World At War Issue #49 provides the basics task organization for German forces deployed in either Bulgaria or Greece.  War In The Desert (WITD) contains Turkish units and their initial dispositions.

However, what about allies?

At first, I assumed Germany would call on its Bulgarian allies for significant assistance.  In addition, it’s possible that revanchist Greek and pro-fascist Yugoslavian units (Chetniks) might be formed.  While the latter would be of little value in the initial attacks, they could provide rear area/security forces.

On second thought, I decided not to use these forces.  Supposedly there was a good deal of pro-German sentiment in Turkey due to their close relations before and during World War I.  To invade with long standing enemies would eliminate the possibility of any support from the nationalist Turks, much less put them in a security role policing Turkish cities.   However, Bulgarian and Greek troops might be useful if massed at the border to tie down Turkish forces.

The Germans would be on their own, with limited ground and air assistance from the Italians, ever eager for a piece of any territorial or resource pie, but already stretched thin in North Africa.

I still have to figure out what assistance the Turks might receive from either the United States and/or Great Britain.  I am assuming that the Soviet Union will be too hard pressed by the Wermacht’s summer offensives and need to hold their portion of the Iranian oil fields to provide any help to the Turks.

The next post will cover the Axis forces in detail, plus a thrilling photo of initial Turkish dispositions.