Kasespatzle unt Schwartzwald Kuchen

So...selling Canada off...Britain has essentially taken the gun, pointed it at their head, and pulled the trigger while Germany looks on in bemused shock.
 
So...selling Canada off...Britain has essentially taken the gun, pointed it at their head, and pulled the trigger while Germany looks on in bemused shock.
Canada: That deal is not valid, that is the Dominion of Canada, we're the Republic of Canada Now.
Australia: we're off before they try to sell us. and so on
 
Canada: That deal is not valid, that is the Dominion of Canada, we're the Republic of Canada Now.
Australia: we're off before they try to sell us. and so on

Japan: By the Emperor, those British sell out their own. We shouldn't expect any better in 1922, when the treaty of alliance comes up. We'll need a new ally...perhaps the Russians might be interested...

No seriously, if Imperial Germany holds on, I get the feeling the Whites may have a good chance of defeating the Reds...and the Whites might just uphold an agreement the Tsarists made with Japan in 1916 over dividing China into Russian and Japanese spheres of interest.
 
How will Great Britain get away with selling off a province (British Columbia) that has been part of the confederation since its beginning? The territories, I could more or less see, but BC is far more problematic. And I don't really see the US wanting to gain territory with people that are friendly but clearly want to be part of their own nation. Caribbean islands, on the other hand, would seem easier: I could envision the Stars and Stripes flying over Kingston and a number of other islands. Likewise I could sort of see Newfoundland since that's still a crown colony at this point.
 
12 April 1918 – Ottawa, Canada

“I am angry beyond words, Mr. Cavendish, and just so you know I am uncertain as to the 'next course of action' you referred to in your call yesterday. You have *literally* sold us out to the Americans”!, noted a visibly infuriated Robert Borden, Prime Minister of Canada with the newly-seated 13th Parliament of Canada. Borden was very much aware that London, and specifically the monarch, retained executive power, legislative power, and ultimate decision-making authority for Canada as well as other areas of the Empire, but to sell out one’s own people like this (especially without consulting her Parliament or at least her Prime Minister) was unheard of and inconceivable.

“In all honesty, Prime Minister, I found the decision surprising as well”, noted Victor Cavendish, the 9th Duke of Devonshire and the Governor-General for Canada, “but King Edward wishes it done as does Parliament, they even sent it in writing. Please look”.

Borden declined to do so, instead he simply looked at the Duke with fiery anger. Canada’s army was afield under the decorated general Sir Arthur Currie from British Columbia, the telegram Borden received from him contained more expletives and questions than useful information or lucid thought. Currie had not yet decided whether to stay with Canada or stay with his Province…almost certain to be granted statehood when the treaty was signed…but the remainder of the Canadian people were left in no position to argue. Military resistance was possible, but bigger problems loomed and defeat would be all but certain under those circumstances. “You know about the situations in Southern Africa and Quebec, I presume”?

“I know that the British Southern Africa Company has relocated to Capetown and placed its territories under South African suzerainty as of two days ago. I also know Capetown offered to 'maintain and develop the infrastructure' in southern Mozambique in what sounds like an all-but-sale of the area from the Portuguese, but I am ignorant of any new developments in Quebec. Given that Quebec is so much nearer us and more relevant, how are our neighbors”?

“Lisbon accepted the ‘maintenance and development of infrastructure’ offer with conditions for commercial rights and other privileges given its precarious situation with Spain, it is not so much a sale of the land as a right of use disguised as or prerequisite to an actual sale. Until Portugal has the strength to deal with Spain, however, the Union of South Africa now reaches the Zambezi. Several thousands of our countrymen are relocating there, especially from the Western reaches, before any such sale can go through the American Senate. Australia is too far, the United States too wild, and Britain…I lack the proper words to describe our feelings amongst polite society, sir”.

Devonshire looked at him with mild anger. “You are citizens of the Empire…”

“For now, good sir, for now. As you so aptly demonstrated with recent actions, apparently even the most sacred of trusts can be subject to change”.

Devonshire sat glaring at the man across from him, his own anger still kept in check but starting to rise. “You mentioned Quebec”.

“Yes, our neighbors are calling for a lot more concessions now that fifty-seven members of our Parliament will not return. Quebec alone would only be counterbalanced with a near-unanimous electorate from the remaining provinces, something Quebec tends to send. Unless the deal falters or something else changes the representation of Quebec will account for perhaps 60% of our Parliament. They will have the power to do almost entirely as they wish unless we act in unison! Bifurcated nations rarely survive as such, Mr. Cavendish, I would cite Belgium as an example but I doubt she will be around long enough to remain relevant to our nation’s fate, your Grace”!

Devonshire squinted at the indirect sting, inferring that London was about to sell out Belgium for their own interests as hard as the Canadians believed their own interests were compromised. “I respect that you see this as a slight against Canada, please understand that the situation does not permit…”

“I know about the financial situation as well as that of the British Expeditionary Force on the Continent. Were it not for the risk of harming the thousands of Canadians under arms there already we might be having a very different conversation, sir, but the realities of the situation dictate this approach. Britain is nearly bankrupt, the quantity of money was enough to give pause, but for all of it to be in bullion means London is on the brink of financial ruin. Yes, I know about the transfer of Madagascar, Indochina, and so many other places from France as ‘repatriation’ or whatever term you wish to use”, Borden noted in rapid succession, “but you had other assets to sell, other places to find wealth, or could have tried to forestalled the sale at the very least to see how the war would end”!

Devonshire immediately released the squint. “Actually, we could not, Mr. Borden, and that is why I agreed to come this morning. France declared a cease-fire effective 0900 this morning”.

Borden paused almost immediately with eyes agape. Devonshire continued, “German troops literally reached the Somme River this morning and an advance scout division reached the Notre Dame and Eiffel Tower, flying the Imperial German flag from atop both. German forces do not control Paris yet, but with troops now in the city itself Calliaux knows it is a matter of days before the city falls. Without some sort of peace now and a chance to regroup they stand to lose *everything* if our intelligence is right”.

Borden tried to picture that scenario in his mind. German Imperial Flags flying in downtown Paris for the second time in less than fifty years, and with French morale broken either it was declare a cease-fire or be given a dictated peace. “How far are they from the city itself”?

“Apparently quite a few are in the city proper which was largely in a panic for the first hour afterwards. Roads and railways leading southwest and due west are said to be crowded beyond capacity with refugees fleeing the coming occupation. With the cease-fire it is hoped many will return home, but to more directly answer your question, they are just under 12 miles from the city at a place just southwest of a commune called Tremblay-en-France. Artillery at the front would be almost within potential striking distance of the easternmost reaches of the city itself and is audible within the city”.

“The war is over”, Borden said with a hollow voice. Thank God the slaughter would end, he thought, but at what price? “And what of the French government? What demands are known”?

“That is the other problem and part of the reason the gold was so desperately needed. France is beginning to fragment under warlords of various banners. Spain is taking possession of what she controls with a few minor adjustments, but on that new border the Orleanist monarch is operating a force and government out of Toulouse, which is now all but a border town with the Spanish. Bonapartists have taken control of Marseille and are starting to fan out as well. Breton has seen a naval mutiny while a Commune has formed in Moulins in the center of the country. Northern France is still largely in control of Paris but with rumor that the Germans are preparing to break off Lorraine, Franche-Comte, and Nord it gets worse as the Breton regions are likely to be given at least lingual and local autonomy. The country will be a chessboard, the winner will rule perhaps as a British, Spanish, or most likely German satellite. I fear the days of France as a Great Power are likely over”.

Borden now understood the situation. Britain’s international financial dominance was its most useful tool in swaying international opinion, losing it would mean a vacuum that Germany could fill and the Germans were not likely to permit the less direct rule of colonies as Britain did no matter how independent they claimed to be or supposedly were. He would now have to sell this to the Canadian people as a good thing – a task nearly impossible on the best of days – or figure a way to at last prevent the two countries from going to war. “Quebec will likely secede or make us secede under the circumstances, you know. If they come to dominate the Parliament so I fear the agreement making French and English co-existing languages might not survive”.

“Refugees from France are coming to Quebec in numbers via England, Spain, and Nantes. Their primary destinations are Quebec and New Orleans, so please be aware you may have a number of new seats for Quebec in the next Parliament”.

Borden sighed as a messenger opened the door and walked in. He laid the sealed telegram on the Prime Minister’s desk and promptly left the room. As the messenger left, Borden opened the telegram, read it, and looked back at the Governor-General. “Kaiser Wilhelm is inviting Canada to the peace conference – not as a representative of United Kingdom but as a separate party in its own right for a separate treaty, offering some very specific terms as an incentive”.
 
How will Great Britain get away with selling off a province (British Columbia) that has been part of the confederation since its beginning? The territories, I could more or less see, but BC is far more problematic. And I don't really see the US wanting to gain territory with people that are friendly but clearly want to be part of their own nation. Caribbean islands, on the other hand, would seem easier: I could envision the Stars and Stripes flying over Kingston and a number of other islands. Likewise I could sort of see Newfoundland since that's still a crown colony at this point.

Point is noted and a good question. British Columbia was not an original province of the Confederation, it became one about 1870 or 1871 partially in response to secession threats to join the US if not granted provincial status and a railway tie to the rest of Canada, which was made good on about 1888. As of 1918 the population is about 400,000 and there is a lot of infrastructure to develop, so the province is not set or difficult to alter as yet. Roadways to Alaska would be potentially possible while the mineral wealth of so much of Canada would be open for exploitation by American interests, who would be thrilled at the chance. Gold is still being mined in the US and that might be an issue in the nearer future, the irony of two powers potentially conflicting yet growing by the same means could also come up. And there would be a difference between conquest by a foreign power and takeover with the consent of the former power, especially if full rights are given in the process.

Some other questions this might raise: What effect will so many (former) Canadians have on American politics, especially in close elections? Which might now be eligible for the White House or Congress themselves? And what becomes of a fractured Canada when they two opposing cultures have the history that Quebec and (Ontario + Maritimes) do, especially as London retains Newfoundland?
 
Point is noted and a good question. British Columbia was not an original province of the Confederation, it became one about 1870 or 1871 partially in response to secession threats to join the US if not granted provincial status and a railway tie to the rest of Canada, which was made good on about 1888. As of 1918 the population is about 400,000 and there is a lot of infrastructure to develop, so the province is not set or difficult to alter as yet. Roadways to Alaska would be potentially possible while the mineral wealth of so much of Canada would be open for exploitation by American interests, who would be thrilled at the chance. Gold is still being mined in the US and that might be an issue in the nearer future, the irony of two powers potentially conflicting yet growing by the same means could also come up. And there would be a difference between conquest by a foreign power and takeover with the consent of the former power, especially if full rights are given in the process.

Some other questions this might raise: What effect will so many (former) Canadians have on American politics, especially in close elections? Which might now be eligible for the White House or Congress themselves? And what becomes of a fractured Canada when they two opposing cultures have the history that Quebec and (Ontario + Maritimes) do, especially as London retains Newfoundland?
If Canada survives, its politics will be a wild ride for sure.
 
I am enjoying this timeline. Here is a some thoughts and a questions.

1) It is my understanding that South Africa conquered German South West Africa during the war. I am assuming that they will keep it regardless of what Britain says.
2) Will the Spanish Flu still happen in this timeline?
2) I grew up in Louisiana and early in the 20th century, the speaking of French was strongly discouraged. If there is a large enough influx of French from France to New Orleans that may change.
3) I now live in Central Texas which has a several German settlements. The speaking of German was suppressed after WW1. With the German victory and the lack of significant American causalities, maybe there will not be the backlash German in Texas and the rest of the US.
 
I am enjoying this timeline. Here is a some thoughts and a questions.

1) It is my understanding that South Africa conquered German South West Africa during the war. I am assuming that they will keep it regardless of what Britain says.
2) Will the Spanish Flu still happen in this timeline?
2) I grew up in Louisiana and early in the 20th century, the speaking of French was strongly discouraged. If there is a large enough influx of French from France to New Orleans that may change.
3) I now live in Central Texas which has a several German settlements. The speaking of German was suppressed after WW1. With the German victory and the lack of significant American causalities, maybe there will not be the backlash German in Texas and the rest of the US.

Good questions!

1. Noted and anticipated. Victors can extract more in the peace. But what else might be more economically prudent for both sides? How might Sudafrika and Germany benefit in one stroke?

2a. Yes. But there is something worse than the flu itself that happened concurrently in our TL which will play into events. And remember why it was called the 'Spanish' flu.

2b. Perhaps but other influences may make themselves known. Where does the term 'Cajun' originate?

3. Yes, Pennsylvania had quite the population for a while too and other areas will be similarly affected as well. Peace with a clear victor, especially a rich one with commercial and scientific leadership, can do funny things to people though.
 
And I don't really see the US wanting to gain territory with people that are friendly but clearly want to be part of their own nation.
I too have pondered upon this, and the only thing I can think of would look something like BC becoming something more than a state, but less than an independent nation. Like the USA, Canada likely consists of a few heavily populated urban centers, a greater number of sub-urban population densities, and the bulk of the space is made up of sparsely populated/vacant lands. Perhaps taking into account these factors, and implementing new political subdivisions accordingly, something could be worked out that would be less than perfect, but at least good enough?
 
I too have pondered upon this, and the only thing I can think of would look something like BC becoming something more than a state, but less than an independent nation. Like the USA, Canada likely consists of a few heavily populated urban centers, a greater number of sub-urban population densities, and the bulk of the space is made up of sparsely populated/vacant lands. Perhaps taking into account these factors, and implementing new political subdivisions accordingly, something could be worked out that would be less than perfect, but at least good enough?
The US could group the more populous parts (the ones closer to the former border) into some sort of arrangement similar to Puerto Rico OTL (but with a lighter hand), with the rest (the parts with population too low to be a state anyway) becoming territories.
 
1) I am thinking of a commercial treaty which would give Germany the same trade rights to South African metals and food as Britain. The same treaty would allow German companies the same rights and privileges as South African and British companies. Also provide the German navy access to South African ports for resupply of food and coal. Maybe even associate membership in Zollervein.
2b) It is derived from the word Acadians
"The Cajuns (/ˈkeɪdʒən/, French: les Cadiens [le kadʒɛ̃]), also known as Acadians (French: les Acadians, [lez‿akadʒɛ̃])[2] are an ethnic group mainly living in the U.S. state of Louisiana, and in The Maritimes as well as Québec consisting in part of the descendants of the original Acadian exiles — French-speakers from Acadia (L'Acadie) in what are now the Maritimes of Eastern Canada. In Louisiana, Acadian and Cajun are often used as broad cultural terms without reference to actual descent from the deported Acadians. Today, the Cajuns make up a significant portion of south Louisiana's population and have exerted an enormous impact on the state's culture.[3]

While Lower Louisiana had been settled by French colonists since the late 17th century, the Cajuns trace their roots to the influx of Acadian settlers after the Great Expulsion from their homeland during the French and British hostilities prior to the Seven Years' War (1756 to 1763). The Acadia region to which modern Cajuns trace their origin consisted largely of what are now Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island plus parts of eastern Quebec and northern Maine. Since their establishment in Louisiana, the Cajuns have developed their own dialect, Cajun French, and developed a vibrant culture including folkways, music, and cuisine. The Acadiana region is heavily associated with them.[4]"

3) Assuming that the US returns all seized German assets, you could see the German companies expanding in the United States. With German investments helping the US economy and with some compensation for the American victims of the submarine warfare before American entered the war, you could see Americans start to view Germany in a more positive light.
 
A couple of things:
1. "Cajuns" - this comes from the term "Acadians" referring to the French from Eastern Canada who were exiled after Britain took that part over. That part of Canada (Now New Brunswick) was known as Acadia. In 1918 while French is being pushed down in Louisiana, it is still widely spoken and the first language of many country folk in South Louisiana.
2. "Spanish Flu": Actually the 1918 influenza is thought (most common theory) to have originated in Kansas in the spring of 1918 as a more or less ordinary flu. It traveled to Europe with US troops where it mutated into the beast it became. The extent of the epidemic was suppressed by both sides as nobody wanted to let the other side know how badly it was affecting them. When the flu jumped the Pyrenees in to Spain, it was reported in the newspapers as Spain was neutral and no reason to censor news. Thus because it was first widely reported in Spain it became the "Spanish Flu".
 
I just wanted to say that the correct name for the title in German would be: Käsespätzle und Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte
 
I am enjoying this timeline. Here is a some thoughts and a questions.

1) It is my understanding that South Africa conquered German South West Africa during the war. I am assuming that they will keep it regardless of what Britain says.

1. Noted and anticipated. Victors can extract more in the peace. But what else might be more economically prudent for both sides? How might Sudafrika and Germany benefit in one stroke?

Assuming that both sides are willing to agree to an arrangement that transfers ownership of SWA to SA and allows Germany to save face. Which I consider a not necessarily assured, but plausible direction BTW I think something like the following:
1. Germany and South Africa sign a de-jure White Peace.
2. As soon as the ink is dry on that one, Germany sells SWA to SA.
3. SA also agrees to returns or pay compensation for all seized private property and grants full citizenship to any German settlers who which to stay and buys the homes and lands of any German settlers who wish to leave.

I don't disagree with Stubear1012 about commercial access, Zollverein etc happening as well, at least at a later date. I just don't think it's necessary and certainly not necessary right away. They can come to an agreement without it.
 
Point is noted and a good question. British Columbia was not an original province of the Confederation, it became one about 1870 or 1871 partially in response to secession threats to join the US if not granted provincial status and a railway tie to the rest of Canada, which was made good on about 1888. As of 1918 the population is about 400,000 and there is a lot of infrastructure to develop, so the province is not set or difficult to alter as yet. Roadways to Alaska would be potentially possible while the mineral wealth of so much of Canada would be open for exploitation by American interests, who would be thrilled at the chance. Gold is still being mined in the US and that might be an issue in the nearer future, the irony of two powers potentially conflicting yet growing by the same means could also come up. And there would be a difference between conquest by a foreign power and takeover with the consent of the former power, especially if full rights are given in the process.

Some other questions this might raise: What effect will so many (former) Canadians have on American politics, especially in close elections? Which might now be eligible for the White House or Congress themselves? And what becomes of a fractured Canada when they two opposing cultures have the history that Quebec and (Ontario + Maritimes) do, especially as London retains Newfoundland?

As noted in the Borden vignette above, I would imagine BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba (all part of the confederation by 1918) would be granted immediate statehood. I could see the GOP in Congress forcing the issue with one or more bills that would:
  • Call for immediate statehood, bypassing probational time as a territory (only Texas, outside the original lands held by the nascent US in the 18th century, has done that).
  • Immediate full US citizenship for all citizens of those area
  • Specify that the existing parliamentary-style governments in the new states could remain as is: the federal government doesn't care about the nature of the state government as long as it abides by the US constitution (see Nebraska's unicameral legislature)
  • Specify that all those born in those four provinces and the territories (or their predecessors) enjoy the same eligibility for the presidency and vice-presidency as those born in the US and its territories/possessions: in other words, anyone native to those areas gets grandfathered in as a native-born US citizen
I'd bet TR, Charles Evans Hughes, and a few others would happily back that legislation. And given the generally progressive nature of a lot of the GOP at the time, I'd bet on a lot of GOP congressmen and Senators coming from the four new states.

The new members of Congress will take a little while to get used to doing things the American way but once that happens, I expect them to be fully contributing if not prominent.

Now on the points of connecting Alaska to the rest of the pre-1918 US, I could see at least one double-tracked rail line working north from Vancouver through Squamish, Kitimat, and points northward into at least southeastern Alaska if not all the way to Anchorage. It would be a massive engineering project but more achievable than roads given the road vehicle technology of the time. It would be a lot easier to build beds of ballast, lay ties, and spike down rails with periodic guards against permafrost heaves than to build a "highway" that's sure to become mud several months of the year--and it's a lot easy to clear a rail line with a rotary plow. Possibly this might extend the life of steam engines, since, without the right additives to prevent the fuel from turning into a gel or antifreeze congealing, sub-Arctic conditions aren't too friendly to diesel engines.
 
Hence 'roadway' and not 'highway'. I figured on a double-track line flanked by the equal of two-lane roads potentially until the terrain became less forgiving at which point it would devolve into single one-way lanes with occasional chances to switch directions. Also this "ABC" highway, along with the Long Island Motor Parkway, might serve as a potential inspiration for future limited-access highways, especially in the Western US.
 
15 April 1918 – Claye-Soulilly, France

“And what of the gold, Dungerman”?, the question coming unceremoniously with a Prussian laconic tone from the Crown Prince of Prussia and Germany, Wilhelm (III) of Hohenzollern.

His response was as quick as it was thorough. “We seized approximately 7 tons of it as noted, Generalfeldmarschall”, came the cold reply, “and delivered it bar by bar as noted to the waiting trucks in the delivery area of the Central Bank for evacuation”.

Of the three men sitting on the hastily-assembled tribunal the center one stood without expression. Dungerman recognized him but did not know from where. “Why did you see fit to leave part of your escapades in Paris out of the After Action Report”?

“I did not believe their contribution to the mission warranted description, sir”.

“Your men feel quite otherwise, young man”.

“That is their prerogative, sir”. Dungerman remembered that this man’s first name was Frederick – ah, the King of Saxony, Frederick Augustus III. Technically my king, though not my immediate commander also a Generalfeldmarschall, he thought.

To the right of the Saxon monarch sat a man Dungerman had never seen before with an accent he could not place either, possibly Pomeranian, who now spoke. “With the cease-fire in place I think it is safe for us to relay their story. Or do you care to comment”?

“No comment from me at this time, sir, indeed I am not sure why I was asked to be here today”.

The mysterious man lifted his head from the paper in front of him. “I see two episodes here of note, both of which reflect why you are here today, sir”.

Dungerman was somewhat surprised at being called ‘sir’ but maybe where this man was from that was social etiquette. No matter – the reason or reasons for his being here at a snap meeting like this remained elusive. It felt like a tribunal and that was how he described it internally, officially it was a ‘review of conduct’ without prior awareness of what was entailed. “And which episodes are those, sir”?

The mysterious older man continued, “Upon arrival into Paris as part of Operation Lucretia the main forces under Ernst Junger headed for the Notre Dame and captured it almost immediately. As part of reconnaissance activities the Eiffel Tower was scouted and found rather sufficiently guarded even amidst the possibility of a fight for the city. It was then that the Sturmtropen leader divided his forces in three each with very different objectives, one to fetch trucks from the central railway station, one led by him – the largest of the three – to break into the Central Bank of France before the last of the gold deposits could be removed, and finally a smaller force to begin scouting the defenses at the Tower itself. Upon this order, the railway station was sought by men who…they switched their uniforms out for truck drivers if I remember right, yes”?

“That is correct, sir”.

Reading of the paper continued. “At which point thirty trucks were acquired at the railway station with three men placed in each, also in civilian uniforms. These circled back to the national bank of France where your remaining people literally stole uniforms from unarmed civilians as bank workers”?

“No, sir, as porters. French officials were preparing to move the gold out of the building and were expecting trucks to deliver it to the railway station, apparently we found the trucks by chance”.

A head nod signaled the continuance of reading aloud. “Brick by brick each truck was then loaded and later driven away towards the eastern bank of the Somme, where they somehow crossed the bridge at Pont D’Arcole apparently by bribing the guards with a gold brick for each, accounting for the four missing bricks”.

“It seemed prudent as we lacked the materials to melt down the stock ourselves”.

That drew laughter from the dozen or so other men inside and Crown Prince Rupprecht, the third man at the front. “You realize how much those are worth each, Mr. Dungerman”?

“No, I do not, sir”.

Squinting of eyes was never a good sign, especially when commanding officers were concerned. “That would be approximately 550,000 gold marks for each bar lost at 27 pounds weight each. Yet you managed to get the rest back to German hands I am told”?

“Yes sir, we did”.

“But that is not the end of your story as each truck loosed one man free along with yourself and you travelled to the Eiffel Tower to aid in the coming strike”?

Dungerman looked calmly ahead but felt beads of sweat began to form. Losing over two million gold marks was not trivial, this tribunal apparently meant to see someone punished for that. “Yes sir, we made our way carefully to the Tower at that point where our men were waiting”.

“I understand you had three unique weapons with you at that time”?

“Yes sir, and American field trench knife with spiked handle, a modified French semi-automatic rifle, and a C96 pistol chambered for export rounds”.

“Export rounds”?

Dungerman realized that the generals might not know what sorts of ammunition all of the armies were using as the weapons were as varied as the accents and social strata in the Imperial Army. He would like to see that fixed, but today was not the time. “A more powerful version of the parabellum round, same size bullet but with more punch behind it”.

“Is the pistol itself an export model as well”?

“I believe it is as the front magazine is detachable, sir”.

“Please bring these weapons forward”.

Nonchalantly the knife was placed on the table ahead in its sheath, the pistol as well in its holster, and the rifle carefully placed at the front of the speaker. “What sort of ‘modifications’ have been made to this rifle, young man”?

Dungerman was not sure what to make of that comment. “It is an Fusil Automatic Model 1918 chambered for the 8mm Lebel round used by our enemies but now able to accept detachable magazines of 20 rounds, I have had to hand-make all four so far but the overall power behind the round is comparable to that of the Mauser round we use. Attached to the top is a simple, small, detachable 4x tube-scope that also slightly magnifies light. I also added a crude bipod to the front to be able to peer about corners and added a pistol grip to the stock for keeping the weapon more compact”.

All the other men in the room looked on in interest. Semi-automatic rifles would allow for extraordinary amounts of suppressive fire, the French apparently had one already in production. Germany was behind and had gotten very lucky indeed with her recent successes…the mysterious man spoke again. “And what happened upon your arrival at the Eiffel Tower”?

“We quietly moved past the sentries after donning heavier coats in anticipation of our mission ahead. One man brought a very large Imperial German Flag, that is the one you see waving atop the Tower in all the recent pictures”.

“Yet you forgot to mention the apartment”.

Dungerman sighed. “Again, I saw no reason to include details not immediately pertinent to the mission…”

“It was not your place to decide that, hence why we are here”.

Great, Dungerman thought, first the gold now this. “I presume you are discussing the role of the officer we found in the ‘hidden apartment’, sir”?

“Quite right”. He picked up five other documents in sequence. “Your comrades tell a very interesting story and the French government supports it in their communique to us. Would you now like to tell us your side of the story, young man”?

More sweat began to form. “We were making our way up the tower by the staircase as not to risk being trapped on the elevators. In sequence each of us hauled four days of rations, an extra two quarts of water, copious ammunition, and thick coats as noted. We came close to the top and heard screaming, a young lady of some type was screaming for aid but we could not find an entrance to the area in question. It took additional time to secure the area, we found the highest restroom we could as a potential water source and so opted to make that our point of defense. Forty of us then began to take the top of the Eiffel Tower, Hans and Georg then scaled the rest of the Tower to secure our flag and fly it from the tallest point of the structure. Pictures do more than I can to describe it”.

“And the French say that was when the war was over, indeed very poetic and a marvel of modern warfare, young man. But that is not why we are here. Please continue”.

“The remainder of us moved back down the structure and secured supplies at the top floor. Soldiers were disarmed or killed while the few civilians were moved back down as far as we could safely get them. Our positions near the cut cable lifts ensured that it would be *very* costly to remove us, and the screaming continued as Hans and Georg returned. We unexpectedly found a small but well-stocked apartment at the top of the Tower. Apparently Eiffel had built it for himself but someone else was using it”.

“Go on”.

Dungerman got very quiet. “What was going on in that room was not voluntary, and seeing one French officer in flagrante delicto and a second preparing to have his way with one of the other two…none of the girls could have been older than twenty. I simply do not recall what happened next, sir, the next thing I remember is being awoken with a large gash on my forehead and a ringing in my left ear”.

“Let me remind you of what transpired, young man”.

“Generalfeldmarschall Seeckt is this really necessary…”?, came the question from the Bavarian prince.

“I believe it is given what has occurred and the communique to be read afterwards. Apparently you…‘lost it’…for lack of a better term, Dungerman. Your men state almost unanimously that the first officer was beaten into submission by the back of your rifle while the second one shot you in the ear and the other two men in the arm. Thankfully his aim was poor given the distance lest we not have these reports. A third and fourth man heard the shots and came running in where they found you screaming at the man while hitting him with the edged knuckles of this American weapon”. Seeckt picked up the American trench knife with the brass handle, each finger guard tapering to a point. “This did some damage, but not as much as what you did next”.

Dungerman truly did not recall the incident but continued to listen as the sweat was now visible. Seeckt continued, “According to your Leutnant Felder, ‘That French officer’s face bore injuries reminiscent of chicken-wire from the two angled motions of the commander across it. All of us were infuriated at our comrades being injured and the assault on the women, so we moved the injured out as the commander screamed, ‘You…(punch)…do not…(punch)…do that…(punch)…to women…(punch/crunch)…EVER’!!!. And accordingly the last punch resulted in a ‘horrific audible crunching sound with gurgling afterwards’ as the man remained breathing but quite unconscious. His counterpart, and we would later learn brother, then came around only to get a similar treatment. That man’s mistake was drawing his pistol, resulting in a loss of the hand after someone else’s pistol blew it off at the wrist”.

“The export cartridge is powerful, sir, that is why I carry it”.

Seeckt looked up. “Are you aware of who those men were, Dungerman? Do you know anything about the girls you saved”?

“No sir, nor should it matter”.

The last statement caught most of the room off guard. Prussian officers, indeed most of their society, were class conscious to a fault. Though lines were blurred in wartime they remained quite strong, especially in Prussia itself. “Mind yourself, young man, we must remember our stations. Given your situation, you would do well to remember that”.

“Permission to speak, sir”?

“Granted”, said Seeckt.

“Who were these men then that they warranted a communique from the French government”?

“It was not the two brothers, respectively a major and captain in the French army, who warranted the concern. It was the daughter of one of the Chiefs of Police who warranted it. He sends his deepest thanks, she was not assaulted before you got there. Interestingly he says were it not for the war you would get a medal and might still get one anyway”.

Dungerman smiled. “What would the Mayor of Paris think of that, sir”?

“Officially, except for short intervals, Paris has lacked a mayor for over a century”, Seeckt noted as he began to laugh, “and the man who fills the position closest to that is the one recommending you for the medal”!
 
I am enjoying this timeline and I have been thinking about Denmark eventually joining the German Empire. I am wondering how comfortable the USA would be with German naval bases in Greenland? I went on line and found this article.

"In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia, largely at the impetus of Secretary of State William Seward. It was a huge acquisition, but Seward wasn't done. He also considered buying Iceland and Greenland from Denmark.

Anna Andersen of the Reykjavík Grapevine tells the story. In 1868, Benjamin Mills Pierce, a mining engineer, compiled a report on the subject for the State Department. Greenland, he said, had impressive commercial fishing opportunities, as well as huge reserves of cryolite which were increasingly accessible with modern mining methods.

Iceland was less valuable, though its waters were rich with fish. The people were fiercely patriotic and might not take well to annexation.

But, Pierce argued, the greatest advantage to owning these territories would be strategic. If the US possessed Greenland and Iceland in addition to Alaska, it nearly surrounded Canada. This might help persuade it to join the United States.

The proposal never went anywhere. The Reykjavík Grapevine tells us that when Pierce's report was introduced to the Senate, the members literally laughed at the idea."

Also there was the effort to purchase Greenland after WWII which never went anywhere.

I am wondering if the USA would pressure Denmark/Germany to sell Greenland to the USA? If Germany put naval bases there, would this become an issue between Germany and the USA?

Another thought is will Iceland become independent in this time line as it did in the OTL?

"Iceland's struggle for independence took form and culminated in independence in 1918 and the founding of a republic in 1944. The Danish–Icelandic Act of Union, an agreement with Denmark signed on 1 December 1918 and valid for 25 years, recognised Iceland as a fully sovereign and independent state in a personal union with Denmark. The Government of Iceland established an embassy in Copenhagen and requested that Denmark carry out on its behalf certain defence and foreign affairs matters, subject to consultation with the Althing. Danish embassies around the world displayed two coats of arms and two flags: those of the Kingdom of Denmark and those of the Kingdom of Iceland. Iceland's legal position became comparable to those of countries belonging to the Commonwealth of Nations such as Canada whose sovereign is Queen Elizabeth II."

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Wilhelm nodded, he liked the idea as the nation was large enough to be helpful in time of war but not enough to be a threat in times of peace. It also opened a significant market for German goods. “Are they amenable to our requests on Denmark”?

More like diktats, thought von Hertling, but, “yes, Denmark will be recognized as being in the German sphere of influence and eventually asked to join our Empire. Of course, all of the above will join our new European Union for trade and commercial purposes”.
Why would the german ask that? Denmark was neutral at the time, and the time Denmark wanted to join germany was a desesperation maneauvre to keep Holstein....so yeah that not make sense is almost ASB.
 
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