Realistic or Modern From This War To The Next: A 1948 Cold War RP (With A Twist) [CLOSED]

[Zillamaster55]

It has been three years since the Reich and the Rising Sun have fallen. The greatest war mankind has ever known has ended, and yet the embers of conflict still burn brightly in the eyes of the superpowers. In the far east, Communist rebels struggle against dictatorial or colonial overlords in order to create nations “for the people”, while across Africa, independence movements rapidly shift from negotiations to gunfights. Europe is split in two, and is divided along the lines of East vs West, Communism vs Capitalism, Red vs Blue. Tensions run high every step of the way…

...as it is from this war, to the next

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Welcome! This is a Cold War nation RP that starts on January 1, 1948! This RP has some interesting twists and turns planned for the long run, but the core gameplay will still be regarding the ever growing power blocs that started forming almost immediately after the fall of Berlin in 1945. This RP is currently closed due to the number of players, and any slots that will open are currently on a waiting list. Nonetheless, feel free to read+have input as a spectator! The world wasn’t just a handful of squabbling nations. It was a lot of squabbling nations.

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Players
RockmanYoshi - Republic of Cambodia
Euskalduna - People's Republic of China
Malos - Federal Republic of Germany
Amfleet - United Soviet Socialist Republics
joshuadim - Federal Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia
Fighting Monk - Federation of Zambezia
Emperor Scorpious II - Judaic Republic of Zion

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TURNS:

 

[Zillamaster55]

Turn 1
January - June, 1948
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World Tension is LOW
World Economy is STABLE

World Events
- Anti-Colonial movements and wars explode across Africa and Asia, most notably in areas such as the Middle East and Indochina. In Iraq, protests turn to riots in Baghdad as Iraqi citizens are furious with the pitiful rule of the British-backed King Faisal II
- In Indochina, the French begin a full-scale withdrawal from the region. The Republics of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are established, all of which are constitutionally barred from allowing Viet Minh associates from participating in elections. Bao Dai of Vietnam remains in power as a figurehead
- Communist forces in China begin a rapid march south as the Kuomintang armies attempting to defend in the northeast rapidly crumble away. Militia groups form across the countryside, harassing Kuomintang forces and destroying supply lines
- The Greek Civil War continues, with Communist forces continuing to wreak havoc in the rural areas of the north. International support seems low for either side, and the possibility of the war burning itself out seems more and more likely
- The Republic of Israel, a breakaway nation state in the former Mandate of Palestine, makes its final push against its Arab opponents for independence. Many nations already refuse to acknowledge its existence, while others are quick to jump at the chance.

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- The French government officially announces its intentions to begin a withdrawal from the colonies in Indochina. A large number of French soldiers are ordered to return home, which many fear essentially surrenders large portions of the region to the Viet Minh
- In return, the remaining French units begin to assist in the arming and training of Anti-Communist militias throughout Indochina, with said army units pulling in around the three capitals of the newly-formed republics of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam
- In Brussels, the French, British, Dutch and Luxembourgish governments sign an agreement to form the “Western Union”, a military alliance between the signatories that ensures the independence of all nations involved, as well as creating a strong economic bond to ensure that the alliance isn’t broken
- French diplomats meet in Madrid and Lisbon in an attempt to improve relations between the Iberian nations and France. Though intense hostility is felt between the Socialist French and Nationalist Spanish, both sides are able to come to an agreement over the threats of “Pure Communism” that are “put forward by the Soviets and their puppet nations”
- American officers remain in France to assist in the training of the newly reorganized French military. Most of this training is to help bring the French army up to speed on new technologies and tactics. Though the French were already quick to catch on to the new face of war, the assistance is appreciated, and bonds the French and American armies closer together
- A huge rebuilding effort takes place across France as the Marshall Plan is put into full effect. Using whatever resources can be taken from Indochina and occupied areas of Germany, the French put as many people to work as possible. A large number of Algerians, who undergo background checks and screenings, are given the chance to become French citizens in return for being part of the massive labor pool needed to repair the broken nation
- Taxes for the middle and lower classes are cut significantly, and further tax cuts are promised for families that take part in the rebuilding of France. Though this puts more and more pressure on the French elites who have only just returned, the SFIO ensures that this is a “worthy sacrifice for the nation”
- To ensure that a severe demographic shift doesn’t take place, the French government signs into law a guaranteed 24 week Maternity and 4 week Paternity leave, as well as tax benefits for every child in a household. All childbirths are publicly subsidised in hospitals, allowing even the poorest citizens to afford vital medical treatment. Pregnancy rates in France skyrocket as a result, and a baby boom is on the horizon
- All Algerian soldiers that fought for the French Republic during the Second World War are officially granted citizenship, as well as all of their first-order relatives, and are given free movement to resettle in France or the Saarland. A large number of Algerians choose to settle in Marseilles due to its proximity to their homeland
- Meanwhile, the French engage in a full-scale crackdown on education within Algeria. A scathing law is put in place, demanding that all Algerian teachers that are not citizens of France be stripped of their jobs and replaced with a French citizen. French is a required language to learn, as well as a push for truly secular education. Teachers must apply to be citizens in order to retain their jobs. This causes massive protests in Algiers as Madrassas are “in essence made irrelevant”
- Engineers at Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne, seeing the progression of small arms in designs like the Sturmgewehr-1944 and Avtomat-Kalashnikova 1947, a new rifle is unveiled. Using a smaller 5.5x40mm cartridge, the Fusil Automatique 5mm M.48 (FAM-48) utilizes a 25 round detachable box magazine and is select fire with a 700rpm cyclic rate. The FAM-48 is set to be slowly adopted by the French government and in full service before the end of the decade
- At D'assaut, engineers begin testing France’s first foray into jet fighter craft. The D’assaut M.D450 Cyclone undergoes stress testing. With a cruising speed of 750km/h, and a top speed of more than 920km/h, this single-seat fighter jet boasts 4 Hispano cannons and hardpoints for bombs and rockets. Though expensive, and with many pilots required to undergo retraining to handle the craft, the M.D450 is set to be a vicious competitor to other aircraft of its kind

- As the war rages on in the former Mandate of Palestine, the Jewish rebels under the command of David Ben-Gurion announce their plans to declare an independent Judean Republic of Zion. This outrages many of the nearby Arab populations, which causes Syria and Jordan to begin mobilizing their own armies to repel the oncoming Jewish armies. However, as the war still stays on a knife’s edge, the plan on creating the unitary government is put on hold
- Immigration to Zion is allowed, though limited. Visas are immediately distributed to holocaust survivors and their immediate families who apply, and the Soviet Union moves to recognize the independence of Zion. This large influx of Soviet Jews is made up largely of pro-Socialist individuals, which will no doubt lead to interesting results in the eventual elections
- Refugees from Europe, and those that made it to the Americas/Asia, are openly invited to come to Zion. With many areas held by Jews filled with empty, abandoned houses, these refugees are given a two year free lease on these homes and the land surrounding them. In return, the refugees must “pay it forward” for the state of total war that Zion has found itself in. Food, clothing, water, cigarettes, fuel or the refugees themselves must be given in order to support the ongoing war effort
- Seeing the war turning in the favor of the Jewish rebels in the Levant, President Truman officially moves to recognize their independence. This, paired with the recognition from the Soviet Union, sees the newly declared Zion approved by Britain and France to become a member of the United Nations. Many middle eastern nations still refuse to recognize their independence
- Using abandoned cars and trucks, engineers attach large steel plates, chunks of brick or even cloth-covered bed frames to provide cover for these “Chamos” (Ferret) armored cars. These vehicles lack guns, and suffer from the extreme weight and thus guzzle fuel, but provide enough cover to transport troops to the front lines
- Boot camps are set up in any population area, where military recruits are taught basic commands and basic rifle doctrine. Many of them have arrived with rifles smuggled from Europe, most of them being former Soviet weapons, which is an ironic juxtaposition with the use of surplus German equipment once captured by the British. A problem that the officers run into is the fact that many of these Jews come from different areas of Europe, and thus have modified dialects of the Hebrew language, making command difficult
- With the war growing closer and closer to Jerusalem itself, the Zion military has chosen to completely remove the Haganah from their positions as military commanders, and replace them with the Irgun. The Irgun and their push for a zionist state meshes well with the approach to Jerusalem, and troops are ordered to make a massive push towards Jerusalem. The fighting is brutal and bloody, as the Arabs are filled with a religious zeal that is equal to the Zion troops. The fighting will rage for months later, though both sides take special care to avoid damaging any religious buildings, no matter their denomination

- With news of the incoming “Roosevelt Plan” for the total division of Germany, the Allied Occupation Zones in the west are consolidated into a single zone, jointly administered by French, British and American armies plus hand picked German advisors. Meanwhile, the Dutch and Danish expansions into Germany are finalized, which enrages and demoralizes much of the ethnically German population in those areas
- Far left and far right parties, such as the KPD and remnants of the NSDAP, are outright banned. Any demonstration involving members of their party are to be broken up, and police raids into KPD offices are a common occurrence. Much of the northern territories, due to religious, social and political divides, suffer the most from this change, though in the south, the Bavarian Administration Zone sees no major change amongst its own stability
- The southern wings of the CDU and CSU, the two most powerful conservative parties in southern Germany, are merged together as the Deutsche Christliche Union. Though this has divided much of the right into three parties, the coming division of Bavaria will see the DCU as the strongest party in Bavaria, with the SPD (soon to be SPB) following as a close second
- Ludwig Erhard, a powerful pro-peace politician and economist from southern Germany, is appointed as the head of the Economic Council for the Occupied Territories of Germany, and begins funneling the money of the Marshall Plan into a “two pronged approach”. Much of the money is used to assist in the rebuilding of German industry that was largely destroyed by Allied bombing campaigns, though the reconstruction has been well underway since the end of the war, the money will nonetheless help. The remaining money is sent to a central bank to be evenly divided amongst the new German states the following year
- Erhard also moves to introduce the Deutsche Mark. With Allied division plans requiring the German states to have their own currency, Erhard has proposed that the Deutsche Mark be used as a “multi-national trading currency”, that can be used for external trade between the German states, and can be traded in foreign markets. Ironically enough, this post-war currency is worth far and away much more than the Mark was but less than twenty years prior
- A German clothing designer, after taking a hike in the woods, discovered a number of burrs attached to his pants. After some inspection, the designer, Emil Gorman, patents “Gormanstoff”, or “Gorman’s Cloth”. With small hooks one one piece, and fine filaments on the other, this invention allows for the quick and easy application of a variety of goods. The first piece of equipment to use Gormanstoff is a pair of shoes for his son
- Engineers at Werkstatt für Feinmechanik und Optik, Franke & Heidecke--alternatively, WFO--unveil their newest product. Using a flash of light, mirrors and application of pressure, the WFO-Einz is capable of printing pictures almost instantly. The pictures are stored in a small compartment, and are more easily developed. There are some designs that produce the pictures without the need for development, though they are incredibly expensive and somewhat unreliable

- Representatives from Rhodesia-Nyasaland are sent to Europe, the United States and East Asia for two reasons. Primarily, these representatives desire the investment from foreign companies to assist in farming and mining industries that are beginning to grow within the federation, and to secondarily attract new settlers with a small number of acres for land. A number of arrivals come from Britain, France, Italy and the United States, alongside a handful of Koreans and Chinese who managed to escape with some money to their name
- Freeport Minerals from the United States opens up a number of copper mines in the mineral rich areas of central Nyasaland. Much of the employees are blacks, who receive minimal pay, while white advisors are regularly given commission for the tonnage of minerals exported
- With the blessings of Britain, who is struggling to maintain their colonial empire almost as much as the French, the Federation of Rhodesia-Nyasaland undergoes major restructuring. The three colonies are broken up into a number of smaller provinces, that are represented in a bicameral parliament that will see free elections in early November. This does upset many of the colonial elite, and leads to some severe bureaucratic red-tape, but will benefit the federation in the future
- Intense funding goes towards public schooling as many children are being born to the arriving populaces. These schools are for primary and early secondary educations, with later secondary educations remaining privately held and administered. Many British teachers arrive in the area, as the pay is acceptable, and the prospect of living in an “exotic” environment is enticing
- A major decision is made by governor Kennedy. A full-scale desegregation of the army and public schooling systems takes place, with the hopes of integrating the local African populace into “British society” as much as possible. This is an outrage to the conservative groups, who promise to rescind this decision come the elections if they win. Africans are still barred from holding public office or voting, and many fear that their voices will be silenced almost immediately after being heard
- Pensions and land benefits are organized and given to any soldiers who served in the Second World War. Though this is only a small number of white settlers, there are a number of Africans who served as rear line or supply-based soldiers. The Africans, despite Kennedy’s efforts, are barred from receiving these benefits, or else Kennedy would risk “parliamentary rebellion”
- Retired British and French officers are invited to Rhodesia-Nyasaland to assist in training the newly organized Army of the Federation. With the arrival of many black soldiers, these officers are biased in their training, and black troops are given incredibly hasty and poor training in order to ensure that their white counterparts remain on top

- After ensuring that the Dominion of South Africa would remain a member of the Commonwealth, and would be willing to aid the United Kingdom in “future conflicts both on the continent and elsewhere”, the Dominion of South Africa absorbs the Bechuanaland Protectorate, expanding the borders of South Africa northward. Now bordering the Federation of Rhodesia-Nyasaland, South Africa can reap the benefits of trade with another African country
- A large number of delegates make the trip to Europe to encourage migration to South Africa. Regardless of previous political or military associations, Europeans are given the opportunity to buy a small acreage of land and move to South Africa to both benefit the economy and “support Africa’s beacon of civility”
- However, though South Africa moves to tie itself closer to the British empire, the far-right anti-British white supremacist organization, the Ossewabrandwag is given the clearance to form its own political party. This shocks many British onlookers, as the Ossewabrandwag was a pro-Nazi organization, and with the newly formed Afrikaner-Mense se Partytjie (Afrikaner People’s Party) now on the ballot, the future for South Africa remains uncertain
- Apartheid, the system in which black South Africans are barred from participation in politics, education and certain public spaces, is put into full force. Taking a drastic step forward, prime minister Smuts has moved to begin the forced removal of blacks from South African urban centers. Any black african making less than 75% the average income is ordered to vacate their city of residence by the end of the year
- The social situation in South Africa takes a dangerous turn, as pro-black political groups begin to form in earnest as a reaction to the hardcore pro-White developments in the government. Meanwhile, as the government begins to choke out the life of the possibility of civil rights amongst blacks, the AMP has not-so-subtly begun to support the Afrikaner Nasionale Verdedigingskorps (Afrikaner National Defense Corp), a violent far-right “militia” group that spends much of its time harassing or beating black africans that attempt to speak out against Apartheid
- Domestic engineering teams begin using a number of captured Panzer V tanks, as well as lend-lease Churchill Mk. VIIs to design a heavy tank for South Africa. Sporting a 150mm gun, the Mk.I Swaartank (Heavy Tank) is heavily armored and incredibly resilient to fire. Though lacking a turret, as the main gun is held in a centerline sponson, the Mk.I ST is more than enough to fight any sort of armored vehicle, at least from the front
- Having studied the technology on loan from the United Kingdom, the “Land Mattress” is adopted by the South African military, though with some minor adjustments. Instead of the larger rockets, the South African model uses smaller rockets of only 15kg of explosive, but with a higher concentration of shrapnel. Capable of firing 35 rockets in less than 10 seconds, the South African Land Matras is a versatile, if not a bit overkill, artillery piece

- With the agreement of the French and Soviets, the occupied territories of Germany are to be split up into a number of smaller states: the Kingdom of Bavaria, Kingdom of Hanover, Grand Duchy of Hesse, Rhenish Republic, Democratic Republic of Brandenburg and People’s Republic of Saxony, as well as a Saarland Protectorate given to France. Meanwhile, the populace in Austria votes to remain a democratic republic. This move enrages much of the German population, who has “had enough with Kings”, and the effects of such a decision remain to be seen
- Seeing the war turning in the favor of the Jewish rebels in the Levant, President Truman officially moves to recognize their independence. This, paired with the recognition from the Soviet Union, sees the newly declared Zion approved by Britain and France to become a member of the United Nations. Many middle eastern nations still refuse to recognize their independence
- A large-scale rebuilding of Japan goes underway. Though Germany had suffered more bombing raids in regards to bombs dropped, the sheer devastation to Japan’s major population centers was far more severe. Much of the Marshall Plan money going to Japan is centered simply on rebuilding, as much of the broken up Zaibatsus are more than capable of introducing jobs to the beleaguered populace
- Bizarrely, the United States once again propositions Denmark to purchase Greenland for $100,000,000. With the expansion of Denmark southward into Germany, the Danish government accepts the purchase in order to assist in the administration and rebuilding of their new territories. Immediately, ports in Greenland are expanded to house American naval vessels, primarily submarines
- Due to his incredibly high unpopularity, President Truman chooses not to run for reelection. This sends a shockwave through the Democratic National Congress, as the far-right conservative Strom Thurmond wins the nomination as presidential candidate. In response, democrats most aligned with Roosevelt’s policy of the New Deal break away to either join the Republicans, or to form the Progressive Party. The 1948 elections will nonetheless be incredibly interesting
- American officers remain in France to assist in the training of the newly reorganized French military. Most of this training is to help bring the French army up to speed on new technologies and tactics. Though the French were already quick to catch on to the new face of war, the assistance is appreciated, and bonds the French and American armies closer together
- At Springfield, rifle designers finally manage to introduce a weapon capable of dethroning the M1 Garand from being the service rifle for the US Army. Similar to the Garand in design, the Springfield T-48 uses a 20-round box magazine, and is chambered in the French 5.5x40mm cartridge, rather than the beefy .30-06. This decision is made to reduce the recoil from full-automatic fire, which many soldiers found to be simply too extreme. Redesignated as the M2 Springfield, the T-48 is expected to see full-scale adoption by the middle of the next decade
- The North American F-86 Sabre is given a once-over by the USAAF. Though having flown successfully in the previous year, a handful of adjustments are made to boost the performance of the United States’ first mass-produced jet fighter. Improvements to the engine, though not increasing speed, add to the performance and fuel efficiency of the aircraft. By 1950, the USAAF hopes to introduce the F-86-A1 en-masse

- The People’s Republic of Bulgaria is granted independence by the Soviet Union. Most of its government is made up of hand-picked Pro-Stalin officials, many of whom are opposed to Tito’s plans of further expansion of Yugoslavia. This comes as a shock to Titoist officials, who are quickly ousted by the newly formed Bulgarian government. The Tito-Stalin split grows wider as the days go on
- In the occupied regions of Germany, the Soviet government prepares for the organization of Brandenburg and Saxony as independent states under the control of Soviet-appointed officials. Meanwhile, in Austria, the vote for an independent republic succeeds in the west, and Soviet advisors push for the creation of the Austrian Democratic Republic, which is approved by Stalin, though its formation will come with the Roosevelt Plan at the beginning of 1949
- Immigration to Zion is allowed, though limited. Visas are immediately distributed to holocaust survivors and their immediate families who apply, and the Soviet Union moves to recognize the independence of Zion. This large influx of Soviet Jews is made up largely of pro-Socialist individuals, which will no doubt lead to interesting results in the eventual elections
- At home, Stalin moves to increase the private share of collectivised farms from 3% to 6%. With so many Russian lives having been lost in the Great Patriotic War, this land cannot rely on being administered by collectives alone, and the increase of privately held land will give some relief to the populace of the Soviet Union which is still set to wartime rationing
- Georgy Malenkov, a friend and ally of Joseph Stalin, is slowly groomed as an obvious successor. With Stalin’s rapidly advancing age, the Man of Steel recognizes that the future of the Soviet Union and its puppets will be very different from when Stalin first took power. Georgy Malenkov, however, is young and will carry on Stalin’s legacy. Opposition to Malenkov’s advancements are demoted, forced out of office, or outright disappeared
- Stalin’s regular retreats to his dachas, mainly to receive medical treatment and to simply relax, now include Malenkov. The two spend much of their time discussing Marxist theology, and ways to benefit the growth and administration of the Soviet state
- The Soviet navy undergoes a full-scale doctrinal reformation. With the high seas dominated by other navies, the Soviets recognize that the submarine must act as the new capital ship. A handful of large, outdated existing capital ships are disbanded, either to become museum ships or outright scrapped. Destroyers, patrol boats and patrol aircraft are the only real surface forces present, save for the designs of aircraft carriers that the Soviet navy sees as a logical step forward
- Near Irkutsk, a rocket research facility is formed in order to focus on adapting the the Nazi V-2 for “practical purposes”. Most of the rockets tested are captured V-2s, with a handful having been built by Soviet scientists, though the specifics aren’t as accurate, and thus not as reliable
- The Avtomat Kalashnikova 1947, alternatively known as the AK-47, undergoes one final design change to ensure a reliable production cycle. Instead of milled parts, the AK-47 uses a stamped process to reduce weight and resources, and is retitled as the AKM. The AKM is set to see mass adoption by the Soviet army, though the initial rifles are only given to special forces and officers. The SKS remains as the standard rifle, while the SVT-40 is reintroduced as a marksman rifle, largely to keep them in use
- Soviet naval engineers begin working on modifying the engine rooms of submarines to reduce their noise. Using a combination of asbestos and fiberglass, a protective “shell” is added to the walls to absorb sound. This proves to be somewhat effective, as well as reducing the chance of a fire spreading from the engine room. The only tradeoff is that the already snug space around the engine becomes cramped
- At Antonov, Stalin commissions the creation of a large capacity passenger aircraft. Mimicking the Douglas DC-3, the Antonov P48 can hold 30 passengers and can easily make the flight from Moscow to Paris. With this, the formation of the Советская Авиакомпания (Sovetskaya Aviakompaniya) [Soviet Airline Organization/SA] is made official, with a number of AP-48s built. Most of these planes carry dignitaries and government officials, as most citizens cannot afford the government-controlled ticket prices

- With the repeated attempts on Tito’s life, Yugoslavia officially severs diplomatic ties to the Soviet Union and demands that Stalin be held accountable. This comes hot on the heels of the organization of an independent Bulgaria that is made up of harshly anti-Tito officials. Any attempts made by Yugoslavia to unite with Bulgaria, which is the vision of Tito and many of his associates, are ignored or outright refused
- Nonetheless, Yugoslavia mimics the Soviet Union in the organization of a 5 year plan, largely by focusing on rebuilding the Yugoslav industrial capacity and road infrastructure. With a more market focused form of socialism, the Titoist government will be reliant on small, government operated industries to assist in the creation of a consumer economy
- A number of youth organizations are formed by the government. These groups, simply named the “Izviđači” (Scouts), and are focused on children, teenage boys/girls and then college aged individuals. These groups are not only good for after-school activities and helping with education regarding the state, but the Scouts are also tasked with the rebuilding of the Yugoslav economy as best as they can
- Despite the relative anti-Nazi attitudes amongst the Yugoslav populace, the Croatians and Serbs remain incredibly hostile towards one another thanks to the Stasi and attempted genocide of the Serbian population. Tito pushes for unity, and due to his Croatian background, heavily condemns the Stasi and its associates. A full scale hunt of Stasi and Pro-Nazi Serbs takes place, and those arrested are summarily executed after a short trial
- Seeing the effectiveness of strategic bombing against the Germans and Japanese, a large number of air raid bunkers are constructed in major cities. These bunkers, usually held near train stations, libraries or city halls, are made to protect as many civilians as possible from potential air raids
- Though the Yugoslav army is small, a handful of divisions are sent from the Adriatic to the Danube to keep an eye on Soviet troops in Hungary. Due to the anti-Titoist Bulgaria, Yugoslavia fears the creation of an anti-Tito Hungary, and with the large number of Hungarians in northeast Yugoslavia, there could be some hostility between the two countries, which would undoubtedly bring the Soviets’ attention towards Yugoslavia
- After some research and recruitment from standing troops, the “Posebna Skupina za Obranu” (Special Defense Group) [PSO] is formed. Similar to the Soviet Osnaz and American Marine Raiders, the PSO is dedicated to commando operations and undercover missions. Otherwise, little is known about how they operate and how many there are
- Seeing the growth of the American, French, British and Soviet jet developments, the Yugoslav government chooses to reform Rogožarski, creating a design bureau not too dissimilar from MiG in the Soviet Union. After some testing, the Yugoslav air force sees the introduction of the R-1 Kliktavac (Kestrel). Capable of speeds up to 900km/h, and carrying four NR-23 cannons, the R-1 is a fast--though slow turning--jet interceptor. The R-1 is planned to be adopted in force by the end of 1950
- At Zastava, though primarily a small-arms manufacturer, a number of designs for anti-tank mines are put to the test. One design uses a “cluster” of charges, which send multiple shaped charges in a variety of directions to do as much damage to the crew and modules as possible. These designs are somewhat unreliable, due to their weight the spread of explosives around the battlefield, but can eviscerate even some of the heaviest tanks

 

[Amfleet]

how to kill beria

oh wait this isn't google

 

[Zillamaster55]

In a stunning upset, the United States presidential election of 1948 ends with no clear victor, at least from the outset. With 262 electoral votes, hardline conservative Strom Thurmond outweighs his republican contender Thomas Dewey by at least 50 votes. However, with Wallace having gained 57 votes from more progressive electors, the requirement of 270 electoral votes is not achieved by any of the candidates.

As a response, the house of representatives is forced to convene to give electoral votes to their preferred candidate. Unwilling to sacrifice their positions to the progressives, republican-leaning representatives move to support Thurmond, giving him the minimum of 270 electoral votes.

The future of America is now in the hands of a firebrand, self-described white supremacist, and how that will affect the nation--and the world--remains to be seen…

 

[TheGriff]

 

[Amfleet]

Is this what we meant by #ConvertItToRacism?

 

[Fighting Monk]

#WhereTheWhiteWomenAt

 

[Zillamaster55]

Turn 2
July - December, 1948
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World Tension is LOW (RISING)
World Economy is STABLE

World Events
- The Judean Republic of Zion is founded after a years long bloody war over the Levant. With Jerusalem cut in half between Transjordan and Zion, tensions remain incredibly high, and the possibility of another war is almost guaranteed
- The war in China turns in the favor of the communists by a massive degree. With Beijing and many other large cities in the north simply being bowled over, the Kuomintang government struggles to keep a foothold as it is beaten back further and further into the jungles and mountains of the southeast. Observers expect a communist victory by the early half of next year
- Dutch forces in Indonesia see backing from French troops exiting Indochina, and using a small portion of the Marshall Plan funds, gains are made against the Indonesian rebels
- In eastern Asia, two Korean states see their independence from the United States and Soviet Union. The Republic of Korea in the south, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the north. Both governments are tied directly to their overlords, and tensions along the border begins to rise quickly
- Diplomats from the Judean Republic of Zion demand that reparations be paid from Germany for the holocaust. Though the Occupation Zone is already stretched for cash, the sitting governments are forced to pay huge amounts of money in the form of bullion and bonds to the Zionist government, as the Allied powers agree to Zion’s request
- The United States intervenes in Greece, and the Yugoslav-backed Greek rebels quickly begin to fold as the overwhelming firepower of the Americans rolls through them
- Due to the severe economic setbacks of the Second World War, the United Kingdom sees numerous colonial possessions gain independence. In order to keep some form of control in the Middle East, the British release Egypt and Transjordan as vassal kingdoms that are reliant on the British for economic and military protection, but are otherwise independent
- In the United States, far-right Democrat and self-proclaimed white supremacist Strom Thurmond defeats Republican Thomas Dewey. How this will affect the future of the United States is unknown

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- Seeing that the war against the Viet Minh will be taking a backseat in the minds of the French military, units originally intended to return home to France, or be outright disbanded, have been moved to assist the Dutch in Indochina. With many of the Indonesians aligning themselves with far left movements, the French fear a “domino effect” as a result of improper handling of colonial conflicts
- With the approval of the United Kingdom, France moves to split Libya east and west. In the west, a Republic of Tripolitania is formed, and will conduct its first election in the November of 1949. In the east, the British set up a Senussi Kingdom under the rule of Idris as-Senussi. The decision to have two radically different governments comes as a trend with the victorious powers
- Greeks, Italians, Albanians and Spaniards, many of whom are dissatisfied or simply fleeing their homeland, are invited to come to France to partake in the rebuilding efforts. As a reward, these migrant workers would be given a wage--though smaller than their French counterparts--and have themselves on the road to citizenship
- As the threat of communism looms over eastern Europe, the French government begins a large scale anti-communist propaganda campaign, and makes efforts to dissuade communists from partaking in any form of the political process. This enrages communist sympathisers, and protests take place in major cities against the measures
- Religious education of any kind, and the politicization of places of worship, is outright banned in France. Religious schools belonging to the Catholic Church are forcibly closed and their tithes split between the French government and the rest sent to the Vatican. This infuriates the Catholic population of the country, and many on the French right-wing distance themselves from the sitting government
- France’s economy rapidly begins to recover, as much of the labor needed to support the rebuilding efforts comes from overseas, and payments to workers begin to see returns as roads, railways, coal plants and factories begin to crop up in areas ravaged by the war
- The French begin arming the Laotian and Vietnamese militaries with surplus equipment and Marshall Plan money. A counter-insurgency against the Viet Minh continues, including the use of airstrikes against territories held by the communists in the North. However, the French themselves are continuing to withdraw from the region, unwilling to simply throw away lives for such a distant colony
- Napalm, originally used for large-scale strategic bombing, is now used by the M.D450 jets to attack entrenched Viet Minh positions. Nonetheless, due to the expansion of the Communist Chinese, a large number of arms and volunteers flood into northern Vietnam, and Hanoi remains under siege
- French armories begin producing huge numbers of the FAM-48 assault rifle in order to keep up with the production rates of the Americans and Soviets. Much of the earlier equipment is either placed in storage or sold as surplus to various armies around the world. French troops also undergo a series of new training regimens to familiarize themselves with the new tactics involving assault rifles

- Diplomats from the Judean Republic of Zion demand that reparations be paid from Germany for the holocaust. Though the Occupation Zone is already stretched for cash, the sitting governments are forced to pay huge amounts of money in the form of bullion and bonds to the Zionist government, as the Allied powers agree to Zion’s request
- As part of the incoming constitutions for the various German states, a full-scale recognition of Zion is enacted, and come the independence of said states, a number of embassies will open in order to repair relations between the Jewish and German peoples
- Ludwig Erhard enacts large scale tax cuts on the middle and lower classes in order to encourage the mass consumption of regular goods. As the German economy slowly but surely begins to repair itself, the hunger for imported foods, entertainment and various amenities grows, and Erhard knows that high taxes will repress the growth of the consumer industry
- A campaign to repair old structures, such as churches and castles, takes place throughout southern Germany. In order to preserve German culture, the occupational government permits the protection of various medieval and renaissance era sites. A US National Park-esque program is put in place to turn these structures into tourist spots
- Marshall Plan money continues to come in, and is spent primarily on ensuring that the highways and roadways of Germany are organized in such a way that the independent states will be able to conduct trade both internally and externally with as many entrances/exits as possible
- A deal with Springfield Armory takes place, allowing the incoming Bavarian nation to produce the T48 Rifle. With its new 7.62x51mm cartridge, the T48--Now G48--will become a unique weapon in the arsenal of the Bavarian armory, and is an important step forward in the world of arms development
- Engineers at Staatliches Hofbräuhaus unveil their newest technology. Using a huge series of complex, linked vats, the facility is capable of producing thousands of gallons of beer in a much quicker and more reliable pace. This will help in growing the economy, as the consumption of beer in Germany hasn’t changed much since the drink’s invention

- Seeing the incoming president Strom Thurmond, South Africa quickly moves to deepen its relations with the United States. Much of this comes in the form of a pseudo-propaganda campaign, comparing the settlement of the United States to the settlement of South Africa, mainly through “taming the savages”
- Jan Smuts, having acquiesced to much of the opposition’s demands, loses his office in the general elections to the National Party. Now, with Daniel Malan as prime minister, more severe changes to the social structure of South Africa are set to take place
- Tribal groups that find themselves living on resource rich lands are forcibly vacated in order for the development of industry. Both corporations and the government begin exploiting these regions, regardless of how the populace of the tribes are treated
- As industries begin to grow in South Africa, the government moves to encourage companies to hire predominantly black workers, and in return the payment of wages can be cut significantly. This is paired with the growth of a welfare system for whites, as the taxes levied off of companies can be used to support poorer whites that may have their jobs replaced with cheap black labor
- Pushes for the improvement of quality of life for whites continue, with large portions of cities now having forcibly removed blacks remaining empty. These apartments are government controlled with a flat rent, encouraging the growth of white populations in the cities. Secondarily, the government adds a 3% tax cut per-child for white South Africans, pushing for large white families
- A massive push against communism takes place. Propaganda posters, broadcasts and films are plastered throughout cities and disseminated into rural regions. Active communists are arrested and so-called “dens of the red menace” are raided by police. A handful of communist activists are killed in scuffles
- With the armies of Europe and Asia demobilizing, the South African government rushes to begin purchasing as much surplus as possible, focusing on getting the most efficient and reliable weapons. However, upon receiving their shipments, South African arms manufacturers immediately begin making copies of small arms, tanks and aircraft to mimic them as best as possible and ensure domestic production of military equipment
- The Afrikaner Nasionale Verdedigingskorps, the violent, paramilitary wing of the AMP, is absorbed by the South African military and given intensive training. Much of these men wash out, as legitimate military training is far more difficult than beating on homeless blacks. However, those that remain are made into elite soldiers of the military, and are used for covert and special operations
- Facing the possibility of a guerrilla war, the South African military begins putting major effort into field medicine and trauma training for its troops. Unwilling to lose men for stupid reasons, much of the new tactics for the army comes in the form of “shock and retreat”, with massive, focused attacks and then a tactical withdrawal to prevent losses
- After observing a multitude of designs from Europe, mainly German, the South African military begins producing a domestic form of helicopter. Using a large rotor with a long tail boom, the Autogyro Model 1, also known as the AG-1 or “Besie” (Beetle), is capable of carrying small cargo or a handful of troops over a short distance, allowing soldiers to ignore difficult terrain
- Using a modified Panzer II tank, the South African military creates an armored vehicle specifically designed to strike fear into the hearts of their enemies. Using a pressurized stream of gasoline and napalm, the flamethrower within the turret has a range of 40 meters, and the jellied napalm allows the fires to continue burning for minutes. The Mk.I “Draaktank” (Dragon Tank) is the perfect weapon to murder insurgents

- After a short vote in congress, president Truman agrees to send a handful of troops to support King Pavlos of Greece in his civil war against the communists. Most of these soldiers quickly break through the rebel positions in a matter of weeks, as the exhausted Greek military is given a moment of reprieve. Plans for intervention in Indochina, Indonesia and China are denied
- The Rada of the Democratic Republic of Belarus, having escaped the Soviet Union decades ago, is officially recognized as a government in exile, and is given a state-owned residence in Rockford, Illinois. Guards are stationed outside of the building to prevent communist assassins
- As tensions begin to rise in India, and the possibility of a war breaking out between Pakistan and India more likely every day, Truman sees the opportunity for communist infiltrators to make the situation far worse. Truman moves to recognize the princely state of Hyderabad as an independent nation, which infuriates India but prevents them from simply kicking in the door of the landlocked country
- After intense deliberation with local leaders, the Republic of Korea is officially established with the capital set to the city of Seoul. Syngman Rhee, the anti-communist leader of the Liberal Party, is given the position of president. With tensions already rising along the borders of the Democratic Republic and Republic of Korea, the island of Jeju remains under American military occupation
- President elect Strom Thurmond takes a tour through the southern states of the US, meeting with conservative leaders such as Bull Connor, reinforcing Thurmond’s stance on state’s rights and the non-interference of the federal government
- The federal government decides to interfere as president Truman pushes through Executive Order 9981, officially desegregating the United States military. This immediately sends a shock through the United States and enrages many of the hardline conservatives, and congress shuts down for three days as lawmakers attempt to veto the order, though nothing is achieved
- Mass adoption of the T-48 continues as the United States begins producing models for Belgium, the Netherlands, Bavaria, Canada and Great Britain. As the allied nations grow closer together in their relationships, the standardization of cartridges and rifles is an important step forward for streamlining and modernizing the armies of western Europe
- The American station on the Ross Ice Shelf is expanded into the Byrd Air Force Base. Though this flies in the face of the idea of a “neutral” antarctica, most of this base is dedicated to cold-weather weapons and military research, as well as climatology and oceanic studies

- An agreement is made between the Soviet Union and Mao’s communist armies to see the transfer of East Turkestan and Port Arthur to the planned People’s Republic of China come the end of the war. This is an important step for bringing China into the fold, which could see a nation of nearly 1 billion people as a staunch ally of the Soviet Union
- The Soviet Union approaches the United Nations in open support for independence movements across Africa. Any pro-independence group has been recommended to travel to Moscow to begin working with the “International Association of Independence Movements”. This draws ire from colonial empires and smug claims of hypocrisy in regards to the Soviet’s occupation of eastern Germany, Austria and Hungary
- At roughly the same time as the Americans, the Soviet Union ends its occupation of its Korean gains and founds the independent Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, with its capital situated in Pyongyang. At its head is Kim Il Sung, acting as chairman and head of both state and military. A number of Soviet divisions remained stationed in the region as tensions begin to rise along the border
- Forced migrations and deportations of minority groups in the Soviet Union end, but intense observation continues, and any dissidents are immediately arrested and sent to forced labor camps. Crimeans and Chechens are allowed to return home, but many find that their homes were destroyed in the fighting or are now occupied by Russians
- Volga Germans, one of the bizarre minorities within the Soviet Union, are given the opportunity to pledge their allegiance to the state, and denounce their German heritage by adopting a “Soviet Citizen” mindset. Those that go through with this are allowed to settle in Kaliningrad, alternatively known as Volksburg, and form the “Deutsche Sowjetische Sozialistische Republik”, or DSSR
- In Moscow, the Soviet Union and its satellites meet to create the “People’s Overseas Trade Organization” (POTO), which acts as an international market for trade between socialist nations, while simultaneously slapping heavy tariffs on any imports from capitalist nations. This not only ties the economies of the satellites to the USSR, but makes them outright dependent
- Stalin introduces the "Великий План Преобразования Природы" (Velikiy Plan Preobrazovaniya Prirody) [Great Plan for the Transformation of Nature], which is a massive forest clearing, waterway forming, dam building and farm expanding plan over the next decade to make the Soviet Union not only food independent, but independent on mineral exports as well
- Much of the Soviet Army finally begins to stand down, though the Soviets continue to keep military production going at full force. A volunteer reserve option is given to those that are returning home, and for those that weren’t pulled into conscription during the Great Patriotic War. This gives an incentive to stay in the army, and a large recruitment pool in the event of another war

- Despite the arrival of the American intervention, the Yugoslav government declares its open support for the Greek rebels, and begins sending arms and equipment to aid in their civil war. However, the sheer overwhelming firepower of the United States makes these efforts wasted
- Rebuilding efforts continue, and the implementation of the Scouts makes it far easier for Yugoslavia’s destroyed infrastructure to begin seeing use again. A series of roadways linking the major cities of the country have been rebuilt, and though traffic is limited, internal commerce slowly returns
- Using Tito as a propaganda figure, the Yugoslav government tries its hardest to push for unity amongst the ethno-religious communities in Yugoslavia. Due to the government’s anti-theist stance, the issues of church doctrine are already ignored. Primarily, Yugoslavia ensures that a dual-script system will be used in all civil and legal proceedings
- Tito moves a number of administrators from the treasury to directly oversee the health of the Yugoslavian Dinar. With the turbulence of trying to rebuild a postwar economy, and all chances of working with the Soviet Union economically having evaporated, a controlled and regulated currency is the best way to steady the course
- With no access to the Marshall Plan, Yugoslavia is forced to purchase bonds and take loans from the various banks of Europe. However, these funds are put towards making the cities of Sarajevo and Belgrade into “grand cities of the future”. Much of the damaged areas of the cities are simply bulldozed, while even untouched areas are torn down to make room for modernized apartment buildings and factories
- Seeing the hostility from the Bulgarian government, and growing concerns over the Soviet troops stationed in Hungary, Yugoslavia quickly conscripts 100,000 more men into the army to have them guard the borders which now includes Bulgaria. This stretches the weak supply lines of the army to their limit, but these troops are to act as a first line of defense
- Nearly 1000 Rogožarski R-1 Kliktavac interceptors are ordered by the Yugoslav government. Due to the severe damage and looting of factories that took place during the occupation and subsequent liberation, the Yugoslav air industry is still sluggish to ramp up production, and only a few dozen can be made operational at any point. A lack of pilots also means that many of these planes simply sit in hangers
- Seeing the advantageous use of the assault rifle, as well as the idea of a low-hull, high-slope tank, the Yugoslav arms industry begins mimicking the Soviet Union nearly beat for beat. At Zastava, the leading arms manufacturer, the Zastava “Automatska Puška 48” (Automatic Rifle 48/AP-48) is a direct copy of the AK-47, though chambered in the German 7.92x33mm Kurz
- Elsewhere, the Military Technical Institute of Belgrade creates a near carbon copy of the Soviet T-44 medium tank, with the same gun, engine and armor designs. Though Yugoslavia’s military will not be seeing the mass deployment of this tank for at least a few years, the armored corps appreciate having tanks that can actually do something
- Mimicking the Soviets once again, Rogožarski engineers begin working on a “front line bomber”, which could support ground troops with fire from above. Though still reliant on propellers, the RB-1 “Štrajk Orao” (Strike Eagle) utilizes four NR-23 cannons on a nose mount, and numerous wing hardpoints to carry a huge variety of munitions
- After a short deal with the United Kingdom, the Yugoslav military begins constructing radar stations. However, a quick backroom change sees the technology completely in the hands of Yugoslavia, which no doubt angers the British but ensures that Yugoslavia’s air space is protected

- With the approval of the British Government, and in return for 5% of all taxable goods for 5 years, alongside remaining a part of the commonwealth, the Dominion of Rhodesia-Nyasaland officially becomes independent. The first order of the new nation is to ratify the constitution, creating a bicameral parliament, with a dual-leadership of a Prime Minister to represent the people, and a Lord Governor to represent British interests
- After declaring independence, acting Prime Minister Kennedy ratifies a parliamentary decision to change both the flag and the official name of the nation. The Federation of Zambezia, the original name that Cecil Rhodes intended, is born, and joins the ranks of many in the United Nations
- A huge push for immigration from Europe, primarily the United Kingdom and Ireland, with many migrants being given huge grants for creating farms or industries. Whites living in Zambezia are encouraged to open farms/factories of their own, and are allowed to hire africans, though to only a limited extent, and parliament places a harsh cap on wages for africans
- An irrigation expansion program begins as farms begin to grow rapidly. With much of the center of the nation dry grassland, water is incredibly important to ensure that farms don’t suffer from shortages or droughts. These irrigation projects focus primarily on white farms, but african farms occasionally benefit as well
- Prospectors from Union Pacific arrive to begin mapping out a plan for a huge series of railways that will connect the nation. Using african labor, the project begins in earnest, with thousands of kilometers of rails prepared to be laid down in the coming years. The work is harsh and unforgiving, and the wages that the africans receive is quite poor
- In order to satiate the hardline conservatives, who make up the majority of the voting base, parliament moves to limit the promotion of african soldiers to the rank of warrant officer, and existing african officers are discharged with honors to ensure that military command remains entirely in the control of whites. This causes a strange issue, as many africans join the military to better themselves, and most white soldiers are rapidly promoted to officer positions to ensure cohesion

- The war against the Palestinians, alongside the supporting divisions from Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, comes to a bitter and violent standstill. Pushing out in nearly all directions, against all odds, the Jewish fighters force out the Arabs from the south, securing the Gulf of Aqabah, the city of Gaza, and a long strip of land along the Sinai Peninsula. The Jewish forces eventually hit a wall trying to fight through Jerusalem, as the Arab defenders are resilient, and more continue to arrive as the Arab world pushes against the Jewish nation
- A temporary ceasefire is drawn as the forces of Zion and Jordan agree to split Jerusalem down the middle for the time being. Even though Zion has international recognition and some support, the fighting risks damaging the holy city, something neither side wishes to have happen. Almost immediately, both sides begin erecting defenses such as barbed wire and sandbags, knowing that this “peace” is only a break
- With the war essentially over, and the enemies of Zion beaten back, the Judean Republic officially begins reorganizing itself. With David Ben-Gurion as its head, a center-and-far left coalition is formed which overwhelms the more conservative-minded parties in the parliament. As a concession, Menachem Begin is given the position of War Minister
- A huge amount of money is given to Zion as reparations for damages during the holocaust. This money is immediately stored in the nation’s reserves, and is to be used sparingly, as many in the Zion government know that trade with other nations will be limited for quite some time
- The Kibbutz Ministry begins overseeing the administration of the small, private farms that made up much of the early Jewish settlements in the area. With the help of the government, some of these are organized to form small industrial and business communities, as Ben-Gurion recognizes that the new republic cannot sustain itself on agriculture alone
- Any British property, primarily weapons, found in areas of Palestine are seized and declared the rightful property of Zion. Some of this property includes housing and hotels owned/operated by Palestinians, who are forcibly removed from the premises. Many Palestinians continue to flee, fearing reparations
- To prevent the possibility of numerical inferiority in coming wars, Zion’s parliament passes a bill that requires all men from 17 to 40 to give a minimum of two years in the army, and to remain on constant reserve. Meanwhile, women are granted the opportunity to join the military, a shocking move that infuriates many on the orthodox right, who protest the decision despite their lack of power to do anything about it
- After constant fighting, the armies of Zion are incredibly skilled in the art of urban warfare, utilizing submachine guns and carbines as a perfect weapon for fighting house-to-house and close quarters. This comes at the cost of knowledge of armored combat, but the compact and snug streets of the battlefield couldn’t fit any vehicle, let alone a tank

TURNS ARE DUE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9!!!

 

[Emperor Scorpious II]

Dear dictatorships:

Please send me your Jews

Sincerely,
Judea

 

[Zillamaster55]

February 3rd, 1949

At exactly 0900 Yekaterinburg Time, a bright flash illuminates the sky with a brilliant white flare, followed by the concussive rush of air. Minutes later, a roiling black cloud of smoke and ash billows upwards in the shape of a mushroom.

“Заходящее Солнце", Setting Sun, a 50 kiloton warhead, has been detonated by the Soviet Union, signalling their acquisition of nuclear weapons.

The nuclear arms race has begun.

 

[Euskalduna]

So ny'all just not gonna build nuclear power plants and chill huh

 

[Amfleet]

So ny'all just not gonna build nuclear power plants and chill huh

That wouldn't be very Stalin of me, would it?

 

[Zillamaster55]

Turn 3

January - June, 1949

---

World Tension is LOW (RISING)
World Economy is STABLE

World Events
- The United States--with the approval of Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Denmark and Italy--forms the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as a direct response to the growth of Soviet influence around the globe. NATO acts as both a military alliance and political bloc, ensuring that the influences of “the west” remain unchallenged in their home territories. France has expressed interest in joining, but has made no official moves either way
- The partition of Germany has finally taken place. In the west, numerous Kingdoms and Duchies have replaced what was originally planned to be a unified Republic, while in the east, two communist states are artificially made to rival one another, in order to divide themselves from possibly challenging Soviet control over eastern Europe. Nonetheless, the idea of Germany has been buried, possibly forever
- However, despite the demands of the United Nations, the Rhenish Republic’s borders are larger than previously expected after ‘incompetent administrative oversight’. The United Nations seeks to correct the issue in time, but the sheer shock of the division leads most of the German states unable to care
- Many of the nations of Germany are constitutional monarchies, and as such see elections early in 1949. Nearly all of the elections that take place see conservative party victories, save for the Rhenish Republic and the election of the SDP after a tight race against the CDU
- The Greek Civil War comes to an end as Yugoslavia pulls all support from the rebels, and the invigorated American troops destroy the last holdouts of the communists. Banditry still takes place in the countryside, but the conflict has finally ended after many years of bloodshed
- The Democratic People’s Republic of Austria and the People’s Republic of Hungary declare independence from the Soviet Union. As these are the last territories under the military occupation of the Soviets, Eastern Europe is now officially under their political occupation instead
- The war in southeast Asia and the Pacific ramps up as the French join the British in Malaysia, who in turn assist the Dutch in Indonesia and the French in Indochina. With the unification of the Viet Minh and Pathet Lao, the north of Indochina remains almost entirely under the control of the communists, despite regular attacks from the Vietnamese/Laotian militaries
- In China, Mao’s rebels storm the last Republican holdout in Nanning. With Chiang Kai Shek and his last loyal armies having fled to Taiwan, Mao Zedong moves to officially declare the People’s Republic of China. In return, Port Arthur and East Turkestan are given to the People’s Republic, who swiftly annexes Xinjiang via underhanded diplomacy
- Forces of the United States Marine Corp land in Hainan to set up a bulwark against any expansion of the People’s Republic, and three USMC divisions are stationed within Taiwan. With an exhausted and undersupplied army, Mao has no choice but to acquiesce to American demands. With the Republic of China remaining as the "legitimate" government, the victorious People's Republic of China is recognized only in Moscow
- A bloodless coup-d’etat takes place in Syria, as Syrian Nationalist Party takes power under the leadership of Husni al-Za’im. A crackdown on opposition takes place, and numerous anti-nationalist leaders are imprisoned as a result. Though against the idea of the Jewish state, al-Za’im makes overtures to seek peace with Zion for the time being
- Anti-British sentiment within Iraq reaches a boiling point. A number of officers aligned with pro-Republican movements, motivated by the success of the coup in Syria, overthrow the monarchy and announce a republic. The king, alongside nearly a division of loyalists, flee to Egypt

---

- With the Roosevelt Plan and the partition of Germany complete, the Kingdom of Bavaria begins its first steps under the administration of the Bayerische Christliche Union (Bavarian Christian Union) with the guidance of prime minister Joseph Müller. Many in the south, though happy to be free from allied occupation, still desire to return to a pre-war administration of a united Germany
- The Constitution of Bavaria is ratified in early 1949. A constitutional monarchy under the Wittelsbach Dynasty, with Rupprecht declared the King of Bavaria. Meanwhile, the country will be administered by the Landtag, a parliament elected via universal suffrage from all citizens within the country after every 4 years. Initial “elections” are held, largely as an afterthought, as no opposition has been able to form in time to overtake the popularity of the BCU
- Despite social and economic hardships, Müller and the Landtag set aside funds to begin preparing for “Bavaria’s Greatest Oktoberfest”. Tens of thousands of gallons of beer and tons of sausage are planned to be doled out with both public and private funds across the nation, with three days of work-free celebrations planned come the harvesting season
- With the assistance of the Allied occupation, the Bayerische Landwehr is formed. Made up of volunteers, the Landwehr is an army that relies on rapid response but basic training, and is not divided between the usual Air Force/Army/Special Forces, and instead are controlled by high military command
- A number of young Bavarian university students, seeking ways to protect electrical circuits in smaller and smaller packages, stumble across a glass-housed design. Simply known as a “transistor”, these devices will undoubtedly act as a great leap forward for electronic devices everywhere. Upon hearing the news from Zambezia, the engineers are infuriated and claim that their idea came first
- Three former designers from Mauser, Edmund Heckler, Theodor Koch, and Alex Seidel, form “Heckler, Koch and Seidel Arms”, or simply HKS. Quickly, HKS is purchased by the Bavarian government to begin producing small arms for the Bavarian military and police forces

- French troops once again return to southeast Asia and the Pacific, now joining the British against the uprising of communists in Malaysia. The situation for the Malaysian rebels quickly turns against them, and a counter-insurgency campaign begins to flush out the last remaining rebels. In return, the Commonwealth begins pledging its forces to the reclamation of Dutch Indonesia and intervention in Indochina, all with French support
- The fighting in Indonesia takes an interesting turn as Australian and French troops seize a series of smaller islands across the coastlines, allowing for the creation of small airfields that are used for long range bombing missions. However, the sheer size of Indonesia and the anti-European sentiment will ensure that this war lasts a very long time and kills many people
- A series of free trade agreements take place between France and numerous South American countries. Most of this comes in the form of cash bonds in return for exotic foods or raw materials, but nonetheless the deals draw France and South America closer together, though American companies sound the alarm, fearing their monopolies may come to an end
- France sends a cable to Belgium, demanding that civil rights to the Congolese people be extended, and that a campaign to repair the damage of the colony begin. The Belgians, heavily reliant on France’s economy and military, is more or less forced to acquiesce to the demands. The “mission to civilize” is in full swing, though the French will remain as observers to ensure that all goes well
- Coordinating with the Commonwealth and the republics of Laos and Vietnam, the French try their hardest to repel the growth and attacks from the combined forces of the Viet Minh and Pathet Lao. The “Allied” militaries struggle to do their best to overcome the communists, but the terrain and evasiveness of the communists make it incredibly difficult to make any significant impacts
- Speech calling for violence against the government or justifying political terrorism is outright banned. A number of communists are found printing vague “smash the state” pamphlets and are arrested. This comes alongside a massive crackdown after a series of protests in Paris turn violent as communists demand “fair representation” in the French government
- With the social situation becoming untenable, President Auriol calls for snap elections across the country. Unsurprisingly, the SFIO’s popularity has plummeted due to the inability to handle the nation properly, while the right wing coalition is shattered by the sheer force of the Union for the New Republic under the lead of none other than famed general Charles De Gaulle. Before the year is out, De Gaulle is set to begin his tenure as French president
- Collaborator companies, businesses and properties are seized by the French government and are nationalized, much to the chagrin of the more reactionary groups in France. However, considering the horrible toll that the Nazi occupation took on France, both communists and conservatives are pleased to see the wealth of those that ignored their countrymen stripped from them
- With the Soviet Union having tested their own nuclear weapon, French scientists scramble to begin gathering nuclear fuels such as uranium. Unfortunately, no deposits can be found in France proper, and only a small strip of it is found in northeast Niger. Struggling to come up with a solution, French nuclear scientists believe that the acquisition of a nuclear weapon may be delayed
- Working off of the idea of the M.D450 as a mixed interceptor/ground attack, engineers at Sud Aviation enlarge the airframe and wingspan to create the S.O.500 “Vautour” (Vulture). The S.O.500, though slower by the M.D450, uses a number of hardpoints to mount rockets, bombs and gunpods, and is a fantastic ground attack aircraft, freeing up the M.D450 to be a dedicated interceptor
- At Renault, tank designers begin mimicking the ideas put forward by the British in the creation of the Centurion “Main Battle Tank”. As a definite competitor, Renault creates a larger, more heavily armored main battle tank purpose-built for the French military. Sporting a 100mm rifled gun, the Renaut A-1 “Tortue” (Tortoise) carries thicker armor on the front, side and turret, in exchange for mobility, with a top speed of only 28km/h

- Seeing the growth of international aeronautics industries, and the push for both military and civilian aircraft, South Africa moves to begin massive funding towards a mix of private and state sectors for the design, construction and maintenance of South African aircraft. To ensure that only the brightest minds are working at these factories, the labor is restricted to whites and whites alone
- With many tribal groups forced off of their land, the state begins to divide it evenly between private and state-owned agribusiness. On private farms, farmers are encouraged to grow cash crops to be able to boost the market place, while large state owned farms are dedicated entirely to supporting the food supply of South Africa. The ultimate goal is to make South Africa the “breadbasket of the continent”, which would give South Africa significant influence all the way up to the Sahara
- Following in the footsteps of other nations, South African parliament passes a bill funding the basic foundations of a publicly funded healthcare system. Primarily, this early setup requires that companies begin reporting the number of employees alongside their wages, in which these businesses will be required to provide a certain level of healthcare to their workers. Of course, as is the times with South Africa, this system is reserved for whites
- With Namibia still continuing to suffer from poor administration after the First World War, South Africa moves to declare Namibia a “Euro-Friendly African State”, and officially lists German as one of the official languages in South Africa. Though not exactly part of parliament nor daily life, the small German population in Namibia is relieved to see some representation, and very quietly a number of Germans begin migrating from Europe
- As tensions begin to rise in South Africa, and the government fears the possibility of a guerilla war, a series of military police battalions are formed. These troops will be given only basic combat training, and will be tasked with pacifying occupied regions, putting down riots or generally keeping the peace. With the regular army unable to always stop and keep a hold on things, and police unreliable in actual fighting, this gendarmerie fills the small niche quite well
- A deal with the United Kingdom sees South Africa purchasing 15 de Havilland Vampires. These agile fighter jets are far and away a step above the Hurricanes and Spitfires already in service with South Africa. With some greased palms and nice words, de Havilland sells the license of the Vampire to South Africa, who retains its name in Afrikaans (Vampier), and South Africa begins producing copies of its own, though at a much slower rate
- Having invented a working helicopter of their own design in the previous year, South Africa focuses on utilizing these helicopters for a strictly combat-oriented role. Placing two quad-mounted heavy machine guns on the side of the AG-1 “Besie” creating the aptly named AG-1A. This helicopter is built entirely for shock tactics, engaging the enemy from a distance, allowing the transport-oriented AG-1B to retrieve wounded troops or deploy new ones
- Prometheus Technology and Manufacturing, a state-owned and privately operated manufacturer is given the licenses to a number of South African firearms, tanks and aircraft, as well as the control of minor industries within larger cities. With cooperation from Zambezian industrial moguls, PTM is set to begin tying the economies of Zambezia and South Africa together. In the event of open conflict, the South African government has cleared Prometheus Technology and Manufacturing to take control of vital manufacturing and resource acquisition

- Despite the white supremacist and nationalist attitude of Strom Thurmond, the United States agrees to send a number of P-51 Mustangs and B-17 Flying Fortresses to Zion. These planes are purchased at nominal prices, and are sent with crews comprised of Jewish servicemen and combat veterans from the Second World War. Thurmond’s general opinion of Zion is not public knowledge, and thus cannot be gauged by diplomats
- Strom Thurmond is inaugurated as President of the United States on a bitterly cold January morning, and immediately makes sweeping changes to how his cabinet operates. His first cabinet choices include firebrand anti-communist Joseph McCarthy as Attorney General, and Pacific war veteran Douglas MacArthur as Secretary of Defense. Meanwhile, with the house and senate under the control of the Democrats--though only by a small margin--Thurmond has free reign over the future of the United States
- Executive Order 9981, the order to desegregate the United States Military, is rescinded and any changes reversed. The order was already met with mixed opinions in the US, but its sudden reversal upsets many liberal/progressive minded Americans, who see the move as “petty and irresponsible”
- Director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover, is given total control on Thurmond’s “Red Removal” campaign. Communists, and suspected communists, are rooted out across the country in a nationwide sting to reveal “Soviet, Chinese or generally anti-American agitators”. This includes many celebrities, civil rights leaders, pastors, union organizers and even a handful of politicians
- Suspected communists in the custody of the FBI are interrogated harshly, and information regarding the location and identities of other communists is demanded from them. progressive leaders in Congress and the Senate declare these acts to be unconstitutional, as it “flies in the face of the first amendment”. However, with no ability to enact any real change, the progressives are forced to lead filibuster after filibuster to prevent further anti-Communist crackdowns
- Thurmond signs the “Anti-Agitator Act” into law, which gives the FBI, state and local police to arrest “agitating elements within their communities that could threaten the stability of the United States”. This law’s wording is incredibly vague, and gives massive leeway for the abuse of powers by law enforcement officials. Various civil rights movements, based mainly in the southern states, are raided by FBI and state police and their leaders arrested. On multiple occasions, these leaders are brutally beaten by their captors as punishment for “acting out against the God given rights of Americans”
- Federally mandated textbooks, classes and scores are outright removed from the agenda after a number of bills pass both houses. States are now in total control over their public school systems, which leads many states like Alabama and Arkansas to begin teaching explicitly Christian ideals in classes. As these are state schools, and are no longer funded federally, the line between church and state becomes blurred
- Non-defense or law enforcement budgets are slashed across the board. Parks, waterways, highways and welfare are now in the hands of states, as Thurmond’s promise to “improve the independence and rights of the states” is brought to fruition. States with strong budgets, such as California, New York and Texas are more than capable of maintaining such programs, while weaker states like Montana or Wyoming struggle to keep themselves above water financially
- The territory of Alaska, having been part of the United States for nearly a century, is finally admitted into the Union as its own state. A shuffling of congress and the senate sees further gains for the democrats. Hawaii, however, is to remain a territory due to its large population of Polynesians and Japanese, “who have no business being in the country proper, and can remain on their savage islands as far away from us as possible” according to Thurmond
- A number of divisions from the United States Marine Corp are mobilized from the various pacific possessions of the United States and hastily organized under general Robert Eichelberger. With the advisement of Secretary of Defense Douglas MacArthur, the forces of the USMC arrive on Hainan island and push alongside the Kuomintang forces there to wrest control of the island from the communist Chinese. Some skirmishes take place, but no significant losses are found on either side, and Hainan remains under control of the Kuomintang for the time being
- American ships stationed in the pacific, as well as elements of the US Army and Marine Corp are sent to the northern island chains of Indonesia to assist in the reclamation of the Dutch East Indies. Even with such a massive united offensive against the Indonesian rebels, the fighting is expected to continue for quite some time, as the size of the rebellious territories is simply too vast to “reconquer overnight”
-

- In Vienna and Budapest, Soviet officials meet with local representatives to grant the independence to the Democratic People's Republic of Austria under Johann Koplenig and the People’s Republic of Hungary under Mátyás Rákosi. These two states signal the end of the Soviet’s military occupation of eastern Europe, though a number of Soviet divisions remain in the territory to ensure a “peaceful transition”
- After some deliberation with chairman Mao, the Soviet Union officially formalizes the deal with the People’s Republic of China, returning Port Arthur (now Dalian) and the territory of East Turkestan to the People’s Republic. With the blessings of Stalin, Chinese troops and political officials move into Xinjiang, overthrowing the weak dictatorship and forming the area as an autonomous people’s republic within China
- The Soviet Union moves to recognize India’s claims throughout the subcontinent. In regards to Goa, Hyderabad and Bengal, the Soviets believe that these regions are the “rightful territory” of India, and refuses to recognize the independence of Hyderabad. As a result, a number of Soviet military advisors and some cheap equipment arrives in India, mainly in the form of mid-war planes and firearms
- With the success of the nuclear weapons test, the Soviet government rapidly begins to prepare its people for the possibility of nuclear warfare. Protocols such as finding cover, avoiding fire hazards and quick evacuations are drilled into the minds of factory workers and school children across the country, with the hopes of minimising as many casualties as possible during a nuclear attack
- The subway systems of Leningrad and Moscow, now just recently having come back into public use, are expanded widely to not only handle more passengers, but to mimic the London “tube”, which saved thousands of lives during the blitzkrieg at the early part of the Second World War. By the end of the following January, the metro systems will be the greatest shield for Soviet civilians
- Soviet schools begin sifting through children’s test scores to find the best of many classes, and place them in schools dedicated to science, technology, engineering or math. With most school children being given a basic education to be then sent to work in a factory, on a farm or in the military, the Soviets cannot risk falling behind the rest of the world in the realms of technology
- With an obnoxiously large amount of gas masks in reserve, the Soviet army forms a new special forces group specifically trained to fight in dangerous environments and incidents, such as gas attacks or even radiation, though the effects of the latter are not fully known. With roughly 1,000 members at the start, mainly from the NKVD, the "Боевая Единица Опасной Среды" (Boyevaya Yedinitsa Opasnoy Sredy) [Hazardous Environment Combat Unit/BYOS] is formed
- The successful detonation of "Заходящее Солнце" (Zakhodyashcheye Solntse) [Setting Sun], the Soviet Union boasts the fact that it has now begun the production of a “stockpile” of nuclear weapons. This raises tensions around the world significantly

- Yugoslav and Zion diplomats meet in Belgrade to discuss the opening of relations between the two countries. A number of trade deals are signed, as well as the sale of thousands of AP-48 rifles to the Zion military. This comes as no surprise to the rest of the world, as the two hard-left governments are very similar in regards to the market and exchange of goods
- Looking to improve relations with their neighbors, Yugoslavia begins sending a number of diplomats overseas to seek trade deals with Turkey, Italy and Albania. In Albania, Tito finds some success, as the idea of a more unified Balkans molds well with the Albanian government. In Turkey, a deal is struck to begin the importation of chromium in return for aluminum and steel from Yugoslavia
- Finally, a deal with Italy takes place that manages to bring the two nations incredibly close together. Despite Yugoslavia’s socialist nature, free trade officially begins between Italy and Yugoslavia, as well as the licensed production of a large number of RB-1 front-line bombers. With Yugoslavia’s aeronautics industry focused mainly on the creation of interceptors, the more standard design of the RB-1 can be built in Italy for a small price
- Seeing the writing on the wall, and wishing to avoid the animosity of both the Soviets and the United States, Yugoslavia officially ends its support for the Greek rebels. A number of Greek rebels attempt to flee into Yugoslavia before receiving the news, and are instead handed back to American authorities. This infuriates Yugoslavia’s neighbors, who are quick to label Yugoslavia as a “traitor to the cause of the people”
- The rebuilding of Yugoslavia’s industry begins to approach its end. With many factories having been reopened, and roads completed, the Yugoslav government then moves to focus on the industrial capacity of the nation. Seeing that Yugoslavia essentially stands alone with much of its border exposed to Soviet puppets, Yugoslavia cannot sit idly by and fall behind in regards to military and civilian industrial growth
- A number of hydroelectric dams are slated for production across the country. After doing some research on Montenegrin propositions in the late 1930s, Tito pushes for the adoption of hydroelectric as a “cheap, reliable and simple form of energy to keep our nation strong and healthy.” Most of these constructions will take years, as the five year plan does not include such projects
- Hoping to wean themselves off of the importation of oil and natural gas, Yugoslavian prospectors begin seeking for deposits throughout the Adriatic Sea and Dalmatian coastline, but to no avail. Some small deposits are found, but their sheer depth and lack of access makes it essentially impossible to gain anything from them. For now, Yugoslavia remains dependent on foreign fossil fuels
- Religion is officially declared a “threatening entity to the state”, and all churches, mosques and synagogues are shuttered by government agents. Mayors are tasked with ensuring that religious services are not held, and that places of worship are only maintained for “cultural and historical purposes”. Houses of worship either under construction or completed recently are razed
- Yugoslavia’s military undergoes huge reforms as the government begins to simplify and streamline supply lines towards the eastern and northern borders. Alongside this comes a massive push for the recruitment and training of pilots to operate the new jets and bombers that have recently come into the possession of the Yugoslav military
- Engineers at various Yugoslav military academies begin pooling their knowledge to create a chest-mounted “body armor” that would prevent damage from shrapnel or debris. Taking pages from American and Soviet designs, this new form of armor wraps around a soldier’s torso and uses repeating layers of hardened and softened steel/iron. This armor can absorb the impact of light shrapnel and debris, as well as soften the blow of handgun-caliber rounds. In exchange for the safety, it is quite heavy and reserved only for the most athletic soldiers
- Knowing that the age of the tank has only just begun, the idea of a static anti-tank gun is horribly outdated. Unable to out-produce the enemy in tanks or dedicated tank destroyers, Zastava arms designers unveil their newest creation, the “Rrotuoklopna Raketa Granata 1” (Anti-Tank Rocket Grenade) [RRG-1]. Capable of being carried by a soldier, the RRG-1 utilizes an 80mm warhead with a shaped charge that can rip through the side and rear armor of tanks without issue. Rifle squads are rapidly issued these weapons

- After taking the time to sit down with Portuguese diplomats, Zambezia and Portugal have come to an agreement allowing for the free trade between Zambezia and Portugal via Mozambique. This deal also allows foreign companies to pass through Mozambique (for a fee) and enter Zambezia, as well as the opening of Portuguese ports on the mouth of the Zambezi river to Zambezian business
- A stock exchange is opened in Salisbury in order to further connect Zambezia to the world market. Though news of any stock price rises/falls take some time to reach Zambezia, the fact that foreign and domestic businessmen can invest in the various companies from around the world will without a doubt provide a great boon to the Zambezian economy
- With the massive reserves of copper, the Zambezian government moves to begin subsidising electronics companies by providing them with cheap and easy access to copper. No domestic businesses come to take up the call, as most electronics companies remain overseas. However, companies such as General Electric have made some negotiations of possibly opening up a factory in Salisbury in the future
- The Zambezian government begins investing huge amounts of money into research to improve the acquisition of resources and their refining. Though most of the technology acquired is common knowledge throughout Europe and the Americas, its implementation has yet to be seen on any real scale in Africa. The importation of large mining equipment and refining technologies boosts the output of Zambezian raw materials significantly
- With multiple government-funded projects taking place, though most of them given out to contractors, the Zambezian parliament begrudgingly moves to approve a flat pay rate for all employees. This in turn means that many African laborers are given fair wages, though most companies jack up the wages for whites in order to avoid strikes or large-scale walkouts
- Much of the railway projects around major cities such as Salisbury begin to implement power lines alongside the tracks. With electricity becoming increasingly common throughout Zambezia and European colonies, power lines are a must have. Following the railway, it will be easier for power stations to be built and lines to be repaired, as they will be on a straight line from city to city
- Libraries in public schools are required to be filled “to the brim” with European classical literature, both fictional and non-fictional. Much of this is to improve literacy rates amongst africans, which infuriates much of the conservative elite. However, the results begin to show that these children are somewhat more loyal to the state, as much of what they read is European in nature, and differs greatly from their more traditional oral teachings
- The Zambezian military undergoes major reforms in regards to african soldiers. Though no longer able to seek higher positions, and still given only the most basic training, the general quality of life is improved, with additions of larger barracks, mess halls and increased meals. Pushing for the increased size of the Zambezian military, PM Kennedy proposes the idea that “a larger number of troops, regardless of color, will guarantee the safety of the state”. Many disagree
- With many British and French officers retiring to Zambezia to open large farming estates, the Zambezian military begins to adopt the idea of combined arms warfare. Though only having access to a paltry number of Mark V tanks and a handful of FT-17s, the Zambezian military drills with these vehicles on a regular basis to ensure that their army is not overtaken by any would-be enemy
- A farmer, unable to pay for the upkeep of his horses nor high enough wages for workers, designs a tractor driven combine harvester that allows him to cover his entire field in less than a quarter of the time. Though by no means an original idea, the Zambezian government immediately purchases the design for a large sum and begins producing “Zambezian Mark I Harvesters” to be purchased by other farmers throughout the country
- Electronics engineers on vacation in Zambezia stumble upon the idea of using small, closed circuits for the transfer of electricity. With some tinkering, these “transistors” will be a massive step forward in the world of electronic engineering. Upon hearing the news from Bavaria, the engineers are infuriated and claim that their idea came first

- Yugoslav and Zion diplomats meet in Belgrade to discuss the opening of relations between the two countries. A number of trade deals are signed, as well as the sale of thousands of AP-48 rifles to the Zion military. This comes as no surprise to the rest of the world, as the two hard-left governments are very similar in regards to the market and exchange of goods
- Despite the white supremacist and nationalist attitude of Strom Thurmond, the United States agrees to send a number of P-51 Mustangs and B-17 Flying Fortresses to Zion. These planes are immediately put to good use by the Judean Air Defense Corp, with pilots being constantly drilled to put these planes to the test. This deal pulls Zion and the US closer together, more than one would expect with the near polar opposites of governing ideals
- Syrian president Husni al-Za’im sends a cable to Ben-Gurion, declaring his “disinterest in war and interest in peace”. In return for withdrawing Syrian troops from the border, Zion promises not to involve Syria in “future conflicts that do not immediately threaten the lives of Syrian citizens”. Whether or not either side will keep true to their words is unknown, but the peace is appreciated by both nations
- Invitations are sent to the American comic artist Stan Lee and the ex-German physicist Albert Einstein to come to Zion. The former is asked to begin creating pro-Jewish propaganda comics as well as educational stories; but Lee moves to turn down the offer, stating that he does “not want to involve himself in foreign affairs nor stifle his creative energy”. However, Einstein does arrive in Zion to assist in the teaching of physics and mathematics to the populace of Zion, thanks to his agreement with the more socialist policies of Ben-Gurion
- With the arrival of Albert Einstein, the University of Haifa begins construction almost immediately. Meanwhile, at various schools throughout Zion and parts of the mediterranean, Einstein holds a number of lectures on the theory of relativity, thermodynamics and complex algebraic equations. Should Einstein choose to remain, a position at the University of Haifa will be given to him the day it opens
- The Zion government announces that Jerusalem is the official, de-jure capital of the nation, and has promised to “reclaim the lost territories in the east”. However, only half of the outskirts of Jerusalem are under the control of Zion, which is nominal at best. For the time being, the Zion government will convene in Tel Aviv, the de-facto capital of the nation
- Despite their minimal control of Jerusalem, all holy sites in the territory of Zion are declared “open”, and the safety of pilgrims of all religions are guaranteed, with a number of Christian, Jewish and a tiny number of Muslim police officers being hired to protect incoming pilgrims. However, most Muslims steer clear of Zion for the time being due to the hostilities between the Jewish and Arab peoples
- A census takes place in order to see the general population of Zion and its demographics. More than half of the nation is Jewish, made up primarily of refugees and migrants from Europe and North America, while the remaining 30%~ of the population is Arabs. Knowing this, the Zion government moves to begin the settling of Arab lands and the slow-but-sure choking of Arab control in the country
- As a response to the census, the Zion government officially bans the return of any Arab and their immediate descendents who abandoned their property in Zion during the war. These properties continue to be seized and settled by Jewish migrants, and any Arab attempting to return to their home is arrested and deported to Morocco or the Sudan, to ensure that they remain as far away from Zion as possible
- With the Judean Air Defense Corp founded, a number of large airstrips are built in the Negev desert. Far away enough from any immediate danger, these air strips are used to house the B-17s and fighter planes used by the JADC. Though the JADC is made up of only a tiny number of experienced pilots, they are drilled constantly, and only the best of the best are put behind the stick
- Knowing that there are enemies all around them, the Zion government officially forms “Mossad”, a highly skilled and highly trained intelligence organization that operates both internally and externally, to defend the nation from all manner of threats. Shrouded in secrecy, the exact location of Mossad’s headquarters are unknown, and any funding to the organization remains shielded from public view
- After a short deal with the United Kingdom, Zion begins building a number of domestically-produced radar stations across the country. Manned only by a handful of skilled technicians, these radar stations are incredibly useful in ensuring that the country’s airspace is well defended from any would-be attacker

TURNS DUE TUESDAY, JANUARY 15!!!

 

[Zillamaster55]

August 9th, 1949

At 1900 hours, in the heart of southern Algeria, the desert comes alive with an enormous ball of bright, white light, and the concussive boom of a shockwave. Even in the dusk, the huge roiling mushroom cloud is visible for miles around.

The Republic of France has just detonated their 45 kiloton warhead, "Jeune Peter" (Young Peter).

Another nuclear player steps on to the stage.

 

[Amfleet]

HON

 

[TheGriff]

I TOLD YALL NOT TO

 

[Zillamaster55]

Turn 4

July - December, 1949
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World Tension is SOMEWHAT LOW (RISING QUICKLY)
World Economy is STABLE

World Events
- Tensions begin to rise along the Korean border as both sides build more and more defensive structures such as pillboxes, watch towers and trenches. Some dangerous moments arise from time to time as troops from either side accidentally cross over the border, and in one instance guns are pointed at one another before sanity prevails and the men stand down
- NATO’s size grows once again as Bavaria is officially added as a member, while Australia, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea become dependencies on the alliance. This bloc prompts the Soviets to begin pulling their puppets close, and tensions rise as the Soviet Union officially forms the Warsaw Pact as a direct competitor to NATO
- The insurgency in Malaysia is crushed, and the last of the rebels either scattering to the jungle or surrendering to British forces. The dream of an independent, socialist republic of Malaysia perishes alongside many rebel forces. The British Empire, though breaking apart piece by piece, will still hold on to as much territory as it can
- A failed counter-coup by Shia radicals in Iraq sparks a small-scale rebellion in the east of the country. Dissatisfied with the idea of a secular government, a number of radical preachers and military members attempt to overthrow the sitting government, but are repelled before any real damage can take place. A handful of villages loyal to the extremists rise up in revolt
- Husni al-Za’im of Syria is deposed after an internal coup from military leaders and officers, dissatisfied with al-Zai’im’s peaceful attitude towards Zion and general mismanagement of the nation. Adib Shishakli, a military officer who participated in the Arab-Jewish War of 1948, seizes power and places his loyal friend Antun Saadeh as president of the republic
- The war in Indonesia continues as both sides trade territory between one another. Allied forces continue to push through Java, though their advances are slowed, and rebellions take place on the smaller islands, forcing Allied armies to evacuate or risk being encircled without a chance for reinforcements. The rules of engagement change as the United States and France begin utilizing large quantities of napalm in order to destroy enemy encampments
- A revolt breaks out in Albania as a failed anti-Communist coup leads to royalist supporters in the general populace taking arms against the Albanian government. Fighting takes place in the streets and countryside as the tiny Albanian army struggles to put down the royalists, and a number of Albanian soldiers defect to join the revolution
- A “brain drain” takes place in the northern German states as scientists, educators and scholars leave their homes to seek out better opportunities elsewhere. The sheer magnitude of the division of Germany has dissuaded many upper class intellectuals from remaining there much longer
- President of the United States Strom Thurmond announces his resignation after a revealing that he fathered a child with a black woman when he was in his 20s, and kept her secret for years until now. With the hardline, pro-segregationist leader of the Democratic Party preparing to leave, the United States' future is even more uncertain

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- After a short but intense meeting between the United States and Bavaria, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization adds the south German country to its ever-growing roster of allies. Bavaria has little to offer in terms of military prowess, at least for now, but has tactical positioning, and can act as a stopgap in the event of a communist invasion from the east, buying NATO valuable time to intervene
- Seeing the economic hardships in the various western German states, including the Republic of Austria, Bavaria moves to form the “Internationale Bank der Deutschen Staaten” (International Bank of the German States), which creates a common market between the new German nations, allowing free movement and trade. This, paired with the common currency of the mark, fosters some slight economic growth for all states involved
- Josef Müller holds a large rally in Munich to push for the “unity and cooperation” of German Catholics across Europe. Much of this rally involves praise for Catholics involved in the anti-Nazi resistance of Germany, as well as decrying Protestantism as a “disastrous and unpatriotic tradition that is to blame for the state that Germany is in”. This makes states like Hanover unwilling to participate in the IBDS, thus causing the market to remain somewhat weak
- With the economy continuing to recover, Bavaria openly welcomes as many Catholics that wish to move to the country. Many Catholics in fact do arrive, mainly from Yugoslavia and Italy, seeking out better lives in the growing industries in Bavaria. Despite not being the official faith, the push for conservative Catholicism proves to be incredibly popular amongst the Bavarian people
- A large number of Nazi officers and collaborators are hunted down in Bavaria. Many escaped the noose at Nuremberg, while others remained in hiding, believing that their relatively low rank or simple lack of importance would save their lives. A quick, public war crimes trial sees most of them guilty, and a mass hanging takes place outside of Justizpalast. In total, 34 Nazi officers of varying ranks are put to death, their bodies on display as a reminder to “all who wish to try this again”
- Ludwig Erhard, acting economic advisor during the last years of the occupation, is officially given the title of Treasury Secretary, and begins to implement his occupation-era reforms on a wider scale in Bavaria. Most of these reforms focus on the restructuring of taxes, adjustment of subsidies and fostering of smaller, local budgets. These will take some time to have any real effect, but the Bavarian people are excited to see the results
- An enormous, three day long Oktoberfest is held across the nation. Businesses shutter, streets are closed and the police are mobilised as millions of Bavarians come out to celebrate, as well as millions of tourists coming to take part in the festivities. One important visitor is none other than Clement Attlee, prime minister of the United Kingdom, who shares a celebratory pint with both Prince Rupprecht and PM Müller. Most of the celebrations are in fact calm, though the drunk tanks in cities like Munich and Stuttgart are overflowing with arrestees
- During the Oktoberfest celebrations, Müller proposes to Attlee the purchase of a number of de Havilland Vampires for service in the Bavarian air corps. Attlee accepts, but on the condition that Bavaria only purchase the Vampires, as opposed to produce their own copies. Nonetheless, dozens of Vampires arrive at Bavarian air fields, and Bavarian pilots get behind the yolk as quick as they humanly can
- An adventurous and experimental cook by the name of Herta Heuwer, an expat of western Berlin, introduces a new midday snack to Oktoberfest partygoers. Using a ketchup mixed with curry powder and cayenne, laid over a bratwurst, Heuwer’s “Currywurst” proves to be incredibly popular amongst the crowds, and she sells out immediately. Upon having one for himself, Erhard congratulates Ms Heuwer and hires her as his personal chef

- French forces in Indonesia make significant gains alongside their allied armies as the French focus more on the future of the enormous island chain. However, as many of the smaller islands continue to throw off the control of European armies, the French are forced to try and seize as much territory on the large islands to act as bases of operations as possible. With De Gaulle's approval, France expands both the budget and the number of troops being sent to Indonesia
- Seeing that thousands of Arabs continue to flee the Levant as Zion begins to cement its control in the region. Some have arrived in France, prompting De Gaulle to begin working with Arab countries neighboring Zion, and pressure them to accept the refugees instead. One of the main sticking points is that “these people are from this region, and thus should they not remain close to their old homes?”, which immediately goes over the heads of the surrounding nations
- Norway and Italy, having managed to pull themselves out of the worst aftereffects of the Second World War, agree to join the Western Union. Though both nations are already signatories to NATO, the Western Union and NATO “blend well together” according to French strategists, as the Western Union’s focus remains entirely on Europe, while NATO gives its attention to the globe as a whole
- France pushes on South America incredibly hard, demanding that the nations break tariffs between one another, as well as increase exports to France as much as possible. Many of these nations refuse the former, and begin to reduce the latter. As a result, the US’ influence over South America either stays strong in some areas, or in fact grows in places like Argentina and Peru. Only Brazil is willing to reduce its tariffs, and begins sending a variety of raw goods to France
- Charles De Gaulle, the famed Free French general, takes power as President of France under the Union of the New Republic, a conservative party that pushes for France’s best interests above all else. Many in the left wing see De Gaulle as an autocratic tyrant set to seize total control of the country, while some on the far right fear De Gaulle conducting “Nazi Hunts” to root out “undesirable” right wing elements. Meanwhile, neither happens
- De Gaulle, working with parliament, drafts a new constitution. Presidential terms will last 6 years, and parliament will be made up of two distinct upper/lower houses, and the position of Prime Minister is disbarred. This change brings France closer to the American style of politics, where the federal government is highly centralized and most of the power is rested in the hands of the executive branch. The constitution squeaks by parliament, and is set to be ratified at the start of the next year
- The French government begins to organize large, state owned heavy industries that focus on the production of basic consumer and construction goods. Though not exactly a capitalist ideal, having a large backbone of simple-but-heavy industry will soften the blow of any recession, and can be quickly re-tooled to produce military equipment in the event of a war. The added bonus is that these industries provide jobs for the unemployed, allowing them to get back on their feet
- Taxes on the upper 5% of France are reduced significantly, with the goal of encouraging large business owners to keep their factories and employees in France, rather than head to tax havens like the United States or Spain. Meanwhile, unions see their powers weakened as a number of bills pass through the new parliament disallowing lawsuits on an individual basis, now requiring multiple suits to be made at once for legal cases to begin between unions and businesses
- Strong subsidies are given to companies that produce raw goods available for export, such as iron, steel, gemstones and lumber. Banks are encouraged to give more forgiving loans to these export-focused companies, as France pushes to maintain its post-war economic growth. With most of Europe being consumers of raw goods, France hopes to at least make something out of Europe’s unending hunger for natural resources
- Extremist political groups, mainly the increasingly violent communists, see infiltration, stings and general crackdowns by French police. Extremist newspapers on both sides of the aisle are banned in the name of public security, and a number of socialist politicians are outed as being communist sympathisers and are forced to resign. Many on the left are infuriated by De Gaulle’s decisions, while the right praises such actions
- After the successful testing of "Jeune Peter" (Young Peter), France begins to excavate as much uranium as possible from Niger, and from the tiny deposits in France itself. Immediately, these resources are stockpiled as much as possible, with only a small number being refined for the continued production of nuclear weapons. With two nuclear powers in Europe, plus the ever-present United States, the future seems uncertain

- South Africa approaches Portugal with a deal regarding the continued colonial occupations of Angola and Mozambique. Citing the growing economies of white-dominated nations such as South Africa and Zambezia, Portugal is pressured to remain a colonial power in the region. Portugal accepts, under the condition that South Africa intervene in “any sort of militant native uprising”, a condition that South Africa gladly accepts
- Namibia begins the process of being integrated as a full on state within South Africa as the government sets the budget aside to electrify and expand the infrastructure of the ailing Namibia. With the small German populace accepted into South African society, a number of German migrants from Europe arrive to assist in the strengthening of Namibia’s economy
- Prometheus Technology and Manufacturing is tasked with the expansion of arms and munitions factories in South Africa as the army continues to suffer from a shortage of weapons, ammo and general equipment. These factories are focused on only the most basic goods for the South African military, such as rifles, ammunition and kits. The employees of any weapons factory are to be white only, and the production numbers kept secret in the interest of “national security”
- The African National Congress, a political movement made up of blacks that are continuing to push for representation, are invited to send their leaders to a private meeting between them and Malan to discuss reducing tensions in the country. Attempting to reach a détente of sorts, the South African government makes vague promises of “improving the rights of blacks in the future” and “creating a black-focused economy elsewhere in South Africa”. The ANC leadership doesn’t fall for it
- The Johannesburg stock exchange, its new construction having slowed to a crawl, is given a massive cash injection to expand as quickly and as largely as possible. As a result, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange opens just before the end of the year, allowing investors to take part in the ever-growing and ever-interconnected markets of the world. Both Zambezia and South Africa begin to benefit from African-oriented centers of investment and trade
- Tensions begin to grow in the streets of South Africa as the AMP begins to gather more and more members, both official and civilian. Some members of parliament in fact switch their allegiance to the AMP, calling for “more aggressive and decisive action against negro militancy”. With the ANV already having been absorbed by the South African military, there are whispers of a future seizure of power by the AMP
- After purchasing the Belgian copy of the T-48, the FN-FAL, the South African army modifies the rifle to chamber the recent British experimental cartridge .280. Rather than using a full length rifle round, the more intermediate caliber allows a soldier to carry more ammunition and deal with far less recoil. As a result, the Mk.I Self Loading Rifle (SLR) is born
- Though jets are still being produced by South Africa, the military knows that the full-scale production of jets to replace the entirety of South Africa’s air force is simply impossible at this point. Instead, South Africa moves to purchase the license and large numbers of the Supermarine Spitfire F. Mk 24. Carrying the powerful Rolls-Royce Griffon engine, and paired with four of Hispano 20mm cannons, and the capability of carrying small bombs, the “Southern Spitfire” (as dubbed by the British media) is the perfect choice
- Small-scale conscription is put in place in order to “fill out the ranks”, allowing volunteers to take more frontline positions. These conscripts are chosen out of a lottery, and must serve only 5 months in training in order to give them basic military knowledge. Conscripts are given the opportunity to remain in the military, in which case that they’re sent back to training to round out their skills as best as possible
- A division’s worth of the most skilled South African soldiers are sent to Indonesia to assist in putting down the rebellion. Unlike the other Allied armies, the South African troops are more than willing to destroy anything in their path to try and get to their objective, and a number of horrific incidents involving civilian casualties take place. However, most of the Allied armies continue to cooperate with the South Africans

- American troops continue to pour into Indonesia in the violent struggle to put down the insurgents and independence movements throughout the region. US Marines and Army veterans, mostly from the island hopping campaign and the liberation of the Philippines, are at the front line with the support of French close air support and South African reconnaissance
- After some deliberation in London, Paris and Amsterdam, the United States and her allies agree to a unique division of Indonesia, splitting up the islands into more centralized, independent states built around the idea of ethnic and religious sovereignty. As a sticking point, the United States demands from Britain that they reinstate the “White Rajahs” in Malaysia, and in return the United States will keep a garrison of troops in Hong Kong and Singapore. With the empire crumbling, the British accept the deal
- States in the south, such as Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas, make English the official state language. Though this does cause many to become concerned with the implications this has on the first amendment, the supreme court has done nothing to listen to the many lawsuits against these moves, and has in fact quietly supported them after threats from Thurmond to expand the supreme court and stack it with loyalists
- Strom Thurmond and the democrats take “the step too far”, and officially slash welfare from the US federal budget come 1950, hoping to put the responsibility on the states. This sends an uproar across the country, and huge protests take place in major cities like Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Richmond, demanding that the government rescind its position
- In Philadelphia, black Americans led by Asa Philip Randolph, a black labor leader, leads a march of nearly three hundred men in silent, calm protest against the dissolving of welfare, and Strom Thurmond’s administration as a whole. Police descend on the scene, and roughly sixty men are arrested, including Randolph, on charges of disturbing the peace and inciting a riot
- In Congress and the Senate, representatives from the republicans and progressives call for the impeachment of Strom Thurmond. Though they cannot force the issue to a vote themselves, the open “revolt” from inside the government itself sends a message to Thurmond and his supporters everywhere. The FBI is incapable of keeping a hold on all of Thurmond’s opponents, and their stranglehold is beginning to slip
- A stunning revelation is made as a black woman is marched up the steps of the capitol building, flanked by guards. On a cold December morning, the young Essie Mae Washington-Williams, a student at South Carolina State University, reveals her identity. Ms. Washington-Williams is the daughter of Carrie Butler, Strom Thurmond’s maid from when he was a young man
- Addressing the nation, president Strom Thurmond admits to the fact that Essie Washington-Williams is, in fact, his daughter, and that he had been secretly paying for her college and had kept tabs on her education and upbringing. The crowds outside of the White House that gathered to hear his speech are totally silent as Thurmond moves to the latter half of his speech. On December 21st, 1949, American president Strom Thurmond resigns

- Recognizing that the Judean Republic of Zion is continuing to follow in the footsteps of the Soviet Union and remain a strong socialist state, the Soviets agree to export a number of combat aircraft to the little middle-eastern nation. The Yak-3 fighter/interceptor and the IL-2 ground support aircraft arrive in Zion in perfect condition. These planes are battle tested and proved to be incredibly effective at killing many Nazis
- Seeing the growth of NATO and the Western Union, the Soviets convene with their allies in the Polish capital of Warsaw, and officially found the Warsaw Pact. The Warsaw Pact is a direct rival and competitor to NATO, and is made up entirely of socialist/communist nations. Though not official members, the People’s Republic of China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea both agree to participate in “any conflict involving the alliance”, though to what extent is unknown
- The Soviet Union recognizes the independence of the Republic of Iraq, and revokes all recognition of the previous monarchy. Though a nationalist state, the Soviets openly support any anti-western and anti-colonial movement anywhere in the world. Soviet diplomats arrive in the Republic of Iraq and are welcomed with open arms, with the Soviet embassy in Baghdad moved to a larger building
- Lavrentiy Beria, having been in prison for months at this point, is put on public trial. Over the radio of the entire nation, the horrific sexual abuses and crimes of Beria are put forward. For hours, Beria’s accusers are brought forward to testify, and the verdict is brought down after Beria’s last victim leaves the stand. The same day after the trial, Beria is dragged out of the courtroom screaming, and has a noose tied around his neck. Someone, somehow, tampered with the rope, causing Beria’s head to be ripped clean from its corpse
- A number of Jewish doctors and scientists are found to have been tied to Beria and are immediately arrested. Many of them simply disappear, while others are put on trial for their “cooperation with a hideous man”, and then disappeared. This shocks the remaining Jewish populations in the Soviet Union, with many fearing that this is the first sign of a new series of pogroms and abuses of the Jewish people
- Economic planners are given the authority to ramp up the production of luxury goods such as radios, automobiles, record players and clothes as rewards for loyal members of Soviet society. Vouchers for air travel and extended vacation time are given to the most loyal, and these workers bring their families along on beautiful trips around the Warsaw Pact and the People’s Republic of China
- With the formation of the Warsaw Pact, the Soviet Union begins producing huge numbers of military equipment built specifically for export. These models are made far more simplistic, with some parts such as rifle stocks not being included. With these weapons being given to Warsaw Pact nations in huge quantities, the Soviets expect their allies to begin filling in the blanks of rifles, planes and tanks with their own industry, to encourage “domestic” models of military equipment
- A number of MiG-15 fighter jets are sent to the People’s Republic of China in order to get both their military modernized, and to test the capabilities of the MiG-15. A couple close calls take place as Chinese pilots undergoing training drills stray too close to the airspace of the Republic China, and are forced to avoid American F-86 fighters that chase after them in response. The MiG-15 is more than capable of avoiding them, however
- Soviet engineers begin working with the few captured Ruhrstahl X-4 rockets manage to make a breakthrough and design their own wire-guided anti-tank missile. Nicknamed “Малютка” (Malyutka) [Little One], this missile carries a huge 4kg shaped charge for a warhead, and uses a large rocket to fly towards its target. The long wire trailing behind it allows the rocket to be guided somewhat towards an enemy vehicle, but the fins are only barely capable of translating these signals, and many times the wire is simply snapped, causing the rocket to fly off until it hits something
- Turboprops, though not a unique idea, are something that the Soviets desire to make even better. With the British and Americans relying entirely on jet aircraft for just about everything, the Soviets try their hand at improving the fuel efficiency of turboprop engines by reducing the spaces between pistons to pack as much energy into the engine as possible. These “Russo-Props” (as dubbed by foreign media) are incredibly powerful, and are immediately put on the Antonov P-48 to improve its range and speed

- Yugoslavia and Albania continue talks with one another to try and strengthen the relations between the two countries. With the sudden and abrupt revolt within Albania to overthrow the communist regime, Yugoslavia is forced to begin withdrawing talks until the situation changes for the better. Some within the Yugoslav government push for intervention on Albania’s behalf
- In Bucharest, Yugoslav and Romanian delegates meet to test the waters of their diplomatic situation. Though the Romanian government is heavily influenced by the Soviets, anti-Tito sentiments are not as strong nor as common within Romania’s leadership. At the current moment, the best both sides can do without drawing the ire of the Soviets is to simply have one side’s diplomats make a visit to the other’s capital and vice versa, unable to strike any real deals
- Though short in number, the Yugoslav government presents Zion with roughly a dozen R-1 Kestrel interceptors. Relationships between Yugoslavia and Zion continue to warm as Yugoslavia becomes the #2 arms dealer for Zion. This upsets some of the more conservative-minded elements of the Yugoslav government, who compare Zion’s expansion to the Soviets. These men are silenced
- Oil prospectors continue to try and find deposits along the adriatic and now inland. With a small field being found on Vojvodina, Yugoslavia immediately begins to drill as much as possible in order to begin creating a reserve. Meanwhile, deals with Turkey expand to include Yugoslav investments in Turkish land, with the hopes of this land producing enough oil to satiate the hunger of Yugoslavia’s growing industrial base
- A huge project to both rebuild and refit the electrical grid begins in earnest after the first hydroelectric plant is completed in southern Yugoslavia. As much of the electrical grid was destroyed by the Nazis and Soviets during the war, most of its repairs were done on a local level, and next to nothing had been standardized. With the help of the scouts and electrical engineers, the government begins to map out the twisting and turning kilometers of cables and junctions
- Summer camps dedicated to the mixing of various ethnic/religious groups crop up across the nation. The goal of these camps is to introduce a “Yugoslav” identity, rather than having the internal segregation of Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks, Slovenes, Macedonians, Albanians and Montenegrins. Some of these camps run smoothly, especially in areas with predominantly Serbian/Croatian communities, and areas where the mixing is high, the camps struggle to keep things from erupting into violence half the time
- Yugoslavia continues the push to foster the growth of its industrial capacity. With things beginning to snowball in regards to industrial growth, the government keeps its focus on having a strong backbone for civilian and military goods production on a huge, domestic scale. Without the assistance of either the Warsaw Pact or NATO, Yugoslavia’s military industry must be entirely self-sufficient, which is difficult to achieve by building from scratch, but Yugoslavia will try nonetheless
- After looking at schematics from both Ford and Volkswagen, engineers employed by the government design a mixed copy of the two big brand dealers to create their own design. Known simply as the “Yugo”, this compact, boxy automobile is perfect for small families or individuals on the go. Unreliable and prone to failures, the Yugo is unpopular overseas, but as it is now the only car available in Yugoslavia in any real capacity--which is still slim--they fly out of the lots
- Military experts within Yugoslav high command agree that the time of superior firepower and mobile warfare is over for the nation. No matter how skilled her troops or how powerful her equipment, Yugoslavia recognizes that it cannot win against the combined force of an enemy. At least not on equal terms. Instead, the military moves to adopt a “bite and hold” doctrine, which involves delaying tactics, stalling maneuvers and as much asymmetric warfare as possible to make their enemy pay dearly for every inch
- Production of the R-1 Kestrel continues as Yugoslavia hopes to replace most of its prop-based aircraft with faster, more maneuverable jets. More R-1s are built with the coming months as industry begins to ramp up again, and Yugoslav men and women are sent to the factories to build military equipment. A chevron of R-1s fly alongside the eastern border of Yugoslavia, from Austria to Bulgaria, taking only short pit stops to be able to show that Yugoslavia is no longer some tiny, backwater nation

- Zambezian diplomats in Brussels strike a deal with the Belgian government to begin the importation of rubber from the Congo in exchange for cash bonds in order to strengthen the slow-growing electronics industry in the country. Though rubber from petrochemical sources is more reliable, the distance between the Congo and Zambezia is negligible, and helps tie Zambezia closer together with Europe as a whole
- Migrants from Europe and north America continue to arrive in Zambezia, and now in higher numbers. Most of these immigrants come from the divided Germany, as many elites find their properties split between two or even three different countries. With these new immigrants, more and more businesses crop up in the major cities, providing jobs for both whites and africans
- The Zambezian government sets aside funds to begin constructing a large number of universities across the nation, set in the large cities of Salisbury, Lusaka, Bulawayo, Lolongwe, Blantyre and Kitwe. Here, both whites and africans are able to better themselves through higher education, which both betters the nation itself, and increases the possibility of foreign students arriving to study in Zambezia
- Foreign engineers are invited to Zambezia to assist in teaching at the soon-to-be-constructed universities in the country. With many mining and agricultural businesses, Zambezia’s export-based backbone literally cannot afford to fall behind. Most of these engineers once again come from the German states, largely out of the northern monarchies
- Following in the footsteps of many major nations, Zambezia begins to subsidise schools that focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as the early implementation of a testing system. These tests are meant to gauge the general intelligence and understanding of the “STEM” fields, and give the brighter students the opportunity to be sent to higher education, both at home and abroad
- Anthropologists begin heading into the jungles and rural areas of Zambezia to conduct research on the various tribal groups throughout the country. The goal of these scholars is to gather as much information on their language, traditions and oral histories, and record them in order to create a massive repository of knowledge on local peoples. The initial work is slow, as many of the more obscure languages are difficult to translate, and some tribal groups avoid contact with Europeans outright
- A series of safari-lands and national parks are designated in the more rural or simply unpopulated regions in Zambezia. Seeing the growth of industries such as mining and agriculture, the Zambezian government fears that the identity of the African nation will be lost if too many areas of natural beauty are destroyed. As a response, taking a page from the United States, huge swathes of land are set to be officially protected by government troops, mainly local africans, at the start of the next year
- Large hydroelectric projects are slated for the future to be placed along major rivers, specifically the Zambezi and Luangwa rivers. These, paired with the expansion of the electrical grid, will provide Zambezian cities with enough power to facilitate the continued growth of industry. Of course, at the current moment, these projects are put on hold due to a lack of reliable manpower
- Relations between white and african Zambezians begin to warm slightly, as the fair treatment of africans in public schools and businesses--though to a fairly limited extent--allows africans to have a better chance at participating in society. Still barred from officer positions and participating in politics, there is a small but increasingly vocal minority of africans who desire proper representation
- The Zambezian budget begins to be outpaced by its spending. With so many projects, subsidies, tributes and tax cuts, the treasury is slowly but surely stretching thinner and thinner. If this sort of spending continues, Zambezia will see an exponential rise in debt, and without a strong economy to bounce back with, such debt could have disastrous results
- Engineers working along one of the major railways begin toying with ideas from Spain and Germany. Utilizing specialized forms of tracks and wheels, the engineers are able to create trains that can accelerate and sustain incredibly high speeds, but still brake reliably. These “high-speed rail” designs would be a massive benefit to the economy, as it would allow both passengers and cargo to be brought from place to place in a short period of time
- A collection of farmers, whose property touch one another at the edges, design a large, pivoting “sprinkler” capable of watering all of their farms simultaneously, or at least in one area. Spinning in a circle over the course of a day, this “center pivot irrigator” becomes incredibly popular in Zambezia, and is rapidly adopted across the globe for its efficiency

- Recognizing that the Judean Republic of Zion is continuing to follow in the footsteps of the Soviet Union and remain a strong socialist state, the Soviets agree to export a number of combat aircraft to the little middle-eastern nation. The Yak-3 fighter/interceptor and the IL-2 ground support aircraft arrive in Zion in perfect condition. These planes are battle tested and proved to be incredibly effective at killing many Nazis
- Though short in number, the Yugoslav government presents Zion with roughly a dozen R-1 Kestrel interceptors. Relationships between Yugoslavia and Zion continue to warm as Yugoslavia becomes the #2 arms dealer for Zion. These jets are immediately rode hard and put away wet to ensure that the pilots know everything on how to operate and maintain these aircraft. The designs for the R-1 are also sent to Zion military factories to begin the creation of domestic models
- Coordination between the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact nations to push for the migration of Jews continues. Catching wind, Italian, German and French Jews also begin to move to Zion in order to seek out a better life amongst their own people. With so many foreign dialects arriving, Zion must enforce a standardized form of Hebrew soon, or risk a devastating language barrier issue in a nation smaller than most American states
- Schools, colleges and places of education across the country are nationalized by the Zion government. This comes as the education system begins to undergo a massive overhaul to ensure that Zion’s citizens are the best and brightest, and to avoid the unfair economic bias that private primary and secondary schools have. One issue that the government has yet to touch, however, is that regarding religious education by Jews, Christians and Muslims, of which there are numerous centers across the country
- The new education program sees a battery of tests being given to students aged 13-15, which test them on basic knowledge and general education. Once these students reach the age of 16, the tests will become more specialized and based on their previous scores. Finally, upon their graduation at the age of 18, students’ results are shared with various state-run organizations, recommending them colleges to continue the pursuit of education
- Of the graduating 18 year olds, the top 15% are given assigned colleges and courses by the Zion government in order to fill critical roles such as surgeons, engineers, mathematicians and scientists. Those unwilling to take part in such assigned courses are given the choice of going to officers school, where they must serve in the Zion military for 10 years, or to undergo the training to become a Rabbi, which of course bars women from participating
- A large scale employment program begins to try and rebuild as much of the nation as possible as quickly as possible. The war for independence was devastating, and though many of the larger cities have begun the process of growing again, the countryside is severely damaged. This program pushes to gather unemployed citizens and put them to work, as well as give conscripts something to do outside of training and education
- Cities and townships over a certain number of people are required to formalize evacuation routes and build shelters for Zion citizens in the event of a war. Such actions by the Zion government, paired with the conscription and constant purchasing of the military equipment, begins to fill the everyman with a sense of paranoia and fear of attack, making the average person more aware of the dangers surrounding them
- Conscripts fresh from school are rotated from base to base every 2 months out of their 3 years of service, in order to help them both understand the locals and the environment. This is paired with a system of trade schools built specifically for conscripts to learn technical skills such as engineering, agriculture, plumbing and carpentry to better help them find a job once their service is done
- Having served the country well in its battle for independence, and having also been a thorn in the side of the more left-leaning Zion leaders, the many Irgun officers in the high command are slowly but surely discharged or made to retire with huge pensions and national honors. Their supporters grumble, but the Zion government promises that their offices may “reopen in the event of a war”

TURNS DUE THURSDAY, JANUARY 17!!!

 

[TheGriff]

 

[Zillamaster55]

 

[Zillamaster55]

Turn 5
January - June, 1950

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World Tension is MEDIUM (RISING QUICKLY)
World Economy is STABLE (GROWING)

World Events
- A brigade South Korean troops, having received bad information, accidentally pass over the North Korean border. Seen as a hostile act, the North Koreans fire a number of artillery shells, striking South Korean positions and killing two soldiers. As a response, two South Korean P-51s strafe a North Korean troop convoy, killing six. Tensions snap as both nations gear up for full scale war
- The Soviet Union openly denounces the continued invasion of Indonesia, and is “deeply concerned” over the possibility of dividing Indonesia into multiple independent states. With the west getting closer to victory in Indonesia, and the rebellion being choked out in Java day by day, the Soviets are unwilling to “let imperialism control the world any longer”, and promises to refuse recognition of any state that isn’t a united Indonesia
- Forces of the People’s Republic of China enter the territory of northeastern Tibet. More than 25,000 Chinese soldiers march their way through the foothills of the himalayas, demanding that the Dalai Lama abdicate his position, and Tibet become a state subservient to the People’s Republic. Mao is pleased to hear that his demands have been met, and Tibet now no longer has a place on the map
- The rebellion in Iraq grows as Kurdish groups in the northwest take the opportunity to push for further recognition in the Iraqi parliament, only to be rebuffed by the increasingly pro-Arab government. As a result, a number of radicals take up arms to try and force the issue, and they are met with the Iraqi military, sparking a full scale rebellion
- The war in Indonesia draws closer and closer to its end. Despite the valiant effort of the rebels, the sheer technological and numerical superiority of the Allied forces has suppressed the revolt to chunks of Java. Rebels, day by day, are surrendering to advancing allied forces, and it is only a matter of time before victory is declared

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- With the economy of South America becoming increasingly connected to the outside world, Argentina sees that deals throughout the continent itself will give the nation a foothold in the future. Brazil, Argentina’s neighbor and competitor, is brought to the table. In return for mining rights within patagonia, Argentina will receive a small margin of Brazil’s petroleum production for the coming years, which will no doubt be beneficial to the Argentinian economy
- With Britain still suffering from the effects of wartime rationing, Argentina continues to export large amounts of pork and beef to the beleaguered island nation, largely free of charge. The British are grateful for the gesture, and both countries are tied closer together. Of course, Britain is rapidly racking up a debt to pay off at some point in the future, but Argentina is largely quiet about that situation
- Chile, Argentina’s long neighbor to the west, remains as a hostile entity towards Argentina. With both nations regularly competing over water, food, border and mineral squabbles, Argentina feels the best course of action is to begin seeking ways to improve relations with Chile. Primarily, the Andes mountains have a series of roadways expanded between the two nations in order to facilitate trade, which goes slowly due to Chile’s hesitance
- Perón, though popular amongst the general populace, faces strong opposition in both the government and the military due to his pro-worker attitudes and general acceptance of pseudo-socialist policies. As a response, and to avoid yet another arrest by military police, Perón does a soft purge of the high command, removing incompetent, corrupt or those who disagree with his political plans. This causes an uproar in the upper branches of the military, but Perón’s popularity amongst the soldiers keeps them quiet enough
- A tax is levied on the upper class of Argentina to try and squeeze as much money as possible into the nation’s coffers before the post-War boom finally wears off. Much of this money is put into railways, to ensure that the economies of Argentina’s cities are linked together. Most of the labor force is made of the unemployed as Perón pushes for a “ready to work” program across the country, using the poor or unemployed as labor to fix the nation, while in return receiving small government benefits
- Huge subsidies are paid forward to pork farmers who are struggling to keep up with the demand from Europe and Asia. With so many farmers running out of money to pay for feed and water, the Perón government hopes to keep these farmers aloft for just long enough for the receiving nations to begin paying credit back to Argentina. With tens of thousands of pounds of pork being shipped out every week, these subsidies take a not-so-small bite out of Argentina’s budget
- The Argentinian navy, though by no means a powerful force on the high seas, is nonetheless Argentina’s first line of defense against any invader. With the patagonian desert and andes mountains acting as a natural barrier, Argentina’s weakest positions are the beaches in the east that would make for fantastic landing zones to strike at the heart of Buenos Aires. Producing a number of destroyers and light cruisers, Argentina hopes to bolster the number of ships in her fleet, and eventually purchase or even build capital ships of her own
- A handful of farmers begin purchasing Eurasian Boar from parts of eastern and northern Europe. These boar, which are incredibly hardy and tough animals, when bred with domesticated pigs, they create animals resistant to cold, drought and low food supplies, while nonetheless producing a significant amount of meat and multiple litters of piglets. These pigs are far more aggressive, and at least one farmer has been unfortunate enough to slip and fall in the pig pen
- Pork, in the eyes of Perón, is the blood of Argentina’s foreign trade, and the blood must remain pure. A number of biochemical students studying the process of penicillin as used by the United States stumble across a strain that is incredibly effective in treating infections and preventing bacterial contamination of pigs and cattle. Though somewhat expensive for the time being, these medications will allow Argentina’s pork production to explode

- Bavaria officially adopts the T-48 rifle as the main rifle of the Bavarian military. At HK&S, the “G-50”--the Bavarian designation--is chambered in the same caliber as the American rifle, and is rapidly deployed to replace surplus weapons currently in the hands of the Bavarian army. This comes as rapid response drills are conducted in order to test the readiness of the Bavarians in the possibility of a war
- Bavaria continues to send diplomats out into the Catholic world, starting with a number of meetings with the neighboring German Catholic states of West Austria and the Rhineland. Here, Müller plans on creating unity between the Catholic German states, and pulling them closer into the IBDS by making promises of stronger Catholic education and a closer tie between church and state in Bavaria
- In Italy, Spain and Portugal, Bavarian diplomats meet with various leaders both national and local, taking tours of ancient churches and having Bavarian religious leaders meeting with those overseas. Bavaria pushes as hard as it can to try and create a “Catholic Union” between the various faithful states, which in turn would create stronger social, religious and economic ties, rather than “being subservient to Protestants and Atheists”
- The idea of the “Catholic Identity” begins to catch on, as a number of Catholics begin to arrive from Ireland, Italy, Spain and Portugal. Many of these individuals are escaping the possibility of repression for their political views, or simply looking for a more economically viable prospects in Bavaria. These people are welcomed with open arms, and many apply for Bavarian citizenship within weeks after arriving
- Pope Pius XII, head of the Holy See and leader of the Catholic faithful, makes a state visit to Bavaria to meet with Prince Rupprecht. In a massive celebration that clogs the streets of Munich, Pius and Rupprecht lead a parade of Swiss Guard and Bavarian troops, hoisting the banners of the Holy See and Bavaria in stride with one another. From the celebrations, Rupprecht and Pius discuss deepening the ties between Bavaria and the Papacy, as well as ways to foster future visits from the Pope
- The Bavarian economy continues to recover, and in fact has finally begun to grow. Domestic and foreign industries build factories in Bavaria and hire Bavarian employees, farms grow larger and the street markets are once again filled with the hustle and bustle of the everyman looking to buy goods. By no means perfect, the Bavarian economy is nonetheless hitting the ground running after 4 years of occupation and even less for independence
- As more and more northern German intellectuals leave to try and find better futures, the Bavarian government offers them jobs and residence within the various Bavarian schools and universities. Though most turn down the offer, wishing to go overseas to different places, many who cannot afford to stray too far from Europe are happy to stay in Bavaria, helping the nation avoid a “brain drain” of its own
- Bavaria continues to send out secret police to hunt down the remaining Nazis as the Bavarian government widens the search for even simple military officers. These men are dragged before court and declared guilty almost immediately, but less men are hung this time around as some are able to prove their innocence and lack of connection to war crimes. Nonetheless, the “innocent” are sent to prison for the rest of their lives, and the guilty are hung just like the rest
- Messerschmitt, the infamous creator of aircraft such as the Me109 and Me262, are once again contracted to design a military fighter. Though no longer state owned and completely bereft of its Nazi leadership--thanks both to Allied and Bavarian efforts--nonetheless presents Bavaria with a mixture of both British and domestic design. Taking pages from the de Havilland Vampire, the Me400 uses a single, stretched fuselage with longer, more swept wings. Though using the same engine and the same Hispano 20mm cannons, the Me400 is a welcome addition to the Bavarian air force
- Gottlob Widmann, a bored engineer and tinkerer, creates a simplistic and yet incredibly popular new patent. A drip-fed coffee maker nicknamed the “Wi-Go-Mat”, capable of creating a steaming pot of high quality coffee in just a short period of time, flies off the shelves as more and more Bavarians begin consuming the morning drink. Müller once again congratulates the inventor, and has a personal “Wi-Go-Mat” in his office

- As France continues to take a less involved stance in Indochina, France approaches Thailand for assistance against the advancing communist forces in the north. The Thai king accepts the deal, but Cambodia remains uneasy with the approach of Thai troops, who are forced to divert through the straits and arrive in Saigon. Thailand, wounded deeply by the Pacific War, is only able to send meager numbers of troops
- Seeking better economic opportunities closer to home, France invites delegates from Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Italy to Paris to discuss the formation of a multinational trade deal known as the “European Coal and Steel Community”. Though obviously the community’s focus remains on raw materials like coal and steel, the ECSC will also facilitate trade of manufactured goods of all sorts
- France begins to shift its export focus to manufactured goods, withdrawing the large subsidies to raw materials and instead investing in the exporting of textiles, household appliances and industrial parts. These factories are filled with French and French colonial employees as the post-war boom hits France full swing. Stocks remain stable and the population skyrockets as more and more children continue to be born
- Large investments are put into the military-industrial sector as more and more colonies become independent nations. These nations will be in demand for arms and military goods, and with France’s economy coming back stronger than ever, the French government begins to export equipment of all sorts to nations like Haiti, Cuba, Vietnam and South Korea
- Oil prospectors in French Algeria stumble upon a huge field deep in the central deserts near Libya. Though difficult to access, this will be a massive boon to the French economy and military, and slightly reduce the need to import American oil. Engineers are sent to Algeria to begin the process of building of equipment, storage units and pipelines, as well as map out the requirements for workers in the harsh conditions of the blisteringly hot desert
- France’s massive assortment of African colonies undergo a massive series of reforms and reorganization. Outside of the Maghreb and the communes of Senegal, a number of semi-autonomous countries are organized within France’s possessions in Africa. These nations are given their semi-independence in return for adopting the new French constitution, and following the various human rights regulations put in place by the United Nations
- Various land reform declarations are placed on the African colonies to ensure that the most good is made out of the land available, as well as to improve the daily lives of the lower classes. These reforms are specifically tailored to certain areas, as the more jungled areas of Cameroon must have different reforms from a desert nation like Chad. Nonetheless, these reforms will take years to be fully implemented due to the language barriers and general economic disparity between the colonies and France
- Elections within the new countries are almost entirely conservative victories, with a number of Gaullist-aligned parties taking power. These political ties between France and her autonomies strengthen their relations and reduce the risk of possible independence movements. Of course, these autonomies would much rather be independent nations, but only so much can be done
- Special laws are put in place for the Communes of Senegal, with the hope of encouraging foreign and domestic businesses from setting up factories in the area, as well as turning Dakar into a Hong-Kong styled trade port city. Some money is skimmed off the top of the budget to develop the other African colonies in order to foster the economic growth of Senegal
- With the Soviet Union succeeding in the creation of the Malyutka, French military engineers rush to be able to compete. After some testing, the French military unveils its latest creation, the M.1 “Belette” (Weasel). The M.1 is very similar to the Malyutka, as it is guided by a long wire and uses a rocket to rapidly accelerate towards its target. However, the M.1 is far smaller, with a 2.5kg shaped charge warhead, allowing it to fly much faster, which does sacrifice some of the control in the hands of the operator
- Having already discussed the possibility of harnessing nuclear energy for good, French nuclear engineers begin looking at the possibility of creating a “reactor”, that could utilize the power of fissile materials to power huge turbines, creating a nearly limitless and “clean” form of energy. However, the schematics for the creation of a nuclear reactor remain on paper, and it will take time for these ideas to come to fruition

- As NATO continues to expand, South Africa officially becomes a signatory to the pact and is given the position of a NATO dependency, not dissimilar to New Zealand or Australia. With the protection of the United States and multiple European nations, South Africa can rest easy in the knowledge that it will not need to defend its borders and people all on its own
- Zambezian and South African delegates meet in Johannesburg to form the African Economic Friendship Treaty between the two nations. Free trade and transfer of material goods is one of the major tenants of the deal, as South Africa’s manufacturing backbone benefits directly from the export of raw materials from Zambezia. Meanwhile, whites from both nations are given easier passes border with minimal identity checks, as the AEFT essentially guarantees freedom of travel
- Representatives from the Afrikaner People’s Party meet with those from the National Party. Though the AMP is opposed to the generally pro-corporate attitudes of the National Party, with the AMP desiring the nationalization of all manufacturing, both sides are able to agree that the African National Congress and black resistance movements pose a serious threat to the stability of South Africa
- Investments into agricultural developments continue as South Africa begins purchasing large numbers of Zambezian sprinklers to try and give as much water to the farmlands in the center of the nation. Foreign fertilizers that utilize phosphorus are imported in huge quantities, and animal waste is purchased by the South African government to turn as much of the seized tribal lands into fertile, arable land as possible
- A large amount of the seized tribal land is just outside of major population centers that dot the country. With the South African air force growing larger as the days go by, the South African government begins organizing the creation of airstrips near these locations, which would allow civilian aircraft to make shorter trips from city to city, as well as ensure a “rapid reaction” from South African interceptors
- White migrants to South Africa are given the opportunity to volunteer in the South African military in order to avoid future conscription. Heavy vetting takes place with these volunteers to ensure that they have no ties to foreign political organizations, and are willing to serve the state to the fullest extent. Veterans assist in the training of these volunteers, putting them through the same training regimens as the conscripts
- Fearing the possibility of riots as more blacks are forced out of cities, the South African military begins deploying troops in the poor black areas that grow increasingly smaller and tighter packed. Gendarmerie raids on civil rights movements are increasingly common, and a number of anti-Apartheid activists of both colors are arrested and ferociously beaten by South African political police
- Foreign contracts are made in order to facilitate the growth of South Africa’s logistical backbone. Trucks, tankers, radios and other necessary equipment are imported from the United States, Spain and Britain, while the bulk of the frontline equipment is still made by South Africa. The military is unwilling to have too much foreign equipment, and petitions the government to ease off on the imports
- South African tourists visiting the various old sites of Warsaw come across the sight of an Antonov P48 landing at the airport. These tourists bring back what information they can, and are immediately surrounded with engineers trying to copy the turboprop design. Mimicking the P48, the new South African “Nationair” is a massive, four engined beast of a plane using enormous turboprops. Capable of carrying up to 50 passengers, the Nationair is the king of civilian transports, save for the massive fuel consumption
- Though by no means a new technology or idea, engineers at South African aircraft factories begin toying with the idea of utilizing “tandem” rotors for future helicopters. With two large rotors moving at similar speeds, these helicopters can lift far more weight and are more stable when flying, though they sacrifice speed and mobility in doing so. An ersatz tandem helicopter is made out of the AG-1B, simply titled the XAG-2, and undergoes successful testing

- Despite tensions still remaining high between Yugoslavia and the west, the American government approves a small portion of Marshall Plan money to be given to Yugoslavia to help in the rebuilding efforts of the nation. This money is immediately funneled into the state treasury and doled out to the various projects that are taking place across the country, and Yugoslavia sends a number of delegates to thank the United States for such an offer
- With Thurmond having resigned, vice president Richard Russell Jr. is more or less forced to take the position of President of the United States. Sworn in after a hasty ceremony, Russell is immediately met with opposition from republicans, progressives and more than a few democrats in both houses. The more liberal parties are still infuriated at the vice president’s work with Thurmond to undo progressive policies, while the democrats are upset that Russell is not as hardline as Thurmond was
- Russell's first course of action is to pardon Asa Philip Randolph, which is met with a roar of disapproval by congress and the senate. Fearing further protests and the general destabilization of the country, Russell is unwilling to have Randolph “languish in prison”. Russell's racial views are still publicly known, but if Russel is to even dream of surviving the midterms, he must buckle to demands by the republicans and progressives at points
- The midterm election primaries begin, with a number of progressive and leftist candidates doing their best to try and overthrow democrats or conservative republicans in their districts, while the Republican National Convention itself undergoes intense restructuring. Governors, senators and congressmen that were once comfortable in their position now find their seats contested by progressive opponents
- Nelson Rockefeller, heir to the enormous Rockefeller dynasty, is chosen as a competitor to Thomas Dewey in the race for governor of New York. Bizarrely enough, though both men are republicans, Rockefeller and Dewey represent two totally different branches of the party, with Dewey remaining in the center-left, and Rockefeller as a hardline, pro-worker, pro-desegregation progressive
- A “Red and Green Wave” is predicted as the republican and progressive parties come together to hash out a way to defeat the democrats in the coming elections. Calling upon various labor groups, including those more aligned with socialist views, the progressives hope to form the “League of the American People” with the republicans. Despite protest from the more centrist or conservative sides of the party, the republicans agree to form the coalition
- At a meeting of the Republican National Convention, Nelson Rockefeller is chosen as the 1952 candidate with little opposition. Though already running for governor, the RNC hopes to use his essentially guaranteed victory as a “litmus test” to watch his governing policies. Rockefeller is incredibly popular amongst republicans thanks to his progressive policies and connection to American labor
- Marion Robert Morrison, also known as John Wayne, and Ronald Reagan, both members of the republican party, defect to the democrats after being “disgusted with the infiltration of communist sympathizers”. Reagan and Wayne, both popular thanks to their acting careers and political activism, seek to gain the candidacy for the 1952 presidential elections. Joseph McCarthy, still serving as attorney general, openly declares his support for a Morrison/Reagan ticket

- The Soviet Union openly denounces the continued invasion of Indonesia, and is “deeply concerned” over the possibility of dividing Indonesia into multiple independent states. With the west getting closer to victory in Indonesia, and the rebellion being choked out in Java day by day, the Soviets are unwilling to “let imperialism control the world any longer”, and promises to refuse recognition of any state that isn’t a united Indonesia
- After standing against the United Nations and western powers by declaring its refusal to accept western deals regarding Indonesia, the Soviets then turn to request that the People’s Republic of China be recognized. All of the countries under the control of the Soviets, as well as Syria and Iraq, move to recognize Mao’s regime in China, though most of the west only sees Kai Shek’s regime in Taiwan and Hainan as the legitimate government
- Tensions between the People’s Republic of China and India rise as Mao’s armies march into Tibet. Immediately, Stalin moves to invite representatives from both countries to seek a way to mediate the issues. Most of the issue revolves around parts of Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh, both nations are unwilling to cooperate with the other’s governments. Stalin, however, is at least able to ensure peace by remaining neutral on the claims made by either side
- Despite this, the Soviets strike up huge deals for the transfer of oil and natural gas to India and the People’s Republic of China. With both nations undergoing rapid industrialization, and petrochemical industries on the rise worldwide, the Soviet Union is unwilling to sit idly by and have two massive economic partners lag behind. Pipelines begin construction almost immediately, and the black gold is expected to flow freely by the end of the next year
- Railway systems dedicated to the transfer of goods in and out of cities are expanded to facilitate the growth of industries located in cities like Moscow and Leningrad. Subway systems undergo expansion as well, and numerous trolley routes are planned for the more western cities like Kaliningrad and Kiev. Railways from these cities lead into border towns in Poland, Romania and Czechoslovakia as the Soviets hope to strengthen the economies of their spherelings
- Changes to the budget take place in order to improve the capacity and transfer of oil and natural gas from the caucasus and siberia. With the Soviets enjoying a huge reserve of fossil fuels, Stalin recognizes that the Soviet Union cannot rely on irregular production and storage, and instead pushes for a more streamlined and centralized form of oil reserves, rather than having to randomly ration as oil engineers fail to properly keep up with demand
- The Soviet Navy begins producing large numbers of icebreakers. Though largely unarmed and manned only by small crews, these icebreakers are a vital tool in ensuring that the arctic regions of the more northern seas remain under Soviet control. This coincides with intense training for Soviet submarine crews for under-ice maneuvers and raiding. Though combat in the arctic seas isn’t a guarantee, the Soviets are not going to take the chance of being on the losing side of such a fight
- Nuclear weapons production is ramped up as tensions rise in Korea, as well as seeing that the French possess such weapons too. The exact number and size of such weapons is secret, but the Soviets boast openly that their stockpile is growing “faster and larger every day”. This does little to ease tensions in Europe, but instead exacerbates concerns from nations like Bavaria and Britain over the possibility of a nuclear strike in the future
- Test after test using the captured V-2 rockets and scientists finally produces a worthwhile invention for the Soviet armed forces. The R-1A “Гарпия” (Garpiya) [Harpy] carries a 2500kg warhead, and has the operational range of more than 400km. Though difficult to produce and operate, the R-1A is a terrifying new weapon that nations like Britain are all too familiar with
- Knowing that oil and coal will one day run dry in the Soviet Union, though when that will be is unknown, the Soviet government continues work on exploring nuclear energy as a substitute. A number of reactor designs are presented to the energy board, and a handful of designs are picked out as the winner. However, these designs will remain on paper as initial tests have yet to take place

- Despite cold relations between Yugoslavia and the west, the American government approves a small portion of Marshall Plan money to be given to Yugoslavia to help in the rebuilding efforts of the nation. This money is immediately funneled into the state treasury and doled out to the various projects that are taking place across the country, and Yugoslavia sends a number of delegates to thank the United States for such an offer
- Though Bulgaria and Hungary remain hostile to the Tito regime, Romania is open to trade agreements with Yugoslavia regarding raw materials such as aluminum in return for oil. After approaching Italy and West Austria, Yugoslavia is surprised to find both nations are more than willing to conduct trade with Yugoslavia, and a number of deals are made to send raw materials in return for manufactured goods, which takes a great strain off of Yugoslavia’s consumer industry
- With the addition of Marshall plan money to Yugoslavia, the final rebuilding efforts take place, and the last scars of the occupation are beginning to heal. The electrical grid continues to undergo its restructuring, and cities like Zagreb, Sarajevo and Belgrade are benefiting from the newly reformed electrical grid. With a couple of the massive hydroelectric projects being finished, the electrification of Yugoslavia is nearly complete
- A new version of the “Yugo” is made with the help of Fiat. Made specifically for export, this version of the Yugo is sturdier than its predecessor, but is still cheap and made for lower economic backgrounds. Surprisingly enough, the Yugo is incredibly popular in the northern German states, as well as Greece and Turkey, beating Volkswagen car sales, though only by a tiny margin
- Tito continues the push for ethnic unity within Yugoslavia by setting up a number of national sporting events such as football, track and field, swimming and shooting competitions. National teams are artificially created with quotas of all ethnic groups. Given a common goal to work for, these groups are far more united than the various youth camps, and are cheered on by their fans during competitions
- Large anti-tank defenses are built along the Danube, facing towards Hungary and East Austria. Most of these are huge bunkers and trench emplacements with areas for anti-tank guns and positions for infantry. Knowing that static positions can still be overrun, these forts are constructed with a “deep defense” in mind, and will make for a hellish area to attack with armored vehicles

- Zambezian and South African delegates meet in Johannesburg to form the African Economic Friendship Treaty between the two nations. Free trade and transfer of material goods is one of the major tenants of the deal, as South Africa’s manufacturing backbone benefits directly from the export of raw materials from Zambezia. Meanwhile, whites from both nations are given easier passes border with minimal identity checks, as the AEFT essentially guarantees freedom of travel
- As the wars in Southeast Asia rage on, Zambezia opens itself up to take in refugees from these countries, largely ignoring political and religious backgrounds of these groups. These refugees are settled within the cities, and are given the opportunity to work on farms or in factories throughout Zambezia. Many of these refugees are unable to speak English, and classes for teaching the language are already stretched thin
- Foreign hotel and tourism companies are encouraged to set up shop in Zambezia, as the nature reserves are touted as “the most beautiful places on the planet”. A few American hotel chains take up Zambezia on the offer, but decide to hold off on any development until the rail and roadways of the nation are brought up to the standards of Europe and the United States
- The Zambezian government forms the Federal Intelligence Bureau to act as a national policing force. With the situation in South Africa deteriorating, and the growth of anti-Colonial movements, Zambezia is unwilling to let anti-government groups subvert the stability of the nation. The FIB is tasked with investigating numerous crimes, including large scale fraud to terrorism, and will cooperate with foreign intelligence services if the need arises
- In order to counteract the growing budget deficit, the Zambezian government begins selling bonds to both white and african citizens that can be paid back in full in the future. Hoping to offset large government spending, this is paired with a small sales tax levied on a variety of goods, which will act as a boost to the yearly tax revenue. Both actions are unpopular amongst the white elites, but the african population appreciates being able to participate to some extent in the daily running of the country
- Anthropologists conducting studies on native populations are encouraged to regularly publish their findings in a number of state-operated scientific newspapers. Anthropologists with interesting discoveries or ideas are given the opportunity by the government to give seminars at home and overseas, hoping to continue interest in local traditions and religions that are slowly fading away as many africans continue to move into the cities or farmlands
- Land clearances begin as the Zambezian government gives what money it can into the creation of two massive hydroelectric dams along the Kafue and Luangwa rivers, with the intention of adding as much power as possible to Zambezia’s growing electrical grid. These clearances force many natives off of their land, and destroys huge swathes of natural forests and grasslands. A titanic dam is planned for the Zambezi, that is predicted to not only produce huge amounts of power, but wipe out a chunk of natural land in the process
- The Zambezian military is placed on high alert after being made aware of possible communist insurgents that are attempting to infiltrate the country. Though exactly where and how these guerillas are hiding, the military is nonetheless preparing itself for fighting a campaign in the bushlands of the south. African soldiers currently in the military are quickly placed in classes to dissuade them from supporting such groups
- After purchasing a large number of wheat strains from Egypt, Zambezia begins implementing the strongest of that wheat in farms across the country. These strains are far more resistant to heat and require less water than normal, while still producing enough grain to keep up with the food demands of the country. Most of these strains can only be harvested by the most experienced farmers, which leaves many poor whites and africans out of the picture
- Hoping to get onto the idea before the Bavarians, Zambezian electrical engineers begin implementing transistors into radios in order to miniaturize the devices, as well as improve their lifespan and efficiency. Most of these radios are built for consumer usage, but some radios are implemented into aircraft as a way to test their effectiveness in combat situations

- After short negotiations with Romania, Zion has officiated a deal to begin the importation of Romanian oil. Though the nations surrounding Zion are filled to the brim with oil, and in fact much of their economies are built on the exportation of oil, these nations are outright hostile to Zion and wish to see the state wiped from the map. With the Balkans becoming increasingly friendly towards Zion, the nation can rest assured that raw materials imports will continue into the future
- With more and more Jewish migrants coming from around the world, even arriving from areas such as southern China and parts of Ethiopia, the Zion government officially introduces a mandate to standardize the Hebrew language. Numerous linguists gather at universities across the country, meeting with religious, military and political leaders to hash out a deal. “Standardized Hebrew” is born after an excruciating period, and will still be tweaked as the years march on
- Any Jewish migrant to Zion is required to take at least one class every week for six months in order to become familiarized with Standardized Hebrew. After that, migrants are required to take a test to show their understanding the language before they can be given citizenship. For those from far off lands, this becomes difficult and bars many from central Africa from becoming citizens, at least for now
- In Beersheba, the Zion government strikes the ground for the formation of the Zion University of Agricultural Sciences, which will focus on the domestic production and importation of food, antibiotic treatments for animals, and the best strains of wheat and other cereals to be used in the harsh environment. When completed, this university will also cover areas such as study of the environment and the best way to make water usage more efficient
- The harbor of Eilat undergoes a massive dredging and restructuring project. Though already a somewhat active port, the government of Zion believes that Eilat will be both an economically and strategically important harbor to facilitate trade and house a small series of dry docks for naval maintenance. As Zion’s only access to the Red Sea, Eilat will be crucial in the trade with the far east, as well as defense of the country from the south
- A large highway system is planned to stretch across Zion from city to city, as well as a number of offroads being restructured with asphalt and markers to encourage the usage of automobiles and to help foster the growth of trade. These highways are planned to be far wider than those in Europe or America, with less dividers down the center, and as flat as possible, as the Zion military hopes to use them as airstrips in an emergency
- Within Tel Aviv, any Arab building, be it religious or residential, built after 1850 is set to be demolished. Numerous homes, mosques and businesses that are a century old are torn down, to be replaced with “more Jewish styles of architecture”. Amongst the remaining Arab population, this is an outrage, and protests are sent to the United Nations by Egypt and Lebanon, denouncing the “destruction of Arab culture”
- While the expansion of Tel Aviv continues, the Zion military opens up an officer’s academy in order to train NCOs to become the best that they can be. Veterans, including former Irgun commanders, act as the teachers to begin instructing the trainees on the ins and outs of military command and tactics. Most of these studies focus on the implementation of modern weaponry and infantry tactics, as well as general command stratagems
- A new doctrine is introduced to the Zion military. Knowing that the nation cannot be easily defended on all sides, and that the possibility of a decapitation strike is uncomfortably high, generals in command of divisions are granted significant autonomy in how they move their troops from place to place. Of course, these men are expected to follow a general set of orders, such as the defense of certain areas or recapturing lost territory, but are otherwise required to be able to fight on their own in the event of upper echelons being lost
- Seeing the growth of helicopters across the world, Zion engineers begin working on a domestic model mimicking the South African AG-1. Though not given a name as of yet, the Zion “Experimental Helicopter Model One”, or XHM-1, is a single rotor helicopter with a chin mounted machine gun, capable of supporting infantry or carrying light cargo

TURNS DUE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23rd!!!

 

[Zillamaster55]

”The Massacre at the Midterms”

Strom Thurmond’s disastrous administration, having been thrust upon Richard Russell after his sudden resignation, led to nothing but disapproval from the American people. The 1952 midterms showed as such with democrats losing a huge swathe of congressional, senate and governor positions to the “Christmas Coalition” of the progressives and republicans. Despite intense voter suppression and intimidation, the democrats were unable to prevent the overwhelming victory of their opponents.

Almost across the board, any seat held by a democrat that was on shaky ground was taken by a republican or a progressive. Though the progressives did not win any major senate seats or governorships, their popularity in states like California, Illinois and New York gave them the edge to take a number of seats in congress. Most republican governors kept their positions, though New York was a special case, where Nelson Rockefeller won against Dewey with a much smaller margin than expected thanks to lobbying from local businesses.

Next year, when the new congress is sworn in, Russell will face down the most hostile house and senate that America has ever seen. The crossroads of American history are approaching, as the civil rights movement steams ahead, demanding equal representation of African Americans. Which path America will take is still up in the air.

 

[Trebgarta]

America machine broke

 

[Zillamaster55]

Turn 6
July - December, 1950
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World Tension is MEDIUM (RISING QUICKLY)
World Economy is STABLE (GROWING)

World Events
- Armies of various UN members make a counterattack against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea by thrusting past the 38th Parallel. Despite the home field advantage of the communist forces, the sheer firepower and technological might of the UN armies forces them back further and further north. Bombing campaigns by French and American forces plunge deep into the rear lines of the North Koreans, but are regularly harassed by jet fighters supplied by the People’s Republic of China
- With the UN forces thrusting upward into North Korean territory, the People’s Republic of China becomes increasingly concerned over the fact that western troops may soon have access to the soft underbelly of mainland China. Chinese troops are reported to have begun massing on the border with North Korea, possibly to act as either defensive posts or to intervene on the behalf of Kim Il-Sung
- Communist rebels seize the city of Hanoi in Vietnam, a crushing blow to the resolve of the republican forces. A number of soldiers in Laos and Vietnam begin to defect to the communists, believing that the republics are no longer capable of representing the will of the people. This is a grave concern, as the Thai soldiers fighting alongside the republicans are worried that they may be the only ones willing to take up the mantle
- The Shia uprising in Iraq is crushed as the last of the radical forces are put down by government troops. Mass arrests take place, and the leaders of the rebellion are executed. Turning their sights northward, the Iraqi government surrounds and slowly chips away at the Kurdish insurgency. Having gone through not one but two violent uprisings, the nationalist government of Iraq is on shaky footing
- Protests in the Rhineland turn violent as pro-unification demonstrators are dispersed by Rhineish police. Riots take place in Trier that last for nearly three days before finally being put down. The Rhenish government, already on shaky ground, is worried that further demonstrations may see the republic falling to nationalist groups that desire the reunification of Germany. Similar protests take place in Hanover, Hesse and the Dutch occupied territories
- Enver Hoxha, the communist dictator of Albania, is killed in a drive by shooting conducted by royalist insurgents. With the lynchpin of Albania’s communist party having been killed, many of the pro-Government forces surrender. After only a few weeks of besieging the beleaguered government forces in the major cities, the civil war is over. Though Zog has yet to return to Albania, a new constitution is being drafted for the unstable nation
- The last of the Indonesian rebel strongholds are captured by Allied forces. With Indonesia now completely under control of the Allies, plans for division are brought to the negotiation table. Despite protests from the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China, Indonesia is set to be split up into numerous independent nations, similar to Germany, by the end of the next year

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- Elements of the Argentinian army arrive in Korea to assist in the counterattack against the communists. Pushing northward past the 38th parallel, the Argentinians link up with American and Canadian forces in the approach to Wonsan. Much of Argentina’s support for the war effort is the delivery of thousands of tons of pork, beef and grain to offset the rationing for the civilians in the Republic of Korea
- Argentina becomes one of South Africa’s major trading allies. In exchange for antibiotics and large pork breeds, Prometheus Technology and Manufacturing opens shop in Buenos Aires and begins to hire Argentinian workers. Cash bonds are used to purchase goods from one another, and the two nations grow closer together economically. With Argentina’s powerful economy, and South Africa’s burgeoning arms industry, both nations will benefit from continued trade
- Negotiations take place between Argentina and Britain over the debt that Britain must pay to Argentina for the massive food and material support during World War II. However, a small deal is struck for Argentina to purchase two British escort carriers at next to no cost, alongside temporarily hiring their crews to continue maintenance of the carriers on their way to Argentina. The HMS Puncher and Reaper, both Ruler-class escort carriers are transferred to Argentina, retitled the Artigas and San Martin
- Despite having plenty of aircraft capable of landing on the decks of Argentina’s new carriers, the Argentine navy still makes moves to purchase the newly refitted “Sea Vampire” from Britain. Though the ships only have the space to carry a dozen or so of the jet interceptors, the Argentinians are nonetheless giddy to have a handful sitting on the decks of the Artigas and San Martin, alongside a number of American-made naval bomber aircraft
- Taxes on the upper 10% of Argentina are raised to a much higher level, moving the income tax to a stunning 75%. This outrages much of the Argentinian elites, who try their best to lobby against Perón’s reforms, but much of that falls on deaf ears. The money made from this taxation is then redistributed to assist in various social programs, primarily with schooling and healthcare. As Argentina’s economy is the strongest in the region, Perón is unwilling to let Argentina’s control over trade and taxation slip out of its hands
- Higher ups in the Argentinian army, very much concerned with the growing popularity of Perón and his continued social reforms, attempt to smear him in the public’s eye by creating false statements regarding his military career. These lies are exposed quickly, and the position of the Argentinian right is made more and more unstable. Perón’s control over Argentina grows, but the rights of the average citizen grows with it
- Seeing the effectiveness of various rocket artillery platforms in use during World War II, the Argentinian military begins creating a platform to be used on coastal patrol ships or light destroyers. Carrying over 300 40mm rockets, the “Avispero” (Hornet’s Nest) artillery piece is capable of laying down severe punishment on a designated area from nearly 12km away. The main limitation to this system is that it must be carried on a ship, or towed by numerous trucks and half-tracks if to be used on land
- Knowing that the days of long distance engagements between infantry are over, Argentina’s various military engineers begin looking for ways to give their soldiers the upper hand. A breakthrough is made after engineers begin modifying hand grenades. Instead of using shrapnel, the grenade is instead filled with a powerful mix of pyrotechnic and oxidizing materials. This “stun grenade” is capable of disorienting a foe for the crucial few seconds to land either a killing shot, or disarm them in order to capture them

- A small number of American troops stationed at various areas around Europe begin to congregate in Bavaria. Two large bases, one outside of Munich and the other near Regensburg, are constructed to house the Americans, as well as British and Italian troops. These bases are used to ensure the rapid deployment of NATO forces in the event of an attack from communist forces in the east, as well as representing the unity between Bavaria and her allies
- Bavaria continues to fraternize with the various catholic nations of Europe and the world. Negotiations take place between Bavaria, West Austria and Italy in order to utilize Italian ports for the transportation of goods in and out of the two landlocked German states. The Italians agree after imposing a heavy fee on goods, which Bavaria is more than willing to pay. With Italy as the middleman, Bavaria is now able to properly participate in the global market
- The common market that Bavaria formed between itself and some of the smaller German states now includes Hanover and Hesse. Despite the growing religious tensions between the two, and the fears of nationalist uprisings thanks to the deterioration of peace on the Rhine, the divided states of Germany are able to conduct fair and free trade between one another. With Bavaria having the strongest economy of all the former German states, a formal exchange center is constructed in Munich to help with the facilitation of trade
- Rationing and price controls are officially cut across the board. Though the Bavarian economy was already on the road to recovery once the nation was made independent, restrictions on food purchases were still in place, alongside high prices on consumer goods such as automobiles and clothing. With these last post-war burdens removed, the Bavarian people rejoice, and a “market rush” takes place almost immediately afterwards
- Immigrants from Catholic Europe, as well as many teachers and intellectuals from the German states, continue to arrive in Bavaria. A large church is constructed in Munich with the blessings of the papacy to house “All peoples of the Catholic faith”. With all sermons held only in a strictly enforced form of church Latin, any Catholic seeking mass is invited to participate. Many Irish, Portuguese and Spanish parishioners join Bavarian locals in worship
- Bavaria begins to standardize the Munich dialect of German, seeking to make Bavaria a “uniquely Bavarian state”. Other dialects of German are more or less barred from being taught in public schools, and the “Bayernhymne” undergoes a minor rewrite to better fit the accenting and dialect of the southern Germans. A small propaganda campaign is launched to dissuade pro-unification movements, and instead push for a Bavaria that is culturally and socially unique from a united Germany
- The horrific concentration camps used by the Nazis to execute hundreds of thousands are maintained by German government employees, and are turned into somber museums to preserve the truth of the holocaust, and forever remind the people of Bavaria--and the world--that such a hideous act had taken place, and could take place again if the proper steps aren’t taken to prevent it. On occasion, services are held by local Catholic parishes to “pray for the innocent slain by monsters”
- Oktoberfest 1950 goes off once again without a hitch. During the massive celebrations, more foreign visitors arrive in Munich, many coming from France, Sweden, Britain and the Netherlands. The number of partygoers skyrockets past the previous year, and numerous parties are held for days after the official Oktoberfest has ended. Some important visitors to Bavaria include the return of British PM Attlee, as well as Mexican and Irish presidents Miguel Alemán and Seán O'Kelly, who take the time for photo-ops with the King and PM of Bavaria
- Unwilling to let the Zambezians steal their thunder, Bavarian electronics engineers produce transistor radios of their own that prove to be somewhat more powerful than the Zambezian designs. Like Zambezia, Bavaria moves to put these radios in aircraft to better coordinate aerial maneuvers, but also place these radios in tanks and other military vehicles to create an unbroken chain of communication between troops
- The son of a Bavarian toy designer presents his father with a potato covered in rocks and twigs. At first, the designer considers the object to be some asinine project of his child. Suddenly, the designer gets the idea of creating a mass-produced series of “parts” to create a new plaything for children. Using a potato as the base, children can use an assortment of arms, legs, eyes, ears and faces to create their very own “Herr Kartoffelkopf” (Mr. Potato Head). The toys prove to be incredibly popular across Europe and North America

- French forces tasked with pacifying the rebellion in Indonesia are immediately shipped to the Korean peninsula to spearhead a counter-attack against the communists in the north. Working alongside members of the Western Union, the French organize an assault along the northeast, using a number of aircraft to conduct ground attack missions to support their advance. French bombers heading further into North Korean territory are occasionally shot down by MiG-15s supplied by the Chinese
- With France involving itself overseas once more with the opening of the war in Korea, France begins to sell a number of its jet fighter and attack aircraft to its neighbors, primarily the Benelux and Italy, as well as a handful of interceptors being sent to the Republic of China. Seeing that America is too busy dealing with internal affairs, and that the British are still trying to recover from World War II, France decides to take up the mantle of “the Arsenal of Democracy”
- A huge pipeline is constructed from the Algerian oil fields to Gabes, Tunisia. This pipeline is built to pump millions of barrels of oil from the desert, where it can then be loaded on ships and sent to France for refining. This is a great achievement for the French, who are eager to reap the benefits of a large amount of oil so close to their home territory. However, the pipeline is found broken from time to time due to sabotage by unknown forces
- Investments in west Africa continue as the French government begins auctioning off deals to companies to begin the construction of railways and highways that would connect the major cities of western Africa. This is paired with massive agricultural reforms in areas like Mali and Senegal to encourage the growth of farms and reduce the inequality of food in the region. These projects will take some time, but will undoubtedly benefit the region significantly
- Refugees from eastern Europe and areas of Asia under threat from communism are invited to move to France. A huge number of Chinese and Vietnamese refugees arrive, followed quickly by Poles and Germans who seek a better, more free life in France. These people are quick to form their own communities in major cities like Paris or Marseilles, which causes some contention with the locals
- The French economy begins to grow even faster now that the impact of World War II begins to fade away. Foreign and domestic businesses flourish under the tax reforms made by De Gaulle, and the unemployment rate drops to shockingly low levels. The average income of French citizens rises at a steady rate, as does the population as families grow larger and larger. Soon, France’s economy will be a worldwide competitor once again, able to face down the industrial giant that is the United States
- France begins to modernize its navy by stripping its vessels of older radars, sonars and communications equipment. Outdated vessels like battleships and heavy cruisers are scrapped and their materials repurposed to build new ships, or to upgrade existing vessels like carriers and submarines. These reforms take much of the French navy back to port, causing its power projection to be limited until the refitting is complete
- Production of jet fighters and attack aircraft is ramped up as the French push for the modernization of its air force. A huge number of propeller driven aircraft are either sent to storage or sold overseas to support other nation’s air forces. Boasting one of the largest air forces in the world, France is more than ready to defend its home territories from aerial attacks. French pilots are drilled hard on air-to-air or air-to-ground missions
- Seeing the growth of the Soviet nuclear stockpile, France openly begins to construct numerous nuclear weapons of its own. Though neither side is willing to reveal the exact number or size of its weapons, France tests numerous weapons in the Algerian desert as a way to rattle the saber towards the Soviets. Being one of the three major nuclear powers, the French are unwilling to let itself fall behind, and pushes for a massive stockpile of city-destroying weapons
- Another Soviet design is copied by French engineers. The Soviet “Harpy” missile is now set to contend with the X-150 “Marteau” (Hammer). A smaller 2000kg warhead allows the X-150 to hit targets from up to 450km away, giving the French a huge advantage in strategic attacks against future enemies. The X-150 is also terrifying as its conventional explosive payload can be replaced by a devastating package of napalm, capable of setting swathes of land on fire in a single blow
- French nuclear engineers continue to seek ways to create a safe and non-violent way to harness the power of the atom. With the idea of the reactor in place, a major conundrum that has been plaguing French scientists is finally overcome. Instead of simply dumping the waste as far away from populated areas, a lead “coffin” is designed to hold waste material, which can be buried hundreds below ground with little threat to the environment or people

- South African troops in Korea begin making their way northwards alongside the UN forces. Rather than join the thrust towards Wonsan, the South African Expeditionary Force (SAEF) instead makes a headway along the western shoreline, hoping to capture key ports in order to cut off the communists from their trade routes to China. Much of the SAEF’s combat involves hit and run tactics, as well as drawing communist forces into minefields and killzones
- Anthropologists from the University of Salisbury in Zambezia make their way into South Africa to study the various tribal groups there, specifically the Bantustans. South African state police keep a close eye on these anthropologists, and do everything in their power to prevent the discussion of politics with local black populations. On occasion, white militia groups force Zambezian anthropologists off of their land, disrupting their studies
- Argentina becomes one of South Africa’s major trading allies. In exchange for antibiotics and large pork breeds, Prometheus Technology and Manufacturing opens shop in Buenos Aires and begins to hire Argentinian workers. Cash bonds are used to purchase goods from one another, and the two nations grow closer together economically. With Argentina’s powerful economy, and South Africa’s burgeoning arms industry, both nations will benefit from continued trade
- Surplus food from the harvest is sent to Britain in exchange for cash bonds and military supplies. Britain is still recovering from the war, and rationing continues to strain the stomachs of the British people. In order to alleviate that pain, South Africa follows in Argentina’s footsteps and begins to supply Britain with as much food as it can afford to, which conveniently puts Britain further into the debt of foreign countries in exchange for support
- With South Africa having chosen to intervene in Korea, parliament votes to once again implement wartime rationing and industrialization. Wages are dropped somewhat, and unions find their rights restricted as the working white populace is mobilized to support the war efforts. Factories capable of producing military goods are nationalized, with their owners given a hefty cash boost in return
- Firearms purchases for white South Africans see loosened restrictions, and are in fact encouraged by the South African government. With the idea of self defense in mind, mainly from internal threats, all whites in South Africa are motivated to purchase rifles, shotguns and pistols to defend their homes and their families. A number of white militia groups align themselves with far right elements in South Africa, and begin forming compounds in the farming areas in order to protect their property
- Taxes are raised on the upper classes of South Africa in order to scrape as much money off the top to fund the war effort. War bonds are distributed to anyone willing to purchase them, and the property of the last blacks still present in cities is seized by the South African government. Those that resist the seizure of their property are arrested and face life imprisonment for “crimes against the state during wartime”
- With approval of parliament, forms the “Suid-Afrikaanse Raad van Finansiële Groei (South African Board of Financial Growth) [RFG] as a way to oversee the continued development of the South African economy. A number of financial officers and business owners are brought on to the committee by Malan, hoping to best represent the interests of the private sector of South Africa. This causes an uproar amongst the more fiscally liberal in parliament, who fear the creation of a corporatocracy in South Africa
- The economy of South Africa experiences a strange form of growth. With the rapid industrialization of the nation, and the mobilization of its populace for wartime, one would expect South Africa’s GDP to grow, but instead it has stalled. With so much money going straight into the hands of corporations, even with the raised taxes on the elites, most income remains in the hands of the financially well off, rather than the nation’s budget
- “Army Plan 1960” is the latest military move made by South Africa in order to rapidly modernize the South African army, navy and air force. Focusing on the creation of domestic military technologies, such as aircraft, ships, small arms and equipment, the plan also includes the modernization of doctrine and structure for the military. By 1960, South Africa plans to have a large, elite army made up of trained soldiers and state of the art equipment
- Hoping to keep up with the demands of Army Plan 1960, PTM unveils their newest piece of military hardware. The Mk.I “Luiperd” (Leopard) is a four-wheeled armored vehicle armed with a small machine gun on top. The Leopard is capable of carrying up to ten soldiers inside of it, and utilizes its relatively high speed of 75km/h to transport troops to and from the front line. The armor is capable of withstanding most small arms fire and some heavy caliber weapons, which is more than enough to protect the troops within
- Armorers at PTM work on making a “General Purpose” machine gun that can be used by soldiers on foot or mounted on vehicles. The MG-50 GPMG wins out, due to its similarities to the Nazi MG-34 machine gun used in World War II. Firing the same round as the SLR, the MG-50 has an impressive fire rate of 900 RPM, and is capable of being belt or drum fed. Lighter than most machine guns, the MG-50 is a must have for any squad

- American troops in Korea give the communists a run for their money by making a massive counterattack alongside UN forces. Tanks and infantry, supported by airstrikes and naval bombardments, press past the 38th parallel as the communist lines begin to buckle from the sheer pressure. Casualties run high as autumn and winter set in, and the communists resort to asymmetrical warfare in order to bog down the UN troops
- Bombing missions are carried out to try and disrupt the industry of the communists in the north. B-17s, B-25s and B-29s, escorted by F-86 Sabres break through communist airspace and begin to pound their industrial centers mercilessly. However, it is not uncommon for these bombing formations to be intercepted by MiG-15s on loan from China, as well as numerous propeller aircraft in the hands of the communists, and multiple bombers are downed
- Marines stationed in Hainan are placed on high alert as the People’s Republic of China begins amassing a large number of troops along the coastline near Hainan. Similar reports come from the border with North Korea, signalling the possibility of an intervention in the Korean peninsula by Chinese forces. Secretary of Defense MacArthur pushes for the use of nuclear weapons against the Chinese to prevent such an attack, but his demands are ignored for the sake of not wanting to start a nuclear conflict with the Soviet Union
- Transistor radios from Zambezia are shipped in bulk to the United States in return for cash bonds. With the exponential growth of public radio programs, and the long distances between American troops on the front lines, smaller, more efficient radios are the future for the United States. Many of these radios are shipped to Korea to assist in the counterattack against the communists
- With the “Massacre at the Midterms” having obliterated democratic control of both houses, President Russell is forced to try and get as many reforms and decisions through with the lame duck as possible, lest he risk his greatest fear next year; impeachment. The “Christmas Coalition” of progressives and republicans are prepared to begin tearing down the regressive decisions made by Strom Thurmond, and a number of executive orders are put back in place, such as the desegregation of the military and the re-opening of welfare
- President Russell and governor-elect Rockefeller come together to begin hashing out ways to undo the decisions made by Thurmond, as well as to push for a more unified country. However, Russell and Rockefeller disagree on many points, especially those regarding race and workers rights. As a result, the talks fall through, and the divide between republicans and democrats deepen, both within the government and in the country as a whole
- Marches pushing for the fair treatment of African Americans begin in large cities across the southern United States. Many of these protests are met with violence and massed arrests, and some of the protests break out into riots as the marchers are unwilling to back down. A five day long series of riots takes place in Atlanta as police attempt to open fire on a crowd of demonstrators, which causes white counter protestors to clash with the marchers
- A number of black churches in the south are firebombed as a result of the Atlanta riots, as well as multiple lynchings being reported in more rural areas. Protests demanding justice for the acts take place in cities like New York, Baltimore and Los Angeles. Race relations in the south are stretched to their breaking point, as members of the Ku Klux Klan and American Nazi Party openly march together to “end the negro poisoning of the country”
- In order to avoid further losses from interceptors in Korea, engineers at General Dynamics unveil their newest design, taking pages from the French and Soviets. Using a series of detachable wires and small radios, bomber crews are capable of dropping a single 500kg bomb on a target, while also “guiding” it towards its intended destination. These bombs are fairly accurate compared to the normal gravity bomb, but are still susceptible to losing their connection to their guidance controls and falling victim to gravity
- Continuing to seek improvements at all levels, the US Army begins working with engineers at Chrysler to design an armored vehicle capable of being launched from transport ships in order to support naval landings. The Chrysler AmphiTank-50 (AT-50) is fitted with wide tracks and two powerful propellers in the rear, as well as a detachable ring of buoyant materials allowing the tank to float. Though only armed with a 20mm autocannon, and having thinner armor than most tanks, the AT-50 is perfect for supporting small scale naval landings

- Despite their economic and political differences, the Soviets and Zambezians understand the importance of the occasional mutual trade. In exchange for the delivery of a dozen Antonov AN-48 airliners, the Soviet Union receives the latest farming equipment from Zambezia. With the push for the “total transformation of nature” stronger than ever, Soviet agricultural engineers put the new equipment to good use, especially the combine harvesters as the Soviets suffer greatly from a lack of mechanized agriculture
- Seeing that the People’s Republic of China is still struggling to maintain a proper military, despite having more than one million men in service. The Soviets decide to intervene on their behalf, and begin shipping thousands of trucks to the Chinese, as well as building thousands of kilometers of railways that directly connect with the huge railroad system in Siberia. This, over the course of only a few years, will streamline China’s supply lines and logistics
- Changes to Soviet politics are on the horizon as Stalin begins to make fewer and fewer public appearances, but his appointed successor, Georgy Malenkov, regularly speaks on his behalf to the Soviet public. Rumors swirl about the possibility of Stalin’s failing health, or Malenkov seeking ways to seize control from Stalin. Those in the know, however, understand that Stalin is simply testing the waters with Malenkov, and seeing how well he performs as a real political leader
- Several politicians and political leaders from Leningrad are suddenly arrested by the KGB. Brought forth to trial in Moscow, the men are accused of crimes against the state such as embezzlement, fraud, undisclosed business and unfair taxation. After only a few hours of deliberation for each man, the accused are led out behind the courthouse and brought before a firing squad. Stalin immediately moves to place loyalists in their emptied positions
- Soviet Central Television, the rapidly growing wing of Soviet propaganda, undergoes a restructuring. With many televisions capable of receiving more than one channel, the Soviet government allows for the formation of 3 separate programs. Program 1 is purely propaganda and state news to keep the people informed of the daily affairs of the USSR, Program 2 is a mixture of entertainment and sports, and Program 3 is for after school programs and educational shows
- Though the Five Year Plan is still in effect and has yet to fully approach its end, having been essentially restarted in 1946, Stalin makes a major change to the budget and structure of the plan. After a rousing speech, Stalin announces the creation of a Soviet space program, with the intention of “learning more about the stars” and demanding that the Soviet Union put a man on the surface of the moon by 1960
- Almost immediately after the announcement, Soviet rocket engineers in Siberia begin launching numerous R-1A missiles. These rockets ditch their payload for extra fuel, a parachute, and a series of recording equipment to be able to gather information as they breach the lower atmosphere. Most of the data recorded is things like atmospheric pressure, temperature and wind patterns. With some more testing and development, the idea of tossing a radio off of a rocket into space, creating a “satellite” orbiting the earth, is a possibility
- The Soviet military restructures itself once again with the formation of the “Советские Силы Противовоздушной Обороны” (Sovetskiye Sily Protivovozdushnoy Oborony) [Soviet Air Defense Forces/SSPO]. Made up only of interceptors and radar crews, the SSPO’s only job is to ensure that the airspace of the Soviet Union is free of hostile aircraft. The best combat pilots are assigned to serve in the SSPO, and patrols of MiG-15s are commonplace
- A heavily modified AN-48 is stripped of its passenger cabin, and is instead fitted with a large, internal radar array. This AN-48, when airborne, acts like a mobile radar station. With the added benefit of a high service ceiling, the crew is capable of detecting aircraft from longer distances than the traditional radar setup, and is able to coordinate the movements of interceptor wings. This “Бортовая Система Предупреждения и Контроля” (Bortovaya Sistema Preduprezhdeniya i KIontrolya) [Airborne Warning and Control System/BSPK] is a major step forward for the defense of Soviet airspace
- After numerous nuclear weapons tests, Soviet nuclear engineers seek ways to use nuclear power for good rather than war. Studying the effects of spent fuel from weapons, scientists make a breakthrough and find ways to properly dispose of used up fissile materials. Placing the spent fuel in a large lead “coffin”, which is then buried under a thick layer of concrete, the radioactive waste can be kept far away from any population center or waterway, and remains stable and safe

- The new model of Yugo, which is proving to be more popular overseas than its predecessor, has its production expanded to facilitate domestic purchases. The average Yugoslav citizen is earning higher wages and spending more money thanks to the booming economy, and many are capable of buying a car for work or other personal uses. The new roadways are a boon to the growing number of car owners across the country
- Yugoslavia begins drilling the best athletes from the various youth camps and sports clubs for the upcoming 1952 olympics. With the rest of the world gearing up to partake in the classical competition, Tito is unwilling to let Yugoslavia fall behind in any of the fields. Boxers, wrestlers and archers from Yugoslavia are impressive, to the point of the IOC praising Yugoslavia’s athletes before the olympics are even held
- The Five Year Plan continues, but is adjusted now that the nation has finally recovered from World War II. The electrical grid expands wider and wider, with the hydroelectric projects able to pump power into them at a steady rate. Railways and highways regularly carry goods to and from major cities, and the harbors are filled with the sounds of foreign cargo ships arriving and departing as Yugoslavia shares its goods with the outside world
- Electronics engineers are recruited by the government to begin looking into ways of applying computing technologies to both military and civil research. Though having access to transistors, it will take some time for the “Računala Ljudi” (Computer People) to create anything of real value. Nonetheless, Yugoslavia is taking important steps to keep on the steady path towards technological advancement
- Yugoslavia’s economy grows at an exponential rate. With the war in the rear view mirror, and the population beginning to bounce back, Yugoslavia enjoys the benefits of a stable economy and happy populace. Wages are high and unemployment is low, allowing many Yugoslav citizens to spend their money on personal desires, go on vacations or simply rest easy in the fact that food will stay on the table
- Tito’s project to try and unify Yugoslavia’s many cultures finally begins to pay off. Tensions between Croatian and Serbian football players melt away as the competitions between cities ramp up. Football fans of all walks of life gather together to cheer on their local team, and all the peoples of Yugoslavia are represented on the field. Hostilities only flare up when fans of one team decide to get physical with another, with the occasional “Football Riot” breaking out after a devastating loss for a home team
- A number of pocket destroyers armed with depth charge throwers begin construction. Fearing the possibility of submarine raids or spies, the Yugoslav navy forms a rapid reaction force of sub chasers, with the hopes of drawing any hostile submarines to the surface after a good pounding. These destroyers will be ready by the beginning of the next year, but existing Yugoslav destroyers are temporarily assigned to the duty of chasing submarines away from Yugoslavia’s shores
- Aircraft and armored divisions are expanded, with many infantry divisions seeing the addition of tanks and self propelled guns. Yugoslavia’s military industry shifts to producing the required equipment as fast as it can. Italy continues to send commissioned aircraft to Yugoslavia, and purchases the licenses to produce Yugoslav tanks as well. Despite their political differences, Italy and Yugoslavia grow close to one another, and Yugoslavia finally finds a friend in Europe
- Training exercises take place in the numerous biomes of Yugoslavia to drill the troops as much as they can be drilled. Combined arms and protracted engagements are the focus of these exercises, with the Yugoslav military doctrine pushing for a far more defensive form of combat. The new Yugoslav tanks paired with the anti-tank rockets make for great tank hunting groups, and could prove to be quite effective in the event of a war

- Despite their economic and political differences, the Soviets and Zambezians understand the importance of the occasional mutual trade. In exchange for the delivery of a dozen Antonov AN-48 airliners, the Soviet Union receives the latest farming equipment from Zambezia. The new aircraft undergo a refit to become cargo planes rather than passenger planes. As trade with the outside world grows, Zambezia can bring in and send out precious materials with the power of flight
- Transistor radios from Zambezia are shipped in bulk to the United States in return for cash bonds. Hoping to get further injections of foreign money, the Zambezian government does everything in its power to export technological advancements. With the dollar stronger than ever, Zambezia jumps at the chance to beat the Bavarians at their own game, being the first to sell the new radios to the United States
- Anthropologists from the University of Salisbury in Zambezia make their way into South Africa to study the various tribal groups there, specifically the Bantustans. South African state police keep a close eye on these anthropologists, and do everything in their power to prevent the discussion of politics with local african populations. On occasion, white militia groups force Zambezian anthropologists off of their land, disrupting their studies
- English teachers from Canada and the United Kingdom are commissioned to stay in Zambezia to help with the teaching of English to both immigrants and african natives. As the schools are bursting at the seams with the sheer number of non-English speaking students, the teachers are given a run for their money. Despite complications, English is put on the path to become the dominant language in the country
- “Community Policing”, or the use of local representatives from communities to form neighborhood watches and police forces, is expanded within Zambezia. Africans who are fluent in English and pass a series of physical and psychological evaluations are given the chance to join police forces in their localities, which will help not only combat crime, but bring african and white policemen closer together
- Malawi, formerly known as Nyasaland, is declared a “Special Economic Zone” due to the lack of any arable land, natural resources or strong industry. Here, Zambezia hopes to foster the growth of the service industry, but for the most part Malawi is a place for the elite to build homes and avoid taxation. However, some companies such as Dutch Shell believe that Malawi could host things like oil refineries
- The Zambezian government pushes for the growth of newspapers, magazines and book publishing. Hoping to spread the English language, as well as improve the literacy rate, the government relaxes its restrictions on speech and topics of writing. African writers, though still very few in numbers, are given the opportunity to print their own works, which is a boon to the unity of Zambezia’s local african population
- A new cultural group begins to grow within the country. Africans who read, write and speak English, and have either converted to Christianity or have no strong ties to their local beliefs begin to partake in higher societal positions, such as teachers, researchers and engineers. Calling themselves Zambezians, these africans hold themselves in higher regard than the locals, and are sometimes ridiculed in return, being called “painted whites” by tribesmen
- Zambezia moves to adopt the Self Loading Rifle from South Africa by the plane full. Still stuck with bolt action rifles from the interwar period, the Zambezian military is fed up with such horribly outdated equipment, and desire to use a proper battle rifle in their stead. The old rifles are redistributed to african divisions, which tend to be stuck with the table scraps in regards to equipment advances
- Hoping to combat unemployment amongst the african population, Zambezia goes on a massive recruitment drive. Any african willing to serve in the military for the standard 5 year stint will be given benefits from the government, such as free schooling, cheaper housing and a monthly paycheck. The size of the Zambezian army swells rapidly, with the goal of having more than 100,000 standing troops approaching sooner than expected
- Using a combination of organophosphates and manure, Zambezian farmers begin deploying “Super Fertilizers” to their fields. Almost immediately, the effects of such fertilizers are seen with bountiful harvests that dwarf the previous years’ results. These fertilizers are expensive, and the supply of organophosphates in Zambezia is small. However, the benefits outweigh the negatives, and “Salisbury Super” becomes an incredibly popular brand of fertilizer
- Engineers working on the railways begin experimenting with an electrified railway system that uses the power of electromagnetism to push trains forwards. Paired with high powered engines, these “Electrails” are capable of accelerating the train far beyond its original speeds. Though the speeds are fantastic, and the possibilities endless, the sheer acceleration causes discomfort or even injury, and the designs are brought back to the drawing board

- Transistor radios from Zambezia are purchased by Zion electronics engineers. These radios are immediately put to good use in both military and civil applications. Zion’s air force benefits greatly from the new radios, as many of their pilots are now able to properly coordinate movements with ground control, while avoiding having their cockpits cramped with a large, ungainly radio system
- The University of Agricultural Sciences in Beersheba receives a huge funding boost by the Zion government, who is seeking ways to better improve the amount of arable land in the country. With the Negev desert taking up much of the country’s mass, but still showing evidence of having once been fertile, a massive project is planned to try and find ways to reverse the desertification. This project will take some time just to start up, let alone be completed
- In Eilat, a number of small fishing vessels are purchased by the Zion government to facilitate the creation of the National Zion Fishing Corporation. These fishermen are then hired to set up shop in Eilat, with the NZFC sailing out to the Indian Ocean to fish. With a nationalized fishing fleet, quotas and restrictions are streamlined and easier to maintain. Very quickly, Eilat’s marketplaces are filled with the smell of fish
- Courts that oversee religious legal issues, such as divorce, inheritance and other such matters, are semi-nationalized under the “Trifecta Act” put forward by Ben-Gurion. Christian, Jewish and Muslim courts are set up across the nation, though all three are to be housed in the same building. True legal issues such as criminal acts and property disputes are still handled by a secular court
- Jewish students seeking to attend universities in Zion are required to have celebrated their Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and provide documentation from a Rabbi to prove that they have. This small requirement doesn’t dissuade most applicants, as it is essentially the requirement to have a party before being able to attend school. Students of other religions, however, are looked upon with envy as they have no such requirements
- Conscripts that are discharged from the Zion military are now legally required to take their service rifle home alongside 250 rounds of ammunition. These rifles are to be maintained and kept in easy access, and Zion military police will randomly check up on the condition of these rifles. Knowing that rapid mobilization of the populace will still take some time, the ownership of weapons in the hands of civilians will offset the immediate impact of an invasion
- Zion begins copying Yugoslav and Soviet aircraft designs to begin forming a domestic series of jet fighters and attack aircraft. Still having the hodge-podge of foreign planes at their disposal, the Zion air force is nonetheless stretched thin, as parts for multiple planes from multiple countries must be stockpiled and maintained, and engineers will appreciate not having to memorize the systems of dozens of different planes
- Electronics engineers, using Zambezian transistor radios, begin fiddling with ways to improve its power supply when in the field. A breakthrough is made after an engineer creates a palm sized battery capable of dispensing a steady stream of power to the radio. Rather than having the massive backpacks that restricted the amount of supplies that could be carried, Zion soldiers are now able to carry both a radio and other equipment without sacrificing communications
- Firearms engineer Uziel Gal begins testing his latest design. Using an open bolt blowback system, and a magazine fitted in the handgrip, the “Uzi” submachine gun is capable of dispensing 600 rounds a minute from a platform that can be held in one hand. This new weapon is perfect for pilots and tankers, as its lightweight build and durability is a godsend to those stuffed within cramped vehicles

TURNS DUE THURSDAY, JANUARY 31!!!

 

[Zillamaster55]

 

[Euskalduna]

Oh boy, more fuel for the military industrial complex