Snowflakes before an Avalanche: Poland, May-December 1940

Wars approach their climax everywhere, and 1941 seems to be the year that the civil wars and minor conflicts all over will finally end. But are they just individual snowflakes contributing to the greater avalanche to come?

The day before Constitution day is somewhat marred by a scandal as a Government minister calls for greater government control over the nations industry. Its all forgotten the next day though

Its all forgotten the next day though as the same minister appears on the Governmental viewing platform for the parade. The 1940 parade was notable for its large armoured contingent of 7TP tanks, hailed by thenewspaper Rzeczpospolita as 'the largest armoured force east of Berlin, and the finest trained in the whole world!'.

Whilst the pride and patriotism of the paper is admirable, some (including the German, French and Austrian ambassadors) feel its accuracy leaves something to be desired.

A look at Poland as the celebrations die down. Of note is the vastly increased armed forces, now hosting 15 divisions with room for expansion as Polands military industries pick up the pace and churn out more and more equipment

Back to the US and the Union State has established a strong position in Ohio. Hopes of a rapid Federal victory after the fall of Detroit and Chicago are seemingly unfounded. The Union state is here to stay, and they'll need to be forced out if they're to go.

In the south their situation is still tenuous though. US federal forces are seemingly waiting for the right time to attack Birmingham and push onto Atlanta

German troops begin to mass along our border. General Boors response is minimal, and in a meeting with the Government about the matter he simply stated 'If the Germans wanted to invade us, all the men in Poland's armies wouldn't be enough for a quarter of Prussia's on the battlefield'.

The new CAS school opens. Polish pilots are getting better and better with every passing advnace

In its place an interesting proposal is put forward for rockets. The technology is not entirely new, but its military capabilities are.

To keep up with the increasingly mechanised and technologically advance nature of our armed forces a trade deal is struck to allow the import of some German steel

What it won't be used for is our new bomber fleets, which'll be designed around the new PZL.49 Mis. When we can spare the manufacturing

In its place on the drawing board a new fighter plane is to be designed. The PZL.56 'Kania' will be the fear of the skies for our foes

The situation in Russia remains bizarrely stable despire the Syndicalist victories in the field and favourable weather for offensives. Intelligence on the theatre, like all of the major wars, is lacking

This is ably demonstrated when the news reaches Warsaw of the final collapse of Ottoman rule!

Although maps at the time where had to find, it was widely known that Tehran had taken the northern Anatolian coast (with Constantinople and Armenia). The Kurds had their own state in Mesopotamia and Cario got Libya, the Levant and southern Anatolia. In Arabia, most of the pennisula was now under Hashemite rule. Suez remained with Berlin, but its security was now far more in question. The first of the central powers has collapsed at last!

Once again the army is on exersises to get them ready for the new equipment they're receiving. The equipment they'll gain will be useful as well

The Iranian parade through Constantinople was met with stunned silence. Turks had been deprived of the dire news from the front so as to keep morale high. So strong was the censorship that when the first Iranian battalions arrived on the outskirts, battles where hindered by still moving streetcars

Our new anti-tank guns are ready for distribution

Although it'll take plenty of time to fully get them out, we expect that by early 1941 the army will be reequipped

New codes are designed by mathematicians, we need every advantage we can get to ensure our survival!

In its plcae new infantry equipment is designed. The Polish armies equipment must be second to none

In the light of our planned air-force expansion the Government has deem it appropriate to hire Ludomil Rayski as chief of the airforce

Rayski is famous in Poland for his illustrious past in the service of nations all over the world. His service in the Turkish airforce in the Weltkrieg has been followed up by service in Russia helping defeat the Bolsheviks in the intervention. Simply put, there are few in Poland who know more about aieral warfare than him.

Our efforts into rocket technology have paid off, new gains in this area will be far less costly to reach. It is decided (due in no small part to the efforts of Rayski that the Rockets will be under the command of the airforce

In its place a new project is quietly approved. The Copernicus school is to open in Warsaw with the public aim of studying the stars and space. In reality it will be equipped for nuclear research.

The Japanese army continues to fight and take heavy losses against a motely coalition in central Asia

The Japanese technological advantage is vast but counts for little on the steppes and mountains of the battlefields. The Japanese supply trains poses a crucial but easy target for the mobile, often horseback soldiers of their foes.

Our industrial might grows day by day. We now have 9 factories working non-stop on increasing our military capacity, with even more either servicing our populace or processing imported raw materials.

Industrial efforts are often incredibly local affairs. This cotton mill was started by a pair of brothers near Czestochowa

The Kania designs are completed. Poland now has a top class fighter plane ready for production. Rayski publicly takes one to the skies to trail a prototype and confidently describes it as 'the finest plane in gods blue sky', much to the delight of Polish citizens.

In reality the plane is under powered, a problem that will have to be rectified in later modifications. However the plane is widely seen as an excellent fighter.

Research into our code breakers is also complete. The information they glean could be the difference between life and death

Rayski again uses his influence to secure better funds for the training of his pilots. The appearance of his rather flash Mercedes has become both commonplace and infamous around Warsaw's government departments, and he usually leaves with what he wants

The City of Birmingham falls to the Feds!

US troops made a suprisingly rapid advance into Birmingham, helped no-end by the minority communities that lived in the outskirts of the city. Union state forces would often find themselves either surrendering or dead in positions they thought unassailable.

In Serbia the battles rage on. Austrian casualties seem to be heading towards a million with abandon

The conditions in Serbia are difficult for the Serbian soliders who have lost many of their best to the combat. Morale dips even lower as no progress is made

The Copernicus school opens to little attention (as planned).

More funds are to be secretly appropiated to this school in order to further develop our capacity for what are now being know as 'future weaponry'

Our artillery, still the cornerstone of Polish combat doctrine, gets an upgrade

Funds are now put towards new support equipment for the infantry exploiting the power of the artillery. In particular new mortars and machine guns are to be designed and procured

The Federal advance since Birmingham has been impressive to say the least. Atlanta, the chosen capital of the Union State, is now a frontline city

The city itself is quite modern and industrialised making it an unappealing battleground. However, lessons learned from the conquests of Chicago in how to deal with these battlegrounds coupled with the enouraagingly rapid seizure of Birmingham make US forces optimistic

Naval battles are reported to break out in the Gulf of Mexico as a Union supply convoy attempts to relieve New Orleans which has been once again cut off

US authorities release this picture of the attempted relief. Federal subs based out of Texas found Union convoys easy pickings

Polish pilots learn how to fly more effectively. At the same time, after a particularly long week going around different departments, Rayski gets the go ahead to begin construction of replacement bombers. He still needs to work on the materials though

Now its time for the bombers to learn. The Airforce must be brought up to scratch!

Rayski has finally got the supplies for his bombers, and production rapidly improves. The airfleets will likely be totally upgraded by 1942

More squabbles in the subcontinent

Federal forces chip away at Ohio, but most eyes remain on the south (and for good reason)

The Copernicus school is expanded once again.

As Christmas comes the troubles of the world are forgotten, at least in Poland. This year has proven to be the most comfortable in years for the Polish people

In Atlanta the scenery is festive, the atmosphere terrified. The city is for certain the next on the US offensives objectives.

In Serbia Christmas is forgotten as Serbian troops continue their miraculous defence of Belgrade. But casualties on both sides are mounting, will this be the last Christmas of an independent Serbia?