HOI III (Their Finest Hour) AAR - Going it alone

[JasonPratt]

Oh okay, you meant Russian capitulation to the Germans.

[undercovergeek]

The events of March 1, 1942 happened quickly and were momentous. Stories told later, and legends put into print long after the war, would describe the moment Hitler learned of Mussolini's declaration of war on Vichy France. Whilst the details differ, the constant in all of them is a temper unseen since the early days of the '30s when he came to power, and whilst the witnesses cannot quite agree on which item it was, they all agree that desk items were smashed and thrown. Before today Hitler was inclined to ignore the warnings of his advisers concerning the growth of the new empire on his southern border. He chose to believe that the similarity in the economic systems and idealogy of the two nations made them brothers in the eternal struggle against Bolshevism and Democracy. However, after the Italian declaration of war on Vichy France the treachery caused him to act incautiously, seeking vengeance against his would-be ally.

Once again Hitler ignored the recommendations of his advisers who were even now counseling caution. Germany's forces were occupied far to the east and not currently able to attack or defend from the south. They particularly saw no sense in adding a new foe to their already long list on behalf of the French. However, Hitler's mad hatred immediately became implacable, and he demanded that Rome be destroyed stone by stone.

On March 2 1942, Germany vowed to enforce the guarantee of the independence of Vichy France and declared war on the Empire. Mussolini was disappointed, but not unprepared. In all of Europe, only one nation had agreed to stand with the Nazis - the puppet state of Slovakia, uncomfortably situated between German occupied territory and the Empire. So, on March 2 1942, Mussolini immediately declared war on Slovakia.
As a result, a state of war was declared to exist between Italia and all of the world wide Axis powers.

The Italian forces all along the frontier immediately advanced into enemy territory.



Pariani, Amedeo Duca Degli Abruzzi and Marinett carry out their recently prepared operations on Southern France. The corps of General Pariani struggle through the Pyrenees, seek out the enemy, and advance on Bayonne. Closer to the Mediterranean coast Marinett quickly descends the mountains toward the plains of Carcassonne.



Guzzoni's Alpine border guard march into France from the other flank. They are tasked with assaulting the daunting fortifications of Toulon. The troops and generals were inexperienced, but one of the divisional commanders General Ago had graduated officer candidate school specialising in fortification assault techniques.



Barbaset's Alpine Corps march into the mountainous areas of western occupied Austria, Pintor marches his infantry corps into the flatter east. In the Alps, the four pure Alpini divisions of were tasked with the immediate assault on Innsbruck. This important alpine town had the only air strip in the area, and was only defended by a German garrison division. The mountaineering skills of the black feathers would be put to the test at the very outset of the war, as the town needed to be captured quickly.



Calvi di Bergolo's motorised Corps enter western Slovakia, and Utili's infantry Corps march into eastern Slovakia. Forces in the East are instructed to advance into Slovakian territory as fast as the terrain will permit. However, they are also instructed to halt their advance on the border of territories claimed by Russia, even if that territory is occupied by the Germans. Once the border was reached, the Italian divisions were to assume defensive positions. The Bear would need to do its own heavy lifting. In the West, the divisions here are ordered to streak north as fast as possible, grabbing territory until they come into contact with the enemy. Meanwhile, Calvi di Bergolo was himself to occupy the weakly defended Bratislava in what was hoped would be a coup de main.

The die was cast...................

[Martok]

...And it's on like Donkey-Kong!  <grabs popcorn> 

[Keunert]

after all Switzerland may have been a better fit for Italy

[BanzaiCat]

Nice work. I wonder if the Allies will offer a place to Italy...or is that automatic now that you're fighting the Germans? Your ideology is too far off from the democracies, isn't it?

[Staggerwing]

Your ideology is too far off from the democracies, isn't it?

*cough*stalin*cough*...

[BanzaiCat]

I ask as it's been a long time since I've played HOI. I barely remember something about a triangle with democracies, communism, and fascism at different points. I don't know if I'm remembering it right or not though.

[bob48]

I cant watch - tell me when its over!

Geek, this is seriously good stuff - thanks for the entertainment.

[Steelgrave]

^ Ditto that! Entertainment at it's best!

[MetalDog]

Took me most of the day between chores, but, I have finally come current on this AAR.  Geek, this is top notch, brother!  It takes a dedication I can only aspire to.  I think you are shit out of luck if Hitler finishes off Stalin quickly, otherwise, hang tight and PRAY!!!

[BanzaiCat]

I dunno...with most of the Wehrmacht in northern France and Russia, this little Italian invasion is going to be the nail in the Fuhrer's coffin. I bet Il Duce can get to Berlin before anyone else!

[JasonPratt]

And then, after Berlin, the REAL struggle will begin: Russia might possibly allow Italy to keep its gains, but the Allies probably won't.

[undercovergeek]

After sporadic clashes with Slovakian border garrisons, elements of Calvi di Bergolo's corps enter an undefended Bratislava and the Slovakian puppet government promptly flee the country. It's lands and people were incorporated into the New Roman Empire.



The unprepared defenders of Innsbruck are swept aside by Roatta's Alpini divisions and the airfield is secured there. The small but proud Italian strategic bomber wing are stationed there in readiness for rooting out more hardy defenders.





Grazzioli's Spanish forces advance 300km into Southern France before meeting any credible opposition. The fortress of Carcassonne falls without bloodshed and Grazzioli himself captures Toulouse in Mussolini's name. In the northwest Pariani's forces capture Bordeaux - on the north side of the river German forces are preparing for a counter attack.

The first days of Mussolini's invasion were all going according to plan - Slovakia was knocked out of the war, important air fields were seized denying the superior Luftwaffe the chance to slow down the advance, the Spanish border was secure, but the most important early objective of the French campaign was bridging Iberia and Rome to help the free flow of supplies - without which Mussolini's Mediterranean forces would struggle. If Italy and Spain could not be connected there would be great difficulty supplying the French invasion forces. If the French or Germans could halt the advance the invasion would be slowed and the breakthrough to the rest of France and south western Germany prevented.



Initial advances into France via Northern Italy had been successful. The French had unwisely abandoned their fortifications across the border, but had consolidated at Toulon and Marseilles. Here they would stand fast.......



French troops are pushed further behind the border.

On March 29 1942, Mussolini gave the order for the attack to commence on Toulon, General Allerino's men moved forward form the east, supported from the North by General Frusel. Generals Romegial and Babini waited in the North in reserve. The Germans moved north east to block Frusel and immediately launched an offensive against the Italian forces in an effort to drive them back. Generals Babini and Romegial quickly came to Frusel's assistance and attacked the German column. The three way battle between equal forces settled down into a slugging match. French defenders then launched a counter attack against Allerino......



............after a week of hard fighting Frusel's division was ruined, out of ammunition and low on men they were forced back across the border. To prevent a collapse in the area Mussolini directed the other five divisions of the Alpine border corps south, abandoning their captured land further to the north.



Further to the north east Barbaset and Pintor continue their march through Austria, the elite alpine troops far out pacing their infantry brothers to the east. Barbaset swings west toward the Swiss border and the highly prized territories of the old Maginot line. Pintor steels his men for a difficult march through the Alps and then onto Munich



Further east, occupied Czechoslovakia is almost over run, Calvi di Bergolo's motorised divisions have cleared Prague and on the eastern border Polish lands are recaptured and the hard hitting marines are tasked with taking Krakow - here the marines would write history and go down in legend.............

[Steelgrave]

Wow, with all of the alternate history I've read, I don't think I've ever seen one where Italy took on Germany. Der Fuhrer is facing a three-front war when we all know how poorly a two-front war went for him. Great stuff!

[Martok]

Yeah, an Italy-vs.-Germany conflict is not one I've seen covered before.  Go, Benny, go!