"Neutrals" of the European Theatre

[crispy131313]

I can't help but feel that there is a rather large element of the European Theater that is missing from the campaign. In the Pacific the war against Japan is very much about economy. However, for Germany this element of the game is very much lacking, as well as diplomacy, but in real life it was very important and interesting. Specifically speaking I'd like to look at Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Portugal, and Spain.

Norway:

I won't say too much about this since it appears that Hubert may add 2 events that signifies the importance of Norwegian occupation to both sides of the war.

http://battlefront.com/community/showthread.php?t=110671

Sweden:

Like Norway Sweden's convoy's are represented on the map and the Allies can pressure Sweden to stop the convoy's (using diplomatic chits) but there are other important events that are not represented.

During the winter war Sweden sent a very large amount of military aid to Finland.Since the Winter War is optional (USSR decision) I think Finland should receive an additional unit on the map when they join the war to represent this. Additionally Sweden was very anti-soviet and the winter war should increase their mobilization.

Sweden was also a training ground for Norwegian and Danish troops to help liberate their respective countries. It would be nice to see an Allied decision event that triggered if Sweden was Pro-Allies and consequently have their respective units deployed only after their countries were liberated.

Also if Sweden was Pro-Allied I would like to see a decision event (later in the war) that allowed one of Sweden's supply centers switched to US (territory script) to allow Allied aircraft into the country. This coupled, with cutting the convoy routes, and the training of soldiers makes it a much more interesting diplomatic target,

Switzerland:

In the game currently Switzerland has no effect on the game whatsoever. In reality the Germans needed the Swiss to facilitate trade with some neutral nations for important raw materials. I think there is justification here to include Switzerland's role in the European Theater in Assault on Democracy starting with a script such as this:

Mein Führer, we should expect Switzerland to maintain there long standing position of neutrality throughout the course of the war. With little risk, or benefit of the Swiss government entering the war on either side, it is advisable that we use the Swiss banking system to store our plundered gold reserves, and to convert currency so that we may conduct trade with some neutral European countries, which otherwise may not be possible. We should also be able to establish trade between our two nations. By Sending diplomats to Switzerland we can ensure that the Swiss will be cooperative, and while Switzerland will officially remain a neutral country, we should be careful to maintain a positive relationship with the country or we may risk our stored gold reserves. Mein Führer do you approve expanding our economic relationship with Switzerland? Cost 25 MPP.

A Pro-Axis relationship between Switzerland and Germany should be a diplomatic target of the Allies. Without Switzerland facilitating trade Germany's economic war machine should suffer.

Turkey:

Turkey is one of the only neutral's that Assault on Democracy recognizes as to have had an economic impact on Germany, with a decision event about trading for raw materials. The event is oversimplified, and Turkey was a huge headache for the Allies in real life. Both the UK and USA sent Turkey military aid to help strengthen the country, and to get them on their side, and intervened later to severe trade between Turkey and Germany.

From my own personal games I used events such as these to represent the Turkish relations between both the Axis and Allies:

Germany:

Mein Führer, German ambassador to Turkey Franz von Papen and Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs have drawn up a Non-Aggression Pact with Turkey. This treaty of Friendship will open the door to economic relations with Turkey. It is important that if we sign this treaty that we abide by it, otherwise we may suffer severe relations with our other non-belligerent allies. Mein Führer should we sign the Treaty of Friendship with Turkey?

Mein Führer, German trade expert Dr. Karl Clodius has negotiated a trade agreement with Turkey for the export of essential Raw Materials in exchange for German War Materials. Although the trade agreement will require immediate expenditures on our behalf and it may be over a year before Germany will benefit from the trade agreement, the benefits will far out way the costs over the course of the agreement which is expected to last until 1944. Mein Führer, should we sign the Clodious Agreement? 50 MPP for 4 Turns.

UK:

Winston Churchill It is in the military and political interest of our country to maintain a friendly relationship with the Turkish government. Turkey's proximity to the war in Europe could serve as an excellent prelude to Allied Liberation. It is advised that we supply Turkey with military equipment to defend itself. This will not only serve as a deterrent for any possible German aggression in the region, but will also move Turkey closer to the Allies. Should we approve the delivery of military equipment to Turkey? 25 MPPS at 4 Turns.

USA:

The United States recognizes that successful Turkish resistance to Germany will be vital to maintain civil order in the Middle East. The UK has already committed to aiding the Turkish government with military supplies, and we are in position to ask that the UK direct futher military aid to Turkey through our lend lease agreement. Should we insure that Turkey receives additional military aid? 25 MPPS at 4 Turns.

Continuing negotiations with the Turkish government have concluded that in order to be prepared for conflict, Turkey has requested large amounts of aviation fuel, aircraft, arms and ground weapons. President Rosevelt warns that bringing Turkey into the Allies should be gained by diplomacy and should not come from promises that may prove difficult to achieve. Entering into such an agreement will certainly move Turkey closer to joining the war, but the timing of such expenditures will be difficult to estimate. Should we agree to fulfilling Turkey's requests when they join the Allies? 25 MPP for 4 Turns now and 400 MPP for 2 Turns when Turkey joins the Allies.

UK:

After continuous negotiations with the Turkish government to end trade with Germany, the Turkish government has had the audacity to sign another trade agreement with the enemy. Our government can threaten blockade measures in retaliation, a move that our government believes will leave Turkey no choice but to abruptly end their trade agreement with Germany. However, doing so is sure to damage diplomatic relations between Turkey and the Allies. Should we send a stern letter to the Turkish government with our intentions of blockading the country?

This expands far beyond the simple diplomatic chits currently used to persuade nations, and it gives the Allies yet another avenue to try to economically smother Germany later in the war.

Portugal:

Portugal was yet another country to supply very important raw materials to Germany but it has no impact on the game at all. However it should be yet another source of economy for the Germans, and yet another the Allies should attempt to smother out.

Here's a look at some of the scripts I use:

Mein Führer, even though the Portuguese Government has protested the invasion of Poland, Von Rippentrop believes the Fascist government under the lead of Antonio Salazar could be persuaded to sympathize with Germany. Sending Von Rippentrop to Portugal should help strengthen our diplomatic relations, and could lead to future trade agreements between our two countries. Mein Führer, should we send Von Rippentrop to Portugal? Cost 25 MPP.

Mein Führer, Although the Portuguese Government under the rule of Antonio Salazar has protested the war, Von Rippentrop reports that the Portuguese will maintain a neutral policy. It is advisable that we reach a trade agreement with Portugal to import very important raw materials for military production. These shipments will be conducted with thinly veiled secrecy and will be mainly routed through Switzerland. It is important that we not only keep adequate relations with both Portugal and Switzerland to ensure a steady supply of raw materials, but also Spain, as the materials will be shipped by land and transit directly through Spain. We can expect the first shipment to begin January 1. Mein Führer, should we send Von Rippentrop to Portugal to reach an agreement for the import of Portuguese Raw Materials? It will cost 25 MPP for 2 Turns for initial set up costs and logistics of the agreement.

Also in the game the Allies vow to defend Portugal, if Germany DOW's Spain, but what if Spain becomes (or almost is) Axis? There should be opportunities to react to these what if scenario's such as this:

With the very real possibility that Spain may soon join the Axis we must consider the strategic importance of Portugal. An attack of Portugal will give the Axis complete Access to the Atlantic. Their is a proposal to rush military aid to the Portuguese, which may provide enough resistance for the Allies to prepare a counter attack. Doing so will surely rouse Franco to our intentions and will push Spain further into the Axis sphere of influence. Should we prepare for war with Spain and strengthen the Portuguese army? 50 MPP for 4 Turns.

Spain:

And finally Spain. Spain contributes nothing except the Spanish Blue Division. Yet they were a huge economic factor and headache to try to join the war. I'm tired of typing so here's a look at some decisions that would fit in nicely for Spain that I've been using myself:

Germany:

Mein Führer, after the Spanish Civil War the Spanish government owed a large debt to Germany. Despite Spain lacking in many resources, our governments have brought forth a proposal that could result in repayment in full. Spain does have some essential resources to supply from their Wolfram Mines, but further infrastructure is required. So it is proposed that we help build the infrastructure to make the Wolfram mines more operational. Mein Führer, should we invest in Spain's Wolfram mines ? 20 MPP for 4 Turns.

Mein Führer, the development of the Wolfram mines was largely a success. Franco has proposed repaying the debt from the civil war in 4 equal installments which will begin January 1, 1942 until January 1944. However, although Franco owes this debt to Germany the Spanish government may view the transfer of vital resources as a contribution to our war effort, and may move further from the Axis. We should consider now that the mines are operational we will have full access to its resources when Spain joins the war. Mein Führer, should we accept the resource payments to eliminate Spain's debt from the civil war?

Small arms to Spain Mein Führer, our continuing negotiations with Franco has revealed that the Spanish military is ill equiped to join the war. However, Franco may be exaggerating the requests of small arms and aviation fuel to further delay joining our cause and maintain Spain neutral status. Our own supplies are limited, but we should consider strengthening the Spanish Military so Franco has less reasons to ignore our requests for Spain's entrance into the war. Mein Führer, do you approve sending Military aid to Spain? 25 MPP for 4 Turns.

Spanish Blue Division Mein Führer, Franco has permitted volunteers from Spain to join the Germany Army for the war on the Eastern Front. The volunteers will be officially known as the blue divison. However, intelligence reports that Franco may be sending the Blue division to rid himself of intense fascists and anti-communists, while simultaneously repaying Germany for support during the Spanish civil war. If our intelligence is true, acceptance of the Blue Division into the German army may position Franco to further delay our requests of joining the war. Mein Führer, Shall we accept Franco's offer and permit the Blue Division into the German Army?

UK:

The Spanish government has moved dangerously close to the Axis. Despite what Franco would have us believe, the leader of Spain appears to be mobilizing his army and our diplomats within the country fear war with Spain may be imminent. Intelligence suggests that if we exploit Spain's dependence on American food imports we have success in persuading Franco to reconsider his relationship with Hitler. This can be accomplished by threatening to blockade American imports into Spain using our Royal Navy. However, doing so may also anger the USA and Portgual. Should we inform Franco of our intentions to blockade American imports into the country?

The leader of Spain, Generalisimo Franco has permitted a group of volunteers known as the Blue Division to join the German Army in the war against Russia. Both Stalin and Franco are watching closely for our reaction. Strongly condemning Franco's loose involvement with Hitler should help cool Stalin's temper, but would also damage our diplomatic relations with Spain. Alternatively, we could not react at all. However, Stalin's observation of our idle approach with Fascist Spain's involvement on the Eastern Front may cause Russia to be less co-operative with us in the future. Should we strongly condemn Franco's permittance of the Blue Division on the Eastern Front?

Itlay:

Il, Duce it has been reported from Franco that if Spain is to join the war there are lists of necessities they will require from Germany. It is advisable that we make preparations to assit in fulfilling the requirements that Franco will demand before entering the war. Il, Duce do you approve of sending military equipment to Spain? 25 MPP for 4 Turns.

In conclusion, I know I have not explained all of the ramifications of each event, and which events preclude or conclude other events. I have just wanted to show that there is room for a much better diplomatic and economic system in the European theater and it is very possible with the engine provided.