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Asalto

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1965




Havana, Republic of Cuba


Welcome Comrade, no need to recite information about yourself and your task. I prefer to get man known trough the conversation. Now, where were we left already? - Fidel Castro looked at newly appointed head of Soviet agricultural adviser team to Cuba, another one in endless row of appointed and decommissioned chiefs. Of course Soviets didn't look nicely on constant Cuban complaints considering high-ranking Soviet economic advisers, but Cuba was country of special importance for Moscow and some allied wishes just had to be granted. Yes, Cuban agricultural production was booming and export of farmed goods to Soviet sphere and socialist-friendly Non-Alligned bloc was more than impressive, but things could still be better. After all, Soviet friends in Havana also wanted to contribute to economic race with capitalist West. We can't be blamed if we want most professional approach to that, right? This way, Soviets should one day stop sending their second-grade ''specialists'' in form of retired sovkhoz directors and even all kinds of disposed military, political and security officials, exported for political and various personal reasons. Unfortunately, there were not many high quality cadres among them. There were no problems with teams on terrain who were well integrated with local workforce, but without good high-ranking officials for coordination with Cuban authorities, more ambitious strategies couldn't be enforced.

Soviet adviser tried to give away a combination of modest image and impression of professionalism not to receive Castro's distrust at the very start already. His superiors were impressed by his work in Stavropol Agricultural Kraikom and altough many of them predicted bright future in politics for him, the Party elders, enraged by constant Cuban rejection of their cadres, grabbed the first ambitious and capable official in their sight and hurled it overseas all the way to Red island fortress of Cuba. His mission had higher expectations than ones of his predecessors, so he had to do everything not to fail. Moreover, traps were waiting not only in Moscow, but also here in Cuba. His thoughts were soon interrupted by voice of Presidente. Soviet official listened carefully. He had to go trough rapid course of Spanish language before his departure, but that was not a guarantee for total understanding. Trough the ever-increasing smoke from President's cigar, more words came. However, their tone has changed to something diffrent: Slightly more humorous maybe? - Comrade, first thing you should know, be careful with your steps. You probably know that the last man in your new office stepped on a banana and broke his leg, right?

Was this a threat? Or very bad sense of humour? How should he respond to that? He took a leap of faith and repelled the thrown banana peel with his shield of humour. - No need to worry, I will watch my step, President. After all, you have created real people's paradise here and it's no wonder that tropical fruits lie just everywhere, so man needs to be very careful not to step on some rolling pineapple or papaya. Castro's eyes narrowed, one of guards in background put his hand on gun holster and brand new (and maybe already former) Soviet adviser waited for reaction. Castro leant back, put his cigar to ancient iron ashtray and suddenly a big grin appearead on his bearded face. - Comrade Mikhail Sergeyevich, I like you already! Welcome to Cuba!​
 
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Oh no Asalto, your not going on a new aar without me!!!
 
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At long last it begins! I look forward to how this will play out!
 
Mikhail, eh? I suspected as much.;) Seems he did better in this time line than ours. Subbed!
 
Darn it. I almost failed to follow this AAR.
 
1945

Tabriz, Soviet-occupied Iranian Azerbaijan


Strange group of men was standing around the pile of long wooden crates. Few men in Soviet military uniforms, some of them having insignias that belonged not to Red Army attached to them. Civilians in modest urban and traditional tribal clothing. Two men in dirty British uniforms. One of them opened nearest box and broke the silence - Those were smuggled all the way from Southern Iran. - Box was full of Lee-Enfield rifles. Actual Soviet officer responded - Job well done, Peshmerga boys adore those. - Stalin's personal order was to provide pro-Soviet groups in Northwestern Iran with arms of their preference. And Pershmerga was good investment. It was December 1945 and Stalin's insurance policy for Iran was started to be implemented.



Soviets decided that it could be a good idea to arm the Kurds in attempt to secure Moscow influence in region.


In 1946, Soviets had to leave the last parts of Iran. Encouraged by Western diplomatic support, Tehran prepared for offensive against the pro-Soviet autonomist entities in Northwestern Iran that were left behind by leaving Red Army: Azerbaijan People's Goverment with capital in Tabriz and Republic of Kurdistan with capital in Mahabad. Shah and his goverment refused to cave into Soviet demands for significant oil concessions in spite of Soviets expecting suitable Iranian expression of gratitude for their generous decision concerning full retreat from Persia. Iranian imperial armed forces even launched preparations for military operation against pro-Soviet autonomists in Northwestern regions. However, Soviets expressed no serious intentions to interfere with internal affairs of Iran what made Tehran even more self-confident.



Flag of the Azerbaijan People's Goverment headquartered in Tabriz



Flag of Republic of Kurdistan, known also as Mahadab Republic


In the last months of year 1946, Imperial State of Iran broke the silent truce and launched full assault on Kurdish and Azeri autonomies. However, Tehran did not expect its foes to be prepared so well. Well-armed Azeri militias, Peshmerga infantry and cavalry with addition of numerous Kurdish tribesmen were not everything that Iranian troops encountered. Soviets smuggled entire ''volunteer corps'' in region and altough that formation wasn't among the largest of its kind, it was full of skilled officers who served as valuable advisers and entire teams of technical specialists who operated entire batteries of artillery pieces provided by USSR. After the failure of Iranian offensive and successful counter-attacks of pro-Soviet forces that almost developed into real counter-offensive into central Iran, international community launched search for peaceful solution. Armstice was signed and two pro-Soviet entities gained status of combat party but received no international recognition of independence, not even from USSR that left small window of oportunity open for further contacts with Iranian monarchy that threatened to cut ties with everyone recognizing separatist entities. Victorious Azeri and Kurdish movements still received their pseudo-diplomatic representation in USSR and entered several cooperation agreements with Soviet Union, including on fields of defense. Such unconcealed support for Kurdish movement with strong international agenda that was best represented among Barzani faction greatly increased Soviet prestige among regional Kurds but alienated most of other nations in the region. Anti-Soviet feelings were not on the rise only in already disgraced Iran but also in other neighbouring states like Turkey and Iraq what resulted in long-term political consequences in the region.



Qazi Muhammad, political leader of Iranian Kurds
and Mustafa Barzani, commander of Kurdish army

 
Looking forwards to how things go from here!
 
So, are Soviets supporting the Kurds and the Azeris or not? :huh:
 
1961

Paris, France


Charles De Gaulle, President of French Republic, was delivering a speech to French nation in front of TV cameras. But this was not an ordinary speech. It was an emergency appeal. Memory was taking De Gaulle back to his years of a defiant Colonel who couldn't accept the fact of old war heroes that he adored before so much just kneeled before the Germans who had overran his beloved homeland with their armored columns. He spoke to French over the radio back then to give them strength to resist. Now, he was doing this again, dressed in his vintage military uniform.

...insurrectionary power has established itself in Algiers by a putsch...This power has an appearance: A quartet of retired generals: Partisan, ambitious and fanatic. Their enterprise is leading our great country directly towards a national disaster...I forbid any Frenchman, any citizen, and first of all, any soldier, to execute a single one of their orders...In face of the tragedy which hangs over the Republic, having taken advice from the Constitutional Council, the Prime Minister, the president of the Senate, the president of the National Assembly, I have decided to invoke article 16 of the Constitution on the state of emergency...and full special powers given to the head of state in case of a crisis. Starting from this day, I will take, directly if needs arise, the measures which seems to me demanded by the circumstances...Frenchwomen, Frenchmen! Help me!

After the end of the appeal that was being transmitted over all avalible TV and radio stations under strict order for full cooperation, old general retired to the background where his advisers were waiting for him.

- What does situation look like? - asked the President.

- Not much should have changed to worse during this short appeal of mine?

- President, I do have some important news for you. Soviet Union formally expressed full support for you, both trough diplomatic channels and their proxy organizations. This includes sources and groups connected with Communists here as well. It's odd, but I guess any help should be welcome?

- I don't know, Henri - said the President. - we all know I went trough lot of dealing, good and bad, with Communists and Moscow itself...but I am afraid we might have some hidden agenda here?

- President, I am pretty sure that Moscow wouldn't really prefer you, and it's no secret that they see you as the only really independent Western leader, over some militant supporters of French Algeria who are also rabid anti-communists with almost Fascist leanings?

- That is true, but I won't be always here. And France cloaked in darkness of dictatorship would make other radical views only much more attractive for the enraged and disappointed. - De Gaulle couldn't even know how true and visionary those words that were mere hypothesis at the time of their birth were.


..............

Just a few hours later, De Gaulle couldn't believe what he could saw on TV and hear on radio and from his people.

Soviet Union backs the French goverment in fight against Fascist uprising and offers armed support for potential blockade of putschist-held overseas lands

Large leftist demonstrations against the coup attempt and in support of President De Gaulle, Red banners carried together with large pictures of French President who is described with phrases like ''People's General''

French Communists ready to form self-defense committees to help goverment quell the conspiracy

Several international organizations call for formation of International Brigades that would engage in defense of French Republic


- This is ridiculous! Do they think this is Spanish Civil War? We're already in contact with putschists, most of units that apparently sided with them expressed only stanced of their commanding officers and not troops themselves, my speech was great success with massive impact on army and the citizens! Somebody must stop this madness!

- Sorry Sir, concerning news from Algiers. Putschists just cut negotiations channels and are rallying for fight against Communist revolution in France. Those pro-insurgent ghost units are now standing behind the Quartet and their forces, those who weren't convinced soon enough were neutralized immediatelly. This is not just pronunciamento anymore, they are almost in full control of Sahara now and are likely going to seize nuclear test sites.

- What? - responded President in anger. - How dare they? What is NATO stance? We must prepare for operations in Algeria. And the nuclear weapons must be detonated before they can be captured, that's an order that must be executed without delay.

- Yes Sir. About the NATO, they announced they are observing situation with concern and call for negotiations. For politics, our allies seem to be supportive of us but are too unsure to react, but there are also incoming information that some circles in allied politics, military and intelligence community might rather favor of putschists.

- Unbelievable! What is their current strength?

- Their backbone is still 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment under command of Hélie de Saint Marc who is part of conspiracy from the start, they are also accompanied by 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment and the 14th and 18th Regiments of Chasseurs Parachutistes. But now that paranoia about communist revolution in mainland France came into effect, they got full support from other regiments now. Those are the 27th Dragoons, the 94th Infantry, the 7th Algerian Tirailleurs and several Troupes de marine units. Airforce Commandos Group 00/541 was with putschists from the very start as well, rebellion is now spreading to the other units that were not involved by now. Entire Army Corps of Constantine has now defected to the traitors. Elite troops that support the coup and those who are quickly changing their hearts have no problem taking out those who dare to resist, plus there are countless bands of armed Pied-Noir civilians enforcing new order, of course with big support from army of Harki loyalists. Most of civilian administration with police units seems not to be associated with plot, but they have no choice now. Our intelligence-security aparatus that discovered suspicious activity before was prepared for the case of local coup d'etat attempt in reasonable boundaries, but that political show changed everything and boosted support for rebellious officers.

- It seems that Algeria is lost for now...Should we be concerned about the mainland too?


..............

''Comité de salut public'' declared in Algiers as alternate French goverment by rebellious officers

Renegade General Salan returns from Spain, musters support of several army units in France and arms supportive civilians

First clashes in continental France throw the shadow of civil war on French mainland

Failed uprising in Paris: Security forces and loyal citizens quell the revolt

Communists continue with loud support for De Gaulle, request general distribution of arms to join the suppression of uprising, cases of sympathetic officials ordering unauthorized distribution of weapons

Chaos in navy and air force, blockade of Algeria ineffective, Corsica falls to rebels, forces from Algeria are landing in the continent

Reports of significant Spanish logistic support for rebels, Madrid denies the accusations

Mediterranean fleet of Admiral Auboyneau confirmed to be under full control of Algiers regime

Increased defections of airforce pilots to rebellious side

Portugal recognizes Comité de salut public as sole representative of French people

Left-Wing protests in support of French republic all over the world

Rebellious units at the gates of Paris, sporadic clashes inside the capital




President De Gaulle makes appearance in Paris to boost the morale of his people


..............

Fall of Paris: Second uprising and defections make job for rebels easier, remaints of goverment retreat to Reims, mass defections continue

Goverment flees France, there is new regime in Paris!

Death of the Republic: Military junta suspends constitution, announces long fight against the Red Terror and separatism

De Gaulle fails to form goverment in exile due to lack of political will, leaves for Quebec

Tens of thousands welcome De Gaulle in Quebec, massive worldwide protests against military dictatorship in France and intensified war in Algeria




Comité de salut public: André Zeller, Raoul Salan,
Maurice Challe and Edmond Jouhaud

 
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