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Eurasia, thanks so much for the comment - and for being the first to do so! I could see people were reading, but not sure if any were following. Yes, the CV-33 is a bit lame (you're talking here to an ex-tanker ), but I tried everyone and that's the best I could do for a first build. Hope to upgrade it later, but wanted the practical to start building. No-one else was selling - yet, anyway.
Thanks very much to you too, markkur. Good advice: you will see in my update (later on tonight, Australian time), that the war has started well against Greece (first four days of combat completed), and we have indeed opted for a conquest.
I'm genuinely up-in-the-air about which faction to join and - despite my initial grandiose schemes of conquest - I am by no means sold on joining the Axis. Even if it means a bit of fence-sitting in between the initial expansion program (which still has a way to go) and the joining of WW2 proper. Turkey -> Axis seems a bit of a cliché and too predetermined for the way I'm treating the game. Turkey has three genuine options, especially if we've built up a bit of weight by the time to decide comes. Perhaps the Allies will do enough to show a win is possible, with a bit of Turkish help. Or even (heaven forbid) the Comintern (that would be a real challenge)!
But as I'm also (as you will have seen from the Spanish Civil War reporting) writing things as alternate history beyond the immediate Turkish region, there will still be some (I hope) interesting things to talk about along the way.
To all readers: my next strategic decisions - after the hoped-for conquest of the Wretched Hellenes - will be Yugoslavia and Romania: when/if to attack, whether to conquer or puppet, and sage advice from more experienced players than I about the game consequences of such decisions. Happy to get into such broader discussions beyond the immediate tactical events. Do let me know if you are watching (it makes it easier to write), even if it's just as a 'silent observer'. I'll always respond to reader posts as soon as I can get to them.
Ok have just reached end of war with Bulgaria-very well done indeed. I have to quibble slightly with in-game mechanics and say I am not sure that you'd be in a position to go again after only 3 weeks. I say that as an ex Army Officer. Suggest more like a couple of months. Great plans thus far though=-am liking it
Ok have just reached end of war with Bulgaria-very well done indeed. I have to quibble slightly with in-game mechanics and say I am not sure that you'd be in a position to go again after only 3 weeks. I say that as an ex Army Officer. Suggest more like a couple of months. Great plans thus far though=-am liking it
There's a few more bits like that coming up where we were all wondering exactly when the game would snap at turkey for doing really implausibly ballsy things. In fact, I think at least half of the first twenty pages are people wondering about whether or not operations are feasible, which ones we can get away with and how long it will be before someone powerful stomps all over turkey.
As I recall, the faction debate was also quite fierce. Now I think we all agree the choice made was pretty good but back then it was controversial to say the least.
Ok have just reached end of war with Bulgaria-very well done indeed. I have to quibble slightly with in-game mechanics and say I am not sure that you'd be in a position to go again after only 3 weeks. I say that as an ex Army Officer. Suggest more like a couple of months. Great plans thus far though=-am liking it
Agreed! As an ex-Army officer myself (23 years, armour; and another 17 or so as a defence civvie) there are aspects of the game that sometimes jar a bit, though in many cases I think it does a remarkably good job. Though not on suspecting minor powers as serial aggressors of being up to the same thing time after time! Still, in the case of Bulgaria, and being ready so soon again for Greece, I think the fact there were not mobilised and it was over so quickly helped. And being so close by for the redeploy. Some of the future campaigns are beset by weather, terrain, long distances and poor transport infrastructure - though still against poorly prepared enemies (though again, that’s why they’ve been selected too ).
All rehearsals for The Big One ! The worst Turkish handicap, apart from a small military for the country’s size, hardly any Air Force and a badly obsolete Navy is terrible technology and low leadership. These put constraints on our strategic options and ambitions (which I gladly accept as an in-game brake). As you will see, they shape the strategy into certain directions - given the objective of actually entering the war and trying to be a major influence in it.
Where it has gone has occasionally surprised me along the way, which I also like. Even my own characters can surprise me as I write their stories! Over four game-years later, I still don’t know where it will end up: even a few weeks ahead! Which is how I like it.
Thanks once again for the interest and commitment.
There's a few more bits like that coming up where we were all wondering exactly when the game would snap at turkey for doing really implausibly ballsy things. In fact, I think at least half of the first twenty pages are people wondering about whether or not operations are feasible, which ones we can get away with and how long it will be before someone powerful stomps all over turkey.
As I recall, the faction debate was also quite fierce. Now I think we all agree the choice made was pretty good but back then it was controversial to say the least.
Thanks too Kelebek/Butterfly! I recall the debate fondly. Certainly wasn’t sure the chosen path (to Glory, of course ) would work, and it may still not. But a humble Milli Sef can hope
Hah! A general Lieutenant I suppose, if you feel like getting written up and sent to muck out the barracks for everyone for the next week!
If you hadn't joined so long ago, you would be close to achieving that rank too. I think the next one is 2000 or if you've been on the forum for a long period of time. No idea which I'll get to first.
How old is this AAR now? I know it started earlier in this year months after Albion but it's been odd to note how much time has passed in all the AARs I've been watching. In CKII especially centuries can be covered and yet there is the rest of the game to go, whereas here even though we've only got to the end of the first year of the war thereabouts, there's not that many years left either.
Hah! A general Lieutenant I suppose, if you feel like getting written up and sent to muck out the barracks for everyone for the next week!
If you hadn't joined so long ago, you would be close to achieving that rank too. I think the next one is 2000 or if you've been on the forum for a long period of time. No idea which I'll get to first.
How old is this AAR now? I know it started earlier in this year months after Albion but it's been odd to note how much time has passed in all the AARs I've been watching. In CKII especially centuries can be covered and yet there is the rest of the game to go, whereas here even though we've only got to the end of the first year of the war thereabouts, there's not that many years left either.
The highest rank one of my classmates (in OTL) got to was MAJGEN. Takes about thirty years there . I never got anywhere near that!
I started this one back at the end of January this year. So about 4-5 months of game time for every month of real time - though the clock runs quicker at the start and slows down when there is more to report. Of course, Turkey here couldn’t wait for the big one to start, so got in on the act early - hence so much story before GW2 started.
Most HOI3 games you tend to race through the first three-plus years. So as the game finishes at the end of 1948 (unless you really want to keep going, which I think you can but have never done) or before (if the player or AI gets to whatever victory level you think ‘enough is enough’), I reckon we are just over 1/2 way through the likely game timespan - though it could go beyond 1945, depending on how the Great Liberation War goes - and whether the fight needs to be taken to Capitalism after the Fascists are (we trust) offed!
The highest rank one of my classmates (in OTL) got to was MAJGEN. Takes about thirty years there . I never got anywhere near that!
I started this one back at the end of January this year. So about 4-5 months of game time for every month of real time - though the clock runs quicker at the start and slows down when there is more to report. Of course, Turkey here couldn’t wait for the big one to start, so got in on the act early - hence so much story before GW2 started.
Most HOI3 games you tend to race through the first three-plus years. So as the game finishes at the end of 1948 (unless you really want to keep going, which I think you can but have never done) or before (if the player or AI gets to whatever victory level you think ‘enough is enough’), I reckon we are just over 1/2 way through the likely game timespan - though it could go beyond 1945, depending on how the Great Liberation War goes - and whether the fight needs to be taken to Capitalism after the Fascists are (we trust) offed!
That's pretty high, and probably one of the only high ranks that people view favourably (presumably because of G&S).
In this case, the game was hot from the word go because of how expansionist we were. And we used pretty much everything we had as well: our old mounted cav in Persia, the whole air force in Greece, the submarines for spy work, the spy service for industrial espionage and the diplomatic corps for declaring war.
Not necessarily what they were intended for but still...
If you hadn't joined so long ago, you would be close to achieving that rank too. I think the next one is 2000 or if you've been on the forum for a long period of time. No idea which I'll get to first.
Yes, I did join a long time ago but only actually started posting anything at the same time I started the AAR this year, so am pleased to have racked up that many posts. I’m not close to stnylan levels, but in that sense he is something of an inspiration. And I see you have been busy on many AARs I read too .
In this case, the game was hot from the word go because of how expansionist we were. And we used pretty much everything we had as well: our old mounted cav in Persia, the whole air force in Greece, the submarines for spy work, the spy service for industrial espionage and the diplomatic corps for declaring war.
Not necessarily what they were intended for but still...
It did get warm very early - even before Kelebek increased the heat even further . And yes, everything at some point has had its day in the sun - even the delapidated Navy: the Mighty TCG Yavuz rules the waves. Well, a few of them, selectively, sometimes with British help, but let’s not quibble
Yes, I did join a long time ago but only actually started posting anything at the same time I started the AAR this year, so am pleased to have racked up that many posts. I’m not close to stnylan levels, but in that sense he is something of an inspiration. And I see you have been busy on many AARs I read too .
Heh - a Modern Major General indeed!
It did get warm very early - even before Kelebek increased the heat even further . And yes, everything at some point has had its day in the sun - even the delapidated Navy: the Mighty TCG Yavuz rules the waves. Well, a few of them, selectively, sometimes with British help, but let’s not quibble
I'm unsure if there ever will be a proper Turkish navy. Aside from prestige and possibly demands from heavy industry after the war, the Republic doesn't actually need much aside from a merchant fleet and troop transports. And maybe some patrols for the Black Sea though that's much more likely to become Russia's playing ground again. Even if and when Stalin gifts us what we expect to be gifted (the stuff he can't use and would be more useful under us: the Middle East and East Africa), turkey still would only require patrols in the Red Sea really. The only way the Turkish fleet would ver get any love is if we get the full wishlist that is (pretty much) the entire Mediterranean itself: Hungary, Italy, the south of France and all of their islands and North African territories to administer/puppet. But then we'd be the only naval power in the Sea which means aside from piracy we'd have even less of a reason to have a navy. At that point however I'd imagine Stalin would want us to have a fleet to shore up his and the Comintern's numbers (because they'd be up against the US and almostly certisnly the U.K. As well). Plus it would become the way the republic could compete militarily with the soviets, they have land armies and tanks (and missiles) and we have the fleets.
But it seems talk like this that really throws into light how the post war situation would probably leave turkey rather powerful but at the mercy of whoever was running Russia (yes, a powerful and probbaly wealthier empire than the rest of the soviet lands but with far fewer men and industrial capacity), which makes me suspect that turkey would by the fifties potentially become a sort of third power that the US and USSR dance around, bully, threaten and appease in order to try to one up each other.
which makes me suspect that turkey would by the fifties potentially become a sort of third power that the US and USSR dance around, bully, threaten and appease in order to try to one up each other.
Nah. Turkey is going to spend all the post war years in a long, bloody and unsuccessful effort to keep it's "empire". The moment the dust settles and the cold war (or whatever the conflict ends up being called) starts Turkey, as a proud Comintern member, ends up siding with the USSR by default. You don't just leave the Comintern, even if you try and Stalin lets you (which he won't, the KGB and 'advisers' will be in Ankara to stop it) the West isn't suddenly going to forget everything Turkey has done. Britain is not going to forget Greece and Persia being gobbled up, the US is not going to suddenly start caring between subtly different flavours of communist or start liking foreign empires.
What I see happening is the CIA and MI6 flooding Greece and the Balkans with war surplus weaponry and whatever technical support the rebels ask for. And there will be rebels, ones with massive popular support, as hating Turkey is practically a national pastime in those regions and that was before Turkey started 'security operations' to repress the population. Maybe Turkey will do a Vietnam/Afghanistan and get lots of her young men killed in a guerilla war she can never win, the government seem nasty enough not to care about casualties and probably to some extent believe their own propaganda, but a delay is the best she can possibly hope for. Worst bit is the Persian Oil will prop up the economy long enough to get far too many people killed, without it the Turkish economy would crater and force the Turkish government to admit the effort is doomed and all those casualties were for nothing.
Nah. Turkey is going to spend all the post war years in a long, bloody and unsuccessful effort to keep it's "empire". The moment the dust settles and the cold war (or whatever the conflict ends up being called) starts Turkey, as a proud Comintern member, ends up siding with the USSR by default. You don't just leave the Comintern, even if you try and Stalin lets you (which he won't, the KGB and 'advisers' will be in Ankara to stop it) the West isn't suddenly going to forget everything Turkey has done. Britain is not going to forget Greece and Persia being gobbled up, the US is not going to suddenly start caring between subtly different flavours of communist or start liking foreign empires.
What I see happening is the CIA and MI6 flooding Greece and the Balkans with war surplus weaponry and whatever technical support the rebels ask for. And there will be rebels, ones with massive popular support, as hating Turkey is practically a national pastime in those regions and that was before Turkey started 'security operations' to repress the population. Maybe Turkey will do a Vietnam/Afghanistan and get lots of her young men killed in a guerilla war she can never win, the government seem nasty enough not to care about casualties and probably to some extent believe their own propaganda, but a delay is the best she can possibly hope for. Worst bit is the Persian Oil will prop up the economy long enough to get far too many people killed, without it the Turkish economy would crater and force the Turkish government to admit the effort is doomed and all those casualties were for nothing.
Quite plausible El Pip - fortunately we will never know! Of course, the above supposes there will be enough left of the Allies (in-game) to matter in the 50s ... but all this is a story yet to be played or written in this altiverse.
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Chapter 93: A Showdown on the Tri-border (1 to 8 September 1940)
Chapter 93: A Showdown on the Tri-border (1 to 8 September 1940)
1. Prologue
Persephonee has once again been hard at work. A Wanted poster (for propaganda purposes and in the hope some Sicilian opponent may wish to cash in) is required for the odious Bruno Tattaglia. She decides to keep freelancing on the Shakespearean theme that seemed to go down well in the last issue of the Path to Glory. From easel to printing press …
---xxx---
Perse is sitting in BJ’s old office, working away on the next task (starting with what would one day become known in pretentious management circles as a ‘mind-map’, with butcher’s paper on easel - as usual), when Propaganda Minister Calistar’s secretary calls her. She must go straight to his office – immediately!
Feeling some misgiving, mixed with anticipation, she is ushered in.
“Miss Fotheringay-Phipps, please come in. Coffee? Tea?” She asks for a cup of tea, no milk, honey, not sugar. Perse relaxes, though does not lower her guard. She can never afford to do that in this place, this country.
“Your diligence and creativity have impressed us of late,” Calistar indicates a couple of leather armchairs and they both sit, while the beverages are brought. “As you know, the great Atatürk was always a great advocate of women taking their full place in society. We try, in these modern times for Turkey, to slowly see this come to fruition.”
“My thanks, Minister,” replies Perse, in quite fluent Turkish, if with an upper-class English accent. “It has been an honour to serve since my previous associate so suddenly departed.”
“Yes, we know you had nothing to do with that and no advance warning.” He knows this, because Kaya’s people had run a very careful check over her since BJ’s flight and had found no incriminating evidence. Otherwise Perse would have been in rather more uncomfortable surroundings by now. “We hired him first and then you later. No blame attaches to you in this – indeed, we hear you tried to keep him sober and functioning these last few years – and came up with many of his best ideas yourself! As we have seen evidenced by your productivity since.”
“Yes, Minister, knowing him, I believe his wild ways had caught up with his capitalist dedication and he simply couldn’t take it any more.” Perse takes a sip of her tea – quite good, actually, she thinks to herself - and looks into the cup thoughtfully for a moment. “I suspect he will find it hard to find the energy to work again. Especially as he had saved a lot of money over the years.”
“A bothersome man, to be sure, but an amiable and self-interested coward at heart, when it comes down to it. If I know him at all, he will be sunning himself on a beach somewhere and will not cause us any trouble. You know, I think he started having nightmares about that Kelebek character, who he saw up at close quarters that time the previous department head was arrested. That alone will be enough to keep him quiet.”
“Indeed, Kelebek is enough to keep anyone quiet,” agrees Calistar. If not running and screaming, the Ankara-based Propaganda Minister and Supreme HQ Commander thinks uneasily to himself, I’m glad he’s now on foreign duty with Ögel’s people. After a short pause to regather his thoughts, he continues. “While you know you can never be Department Head without being a Turkish citizen, we do have a vacant position as Chief Propaganda Consultant and Editor of the Path to Glory. That position is yours, if you wish it.”
“It would be an honour and my solemn duty, I accept Minister!” Perse says sincerely, without a shadow of self-doubt. She gives Calistar a business-like smile as they rise and he shakes her hand.
“Of course, we’re still in need of an editor for our new ‘Turkish Truth’ paper, the proposed “Türk Doğrusu”. Our intention is to launch it on Cumhuriyet Bayrami[Turkish Republic Day, 29 October]. It is now less than two months away and we still need someone to lead the project. It’s a full-time job and needs someone with the right – ah, shall we say ‘philosophical orientations’, plus newspaper experience. Not many of them in Turkey at present – if any.”
“Well, now that you mention it Minister, I do have an old Cambridge acquaintance who might actually fit the bill. If you’d care to see his resumé, you might wish to give him a try.” Perse has been waiting for this opening ever since BJ made his dramatic exit back to the States.
“Certainly, send it up, can’t do any harm, my dear!”
---xxx---
Later that day, Persephonee drops off a resume, background and picture of her suggested new editor for Türk Doğrusu. This candidate will need a translator, but then so did BJ Guildenstern and that never stopped him. This person can function as Managing Editor and rely on Turkish staff and reporters to do the rest.
The Daily Worker was founded in 1930 and represents the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB). The first edition was produced on 1 January 1930 from the offices of the newspaper in Tabernacle Street, London, by eight Party members including a young Tom Rosencrantz*.
Some of the Daily Worker’s previous copy. It was hitting the right notes even before the new direction of the Turkish regime had become a reality.
On 3 September 1939, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain spoke to the nation on the BBC, at which time he announced the formal declaration of war between Britain and Nazi Germany. By then, Rosencrantz [J.R. Campbell in OTL] had become the editor of the Daily Worker. Backed by his political ally, Party General Secretary Harry Pollitt, he sought to portray the conflict against Hitler as a continuation of the anti-fascist fight.
This contradicted the position of the Comintern in the aftermath of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact (which became CPGB policy on 3 October), that the war was a struggle between rival imperialist powers, and Rosencrantz was removed as editor as a result. The paper accused the British government's policies of being "not to rescue Europe from fascism, but to impose British imperialist peace on Germany" before attacking the Soviet Union.
Tom Stoppard Rosencrantz, (b. 1 May 1905), young British Communist firebrand and (since October 1939) unemployed newspaper editor. That Rosencrantz was ‘ahead of the curve’ and decried the Nazis before it became fashionable (again) is another point in his favour.
Following the Soviet Union’s launch of the Great Liberation War on 1 June 1940, [the German army's invasion of the Soviet Union in Operation Barbarossa, from June 1941 in OTL], the situation changed. For the rest of the war, the paper was a strong supporter of the British war effort, and campaigned to organise a “2nd British Expeditionary Force” [a “Second Front” in OTLin France] to assist the Soviet Union. But this still left Rosencrantz without a job. Until he received a letter from an old acquaintance …
[*NB: A fictitious name for this story, but the rest of this information is pretty much as per the Wikipedia entry for this august publication, which became the current-day Morning Star. Used entirely for fictional purposes, no resemblance to people living or dead, etc etc]
---xxx---
2. The War
1 Sep 40
After more than three and a half days of heavy fighting, the Second Battle of Ada finishes in victory for Turkey that evening. Casualties are heavier this time than in the first battle. In addition to those from ground combat, a further 665 are sustained in Ada from Axis air raids between 29 August and 1 September, meaning 1,220 Turkish patriots have given their lives holding the line.
The last air raid finished as the German infantry were retreating. Two wings of Italian tactical bombers are identified as carrying out this raid.
The Fiat BR.20 Cicogna (Italian: "stork") is a low-wing twin-engine medium bomber developed and manufactured by Italian aircraft company Fiat. It holds the distinction of being the first all-metal Italian bomber to enter service. When introduced in 1936, it was regarded as one of the most modern medium bombers in the world. Upon the entry of Italy into the Second Great War in 1940, the BR.20 served as the standard medium bomber of the Regia Aeronautica, however, by now the type is already approaching obsolescence. Though perhaps not on this sector of the front!
This prompts LTGEN Cakmak, Commander 1st Corps, to detach his anti-aircraft brigade from Corps HQ and send it forward to Ada – perhaps it can do some good there.
2 Sep 40
At HQ 1st Army, Inönü sees a report – a few days old now – advising him that the second licensed Soviet Tank Destroyer brigade (licenses for two were bought when the first was commenced) has commenced construction. He makes a note back to the War Ministry ordering them to continue construction, but (due to other pressures on the production schedule) to lower its priority. He doesn’t want it delaying any more urgently needed units that are nearer to completion.
In a quick liaison report from one of the French LOs at Supreme HQ in Ankara, news is received that the previous day France had counter-attacked and regained the province of Epernay, east of Paris, but has lost Aix en Othe, due south of Epernay and north-west of Troyes, thus isolating this otherwise heartening gain. At the least the French Army is still fighting! A few hours later, the air raid sirens are sounded for the first time (for the Turks, anyway) in Timisoara. At least HQ 3rd Corps there has an AA Brigade, for whatever good that may do.
At 9am, Inönü orders the 3rd Corps Commander – LTGEN Yamut (yes, also the Chief of the Army – it seems most of the Turkish Cabinet is also serving at the Front) – to assist a counter-attack by the Romanian 8th Inf Div on the German 23rd Inf Div, which has just occupied Sânnicolau Mare. More Romanian units north of there are in danger of being cut off – and they are holding Hungarian territory which is one of the stepping-off points for an eventual attack on Budapest. Just an hour later, contact is made. Of note, after two defensive battles in Ada, this is the first Turkish attack on the Eastern Front since the start of the Great Liberation War on 1 June. Yamut orders in MAJGEN Orbay’s mighty 1 Inf Div, along with the less experienced MAJGEN Naci Tinaz and his 8 Inf Div (Lt). The German commander, General Busch, is highly skilled – but hopefully outnumbered and is not yet entrenched.
As that battle continues, 12 Inf Div (Support) finally arrives in Timisoara at 11am, to remain in reserve for now. And after a short, sharp battle, the Germans are defeated in Sânnicolau Mare and are seen retreating west back to Srboban.
3 Sep 40
In worrying news from France, word comes through early that morning that Jouarre has fallen: this is just two provinces east of Paris and turns Epernay (still in French hands) into a dangerously exposed salient. Later that morning, the new Turkish 1st TD Brigade arrives in Timisoara. Even though it is still reinforcing and organising, it now turns 1 Cav Div into the most potent attacking unit in the Turkish Army. 1st AC Brigade is detached and, as planned, is sent back to 1st Army HQ in Kraljevo to help constitute the new theatre mobile reserve.
4 Sep 40
At 2am, 1 and 8 Inf Divs arrive in Sânnicolau Mare, along with their Romanian comrades. For now, this will constitute the new northern point of the Yeniçeri Line. At the same time, the second Soviet-licensed motorised brigade is brought on line and deployed in Kraljevo – another part of the new mobile reserve being formed there.
With that arrival, President and War (Armament) Minister Inönü reviews Turkey’s production program. With 13 Soviet Lend Lease, total Turkish industrial capacity sits at 93 – less than it first was before the Soviets cut LL back after the Great Liberation War began and following the loss of around 9 IC (adjusted) following the loss of cities to the Axis in former Yugoslavia. So, there is still a considerable production backlog. The schedule can be seen below – those TDs look very useful, so while production of them is currently only at 31% efficiency, they have been placed above a number of other more conventional units in the queue.
With the US Presidential election campaign hotting up, a report is received on the current US War Cabinet. There have been major changes in a few portfolios – with General George C. Marshall (since early February, but not previously reported here) having surrendered the position of Secretary of State and Chief of the Army. He can now concentrate on his central appointment as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was replaced at State by Alfred E. Smith, seen by analysts as an ‘apologetic clerk’.
The report also gives an appraisal of major US research projects. While early in development and not yet a strong technology, they appear to be researching something called a ‘nuclear bomb’. What’s that, Inönü wonders. His scientific adviser says it is a far-fetched idea for a ‘super-bomb’ of some sort. Given Turkey doesn’t even have the technology for GW1-level ordinary aircraft bombs, it isn’t something they will bother to research themselves. Maybe the Soviets will. “What about the Germans?” asks the President. “Ah, er, nothing to worry sir, it will be generations before anything like this can be produced,” comes the confident answer. Inönü is not so sure – given the sad state of Turkish scientific research, even with the recent modernisation of their education systems. He makes a memo to himself to ask Ögel to see if he can find out whether the Germans are also researching this technology.
At 11am, word is received that the French have withdrawn from (or been defeated in) Epernay, which is now back in German hands.
5 Sep 40
In better news, early the next morning the French report the retaking of Xertigny, which is south-west of Epinal, in the eastern sector of the front. And a little later, the Soviets trumpet the retaking the key city of of Bialystok from the hated Nazis. These are small but heartening developments.
That night, Inönü orders a ‘straightening’ of the line in Senta. It has passed back and forth between the Axis and the Comintern, has been used to attack Ada from north north twice now, and also threatens Timisoara whenever it is in Axis hands. But the Romanians, who have recently reoccupied it, look exposed. MAJGEN Alankup is ordered to move his 9 Inf Div from its entrenchments in the hills of Kikinda to Senta and fortify it, which will also protect the flank of Sânnicolau Mare to its north. Perhaps its supply situation (currently quite poor) will also be better there.
7 Sep 40
As 9 Inf Div approaches Senta, things happen quickly. At 5am, the Hungarians (who had earlier attacked and defeated the Romanians there) occupy it. At 6am, 9 Inf Div arrives and immediately attacks the Hungarian 11th Div, who are clearly caught disorganised and on the hop. After only an hour, they are on their way back to Srboban! Casualties are minimal – the kind of victory the soldiers approve of. Except for the unlucky four who died in this short skirmish. Great timing!
8 Sep 40
HQ 1st Army has produced a report of air activity in the tri-border area over the last week. By far the most attacks were recorded in Senta, followed by Ada. Activity in the contested Hungarian border provinces to the north was also quite heavy.
3. Selected General Summaries
At 7am on 8 September, Inönü receives some short situation updates on selected battle fronts. More comprehensive and detailed reports will be produced later in the month. Until then, only major events or those of special interest will be reported, ‘by exception’.
France – Western Front
In France, the German attack through Epernay has continued east of Paris, with Sezanne being taken. But to the immediate east of that Aix en Other, which was taken by the Germans at the beginning of the week is liberated by the French. This latest German salient threatens Paris, but has been fiercely contested by the French. And Xertigny still remains in French hands at the week’s end.
The overall situation on the Western Front. The front line at 0700 on 1 Sep is in blue, current line at 0700 on 8 Sep in red. Paris is the main worry, though it is not clear if the Germans have sufficient strength to outflank it while maintaining the rest of their line.
The French LOs also provide an overlay showing recorded air battles and ground attacks over the last week. The focus of German ground attacks is clear, but the air war is clearly contested – presumably with British aircraft in range participating too.
Soviet Sector
Of note, Bialystock was lost and won back in the last week, but does not yet look secure. The Germans have broken through on the Lithuanian SSR border, but that is in turn threatened by the Soviet seizure of Tilsit in East Prussia.
And in Eastern Hungary, the Soviets have taken Sarospatak, from which they can threaten the key VP city of Kosice. Powerful Soviet forces are on the move in this area – the Turks can only hope they are used aggressively and effectively to perhaps see Kosice taken in coming days.
Mongolia
The Japanese have taken Ulaan Baatar, (one of only two VP cities in Turkey’s Comintern ally). Mongolia will keep fighting, but defeatist murmurings become stronger. This cannot be permitted.
Great Britain
Finally, the British LO in Ankara delivers a top secret package to the Propaganda Department. There is a box containing a short roll of film. A short covering note says the British have discovered a propaganda weapon so devastating, it will improve Allied morale enormously and likely bring about an early end to the war. It is Neville Chamberlain’s answer to Hitler’s ‘Destiny' speech and the rantings of Joseph Goebbels. Calistar, Persephonee and other key officials set the projector up for a private screening …
This will put a stick in the spokes of old Adolph’s bicycle wheel, wot!? Tally-ho old chaps.
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Epilogue - the Secret War
Ögel has been busy during recent weeks, working out how to proceed with his S.I.T.H. agents in Italy. It will be a long time before his conventional espionage strength is anywhere near enough to use there. He also believes they need more S.I.T.H. agents to be trained – which takes longer again than conventional spies. But this is compatible with Vito Ceylan’s strategy of ‘cold revenge’ – though Sonny chafes at the bit and longs for something more ‘direct’ to be done.
When he hears a known low-level Tattaglia Family operative insult Cennet as they walk past him on a downtown Zurich street, he takes offense. Literally. Swiss neutrality be damned!
Sonny enjoys a ‘direct’ conversation with Carlo Rizzi.
“You insult Cennet again, and I’ll kill you next time, you louse!” he shouts, as he leaves Carlo Rizzi bleeding in the street. There, that feels a bit better, he thinks to himself. That is, when the red mist dissipates and he’s actually able to think again.
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Coming Up: More war and pain across the world. France remains in the balance, but still apparently fighting hard - but can they hold on? Turkey has been more active in this last week than at any time since 1 June and the beginning of the GLW. Will this pace keep up, or even increase? More widely, the Eastern Front remains a dogfight and the Far East a mess. The US – the only major power not engaged in the Second Great War - is absorbed in its own affairs for now. Britain’s intentions remain (as Churchill said of the Russians in October 1939 in OTL) “a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key. That key is British national interest.” An interest in morale-boosting entertainment at home, it seems!
On the ‘Dark side’, will the Tattaglia’s make a move after the provocations of Turkish propaganda and Sonny’s beating up of Carlo Rizzi in Zurich? Can Sonny keep his hot temper under control? How long will it be before battle is again joined in the Secret War? And back in Turkey, how will Perse use the power and influence of her new position? And will her old Cambridge University friend be hired for that vacant tabloid post?
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All this (perhaps, anyway) and more in the next episode, sometime after Christmas. To my dear readers (Dudes) from me and from all the staff here at Talking Turkey (very appropriate at this time of the year - Eating Turkey, perhaps?) a very merry Christmas or Holiday season (as appropriate) to you and a Happy New Year!
Persephonee has once again been hard at work. A Wanted poster (for propaganda purposes and in the hope some Sicilian opponent may wish to cash in) is required for the odious Bruno Tattaglia.
If Perse really thinks a Sicilian will break Omerta just to help out Turkey she is further gone than I feared. "Sona cosa nostra" as Don Corleone would have explained to her if she had asked.
Given that Guildenstern is effectively 'dead' to us, I don't fancy much for Rosencrantz's chances. His best bet for a long and fulfilling life involves not getting this job, being careful on sea voyages and always reading messages he is asked to deliver ( )
It is a damning indictment of Turkish intelligence that they tolerate Sonny at all, he's a worse spy than he was Don! That said he shouldn't be a problem for too much longer, Swiss Counter-Intelligence was low profile but effective. For neutrality reasons (and to keep the Swiss banks full) they may have had to tolerate all the foreign agents running around the place, but they were always well aware of who was who and did not hesitate to kick out anyone who made a fuss or disturbed the locals. The Swiss ran a KGB / Stasi level of surveillance, after the Cold War it emerged they kept files on over 900,000 people, this is out of a population of less than 7 million. The Swiss will know all about Sonny, I expect the Turkish ambassador will be summoned and asked to keep things discrete or see his agents kicked out of the country.
All this (perhaps, anyway) and more in the next episode, sometime after Christmas. To my dear readers (Dudes) from me and from all the staff here at Talking Turkey (very appropriate at this time of the year - Eating Turkey, perhaps?) a very merry Christmas or Holiday season (as appropriate) to you and a Happy New Year!
Nah. Turkey is going to spend all the post war years in a long, bloody and unsuccessful effort to keep it's "empire". The moment the dust settles and the cold war (or whatever the conflict ends up being called) starts Turkey, as a proud Comintern member, ends up siding with the USSR by default. You don't just leave the Comintern, even if you try and Stalin lets you (which he won't, the KGB and 'advisers' will be in Ankara to stop it) the West isn't suddenly going to forget everything Turkey has done. Britain is not going to forget Greece and Persia being gobbled up, the US is not going to suddenly start caring between subtly different flavours of communist or start liking foreign empires.
What I see happening is the CIA and MI6 flooding Greece and the Balkans with war surplus weaponry and whatever technical support the rebels ask for. And there will be rebels, ones with massive popular support, as hating Turkey is practically a national pastime in those regions and that was before Turkey started 'security operations' to repress the population. Maybe Turkey will do a Vietnam/Afghanistan and get lots of her young men killed in a guerilla war she can never win, the government seem nasty enough not to care about casualties and probably to some extent believe their own propaganda, but a delay is the best she can possibly hope for. Worst bit is the Persian Oil will prop up the economy long enough to get far too many people killed, without it the Turkish economy would crater and force the Turkish government to admit the effort is doomed and all those casualties were for nothing.
I do agree, though I think the allies will be pretty crushed by the end of the war and the 'West' will not exist outside of the Americas. UK may be under heel or at very least 'under siege' by a unified communist Europe. I doubt France will hold out against both the Germans and the Russians as well, especially as they were already full of socialists. And Germany is deffo going down the Soviet path unless their lines break now and the allies can invade some of it. But I doubt it. The UK hasn' done anything outside of Africa yet so Yes, they'e conserved their manpower but they'l also probably not intervene in Europe before it' too late. Which leaves Spain and Scandinavia, both of which would easily fall to a combined Soviet response (actually I think Scandinavia might be harder) and the US...actually, it' a toss up as to whether they would prop up Franco or not since they did quite a bit of that in the 50s.
But it is entirely possible that all or most of Europe bar UK is communist by 1950.
The only thing that can really stop or slow that down right now bar the us and UK invading Europe is Japan and how well they push into Russia.
EDIT: okay so the war is going pretty well everywhere but Asia, which is what we would expect. UK continues to do nothing (maybe the others are on to something and the imperialists staged a coup in the governent and they really are planning on swooping in at the last second to take over Germany?) aside from send planes to die in france. France meanwhile is a real trooper but being worn down by impossible odds. There will be no talk of cheese eating surrender monies in this time line though. They'e done a good job holding the line. Of course their leaders should never have let that happen in the first place but still...
Germany is being strained even as they make their way to Paris. Unlike Russia, they can' afford a long and bloody push to a capital city. That' showing in the eastern front. Nearly surrounded armies? Hungary's front faltering? All signs that they'e running out of puff, men and oil.
Not sure what we can do about Mongolia except promise to avenge it...Which might not go down well.
France looks like it can hold a tad longer. My issue is with the USSR. If it were not for Japan I assume they would be all over Germany by now. But with Japan draining Comintern resources and taking important centers of industry the USSR, and its Allies, were slowly losing strength.
Still, if Germany WERE to advance the battlefront would just get WIDER. They would be forced to make their line thinner or bring in more units.
So, once again, it kind of swings back to France. France falls and Germany gets the reinforcements it needs to hit the USSR and Turkey. France holds and the Comintern has a chance.
France looks like it can hold a tad longer. My issue is with the USSR. If it were not for Japan I assume they would be all over Germany by now. But with Japan draining Comintern resources and taking important centers of industry the USSR, and its Allies, were slowly losing strength.
Still, if Germany WERE to advance the battlefront would just get WIDER. They would be forced to make their line thinner or bring in more units.
So, once again, it kind of swings back to France. France falls and Germany gets the reinforcements it needs to hit the USSR and Turkey. France holds and the Comintern has a chance.
Perhaps yes...That's a little worrying because for all we know France is on the brink of collapse already. We already know they'e struggling and so is Russia in the far east...oh dear. But if they hold, we should win this in Europe at least. If Russia gets into a long war in Asia, that's their problem. We can use that time whilst theyre distracted to try and stop the Turkish republic from falling apart after the war. Might be a hopeles fight but we have to try.
Another excellent update, action-packed if perhaps short only by the standards of this AAR. First Guildenstern, now Rosencrantz...it would be a disservice to the Shakespearean inspiration of this AAR if the two of them do not sometime end up together in a distant corner of the continent sooner or later, up to some form or another of comic hijinks!
I imagine that the IC here was commissioned before the start of the GLW, but if I were the president of the UGNR (and not a two-bit news correspondent ), I would halt construction on those factories in favor of building more weapons and barracks. The estimated return on investment for those factories is such that it would take some five years before the IC spent began returning a profit in terms of economic production, and God only knows where Turkey will be five years from now! Better to spend our resources on planes and tanks, to assure that our five-year plan will include bratwurst and schnitzel in Berlin!
The French LOs also provide an overlay showing recorded air battles and ground attacks over the last week. The focus of German ground attacks is clear, but the air war is clearly contested – presumably with British aircraft in range participating too.
Here I have to admit that I'm impressed with the AI concentrating its air attacks along a single line of attack, and not randomly bombing provinces across the whole front. It's a rare moment when the AI even accidentally gives the appearance of cleverness, and here it certainly deserves to be noticed!
All this (perhaps, anyway) and more in the next episode, sometime after Christmas. To my dear readers (Dudes) from me and from all the staff here at Talking Turkey (very appropriate at this time of the year - Eating Turkey, perhaps?) a very merry Christmas or Holiday season (as appropriate) to you and a Happy New Year!
"all the staff here" The three of you do a mighty-fine job.
Merry Christmas and a great new year to you too. ps...ham makes a tasty alternative.
Cheers all!
I could see people were reading, but not sure if any were following. Yes, the CV-33 is a bit lame (you're talking here to an ex-tanker
