Baby Boomer
10-21-2008, 11:04
https://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1363/74112112ed2.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
Note: All the events depicted in this AAR are from the game Hearts of iron 2, and is a alternate take on what really happened.
The Diary of Thomas Anderson
https://img412.imageshack.us/img412/4659/diaryentry1ei6.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
DECEMBER 11th 1941
It was a date which meant nothing, another day which has drawn the war further down into another year, another year of misery.
https://img410.imageshack.us/img410/2986/chp1quebecbarracksyb5.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
A normal day in the barracks of Canada
But today, today in Canada, there was true hope. You see, there has been less and less hope over the years. Too many things had happened which made the people... disbelieve. The war started off in '39 as a standoff of Britain, France verus Germany. Soon, the Nazi's made bold moves and half the war was at war. Poland fell. The north countries were shattered, and to everyone's dismay, France collasped. Panicking, the British were kicked back over the Channel. But still, there was hope, Britian remained, Iron leader amongst the other fallen.
It got worse. The Royal Canadian Army was only two divisions strong in '39. These were Canada's only land forces, and she didn't even have miltia. Too add salt to the wound, they had no air force and only several small transport which made up the Royal Canadian Navy. The pride of Canada though, the RCA, was slowly degrading.
'39 and '40 were hard. Until after June in 1940, Canada had no idea what the war would turn out to be. Many expected it to be like the one in 1914, but easier as the French were prepared. When the Germans blitzed them they rushed through the country and reached paris on the 6th of June. THe Italians declared war, and a war in Africa slowly stirred and soon enough the Commonwealth was defending Alexandria from Italian attack. But Canada could not, would not fight. The RCA was suited to much easier climates. They could march through the mud of WWI, they could defend frozen tundra. But one terrain which was impossible for them to master was the desert. THe sea of sand does not welcome those who live in colder places.
So, when on December 8th, news came through that the Japanese had hit Hawaii the day before, and that the 'cowards across the pacific' had actually managed to suprise and destroy the Americans, one of the strongest nations on earth, people were shattered. The Us joined the Allies, but with the pirahna which was Japan lurking across the sea, and the destruction of the US Pacific fleet, any hope of the US making a diffrence was crossed out. Instead, it added the fiearce Japanese to a long list of strong enemies; and that list just kept getting longer. People were, and are, scared.
https://img338.imageshack.us/img338/7141/chp1pearlharborrf4.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
Canada has allies, yes, the Commonwealth and the US, but even when these two giants are being beaten back, what good is it too fight?
Too fight for hope, thats why. Every chance of victory, thus far, had been snatched away from Canada. Canada's allies were losing many per day, land and people. But no hope means no chance of victory. Even if the war is lost, they can still say they fought.
And fight, they will.
6 month's Earlier
The Diary of Thomas Anderson
https://img266.imageshack.us/img266/1763/diaryentry2bk9.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
In the war, which was starting to don the name of World War, the only areas of fighting were so completely opposite of what was predicted it was quite stunning.
The first combat zone, theatre of war, was North Africa. When the Italians joined Germany and the Axis their immediate sight saw Greece and British Egypt as major threats. Dealing with the British first, they sent a several corps to Libya where they assaulted Egypt. Over confidenr and too assured of victory, they were beaten quickly and suffered huge losses. Suffering more, they slowly gave ground to the Commonwealth.
https://img516.imageshack.us/img516/587/chap1italiansretreatin1do5.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
Italian troops retreat in from Egypt
The second theatre, one which stills hang in the balance, was the battle of Britain. Rather then a land or sea battle, this was the first battle to be fought over many months in the air. In fact, it was very similar to a siege... from the air.
https://img243.imageshack.us/img243/2659/chp1battleofbritsince7.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
The Battle of Britain rages
These two theatres have not seen Canadain bravery yet. The RCA waits in Norwich for that call from THomas Anderson giving them the go ahead to somewhere. That is one massive problem, there is nowhere to fight. With a Army having no say in a air battle, that leaves North Africa, and the climate stoutly refuse them. They could be shipped to Siam or Hong Kong, but there is no threat in Asia or the Pacific, it is a waste of strong troops, and the only enemies are Axis aligned Vichy French.
And the second problem is the RCN. The 8 transport ships and one destroyer all sit in Quebec Port, and with no presence of a armed fleet it means they have no word in the Battle of the Atlantic, though it rages right beside them.
So, these two situations seem to present to people that maybe this war won't have a major Canadian presence. Maybe there won't be any Passchendaele in this war. Maybe the Canadian Corps would not charge forward, creating battle and victory from no hope and defeat, like they had on Vimys Ridge in 1917.
https://img266.imageshack.us/img266/836/chp1battleofvimyridgewwgo6.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
The Battle of Vimy Ridge in World War One was one of Canada's finest.
Of course, they could do what the ANZAC's did at Turkey, and create a theatre of war where they could charge forward, and earn the honor and prestige denied to them.
This thought, seemingly so absurd at first thought, has its merits. It would equal new land for the Allies, more honor for Canada, a place for the spare troops to fight and another loose knot for the Germans.
All of this was thrown out the back door.
The Diary of Thomas Anderson
https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/9061/july14th1941cz2.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
By the 19th of July the RCN transport fleet had left Quebec port, loaded with 2 divisions (The 4th and 6th) and Army HQ. A new supply base was built at Alexandria and Norwich, both places where they'd be stopping. A fact which troubled people was that most of these soldiers had never fought before, were still under equipped and were going to fight in very hostile terrain. The 4th and 6th had never even left Canada before. They also had no Navy or Air Force to support them in battles, or even when they were surrounded.
But with all of these problems Churchill still sent them too Egypt, to a place they muttered 'Only Australians and South Africans can fight in'. Morale was not high.
The fleet reached Norwich at midnight, the 28th of July where the RCa loaded on at once. Now came the hardest part of the trip. The Atlantic was a swimming pool compared to the havoc of the sea which was the Mediterranean. Though it was much calmer, climate wise, the sea was ruled by Axis ships, striking the Allies at will, and causing more pain and grief then the battles in Egypt did. With no Navy or Air Force escorts, the RCN were sitting ducks. Prime targets which could easily be mown down. THey could only rush through, and pray to God they'd make it.
If one ship was lost or damgaed, you could cross off a division from Canada's small army. With 6 divions forming barely two corps, they needed every man.
DISASTER!
Like a bad omen, as soon as the RCN left from port with their precious cargo, hundreds of german fighters and bombers swarmed off Cherbourg towards the fleet. The battle was over in a hour.
The ships skittered around, defenceless except for small arms fire. The German air fleet zoomed in on them and packed each boat full of lead and killing hundreds. Dive bombers shrieked in and let fly heavy payloads. When the German navy got there the RCN was making a limping run, leaving behind two smoking wrecks. THe Empress of Asia and Empress of Australia transport boats had been lost, and two divisions of soldiers.
https://img266.imageshack.us/img266/6082/chp1empressofasiasinkinna0.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
Empress of Asia sinking off the coast of England
The RCA was now a single corps. All ships were sverely damaged and hundreds were dead. The Empress of Britain was so damaged it caught on fire several times and had to follow weakly behind the main fleet.
Repairs were made and the fleet started to fare a bit better. THey struggled past Portugal, were hailed with welcomes when they passed Gibraltar and even had the support of several British subs 'till they reached the Italian coast.
As if from a signal, as soon as the subs left hundreds of Italian planes roared out from Naples, intent on finshing their allies job. It was eeriely familar. The troops prayed for their familes wellbeing and prayed for their lives, knowing what was coming. When the Italians attacked they were met with a hail of determined, defeated fire.
https://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb11/desertman888/Macchi202.jpg
Italian aircraft come in for the attack
The two battles seemed to portray the war.The Germans were very, very good, but they had not enough soldiers. If there were more, had've been more then the Allies would've lost. On the other hand is the Germans allies. Accesories, overconident and too self assured. They failed miserably. So thus the Canadians smashed the Italians going overhead, shooting many down.
Cheering roared from the fleet as they steamed past Sicily. Telegrams raced home and to Britain like racing horses parading their spectacular victory over the Italians. The first Canadian victory, the sign of better times! Newspapers blasted the victroy Canada wide and church bells and people yelled in celebration. The first offical battle of the Canadain miltary in this World War, the Battle of Naples Coast. Tragiclly, all forgot the wrecks and soldiers who lay off the British coast. Morale came first.
The fleet reached Alexandria on August 7th, 1941. Several German air squadrons flew past them but dismissed the wrecks as lost anyway.
The four divisions unloaded, relieved on firm land and the chance to fight the war themselves. It was a strange mix. They were all supremly happy over the first victory of the war for Canada, but sad for the first losses in the war as well. The losses were calculated, and in a twist of fate it was revealed the two divions which went down were the 4th and 6th, the new recruits who had never left Canada, who were happy to leave Canada and fight for the mother country and win the war for Canada.
They were all dead.
-------------------------
I hope you enjoyed this first chapter. THe next one will be quite smaller, but will pack double the action! I will include screenshots next time, have lost screenshots for the first four chapters, unfortunly (The first four have been completed). If you want to know anything please ask, and I would love to hear what you thought of this AAR and what you'd like to happen.
Just to throw some wood to the fire; next Chapter the Canadian corps tries to survive throughout Egypt, and then is thrown in the complete opposite direction, receiving a nasty shock!
Moderator's note: Hot-linked pictures.
Note: All the events depicted in this AAR are from the game Hearts of iron 2, and is a alternate take on what really happened.
The Diary of Thomas Anderson
https://img412.imageshack.us/img412/4659/diaryentry1ei6.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
DECEMBER 11th 1941
It was a date which meant nothing, another day which has drawn the war further down into another year, another year of misery.
https://img410.imageshack.us/img410/2986/chp1quebecbarracksyb5.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
A normal day in the barracks of Canada
But today, today in Canada, there was true hope. You see, there has been less and less hope over the years. Too many things had happened which made the people... disbelieve. The war started off in '39 as a standoff of Britain, France verus Germany. Soon, the Nazi's made bold moves and half the war was at war. Poland fell. The north countries were shattered, and to everyone's dismay, France collasped. Panicking, the British were kicked back over the Channel. But still, there was hope, Britian remained, Iron leader amongst the other fallen.
It got worse. The Royal Canadian Army was only two divisions strong in '39. These were Canada's only land forces, and she didn't even have miltia. Too add salt to the wound, they had no air force and only several small transport which made up the Royal Canadian Navy. The pride of Canada though, the RCA, was slowly degrading.
'39 and '40 were hard. Until after June in 1940, Canada had no idea what the war would turn out to be. Many expected it to be like the one in 1914, but easier as the French were prepared. When the Germans blitzed them they rushed through the country and reached paris on the 6th of June. THe Italians declared war, and a war in Africa slowly stirred and soon enough the Commonwealth was defending Alexandria from Italian attack. But Canada could not, would not fight. The RCA was suited to much easier climates. They could march through the mud of WWI, they could defend frozen tundra. But one terrain which was impossible for them to master was the desert. THe sea of sand does not welcome those who live in colder places.
So, when on December 8th, news came through that the Japanese had hit Hawaii the day before, and that the 'cowards across the pacific' had actually managed to suprise and destroy the Americans, one of the strongest nations on earth, people were shattered. The Us joined the Allies, but with the pirahna which was Japan lurking across the sea, and the destruction of the US Pacific fleet, any hope of the US making a diffrence was crossed out. Instead, it added the fiearce Japanese to a long list of strong enemies; and that list just kept getting longer. People were, and are, scared.
https://img338.imageshack.us/img338/7141/chp1pearlharborrf4.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
Canada has allies, yes, the Commonwealth and the US, but even when these two giants are being beaten back, what good is it too fight?
Too fight for hope, thats why. Every chance of victory, thus far, had been snatched away from Canada. Canada's allies were losing many per day, land and people. But no hope means no chance of victory. Even if the war is lost, they can still say they fought.
And fight, they will.
6 month's Earlier
The Diary of Thomas Anderson
https://img266.imageshack.us/img266/1763/diaryentry2bk9.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
In the war, which was starting to don the name of World War, the only areas of fighting were so completely opposite of what was predicted it was quite stunning.
The first combat zone, theatre of war, was North Africa. When the Italians joined Germany and the Axis their immediate sight saw Greece and British Egypt as major threats. Dealing with the British first, they sent a several corps to Libya where they assaulted Egypt. Over confidenr and too assured of victory, they were beaten quickly and suffered huge losses. Suffering more, they slowly gave ground to the Commonwealth.
https://img516.imageshack.us/img516/587/chap1italiansretreatin1do5.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
Italian troops retreat in from Egypt
The second theatre, one which stills hang in the balance, was the battle of Britain. Rather then a land or sea battle, this was the first battle to be fought over many months in the air. In fact, it was very similar to a siege... from the air.
https://img243.imageshack.us/img243/2659/chp1battleofbritsince7.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
The Battle of Britain rages
These two theatres have not seen Canadain bravery yet. The RCA waits in Norwich for that call from THomas Anderson giving them the go ahead to somewhere. That is one massive problem, there is nowhere to fight. With a Army having no say in a air battle, that leaves North Africa, and the climate stoutly refuse them. They could be shipped to Siam or Hong Kong, but there is no threat in Asia or the Pacific, it is a waste of strong troops, and the only enemies are Axis aligned Vichy French.
And the second problem is the RCN. The 8 transport ships and one destroyer all sit in Quebec Port, and with no presence of a armed fleet it means they have no word in the Battle of the Atlantic, though it rages right beside them.
So, these two situations seem to present to people that maybe this war won't have a major Canadian presence. Maybe there won't be any Passchendaele in this war. Maybe the Canadian Corps would not charge forward, creating battle and victory from no hope and defeat, like they had on Vimys Ridge in 1917.
https://img266.imageshack.us/img266/836/chp1battleofvimyridgewwgo6.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
The Battle of Vimy Ridge in World War One was one of Canada's finest.
Of course, they could do what the ANZAC's did at Turkey, and create a theatre of war where they could charge forward, and earn the honor and prestige denied to them.
This thought, seemingly so absurd at first thought, has its merits. It would equal new land for the Allies, more honor for Canada, a place for the spare troops to fight and another loose knot for the Germans.
All of this was thrown out the back door.
The Diary of Thomas Anderson
https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/9061/july14th1941cz2.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
By the 19th of July the RCN transport fleet had left Quebec port, loaded with 2 divisions (The 4th and 6th) and Army HQ. A new supply base was built at Alexandria and Norwich, both places where they'd be stopping. A fact which troubled people was that most of these soldiers had never fought before, were still under equipped and were going to fight in very hostile terrain. The 4th and 6th had never even left Canada before. They also had no Navy or Air Force to support them in battles, or even when they were surrounded.
But with all of these problems Churchill still sent them too Egypt, to a place they muttered 'Only Australians and South Africans can fight in'. Morale was not high.
The fleet reached Norwich at midnight, the 28th of July where the RCa loaded on at once. Now came the hardest part of the trip. The Atlantic was a swimming pool compared to the havoc of the sea which was the Mediterranean. Though it was much calmer, climate wise, the sea was ruled by Axis ships, striking the Allies at will, and causing more pain and grief then the battles in Egypt did. With no Navy or Air Force escorts, the RCN were sitting ducks. Prime targets which could easily be mown down. THey could only rush through, and pray to God they'd make it.
If one ship was lost or damgaed, you could cross off a division from Canada's small army. With 6 divions forming barely two corps, they needed every man.
DISASTER!
Like a bad omen, as soon as the RCN left from port with their precious cargo, hundreds of german fighters and bombers swarmed off Cherbourg towards the fleet. The battle was over in a hour.
The ships skittered around, defenceless except for small arms fire. The German air fleet zoomed in on them and packed each boat full of lead and killing hundreds. Dive bombers shrieked in and let fly heavy payloads. When the German navy got there the RCN was making a limping run, leaving behind two smoking wrecks. THe Empress of Asia and Empress of Australia transport boats had been lost, and two divisions of soldiers.
https://img266.imageshack.us/img266/6082/chp1empressofasiasinkinna0.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
Empress of Asia sinking off the coast of England
The RCA was now a single corps. All ships were sverely damaged and hundreds were dead. The Empress of Britain was so damaged it caught on fire several times and had to follow weakly behind the main fleet.
Repairs were made and the fleet started to fare a bit better. THey struggled past Portugal, were hailed with welcomes when they passed Gibraltar and even had the support of several British subs 'till they reached the Italian coast.
As if from a signal, as soon as the subs left hundreds of Italian planes roared out from Naples, intent on finshing their allies job. It was eeriely familar. The troops prayed for their familes wellbeing and prayed for their lives, knowing what was coming. When the Italians attacked they were met with a hail of determined, defeated fire.
https://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb11/desertman888/Macchi202.jpg
Italian aircraft come in for the attack
The two battles seemed to portray the war.The Germans were very, very good, but they had not enough soldiers. If there were more, had've been more then the Allies would've lost. On the other hand is the Germans allies. Accesories, overconident and too self assured. They failed miserably. So thus the Canadians smashed the Italians going overhead, shooting many down.
Cheering roared from the fleet as they steamed past Sicily. Telegrams raced home and to Britain like racing horses parading their spectacular victory over the Italians. The first Canadian victory, the sign of better times! Newspapers blasted the victroy Canada wide and church bells and people yelled in celebration. The first offical battle of the Canadain miltary in this World War, the Battle of Naples Coast. Tragiclly, all forgot the wrecks and soldiers who lay off the British coast. Morale came first.
The fleet reached Alexandria on August 7th, 1941. Several German air squadrons flew past them but dismissed the wrecks as lost anyway.
The four divisions unloaded, relieved on firm land and the chance to fight the war themselves. It was a strange mix. They were all supremly happy over the first victory of the war for Canada, but sad for the first losses in the war as well. The losses were calculated, and in a twist of fate it was revealed the two divions which went down were the 4th and 6th, the new recruits who had never left Canada, who were happy to leave Canada and fight for the mother country and win the war for Canada.
They were all dead.
-------------------------
I hope you enjoyed this first chapter. THe next one will be quite smaller, but will pack double the action! I will include screenshots next time, have lost screenshots for the first four chapters, unfortunly (The first four have been completed). If you want to know anything please ask, and I would love to hear what you thought of this AAR and what you'd like to happen.
Just to throw some wood to the fire; next Chapter the Canadian corps tries to survive throughout Egypt, and then is thrown in the complete opposite direction, receiving a nasty shock!
Moderator's note: Hot-linked pictures.