GD1938 Game 28

[cpdeyoung]

27 June 1938

"Mother, thank you for the clipping on German humor. It is hard to be "sporting and philosophical" knowing the foreign shore holds nothing but godless communists, and disgruntled Turks. Already fifteen of our modern destroyers, proud new construction, lie beneath the waves. How I wish we were on the other side of the narrow straits. This Black Sea may prove black indeed for Italy.
I understand that the government is claiming a great victory here, but enemy losses are a light cruiser, five old destroyers, some decent subs, and some old ones. We have shot down planes also, but the officers say the losses are more a draw than a victory.
The sailors are not finished by any means, and we all think we can finish the Red Banner fleet off, but there will be costs, and for what?

The Duce listens too much to the sporting, philosophical, humorous Führer.

Your loving son,

Mario"

This letter was captured on a supply boat returning from the RM fleet. Supply interdiction is already happening.

Observers at the straits counted as many as 74 modern destroyers in the RM force. Unless they were fooled by ships sailing in a circle this indicates Italian production of warships. Italy is now an ally of Germany, and the USSR reiterates that an Axis occupied Turkey is counter to Soviet Strategic policy.

The Italian Main Line of Resistance in Turkey has not yet been located, but we expect Ankara to be defended. The Red Army knows it has a fight on its hands. We have begun to bring some extra forces south, without stripping the defenses of the Motherland. We are ready for this battle to be the first of many, and we fully expect a long war.

Secretary Stalin

[lordlau1]

27 June 1938

Parliament meets for an emergency session to discuss the "Turkish" incident. The Italians pulled off a major Coup and then allied with Germany...GB cannot and must not stand for these developments. The Middle East shall never be in jeopardy from the fascist powers of Europe.

Even though the British value freedom; the Soviets are now an ally of the British government and we will work together to fight the menace of Central Europe.



Parliament has declared war on Italy. Germany reciprocated and is not at war with Great Britain. It seems The War To End All Wars did not end all wars...

[lordlau1]

27 June 1938

A recent dispatch was broadcast for benefit of Red Fleet morale...

"The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force to immediately seek and destroy every ship of the RM." Churchill to all British Commanders.

The Big Dog in the Black Sea is now going to be THE Big Dog in the World...The Royal Navy sails again!

[ironduke1955]

July 1938 Germany/Italy

The UK home Fleet loses some 5 capital ships plus some minor vessels to the Luftwaffe, the Luftwaffe suffered relatively light casualties. Some 10 to 12 thousand British seamen lost.

The Dutch are pushed back to Amsterdam with four infantry divisions mostly wiped out. The 4th and 7th Panzer Armies and breaking the Dutch front lines assaulting the city of Amsterdam inflicting substantial casualties on the Dutch.

Germany attempted a coup on the Yugoslavians without success.

The Turks withdrew from the advancing Soviets and British.

The Soviet Baltic fleet is down to Two Surface vessels the Октябрьская революция: October Revolution is reported badly damaged and listing the only surviving Soviet Destroyer also badly damaged.

[cpdeyoung]

25 July 1938

A total of 20 DD2 have been lost to Soviet Forces by the Italians in the Black Sea. The Red Banner fleet has withdrawn from Turkish waters for repairs.

The RM brought 15 SS2 into the battle too. Until the Soviet Navy returns the Italian destroyers and submarines can run ASW exercises while waiting for the excitement of bombing raids. Alternatively they can exit through the straits and see if rumors of Royal Navy warships in the area are true.

The Soviets were mistaken about Ankara being defended, but there is a concentration of Italian units in Istanbul.

[lordlau1]

July 1938

This just in on the BBC radio news! Successful British bombing of the German shipyards in Kiel!

[lordlau1]

July 1938 GB

The British have moved substantial assets to Turkey. Istanbul is now under siege. Massive amounts of supply are being interdicted from Italy to North Africa and Turkey. Istanbul is doomed in the not to distant future; which will open the way to Black Sea for the RN. The RM will likely not fair well...

In other operations, the British continue to prepare their homeland against the substantial air power of the Luftwaffe.

[ironduke1955]

August 38 Germany/Italy

Germany captures the cities of Brussels and Amsterdam, the Germans after the Declaration of war by the British reacting well to a quickly changing strategic situation. A war that Germany did not start but we will stand by our ally Italy after all how would history view us if we did not.

The Italians now facing two major powers in Turkey are gloomy at the prospect of losing the entire Turkish Army.

[cpdeyoung]

22 August 1938

The Soviet Union and her allies were distressed at Axis leanings in Persia. The Persian Premier's sudden illness resulted in a call for foreign doctors and a French and Soviet team both were sent. The French team was delayed, and when a crisis came up the Soviet doctors intervened but were unable to save him. The new government looked at the power of the Red Army units to the north, and the many British units in the east, and decided to capitulate when pressed by a Soviet ultimatum. Persia's resources will be valuable in what is now a war spread across the globe.

In Turkey Soviet artillery and air power bombard Istanbul, as British assets approach the city. The Soviet recon planes can see both sides of the straits. To the north swift Italian destroyers flit about. Coming from the Med are squadron upon squadron of massive ships sailing under the White Ensign. What a spectacular battle is to come. The Red Banner fleet is nearly repaired and hopes to join in the battle and add to the 20 destroyers they, and the Red Air Force have sunk.

[lordlau1]

22 August 1938

The British have arrived at the Gates of Istanbul. The bombardment with a massive Royal Navy surface fleet has commenced. Air strikes and British artillery bombardment followed. Istanbul will fall soon.

The Italians foolishly moved south from Benghazi and were hit hard by airstrikes. Italy will soon be removed from all of Africa and Asia Minor as a whole.

The RM's days are limited, upon Istanbul falling, so will the RM.

Meanwhile, France has prepared the defense of her homeland along with the British. The British continued bombing raids into Germany and also started airstrikes on the German invading forces. The French are bolstered by support from her ally and will continue to fight for every inch of ground.

[ironduke1955]

September 1938

German Armoured forces take Lille and Antwerp and Advance to the North East of Paris. Minor naval engagements in the North sea netted some straying British submarines.

The Italians withdrew to the western deserts of Libya, the risk taken was to probe the extent of defences left by the British in Egypt after their advance into Turkey, some would call it foolish but much must be risked in war.

The Italians have already stated their expectations for the fate of the Turkish Army, the Turks and the Italians were not to know the thirst for war that resides in the British and Soviets. What the Italians initiated was a political coup bloodless, what is now being done to Turkey transcends politics.

[cpdeyoung]

19 September 1938

The reduction of Istanbul continues. The Turks have a large force there, and the city was at 2015/6000 after Soviet bombardment. The city should soon be evaluating the damage done by our allies, which could reduce all support for Turkish forces. Ammunition and supplies will suffer.

[ironduke1955]

17th October 1938 Germany/Italy

The French suffer the loss of Paris and Le'Havre also the newly commissioned Chemical plant to the west of Le'Havre, the northern part of the Maginot Line is outflanked and destroyed the southern sections still intact.

Italian bombers attack a forward armoured British unit heading west across the desert towards Benghazi destroying 50% of the tanks.

Istanbul shelled by the British from the land and sea from the south and south east and the Soviets from the north east, the Turks are a proud people but the fall of the city cannot be far away.

[cpdeyoung]

17 October 1938

The Soviet Union and her allies have taken control of Istanbul. The Turks put up a good fight.

The Royal Navy will be able to engage Italian warships in the Black Sea.

[lordlau1]

17 October 1942

The French had decided 2 months ago that their only hope for future survival was in the hands of British. A massive Dunkirk-like operation of evacuation has occurred. Most all of french armor, artillery, AA, and air force has been relocated around the globe.

Never fear good citizens, French resistance to the German Regime will continue.

An oft heard code sign has been issued to all occupied French areas..."The Chair is against the wall; The chair is against the wall."

[lordlau1]

17 October 1942

The British continue to bomb the Italians NW of Istanbul causing more and more casualties. The British also begin sustained airstrikes on Benghazi; 2 Italian bombers lost with no British casualties. It is only a matter of time until a sustained assault is launched and all of the African Italian forces capitulate.

The RN has engaged the RM. The RM has been completely devastated. 3 subs remain alive and in flight. The RN lost 1 torpedo bomber 1. Quite the victory; although long anticipated. The New Big Dog of the Black Sea has been "put down."

Massive bombing raids continue on all parts of German soil and occupied territory in Europe. No British losses.

[ironduke1955]

14TH November 1938 Germany/Italy

France Brest Nantes and Lyon are captured, leaving only southern France in French hands. Some destroyers sunk in the English Channel with a successful air battle with the RAF thrown in for good measure, the British only authorising the use of mid thirties fighters the newer Hurricanes held back for some reason.

Turkey is crushed to the sound of triumphant shouts from the British it was never a contest but a win is a win, except of course the Turks by rights should have been fighting for the Soviets. The Destroyers will be missed but like the Italian Battleships and Light Cruiser I's it would have been better if they had been scrapped in January 1938 you don't need a navy to control the Med.

Several successful air missions launched by the Italian air force over land and sea.

[ArmouredLion]

An excerpt from Jack Belden's article "Bloody Success, Bloody Failure Of China's October"
"...Day and night, the sounds of Japanese artillery, naval, and air attacks bombarding cities into rubble. Due this assault without cost but for ammunition, the Chinese military has decided to go on the offense in an attempt to loosen the Japanese strangle hold on several cities. This led to two major offensives that were the polar opposites with but one respect: the huge expenditure of Chinese soldiers. One massive defeat was followed by a well won victory. But, one has to ask at what point will the loss of life lead to capitulation -- for even the strongest steel has a breaking point."

[lordlau1]

Nov 1938

The RAF continues their bombings in Europe with no casualties. With the fall of Turkey and Istanbul, the RN sailed to North Africa and began the bombardment of Benghazi. Airstrikes followed. In a short time, Benghazi will fall and the all of Italy's possessions outside of Italy proper will soon follow.

The RM may boast that a navy is not needed to control the Med, but between the RAF and the RN; there really are no concerns.

The British people settle in for a long drawn out war.

[ironduke1955]

December 15th 1938 Germany/Italy

Bordeaux and Toulouse fall leaving only Marseilles as the only remaining French city on Continental Europe, signs are the Marseilles is well defended so stiff resistance is expected. The Day and Night bombing of Kiel and Amsterdam by the British continues.

Tripoli resists a second offensive from the French, and Benghazi is shelled by the Royal Navy a raid is launched from Italy with only one Heavy Cruiser sank plus 2 destroyers for the loss of many Italian planes and pilots. The weather played a role as conditions across the Med are atrocious the Italians hope for better results if the weather breaks.