A Biography of a Nation - A Canadian HoI 2 AAR

[Baby Boomer]

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

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

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.

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.

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

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

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.

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.

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.

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

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

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.

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.

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.

[Baby Boomer]

On the 8th of August the corps started a long, weary march for Sollum, where a lone British tank division opposed a lone Italian infantry division. An opportunity too good to miss. Lt. General Alexander marched the corps along the coast, eager to use their motivation, and eager for Canada's first true battle.

By the time the corps had, nearly, reached Sollum a lot had changed already. Just south of Sollum stood a combined British and South African force. They were beaten back to Sollum, and this posed a danger to the Allies.

With Sollum facing a massive battle as it was, the corps was redirected towards Rabia, the province said. The two Italian divisions which had beaten the Commonwealth forces didn't follow it up. As the corps neared Rabia radio reports came in of numerous Italian divisions waiting for them.

Italian infantry wait for Canadian corps

Panicking, the corps slowed down heavily. The Lt. General now found himself divided in force, as he had no experience in desert war (or any kind of war) as the Canadian climate didn't permit it.

But the Italians made up his mind for him. A single Italian division came up to the corps suddenly, and the tanks started blasting away immediately without order, too eager. The motorized division flanked them unnecessarily but for show, and on the rash, proud orders of the Colonel. Surprisingly the South African troops came up behind the Italians and smashed them there too. Perhaps felling pity for the defeated troops, they retreated without interruption.

Funnily enough, the small battle was published in Canadian newspapers as a 'magnificent victory, a battle which showed the tough enemy not to deal with us' or 'The Battle of Rabia showcased Canadian skill at its finest'.

By the time the corps was ready for a new assault on the Italian lines, there was over six British tank divisions and more reinforcing their position, also ready for an attack and following the Canadians lead, for now.

British tanks reinforcing the Canadians

Deciding they had an advantage, and rather then waiting around, Alexander ordered his troops west, to assault Forte Maddalena. The province had a mere 4 infantry divisions; the Canadians could whip them.

But the Italians had AT guns waiting. By the time they had finished with the Canadian corps, the Corps was sprinting back to Rabia. The weather also seemed to oppose them at every opportunity. The hot weather was unbearable for the Canadian troops, and the nights as cold as Quebec during summer. The desert attacked at random times and the sand was always in contradiction of the Canadians.

AT guns firing at Canadian tanks

Wounded, no mention of their defeat reached public except figures if losses. Alexander decided one thing that day- that no proper victory would come from fighting alone, as the corps, from the desert. Considering retreating to Sollum, they found it Italian occupied.

Cursing this constant marching, they went north. No fewer then 5 divisions defended Sollum from Allied counter attack. Pillboxes were littered across the province where AT and AI fire pounded from. Planes from both sides whistled overhead sometimes luckily dropping a payload on a tank. The corps struggled through the countryside, constantly stopping as several AT fire came towards them.

Eventually, they reached Sollum with 12 other divisions of the Commonwealth.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Now with this hard earnt victory to fuel there thoughts, Alexander decided he wouldn't use his brain, and marched the corps south, even further south then Rabia to a province in the middle of nowhere called Siwa, where some Italian divisions were fighting for it. The only logic behind attacking it was that there was no where else to go. A solid Italian defensive line divided Libya and Egypt preventing Allied attacks, and opposite Siwa the Italians were breaking their defensive line, at a place called Al Jaghbeb. Only two tank divisions safeguarded the Italian province. As they got into the desert many complaints were heard against Lt. General Alexander, even from Chief of Army Thomas Anderson saying that the terrain was 'alien and hostile even if there are no goddamned Italians or Germans'.

The terrain so 'alien' to the Canadians

By the time the corps reached Rabia the Italians had swarmed over Siwa, and to groans of many an attack was planned at once to reinforce the lone New Zealand division still in Siwa.

On the 18th September the corps encountered Italians with the help of three British tank divisions. They easily beat back the Italians. By now the war was in full motion. 2000 Canadians had died so far, but the RCA now had many victories to add to its name, and defeats.

When the Canadian and British forces started there march on Siwa, several Italian divisions met them. With their sheer force they swatted back the Allied advance, halting it, and the Canadian corps hurriedly retreated. But when they retreated to Rabia they found a battle in full swing, as seven Italian divisions assaulted the 7 Commonwealth divisions. It was going very badly, and the Canadians were losing soldiers fast, as were the British. More and more Italian divisions flocked towards Rabia now reinforcing a foothold, and three days later the battle ended badly. Retreating quickly to Sollum, the Allies knew this was bad.

With Siwa and Rabia in Italian possession, and hard fought for Sollum ready to tumble, the Axis forces had gotten into Egypt cracking the British defensive line.

But... Lt. General Alexander stayed behind to help the remaining Canadian and British tank divisions evacuate Rabia. After a swift rearguard fight, they surprisingly found they had just beaten the Italian advance, which was just as fragile as the British defense.

The North African campaign was very strange for the Canadians. They proved they can adapt, but not adapt fully, and it had provided victories which were great, and defeats just as horrible.

The coming months provided no better outlook.

-------------------------------------------------

Pictures from the game will not be updated to this AAR for a week.

Comments appreciated. I am sailing into dires straits it seems; the loss of half a corps and two transports was not appreciated, nor the massive casualties the I corps sustained at Sollum and Rabia. Any ideas on what should be done now?

[naut]

Interesting, I like the History book style/feel. I've never played as Canada, and not often as any Allied nation for that matter, so I'm not sure of your best plan of action.

[Baby Boomer]

September passed slowly. Alexander and the Corps led a hugely succesful assault on Forte Capuzzo. Knowing this was too good to be true, the Italians counter attacked and beat them back quickly.

The thing though, which made news around Canada, the world in fact, was a new entrant in the war. When the news was delivered to Alexander he was visibly nervous, as this new entrant was there enemy.
It was Persia.
It wasn't there Army which worried the Allies the most, it was their position geographiclly. THey were right behind British and French Middle East, and right behind British India. Both were defnceless, as both had there armies defending in Burma and North Africa.

The strngest thing about there entry is they would be a nuisance to both the Axis and the Allies. The Persians had decided to be a single entrant, not allying with Germany or Britain. They seemed threatened by britain, or the war, no one could tell.

The Persian Royal Guards showing their strength

All the Corps joked about how bad fighting a war in persia would be, with sandstorms and deserts worse then north Africa. They all joked and pitied the British or French soldiers who had to fight there, who would be dehydrated and underfed. They defintely weren't laughing when the Corps moved out to Alexandria so they could be shipped out to Persia.

They marched wearily through the deserts, dreading how bad it will be in the Persian front. It was just before they reached Alexandria they found out they were the only divisions the Allies were sending, except for a single French one defending Syria, the Canadians so far had to do it themselves.

The alert Free French division in Syria

Thanks to the Canadian efforts capturing Forte Capuzzo before the Allies now had a strong foothold in Italian territory, with Tobruk under British siege, the North African theatre was taking a victorious turn.

The Canadians received a very big shock when they reached Alexandria in November. When they reached the ancient city they found the RCN was gone. Cursing the Navy, a radio transmission came in from Malta, of all places.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The RCN was stuck in Malta, besieged by Axis forces. They could only try and make a break for it, but with Germans and Italians patroling the waters constantly, chances were slim and esperately needed reinforcements hung on it.

Ships being bombed in Maltese port

But they did it with minor losses, and they help of a French aircraft carrier, they also made it past the extensive, complicated patrols set up off Egypt and Libya by Axis. The trip to Beirut promised to be very easy.

It happened the same day all the Canadian Army reached Beirut.

December 7th

It was the day Canada's morale plummented and rose, it was the day the PM considered withdrawing the Army back to Canada to fight in the Pacific war which promised to come. Everyone knew the Persian campaign wouldstuff up. The cowards across the Pacific were now beasts, animals, capable of anything. Hawaii first? Why not Canada? Or the US? or even closer, Alaska? All of these questions posed dangerous but possible outcomes. The war had taken a fatal footing.
Into hell it would drop.

~
Pics for this AAR 'till Chapter 5 have been officially destroyed. Don't count on getting any. Sorry for long wait, will get the next CHapter along quicker to make up for it. I myself am quite looking forward to what happens next, especially the Japanese reaction. A Pacific war. or Alaskan War would be quite..interesting.
Thanks for the comment Rythmic. I assume you usually play as Germany? THey are mighty fun, but I enjoy playing as Australia the most. Great economy and good geographical position.

[Monk]

Interesting stuff Baby Boomer! My apologies for not replying sooner.

I really like the feel provided, almost like as Rythmic said like you're reading history. However I think you should be careful not to get too vague. Don't be afraid to throw in some creative details!

[Baby Boomer]

American planes roared overhead, filling the sky with the Allied symbol while weary Commonwealth troops cheered below, hoping these quick reinforcements would save them. The planes were actually heading for Britain, to help with the war the RAF was now, slightly, winning. The war was slwoly turning completely global, and was no longer a European war.

A American B - 17 Flying Fortress rumbles by overhead

Persia was no longer a threat, the flame of their exsistence slowly beign extinguished. THe British had, quite suprsingly and unexpectdly, shipped 7 divisions of armor and infantry there before the Canadian corps had left port, and by the time Corp I had reached the frontlines the capital was being enveloped by eager, fast British tank divisions. Quite annoyed over this, as they were primed for a fight, and had to leave so hurriedly from their fortifacations at Rabia, the generals and leaders back at home started to ask the same question. Where too now? Back to the death trap which Egypt proposed, with constant hot weather effecting the troops very much. Or too continue through the potentially terroist active states of Persia and to British India where they would help the Nepal, Bhutan and Indian troops there defend their homelands. Or, as serveal suggested, maybe this war was not suited for them. Maybe the desert climates proposed as of now weren't for Canada, and the appaling losses which made gaping holes in Canadian units should be patched up, and the two Corps should be sent back home to Canada.

This puzzling questions plagued the government until the PM made a historical decision, and sent a telegram to Lt. General Alexander.
'We need a better advantage, we fight now.' The quote was spread across the Military and country, and it took away people's breath and held them all still. As they all knew this was a new age for Canada. It promised better supply lines, more troops, a navy and air force and better commanders. It promised Canada's first real crack at the war.

Within the day of this news, the government quickly issued several highly important orders to Canadian factories around the country. More arms and more supplies were produced, and more joine din on the war effort. Soon three new motorized divisions were being made and trained. New technology was being rapidly processed by the second and old idle technology being put to better use. With the country ignited by this sudden brust of energy, they quickly passed a law banning Facist parties from the country.
Canada was serious.

I Corps was recalled from Persia, and they retreated back to Beirut in good order. Before they got there II Corps, 3rd, 4th and 6th had already set sail. They were to assault Rhodes, which was held by a lone Italian division.

Canadian troops prepare for invasion

THe notion of why this decision was made still puzzles several. Advancing to India seemed.. far fetched, and it was commonly noted by many that the two Corps were advancing to the Pacific to help the besieged American forces there. All of this was swept away though as the three divisons landed at Rhodes early in the morning.

The Rhodes bechhead which was unsuspectangly a disaster

As the sun rose the boats rumbled in and machine gun fire ripped through the sand while rounds of artllery screamed in overhead. Landing on the beach they found good cover, but the Italians defended the place fanaticlly, and when the 4th division laned behind the 3rd it was decided the losses nesscary for taking Rhodes were too high, they would retreat too save the Corps. This faulty invasion cost the 3rd division 300 men.

Canadian troops are defeated at Rhodes

Reeling backwards quickly the damaged 3rd 4th and 6th rebased at Cyprus, where all was calm and cool. With several reinforcements comign in over the month, a new plan was drafted, just before disturbign news from the Pacific came in.

Japan had ripped through the Chinese states, annexing all of them and leaving behind thousands dead from massacres, and many puppet states to cover the traces. The Japanese Empire, yearning more, had swept down like a building tornado through Siam and French Vietnam and down into British Singapore, capturing one of the most important, prestigouse and economcially important cities in the world. As Winston Churchill declared sadly, ' '

A British Hawker Hurricane shot down in Singapore

The Canadian I Corps was waiting patiently in Beirut with the 6th and 7th Australian divisions, watching the situation in the Aegean island sunfold.

Joyous report came in which amazed the Army, and promised safety to the RCN. American planes were now flocking in huge numbers, covering the air, more heading to Egypt and Britain, and it was a spectacle one would never see again. Already the XII American Corps was in gaza, readying to head to Egypt, and American ships and planes were swarming near Egypt and Cyprus, protecting the Commonwealth forces in Africa and Canadian forces in Cyprus.

The US government quickly guaranteed even more US reinforcements by February, and Liberia had even provided a single division, and several US transport ships were reported by stunned british pilots to be racing each other across the Atlantic.

Perhaps heartened by these promising, and comforting, signs of a US invasion of somewhere in Africa, which would unload some pressure from the Commonwealth's back, the RCA and Lt. general Alexander boldly authorized a second invasion of Rhodes.

Nervously excited, with hopeful rumors that the General had chosen a new landing site, a site which was said to be much better, the I Corps loaded onto the boats hurriedly.

Canadian troops land at Rhodes a second time

The attack began early morning again, on the 7th of January, 1942. Sadly and tragiclly, it followed a close style like the first, with troops landing and meeting a hail of determined Italian shells and bullets. Quickly realazing this attempt was also futile, the retreat was demanded and the 4th enver left the boats, with the 6th fuming with their lack of fight. Beaten off the troops of the 3rd diviion were already out of supply and the whole Corps was soon back in Cypus with more casualties.

The troops were expectant. The two failed and hopeless assaults on Rhodes had not been ignored, but already many were forcefully forgetting them. it was a taste of horrible real war for the whole Corps, who was inexperinced with no fights in Africa.

Once again the troops loaded on the boats, it becoming routine, and many troops from diffrent divisions made arrangements to meet at the docks the next time they loaded up. But when the boats pushed off and steamed through the ocean, the Corps found itself sailing straight past Rhodes.

Excited, the infamy and rumors or curses at Rhodes no longer applied, and they found themself heading towards the Cyclades, a set of islands past Rhodes but near Italian controlled Greece. A powerful German Navy and a large supply dock was there, which supplied the troops at Rhodes. Knowing a victory here could promise a victory at Rhodes, they all readyed for a hard fight.

But only sailors defending the islands, and they were quickly captured, a spl;ash of Canadian red now on the territorial map of the European war. This succes is celebrated by the whole Army and Navy, with many trying to forget Rhodes and bignaming the capture of the Cyclades, trying to paint a morale boosting image that none could take Rhodes.

Basking in this, and quite delighted, Alexander pulls in the II Corps from Cyprus to reinforce the troops in the Cyclades, and the whole RCA is on the island, celebrating over this victory., but the Lt. general secretly plans for a third assault on Rhodes, now by II Corps.
Realizing nothing would've changed yet, and knowing they would be ready for them, when the II Corps loads onto the flotilla of transports they find themselves in a similar situation to the I Corps days before. once again the curce of Rhodes is swept away when they steam further into Italian territory.

Suddenly German subs start bombing the ships, harrasing them and unable to be defeated, the transports retreat. Two more attempts are quickly thwarted, and on the third time they find the subs behind them. Scared of being cut off, they head towards Turkey.

German U - boats celebrate their victory

The flotilla stumbles across a Italian owned group of islands, and delighted, the General in charge of the Corps orders it be captured. The islands are capured, showing themlseves to be a valuable acces route to Turkey, and a submarine base for the germans.

Luck catching up, the German subs follow them to the islands, and the transports are soon under submarine attack, quite defenceless. Soon heavy fire pours from troops onshore and the flotilla is saved from the wolves.

The claim of territores rattle both sides. The germans now have a thorn in their hand, with a vital link to the very important Turkey now Allied controlled. And the Allies have their Aegean sea impressions clearly marked. The Canadian corps, which many other Commonwalth nations joked 'Couldn;t fight a war without luck.' seemed to be proving too lucky for their jokes, but now the two Corps had favourable ground and terrain worth fighting on.

These two victories and captures were followed up by the best news o the year. The III Corps had been deployed in Quebec and was waiting for transport to the European and African theatres. Canada's new troops were ready to be tested.

But the sheer task of transportation forced the PM to certify construction of a brand new Navy, with several new transports.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

With the deployment of III Corps and the production of Canada's first true Navy, many start to question the direction the war was taking. The whole RCA was in, or heading towards Europe or Africa. They had lost over 2000 men in a thearte of combat which didn't affect Canada, or even Britain.

It was then that the government developed and drew up plans of moving two Corps of the RCA too the Pacific to help the Commonwealth forces in Indonesia, India and PNG and the US troops around the small islands. The tropical terrain suited the Canadians far more then the desert climate, and amphibious assault was not a foreign idea to the veteran RCA.

But they had not mastered the concept, Rhodes proved this point very well. The government mulled over this while the Navy slowly increased, trying to reach its true potential, a Navy which could rival fellow Australia's.

Knowing plans meant nothing, Lt. General Outon of II Corps moved his troops, without permission from Alexander which stirred and rallied many, to assault another series of Italian islands.

It started smoothly, reaching the islands, landing, when I Corps suddenly heard of defeat and sudden loss, sudden loss which shot victory straight in the back with a shotgun. Outon, bitter at this denied victory, refused to return to the Canadian islands, insisted and tried to push the Corps to greater heights.

In the greatest mistake in his whole career, Outon commisioned a landing at Homs, just behind enemy linmes in North Africa. ignoring the failrue of Rhodes, ignoring the miserable conditions his unprepared army would face, they headed towards Libya in a move he guranteed certian victory.

It could ben a great succes, giving him instant promotions beyond even Thomas Anderson's position, putting his joib as Chief of Army in serious doubt, fame pushing him forward. Or it could wreck him so badly that we would be spat at for the rest of his life, constantly shamed.

Canadian troop transports

In practicallity, it turned the war upside down.

Off the coast of Tobruk a large Italian fleet spotted and gunned down the defencelss Canadian transports, gunned them down one by one like a farmer shooting birds on a farm, and killing them all just as easily.

Several hours later a American patrol found the smoking wrecks of the RCN, and one of three RCA corps. All of them were dead, including Lt. general Outon. 3000 died in two hours, a feat that the Commonwealth hadn't seen since World War One.

All over Canada, one minute silence was held to commerorate the tragic loss of life. A funeral was held for Outon, and it was the worst day in Canada's military history, which was very hard to achieve with Canada's losses of the last 12 month's.

3000 dead.

An end to Canada's war efforts in Europe, and a start to the first doubts of the war as 3000 young Canadian's died, adding up to over 5000 dead in the European and African theartes, defending a subject of Britain.

Those 12 month's were never forgotten.

~

Thanks for the comment Monk, I've taken into account what both you and Rythmic have said and (hopefully) improved my work.

I have awfully bad luck at this game, or I am really bad (Leaning towards the latter) Thankfully pictures of the campaign map are included in the next Chapter, so they should help to give you a general idea of the situation. Things are going to get a tad harder I suspect. Enjoy, next Chapter will be along in a week or so.