Chapter 122: German Sewer Rats (8 to 13 April 1941)
Recap
The Axis has fought back, with German armoured formations beginning to reinforce the line in front of the earlier Turkish offensive. The priority now is to ensure the previous victory does not leave the
Yeniçeri Line exposed and vulnerable to counter-attack and breach. President Inönü prepares a defence in depth and plans a fighting withdrawal to help re-establish the main defensive line.
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8 Apr 41
Against the run of recent events, the Turks’ Soviet partners retake
Arad at 4am, reversing the Axis gain of a few days earlier.
At 7am,1 Inf Div made it back to
Timisoara, still badly disorganised from its three recent battles in
Sânnicolau Mare, to complete its recovery and dig in for its likely defence. In
Arad, the single Soviet rifle division that recently seized it is already under Axis air attack. It will need reinforcement if it is to have any chance of holding, but Turkey cannot spare the troops for that at present.
At 5pm, news is received from Romanian Liaison – Agent RasaUrs75
[@racebear75] that Slovakian troops have this time taken
Cluj - in the name of the Germans!
[@ElPip will doubtless be proud no doubt on behalf of Tiso and Tuka and Slovakian arms. Or something. 
] It is hoped this is not the beginning of a more general setback for the temporarily stabilised Romanian defence.
A few hours later, the command net at 1st Army HQ’s command posts bursts into life:
“One this is One-Nine. Contact. German infantry, division strength, attempting a river crossing from Zvornik in the south-west. We are inflicting heavy casualties. Out.”
The isolated attack by 86. Inf-Div on
Semska Mitrovica will have little chance of success if this is all they can bring to the table. Perhaps it is just a probe?
The skies have remained quiet over the
Yeniçeri Front today, with no Axis raids recorded.
OTL Event: Washington DC, US. President Roosevelt sent Peter II of Yugoslavia a message promising that "the United States will speedily furnish all material assistance possible in accordance with its existing statutes. I send Your Majesty my most earnest hopes for a successful resistance to this criminal assault upon the independence and integrity of your country." There is no record I’m aware of that shows anything actually resulting from this assurance – whether there may have been eventually, no-one can know: it was all over very quickly in OTL. [Comment: In this ATL, the US does at least send Turkey a few IC points as lend-lease, which qualifies as ‘material assistance’ in Inönü’s books.]
9 Apr 41
But things get more serious when two wings of enemy bombers commence a raid on
Semska Mitrovica at 1am on the morning of the ninth. Turkey is still unable to contest Axis air superiority, so only ground fire can harry the Axis marauders. Around the same time, HQ 3rd Corps arrives in
Timisoara from the south, to help bolster its defences with its AA and AT brigades. And then, at 3am, while the Italian air raid continues, 9 Inf Div’s recon company reports the Hungarian 9th Div is attempting to reinforce the attack on
Semska Mitrovica. This increases the likelihood of an Axis victory somewhat, but as yet has no practical effect on the combat itself. At present, it remains an unrealised threat – but a dangerous one, as they do not need to cross a river to get at the Turkish defenders.
Later that day, to the north of
Subotica, a new German panzer-grenadier division is seen arriving in
Szeged. While some Axis units are still retreating as a result of the Turkish offensive, others come to take their place – many of them German. While it is good they have been diverted from other fronts (one of the original aims of the attack), this attention brings danger with it. These are not second-line minor Axis units, but battle-hardened German units, including armour. The relatively lightly equipped 12 Inf Div, which has been left alone as the first screening unit for the general withdrawal, could be in for a torrid time, sitting in open terrain in
Subotica.
6 Inf Div, called forward some days ago to
Timisoara after their protracted defence of
Ada, arrive late that night. They too are still recovering organisation from their earlier fight, but are now in reasonably good shape. As there is not much confidence at HQ 1st Army in the Soviet’s ability to hold
Arad (north of
Timisoara) for any length of time, they are ordered straight to
Lipova, to entrench there. It is not good defensive terrain, but if it falls it could lead to the turning of the entire northern section of the
Yeniçeri Line and the Romanian defences to its east. It is hoped that Soviet and Romanian assistance to hold this section of the line will be forthcoming. But if it isn’t, 6 Inf Div may at least be able to impose some delay on an Axis breakthrough there, giving time for the rest of the line to be adjusted. And at the same time, the new and inexperienced 4 Inf Div arrives in the hills of
Ruma – the original stepping off point for the KURT SÜRÜSÜ offensive – to begin the work of re-establishing the original
Yeniçeri Line fortifications there.
Air Raids. The Italians raided
Semska Mitrovica with three punishing attacks during the day: 507 Turkish soldiers perished under their bombing.
OTL/Game Event: Greenland. The U.S. and Danish governments signed an agreement in which the Americans took over the defence of Greenland in exchange for the right to build air and naval bases there. The U.S. established a protectorate over Greenland the following day. [I checked the map and, although I saw no diplomatic reports to the effect, the US does indeed have control over both Greenland and Iceland at this time].
News Report: London, UK. Winston Churchill makes a lengthy speech before the House of Commons reviewing the course of the war. He said in conclusion: "Once we have gained the Battle of the Atlantic and are sure of the constant flow of American supplies which are being prepared for us, then, however far Hitler may go or whatever new millions and scores of millions he may lap in misery, we who are armed with the sword of retributive justice shall be on his track." [Comment: some sword-waving in Libya would be useful around about now, Winston!]
10 Apr 41
Another witching hour; another Vichy spy apprehended. Into the interrogation cells for this one! Of more immediate interest, at 1am 12 Inf Div reports a heavy attack from the north on
Subotica. This report is more informal and alarming that usual:
“SS and panzer-grenadiers – they’re all over us – we are outnumbered more than 2-1. We are still only partly entrenched and in open terrain. We are holding for now but are under heavy pressure.”
It is the ubiquitous SS Verfugungstruppe again (though still somewhat the worse for wear) commanded by von Schweppenburg, this time with fellow German panzer-grenadiers to assist them.
Inönü issues his orders to MAJGEN Eldelhun personally over the radio:
“You must continue to hold for as long as possible. Those behind you are relying on having enough time to entrench before the enemy is upon them as well. Do what you can for as long as you can, even if the casualties are heavy. We must buy time to ensure the line is stabilised, or all may be lost. Your valour will be admired all over the Glorious Union!”
Far to the south, the Turkish 1st Fleet finally returns to home port. The ground units remain in
Antalya as do the troop transports, while the warships are sent off to reconnoitre
Rhodes (Rodi).
At the same time, the 1st ‘Mk1 Eyeball’ submarine flotilla is ordered to finish its patrolling in the Persian Gulf and return to the Mediterranean, to rebase itself in
Athens.
With enemy attacks now beginning to build on the western flank of the salient, HQ 1st Corps also moves back to establish itself in
Ada, where it will add to the defence there. With their slower speed, they cannot afford to be stranded in open terrain should the enemy break through.
With more time now to discern the strength of the attack on
Subotica, the situation there looks grim. But behind them, 15 Inf Div in
Srboban has still only had three days to dig in – not enough yet for a strong delaying defensive position. 12 Inf Div must continue to hold on, even at the cost of a mounting toll of martyrs to the anti-Fascist cause.
At 6am, 2 Inf Div finally arrive in
Ada, largely recovered from their earlier fighting and ready to begin digging in at one of the original
Yeniçeri Line positions the Turks are counting on to halt the Axis advance.
By late morning, 1st Fleet is stationed off
Rhodes: but the terrain is rough and they are as yet unable to make out any details of enemy positions. All they have is the earlier reports from British air recon of an Italian militia division in defensive positions there.
In
Subotica, as the fighting continues, MAJGEN Eldelhun makes an assessment of the relative strengths: the odds are slowly worsening and casualties are beginning to mount. While they are putting up a strong defence, so too are the Germans attacking strongly – especially the SS, who are out for revenge for recent losses at the hands of the Turks.
By the evening, with the situation slowly deteriorating in
Subotica, the decision is taken to have 7 Inf Div fall back from
Kula to
Novi Sad – which currently has no defence
in situ - in a depth delaying position for the hills of
Ada and
Ruma to its east. It should take them less than two days to get there, so they can start entrenching quickly.
Air Raids. The Italians maintained their ground attack tempo with another three raids, though this time ‘only’ 430 defenders were killed in
Semska Mitrovica. That is over 900 casualties in two days: what they lack on the ground the Axis are making up for in the air.
11 Apr 41
“Another spy from Manchuria, you say?” Interior Minister Kaya is discussing the latest midnight report from the Ministry duty officer. His voice is soft and calm – for once. He must have taken one of his pills a few minutes back, in preparation for the midnight counter-espionage report.
“Yes, Minister,” replied that worthy. “We caught him trying to infiltrate the Mongolian Embassy. We believe he was seeking information about our Comintern partner’s resolve for the war and whether their troops fighting in the Soviet Union would continue on or surrender in the event of a collapse of their government.”
“Well, see that he is squeezed dry of everything useful
he may know. Though I suspect it won’t amount to much. Keep him alive for when Mr Kelebek returns next. And leave him ...
unspoiled. Kelebek will be disappointed if the prisoner doesn’t give ‘good sport’, as he puts it.”
Both men look around the room, under the desk, in dark corners, etc. Midnight is not a good time to be mentioning the Kelebek’s name – even if it is in a favourable, useful or deferential way. But Kaya is technically one of his bosses, so likes to demonstrate a degree of authority to junior staff. This is something he tends to do when Kelebek is not around. That he can tell.
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Back at the front,12 Inf Div is starting to weaken as the enemy attack pushes through into some second line positions in
Subotica. If they stay much longer, they will be useless as a fighting formation for many days and the battle odds indicate they are likely taking significantly heavier casualties than their Axis attackers.
“Tell Eldelhun they have done enough and done it very bravely,” says Inönü to an orderly in his office, after being brought the latest reports. “They have allowed 15 Inf Div extra time to prepare their defences in
Srboban. 12 Inf Div should now break contact and fall back through
Srboban. They will get new orders when they arrive there, but they will probably be sent south to
Ruma to recover and entrench, unless some other part of the line needs reinforcing by then.”
“Yes sir, right away!” The orderly salutes respectfully (they are indoors, so no danger of snipers about) and dashes away to the CP with Inönü’s written order to that effect. They begin their withdrawal at 5am; it is estimated they have suffered more than twice the casualties the Germans have.
After another day of intense fighting, the Germans continue their attack: their counter-battery fire and air attacks have been very effective against the Turkish artillery, who seem to be suffering disproportionate casualties. But the Germans are making less headway with their infantry attacks across the river. Their Hungarian allies have still not reinforced the fight: the German commander of their 86th Division must be fuming, as his men take heavy casualties. But they keep pressing their attack with determination.
6 Inf Div arrive in
Lipova in the late afternoon and immediately start digging their entrenchments. They have substantially but not yet fully recovered from their previous exertions. A large concentration of Axis formation – perhaps up to four divisions, including German troops – has retaken
Arad from the Soviets, as feared. Another Soviet rifle division (the 87 SD) is approaching from the south-east. It is hoped they might boost the defence of this open country. Will that large group of enemy units in
Arad attack? And if they do, where will they strike?
Air Raids. The Italians switched their efforts today from
Semska Mitrovica to
Timisoara, with three raids there killing 424 soldiers. Does this presage yet another attack on the city, or is it another example of what the Soviets call
maskirovka? Only time will tell.
OTL Event: Yugoslavia. Hungary joined the invasion of Yugoslavia. The Hungarian occupation of Yugoslav territories began. [Comment: they got an early start this time round, but the jackals have at least been made to pay a high price for their perfidy in this ATL.]
Entertainment News: US. The comedy film Road to Zanzibar, the second in the popular Road to ... film series starring Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, was released, spoofing jungle adventure movies. Laff a little while the world burns! Quality.
(2:17 min)
The Road to Zanzibar: beware corny gags and even cheesier ‘special effects’. You have been warned!
12 Apr 41
1 Cav Div, previously ordered back from its successful attack on
Kanjiza that closed off the second pocket of the Turkish spring offensive, arrives in
Senta just after midnight on April 12th. They are not to rest and are sent on to
Ada, a reasonably central position from where they could be deployed to a neighbouring province if necessary to counter any enemy breakthrough attempts. Inönü has not yet decided whether to eventually draw them back into a reserve position just behind the line, from where they can move to reinforce the line without interference. But first, strength and organisation will be recovered after their recent heavy workload at the cutting edge of the offensive.
The Germans attacking
Semska Mitrovica are definitely suffering more disorganisation and casualties than the Turkish defenders, despite the previous air attacks (there was great relief when the Italian Air Force left them alone that day). But the defence remains strong, and the Hungarians still sit on their hands, letting the Germans take the casualties. They are either incompetent or cowardly, but the Turks are happy for them to sit the rest of the battle out. If they join in now, they could turn the tables.
A few provinces north, the German SS and panzer-grenadier troops had already occupied
Subotica, though they should be fairly worn out by a tough attack. It was hoped 15 Inf Div may still have a few more days to entrench in
Srboban before either these or follow-up forces attacked.
In the late morning, MAJGEN Gürzlin reported he had arrived in
Novi Sad in good order and 7 Inf Div were already preparing another delaying position. LTGEN Cakmak’s HQ 1st Corps was still making its slow way to
Ruma. This left
Kula open, though the Hungarians had not yet made a move towards it. Like the beaten mongrels they are.
With the Soviets retreating in front of them in
Arad and the Soviet 87 SD now diverted to the north-east, Inönü became concerned that this could open a weak point in the line. At least one other Soviet division (no details were yet to hand) had appeared in
Lipova: but would they stay there to help hold it? What was their strength and status? He telegrammed the STAVKA to specifically request
Lipova be defended, at the same time removing the request to defend
Semska Mitrovica, which had never been fulfilled.
The earlier occupation of
Sânnicolau Mare and now
Subotica by the Germans had left the renowned MAJGEN Namut and his 5 Inf Div very exposed in
Kanjiza. They also reported supplies were not getting through, further undermining their position. There was no more benefit to be gained and plenty of danger in leaving them there, so they were now ordered to follow 1 Cav Div back to
Senta. At the same time, it was reported the Hungarian 2nd Div had begun to advance on the unoccupied
Kula. But, interestingly, the Soviet 17 SD had turned up in
Srboban and now, unbidden by Turkey, seemed to also be advancing on
Kula. Good for them! If they can get there first and hold it for a while, then that would provide another useful bit of delay for the main defence to be strengthened.
As the day wore on, the organisation of the Germans attacking
Semska Mitrovica deteriorated rapidly. If the lackadaisical Hungarians did not reinforce soon, they would be defeated, even though the odds (based on a hypothetical Hungarian intervention) kept narrowing. If 9 Inf Div could defeat this attack and hold the screening position for a few more days, this would be excellent news.
The battered but not beaten 12 Inf Div arrive in
Srboban just before nightfall and proceed on to
Ada and some much-needed recovery time.
No air raids are recorded this day.
OTL Event: Yugoslavia. The Germans captured Belgrade (Beograd). [Comment: In this ATL, we have held them a couple of provinces short of that milestone for the best part of a year!]
13 Apr 1941
The landline rings in the HQ 1st Army CP at 10 am on the morning of 13 April.
“Sir, LTGEN Cakmak is on the line, he wants to talk to you personally!”The duty officer passes the handset over to GEN Inönü.
“Yes Fevzi, what is it?”
“The Axis have attacked us in strength in
Timisoara! Elements of three different divisions – German, Hungarian and Italian – have been identified, all attacking from
Arad.”
“Have they attacked
Lipova as well? Any panzers in the attack?”
“No, Milli Şef – it's all infantry attacking. Though my intel cell has reported indications of an unidentified Italian light armoured division advancing from the north-west to join 11 Pz-Div in
Sânnicolau Mare.”
“How is the battle going, Fevzi? Will you be able to hold them?”
“Well, I attempted to implement what I thought would be a masterful delaying manoeuvre to buy more time for our damaged units to recover and to improve our position, but I must confess it has backfired: their direct assault has upset my plans. Despite that, our positions seem strong enough. I am confident we can holdthose attacking us for now. But if we are hit in the flank by two armoured divisions from
Sânnicolau Mare, including those Panzer IVs, it might be a different story. We have a Soviet rifle division passing through, but they are not stopping to help the defence.”
“Very well, keep me informed, especially if anything changes. I can send reinforcements if things get desperate, but I would rather you hold with what you have.”
“Very well sir, I will keep you posted. At least the enemy air attacks have not resumed today either: let’s hope they stay away!”
An hour later, a coded report is received from MAJGEN Alankup, commanding 9 Inf Div in
Semska Mitrovica: they have defeated the German attack – the Hungarians never reinforced their senior partners. Huzzah! Enemy casualties were very heavy, though these were counter-balanced by the heavy casualties from air attacks suffered a few days beforehand (930). The 7th Arty Bde suffered more than the most heavily engaged line infantry brigade: over 40% casualties! But it is a glorious victory for Turkey.
A few hours later, Namut, on his way back from
Kanjiza to
Ada, reports he has been assaulted by a couple of somewhat battle-worn Hungarian infantry divisions, from two separate flanks.
“Did he say what his plans are?” asks the President.
“He just transmitted one word when we asked, sir.”
“And that was ...”
“’Saldır!’”
“Hah! Good man. He really is our best general right now. Let me know how his counter-attack turns out.”
Inönü didn’t have long to wait: by 3pm the short-lived enemy attack was over. They must have realised they were badly over-matched, even though the Turks no longer had the protection of their trenches to aid them. 5 Inf Div continued on to
Senta: would they be needed to reinforce
Timisoara? The enemy attack was slowly gathering strength, but still looked unlikely to succeed.
Unless those enemy tanks intervened ...
With no further major battle reports or air raids during day, Inönü withdrew to his office late that night to read his weekly strategic summaries.
OTL Event: Soviet–Japanese Neutrality Pact. Japan and the Soviet Union signed a five-year Treaty of Neutrality, pledging to remain neutral in the event of one country being attacked by a third party. The pact also saw the Soviet Union recognize du jure Manchukuo for the first time. [Comment: well, we know things have turned out considerably differently in this ATL. Whether it will ultimately be for better or worse for the anti-Fascist fight remains to be seen.]
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Weekly Summaries - Map Notes: All positions as at 2300 13 April 1941. Dashed arrows and (on smaller scale maps) icons represent change of province possession since last report (ie midnight 7 April 1941). Start points for all fronts as at midnight 31 March 1941.
Japan continues to make slow net advances in the
Far East, but Mongolia remains in the war and there have been Comintern counter-attacks, though the situation for that country remains perilous.
On the
Patriotic Front, the northern areas have seen the most German advances in the last few weeks. The southern half has generally held steady and even recorded a few Comintern advances, though there is renewed danger in the open country to the south of the Pripet Marshes.
The blue dotted lines represent the boundaries between the five sectors of the front.
The
Northern Sector is fragile and some Soviet units are in danger of being cut off as the Nazis drive for
Riga, while the rest retreat – it is hoped to strong river defensive positions available from
Riga to the south-east.
The problems continue in the
Central Sector, where recent advances now see the Germans pressing on
Wilno and, beyond that,
Minsk is then likely to come under pressure in coming days. The situation is better along the line of the Pripet Marshes, but the Germans may be able to bypass that area to close on
Minsk from the west.
In the
Southern Sector, Soviet positions in the southern part of the Pripet Marshes and the open country to the south of that are under severe threat from a German armour-led breakthrough, which has gathered pace in the last few days. The southern part of this sector is more stable, but risks being outflanked if the Soviets cannot hold further to the north. There are plenty of Soviet formations in the area, but their strength and morale cannot be easily gauged, while we only have reports of Axis units at the forward edge of the battle area (FEBA). What they may have following up is unknown - and a concern.
Romania has, by contrast, held fairly well in the last week.
Cluj has changed hands yet again, with a strong Soviet-Romanian attack again liberating the town from Slovakian occupation in the last day. The main concern is on the border with the
Yeniçeri Line in the
Arad-Lipova gap, which now has a Turkish-Soviet force preparing to resist any attack. There may even be a strong Soviet attack going in on the hills to the north-east of
Cluj, where the Hungarian defenders seem to be retreating: developments there will be monitored.
The
Yeniçeri Line has remained quiet in the south (as it has for months), but as we have seen, there has been much activity in the area of the recent Turkish spring offensive. The Axis, with German reinforcement, has begun to claw back recently occupied territory, with a strong column now located in
Subotica (though it is hoped most of those units are still recuperating). The Soviet appearance in
Kula is very helpful, extending the screen south-west as the reoccupation of the old
Yeniçeri Line defensive positions in the hills south-west of
Timisoara (the
Kikinda-Ada-Ruma sector) proceeds.
Inönü will formally revoke all requests for depth offensive objective in Hungary, related to the recent offensive, shortly. He will also look at any possible vulnerable points in the line and reinforce them with what Turkish troops he can spare and some new defensive requests for the Soviets. He also needs to re-establish a couple of reserve divisions at selected points along the line so any new Axis attacks can be responded to.
There has been no change in positions in
Libya over the last six days, or indeed since the beginning of the month. Given the situation there as last briefed by the British, this is surprisingly good news.
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Epilogue
In
Zurich, Cennet receives a note from Mike Ceylan:
“My Dear Cennet,
I hope you have maintained your skills and preparedness since the recent unpleasantness with the Ambassador and then poor Sonny, may he rest in peace. Indeed, knowing you, I am sure you have kept in peak condition.
Please, redouble your efforts and report to me at the Embassy tomorrow morning. The time has come to ask a small service of you – one I know you will welcome. You see, I have a stone in my shoe and I think you may be able to remove it for me …
Fondest regards,
Mükkerim”
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Coming Up: Inönü wonders whether the Soviets will be able to contain – or at least slow down – the gathering German momentum in the northern half of the Patriotic Front. On his patch, having attracted the attention of the Germans, he must deal with the likely consequences. In fact, he is banking on a strong renewed
Yeniçeri Line defence to bleed the Axis again as they try to break through. He describes
[with the AuthAAR’s apologies to Freddie Mercury ] Hitler as “a sewer rat decaying in a cess-pool of pride” and hopes to catch his over-extended forces in an active and punishing defence. If there is a chance to hit any exhausted Axis formations with a sharp counter-attack in favourable terrain, he will take it. Hence the desire to see if a small reserve can be assembled while the main line is still firmly held. And of course, all this is dependent on (but should simultaneously assist) the defence of Romania and the Ukraine. Finally, what does Mike Ceylan have in store for Cennet? It is unlikely to involve either crochet or flower-arranging!
