Ottomans 1913 Onward

[miketr]

TOP SECRET
General Staff Eyes Only

Report on the future of the Ottoman Imperial Army

State of the Imperial Army after the War

At the start of the conflict the army consisted of nine baseline infantry corps.  The make of the infantry was two elite, three active and four reserves.  Also there were five baseline cavalry and two baseline mountain corps all active.  In addition there were twenty corps equivalents in thirteen defensive lines and seven fortress complexes; all dated and in reserve status.  Nine of fortified lines and one of the fortress complexes were in the Balkans.

The results of the war were very harsh on the imperial army following reorganization and consolidation.  All the fortifications in the Balkans were lost and consolidated into six dated light infantry corps with another brigade (20% corps) of equipment.  The infantry corps' were after consolidation four baseline infantry corps and one division (46% corps).  All told the Imperial army lost 2.5 infantry corps, 3.8 corps worth of fortress infantry and the entire fortress infrastructure itself in the Balkans; over 300,000 men lost.

Effectiveness of Imperial Army

Observation aircraft and balloons provided good service especially as the attackers possessed none of these themselves. 

Special Weapons functioned very well on the Hapsburg forces.

Fortress Belgrade withstood siege just over a month and a half.  The defenses of the city were not breached and the city surrendered because of lack of supplies to feed the civilian population.  The fortified lines were breached in multiple locations; sometimes within a few hours.  Insufficient regular infantry to support the lines caused the lines to be abandoned and the fortress troops to fight as mobile infantry; a task that they lacked the equipment and training for.  Failure of the defensive lines was due to the fortifications not being able to face modern artillery in addition to the noted problems after a breach occurred. 

The line infantry served well even though they were out numbered and distracted by revolts in rear areas.

Upgrade and Reconstruction Costs

The new effective western border of the empire in the Balkans runs between from the shores of the Aegean along the Struma River for a length of 120 km.  To construct a new fortified line to acceptable standards (advanced which is beyond the empires current tech base also) would cost $60 and 4.5 BP.  Accepting building a line to baseline standard would cost $48 and 3 BP.  Making use of three of the former fortress infantry corps formations would save an estimated $6 and 0.75 BP to either task. 

The other option would be to retrain the former fortress infantry as specialists infantry or line infantry.  Each corps would cost $6 and 0.75 BP to update to baseline status for a total of $36 and 4.5 BP.  To update to Line Infantry would not be cost effective and would be better to disband and raise entire new formations from scratch at a cost of $8 and 1 BP each. 

There is also the matter of what to do with the other six fortress commands (four covering the Turkish Straits, one covering Kars and one covering Baghdad) and along with four fortified lines (one along the Suez Canal and three more in the Caucasus Mountains supporting Kars).  To update these to modern standards would be massively expensive; $4 and 0.75 BP each for a total of $24 and 4.5 BP.  Judging by the results of the Balkan War the fortified lines unless heavily updated or supported by mobile infantry will be of dubious value.  The cost to upgrade the lines would be $4 and 0.5 BP each.  The Suez line because its distance from population centers and resupply is pointless even to upgrade.  Also it is questioned as to whether the straits need 24 citadels to defend them.

Economic State of the Empire

The war cost empire 8 million people and as the lost territories were highly developed 16 million Lira out of a pre-war tax receipt of 71 million Lira; 20% drop in population and 23% drop in income with 19% loss of heavy industry (1.75 BP lost for a new total of 7.25 BP). 

With the new economic reality funds for the military will be very tight and the navy has its own costs.  To maintain the army at its pre-war level of funding would cost 32% of current total tax receipts. 

Conclusions

It is clear that a new military strategy is needed and costs must reflect the current state of the economy.  As such the following changes will be made.

The number of fortress citadels covering the Straits will be reduced from twenty four to eight; two to cover each of the four sides of the straits.  The Suez defense line will be abandoned.  All the surplus defenses will be demolished to recover arms, munitions and other items of use.  Kars-Caucasus defenses will remain in place as will the Baghdad defenses.  The total number of Corps level commands will be reduced from thirty-six pre-war to twenty-four post-war.

Seven Janissary (four active, two reserve and to eventually to establish two new reserve corps from scratch).

Ten Light formations (two active cavalry, three reserve cavalry, two active alpine, and three former fortress troops to be retrained as desert specialists in reserve for the time being) 

Kars-Caucasus Defense region to be made up the Kars Fortress and three fortified lines; with the later to be upgraded at some point if funds allow.  All to be kept in reserve statys

Baghdad Fortress in reserve status.

Turkish Strait Defenses of one corps equivalent in reserve status

0.46 Line Infantry Corps, Baseline Tech go into storage pending reformation of infantry corps.
3.2 Specialist Corps, Pre-Primitive Tech (the ex fortress infantry) level go into storage
     
         
As funds allow modern air units should be aquired and additional chemical weapons.
             

[Guinness]

A conversation in the halls of the Naval Ministry of the Ottoman Empire in Istanbul:

The Admiral: "Have you seen this report of the naval conference in Richmond? Were we even invited?"

His Chief of Staff: "I wouldn't say invited, no. The Confederates seem to have just sort of announced it, then made sure the major building powers were there. It seems the Sublime Porte saw no point in participating, considering our meager shipbuilding resources and your recommendation against any immediate large ship construction."

The Admiral: "Quite so, still I think we look on this in interest. If the Iberians and Austrians see fit to limit themselves in construction somehow, and we aren't party to such an agreement, it might present an opportunity."

His Chief of Staff: "Admiral, let me please remind you of the results of the latest war games."

The Admiral: "Yes, yes, I know. For defense, submarines, torpedo boats, coast defense guns, and mines. Still, sooner or later we have to retire old battleships, and at least some at the Palace will ask what we'll replace them with. Please reinforce the importance of current information on these treaty negotiations. Are the Dutch there? Can they let us know what's really going on? We should work up some concepts of designs should the treaty be enacted, based on the assumption that we won't be signatories."

[Guinness]

August 1919

A call filters out to the Ottoman Navy requesting volunteers for service in "the most selective and elite branches of the Imperial Navy".

In the Captain's quarters of the old armored cruiser Haifa, a Commander from Istanbul meets with the Commanding Officer for a conversation that is repeated all over the Imperial Navy.

"Thank you for your time Captain."

"Yes, what can I do for you Commander... I'm sorry I didn't catch your name." The Captain replied.

"No, you didn't." The Commander smiles broadly.

Haifa's Captain looked sourly at the Commander for a moment then shrugged slightly. The Commander slipped the recruiting notice across the table and took a sip of his tea.

"Yes, I've heard of this mysterious recruiting drive. We've made the required announcements and posted your flyer in prominent locations." The Captain picked up his own tea and sat back in his chair.

"Yes, Captain, you have fulfilled your orders so far. Istanbul will be satisfied with that. I'm rather here about a few specific members of your crew." He slides another piece of paper across the table, one with the names of 12 officers and petty officers on it. The Captain scans it quickly. "My superiors would very much prefer if these men were to volunteer for our purposes."

"These are some of my best, most promising young officers, and these two are probably my best men." He slid the sheet back to the Commander.

"Yes, Captain, we understand that this request may be an imposition. I can only assure you that the services of these men are needed for a program that is the top priority of the Imperial Navy. Haifa, will be at the front of the line when backfilling these postings, I can assure you."

[Guinness]

Late late 1919

Many of the major naval builders of the world, including France, the CSA, the Normans, Japan, the DKB, NS, Orange, the ESC and of course the Dutch are approached by the Ottoman Navy, which is interested in the possible construction of one or more coast defense ships overseas, to begin the long process of updating the Ottoman battleline.

The Ottomans are not coy in these enquiries, and have only left out their likely adversaries in any future Crusade and those nations closest allies. They propose possible construction of an entire class over time, or simply a prototype to be duplicated later. Such a ship would either use weapons already in Ottoman inventory (largest gun is a 12"L45), or guns of the designers manufacture, however in the latter case, a licensing deal for construction of those guns would need to be part of the deal.

The Ottoman Empire awaits proposals.

(I'm also making a thread in new ships.)

[Guinness]

Note, I posted this, then read this: http://www.navalism.org/index.php?topic=3281.msg59759#msg59759

It seems the secret is out...

Late May, 1919

The crew of D-15 seemed in a good mood, as they prepared to set out on their first real shakedown cruise. The shipyard works who were still aboard looked decidedly more worried...

The Captain, Oruç was a little bit worried himself. The first few members of the D-1 class, the first submarines built and operated by the Ottoman Navy, had managed to get into service with only a few teething problems. No doubt the technical assistance of the Dutch had contributed to their success, but such was the pace of production that many of the engineering fixes from the first few had to be applied to later boats of the class even after they had been launched. The pace of improvement was such that the next boat laid down after D-15 was receiving diesel propulsion. And then of course there was the matter of deciding to ship the major components of D-15 to Ar Ru'ays in the Persian Gulf for assembly. It made Oruç nervous.

So he'd decided that for his shakedown, he'd try to stay close enough to land to make it feasible that if they all abandoned ship, they'd survive. Still he also needed to exercise the crew, so simply cruising for an afternoon out into the Gulf, diving, surfacing, and cruising home wouldn't be good enough. And so in the wardroom, he unrolled a chart for his officers and the Chief of the Boat.

"I think maybe we need to stretch our legs a bit." He traced a course to the Straights of Hormuz, then down along the coast of Oman. "Here at Masirah, we can simulate a reconnaissance mission. Cruise in to the 3 mile limit submerged, observe through the periscope, and leave." The officers and chief all nodded. A sufficient challenge for their green crew.

Preparations to leave took the better part of the day. Two of the shipyard men would be joining them, just in case of defect. The inside of the boat smelled strongly of petrol.

The little boat cruised on the placid waters of the gulf, through the Straights of Hormuz (taking care to stay in the internationally recognized channel), then they turned, just over the horizon from the Oman coast. Captain Oruç had his men do a series of man overboard and abandon ship drills, then practiced resolving firing solutions against fixed objects and the occasional merchant they passed. The referred frequently to the translated Dutch submarine operations manual.

It was the morning of June 1, though, when the trip got more exciting. Oruç was waiting in his stateroom until the watch changed, at which point he planned an emergency diving drill (the better to catch the men out of place), when the call came down from the conning tower: "Captain above! Warship sited!"

Oruç scrambled up the ladder and grabbed the binoculars from the young Lieutenant keeping watch. "Looks like maybe a torpedo boat of some sort, definitely not one of ours." (Like Oruç, the young Lieutenant had left a torpedo boat squadron when he'd volunteered for submarines.)

"Think they see us?" Oruç peered through the binoculars. The Torpedo Boat was quite some distance away, and the little submarine was low in the water. Seas were about 1 meter, maybe a meter and a half. There had been a small storm the day before.

"The sun is behind us. If I were on that bridge I'd have a hard time seeing us."

Oruç thought for a moment, before calling down the ladder. "Chief, dive the boat!"

Inside an alarm sounded. The Chief, who'd been privy to today's training plan, assumed this was the planned emergency dive, and with a great amount of barked orders, valves were turned, switches were thrown, and the boat was prepped for a dive. Oruç came sliding down the ladder.

"Unknown warship sited. Bearing 250. Range 6 kilometers. Chief dive the boat, take us to periscope depth. And Chief, this is not a drill." The Chief nodded his understanding, and relayed the orders.

"Navigator, what is our position?" Oruç looked toward the chart table.

"Sir, we are 32 kilometers North-East of Masirah."

The diving officer reported: "Sir, we are at periscope depth."

Oruç issued a new order. "Come about to port, make your heading 040. Up scope."

Oruç peered through the scope. He couldn't see much. "Make revolutions for 3 knots." He made his way to the chart table, a trip of barely 1.5 meters that required squeezing past the bodies of several crew. "What did you make the course of that ship to be?"

The young Lieutenant that had been standing watch leaned over the chart table. "We had about a port quarter view of him I think." He traced his finger on the chart. "Maybe close to parallel to our course, given bearing and range? Masirah?"

Oruç thought for a moment. "There's not many other places to go around here this close to the coast. If he was headed for Djibouti, I'd expect him to be a bit further out to sea, no? Let's try to get in close and get a look. Chief, make our course.... 075."

The crew sat for nearly an hour in silence as D-15 inched closer.

"Up scope!" The periscope slid up, piercing the sea again. Oruç peered into it and did one slow complete revolution.

"Aye, I've got a good look at him now." He motioned for the Lieutenant to take a look. "Same boat, no?"

"Yes sir. Broadside view. Is that a Swiss flag she's flying?" The Captain took another look. "I think so, good eyes Lieutenant. Now, if you will, plot a firing solution.

The process of plotting the solution took several minutes. It was good practice for the green crew. The Captain was just about to pull down the scope and prepare to retire, when...

"Sir, I see something else." The Lieutenant looked away from the scope. "A mast I think. Different."

The Captain looked again. "Is that a cage mast? Hand me that recognition guide." A thick book was brought down off the shelf. It was in Dutch, but someone had added annotations to each illustration in Osmandl and Arabic.

He looked once more. "Could be Swiss, Honolulu class." He ordered course set and the scope brought down. "Let's try to get in closer to that one. What's our battery level? "85% sir." was the reply. "Make revolutions for 7 knots then, please."

Some time later, the scope went up again. The Chief whispered in the Captain's ear. "Sir, we should be cautious, if they spot our periscope... we do not know what these ships are doing here." The Captain looked up. "Yes, of course. We'll be quick."

He peered through again, and made a slow revolution. "I now see several ships. The cruiser we saw before. I think we can certainly say she's Swiss. And something bigger. Possibly a battleship, more masts on the horizon." He estimated the course and speed of the cruiser. Then ordered: "Mark this bearing! Down scope."

He had the crew do a firing solution on the cruiser, then ordered a simulated torpedo attack. The crew was slow and sloppy. Nonetheless, it had been good practice. Oruç ordered the boat to turn away. "Once out of visual range, we'll surface and try to transmit this spotting with the wireless. We've got to call this one in!" He was grinning.

[Guinness]

June 6, 1919

It was not until the morning of June 4 that the word of D-15's reached the Ottoman Navy's offices in Istanbul. It was not until the evening of June 6, after that day's Ramadan fasting, and during the Iftar that the Sultan was informed.

"Swiss ships! Off Oman! When was this?"

"Your Highness, one of our new submarines, on a shakedown cruise, sighted them, but its wireless set is quite short ranged, and it takes some time for messages to be relayed here from the Gulf." The Sultan's Naval Minister reported.

The Sultan just sniffed.

"Your Highness, Military Intelligence is preparing a report now. I think we must prepare ourselves for the possibility that the Swiss are preparing an invasion of Oman, or worse, in league with the Omanis, toward what end I could only guess."

The Sultan shook his head. "We've been friendly with Swiss lately. Surely if they were up to something with Oman, or against Oman, they would have informed us, no?"

"The Swiss are not trustworthy, sire." The Minister paused and chose his words carefully. "You, in your infinite wisdom had amble reasons to do business with them of late, but we should be careful not to trust them too much. They have shown themselves to be duplicitous, and they are, after all, non-believers."

"I'll await the intelligence report. While I wait, assemble the Generals and Admirals. I want to know what options we'd have if war breaks out in Oman."


Footnote: It deserves elucidation that the Ottomans are ignorant both that the Romanians have leased Masirah from Oman, and that they have apparently sub-leased it to the Swiss. As far as they know, Masirah is still Omani controlled.

[Guinness]

August 1919

It has been well known to the locals for generations that there are petrochemical reserves in the vicinity of Kirkuk at a site known as Baba Gurgur, where an eternal flame has burned as long as anyone can remember.

It is only recently that Ottoman and Dutch exploration efforts have born fruit in this area, and many have come to believe that a substantial oil supply may lie there.

So, the Ottomans are now interested in developing this resource. They have not the capital nor the technology to exploit it alone. Royal Dutch Shell (and by proxy the Dutch government) has been invited to bid to do the job, and while the Sultan is happy with his Dutch friends, he sees the opportunity to further his nation's wealth and prestige by inviting other bidders as well.

Accordingly, requests for proposals are circulated to a number of oil companies, both nationalized and private, including those of French, Dutch, Norman, ESC, CSA, Orange, and Russian origin, and since word travels fast, others undoubtedly hear about it quickly. Unsolicited bids will not be rejected.

OOC: The proposal would be a more or less standard foreign IC investment situation in Mesopotamia, possibly with an additional royalty paid the Ottomans. It is expected that the railroad from Anatolia to Baghdad will have to be completed, and it is likely that a railroad and a pipeline from Kirkuk to Baghdad to Basra will be required. The benefit to the investor(s) would be an in-character supply of oil for their national endeavors for some time to come, as well as the fruits of all this IC investment. I also expect that some sort of Treaty will be required.

For background, one can start here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_Petroleum_Company. Note that dates have moved up a little bit. I'm justifying this by the lack of World War 1.

[Guinness]

August 2 1919

The following note is circulated by Ottoman ambassadors and envoys to the governments of the belligerents in the 2nd Rift War as well as regional neighbors:

In the interest of maintaining peace and prosperity on the Arabian Peninsula by preventing the spread of the current conflict across the Sea from Africa, the Ottoman Empire has offered to guarantee the sovereignty and territory of the Sultanate of Oman against any and all foreign aggression.

While negotiations continue on certain detail points of an agreement to cement this guarantee, all powers should be aware that from this point forward any act of war perpetrated on the Sultanate of Oman will be considered to be an act of war perpetrated against the Ottoman Empire, and the Empire will react accordingly.

OOC Note: I'm posting this as the player for the Ottoman Empire, not as a Mod. Oman is the province of the Mods. Accordingly, we've designated Maddox to act and speak for Oman in this matter. So please send any barbs, complaints, or enticing offers meant for the Sultan of Oman directly to Maddox.

[maddox]

Predating august 2 1919

Oh Sultan, the Istanbul Behemoth has looked upon the Masirah Situation. And didn't like it.

In the interest of maintaining peace and prosperity on the Arabian Peninsula by preventing the spread of the current conflict across the Sea from Africa, the Ottoman Empire has offeres to guarantee the sovereignty and territory of the Sultanate of Oman against any and all foreign aggression.

The lease of the desert island of Masirah to the small insignificant European country Romania was a stroke of genious. The means provided by that increased your prestige and power.
Unfortunatly Allah did avert his wellwishing view upon us,and that gave our Mullahs reason to investigate why. And that was ,according to the mullah's, deducted easely. The Romanians, believers of the old book, were ,of course duped, misled children they are, by satans beloved, the accursed New Swiss.
Our reluctance to rectify the situation early, just like delaying cutting off a gangrenous limb, is proving deadly.

Oh Sultan, please, if we want to rectify for the sins we committed, we have to act deceisive. We, your humble advisors have following suggestions.

• send a plea for support to the Orange Republic, and rectify the Masirah situation that way
• ask the other Islamitic powers to safeguard Omani independence against the corrupt ottomans, we suggest The Mughal Empire, Firenj and Egypt. Even The Netherlands,  Italia or France are acceptable these mighty nations have a sizable group of true believers and ain't surpressing them. 

Why isn't New Switserland included in that last list? it seems they are having a serious group of true believers to, and ain't repressing them either.

Sire, from the moment New Switserland became involved, the situation spiraled out of hand. Battles with huge warmachines, killing 100's of men in seconds. Winged doom casts shadows over the landscape. And all that in less than a fortnight.

Nonetheles, Allah dictates that allies can be found in strange nooks and crannies. Didn't Mohammed find shelter with the Jews of Medina when times were lean and difficult?
Mohammed wasn't reluctant of finding shelter at strange places, and look at Medina now. A holy city in a corrupt area.
Do as I say, let us look for alternatives, otherwise we just could give our souls to the Istanbul Behemoth.

Your wish is our command  Oh Sultan.

[maddox]

 End August 1919

Oh Sultan, at least 1 country of believers has send promising messages.
Egypt has told our envoy they are willing to support faithfull Oman, but they wish time to prepare to make their statement.

That is good news My brother.

With the news from the Netherlands, and even the complete heathens from the east, we can assume we're riding a wave of Allahs best wishes.

[Guinness]

Early October

Interested observers in Constantinople take note that a large delegation of Dutch diplomats, led by the ambassador and Naval attache call on Dolmabahçe Palace early in the morning, and leave grim faced a short time later.

Not more than an hour after the Dutch departure, a group of Ottoman naval officers arrives by motorcade, and moves at near doubletime into the Palace. Shortly after, all but the most ranking of these officers is observed outside the palace gates, simply milling about. It takes several hours before the Admiral is seen leaving. He barks a terse order to the other officers, and all then pile back into the motor cars and leave at what must be considered an irresponsible speed.

[Guinness]

Just a bit later...

Since there has been disagreement of late on public vs. private and OOC vs. IC information, I'll state explicitly this is IC, but private, and unlikely to become knowledge of anyone else, at least for now.

Talat Pasha was nervous. Even he, a Vizier and a member of the Divan, in addition to his responsibilities as Minister for the Able and Vigorous Defense of the Empire and all Realms Therein, he'd rarely had an audience with the Sultan alone, as he'd been told to expect now. Generally only the Grand Vizier was able to talk to the Sultan in such confidence. As the doors to the audience chamber opened for him, he did his best to put on a face of confidence as he entered, bowing, before kneeling before the shriveled figure of Sultan Abdul Hamid II.

The Sultan spoke first, as was customary, in a shrill and raspy voice. "Mahmud Shevket Pasha* has just left me. He told me the most disturbing things. Things, schemes he tells me you have orchestrated." He coughed several times. Then he motioned for Talat to stand up. "Explain."

"Your Highness and most Beloved Emporer, I must only assume you speak of our invasion of Oman..."

The Sultan cut Talat off: "No, I fully well understand the Omani situation. I gave the Sultan in Muscat ample time and warning to resolve the situation on that silly little island in the Arabian Sea. He needed to be taught a lesson on the limits of his own latitude and power." Another coughing fit, then recovering: "No I mean whatever it is you have been up to with the Dutch and this business in Aden. Did you mean to try to start a war with the French and Germans too?"

Talat thought quickly. "Your highness, I understand that Istanil Pasha** was here earlier today as well. His... appraisal of the situation may not take into account all the facts. Kaptan Abdullah Pasha*** had explicit orders, drafted by myself. It seems, from the reports that we've received that he exceeded those orders. At no point in those orders was he instructed to go near Aden. I can only assume he let the Dutch dictate the planned course, and allowed them to escalate the situation."

The Sultan thought for a moment. He expected full well that Talat, an inveterate schemer was lying.

The Sultan: "The Dutch Ambassador, I understand feels differently. He communicated that the feint toward Aden was all our idea." The Sultan looked at Talat inquisitively.

Talat feigned ignorance, knowing that the Sultan knew better: "I know nothing of a planned diversion toward Aden."

The Sultan: "The Dutch Ambassador also tells us of certain radio broadcasts made by our ships near Djibouti, which they believe were meant as a signal to the New Swiss to attempt an escape from the Rift Sea."

Talat: "On this, I'm also, sadly ignorant. I can only assume that all these actions were the result of the Kaptan Pasha's orders. It was he personally and his office that planned the operation directly with the Dutch Naval Attaché."

The Sultan sat quietly for a moment. Talat thought: Will he call me on this? Talat began to consider his options in case he did. Maybe it was time for a new Sultan.

The Sultan coughed and then spoke again. "You are quite sure that the Katpan Pasha overstepped his orders and is behind this scheme?"

"Yes your highness. It is the only explanation."

"Then he must be recalled. We cannot be drawn into war with the Papists now, when we aren't ready. I'm surprised that the bloodthirsty Austrians haven't already crossed our frontier. Go and attend to your duties, but no more scheming with the Dutch by anyone! Get them to sign that treaty for oil development, and then keep them at arm's reach."

"And Masriah, your Highness?"

The Sultan waved his hand. "I care not for a sandy island in the middle of nowhere. Now go, I have need to draft a letter to the Sultan of Oman. Now that we've occupied it, I need to come to an agreement with him about what we'll do with it."


*    The Grand Vizier
**  The Second highest ranking officer of the Ottoman Navy, subordinate but loyal to Kaptan Abdullah Pasha. Istanil is the Chief of Staff of the Ottoman Navy's equivalent to the Admiralty, and as such is also in command of the various shore installations in and around Constantinople.
*** The honorific "Kaptan" is given to the man in overall command of the Ottoman Navy. Generally this is a desk job in Constantinople, but when major forces sortie and see action, it is expected that the Kaptan Pasha will sail with them, and lead from the front.  When that happens, he essentially is forced to leave his chief of staff behind to hold the fort.

[maddox]

Current events.

The Omani Sultan, in his palace, surrounded by his advisors is reading a letter, getting paler by the minute. And then he explodes into a unprecedented fit of anger.

OUT, YOU INCOMPETENT GET OF A CAMEL AND A PIG.  YOU UNWASHED BOILS ON AN ASS'S ASS.
If you had done your jobs better and faster you would have retained your jobs.  If you all don't dissapear from my view, I will have you all castrated and given to the Ottoman Kaliph.

Amar, you stay, and get my reply to the courrier that brough me this letter from my new overlord.  And if you're in the Ottoman encampment, ask the colonel to join me for dinner. Maybe I can placate him, and avoid more damage to our beautifull country.

[Guinness]

December 1919

It was a strange sight, the line of western style commodes lined up on the dock in Ar Ru'ays.

"Why are we doing this again?" A common seaman named Mushin asked no one in particular.

"I guess officers don't want to have to sit down when they take a crap!" another one shouted as he dropped yet another toilet on the dock.

"Pipe down! Orders are orders, we're to get these ships read to move to Istanbul. Get on with it." Chief Petty Officer Tabib had to turn away immediately to hide his own smile. The toilet thing was silly. It was good enough to just throw wider planks along the troughs in the enlisted men's heads, wasn't it?

On board one of the slowly rusting hulks, more serious work was taking place, as a young engineering officer was down in the boiler room, inspecting the machinery, and writing up little labels translating what the nobs, wheels and dials meant from their original language to (low) Turkish.

"You can read that?" A seaman asked Lt. Demir.

"Yes, time spent studying abroad seems to have benefitted me. It's not all that different from Dutch, really. If I'd known I was going to end up crawling around in the dank works of someone else's old cruisers, I don't know that I would have volunteered though."

The seaman nodded, then hit is head on a pipe. Rubbing, he pointed and asked what the label said.

"Feedwater return." He scribbled madly then handed the new label and some tape to the seaman. "Stick that up there."

"So will you be sailing with us then?" the inquisitive seaman asked. "Yes, I assume so, I've received no new orders." Demir replied.

Weeks later, the little squadron of three ships and the two little Tophane class tugboats sent over from Jeddah set sale mid way through a bright and clear morning. (Most mornings in Ar Ru'ays are bright and clear). The tugboats were along in case any of their charges encountered problems their skeleton crews couldn't handle. None of the enlisted men gave into the common urge to ask the officers if they'd enjoyed their morning crap on their brand new squat toilets.

Down in the engine rooms, the crews felt fortunate that they had labels they could use to make sense of the mess. Fortunately the guages were all metric, which helped. "Had this been a Norman ship! Or worse, Confederate American!" Demir was heard to exclaim. The order came down from the bridge via the voice tubes, not the telegraphs: make revolutions for 8 knots. "How much steam is that?" The seaman at the steam wheel asked Demir.

"I don't know, we'll find out I guess." He replied.

[Guinness]

As news of the unrest in Ukraine reaches Constantinople, the Imperial machinery lurches into action. On January 14 leaves are canceled for units manning coast defense positions in the vicinity of the Turkish Straits, and ships stationed in the Straits and in ports on the Black Sea and at Izmir are ordered to maintain readiness such that they may be prepared to steam in no more than two days.

The Empire will inform any nation that inquires that it intends to maintain neutrality in any hostilities in Central and Eastern Europe. Accordingly, the following announcement is circulated among the various foreign missions to the Sublime Porte:

The Straits will remain open to all shipping, including military shipping, subject to the normal requirements and limitations required to assure safe passage for all ships. Non-warship carrying ammunition or other explosive goods should declare themselves to Ottoman customs officials before entering the Straits.