Es Geloybte Aretz - a Germanwank

[carlton_bach]

Originally Posted by wietze

aren't the east-africa and the helgoland (although to a lesser degree) basically suicide missions?

If the French had joined in like the Russians expected, they would have been glorious victories. Since they haven't - yes, pretty much.

[carlton_bach]

10 July 1906, Moscow

The Czar's face was pale and haggard, his handsome eyes shaded and sunken. Admiral Nebogatov had heard that Nicholas II was given to emotional reactions to news of the war, but being confronted with the physical evidence came as a shock. He bowed, surreptitiously averting his eyes. Coming up, he noticed Dr Dubrovin looking at him carefully.

“Admiral”, the Czar said mildly, “I am sorry that I had to call you here. Sadly, your ambitious scheme has failed.”

Nebogatov had been around the admiralty long enough to know how quickly 'our plan' could become 'your plan' when things went wrong. He bowed his head. “Sire, the French decision not to enter the war has rendered our positions partly untenable. We are considering options under the circumstances.”

“What would those 'options' be, admiral? A retreat?” Every general officer in the Russian forces had learned to fear the deceptively calm voice of Dubrovin. He was present at far too many meetings. Nebogatov bristled.

“Doctor, if this becomes necessary, we must consider it. As things stand at this point, though, I do not believe it is indicated.” Nicholas said nothing, but smiled encouragingly. The admiral continued. “The first consideration must be to maximise the use we can get out of Heligoland while we hold it. I have received a full report by Admiral Essen on yesterday's action and agree with him that conventional cruiser warfare is out of the question. The risk of alienating Britain is too great. However, there remains the possibility of confronting the German fleet, especially if the encounter takes place on our terms, with the use of mines and torpedoes. Following that action, the remaining ships could be withdrawn to Arkhangelsk. The supplies on the colliers are sufficient yet.”

Now, the emperor spoke. “Admiral, your scheme seems to have merit. Understand, though, that you must ensure the greatest precision in targeting., The Dutch gopvernment has expelled our ambassador and no doubt will declare war on us over yesterday's error, no matter what we say.” He raised his hand in preemptive protest. “I know, admiral. The Dutch are not a serious opponent on land or sea. But consider that they will reinforce a powerful enemy. No more such errors may be countenanced.”

“Yes, Sire.” Nebogatov was glad. No matter what, the Czar still had a degree of confidence in his judgement. “As regards the squadron in East Africa, I am afraid they will have to stay in place. At this point, none of our enemies hads a comparable force in the region. Its mobility is severely limitd by the inability to recoal, though. We are planning to send colliers from Vladivostok in order to restore strategic mobility, but until then, the ships are best used to suppress coastal defenses and reinforce the Siberian Rifles in land operations against Daressalaam. We believe that the supplies and forces we have in place will be sufficient to take and hold the coast of the colony until peace negotiations begin. It may be possible to move the capital ships to Europe later in the year, if we can obtain the required coal. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that this will be possible before the Germans clear the Kiel canal.”

The emperor nodded. “Admiral, this is my primary concern. We have had word from a highly placed source that the Austrian navy will place a battleship squadron of three vessels at the disposal of the Germans. HAPAG colliers are being put in place in the Mediterranean. No matter what your successes in the North Sea may still be, we must insist that you move with renewed alacrity to restore the honour of Russian arms. The German Baltic squadron must be destroyed before it can be reinforced.”

Nebogatov looked up. There was Dubrovin, smiling contentedly. The man was a menace. Did he have any understanding at what risk he put the nation's maritime power? Honour of Russian arms indeed. He would need to step up his efforts to draw out the German battlefleet and attrite its strength. Right now, he had a small margin of superiority. It might be enough – but what if it wasn't?

“Of course, Your Majesty.”, he said. “We are already hard at work seeking to confront the enemy. More pressure will be exerted.”

“I have no doubt of the skill and courage of you and your men, admiral.”, the Czar said, closing the interview. “I will pray for your victory nightly.”

Dubrovin still smiled.

[imperialaquila]

Dubrovin is going to be the downfall of Russia. He's like Rasputin, but with more support among the boyars.

[wietze]

Originally Posted by carlton_bach

war on us over yesterday's error, no matter what we say.” He raised his hand in preemptive protest. “I know, admiral. The Dutch are not a serious opponent on land or sea. But consider that they will reinforce a powerful enemy. No more such errors may be countenanced.”

“Yes, Sire.” Nebogatov was glad. No matter what, the Czar still had a degree of confidence in his judgement. “As regards the squadron in East Africa, I am afraid they will have to stay in place. At this point, none of our enemies hads a comparable force in the region. Its mobility is severely limitd by the inability to recoal, though. We are planning to send colliers from Vladivostok in order to restore strategic mobility, but until then, the ships are best used to suppress coastal defenses and reinforce the Siberian Rifles in land operations against Daressalaam.

Of course it is highly unlikely these colliers will reach their destination, big chance they will be intercepted near the DEI. And if the germans will try to get helgoland by a night time landing the dutch marines will be rather useful.

[Jotun]

Von Lettow-Vorbeck should be extremely pleased with a company or two of Dutch Marines

[Vnix]

Originally Posted by wietze

Of course it is highly unlikely these colliers will reach their destination, big chance they will be intercepted near the DEI. And if the germans will try to get helgoland by a night time landing the dutch marines will be rather useful.

I do believe they were aptly trained indeed, so yea, Dutch marines could be useful.

[Dathi THorfinnsson]

Originally Posted by carlton_bach

10 July 1906, Moscow

If warships are immobile due to lack of coal, how can the colliers get from vladivostok to africa? And what good would they do once they get there, if no one will sell the russians coal? It looks like i am missing something. What?

[carlton_bach]

Originally Posted by Dathi THorfinnsson

If warships are immobile due to lack of coal, how can the colliers get from vladivostok to africa? And what good would they do once they get there, if no one will sell the russians coal? It looks like i am missing something. What?

The warships are off the East African coast, and they have coal, just not enough for the voyage all the way to Russia. The colliers are in Vladivostok, and they can easily make it to East Africa with a cargo of coal (which the Russians still need to purchase locally). Assuming nobody stops them on the way, that is. Alternatively, they could steam to Reunion or Madagascar empty and hope the French will sell them coal. They aren't warships, so it would be legal (though unlikely, given the stockpiles there are limited).

[wietze]

Originally Posted by carlton_bach

The warships are off the East African coast, and they have coal, just not enough for the voyage all the way to Russia. The colliers are in Vladivostok, and they can easily make it to East Africa with a cargo of coal (which the Russians still need to purchase locally). Assuming nobody stops them on the way, that is. Alternatively, they could steam to Reunion or Madagascar empty and hope the French will sell them coal. They aren't warships, so it would be legal (though unlikely, given the stockpiles there are limited).

If they are russian flagged colliers it doesn't really matter. Considering their recent behaviour to cargoships (and also neutrals ships) it is highly unlikely they will be left alone in the DEI area. Anything russian flagged will be boarded and confiscated.

[Obfuscated]

Originally Posted by wietze

If they are russian flagged colliers it doesn't really matter. Considering their recent behaviour to cargoships (and also neutrals ships) it is highly unlikely they will be left alone in the DEI area. Anything russian flagged will be boarded and confiscated.

If it's lucky.

[Diez Mil Cantos]

So if I'm not mistaken Russia is "fighting" six fronts at the moment?
Finland
Prussia
'Free' Poland
Galicia
(unless u count those three as one)
North Sea (which is in retreat)
Ostafrika
there is no way they can keep this up if they've got unhappy striking workers, rebellions, and all the other tensions present
seems like the Czar is digging his own grave
Please keep the war updates coming they are amazing

[mikegold]

I've started thinking of Dobrovin as Rasputin. Did he help inspire the character?

[Obfuscated]

Originally Posted by mikegold

I've started thinking of Dobrovin as Rasputin. Did he help inspire the character?

I'm thinking of him as Himmler.

[carlton_bach]

Originally Posted by Diez Mil Cantos

So if I'm not mistaken Russia is "fighting" six fronts at the moment?
Finland
Prussia
'Free' Poland
Galicia
(unless u count those three as one)
North Sea (which is in retreat)
Ostafrika
there is no way they can keep this up if they've got unhappy striking workers, rebellions, and all the other tensions present
seems like the Czar is digging his own grave
Please keep the war updates coming they are amazing

Many of these don't really count as "fronts" given how big the Empire really is. They do not (yet) have an overstretch problem.

- Finland is being "pacified", the troops staying there are second-line and not appreciably more than would normally garrisoned there. By Russian standards, it is almost normal, though once the Germans get back into the business of fanning the rebellion, that will change.

- The North Sea is basically a cruiser squadron they detailed to do a brave and symbolic thing. Not a big issue in the great scheme of things, all ships they could spare. Something akin to Spee's wild ride in 1914.

- Ostafrika consists of ships they could not have used in any other way and Siberian troops they no longer needed there. THey could probably have used the battleships in the Baltic better, but they would not have made it there in time (of course, postponing, if not cancelling the attack would have been the smart thing to do, but assuming that was not going to happen, this is better than rotting interned in a neutral port. Had the French joinned, their coaling ports would have made the battle squadron a formidable threat to German colonies and commerce, or potentially even British).

- Free Poland is a holding action at this point, though they had planned that differently. Fighting there was inevitable, though.

- Galicia and Prussia are the main fronts, with three armies engaged in each. That is in keeping with the original "aggressive" war plan that tries to preempt an Austro-German pincer movement on Brest-Litovsk.

Altogether, not an impossible feat, though Nikolai would certainly have appreciated French help. Since the going assumption was that the war would be short, and the integralist movement seems to be working at this point, Moscow is not yet unduly worried. And of course, a fair number of Russian strategists believe that Germany's industrial, urbanised structure will mean that they, not the Russians, will suffer in a long war because their reserves are pampered city boys and the complex infrastructure will soon break down.

[carlton_bach]

Originally Posted by mikegold

I've started thinking of Dobrovin as Rasputin. Did he help inspire the character?

Partly. Nicholas was not a strong-willed person, so it figures he would latch onto someone to provide conviction. Dubrovin just struck me as suitably sinister. And unlike Rasputin, Dubrovin has political ambition in spades. The man is as revolutionary as Lenin, just in a different direction.

[carlton_bach]

Originally Posted by wietze

If they are russian flagged colliers it doesn't really matter. Considering their recent behaviour to cargoships (and also neutrals ships) it is highly unlikely they will be left alone in the DEI area. Anything russian flagged will be boarded and confiscated.

The plans were made before the Dutch declared war, of course. Given the admiralty's track record, they'll just order the colliers to go around Australia instead.

[carlton_bach]

13 July 1906, Wilhelmshaven

The maps looked untidy to the untrained eye, a welter of pencil marks and lines drawn this way and that. To Prince Albert and Admiral von Koester, they were the answer to their prayers. Obermaat Adolf Petersen had brought back the last reports, and he, at last, see,med confident they had not missed anything.

“You are certain about these approaches?”, Admiral von Koester asked him. The sailor had a cool Frisian unflappability about him that allowed him to stand the scrutiny of his supreme commanders with ease.

“Yes, Sir. I was there with a leadline yesterday night. There are no tethered mines there. Electrically triggered ones, maybe, but nothing else. I doubt there is anything, really. It's too shallow for large warships.”

The prince looked up at him. “Thank you, Mr Petersen. You can go now. Your service to the fatherland will not be forgotten.”

[carlton_bach]

14 July 1906, Villa Hügel, Essen

Invitation

Dear _________

Following recent events, it has become necessary to cancel the planned Zionist Conference in Lemberg. It remains our hope that the city's rich Jewish cultural life will be revived following the end of the present war and we will be able to meet there once again.

It has, however, in the meantime been decided to hold a conference this year from 20 to 24 October in London. I would be grateful if you found the time to attend. If any difficulty in obtaining travel funds or accommodation should exist, please let me know and I will be happy to assist.

Details of the conference schedule and lectures will follow as they develop. For obvious reasons, this year's event will be abridged, and we will not permit votes on fundamental questions due to the enforced absence of so many members from belligerent countries. We hope, however, to be able to contribute to the relief of the Jewish population in the war and the improvement of their political situation.

Yours

Walther Krupp von Rathenau

[The Sandman]

So now that the Dutch are in the war, any chance the Russians might try to invade by way of the Frisian islands?

[Jotun]

Aaaaaaaargh! Don't invoke it!!