Oh. yah I mean a lot of troops were killed or overran but not all. and many of them weren't combat veterans. many were but many weren't either. and even the new recruits were no longer green by the time the front neared the volga since they had been fighting since the invasion
America: A TL Retold
- Thread starter herricks
- Start date
This can be an ace in the hole the Germans can have. Equip the anti-Russian Slavs and use them as massive reinforcements for a Super-Kursk offensive to cut off the Russian drive on St. Petersburg (plus instigate an uprising in Finland).
How is Jet research going? if the Germans can deploy jets in Italy and negate the RAF advantage. They should go on the defensive on all fronts except for Italy and eliminating the Russian salient against St. Petersburg
Eh jets/ rocket are kinda like nukes here. their research is further ahead than OTL by not enough that we'll be likely to see them now. unless this war lasts longer than I intend for it to last which is always a possibility. ww1 ended up being shorter than I planned
I'm still rooting for President Huey Long winning in 1940 and bringing the US into the war on the German side
Blood across the Pacific
By the time ANZAC forces had sufficiently arrived in New Guinea the Japanese were within fifty miles and closing. Almost as soon as they were offloaded they were marching north to fight the Japanese. For more than two months the Papuan Peninsula was drenched in blood as the British Empire fought some of the most bitter destructive fighting that they ever had. The Battle of Mount Victoria ( June 11-23) would be exceptionally fierce with over 20,000 casualties sustained. Though Japan was moving forward ANZAC forces were holding their own against them and making their forward movements a slow going process. However on July 10 the Japanese Navy won a decisive battle over the Royal, Royal Australian, and Dutch Navy at the Battle of Torres Strait cutting the supply line to New Guinea. Although they were now stranded, Allied forces knew how the Japanese regarded prisoners. When the Battle of Port Moresby began on July 29 they fought as if they had nothing to lose. Because if they lost, they knew they didn't.
On June 13 Japanese warships arrived off the islands of Timor. Dutch, British, Portuguese, and ANZAC had been working around the clock making preparations for the inevitable invasion. Now they would see how much their efforts were worth as nearly 100,000 Japanese soldiers began coming ashore beginning the Battle of Timor. The strength of both sides were nearly even however making it stay that way depended on the Allies keeping the Timor Sea open.
As the island of Timor was torn apart by fierce destructive battle an equally monumental engagement at sea was brewing. On July 17 a Japanese fleet of four fleet carriers, ten battleships, seven battlecruisers, 24 cruisers, and 41 destroyers entered the sea protected by an Allied navy of 2 fleet carriers, 3 escort carriers, eight battleships, five battle cruisers, 32 cruisers, and 50 destroyers tarting the Battle of the Timor Sea. For nearly four days the battle would rage in the air, on the surface, and under water as both sides had dozens of submarines in the area. By the morning of July 22 the battle was over as both fleets withdrew. A total of 32 ships had either been sunk or so heavily damaged that they would be out of action indefinitely with Japan suffering 5000 casualties and the Allies just under 6000. while the Battle of the Timor Sea was declared a draw Japan had failed to fully cut the supply line from Australia to Timor and for now the Japanese submarine force was left to try and starve off the island.
On land the Battle of Timor was horrendous. On average there was around 300 casualties a day littering the land with Allied and Japanese bodies and filling both sides medical facilities to the brim. By September the battle had been going on for nearly three months and while close to 2/3's of the island was mow under the Rising Sun the Allies were far from finished.
In Burma Japan was steadily driving the Allies back. On June 15 Monwya fell to the Japanese after a fierce ten day battle. After three weeks of preparation Japan began attempting to cross the River Chindwin and continue their attack. Though Anglo-Indian forces stopped the crossing in a number of areas there was just to many crossings being attempted and on July 11 Japan successfully got a foothold. For the next month the front slowly moved west before on August 17 the Allies made a stand at Kalay.
The Battle of Harbin had became one of the largest battles ever fought in Asia. Around 300,000 Russian and hired Chinese soldiers were trying like hell to hold 450,000 Japanese and hired Chinese troops. A significant portion of the city and its surrounding areas were in charred ruins as the fierce no holding back fighting occurred. Neither side was too keen on taking prisoners making the Battle of Harbin exceptionally brutal. Prime Minister Molotov ordered Harbin held at all costs. By the end of August the battle had been going on for five months with no en in sight.
In Russia's Aleutian Territory what remained of its Pacific Fleet remained hidden. This was no secret but as they had made no moves to interfere with anything Japan had left them alone. That was however until May 19 when Japan sent a squadron of a light carrier, a battleship, 6 cruisers, and eight destroyers north to destroy them and open up the islands. On June 8 Russian reconnaissance aircraft caught sight of the fleet 100 miles from Russia's main base on Unalaska. Japan saw it too and within a few hours Japanese aircraft were attacking Russian positions. The remnants of the Russian Pacific Fleet consisted of a battle cruiser, 4 cruisers, 6 destroyers, and 3 submarines. Land based aircraft were doing their best to defend the small fleet but Japan held the advantage in the air and within three hours since the Battle off Unalaska began the battle cruiser and two destroyers were sunk due to aerial attack. Russia got lucky however and in the evening twilight one of its submarines landed two torpedo hits on the carrier taking it out of commission and eventually causing it to sink twelve hours later. So the battle became a gun fight between the two navies. Japan still had a battleship though and while obsolete against other modern battleships was much more powerful than the Russian vessels. While scored some more hits sinking two cruisers and three destroyers and damaged the battleship they just couldn't stand up to its big guns. By mid day on June 9 only a cruiser and a destroyer remained in good working order and began to flee east to neutral Alaska. Though no longer much of a threat Japan had the taste of blood in them and the fleets commander ordered his three fastest cruisers to pursue and destroy.
For nearly twenty-four hours the pursuit went on. Some shots would be fired back and forth but the Russian ships remained far enough ahead to only be buffeted by splashes. During the night however the Russian cruiser Lazar Kaganovich experienced an engine fire cutting its speed by half. The Japanese cruisers were now rapidly closing in and by mid morning were scoring hits on the crippled ship. The cruisers captain however didn't want his men to die in the freezing waters and ordered the ship beached on the Alaska Peninsula ten miles west of Perryville, Alaska. Both countries ships were well within the US's maritime borders and now a Russian warship was beached in American territory. The sailors knew that they would be interned but that was far better than dying at the hands of the Japanese. Enraged over Russia's “cowardice” in running from battle Japan had other ideas however and as the Russians tried to hide in the woods and make their way into Perryville the Japanese began shelling the area in search for them as a company of Naval Infantry landed to eliminate them. Just five miles west of Perryville Japan caught up with the sailors. The fight was almost entirely one sided and in just 45 minutes all but ten of the remaining sailors were captured and subsequently executed.
This wasn't the first time the war in the Pacific had came to the US. A number of merchant vessels trying to get to China and Australia had been attacked and on March 2 the cruiser USS Constellation was sunk with 177 soles by a Japanese submarine east of the Palau Islands. Though Japan apologized for misidentifying the ships as a British one relations grew even more sour. Now its territory had been breached by both Russia and Japan. Russia though was just seeking escape whereas Japan brought war chewing up the countryside and massacring Russian sailors basically within sight of an American settlement. The horrific atrocities that Japan had made during World War I made it, instead of Britain who had been fairly civil the last time, the US's ultimate bad guy in the eyes of a growing majority and their actions so far in this round hadn't changed that. The US had continued trade with the ANZAC nations throughout the war but now President Smith authorized sending military aid to the Australians. Also on July 1 Smith declared to both Japan and the British Empire that everything east of the 175th Meridian West was neutral and that the US would enforce his against anyone. This would put almost all of the Russian Aleutian's which Japan was planning on conquering in the neutral zone.
By the time ANZAC forces had sufficiently arrived in New Guinea the Japanese were within fifty miles and closing. Almost as soon as they were offloaded they were marching north to fight the Japanese. For more than two months the Papuan Peninsula was drenched in blood as the British Empire fought some of the most bitter destructive fighting that they ever had. The Battle of Mount Victoria ( June 11-23) would be exceptionally fierce with over 20,000 casualties sustained. Though Japan was moving forward ANZAC forces were holding their own against them and making their forward movements a slow going process. However on July 10 the Japanese Navy won a decisive battle over the Royal, Royal Australian, and Dutch Navy at the Battle of Torres Strait cutting the supply line to New Guinea. Although they were now stranded, Allied forces knew how the Japanese regarded prisoners. When the Battle of Port Moresby began on July 29 they fought as if they had nothing to lose. Because if they lost, they knew they didn't.
On June 13 Japanese warships arrived off the islands of Timor. Dutch, British, Portuguese, and ANZAC had been working around the clock making preparations for the inevitable invasion. Now they would see how much their efforts were worth as nearly 100,000 Japanese soldiers began coming ashore beginning the Battle of Timor. The strength of both sides were nearly even however making it stay that way depended on the Allies keeping the Timor Sea open.
As the island of Timor was torn apart by fierce destructive battle an equally monumental engagement at sea was brewing. On July 17 a Japanese fleet of four fleet carriers, ten battleships, seven battlecruisers, 24 cruisers, and 41 destroyers entered the sea protected by an Allied navy of 2 fleet carriers, 3 escort carriers, eight battleships, five battle cruisers, 32 cruisers, and 50 destroyers tarting the Battle of the Timor Sea. For nearly four days the battle would rage in the air, on the surface, and under water as both sides had dozens of submarines in the area. By the morning of July 22 the battle was over as both fleets withdrew. A total of 32 ships had either been sunk or so heavily damaged that they would be out of action indefinitely with Japan suffering 5000 casualties and the Allies just under 6000. while the Battle of the Timor Sea was declared a draw Japan had failed to fully cut the supply line from Australia to Timor and for now the Japanese submarine force was left to try and starve off the island.
On land the Battle of Timor was horrendous. On average there was around 300 casualties a day littering the land with Allied and Japanese bodies and filling both sides medical facilities to the brim. By September the battle had been going on for nearly three months and while close to 2/3's of the island was mow under the Rising Sun the Allies were far from finished.
In Burma Japan was steadily driving the Allies back. On June 15 Monwya fell to the Japanese after a fierce ten day battle. After three weeks of preparation Japan began attempting to cross the River Chindwin and continue their attack. Though Anglo-Indian forces stopped the crossing in a number of areas there was just to many crossings being attempted and on July 11 Japan successfully got a foothold. For the next month the front slowly moved west before on August 17 the Allies made a stand at Kalay.
The Battle of Harbin had became one of the largest battles ever fought in Asia. Around 300,000 Russian and hired Chinese soldiers were trying like hell to hold 450,000 Japanese and hired Chinese troops. A significant portion of the city and its surrounding areas were in charred ruins as the fierce no holding back fighting occurred. Neither side was too keen on taking prisoners making the Battle of Harbin exceptionally brutal. Prime Minister Molotov ordered Harbin held at all costs. By the end of August the battle had been going on for five months with no en in sight.
In Russia's Aleutian Territory what remained of its Pacific Fleet remained hidden. This was no secret but as they had made no moves to interfere with anything Japan had left them alone. That was however until May 19 when Japan sent a squadron of a light carrier, a battleship, 6 cruisers, and eight destroyers north to destroy them and open up the islands. On June 8 Russian reconnaissance aircraft caught sight of the fleet 100 miles from Russia's main base on Unalaska. Japan saw it too and within a few hours Japanese aircraft were attacking Russian positions. The remnants of the Russian Pacific Fleet consisted of a battle cruiser, 4 cruisers, 6 destroyers, and 3 submarines. Land based aircraft were doing their best to defend the small fleet but Japan held the advantage in the air and within three hours since the Battle off Unalaska began the battle cruiser and two destroyers were sunk due to aerial attack. Russia got lucky however and in the evening twilight one of its submarines landed two torpedo hits on the carrier taking it out of commission and eventually causing it to sink twelve hours later. So the battle became a gun fight between the two navies. Japan still had a battleship though and while obsolete against other modern battleships was much more powerful than the Russian vessels. While scored some more hits sinking two cruisers and three destroyers and damaged the battleship they just couldn't stand up to its big guns. By mid day on June 9 only a cruiser and a destroyer remained in good working order and began to flee east to neutral Alaska. Though no longer much of a threat Japan had the taste of blood in them and the fleets commander ordered his three fastest cruisers to pursue and destroy.
For nearly twenty-four hours the pursuit went on. Some shots would be fired back and forth but the Russian ships remained far enough ahead to only be buffeted by splashes. During the night however the Russian cruiser Lazar Kaganovich experienced an engine fire cutting its speed by half. The Japanese cruisers were now rapidly closing in and by mid morning were scoring hits on the crippled ship. The cruisers captain however didn't want his men to die in the freezing waters and ordered the ship beached on the Alaska Peninsula ten miles west of Perryville, Alaska. Both countries ships were well within the US's maritime borders and now a Russian warship was beached in American territory. The sailors knew that they would be interned but that was far better than dying at the hands of the Japanese. Enraged over Russia's “cowardice” in running from battle Japan had other ideas however and as the Russians tried to hide in the woods and make their way into Perryville the Japanese began shelling the area in search for them as a company of Naval Infantry landed to eliminate them. Just five miles west of Perryville Japan caught up with the sailors. The fight was almost entirely one sided and in just 45 minutes all but ten of the remaining sailors were captured and subsequently executed.
This wasn't the first time the war in the Pacific had came to the US. A number of merchant vessels trying to get to China and Australia had been attacked and on March 2 the cruiser USS Constellation was sunk with 177 soles by a Japanese submarine east of the Palau Islands. Though Japan apologized for misidentifying the ships as a British one relations grew even more sour. Now its territory had been breached by both Russia and Japan. Russia though was just seeking escape whereas Japan brought war chewing up the countryside and massacring Russian sailors basically within sight of an American settlement. The horrific atrocities that Japan had made during World War I made it, instead of Britain who had been fairly civil the last time, the US's ultimate bad guy in the eyes of a growing majority and their actions so far in this round hadn't changed that. The US had continued trade with the ANZAC nations throughout the war but now President Smith authorized sending military aid to the Australians. Also on July 1 Smith declared to both Japan and the British Empire that everything east of the 175th Meridian West was neutral and that the US would enforce his against anyone. This would put almost all of the Russian Aleutian's which Japan was planning on conquering in the neutral zone.
Japan would be wise to seek peace with the British, plus make some kind of offering to the US.
Its too late for Japan to surrender to the U.S and even keep its home islands in a peace deal, because there is still hatred from what the japs did during world war 1, and now that they violated American neutrality to execute Russians who were trying to surrender to the U.S they are setting themselves up to be as Admiral King eloquently said "By the time we're done with them Japanese will be a language only spoken in hell"
I'm not saying surrender, I'm saying an offering to diffuse tensions. I know it would be highly controversial within the Japanese ranks, but perhaps they gift the US with North Borneo and Mindinao as a commitment to peace between the two nations.
Yah I could be wrong but that way to far out in left field. that would automatically return a major US presence to Asia which would be a significant threat to Japanese interests and influence
More of a lesser of two evil's strategy, but if that is too far they could promise the US the Aleutians and Kamchatka for their commitment to remain neutral.
Kamchatka is in Asia and would give Japan the same that as Borneo
Japan will never accept US presence in the Asian mainland or the major islands, they'd rather declare war first. However the conquest of SE Asia is almost complete and they may accept giving up the Aleutians to keep the US out and concentrated on Canada.
Since in this TL the author has presented Japanese politics as more sane than the ones in OTL but as imperialistic as the other western powers, Japan should have a fair chance of eating their cake and keeping its gains in this war.
Since in this TL the author has presented Japanese politics as more sane than the ones in OTL but as imperialistic as the other western powers, Japan should have a fair chance of eating their cake and keeping its gains in this war.
it would be highly controversial yes and fail because this is the 1930's when Japan when full imperialistic/Natonalistic and during this time they thought defeat was WORSE than death
The Drive East
Following the defeat at Novgorod Russia decided that St. Petersburg would not be liberated before winter wet in. instead men and material were rerouted to the central front where the offensive to retake Kiev was being prepared. On September 18 the Dnieper Offensive began as a Russian force of 250,000 men and nearly 3000 tanks began moving southwest from Kirov. German forward units were no match for the massive force and in just a week the offensive was nearing the city of Bryansk. Here Germany had gathered enough men and panzers to make a stand and on September 26 the Battle of Bryansk began. For over a week the battle raged as Russian tank and German panzers pounded away at one another trying to clear the way for their infantry to break through. While the German machines were better built the Russians were far more numerous and on October 8 had drove a wedge in the German army. Two days later the Battle of Bryansk ended with the Germans withdrawing. Though Bryansk had been liberated Russia wouldn't continue on. Events on other fronts made them unable to do so.
Germany knew that once they defeated Russia successfully controlling such a large land would be near impossible. So shortly after the war began German “special” units were sent into occupied Russia, mostly the Ukraine, Baltic, and Finland to create loyal local forces to be used to bolster the German armies and help create several puppet states. Already a number of divisions had been made from these regions and were either training or already in Germany's ranks. Though Finland had been almost totally retaken by Russia that didn't mean it still couldn't do damage on Germany's behalf. The German Navy had been sending weapons to Finland for months and on September 20 Finland rebelled.
Though the rebellion by itself could be fairly quickly subdued, the rebellion also coincided with a German counteroffensive. Out of Karelia the Germans came and within a month the front in Finland had gone from the narrow region of Karelia to Lahti and Mikkeli before it finally stopped. The Finnish Rebellion greatly helped the German efforts to force Russia back here. However by November the open warfare section of the rebellion had been brutally put down. An armed insurrection however would last years.
Marshal Ritter had moved the majority of his forces back to around St. Petersburg leaving only guard units protecting Arkhangelsk as he prepared for a new offensive against Russia. On September 30 Ritter went on the offensive in attempts to force the Russian's back to Moscow. For the moment at least the Germans outnumbered Russia here and they took full advantage of it. In just a week Ritter had driven the Russians back a hundred miles to the outskirts of Borovichi. For a week they were halted but on October 16 the Battle of Borovichi ended with Russia retreating. For the next month the front moved further south though albeit slower. Finally on December 4 they were stopped after the Battle of Vyshny Volochyok.
From Shakhty Rommel once again when on the offensive on October 2. Rommel's forces quickly moved east forcing the Russians back time and time again. The Germans would face a slight delay at the Battle of Morozovsk, but on October 19 after only five days of fighting the Russians were in retreat. Eight days later Russia tried again at Surovikino but after only 36 hours they were on the verge of being overran and retreated. Rommel was driving hard and fast on Tsaritsyn intent on capturing the city and forcing his way to the eastern side of the Volga. German forward units would begin reaching the cities outskirts on October 31 beginning the Battle of Tsaritsyn. 250,000 Russians were trying to halt the nearly 300,000 German and German allied army. As the Germans were trying to force their way into the city Russia was throwing thousands of of aircraft at them trying to disrupt their supply lines. Just six days into the battle Russian ground attack aircraft strafed a German convoy killing and wounding dozens. One of those hit was General Rommel. Though he would survive his injuries Rommel was seriously wounded and had to be medevacted back to Germany. Now control of his army was left to Friedrich Paulus. Paulus continued on with the Battle of Tsaritsyn and by the end of the year a third of the city was occupied. Russia however wasn't done yet.
Following the defeat at Novgorod Russia decided that St. Petersburg would not be liberated before winter wet in. instead men and material were rerouted to the central front where the offensive to retake Kiev was being prepared. On September 18 the Dnieper Offensive began as a Russian force of 250,000 men and nearly 3000 tanks began moving southwest from Kirov. German forward units were no match for the massive force and in just a week the offensive was nearing the city of Bryansk. Here Germany had gathered enough men and panzers to make a stand and on September 26 the Battle of Bryansk began. For over a week the battle raged as Russian tank and German panzers pounded away at one another trying to clear the way for their infantry to break through. While the German machines were better built the Russians were far more numerous and on October 8 had drove a wedge in the German army. Two days later the Battle of Bryansk ended with the Germans withdrawing. Though Bryansk had been liberated Russia wouldn't continue on. Events on other fronts made them unable to do so.
Germany knew that once they defeated Russia successfully controlling such a large land would be near impossible. So shortly after the war began German “special” units were sent into occupied Russia, mostly the Ukraine, Baltic, and Finland to create loyal local forces to be used to bolster the German armies and help create several puppet states. Already a number of divisions had been made from these regions and were either training or already in Germany's ranks. Though Finland had been almost totally retaken by Russia that didn't mean it still couldn't do damage on Germany's behalf. The German Navy had been sending weapons to Finland for months and on September 20 Finland rebelled.
Though the rebellion by itself could be fairly quickly subdued, the rebellion also coincided with a German counteroffensive. Out of Karelia the Germans came and within a month the front in Finland had gone from the narrow region of Karelia to Lahti and Mikkeli before it finally stopped. The Finnish Rebellion greatly helped the German efforts to force Russia back here. However by November the open warfare section of the rebellion had been brutally put down. An armed insurrection however would last years.
Marshal Ritter had moved the majority of his forces back to around St. Petersburg leaving only guard units protecting Arkhangelsk as he prepared for a new offensive against Russia. On September 30 Ritter went on the offensive in attempts to force the Russian's back to Moscow. For the moment at least the Germans outnumbered Russia here and they took full advantage of it. In just a week Ritter had driven the Russians back a hundred miles to the outskirts of Borovichi. For a week they were halted but on October 16 the Battle of Borovichi ended with Russia retreating. For the next month the front moved further south though albeit slower. Finally on December 4 they were stopped after the Battle of Vyshny Volochyok.
From Shakhty Rommel once again when on the offensive on October 2. Rommel's forces quickly moved east forcing the Russians back time and time again. The Germans would face a slight delay at the Battle of Morozovsk, but on October 19 after only five days of fighting the Russians were in retreat. Eight days later Russia tried again at Surovikino but after only 36 hours they were on the verge of being overran and retreated. Rommel was driving hard and fast on Tsaritsyn intent on capturing the city and forcing his way to the eastern side of the Volga. German forward units would begin reaching the cities outskirts on October 31 beginning the Battle of Tsaritsyn. 250,000 Russians were trying to halt the nearly 300,000 German and German allied army. As the Germans were trying to force their way into the city Russia was throwing thousands of of aircraft at them trying to disrupt their supply lines. Just six days into the battle Russian ground attack aircraft strafed a German convoy killing and wounding dozens. One of those hit was General Rommel. Though he would survive his injuries Rommel was seriously wounded and had to be medevacted back to Germany. Now control of his army was left to Friedrich Paulus. Paulus continued on with the Battle of Tsaritsyn and by the end of the year a third of the city was occupied. Russia however wasn't done yet.
Christ, Paulus should just leave the city surrounded and cut it off like they did with Moscow. They need to anchor themselves before moving south to take the Caucasus
The Germans have secured themselves. Finland probably falls within the year, giving the Germans and their allies more troops they can shore up the lines in the south and probably take Moscow. The Slav divisions are a good move by them.
However, priority number one needs to be knocking Italy out of the war. They are the weak link. Taking Genoa could force them to withdraw or lose popular support - or get France on the side of the Germans
The Germans have secured themselves. Finland probably falls within the year, giving the Germans and their allies more troops they can shore up the lines in the south and probably take Moscow. The Slav divisions are a good move by them.
However, priority number one needs to be knocking Italy out of the war. They are the weak link. Taking Genoa could force them to withdraw or lose popular support - or get France on the side of the Germans
Closing Doors
After the Battle of Langhirano Yugoslavia changed their area of attack toward the Italian lines. On October 2 Yugoslavian forces attacked out of Bologna rolling back the Italians. Their aim was to take Florence and were driving as hard as they could. In a week Yugoslav forces had taken Sasso Maraconi , Marzabotto, and Monzuno. But as they reached Monghidoro Italy had moved enough men forward to make a decent stand. For just over a week at the Battle of Monghidoro Italy held them back. But with Italy fighting all across the northern part of their country they didn't have enough troops to hold them even even with their Allied armies. On October 29 the Battle of Monghidoro ended as the Italians withdrew. The month of fighting had exhausted the Yugoslavs though and with the new front stretching their lines the offensive halted.
With 375,000 Allied and 450,000 Central Powers troops engaged, the Battle of Genoa was quickly becoming the largest battle yet of the Western Front. Street by street and house by house the battle was fought leveling the city of Genoa. Some days the Allies retreated a few blocks, other days they advanced a few blocks. In the skies above the battlefield hundreds of aircraft battled day and night as fighters fought one another and bombers tried their best to disrupt the enemy rear. By November the Battle of Genoa was in it fourth month and German troops only had a firm hold on about a quarter of the city. The Allies didn't have the strength however to force the Germans back and more troops were needed from the British Empire to even hope and turn the tide. On November 25 with two new divisions from Britain arriving in the nearby town of Arenzano the Allies attempted to attack Germany's western flank. The offensive would manage to roll back the Germans more than a dozen miles but in less than two weeks they were stopped near Campomorone. Though the Allies regained some of the countryside, the Battle of Genoa wouldn't end this year.
In Egypt Faqus returned to Allied control on September 16 forcing the German's back to their pre-Delta Campaign lines. Though they had defeated the Germans in both of their offensives since crossing the Suez Britain knew that breaking through their line of fortifications being built on the Suez's western bank would cause enormous casualties. Germany had almost all of its forces from Palestine in the Sinai and Suez leaving the rest of the territory largely unprotected. Italian, Syrian, and British force had begun probing Palestine's borders but not with enough forces to make large scale attacks. To achieve victory quickly in Palestine plans had been draw up to bypass the Suez defensive lines and strike Palestine directly.
In the early hours of October 11 ships from the Royal Navy began bombarding Gaza. These were the opening shots of Britain's amphibious Invasion of Palestine as three divisions began moving ashore. At the same time Britain's Sixth Airborne Division which had flew out from Zaafarana were parachuting into Netivot, Rahat, and Sderot to secure the roads to Gaza. Germany had only 7,500 men in Gaza and while they fought hard, they were quickly overwhelmed. By sunset Gaza and the surrounding area was in British hands and they were quickly preparing to move deeper inland. Within two weeks British forces had reached Be'er Sheva and were also moving into eastern Sinai. The invasion of Palestine, coupled with coordinated Allied attacks at the Suez forced the Germans to finally withdraw from the canal zone in fear of being surrounded. In just three weeks the Allies had retaken the Sinai, the last town of Al Qosimah taken on October 27 after a three day battle. Over the course of November the war in Palestine rapidly turned against Germany. Italian, Syrian, and British units began moving in from Lebanon and Syria moving as far as Hiafa. British Allied forces captured Jerusalem on November 17 and the last major city of Amman on November 30 leaving the Germans basically stranded. On December 11 German forces in Palestine would officially surrender at Ma'an.
The Allies were preparing a massive assault to take Persia from the war permanently and free up hundreds of thousands of much needed troops. On October 5 Operation Bandua began as Russian and Allied artillery began largest bombardment the world had ever seen.
As per terms of the ceasefire 185,000 Iraqi soldiers accompanied 165,000 troops of the British Empire in invading western Persia from Iraq aimed at Kermanshah, Dezful, and Ahvaz. The majority of Persia's seasoned and better trained forces and almost all of its air force were combating the Russians in the north. Ahvaz and Dezful fell first, both within two weeks of the invasion. The Allied offensive was slightly delayed at the Battle of Ilam but by the end of the month Kermanshah too had came under Allied control. On November 9 he Allies set forth again towards Khorramabad. After a week long battle Khorramabad was in Allied hands on November 22.
In the Persian Gulf British forces were invading the Persian coast. The Persian Navy had been effectively wiped off the map after Britain entered the war so the Royal Navy faced no opposition in the landing of three British divisions near Bushehr and four near Bandar Abbas. Though Bushehr fell in just seven days the Battle of Bandar Abbas was a different story. For eighteen days Persian troops would ferociously fight day and night to hold on to the city. On October 27 however the city would finally fall to Allied forces.
Out of India three Indian armies numbering (45,000 south, 75,000 central, and 150,000 north) invaded Persia. The southern army marched fast on Chabahar. In just two weeks Indians captured the city. The central army moved on Fahrej. Though they encountered some resistance on October 23 the city was taken. Finally India's northern army marched to capture the major city of Zahedan. Though they reached the city in just a few days a sizable Persian army was protecting it and on October 10 the Battle of Zahedan began. For two grueling weeks the two armies battled one another. The Persians here fought hard to keep control of their city. However much they tried though they were just no match for the much better trained and equipped army of India. On October 27 the city would finally fall and with it most of the significant enemy forces in southeast Persia.
For their part of Operation Bandua Russia went on the offensive to finally capture Tehran. Following Abhar the Persians had withdrawn to Takestan and just two days after the offensive began Russia tried to take the city. For four days the Battle of Takestan would go on before the Persians were forced to retreat back towards the capital. On October 21 Persia tried again to stop the Russian onslaught but again were forced to withdraw on November 1. Being attacked from all sides Persia knew that there wasn't much time left. Qazvin had fallen shortly after Takestan and now the last major obstacle between Russia and Tehran was Nazarabad. The Shah however couldn't surrender without trying to halt the Allied advance just one more time. That time came on November 14 when the Battle of Nazarabad began. For nearly two weeks the battle would rage as the Persians threw everything that they had into stopping Russia. Waves upon waves of humanity were thrown against each other in attempt to overrun the other. Persia just no longer had the strength to hold them back though and on November 25 Russia broke through south of the main battle at Eshtehard and began moving behind the main army. This finally broke them and just twenty-four hours later the Persians retreat in defeat.
The loss at Nazarabad was the last straw for Persia. On December 2 Persian troops under General Ahmad Nakhjevan stormed the palace killing the shah and placing his son on the throne as a figurehead. Two days later General Nakhjevan called for a ceasefire across all fronts and surrendered to the Allies.
After the Battle of Langhirano Yugoslavia changed their area of attack toward the Italian lines. On October 2 Yugoslavian forces attacked out of Bologna rolling back the Italians. Their aim was to take Florence and were driving as hard as they could. In a week Yugoslav forces had taken Sasso Maraconi , Marzabotto, and Monzuno. But as they reached Monghidoro Italy had moved enough men forward to make a decent stand. For just over a week at the Battle of Monghidoro Italy held them back. But with Italy fighting all across the northern part of their country they didn't have enough troops to hold them even even with their Allied armies. On October 29 the Battle of Monghidoro ended as the Italians withdrew. The month of fighting had exhausted the Yugoslavs though and with the new front stretching their lines the offensive halted.
With 375,000 Allied and 450,000 Central Powers troops engaged, the Battle of Genoa was quickly becoming the largest battle yet of the Western Front. Street by street and house by house the battle was fought leveling the city of Genoa. Some days the Allies retreated a few blocks, other days they advanced a few blocks. In the skies above the battlefield hundreds of aircraft battled day and night as fighters fought one another and bombers tried their best to disrupt the enemy rear. By November the Battle of Genoa was in it fourth month and German troops only had a firm hold on about a quarter of the city. The Allies didn't have the strength however to force the Germans back and more troops were needed from the British Empire to even hope and turn the tide. On November 25 with two new divisions from Britain arriving in the nearby town of Arenzano the Allies attempted to attack Germany's western flank. The offensive would manage to roll back the Germans more than a dozen miles but in less than two weeks they were stopped near Campomorone. Though the Allies regained some of the countryside, the Battle of Genoa wouldn't end this year.
In Egypt Faqus returned to Allied control on September 16 forcing the German's back to their pre-Delta Campaign lines. Though they had defeated the Germans in both of their offensives since crossing the Suez Britain knew that breaking through their line of fortifications being built on the Suez's western bank would cause enormous casualties. Germany had almost all of its forces from Palestine in the Sinai and Suez leaving the rest of the territory largely unprotected. Italian, Syrian, and British force had begun probing Palestine's borders but not with enough forces to make large scale attacks. To achieve victory quickly in Palestine plans had been draw up to bypass the Suez defensive lines and strike Palestine directly.
In the early hours of October 11 ships from the Royal Navy began bombarding Gaza. These were the opening shots of Britain's amphibious Invasion of Palestine as three divisions began moving ashore. At the same time Britain's Sixth Airborne Division which had flew out from Zaafarana were parachuting into Netivot, Rahat, and Sderot to secure the roads to Gaza. Germany had only 7,500 men in Gaza and while they fought hard, they were quickly overwhelmed. By sunset Gaza and the surrounding area was in British hands and they were quickly preparing to move deeper inland. Within two weeks British forces had reached Be'er Sheva and were also moving into eastern Sinai. The invasion of Palestine, coupled with coordinated Allied attacks at the Suez forced the Germans to finally withdraw from the canal zone in fear of being surrounded. In just three weeks the Allies had retaken the Sinai, the last town of Al Qosimah taken on October 27 after a three day battle. Over the course of November the war in Palestine rapidly turned against Germany. Italian, Syrian, and British units began moving in from Lebanon and Syria moving as far as Hiafa. British Allied forces captured Jerusalem on November 17 and the last major city of Amman on November 30 leaving the Germans basically stranded. On December 11 German forces in Palestine would officially surrender at Ma'an.
The Allies were preparing a massive assault to take Persia from the war permanently and free up hundreds of thousands of much needed troops. On October 5 Operation Bandua began as Russian and Allied artillery began largest bombardment the world had ever seen.
As per terms of the ceasefire 185,000 Iraqi soldiers accompanied 165,000 troops of the British Empire in invading western Persia from Iraq aimed at Kermanshah, Dezful, and Ahvaz. The majority of Persia's seasoned and better trained forces and almost all of its air force were combating the Russians in the north. Ahvaz and Dezful fell first, both within two weeks of the invasion. The Allied offensive was slightly delayed at the Battle of Ilam but by the end of the month Kermanshah too had came under Allied control. On November 9 he Allies set forth again towards Khorramabad. After a week long battle Khorramabad was in Allied hands on November 22.
In the Persian Gulf British forces were invading the Persian coast. The Persian Navy had been effectively wiped off the map after Britain entered the war so the Royal Navy faced no opposition in the landing of three British divisions near Bushehr and four near Bandar Abbas. Though Bushehr fell in just seven days the Battle of Bandar Abbas was a different story. For eighteen days Persian troops would ferociously fight day and night to hold on to the city. On October 27 however the city would finally fall to Allied forces.
Out of India three Indian armies numbering (45,000 south, 75,000 central, and 150,000 north) invaded Persia. The southern army marched fast on Chabahar. In just two weeks Indians captured the city. The central army moved on Fahrej. Though they encountered some resistance on October 23 the city was taken. Finally India's northern army marched to capture the major city of Zahedan. Though they reached the city in just a few days a sizable Persian army was protecting it and on October 10 the Battle of Zahedan began. For two grueling weeks the two armies battled one another. The Persians here fought hard to keep control of their city. However much they tried though they were just no match for the much better trained and equipped army of India. On October 27 the city would finally fall and with it most of the significant enemy forces in southeast Persia.
For their part of Operation Bandua Russia went on the offensive to finally capture Tehran. Following Abhar the Persians had withdrawn to Takestan and just two days after the offensive began Russia tried to take the city. For four days the Battle of Takestan would go on before the Persians were forced to retreat back towards the capital. On October 21 Persia tried again to stop the Russian onslaught but again were forced to withdraw on November 1. Being attacked from all sides Persia knew that there wasn't much time left. Qazvin had fallen shortly after Takestan and now the last major obstacle between Russia and Tehran was Nazarabad. The Shah however couldn't surrender without trying to halt the Allied advance just one more time. That time came on November 14 when the Battle of Nazarabad began. For nearly two weeks the battle would rage as the Persians threw everything that they had into stopping Russia. Waves upon waves of humanity were thrown against each other in attempt to overrun the other. Persia just no longer had the strength to hold them back though and on November 25 Russia broke through south of the main battle at Eshtehard and began moving behind the main army. This finally broke them and just twenty-four hours later the Persians retreat in defeat.
The loss at Nazarabad was the last straw for Persia. On December 2 Persian troops under General Ahmad Nakhjevan stormed the palace killing the shah and placing his son on the throne as a figurehead. Two days later General Nakhjevan called for a ceasefire across all fronts and surrendered to the Allies.