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OTL Event: Dieppe. The Dieppe Raid took place on the northern coast of France. The operation was virtually a complete failure and almost 60% of the 6,086 men who made it ashore were killed, wounded or captured. The British destroyer Berkeley was crippled by Focke-Wulf Fw 190s and scuttled.
“Another one of those Slovakian devils, sir,” said his security chief. “We arrested him earlier in the day. It is a bit concerning he was between us and Užice, but the speed of the advance has created enough chaos for a few of these operatives to slip through. I recommend an increase in security patrols and for the Headquarters convoy, General.”
He was uneasy. They were moving swiftly through previously enemy territory, and Yugoslavia had no love of the turk at the best of times. After the glorious conquest however...things went from bad to worse.
The worst thing perhaps was that SITH were unavailable. It had been a long-standing order that any rebel or other uprisings would be disrupted and destroyed as soon as possible, especially in Europe. Thus the cabinet tended to overkill the amount of SITH agents sent to the various Greek trouble spots, which combined with operations in Italy, Hungary, France and Africa, left them thin on the ground in the one area they were desperately needed. If there was one thing that got rid of would-be partisans, it was SITH presence in the area. But for the last month, the army had reclaimed a great deal of territory, almost none of which aside from the pocket itself had been cleansed by K's staff.
The initial conclusion was that this had been an assassination attempt – but who was behind it? And had it worked? All this was unknown as the President’s security detail and medical team ran to the crashed BA-10 under fire, as the assaulting group was dealt with.
Will Inönü survive? What effect, if any, will this have on operations in the Summer Offensive and the ability of Celal Bayar to travel to Moscow in a few days’ time for the Coalition Meeting? Can the Adriatic Pocket be closed off and eliminated without too much delay or heavy Comintern casualties? And if it can, what would the troops released from that do next?
Yeah, I'm thinking some or all of the cabinet will go for broke on pet projects until the president wakes up/a new one gets control. That means most if not all of the miltiary camapigns on the drawing board are going to get much more attention. Soviets will probably take advantage by heavily suggesting we try one of them too.
with the Axis mounting a ‘full court press’ from six provinces across the Sava and Danube Rivers between Brko in the west and Panavo to the east, it meant there were no spare units to shuffle on this more thinly held part of the line.
Oooh never mind the above suggestion. Things seemingly started to turn sour, but if we manage to hold this, they'll be completely out of steam. I think this is the dying jerks of the integrity of the Axis front.
you can see her (adopted daughter of Atatürk) in this video of Atatürk next to him visiting my hometown. It has been colored recently I guess.
Ohhhh what happened to İnönü? That's a curious thing that happened. There's been some slowing but I'm confident the pocket will be closed soon enough and the freed divisions will go free Hungary from the fascists. But what really happened to İnönü and why was our secret service asleep? Questions, questions
@diskoerekto : All will be explained re Inonu - in due course and the fullness of time! That is, the next episode. And the trigger for this may surprise you
@diskoerekto : All will be explained re Inonu - in due course and the fullness of time! That is, the next episode. And the trigger for this may surprise you
@diskoerekto : All will be explained re Inonu - in due course and the fullness of time! That is, the next episode. And the trigger for this may surprise you
I hope it's not something like the game going crazy. I hate it when there's a game glitch at the exact same time there is a huge operation like this going on.
Supply issues were inevitable with all the destroyed infrastructure along the way, and the mediocre level of Infrastructure in the Balkans to start with. The back and forth over Zvornik seems to have created a bottleneck, with the Infrastructure getting destroyed due to the various fights and bombings. Most of the supply seems to be flowing through Beograd, so with Infrastructure damage in Zvornik, you loose some of the volume of supplies going to the river line to it's east, and to Tuzla especially. The supply AI is always a bit slow to adjust, but things should get progressively better as supplies get rerouted and infrastructure is repaired.
The battle of Tuzla is worrying, due to the sheer number of enemy units, but also because the above-mentioned supply issues could mean that the supply system is unable to replenish stocks quickly enough to keep up with the increased supply-consumption of a long-winded battle.
The small Adriatic pocket is pretty-much a done deal now, so even if you lose some territory to the north, the pocket will de mopped-up long before Axis forces outside it can do anything about it.
Supply production is usually a good idea, unless you import most of your supplies. You can save quite a bit of IC by keeping that up to date. I guess it's better late than never.
The GRU is very sorry to learn of the assassination attempt on Inonu. The presence of Slovak spies shows that Turkish Intelligence hasn't managed to keep up with the Turkish Army. I'm sure you'll get the situation under control and anxiously await news on your great leader's health and Turkey's response to it,
Given how supply production had rapidly come the the fore with the unprecedented demands of the Summer Offensive, technical heft was given over to looking at ways to improve it, as Turkish processes were a decade behind the times.
By the way, what is the supply organization and supply transportation techs status? The one we’re researching now saves us IC but doesn’t improve the situation on the ground.
Organization makes provinces supply bandwidth higher and transportation lessens the loss that incurs each province from the capital to the unit.
This is something we're going to have to remember when we really try to get out of the balkans and the russians try to get out of their own lands. Thankfully it doesn't look like there will be a race to Berlin but there may well be one to see who gets italy.
It is looking likeit may be time to start shutting down this offensive and consolidating. I see two issues at this time. First it looks like a significant number of new German units are showing up. If so we should have achieved the aim of drawing attention from other fronts. Second. We appear to be reaching the point that every offensive will where the distance to supply bases and the disruption of infrastructure make supply difficult. My suggestion would be to concentrate on closing and killing the Split pocket which should be doable and start digging in on most of the rest of the front. Small advances for reaching specific defensive terrain may be fine, but I doubt much more of a significant nature will be achievable until we reorganize and get the supply situation under control.
While I agree that Tobruk might be a now or never objective, I am not sure we should commit the marines until we have a better idea of how many new German divisions are on the front.
It is looking likeit may be time to start shutting down this offensive and consolidating. I see two issues at this time. First it looks like a significant number of new German units are showing up. If so we should have achieved the aim of drawing attention from other fronts. Second. We appear to be reaching the point that every offensive will where the distance to supply bases and the disruption of infrastructure make supply difficult. My suggestion would be to concentrate on closing and killing the Split pocket which should be doable and start digging in on most of the rest of the front. Small advances for reaching specific defensive terrain may be fine, but I doubt much more of a significant nature will be achievable until we reorganize and get the supply situation under control.
While I agree that Tobruk might be a now or never objective, I am not sure we should commit the marines until we have a better idea of how many new German divisions are on the front.
This was something we worried about at the begining of the attack too. We can't hold a super hard attack by the german army, but then again, the germans cant keep pushing into russia without all their current forces. So distraction is good, especially as we're still sorting out japan, but we need to be careful in the balkans. We're a long way from our prepared defences...and romania hangs in the balance too.
You say "unsuited", but if a true Soviet general were in charge here the T-34s would have no problem fording the river. Underwater along the riverbed if necessary!
Toüdemür’s attempt to blitz the hastily assembled defence of Gradiska continued to run into trouble: even though the enemy divisions opposing them were weak, there were three of them and they used the river obstacle to their advantage. 2 Mot Div was steadily losing organisation and had proven ill-suited to river-crossing operations.
I would say that here it is necessary to call off the attack ASAP. Out MOT divisions are among out premiere offensive units, we cannot waste their ORG against such a difficult defensive position.
By that evening, it was also clear the attack on Gradiska was failing, with 2 Mot Div taking heavy casualties – their tank and TD brigades had suffered the most. LTGEN Artunkal (Comd 2nd Corps) called the attack off at 7pm.
Comd 3rd Corps (and Army Chief) GEN Yamut was particularly concerned:
“Things are hard enough on this part of the line as it is. If our front line troops run out of supplies, the enemy may pounce on us as they shift forces west along the line. Get this fixed. Now!”
“Yessir, we’ll do our best,” said his harried Chief Logistics Officer. But really all he could do was fret – the system would suit itself as to who got what, when.
In retrospect, it may have been a good idea to invest some IC and cash into a license-built wing of transport planes, to resolve these sorts of supply difficulties. After all, we had to anticipate being involved in some offensive action if the fascist scum were going to eventually be defeated, and similarly to anticipate supply challenges traveling through such war-torn regions. Ah, well, another one for the next budget meeting.
but with the Axis mounting a ‘full court press’ from six provinces across the Sava and Danube Rivers between Brko in the west and Panavo to the east, it meant there were no spare units to shuffle on this more thinly held part of the line.
This could become concerning, if the Axis are able to make their push across and roll up the Bulge from the side. Even if we can extricate the units along the Adriatic before they become encircled, re-forming our defensive line may prove a challenge if the Axis advance makes any progress.
In the early hours of 19 August, GEN Yamut got some good news from his Logistics Chief: supply had been restored to Tuzla! As soon as the truckloads of ammunition and other vital stores were distributed, the enemy attack suddenly evaporated as the odds swung heavily in the defenders’ favour.
At that point, the command net in all the corps HQs of 1st Army came to life.
“All Sunrays this in One, Acting Sunray Minor speaking. Durum Kırmızı. I say again, Durum Kırmızı! More information to follow shortly, out!”
All over the front, those Corps Commanders who were asleep were woken by duty officers and adjutants, all reacting with shock when the codeword was mentioned – General Yamut in particular. They knew what it meant, even if their subordinates did not.
Durum Kırmızı – ‘Case Red’! What had happened to cause such an explosive codeword to be broadcast? The commanders of all the 1st Army corps went to their classified procedure books to make sure they enacted the required protocols correctly …
"Amateurs study tactics, professionals study logistics." As much as one hates to say it, perhaps the professionalism of the Glorious Union's military forces is not yet quite up to modern standards?
The 1st Army’s deputy chief of staff – now acting chief of staff - was simply told the President was unconscious and could not be woken. He was alive, but the prognosis was uncertain. He had no alternative but to have the codeword transmitted that would alert the Corps Commanders that the Commander was either dead or incapacitated. General Yamut, as Army Chief and the senior Corps Commander, would take temporary command of the 1st Army. He also sent the same codeword to Ankara, where Prime Minister Celal Bayar would also act as President for as long as the Milli Şef was unable to exercise his responsibilities.
Oh dear. I certainly hope our dear leader pulls through. Turkish leadership is already spread quite thin, and can afford no losses. To say nothing of a potential power vacuum without İnönü's firm hand at the wheel.
Given the named PCs and NPCs we have in Turkish Command, I would be worried if I was Turkey's ally. Certainly the cabinet is going to infight like mad now the cat's away.
Nothing the fleets could see - they don't always reveal enemy units, even when they're there. And remember mine are WW1 tech vintage. I'm thinking there is probably something there, but the British can't see them and nor can I - unless I think I fly 1 TAK there for a look - and hope they don't get shot down! I may try soon and certainly would before launching any landing on Tobruk.
He was uneasy. They were moving swiftly through previously enemy territory, and Yugoslavia had no love of the turk at the best of times. After the glorious conquest however...things went from bad to worse.
The worst thing perhaps was that SITH were unavailable. It had been a long-standing order that any rebel or other uprisings would be disrupted and destroyed as soon as possible, especially in Europe. Thus the cabinet tended to overkill the amount of SITH agents sent to the various Greek trouble spots, which combined with operations in Italy, Hungary, France and Africa, left them thin on the ground in the one area they were desperately needed. If there was one thing that got rid of would-be partisans, it was SITH presence in the area. But for the last month, the army had reclaimed a great deal of territory, almost none of which aside from the pocket itself had been cleansed by K's staff.
Who knew indeed? Remebering the Germans have been running their puppet Croation state for the last two years of occupation (more will be heard of them soon). It's a good thing for Inonu his security chief at the HQ took the arrest of this spy seriously ...
Perhaps. Though for whom? Anger is hot, but revenge should be cold. What will the Axis leadership make of all this? How will Turkey react - depending on Inonu's fate and their assessment of Axis complicity, or even initiation of this plot? Or was it the Mafia again?
Yeah, I'm thinking some or all of the cabinet will go for broke on pet projects until the president wakes up/a new one gets control. That means most if not all of the miltiary camapigns on the drawing board are going to get much more attention. Soviets will probably take advantage by heavily suggesting we try one of them too.
It's always difficult to reinforce when one needs the reinforcement the most. Would it be possible to make a spoiling attack from Tuzla?
Oooh never mind the above suggestion. Things seemingly started to turn sour, but if we manage to hold this, they'll be completely out of steam. I think this is the dying jerks of the integrity of the Axis front.
Let's hope these are all coming from other places in the front where now there are weak spots for us or allies to take advantage of
you can see her (adopted daughter of Atatürk) in this video of Atatürk next to him visiting my hometown. It has been colored recently I guess.
Ohhhh what happened to İnönü? That's a curious thing that happened. There's been some slowing but I'm confident the pocket will be closed soon enough and the freed divisions will go free Hungary from the fascists. But what really happened to İnönü and why was our secret service asleep? Questions, questions
I hope it's not something like the game going crazy. I hate it when there's a game glitch at the exact same time there is a huge operation like this going on.
Supply issues were inevitable with all the destroyed infrastructure along the way, and the mediocre level of Infrastructure in the Balkans to start with. The back and forth over Zvornik seems to have created a bottleneck, with the Infrastructure getting destroyed due to the various fights and bombings. Most of the supply seems to be flowing through Beograd, so with Infrastructure damage in Zvornik, you loose some of the volume of supplies going to the river line to it's east, and to Tuzla especially. The supply AI is always a bit slow to adjust, but things should get progressively better as supplies get rerouted and infrastructure is repaired.
The battle of Tuzla is worrying, due to the sheer number of enemy units, but also because the above-mentioned supply issues could mean that the supply system is unable to replenish stocks quickly enough to keep up with the increased supply-consumption of a long-winded battle.
The small Adriatic pocket is pretty-much a done deal now, so even if you lose some territory to the north, the pocket will de mopped-up long before Axis forces outside it can do anything about it.
Supply production is usually a good idea, unless you import most of your supplies. You can save quite a bit of IC by keeping that up to date. I guess it's better late than never.
The GRU is very sorry to learn of the assassination attempt on Inonu. The presence of Slovak spies shows that Turkish Intelligence hasn't managed to keep up with the Turkish Army. I'm sure you'll get the situation under control and anxiously await news on your great leader's health and Turkey's response to it,
Yes, supply should be a problem too - one of the things I actually like about HOI3. It modls it better than any other strategic simulation of WW2 I've come across, even though it's not perfect, of course. Because it was not a problem for so long and I had a large stockpile, I'd let supply-side stuff slide. But this was a wake-up call (larger army, Soviet EFs, much bigger air force, mech units, a major sustained offensive ...). But yes, apart from keeping an eye on stockpile and consumption, a lot of it is just waiting for distribution to catch up and damaged infra that has just been fought over in many cases to repair.
Tuzla and Sabac too are concerns, more because the enemy AI is (commendably I reckon) trying to keep me honest by pushing where they can to try to unbalance the offensive while they rush forces to plug the gaping wound on their Adriatic front.
The fate of the pocket will be made clearer in the next chapter.
I had done the first supply tech way back when, but had concentrated my scarce LS resources on other projects since then. I actually think it's a fun challenge to have so little LS when trying to keep up to date when fully engaged with the more advanced Germans (and even Italians) on a large land front in Europe. This may make me sound a bit strange - which would be right, no doubt!
That armoured car from Stalin and the caution of his security officer kept Inonu from being killed outright. The General Secretary will be among the first to be informed of the Milli Sef's prognosis. As to the response ... well, with S.I.T.H. on the case, it is unlikely to be delicate!
By the way, what is the supply organization and supply transportation techs status? The one we’re researching now saves us IC but doesn’t improve the situation on the ground.
Organization makes provinces supply bandwidth higher and transportation lessens the loss that incurs each province from the capital to the unit.
Excellent point. As you can see below, while production was researched to Level 1 earlier and I'm now going to Level 2, supply organisation and transportation are still at original levels (ie 0).
If I was to pick one of these to research next, given the circumstances, which one would people recommend for Turkey? Noting it would be 1/8 of my entire research budget (with another 1/8 already now going on supply production)?
This is something we're going to have to remember when we really try to get out of the balkans and the russians try to get out of their own lands. Thankfully it doesn't look like there will be a race to Berlin but there may well be one to see who gets italy.
Given the fighting in Europe will probably be like this for some time and my other far-flung territory (and possible amphibious adventures) I probably need to start looking at these sooner rather than later. Interested in views, as it's not been something Ive worried about as much in previous games (when I've mainly played powers with far bigger research budgets).
It is looking likeit may be time to start shutting down this offensive and consolidating. I see two issues at this time. First it looks like a significant number of new German units are showing up. If so we should have achieved the aim of drawing attention from other fronts. Second. We appear to be reaching the point that every offensive will where the distance to supply bases and the disruption of infrastructure make supply difficult. My suggestion would be to concentrate on closing and killing the Split pocket which should be doable and start digging in on most of the rest of the front. Small advances for reaching specific defensive terrain may be fine, but I doubt much more of a significant nature will be achievable until we reorganize and get the supply situation under control.
While I agree that Tobruk might be a now or never objective, I am not sure we should commit the marines until we have a better idea of how many new German divisions are on the front.
Excellent points once again! Some of the next little phase had already been played through (ie the next chapter) some time back, so you will see how I approached it. As for the future ... these are important considerations and much will depend on what actually turns up to contest us, both along the Sava and in the main axis of the advance further west.
Initiative is a precious thing, so judging when to keep going and when to stop is a delicate matter for a power (like Turkey) with reasonable but limited resources. Another consideration may be how Romania fares in the next little while - and whether some distracting relief for them becomes more pressing than the lure of an early breakthrough into northern Italy.
Tobruk is an interesting one too. I'm really not sure about it myself. The Moscow Conference will decide it, I think.
This was something we worried about at the begining of the attack too. We can't hold a super hard attack by the german army, but then again, the germans cant keep pushing into russia without all their current forces. So distraction is good, especially as we're still sorting out japan, but we need to be careful in the balkans. We're a long way from our prepared defences...and romania hangs in the balance too.
You say "unsuited", but if a true Soviet general were in charge here the T-34s would have no problem fording the river. Underwater along the riverbed if necessary!
Right as always, Professor! But, in this HOI3 configuration, they have definitely proved ill-suited. One of the formations with engineers in it would have been good, but none were close to hand.
I would say that here it is necessary to call off the attack ASAP. Out MOT divisions are among out premiere offensive units, we cannot waste their ORG against such a difficult defensive position.
True. They were hoping to sweep them aside quickly, overcoming the tactical difficulties with brute force. Thought he softening up they did was not without its uses - a bridge too far for 2 Mot indeed.
In retrospect, it may have been a good idea to invest some IC and cash into a license-built wing of transport planes, to resolve these sorts of supply difficulties. After all, we had to anticipate being involved in some offensive action if the fascist scum were going to eventually be defeated, and similarly to anticipate supply challenges traveling through such war-torn regions. Ah, well, another one for the next budget meeting.
But, compared say to a TAC wing, transports were never going to make it onto our priority list. Certainly not before we have enough fighters to be able to protect them. And we all know what happened with Stalingrad ... But, as discussed above, perhaps some more basic logistic research may be require: just like with our antiquated land doctrines - so much to do, so little to do it with!
This could become concerning, if the Axis are able to make their push across and roll up the Bulge from the side. Even if we can extricate the units along the Adriatic before they become encircled, re-forming our defensive line may prove a challenge if the Axis advance makes any progress.
"Amateurs study tactics, professionals study logistics." As much as one hates to say it, perhaps the professionalism of the Glorious Union's military forces is not yet quite up to modern standards?
Very much so - and they know it. Their researchers and doctrine writers are probably in a state of nervous exhaustion by now, with so much old doctrine and tech and so few teams available to improve it. It certainly focuses one on priorities.
Oh dear. I certainly hope our dear leader pulls through. Turkish leadership is already spread quite thin, and can afford no losses. To say nothing of a potential power vacuum without İnönü's firm hand at the wheel.
Given the named PCs and NPCs we have in Turkish Command, I would be worried if I was Turkey's ally. Certainly the cabinet is going to infight like mad now the cat's away.
Introduction. ‘Case Red’ – the incapacitation of the President – had been declared after the attack on Inönü’s HQ convoy in Novi Pazar, early on the morning of 20 August 1942. General Yamut had taken temporary command of the 1st Army and Prime Minister Bayar acted as Head of State and Government for both the Turkish Republic and the Glorious Union.
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1. Interregnum: Novi Pazar and Beograd
20 Aug 42
Medics had found Inönü unconscious in his damaged armoured car – but the BA-10 had protected him from fragmentation and small arms fire during the ambush. The German-produced Panzerbüchse 39 (PzB 39) 7.92mm anti-tank rifle had been used to take out the driver of the armoured car, but the main attack had taken place on the President’s enclosed staff car, as previously noted.
The intelligence services had found an official German photo of the weapon used in the attack.
There was no visible wound or injury on the President: it seemed he had been knocked unconscious by the impact of the crash. When he awoke later that day, he had a terrible headache and was clearly suffering from concussion. It was decided to keep him under observation and maintain the ‘Case Red’ protocols until he was well enough to take command again and resume his duties as President.
The ambushers had not yet been identified – none had been taken alive and they had been carrying no identifying documents. A Slovakian spy had been implicated in the plot: they were notorious stooges of the Germans and had been in close cooperation with Italian counter-espionage services during the ‘Secret War’ in Italy. This seemed to be no low-level, spontaneous or random attack.
---xxx---
21 Aug 42
This seemed even clearer the next morning – 21 August 1942 – when German newspapers were loudly proclaiming the Milli Şef’s death! It seemed they had intercepted the code-word and the Abwehr had assumed it proved Inönü’s death, what with the rumours coming out of Ankara regarding Celal Bayar’s assumption of leadership and of Yamut at 1st Army. They must at least be complicit in the attack, it was concluded. And the Nazi propaganda machine, in its typically grandiose and often barely competent manner, had decided to go public with this 'news'.
By the afternoon of 21 August, Inönü was well enough to begin taking up his duties again. Bayar had flown up to Beograd, where the President had been evacuated for treatment, bringing the two security chiefs – Ögel and Kaya, the ‘Terrible Twins’ – with him. He figured it would be safer to have them together and bickering than apart and plotting in dark corners.
“My President,” said Prime Minister Bayar, relating the front page of the German papers and radio announcements from that morning. “The rumour mill is in top gear. We should do something to reassure the people, the military and the world that these German assertions are filthy lies.”
“I agree, Bayar, but how should we do it?”
“Milli Şef,” offered Kaya. “For your personal security and to make the Germans look even more foolish and bombastic than usual, it may be a good idea to foster their belief in your demise for the next day or two, then they will look all the sillier when it is revealed they are wrong. No lies, just no confirmations or comments from us. Let them stew in their own juices.”
“Crafty thinking, Kaya, I like it,” replied Inönü. “But it can only be brief. We don’t want to foster panic in our own ranks and amongst the people of the Union.”
Ögel meanwhile had become agitated, seeing his bitter rival basking in the President’s good graces. He had to think of an angle himself. Quickly.
“Not a bad idea, Kaya. As far as it goes,” said Ögel as he gave his rival a condescending half-smile, which didn't reach his eyes. “But how about we make a big splash abroad. Where the Germans’ lies and perfidy will be seen as embarrassing nonsense in the eyes of the world, on the biggest stage."
He paused for effect. "'Case Red' can be the perfect cover: Bayar can remain as acting Milli Şef and President, and Yamut as 1st Army Commander … for as long as it takes for you to fly to Moscow yourself for tomorrow’s conference! You can arrive in a blaze of glory, thank General Secretary Stalin personally for the use of the armoured car and all the expeditionary forces they have sent, stress the singular success of our Summer Offensive, discuss North Africa with Churchill. And make the Nazi’s look like the foolish buffoons we know them to be.”
“Oh, brilliant Ögel, I love it even more!” Inönü enthused. “‘Case Red’ can now refer to my trip to Moscow – given it is the signature colour for both the Glorious and Soviet Unions and the Comintern itself. We will deny their attack ever happened and it will seem they fell for a clever deception plan to cover my travel.”
Turning to the Prime Minister, the President continued. “I’m sorry, I know you were looking forward to the trip, but this is a great opportunity to hammer the Fascists' credibility. And you will be acting head of the Union and the Republic for a few more days now, a vital task – and good for your standing with the people.”
“Of course, My President,” said Bayar with as much grace as he could muster. And Inönü did have a point. “Perhaps we could pretend to open a factory or repair workshop together here at the front, to show me and you leading the nation and the Union together. We can do it this afternoon, before you take the plane I was going to use to fly to Odessa. From there, the Soviets have arranged a special flight to Moscow. We’ll advise them of the changed arrangements and the delay in departure. You will now be arriving after Churchill and Harriman – but that will allow you to make a spectacular surprise entrance.”
“Yes, let’s get it done. I’m feeling more energised already. Though with this headache, I’m not looking forward to the long flights.”
“The sacrifices we must make, My President.”
A propaganda shot of Inönü and Bayar ‘inspecting’ a military repair workshop in Beograd, 21 August 1942. It was released after the president’s trip to Moscow was revealed. He always made a point of appearing in civilian attire when performing his Presidential duties. For him, no overdoing of that military posturing the Fascists were so fond of. Even though he actually commanded the 1st Army personally.
“I will have Calistar brief me, then read up on events of the last day and a half and the wider situation on the flights to Odessa and Moscow. I will take Fevzi Çakmak with me – 1st Corps will be fine without him for a couple of days, from the short summary I’ve heard already on the current situation. He can personally update the meeting on the Summer Offensive and the Adriatic Pocket. Calistar can handle the wider coalition military discussions, as planned.”
As LTGEN Çakmak was flown over to Beograd for the imminent departure to Russia that evening, Inönü met with Supreme (Theatre) Commander Field Marshal Fuad Calistar [aka İzzettin Çalışlar?] to discuss wider military developments in preparation for the meeting. Apart from updating the other leaders on the situation on the Turkish sector of the Balkans, one of the main inter-allied discussion points would be on possible operations in the Mediterranean – North Africa and Syria in the short term, Sicily and Italy in the longer term.
Calistar, seen here in civilian clothing (which like Inönü he tended to wear on many occasions, given his status in Cabinet and as one of the many military officers called back from retirement to serve dual roles during the war. He was the previous War (Armaments) Minister and remained Inönü’s deputy in that role and was also currently Minister for Propaganda.
“So, Mr President,” began Calistar as he started his update briefing at 4pm sharp. “While you were unconscious and then recovering from that dastardly attack, this is what has happened in the last day and a half …”
OK, what actually happened here, to spark this little segue, was that despite two levels of safeguards (I put old screenshots in a temporary bin, before deleting them and leaving them in the recycle bin for a good while) and attempts to recover the accidentally deleted files (not sure how it happened – a screenshot numbering thing, I think, then just happened to have done a periodic Recycle Bin empty) that couldn’t be done as the two save points available bracketed but did not include them: all the screenshots from 0400 20 Aug to 1600 21 Aug 1942 were lost.
A pity, because there was some interesting and intense action over that time in the air and on the ground, including the closing of the Adriatic Pocket. Ah well, it rarely happens, and I’ve covered for it below. And I turned necessity into invention by having that Slovakian spy at the centre of a devilish plot by Axis interests, which will now play out in a new narrative arc. Anyway, onwards with the story!
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2. Sava Sector – as at 1600hr 21 Aug 42
Inönü was briefed that during his blackout, the Battle of Sabac had been lost. 2 Inf Div had not been able to reinforce in time and was swept up in the retreat and the enemy had recently occupied the province. The Yak-4s of 1 BG had mercilessly raided the attacking Axis troops in Semska Mitrovica for the last day and a half and continued to do so, as it was hoped to keep those troops under pressure while the more battered enemy forces in Sabac were left there. Once 2 Inf Div (still fresh and undamaged, unlike 97 SD ‘Shar’, with whom it was retreating) was back in Visegrad, the area should be strongly enough held. Action to retake Sabac could be contemplated later, but for now forces in this sector were somewhat stretched.
To the west, 15 Inf Div had occupied the bridgehead over the Sava River at Gradiska and was now holding it. No more offensive operations in the area were contemplated for now – it was time to consolidate along the new Sava River Line. This stance was reinforced by the fact the enemy had mustered fresh forces for another attack on Doboj. It should hold, but the line here was now firmly on the defensive.
---xxx---
3. Adriatic Sector – as at 1600hr 21 Aug 42
The main action by this time had switched to the Adriatic Sector, where further advances had been made. First, Zara had recently been occupied unopposed by 222 SD, which decisively closed off the Axis forces now trapped in the Adriatic Pocket. 222 SD had then immediately joined in an attack from Knin (1 Armd and 11 Inf Divs) and Sinj (the recently reorganised 3 Mtn Div, with its new commander MAJGEN Seven) on Split. That attack had been in progress for a few hours now and was making steady inroads on the stubbornly entrenched garrison.
The Italians had since taken charge of most of the formations trapped in the pocket (including at least two German divisions), but they seemed to now be panicking and heading to Makarska, with the long-entrenched German infantry division in Mostar recently spotted heading west. It would make them easier to roll up when the time came.
---xxx---
Turkish agents in Rome reported that Mussolini had been shocked and dismayed by the news when it was passed to him.
A candid photo of Il Duce in Rome, 21 August 1942, upon hearing the news of the Adriatic Pocket closing.
“Il Duce,” one of his military aides had said. “Deputy Führer Hess has been on the line from Berlin. Apparently, the news was broken to Herr Hitler this afternoon.”
“Caca Verdi!” exclaimed Mussolini, with some degree of trepidation. “How did he take it?”
“Stunned at first we were informed, Il Duce.”
Hitler cannot believe the news, as seen here when briefed in Berlin on the trapping of German divisions with the Adriatic Pocket, 21 August 1942.
“Yes, then what?”
“Ah, Herr Hess did not care to provide a verbatim report of Herr Hitler's response. Suffice it to say it went uninterrupted for about twenty minutes!”
A classic Hitler rant had ensued. Words such as “these incompetent Italian fools and cowards will be our Downfall” had been used, it was reported.
“Herr Hess said that the Führer had ‘requested’, in the strongest terms possible, a meeting in Vienna very soon. He was keen to get 'a full accounting of how this unmitigated disaster had come about’. He reiterated the Führer’s adamant position that there should be ‘no retreat’ and that the ‘Adriatic Kessel’ must either be relieved, or they must all die fighting.”
“No retreat? But that is not the Italian Way!” said one of the generals listening to this distressing account, his shock causing him to forget discretion for a moment.
Mussolini simply glared at him. And then realised he would have to confront the irate Hitler soon.
Mussolini’s reaction to word that Hitler wanted “a full accounting” in Vienna the following day (22 August 1942). Donning a helmet seemed to provide him with some emotional support. He would be needing it!
“One last thing, Il Duce,” said the aide with some hesitation. “The Führer said the ‘only bright spot in the whole sorry mess’ was that the team of ‘Croat patriots’ the Slovakians had recruited for the task had managed to kill ‘that upstart dog and gangster Inönü’. It has been plastered across all the major German newspapers this morning!”
“What? No! We haven’t received any confirmation that he was actually killed – all the operatives, including our loaned Mafia – er, Secret Police – hit-man were killed! It is premature to categorically claim his death.”
Mussolini thought for a moment. “Well, I must prepare for this meeting with Hitler. Vienna, you say? His old home town? Perhaps a silly hat will help to disarm his anger somewhat! Do you think Hitler might wear lederhosen?”
Mussolini outfits himself for the difficult trip to Vienna. “Paolo, you know the hat I mean – yes, that’s the one!” remarked Mussolini to his valet.
And so, the truth behind the plot had been spilled within the hearing of agents reporting to their Turkish handlers. The consequences of this would be dire. Kaya and Ögel were directed to provide a report on the activities of the renegade Croatian puppet state the Germans had created after their invasion and occupation of that zone in June 1940. And of possible Nazi targets for Turkish retribution. They already knew who they wanted to get in Italy - the lists had been collated for some time.
“I like what the British did through their Czech agents to that odious Reinhard Heydrich in Prague a couple of months ago,” said Inönü with cold anger. “Perhaps a certain S.I.T.H. Lord of ours may wish to pay a visit to Berlin in the near future.”
“I’ll mention it to him, Mr President,” said Ögel in a quiet voice, looking up at the ceiling and into dark corners as subtly as he could manage. “And I will have young Cennet extend her Adriatic tour to Zagreb to see what can be found out there as well.”
“And I will ensure that Slovakian spy has every bit of information wrung out of him that I can,” piped up Kaya. Then, in a rare moment of professional cooperation in such dire times, he turned to Ögel. “Şükrü, perhaps you could ask, er, ‘Lord K’ to drop by Beograd on his way north? He could assist with the interrogation and 'neutralisation' of this Slovak scum.”
“Of course, Şükrü, Let us cooperate on this for the national interest.”
The Axis had achieved what had been thought impossible: something of a rapprochement between the ‘Two Şükrüs’!
---xxx---
Resuming his report on operational matters, Calistar noted that 1 Inf Div, which had been in the process of advancing to Ubdina after their victory there a few days before, had been delayed in Bosanski Petrovac by an attack from the German 233rd Pz Gren Division, last seen passing through Gradiska a few days before. The Italian Air Force was also weighing in and, although some of their wings were carrying damage from earlier engagements with the Turkish flyers, their raiding group was too strong for an intervention by Örlungat’s fighter wings at that point.
Due to air action over the last day or two, the Beograd CAP was now down to two wings, both somewhat disorganised. 2 AG was still recovering, while the most recently and badly damaged fighter wings had been assigned to the 'Beograd R&R' group. 1 BG remained in good condition and maintained its raids in the eastern Sava sector.
---xxx---
4. Other Reports – as at 1600hr 21 Aug 42
The rebels in the Dodecanese had been easily defeated with minimum casualties in the last day. HQs 1st and 5th Corps had completed their relocation to Zenica, with all their subordinate divisions now in command range. HQ 1st Army, recovered from the ‘terrorist attack’ in Novi Pazar, was still in that province but had almost exited it and would soon be in its destination of Užice. All the five subordinate Corps HQs were also now in command range.
The HQ security chief – who had been promoted after his prudence and foresight had effectively saved the President’s life in the recent ambush – had instituted very tight security protocols, which would be maintained in the new location. He was also happy that ‘Case Red’ had now been changed to refer to the trip to Red Square and the Kremlin in Moscow! The President should be safer there for the next few days than in this nest of terrorists and assassins, he thought to himself.
And HQ 1st Army Group was on the move back to Sofiyah. All told, only one division in the west and the two Soviet EFs in the East Romanian Screen (all 6th Corps formations) were out of command range now.
---xxx---
5. Summaries for the Moscow Conference
The Patriotic Front (green line below shows positions on 1 August) had been comparatively stable so far in the first three weeks of the month. In net terms, more ground was lost in Russia and Romania than gained. But Leningrad held, though there was a German breakthrough to its south. Ground was lost in Ukraine, the Axis had inched forward along the Romanian border with the USSR and made larger inroads in Romania itself, with gains from July being lost. The bright spot was that the ‘Bulge’ had continued to grow and the Adriatic Pocket closed off at Zara, though Sabac had been lost to a determined enemy attack.
In the Northern Sector, though Leningrad did indeed still hold, the Soviets were under pressure again to its south. A defensive line that had been hastily re-established in the last few weeks was being pushed back again, while further south of that the Germans had made a small ‘bulge’ of their own.
Although it now had Axis forces assembled on three sides, the northern point of the Turkish screening position on the Romanian-Soviet Border had not yet been attacked by land. 177 SD was in the most exposed position while to its west, Iasi remained in Axis hands. Romanian units had (at Turkish request) helped to reinforce the screening positions.
In central Romania, the situation was less favourable. The gains in the south of the Carpathian mountains from July had all been reversed, and the Axis had also advanced on a broad front from Iasi south-east to Brasov. The front was still held in some strength, but the slow retreat was worrying for the Romanian Government - and its partners, Turkey especially.
The Eastern Front in general, and Central Asia in particular, showed continued signs of stabilisation. It was too early to say whether this would persist or the Comintern would now even start to consistently roll back the massive Japanese gains of the last two or more years, but it was cause for some relief.
The British position in South East Asia continued to slowly deteriorate. Burma was something of a sideshow as far as the Comintern coalition partners were concerned, but Malaya was another matter. The natural resources there and the great naval base in Singapore would be a significant loss to the anti-Fascist effort – and commensurate boon to the Japanese – if they fell.
In Malaya, the British 1st Armd Div (Montgomery) and 1st Australian (Marine) Division were becoming rather exposed as the Japanese advanced on the southern coast, where the Belgian 1st Division had taken up a blocking position. Singapore had a mixed infantry-garrison division guarding it, but if the two best formations in the north were cut off, the whole peninsula would be doomed. If it wasn’t already. The Royal Navy had a massive 52 naval units operating out of Singapore itself.
While in Burma, the Nepalese divisions guarding the approaches to Rangoon were being steadily pushed back by Thai and Japanese forces. A British Indian Army division (the 23rd) was on its way to Rangoon (which as yet had no garrison), but this may be too little too late.
“Mr President,” offered Calistar after he had finished this summary. “We can anticipate that the British will once again want the Americans to assist them by launching a naval landing either further north on the Malayan peninsula; or on Bangkok, as they have previously advocated, to disrupt Japanese supply lines and cause Thailand to recoil from their strong support of the Japanese in both Burma and Malaya. Prime Minister Churchill will no doubt seek a side meeting with you to see if we would be willing to make the request to the Americans on their behalf. They know the Soviets will not be at all interested.”
“I’m not sure that would be a good idea – I don’t think the US will be in a position to do something in South East Asia when they are struggling in the Central Pacific. Has Midway held? They were in trouble the last time I was briefed a couple of days ago.”
“Bad news, I’m afraid, sir. The US still nominally holds the island, but have lost all communications with the marines and airborne troops who were defending it. We believe the battle there is over and it’s just a matter of the Japanese marines completing their landing to mop up any last small areas holding out.”
There are no US land units left on Midway.
“Well, that seals it as far as I’m concerned. The British will have to look after themselves in South East Asia. What of North Africa?”
“Better news there. They have advanced to within two provinces of Tobruk and have more forces advancing – though the effort is typically small scale and piece-meal. Our past experience is that they don’t send enough troops or persist long enough to wrap things up, every time they make one of these promising advances. They may come up short again. We still have no clear idea of whether the Italians have any ground troops actually in Tobruk, which is well protected with fortifications. Depending on the outcomes of the coming talks, the British may still be interested in us landing a marine force in the rear of the Italian line. Should the Italians lose their ports, their supply situation, which must already be grave, should become impossible.”
“I’m more amenable to that idea, though not yet fully sold on it. We’ll see what Churchill asks in Moscow. What of the Americans? Would they land in support in Tobruk or further west in Libya?”
“Their operational planners are keen – their liaison officer code-named @Wraith11B refers to their plan for landings in Tobruk, Bengasi and even further west as the ‘SMELT’ proposal, you may recall. But whether the upper echelons of the US political and military command would actually respond to any requests we may make for such landings remains very dubious.”
The US working level plan for a ‘Strategic Marine Expeditionary Leapfrog Transit’ (SMELT) offensive in Libya, as advanced by agent @Wraith11B
“So if we do it, we should assume we’d be doing it on our own?”
“Yes, Mr President. That would be the most prudent approach. Make the requests to the US, but don’t plan or rely on them landing. Though they do have the 101st Airborne Division standing by in Irakleio with transport planes, so you never know. They may well think that having given us those expeditionary marine divisions, they have made their contribution and it is up to us to use them.”
“Not an unreasonable view, I think. Regarding future plans for Sicily, Syria and Vichy France in general – they remain more distant propositions and will no doubt crop up at the talks.”
At that point, the door to the briefing room opened, and Fevzi Çakmak entered, with his adjutant.
“Ah, Fevzi, well met my old friend. We are all done here – we should head off to the airport straight away, so we are not too late for the meetings in Moscow tomorrow. You can fill me in on recent battlefield events during the flight.”
With that, the delegation headed off to the Beograd air base, where they would take a Turkish transport to Odessa – making sure to fly a southerly route to avoid enemy aircraft – and from there, an escorted flight provided by the Soviets.
The Turkish Air Force DC-3 that took the Turkish delegation to Odessa, at Beograd air base, 21 August 1942.
Turkey began getting DC3s from around a year later in OTL. But the Soviets already had them before this time (and had started making their own copies) and given the US being in the Comintern and the warm allied relations between the US and Turkey in TTL (or should that be ‘TTTL’ – the Talking Turkey Time Line!), I will assume they have a few for military passenger transport by this second half of 1942.
As they got on the plane, Calistar presented a folder to Inönü.
“Here is some work from the Propaganda Department, Mr President – an original Turkish design, this time. I thought you may like to have it as we set off.”
“Why thank you, Fuad. It will lift my spirits after the recent travails, I’m sure. This long trip is not going to improve my headache.”
@diskoerekto as far as I could tell from Google Translate, this seems to simply say something like ‘To Arms’, but would appreciate your advice!
---xxx---
Coming Up: The Moscow Conference of August 1942 will decide much for the immediate prosecution of the anti-Fascist struggle of Great War Two. The Patriotic Front, Eastern Front, South East Asia, the Pacific and the Mediterranean will all be assessed and discussed. And the surprise appearance of the Milli Şef himself will certainly throw the proverbial cat amongst the Fascist pigeons – especially in Vienna, where Hitler will be meeting with Mussolini and Hungarian leader Admiral Miklós Horthy to discuss the Balkan Front the very same day!
What might Cennet be able to dig up in Zagreb? And after questioning the Slovakian spy being interrogated in Beograd (and of course having a 'bit of sport' followed by ‘neutralisation’), will Kelebek depart straight for Berlin? Or perhaps take a detour via Bratislava first?
AuthAAR's Note: We are all up to date again with AAR to gameplay, so any thoughts for the Moscow Conference are of course welcome. I have a few ideas already about the consequences of the failed assassination attempt on the Milli Şef, but won't be spoiling those in advance.
That armoured car from Stalin and the caution of his security officer kept Inonu from being killed outright. The General Secretary will be among the first to be informed of the Milli Sef's prognosis. As to the response ... well, with S.I.T.H. on the case, it is unlikely to be delicate!
Given the fighting in Europe will probably be like this for some time and my other far-flung territory (and possible amphibious adventures) I probably need to start looking at these sooner rather than later. Interested in views, as it's not been something Ive worried about as much in previous games (when I've mainly played powers with far bigger research budgets).
Mm. Well in universe, the Soviets and Amercians both want a large Turkish led central state between them, so they'll be sending you admin and infrastructure help and resources throughout the war years and afterwards I imagine. As for turkey itself, might as well plan for the future and get everything connected up properly.
This seemed even clearer the next morning – 21 July 1942 – when German newspapers were loudly proclaiming The Milli Şef’s death! It seemed they had intercepted the code-word and the Abwehr had assumed it proved Inönü’s death, what with the rumours coming out of Ankara regarding Celal Bayar’s assumption of leadership and of Yamut at 1st Army. They must at least be complicit in the attack, it was concluded. And the Nazi propaganda machine, in its typically grandiose and often barely competent manner, had decided to go public with this 'news'.
make the Germans look even more foolish and bombastic than usual, it may be a good idea to foster their belief in your demise for the next day or two, then they will look all the sillier when it is revealed they are wrong.
He paused for effect. "'Case Red' can be the perfect cover: Bayar can remain as acting Milli Şef and President, and Yamut as 1st Army Commander … for as long as it takes for you to fly to Moscow yourself for tomorrow’s conference! You can arrive in a blaze of glory, thank General Secretary Stalin personally for the use of the armoured car and all the expeditionary forces they have sent, stress the singular success of our Summer Offensive, discuss North Africa with Churchill. And make the Nazi’s look like the foolish buffoons we know them to be.”
A candid photo of Il Duce in Rome, 21 August 1942, upon hearing the news of the Adriatic Pocket closing.
“Il Duce,” one of his military aides had said. “Deputy Führer Hess has been on the line from Berlin. Apparently, the news was broken to Herr Hitler this afternoon.”
“Caca Verdi!” exclaimed Mussolini, with some degree of trepidation. “How did he take it?”
What? No! We haven’t received any confirmation that he was actually killed – all the operatives, including our loaned Mafia – er, Secret Police – hit-man were killed! It is premature to categorically claim his death.”
“I like what the British did through their Czech agents to that odious Reinhard Heydrich in Prague a couple of months ago,” said Inönü with cold anger. “Perhaps a certain S.I.T.H. Lord of ours may wish to pay a visit to Berlin in the near future.”
Then, in a rare moment of professional cooperation in such dire times, he turned to Ögel. “Şükrü, perhaps you could ask, er, ‘Lord K’ to drop by Beograd on his way north? He could assist with the interrogation and 'neutralisation' of this Slovak scum.”
Prime Minister Churchill will no doubt seek a side meeting with you to see if we would be willing to make the request to the Americans on their behalf. They know the Soviets will not be at all interested.”
Depending on the outcomes of the coming talks, the British may still be interested in us landing a marine force in the rear of the Italian line. Should the Italians lose their ports, their supply situation, which must already be grave, should become impossible.”
Thanks for yet another exciting episode, the status of the Patriotic front even though we're drawing some attention to us is a bit worrying but let's see.
If I was to pick one of these to research next, given the circumstances, which one would people recommend for Turkey? Noting it would be 1/8 of my entire research budget (with another 1/8 already now going on supply production)?
I'm sure there are more seasoned players than me, but as far as I know about the supply mechanics, organization (the one that makes the throughput higher) would be the fastest cure to the acute problem at hand.
To the west, 15 Inf Div had occupied the bridgehead over the Sava River at Gradiska and was now holding it. No more offensive operations in the area were contemplated for now – it was time to consolidate along the new Sava River Line. This stance was reinforced by the fact the enemy had mustered fresh forces for another attack on Doboj. It should hold, but the line here was now firmly on the defensive.
Good translation by Google, and this has been a poster from one of the iconic graphic designers of the history of Turkey, İhap Hulusi whose many designs still persist today. You can see some of his designs here or here. In the late 20s and 30s, during the transformation from a pre-enlightment empire to a modern nation, for each and every profession that is not traditional, there were one or few trailblazers that were either children of families with a tradition of good education, or bright kids sent by the young republic to the West to learn stuff and come back. Hulusi was the one for graphic design. My favorite rakı also has its logo designed by him.
AuthAAR's Note: We are all up to date again with AAR to gameplay, so any thoughts for the Moscow Conference are of course welcome. I have a few ideas already about the consequences of the failed assassination attempt on the Milli Şef, but won't be spoiling those in advance.
My idea about Libya stays the same, we can gain some experience to our marines, encircle some Italians and paint some map, but then we shouldn't spend any effort to keep it.
About what happens after the pocket is eliminated, I say a race to Budapest
If there is there any way to trigger the USA navy to patrol Pacific, we can try that but I doubt that exists.
Excellent point. As you can see below, while production was researched to Level 1 earlier and I'm now going to Level 2, supply organisation and transportation are still at original levels (ie 0).
If I was to pick one of these to research next, given the circumstances, which one would people recommend for Turkey? Noting it would be 1/8 of my entire research budget (with another 1/8 already now going on supply production)?
As always, my memory is a bit hazy when it comes to the vanilla tech tree, but I believe Supply Transportation would have the greater impact in terms of getting our troops at the front the supplies they need, as it should bump up the raw throughput more so than Organization. The latter tech is better for reducing your IC commitment to supplies by reducing the "supply tax" incurred every time a supply crosses a province border, however the UGNR can easily afford a few more IC of supply need right now. Note that Organization does help throughput indirectly, since the reduced supply tax means more supplies actually make it to the troops instead of some random QM's pockets, but I think the effect is less than what you get for the same level of Transportation.
So basically, you have Supply Transportation to buff throughput, Supply Production (Industry tab) to reduce IC commitment, and Supply Organization which is a bit of both.
Alright, now I need to actually read this update...
There was no visible wound or injury on the President: it seemed he had been knocked unconscious by the impact of the crash. When he awoke later that day, he had a terrible headache and was clearly suffering from concussion. It was decided to keep him under observation and maintain the ‘Case Red’ protocols until he was well enough to take command again and resume his duties as President.
Bah. I come here hoping for power struggles, political intrigue, perhaps a fist-fight between Ögel and Kaya, and all I get is a president with a headache. DAMN YOU, BULLFILTER!! *shakes fist*
By the afternoon of 21 August, Inönü was well enough to begin taking up his duties again. Bayar had flown up to Beograd, where the President had been evacuated for treatment, bringing the two security chiefs – Ögel and Kaya, the ‘Terrible Twins’ – with him. He figured it would be safer to have them together and bickering than apart and plotting in dark corners.
I begin to understand how Lord El Pip feels reading about competent Italians in the Stahlpakts AAR, as here Turkish leadership again makes a wise decision and chooses to curtail any potential Ögel/Kaya hijinks, at the expense of the poor readership starved for drama and intrigue?
What's that you say? Something about a war being on? Dramatic fighting in some kind of bulge? Nonsense, I say!
OK, what actually happened here, to spark this little segue, was that despite two levels of safeguards (I put old screenshots in a temporary bin, before deleting them and leaving them in the recycle bin for a good while) and attempts to recover the accidentally deleted files (not sure how it happened – a screenshot numbering thing, I think, then just happened to have done a periodic Recycle Bin empty) that couldn’t be done as the two save points available bracketed but did not include them: all the screenshots from 0400 20 Aug to 1600 21 Aug 1942 were lost.
A pity, because there was some interesting and intense action over that time in the air and on the ground, including the closing of the Adriatic Pocket. Ah well, it rarely happens, and I’ve covered for it below. And I turned necessity into invention by having that Slovakian spy at the centre of a devilish plot by Axis interests, which will now play out in a new narrative arc. Anyway, onwards with the story!
Always impressive how you manage to write the most arcane of in-game and out-of-game events into the narrative without missing a beat. I tip my hat to you, sir.
“No retreat? But that is not the Italian Way!” said one of the generals listening to this distressing account, his shock causing him to forget discretion for a moment.
Although it now had Axis forces assembled on three sides, the northern point of the Turkish screening position on the Romanian-Soviet Border had not yet been attacked by land. 177 SD was in the most exposed position while to its west, Iasi remained in Axis hands. Romanian units had (at Turkish request) helped to reinforce the screening positions.
Looking at the accompanying map, one begins to think that it may not be so bad if the Axis scum penetrate through to Odessa and the Black Sea Coast. The actual front length of the Romanian line will not become all that much longer (certainly not in terms of number of provinces along the line, I think), but the Germans will have to split their forces to line the north and south edges of that spearhead, which may spread them too thin in the sector to maintain an advance.
Perhaps they've just relocated their valuable PAR and MAR divisions for more useful tasks, and accidentally left the island ungarrisoned? And the Japan AI is then bombing an undefended airfield? To be sure, equally as likely with the Paradox AI, but less devastating than the outcome posited by the authAAR.
As always, my memory is a bit hazy when it comes to the vanilla tech tree, but I believe Supply Transportation would have the greater impact in terms of getting our troops at the front the supplies they need, as it should bump up the raw throughput more so than Organization. The latter tech is better for reducing your IC commitment to supplies by reducing the "supply tax" incurred every time a supply crosses a province border, however the UGNR can easily afford a few more IC of supply need right now. Note that Organization does help throughput indirectly, since the reduced supply tax means more supplies actually make it to the troops instead of some random QM's pockets, but I think the effect is less than what you get for the same level of Transportation.
So basically, you have Supply Transportation to buff throughput, Supply Production (Industry tab) to reduce IC commitment, and Supply Organization which is a bit of both.
Definitely need the Tobruch portion of the SMELT operation to be executed. The more chance that British forces have to get close to that, the more chance that we're not going to be able to sneak in and land with minimal opposition.
If I was to pick one of these to research next, given the circumstances, which one would people recommend for Turkey? Noting it would be 1/8 of my entire research budget (with another 1/8 already now going on supply production)?
As always, my memory is a bit hazy when it comes to the vanilla tech tree, but I believe Supply Transportation would have the greater impact in terms of getting our troops at the front the supplies they need, as it should bump up the raw throughput more so than Organization. The latter tech is better for reducing your IC commitment to supplies by reducing the "supply tax" incurred every time a supply crosses a province border, however the UGNR can easily afford a few more IC of supply need right now. Note that Organization does help throughput indirectly, since the reduced supply tax means more supplies actually make it to the troops instead of some random QM's pockets, but I think the effect is less than what you get for the same level of Transportation.
So basically, you have Supply Transportation to buff throughput, Supply Production (Industry tab) to reduce IC commitment, and Supply Organization which is a bit of both.
I agree with @nuclearslurpee , except that he got them the wrong way around, 'organization' increases throughput and 'transportation' reduces the cost of transporting supplies. As @diskoerekto hesitantly pointed out. To be entirely clear, you should go for 'Organization' for all the reasons @nuclearslurpee states above that you should go for 'transportation'.
I for one am glad that Inonu is alive and well, with only a headache as a consequence. I think that attending the Moscow conference in person is just the right way to show the world that rumours of his death are greatly exaggerated. I am currently in Moscow in preparation for the conference, and will personally ensure that the GRU, the NKGB, and the NKVD increase the already tight security. I'll try my best to get them to work together for once... otherwise they'll all have to organise a full security detail, and there will be triple security. If there is one thing we can't afford, it is for Inonu to be killed in Moscow, of all places.
The axis bridgehead in Sabac is a bit of a worry, but it's not enough for the Axis to really threaten the Adriatic pocket.
In this case, I'll defend the Italians, for once, as the Germans are just as responsible for getting encircled as the Italians were. This is a case of Germany blaming it's own mistakes on the eternal scapegoat of the Axis, Italy. The fact that the German units in the pocket have donned Italian Divisions just proves my point. I'm sure Germany is going to be saying that it was Italy that lost them those Divisions and that they had nothing to do with it as they were clearly expeditionary forces. That said, I don't think that funny hat is going to help Benito in Vienna. He's about to get an earful from a fuhrer who, not only has just had to write off three Divisions, but has also been told that Inonu is alive and well, and making a laughing stock of his propaganda department over in Moscow. The fact that this assassination attempt was orchestrated by Italian intelligence will only make it worse for il Duce, I wouldn't like to be in his place. Well that's not true, I would like to be in his place, because then I could assassinate the fuhrer at that meeting in Vienna.
I'm curious to see what the Moscow conference throws up. For the SMELT plan, I feel like Tobruch is now too close to British lines, meaning that the city is probably occupied and not the best target for an invasion. Bengasi and Tripoli are still viable targets imo.
The Eastern front is looking good, Leningrad is still ours, and the Bulge remains strong. That's good news, the trouble in Ukraine is nothing we haven't seen before. The line is being pushed back ever more slowly, except in the Balkans and the East, where the Axis is actually losing ground (and Divisions).
I'm cautiously optimistic about the way the war is going for the Eurasian Comintern. The Americans are losing in the Pacific, and the Brits in South-East Asia, but in Europe (and maybe soon in North-Africa), thanks to Turkey, things are looking up.
SkitalecS3
OOC: Nice move, translating the loss of two game days of screenshots into a thrilling assassination plot narrative.
