We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
I served in our 2nd Cav Regt (eg armoured recon) and we still use the designation- I think a few US units may as well, at least in part). Re the SpART: I can’t build it at the moment and will need to check (am replying on the phone at the moment) but I don’t think the Russians were offering it for licensing yet either - still only 1940). One of the reasons I’m still reasearching Cav techs: would like to be able to build MOT and SPART of my own!
in Turkey there is still one cavalry (not armored cavalry, cavalry cavalry) unit albeit it is kind of a mercenary/militia/cavarly regiment but I guess it still counts. Beware the mighty Kyrgyz cavalry forces from Ulupamir!
in Turkey there is still one cavalry (not armored cavalry, cavalry cavalry) unit albeit it is kind of a mercenary/militia/cavarly regiment but I guess it still counts. Beware the mighty Kyrgyz cavalry forces from Ulupamir!
Nice - and it was from Van! That is where, in this story, the Army was based for many weeks waiting for the weather to improve for Operation Chaldiran, the invasion of Persia in 1938!
Nice - and it was from Van! That is where, in this story, the Army was based for many weeks waiting for the weather to improve for Operation Chaldiran, the invasion of Persia in 1938!
I just finished the Persian conquest. One more question: why not continue into Afghanistan to finally embrace our Turkic brothers in Sinkiang (Sincan) and even Xibei San Ma? Speaking of which, how did things unfold there? All coastline owned by Japan as far as I remember but what about the rest? Communist China gone? That could've been a good puppet to have.
We could've gave lent a helping hand in the eastern theater as well.
I just finished the Persian conquest. One more question: why not continue into Afghanistan to finally embrace our Turkic brothers in Sinkiang (Sincan) and even Xibei San Ma? Speaking of which, how did things unfold there? All coastline owned by Japan as far as I remember but what about the rest? Communist China gone? That could've been a good puppet to have.
We could've gave lent a helping hand in the eastern theater as well.
Didn’t want to extend the amount of territory I’d have to defend even further or expose myself more directly to Japan; no great resources to be had or major victory objectives in play; was more concerned just to get in and out and back to the the centre of things (almost all the army would have been needed, leaving the Balkans and Motherland exposed for all the time it would have taken).
Will let the Soviets worry about Central Asia and China. More interested in the European war and perhaps a chance to secure more of the old Ottoman Empire.
Didn’t want to extend the amount of territory I’d have to defend even further or expose myself more directly to Japan; no great resources to be had or major victory objectives in play; was more concerned just to get in and out and back to the the centre of things (almost all the army would have been needed, leaving the Balkans and Motherland exposed for all the time it would have taken).
Will let the Soviets worry about Central Asia and China. More interested in the European war and perhaps a chance to secure more of the old Ottoman Empire.
all good points. the map would've been an eyesore and it would be a huge other front to defend with little resources to compensate but i could've been fun to try to unite the turkic people.
I hope in the next couple of days, work and RL permitting. I have two other AARs that I update in between TT episodes (though this remains my primary AAR work), and I am through those again, so it is TT’s turn next.
hahaha. This made me guffaw. I’m still ploughing through. Gonna try get up to chapter 60 this weekend. Hugely enjoying it and seriously contemplating buying the game as a result of this readxthrough.
I’m trying to remember if he’s a character from The Godfather or Peaky Blinders Lol. Made me chuckle though
hahaha. This made me guffaw. I’m still ploughing through. Gonna try get up to chapter 60 this weekend. Hugely enjoying it and seriously contemplating buying the game as a result of this readxthrough.
Glad you enjoyed! There’s plenty more of them and their dodgy companions and adversaries in those forthcoming episodes! Once again, my thanks for making the effort and even more for the feedback- you know how important it is to keep ourselves going.
To my other dear readers: next episode is almost done, just needs upload and final checking. I had intended to push through to the end of game October 1940, and it seemed to be cruising that way, when things suddenly got a bit exciting (for your humble author and player, anyway ), so there ended up being too much to squeeze into the one chapter! The following one will be finished off and published after this one, in the next day or two before I return to my other AARs. We’ll keep Talking Turkey for now!
1
Reactions:
Chapter 97: The Action of a Tiger (15 to 27 October 1940)
Chapter 97: The Action of a Tiger (15 to 27 October 1940)
Prologue – A Coffee House, Ankara
Flash-forward to 27 October. Our two unnamed Foreign Ministry officials are once again comparing notes over a coffee.
“So you have seen the day’s dispatches from the fields of battle?”
“I have, my friend. Though distance may sunder us from the scene, I was captivated by the descriptions there contained.”
“Do you think them word for word, as uttered from the very mouths of the mighty, in tones so dulcet as to charm the ears and inspire the hearts of such cynical and world-weary observers such as we two - we precious two?”
“I doubt it not, for our fair leaders disgorge wise words like golden honey flows from the pot!” This last was said sotto voce towards the ubiquitous and suspicious-looking large potted palm near their table, lest Kaya’s listeners be tuning in.
“That dispatch was provided from before Sânnicolau Mare in far Romania," he continues. "And I am sure it relays in great verisimilitude the words of our President, Milli Şef and Commander of the 1st Army, the Glorious Ismet Inönü!” This last may have been laying it on a bit thick, but you could never be too safe. And Kaya’s goons are not exactly famous for their subtlety!
“Yes, it is history, not classified nor secret. Read on, dear chap!”
“Very well, I shall do just that.” He brings out a note, and begins reading.
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; Or close the line up with our Turkish dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favoured rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;
Let pry through the portage of the head
Like the tank’s cannon; let the brow overwhelm it
As fearfully as does a 57mm anti-tank round
Overpower and repel his fanatical attack,
Inspired by the wild and wasteful propaganda of the Nazis.
Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,
Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit
To his full height. On, on, you noblest Turks.
Whose blood is fetched from fathers of war-proof!
Fathers that, like so many Iskandars,
Have in these parts from morning till evening fought
And shouldered their rifles for lack of argument:
Dishonour not your mothers; now attest
That those whom you called fathers did beget you.
Be copy now to men of greater blood,
And teach them how to war. And you, good soldiers,
Whose limbs were made in Turkey, show us here
The mettle of your pasture; let us swear
That you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not;
For there is none of you so mean and base,
That has not noble lustre in your eyes.
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry 'God for Atatürk, Turkey, and the Glorious Union!'
“And what was the result of this great speech?”
“Ah, for that, my dear chap, you must needs read on …”
xxx
15 Oct 40
Entertainment News, New York, US.The Charlie Chaplin satirical film The Great Dictator premiers in New York City.
This looks familiar - still, good to see more lampooning of the Odious Herr Hitler.
17 Oct 40
After a relatively quiet few days on the front, some reports from France seem to indicate a small reversal of the previous misfortune. It seems our French allies have not given up yet. They seek to hold their capital, free encircled troops and push back the Nazi wolf from the door.
In Paris, they have rapidly concentrated a garrison – of five GAR divisions! Seems appropriate.
The river-line defence in Vernon is under heavy attack, but so far holds strong as the Germans try to break through. The attack is currently led only by 9 Pz Div, though if the two reserve units - 5 and 7 Pz Divs – join the battle, the situation may deteriorate. To the north, French and Dutch forces take advantage of the gap in the German line this attack has created by attempting to reclaim Dieppe, which was taken by the afternoon of the following day.
While to the east of the line, the French 3rd Division has managed to retake Belfort and (at least for now) open a supply line (or escape route) for the two divisions still manning the southernmost part of the Maginot Line. Thought the rest of the French line thereabouts looks thin and unsteady. And 3 Pz Div is already making a counter-stroke on Belfort.
20 Oct 40
Again, there are no major events recorded for the next few days. A spy from Manchukuo has been detected: he receives a midnight call from some of Kaya’s operatives – and will never be seen again. In the early hours of the morning, an SS division under Hungarian command is reported as having entered Arad. It was part of a successful Axis attack that has once again thrown the Romanians out of their border province. This is a potential threat to our positions in Sânnicolau Mare and Timisoara.
21 Oct 40
Alas, while the gallant French 3rd Div still holds Belfort, they themselves have now in turn been cut off, with reports that the Germans have taken Baume les Dames to the south-west. The rescuers have become the trapped, while to the west of Paris, Vernon has been lost to the Germans: they are now over the river and Paris is surrounded on four of its six sides. By midday, the Axis offensive in Romania has continued on to Lipova. While there is a degree of hope the Romanians will eventually contain and perhaps repel this breakout, it further outflanks and threatens Turkish positions on the north of the Yeniçeri Line. 1 Cav Div is ordered to relocate from Sânnicolau Mare to Timisoara, to be ready to shore up the line – or extract our troops if it looks like they may be cut off.
22 Oct 40
1 Cav Div arrives in Timisoara and awaits further orders, waiting to see where the Axis pushes next.
23 Oct 40
More bad news. First, in the Far East, the tragic encirclement of Soviet forces reaches a denouement.
The general situation in the Far East as at 0000 23 October 1940. The yellow line shows the front as it was on 1 October.
General Kostenko makes his last stand. We must assume his inability to do anything useful against the surrounding forces with 25 brigades to hand is the result of having run out of supplies some time ago.
His compatriots Generals P.G. Egorov and Ryzhow look set for a similar fate, though they are closer to safety and still moving. Another 18 brigades (including a division still retreating from the south of the pocket) look like being eliminated here.
In France, apart from the action reported above, the Germans are again on the advance, especially in the centre.
The general situation in France as at 0000 23 October 1940. The blue line shows the front as it was on 1 October. Red arrows show German advances to 14 October, while yellow indicates German advances since then. The two green arrows represent the French counter-attacks of the last week, mentioned above.
Some increased IC allows Turkey to queue another infantry brigade. It looks like a lot more than this will be needed in the future!
News Report, Philadelphia, US. President Roosevelt makes a campaign speech in Philadelphia in which he answers many charges from his opponents, including one in particular that he calls "outrageously false ... a charge that offends every political and religious conviction that I hold dear. It is the charge that this Administration wishes to lead this country into war." Roosevelt's speech concluded: "We are arming ourselves not for any foreign war. We are arming ourselves not for any purpose of conquest or intervention in foreign disputes. I repeat again that I stand on the platform of our party; 'We will not participate in foreign wars and will not send our Army, naval or air forces to fight in foreign lands outside of the Americas except in case of attack.' It is for peace that I have labored; and it is for peace that I shall labor all the days of my life."
24 Oct 40
The Germans have extended their breakthrough from Vernon and taken Versailles, to its due south. Paris is now surrounded on five sides, with just Etampes (to its south) the only corridor connecting it to the rest of France!
Paris, now within range of German artillery, is bombarded as the enemy seeks to beat it into submission, 24 October 1940.
And at 5am, Axis planes start attacking Sânnicolau Mare: the defenders there (Turkish and Romanian) brace for the expected land attack. Sure enough, at 10am, three Hungarian infantry divisions begin their assault. It is a serious attack but looks like it should be held. In better news, the Romanians have counter-attacked and retaken Lipova.
Air raids by both Hungarian and Italian TAC bombers cause 358 casualties that day.
25 Oct 40
As a precaution, and now that the German breakthrough in Lipova has been reversed, 1 Cav Div is ordered back to Sânnicolau Mare from Timisoara. But just five hours later, it seems the Hungarians didn’t like the odds: they break off their attack, suffering reasonably heavy casualties. 1 Cav Div’s orders are countermanded: they remain in Timisoara to see how events unfold.
They don’t have long to wait: whether the Hungarian attack was just for softening-up purposes (it did start to break down the defenders’ organisation somewhat) or their coordination was simply out, this time Sânnicolau Mare is hit at 6pm by an attack from Arad by the previously sighted – and very fresh – SS-Verfügungstruppe Division, still serving under Hungarian control. Despite being outnumbered, these fanatics’ odds are good, while other Axis units could join in. By 9pm the pressure is starting to tell on the defenders. In a bold move, 1 Cav Div is directed to hit Arad from Timisoara, to try to disrupt and break up the attack.
Troops from the SS-Verfügungstruppe attack Turkish 1 Inf Div positions in Sânnicolau Mare on 25 October 1940.
In response to Inönü’s exhortations (and indeed imitating the action of a tiger), an hour later LTGEN Yamut decides to take command personally, adding HQ 2nd Corps (which is equipped with three combat brigades) to the attack, in reserve. The T-28s and 85mm tank destroyers make a brave sight as they move into the attack against these Nazi fanatics! By 1am the next morning, they find themselves attacking not just the SS, but two other German infantry divisions in Arad. Yet still they press on – into the breach!
531 Turkish and Romanian troops are killed in another three air raids in Sânnicolau Mare that day.
26 Oct 40
At 1am, Arad is also set as an objective for Romania and the Soviets. By 2pm, all the defending units in Sânnicolau Mare are starting to feel the pressure, while the attackers are only slowly losing organisation and the air raids increase in intensity. The decision is made at 2pm for 10 Inf Div (Light) (it contains AT and AA brigades) to break its entrenchments in Senta and head north to Sânnicolau Mare. There are concerns the Romanians may break, while it may allow one of the Turkish divisions to be rotated out of the line to rest.
That decision was also influenced by the hard time 1 Cav Div was having in Arad: while it had made a significant impact on enemy organisation, the Germans had for some time been making a very effective counter-attack, which was seeing Turkish casualties mount. The attack was called off at 5pm, before the casualties mounted any higher and 1 Cav Div’s organisation went any lower. It was hoped enough had been done to turn the German attack on Sânnicolau Mare, where the defenders still hung on.
Air raid casualties in Sânnicolau Mare were 614 that day, from four raids.
27 Oct 40
Indeed, despite a heavy toll on the defenders from land and air attack, by 1pm, von Schweppenburg’s SS troops were finally starting to flag: the odds had turned in the Comintern allies’ favour.
But the Axis had yet another trick in their bag: at 4pm they attack Senta from three directions. While 12 Inf Div remained entrenched there, 10 Inf Div has been caught en route to Sânnicolau Mare and is in the open. The dreaded German General Busch once again leads the Axis attack, using shock tactics to try to force the breakthrough. Only time will tell whether the order to send 10 Inf Div north will prove costly.
Just an hour later, the SS attack on Sânnicolau Mare ends, with well over 10% of the SS attackers killed. The final three air raids kill 346 defenders, meaning a total of 1,849 Comintern troops were killed in that manner between 24-27 October, putting the ground combat casualty figures into perspective.
The battle for Sânnicolau Mare has ended in two victories, but the battle for Senta has just begun: this is the most complex and sustained set of attacks the Axis have mounted on Turkish forces since the Great Liberation War began – and it is not yet over.
In the West, France again teeters very near the edge of the abyss, but fights on still. In the Far East, the Soviets look like losing 40 brigades in the two encirclements there. The rest of the Eastern Front has continued in the same pattern of the last few months: small scale exchanges of territory but no major breakthroughs by either side. More on that section of the conflict will be reported in the next episode.
xxx
Epilogue 1 – Ankara
Tom Rosencrantz is busily preparing for his big first edition of the new tabloid propaganda newspaper for Turkish Republic Day, which will commence at 1pm on 28 October, with celebrations continuing to 29 October. Sânnicolau Mare has provided a great victory – and some soaring rhetoric from the Milli Şef – to lead with. But with the fighting still in the balance in Senta and the possibility of further Axis attacks, plus the dire situation in France and the Far East, information will need to be tightly controlled and any patently false triumphalism avoided. Should events turn and a hasty retreat required to depth defensive lines, panic must be avoided among the populace. Though that might be difficult in those Balkan territories likely to fall under the Axis jackboot.
xxx
Epilogue 2 – Switzerland
We last left Sonny Ceylan in Zurich, his father Vito still in hospital and incapacitated, Bruno Tattaglia having been rubbed out by Darth Kelebek in Sicily (against orders from Ankara, though Sonny believes it was within his discretion to act as he did as the man on the spot). Embassy First Councillor Tom Heygan has been advising Sonny not to take things so personally – it is business.
“They shot my father -- that's business? Your ass...”
“Even the shooting of your father was business, not personal, Sonny!”
“Well, then, business will have to suffer, alright? And listen - do me a favour, Tom. No more advice on how to patch things up. Just help me win, please, alright?”
At that moment, a messenger arrives from the Embassy’s cipher room. “It’s for you, Mr Ceylan.”
“What now? Instructions from Ankara? Goddam pezzonovante there think they can call all the shots!”
Sonny opens the decoded cable. It is from S.I.T.H., Intelligence Chief Ögel himself.
“Goddammit!” Sonny shouts, then flings the cable down onto his desk. “They’ve called me off! Says there’s too much at stake with the Swiss Government, especially now that France may fall and we will be isolated here. And the bean-counters are worried about our Immobiliare investment. We gotta lay low and wait for things to blow over, for my Dad to recover and resume control, if he is able to.”
Tom breathes a sigh of relief, while the rest just remain impassive, waiting for orders.
“OK, call Kelebek back, tell Cennet to stay near my father. We play nice for now. But if that piece ‘o s#!t Rizzi gives me an excuse, why I’ll …” Sonny can’t finish his sentence. He stalks out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
The war between Turkey and the Tattaglias enters a period of uneasy and undeclared truce, with both sides assessing their losses. But it won’t take much to set things off again, and Sonny is not one to take an insult lying down. Will Rizzi provide him with the opportunity to come after him again?
xxx
Coming Up: For Turkey, one tough battle finishes as another has begun. Their Soviet ally remains strong and holds the line firmly in Europe, but has met with disaster in the East: will this impact on their Germany-first war effort? In Moscow, Turkish intelligence liaison Agent Boğafiltresi seeks a meeting with Stalin himself, though GRU colleague SkitalecS3 says this will be difficult to arrange, though it may be possible. And if France does collapse, what will the consequences be? Can the Comintern still hold once German focus – and panzers – shifts east? After having taken advantage of Germany’s discomfort and frustration with a two-front war, will the Soviets now be similarly hamstrung? More will be known in coming days and weeks, as the Path to Glory proves a long and winding road.
So it begins in earnest...the fight for the Balkans... The longer the Yeniceri line holds, the longer Turkey gets the resources, Industry and Manpower it protects, not to mention that a Turkish withdrawal may prove fatal for Romania... Of course it's still Turkey first, the Soviet Union second, and all the rest is expendable when push comes to shove...
Congratulations on winning the battle of Sânnicolau Mare, and making your first real dent in the Waffen-SS... Let us hope that you manage to hold the line a while longer... We're all hoping for a victory in Senta.
The now inevitable losses in the Far East have been counted and it's not pretty... but it had been a long time coming... I'm hopeful that the Soviet Union will manage to replace the losses. At least the front has reached a stalemate in the Far East, and we can all concentrate on the Germans.
Those Bombing casualties are atrocious... sadly there isn't much to be done about them, for now...
I remain impressed by the french fighting spirit, although I fear that they won't be able to keep it up much longer, especially if Paris were to fall... At least those 5 entrenched Garrison Divisions should inflict significant casualties on the Germans, and remember, every man the Germans lose in the west is one fewer man we have to worry about in the East. If we can't win this tactically, we hope to win it through sheer attrition. Especially after the losses in the far east it has been clear how the government feels about it: 'Very many people live in the Soviet Union, and it is near impossible to underestimate how little the government cares about their individual survival' The Soviet Union will keep throwing men into the breach, until there are no more Germans able to face them. If that's what we have to do to win, every day the French hold on is a reason to celebrate.
On your affairs in Switzerland: Glad someone managed to rein in that hothead of a Sonny... I hope Vito makes a speedy recovery, so cooler heads can prevail, and a real, all business, plan for revenge can be enacted.
The recent heroic battles fought by the Turkish in Romania have made Comrade Stalin better disposed towards a visit from Turkish liaisons, there is now a very good chance that Agent Boğafiltresi will get a meeting, especially after I imply that he's the man to see about Turkey...
I could not help but notice that all the German Commanders were superior to their counter-parts. Attrition may help but if France falls and the German Generals and soldier that pour eastwards are all like those fighting Turkey now...ouch.
So it begins in earnest...the fight for the Balkans... The longer the Yeniceri line holds, the longer Turkey gets the resources, Industry and Manpower it protects, not to mention that a Turkish withdrawal may prove fatal for Romania... Of course it's still Turkey first, the Soviet Union second, and all the rest is expendable when push comes to shove...
Very accurate estimation of the Government’s priorities here. The only thing that trumps helping the Comintern win (against the Germans and the game in general) is the survival of the homeland itself. The line will only be abandoned if it clearly can no longer be held (by us, and the Soviets don’t send enough help or are themselves broken).
Congratulations on winning the battle of Sânnicolau Mare, and making your first real dent in the Waffen-SS... Let us hope that you manage to hold the line a while longer... We're all hoping for a victory in Senta.
The battle was the sternest test yet in this most recent war. The difficulty in winning it was expected - and sobering. So too the AI’s ability to string together a series of attacks, using only Axis allied forces and German infantry. Senta is of a different nature, not as large but presenting its own difficulties: the high command is concerned we may have been caught short, but will fight it out.
The now inevitable losses in the Far East have been counted and it's not pretty... but it had been a long time coming... I'm hopeful that the Soviet Union will manage to replace the losses. At least the front has reached a stalemate in the Far East, and we can all concentrate on the Germans.
They are, and are one of the principal reasons the Army was a bit reluctant to leave the safety of those provincial AA defences of the Calistar and Iskandar Lines. Perhaps I should restart building some more, just in case ... too late to start once they are on top of me.
I remain impressed by the french fighting spirit, although I fear that they won't be able to keep it up much longer, especially if Paris were to fall... At least those 5 entrenched Garrison Divisions should inflict significant casualties on the Germans, and remember, every man the Germans lose in the west is one fewer man we have to worry about in the East. If we can't win this tactically, we hope to win it through sheer attrition. Especially after the losses in the far east it has been clear how the government feels about it: 'Very many people live in the Soviet Union, and it is near impossible to underestimate how little the government cares about their individual survival' The Soviet Union will keep throwing men into the breach, until there are no more Germans able to face them. If that's what we have to do to win, every day the French hold on is a reason to celebrate.
France is proving tenacious, but alas not quite strong enough to hold without a decent EF from their sadly inactive principal Ally. Sending the Iraqi Army to conquer Libya doesn’t really count. This means, as you say, the main benefit to arise from this early intervention by Turkey is the early entry of the Soviets and - we hope - more time for them to build up using their deep resources of (sadly if this were RL) manpower and industrial capacity to throw into the grinder.
So, what may have been a master stroke had France been able to survive is now more a strategic gamble whose odds still remain reasonable, but could yet backfire. I will see where the front line is on the Eastern Front by December 1941 as a comparative test to OTL on whether jumping in early was worth it.
On your affairs in Switzerland: Glad someone managed to rein in that hothead of a Sonny... I hope Vito makes a speedy recovery, so cooler heads can prevail, and a real, all business, plan for revenge can be enacted.
Quite. I use the Godfather tropes, but in scrambled sequences and not always following the same outcomes. Anything could happen with Sonny in Zurich. He’s the Dictionary of Cliches definition of ‘powder keg’.
The recent heroic battles fought by the Turkish in Romania have made Comrade Stalin better disposed towards a visit from Turkish liaisons, there is now a very good chance that Agent Boğafiltresi will get a meeting, especially after I imply that he's the man to see about Turkey...
I could not help but notice that all the German Commanders were superior to their counter-parts. Attrition may help but if France falls and the German Generals and soldier that pour eastwards are all like those fighting Turkey now...ouch.
Thank you! Yes, the German generals will be a real handful. They may be losing manpower in their fight in the West, but can you imagine the experience they must be accruing there? We’re really not looking forward to all of those pz divs arriving in the East with their seasoned Mansteins, Rommel’s, Guderians etc.
So, what may have been a master stroke had France been able to survive is now more a strategic gamble whose odds still remain reasonable, but could yet backfire. I will see where the front line is on the Eastern Front by December 1941 as a comparative test to OTL on whether jumping in early was worth it.
For what it's worth, you've already got a significant advantage compared to the traditional HoI3 timeline due to jumping the gun here. Not only are the Soviets mobilized and at full wartime laws a year in advance, but the Germans have lost the aid of the Romanians who usually contribute a decent amount to the southern front.
That being said, the Turks are certainly not the match of the Germans in even numbers, this is the sad reality. Though our soldiers are valiant, and their equipment has been brought up to standards, we lack the glut of well-educated and experienced leaders of the Germans as well as the technological monsters of the Panzerkorps and Luftwaffe. Because of this, the high command would be wise to plan ahead to an eventual fallback to the Calistar Line. In particular, with the high fort level of the Line we may be able to spare some troops (at least the mobile divisions) to retreat through Romania, from where they can make counterattacks to help relieve the direct pressure on the defenders. If this is a feasible option, it would be wise to draw up the plans now to be prepared!
For what it's worth, you've already got a significant advantage compared to the traditional HoI3 timeline due to jumping the gun here. Not only are the Soviets mobilized and at full wartime laws a year in advance, but the Germans have lost the aid of the Romanians who usually contribute a decent amount to the southern front.
That being said, the Turks are certainly not the match of the Germans in even numbers, this is the sad reality. Though our soldiers are valiant, and their equipment has been brought up to standards, we lack the glut of well-educated and experienced leaders of the Germans as well as the technological monsters of the Panzerkorps and Luftwaffe. Because of this, the high command would be wise to plan ahead to an eventual fallback to the Calistar Line. In particular, with the high fort level of the Line we may be able to spare some troops (at least the mobile divisions) to retreat through Romania, from where they can make counterattacks to help relieve the direct pressure on the defenders. If this is a feasible option, it would be wise to draw up the plans now to be prepared!
Some wise observations from well known war correspondent Nukeluru Slorepi!
The fall-back option has always been in mind, but will be a tricky exercise if it needs to be executed. The option of retreating some forces via Romania will be considered by the Cabinet if it comes to it, but they will want to have plenty of troops to man the Iskandar Line in Greece too, and reserves for each to rotate in defence or counter-attack. The mathematicians will have their slide-rules out if that needs to be calculated!
The defending troops in Paris are impressive. Not because of their number ore type but their leaders. De Gaulle, Leclerc and de Lattre de Tassingny are as far as I know the most important free french generals in OTL. So sad they don't have their OTL-tanks this time.
The defending troops in Paris are impressive. Not because of their number ore type but their leaders. De Gaulle, Leclerc and de Lattre de Tassingny are as far as I know the most important free french generals in OTL. So sad they don't have their OTL-tanks this time.
Chapter 98: Glorious Truth and Reflected Power (28 October to 1 November 1940)
This update is a direct continuation of the last chapter, so will run straight into the action on the Turkish sector of the Eastern Front, following the desperate fortunes of France and the Soviet’s travails in the Far East, then present the normal end of month general round-ups of information.
1. Prologue
In Istanbul, Tom Rosencrantz is about to publish the inaugural edition of Şanli Ülkü (the ‘Glorious Truth’). Perse is pleased with how he has settled into the strange working environment – the language, culture and politics are all very different to what he is used to, but the fact there is a war on sharpens his focus. And dulls a few of his more idealistic sensibilities!
Tom Rosencrantz – tired but gainfully employed in Istanbul during a break in his editing of The Glorious Truth. He works in Istanbul, but the paper will be notionally published out of Ankara, for political purposes, and to distinguish it from the broadsheet Istanbul Times.
In the halls of power in Ankara, Perse herself has established a position of trust, or as far as she can as a non-Turkish citizen. She has become a key player in projecting Turkey’s image to its people, the Glorious Union and the world at large. As always, she is loyal and diligent in all her duties. Her next project will be to prepare a propaganda campaign to herald an anticipated ‘time of troubles’, should France fall and the war take a further turn for the worse.
While in Zurich, Ambassador ‘Vito’ Ceylan has recovered sufficiently to return from hospital to his Residence. He can be briefly consulted but is not yet fit for any duty. While Sonny continues to run day to day S.I.T.H. operations in Western Europe, the mere fact of his father’s return is a somewhat calming influence. The deep-seated enmity and grudges remain on both sides, though for now simmer below boiling point.
Vito Ceylan, in his bed back at his official Residence in Zurich, with some ‘get well’ cards from some of the staff’s children.
Lurid reports of his death were somewhat exaggerated. He will live, but whether he will become well enough to fight another day remains undecided.
2. Eastern Front – Turkish Sector
28 Oct 40
Alarming news is received from the French: Paris has been surrounded by the Germans, with Etamps taken early that morning, after a German infantry division under Italian command took the last province connecting it to the rest of France. But the garrison, led by General de Gaulle, not only fights on, but is attempting to break the encirclement with a counter-attack, even while fighting off the panzers attacking the capital. General Model leads the 5th Pz Div, while the 9th and 12th Pz Divs attempt to reinforce. This is a very difficult situation and it is highly uncertain if Paris can hold for much longer. Still, de Gaulle employs an elastic defence against Model’s shock tactics, which helps the odds somewhat.
Despite being an ‘Old Guarder’, the recent fighting against the SS in Arad has finally allowed Wehib Pasha, the leader of 1 Cav Div since 1936, to progress further in skill as a general.
The fighting in Senta continues. Axis air raids had switched from Sânnicolau Mare to Senta early that morning, though not with quite the same intensity.
29 Oct 40
More industrial capacity is freed up from equipment upgrades – given recent and anticipated events, a whole front-line infantry division is ordered. The Yeniçeri Line is already too thinly held, where units have been shifted to the north. And more will be needed later if the line breaks, when the depth defences must be properly held (ie troops entrenched for ten days if possible).
As part of that shuffle, units are being moved from quiet sectors to reinforce Senta and Ada (in case it in turn becomes a target for Axis attacks). 6 Inf Div is ordered to Senta, while Namut’s veteran 5 Inf Div is sent from Sabac to replace it in Ada. Can the defenders in Senta hold until 6 Inf Div is due to arrive early on 2 November? The odds of the enemy’s attack are already at 50%, meaning it could go either way. 1 Cav Div and HQ 3 Corps are still reorganising in Timisoara after their spoiling attack on the SS in Arad a few days before, although at least the corps HQ did not suffer any casualties, unlike 1 Cav Div.
While the battle for Senta remains in the balance, Republic Day has arrived in the Motherland. Inönü, busy commanding 1st Army at the front, sends back words of encouragement, but lets Prime Minister Celal Bayar officiate at celebrations marking the special occasion in Ankara. Of note, it is time for the people of Turkey and the Glorious Union to hear The Glorious Truth: the Republic's eminently superior version of the Soviet’s Pravda issues its first edition on Republic Day 1940. A joyous event indeed. Perse and Tom Rosencrantz look on in pride as the first copies emerge for distribution early that morning: Tom has come to Ankara for the occasion, which will (later that evening) be marked by some hard drinking (though not by Perse), in true old-school journalist style! One of the benefits (or drawbacks) of living in Atatürk’s secular nation. Though it certainly proved a drawback for him in the end, anyway.
In Senta itself, the situation is difficult – made worse by Turkey’s nemesis, General Busch, this time prosecuting a reckless assault to try to force the issue before the defenders are relieved by their approaching comrades. The Hun demon! The pressure is telling badly on the exposed 10 Inf Div in particular.
30 Oct 40
Another Afghan spy is caught. Before he succumbs (fatally) to his interrogation, he discloses he has been in touch with others in the capital. It seems there may be a network in operation – Kaya begins following up on the leads.
A new armoured brigade is delivered – the first with the new BT-7M ‘fast medium tanks’ [Ed: sorry, but here is a cricket related little Dad joke: they sound like something from the cricket field – hopefully they achieve a bit of cut off the seam and knock Fritz over, what ho!]. They continue to build the new motorised division being assembled at 1st Army HQ in Kraljevo, as the theatre reserve.
This again frees up production capacity, which is given over to raising another new infantry division. Manpower remains high enough to do this, though an eye will need to be taken on reinforcement demands from casualties vs manpower increases.
At 2am, HQ 3rd Corps decides to try to reinforce Senta itself as the odds there worsen from Busch's switch to masterful breakthrough tactics and 10 Inf Div begins to fail, despite MAJGEN Noyan's attempt to stall them with an elastic defence. 3rd Corps commander LTGEN Yamut is worried that losing Senta will expose a gap in the line at Kikinda.
By 9am, it is assessed that Noyan’s 10 Inf Div is close to breaking point. Rather than waiting for it to rout and flee in an unpredictable direction, it is sent to Ada, where it is hoped it can recover strength and bolster the defences there while 6 Inf Div replaces it in Senta. This withdrawal worsens the odds in the battle, though Axis air raids ceased early that afternoon.
31 Oct 40
A little more than a day later, with 6 Inf Div still a day and a half away, the situation in Senta has deteriorated badly. Sensing victory, Busch now aims for a breakthrough, though at least the German 44th Inf Div is also almost spent. 12 Inf Div is one of the later reserve divisions, and only has an acting commander, putting it at a distinct disadvantage against the wily enemy. This cannot go on much longer.
At 6pm, it is clear 12 Inf Div cannot hold. Yamut orders them to withdraw before they are forced to, this time south-east to Kikinda, where the fall of Senta would create a gap in the line. The Battle of Senta is lost, the largest battlefield defeat for Turkey in the new era [ie since the game started in 1936]. Air raids (albeit somewhat lighter in Senta than in Sânnicolau Mare) killed a further 894 troops between 28-30 October.
Given this development, at 6pm 8 Inf Div is ordered back from Sânnicolau Mare to Timisoara, to be used for bolstering the defences now in need of shoring up – or to assist in a possible counter-attack on Senta. 6 Inf Div is allowed to continue towards Senta: at least they can conduct a spoiling attack there to hopefully delay a further push by the Axis forces into as-yet undefended Kikinda. 5 Inf Div continues to follow them up to Ada. In better news, the Romanians appear to have successfully counter-attacked Arad, driving the Germans out of there. HQ 3 Corps is directed to Kinkinda instead of Senta, where it would be of limited use in an attack. Perhaps the earlier diversionary attack by 1 Cav Div did some good after all.
Just two hours later, the Axis occupy Senta, hot on the heels of our retreating forces – but into the path of 6 Inf Div, which immediately commences its spoiling attack. Time will tell if further forces can (or should) be brought to bear, to make this a serious counter-attack. HQ 3rd Corps continues to move to Kikinda, to provide an emergency reserve, just in case of a continued breakthrough, until a proper defence can be mustered.
1 Nov 40
At this critical point, the Axis spring another surprise, this time the three Hungarian divisions that had originally attacked Sânnicolau Mare reprise their earlier plan. And our troops there had not fully recovered from the previous two attacks, while one unit (8 Inf Div) had broken their entrenchments to head back to Timisoara. And to top things off, the Romanian General Vasilu [Sk2] (whose troops were already in the process of leaving before the attack) takes charge of the battle, instead of the more experienced Turkish commander of 1 Inf Div MAJGEN Orbay [Sk3], against the Hungarian commander Náday [Sk4], who attempts to force the breakthrough. The odds are relatively even but the Hungarians are fresher – and may call on air power again, although perhaps recent Axis air operations have degraded their organisation, for their planes have mercifully not been seen at either battle since midday on 30 October.
With developments on the front and concerns that reinforcing around the breakthrough areas is thinning the line elsewhere, 15 Inf Div is finally stood down from its amphibious standby duties and is ordered north by rail from Athens to Beograd. A Soviet infantry division has been spotted in the vicinity (at Jasa Tomic), heading towards the front. A request is put in for them to defend Kikinda, whose hilly terrain would provide a good defensive position for a consolidation of the line north-east to Timisoara.
At this point, Inönü must consider what to do next: continue with the spoiling attack on Senta until Kikinda can be adequately held then stop? Or proceed, in the hope that more troops can be allocated to the attack and the relatively tired enemy thrown out? 1 Cav Div is still reorganising, but should it be sent now to help the defence of Sânnicolau Mare, or held back, to either recover further before being sent there, or even diverted to assist the Senta attack? Should Sânnicolau Mare simply be given up as too exposed and difficult to defend, using Timisoara’s better terrain for defence, but surrendering the buffer zone that Sânnicolau Mare provides for that Romanian VP city? And should Senta perhaps be given over to the enemy, instead establishing the line in the more favourable hills of Kikinda, especially as a prolonged attack may be costly and expose troops to being counter-attacked themselves?
And more broadly, will all of these considerations prove to be nothing except fiddling around the edges, should France fall? One thing is decided: any ideas of a bold Turkish offensive to knock Hungary out of the war are shelved for the foreseeable future. The Axis now has the initiative. The Soviets might be able to make some gains in Hungary, but it is beyond the Turkish army for now. Especially with the fall of France on the cards. No-one said the Path to Glory would be an easy one, but the Milli Şef welcomes the challenge!
3. France
France’s fate is crucial to Turkey, so again, there will be a close look at developments there as the month ends. To start with, a summary of positions on the early morning of 1 November.
As can be seen, there have been some deep advances by the Germans since the month began, especially in the centre and east of the line. But Paris still holds – and a corridor to the rest of the country reopened, while a counter-offensive along the Channel Coast takes advantage of the German’s thin lines, where they have concentrated to attack the French capital!
We will take a closer look at what is happening in Paris. The Germans are attacking with panzer divisions from four directions; the French garrison is holding on well: they appear not to be retreating from Paris, but are still attacking Etamps, which has just been reoccupied by a gallant Belgian motorised division. The German attack will keep the garrison pinned in Paris anyway, but we hope they will now attempt to consolidate there rather than escaping to Etamps. The rest of the line to the east may be collapsing, but the longer France can fight in Paris, the better for the Comintern. One must be harsh in times of war, though we still wish the French well against the common foe. De Gaulle is an effective leader and is employing some good tactics but alas, he is no match for Model: we certainly won’t be able to come close to him if he appears on the Eastern Front.
As we saw above, the Germans have broken through in the centre and east of the line. The French are trying to scramble a defence, but are stretched too thin. Despite all this, and without Paris having fallen, French surrender progress remains within reasonable bounds for now. They will fight on for a while longer.
In southern France, the emergency in the north has finally led them to start send some units north to help plug the gaping holes the Germans have made in the line. It looks like it could be too little too late, however. And we must hope they don’t strip the defences so much the Italians are able to crash through and administer the coup de gras.
In Tunisia, the French stick to Tunis while the Italians work their way forward, but not in great strength. There is no change to the north in Sardinia.
4. Eastern Libya
The Iraqis continue to advance, having taken Bengasi earlier in the month. It is uncertain whether this will be in time to help the French in Tunisia. And the British seem to have called a few of the divisions back east again.
5. Eastern Front
We have had detailed reporting on the Turkish sector – we will now review the rest of the Eastern Front. Again, as in past months, advances have been swapped over the course of October, many cancelling each other out. In net terms, there are a few changes in the north, where the Soviets still hold Memel and again try to advance on Konigsberg.
There is no lasting exchange of territory on the central/Polish sector during the month. But in Hungary, the Soviets have managed to seize the key Hungarian VP city of Kosice and retain Humenne, but an incursion to the south is being heavily counter-attacked by the Hungarians. The Romanians are set to reoccupy Arad, but a major Axis-Comintern battle is looming to the north of that, with what appears a major Axis offensive south from Oradea against a large concentration of Soviet and Romanian forces.
So, in summary, Europe as a whole is again giving the noxious Hitler something to rant and froth in the mouth about. More so in France, where he can sense victory at last and the fulfilment of his ‘destiny’. But the Soviets continue to show well, gaining more than they lost during the month.
The Far East, however, is another matter …
6. Far East
Yes, dear readers, here the story (as always) sinks from bad, to worse, to worst. Here, the Japanese sun continues to rise over large swathes of the Soviet Far East and their Mongolian ally. Japanese gains have not been enormous during the month, but they have been significant.
The greatest disaster to date is the surrender of the bulk of the Soviet forces that had been cornered in Tumnin. By 1 November, they had all been marched off into Japanese captivity. If anything, this promises to be even worse than being taken prisoner by the Germans, if that is possible. At least 60-70,000 prisoners must have been taken there, in that one pocket.
7. Naval Report
No major surface vessels were reported sunk during the last period, but Italy has (again) suffered the only naval casualties at sea: they have lost another three destroyer flotillas and two transports, bring their losses in those two categories to nine each. They have previously lost seven sub flotillas and 14 major surface combatants (ranging from CLs to BBs).
8. Epilogue – Moscow: RedSquare, 30 Oct 40
After intercession through the good offices of GRU colleague SkitalecS3 to try to gain a meeting with Stalin, to no avail as yet, Turkish intelligence liaison Agent Boğafiltresi has been marking time, looking around Moscow while he waits for SkitalecS3 to get in touch. As the war is so distant and going reasonably well for the Soviets, Moscow remains in peace-time mode – well out of range of German bombers. Boğafiltresi sends back some photos of the sights he has been able to take in on a cold October evening.
Red Square, with the Kremlin in the background. The low, blocky edifice to the left with people milling nearby is Lenin’s Tomb.
The brightly painted turrets of St Basil’s Cathedral, at the far end of Red Square.
As the evening wears on and Boğafiltresi walks back away from Red Square, he is approached by a couple of dubious-looking individuals. They say they have been 'sent by a mutual friend’ and swear they can arrange a meeting with Stalin himself. They just need a wad of roubles ‘for facilitation purposes’! This looks very suspicious, but if it does turn out to be true, it will be a noteworthy occurrence. He shells out the money. And, as they head off around a corner, wonders whether he will ever see them again – just another tourist fleeced in Moscow. And they were rather strangely dressed, for the heart of Soviet power … ah well, you live and learn.
But they return after a brief time … and make the introduction! It's the man himself . It must be, musn’t it?
Boğafiltresi follows Stalin into a nearby Government building, where there is a short but useful discussion of the state of the war, Soviet intentions, a frank assessment of the position in the Far East (including the candid report, not widely known at that point and heavily suppressed in the Soviet Union, of the surrender of the Soviet 25th Army in Tumnin) and Stalin’s views on the position in France - which bare not optimistic. These insights have informed the above reporting. With some words of solidarity, praise and encouragement for the Turkish war effort – which is holding a significant portion of the Eastern Front and is now coming more closely to grips with the Axis Juggernaut – he bids farewell. As they shake hands, he asks Boğafiltresi to pass on his best wishes to President Inönü. Thus ends a small historical vignette in the more epic tale of the Great Liberation War of 1940-??
Agent Boğafiltresi and Stalin shake hands at the end of their meeting. Boğafiltresi rushes off to the Turkish Embassy to brief the Ambassador and write up his reports.
Coming Up: It looks like Turkey is in for a torrid time on the Eastern Front, as Inönü decides how to handle the developing situation on the boundary between the Yeniçeri Line and the Romanian’s sector. And in the medium term, depending on how things go (and how quickly) in France, a decision may need to be made on how long the forward line can be held and whether a major strategic withdrawal will become necessary. Much will depend on whether the Germans are able to muster an armoured hammer blow in the east before their ‘destiny bonus’ runs out and winter sets in. We will closely track events in the Far East as well, where a large slice of the Romanian Army is still stuck uselessly in transit and Turkey is concerned the Soviets could split their efforts, at just the wrong time in Europe. Perse may need to crank up some heavy-duty propaganda if things do turn nasty at the front. And will Sonny Ceylan and Carlo Rizzi both be able to keep themselves in check, as Vito gradually recovers from his shooting? Will the Tattaglias try to press the issue while he does so? As has been the case for many months now, everything remains in the balance.
