~ Retaliation ~
April 1949
After nearly four months of marching with sporadic clashes, Axis forces approached Istanbul from the eastern side of the country.
The remaining Turkish forces, defending the last remnants of a country whose only fault was believing in neutrality, put up their last fight in the city, holding for a few days before surrendering. Axis forces suffered light casualties throughout the whole campaign; the final battle didn't escape the rule.
Allied forces attempted to force a landing in Faro, Portugal; nearby experienced German divisions rushed to the defence, helping repel the attack that would falter in a couple days, marking yet another disaster for the Allied planners.
On April 4, German forces attacked Bristol from Dover and Birmingham, hoping to cut the southern British forces from mainland; six or more British divisions in Portsmouth didn't intervene at all, thus speeding up their grim fate at the hands of the twenty and counting German divisions that, despite heavy bombing, pushed on and captured the city after three days of fighting. Four thousand losses were considered a fair price to pay for the pocketing of several British divisions which faced impending doom.
Allied air supremacy and British land forces stubbornness, despite their strategical mistakes, were taking their toll on the dwindling German numbers and their deteriorating organization. Shipping more divisions and supplies got harder by the day, with the Royal Navy patrolling the coasts more frequently. The odds weren't totally stacked against the invading forces, however, as the defenders couldn't put up a solid defence and were now running the risk of losing several precious divisions in the south.
Allied air supremacy and British land forces stubbornness, despite their strategical mistakes, were taking their toll on the dwindling German numbers and their deteriorating organization. Shipping more divisions and supplies got harder by the day, with the Royal Navy patrolling the coasts more frequently. The odds weren't totally stacked against the invading forces, however, as the defenders couldn't put up a solid defence and were now running the risk of losing several precious divisions in the south.
With Bristol occupied, two important facts arised: one, London was now completely encircled by German forces; two, around fifteen British divisions had almost no way to escape. Three divisions guarded London and would either survive or die there; twelve other divisions could only hope that the Royal Navy save them by shipping them to secure places.
On April 15, the attack on London began. Three British divisions, ill-equipped to defend against any serious attack, were all that the United Kingdom could muster to defend its capital.
In a rather anti-climatic outcome, three days of fighting and something more than three thousand casualties was all that took the Germans to force the defenders to surrender and occupy London.
On April 20, the city of London was by all means subdued and occupied by German forces.
Meanwhile, one single British division bore the weight of the German attack in Sheffield, rapidly surrendering to the advancing forces.
A week after the loss of Bristol, the trapped British forces finally retaliated against their captors; their powerful equiment was not enough to dislodge an enemy almost twice their number, even with Allied air support helping them.
On April 23, fearing that the British would save their divisions, Portsmouth was attacked; six well-equipped British divisions were determined not to yield a single inch without making the attackers pay for it.
They kept their promise, as on the dawn of the fifth day, the British defenders finally retreated, not without inflicing severe casualties on the vastly numerous German forces.
The remnants of the British army defending the southern portions of the island took shelter in Plymouth, with a few divisions fleeing the country by naval means. Twenty well-rested German divisions attacked the pocket, consisting of nine battered divisions with nothing to lose but their freedom.
Another breakthrough in strategical bombing was achieved, a path Germany would continue to pursue, probably preparing for very long-term plans.
