December 26th, 1908
Headlines on both sides of the western front are covered with variations of “Christmas Truce Ends, Bloody Fighting Continues!”
Paris, France, December 28th, 1908
“…and the most interesting part of the day so far was routing fifteen thousand new boots to second corps.”
“Well, that doesn’t sound so bad, your hi-, sorry, Praj.” His companion corrected when he caught the look on the prince’s face.
“I suppose compared to frostbite, it isn’t so bad, but I should be out there with the men, my men; not sipping coffee in Paris while they’re facing down the Germans!” The prince groused.
“Well, it’s not like this isn’t important work. An army lives off of its belly. Logistics is the lifeblood of any good military organization. Oh sure, your tacticians get all the glory in the books, but the ones who keep their armies fed and going, well, they’re the unsung heroes.”
Prajahdipok looked rather dubious at that assertation, but shrugged in his too big coat. “You may be right, but I’d rather be at the front.”
“You’re a Prince. You can’t just be riding a horse at the front of an army like the days of yore. Like it or not, you’re important. Think about it, you’re what, second, third in line for the throne? What would it do if you fell in combat when you’re needed at home?”
“Okay, okay!” Praj said, raising his hands in surrender. “If you’re right, and I’m not saying you are, what good can I do here?”
“Listen, learn, and build some relationships with the people here. You can make important friends, and some of the things you can learn here may be useful to you.”
“Not that I have much choice in the matter.”
“That’s the spirit.”
March 3rd, 1909
Jean Jules Brun Steps Down!
Commander in Chief of the French Army today announced his decision to step down. Though citing health reasons and age as the major factors in the decision, it is more likely the stalemate in Western Europe is the primary reason behind the move. He is succeeded by Auguste Dubail.
Auguste Dubail, Hero of France?
June 8th, 1909
With appalling Russian losses and the army of the Russian Empire in full retreat, German forces have redeployed to the West, leaving the mopping up to about 15% of total German forces, and relying largely on Austria to finish the job. Unaware of the German plans, the French army unleashed a front wide assault on the German positions that pushed in several miles only to be hurled back by powerful counterattacks. The cost in blood is horrendous and the both sides become even more vicious with local commanders not allowing temporary truces to retrieve the wounded, many of whom would die in no man’s land, their cries echoing in the ears of those on both sides.
Finally on June 8th, the German assault would spring forward, issuing an ultimatum to Belgium, troops would pour into that nation which heroically fought to resist the overwhelming numbers of German troops. British, Belgian, and French troops would rush to meet the large flanking maneuver and managed to slow it, aided by the number of rivers across which the adders had to make their way. Fortunately for the Allies, the long delay before the Germans made their move allowed for a large strategic reserve to be formed, and these forces marched north to meet the German threat. Though historians would assume the German army had intended to sweep around and envelop Paris with this move, in actuality the original aims were merely to turn the French flank and force their army to retreat or face a decisive battle where it could be decisively defeated.
The Battle of Mons would prove to be a major point in this early stage of the war. Here, combined forces of the allies would manage to halt the German offensive and force them to dig in. Both armies would then move North West attempting to outflank one another in the “Race to the Channel” which finally ended after a long string of attacks and counterattacks, near De Haan; though the allies had stemmed the advance, they were unable to push the German forces back.