NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Ok i know this long over due, but i was on Pass and over 500 miles away from my computer ,then I was working blah blah blah. Stupid Holidays.


All right I'll start at November of 1937

[i] The rebellion is heating up with more and more disgruntled zealots rallying to the cause of bringing pure Islam to the home of Islam as well as Persia and southern Mesopotamia. [i]


Primary Bases of Operation for the Rebels (Actually each area has seperate leaders that are only loosely cooperating with each other):

Qom
An Nasiriyah(captured by MEU forces)
Karbala(On going fight)
Shiraz(Firebombed out of Existence)
Hai'il


Leaders of the Rebellion:
Seyyed Ruhollah Khomeini
Abd al-`Azīz Āl Sa`ūd
Mirza Muhammad Riza

As of Nov 1937, here is the MEU attack orders for this month

MEU General Staff Command order the two Soviet bomber wings and Soviet Inf unit to join MEU forces in Southern Iraq, and they will be support by Mech Inf unit in Basra. They are order to attack rebel bases and strongholds in Southern Iraq, they are order to hit the rebellion in the city of An Nasiriyah hard and crush all elements of the rebellion in the area.

For Arabia, the MEU General Staff sends out orders for MEU Cavalry station in Riyadh, to began raiding known rebel bases in Nejd.

Turkey, the MEU General Staff order their only Alpine unit to be send to MEU Persia and take part in attacking rebel bases in the Mountain areas of the Persia.Also the General Staff in order local Perisan forces to wait intill more troops come, which won't be intill Jan of 1938.

Also the MEU main fleet leaves port and begins to patrol to waters around Turkey and Levant. Also 10 destroyers lead by a light cruiser is send to the red sea to patrol waters near MEU Arabia and another 10 destroyers lead by a light cruiser to patrol the Persian Gulf.

Currently the Rebels are poorly equipped with a hodgepog of Bolt-action, Lever Action, and even some muzzle and breach loading rifles.

Old bulky WWI Machine guns with a few newer units that were used in the Great War II.

very few mortars, and the occasional Automatic rifle and submachine guns.

and various other improvised weapons, including Dynamite bombs and "Torches of Islam" (molotov cocktails)

In the latter half of June, 1938 the 2nd Mechanized Corps, two battalions of the Legion Estranger, the 2nd Reserve Fighter Wing and the 2nd Bomber Wing depart France for the MEU by rail.

The French fleet carrier FS Libertie is already patrolling the MEU coast, along with the escort carrier FS Equality, ten destroyers, and the light cruisers FS Kirov and FS Paris.

Novemer 14, 1937
Battle of An-Nasiriyah

The rebel forces in Southern Mesopotamia launch a raid in force on Al-Basrah, leaving a car bomb at one of the Militia Corps Headquarters, killing several Genearls and their staff. The rebels attempt also to stir up riots within the city, but the Militia comes out and puts them down with heavy force before they can spread. All in all not really a success for the rebels, but not a failure either. The rebels retreat back to An-Nasiriyah on horse and camel back. A Union Built Stork Observation aircraft that came with the two Stuka Wings, spots the caravan, flys low enough to spot the weapons (they are dragging a few machine guns on carriages) and Returns to its Base in Baghdad to report on the Rebels Position.

The ottomans wanted to send in the Stuka's right away to punish An-Nasiriyah, but the Union Volunteer Pilots advise a combined arms operation and a brigade from a Mechanized corps is dispatched along with a Battalion of Artillery (88mm, towed)

November 21, 1937

Scouts for the Rebels spot the approaching column and prepare to defend the city to the death. The Rebels don't really have a standard military organization but they do number nearly 3,500 fighters. While the MEU forces number nearly 5000 including nearly 100 tanks(Panzer II's) and 215 Schützenpanzerwagen
supported by a dozen 88mm towed guns and roughly 30 Stuka Dive bombers

The Rebels have not yet received any of the Japanese made Anti-Tank mines supplied through Argentina so they decided to make the best of it and fight to the death without. They begin making large numbers of torches of islam and laying dynamite bombs beneath the roadway at various major intersections in the city

November 22nd, 1937 0630 hours

With Dawn fast approaching The Stuka's take to the air and spot concentrations of Rebel forces and begin their terrifying Dives with their whistles squealing the Rebels run for cover but several have peace of mind enough to open fire with the machine guns they do have. Tracers light up the morning sky as the Stuka's also return fire with their machine guns and cannon. Most of the rebel fire is innaccurate and inneffective but a couple of rebels did get a few lucky shots in Damaging one stuka lightly and actually catching another on fire forcing it to tumble from the sky into a large hotel area. The opening bombing raid had great effect, knocking out telephone switches and power in the town, so that the rebels could no longer communicate effecetively. Also knocking over most of the large structures in the city. After the Stuka's drop their deadly load on the city, the 88's outside of town open fire and begin bombarding suspected rebel strong holds within the city. The Barrage lasts for about 30 minutes and at 0700 hours the Tanks move supported by Half-Tracks begin to move to encircle the north half of the city. A Reinforced Battalion of Infantry Supported by a company of tanks attempts to drive into the city, strangely they make it in unopposed and while heading down one of the large boulevards of the city a Dynamite bomb explodes underneath the lead tank, knocking the track off while the Half-Track behind it explodes from a similar device. With that the Rebels open fire with Machine guns and run up in near suicideal attacks on the armored vehicles. Trapped in the narrow streats the column decides to fight it out with these ragtag rebels. The infantry deploys from their vehicles and the fighting becomes house to house and hand to hand. but the Battalion over powers the Rebels, and the crew of the lead tank is able to make repairs on its vehicle and the column continues on towards the Bridge over the Euphrates River. The rest of the brigade decides to chare into the northern half of the city and similar ambushes happen throughout the city but with the same result, they end slowing down the MEU Army but not stopping them.


November 22nd, 1937 1500 hours.

The MEU pauses its advance to regroup, and rearm their soldiers that have been fighting hard all day. A lull decends across the city temporarily until the Whine of the diving stuka returns to further pound the rebel positions. The rebels begin making plans to retreat to the southern half of the city and hopefully blow the bridge before the MEU can make use of it.


Unbeknowst to the Rebels a Brigade of Militia has been marching hard up from Basra to the southern half of An-Nasiriyah and as the Rebels are planting explosives on the bridge an advanced Battalion of militia comes upon the rebels and attacks the rebels in the process. With the sound of mortar and Machine Gun fire coming from the southern half of the City the Mech forces in the north drive hard for the bridge. Surrounded, outnumbered and out gunned the Rebels begin to surrender as their positions become impossible to defend. Though there are many that fight to the death there are a lot that surrender.


November 22nd, 1937 1840 hours


With Nightfall fast approaching the Rebels are holding a 3 block area with roughly 800 fighters left, 300 of which are wounded. A renewed bombing raid from the Stukas returns and flatten most of that area causing heavy casualties. In the final push the MEU is able to clear out the rebels from that area and the last couple of dozen surrender

Rebel Casualties
1800 Dead
1400 Missing, Wounded or Captured
300 Escape to the desert

MEU Casualties
10 Panzer's knocked out or heavily damaged, 3 are total wrecks
27 Halftracks heavily damaged
2 Stuka's Shot down(1 pilot died in the crash, and the other is missing presumed captured by the escaping Rebels)
4 Stuka's Damaged from light to heavy

1100 Infantry Dead
700 Wounded
400 Missing

MEU General Staff Command orders yet another major attacks on Rebels in Iraq, to crush the remaining strongholds in the Iraq. The Stronghold they their regional commanders to attack was the Shia holy city of Karbala. Yet Regional commanders request more troops for this attack. With that the General Staff order the MEU Mech Inf Corp of Ankara to send by rail to Baghdad on Nov 24, the mech corp reach Baghdad by Dec.12, and was fully organize for battle by Dec.18. The General Staff orders to not shell the Shia holy sites in Downtown. Do to the fact that MEU didn't want to enrage more Shias in joining the rebellion. The City was going to attack from two sides one from the North, which is the Mech Inf Corp plus the MEU Amour Corp of Iraq to attack Karbala with the support of one Soviet Stuka air wing. From the South , the Veterans of the An-Nasiriyah, which is the Al-Basra MEU Mech Inf Corp,plus the Soviet Inf Corp and another Soviet Stuka air wing. All corp commanders were given orders to not shell the holy sites at all cost. The attack on Karabla will began on Dec.20th


In Persia, MEU regional forces were told to began major attack on the rebel held city of Qoms by Jan.14th by that time the new Stuka MEU air wing will already, plus an newly train MEU Mech Inf unit.

In Arabia, MEU forces were to increase their raiding of Rebel bases, scout out rebel base for a coming major attack.

tagness

The Peoples Republic of Spain hereby declares its neutrality in this conflict and only hopes for a quick end to this confilct.

VSIC: Spanish arms dealers have begun arming the rebels with newer weapons and anti-tank equipment.

a trickle of older model bazookas and old anti tank rifles begin making their way to the Rebels from sources unknown.

Battle of Karbala

December 23rd, 1937

MEU forces have tracked down another stronghold for the Rebels, Karbala. The town has been completely been taken by the Shia's from Southern Mesopotamia, and they have imposed Sha'ri(sp?) law upon its citizens. The MEU has sent a full 3 combat brigades to encircle Karbala, and right now the Rebels are sitting tight within the city, fortifying, digging anti-tank ditches, Laying some of the Few anti-tank mines they have and setting up Sniper and Machine Gun nests throughout the town, including within its Mosque's.


The MEU Commander has decided not to bombard with Artillery or Air Power feeling that if he destroy's the Shia holy sites that the rest of the Shia's in the province of Iraq will rise up in Rebellion. The commander is currently trying to figure out the best strategy to assault the city when a cart being pulled by a mule comes out of the city with no driver in the general direction of his troops. His Cavalry watches it for over an hour when a squad of soldiers are brave enough to ride up to it and see whats in the cart. When they get there one with a weak stomach turns and pukes while the rest look disgusted, It's contents are a large assortment of body parts, lacking heads to identify with, and they are in the uniforms of MEU soldiers, while there are some body parts in the Uniform of a pilot from Union Volunteer Group, there is also a Reel enclosed which is taken back to headquarters for anaylisis


The Reel is played back in HQ by Divisional intelligence and is immediately passed up to the commander, it displays several Rebels, some of which are masking their faces and others that are not, standing around with an assortment of rifles and pistols, with one obvious leader speaking into the camera

"God is great, today we are punishing an infidel that came to this land as a mercenary, to bomb our innocents, to destroy our religion. This man is an pilot of those screaming devils from the sky, and our brave fighters captured him during the battle of An-Nasiriyah where these devils murdered women and children when their aircraft bombed hospitals, orphanages and schools OOC: not necessarily true, but thats what they are saying, and they are neglecting to mention that they had fighting positions set up inside said areas IC: He not only did this for money but according to rules of war OOC: he'll use it when its convienent IC: this man is a mercenary and shall be punished as such"

At this point the leader places the blindfolded pilot on his knees, the pilot looks worse for where as his uniform is torn and bloody, both his eyes are black and has obvious broken bones and burns from his crash, The leader draws out a very long knife with a partial Serratied Edge and begins sawing at the throat of the pilots splattering blood around, an altogether gruesome sight, until while holding the pilots hair he reaches the neck bone and places the between the vertabraie and twists, popping them out of place effectively breaking the neck, then the leader continues sawing until the head is severed. During this time the pilots gurguled screams of pain can be heard in the recording. And then the recording ends

OOC: more later, my eyes hurt right now.

Prime Minister Dr. Mohammed Mossadegh makes statement (on radio, in Arabic) related to the rebels cutting up MEU solders

"These Rebels show that they do not respect their follow man, they lowly then dirt. They call themselves fighters of the faith and they do these crimes. How dare they call themselves Muslims...may they burn in hell fire for their crimes against mankind and if the MEU government finds out whoever is supporting the rebels (other nations), may they face the wrath of the Jihad!"

Battle of Karbala

December 23rd, 1937


At this point the leader places the blindfolded pilot on his knees, the pilot looks worse for where as his uniform is torn and bloody, both his eyes are black and has obvious broken bones and burns from his crash, The leader draws out a very long knife with a partial Serratied Edge and begins sawing at the throat of the pilots splattering blood around, an altogether gruesome sight, until while holding the pilots hair he reaches the neck bone and places the between the vertabraie and twists, popping them out of place effectively breaking the neck, then the leader continues sawing until the head is severed. During this time the pilots gurguled screams of pain can be heard in the recording. And then the recording ends

OOC: more later, my eyes hurt right now.
If this is publicized, of course, we'll just start the carpet-bombing.

By the way, it's 1938 - and in case it matters, a lot (though admittedly not all) of the pilots we sent were Muslims.

If this is publicized, of course, we'll just start the carpet-bombing.

By the way, it's 1938 - and in case it matters, a lot (though admittedly not all) of the pilots we sent were Muslims.


I thought you had mentioned that earlier, but lets just say out of luck they caught a Pole.

MEU forces at of 1938
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10200035&postcount=994

As of Jan 2,1938, MEU General Staff order massive attack on rebel bases in Persia, their first target was Qoms. MEU General Staff order 2 MEU Mech corps( one from Tehran and another one from Isfahan), plus 1 MEU Armour Cavalry( Tehran) and one MEU train Stuka unit( Tehran) with the support of MEU militia unit from Tehran.

The MEU General Staff order the attack to happen on Jan.8. The commanders were orders to not hold back, crush the rebels at all cost at Qoms.

As for Arabian Front, as of Jan.4, MEU General Staff order the regional commanders to search the following towns for rebel bases, these are the towns that the MEU forces will search and raid Shaqa,Buraydah and Ha'il.the taskforce is the 2 MEU cavalry corps(Riyadh) and one MEU Mech Inf corp.(Riyadh). This mission was to last for three weeks as the MEU forces make their way up to Ha'il.

I thought you had mentioned that earlier, but lets just say out of luck they caught a Pole.
Oh. Then we don't care.

Oh. Then we don't care.

OOC: i actually fell out of my computer chair on that one, laughing.

Seriously, though, is that published in the Union? 'Cause we will respond with massive force.

No damn god-crazy barbarian will be allowed to get away with treating a son of the Socialist Fatherland like that.

Seriously, though, is that published in the Union? 'Cause we will respond with massive force.

No damn god-crazy barbarian will be allowed to get away with treating a son of the Socialist Fatherland like that.


MEU will pass along a copy of the Reel to Union Authorities.

The MEU government sends notice to the Soviet government that the rebels have beheaded one of their pilots; apparently this pilot appears to be Polish. The MEU government promises to get revenge for this death.

MEU will pass along a copy of the Reel to Union Authorities.
Great.

The first response that will occur, then, is that the diplomatic and intelligence services will attempt to cover up the story while urgent messages are relayed to Damascus, saying that the Union will have to respond, and requesting Damascus' permission to begin conducting airstrikes in rebel-held areas.

The MEU government will have, basically, until RL tomorrow to give us that permission, or events will start taking their own course.

Great.

The first response that will occur, then, is that the diplomatic and intelligence services will attempt to cover up the story while urgent messages are relayed to Damascus, saying that the Union will have to respond, and requesting Damascus' permission to begin conducting airstrikes in rebel-held areas.

The MEU government will have, basically, until RL tomorrow to give us that permission, or events will start taking their own course.


Prime Minister Dr. Mohammed Mossadegh sends message to the Union

government stating that if the Soviet were to enter the civil war, it will destablize everything. He tells that his troops will crush the rebels and do it on their own at all cost the Union must not do these airstrikes on the gounds that it will destablize everything and make matters worse.

Baghdad Army Airbase

December 24th, 1937 2345 hours


Knowing that this is a major holiday for some of the westerners that are with the Stuka's in Iraq, the Rebels launch a night raid on the Baghdad airfield. It starts at roughly 2343 hours when a truck marked with supplies comes to the gate and requests entry. The guards are suspicious since it is such a late hour and begin to search the truck. They lower the tailgate to jump in the back when the 120lbs of TNT on board the truck explodes wiping out the guard shack, the two drivers, and the guards. Alarms are raised all over the base and as the guardforce rushes to the gate, a force of about 20 rebels also attempt to rush in the main gate and a fierce firefight ensues. while this is going on, several other small groups start cutting the fences into the airfield. A guard tower spots them and begins to bring its MG-42 to bear on the rebels when a rebel sniper knocks the Gunner and A-Gunner out of the tower with two quick and accurate shots. with access gained to the camp the rebels rush for three areas, the revetments where fuel and ammunition is stored, the Pilots barracks, and the various revetments where the Stuka's are parked and under guard. Fierce firefights ensue with the rebels taking heavy causaulties but they find some luck and are able to detonate one of the main tanks of aviation fuel and set 4 Stuka's on fire. They also manage to get into the Barracks where the pilots where sleeping and capture two them while wounding several others with sub-machine gun fire (japanese Made Thompsons). The rebels retreat out of the camp with their prisoners and are able to escape into the desert.


Immedietly Stork Observation aircraft are aloft looking for signs of the rebels and the lost pilots but are unable to find anything

Casualties
Rebel fighters
47 dead
8 Captured
23 escaped

MEU Casualties
15 guards dead
12 wounded
2 pilots captured
5 pilots wounded
6 ground crew dead
4 wounded.


OOC: the rebels were looking for the whitest looking pilots they could managed and got one Drunken German and a Georgian(muslim)

Prime Minister Dr. Mohammed Mossadegh sends message to the Union

government stating that if the Soviet were to enter the civil war, it will destablize everything. He tells that his troops will crush the rebels and do it on their own at all cost the Union must not do these airstrikes on the gounds that it will destablize everything and make matters worse.

OoC: No, you don't understand, it's too late for that. I'm sorry.

IC
As soon as the MEU refusal is received, a fairly obscure functionary in the Union Defense Ministry, Nikita Khrushchev, leaks a copy of the reel to the press (it's not always advantageous being a democracy). Massive protests will begin as across the Union kino-houses play the newsreels before stunned audiences. Anti-Muslim violence becomes serious in Poland and Germany, especially, and a number of high-ranking officials in the Ministry of Defense are sacked for trying to keep the contents of the reel from the public.

President Kirov has no choice. He acts quickly, and within a day of the newsreel's release orders a full mobilization of the Red Army, and in an emergency session of the Executive Council is unanimously granted full war powers.

Heavy bomber wings are being warmed up even as we speak.

Right. Airstrikes will begin tomorrow (RL), with or without permission (again, I'm sorry, but I really have no choice). Pilots henceforth will be informed of what kind of treatment they can expect at the hands of the "barbarians" and told to reserve one bullet in their pistols if they are downed, for they surely will not survive capture.

Right. Airstrikes will begin tomorrow (RL), with or without permission (again, I'm sorry, but I really have no choice). Pilots henceforth will be informed of what kind of treatment they can expect at the hands of the "barbarians" and told to reserve one bullet in their pistols if they are downed, for they surely will not survive capture.



right.


now how are we going to handle this, am i still running this or is it getting handed off to GB??

I won't be offended if you choose the later, because this is about to be out of my league.

It'll keep till tomorrow. Probably you'll handle playing the Rebs, and Modding that scale of combat, while GB handles WWIII.

At least I finally get to break out the napalm. I've been waiting far too long on that.

But now, I'm off to the Land of Nod.

sigh...

MEU, Vas, send me orders if appropriate

figure the war would actually start January 8, 1939...factoring in time for decision making and for the film to actually reach the Union decision makers and orders to go out.

I need to know who is mobilizing etc.

This turn in events speeds up the French deployment schedules, and troops are ordered to be ready to depart France by mid-January. Pilots and soldiers are briefed on the situation and told to expect harash treatment, if not execution, if captured. All French forces are placed on high alert and French Carrier aircraft along the Palestinian coast begin bombing rebel-held positions. French outrage is palpaple, as pro-Soviet protestors march in Paris calling for greater government involvement to crush the extremists.

This turn in events speeds up the French deployment schedules, and troops are ordered to be ready to depart France by mid-January. Pilots and soldiers are briefed on the situation and told to expect harash treatment, if not execution, if captured. All French forces are placed on high alert and French Carrier aircraft along the Palestinian coast begin bombing rebel-held positions. French outrage is palpaple, as pro-Soviet protestors march in Paris calling for greater government involvement to crush the extremists.

hold off shooting etc as a lot of things are going to happen at once before we even get to mid January

hold off shooting etc as a lot of things are going to happen at once before we even get to mid January

The French aren't shooting yet...however, they were asked into the country by the MEU governemnt.

The French aren't shooting yet...however, they were asked into the country by the MEU governemnt.

by the way, I need to know the exact location of your military forces as of January 1, and any orders need to be TG to me.. post forces in the military thread, and please use the WIF maps.

I will post links to those tomorrow if needed.

Japan inquires that, with the recent escalation of violence, if it may contribute troops or other resources to help the MEU government. Japan also suggests that any Japanese troops sent could act as 'peace-keepers' in non-violent regions of the MEU to free up MEU troops to fight in combat regions. They do however offer to send troops into combat regions.

Military attachés in both Damascus and Washington will inform the relevant officials that the Union has no intention of escalating its commitment of personnel to the counter-insurgency in the MEU – in fact, exactly the opposite. Air strikes will be conducted against rebel-held targets at Karbala and An-Nasiriyah due to domestic political pressures, and that is where President Kirov wants the Union’s involvement to end, to the point of "advising" Union citizens operating in the MEU to withdraw (i.e., pull out our troops) and let the Peoples of the Middle East sort out their fate.

The Union will not negotiate on this, however.

Prime Minister Dr. Mohammed Mossadegh, sends another message to Warsaw, it went as the following

An-Nasiriyah is no longer a rebel base, MEU forces have crush the rebellion in that area. As for Karbala, its different matter, our forces are about to storm the city, we can't afford to bomb or shell the city, do to the fact its has many Shia holy Shines and we don't want to risk hitting these shines, if we do. We face a total shia uprising in all the regions of MEU, which we must prevent. I personal beg of you, President Kirov to let cooler heads take control, if the bomb raid was to happen and Karbala , Major Shia holy city were to bomb, all the shia will rebel against the Union, if this were to happen I will be force to resign my post as Prime Minister, since I have failed my duty to maintain the Union in this civil war.

OOC: Plus the MEU have a garrison in An-Nasiriyah now,so that's a bad idea to bomb that city.

Japan inquires that, with the recent escalation of violence, if it may contribute troops or other resources to help the MEU government. Japan also suggests that any Japanese troops sent could act as 'peace-keepers' in non-violent regions of the MEU to free up MEU troops to fight in combat regions. They do however offer to send troops into combat regions.
President Mustafa İsmet İnönü sends a message to the Japanese Government, stating that the MEU Government thanks Japan for the offer, but must turn down the offer do the fears of it may destabilize the region event further.

Prime Minister Dr. Mohammed Mossadegh, sends another message to Warsaw, it went as the following

An-Nasiriyah is no longer a rebel base, MEU forces have crush the rebellion in that area. As for Karbala, its different matter, our forces are about to storm the city, we can't afford to bomb or shell the city, do to the fact its has many Shia holy Shines and we don't want to risk hitting these shines, if we do. We face a total shia uprising in all the regions of MEU, which we must prevent. I personal beg of you, President Kirov to let cooler heads take control, if the bomb raid was to happen and Karbala , Major Shia holy city were to bomb, all the shia will rebel against the Union, if this were to happen I will be force to resign my post as Prime Minister, since I have failed my duty to maintain the Union in this civil war.

OOC: Plus the MEU have a garrison in An-Nasiriyah now,so that's a bad idea to bomb that city.

OOC: you mean bomb whats left of it.

ooc
World War III has not been triggered so continue as usual. However, technically January isn't until Monday

The Rebels have been smuggling in bazookas, anti tank mines, anti tank rifles and a few light anti aircraft guns. Most are American made, but older models and could have easily come from the World arms markets. The US of course will deny any knowledge and order the US Marshals Service to investigate any breach of American neutrality laws.

I don't imagine firebombing towns is going to help the World or the natives like the Pact much though.

ooc
I don't imagine firebombing towns is going to help the World or the natives like the Pact much though.
And sawing off a guy's head on camera is going to make the world like the natives? Please. We're not going to lose any goodwill - that film will be released everywhere prior to the airstrikes, and the only people who don't see that we're justified are going to be the kind of people who wouldn't believe that we're justified doing anything besides cutting open our own bellies while apologizing to the world for having existed in the first place. I'm not worried about it.

December 28th, 1937 1200 hours

Shiraz, Persia, Middle Eastern Union

500 Junkers Ju-88 take off from bases in Iraq for the long flight to Persia, streatching their range. They are loaded up with 5000lbs of Incidiniaries/Napalm
but no High Explosive. They fly in over the city in a scattered formation targeting suspected sites where the rebels are occupied. As the bombs fall a few of the rebels with their new light AA guns open up on the bombers above but to little effect. As the bombs land on their targets, large fires are started including one at the water main which bursts under the heat preventing firefighters from fighting the remaining fires. A Large Firestorm with gale force winds whips across the town sending flames and ashes up nearly 1,000 feet in the air, the intense burning creates winds that spread the flames across the entire city. The firefighters are overwhelmed and killed in their places, casualties are extremely high.

Rebel Fighter deaths
Est. 3,000-5000 (there is no more rebellion in that city)
Civilian Deaths
Est. 18,000-27,000+
Many Many Wounded. (burn wounds are FUN!)

Union Casuaties.
One crewmember wounded by a lucky shot from a 37mm shell


OOC: and kids thats what happens when you drop 2,500,000lbs of Incindiniares on a single town at once.

you dropped the equivelant of damn near a 1.2 Kiloton nuclear weapon.

And I was going to make a fine speech first.

That was pretty ugly, I'm calling off the second strike and accelerating our withdrawal.

That was enough justice.

OOC: Figure over the next couple of days since medical care is going to be slow that a few thousand more will die of the burn wounds because they weren't treated and that most will be permantely disfigured that survived. Oh and you think Americans were pissed about 9/11 and Pearl Harbor...

Overkill much?

Criminy, I've been supplying the people of the Middle East for years with social services at a level in excess of their entire economy. That's got to count for something.

Criminy, I've been supplying the people of the Middle East for years with social services at a level in excess of their entire economy. That's got to count for something.
OOC: THIS is going to cancel all the good stuff you did for the Middle East, I am sorry to tell you this....its going to be long time before they even think highly of the Union after this event..

We built railroads, schools, hospitals, and factories, warships, airplanes, and tanks – all of that is forgotten instantly by everyone? It was a freakin' rebel city. They sawed off a guy's head.

OOC: I'm sorta with Vas...over a decade of good works and stuff is undone by bombing one city? Come on, it wasn't that bad! And they were terrorist supporting pink-Er, capitalist swine-hounds.

OOC: That's what you think, if a nation does a lot of good to another nation and then bombs the living out of one of their cites, even thoughts its rebel city....because of all women and children killed...it does destroy your image.

IC:
When news of the bombing of Shiraz reach the Parliament and Senate of the MEU, all hell break loose, most of the remaining Pan Islamic Ministers and Senators were outrage and blame the Prime Minister and the President for allowing such an attack to happen. The MEU General Staff defend itself stating that Shiraz was major rebel base and had to taken out..but the anger ministers and senators denounce the attack as crime against mankind and state that the Union has cross the line and with that bombing. The Pan Islamics were about to withdraw their support of loyalist government....but Prime Minister Dr. Mohammed Mossadeg and President Mustafa İsmet İnönü manger to prevent them from withdrawing support....but any hope of restoring order in the Damascus and other cities was false hope, soon anger mobs were gather in every major city of the Union.

OOC: I don't think the reaction would be that harsh all around the MEU, I'm pretty sure plenty of Sunni's wouldn't gie a damn while plenty of others would but not enough to do anything other than pout and complain. Ya, it probally will turn a lot of people over to the rebel side I don't think it would be as big as your making it out to be.

tag

OOC: I don't think the reaction would be that harsh all around the MEU, I'm pretty sure plenty of Sunni's wouldn't gie a damn while plenty of others would but not enough to do anything other than pout and complain. Ya, it probally will turn a lot of people over to the rebel side I don't think it would be as big as your making it out to be.
OOC: that's what you think...

ooc
my opinion, the Shiites are no longer fans of the Union, while the Sunnis don't care although are a bit horrified and are beginning to wonder if the Union isn't much different as a Great Power than the British (who occasionally shelled cities in retribution during th 19th Century). In other words, the Union is a bit less trusted than previously in the MEU, and a lot less trusted in Shiite areas. But a couple of decades of goodwill won't go away instantly, but its a huge black mark none the less.

Technically its also a huge violation of the laws of war to attack civilian populations by bombing (just thought I would mention it). The American press will have a field day about proportionality, and comparisions will be made to the Japanese bombing of Chinese cities, and this will probably spread to other newspapers. After all, everyone knows the Arabs are a bunch of barbarians, but the Union is supposed to know better (in the prejudice of the day). It will also not escape notice that the pilot was after all a mercenary for all practical purposes because technically, the Union is not a bellegerent in the conflict in the MEU.

By the way, I have received orders from the Union that a secret police detachment is operating in the Greek areas. Targeting outspoken people who are trying to rabble rouse. I told Parthini to forward that information to Clan to handle.

ooc
my opinion, the Shiites are no longer fans of the Union, while the Sunnis don't care although are a bit horrified and are beginning to wonder if the Union isn't much different as a Great Power than the British (who occasionally shelled cities in retribution during th 19th Century). In other words, the Union is a bit less trusted than previously in the MEU, and a lot less trusted in Shiite areas. But a couple of decades of goodwill won't go away instantly, but its a huge black mark none the less.
That's about what I'd expect. Which is why we've withdrawn immediately afterwards and will be sending humanitarian aid through the year.

Sheesh, I imagine a lot of Union citizens are pretty horrified, as well - I expect liberals to do better in our next elections.

As for the secret police detachment, it's rogue, of course. I didn't issue those orders (Greeks? wtf?). But Parth does handle that stuff.

In light of the recent development,s and in the interest of a stable Middl Eastern government, the RUmanian Government will be dispatching a Mechanised Division to the Middle Eastern Union to assist in peacekeeping and pacification duties.


The 4th Mehcanised Division is detatched from the 3rd Mechanised Corp and transported by rail to the Middle Eastern Union.

In light of the recent development,s and in the interest of a stable Middl Eastern government, the RUmanian Government will be dispatching a Mechanised Division to the Middle Eastern Union to assist in peacekeeping and pacification duties.


The 4th Mehcanised Division is detatched from the 3rd Mechanised Corp and transported by rail to the Middle Eastern Union.



Definetly NOT what is needed, foreign troops in this war, especially non-muslims will just make matters worse.


and i think the Sunni's would be pretty pissed as well. Shia's or not they were fellow MUSLIMS that were attacked by a Secular/westernish government. Muslims killing muslims is one thing when people not following the prophet mohammed reach out and slaughter people that are, I think there is going to be huge backlash across the Muslim world, not just the Middle Eastern Union. I can see protests against the Union in India, Turkistan, Dutch East Indies, North Africa, hell probably even in the Caucaus mountains of Russia.


Lets not also forget Vas, your pilot was executed by Shi'a Arabs in Iraq while you respond by slaughtering Shi'a Persians in Persia, a good 1,000 miles away and yes they both were rebellion but this rebellion is far from centralized at the moment.

and finally, 1 gruesome death vs. 35,000ish Gruesome deaths. Being burnt alived and asphyxiated can't exactly be pleasant. out of proportion much?

simpler airstrikes on a smaller scale would have made more sense and been more explainable, but you really wanted to firebomb a city.

OOC: btw is any aid from ANYONE going to Shiraz? I mean seriously?

British newspapers begin taking up the story of the bombing and some manage to get hold of a few blurred shots of the aftermath, journalists print graphic descriptions of the last moments of the city. The widespread opinion is that the bombing was uneccessary and against what was essentially a civilian target. Questions are raised over why the Union launched attacks in revenge for one of it's citizens who went to the MEU of his own free will without direct government consent and knew all of the dangers.

Several British aid charities begin to collect for shipments of aid for the affected area.

Algeria is appalled by both governments of both unions, it is bad enough that even after the MEU stated that it will not allow forign intervension in its internal affairs that it allowed its neighbor to comit an act more horrendos than all the Rebel acts put together.

We urges the MEU government to expel all uneeded forign millitary forces from its country.

The Emir is not pleased at the weakness or barabarity of the MEU government. Do not expect any future aid from Algeria.

First, I've stressed several times we’re sending aid. As well as withdrawing our troops.

I am the Reality Moderator, but this is a conflict of interest so I'll appeal to GB to rule on it. As for us, though, there will be protests in the Soviet Union, yes. Not just in Turkestan and Transcaucasia but even in Finland, Livonia, and Germany. Damn liberal peaceniks for the most part, however – it’s too early for radical Islam to really be strong anywhere outside the Middle East (although Islamic-oriented and separatist political parties will pick up legislative seats in Turkestan). Moreover, the Hate Speech Law, on the books but not enforced since 1928, will be invoked by President Kirov to decisively suppress any expression of anti-Muslim sentiment by either the Left or the Right. As for the MEU, Galveston Bay may have a tendency to overestimate sectarian rivalries (which wax and wane a lot over the centuries, but generally get a lot worse closer to our own time, by which I mean the 'Seventies), and I'm not saying the reaction wouldn't be bad, but I still don’t think that decades of friendship will be completely obliterated by this one event.

Hell, it's not like we freakin' invaded and occupied an entire country that had nothing whatsoever to do with the incident.

And if all our good deeds are suddenly forgotten and erased by one terrible mistake, we’ll be rethinking our whole Middle Eastern policy.

But it's always been my impression that one of Ottoman Khaif’s greatest goals was to create a more peaceful, tolerant Middle East, where the vendetta-mentality is not as strong and violent fundamentalism not as appealing. Now both of you guys seem to be saying he's failed miserably.

Anyway, like I say, I'm backing out except for the continuation of aid shipments.

Further OoC stuff should probably go in the Main Thread or Chatzy.

Yeah, Clan, I'll send you a tg about that. I was under the assumption that a bunch of fascist Greeks were trying to restore Alexander's Empire or something.

If not, hey, they're just Greeks :p

And if the Anglos don't like fire, they should just surrender right now.

ooc
I will do some reading and make a ruling tomorrow. Its a bit complicated.

MEU government begans sending aid to the Shiraz, mainly medical aid was being send. The Union Government was under alot of pressure to break all ties with the Soviet Union for this bombing...but the Union government vow not to break the ties...since the Soviets were the only ones sending the badly needed aid for the loyalist.

Offical Statement by the Government of India

The Parliament of India has voted, (451 for, 213 against, and 26 abstaining), to send three Corps of the Indian Army into the Middle Eastern Union to quell the rebellion and bring security back to the region. The three corps that shall be sent are: I Motorized Corp (based in Peshawar), the VII Motorized Corp (Karachi), and the I Mechanized Corp (Calcutta). The government of the Middle Eastern Union has approved this deployment of troops. They will be sent to Persia, and from there our generals and those of the Middle Eastern Union shall decide what to do from there.

Rumanian troops are only to be sassigned to peaceful areas where there is no combat. They are to replace MEU garrisons in order to free their troops for pacifying the rebels.

OOC: By the way, do any of you guys know how long it will take for my troops to get to Tehran from where they are leaving (Peshawar, Karachi, and Calcutta) by rail? I was guessing a month for the units based in Pakistan and 2 for those based in Calcutta, but I'm not sure.

OoC:Hmm, more and more forign troops are entering the MEU? I wonder what will happen...

*Remembers China when a whole mechenised brigade was taken out*

OoC:Hmm, more and more forign troops are entering the MEU? I wonder what will happen...

*Remembers China when a whole mechenised brigade was taken out*


OOC: remember one thing, these aren't your run of a milll foreign devils...they are mainly Indian Muslims plus some tag along Hindus...besides I still have contral of most of the major railroads..besides they just Indians..who cares if a few 1,000 get killeds..theres millions of them....

OOC: remember one thing, these aren't your run of a milll foreign devils...they are mainly Indian Muslims plus some tag along Hindus...besides I still have contral of most of the major railroads..besides they just Indians..who cares if a few 1,000 get killeds..theres millions of them....

OOC: Exactly!
We're a country of Cannon fodder!

OoC: I was under the impression that the MEU stated that it will not allow any forign forces to enter the MEU, but now you've got the Soviets bombing a city to rubble (whether you like it or not), the french mechanised divisions, the Romanians and the Indians.

I think that hurts your diplomatic strength very much and some local opposition politicians should be pointing out these points
At least that's what I think

OoC: I was under the impression that the MEU stated that it will not allow any forign forces to enter the MEU, but now you've got the Soviets bombing a city to rubble (whether you like it or not), the french mechanised divisions, the Romanians and the Indians.

I think that hurts your diplomatic strength very much and some local opposition politicians should be pointing out these points
At least that's what I think


OOC: you know i just realized something, the soviets were threatening to bomb a city whether you liked it or not. I don't believe any of there bombers had the range to carry out that threat. Thats why I had the 88's fly out of Baghdad, and Shiraz was a stretch from there.

ooc
The various foreign troops, if sent in early January, will be in place by the middle of February. In spite of their relatively secondary role as security forces, they are not initially received well. The population isn't hostile, just unfriendly and aloof, as the foreign troops are seen as foreigners and the government looses a little creditability by bringing them in. In addition, a lot of the government is furious at the bombing of Shiraz, as the Union carried it out in spite of requests not to intervene and simply trampled over MEU soveriegnity in the process.

Offsetting that is the view by a lot of the Arabs and Turks that after all, the target was in Persia, and centuries old hatreds don't go away overnight and whats a few thousand less Persians, and Shiite heretics at that. In Persia however, needless to say, the feeling is intense anger. Mixed in however with a bit of fear, as the power of the attack was clear. Support for the Rebellion grows but remains mostly passive and takes on a more nationalist tinge in Persia.

Nevertheless, a lot of people, nearly the majority, are upset at the Union disregarding MEU soveriegnity in the attack, and the sheer bloodiness of it. Forgotten by many is what set it off.

ooc
The various foreign troops, if sent in early January, will be in place by the middle of February. In spite of their relatively secondary role as security forces, they are not initially received well. The population isn't hostile, just unfriendly and aloof, as the foreign troops are seen as foreigners and the government looses a little creditability by bringing them in. In addition, a lot of the government is furious at the bombing of Shiraz, as the Union carried it out in spite of requests not to intervene and simply trampled over MEU soveriegnity in the process.

Offsetting that is the view by a lot of the Arabs and Turks that after all, the target was in Persia, and centuries old hatreds don't go away overnight and whats a few thousand less Persians, and Shiite heretics at that. In Persia however, needless to say, the feeling is intense anger. Mixed in however with a bit of fear, as the power of the attack was clear. Support for the Rebellion grows but remains mostly passive and takes on a more nationalist tinge in Persia.

Nevertheless, a lot of people, nearly the majority, are upset at the Union disregarding MEU soveriegnity in the attack, and the sheer bloodiness of it. Forgotten by many is what set it off.

OOC: So they'll get there in February? Sweetness.

Also, what do the Persians think of Indian troops in their country? After all, the peoples of North-west India are very similar to the Persians.

Indian Troop Deployment

The I Motorized Division, the VII Motorized Division, and the I Mechanized Divisions are all to be deployed to Qoms, to assist with the siege of the rebel city.

January 3rd, 1938

First Battle for Karbala.

0500

Soldiers knowing they are going in with minimal artillery and zero air support begin pounding the outskirts of the city with medium sized mortar fire. The bombardment is short and harsh aiming for Rebel positions on the outer perimeter.

During the Siege the rebels were busy working on building trenches and breastworks. Light Anti-tank weapons and Machine guns (mostly Browning .30 cals and the Japanese 6.5mm GPMG's) positions are set up.


During the bombardment, 2 Battalions of Armor supported by a brigade of Mechanized infantry assault the breast works attempting to break into the city on the main boulevard. The MEU generals were not prepared for the abundance of anti-tank mines and Bazooka's the rebels had and the first battalion of tanks ran headlong into a minefield. 3 of the Panzer II's are blown up along with 4 Panzer's getting tracks knocked off. As the other Panzer's attempt to slow down to clear the minefield, rebels hidden away in dunes and small brush pop up and start firing Bazooka's at the enemy. Though the Bazooka isn't the best of anti-tank weapons, against the much thinner armor of the Panzer II as compared to the Panzer IV's and Tigers of WWII it is plenty adequate.

In the furious onslaught 34 Half-Tracks are destroyed along with 24 Panzer II's. 12 more panzers have their tracks knocked off and 16 more Half-Tracks are disabled. Overall the MEU army was not prepared for the anti-tank weapons and received a bloody nose. The Mech infantry didn't have a chance to dismount as the machine gun and rifle fire from the Rebel positions was fierce enough along without the support of the tanks they didn't dismount.


The MEU commanders pull back and reorganize and try to come up with a different strategy to take the city.


EDIT:

Forgot to mention Rebel casualties, whoops

Roughly 240 Fighters dead
300 Wounded.


The 20mm cannon and 80mm mortars did do a bit of damage.


Later tonight Day 2 of the Battle of Karbala will be posted.

ooc
How are things with the MEU Civil War?

ooc
How are things with the MEU Civil War?


OOC: Just some low level fighting, we are still in 1938 and year behind in game time...better ask Clan for more and oh yes MEU government would state its opinion that if any world war would to break, they will not enter it at all cost.

Battle of Karbala TAKE TWO

January 10th, 1938

1000 hours
IL-2's take off from Baghdad Air Base and begin diving on and strafing the trenches of Karbala, while 37mm anti-aircraft fire burst all around the aircraft. several take light damage and one smoking heavily drops its bombload and flys for home, and ends up bailing out over MEU lines to safety. The IL-2's come in waves and keep up the airstrikes for for four solid hours.

1400 hours

After the hours of the aircraft pounding Rebel fortifications on the outskirts of the town they leave. and there is a lull for exactly 40 minutes. Long enough for the rebels to feel safe to come out of their bomb shelters. And at the end of those 45 minutes, 88mm 105mm, 125mm and 155mm along with Kayutusha's begin bombarding the rebel positions for about an hour.

1540 Hours

The tanks are a rollin

2 Regiments of Panzer II's supported by 2 brigades of Half-track mounted infantry. With the minefields mostly destroyed in the bombardment and airstrikes the Mech forces roll towards the outskirts of Karbala at several points of the line. The rebels, already disorganized and confused put up a token resistance until the forces reach the city proper and amongst the buildings the rebels are able to halt the MEU advance. And fierce urban combat ensues, Bazooka's, Torches of Islam, Roadside bombs, Mortars all join the mix with the Machine gun fire and even a few AA guns when the IL-2's return to strafe with their 12.7mm and 20mm cannon. The Rebels are unable to drive the MEU soldiers out of the city and the Regulars are unable to advance any further.

Colombia will send a half a dozen P40A1's, and a full dozen P40A3's to MEU for their use. Accompanying them, will be P4200A1 Heavy Tanks, four in total. Colombia will keep a close eye on how they perform in real world combat, having been successful in combat maneuvers in South America.

ooc: Note, we are merely selling arms, not actually sending crews and such. Just thought the MEU could use some more armour.

EDIT: Just sending a dozen P40A3's now.

13 January 1939

The firebombing of Shiraz was a controversial act even in the Union. While many Union citizens remain unrepentant and convinced of the Union's "irrevocable right" to do what it did, when the full news of the massacre breaks, protestors turn out en masse not just in the Muslim-dominated Republics of Transcaucasia and Turkestan but even in Russia, Livonia, Germany, and Finland.

The Government itself is reportedly horrified by the results of its own commands, and, surprisingly, on 11 January President Kirov announces his intention to travel to Damascus and delivery his personal apology to the people of the Middle Eastern Union at a session of their Parliament.

His military commanders are stunned, and plead with him not to go. On 12 January an assassination attempt against the President injures some government functionaries and policemen. Although the perpetrator is immediately arrested and found to be an Islamic separatist, the story is buried and blame for placing the car-bomb is instead placed on "counterrevolutionary racialist factions." Kirov's last official act before getting on the plane to Damascus is to sign a federal counterterrorism bill expanding the Government's powers to crack down on right-wing "extremists."

Arriving at the MEU Parliament in Damascus in an armored car, surrounded by black-clad Revolutionary Guards. Most of the MPs stand as he enters the chamber - not out of respect, however, but menacingly. Some grip their canes or the hilts of their swords.

Kirov takes the speaker's podium in an ominous silence, and begins speaking in Turkish - the only MEU official language he knows.

"To friend and foe alike I say, peace be with you.

"First, I wish to thank the Honorable Members of Parliament for agreeing to see me today. Your graciousness, and its triumph over your grief and your anger, does you more credit than I can say.

"More, indeed, than what we ourselves have shown.

"And that is what I want to talk to you about today."

Kirov dismisses his guards, who shift from foot to foot uneasily but nevertheless obey without question. He then turns to face the chamber, alone and unarmed. He sighs heavily, and his next words lack the polished eloquence typical of his usual speeches.

"Gentlemen, I must be truthful with you. I found myself prepare a statement for a task of this magnitude. What we did was wrong. It is as simple, and as terrible as that. It was barbaric, and no words of mine can resto - " his voice catches for a moment. "No words of mine can restore the lives of the innocents we murdered. That I murdered, as surely as if I had done so with my own hands.

"Words are not enough for this. No."

He pauses to run his finger through his hair wearily.

"But words are what I have.

"I do not ask you for forgiveness. An act of such barbarity should not be forgiven. Nor should it forgotten, lest in happy ignorance it be repeated. All I ask of you is that you hear me, and know that I speak the truth when I say that we recognize our crime, and are as ashamed of it as we should be. And never again, to the end of the world's age, need the people of the Dar al-Islam fear another such reprisal from the Sovereign People of the Union, no matter the provocation. This is my pledge to you, and to the Martyrs of Shiraz.

"For what we have done, there is no reparation. We will give what we can, of course, and more . . ."

He pauses again.

"Gentlemen, I do not know what else to say. We shall honor the fallen as the living only can, by using our strength only to defend the innocent, by building a better world whre such brutalities are but dim memories, by choosing mercy over wrath, and submitting to the commandment to choose virtue over vice. From this day forward, you will have no more loyal protector or servant than myself.

"I thank you for listening to me. Peace be with you."

He bows deeply and prepares to depart the chamber.

OoC: [i]I believe Ottoman Khaif may want to say a thing or two at this point. If not, Of the council of clan has already determined that no assassination attempts will be made by the insurgents during Kirov's trip, surprisingly enough (I lucked out), and he will be safely back in Warsaw by January 15th, 1939.

Only the reason, the MPs didn't attack, because the Parliament men at arms were in full forces and also MEU Intel agents were in the Parliament and whisper to the MPs who want to attack the Soviet leader, that if they were to do so...they will shot right away by the Union Guard (MEU newly formed Secret Police force.). Just with that theat..all the MP just clap their hands at after the speech was over for five mintues...in fear that if they didn't clap too much the Secret Police will come after them.

Notes on the Union Guard
President Mustafa İsmet İnönü and Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddeq, had order the creation of the Union Guard after an number of meeting with Minister Michel ‘Aflaq, Minister Salah al-Din al-Bitar, Minister Zaki al-Arsuzi , Minister Sati' al-Husri ,Minister Constantin Zureiq and Minister George Antonius. During these meeting it was agree that a more hardline stance must be taken against the Pan Islamic factions and to maintain the state at all cost. Therefore the logic was to create a Police Force with the powers of crushing all signs of rebellion without the permission of the court system.

Place holder for


RAID IN BAGHDAD
February 7th, 1938(damn i'm far behind the actuall time)

The 2 union Pilots that were kidnapped during the raid that on the Union Volunteer Group in Baghdad are being held by Rebels in a Mosque in Baghdad in the Shi'a part of the city. Nothing has been heard of them for some time but Union Schwarze Sauschwerter der Revolution agents have tracked them down. And have discovered they are being held in the Mosque so their Leader Otto Skornesky Hatches a plan and sends word back to Warsaw that he's going to need to "Borrow" a zeppelin. He assembles his assault team which consists of 8 Assault troops, 4 armed with MP-40's Silenced and the other 4 armed with STG-44's and both have Walther P-38's as backup. He also has 2 Sniper teams and a MG-34 Team.

The Snipers arrive a day before the raid and take up their positions providing surveillence on the Mosque. The commander of the Sniper Team, Vassili Zaitsev has the position covering the MG-42 tower and the southern half of the Mosque while his Partner, Simo Häyhä covered the north side.
They spent the whole day and following night watching the movements of the guards around the mosque and even identified the machine gun tower.

The night of the 8th the assault teams moves up on the mosque on board the UAS Gilgimesh(i used the prefix of Union Air Ship, if i'm wrong let me know)
The Gilgimesh is low and trailing smoke out of one of its engines to simulate that it is damaged and is flying Under 200 feet, it is also flying what looks like an erratic course to again look like its in distress. As it flys over the mosque it loses more altitutude and drops ropes onto the roof and 8 men rappel down them, With such a massive object over their mosque the MG-42 team is distracted and doesn't notice the men rappelling down, and neither do the sentries. they hit the roof with a light thud and two men teams(one MP-40 and one STG-44) begin moving out through the mosque searching, the ropes are jettisoned and the men move out. One team comes up to the tower and with knives they are able to kill both the Gunner and A Gunner without a sound, both with quick stabs from the side just behind the ear, severing the spinal cord.

The Other 6 men, led by a 6'4" Austrian named Skornesky search through the mosque, whenever the come across people a quick quiet burst from a Silenced MP-40 puts an end to their lives. They kill mostly clerics and other people that live and work at the mosque but they haven't come across any guards yet, then they run across two of the guards of the prisoners and get rid of them quickly. But they made enough noise that the guard inside the prisoners room brings up his American Made Thompson Submachine gun and starts firing.

His fire brings in the rest of SKornesky's team who kill him quickly, but only after he kills the Georgian Pilot and wounds the German in the leg. They bandage the German's wound and help him walk along with one of the teams.

His fire also alerts the sentries that all take up postion to guard all the entrances ready, and it wakes up the other 15 guards sleeping, who grab their weapons and leave their basement barracks to rush to the prisoners, They are in a large gaggle running full speed down the hall and they run headlong into skornesky's team and a fierce fire fight ensues. The better trained union troops are able to hold their own against numbers greater than theirs and are able to eventually win the firefight, though they suffered one dead and two wounded. They killed 10 of the Rebels, but in the confusion the Union agents assumed they got all the rebels and did not see the other five slip away.

The two snipers outside hear the firefight and both take out all four of the sentries, clearing the way for an escape. The assault team comes out the front door, and as they are moving towards the van, the 5 remaining rebels begin firing on them from windows of the mosque, the team burdened by the two bodies and three wounded are not able to move quickly, and most of the assault teams suffers one wound or another. The MG-34 team opens fire and is able to supress the rebels while Vassili Zaitsev is able to pick off 3 more.

The Team makes it to the van and is able to slip away and head for the nearest hospital where they identified themselves and received medical aide, under heavy guard.

6 Hours after the Raid, a flight of IL-2's from Baghdad take off, turn and drop their deadly cargo on the Mosque, bomb after bomb hit the mosque until it is completely leveled. It is a message sent to the Shi'a in areas that are not rebelling.

Batltle of KARBALA Part III

February 10th, 1938

With their troops in a bloody stalemate within the city, the MEU commander does the only thing he can think of that will help, he pours in more leg infantry. Currently there are 10,000 Rebels within the city, facing nearly 40,000 MEU soldiers. The MEU is still better equipped with tanks and half-tracks, but the urban enviroment and lack of air cover within the city is negating most of that advantage.

1700 hours
With new fresh forces, the MEU soldiers began another advance into the city, the fighting is brutal and house by house, but they are able to advance, taking heavy casualties from rebel snipers and Machine gun nests. But with all this fighting, rebel ammunition is starting to run dry. House by House, Street by Street, Block by Block. The fighting goes on well into the night and the next day, and the streets are starting to become full of dead Rebels and MEU soldiers lying side by side. The Artillery and Air Force are chomping at the bit to get involved and support the Infantry and Mech forces. But they are held back because the fighting has gotten very, very close to the Shi'a Holy sites within the city.

1300 Hours, Day 2
After non-stop fighting for nearly 24 hours, there is another lull, The rebel commanders look around and their leader Mirza Muhammad Riza make a decision to fall back into the holy sites during the Lull, Hole up there and make the MEU soldiers assault the Tombs and Mosques. Most of their forces have been eliminated they are left with 2500 effective fighters. The MEU forces have suffered greatly, losing over 25,000 in casualties(11,000 dead, 13,000 wounded, 1,000 missing). They too are exhausted from the fighting. The Street-to-Street fighting has taken a heavy toll on the attackers. Many tanks and half tracks clog the streets with their burning hulks, many more have fallen back outside of the city for repairs.


Having left behind a scattering of Machine gun nests and Snipers, the rest of the Rebels fall back onto their established positions, prepared to make an Alamo type defense.

1900 hours, with darkness falling, the MEU soldiers begin their assault, and find.......no one. None of the defensive positions the Rebels had been fighting in had anyone left, they were all abandoned. But then a shot rings out and officer goes down from a sniper hit. Fire is concentrated on where the shot comes from but the sniper slips away. This repeats itself with Snipers and Machine gun nests all over the city but still the advance is rapid and by daylight they had surrouned all the tombs and mosques, which now were cut off from each other. But the MEU commander is hesitant on ordering his forces into the Holy sites because he doesn't want to damage them. But he's also discovered nearly 500 Captured MEU soldiers throughout the city that have been executed, mostly with a simple stab into the throat or a bullet in the head. There are a few that are more gruesome. So the Commander is faced with a decision, attempt to negotiate a surrender on terms for the Rebels or storm their positions and probably destroy the holy sites.

He Telegrams back to command for instructions.

Place holder for


Assault on Qom

OOC: Huzzah! Indian troops get to see some action!

Time to do a current casualty count for Both the MEU and Rebels.(the Human Toll)

Rebels

Smaller scattered firefights and raids all across the country, too small to actually post as a battle
900 Dead
1000 Wounded, Missing and Captured

An-Nasiryah
1800 Dead
1400 Wounded, Missing and Captured

Shiraz
3500 Dead
500 Missing
200 wounded

Karbala(parts 1-3)
6000 Dead
3000 Wouned, Missing and captured

Total:
12,200 Dead
6,100 Wounded, Missing and Captured

MEU Casualties

Scattered Raids
2200 Dead
1400 Wouned, Missing and Captured

An-Nasiryah
1100 Infantry Dead
700 Wounded
400 Missing

Karbala(parts 1-3)
11,000 Dead
13,000 Wounded
1,000 Missing
500 Captured then Executed

Total
14,300 Dead
16,500 Dead Wounded or Missing


Figure one of your Mechanized Corps is now Disorganized and mauled and need reorganized and reinforced.