Slitherine

August 6, 1940, Norway

German forces enter Oslo and the Norwegians surrender. Upon hearing of the armistice, the BEF division occupies Trondheim and begins to set up defensive positions.



Atlantic, Northern Convoy Route, RN Escort Group 1

Entire RN Atlantic fleet is sent to link up with the Convoy PQ-43 and escort them safely to Glasgow. Chances of invasion are considered slim so no ships are deemed necessary for coastal defense.

August 26, 1940, War Office

The long planned expansion of the Royal Navy is finaly getting started. Two destroyer squadrons are order from the shipyards and will be available, together with the new battleship squadron, in early 1941.



September 15, 1940, Mediterranean, RAF Malta Command

Recon planes based on Malta spot the first German movements on the Mediterranean. Likely a mechanized or panzer formation is sealifted to Libya through the port of Benghazi. Also, a detachment of Luftwaffe fighters has been spotted in Sicily and assumed to be en route to Libya. RN 2nd Submarine Flotilla performs a port raid with minimal results.

October 5, 1940, Mediterranean, Port of Benghazi, RN 2nd Submarine Flotilla

Italians move more troops to Libya and RN submarines conduct another port raid against the transports sinking several ships.



October 25, 1940, London Times, News Bulletin

Calm and quite on all fronts! What is the Jerry up to?


November 14, 1940, War Office

Latest production figures arrive from the War Office. Although U-boats have been ominously quiet for several weeks now PM Churchill is anxiously waiting for the new ships to escort those much needed convoys. Additional fighter planes and a mechanized formation are soon to be deployed. According to latest GHQ plans these forces are to be deployed in Eqypt to defend it from possible Italo-German incursion.



December 4, 1940, Norway, Trondheim, 1st BEF Division

The German build up for an assault against BEF stronghold in Trondheim is soon complete. Poor lads won't win in the end but certainly they can put up a fight!

December 24, 1940, Norway, Trondheim, 1st BEF Div. HQ

What a sad way to spend Christmas getting bombed by the relentless Luftwaffe. No ground assault yet but surely it is coming soon.



War Office

The PM is jubilant with all the new goodies. New DD squadrons are deployed in Canada together with the 2nd Fighter Group and II Mechanized Corps (Canadian). They will head for Eqypt as soon as rest of the fleet arrives for escort. The new BB squadron will join the fleet in Plymouth.

Sorry to hear about the Christmas plight of the Trondheim defenders. At least, I am pretty sure that
they'll have snow and can enjoy a white Christmas.

I am enjoying this AAR greatly and am picking up valuable tips to help me improve my poor Allied play.
Keep it up!

January 13, 1941, Norway, Trondheim, 1st BEF Div. HQ

German ground assault begins with air support and the 1st Division takes significant losses. Reinforcements are drawn from locals but they won't be able to hold on much longer.


Atlantic, 1st Fleet

After getting two squadrons past without an incident next three run into a u-boat wall sitting on the central convoy route. This leaves the fleet awkwardly positioned and vulnerable to further u-boat runs, especially the southernmost BB squadron. Coastal Command bombers are moved into covering positions from Ireland. Decision to deploy the new DD squadrons to Canada turned out to be a bad one.


War Office

Commonwealth Science Division presentation of research as of January 1941.


And US and Soviet research courtesy of 'informants'.

February 2, 1941, Norway, Trondheim, 1st BEF Div. HQ

Another German assault against the brave defenders of Trondheim. Divisional HQ informs that next attack is likely to capture the city and that last reinforcements from the local volunteers have been drawn.


Yugoslavia, Belgrade, Yugoslav High Command

The Germans have launched a surprise invasion with the aid of their Hungarian and Romanian allies. The capital is almost encircled and it is likely no more reinforcements will make it in time to aid the city. Defenders can only hope that typical muddy February weather returns to slow down the invaders.


Atlantic, 1st Fleet

As expected, bad positioning of the fleet has prompted a German response against most exposed unit, the 5th BB Squadron. Several ships take significant damage and, together with the rest of the fleet, are forced back to Britain. No counterattack is possible since Coastal Command is just out of effective range. Since the repairs of the fleet will take fair amount of time the DDs from Canada are sent back to Britain via northern route and a new Tactical Bomber Group is ordered from the War Office. Bombers will join other reinforcements slated for the Western Desert Force.