Welcome to the third and final installment of a closer look at the nations of Eurica. Today we feature Wilhelmsland. Below is the entry from the 1985 CIA* Sourcebook. As with any Intelligence document, the below information is based on the data available at the time of publication (January 1, 1985) and subject to revision, however, given the current close relationship with the USA, this data is assumed to be 95% accurate.
* Conceptual Imagination Assessment
The forces for Wilhelmsland are mostly completed. I still need to paint up 4 battalions of Infantry (ugh, those guys are tiny) and some APCs and a few more aircraft/helicopters.
National history
Located on the Western African coast, somewhere between Morocco and Namibia, the modern day Wilhelmsland was originally a German colony dating back to 1883. Following the end of World War I, the colony was granted independence as part of the Treaty of Versailles after intense back room negotiations the details of which are still unknown.
Throughout the 1920’s and early 1930’s they maintained strong trading ties with Germany while remaining fiercely independent. Their vast coal reserves and ideal location as a coaling station made them a key partner with several nations. With the rise of the Nazi party in 1933 Germany, the leadership in Wilhelmsland began to rethink their relationship, staying cordial, but slowly distancing themselves. 1934 saw the first wave of Jewish emigrants from Germany arrive in Wilhelmsland, making them one of the few nations to accept Jewish refugees prior to the war. In 1935 oil was discovered and the first 3 wells were put into production.
In 1939 Wilhelmsland officially broke all ties with Germany following the invasion of Poland.
During the Second World War the leadership of Wilhelmsland took great pains to maintain their neutrality. Throughout the war the United States maintained a sizable OSS operation within Wilhelmsland to ensure that they were not collaborating with their former homeland. Most of their neighboring countries were still British Colonies, allowing the British to also maintain a sizable intelligence operation within the nation.
The modern day nation of Wilhelmsland was formally founded in 1948. At this time the nation experienced it’s largest influx of emigrants in it’s history, taking in almost 200,000 refuges with over half from Germany and Austria fleeing the devastation of post war Europe, with a disproportionate number of those refugees being survivors of the Soviet occupation of Berlin. The American’s, British, French and Russians all had extensive intelligence operations from the end of hostilities to 1954 searching for any wanted war criminals in the refugee population, with none ever being identified.
Today, 79% of the population of Wilhelmsland can trace their ancestry back to European nationalities on at least one side of their family.
Geography
Wilhelmsland and its immediate neighbors are located in a geographic anomaly on the continent. Due to the unique mountain ranges the area is particularly fertile, receiving ample rainfall with a moderate climate allowing most crops to be grown. Their neighbor Gardenstan is known for diverse medicinal plants and lush ornamental flowers. The geography also sports a larger than expected number of rivers, with one being navigable well into the continental interior.
Industry
Wilhelmsland has significantly more heavy industry than is common for the region. They currently produce Trucks, Motorcycles, piston-powered aircraft, and ships in limited quantities. They also have one of the few fuel refineries in the region, while small it allows them to meet their domestic needs while still providing small amounts available for export. They posses a small but efficient fishing fleet with all vessels produced locally, and over the last 3 years have begun exporting fish to some of the interior nations on the continent.
They export coal, some crude oil and limited quantities of refined fuel, mostly Diesel, to their neighbors. During the Arab Oil Embargo of the 1970’s they also exported several tankers worth of crude oil to the U.S., but with their current limited oil production that trade has ceased.
Production
As mentioned above Wilhelmsland has moderate domestic production capabilities. Their average production output over the last 10 years is shown below:
· Trucks, an average of 375 a year a produced ranging from ¼ ton to 5 ton capacity for both domestic and export purposes.
· Motorcycles, an average of 2,200 are produced with a majority being used for export over the last 2 years.
· Aircraft, Wilhelmsland aircraft production is strictly ‘on demand’, with an average of 16 per year being produced, ranging from single engine pleasure craft to twin-engine passenger/transport planes. It is important to note that they also produce FW 190’s and Ju-88 aircraft for collectors and museums that can afford them.
· Ships, are also primarily an on-demand item so an average is not meaningful. Over the last 10 years they produced 3 coastal Tankers to support their growing regional crude oil exportation operation. They also produce on average 2 fishing trawlers and 10 pleasure craft a year.
· Navy, in 1976 they signed a contract with the West German shipbuilder Lursen to build 2 BPB 57 class fast attack craft (missile). The first of these was commissioned in 1979, with the second commissioned in 1983.
Society
Wilhelmsland is a somewhat urbanized nation. With it’s 13.1 million people living approximately 60% in in towns and the remainder being rural.
The Country posses a functional democracy, with the current administration viewed as very popular and consider to be very legitimate by regional standards. While corruption is accepted, it is also infrequent. The main concerns facing the citizens of Wilhelmsland are Inequality, Civil Rights Issues and illegal drug use.
The main religions in the country in order are Lutheranism, Catholicism, and Judaism.
German is the official language, with English also a requirement for all school children. Over 90% of the population speaks both langauges.
Military
In their early history after being granted independence, the military was equipped with surplus British uniforms and American M1903 Springfield rifles. As pre-war Germany began her rearmament campaign, they also purchased a platoon of Pz IA Tanks, and a company of Sdkfz221 armored cars in an oil for armaments deal with Germany in 1936. Once hostilities in Europe broke out, they severed all official contact/trade with Germany. This equipment served as the basis of their military until the Eisenhower administration recognized the rabid anti-Communist sentiment of their nation as an asset and began supplying arms.
As the Soviet Union began to exert influence on their neighbors and provide armaments to them in mid 1951, Wilhelmsland feeling exposed and isolated initiated an armament production program. Given the significant number of engineers and veterans that had recently emigrated, it made sense that they would start with what they knew.
In 1952 the first new production model of the Pak43, 88mm Anti-tank gun equipped with Special AT ammo and an exact copy of the MG42 proudly rolled off the new assembly lines. It should be noted that some of these Pak43’s are still in service today, albeit with Reserve formations. It was at this time that they also significantly upgraded the armor and engines in their existing Sdkfz 221 Scout Cars, and they continue to produce limited runs of upraded versions fo the Skkfz221 to this day.
It was also at this time that they secretly began aircraft production. In early 1954 Wilhelmsland unveiled a squadron of FW190 fighter/bombers and two squadrons of Ju88C bombers, the timing of these going into operation was to prove decisivie during Gardenstan’s failed invasion later that year. These JU88’s are still in service today conducting maritime reconnaissance operations. The Fw190’s were eventually sold to collectors and museums across the world.
The most interesting development around this time involved rumors and wild stories in the region of a Type IX U-Boat operating in the coastal waters. To date, no intelligence service has been able to confirm these sightings and the official government response of Wilhelmsland when questioned continues to be… “you must be joking, a ghost sub, really? Have you been visiting the local bier halls?”
Wilhelmsland has been devoutly anti-communist since it’s inception, some say due to the experience of many of the refugees at the hands of the conquering Soviet troops. For whatever reason, this national aversion to Communism would eventually lead to a long lasting relationship with the U.S.
In 1954 with the advent of the ‘Domino Theory’ and the attempted invasion by Gardenstan, Wilhelmsland quickly came to the attention of the Eisenhower administration who saw a potentially stout ally in the new cold war. The initial US aid included among other things M1A Garand’s, Two Battalions worth of M3 Halftracks plus an additional company’s worth of halftracks as ‘spares’. They also provided Foreign Aid to construct a new coal fired Power Plant as well as rebuilding the Naval port and adding a dry-dock capable of accommodating up to a Midway class aircraft carrier and constructed a state of the art (at the time) air base on the Island in return for rights to use the Port as a Naval Base for the next 30 years. This started a relationship that would continue to this day. It was also during this time that Wilhelmsland acquired 2 World War II surplus destroyers from the United Kingdom.
In 1975 they unveiled a locally produced upgraded version of the Sdkfz221, designated the Skkfz221M7. Bringing it up to a vehicle on par with the British Fox in regards to armor and armament. It was also at this time that they introduced the MG75, which is basically an updated MG34 chambered in 7.62 NATO.
During the Nixon administration, additional arms transfers occurred with the replacement of the M1 Garand rifles with M16 rifles and 10 UH1 ‘Huey’ Helicopters. As the U.S. presence in VietNam was winding down, Wilhelmsland benefited with the U.S. providing F-4 Phantom Jets, as well as 2 batteries of M-109 self propelled artillery.
In 1979 Wilhelmsland purchased adequate Scorpion and Scimitar vehicles from the U.K. to form a reconnaissance battalion.
As the Soviets continued to upgrade the militaries of the surrounding nations, the Regan administration provided modern armor consisting of M60A1 and M60A3 tanks. The active duty infantry battalions are currently undergoing upgrades to the Marder 1 Infantry Fighting Vehicles recently purchased from West Germany to bolster the infantry forces, while the M3 ½ tracks remain in use by both active and reserve units. The Regan administration has also indicated an interest in providing at least one Battalion of M113 APCs to Wilhelmsland as the US Miiltary expects to have a surplus as they phase them out in favor of the Bradly IFV.
The current Military forces of Wilhelmsland as of January 1985 continue to reflect the close relationship with the United States, and while being somewhat eclectic they provide Wilhelmsland adequate deterrence against it’s two neighboring Soviet Clients states. The military is focused on a combined arms approach organized into Brigades, with a rather extensive (at least for the region) Air Force that is optimized for ground support. The military has extensive support infrastructure and solid training.
Recent actions by the current government of Wilhelmsland are straining the relationship with the United States, but so far the Reagan Administration has been willing to over look their increasing belligerent stance towards their neighbors as they remain staunchly anit-communist.
Most observers believe that it is highly likely there will be open conflict soon between Wilhelmsland and their neighbors. Gardenstan (and more importantly their Soviet masters) have never gotten over their defeat in the brief 1945 border action by the masterful employment of slightly updated WWII German designs. However it is probably Rubbishlandia, the regional bully, that poses the biggest threat. With the discovery of valuable minerals the Soviet Union has been shipping significant quantities of military equipment, including T-72 Tanks and BMP1’s to them. Whether this will result in regional arms race is yet to be seen.
Below is the current military organization as of April, 1985.
1st Brigade
Headquarters
Artillery Battery of M109 Self Propelled 155mm
Mortar Platoon of M106 self propel 107mm Mortar
Recon Platoon, SdKfz211M7, (locally manufactured)
Engineer Platoon with M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle
Anti-Aircraft Platoon with M3 ½ track with 20mm AA
1st Battalion, 1st Armored Regiment (First of the First)
4 Companies of M60A3 Main Battle Tanks
2nd Battalion, 1st Armored Regiment
4 Companies of M60A3 Main Battle Tanks
1st Battalion, 1st Armored Grenadier Regiment
4 Companies of Infantry mounted in Marder 1’s.
2nd Battalion, 1st Armored Grenadier Regiment
4 Companies of Infantry mounted in Marder 1’s.
2nd Brigade
Headquarters
Artillery Battery of M109 Self Propelled 155mm
Mortar Platoon of M106 self propel 107mm Mortar
Recon Platoon, SdKfz211M7, (locally manufactured)
Engineer Platoon with M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle
Anti-Aircraft Platoon with M3 ½ track with 20mm AA
1st Battalion, 2nd Armored Regiment
4 Companies of M60A3 Main Battle Tanks
2nd Battalion, 2nd Armored Regiment
4 Companies of M60A3 Main Battle Tanks
1st Battalion, 2nd Armored Grenadier Regiment
4 Companies of Infantry mounted in Marder 1’s.
2nd Battalion, 2nd Armored Grenadier Regiment
4 Companies of Infantry mounted in Marder 1’s.
3rd Brigade
Headquarters
Artillery Battery of M109 Self Propelled 155mm
Mortar Platoon of M106 self propel 107mm Mortar
Recon Platoon, SdKfz211M7, (locally manufactured)
Anti-Aircraft Platoon with M3 ½ track with 20mm AA
1st Battalion,3rd Armored Regiment
4 Companies of M60A1 Main Battle Tanks
2nd Battalion, 3rd Armored Regiment
4 Companies of M60A1 Main Battle Tanks
1st Battalion, 3rd Armored Grenadier Regiment
4 Companies of Infantry mounted in M3 ½ Tracks.
2nd Battalion, 3rd Armored Grenadier Regiment
4 Companies of Infantry mounted in M3 ½ Tracks.
4th Brigade
Headquarters
Artillery Battery of Towed M198 155mm Howitzer
Mortar Platoon of M106 self propel 107mm Mortar
Recon Platoon, SdKfz211M7, (locally manufactured)
Anti-Aircraft Platoon with M3 ½ track with 20mm AA
1st Battalion,4th Armored Regiment
4 Companies of M60A1 Main Battle Tanks
2nd Battalion, 4th Armored Regiment
4 Companies of M60A1 Main Battle Tanks
1st Battalion, 4th Armored Grenadier Regiment
4 Companies of Infantry mounted in M3 ½ Tracks.
2nd Battalion, 4th Armored Grenadier Regiment
4 Companies of Infantry mounted in M3 ½ Tracks.
Recon Battalion
2 Medium Companies of Scorpions
2 Light Companies of Scimitars
Independent Units
4x Cobra helicopter gunships
Artillery Battery of Towed M198 155mm Howitzer
Airforce
2 x F-4E Phantom
1 x AC13 Tornado
1x GR3 Harrier
Ju88C+ maritime patrol
Nice finish to the trifecta of coastal African imaginations. Curious to see the next developments. Much as Big Daddy-Fish is my sentimental favorite, the smart money is on Wilhelmsland.
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