Greece joins Warsaw pact

Albania was Stalinist to the end - Hoxha broke with Khruschjew because of his 'exposure' of Stalin's crimes. To the end of Albania, Stalin was emulated and held up as a role model. Siding with China in the 60s made sense, since the Chinese never truly disowned Stalinism, either (you can buy posters/photos of Lenin, Marx, and Stalin to this day in China).
 
Come the revolution Cook throws Grimm against the wall!


The wall collapses under Grimm's weight, crushing Cook and the firing squad.

Grimm seizes the rifles and races into the mountains to start a counter-revolution.

Driving a stolen and radically modified Delorean.
 
Oh, Grimm, Grimm, Grimm... Deloreans are so 1980s... Do it with flair, do it with verve... toss everyone a curveball.

A souped-up 1975 Trabant... Construction cone orange... Day-Glo lime green furry upholstery... totally revamped engine... maybe add a WHOLE cylinder of power, bring it up to THREE! 17 HP of pure throbbing Socialist POWER...

Oh, and a bobblehead of Stalin next to one of Juan Peron.

Always leave 'em wondering.
 

Cook

Banned
Bugger the Delorean. I never did like stainless steel.
Get me the FJ!

211956_6-lg.jpg
 
The scenario I was envisioning is Stalin betting that it was only a manner of time that the war would be over once the WP broke through into France and he starts thinking in post-war terms. He sees that his only link to the Mediterranean would be through two west-friendly nations (Greece and Turkey) and didn't like it. He did agree with Churchill with the separation of Southern Europe between the two so he could not invade Greece even to liberate it. But he could help the communist guerillas in taking control of the country in exchange of future considerations. He mentions them the percentage agreements leaving Greece in the hands of the UK so they are told that in order to remain communist that they will need the Soviets. America and the UK hear stories about the communist guerillas becoming better equiped and fighting much fiercly but are too preoccupied with Germany.

I do not think the Brits would engage the communists in combat while they are still fighting the germans. The greek partisans were pretty successful in tying the Nazis up outside the major cities and roads so I would imagine the same for the Brits. I don't believe the british people would like hearing of casualties because they are now fighting former allies. This results in stalemate for the UK while the commies are consolidating their power. The KGB gladly helps to weaken the anti-communist resistance by arranging for the assassination of King Georges II of Greece in Egypt.

The Soviet Union waits till beginning of 1946 once the partitioning of Germany is accomplished and their troops are settled in East Germany. They then drop the carrot to the commies about help in exchange for the two bases. The agreement will be formalised once the commies persuade the Brits that it is in their best interest to leave before guerilla warfare starts up under the guise of greek independence. Crete and Cyprus are going to be left alone for them to go to but they are not welcomed on the mainland and the agean sea. I imagine the british people are sick and tired of war so public pressure would force the government to pullout to the islands.

A few months after, the other shoe drops in the form of the announcement of the friendship and cooperation treaty between Greece and the Soviet Union where monetary, technical and agricultural help is offered in exchange for the 99 year leases on two bases. Soviet troops arrive the following days by whatever means (land, air and sea) possible. A military exercise would probably be a good excuse to have the troops ready to arrive at a moment's notice. Half of the Black sea fleet sails for Athens and any other major mainland ports waiting for the engineers to finish their deep-water naval, air and army bases.

Washington and London are furious about this but are faced with a "fait accompli". The US and UK would certainly dispatch their mediterranean fleets in protest but they cannot stop the land based transports. By the time an amphibious group could be mustered the soviets will have too many troops on land. The first Cold War flashpoint has erupted.

The naval and air forces buzz each other but, aside from a few scrapes and near run-ins, both parties know they have too much to lose in open conflict. The WP keep a permanent watch but change strategies by trying to undermine the greek government through economic blockade and the OSS contacting right-wing groups. Talks are started for military cooperation with Turkey.

The NKVD gladly offers its help to watch for non-partisan activities and the greek economy is redirected towards supplying the eastern bloc to try to compensate for the loss of the West. Turkey accepts the offer to join NATO in 1952. Numerous attempts at destabilising the greek governement prompts it to join the Warsaw Pact in 1955.

The eastern Mediterranean is no longer an exclusive british-american lake and the Soviets have a much direct line of access to the Middle East.
 
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