105 - The Allies Invade Iran, Barbarossa Continues - WW2 - August 29, 1941

by Panzer
No, he won’t listen to me.
No, he won’t listen to you either.
Then who should we send?
I dunno… how about Heinz? Yeah?
Okay, cool. Heinz, yeah.
August 29, 1941
This war grows bigger and bigger as the months
roll on, and this week is no exception.
This week Britain and the Soviet Union invade Iran.
I’m Indy Neidell; this is World War Two.
Last week, Josef Stalin issued orders that will brand any of his commanders who surrender
under any circumstances traitors.
Hitler again ordered his main attacks in the Soviet Union to turn from the center to the
north and south, and the evacuation of the Australians from Tobruk and their replacements,
by Polish and Czechoslovak units, began and continues this week.
Some major news this week comes from those newest of Allies, Britain and the Soviet Union.
On the 25th, apparently worried by reports of German “tourists” entering Iran, the
two demand that Iran accept their “protection” of its oil supplies and send their forces
into the country.
The British forces are led on land by Edward Quinan with naval support by Geoffrey Arbuthnot.
The advance is in two regions, one to take the oil installations near Abadan, and one
coming from Iraq toward Kermanshah- that last commanded by William Slim, whom we’ve seen
in Syria and East Africa so far this year.
British landings are made at Bandar Shapur, Abadan, and Khoramshahr.
They sink a couple of small Iranian warships and seize some German merchant shipping.
The Soviets are in three columns under Vasily Novikov’s command- one heading for Tabriz,
while the other two advance on either side of the Caspian Sea.
All three columns make good progress, and the Soviets bomb Tabriz.
On the 26th, the British take control of the Abadan region.
The Soviets enter Tabriz and bomb Tehran.
The 27th, the British take Shahabad toward Kermanshah and in the south take Ahwaz.
The Iranian government resigns.
The 28th, a new government takes office in Iran under Ali Furughi and orders a cease fire.
Negotiations with the British and Soviets begin.
And on the 29th, the fighting comes to an end in Iran.
The British and Soviets will link up the 31st at Kazvin.
Looking into the future: On September 9th, the Iranian government will agree on the final
terms.
The invaders will occupy certain points in the country, but agree to stay out of Tehran.