SWNOVELXO Chapter 43
Anton Denikin’s Southern Russian White Army moved systematically and swiftly.
It was like they were trying to reclaim their homeland. With a spirit high as the protector of Orthodoxy and heir to the Eastern Roman Empire, they entered Anatolia.
“What’s this? Why are those Russian bastards here?!”
“It’s an unstoppable army!”
The Turkish Grand National Assembly’s army was in despair.
Seeing the remarkably advancing troops crashing in like a wave left them utterly drained.
There was no concern for supplies from the Russian Army.
The insufficient transport ships and food were supported by the negotiating countries, and there was an abundance of German weapons confiscated from the French front that couldn’t reach Communist Germany.
They ruthlessly caught the Reds, intending to make the best of a situation that had already seen their elite forces get substantially beaten by now as they eyed the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
Greece, which had sought to protest against Russia, was so intimidated by the momentum of the White Army that they dared not speak and simply retreated.
And then…
The Turkish Grand National Assembly was tasting death.
“The Russian White Army, supported by the great powers, has crossed into Anatolia.”
“How many troops are there? They just finished their civil war, so they can’t mobilize too many, right?”
While they were concerned about the Russians, they thought it was moving too quickly. Could it really be possible to march in like this when they were so busy maintaining internal order?
The Turkish Grand National Assembly, unaware of Saint Anastasia and Russia’s circumstances, believed at least that Russia wouldn’t be able to intervene in this war.
“There are 200,000 armed with German weapons.”
The Grand National Assembly, believing they could achieve miraculous victories under worse conditions than actual history, thought they would soon gain independence.
But when the news came that 200,000 White Russians were appearing as enemies, the Assembly’s morale plummeted to the ground.
Did it really have to come to this?
What sin had the Ottoman Empire committed to be beaten and torn apart like this?
“Anton Denikin’s Russian White Army has halted its advance at Samsun.”
“There must not have been any engagement. Why did they stop?”
Samsun was currently a region without any defending troops.
Why had they halted there?
Of course, if they kept coming, Anton Denikin’s army would have fallen into guerrilla warfare, but presently they should have had the upper hand.
“Could they think it’s a trap?”
“What do we do now?”
The Grand National Assembly fell into chaos.
There was really no solution.
200,000 troops had been added to the enemy forces.
Moreover, the enemy was made up of the Slavic races always eyeing Ottoman Turkish land. They were truly implacable foes.
At this point, Kemal seriously began to ponder if he really hadn’t been doing well thus far.
Honestly, even if he gave up everything right here and now, wouldn’t he still be recorded in Turkish history?
Mustafa Kemal shook his head, rejecting such weak thoughts.
But it wasn’t over yet.
If he thought the Russians were just a bunch of idiots pushing with their numbers, there might be a little bit of a different scenario.
The problem was that even if it was an army pushing in solely with numbers, that alone was a threat. The Russian Army coming into Anatolia was no easy foe.
“General Ilyinuy. Do you think we can win?”
“Realistically, it’s impossible. What we’ve achieved so far has been nothing short of a miracle. And that’s only because of the supplies left by Italy.”
The army of the Grand National Assembly was barely holding on with the weapons left behind by Italy, who hadn’t received Dalmatia during the Great War due to dissatisfaction and had deserted.
And now, here came 200,000 Russian soldiers.
Not only did they come with sheer numbers, but they were well-equipped with the latest weaponry.
Whatever they obtained, the Russian soldiers dressed in German military gear quickly pushed into Anatolia, proudly proclaiming themselves as descendants of Rome.
They were the army that had been winning continuous victories against the internal Reds and was restoring the fallen Russia.
“If their numbers were just large, it might be one thing. But they’re an elite army that has been forged in civil war. They have ample supplies. It feels really tough for us to win.”
“I hear the negotiating countries have sent another proposal?”
As the Russian Army joined the fray, the negotiating countries sent a new offer.
Italy was out, and Greece had a newly revised proposal.
“Yes. They said they would hand over northern Turkey inhabited by Pontic Greeks and Eastern Thrace, including Constantinople, to Russia in exchange for preserving the central and southern territories of Anatolia.”
Aside from the territories of the old Eastern Roman Empire passing to Russia, they stated they would also acknowledge “some” of the land along the Sea of Marmara, which was scheduled for joint management by the League of Nations, as part of the new Turkey.
Of course, considering the islands in the Aegean would go to Greece and the territories divided up to Britain and France, including the Kurdish autonomy, it was bitter. But they managed to preserve territories compared to what had originally been divided.
Sure, the Russians would be robustly proclaiming themselves as the rightful heirs of Rome.
However, this meant that Turkey could never regain its former strength. But was there no way to survive?
They said they would ensure independence as long as they took all the land.
“It seems Russia is drooling.”
“And this is directly sent from the Russian side.”
“From the Russians?”
“They say it’s a letter from the Princess.”
Upon receiving Anastasia’s letter, Mustafa Kemal couldn’t shake off his uneasy feelings about reading it.
But that Princess Anastasia was someone who personally went about taking down Reds.
A figure that resolved national crises alongside him.
What kind of content would a battlefield goddess send in a letter?
Sure enough, it was a message demanding surrender—
“No way. Let’s talk things over?”
“Talk? The Russian Princess wants to talk?”
“Indeed.”
The content might be the same if they met, but they were still trying to have dialogue.
And apparently, avoiding the eyes of the great powers—could it mean they were looking for a compromise?
“It’s a trap. They must be planning to lure in and kill the general, right?”
“They say they’ll meet at Samsun.”
Of course, Anton Denikin’s army was indeed there, but all they were asking was to meet and talk.
So, how about meeting once?
Who knows? Maybe this side might come out differently.
* * *
At this moment, Atatürk was before me.
The one who gave the grand nickname “Mister Gallipoli” to Churchill.
A figure who rose as a hero of the Ottomans by crushing the negotiators’ armies at Gallipoli.
Who’d have thought I’d be seeing him in reality?
And of all places, in negotiations over the partition of the Ottoman Empire.
Personally, I’ve enjoyed the antics of those pirate bastards during World War I, watching them screw over Churchill.
“You’re meeting the Saint of All Russia. I am Mustafa Kemal.”
“To see the hero of Gallipoli and the Turkish War of Independence in this manner is indeed a pity.”
“If it’s a pity, then hand over your army. I know the Russians have had their fair share of civil war troubles.”
He had a very strong aura about him.
Well, it made sense.
Of course, they’d be hostile since he came trying to destroy them with a massive army.
Currently, the relationship between Korea and Turkey is okay, but isn’t it true that this world and the other are different?
Moreover, I’m the Russian princess.
The ties between Russia, which can be regarded as the heir to the Eastern Roman Empire, and the Ottomans, who destroyed the Eastern Roman Empire, surely wouldn’t be cordial.
Especially not in this situation.
“I’d like to, but it’s impossible. I’ve received considerable help from the great powers, so I would rather settle this matter appropriately. Of course, I’d also like to claim Constantinople for myself.”
“Istanbul.”
“It’s the land that the Ottoman Turks seized by force after destroying the Eastern Roman Empire. Originally, that land is holy Roman territory and thus would be known as Constantinople to those following us.”
To us, it’s Constantinople!
Who do you think you are, calling it Istanbul?
“Are you trying to pressure us by dragging out old tales?”
Kemal, who seemed to feel he might lose the argument, changed the subject.
Right, the main point is crucial.
He wants to skip talking about Constantinople and just get to the deal.
“Well, as the general says, since there are civil war losses, it’s a gamble to fight another war at a time when we should be looking after the people’s sentiments. That’s exactly why I’m here, to bring forth a new surrender proposal.”
“Is that even a statement?!”
It feels pretty bold here to think of fighting. Well, whatever. It’s fine. I’ll fight to the last one. That’s all well and good.
But you need a military to fight.
Not to mention, they have no weapons either.
“Do you have an army to fight? Are your supplies ample? If we firmly decide to cooperate with Britain and France and attack from both sides, can we endure that?”
There was no counterargument.
Yeah, that’s right. There’s really no way to argue back.
“We, the final Turkish people, will fight against the enemies until the last one.”
“That’s obvious. You’d rather scare the negotiating countries into submission, swearing that you’ll fight until everyone dies.”
The Turkish Grand National Assembly, alongside Kemal, stared at me like a deer caught in headlights, making them appear utterly dumbfounded.
What’s with this? We’re the rightful heirs of the Eastern Roman Empire, so we can face off against you with pride.
“Well, after a short while, once Kemal threw off his stunned expression, he tried to suppress his anger and continued.”
“If we surrender, all we’ll be left with is the central and southern Anatolia.”
“We can keep even the southern part. Before the Ottoman Turks all die. The Brits and the French need the title of your surrender now, right? Remember, it’s thanks to your defense that they’ve granted you this much?”
Aren’t we being much more merciful than the Ottomans, who destroyed the Eastern Roman Empire begging for their lives? At least they say they will keep the state intact.
If you think about it, it’s simple.
The Ottomans refused to tear themselves apart->Let’s destroy the Ottomans this time to show that the Great War was a victory for the negotiating countries->Oh, Kemal is putting up a cosmic defense? Let’s just accept his surrender for now. That’s how it is.
Britain will also have to catch the Ottomans in some way since they have to sell their points, and France likely has the smell of Communism rising from the waters; there’s no need to elaborate.
Thus, if Kemal of the Grand National Assembly holds out, they all die together.
However, it’s certainly going to be Turkey that dies.
At least the other great powers will preserve their national bonds regardless of the civil war or whatever. But Turkey? It’s really the end.
The Greeks of Pontus will become independent, and Kurdistan will also be independent.
Britain and France will take out their frustration on Turkey, between them.
“If it weren’t for those damned British, we wouldn’t even have a reason to get involved in that doggone war! They want us to bow down to them. Again!”
Atatürk jumped up from his seat and shouted.
Yeah, I know. That bastard Churchill rigged it with warships. The Ottomans must truly feel a grievance now.
Their pride scratched beyond repair.
But still.
Someday good days will come.
“Eventually, there will be opportunities, right?”
“Opportunities?”
“This war isn’t going to be the end. It wrapped up in such a terrible way and Germany is held by the Communists. At that time, our Russia could help bring back the shares taken by Britain and France.”
Surely, opportunities will come.
At that time, Britain and France will gather all their power to deal with the red plague called Germany. In the end, they’ll be able to keep only the mainland.
It’s akin to saying they’ll have to spit out the lands they’ve fattened up like pigs, just like in actual history.
Turkey will also be looking to reclaim its land.
And by then, isn’t it fine to just overlook it?