Sorry for a delay in updates, I was on a bit of a holiday (to scenic Ohio!) Here is a little update about the British entry into the European war and some strangers becoming friends.
[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]
Chapter 8:[/FONT]
[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]The Commoner, the Colonel and Churchill[/FONT]
“[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]It is better to be making the news than taking it; to be an actor rather than a critic.[/FONT][FONT=Book antiqua, serif]” - Winston Churchill[/FONT]
“[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]The Diplomacy Wars was the catalytic event in the friendship between the United Kingdom and Germany that lasts until this day. Once mildly friendly, world events saw these two great powers thrown together in defense of international law and peace in an accidental and surprising war against French militarism. Upon reflection, it is clear that the French-developed 'Cult of the Offensive' was a critical cause of the Diplomacy Wars. From the Bulgarian seizure of Constantinople to Russia's swarming of the Balkans to France's violation of Belgium neutrality, the aggression of the Allies certainly led to the whole situation spiraling out of anybody's control.[/FONT]
“[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]It would be remiss not to mention that this aggressive nature was also apparent in the Combined Powers as well, what with the original spark being the invasion of the Ottoman's by the Balkan League; but this was largely approved of internationally (who did not want a piece of that dying Empire, which is left only with a rump, due to them becoming reinvested in the war, when they should have realized it had already been defeated?). France's 'preemptive' attack on Germany, on the other hand, is a truly deplorable act, violating the internationally recognized and respected neutrality of a lesser nation, in this case Belgium. It is no wonder that in 1917 the International Council was founded to enforce international law with a majority of nations and power. But we digress.[/FONT]
“[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]Germany and the United Kingdom were quick to laud each other following Britain's formal alignment with Germany and Austria-Hungary (the forgotten partner) on January 11, following the fall of Namur to French forces. There had been a fair amount of debate both publicly and in Parliament about whether of not the United Kingdom ought get directly involved in 'Continental Affairs' however when the seemingly impenetrable bastion fell in just a week to French siege, the Liberal government under Prime Minister Asquith could avoid conflict no longer.[/FONT]
“[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]The British warplan was to isolate France by naval blockade, strangling her so Germany may dispatch of her on land. The United Kingdom would assist the superior German Army whilst the Germans would assist the superior Royal Navy at sea. Yes Belgium's neutrality was to be defended, but at the same time France was to be punished colonially. Already Japan and Germany had began to move against France's colonial possessions. Germany was mopping up Polynesia, planning an occupation of New Caldonia, crossing into French Africa, and even making plans for seizing territories in the Caribbean. Britain was lagging behind. Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Pondicherry, and the French Caribbean would fall without resistance. French Guiana would be a different story. General Jan Smuts would be sent back to South Africa to lead British forces in Africa, having made friends in high places during his self-imposed exile while reflecting on his life thus far. Also of colossal importance were Russia and the Ottoman Empire, as British forces and agents began to mobilize in Iran, Afghanistan and Arabia, although real actions would wait until Spring. [/FONT]
“[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]What was of most imperative importance, however, was the relief of beleaguered Belgium. This marked the first wartime collaboration between the two nations and would be the beginning of a lifelong friendship between two great personalities representing the two great European powers. Sir Winston Churchill, at the time First Lord of the Admiralty, was sent to Antwerp with a Royal Marine division to assist the defense of the city and to assess if saving the nation from French invasion was a lost cause. Churchill's German counterpart was Colonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, dispatched as the commanding officer of the II. Seebatalion from Wilhelmshaven. It is of interesting historical note that Lettow-Vorbeck left Germany as a Colonel, in command of a division named as a battalion, due to the Germans not renaming the force to reflect that its numbers had surged with reserves before departing for Belgium. For all intensive purposes Lettow-Vorbeck was a Major General as he became joint commander of the Imperial German Marines and British Royal Marines as they strategically retreated west with the Belgians from besieged Antwerp, not formally receiving promotion until they reached save haven.[/FONT]
“[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]As history had recorded it, King Albert, fulfilling his constitutional duty as commander of the Belgium Army, met with both Churchill and Lettow-Vorbeck to discuss their perilous predicament. Antwerp would fall to the French siege, their was no doubt of that. The First French Army had the city surrounded from the South and East, with the Second Army assaulting Liege and as the Third Army went on to win a surprisingly decisive victory against Germany's Second Army on the Ourthe. Cut off by still neutral Netherlands, Antwerp could be supported be either the British or the Germans. The combined forces' options were limited, at best. The three great men, King, Lord and Colonel, decided, that the best course of action would be to withdraw from Antwerp west and hold a defensive position on the North Sea from where they could either be resupplied and reinforced or, if the situation were to become dire enough to require it, to be evacuated by the Royal and Imperial Navies. [/FONT]
“[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]The following day Churchill and some senior British staff were supposed to slip out before it was too late, as was demanded by the Prime Minister and the King. Col. von Lettow-Vorbeck was personally seeing him off at Antwerp Docks when both of them were tackled by a 'petite' British private, no easy task, called Michael Sterling. Just at that moment, a fair-sized explosion, followed by several others of less impressive power, did a respectable damage to the deck and bow of the ship the Lord of the Admiralty planned on using to escape. Apparently, French operatives or Belgian sympathizers had been shadowing Churchill during his time in Antwerp, knowing that his death would be an impressive propaganda victory. Several French newspapers, prematurely, printed the news of Churchill's death by aerostrike. Upon hearing this news of his own death and that he was intentionally hunted, Churchill responded with good humor and said the he 'felt flattered' that he was 'chosen as a person crucial to the war effort by Britain's enemies.' And so Churchill remained with the Belgium Army and the Marines as they moved west.[/FONT]
“[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]The friendship of Churchill and Lettow-Vorbeck has often been chosen as the relationship that best personified Anglo-Germanic relationships during and following the Diplomacy Wars. Both men led very successful careers during the subsequent years, both being strong advocates for the International Council and the 'peace through power' that followed. There is one detail that is usually dismissed historically, but survives in culture and media, perhaps because of its merits as a romance makes it attractive to some and easily dismissed by others. And that is the detail of one Private Michael Sterling. When Private Sterling tackled the Colonel and the Lord, it became very apparent to the two men that something was amiss. Sterling explained that he had heard the distinct buzz of the planes approaching, despite the ruckus of the shipping yard, having heard them earlier when retreating as one of many in a refugee column from France's push north. Also, that her true name was Dorothy Lewis (if anyone wishes to know how she came to be Michael Sterling, her autobiography, The Audacity of a Woman, is quite thorough). [21][/FONT]
“[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]As are many during war, the subsequent actions were ones of necessity. Not willing to expose their savior as a fraud, and not wanting to leave her to the whims of war, the three of them arranged so that Private Michael Sterling would be the 'private courier' between the two men, and will accompany them, receiving special quarters to keep her gender secret for the time being, where her ultimate fate would be decided when the time came. Since Churchill was a married man (in 1908 he married Iris Elizabeth Freeman-Mitford, who was then pregnant with their second child), Lewis spent more time in the company of the Colonel. And, as these things happen, the two fell for each other (once again, for details, refer to her autobiography). The two joined in holy matrimony before the war's end.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]The Dreams of Giants: the Beginnings of the International Council by Robert Palmer, Stanford University Press, 1967 [22][/FONT]
[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]------------------------------[/FONT]
[FONT=Book antiqua, serif][21] See Dorothy Lawrence, a tragic story that I felt deserved more historical justice. Since Dorothy Lawrence herself would only be 16 in early 1913, I decided it would be better to create a fictional character who could be a few years older to play her part. Although I do not [/FONT]
[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]at this time have a specific fate decided for Dorothy Lawrence, I imagine it being better than the one she recieved in this world.[/FONT]
[FONT=Book antiqua, serif][22] There is some obvious bias in this work.[/FONT]
[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]
Chapter 8:[/FONT]
[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]The Commoner, the Colonel and Churchill[/FONT]
“[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]It is better to be making the news than taking it; to be an actor rather than a critic.[/FONT][FONT=Book antiqua, serif]” - Winston Churchill[/FONT]
“[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]The Diplomacy Wars was the catalytic event in the friendship between the United Kingdom and Germany that lasts until this day. Once mildly friendly, world events saw these two great powers thrown together in defense of international law and peace in an accidental and surprising war against French militarism. Upon reflection, it is clear that the French-developed 'Cult of the Offensive' was a critical cause of the Diplomacy Wars. From the Bulgarian seizure of Constantinople to Russia's swarming of the Balkans to France's violation of Belgium neutrality, the aggression of the Allies certainly led to the whole situation spiraling out of anybody's control.[/FONT]
“[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]It would be remiss not to mention that this aggressive nature was also apparent in the Combined Powers as well, what with the original spark being the invasion of the Ottoman's by the Balkan League; but this was largely approved of internationally (who did not want a piece of that dying Empire, which is left only with a rump, due to them becoming reinvested in the war, when they should have realized it had already been defeated?). France's 'preemptive' attack on Germany, on the other hand, is a truly deplorable act, violating the internationally recognized and respected neutrality of a lesser nation, in this case Belgium. It is no wonder that in 1917 the International Council was founded to enforce international law with a majority of nations and power. But we digress.[/FONT]
“[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]Germany and the United Kingdom were quick to laud each other following Britain's formal alignment with Germany and Austria-Hungary (the forgotten partner) on January 11, following the fall of Namur to French forces. There had been a fair amount of debate both publicly and in Parliament about whether of not the United Kingdom ought get directly involved in 'Continental Affairs' however when the seemingly impenetrable bastion fell in just a week to French siege, the Liberal government under Prime Minister Asquith could avoid conflict no longer.[/FONT]
“[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]The British warplan was to isolate France by naval blockade, strangling her so Germany may dispatch of her on land. The United Kingdom would assist the superior German Army whilst the Germans would assist the superior Royal Navy at sea. Yes Belgium's neutrality was to be defended, but at the same time France was to be punished colonially. Already Japan and Germany had began to move against France's colonial possessions. Germany was mopping up Polynesia, planning an occupation of New Caldonia, crossing into French Africa, and even making plans for seizing territories in the Caribbean. Britain was lagging behind. Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Pondicherry, and the French Caribbean would fall without resistance. French Guiana would be a different story. General Jan Smuts would be sent back to South Africa to lead British forces in Africa, having made friends in high places during his self-imposed exile while reflecting on his life thus far. Also of colossal importance were Russia and the Ottoman Empire, as British forces and agents began to mobilize in Iran, Afghanistan and Arabia, although real actions would wait until Spring. [/FONT]
“[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]What was of most imperative importance, however, was the relief of beleaguered Belgium. This marked the first wartime collaboration between the two nations and would be the beginning of a lifelong friendship between two great personalities representing the two great European powers. Sir Winston Churchill, at the time First Lord of the Admiralty, was sent to Antwerp with a Royal Marine division to assist the defense of the city and to assess if saving the nation from French invasion was a lost cause. Churchill's German counterpart was Colonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, dispatched as the commanding officer of the II. Seebatalion from Wilhelmshaven. It is of interesting historical note that Lettow-Vorbeck left Germany as a Colonel, in command of a division named as a battalion, due to the Germans not renaming the force to reflect that its numbers had surged with reserves before departing for Belgium. For all intensive purposes Lettow-Vorbeck was a Major General as he became joint commander of the Imperial German Marines and British Royal Marines as they strategically retreated west with the Belgians from besieged Antwerp, not formally receiving promotion until they reached save haven.[/FONT]
“[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]As history had recorded it, King Albert, fulfilling his constitutional duty as commander of the Belgium Army, met with both Churchill and Lettow-Vorbeck to discuss their perilous predicament. Antwerp would fall to the French siege, their was no doubt of that. The First French Army had the city surrounded from the South and East, with the Second Army assaulting Liege and as the Third Army went on to win a surprisingly decisive victory against Germany's Second Army on the Ourthe. Cut off by still neutral Netherlands, Antwerp could be supported be either the British or the Germans. The combined forces' options were limited, at best. The three great men, King, Lord and Colonel, decided, that the best course of action would be to withdraw from Antwerp west and hold a defensive position on the North Sea from where they could either be resupplied and reinforced or, if the situation were to become dire enough to require it, to be evacuated by the Royal and Imperial Navies. [/FONT]
“[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]The following day Churchill and some senior British staff were supposed to slip out before it was too late, as was demanded by the Prime Minister and the King. Col. von Lettow-Vorbeck was personally seeing him off at Antwerp Docks when both of them were tackled by a 'petite' British private, no easy task, called Michael Sterling. Just at that moment, a fair-sized explosion, followed by several others of less impressive power, did a respectable damage to the deck and bow of the ship the Lord of the Admiralty planned on using to escape. Apparently, French operatives or Belgian sympathizers had been shadowing Churchill during his time in Antwerp, knowing that his death would be an impressive propaganda victory. Several French newspapers, prematurely, printed the news of Churchill's death by aerostrike. Upon hearing this news of his own death and that he was intentionally hunted, Churchill responded with good humor and said the he 'felt flattered' that he was 'chosen as a person crucial to the war effort by Britain's enemies.' And so Churchill remained with the Belgium Army and the Marines as they moved west.[/FONT]
“[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]The friendship of Churchill and Lettow-Vorbeck has often been chosen as the relationship that best personified Anglo-Germanic relationships during and following the Diplomacy Wars. Both men led very successful careers during the subsequent years, both being strong advocates for the International Council and the 'peace through power' that followed. There is one detail that is usually dismissed historically, but survives in culture and media, perhaps because of its merits as a romance makes it attractive to some and easily dismissed by others. And that is the detail of one Private Michael Sterling. When Private Sterling tackled the Colonel and the Lord, it became very apparent to the two men that something was amiss. Sterling explained that he had heard the distinct buzz of the planes approaching, despite the ruckus of the shipping yard, having heard them earlier when retreating as one of many in a refugee column from France's push north. Also, that her true name was Dorothy Lewis (if anyone wishes to know how she came to be Michael Sterling, her autobiography, The Audacity of a Woman, is quite thorough). [21][/FONT]
“[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]As are many during war, the subsequent actions were ones of necessity. Not willing to expose their savior as a fraud, and not wanting to leave her to the whims of war, the three of them arranged so that Private Michael Sterling would be the 'private courier' between the two men, and will accompany them, receiving special quarters to keep her gender secret for the time being, where her ultimate fate would be decided when the time came. Since Churchill was a married man (in 1908 he married Iris Elizabeth Freeman-Mitford, who was then pregnant with their second child), Lewis spent more time in the company of the Colonel. And, as these things happen, the two fell for each other (once again, for details, refer to her autobiography). The two joined in holy matrimony before the war's end.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]The Dreams of Giants: the Beginnings of the International Council by Robert Palmer, Stanford University Press, 1967 [22][/FONT]
[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]------------------------------[/FONT]
[FONT=Book antiqua, serif][21] See Dorothy Lawrence, a tragic story that I felt deserved more historical justice. Since Dorothy Lawrence herself would only be 16 in early 1913, I decided it would be better to create a fictional character who could be a few years older to play her part. Although I do not [/FONT]
[FONT=Book antiqua, serif]at this time have a specific fate decided for Dorothy Lawrence, I imagine it being better than the one she recieved in this world.[/FONT]
[FONT=Book antiqua, serif][22] There is some obvious bias in this work.[/FONT]
