Hoi 4 Chapter 19

Chapter 19 - Jan 1946: The Fall of Sweden

The Stali Pact's double strike is a huge blow against the Anglo Alliance. The British citizens cry for the destruction of the Stali Pact, and there is already talk of independence coming from the Philippines. It is obvious that the end of the war must come soon, or the world will spiral into chaos.

The disowned General TBC is called to court a few days after he returns to the states. President Eternien, stubborn in his stand against TBC's refusal to follow orders, intends on a quick trial, but the US citizens do not agree. Overwhelming support for the man pours in, and he becomes a sort of patron saint to many. The media quickly circulate an excerpt from a letter he sent to General Zen before his trial:

"I am now but a disgraced general. On the things I've done, and many were not noble, I stand resolute. I acted not as a general of the US army, but as a man. This war is likely to turn the world to dust, and I will take no more part in aiding the destroyers of either side. I do not know what warfare of the next war will look like, but it seems destined to be fought with sticks and stones.

I care not what they do to me. I only hold hope in my heart that these men, they who so strongly wish to be crowned King of the Ashes, can put the world back together once the last bomb has dropped.

-General Titus TBC"

Approval ratings for President Eternien fall as support for TBC rises. Unlike Russia's first strike, the recent attacks are blamed squarely on the president for allowing this to happen; millions have died, yet Eternien continues the fight. For the first time, a pro-surrender movement gains traction in the US.

Eternien meets with his advisers on the 4th after receiving the Kornilov Telegram requesting a conference to resolve the issue of nuclear weapons. Of his closest advisers, the majority strongly suggest striking China in retaliation for the bombing of the Philippines. It would be seen as protective by the Filipinos, but as more useless destruction by the rest of the world. With majority support, Eternien approves striking against China. However, he receives a letter from General Zen imploring him to seek a different target. Hong Kong will be vital in the upcoming invasion of China, and a ruined city, covered by the little understood radiation caused by a nuclear bomb, would be of little use. The president agrees that a new target must be found.

The combat in Europe escalates as the end of the war nears. Despite the continuation with the nuclear plans, territory must be taken. In Sweden, the men push forward through frigid temperatures, wearing thick fur coats that do little against the arctic winds.

In Russia, the sweep west and north to capture those trapped in the remains of Hungary continues, but all priority is given to haste, rather than to caution. It is bloodier combat, but the lines move forward more quickly. In fact, the ruins of Moscow are taken on the 22nd of January. The shell of Red Square is almost indistinguishable from the rest of the city; the bomb detonated nearly directly above it by coincidence.

The invasion of China will begin once 31 fresh divisions arrive from the East Coast. At that point, Indochina will be hit. Air superiority is necessary, and the Chinese still possess around 10 thousand planes. For the moment, the US Air Corps in Asia works at clearing the skies over the Indian Ocean to allow the invasion to happen without impediment. The South China Sea is also flooded with fighters, as to continue the diversion in the east. Hundreds of Chinese planes are shot down every day of the campaign.

The port city of Fujian is chosen as the next target. It is not as populated as other cities in China, but it houses the largest military base in the country. It also houses much of the Chinese Navy, which fled there to escape the US Navy.

Unlike the last strikes, an ultimatum is not sent to China. They are unaware of what is about to befall one of their cities. The bomber leaves one of the surviving airbases in the north of the Philippines and gets through the anti air it meets on the way to the city. It drops a 50kt nuclear bomb early in the morning, killing 150 thousand people, destroying 3 capital ships and 10 screens.

The news increases support for General TBC, and those who still clung to the notion that Eternien was would find a more civil end to the war turn on him. The February 2nd Dover Riots are the biggest in US history, and 100 thousand people take to the streets to show their displeasure at the administration.

In other parts of the country, more riots break out. Just like the Autumn Riots, production goes down on all military materials. On February 3rd, General TBC's trial begins.

Hungary is enveloped by mid February, and the pocket is created in the Ukraine. It is estimated that over a hundred thousand Stali troops are trapped behind our lines.

They surrender a few days later, all 150 thousand of them throwing their arms down. Another pocket of equal size is created to the east, and it too begins to close. The war has become a 1 front war for Russia once again, now that the Caucus and European lines have combined.

Sweden falls on the 27th of February, as their temporary capital of Mikkeli is entered. The Stali Pact has been nearly completely ousted from Europe. The fall does little to sway Eternien's opposition to his side. The riots, which killed several dozen across the nation and caused millions in damages, have since become peaceful, albeit loud, protests in most major cities. Production is still down on military good, but the stockpiles should be able to hold out for a few months at least.

General TBC's trial takes place on Fort Verigan, just north of Dover. Constant protests take place outside the fort, and several national guard units arrive to ensure the base's safety. The next election is just months away, and it is doubtless that Eternien will lose. In an attempt to gain some favor from the people, he pardons General TBC publicly, removing all guilt from the man. TBC retires and returns to his family.

General Zen's Army Group pushes up north into Russia, and by this point, there is little Russia can do to stop the flood of Anglo troops into the country.

On the 21st of March, the invasion of Indochina begins.