January 29th was originally the day when Germany formally declared war on Turkey. However, due to the request of the Turkish military government that had just been established after the coup, the scheduled combat plan was suspended. The Turkish military government reciprocated and quickly formed a large delegation to Berlin to discuss the war.
Negotiations for Turkey to join the Axis Powers.
Although Churchill, Roosevelt and other British and American politicians were furious, they were unable to respond in a targeted manner to this dramatic change in Turkey, let alone adjust their troop deployment in time to deal with the attack of the Turkish army that might move south with the German army at any time.
Currently, some of the Allied forces in the Middle East are restrained in North Africa by the German-Italian coalition, while the other part is exhausted from defense under the attack of the Japanese army, and its forces are already stretched thin.
Forced by the two tank divisions, one armored infantry division, and five heavy tank regiments of the Anjia Army heading north, the Japanese army withdrew from Iraq and stabilized its southern defense line in the Myer Mountain and Talhari Plains. At the same time, the Japanese army in the west
The advancing Japanese army fought fiercely with the British army on the line of Mount Shubait and Mount Siman east of Aleppo.
Inspired by the coup in Turkey, the Japanese army stepped up its offensive. Although the Allied forces complained endlessly, they could only grit their teeth and persist. If they retreat at this time, it means that the Allies' power has completely faded out of the Middle East. It will be abnormal to resume their influence in these areas.
difficult.
Let’s look at Nanhua’s layout in the Middle East.
In addition to the Anjia Army stationed on the northern border of Iraq and consolidating the defense line in a timely manner, thousands of troops from the two major corps in southern Iraq and the Khuzestan region of Persia are also advancing rapidly, and they are invincible wherever they go.
On the 22nd, Yan Zilin led four divisions of the 16th Group Army to occupy Mahshahr Port and stationed at Imam Port the next day. Imam Port, later known as Khomeini Port, is a major commercial port in western Iran.
, located in Musabar in the northwest of the Persian Gulf
A small island in the bay has a railway to the southwest and across the strait to Tehran and other inland areas in the north. It is only 80 kilometers away from Abadan in the west and about 60 kilometers away from Masur Oil Port in the northeast. There are east and west piers, as well as the east side of the east pier.
Barge harbor and grain terminal.
On the 24th, the 3rd Tank Division and 2nd Armored Infantry Division of the 1st Tank Army joined forces with the 9th Tank Division of the 3rd Tank Army in Basra. Basra is the second largest city in Iraq and the largest port in Iraq.
The west bank of the Shatt al-Arab River, where the Tigris River and the Euphrates River meet at the southeastern end, is 120 kilometers away from the Persian Gulf to the south. It is the only hub connecting the Persian Gulf and the inland water system.
The city of Basra is picturesque, with waterways and canals criss-crossing the city. It is known as the "Venice of the East". It is a famous tourist destination in Iraq and is also famous for its long history. Historically, Basra is the center of Arab culture, science, and
A commercial and financial center, and in An Yi's plan, Basra will play a greater role in the future after the army returns the city of Baghdad to the "democratically elected government" of Iraq.
On the 25th, the 7th Tank Division of the 3rd Tank Army, the 5th Armored Infantry Division and the Guard Corps directly under the Yang Jiuxiao Corps joined forces in Abadan. Abadan is located on Abadan Island in the Shatt al-Arab River at the southwest end of Khuzestan.
About fifty kilometers away from the Persian Gulf, it is the center of Iran’s oil export
Since the Anglo-Persian Oil Company set up a pipeline terminal refinery here in 1909, it has developed rapidly, with a population of more than 100,000. It is now one of the world's famous oil refining centers. Its recovery will be decisive for improving Nanhua's energy layout.
function.
On the 26th, Lieutenant General Cheng Junhua led the 18th Group Army to occupy Fa'o. Fa'o is the second largest port in Iraq. It is located at the head of the Persian Gulf, close to the mouth of the Shatt al-Arab River. It later became the largest oil port in Iraq, but due to the current situation in Iraq
The Rumaila and Zubair oil fields in the south have not been discovered, so they can only exist as commercial port cities.
On the 28th, after occupying the Qatar Peninsula and Bahrain Island, the Marine Corps officers and soldiers of the South China Sea Navy's Indian Ocean Fleet task force entered Kuwait, which was in ruins, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Now these coastal areas of the Persian Gulf
, most of them are still deserted villages. After being ravaged by the Japanese as if they were scraping away the land, they are deserted within a hundred miles and will be in urgent need of immigrants in the future.
In the territorial planning of the South China government, the western coast of the Persian Gulf will be merged with the southern region of Iraq into a province. Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and other countries will choose locations for reconstruction. The Persian Gulf will become South China's inland sea.
In order to ensure the implementation of this goal, the Nanhua government will immigrate five million people to this area in the next two to three years. This area will mainly develop plantation and fishery for a long time, and the Persian Gulf underground
The endless black gold will lie dormant for a long time and will not be gradually developed until Nanhua achieves absolute control over the area.
...
Xinjing, West Lake, sunny and green.
Beside the long pavilion made of red pillars and green tiles on the south bank, there is a row of long tables, filled with fruits and vegetables, surrounded by bamboo chairs in a circle. An Yi leaned on one of the bamboo chairs, closed his eyes slightly, and enjoyed
Under the winter sunshine, I listened to the reports of intelligence officers such as Liu Qing, Du Yi and Xu Yifan.
After Lieutenant General Liu Qing, the Intelligence Director of the General Staff, introduced the war situation in the Middle East, General Du Yi went on to explain the situation in Turkey that the Ministry of National Security knew.
"The situation in Turkey is complicated. In fact, before Germany invaded the Balkans, the biggest threat to its territorial security was not Germany, but Italy on the Mediterranean. Italy had its strategic outposts in the Dodecanese Islands and had already annexed Turkey.
Ambition of the Antalya region in southern Anatolia.
"The Turkish government has always deliberately maintained its neutral position, but its tendency is very obvious - in October of the previous year, the Turkish government rejected the Soviet Union's request to close the strait and insisted that the Soviet Union would never be involved in hostilities against Germany under any circumstances.
, and signed a mutual assistance pact with Britain and France. In November of the previous year, the Soviet Union invaded Finland. Turkish public opinion was overwhelmingly sympathetic to Finland, but was refuted by Soviet newspapers..."
Having said this, Du Yi leaned over and opened his briefcase.
When An Yi saw the sound stopped, he opened his eyes and saw that Du Yi had taken out an old Russian newspaper. He raised his chin and asked curiously: "What is that?"
Du Yi sent the newspaper to An Yi and said:
"This is the journal "Comintern" published by the Third International. It is all in Russian, but our intelligence personnel have translated it. I am thinking about it now... No matter how the Turkish ruling group covers them up with beautiful words
The contracts signed with Britain and France still cannot change the fact that Turkey has concluded a mutual assistance convention with the imperialist belligerents. Turkey has deviated from neutrality and assumed military responsibilities to Britain and France. Its serious nature will inevitably affect Turkey's entire policy very soon.
All self-exposed in...
"The Turkish people cannot understand why their government would rather sign a treaty with the old enemy of Turkey's independence than strengthen friendship with the Soviet Union and Germany. This is not a secret. Turkish representatives tried hard to sell the mutual assistance treaty with Russia during the negotiations in Moscow.
The diplomatic plan of France and Britain was a response to the traditional friendship between the Soviet Union and Turkey.
They tried to drive a wedge between the Soviet Union and Germany, trying to draw the Soviet Union into a group mainly targeting Germany. Britain and France hoped to expand the war to the Balkan Peninsula and open up a front to fight Germany there.
Turkey becomes a strategic base that acts according to its plans...
"As we all know, the current regime in Turkey is by no means truly democratic. Due to the reconciliation between the Turkish ruling class and the British and French imperialists, Turkey's independence...is now seriously threatened..."
Lieutenant General Zhan Zhan, director of the General Political Department, was eating an orange when he heard this and laughed:
"The Soviet media has always been sharp in its rhetoric and always likes to elevate issues to a certain level, but this can also reflect the Turkish government's tendency from one side."
Du Yi nodded: "After the outbreak of the Polish-German War, the Turkish government was definitely pro-British and French, because judging from the comparison of strength at that time, France alone had the strength to be equal to Germany, plus the largest colonial empire, the United Kingdom.
With help, the Turkish government believed that their choice was correct. In February last year, the Turkish government responded to the request of Britain and France and joined the Balkan Entente Conference specifically targeting Germany.
..... However, this was also strongly criticized by the Soviet Union. Soviet newspapers portrayed Turkey as a country that was completely included in the British orbit and acted completely in accordance with British requirements. Its purpose was to turn the Balkan Entente into instigating the Balkan national military group.
power, dancing to the tune of London and Paris... The newspapers of the two countries frequently bickered, and bilateral relations plummeted...
"Turkey-Soviet relations reached a freezing point in March and April last year. At that time, during the French Air Force's military operation to attack the Baku oil fields, a large number of fighter planes flew over Turkish airspace. The Soviet Union believed that Turkey had betrayed the treaty signed in 1925 and signed in 1935.
In 2006, the Treaty of Neutrality and Non-Aggression was renewed for another ten years, the ambassador was withdrawn from Turkey, and heavy troops were deployed in the border areas. Turkey also made tit-for-tat troop deployments with the support of Britain and France.
"The turning point came in May and June. Germany disarmed France with lightning speed, which greatly shocked Turkey and the Soviet Union. Turkey's "Dawn" justified the previous tense bilateral relations: France has already
Withdrew from the war, Britain focused on its own defense, and the Soviet Union did not
With suspicion that Turkey will be willing to open the strait to the British fleet, the Black Sea will no longer be threatened by the strait, but it will begin to be increasingly threatened by the Axis powers' dominant position in central and southeastern Europe. Therefore, Russia and Turkey are in the strait and the Balkan Peninsula.
The interests are exactly the same...
"Turkish Prime Minister Sarajolu declared that Soviet communism is a guarantee for Turkey. At least judging from the current situation, Soviet Russia will not engage in imperialist adventures at the expense of Turkey. From any aspect, Turkey also hopes that Russia
Happy, stable and strong, Turkey is not only a friendly neighbor of Russia, but may also become a loyal ally under certain circumstances..."
"Why--"
Deputy Chief of General Staff General Yang Jie sighed and said with some emotion: "Look, the relationship between Turkey and the Soviet Union perfectly illustrates what is meant by 'there are no permanent enemies between countries.' When the security of the country and the nation is threatened,
At that time, two countries that were originally hostile to each other immediately joined hands..."
Du Yi continued: "Turkey and the Soviet Union have a honeymoon period. In order to prevent German expansion, the two governments also jointly issued a joint communique, confirming that once either Turkey or Russia is forced to go to war to defend their respective territories,
The non-aggression pact is still valid. Unfortunately, when Germany
China successively occupied Yugoslavia and Greece. After the situation in the Balkans changed, Turkey felt great pressure. After seeking neutrality to no avail, it sent people to Germany to seek access to the Axis Powers and began to restrict the activities of the Soviets in Turkey.
to show his determination to be pro-German.
"However, due to Japan's brazen launch of the Pacific War and the United States' declaration of war on Japan, the Axis powers suffered a major blow. Under the mediation of British and American diplomats, the Turkish government's attitude changed again. Driven by Britain and the United States, the Turkish government
, sent diplomats to Moscow, hoping to establish a military alliance treaty against Germany. If one side is attacked, the other side must send troops to assist. The German government obtained this top-secret information from secret channels, and Hitler finally decided to take military action.
Complete conquest of Turkey..."
General Deng Bin, Secretary-General of the Military Commission and President of the National Defense University, shook his head: "This is the tragedy of a country without national defense. It struggles to survive in the cracks of big powers and has to swing left and right for the future of the country and the nation. Even so, people
Still not satisfied, they are pressing each other step by step, until now there is no way to retreat, so we might as well do a 'mutiny escape' to end the problem!"
General Zhao Dongquan, director of the General Office of the Military Commission, laughed when he heard this:
"The Turks are indeed cunning. During this mutiny, not a single key member of the Turkish government who was pro-British and American was left behind. They all fled, leaving behind a military government that came to power in a coup and contacted Germany. Regardless of whether Turkey will join the Axis in the future or join the post-Axis
Who will win the final victory between the United States and the Allied Powers has an opinion... The military government chooses to cooperate with Germany, and the future axis
If the Heart Country wins, Turkey is a well-deserved victor. If the Axis Powers lose in the future, the legitimate government will naturally return to Turkey. This government truly represents the public opinion of Turkey. They cannot be labeled as a defeated country.
On the head. In this way, regardless of victory or defeat, Turkey will be in an invincible position. The Turks are so calculating!"
Du Yi smiled slightly: "This is exactly the result of our intelligence department's speculation. You must know that the main officials of the Turkish military government are almost all close associates of President Inonu. It is easy to understand a traitor. If they are all traitors, then they will be betrayed by Kai.
Inonu, whom Mor chose as the communist, was too incompetent! The Soviets also felt that the situation was irreversible, so they turned to seek to attack the Far Eastern Republic eastward to expand their strategic depth!"
An Yi was stunned for a moment and asked: "The Soviets had known for a long time that there was going to be a military coup in Türkiye?"
"There have been signs of things happening a long time ago!"
Du Yi said: "Our intelligence officers in Turkey collected news newspapers and major events during that period. In the first week after the German army began to gather towards the Turkish border, the Turkish government went against the norm and launched an attack on the Soviet Union.
Fierce criticism, especially regarding the Soviet invasion of Persia as an important means of attack, claiming that the Soviet Union had a territorial thirst for Turkey, but everyone knows that the greatest threat to Turkey's territory is that it has occupied the Balkans and is sharpening its sword.
of Germany.
"Earlier this month, the German Ambassador to Turkey, von Papen, and his wife were walking on the streets of Ankara when they were attacked by a man with a bomb wrapped around his waist in a suicide attack. However, they were shot randomly by the guards protecting the von Papen and his wife.
That night, the Turkish authorities announced that the deceased's name was Tokat, a member of the Macedonian Communist Party. Several of his accomplices had been arrested and were also members of the Macedonian Communist Party. Judging from the criminal's confession, someone from Ankara and Istanbul
Some foreigners are trying to drive a wedge between Turkey and Germany.
"Subsequently, the Turkish police forcibly searched a non-diplomatic Soviet office in Ankara and asked the Soviet Consul General in Istanbul to hand over a suspect hiding in the consulate. After the Soviet Consul General refused, the police deployed a perimeter around the consulate.
They entered the cordon and threatened that if the prisoner was not handed over within forty-eight hours, they would rush in. As a result, the suspect was handed over less than three hours before the deadline.
"On the 18th of this month, the four defendants appeared in court for trial. They admitted that the task assigned by their superiors was to assassinate a German dignitary to provoke a war between Germany and Turkey. After receiving the results of the trial, the Soviet Embassy immediately stated that it had nothing to do with the four defendants.
The criminals were strangers to each other and insisted that the whole incident was a conspiracy by Trotskyists or the Far Eastern Republic. The Soviet government believed that Turkey’s interrogation was an insult to the Soviet Union and an unfriendly act. Subsequently, Turkey and the Soviet Union each
The ambassador was withdrawn and relations became tense again."
An Yi sighed sadly: "I understand. Hitler must have used the results of this trial as a threat to demand an explanation from the Soviet Union. The Soviets knew they were wrong and simply launched an attack on the Far Eastern Republic to show their intentions and avoid damaging their morale.
Germany at its peak faced off. Hitler received Stalin's guarantee that he was bound to invade Turkey. In order to avoid the war destroying the country, the Turkish government came out and shied away its responsibility in the form of a military coup!"
Yang Fei smiled bitterly and said: "This is called a single move that affects the whole body. Originally we predicted that the war between Germany and Turkey would last at least half a year. It is not certain that Turkey, with the support of Britain, the United States, the Soviet Union and other countries, would be in a long-term stalemate with the German army.
, but now everything is in vain! After Turkey completely fell to Germany, the German army pushed the front to the Middle East without spending a single soldier, and 500,000 elite Turkish troops will become part of the Axis Powers.
With great help, the situation in the Middle East and Africa will completely change!"
"That's what I'm worried about too!"
Logistics Minister Chang Baofang looked worried: "War is about logistics. The Afghan railway is not yet connected, and it will take another month for the Persian railway to be connected to the Central Asian railway. It will be difficult to mobilize and turnover the troops' combat supplies. Once Germany launches an attack on us,
If our combat supplies cannot keep up with the offensive, the war situation will quickly deteriorate and may even affect Central Asia and India. We must pay enough attention!"
Due to Hitler's bad reputation for going back on his word, even the resourceful Yang Jie did not dare to ensure that after acquiring Turkey's huge war machine, the German army would regard Nanhua as its next target. There was silence at the table.
An Yi was a little upset. He stood up and walked into the pavilion with his hands behind his back, overlooking the sparkling water of the West Lake. After a long time, he turned back and said with determination:
"No matter how bad the situation is, it can't get any worse... The fighting in Iraq and Persia has basically stopped now. Due to the active retreat of the Japanese army, we actually consume not much ammunition. As for oil, we have the oil fields in Khuzestan and
We are not short of oil at all in large oil refineries. The mechanized troops of Ye Cheng's cluster are very
It is very suitable for fighting in the flat Mesopotamian plains. In addition, our five newly formed flight groups have been transferred to Persia and southern Iraq. Such a force is fully capable of ensuring the security of our western front.
It can also delay the German army for two to three months, making it easier for us to mobilize and build up our forces.
"Brothers, we must trust our judgment. No matter how crazy the Germans are, they will not dare to declare war on us before the British Isles are completely solved. After all, fighting on two fronts is a taboo for military strategists, and the combat effectiveness of our army is determined by
Those who have been tempered by continuous battles are far more powerful than the weak British and French troops. Hitler's generation of heroes will not be so unwise as to waste their troops on us!
"Right now, Jinan and the others are negotiating with Hitler's government in Germany. We have to believe that they will not let us down!"