Part Twenty-Nine
Greece
After beating off the attack of enemy far advanced troops, we were expecting a full scale assault. Once again the words “No Pasaran!” echoed along the front line. And they didn’t pass! A formidable force of more than twenty Italian and German divisions attacked head on against our fortified positions. Although we were outnumbered and heavily pounded by enemy air forces, our men stood fast. The Amfissa line proved to be impassable obstacle for the enemy, at least for now.
Phony war
After their failure in June, enemy made no further break-through attempts in Greece. Germans launched a few offensives in Pyrenees, without any success. The most active front was the one at Sicily, where Italians frequently attacked across Strait of Messina. All the attacks were beaten off, but we suffered heavy casualties from air attacks. Our fighter planes were deployed on Sicily, but couldn’t do much against Italians, who completely commanded the air. Considering our manpower deficiency, these attacks could eventually wear down our defenders, and force us out of Sicily.
And so came 1944, fifth year of the war. Since most of the offensive power of Spanish army was broken in Greece, the time of relative peace was used to consolidate defensive positions, build fortifications and strengthen the army. Several new anti-tank and anti-air brigades were formed, in attempt to counter the enemy’s greatest advantage. Also, Spanish armed forces received a squadron of multi role fighters and a light cruiser. Building of first heavy cruiser was started.
Once again we felt strong enough for new offensive actions.
Portugal
Being so closely related to Axis powers, our neighbor was perceived as a constant threat. Our long-term propaganda produced results, and a general consensus was achieved to start a preemptive war against Portugal.
Portugal has not yet mobilize its army, which gives us about a month to defeat it. Once mobilized, its army could be more than we can handle at this moment. There are about a dozen of Portuguese divisions at the border, and probably few more around Lisbon.
The main strike power will be provided by 4th Motorized Corps, which was pulled off from Sicily for this purpose. It will be supported by five seriously understrength divisions of 6th Corps, and garrison troops organized into 16th Corps. These troops are all we can commit at the moment.
Order of battle
Most of Portuguese divisions are concentrated in the north, along the border, so the task of 4th Motorized Corps will be to advance behind enemy lines and reach the Atlantic coast, cutting them off. After the majority of enemy troops are destroyed, our troops will proceed towards Lisbon. At the same time, 6th Corps will try to break through enemy lines and then advance to Lisbon. After occupying Portugal, we will attack their colonies in west coast of Africa and the islands in front of it.
Plan of attack
This will be an act of aggression against formally neutral country, but we feel it is justified because if Portugal joins Axis, we would hardly be able to defend our border.
The attack will begin at the end of March 1944.
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