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Post by redrobin65 on Oct 8, 2018 20:20:40 GMT
Operation TIGER was a joint Anglo-French offensive in Belgium that began on May 21st. The main goal was to cut off and destroy the German Sixth Army which occupied most of that country.
The Sixth Army had taken moderate casualties pushing through Belgium, taking Brussels, and reaching the Scheldt. However, it was now spread all over the central and southern parts of that country, facing heavy air attacks and shortages of fresh supplies. That being said, they were still in better shape than the Eighteenth Army in the Netherlands and the Fourth and Twelfth Armies in the Ardennes and on the Meuse.
Lead by the Cavalry Corps (2nd and 3rd Light Mechanized Divisions) the French First Army pushed up towards Mons, facing scattered resistance from a regiment of German soldiers, part of the 15th Infantry Division. The rest of that formation arrived soon after and found itself outmatched and outgunned. Their 37mm anti-tank guns were inadequate against H39s and S35s. The 15th division attempted a retreat which soon turned into a rout. Having dealt with the 15th Division, the French continued northwards, capturing Mons and Charleroi.
In Brussels, General Walther von Reichenau was alarmed. The French push from the south could potentially cut off Sixth Army from Germany. In addition, the British were coming in from the west. To shorten German lines, he ordered that units along the Scheldt make a fighting withdrawal while efforts would be made to push the French back in the south.
The British 5th Infantry Division captured Merelbeke while the 1st Armoured Division with the 1st, 2nd, and 48th Infantry Divisions (I Corps) drove for Brussels. The German XI Corps put up stiff resistance to the British attack, but came off worse from the fight and withdrew. The RAF pummeled XI Corps as it made a beeline towards Aalst. This unintentionally delayed British ground units as they were forced to clear burning vehicles from the roads.
Slowly but surely, Operation TIGER was showing signs of success. It took four days, but the German XVI Corps was split in two; 4th Infantry Division and 4th Panzer were at Waterloo, while 33rd Infantry and 3rd Panzer were near Halle, with a French infantry Division occupying the road between them. Waterloo became a battlefield once again, with the French Cavalry Corps attacking the Germans. The German forces fought hard. There were no Panzer IVs here, only IIs and IIIs. Both sides took heavy casualties, but the French came out on top, with the Germans being forced to withdraw.
The German 31st and 253rd Infantry Divisions managed to escape from Aalst before the British 1st Armoured Division cut off the main road to the town, while artillery and airstrikes began to punish the 7th and 211th Infantry Divisions inside. Seeing that there was no chance of escape and suffering heavy casualties, General Joachim von Kortzfliesch ordered both divisions to lay down their arms. He and 28,000 of his men would end up as British prisoners.
Around Brussels, General von Reichenau had managed to assemble a substantial force. The decimated 4th Infantry and 4th Panzer Divisions, the 33rd Infantry and 3rd Panzer Divisions, the 31st, 253rd, and 269th Infantry Divisions. This was all that was left of the once powerful German Sixth Army. Von Reichenau wasn’t stupid and would retreat. It had taken plenty of begging in Berlin, but Hitler had finally relented.
As the Anglo-French force moved to encircle Brussels, the remnants of the German Sixth Army made their move. Seven divisions either attacked Allied troops in their way or drove forwards. A temporary breakthrough was made, but that particular gap was quickly closed. The German forces remaining in the pocket surrendered two days later, having run out of ammunition and medical supplies.
The Allies had liberated a substantial portion of Belgium, even though serious casualties were taken. In the following weeks, the Allied formations attempted to drive towards the Albert Canal, but German reinforcements stopped them. Either way, this was a great victory for the Allies. Screaming would be heard in Berlin.
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Post by redrobin65 on Oct 8, 2018 20:21:27 GMT
 The Frontline after TIGER. |
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Oct 8, 2018 22:10:20 GMT
redrobin65
Good update and another clear success for the allies. Further damage done to the German forces, material and morale. Also a boost for the Belgians in seeing some of their country liberated although much is still in enemy hands.
I wonder about the career prospects of Reichenau as I doubt they will be good after that retreat. This early in the war and without the OTL victories in the west to boost Hitler's status action again Reichenau is likely to make at least some other generals thoughtful, especially since IIRC he was a staunch Nazi.
Love the irony of a new battle at Waterloo.  Quite happy to have the French win that one.
With the relatively low production of German industry at this point and the large amount of material being lost their forces are probably substantially weakened already, no matter what Hitler might insist.
Steve
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Oct 9, 2018 2:45:44 GMT
Operation TIGER was a joint Anglo-French offensive in Belgium that began on May 21st. The main goal was to cut off and destroy the German Sixth Army which occupied most of that country.
The Sixth Army had taken moderate casualties pushing through Belgium, taking Brussels, and reaching the Scheldt. However, it was now spread all over the central and southern parts of that country, facing heavy air attacks and shortages of fresh supplies. That being said, they were still in better shape than the Eighteenth Army in the Netherlands and the Fourth and Twelfth Armies in the Ardennes and on the Meuse.
Lead by the Cavalry Corps (2nd and 3rd Light Mechanized Divisions) the French First Army pushed up towards Mons, facing scattered resistance from a regiment of German soldiers, part of the 15th Infantry Division. The rest of that formation arrived soon after and found itself outmatched and outgunned. Their 37mm anti-tank guns were inadequate against H39s and S35s. The 15th division attempted a retreat which soon turned into a rout. Having dealt with the 15th Division, the French continued northwards, capturing Mons and Charleroi.
In Brussels, General Walther von Reichenau was alarmed. The French push from the south could potentially cut off Sixth Army from Germany. In addition, the British were coming in from the west. To shorten German lines, he ordered that units along the Scheldt make a fighting withdrawal while efforts would be made to push the French back in the south.
The British 5th Infantry Division captured Merelbeke while the 1st Armoured Division with the 1st, 2nd, and 48th Infantry Divisions (I Corps) drove for Brussels. The German XI Corps put up stiff resistance to the British attack, but came off worse from the fight and withdrew. The RAF pummeled XI Corps as it made a beeline towards Aalst. This unintentionally delayed British ground units as they were forced to clear burning vehicles from the roads.
Slowly but surely, Operation TIGER was showing signs of success. It took four days, but the German XVI Corps was split in two; 4th Infantry Division and 4th Panzer were at Waterloo, while 33rd Infantry and 3rd Panzer were near Halle, with a French infantry Division occupying the road between them. Waterloo became a battlefield once again, with the French Cavalry Corps attacking the Germans. The German forces fought hard. There were no Panzer IVs here, only IIs and IIIs. Both sides took heavy casualties, but the French came out on top, with the Germans being forced to withdraw.
The German 31st and 253rd Infantry Divisions managed to escape from Aalst before the British 1st Armoured Division cut off the main road to the town, while artillery and airstrikes began to punish the 7th and 211th Infantry Divisions inside. Seeing that there was no chance of escape and suffering heavy casualties, General Joachim von Kortzfliesch ordered both divisions to lay down their arms. He and 28,000 of his men would end up as British prisoners.
Around Brussels, General von Reichenau had managed to assemble a substantial force. The decimated 4th Infantry and 4th Panzer Divisions, the 33rd Infantry and 3rd Panzer Divisions, the 31st, 253rd, and 269th Infantry Divisions. This was all that was left of the once powerful German Sixth Army. Von Reichenau wasn’t stupid and would retreat. It had taken plenty of begging in Berlin, but Hitler had finally relented.
As the Anglo-French force moved to encircle Brussels, the remnants of the German Sixth Army made their move. Seven divisions either attacked Allied troops in their way or drove forwards. A temporary breakthrough was made, but that particular gap was quickly closed. The German forces remaining in the pocket surrendered two days later, having run out of ammunition and medical supplies.
The Allies had liberated a substantial portion of Belgium, even though serious casualties were taken. In the following weeks, the Allied formations attempted to drive towards the Albert Canal, but German reinforcements stopped them. Either way, this was a great victory for the Allies. Screaming would be heard in Berlin.
Nice update redrobin65. |
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Zyobot
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Post by Zyobot on Oct 20, 2018 20:57:19 GMT
I know that you've written stuff about downtime experiences with Canada, but I have to inquire anyway: What does downtime media make of the Great White North from 2018?
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Post by lordroel on Oct 20, 2018 21:01:38 GMT
I know that you've written stuff about downtime experiences with Canada, but I have to inquire anyway: What does downtime media make of the Great White North from 2018? Yes, i also would like to know redrobin65, is there live coverage of the war in Europe with Canadian journalist embedded with troops on the frontline. |
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Post by James G on Oct 20, 2018 21:02:42 GMT
I know that you've written stuff about downtime experiences with Canada, but I have to inquire anyway: What does downtime media make of the Great White North from 2018? I would guess that it would be something along the lines of... 'the Spawn of Satan!' I'm not sure if redrobin65 would agree or not though. |
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Zyobot
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Post by Zyobot on Oct 20, 2018 21:12:08 GMT
I know that you've written stuff about downtime experiences with Canada, but I have to inquire anyway: What does downtime media make of the Great White North from 2018? I would guess that it would be something along the lines of... 'the Spawn of Satan!' I'm not sure if redrobin65 would agree or not though. Probably that way when it comes to social positions (i.e. civil rights) and pop culture (i.e. mature themes in entertainment). I bet that uptimer technology, though, will generate amazement as well as eventual mixed feelings. For example, the very concept of the internet and all the stuff that people do with it will blow them out of the water, but I don't think that'll last too long as they become acquainted with its more...adult aspects. |
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Post by redrobin65 on Oct 20, 2018 23:37:08 GMT
I know that you've written stuff about downtime experiences with Canada, but I have to inquire anyway: What does downtime media make of the Great White North from 2018? I would guess that it would be something along the lines of... 'the Spawn of Satan!' I'm not sure if redrobin65 would agree or not though. Oh, I do. Considering that from Washington D.C., you can get Toronto radio stations (it's been like that since the 30s apparently), parts of downtime media will have a field day. |
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Zyobot
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Post by Zyobot on Oct 21, 2018 0:16:47 GMT
I would guess that it would be something along the lines of... 'the Spawn of Satan!' I'm not sure if redrobin65 would agree or not though. Oh, I do. Considering that from Washington D.C., you can get Toronto radio stations (it's been like that since the 30s apparently), parts of downtime media will have a field day. Oh-hoh-hoh-hoh, I cannot wait for that. |
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Oct 21, 2018 8:43:33 GMT
I would guess that it would be something along the lines of... 'the Spawn of Satan!' I'm not sure if redrobin65 would agree or not though. Oh, I do. Considering that from Washington D.C., you can get Toronto radio stations (it's been like that since the 30s apparently), parts of downtime media will have a field day.
As well as the reaction of the US to Canadian social values I wonder how many Americans, including many isolationist will react to the 'news' that after 45 the US becomes the world's No. 1 power with forces, influence and commitments all over the world. Or how the blacks and the conservative whites react to news of the end of racial segregation. Let alone the 44th President! [The 45th one might be less of a shock to them].
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Zyobot
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Post by Zyobot on Oct 21, 2018 14:08:11 GMT
Oh, I do. Considering that from Washington D.C., you can get Toronto radio stations (it's been like that since the 30s apparently), parts of downtime media will have a field day.
As well as the reaction of the US to Canadian social values I wonder how many Americans, including many isolationist will react to the 'news' that after 45 the US becomes the world's No. 1 power with forces, influence and commitments all over the world. Or how the blacks and the conservative whites react to news of the end of racial segregation. Let alone the 44th President! [The 45th one might be less of a shock to them].
In AH.com's As One Star Sets, Another Rises TL, an anti-uptimer movement called Movement for Traditional America forms in opposition to all of that stuff you mentioned. Something similar could very well manifest in this case, too. |
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Oct 21, 2018 17:10:07 GMT
As well as the reaction of the US to Canadian social values I wonder how many Americans, including many isolationist will react to the 'news' that after 45 the US becomes the world's No. 1 power with forces, influence and commitments all over the world. Or how the blacks and the conservative whites react to news of the end of racial segregation. Let alone the 44th President! [The 45th one might be less of a shock to them].
In AH.com's As One Star Sets, Another Rises TL, an anti-uptimer movement called Movement for Traditional America forms in opposition to all of that stuff you mentioned. Something similar could very well manifest in this case, too.
Very likely there will be some group like that. Not just in the old south I would fear and probably another resurgence of traditional groups such as the KKK. How much damage they would do I don't know. You might even seen an earlier ending of formal segregation and legal racism but things could also be a lot bloodier as well. Both because its earlier and also seen by some as an outside source and because a lot more than just racial discrimination would be involved. Sexual equality, abortion, legal homosexuality, environmental rules etc. There are a hell of a lot of things a broad range of conservatives will find objectionable. If enough of a coalition is formed then it could win, at least for a while and you might even find a form of Iron Curtain between Canada and the US. Ditto in terms of reactions in much of Europe although in some cases this might be moderated by reaction against the excesses of the Nazis and the fact the Canadians have do so much to win the war. Plus many will realise the material and economic advantages of working with Canada and getting the best access to its technology and knowledge.
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Zyobot
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Post by Zyobot on Oct 21, 2018 17:44:23 GMT
In AH.com's As One Star Sets, Another Rises TL, an anti-uptimer movement called Movement for Traditional America forms in opposition to all of that stuff you mentioned. Something similar could very well manifest in this case, too.
Very likely there will be some group like that. Not just in the old south I would fear and probably another resurgence of traditional groups such as the KKK. How much damage they would do I don't know. You might even seen an earlier ending of formal segregation and legal racism but things could also be a lot bloodier as well. Both because its earlier and also seen by some as an outside source and because a lot more than just racial discrimination would be involved. Sexual equality, abortion, legal homosexuality, environmental rules etc. There are a hell of a lot of things a broad range of conservatives will find objectionable. If enough of a coalition is formed then it could win, at least for a while and you might even find a form of Iron Curtain between Canada and the US. Ditto in terms of reactions in much of Europe although in some cases this might be moderated by reaction against the excesses of the Nazis and the fact the Canadians have do so much to win the war. Plus many will realise the material and economic advantages of working with Canada and getting the best access to its technology and knowledge.
Your predictions are interesting. Although, I wonder if downtime authorities and moral guardians might be hesitant to wholeheartedly accept uptime technology--such as internet and computers--as it is due to the more...adult materials that they make casually and instantaneously accessible to the average user. If anything, I think they'd want it to be significantly more controlled than IOTL. 40s America's approach to so many uptime Americans staying in Canada will be interesting. I predict a mix of "good, keep them degenerates out" and worry about the overseas professionals that are in Canadian hands. Much the same concernment applies to 2018 US military personnel who were in Canada when the ISOT occurred. Do they stick with the socio-culturally similar uptimers, or (reluctantly) pledge fealty to 70-something-years-behind Washington, DC? |
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Oct 21, 2018 17:50:58 GMT
Very likely there will be some group like that. Not just in the old south I would fear and probably another resurgence of traditional groups such as the KKK. How much damage they would do I don't know. You might even seen an earlier ending of formal segregation and legal racism but things could also be a lot bloodier as well. Both because its earlier and also seen by some as an outside source and because a lot more than just racial discrimination would be involved. Sexual equality, abortion, legal homosexuality, environmental rules etc. There are a hell of a lot of things a broad range of conservatives will find objectionable. If enough of a coalition is formed then it could win, at least for a while and you might even find a form of Iron Curtain between Canada and the US. Ditto in terms of reactions in much of Europe although in some cases this might be moderated by reaction against the excesses of the Nazis and the fact the Canadians have do so much to win the war. Plus many will realise the material and economic advantages of working with Canada and getting the best access to its technology and knowledge.
Your predictions are interesting. Although, I wonder if downtime authorities and moral guardians might be hesitant to wholeheartedly accept uptime technology--such as internet and computers--as it is due to the more...adult materials that they make casually and instantaneously accessible to the average user. If anything, I think they'd want it to be significantly more controlled than IOTL. 40s America's approach to so many uptime Americans staying in Canada will be interesting. I predict a mix of "good, keep them degenerates out" and worry about the overseas professionals that are in Canadian hands. Much the same concernment applies to 2018 US military personnel who were in Canada when the ISOT occurred. Do they stick with the socio-culturally similar uptimers, or (reluctantly) pledge fealty to 70-something-years-behind Washington, DC? Still want to know what happen to USS Little Rock, who was stuck in Montreal when the event happenend. /arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/CAAYU2AHFZEGVIND6GNYBOWKVQ.jpg) |
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Quite happy to have the French win that one.
