Now, this is possible. We used to disscuss this a lot with my History lecturer. The POD is slightly odd, but all shall be made apparent...
March 17th 1936: Hitler Enters the Rhineland with forces. France and Britain decided to presure Germany to withdraw, and threatens military action. Geramny retreats. (For those of you who say "But Hitler would never do that, he said afterwards, and it is quoted "If they had stood by their word (about militerisation of the Rhineland), i would have had to run like dog with its tail between its legs")
16th July 1936: Spanish Civil War Begins
20th July 1936: Franco Contacts the Facist governments In Germany and Italy. Hitler promise Money and diplomatic aid, but is reluctant to commit troops. As much as he bluffs, he can not risk another confrontation with Britain and France at this time, especially as the Rhineland incident has left him in a tender situation back at home. Mussolini, on the other hand, always the more foolhardy, promises troops, hopeing to increase Spain in to his Sphere of Influence. he still holds dreams of "Mare Nostrum" (Our sea)
27th July 1936: First Italian troops arrive.
27th September 1936: Toledo Captured by Nationalists
October-November 1936: First Madrid Offensive fails
December 1936: Seeing a chance to Increase their own influence, Russia increases the ammount of support its sending to spain. Troops are shipped in, and land in the north. Much need Arms and Supplies are provided. Russia argues that it is "Merely counter balancing Italy"
January-Febuary 1937: Second Madrid Offensive, despite the pressance of the Italians, fails.
Febuary 1937: Germany France Britain, Italy and Russia, all sign an agreement to limit "Volunteers". Russia and Italy widely flaunt the agreement. France limits the number of their volunteers, but contiues to give finicial support to the Rebublicans, as does Britain. Germany contiues to support the Nationalists.
March 1937: Seeing a weakness in the North, Franco moves into Basque land. Without German Support though Geurnica is not bombed, and instead there is protracted fighting in the area, stalling the nationalist advance. Russians move troops down to help in combat. Protracted fighting goes on in this region for some while.
July 1937: Rebuplican Offensive. Bilbao is held from republican attacks. Sergovina is captured, pulling Francos forces away from Madrid. A second attack is lauched in the Madrid Area, it becomes know as the Battle of Brunete. Government forces, With immense difficulty, puch nationlist back towards the west, and south. Parts of the nationlist army are surrounded in the north. Cut off from their support in the south, The Nationalists attempt to break though, but only just manage. Casulties are high on both sides.
September 1937: Franco, still reeling from the Reblublican Offensive, counter attacks on a new front. Forces push from the south, north along the coast towards Valencia, a Government strong hold. With fresh Italian troops, and limited Naval Support, it is hoped that they can break the Rebuplicans along the coast. Heavy fighting continues for months.
Early January 1938: Italian ships and submarines patroling the Balerics, fire on a british ship they claimed was giving aid to the Republicans. Britain Issues a stern warning, backed by france, to stop meddling in Spains affairs. Italy claims that these troops are meerly Volunteers, and therefore has no control over them. France and Britains relationship with Italy remains tense. Mussolini beligerance is tiring on them, especially owing to claims he has made on Seuz.
July-November 1938: The Autum offensive. A combined offensive from Madrid, the north, and along the coast hopes to finally have the nationalists on the run. The attack goes well in the West, With the government taking Salamanca, and pushing far south, down to the outskirts of Sevile. Toledo Is retaken, but nationalists stall the advance to south of madrid. In the east, Nationalist hold fast, but contiued pressure is forced upon them. The war looks set to drag.
Febuary 1939: The republican sneak attack by landing troops behind Nationalist lines along the coast, helped in no small part by Russian forces. They come in direct confritation with Italian troops. Surprised, and cut of from there support, Are forced to withdraw to the west, in the hope of rejoining the main forces. The Reblican forces start to advance along the coast
March 1939: Nationlist in complete retreat. Cartega taken, as forces race along the coast. Italy calls much of its Volunteers back. Franco left on his own. Nationlist stall for cease fire.
26th March 1939: Cease fire signed. Franco attempts to flee back to
Morroco, but is ambushed by communist Forces, and is executing, along with his traveling guard. All Nationlist forces stand down.
Okay, how was that? One question: The Rebuplican government in Spain was always more for Catalan and Basque before the Civil war. Are they likely to get more Automy? Independance? it was those regions after all that gave the most troops to the Rebuplican side? Any ideas?
March 17th 1936: Hitler Enters the Rhineland with forces. France and Britain decided to presure Germany to withdraw, and threatens military action. Geramny retreats. (For those of you who say "But Hitler would never do that, he said afterwards, and it is quoted "If they had stood by their word (about militerisation of the Rhineland), i would have had to run like dog with its tail between its legs")
16th July 1936: Spanish Civil War Begins
20th July 1936: Franco Contacts the Facist governments In Germany and Italy. Hitler promise Money and diplomatic aid, but is reluctant to commit troops. As much as he bluffs, he can not risk another confrontation with Britain and France at this time, especially as the Rhineland incident has left him in a tender situation back at home. Mussolini, on the other hand, always the more foolhardy, promises troops, hopeing to increase Spain in to his Sphere of Influence. he still holds dreams of "Mare Nostrum" (Our sea)
27th July 1936: First Italian troops arrive.
27th September 1936: Toledo Captured by Nationalists
October-November 1936: First Madrid Offensive fails
December 1936: Seeing a chance to Increase their own influence, Russia increases the ammount of support its sending to spain. Troops are shipped in, and land in the north. Much need Arms and Supplies are provided. Russia argues that it is "Merely counter balancing Italy"
January-Febuary 1937: Second Madrid Offensive, despite the pressance of the Italians, fails.
Febuary 1937: Germany France Britain, Italy and Russia, all sign an agreement to limit "Volunteers". Russia and Italy widely flaunt the agreement. France limits the number of their volunteers, but contiues to give finicial support to the Rebublicans, as does Britain. Germany contiues to support the Nationalists.
March 1937: Seeing a weakness in the North, Franco moves into Basque land. Without German Support though Geurnica is not bombed, and instead there is protracted fighting in the area, stalling the nationalist advance. Russians move troops down to help in combat. Protracted fighting goes on in this region for some while.
July 1937: Rebuplican Offensive. Bilbao is held from republican attacks. Sergovina is captured, pulling Francos forces away from Madrid. A second attack is lauched in the Madrid Area, it becomes know as the Battle of Brunete. Government forces, With immense difficulty, puch nationlist back towards the west, and south. Parts of the nationlist army are surrounded in the north. Cut off from their support in the south, The Nationalists attempt to break though, but only just manage. Casulties are high on both sides.
September 1937: Franco, still reeling from the Reblublican Offensive, counter attacks on a new front. Forces push from the south, north along the coast towards Valencia, a Government strong hold. With fresh Italian troops, and limited Naval Support, it is hoped that they can break the Rebuplicans along the coast. Heavy fighting continues for months.
Early January 1938: Italian ships and submarines patroling the Balerics, fire on a british ship they claimed was giving aid to the Republicans. Britain Issues a stern warning, backed by france, to stop meddling in Spains affairs. Italy claims that these troops are meerly Volunteers, and therefore has no control over them. France and Britains relationship with Italy remains tense. Mussolini beligerance is tiring on them, especially owing to claims he has made on Seuz.
July-November 1938: The Autum offensive. A combined offensive from Madrid, the north, and along the coast hopes to finally have the nationalists on the run. The attack goes well in the West, With the government taking Salamanca, and pushing far south, down to the outskirts of Sevile. Toledo Is retaken, but nationalists stall the advance to south of madrid. In the east, Nationalist hold fast, but contiued pressure is forced upon them. The war looks set to drag.
Febuary 1939: The republican sneak attack by landing troops behind Nationalist lines along the coast, helped in no small part by Russian forces. They come in direct confritation with Italian troops. Surprised, and cut of from there support, Are forced to withdraw to the west, in the hope of rejoining the main forces. The Reblican forces start to advance along the coast
March 1939: Nationlist in complete retreat. Cartega taken, as forces race along the coast. Italy calls much of its Volunteers back. Franco left on his own. Nationlist stall for cease fire.
26th March 1939: Cease fire signed. Franco attempts to flee back to
Morroco, but is ambushed by communist Forces, and is executing, along with his traveling guard. All Nationlist forces stand down.
Okay, how was that? One question: The Rebuplican government in Spain was always more for Catalan and Basque before the Civil war. Are they likely to get more Automy? Independance? it was those regions after all that gave the most troops to the Rebuplican side? Any ideas?
