Chapter 132: A Rain of Blows (22 to 27 May 1941)
Chapter 132: A Rain of Blows (22 to 27 May 1941)
Prologue: Gameplay Note
So, at this stage, the Comintern still has the most objectives to its name (three) but has recently dropped one by losing the north-western Romanian province of Cimpeni, meaning that country is not fully under Comintern control as a puppet.
22 May 41
Departure time for the Midnight Express in Ankara.
Watches synchronised, a team of Kaya’s agents is gathered outside the door of a supposed Syrian rug-salesman’s home. The team leader holds up his fingers and silently counts down to midnight – five, four, three, two, one … crash goes the front door and the men pile in.
At first, the suspect they capture in bed denies everything. But a quick search of his desk reveals a pro-Fascist French propaganda poster. What an amateur! Confronted with the damning evidence, the man breaks down. But it will not save him from a ticket to hell on the Midnight Express. Kaya is pleased when informed – off to the interrogation chamber for this one.
With no active combat in progress, the day is spent with formations moving to new defensive locations or digging in. The badly mauled 12 Inf Div arrives at its ‘recovery position’ in Arandelovac at 1pm.
In Ankara, the Propaganda Department is trying to finalise a recruiting poster for the Air Force, which is currently undergoing a massive (for Turkey) expansion. They want something glamorous to entice dashing young pilots.
“Miss Fotheringay-Phipps, we just can’t seem to find the right model for this. We’re stumped,” says one of her ‘creative’ managers. “I simply don’t know what we’ll do!”
“Keep looking, Mehmet, I’m sure you will find someone top notch,” replies Perse absently, working on the next special issue of the Istanbul Times. It will be a tricky one, as not all news of recent losses in the Balkans can be completely hushed up.
“Well,” replies Mehmet shyly, “the men have come up with one idea.”
“Hmm, yes, what is it then?”
“We thought, perhaps, ah …”
With no more major events or air action, the rest of the day passed in relative quiet.
OTL Event: Greece. King George II of Greece fled to Egypt. [Comment: in this ATL he is still safely held in the ex-Kings’ Club in the mountains of the Bulgarian GNR. Let's hope Axis advances don't force a relocation!]
23 May 41
A serious problem with supply in Kikinda becomes critical early on the morning of 23 May. It had already led to the Soviet 117 SD, which was sharing defensive duties there with the Turkish 15 Inf Div, to abandon its entrenchments and head south. MAJGEN Gataly remained – and with him Corporal Metin Sadik and his squad – but if an attack materialised, their defence would be severely compromised. And there was little Inönü could do other than hope his logisticians could fix whatever the problem was: shouting at them [or the AI] would achieve nothing.
The rest of the morning passed with a succession of formations reaching their new positions to commence entrenchment and recovery. 1 and 2 Inf Divs arrived in Beograd to bolster its defences and perhaps allow for one of the three divisions now there to act as a reserve later. 1 Inf Div retained some organisation, but 2 Inf Div was in a very poor state. The spent 7 Inf Div was by that point passing through Valjevo on its train trip south to the depth line between Tirane and Skopje.
And by 11am, HQ 3rd Corps – its militia brigade still needing to recover further – began setting up its defences in Pozarevac.
In far away Zurich, Ambassador 'Mike' Ceylan was being briefed on the deal – and assurances – being offered by his MI6 counterparts through one of their representatives from the British Embassy. The 2nd Secretary for Cultural Affairs, of course!
“So, Mr Psmith – ‘with a P’ – I thank your Government once again for the safe repatriation of Luca Brasi, who I have heard has arrived back safely in Ankara. In return, as agreed, here is a file on Mafia-related activity done, we believe, at the behest of Italian intelligence. You will also see that both Japanese and German agencies have, at various times, been involved. These criminal scum and fascist jackals are a pestilence on the world.”
“Ah, we do agree, Your Excellency, quite.” ‘Psmith’ accepts the file and locks it away in a secure briefcase. “We will have something for you soon on known Italian dispositions throughout the Mediterranean theatre, as agreed.”
“There is one other matter I would like to raise, with the utmost respect. My chief – Foreign Minister Aras, that is – has a stone in his shoe. Or, more specifically, a Thorn in his side.” Ceylan maintains the diplomatic fiction that his boss is the Foreign Minister, rather than Intelligence Head Ögel. Both men know otherwise, but it would have shown a lack of respect for Psmith to make a point of it.
Ambassador Mike Ceylan confers with ‘Mr Psmith’ from MI6 in Zurich: Ceylan’s boss ‘has a Thorn in his side’.
“Hm, of course, we can neither confirm nor deny anything about such a hypothetical situation or person, of course. But what is it you would like to say, Your Excellency?”
“Our Government, hypothetically speaking, wants a pledge that there are no British agents conducting active espionage operations in or against Turkey or the wider UGNR and that none will be sent. Of course, we can pledge the same, and I do so on the life of my mother and my father's soul, god rest him.”
“I have been authorised to give you such an assurance, Ambassador Ceylan. No such inimical operations are being conducted or planned by Britain.” [This is actually true: I quickly checked and Britain itself does not have any agents in Turkey – their focus is almost entirely on Germany: and the Gestapo seems to be catching most of their agents].
Both men understood that each country would no doubt have some agents of interest and would be pursuing the passive collection of information, but that was a given.
“I can also assure you that, if a person such as this so-called ‘Thorn’ did exist, hypothetically, they would either not be British or it would simply be someone’s colourful description of a person who works for the mutual benefit of both our countries. Just as someone, say, such as a 'Lord El Pip' may be well acquainted with and liked by our own Prime Minister, but is also known to have, ah, ‘close relations’ with influential people in Turkey.”
Ceylan gives a non-committal nod at this. “A fair – and of course equally hypothetical – point, Mr Psmith. We are agreed then: our policy will be to do each other no harm and seek ways to assist each other for mutual benefit.”
“Indeed, Your Excellency. As our Mafia adversaries would say, we both want to ‘dip our beaks’ a little.”
And so the tentative and careful Anglo-Turkish cooperation would continue – to defeat enemies of enemies.
News Report: Vichy France. Vichy Vice-Premier François Darlan makes a radio broadcast to the French people denying that he was ever asked to hand over the French Navy or any colonial territory during his recent conversations with Hitler. "France freely is choosing the road she is taking," Darlan stated. "On her depends her present and her future. She will have the peace which she makes herself. She will have the place in the organisation of Europe which she will have made for herself." [Comment: Hah! Jelly-backed collaborationist and Fascist fellow-traveller. You will go the same way as all the spies you send from Syria. Up against a wall when the next Revolution comes to France.]
Admiral Darlan: Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Chief of Navy of Vichy France [in this ATL].
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24 May 41
Midnight in Ankara. But this time, not an arrest in some sleazy apartment block, dodgy Chinese restaurant or rug-seller's warehouse! It is a welcome advance in tactical command structure doctrine – which also contributes to the much sought-after Superior Firepower Doctrine. More of the same is ordered. Perhaps by around mid-1942 the Turkish Army will be able to start fielding powerful five-brigade divisions. In the meantime, components of all three of the differently-configured cavalry divisions will benefit from the increase to morale.
HQ 4th Corps – still without a commander and light on combat brigades – arrives at Pozarvarec. But given HQ 3rd Corps is already in position there, they are sent on to Arandelovac.
The quiet of the last few days is shattered in the early afternoon of 24 May: and the Axis gives the Comintern both barrels on the Yeniçeri Line. First, the feared assault on the weakened positions in Kikinda starts – and it is a full corps-strength assault, including armour.
The defence is led by the Soviet general, who is highly effective, delaying the enemy as best he can. But, looking at the tactical situation (which Inönü has asked for in a comprehensive new format for the start of all new major battles), the unresolved supply problems outweigh the benefits of the defensive terrain and only the Turks retain their entrenchments. The enemy’s crack 7th Pz Division is going to be particularly effective. Even with the once-hapless and still relatively inexperienced Italian MAJGEN Arena running the Axis attack.
At the same time, the land line from 1 Cav Div in Lugoj rings:
The initial contact report from 1 Cav Div is soon fleshed out: the Axis have launched a coordinated attack on Kikinda and Lugoj. Lugoj is far better defended and the fight is fairly even. The main problem as HQ 1st Army sees it is that with Kikinda doomed, Lugoj will be badly exposed, though not completely surrounded. 8 Inf Div’s AT brigade will at least come in handy against the German Panzer IVs. Wehib Pasha’s elastic defence tactics are excellent for now, though.
This provides an opportunity to compare the rival medium tank divisions. 11 Panzer is very experienced and has an excellent combined arms bonus (which we have broken down previously – a mix of equipment, doctrine and leadership). They have marginally better piercing attack than the Turks and even better armour than 1 Cav. The advantage gained from having fully dug in is almost balanced by the terrain penalty 1 Cav sustains for being in hills.
Inönü needs no time to decide what should be done about Kikinda.
He then picks up the phone to Lugoj:
The fighting there would continue fiercely during the night – where the defenders had an even greater tactical advantage.
Air Report. Two hours later, two Italian TAC wings start hitting Lugoj – a familiar tale by now. The first damage report comes in at 6pm: 131 Turkish soldiers were martyred. The raids would continue all through the next day.
25 May 41
Midnight brought news that one of the reserve garrison brigades had reached Sofiya, there to prepare for the expected onslaught in coming weeks. 1/3 Cav Bde arrived in Ankara: it would take a number of days for them to reorganise after the train trip from Adana, at which time they would merge with the rest of the Quick Reaction Force (two more cav bdes and an AC bde), at which time they would be redesignated as 4 Cav Div and await further orders.
Heavy fighting continued in Lugoj, where the battle still hung in the balance. The Soviets had also soon abandoned Kikinda and were fleeing south while 15 Inf Div tried to make it to Jasa Tomic in a race against time, with 3 Cav Div still well to the east. But then, at 1pm, all hell broke loose to the south-west: in Ruma! The defence there had been weakened previously in order to hold Sabac during a previous Axis offensive – but now they were assailed by a massive Axis attack. The redoubtable LTGEN Fevzi Cakmak, commander 1st Corps, was in charge.
Clearly – and quite impressively – the Axis has been preparing a powerful and coordinated offensive. The switch to an additional attack in the south-west is effective and disconcerting [I had thought they would try to disrupt and pour through further north-east, where they have met with recent success. Though they may do that too!]
In Ankara, far from the sound of gunfire, Luca Brasi is interviewed at the S.I.T.H. underground bunker, where he notices the black-bordered portraits of him up on the office walls. He lets no hint of wry amusement affect his impassive face, however. His debriefing is almost over: much as he is a figure of great respect and reverence within S.I.T.H., they have to make sure he was not compromised or even turned during his time in Sardinia.
Finally, the interviewers are as satisfied as they can be that the French never knew who he was or that the Italians ever actually had him in their clutches. Though his Italian roots cause them just a little concern – not that they would ever dare mention it to Luca himself.
“Mr Brasi, thank you for your patience and understanding. I hope you appreciate we had to do this – nothing personal, purely business. You are free to go.”
By mutual agreement, a cooling off and recovery period will ensue. Whether Luca is returned ‘into harness’ will remain a moot question for some time.
“Hmm, OK,” says Luca. Just because he does indeed understand the process doesn’t mean he likes it. “I have an olive grove in mind. I will buy it – I’ll make an offer the owner cannot refuse – and start making my own olive oil in peace and ser-, seren-, serendenity … er, quiet.”
Luca’s olive grove.
[LTCOL @diskorekto, a suggestion for a nice location for this somewhere in Anatolia, but not too far from Ankara, would be appreciated.
]
Just before midnight, reconnaissance reported that the German 7th Pz Division has already occupied Kikinda. 15 Inf Div was still retreating to Jasa Tomic, while 3 Cav Div was still in Mehadia, two provinces to the east. The fights in Lugoj and Ruma continued.
Air Report. Three more Italian air raids in Lugoj that day killed 300 defenders.
26 May 41
At 2am, the Italian TAC effort switched from Lugoj to Ruma. Two hours later, Inönü took the risk of moving the almost full-strength 10 Inf Div from its prepared position on the far right flank of the line to move by rail to Ruma, where the threat of an enemy breakthrough now seemed more immediate. And there was still the issue of the gap in Valjevo which would be exposed if Ruma fell.
But of course that was not the only gap in the line: while Lugoj continued to resist a redoubled Axis assault, Jasa Tomic was still wide open, and the effect of a prolonged lack of supplies on 15 Inf Div may be dangerous. Axis forces were massing towards Kikinda, where 7th Pz Division was consolidating its quick gain.
Air Report. And so the rest of the day went, with Ruma and Lugoj resisting and the Italian TAC now pounding Ruma heavily, killing a total of 423 Turks in three raids.
27 May 41
At last, at midnight, 15 Inf Div arrived in Jasa Tomic: they were again in full supply and at full strength! They hastily began to entrench – from Corporal Sadik’s squad all the way up to Inönü himself, sighs of relief were heard. This would be a much better position than had they stayed to be slaughtered in Kikinda. Even better, the rapidly moving 3 Cav Div were now in Vrsac and a good way towards reaching Jasa Tomic. Alas, in both Ruma and Lugoj, the odds were starting to turn against the defenders. And the Axis were clearly massing troops in Kikinda, it was imagined to either attack Jasa Tomic or (less likely, but possible) the Turkish-Soviet force holding the mountains of Zrenjanin.
At 2am, with the situation worsening in Ruma and the 10 Inf Div relief column still some way off, Gürler’s 6 Inf Div was ordered out of Beograd to plug the ‘Valjevo Gap’: if the Germans were to follow up and cross the river there, Beograd would be outflanked and the integrity of the depth river defence around it fatally compromised.
By mid-morning, anxiety over Valjevo had increased as the defence of Ruma weakened. HQ 1st Corps – slower moving and no truly front-line combat formation – was ‘thinned’ out of Ruma, to bolster the new Valjevo defences being rushed into place. Simultaneously, the still-weakened 13 Inf Div was sent back from Sabac to Valjevo as well. The leaderless 4 Inf Div would have to hold there as best they could in case the enemy decided to renew its attack there. Perhaps, if it held, a different reinforcement might be found for it later – though they were now very hard to find.
And at the same time, up in Lugoj, time was called on the brave defence: Inönü wanted both units out of there before they were broken. At 10am 1 Cav Div was ordered out to withdraw through Jasa Tomic. And an hour later, 8 Inf Div was sent south to Resita. Both would need some recovery time before they would be up for another hard fight. Casualties had been heavy on both sides, but the outnumbered Turks had once again extracted a heavy price from the Axis attackers – in both men and time.
With the situation in Ruma rapidly deteriorating, 10 Inf Div’s orders were amended: they would instead disembark in Beograd, to backfill 6 Inf Div and ensure the great city was strongly held by at least one fresh division.
Those orders given, 9 Inf Div was ordered to pull out of Ruma: with the odds turned and daylight upon the battlefield, the Turks were now suffering heavier casualties than their enemies. Again, they were ordered to retreat while they still had some organisation left: Alankup’s men may be needed again soon enough.
3 Cav Div arrived in Jasa Tomic that evening: just as the Axis forces gathered in Kikinda. This would be a different fight to that he experienced in Saudi Arabia! It was imperative now they held with 15 Inf Div – lest 1 Cav Div be cut-off and destroyed as they sought to retreat south.
Air Report. One final air raid on Ruma early that morning had killed another 142 defenders.
OTL Event: Crete. Archibald Wavell sent a message to Churchill explaining that Crete was "no longer tenable" and that troops must be withdrawn. The Chiefs of Staff agreed and ordered evacuation.
As the night wore on, a long and difficult day for the Turks was still not quite over. Yet again, the Axis launched simultaneous attacks – this time at different ends of the front! [Their AI seems to be in pretty good form at the moment – damn its beady little binomial eyes!]
“General, I have Major General Karabekir on the other line for you!”
“Karabekir? In Visegrad?”
“Yes, sir.”
Karabekir, the victor of many tough fights before this, especially in Greece, has so far had a very quiet Balkan Campaign. That has suddenly changed.
And so a difficult and tumultuous day ended on the hard-pressed Yeniçeri Line: whether it will bend or break – and how quickly - remains to be seen. Never before has the line been struck hard in so many different places and found itself so thinly held. Inönü wonders how the rest of the war has been going these last six days. No disasters have been reported, but he does at least hope that Turkey’s current sacrifice is not in vain for its Comintern partners in Europe.
Theatre Summaries
On the wider Patriotic Front, the North has largely held firm – with even a Soviet counter-attack succeeding over the last six days. A little territory (dashed arrows) was lost in the Centre and South, but nothing serious. The main action was in Romania and just over the border in the UGNR.
Of some interest, brave Polish partisans have risen up against their Nazi oppressors, centred around Lublin. A welcome distraction for what is hoped is a stretched Axis war machine.
A more detailed look at Romania shows Axis progress had been halted in the northern sector, while some Axis inroads were made in the centre and south, along the border with the UGNR (ie in Kikinda and Lugoj, of which we are already well aware). But, otherwise, the Soviets are really the ones propping up the line there now. Fair enough, given they summoned a large part of the Romanian Army to fight in the Far East early in the Great Liberation War.
The British have actually gained a little ground in Libya since we last looked there in detail: Agedabia in the last six days and the mountains of Barce before that. Detailed dispositions will be viewed again at the end of the month. No change on the ground in Sardinia.
The Far East shows a few more Japanese gains in the east of the line, where Soviet resistance seems to be dissolving.
While the feared pocket (containing troops largely from Tannu Tuva) seems to be getting evacuated quickly enough – though the loss of territory is concerning.
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Coming Up: Will the current strong and concerted Axis offensive on the Yeniçeri Line be halted – or at least significantly delayed? Will this diversion ultimately mean that the Soviets can hold most of their ground in the West while they draw the Japanese ever further into the wilderness in the Far East, hoping they run out of troops, time and supply? Can the next depth line around Beograd be held, or is it simply a short delaying position before a larger fall-back to the Tirane-Skopje-Sofiya line is needed? And, after that, the fortifications of the Calistar and Iskandar Lines? Will Perse’s recruiting efforts for the Air Force bear fruit? Not to mention Luca’s olive trees!
Prologue: Gameplay Note
So, at this stage, the Comintern still has the most objectives to its name (three) but has recently dropped one by losing the north-western Romanian province of Cimpeni, meaning that country is not fully under Comintern control as a puppet.
Departure time for the Midnight Express in Ankara.
Watches synchronised, a team of Kaya’s agents is gathered outside the door of a supposed Syrian rug-salesman’s home. The team leader holds up his fingers and silently counts down to midnight – five, four, three, two, one … crash goes the front door and the men pile in.
At first, the suspect they capture in bed denies everything. But a quick search of his desk reveals a pro-Fascist French propaganda poster. What an amateur! Confronted with the damning evidence, the man breaks down. But it will not save him from a ticket to hell on the Midnight Express. Kaya is pleased when informed – off to the interrogation chamber for this one.
“Miss Fotheringay-Phipps, we just can’t seem to find the right model for this. We’re stumped,” says one of her ‘creative’ managers. “I simply don’t know what we’ll do!”
“Keep looking, Mehmet, I’m sure you will find someone top notch,” replies Perse absently, working on the next special issue of the Istanbul Times. It will be a tricky one, as not all news of recent losses in the Balkans can be completely hushed up.
“Well,” replies Mehmet shyly, “the men have come up with one idea.”
“Hmm, yes, what is it then?”
“We thought, perhaps, ah …”
“… you might be prepared to do it, Miss Persephonee!”
“Me? Surely not!”
But the lady did not protest too much – and did the best she could at short notice at the photo shoot.
Perse fronts up for the Air Force. Just what the hot-blooded young pilot ordered …
“Me? Surely not!”
But the lady did not protest too much – and did the best she could at short notice at the photo shoot.
Perse fronts up for the Air Force. Just what the hot-blooded young pilot ordered …
With no more major events or air action, the rest of the day passed in relative quiet.
OTL Event: Greece. King George II of Greece fled to Egypt. [Comment: in this ATL he is still safely held in the ex-Kings’ Club in the mountains of the Bulgarian GNR. Let's hope Axis advances don't force a relocation!]
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23 May 41
A serious problem with supply in Kikinda becomes critical early on the morning of 23 May. It had already led to the Soviet 117 SD, which was sharing defensive duties there with the Turkish 15 Inf Div, to abandon its entrenchments and head south. MAJGEN Gataly remained – and with him Corporal Metin Sadik and his squad – but if an attack materialised, their defence would be severely compromised. And there was little Inönü could do other than hope his logisticians could fix whatever the problem was: shouting at them [or the AI] would achieve nothing.
“So, Mr Psmith – ‘with a P’ – I thank your Government once again for the safe repatriation of Luca Brasi, who I have heard has arrived back safely in Ankara. In return, as agreed, here is a file on Mafia-related activity done, we believe, at the behest of Italian intelligence. You will also see that both Japanese and German agencies have, at various times, been involved. These criminal scum and fascist jackals are a pestilence on the world.”
“Ah, we do agree, Your Excellency, quite.” ‘Psmith’ accepts the file and locks it away in a secure briefcase. “We will have something for you soon on known Italian dispositions throughout the Mediterranean theatre, as agreed.”
“There is one other matter I would like to raise, with the utmost respect. My chief – Foreign Minister Aras, that is – has a stone in his shoe. Or, more specifically, a Thorn in his side.” Ceylan maintains the diplomatic fiction that his boss is the Foreign Minister, rather than Intelligence Head Ögel. Both men know otherwise, but it would have shown a lack of respect for Psmith to make a point of it.
Ambassador Mike Ceylan confers with ‘Mr Psmith’ from MI6 in Zurich: Ceylan’s boss ‘has a Thorn in his side’.
“Hm, of course, we can neither confirm nor deny anything about such a hypothetical situation or person, of course. But what is it you would like to say, Your Excellency?”
“Our Government, hypothetically speaking, wants a pledge that there are no British agents conducting active espionage operations in or against Turkey or the wider UGNR and that none will be sent. Of course, we can pledge the same, and I do so on the life of my mother and my father's soul, god rest him.”
“I have been authorised to give you such an assurance, Ambassador Ceylan. No such inimical operations are being conducted or planned by Britain.” [This is actually true: I quickly checked and Britain itself does not have any agents in Turkey – their focus is almost entirely on Germany: and the Gestapo seems to be catching most of their agents].
Both men understood that each country would no doubt have some agents of interest and would be pursuing the passive collection of information, but that was a given.
“I can also assure you that, if a person such as this so-called ‘Thorn’ did exist, hypothetically, they would either not be British or it would simply be someone’s colourful description of a person who works for the mutual benefit of both our countries. Just as someone, say, such as a 'Lord El Pip' may be well acquainted with and liked by our own Prime Minister, but is also known to have, ah, ‘close relations’ with influential people in Turkey.”
Ceylan gives a non-committal nod at this. “A fair – and of course equally hypothetical – point, Mr Psmith. We are agreed then: our policy will be to do each other no harm and seek ways to assist each other for mutual benefit.”
“Indeed, Your Excellency. As our Mafia adversaries would say, we both want to ‘dip our beaks’ a little.”
And so the tentative and careful Anglo-Turkish cooperation would continue – to defeat enemies of enemies.
News Report: Vichy France. Vichy Vice-Premier François Darlan makes a radio broadcast to the French people denying that he was ever asked to hand over the French Navy or any colonial territory during his recent conversations with Hitler. "France freely is choosing the road she is taking," Darlan stated. "On her depends her present and her future. She will have the peace which she makes herself. She will have the place in the organisation of Europe which she will have made for herself." [Comment: Hah! Jelly-backed collaborationist and Fascist fellow-traveller. You will go the same way as all the spies you send from Syria. Up against a wall when the next Revolution comes to France.]
Admiral Darlan: Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Chief of Navy of Vichy France [in this ATL].
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24 May 41
Midnight in Ankara. But this time, not an arrest in some sleazy apartment block, dodgy Chinese restaurant or rug-seller's warehouse! It is a welcome advance in tactical command structure doctrine – which also contributes to the much sought-after Superior Firepower Doctrine. More of the same is ordered. Perhaps by around mid-1942 the Turkish Army will be able to start fielding powerful five-brigade divisions. In the meantime, components of all three of the differently-configured cavalry divisions will benefit from the increase to morale.
“Corporal, enemy armour approaching – hundreds of them! And infantry. This is the end - we don’t even have enough ammunition to repel more than the first wave and I haven’t eaten a proper meal in days!”
“That’s enough. Men; keep steady and do your duty. We must rely on our commanders doing something before we are destroyed. But if not, we must sell our lives dearly.” Corporal Metin Sadik has been in many sticky situations before, since the days of the War on Greece and knows he must keep the men’s morale together. Though this situation looks particularly ugly.
"Temeşvar'ı Hatırla! [Remember Timisoara!]," he shouts. The cry is taken up by the rest of his squad as they face the front, grimly awaiting their fate.
The defence is led by the Soviet general, who is highly effective, delaying the enemy as best he can. But, looking at the tactical situation (which Inönü has asked for in a comprehensive new format for the start of all new major battles), the unresolved supply problems outweigh the benefits of the defensive terrain and only the Turks retain their entrenchments. The enemy’s crack 7th Pz Division is going to be particularly effective. Even with the once-hapless and still relatively inexperienced Italian MAJGEN Arena running the Axis attack.
“This is Wehib Pasha – the Axis have attacked us in strength. Those devils from the potato-eaters’ 11th Panzer Division are leading. We will send them to the Devil! Out.”
The initial contact report from 1 Cav Div is soon fleshed out: the Axis have launched a coordinated attack on Kikinda and Lugoj. Lugoj is far better defended and the fight is fairly even. The main problem as HQ 1st Army sees it is that with Kikinda doomed, Lugoj will be badly exposed, though not completely surrounded. 8 Inf Div’s AT brigade will at least come in handy against the German Panzer IVs. Wehib Pasha’s elastic defence tactics are excellent for now, though.
This provides an opportunity to compare the rival medium tank divisions. 11 Panzer is very experienced and has an excellent combined arms bonus (which we have broken down previously – a mix of equipment, doctrine and leadership). They have marginally better piercing attack than the Turks and even better armour than 1 Cav. The advantage gained from having fully dug in is almost balanced by the terrain penalty 1 Cav sustains for being in hills.
Inönü needs no time to decide what should be done about Kikinda.
“Gataly, get your men out of there, as quickly as you can. The situation is completely untenable. Pull back to Jasa Tomic and see if you can dig in there, where supply should be better. I’m also sending across Töudemür with 3 Cav Div to help plug the gap. You will need to hold there as long as you can, in case the men in Lugoj need to fall back through it later.”
“Wehib Pasha, hold on as long as you can and ensure the Axis swine pay a heavy price for once-picturesque Lugoj!”
The fighting there would continue fiercely during the night – where the defenders had an even greater tactical advantage.
Air Report. Two hours later, two Italian TAC wings start hitting Lugoj – a familiar tale by now. The first damage report comes in at 6pm: 131 Turkish soldiers were martyred. The raids would continue all through the next day.
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25 May 41
Midnight brought news that one of the reserve garrison brigades had reached Sofiya, there to prepare for the expected onslaught in coming weeks. 1/3 Cav Bde arrived in Ankara: it would take a number of days for them to reorganise after the train trip from Adana, at which time they would merge with the rest of the Quick Reaction Force (two more cav bdes and an AC bde), at which time they would be redesignated as 4 Cav Div and await further orders.
Heavy fighting continued in Lugoj, where the battle still hung in the balance. The Soviets had also soon abandoned Kikinda and were fleeing south while 15 Inf Div tried to make it to Jasa Tomic in a race against time, with 3 Cav Div still well to the east. But then, at 1pm, all hell broke loose to the south-west: in Ruma! The defence there had been weakened previously in order to hold Sabac during a previous Axis offensive – but now they were assailed by a massive Axis attack. The redoubtable LTGEN Fevzi Cakmak, commander 1st Corps, was in charge.
“Milli Şef, Cakmak here. I’m afraid there is a spot of trouble here. The enemy have attacked in corps strength, one division each of German panzer-grenadiers and infantry plus three Hungarian infantry divisions. Some, but not all, are attacking across rivers. So they have us enveloped through Semska Mitrovica. We are holding them in an even match for now, but we are outnumbered more than two-to-one. I’m concerned their numbers will begin to tell over time.”
“Very well, Fevzi, I know you will do your best. I will see what I can do, but the divisions in Beograd are not yet properly recovered and I want them digging in here. And I’m worried about Valjevo to your south: we have no troops there and losing that would breach the river line we are trying to build. Too many attacks, not enough men!”
“I get the picture, My General. The biggest danger is 23rd Inf Division from the west. The rest, we are mowing down like wheat in the summer harvest.”
Clearly – and quite impressively – the Axis has been preparing a powerful and coordinated offensive. The switch to an additional attack in the south-west is effective and disconcerting [I had thought they would try to disrupt and pour through further north-east, where they have met with recent success. Though they may do that too!]
Finally, the interviewers are as satisfied as they can be that the French never knew who he was or that the Italians ever actually had him in their clutches. Though his Italian roots cause them just a little concern – not that they would ever dare mention it to Luca himself.
“Mr Brasi, thank you for your patience and understanding. I hope you appreciate we had to do this – nothing personal, purely business. You are free to go.”
By mutual agreement, a cooling off and recovery period will ensue. Whether Luca is returned ‘into harness’ will remain a moot question for some time.
“Hmm, OK,” says Luca. Just because he does indeed understand the process doesn’t mean he likes it. “I have an olive grove in mind. I will buy it – I’ll make an offer the owner cannot refuse – and start making my own olive oil in peace and ser-, seren-, serendenity … er, quiet.”
Luca’s olive grove.
[LTCOL @diskorekto, a suggestion for a nice location for this somewhere in Anatolia, but not too far from Ankara, would be appreciated.
]Just before midnight, reconnaissance reported that the German 7th Pz Division has already occupied Kikinda. 15 Inf Div was still retreating to Jasa Tomic, while 3 Cav Div was still in Mehadia, two provinces to the east. The fights in Lugoj and Ruma continued.
Air Report. Three more Italian air raids in Lugoj that day killed 300 defenders.
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26 May 41
At 2am, the Italian TAC effort switched from Lugoj to Ruma. Two hours later, Inönü took the risk of moving the almost full-strength 10 Inf Div from its prepared position on the far right flank of the line to move by rail to Ruma, where the threat of an enemy breakthrough now seemed more immediate. And there was still the issue of the gap in Valjevo which would be exposed if Ruma fell.
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27 May 41
At last, at midnight, 15 Inf Div arrived in Jasa Tomic: they were again in full supply and at full strength! They hastily began to entrench – from Corporal Sadik’s squad all the way up to Inönü himself, sighs of relief were heard. This would be a much better position than had they stayed to be slaughtered in Kikinda. Even better, the rapidly moving 3 Cav Div were now in Vrsac and a good way towards reaching Jasa Tomic. Alas, in both Ruma and Lugoj, the odds were starting to turn against the defenders. And the Axis were clearly massing troops in Kikinda, it was imagined to either attack Jasa Tomic or (less likely, but possible) the Turkish-Soviet force holding the mountains of Zrenjanin.
OTL Event: Crete. Archibald Wavell sent a message to Churchill explaining that Crete was "no longer tenable" and that troops must be withdrawn. The Chiefs of Staff agreed and ordered evacuation.
As the night wore on, a long and difficult day for the Turks was still not quite over. Yet again, the Axis launched simultaneous attacks – this time at different ends of the front! [Their AI seems to be in pretty good form at the moment – damn its beady little binomial eyes!]
“We’re under attack in Jasa Tomic!” reported MAJGEN Gataly. “We had only barely begun to dig in and 3 Cav not at all – they only arrived five hours ago. It’s 7 Panzer Division and one infantry division each from Hungary and Italy. Things are under control for now, but the enemy will press hard once it is light. I’m not sure how this will go.”
“You must hold on, Gataly. At least until 1 Cav Div is able to pass through your lines. I cannot stress enough how important that is!”
“Understood, Milli Şef. We will give them ‘lead for breakfast’!”
“Good man!”
“Karabekir? In Visegrad?”
“Yes, sir.”
Karabekir, the victor of many tough fights before this, especially in Greece, has so far had a very quiet Balkan Campaign. That has suddenly changed.
“Milli Şef, I can confirm a strong attack on our positions has just been launched. An all-infantry mixed Axis force, attacking from Vlasenica and Zvornik. We are holding well enough for now, but are outnumbered almost three-to-one. The tactical advantage is strongly with us for now, but morning may begin to tell a different story.”
“Understood. But you will need to hold them off yourself for now – I currently have no spare troops to send your way.”
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Theatre Summaries
On the wider Patriotic Front, the North has largely held firm – with even a Soviet counter-attack succeeding over the last six days. A little territory (dashed arrows) was lost in the Centre and South, but nothing serious. The main action was in Romania and just over the border in the UGNR.
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Coming Up: Will the current strong and concerted Axis offensive on the Yeniçeri Line be halted – or at least significantly delayed? Will this diversion ultimately mean that the Soviets can hold most of their ground in the West while they draw the Japanese ever further into the wilderness in the Far East, hoping they run out of troops, time and supply? Can the next depth line around Beograd be held, or is it simply a short delaying position before a larger fall-back to the Tirane-Skopje-Sofiya line is needed? And, after that, the fortifications of the Calistar and Iskandar Lines? Will Perse’s recruiting efforts for the Air Force bear fruit? Not to mention Luca’s olive trees!
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