Das Dritte Reich: Deutschland's Letzte Gelegenheit
- Thread starter Korporal Nooij
- Start date
Kosta
Banned
In a good way or a bad way?
And is anyone else thinking Norway should get a small piece of former-British territory in Africa? I've never heard of the Norwegian Gold Coast, that should definitely give us some creativity points
.@Mr.x8, in a whacky way. I mean, Communist India, Norway's attacking Britain, Hungary's been attacked by the Soviets. No clue how this war's gonna end.
I do, Germany and the Soviet Union splitting eurasia into sphere, Germany gets europe and africa, the Soviet Union gets asia. A very interesting cold war ensues, but with other lesser powers like and isolationist U.S, Brazilian Communist federation, etc. This is, however, obviously just a prediction.
Scipio
In a good way or a bad way?
And is anyone else thinking Norway should get a small piece of former-British territory in Africa? I've never heard of the Norwegian Gold Coast, that should definitely give us some creativity points
No, the Gold Coast is earmarked for us. Maybe Sierra Leone. That's definitely a first.
Kosta
Banned
But we're giving us winners the colonies with the most potential- Nigeria for Sweden would do wonders and Norway taking that little colony awkwardly between Nigeria and Cameroon could do wonders for it.
Although Sierra Leone has diamonds and small enough for Norway to be able to concentrate a lot of aid and administrators/colonists into one area to make Sierra Leone more stable than OTL; it just might work.
I was also thinking about Africa recently, two things came to mind.
*One: It seemed like it took a short amount of time OTL for the people in the regions of the former-German colonies to abandon German for English and French. Post WWII, how long will it take the people in the newly-transferred regions to abandon English for Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch, Greek, Castillian, etc?
*Two: The Pact of Blood might benefit from working together to bring Africa into a closer-relationship with Europe. For instance if there's any uprising, the entire PoB might benefit from trying to peaceful dialogue with the population. Should that not work, maybe all the nations can contribute troops to help quell any uprisings. Likewise, any ideas for building up the colonies to become autonomous regions or overseas territories might be beneficial, too. When the hurley burley's lost-and-won, I was planning on a Greek political-scientist to propose ideas for treaties any new citizens in the formers of the Allies as equals and partners, not inferiors who can be bossed around so as to maximise efficiency and a smooth-running of the state and minimise conflict.
I must say it's a very, very, very accurate prediction.
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That's British Cameroon. The colony was split for some reason. There was a British Togo as well.
Exactly.
Hmm... I'd say roughly ten years, since they'd all be lingua franca.
Well, as Korporal Nooij told me, Bismarck is quoted as having said 'Africa is Germany's second Europe'. I agree with him that an alliance of democracies and moderate socialist states should think the same.
Yes.
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Excuse me everybody. The sudden death of my grandfather has kept me from working on updates.
Treaty of Tashkent:
On July 27 1942, the governments of the Soviet Union, Afghanistan and India meet in the city of Tashkent in the Uzbek SSR. The new boundaries in Pakistan are decided, and according to the eventual treaty that is signed later that day, Afghanistan gains the North West Frontier Province and 2/3rd of British Baluchistan, the Soviet Union annexes a very small part of northern Pakistan into the Uyghur SSR, and the rest of the Soviet-occupied territory is granted to India.
Indian Annexation of Burma:
On July 28 1942, India annexes British Burma, which is under complete occupation. The Indian internal divisions are immediately reorganized into 50 different provinces.
German Advances in Italy:
On July 27 1942, German Panzer Corps of Army Groups A and B launch a massive frontal assault upon the Linea Evola, defended by the Italian 1st and 2nd Armies in the north and the 4th Army and the Army of the Po in the south.
In the north, Horst Stumpf is with the 6th Panzer Division, ordering the Panzer and Rifle Brigades to break through the defences of the Italian 2nd Army, being covered on the left flank by a reconnaissance batallion and a machine-gun battalion and on the right flank by a machine-gun battalion and most of an anti-tank battalion. Within an hour, the 3rd and 4th Panzer Divisions follow behind the 6th Panzer Division, crossing the anti-tank obstacles. After breaking through Italian defences, Stumpf orders his units to wait for infantry divisions to reinforce them.
In the meantime, Erich Hoepner is with the 8th Panzer Division in the south. The division, covered by the 7th and 18th Infantry divisions on the left and right flank respectively, manages to break through Italian anti-tank installations. Hermann Hoth, whom is with the 1st Panzer Division, follows behind Hoepner, but instead of continuing westward after passing the line, he makes a swing to the north to flank the Italian 4th Army on the centre of the line from behind. Hoth manages to encircle the I Corps in the city of Turin, forcing it to surrender, while the rest of the 4th Army retreats eastward. Hoepner is forced to withdraw as a result to a successful counter-attack by the 26th Mountain and 54th Infantry Divisions.
The Italian 2nd Army, aided by local militias, begins cutting trees; digging trenches and building barricades. Stumpf, reinforced by infantry units, reaches the city of Milan on July 28, and a huge battle between his Panzerkorps and the 2nd Army follows. The assault fails and Stumpf is forced to retreat outside the city. Later that evening, after the infantry reinforcements arrive, Stumpf, ignoring his orders, attacks the city again, this time ramming the Panzer Divisions straight into the city while the 16th, 23rd and 24th Infantry Divisions swing around the city, flanking the defenders on the left and right flanks.
Although hindered by the vast amount of anti-aircraft formations, Junkers Ju 88s bombard major anti-tank formations in Milan, allowing the panzer units to advance through the city, while the German infantry clears out the remaining barricades and artillery positions. Over 40 Stukas are shot down by Italian anti-air fire during the hasty assault.
Much of the Italian 2nd Army manages to escape during the evening, and Vittorio Ambrosio and the remainder of his army surrenders to the overwhelming German forces, thus handing over the city of Milan to Stumpf.
In the meantime, Hoth has conquered the city of Parva, after a rather small battle with the Italian 4th Army. Hoepner managed to break through the Italian Army of the Po, and reaches Genoa in the evening of July 28. The city surrenders after a heavy battle, in which over 20 German tanks were damaged beyond repair. In the midday of July 29, Ewald von Kleist and his XII Panzerkorps (part of Armeegruppe A) reach the city of Sendrio, whose garrison surrenders later that day. From there, the XII Panzerkorps, as well as Stumpf's XX Panzerkorps, begins marching northeastward for the city of Trento, while Hoepner and his XVI Panzerkorps marches eastward for Bologna.
Treaty of Tashkent:
On July 27 1942, the governments of the Soviet Union, Afghanistan and India meet in the city of Tashkent in the Uzbek SSR. The new boundaries in Pakistan are decided, and according to the eventual treaty that is signed later that day, Afghanistan gains the North West Frontier Province and 2/3rd of British Baluchistan, the Soviet Union annexes a very small part of northern Pakistan into the Uyghur SSR, and the rest of the Soviet-occupied territory is granted to India.
Indian Annexation of Burma:
On July 28 1942, India annexes British Burma, which is under complete occupation. The Indian internal divisions are immediately reorganized into 50 different provinces.
German Advances in Italy:
On July 27 1942, German Panzer Corps of Army Groups A and B launch a massive frontal assault upon the Linea Evola, defended by the Italian 1st and 2nd Armies in the north and the 4th Army and the Army of the Po in the south.
In the north, Horst Stumpf is with the 6th Panzer Division, ordering the Panzer and Rifle Brigades to break through the defences of the Italian 2nd Army, being covered on the left flank by a reconnaissance batallion and a machine-gun battalion and on the right flank by a machine-gun battalion and most of an anti-tank battalion. Within an hour, the 3rd and 4th Panzer Divisions follow behind the 6th Panzer Division, crossing the anti-tank obstacles. After breaking through Italian defences, Stumpf orders his units to wait for infantry divisions to reinforce them.
In the meantime, Erich Hoepner is with the 8th Panzer Division in the south. The division, covered by the 7th and 18th Infantry divisions on the left and right flank respectively, manages to break through Italian anti-tank installations. Hermann Hoth, whom is with the 1st Panzer Division, follows behind Hoepner, but instead of continuing westward after passing the line, he makes a swing to the north to flank the Italian 4th Army on the centre of the line from behind. Hoth manages to encircle the I Corps in the city of Turin, forcing it to surrender, while the rest of the 4th Army retreats eastward. Hoepner is forced to withdraw as a result to a successful counter-attack by the 26th Mountain and 54th Infantry Divisions.
The Italian 2nd Army, aided by local militias, begins cutting trees; digging trenches and building barricades. Stumpf, reinforced by infantry units, reaches the city of Milan on July 28, and a huge battle between his Panzerkorps and the 2nd Army follows. The assault fails and Stumpf is forced to retreat outside the city. Later that evening, after the infantry reinforcements arrive, Stumpf, ignoring his orders, attacks the city again, this time ramming the Panzer Divisions straight into the city while the 16th, 23rd and 24th Infantry Divisions swing around the city, flanking the defenders on the left and right flanks.
Although hindered by the vast amount of anti-aircraft formations, Junkers Ju 88s bombard major anti-tank formations in Milan, allowing the panzer units to advance through the city, while the German infantry clears out the remaining barricades and artillery positions. Over 40 Stukas are shot down by Italian anti-air fire during the hasty assault.
Much of the Italian 2nd Army manages to escape during the evening, and Vittorio Ambrosio and the remainder of his army surrenders to the overwhelming German forces, thus handing over the city of Milan to Stumpf.
In the meantime, Hoth has conquered the city of Parva, after a rather small battle with the Italian 4th Army. Hoepner managed to break through the Italian Army of the Po, and reaches Genoa in the evening of July 28. The city surrenders after a heavy battle, in which over 20 German tanks were damaged beyond repair. In the midday of July 29, Ewald von Kleist and his XII Panzerkorps (part of Armeegruppe A) reach the city of Sendrio, whose garrison surrenders later that day. From there, the XII Panzerkorps, as well as Stumpf's XX Panzerkorps, begins marching northeastward for the city of Trento, while Hoepner and his XVI Panzerkorps marches eastward for Bologna.
I am sorry to here about your grandfather On a brighter note, Italy is getting killed here, looks like somebody else is getting all the land they got in WWI taken away. You've mentioned before that germany is going to get carniola, but how will that happen since Yugoslavia is in the pact of blood? A stalin-like back stab does not seem to be this germany's style.
Scipio
On a brighter note, Italy is getting killed here, looks like somebody else is getting all the land they got in WWI taken away. You've mentioned before that germany is going to get carniola, but how will that happen since Yugoslavia is in the pact of blood? A stalin-like back stab does not seem to be this germany's style.Scipio
I am sorry to here about your grandfather
Scipio
Thank you, my friend.
You are right about that; Ares96 and I are working on that - we'll definitely find a solution. Thank you for warning me! German Advances in Northern Italy:
On July 30 1942, while von Kleist and his XII Panzerkorps makes efforts to capture bridgeheads on the Adige River, Stumpf and the XX Panzerkorps heads northwest from the town Borgo Valsugana, and marches through the Fersina Valley, from where he marches westward, reaching the city of Trento, where he finds the city already under full occupation by von Kleist’s Panzerkorps. From Trento, von Kleist heads eastward to capture northeastern Italy and Stumpf heads northward to flank Italian fortifications along Germany. In the meantime, Hoepner has made quick advances, and reaches the city of Pisa. Hoth and his Panzerkorps reaches Bologna, which is strongly fortified by the remainder of the Italian 2nd Army, which has been put under command of General Pietro Ago - after the surrender of General Vittorio Ambrosio. After a large bombardment by a squadron of Junkers Ju-88s, the 2nd Army is commanded to withdraw southward, allowing the Germans to take the city and to follow the Italians towards Florence.
While von Kleist's XII Panzerkorps advances towards the Italian border with Yugoslavia to trap Italian forces in the Alps, Stumpf's XX Panzerkorps is to help Armeegruppe A encircle enemy troops on the Limes Germanicus, and, later, capture them. Armeegruppe A advances unto the rear of the Limes Germanicus, and initializes Unternehmen Nashorn (Operation Rhino), a frontal assault against the line - relying on air support from Reichsluftwaffe units operating from airports in Ostmark and occupied northern Italy, and on flanking tactics by Stumpf. Earlier assaults on the line had caused massive losses on the German side and only a few casualties on the Italian side. This time however, Armeegruppe A manages to collect a large amount of strong artillery formations while Italian defenders are distracted (and thinned out) by Stumpf. Jagdstaffel II is assigned to give air support. Despite strong Italian resistance, each fortress is slowly occupied one after another. On August 3, the Limes Germanicus collapses and most of the Italian defenders surrender to the overwhelming German forces.
As the German flag is raised by Oberstabsfeldwebel (sergeant major) Heinrich Neumann and his comrades upon the statue of Walther von der Vogelheide in the city of Bozen, the Italian morale drops greatly and the (majority) German population of the city realizes that they're finally saved from the fascist Italian yoke.
By early August, most of northeastern Italy has fallen under German (and minor Yugoslav) occupation, and all three of the Army Groups begin marching southward, capturing riverheads on the Arno river, and moving past the neutral microstate of San Marino.
Iran joins the Pact of Blood:
On August 4 1942, the British government sends an ultimatum to Rezā Shāh Pahlavi of Iran, demanding the removal of German nationals or to face a declaration of war. As the German demand for oil rises, the British are afraid the German nationals might take control over their oil facilities or that the petroleum-rich nation of Iran might be persuaded into joining the Pact of Blood and thus support the German war machine against Britain. However, the Shāh refuses to remove German nationals, and the British government declares war. As British troops enter Iran and make swift advances, the Shāh flees to Berlin. Upon his arrival, he starts negotiations with Reichspräsident Jarres and on August 5, Iran officially joins the Pact of Blood.
On August 4 1942, the British government sends an ultimatum to Rezā Shāh Pahlavi of Iran, demanding the removal of German nationals or to face a declaration of war. As the German demand for oil rises, the British are afraid the German nationals might take control over their oil facilities or that the petroleum-rich nation of Iran might be persuaded into joining the Pact of Blood and thus support the German war machine against Britain. However, the Shāh refuses to remove German nationals, and the British government declares war. As British troops enter Iran and make swift advances, the Shāh flees to Berlin. Upon his arrival, he starts negotiations with Reichspräsident Jarres and on August 5, Iran officially joins the Pact of Blood.
He told me he was making updates as of yesterday night. I guess we'll just have to wait.
Ah yes! Excuse me. I had this update ready for a couple of days already, but I wanted to finish some more updates and post those too; but unfortunately I just can't find the time to do so. Well here's the update
British Invasion and Soviet Counter-Invasion of Iran:
Within a day after the war declaration, much of the Iranian navy is destroyed by the superior Royal Navy on the harbor at Abadan, allowing British infantry divisions under Major-General William Slim to safely make amphibious crossings of the Shatt al-Arab river, from Basra in Iraq to Adaban in Iran. The petroleum installations in the city are immediately captured, and the British meet little to no organized resistance by the Iranians. The Royal Air Force bombards airbases and communications, while British divisions under General Neil Ritchie enter Iran, capturing the Naft-i-Shah oilfield within a few days.
As a reaction to the British invasion and the quick advances into Iranian land, Stalin orders the 45th and 46th Armies under General Markian Popov to invade Iran from the northwest, and the 44th and 47th Armies under General Konstantin Rokossovsky to invade Iran from the northeast. The Soviet troops meet little resistance, as many of the Iranian military formations are notified on the Iranian membership within the Pact of Blood and see the Red Army troops as comrades rather than invaders (which they will soon turn out to be).
Soviet troops are transported to towns on the Caspian coast of Iran, while other troops march from the Azerbaijan SSR and from the Turkestan SSR. With the Persian Corridor at their disposal, they manage to make quick advances into southern Iran. On August 9, Soviet and British troops clash in the city of Ahvaz, resulting into a British victory. In the east of Iran, however, the Soviets meet little British resistance and reach the city of Chabahar on the southern coast of Iran on August 12. Soviet troops in western Iran reorganize for a stronger assault upon British formations.
Situation in Africa:
On August 6 1942, the British 1st West African Brigade successfully crosses the Zambezi River, effectively forcing the First Angolan Army into withdrawing to the city of Luena, miles east of the Zembezi River. The PDIE is encircled in southern Zambia, yet it manages to hold out against the British forces. On August 14, General Mascarenhas de Morais of the PDIE surrenders to the British forces after holding out against them in southern Zambia for more than a week. De Morais is taken prisoner and is sent to Cairo.
With troops of the SWAC advancing into the cities of Huambo and Kuito, and with troops of the British 1st West African Brigade advancing into Lucapa and Malange, a national militia (the Milícia de Povo or People's Militia) is founded by the Alto Comando da União Livre on August 9 1942. All men between the age of 17 and 65 all over Angola are enlisted for military service within the militia. The desperate attempt by the Free Union military at avoiding the loss of their African territory turns out to be unsuccessful, and the the national militia makes little difference to the Commonwealth troops' overwhelming campaign.
President Luís Carlos Prestes calls for 'Operação Retroceder' (Operation Retreat), according to which the Brazilian Expeditionary Divisions and the Angolan Armies will be ordered to retreat unto the coast of Angola, from where they will be evacuated to Brazil. The Marinha da União Livre is immediately instructed on August 15 to head for the Angolan ports of Benguela, Sumbe and Luanda and transport the troops to Brazilian ports, where they will be reorganized.
On August 6 1942, the British 1st West African Brigade successfully crosses the Zambezi River, effectively forcing the First Angolan Army into withdrawing to the city of Luena, miles east of the Zembezi River. The PDIE is encircled in southern Zambia, yet it manages to hold out against the British forces. On August 14, General Mascarenhas de Morais of the PDIE surrenders to the British forces after holding out against them in southern Zambia for more than a week. De Morais is taken prisoner and is sent to Cairo.
With troops of the SWAC advancing into the cities of Huambo and Kuito, and with troops of the British 1st West African Brigade advancing into Lucapa and Malange, a national militia (the Milícia de Povo or People's Militia) is founded by the Alto Comando da União Livre on August 9 1942. All men between the age of 17 and 65 all over Angola are enlisted for military service within the militia. The desperate attempt by the Free Union military at avoiding the loss of their African territory turns out to be unsuccessful, and the the national militia makes little difference to the Commonwealth troops' overwhelming campaign.
President Luís Carlos Prestes calls for 'Operação Retroceder' (Operation Retreat), according to which the Brazilian Expeditionary Divisions and the Angolan Armies will be ordered to retreat unto the coast of Angola, from where they will be evacuated to Brazil. The Marinha da União Livre is immediately instructed on August 15 to head for the Angolan ports of Benguela, Sumbe and Luanda and transport the troops to Brazilian ports, where they will be reorganized.
British warplans against Norway:
On July 25, 1942, three days after the Norwegian declaration of war, the Royal Navy launches Operation Wilfred, extensively mining Norwegian territorial waters. The Admiralty also begins making plans of a possible invasion, which are presented to Prime Minister Attlee on July 27, as Plan R 4. The plan is to send Royal Marines into Norwegian ports in ships posing as neutral cargo vessels. The marines will storm out of the transports and seize the ports as quickly as possible, thus establishing beachheads from where to deploy more troops and capture inland cities. After that, it was presumed that Norway would collapse and submit to a British occupation, crippling the German steel supply. There was a major problem with the plan, though: Sweden was not considered.
First, the Swedish home guard had been stationed in the very ports from where the British were to launch the assaults, and together with the Norwegian home guard they were most certainly to outman the Royal Marines in the ships. Thus the landings would be a good deal more difficult than the British expected. Second, Sweden had railroads on which to freight the iron ore to ice-free ports, and then transport it the rather short way from Sweden across the Baltic to Germany. Thus the Germans would still have a supply of iron for its steel industry, and the invasion of Norway would do little except tie up British resources and leave the United Kingdom itself with less defences in the face of a possible German invasion.
As the British did not know about the first problem and did not even consider the second, and so the plan is accepted by Attlee and the Cabinet, and put to work immediately.
Battle of Seinäjoki:
On July 28, 1942, the Swedish Army fights a battle outside of Seinäjoki. This time the Finnish outnumber the Swedish slightly, and despite older tanks and firearms manage to drive the Swedes out of the city. After the defeat, the 3rd and 5th Armoured Regiments of the Swedish Army move to cut off the city's supply lines, while the infantry recovers and plans a second attack as soon as the tanks return.
Soviet Progresses:
By the end of July, the Red Army has managed to capture a large area of land, mostly in the south of Finland. A pocket of resistance still holds out at Kotka, and the Soviets are sieging the city, shelling the people in it with both naval and field artillery. The Finnish armies inside have taken a heavy beating, and would soon surrender. Further north, the Soviets have captured Kuopio, S:t Michel, and Lahti and are within striking distance of Borgå and Jyväskylä.
On July 25, 1942, three days after the Norwegian declaration of war, the Royal Navy launches Operation Wilfred, extensively mining Norwegian territorial waters. The Admiralty also begins making plans of a possible invasion, which are presented to Prime Minister Attlee on July 27, as Plan R 4. The plan is to send Royal Marines into Norwegian ports in ships posing as neutral cargo vessels. The marines will storm out of the transports and seize the ports as quickly as possible, thus establishing beachheads from where to deploy more troops and capture inland cities. After that, it was presumed that Norway would collapse and submit to a British occupation, crippling the German steel supply. There was a major problem with the plan, though: Sweden was not considered.
First, the Swedish home guard had been stationed in the very ports from where the British were to launch the assaults, and together with the Norwegian home guard they were most certainly to outman the Royal Marines in the ships. Thus the landings would be a good deal more difficult than the British expected. Second, Sweden had railroads on which to freight the iron ore to ice-free ports, and then transport it the rather short way from Sweden across the Baltic to Germany. Thus the Germans would still have a supply of iron for its steel industry, and the invasion of Norway would do little except tie up British resources and leave the United Kingdom itself with less defences in the face of a possible German invasion.
As the British did not know about the first problem and did not even consider the second, and so the plan is accepted by Attlee and the Cabinet, and put to work immediately.
Battle of Seinäjoki:
On July 28, 1942, the Swedish Army fights a battle outside of Seinäjoki. This time the Finnish outnumber the Swedish slightly, and despite older tanks and firearms manage to drive the Swedes out of the city. After the defeat, the 3rd and 5th Armoured Regiments of the Swedish Army move to cut off the city's supply lines, while the infantry recovers and plans a second attack as soon as the tanks return.
Soviet Progresses:
By the end of July, the Red Army has managed to capture a large area of land, mostly in the south of Finland. A pocket of resistance still holds out at Kotka, and the Soviets are sieging the city, shelling the people in it with both naval and field artillery. The Finnish armies inside have taken a heavy beating, and would soon surrender. Further north, the Soviets have captured Kuopio, S:t Michel, and Lahti and are within striking distance of Borgå and Jyväskylä.
Awesome updates Ares96!
New Italian Government:
On August 7 1942, with the German Army nearing the capital city of Rome, the Grand Council of Fascism votes to ask Victor Emmanuel to resume his full constitutional powers. The Grand Council also passes a vote of no-confidence motion in Julius Evola. As a result, Evola is dismissed in favour of Marshal Pietro Badoglio, and arrested. After fleeing to Naples, the new Italian government immediately begins negotiations with Germany for an armistice.
Battle of Rome:
On August 12 1942, German troops begin sieging Italy's capital, Rome. Four days earlier, the government had fled the city, and Rome was declared an open city. Despite this declaration, the Italian Army was unwilling to leave the city undefended, and began building fortifications and digging trenches within and around Rome. After successfully entering the city a day later, the German Army faces substantial casualties in the hands of Italian guerilla warfare, but they manage to capture most vital locations. A short accident involving the death of two Swiss Guards and a German soldier, known as the "Vatican Incident" (De. Vatikanvorfall / It. Incidente Vaticano), happens later that night, but it ends with a personal (and accepted) apology to the Pope by the involved rifle squad's commander as well as an apology from Reichspräsident Curtius. A day later, news arrives within the city of an armistice between Italy and the Pact of Blood. Although the guerilla warfare does not cease, the news - and especially the arrival of reorganized Italian units on the German side - does limit its frequency considerably.
The entry with the armistice will come as soon as Mr.X8 finishes and posts his article on [SPOILERS] the Greek invasion of the Dodecanese [SPOILERS/]
New Italian Government:
On August 7 1942, with the German Army nearing the capital city of Rome, the Grand Council of Fascism votes to ask Victor Emmanuel to resume his full constitutional powers. The Grand Council also passes a vote of no-confidence motion in Julius Evola. As a result, Evola is dismissed in favour of Marshal Pietro Badoglio, and arrested. After fleeing to Naples, the new Italian government immediately begins negotiations with Germany for an armistice.
Battle of Rome:
On August 12 1942, German troops begin sieging Italy's capital, Rome. Four days earlier, the government had fled the city, and Rome was declared an open city. Despite this declaration, the Italian Army was unwilling to leave the city undefended, and began building fortifications and digging trenches within and around Rome. After successfully entering the city a day later, the German Army faces substantial casualties in the hands of Italian guerilla warfare, but they manage to capture most vital locations. A short accident involving the death of two Swiss Guards and a German soldier, known as the "Vatican Incident" (De. Vatikanvorfall / It. Incidente Vaticano), happens later that night, but it ends with a personal (and accepted) apology to the Pope by the involved rifle squad's commander as well as an apology from Reichspräsident Curtius. A day later, news arrives within the city of an armistice between Italy and the Pact of Blood. Although the guerilla warfare does not cease, the news - and especially the arrival of reorganized Italian units on the German side - does limit its frequency considerably.
The entry with the armistice will come as soon as Mr.X8 finishes and posts his article on [SPOILERS] the Greek invasion of the Dodecanese [SPOILERS/]