Pints of Sweat Gallons of Blood, Freedom Victorious

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

SO offically the PoD is during the Oregon Crisis were it is not resolved and a war insues with the border drawn at the 51st latitude. However due to the whole story taking place in the 20th century I decided to put it here. Hopefully this is not a problem. Anyways as one of the younger members of this board I have not yet learned as much as some of you. Which is a reason why I love this site Ive learned so much from you guys I wouldve never cared about the wars in South America or learned the names of Ausrtian Hungarian or Italian WWI generals if it werent for you guys. Still I havent had as much of an education as you guys so Ill need some help through CC please. Also since I cant know everything like some people Ime writing this less as a TL and more like a down to Earth ignore the specific novel form with characters -some historical some made up- and a good bit a parrelism. Alot of the background is actually taken from the Brittainia's Fist and Rainbow of Blood Civil War to World War series,s o this is kinda of after the war thing just with a different ending that what I predict will actually happen in that series. Anyway I will now begin.
Also there is some wishful thinking in here I apologize


A pint of sweat, saves a gallon of blood.
-George S. Patton


Washington D.C-1916




It was as always a busy day in Washington D.C, but that didn't stop work that needed to be done from getting done. And that was why a fifty year old General was stuck behind a desk. Filing papers wasn't what Butch Cassidy had dreamed about when he had joined the U.S Calvary back when he was still a young and naïve man. He had dreamed of adventure, of fighting for his life against insurmountable odds. Of course his dreams ended with him overcoming those odds, unscathed of course.
And he had gotten a taste of adventure and combat back in what people commonly called the Western Atlantic War of 1890. He sighed remembering the name. Did no one remember Custer's division and their march on Winnipeg? A March that at the time was spoken just as highly as Sherman's March through Georgia, the march that crippled the confederate industrial strength and had the Confederacy split in two until Sherman was force to redraw due to lack of supplies.
Oh yes he had tasted adventure. He heard a knock on his door causing him to look up. “Come in.” He said, a second later the door opened and his adjutant came in.
“General Cassidy sir.” Lieutenant Johnson said saluting.
“Yes?” Cassidy said not wasting anytime, he always wanted to know what was going on and he hated having to go in circles to get an answer.
“You might want to take a look at this sir.” Johnson said handing him a a piece of paper. “President Roosevelt demanded this be sent out to all high ranking military officials encase something becomes of it.” Roosevelt. Cassidy thought. If the President of the United States was demanding something be sent to all high ranking military officials then it sure as hell was more important than complaints about Mexicans crossing the border to rob farmers. He opened the paper and saw the headline, and for all his usually calmness skipped a breath. He quickly read through the paper once then looked up.
“Germany is going to be gunning for Paris and Vienna before the summer is out.”




A day later.

A young private dropped a handkerchief and yelled go. With that two Lieutenants pulled their sidearms from their holsters and started to fire away at targets. One was using the new M1911, the other used a 38. Caliber. They fired at ten targets, paper cutouts. Most of which had either the Union Jack or a Maple leaf painted on it. The Lieutenant using the 38. Caliber pistol was clearly the better shooter and quickly hit all the targets.
“Damn it you win again George.” The losing Lieutenant said shaking his head grinning.
“Thanks for the quarter Johnny Reb.” George said patting him on the back.
“Should of used only one target, would of made it seem that you only hit it once.” George chuckled at the joke.
“You don't need that quarter anyways John, you've got a wife back home. You don't need to be going to the whore house.”
“No but I sure as hell need to go to the bar and get drunk every time we get leave. Having to stay out at this god-forsaken piece of shit called an outpost. Watching a single dusty road for stupid banditos.”
“I don't think anymore will be coming this way. At least not if they heard what happened to the last few that tried to rob a rancher.”
“Yeah dragged them behind our horses until they were near death, then hung'em. I would piss my pants if I was a bandito and heard that story.”
“Sir how long do you think Maxy can hold onto his 'empire'.” The Private who had signaled the start of the race asked.
“At this rate not much longer. Those Mexicans have nothing to rally around and the seams are really starting to tear. Poverty, corruption, sense of loss identity. These are all problems that currently plague maxy's Mexico.”
“Agreed Johnny,” George said, “I'm going to go to the mess hall, get some water I guess. Maybe get some sleep. You should to, we both have the graveyard shift this week.”
“Let me rephrase what I said earlier, we're in a god-forsaken piece of shit called an outpost watching a single dusty road- inthedark.” George laughed as well as the surrounding soldiers. George started to walk towards the mess hall, halfway their he saw Corporal running while trying to keep balance with a large stack off newspapers in his arms.
“Why are you running Corporal?” George asked.
“Sir Tzar Nicholas was assassinated! Grenade sir, they say they killed the man who threw it and found evidence on his body that suggested that he had support from Austria-Hungary!” George's mouth dropped as did John's. “Please sir take a newspaper- please.” George nodded and took one of the copies though it made only a small dent in the stack, John helped out by taking one as well. George looked at the front page and started to read.

Czar Nicholas Killed
Yesterday during a Russian military parade Czar Nicholas of Russia was killed when shrapnel from a thrown grenade ripped open his windpipe. The Czar bodyguards who were not killed or incapacitated open fired immediately on the assassin, identified as prominent communist, Vladimir Lenin. Papers recovered from his house reveal that this attack was plotted over time. In his last note he writes. “I feel that soon a war will engulf the world. A war where the wealthy aristocracy will force the peasants and workers of the world to slain each other. My brothers rise up to stop this! Liberate your fellow brothers, who like you are shackled by the aristocracy.”
More disturbing papers were found if you can believe it. Papers suggesting that Austria-Hungary supported Lenin and even helped him plot the assassination. Russia is now in crisis and the new Duma may declare war. France has announced that any hostilities towards Austria-Hungary will be seen as an attack on France itself. Germany has started to organize troop movements to their forts on the French-Belgian border. Italy has declared support for Russia.
President Roosevelt vows not to abandon the very allies that refused to abandon the United States of America during the Great War of 1963-1968. There have also been rumors of troops being sent to Portland, Saratoga, Bismarck and Vancouver.


“Well Johnny you were the one complaining how it was to boring around here. Now look, were going to get dragged into this.”

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

*crickets*

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

Not my best writing hopefully it will improve when the war actually gets going anyway heres the next part


Alex Wright was not a man who was fond of loud noises. Maybe it was due to what his parents called his good listening skills. Or maybe it was due to what the local bullies called his big ears. Still at the age of 16 he like most people his age, wanted adventure. So far the only thing adventurous in his life was trying to dodge those damn automobiles that were becoming more common every year.
“I mean I'm a bicyclist trying to deliver mail and newspapers versus a ton of moving metal.” He shook his head and pedaled on, he had newspapers to deliver. Pedaling down the Connecticut river he could feel the warm sun on his back. It was the first day of Spring and the wind hitting him in the face felt good as he tossed out newspapers. Coming down one street however he had to put the breaks on his bike as a small child ran out into the road.
“Creighton come back here!” A Woman yelled as she quickly picked up a young toddler. “I'm so sorry, he's still one, hopefully he wont run headlong into things into the future, but you know men.” Alex laughed.
“It's no problems Miss Abrams just make sure he stays out of the way of those automobiles. Oh and here's your newspaper by the way.” He handed her the rolled up pieces of paper.
“Thank you she said taking the newspaper.” She unrolled the paper and gasped. “Alex did you read this.”
“What did the Portland Alliance finally declare war for what happened in Russia a few weeks ago?”
“No but the Entente might. Apparently a man with ties to Romanian nationalists killed French President Raymond Poincare!” Mrs. Abrams said in shock.
“This can't end well can it?” Alex asked, Mrs. Abrams shook her head.










“George, George, wake up god damn you.”
“No god-damn you, you Johnny Reb.” George said lifting up his head and throwing his pillow at Johnny. “I had the graveyard watch and now I finally get some sleep and you go and wake me up in the middle of my sleep time!?”
“Apparently General Pershing sent out a command. We're moving out.”
“Where?” George said suddenly sitting straight up with all of his attention on John.”
“Buffalo.” Johnny said, he paused to try to find the right words. “The French president is dead.”
“Dead?” George said in shock.
“Dead as dead can be.” He paused again and took a deep breath. “Apparently some Romanian shot him with a pistol when the Frenchie was giving some big speech on 'protecting our allies'. It seemed like everything might of simmered down with Alexi and the Duma allowing Mikhail to take the Russian throne. But now France is as busy as flies around shit.”
“Yeah, and if we're being sent to Buffalo then- well then I doubt that we're going to be a peace for much longer.” George paused. “Bully if you ask me, John. It's about time we show those Canucks, and Brits.”
“Bully!” Johnny said as the tent flap opened and a Captain walked in.
“Lieutenant Patton, Lieutenant Anderson, I can trust that you'll be able to organize your men and be able to move out in two hours time?”
“Yes sir,” Patton replied, “then we'll go and grab those Canucks by the nose!” The Captain smiled.
“Just remember not to let go.”








-A week later, location French-Belgian border
“I swear if I get stuck with latrine duty one more time I'm going to kill that Belgian sonofabitch and feed his tongue to that's local farmer's sheep.”
“Would this be, before or after you screwed his daughter?”
“What you meant to say Aldo was, is this before or after poor Adolf gets kicked in the balls and gets sent back to us crying?”
“Wait, I didn't know he had any. When where you going to tell us Dolfy.” The group start to laugh.
“That is enough. You our soldiers start acting like some! Leave the poor Corporal alone, he got transferred here a week ago and you've been pestering him, and quite frankly me, ever since. Adolf stop yelling.”
“I haven't opened my mouth sir!” One of the other soldiers started to snicker. Erwin gave him a stern look.
“Sorry sir. We apologize for being rude to Corporal Hitler.”
“Good.” The lieutenant said, he turned to the Corporal. “Now Corporal you must however remember we our guests in their land. And if they request that we put our soldiers under their officers command then we must respect their wishes.” He walked over to the the small fort's wall. “Besides men soon we shall storm into that lazy country,” he pointed towards France “and teach those fat frogs how real men fight!” A chorus of agreeing shouts followed.
“Lieutenant Rommel?” Erwin turned around to see a German Battalion Commander walking towards him. Rommel saluted, the Battalion Commander smiled. “Soon, how about right now.” The commander raised his voice. “France and Austria-Hungary has declared war! Britain is expected to follow their lead. We have no choice but to do the same. Men prepare yourselves!”

[Plumber]

Interesting. I'll stay tuned.

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

anyone else haveany comments or thoughts or CC

[Life In Black]

It's interesting. Is this the continuation of that thread you started earlier, "Journal of the Aftermath of 51st Latitude" or are you starting over?

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

Its a semi continuation but not technicaly a continuation because the Journal had acouple of pieces of writing from 2 different wars. both took place after this. I used it mostly as practice, this is the complete set I guess you could say

[Life In Black]

Cool. Nice touch BTW with Butch Cassidy.

Can you break down the different alliances? That's the only thing I'm confused about.

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

Basicly you have the
Portland Aliance
main members

United States of America
the German Empire (which is more Democratic ITTL though the Kaiser still has power)

Russian Empire (got its @ss handed to them in the First Global War or Great War -only Allied member to really lose- and so was in no posistion to stop Japan from getting all of Salhalkin Island)

Italy (more competent ITTL though still not amazing)

Greece (The PA has always backed it so thats why)

Romania (ties with Russia)

Belgium (let Germany use their border as a base with lots of conditions. Very good trading conditions a strong country portecting her. Oh and they made Germany to treat all civilians humanely which basicly means that they have to treat Franc-tieurs as soldiers if they want to be able to move through Belgium)



Entente
United Kingdom (still powerful ITTL though was taken down a noch. Still has largest Navy but with both Germany and the United States building large fleets shes found herself outnumbered on the high seas)

Canada(UK) (After 4 indecisive wars for Canada -1812, Oregon War, Great War, Western Atlantic War of 1890- Canada has a well trained and large military but is still vastly outnumbered by the US)

France (lost territory to Prussia aka Germany, in the GW but was able to keep Maximillian on the throne in Mexico. Has a large Navy ITTL but still much smaller than the US, UK or GE's.)

Austria-Hungary





Semi-neutrals

Pro-Portland Alliance

Netherlands (large amount of trading with Germany and Belgium not to mention surrounded by them)

Chile (the U.S has been building ties with them for some time)


Pro-Entente
Ottoman Empire-Very pro Entente wouldnt take much for them to join the war.

Bulgaria-Also strongly Pro-Enente and the Ottoman Empire still has alot of influence in Bulgaria

Mexico (considered incopetent by Americans still could Maximillian have something up his sleeve?)



Strong Neutrals that are actually Neutral

Japan-The fight in Asia and the pacific would probably be deicdedby this country. But they're going to wait and only join a side when it seems that they have the upper hand.

Brazil-Not the most powerful country in the world could still be a very good ally though.







OK so I know that not everything there might of been the most realistic this is were I ask for your help to help me figure out if there was a way with the Civil War becoming a world war how the world could end up like this.



Also heres a map of Europe in 1916 with the alliances

[Life In Black]

Speaking as someone who doesn't know a whole lot about the OTL events leading up to this, I personally would have some sort of conflict in Europe, possibly involving Napoleon, that causes a rift between the countries. Maybe the British make a deal with him, or he gets eliminated and the British prop up France, snubbing the Germans/Russians. This would give about thirty years before the Oregon Crisis for alliances to form and relations to sour in Europe.

I wouldn't worry that much about plausibility. My own TL involves cryogenics, the Waffen-SS, and WWIII, so I think plausibility is out the window for me.:D

[thekingsguard]

I am rather curious as to the backstory for this. Specifically, the situation in North America.

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

The backstory is a combination of a Oregon war and the book series Britannia's Fist Civil War to World War
With me altering some of the events to fit my TL

[Life In Black]

I haven't read that series. What's the main plot?

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

A Confderate company builds very good ships that are rams for the Confederacy under the UK government's nose. They finally have the building haulted but the ships escape out to sea just in time. The US sent a ship out to intercept it incase that happened and the ship is captured. However a British ship becomes involved and shots are exchanged. Another US ship comes to support the other and a lucky hit sends the UK ship down in flames, killing hundreds of British sailors. War is declared leading to an awsome book series so far.
Its a trilogybut only the first 2 have been realeased

Heres a good thread with some info on it. THough bewarned theres a toe of spoilers
http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=161376

[Life In Black]

Thanks. That's part of the beauty of this sight, finding out about obscure stuff, and random facts. Hell, before I read your earlier thread about this TL, I had no idea there was an Oregon Crisis. So much for history class...:D

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

Hey dude Im one of the younger people here but when I get older Im aiming to become a Military Historian and get a Doctrate in History (though probably not spelling) You have no idea how much this site has helped me. And if I really helped you out then that makes my day. Which is good because the Cowboys lost. Oh well at lest New Orleans is my second favorite team.

[Life In Black]

Sorry, but I'm an Eagles fan. Not that I'm into sports that much. Come to think of it, I've met more people who were Cowboys fans than Eagles fans, despite me living in Pennsylvania. So very strange...:p

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

Heres an other update Declarations of Wars and a sneak peak at the next part.



Washington D.C




“Please follow me sir.” A secret service official said to Cassidy. Butch Cassidy nodded and he lead him through the crowd of reporters jockeying for space. All waiting to hear what President Roosevelt was going to say. Though they all knew that it was going end with asking congress to declare war on the Entente. Declare War. Cassidy thought wanting to laugh. Fighting had already broken out along the border with Canada. Artillery in Buffalo was pounding Fort Erie in preparation of the crossing into Canada. This was taking place in other cities, and apparently a Canadian force had attempted to move into Northern Maine. But after that being the route of invasion in the Great war and 1890 the U.S Military had built plenty of defenses there. The Canadians had been thrown back and now two whole Armies were just waiting for the word to move into Canada, they would March to the St. Lawrence and capture Montreal and Quebec City. Then an additional Army would take New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
If only it were that simple. Cassidy had a Calvary charge been shattered by the new weapon of war. He had seen a force of five-hundred horsemen charge through a gap in the British lines and get decimated by the Machine Gun. But no one would listen to him, not in the war department at least. And they hadn't even taken his idea for a new type of Calvary seriously!
“Here you are sir.” The man leading Cassidy said. Cassidy nodded and sat down, Generals and Politicians had the front row. The latter was more in abundance that the former. Most Generals had already been sent to the staging areas. Him, well he had been promised a Division from the Army of the Niagara, aka the Second Army.
He looked around, there were guards everywhere. Everyone was checked everyone was watched. Two world leaders had already been assassinated, no one in America wanted a man as popular as Teddy getting killed by some mad man. Speaking of Teddy he saw the President walk out to the podium. The front lawn of the White House had flowers starting to bloom and the sun shown bright on the White House with a man beloved throughout the country beginning to speak.

“My fellow countrymen. Today I regret to inform you that we are at war. At war with a group of rouge states that believe that it is acceptable to declare war and launch attacks on our brave soldiers before we even receive the news. This crisis was started by an ailing power desperate to keep its place, killed a man in cold blood. And then when the leader of a country that was allied to them was shot did France try to resolve the issue peacefully like the Alliance. No! They blamed a small and innocent country and held them responsible for the actions of one man. And now they aim to take away the liberties of that nation. The Entente say they stand against emperors.” Teddy Paused and smiled.
“I'm an emperor you say. Well bully, now not even those liberal republicans can stand in my way.” This got laughs from the crowd. “But on the serious matters my friends, this 'entente' is nothing more than a alliance of leaders who are selfish and want to try to keep us from our place in the sun. Who care not for a man's liberty or a woman's freedom. But who only care about power. The United States of America must unite! Whites rally around the flag! Blacks remember the country that tried to help the Confederacy keep you in chains! Southerners, remember that same country that left your country alone when it needed every last bit of help it could. The Irish should remember our friends, for they were at Claverack! And even our Hispanic and Latino citizens. Weather they come from Hispaniola or Arizona, remember France, the country that butchered Mexico, and that to this day sicken that country with their puppet ruler.”
“I did not want war. But a man who lives sheltered his whole life even if he never tastes defeat, will never taste victory. The Freemen of the world must unite and see that our crusade against the oppressors of freedom. The people who spit on the term 'liberty and justice for all'. We must stand united! And see to that Freedom is Victorious!”








Location Buffalo waterfront/Niagara River
Name-George S. Patton
Patton clutched his Springfield 1903 as the transport boat bobbed up and down in the water. It was ready to be launched. He was part of the Second wave moving into Fort Erie, Ontario. The boat was just some cheap steel shaped into a boat, but it would protect them from bullets.
A Captain turned and looked at Patton. “Remember a man only has his first taste of battle in his life once.” Patton nodded
“Okay men,” A corporal said “do this right and we'll hook up with the Third army in a little over three weeks.” The words were barely out of his mouth when the engine was started and the boat was pushed farther into the Niagara river.

[Life In Black]

It's a little weird seeing Patton as a regular grunt on the ground. I know he would have had to start somewhere, but...

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

Oh dont worry hell be climbing up the ranks soon enough:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

Heres a new update hope I made it look like a hard fight for the Americans. But Patton has to when you know:D. Anyways I wonder if anyone got a hidden joke I put in here. Hope to have another update with Cassidy soon. THen we'll have a Candian point of few.
Please comment







Location Buffalo waterfront/Niagara River
Name-George S. Patton
Patton clutched his Springfield 1903 as the transport boat bobbed up and down in the water. It was ready to be launched. He was part of the Second wave moving into Fort Erie, Ontario. The boat was just some cheap steel shaped into a boat, but it would protect them from bullets.
A Captain turned and looked at Patton. “Remember a man only has his first taste of battle in his life once.” Patton nodded
“Okay men,” A corporal said “do this right and we'll hook up with the Third army in a little over three weeks.” The words were barely out of his mouth when the engine was started and the boat was pushed farther into the Niagara river. He looked up and saw artillery streak through the air, hundreds of field pieces firing away as fast as they would fire. He couldn't see in front of the boat but from the sound in sounded like the Canadians were catching hell.
“Shit, Lieutenant, you think anyone can survive a bombardment like that.” A Private towards the back of the boat asked.
“Remember Gettysburg and how Lee thought that, that barrage was going to tear the Union apart and instead only did minimal damage. Do not underestimate our enemy!” Patton nodded as the Captain finished his words. “Hopefully the barrage will thin them out, if not then we'll just have to fight are way to Toronto.”
“And kill every Canuck bastard that gets in our way.” Patton said clinching his fist.” Suddenly water poured over the side of the boat, soaking Patton and the rest of the platoon.
“What the hell was that!” A Corporal said crying out.
“Canadian artillery!?” Yelled another.
“I thought that the Colonel said that most of their artillery had been knocked out?” Patton said calm but worried. The Captain turned and looked at him.
“How much you want to bet that those statements were based on the amount of counter-battery fire.” Captain Jones said. Patton thought for a second.
“Ambush sir.” Patton said bluntly, a short distance away there was a loud explosion and what sounded like a large chunk of metal was heard smashing against the side of the boat.
“There goes a platoon.” Captain Jones said bluntly, he turned again and looked at Patton. “Yes I think it's an ambush.”
“Shit.” Patton said as more water splashed over the side of the boat drenching his Campaign Uniform. Patton thought for a moment. “Makes since, they hit us when we're near god damn defenseless and they keep a large chunk of their artillery hidden.”
“Exactly.”
“Almost across!” The driver of the boat yelled. A few seconds after he said that rapid thuds could be heard against the front end of the boat.
“Our those bullets hitting the armor sir?” A Sergeant asked.
“Those are two many bullets in two small of space.” Patton said. “There is no way in hell the Canucks have that many men.”
“Almost there, we should be hitting sand in a few seconds!” Patton clutched his Springfield ready to jump into the fight, he felt the boat hit the ground signaling shallow water. A moment later a tremendous explosion only a few feet to the right of the ship. Patton lost his balance as the boat was almost picked up from the water. The boat was forced onto its side, dumping out the platoon. Patton tumbled in the water dropping his rifle. He looked up and saw a Corporal stand up, he was immediately cut down as was a Private getting to his knees. Patton though he would never admit it, was terrified.
He crawled through the shallow water trying to find some cover, he rolled into a crater that the artillery had created, it provided some cover. A dead U.S soldier lay down face first in the mud, his rifle was under him. Patton took the rifle saying sorry to the dead soldier. Lifting the gun turned the body over and Patton could see a large chest wound, and the gun was covered in sticky red blood. But Patton knew this might be his only chance to get a rifle. A few more soldiers rolled into his crater, Patton looked behind him to see Captain Jones and a few other survivors from his boat joined him.
“Good to see you alive sir.” Patton said clutching his rifle.
“Same to you Lieutenant.” The Captain said. He crawled through the mud to Patton. “Those weapons are Machine Guns, we've seen them before I guess we just really never trained with them a lot.” Patton while knowing the weapon must of still seemed puzzled because the Captain continued his explanation. “Think a upgraded version of the coffee mill gun.” Patton nodded. “They got those hosing the area and killing a lot of men, and they've got sharpshooters with rifles picking off anyone not hit by the MGs.” He looked behind him. Sergeant Sledge you think you can throw a grenade far enough to take out those monsters.”
“If I could actually stand up to throw it.” The Sergeant replied, the Captain nodded.
“Suppressing fire on those MGs and any other Canuck you can see. On three, one ,two ,three!” Patton got to his knees and looked he spotted a soldier in Khaki running, he pulled the trigger and felt the recoil in his arm. The soldier didn't fall, Patton quickly worked the bolt and looked for the Machine Gun, he spotted what he believed to be one and fired, the bullet hit one of what looked like five soldiers in the arm. Sledge pulled the pin on the U.S Model 24 grenade (a copy of the German's), he stood and threw it. They ducked back down again and waited for the explosion, it was a fainted dud in the mist of the battle.
However no more bullets could be heard sputtering from the machine gun. Private Atticus stood up and looked, the Machine gun did not fire. Patton took that as a sign that it had been knocked out. However bullets still whipped past Private Atticus, one knocked off his hat (which the Canadians affectionately called Cowboy Hats). Atticus remained calmed and pulled the trigger, Patton didn't see it but the Private had pulled off an amazing shot and had hit a sniper some three hundred yards away. More U.S soldiers were pouring onto the beach now and the Canadians were running back.
“Lieutenant Patton, take point.” Captain Jones ordered, Patton nodded and signaled for the remaining troops in his platoon to follow him. He charged ahead and through a narrow row of trees before coming to the crest of a small grassy dune. From here he saw was on small street with buildings in front of him, many of the buildings were mounts of rubble from the U.S shelling. The Canadian artillery had let up some though Patton still heard the occasional whistle. Another squad ran into the street about a hundred feet from Patton's platoon the ones in the lead were cut down by a hidden machine gun and Patton heard a bullet whistle by his ear. He sprinted through the street and dove behind a pile of rubble that had once been a building.
His platoon followed him and dove behind behind and into the remains of the building, but one private fell back dead from a rifle shot. “Hear that?” The Captain asked. Patton covered his head as bits of brick fell on top of him torn from the building by a bullet.
“What sir? The machine guns?”
“No artillery.” The Captain replied. A few seconds past then a series of thuds were heard, emminating from deeper within the city.
“Hell yeah!” Yelled a private, a few seconds latter hooves could be heard. Patton turned to his left to see a Cavalryman coming down the road.
“Don't worry boys the Calvary is here.” Said the man on the lead horse, he was a Captain.”
“I wouldn't try storming up this street, those machine guns will cut you and your horses to shreds.” Captain Jones said to the other Captain, a murmur of “yeahs” told the Captain that the platoon agreed with him.
“They'll try.” The Calvary Captain said. He ordered his troops to follow him and they charged down the street. Jones shook his head. Bullets could be heard hitting the road and buildings, horses screamed as did men.
“God dammit.” Jones said cursing and spitting onto the ground. “Platoon follow me!” He stood up and ran through the ruins of the building, only the skeleton of the walls still stood -in places- and furniture and glass and been obliterated and strewn across the ground. But the Captain ran through it all and came out the other side of the building and ran against the wall of a building that was in slightly better shape. Patton ran right behind him, he caught a glimpse of the battle raging down the street. Dead and mutilated horses laid dead in the street along with human bodies. A few Cavalrymen were still fighting while others fled back down the street.
“Atticus try to take out that Machine Gun.” Captain Jones said. “I'll run across the street and try to distract them, Bailey, Smith follow me.” The two men nodded yes sir. “Patton provide suppressing fire, you too Sledge.” Patton nodded. Jones counted to three and ran across the street along with Bailey and Smith. Bailey cursed as bullet ricocheted off the road and hit him in the leg. He half fell, half dove behind the cover of a stone fence. Patton fired his Springfield and pulled back the bolt and fired again, Sledge did the same. Atticus took a breath and fired, the MG fell silent for a moment as its operator fell back dead but another soldier push the dead soldier out of the way and resumed firing. Atticus fired again killing another soldier. This time the machine gun remained silent.
Captain Jones ran back across to Patton. “Lieutenant take about six men from what's left of us. Try to flank around and see if you can hit them from the side, If anyone from Easy platoon is still alive they should try to rally around here. We'll regroup here and send you some reinforcements.”
“Yes sir but six men against a machine gun sir?” Patton asked.
“Do not engaged superior numbers or firepower try to draw the locations of any machine guns or snipers out into the open. I'll see if I can get any fresh legs from the beach to make a push forward with us.” The Captain took a breath as Patton nodded. He understood that they were basicly bait. He didn't like it- but he would do it. “This isn't suppose to be happening. I mean how many of our platoon is left? Twenty?” Captain Jones leaned against the side of the building and took a deep breath and stood up straight again. “I want you to take eight men. Atticus go with him.” Atticus nodded.
“Okay,” Patton said he pointed, “Bailey, Sledge, Roberts, Mckenna, Mackison, Foley, follow me!” A chorus of yes sirs followed. They moved up a side street moving from one pile of rubble to another. He asked Bailey if he was good to go and Bailey told him it was just a flesh wound. They didn't encounter anymore resistance suddenly Patton heard voices. He signaled for his squad to hold up and to be silent. Gun shots signaled the start of another attack. It's only been a few minuets. Patton thought. Maybe the person in charge of this mess was trying to push the Canadians hard. So far it hadn't been the greatest tactic.
“I'm going to go see who's talking, Sledge you back me up. Everyone else hold up here until you hear shouting or gun shots.” Sledge faked his knuckles as a joke to ease the tension and followed George. Patton crept around the corner to see three men setting up a machine gun in an alley with rubble on each side for protection. They were about twenty yards away, a fourth soldier was only a few away and spotted Patton. He yelled and raised his Lee Enfield to shoot. Patton shot first but missed, the other soldier flinched and fired, missing.
The Canadian ran at Patton raising his gun, Patton parred and struck back. Sledge took a knee and tried to fire but couldn't get a clear shot. By now the squad was rushing to the alley. Sledge pulled out a knife and jabbed the soldier in the neck. The other three soldiers had turned around and grabbed their guns. Not having time to pull back the bolt on his Springfield, Patton thought quick and pulled out his side arm revolver. And while running out of the way fire as accurately as he could. Emptying all six bullets. Sledge hit the ground as a bullet grazed his arm. Then he started to laugh. Patton came back around the corner with the whole squad now there.
“What's funny?” Patton asked.
“You killed them all sir.” Sledge said. Patton looked, the three Canadians were certainly dead.
“Serves the bastards right.” Bailey said in disgust. “What the hell is up with these weapons. Being able to take out an entire company with a single gun? Bullshit!”
“It's quite possible that we would of lost Washington D.C back in the Great War if it hadn't been for the coffee mill gun or the Gatling Gun.” Roberts replied shrugging his soldiers.
“Either way,” Patton said kneeling by the machine gun, “the enemy is dead and we're in possession of their most dangerous weapon.” He looked up as he heard the running steps of the Canadians falling back to their next line of buildings. “Quick, Sledge, McKenna help me set this up.” They quickly adjusted the elevation of the gun figured out how to load the rounds. Patton spotted the trigger.
“Plan sir?” Atticus asked, shouldering his rifle.
“I figure that if they keep falling back to the west, then they'll come down this street.” Patton said motioning to the road in front of them. “Which is precisely why they set up this weapon here. When the Canucks start falling back here, we hit'em and we hit'em hard.”
“So us five not on the MG are suppose to hit anyone we can sir?” Atticus asked adjusting his sites.
“Yes, of course. Atticus you're a damn fine shot. I bet your the best in your county.” Atticus chuckled.
“That's exactly what Tate said.” Atticus said replying. Patton was about to ask who Heck Tate was but the first soldiers in British uniforms came running by. The first few got away but after that.
“Open fire!” Patton yelled, pulling the trigger. The machine gun was a beast. He had heard about these, what were they called? Oh yes the Vickers. It mowed down the next of the retreating Canadians it was bloody and it was loud. And it had this strange lever that went back and forth rapidly, Patton was afraid it would take his arm off if it got in the way.
Atticus pulled the trigger, a Canadian fell. Bailey tossed a grenade to the far left of their sight, Patton heard screams with Canadian and British accents.
“Keep hitting them!” Sledge yelled loading more bullets into the machine gun. More Canadians kept falling back a couple companies worth, smoke start coming from the barrel and a pile of bodies had formed in their line of sight. Roberts heard footsteps coming from behind them.
“Sir I think they're trying to flank us!”
“Shit,” Patton thought, “Bailey take control of the gun! Sledge McKenna you stay were you are the rest of you on me.” Patton reloaded his revolver just in time for the first soldier to come around. His uniform was slightly different, this man was British not Canadian, he died all the same. Bailey tossed one of his last grenades.
“Just in case the bastards thought of tossing one around here.”
“Good idea. Get to the end of the alley toss another one, then we'll come around and open fire.” Bailey nodded and said yes sir. He went to the end of the alley, pulled the pin of the grenade and through it. It exploded and Patton now shouldering his rifle came around the corner and saw a eighteen British soldiers. The grenade had gotten two and dazed the rest, they were close and Patton fired it was almost impossible to miss. A British soldier went down. Both sides dove for cover, Mackison fell dead and Roberts would be dead soon with a bullet to the gut. Patton emptied his revolver killing two more. Atticus popped up and put a hole in the head of one. More soldiers came behind the British, the Americans expecting them to be British reinforcements, took cover. They were surprised when volleys of bullets hit the British.
“We surrender!” A solider cried out, he heard clattering as guns fell to the ground. “We surrender okay you damn yank.” Patton stood up and quickly raised his hands and shouted “American” as another U.S Soldier aimed for him. There were only eight or so British left. Patton looked over his shoulder and told Atticus to check on Roberts.
“Take the prisoners back to the beach.” Said a familiar voice. A moment later Captain Jones came walking up to Patton. He paused for a second and slowly pointed to the alley. “You did that?”
“My squad did that yes sir. Atticus how's Rob-”
“Dead sir.”
“Damn!” Cursed Jones. He sighed, “Well Lieutenant, just know you helped us out a helluva lot just now. You'll probably get promoted. The Canucks and Brits are abandoning this town. Good job Lieutenant Patton.”
“Thank you sir.”

[Life In Black]

Me thinks a Silver Star is in order.:D

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Hell get something alright
ANyone else have any comments. Cassidy is coming up. Hes going to have a disscousin heres a hint at the topic.
Kegs:D

[Life In Black]

But "Roll out the 'Keg'" doesn't sound quite right...:D

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

According to the "inconstitincies in turtledove works" page the lyrics werent even written back then. Ill call the mass Keg offensive in this somethin like "The Big Keg" or the "Keg Explosion" (because you know those steryotypical stories of drunk campers throwing beer into the fire and having it explode :D

[Life In Black]

Will the Germans still call them Panzers? I would hate to hear about a timeline where "Panzers" don't exist.:p

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Whats German for Keg?

[Life In Black]

The Keg is Das Fässchen. I think "Panzer" sounds better, but even then it's short for "Panzerkampfwagen" or Armored Fighting Vehicle. Which is why it will usually be abreviated to just Panzer. Besides, how can you have a Panzerschreck (Armored Terror) and Panzerfaust (Armored Fist) for anti-tank weapons if the tank itself is called Fässchen.:D

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One week after the battle of Fort Erie


General Butch Cassidy looked over the map. After the bitter fighting in Fort Erie and Niagara-on-the-Lake, the United States forces had moved west. The Canadians and British had entered a fighting retreat and in a week the U.S forces had reach a line of Canadian defenses that stretched from Lake Erie, starting in St. Cathrines. It continued south to Welland and south to Lake Erie in the city of Port Colborne.
There the U.S forces had been stopped cold by carefully placed machine guns, precalculated artillery positions and areas were barbed wire held up and too often cost the lives of young men. He cared about of his troops. He had seen first had what a reckless leader who was over aggressive could destroy a fine company of soldiers. But war didn't care to ask him what he thought of thousands of young boys being massacred. Yet he had signed a young lieutenant who apparently led a small squad on a flanking maneuver that broke the back of the Canadians defenses in Fort Erie a Bronze Star. That Lieutenant was also getting a promotion.
But looking back at the map. He didn't know how he was suppose to have his division break through without having catastrophic casualties. Oh sure the United States had plenty of manpower and would eventually overpower the Canadian positions. But at what cost, conquering land was pretty pointless if you had no one to fill it with. Cassidy heard a cane hitting wood and looked up to see a man entering.
“I hope you don't mind if I let myself in.” Luke Edward Wright said leaning against the wall. Theodore Roosevelt's Secretary of War, a man known for always having his cane, he had been wounded during the Great War in 1864. He however joined the United States Army and had been a good leader during the last of the Indian Wars. He had eventually retired and became a lawyer and later the U.S Ambassador to Russia.

“Of course I don't mind sir.” Cassidy said grudgingly saluting. “And what honors me -again- with your presence.”
“I recollect that you had an idea, an idea that some would consider radical. An idea that started with a 'K'.” The Secretary of War said sitting down in a chair.
“An idea that I know for a fact you had purposefully ignored so more funds would be sent to your pet aircraft projects.” Cassidy said sitting down into his chair.
“So you do remember our discussion.” The Secretary of War said.
“Of course.”


July 12th 1914
Brigadier General Butch Cassidy looked out over the field. He leaned on a fence and two Maxim machine guns fired at targets. The weapon had been created in America by an American inventor called Hiram Maxim. The United States had tried for years to keep the weapon exclusively in the hands of American, German and Russian soldiers. But by 1890 the British had been able to get the layout for the weapons and start to create their own machine guns. Cassidy had met them personally on his way to Winnipeg.

“Amazing weapons, aren't they Butch.” A man behind Butch Cassidy said. The General nodded.
“They'll be able to demolish any infantry or Calvary charge. Only one could take on an entire battalion. Now imagine having thousands of them in fortified positions.”
“Imagine them on Aircraft.” Luke Edward Wright said leaning on his cane.
“Teddy has given us a huge budget but it seems that many of the men in charge only want to put them into Springfields and Maxims.” Cassidy said shaking his head.
“It takes a lot to gang up on the Secretary of War. But I've learned to never play down the tenacity of a traditionalist.”

“That idiot of a traditionalist nearly lost us the Great War. We have to continue to the world in Military Technology if the United States of America is to be the vanguard of Freedom and make sure that freedom is victorious.” Cassidy said clutching his fist and banging it into the fence.
“Aw yes TR in Dallas when he met with newly crowned Fredrick the Fourth and Czar Nicholas. Magnificent speech indeed. But I've never taken you to be the one to give out great speeches. Unless of course it was to a woman.” Cassidy chuckled.
“Remember who won Claverack Mr. Wright.” Cassidy said smiling. “But you're right I didn't invite you here to give speeches. I have a proposal on how to make the Machine gun a weapon only a fool would fear.”
Wright raised his eyebrows and leaned to his right on his cane. “What would that be Mr. Cassidy.”
“Armored horses.” He held up his hands as the Secretary of War started to let out a laugh of disgrace. “And what I mean by that is an armored machine. Able to move across the ground with bullets doing nothing but make noise and sparks as it bounces of their armor.”

“Hmm I am listening.” The Secretary of war said.
“Give me the funds and the year and I will give you a machine that with be able to fire machine guns on the move in every direction. The ability to have the British run just as the Romans ran from Hannibal's Elephants. I'll give you a new age in warfare. I'll show you how to make a horse with a man sitting atop him obsolete!”
“So this armored horse of yours. What would you call it, an Elephant? Armored horse?”
“Mr. Wright you take me for a fool. You think I want British or Frenchie spies stealing my idea and taking away the element of surprise? No I would call it something obscure, boring. Something the Entente would ignore.”
“What?” The Secretary of War asked.
“The Keg!” Cassidy punched his left hand into his right.
“Please explain.”

“The Russians have a word for this. Maskirovka. Or camouflage or concealment. We spread false reports that it is a new system for getting fresh water to our frontline troops. We talk about how something as simple as fresh water can be essential to the morale of our brave soldiers. Not to mention it will fit perfectly with the entente perception of us as a bunch of rowdy Cowboys in Union blue.” Cassidy smiled. “Kegs upon kegs of bear-ing down on Toronto firing dozens of Machine guns.”
“I'll be sure to pass on your ideas to Teddy and to others.” He tilted his hat. “Now I'll be going.”
“Thank you sir!” Cassidy yelled waving after him. “And good day to you!”

************************************************** *


“I doubted any other soul ever heard about my Keg idea sir. Though I'm sure you're aircraft got plenty of publicity.” Cassidy scowled.
“We sent over reconnaissance aircraft into Canadian airspace (what -Cassidy thought- is airspace) and spotted many artillery placements and had our artillery take them out. Though of course many were still hidden. And it were the aircraft that sent back the signals for the artillery to start to pound the city again went out brave infantryman ran into stiff opposition.”

“My Kegs could of made it were not a single man died in this last week. Except of course the enemy!” Cassidy slammed his hand on the table.
“General I think it is time for us to let bygones be just that. Bygones. We should ally.” Luke Wright said.
“From what!?” Cassidy asked.
“From the people who could cost us this war. We can have the President's backing on this I'm sure. He has always loved new toys. We'll show the people who want to remember the days of the infantry charge and ignore the trenches of the Canadian border of the Great War. We'll demonstrate our ideas and innovations and create the knew era of warfare you imagined.”

“Does this mean you are offering me a chance to create the Keg?” Cassidy asked leaning forward in his chair.
“We are at war General. You have a blank check. Just get it done.”
“I hope this does not mean I would have to relinquish my command at a time of war.”
Wright chuckled and waved his hand. “Oh do not worry about that General. We need the creator of the Keg to actually know what needs to be created. You'll be able to keep your Division, you'll be able to observe the fighting and report back to the designers that I have hand picked for this task.”

“I- well thank you sir.” He rose from his chair as did the Secretary of War.
“You'll be able to do more than lead your division in fact.” He held out his hand. “In light of our new alliance I have asked the President of the United States to promote you to Major General. Congratulations.” Cassidy was stunned, he quickly shook the Secretary of War's hand.
“Thank you sir.”
“We need to create fast Butch. You here what's happening in North Dakota and Minnesota?”
“Only that the Canadians launched a preemptive strike into those states to prevent the forces we were assembling there from marching onto Winnipeg.”
“It's turning into a fiasco for us. We need ideas Major General. Not to be repetitive but we need something, something to turn this war into a-a.”
“Lighting War.” Cassidy said turning around and looking at his map.

[Van555]

Interesting you have more than one viewer here :D

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:)Thanks you have any comments

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I wonder if anyone noticed a different world leader different from OTL

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Location:North Dakota a few miles south of the Canadian border
Name:Issac Trout
Date:April 2nd 1916


Issac Trout looked to his right at the plains of North Dakota. It looked no different from that small town of Rosenfeld that they had assembled at. Up ahead of them was the small town of Pembina North Dakota. The American forces had been taken by complete surprise. They had thought that the United States would be attacking Canada the whole time. No one thought the Canadians would be bold enough to attack American soil, being so heavily outnumbered. But they knew that sometimes the best defense was a good offense. They would not leave Winnipeg vulnerable like the last war. That had cost them dearly. And so the Canadian and British high command drew up Operation Thunderstruck.
“I bet the Yanks are regrouping in that town. Probably setting up Machine Guns and barbed wire as we speak.” Timothy Smith a private in Issac's platoon said. He was always viewed as the annoying kid brother of the group due to his cynical attitude.
“Pray for me Laura.” Issac said taking hold of the crucifix around his neck. He became saddened as he thought about his wife back in Ontario. He wondered how she would get along without him. He also feared for her. Berlin Ontario was in the Great Lakes peninsula [1](?) which was the main route of attack for U.S forces. He didn't like the idea of her being in a warzone. He didn't care for Yanks being on Canadian land either. It felt good to be hitting back.
“I guess it will be time to spill some Yank blood.” Issac replied grinning. “I wonder what colour it is. Probably blue, would fit their cold personality.”
“It would fit Tiny Tim as well.” Sergeant John Avery said, the group chuckled, except of course for Tim Smith.
“Not my fault I can't break 5' 2''.” He said followed by a curse.
“Is that artillery?” Lucas Bell asked looking in the sky. Issac shook his head. It didn't sound like artillery and there was no thud.. Of course Tiny Tim had to state the obvious.

“Nah can't be it doesn't sound like artillery and it just keeps going on and on.” They looked up and saw a something strange. It looked like a strange cuts of wood put together flying through the air. This must have been one of those new Airplanes that they had been talking about. Sudden a second appeared, then a few seconds later two more appeared. They started to fly lower and lower, straight at them.
“Those planes are heading north.” Issac stated, Tim looked at him, snickered and shook his head. “Men perhaps it would be better if we got off the road.”
“Why?” Lucas Bell asked, suddenly the first airplane reached them, it was painted Blue and White, common colours -or as the U.S butchered it “colors”- of the U.S military. The plane flew over their heads much faster than a horse could dream of running. It began to fly back up into the air, suddenly a machine gunner facing away from the pilot started to fire a machine gun mounted on the back of the vehicle. Issac dove to the side of the road, his small group of soldiers was missed but a group of cavalrymen were hit, their horses shrieked a horrible death cry as did the men. The other three soon started to dive as well. More men and horses were hit, Issac covered his head and screamed.
After a while the sound of the planes engines died away, they had strafed a few more times but eventually a few soldiers started firing back and the airplanes flew away. Leaving the only sound to be heard were the screams of the wounded and dieing. Issac lifted himself out of the dirt and thanked God for not being killed. He made a cross across his chest. He turned and looked at John. “That's why.” John was pale and shaking, he was barely able to nod his head. Eventually the officers came by and reorganized everyone and had doctors carry away the dead and wounded in clunky trucks with the red cross painted on them.

“What-the-hell.” Tiny Tim said clinching his fist.”
“Yank airplanes.” Lieutenant Camps said directing a group of cavalry to go around them.
“Yeah I gathered that sir.” Tiny Tim said in a disgusted tone. “I meant why the hell do they get to fly over us and shoot us up like that. Were like ducks in a row and didn't do nothing about!” Lieutenant Camps didn't reply, he just kept directing people. Eventually they were ordered to continue down the road towards Pembina and they resumed marching. Eventually the small town could be more clearly seen, they were ordered to spread out in the grass and hold up. Issac's company was positioned on each side of the road. Captain Kent came up to them.
“Stay behind the machine.” He said. That was it after he was done he simply moved onto the next platoon.
“I guess the bastard doesn't take questions.” Tiny Tim said. John Canvas agreed with him. They didn't have to wait long to discover what the 'machine' was. A truck with what looked like to be sheets of steel welded to it came rolling along the road. Followed by five more. On top was a man preparing a Vickers Machine gun.
“Hell yeah!” Issac yelled. “Time to show those Yankee son of a bitches the true meaning of hell on Earth!” The armored trucks slowly started to move towards the city weren't the fastest things around moving a a jogging pace. Issac had his bayonet on his Lee Enfield rifle, they moved towards the city, 500 hundred yards. Then 300 hundred yards, the Americans had set up some artillery though not much, shells started to pound the earth sporadicly. But not nearly enough to stop the moving Canadian mass. The cavalry went around to flank the city from the sides. At a hundred yards machine guns in the small town opened up. Dirt was kicked up in front of the Canadian line.

The Vickers machine gun on the armored truck returned fire, hitting the masonry of the buildings. Issac found himself pushed up against the side of the truck he started to breath heavily and became deathly afraid. An artillery shell struck close to his platoon a leg landed in front of him, he felt his face become pale. Men started to fall, not everyone could behind the armored trucks. An another artillery shell landed this time even closer to his platoon, striking a squad in front of his own. When the smoke cleared there was a man standing upright. Only that he was standing on his torso with his lower body besides him, he screamed in agony before falling suddenly silent. Issac stopped and trembled before he was pushed forward.
The trucks closed the gap and finally silenced a machine gun but more still fired. He could hear fire coming from the side of the town so he knew that the cavalry must of met the enemy. He had no way to know who was winning. Men started to fire into the buildings trying to hit anything. Sporadic rifle fire answered them and John Canvas fired killing a enemy soldier (though he didn't know it) a second later he was struck down by a bullet to the head. Issac screamed from the build of stress and fired his Lee Enfield. It struck the side of the approaching building.
He pulled back the bolt and raised his rifle to fire again. He felt the rifle push into his shoulder and he smiled as it hit the stone next to a window were a Maxim machine gun was visible. The Maxim exchange fire with the Vickers, the armor plating protecting the shooter on the armored truck allowed him prevail, and the Maxim fell silent. The truck continued into the town. The five behind it followed as well. One hit a ditch and was unable to continue. Issac swore realizing just how bad the
cross-country-performance of the machines were.
The five remaining armored trucks covered every degree of attack. They kept up a relentless bombardment of bullets. Issac saw a Soldier wearing a cowboy hat in union blue cross the road as the truck turned down the street. Issac fired as he hugged the wall for cover. He missed, cursing he pulled back the bolt and reloaded his Lee Enfield, unlike the American's Springfields and German's Mausers, the Lee Enfield could fire 10 bullets without needing to be reloaded. Instead of Five. The car moved to where the American soldier had crossed the street. Rifle fire cut down a group of men in the cross fire, including Lieutenant Camps. When the Armored Truck was over the area that the soldier had ran flames shot up. Issac jumped back, he was lucky a few soldiers were set a blaze, they screamed and a bullet whistled by Issac's ear taking off a piece of brick. He hid by the remains of the armored truck. The driver had been forced to jumped out of the vehicle and had been cut down in less than a second. The machine gunner kept firing until the fire reached him and his gun. Staying low he rolled off the back end of the vehicle. Whipping out a pistol he fired through the growing smoke.

The Armored truck that had turned down the street with them fired into the buildings thinning out some of the fire. Lucas Bell pulled the pin on a grenade -commonly called a pineapple due to its shape) he ran up to the edge of the fire and hurled it into a near by window were rifle fire was coming from. It exploded killing many enemy infantrymen. He fell clutching his thigh were a bullet struck him, he lost his balance and fell into the fire, Tim and Issac yelled and ran and reached into the fire to pull him out. Tim grunted as his hands were burned. Issac felt searing pain and they were only able to get Bell out with the help of more men as the armored truck laid down suppressing fire.
As they laid Lucas down a medic came up to them and started to wrap bandages around Tim's hands after taking one look at Lucas Bell. Issac wanted to throw up, Lucas' face along with most of his body had been turned crispy black, his eyes were, - Issac didn't see eyes. But yet Lucas was still alive, he had stopped screaming, he coughed up red blood and twitched violently. His life was ended not by his injuries but by a bullet to the chest. Issac looked up to see Captain Kent standing above them with a pistol in his hand. Closing his eyes he put the pistol back in his holster.
“I expect to all to do the same for me.” He said, Issac looked around he didn't hear that much gunfire. Instead he heard the clattering of hooves. A minuet later he saw the Canadian Cavalry coming down the road towards them. The number of men seemed to be much less than what they had set out with a short time ago. He came up to the captain.

“Captain I just lost about a quarter of my men but we surrounded the town. We took some prisoners and you won't have to worry about any Yanks retreating. Is their any fighting left?” The Cavalry Major asked.
“Their were some enemy rifleman down the street there but we've been keeping them suppressed the last few minuets. Might be dead for all I know.” The Captain replied pointing down the street past the fire that continued to burn.
“Stay in cover and wait and see, if they make themselves known, kill them.” The Major started to turn his horse. “Oh and there is a reporter here, he wants to tell how the Canadians aren't content on letting the Yanks invaded our land. He's doing a story on this battle.”
“How about you tell him about the armored trucks, things saved our asses so many times today.” Issac said nodding his heads towards the remaining truck. The Cavalry Major saw it and snorted.
“Horrible machines truly ungentlemanly like. But I'm sure the reporter will hear all about this new poppycock.”


********************************************
The next day
A man read the newspaper its headline.
CANADIANS USE ARMORED TRUCKS TO TAKE PEMBINA
Major General Butch Cassidy slammed the newspaper down onto the table in a fit of rage. He stood up and looked out of his tent he saw artillery firing to the west trying to soften up the British and Canadian lines. He turned to the east.
“I told you son of a bitches!” He hollered at the top of his lungs. “I ****ing told you!”


************************************************** ****


Location:Springfield Massachusetts
Date:April 4th 1916


Alex Wright walked into the recruiting station. He now knew what he wanted- what he had needed to do. And he hadn't even realized it until the previous week. The week before he and his friend Abraham had seen a flight of airplanes fly overhead. The had watched in awe as they flew low over the city they did loops and turns. Crowds assembled and for 10 minuets or so the pilots had given them a show to remember. Even at 17 all he had to do was get his parents consent. Now he could fulfill his new dream. To be an Aviator.
He and Abraham walked up the desk. A short and seriously looking man with short crisp cut hair with gray on the edges sat behind the desk. Alex talked to him for a few minuets, he handed over the needed paperwork and answered some questions. He said he would soon be sent a date for the physical and additional information.

“And you would like to join what again?” The man asked.
“I would like to be able to fly one of those airplanes sir.” Alex said grinning. The man chuckled.
“You're not the only one, but I'll write that down. Good luck getting in, they don't accept everyone. If they did they would be out of planes. And for your friend over there I hope he doesn't have the same dream.” The man pointed at Abraham with his pencil before writing something else down.
“Why?” Abraham asked.
“You're a negro.” The man said without even looking up from his papers.
“So?” Abraham said. “This isn't the south this is-”
“The United States of America and you wish to volunteer in the United State military which except for a few units is still segregated. Now you could join the Massachusetts militia they won't have a problem with you fighting side by side with a white boy. But as of now the Army Air Corp is segregated.” The man leaned back in his chair. He stared at the ceiling before sitting back up and rolling over to a filing cabinet. “There is however,” he opened it up and grabbed a folder, “a squadron that was recently formed by Roosevelt himself.” He said rolling back over to the desk. “Their called the African Airmen.” He opened the folder and pulled out a picture. He handed it to Alex who then handed it off to Abraham. It showed a group of Black men in flight gear standing around a bi-plane.

“And I could get into this?” Abraham asked.
“Possibly.” The man behind the desk said spreading his hands and shrugging. “It depends if you pass their test, shouldn't be to hard, I hear blacks write it.” Abraham clenched his fist but the man didn't notice. “So let us being with all required stuff. Name?”
“Abraham Lincoln Freeman.”
“Date of Birth?”
“January 1st 1899.” And so Alex stayed for the next fifteen or so minuets as Abraham had his paperwork filled out and was given information. When they walked out Abraham was furious.
“Racist son of a bitch. Easy because its 'written by black'.” Abraham shook with anger. “What is this Mississippi!” He shook his head.
“I hear its not to bad down there if your black these days.” Alex said trying to calm his friend down. His friend laughed a disgusted laugh.
“Yeah not as bad as having to do everything a cracker tells you to. And yeah blacks down there don't have whites cracking whips at them every second of every day. But its damn hard to vote when the police are whites only. Or hard to get a good paying job. Nothing in the law that says a white man has to hire a black person.” Alex nodded. He knew during reconstruction that the big plantations had been broken up and given to the free slaves and poor whites. But blacks still weren't seen fondly in the South. And the blacks being given land on the old plantations even if Lincoln tried to spin it by giving poor whites land there to, had felled. Not to mention it had created the permanent terrorist group that had been revealed to be getting British support during the Western Atlantic War, which had caused an uproar in Britain. What were they called the cockadoodle clan? He couldn't remember.

*******************************************

As a member of the Central Intelligence Bureau J. Edward Hoover had been on plenty of investigations. He had done plenty of research on the Ku Klux Klan. And they fact that they had burned down a factory making war supplies that was run by a black man didn't surprise him one bit. Even on the banks of the Mississippi in Tennessee. But now he could report to his superiors that the KKK was once again getting involved with the U.S. He hoped this time they could crush them once and for all. They had had them on the ropes by 1894 and they had let them go.
“Not this time. I solemnly promise as God as my witness. Not-this-time.”

Picture-Canadian forces attacking Pembina on April 2nd 1916

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

Picture U.S Soldiers on the bank of Lake Erie preparing to invade Canada

[Life In Black]

Nice to see this TL is still alive. Great update!

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

Thanks
anyother comments please!!

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Seriously anyone have anymore comments

[Life In Black]

Since no one else commented, I'll post a question that's been bugging me, Where's the Sundance Kid?:D

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

We might see Harry Alonzo Longabaugh later on also well learn while Butch Cassidy isnt using his real name ITTL

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

A picture I made that I forgot to post

Light blue shows were the "positive" planners planning for war thought the American line would be by the end of the month

Blue shows were the realists expect American forces by the end of the month

And the American color actually shows were the US forces are after 1 week

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

Name:Aidan Byrne
Location:European Western Front
Date:April 8th 1916


“Here they come boys give them hell!” A moment later up and down the British line muzzle flashes could be seen. A few unlucky Germans fell, others dove for cover. Aidan Byrne looked out from little ditch that he had dug. He was part of an Irish Volunteer regiment from Dublin. Ever since the Irish had rose up in the Great War many officers from England or Scotland had looked down at Irish soldiers. They had to fight twice as hard for half the respect. He didn't like that,it made him pissed, it made him want to kill Germans.
He pulled back the bolt and fired again, this time his bullet hit the mark and a German soldier fell silently clutching his chest. Farther down the line a machine gun started to spit out bullets. Many considered the Vickers superior to the Maxim and Aidan was inclined to agree.
“How is 2nd company holding up?” Private Aidan Byrne asked his sergeant.
The Sergeant reloaded his Lee Enfield before replying. “The Belgian feckers are pushing them hard on our left. At least there are more more Belgians trying to take Saint-Omer than there are Germans. Or we would not be doing so well. Ay?”

“Got to wonder if the Germans say the same thing about us?” Aidan said thinking out loud.
“Of course,” Sergeant Boyd said smiling, “of course where the Germans and the tommies are the Belgians.” Aidan grinned. He looked for a target and saw a Belgian running forward. Aidan fired grazing the man's arm. A bullet hit the dirt in front of Aidan causing him to duck back down into his little ditch. He saw a private down the line fall dead. They continued to stay and fight, taking more and more casualties. Eventually the Belgians started to pressure their left flank enough for the commanding officer to order a slow and fighting retreat.
Machine Guns provided suppressing fire as did artillery. They fell back to a small French village. They were about two dozen miles outside of the French City of Saint-Omer, the last great obstacle for the Portland Alliance until the major port cities. Including Calais. His squad took shelter in a ditch as machine gunners set up their gun in the window of a building directly behind Aidan and his squad. After a few moments the Belgians got with in range.

“Wait a few seconds.” A leftenant said. A few seconds passed as the Belgians and Germans got closer. “Fire!” Aidan had a target already targeted, that soldier fell. The machine gun started to fire away. The Belgians and few Germans dove to the ground. Many returned fire. Michael Roche a good friend of his laid in the trench next to him. He fired and while pulling the bolt back slumped over. Aidan looked at him, his eyes were glazed over and a bullet wound had knocked of the corner of his head. Aidan wanted to throw up. Then he felt in raged. He looked down the sights of his gun and spotted a German running forward before diving to cover again. The soldier stood up again, Aidan fired and the German collapsed.
The Germans and Belgians kept coming, they eventually got close enough to throw their grenades. Aidan hated the name explosions-on-a-stick. They were designed to be thrown far while the Entente's grenades were designed for close quarters. In simple terms, soldiers of Alliance countries could hit them with grenades before soldiers of Entente countries could. One grenade was aimed for the machine gun above them. The grenade hit the side of the wall and fell into the ditch, the ensuing explosion killed Sergeant Boyd along with his Leftenant.
All Aidan could do was cover his head, wishing he had more than a cap to protect it. He looked back over the ditch and fired again. The Belgians and Germans had more men, especially here away from the main action were the Germans were pushing for Paris. He pulled out a grenade and pulled the pin, it was designed for defending. He lobbed it over the ditch and hoped it reached the enemy soldiers. Eventually more friendly artillery arrived and it started to pound the Belgians and Germans. The Belgians and Germans had seemed to have out ran their artillery forces because no enemy artillery answered back. And that was the deciding factor. Aidan looked and aimed, the Belgians and Germans were falling back.


That didn't mean he couldn't stop shooting at them. The machine gun agreed. A few minuets later the Portland Alliance soldiers that had escaped were out of range. Many men still laid dead and dying. Aidan finally had a chance to actually breath. It was almost dusk, he took off his cap and wiped his forehead.
“When you think they'll attack again?” A private asked,
“I don't know Patrick. But they'll be back soon. I would guess tomorrow morning.” Aidan replied. He pulled off his canteen and took and gulped down some much needed water.
(OOC:Here is a hint on the fate of Saint-Omer, go to it's Wikipedia page and looked at its sister cities.

Pictured below
Irish Dublin Volunteer Regiment

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

feel free to comment

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

Date:April 8th 1916
Location:The Peninsular front


Captain George S. Patton stood at attention outside the tent of Major General Butch Cassidy. A man came out and said that he could go in. Walking into the rather large tent Patton stopped and saluted. “Sir.” He said saluting.
“At ease Captain.” The General said nodding at him before looking back down at a newspaper in his lap. Patton eased up a little and waited for the General to speak. He looked at him before talking. “You're Captain George Smith Patton, correct?”
“Yes sir.” Patton said with a quick nod.
“So you're that Patton who was the first person in history to lead a mechanized assault?” Cassidy said raising his eyebrows. Patton was a bit confused.
“I'm not quite sure what you're referring to sir?” He asked shaking his head.
“You used Army trucks to kill banditos back in Mexico, correct? Or do I have the wrong Patton?” Cassidy said replying. Patton grinned.
“No sir that's me. You must be talking about when there was that group of bandits that attacked a farm in south Texas. They tried to get away on horseback. I ordered my men to follow in a pair of trucks. We shot at them. Killing one and wounding another, and killing the horse of the third. We then tied them behind our trucks and dragged them back to our camp. We then dragged them behind horses. They were then tried and convicted of assault, robbery, rape and murder and were hung with disgrace.”
“And I have it on good word that their hasn't been anything worse than a robbery committed by Mexican banditos in the Del Rio region since.” Cassidy said standing up and lighting a cigarette. He grinned at Patton.
Patton shrugged, “Do you blame them sir?” He said with a smirk.
“When hell freezes over.” Cassidy said shaking his head. Cassidy walked over to a desk, on top of it was a small tin toy. Something that a child would play with. It was modeled to look like an Armored Car. “Now Captain you maybe be asking yourself why I asked you to come here. Well you see for the last couple of weeks we've been trying to get past Welland Colborne line. Did you hear how the Canadians took Pembina?” Cassidy asked. Picking up the car model and holding it in his right hand.

“No sir.” Patton replied shaking his head. “Don't get much news up in the front. I heard that our boys finally made it past Leamington. That's good to hear.”
“The Canadians and British used a group of armored trucks. It was a small group but it provided enough cover for their infantry to move in and take the city. The cars were also equipped with Vickers machine guns, allowing the protected gunners to put out a good amount of death.” Cassidy looked at the model as he turned it in his hand.
“Sir, that is interesting and all. But why did you invite me up here?” Cassidy smiled and placed the Model back on top of table.”
“Follow me.” Cassidy walked past Patton and out of the tent. Patton followed, they left the command post and walked down a dirt road. After a minuet or two they reached an area where the woods by the road cleared. In that clearing a dozen strange looking vehicles stood the sun reflected off their metal armor. It was ugly as all hell. It looked like a rectangle on the bottom with a trapezoid on that with a cylinder on top. In that cylinder there was a machine gun that Patton only faintly recognized. It had four wheels and looked to be heavily armored.
“This is the Emperor Armored Truck.” Cassidy said holding his hand out to the lead vehicle. “Able to take machine gun bullets though not the best against shrapnel. Can take it off a road without getting stuck, but it might just be able to get you through the canuck lines.” Patton walked up to it and rapped his knuckles against it.
“Who made it sir?” Patton asked climbing on top of it.
“Union Motors, as usual. They got a factories in Albany and Portland. We also got Chrysler making these in their Detroit factory. Not to mention that White Motors is starting to produce their own armored truck.”
“But you said these would get stuck if they were taken off road sir. I don't know if there's any road into Welland left.” Patton said, looking at the Machine gun. Cassidy climbed up to the top with him.

“Our planes have found a road or two that should be able to be useable for the armored trucks. The airplanes will continue to do recon of those roads and I'll decided which one to advance on when the time comes. Until then I've decided to call of all artillery bombardments.” He paused to see if Patton would argue over the idea but he instead just looked over the machine gun. “It's a Lewis gun.” Cassidy said sitting down on the back of the truck. “We've been putting them into more and more of our regiments, they'll eventually replace the Maxim.”
“End of an era.” Patton murmured as he slide down into the gunner's position.
“It's the beginning of our era Captain Patton. Our era. The time of Grant, Hooker, Wolseley. The age of war having rules is going to be gone. No longer is it about the better soldier as it is about luck. We live in an age of death.”
“So, we'll just have to make this era a victory for the United States.” Patton said, lifting himself out of the gunner's position.
“What do you think the Canucks and frenchies are saying to each other. Or the Austro-Hungarians. They all believe this to be their era- well maybe not Austria-Hungary. But I digress. Captain I'm having your platoon transferred to the new 1st Armored Calvary Division that I am creating. Over the course of the next week your group will be trained on these vehicles and then sent out into battle. You think you can do that for me?”
“Yes sir!”


Now an break down on the armored trucks

Picture of the White Armored Truck

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm18/DemocracyDefender/FV-whitearmoredtruck.jpg

Picture of the Emperor Armored Truck
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm18/DemocracyDefender/fv-EAT.jpg


Picture of a british Standard Amrored Truck in North Dakota 1916

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

Heres some early US propaganda to incourage blacks to enlist
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm18/DemocracyDefender/fv-usBRprop.png

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

Date:16th of April 1916
Location:Outside of Welland Ontario









“Keep her steady Bailey.” Patton said holding onto the inside of the vehicle. Over the last week they had been trained on these vehicles. The Emperor Armored Truck did not have the smoothest cross-country-performance, but he smiled as he heard rifle shots bounce of the Truck's armor. It was still early morning when the whistle rang, and up and down the entire Niagara peninsular front the United States Second Army rose to attack.
This was by far the largest attack yet. Roughly 160,000 men of the Second Army was attacking a roughly 40km front. And Patton new that this was not the only United States Army attacking. General Pershing was in command of the Third and Fourth Armies that were pushing for the The St. Lawrence. The Second Army was under the command of Lieutenant General Fredrick Funston. The United States Sixth Army was out in Jefferson and had become bogged down in a very slow see-sawing front as the British aimed to try to take Vancouver and the United States tried to reach Memoriam(1). Neither had gotten close to their objectives. And the Fifth Army was scattered over the Northern Midwest, the Canadians having struck before they could completely organize.
Patton cursed as he was rocked back and forth in the Armored Truck. “I thought the General said that these roads were good enough to travel across.” Bailey said cursing, his knuckles white on the steering wheel.

“Yeah, well the Army has wildly varying definitions on 'good enough' and 'comfortable'.” Patton replied standing up. “Are we in range yet Sergeant?” He asked Bailey. The Sergeant nodded. Patton opened up a back panel that opened up to the air. “Atticus, keep that platoon directly behind our truck formation. Provide support!” He yelled over the whistling of mortar and artillery fire. The Armored Trucks were attacking in a V formation with Infantry following close behind them for protection.
Patton stood up and grabbed the Lewis Machine Gun. Bailey told Private Kowalski -a nineteen year old draftee that was the son of Polish immigrants- to make sure the machine gun had ammo. Patton ducked as a rifle bullet hit the armor plate in front of his hand, creating sparks. The trenches were in front of the city of Welland. They were roughly hundred and fifty yards away.
His Armored Truck was the lead truck, him firing the machine gun would be the cue for the other trucks to follow his lead. Pulling the trigger he fired a burst of bullets at the Canadian trench. The bullets lazily hit the ground in front of the trench, Patton raised the gun a bit as the other trucks opened fire. They created a crossfire of suppressing fire. There were eighteen trucks in the 'V'. The Infantrymen cheered as the fired shots from their Springfield 1903s, officers lead them on using their 1911 handguns as pointers.

The American artillery let up on schedule. Patton would miss the suppression effect they had. But he couldn't complain to much. If he died, he died. But he would prefer it be done by an enemy combatant, not his own side. Patton's heart rate increased when he saw an American armored truck exploded from a direct hit by artillery. He looked around and could just make out in the distance a Canadian artillery team.
The mainstay of the British artillery was the 18-Pounder. It was a solid piece of engineering and was a match for the American 105mm Dahlgren Howitzer. However the two sides had very different fighting styles. The Americans had adopted their German allies Howitzer method. Their Artillery would be far back behind the lines, and they would fire up into the air and come down and a steep trajectory. They weren't precise, but they were protected. The British on the other hand, had their artillery teams right up at the front. They were deadly accurate and knew were to strike. But they were also deadly exposed.
Patton, other armored trucks and even infantrymen, opened up of the artillery team. The artillery team fell, but still others remained. Patton searched for targets as they got within fifty yards of the Canadian trenches. He spotted a machine gun firing on the American infantry. Another Truck took care of those. However four of the trucks by this time had become bogged down. The road was only so wide and the land around it was little more than mud. Then another British artillery piece rolled up and fired, destroying one of Patton's trucks.

Multiple artillery pieces were firing directly at the trucks now. They had become the primary targets. Patton in turn, made them his primary targets. One of the bogged down trucks was hit directly by a artillery shell and destroyed. Patton cursed, he was losing trucks fast. As they got close to the trench he took more small arms fire. The truck ran of the barbed wire and infantrymen ran forward to cut the devil's fishing line(2). Some were shot, still others were able to successfully open up holes in the wire. The remaining trucks fired down at the trench as the infantry stormed past them and lept into the trenches bayonets ready. Patton fired past the trenches at any artillery pieces he could see.
He could hear the brutal fighting in the trenches, but the two sides were to close for him to safely fire into them. The artillerymen were getting the hint and starting to pull back. They had taken heavy casualties and their position was likely to be overrun in a few moments time. With the large attack and the supporting fire, most of the attacking infantry had actually made it to the opposing trench.
After about fifteen minuets of battle the infantry started to either continue down the trench or climb out of it to continue west. Army Engineers had come forward and were laying short wooded bridges across the trench line. Patton ordered Bailey to move across it.
“Onward to Toronto!” Patton yelled, pointing west.
“Well Bully.” Was Atticus Finch's reply.



**********************



“So General Cassidy it seems your division has advanced the farthest in the last week and a half.” Lieutenant General Fredrick Funston said to Butch Cassidy. He was staring over a map of the Niagara peninsula.
“It would seem that way sir.” General Butch Cassidy said beaming to the annoyance of the other Generals in the room.
“I would however like to asked why your forces are held up outside of Hamilton?” General Smith said coolly, though with a hint of joy in his voice.”
“Well General as you will discover when your division reaches Hamilton, they canucks have prepared yet another defensive line. To many of my armored trucks for put out of commissioned to launch a major attack. My division took high casualties not only in the clearing of the trenches outside of Welland, but also clearing the city itself.”
“For now Cassidy I would suggest that you consolidate your forces. Launch probing attacks and see if you can find a weak spot in their lines.” General Funston said holding up his hand to silence the other Generals.
“Sir with all do respect if we consolidate so do they! What I need is more Armored Trucks now! My division and first armored attacks quick and-”

“General Cassidy I must point out that while you did capture Welland and race the Canucks and Limeys all the way to the end of the Peninsula you lost almost all your Armored Trucks either to enemy fire or break downs. We have a very finite supply of those vehicles.”
“So let me use them were they'll be most effective sir!” Cassidy said pleadingly.
“You have your orders General. For now consolidate and launch probing attacks.”
“That will end up getting good men killed for no reason!” Cassidy said slamming his fist on the table.
“So will you rushing head long into battle with unreliable vehicles and tired troops that have had little sleep for the past week and a half.” General Funston paused and took a deep breath. “I know keeping the initiative is important. We all do. But you troops are tired. They need replacements to fill in the losses. You need to secure your very overstretched supply lines. You need to make sure all your soldiers under your command are well equipped. You need to repair your vehicles. Until then your division will likely fall apart.”
“I have faith in my men General.” Cassidy said shaking his head. “They're good men.”
“I know they are, and I know you do. But like you said. Lets not get good men killed for nothing.”






(1)-The Oregon settlement after the Oregon War in this TL was and the 51st Lat. So British settlements changed accordingly. Memoriam is a city set up by the British as the Capital of British Columbia.



(2)-Nickname that American soldiers give barb wire in TL.

[Mark 4 Morrel Barrel]

Seriously dont be afraid to comment guys. CC is welcome. Please.

[Life In Black]

Sweet! It's good to see this back. Perhaps someone could come up with the idea of armouring an artillery piece?:D