Preparing for a Polish Spring. Poland: June 1937-May 1938

Wars rage all over Europe from Iberia to the Urals. 1937 is only middle aged and has already proven one of the most destructive years of the post war era

With the fall of Hungary our own popularity has risen due to the Governments ability to keep Poland out of the war whilst 'ensuring' Galician independence

However the Austro-Italian war continues. Austria is believed to have far more men in the field, but the Italians are exacting a heavy toll in response.

Polands first domestic tank is designed! its unlikely to see service but will prove a crucial stepping stone to better designs. New computers have also been designed.

Our new research will focus on domestically produced Radios and a better class of tank

Our plans for the invasion of Galicia are made stronger and more complex. They now account for both Lwow and Krakow

in light of the new plans against Galicia a new infantry division is to be raised to bolster our forces

New armament factories are produced

but we still need more!

A new infantry division is raised and sent into Sikorski's training corps. This new division is symbolic of the growing might of the army of the republic!

Its name itself causes waves within Polish and Galician political circles. A strong statement of intent from Warsaw to the world

A war in asia is resolved with a strong mongolian victory. Maybe a new order in China is on the cards?

And in Russia the Reds launch a new offensive that threatens to take Kazan!

With the Russian Offensive and Asian peace dominating the headlines, documents are prepared to lay claim to Poland's historic territories in Galicia.

In Italy the Austrians have a bridgehead over the Po river near Bologna and have reached the suburbs of Milan. For all of the casualties they've inflicted on the Austrians how long will Italy hold?

Italian troops had been on the defensive since the start of the war. With the loss of the Alps in the Weltkrieg, their one primary natural defence was the Po river. It's crossing was seen as disastrous in Rome

An overview of our research shows that, ever so slightly, work is increasingly focused on military endeavours, even the sole industrial project has significant military potential

The Government decides against rallying political support here. Our political capital will be needed for gaining support for any kind of expansion

The Russian Civil see the Reds hold a strong line in the north, although the Whites seem to be pressing, despite the autumn mud

We don't need more popularity, we need soldiers!

With the war in Italy going badly for the forces loyal to the papal government its decided that a significant proportion of our weapons production will go to aiding their war effort.

A new division is authorised in light of the increasing wars all over europe. In reality of course this was due to the imminent invasion of Galicia

To the south the Romanians, encouraged by their successful war against Hungary, declare was on the Bulgarians. It seems this was will decide Austria's primary rival in the Balkans

Romanian troops enjoyed a certain degree of surprise that enabled them to quickly capture several border towns. However the war would rage for far longer than expected

The Reds attempt to surround a force north of Yaroslavl. However their encirclement is being met with fierce offensives in the north

The government reaches an 'acceptable' level of public support. This will pay dividends if/when war comes.

New radios are invented for the troops! They'll be stockpiled and prepared for distribution once command decides on the best way to inntegrate them into the army

In its place new and extremely modern infantry equipment will be developed. Our troops must have the best!

A new industrial conglomerate, the COP, are given several government contracts to help speed up our industrial development. They promise incredibly interesting returns that were impossible to turn down

The COP would oversee the construction of new industrial centres, such as this one near Lodz. These centres where deemed as vital as any military conquests for the future of the nation

A new Division is raised! our army grows stronger by the day!

They're sent to the training corps just as the Krakow Division leaves.

A new fighter plane is developed!

The new fighter plane is set to replace all current fighters in the Polish air force. However it will not enter production soon, as the airforce is deemed less of a priority than the ground forces

To placate the airforce a new tactical bomber is designed to replace our current, antiquated, models

In Russia the reds cut off a huge White force around Kursk! trapped between the Reds, Ukraine and Romania the Whites face a difficult battle to break out

November 20th, and Polands military has slowly been redeployed to the south. Division by division more and more troops are now staring across the Vistula at Galicia.

Even more armaments factories are completed.

Just in time for our new tank designs! Unlike their predecessors these tanks may see service in the future

The government now commits to building even more civilian industry

The next war will not be fought with the methods of the last. The Polish General Staff propose instead to focus on using our artillery to gain superiority over the enemy.

The new doctrine focuses on barrages to weaken the enemy instead of infantry charges. It was selected largely due to Polands perceived shortage of manpower

It'll likely be used first in any Galician conflict, especially in Krakow where the narrow streets allow for barricades to hold up any attackers.

The Polish divisions sent south are organised into the 'Legion of Liberation'. In light of its new size, General Prich is given overall command of the force

The Italians surrender. Austria reigns supreme over southern europe

Austrian troops holiday in Rome. An arrangement with the Papacy allows for him to remain in the Vatican, his control over Italy is over

New tools are designed for our factories to make themselves more efficient.

New civilian factories are being built as well, and faster too.

Troops amassing on the border notice something unexpected as they look across into Galicia, the presence of armoured vehicles

The Austrian 'Panzers' are quickly identified as french FT-17's from the Weltkrieg. Although they're near obsolete they could prove a major threat to Polish Infantry

The Authoritarians push their agenda to the fore again. We have no time to deal with them now, and in anycase they're free to make their case

The Government orders an overview of the major civil wars in Europe. In Russia, the Reds hold a force far smaller than the Whites, but they continue to take more and more casualties than their foes. Despite this, they've struck significant blows against the Whites

The fighting in Russia doesn't stop even for the Brutal winter. Fighting in such conditions is unenviable even for the hardest solider, so regardless of their ideology their devotion to their cause is admirable

In Spain the CNT are struggling to crush the Carlists despite a huge numerical superiority

Despite Spain's reputation as a warm holiday destination the winter has proven to be bitterly cold. Fighting will have to resume in the summer as both armies are poorly equipped for this weather

Surprisingly, the triumphant Austrian army is facing huge problems crossing the Danube to defeat the Serbians.

Serbia's method of fighting off the Austrians would be studied for decades to come. Whilst a strong defensive position existed at the Danube, Partisan attacks would often totally undermine any Austrian offensive and force a retreat. At this point the partisans would melt away to repeat the process should any Austrian attack come again

In response Austrian troops developed draconian countermeasures, often burning entire villages. This made the moral cause of the Serbians stronger and certainly drove away German support for the war but it undoubtedly had an effect on the partisans

The Romanians and the Bulgarians, despite fighting only for a dozen or so weeks, have already racked up thousands of casualties. How long can the reasonably balanced but small nations keep up the carnage?

Combat between the two Balkan states is Brutal. No quarter is asked nor given and combat is fluid, mobile and endless agressive

With war raging all around our industrial developments success is more crucial than ever.

Our new effort is focused on improving the equipment of our armed forces

Around this time, Galician codebreakers begin to come across numerous references to the 'Constitution day parade'. The Parade includes vast numbers of troops parading through Warsaw and Lodz. Most pass these over for information about the war, but a few think they're cover for something else.

These Galicians are correct. The Parade is more correctly called 'Operation Constitution Day Parade'. The plan is nothing short of the invasion of Galicia, which has now been scheluled to start on the patriotic day itself.

The idea was a rather ingenious to get invasion plans past enemy spies. By exchanging Krakow for Lodz and Lwow for Warsaw divisions can be assigned to different cities with little cause for suspicion. More detailed plans are still sent by courier to avoid interception.

At present the plan calls for a serious effort across the Vistula to cut off Krakow from reinforcements so as to avoid the sizeable garrison in the city itself

Alongside this another serious effort will be launched at Lwow to cut the head off of the Hapsburg snake. This is expected to be the easiest effort due to the gentler terrain.

The Kursk pocket has been collapsed. A huge victory for the Reds that could put them on the front foot

In Spain, the Syndicalists hold a serious advantage but lack the power to deal a killing blow to the Carlists

The Romanian/Bulgarian war is getting worse by the day. Thousands of dead litter the battlefields of the Balkans

Our new doctrines have been fully worked out, with weeks to go before the planned invasion this will be priceless

The Documents are complete! Polands claim to Galicia are issued to the world at large via the Polish Foreign ministry. However the most interesting (and suprising) event is the issuing of a 'warrant' for the arrest of Karl Stephan for 'crimes against the Polish people'.

The Incident gained large amounts of attention in the presses of nations all over the world. Syndicalists claimed that both sides should be arrested for crimes against the Proletariat, the Entente praised the Poles and Mitteleuropas nations took no real side. Austria condemned the Polish move whilst doing nothing to stop it. This was midinterpereted in Lwow and caused a certain sense of false security in the Galician Government.

In Germany, the issue was discussed at the highest levels of Government. Eventually it was decided that they would let the conflict play out (if one was to occur) and only intervene if the border in Silesia was violated by either side. This was seen as a green light to invade in Warsaw.

Attention for most of the world is quickly distracted by events in Asia where Kurdistan declares independence.

The new empire is patchy but poses a serious threat to Ottoman oil fields in Iraq.

Polish Staff Officers find a way to integrate signals companies into the Polish Divisional structure.

This addition would allow for far greater co-ordination amongst the Polish army's various units.

Our engineers have now received generous grants for the design of new military equipment

New grants are to be distributed to staff officers to further develop our new doctrines

The arrival of new and unusual equipment causes many units to require fresh training. Whether or not this will be possible given the time constraints allowed.

Of note are the two newly christened divisions named after lost Polish Cities, Pozan and Lwow

On the eve of Constitution day a new tactical bomber design is approved for the airforce. It will not see use in the coming conflict

0100 on Constitution day and civilians at home prepare for the parade that the military promised. Galician forces have been told to stay vigiliant in case of a suprise attack but this is ignored by most soldiers on the ground.

Polish Soliders on the other hand are prepped and ready for action. In the dead of night they quietly move to their starting positions ready for offensive moves to begin. Troops in the east are faced with total darkness apart from the pinpricks of light from the enemy trenches. In the west the sky is orange with the lights from Krakow

And in Lwow, the Ambassador delivers a handwritten letter from the President demanding the surrender of all of Galicia within the hour.

All along the banks of the Vistula Polish artillery is readied. New doctrines are to be tried and tested for the first time, as well as tens of thousands of unblooded soldiers

On the opposite bank hundreds of tanks sit awaiting the coming offensive. How many will be destroyed before their crews can reach them? no doubt the answer will be 'not enough'

But also on the front-line thousands of civilians await a battle that will surely engulf their ancient communities. The question on everyones lips is simple. Who's eagle will win?

The White one of Poland?

Or does the Hapsburg eagle have one last victory in it?