I Will Stage A Coup D’état - Chapter 79



Only Krnovel

EP.79 Mediterranean Front (1)

As the domestic situation in Korea was entering a lull, England and Germany clashed.

“Lend-lease violates exhibition neutrality! Stop it!”

A standoff occurred when a German battleship intercepted a British convoy sailing through the Arctic Ocean.

The standoff developed into a week-long war of nerves with naval forces from both sides being deployed.

The two men, who had been quietly watching the situation, rolled the dice.

“How about expanding our territory while Britain and Germany are engaged in a war of nerves?”

Italy had already deployed a million troops to Yugoslavia, waging a life-or-death war against guerrillas.

Everyone was shocked by the two men’s thoughts, but Mussolini’s thoughts were firm.

“Germany is having a bit of a hard time in the Soviet Union, but it is clear that they will eventually win. If we want to get the spoils of war like this, we have to put a fork in the meat in advance.”

The target that Duche was aiming for was Turkey.

It’s not the fellow Axis power Greece, nor is it the formidable United Kingdom.

Italy is simply going to reclaim the ‘unrecovered territories’ in Anatolia that it had been guaranteed during World War I.

Both of them believed that their logic was correct.

“Two! That won’t do.”

Although Turkey was a weak country, it had a modernized military.

Even ignoring the active divisions of the 26th Division, the population could be squeezed into a force of at least 2 million men.

How do you subdue that?

“My will is made up.”

Duche then began to make excuses for Türkiye.

“We, Italy, have been deprived of the territories guaranteed to us by the Treaty of Sevres by the ‘illegal’ acts of Turkey. Rome, as a victorious nation, has the right to reap the reward of the blood shed.”

Of course, Mussolini did not act rashly without reason.

It’s not like the two of them have bipolar disorder, so how could they be crazy?

Politicians’ actions are always accompanied by their own logic and reasons.

“Mussolini, that bastard, he boasts about expanding his territory in Yugoslavia, but when are you going to subdue those Yugoslavs?”

“That guy is done with that now.”

The people were no longer enthusiastic about or supportive of the occupation of Yugoslavia, which they saw as nothing but endless bloodshed.

There, the enormous costs of occupation and the military expenditures accumulated since 1935 were strangling the Italian economy.

For Duche, they needed a scapegoat to regain their popularity and get revenge.

The only other opponent was Türkiye.

Turkey was embarrassed by Mussolini’s masterpiece.

“No, it was the Treaty of Sevres. You gave up all your rights in the Treaty of Lausanne.”

“It was done under duress!”

When Mussolini showed signs of taking a bold step, Hitler also panicked.

“No, Turkey must be included in our Axis alliance in the long term.”

“Your Excellency, think carefully. I am Mussolini. I still remember what you said about turning a blind eye to the annexation of Austria, and that I would repay your kindness.”

Hitler was forced to acquiesce to Rome’s actions under Mussolini’s either-or imperative of “It is I, Turkey.”

I owe you something in the past, so I thought of repaying the favor.

“Your Excellency the President! This is nonsense. Will Britain just sit back and watch Turkey fall?”

It was an issue in which Britain could easily intervene.

When he said that, the president also became uncomfortable.

“Then why not? The British are openly irritating us by supplying weapons to the Soviet Union. We can do something unpleasant to them too.”

With the Führer’s tacit approval, on June 3, 1942, Italian forces invaded Turkey.

Britain, which had been watching this shocking situation with a ‘no way’ attitude, was shocked.

“Look at this! If we just leave those Axis bastards alone, they’ll be running around the world. If we let them do whatever they want, our influence in the Mediterranean will be completely gone.”

Even without Churchill, who was urging Italy to ‘correct’ its actions, the British government was no less stimulating.

It was irritating that certain powers were trying to seize the Bosphorus-Dardanelles Strait, which was vital to the national interests of the British Empire.

And Turkey itself is a strategic location.

If Italy were to gain control of a country that could exert influence in both the Balkans and the Middle East, it was clear that the British Empire’s Middle Eastern territories would also be threatened.

That was absolutely unacceptable.

The Suez Canal was a lifeline that could not be threatened under any circumstances.

“Now is the time for us to be resolute. How long will we be afraid and anxious about our past defeats?”

“But we have a treaty with Germany.”

“Are the Germans keeping that treaty well?”

In Congress, voices calling for war were louder than ever.

Churchill did not miss this mood.

“When the hard-line stance gains ground, we too must join the ranks of those who will finish off the Axis powers. We must join the victorious nations, and we too can get a share.”

Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden also agreed with Churchill’s logic.

“Then how? The Prime Minister would never agree to renewing the war to end Germany.”

“Then, how about provoking the easy Italy?”

“How can I do that?”

“Have you forgotten? We are also sending Lend-Lease to the Soviet Union.”

Lendlease!

Anthony Eden felt his mind light up at those words.

Could Mussolini tolerate the British Empire openly sending Lend-Lease loans?

It was worth a try.

Whether the British made this calculation or not, Turkey, under immediate attack by Italy, was in a state of panic.

Italy was a burden, but their opponent’s power was not all that it seemed.

Rome was a member of the ‘Axis Alliance’.

What if Germany or the Balkan countries intervene?

President Mustafa Ismet Inönü looked around desperately for allies to counter the Axis powers.

“Your Majesty, there are only two nations on earth that will fight against the Axis powers.”

Korea and the Soviet Union.

Lee No-nyu urgently sent letters to both countries.

South Korean Prime Minister Lee Sung-joon sent this response to Turkey’s request for help.

“The Korean government recognizes that the Turkish people have been caught up in an unjust war. However, we are too far from Turkey and do not have enough resources to help. We will send a small amount of money, however limited, and wish you good health.”

Korea politely and outright refused to provide assistance.

Actually, Korea is a country that has nothing to do with the Middle East.

Inonun saw Moscow.

There were a lot of concerns here.

Although Korea was a country that adopted capitalism and was an authoritarian state, the Soviet Union was different.

The communist countries were ideologically opposed to Türkiye.

There was also a territorial dispute.

Although diplomatic reconciliation was achieved, ill-feelings remained.

Moscow was an opponent that Ankara found difficult to reach out to.

But isn’t it better than the country being ruined?

‘Ataturk said Hitler would perish.’

If Hitler falls, isn’t it clear that the Soviet Union on the other side will win?

Even if we think about the post-war order, it didn’t seem like a bad idea to bow down to the Soviet Union from now on.

Inönü sent the Minister of War, Ali Riza Arurunkal, to Moscow.

When the Turkish envoy arrived in Moscow, Molotov came to the airport to meet him.

“Comrade Secretary is waiting.”

As soon as Aruruncal met Stalin, he explained the situation in Turkey and asked whether the Soviet Union could provide assistance.

“Of course, it is possible.”

Stalin had no intention of rejecting Türkiye’s request for help from the beginning.

It would open the way for the Soviet Navy to enter the Mediterranean Sea by entering the Black Sea through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits, making the Axis navies like fish in a fishbowl. It was impossible to refuse.

Stalin treated Arurunkal with great kindness, promising to immediately send him supplies to arm ten divisions.

Arurunkal was astonished at the promise to send a huge amount of military supplies while fighting a life-or-death battle.

Arurunkar became convinced that joining hands with the Soviet Union was the right choice, even if it meant offending Germany.

The following day, the two countries formally signed a defense cooperation treaty, agreeing to allow Soviet troops to be stationed on some post-war Turkish territory in return for their support.

This shocking treaty shocked the world.

“The Reds have opened the door to the Mediterranean.”

Who opened that door?

It’s Italy.

Italy is plundering and ruining the British Empire’s garden at will.

Should we just sit by and watch these guys commit atrocities?

Voices began to ring out calling for lend-lease programs to Türkiye as well.

Then, Italy did not stay still either.

“If you send even one rifle or one bullet to Türkiye, I will not let you off easy.”

Having already suffered bloodshed in Yugoslavia through the intervention of anti-fascist volunteers, Italy had no intention of repeating the same mistake.

Rome’s strong opposition in turn led to a strong response from Britain.

“Try it!”

Britain launched a Lend-Lease fleet just two weeks after the Italian invasion of Turkey.

“How dare you! How dare you!”

The two were furious, but did not have the courage to stop the fleet.

Hitler’s support was desperately needed to stand up to the British.

Mussolini approached Hitler reluctantly.

“Führer. We, Italy, need Germany’s support and assistance.”

Now you come again?

It seemed that Italy was the one doing the work and Germany was the one cleaning it up.

Hitler, who was already busy concentrating on the Eastern Front, rejected this demand.

“You can take care of that in Rome.”

However, a misunderstanding arose during the communication process.

Mussolini interpreted Hitler’s words to do as he pleased as a carte blanche to support Italian action.

“Then there is nothing to be afraid of.”

Italy is determined to face England with full force.