors.
The goal was to strike deep into the enemy's territory and fight the war on their land.

[chris N]

The Hot weather in Persia was making fighting very difficult. The Soviets made little headway as it now appeared that the RAF was dominating the skies over Persia. It was the control of the skies that was slowing the Soviet advance to a snail pace.
The Factories in the north were producing all of the tanks that they could. Thus the heavy KV tanks with their 76mm guns and the new T-34 were the most powerful.

The Soviet military was hoping to avoid a war with the West until late spring or earl summer. They would thus have a massive number of T-34 available to smash the Western forces.

[chris N]

Tensions were building . Britain's Minielayer began to lay mines across the the White Seas it was covered by the HMS Dragon and the HMS Electra.
The Swedish Air Force agreed to provide air cover in case of a Russian Reaction. The Russian Cruisers were finally found heading for the White Sea. A British Battleship and three destroyers was moving to cut them off. The Swedsih Naval Force agreed to prevent their heading back to the Norwegian Sea .

[chris N]

The Russians engaged the British forces in an attempt to return home to safety. The HMS Dragon bravely faced the two Russian cruisers while the Hms Electra fought off the three Russian destroyers. Two of the Russian destroyers were old ships with light guns the HMS Electra sent one to the bottom with a lucky hit and the second happen to enter an area where the mine layer had just planted mines. A loud explosion was heard. The three remaining Soviet warships escaped into the white Sea.
The HMS Dragon was in bad shape it had received too many 7.1 inch hits. Damage control was barely able to keep the ship afloat. A Swedish Cruiser and destroyer arrived and were able to assist. The Cruiser took the ship under tow while the destroyer assisted. They were bound for the Northern Swedish port.
Meanwhile the HMS Revenge and two destroyers arrived to lend support to the mining mission.

[Reichenfaust]

What are Sweden's armoured forces, troops, air, and naval forces looking like now(as a recap)

[chris N]

Sweden has increased its Active duty Army to 15 Divisions. Of the 15 divisions 2 are Armored, 2 are Mechanized , 1 Mountain and 1o Infantry. In additiion there are 6 fortress division which man the fortifications along the border and at key points. These "divisions are not regular size coming in between 7-9,000 personnel. In addition Sweden had continued to maintain its "Viking Division". The Division accepts volunteers from Denmark, Norway Iceland( still part of Denmark) and Germany as well as Swedish volunteers.Upon full mobilization the Army would expand by another 12 division+.
The Army also had its Lapland Brigade. The Brigade is responsible for the protection of the Northern part of the country including the two ports. The Brigade has 5 Infantry battalions, 3 artillery battalions, AT gun battery..
The Swedish Navy has grown to 2 Battleships, 4 cruisers, 12 destroyers, 5 submarines 12 Motor Torpedo Boats, 6 Motor Gun Boats, 2 tankers, 2 transports, 4 gunboats. It also has responsibility for the fortifications at Fort Carl Gustav, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Stockholm and coastal Estonia. The Navy has also established a special Naval Infantry unit of about a battalion in size.

The Royal Swedish Air Force maintains a force of 48 British Made twin engine bombers, 24 Torpedo Bombers 144 He-100 fighters, 36 Me-109C,
24 Ju 52,12 Ju-86, 12 DC-3, 6 PBYs, and it is planning on adding another 192 He-100D fighters. The Air Force has ordered some additional British designed aircraft and is looking at the US North American B-25 for its air Force.

[chris N]

Russian Air Force Units fly from the south to attack the British Mining effort. The result was a clash with the Swedish Air Force in the area . Swedish forces claimed that the Soviet aircraft entered Swedish Air Space.
Britain also asked the Swedish government to allow it to base planes at a summer airfield that it offered to winterize. Sweden approved it.
One of the Aircraft to be based there was the Bombers shown below.

[Reichenfaust]

What kind of tanks in armoured units, what kind of rifles do troops use, as well what kind of artillery is in service. In the Swedish navy what classes of ships do they have employed/on the way?

[chris N]

Sweden had adopted a Swedish version of the German Mauser during the late 1890's. It modernized the rifle over the time. As Below

[chris N]

However, The Swedish Military was well aware that it would need an improved battle rifle . What was to come out was this improvement:

[chris N]

Sweden Arms manufactures had developed a light machine gun for the Swedish Army that would replace the Danish design. Still the Danish weapon was well regarded and would continue to see service in the Kingdom's Home Guard units.

[chris N]

Still with a limit to manpower the Swedish Army would realize that its standard rifle might need to be replaced by one which could give the individual soldier much more firepower. It was a development of the LMG and is seen below.

[chris N]

Sweden's army was equipped with tanks that clearly were not going to be capable of fighting on the battlefield of the 1940's the 37mm gun was regarded as incapable of doing the job. So changes were already in the works. The tank below was equipped with a Swedish 75mm/30 gun which was similar to the German 75mm/24. While not perfect it did give the Swedish Armored divisions some capablity of taking on the Russian improved tanks.

[chris N]

The Swedish arms manufactures were also looking at tank destroyers but the hope had to be that the next war would not breakout until 1941 as there were problems that needed to be overcome. Still the pro-type was shown to the Swedsih Army and the officers were quite impressed with it.

[chris N]

Sweden's Navy had two capital ships. Both of which were of German design. The newer of the two was in fact an ex German Bayern class Battleship that had been overhauled and modernized. It was considered to be more than capable of destroying any ship that the Soviet navy had. The Swedish Navy had added on three new Cruisers. One carried aircraft. All were fast and quite capable. The twelve destroyers were all modern and equipped with Swedish made 4.7 inch Naval guns.

[chris N]

One of Sweden's Cruisers:

[chris N]

Another Swedish Cruiser

[chris N]

The Red Air Force clash with the Swedish Air Force marked another down turn in Swedish Soviet relations. Sweden Claimed that the Soviet Bomber invaded Swedish Air Space as did several Soviet fighters. The Swedish Air Force increased their order for the newest version of the He-100 fighter by 49 aircraft.

[chris N]

RAF Bombers returned the favor and Bombed the Soviet Naval base at Arkhangelsk. The attack came as a total surprise and quite a bit of damage was done. Britain secretly promised Sweden that it would give the aircraft to Sweden when it completed its mission( the Minning of the White Sea).

[chris N]

Britain launch a torpedo attack on soviet shipping in the White Sea.

[chris N]

Russia was now introducing its new fighter in considerable numbers the Mig3. The plan was now deployed to bases in the west and around Moscow.

[Reichenfaust]

Thank you so much for the info on the Swedish military. Any chance we will see a carrier or two, since the Swedish military must operate on a combat multiplier/tech advantage to remain successful?

[chris N]

The Swedish government have acquired the rights to produce the Sdkfz 251 family of Half tracks. Volvo is to manufacture them for the Swedish Army. It already has an order for 1800 of the half tracks. It has been able to produce first 40 vehicles in december 1939 and increased it to 45 in January 1940. From that point on production increased as the company tried to provide the Swedish Army with enough vehicles. It would produce neary 1200+ vechicles by the end of the year. The Swedish Government approved an additional order for another 26oo Half-tracks/
The Swedish Military was also discussing an idea to develop a Swedish designed APC.
Swedish and Czech engineers have talked about adopting the T-38 tank as an armored personnel carrier and as Tank killer.
Below a Swedish Recon tank.

[chris N]

Austria Hungary was also in a race to produce a much more effective medium tank. The T-38 had received additional armor but its gun was too light to be effective against Soviet Heavy tanks or the rumored new medium tank.
As a stop gap measure it had developed SP AT guns first using the 47mm ATG and now a 75mm gun. The Hungarian plan had developed an assault gun similar to the German Stug III. Below the Hungarian designs.

[chris N]

The manufacturer of the T-38 also came up with an AA aircraft vehicle using the body of the T-38.

[chris N]

Italy was attempting to repair relations with Great Britain,Austria-Hungary and Germany. It was very concern at the Soviets moving into Persia. Italy's leader offered what assistance Italy could give. Italy's relations with the Turkish Empire had been strained but since the removal of Mussolini relations had been on the mend.> Italy offered arms to the Turks and secretly offered to send troops into the Middle East if the Russians attacked.
Italian Bombers now sat on the Isle of Rhodes.

[chris N]

The only western European power not to say anything about the Russian invasion of Persia was France. While France had no intention of going to war with Germany that was one consideration. Another factor was that french industries unions seemed to have been infiltrated by a lot of pro-Soviet leaders and so far France had not yet elected a leader that was willing to take them on.
On the other hand Great Britain was actively at war with the Soviet Union and it appeared that Sweden had decided to aid in that war. Germany and Austria_Hungary as well as the Confederation of Poland and the Ukraine were all in the process of racing to upgrade their military. Italy was also concern as it acquired its oil from both Romania and the Middle East. it was only recently that some American and Italian companies have begun to explore for Oil in Libya and there was thoughts of looking for it in Italian East Africa.

[chris N]

British Bombers were carrying out air strike on the Soviet line of Communication in Persia. Even as this was Happening the British Bomber command was looking at sending even more powerful longer range Bombers to the region to strike at the Soviet Union.

[chris N]

The Red Air Force was also preparing to strike at the British and to truely make the next war even bloodier.

[chris N]

The Soviet Military now begun to fight an unofficial war on the northern frontier. There was to be no invasion of Sweden but the Sweds would be made to pay a price. The Russian Navy would move to sweep the minefield and the Red Air Force would start to search for the hidden air base and strike at the Swedish naval facilities at Fort Carl Gustav. The Red Navy would land its special Naval Infantry to conduct raids along the White Sea shore. It was clearly meant to send a message to the Swedish government that they were playing with fire.

[chris N]

Arriving in the Middle East wast a new Fighter plane one that was destine to become famous. It was called the Spitfire.

[chris N]

July 1940 The war in Persia had now bogged down to a stalemate. British Air power appeared to have altered the balance and prevented the Red Army from completing its conquest of the country.
Still some Soviet Military leaders were proposing for a new offensive into Mesopotamia . That would give them control of Turkeys oil and would possibly cut the British supply line to Persia by land. There was also talk of taking ancient Armenia from Turkey. Experts were saying that this might trigger a much wider war possibly bringing in Italy and Germany.
Stalin however felt that such a war might lead to the Greeks seeking to reclaim parts of Asia Minor once controlled by them.Thus unwittingly dividing the European opposition.

[chris N]

Stalin had yet to win total control of the party and government and thus saner head were able to prevent the Soviet Union from having to fight all of Europe.

[chris N]

British forces had contained the Soviet advance. The new Crusader II would start to make an appearance an more 6pdr ATG were arriving. Still it was British Air Power that had saved the day. The number of daily sorties was wearing out the pilots.

[chris N]

The new Crusaders II were an improvement but if the T-34 were to appear they would be chewed up pretty fast. The Crusader III was under developement but it would be the spring of 1941 before they would appear.

[chris N]

Fighting in the White Sea region continued. The soviets used PT Boats and other small vessels to conduct attacks. The Soviets also began to work on building a base at the entrance to the White Sea on their side. They wanted to build a coastal Defense base so that next Spring they could swept the enterance under the protection of Big guns. Sweden had increased its forces in the north and that had seemed to take care of the Soviet ability to penetrate far inland. Summer was drawing to an end and the Swedish and British Naval forces would for the Most par have to withdraw before the very cold winter weather returned.

[chris N]

Paris France July 1940 The French Premier tendered his resignation to the French President and agreed to stay on as a care taker The French President then called in one of the people serving as a minister in the government and offered him the chance to form a government. France was in Chaos and needed a firm hand, And so it was that Paul Reynaund became Premier of France. He swept into office and was able to find enough seats in the Parliament to give him a fighting chance. He called upon the army to be prepared to act. The time for strikes was over. It would not be the Unions that would run the country but the elected representatives of the People..
He notified the unions that strikes would no longer be tolerated. When the railroad workers continued their strike he took a page from the past and had them drafted into the army. When they] refused to obey he had the army court Marial them. after a few workers were shot the strike came to an end.
Workers in the defense plant that were found to be sabotaging weapons were charged with treason and hung after a military trial.
France was about to move from being pro-Soviet to pro-Polish-Ukrainian.

[chris N]

While France was attempting to get its act together the British Military was demanding improvements to the equipment that its army had. The Matilda infantry tank was incapable of dealing with the more heavily armored and armed Russian tanks. The cruiser tanks were also not thought to be up to the job as their armor as too light and their guns nor powerful enough
The Crusader III would be armed with the 6pdr better than the 2pdr but not good enough. Below the new Crusader III destine to arrive in the field in 1941.

[Reichenfaust]

So the British still lag behind in Armoured Warfare. With the Czech's under their wing is Germany producing anything like the Panther or Panzer IV?

[chris N]

The Czech are still part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and they are working on a replacement tank for the Empires T-38.
Germany had upgraded its Pzkpf IV to the F2 standard and Has been producing the new Pzkpf III J model.
At this point the Germans Know they will need a better medium tank but they have yet to see the T-34. German and Swedish Intelligence know that the Russians have been developing a more powerful tank but they have not been able to see one. The Austrians did manage to get some sketches of the design, which was sent to Skoda and to the Germans.

Yes, Britain had been lagging behind in tank designs. Reports from Persia have shown that the cruiser and infantry tanks are poor. Demands have been to get the new Crusader III tanks to them now not in a year. With luck the first of the Crusader III will arrive in October ,1940.
The new Infantry Tank the Valentine first came out with 40mm guns but a new version is to be released in 1941 with a 75mm gun. This will make it the most powerful British tank. trouble is that the Valentine is too slow.
A new Medium tank is needed but it is doubtful that it would be avilable before 1942 at the earlies.

[chris N]

As the Summer of 1940 drew to a close the weather started to turn colder in the northern part of Europe and activity in the White Sea region began to slow down. In Persia the war also continued but both sides had tired and needed to regroup for the next part of the struggle.
Soviet factories were busy turning out large amounts of new tanks and aircraft. The Red Army was expanding and preparing for the next struggle.

Stalin was trying to secure his grip on power and it was sure that come the new year he would be able to tighten his grip on power.
Everyone was racing to improve their military.

[chris N]

Austria-Hungary was trying to come up with a replacement for the T-38 , which was considered too light to play a major role in any future struggle. Soda was developing its medium tank design designated the T-25. It would be a larger tank with a more powerful 75mm gun.

[chris N]

Austria Hungary was having some problems gaining a new main battle tank. The Skoda Works had been working on the design since the conflict with Russia last year. It was imperative that the Empire develop a new MBT before any conflict. The Hungarian competitor to skoda had its Toldi tank design based on a Swedish design but it too was regarded as to light. Its assault gun however was quickly accepted by the Imperial army and ordered into mass production. The Hungarian company was working on a new tank design with some help from German. It was clear to see the german Influence in the design.

[chris N]

The Turan III tank design

[chris N]

The German Pzkpf IV F2 was destine to be the standard main Battle tank in the German army in 1941 should war break out. It had the long 75mm gun with a better hitting power than the earlier models. Sweden had also acquired the rights to produce the tank for its army. The problem was that Swedish industry had just about reached the limit of its production capacity. Thus it was producing the German Half track design, some Swedish designed tanks and now the Mark IV tank.. It was only able to produce 40 tanks per month meaning that it would only have 240 of the tanks by the end of the year. Thus if the war would break out in April it would have only been able to equip perhaps 7 tank battalions with the tank.

[chris N]

The Skoda works were really trying very hard to come up with a tank that would not be equal to anything that the Germans or Russians might have but be the next generation. Work was progressing on making the reloading of the 75mm high velocity gun fast. By doing this the tank could knock out a lot of enemy tanks. It was also faster than the T-38 despite being better armored.

[chris N]

The Fall of 1940 saw things settle down along the Entire European frontier.
It was clear that the Soviets had built a lot of fortifications along their border. Attempt to infiltrate across the border were increasingly becoming difficult. The NKVD border forces were constantly checking.
Agents of the western powers had disappeared in the Soviet Union.

[chris N]

Sitting in an Irish port, where it had rested for the past 20 years was the former British Battleship Erin. The Kingdom of Ireland had been given the ship but it had not seen service for too long. Now the Irish government was considering possibly reactivating the ship and overhauling it. The other alternative was to scrap it or sell it to another country.
There was an argument in the Irish Parliament about the cost of manning such a ship and of modernization of it.

[chris N]

The war in Persia had reached a stalemate. It would take the British a while to build up forces for an offensive during the winter months. The British were attempting to rebuild the Persian Imperial Army. So far 6 Brigades had been trained and equipped. the hope was that that would soon increase to 12 Brigades and thus allowing the Persians to carry a greater share of the burden for defending their country. In the North the Soviets had already started to organize the Peoples Democratic Republic of Persia, which they had renamed Iran.
More Crusader II were arriving to replace loses.

[chris N]

November and December saw the arrival of massive amounts of Material in Persia. The British Armored regiments received the new Crusader II tank and the British were also able to send the new Crusader III model in late December. The Persing army was equipped with enough Crusader II to allow the formation of a tank Brigade. The army as it prepared to launch its counter offensive had finally seen all of the 2pdr Antitank guns replaced in British and Commonwealth forces with the new 6pdr. Some of the 2pdrs were given to new Persian units that were still being formed as there was a shortage of the new 6pdrs.

[Reichenfaust]

Hasn't Sweden's industry been expanding a lot, so it can take the war production capabilities?

[chris N]

With the gains that Sweden made in the Great War the country's industrial capacity grew as did the resources. Still the 1920's was a time of slow growth. It wasn't until 1930 that industrial expansion began to improve as a result of trade with other nations. Sweden's expansion of its military further primed the pump. Still Swedish Industry is trying to met the civilian needs and the military needs at the same time. The Swedish industry has urged the military not to demand so many different vehicle as it would limit production. Currently the manufacture of Sweden's tanks has been producing a Swedish Light and Medium tank and has now started to produce the German Pzkpf IV as it is considered superior to the Swedish tank.
Still Volvo is now producing the Swedish sdkfz 251 Half tracks and has turned over work on the Swedish designed tank to Saab's automotive division. The result has been an increase in production of tanks and half tracks.

[Reichenfaust]

Cool. It is good to see that they are not wholly militaristic.

[chris N]

Sweden: In spite of industrial expansion and a population gain Sweden was in less than a stellar position in a war with the Soviet Union. The Soviets had a bigger military , more resources and Greater production capacity.
Sweden's automotive industry had created subsidiaries to produce the tanks and half tracks that the army needed, Luckily Great Britain had helped provide some of the equipment that the Swedes were having trouble producing. Transmissions being a critic item.
Germany had helped Sweden to create Synthetic oil as Sweden so far had discovered very little oil.

[chris N]

January 1941 The British 10th Army launched an offensive in Eastern Persia. It caught the Soviets by surprise as they fully expected the British to delay the offensive for another month.
Just as they were moving to respond to that the Eight Army let loose with a massive bombardment that might have reminded everyone of the last war.

The RAF had been busy as Bomber command struck at the Soviets line of communication. British Fighter pilots showed the soviets the stuff that made them the knights of the air in another reality. The Spitfires tore into the Russian Migs and other aircraft. The pressure was relentless as the Brits, Aussies Kiwis and Indians smashed there way.

The Russian commander in the south pleaded for help and the Soviet Military High Command heard the plea and forces began to move to the south.

[chris N]

Meanwhile on the other side of the world the Japanese Military was increasingly concern about the "Chinese Threat". The Imperial Japanese Navy did not care for the rise of the Republic of China's navy. While it was true that the ships were somewhat dated they were all in excellent shape and had been modernized by the German shipyards. China had 3 battleships, 1 German Battlecruiser ( all of German design) and 18 ex US Navy four piper destroyers. China had constructed 2 light cruisers and was attempting to buy 3 US Omaha class destroyers.

[chris N]

Soviet reinforcements arrive including some heavy tank Brigades and more fighter aircraft. The Polit Bureau does not want to use the new T-34 in combat as it is planning that they be a surprise in next years offensive.
The Soviet Ambassador attempts to convince the Swedish Ambassador to Switzerland to convince his government that their actions are leading to a conflict between the two nations. Below the latest Persian Front Map:

[chris N]

January 1941 the Soviet Union and the Empire of Japan sign a Ten Year Non-Aggression Pact. The Soviets agree to cutting off all arms sales to the Republic of China and recognize Japan's control of Manchuria.

[chris N]

February 1941 Tensions between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan increase. There are armed clashes near the Marco-Polo Bridge.
The Imperial Japanese Navy sets sail in Force for the Northern China Sea.
The German Asian Squadron sails for it Pacific colonies.
Cang appoint a new Chief of Staff of the Army thus completing the elimination of the corruption of the military.
Chinese Nationalist destruction of the Communist Five years ago has left the Nationalist in total control. Reforms have taken place allowing for a better trained army. German advisers have trained 30 divisions to a high standard .

[chris N]

Russia was encouraging Afghans to attack British India with Bandit raids.At the same time Soviet agents were encouraging Greek Ultra Nationalist to consider waging a war against either Turkey or Bulgaria. This would draw attention away from the Soviet Union and allow the Soviets to carry out their per-emptive War.

[chris N]

The Soviet Military Planner met at their secret planning location to iron out plans for the upcoming war. It would see the largest Russian military force ever. The plan was for a series of blows that would see the capture of vast amounts of territory. Some people doubted the wisdom of taking on everyone but the Soviets were working on infiltration of the west so as to learn the western responses before they could get underway.

[chris N]

Below the broad outline of the planed offensive. It would need to be looked at and refined over the nest two months.

[pike]

Hi Chris N

You have done a great job establishing the ground work for the next great war.

A few things.

Any progress on a millitary alliance between Chang and Germany.

Reasoning for: Chinese are greatfull for the many years of greman millitary and economic assistance. That China would not want to take the fight to Japan with out another substatual power backing it up on the world stage against the staus qou. Germany gains the great benfit of opening a second front against the USSR. Given the USSR looks like concentrating most of its man power in Europe. Its is unlikely that China would be threatened greatly by a combined threat of Japan and The USSR and stands to gain greatly if the out come of WW2 is a victory against the USSR. The Chinese could gain territory with out even invading the USSR itself.

Reasoning against:I cant think of anything accept talk of an alliance might not come up between the China and Germany.

Any thoughts?

[chris N]

Interesting idea. I had not considered an alliance between Germany and China. At this point I would see nothing that might bring that idea to the forefront. It is true that Germany and China have established a special relationship. German advisers have trained the Chinese Army and China has manufactured a lot of German weapons or imported them. The standard Chinese Rifle is a copy of the K98 Mauser. China has also copied the German 75mm gun and the 37mm ATG.
The Chinese Navy now has 4 German built capital ships.

Still there is the question of whether China would be able to fight a war against the Soviet Union and Japan at the same time. In fact to do so might result in the Soviet Union attempting to restore the Chinese communist.
Still it is interesting.
New York Times: Reports from the Chinese capital in Chungking appear to indicate that the Chinese and German Governments have signed a major agreement. It appears that the Chinese , who have made major arms purchases from Germany will be expanding those purchases. Reports are that China had already purchased nearly 100 German made tanks (40 Pzkpf I. 40 Pzkpf II and 20 Ps Kpf III). It appears that Germany has also granted the Chinese permission to manufauter the tanks under License. Germany has been given an additional 99 year lease on its base in china. Rumor has it that this could lead to a defensive alliance. - Harold Baldwin reporter

[chris N]

Within days of the report in the Time the Soviet Foreign Minister tpaid a visit to Japan. Japan announce the purchase of a large amount of oil from the Soviet Union.

[chris N]

An so the stage is being set for the next conflict that promises to be far bloodier than the last war. This one seems likely to be fought around the world.
Despite an ongoing war in Persia the Soviets have assembled an incredibly large military machine. If they are lucky they will see the collapse of the Confederation, the recovery of a huge chunk of the lands held by Sweden and the collapse of the Baltic states independence. If the Soviets can move fast enough they might force the Germans and Austro-Hungarians to
agree to a peace that would see the Soviet Union with domination of the Black Sea and a window on the Baltic.

[chris N]

With the New Year the Viking Panzer Division of the Swedish Army ( it consisted of Swedish, Danish, Norwegian , Icelandic volunteers) finally began to receive the new Pzkpf IVF2 tanks. One battalion was re-equipped with them and the second battalion was to be re-equipped in March. For now the other two battlions would retain the Swedish tanks, although if the war held off it too would have three battalions of Swedish made F2 and just 1 battalion of the earlier Swedish tanks. It was now a race to get as much material to the army as possible before a war broke out.
The Soviets had tighten their border so that penetration was harder and harder to do.
Below One company of these tanks was in each of the Swedish tank battalions that were not equipped with the F2. They were armed with the Swedish 75mm/30 equal to the German 75mm/24.

[chris N]

March 1941 The Soviet forces were moving into position. The weather continued to be miserable and there were doubts that it could be launched on schedule. It was decided that the start date would be moved from April 15 to May 1. This would allow further production of the T-34 and more Russian combat aircraft. If thing still did not look good the invasion would be postponed to May 21,1941.

[pike]

Interesting idea. I had not considered an alliance between Germany and China. At this point I would see nothing that might bring that idea to the forefront. It is true that Germany and China have established a special relationship. German advisers have trained the Chinese Army and China has manufactured a lot of German weapons or imported them. The standard Chinese Rifle is a copy of the K98 Mauser. China has also copied the German 75mm gun and the 37mm ATG.

The Chinese Navy now has 4 German built capital ships.
Still there is the question of whether China would be able to fight a war against the Soviet Union and Japan at the same time. In fact to do so might result in the Soviet Union attempting to restore the Chinese communist.
Still it is interesting.

Could an arrangement be made during the alliance talks for the Chinese to enter late in the war against the USSR. Like the alliance the germans made with the Japs in OLT WW2 on the condition for a late enterence to the war by the Jappenese.

[chris N]

I am still toying with the idea of some kind of agreement between China and Germany. But there are a number of factors that would handicap that
First there has been a rise in tensions between China and Japan( thus the likelihood of a conflict between the two is increasing. Second while the Chinese Army has become better trained and equipped than in OTL it still has a long way to go. China has 30 very well trained and equipped divisions and another 30 that are good. The remaining 100 divisions vary from fair to poor., Third while the Chinese Navy has grown it is small compared to Japan's Navy. The most powerful Chinese warship mounts a 12" gun in comparison the Japanese have a 16.1 in gun on several warships and 14.2 inch on most. Two super battleships are being completed mounting an 18.1 inch gun. Japanese sailors have more training and experience than the Chinese and Japan's navy also has aircraft carriers and a large force of modern destroyers and submarines.
As for the Soviet Union while a large amount of troops have moved to the west the Far eastern Command has 12 Rifle Divisions and 4 Tank Brigades
plus 4 cavalry brigades. To that needs to be added NKVD troops and Naval Infantry. The Russian Far Eastern Air Force while reduced is still considerable.

[chris N]

Soviet talks with the Greeks and they with the Serbs has resulted in the following possibility see mp bellow

[pike]

As for the Soviet Union while a large amount of troops have moved to the west the Far eastern Command has 12 Rifle Divisions and 4 Tank Brigades
plus 4 cavalry brigades. To that needs to be added NKVD troops and Naval Infantry. The Russian Far Eastern Air Force while reduced is still considerable.

It depends how far spread out the USSR troops are in the far east is a huge place could reduce the effectiveness of these troop considerable.

Thus giving the advantage to the chinese. So I guess it all depends on how the war in the west roles. If the germans look like they are winning an overwhelming victory in the West and the Jappenese have been beaten like dogs.

The arms embargo also would make the chinese very unhappy with they USSR as well.

[chris N]

Well let me say this despite a massive shift of forces to the west for the upcoming war the Soviets still have a number of advantages. There forces are far more mobile than the Chinese ( Chinese forces are far more dependent on moving by foot as truck production in China has a long way to go).and have been toughen up by clashes with the Japanese. Soviet tanks are for the most part superior to anything that the Chinese would have and their pilots are far more experienced.
While the Soviets only have 12 Rifle divisions, 6 tank Brigades and 4 cavalry brigades on active duty there are enough reservist and Militiamen to increase that force to perhaps double that. True the additional forces will be less mobile but they will be fighting for the defense of the Soviet Union.
On top of that Japan will probably strike at China using its considerable Army, Air Force (Army and Naval) plus the Imperial Navy.
German's Far Eastern Forces are too small to do much of anything. Its Maval Forces which consist of 1 old Battlecruiser and the New Large pocket Battleship based on the Prinz Eugen design enlarged have little chance against the Imperial Japanese Navy. The garrison in China is with reservist perhaps 4 battalions plus some German controlled Chinese troops.

[chris N]

April 1941 Greece secretly begins to mobilize its forces and the same thing happens in Serbia. Neither is aware that they are being used by the Soviet Union for their own purposes.
The Soviet Southern Offensive in the Middle East is designed to break the British containing of them . It will also prevent the British from becoming involved in the war in Europe. Italy and Austria-Hungary would be forced to hold back forces in case the war in the Balkans spills over the border.

[chris N]

A revised plan map. Notice the Establishment of a Greater Greece.

[chris N]

In the far East Imperial Japan's Military leaders had convinced the Political Leaders and the Emperor that it was imperative that Japan strike first before China would become too big a threat. Japanese forces broke through in the north Near the Marco Polo Bridge and quickly seized Peking. Naval forces destroyed some small Chinese Naval forces in the North. The Hunt was now on for the Chinese capital ships.

[chris N]

The Far eastern Front

[chris N]

The Imperial Japanese Military struck at Chinese targets using Bombers from Manchuria, Formosa and Korea. It also struck with carrier aircraft. A Chinese destroyer was sunk by a Japanese Naval squadron conducting a sweep. Japanese troops poured over the Manchurian Border. Japan announced to the world that it was acting to safeguard the Japanese people. So on April 1,1941 Japan invaded China. Map below show Japanese gains as of June 15,1941.

[chris N]

As April drew to an end the world was stunned by the Japanese attack on China. To those in the Intelligence community in Great Britain and the US it was clear that something was in the works but neither country had the exact date. It was believed that the Japanese Military had been very concern by China;s Military build up and had pushed the Politicians to either get a diplomatic solution or allow them to act.
With the Europeans still looking at what was happening in the Far East and Persia the Soviet Military leadership is certain that they can get the element of surprise. Only problem is the weather forecast continues to show heavy rains. Clear and dry weather is needed to allow the maximum advance.
Soviet agents reports that the Greeks and the Serbs are about to attack Bulgaria. The Greeks have also been bitten by the Greater Greece bug and those both will un wittingly serve the interest of the Soviet Union. Soviet military planners believe that the advance would look like this:

[chris N]

Major Oscar Andersen was busy checking out the New Pzkpf IV tanks that had arrived re-equipping the second Panzer battalion. The Men were just now starting to learn how to operate and repair them, although they had had some experience with the tanks as the 1st battalion had allowed them to act as part of their tanks crew. The major knew that the division was still receiving new equipment. Three of the 6 infantry battalions were now using the German designed and Swedish made Half tracks.

The Major wished that he could get the new tanks for the third panzer battalion but production was slow. The Major came from Norway and had been serving with the division since its creation. He was well liked by the men who served under him. He would not ask them to do anything that he himself would not do.
He had visited the divisions flak battalion and spoke to the Swedish officer as he was explaining the proper care for the new Swedish 88mm gun. It was an impressive weapon. The dam rain had limited the divisions field training yet he felt that they were ready.
The Soviet weatherman was carefully looking at the weather information and shook his head. It appeared that Things would not get better until May 15th at the soonest. He would not want to be the one who had to tell Stalin and the Politburo that their offensive would have to wait.
Each day that past more tanks ,planes and artillery arrived. It was the same story everywhere. Even in the Caucasus region equipment was travling in preparation for the next act in the story.

[chris N]

May 14th Colonel General Alexi Kosygin what is the forecast ?
Comrad General the Weather forecast said that the rain is ending and things should improve over the next few days.
It Looks like Headquaters will now select the 22nd as the start day.
Kosygin: I will inspect the troops tomorrow and I want nothing to go wrong. If Moscow orders the operation to start then it will start.

[chris N]

May 19th Swedish Soviet Border A special Recon unit of the Swedish Army managed to penetrate into Soviet Russia and the discovered a strengthening of the Soviet Force. They barely escaped without detection and as a result the Commander of Swedish forces in the area recommended that Lt General Anderson put the region on full alert. Shortly after doing that he ran Field Marshal Mannerheim's home in Helsinki and woke him. The Field Marshal listen to the report and agreed to strengthen the alert. He informed General Anderson that he would alert Stockholm and the other corp commanders.

Ten minutes latter the comander of the Viking Panzer Division and the 1o Finnish Infantry divisions were awoken with a telephone call The alert went out. It would take several days to get ready and more for the rest of the troops to be called up and arrive. It was a race.
Meanwhile an officer of the Confederation had heard the sound of equipment coming from the Soviet side of the border. He called and reported it. As a result the start of an alert for the Confederations army began.
The Russians began to ralize that the enemy on the other side suspected something so the clock was moved up 24 hours to May 21.

[chris N]

May 21,1941 The crash of Artillery could be heard all along the Soviet Border with its neighbors in Europe. Russian Bombers and attack aircraft struck. The Swedish forces were lucky that they had had some warning.
One German officer , who had traveled from St Petersburg to ride along with the Viking division said that he had never heard so many guns firing. It reminded him of stories he had heard from his father about the last war.

Already the Confederation forces had reported massive contact with the Russians.

[Reichenfaust]

Your TL has come such a long way, and I am grateful it has exceeded my expectations of a Swedish Empire prosperous.

[chris N]

Sweden's defensive fortifications were under attack by Russian heavy artillery and their engineers. The Swedish line was not totally ready to stand up to the massive attack as the backup forces had yet to arrive. The Viking Division and its fellow Corp partner were on the move.
Already there were reports that St Petersburg had been bombed as had places in the Grand Duchy and the Confederation. Everywhere there were massive amounts of Soviet troops crossing the border.

[chris N]

As the Morning light finally allowed the troops to see forces everywhere were attempting to stem the tide of the Soviet advance. Below a Grand Duchy anti-tank gun takes on Soviet armor.

[chris N]

The appearance of the T-34 on the Battlefield gave the Soviets a massive advantage. With its 76.2mm gun it was more powerful than almost all of the Confederations tanks. The only thing that seemed able to stop them were SP antitank guns mounted on on;d tank bodies, that had had their twin Machine gun turrets removed. Still there were not enough of them to stop the soviets. Against the lighter BT-7, T-60 tanks the Confederations armor held their own. Even worse some of the KV1 and 2 tanks would appear and there was almost nothing that could stop them (the 37mm ATG was useless and even the new 47mm gun was no good unless it got a lucky hit).

A lot of the Confederations planes had been destroyed on the ground giving the Red Air Force control of the skies over most of the Ukraine.

[chris N]

The Swedish Army was responding to the Soviet offensive . The Viking division ran into the Soviet 1st Tank Army and engaged them in a series of tank battles. Fortunately the Royal Swedish Air Force was still capable of denying the Red Air Force control of the skies.

[chris N]

German forces immediately moved to defend the Grand Duchy from Soviet attack but the Red army had already overrun the area near the Soviet border. The Luftwaffe moved to engage the Red Air force. Right now it was the Red Air Force that had the advantage as most of the Confederation and Grand Duchy's planes had been destroyed on the Ground. Even the Swedish air Force had lost some of its bombers to the surprise attack

[chris N]

German ans Swedish Intelligence were attempting to come up with the size of the Soviet force. Estimates were as much as 200 divisions .

If that wasn't enough word arrived in Berlin that Serbia and Greece had attacked Bulgaria. It appeared that Serbia was attempting to regain its southern province and Greece the rest of its coastline accept that the Greeks continued and attacked Turkey. German Intelligence finally began to discover that the Soviets were behind the Greeks attack to create Greater Greece. Trouble was the Greek government didn't care.
Turkey began to respond on the 22nd of May moving reserves toward the coast and then on May 23rd the Soviet Offensive in Turkey began.

[Reichenfaust]

Hmmm, the German Empire using a Hakenkreuze on their plane as a symbol? I don't see that happening, but I guess you cannot really do much since most contemporary pictures of that age are all Nazi photos.

[chris N]

Yes I've been trying to eliminate the Nazi symbols on photos but it takes a lot of time.

[chris N]

The Fighting in the north was getting Nasty . The Viking division appeared to be taking on an entire Soviet tank army with the aid of only the 10th (Finnish) Infantry division. Luckily the Infantry division had received the new Swedish 75mm ATG based upon a German design.

The lighter Swedish tanks attempted to take on only the lighter soviet tanks as their 37mm guns tended to bounce off of the T-34. The tanks Armed with the Swedish 75mm/30 did manage to knock out the Russian tanks but they suffered too at the Soviet hands.
One Pzkpf IV commander had knocked out 4 T-34 and 1 KV1 and 1 KVII so far. Trouble was that as fast as he knocked them out more were coming. The Scandinavians were operating in teams. By the end of the first day The Viking Division had had 20 tanks destroyed and another 20 damaged. That meant that the next day they would have only 160 tanks to fight with. The antitank guns and the Panzer grenadiers had done a great job but there were not enough of them.
Swedish SP guns were being forced to fire and move after every three round to prevent the Russian artillery from knocking them out. The two divisions were moving back to another position.

[chris N]

Russian forces had penetrated the Grand Duchy border and were now approaching the historic border with Latvia. German and Cortland soldiers were fighting a rear guard action. In some cases they had to break out of encirclement. The German call up of reserves had begun and another corp from the 8th Army had been sent into Cortland. This had the 2nd Panzer division with nearly 300 tanks.

[chris N]

German forces were being quickly moved to face the threat from the East. It would take time for Germany to fully mobilize and troops would need to be retained to watch France , Just in case. German Intelligence showed that the French Army had not mobilized and France's government was in a state of shock over the Soviet Invasion
The Luftwaffe was moving its fighter and Bomber squadrons to the east and they should allow the Army to operate with some king of protection.
Germany hoped to have its Sixth Army ready to move in 10 days and the 1st Panzer Army in a week.

[Reichenfaust]

understandable. I know I cannot even make a map right now so, your ahead of me;). Nice update though.

[chris N]

Swedish Industry was informed that there would be a need for more military equipment at a faster rate. The Army needed more of the Swedish copies of the Pz KPFIV, tank destroyers, artillery, LMGS, Anti tank guns, Antiaircraft guns, artillery Half tracks, truck, uniforms and the air force more plans and parts to repair them with
Below the new Swedish designed tank destroyer which was to enter production in 1942 but now the design team hopped to have it ready to go by August.

[chris N]

May 24th The Soviet General Staff was pleased with reports from the field. Soviet forces had pushed the Grand Duchy's forces back to the historical border of Latvia and were entering Latvia, Despite stiff resistance from the Confederations groun force a breakthrough had been achieved in White Russian part of the confederation. In the Ukraine there had also been break through. The only bad news was that Confederation forces had contained the invasion of the Crimea.
The Turkish Invasion had been launched after Greece had attacked Turkey and Turkish reserves were sent to the west. Things appeared to be going well in that sector.
In Persia the British push had been stopped as additional soviet forces arrived and the fear of the soviets being able to advance through Mesopotamia and threaten the British line of supply overland from Egypt.

[chris N]

The Updated map showed the following territorial gains:

[chris N]

German and Grand duchy soldiers were putting up a valiant defense of the Latvian part of the Grand Duchy but the Russians seemed to be everywhere.

[chris N]

Swedish Air Force Bombers were Joined by RAF air craft in attacking Soviet targets. The British had returned to make sure that the soviets did not clear the White Sea of mines.

[chris N]

The Destroyer HMS Sphinx was hit by bombs from Soviet attack aircraft. The British Fighters had already had to return to base after engaging other soviet aircraft. Swedish fighters were en route when the attack took place.

[chris N]

The Royal and Imperial Austro-Hungarian Army now began rolling across the border into the Confederation. The IInd Army was destine for the Ukraine. It consisted of the 1st Hungarian Panzer Division, 2 Hungarian Motorized Division, 1st Cavalry Brigade, Slovakian Motorized Division and the 5th and 6th Infantry Divisions. The Panzer division was equipped with Hungarian made tanks.
While this was Moving the III Army moved into the Polish Section of the the Confederation. This force consisted of two corps one of Austrians and the other of Czechs. Together it had two Panzer divisions and two motorized and two Infantry divisions plus a tank destrower Brigade.

[chris N]

It was the Turan Tank that gave the Hungarian division its striking power. Armed with a powerful 75mm gun it was the most powerful tank in the Imperial army. The new T-25 was still a way from production.

[chris N]

As one can see the Soviets are making size-able gains in the drive to the West. The Soviet General staff wants the Army to cross the River in the Ukraine before the Austrians and Germans can arrive. The German Imperial Navy has moved some of its older battleships close to the Baltic coast so as to support the Army.

[Reichenfaust]

Nice updates. Good to see the Swedish and Germans putting up a stiff defense against the Russkies.

[chris N]

The Imperial German Navy was providing support for the German and Cortland divisions near the coast. The SMS Bayern and Her Sister ships dropped 15 inch rounds directed by German naval teams that made contact with the German -Latvian Kampfgruppens. The Luftwaffe provided air protection for the German ships.
The Royal Swedish Air Force was carrying out numerious sorties. All 17 squadrons were on active duty but another 8 were being organized. Volunteers were being asked for. Scandinavians from the US arrived to Join the Swedish Eagle squadrons. Currently 5 squadrons of fighter were operating out of the Estonian airfield and 12 out of Finnish Fields and St Petersburg.
All that remained in Sweden proper were 4 squadrons of trainees and instructors.

[KACKO]

It was the Turan Tank that gave the Hungarian division its striking power. Armed with a powerful 75mm gun it was the most powerful tank in the Imperial army. The new T-25 was still a way from production.
Waw. Slovaks got their own Army in Austro-Hungarian empire? Or they are part KuK or part of Honved?

[chris N]

The Slovak Units are part of the KUK.

[chris N]

The Luftwaffe was trying desperately to help out the army in the battle for Cortland. Three Divisions (1 German and two Latvian had been reduced to Kampgruppen. They varied in Strength and were short on Ammo and supplies. Thus when a Stuka Squadron arrived overhead and proceeded to dive bomb a Soviet Armored Unit they cheered.

[chris N]

Latest Situation Map May 28,1941

[chris N]

The War in Europe was continuing to heat up. Austrian-Hungary's two Armies had arrived and had entered the war. The Empire's Avia copies of the Me-109 were engaging the Red Air Force. Yet things were not going well for the "allies" the Soviet steal roller was preparing to launch its second offensive that should result in the capture of the rest of Belorussia.
Romania had entered the war sending two armies into the confederation.

The Turks were now facing the strain of a two front war but it appeared that Italy was about to enter the war and it may be the Greeks that face the pressure. Germany was considering sending an expeditionary force to the Middle East to prevent the collapse of that region.
Below German troops moving toward the front in Lithuania .

[chris N]

Even as German Forces were moving to the East to Battle the Soviets German received a request for Help from Turkey and the Government moved to send an expeditionary Force to Turkey to prevent Soviet capture of the oil field in the Middle East. Italy offer to allow German forces to move by rail through Italy and to assist in shipping forces to Turkey. Italy's Prime Minister offered to deploy an equal number of divisions with the Germans. Thus the Germans would be sending two Panzer divisions :15th and 21st Panzer , 2 Panzer Grenadier Divisions ( the Motorized divisions had now been renamed Panzer Grenadier as they had Half tracks) and two Motorized Infantry divisions , plus support Units. Italy would send 2 Armored Divisions, 1 Motorized and 3 Infantry divisions plus support Units.
Greece received a demand from Germany, Italy,Austria -Hungary and Great Britain to stop its invasion of Turkey. Italy Threaten war.

[chris N]

A German Expeditionary Force was dispatched to the Middle East German Merchant ships in the Med picked up supplies and equipment that arrived by rail in Southern Italy. Other elements arrived at a port in the southern Part of the Austro_Hungarian Empire. The troops then set sale for a port in the Middle East. Arriving were three divisions the 15th Panzer, 21st Panzer and 164th Infantry. Italy pffered to join the Germans with 2 armored, 1 Motorized and 2 Infantry divisions.

[chris N]

British Bombers arrived in Sweden to strike at the Soviet Union.

[chris N]

some 78 Swedish Air Force personnel were in the US to learn how to Fly the new N-25 Bombers and Maintenance how to keep them flying. The Swedish government would be buying 52 of the aircraft. They would equip 4 squadrons and live some spare. Upon completing training a mixed Swedish-US crew would fly the planes to Newfoundland, where they would refuel and then to Iceland for another refueling. .The next stop would be Scotland for a topping off of the tanks and then a flight across the North Sea over Norway to Sweden.

[chris N]

The arrival of the American made B-25 would give Sweden the ability to strike at the Soviet Union much deeper and to drop more bombs.

Things had not been going too well on the home front. The Swedish Intelligence service had uncover a sabotage plot that had resulted in the arrest of 18 people. Weapons that were needed at the front had to be checked fror defects and deliberate acts of Sabotage Three of the workers were charged with Treason and were Hung for being agents of the Soviet Union. It appeared that they believed in the Socialist cause to the East more than their duties as a citizen of Sweden.
Twenty-four He-100s were checked and 18 were found to have problems ranging from parts missing to damage to the aircraft so that it would fail at a critical moment. The same story was found at an arms factory and a tank plant. Some artillery pieces were produced with defects.

[chris N]

Captain Karl Thorson was bone weary. Over the past 5 days he had flown nearly 11o sorties. So far in this war he had shot down 18 Soviet Aircraft, including 2x 4 endine bombers, a transport, 2 attack aircraft, 2 recon planes and 11 fighters. He was part of a growing group of Aces. Still Karl needed rest and could not fly for the next two days.. He was flying his second He-100 fighter having had to bail out of one over enemy held territory and then working his way to friendly held territory.

[chris N]

The First German Army had entered the Confederation of Poland and the Ukraine and was heading Eastwards. The Second Panzer Army had driven through the Parts of East Prussia and was moving to relieve the Pressure on the 8h Army in the Grand Duchy. The Sith German Army had Also moved through the Czech provinces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire so that it could arrive and like up with the Austro-Hungarian forces in Southern Poland.

[chris N]

The New York Time Correspondent reported Anti-Greek Demonstrations in the Turkish Capital. The Turkish President had reportedly returned from visiting both fronts. He was reportedly meeting with the German General that was to command the German troops in the Turkish Empire. This General was able to report the arrival of three of the five divisions with two more scheduled to arrive. The Luftwaffe had already started to arrive with 3 squadrons of Me-109, 2 of Ju-88 and 3 of He-111.

[chris N]

German and Turkish officials eagerly co-operated to ensure that the German forces and their equipment was landed as quickly as possible. Turkey and Germany were both eager that the German troops be able to move to the Front so as to contain the Soviet advance. Italy was also to land forces , which would serve with the German forces.

[chris N]

The Coomander of German Forces in the Middle East

[chris N]

The Luftwaffe commander had already started to get into the Act as the Fighters moved to engage the Red Air Force. he had already requested additional forces to support the German Force. General Erwin Rommel approved the Request and had flown to meet with the British Commander at Beirut.

[chris N]

The German Italian Army was still unloading at the port in Turkey while Rommel flew south to met with the British representative and discuss the war. The British had been making some gains when the Soviets had sprun the surprise of the new T-34. The tank was blowing away most of the British tanks. Its 76.2 mm gun and fast speed gave it an incredible advantage.

[chris N]

To the north the war was still going in the favor of the Soviets. The T-34 was far more powerful than any tank that the Confederation had.
The Russians also had an advantage over the Grand Duchy's army and some of the German Infantry but when they ran into the New Pzkpf IVs with its long 75mm gun. Even the newer pzkpf IIIs with the long 50mm guns were able to hold their own. The Germans had radios in every tank and this gave them a tactical advantage.
The Second Panzer Army had moved through East Prussia and was entering Lithuania while other German armies were moving through allied territory to shore up the defenses.

[chris N]

The British had received the new Crusader III with its 6pdr. The Army had expected it to allow them to match the Soviets but it was not a match to the T-34. As a stop gap the British were ordering some of the new American M3 Lee tanks to be designated the Grant in British service.

[chris N]

Germany had now deployed 7 armies to the east. That was more than 42 divisions. of that 6 were Panzer, 6 Panzer Grenadier and 30 Infantry. In addition to that Germany had deployed an Expeditionary force of 5 divisions to the Middle East. Rommel had already requested at least 1 additional division plus support Units. The European front was expected to demand the deployment of at least 3 more Armies each with 3 corps for a total of 27+ divisions.
Germany had landed a Kampfgruppen of Marines in Estonia to help support the Forces in Latvia.

Austria Hungary had two Armies in the Confederation of Poland and the Ukraine. It was planning on reinforcing it with the 5th Army of 9 divisions.
This would be just about al of the troops that the Emprie could spare.
Italy bombed Greece after Greek force continued their advance into European Turkey and landings in Asia Minor.
Bulgaria signed a peace agreement with Serbia and Greece.
Serbian forces now moved to the Montonegrian border threatening Italy's control of the country.

[chris N]

Below the latest updated front map.

[chris N]

The Soviets increased the Pressure on the Confederation and the allied forces. Soviet forces had crossed the River defense line in the Ukraine . In the Grand Duchy they pushed even harder on the defenders. However the German and Swedish Navy were providing naval fire support for the defenders.
The Panzer divisions of the 2nd Panzer army were stunned by its initial contact with the T-34. The tank was a tough customer. The German Pzkpf IV with its long 75mm gun proved capable of dealing with it but there just weren't enough tanks. The Germans now began to pring up its heavy tanks . Another Nasty surprise.

[chris N]

Soviet Front Line July 15, 1941

[chris N]

Soviet Tank designers were working on even more powerful tanks as they believed that the Germans and the British were already preparing to unleash a much more powerful tank. Below the IS-1 which would be ready by 1942.

[Reichenfaust]

So TTL Tiger?

[chris N]

This will be the Imperial Army's Answer to the Soviets:

[chris N]

It is the Panther II. Better armed and armored than the Panther and with a better engine than the Tiger.

[chris N]

Skoda had been working overtime to get the new tank design into production as the T-38 was now obsolete. Production was to begin in August of the first batch of tanks and the hope was for full scale production to start in September or October at the latest. As a stop gap measure the KuK ordered 120 of the Turan IIIs

[Reichenfaust]

Cool, Panther II. 75mm gun, or an 88mm. Personally I would like to see an 88mm on the panther because that gun is so powerful compared to anything the Soviets have.

[chris N]

German Industry is already working on the Panther to replace the PzkpfIV as the main battle tank of the Imperial German Army. The need for a heavier battle tank has has resulted in the development of the Panther II. It is to be armed with the powerful 88mm gun.
As a stop gap the Industry has tried a test run of the Panzer V with a turret from the Pzkpf IV.

[chris N]

The Latest map shows that the Soviet advance along the Central front had begun to run into a brick wall as German, Austro-Hungarian and Romanian Forces have shored up the defenses of the Grand Duchy and the Confederation. Of serious concern has been the advance of Soviet forces into Swedish territory. Norway and Denmark have both decided to send additional troops into Sweden to add the defense of that Nation. In Addition German has sent additional forces into Sweden. The Tenth Mountain Army has arrived with three Mountain divisions, Three Infantry divisions and a Panzer Division.

[chris N]

The arrival of Scandinavian and German Forces in Sweden allowed a counter offensive to be launched. This resulted in the Swedish-Allied forces regaining territiory. Swedish, German and British aircraft pounded the Soviets.

[chris N]

Moscow: A briefer from the Military delivers a report to Stalin and the Central Committee of the Communist Party. He is not at all happy that he was picked to give the report as it is in some ways loaded with bad news.
He starts with the Bad new: German And Austro-Hungarian forces mounted a major counter offensive with the remains of the Confederation forces and forced our forces to withdraw behind the Dnieper River thus restoring the Defense line. Romanian and German troops have also moved forward to the south. German and Romanian aircraft have bombed our forces beseiging the Crimean Port.
Our forces repelled a German and Confederation counter offensive and we continue to hold our positions in the Grand Duchy.
In Sweden our forces report that they have come under massive attack by Sedish and German troops. Reports are that Norweigian and Danish Forces have also been spotted. and our supply lines have come under constant attack.
Finally there has been a counter-atack by German and Italian Forces in Turkey. This has stopped our advance.
Stalin was stareing at the officer. He then shouted for him to get the hell out of his sight before he had him shot. With that the oficer fled the Room.

[chris N]

Britain had dug in determined to inflict as much damage as possible on the soviets and to keep the oil region out of Soviet Hands. The German-Italian Army was attempting to help the Brits out despite the fact that they were more than 700 miles away.

[chris N]

The call from British commanders for a more powerful tank and anti-tank gun was being heard in London. Unfortunately everything would take time to get done. The US made Grants were only a stop gap measure. For mow the Crusader IIIs and Grants would hav to make do. Some Valentine Infantry tanks armed with a 75mm gun were being sent.

[chris N]

The Turkish Front:

[chris N]

August 5,1941 the first of five preproduction models of the T-25 leave the Soda factory for testing. The tank is equipped with a new automatic 75mm gun which will allow it to rload faster and engage more enemy targets.

[Reichenfaust]

German Industry is already working on the Panther to replace the PzkpfIV as the main battle tank of the Imperial German Army. The need for a heavier battle tank has has resulted in the development of the Panther II. It is to be armed with the powerful 88mm gun.
As a stop gap the Industry has tried a test run of the Panzer V with a turret from the Pzkpf IV.

FREAKIN BADASS!

[chris N]

The Skoda factory discovered a few problems with the new gun and after some testing they were able to fix the problem. The transmission was found to work . The tank was better equipped with armor and faster. One tanker who served in the empire's first Panzer division found the tank to be a massive improvement over the T-38.

[chris N]

Even as combat was going on the designers and manufactures of the Imperial German Army were finally ready to manufacture the new Panther tank and the hoped to have the more powerful Panther II ready for production by September of 1941 ( the only reason that it was available so soon as they had been working on the design since the summer of 1940).

[Reichenfaust]

I cannot wait to see the Panther II in action. Killing Ruskies with impunity.

[chris N]

Front Late August 1941; The 3rd (Czech) Panzer division was being pulled back from the front line. It had suffered serious losess of tanks to the Soviet T-34. The T-38 was just not capable of handing it with its puny 37mm gun. Against the older T-26 and BT-7 and even the newer T-60 Soviet tanks it could handle them but the T-34 was too much. The division was being replaced with the 1st (Austrian) Panzer division , which had just been re-equipped and retrained to use the new T-25. The New version of the T-38 was retained as a recon tank. The division moved up to the front passing the Czechs who where awed by the powerful tanks. The commander of the division was able to talk to his Czech counterpart and tell him that his division was scheduled to receive replacements and they were on the way.

[chris N]

To the North a clash between the Swedish Army and the Soviets had seen the largest tank battle in the North. The Sweds had taken loses among their older tanks but the Pzkpf IVs had been able to handle the Soviets .
Still there were more Soviet forces than Swedish ones and as a result the Soviet regained some of the land that they had lost. Already Danish troops had landed at St Peterburg and were getting Prepared to move to the front with the St Petersburg Panzer Grenadier Brigade. These soldiers were the sons and grandsons of the man who had served in the famous battalions created by General Eskel Anderson. They were now in the new APC converted old Swedish Tanks. There were three Battalions of them plus a company of Swedish Assault guns and a battalion of SP Artillery and Anti tank guns.

[chris N]

As the Scandinavians and Germans planned to mount another counter-attack in an attempt to stabilize the front before the onslaught of winter. The Soviets were also hoping to push the enemy back on this front.
Meanwhile on the Grand Duchy- Polish front things hve become a slug fast between the two sides. The Austro_hunganian Panzer Division(Czech) had taken a beating. Out of 220 tanks it had lost 100 mainly to the T-34 tanks. The arrival of additional german forces had stablized the front.

Then had come the arrival of the 1st Ausro-Hungarian Panzer division with the new T-25 tanks. These tanks had proving to be a massive improvement over the T-38. The Soviets could not believe it when these tanks were able to move and engage one target after anoter. The burning hulls of T-34 were seen.

[Reichenfaust]

Epic. So the Skoda is a big success. After the war, will we see a united Scandinavia?

[chris N]

I am not exactly sure what will happen after the war. I could see the three countries creating a Scandinavian Parliament. I would have to figure a way to have the three Royal families united over a period of time. Perhaps the son or grandson of the King of Sweden marrying a member of the Danish Royal family that would become Queen of Denmark. Just have to figure it out.
Suggestions are welcome.
But for now the war will continue.

Soviet military personnel were complaining that they were beginning to suffer heavy loses to the Western Europeans. The new German tank and the Austro-Hungarian T-25 were proving to be more than a match for the T-34.
The German Panther Tank was proving to be quite capable to defeating the Soviet tanks.

[chris N]

The War in the Middle East was already starting to have an effect on military operation by the Western powers. The Oil field in Norther Mesopotamia had falling into Soviet hands. That left those in the south as the sole source of supply for Turkey. The RAF was attempting to protect the field in Persia from air attack while the army prevented any advance from the south.
Germany and the oil allies were dependent upon the Romanian oil fields plus what oil was produced in Austria, Hungry and Poland. Synthenic il was produced by Germany and now Sweden but there was a demand for more fuel. That meant it was imperative to safeguard the fields in the Middle East. Other sources were Latin America, the US and the Netherlands East Indies.

Japan was receiving some oil from the Soviet Union in an effort to force the west to keep forces in the far East.

[chris N]

The War in the Balkans (Greece Vs Turkey) and the Middle East was having a mixed of emotions in Europe. In Great Britain, traditionally an ally of Greece there was some sympathy for the Greeks but the government on the other hand was engaged in a war with the Soviet Union and Greece's action was weakening the Turks and thus aiding the Soviets. In France there was a pro- Greek reaction but once again the Government was neutral but encouraging the Greeks to stop the war. In Italy the reaction to the Greeks was down right hostile. There had been clashes between the two since Greece attacked Turkey. Germany was in a position that despite the King of Greece being related to the German Royal family it was siding with the Turks. There was even some talk of German forces being sent through Bulgaria to push the Greeks back to the old frontier.
In the Middle East Germany, Italy and Great Britain were all finding common cause with the Turks and fighting the Soviets. Rommel had scored some success in his first campaign against the Soviets.
Italy and Serbia were in conflict with Italy occupation of Montenegro . Serbia felt it should be part of Serbia while Italy felt some claim to the lands. Austria-Hungary so far had discouraged the Serbs from taking any military action. Italy and Bulgaria had moved toward an argeement that should Serbia attack Montenegro it would enter the war on Italy's side and regain most of Serbian Macedonia.

[chris N]

The Allied Powers were striking back as hard as they could. German air assets were being used in a lot of area. It was key that the Crimea not fall to the soviets as a result the Luftwaffe together with the Romanians were flying sorties.The Romanian Navy was also delivering supplies. Using rail lings the Imperial German Navy were able to bring submarine parts and assemble them in Romania together with Snell boats.

[chris N]

The Germans launched a serious counter offensive which resulted in the first massive victory for the German Cortland forces. Five Soviet divisions were destroyed and 35,000 prisoners taken. In the South German and Austro Hungarian forces pushed to relieve the Capital of Kieve while German and Romanian Forces cut soviet supply lines to the Crimea.
A series of rainstorms in August caused the tempo of the war to slow.

Meanwhile Rommel was facing a new Soviet commander Zhukov who proved to be a tough customer.

[Reichenfaust]

Hmm, recommendations of kingship and Scandinavia. Well Sweden is by far the most powerful now, and it could be the High King of a United Scandinavia. As well it would guarantee to the other Royal Families the marrying in, and combining of the Dynasties, to ensure equal ruling. I guess that could go the way I would see it smoothly, but again the Danes are very crusty about being ruled by "Swedish Barbarians". Although ATL the three have been co-operating far more than ever before, there could still be animosity(albeit very Little) between the Danes and Swedes. Even if they are on the same side. Unless they are overrun in the near future, and it forces the three to pool resources, and forge a union in exile, than maybe it could produce a united Scandinavia. These are my ideas for your consideration.

[chris N]

Grand Duchy August 1941 German and Grand Duchy forces had finally pushed the Sovies out of the historic borders of Latvia. It had taken a lot of effort but it had finally been accomplished. At the same time the push into Belorussia had been underway with mixed result.
German and Romanian forces had entered the Crimea and had pushed the soviets away from its main seaport. The Imperial German Navy was operating several Submarines in the Black Sea that had been transported to Romania in parts and then reassembled. They had been joined by some Snell boats
The Germans had sunk a Soviet destroyer and transports.

[chris N]

The Allies (German, Grand Duchy, Confederation of Poland and the Ukraine, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Great Britain and Romania were now all at war with Russia on the European Front. The British had used Naval and air power only as the Persian Front was absorbing all of their manpower.
The Allies had managed to regain territory. The Soviets held most of the Ukraine east of the Dnieper River Line and still held a god chunk of the Belorussia territory. In the North the Swedish allied forces had managed to regain a lot of lost ground but it would take a lot more equipment to recover it all. Swedish industry was now under total was mobilization. It was finding it very difficult to produce enough weapons and vehicles for itself and its Scandinavian Allies.

[chris N]

The Germans were looking at the gains that had been made and were seeing that no matter what the war would continue through 1942 and possibly longer. The destruction to the recover territory was brutal. Roads, Briges, Railroads as well as infrastructure heavy damaged or destroyed. Engineers were busy trying to restore what they could so that supplies could be moved forward. The new Panther II tank was about to make its appearance on the battlefield. It was to replace the cancelled Tiger. The Tiger was found to be too heavy and slow. But the New Panther II would carry the same 88mm gun and be faster and more easy to maintain. Production was slow as there was need for a lot of the new Panther medium tanks with its high powered 75mm gun. Production of the PzkpfIII was about to stop with the run of the Pzkpf III S. This tank was the final improvement to the Pz III. It had the turret designed for the Puma armored Car and a few other improvements. Production was limited and would stop totally in December 1941.
Some production of the Pzkpf III G/H models had been provided to Romania and the Ukraine.

[chris N]

The First Panzer Army had begun to move into Position for its offensive in the Southern Ukraine. The Army had three Panzer Divisions, 3 Panzer Grenadier Divisions and 3 Motorized Infantry Divisions. With it was the Sixth Army and the Romanian 1st Army. The first Panzer Amy had received two Battalions of the new Panther II tanks thus giving it a really big punch. The Sixth Army had 1 Panzer Division and 3 Motorized Divisions plus the 1st German Cavalry Division and 2 rebuilt Confederation Divisions.
The Germans surprised the Soviets and began the most massive encirclement of the entire war. The new tanks had no trouble dealing with the T-34 and even the Heavy KV tanks. The Panther II ould blow them up before the Soviets would even know that the Germans were there. The Germans were cutting through them like a hot knife through butter.
By the time it was over the soviets had lost nearly 18 divisions and nearly 5oo tanks.
.
This Moment of joy was tempered by news that Kaiser Wilhelm II had passed on. Kaiser Wilhelm III sent his Congratulations to the German 1st Panzer Army and Sxith Army> General Manstein won his Field Marshal Baton.

[chris N]

The German and Swedish Offensives Sept 1941

[chris N]

The Soviets were able to break out of the encirclement in Coutland and Belorussia. The Swedish offensive caught them off guard and resulted in major damage to the Soviets. However the Soviets were able to push back and regain some territory.

[Reichenfaust]

Sweden could claim Archangelsk after the war. That would definitely see Norway, Greenland, and Iceland wanting to be part of the Swedish Scandinavian Union. Denmark would still be reluctant to join fully because they wanted it as their union their way. However they will eventually join because of pressure from the other nations. Or you could have the Germans review their request to join the German Empire, and have that happen instead:D

[bolhabela]

Yeh everibodey involved will take their pound of flesh out of the soviets. The soviets will loose a lot of land and i think even the germans will want some territory for themselfs (like the russians did with Konigsberg enclave?).

[Reichenfaust]

Yeh everibodey involved will take their pound of flesh out of the soviets. The soviets will loose a lot of land and i think even the germans will want some territory for themselfs (like the russians did with Konigsberg enclave?).

Damn right. This could see the inclusion of the Grand Duchy of Courland into the German Empire, so that they can annex east lands. I think pushing the Russians to the Urals and giving the Poles/Ukrainians more eastern land as well.

[zeppelin247]

yea Germany will deserve some land but do you think they push them all the way to the Urals? Just wondering how are the Soviets supporting such a large army without American food or anything and a larger naval blockade than OTL

[bolhabela]

Damn right. This could see the inclusion of the Grand Duchy of Courland into the German Empire, so that they can annex east lands. I think pushing the Russians to the Urals and giving the Poles/Ukrainians more eastern land as well.

And then they can do a population exchange a la 1945 OTL. If you give the russians enough time to build citys and farms in Siberia then the allias could toss the russians out of Europa. BUT i dont think that they will take that much of land. (they will take a lot but not that much)

[chris N]

Currently Russia has a lot more oil than it needs. The result has been that it has been selling it to the Japanese. Japanese Merchant ships have been carrying goods to Soviet Russia's Pacific port and the Trans-Siberian Railroad to the west. The Soviets stockpiled a lot of stuff to fight this war but eventually they will run low. This is why the Soviets were hoping that their plans would see the Greeks and the Serbians draw off Western European strength.
The Soviets now control the northern oil field in Mesopotamia and if they could capture the southern field and the one in Persia they would really cause a lot of problems for the Western alliance.

Swedish and British Marines have seized Soviet territory effectively controlling the entrance to the White Sea. Sweden Knows that there is less than a month left before the weather will all but stop operations in the North. By October's end any operation will b too much of a gamble.
It will then be up to the Luftwaffe to continue the war with long ranged bombers.

[chris N]

The Soviet Commander In the Middle East had developed a plan which if it worked would throw a major crimp in the allied plans to continue the war. It could see the capture or destruction of the oil fields in Persia and Mesopotamia thus reducing the flow of oil to the allied nations. The Red Air Force had been carrying out air attacks on the Romanian oil fiels using the 4 engine bombers. But the drive by the allies was beginning to put them totally out of range.

[Reichenfaust]

And then they can do a population exchange a la 1945 OTL. If you give the russians enough time to build citys and farms in Siberia then the allias could toss the russians out of Europa. BUT i dont think that they will take that much of land. (they will take a lot but not that much)


They might not, but I think they can give it to Poland and tell the Russians to stay the fuck out of Europe's business, and never come back. A population exchange, and Poland absorbing a lot of the territory will create a better polish state that does not have any claims against Germany's land on their west flank. As well it is good for the Ukraine, as they are now sorta protected by the strength of Poland-Ukrainian Commonwealth, and Austria-Germany-Britain, because they do not ever want to see the Soviets/Russians bothering them again. Archangelsk could be Swedens as well.

[Keezih]

What I would see after this war is maybe a exhausted Austria-Hungary that splits into Austria, keeping much of Croatia coastline, Czech and Galicia. Possibly joining the German Empire.
Hungary splits off to the East with the rest of the territory.
Poland and Ukraine splits off as two separate countries.
Germany annexes all of Courland and some russian European territory and also annexes a big chunk of Russian land near Siberia/Arganelsk or w.e its called.
Sweden annexes arganelsk w.e its called but not more russian lands with large populations.
I see Japan taking alot of Eastern Russia, Manchuria and possibly Mongolia.
Ukraine gets some south western russian land near georgia etc possibly cutting russians off from the black sea together with turkeys annexations.

[chris N]

Crown Prince Otto was sitting at his desk and wondering where this war would lead the Nation. He also had other worries his fathers health had taken a turn for the worse. The stress of the war and visiting the troops had been too much for the Kaiser. His doctors expected the Emperor 's health to continue to decline and that he might pas away before the end of the year.
Otto had learned much from his father and he had made a friend in his Czech Chancellor. The Empire had changed a great deal since the end of the war.
It troubled him that some in Hungary still would not accept the changes.

Then he was finding the new German Kaiser to be a pain at times. Kaiser Wilhelm III was too sure of himself. If he wanted to know what the Germans thought he would call the King of Bavaria.

[chris N]

There was a meeting of the War planning staff in southern Bavaria. Representatives from Germany, Confederation of Poland and the Ukraine, Grand Duchy of Courtland, Sweden, Great Britain, Austria-Hungary,Romania, Italy and Turkey were meeting to discuss strategy and what they believed the post war borders in the East should be. All agreed that the Communist state must go.
A Map was drawn up showing the possibility of Courtland becoming part of the German Empire. The re-establishment of Georgia and Armenia as separate Kingdoms and the creation of the Christan Protectorate of Lebanon.

[chris N]

The Former Gran Duchy would have full state membership in the German Empire. The Confederation of Poland and Ukraine would see it's size massively increase. Sweden would also see its frontier move further to the East. It would see a Swedification of the people to the East.

[chris N]

Here is what a possible post war Europe might look like say 5 years after the war.