Explosion heard around the world... Or Elser succeeds

[Shaby]

Originally Posted by naraht

I'm trying to put this *really* gently. I'm enjoying the thread a lot, but while I was reading the last post on the Naval battle, the reading in my head starting having a Russian accent, I had to re-read it to figure out why. The lack of articles (a/an/the) is very similar to the way that one of my co-workers (from Russia) talks. I see that the Author is from Sarajevo, does Serbo-Croatian have the same different view on articles that Russian does?

Oh yeah. The articles. Yeah. We don't have anything like the articles in Slavic languages. I try to insert as much of those things as I can figure out.

It is OK to point this out, I don't mind. I'd really like to learn to use them properly.

[Eternity]

Originally Posted by Shaby

It became clear very quickly that Soviet battleship could not be saved and Admiral ordered it to be abandoned and scuttled. He and captain Gorshkov remained on the command bridge of the sinking ship, as remaining destroyers picked up survivors. Having completed this action, four Soviet destroyers turned home and ran at close their full speed.

Translation: We lost and we don't really want to face Stalin.....

Although one may think that they abandoned ship on the other side and got picked up by the Italians or Turks.....

BTW I doubt the Soviet destroyers would have stopped their run from home to pick up survivors. They may have jettisoned floats, but to come to a dead stop (Which they must do to pick up survivors) whilst enemy ships are engaged in combat with you is complete suicide. All sailors would pick up enemy combatants left in the water..... Call it an unwritten law of the sea which is an enemy to all sides, so the Soviets would know the turks and Italians would try to save those left behind & leave it to them to do this.

[Orry]

Originally Posted by Eternity

Translation: We lost and we don't really want to face Stalin.....

Although one may think that they abandoned ship on the other side and got picked up by the Italians or Turks.....

BTW I doubt the Soviet destroyers would have stopped their run from home to pick up survivors. They may have jettisoned floats, but to come to a dead stop (Which they must do to pick up survivors) whilst enemy ships are engaged in combat with you is complete suicide. All sailors would pick up enemy combatants left in the water..... Call it an unwritten law of the sea which is an enemy to all sides, so the Soviets would know the turks and Italians would try to save those left behind & leave it to them to do this.

If they die Stalin will probably accept that as payment for their crimes. If they surrender or are captured their families go to the Gulag......

[Shaby]

An hour later, Black Sea

As the rescue operations of the Italo-Turkish task force continued, they fetched people from the water, friend and foe alike. Losses on the Italian destroyer that sunk were 46 sailors, while 161 survived and was picked up by Fiume. Of 149 crew from the Turkish destroyer Zafer, 122 perished with the ship, after it sunk in less than three minutes, hit by two torpedoes from the Soviet destroyer Bodry. The other Turkish destroyer Tinaztepe, slightly damaged picked up the two boats with survivors and a dozen or so people swimming in the cold water.

A mere ten miles away, two Soviet destroyers, hidden behind a smoke screen created by the other two, picked up survivors from the Soviet battleship, as she went down. Their rescue operation was cut short as the smoke dissipated. Chased by the guns from Zara and Gorizia, Soviet destroyers left remaining Soviet sailors to be picked up by their enemies. Italians did just that, resulting in over 800 Soviet sailors ending up on Italian ships. They were equally distributed on all the ships and given proper medical care.

Just as the small fleet was wrapping up search and rescue, observers from Italian destroyer Lampo reported enemy airplanes approaching from all points.

Abandoning further rescue efforts, the ships increased speed. Soviet airplanes descended to a low altitude, bare meters above the water, and continued towards the ships. Their profile of attack betrayed them as torpedo bombers and Italian admiral immediately recognized that the best defense against this form of attack was maneuvering. He gave orders to all ships to increase to the best possible speed and take evasive actions to throw off the torpedoes that would be incoming at any moment now. Italian ships complied immediately, having been trained for this.

After some confusion, the Turks managed to divine the meaning of the order, by which time Soviet airplanes had already released their torpedoes.

Air above the formation

Soviet airplanes that attacked the formation belonged to the 5th torpedo air division of naval aviation. The unit was equipped with 38 DB-3T airplanes, modified long range bombers carrying torpedoes. Attack profile necessary to successfully launch a torpedo was a risky proposition. The planes were required to maintain altitude at 30 meters and 24 bombers managed to do this, the rest knocked out of sky by AA fire from the ships below. The Soviet bombers homed in on the largest ships in the formation, at once being the most valuable and the easiest targets in the formation.

Five aimed at Zara, six at Fiume, four at Gorizia and the remaining nine focused on the Turkish battle-cruiser. Their torpedoes splashed into the water and 17 proceeded towards their targets, while seven failed to initiate.

Turkish battle-cruiser Yavuz Sultan Selim

After being hit by Soviet battleship, Turkish ship had to reduce the speed in order to prevent further flooding and damage to her hull. The effort to pump the water out of the compartments IV and V were brought to an abrupt end as Italians reported incoming air attack. Soviet airplanes passed overhead and the Turkish captain realized they were being attacked by torpedoes. He ordered immediate course change and increase of speed, regardless of flooding. A sudden explosion rocked the ship. Drops of water fell everywhere on the deck, and huge splash towered over the ship, hanging there for what seemed as eternity. Then came the report of the damage control officer.

"It exploded in our wake, sir! We are all right!" he shouted, seconds from the explosion.

"Slow to 10 knots. Lay smoke in case some of their friends decide to show up."

Aboard the Soviet observer airplane

Soviet observer watched in amazement as the ships bellow danced in an attempt to evade the projectiles hurling toward them. The largest ship was a little slow and it turned clumsily, obviously damaged. A minute later a huge splash obscured the view of the target.

"Hit!" observer shouted.

The three men inside the airplane cheered in unison. The observer saw large quantities of smoke rise from the large ship, and her speed visibly dropped. As plumes of AA exploded around them, the pilot decided they'd seen enough and increased the throttle, turning the aircraft towards home. At least one torpedo found the target and exacted revenge for their comrades from the blue water.

Black Sea, 1430h

Soviet Leninec class submarine L-4 sailed at periscope depth and her captain scanned the relatively calm surface of the sea through a periscope. Suddenly a group of ships came into his view. He knew from the reports that Italian and Turkish fleet was operating in the area and that the Soviet Black Sea Fleet was on the sea. Consulting the books, he positively determined that none of the ships he could see were Soviet. Fast moving ships approached his position quickly and they were within 1 km range. They would have one chance to attack, and he was not about to waste it. He ordered his crew to launch two torpedoes at the nearest large ship and within a minute, the torpedoes were on the way. Captain turned his periscope around and suddenly, a destroyer came into view, barely 300 meters from the sub.

"Dive, dive, dive!" he shouted. They dived to the depth of 100 meters and reversed course increasing the speed to 10 knots. 45 seconds later, they heard two loud explosions and then twelve smaller ones much closer. They shook the submarine, but caused no damage. Captain decided to remain submerged, guessing it was the reaction from the destroyer he has seen before they dived. He waited for 30 minutes before he brought the ship back to periscope depth to observe. All he could see was a solitary destroyer, running in circles at high speed. No other ships were visible.

After night fell, L-4 surfaced and captain made a radio report to the command.

April 13th, late night, Kremlin, Moscow

The meeting in the Kremlin that began in the late afternoon lasted for a few hours in an extremely turbulent atmosphere. Stalin demanded to know why Red Army has not as yet accomplished not a single goal it was given at the start of the campaign. During the four days of campaign neither Kishinau, a city that was supposed to be captured by D+2, nor Cernauti, supposed to be in Soviet hands by D+1 was as yet captured. Red Army invested Cernauti, but Kishinau was still holding. Stalin ascribed all the guilt for the Kishinau to the 7th Army command. He gave an order to Beria to relieve the entire staff of the army and immediately signed the papers to this effect.

If this alone was not enough to infuriate the dictator, Admiral Kuznetsov, in a shaky voice and pale faced, reported the loss of virtually the entire Black Sea Fleet. Stalin ominously quiet, asked for details and Kuznetsov quickly gave the account of the battle, presented by the captain of the destroyer Moskva. The death of commanding admiral and most of the senior personnel, deprived Stalin of the opportunity to punish the people directly responsible. He directed his fury on young admiral, who attempted to defend himself. Admiral Kuznetsov explained that Italian and Turkish fleets could not be allowed to roam the Black Sea and had to be confronted by fleet action. The battle was lost through a misfortune, and it now could not be reversed. The precious Black Sea Fleet ships now lay at bottom of the sea.

Admiral offered some consolation in the fact that follow up air strike on the enemy was conducted by three squadrons of DB-3t torpedo bombers. According to the report of the division commander, the action resulted in sinking the battle-cruiser and damage to three other enemy ships. Additionally, a submarine reported putting two torpedoes on the side of Italian heavy cruiser and sinking it. Clearly the coast of the Black Sea was in no imminent danger whatsoever. Marshal Voroshilov added that loss of the fleet, while unfortunate, was by no means decisive to the campaign. Stalin reluctantly accepted the explanation and warned the Admiral that such disasters in the future will not be tolerated.

Turning his attention on the ground campaign again, Stalin chastised the commander of the 9th Army, General Matvei Vasilevich Zakharov, for insufficient use of artillery and snail pace of the troops on this front. He ordered Grigory Kulik to visit the area and determine the reasons why the city was not flattened by now and captured. Voroshilov explained that the ammunition expenditures exceeded projections by a large margin. Corrective actions are being undertaken and situation would improve in a few days. In the meanwhile, only limited offensive on the ground will be possible and the major objective would be the reduction of Cernauti pocket. He agreed that 7th Army command failed to take the initiative and use favorable conditions. A change of the command would certainly be beneficial. He proposed General Rodion Malinovsky as a replacement. Stalin agreed to this appointment and authorized the transfer.

The campaign was apparently to be stalled by vis maior, a fact Stalin found hard to accept and he still insisted on continuing the offensive. Unable to say no to him, Voroshilov concurred and promised further attacks on Kishinev and link up with the paratroopers at Iassi.

[Richter von Manthofen]

So the Soviet navy exagerate their sucesses.

Obviously the Yavuz is still afloat and the Soviet sub "heard" 2 large explosions that does not equal a kill. Maybe the cruiser is only damaged - or has he hit Yavuz again?

Can't wait...

[Bob in Pittsburgh]

[QUOTE=Eternity;6538208]Translation: We lost and we don't really want to face Stalin.....

Yes Comrade Stalin did not have much use for live losers. Among his quotes
"It takes more courage to retreat than to advance in the Red Army."

[Richter von Manthofen]

Originally Posted by Bob in Pittsburgh

Yes Comrade Stalin did not have much use for live losers. Among his quotes
"It takes more courage to retreat than to advance in the Red Army."

LOL Thats funny (but seems to depict Stalins army quite nice)

[cimon]

Stalin is right in ordering to maintain the pressure on the Romanians,but whoever planned the operation didn't estimate well the forces needed.There were inadequate armour units,inadequate air force units from the largest air force in the world(9000 planes aprox) and no landings worth speaking off, to turn the right Romanian flank,were attempted.
The Russians must bring south the entire artillery involved in Karelia plus heavy artillery from STAVKA reserve,plus the artillery of the south and Kiev fronts along with the fronts tank complements.Failing the initial operation the Russians now must stake everything to take Romania.

[stubear1012]

Now that Turkey is fighting the Soviets, I am wondering what Stalin will do to Turkey? Will he order the Red Army to attack Turkey or he order the Soviet secret service to start troubles in Turkey ie by arming the Kurds?

Regards

Stubear1012

[cimon]

Originally Posted by stubear1012

Now that Turkey is fighting the Soviets, I am wondering what Stalin will do to Turkey? Will he order the Red Army to attack Turkey or he order the Soviet secret service to start troubles in Turkey ie by arming the Kurds?

Regards

Stubear1012

Everything is on the cards;Turkey is in an exposed position vis Soviet Union
but I believe that Stalin would use distabilisation;a very familiar communist technique.

[Wendell]

Perhaps I've just overlooked it in this rather interesting timeline, but where is Bulgaria in all of this? I'd suspect that their price for helping Romania would be Southern Dobruja, but surely it's more reasonable than what Hungary of even the USSR desire.

[LostCosmonaut]

Originally Posted by cimon

Everything is on the cards;Turkey is in an exposed position vis Soviet Union
but I believe that Stalin would use distabilisation;a very familiar communist technique.

After the Soviet's performance thus far, I'd be very concerned about their ability to prosecute a war with fronts in both Turkey and Romania. They would probably win eventually, but at catastrophic cost. To say nothing of the kind of partisan activity you'd get by invading Turkey.

[Wendell]

Originally Posted by LostCosmonaut

After the Soviet's performance thus far, I'd be very concerned about their ability to prosecute a war with fronts in both Turkey and Romania. They would probably win eventually, but at catastrophic cost. To say nothing of the kind of partisan activity you'd get by invading Turkey.

Also, action against Turkey likely bring Britain and France more fully into the war.

[ccdsah]

Originally Posted by Wendell

Perhaps I've just overlooked it in this rather interesting timeline, but where is Bulgaria in all of this? I'd suspect that their price for helping Romania would be Southern Dobruja, but surely it's more reasonable than what Hungary of even the USSR desire.

The Cadrilater (not whole Southern Dobrogea) was taken by Romania after the 2nd Balkan war in 1913? But it was never a Romanian land, thus when it was given back by the Treaty of Craiova in OTL 1940 was not a huge deal. I can see a similar agreement being brokered in this ATL as well

[cimon]

Originally Posted by LostCosmonaut

After the Soviet's performance thus far, I'd be very concerned about their ability to prosecute a war with fronts in both Turkey and Romania. They would probably win eventually, but at catastrophic cost. To say nothing of the kind of partisan activity you'd get by invading Turkey.

I haven't planned invasion of Turkey;I think I mentioned above distabilisation,ie political upheaval,insurrection etc...

[Shaby]

April 15th, New York Times, Front Page

FDR rumored to have quit the race

News has surfaced that the incumbent President Franklin Delano Roosevelt may refuse to run for nomination for a DNC presidential candidate in the upcoming Presidential Elections. Our well-informed sources in the White House and in DNC claim that the President has privately declared his intention to endorse Cordell Hull's bid for the nomination to his closest associates.

Officially, however, the White House has refused to comment on the speculations, citing:

"Nothing has been decided yet and Mr. Roosevelt is weighing his options. He feels, however, that our great nation has emerged from the crisis as both standard of living of the average US citizen and the influence of the United States abroad continues to grow." President's Press Secretary, Mr. Early commented.

Secretary of State, Mr. Hull, refused to comment on the issue. Majority of delegates hopes Mr. Roosevelt would run for the unprecedented third term, while Republican party senators Mr. Robert Taft (R, Ohio) and Mr. Arthur Vandenberg (R, Michigan) have called on Mr. Roosevelt to respect the traditions of the electoral process and refuse to run for the third time.
More on page 3

Soviet-Romanian War

Earlier this week, Soviet Union, after issuing an ultimatum demanding the surrender of the three border provinces within a week, invaded the neighboring Kingdom of Romania. So far, both sides suffered heavy casualties in fights involving over half a million troops on each side, thousands of tanks and airplanes and foreign contingents from nations friendly to Romania. Yesterday, sources from Romanian military staff reported that Red Army has suffered 'enormous casualties in the battle of Kishinau'. The city is the capital of one of the border provinces and heavy combat has been reported in its vicinity. The city itself has been subjected to heavy attacks, both from the air and by ground based artillery, resulting in heavy loss of human life. Soviet Union sources state that Romanian propaganda claims are patently untrue and that 'the glorious Red Army inflicts heavy casualties on Romanian fascists and their foreign helpers.'

The end of this conflict is not yet in sight, while the State Department has issued a statement calling on the government of the Soviet Union to abandon its aggressive policy and resolve outstanding issues in a peaceful and constructive dialog with Romanians. Undersecretary Mr. Welles was able to disclose that House Committee on Foreign Affairs has recommended the Executive Branch to reconsider the relations with the Soviet Union in the view of their unprovoked aggression and the recently uncovered widespread espionage activity within the United States.
More on page 5

Upheaval in Japan

Our reporter from Tokyo, Mr. Offusa informed us that in the past few days a series of armed conflicts between groups of Imperial Japanese Navy naval infantry and Imperial Japanese Army units have taken place around the government buildings in the capital. Mr. Offusa reports fighting has errupted after a fall-out between Army and Navy factions within the government escalated into an open rebellion of the Army troops in an incident akin to the one that happened four years ago. Within a few hours legitimate government has quelled the rebellion and established its authority, while official statements only quote 'unfortunate incidents during routine exercises'.

US Ambassador to Japan, Mr. Joseph Grew has stated that he expects of the government of Japan to continue the peace process they have committed to and show real intention to resolve the outstanding conflict in China, already in its fourth year. Mr. Grew considers the latest upheaval as the sign that aggressive faction in Japan has lost all credibility and standing and that he believes their defeat will offer a new foundation for US relations with the Empire of Japan.
More on page 6, with a detailed chronology of Japanese relations and conflicts with China

New York Rangers win Stanley Cup

Yesterday, in an outstanding final game against Toronto Maple Leaf, New York Rangers claim their third Stanley Cup.
Details on page 1 of the Sports section

[edvader]

Nice news article.How about some more!Interesting to see the NY Times report from someone in Japan.I wonder how he got the information out.

[Richter von Manthofen]

I miss an update - where is shaby?

[Shaby]

April 15th, early morning, Berlin, Soviet Embassy

Soviet ambassador to Berlin Alexey Shkvartsev settled in his comfortable chair, behind a large, intricately ornamented, wooden desk. In his hands he held the message from Molotov, instructing him to ascertain at once the German position regarding Soviet-Romanian 'dispute'.

'The shooting is four days old and they still use the word dispute, as if it is some kind of shouting contest.' thought the ambassador.

The message further gave him the authority to offer Germans further economic concessions and diplomatic support, within the frame of previous agreements, in exchange for their mediation in order to secure Romanian acceptance of Soviet terms. Alexey was stunned by the realization that Moscow thought the situation called for this. Wasn't the Red Army strongest in the world? How could a country the size of Romania has stopped the Soviet Union? The questions multiplied in his head and the answers were not forthcoming from the short message. Molotov mentioned Italian and Slovak meddling in Romania, it implied German hands, since the Ambassador knew well enough that very little in Slovakia was happening without German blessing. Sending Slovakian military units in the neighboring country certainly should be considered one of those things. So, his ultimate goal was clear enough - securing German acquiescence of Soviet demands to Romania and an end of any assistance, by proxy or otherwise, to Bucharest.

Soviet ambassador proceeded to read the summary of the Nazi-Soviet cooperation his staff prepared yesterday. He needed to familiarize himself with this matter before approaching the German Minister of Foreign affairs, von Neurath.

Cernauti, suburb, 2 kilometers from city center

Nicolau Baboescu, a sergeant in the 6th guard infantry Regiment of the Romanian Guard infantry division hunkered with his squad in the ruins of what used to be a cozy family home. The house was destroyed by the guns of Soviet tanks on the second day of this war as the Red Army commanders thought it would help them advance. Inadvertently, however they created a shelter for Romanian soldiers to crawl into. They occupied this position during the night, as battalion commander wanted to have some forward observers. The Soviet attacks grew more serious every day. Only 200 meters separated them from the Soviet lines.

Sargeant was lying down, using his binoculars to peer out of the narrow slit in the basement window, left after the house collapsed. On his right hand side, private Silviu held a rifle with telescopic sight, aimed in the direction of Soviet lines. On it's stock 41 slits marked the number of lives he has claimed already and he was itching for some new targets. It looked like he's waiting will not be long.

During the morning they spotted unmistakable signs that the Soviets were preparing for another attack. First of all, their lines were quiet, ominously so. Secondly, Silviu saw a few runners arriving to Soviet lines, doubtlessly delivering orders, something that, in their experience, immediately preceded the attack. Finally, they caught flickers of field glasses on the hilltops over the Soviet lines, as their observers reconnoitered lines.

Suddenly, the ground shook and the familiar noise of artillery grenades flying filled the air.

"Incoming!" shouted the sergeant.

They were in no real danger he knew, unless directly hit, in which instance nothing they do would make an iota of difference. His shout was merely a result of reflex, drilled into him by years of training.

Seconds later they heard the explosions further back, as 122 and 152 mm shells hit the ground. Nicolau stopped counting the grenades as explosions merged into one continuous roar. The ground was shaking and pieces of plaster fell from the walls around them, as the air filled with fine particles of dust. The bombardment lasted for minutes, which stretched into an eternity for the ten men in the small room. Gradually, the bombardment started to shift further back.

'So, they seem to be more serious now. They are laying a barrage fire.' Nicolau deduced.

"Be ready, men! They'll be coming any moment now." he warned his troops. Since the enemy fire has not targeted their spot directly, he deduced Soviets were unaware of their presence.

Roughly 200 meters behind them was the first line of the defense, a line fortified by rubble and held by four machine guns. By now, all the artillery support they had were three mortars. They could count on the artillery deployed in the mountains above Cernauti, though their fire needed to be observed and called in by radio. Only the regiment commander could do that and process was rather lengthy. In spite of this, the artillery saved Romanians lines from being overrun quite a few times, at least twice being the decisive factor in repulsing the attack. Still, Nicolau would have preferred to have ability to call in at least some artillery support by himself.

Soviet lines, 250 meters away

Lieutenant Alexei Iegorov watched his platoon as they were preparing to advance. The order arrived last night and 1st company of the 49th Rifle Division was selected to lead the assault and probe the Romanian lines before the bulk of the 49th and 52nd Rifle divisions charged. The 49th was freshly deployed from Leningrad district, where it was slated for attack on Finland. The division was first demobilized after the operation was cancelled, but the failures in Romania necessitated it being mobilized again and deployed to Cernauti to join 9th Army, attempting to reduce the 'Cernauti pocket'.

Alexei watched as artillery plowed the battlefield in front. He would have sworn that no one could survive the barrage, but the people who spent more time here than he did, convinced him otherwise. Platoon under his command numbered 36 men and they finished their preparation. Quietly, he motioned them to crawl out of their positions and proceed towards Romanian lines. They would approach as close as they could and try to direct artillery fire more precisely on machine-gun positions, the main obstacles to penetrating the Romanian lines. Czech ZB53 machine guns proved to be a murderous weapon in the hands of Romanian Guards infantry and had to be eliminated if the attack had any chance of success.

Platoon crawled for 25 minutes and crossed 100 meters, hiding between the bushes and low vegetation, interspersed with holes from artillery fire. The pointed they wanted to reach was a small heap of rubble in front of the Romanian lines. Despite starting at the lead, lieutenant ended up in the middle of the row of soldiers crawling.

Just 80 meters short of their objective, a single shot hit one of the soldiers at the front, a sergeant giving hand commands to the squad to split and approach their objective from two directions. Everyone froze. After a momentary hesitation, Alexei decided the only security lay in the movement. He realized quickly that the shot could only have come from somewhere nearby, since the main Romanian lines were clouded by thick smoke screen, laid by Soviet artillery.

"Platoon! Listen to my command!" he shouted, over the roar of artillery, falling 300 meters away "Run towards the objective!"

Rising up, 18 men broke into a run towards the rubble heap. Zigzagging, they closed in on their objective. Another shot cracked and a soldier stumbled and fell, then another one. Realizing the shots were coming from the place they attempted to reach, half of the platoon hit the ground, opening covering fire. The rest continued to zig-zag over the remaining 50 meters.

Inside Romanian shelter

"Silviu, it is time to leave!" shouted Nicolau to the sharpshooter on his side.

"Sure is, sir!" the men agreed. "A few of bastards has already reached the dead angle."

The squad used the narrow trench to abandon their forward position and retreat to the line. They moved as quickly as they could and halfway to their line, they heard two hand grenades go off. Nicolaus ordered two men to turn around and cover their retreat in case Soviet decide following them was good idea. They didn't though and squad reached the safety of their line few minutes later.

The entire regiment was alerted and soldiers took their spots along the line. In a few places the trench was devastated by direct artillery hits and the regiment has recorded over 60 casualties in the initial phase. They knew the real test was about to begin.

Soviet platoon

After occupying the position, the Soviet lieutenant did the head count and determined he lost five of his men. The loss of sergeant Iashin hurt him the most. They observed the line of Romanian infantry and lieutenant fired off the green flare.

[Uff Da the optimist]

This is so exciting!
Keep it going Shaby, you are truly skilled in the art of writing!