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Unlike the other two examples, the people ensuring the smooth running of the Turkish state and all the horrible things that entails are private, secretive beings and so far have done nothing approaching what the fascists publically admitted to doing, let alone what they were actually doing.
Although saying that, the state has kept mum on Armenia and Persia internally for quite a while now bar one 'rebellion'...
Yes, well given the general strictures that apply to AARs on this forum, and the risk of causing upset or offence to readers, I’ve drawn a discreet veil over the first, while I’ve dutifully reported every rebellion that has occurred: Crete has been the most rebellious region so far! The rest must be appropriately lulled by the federated system and the deft propaganda of Braanszon and Persephonee!
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Chapter 80: Troubled Waters – Mediterranean Theatre (14 to 18 June 1940)
Chapter 80: Troubled Waters – Mediterranean Theatre (14 to 18 June 1940)
This five-day period of the Great Liberation War/Second Great War encompasses some exciting action, with a large focus on the Mediterranean. There is also a matter of a lunch in Istanbul, which will be folded into those goings-on, involving as they do the Sicilian Connection. [Warning, it's da Mob, so there will be violence. If you don't want to see it, don't open the spoiler . You have been warned.]
The next chapter, out very soon, will cover key events elsewhere over the same period - but summarised more briefly, in order to keep the narrative moving and the servings digestible. Unlike that promised lunch at Virgil Sollozzo’s compound!
14 Jun 40 – the Dodecanese
14 June sees the air raids, naval bombardments and skirmishing continue on Stampalia (Astypalea) in the Dodecanese. Turkish ground casualties mount and the Eritrean 1a Divisione continues to hold out – perhaps they hope for rescue? This question is answered around midnight: another flash signal from Admiral Üngen, commanding the 1st Fleet in the Central Aegean back to the High Command in Ankara.
“Italian battleship and four screens sighted to the west. They are attempting to destroy the landing transports. Proceeding to engage. Out.”
This could be a dangerous fight …
Almost simultaneously, Üngen receives a message himself on the bridge of his flagship, the old ex-German battlecruiser the TCG Yavuz. It is in English and with the correct authentication code, over the agreed emergency liaison frequency:
“This is the HMS Barham. We have been tracking the enemy and are prepared to attack. Our squadron is at your disposal.”
The odds are suddenly tipped in Turkey’s favour: whether it is by good luck or good management, Üngen is delighted and grateful that, as the commander of the fleet on the spot, the British have deferred command of the battle to Turkey. Who would have thought!?
RM Andrea Doria (left) was the lead ship of her class of battleships
which included only one sister ship, the RM Caio Duilio. Completed
1916; 24,729 t; main armament of 13 x 12 in guns.
HMS Argus (centre) was a British aircraft carrier converted
from an ocean liner that was under construction when the First
Great War began, and became the first example of what is
now the standard pattern of aircraft carrier, with a full-length
flight deck that allowed wheeled aircraft to take off and land.
Commissioned: 1918; Decommissioned: 1929;
Recommissioned: 30 July 1938. 14,450 t, 15-18 aircraft.
HMS Barham (right) was a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship. Often
used as a flagship, she participated in the Battle of Jutland during
the First Great War. Commissioned 1915; 33,100 t; 8 x 15 in guns.
The battle will be fought off Cape Armeno, within view (by day)
of the Castle of St John (inset). While formally the '2nd Battle
of the Central Aegean Sea', it became better known as the Battle of Cape Armeno.
15 Jun 40
It turns out the Italian force is led by the First Great War vintage battleship RM Andrea Doria, with two light cruisers and two destroyer flotillas in screening support. Unfortunately for them, in addition to the old Turkish battlecruiser TCG Yavuz, the British have brought the old light carrier HMS Argus and three battleships: HMS Barham, Revenge and Warspite and the heavy cruiser Devonshire! There is still danger for the vulnerable Turkish transport fleet, but this additional protection is a godsend. The Yavuz is right up at the firing line along with two of the British battleships. Huzzah!
By 0200, the Italians are taking significant damage; by 0500 they have lost a light cruiser, the Andrea Doria is heavily damaged and the remaining light cruiser has also taken numerous hits. Little damage has been done to the combined Anglo-Turkish fleet. By 0600 the Italians have had enough and flee, probably to one of their nearby bases. A mighty victory and vindication of pre-war naval planning!
The RM Muzio Attendolo (CL), sunk at the Battle of Cape Armeno by the HMS Revenge (BB) on 15 Jun 40, was part of the Raimondo Montecuccoli
sub-class, which was the third group of Condottieri-class light cruisers.
Commissioned 1935; 7,525 t; main armament 8 x 6 in gun.
Taking stock after the battle, damage is light for the Turkish fleet, though one of the transports, while it can continue its current mission, will require extensive repairs. It could have been a lot worse of course. A quick check of the land battle shows enemy morale at close to breaking point. The defeat of their rescue mission will have compounded their woes.
By 2300 on the night of the 15th, the defenders’ morale [eg organisation] is assessed by the 15 Inf Div Intelligence Officer as down to 2.3%. Surely they cannot hold on too much longer? The air raid program continues, although the aircrews are by now almost exhausted.
16 Jun 40
Reports from North Africa are more favourable for the Italians, however. At 1300 on 16 June, the British advise they have lost the desert provinces of the Great Sand Sea, Bi’r Abu al Hudum and Matruh since 13 June. El ‘Alamein is now under threat of being outflanked.
17 Jun 40
But at 7am on the morning of 17 June, MAJGEN Gataly reports victory on Stampalia – the Battle of the Dodecanese has ended after two weeks of hard fighting by all three Turkish services – and a little help from the British (wonders will never cease). The landings and final assault resulted in 332 Turkish killed for 15 Inf Div – was our young correspondent Metin Sadik among them? We don’t yet know. Gataly is now a L3 general and well on the way (over 70% each) to becoming a mountaineer and battle-master.
In addition to the land-based casualties cited here, the Italians (Eritreans)
suffered another 2,224 casualties from air attacks over the duration of the battle.
In the aftermath of the battle, the air units are allowed to rest and recuperate in Athina – their organisation very nearly spent. But they have performed valiantly with their out-dated aircraft and have proven decisive in this battle. They may be required for future operations against Rhodes/Rodi (and require rebasing too), but the Navy will ascertain this shortly. As an example of how multi-national the Eastern Mediterranean is getting, at 0700 on 17 June, our sub commander RADM Cebesoy reports being a member of a four-nation Allied-Comintern naval patrol in the West Aegean!
The main Turkish 1st Fleet has been ordered to pick up 15 Inf Div (which has now taken possession of the Dodecanese for Turkey) and return them to Athina to reorganise. At 1600 Cebesoy is ordered to the Coast of Egypt to see if he can make out any troop movements, though this will be difficult as they only have the ‘Mark 1 Eyeball’ available for observation work! With the main fleet back in Athina by 1700, the damaged transport is detached for repairs, the main fleet heading next to Izmir to pick up one of the garrison brigades there. They will then take it to Rhodes/Rodi, see if it is occupied, land if not or drop the garrison in the Dodecanese if it is. There are no reliable reports as to whether the Italians have now occupied Rhodes or not.
18 Jun 40
By 0900 on 18 June the garrison brigade is loaded in Izmir and the fleet sets out for Rodi. Arriving there at 2000 that evening, they make an unpleasant discovery: the Italians now have a garrison in place and a fleet of unknown strength (possibly including ships from the recent Battle of Cape Armeno) in the port. A full-strength infantry division and air support will again be required to reduce this garrison and that is some way off. The garrison is redirected to the Dodecanese to ensure they are held from any counter-strike by the Italians.
While our subs don’t reveal any unit deployments, they do confirm that El ‘Alamein has now also been lost by the British, with Alexandria now in peril and beyond that the Suez Canal. A terse telegram is sent to London:
“What is happening? Can you hold the Italians in Egypt?”
So ends a tumultuous and see-sawing five days in the Eastern Med!
Italian advances in Egypt since 13 June, as at 2300 on 18 June 1940.
14 June 1940: A Lunch Meeting in Istanbul
On June 14 Cennet, posing as an assistant cook in the Istanbul Compound of Mafia ‘Capo’ Virgil Sollozzo, has been asked to prepare a special gnocchi dish for a lunch Sollozzo is having with an ‘important visitor’ that day. This is just as well, as she needs to complete her first official S.I.T.H. (the Secret Intelligence Technical Headquarters – Turkey’s clandestine ‘wet ops’ directorate) mission: to take down the Mafia Kingpin who – but for the timely intervention of the legendary S.I.T.H. Demon-at-Arms ‘Darth Kelebek’ – came within an ace of assassinating President Atatürk by poison the year before.
As it happened, Atatürk died from natural causes (liver failure from cirrhosis) the next day. But it’s the thought that counts. And Sollozzo also had a hand in the Great Axis-Mafia Conspiracy against Turkey to defraud its treasury of billions and wipe out the national leadership of the fledgling Union of Glorious National Republics. The vichyssoise of revenge is to be supped cold by Turkey this day and Cennet is to be its instrument! She has used her best NKVD cookbook recipe – the gnocchi is primed with a lethal dose of poison.
Cennet stands just outside Sollozzo’s dining room, in a waitress’s uniform. I wonder what she is thinking, just before she prepares to serve her exotic pasta dish, made with eleven special herbs and one very special ‘spice’… just like Mama Borgia used to make!
Cennet moves into the dining room, with the other staff who will wait table today. She now stands at the back of the room, awaiting the start of the lunch. Sollozzo is in earnest discussion with his dinner guest, whose back is turned to Cennet. But he looks a little familiar … she strains to hear what they’re saying. The waiter prepares to pour some wine – some nice Italian Lambrusco.
Virgil 'The Turk' Sollozzo: 'for what he is about to receive ...'
“So, Captain Muhtar, are we agreed?” presses Sollozzo. “You give my guys access to the Palace next time the President is in town, they do their job - badda-bim, badda-boom – you get your 20,000,000 lira and a nice promotion afterwards, when our 'friends' take over. Presidente Inönü will never know what hit him. Literally!”
Sollozzo smiles evilly and confidently at this point, though with a hint
of desperation discernible if one looks into his eyes carefully enough.
His lunch guest is not a subtle man however, and misses this entirely.
What!? thinks, Cennet in alarm. High treason! Assassination! Inside Jobs! Who is this ‘Captain Muhtar’? As the two men eat their ante-pasta, she moves forward – ostensibly to get ready to serve the pasta course, but she needs to see who this is with Sollozzo.
“Well, I’m not sure Sollozzo,” says this Muhtar. “I’ve been giving you and your guinea punks protection since the war broke out at the beginning of the month. You’ve paid well and I've 'dipped my beak'. But this is a different thing you ask. To betray my country, in time of war … I don’t know.”
Cennet gets a better look at Muhtar now and finally recognises him. She has seen him before, when she was Inönü’s ward, on visits to ‘Uncle Kemal’ Atatürk – it is the Polis Captain who sets the Presidential Guard roster! The rottenness festers closer to the heart of Glorious Turkey than they had guessed!
A worm i’ the bud! Corruption is one thing, but will he sink so
low as to betray his President and Country?
“Muhtar, don’t play the innocent cop and patriot with me!” Sollozzo is getting both more angry and desperate now. “If I go down – and they’re coming to get me, you’ve said so yourself – then the Tattaglia money stops coming too, through me. And don’t forget, we’ve got the goods on you now. If anything happens to me, then my patrones will make sure word gets out about what you’ve already done here. You won’t last five minutes after I’m gone. They’ll send Luca Brasi for you – if you’re lucky! If they’re really pissed, it will be Kelebek coming for you in the night watches. At least Brasi would be quick!”
Sollozzo smirks arrogantly at this point – he can see the venal and corrupt cop is already turning – as he has already done many times before, each time getting deeper into the Mob’s clutches. “C’mon Muhtar, the money and promotion will be yours. Danger? Forgeddaboudit!”
“Well, all right Sollozzo, but this had better work, or we’re both dead meat.”
Cennet uses all her training to maintain her composure at this heinous treachery. At least she has the remedy to hand. “Gentlemen, your main course. Potato gnocchi with wild mushrooms, red wine and cream!” It looks delicious! At least, to everyone except Muhtar.
“Potato!” he shouts violently. “I hate potato! Get this rubbish out of my sight. What are you trying to do to me Sollozzo, poison me!?” He stares indignantly at the stunned Sollozzo.
“Girl! Fool! This won’t do! If Captain Muhtar won’t eat it, neither will I.” Sollozzo looks down at the steaming and toothsome looking dish with regret – this is his favourite – just like Mama used to make!
Cennet’s plan lies in ruin. But the mention by Sollozzo of her other favourite ‘Uncle’ as she grew up as Inönü’s ward – Luca Brasi – gives her courage. ‘What Would Luca Brasi Do?’, she thinks to herself, thinking of that amusing t-shirt Persephonee Fotheringay-Phipps gave her as a gift on her recent return from Moscow.
Thwarted, Cennet brings over a gleaming silver serving platter with an ornate dome. “I am so sorry gentlemen, we were not aware. Our humblest apologies. But perhaps these desserts will be just the thing!” They don’t really notice the slight emphasis she puts on those words. Cennet extravagantly uncovers the lid of the silver server …
… and uncovers a very nicely balanced .38 revolver!
O ho! This is a dish Cennet prepared earlier. Always need to have a back-up Plan B.
“Ismet Inönü sends his regards!” she calls out firmly, raising the pistol and pointing it at Sollozzo’s forehead. Blam! One shot is all it takes. The waiter Alphonse will need some Sards Wonder Soap to get those stains off his white jacket!
She turns next to Captain Muhtar. No-one else in the dining room moves, Sollozzo’s guards are not here within his inner sanctum, though they surely will be soon.
“Don’t shoot!” pleads Muhtar. “I’m a Polis Captain, I can explain …”
“Oh, you’ve said quite enough, traitorous dog! Insult my gnocchi will you?” Blam! Cennet shoots him in the throat. “And plot to kill our President!” Blam! Another shot, in the forehead, to finish him off.
Then, as taught by Uncle Luca, she drops the gun to the floor and calmly leaves the room. As Sollozzo’s guards come running to the sound of the shots, she speeds up and runs past them in the corridor, feigning panic. “Oh, it’s terrible! That polis man has shot Mr Sollozzo! Hurry!”
Cennet runs down the corridor, out the front door, and straight into a waiting black car, which speeds off. “So, mission accomplished?” asks the low and silkily menacing voice of Darth Kelebek (a.k.a. The Kelebek Kompositor).
“Oh yes Mr Kelebek, sir. They didn’t like my gnocchi, but I found they were quite ready to eat some lead instead! They have received their just desserts. And let me tell you who his guest was and what they were plotting …”
Coming Up Soon:We will hear of unfolding events that occurred over this same time period on the other fronts of the GLW/GW2, on the Western, Eastern and Far East Fronts.
Huzzah for the Royal Navy! God save the King! (for now...)
I'm a bit anxious about Suez though... We'll have to see whether the British have any reserves in El Iskandarîya
That's what I call proper dessert... (I continue to love the merging of various The Godfather plot lines and Characters into your very own narrative about the unruly nature of Turkish governance...)
Foolish behaviour on the part of London there. Should have let the Turkish fleet get sunk and concentrated on getting reinforcement convoys to North Africa, after all it's not like Turkey will ever do anything to help Britain (indeed has spent the last few years working against British interests) so a setback in the Med for the Turk would have been ideal, particularly as it wouldn't impact the Turkish defence on the Balkan front.
Still wonder what will happen when S.I.T.H. come up against someone more competent than the mob, but then again who would that be. Sure the mob so far has been quit dim, overly trusting and unable to outwit a blunt spoon, but that is also a perfect description of the German Abwher so maybe S.IT.H. are playing it smart by not over-training their operatives.
What, seriously?
The Cavalry arrives in spectacular fashion. The only way this is going to get topped is if the Americans save your fleet later on with the Enterprise.
Reports from North Africa are more favourable for the Italians, however. At 1300 on 16 June, the British advise they have lost the desert provinces of the Great Sand Sea, Bi’r Abu al Hudum and Matruh since 13 June. El ‘Alamein is now under threat of being outflanked.
Oh wait, are they just trying to butter you up into getting you to waste time and resources in Africa for them? Well...that's rather smart and cold blooded of them. I rather like that.
But at 7am on the morning of 17 June, MAJGEN Gataly reports victory on Stampalia – the Battle of the Dodecanese has ended after two weeks of hard fighting by all three Turkish services – and a little help from the British (wonders will never cease).
Well it wasn't like they were never competent or unhelpful before, just not really on your side and rather busy with other things. But it's pretty clear they'd rather help you than France (or Egypt, for that matter).
By 0900 on 18 June the garrison brigade is loaded in Izmir and the fleet sets out for Rodi. Arriving there at 2000 that evening, they make an unpleasant discovery: the Italians now have a garrison in place and a fleet of unknown strength (possibly including ships from the recent Battle of Cape Armeno) in the port. A full-strength infantry division and air support will again be required to reduce this garrison and that is some way off. The garrison is redirected to the Dodecanese to ensure they are held from any counter-strike by the Italians.
Mm...that's going to be a b-ch to take down with what limited navy and aircraft you have. Especially as your front line is about to be tested by the Italians (possibly Hungary as well but it looks like they're toast at this point). The island needs to be taken of course but I get some bad premonitions from this. If only because this might be the last relatively low stake battle turkey is in for the rest of the war, what with Egypt under threat.
While our subs don’t reveal any unit deployments, they do confirm that El ‘Alamein has now also been lost by the British, with Alexandria now in peril and beyond that the Suez Canal. A terse telegram is sent to London:
Hey there GB, it's turkey here. Big fan.
Anyway, we've noticed you seem to be having some difficulty lately defeating the Italians. Namely, you aren't winning and are about to snap your empire in two and royally eff up the entire war effort.
Now this would be understandable if the Italians were receiving help from Germany (they aren't) or if their fleet was genuinely blocking your attempts at reinforcements. But we've beaten their navy in battle (thanks again, I hope Winnie got his flowers and assorted drugs) so we know that's not it.
So, politely put...buck up. Or give us your middle eastern and Egyptian empire so we can do your job for you.
Best wishes,
Turkey
P.S. Greece still hasn't forgiven you for screwing them over and letting us conquer them again. Just so you know.
to take down the Mafia Kingpin who – but for the timely intervention of the legendary S.I.T.H. Demon-at-Arms ‘Darth Kelebek’ – came within an ace of assassinating President Atatürk by poison the year before.
And Sollozzo also had a hand in the Great Axis-Mafia Conspiracy against Turkey to defraud its treasury of billions and wipe out the national leadership of the fledgling Union of Glorious National Republics.
We were in the process of committing a spectacular piece of financial and industrial sabotage to the Italians at the time however and fleecing the Vatican Bank out of the one investment it had that was worth anything.
But still, we were still the good guys in that mess.
You won’t last five minutes after I’m gone. They’ll send Luca Brasi for you – if you’re lucky! If they’re really pissed, it will be Kelebek coming for you in the night watches. At least Brasi would be quick!”
Cennet’s plan lies in ruin. But the mention by Sollozzo of her other favourite ‘Uncle’ as she grew up as Inönü’s ward – Luca Brasi – gives her courage. ‘What Would Luca Brasi Do?’, she thinks to herself, thinking of that amusing t-shirt Persephonee Fotheringay-Phipps gave her as a gift on her recent return from Moscow.
Of course, she knew it went against regulations. It had to, a small a matter of fact. Kelebek itself spelt it out to the recruits in boot camp.
"You are not all loving American heroes or aristocratic British geniuses so coming up with another plan by the seat of your trousers when the first plan goes wrong will lead to your deaths. That's why I'm banning you from doing it and threatening you with dismissal from S.I.T.H, if you try. That might just be enough to appease the gods of narrative function and reader tension. No promises it will work though, which come to think of it makes it all the more likely you will succeed. 1 in a million chances occur 9 times out of 10, don't cha' know?"
Cennet runs down the corridor, out the front door, and straight into a waiting black car, which speeds off. “So, mission accomplished?” asks the low and silkily menacing voice of Darth Kelebek (a.k.a. The Kelebek Kompositor).
The real hero...of another story.
Also surprisingly fluid in his/its roles for the Turkish govemreg, having been an official advisor, a respected private citizen, a complete ghost that no one knew existed, a cult figure in an actual cult, turkey's main defence against Iranian spies, actually Satan (complete with deal with Adolf) and a kitten farm investor (in Tahiti).
Always wanted to be a train driver though. And a vicar.
“Oh yes Mr Kelebek, sir. They didn’t like my gnocchi, but I found they were quite ready to eat some lead instead! They have received their just desserts. And let me tell you who his guest was and what they were plotting …”
How on earth did the president's police and bodyguards escape the vetting process? Sometimes I think Kaya really is a double agent trying to kill us all.
Chapter 81: “Going to Hell in a Hand Basket” – Other Fronts (14 to 18 June 1940)
[From Wikipedia: "Going to hell in a handbasket" is an American allegorical locution of unclear origin, which describes a situation headed for disaster inescapably or precipitately. First used in the 1860s. In this case, I’m referring to the world in general, rather than Allied-Comintern fortunes in particular.]
1. Eastern Front
Telegrams are sent to the Soviet Stavka and Romanian High Command with some additional suggested operational objectives: Memel in the north, to cut the Germans off in Lithuania; and the “Hungarian Corridor”, to strengthen the line and try to close of the “Eastern Hungarian Pocket”. Inönü may well be ignored in this, but at least he thought he should try.
As at 0000 on 14 June 1940, Turkey suggests additional objectives
to its Allies. Yellow are new Romanian objectives; red new Soviet
objectives and orange newly assigned to both.
1a. Turkish Sector
Again, during the five days covered by the current report, no Axis attacks were launched on Turkish positions, even though troops are adjacent in a number of provinces on the east of the defensive line. Axis advances since 13 June and current positions are summarised in the map below. Of note, the provinces of Travnik (14 Jun); Zenica and Drvar (15 Jun); Jajce (16 Jun); and Prozor and Vlasenica (18 Jun) fell to Hungary. Italy took Ubdina (15 Jun); Karlobag (16 Jun) and Knin (18 Jun) over the same period. German troops have closed up next to Turkish units in Zvornik and Srbobran, but have not yet attacked. The Yeniçeri Line now being fully entrenched across its entire length could have something to do with that. Perhaps the Axis will need to achieve higher troop concentrations before they are prepared to attack. A pity, as the Turks would like to start bleeding them a bit now!
1b. Romania-Hungary Sector
After a relatively quiet day on 14 June, things heat up on the morning of the 15th: the first German troops appear on the Romanian front at Szolnok in Hungary at 0600. They are well placed to plug a gap in the Axis line that had been forming as the Romanians tried to break out of the Debrecen bridgehead, especially with the Romanians retaking the Hungarian provinces of Békes a few hours later. By the early morning of 17 June, more German troops have appeared on the front (three infantry divisions along the Romanian front by now): it cannot be determined whether they were the forces earlier seen on the Austrian border or new arrivals, perhaps from the Western Front, but they are stiffening the Hungarian line. As a result, Inönü suggests another defensive Soviet objective in Arad, the key province immediately north of Timisoara (the key Romanian city which now forms the northern point of the Turkish line).
Just before midnight on 17 Jun, there is bad news from Hungary: the key VP city of Debrecen, rashly left undefended by the Romanians (despite direction from Supreme HQ Ankara), has been retaken by Hungary, though it does look like the Romanians are counter-attacking with two divisions from the south-east. More German divisions are in evidence in this sector too. As a result of this loss, Debrecen is also made a Soviet objective, in the hope they may assist in retaking and holding it before the Hungarians can consolidate.
A summary (below) shows key battles (ie provinces won or lost) since 13 June. The Soviet attack on Volove (in Eastern Hungary) will be dealt with in the next segment on the Soviet Sector. But the increasing German presence apparent by the end of 18 June means the easy gains of the first few days of the war are now probably gone.
1c. Soviet Sector
14 June sees coordinated Soviet attacks on both Uzhorod and Volove in the “Eastern Hungarian Pocket”. If these succeed, it will place the Hungarians under a good deal of pressure and may unravel their line. Further north (not shown below) the Soviet tanks chase the Germans out of Zamosc (in German-occupied Poland).
By 0600 on 15 June, the Soviets have defeated the Hungarians in Volove and occupied it. The attack on Uzhorod continues. In Lithuania, the two northern German divisions continue to attack eastwards, in bold disregard of their vulnerable supply lines. A report at 1100 on 15 June shows that, despite Turkish urging, the Soviet 5th Tank Div remains stationary, refusing to advance on Memel. The situation around Tilsit and Gumbinnen in East Prussia is fluid: both German and Soviet forces advance on Tilsit from opposite directions and will soon have a test of strength. Soviet-occupied Gumbinnen however is now under sustained German ground and air attack, with the two Soviet divisions there appearing to be in retreat. Further south, in the Bialystock and Brest-Litovsk area, Zambrow - retaken by the Soviets only a few days before - has been lost again to a German counter-attack. More Soviet forces seem to be arriving in the area from further north, and it looks like they will be needed.
Early on 16 June, the Germans win the race to Tilsit and reoccupy it, while also sending three to four divisions towards Gumbinnen. German multi-role aircraft are also busy now in and around Bialystock and Brest-Litovsk. By 1300 that day, another Soviet sub recon of the German Baltic coast shows a number of garrisons now in place, with more reinforcements heading to the front from Konigsberg.
In another successful German counter-attack, the Polish province of Zamosc (north of Lwow) is taken back at 0800 on 17 June: it seems the Soviets are not reinforcing their offensive gains sufficiently to hold any provinces they seize from the Germans. That evening, the Soviets lose Gumbinnen to the Germans, but regain Tilsit through a quick armoured counter-attack. Again, this toehold looks precarious as more German forces are on the way. If not reinforced, the Soviets are likely to lose it again. And in the north, the Germans take Plunge in Lithuania, but then appear to be on the retreat straight away as they see a wave of Soviet reinforcements heading their way! And the Soviet 5th Tank Div finally starts moving – but not on Memel: instead they are heading back south-east towards Taurage! Perhaps to plug the hole in the line in the face of more German divisions advancing from East Prussia.
This back-and forth and at times confusing front is summarised below by key battles won and lost over the last five days. In two cases (Tilsit and Zamosc) provinces changed hands twice during the period. It will be fascinating to see what happens once both the Soviet and German reinforcements arrive. As expected, the Germans have the quality, the Soviets the quantity. Key so far is that no German Panzer divisions have yet be sighted anywhere on the Eastern Front.
2. Far East Front
As expected, the Far East is grim, where the Vladivostok Sector has collapsed. It is now a matter of how many Soviet divisions can escape being cut off there.
3. Trade News
Another deal is done to guarantee Turkish resource supplies. This Comintern arrangement is a good lark …
4. Western Front
14 Jun 40
Longuyon (west of Metz) is lost at 0000 on 14 June: this creates a salient in the front, with Metz and Cattenom (both fortified), all that remain of the northern part of the Maginot Line.
[OTL News: The Germans entered Paris unopposed. The city was eerily silent since 2 million Parisians had already fled and all shops and businesses were closed.]
ATL News Report: Paris, France. Paris stages a “Day of Defiance”, with an estimated 300,000 people rallying at the Champs d’Elysee in solidarity for the war effort and the troops at the front. Many placards carry messages of thanks and support for Turkey, the Soviet Union and Romania. Some commentators (especially the sizable Communist Party) credit the intervention in the east as the turning point that would save the Republic.
15 Jun 40
[OTL News: The French fortress at Verdun, which famously never surrendered in World War I, capitulated to the Germans.]Verdun and also the “Metz-Cattenom Salient” continue to hold out against the Germans, whose rate of advance appears to have slowed, amid reports they have had to send units on a “Drang nach Osten”, though not of their own choice this time.
16 Jun 40
[OTL News: Philippe Pétain became Prime Minister of France after Paul Reynaud resigned. Only one hour after becoming the head of government, Pétain asked his Foreign Minister Paul Baudouin to pass a note to the Spanish ambassador asking Spain to request "the conditions Chancellor Hitler would require to put a halt to military operations and sign an armistice."]
ATL News Report: Paris, France. The Anglo-French Supreme War Council meets in Paris. Henri-Honoré Giraud (as both President and PM of France) hosts Neville Chamberlain at the Elyseé Palace. They agree that the Western Front has been stabilised but the situation remains dangerous.
Amid a ‘France First’ policy, fears are building around Egypt and the Suez Canal and their vulnerability to the lightning Italian advance. The Turkish Ambassador, invited to take part in a short side meeting with the two leaders, reiterated that with the Comintern powers defending a very long land border against the Axis, Turkey relied on the British in particular to defend the Middle East from the Italian threat.
Fortuitously, as they were meeting, a messenger came in with a cable reporting the Anglo-Turkish naval victory at the Battle of Cape Armeno off the western coast of the island of Stampalia (Astypalea) in the Dodecanese. The Turkish commanded battle ended in victory – the timely help from a powerful Royal Navy Squadron was most welcome. Allied-Turkish relations have now reached a new high; Turkey proved as good as its word, providing a bulwark against Fascism in the Balkans and bringing the Soviet Union into the war in partnership with the Allies: without Turkey’s intervention, this would have been impossible and France may have already fallen. This victory made even Chamberlain smile.
17 Jun 40
[OTL News: At 3:00 a.m., Pétain's request to open peace negotiations reached Hitler's headquarters near Sedan. Hitler's aides were unsure whether to wake Hitler up, but his valet eventually did so and gave him the cable. Hitler was not surprised and had been expecting such a message for several days. At 12:30 p.m. Pétain took to the radio to deliver his first message to the nation: "It is with a heavy heart that I say to you that fighting must cease." However, fighting went on in some sectors.]
18 Jun 40
[OTL News: Churchill (as PM) delivered the speech in the House of Commons commonly titled “This was their finest hour”. The BBC broadcasted a speech by Charles de Gaulle that evening: "Must we abandon all hope?," de Gaulle asked the French people. "Is our defeat final and irremediable? To those questions I answer - No! Speaking in full knowledge of the facts, I ask you to believe me when I say that the cause of France is not lost. The very factors that brought about our defeat may one day lead us to victory ...]
At 0600, the VP city of Lille falls to the Germans. This is a blow and has an effect on French national unity, though there is still plenty of fight from them.
ATL News Report: Paris, France. President Giraud gives a stirring speech to the nation. He declares that “the Axis demon has now been confronted by nations from across the world. Whatever happens, the flame of French resistance must not and shall not die."[Ed. The second sentence is a quote from the previously cited OTL speech by de Gaulle – now being spoken by a defiant French leader on home soil.]
Coming Up: We expect the war will grind on along the Western and Eastern Fronts – but perhaps one or both may ‘break’ at some point. It will be a little while before we can be sure the full German current strength has been fully deployed on both fronts. In North Africa, if Suez falls, Turkey will need to start looking at additional defensive measures, with the strategic reserve already whittled down to minimal levels. A report is expected at the end of the month on actual Allied troop dispositions in France and Egypt: the establishment of a Co-Belligerents’ Consultative Council (CBCC) has been agreed between the Allies and Comintern: key basic information on progress in respective theatres will be shared once each month. Any other information gained will have to be by direct observation or through clandestine sources.
[Editor’s Note: I have yet another overseas work trip coming up, starting this Sunday. I will look to do feedback to comments before I go, once this complementary chapter to the Med-based Ch 80 has also had time to be absorbed and responded to (comments always appreciated, from old friends or new commentAARs). So, another short break before the next update can be anticipated.]
[OTL News: The Germans entered Paris unopposed. The city was eerily silent since 2 million Parisians had already fled and all shops and businesses were closed.]
It isn't going to plan for the Germans this time. Time and resources wasted in poland, the Low Countries and bleeding on the Magiot Line (which in spite of their victories there, should never and was never planned to be attacked head on) is going to cost them dearly, especially as the western front was never going to be the one that tied down armies like the eastern front. If they are held in France and the Russians merely hold them in the east, they will eventually collapse from resource starvation. Before that point however they'll do something really insane so we shouldn't wait for that outcome.
Paris stages a “Day of Defiance”, with an estimated 300,000 people rallying at the Champs d’Elysee in solidarity for the war effort and the troops at the front. Many placards carry messages of thanks and support for Turkey, the Soviet Union and Romania. Some commentators (especially the sizable Communist Party) credit the intervention in the east as the turning point that would save the Republic.
Hmm...we should capitalise on this in regards to Syria after or perhaps even during the war. Depends on what France does in the Middle East. Nice to know the commies are getting some support though. That should make conquering the West a bit easier later on.
The Anglo-French Supreme War Council meets in Paris. Henri-Honoré Giraud (as both President and PM of France) hosts Neville Chamberlain at the Elyseé Palace. They agree that the Western Front has been stabilised but the situation remains dangerous.
Whilst this brings up horrific imagery of really having to fight the last war all over again on a static front, we and perhaps they know it could have been so much worse for France and Britain. Time will tell whether the front stays stable or the Germans do manage to slowly push forwards.
Fortuitously, as they were meeting, a messenger came in with a cable reporting the Anglo-Turkish naval victory at the Battle of Cape Armeno off the western coast of the island of Stampalia (Astypalea) in the Dodecanese. The Turkish commanded battle ended in victory – the timely help from a powerful Royal Navy Squadron was most welcome. Allied-Turkish relations have now reached a new high; Turkey proved as good as its word, providing a bulwark against Fascism in the Balkans and bringing the Soviet Union into the war in partnership with the Allies: without Turkey’s intervention, this would have been impossible and France may have already fallen. This victory made even Chamberlain smile.
Same with France, only more important because the British can genuinely help us right now and will be a bigger player in this war generally...and a bigger nut to crack afterwards. We need them to be friends with us. If we can replace France as their best vitriolic buddies then we are on the way to domination in the Middle East and Africa after the war.
The best part, from a game point-of-view, if I remember right, the Factions don't like declaring war on more than one Faction at a time. So until the Axis is defeated the Allies and the Comintern will likely not get into conflict with each other. So even if they do not become friends they will not be our enemies either. Is America a member of the Allies yet? Or are they close?
The best part, from a game point-of-view, if I remember right, the Factions don't like declaring war on more than one Faction at a time. So until the Axis is defeated the Allies and the Comintern will likely not get into conflict with each other. So even if they do not become friends they will not be our enemies either. Is America a member of the Allies yet? Or are they close?
No, the US is not in the Allies yet. Haven’t checked recently, but will - don’t think they’re too close yet and not expecting them to join before the historical point. We’d, I don’t know what the fundamentally changed game situation is going to do to that - yet another curly question that I welcome as part of the very alternate history that is developing here. May provide a few political updates from other key countries to Cabinet in the next chapter.
No, the US is not in the Allies yet. Haven’t checked recently, but will - don’t think they’re too close yet and not expecting them to join before the historical point. We’d, I don’t know what the fundamentally changed game situation is going to do to that - yet another curly question that I welcome as part of the very alternate history that is developing here. May provide a few political updates from other key countries to Cabinet in the next chapter.
Considering how weird it is to reread the early sections of this AAR and see the constant mocking by everyone including me (an undergraduate student and therefore a genius) of the mere thought of us joining the communists...it's entirely possible that we'll end up in a really weird situation fifty updates from now that makes much of the speculation right now (and all of us) look like the same headless turkeys that really were running the show in the 30's.
Anyone want to come up with an unlikely scenario that we could be at by 1941/early 42 ?
The USA has joined the Allies but failed to do anything. The European Theatre becomes a stalemate between the Allies-Axis-Comintern. This allows Japan to expand itself into the Soviet Far East and also snap up China and European Colonies in Southeast Asia. By 1941/42 the USSR collapses having been overwhelmed by the two front war, allowing Germany to finally crush the armies of the Allies in Europe. The Italians snap up Africa and Turkey finds itself fighting to protect every inch of land as it slowly is choked by the squeezing circle of fire.
This is an amusing aside . I will come up with something myself when I get back home again and do the feedback review of recent comments. Any other predictions - serious or zany - more than welcome! The big variable now is the US: when it might join the war now everything is different and what it may (or may not) do.
I’ll check once I have access to the game file again, but I suspect the alignment is very close to the Allies - it will be more about neutrality coming down.
Heh! Just got back from two days in the Philippines for work, and have sport lined up all this coming weekend. Sleep at a premium, had to google “eat” - just kidding myself. Fortunately the plane had wifi so I could keep my reading up. Thanks for the continued support. TT will now be the next update.
I wish I could lay original claim to it, but it's an old Army saying. Very applicable to Turkish military technology in this start, though. Anything non-core just doesn't get researched.
Huzzah for the Royal Navy! God save the King! (for now...)
I'm a bit anxious about Suez though... We'll have to see whether the British have any reserves in El Iskandarîya
That's what I call proper dessert... (I continue to love the merging of various The Godfather plot lines and Characters into your very own narrative about the unruly nature of Turkish governance...)
Thanks again. And Sollozzo was a loose end deliberately left hanging for a while - then cut off as a warning to the rest. But how will the Tattaglia's react?
Foolish behaviour on the part of London there. Should have let the Turkish fleet get sunk and concentrated on getting reinforcement convoys to North Africa, after all it's not like Turkey will ever do anything to help Britain (indeed has spent the last few years working against British interests) so a setback in the Med for the Turk would have been ideal, particularly as it wouldn't impact the Turkish defence on the Balkan front.
Well, with the UK, I can only hope they are able to walk (hit the Italian Navy) and chew gum (reinforce Egypt) at the same time. I have no regular visibility of that, as I have restricted myself to what I can see on the map and the once-a-month 'Allied Conference' where as a game device I will tag to look at deployments in operational theatres. My main concern is no evidence so far of sending any BEF to France to ensure it doesn't slowly crumble despite our Eastern intervention. Plus getting towelled up by the Italians in North Africa. Chamberlain - that's all one needs to say! I can't do anything about Suez, certainly, but would rather not have to divert troops to guard against a thrust through Syria.
Still wonder what will happen when S.I.T.H. come up against someone more competent than the mob, but then again who would that be. Sure the mob so far has been quit dim, overly trusting and unable to outwit a blunt spoon, but that is also a perfect description of the German Abwher so maybe S.IT.H. are playing it smart by not over-training their operatives.
Well if old war-movie German spies and guards are anything to go by, S.I.T.H. won't have any problems slipping past. And if they do get shot at, the Krauts will miss!
[Re the British in the Med] What, seriously?
The Cavalry arrives in spectacular fashion. The only way this is going to get topped is if the Americans save your fleet later on with the Enterprise.... Oh wait, are they just trying to butter you up into getting you to waste time and resources in Africa for them? Well...that's rather smart and cold blooded of them. I rather like that.... Well it wasn't like they were never competent or unhelpful before, just not really on your side and rather busy with other things. But it's pretty clear they'd rather help you than France (or Egypt, for that matter).
I wish I could ascribe such sentience to the Chamberlain-led AI Government of Britain - but alas, they are a mystery to me. Per above, slow to reinforce North Africa and not providing any help in France, where just a little would make things so much more secure:
[Re Italy's Rhodes Garrison] Mm...that's going to be a b-ch to take down with what limited navy and aircraft you have. Especially as your front line is about to be tested by the Italians (possibly Hungary as well but it looks like they're toast at this point). The island needs to be taken of course but I get some bad premonitions from this. If only because this might be the last relatively low stake battle turkey is in for the rest of the war, what with Egypt under threat.
I'll need to wait some time for the Air Force to get its organisation back, after also rebasing it to Crete. Will see what can be done with another long softening up air bombardment. While it's not crucial, it would be nice to have that little thorn in the side removed if possible, without undue risk.
In former Yugoslavia, I'm more worried about German ground and air units coming into the game: for now, my infantry at least is up to modern standards and the Italians and Hungarians don't seem to have the quality or quantity to cause me many problems yet. In fact, I want them to attack because I think they will bleed. If they do enough of that, I might then be able to generate enough concentration in one area for a small offensive against weakened units, while taking pressure off my allies. The problem with Hungary is that the Sov-Rom AI partnership is pretty cumbersome - making progress, but not the kind of attention to detail even high level human guidance to the AI can give. Still, that's what I signed up for, and it makes things interesting.
[Hey there GB, it's turkey here. Big fan.
Anyway, we've noticed you seem to be having some difficulty lately defeating the Italians. Namely, you aren't winning and are about to snap your empire in two and royally eff up the entire war effort.
Now this would be understandable if the Italians were receiving help from Germany (they aren't) or if their fleet was genuinely blocking your attempts at reinforcements. But we've beaten their navy in battle (thanks again, I hope Winnie got his flowers and assorted drugs) so we know that's not it.
So, politely put...buck up. Or give us your middle eastern and Egyptian empire so we can do your job for you.
Best wishes,
Turkey
P.S. Greece still hasn't forgiven you for screwing them over and letting us conquer them again. Just so you know..
It isn't going to plan for the Germans this time. Time and resources wasted in poland, the Low Countries and bleeding on the Magiot Line (which in spite of their victories there, should never and was never planned to be attacked head on) is going to cost them dearly, especially as the western front was never going to be the one that tied down armies like the eastern front. If they are held in France and the Russians merely hold them in the east, they will eventually collapse from resource starvation. Before that point however they'll do something really insane so we shouldn't wait for that outcome.
I can only hope so. But without any proper British support, I still worry a bit about France. It could still go pear-shaped there. In line with your comments that followed, the eye is on Syria but until the Axis is beaten, I'll only get to play for that if Vichy is declared, I and I don't want that happening. France bleeding out a bit, maybe. But then the Americans may well come in force if they have an easy entrée onto the Continent.
Considering how weird it is to reread the early sections of this AAR and see the constant mocking by everyone including me (an undergraduate student and therefore a genius) of the mere thought of us joining the communists...it's entirely possible that we'll end up in a really weird situation fifty updates from now that makes much of the speculation right now (and all of us) look like the same headless turkeys that really were running the show in the 30's.
Ah yes, all ye of little faith ! I myself had not thought it would get to this point now, in 1940, as I hadn't thought I'd be able to get the Soviets to abrogate their NAP with the Germans. But it seems being an active Faction member has its advantages and does give a good degree of strategic leverage on that type of decision.
The USA has joined the Allies but failed to do anything. The European Theatre becomes a stalemate between the Allies-Axis-Comintern. This allows Japan to expand itself into the Soviet Far East and also snap up China and European Colonies in Southeast Asia. By 1941/42 the USSR collapses having been overwhelmed by the two front war, allowing Germany to finally crush the armies of the Allies in Europe. The Italians snap up Africa and Turkey finds itself fighting to protect every inch of land as it slowly is choked by the squeezing circle of fire.
Well, US joining then doing nothing seems par for the course! But maybe if France fights on by then that might give them an easy in to Europe. Stalemate - for some game-years - quite on the cards, I think. The Japan action is plausible, but I don't think it will be enough to collapse the Soviets. Again, I hope - but it could! But Japan taking Australia? It seems to happen way too much and too easily in HoI3 . That would be a catastrophe!
Heh! I think Scandinavia is going to lie dormant for years now, with Germany not seeming to have the desire and/or capacity to attack it. But I will try to march into Berlin, no matter how far-fetched that might be. Huzzah!
Thanks my friend, truly appreciated to get these morale-boosting words. Have been going through just about our busiest work period for the year plus three overseas work trips in about a month and a half, plus some other family issues. The writing (of both AARs plus reading and commenting on as many others in CK2 and HoI3 as I can) is fun, but it has just slowed down the rate of output a little. But I think it's still reasonable - and it is what it is!
So, my own prediction(s)? I'll give a worst and a 'hoped for' one, which is how I'd like it to work out, which is a best case but a planned for or not completely unrealistic one, then see where things fall later! In game, you can take the below as a joint Foreign and Intelligence Ministry assessment for the Turkish Cabinet. (PS: I went with these to 1944/45 before re-reading TBC’s original premise of 1941/42, but you can walk them back a bit from below )
Worst: France slowly crumbles and falls, with no help from the British and before the US enter the war/can bring themselves to intervene. Italy takes the Suez and badly weakens the British. Japan (per Eurasia's scenario) runs rampant in the Far East and Pacific, then invades and conquers a weakened and abandoned India. And Australia too. While the US either stays neutral past its normal entry date, or enters but does pretty much nothing useful. Germany shift their best offensive forces from conquered France to the East and start to break down the Soviet line. Romania falls and Turkey retreats to the Calistar Line, but loses or doesn't even try to defend Greece. The Soviets are beaten, while Turkey must defend the Calistar Line against the Germans, who then also come through the Caucasus where we don't have enough troops to defend, while Italy comes via the south and Japan from the east to encircle and crush Turkey. Game over in 1944. Fascism triumphs.
Hoped For: France holds out. WW1 style. Britain turns back the Italians from Egypt, counter-attacks and drives the Italians out of North Africa. They even lend France some troops for the Western Front, to increase the pressure on Germany. Germany never breaks the stalemate in Europe, is starved of vital resources and slowly starts to be worn down. The Japanese do their normal things to Russia in the Far East, but it's of marginal strategic impact on the Soviets and is contained eventually somewhere around Mongolia. The Soviet Juggernaut cuts in, eventually rolling a weakened Germany, taking in most of central Europe. The US joins the war around when we'd expect them to, is reasonably active against a distracted Japan; Australia doesn't fall ; the US maybe even provides some to assistance in Western Europe - but not too much, just enough to make the Comintern final offensive in the East a great success. Germany defeated in 1943. Japan defeated a few years later.
Then ... well, depends how many VPs and Objectives the Comintern has secured by then. If there aren't enough, the Dictatorship of the Proletariat may just require a helping hand
I am interested to see if France does hold and if the U,S, will first send troops there and what happens if they do. Any notion on how strong the Luftwaffe is? TUR + SOV + FRA should have a better chance than normal but the French NU is so low and so much depends on how the GER A.I. disperses the bombers!
I am interested to see if France does hold and if the U,S, will first send troops there and what happens if they do. Any notion on how strong the Luftwaffe is? TUR + SOV + FRA should have a better chance than normal but the French NU is so low and so much depends on how the GER A.I. disperses the bombers!
No real indication how strong the Luftwaffe is. All I get is the odd sighting along the Soviet line. They haven’t attacked any Turkish units yet. When I put up the end of month Allied-Comintern Cooperation Committee report, I’ll have a look at French and British air units in the West and see if I can gauge from that, and also see if they can see any German airfields. There is also an update on French NU after developments in the last 12 days of fighting. There is also a detailed view of dispositions - no spoilers, but it is quite interesting!
