Aftenposten: A Norwegian Chronicle

[jmazur]

This is my first attempt at an AAR so please excuse me if I'm obviously newbish to writing an AAR.

Scenario: 1936
Version: 1.05C CORE 0.6
Difficuly: Normal
Aggresion: Aggressive

Aftenposten January 2, 1936

Norwegian Cabinet Assembled in Oslo - National

Oslo – The Norwegian cabinet was brought together today in it’s annual State of the Nation meeting to put forth Norwegian domestic and foreign policy for the coming year. In attendance were Prime Minister Johan Nygaardsvold, Foreign Minister Halvdan Koht, State Minister Adolf Indrebo, and Defense Minister Trygve Lie.

The Norwegian government had several issues to deal with. On the home front, rising unemployment, corporate corruption, and the plummeting of the Norwegian currency were the hot topics, and dominated discussion while foreign policy seemed to fall by the wayside. After several hours of closed door meeting, Prime Minister Nygaardsvold held a press briefing.

In an opening remark, the Prime Minister stated with a confident gusto, “As we begin a new year, we face numerous challenges ahead to be faced with vigor and determination , not only by your elected government, but by the people themselves. On the forefront of people’s minds is the improvement and advancement of life for the common Norwegian. For that reason, I’m proud to announce several new initiatives that have been fleshed out here today.”


Prime Minister Johan Nygaardsvold preparing for cabinet meeting.

Although generally vague in detail, the Prime Minister did enumerated several potential new policy changes. Among them was a new social program designed to support low and middle income Norwegian’s during tough economic times. “We’re looking at expanding numerous social programs such as medical, food, and educational assistance, and will, in the near future, look to funnel much needed fund into those programs to boast our fledging economy,” said Nygaardsvold in laying out the main focus of policy for the coming year.

In another policy shift, it was announced that Norway would end their severe trade restrictions, and open up there industrial market to the international community. The high end import tariff’s that have forced the country to rely almost exclusively on locally produced materials would be reduced or possibly ended all together. “If you look at our industrial base, we simply can’t do it by ourselves anymore. “Our industrial base is coming apart at the seams primarily because what’s needed as far as material’s simply isn’t there. And that’s why it’s imperative that we open up our market’s to get those materials in. It’s good for business, and business is good for our people,” said State Minister Indrebo as he responded to a question concerning the economy.

With unemployment hovering around 15%, the public was clamoring for relief and they may have found it today. Although the administration was short on details, coming out of the meeting with only words and rhetoric rather then a definite plan, general reaction was positive.

In the Northern provinces, unemployment is of particular concern as it’s 6 percentage points higher then the national average. “We need jobs. Not next year, not next month. We need them now,” was the plead of Hans Hebrafold, an unemployed factory worker in the city of Hammerfest.

Little else was announced after the meeting, particularly of concern on the international stage was the recent coming to power of Adolf Hitler in Germany. Generally, public opinion polls seem to indicate a disparaging interest in foreign affairs for the Norwegian people with as many as 63% of the people stating the economy was their number one concern and only 12% of the people placing foreign policy as their top concern.

With Parliament scheduled to conveine for the new year on January 10th it’s expected for the administration to submit some sort of legislation expounding upon their new found policy direction.

[jmazur]

Aftenposten January 8th, 1936

New Reform Introduced - National

Oslo - The Nygaardvold adminstration today submitted an extensive social reform program today to Parliment in line with the policy directives set forth in the State of the Nation meeting held on January 1st.

The major legislative points contained within the legislation is primarily focused on increasing spending on social programs.
The bill allocates addition spending for education, medical care, and food programs. "The goal is to provide for the populace in areas that are needed until the economy picks up again," said Press Secretary Leo Grunvold as he announced the introduction of the bill posthumously tagged as the New Reform.

Drilled as to how a fledging goverment could possibly pay for such a drastic increase in goverment spending, Grunvold responsed that to generate additional revenue in the near future the Norwegian market would be opened to the internation market in a supplemental bill.

"We recognize that in order to up the supply reserve of the nation that will then be funneled to needed social programs that
we've proposed, we have to cover those expenses. We've prepared for that eventuallity, and in a few days the Prime Minister will unveil a repeal of import tariff's."

Among economic experts, it's been long speculated that the Norwegian steel industry would be opened to the foreign market.
Professor Geoffrey Man-Dei of Oslo's School of Economics and Business expolated that thought, "By opening the mammoth Norwegian steel industry to the foreign market, it serves a two prong objective. One, to tap an enormous source of revenue for the state. And two, to bring in the much needed resources our industries require."

"The general hope is that by subsidising the nation's supplies for social programs coupled with the induction of foreign resources,
the Norwegian economy will begin to make a recovery. We're looking at a serious attempt by the adminstration to turn the
country around here. Their policies are sound, and I suspect that within a year we'll have a substantial increase in employment,
industrial capacity, and supplies," speculated Man-Dei.

Precisely what this all means in terms of action will be determined within a few days as Parliment is set to come to session
on the 10th to take up the New Reform legislation.

[jmazur]

Aftenposten January 16, 1936

New Reform Passed - National

Oslo - The Norwegian Chamber yesterday passed Prime Minister Nygaardsvold's New Reform package. The vote was a resouding 92-8.

With the passage of the bill, major social program assistance will be distributed throughout the nation. Specifically, the bill calls for a 100% increase in supply spending from 700 tons to 1,400 tons per day.

As Norway's supply reserves increase, certain areas of the economy and social programs will be finianced. In particular, the areas to be targeted are education, food subsidises, infastructure, and employment services.

"What's critical to the economy is both infastructure elevation and employment assistance because as you proliferate the movement of goods, you create jobs thus making employment assistance viable. That's how they tie in," economist Wilfred Lutz commented.

Although it's unclear what areas will be targeted, "it's a fair assessment that the areas in most need are Hammerfest and Vardo in the north," Lutz went on to say, where unemployment is considerably higher then the national average.

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Sounds Like Facism to Me - Editorial

As the New Reform is applauded by many, in a few circles it's being jeered as a move towards facism. As Norwegians, we've always held a sense of pride in our indepence, our individuality, yet always swore to a national allegiance. Until now, we've managed to keep those two things seperated by an understanding of where it might lead us if they ever crossed paths.

To me, the New Reform sounds more like a grab by the government to have tighter control on everyday Norwegian life. We have to look closely at it, but it's there for everyone to see.

The administration has coyly managed to make it seem like just another spending expenditure when in fact they've created a method for our politicians to control every basic service and good we need and use.

We asked for assistance by the government for what we need, but we didn't ask them to take over how we get those commodities and services.

[FedeLy]

Looks good, keep up the good work.

[iBaLkiD]

I likey I likey alot. Funny how most AAR's with the disclaimer, "im not that good","its my first AAR so be kind", always end up being great AAR's.

Nice start.

[jmazur]

Aftenposten

February 2, 1936

Defense Contract For Bid - National

Oslo - The Army yesterday revealed yesterday in a memo released to the press that it is currently accepting bids for two defense systems.

The first calls for a complete upgrade of the infantry equipment and arsenal. The proposed contract calls for a new standard issue service rifle, fort extraction weaponary, and an infantry anti-tank device.

The second system called for the introduction of a functional battlefield C3I system or Command, Control, Communication, and Intelligence.

"The military recognizes that due to our geographical make-up, C3I is essential to the continued effectiveness and home defense of the Norwegian Army," read the Defense memo.

Competing companies include Fiord Arms and Bergen Military Designs. Although, experts question whether it is within the technological capabilities of a Norwegian firm to develop a functional, capable C3I system, and have suggested that the Army might seek foreign bids for that arena.

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February 5, 1936

Norway Opens to Foreign Markets - Business

Oslo - In an expected move, the Nygaardsvold administration repealed it's crushing import tariff's in a move to open up the Norwegian market to foreign competition.

With a surplus of steel commodities while lacking other crucial resources, such as oil, coal, and textiles, the move couldn't have come at a better time.

"This spells good times for the economy," gloated Press Secretary Leo Grunvold. "Our industries can now acquire the goods they need to function effeciently."

Up until now, Norwegian foreign trade was limited at best. In the last year, the manufacturing industry has seen numerous companies implement massive lay-offs, not because work wasn't available but because of a lack of materials to complete what work there was.

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February 23, 1936

Foreign Trade Soars - Business

Oslo - Only three weeks after the government ended import tariffs, Norway's trade has skyrocketed as the foreign market has opened up.

The backbone of Norway's economy, the steel industry, is already exporting massive amounts of their cash resource. On average 7,500 tons of Norwegian steel is shipped overseas daily.

In return, the much needed resources the nation has lacked are being imported at record numbers. In an economic report released yesterday, 600 tons of textiles and 2,500 tons of coal are received from foreign traders each day.

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February 26, 1936

Stavenger Defense, Where's Ours? - Editorial

Without announcement, without fanfare, the Norwegian military allocated a sizable portion of the federal budget for coastal defense to begin with construction in the Stavenger province. Upon learning of this military expansion, I was outraged at the idea our government failed to have the common courtesy to make public such expenses.

Yet, what appalled me was how this administration choose to spend our money. Why, in such dire economic times, are valuable federal resources being spent on anything other then fixing this economic quagmire?

Sure Nygaardsvold's New Reform set the path towards economic recovery, but his latest spending spree threatens to derail the train.

I didn't recall hearing a public outcry for a national defense intiative, did you? This defense structure in Stavenger along with the proposed military contract down the road, spells doom for Norway.

To all those paranoid, conspiracy theorists who ramble on about the the dangers of facism and it's rise in Europe, I ask you how will we defend our nation if our people are too weak from hunger to fight?

[jmazur]

Aftenposten

March 8, 1936

Germany Flaunts Versailles Treaty - International

Geneva - In direct violation of the Versailles Treaty, two battalions of German troops reoccupied the Rhineland.


German soldiers marching into the Rhineland.

The Versailles Treaty, the armistice signed that ended the Great War, stipulated that German forces were restricted from occupied the area adajacent to the French border, in order to prevent further German aggression on the French mainland.

All of that seemingly became irrelevant with the provocative German advancement with the German military now situated only miles from the French mainland.

At the League of Nations assembly today numerous Allied nations formally protested the move, with the French Foreign Minister Pierre Laval condemning the action.

"The French government deplores the German action taken in the Rhineland. It is a direct violation to the terms of the Versailles Treaty and a threat to the stability of European sovereignty. We call on the League of Nations to respond immediately through diplomacy, and failing that, additional sanctions to ensure German compliance."


French Foreign Minister Laval at the League of Nations.

Such strong words were met with little action as French forces remained idle along the border. What was offered by all Nation members was condemnation of the situation, and promises to resolve the issue promptly through the League Assembly.

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May 5, 1936

Trade Markets Shift - Business

Oslo - The international trade market has in the last few weeks taken a dramatic turn for the worse. Textile products haven been severely reduced due to a lack of rubber on the free market.

The effect on Norway has been catastrophic as rubber reserves have dropped an estimated 30,000 tons. With no rubber production available in the country, Norway has depended on imported goods to sustain it's textile industry.

Until a several weeks ago, rubber imports to Norway were at an acceptable level of 600 tons daily. Now, they've plummeted to a few hundred.

To counter the move, many countries have shifted imports toward petroleum to fill the gap. "With enough oil, we can stem the tide of this loss using conversion techniques," Norwegian textile mogul Luke Gail stated at a local industry meeting in Oslo recently.

In his speech, Gail postulated that "this actually might, in the long run, prove to be beneficial. As technology advances, conversion will become more profitable,while at the same time build our energy reserves." He went on to theorize that "in the future, oil will be what drives our economy."

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May 24, 1936

Steel to Germany Cut - Business

Oslo - The government today announced it would be cutting back steel shipments to Germany as reserves have slipped to a record low of 18,100 tons.

Daily, 4,300 tons of steel per day were being supplied to the Germans as part of an economic agreement enacted several years ago. The reduction will put the shipments down to 2,300 ton per day.

During the day, Foreign Minister Halvdan Koht was asked if the move was a belated response to Germany's reoccupation of the Rhineland. "Absolutely not," he emphatically denied the charge. "We have a strong economic relationship with Germany and wish to continue that relationship. This is simply a reaction to our reserve levels."

[iBaLkiD]

Good lord son slow down!

Good stuff though. Alot to take in.

[jmazur]

It's my day off...I'm bored...

[iBaLkiD]

It really is a nice start. I like the editorial questioning the Gov's intentions.

What are your goals once Germany goes crazy? Will you help Finland? Will you join the war effort on the allies side?

[jmazur]

I'm not completely sure on how I intend to play Norway. Initially, I plan on playing somewhat of a pacifist nation, and then at some point gearing for war. What I haven't decided yet is if Norway gradually turns into a war monger(Sweden) or play it historical with the Allies. I guess alot of that depends on a German DOW.

But I suspect I'll be trying to withstand a German onslaught in 1940.

[iBaLkiD]

Keep cranking those industrial upgrades. I usually go up to 5, but with minors i tend to try and get most provinces to at least a 6 or 7. Not shure if its worth upgrading any further since you wont see any benefits in time to, erm well benefit your nation.

[jmazur]

Playing a minor I'll upgrade provinces to 3 up until it's time to start churning out some units which as you said will be needed eventually. But I prefer to play, as best I can, as if I have no knowledge of the impending doom that awaits me. Makes for a more difficult and intersting game.

[Lord British]

I must say, this is an extremely good AAR! Looking forward to the next update...

[Sgt. Schultz]

Great start, not enough Norwegian AAR'S keep it up!

[jmazur]

Aftenposten

July 2, 1936

Economic Report Released - National

Oslo - The Economic Ministry released their bi-annual economic report yesterday. The news was encouraging in many areas, but discouraging news was released on the future of the textile industries.

According to the report, Norwegian rubber reserves are dropping some 380 tons daily as import quantities have dropped off considerably since May. At the current pace, rubber reserves will be depleted by early 1937 unless drastic measures are taken.

The report went on to recommend to the administration that oil reserves be increased considerable to stem the tide of any rubber shortage. Overall, the report commended the Nygaardsvold administration for it’s economic stimulus packages, but held criticism for not holding to the 1,000 ton daily increase in supplies as promised in the New Reform package.

Below is the quarterly report breakdown:

Reserves – Coal: 714,600 tons / Steel: 77,300 tons / Rubber: 67,240 tons / Oil: 324,500 tons / Supplies: 272,9000 tons

Daily Surplus – Coal: +1,400 tons / Steel: +5,700 tons / Rubber: -380 tons / Oil: +2,500 tons / Supplies: +300 tons

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July 18, 1936

Internal Strife Strikes Spain - International

Madrid, Spain - Ultra right wing nationalist’s of the Spanish National Front declared cessation from the Republic of Spain yesterday, throwing the country into a civil war.

During the morning Parlimentary session at The Cortes, a letter was delivered to President Manuel Anaza of the Popular Front stating that due to unmanageable conditions within the current government, the National Front would break away from the republic to form it’s own governing body.


Manuel Anaza, President of Spain

Reaction was swift and decisive as a vote was called declaring Nationalist Spain in violation of the Spanish constitution. The vote resoundingly passed with only a few dissenters.

The vote authorized military force if necessary to bring the outlaw territories back under Republic control. There was no immediate response from the National Front leader General Fransico Franco, although recent reports of guerrilla units gathering in areas around the country spell conflict.

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July 28, 1936

Spanish Civil War Grows - International

Madrid, Spain - The ongoing Spanish Civil War, which has intensified in the last week from a guerilla conflict to a full blown military showdown, has drawn the attention of the international community in the past couple of days.


National Front soldier wounded in battle in the southern province of Corboba.

Both sides in the conflict have sought assistance in the struggle. The Nationals have sent delegations to Germany and Italy seeking financial help and military equipment. While the Republic has sent representatives to the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union to formally induce those nations to support their cause.

According to reports, the Republic delegates were immediately refused by the UK and France as they cited the conflict to be a strictly internal one, wanting to avoid a widening of the action. The Soviet Union however pledged to offer humanitarian assistance.

But the Nationals met with more success which couldn’t have come at a better time as their forces have been split in the north and south. Meeting at a joint conference, both Italy and Germany agreed to supply the Nationals with “military hardware, supplies, and all other necessary goods to overcome the dogs of democracy,” blared Italian Foreign Minister Galeazzo Ciano.

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Running A Dangerous Line - Editorial

With the events unfolding in Spain over the last two weeks, and the polarized international response to the crisis, it has illuminated the world stage as two diverse and opposite pieces.

On the one hand, we have the patriots of democracy. On the other, we have the bulls of fascism. One camp murmurs about the horrors of the Great War. The other rumbles with disdain at it. One camp seeks to spare the world from further conflict. The other schemes to create it.

Although many people here in Norway, and indeed across Europe dispell any suggestion that there is a threat out there brewing that needs to be dealt with swiftly and without reserve, there are many others who urge caution to not repeat the errors of the past.

More and more it seems your in either one camp or the other with no middle ground. Is Europe preparing for another Great War to ravage our nation? Let’s hope and pray that it’s not, and that the League of Nations, the peacemaker of our world, can bring Europe back together.

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July 30, 1936

Chamberlain Visits Oslo - National

Oslo - Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Neville Chamberlain today graced the halls of the capitol yesterday for a closed door, two hour meeting with Prime Minister Johan Nygaardsvold.

The issues discussed ranged from economic ties to military collaboration. Curiously absent from the conversation was any topics related to the events in Spain, and it’s implications upon Europe as a whole.

The hot topic for Norwegian’s has been the impending rubber crisis looming over the country. For the last week, the Norwegian government has made a push to acquire considerable trade concessions from the British Isles in exchange for naval ports in the southern provinces. Up to this point little progress has been made, and as they two Prime Ministers emerged from their meeting things still remained the same.

“We had an extremely cordial meeting in which we discussed numerous topics concerning our two great nations,” squirmed Nygaardsvold as he spoke in the afternoon sun.

Asked about trade concessions towards Norway, Chamberlain answered in a halting, noticeably uncomfortable manner, “This is something that’s an ongoing, back and forth discussion. It’s not something that gets done quite so quickly. We’ll work with Norway to address these issues down the road.”

[iBaLkiD]

Wow, another great update, "Who is this mystery Man!"

[jmazur]

Aftenposten

August 8, 1936

Rebels Capture Madrid - International

Madrid, Spain - The Nationalist Army of Spain sported their greatest victory yesterday as they successfully marched into Madrid to capture the capitol.

A mere month ago, the Nationals were in serious trouble as southern forces were cut off from supplies and lines of communication. Following several shipments of arms and supplies from both Germany and Italy, National forces began to turn to tide of the war culminating in the taking of the capitol on the 21st.


General Franco inspecting his troops as they triumphantly march down the streets of Madrid.

Lead by General Francisco Franco, three Nationalist divisions marched into the capitol from Zaragoza, just north of Madrid. Resistance was fierce in some urban areas, but loyal units folded under the weigh of sheer numbers as the majority of the Republic’s forces were still in the southern part of the country mopping up remnants of the several disbanded National divisions.


The British Embassy lay in ruins after National forces bombed the city.

Upon entering the capitol, Franco’s forces moved on The Cortes to officially proclaim the Republic government as being dissolved. But that was more fanfare then anything, as the majority of the government had already evacuated and established themselves in Valencia.

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October 2, 1936

Norway, UK See Eye to Eye - International

London, England - Hosting the Norwegian Foreign Minister Halvdan Koht in London, he and British Foreign Minister Anthony Eden agreed upon both a long worked upon agreement.

The Nygaardsvold administration has long sought for closer ties to the British Isles and a series of high level meeting to date have failed to bear fruit until today. Norway had been seeking economic assistance from Britian to stave off an impending textile crisis in the country. Although, the two ministers agreed upon limited economic assistance, the primary agreement centers on greater military cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement allows for joint military exercises to take place in both Britian and Norway once a year, alternating between each nation annually. But the point of greatest impact for Norway was an agreement that the British government would provide engineering assistance to Norwegian companies in developing Norway’s first battlefield C3I system.

As Norwegian companies struggled to put together such a system, foreign assistance was sought and found to meet the administrations timetable of an operational C3I by the end of 1937.

“This vastly accelerated our planned C3I system implementation,” noted Norwegian FM Koht, “It’s puts on track and on schedule for what we’re looking to do as far as upgrading our home defense capabilities.”

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October 4, 1936

BMD To Supply Equipment - National

Bergen - The Defense Department yesterday announced that it has awarded a contract to Bergen Military Designs to supply the Army with services rifles and land mines.

After announcing the proposed contract in January, BMD went to work developing what was stipulated in the contract. After six months of development, the company demonstrated two pieces of equipment before military brass – an updated M1894 “Krag” service rifle and a refined version of a land mine already in service.

Impressed with the demonstration, the Defense Department placed an order to fully outfit the entire Norwegian Army with the new service rifle as well as outfit all engineer regiments with the newly designed land mine.

Production has already begun, and the first shipment of equipment is expected to be delivered early next month with the entire order completed by early spring.

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October 6, 1936

Democracy Threatened - Editorial

With the Norway’s second general election approaching, interesting trends are beginning to show. When the candidates began campaigning late last year, polls indicated that the Conservative Party of Prime Minister Johan Nygaardsvold was in a completely dominating position, and public opinion only rose following the passage of the New Reform. Now, nearly ten months later, new trends have emerged – trends that disturbing at best to a democratic nation.

Heading into the elections on the 14th, Nygaardsvold commands an estimated 39% of the vote, down from 56% in mid-January. His leading competition is C.J. Hambro of the National Workers Party at 24% of the vote according to recent polls, up from a paltry 8% in mid-January. The remaining parties in the election command 26% of the vote with 11% undecided.

What’s startling is not the quick rise in popularity of Holmes and the NWP when one considers the discontent with the effects the New Reform has brought to the nation. In particular, the promised 100% increase in supply reserves has only mustered up to 34% which has created a seering discontent among the populace.

What is startling is the candidate himself and his party. C.J. Holmes and the NWP have propagated a nationalist agenda bearing a striking resemblance to the rising trend of facism in Italy, Germany, Spain, and the Balkans.

With Norway heading into only it’s second free democratic elections, danger lurks ahead in the candidacy of Holmes and the NUP. They threaten to derail the democratic gains we’ve made as a nation in the last six years. A closer look at the NNP platform with all it’s cries of nationalism, one will find messages of state dominance – something I think all Norwegians have strived to make a part of our past, not our future.

[Alexandru H.]

Excellent AAR...The serious-type, with lots of newspapers headings, are always pleasant to read!

[jmazur]

Aftenposten

October 15, 1936

Nygaardsvold, Conservatives Win - National

Oslo - As voter turnout swelled for Norway's second ever general elections, the people spoke and they seemed to speak two different languages in many parts of the country.

By a slim margin of only five percentage points, Prime Minister Johan Nygaardsvold was reelected to office, narrowly defeating C.J. Hambro 40% to 35%. Public opinion polls had suggested the race had tightened in recent weeks, but no political expert predicted a margin of victory so slim.


Incumbent Prime Minister Nygaardsvold retains his office by a surprisingly slim margin.

"Although the Conservative Party can claim victory here today, their mandate is on thin ice," noted political analyist Magnus Svenson.

That mandate suffered the most in Chamber elections as the Conservative Party lost nine seats, retaining only 37. Conversly, the National Workers Party netted an additional 7 seats pushing their total to 22. The next largest seat holder is the communist leaning Labor Party with 11 seats.

"What this does is force the Conservative party into a situation where they'll have to form a coalition government with another party in order to retain their Chamber majority," Svenson expounded on the election's implications. "That's a slippery slope to travel because in order to accomplish that, they'll have to compromise their own agenda."

A close examination of the voting block makes essentially divides the country into two parts with the Conservative Party dominating in the major cities such as Oslo and Bergen while ceding to the NWP in rural areas, most notably the the northern half of the country in places like Hammerfest.

How does this impact the future of Norwegian politics? Svenson speculated that, "It's clearly a polarization of the country in terms of political stance, and it'll be interesting to see how both major parties shift their platforms to court voters while not alienating their core block."