The Turkish army was definitely not crushed with one blow. The 50 brigades and 800,000 troops they formed were very combative, otherwise they would not have defeated the Greek army before and forced the Entente to agree to their terms.

And the reasons for this result are not complicated:

The German offensive was too fast and ferocious!

The unsuspecting army chooses a well-prepared army as its opponent, and the outcome can be imagined

On the 12th, in just one day, the Germans seized the positions on the outer line of Istanbul on all fronts without paying any price.

The 2nd and 3rd Turkish Corps were crowded in Istanbul.

The Luftwaffe didn't seem to have much interest in protecting the historic city, and they kept sending out planes to carry out the most frantic bombing of this historic city.

The bombs blasted Istanbul everywhere with flames, clouds of smoke rising from the ground, almost suffocating. The Turkish soldiers, who were fleeing everywhere, ran and shouted in despair

But the bombs still showed no mercy, and they kept falling.

General Goris was helpless.

In the face of the powerful German army, the Turks seemed to have no effective means of resistance, and the only thing they could do at this time was to beg when these hateful planes would be able to leave

The soldiers of the Turkish army, in the harsh environment of the ancient Anatolian plateau, were indeed trained, and they possessed strong fighting qualities. However, in the face of the artillery bombardment of the opponent's absolute superiority, their military qualities on land could not be reflected at all.

If the Germans had taken advantage of the situation at this time to attack, perhaps the Turkish soldiers would have been able to strike a blow. But that's not the case

In the Imperial Division of the German Army in Istanbul, Wang Weiyi has been following the development of the war situation.

Relying only on bombing, without immediately putting infantry into service, may seem like a waste of time, but judging by the entire Turkish battle, it saved the war time.

Wang Weiyi is only ready to launch an attack on Istanbul once!

Solve the battle at once!

That night, two divisions of the Wehrmacht also arrived at the battlefield. This made Wang Weiyi's confidence more and more increased.

The combat qualities of the Wehrmacht, in no way faster than the SS, on the contrary. Their military discipline was stricter, and although the commander lacked a kind of fanaticism, he had more composure and calmness.

Wang Weiyi is already sure that the battle for Istanbul will be ended in the shortest possible time

At night, the bombardment did not stop in the slightest. On the contrary, there is a tendency to intensify.

The bombing continued all night. Fires and explosions tormented Istanbul.

It was not until the 13th that the bombing showed a slight weakening trend

Marshal Goris and his soldiers breathed a long sigh of relief, and although they had suffered heavy losses in such a bombardment, they could finally get some time to recover.

Unbeknownst to them, however, this was only the beginning of a larger war

In the early morning of July 13, 1973, Ernst. Marshal Bram concentrated all the artillery that could be concentrated, and the position of the muzzle:

Istanbul!

The SS is ready to go! The Wehrmacht is ready to go!

The tank roared again. The soldiers were in high spirits.

An unstoppable torrent that will soon drown it all!

For Germany - Attack!

４：３０。

Ernst. The marshal's scepter in Marshal Bream's hand tapped forward. Like a wand in the hand of a wizard, it opens up a magical aura that can devour everything:

- Begin!

Countless German artillery pieces roared, and in an instant, the whole of Istanbul was completely enveloped!

It's a day that makes the Turks tremble!

This is also the day that makes Istanbul tremble

Shells rained down on Istanbul, and the Turkish army, which had not yet recovered from the previous aerial bombardment, fell back into the worst nightmare at this moment

Burn – Istanbul!

Burn – Turkey!

In the continuous explosions, Wang Weiyi stood straight, he remained as motionless as a statue.

On his face, there was no expression in sight, but by his side, he could feel the powerful power of victory!

The German generals were so confident of victory at this moment.

There is Ernst. With Marshal Bream by his side, all victories will not be a dream.

"George. General Kepler. ”

"Yes, Marshal."

"Will your Imperial Division be the first to enter Istanbul?"

"Yes, I promise, Marshal."

"Do you have the confidence to meet the enemy's brutal street fighting? Just like in Moscow? ”

George. Kepler silenced the battle of Moscow, which was always a scar on the heart of the German army.

Wang Weiyi knew this very well, and he knew that if he wanted to erase this scar, it would have to end with a new battle of Moscow. But not now.

Sooner or later, he will personally help the German soldiers heal the biggest scar in their hearts

"George. General Kepler. Wang Weiyi said slowly: "Istanbul is not Moscow, the Turks are not Russians, and they are far from ready for the most brutal street fighting." So, the victory is already in your hands. ”

"Yes, marshal, I am willing to die for Germany."

Wang Weiyi smiled and shook his head: "No, you are wrong, a general, you shouldn't say such things." George. What I need is for you, General Kepler, to win victory after victory for Germany! ”

"Yes, Marshal!"

Wang Weiyi's face sank: "I ordered the 2SS Imperial Division to act as the vanguard of the whole army and launch an attack on Istanbul. 1st SS Adolf. Hitler's Guard Flag Division, as the second echelon of the attack. Wehrmacht 109th, 116th Armored Infantry Divisions. and at the same time launched an attack on Istanbul"

After speaking, he took a deep breath: "My generals, go and win." ”

When the order is given. The most memorable day in Istanbul has arrived

Forward - SS! Forward - Wehrmacht! Forward - Germany!

6:30 on the 13th.

After two hours of artillery preparation, the German 1SS Reich Division, amid the roar of tanks, launched a full-scale assault on Istanbul.

The battle for the capture of Istanbul has begun!

The shells ruthlessly destroyed any obstruction in front of them, and the tongues of fire from the machine guns swept through everything they could see.

The German soldiers accompanying the tank moved forward in an orderly manner.

The assault guns began to clear the positions that had been blown up a long time ago.

This torrent of steel. He opened his mouth for the most terrible blood, and tasted their results one by one

The Turks were by no means without resistance, after they came to their senses from the bombardment. He threw himself into the battle to defend Istanbul without hesitation.

But the difference in strength is very obvious.

In total, there were only 120 tanks in the whole of Istanbul, the vast majority of which were old tanks that were completely backward in firepower and armor.

Their artillery was even more scarce

The only tanks and artillery pieces were destroyed by the previous continuous artillery fire.

Under the impact of the powerful armor of the German army. They were unable to provide more support to the infantry.

However. The bravery of their infantry is still breathtaking.

The soldiers bred in the ancient Anatolian plateau were valiant and skillful, and most of them were willing to fight to the end for their young republic.

They went forward one after another, using their flesh and blood to fight the enemy's powerful armor again and again. Numerous times they rushed to enemy tanks with explosives bags.

Under the combined strafing of German machine guns and submachine guns, these Turks used the corpses of their comrades as cover, and constantly returned fire with the pitiful firepower in their hands.

This is also a very important reason why they were able to defeat the Greek army before:

Will, spirit!

But. In such a war, victory cannot be achieved by relying on will and spirit alone

In the era of cold weapons, human lives were exchanged for victory. Now it seems so humble in front of the mighty net of fire.

Moreover, Turkey did not have as many legions as the Soviet Union to fight a brutal war of attrition.

From the very beginning of the battle of Istanbul, they lost too many men.

Bodies can be seen everywhere, and the roads of Istanbul are so appalling with blood

The casualties were getting bigger and bigger, the German tanks were becoming more and more unscrupulous, they were frantically blowing up everything in front of them, and the German soldiers who followed them were advancing smoothly.

A whole company and battalion of Turks were killed, and Istanbul was completely turned into a big purgatory.

The commanders of the Turkish army are now in chaos, what should they do in the face of such a situation?

It was clear to everyone that in the face of the Germans, the fall of Istanbul was only a matter of time

But they can't retreat, and the battle has just begun, so should they abandon here?

Besides, the Germans would never let the Turks leave Istanbul so easily

Similarly, Marshal Goris was helpless.

He now finds that his orders are gradually becoming invalid, not that the officers and soldiers below are unwilling to carry them out, but that his orders cannot be conveyed to the troops at all!

In Istanbul, which is in the midst of war, the situation is developing towards a serious negative side for the Turks.

Marshal Goris seemed to see the demon of defeat giving a terrible grin above his head!

Istanbul is burning in the flames of war! (To be continued......)