March 1940
Dateline - London,
March 1st, 1940
In comments to the press tonight, Prime Minister Churchill said
the following:
Yesterday's attack by the Royal Navy upon the French fleet stationed at Brest was both a complete success and a difficult action. Our success was clear in the total elimination of the French task force, while British losses were minimal. As I said before Parliament a fortnight ago, "Allied forces will consider all French military units that do not align with General Valin's government to be rogue units and subject to military action." This French task force unfortunately decided to join the enemy forces and had to be dealt with. That was difficult for our seamen and for the people of England, but the French seamen left us no alternative after their decision to join the Axis was clear from previous day's actions.
We are pleased that a second French task force which had been in an operation in the North Atlantic with the Royal Navy, has chosen to intern their ships and is considering joining the forces of General Valin and the Free French.
We hope that this action today will help Free Frenchmen all over the world, return to their homes sooner as a result. And finally we warn the Axis aligned nations, that today's action will strengthen the Allied determination to drive you from all lands that you have overrun, and to eventually defeat you on your own ground.
Dateline Paris, March 1st, 1940
It is with great sadness that I return from supervising the incarceration of the traitors to our country, and ready to compose yet another offer of peace with the United Kingdom, only to read of the brutal murder of French sailors and the continued piracy of our shipping. This treachery has now sealed the fate of France, and I call on all Frenchmen to return to their homeland. Abandon the tyrants in London and avenge the murder of your countrymen. While you help to destroy France, our so-called enemies, the Axis Powers, have offered assistance to help repair the damage, and permitted France to seek a separate peace - a peace that is now unacceptable.
Britain has refused our offers of peace; we wished only to return France to peace and have made great efforts to navigate the opposing demands of the Axis occupiers and the United Kingdom. Any chance of returning to neutrality is now gone, French blood has been spilled and our nation has been dishonored. The honor, prowess, and territorial integrity of France must be restored. An alliance with Fascist Germany is not an ideal arrangement, but the Axis have shown a willingness to bury the hatchet and stop the killing and destruction. It is clear which national leaders are capable of reason and which are not, and through their blundering Even now, military and economic aid is arriving in France to facilitate reconstruction of our countryside. Even as we offer peace and compensation for the errors of the old leadership, Britain plots the murder of our sons and brothers.
All French military personnel who return to lawful command, or even refuse to fight under a British flag, will be allowed to continue serving with distinction or return to their homes in France. The rest will be caught and prosecuted for treason and desertion - officers and men alike.
It should be noted that our quarrel is not with the Finns, Poles, or Dutch, and any one of those nations that wishes to make peace will find France quite receptive. If the United Kingdom wants a war, then a war they shall have. It should now be known to all the world that Britain will pay for this unprecendented treachery a thousand times over. - The French Prime Minister
Dateline: Paris, March 1st, 1940
Elite French ground, naval, and air forces are preparing to return the French North African territories to government control. We warn the Mediterranean nations - specifically Portugal, Spain, Greece, and Turkey - to refrain from violating lawfully French North African territory or airspace, or risk the consequences.
Dateline: London, March 1st, 1940
In a new pattern that apparently indicates the chosen path for the Third Reich after the pacification of France, communiques from Berlin to the Allied nations all indicate that an invasion of England is in the making. No word yet from the UK leadership on a planned response. Military experts all agree that while such an invasion is possible, it would take several months of preparation to pull off, and that the successful withdrawal of the intact BEF from France makes this time doubly needed.
Dateline: Tobruk, March 1st
Fighting raged in the desert today as Axis forces upped the pressure on the Commonwealth lines, fracturing the defenses in at least one place, and reducing a tank brigade to ashes.
Italian commanders were seen celebrating the attack in a local bar. Nearby German officers meanwhile concentrate on moving the stubborn British defense on the coastal road south of Bardia.
Dateline: Casablanca, March 2nd, 1940
In a stunning move, Spanish troops poured over the border into French Morocco this morning, taking the French garrisons nearby totally by surprise. Apparently intent on peacefully serving as a occupation force to keep fighting from spreading into the area, Spanish forces have been noticeably loathe to engage French troops in any fighting, and have simply disarmed the smaller units they have come across so far. Madrid released the following statement shortly before the invasion began:
"Spain has always stood against a spread of this conflict. With the revolt against the Paris government by elements in her colonies, it seemed possible that there might be a civil war on Spain's doorstep. With the Paris government's decision to send an expeditionary force, it became a certainty. For this reason, disregarding threats from Paris, Spain has taken the decision to neutralise French Morocco as a buffer between the potential conflict in North Africa and Spanish territory. Spanish troops will be enterring French territory within the next hour. They will remain there for the duration of hostilities, after which the territory will be placed under control of an internationally recognised government.
Spain will not become involved in a potential French civil war, just as France refrained from intervention in our own. However it is vital in the current volatile climate that steps be taken to prevent the spread of conflict. El Caudillo"
Military experts agree that the French garrisons stand no chance of holding French Morocco if they wish to. Rumors have already started that many of the French troops, especially those that favor the Matty French government, have no desire to fight at all.
Dateline: Belgrade, March 2nd, 1940
Upon hearing the word that the national government had been accused of complicity with communist infiltrators in southern Austria, a small band of protestors marched to the local Soviet embassy and proceeded to shower it with rotten vegetables. Local police arrived shortly thereafter, scattering the crowd, but making no serious arrests.
Dateline: Madrid, March 2nd, 1940
Gentlemen of the Press, the treaty signed by Spain, Greece, Turkey, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria in March included a specific declaration of neutrality.
Since that declaration, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria invited armed forces of the Soviet Union onto their soveriegn territory. This is a clear violation of the expressed neutrality. When these two countries were challenged by the Spanish government, Bulgaria made it clear that they would rather trust the Soviet Union to defend them than our Alliance. Yugoslavia did not even reply.
The movement of large Bolshevik forces into Eastern Europe is the most deeply worrying develop in world history since the election of the Popular Front government in my country four years ago. Spain will not be drawn into a proxy war on behalf of the Red Army, and refuses to defend countries which have allowed their neutrality to be violated so flagrantly.
I ask the governments of Greece and Turkey to join me in a condemnation of the actions of our once allies in the hope that they will realise their error and eject the communist forces before it is too late for all of us.
El Caudillo
Dateline: Sofia, March 2nd, 1940
The Bulgarian government's recent communications with El Caudillo have caused a mild uproar throughout the nation. A Soviet patrol was apparently shot at by insurgents near the Romanian border. Authorities have promised the Kremlin that the offenders will be caught and punished.
Dateline: London, March 2nd, 1940
The British government finds the recent French statement regarding North Africa to be without foundation, as the 'Matty' government is not the recognized French government and therefore has no claim to the colonial territories of the legitimate Free French government headed by General Valin. If territorial Free French troops resist "Matty" forces, Britain shall be there to support them.
Britain also finds the French threat to free and peaceful Mediterranean nations to be another ominous and ugly effort on the part of the Axis to bully and intimidate peaceful countries. As has been shown before, the free world will not tolerate intimidation, but will band together to preserve the peace and sustain freedom wherever it still exists.
Dateline: Bardia, March 4th
Axis forces advanced across the Egyptian border today, as yet another British tank brigade was blasted out of existence by the Italian drive. German commanders meanwhile continued to be stymied by the British defenses in Bardia.
Behind the lines, captured British tank crewmen can be seen enjoying adult beverages in the company of Italian officers.
Dateline: London - March 4th
The War Ministry acknowledged today that the British army has taken heavy losses during tank battles with Axis forces in the Egyptian desert. Exact details were not disclosed, but losses in tank brigades using the MK-VI light tank were thought to be the problem area as the heavier German tanks out gun and have more armor than the MK-VI's. It is reported that the British units using the A-13 and T-13 tanks were faring much better in the desert battles. The British forces were last reported to be falling back to a new defensive line to the east of the Egyptian border.
Separately, it was disclosed that a British air raid on the Axis air base at Gazala completely destroyed two Italian air formations, and it was believed to have eliminated the last of the Italian air units in the region. Sources reported that German air units were seen arriving from Italy to try and contest the dominate British air supremacy.
Dateline: Sidi Barrani, March 12
As UK forces continue their retreat east, Axis forces relentlessly keep up the pressure. Bardia has finally fallen to German troops, and rumor has it that at least two panzer divisions are leading the pursuit up the coastal road, and in the desert.
Commonwealth units are doing their best to slow the enemy advance, but the sounds of artillery put Italian forces at least 60 kilometers inside the Egyptian border.
In other bad news for the Allies, Luftwaffe fighters and bombers have begun to appear over the battlefields in large numbers. RAF fighters are being hard-pressed to maintain air superiority, let alone supremacy.
Dateline-Amsterdam, March 12th, 1940
With the movement of almost all German troops out of the country, civil unrest in the Netherlands has become the norm. Today that unrest manifested itself in a guerilla takeover of the city of Leeuwarden in northern Holland. The small garrison of the town was quickly overwhelmed, and the Dutch fighters appear to be digging in in anticipation of a counterattack. No large German troop formations appear to be available for a counterattack, and occupation forces here have called upon the Belgian High Command for more troops to help put down the uprising.
Tunis, Tunisia - March 18, 1940
Tripoli Falls to
British In a two week drive from Tunisia through western Libya,
the British 5th Corp pushed the Italian IV Corp and elements of
the Libyan native forces all the way
to the fortified city of Tripoli. Today Tripoli fell when the
British 42nd Infantry Division drove out the last remnants of the
Axis forces in western Libya. British 5th Corp commander, General
Halverstaff, commended his battle weary troops and said
"Axis supply from Italy to North Africa will no longer flow
through Tripoli. German tanks will have to find some other source
of petrol to run on."
On the eastern front in North Africa just inside the Egyptian border with Libya, the German tanks were also dealing with another more pressing problem, the British 7th Armored Division. After two weeks of being pushed back and taking heavy losses, particularly lightly armored British units falling prey to the heavy German Panzers, the British 7th Armored Division and other elements of the British 13th Corp managed to outflank the German 10th Panzer Division southeast of Sidi Barrani, after the German unit had made a headlong attack into the center of the British defense. In a two hour tank duel, the Germans were driven back taking heavy losses. The first loss of any substance for the German units in Africa. British commander, General Montgomery, criticized earlier for being too cautious, was still conservative as he held back the 7th Armored from pursuing the fleeing Germans, saying "They are still a lethal force and we are still heavily outnumbered here in the desert."
Dateline: Sidi Barrani, March 22nd
For the past week Axis and UK forces have been fighting for the road just southeast of Sidi Barrani with the coastal road changing hands several times. At risk were the many UK forces to the southwest, south and in the city. The recent appearance of the 7th Armor must of increased the morale of the UK forces for they were able to push the 10th Pz Div back to the south of the important coastal road; this was the first retreat of German forces. The Axis quickly recovered however as they were in turn able to force the 7th Armor to retreat east. The road was once again in Axis hands.
At the same time, Italian and German forces were able to force a retreat of UK troops to the southwest of Sidi Barrani. UK forces now found themselves surrounded. What followed was almost the wholesale destruction of the entire UK contingent in the pocket with only the 1st Army Tank Bgd barely hanging on just south of Sidi Barrani, but still surrounded. UK unit losses are reported to be the 7th & 8th ID along with artillery and recon units. It appears to Axis commanders that UK losses in Egypt have exceed 50% and only a few units remain between the Axis forces now up to Mersa Matruh and Alexandria. With more surprises on the way, the outlook in Egypt is tenuous, at best, for England.
Western Egypt - March 23, 1940
The combined Axis forces in North Africa dealt a devastating blow to the British 13th Corp at the Sidi Barrani pass yesterday. In a coordinated attack the combined Italian, German and Libyan forces fought through the pass and surrounded multiple British units, dealing a major military loss to the 13th Corps.
Exact losses were not revealed by British authorities, but it is clearly the bloodiest month of fighting in North Africa for both armies since the war began, and the month still has a week to go.
Only the British 1st Tank Brigade managed to come out of the attack unscathed, and along with other reserve 13th Corp units, drove the Axis back through the pass, including both the 9th and 10 German Panzer Divisions, as the A-9 Cruiser tank killers left many German tanks on fire and shattered in the pass.
It appears from this reporters vantage point that the Axis forces are calling in reserves to mount yet another attack through the pass. Columns of dust to the east also suggest the British are doing the same.
Dateline: Amsterdam, March 28th
As armed guerillas continue to expand their area of control in northern Holland, Belgian forces have begun marshalling for an assault on the area. The countryside is continually hostile to the invaders, leading to many violent incidents.
Dutch citizens have
taken to bombarding any nearby Belgian troops with their
traditional wooden shoes in hit and run klompenings. In an
attempt to keep from further enraging the population, Belgian
troops have taken to beating caught offenders with baked goods.
Many a young Dutchman has found himself buried under a mound of
waffles in the last few
days. In the harshest cases, butter and syrup was applied as
well. International Human Rights Organizations have expressed
outrage at the actions, despite their apparent
"tastiness".
Paris, March 29
The Government of the French Imperial Democratic Republic is proud to announce the formation of the Republican Guard, a corps of elite troops sworn to avenge the treachery of Brest and defend France against all enemies, foreign and domestic. The First Republican Guard Armored Division carried out a parade through the streets of Paris to showcase the new S-35 medium tank, now being produced and distributed en masse. The Defense Minister has vowed to put "a hundred tanks in every division" under the new Division 41 program, to be completed by 1941. British infantry are expected to be crushed by the tens of thousands under the wheels and treads of the Continent's first fully mechanized army.
The First Division's live-fire tests against British tanks manned by captured deserters were reported to be "a complete success", and the entire division has been alerted for deployment to an unspecified overseas location.
In other news, the 5th Mountain Division was awarded France's highest battle honor for defeating an Italian airborne battalion in a brief incident of friendly fire. The firefight took place near the Cypriot coast. The Italians are reported to have raided a local liquor storage cellar, and subsequently began firing their personal weapons into the air. The 5th Division responded with an hour-long artillery and naval bombardment followed by a massed infantry charge. The wine cellar was destroyed. No casualties were suffered during the battle, though slightly under 1,500 personnel are reported to have died during the offloading of the divison's equipment and subsequent unopposed march inland. The division is expected to officially join the ranks of the Republican Guard on April 1.
Dateline: Cairo, March 30th
To the west, the fighting rages on as the Axis drive slogs towards Mesa Matruh. The newest defensive lines appear to be holding, but news has reached Commonwealth headquarters here of Matty French forces gathering in Syria, and preparing to drive on Palestine. The recent air of victory brought on by the fall of Tripoli has been replaced by a feeling of suspense as reinforcements are rushed straight from the boat to either front.
Losses for the month on the Allied side have exceeded 10,000. Axis numbers hover slightly above 12,000, but cannot be confirmed.
Dateline: London, March 31st
Figures from this month's convoy routes have been slow coming in. Initial estimates can only be interpeted as a major German victory. Several convoys were savaged, and many escorts damaged or sunk. U-boat sinkings have hit a new low.
Dateline: Baghdad, 11:00pm, March 31st
Just hours ago, a military coup took place bloodlessly here in Iraq. The new leader of Iraq is one Rashid Ali, an unknown quantity in political circles. Rumors are swirling that President Ali is now attempting to court the favor of the Axis powers without declaring war on the Allied nations. British reaction to this news is as yet, unknown.