Prelude to Conflict 2000-2018

Prelude to Conflict: Franco-Mexican War of 2018 (2000-2018)

                The Prelude to Conflict for the Franco-Mexican War wasn’t much of a Prelude to Conflict, and more of small border skirmishes.

       Arvin Astor (1996-2008)

                In 2001, Japanese Troops poured into mainland China, while the world just watched. Luckily, no nuclear war between France and Japan was sparked, unlike the predictions of French Politicians and Analysts. By 2004, the Japanese had secured the entire Chinese Coast.

                In 2007, French Air National Guard Units in Border States with Mexico and Japan received upgrades. In 2008, a Mexican ship fired on an American Cargo Ship. French Aircraft sunk the ship. Due to a recent mutiny onboard that Mexican ship, no action was taken by Mexican officials.

                Arnaud Bault (2008-2016)

                In 2009, Prime Minister Bault’s office was moved from Paris to the new Gold Building outside Paris. The Building doubled as housing for the Prime Minister. In 2011, Bault authorized Production of the Sherpa IV. In 2015, the Murat LMV, Rhino MRAP, and several other vehicles hit production. There would be war.

       Joachim Murat (2016-2028)

                On April 3, Murat authorized a secret new French Program, called “Project Snake Bite”. By 2018, three Space Navy Frigates would be deployed. In 2017, Murat prepared all units for war as Mexican forces massed on the French bored. On September 9, 2018, Mexico would be attacked. 

Franco-Japanese Cold War (1945-2000)

The French-Japanese Cold War (1945-2000)

                The Franco-Japanese Cold War lasted officially from 1945-2000, although the threat of Japanese attack would remain prevalent until after the Franco-Mexican War (2018-2027). This time would be a very rocky and unpredictable time for the French Federal Union.

       Xavier Lonance (1945-1950)

                Following the 2FIW, PM Lonance brokered a very wise (at the time) peace settlement between his country and the Eastern European Powers. Russia would be divided at Moscow. The East, Japan, the West, the British, Americans, and French. In 1946, however, Lonance’s government would release something the world had never seen. In March, Lonance’s head of Science took a video clip of a Nuclear Explosion. Several Images of this clip would be distributed through news channels, newspapers, and would be seen on the windows of small shops for half a decade, until the Japanese came out with a worthy counterweight.

                In 1947, Lonance authorized production of the F9 Kitty Hawk III Jet Fighter; the first mass produced Jet Fighter ever. Also in 1947, Parliament gave the slight sliver of China conquered in the Franco-Chinese War Statehood. In 1949, the British, French, and Americans merged their Russia into West Russia and gave it independence.

                In 1950, Lonance’s Canadian State Minister, Diane Waters, announced her running in the next election.

                Diane Waters (1950-1962)

                Diane Waters, the first woman Prime Minister, was elected in the 1950 election. Her post was a vital one in the coming decade, with Japan’s constant threats. In 1951, Diane Waters authorized creation of the French Nuclear Defense Corps, the sixth branch of service in France.

                In 1952, Japan fielded their first nuclear missile. Their tests had taken place in an element of Mexico, one of their closest allies, that was uninhabited, known as “White Sands”. In 1953, Waters’ Administration ordered the production of the U13 Prowler, a spy plane designed to take pictures of Japan. The aircraft was created in Dassault’s Lackshack, which was named “Lackshack” due to its extensive use in the 1FIW to repair aircraft, although it often would not have the correct parts to do so. Waters would expand this facility in 1955.

                In 1954, Waters launched the GRASP (GReater AeroSpace Program) with its headquarters in Quebec. Two launching sites, both 500 square miles big, each with a launching site and a landing site, were built just off the Hudson Bay in a town called Winstown and another in Anchorage, the latter in Alaska.

                In 1955, Waters expanded the Dassault Airfirm by folding it into the Department of Sciences. Dassault then was granted 2,500 Square Miles of Land in Alaska, close to the nearby Fort Yukon, which would be a vital base by 1980.

                In 1956, Waters authorized the creation of the Department of Military Sciences, under the Department of Sciences, and Dassault, Juneau Naval Laboratories, Toulon Naval Laboratories, and Paris Military Science Laboratories were quickly folded into the new branch.

                In 1958, Waters was informed of the creation of a new Air Defense System. The new system was product of nearly ten years of French Scientists. A new missile, radar enhanced to track down and kill enemy missiles using the new system, would cost the French Military 600 million apiece. Only 3 would be ever produced. In 1959, Waters ordered development of a laser system to shoot down satellites and nuclear missiles.

                In 1961, Waters gave Vietnam Statehood, and Morocco soon followed in 1962. This would successfully stop the rebellions that took place in Vietnam.

       Chandler Joson (1962-1973)

                In 1963, two U13 Prowlers over Egypt spotted disturbing evidence of a troop buildup, but that wasn’t all. The Prowlers spotted a triangle formation of five nuclear missiles, pointed in the general direction of France. In the coming days, three more were spotted.

                In March, newly elected PM Joson authorized creation of a new Special Forces unit, called the Legion Special Forces, part of the French Foreign Legion. By May, three eight man units were primed for combat. In early June, they learned of their objective.

                On July 3, the first unit would enter Egypt as civilians, but would hide submachine guns under their robes. On July 7 and 10, the second and third units would follow. At midnight July 13, these men would go to separate missile sites, grab the nuclear warheads, and leave by a helicopter escorted by the newest French Aircraft, the F4 Doghound.

                On July 13, the attack went off without a hitch.

                In 1966, Joson again increased the land for The Lackshack and the space for Fort Yukon soon followed. In 1967, The Lackshack began testing equipment at Yukon, the F4C Doghound being the first of these tests.

                In 1969, Joson created the Foreign Naval Fleet, a wing of the French Foreign Legion, consisting of a carrier, 15 Frigates, 4 Cruisers, 3 Amphibious Assault Ships, and seven submarines. In 1972, the FIIS discovered hidden finance charges in Joson’s Federal Profile. An investigation ensued, and Joson was subsequently impeached.

                Jacques Oreleans (1972-1984)

                Following the conviction, impeachment, and jailing of Ex-Prime Minister Joson, Oreleans ran for Prime Minister. He would win by a landslide, easily replacing Joson. In 1973, Joson granted a production grant to Canadian Arms, who would produce the French Automatic Assault Weapon (FAAW). The FAAW would become standard issue Assault Rifle to the French Military by 1976. In 1977, the French Federal Union under Oreleans re-established a Military Alliance with the Turkish Republic (practically a reformed Ottoman Empire). In 1978, Luxembourg requested Admittance as a Province into the Union, which would be granted in 1979.

                In 1980, Oreleans granted Canadian Arms, French Arms, and Midwest Arms admittance into the Department of Military Sciences. In 1981, the Lackshack in Alaska tested the F119A Super Cat Stealth Air Superiority Fighter, and tested it on March 5, 1982. Parliament immediately granted a production grant to the French Federal Union. By 1984, Armee de la Air would have over 300 over the aircraft.

                Louise Falisse (1984-1996)

                Prime Minister Falisse, the second Female Prime Minister, and the first, who had gone to an overseas college (Harvard University), would weather the French Federal Union through a technological boom and into the first Olympics (Summer 1984).

                In summer 1984, the French Government hosted the first Summer Olympics in Paris. Despite an attempt to bomb the stadium by a Palestine Terrorist Group, the French Government deemed it a rather large success.

                In 1985, the first Personal Computers were put up for sale on the civilian market. In 1986, the first Winter Games were held in the French Province of Switzerland. The first Japenese Mobile Phones went up on the market in 1988, and the French Phones followed in 1989. In 1993, Japanese Parliament voted to put East Russia under an independent government due to increasing revolts.

                In 1996, the third Summer Olympics were held in Atlanta.

                Arvin Astor (1996-2008)

                Prime Minister Astor was the founder of the company “Viking Land Systems”. In 1998, VLS sent in a request for inclusion to Department of Military Sciences. It was quickly accepted. In 1999, Astor’s second child, Danielle, was born. In 2000, Mexico moved their capital from Mexico City to Phoenix. Soon after, 25,000 Legionnaires were deployed on “Training Exercises” in British Colombia. They would remain there for 18 years. 

Bay and Brickfair

I'm sore. On nearly every part of my body. Joy. The Bay was fun, and I caught 2-ish fish. Anyways, I have three days until Brickfair. Three. Whoa, Three. It really snuck up on me this year. I am bringing 19 MOCs, and 3-4 pieces for Magnus' MLS Layout. Should be so much fun. I'm PUMPED.

Disregard the red boxes OR stay as far away from them as possible. Whatever suits you :). I will be attending all four days as an Exhibitor. The difference between an exhibitor and an attendee is that the attendee can't display Lego MOCs and can only go on public days (Saturday or Sunday). The Exhibitor can display his/her MOCs and can go all four days. To go as an exhibitor it costs 67$, however, and the Attendee is something like ten-ish.

I'll be with my faction, the French Federal Union, and with Legosim, Matt Hacker, and Andrew. If you are bored and/or want to just drop by and see some epic Lego Creations, drop by and say hello on Saturday the 4th or Sunday the 5th. The Convention is at the Dulles Expo Center.

Now I will be at the Large Military Table. You will see a very skinny white guy with glasses and a hat, that is Evan (referred to as Legosim on this post), and follow him and/or look around him for me. I should be near him or Magnus, Aleks. I would highly advise staying away from the Vendors tables until absoulutely necessarily, from my 3 years of experience I found this is a very good idea.

I should also have a naked fat Lego Lady on my brick badge, so it's a dead giveaway that is me.

Brian

French Federal Union Flag: Five Things you didn't know

So this is a little pre-Brickfair post about my Center Piece MOC at Brickfair 2012, called "Seattle Flagraising".

In the Center, my UFF (French Translation comes out to UFF) Flag is displayed. Here is several things you didn't know about it.

- In September, my original sketches displayed the Latin Motto (picked up and added to the Tri Colour in 1919) in Blue & Red. It was originally Accipe Hoc

- In September, just days later, the motto was changed to Salus In Arduis, meaning Safety in high places.

- In October, I added the Eagle in the memory of the late Jack Donaldson. The backstory for the eagle would come later.

- I decided Salus in Arduis originated in 1915 in units of the French Alpine Division as a motto. No other military unit could fight in high altitudes like them.

- I decided the Eagle originated from the purchase of Alaska, when a Sec. State got an eagle to land on his shoulder. It symbolizes power.

Cheers,
Brian

Big Things come in Little Packages

Alas, Poor Yorick by Shadow Viking is an example of this phrase. Not the entire scene itself, just the freaking epic Road Block things on the right side of the scene. So his scene reminded me to do something I've really wanted to do for a long time. Type out a list of epic techniques for small things, mainly boxes, Roadblocks, trees, etc.

(Alas, Poor Yorick by Shadow Viking on Flickr)

So let's break down this scene rather quickly. The first thing that caught my eye when I clicked on the flickr page is the Roadblocks. Dude, those freaking things are SWEET. Another thing is the destroyed car behind the roadblock. Now lets move slightly forward, just in front of the roadblock. You see two dark tan boxes. The technique is a very common one, surprisingly, and is absolutely perfect. Amazing. Next, the crosswalks. I know most of my readers are either inexperienced builders or NFOLs (Non-Fan of Lego) so this probably seems slightly odd, but it is seen in basically every good scene that has street. Pretty much common sense, but I feel Shadow Viking did an outstanding job with his.

The Cottage in the middle scene has raised some questions on the flickr page. Shadow Viking (I hate using username, so I'm referring to him as 'Peter', his real name) has received some questions about the odd feeling of the building. This critque came first from Bruɴo who noted that the center building seems kind off with the cottage, medieval style appearance and the 2070 billboards. Peter responded with this:

"Basically, it is. Rouen is famous for it's medieval Norman half timbered houses, many of which are hundreds of years old, dating back to Anglo-Norman rule in the 11th and 15th centuries.

The adboard and other technological details are meant to reflect the idea of human cyberization."

I found that response very thoughtful and clearly showed that Peter had done his research. If you take a look at the wikipedia page for Rouen you will find the pictures do contain very old, cottage-esque buildings. France is epic guys, as I keep telling you ;)

So Maybe y'all will get another one of these showcases Tomorrow or Thursday. Also expect a full video from Airsofting tomorrow. Should be epic!

AMX-4 Fox Armored Fighting Vehicle

Wow. So today I woke up at 9 AM, and just chilled. Brutal headache is brutal. Anyways, I'm Skyping with Josh and Ian and building at the same time. I started work back up on the AMX-4 Fox AFV, something I have been meaning to do for awhile, but since I'm such a lazy butt I never got around to it.

(Lynx by Magnus Lauglo on Flickr)

When I originally started this model, it was after a WAMALUG meeting. Magnus had brought along his Lynx AFV, and I looked at it for a few minutes and was like "Whoa, this is sweet," and started building my Fox AFV when I got home. The Fox is very different from Magnus', but you can see where I got my inspiration. I should get pics up  in this space before Brickfair. 

2nd French Imperial War

Second French Imperial War: 1936-1945

Xavier Lonace (1938-1950)

                In 1936, the fourteenth French Prime Minister took power. Following his election, he ordered production of the D19 Bonaparte Tank, the P9D Jackrabbit Monoplane, and two French Aircraft Carriers, bolstering the French fleet from three to five. He was a keen supporter of Anti-Eastern European Power Movements, and would remain so through the coming war. In 1937, he dispatched seven undercover agents of the French Integrated Intelligence Service (FIIS, oftentimes called Fish) to Germany. In 1938, they returned with disturbing news. Germans were exterminating their black population.

                In March 1939, 400,000 French Troops under the command of Durant Camonne attacked the German border tenaciously, commanding respect from the Italians, who would not enter this new war. This attack was supported by seventy Dive Bombers that streaked in from the FNS Bristol and the FNS Brussels. The dive bombers (D1K Kitty Hawk IIs) destroyed the Rhineland, blowing German Military Positions into oblivion.

                By May, the French Troops had seized the Rhineland in the center, and had linked up with 15,000 Alpine Infantrymen in the South, who had come through the Alps. In June, however, the Russians entered the war. This proved to be a huge mistake, however, as the Ottomans again attacked in the South. This diverted Russian strength to the south, where they were seeing a bigger threat than seen even previously in the First French Imperial War. This Second French Imperial War would become huge.

                In July 1939, 50,000 British Troops in the Netherlands attacked German Positions in the North, and by September, another 100,000 British Troops under Sir John Harris landed in theater, where they reinforced the previous 50,000 British Troops. In early October, French Troops liberated the first Black Extermination Camp. All of the occupants were sent back to the aid stations, and subsequently, to France.

                In January 1940, the allies’ advance was ground to a halt as the Germans took to the air, shelling and bombing the allies from their troop’s positions and airfields. In March, the French had finally drafted a plan for their next Operation. Operation Waterloo was to be in three phases. The pre-assault phase, the assault phase, and the advance phase.

                The pre-assault phase was to be conducted by D1K Kitty Hawks and P9D Jackrabbits, conducting strafing & bombing runs against German Airfields, trains, and railroad hubs. The other element of this phase was conducted by the B76 Thunderdog Heavy Bombers, bombing factories and troop positions extensively. This phase would start in May and end in August.

                The assault phase was to be conducted by 2,500 of the experimental Alpine Airborne Infantry in the South, 25,000 French Airborne Soldiers in the center, and then 25,000 more British Airborne Soldiers. These troops would be tasked with holding key objectives and key German Towns as French and British Mechanized and Armored Divisions linked up with these Soldiers, anywhere from 5 to 9 miles behind enemy lines. This would be conducted in little over a week.

                The advance phase would follow the link-ups. The Battle Group in the center would push onwards, hoping to be gaining at least 5-10 miles a day. The British would hope to gain 3-4 miles a day, as would the French in the south.

                Following the preassault phase, the airborne dropped in. In the center, the French Airborne and Glider borne Units were scattered, perhaps causing as much or more confusion to the Germans than it caused themselves. In the early morning, at about 0800 scattered reports of Companies, Battalions, and then Regiments seizing their objectives came in.

                A week later, the land troops began their forward movement through Germany, towards the Airborne Units besieged around their objectives. By the second week the Airborne were under siege, the reinforcements still hadn’t arrived. On Friday, August 17, 17 days after the airborne landings, the first Armored Units arrived to relieve the newly coined “Embattled Bastards of Berlin,” despite the unit was not around Berlin.

                This had broken an almost definite stalemate. On September 19, 1940, the French units successfully surrounded nineteen German Divisions, and annihilated them. This “Battle of the Siege” would be one of the bloodiest and hard fought by the Germans.

                By October, the allies had liberated only a quarter of the Extermination Camps, and began to realize most must be in Russia or East Germany. In early January 1941, P9Ds eliminated seven key Dark One officials.

                In March 1941, twenty thousand French Troops began an advance on Berlin. By June, Berlin fell, and Germany surrendered. In July, the Russians fell back into Poland as reserves for the French Army were called up once more.

                In September 1941, 500,000 Colonial Troops were called into active service with the French Army, and another 100,000 with the French Marines. Another 100,000 Colonial Troops remained in Alaska under the alias “National Guard”, despite in actuality they were Active Duty Army.

                By June 1942, all troops had been called up and put into the defensive lines. In October, French and French Canadian High Command began planning their assaults. They came to the decision that 100,000 Vietnamese and Chinese should be called into Active Duty Service to defend French Colonial Positions. The Ottomans would continue their slam into Russia from the South, and the French and Japanese would attack from the East, and again in the West.

                In July 1943, the attacks began. By the fourth week of this joint attack, French Troops had liberated Warsaw and were preparing for the thrust into Russia. French Troops in the East had seized more than 100 miles with a mechanized attack, and the Japanese in the Southeast had also seized roughly 150 miles, with little to no opposition. Total casualties in the East were 43 killed, 125 Wounded, and no one missing. The casualties in the west were far worst, although both advances remained deadly quick.

                By January 1944, the French and British and Ottomans had linked up for the final push on a besieged Moscow. In March, the attacks began. After three months of fighting, Moscow proper was surrounded. By July, the advance in the east was nearing Moscow. There would be a bloodbath. In October, the French and Japanese Task Force finally reached Moscow. Moscow was now fully surrounded.

                In January 1945, the Allies attacked Moscow viciously, but would only take ten blocks in the first month. In March, the Russians surrendered. The Second French Imperial War was over.