SICK MAN OF EUROPE : OTTOMAN EMPIRE, 1914

[threealls]

OTTOMAN EMPIRE

1914

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I : INTRODUCTION

PART II : ASSASSINATION OF FRANZ FERDINAND

PART III : JULY CRISIS

PART IV : THE GREAT WAR

PART V : GERMAN OFFENSIVE

PART VI : ESCAPE OF GOEBEN AND BRESLAU

PART VII : DECLARATION OF HOLY WAR

PART VIII : MOBILIZATION

PART IX : BULGARIA JOINS CENTRAL POWERS

PART X : ITALIAN TREACHERY

[threealls]

Welcome to my second AAR : Sick man of Europe : Ottoman Empire

If you are following my Third Reich AAR, don't worry, I didn't give it up, I just want to play the Great War for a while. New updates will come for Third Reich AAR soon.

[threealls]

PART I : INTRODUCTION

Enver Pasha, leader of Ittihadi Party, strongly pro-German

Ittihadis took power after the restoration of the constitutional monarchy in 1908. Between 1908 and 1913, Ittihadis governed the country indirectly. With Bab-ı Ali putch in 1913, Ittihadi Party became the only power in the country. Triumvirate of Talat, Enver and Cemal Pashas are shaping the policies of Ottoman Empire. They also cooperate with old Abdulhamid II era pashas like Said Halim to protect balance of the country and to gain more experience.



Ottoman cabinet in 1914

Empire lost huge amount of territory in the last millenium. The entire Balkans, Egypt and Libya have been lost. The one of the primary objectives of Ittihadis is to restore lost territories.



Ottoman Empire in 1914

The Army is in bad shape and highly politicized. It lost substantial amount of territory to Balkan states. Balkan wars decreased the morale very much. All European Powers expected Ottomans to win the Balkan War of 1912, but Ottoman Army's performance was a disaster. Even Edirne, the old capital of the Empire was occupied by the Bulgarians. The Army have many divisions on paper but most of them are severely understrength. Now, Ittihadis are trying to rearrange the Army again. Navy sits at docks since Abdulhamid II and it is very obsolete.





Situation of Army and Navy

Economical situation of the Empire is simply miserable. Industry is very limited and economical concessions given to European Powers make it almost impossible to protect the local producers. The empire is unable to raise tariffs and European machine-produced goods dominated the market. Liberal industralisation policies of Cavid Bey didn't produce much results. Ottoman economy is under control of European goods. Furthermore, loss of Balkans meant the loss of one third of entire Ottoman economy. But now, Ittihadis seek ways to abolish economical capitulations to follow more protectionist policies. Industrialisation is the common and most important aim of Young Turks. Manpower situation is also no good. Birth rates are slow due to malnutrition and poverty, also the Empire lost huge amount of population in Balkan Wars three years ago.

Ottoman industrial capacity is 29 IC. Comparing this with German 170 IC and British 149 IC is enough to show economical situation of the Empire.



Ottoman Economy in 1914

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PART II : ASSASSINATION OF FRANZ FERDINAND

Assassination of Archiduke Franz Ferdinand

Istanbul Technical University is given the task of bringing some new industrial techniques to the country. Enver Pasha who is commander-in-chief of the armed forces began to institute new rules into military in order to increase discipline of the Ottoman Army.




Minister of Economy Cavid Bey began to implement more interventionist economic policies. According to the most of Ittihadi politicians, protectionism is the only way for Ottoman Empire to improve its bad economy.




Enver Pasha ordered the formation of new infantry divisions. Due to the lack of domestic military industry, necessar weapons for new formations cannot be produced at full speed. Enver Pasha also ordered the understrength divisions to call reserves. We need 250.000 men to fully mobilize our troops. Currently, we only have 100.000 reserves.




June 28, 1914

Serbian nationalist named as Gavrilo Princip assasinated Archiduke Franz Ferdinand.





We have 10 divisions near Russian border under command of Cevat Pasha. Enver Pasha ordered 3 more divisions to move to the Russian border but arrival of these divisions will take months as they are moving on foot. Necessary railway transportation system is not available in these regions.



Ottoman Army near Russian border

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PART III : JULY CRISIS

Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister Leopold Berchtold, favouring decisive war against Serbia

July 18, 1914

Austria-Hungary delivered a very harsh ultimatum to Serbia following the assassination of the Archiduke. The terms were so harsh that Austro-Hungarian diplomat Count Hayos said that "the demands were really of such a nature that no nation that still possessed self-respect and dignity could possibly accept them”. Immediately after the issue of ultimatum, Serbian regent Alexander went to Russia and met with Russian Foreign Minister Sazonov. Sazonov promised that Tsar would support its Slavic brothers under any circumstances, including the possibility of the war.




July 26, 1914

Serbian government accepted all the conditions of the ultimatum except for the sixth point which is the operation of Austro-Hungarian police in the Serbian territory. With the tensions rising to the alarming levels in the Europe, Enver Pasha ordered the acceleration of conscription.




July 30, 1914

French socialist leader Jaures who is known as ardent anti-militarist was assassinated.




Ottoman Western Army consists of 9 divisions under command of Hasan Izzet Pasha.



Ottoman Western Border

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PART IV : THE GREAT WAR

German troops moving to the front, A message on the car spells out "Trip to Paris"

August 1, 1914

Austria-Hungary declaresd war on Serbia. Russia began to mobilize immediately to go to war against Austria-Hungary. Wilhelm II of Germany sent a letter to Tsar Nicholas demanding demobilization of Russia. Nicholas rejected the demand and wanted Wilhelm II to prevent Austria- Hungary from going too far. Germany whose all miltiary plans depended on the late Russian mobilization, began to mobilize as well. German military plans anticipate that Germany will finish the War in the West before the long Russian mobilization is completed. Thus, Russian mobilization meant that Germany should be quick to take action.






August 2, 1914

Germany asked France that if she would remain neutral in case of a war between Russia and Germany. The French replied that France would fulfill the obligations of the Alliance treaty of 1894. Germany decided to implement its military plans without losing time. German Plans anticipate the quick defeat of France in the West and then turning to the East against Russia. Germany declared war on France early this morning.






August 3, 1914

German Army is preparing for major offensive against the French.




August 4, 1914

German troops began to cross Belgian border in order to implement Schlieffen Plan. According to Schlieffen Plan, German Army will invade France through Belgium and will win rapid victory over France. The plan is devised upon the difference of speed of mobization between France and Russia. Germany have to defeat France before Russian mobilization is complete. For this purpose, neutrality of Belgium will be disregarded and Germany will sweep Northern France and then will turn towards the South in order to encircle the French Army in the South. However, The British guaranteed the independence of Belgium and warned Germany about not to invade neutral Low countries.






Schlieffen Plan


August 5, 1914

Following the beginning of invasion of Belgium, The British government declared war on Germany. Now, local Austrian - Serbian War turned into the European War.

[threealls]

PART V : GERMAN OFFENSIVE

French soldiers in the Battle of Nancy

August 8, 1914

Greece refused to enter Entente.




August 14, 1914

Japan declared war on Germany to grab German colonial possessions in the Pacific. Luxemburg surrendered to Germany




August 16, 1914

German Army captured Warsaw.




August 18, 1914

German Army captured Nancy.




Ittihadi Views on the War

Enver Pasha and Talat believe that Germany would win decisive victory over France and Russia. According to them, If Ottoman Empire ally with Germany, then it may take Caucasus from Russia and Egypt from Britain. Furthermore, German victory over Entente would put an end to all economical concessions and thus would allow Ittihadis to implement effective industrialisation policies.

Cemal Pasha believes that Entente would eventually win the war and it would be better to ally with them. This way, Ottoman Empire would gain the goodwill of Entente Powers and they would be willing to end economical concessions after the war.

Apart from Three Pashas, A lot of people in Ittihadi Party believes that the best choice for Ottoman Empire is to stay neutral. According to them, The Empire lacks necessary industrial production, manpower and infrastructure to wage war against Entente or Central Powers. Such a war would only bring destruction to already exhausted Empire.


September 7, 1914

German advancement in France so far :




September 8, 1914

Conscription continues throughout the Empire. 30.000 men were conscripted since the beginning of the War. Formations of new divisions were stopped in favor of conscription to existing divisions.




September 12, 1914

In the East, German advance slowed down.




September 13, 1914

Germans cancelled our trade agreement with them. This will make our foreign exchange deficit even bigger. We have to find new resources to import necessary military materials and to fund our researches.

[threealls]

PART VI : ESCAPE OF GOEBEN AND BRESLAU

Goeben and Breslau sailing towards Istanbul

October 1, 1914

German battlecruiser SMS Goeben and light cruiser SMS Breslau under command of Admiral Souchon entered into Dardanelles strait escaping from the British Fleet. As Ottoman Empire is still neutral and it is forbidden to allow battleships pass through the straits in the peace time, A problem has arisen. To solve the problem, Germans gifted these two modern warships to Ottoman Navy.Goeben was renamed as Yavuz Sultan Selim and Breslau was renamed as Midilli. Admiral Souchon was appointed as Fleet Admiral by Enver Pasha.Gift of the ships to Ottoman Navy aroused extremely friendly feelings towards Germany among Turkish public because the British seized two nearly completed battleships under orders from First Lord of the Admiralty Churchill when the War broke out. Ottoman Empire paid for the ships and seizure of them caused hatred towards the British.





SMS Goeben

Goeben Battleship became the most modern warship of the Ottoman Navy. It has almost same firepower as Barbaros Hayreddin battleship but it is faster.While Goeben's maximum speed is 18 kmh, maximum speed of Barbaros Hayreddin is 15 kmh.




German Views over the Alliance with Ottoman Empire

Germans wanted Ottoman Empire to stay neutral in the beginning phase of the war. when they predicted quick victory over France and Russia. Now, the War in Europe turned into bloody trench warfare and German leaders began to see Ottoman Empire as valuable ally. According to them, Ottomans could bring benefits as follows :

1) Ottoman Empire would divert many Entente divisions from the Western and the Eastern front of Germany. This would ease the burden on German Army.

2) As Khalifah of all muslims, Ottoman Sultan could provoke revolts in the muslim British colonies from India to Egypt.

3) Ottoman forces could invade Suez Channel and close the channel to the British.

4) Closing of the Bosphorus strait would prevent the arrival of Franco - British aid to Russia.

5) New front in the Caucasus could knock down the Russians earlier.


October 20, 1914

Turkish population of Kars revolted against Russian administration of the city.




November 10, 1914

Western Front is quite stable :




November 23, 1914

News from United States :

[threealls]

PART VII : DECLARATION OF HOLY WAR

Sheikh-ul Islam Mustafa Hayri Efendi declaring Holy Jihad against Entente Powers

Mehter March

December 18, 1914

Enver Pasha concluded the Secret Alliance Pact with Germany. After the signing of the pact, Enver Pasha ordered Admiral Souchon to sail towards the Black Sea and bombard Russian ports of Sevastopol and Odessa.




December 20, 1914

Battlecruiser Yavuz and few other smaller ships under command of Admiral Souchon bombarded Russian ports. Russia and Britain immediately declared war on Ottoman Empire. Ittihadi government also declared war on Entente Powers. In the face of such a fait accompli, 3 members of Ottoman cabinet resigned.






WAR GOALS

Germans wanted from Enver Pasha to launch general offensive towards Suez to close the channel. Germans give this operation top priority. Hasan İzzet Pasha has 7 divisions under his command but most of the divisions are understrength. Enver Pasha ordered him to march towards Egypt.



Halil Sami's forces in Basrah will occupy Kuwait immediately to prevent the British from bringing troops to the region.



Pan-Turkist Ittihadis give much importance to the Caucasus Front. According to them, Ottoman Empire should link up with Turks in Azerbaijan and if this is achieved, this would encourage all Turks throughout the Central Asia to rise against their Russian masters. Then, Ottoman Empire could expand towards the Eastward to unite with her Turkish brothers. Cevat Pasha was given 13 divisions to attack Russia. Kars has already fallen into the hands of Turkish revolters. Cevat Pasha was ordered to move into the city and to restore the Ottoman authority.

[threealls]

PART VIII : MOBILIZATION

Mobilization of Ottoman Army

December 21, 1914

Germany began to send technicians and advisors to Ottoman Empire in order to modernise its Army.




December 24, 1914

News from America :




December 26, 1914

There are widespread revolts in the Caucasus. This may facilitate Ottoman advance in the region.




January 10, 1915

Ottoman forces entered Kuwait. It was officially announced that Kuwait is once again vilayet of Ottoman Empire.





January 20, 1915

Germans are advancing in the East.




January 22, 1915

General Mobilization was ordered by Ittihadi Party. Mobilization order is strongly unpopular among population as this will draw the workforce of men and will affect the daily living of population badly. Total of 2.600.000 men were called into service.






January 25, 1915

German technical help continues to arrive :





February 4, 1915

Ottoman forces captured El Arish in Sinai Peninsula and Kars in the North.






February 18, 1915

Von Falkenhayn was appointed as new Chief of Staff of German Army.

[threealls]

PART IX : BULGARIA JOINS CENTRAL POWERS

A postcard commemorating the entry of Bulgaria into the war

February 29, 1915

Bulgaria joined Central Powers. Now, Serbia which is resisting against Austians for months was enveloped by Central Powers. ITU comleted the research of new production methods, important military industries will be given new machines and techniques to increase output.



Military experts in ITU began to implement new logistics tecHniques into Ottoman Army. German advisors are also working on the project.




March 4, 1915

Ottoman Army captured Kutaisi. Advance of Ottoman Army increased the self confidence of Ittihadi leaders.




March 18, 1915

At least 120.00 Russian troops were encircled in Lublin by German Army under command of Von Hindenburg.




March 22, 1915

Montenegro surrendered. Now, Serbia is alone and encircled by enemies from all sides.




March 26, 1915

Al Quantarah was captured by Turkish forces. Ottoman Army is now moving towards Port Said and Suez.





April 14, 1915

Russian Army in Lublin surrendered.





Russian POWs in Lublin


April 17, 1915

Tbilisi and Yerevan were captured. Turkish forces are advancing towards Baku.

[threealls]

PART X : ITALIAN TREACHERY

Antonio Salandra, Prime Minister of Italy

April 18, 1915

Secret Alliance Pact was signed between Entente Powers and Italy. According to the terms of the pact, Italy was declare war on Central Powers and join Entente Powers. Britain and France promised parts of Austrian territories in exchange for the Italian treachery. Central Powers remained unaware of the secret pact.




April 23, 1915

The War in the West was intensified with the German offensive towards Chaumont. The French launched counter-offensive to Nancy to cut German troops in Chaumont.




Continuos advance in Egypt and the Caucasus made supply situation of the Turkish Army very bad. Ottoman Army lacks modern logistics vehicles. Railways are limited and not available everywhere. Horse carts are the main supply vehicle of Ottoman Army. Turkish experts and German advisors are working to improve Ottoman supply system.




April 28, 1915

Italy betrayed Germany and Austro-Hungary for a reward promised by the British and declared war on Central Powers. Italian greediness will be punished with the utter destruction of her Armies.



May 4, 1915

Suez was captured, Ottomans closed the strait to the Entente. British doesn't have any troops in Egypt. Turkish Army is now advancing towards Cairo. Capture of Suez Channel was celebrated with military parades in Istanbul. Enver Pasha announced that the course of history was reversed for Ottoman Empire; Turkish Empire will now return back to its glorious days.




May 23, 1915

Situation in the Western Front :




May 25, 1915

The British decided to implement a naval operation which will blockade the maritime supply of raw materials and foodstuffs to Germany.





May 30, 1915

Cairo was captured by Ottoman Army.




NOTE : At this point, I will stop because the game became extremely boring due to lack of any Russian and British resistance. In the Caucasus, single partisan division occupied 6 Russian provinces. There is not any British or Russian division near my borders. My Army is crap, 2 or 3 divisions would be enough to stop my advance but AI didn't send even single division in half a year. I expected my Armies to be crushed and to struggle for survival but I was disappointed. Now, I will make updates for Third Reich AAR.

[Mega Tortas de Bodemloze]

Wonderful presentation, masterfully crafted. Thank you so much for sharing....

.............& +Rep

[threealls]

Wonderful presentation, masterfully crafted. Thank you so much for sharing....

.............& +Rep

Thanks I gave a break to this AAR for now, but I will continue it.

[ccllnply]

Absolute quality. I love the way you tell your stories and I love Hearts of Iron 2, as well as the Great War mod. Just wondering, what graphics mod do you use?

[Atterdag]

This isn't HoI2, it's Darkest Hour :p