The Union Forever: A TL

[Ares96]

Originally Posted by Mac Gregor

The Flag for the State of Jefferson

That's quite nice. Better than I could've done, with the sealin the middle. My only quibble would perhaps be that lion's heads feel a little too European, compared with the OTL state seals?

Originally Posted by metastasis_d

I almost wondered if you were gonna go with this

That flag was a crack at how the "state government" (read: publicity stuntmen) felt themselves double-crossed by Salem and Sacramento.

[metastasis_d]

Originally Posted by Ares96

That flag was a crack at how the "state government" (read: publicity stuntmen) felt themselves double-crossed by Salem and Sacramento.

Ah, thanks for clearing that up.

I'd like to try to come up with flag designs for these new states and submit them for consideration, but I can't art.

[Mac Gregor]

Originally Posted by Ares96

That's quite nice. Better than I could've done, with the sealin the middle. My only quibble would perhaps be that lion's heads feel a little too European, compared with the OTL state seals?



That flag was a crack at how the "state government" (read: publicity stuntmen) felt themselves double-crossed by Salem and Sacramento.

Originally Posted by metastasis_d

Ah, thanks for clearing that up.

I'd like to try to come up with flag designs for these new states and submit them for consideration, but I can't art.

I agree with the lion's head but the seal used is Thomas Jefferson's coat of arms.

Also I created all these flags in MS paint so really anybody can do and probably better than myself. I would love to see people's ideas for state or other nation's flags. Cheers!

[Ares96]

Originally Posted by Mac Gregor

I agree with the lion's head but the seal used is Thomas Jefferson's coat of arms.

Well, then I agree that it is only right that the state coat of arms should be similar.

Originally Posted by Mac Gregor

Also I created all these flags in MS paint so really anybody can do and probably better than myself. I would love to see people's ideas for state or other nation's flags. Cheers!

The German flag is the standard black-red-gold, right? What is the flag of the Imperial Eurasian Federation? I have an idea that I think might work out. It's the white-gold-black "Romanov Flag", with the Imperial (two-headed) Eagle in the centre, surrounded by as many stars as there are states in the Federation.

[metastasis_d]

I came up with a half-decent flag for Pasapa. Took the Sioux flag, put it off center, and added the original symbol for South Dakota when it was "the sunshine state".

I don't like the sizing of it, but not sure how to get that perfect. I wanted to put the seal of South Dakota inside it, but couldn't edit the text so that "South Dakota" would say "Pasapa" instead and still look alright.

[Mac Gregor]

Originally Posted by metastasis_d

I came up with a half-decent flag for Pasapa. Took the Sioux flag, put it off center, and added the original symbol for South Dakota when it was "the sunshine state".

I don't like the sizing of it, but not sure how to get that perfect. I wanted to put the seal of South Dakota inside it, but couldn't edit the text so that "South Dakota" would say "Pasapa" instead and still look alright.

I like it. But lets use your design as the base for the flag for Dakota. The following is what I have created for Pasapa.

[metastasis_d]

Originally Posted by Mac Gregor

I like it. But lets use your design as the base for the flag for Dakota. The following is what I have created for Pasapa.

Sounds good. Very nice, what does it represent?

[Mac Gregor]

Originally Posted by metastasis_d

Sounds good. Very nice, what does it represent?

The black hills of Pasapa's namesake.

[Mac Gregor]

1949

Part 4: The Trinity Offensives

On November 1, 1949 Free Americas forces began what would prove to be the decisive action of the war. Known as the Trinity Offensives, the campaign consisted of three different operations separated by thousands of miles. Taking advantage of the Free Americas undisputed control of the sea, General Henslee's plan was to apply simultaneous pressure on the two main ground fronts then, with the majority of Peruvian and Bolivian forces fixed along the front lines, make amphibious landings in the enemy’s rear to cut off their avenue of escape.

Operation Karma

In the predawn hours of November 1st, U.S. and Mexican aircraft began striking Peruvian troop concentrations and supply depots along the Maranon River. The following day tens of thousands of Ecuadorian and Colombian troops began advancing south liberating the cities of Nauta and Concordia after fierce fighting. In an effort to retake Concordia on November 6th, the Peruvians once again deployed chemical weapons. Their effectiveness however was greatly reduced by the widespread dissemination of gas masks and FA forces were able to retain the city. The heaviest fighting on the Ecuadorian front occurred along the coast where American vessels pounded Peruvian strong points in the cities of Tumbes and Talara both of which would fall by the end of the month. Less successful was a hasty Free Americas effort to capture the Peruvian city of Piura which met with failure, resulting in both sides digging in for a protracted siege.

Operation Carerra

Troopers of the U.S. 31st Airborne Division landing behind enemy lines
November 9, 1949

After months of trench warfare centered near the Chilean town of Chanaral, Free Americas forces were finally ready to resume the offensive. Named after the 19th century hero of Chilean independence, Operation Carerra began with a 30 hour aerial and artillery bombardment of Bolivian and Peruvian positions. At noon on November 8th Free Americas infantry swarmed forwared towards the enemy trenches. Although the majority of the attacking forces were Chilean, American troops played a decisive roll in breaking the stalemate. Especially effective were American cataphract units armed with the T5 Ocelot and T7 Puma which were well equipped to cross wire obstacles and reducing gun emplacements. Another important American contribution was the landing of elements of the 31st Airborne Division behind enemy lines. This was the first major use of airborne troops in military history but it proved a mixed success with roughly a quarter of the troops being “misdropped” by their aircraft. However, the threat of FA soldiers landing behind them and on their flanks severely unnerved the Peruvian and Bolivian commanders. After 8 days of tough fighting, Free Americas troops had effectively dislodged the enemy from their positions. Moreover, news of American and Mexican landings at Arica on November 15th threw Bolivian and Peruvian forces into a full fledge retreat to the north.

Operation Hippo

U.S. Marines hitting the beach near Arica
November 15, 1949

Operation Hippo would prove to be the most technically complex of the three offensives involving two separate amphibious landings on the Chilean coast. On November 15th, elements of the 1st Marine Division and a battalion of Mexican Naval Infantry landed amongst intense enemy fire at the port of Arica. Crucial to the landing’s success was the air cover provided by the presence of three American carriers, the USS Manifest Destiny, USS Abraham Lincoln, and USS Warrenton, that kept the skies free from enemy planes. By the end of the first day of fighting American and Mexican forces had penetrated as deep as 10 miles inland. Despite the heavy losses, the Arica landings were little more than a diversion for the larger landings to the south on November 17th at Antofagasta. After a short naval bombardment, Free Americas troops landed and immediately began pushing west catching the enemy by surprise. Despite the restricted terrain and the best efforts of the enemy, the city of Calama fell to FA soldiers after two days of bitter fighting on November 29th. The loss of Calama, effectively cut off the majority of the Peruvian and Bolivian forces in the south from their sanctuary to the north.

Taken altogether, the Trinity Offensives shattered the sense of stalemate which had characterized the ground war for the last eight months with the nations of the Free Americas taking the clear upper hand. In Lima and Sucre, fault lines in the ruling regimes widened as the prospect of victory or even a negotiated peace appeared to be worsening by the hour.

[metastasis_d]

Originally Posted by Mac Gregor

The black hills of Pasapa's namesake.

Oh right, duh, I was thinking they were switched around.

Well then very nice. Now I must read the update above this post.

[FleetMac]

The Trench-Siege of Piura! Cat-named cataphracts! The 31st. Airborne kicking ass even when lost! USS MANIFEST DESTINY!!! This update kicks major ass, MacGregor, I couldn't ask for much more in terms of a summary of military action ITTL

-If the tanks listed are the same as my suggestions, something tells me the Peruvians/Bolivians never really stood a chance in an armor-on-armor clash, let alone when just attacking trench lines.

-With the stalemate of Operation Karma, might we see more research into ground-attack aircraft? Idk if there would be any use of dive bombers, but I'd imagine so given the lack of strategic aircraft for level attacks...perhaps light gunships a la the A-26?

-Now that we've seen the effectiveness of aircraft carriers ITTL, we may see them becoming more and more vital to US (and other nations') strategy; if not as Queen of the Seas, but more as mobile airfields for striking deep into enemy territory (like how supercarriers have been used the last two wars; slinging iron over the enemy's dirt and not sinking shipping).

-OOC: Interesting use of the Port Said landings for Operation Carrera

[metastasis_d]

Yep, Bolivia and Peru are boned.

[metastasis_d]

How about this for Abasaroka?

[nlucasm]

great update McGregor, nice to see my country fighting back (with a little help)
Cuestion : the first Atacama War, as you call it, (we say the Pacific War) was just like OTL, because was after the POD?,
a comment, the nominal capital of Bolivia is Sucre, but the seat of the goverment is the city of La Paz.
i am a fan of this TL since it's beggining an is wonderful TL happening in my country

[Mac Gregor]

Originally Posted by metastasis_d

How about this for Abasaroka?

Interesting, where did it come from?

[metastasis_d]

Originally Posted by Mac Gregor

Interesting, where did it come from?

It was a failed separate state movement based in Wyoming/Montana/South Dakota.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absaroka_(state)

No idea what the 49 stands for, but in a nod you should use the basic flag design. Maybe replace it with "88" to denote the year of statehood? Or in its place put a native American symbol of some sort in the area? Maybe a geographical feature (is Yellowstone in Absaroka ITTL?)

[Whanztastic]

Originally Posted by metastasis_d

No idea what the 49 stands for, but in a nod you should use the basic flag design.

I think it is safe to assume for being the 49th state, this movement's flag dating prior to statehood for Hawaii and Alaska, or the 49th continental state...

[metastasis_d]

Originally Posted by Whanztastic

I think it is safe to assume for being the 49th state, this movement's flag dating prior to statehood for Hawaii and Alaska, or the 49th continental state...

That could have been it; the movement was in 1939 so would've been the 49th state. Makes sense.

[Mac Gregor]

Originally Posted by nlucasm

great update McGregor, nice to see my country fighting back (with a little help)
Cuestion : the first Atacama War, as you call it, (we say the Pacific War) was just like OTL, because was after the POD?,
a comment, the nominal capital of Bolivia is Sucre, but the seat of the goverment is the city of La Paz.
i am a fan of this TL since it's beggining an is wonderful TL happening in my country

Good question. ITTL the first Atacama War is basically the equivalent to OTL's War of the Pacific.

As for the capital of Bolivia when did teh administrative functions move from Sucre to La Paz?

Thanks for your support

[Mac Gregor]

How about this for the State of Laramie? Is it to close to OTL's Wyoming?