alternatehistory.com

Austria doesnt have Galicia and Bukovina - the first went to Russia the second to Romania or Russia. I dont care why. Everything else is the same. This would mean that Austria instead of having an undefendable border with Russia would have a very easy to defend (mountains) border with Russia. The few passes are of course fortified.

How would this change early WWI? How would this change the warplanes?

My gusses:
1. Russia: there are 3 possibilities for Russia as i see it:
- throw a huge amount of man on the austrians and only maybe succeed with insane losses
- Austria is too costly so focus more on attacking Germany
- pull a Belgium on Romania: the passes to Romania werent fortified OT because they were allies - this didnt change. This would mean of course that Romania enters the war on the german side.
2. Austria:
- with Russia being a much less threat they can focus more on beating Serbia. Could this be enough for an early victory for Austria in this front?
3. Germany:
- if the russians go with focus more on Germany that could result in changing the Schlieffen plan - which would have huge effects on the outbreak of war. If the germans arent short of time they dont have to jump in early just because Russia is mobilizing or attack France. This would make them look less the agressor at least.
- could they decide to wait out how Austria fares against Russia? What i mean is that seeing how Austria has a strong defensive position they decide to jump in only if Austria is losing.

In last case could the war be reduced to Austria beating up Serbia after a time while russia cant break through the border? Germany, France and the others stay out and after 1-2 years of bloodshad and seeing that they cant beat each other make peace?

Any other ideas what results Austria not having Galicia could have on WWI?
Top