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Let´s hope that the Allied landing will be more than just a mosquito bite to the Germans, if they had to withdraw some divisions Turkey could be using the best defensive strategy which is offense!
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Chapter 106: “The Year of Decision” (1 January 1941)
Chapter 106: “The Year of Decision” (1 January 1941)
Prologue – 1 January 1941
Dübendorf Air Base, Zürich
Militärflugplatz Dübendorf is a military airfield northeast of Dübendorf in Switzerland, located east of Zürich. From 1919 on Dübendorf has also served as an airport for civil airlines, first for the predecessor of Swissair, Ad Astra Aero, and from 1932 on for Swissair.
According to Wikipedia, during World War II there was virtually no civil flight activity at Dübendorf. Any foreign military aircraft that was interned by Switzerland was held at Dübendorf, including about 120 US B-17s and B-24s, together with one German Me 262. From 1943 Switzerland shot down American and British aircraft, mainly bombers, overflying Switzerland during World War II: six aircraft by Swiss Air Force fighters and nine by anti-aircraft cannons; 36 American and British airmen were killed. Besides, there were 137 emergency landings to May 1945 resulting in about 120 US aircraft that were interned at the Dübendorf airfield. The officers were interned in Davos, airmen in Adelboden. Although US military attaché Barnwell Legge instructed the soldiers not to flee, many soldiers ignored his warning; after their escape from the internment camps, the airmen usually were detained in the Wauwilermoos penal camp near Luzern.
USAAF B-17 and B-24 bombers interned at Dübendorf during the Second World War.
Swiss Air Force Messerschmitt Bf-109Es on patrol above Dübendorf, January 1941.
At 8 am that morning, a now rare Swissair civil flight lands. A small group of passengers disembarks. Among them is a young man of military bearing but dressed smartly in civilian clothes. As he walks down the portable stairs to the tarmac, he is greeted by a small detail of Turkish diplomats and representatives from the Swiss Foreign Ministry. He is quickly whisked through immigration (he has a diplomatic passport) and into a waiting car. It has a Swiss Police escort. Their passenger is the newly promoted Colonel and now Turkish Defence Attaché to Switzerland, Mükerrem ‘Mike’ Ceylan.
Colonel Mükerrem ‘Mike’ Ceylan, Turkish Defence Attaché to Switzerland. And new S.I.T.H. Bureau Chief for Western Europe.
He is driven straight to the Ambassador’s Residence for a happy though poignant reunion with his father, Vatan ‘Vito’ Ceylan.
Mikey and Vito. A happy family. Or not.
“Mikey, it is good to see you, after so much sadness and pain. There is important work to do here. But first, tell me of Sonny’s funeral. Did they pay my first-born all proper respect?”
“They did Pop, he was accorded full state honours and proclaimed a martyr for the country. Here, I’ve brought a photo of the three of us from happier times.”
‘Mikey’, ‘Vito’ and ‘Sonny’ Ceylan, in a photo taken in 1939, shortly before the outbreak of the Second Great War.
---xxx---
A short time later, Vito and Mike are joined by Consiglieri Tom Heygan. Tom is seeking instructions on confirming the peace arrangements with Philip Tattaglia’s people.
“When I meet with the Tattaglia people, should I insist that all his money middlemen who will work here in Switzerland with Immobiliare have clean records?” asks Tom.
“Mention it, don't insist,” says Vito. “Bianchi is a man who'll know that without being told.”
“You mean Tattaglia...”
“Tattaglia's a pimp. He never could've out-thought Sonny. But I didn't know until the day of the peace meeting in in Lugarno …”
“Locarno, boss,” interrupts Tom in a low and apologetic voice.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say. But it was that Vatican Banker Bianchi all along ... I am sure he must have been one of Lucchesi’s men.”
“Pop, what about Sonny?” asks Mike. Then, after a pause. “What about Cagliari?” The latter referred to Luca Brasi’s demise there – missing, presumed wearing concrete boots somewhere in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Courtesy of the Tattaglias.
“I swore that I would never break the peace.”
“But won't they take that as a sign of weakness?”
“It is a sign of weakness...” sighs Vito.
“Well, you gave your word that you wouldn't break the peace, I didn't give mine,” Mike says firmly. “You don't have to have any part - I take all responsibility.”
“Well, we have a lot of time to talk about it now,” answers Vito reflectively, with a thin smile on his face.
---xxx---
1940 - A Year in Review Summary Provided to the War Cabinet on New Year’s Eve, 1940
1940 began with the Winter War between the Soviets and Finland in full flight and some Soviet border provinces still in Finnish hands. The Istanbul Times reported the momentous news of the formal acceptance of the Glorious Union into the Comintern Pact on 2 January: Turkey’s fortunes would be tied to those of the Soviets. As the month wore on, the Soviets finally started to make progress in Karelia, turning around a disastrous start to their attack on the outnumbered but effective Finnish Army. The Western Front remained quiet.
In February, the war in Finland went increasingly well for our Soviet allies, the Calistar Line continued to be built up. In March, US Undersecretary of State made a major diplomatic trip to Europe, while Turkey fought small bands of nationalist rebels in various parts of the Glorious Union. The Germans declared war on Norway on 18 March but made no move to attack them – and would not do so for the rest of the year. In Finland, Helsinki fell on 20 March and the Soviets broke out all over the southern front, but the Finns refused to surrender until 1 April. The Soviets acquire various border provinces and peace is agreed.
During April, S.I.T.H. agent Cennet ‘Connie’ Kavgaci undertakes specialist training with the NKVD and the GRU at undisclosed locations in the Soviet Union. Her ‘Poison Gnocci 101’ lessons would come in handy later. On 2 April, the ‘Phoney War’ in the West begins to become more active, with the invasion of Luxemburg. There is still no sign of any British Expeditionary Force in France – indeed, they would never arrive. The Germans attack the Netherlands on 12 April and make rapid progress. By 5 May, all of the Netherlands’ European territory has been occupied by the Germans, though the Government fights on in exile, moving its capital to the Dutch East Indies. That day, the Germans invade Belgium. The Belgians fight hard and are joined by French units, who advance to try to bolster their defences.
As tensions rise and armies mobilise all over Europe, Turkey begins plans for a forward defence in former Yugoslavia: this will become the Yeniçeri Line. The Turkish War Cabinet agrees to a contingency plan to defend forward and prepare to bring the Soviets into the war against Germany, hoping to keep the Germans fighting a war on two fronts. A new more right-wing French Government, run by General Henri-Honoré Giraud, is elected in France. They pledge to keep fighting hard. In Moscow, after some tense discussions, the Soviets agree to intervene if Turkey declares war on Germany, but they wish to subsume the Baltic States first. Hoping France can last long enough and the Soviets get a move on in the Baltics, Turkish forces rush to their new forward positions, forsaking the safety of their prepared fortifications and air defences, ready to do their part to hold the line against Fascist tyranny.
As May draws to an end, there is disturbing news from France: the north-east corner of the Maginot Line has been taken by the Germans, who continue to make progress in Belgium. On 30 May, the Belgians surrender mid-fight after the fall of Brussels: this strands the French forces there and causes them to fall back in disorder. That same day, the Soviets annex the Baltic States and the Italians declare war on France – the notorious ‘stab in the back’! The scene is set and the situation desperate. The Great Liberation War is launched on 1 June, with the Comintern attacking the Axis: Japan comes to the aid of their Pact of Steel partners and also declares war on the Comintern. In Rome, Ambassador Vito Ceylan is recalled and departs to Turkey under diplomatic immunity. Turkey begins the aerial bombardment of the Italian garrison in the Dodecanese. Cennet is recalled from Moscow.
During early June, blows are traded across the eastern Front, while the Axis advances through the undefended northern portion of the former Yugoslavia, moving up to the Yeniçeri Line. Once these lines are set, and despite some fierce battles, the front line in the east will change little for the rest of the year. Turkish troops begin their assault on the Dodecanese on 6 June. The Italians sweep across Egypt towards Alexandria. Early signs in the Far east are worrying, with a large Japanese offensive in progress.
France fights on grimly, slowly yielding ground, but the pace of the German advance has been slowed as they withdraw forces to fight in the east. On 15 June, the great naval battle of Turkey’s modern history is fought. A British fleet joins in, under Turkish command, to help defeat an Italian attempt (led by the battleship Andrea Doria) to disrupt the Dodecanese landings. The Battle of Cape Armeno ends in a great victory. The landings continue, with victory achieved on 17 June. In Istanbul, Cennet infiltrates the compound of Virgil ‘the Turk’ Sollozzo, who remains as “unfinished business” from the underworld wars of the ‘Great Conspiracy’ in 1939. She terminates him - with extreme prejudice.
The end of June sees the Italian offensive in Egypt halted at the very gates of Alexandria and turned back. Turkey assists the Romanians who come under heavy Axis attack. In July, Vito Ceylan takes up his appointment as Ambassador to Switzerland – and as clandestine head of all Turkish undercover operations in Western Europe. Luca Brasi joins him – and is sent on a mission to reveal the plans of the Tattaglia crime family, who have been once again conspiring to harm Turkish interests. On 5 July, France conquers Ethiopia, whose puppet government goes into exile in Italy. But at home, their situation gradually deteriorates during the month, despite a temporarily successful counter-offensive in the north, which briefly retakes some Belgian provinces. And the Far East goes from bad to worse for the Soviets. Luca has a meeting with Bruno Tattaglia on 14 July in Cagliari – but does not emerge from it. Cennet, his contact there, flees the city just before it is invaded by the French.
In Zurich, Sonny Ceylan receives a message from the Tattaglias on 20 July: "Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes". This begins a cycle of tit-for-tat conflict that will only end after much shedding of blood, on both sides. August saw the British cross the border and begin an advance of their own into Italian Libya. The Germans advance, slowly but steadily, in France. The Soviets are in headlong retreat in the Far East. The grinding war of attrition continues in Eastern Europe. Turkey planned to conduct an offensive later in the year, to knock Hungary out of the war. However, increasing Axis pressure meant the offensive would never happen: the forces identified instead were needed to conduct a series of hard defensive battle around Ada, Senta, Sânnicolau Mare and Timisoara.
Similar plans for an invasion of Rhodes were made. They too would later be shelved. Propagandist BJ Guildenstern abandons his post in Ankara, opting instead for the sunny beaches of Hawaii. Turkish forces suffer heavy casualties from Axis air raids but in turn inflict heavy losses on Axis ground forces during another attack on Ada, where Turkish victory is eventually declared on 1 September. In the Western Desert, Tobruk is seized from the Italians as British proxies from Iraq take up the offensive.
September sees the Germans begin to close in on Paris, but the French still resist – though still without direct British aid on the ground. In Zurich, Sonny Ceylan encounters Carlo Rizzi on the street: he beats him up when Rizzi insults Cennet, who was accompanying him. Their personal feud will worsen as the weeks go by. In mid-September, the risk of the majority of the Soviet Army in the Far East being cut off and surrounded by the Japanese becomes imminent: if this happens, it will be a disaster and may draw more forces from the west (a large Romanian force had already been diverted under Soviet orders, weakening their own defences and forcing any attack against Hungary to be aborted).
Back in Zurich, the Tattaglias, through Carlo Rizzi, attempt to assassinate Vito Ceylan in mid-September: he is critically wounded and incapacitated, but survives. This leaves a vengeful and hot-headed Sonny in charge of S.I.T.H. operations there. Heavy fighting in Sânnicolau Mare ends in a Turkish victory on 27 September, but the position is becoming isolated. By the end of the month, Paris is now under direct German threat but the British have Bengasi surrounded in Libya. The Eastern Front goes on as it has since June: a grim tug-of-war.
At the beginning of October, Sonny has Darth Kelebek hit Bruno Tattaglia, in response to the attempt on his father’s life and in revenge for Luca Brasi. The Axis renew their attacks on Senta and Sânnicolau Mare which have been persistent in recent weeks. Britain begins sending lend-lease aid to Turkey, they are beaten off again, but are beginning to take a toll on the defenders. The Germans begin the process of surrounding Paris. Most of the Soviet Far East Army is ‘pocketed’ on the Pacific coast. Bengasi is taken and Iraqi forces continue to advance across Libya.
The German offensive picks up momentum in France, with Paris now in a salient, but fighting on staunchly. Yet another victory is won in Sânnicolau Mare, but again at heavy cost. In Zurich, Sonny is ordered by Ankaranot to escalate tensions further. He backs away from the brink but can barely restrain himself. 29 October – Turkish Republic Day - heralds the first issue of the new tabloid Şanli Üklü (the Glorious Truth), edited by recently arrived British Communist newspaperman Tom Rosencrantz. The month ends with Senta under heavy Axis pressure – the gallant defenders retreat on 31 October: there is danger this could lead to a general breakthrough.
On 1 November, the Axis launch yet another strong attack on Sânnicolau Mare: this time, with the loss of Senta and troops still worn out from the previous battle there, the writing is on the wall. They will eventually withdraw in good order to Timisoara. In France, the Germans make slashing breakthroughs and have Paris almost completely surrounded and under attack by four medium panzer divisions. But the garrison, led by General de Gaulle, fights on tenaciously. And in the Far East, tens of thousands of Soviet soldiers are forced to surrender, long cut off from supplies and completely surrounded, over a thousand kilometres from friendly forces. This is a new low point for the anti-Fascist cause.
US President Franklin D. Roosevelt wins another four-year term. The line is held at Kikinda and Timisoara, averting a major Axis breakthrough along the Romanian border with the Glorious Union – for now. On 13 November, the grim news is received: Paris falls. That of France itself is now simply a matter of time. And soon after, Sonny Ceylan receives a phone call from Carlo Rizzi: he has abducted Cennet and is demanding Sonny meet with him for talks to end the underground war. Alas, this leads to his ambush and murder, but is a catalyst for truce talks between the two warring parties.
The US launches a series of trade embargoes against the three Axis leaders while the Axis launch yet another major attack on Ada on 19 November, including SS troops. With the battle hanging in the balance, reinforcements are sent in – in the hope they will arrive in enough time to outlast the attackers. The Germans also reinforce, all the while Axis air raids harry the defenders. In France, the Germans advance on a broad front, while the Italians finally break through in the south. The great battle for Ada is finally won on 25 November, after six days of desperate fighting. Combined casualties on both sides approach almost 3,000 each. November ends with France still in the fight, but on the brink of surrender.
Saudi Arabia throws in its lot with the Axis on 2 December, but that front will remain inactive for the rest of the month. And on 3 December, France falls and the Vichy Regime is instituted. Syria and Lebanon go with Vichy France, which also hands Ethiopia back to the Axis. Free French forces, led by General de Gaulle, occupy some other territories. The Turkish Cabinet meets to decide how to react to these events. In essence, they decide Syria and Saudi Arabia will be monitored, but attention will focus on holding the Yeniçeri Line against an expected Axis onslaught in the new year. At peace talks at Locarno in Switzerland on 6 December, an agreement was made to end hostilities between the Turkish Government and the powerful Tattaglia crime family. Part of the terms included the safe passage of Vito Ceylan’s youngest son, ‘Mikey’, to Zurich, where he would become the Turkish Defence Attaché – and chief of S.I.T.H. operations for Western Europe.
The rest of the month is spent waiting for German panzers to appear in the East after their victory in France, with steady Axis air raids and ground attacks occurring, especially around Timisoara and Ada. The rest of the Eastern Front remains in tense equilibrium, with both sides attacking and counter-attacking. The Soviet Far East front appears to have stabilised, with even a few small Soviet counter-offensives in evidence. By year’s end, the German armour has turned up in numbers and another Axis attack on Timisoara, launched on 28 December, is facing defeat but had not yet ended by midnight on 31 December. News is also received on New Year’s Eve of a British commando raid on Rotterdam, while their Iraqi surrogates approach Tripoli, Italy’s last Libyan bastion.
---xxx---
And so the scene is set for 1941. In a key speech, President and Milli Şef Inönü declares that 1941 will be the “year of decision for the world.” The speech itself is partly the work of Perse, who has been given additional responsibility in the Propaganda Department following recent sterling work.
What would Winston say if he were Prime Minister of the United Kingdom? Instead of languishing on the backbench, with France had fallen and our backs against the wall. she thinks to herself. Taking pen in hand, she walks up to the easel.
So, how would Winnie put it?
We’ll try this!
---xxx---
After Inönü delivers his speech, he convenes a short War Cabinet meeting before heading straight back to the front, where the fighting in Timisoara has just ended.
“I will not detain you for long today, gentlemen,” says the President. “You have all read the review of the year that has passed. You should know my will in this: our unquestioned priority now is to weather the storm of steel we know the Germans and their lackeys will unleash on us. I want to stand and fight them as long as we possibly can, but not to the extent we doom ourselves to oblivion. If we think collapse in imminent, we will fall back to the Calistar and Iskandar Lines.”
There is general nodding around the table. The President continues. “Apart from a submarine recon by the Mk1 Eyeball Flotilla, which will now be based out of the Persian Gulf, of a possible landing site on Saudi Arabia’s north-eastern coast and the maintenance of our current garrison on the Syrian border, all efforts will remain fixed on holding the Yeniçeri Line. If it looks like falling, our Romanian and Soviet Allies will have to fend for themselves – we will give them warning and if we can fight any gainful delaying actions on the way back to our prepared lines, we will. But our destruction would serve no good purpose for the war effort. Like the Soviets would to defend their Motherland under similar circumstances, we would trade ground and time to preserve ours. And then strike back once the Axis have dashed themselves to death against our collective defences. Now, back to the front. To Kemal, Turkey and Glorious Victory!”
---xxx---
The President reads the morning reports as he flies back to his Headquarters at Kraljevo. At the front, that morning had seen Italian tactical bombers continue to pound Turkish positions in Timisoara.
But the enemy attack was on its last legs – another defeat for the not-so-invincible-after-all General Busch beckoned.
And soon afterwards, the battle had been won – a decisive victory for the troops on the ground, the enemy repelled with heavy losses. But air raids inflicted another 249 casualties on the defenders – once again, air power evens out the relative losses, but it is a stirring victory nonetheless. It will surely be reported in the next edition of the Glorious Truth: in fact, Tom Rosencrantz is working on the front page by lunch time. It will be ready for tomorrow’s edition.
Admiral Üngen has been given his orders too. If Riyadh is taken, the Saudis will undoubtedly surrender. The quickest route there would be via the port of Ad Damman on the Persian Gulf coast. This is important, as the desert terrain will be difficult for combat, supply and attrition – and the Turkish Army has not invested in desert warfare equipment.
Cebesoy’s trusty Mk1 Eyeball submarine flotilla is ordered to Behbehan, so it can be within range of Ad Damman, to conduct recon operations. And maybe try to sink any convoys running in or out of Saudi Arabia, while they’re at it.
---xxx---
Coming Up: More propaganda for the Turk’s ‘’Peoples Paper", the Glorious Truth, will be dispatched. And on the Yeniçeri Line, the Comintern waits to see whether the German panzers will strike and, if they do, where and how hard. The Year of Decision awaits!
Let´s hope that the Allied landing will be more than just a mosquito bite to the Germans, if they had to withdraw some divisions Turkey could be using the best defensive strategy which is offense!
Interesting sidebar on Swiss Air Defence and that fateful Air Base. A good reminder not to fly through Swiss Airspace, unless we're invading Switzerland, that is...
Great to see father and son reunited. Mike seems to be a step up compared to Sonny, and he's right, sticking with the peace after such losses is a sign of weakness.
I guess we'll see what Mike will do about that, he does seem to be an enterprising sort of fellow.
Nice speech, it shouldn't fail to motivate your troops, and of course it will be translated into Russian and published in Pravda along with comrade Stalin's speeches...
Axis bombardments remain a sad sight, especially without any interference from Comintern Air Forces... Any idea when (if) the Turkish Air Force will be able to intercept the incoming bombers? Yak-4s retaliating would be even better... but that's going to take a while...
I'd love to see a Turkish Saudi Arabia... More oil for us, and less for the other factions is always good news. We, in the GRU and STAVKA are anxiously awaiting the reports from eyeball Mk. 1 on the feasibility of a Turkish operation into Al Riyadh
Have a Glorious 1941 comrades. We shall strive to repel the Fascist invaders and liberate the proletariat of Europe and Asia alike. (How's that for a New Year's resolution)
This Mike fellow seems impressively delusional, a position of weakness exactly describes their position and frankly they were lucky to get the deal they did, a competent enemy would have kept on till they were probably defeated.
I can't blame Mike too much though, after all his dad Vito is equally out of touch with reality - I've met kittens that could have out-thought Sonny so any Tattaglia would be easily up to that not-very-difficult task. Sonny was so useless as an intelligence agent (let along leader) that I can't even see him being used as a 'What not to do example' in spy schools, because if you need to be told "Don't act like Sonny" then you shouldn't even be in spy school.
Onto the war, I wouldn't let any Soviet advisors hear the President talking like that. Pointless destruction of whole armies in doomed "Stand your ground" orders, or worse suicidal "Attack!" orders, were very much how Stalin tried to defend the Motherland. Suggesting any kind of deliberate trading land for time approach would get you shot!
Onto the war, I wouldn't let any Soviet advisors hear the President talking like that. Pointless destruction of whole armies in doomed "Stand your ground" orders, or worse suicidal "Attack!" orders, were very much how Stalin tried to defend the Motherland. Suggesting any kind of deliberate trading land for time approach would get you shot!
Too late... though I do hope no such desperate orders will be issued... But I also don't want to be shot... so I won't be suggesting any such blatant land-time-trade plans to Comrade Stalin... If necessary I'll get others to suggest that kind of thing though... if they get shot, so be it. I get a lot of leeway in my operations, but openly criticising the Secretary General's genial war plans is definitely a step over the proverbial line.
This Mike fellow seems impressively delusional, a position of weakness exactly describes their position and frankly they were lucky to get the deal they did, a competent enemy would have kept on till they were probably defeated.
I can't blame Mike too much though, after all his dad Vito is equally out of touch with reality - I've met kittens that could have out-thought Sonny so any Tattaglia would be easily up to that not-very-difficult task. Sonny was so useless as an intelligence agent (let along leader) that I can't even see him being used as a 'What not to do example' in spy schools, because if you need to be told "Don't act like Sonny" then you shouldn't even be in spy school.
Onto the war, I wouldn't let any Soviet advisors hear the President talking like that. Pointless destruction of whole armies in doomed "Stand your ground" orders, or worse suicidal "Attack!" orders, were very much how Stalin tried to defend the Motherland. Suggesting any kind of deliberate trading land for time approach would get you shot!
This rings very true. There are some things the right sort of people shouldn't have to be thought... Not acting like Sonny is high up on the list...
Too late... though I do hope no such desperate orders will be issued... But I also don't want to be shot... so I won't be suggesting any such blatant land-time-trade plans to Comrade Stalin... If necessary I'll get others to suggest that kind of thing though... if they get shot, so be it. I get a lot of leeway in my operations, but openly criticising the Secretary General's genial war plans is definitely a step over the proverbial line.
Yes, Sonny was a blunt instrument, and was played badly in the end. His street-fighting rat cunning was outmatched. But the Tattaglias are no da Vincis either - Bianchi is the one to look out for. Mikey’s suits - and plans - are cut from finer cloth. And his metaphors are far more subtly mixed! He has been sent to Zurich to improve things and take a more gradual and proportional approach. He will take his time.
Fortunately, the only Soviets aware of the ‘For The Motherland’ defensive contingency are in another (alternate) reality, so in this universe SkitalecS3 is unable to communicate this to Stalin, thus relieving him of that dangerous quandary. Though he is of course free to report these visions via Odin and the Secret Committee - I’m just not sure how such ravings would be regarded by the commissars!
Great to see father and son reunited. Mike seems to be a step up compared to Sonny, and he's right, sticking with the peace after such losses is a sign of weakness.
I guess we'll see what Mike will do about that, he does seem to be an enterprising sort of fellow.
Nice speech, it shouldn't fail to motivate your troops, and of course it will be translated into Russian and published in Pravda along with comrade Stalin's speeches...
Axis bombardments remain a sad sight, especially without any interference from Comintern Air Forces... Any idea when (if) the Turkish Air Force will be able to intercept the incoming bombers? Yak-4s retaliating would be even better... but that's going to take a while...
The first new fighter wing is due soon. Once that happens, they’ll be joined up with the current one and risked close to the front, where will be carefully tested on a few intercept missions to see how they go. The Yak 4s are further off, but they are getting closer now as well - they should be ready by the spring.
The initial plan is to have a combined force of 3 x INT and 2 x TAC to do coordinated ops and see how they go. If carved up, they’ll be withdrawn and perhaps augmented further (more and newer license-built planes) and see if Axis air power is diverted and whittled down a bit by Allied and Soviet action elsewhere.
I'd love to see a Turkish Saudi Arabia... More oil for us, and less for the other factions is always good news. We, in the GRU and STAVKA are anxiously awaiting the reports from eyeball Mk. 1 on the feasibility of a Turkish operation into Al Riyadh
It is a long transit. Those primitive subs didn’t have the range to even recon the Red Sea ports from Izmir (ie a move order) so have had to do it via rebase. Their progress will be included in the next update. Yes, it would be useful to add Saudi Arabia to the Glorious Union (adding another star to the flag). Will see if events in the main front permit it. Would probably want at least two full strength divisions to do it.
Have a Glorious 1941 comrades. We shall strive to repel the Fascist invaders and liberate the proletariat of Europe and Asia alike. (How's that for a New Year's resolution)
And the same fraternal felicitations to you comrade! AuthAARs of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose except some sleep and a large chunk of your discretionary spare time! There will be no victory without sacrifice.
And the same fraternal felicitations to you comrade! AuthAARs of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose except some sleep and a large chunk of your discretionary spare time! There will be no victory without sacrifice.
Chapter 107: The Fascists Strike Back (2 to 16 January 1941)
Prologue - Zürich
Colonel 'Mike' Ceylan has brought with him clear instructions from S.I.T.H. leadership in Ankara – from Sükrü Ögel himself. They are to keep a low profile for now and rebuild their strength. The ‘conventional’ espionage arm is currently being slowly rebuilt. There are currently six trained agents awaiting assignment. As previously agreed in Cabinet, he does not plan to launch a new mission until there are twelve agents on hand. At this stage, early thinking is either for a full-blown mission against Italy, or perhaps another trawl for superior Allied technology. One school of thought is that either Free or Vichy France would now be far less able to defend themselves from a spy ring, but either would still have a trove of technical plans that could be of use. GRU and other official advice will be sought on what the best future course might be.
But for now, it is a rebuilding time for Turkey’s secret warriors. Though that won’t stop Vito and Mikey from planning and plotting, as they wonder how they might quietly but gainfully employ the talents of Cennet and Darth Kelebek during this period of transition.
---xxx---
2 Jan 41
The Şanli Ülkü carries word of the great victory in Timisoara the day before. Meanwhile, the pro-Comintern paper takes a less than charitable line on Chamberlain and his latest disappointing foray. Needless to say, the Tory PM is not one of Tom Rosencrantz’s favourite characters! He privately describes Rotterdam as “Chamberlain’s Gallipoli” – an epithet that strikes a definite chord among the more radical cadre of his new paper and Turks generally. Churchill is one of a few points he and Perse definitely don’t see eye-to-eye on!
Foreign Minister Aras brings more somewhat heartening news that evening.
Aras considers this an opportunity – perhaps the ‘Arsenal of Democracy’ may feel a bit better disposed towards providing some assistance to Turkey in its struggle, now that France has fallen into shadow. The American's neutrality is slowly coming down, due to Axis aggression and provocation. And what more democratic and deserving bulwark against Fascism could their possibly be than Turkey!?
The response came quickly: how much they are willing to provide remains to be seen.
Entertainment News: US. The Andrews Sisters recorded "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy". Given the recent warming in relations, it is allowed to be played on Turkish radio stations – where (when translated) it provokes a good deal of amusement among the troops that get to hear it (which admittedly isn’t many). Needless to say, the dance moves of the officers and men in the newsreel clip from the movie ‘Buck Privates’ are not reproduced on the Yeniçeri Line!
(2:17) The Andrews Sisters – Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
3 Jan 41
Admiral Üngen advises it will take a rotation of 12 merchant convoys to service the lend-lease provided by the US. Turkey remains unable to provide any meaningful escort to these vessels – they will have to risk the dangerous waters of Med and Atlantic and hope that Allied naval superiority keeps the losses low. For now, there are plenty of spare transports to service the convoy route and spares as well.
4 Jan 41
The early morning quiet – unbroken since the start of the Great Liberation War on 1 June 1940 – is shattered in Metkovic, as two wings of Italian bombers appear overhead. There are three raids during the day, killing a total of 337 Comintern troops (there are Soviets garrisoned there as well). The raids only last for one day.
Later than morning, the 1st Mk1 Eyeball sub flotilla passes by the Saudi port of Jiddah. If there is any military activity there, they don’t see it.
6 Jan 41
While the Soviets report some heavy fighting elsewhere on the Eastern Front, the Yeniçeri Line remains relatively quiet. Inönü receives a follow-up report on the US lend-lease. It remains very small by comparison to that being received from the Soviets and the British. Perhaps it might grow in the future – to justify the large convoy cost.
News Report: Washington DC, US. President Franklin D. Roosevelt makes the Four Freedoms speech during his State of the Union address. He proposes four fundamental freedoms that all the people of the world ought to enjoy: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear.
President Roosevelt delivers the ‘Four Freedoms’ speech – 1941 State of the Union Address.
7 Jan 41
Inönü’s weekly update report hits his desk late that night. At some point during the previous week, the British landing in Rotterdam had been defeated, but there are no details on the date or of casualties. As the new I-16 interceptors will be delivered soon, Örlungat makes the long-anticipated relocation of the two Turkish air wings to Beograd.
A general overview of the Eastern Front shows the Germans beginning to make some inroads against the Soviets, despite some isolated Comintern victories.
8 Jan 41
Örlungat provides a summary of air activity in Europe over the last week. The Eastern Front shows its normal pattern of strikes and the occasional air battle. The British strategic bombers have been hitting Leipzig and there had been some considerable activity to try to save their doomed Rotterdam landing. With the two wings now in Beograd, Örlungat provides a chart with their effective combat ranges – which for the obsolete Hawk 3 biplanes is very short, but enough to cover most of the Yeniçeri Line if required.
And that afternoon, Üngen reports the loss of the first convoy on the US lend-lease route. The cost-effectiveness of the aid will have to be monitored, but this can be sustained for the present.
9 Jan 41
The submarines arrive off Ad Dammam in the Persian Gulf – again, either there is nothing based there or they cannot see it. They will base themselves in nearby Bushehr – and hope the supply situation there improves with time.
While in interesting news from the Adriatic coast, the Soviets successfully launch a small offensive to take Korcula, with two divisions in place to try to hold it. Turkey maintains its established Yeniçeri Line entrenchments in Metkovic.
10 Jan 41
2. Avci Filo, armed with the ‘new’ (for Turkey, at least) I-16 Polykarpov interceptors is deployed in Beograd to start working up to combat readiness. As can be seen, its range is far greater than Turkey’s old fighter wing – and almost that of the old Blenheim TAC bomber wing.
This means a large chunk of production capacity has been freed up – and the army wants a new tank brigade. They browse the Soviet catalogues – and find two new tank models are available! Army Chief Yamut’s mouth waters with anticipation. He’d like one of each of the new medium and heavy armour formations but must decide on one.
This new T-34 looks very effective and good value. But then there is the large (and expensive) ‘Iosef Stalin’ (IS-1) heavy tank, which has replaced the old KV-1. Heavy armour will one day be crucial in achieving initial breakthrough victories and to help counter those fearsome ‘Tiger’ tanks the High Command is hearing about from the Soviets. Despite the expense and long production time, and in anticipation of having need of it by early 1942, Yamut opts for the IS-1. Though he looks longingly at the T-34s: perhaps next time! The license request is made and approved shortly afterwards.
News Report: Gallup Poll, US. The results of a Gallup poll are published asking Americans, "Which of these two things do you think it is more important for the United States to try to do — to keep out of the war ourselves, or to help England win, even at the risk of getting into the war?" 60% said help England, 40% said keep out.
A separate question asked, "If you were asked to vote on the question of the United States entering the war against Germany and Italy, how would you vote — to go into the war, or to stay out of the war?" 88% said stay out, 12% said go in.
Comment: This encapsulates both the prevailing sentiment in favour of Britain but also the limits of the commitment of the general US population to directly participate in the war on Fascism.
11 Jan 41
With the recent equipment upgrades, the Turkish mountain divisions now have a very strong defensive value. They will be hard to shift if attacked by the Axis – especially if it is second-string Italian and Hungarian units.
13 Jan 41
Though no Axis attacks are reported, their build-up along the Yeniçeri Line is being keenly observed for any signs of imminent attack. But the increasingly grim reports from further north indicate – as anticipated – the main weight of the reinforced German Army is being brought to bear on Turkey’s Soviet allies.
A previous oversight is corrected when MAJGEN Namut (must be a twin brother of his Army namesake) is named as the commander of the new I-16 interceptor wing in Beograd.
16 Jan 41
With no further action (in the air or on the ground) reported on the Turkish sector of the front in the last week, Inönü gets his more comprehensive mid-month strategic updates. First, he reviews progress and expected delivery dates of some of the larger and longer-term projects. Now the Yak-4s are in full production, an estimated delivery time is known: they can be expected to enter service in another year. The new LaGG-3 Fighters should be delivered earlier, in June 1941. Once they are in full production, a delivery date for the IS-1 brigade should be known, but they are currently (at 74% efficiency) due in March 1942. One reason for concentrating now on some of these high-end capabilities is that they are relatively light in manpower and officer demand compared to the industrial capacity required to produce them.
The general report for the Eastern Front now makes for grim reading. The Germans have once again retaken Memel in the north. But their main gains have been in the centre, especially in those areas of Poland seized last year by the Soviets, where their offensive has been significantly reversed.
A closer look at the northern sector shows the line in danger of breaking north of Memel. The key province of Gumbinnen is back in German hands too.
In the Bialystock-Brest-Litovsk sector, the Germans once again push forward.
Of greatest concern is the heavy counter-offensive in Poland, rolling back many of the Soviet gains of the last seven months. The Germans have clearly concentrated a fair amount of their armour here and it is having an obvious effect. Further loss of territory looks inevitable. We just hope the Soviets can solidify the front again and that the Germans ‘run out of puff’.
At least the situation in the Soviet Far East seems to have largely stabilised, though the position in Mongolia continues to slowly deteriorate.
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From British liaison, they have already acknowledged the end of their Rotterdam raid but we are unaware whether the marines were able to be evacuated – sadly, we assume they were lost and captured. But the re-conquest of Ethiopia continues apace.
Though in Libya, those increased Italian reinforcements previously spotted near Tripoli have made their mark. Alas, the imminent loss of Italy’s Libyan possession has been averted. Once again, the lack of British commitment to a properly supported offensive has led to disappointment.
Italian armour on the advance in Misurata, retaken by them by mid-January 1941.
A request is made of the British Admiralty for any information available on what happened to the French Fleet after the fall, of France. The British undertake to provide a detailed report at the end of the month.
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Given the quiet time on the Yeniçeri Line in recent weeks, it is decided it should be safe to put two divisions previously without commanders in the hands of the (only) two recent graduates of the “General’s Class of ‘41”. The more promising of the two is given 12 Inf Div (Spt), currently in reserve at Beograd. The other is sent to take over the new 2 Inf Div, sitting in reserve at the southern end of the line at Ljubinje – it is good that he is offensively-minded but he has a lot to learn! Hopefully the services of neither will be called upon until they are back up to full organisation under their new commanders.
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Coming Up: Can the Soviets withstand the new German offensive? It is still mid-winter but the Germans are already showing they have the power to break the line. Meanwhile, the Axis minor allies that make up most of the opposition along the Yeniçeri Line remain quiescent – for now. Will US lend-lease step up or remain at its current low levels? What would it take to get them into the war? Once both Turkish fighter wings are up to full strength, will they attempt to intercept any renewed Axis bombing missions, or continue to lay low and await the delivery of the third wing of newer aircraft mid-year?
News Report: Washington DC, US. President Franklin D. Roosevelt makes the Four Freedoms speech during his State of the Union address. He proposes four fundamental freedoms that all the people of the world ought to enjoy: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear.
Given Turkey fails on all four of those freedoms that might explain why US lend-lease is so meagre. But then again the US itself is failing on at least two of them, arguably three, so perhaps drag in the US ambassador for a quick chat to point that out, it may get you an increase in lend-lease.
Given Turkey fails on all four of those freedoms that might explain why US lend-lease is so meagre. But then again the US itself is failing on at least two of them, arguably three, so perhaps drag in the US ambassador for a quick chat to point that out, it may get you an increase in lend-lease.
Ah, the Glorious Truth is that this alt/Turkey of 1941 is a shining beacon of all of these freedoms. In fact, so benevolent is the regime that they provide the fifth freedom: freedom from freedom. Just kick back, be prepared to fight and die for your country and let the great and good Milli Sef look after everything else. Freedom of choice can be so stressful and inconvenient.
the tide seems to start hitting the rocks and some creaking is coming from the piers but i believe we will hold on.
it's a good thing saudi arabia does not seem to have any military activity where we can see it. once we make a landing and have a beachhead the VP province is only 1 province deep I guess, right? maybe we can start strat deploying the leftover cav divisions to bushehr
it's also nice to see some more advanced units are going to come online in the near future. we need all the help of technology if we want to defeat the fascists.
One school of thought is that either Free or Vichy France would now be far less able to defend themselves from a spy ring, but either would still have a trove of technical plans that could be of use. GRU and other official advice will be sought on what the best future course might be.
I think that's a reasonable assumption to make... Another option is to go into Italy, though it is more risky, the Italians probably have more LS dedicated to research and, likely, better tech than the French in a few areas like the Navy and maybe even the Air Force. If you're looking for good tank design, you might not want to go there though...
Finally, the Turkish Air Force will be able to make itself useful. Soon, there will be no more free lunches for the bombers of the Regia Aeronautica, not to mention the boost to morale on the ground once those first Italian bombers are shot out of the skies above, by Turkish Fighters no less...
The Panzers are really wreaking havoc in Poland, though several disorganised withdrawals are underway, I believe we have the space and the reserves to stabilise the front, and if that doesn't do it, we'll just have to wait for the Raspoutitsa to bog down the Panzers. Frozen ground is pretty good for armoured vehicles, but deep mud, that's a whole other story.
Congrats on building IS-1s, I can only imagine the face of the Hungarian or Italian soldier once a whole Regiment of them rolls up on his position, some time down the line. There's just nothing like the biggest baddest tank in the Comintern Arsenal. With Turkey's limited manpower, it really makes sense to buy the big boy tanks rather than the run of the mill T-34s. Glad to see you're putting all of that lend-lease to good use. Both the Soviet Union are committing about 10% of their industry to aiding Turkey, and it seems to be working miracles.
For Turkey, a great start of the year, for the Soviet Union, not so much.
OK thanks. The ı would be difficult to fix but I’ll get around to manually renaming them as Filosu. Also, is Filosu the broad equivalent to a ‘wing’? If so, is there an equivalent for ‘group’, or whatever the next level up would be?
I am surprised the Russians managed to crawl up the Adriatic at all with everything else going on. Maybe this could be a breakthrough enough to destroy a good chunk of the enemy on this front? Considering what a delicate balancing act the eastern front I should in at the moment, anyone losing anything in terms of troops is going to adverse affect the front all the way along. Perhaps we should look into Rhodes and Sicily again, just as distractions for the aI Italians?
