The Eternal State - a DH-KR Ottoman AAR

[Soulstrider]

THE ETERNAL STATE

by Soulstrider

Difficulty: Normal
IC takeover: No
Tech teams takeover: No
Used cheats: Sometimes "acceptall" for role play purposes.

Hello and welcome to my first AAR. I have been an avid AAR reader for a long time, first in TWC and then in the Paradox forums, but only now I decided to take the plunge and write one myself. This is mostly an experiment to see how can I handle writing an AAR and trying to find a style I enjoy. I also would like to warn that I am not an native english speaker so you may find some mistakes here and there, please just tell and I will correct them. I should update this once or twice a week but I don't promise anything, I may even decided to kill it if I don't have time to update or am unhappy with it.

The AAR itself will be about the Ottoman Empire in KR, I will try to write an decent narrative about the Empire during this tumultuous times, depending how the games goes I will either limit myself covering the scripted events or go crazy and turn it into a global power again. I am not a particularly great DH player, probably even way below the average , I think this actually can make the AAR more interesting so expect me having several setbacks.

I also want to express my desire for comments, like it or hate it, I am open to criticism and knowing that people read this actually helps me keep motivated.

So wish me good luck and let's see if I can restore the Empire into it's old glory or I will let it finally collapse. Expect the first update even today.


Table of Contents
Prologue: The Weltkrieg and it's consequences
Chapter I: An Overview of the Ottoman Empire at beginning of 1936
Chapter II: The Black Monday
Chapter III: Omens of War
Chapter IV: The Armenian Crisis
Chapter V: An old foe returns
Chapter VI: The Kurd rebellion
Chapter VII: The Great Arab War
Chapter VIII: Crossing the Suez
Chapter IX: The Fall of Egypt
Chapter X: Restoring the Peace
Chapter XI: The New World Order
Chapter XII: Settling a Debt
Chapter XIII: Balkan Troubles
Chapter XIV: The 5th Balkan War

[son of liberty]

Good luck with the Ottomans. I have never played them, so I am definitely interested in seeing what you can do with them.

[Aliasing]

Have fun, the Ottos are definitely a challenge for the game's first half

[Soulstrider]

@son of liberty: Thanks Hopefully I won't fail immediately


@Aliasing: Thats kind of what I am afraid of, perhaps I picked a challenge too big for my abilities, we will see

Also this prologue is a mixture of my own (poor) writing and excerpts of the KR wiki, I omitted some stuff like the Three Pasha or the Young Turks to keep things simple, for more info about the Ottoman Empire during the Weltkrieg please go check the wiki

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Prologue: The Weltkrieg and it's consequences

The Ottoman Empire, the sick man of Europe. For decades this once great nation seemed to always be on the brink of collapse. Internal unrest and corruption plagued every corner of the Empire and the conservative elements of the society resisted any attempt to modernize it. Still miraculously this dying empire somehow managed to survive against all expectations, and lived long enough to face the bloody Weltkrieg.


The Empire enjoyed good relations with both blocks, however their mortals enemies, the Russians, had sided with the Entente, this made the Ottomans drift towards the Central Powers.

Mehmed V was the Ottoman Sultan during most of the Weltkrieg, unlike the rest of the government he opposed the entrance of the Ottoman Empire in the war

At the beginning of the war a secret pact was signed between the Germans and the Ottomans, promising the latter's help in the war. This pact finally came to light with the escape of the Goeben and Breslau. This two German ships escaping from the Royal Navy fled to Constantinople, and were “gifted” to the Ottoman Navy, latter this ships would take part in an attack to Sevastopol, the Empire had entered the war.

The Goeben and Breslau




The two blocks at the beginning of the Weltkrieg

The Weltkrieg was not the Empire’s greatest moment, most of the engagements were defensive and the Ottoman armies suffered several defeats against the Russians in the Caucasus and the British and Arab rebels in the middle east. Still not everything was disasters, in Gallipoli the Empire repelled a major Entente amphibious invasion aimed at conquering Constantinople itself, it was arguably the Ottomans finest hour in the war even if costly. This battle also signified the rise to power of Mustafa Kamal, a 34-year-old Lt. Col., whose brilliant command during the battle was essential for the Ottoman victory.

Mustafa Kamal in the Turkish trenches in Gallipoli

Despite some occasional victories the war continued to be disastrous for the Ottomans and in 1918 the Empire was pretty much defeated, it’s army shattered and collapse seemingly inevitable. If not for the German Spring Offensive forcing the British operation in the middle east to stop, the Empire certainly would be no more. In this small breathing time several important changes were made being the most important the dismissal of Ismail Enver Pasha, the Ottoman Minister of War, the promotion of Mustafa Kamal Pasha to the rank of General and his appointment as commander of the Syrian frontier.

This small respite revitalized the Ottoman war effort, and with the support of the rest of the Central Powers not only they repulsed the British attacks, they pushed them all the way back to Suez were both sides entrenched themselves until the end of the war.

The victorious nations of the Weltkrieg and their respective leaders at the beginning of the war

When the peace treaty was signed with the British, the so-called "Peace with Honour" which effectively ended the Weltkrieg, the Ottoman staked many claims on former territories in Africa and the Balkans. However the general poor performance of the Ottomans made sure that little can be asked for in compensation in terms of land, at the end the Ottomans regained Cyprus and Kuwait under direct control, while Ottoman Influence in Albania and Libya was duly recognized.

However, due to the extraordinary amount of war weariness sustained by the Ottomans and its allies, several rebellions occurred against the Ottomans rule in their provinces in arabia and the Ottomans were forced to recognize the independence of the Kingdom of Hejaz and formalize borders with them.

The Ottomans columns marching tired but victorious

While the Ottoman Government celebrated the conclusion of the Weltkrieg as a victory, calling it "a successful struggle for the Sultanate against the Imperialist and Colonial ambitions of the hostile foreigners in Paris, Petrograd and London", many wondered whether or not was the Weltkrieg a Pyrrhic victory for the Ottomans, reflecting on the large costs in manpower, equipment and infrastructure, especially in the Middle East.


Following the End of the Weltkrieg, the Ottoman government found itself faced with many difficulties, ranging from economic shortages to political instability. The old government was forced to resign and a new cabinet led by Said Halim Pasha was formed. With the German help this new government accomplished a miracle, new reforms were passed, the Arabs were given new rights after meetings with their local leaders, railroads were built, the infrastructure was improved and the industry was expanded. In the 1930’s, for the first time the Ottoman Economy was booming.

Said Halim Pasha, whose government was responsible for the post war recovery and revitalization of the Ottoman Empire

The military too suffered major changes. A special commission was formed to begin the process of reformation the Ottoman Army, the Commission, headed by General Mustafa Kemal Pasha, noted the inefficiencies and mishaps of the Ottoman Army during the Weltkrieg, blamed on the ineffectiveness of Ismail Enver Pasha as War Minister, proceeded to instate a more effective military through the organization of Mobilization plans as well as the modernization of recruitment and training methods.

Still the future remains uncertain for the Ottomans, in Europe the rumours of Serbian plans to invade Bulgaria reach the Sultan’s hears, this if true could potentially drag the Ottomans into another war in the Balkans. In its vassals underground movements talk of independence, while Arab nationalists still remain at large in the Empire. And perhaps the biggest threat comes from Egypt which attempts to rally the Arab nations in a jihad against the Ottomans.

[son of liberty]

Good update. What are your overall plans?

[Soulstrider]

Good update. What are your overall plans?

Well above all maintain the integrity of the Empire, the Arab wars will be though especially if everyone joins Egypt, I will have to fortify Suez to prevent the Egyptians from leaking, Hejaz isn't very much of a threat but Persia may be troublesome.
Still undecided what to do in case the Balkan wars happens,both helping the Serbians or the Bulgarians has its benefits, it really depends on how the Arab and Kurd revolt goes.
I will be focusing mostly in Infantry, I don't expect the enemies I have in the early game to have a significant airforce or navy, though I may try to make some CAS if I see I have enough resources to spare.

[Aliasing]

Try and remake the Otto's at their height in 1683

[Falconette]

Really nice, good luck with this challenging task

[Ivir Baggins]

Such a shame that you can't incorporate Albania, Libya and Armenia into your empire properly.

[coorta88]

Really nice, good luck with this challenging task

It was my goal to make playing as OTT at least a small challenge - although work here is still not finished - I plan to remodel 1942 grand Arabian uprising ( Arabian Federation will appear on map and it will form an alliance with Egypt,Hatsemite Arabia, Persia, if they still exist ) - greatest achievement while playing as Ottoman Empire in kaiserreich scenario should be just to survive until 1950.

[Soulstrider]

@coorta88: Hopefully I will rise up to the challenge

@Ivir Baggins: Don't worry If they decided to leave the benevolent Ottoman rule, I will make sure they will experience the joy of being a true citizen of the Empire

@Falconette: Thanks, I'll certainly need it

@Aliasing: That's a nice long term plan. Though It will mean I'll have to fight against Russia, which can prove really troublesome and I won't probably accomplish it if I ally with a Balkan power, I usually keep true to my friends.

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Chapter I: An Overview of the Ottoman Empire at beginning of 1936

Abdülmecid II, the Ottoman Sultan in 1936


The Ottoman Empire in 1936

Entering into 1936, the Ottoman Empire stretched from Constantinople to the red sea. With a sizeable army and the largest industry of the region, the Empire was the foremost power in the middle east. Besides it’s vast domains, the Sultan could still count with the resources of his vassals: Albania, Armenia, Tripolitania and Oman.

The Ottoman Government

The navy and airforce, though not nearly as large as the ones from the European powers, were more than sufficient to project the Ottoman power regionally.

Thanks to the ongoing economic boom and with the help of the German companies, the Industrialization continued, with the gradual introduction of new techniques like process re-engineering. New military equipment and training method were also brought from Germany with the aim of modernizing the outdated Ottoman military according to the German model.

The chief of staff, General Mustafa Kemal Pasha, perhaps due to his experiences in the bloody trenches of Gallipoli, spearheaded a modernization program of the outdated Ottoman field hospital system, no more would an Ottoman soldiers die from the lack of medical equipment or sanitary conditions.

To counter the rising Arab movements a project to expand the army was launched, the training of new infantry divisions was initiated and perhaps most importantly the training of a a new officer corps according to the German model began, this men would be put in an mobile HQ in the frontier with Egypt, hopefully in case hostilities started they would help tip the scales to the Ottoman side.

The peace and prosperity obtained by the Central Powers after the Weltkrieg wouldn’t last for long, on the 3 January 1936, Kerensky, the long time Russian President, was murdered and martial law was declared throughout all Russia, tumultuous times laid ahead for the whole world.

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Next chapter coming in two days : "The Black Monday"

[Duke of Awesome]

They're a wee bit too small. I can't read the Russia event in the last picture, for instance.

[son of liberty]

They're a wee bit too small. I can't read the Russia event in the last picture, for instance.

Hit "ctrl" + to increase the magnification.

[Duke of Awesome]

Hit "ctrl" + to increase the magnification.

Wow I didn't know I could do that. Thanks!

[Soulstrider]

I have changed some of the images, they should be a bit bigger now.

[Davisx3m]

Good Luck!

[Soulstrider]

Chapter II: The Black Monday

The Ottoman government observed the Russian crisis with great interest, without Kerensky's strong leadership the nation was in disarray and Denikin's military junta could barely keep order, the Ottomans couldn't help but smile at the predicaments of their old enemy. This also presented a great opportunity for the Empire to expand its influence in the Caucasus without Russian interference.
Coincidently an interesting development was happening in Britain which would have a significant impact in the neighbouring caucasian socialist republic of Georgia.

Mosley together with Georges Valois of the French Sorelians, Lavrentiy Beria of the Mensheviks in Georgia and Benito Mussolini of the Italian National-Syndicalist Union announced a new form of socialism to the world, the Totalitarian Socialism, better known as Totalism. This doctrine advocated total control by the state of every single aspect of the country, quite the opposite of the more free and democratic syndicalism that prevailed in most of the socialist countries of the world.

And so Georgia, under Beria’s leadership, became the first Totalism country in existence, quite worrying news from the Ottomans since Beria's and the Totalists expansionist agenda was quite clear. Although Georgia alone was no match for Ottoman power, they would be certainly waiting for any sign of weakness to strike Armenia and the Empire. Still the Sultan couldn’t use this as an excuse to crush the Georgians, for the Arabs too were waiting for an opportunity to strike, a single false move could have catastrophic consequences. For now the Ottomans would have to leave the small caucasian nation alone.

Better news came later that month, the 10th anniversary of the coronation of the noble and wise Sultan Abdul-Medj II. Great celebrations were organized through the Empire.From Constantinople to Mecca, people commemorated at home and in the streets the coronation of their beloved Sultan and Caliph. For once the problems of the Empire were forgotten and all the citizens, Turks, Arabs, Armenians and Jews celebrated as one.
Under this happy atmosphere none expected the oncoming crisis.

Just a few days later the Berlin stock market crashed in what would be called the Black Monday. The world economy was on verge of collapse, companies all around the non-socialist world filled bankruptcy, unemployment rose dramatically, people were left with simply nothing and their lives ruined. The Ottoman Empire escaped the crippling effects of the crash for the first few days, but when it finally reached the Empire it was devastating.

The effects of the economic boom seemingly disappeared overnight, the German companies who had helped so much developing the Empire withdrew, major layoffs occurred, exports diminished. The empire who had been so united a few days earlier seemed once again on the verge of collapse, it was an horrible comeback to the pre-Weltkrieg days. All kinds of unrest spread to the majors cities and industrial centres, forcing the army itself to act to prevent the protests from escalating. The syndicalists movements took this opportunity to spread their vile ideology, pointing how the Commune of France and the Union of Britain were unscathed, though this movements were not as big as their sisters groups in the Europe, they still posed an ever present threat to the Empire and the Ottoman security forces had an hard time keeping them under control in this times.

More bad news arrived on the 2nd of May, the Germans desperate for money announced they would sell the Cretan State to the vile Greeks.The Ottomans had interests in that island for years, and selling it the Greeks was seen as a betrayal of trust by the Ottoman government. A formal protest was sent to Berlin but not much more could be done.

In the midst of the world economical crisis, the syndicalist countries conducted the Congress of the International. Once again they made promises of mutual support and proclamations they would crush the bourgeois of the world. The Germans of course saw this as a treat and approached their traditional allies for closer cooperation, the Ottomans however had other things in their mind, another smaller and closer to home congress was occurring, one that could prove a much more direct threat to the Empire than the syndicalist one.

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Next chapter: Omens of War

[Razgriz 2K9]

Ah yes, the Arab Congress...gotta love that event.

In any case, since I have the old HoI2 version of the game (and I don't have such events for the Ottoman Turks), the Crash on the Ottoman Empire must've been devastating. I hope you can recover.

[Milites]

Ugh, the Ottos. You're in for a world of pain with the Arabs, Kurds, Greeks, Armenians, Georgians and Russians. Hopefully, you'll steer clear of it all and bring the Caliphate to new heights

[Nikolai]

This will be an interesting ride.