A New Balance
- Thread starter Jim Smitty
- Start date
Battle of Wake Part X
Wake Island
Field Hospital, or what was left of it
March 15 1939, 1754 Local Time
Lt Commander Jeff Flack would swear there was never a more beautiful site than what he was looking at the moment. In the distance was a flock of transports. More importantly the kind the transports the navy had been building for the Jarheads to take hostile beaches. They were being escorted by destroyers with the Germans still flying overhead. Well the few German aircraft that the solo German aircraft carrier that was clearly nearby could manage. That meant reinforcements and resupply were inbound for the garrison at Wake which were desperately needed after the hell that Wake had become.
Further way and out of visual range was a cruiser squadron that was looking for the remains of the landing force the Germans have savage today. Together with what remained of the garrisons artillery batteries proved to be critical in stopping the Japs from getting enough troops on Wake to overrun the soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen defending the little atoll in the Pacific. Yes there were still pockets of Japanese marines left on Wake but they would be overran and destroyed with these reinforcements. All Flack was hoping for was any medical units assigned to the relief force would be unloaded first as he needed all the help he could get.
Unslinging his Arisaka rifle he started walking to the command post. Well what was left of the command post, like his field hospital it had taken a beating in the battle to hold the island. He normally wouldn’t be leaving his post but there simply wasn’t anything for him to do right at the moment. He had no supplies to treat the wounded. All he could do was stop the bleeding and even in a number of cases he couldn’t do that if the bleeding was internal. With his medics and corpsmen doing that he decided it was best to go to the CP and see about rushing the medical units forward to help the wounded in his care.
It took a few minutes to reach the CP as he had to make sure there weren’t any small groups or even single Japanese Marines left on the path from the Field Hospital to the CP. It was why he was carrying his Arisaka rifle at the ready position. After making to the CP intact, well with three wounds as intact as he could be Jeff saw Lt Colonel Jeff Butler working the radio. His left arm was in a make shift sling with blood stain on it. Flake had set the Colonel’s broken arm the best he could but all he could really do was use a couple of broken rifle stocks as splints to set it. Most likely it was going to have to be broke again to set it right.
The Colonel set down the radio as he saw the leading doctor on the island. By right Flake should be his XO as he was the second most senior officer left alive on this hell but he was a medical officer. But he did respect the medical officer. With his Colt. 45 being used as a paperweight the Colonel started to walk over to Flake. “We made it. They aren’t sending the hospital ship in right away but they are ordering all of the corpsmen to head straight to the hospital to help get things ready and resupply you with what you need till the hospital ship gets into position to load you up. But we are being relieved and being shipped back stateside.”
It felt like the rate of the world was lifted off Flake’s shoulders. “Thank god.”
Field Hospital, or what was left of it
March 15 1939, 1754 Local Time
Lt Commander Jeff Flack would swear there was never a more beautiful site than what he was looking at the moment. In the distance was a flock of transports. More importantly the kind the transports the navy had been building for the Jarheads to take hostile beaches. They were being escorted by destroyers with the Germans still flying overhead. Well the few German aircraft that the solo German aircraft carrier that was clearly nearby could manage. That meant reinforcements and resupply were inbound for the garrison at Wake which were desperately needed after the hell that Wake had become.
Further way and out of visual range was a cruiser squadron that was looking for the remains of the landing force the Germans have savage today. Together with what remained of the garrisons artillery batteries proved to be critical in stopping the Japs from getting enough troops on Wake to overrun the soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen defending the little atoll in the Pacific. Yes there were still pockets of Japanese marines left on Wake but they would be overran and destroyed with these reinforcements. All Flack was hoping for was any medical units assigned to the relief force would be unloaded first as he needed all the help he could get.
Unslinging his Arisaka rifle he started walking to the command post. Well what was left of the command post, like his field hospital it had taken a beating in the battle to hold the island. He normally wouldn’t be leaving his post but there simply wasn’t anything for him to do right at the moment. He had no supplies to treat the wounded. All he could do was stop the bleeding and even in a number of cases he couldn’t do that if the bleeding was internal. With his medics and corpsmen doing that he decided it was best to go to the CP and see about rushing the medical units forward to help the wounded in his care.
It took a few minutes to reach the CP as he had to make sure there weren’t any small groups or even single Japanese Marines left on the path from the Field Hospital to the CP. It was why he was carrying his Arisaka rifle at the ready position. After making to the CP intact, well with three wounds as intact as he could be Jeff saw Lt Colonel Jeff Butler working the radio. His left arm was in a make shift sling with blood stain on it. Flake had set the Colonel’s broken arm the best he could but all he could really do was use a couple of broken rifle stocks as splints to set it. Most likely it was going to have to be broke again to set it right.
The Colonel set down the radio as he saw the leading doctor on the island. By right Flake should be his XO as he was the second most senior officer left alive on this hell but he was a medical officer. But he did respect the medical officer. With his Colt. 45 being used as a paperweight the Colonel started to walk over to Flake. “We made it. They aren’t sending the hospital ship in right away but they are ordering all of the corpsmen to head straight to the hospital to help get things ready and resupply you with what you need till the hospital ship gets into position to load you up. But we are being relieved and being shipped back stateside.”
It felt like the rate of the world was lifted off Flake’s shoulders. “Thank god.”
Battle of Wake XI
USS Enterprise, CV-3
Pacific Ocean, Near Wake
March 15 1939, 2019 Local Time
Vice Admiral Pete Oswald was standing on a bridge as he was watching the USS Rueben James fire a pair of torpedoes into the sister ship of the Enterprise. The crew on the Hornet had put up a good fight but with her having a list of 23 degrees right now along with being down by the stern it was simply decide to scuttle her instead of trying to get her back to Pearl. The crew had abandon ships a few hours ago but it took a bit longer to get everything ready for the Rueben James to put a pair of torpedoes into the Hornet. One thing Oswald would give the designers was they designed the Enterprise class for major abuse and then some.
Even through this had been the first major battle Oswald had fought in this war it was drawing to close. On the third strike against the Japanese they had been spotted making their way away from Wake and closer to their home port in the Philippines. It also made since to withdraw, their landing force was trashed and they had no way of taking Wake. Never mind holding it. And their efforts to take Wake had been costly for the Japanese. He was sure the that two Jap flat tops were on their way to Davy Jones’ Locker now. The other two were damaged[1], and badly if the reports from his pilots were correct. Throw in the losses to the screening forces and the gutting of their landing forces, this had been very costly for the Japanese.
However not all things were balance. Besides the Hornet, the Walfischbucht and two of his destroyers had been sunk so far in this action. The German air units attached to the Walfischbucht had been gutted in their actions with the bulk of those aircraft on their way down with their ship. The heavy losses through on their side had been the brigade and supporting units assigned to defend Wake. Casualties there were beyond heavy. Based on early reporting that he had seen the casualty rate for those defenders on Wake will be over 100% as many had been wounded once and returned to duty only to be wounded again or even killed. Rebuilding the forces there will be a major challenge and it was one of the reasons they were being withdrawn from Wake and replaced with fresh units. Wake itself through was trashed and would take time before it could be used as a forward base to launch offensive operations against the Japanese. However that time would come.
Life Raft
Pacific Ocean, Near Wake
March 16 1939, 0031 Local
For Lieutenant Matt Wiser it was one of the worse nights he had in a long time. Most likely this night would be the night at the bar in Madison after he got his wings. Then again that night he gotten soppy drunk. Here he was in the middle of the ocean hoping that his navy would come fish him out. The question was would anyone find him. Then again he had no idea how the battle was going at this point anyways. So all he could do was stay awake and hope someone would find him.
It was the sounds of diesel engines that told Matt that something was near. He couldn’t see that far but he decided to take a chance. He took out his flashlight and started blinking at the sound of the diesel engines he heard. It was clear the sound was getting closer but the question was it an American, German, or Japanese submarine. But once it got close it was clear it was an American boat with the stars and strips flying form the conning tower.
A few minutes later Matt was standing on the submarine. The jay gee spoke first, “Welcome to the Seawolf Lieutenant. Captain Smith commanding.”
[1] The Japanese have better damage control than OTL. Not on par with the USN, RN, or KM mind you, but still a major improvement over OTL. If this had been with the OTL IJN those carries would been sunk, but now they will have major time in the yards for repairs.
Pacific Ocean, Near Wake
March 15 1939, 2019 Local Time
Vice Admiral Pete Oswald was standing on a bridge as he was watching the USS Rueben James fire a pair of torpedoes into the sister ship of the Enterprise. The crew on the Hornet had put up a good fight but with her having a list of 23 degrees right now along with being down by the stern it was simply decide to scuttle her instead of trying to get her back to Pearl. The crew had abandon ships a few hours ago but it took a bit longer to get everything ready for the Rueben James to put a pair of torpedoes into the Hornet. One thing Oswald would give the designers was they designed the Enterprise class for major abuse and then some.
Even through this had been the first major battle Oswald had fought in this war it was drawing to close. On the third strike against the Japanese they had been spotted making their way away from Wake and closer to their home port in the Philippines. It also made since to withdraw, their landing force was trashed and they had no way of taking Wake. Never mind holding it. And their efforts to take Wake had been costly for the Japanese. He was sure the that two Jap flat tops were on their way to Davy Jones’ Locker now. The other two were damaged[1], and badly if the reports from his pilots were correct. Throw in the losses to the screening forces and the gutting of their landing forces, this had been very costly for the Japanese.
However not all things were balance. Besides the Hornet, the Walfischbucht and two of his destroyers had been sunk so far in this action. The German air units attached to the Walfischbucht had been gutted in their actions with the bulk of those aircraft on their way down with their ship. The heavy losses through on their side had been the brigade and supporting units assigned to defend Wake. Casualties there were beyond heavy. Based on early reporting that he had seen the casualty rate for those defenders on Wake will be over 100% as many had been wounded once and returned to duty only to be wounded again or even killed. Rebuilding the forces there will be a major challenge and it was one of the reasons they were being withdrawn from Wake and replaced with fresh units. Wake itself through was trashed and would take time before it could be used as a forward base to launch offensive operations against the Japanese. However that time would come.
Life Raft
Pacific Ocean, Near Wake
March 16 1939, 0031 Local
For Lieutenant Matt Wiser it was one of the worse nights he had in a long time. Most likely this night would be the night at the bar in Madison after he got his wings. Then again that night he gotten soppy drunk. Here he was in the middle of the ocean hoping that his navy would come fish him out. The question was would anyone find him. Then again he had no idea how the battle was going at this point anyways. So all he could do was stay awake and hope someone would find him.
It was the sounds of diesel engines that told Matt that something was near. He couldn’t see that far but he decided to take a chance. He took out his flashlight and started blinking at the sound of the diesel engines he heard. It was clear the sound was getting closer but the question was it an American, German, or Japanese submarine. But once it got close it was clear it was an American boat with the stars and strips flying form the conning tower.
A few minutes later Matt was standing on the submarine. The jay gee spoke first, “Welcome to the Seawolf Lieutenant. Captain Smith commanding.”
[1] The Japanese have better damage control than OTL. Not on par with the USN, RN, or KM mind you, but still a major improvement over OTL. If this had been with the OTL IJN those carries would been sunk, but now they will have major time in the yards for repairs.
Admiral Halsey
Banned
To be fair blind monkeys would've done a better job at damage control then the OTL IJN.
At Gunpoint
Copenhagen, German Occupied
Christiansborg Palace
March 21 1939
Since the German invasion of Denmark, they had taken a gentle hand in Denmark. This was mainly because they want to turn Denmark into ally. This was why they were allowing the Danish police still perform their jobs of maintaining the peace in Denmark. The only notable difference was the fact the Danish police now reported to the German government as well the Danish government. The only thing was they weren’t allowed to investigation crimes that German troops that was accused of. The Germans would investigate these crimes that were accused of their troops. However, the Germans made it clear they wouldn’t about to white wash crimes but they weren’t going to put up with bullshit charges brought forward because they were pissed about Germans being in their nation.
In the aftermath of the collapse of the Pontus Ministry the Danish really haven’t had a government as no one had been able to form a coalition government as no one had the seats to form their own government. After a few weeks of back and fore King Christian X has used his royal prerogative and brought together a government of his choosing. It was a coalition government but it cut across party lines as it was clear to Christian the longer they played hard ball with Germany the worse the terms would be that were forced on Denmark. He already knew the terms would be bad, but if they kept trying to play games the terms would get a lot worse. But the question on what to do was not a clear cut party line vote. So because of this Christian had brought together those were for working together with the Germans and formed a government with those people.
This was how German Foreign Minister Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, the Swedish ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark, Danish Prime Minister Jakob Troels, and King Christian X came to be in the same room. The Swedish Foreign Minister was planning to be here as well but because of relations between Norway and Sweden going down the tubes in a fortnight had caused him to go to Oslo instead. In his stead the Swedish Ambassador was filling in for him. They were all here to talk about how to go forward. Foreign Minister von Lettow-Vorbeck started things off after the greetings and standard pretense.
He pulled out a piece of paper from his coat pocket and unfolded it. He then pulled out a part of glasses so he could read it as his eyesight wasn’t as good as it used to be. “This is a list of terms that would be acceptable to the German Empire and the Kingdom of Sweden and the Kingdom of Denmark in light of events of the six weeks between our nations. The first of this is to declare war on the British Empire, the Soviet Union, Soviet Spain, and People’s Republic of Portugal.” Even through Germany was at war with the Japanese Empire as well, they weren’t about to force the Danish into that war. So they were just going to make the Danish fight the European foes. This wasn’t that surprising as it was one of the demands made back in February. However both Danish men in the room knew that the coming terms would get progressively worse.
Going forward, “The Danish Government will allow the German Empire and the Kingdom of Sweden to station troops in Danish territory for the length of the war and up to five years after it. The Danish government will pay for this. Further the Danish government will pay for the improvement of any infrastructure needed to support the troops of the German Empire and the Kingdom of Sweden needs to maintain their mission in the Kingdom of Denmark. The Danish Government will not have the right to bring up charges against service members of either the German Empire or the Kingdom of Sweden. Any charges will be brought by either the German Empire and Kingdom of Sweden if there enough evidence to warrant charges.”
Lettow-Vorbeck paused for a moment as he knew that these were expected and the Danish under this new government would give in to these demands no questions asked. The ones that were coming up through were far harsher on the Danish nation. He looked the two Danish men in the eye before going forward. “The Danish Army will raise a corp of soldiers to be place under the command of the German Imperial Army to be used as rear area security on the eastern front against the Soviet Union. This corp will be equipped with German weapons that the Danish Kingdom will pay for. The corp will be ready by the fall of 1940. The Danish Navy and Air Force will be upgraded to be able to support the German and Swedish Navies and Air Forces, again the Danish Kingdom will pay for these upgrades. The German Army reserves the rights to hold court marshals for Danish soldiers who are not properly disciplined for their actions if a crime is committed if their units are under German command.”
Both Danish men were tight as they were trying to keep from showing how they felt about that Lettow-Vorbeck noticed. “Finally, the Danish will surrender control of the Faroe Islands to the German Empire and the Island of Bornholm to the Kingdom of Sweden. The Danish citizens on Bornholm will be given a choice between staying a citizen of Denmark or becoming citizens of Sweden. If they elect to stay Danish citizens they will relocate to the remaining Kingdom of Denmark at the expense of Denmark.”
It was clear that both Danish men in the room were not happy about the territorial losses. But neither spoke. “In return for this, all debt held by the British Empire, the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Empire of Japan will be forgiven at the end of the war.” It was something. The Kingdom of Denmark was a debtor nation and just under 40% of the Danish debt was held by the British Empire, with another 5% or so held by the former nation of Austria-Hungary. The rest of the debt of the Danish nation was held by either the Germans, Americans, and French. Mostly the Germans and Americans through. At least they were getting something out of this through.
After some hurry and quiet talk between the prime minister and his monarch, Prime Minister Troels spoke for the first time since the greetings. “May I and the King have a few moments to speak privately about these terms?”
“You may.” Lettow-Vorbeck said.
Christiansborg Palace
March 21 1939
Since the German invasion of Denmark, they had taken a gentle hand in Denmark. This was mainly because they want to turn Denmark into ally. This was why they were allowing the Danish police still perform their jobs of maintaining the peace in Denmark. The only notable difference was the fact the Danish police now reported to the German government as well the Danish government. The only thing was they weren’t allowed to investigation crimes that German troops that was accused of. The Germans would investigate these crimes that were accused of their troops. However, the Germans made it clear they wouldn’t about to white wash crimes but they weren’t going to put up with bullshit charges brought forward because they were pissed about Germans being in their nation.
In the aftermath of the collapse of the Pontus Ministry the Danish really haven’t had a government as no one had been able to form a coalition government as no one had the seats to form their own government. After a few weeks of back and fore King Christian X has used his royal prerogative and brought together a government of his choosing. It was a coalition government but it cut across party lines as it was clear to Christian the longer they played hard ball with Germany the worse the terms would be that were forced on Denmark. He already knew the terms would be bad, but if they kept trying to play games the terms would get a lot worse. But the question on what to do was not a clear cut party line vote. So because of this Christian had brought together those were for working together with the Germans and formed a government with those people.
This was how German Foreign Minister Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, the Swedish ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark, Danish Prime Minister Jakob Troels, and King Christian X came to be in the same room. The Swedish Foreign Minister was planning to be here as well but because of relations between Norway and Sweden going down the tubes in a fortnight had caused him to go to Oslo instead. In his stead the Swedish Ambassador was filling in for him. They were all here to talk about how to go forward. Foreign Minister von Lettow-Vorbeck started things off after the greetings and standard pretense.
He pulled out a piece of paper from his coat pocket and unfolded it. He then pulled out a part of glasses so he could read it as his eyesight wasn’t as good as it used to be. “This is a list of terms that would be acceptable to the German Empire and the Kingdom of Sweden and the Kingdom of Denmark in light of events of the six weeks between our nations. The first of this is to declare war on the British Empire, the Soviet Union, Soviet Spain, and People’s Republic of Portugal.” Even through Germany was at war with the Japanese Empire as well, they weren’t about to force the Danish into that war. So they were just going to make the Danish fight the European foes. This wasn’t that surprising as it was one of the demands made back in February. However both Danish men in the room knew that the coming terms would get progressively worse.
Going forward, “The Danish Government will allow the German Empire and the Kingdom of Sweden to station troops in Danish territory for the length of the war and up to five years after it. The Danish government will pay for this. Further the Danish government will pay for the improvement of any infrastructure needed to support the troops of the German Empire and the Kingdom of Sweden needs to maintain their mission in the Kingdom of Denmark. The Danish Government will not have the right to bring up charges against service members of either the German Empire or the Kingdom of Sweden. Any charges will be brought by either the German Empire and Kingdom of Sweden if there enough evidence to warrant charges.”
Lettow-Vorbeck paused for a moment as he knew that these were expected and the Danish under this new government would give in to these demands no questions asked. The ones that were coming up through were far harsher on the Danish nation. He looked the two Danish men in the eye before going forward. “The Danish Army will raise a corp of soldiers to be place under the command of the German Imperial Army to be used as rear area security on the eastern front against the Soviet Union. This corp will be equipped with German weapons that the Danish Kingdom will pay for. The corp will be ready by the fall of 1940. The Danish Navy and Air Force will be upgraded to be able to support the German and Swedish Navies and Air Forces, again the Danish Kingdom will pay for these upgrades. The German Army reserves the rights to hold court marshals for Danish soldiers who are not properly disciplined for their actions if a crime is committed if their units are under German command.”
Both Danish men were tight as they were trying to keep from showing how they felt about that Lettow-Vorbeck noticed. “Finally, the Danish will surrender control of the Faroe Islands to the German Empire and the Island of Bornholm to the Kingdom of Sweden. The Danish citizens on Bornholm will be given a choice between staying a citizen of Denmark or becoming citizens of Sweden. If they elect to stay Danish citizens they will relocate to the remaining Kingdom of Denmark at the expense of Denmark.”
It was clear that both Danish men in the room were not happy about the territorial losses. But neither spoke. “In return for this, all debt held by the British Empire, the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Empire of Japan will be forgiven at the end of the war.” It was something. The Kingdom of Denmark was a debtor nation and just under 40% of the Danish debt was held by the British Empire, with another 5% or so held by the former nation of Austria-Hungary. The rest of the debt of the Danish nation was held by either the Germans, Americans, and French. Mostly the Germans and Americans through. At least they were getting something out of this through.
After some hurry and quiet talk between the prime minister and his monarch, Prime Minister Troels spoke for the first time since the greetings. “May I and the King have a few moments to speak privately about these terms?”
“You may.” Lettow-Vorbeck said.
The Trek
Near Wenzhou, Japanese Colony
Crap Shack
March 28th 1939
Lieutenant Louis Belanger was currently hold up in one the many different shitty shacks that was in this part of China. He was currently doing his best to escape from the Japanese that ran China like it was their private playground. Before the war he had been on his last stretch of duty in China before he was to rotate back to the states. Yet when the war started he had been caught outside Franklin on a mission to try and learn about what the Japanese were doing in their newly created colony that had been formally the Republic of China. Yet this had been his saving grace as Louis wondered how many people who had lived in Franklin before the war and hadn’t found a way out were now alive.
On learning that the Japanese Empire had decided to go to war against the United States, Louis made his way back to Franklin to see what he could learn. It wasn’t an easy task and took him over two weeks to make his way back to Franklin and he never got closer than 15 miles of the American outpost in China. What Louis found through shocked him to the core, even after two years of seeing what the Japanese were doing in China and to the Chinese people. He had in his nap shack what he believed to be highly critical information that would affect the course of the war. The problem was getting it back to the United States as he was truly on his own at the moment and surrender wasn’t a choice. Not after what he saw.
Everyone in the United States military knew that holding Franklin was simply impossible in the event of war with the Japanese. It was at the end of very lone logistical with the whole of the Imperial Japanese Navy between it and the nearest US outpost of any size at Guam. It was one of the reasons in US war plans for event of war with the Japanese called for a holding action at Franklin with the idea of moving as many of the civilians there back to at least Hawaii before it fell to the Japanese. It didn’t work out that way as things moved too quickly to get anymore than a handful out.
The governor of Franklin then called out the militia to reinforce the battalion of Marines stationed at Franklin after the start of the war. There were other uniformed personal in Franklin but the only ones trained to fight were the Marines. The Japanese underestimated how hard the Americans would fight. The Americans held out for 10 days before finally giving in to Japanese artillery and firepower and surrendering. Louis didn’t see the battle as he reached Franklin too late for that, but he saw the aftermath. What Louis saw there would haunt him till his dying day. There was only one way to say what he saw that day, it was an orgy of violence.
Using his camera Louis had taken about 20 photos at medium to long range of what the Japanese were doing. They had captured Marines tied up to stakes and were using them as bayonet practice. From what Louis could figure out a pair of Japanese officers were having a contest to see who could behead the most civilians the quickest. The women and god damn its eyes, some of the kids, well its best left unsaid what was happened to them. But it was brutal.
After making his way out of that cluster Louis had started his way to one of the safehouses he knew about in this part of China. It wasn’t no easy task as Louis had been limited to how far his own two feet could carry him and he was travelling at night to keep away from Japanese patrols. He was out of silver which was the widely accepted medium of exchange in China which meant he was down to stealing food and water to eat. If he had to guess he had lost 25 pounds since the start of the war, maybe more. Louis knew he had to get where he was going soon or else. But he was focus on the mission, which was a safehouse about 3 miles from his current location.
Forcing himself to move Louis left his holdup after making sure the path was clear. The Japanese weren’t as active at night as they were during the day. It was why Louis was moving by night. With no silver or paperwork if he got stopped by a Japanese patrol he was screwed and he knew it. Keeping a steady pace of about 20 minutes a mile Louis made his way to the safehouse. He could when faster but he had to make sure he wasn’t being followed and had to double back. He hadn’t made this far not to make his target. It took just under three hours to travel the three miles from his last hiding hole as he had travelled in anything but a straight line to get here.
After looking around to make sure no one was around he when up and knocked on the door. There was no answer. He turned the door knob and found it was unlocked. He opened the door and found no one in the safehouse and his heart sank. He started to look for anything that would be of value to him, food and water were major priorities. At least the place didn’t look ransacked which total Louis they abandoned the safe house instead of being found out by the Japanese. He did find some food and water which he was thankful for. He also found a few silver coins. Between those finds he would have a few more weeks to move on before the lack of supplies and money killed him.
He was almost done when he found something that was not what he was expecting. It was in a drop box that you had do know what do to for it to open or otherwise it would destroy the flash paper in it. He almost overlooked it as he hadn’t seen something like this since his training. The message it held was cryptic but it said make for the Imperial Federation mission Fuzhou. Louis did the math in his head that was just over 200 miles away in a straight line. It was going to be a long few weeks ahead of him. But with the sun coming up he decided this was as good as any place to hold up before going on again tomorrow night. Maybe he would still a boat and make his way south. But that was for tomorrow night.
Crap Shack
March 28th 1939
Lieutenant Louis Belanger was currently hold up in one the many different shitty shacks that was in this part of China. He was currently doing his best to escape from the Japanese that ran China like it was their private playground. Before the war he had been on his last stretch of duty in China before he was to rotate back to the states. Yet when the war started he had been caught outside Franklin on a mission to try and learn about what the Japanese were doing in their newly created colony that had been formally the Republic of China. Yet this had been his saving grace as Louis wondered how many people who had lived in Franklin before the war and hadn’t found a way out were now alive.
On learning that the Japanese Empire had decided to go to war against the United States, Louis made his way back to Franklin to see what he could learn. It wasn’t an easy task and took him over two weeks to make his way back to Franklin and he never got closer than 15 miles of the American outpost in China. What Louis found through shocked him to the core, even after two years of seeing what the Japanese were doing in China and to the Chinese people. He had in his nap shack what he believed to be highly critical information that would affect the course of the war. The problem was getting it back to the United States as he was truly on his own at the moment and surrender wasn’t a choice. Not after what he saw.
Everyone in the United States military knew that holding Franklin was simply impossible in the event of war with the Japanese. It was at the end of very lone logistical with the whole of the Imperial Japanese Navy between it and the nearest US outpost of any size at Guam. It was one of the reasons in US war plans for event of war with the Japanese called for a holding action at Franklin with the idea of moving as many of the civilians there back to at least Hawaii before it fell to the Japanese. It didn’t work out that way as things moved too quickly to get anymore than a handful out.
The governor of Franklin then called out the militia to reinforce the battalion of Marines stationed at Franklin after the start of the war. There were other uniformed personal in Franklin but the only ones trained to fight were the Marines. The Japanese underestimated how hard the Americans would fight. The Americans held out for 10 days before finally giving in to Japanese artillery and firepower and surrendering. Louis didn’t see the battle as he reached Franklin too late for that, but he saw the aftermath. What Louis saw there would haunt him till his dying day. There was only one way to say what he saw that day, it was an orgy of violence.
Using his camera Louis had taken about 20 photos at medium to long range of what the Japanese were doing. They had captured Marines tied up to stakes and were using them as bayonet practice. From what Louis could figure out a pair of Japanese officers were having a contest to see who could behead the most civilians the quickest. The women and god damn its eyes, some of the kids, well its best left unsaid what was happened to them. But it was brutal.
After making his way out of that cluster Louis had started his way to one of the safehouses he knew about in this part of China. It wasn’t no easy task as Louis had been limited to how far his own two feet could carry him and he was travelling at night to keep away from Japanese patrols. He was out of silver which was the widely accepted medium of exchange in China which meant he was down to stealing food and water to eat. If he had to guess he had lost 25 pounds since the start of the war, maybe more. Louis knew he had to get where he was going soon or else. But he was focus on the mission, which was a safehouse about 3 miles from his current location.
Forcing himself to move Louis left his holdup after making sure the path was clear. The Japanese weren’t as active at night as they were during the day. It was why Louis was moving by night. With no silver or paperwork if he got stopped by a Japanese patrol he was screwed and he knew it. Keeping a steady pace of about 20 minutes a mile Louis made his way to the safehouse. He could when faster but he had to make sure he wasn’t being followed and had to double back. He hadn’t made this far not to make his target. It took just under three hours to travel the three miles from his last hiding hole as he had travelled in anything but a straight line to get here.
After looking around to make sure no one was around he when up and knocked on the door. There was no answer. He turned the door knob and found it was unlocked. He opened the door and found no one in the safehouse and his heart sank. He started to look for anything that would be of value to him, food and water were major priorities. At least the place didn’t look ransacked which total Louis they abandoned the safe house instead of being found out by the Japanese. He did find some food and water which he was thankful for. He also found a few silver coins. Between those finds he would have a few more weeks to move on before the lack of supplies and money killed him.
He was almost done when he found something that was not what he was expecting. It was in a drop box that you had do know what do to for it to open or otherwise it would destroy the flash paper in it. He almost overlooked it as he hadn’t seen something like this since his training. The message it held was cryptic but it said make for the Imperial Federation mission Fuzhou. Louis did the math in his head that was just over 200 miles away in a straight line. It was going to be a long few weeks ahead of him. But with the sun coming up he decided this was as good as any place to hold up before going on again tomorrow night. Maybe he would still a boat and make his way south. But that was for tomorrow night.
Battle of the Strait of Otranto Part I
RN Rome
Straits of Otranto
April 5th 1939
The Regia Marine was working on its second major operation since the start of the war. With the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire the Balkans were a mess. It also was one of the two major fronts for Italy with the other being North Africa. At the moment the Italians were working on setting up puppets in Croatia and Bosnia. Montenegro was fighting on as they didn’t want to be an Italian puppet. The same was said of the Albanians who were fighting with the Greeks to keep the Italians out of their nation. Currently fighting in the Balkans was taking place in Montenegro, what use to be Serbia, and Macedonia. Italy was looking for an end of round to allow them to force the Montenegrins and Albanians to the peace table quickly. It was why the 1st Battle Squadron of the Regia Marine was leading the charge in the Straits of Otranto. The target was two fold. First the target was Corfu, which would then be used as a staging area for a landing at Vlore which last being slated for late April at the moment.
For the Regia Marine this was also part of its post war planning. They knew post-war if they were on a winning side of the war the Germans would have a port in Adriatic. There was no changing that fact. Which port was still subject to change through pending on how things when but a deal that was just struck between Rome and Berlin made it more likely they would be taking Fiume instead of Trieste as agreed to back in 1927. Even through they were friendly now they didn’t want the Germans to get any ideas that they would be the bosses of the Mediterranean. That was the Italians’ job. The key to that was the port of Vlore and the Ionian Islands. They wanted to hold all the keys to and from the Adriatic. Between those two with what they already held would give them the keys to the Adriatic.
They however had to worry about the Greek Royal Navy and the real Royal Navy that flew the British jack. The attack on the British base at Alexandria hadn’t destroyed the British Capital Ships in the Eastern Mediterranean. It destroyed a few light cruisers but they had missed the capital ships. So far they yet to find them at the moment. Then again, the Italians had been focusing on keeping control of the Central Mediterranean and Adriatic since the start of the war.
Ammiraglio di Squadra Duilio Ottaviano was standing on the bridge of his flag ship at the moment. In some other nations he would be standing in CIC of the ship, however Italian radar technology wasn’t the greatest. The radar that was equipped to the Rome class could spot ships up to a distance of 105 kilometers, but its arc was crap. To change the radar arc you had to turn the whole ship. In the short distance of the Straits of Otranto Ottaviano decided against trying to use radar. Instead he was using the good old fashion mark one eyeball to spot ships. Plus the 2nd Carrier Squadron[1] was making a raid to Crete to draw off British and Greek units from their true target.
Then one of the look outs called out, “Ship ho!”
At that Ottaviano picked up the quartermaster looking glass and started to look for the ships on the horizon. It took a moment but he found him. “It looks like the Greeks are out to play today. Signal the fleet prepare for general action.” The admiral said.
The Greeks had their main battleships out to engage the Italians today, the Vasilefs Konstantinos Class[2]. They were built for the Greeks in the last mad rush by the smaller navies before Bern ended their ability to order new battleships. They were the most advance battleships currently in service with the Royal Greek Navy. Yet Ottaviano knew they were undergunned when put up against his ships with their 381 mm L/50 guns.
“Sir, all ships report they are ready for action.” His chief of staff reported.
“Fire at will.”
At that the crews of the guns started to load the guns. The first shell being loaded in B Turret gun 2 was not an armor piecing round. No it dye shell to allow them to get the range. It fired at just all the other guns were finishing loading with AP shells. With that the Battle of the Straits of Otranto was on.
[1] Two of the four Italian CVLs
[2] 31,500 tons, 8 x 13.5/45s in triple, twins (Superfiring, forward), 12 x 6/45s in casemates, 4 x 3 inch AA guns, oil fired boilers, turbine driven, 24 knots
Straits of Otranto
April 5th 1939
The Regia Marine was working on its second major operation since the start of the war. With the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire the Balkans were a mess. It also was one of the two major fronts for Italy with the other being North Africa. At the moment the Italians were working on setting up puppets in Croatia and Bosnia. Montenegro was fighting on as they didn’t want to be an Italian puppet. The same was said of the Albanians who were fighting with the Greeks to keep the Italians out of their nation. Currently fighting in the Balkans was taking place in Montenegro, what use to be Serbia, and Macedonia. Italy was looking for an end of round to allow them to force the Montenegrins and Albanians to the peace table quickly. It was why the 1st Battle Squadron of the Regia Marine was leading the charge in the Straits of Otranto. The target was two fold. First the target was Corfu, which would then be used as a staging area for a landing at Vlore which last being slated for late April at the moment.
For the Regia Marine this was also part of its post war planning. They knew post-war if they were on a winning side of the war the Germans would have a port in Adriatic. There was no changing that fact. Which port was still subject to change through pending on how things when but a deal that was just struck between Rome and Berlin made it more likely they would be taking Fiume instead of Trieste as agreed to back in 1927. Even through they were friendly now they didn’t want the Germans to get any ideas that they would be the bosses of the Mediterranean. That was the Italians’ job. The key to that was the port of Vlore and the Ionian Islands. They wanted to hold all the keys to and from the Adriatic. Between those two with what they already held would give them the keys to the Adriatic.
They however had to worry about the Greek Royal Navy and the real Royal Navy that flew the British jack. The attack on the British base at Alexandria hadn’t destroyed the British Capital Ships in the Eastern Mediterranean. It destroyed a few light cruisers but they had missed the capital ships. So far they yet to find them at the moment. Then again, the Italians had been focusing on keeping control of the Central Mediterranean and Adriatic since the start of the war.
Ammiraglio di Squadra Duilio Ottaviano was standing on the bridge of his flag ship at the moment. In some other nations he would be standing in CIC of the ship, however Italian radar technology wasn’t the greatest. The radar that was equipped to the Rome class could spot ships up to a distance of 105 kilometers, but its arc was crap. To change the radar arc you had to turn the whole ship. In the short distance of the Straits of Otranto Ottaviano decided against trying to use radar. Instead he was using the good old fashion mark one eyeball to spot ships. Plus the 2nd Carrier Squadron[1] was making a raid to Crete to draw off British and Greek units from their true target.
Then one of the look outs called out, “Ship ho!”
At that Ottaviano picked up the quartermaster looking glass and started to look for the ships on the horizon. It took a moment but he found him. “It looks like the Greeks are out to play today. Signal the fleet prepare for general action.” The admiral said.
The Greeks had their main battleships out to engage the Italians today, the Vasilefs Konstantinos Class[2]. They were built for the Greeks in the last mad rush by the smaller navies before Bern ended their ability to order new battleships. They were the most advance battleships currently in service with the Royal Greek Navy. Yet Ottaviano knew they were undergunned when put up against his ships with their 381 mm L/50 guns.
“Sir, all ships report they are ready for action.” His chief of staff reported.
“Fire at will.”
At that the crews of the guns started to load the guns. The first shell being loaded in B Turret gun 2 was not an armor piecing round. No it dye shell to allow them to get the range. It fired at just all the other guns were finishing loading with AP shells. With that the Battle of the Straits of Otranto was on.
[1] Two of the four Italian CVLs
[2] 31,500 tons, 8 x 13.5/45s in triple, twins (Superfiring, forward), 12 x 6/45s in casemates, 4 x 3 inch AA guns, oil fired boilers, turbine driven, 24 knots
They have to be and they know it. They saw what happened when you really just sit in port the last time they fought. The Italians have a very different mind set than OTL.
I had a lot of fun reading about the Battle of Wake and the Italian Regia Marina's ventures in the straits of Otranto.
One question I have though is in regards to the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. What were the exact territorial changes made as a result of the fall of said empire? From what I remember, Germany annexed Austria, Croatia and Bosnia became Italian puppet states, Serbia was annexed by Bulgaria and Transylvania was annexed by Romania. What happened to Bohemia and Moravia, Galicia-Lodomeria, Slovakia and Slovenia?
One question I have though is in regards to the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. What were the exact territorial changes made as a result of the fall of said empire? From what I remember, Germany annexed Austria, Croatia and Bosnia became Italian puppet states, Serbia was annexed by Bulgaria and Transylvania was annexed by Romania. What happened to Bohemia and Moravia, Galicia-Lodomeria, Slovakia and Slovenia?
The final division of Austria-Hungary hasn't been agreed to yet. There is the rough idea who is getting what, but as to the breakdown it really isn't agreed to at the moment. There are a few key cities and strategic points that are being debated on who is getting them. That's at the present moment ITL, I already know who is getting what and saying that now would be telling.
Like I said through this is changing the map of Europe and indeed the world forever.
So Montenegro is fighting to keep another power out...just after the last was gone and some semblance of real independence was reconquered; well it's perfectely understable and frankly in line on what happened in OTL atttempt to create a puppet Montenegro nation under fascist rule (and at least OTL there were some rather important dinastic tie); but what surprise me is an alliance between Albanians and Greeks against the italians as both really don't like each others and Athens had claim over North Epirus plus an albanian minority that is not treated that well (on OTL at least).
Sure can be an enemy of my enemy situation but knowing the political situation of Albania can be also a faction of Albanians fighting alongside Greece while other groups fight for Italy, A-H loyalist, etc. etc.
There is combat in the land formerly know as Serbia and someone in Berlin or Rome can (or already had) attempt to raise a Serbian Free Army and a Serbian goverment in exile from the Serbian diaspora; after all soldiers are needed and is good PR, plus when all will be finished leaving all that territory in Bulgarian hand will be very difficult
And yes, ITTL Regia Marina is very aggressive...probably due to the fear that if the Royal Navy and co. had the possibility of take a breath things will go very very bad. Well, the Greeks Navy will not really scare anyone in Supermarina, expecially in what is considered italian turf...the Royal Navy instead is another thing, at least ITTL carrier and radar (even if not top notch) will not lacking
Sure can be an enemy of my enemy situation but knowing the political situation of Albania can be also a faction of Albanians fighting alongside Greece while other groups fight for Italy, A-H loyalist, etc. etc.
There is combat in the land formerly know as Serbia and someone in Berlin or Rome can (or already had) attempt to raise a Serbian Free Army and a Serbian goverment in exile from the Serbian diaspora; after all soldiers are needed and is good PR, plus when all will be finished leaving all that territory in Bulgarian hand will be very difficult
And yes, ITTL Regia Marina is very aggressive...probably due to the fear that if the Royal Navy and co. had the possibility of take a breath things will go very very bad. Well, the Greeks Navy will not really scare anyone in Supermarina, expecially in what is considered italian turf...the Royal Navy instead is another thing, at least ITTL carrier and radar (even if not top notch) will not lacking
As to forming a Serbian Government and Free Serbian Army, that will be a challenge if anyone ITL decided to try it. There might be around 70 thousand Serbians left in what was the nation of Serbia when the war started. That's the bulk of the Serbian population in Europe. The Serbian diaspora generally ended up in either Brazil, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, or the Imperial Federation. A few managed to get into the US, Mexico, or some other Central/South American nation but the bulk of the Serbian population that got out of Serbia alive ended up in one of those five nations. Four are at war and on different sides with the Imperial Federation quietly getting ready for war as well.
So at best its highly unlikely given the fact its already been promised to Bulgaria as its two pieces of Silver and Berlin and Rome really want a stable Balkans post-war. The Soviets on the other hand might try it if they had any Serbs to try it with.
So at best its highly unlikely given the fact its already been promised to Bulgaria as its two pieces of Silver and Berlin and Rome really want a stable Balkans post-war. The Soviets on the other hand might try it if they had any Serbs to try it with.
I would love to see Serbia and Poland arise of the ashes like a metaphorical phoenix. Hopefully, that will happen sometime after the war. I could see members of the diaspora from both nations coming together in some way to make this happen. I'm not sure exactly how, but I think it could happen.
Only so few serb left there, wow we are talking about soviet or nazi level of efficiency in term of ethnic cleasing.
Taking in consideration that the italians had been on the receiving end of the same treatment...it's very probable that Rome (and Romania) had 'unofficial' list of A-H people with want have some words.
On another note, whats going on with Spain and Portugal? I think some fighting between France and Spain in the Pyrenees was touched upon.
Also, whats going on in the African Theater of War?
Also, whats going on in the African Theater of War?
Admiral Halsey
Banned
Honestly the Franco-Spanish border is easily the most dependable border in this war outside the continental US.