Hoi 4 Chapter 18

Chapter 18 - Nov 1945: The Thursday of Terror

With news of the bombing of Istanbul circling the globe, support for the war dwindles in many allied nations. Terres du Nord, Canada, and the Dominican Republic, all three of which have contributed next to no lives to the war, and thus do not understand fully the horrors of the frontlines of Europe, protest against the war, threatening to pull out of the war. None of them go through with it; the US, with its nuclear arms and now massive army, is the most fearsome force the world has ever seen, and being in their Anglo Alliance is guaranteed protection. For now, they remain in the alliance.

The American people are less impressed with Eternien. Many do not care about a city thousands of miles from them, but many others reject the deplorable idea of destroying an entire ancient city. The media has a field day against Eternien, and several prominent opponents demand his resignation or call for his impeachment, something that has never happened before in US history. His approval ratings hit a low of 24%, something else that has never happened before. General TBC, one of those most fiercely against the bombing, is relieved of command after very publicly denouncing it and refusing the orders to continue pushing onward. In his stead is General Forster, former commander of 4th Mobile Army.

Even as Istanbul still smolders, a third bomb is in production. The Stali Pact has also been messaged again, demanding surrender and saying a third strike is imminent if surrender does not come soon. The earliest date of the next strike is set to be New Years day, 1946. President Kornilov does not respond to the demands. He and the Chinese Prime Minister do not plan on losing this war, as badly as it seems to be going for them. Kornilov hosts a Stali Convention in Novosibirsk with the remaining Stali members except Eretna's President Pasha.

The push into Stali territory continues. Eretna is in disarray after the strike, and they face several mutinies within their ranks. Their front begins to collapse and Anglo troops push northward. Even though it looks like Russia and Eretna are not able to defend against the Anglos, the issue of China is still at the back of everyone's mind. This war has claimed millions, not even counting civilian casualties. China, the most populated country on earth, will surely be carnage on a whole other scale.

In Australia, Haiti and Britain have taken the main island from the Stali and have invaded New Zealand, which was taken by Castille many months ago. Castillian New Guinea is invaded by Haiti, leaving very little territory left to Castille.

The Kenyan government, providing only material aid to the Stali Pact, sends an encoded message to President Eternien and the US government. They do not want to support the losing side any longer. Kenya will leave the Stali Pact and join the Anglo Alliance. Their price, Haitian Somaliland and the Castillian Indian Ocean islands, once the war is over. Haiti will not be happy about losing Somaliland, but other colonial gains in the war will satisfy them. Eternien is in agreement, and the Swahili join the war.

Eretna capitulates on the 16th of November. Americans arrive in their capital of Eskishehir to find a horrifying scene; President Pasha was hanging above the parliament building, his body burned. His own people, it seemed, learned of the ignored ultimatum he received and revolted. They dragged him and his house members from the parliament and killed them in the street. Now only Sweden stands with Russia in the west. One by one, the Stali nations are falling before the might of the Anglo military forces.

The first squadron of P-80 jet fighters are ready for combat on the 18th, and they are sent to assist in the air battle of Ukraine. So far, Russia has maintained air superiority over the area, and the fighters present have been struggling. This will be the first test of jet engine technology in warfare.

The Caucasus region is lightly guarded by Russian an Chinese soldiers, and the front is quickly expanded. Now, Russia is fighting a war of two fronts.

Castille surrenders at last as their defunct capital in New Zealand is taken by the British. Russia, China, Sweden, and the newly independent Korea are all that remain.

By this point, about 13 months into the war, 18 million soldiers have died, across 4 different continents. The world war seems far from over, with the vast stretches of the Russian motherland still to conquer. The Russian winter begins setting in, and tanks and trucks find it less easy to maneuver as mud replaces the dirt of the inner Russian roads.

The same goes for the Swedish and Hungarian fronts. Only the Caucasian front is still making steady progress.

Since there is no longer any requirement for naval invasions in Europe, the Marines are moved to British India to prepare for the invasion of Indochina. General Zen is given command of all forces to be involved in the invasion. A passage from a letter he sent to President Eternien prior to the appointment read:

"China will be expecting an attack from their east coast, given the proximity of the Philippines. What must be done now is a feint move in the east to draw their attention from Indochina and allow our troops quick access to the southern Chinese territories. From there, China's soft underbelly will be easily cut through."
-General Phoenix Zen, 4th Marine Army

The first day of 1946 blooms bright and freezing cold on the Russian front. A telegram arrives at the capital of the US, from President Kornilov of Russia. Russia offers a conditional surrender, wherein Russia will renounce its claim on the UBP's territory and pay moderate reparations to the victorious Anglo Alliance nations. However, the Russian government will remain in power, as will the governments of Hungary, Sweden, Eretna, Castille, Prussia, and China. All their core lands will be returned. Only colonies will be surrendered.

Eternien rejects the demands immediately. However, despite its absurdity, the existence of the telegram is kept a secret. If the public knew the Stali Pact was willing to negotiate surrender, regardless of the conditions, and they learned the president had rejected it without second thought, the US would see riots like that of the Covenant War.

By this time, 3 new bombs are ready to be deployed. The next target is chosen: the Chinese city of Hong Kong. It is time that the Chinese feel the heat of the bomb on their own soil, Eternien says. Perhaps this will convince them to sue for peace. His advisers urge him, this time, to wait. The American people are still adamantly against any more nuclear strikes after Istanbul, and dropping another could mean riots or impeachment.

On the 2nd of January, in a truly perplexing move, the US government, Britain, and the Teutonic Order receive telegrams from the Stali Pact, telling them to surrender. The Anglo nations disregard the demands without a thought.

Then, the next day, the Stali intention becomes clear. Manila is obliterated in a blinding flash of light from the 50 kiloton bomb dropped from the Chinese bomber. 25 thousand Americans, 1300 of them soldiers, and 120 thousand natives are killed by the blast and the subsequent fire. China is now a nuclear armed nation. An hour later, Copenhagen is hit with an equally strong Russian bomb, and 95 thousand British citizens and 2000 British troops are killed.

That Thursday of Terror ends with 250 thousand dead Anglo troops and citizens.