Part 128: Hearts of Iron II: Chapter 25 - The Fall of Greece: Jan - Aug 1943

January 1943 - August 1943: The Fall of Greece

The Battle for the Atlantic continues with naval skirmishes between Germany, Iberia and Mazula, with numerous ships sunk on each side. The Iberians even launch a carrier strike on the Transport Fleet at port in Kiel, sinking a German light cruiser.





Another major breakthrough by the rocketry scientists at Poznan in February results in the development of new prototypes for long-range strategic rockets.


With Iberia proving a tough nut to crack, focus is shifted back against the Union, and an assault begun across the Bosporus with the Mediterranean fleet offering support. After bitter fighting, Izmit is taken, giving Germany a foothold in Anatolia.



The foothold is quickly expanded to include Bursa and Izmir, as additionally troops are sent from the Iberian front to join the advance towards Ankara.



Simultaneously, the Iberians make an attempt for Perpignan, and German High Command exploits the opportunity by attacking the Iberians in the flank, finally achieving a breakthrough into Barcelona.



The Iberian counter-attack to retake the city fails, and Barcelona is now securely under German control.


Borneo is now completely in Mazulan hands, a pointless victory no doubt celebrated as a great accomplishment in Mazula City.


In Egypt, the last of the expeditionary corps are evacuated along with the Egyptian government, who have given up their homeland as lost - at least for now.


In Greece, twelve Union divisions trapped in the Aegean by the rapid German advance are surrounded and wiped out as the islands fall into German hands.


The advance into Anatolia continues, the demoralized and depleted Union forces offering little real resistance, falling back and regrouping around Ankara.




In early July, the final attack against Ankara begins. The battle lasts several days as the Union throw just about all they have left into the defense of their 'third capital'.


It is not enough.


Utterly defeated in Greece, the Union government evacuates through Arabia and into Africa, taking control of a strip of land in Algeria from where to continue the fight with whatever resources they have left. Surrender, for the Italian radicals, is not an option, though the Union puppets of North Africa and Arabia seem more willing to open a peace dialogue now that their master is just a tattered remnant of a state.



The mop-up in Anatolia continues, German troops advancing as far as Trebizond and Batman, reaching the border to the United Arab Republic.



With Byzantium in HRE hands, Waldemar convenes the Advisory Council to hear their thoughts on what to do with this prize. Though the Emperor is naturally tempted to declare the two halves of the Roman Empire reunited once more, he is also conscious of the resurgent strength of Imperial India, and the fact that there will come a time after the war when such grand ambitions may prove more trouble than they are worth. Ultimately, there are four possible options on the table:


Restoring Byzantium to Emperor Manuel unconditionally is a benevolent gesture that will do much to repair Germany's reputation and ensure good relations with the Oriental Axis, though it also means further empowering an already powerful potential future rival.


Byzantium is a valuable prize, and as such, Germany could easily demand recompensation for the blood, sweat and tears spent capturing it. Southern India would make for a natural expansion of Germany's colonial empire, and is rich in resources and instury - perhaps a trade can be arranged? If Imperial India turns down the trade, however, there is certainly a risk of offense or even war.


Germany could also opt to forego all the Byzantine nonsense and simply create a Greek state aligned with German interests as a buffer against the east. Such a move would be fairly well seen by most, but would almost certainly mean war with Imperial India, who have little wish to see a new Greek state replace the Union.


Finally, Waldemar could unilaterally declare the Roman Empire reunited and simply incorporate Byzantium into the Holy Roman Empire, effectively annexing its territory. This move would be universally frowned upon, and would mean guaranteed war with Imperial India, but who ever said reuniting the Roman Empire would be easy?


Voting
Option A: Restore Byzantium to Manuel
Option B: Trade Greece for South India
Option C: Create a Greek puppet
Option D: Reunite the Roman Empire

Cast your votes!