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Having seen the options proposed it is time to weigh in. I will have to be placed firmly in the Hungary First camp although there are some considerations on how to execute an attack on Hungary. The "Berlin or Bust" plan while optimistic needs to be tempered with a large dose of realism. At some point the Germans will put too much in front of you to make any more headway then take out your supply so it is really a non-option.
The attack on Italy "All Roads Lead to Rome" is interesting but out of our reach for now. The marines should be able to handle the Pescara landing but we lack the troops for the hook through northern Italy. However, I would suggest this plan remain in active development as once a defeat of Hungary frees forces for commitment to Italy it would probably be my choice for future operations. I would consider this as a head start on planning for 1944.
That leaves the two plans for attacking Hungary "Buda and Pesht" and "Fiddling in Transylvania". My personal preference is to go for Budapest and take Hungary out ot the war directly. However, I would do this in a manner that combines the two operations. The initial phase of "Fiddling" involves rolling up the Axis line along the Sava. I would suggest going with that operation and in particular trying to slip some units behind the line to form one or two pockets. if the troops now on the left swing around Zagreb and come back at the Sava line from the northwest a crossing of the Sava just west of Brcko should net a nice pocket. Following that up with a similar move on the lower Sava could gain a second pocket.
At this point I would suggest instead of continuing into Transylvania, turning the troops north and attacking towards Budapest. The preceding operations should have weakened the Hungarians enough that Budapest is now reachable and after that we can concentrate on what little is needed to force Hungary out of the war. This method of combining Plans Two and Three I feel leads to the best chance of finishing Hungary this year. Once Hungary is out of the war, I would expect the Transylvania position to collapse so that sector will not be a serious problem. And if not we will be in a better position to cut supply lines by a thrust east from Budapest to the Soviet lines.
All of this is based on the Germans not sending more troops to Hungary, but even if they do and prevent this, every division that has to go to Hungary is one less the Soviets have to deal with.
This is similar to what I thought as a plan 2,5 but the beginning is I have to admit better thought. I was saying start with the Budapest plan and then crash southeast to meet Romanian front which might be a little too carefree. Beginning with what you suggest keeps it safer for us, and then we can finish it by still going southeast to the Romanian front but with more open supply lines and less enemies to worry about.
Plan 1 is utter madness. Plan 4 requires a long advance along a narrow front with much rough terrain.
Plan 2 is high risk, high reward. Eliminating Hungary would be a huge coup, but if Germany manages to contain the breakthough before enough VPs are taken then front has been massively extended without corresponding gain.
Plan 3 seems the safest bet. Succeeding will take the heat off a seemingly very beleagued Romania, and it would remove a large chunk of the Hungarian army thus making a subsequent conquest of Hungary more practical. And it leaves us in the least hairy situation if Germany forces us to call it off before achieving its goals.
The one thing that I can't help but note for all of these ground game plans is that they will require the full application of all forces to the front. We will have almost no reserves to pull from in case of emergency or opportunity.
The key thing I note with the USMC SMELT plan is that it's basically ready to go right now. Italy is only going to have air forces to oppose us, and it will throw their command into a tizzy for little cost. Pushing our Western units up to Trieste and Ljubljana where the Axis have no forces will give us a better strategic position to build from.
I will do this feedback on comments prior to the Cabinet Meeting chapter, but must needs be a little circumspect so I don’t give away too much in advance. That is aided by my not having yet made a final choice of short and longer term options.
This can be considered part of the inter-departmental coordination comment process in the lead-up to the Cabinet meeting – so I don’t have to repeat all the arguments and observations below in the actual chapter that will describe it!
Of the 4 "Grand Plans" presented I must confess little enthusiasm for Berlin or Hungary.
I suspect some variant of plan 3 - a hook to Transylania - is most boringly reasonable of these options, if only beacuse one could try to terminate the hook early if it proved unworkable and still hopefully encircle several Axis divisions. Indeed, perhaps one could make a series of small hooks as one went? So rather than a great knock-out punch on Axis efforst in the Balkans a series of smaller jabs that results in much the same end result (hopefully).
However, the Italian option does catch me eye somewhat. Ok so on most levels it remains entirely impractical. But the more constrained geography of Italy is actually something of a plus, particularly with so many Italian units elsewhere right now. Even something like an almightly chevauchée might cause considerable Axis disruption that could have very beneficial effects elsewhere in the war.
Boringly reasonable is often not a bad line to take. I’d say Turkish strategy during the Second Great War has been one of ‘careful but definitive action’, as opposed to the Rapid Aggressive Warfare style it was able to pursue in the Wars of Expansion against smaller adversaries. The ‘small hooks’ (de facto Option 5) would be a logical extension of recent operational planning.
I didn't realise the situation here when you said you might make it to Pola overland to bag that Italian armored division. There is hardly anybody holding anywhere here! Now this confused me since I've always thought the strategically sound thing was to try to progress the Romanian front. Now here's free cake to take. Hmmm.
If we break through here, how far east we can take the pocket? Can we crash like a wave to Romania or do we spear-thrust north to Budapest? Or make small pockets?
Although my earlier plan is not very meaningful, there might still be some action to be done here. Maybe we don't lead the dance but at least we can follow Romania/USSR lead; reading what our allies are doing and doing complementary moves?
Thank you – it struck me as having a number of parallels to Patton in France in 1944, after the Cobra breakout and the great fall back to the border by the German Army … what if we just keep driving to Berlin, even if stopped at some point? What might that do to the whole Axis Eastern Front? Wehib can dream, can’t he?
A Pescara landing was something I advocated in the past, but a dash to Rome? I wasn't so daring as Toüdemür! Speaking of this plan, how many VPs are on the way and are they enough to capitulate Italy?
I haven’t counted them yet (or again, in this context. That may be because the plan was a bit of a red herring/flight of fancy for Toüdemür. If anyone gets serious about it (whether soon or later) the bean-counters will be deployed to total them up and compare them to the surrender target.
I wish the game gave more control over what we can order our puppets to do. The Romanian AI sure needs some help. Although, can we just give them the resources to keep their industry afloat? Some energy wouldn't hurt us I guess? On second thought, they seem to want to spend it into IC and destroyers before aircraft so that's a wash.
Heh – I tried donating them resources (as a trade for nothing) and the system wouldn’t allow it. And (as you note and I have as a general principle) I always figure I’ll spend the IC better than the AI is likely to. If things get desperate, I might slip them some (as they have to support that large Soviet EF contingent as well), but they seem to be treading water OK for now.
I hope this mass rushing of divisions doesn't cause problems like it caused when they were rushing between Siberia and Europe. The distances are much less here, so that's a relief.
Same here – though this is just some lateral shuffling on the same front, so I’m hoping (if not fully expecting) it won’t be too traumatic or disruptive.
I may weave it in to some of the forthcoming chapters, if I can find the room/time. I’m falling a bit behind my self-guided timetable as it is: my fault for having too many projects + RL interfering with updates
So it seems like there are actually 5 plans if we count in the "small pockets and opportunity offensives" the 5th prudent way. I was thinking the "Buda and Pesht" would be the craziest possible plan followed by "Fiddling in Transylvania", and we'd be discussing which small pockets could be had but now much bigger stuff seems to be on the table. I mean if either of Germany or Italy can be taken out of the war with what we have, of course we should go and do that.
I'm quite confused to put my weight in any one of the plans at this moment though, if the Germany/Italy plans are too crazy to consider (and I'm not saying they are, especially a Pescara landing makes a lot of sense if we can temporarily have air support) we may do a hybrid of plans 2 and 3 maybe? Knock Hungary out of the war, then turn southeast and try to encircle as many enemy divisions as possible while saving the entirety of Romania.
Yes, five approaches, four of them specific plans, the last a ‘keep as we’ve been doing for now until they break’ strategy. More on the nature of the plans in further comment responses below.
About the chapter in general, great preparation! each of the plan names, they all cracked me up. they all had a distinct feel to them. It felt like I was really there
Thank you. My intention in giving each one a proponent was indeed to lend each one a different perspective and give them some context and character. Same with the plan names. I imagined those being the kind of things a somewhat sardonic but still dedicated mid-level staff officer at Supreme HQ might use as shorthand to describe them in private or to peers as a bit of a joke. (Been there, done that!)
First, we definitely need to close off that pocket. That will free up enough units to see how much we've got left in the tank.
Also, not to sound like a broken record, but by going for Sicily, we don't remove any units that are already engaged on the front line. The Romanian and much of the Belgrade front is basically a brick wall that we would beat our heads against. All of the other plans have significant hurdles to overcome: the drive down from Northern Italy (while great from a historical point of view: see Hannibal or the Goths, et al) leaves a long line of possible chances for the Axis to cut off and defeat us in detail, similarly with Berlin (better not try that only to wind up stuck in Bratislava!).
Very much so: each plan or approach is predicated on that. And the more ambitious (crazy?) ones would require some reorganisation to actually execute with any prospect of even limited success: both units currently engaged in closing the pocket and squeezing out the (hopefully) trapped units, and probably more stripped in a risk-managed way from other parts of the line to create a larger breakthrough and follow-up force.
Noted re Sicily (one of my own favourites as you know, but so far out of prudent reach). The Italy and berlin plans are, of course, the somewhat fantastical brain children of two of the more eccentric armoured commanders currently in the Adriatic sector. Though even a slice through to Vienna and/or Bratislava would surely create great consternation in the Axis. And while Sicily may (air interception aside) be a ‘safer’ option in some ways, and might divert Italian forces, with the limited forces I can currently throw at it, it may also end up becoming a bit of a dead end and sink-hole for resources. Compared to what the same units could achieve elsewhere. For now, anyway. Hmmm …
It should be noted that a division is beginning to appear between the characterful leaders of several sections of the front, Turkish Intelligence and Army HQ. These three make or break schemes are wildly out of character for the normally more conservative approach heavily favoured by Command during this war, but also call back to the early wars of expansion in which these characters made their names. There is thus great suspicion that they are attempting to showboat in order to inflate their reputations even further.
Likewise, despite Intelligence confirming that current action is having a great strain on Axis members, and that much land has been retaken with minimum losses due to current strategy, Army Command is still facing increased resistance from men at the front whose commander assure them that now the Axis is 'broken', a return to the wild successes of pre-war Turkey is on the cards.
This is the sort of nightmare that can arise from a gradual but still rather sudden reversal of fortune after protracted defeats and retreats. The soldiers now fully believe they will win the war, which means their officers need to be held back from doing something insane simply because they are beginning to win.
An astute observation re the pre- and post- GLW mindset. Many still hanker for those carefree days of R.A.W. Bold strokes, narrow fronts, tearing out the enemy’s entrails …
They sense those days may well return, but some of the more bold (rash?) among them think they are already here, or can be hastened by some sharp decisive blows now, rather than prudence (ie. lily-livered weakness) and careful planning (ie. lack of imagination). Would the bolder of these plans shorten the war? Or invite disaster? Inönü must decide. And he always keeps his cards close to his chest, though note without a little body language to read.
This plan was rejected out of hand by the cabinet, HQ and Intelligence. The crazed and offensive tone of the proposal meshed with the exceptionally optimistic and risky plan to invade Germany by ourselves in a lightning strike attack to create a perfect storm of a proposal that led to many of the higher ups actually calling for court marshal or more insidious 'removal' of Pasha and his Staff.
Heh! I will admit here that it grew out of a little sliding doors moment where I recalled Patton poised to simply drive to Berlin if only it wasn’t for that pusillanimous Monty and Ike not giving him the fuel and support he surely needed and deserved. Will Inönü take the same measured path as Eisenhower did in 1944 OTL? Or will he (as he occasionally allows) be infected with optimistic zeal and a desire to crack the whole thing wide open, though perhaps with some risk management thrown in?
This proposal struck a chord with Turkey for the afore-mentioned appeal back to the pre-war days of rampant expansion and truly astonishing victories of the Turkish army. Due to the size of the Hungary-First lobby in the government, this report also was set to gain political support as a given, and this in turn meant that on the whole the debate turned from whether to accept this proposal outright or modify it into already established plans for the removal of Hungary from the war.
Yes, this is more of the scale and spirit of the heady R.A.W. days. Bold, but rather more feasible than either the Berlin or Rome plans. Still, is the Axis thinly enough stretched now? Or is it (like in Summer 1941 when this broad scenario was last mooted) too much too soon?
This plan was of especial interest to those with Romanian and Soviet sympathies, as it would allegedly remove the great problem Turkey had been dealing with for years at this point: the vulnerability of Romania and the possibility that the Patriotic Front would be severed because of it. This plan called for essentially the entire attacking force that had been recently halted and forced slowly back in Romania to be pocketed and destroyed. Regardless of whether the Axis then redeployed an entire new army to reapply pressure to the front and we withdrew instantly following the pocketing, this would still be an extremely beneficial victory for Turkey both for defending her puppet and further reducing pressure on the Soviets to both defend Romania and fight fewer Germans in Russia.
This plan also had the benefit of being possible to abort before too much could be lost, and even in being halted, the transfer of attention back onto Turkey would benefit the Romanian situation. However, it remained by far the largest and most ambitious pocketing operation of the entire war, and everyone was nervous because of that.
This one is like a larger scale version of the last three offensives Turkey has conducted, all of which succeeded (or look set to succeed) in their immediate objectives, though in Summer 1941 it led to a fierce response and subsequent reverses. But things seem different, more promising this time – don’t they?
And the real difference between this one and the previous offensives is scale and intent: they were operational plans with a hoped-for limited but perceptible strategic effect to be gained by diverting the Germans from other fronts when allies were under threat or a nice little pocketing opportunity presented itself. Here, the intent is truly strategic: break the Axis in the Balkans, liberate the rest of Romania and undermine the German’s ability to both continue attacking in Russia while safeguarding its threatened southern flank. And exacerbate its manpower problems by energising the whole Balkan front while the Soviets gradually grind them down.
Aside from the rotting house thing being suspect immediately as it was the exact same wording used by Hitler when invading Russia (and look how that had turned out), this proposal actually was probably the most immediately contentious, as it struck right into the heart of the Hungary-First approach of most of the higher ups and politicians within Turkey. Hatred of the Italians, especially the Italian air force, was rife amongst the men in the Yugoslavian trenches, and this plan of sticking it to them hard appealed to every officers in active combat. It also appealed to the navy, because it gave them something to do, as well as the more technicalist side of the armed forces who wanted to prove that Turkey was fully capable of a proper modern war tactic such as amphibious assault.
Turkish Intelligence, despite what the report said, were heavily against the plan due to their continued reports detailing how far the Italians were preparing for an invasion of their homelands already. Despite this, conquering Italy was the dream of all Turkish patriots, and would fully catapult the nation into the upper echelons of great powers that they had hitherto merely skirted with. It would also most certainly shorten the war by at least a year, as the Germans would have to pull out of Russia following the collapse of their European flanks, and very probably encourage the remaining Allies and the Americans to intervene directly to free France both because the Nazis were on their knees and because otherwise the communists would take all of Europe.
It was however, extremely risky, possibly even moreso than the proposal to march into Germany. If the Italians really were prepared and ready, the Turks would die in the millions trying to push them from every position, constantly barraged by a superior air force in the process.
Yes, this one appeals to those who want to see the hated Italians knocked out and their lands occupied by the Glorious Union, recreating a 20th century Mediterranean Empire. On the intel side, they are split in their opinions too. Some see the Italian defensive preparations as indicating caution, others quick action to strike before those preparations can be completed. And also to use all that espionage infrastructure they have been building so assiduously for a long time now. And if the Americans could be tempted to actually send some troops in to support it … well, France and Spain might then also come into play way earlier than otherwise expected. And wouldn’t that throw the Germans into disarray!
I suspect either someone will come up with a safer way of doing number three, because securing Romania forever against the Germans is a very tasty proposition, or we'll keep doing what we're doing now till we get to Italian and Hungary pre-war borders, and the whole debate will be set off again.
These sound like the safe and likeliest approaches … unless someone decides that the time had come - an attempt at least, with some prudent elements to insure against total disaster – to do something grand.
Thanks for the additional information. I'm inclined to agree with @stnylan , @Wraith11B , and somewhat with @TheButterflyComposer . I strongly believe that, both for Turkey, and for the Comintern, plan number 3 is the way to go. Of course, if Hungary can be knocked out of the war in the ensuing confusion, that would be a nice extra. As much as I like the ideas for bold strikes towards Berlin and Rome, I do believe them to be recipes for disaster. Let's try to avoid losing Turkish units in enemy encirclements, simply because of the hubris of some mad generals. A limited operation into Sicily remains on the table, and if the Marines aren't used in the upcoming operation, a well-timed invasion of Sicily could increase the confusion in the Axis High Commands.
Preference for Plan 3 and cautions re the ‘courageousness’ of 1 and 4 noted. Also the views on Sicily. It may not have been included in these plans for a shorter term major land offensive, but it remains on the table at Supreme HQ. As ever, the issue of timing and capability (which is still building) is key. If HOI3 had real alliance discussion and planning mechanics (or it was an MP game, @Wraith11B style) then we’d probably already be in there with the Americans …
I would consider this a trap, unless we suddenly deploy adequate forces to hole the line and secure the penetration while we reduce another pocket. Otherwise, we should just let the Axis patch their line because we lack the force to exploit in this sector.
That certainly seems to be the case at the moment. If only it was Patton’s 3rd Army poised on the Adriatic, rather than Wehib Pasha’s single rather antiquated by now tank division, still awaiting reorg completion and with insecure rear lines!
This is probably a better break-through point. Onwards to Hungary, and I think we can accumulate the necessary forces to make a push here, given maybe a month or so to redeploy.
More units to hand, better terrain (once across the Sava) and close enough to other established lines for cooperation. An attractive proposition indeed, for whatever might then follow (Hungary, Romania or just to Beograd). But can we/should we wait that whole month – time in preparation can also be time for the enemy to close gaps and consolidate, if we have him on the ropes … more tricky timing considerations.
Not much to say here, suffice to say a strong defensive front must be maintained. I do have confidence that given the monthly rate of updates, any changes here can be responded to in time.
Too ambitious, no way we can hold any ground we take. Any effects are temporary at best, which may still be enough but I prefer to think of Turkish gains first here.
Also best strategically, not only do we eliminate an Axis minor but we free up space for Romania to reclaim her organic territories. All in all, a win-win-win.
I like that things have progressed (for Turkish capability and the war situation) that learned commentators such as the esteemed Professor Slorepee think a sweep across the whole rear of the Axis lines stretching from Zagreb over to the Romanian border and beyond is not very ambitious! How far we have come.
Having seen the options proposed it is time to weigh in. I will have to be placed firmly in the Hungary First camp although there are some considerations on how to execute an attack on Hungary. The "Berlin or Bust" plan while optimistic needs to be tempered with a large dose of realism. At some point the Germans will put too much in front of you to make any more headway then take out your supply so it is really a non-option.
Noted re Hungary – tempered boldness there, perhaps? On Berlin: even Wehib Pasha probably (in private) would concede Berlin is more an ideal final objective than achievable in a single bold push. But he would argue that even a serious-looking attempt would likely give Hitler a very nasty case of the vapours!
The attack on Italy "All Roads Lead to Rome" is interesting but out of our reach for now. The marines should be able to handle the Pescara landing but we lack the troops for the hook through northern Italy. However, I would suggest this plan remain in active development as once a defeat of Hungary frees forces for commitment to Italy it would probably be my choice for future operations. I would consider this as a head start on planning for 1944.
Many would make the same argument. While it is probably a wild and unlikely gamble, there is that temptation of rushing into northern Italy before they have had a chance to set a defence. But if there was a heavy (armour-backed) German response, it could turn nasty. Though that would probably mean the Soviet Steamroller finally getting into second gear in Russia …
That leaves the two plans for attacking Hungary "Buda and Pesht" and "Fiddling in Transylvania". My personal preference is to go for Budapest and take Hungary out ot the war directly. However, I would do this in a manner that combines the two operations. The initial phase of "Fiddling" involves rolling up the Axis line along the Sava. I would suggest going with that operation and in particular trying to slip some units behind the line to form one or two pockets. if the troops now on the left swing around Zagreb and come back at the Sava line from the northwest a crossing of the Sava just west of Brcko should net a nice pocket. Following that up with a similar move on the lower Sava could gain a second pocket.
At this point I would suggest instead of continuing into Transylvania, turning the troops north and attacking towards Budapest. The preceding operations should have weakened the Hungarians enough that Budapest is now reachable and after that we can concentrate on what little is needed to force Hungary out of the war. This method of combining Plans Two and Three I feel leads to the best chance of finishing Hungary this year. Once Hungary is out of the war, I would expect the Transylvania position to collapse so that sector will not be a serious problem. And if not we will be in a better position to cut supply lines by a thrust east from Budapest to the Soviet lines.
All of this is based on the Germans not sending more troops to Hungary, but even if they do and prevent this, every division that has to go to Hungary is one less the Soviets have to deal with.
This is similar to what I thought as a plan 2,5 but the beginning is I have to admit better thought. I was saying start with the Budapest plan and then crash southeast to meet Romanian front which might be a little too carefree. Beginning with what you suggest keeps it safer for us, and then we can finish it by still going southeast to the Romanian front but with more open supply lines and less enemies to worry about.
Plan 1 is utter madness. Plan 4 requires a long advance along a narrow front with much rough terrain.
Plan 2 is high risk, high reward. Eliminating Hungary would be a huge coup, but if Germany manages to contain the breakthough before enough VPs are taken then front has been massively extended without corresponding gain.
Plan 3 seems the safest bet. Succeeding will take the heat off a seemingly very beleagued Romania, and it would remove a large chunk of the Hungarian army thus making a subsequent conquest of Hungary more practical. And it leaves us in the least hairy situation if Germany forces us to call it off before achieving its goals.
Many share your views on Plans 1 and 4. Though there can be a fine line between madness and inspired genius … at least in the minds of the proponents of the plans!
Re Plan 2: yes, that is the risk. The last VP city (at the least) could well be a case of ‘a bridge too far’.
Plan 3 is probably the safest of the four specific ones and does lend itself to abridgement, converting it into another offensive of the ‘Option 5’ type.
The one thing that I can't help but note for all of these ground game plans is that they will require the full application of all forces to the front. We will have almost no reserves to pull from in case of emergency or opportunity.
The key thing I note with the USMC SMELT plan is that it's basically ready to go right now. Italy is only going to have air forces to oppose us, and it will throw their command into a tizzy for little cost. Pushing our Western units up to Trieste and Ljubljana where the Axis have no forces will give us a better strategic position to build from.
A late play for SMELT! Nice little left jab just before the bell for the end of Round 12! I also note the idea of a limited push north to stake a claim for the ‘next round’, when- and wherever that might be.
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All: Thank you to all respondents to the latest round Cabinet papers and comments. The meeting will convene soon, but up until that point, any late submissions remain welcome.
I will do this feedback on comments prior to the Cabinet Meeting chapter, but must needs be a little circumspect so I don’t give away too much in advance. That is aided by my not having yet made a final choice of short and longer term options.
This can be considered part of the inter-departmental coordination comment process in the lead-up to the Cabinet meeting – so I don’t have to repeat all the arguments and observations below in the actual chapter that will describe it!
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Boringly reasonable is often not a bad line to take. I’d say Turkish strategy during the Second Great War has been one of ‘careful but definitive action’, as opposed to the Rapid Aggressive Warfare style it was able to pursue in the Wars of Expansion against smaller adversaries. The ‘small hooks’ (de facto Option 5) would be a logical extension of recent operational planning.
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But would it be a tasty morsel, or be enough to cause indigestion?
Could be any of these …
Yes, on examination neither the enemy dispositions or terrain would be conducive, I suspect.
If they do something more, we could take advantage, for sure – but in a number of different possible approaches.
Option1 is Wehib Pasha’s Patton-esque dream. Only he has a single division, while Patton had a whole Army at his disposal.
Thank you – it struck me as having a number of parallels to Patton in France in 1944, after the Cobra breakout and the great fall back to the border by the German Army … what if we just keep driving to Berlin, even if stopped at some point? What might that do to the whole Axis Eastern Front? Wehib can dream, can’t he?
Very much so! Wehib Pasha may love it, but he doesn’t have much strong support at Supreme HQ
I haven’t counted them yet (or again, in this context. That may be because the plan was a bit of a red herring/flight of fancy for Toüdemür. If anyone gets serious about it (whether soon or later) the bean-counters will be deployed to total them up and compare them to the surrender target.
Heh – I tried donating them resources (as a trade for nothing) and the system wouldn’t allow it. And (as you note and I have as a general principle) I always figure I’ll spend the IC better than the AI is likely to. If things get desperate, I might slip them some (as they have to support that large Soviet EF contingent as well), but they seem to be treading water OK for now.
Same here – though this is just some lateral shuffling on the same front, so I’m hoping (if not fully expecting) it won’t be too traumatic or disruptive.
I may weave it in to some of the forthcoming chapters, if I can find the room/time. I’m falling a bit behind my self-guided timetable as it is: my fault for having too many projects + RL interfering with updates
Yes, five approaches, four of them specific plans, the last a ‘keep as we’ve been doing for now until they break’ strategy. More on the nature of the plans in further comment responses below.
Thank you. My intention in giving each one a proponent was indeed to lend each one a different perspective and give them some context and character. Same with the plan names. I imagined those being the kind of things a somewhat sardonic but still dedicated mid-level staff officer at Supreme HQ might use as shorthand to describe them in private or to peers as a bit of a joke. (Been there, done that!)
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Very much so: each plan or approach is predicated on that. And the more ambitious (crazy?) ones would require some reorganisation to actually execute with any prospect of even limited success: both units currently engaged in closing the pocket and squeezing out the (hopefully) trapped units, and probably more stripped in a risk-managed way from other parts of the line to create a larger breakthrough and follow-up force.
Noted re Sicily (one of my own favourites as you know, but so far out of prudent reach). The Italy and berlin plans are, of course, the somewhat fantastical brain children of two of the more eccentric armoured commanders currently in the Adriatic sector. Though even a slice through to Vienna and/or Bratislava would surely create great consternation in the Axis. And while Sicily may (air interception aside) be a ‘safer’ option in some ways, and might divert Italian forces, with the limited forces I can currently throw at it, it may also end up becoming a bit of a dead end and sink-hole for resources. Compared to what the same units could achieve elsewhere. For now, anyway. Hmmm …
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True enough. Perhaps that’s why there were so many red herrings in there … or are they red herrings?
An astute observation re the pre- and post- GLW mindset. Many still hanker for those carefree days of R.A.W. Bold strokes, narrow fronts, tearing out the enemy’s entrails …
They sense those days may well return, but some of the more bold (rash?) among them think they are already here, or can be hastened by some sharp decisive blows now, rather than prudence (ie. lily-livered weakness) and careful planning (ie. lack of imagination). Would the bolder of these plans shorten the war? Or invite disaster? Inönü must decide. And he always keeps his cards close to his chest, though note without a little body language to read.
Heh! I will admit here that it grew out of a little sliding doors moment where I recalled Patton poised to simply drive to Berlin if only it wasn’t for that pusillanimous Monty and Ike not giving him the fuel and support he surely needed and deserved. Will Inönü take the same measured path as Eisenhower did in 1944 OTL? Or will he (as he occasionally allows) be infected with optimistic zeal and a desire to crack the whole thing wide open, though perhaps with some risk management thrown in?
Yes, this is more of the scale and spirit of the heady R.A.W. days. Bold, but rather more feasible than either the Berlin or Rome plans. Still, is the Axis thinly enough stretched now? Or is it (like in Summer 1941 when this broad scenario was last mooted) too much too soon?
This one is like a larger scale version of the last three offensives Turkey has conducted, all of which succeeded (or look set to succeed) in their immediate objectives, though in Summer 1941 it led to a fierce response and subsequent reverses. But things seem different, more promising this time – don’t they?
And the real difference between this one and the previous offensives is scale and intent: they were operational plans with a hoped-for limited but perceptible strategic effect to be gained by diverting the Germans from other fronts when allies were under threat or a nice little pocketing opportunity presented itself. Here, the intent is truly strategic: break the Axis in the Balkans, liberate the rest of Romania and undermine the German’s ability to both continue attacking in Russia while safeguarding its threatened southern flank. And exacerbate its manpower problems by energising the whole Balkan front while the Soviets gradually grind them down.
Yes, this one appeals to those who want to see the hated Italians knocked out and their lands occupied by the Glorious Union, recreating a 20th century Mediterranean Empire. On the intel side, they are split in their opinions too. Some see the Italian defensive preparations as indicating caution, others quick action to strike before those preparations can be completed. And also to use all that espionage infrastructure they have been building so assiduously for a long time now. And if the Americans could be tempted to actually send some troops in to support it … well, France and Spain might then also come into play way earlier than otherwise expected. And wouldn’t that throw the Germans into disarray!
These sound like the safe and likeliest approaches … unless someone decides that the time had come - an attempt at least, with some prudent elements to insure against total disaster – to do something grand.
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Preference for Plan 3 and cautions re the ‘courageousness’ of 1 and 4 noted. Also the views on Sicily. It may not have been included in these plans for a shorter term major land offensive, but it remains on the table at Supreme HQ. As ever, the issue of timing and capability (which is still building) is key. If HOI3 had real alliance discussion and planning mechanics (or it was an MP game, @Wraith11B style) then we’d probably already be in there with the Americans …
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That certainly seems to be the case at the moment. If only it was Patton’s 3rd Army poised on the Adriatic, rather than Wehib Pasha’s single rather antiquated by now tank division, still awaiting reorg completion and with insecure rear lines!
More units to hand, better terrain (once across the Sava) and close enough to other established lines for cooperation. An attractive proposition indeed, for whatever might then follow (Hungary, Romania or just to Beograd). But can we/should we wait that whole month – time in preparation can also be time for the enemy to close gaps and consolidate, if we have him on the ropes … more tricky timing considerations.
Agreed.
So it’s Plan 1 after all then?
OK, not. Though Wehib Pasha isn’t much interested in holding ground, just driving over it to Berlin as fast as he can!
That’s the spirit! A ‘vote’ for Plan 2.
I like that things have progressed (for Turkish capability and the war situation) that learned commentators such as the esteemed Professor Slorepee think a sweep across the whole rear of the Axis lines stretching from Zagreb over to the Romanian border and beyond is not very ambitious! How far we have come.
’Nuff said?
Indeed. The banding iron is to hand: where shall it strike!?
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Noted re Hungary – tempered boldness there, perhaps? On Berlin: even Wehib Pasha probably (in private) would concede Berlin is more an ideal final objective than achievable in a single bold push. But he would argue that even a serious-looking attempt would likely give Hitler a very nasty case of the vapours!
Many would make the same argument. While it is probably a wild and unlikely gamble, there is that temptation of rushing into northern Italy before they have had a chance to set a defence. But if there was a heavy (armour-backed) German response, it could turn nasty. Though that would probably mean the Soviet Steamroller finally getting into second gear in Russia …
An interesting and nuanced approach to a combined or perhaps two-phased approach combining both plans. Supreme HQ will consider carefully.
Additional inter-departmental comment also duly noted.
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Many share your views on Plans 1 and 4. Though there can be a fine line between madness and inspired genius … at least in the minds of the proponents of the plans!
Re Plan 2: yes, that is the risk. The last VP city (at the least) could well be a case of ‘a bridge too far’.
Plan 3 is probably the safest of the four specific ones and does lend itself to abridgement, converting it into another offensive of the ‘Option 5’ type.
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A late play for SMELT! Nice little left jab just before the bell for the end of Round 12! I also note the idea of a limited push north to stake a claim for the ‘next round’, when- and wherever that might be.
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All: Thank you to all respondents to the latest round Cabinet papers and comments. The meeting will convene soon, but up until that point, any late submissions remain welcome.
They can - though sometimes the fish is so big there is a danger of one’s little boat capsizing, too!
To all: Cabinet minutes written, then next month played right through. I wrote them up before playing, for authenticity, so you will able to see how the aftermath matches up to the decisions taken. Also, there are all the new graduates from the Senior War College Class of 1942 - a bumper crop of new commanders to get their appointments.
They can - though sometimes the fish is so big there is a danger of one’s little boat capsizing, too!
To all: Cabinet minutes written, then next month played right through. I wrote them up before playing, for authenticity, so you will able to see how the aftermath matches up to the decisions taken. Also, there are all the new graduates from the Senior War College Class of 1942 - a bumper crop of new commanders to get their appointments.
AuthAAR’s Note:This is a bumper episode, as it includes not just the Cabinet Meeting, but new command appointments for 1943, the first very busy week of action of January 1943 on the Turkish front and an intervention from impatient MI6 operative David Callan. Here we go …
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Cabinet Meeting – 1 Jan 43
The War Cabinet convened in its ‘forward’ meeting place in Sofiya on the morning of 1 January 1943. Ministers, commanders, departmental staff and advisers had all thoroughly considered the various plans at hand and variations upon them.
The War Cabinet of Turkey and the UGNR, 1 January 1943.
As usual, PM Mahmud Celal Bayar ran the meeting while President and Milli Şef Inönü maintained a magisterial detachment – to start with.
“Gentlemen,” began Bayar. “You have the agenda. I propose to run through the key approaches proposed one by one, seeking views on each. Any plan considered a likely and viable approach after that process will be further considered by comparison to each other. Or if only one emerges, it will be referred to the President for his final decision.”
Nods and various assents of approval were received from around the table.
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“To Plan 1 then, the proposal from Wehib Pasha [or ‘Paşa’ in the modern Turkish alphabet] for a drive on Berlin itself. He has clarified that it would go as far as it could be sustained, hopefully at least to Vienna – a very traditional Turkish target! Your thoughts?”
There were a few wry laughs at that around the table. But no great enthusiasm. Supreme Commander and Propaganda Minister Calistar piped up.
“Can’t criticise old Wehib for lack of boldness, anyway. It’s like the old warhorse has had a new lease on life since 1940. But even Vienna is likely to be beyond our current capacity to take. The terrain gets difficult too, while the front widens. From where we sit now, it is a three-province span from the Adriatic to the Sava. The next logical defensive line from say ... Trieste then down along the river to Zagreb through Ljubljana, for example ... is double that.” Calistar gestured at one of the wall maps to illustrate his point.
The yellow dashed line is the current front, the green one an indicative next defensible line.
“Even stripping the rest of the line and assuming the current pocket is closed out, the further we go, the less we can keep at the pointy end while maintaining even a thin flank guard,” he continued. “I just don’t think it is viable.”
No-one disagreed. Bayar raised an eyebrow to Inönü, who made a subtle waving gesture. The plan would be discarded. Berlin would have to wait.
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“Next then is Plan 2 – a drive on Budapest and other key Hungarian cities, on a narrow front, R.A.W. style. Views on that?”
Army Chief Mehmet Nuri Yamut spoke up. “I think Cakmak is on to something there. I’m not sure it's likely to fully succeed: Pécs should be doable, Budapest itself is a long hike, but then pushing beyond it to Kosice? Maybe, if the Soviets and Romanians put pressure on as well and the whole Axis front begins to collapse, but it’s a long shot.”
“I agree,” said Chief of Staff and Air Force Chief Örlungat. “Another concern is Axis air power. It has been a menace again of late and we have not yet built to the point we can really match them. That could be a problem in a prolonged offensive over long distances. If we did make a deep break, it would become even harder to maintain air support for our troops. Tempting as knocking the Hungarians out of the war would be.”
The feeling around the table was that the plan merited further consideration, but perhaps may require a first stage to set the groundwork for a final push to knock out the Hungarians subsequently. The plan was set aside for further consideration, with these reservations.
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“Now to Plan 3, a drive from Zagreb to the north of Beograd to link up with a smaller attack across the Danube, around the border with Romania, perhaps with Romanian and Soviet support if offered,” said Bayar, looking around the table for reactions.
There were many nodding heads, including those of Calistar, Yamut and Örlungat. The Chief of Staff Örlungat was the first to comment.
“One thing I like about it is the long but shallow thrust. It can remain within good air support distance of Beograd the whole time. And if we run into trouble – such as a German counter-attack on its increasingly long northern flank, we can cut it short and look for a closer junction point than the Romanian border.”
“Good point,” said Yamut. “Karabekir is an eminent officer and has been bold here without being foolhardy. I like that it uses the open country behind the current enemy lines to improve the speed of the advance and offer the enemy few ready defensive positions once we are across the river. Though I think any expectation that we could push such a hook all the way without something interrupting it would be optimistic.”
“Agreed,” said Calistar. “Some of our advisers have suggested it could be curtailed to produce another hook-and-pocket operation, perhaps on a larger scale than our recent efforts, but less than the full thrust outlined in the plan. We could be flexible if it proves tougher than expected.”
The army officers and air force chief were having the main say at present, the remainder of the Cabinet were following the discussion closely, but did not necessarily feel confident enough to offer operational advice. Inönü piped up at that stage.
“Gentlemen, I think the consensus is that this is a broadly viable approach. We will consider it further. Personally, I also like the idea of a R.A.W. type offensive, aiming a dagger at the heart of the goulash-eaters in Budapest. But I suspect it would fall short if launched from our current lines. Remember Timisoara! We have been pushed back considerably since we last dreamed of striking them down, when we still controlled it. But if such an offensive as Plan 3 even partly succeeded, it would set up a good foundation for a subsequent thrust at Budapest and Kosice.”
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The president then nodded back at Bayar, saying “Let us now consider Plan 4.”
“Thank you, Mr President,” replied the PM. “Italy: a thrust through Venice and down to Rome, complemented by a landing on the Adriatic coast to its east, driving westwards across to Rome.”
It was the Navy’s turn now to offer comment. “I appreciate the chance offered here for the Navy to play an important role, in tandem with our new marine force,” said Admiral Mehmet Ali Üngen. “We have the three US Marine Expeditionary Divisions plus our own 1st Marine Division, which now has three marine brigades and a fully trained engineer brigade.”
He looked around the table before continuing. “As you know, there are long-standing plans for ‘SMELT’ landings in North Africa, which we have considered before. There are also our plans to invade Sicily. But my feeling is we are still some months short of having the naval and doctrinal capacity and equipment to be execute opposed amphibious landings efficiently on the main Italian peninsula. And after our recent test run in the Adriatic, I’m also concerned about enemy air interdiction of our small and - I’m sad to say - antiquated fleet.”
“I must say I share those concerns,” said Örlungat. “This plan might be possible, but risky for both the Navy and our marines, to make those landings in the near future. I’d be more confident of our capabilities by say mid to late 1943.”
“My concern is the viability of the long proposed thrust all the way from where we are now, through Venice to Italy," the Chief of Staff continued. “There may be no opposition now, but it will surely appear. The main thrust is a long way through some tough terrain, all the while exposed to a German counter-attack from the north, which could cut off the spearhead. I like Toüdemür’s dash and imagination, but can’t help thinking it is at least six months too early.”
With no other opinions offered – and no one taking Üngen’s subtle bait of opting for either a North African or Sicilian campaign, which he privately supported, the Plan 4 was waved off. “It will go onto the back burner for later in 1943,” was Inönü’s simple dismissal.
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With the option of smaller encirclement operations being essentially an extension of current campaign planning, that concluded the Cabinet debate, such as it was. Inönü then cleared his throat to sum up, speaking with quiet authority.
“I am inclined to begin preparations for something approximating Plan 3 as soon as the current pocket is closed and eliminated. Anything we can do to improve our position for a breakthrough across the Sava River south-east of Zagreb should be done as the opportunity arises, including seizing a bridgehead if it becomes attractive to do so.”
He then wandered over to the map. “I think we take it as far as we can, aiming for Beograd at least. Let’s see if we can either roll up their line from west to east, or trap a large amount of them in a great encirclement. On the Adriatic, we will basically secure the current line from the coast to Zagreb - but not including it, unless the Axis let us - across the shortest distance feasible and hold it with as few units as we can risk.”
Then pointing across to the Romanian border, he went on. “As a diversion, to support our allies and a possible secondary advance later if the plan actually looks like coming off in full, we will look at pushing across the Danube with forces currently available in that sector to take Orsova anyway, in accordance with Plan 3, alongside the Soviet-Romanian push to Baja de Arama. That will give us a bridgehead of our own and might distract the Axis from our true plans to the west."
"We will commit the four divisions of the Marine Corps to assist with river-crossing operations on the Sava breakthrough zone – especially the divisions equipped with engineers. They will then reconstitute the strategic reserve when that is done.” He then turned to Namut. “Mehmet Nuri, how many divisions do you think you can draw from the rest of our Sava-Danube Line to add to the breakthrough and follow-on force?”
“Three to five eventually, Milli Şef,” he replied. “More than that risks the line, especially if we are to mount a small attack from around Turnu Severin and Petrovac, as the enemy is still strong between there and Beograd.”
“Very well, assemble them south of Zagreb when able. We must first get the Sava re-secured at Novi Grad and the pocketed German divisions eliminated with all speed. The weather could also be a problem for the next few months of winter and then the spring thaw, but we will tackle that issue when we need to. I also don’t want to delay so long that our current hard-won opportunities evaporate due to ceding the initiative back to the Fascists.”
He then turned to the Chief of Staff. “Örlungat, I want you to attempt some ‘reconnaissance by force’ in the vicinity of Zagreb so we can see what is happening in depth behind the enemy lines. A quick one-off mission perhaps to strike one of the enemy sites may give us a glimpse. Arrange it as soon as you think it safe to do so. It would be interesting to see what – if anything – lurks behind or is on its way.”
“Of course, My President.”
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Turning to the rest of the Cabinet, Inönü finished off the proceedings: “The rest will be left to the operational planners to work out the details. The precise timing will rest on current events and outcomes and how long it takes to reorient our dispositions. I would like to strike again as soon as we possibly can, for a variety of reasons, including support for our Soviet and Romanian allies. But me must first get our current fights finished before we can do too much more. If we get some success out of this, we may use it to completely strike down Hungary as our subsequent move. Italy – or North Africa – we will leave until down the track, when our naval and air capacities are more fit for the task.”
He thanked them for their deliberations and asked that all staff and advisers who had contributed to the consideration also be given his heartfelt personal thanks [dear commentAARs ]. He then invited them for a morning tea of coffee and baklava.
And perhaps some rakı and meze for the more adventurous among them. Some of those present remembered Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s fondness for rakı, and his late-night rakı sofrası sessions, where he would debate issues with his closest friends and advisors.
My thanks here to my good friend @stnylan who gave me the book on Atatürk that brought the idea for some rakı references. It may have been one of the reasons for the great man's later acute liver disease, but he enjoyed it nonetheless.
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1 Jan 43 - New Command Appointments
As the new year began, two battles remained in progress in the Turkish sector. The German 5th Heavy Panzer Division had launched a heavy attack on Vrnograc on 30 December 1942, while 2 Mot Div was attempting a ‘courageous’ strait-crossing on Lussino on 31 December.
But first, the new list of recently graduated generals from the Senior War College had been promulgated. In Banja Luka, at HQ 3 Mtn Div, MAJGEN Seven had summoned his 6th Mtn Bde commander into his personal command tent.
“Ah, Diskoerekto, come in,” he said, as his subordinate appeared in the entrance and saluted. “I wanted to advise you that I have been transferred to command 14 Inf Div in Tuzla.”
“We’ll be sorry to see you go, sir,” replied the brigade commander with deference. And wondering who the replacement commander would be – if one was even appointed, with 3 Mtn Div once again in a reserve position.
“I am not aware of who my replacement will be, but the Senior Staff College list will be out soon and perhaps someone from there will be made commander,” Seven added, anticipating his colleague's thoughts. “I’m sorry that your service here at the front meant you were unable to attend the College last year, and therefore rendered you ineligible to graduate. But I wish you luck in your future career. It has been a privilege to serve with you.”
“And likewise, sir,” said a disappointed but stoic Diskoerekto. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
Seven handed him the list of new appointments from the College graduating class of 1942.
Seven had been transferred to 14 Inf Div in Tuzla – a key location on the Sava Line and the object of many large-scale Axis attacks. 14 Inf Div had been heavily involved in combat over the last year and probably would continue to be and had been disadvantaged by the absence of a dedicated commander. The now experienced ‘battle master’ Seven would fill that gap. Other front line defensive formations – three of them on the Danube Line – also got ‘rookie’ commanders. The down-sized 3 Cav Div did not, nor did either of the two Turkish divisions stationed in the Far East, nor the still-forming 2 Armd Div, though it may become a priority soon when it was brought up to strength.
“Oh, and I almost forgot,” said Seven as Diskoerekto finished reading the list. “They have appointed a commander for the new 1st Turkish Marine Division and created a Corps HQ to command it and the three US Marine expeditionary divisions."
But the brigade commander’s hopes were dashed again. Mengüc, promoted directly to LTGEN, had got the corps command, while Selisek would command 1 Mar Div.
“That is all,” said Seven, a look of commiseration on his face. “I must pack my things and head off to Tuzla. Once again, good luck.” The two exchanged a final salute and Diskoerekto headed back to his own brigade HQ.
As he arrived, his ADC handed him the ‘midnight despatches’. An Order of the Day from the Milli Şef (and Commander 1st Army) Inönü for the new year and the struggle ahead. A logistics report on ammunition holdings. A tally of soldiers in the brigade currently out of action due to illness. In the cold and damp weather, foot rot was a particularly prevalent and debilitating condition at the moment.
Finally, he glanced at a message from the officer management bureau in Ankara. New postings and some brevet promotions for officers in his brigade. Captain Abacı, promoted to Major; Lieutenant Akgün, now Captain Akgün; newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel Bozgüney; a Captain Çarkçı transferred into the logistics branch at the HQ; then he got to the letter ‘D’.
E. Diskoerekto, promoted to Major General and command of the 3rd Mountain Division, with immediate effect.
He was later advised that an exception had been made on his part based on service in the field as a brigade commander. The requirement for Senior Staff College attendance had been waived. The division would take a little while to get used to his command style, while he would need to find his feet as commander [ie the org hit on new commander appointment], but he was confident he and the 3rd would soon be prepared for whatever assignment they might be given.
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1 Jan 43 – Events
Orders for the proposed aerial recon of Karlovac and its surrounds were given as soon as the Cabinet Meeting broke up. 4 AF (La-5s) was transferred to 1 BG (Yak-4s) to give it an integral fighter escort. They would bomb the German heavy panzer division in Karlovac and see if they could discover what forces lay in depth behind them. It would also be a test of Axis air defences should the next offensive be ordered soon, after Operation Frost Wolf was concluded.
Midnight also brought a brief skirmish in Orsova, where the seizure of the Danube bridgehead in support of the Comintern advance on Baja de Arama had also been ordered as soon as the Cabinet meeting ended. There was little resistance from the withdrawing Hungarian and German troops.
The Turkish air raid on Karlovac began at 2 am, at the same time Italian planes were striking Vrnograc to its immediate south. By 3am, three Italian fighter wings had intercepted the 1 BG. The Turks were able to give a detailed report on the composition and strength of the 5th Hvy Pz Div in Karlovac, but not yet of the surrounding countryside. The two TAC wings took some damage and estimated they had only inflicted light casualties on the ground. They went up again later that morning: this time, the bombers – especially 3 TAK – suffered far heavier damage and were unable to press home their ground attack. And 4 AF was also damaged and disorganised, making little headway against the enemy fighters. The mission was called off, while analysts looked at the photos the recon elements had managed to bring back – at considerable cost – of the nearby battlefield positions.
At 8 am, 1 Mtn Div advised very bad weather and muddy going in the hills of Bosanski Petrovac had reduced their advance on Novi Grad to a snail’s pace. Concerned that the pocket may not be sealed in time or that other Axis units might slip in, the ‘brigade+’ strength 2 Armd Div was ordered up from Sanski Most, where it had just arrived and where the going was much better. If challenged in Novi Grad, they would have to hold out as best they could until other forces could join them.
By 3pm, the recon report from the Karlovac raid was available. It showed there were no approaching Axis units in either Novo Mesto or Krsko, but otherwise shed little new light on enemy ground dispositions in the area. But it did show that any air support for a new Turkish offensive would be extremely difficult to sustain any time soon. The Axis clearly maintained air superiority, though not supremacy, in the sector. This in itself was an important finding for Turkish planners.
Other news received at the same time was of a more strategic nature. The anticipated (thanks to Darth Kelebek’s sojourn in Berlin late the year before) increase in German manpower, recruiting and defensive resolve had become public knowledge. Analysts believed the continuing effects would last until late in the year, making it all the more difficult to press back the Nazi bratwurst-munchers.
Then two hours later, the Soviets made an announcement of their own. The Third International had been dissolved. But despite the positive spin GRU Agent SkitalecS3 tried to impart, the effect would probably be relatively minor, with a boost to Communist influence in a range of countries, though half were already Comintern members or occupied by them anyway. Perhaps the effect in France and Poland (if liberated), and Italy and Hungary might have some minor effect, though Foreign Minister Aras doubted it would matter too much.
2 Mtn Div arrived in Perusic at 10 pm and immediately headed for Bihac, to which the two trapped German divisions were still retreating: 2 Mtn Div's speed of advance was also limited by bad weather (mud) to 1.19kph.
That night newly promoted MAJGEN Diskoerekto met up with US LO MAJ Tyler Durden for an intense session of rakı drinking to celebrate the former’s promotion. While the new 3 Mtn Div commander retired to his HQ, knowing he had a busy time ahead of him, Durden kicked on to a local bar. True to form, he had a fight (for money) with a local bare-knuckle bar room boxer. Durden won the money (and a few side bets), but would be no oil painting in the morning! Not that he seemed to care.
Tyler Durden: battered but fighting on. Just like the Comintern in its existential war with the Fascists.
Ground Damage Report.The Turkish raids on Karlovac had killed just the 20 German troops. The Regia Aeronautica had struck Karlobag (from where 2 Mot Div was attacking Lussino) once that evening and three raids hit Vrnograc (casualty summaries for these would be provided when each raid series finishes).
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2 Jan 43
The fighting went on in Vrnograc, with both sides heavily damaged, but by midnight the Turks seemed to be slowly gaining the upper hand. At 2am, the fast-moving 2 Armd Div ‘-‘ had secured Novi Grad, thus sealing off Bihac and closing the pocket. But their defence (one light tank and one SP Arty brigade) was a rather thin one.
The German 60th Infanterie made it into Bihac at 1 pm and 2 Mtn Div began their attack straight away, with a shock assault on the damaged but reorganised Germans. The enemy had good defensive terrain and bad weather on their side, but countering that were surrounded and low on supplies, with Novi Grad having been sealed off that morning.
As that fight geared up, victory came in Vrnograc, the enemy Tiger tanks fought off once again, with heavy casualties on both sides. But the air raids did not let up – there would be three more that day.
Weather was hampering movement in the area of operations: 1 Mot Div (MAJGEN Kanatli) was in still in Perusic heading back north to re-secure Ogulin, but only making 1.75kph (25% default speed). Similarly, 1 Mtn Div in Bosanski Petrovac was still at one quarter normal speed (1.08kph) on its way to Novi Grad.
The battered 17 Inf Div (Köldecan) was still trying to recover in Vrnograc. It was decided that the recently deployed 4th H Arm Bde (IS-2s) would move from Banja Luka to join them, making that formation the next ‘heavy assault division’ [that would give it 3 x INF, 1 x HARM, 1 ARTY, with the possibility of a ‘spare’ ENGR brigade being swapped in for another INF bde later.]
As the day came to an end, the latest reports from the attack on Lussino made for grim reading. It had been hoped that the Italians, already very low on organisation, might have been swept away by Toüdemür’s blitzing attack. But a closer examination of the battle showed his motorised formation was horribly ill-suited to an amphibious assault, and his T-34s were matched in capability by the tanks of the Italian 133a 'Littorio' Division. The attack had virtually no chance of success and casualties were mounting (at a murderous ratio of 100-1, it was later revealed), so was called off.
The nightly strength report from Vrnograc – still under air attack – showed that all the divisions there were battered, not just 17 Inf Div (recovering from its earlier defeat in Novi Grad) but also 15 Inf Div, which had borne the brunt of the fighting against the Germans attackers. 1 Inf Div was in better shape, but far from being refreshed. And the Axis line to the north was firming up, with a Hungarian division now in Delnice and 1 Mot Div still held up by bad weather on its move back to Ogulin.
The final order for the day was given to the Navy: the whole fleet (warships and transports) would transport the three US marine divisions from Izmir to Split, from where they would be committed to strengthen the newly won gains and be prepared for river crossing operations along the designated Sava breakthrough area in any future offensive. Simultaneously, HQ 1st Marine Corps and 1 Mar Div were put on trains from Istanbul to Banja Luka to join up with them.
Ground Damage Report.Italian raids on Karlobag finished with the attack on Lussino, with 307 casualties inflicted on 2 Mot Div over the two days of their duration.
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3 Jan 43
At midnight, Stalin finally made public what had been known privately by Comintern commanders – and claimed by the Germans – for some time: Leningrad was lost.
But this announcement coincided with some good news from the Adriatic sector. The Germans had been defeated in Bihac though were now attempting to escape to Ogulin, which was yet to be re-occupied by the Turks. The German 50th Division was still retreating slowly (hampered by the same muddy conditions the Turks faced) from Perusic to Bihac.
Any thoughts of using one of the weakened Vrnograc divisions to try to secure Ogulin were dashed when another attack, this time from the German 93rd Infanterie (themselves still heavily damaged and disorganised) in Zagreb, over the Sava River, began at 1 am. It was highly unlikely to proceed, but diverted the defenders.
Instead, 1 Armd Div was called on to switch across from Otocac to Ogulin, as road conditions were better there [66% of default speed, giving a rate of 4.29kph]. Otocac was deemed of less importance than Ogulin, which must be occuppied to prevent the Germans from breaking out of the pocket. There would be no 1 Armd Div end-run to Pola to prevent the Italians escaping from Lussino. Let alone a foolhardy and precipitate dash to Berlin.
At 2am, 222 SD in Ubdina was diverted from its (also slow) northwards advance to instead relieve 2 Mot Div in Karlobag. 2 Mot Div would (after it recovered sufficiently from its Lussino debacle) be better employed elsewhere. Of course, a renewed assault (if contemplated later) on Lussino would be better done by the approaching marines; but the Italians seemed to be retreating from there anyway, perhaps fearing encirclement.
Ground Damage Report.Italian raids on Vrnograc from 1-3 January had inflicted a total of 1,159 casualties on the Turkish defenders.
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4 Jan 43
With 1 Mtn Div held up and the second retreating German division (the 50th) likely to arrive in Bihac soon, their slow advance in Novi Grad was called off and they were ordered to Bihac instead, to complement 2 Mtn Div's advance from Perusic. It was hoped this would hasten the elimination of the pocket and thus allow for the divisions involved to be freed up.
The 1st Fleet with the US Marines arrived safely in Split at 2pm. The marines were soon ordered to the Sava River at Novi Grad (detailed dispositions would be arranged as they approached, depending on the situation at the time). Both Axis and Turkish forces were in motion all over the sector, including the race to Ogulin to cut off the escaping Germans.
That evening, MI6 Middle East station chief David Callan received a phone call from Agent Romeo in Istanbul. He took it at the dummy business premises that had been set up in Baghdad as part of the cover for the mission. The call (rare, given the state of communications and security risk of using such means) had been prompted by a coded message to ‘Calixte Charon’.
“Monsieur Charon, good evening, Francois Boucher here,” said Callan, in his best French. “Our principals in Brazzaville are concerned about the amount of expenses you are incurring compared to the lack of trade deals closed.”
“Ah, Monsieur Boucher, please pass on my apologies to Brazzaville, but I am still cultivating my business contacts here. That goes well, but business itself has been hard to drum up. Little has been happening in the export trade and things seem to have become very quiet in that regard of late.”
“Perhaps so, Monsieur, but we are hearing many reports of your lavish entertainments, but none of any substance on the commercial side. There are limits to both their money and patience.” At this point, Callan’s voice had become quietly menacing. He was getting so frustrated that he had unconsciously drawn his service pistol as he brandished the phone in an increasingly firm grip.
“Er, um, my apologies again. I will attempt to achieve some economies, but can only deal with the business conditions I find on the ground.”
“That is the minimum they require, Monsieur. Lest they decide to send me in to conduct an audit.”
“Right, of course, I will strive to do better. And to limit expenditure. Though I find it is a prerequisite if we hope to cut any deals here.” ‘Romeo’ was by now breaking out in a nervous sweat. ‘Audits’ by Callan had a habit of turning violent.
“You had better. That is all for now.” Callan hung up without any further exchange of pleasantries.
David Callan on the phone to Agent Romeo: “There are limits to both their money and patience.”
OK, I know the phone is too modern looking, but there are limits to my photoshopping skills and I wanted to use this pic. My patient readAARs will just have to suspend their high critical standards this time round.
As forces from both sides traipsed through mud in the Adriatic sector to get to their positions, the barely recovered 5th Hvy Pz Div attempted another attack on Vrnograc late that night, at 10 pm. The probe was over by 3 am the next morning, with 176 Germans and 135 Turks killed. The Axis commanders were clearly desperate to try to relieve their troops trapped in the pocket.
---xxx---
5 Jan 43
Turkish researchers finished their work on special forces doctrine and turned next to operational level organisation, to once more decrease the reorganisation time between attacks. This would be very important for retaining the initiative in future offensives.
At midnight, 1 Armd Div won the race to Ogulin, briefly coming under attack at 1 am from the retreating 60th Infanterie. But the Germans, thus halted in Bihac, were then attacked by both 1 and 2 Mtn Divs.
The German’s skilful counter-attack disrupted the mountain troops’ assault, but was not enough to offset the multiple combat penalty they received due to their own attack on Ogulin, which had Italian air support. At 3 am, the Germans broke off their attack on Ogulin (20 Turkish vs 16 German casualties), forced to concentrate on their own defence in Bihac. Meanwhile, the Italians had recommenced air strikes on Vrnograc in support of the latest in the series of attacks on it. There would be four raids that day.
Both for possible future air operations against Italy and for better support in the Adriatic sector, at 8 am a direction was given to begin improving the air base at Split to level four standard. By 2 pm, the Italians had vacated Lussino, so 2 Mot Div headed north early to re-secure Otocac. It had been vacated earlier by 1 Armd Div and there was now an Italian motorised division approaching it from the north-west.
At 5 pm the German 50th Infanterie joined the 60th in Bihac[1.2% reinforcement chance]. The defence was hampered by lack of supplies and being surrounded [84% attack progress]. Both the Turkish formations were fresh, while the Germans had been significantly damaged by then and their organisation was low [around 30-50% overall and eroding].
Ground Damage Report.Three Italian raids on 1 Armd Div in Ogulin killed 224 of Wehib Paşa’s troopers. Raids on Vrnograc continued into the next day.
---xxx---
6 Jan 43
Midnight brought a Saudi nationalist uprising in Al Kharj, directly south-east of Ar Riyad. The Riyad Militia Brigade was despatched to put down the revolt. This quick action saw the nationalists defeated by 4am, with the militia detachment then moving to restore order in the province before returning to the capital of the Arabian GNR.
Supply organisation was improved and the researchers were kept on the same line of work, which was still well behind contemporary standards. With coming offensive plans, long distances and an expanding military, an efficient supply system would save resources for more productive purposes.
Another attack on Vrnograc, this time across the Sava from Sisak by the recently retreated (and not yet fully recovered) 7 Pz Div, was launched at 1 am. Italian air raids continued that day and into the next. But by 7 pm, the Germans had again been beaten off, suffering very heavy casualties compared to the weary defenders. The battle for the surrounded Bihac and the race for Otocac both continued.
The Axis kept searching for weak spots in the line. Yet another German attack, at 10 am on Sanski Most, was repelled after eight hours of fighting along the Sava River.
And a massive attack on Tuzla provided an early test for the recently transferred MAJGEN Seven, who assumed command of Comintern forces for the battle. Six Hungarian, Italian and German divisions assaulted his lines from three directions.
The day wore on and by 8 pm, victory was nearing in Bihac, where the German 50th Infanterie had net yet been able to reinforce and the 60th was reaching breaking point. Two hours later, it was all over. For the loss of 316 more Turkish mountain troops, 1,028 Germans were killed and the remaining 9,947 were captured and sent to internment camps.
But before anyone could celebrate, yet another German probe struck Vrnograd: the enemy were getting desperate, sending badly disorganised and damaged units into the meatgrinder, hoping to break the weakened defenders.
Ground Damage Report.A single Italian raid on Sanski Most killed 69 Turkish defenders before the land attack was called off. Raids on Vrnograc once again continued into the next day.
---xxx---
7 Jan 43
The latest futile German attack on Vrnograc failed by 2 am, costing the enemy 203 killed for the loss of only eight defenders, though Italian bombers would continue to pound them all day. Then an hour later, the large attack on Tuzla was ended quite early. The Axis must not have liked the way the casualties were accumulating.
At the same time, 222 SD had made it to Karlobag and, seeing Lussino had been abandoned, they advanced towards it.
At 5 am, 3 Cav Div arrived in Orsova – but they were well ahead of their slower (and far stronger) comrades, while the Romanians had ended up putting only one weak cavalry division into Baja de Arama, the rest of the large force that had been heading there being diverted to other tasks. 3 Cav Div were suddenly looking very isolated and vulnerable. And four hours later, the Axis spotted this weakness and launched a reckless assault on Orsova with two Hungarian infantry divisions, no doubt hoping to overpower the Turkish advance party before reinforcements arrived.
Though Axis the attack on Tuzla had been broken off, at 11 am three unescorted Italian TAC wings were bombing it. Örlungat decided to test the Axis air response again, this time with interceptor groups based in the nearby Beograd air base. 1 AG (I-16s and LaGG-3s) would intercept by day (only). 3 AG (F4F Wildcats) was held back for night interdiction, if required.
The first dogfight went from midday to 2 pm, with three Hungarian fighter wings (already damaged when they arrived) joining the fray ay 1 pm. Neither side inflicted heavy casualties. Next, 3 AF went up on patrol during the night, only to be attacked themselves by the same Hungarian fighters to the north of Tuzla, over Backa Palanka. 6 AF sustained quite heavy damage and did not seem to do much to the Hungarians in return. With the ground attack on Tuzla well over and no more enemy air raids on it afterwards, all interception missions were called off that night.
At 10 pm, 4 HArm Bde reached Vrnograc and joined 17 Inf Div, the spare infantry brigade being sent back south for eventual reassignment. The only continuing combat on the Turkish front was the Hungarian attack on Orsova. In land battles during the first week of January 1943, Turkey lost 2,579 men, the Axis 4,636 killed and another 9,947 German infantrymen captured in the ‘Bihac Pocket’.
Ground Damage Report.Three days of air raids on Vrnograc killed a total of 1,467 Turkish soldiers. Two raids on Tuzla killed 323. During the week, 20 Axis soldiers had been killed in Turkish air attacks, but Italian air raids had killed 3,549.
---xxx---
Coming Up: The first hectic week of January 1943 ended with Operation Frost Wolf successfully concluded, but the Axis had sealed the line between the Adriatic and Zagreb, showing itself still resilient and capable of multiple attacks. German defensive resolve had been strengthened at the national level; Leningrad was in their hands; and poor weather badly hampered mobility at the front. Furthermore, many of Turkey’s offensive formations – particularly from 2nd Mechanised Corps - were recovering from the trials of the recent offensive and concerted German counter-attacks on Vrnograc. And the Sava Line was still only thinly held south-east of Vrnograc.
In this context, would circumstances allow the planned bold new offensive to be launched any time soon? Or would weather, enemy action and the need to rebuild and reinforce tired divisions ensure that the next offensive would be delayed until conditions were more favourable? How have the Soviets and Romania fared as 1943 begins? Will Singapore continue to hold out and will the Japanese continue to speed through the jungles of Burma? And will the US do anything, at sea or on the islands of the Pacific?
AuthAAR’s Endnote: the rest of the month has been played through (my gameplay continuity ‘pledge’ to give the AI a decent run at things), so I know the answers to many of these questions, but am not giving anything away until next time.
Excellent to hear the Germans were at last captured. Whilst that does not quite conclude the operation (the line must surely be stabilised) it surely counts as a good success.
Now just a matter of choosing one's moment.
It is perhaps a consequence of reading too much Lois McMaster Bujold that these days whenever someone (in fiction) mentions an audit I get the mental image of a hyperative dwarf-sized person with frustrated desire for knight errantry (not sure if you will get the reference, but if you don't I thorougly recommend her books).
Some of those present remembered Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s fondness for rakı, and his late-night rakı sofrası sessions, where he would debate issues with his closest friends and advisors.
If one day you visit Turkey, a rakı sofrası is one of the first things that you should try. In fact, with a considerable Turkish diaspora maybe there's also the possibility there as well?
“Ah, Diskoerekto, come in,” he said, as his subordinate appeared in the entrance and saluted. “I wanted to advise you that I have been transferred to command 14 Inf Div in Tuzla.”
“We’ll be sorry to see you go, sir,” replied the brigade commander with deference. And wondering who the replacement commander would be – if one was even appointed, with 3 Mtn Div once again in a reserve position.
“I am not aware of who my replacement will be, but the Senior Staff College list will be out soon and perhaps someone from there will be made commander,” Seven added, anticipating his colleague's thoughts. “I’m sorry that your service here at the front meant you were unable to attend the College last year, and therefore rendered you ineligible to graduate. But I wish you luck in your future career. It has been a privilege to serve with you.”
“And likewise, sir,” said a disappointed but stoic Diskoerekto. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
Seven handed him the list of new appointments from the College graduating class of 1942.
Seven had been transferred to 14 Inf Div in Tuzla – a key location on the Sava Line and the object of many large-scale Axis attacks. 14 Inf Div had been heavily involved in combat over the last year and probably would continue to be and had been disadvantaged by the absence of a dedicated commander. The now experienced ‘battle master’ Seven would fill that gap. Other front line defensive formations – three of them on the Danube Line – also got ‘rookie’ commanders. The down-sized 3 Cav Div did not, nor did either of the two Turkish divisions stationed in the Far East, nor the still-forming 2 Armd Div, though it may become a priority soon when it was brought up to strength.
“Oh, and I almost forgot,” said Seven as Diskoerekto finished reading the list. “They have appointed a commander for the new 1st Turkish Marine Division and created a Corps HQ to command it and the three US Marine expeditionary divisions."
But the brigade commander’s hopes were dashed again. Mengüc, promoted directly to LTGEN, had got the corps command, while Selisek would command 1 Mar Div.
“That is all,” said Seven, a look of commiseration on his face. “I must pack my things and head off to Tuzla. Once again, good luck.” The two exchanged a final salute and Diskoerekto headed back to his own brigade HQ.
As he arrived, his ADC handed him the ‘midnight despatches’. An Order of the Day from the Milli Şef (and Commander 1st Army) Inönü for the new year and the struggle ahead. A logistics report on ammunition holdings. A tally of soldiers in the brigade currently out of action due to illness. In the cold and damp weather, foot rot was a particularly prevalent and debilitating condition at the moment.
Finally, he glanced at a message from the officer management bureau in Ankara. New postings and some brevet promotions for officers in his brigade. Captain Abacı, promoted to Major; Lieutenant Akgün, now Captain Akgün; newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel Bozgüney; a Captain Çarkçı transferred into the logistics branch at the HQ; then he got to the letter ‘D’.
E. Diskoerekto, promoted to Major General and command of the 3rd Mountain Division, with immediate effect.
He was later advised that an exception had been made on his part based on service in the field as a brigade commander. The requirement for Senior Staff College attendance had been waived. The division would take a little while to get used to his command style, while he would need to find his feet as commander [ie the org hit on new commander appointment], but he was confident he and the 3rd would soon be prepared for whatever assignment they might be given.
I always love it when my in-universe character is involved, but this has been huge! The delivery was perfect - I mean, even though we talked beforehand and I knew it was going to happen, I still felt the tension and suspense. And the suspense paid off, too. When the cable was received I was as relieved and excited as the in-universe me! I couldn't have been happier on a Monday morning
Thanks once again for this cameo. I'm sure my in-game avatar will do his best to lead his men to victory. Vur ha!!!!
That night newly promoted MAJGEN Diskoerekto met up with US LO MAJ Tyler Durden for an intense session of rakı drinking to celebrate the former’s promotion. While the new 3 Mtn Div commander retired to his HQ, knowing he had a busy time ahead of him, Durden kicked on to a local bar. True to form, he had a fight (for money) with a local bare-knuckle bar room boxer. Durden won the money (and a few side bets), but would be no oil painting in the morning! Not that he seemed to care.
As the day came to an end, the latest reports from the attack on Lussino made for grim reading. It had been hoped that the Italians, already very low on organisation, might have been swept away by Toüdemür’s blitzing attack. But a closer examination of the battle showed his motorised formation was horribly ill-suited to an amphibious assault, and his T-34s were matched in capability by the tanks of the Italian 133a 'Littorio' Division. The attack had virtually no chance of success and casualties were mounting (at a murderous ratio of 100-1, it was later revealed), so was called off.
The day wore on and by 8 pm, victory was nearing in Bihac, where the German 50th Infanterie had net yet been able to reinforce and the 60th was reaching breaking point. Two hours later, it was all over. For the loss of 316 more Turkish mountain troops, 1,028 Germans were killed and the remaining 9,947 were captured and sent to internment camps.
At 5 am, 3 Cav Div arrived in Orsova – but they were well ahead of their slower (and far stronger) comrades, while the Romanians had ended up putting only one weak cavalry division into Baja de Arama, the rest of the large force that had been heading there being diverted to other tasks. 3 Cav Div were suddenly looking very isolated and vulnerable. And four hours later, the Axis spotted this weakness and launched a reckless assault on Orsova with two Hungarian infantry divisions, no doubt hoping to overpower the Turkish advance party before reinforcements arrived.
I hate it when this happens, simultaneous movement should be the default mode unless the player explicitly picks faster units to arrive earlier. Sometimes I just retreat immediately because there's a good possibilty all the strong units join the reserve and they ALL have to retreat when the single cav div is out of org before they could reinforce.
Our units are a bit more disorganized than I thought they would be after the operation is over, but they're not spent or anything. A quick reorg on the march would do wonders
Honestly, I thought we still only had three total divisions between the ones that the USMC provided and the Turkish units. A four-division corps could have absolutely overcome whatever was left in Sicily or North Africa which would have been out of organization or supply from our moves. *Shrug*, Oh well. At least they'll be getting some combat experience with kicking down river crossings.
Honestly, I thought we still only had three total divisions between the ones that the USMC provided and the Turkish units. A four-division corps could have absolutely overcome whatever was left in Sicily or North Africa which would have been out of organization or supply from our moves. *Shrug*, Oh well. At least they'll be getting some combat experience with kicking down river crossings.
It's never really been about that though, more about getting them there safely and landing. The Italian Air Force and navy, especially the former, could destroy the fleet or a good chunk of it before we got anywhere.
“To Plan 1 then, the proposal from Wehib Pasha [or ‘Paşa’ in the modern Turkish alphabet] for a drive on Berlin itself. He has clarified that it would go as far as it could be sustained, hopefully at least to Vienna – a very traditional Turkish target! Your thoughts?”
Army Chief Mehmet Nuri Yamut spoke up. “I think Cakmak is on to something there. I’m not sure it's likely to fully succeed: Pécs should be doable, Budapest itself is a long hike, but then pushing beyond it to Kosice? Maybe, if the Soviets and Romanians put pressure on as well and the whole Axis front begins to collapse, but it’s a long shot.”
I believe the council is neglecting to consider that an offensive need not be launched immediately. Between now and, say, May, there is plenty of time to train some additional divisions that could hold the flanks of such a decisive advance.
With no other opinions offered – and no one taking Üngen’s subtle bait of opting for either a North African or Sicilian campaign, which he privately supported, the Plan 4 was waved off.
Observers reported seeing Üngen leave the meeting and retire to his private office, surrounded by several glowing boxes of electronics and muttering about "stall packs" and "god damn shitty Allied AI".
He then wandered over to the map. “I think we take it as far as we can, aiming for Beograd at least. Let’s see if we can either roll up their line from west to east, or trap a large amount of them in a great encirclement. On the Adriatic, we will basically secure the current line from the coast to Zagreb - but not including it, unless the Axis let us - across the shortest distance feasible and hold it with as few units as we can risk.”
Frankly, this thrust looks larger than we can currently support. I would suggest consolidating our gains from Frost Wolf and redeploying our divisions (plus deploying a few new ones) before undertaking this advance. Perhaps we need to hold off until spring-time?
Then pointing across to the Romanian border, he went on. “As a diversion, to support our allies and a possible secondary advance later if the plan actually looks like coming off in full, we will look at pushing across the Danube with forces currently available in that sector to take Orsova anyway, in accordance with Plan 3, alongside the Soviet-Romanian push to Baja de Arama. That will give us a bridgehead of our own and might distract the Axis from our true plans to the west."
I do, however, approve of the distraction tactic here. That said, I do wonder if those forces might be better-employed to support our primary offensive. Do we really have the spare divisions, to say nothing of commanders, to maintain multiple offensives simultaneously? Even if one is a clear feint...
He was later advised that an exception had been made on his part based on service in the field as a brigade commander. The requirement for Senior Staff College attendance had been waived. The division would take a little while to get used to his command style, while he would need to find his feet as commander [ie the org hit on new commander appointment], but he was confident he and the 3rd would soon be prepared for whatever assignment they might be given.
The final order for the day was given to the Navy: the whole fleet (warships and transports) would transport the three US marine divisions from Izmir to Split, from where they would be committed to strengthen the newly won gains and be prepared for river crossing operations along the designated Sava breakthrough area in any future offensive. Simultaneously, HQ 1st Marine Corps and 1 Mar Div were put on trains from Istanbul to Banja Luka to join up with them.
This is probably the best decision made in this period, making sure that all of our divisions are doing active work and not loitering around training for a Sicilian invasion that's unlikely to ever happen by this point. Any division on the front lines is a useful division, I say!
The day wore on and by 8 pm, victory was nearing in Bihac, where the German 50th Infanterie had net yet been able to reinforce and the 60th was reaching breaking point. Two hours later, it was all over. For the loss of 316 more Turkish mountain troops, 1,028 Germans were killed and the remaining 9,947 were captured and sent to internment camps.
In this context, would circumstances allow the planned bold new offensive to be launched any time soon? Or would weather, enemy action and the need to rebuild and reinforce tired divisions ensure that the next offensive would be delayed until conditions were more favourable?
I strongly advocate taking a few months to reorganize and recover before launching any serious offensives. Ideally, some new divisions can be trained and deployed to really surprise the Axis bastards come spring-time!
you made a great character out of this old Pasha
