Europe Post 1918

[chris N]

As 1933 drew to a close the were lots of things happening. Stalin's foreign Ministry was attempting to stop the Japanese from attacking in the Far Eastn part of the Soviet Union. It was attempting to buy the Japanese off until it could strengthen its defenses and even then Stalin had little interest in getting embroiled in a war in the Far East when things were starting to happen in Europe that might see him offered a chance to make territorial gains. The Soviets were encouraging Japanese Adventurism in China.
Unfortunately , this also ran into a brick wall of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The navy had had to give up steel production to the Army so it was no longer prepared for a possible war with the Americans or the Europeans.

It would take several years of reallocation before the navy could make up lost ground and he army did not want to give up steel production that it had gained for trucks, tanks and more artillery.

Chaing Kai Shek was consolidating power. He had eliminated most of the threat from the Warlords and shortly would be rid of all of them. This would make the Central Government stronger. He had listen to his German advisers and had weeded out corruption in the General ranks. He would not tolerate the theft of money and the creation of paper soldiers to enrich officers . In fact he had three general Hung for their theft of their troops wages as a lesson. Yes the nationalist army was becoming stronger. There were now 30 divisions that were well trained and equipped and the German asued him that soon that number would increase to 40 and then 50.

[chris N]

German arms sales to China were constantly increasing. While the Chinese were producing their own copies of the German Mauser Rifle, Helmets, Mortars and some artillery they were still having to import a lot of equipment from overseas. General Motors was being encouraged by the Chinese government to build a truck plant in China. The government was Promising to purchase a minimum of 250 trucks a year for 7 years and it was likely that that number could be as much as 500 a year.

The Smith Administration's warning to Japan were being considered. There was no desire by the civilian Government to push the country into a possible conflict with the US. By restraining any aggression toward China the Japanese were eliminating the prospect of bad relations with the US and a possible embargo of Goods. As Japan's economy continued to improve Japan was needing more good such as oil, gasoline and steel. Japan had started to buy scrap steel from the US. With only limited oil production Japan was heavily dependent on imports. Manchuria was a possible source for iron oil and coal.

[chris N]

Madrid : The Justice Minister received a report of more clashes between leftist and Rightist groups in the country. Left wing groups had been calling upon the government to seize church property and turn it over to the state for the benefit of the people. There had been cases of looting of churchs and attacks on members of religious orders. The Deputy minister read the report of the rape and murder of a nun and the brutal beating of several others with disbelief. It appeared that the country was sinking into chaos and even he wondered if he would have a job as extremest pushed to implement their agenda.
Secretly some of the officers in the Army and Civil Guard were meeting on the Portuguese side of the border calling for support from the Italians and the ACCU. Kaiser Karl issued a statement denouncing the attacks of members of the clergy and the failure of the government to seek those responsible for such crimes. It appeared that 1934 was getting toward the tipping point. When legislative elections were postponed in the Fall a decision was reached to act.
Germany had so far remained out of it urging restraint but now it too was seeing a growing problem. Soviet advisers were arriving to establish a people's Militia. Arms and equipment arrived.
The Conservative Forces formed the Council for National Salvation and in February 1935 troops from North Africa were air lifted into Spain while Italian ships also brought in equipment for the Nationalist Forces.

[chris N]

Germany broke diplomatic relations with the Republic of Spain. The German government stated that it could not recognize a government that allowed such outrageous actions to take place. The failure to uphold the rule of law was the breaking point,
Italy's Duce Balbo was under pressure from the Fascist Party in his country to act. Unlike Mussolini Balbo knew that there was a limit to Italy's resources. Still he agreed to provide the Nationalist with arms and Naval support. Both Germany and Italy provide an airlift and a sealift for Nationalist troops to Mailand Spain.
This was another indication that the Civil War was going to draw in other countries. Germany's Foreign Minister flew to London to consult with the British and he was soon joined by the A.C.C.U. Crown Prince.

[chris N]

General Jose Sanjudio became the Head of the Nationalist Movement to overthrow the Socialist government. He had attempted to overthrow it nearly three years earlier but had failed. This time he had managed to unite not only elements of the army but the Carlist and the Fascist party members. Thus he gained more manpower.
The Republican government then proceeded to make a series of bad mistakes starting with the removal of General Emilo Mola from his post in Africa and giving him a new post in Spain. There he was able to co-ordinate the uprising. General Franco in the Canary Islands also was a supporter of the Uprising.
On the appointed time at 5am supporters of the Natioanlist uprising quickly siezed control of the Spanish Sahara, Spanish Morocco and the Canary Islands. Italy and Germany had both moved ships and transport planes that allowed for the introduction of elite shock troops from Africa into Spain.
These troops quicky struck using artillery and shock tactics to overcome what Republic forces were available to opose them.

[chris N]

The Nationalist Alliance had now struck and struck hard and fast. The Army of Africa had massive combat experience unlike the troops that were serving in Spain. They knew how to fight and were willing to go all of the way. The Republican Government in Madrid was in a panic, would the entire Army desert the government and join the Nationalist alliance and if so who would fight to support the government.
Much as the case is in every Civil war there were soldiers and sailors that rallied to support the government of the Republic. And at the same time the Republican government called for volunteers to join the new army.
The Soviet Embassy offer to sell the Republican government what ever weapons it might need.

[chris N]

The Nationalist had with great planning and a lot of luck had managed to take a huge chunk of Spain tanks in part to control of the Sky and being overwhelming the opposition. Still the Thrust toward Madrid failed.
The Nationalist had been joined by Brigade of Portuguese infantry and a decision by Germany, ACCU and Italy to send support forces. With only Italy being a Fascist State this encourage the More moderate elements in the Nationalist Alliance to resist an extreme Rightist control
By the end of 1935 there appeared to be two Spain s as the Map below show.

[chris N]

In Sweden things had been shaken up as conservative elements were finally able to break the Social Democrats control of the Country. However, the extreme right while stronger than it had ever been still was unable to push the country. In Norway extreme right wingers kept harping about the threat from the Soviets but the public wasn't yet buying it.
In the Kingdom of Finland the Monarchy had been in power for 17 years.
The country had been seeing the beging of a battle between forces that felt that the Soviet Union was an immediate threat and the country had better start preparing for the coming war and those on the center , who agreed that the Soviet Union was a threat but one which there was still time to prepare for.
A greater Scandinavia movement seemed to be popping up in Estonia, Finland and Sweden. While there was some support of the idea in Norway and Denmark there was no giant rush toward it either.
The War in Spain was having some impact. Parties on the right made a great deal of the Soviet support for the Republic and the breakdown of the rule of law.
Posters dis appear in Europe urging Foreigners to join the "International Brigades" of the Spanish Republic.

[chris N]

Soviet arms and trainers were arriving in Republican controlled Spain. The arrival of tanks , Artillery and Machine guns and planes was helping the Republican Cause. Italy now proposed a Naval blockade which would stop the flow of arms to the Republican forces and perhaps allow the Nationalist to quickly win the war.
Already both sides were building their own armored vehicles in an effort to gain an edge.

[chris N]

Duce Balbo spent much effort to convince the Germans and Austr-Czech-Croatian Union leaders that the way to end the war quickly would be to prevent the Soviets from shipping arms into Spain. This would force the Republicans to see reason or at least end the war much earlier. Meanwhile the War dragged on. Soviet equipment flowed in in great amounts and Spain's gold reserves began to flow out to the Soviet Union.
Duce Balbo ordered the Royal Italian Navy to begin the blockade on September 7th,1935. On September 9th a Soviet Merchant ship was fired on while moving into Spanish waters. A Spanish warship with a Republican crew fired upon Italian warships and was inturn hit by an Italian Heavy Cruiser.
Italy declared War on the Republic of Spain. On September 15th the ACCU's Chancellor announced that his country would join the naval blockade but would not offically send forces to fight in Spain. However, an Austrian Lefion was formed and would join a German force. September 21st ,1935 Germany after talks with the British announces a Blockade of the Republic of Spain's northern ports. The Republics only source of supplies is now from France. For the rest of the year Soviet arms are shipped into the Republic of France for the Republic of Spain.

[chris N]

The Naval blockade began to have an effect as soon as heavy elements of the Italian Navy moved to tighten it. Italy had dispatched the Andrea Doria and the her sister ship to join the blockade. In total the Italian Navy had dispatched 2 Battleships, 2 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers, 10 destroyers and 6 submarines. The ACCU dispatched 2 light cruisers and 4 destroyes.
Germany in the North deployed one of the new Light Battle cruisers , 3 light cruisers, 5 destroyers, and 2 auxillaries.

[chris N]

The Italian leader wanted to limit Italy's commitment to Spain. He had agreed to use Italy's sea power to prevent Soviet arms from reaching the Republic. He now agreed to allow Italian air power to also be used to support the Nationalist forces. The Italian leader also agreed to supply the Spanish forces with Italian tankettes, aircraft and artillery but he was still not ready to supply troops to the struggle.
Germany now moved its new fighter the Me109, plus the Ju87 dive bomber, He111 and do17 plus the Ju52 transport. The Condor Legion as it was being nicknamed would also have a ground element equipped with tanks and artillery. The ACCU was allowing a volunteer unit to be formed to serve with the Germans.
Unlike our timeline there would be no terror bombing.

[chris N]

Italy provided Naval support and Sea lift for Nationalist forces to secure the Spanish Islands in the Med. Meanwhile the war on land grinned on. The German, Italian and A.C.C.U. governments all applied what pressure they could to get France to stop allowing Soviet arms to be shipped into Spain through France. Great Britain had been silent but now it also suggested that it was not a good idea. Effective as of January 15th 1936 France was ending the ability of the Soviet Government to ship arms in. So in the meantime arms flooded into French ports bound for Spain. Arms and volunteers from Mexico arrived. Map below shows National progress in the conquest of Republican Spain. The Council agreed to two large offensives in March-April 1936 designed to capture the rest of Northern Spain and the capital of Madrid. Gen Franco would personally lead the attack on Madrid.

[chris N]

The Nationalist Alliance in Spain Appealed to Italy to provide troops for a Hammer Blow to the Republic. Balbo agreed finally to sending a Full Corp of Italian troops. This force of 60,000+ would conduct an offensive along the Med coast with 42,000 Nationalist troops on its left flank.
The offensive in the North would begin on March 2,1936 and on March 9th the Italians would begin a massive push and then on March 16th Franco would launch an offensive designed to take the capital. It was hoped that the first offensive would cause the Republicans to rush forces to the North and the Italians attack to the south would draw the reserves to the South. Franco should then be able to take the capital.

No plan ever goes totally right. The offensive in the North was brilliant as the Republicans were unprepared for it. German and Spanish air power provide enough support to allow for a massive gain. Just as reserves headed North the Italians struck in the south. While reserves were drawn away a new group-The International Brigades took up the slack in the defenses around Madrid.

[chris N]

General Franco was caught in a counter attack and was critically injured in the battle. Only a timely counter-attack by the fierce Moroccan troops from the Army of Africa allowed for the recovery of the General.
General Franco was operated on and moved to a Military hospital. He appeared to linger in a state between life and death and then he started to recover. Thing were looking up when the General suffered a stroke and then died on May 21st 1936. As the Map below shows the Nationalsit made massive gains.

[chris N]

With air and heavy artiller Support the Nationalist made a massive offensive that finally saw the Spanish capital fall into Nationalist Hands . The Death of General Franco left an opening for another General to assume the leadership role. It apperared that a more moderate General did just that.
Italy mved three more divisions into the battle and the Italo-Spanish army of the south rolled up the coast like a steam roller.

Thus by the start of Fall most of spain was in the Hands of the Nationalist Alliance. See map be Below.

[chris N]

The Republicans were well aware that they were on the verge of losing the war. With everyday the Nationalist grew stronger and they grew weaker. Italy had now thrown a larger force into helping to end the war as it had plans to withdraw almost all of its forces from Spain by the Fall of 1937.
Thus there were plans for 4 offensives each designed to bring the war closer to an end. In March 1937 forces in the North began a drive to push southward along the Spanish-French border. In April 1937 the next hammer blow was launched along the Central front. Finally in May came the push along the coast that would continue until it reached the last rebel strong hold. By the end of June the Nationalist and their allies had nealy captured all of Spain. The final thrust was launched in July 1937 and the Pincers closed with those who could escaping across the French border. With the exception of some mopping up the War was over.
Spain was a republic no more. The Monarchy was re-established but who would be king was not. Those Republican solders that had been captured were sorted out to ensure that those guilty of war crimes were tried.

[chris N]

By the winter of 1937 the mop up in Spain was beginning. There had been trials of some of the captured Spanish Republican Soldiers. Out of more than 190,000 Prisoners taken Military Court martial had convicted 1,800 Republican soldiers and at least another 1200 civilian an police of officials of crimes ranging from Rape to Murder and torture. At least another 9,000 were sentenced to up to 40 years in Prison.
Those captured were given jobs clearing ruble and repairing roads. In 1938 the first release of captured soldiers was made 5,000 were allowed to return home. A case by case review would take time.

While the damage to Spain's economy and infrastructure was series it was not quite bad as in OTL. Estimates were about 2 billion dollars but it was felt that that might be reduced.
Italy reduced its forces in Spain from 240,000 to 120,000 rather quickly and plans were to reduce it to about 1,000 by the end of 1937. Germany and the ACCU withdrew almost all of their troops in the first 4 months of 1937. Below Spain of April 1937.

[chris N]

Spain had not suffered as much damage as in our time line but even so it would take time to recover. Germany, Austria-Czech-Croatian Union and Italy had all started to withdraw there forces from the Country. Italy had left behind some war materials for the Spanish army as well as some military advisers as had Germany.

The Spanish Navy had lost a lot of vessels. Two Battleships had been lost during the war so it no longer had any capital ships. Germany was considering selling it one or two of its old capital ships to Spain but Italy was pushing for a joint effort at building a new ship that would serve the interest of both Spain and Italy

[chris N]

Let me turn the clock back to 1935 and look at the rest of the World. Tensions between Japan and the Soviet Union was on the rise. The transfer of steel production from warship construction to construction of weapons for the Army meant that the Japanese army was receiving more weapons and vehicles. It was becoming more of a mobile army and less of an army that was prepared only to fight the last war. Thus the gap between the Soviets and Imperial Japan was closing rapidly. As for forces and aircraft Japan had the edge. The question was how long would Japan wait.
President Smith was satisfied that Japan was not becoming further involved in China. Relations between Japan and Nationalist China seemed to be somewhat improved. The Nationalist Central Government was consolidating power. Chaing had all but eliminated the Warlord problem and the Nationalist Army had become better trained and equipped than ever befor. Its German advisers had done wonders but it was the weeding out of corruption that had really improved thing. Morle was quite good. China was now beginning to receive German Made tanks and there was hope that China would be able to build the tanks in China.
Japan had constructed two cruisers for the Chinese Navy and Germany and the US were selling it a limited amount of older warships. No capital warship had been sold to China.
President Smith was in 1936 nearing the end of his last year as the dominate figure in American Politics. Next year would begin the process of picking the next President. Smith believed that 2 terms were enough for any person to be President. His Secretary of the Navy ws leaving to begin the Process of seeking to replace Smith as the next President.
Indeed Smith and Franklin D Roosevelt had had something of a falling out over the policy with Japan and also on some domestic issues.
Who would the Republicans Run was a question. Hoover was again a possibility but Al Landon the Republican Governor of Kansas was another possibility and the young Bob Taft , son of the former President would also somewhere in the future be a possibility.

In Europe it appeared that the Foces on the Right were becoming a lot more active especially in Sweden. There was something of a feeling that Scandinavia should be united and take a larger role in European Affairs.
The Social Democrats were shocked at their loss of power in Sweden.
There seemed to be a move toward an alliance between Sweden, Finland and Estonia. Relations with the Soviet Union began to turn very cold.