Chapter 147: Blood in the Water (1 to 30 September 1941)
Some of the screenshots may be a slightly different/lower resolution than normal, as this session was played and the screenshots taken on my laptop. My main PC is now back again and on-line, however. Will issue the monthly reports as an annex to this chapter (for space and readability).
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1 Sep 41
In the Adriatic sector, Soviet liaison reports they have launched a three-division counter-attack on the recently lost
Ljubinje, which (for unknown reasons) they seem determined to occupy. The attack commenced that evening. They also advise they have lost a battle in defence of the hills in
Filiasi, just two provinces north-east of
Turnu Severin, the easternmost point of the
Danube Line. This is a dangerous development: if the Axis can take and hold it, they could break into the open country west of
Bucharest, threatening both the Romanian capital and the exposed flank of the
Danube Line as well.
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2 Sep 41
With no active combat so far this month in the Turkish sector, the partly recovered 14 Inf Div (still feeling the effects of its earlier defence of
Pozarevac) completes its switch across to the eastern end of the line that evening.
And the Soviets note they have been attacked in
Cevo (Adriatic sector) by an Italian Air Force Group consisting of two TAC wings and a multi-role fighter wing – the first such seen on the Turkish sector. Another disconcerting development.
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4 Sep 41
The short lull on the
Danube Line ends on the morning of 4 September:
“One this is One Mike. German and Hungarian infantry assaulting from Panavo and Vrsac. Strong assault. Request reinforcement and air support, over!”
“One Mike this is One, Soviets advise they are sending 217 Rifle Division from Cuprija, but we don’t have an estimated arrival time. Air support request forwarded, out.”
8 Inf Div and 171 SD are currently both
en route to
Pozarevac. Depending on how the battle goes, 171 SD may be held in
Velico Gradiste to replace 8 Inf Div.
1 TAK is ordered to strike
Panavo (daylight raids only), with fighter escort from 3 AF (LaGG-3s). 1 AF (Hawk IIIs) is ordered to intercept any enemy air attacks on
Pozarevac. By midday, Örlungat’s bombers are hitting German positions, providing a detailed report of the German division there – a simple ‘triangular’ infantry formation.
At 3pm, 3 AF is tasked to extend its intercept zone to include both
Panavo and
Vrsac, as 1 TAK will now extend its planned bombing runs to include the more north-easterly province as well.
Later that night, the Soviets report the loss of
Filiaisi – so far occupied by a single Hungarian infantry division, but with another on its way. There are no plans yet it seems for Soviet or Romanian forces to counter-attack. This is worrisome for the Turkish High Command, who fear their stalwart defence of the Danube could be compromised by events to the east. But for now, they fight on and hope their Comintern partners are not asleep at the wheel.
Air Report. A single Turkish ground attack on
Panavo killed 36 enemy soldiers as they prepared to board small boats for the river crossing.
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5 Sep 41
The early morning sees 1 TAK bombing
Panavo without interference: they will continue on to
Vrsac directly as soon as they have finished, to see what the Axis have there. And they soon find out! They provide recon pictures of enemy troop concentrations north of the Danube: only two of the three divisions identified seem to be taking part in the attack on
Pozarevac.
But they are soon struck themselves by three Hungarian fighter wings giving them a hot reception - and 3 AF is nowhere to be seen. The old Blenheims of 1 TAK are cut to pieces, though not before bravely dumping a load of bombs on the Axis forces below. They lose more than a quarter of their aircraft and their organisation is completely disrupted before they can extract themselves.
1 TAK will be unavailable for any new mission for some time to come. At this point,
all air missions (including interceptions by 1 and 3 AF) are cancelled. With that many Hungarian fighters milling around, it is time to lay low. The Turkish ground troops will have to fend for themselves for a while, unfortunately.
But there is better news that evening: the Soviet-commanded 217 SD has arrived in
Pozarevac to support MAJGEN Kanatli’s 1 Mot Div. If they can reinforce, it should swing the battle firmly in the defender’s favour. 8 Inf Div is due at midday the next day.
It seems the arrival of the Soviet division, even before it could reinforce the front line, was enough to discourage the Axis attackers, who break off their assault on
Pozarevac two hours later, with heavy casualties. Huzzah! An appreciative cable is sent to the STAVKA.
Late that night, the three-wing Hungarian fighter group begins aerial patrolling over
Beograd again – where a Romanian NAV wing has also taken up station. The Turkish fighters stay on the ground this time.
Air Report. Before they were ambushed by the Hungarian fighters, 1 TAK managed to kill 66 enemy troops in
Panavo and 62 in
Vrsac in one raid on each.
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6 Sep 41
Before he turns in for a short sleep, just after midnight Agent Skitalec knocks on the President's door bearing a cable.
“Milli Şef, I have a liaison report from commander 5th Army on events in the Adriatic sector.”
“Say on, Agent Skitalec. You are smiling, so I gather it must be good news.”
“Indeed it is, sir. Gallant Red Army forces have once again retaken
Ljubinje, liberating it from the foul clutches of the Italian fascist occupiers!”
“Ah, very well. Great news, indeed, thank you Skitalec. Please pass on my congratulations to the STAVKA.”
Although he is a little nonplussed by the Soviet's seeming preoccupation with
Ljubinje, it is a great distraction and generally good news, so Inönü does not look this gift horse in the mouth by questioning the GRU man about the reasons.
At midday, 8 Inf Div deploys into
Posarevac to complete the two-division defence of the key point. Its specialist AT brigade will come in handy if German panzers are once again used to try to force the crossing.
And at 1pm, there is some unexpectedly positive news from the Romanians: the city of
Iasi (northern Romania), lost the month before to an Axis offensive, has been retaken! The Soviet 119 SD has ejected 12th Pz Division, which had outrun its infantry support and had not yet been reinforced. More nice work by the Comintern allies!
That evening, in his capacity as War (Armament) Minister, Inönü receives a report he had requested following the heavy mauling of 1 TAK over
Vrsac the day before. 2 TAK, armed with the new Yak-4 bombers being built under license, will deploy on 31 December 1941. They will be a very welcome addition. More immediately (and just as welcome) the two new multi-role fighter wings – 4 and 5 AFs – are progressing well, with the first due for delivery on 30 September and the next on 12 October. They are equipped with the new La-5s and will be the Turkish Air Force’s most modern aircraft, versatile enough to conduct some tactical bombing of their own.
Turkish pilots training on Soviet La-5s with Soviet instructors near Ankara, September 1941. Turkish factories are coming near to the end of the first run of these modern new fighting machines.
“Excellent news,” Inönü says to his Chief Adviser from the War Ministry. “Cable Calistar to get his propaganda department onto a new Air Force recruiting campaign straight away. After the losses yesterday and these new wings coming on line, we will need an influx of pilots and aircrew.”
“At once, Milli Şef!” The official scurries off to the communications room at the expansive new 1st Army HQ in
Sofiya to prepare the telegram.
OTL: Eastern Front. During the Yelnya Offensive, the Soviets retook Yelnya itself (SE of Smolensk, 10 provinces distant from current front line).
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7 Sep 41
Once again, presented with a short-notice request for Air Force recruiting material, Perse steps up to assist. She has literally become the poster girl for the Turkish Air Force!
News Report: US. The results of a Gallup poll were published asking Americans, "Should the United States take steps now to keep Japan from becoming more powerful, even if it means risking a war with Japan?" 70% said yes, 18% said no and 12% expressed no opinion.
OTL: Eastern Front. The German 6th Army broke through Soviet defences near Konotop (Ukraine, ten provinces distant). German XIII, XLIII and XXXV Army Corps captured Chernihiv (Ukraine, nine provinces distant).
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8 Sep 41
The Iranian nationalists have now occupied
Iranshahr, while the Turkish infantry brigade sent to dislodge them is still on trains far to the west.
With the new
Yeniçeri Line well established and the Soviets mounting such an effective screening operation in the south, the experienced 3 Inf Div – which has seen relatively little fighting of late – is ordered to the far end of the
Danube Line, where the single leaderless 4 Inf Div has been left alone, its Soviet colleagues having departed some time before.
OTL: Eastern Front. The Germans captured Kremenchuk (Ukraine, ten provinces distant). The Yelnya Offensive ended in Soviet victory.
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9 Sep 41
A relatively quiet day is capped off by good news from the east: Soviet forces have retaken the key hill province of
Filiasi, re-establishing the protective barrier for
Bucharest and
Ploiesti. To balance that, to the north-east of
Filiasi, a Romanian and Soviet garrison of the city of
Brasov has been forced to retreat, although a joint Soviet-Romanian force is heading in from the south-west to try to secure it before the Axis can occupy another key part of the last good defensive terrain line before the open plains of central Romania.
OTL Event: Iran. Iran agreed to the terms of the occupying Allied forces. All Axis-aligned consulates would be closed and German nationals would be turned over to the British or Russians. The Allies would control Iranian roads, airports and communication.
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10 Sep 41
Another new militia brigade has completed basic training and has been combined witho 10 Mil Bde to form the Varna Garrison Division, part of the reserve
Blue Line.
Inönü must now decide what to commission next for the production queue. The Foreign Ministry reports that the latest Soviet main battle tank, the T-34, is now available for export licensing. It has a very good reputation and compares well with the earlier models in Turkish service – the T-28 (two brigades in 1 Cav Div) and the BT-7M (one brigade in 1 Mot Div). It will take some time before enough spare industrial capacity will be ready to have them building at 100%, but it is decided to start now. They should come in handy either for defence or attack in the future, when the battle is taken back to the filthy fascist invaders.
The request is made and soon accepted, production gearing up straight away.
News Report: Turkey. The Van-Erciş earthquake in eastern Turkey occurred at 23:53 local time on 10 September. It had an estimated surface wave magnitude of 5.9 and a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe) on the Mercalli intensity scale, causing 192 casualties.
The all too present danger of earthquake once again strikes the Turkish heartland, 10 September 1941.
OTL: Eastern Front. 3rd Panzer Division reached Romny (Ukraine, east of Kyiv, nine provinces distant).
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11 Sep 41
Many trade deal offers are received by Turkey, but most are dismissed without mention, as earlier conquests have left no requirement for spare cash and if a convoy is required, Turkey has some spare but not ample merchant shipping reserves. But this one is useful, helping to remedy a shortfall in metal.
12 Sep 41
News Report: US. White House Press Secretary Stephen Early said there was "striking similarity" between Nazi propaganda and Charles Lindbergh's comments in Des Moines the day before [not repeated here because of their partly racist content]. Lindbergh's remarks were widely criticised in the American press, even among pro-isolationist newspapers such as the Chicago Tribune and the Hearst media empire. The public standing of the America First Committee was severely damaged as a result.
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14 Sep 41
The experienced MAJGEN Karabekir brings his veteran 3 Inf Div into
Turnu Severin after their long train trip at 11 am. Not only will this double the permanent Turkish garrison there, but any battle will now be commanded by an experienced general, rather than none at all.
OTL: Eastern Front. 3rd and 16th Panzer Divisions linked up at Lokhvitsia, completing the encirclement of Kyiv (Ukraine, six provinces distant).
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16 Sep 41: Mid-Month Updates
By mid-month, the bigger picture reveals some advances by the Axis in the northern part of the
Patriotic Front, but some Comintern counter-offensives in the Ukraine and Romania, somewhat reversing the trends at the beginning of the month. There has also been another uprising in
Poland.
Patriotic Front as at 0100hr on 16 September 1941.
Another uprising in central Poland – about to be crushed by German medium panzers. Though this means they are not on the front line, at least.
The British are in full retreat in
Egypt, with
Alexandria and
Cairo now under threat, and little there to defend these key cities.
In the wider
Middle East, it looks like the 2nd Royal Marine Division is now back from
Sardinia and sitting in Palestine, though not yet with movement orders. The 43rd ’Wessex’ Division
does have orders: to deploy to
Basrah! Fools! However, it does look like several Iraqi divisions have now been ordered west – let’s hope it isn’t too little, too late.
The British confirm that the Italians have indeed retaken
Cagliari in
Sardinia. It is unknown whether this was the result of a British pull-out or an Italian attack.
The
Far East? Nothing good ever happens there!
17 Sep 41
OTL Event: Iran. The Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran concluded. Great Britain and the Soviet Union set up a joint occupation of the country.
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18 Sep 41
In
Ljubinje, the arm-wrestle for control goes on: the Germans have retaken it this time.
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19 Sep 41
OTL: Eastern Front. The Germans captured Kyiv (Ukraine, six provinces distant) and took 500,000 Red Army soldiers prisoner.
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21 Sep 41
Just north of
Turnu Severin, the hills of
Baja de Arama have been retaken by the Soviets! However, they find themselves under heavy air attack, with two wings each of Italian and Hungarian bombers hitting them. Unfortunately, with Hungarian fighters active and in large numbers in that area, there is nothing constructive the Turkish Air Force can do to interfere with their operations. Sad, but realistic.
24 Sep 41
Of note, the previous high reinforcement demand on industry at the height of the battles to hold
Pozarevac is now down to zero, meaning production of the new T-34 brigade can climb to 11% capacity. Reserve manpower has now risen to 104,000 and officer strength to 115%.
In the early afternoon, the field telephone rings at HQ 1st Army in
Sofiya. It is MAJGEN Alankup in
Velico Gradiste:
“We have been attacked by two German Divisions: 7th Panzer and 4th Liechte. My own 9th Division and 171 SD are both fully dug in. The enemy are attempting a breakthrough, but the units they have selected are ill-equipped for the task. I think we should see them off fairly easily, so will only send further details if their attack persists.”
“Very well, keep us informed.”
The earlier decision to leave 171 SD (one of the Soviet EFs, therefore under Turkish command) there has proven wise.
Italian bombers (two wings of Sparvieros) commence ground attacks on
Velico Gradiste at 3pm. They will alas have the skies to themselves on this occasion – especially as the attack does not look to be a strong one as yet.
Sure enough, by 6pm the Germans have had enough and break off the assault – another Turkish victory on the
Danube Line.
Air Report. The single Italian air raid on
Velico Gradiste killed 82 Comintern defenders just before the attack was broken off.
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25 Sep 41
Unfortunately, German medium armour succeeds in defeating the Soviets in
Baja de Arama and reoccupying it by 1pm the following day. And that night, the Soviets advise the Italians have driven them back out of the port of
Dubrovnik on the Adriatic coast, but their three-province-wide screen remains in place, stretching up to where 3 Mtn Div (and COL
@diskoerekto) hold the pivot point to the north-east on the Sava River.
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27 Sep 41
At 1pm on the afternoon of 27 September 1941, the crash of artillery fire signalled the commencement of yet another river crossing attempt by the Germans. Having secured
Baja de Arama two days before, 11th Pz Division, repaired and returned to combat duties, used it as a base to attack
Turnu Severin. 3 and 4 Inf Divs had been joined by the Soviet70 SD. All were by then fully dug in. Also present was the Soviet HQ 55ya Armiya Corps, commanded by the expert LTGEN Filippovsky, who was fully a match for his German counterpart. He met their reckless assault with delaying tactics.
“We seem to have their measure for now and will see the Danube wash the blood of the enemy all the way to the Black Sea!” was the sanguine prognosis of Karabekir, the senior Turkish general on the spot.
Air Report. Italian bombers had turned up to support the attack on
Turnu Severin, killing 136 defenders in a single raid that evening.
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28 Sep 41
Soon after midnight, reports came through that the German 16th Infanterie (a motorised formation) had joined in the attack on
Turnu Severin and was attempting to makes its own crossing of the Danube from
Orsova. By this time, 3 Cav Div had recovered from its earlier ordeal in
Pozarevac and was sitting in reserve at
Cuprija. However, for now they were left in place, awaiting the development of the battle to their north-east.
With the reinforced HQs of both 1st and 3rd Corps fully recovered, they were once again sent back to the front to
Pozarevac and
Velico Gradiste respectively, in preparation for possible renewed Axis offensives there: growing enemy concentrations in both
Vrsac and
Mehadia had been observed, so the additional special weapons (AA and AT) the two HQs could provide were deemed a useful addition to the defences there. 3 Cav remained in its familiar role as a mobile reserve for the
Danube Line.
That evening, 16th Infanterie reinforced the battle, the assault continued, though it was no longer reckless. 11th Panzer was showing a gratifying amount of disruption by then. Italian air strikes had continued since the early morning.
Air Report. Italian bombers conducted three raids that day on
Turnu Severin, killing 326 defenders.
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29 Sep 41
Two new AT brigades were delivered and began work-up that morning: with the front-line divisions all ‘full’ and not wishing the units to be wasted back on the
Blue Line, each was set up just behind the lines. If necessary, they could be rushed into combat if needed, perhaps swapping in for an artillery brigade if some part of the line came under serious assault by enemy armour. Otherwise, they would wait until Turkish doctrine allowed five-brigade divisions to be organised.
Inönü’s breakfast was greatly improved that morning when he received news from
Turnu Severin that the enemy had been repulsed with heavy losses. The month therefore ended with Turkish positions holding strong after three different assaults on the
Danube Line.
Air Report. Hungarian bombers took over and launched three raids all that day on
Turnu Severin, despite the attack ending in the morning, killing another 338 defenders.
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30 Sep 41: Interlude - Coffee and Baklava in Ankara
Our two former Foreign Ministry observers have re-emerged to meet for their once-habitual coffee and baklava in their favourite little café. They had been lying low for weeks, while the unsmiling and merciless goons of Interior Minister Kaya’s Secret Police searched for evidence of the mysterious ‘Thorn’ among staffers at the Ministry. Their Minister, Aras, has finally bought a little space, given Kaya’s men have turned up nothing to indicate this supposed British agent-of-influence even truly exists, let alone lurks within the Foreign Ministry.
The first, and taller of the two officials, greets his friend cautiously. His words are, as always, patriotic on the surface (in case of unseen listeners), but carry more meaning below the surface for the subtle listener. Making it safe from the understanding of the oafs, buffoons and cockscombs of the hated Kaya’s plodders.
“Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this sun of Ankara, and all the clouds that lowered upon our Glorious Union are buried in the deep bosom of the Balkans.”
“True, my friend,” replies his shorter and rounder companion. “Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths, our dented weapons hung up for monuments, our stern alarms changed to merry meetings, our dreadful marches to delightful victories.”
“Yes,” responds the Tall Official, glancing at the large pot-plant nearby and carefully projecting his voice towards it. “Grim-visaged war has eased on the Patriotic Front and now, instead of mounting armoured tanks to scare the souls of fearful adversaries, our forces stand strong all along the Yeniçeri-Danube Line, to the sound of a merry bağlama saz.”
A very merry Turkish long-necked bağlama saz, finished handsomely in walnut.
(2.41min)
“Old Turkish Folk Song: Çiçekler Ekiliyor”, saz and flute, with scenes of Turkey on the video.
“But,” replies the Short and Round One, “I, that am not shaped for sporty tricks, that am rudely stamped; cheated of attractive features by fickle nature, deformed, unfinished, sent before my time into this breathing world, scarce half made up, and so lame and unfashionable that dogs bark at me as I halt by them. I have no delight to pass away the time, unless to spy my shadow in the sun and discuss my own rotundity. And therefore, I am determined to prove a villain and hate the idle pleasures of these days. Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous, by drunken prophecies, libels and dreams, to set Intelligence Chief Ögel and Interior Minister Kaya in even more deadly hate the one against the other. And if President Inönü be as true and just as I will be subtle, false and treacherous, this week should Ögel be closely concerned about an accusation which says Kaya of Ögel the murderer shall be.”
“What! You can’t say such things in the hard light of day! No matter how horrible a monster that Kaya may be! Oops.”
“There is no one behind that pot plant my friend – there never was. Kaya has driven me beyond distraction, to desperation. I have planted information the one to implicate the other. I hope that Kaya is hoist by his own petard – before he has us all similarly served! Will you assist me in my endeavour, old friend? Something must be done to stop him! Or, as they say, if we don't hang together, we shall all be hung separately. Or even worse, given over to that fiendish 'Dark Lord of the S.I.T.H.' we keep hearing about.”
“I cannot think! Leave this with me – I shall say nothing but must consider my position. No, I insist, have peace. These are dangerous times and who knows
where such plotting may lead!”
One of our intrepid foreign office officials has embarked on a high-stakes game of intrigue here. Is he acting alone – or are there other forces behind this? Simple desperation, or part of a wider plot? Treason, resistance, or internal factional play?
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OTL: Eastern Front. The Germans launched Operation Typhoon, the assault on Moscow (18 provinces distant), when Heinz Guderian's forces attacked along the Bryansk (twelve provinces distant) Front.
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Coming Up: In Annex A to this chapter, monthly reports will be delivered to the Milli Şef, to cap off a month where the Comintern defence of the Balkans at least once again showed great resilience.
