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In retrospect, accepting the deal from the tobacco companies that offered them continued success (despite all evidence) in exchange for every cigarette automatically giving your soul to Satan was one of his better deals.
“This was an assassination attempt. Nobody touch this tray. Get the President to a safe location immediately. I will discover the details of this plot and report back.”
Leak being a good word here. Just as an engine might leak oil and a corpse might leak various putrid fluids, Kelebek leaked. He had been saving up specially for moments such as this.
The idiot really should have been clued in that something was wrong when the dark lord made the whole car stop and revealed a human frailty to multiple witnesses. Mind you, if the man was smart he wouldn't have realised whom the protagonists of this universe were and switched sides accordingly.
The next two attempts gained the photographer only a picture of a cute bunny rabbit and something called an arcade machine telling him he only had one life left. There was no fourth attempt.
Upon reflection, the Turkish government decided to tell the French openly that yes, they had stolen their plans, yes their security was dreadful and yes, the French could do nothing about it because (snicker) you have much bigger problems.
The French cabinet was deeply insulted, gave the telegram top secret status and resolved to never tell anyone about this because the Turks might be right.
On the same day, word is received that France is not taking any chances: it has ordered a full mobilisation of its military (joining its new Polish ally). The UK has not yet done so.
I mean...the uk could sit out of this I guess. It would screw up everyone's plans if they did though, since I don't think anyone including the Germans believe they won't declare war.
After a recent test...I will say...good luck! I would explain what I tried withGreece but it would be seriously out of place here and hopefully you will make it non-applicable.
After a recent test...I will say...good luck! I would explain what I tried withGreece but it would be seriously out of place here and hopefully you will make it non-applicable.
Thanks for the continued interest and comments TheButterflyComposer and Markkur, and to the 'raters' (nice to know who's reading) and other silent viewers (at least I can tell you're out there from the hits ) as I said a while back, was away one week and then last week at work was pretty brutal, but am almost ready to publish another update, soon hopefully.
For those who've been following: I'm almost tempted to build a Navy so I can be in a position to invade Japan. The Bullfilter is not a happy chappy - their gratuitous interference is giving me a case of apoplexy to rival Sukru Kaya's! Ah well, can't blame the game for actually playing itself well once in a while, I suppose.
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Chapter 59: Merry Month of May - Marx, Montenegro and Mafia Madness (1 to 31 May 1939)
Chapter 59:Merry Month of May - Marx, Montenegro and Mafia Madness (1 to 31 May 1939)
1 May 39 – May Day and Marx
Braanzson ‘BJ’ Guildenstern has been busy these last few months, with the much-anticipated launch of the Union of Glorious National Republics, then the enormous preparations for Atatürk’s State Funeral last month, the new round of mass publicity surrounding Inönü’s elevation to the Presidency of Turkey. Plans for a new Turkish-style Stakhanovite campaign are being gradually developed, but until there is a matching research project to show hard evidence of its success, Persephonee’s outline concept remains under wraps.
Given the setback in the Comintern alignment campaign (which shows no sign of getting better soon), the Propaganda Department Chief Kurban Kuzu has been tasked with finding something to improve popular sympathy for the Communists. It is May Day after all!
“Find something that will make the people feel better about Marx,” said Kuzu's boss, Armaments Minister Calistar. “We need to do something quickly. Kaya's Interior Ministry is having no luck shutting down the Axis influence campaign, and we’re not confident Ögel’s espionage effort in Japan will prove much more useful.”
Kuzu’s job soon became Guildenstern’s problem, of course, as these things always do. He is trying to think of something - difficult the morning after a 'hard night'. There is a knock on BJ’s office door. He moves to put away the whisky he was in the middle of consuming (it’s almost lunch time, after all), when he hears it is only one of department's researchers, Mustapha. He believes he has had a great idea and leads BJ excitedly to the projection room.
“Mr Guildenstern sir,” Mustapha gushes. “This is just a clip, there is a full-length production, made only four years ago. Surely people will love Marx after they see this!”
Oh dear, Braanzson thinks to himself, what Soviet propaganda horror has young Mustapha dredged up?
“Very well, Mustapha, let’s see what you’ve got. And where’s my whisky!”
(2:34)
Amusing as this scene from 1935’s Marx Brothers’ hit A Night at the Opera may be, it seems Mustapha has misunderstood the brief – must have been lost in translation.
Rather than explaining in detail – it would just require too much time and nervous energy – BJ just smiles, thanks Mustapha and sends him on his way. Instead, he goes back to their recently delivered archive of Soviet propaganda posters.
“Mahmud, take this and adapt it to our local circumstances,” BJ directs another staff member. “Leave Marx and Stalin in, replace Engels with Atatürk and Lenin with Inönü.”
Days like this kill the soul, slowly but surely. Well, if cirrhosis was good enough for Atatürk, it’s good enough for Guildenstern. May as well have his liver keep pace with his soul – the latter of which (he realises in a rare moment of introspective self-awareness) he reckons would probably need a spiritual microscope to find by now. He reaches for another whisky.
Is whisky the solution for the world's ills? Probably the opposite, but Braanzson Guildenstern believes it dulls the edges.
Meanwhile, Ögel reports that Japanese counter-espionage strength is now up to 8 and we have already lost one spy, with our strength down to 9. We have no spy reserves as yet. The mission remains passive for now and the Japanese influence campaign continues.
2 May 39 – A Meeting in Podgorica
Volkan ‘Vinnie’ Mancini is in Podgorica, the capital of the Montenegro GNR. He is under secret orders from his uncle, President Ismet Inönü. No-one else is aware of this mission – not even Kaya, S.I.T.H. or the Interior Ministry, so he must play his role very carefully.
Downtown Podgorica. It makes Tirane seem a thriving metropolis by comparison.
Vinnie has arranged to visit Altobello’s at his official residence. He has just explained his predicament, as instructed, seeking the wise old man’s advice, as a friend of the family and trusted confidant of the late President.
Vinnie Mancini, paying his respects to Premier Osvaldo Altobello. He is playing a dangerous double agent role. And is there a danger he may actually turn for Altobello? Surely it will be just a little tempting.
“Yes, your father’s escapades and your illegitimate status, his ward, your – ah, rash dealing with poor Joey Zasa. Ismet has always been a little old fashioned,” Altobello says felicitously.
“Yes, I’m sorry about Joey, I’d like to straighten that out with you as well. But if you could use your friendship to persuade Uncle Ismet about the adoption and then marriage. I would be indebted to you forever. An Inönü knows the value of such a friend.”
“So, then you would work for me?” asks Altobello.
“Yes.”
“You're not telling me the whole truth, Volkan,” says Altobello, addressing him with more of an edge now. “Isn't it true, with you adopted and legitimised, his ward married, then Ismet gone, with his son still only a youngster, you control everything. You inherit the family name, perhaps take control of the security services, then eventually run the whole show.”
“No, Premier Altobello you leave the girl out of it,” says Vinnie with emotion.
“Ah, of course, you actually do love her. And she loves you. I guessed it Volkan, eh?”
Vinnie relaxes and smiles. “You're a wise man, Premier Altobello. I'm going to be learning a lot from you.”
“The richest man is the one with the most powerful friends.”
Altobello leads Vinnie out onto the patio, where Don Licio Lucchesi is waiting. “It’s my duty to do the introductions. Don Lucchesi, this is Volkan Mancini.”
Don Licio Lucchesi, the Chairman of the Immobiliare Board, gets better acquainted with Vinnie Mancini.
“Premier Altobello tells me you have good character, strong, a man of respect.”
“This is the hero who put Joey Zasa in his grave. If we'd known of his existence, we would never have backed Joey,” says Altobello, smiling ruefully.
“No-one wants another Joe,” replies Lucchesi. Turning to Vinnie, he says: “Let me be your friend. Even the strongest man needs friends.”
“I'm flattered. But you're a man of finance and politics, Don Lucchesi, these are things I don't understand.”
“You understand guns?” asks Lucchesi. Vinnie nods. “Finance is a gun. Politics is knowing when to pull the trigger.”
“How can I help?”
“Come…” Lucchesi leads Vinnie away.
“Blessed is the peacemaker, for he can be called a child of God,” says Altobello as they depart.
3 May 39
OTL Note: Vyacheslav Molotov became the new Foreign Affairs Minister of the Soviet Union. It’s still Litvinov in this ATL.
5 May 39
News Report: Warsaw, Poland. Polish Foreign Minister Józef Beck makes a major speech in the Polish Sjem, rejecting Hitler’s demands over Danzig and the ‘Polish Corridor’. Relying on the backing of the UK and France, he said:
“Peace is a precious and a desirable thing. Our generation, bloodied in wars, certainly deserves peace. But peace, like almost all things of this world, has its price, a high but a measurable one. We in Poland do not know the concept of peace at any price. There is only one thing in the lives of men, nations and countries that is without price. That thing is honour.”
Beck addresses the Polish Sjem on 5 May 1939. It seems the cost of honour may soon be known, if not its price.
8 May 39
News Report: London, UK. Britain offers to mediate in the German-Polish dispute over Danzig.
In Patra, new fortifications are built – they will soon be fully fitted out. The Iskandar Line in southern Greece is now a reality, albeit still thinly held. This means there is at least one level of fortification now on all four provinces of the Calistar and Iskandar Lines. A third level of fortification is commenced in Athina, which does not have the benefit of a strait to inhibit enemy assault.
9 May 39
News Report: Madrid, Spain. Franco’s Nationalist Spain announces its withdrawal from the League of Nations.
Spanish ‘Caudillo’ Francisco Franco, reviewing a parade in Madrid, 1939. Given his Fascist alignment and the support he has received from Hitler and Mussolini, will he eventually join the Axis too, having followed their lead in leaving the League of Nations?
10 May 39
At the Turkish Embassy in Rome, Ambassador Vatan ‘Vito’ Ceylan is entertaining an old Patrone of Luca Brasi’s, who has deep knowledge of Italian politics and the Sicilian underworld. They have been updated by a cable from Ankara on the ambiguous circumstances of Vinnie’s recent meeting with Altobello in Podgorica, where Lucchesi was brought in. Was it in the hope that peace could be made over the Immobiliare deal, or is there something more sinister about Altobello’s involvement? Ceylan and Brasi have been directed to find out.
Luca introduces Don Lionele Tommasino to Ambassador Ceylan. “I wanted to bring you here, my old friend and protector, so you could advise us,” says Brasi. This short sentence of introduction is almost a monologue for him.
Don Lionele Tommasino (b. 1872, Palermo). Born and raised in the Sicilian village of Corleone, he became the local Mafia Don of the town. Luca Brasi worked for him before he had to leave Italy after Sollozzo’s abortive attempt to have Luca garrotted. He has intimate knowledge of the whole Italian organised crime and political scene. Which many consider to be one and the same.
“Don Tommasino, what do you think about Altobello?” Brasi asks, in Italian.
“A very talented man. He has kept the peace between our Sicilian and Balkan friends. The saint of reason.”
“So, to the attempted massacre in Ankara,” says Ceylan. “Joey Zasa, who we had left to look after Albania, went rogue and is now out of the picture. We’ve stepped in to take over his administration in Albania, where the Italians and the Tattaglia’s have been running things under him and against our interests. And there’s Vigil Sollozzo in Istanbul, who we're sure tried to assassinate President Atatürk.”
“Your enemies always get strong on what you leave behind,” observes Tommasino sagely. “Sollozzo, you know he works for the Tattaglia’s, and they do dirty work for Barzini: he pulls their strings.”
Emilio Barzini Sr. (b. 1887, Sicily), seen here (second from left) earlier in the year at an infrastructure business function in Naples, which Ceylan (right) had also attended. Previously a Caporegime and now Don of his own Family, Barzini had an interest in expanding into drug trafficking and introduced Virgil “The Turk” Sollozzo to the Tattaglias. Apart from everything else he has tried to do to thwart Turkey, it is clear now it was
Barzini who recruited Polat ‘Paulie’ Gütelkin, through Sollozzo, to help facilitate the assassination of Atatürk last month. To say the Turks are not best pleased with him is something of an understatement!
“Don Tommasino, who could give the order for that massacre - with Italian Government backing - and the attempted assassination, and still pressure the Vatican deal?” asks Ceylan.
“Only Lucchesi can reach between these two worlds.” Tommasino is emphatic on this point. “And Lucchesi and Barzini are allies: Barzini is his key 'associate' in Sicily.”
Vito Ceylan imitates Lucchesi, from the Board meeting that put the Immobiliare deal on ice in February: “‘Our ships must all sail in the same direction’.” He pauses. “So that is the link – it all goes back to Lucchesi. Italian politics have had these kind of men for centuries. They're the true Mafia.”
“The Archbishop and the Vatican bank, that's the big problem,” says Luca, who has been ordered to try to protect the new Pontiff, Pius XII, without him knowing it.
“They're the same problem, Luca. They're connected,” states Ceylan. “The Archbishop has very powerful friends. They totally protect him. Don Tommasino, is there someone in the church we can turn to? Someone we can tell our problem to.”
“The Pope himself, Your Excellency. A wise and good man, very knowledgeable. He will see you.”
“Bene. I will mention this at my credential presentation and see if we can work things out in a civilised way.”
As Don Tommasino makes ready to leave, Ceylan says to him, in Italian: "Politics and crime. They're the same thing…"
12 May 39
News Report: Ankara, Turkey. Britain and Turkey announce a mutual aid agreement in the event of aggression or war.[NB: an OTL news snippet, for added realism per previous AAR narrative, no in-game event or effect.]
13 May 39
Another Turkish spy has been caught in Japan. Our strength is now down to 8 and their influence campaign rolls on, unaffected. With no reserves to throw in and scarce LS required for other priorities, there are not the resources available to provide the kind of reinforcements a big spy war would need. The ‘send spy priority’ for Japan is reduced to zero and the mission changed from passive to full-on counter-espionage. If we’re going to go down, it will be with a fight, and we'll see if any more Japanese LS can be forced into espionage in response to the threat – and (unlikely, but you never know) distract them from influencing us.
President Inönü has also reviewed Cabinet arrangements. He has decided to make one change: he himself (now an option for Armament Minister) will take over that portfolio directly, giving another 10% boost to Industrial Capacity, which will be used mainly for forts, provincial air defence and infrastructure projects (thus preserving manpower until it can regenerate). Field Marshal Fuad Calistar remains as the Supreme (ie. Theatre) Commander of the Armed Forces and retains his responsibility for the Propaganda Department, as 'Information Minister'.
Interesting, Paradox has provided a different (and more accurate for the time) picture of Inönü as Armament Minister. And have him representing a different political party. El Pip would be pleased!
14 May 39
The impact of Inönü’s takeover of Armament is immediate: IC is now raised to 76 (from 71 shortly before). There may be some additional decay in infantry and militia theory with Calistar moved on, but the extra IC is welcome.
NB: the Supplies stockpile is still growing slightly, with no IC allocated.
With the extra IC, a second level of fortifications is commissioned in Patra, even while the first is still being brought on line. With recent increase in experience in construction, the cost has come down again, now only 6.00 IC (it was 7.25 when fort construction first started on the Calistar Line back in July 1937).
17 May 39
News Report: Quebec City, Canada. The royal tour of Canada begins. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth arrived in Quebec City, Canada at the beginning of their North American tour. Undertaken in the build-up to World War II, it was a way to emphasise the independence of the Dominion from Britain. The visit lasted from May 17 to June 15, covering every Canadian province, the Dominion of Newfoundland, and a few days in the United States. There had been previous royal tours of Canada, but this was unprecedented in its scope. The tour was an enormous event, attracting huge crowds at each new city.
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth unveiling the National War Memorial in Ottawa, during their tour of Canada.
Entertainment News. The first television broadcast in Japan occurs. The same day, NBC broadcasts the first televised sporting event in North America, a baseball game between Princeton and Columbia.
20 May 39
News Report: New York, US.Pan-American Airways begins a regular air mail service between the United States and Europe.
The new Pan American Airways trans-Atlantic air service commenced, with flights between New York and Marseilles, France.
22 May 39
Guildenstern’s US contacts are again helpful in getting President Inönü good Western press coverage, this time on the cover of Newsweek. He has vowed that commercial shipping will continue to have freedom to navigate the Dardanelles/Bosporus.
23 May 39
The mountain brigade building program is now complete, with a fourth brigade delivered to 2 Mtn Div, currently on security duties in the former Yugoslavia. This brings both mountain divisions up to full strength, meaning any further production of these specialist units will not occur for the foreseeable future. It is hoped they should be sufficient, in combination with other units, to hold Canakkale under the heaviest Axis assault. Another provincial Heavy AA battery is ordered.
24 May 39
Ögel provides his final report for the month on the espionage campaign in Japan: things are slowly deteriorating. Any new spies produced now will be held in reserve for France or any other new campaign that may be devised. If no progress is made in C-E against Japan - they will probably be quickly rounded up by the Kempeitai (as our Soviet GRU colleague 'SkitalecS3' predicted) - the remainder may get switched to something else. But for now they will stay on their current mission.
26 May 39
Ceylan has finally secured his audience with Pope Pius XII. He asks for a private word, with no other observers. They are sitting in a secluded courtyard in the Vatican.
“Your Holiness, President Atatürk and the Turkish Government trusted this business arrangement with Archbishop Gilday,” Ceylan begins. “I trusted him myself, I was sure his honesty was beyond a doubt. But, as you see, our nation is now the victim of a swindle. They're stalling us. Vast moneys have gone to the pezzonovante in high political places, and the Vatican bank is the guarantor.”
“Ambassador, if what you say is true there will be a great scandal,” answers the Pope. He moves towards a fountain.
“Look at this stone. It has been lying in the water for a very long time, but the water has not penetrated it.” Pius XII breaks the stone. “Look. Perfectly dry. The same thing has happened to men in Europe. For centuries, they have been surrounded by Christianity, but Christ has not penetrated. Christ doesn't breathe within them.”
This difficult matter has now been broached with the Pope. Not only may there now be movement on the Immobiliare deal (the conclusion of which becomes more urgent with every day bringing the world closer to war), but this Pope will seek to flush out the corruption in the Vatican Bank. This puts him in very clear and present danger. Luca Brasi is ordered to mobilise his contacts and resources to protect Pius against murder plots. But it is never enough to rely solely on defence: he has other orders to put in motion …
31 May 39
A Slippery Slope
As the month ends, Foreign Minister Aras makes a somewhat despondent report to President Inönü: the Japanese influence campaign has persisted unstopped for the entire month. Turkey now stands at 172.29 distance from being able to join the Comintern (50 being the goal). While Turkey can hope to sit out past the outbreak of a general war between the Axis and the Allies, or even between Germany and the Soviet Union if necessary, it increases Turkey's exposure until the Soviets might become involved. There may still be plenty of time between now and when the Comintern insurance policy would need to be called on, but it now looks like the period of increased danger for Turkey could be extended. If these conditions persist and the diplomatic distance continues to balloon, a special Cabinet meeting may be required to reconsider preparations.
But for now, Inönü believes not much more can be done: they are already preparing for the worst. Turkey must hope that, if war does come, the Allies can hold their own long enough for Turkey to both bolster its defences sufficiently to withstand an onslaught and to regain the diplomatic lost ground to bring the Comintern option to fruition. Being a bit late to the party could be inconvenient, but being wiped out before that choice even comes to pass would of course be a catastrophe for Turkey. They would all naturally prefer a Glorious Victory to a Glorious Defeat!
The ‘Great Conspiracy’ – Update Report
Inönü, Kaya and Vinnie Mancini have gathered at the Interior Ministry for a review of the conspiracy and to confirm preparations for counter-measures. They had already established the links between the three main Axis powers and the float-plane attack on the Premier’s Council meeting on the Glorious Union’s Foundation Day. The principal state link is through the Italian Fascists, who have clearly connived with the Sicilian Mafia to provide them the Italian mail-service plane for the purposes of ‘plausible deniability’. Meanwhile, the whole Immobiliare deal has been a scam from the start. Archbishop Gilday, along with the Bank's chief accountant Frederick Keinszig and Don Licio Lucchesi (the Chairman of the Immobiliare board), have conspired to swindle Turkey out of the money and cover up their corrupt gutting of the Vatican Bank. Gilday’s apparent backing of Turkey’s claim when its ownership of Immobiliare was threatened by other shareholders is designed to throw them off the scent.
Lucchesi is masterminding it all, with his links into the Italian Fascist Government and the Mafia. He profits personally while serving Italian Fascist (and wider Axis) interests. Through a tangled web of cut-outs, it was also Lucchesi who was behind the attempted assassination of Atatürk last month. With the money in the Vatican Bank, Lucchesi has no intention of turning over control of Immobiliare, and so ordered Gilday and Keinszig to stall the deal, claiming to be unable to ratify it without the signature of the previous Pope, who was gravely ill. Now, with a new Pope who is well disposed towards the deal and is probably about to move against the corruption within his own fold, matters will quickly come to a head.
“Vinnie,” Inönü says carefully. “I believe Osvaldo Altobello, a most trusted friend of Mustapha Kemal, Deputy Chief of the Premier’s Council and the supposed elderly and infirm would-be retiree and grower of olives and tomatoes may indeed be implicated in the Great Conspiracy.”
Vinnie says nothing. “Good,” Inönü nods. “You are starting to learn to keep your thoughts to yourself and your mouth shut when it should be. Altobello was the one who had been Zasa’s mentor; his leaving the room to placate Zasa was certainly an act, a pretext to escape and a safeguard should the float-plane attack fail, wily old fox that he is. It is he who would have rallied the Balkan’s to him, with me dead, Atatürk dying and the Glorious Union in tatters and ignominious disarray in the world’s eye before it had even truly begun. Zasa would have been his lieutenant, the Italians would have their influence back in Albania, the Mafia would use the Balkans as their playground and the whole region would have lined up with the Axis after a short time. He would have ruled with German and Italian backing. He may still do so, if we cannot break this conspiracy wide open and destroy it all, at once.”
Vinnie takes Inönü’s pause as license to speak. “Uncle Ismet, let’s take Altobello down now.”
“No, no,” replies Inönü. “We have no concrete proof against him nor any proven direct links to the Axis conspiracy. He has much cachet in the Balkans and his long friendship with Atatürk is remembered by many. But most of all, we need to find out who is really behind all this. Altobello is surely an important player, but it seems Lucchesi stands above him, perhaps ‘pulling his strings’, as the Italians would say. We must find and cut off all the heads of this Hydra simultaneously, lest the others are warned. Then you, Kaya - and that strangely disturbing ‘Kelebek Kompositor’ - can roll up the rest of the den of vipers within our Glorious Union; eliminate it root and branch. A purge that may bring us closer to Stalin in spirit than any propaganda campaign seems to have been doing. Regrettable, but necessary”
A Stone in His Shoe
Simultaneously, Osvaldo Altobello is paying a secret visit to the small village of Montelepre in Sicily. He is in the home of Mosca, a notorious Sicilian assassin and an old friend of Altobello.
Mosca of Montelepre.He is known throughout Sicily as a man who never fails in an assignment.
Altobello is greeted by Mosca. “Benvenuto, Don Altobello”.
They sit at an outside table laden with local produce: fruit, bread, cold meats and olive oil.
“I am honored, Don Altobello, that you've come all the way from Podgorica to visit me. It's been some time since we did business together.”
“You are my ‘ace in the hole,’ as the Americans say. I have a stone in my shoe, Mosca. You can remove it.”
Premier Osvaldo Altobello and ‘Mosca of Montelepre’. Altobello requires some assistance with his footwear.
“Only one stone?”
“It's dangerous, Mosca. A famous man. You will have to take precautions.”
“Tell me what to do. Then I will tell you my price.”
Altobello is very pleased. He turns to the food on the table. “Ah, what bread! Ah, olive oil – virgin – only in Sicily.” They both raise their glasses.
“A salute!” toasts Mosca in Italian.
“A morte!” Altobello responds.
Coming Up: While Turkey gears itself more towards a construction focus for the coming period, events in the rest of Europe seem to have quietened a little in the last few months. But that may just be the spring pause before the traditional summer campaigning season begins. The next point of focus seems to be Poland. Will Hitler now wait, even back down, now that he risks a direct war with France, Britain and the rest of the Allies should he try to do to Poland what he did to the Czechs? What will the Soviets do? Germany is their mortal enemy, surely, but the Soviets are no friends of Poland either. And they are still militarily weakened by the years of purges, especially in their officer corps. The Turkish Government keeps a worried eye on the diplomatic situation, with the hoped-for insurance of a pact with the Comintern seeming to slip further away with every week. Closer to home, June should bring the resolution of the Hatay Cession, negotiated with France last year. A small addition to Turkish territory, especially given the expansion of the last few years, but a welcome return of Turkish heartland nonetheless. They will be welcomed into the Glorious Union.
Tension is high in terms of the Great Conspiracy, the Pope’s safety, the outcome of the Immobiliare impasse and who will be able to deliver revenge on whom first. Amid the gathering clouds of war and conspiracy, Inönü is planning a trip to include Sarajevo as part of a Balkan Tour to complement that he undertook earlier in the year to the Iranian Dominions. It will be a show of strength in the region, but is also likely to draw the attention of Lucchesi, Yugoslav Nationalists and Axis provocateurs of all types. That region is also the now-suspect Altobello’s ‘home turf’ and easily accessed by Italian agents and Mafia characters. Vinnie Mancini has been entrusted with security for that trip: can he really be trusted, or might Altobello have turned him? Brasi has his hands full (usually with firearms and other weapons) in Italy, while The Kelebek Kompositor has been placed under the supervision of Ögel for a ‘special task’ abroad, so will not be available to support domestic security operations. Vinnie will need to run the Balkan show himself – the biggest test of his developing career. What could go wrong in that part of the world, with war brewing in Europe?
Volkan ‘Vinnie’ Mancini is in Podgorica, the capital of the Montenegro GNR. He is under secret orders from his uncle, President Ismet Inönü. No-one else is aware of this mission – not even Kaya, S.I.T.H. or the Interior Ministry, so he must play his role very carefully.
Someone must surely suspect something though, since the president's nephew, a known government assassin and intelligence agent, goes to Montenegro and starts doing private meet and greets with a dozen enemies of the state. Either they think they're about to be betrayed or they must think there's something secret going on.
Someone must surely suspect something though, since the president's nephew, a known government assassin and intelligence agent, goes to Montenegro and starts doing private meet and greets with a dozen enemies of the state. Either they think they're about to be betrayed or they must think there's something secret going on.
Yes, though they don't realise that he's been asked to betray Inonu (by Inonu) and to everyone else, Altobello is still a key member of the UGNR Government, confidant of Ataturk and family friend of the Inonus. Even Inonu isn't sure at that point that Altobello is involved. Though Lucchesi's presence (which would have been very well hidden off in Montenegro) - again hedged by Altobello as 'peacemaking' - was indeed the kind of suspicious behaviour than Vinnie was sent to find out, during his private visit for ostensibly personal reasons.
Even Don Tommasino wasn't sure about Altobello. But Inonu now has enough to be suspicious.
Yes, though they don't realise that he's been asked to betray Inonu (by Inonu) and to everyone else, Altobello is still a key member of the UGNR Government, confidant of Ataturk and family friend of the Inonus. Even Inonu isn't sure at that point that Altobello is involved. Though Lucchesi's presence (which would have been very well hidden off in Montenegro) - again hedged by Altobello as 'peacemaking' - was indeed the kind of suspicious behaviour than Vinnie was sent to find out, during his private visit for ostensibly personal reasons.
Even Don Tommasino wasn't sure about Altobello. But Inonu now has enough to be suspicious.
Especially when Turkish security and intelligence has like, three guys working for it not including vinnie. There's having faith in super competent super powered beings but stuff like this should let turkey in on the dies that they should have more people working for them. Mind you, since in that genre only protagonists do anything of important or win anyway, this is actually a great saint on manpower and resources,
Who are turkey's trade partners, aside from presumably Russia and the U.K?
Do you have any evidence that Nationalist Spain will be joining the Axis? That could be a huge factor to who ends up controlling the Med. I assume the French and British will totally fail to help Poland but that's just hindsight. Maybe this France will make better choices than my France.
Looks like the Japanese are causing you trouble. Hehehehe!
Especially when Turkish security and intelligence has like, three guys working for it not including vinnie. There's having faith in super competent super powered beings but stuff like this should let turkey in on the dies that they should have more people working for them. Mind you, since in that genre only protagonists do anything of important or win anyway, this is actually a great saint on manpower and resources,
Who are turkey's trade partners, aside from presumably Russia and the U.K?
Do you have any evidence that Nationalist Spain will be joining the Axis? That could be a huge factor to who ends up controlling the Med. I assume the French and British will totally fail to help Poland but that's just hindsight. Maybe this France will make better choices than my France.
Looks like the Japanese are causing you trouble. Hehehehe!
No evidence yet re Spain - will check them out. That was just loose media speculation
I have no great expectations re France: most use I hope to get out of them is a road bump for Germany and maybe grab Syria if it goes Vichy and the stars align.
It’s been a little while since the last update, so if you want a good précis of where things are up to, just read the short summary ‘Coming Up Next’ paras at the end of the last update. But in brief, the slide to war remains gradual for now; the ‘Great Conspiracy’ is about to come to a head (in true Godfather style, hence the title for this update); and Turkey wrestles with Axis influence and preparations for war, with an increasing emphasis on defensive infrastructure (which is also gentler on scarce manpower resources). A pleasant trip to Sarajevo, tension in Rome, assassins in motion everywhere, Germany cranking up the pressure on Poland, blocs forming, the Soviet Union strangely quiet … the stage is set!
1 Jun 39
News Report: Vatican City, Rome, Italy. Pope Pius XII outlines an administrative overhaul. The Vatican Bank is to be restructured and the Vatican Secretary of State will initiate an investigation immediately. The Pope calls for a meeting with the Chief Accountant of the Vatican Bank, Frederick Keinszig.
3 Jun 39
Only one spy is left alive in Japan. It must have been the prominent moustaches and Turkish accents that gave them away. The last spy in place is justly paranoid. Alas for him, there is no possibility of extraction. His next mission is to infiltrate a Japanese military research lab in Osaka to steal weapons technology. With the Kempeitai’s counter-espionage strength at the maximum of 10, his chances don’t seem very good!
In Patra, a new AA brigade is delivered, bringing the ‘triangular’ 9 Inf Div (Lt) up to its establishment strength. A new artillery brigade is placed in the production queue.
4 Jun 39
News Report: Vatican City, Rome, Italy. ‘Gods banker’ Keinszig goes missing. He was last seen three days ago, leaving the Rome offices of the Vatican owned corporation Immobiliare. Also missing was a large sum of money, and several documents. Keinszig's absence casts further suspicion on the dealings of the Vatican Bank. For several years the bank and its subsidiary companies have been the object of allegations of disreputable business practices.
The same day: Archbishop Gilday, hearing these reports, tries to call Keinszig repeatedly, with no success. He is refusing to answer his phone.
Gilday next takes a call from Lucchesi. “That fool Keinszig is refusing to answer,” says an exasperated Gilday. “Lucchesi, will you please try to understand. I have phoned him. I have waited here by the phone. You would do well to remember, Mr. Lucchesi, that this Pope has very different ideas from the last one.”
5 Jun 39
A significant tech improvement is achieved, with the introduction of Combat Medicine into the Turkish Army. Radio research is commenced – another tech required to bring Turkey into the middle 20th century. Its main use will be for communications rather than intelligence gathering.
Leadership is again redistributed, with one spy now trained in reserve (in case needed in France), espionage is again reduced to zero, leaving 1.40 for officer training and 7.00 for research.
6 Jun 39
News Report: Williamsport, Pennsylvania, US.For our American friends: the very first Little League Baseball game is played. Lundy Lumber defeated Lycoming Dairy, 23-8.
7 Jun 39
A revolt breaks out in the distant Iranian province of Konarak. The two garrison brigades in Iran (1 x MIL, 1 X INF) are dispatched by rail to contain the spread of the rebellion.
9 Jun 39
News Report: London, UK.A wave of bombs explodes in twenty-seven mailboxes and two post offices around England. A total of seven people are injured. The perpetrator is as yet unknown, but the IRA is suspected.
Sporting News: The International Olympic Committee awards the 1944 Winter Olympics to Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy and the 1944 Summer Olympics to London, UK.
With the recent major unit upgrade programs almost finished, the spare IC is used to raise another AT brigade.
11 Jun 39
News Report: Vatican City, Rome, Italy. Pope Pius XII received 3,200 veterans of the Spanish Civil War at the Vatican and personally thanked them for defending "the faith and civilisation of Spain" under Francisco Franco. While the Turkish Government is not particularly pleased with this, the Spanish are not in the Axis and there are too many important Turkish interests at stake: a convenient silence is maintained.
An important advance is made in infantry AT weapons. The theme is continued for specialist AT artillery, which is lagging behind modern standards and will be crucial against anticipated threats.
12 Jun 39
Real tanks – huzzah! The first Turkish-built Russian T-28 armoured brigade is brought into service. The second licensed brigade replaces it in the queue. 1st Armd Bde joins the famous 1 Cav Div: Wehib Pasha is Old Guard, and resists the renaming of his now largely armoured division. 1/3 Cav Bde is sent south-east to Adana, where it will be ready to garrison Hatay, which is due to be handed over by France in a few weeks.
One of Turkey’s new T-28 medium tanks drives through the streets of Ankara.
13 Jun 39
Our last spy in Japan has not made his regular report. We assume he was picked up by the Kempeitai in the last few days. Nothing is ever heard of him again. The whole episode has been an abject failure. An encoded message is received from our GRU liaison officer, agent SkitalecS3: decoded, it reads “Я так сказал”. After translation from the Russian, it simply says “I told you so”. Many thanks for that. The Japanese influence campaign continues unabated. Our two security chiefs are not pleased. Others walk softly in their presence and avoid eye contact.
15 Jun 39 – The President’s Office, Ankara
Volkan ‘Vinnie’ Mancini has just returned from Podgorica, where he has been playing a double role working for Montenegro GNR Premier Osvaldo Altobello. He is making an urgent report to President Ismet Inönü. Kaya and Ögel are also present.
“Volkan, you look pale. Is it bad news?” Inönü asks. “Tell me straight away.”
“It's not just a bad banking deal. These guys are butchers,” says Vinnie.
“What guys?” asks Kaya.
“Lucchesi. He controls all of them - Altobello, the Archbishop, other people higher up in the Italian Government, contacts with the Gestapo too maybe, Barzini, the Tattaglia’s, Sollozzo. He’s running things.”
“So I’m in their way?” The way Inönü asks this, the others can plainly see it is not really a question.
“Yes Uncle, Lucchesi’s used Altobello to hire a professional assassin to kill you. He's Sicilian. I don't know his name, but they say he never fails.”
“Then no one is safe. Even the Pope is in danger, with his clean out of the Vatican Bank and likely approval of our Immobiliare deal.”
“Will still have time Milli Şef,” declares Ögel urgently. “We can prevent this.”
“Yes Uncle,” states Vinnie calmly – he has learned well in a short time. “Give me the order. I want the power to protect you and the Nation. I’m asking for the order.”
All three chiefs of his security apparatus wait expectantly.
“Very well, do it.” Inönü continues: “But Volkan, you must forsake my ward. That is the price you pay for the life you have chosen.”
Vinnie nods his agreement. “Nephew, from this moment on, call yourself Volkan Inönü.” Kaya and Ögel both nod in deference to Vinnie. He has now clearly been accepted into a position above them, as Inönü’s overall security chief. And, back at the Interior Ministry, he issues a range of orders accordingly.
17 Jun 39
News Report: Danzig, Polish Corridor. Joseph Goebbels tells a pro-Nazi crowd in the Free City of Danzig that reunification with Germany is “inevitable”, and any power that tried to prevent it was making “a mistake if it bases its calculations on the assumption that Germany is weak. It is strong, and unlike some other states whose destinies are in the hands of weak men, this new Germany is led by Adolf Hitler.”
22 Jun 39
A new AT brigade is raised in Istanbul: 7 Div now has its support brigade, with the spare 3/15 Inf Bde sent to the Iskandar Line in Athina.
23 Jun 39
News Report: Paris, France.OTL Event (no game effect): France and Turkey sign a mutual assistance pact. France renounces all claims to the Republic of Hatay while Turkey promises aid to France in the event of aggression.
New fixed provincial Heavy AA batteries are placed in Cannakkale and Istanbul, in preparation for the great air onslaught on the Calistar Line. Two more are ordered immediately.
24 Jun 39
News Report: London, UK.Four bombs explode in London's theater district, causing at least twenty injuries and causing panic among Saturday night crowds. The explosions were caused by bombs similar to those attributed to the Irish Republican Army in other recent bombings throughout Britain.
Another AA emplacement is added to Istanbul‘s air defences and again, a new battery is ordered.
26 Jun 39
3 Mil Bde arrives in Khash. For now, it holds in position and waits for the second CAV bde to arrive before attacking.
28 Jun 39 - Caught Red-Handed in Sarajevo
The day begins with preparations for Inönü’s arrival at Sarajevo’s central train station. Security is tight, with the Army providing a heavy presence, together with the Republican Polisi of the Bosnia-Herzegovina GNR. Volkan ‘Vinnie’ Inönü has had reports of a plot: Kaya’s intelligence agents have heard about a group of Yugoslav Communist insurgents calling themselves “The Red Hand”. The word is there will be an attack of some sort on the way from the train station to the Premier’s Palace. Soldiers and Polisi line the route. Still, Vinnie is not happy and wants Inönü to cancel the planned drive in an open car, through crowds.
(1:09) British press reporting ahead of the Presidential visit to Sarajevo on 28 June 1939. The cheesy metaphors are once again priceless: look for the spinach reference. I won’t say any more.
Inönü will have none of it: “I’ve come here to show myself and demonstrate the power and fortitude of the Union of Glorious National Republics. I will not cower nor shy away from these gutter crawlers and sewer rats. Let them do their worst!” He is fully aware of some of the parallels to 1914. Indeed, he has deliberately chosen the 25th anniversary of the assassination of Austro-Hungarian Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand for his visit to Sarajevo. But he will not succumb to fear. Everyone would know he had done so and this would diminish Turkey’s standing in a restive and volatile region. The show must go on!
Inönü and his party, including his wife, his ward Cennet and Vinnie (as his personal security chief) proceeded by train from Ilidža Spa to Sarajevo, where he was met by the Premier and other local dignitaries in the morning. Among the six cars waiting to take him to the Palace was (at Inönü’s request) the very same car that Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie had ridden in exactly 25 years before.
The 1911 Gräf & Stift 28/32 PS Double Phaeton in which the Archduke Franz Ferdinand was riding at the time of his assassination, at the Bosnia-Herzegovina National Museum.
As in 1914, there were a variety of attempts planned. The first came as the motorcade passed, when one of the would-be assassins jumped out of the crowd with a pistol and a grenade. He attempted to shoot into the car, but his gun jammed. He was tackled to the ground by Polisi and apprehended, the grenade un-thrown. As the cars sped off, they rounded a corner in the town and a second assassin threw a grenade. But he threw it too hard, so it passed just past Inönü’s head, across the road, and exploded in the front garden of the Mostar Café. Thereby killing a third assassin (apparently from a rival group of Montenegrin nationalists who, it later turned out, were actually part of Premier Altobello’s own security guard), who had been about to fire a submachinegun from the shrubbery.
President Ismet Inönü, his wife and ward prepare to travel from Sarajevo’s central train station in the car used by Archduke Franz Ferdinand exactly 25 years ago to the day. Talk about tempting fate!
Inönü and his party finally arrived at the Premier’s Palace, safely but somewhat shaken by these close calls. Inönü was calm however, noting in parody of Franz Ferdinand in 1914. “Mr. Premier, I came here on a visit and I am greeted with bombs. It is to be expected.” Determined not to repeat the errors of 1914 and having already performed his public duties, Inönü and his party retired for the night while the security forces went about trying to round up conspirators and secure key points for the next day’s activities.
News Report: London, UK.Winston Churchill makes a speech before the City Carlton Club in which he said:
“If my words could reach Herr Hitler, as indeed they may, I would say to him – pause; consider well before you take a plunge into the terrible unknown. Consider whether your life's work – which may even now be famous in the eyes of history – in raising Germany from frustration and defeat to a point where all the world is waiting for her actions, consider whether all this may not be irretrievably cast away.”
29 Jun 39 – Morning: A Love and Hatay Relationship
The Cession of Hatay finally becomes available, which Turkey enforces immediately. 1/3 Cav Bde is sent to secure our new Mediterranean port of Iskenderun.
This is an appropriate point at which to review the neutrality/threat relationships with neighbouring countries. No surprise that other countries are suspicious of us. The European Axis countries long ago reached zero neutrality, so any increasing threat from Turkey probably doesn’t matter. No-one has shaped up to attack us: the only one with significant forces guarding the border who would be in position for a quick attack – our prospective (though increasingly distant) allies the Soviets – are otherwise preoccupied and their neutrality still exceeds our threat to them anyway.
29 Jun 39 – A Night at the Theatre in Sarajevo and Revenge Served Cold in Rome
In Sarajevo, the day’s activities went off without incident. The final official function of the visit, before leaving in the morning for Zagreb, is attendance at a special performance of Bialystock and Bloom’s smash hit satirical musical “Springtime for Hitler” at the Sarajevo National Theatre.
The Sarajevo National Theatre was founded in 1921.
Vinnie is worried. While they may have seen off a motley array of incompetent insurgents trying to replicate the events of 1914, they still had not located (nor knew by sight) the Sicilian assassin rumoured to be out to kill the President. This scheduled attendance would be a perfect setting for another, more professional attempt. He has his best team of bodyguards deployed throughout the theatre.
Premier Altobello, who is in town to attend the performance, walks up to Vinnie. “Et Tu, Volkan? I know how you feel about Ismet, but you can't save him. He's lost. Think of yourself. What's your answer, Volkan?”
“Enjoy the musical,” Vinnie says. Then he whispers to Altobello: “It's all taken care of.” Altobello is not sure what to make of that.
Not far away, an aide whispers to Inönü that word has been received the Pope has just ratified the Immobiliare deal. “So, we have won. How strangely things work. The Pope is doing as he said he would, cleaning house. He needs to be careful. It’s dangerous to be an honest man. This Pope has powerful enemies – I hope we have been in time to save him.”
Inönü’s ward, Cennet (or ‘Connie’), sees Altobello and greets him warmly. “Ah, Uncle Osvaldo, how lovely to see you.”
“My darling Cennet. This is a great occasion.”
Connie produces a pastry box she has been holding. “Come and sit down.” She presents the box to him as they seat themselves in Altobello’s private theatre booth. “Happy birthday. You’re 80 years old, though you don’t look a day over 60.”
“Ah, you’re the only one who remembered.”
“Well, on my birthdays you used to shower me with treats. I have some for you.” She opens the box, showing some lovely looking baklava – Altobello’s favourite.
Altobello picks up a piece of baklava, but then hesitates and hands it to Connie: “You’re so thin. You eat it.” Though a little reluctant, she takes a careful bite, smiles and hands it back to Altobello. Seemingly assured, he takes a bite himself. Cennet bids him farewell and heads back to her guardian’s booth.
“You’re so thin. You eat it.” Altobello hasn’t survived this long by trusting others implicitly.
Vinnie sits next to Inönü. “Everything is fine for now, Uncle. Luca Brasi has been sent to the Vatican and Kelebek is in Rome, about to deliver a message from you to ‘Don’ Licio Lucchesi.”
The show starts with its signature tune. Altobello is happily eating his baklava.
In Rome, Kelebek is admitted into Lucchesi’s office. He has been thoroughly searched.
At the Vatican, Luca Brasi awaits in a darkened corner. He had received a cable the day before from Vinnie: “Light a candle for the Archbishop.” Gilday is sipping a cup of tea in his Vatican office, looking at it very thoughtfully.
Meanwhile, a priest brings Pope Pius XII some evening refreshment. “Tea, Your Holiness? It will help you sleep.”
In Keinszig’s hotel room, one of Ögel’s assassins slips in silently. As Keinszig lies on his bed, the assassin puts a pillow over his face and begins to suffocate him, saying “This is from ‘Vito’ Ceylan.”
Keinszig’s stolen millions did him no good when one of Ambassador Vatan ‘Vito’ Ceylan’s ‘cultural attaches’ came to deliver his regards.
Meanwhile, back at the show, Mosca of Montelepre has managed to slip in amongst a group of local priests who are attending the gala performance. He has been trying to find a good sniping position but has so far been thwarted by Vinnie’s bodyguards, who are actively patrolling the theatre. He has already quietly killed a couple of them, but can’t seem to get a clear opportunity.
Mosca of Montelepre has infiltrated the Sarajevo National Theatre. He is trying to recreate the efforts of John Wilkes Booth, this time on President Inönü of Turkey.
Back at the Vatican, a nun enters the Pope's room to wake him. She shakes him, but he does not move …
… she shakes him again, a little harder, and he awakes. “Ah, I have been weighed down by the duties of the day. Please summon the head of the Vatican Guard: there is a young priest I fear I must ask him to bring to me.”
He pauses and looks down at the cup of tea, which sits untouched on his tray. “And do not touch that cup, wait for the Commander to get here.”
Perhaps Ambassador Ceylan was being alarmist when he passed an urgent personal message for him not 20 minutes ago, warning of an imminent threat to his life and relating the circumstances of a nearly successful attempt on President Atatürk’s life just a few months ago. Still, it is wise to be cautious.
Which is just as well, given the fatal dose of poison, designed to make it appear the new Pope has suffered a heart attack, that suffused the brew …
At the show in Sarajevo, Cennet is intently watching Altobello through her opera glasses. He is still eating the baklava, but soon seems to be having trouble breathing. He glances at her briefly, before slumping into his seat, still holding the baklava. She returns her attention to the musical, whispering to herself “Sleep, sleep Uncle Osvaldo.”
In Lucchesi’s office in Rome, Kelebek stands before him. “So, you have a message from President Inönü. What is it? Speak!”
“You have lost the faith of the people,” says Kelebek in Italian.
“He who builds on the people builds on mud,” answers Lucchesi disdainfully. “And Ismet Inönü’s message?”
“It is very important, I must whisper it in your ear.”
The bodyguard confirms Kelebek has been thoroughly searched. “He’s clean”.
Although legendarily cautious, Lucchesi has no idea of the danger posed by having Kelebek, even unarmed, anywhere near him. Though it does start to feel strangely warm as he approaches to whisper this message into his ear.
Kelebek approaches and whispers to him: “Power wears out those who don’t have it.” Lucchesi just laughs.
At which point Kelebek takes Lucchesi’s reading glasses, which are lying folded on his desk, and stabs him in the neck with them. While he dies quickly in a fountain of blood, Kelebek springs through an open window into the darkness before the stunned bodyguard can react. He looks out and, although they are three floors up, nothing can be seen of the deadly visitor. He has seemingly disappeared into the night.
In the Vatican, Archbishop Gilday walks up a long flight of stairs towards the Pope’s offices, clearly expecting to hear soon if his handiwork has succeeded. Luca Brasi steps out of the shadows and, before Gilday can react, shoots him three times with a silenced pistol and then throws him off the balcony, making good his escape.
In Sarajevo, the show is finished. Vinnie receives a report that three dead bodyguards have been discovered in the theatre. “OK, let’s get everyone to the cars! Nice and quiet. We don’t want the assassins knowing we’re on to them yet.”
As Vinnie walks off with one of the remaining guards, Mosca appears. He follows them. Inönü, his wife, his ward Cennet, Vinnie and most of the remaining guards are at the entrance to the National Theatre. The cars are about to pull up. Reporters and members of the public crowd around, the guards trying to keep things clear and get them to the vehicles. Mosca is coming out of the entrance with the other priests.
Vinnie and Cennet at the Sarajevo National Theatre on the fateful night of 29 June 1939. Their romance is destined not to be.
As he passes close by, Mosca pulls out a pistol from his robes and fires twice at Inönü, who winces in pain as he is hit and falls to the ground. There are screams, panic and people running or throwing themselves to the ground. The bodyguards close around Inönü, while some of the priests react with surprising composure and urgency, pinning Mosca to the ground. It appears not all of them were actually priests.
As the confusion begins to clear a little, it transpires Inönü has been shot in the shoulder. But he can see that Vinnie has been shot just below the heart: he had seen Mosca pull the gun and threw himself into the path of the bullet. After looking down briefly at the blood spreading on his white dress shirt, he knows the wound is fatal. He just manages to say “Uncle?” before slumping to the ground, dead.
“NO! Vinnie!” screams Cennet, who runs over and holds him, tears flowing in a torrent.
“Oh God, no, NO!” calls Inönü, as he realises the man he has come to see as his adopted son and successor lies dead at his feet. He sits on the stairs, head in his hands, blood flowing from his shoulder wound. The rest of the guard begin to organise themselves, they get Inönü into one of the cars and rush him to hospital. Mosca is taken away for questioning – it will be harsh, but there is little he can now say that they do not already know.
A momentous evening of events comes to an end. Turkey has emerged largely victorious from this episode, but not without loss.
30 Jun 39
News Report: Warsaw, Poland.Poland serves notice to Germany that it is willing to fight for Danzig when millions nationwide swear an oath to “never allow themselves to be cut off from the Baltic Sea.”
Alignment check: With Japanese influence still being applied, Comintern distance has now blown out to 197.89. It’s a disaster! Though probably not an insurmountable one. Could even end up being a blessing in disguise if it means the Axis won’t look to attack us soon.
Coming Up Next: A waiting game now appears on the cards as tensions simmer in Europe and Turkey’s diplomatic efforts continue to suffer delay. Infrastructure will continue to build, its financing now assured through the Immobiliare deal. Arrangements are now in train to move its headquarters and registered assets out of Rome to Zurich, where it is hoped the protection of a traditionally neutral country and discrete banking system will serve Turkish interests well. Inönü recovers from his shoulder wound and continues to manage the affairs of state. The Government’s thoughts will turn to strategy and timings if the Comintern alignment plan continues to recede, but for now production and diplomatic settings remain in place.
Well, war is about to begin, and it is time to measure just how powerful this Germany is in this version of the world. How fast will Poland collapse? And what will the Allies do?
Well, war is about to begin, and it is time to measure just how powerful this Germany is in this version of the world. How fast will Poland collapse? And what will the Allies do?
Indeed - and I think Turkey will be sitting high and dry, looking across at everyone else duking it out, for a while yet - fighting Japanese agents of influence! How bizarre is that?
Very well done! Exciting stuff! The blend with the 1914 event was excellent.
On a related note it the Archduke's fate, the last I read is that "if his driver had not stopped the car to check a map (or something related to the route) the assassin would have not had a second and far easier attempt. Before this last chance all the plot-members either could not or did not do the foul deed. History has seemed to often hang on chance. i.e What if that car had not stopped? Would WW! unfolded the same or at all?
Anyway, back to Turkey. I guessed you would have a difficult time getting out of the grips of axis-influence but I did not think it would be Japan being so determined.
As you said though, it gives you more time to prepare and maybe you can just make a stronger defensive line and sit a bit more secure. How many Provincial AA guns do you have now? I'm hoping if you can get a half-dozen of them protecting your forts, that will "eventually" make mincemeat of enemy bombers; not w/o damage of course. Speaking of forts...what are their levels again?
So much depends on what the big-boys do and of course "the bane of partisans" on Axis-Supply, towards what offensive operations you can do. Anxious to see how it all plays out for you. I suspect with the lower Balkans in your hands, Germany is not going to have an easy time of it and "maybe" your best defense will be offense.
Inönü will have none of it: “I’ve come here to show myself and demonstrate the power and fortitude of the Union of Glorious National Republics. I will not cower nor shy away from these gutter crawlers and sewer rats. Let them do their worst!” He is fully aware of some of the parallels to 1914. Indeed, he has deliberately chosen the 25th anniversary of the assassination of Austro-Hungarian Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand for his visit to Sarajevo. But he will not succumb to fear. Everyone would know he had done so and this would diminish Turkey’s standing in a restive and volatile region. The show must go on!
Inönü and his party, including his wife, his ward Cennet and Vinnie (as his personal security chief) proceeded by train from Ilidža Spa to Sarajevo, where he was met by the Premier and other local dignitaries in the morning. Among the six cars waiting to take him to the Palace was (at Inönü’s request) the very same car that Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie had ridden in exactly 25 years before.
With Japanese influence still being applied, Comintern distance has now blown out to 197.89. It’s a disaster! Though probably not an insurmountable one. Could even end up being a blessing in disguise if it means the Axis won’t look to attack us soon.
I think they must be gambling on being able to take out the allies, turning on Russia and winning the eastern and western fronts before deciding to attack turkey...at least, that's what makes sense from what I've seen. Might have to rethink our strategy now then.
Our last spy in Japan has not made his regular report. We assume he was picked up by the Kempeitai in the last few days. Nothing is ever heard of him again. The whole episode has been an abject failure. An encoded message is received from our GRU liaison officer, agent Skitalec23: decoded, it reads “Я так сказал”. After translation from the Russian, it simply says “I told you so”. Many thanks for that. The Japanese influence campaign continues unabated. Our two security chiefs are not pleased. Others walk softly in their presence and avoid eye contact.
Eh, let this be a lesson to those who make their plans based on the advice of a mere journalist, perhaps.
Funny, though, that these Japanese agents of influence apparently blend in so well amongst the Turks, yet the Turkish spies fail to infiltrate Japan half as well. Then again, perhaps the Japanese have been wise enough to remember to don fezzes, whilst the Turkish spies skipped class on the day that "taking off your fez in foreign countries" was taught? It certainly seems that Turkish spy training practices must be revisited!
Me neither . Still, either it will let up and back to plan A, or a reassessment is considered by Cabinet. Perhaps it will have to become the Union of Glorious National Socialist Republics.
How many Provincial AA guns do you have now? I'm hoping if you can get a half-dozen of them protecting your forts, that will "eventually" make mincemeat of enemy bombers; not w/o damage of course. Speaking of forts...what are their levels again?
I think they must be gambling on being able to take out the allies, turning on Russia and winning the eastern and western fronts before deciding to attack turkey...at least, that's what makes sense from what I've seen. Might have to rethink our strategy now then.
Eh, let this be a lesson to those who make their plans based on the advice of a mere journalist, perhaps.
Funny, though, that these Japanese agents of influence apparently blend in so well amongst the Turks, yet the Turkish spies fail to infiltrate Japan half as well. Then again, perhaps the Japanese have been wise enough to remember to don fezzes, whilst the Turkish spies skipped class on the day that "taking off your fez in foreign countries" was taught? It certainly seems that Turkish spy training practices must be revisited!
Our last spy in Japan has not made his regular report. We assume he was picked up by the Kempeitai in the last few days. Nothing is ever heard of him again. The whole episode has been an abject failure. An encoded message is received from our GRU liaison officer, agent Skitalec23: decoded, it reads “Я так сказал”. After translation from the Russian, it simply says “I told you so”. Many thanks for that. The Japanese influence campaign continues unabated. Our two security chiefs are not pleased. Others walk softly in their presence and avoid eye contact.
Nice twist compared to the movie, I like it, you put in these little but significant changes, and it's as if it's a whole new story...at least, here the pretty girl survives... will she become a power player in the Ceylan family now?
Nice twist compared to the movie, I like it, you put in these little but significant changes, and it's as if it's a whole new story...at least, here the pretty girl survives... will she become a power player in the Ceylan family now?
I do have plans for Cennet, and not as a shrinking violet. Having already taken a step on the path of clandestine operations by helping to take down 'Dear Uncle Osvaldo' and now with heartbreak and a visceral grudge to bear - well, many a formula Hollywood movie has made millions off similar plot premises
I also saw a shortage so far of prominent female characters (Persephonee being the only other one of note, maybe Ulla from the "Springtime" sub-plot), which you don't get from the game events and identities. Also, you have to be prepared to kill off the odd high value character every so often, to keep the plot fresh - and as a lesson to the others
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Chapter 61: The Sun Shines while Storms Approach (1 to 31 July 1939)
Chapter 61:The Sun Shines whileStorms Approach (1 to 31 July 1939)
Introduction
As the reverberations from all the recent plots and assassinations begin to settle down, the Barzini crime family and its associates keep a low profile. Such disturbance is ‘bad for business’ and the Turks have shown they too can play the game. Though Barzini’s price on Luca Brasi’s head is trebled and he has had to disappear from Italy, his cover in the Embassy having been blown. His whereabouts are currently unknown, but when trouble emerges, he's sure to soon be found nearby!
Virgil Sollozzo stays within his Istanbul compound, while the Italian Ambassador makes strong representations regarding the safety of an Italian citizen and the lack of any proof of his involvement in any ‘alleged’ plot against the lamented late President Atatürk. Attacking Sollozzo will clearly bring down the wrath of the Italian Fascist Government: no matter, he didn’t actually succeed in his assassination attempt, so that particular dish of revenge can always be enjoyed cold at some point in the future!
(3.08) With the menace of war creeping ever closer, Poland puts on a brave face: watch this report and you will believe!
Can Poland’s preparations, in concert with the Allied threat to Germany’s western border and the prospect of a two-front war, prove enough to let them hold out? They show a good deal of confidence and defiance. The Turkish General Staff is not so sure, though. Such a long and open border looks vulnerable, even for Poland’s quite large army. If war does break out, the conflict will be studied intently, to see if Turkey’s current strategic scheme of manoeuvre based on a retreat to short and heavily fortified defensive lines seems justified or not.
If Poland is relatively successful in holding off the Germans, then perhaps a more forward defensive strategy on favourable ground to the west of Romania could be used initially, with a fighting withdrawal to the established defensive lines as necessary. The main argument against that has so far been fear of superior German armour, speed and airpower (and Turkey’s comparatively serious lack of all three). Time will tell. [Ed: yes, I know, but each game is different . I’m trying to remain 'in the moment' and have not played ahead, to make it easier not to use hindsight.]
1 Jul 39 – Infrastructure Report
On the Calistar Line, provincial Heavy AA batteries have recently been delivered to Canakkale (its first) and Istanbul (now with two). In both locations, the emplacements are in place but still being finished off. The fort level in both Canakkale and Istanbul is now at 2, with another under construction in each.
The Iskandar Line is newer and not as far advanced. Patra is at fort level 1 and Athina at level 2, with new works underway in both locations. Patra has no provincial AA yet, while Athina just has the single AA battery it started with.
A snapshot of the infrastructure projects currently in production shows a continuous program of forts and AA for all four provinces that make up the Calistar and Iskandar Lines, plus the new railway project from Ankara to Adana. Costs per item are gradually coming down as more are built. Later, once fort and AA levels are deemed sufficient in Patra and Canakkale (both of which are protected by straits), the focus will remain on the major cities of Istanbul and Athina, which are far more valuable targets and are more exposed to a feared Wehrmacht attack. The ambition is to raise Istanbul to Maginot standards and Athina not too far short of that.
In Istanbul, a quiet, private family funeral is held for Volkan ‘Vinnie’ Inönü (formerly Mancini). He is hailed as a Hero of the Republic. Ismet Inönü’s ward, Cennet, sheds a quiet tear, but is now filled with a steely determination and desire for revenge on all those who continue to plot Turkey’s downfall. She has adopted the surname and nom de guerre of Kavgaci (“fighter” or “militant”, also “quarrelsome, contentious, belligerent, combative, bellicose”). Having recently come of age and in accordance with Atatürk’s teachings on the equal place of women in modern Turkey (and having already carried out her first mission as a ‘civilian’ in helping to take down Montenegrin Premier Osvaldo Altobello in Sarajevo on the recent ‘Night of Reckoning’), she has enlisted as a trainee undercover ‘special operative’ in Ögel’s Milli Emniyet Hizmeti (National Security Service). She begins her training at S.I.T.H. immediately after the funeral.
The Feriköy Cemetery (Turkish: Feriköy Mezarlığı) situated in the Feriköy quarter of the Şişli district on the European part of Istanbul. Many prominent figures from the world of politics, sports and the arts rest here. Sadly, so too now does Volkan ‘Vinnie’ Inönü.
2 Jul 39
News Report: New York, US. The First World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) is held in the Caravan Hall in New York from July 2 to July 4, 1939, in conjunction with the New York World's Fair. The event had 200 participants. Notable attendees include John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, L. Sprague de Camp, Ray Bradbury, Hannes Bok, Milton A. Rothman, John D. Clark, Jack Williamson, and Harry Harrison.[Ed: For those devotees – like your humble author – of SF and Fantasy (old and new), there are some names to conjure with here. If this report is correct, then Asimov would have been 19 and Harrison 14 years old at the time. Young nerds and famous authors in the making!]
Isaac Asimov, born Isaak Ozimov in Petrovski, Russia c. January 2, 1920. [Ed: An American writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University. He became known for his works of science fiction and popular science. Asimov was a prolific writer, and eventually wrote or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000 letters and postcards. If you have never read his Foundation series, you really should read that at least!]
3 Jul 39
News Report: London, UK.Neville Chamberlain informs the House of Commons that the government has received reliable reports that "intensive measures of a military character" are taking place in Danzig.
1/3 Cav Bde arrives in Iskenderun to cement Turkey’s sovereignty over the newly acquired Hatay Republic. Hatay will not be given Glorious National Republic status nor a seat at the Council of Premiers, but instead will be managed as an autonomous governorate of the GGR of Turkey. [Ed: The map notes some nearby provinces of more contemporary notoriety.]
5 Jul 39
The new level 3 fort in Istanbul is completed and the fitting-out process begins. Level 4 works are immediately commenced.
6 Jul 39
Both the Iranian garrison brigades have now arrived in Khash, where they are ordered to Minab to temporarily organise themselves into a division and from where they can avoid attacking over a river into Konarak. There is no assessment of the rebels' strength: they could roll over at the first probe or, as in the previous rebellion in the former Yugoslavia, prove to be well equipped and dug in. No chances are being taken and, with the uprising contained, there is no rush.
7 Jul 39
News Report: Damascus, Syria.Hashim al-Atassi resigned as President of Syria in protest against the French cession of the Republic of Hatay to Turkey. The French appoint Bahij al-Khatib to succeed him as Head of State.
Rebellion in the North: 7-24 Jul 39
Another nationalist uprising breaks out in the former Yugoslavia – this time in the north, at Karlobag. Although the nationalist forces are weak, it will take the rest of the month to fully suppress them and return all provinces to the rule of law. The Balkan garrison is called, but it will take a while to arrive from the south. Until then, the rebels roam around the countryside with impunity.
The rebels decide they will strike out rather than hiding in Karlobag, entering Otocac in the early hours of 11 Jul. By 1700 on 15 Jul, the Yugoslav partisans had arrived in Delnice to spread their inglorious rebellion. At this stage, the responding forces were still some distance away. By 2200 on 20 Jul, their vile incursion had progressed to Vrnograc: four provinces are now in revolt. 2/1 Cav Bde should have the pace to safeguard Zagreb: losing the capital of the Croatian GNR to these truly despicable nationalists, however briefly, would be a blow to Turkish prestige, so soon after the President’s June visit. By 0100 on 22 Jul, the rebels can be seen heading towards Zagreb, with 2/1 Cav Bde having just arrived in Bosanka Dubica, still two provinces away. However, the memory of a past clandestine visit from Luca Brasi on a dilatory former cavalry commander is enough to spur (pun intended) them on as quickly as they can. Later than morning, to the south 2 Mtn Div under MAJGEN Türkes is in Bosanki Petrovac and heading north-west to help contain the rebels.
The leadership of the ‘Chetnik’ nationalist rebels in Vrnograc, 22 Jul 39, discussing their attempt to ‘liberate’ Zagreb, the capital of the Croatia GNR. Their plan would fail with the cavalry arriving just in time (as is customary).
2/1 Cav Div arrives in Zagreb, ahead of the far slower moving rebels, on 23 Jul and by 0100 on 24 Jul the 8,900 attacking Nationalists take one look at the garrison and head straight back to Vrnograc without a fight. They instead try to escape north-east to Sisak, but 2/1 Cav Bde is immediately sent to head them off in by what is now standard counter-insurgency operating procedures, while 2 Mtn Div closes in more slowly from the south to administer the coup de grace. By 1400 that day 2 Mtn Div are in Bihac and advancing on the rebel stronghold in Vrnograc. And by 1900 it is all over, with no combat casualties on either side. The two garrison units spend another week or so bringing the rebellious provinces back into order and then return to their previous bases.
9 Jul 39
News Report: Free City of Danzig, ‘Polish Corridor’.Thousands of Nazis hold rallies in Danzig. District Leader Albert Forster declares he is confident that Hitler will “liberate” the city and demands that Poland gives up privileges of storing arms in a munitions depot on the Westerplatte.
11 Jul 39
News Report: Washington DC, US.The US Foreign Relations Committee votes 12-11 to defer discussion of revising the Neutrality Act until the next session, scheduled for January 1940. This is a defeat for President Roosevelt, who wants to repeal the clause that places an embargo on trade with belligerents, but isolationism in the Senate is strong.
12 Jul 39
News Report: Helsinki, Finland.Interestingly, the Finns are mobilising. Unlike most of the other countries of Europe, they are under no threat from Germany and they are not part of the Axis (yet, anyway). They must be worried about the Soviets.
14 Jul 39
An important advance: mountain warfare equipment is now available for all our (42) infantry-based units – 4.89 IC is immediately diverted to the upgrade program. Light artillery is now being researched – the last of the four upgrades required to bring our infantry brigades up to Level 3 standard.
15-16 Jul 39
The ‘Persian nationalist’ uprising in Konarak is brought to a rapid end.
16 Jul 39
News Report: London, UK.British Fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley gives a speech in the Earls Court Exhibition Centre attended by over 20,000 people. He presents a plan that would “bring peace in our time and our children's time” that called for a hands-off policy in Eastern Europe, disarmament in Western Europe, return of colonies to Germany and for the British Empire to concentrate on its own affairs.
Mosley is at it again: Fascist running dog, demagogue and black-skivvy-wearing teapot-imitator!
18 Jul 39
News Report: Washington DC, US.President Roosevelt meets with key senators at the White House to explore the possibility of trying to revise the American neutrality policy once again. The President and Secretary of State General George C. Marshall [Cordell Hull in OTL] warn that a war in Europe is imminent, but the prominent Idaho senator William Borah replies, “I do not believe there is going to be any war in Europe between now and the first of January or for some time thereafter.” Marshall asks the senator to read State Department cables to understand the seriousness of the situation, but Borah responds that he does not “give a damn about your dispatches” and claims he has better sources. The meeting ended with no new agreements.
William Edgar Borah (b. June 29, 1865) is an outspoken Republican United States Senator, one of the best-known figures in Idaho's history. A progressive who served from 1907, Borah is often considered an isolationist, for he leads the Irreconcilables, senators who do not accept the Treaty of Versailles, Senate ratification of which would have made the U.S. part of the League of Nations. Will his bold prediction about ‘no war in 1939’ be proven wrong?
Patra’s first Heavy provincial AA battery is built, with new AA ordered to replace it in the production queue.
26 Jul 39
News Report: London and Liverpool, UK.Five more bomb explosions occur in England – two in London and three in Liverpool. One person is killed and twenty injured. The next day, 40 houses in North London are raided in a hunt for IRA bombers.
28 Jul 39
2 AT Bde arrives on its long march from Istanbul and is added in to 8 Inf Div (Lt), based in Athina on the Iskandar Line.
At last, after a mammoth campaign lasting over three months, the Japanese finally bring their latest interference to an end. When it commenced on 25 Apr 39, the distance from the Comintern stood at 136.19 (itself a blowout from the closest point reached so far, which was in the 70s and very close to allowing us to apply to join). It now stands at 221.54!
Turkey is now actually closer in alignment to the Axis (178.53) than the Comintern! The Allies are hopelessly distant at 342.86: they seem to have given up and left it as a two-horse race. There are murmurings in Cabinet and in the streets, with suggestions it may now be more prudent to continue to align to the Axis instead, which would be a much easier task to achieve: perhaps they will prove to be the big winners in Europe? But for now, Turkey remains geared towards defending against a European assault from the Axis. A Cabinet meeting has been called for early August to review the diplomatic and strategic situation.
Any strategic advisers or press commentators [Ed: that is all of you, my valued readers] are welcome to make their views known on this quandary. These views will be considered by Cabinet.
30 Jul 39
Now that events are starting to return to normal in Turkey (despite the gathering of war clouds in Europe), and to try to get the Comintern alignment process back on track (which remains the order of the day unless otherwise advised), Persephonee Fotheringay-Phipps pitches her idea for a new Stakhanovite workers’ campaign to energise agricultural production throughout the UGNR.
It shouldn’t take much work to change this joyful Soviet tribute to tractors into something well-suited to Turkey’s consistent campaign to develop its agricultural sector and to exhort its agrarian workforce to heroic efforts of production! Research on Level 6 Agriculture is due on 11 Jan 1940 – this will be a very timely and appropriate reminder to redouble work rates. Even more than a lack of armour and fighter aircraft, manpower is the Government's greatest economic concern. With more manpower, Turkey can build the infantry and specialist brigades needed to stem any future attack – whoever that may eventually come from. Without it, they run the risk of not being able to build sufficient units to hold the line or to replace heavy battle casualties.
Coming Up: Europe seemingly edges ever closer to war over Danzig and the ‘Polish Corridor’. But for now, Turkey still seems well insulated from these troubles. Nonetheless, the Government must take stock as Europe moves towards crisis: should the current plan to align to the Comintern remain in force, or – after all the rhetoric and propaganda of recent years – should the UGNR instead face its changed diplomatic circumstances and realign towards the Axis? And, even if the Comintern alignment is maintained, is it right to continue sinking the bulk of infrastructure resources into a defence in depth, sacrificing the hard-won European dominions? Or should Turkey seek to begin a more advanced line of defence to try to hold the bulk of the Balkans? If, as appears certain, Poland refuses to become ‘another Czechoslovakia’, will Hitler actually risk war with the Allies? And if it does come to war, what lessons will be learned from Poland’s brave attempt to defend itself? All views on these issues welcome!
