RESERVED FOR THE BATTLE OF CC-18 As the 18th convoy towards the Caliphate steamed on, SEU Battleship Sui moved to attack said convoy. As the convoy was steaming northwards at a speed of 15 knots, the SEU Battleship could effortlessly defeat it because it lacked comprehensive Battleship/Fleet Carrier protection, instead being protected by Heavy Cruisers and Destroyers. It sailed with an escort Carrier and Heavy Cruiser, to work with it and defeat the enemy. The SEU Radar detected the convoy that they were scheduled to meet and destroy, guarded by 1 Heavy Cruiser, and 2 Destroyers. This was good news for the SEU, because the Battleship could easily destroy this. The surface action that ensued resulted in at best minor damage for the Battleship; the 8-inch shells were ineffective against the Battleship's armor, and resulted in minor casualties among the AA crew. The Heavy Cruiser, being struck by 1 AP shell that overpenetrated and 2 HE shells that caused major damage to the Heavy Cruiser, resulted in catastrophic flooding of the engine rooms and the Socialist Heavy Cruiser finishing her off with 203mm shells. The Destroyers fought bravely but was no match for the 8-inch hail of fire, as the 16-inch shells HE or AP would have overpenetrated. In any case, SEU was only halfway through destroying the convoy when a Euphrates-Class Battleship and 1 Escort Carrier was arriving to defeat the SEU task force. As the SEU task force was outmatched, it made a dash for Guinea and fled. BLACK: Caliphate Convoy RED: SEU Battleship movements BLUE: Caliphate Task Force movements DOTS: Battles Outcome: SEU Tactical Victory, Caliphate Operational Victory, Strategic Draw. 1/2 of Caliphate Convoy sunk 2 Caliphate Destroyers sunk 1 Caliphate Heavy Cruiser sunk 1 SEU Battleship damaged 1 SEU Escort Carrier damaged
ITALIAN INVASION OF LIBYA: The invasion was unannounced and very quick. Mussolini and his forces attacked through the seas, barring a larger fleet than the one stationed at Libya. Although Libya's naval force isn't as advanced and great as the Caliphate's, their large numbers caused great distress and allowed them to punch through the Caliphate's defences. Although shore artillery guns damaged Italian cruisers and battleships, and AA guns literally shot Italian planes from the sky, the attacking force was much greater than the Caliphate expected, they were honestly caught off guard. With over 220,000 men invading Libya, they swept through and landed on the beaches, storming Tripoli and numerous coast cities. Within an hour, they had control over the coasts. This does not mean the Caliphate had no defensive measures, they indeed did, they had shoreline AA and Anti-ship guns, but their garrison wasn't enough to suppress a surprise attack of 220,000 men and a large fleet. Immediately after Libya was invaded, a fighting force of 100,000 Caliphate soldiers from Tunisia and Egypt were erected. A lighter fleet with the Ninurta at their helm counter-attacked the Italians. The battle was fierce, Italy did not expect such a quick reaction, and thus it ended with a loss. Italy still has control and a chunk of their navy, but they were badly attacked and forced to close their sea force in, making it hard for them to stretch their forces. Italian Losses: 1 Battleship destroyed, 2 damaged 3 Cruisers destroyed, 5 damaged 4 Destroyers destroyed, 3 damaged 1 Aircraft Carrier damaged Caliphate Losses: 1 Battleship damaged 2 Cruisers lost, 4 damaged 1 Destroyer lost To punch a hole into their gut, even more, the Italian's famed Battleship Caio Duilio was annihilated by the Ninurta. Although the Ninurta has 3 triple 18 inch turrets and the Caio Duilio was fitted with a larger arsenal of 12 inch, 6 and 3 inch guns, it was of a little match to the Ninurta. It was completely stomped by the Ninurta and the Nile Class destroyers. M4 Saladin's are being pushed from Tunisia and from Egypt at a fast rate, with over 180 expected to reach the front within a few days. They will more than likely obliterate Italy's weak armoured force. Italy uses tankettes, utterly crap tanks, dinky and lightly armoured "tanks" with machine guns and maybe even small cannons will never be able to match the M4. It's like a T-26 SEU tank vs an M4 Saladin, there is no match, Medium tanks or any tank can crush Tankettes easily. Italy uses the railway built by the Caliphate to their advantage, taking control of it in the North West sector, which is a thorn in the Caliphate logistical power. Luckily, the Caliphate has perfected desert combat and are literal kings at it. They know how it works, they have strategically placed logistics and famed tactics. Italy can push as much as they wish, but they will eventually run out of gasoline, food and water. The terrain and heat will deteriorate Italy's armoured force and logistical lines quickly, although Libya is quite flat and sandy, it's still a massive desert which Italy had only 10 years to study, not train, considering they were only in Libya for the oil fields and not to train. 50% of Italy's oil fields were invaded and confiscated, Italian workers and overseers were imprisoned and Libyan workers sent home. Italian workers won't face any real punishments, as they work was as a mere oil riggery, so no torturous acts are needed. The Caliphate is leaning back for this one, they don't want to focus their entire force on Italy's invasion. They know Italy doesn't have much power, Mussolini is quite unorganized, too broad in his demands and generally is unrealistic. The Caliph plans on starving them out with their own climate. Italy can't work the deserts, as well as the Sunayyad Caliphate, can. Even if they control urban areas, they are going to need to expand into the desert if they want to achieve any goal, so the Caliphate is slightly letting them, they'll let the desert kill them instead of wasting precious resources.
Just when it seems the Fascist Coalition is doomed, an unlikely nation comes to their rescue.India. See, India had some Oil reserves, and they developed theirs extensively for energy independence from SEU.So they're exporting the oil they have to the Fascists. There are several major problems with this; one, they need a land route and SEU is at war with the Fascists. Second, their Oil is not of the highest quality. Third, they're only doing this because they hate the Caliphate. So they need to send it by Navy, which is also impossible. But India will try.
Fascists: SNE: Norway, France, UK, Ireland, Romania (puppet state), Netherlands Balkan Federation: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Greece, FYROM Other Fascists: Denmark, Belgium, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia, Czechia, San Marino (somehow), Croatia At war with the Caliphate: New Vatican City
The Vatican City does not exist anymore. Remember, the Caliphate literally blew it up, they bulldozed the entire place. All that's left is a wimpy church building built after the destruction, some poorly rebuilt ruins and some military encampments and temporary government buildings.
I doubt no one would try to rebuild it. They would likely pull a Caliphate and create the New Vatican City.
India's mission to supply the Fascists with oil is nearly impossible. Through the sea? Impossible, getting through the Suez is like being trapped in hell and trying to escape through it and out the gate. Not possible, the only country that has a chance at the Suez Canal is the SEU, albeit their chance would leave their Navy quite tarnished and possibly ruin them for quite a while. A very strong Fascist power could also a breakthrough, but again they would have to be 10x stronger and manage to deal with extreme losses. The only way to take control of the Suez is by literally taking everything else. Once the entire Sunayyad Caliphate falls, the Red Sea and Suez fall too. Around Africa? Possible, but a stupid idea, it would cost way too much time and resources, and once they pass South Africa and Guinea the SEU will most likely take the chance and use their oil convoy as target practice. The only way is quite tedious, it'll take a long time and may end in a bunch of missing vehicles due to the rough terrain. That way can also be obtained by negotiating with the USSR and SEU. The SEU and USSR will take what it takes to defeat their enemy, they'll allow India through, with tax of course, just so they can give the Fascists a chance at defeating the Caliphate. Once the Caliphate is destroyed, the SEU can destroy the Fascists. That way is through Tibet, through Central Asia, a detour in the Caspian Sea, some travels through Russia and Ukraine, and finally to Europe. This is a stupid idea, but hate seems to be the guidance to India who will do whatever it takes to stop the Caliphate. We'll see.
Yi Sun-Shin, the "unstoppable", (hastily made by the government because they are afraid that the public would make another stupid idea and make a bad omen), is sortieing with 2 Fleet Carriers, 1 Zheng He-Class Battleship 2 Heavy Cruisers, 8 Destroyers from Guinea Naval Base to sink yet more commerce, because the first was not very successful. It is hoped the 18-inch guns will allow them to sink more commerce. Because this will be a months-long voyage, SEU is deploying several Oil tankers, 1 food resupply ship, and 2 repair ships. Yi Sun-Shin has no clear purpose due to the fact it is too large to actually efficiently raid commerce, and every other Battleship turns tail and runs when it arrives, but SEU decides that using it somehow couldn't hurt and that even if it did sink, they had another ready to avenge the loss.In any case, this will probably be able to sink a few ships, but the speed inhibits convoy raiding due to her speed of 30 knots.
The Naval Port being constructed in Mauritania is finished, 2 years after the due date, unfortunately. It is big enough to hold the Ninurta and Fatimid Fleet Carrier respectably. Its key position allows it to keep an eye on Guinea ports and defend convoys. [CLASSIFIED] One thing that no one has considered is a land invasion into Guinea. It may turn out really bad or actually cause something effective. The SEU has a massive naval presence in Guinea, but military wise? Not really, they have to rely on Guinea's small military and their distance from the Caliphate for protection. With the Caliphate getting involved in Mauritania, a goal to invade Guinea is possible, although it'll be a long time for it to play out, the war needs to keep going before any major decision is made.
The Caliphate attempts to counter-attack the SEU's resource raiding by destroying an Oil Tanker headed to Guinea's naval port for a deposit of ship fuel. It was escorted by 2 Destroyers when they were ambushed by a Caliphate Cruiser and 2 other destroyers. The small Caliphate fleet was tailing them for a while and had them more insight on them with more advanced radar as the Little Tigris Cruiser was equipped with better Ship-Based Radar than the Destroyers and ultimately detected them before they did. They intercepted their convoy and destroyed the Oil tanker and 1 Destroyer, leaving the other to flee. The Little Tigris left with little to no damage, while the other two suffered moderate damage, one Destroyer more than the other. They left to the Canary Islands but had to take a longer route as to not be annihilated from the Guinea coastline. Cape Verde has been invaded. The Caliphate sends 1 Escort Carrier, 1 oil tanker, 1 Euphrates, 3 Cruisers and 2 Destroyers to invade and control a lock hold. They want to fend the island off and eventually block the Guinea port from destroying their convoys. They have a feeling the SEU is going to want to fight for it, so they send in more ships to back them up, 1 Ninurta, a few more cruisers, destroyers and an escort carrier. A naval port will be built there eventually to set up a domain, it will be finished roughly within 20 posts.
SEU realizes what the Caliphate is up to and strengthens defenses in Guinea, as well as backing them up with a significant Garrison. The orders are simple. Fight to the Death. In any case, Yi Sun-Shin, and 1 Fleet Carrier is being recalled to fight the enemy, as well as 2 Heavy Cruisers, 2 Destroyers and 1 Java-Class Battleship.
BATTLE OF THE CANARY ISLANDS: The Canary Islands, on which the Caliphate controlled, was challenged by a hostile SEU force and the pride of the SEU Navy. As a SEU Fleet Carrier moved out and engaged the Caliphate Battleship, the Caliphate managed a haphazard response. The Caliphate Carrier managed to repel the attack at around early morning. However, unbeknownst to the Caliphate, this was in fact a smaller portion of the main force; while the SEU Carrier was outnumbered, they had a Java-Clsas Battleship, which opened fire on its Caliphate equal at a distance of 12 kilometers. While the Caliphate Battleship had superior armor, this was thoroughly offset by its counterpart's superior targeting systems. As the Battleships pounded each other to scrap, the Caliphate Battleship got a lucky hit in that allowed it to slow its opponent by 5 knots and detonate a 5-inch magazine. The SEU Battleship called for backup, but Yi Sun-Shin had its own problems. Namely, it was trying (and succeeding) in destroying a Caliphate Carrier. Yi Sun-Shin had a formidable 5-inch gunnery battery, and succeeded in cutting through many of the Planes. Unfortunately, one of the planes damaged Yi Sun-Shin's communications equipment, resulting in them only being able to pick up splintered words. As the Battleships slugged each other to pieces, the Caliphate Battleship eventually destroyed the Radar and Communications equipment, resulting in a catastrophic incident of friendly fire where the SEU Battleship, thinking that the SEU Carrier was Caliphate, opened fire and sunk it with 3 18-inch shells, detonating an ammunition locker and setting on fire fuel. At this point, Yi Sun-Shin had figured out what was happening and barely managed to sail to the Battleships pounding each other to pieces. It then proceeded to show why the Yi Sun-Shin was the most powerful Battleship in the World, hitting the Caliphate Battleships with 4 18-inch shells in 4 salvos, sinking it. OUTCOME: 1 SEU Battleship Heavily Damaged 1 SEU Fleet Carrier sunk 1 Caliphate Battleship sunk 1 Caliphate Fleet Carrier sunk Outcome: SEU tactical victory, Caliphate Operational Victory, Strategically Draw.
Italy's progress in Libya has been little, their entire energy focus was on the initial invasion, they were successful in that, but not in expanding their control. As of now, they only control the North West urban areas of Libya, although tension from Caliphate forces in Tunisia has begun to pull them. Somehow, they still manage to hold on and establish a surprisingly well-organized hold; but that's it, only a hold, their progress in expanding is weak. Their key factor though is their control of the National Sunayyad Railway which runs through the coast of Libya. They control a sector of it which runs through Tripoli. That railway runs all the way to Morocco, a key spot, and a spot where supplies need to be transported to. The Caliphate has a full naval factor in their logistics, but with the fact that they have to pass Italy and their navy ruins a bit of the ease of transport. By day the Caliph launches M4 attacks on the L3 Tankettes. They are literally no match, the only way the Italians have a chance against an M4 is from their massive AA and Anti-Tank weapons that they borrowed from Germany, although not every key location has an AT weapon. The Flamethrower proves very effective and shattering, more on that later... The AI-2 wrecks havoc from the skies, using dive-bombing tactics to destroy Italian heavily armoured units (they do have a few German tanks, notably the Pz 4 which does cause a bit of problem for the M4 Saladin, but their numbers are few and they're borrowed tanks with a weak crew. By night, nighttime raids are crucial. The Caliphate conducts silent raids on Italian oil fields. In the still of the night, the deadly Masif Corp sneaks into guardhouses and slit Italian guards throats, disorienting the entire workplace and allowing them to invade by armoured force easily in the morning. They also send in bombers to deploy bombs in Italian supply holds. (No suicide bombers, maybe not yet.) Overall, Italy's progress is horrid and their inaction allows them to get chipped at day by day, but their control of a valuable Caliphate railway gives the Italians a bit of dominance in some aspects. The Caliphate begins development on Night vision technology, development on infrared technology has been going on in other parts of the world for quite a while, but within 1 year the Caliphate expects night vision devices to be involved in the military.
SEU continues to try and raid commerce; however, the strengthened defenses make this difficult. In other news, SEU and Indonesia are going at each other. The "Unsinkable", Myeongyang, escorted by 2 Fleet Carriers and 2 Heavy Cruisers moves to bombard Java Island's shore defenses, to show that the Socialist Eurasian Union cannot be stopped; this isn't the best idea, but the massive Battleships have no real use and SEU is using them wherever they can. In any case, the Swedish Counteroffensive is here; 512,000 troops muster to fight the enemy and Fascist Invaders.
Right I'm going to get fully involved with this. Can someone fill me in on what I've missed since I last checked in?
WW2 started because Italy decided to invade Libya. Backtrack a bit, about a decade ago Italy had invaded Libya primarily for oil, but got in a scuffle with the Caliphate. The Caliphate then went with them on the terms of Italy being able to own Libya's entire oil industry and production while the federal identity and the rest is run under Libya and the Caliphate. Italy got cocky and wanted more control even though their situation was good. Probably because they were scared the Caliphate was going to kick them out, which was true. The battle still rages on, Italy is getting their army bite off piece by piece because the Caliphate wants them to die in the desert rather than waste a lot of resources on them. SNE invades Sweden, SEU backs Sweden up. Caliphate and SEU have naval scuffles in the Atlantic. The SEU has a strong naval port in Guinea which has been attacking commerce ships going from The Federation to the Caliphate, carrying much-needed resources for the Caliphate. The Caliphate responded by creating defences on the Azores, Canary, and Cape Verde Islands, weakening the SEU's naval power and ability to attack Caliphate Commerce, although attacks still happen, they are much more difficult to perform as the Caliphate controls a large portion of the trade route. That's all, only a few things, but as an FYI Italy is going to give up in Libya and possibly attack and invade Greece. Mussolini still envisions restoring the Roman Empire, which does not match since the Caliphate is themselves trying to bring back an Islamic golden age, but the Caliph's goals are much more realistic than bringing back the Roman Empire. Btw, is TBF fascist? I believe the TBF had made an alliance with the Caliphate. If they did, that's good, considering the Caliphate would most likely invade Crete and the Greek islands if a war in the black sea or the Mediterranean happens and if Italy invades the Caliph would back TBF up and assist them in gaining more land.
SECOND BATTLE OF THE CANARY ISLANDS: Outcome: 3 SEU Destroyers sunk, 2 Caliphate Destroyers sunk, partial failure of the Island's Western Flank, 8,000 Caliphate Soldiers killed by failure of the Western Flank and Island rendered unusable for defense of trade route, thousands killed by Tsunami caused by failure of the Western Flank. Tactical and Operational SEU Victory, Strategic Caliphate defeat. As SEU defeated the Caliphate Battleships guarding the Island, SEU forces took the chance and moved in 2 Capital ships, several troop transports, 8 Destroyers and 2 Heavy Cruisers in a task force to defeat the Island's defenses. As the SEU attack commenced, the Caliphate 15-inch shore defense guns were relentlessly shelled by SEU light and heavy artillery. The Caliphate put up a brave fight, but the Socialists had a brave plan. Namely, the troop transports were empty. 2 of the Destroyers were ran aground and troops poured out. The Caliphate was taken off guard, and SEU forced out many of the defenders. However, the Caliphate troops slowed the SEU advanced just enough to allow a second wave of attackers. And then the SEU's Japanese Veterans came in, as well as the "Reality Check Troopers", namely those who had shotguns, submachine guns and lots of bullets, as well as special training on how to fight a determined, nay fanatical foe. OOC: These guys are like Marines, or the successors of the Deathcorps and thus anti-Masif corps. The Deathcorps were disbanded because they became uncontrollable. Despite these efforts, the Battle continued. After every pillbox cracked was just another pillbox. Another fortification. And then the Bombs started. Bunker busters, made to defeat fotifications. SEU had developed them, and now they were used in maasive numbers. All this bombardment had a negative effect on the Island's integrity, getting worse when Caliphate Air suport challenged the SEU and dropped yet more bombs on the Island destabilized 20 years ago by Yellowstone. On the 9th day of fighting, the inevitable happened as a small portion of the Island sloughed off. In this case, the low progress made by the SEU became a good thing. When the Earthquakes began, SEU ordered immediate evacuation. By the time the Caliphate ordered one (they had to wait for the SEU troops to leave first), it was too late. All of the ships felt it. Many of the troops died immediately, buried. The Tsunami killed thousands more. The Federation has seen great loss of life.
SEU has 3 types of Bunker Busters: Hammer: 6,000kg, good aerodynamic performance. (Note that good aerodynamic performance is a minimum for Bunker-Busters) Piercer: 11,000kg, improved aerodynamic performance. SEU can produce at most 100 a month due to sheer size. 1 month for the explosive to cool and set. Super Piercer: 30,000kg, excellent aerodynamic performance. 10 a month due to lack of equipment that can do the job, and the fact it takes 2 months for the explosive's mold to cool. For when SEU needs absolute overkill. SEU's biggest bomb, however... Is the 41,000 kg Bomb, "Death", when SEU needs absolutely everything in a given area to die. It is so big that it can only fit in a Special Bomber, the Tu-5, with an extremely heavy payload and only medium range, refered to as Ultraheavy Bomber. SEU also does have a Strategic Bomber, but they want one with a bigger payload and longer range.
BATTLE OF STOCKHOLM, FINAL PHASE: Outcome: SNE Tactical and Strategic Victory. Operational Draw, SNE secures 3/4 main resources needed to fight long war. Half a million men clashed on the cold, bitter Swedish front. In the first stage of the Battles, the T-34 and Panzer VI proved to be rather equal. The UBR forces managed to hold the capital for a significant length of time, but SEU backup finally arrived, as did SNE forces. Due to the sheer number of islands in the Swedish capital, the UBR forces blew up roads in order to significantly delay the advance. However, Erich Von Manstein, a rather intelligent German General, used this to his advantage by sieging the Capital in its own natural defenses. While the SEU Navy supplied the UBR defenders, this was not enough to supply the Civilians in the City. Manstein once again exploited this by inciting rebellion, because many of the troops that came were Polish, not ethnic Swedes which the Swedish natives could associate with. As the Battle continued on, Manstein's strategy slowly started to fail. SEU had numbers and the Naval supply advantage, and this worked in their favor. The City Warfare was unfavorable to tanks, but very favorable for SEU snipers, who were well trained and disoriented the Fascist Soldiers by eliminating crucial officers and destroying the chain of command. However, the tide turned by a man named Grigory Kulik, who was later fired. He proceeded to turn the near-Socialist victory into a bloodbath, losing 10,000 men on his first day by blindly charging and attacking the elite British Gurkhas, who made short work of the Socialist troopers thanks to their origins and training. His very short tenure was a complete disaster, and he was fired 2 days in after losing another 11,000 men in an ill-planned engagement, while the SNE lost at most 4,000. His tenure's shortness was record for Socialist Generals, and he was mocked by many (including Field Marshal Zhukov and General Chiang) for his sheer incompetence. Directly due to this, Manstein was able to plan an offensive into the Heart of the City. The defenders fought bravely, but Kulik's madness had taken a toll and the supply lines were weakening due to changing priorities. This resulted in a complete collapse of the Socialist line, although not without moments of Heroism as Polish Soldiers fought to the end, including one man who held a office building with 2 Swedish Soldiers against hundreds of Fascist Soldiers for 2 hours before being killed by a bomb that blew a good portion of the building up (he would later be hailed as an honorary Swede in SEU media), and the end of the Socialist defense in Sweden as Fascist troops moved across the land.
