Europe Post 1918

[chris N]

The Imperial German Navy had now entered the Gulf of Finland with two Konig class Battleships and escorts. The Excuse was that German was sending forces to assure the safe removal of German citizens from the City. The German commander was told that if fired upon by the Reds he was to return the fire and silence ANY THREAT to the German task Force. The Germans were also bringing in additional ammo, food and medicine for the White Forces.

[chris N]

In China demonstration continue to take place and there is some conflict between European military units and the Chinese. The International Community in Shanghai takes a tough stand. There the police take a strong hand. Communist demonstrations are dealt with harshly. A Young Chinese General Chang Kai Shek begins to take control of the Nationalist Party. His desire is to unite China under his leadership. He realizes that only an effective Chinese National Army will be able to accomplish this goal and turns to the Germans for help in training it.

[chris N]

Germany was now walking a fine line. Its apparent show of force was causing the Soviet leadership to wonder if the cost of taking St Petersburg could be too high. The Soviet Union was not ready for a major war with a European Power. Rupprecht as Regent was hoping that he would not have to bring the nation into another war. The late Iron Chancellor would be proud of Germany's ruler. He had a firm grasp on the fine art of Brinksmanship diplomacy.
For nearly a week nothing happen and then the Soviet War Minister left for Moscow. The Guns went silent. It appeared that for now the Soviets had blinked.

[chris N]

For a world suppositly at peace there seems to have been a lot of fighting going on. Spain and France were busy trying to extinguish the Riff Uprising. In Italian North Africa the was a simmering revolt by some of the natives.
Turkey and Greece were at peace but the British were still usy helping to prevent another war and exchange the population.
The Kingdom of Hungary was now a lot smaller and Romania a lot bigger but it appeared that Kaiser Karl and Crown Prince Rupprecht had been able to reach a settlement that ended the border disputes . Italy and Serbia were hostile to one another and the Italians were blamed for an attempt on the Serbian Kings Life.
The Ukraine was busy attempting to stop trouble from spreading into an uprising in the Eastern part of the Nation. There was a sizeable ethnic Russian population there. Ukranian intelligence believed that the soviets were responsible.
North America was peaceful. It appeared that Mexico had finally settled down after the US Intervention there from 1916-1920. President Coolidge was preparing to run for election to the office that he had taken over after the death of President Harding.
Latin America appeared to be quiet but there were problems smoldering underneath that probably would result in a war between some of the nations.
In the Far East there were problems between those in Japan , who felt that their nation had ben slighted in the peace. The Germans had sold the Marianas Islands to the US thus preventing Japan from seizing them. Japan had been forced to backdown on its demands against China.
While Chaing had yet to take power he was a voice within the Nationalist party and emerging as the person who had command of the military. He was consolidating his power. He wanted to eliminate the Communist, who he saw as a threat to China's stability.

[chris N]

Late July 1924 Minister Trotsky ahd returned from Moscow with some big guns of his own. Placed on Railroad platforms were some 12inch/52 cal guns designed for the last Czarist battleship. A decision had be made by the Politburo to call the German's bluff and bring up guns that could threaten the German ships.

[chris N]

The German battleships responded to being fired upon by shelling where the firing came from . But the Soviet guns would only fire three rounds and then move to another position. The Soviet Minister of War had ordered four more of these railroad guns sent. Soviet aircraft were also sent to the region in a major escalation of the War.
The German fleet continued to land supplies and remove any German, Austrian, British, American, Canadian or other European that wished to leave.

[chris N]

The Imperial German Navy and the Soviet Union's Railroad Guns exchanged fire for the next four days. The Kronprinz Wilhelm was Hit by a Soviet 12 inch shell and suffered 1 near miss. The Two German Battleships in turn shelled the area with some 20 12 inch High Explosive rounds. A very lound explosion was seen. It appeared that the the Germans had caught the Russians before the could withdraw. Still the Russian moved in more guns and again the German Battleship was Hit. Arriving to replace it were the SMS Baden and SMS Bayern. These two ships proceeded to pound the area and supported a landing by the Imperial German Army. The German attack was designed to scare the Soviets enough so as to end the siege of St Petersburg. German forces withdrew after destroying all of the railroad track on the side where the Soviets had control.

[chris N]

By August 1924 the German Navy presence in the Gulf began to lessen. The Soviets then made a major push that put them inside the city itself. Attempts by the Red Army to capture the Winter Palace was a total failure. Many civilians were fleeing to the Finnish border. Still it was unclear how long the city could hold out without foreign intervention.

[Deckhand]

Given the generally pro red feeling in petersburg, what about the majority of the citizens glad to be liberated from foreign occupation and aristocratic tyranny?

[chris N]

A Lot of the pro Red citizen fled the city when the Whites took control of the city. Also the economy began to revive thus causing a reduction in support for the Reds. Prior to the Reds move to retake the city things were not as harh as during the Czars days. It had an elected city government, taxes were not bad and everything was working. The White Military commander ruled the region with a gentle hand. He however would not tolerate the Red forces.
One must also take into account that just to the north and west of the city was the Kingdom of Finland. Finland also hated the Reds.
Below ships still bring in supplies and take out those who wish to flee.

[chris N]

Germany was acting as host to a secret meeting of nations that were concern about the current situation around St Petersburg. Present were Intelligence military and diplomatic teams from Germany, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Polish-Lithuanian Union, Latvia, Ukraine and Great Britain. There was growing concern over an increasingly aggressive Soviet Union.
Germany had mad another military demonstration in the Gulf of Finland and that had caused the Red Army to withdraw from parts of St Petersburg. A confidential report said that the White forces would not be able to continue to hold the city without outside assistance.
Many of the nations worried about possibly triggering a wider war if they involved themselves in the struggle for the city. Finland was divided on this issue. Marshal Mannerheim was believed to favor aiding the White forces
Latvia would oppose intervention. Estonia would support action but only if it was protected.

[Deckhand]

Originally Posted by chris N

A Lot of the pro Red citizen fled the city when the Whites took control of the city. Also the economy began to revive thus causing a reduction in support for the Reds. Prior to the Reds move to retake the city things were not as harh as during the Czars days. It had an elected city government, taxes were not bad and everything was working. The White Military commander ruled the region with a gentle hand. He however would not tolerate the Red forces.
One must also take into account that just to the north and west of the city was the Kingdom of Finland. Finland also hated the Reds.
Below ships still bring in supplies and take out those who wish to flee.

So the grateful eastern europeans are ever so happy to have the Germans arrange things for them, and the Russians are the Bad guys. This is different from your other timelines how?

[chris N]

Despite everything there appeared to be little enthusiasm among the Nations of Eastern Europe to act. The result was a decision by Germany not to go to war. Thus the White Russian Forces began a withdrawal to the Finnish border. White forces acted as a rearguard protecting those that wanted to leave. Thus the Red Flag of the Soviet Union was now raised over the City of Leningrad as the Soviet Leadership renamed it.
Trotsky did receive credit for capturing the City but Josef Stalin had been able to strengthen his position. He reminded everyone that it was he who suggested the campaign.
Stalin said that it was critical that the Soviet Union increase its industrialization so as to be able to stand against the west. Things calmed down. Still Stalin was already working on his next project. That was to undermine the government of the Ukraine's control of the Eastern part of the country.
Germany was now preparing to chose its next Kaiser. Rupprecht of Bavaria was the odds on favorite.
January 1925 France become the first government to establish diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union. It is followed by Bulgaria and Turkey.

[Goldwater64]

Interesting map. What are those gray islands around Denmark and the Baltic Sea?

[chris N]

Here is a better Map of the area.

[chris N]

Before anyone mentions it I know that I mispelled the Name of the Austro-Czech-Slovenian- Croatian Union. Thats what happens when trying to do two things at the same time. One makes Mistakes. It will be corrected if I use the map again.
Germany: As the vote on who would be the next Kaiser a public opinion poll showed strong support for Rupprecht with 70% and Louis Frederick got 20.
The current Regent was being pushed into taking the job. He however had the support of his family and had good relations with the British Royal family.

[abc123]

Originally Posted by chris N

Before anyone mentions it I know that I mispelled the Name of the Austro-Czech-Slovenian- Croatian Union. .

I'm not so sure that Slovenians would be in that union/Monarchy.
After all, they were allways part of Austria, so I really don't see that they are recognised as equall part of Union, so IMO it should be only Austro-Czech-Croatian Union/Monarchy.

[chris N]

Okay, It is now Officially the Austro-Czech-Croatian Union.

Fall of 1924: The recent vote by the German people has seen the first non-Hollenzollern to hold the office and the first Catholic Emperor since the Holly Roman Empire. Rupprecht won with 72% of the vote.

[chris N]

A Look at the Middle East 1925

[chris N]

Below Eastern Europe after Trotsky Victory. The Soviet War Minister's Victory had given him a new lease on life. Stalin was unable to force him out and assume total control of the Party. But make no mistake Stalin was also getting a lot of what he wanted such as his industrialization program.