'Operation Stier' at the gates!

[Pablostuka]

Operation 'Stier':

This will be the new scenario of EmuGod and Pablostuka in a team work. It's an alternate history scenario, and we think it could be very interesting . So we need some feedback, guys!

The idea was created in EmuGod's mind , and I'll do the scenario design.

So now you'll know the TIMELINE:

And here's the map screenshot:

[EmuGod]

SPANISH CIVIL WAR

July, 1936 - Spanish Generals organize a coup d'etat against the Republic.

August, 1936 - 2000 Spaniards murdered by Nationalists at Badajoz. 27 countries sign the Non-intervention policy, agreeing not to interfere in the Spanish Civil War.

October, 1936 - USSR sends its first shipment of weapons to Spanish Republicans. Hitler forms the Condor Legion to assist Nationalists.

January, 1937 - Nationalist forces give up their continuing direct assault on Madrid following a Republican victory.

February, 1937 - Republican forces at Málaga repel a large Nationalist assault on the city, inflicting massive casualties on the Nationalists and their Italian allies.

March, 1937 - The Republicans crush a large Italian force at Guadalajara causing a huge dent in Italian pride. Mussolini's aid for the Nationalist cause decreases due to riots back in Italy.

June, 1937 - Bilbao and the Basque Country fall to the Nationalists after fierce fighting, but Republican troops prepare to sour the Nationalist victory. Spearheaded by international brigades and Soviet tanks, Republican forces smash their way into Zaragoza in the east and into Granada in the south, forcing the Nationalists into retreat.

August, 1937 - The Republicans use a massive air raid on Nationalist forces near Pamplona to hamper Nationalist troop movements in the north. International brigades being the battle of Córdoba, causing large
casualties for both sides.

September, 1937 - Massive rioting against Nationalist troops in Palma de Mallorca turn into a rebellion. The citizens of the islands overwhelm the garrison with the aid of Republican air raids on military installations and
invite the Popular Army back to the islands.

October, 1937 - Republican ships destroy large quantities of Nationalist ships in the Straights of Gibraltar, destroying lots of Nationalist supplies.

November, 1937 - A Nationalist attack force heading to cut off Madrid is ambushed by Republican Communist forces near Guadalajara. The Republican ambush quickly turns into a counter-offensive against the Nationalists, who quiuckly retreat north to the Basque Country.

December, 1937 - Valladolid and Segovia fall to the Republican offensive, which presses north toward Bilbao. Republican and Nationalist aircraft right a major war in the area. Despite a victory for Nationalist aircraft, 67% of the Condor Legion is lost in the intense fighting, along with the town of Guernika. Republican tanks roll into Pamplona and besiege Bilbao, trapping hundreds of Nationalist troops.

January, 1938 - The American "Abraham Lincoln Brigade" and the Canadian "Mac-Paps" land in Spanish Morocco under the intense cover of Republican naval bombardment and with the elite Communist 5th Brigade.
A beachead is established and fighting begins on the Moroccan mainland, pinning down important Nationalist reinforcements.

February, 1938 - Bilbao and Santander fall to the Republicans through the use of guerilla tactics by Basque Gudaris. The Nationalists retreat west to Northwestern Spain were they entrench themselves. General Mola
is captured in the fighting, tired and executed for high treason.

April, 1938 - The battle of Córdoba ends in a stalemate with extremely high losses. The Nationalists lose 97% of their soldiers in defence of the remains of the city and the Republicans lose 94% of their forces. A Republican amphibious assault surprised the garrison at Cádiz, bringing the last Nationalist port in Southern Spain under Republican control.

May, 1938 - A Nationalist push toward the Portuguese border from Madrid brings Salamanca and Ciudad Rodrigo under Republican control. Oliveira Salazar grants Nationalist troops amnesty in Portugal, infuriating the Republic. Skirmishes near the Nationalist controlled town of Llanes begins as the tired Republicans begin to prepare a new attack, this time on the isolated Nationalist headquarters in Burgos.

June, 1938 - Ceuta falls to the Republican attack in Morocco, yet the fighitng for control of the colony is far from over. The Nationalists prepare their forces at Tetuán for the pivotal battle. The Nationalists at Alhuemas surrender to the Republic after intense Republican naval bombardment.

July, 1938 - Republican forces cross the Ebro River and begin their assault on Burgos, using their entire airforce and most of their artillery and tank forces. The remainder of Hitler and Mussolini's forces arrive to reinforce the city along with Catholic Irish troops from Ireland. Córdoba falls, finally ejecting the Nationalists from southern Spain.

August, 1938 - Rioting in Gijón leads to the slaughter of over 10,000 suspected Republican sympathizers in the Nationalist zone of Spain. Republican forces successfully force the Nationalists out of Gijón and Oviedo with the aid of the Asturian citizens. Tetuán surrenders, bringing Spanish Morocco under Republican control.

September, 1938 - The rapid advance of Republican forces north from southern Spain begins early this month, with the Republicans advancing into León in the north, trapping the remaining Nationalist forces in the northwest.

October, 1938 - Portuguese forces cross into the Nationalist zone and seize Vigo after a mutiny by Nationalist troops against their generals. Burgos falls on October 30 and Franco surrenders to the Republic. Franco orders an end to the hostilities but his last generals in the west refuse to accept defeat.

November, 1938 - Republican forces quickly crush all Nationalist opposition in the country, with the exception of the last fortifications at La Coruña. The soldiers there defect against the remaining Nationalist leaders and execute them for the Republic, saving them from military trial and ending the Spanish Civil War.

PRE-WORLD WAR TWO

January, 1939 - Peace returns to Spain but troubles in Europe cause division among Spaniards. The Spanish Republic decides that it will do all it can to stop Fascism. Republican troops enter Tangier in Spanish Morocco to protect it from possible invasion attempts.

April, 1939 - Czechoslovakia is invaded by Germany in direct violation of the Munich Pact. Spanish defence spending increases as a result and the Republic begins working on upgrading its T-26 tank force into a newer
Spanish tank, known as the "Carro-T".

May, 1939 - General Franco is imprisoned for leading Nationalist forces during the Spanish Civil War rather than executed due to evidence of his sabotaging Nationalist campaigns late in the war.

July, 1939 - Manuel Azaña resigns as President of the Second Republic and takes a position as governor of Tangier. Prime Minister Juan NegrÃn calls an election for October.

August, 1939 - The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact is signed between the USSR and Germany. The shock of Russia's action dismays many Communists in Spain, causing the PCE's (Spanish Communist Party) membership to drop immensely and to become the third largest party in Spain. NegrÃn defects to the Socialist Party.

WORLD WAR TWO

September, 1939 - Germany invades Poland, causing Britain and France to declare war on Germany. Spanish forces are put on high alert.

October, 1939 - NegrÃn wins the elections for prime minister and forms a coalition with Manuel Azaña's party (Izquierda Republicana). NegrÃn declares that Spain will support Britain and France in their war against Germany.

January, 1940 - Spain sends 2 divisions of soldiers to aid Finland in its fight against the USSR in the Russo-Finnish Winter War despite Germany's threats of invasion. Germany and Italy declare war on Spain as a result.

February, 1940 - Spain buys a batallion of Somua S-35 middle tanks from France to reinforce its army.

May, 1940 - Germany launches an offensive against France through the Ardennes, successfully destroying the French army in six weeks and securing Paris. Petain establishes Vichy France and as a result, General Franco is removed from prison to lead the Republican Army. Germany and Italy prepare their forces for the next target - Spain.

June, 1940 - Portugal secretly joins the Axis against Spain to punish the Republic, activating former Nationalist troops.

August, 1940 - Hitler appoints Field Marshall Runstedt, promoted due to his excellent command of troops in the invasion of France, to command Operation 'Stier' (Bull), the German invasion of Spain and Gibraltar. Spanish troops occupy French Morocco and force the Vichy French into Algeria. Britain prepares to send troops to Spain to assist it. General Francisco Franco prepares Spain's defences. If Spain falls, Germany will control the entrance to the Mediterranean and all hope of victory could be lost for the Allies....

Spain must not fall!

[Pablostuka]

And here's a first version of the units. I still need to make the Multi-units for the Assault Guard and the Civil Guard, recolour a lot of units and find the Portuguese units info

A lot of units are from Captain Nemo. Some of them are from Jim Panse, FiGu, Field Marshall Klesh, atlas, tanelorn and Scott F. Some are from myself. I hope I don't forget anyone

I'll do an unit list for every country:

Spain: (in order of appearance)

Strongpoint
Engineers
Legion
Infantry
Militia
Regulares
Civil Guard
Assault Guard
International Brigades
Somua S-35
Carro T
Mortar
155mm Cannon
Polikarpov RZ
Polikarpov I-15
Polikarpov I-16
Messerschmitt Bf-109B (captured in the SCW)
Tupolev SB-2 Katiuska
Fiat CR-32 (captured in the SCW)
Destroyer
Canarias Cruiser
Cervera Cruiser
C-Class Submarine
Armored Car
Breguet 19 bomber
Motorised Infantry

Germany:

Landser
Panzer II
Panzer III
Panzer IV
StuG III
Fallschirmjägers
Sdkfz 250
Wehrmacht
155mm Cannon
Flak 36 88mm
Heinkel He-111H-6
DKM Gneisenau
Junkers Ju-87B Stuka
Junkers Ju-88
Messerschmitt Bf-109E
U-Boot

Italy:

Truppe
Mortar
155mm Cannon
SM-79 Sparviero
Torricelli class submarine
Macchi C200
L60 Tank
MM Cavour Battleship

British Commonwealth:

Infantry
Elite Infantry
Matilda Tank
Mortar
155mm Cannon
Canadian Troops
Hawker Hurricane
British Destroyer
British Carrier
Bristol Blenheim
Supermarine Spitfire
Bren Carrier
Gloster Gladiator

Portugal:

Panzer I
Fuzileiros
Mortar
155mm Cannon

(Portuguese units without shield yet)


Vichy France

Infanterie
Mortar
155mm Cannon

[Arthedain]

Hey Guys!
I really like you're timeline! Can't get enough of Alternative/"What if.."-World War II scenarios. This scenario is looking really good. It will be interesting to fight on all those fronts. Looking forward to it!

[EmuGod]

For those of you who are interested in following along in the construction, further information will be posted at this address: http://www.cdgroup.org/forums/tbs/ci...opic.php?t=120

This is because Pablo prefers to update there, as he has his own forum for his SCW scenario. We'll do our best to update both threads, but dont forget to check out that one too.

[Pablostuka]

Thanks, Arthedain!!

[our_man]

Fantastic back story Pablostuka! You've obviously thought this one through.

However, one event baffles me.

July, 1938 - Republican forces cross the Ebro River and begin their assault on Burgos, using their entire airforce and most of their artillery and tank forces. The remainder of Hitler and Mussolini's forces arrive to reinforce the city along with Catholic Irish troops from Ireland. Córdoba falls, finally ejecting the Nationalists from southern Spain.

Catholic Irish! Eoin O' Duffy's scurvy crew of Blueshirts actually do some fighting in this alternate timeline!?

In real life, O' Duffy and his men spent most of their time sitting on the sidelines drinking. The worst injury they suffered was when one of the Blueshirts got completely hammered and broke his leg by accident!

Without a doubt one of the most useless bunch of soldiers in history.

The only Irishmen that did any real fighting in that war were the IRA Volunteers under Frank Ryan in the Fifth International Brigade on the Republican side; immortalized in the Christy Moore song 'Viva la Quinta Brigada'. Giving the Blueshirts an active role was a hidden joke for any Irish players of the scenario, right?


But I digress. After the excellent Spanish Civil War, I'm really looking forward to this.

[Pablostuka]

Thanks for the compliments, but I have to say that EmuGod is the author of the history and the timeline . He told me about that, and I could not refuse to make an scenario about this . And since then, we are in team work for this creation

Oh, the O'Duffy's thing is to make more international the thing...I know they were a bunch of drunk brats (forgive me about these words ), but sounds quite interesting to include them in the timeline

Thanks again, our_man

[EmuGod]

Pablo, we need to g ive Portugal some sort of aircraft, preferably a figher that it can use against Spain. Perhaps we can change one of the Spanish aircraft to a generic one and give it to every civ except Vichy France.

[Pablostuka]

Okay...I'll get rid of the old Polikarpov's I-15 Chatos...I'll investigate about the Portuguese Air Force in 1940, but if I don't find anything, I'll do a generic biplane for them.

I don't think every civ needs another fighter except from Portugal...the Germans have the Bf-109E, the Italians the Macchi C200, the Brits the Gladiator, Hurricane and Spitfire, and the Repus the I-16, Bf-109B and the CR-32

[EmuGod]

our_man, I'm glad you like the timeline I came up with.

[Cal]

There is a problem with the timeline.

Field Marshal Erwin Rommel leads the attack. Field Marshal? He was a Major General at the battle of France, and was only promoted to Lieutenant General in January 1941, and sent to lead the Afrikakorps in February 1941. It wasn't until around May 1941 that he was promoted to Field Marshal. I'm not sure if it's likely he'd have control of the entire campaign with only the rank of Major General at the time.

You may wish to select a different representative General for the Germans.

[curtsibling]

Looking good, Pablostuka!

If you need a title or any graphics done, I am happy to help!

[Pablostuka]

Originally posted by Cal
There is a problem with the timeline.

Field Marshal Erwin Rommel leads the attack. Field Marshal? He was a Major General at the battle of France, and was only promoted to Lieutenant General in January 1941, and sent to lead the Afrikakorps in February 1941. It wasn't until around May 1941 that he was promoted to Field Marshal. I'm not sure if it's likely he'd have control of the entire campaign with only the rank of Major General at the time.

You may wish to select a different representative General for the Germans.

Thanks for the info, Cal ...EmuGod? We need another German commander! What about Guderian?

@Curt: Thanks a lot, my friend

[EmuGod]

I was thinking Manstein, Bock or Runstedt would work.