Background for a World War

A bit of background on the "WW2" that is unfolding on our alternate world;

The intention was to fight a series of linked battles, each representing a short stage in a much larger overall conflict.  Set in a mythic 1942, there has been a much smaller "WW1" which ended with the facist right block being forced to sue for peace and restore lands after the communists weighed in on the side of the beleagured allies.  One outcome of this was a number of small communist states where the right-wing governments were overthrown or in some cases, more moderate ones who had ended up on the wrong side.

The world that these games are set in has many elements that are similar to our own.  So, there is a fading modern Empire (Hardican) which can no longer hope to hold onto its many trading acquisitions but does have considerable strength and resources.  There is a much older empire that has been in decline for centuries (Nordovician) and is now the East Indies Trade Federation most of whose members are dominated by the Nordovician ruling class and includes the PDC (Pays De Cheval) now under attack by Doza.

PDC forces using WW1 U.S.A

The major communist power is Tobaria, which has been slapped back in the past when attempting to expand. By moving in with the allies in the war some thirty years previously, has gained some trust, trade and ground with the above two powers.  Idealogically, Tobaria stands as supporter of all communist regimes and opponent of all right wing facism. With a recent arms embargo lifted, it has sold some weapons to states it regards as potential supporters.

 Tobarian hardware on show

Those sales innclude some among the allies, particularly the Bartragian led Northern Allied Defence and Confederation (NADAC) whose members are Bartragian, Saxonia, Lander, Raga, Lazadon and Draga.  They are close allies of Hardica as are the other power on the allied side, the Memmonian and Janazian Union. (or U.S.M.J). The two key states in this alliance are similar to Australia and South Africa, an unusual but close pairing based on states grown completely by migrants, the sparse, undeveloped indigenous population largely excluded from government until very recently.

Hardica use UK troops (1/35 here)

Leading the facist block are Volcia and Montamar, both governed through the old imperial Samedes family. They also hold other land including the trade and secular political control of The Grand Duchy of Hanneberg where power is shared with the Papacy.  The right wing allies include Bank-Nar and, until the last war, Tarlinken, one of the largest overthrown governments.

Volcian armour on display

Probably backing the right wing is the Papacy which has its own forces, the Papal Legion. This varying force is hard to keep track of but certainly includes the templars who have historically retained armies and consider themselves part of the papal force. They are believed to have the most extensive espionage network of any world power.   The legion or templars or both are present in many cities of the world, supporting "good Catholic governments".

Add to this, then, two new and ambitious powers - Doza, a French-like country long harbouring aspirations and grievances with the East Indies and others, Nipoor (Japan) always feeling constrained in its back yard and beaten out of crumbling Cathay(China) by the allies twice in recent years, Nipoor has a grudge.  Lednik is a state born out of a harsh left wing oligarchy, Lednikby.  Lednikby is now a potentially stronger communist state shored up by Tobaria whuile Lednik was left free, supported by Hardica and others.  It is suspicious of its neighbours and wants to create a stable, strong state, independent in its own right.

 Nipoor troops (again 1/35 shown here)

And French 1/35 being a Dozan heavy weapons squad.

Then there are established powers such as Surmey (Turkey) who sees itself as master of North Tropicania and a major power when in truth, it has become out of date.  There is Handarus (Spain like) once part of the Grand Duchy of Hanneberg but now independent and stretching its muscles as is Esjamer, also formerly under Volcia and Hanneberg but while independent and having a friendship with Handarus and the alliance, has a strong right wing majority.  Littesburg (Swiss type alliance) once masters of war for the old empire, now independent and neutral, disturbed at the peril of those who dare. Their final intervention in the last war was the other major factor in peace being concluded.  Having a standing army of some size, they are respected.  Cathay has potential but its imperial throne cannot hold it much longer as the people threaten to overthrow the old ways and embrace communism.

Dalmania, Valdaria and Rosgovia are all former states of the old Nordovician Empire now independent. They have some views of their own as to where they might end up after another conflict.

Preparing for the various scenarios has meant taking a long review of whether I have enough of a spread of equipment, troops and scenery. It's not the same as choosing two protaganists for a short war or scenario series.  When I have a bit of a war, I like each side to have its own distinct forces. At least, most of the time.

That has led to me acquiring a lot more 1/72 troops (my choice as the general troop scale.) Boxes started appearing in the room where I work on preparing for the games.  Each box represents a national force or a part of it, in the larger cases.  For Doza, I already had some French tanks and afvs (Schneider armoured half-tracks and Panhard APC).  I had a box of Italian WW2 infantry set aside from a long time back (for want at the time of being able to access French WW2). I saw no reason to change and set about creating a battalion plus using the Italians, the specific French equipment and some general vehicles.

I had some French AFVs already

Buying French aircraft then became a commitment.  I didn't have a good selection so I decided to add to my Morane-Saulnier with some more modern dewoitine d520s, eventually buying 3 on eBay for very good prices and I was given an Olivier et Liore medium bomber as part of a birthday present, which was perfect.  (I am fortunate that some of the family and friends understand the wargaming thing.  My son and his fiancee have added considerably to my collection.)

Olivier & Liore LeO Medium Bomber with Morane escort.

That was just to get the first set of scenarios under way.  I have worked, slowly on painting all the troops involved and adding the odd piece.  The French-style farmhouse, originally a piece for Napoleonic warfare was customised, slightly and tiled for ease of use in time for the Aucherre scenario.  

For the drive to attack Semille, the final part of the scenario set, I decided it was time I had some railway evident.  I have been impressed by the way some of the guys use trains in scenarios, such as Trebian who has used them in different theatres of war with great success.

I had no railway and no rolling stock. My model railway went long ago to raise money for troops.

So, I was particularly pleased to acquire about 40 pieces or HO/OO track on eBay for a mere £3.  That has to be a bargain.  As well. I wouldn't have paid a lot for something that is going to sit unused being just scenery. But the good part, I think, is that having a good standard size, I can now buy trains and suitable rolling stock for games involving a goods yard, attacking a shipment and, eventually, maybe an armoured train with flak or a nice artillery piece fitted to a suitable low loader wagon.

As all wargamers will know - you're always on the lookout for the next piece you want ;)