Part One: The Great War, Post 25# - Rising Tension
Kaiserreich a TL
Part One: The Great War 1914-18
Part One: The Great War 1914-18
POST 25 - Rising Tension
With signing of armistice agreement between Britain and Germany, just a week after battle in Bulgarian.
The British politicians gave order for BEF to pack there things and move to Britain, leaving the final Peace agreement to one who is victorious in last battle on west front.
Only on cadaver of the Ottoman Empire were BEF still fighting, to gain „a slice of the cake“ for the British Empire
The British politicians saw this bloody war in Europe for done, They almost sacrifice a entire Generation of young men on French battle field, for nothing.
Those who return of this Hell, they wishes for return to there Family were brutal crush as they were put in Camps in Britain for further use.
This disappointment of those men would take one day revenge on British political establishment.
In mean time with German help the Greece and Bulgarians got agreement about further actions, joined actions to be precise.
They would now as Members of Central powers with German support, fight together against Ottoman Empire !
As the Ottomans start also genocide against Greece and Bulgarian minorities in Turkey,
For OHL there was more at Play here, since Ottoman Empire was dead and the situation in Austria-Hungary turn chaotic too.
They needed someone in control over Bosporus they could trust.
So Bulgaria had to take over Thrace with Bosporus, while Greece try to secure east part of Dardanelles and other Greece populations areas on Turkish coastline
Wilhelm II was boisterousness about current situation, despite victory in Bulgarian front and British armistice agreement
His Operation Siegfried was delay do American Flu and succeeding quarantine, until weather is better in Spring 1919.
France
Was in political turmoil after British pullout there force out France.
There were very bitter reactions on British „Betrayal“ and that France was „To be sold down the river“ to the Germans.
With the defeat of BEF in Bulgaria frontline and Return of King Constantin I. to Greece,
The French pulled there forces out there, also out the Areas of Ottoman Empire, every available solders return to France!
Leaving final Offensive against the Ottomans for British and there Arabic militia and others who started there uprise like the Kurds.
The biggest fear was: What happen Next ?
The truce with Germans was still holding, but both were rearming there Military strength and since the Americans back in business with Germany.
The „Bosh“ could gain upper hand in this war and the french were sure would be matter of time until German attack them.
Biggest problem the French had, there Administration was centralized in Paris, like wise the financial and economics sector were concentrated in Paris
Once the German would get Paris in there hands, they would have total control over France.
The City was victim of the Germans long-range Guns, who fired regularly from end of operation George, until the signing of armistice agreement with Germans.
But it would matter of time until that resume, that was sure for many Parisian, who had suddenly business in south France and left Town…
The anxiety of German Attack, let people to become paranoid or have a nervous breakdown.
French Commander-in-Chief General Micheler was expecting a massive Attack on Paris by Germans south of Soissons or near by.
The Germans hat to move to Nanteuil-le-haudouin to use the Roads and Railways to get easy to Paris and here his defense strategy would play.
While the Army had digging series of trenches, he order the placement of strategically artillery in forrest near Nanteuil-le-haudouin during the nights
Also in forest of Emenonville and Dammartin-en-Goèle.
In same time over 3000 Renault FT-17 arrived operational at frontline north of Paris, the french trump card, compact and mobile they could in that large number, to foil the German offensive.
Also was new french chemical weapon ready, there version of mustard gas called Ypérite.
On order were prepared the National roads N°31 and N°38 with road-blockade, mines, boobytraps
General Micheler wanted that Germans suffer more and more for every millimeter they get closer to Paris
In mean time The French military was informed by there Indochina colony over increasing activity of Japanese Imperial Navy at coast line of Vietnam,
Follow by same news from New Caledonia…
Footnote
BEF = British Exploration Force
OHL = German Military High Command
Irland
At begin of summer of 1916, the Irish groups had united under Irish volunteers army (IVA) under the leadership of Michael Collins
There Guerrilla warfare turned the country site of Irland into dead traps for British Patrols, who were ambushed and killed were ever they encounter IVA
While Irish agents commit bomb attacks and assassination attempt in Ireland and England.
The IVA got from USA, supplies and Volunteers united under Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Also started campaign of Irish Civilian disobedient were they refuse to pay Taxes or Irish railwaymen refused to Transport British military or there supplies.
Another issue were the Fear of Irish men to be forced to serve in BEF at West front, what let to increase IVA members during 1917-spring 1918.
During 1917 Irland became a hellhole for the British Force, as the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) collapsed.
There substitutions, the „Auxiliaries“ and „Black and Tans“ were Paramilitary forces and were notorious for there reprisal terror attacks on Irish civilians.
Only to get full focus by IVA as they „return the favor“ with reprisal terror attacks on British civilians.
In begin 1918 happen two events that turned the civil-war in favor of Separatist.
April happen first general Strike in History of Irland, the Irish lay down there work, hampering seriously the British Economy and war effort.
Another issue was the „German Plot“ in begin April 1918
The report on the arrest of Irish Brigade member Joseph Dowling, brought by German U-Boat on Irish coast, it was claimed that Germany would support the IVA
So the news, Dowling confess that Germans planned a military expedition to Irland, was justification for British Authorities to arrested 150 members of Sinn Féin,
The political wing of Separatist, this let to further radicalization of Irish against British, what let to the General Strike and
That Michael Collins could consolidate with the other leaders and become the indisputable Leader of Separatist movement for Irland.
It had some Irony the British Authorities had no idea. that Germany already supported the Irish cause way back in 1916.
In autumn 1918 The British had only total control over east part Norther Irland province of Ulster, but only with help of Ulster Special Constabulary and protistan Extremist.
Unfortunate those force used same tactic as IVA what let to bloodshed and murder, silently sanctioned by British forces and the Government in London.
in mean time the British bureaucrats were putting returning solders in to Camps, were they had to sit an wait further instructions for use in Irland or in… ,
…India
With the uprise the Ghadar Party started in Punjab in Christmas 1916, The British dit everything to suppress it.
Troops from New Zealand and Australia were diverted to India, instead of West Front in Europe, now they act as riot control for British India administration.
Who start brutal to repress any independence movement with help of General Reginald Dyer
In mean time Hindu Solders were wasted on the Westfront over 60000 of them died senselessly.
A certain Mahatma Gandhi make first public appear in April 1918 in India,
Already know as Anarchist by South African Authorities, He used peaceful demonstration and acts of public disobedience to force his demands.
In Punjab town Amritsar he organized peaceful demonstration and help the victims of combat between British and Ghadar Party.
But his actions ended in Blood bath as British force open fire with machine-guns on 10000 nonviolent protesters on Order of General Reginald Dyer.
Around 2000 Men, Women and Children and four sacred cow were killed; and almost Mahatma Gandhi, who survived the massacre wounded.
The massacre let to outcry in India. special that British killed sacred cow made population angry,
Colonel Dyer was relieved from duty and order back to Britain to face a Investigation committee by house of lords.
It took the British India administration until 1919 to crush the Punjab uprise.
The convalesced Gandhi was over thinking if his Strategy of Peaceful resistance, was really effective against the British like Colonel Dyer ?
Gandhi realize he must rethink his strategy...
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