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The Blockade of Cuba


Markus Wilding

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With the soviet dogs blockading Spanish land, the transport ships were ordered to proceed forward with orders not to stop. The Spanish battle group off the coast of Jacksonville left only a five cruisers and the carriers and sailed for Cuba. These Soviet scoundrels would not interfere with supplies and would be pushed to fire the first shots exposing them as the aggressive mad mob they are. 
 
Spanish subs began extensive patrols along the Eastern coast of Florida and Cuba orders to sink any socialist ships when they fired on Imperial transports or warships were given along with keeping out of sight and under the surface.
 
In preparation to continue enforcing the blockade, mine-laying support ships of the US Navy began to drop mines across common sea-lane zones that were expected to be used, and talk-between-ships informed the surface combatants of what was in the waters, and what areas to avoid.
 
Recon and observation planes aboard the USS Yorktown and Georgia spotted the incoming Spanish ships - and also spotted Spanish transports attempting to run the blockade. The transports were warned exactly once in Spanish to stop, and once they continued on their path of sure destruction, were fired upon by the destroyers and light cruisers of the USN First Fleet, while planes prepared to take off from the USS Yorktown. The USS Georgia, Lexington and Myrtle Beach all trained their guns, should one of the smaller cousins miss or something else appear over the horizon.
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As the transport fleet lay in a sea of fire and death the imperial fleet approached and opened fire through the black smoke. Battleships and destroyers engaged with long range fire while cruisers begin disabling the mines after a destroyer struck a one sinking it immediately. Imperial aircraft carriers near Jacksonville were ordered south to deploy fighter support. Imperial subs around the Cuban and south Florida coast began wrecking American ships in range and escorting carriers from Jacksonville.

 

 

25 Subs between Northern Cuba and the Eastern Florida coastline
10 battleships based on the bismarck design (El Cid class warships bearing down on your blockade) 
30 cruisers bearing down on the blockade
20 Destroyers
 2 Aircraft Carriers off the Florida coast with full complement of BF-109 fighter squadrons. 
Edited by Greywall
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Once rounds started coming in, recon planes from the USS Yorktown took off to see what could be found - none were heavily armed, maybe a .30 cal machine gun at the most, but if left to prove and perform their mission, the US Navy would know exactly where everything lay while the enemy was left in the dark.

 

Anti-submarine warfare began once SONAR started picking up submarine signatures, and the USS Benson, the lead destroyer of the class of the same name, took torpedo fire from a submarine, causing some hull damage and necessitating a lockdown in the engine room. Depth charges were dropped wherever destroyer crews thought enemy subs existed, while TBS informed all ship lookouts to alert all of submarine activity. Most of the ships who fell victim to submarine torpedoes were escort ships, like destroyers and light cruisers, while their bigger brothers were well-protected and mostly safe from submarine fire. Off the USS Yorktown, AMC F0CF fighters took off to engage the enemy surface fleet, targeting first the cruisers that were trying to run the blockade by firing with 20mm cannons and dropping twin 60kg bombs on hapless ships, if allowed to get within range.

 

With fleet-on-fleet action ongoing, the USS Georgia, Lexington, and Myrtle Beach, along with smaller cousins that had not engaged submarines, began counter-fire on not only the battleships and destroyers, but also the cruisers that were trying to run the blockade. Battleships and destroyers were targeted by the Georgia and Lexington's 16" guns, while cruisers were hit with the Myrtle Beach's 16" guns and the secondary and main guns of all ships, regardless of initial targets.

 

So far, seven destroyers and light cruisers had suffered damage, although not enough to be considered threatening. The USS Georgia and Myrtle Beach also saw damage to their port side hulls, although again it was deemed non-threatening. An urgent request was sent to Mobile Naval Command: send the Second Fleet, with the Marines for landing operations on Cuba.

 

OOC: EDIT 1: Added aerial recon once I realized I left it out of my initial post

Edited by Markus Wilding
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Imperial Brewster Buffalos launched from carriers would begin scouting and hunting missions across the battleground, some armed with torpedoes and small bombs and ordered to take out any American aircraft carriers they could find. Cruisers found the fire coming from the American fleet too much and fell back, the four Battleships and 10 destroyers fleet  opening their guns on the Georgia and Lexington to destroy them and give the cruisers a chance to fall back. 

 

Spanish forces on Cuba have erected beachhead defenses and ambush points across the island, cut off from the empire they have begun using the Cuban population to feed their troops raiding farms and forcing heavy taxes as well as forces some of them to fight. 

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Recon planes for the US Navy already in the air spotted the incoming Brewster Buffaloes, which prompted a series of radio calls and orders which turned the AMC F0CF fighters to engage the Buffaloes, opening fire with 20mm autocannons and 7.7mm machine guns, both of which were sure to penetrate and either hit the fuel tanks or the pilot himself, the Buffalo having virtually no armor on these areas. Of course, the F0CF also had this risk, but there had been no anti-air fire provoked from the Spanish fleet, leaving the F0CFs free to do as they pleased for now. Attempts to harass and otherwise bomb the USS Yorktown would also be met by AA fire from the USS Yorktown itself and fire from five more planes launched from the Yorktown.

 

Back on the sea, the withdrawal of the Spanish cruisers prompted the US Navy not to pursue, but to break off their side of the engagement and consolidate to wait for the USN Second Fleet, which was sure to be incoming. Once incoming fire from the battleships and destroyers started hitting the USS Georgia and Lexington, which caused serous damage to the Georgia, necessitated their retreat and their screening by the smaller cousins.

 

A message came to the USS Yorktown's command bridge - the USN Second Fleet, consisting of the USS EnterpriseBrewton, and Gulfport, along with 33 destroyers, 3 heavy cruisers, 10 light cruisers, and 36 submarines, was on its way and would arrive tomorrow - a 13-hour trip for most ships, unfortunately. With these ships came the 1st Marine Fleet Corps, which included 5 Marine divisions who would prepare to land on the beaches of Cuba.

 

Until then, though, one destroyer was lost to fire, while severe damage was dealt out to the USS Georgia, which threatened to sink the ship itself if the fire could get past the screening ships. One cruiser was taking on water as well, and would be in danger of being sunk.

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Initially the Brewsters were overwhelmed as the lack of armor tore the fighters apart, the squadron assigned to strike with torpedoes was obliterated. However they quickly began matching their opponents, lack of major aerial warfare meant both sides were on equal footing in terms of combat. The next wave of fighters were ordered to carry less fuel and no bombs and torpedoes to increase speed. The Imperial fleet launched another strike on the blockade, this time it would not wavier. The battleships began laying down heavy fire on the enemy fleet while destroyers covered the remaining cruisers clearing out the last of the mines finally leaving only American ships between Spanish ships and Cuba. 

Admiral Juarez requested reinforcements from the Canary islands and it would take a day for five more battleships and ten destroyers escorting 15 transports filled with troops and supplies. 

 

Subs near Florida began firing torpedoes and unloading even more mines into the water creating a highly hazardous battlefield. The ISS Fernandez near the Western edge of Florida had picked up an unfortunate signal on radar, a large American fleet inbound to reinforce the blockade. Using morse coded transmissions in Moorish Admiral Juarez orders his subs to pull off and harass the oncoming fleet to lay mines and ambush them, specifically targeting what looks like troops and supplies transports Imperial subs continue harassing the blockade and laying mines in American waters. In the fighting the Spanish naval airforce took heavy losses, but fleet admiral Juarez managed to save more ships during the second assault, he would take Cuba or die trying. 

 

Spanish casualties 

 

14 Brewster Buffalos 

1 cruiser 

 

Journal from Spanish pilot Johnathon Orlez

 

"We lost three fighters almost immediately to the enemy, I saw a man I went the Imperial academy with simply turned into red mist in his cab as a canon shell ripped into his fighter and eviscerated his body. At that point we realized what the BF-109 pilots at home meant by 'Flying caskets'. Your survival instincts kick in and at that point we just fought them off as much as we could, the only advantage we had was the small size of our aircraft and the speed. Then I found out something once I tore into my first kill, they had no armor either. We must have been up there for hours but at the end of it most of the squadron came back, out officers blew us over telling us while we were busy fighting enemy fighters the attack group heading for the fleet was destroyed. Utterly overwhelmed, I just told my mechanic 'less fuel, I gotta fly faster than him!' went back up and caught me two more !@#$%^&*. As I sit here waiting for my third deployment, I watch three little red stars get added to my fuselage. I can't describe it, I want more, its terrifying, they have more firepower and if you relent just a little that yankee will be right behind you tearing the plane up, hell a single shot tears the little casket up. But when you fill the little !@#$ full of lead and watch it plummet into the gulf...well...its a rush. And I need more." 

 

 

Given little time, Spanish troops already on Cuba have fortified Havana, dug a network of tunnels throughout the Central jungle and placed mines across the Northern beaches along with barb wire, spike pits, wooden tip bombs and several snipers hidden in trees and brush to kill officers and medics. In case of landing on the Southern side or anywhere else the Americans would be met by hidden bunkers and trench networks hidden by tree lines and a system of communication by using Cuban radio stations gives the Spanish a tactic advantage as scouts along the beach keep an eye on the battle near the blockade and for American ships. Large scale propaganda warning of American troops coming to enslave the Cuban people and rape their women have made several push themselves into doing everything from odd jobs, sweat shop work and even acting as spies for possible agents in Cuba. 

Edited by Greywall
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9 F0CF planes would be lost in the exchange between the Imperial Brewsters, although these losses would prompt the sortieing of all remaining 76 F0CF planes from the USS Yorktown, which would form a wall of steel and lead to stop the Imperial naval air force from breaching and entering to attack the blockade. On the fleet itself, anti-air defenses opened up once the Brewsters began to attack, opening fire with .50 caliber machine guns, 20mm autocannons, 1.1"/75 caliber guns, and larger 3-inch and 5-inch anti-air flak guns - a total of 941 naval guns, all trained on incoming aircraft. The sheer amount of fire was sure to at least damage or stave off the oncoming Imperial airplanes, although this massive volume of fire also would necessitate the reloading of many guns used in air defense, leaving the fleet vulnerable should more planes come in for attack.

 

The incoming fire from the main fleet wrecked two more destroyers, leaving the blockading fleet down to 48 destroyers, and dealt damage to the aft gun turret of the USS Georgia, leaving her down a pair of 15 inch guns. The USS Lexington also found itself damaged by the incoming fire, causing a fire in the engine room that demanded to be dealt with, leaving the crew of the Lexington unable to continue in further attacks or movements until the fire was put out. A USN cruiser also found itself in danger of sinking, having struck a mine.

 

This revelation prompted the USN destroyers still active to start tracking Imperial subs in the area, and dropping depth charges on them to deter and possibly kill them. TBS warned the other blockade ships and eventually the Second Fleet that mines were in the area, and to avoid setting one off as much as possible.

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The Brewster fighters readjusted and launched assaults on the the enemy aerial squadron, 10 destroyers would break forward providing support for the squadrons opening fire on the American fighters. With anti air defenses pummeling the first few aircraft and slowing the attack down, Imperial subs began an all out aggressive attack on the fleet. While their attacks would either severely damage or make the anti air fire subside, the sub fleet was now exposed. 

 

The Spanish battleships continued their assault now backed up with the remaining cruisers and destroyers, with Cuba within reach the Imperial fleet began relaying orders for transports at the canary islands. Over 150,000 reinforcements departed for Cuba, set to arrive in the next day. 

 

With the war reaching into Florida and the South eastern tribes now slaughtering each other, Spanish troops quickly smashed through to seize Jacksonville relaying the remaining invasion force sent to war with the tribes to land and begin a foothold over Florida. Orders to cut off American troops entering Florida had Spanish troops marching out west to secure Lake City. Ambushes from tribesmen still fighting slowed Imperial advancement but without key leadership the tribes were helplessly overrun. 

 

Spanish losses

 

12 brewster fighters

2 cruisers

156 troops seizing Jacksonville.

 

 

Over 400,000 Spanish troops have landed in Jacksonville part of the Florida invasion. Jacksonville is currently occupied. Five battleships and ten destroyers with Spanish reinforcements up to 90,000 troops and 400 tankettes bound toward Cuba. 

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The combined fire of Spanish fighters and anti-air from the destroyers caused the destruction of another 11 F0CF planes, air defenses on the First Fleet continued to fire at open targets regardless - shells were needed to go up in the air to help out the Navy pilots. Although the lack of armor went both ways for the Imperial and American air forces, US Navy pilots were determined to deny the enemy access to the air and get into a position to attack the USS Yorktown, the pride of the First Fleet. Three destroyers were outright sunk by the now-submerging submarines, and nearly all light cruisers suffered varying forms of hull damage, prompting the focusing of anti-submarine weapons on where the US Navy now knew the Spanish submarine crews worked. It would be nearly impossible now to avoid the fire from the depth charges and firing from the guns of neighboring ships. What guns remained on the USS Georgia and Lexington, having put out the fire, now trained themselves on their opposing Spanish battleships, hoping to cripple or ward them off for at least a little while longer. Guns on other ships not already devoted to anti-aircraft work were also trained on the Spanish battleships, those being the primary threat to the US Navy at the current moment.

 

Meanwhile in Florida, the American Red Army's Florida Task Force, under General Whitehead, ordered each separate Army Corps units to move along two highways. The elements of the Georgia Army Corps moved along Highway 75 to Lake City, taking motorized transport and half-tracks where they could, greatly expediting their transport to the city. Meanwhile, the elements of the South Carolina Army Corps moved along Highway 95 to the city of Jacksonville, where it was recognized that Spanish resistance would be much lighter, prompting the general mobilization and movement of the remainder of the Georgia Army Corps to the Florida border. As this happened, the Marines began landing on the beaches of St. Petersburg, Florida, and establishing their beachhead from which they would hold and defend from any Spanish incursion. Both Marine and Army officers would begin enlisting the aid of the natives to assist them in getting around and finding hidden paths, former tribal stockpiles and arms, and promised them a hand in rebuilding their nation once the Spanish had been driven out.

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Imperial submarines were put into a living nightmare, commanders frantically trying to withdraw and fire their payload in desperate attempts to survive produced a shocking scenario, never back a Uboat into a corner. With minutes the remaining submersible fleet managed to relocate while inflicting damage to the American fleet. However severe damage was already done and Spain had lost invaluable resources needed to control the Atlantic. 

 

Brewster squadrons were getting ragged and worn out but the Imperial fighter pilots had caught onto their red counterparts tactics, a bloody but leveled sky of death now stretched from the southern tip of Florida to the coastlines of Cuba. Imperial battleships and destroyers made a final charge into the blockade unleashing the full might the fleet, Admiral Juarez received his reinforcements from the Canary islands and ordered the troop transports to make a run for the island as soon as a whole was punched through. The five battleships from the Canaries were ordered to back up the war in Northern Florida going off the coast of Jacksonville. 

 

Jacksonville was a city in ruins after fighting between Spanish and Native forces, but it was turned into a hell hole for anyone coming to take it with snipers, mines and hidden Panzers awaiting any force coming to take it while the Gator bowl stadium was converted into the forward command post for the Empire. 180,000 troops were dug into ruins of the city placing MG34 nests and improvised explosives in whatever openings were left that could allow tanks and large columns of troops.

 

Spanish forces had little over an hour after seizing Lake City before american forces arrived, the 45,000 Spanish troops left to defend the city radioed for the other 175,000 that marched toward Live Oak to return. With 175,000 troops turning back to engage the reds, the Lake City defenders would dig in. 

 

Spanish forces that were deployed in Palm Coast began a campaign of land grabbing and butchering native forces, driving up to Saint Augustine setting fire to several towns and villages along the way and enlisting the oppressed reservation population to aid them in hunting down the natives and exterminating them. 

 

Jacksonville deployment

 

180,000 infantry

140 Panzers

 

Lake City

 

45,000 infantry

35 Panzers

 

External Spanish forces in Northern Florida

 

175,000 infantry

100 Panzers

145 Tankettes 

 

 

Palm Coast forces

 

40,000 infantry

250 tankettes

 

 

 

Overall Spanish losses

 

 

8 Brewster fighters

10 U boats destroyed, 4 disabled

3 destroyers destroyed

43 Spanish infantry killed by Native ambushes 

2 Tankettes stolen by tribesmen near Palm Coast.

 

 

ahiv-tankette.jpg

Imperial light tanks 'tankettes' practically overrun Northern Florida

 

 

germ_sold_combat.jpg

Spanish soldier near Lake city running for cover as Communist forces approach the city.

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Communist fighter pilots, though brave, continued to hammer on despite the losses. Their brave comrades, though sleeping in waters they never knew, would be remembered for years to come. Those from the USS Yorktown received a break, however - the USS Enterprise had now joined in the fray, bringing with her the USN Second Fleet, further widening the gap between the US Navy and Spanish Empire's ill-fated forces. Another six F0CF fighters were lost to enemy fire, although the now overwhelming forces of the USNAF would negate those losses.

 

Spanish submarine commanders also faced another threat - the USN Second Fleet brought with it 36 submarines, all ready to kill. The Spanish submarines had already exposed themselves, and to do so again would only risk fire from the submarines. Despite that, though, the USN subs targeted Spanish subs and surface ships alike, using their superior numbers to overwhelm their foe.

 

Likewise, the now-reinforcing destroyers, cruisers, and battlecruisers of the USN moved into position to stop any thoughts at running the blockade, joining with their badly-hurt comrades of the First Fleet, firing with  their usual complement of large and small guns at anything that tried to rush. Fire from the Spanish, however, was unable to avoid the USS Georgia, finally hitting her with a shot that would prove fatal, forcing the crew to abandon ship. Another three destroyers were now lost, along with an extremely lucky shot to a light cruiser that managed to hit the ammunition, causing the entire ship to explode. While this happened, the five division of the CSAMC headed towards the shores of Cuba, prepared to land and fight whoever showed a gun at them. Liberation was at hand for the Cuban people.

 

Meanwhile on the land, another 100,000 soldiers of the Georgia Army Group were mobilized and sent across the border, this time to join their comrades of the South Carolina Army Group in Jacksonville, which was sure to even up the odds in the CSA's favor. Meanwhile, half of the Alabama Army Group was ordered to cut in from the northwestern side of Florida and link up with other American Red Army troops elsewhere in the state.

 

As this happened, 2,500 Boeing "Little Pete" C8 bombers took off from Atlanta, and split themselves mid-way through the flight to head for both Jacksonville and Lake City, dropping each 5,000 pounds of bombs onto the condemned Spanish troops that still dared to stay in those cities. Red Army soldiers exchanged some fire with their Spanish counterparts, although upon taking fire, most fell back and ordered mass artillery strikes on the enemy to soften them up before repushing. Snipers and marksmen working within units began counter-sniping operations, clearing out and engaging other snipers, with varying degrees of success.

 

In Lake City, Red Army commanders ordered a mass artillery strike following the bomber attack, then a pincer attack on the city owing to the sheer size of Red Army forces in relation to the Spanish. Spanish tanks, if they chose to reveal themselves, found themselves locked in a duel with Red Army tanks, which were of mostly similar make and armament as theirs. Lighter vehicles in the Florida Task Force limited themselves to supporting infantry operations, as the AMC M3 light tank and M41 armored car didn't have the armament necessary to take on a full-fledged tank.

 

Overall, in these opening salvos of the American operation, 37 Red Army servicemen lost their lives, mostly recon and snipers who got a bit too confident. Two M3 tanks were also lost to enemy fire, as well as one M41 armored car.

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Admiral Juarez was left with little choice, sacrificing the Imperial fleet was out of the question and began withdrawing his fleet. All brewster fighters were equipped and deployed launching a mass assault on enemy aircraft. Battleships and destroyers unleashed a full barrage of long range fire on the American fleet making it appear as if the Spanish were launching another assault. The reality was Imperial subs were in full retreat unloading the last of their mines between the Spanish and American ships. 

Cruisers would make a break for it back into Spanish lines abandoning the assault and dropping depth charges against enemy subs, the plan would be to regroup with the rest of the Spanish fleet at Bermuda and commit a full war effort against the CSA. Mendoza receiving this news practically condemned Juarez should he fail to make the Communist pay. 

 

As American troops landed on Cuba they would be met with a nightmare scenario of snipers, hidden MG34 nests and various mines, spike pits and traps. The 10,000 Imperial troops would bleed out the CSA forces for every inch of land of what they rightfully believed to be part of their empire.

 

In Florida the bombing and artillery strikes would inflict losses on the Imperials in both Jacksonville and Lake City. However Jacksonville would remain Spanish as Imperial forces continued to dig in and fire back at whatever Communist forces approached. If the CSA resorted to cowardly tactics of shelling the city again, the Imperials would go on the offensive and buy time for reinforcements to arrive. Lake city however became a desperate battle as Spanish forces fought desperately for their survival. They would fall back into the city setting up defensive perimeters with their remaining tanks and troops. The reinforcements returning from West Florida would link up with the remaining Lake city defenders and march East toward Jacksonville. 

 

 

Meanwhile the Palm Coast force almost unopposed ransacked the coastline heading toward Jacksonville seizing Saint Augustine as a port and collecting reservation prisoners along the way replacing them with the native population. 

 

Spanish transport ships carrying 400 artillery pieces, anti-aircraft guns and 250 BF-109 fighters left port from Portugal for Saint Augustine along with the remaining Spanish fleet. The war was only beginning. 

 

Casualties in the Caribbean 

 

14 brewster fighters

2 destroyers sank by American submarines

78 spanish troops in Cuba

 

Casualties in Florida

 

Jacksonville

 

575 troops killed in artillery and bomardments

14 Panzers destroyed

 

Remaining: 179,425 troops and 126 Panzers

 

 

Lake city 

 

345 troops killed 

12 Panzers destroyed

 

Remaining group: 44,655 and 23 Panzers

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Caribbean Sea

 

With signs if a Spanish naval withdrawal, the badly-battered ships of the First Fleet took their leave of the combat zone, heading back to port in Alabama for repairs which would take somewhere in the region of two months, taking care to avoid minefields and whatever Spanish subs remained. In this action, another destroyer was lost and two cruisers damaged, although not damaged enough to force their retreat to port. Fire was not returned to the Spanish, instead the ships focused their attention on the ongoing battle on the land in Cuba. The large guns on the remaining battlecruisers, cruisers, and destroyers awaited calls from Navy liaison soldiers in service with the Marines to send down orders for naval bombardments. In the air, another twelve F0CF planes were lost to enemy fire, yet anti-air fire from the main fleet was sure to at least force the Spanish air arm to back off or risk taking more losses. Submarine captains, one having gone down to the depth charges, opted to wait silently and move quietly among the lines, waiting for an opportunity to present itself.

 

Cuba

 

The 100,000 soldiers of the CSAMC spread out, and having hit multiple landing points, were somewhat able to avoid the fire from Spanish troops, although some 203 Marines were either killed instantly or wounded in the opening rounds of the fight. Beachheads were soon to be established, and the Marines returned fire with their superior M1 Garand rifles and BARs, which delivered a higher volume of fire than the bolt-action rifles of their counterparts. The Marines who found themselves facing dug-in Spanish troops quickly called for a naval barrage, which would bring down fire right on top of whatever the Spanish troops were using for cover.

 

Florida

 

With reinforcements from the Georgia Army Group in place and ready, Red Army forces moved to engage starting with an artillery barrage first, then followed shortly after with an all-out advance on three sides with accompanying tanks and armored cars, designed to shock and displace Spanish forces, again their superior M1 Garand rifles and BAR light machine guns providing them an advantage over Spanish armaments. As far as armor went, Spanish and American forces were evenly matched, although if the lighter M3 light tanks and M43 armored cars met anything serious, it was sure to be a losing battle. In the action to take Jacksonville, 500 brave Red Army soldiers either lost their lives or were wounded, prompting their removal to behind the lines. Seven M3 tanks were deemed destroyed, alongside two M4A1 tanks and one M43 armored car.

 

In Lake City, Red Army forces began bullying Spanish troops out of the city, calling down close-air support from AMC DBC-88 airplanes to drop down high-explosive bombs and disrupt the fascists with their sirens, which the Red Army Air Force was confident would throw the fascists out of the city permanently. In this battle, approximately 150 Red Army troops and four M3 tanks were lost to Spanish fire, although the Red Army was sure the oncoming arrival of the Alabama Army Corps would even up the odds and provide the final advantage needed to take Florida once and for all.

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At Bermuda the Imperial fleet gathered its strength and began bearing toward Jacksonville to support the forces there, Spanish subs spread out beginning a campaign of terror against the CSA fleet targeting everything flying Communist colors. Aircraft carriers received fresh pilots and fighter craft including much needed B4-Y bombers. Several Spanish pilots became aces during the battle of Cuba and were looking to add more red stars to their brewster aircraft. Spain sent the bulk of the fleet to Jacksonville and 10 destroyers, 2 battleships and a carrier to attack Myrtle beach to send the Communist a message, we can attack your people.

 

 

 

The fighting in Cuba quickly turned desperate, outnumbered, outgunned and severely overpowered Spanish troops began falling back into the countryside leaving the beach to the American forces. Snipers and hidden traps would hinder American troops attempting to pursue. Spanish command at Havana began rethinking outright defending the city and fighting guerrilla warfare until help arrives. Spanish troops were inflicted heavy losses by naval guns and American infantry having superior firearms, MP-18 submachine guns, MG34 nests and rifle squads however still proved deadly and effective in open combat as the dwindling defenders held on either to die or fight a glorious defense for the empire. Over 234 Spanish troops were killed in the battle for Cuba's beaches. 

 

After the first devastating artillery strike the Imperials were ready for another, as American forces approached the city the fires of hell greeted them as tracer bullets from various machine gun nests roared at them. The Kar-98 once again was hopelessly useless in one on one fighting against the CSA but the Spanish had brought their MP-18 and Model 38 submachine guns making the fighting leveled on some part. American forces broke the Western blockade with armored support forcing the Spanish to fall back losing a chunk of the city. However Panzers rolled forward halting the advance and keeping them from pushing into the city any further. The tenacity of the city's defenders was overzealous as Spanish troops fought to a bloody bitter stalemate. Over 398 Imperial troops died in the initial assault and 276 died from ongoing firefights from within the city. 

 

 
After the attack on Lake City the Spanish linked up a total 205,000 troops left from the Lake City and Eastward march began heading toward Jacksonville to flank and attack the american forces. 13,000 troops would stay in Lake City to slow down the enemy forces approaching and to make sure it never fell to enemy hands intact. The defenders with their remaining 14 Panzer tanks would set up ambush points and choke points forcing the Americans into two points of access into the city leading them directly into enemy fire. 
 
Casualties
 
Lake City lost 1,001 men to the assault and air strikes. 9 Panzer tanks were lost due to poor location during the attack. 
 
674 Spanish troops died in the battle of Jacksonville mostly from artillery strikes and infantry fighting. 
 
234 Spanish troops dead in Cuba
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The Spanish decision to send a fleet to Myrtle Beach would become a critical decision. The US Navy's Third Fleet was stationed out of Myrtle Beach, and with it had the USS HornetSouth Carolina, Hinesville, 18 destroyers, 4 heavy cruisers, and 36 submarines. The US Navy's submarines were already stalking the seas around and outside the CSA's states of Georgia and South Carolina, and detected the incoming fleet prepared for war. The most important targets were identified first - the battleships and carriers. News of this development was sent to the Third Fleet back in port and they soon began to move out to engage the fascists on the high seas once more, with airpower in South Carolina and Georgia prepared to assist should it become necessary. However, Atlanta wouldn't allow the fascists to fire the first shots of this again, and the submarine captains soon received orders to annihilate and wreck as much as they could of the Spanish fleet, and thus opened fire, targeting enemy destroyers, battleships, and the precious carrier first. Each ship received more or less double the amount of torpedoes heading towards it, due to the greater numbers of US Navy submarines in relation to their targets.

 

Cuba

 

Knowing they had an advantage, the Marines pushed forward, spreading the good word of Communism to the Cuban peoples and urging them to join with the Marines in a glorious crusade against the fascists illegally occupying their island, as well as promising greater economic advantages than whatever Spain supposedly proposed. Marine snipers began to come to the forefront again, engaging Spanish machine gunners and officers wherever they lay in order to add chaos to the enemy ranks. Without their precious machine guns, and without their officers, the Marines were sure the defending Spanish would be thrown into disarray and be easy pickings for the riflemen. Despite that, however, another 184 Marines fell, prompting burials and moves to the rear for medical care.

 

Florida

 

Calls were sent to the Red Army Air Force - close air support was needed, and fast. DBC-88 planes took off from Georgia and went straight to Jacksonville, dropping high-explosive bombs on the remaining tanks of the Spanish, and strafing the infantry nearby with their guns, all the while disrupting the enemy with that very familiar siren. Another assault was ordered, this time with the specific purpose to annihilating any Spanish soldier who dared to remain and fight in Jacksonville. Tanks and infantry worked close together here, engaging enemies and calling out hidden or fortified targets for the tanks to destroy. The M41 Walker armored car became indispensable here to those with lighter tanks by their side, the 20mm autocannon mounted on the car able to punch through most cover found in the city and resistant to small arms fire. In this action, another 602 Red Army soldiers were lost or wounded, and another seven tanks of combined types lost. As this all happened, Red Army political officers sent messages across loudspeakers to the Spanish lines.

 

"Brave soldiers of the Spanish Empire,

 

You are fighting and dying in a war far away from home. Your leaders do not care for your plight. Your families and friends miss you and want you home. You, brave soldiers of the Spanish Empire, are nothing more than pawns for Madrid, sent to die for land you can never hold. You will die in this land, and for what? To claim victory over people you have never met? This is a fundamentally pointless conflict!

Brave soldiers of the Spanish Empire, you will be treated fairly by our forces. You will be given good food, a place to sleep, and a shower. The Red Army is a force for good - just last week, a Red Army soldier saved over a hundred children from a burning orphanage! Brave soldiers of the Spanish Empire, there is no dishonor in surrender. All you must do is lower your weapons and approach the nearest Red Army patrol with your hands above your heads. It is truly that simple!"

 

In Lake City, the Alabama Corps had made it to the fight, and alongside the Georgia Corps began a large-scale push to force the Spanish out of Lake City for good, and to start on the warpath to link up with the Marines down south and the rest of the general army in Jacksonville. For now, though, there remained the slight problem of 205,000  Spanish soldiers who stood in the way. No matter, the Georgia and Alabama corps combined had 450,000 soldiers ready to go, which would make the task of securing Florida alongside the South Carolina corps that much easier. Another assault was ordered in Lake City - destroy the Spanish at whatever cost possible. In this action, and resulting harassing fire from the Spanish, a total of 437 Red Army soldiers lost their lives. With no threat from the tanks, the armor was given free reign.

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MYRTLE BEACH

SOUTH CAROLINA

 

Along Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, The CMS Lincoln, Hancock, Constellation, and Washington, of which one battleship, one cruiser, and two destroyers, along with multiple other ships, another battleship, 2 more cruisers, and 1 more destroyer, and 3 submarines, would attack the Communist Submaries and ships, attacking from the northeast. With them, 50 fighters would provide air support and produce aerial bombings on Communist ships. This would be known as the Attack on Myrtle Beach.

 

CHERRAW

BENNETTSVILLE

MULLINS

 

Equal aerial bombardments, of which includes bombings. on these areas accounting to 75 fighters deployed to each area ordered by the President. These areas would be overwhelmed by the might of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its Aerial Force. Following these attacks, a the first declaration of war in the history of the Commonwealth would be sent off to the Communist States of America:

 

JOINT RESOLUTION

Declaring That a State of War Exists Between The Government of the Communist States of America and the Government and the People of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

Whereas the Government of Germany has formally declared war against the Government and the people of the Spanish Empire, Therefore be it Resolved by the Commander-in-chief of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts That the state of war between the Commonwealth and the Government of the Communist States which has thus been thrust upon the Commonwealth is hereby formally declared; and the President is hereby authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the resources of the Government to carry on war against the Government of the Communist States; and, to bring the conflict to a successful termination, all of the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Commander-in-chief, President of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 

Maurice J. Tobin, President of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Ora Knight, Vice President of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and President of the Legislature
Approved April 21, 18 ACI 11:05 PM C.S.T

 

McCOLL

SOUTH CAROLINA

 

Confident the Communists were occupied, and sending another attack would weaken them to the near breaking point, Commander-in-chief, His excellency, the President, Maurice J. Tobin orders four thousand soldiers to the northern border of South Carolina, near McColl, to prepare an attack. A series of short, brief, but powerful attacks would be sent in and around McColl, containing only 150 soldiers on each attack, each blitzkrieg separated by a ten minute period. Air support would be provided, and they would send missals/bombs down. Some soldiers on each attack would be riding safely on the tanks, of which 10 were sent on most attack, riding behind using the tank as moving cover against any enemy fire. A radio transmission on an open frequency would be sent through to the Communists from the Commonwealth.

 

ATTENTION COMMUNISTS

 

As sent by doctrine by the commander-in-chief of all military forces in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a state of war is declared. Surrendering to the military force of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the oldest nation on the planet, and the Spanish Empire, founded only days after, would be a wise decision to protect both your sovereignty and the security of your people. The naval forces, under command of Admiral Edward Paul Revere, will take any future transmissions from the Communist border, or to that border. With this state of war, The Commonwealth is under maximum security protocol and will accept only the surrender of Communist forces as a clear end to this conflict, and we are sure the Spanish believe in the same.

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Myrtle beach

 

After communist subs sank an Imperial battleship and crippled two destroyers, the Spanish would fire back on the Americans. Though outnumbered they still launched squadrons of brewster fighters and B4-Y's to attack the American battleships. Spanish destroyers fired off hundreds of rounds of depth charges to counter the American subs wrecking havoc on the Imperials, when it seemed that Spanish forces were going to be overwhelmed and destroyed a sudden change in the battle came. Commonwealth forces attacking the Communist, with the Commonwealth assisting the Imperial fleet the Spanish went all in intensifying their attack on the enemy fleet. 

 

1 El Cid Battleship was destroyed

3 destroyers were destroyed or crippled

 

12 Brewsters shot down/5 B4-y bombers shot down

 

brewster_buffalo_malaya.jpg

Imperial Brewster fighters launched off the Imperial aircraft carrier "Ambrose" 

 

Cuba

 

Losing ground quick and valued firepower, the Spanish defenders desperately began skirmish tactics surging forward infantry attacks and falling back leading Americans into trap filled areas. It would now be run by a small team of officers hanging on by a thread using morse coded transmissions and forced to wear common uniforms to avoid snipers. A final stand was being planned as Spanish forces began losing their grip on Cuba. 

 

 

fonten10.jpg

Spanish troops laying in wait for Communist forces in the Cuban countryside

Under 7,000 Spanish troops willing to fight or alive

 

Jacksonville

 

After the Communist propaganda broadcast was finished the Imperials would send a reply, laughter, soldiers yelled obscenities and mocked the American forces. Imperial officers rallied their troops after the attack and surged forward from the city's ruins. American forces would find themselves against entrenched fanatic defenders willing to die to the last man for the city. Spanish troops prepped bayonets and would even launch blind charges into infantry positions to run the Americans down with their bayonets. Panzer tank squadrons within the city would take advantage of the destroyed city as cover and begin punching holes through the Communist assault, snipers hiding throughout the city would hold up infantry platoons quickly cutting down the CSA's advancement into Jacksonville. Shock groups armed with MP-18's would escort demolition teams to destroy roads and place mines to hinder enemy vehicles, the bridges along the St Johns river were rigged with explosives and Center park was made into the new headquarters. Downtown Jacksonville would have several Imperial troops fighting more ferociously and savagely than ever before, MG34 gun nests would remain silent until a bulk of infantry groups revealed themselves cutting down as many CSA troops as possible. 

 

When the fighting hit a bloody peak the Imperial fleet had arrived, squadrons of Brewster and B4-Y aircraft took to the skies countering American aircraft. B4-Y bombers would take advantage of CSA troops trying to flood into the city and drop heavy ordnance on infantry columns and armored support. Battleships would aim long range guns at CSA forces to pry them off the city. To make matters worse for the Communist the 205,000 Spanish troops that had been marching toward the city had arrived, launching attacks on CSA forces West of the city and backed by Panzers and tankettes. The pitiful CSA forces within the city would be entrapped and flanked, no prisoners would be taken by the reinforcements as the pressed into the city carving a path toward their comrade in arms entrenched in the city. 

Spanish transports bringing in Artillery guns would land the guns into Jacksonville beach and shipped into range asap, the guns would begin pounding CSA positions North of Jacksonville 

 

 

"Soldiers of the Communist States of America, your cause is false and you serve leadership that is willing to see you die in mass droves. Our Empire rightfully owns land you have invaded, you have started this conflict by spilling the blood of Imperials on unarmed ships. You will pay greatly for this sin, you will not win, you will not succeed. Death is the only thing you will find here, go back home and live your lives in peace while we are allowed to rebuild. All it will take is for you to kill your officers, dog servants of Atlanta, and walk home. We will not waiver, we will not leave."  

 

Spansh deaths

 

533 troops

12 Panzers

7 Brewsters

 

 

catastrophe-stalingrad-infantry-advances

Spanish troops leaving the trench network to counter attack CSA forces

 

 

 

 

Lake City

 

 

 

Lake City fell to Communist forces, the few Spanish troops that stayed behind put up a desperate fight but were overwhelmed by CSA tanks and larger numbers. After the intial defenses fell through a final fire fight at the city hall building saw 2,500 Imperial troops fight to the death while 4,345 launched a desperate escape East of the town. The town was utterly wrecked by the fighting leaving civilians no where to go. The fleeing Spanish would see 200 riflemen remain behind to slow down CSA forces and by nightfall the remaining Lake City defenders disappeared into the swamp. 

 

4,954 Spanish troops scattered across nearby swamps. 

 

 

1917-07.jpg

 

The remaining Spanish defenders fleeing Lake City

Edited by Greywall
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  • 2 weeks later...

South Carolina

 

In anticipation of such an attack, the Alabama Army Corps had been spread out to the easternmost states, including the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina, which had their nominal army groups deployed elsewhere. In all, 25,000 Red Army soldiers, 100 artillery pieces of varying calibers, and 50 tanks, mostly of M4A1 variety, stood to oppose the illegal Massachusetts invasion. Red Army snipers, using knowledge of the terrain they had gained through time spent there and personal observation, hid and positioned themselves in places that were likely advance routes for the Commonwealth forces, and upon sighting the Commonwealth advance units, fired on them, constantly moving and changing position. Like in Cuba, the Red Army snipers targeted officers and NCOs first to throw Commonwealth forces into disarray. McColl would be taken with relatively little problems - some civilians might try to fight, but general resistance wasn't expected at this point, since many didn't even know Massachusetts had even declared war on the CSA.

 

Of course, the Commonwealth's air force couldn't be allowed to simply fly around, testing new bombs for free. The Red Army Air Force, once radar and recon flights confirmed the presence of the Commonwealth's air arm, scrambled Curtiss P40 fighters to take on the Commonwealth's airpower, some 750 planes ready to stop the Yankees. In addition to this, the Red Army Air Force also sent out a selection of "Little Pete" C8 bombers to destroy stretches of highway that led to strategic areas like Myrtle Beach and the capital of South Carolina.

 

On the shores of Myrtle Beach, however, the USN rang up for support from home. The ARAAF replied in the form of 100 Curtiss P40 fighters and 200 DBC-88N naval bombers joining the fray, adding themselves to the 90 F0CF naval fighters on board the USS Hornet, all of which moved to immediately engage the combined Spanish and Commonwealth navies, prioritizing the aircraft carriers and battleships to deal a blow to morale and annihilate a serious amount of firepower for their respective navies. USN submarines did their best to avoid fire from the destroyers, although two would be lost to enemy fire. Anti-air fire focused on the attacking airpower in case the ARAAF didn't cut down a good amount of the incoming planes on its own. The remaining guns on the USN Third Fleet set themselves to destroy or disable as many capital ships as possible, acting as screens for the more valuable cousins in the USN. Of course, the all-out assault ordered by the Spanish navy disabled or destroyed two destroyers and a cruiser of the Third Fleet, and of course destroying two submarines, and 9 F0CF/P40 planes would also be lost in the initial skirmish between the ARAAF and the Spanish naval air force.

 

Cuba

 

With the tide quickly turning against the Spanish, half of the invading Marines withdrew, leaving 48,005 total Marines to deal with the remaining Spanish forces in Cuba. Those withdrawing would, with support from the USN, transfer back to the CSA proper to join in the fight against the Commonwealth in South Carolina. For now, however, the Marines still left pushed forward, intent on destroying any and all Spanish resistance that still dared to stand against the righteous and just Red Army, enacting a rigid "shoot on sight" policy for anyone who carried a gun that wasn't in a Marine uniform. Keeping it in the home was fine, so long as it was limited to older-model bolt actions and shotguns, however these would be rigorously checked against captured Spanish small arms examples to make sure the civilians weren't Spanish troops in disguise. Anything produced past 1930 would prompt either arrest or execution for being a Fascist saboteur. Of course, casualties were bound to happen, and the Marines lost another hundred men in the fighting. There was a light at the end of the tunnel, though - they knew the Spanish were on their knees in Cuba, and the final push was soon.

 

Florida

 

Jacksonville

 

The suicide blitzes against the Red Army would do little good, due to the high volume of fire the Red Army could put out between M1 Garand rifles, BAR automatic rifles, and M1928 Thompson submachine guns, it was nearly impossible to weather the fire and get close enough to stab a Red Army soldier. Spanish hopes to isolate Red Army forces, however, led to some issues, the foremost of those being that the Red Army commanded over 342,000 soldiers in the area around Jacksonville, with tanks and artillery to match. While the anti-tank guns the Red Army used could possibly take out the Spanish tanks, tank-on-tank action was much more likely and encouraged, and once the familiar roar of bomber engines was heard, orders were given to spread out, reducing the effectiveness of the Spanish bombardments from air and sea. In response to these actions, the Red Army moved in close to known Spanish positions, forcing the Spanish forces to either risk friendly fire or stop the bombings - either would work. Casualties from this resulting combat totaled approximately 1,034 Red Army soldiers, 20 tanks of various types and 2 M41 Bulldog armored cars.

 

Lake City

 

With the final resistance crushed by the Red Army, orders were given to not even bother with stopping - straggling Spanish troops were shot and anyone left was ignored. The next objective of the Red Army here was to drive straight to Jacksonville to deliver a final blow to destroy the Spanish resistance in the city. Another 50 Red Army soldiers died in this exchange.

 

Diplo Stuff

 

A single response was sent to the Commonwealth's radio message:

 

The Red Army will resist with all its might the illegal and unprovoked Yankee invasion. So long as Spanish troops are fighting against the glorious Red Army in Florida and elsewhere, the Communist States of America will never stop fighting. The Commonwealth has no business interfering in Communist affairs.

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  • 2 months later...

OOC: lets do this again, pick up after a few months?

 

 

Two years of brutal skirmishes had turned Jacksonville into a pillar of smoke and death. The Spanish Empire was still here, fighting to maintain its right to an Atlantic Empire.

 

South Carolina

 

The assault on South Carolina was a tactical defeat, the Spanish fleet was licking its wounds in naval bases across the Atlantic within the various acquired colonies. The empire had made a clear miscalculation on trying to lure the Communist into another front and lost several ships and crippled a vital carrier. The Spanish fleet was now in full defensive mode securing trade and supply routes, feeding young soldiers into the life consuming monster that was Jacksonville.  

 

Cuba

 

Cuba was all but lost, remnant Imperials were only numbered by a few 200 and confined to simple hit and run operations and feeding information to Imperials via coded radio submissions. Armed with homemade explosives and a handful of ammunition they were operating out of the Central jungle trying to do whatever they could to shake up the Communist occupation of the island. 

 

 

Florida

 

The fighting had been contained to the city of Jacksonville, Imperial forces had withdrawn to their occupied section of the city and maintined control over the harbor where supplies and troops steadily poured in. Aircraft from Imperial colonies created a new front, the air war. Mid sized S-79 bombers attempted to carpet bomb the Northern city under Communist control while Buffalo fighters continued to struggle against the American fighters. Control over Bermuda however now brought Messerschmidt fighters to the front and gave the Spanish equal footing in the skies. Spanish troops were holding their portion of the city refusing to give any more ground but weren't making anymore progress into the North or breaking out into the rest of Florida.

 

total Spanish forces

 

300,000 reinforced 

2000 Panzer II tanks

100 Messer fighters

200 S-79 bombers

300 Buffalo fighters

 

total Spanish losses

 

123,000 deaths

 

Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-B22222,_Russland,_

Spanish forces moving through the devastated and ruined city of Jacksonville, Florida. 

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South Carolina

 

The assault against Myrtle Beach had predictably failed for the Spanish, though they did not retreat without a fight. The USN had lost some four destroyers, three submarines, and damage to nearly every ship in the 3rd Fleet. The most valuable of them all, the USS Hornet, had been heavily damaged and needed serious repairs, which put it out of action for the better part of the conflict. The USAAF, however, had lost a good 121 planes of all varieties in defending Myrtle Beach. These pilots and airmen won a good number of posthumous medals for their actions.

 

Cuba

 

The occupational force had been whittled down to only 10,000 Marines of the First Division, a fraction of the initial force sent. They knew the Spanish still remained on the island - it was nearly impossible to kill them all, of course - and occasionally went out to raid suspected or known Spanish holdout camps. Near-constant propaganda was broadcast to the jungles and countryside encouraging Spanish remnants to give up, that help wasn't coming for them. For all Mendoza cared, the propaganda claimed, they were dead when the Marines walked on shore.

 

Jacksonville

 

The city had now become infamous in the Red Army for the brutality of all involved. Nicknames varied - Hell City, City of the Damned, Hellville, and The Big One were the most common. All agreed - something needed to be done to cut off Spanish reinforcements. Red Army planners were conceiving the largest operation in the entire war thus far, which would involve 450,000 total Red Army soldiers and an ungodly amount of support vehicles and aircraft. Until then, all soldiers were ordered to hold position and inform their superiors of any unusual changes in Spanish activity. The Red Army didn't want to be caught off-guard by a renewed Spanish offensive.

 

"22nd of May, 1943

 

We have been fighting in Jacksonville for over two years now. It seemed the Spanish lost their mood to fight when we stopped their attack at Myrtle Beach. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts  is gone too, unable to handle the pressure of war with our country. My unit has seen Spanish soldiers face-to-face every day, and we look at each other not only with hard eyes, but with the weary eyes of people who just want to go home. Some days I question why neither one of us just puts down our guns and forces the leaders to declare peace. Well, I can understand why the Spanish won't - their officers will shoot them. But we do not do that either. We lose people every day, both of us. We pick off one of theirs, then we lose someone the same way. Snipers usually handle most of the killing. Us regular troops stay in the few standing buildings, or in our trenches, or in the basements of bombed-out houses. It's too dangerous to go out unless you're on recon.

 

I hear there's talk of a new offensive. Maybe this will be the one that kicks the Spanish out of Florida once and for all. Or maybe we'll just sit here for another two years, staring at each other from across the street."

Edited by Markus Wilding
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