Pacific Theater
April:
Spanish Admiral Montojo decides to keep his fleet in range of coastal artillery, despite the risk to civilians. Further preparations include a more correct placement of naval mines
May 1st:
00:17 a.m.
The US Fleet, lead by Dewey's flagship, the protected cruiser USS Olympia, begins entering Manila Bay. The Olympia hits two mines (1), blowing her up with all hands. Among the dead is Dewey himself.
05:15 a.m.
First shots by the Spanish are fired, but fall short due to range.
05:41 a.m.
US ships are ordered to close in and engage
05:59 a.m.
Protected cruiser USS Baltimore suffers an unlucky magazine detonation after being penetrated by a shell fired by Spanish coastal artillery and sinks with heavy loss of life
06:30 a.m.
Gunboat USS Petrel receives several hits and is forced to retire
06:49 a.m.
Remaining US ships withdraw from the fight, establish blockade of Manila Bay
(2)
12th June
German Pacific Squadron under Admiral Dietrichs arrives at Manila, and starts acting provocatively – cutting in front of American ships, refusing to salute the United States flag (according to customs of naval courtesy), taking soundings of the harbor, and landing supplies for the besieged Spanish.(3)
13th June
Incident occurs that results in shoot-out between the German and American squadrons. Spanish ships sally out of their harbor and join the fight. The US squadron, being heavily outnumbered, is soundly defeated.
Europe
mid-June
German government learns of the Manila incident. Having already attempted to form a European-wide coalition to try and make America back down diplomatically, and having already made several plans for war against the United States, Germany renews its negotiations with Spain.
late June
German-Spanish negotiations a succes. Germany to issue ultimatum to the US, and then join the war once they refuse. Germany to gain possession of all Spanish holdings in the Pacific, Guantanamo Bay in Cuba for use as a naval base and economic privileges in the Spanish Caribbean. Spain to support Germany's claim to ownership over all US minor islands in the Pacific and protectorate over Hawaii and restoration of its monarchy.
June 30th
President McKinley rejects German ultimatum. German Fleet begins sailing for Spain.
Caribbean Theater
July 2nd
Spanish Squadron in Santiago de Cuba stays in port, hoping reinforcements arrive before the city inevitably falls
July 17th
Combined German-Spanish squadron arrives off Santiago de Cuba, and engages the US Fleet. US Fleet soundly defeated, with all five battleships sunk
July 18th
German transport ships unload reinforcements in Santiago harbor.
July 21st
Combined German-Spanish force engages their American besiegers. Suffering from an outbreak of yellow fever and other diseases, and outnumbered nearly 3-1, US and Cuban rebel forces are easily defeated.
(1) - OTL the mines somehow failed to do damage
(2) - at this point I figure "ok, mission accomplished, Manila is safe; lets see what can be done in the Caribbean". Then I noticed the US outnumbered Spain 5:1 in battleships. "Fuck, this is going nowhere. Maybe if I bring in the Germans?" and promptly redesigned the thread
(3) - happened OTL
So, does the US throw in the towel at this point, seeing as how they have no navy left? Or do they stubbornly refuse to quit? Can Germany get Hawaii (was not annexed OTL until June 15th, when victory in the Pacific was already clear, perhaps delayed here) for their trouble?
April:
Spanish Admiral Montojo decides to keep his fleet in range of coastal artillery, despite the risk to civilians. Further preparations include a more correct placement of naval mines
May 1st:
00:17 a.m.
The US Fleet, lead by Dewey's flagship, the protected cruiser USS Olympia, begins entering Manila Bay. The Olympia hits two mines (1), blowing her up with all hands. Among the dead is Dewey himself.
05:15 a.m.
First shots by the Spanish are fired, but fall short due to range.
05:41 a.m.
US ships are ordered to close in and engage
05:59 a.m.
Protected cruiser USS Baltimore suffers an unlucky magazine detonation after being penetrated by a shell fired by Spanish coastal artillery and sinks with heavy loss of life
06:30 a.m.
Gunboat USS Petrel receives several hits and is forced to retire
06:49 a.m.
Remaining US ships withdraw from the fight, establish blockade of Manila Bay
(2)
12th June
German Pacific Squadron under Admiral Dietrichs arrives at Manila, and starts acting provocatively – cutting in front of American ships, refusing to salute the United States flag (according to customs of naval courtesy), taking soundings of the harbor, and landing supplies for the besieged Spanish.(3)
13th June
Incident occurs that results in shoot-out between the German and American squadrons. Spanish ships sally out of their harbor and join the fight. The US squadron, being heavily outnumbered, is soundly defeated.
Europe
mid-June
German government learns of the Manila incident. Having already attempted to form a European-wide coalition to try and make America back down diplomatically, and having already made several plans for war against the United States, Germany renews its negotiations with Spain.
late June
German-Spanish negotiations a succes. Germany to issue ultimatum to the US, and then join the war once they refuse. Germany to gain possession of all Spanish holdings in the Pacific, Guantanamo Bay in Cuba for use as a naval base and economic privileges in the Spanish Caribbean. Spain to support Germany's claim to ownership over all US minor islands in the Pacific and protectorate over Hawaii and restoration of its monarchy.
June 30th
President McKinley rejects German ultimatum. German Fleet begins sailing for Spain.
Caribbean Theater
July 2nd
Spanish Squadron in Santiago de Cuba stays in port, hoping reinforcements arrive before the city inevitably falls
July 17th
Combined German-Spanish squadron arrives off Santiago de Cuba, and engages the US Fleet. US Fleet soundly defeated, with all five battleships sunk
July 18th
German transport ships unload reinforcements in Santiago harbor.
July 21st
Combined German-Spanish force engages their American besiegers. Suffering from an outbreak of yellow fever and other diseases, and outnumbered nearly 3-1, US and Cuban rebel forces are easily defeated.
(1) - OTL the mines somehow failed to do damage
(2) - at this point I figure "ok, mission accomplished, Manila is safe; lets see what can be done in the Caribbean". Then I noticed the US outnumbered Spain 5:1 in battleships. "Fuck, this is going nowhere. Maybe if I bring in the Germans?" and promptly redesigned the thread
(3) - happened OTL
So, does the US throw in the towel at this point, seeing as how they have no navy left? Or do they stubbornly refuse to quit? Can Germany get Hawaii (was not annexed OTL until June 15th, when victory in the Pacific was already clear, perhaps delayed here) for their trouble?
