The Red Crowns: An Imperial Tale

[Major Crimson]

Chapter Five: Ab Inito
Part 1: Acta, non Verba


Extract from The Hitchhiker's Guide to: Afghanistan
By Arthur Thornberry, Published 1959 by Hitchhiker Travel

..and when visiting the city of Maymana, one gets a unique perspective into an important part of Imperial History. The city still has many abandoned houses on the Northern outskirts of the Old Quarter which are covered in bullet holes, even the famous “Cannon-Wall” where a Russian cannon ball struck into one local building and stayed there, to this day. This is all highly fascinating and whilst there, I had the simply smashing opportunity to talk to the now famous Mohammed Bin Allahbad, who was nineteen at the time of the Russian Invasion. The attack came mere days after the official declaration of war on July 20th, showing that the Russian Government had been quite prepared to launch the attack. At this point, it is key to remember that France and Britain were not yet at war and that Mr Bin Allahbad is speaking only of his experience with Russian soldiers. The following is part of my interview with Mohammed, his English was quite excellent:

I met Mohammed in a glass walled Cafe, in the new quarter of the city, opposite a large construction site. He was well dressed, with a trim beard and a modern suit. He may have retired but Mr Bin Allahabd still looks the part of a Prime Minister.

A.T.: To begin, Mr Bin Allahbad, did you have any prior warning that your city was about to be attacked?
The Old man shakes his head slowly
M: No, we had heard a few mutterings from the one or two British diplomats or soldiers that drifted through but nothing in truth. Some talk about a scuffle in Africa means nothing to an Afghani peasant boy.
A.T.: So, Mr Bin Allahbad, what do you remember most strongly about the attack?
M: It was the sound, more than anything else. For a long time there were many cannons firing many times. Their wasn't meant to be a garrison here but we were lucky; the Iron Emir had been training many soldiers since the last war, they were able to defend us.
A.T.: So it was Afghani troops that were fired upon, not British ones?
Mohammed nods slowly.
M: Yes, the Russians seemed to think that they could take the city with ease.
A.T.: Did they?
The old man lets out a dry cackle
M: Not a chance, it took them nine days to take the city, though by that point both sides had sent messages to their own governments. Little did we know that from both east and west, European forces were marching into Afghanistan.
A.T.: But the British forces were invited in by the Emir, correct?
The old man pauses for a second but nods slowly.
M: Yes, but that doesn't mean they were here to help us.
For a second, noone talks.
A.T.: But they were better than the Russians?
The Afghani barks a short laugh
M: A Djinn would have been better than the Russians. As far as they knew, we were British and the British had just killed their King, insulted their allies and resisted their assault for nine whole days. They were frothing at the mouth.
A.T.: Can you tell me about the Russian occupation?
M: I didn't see much, my brothers and I left after a week or two to join the army. But I did see what they did to my sister, what do you British call the first attack?
A.T.: ...the Rape of Afghanistan
M: It is a fitting name. They tore the city to the ground and the people too.
A.T.: So the city is different now?
Mohammed laughs and points out of the window.
M: I did not see clear glass until the same year I saw a computer. Afghanistan was medieval then and smaller. We have not always been so rich, Mr Thornberry. And anyway, last time I visited London was in 1948, I imagine it looks quite different by now.
He pauses and I think I see a tear in his eye.
M: It is a more prosperous city now but it will never be as beautiful as it was.
A.T.: I'm sorry for what happened, I think we both understand that it was Brit-
M: Britain who pulled Afghanistan into the war, yes I know this. But I do not blame the British for what happened to my sister, or to my mother, or my brothers. We both know who's to blame for that.
A.T.: Quite.
Again, neither of us spoke for a while.
A.T.: Well, lets not get too caught up on that, did you now anyone who fought in the war?
M: Everyone I knew fought in the war, my father and brothers of course, my friends, my cousins everyone. Most all of them fought in the Battle.
A.T.: The Battle of Panjao?
He nods slowly and smiles.

The City of Maymana, Circa 2011​

 

[Major Crimson]

Shortish update today but again, important as we cry havoc and let loose the dogs of war.

-snip-

-snip-

I'll try and keep it plausible and as Keb says, the general public doesn't really give a damn about Alsace-Lorraine, I imagine being show up by the Brits would wind them up more, especially given that Hanotaux is fuelling the flames. But it's a good criticism LeCHVCK and I'll keep it away from ASB-ness.

Oh my god the massive irony here.

The man of steel must always make an impact.

Oh yes, well I couldn't let him get away scot free this time. Still, he may end up being more influential this time 'round, in a strange sort of way...

 

[Zorqal]

Nice update, I and I didn't realize that computers were made before 1959, or that he would have seen one if they were. He was PM though. I like the advanced Afghanistan idea btw.

 

[Major Crimson]

Chapter Five: Ab Into
Part 2: Cry Havoc...



Autotranscription of Earl John of Kent's Lecture on "The Beginning of the Short War"
Copyright 2013 J. Cleese
Software Provided by Berners-Lee Technologies (BLT)

After the death of Tsar Nicholas, it became eminently clear that war would be unavoidable between Britain and Russia, despite the initial conflict being an Anglo-French one. Despite this, however, it is not true that war was declared “that very same day” but rather that the Russian Government had the good decency to issue an ultimatum. It insisted on “The removal of British Forces from rightful French territory and Africa as well as the Afghanistan region. The handover of the murders co conspirators (who did not exist) and reparations to the sum of five hundred million pounds.” The reaction from Britain was somewhere between rage and laughter and even Queen Victoria herself would famously say: “The British Empire does not negotiate with despots, liars and murderers. What we do with them is hang.” The quote, when leaked to the press, of course caused huge outrage in Russia when it reached Moscow on the Twentieth of July and war would be declared a few hours later. On the 24th Russian troops, having been prepped for war since the Seventh, began their three pronged invasion into Afghanistan and despite rough terrain, huge levels of attrition and still local resistance, were able to make decent ground. AS the first skirmishes of the war took place, the eyes of the world were fixed on Paris. The War had started over French claims and though many take for granted the French intervention however French President Felix Faure saw any such war as suicide, opening up France to German invasion was a bad situation in itself, never mind his lack of faith in both France’s capacity to fight a War in Africa, as well as his disbelief that the Russians could even attempt an invasion of India. Unfortunately Mr Faure had not been able to prevent the outbreak of hostilities in the ever tense Franco-British crisis point of Lado, in Sudan, and was unable to turn the French people away from his Foreign Secretary, one Gabriel Hanotaux,’s rhetoric. And so, with preparations made for attacks throughout France, as well as defensive preparations in French Indochina, the French Republic declared War for the final time on July the 29th, 1896.


Extract from The Anthology of Naval Warfare
By Jeremy Sumpton, Published 1999 by Oxford University Press

The first British Battle of the War were the Skirmishes in the North Sea, where the Russians attempted a “hit and run” tactic to protect their own shipping and prevent complete British Naval domination. The policy was almost laughably unsuccessful as the ships of the Royal Navy were more modern, faster and easily more powerful. The policy was rescinded within a month of the declaration of war and the Russian Empire lost 6 destroyers and 4 battleships. The British Lionsbane Class Battleships proved themselves to be hugely effective and would spur British development of the HMS Leviathan, ushering in a new age of naval warfare. The most important of these Skirmishes was the Battle of the North Sea (1896) wherein the HMS Lionsbane and her sister ship, the HMS Victoria, engaged the russian Sissosi Veliky, Navarin and Ekaterina II as well as their cruisers and sank the entire Russian force bar the Navarin, which was taken back to port but later scrapped due it’s comparative weakness. Though Britain had clearly and openly asserted her naval dominance, it was clear that, despite the build up of the Royal Navy during the 1880s, a genuine challenge could still be presented. Again this was a major reason for the commissioning of the HMS Leviathan, though she would not see action for many years. In the east, Russia fared no better, a sally from the port of Vladivostok had been immediately repelled by an Imperial Japanese Navy assault, a great surprise to the people of the world; this was one of the first times a native power had defeated a European Empire in open combat. Though the Japanese would have been unable to contain the Russians in the pacific for long, the British China and Pacific Squadrons as well as the small Canadian Pacific Force and the slightly larger Royal Australasian Navy, Russia was surrounded on both sides by complete naval dominance. The Russian Government had expected this however and was content to fight a land war. The French, however were not so happy. The French Government had declared war on the 29th of July, following of course the Battle of Lado as well as the Battle of the North Sea. The French Pacific Fleet was even more pitiful than it’s Russian counterpart and France knew that it was surrounded on all sides. Having foreseen this issue, however, Hanotaux had been ensuring that France would be ready for a War in Africa, shipping men and supplies into North Africa since the beginning of the Crisis, France was ready for war. His cunning idea of transferring a large portion of the French navy into the Mediterranean theatre would score the only British naval defeat in the War and allow Franco-African supply lines to remain open for just a few more days. By August 17th France felt she was able to Engage Britain in Africa and so, skipping troops along the Mediterranean coast whilst they still could, the French struck at the British jugular, the singular weak spot in the great Dragon that was Victoria’s Empire; the Suez.

The HMS Lionsbane, Pride of the Royal Navy​

 

[Major Crimson]

Sorry for the delay in updates!
They should end up being about every other day but that's prone to be an imperfect estimate. Also, go easy on me with the Naval stuff and certain timings, I'm keeping it as realistic as I can but I'm not expert on Naval matters and constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.

Anyway, enjoy!

 

[CrazyGeorge]

I am really enjoying this, thank you

 

[mymatedave10]

Just found this fascinating TL, subscribed and please keep up the good work.

 

[Green Painting]

I always thought that if Monarchist Socialism was ever going to happen it should be from France.

 

[Major Crimson]

Just found this fascinating TL, subscribed and please keep up the good work.

I am really enjoying this, thank you

Glad you're enjoying it, I'll do my best not to ruin it!

I always thought that if Monarchist Socialism was ever going to happen it should be from France.

Ah, Nappy IV? Well, don't count him out too soon.



Also, here's the revised Pre-War map, new update in a couple hours.

 

[Major Crimson]

Chapter Five: Ab Into
Part 3: ...and let loose the dogs of war

Extract from Where and Back Again: The Autobiography of Winston Churchill
Published 1951 by the Churchill Foundation


Tensions had been high for a matter of months and not a one of my men nor, to my shame, I expected any fighting to really break out. Our exchange up until this point had been quite gentlemanly, even to the point of inviting some French officers into the city to dine with the British. It is here where me and MAjor Marchand would grow close, as we formed the percieved leader of each side, bar Lord Kitchener who got on well with Marchand, but never quite how I did. Even the lads started mingling between the two groups, lots of alcohol hanged hands and lots of men sneaking into each camp. It was only after we got the news of the Tsar’s assasination, it was July 28nd by the time the news reached us and it came alongside the news that the Russians had invaded Afghanistan. Now as far as the Frenchmen in Lado were concerned, us Brits had just murdered their greatest ally and as far as my men were concerned, the Russians had just perpetrated an illegal and unwarranted invasion. Transfer between the camps stoped immediately but fighting didn’t break out until that night, when a group of three drunk Englishman wandered outside of the city walls, only to be found the next morning, slumped at the city gates, each of their throats cut. It was the British cannons that rang out first and though the French forces still outnumber us by almost two fold, but we held the fortified city and had both more Maxim Guns and Artillery. The French retaliated of course and were able to do decent damage to the front wals and readied their troops for an assault. With 250 men, the French knew they outnumbered us two to one, an assault was the only logical move. So when the French counter attack was launched at dawn, they were stunned by Lord Kitcheners rather audacious tactic. Despite having the walls to hide behind, Kitchener had the men sneak out in the night and dig, if not trenches, then small cover-holes within which he placed our Maxims. When the French attacked they were caught almost completely unawares by our guns and, combined with heavy artillery shelling, their force was decimated. My men then forayed out from the city and pursued the retreating Frenchman. I will be truthful, the battle was a slaughter, it always has been a point of shame for me. Despite my many years of military service, I have never questioned my service as much as that day. We ran down the Frenchmen, artillery decimating their camp and Maxim fires petering out the closer we got. People have called the Battle of Lado “Britain’s Last Cavalry Charge” and in truth, they may be right. It was our charge which caused the catastrophic 56% casualty rate and drove the French from the field. I lost nine men and the garrison lost 22, the French lost 142. It was a glorious victory for the British government, the start of the Short War and a great great tragedy. Major Marchand would survive the day and, as obscene as it may sound, we remained friends until his death in 1929.

A 1950 painting, Britain's Last Horsemen​

Extract from Roll of the Die: Britain’s Early Success in the Short War
By Susan Cunnighame, Published by Penguin Publishing 1990

The Short War began as an act of Entente aggression and though the British were seen as responsible for the killing of Tsar Nicholas, many doubted the connection. Somewhat strangely, it would be the Germans who discovered the identity of the Tsar’s killer when they apprehended one of the assassin's comrades, a man named Leo Trotsky, who had been staying in Berlin and was in possession of a telegram from the umbrella Marxist Group’s leader, the now famous Lenin. It seemed that Lenin and Trotsky both condemned the man’s actions but, nevertheless, the German Government arrested Trotsky on the 16th of August and executed him two days later. By this point however, it was far too late to call off the war, as many of the offensives had already begun. The Germans had seen the war as a fantastic opportunity and though they declared themselves neutral early in the war signed a series of treaties with Britain, including the Anglo-German Naval Treaty, wherein the Germans would limit their naval production in exchange for British expertise, the Anglo-German Basing Agreement, which allowed Britain to both move troops through German colonies and conduct naval activities in German waters. The French were terrified of German intervention, as were the Russians and as Britain ramped up their absolutely huge blockade endeavour, British public opinion shifted greatly in favour of the Germans. A similar effect occurred in Germany, within months the public opinion could be boiled down to, as the Kaiser himself said: “Our Germanic brothers are fighting for the freedom of all Nordic people form the autocratic Slavs and Latins.” Though the French were able to hold onto some British land after the Battle of Lado but had greatly underestimated British force numbers in Africa and saw land lost in North and West Africa, with offensives beginning on the 1st of August. The Real British success came with the devastating naval victories across the globe, leading to a near fatal blockade of their enemies. A huge British-Colonial-Japanese force smashed the Russians at Vladivostok, putting them out of action on every naval front. Following this a Japanese force captured the city itself in a daring amphibious assault as well as invading Russian Primorye through their Korean province.

Also in the Pacific province was the stunning invasion of Indochina. The French Colonial Administration had been reliant on Siamese neutrality but when the British brought the Siamese into the War on August 12th, the French colony was devastated. Siamese forces poured in from the West, which would have been enough to overwhelm the French, never mind the Japanese invasion from their Hainan colony and the British-Australasian invasion from the south. This three pronged assault meant that French control over the region was limited to Central Indochina by August 22nd.

France seemed to be losing on every front and only the Russian advance in Afghanistan could be toted as a Victory for the Entente. However, due to excellent leadership, the transferral of extra forces to the Mediterranean and luck, the French Mediterranean fleet were able to defeat the British Mediterranean Fleet and force them to return to Gibraltar. The French used this opportunity to divert more troops to North Africa and launch their famous assault of the Suez Canal, where again clever tactics were employed to hurt the British. With both shelling and the ingenious use of modernised fire-boats, the French force crippled the canal by damaging the sides, running old ships into the canal and blowing them to kingdom come. This created a huge amount of debris that would put the canal out of commission for months. The British Western and Eastern forces were now cut off from each other. France cheered their first real success and saw the war as swinging back onto a neutral standing. It would be Afghanistan however, where the future of the War was determined.

A Map of the World on August 18th, the day of the Battle of Punjao
]The Red lines visualise British blockade lines​

 

[DAv]

A very good TL so far with the way the updates have been done being really interesting and an original way to look into a TL, did enjoy the student essay in particular. Events seem to be really moving on apace and the war has progressed rather equally. The conclusion to this war should be interesting as an alliance with Germany seems all but confirmed and Japanese ascendancy in the Pacific is guaranteed at this rate as well. The war in the west is still up in the air though.

 

[King of the Uzbeks]

I always thought that if Monarchist Socialism was ever going to happen it should be from France.

Nappy IV was a friend of Victoria.

 

[RyuDrago]

The war so far was interesting, but I didn't understood how the scramble from Africa went different. If the POD of the TL is in 1880's and we don't reach yet 1900, how managed Spain to take Morocco and Italy Lybia while losing Somalia and Eritrea? And Ethiopia to have Gibuti and Somaliland?

 

[Major Crimson]

Again, glad people are enjoying it, the receptions been fantastic!

The war so far was interesting, but I didn't understood how the scramble from Africa went different. If the POD of the TL is in 1880's and we don't reach yet 1900, how managed Spain to take Morocco and Italy Lybia while losing Somalia and Eritrea? And Ethiopia to have Gibuti and Somaliland?

Basically, due to an earlier rise of Socialism in Britain the Conservatives felt a need to garner more prestige and so decided to meet the French head on in North Africa. After negotiating more natural Cape to Cairo borders from the Belgians, Europe as a whole put more early emphasis on North Africa. Britain was determined to secure the horn and so allied with Ethiopia and grabbed Somaliland before Italy could get involved but they ended up being compensated with a larger Libyan territory. As for Spain in Morocco, the French and Germans were too concerned with racing the British to intervene and the Melillan Campaign ended in complete conquest. I thought about doing a Chapter on the Scramble but I decided to just present it as it happened and more on to the important politics of the 1890s.

 

[Major Crimson]

Chapter Six: Though I Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death...


Extract from Blood, Sweat and Oil: The 20th Century's Bloodiest Battles
By Peter Twin, Published by The Vancouver Book House 2005
The Battle of Punjao is somewhat exceptional and is of course, essential in the formation of 20th century British culture. This is for one reason above all others: the fighters weren’t British. The Russian attacks had invaded Afghanistan almost a month prior and despite having the initiative in terms of mobilisation, their advance was slowed greatly and in truth, lost any momentum it had as soon as it crossed the Afghani border. The so called Iron Amir (Abdur Rahman Khan) had devoted his life to the modernisation of the Afghani Armed Forces. As the main impact of the Russian Army found at Maymana, they weren’t fighting the steppe tribesmen they were used to but a resolute, well drilled, modernised army. Of course, despite all of this it was nigh on impossible to stop the Russian tide completely. The advance was three pronged as it crossed the border and was to continue that way into British India. After Maymana, however, it became quite evident that this wasn’t a feasible invasion plan and the three groups merged into two after three weeks. The Larger of these two armies would only be turned at the Battle of Punjao, where British Forces engaged Russian ones for the first time. The Russian Invasion was met with condemnation from the British, American, German and Japanese governments and the British began full mobilisation on the 26th, the same day news reached London of the attack. The Russians marched towards the City of Punjao, having routed the Afghani army on the 18th of August in another somewhat decisive victory. The Afghans had been completely unable to stop the massive Russian Invasion, which may have started with almost a Millions soldiers, with a huge amount in reserve in Russian territory. The Russian Government estimated that they could mobilise up to 12 million men, however a good million of these were deployed in east Asia to guard the Chinese border and would later be needed to oppose the Japanese Invasion. Of course, the Russians deemed that this million strong force would be enough to subdue Afghanistan before moving in the majority of their reserves and to a certain extent they were right. The Russian Army had correctly predicted that out of battle casualties would be huge, due to the difficult terrain, chance of disease and stiff local resistance and so decided to only subject a small portion of their army to the early attrition before proper control could be established. In theory, the plan was a good one and seemed to be working until, on the 23rd of August, the Russian Army attempted to capture the city of Punjao.

Now, whilst the British had been quite slow moving on the Afghani front, when they moved they moved in force. With an army of nine hundred thousand men, five hundred thousand of these were Indian soldiers, many provided by the still powerful Princely States, drilled and trained in the British fashion. Another hundred thousand were Afghani, part of an “Expeditionary Force” created by the British Raj when the Afghani government was forced into exile in Calcutta and lost all effective control of their armed forces. The remaining three hundred thousand were of course British troops, most stationed in India before the tensions had even begun. This was the first time that the new Indian Army would act as a singular unit, having merged the Madras, Bombay and Punjab Armies into a single unit. The Indian Army had stationed itself within Punjao with the intention of launching a counter-attack that would push the Russian Army out of Afghanistan and pitch new Battle lines on the Afghani border, before planning their own invasion of Russian Turkestan. However the Russian Army advanced far faster than Earl Roberts, head of the Indian Army, had anticipated. Afghani scouts reported the Russian advance four days before they reached the city and Roberts span into action. His plan was ingenious; half of the Afghani Army and the British Forces would remain in and around the city and act as something of a decoy for the Russian advance and attempt to bring it to a halt. The other half of the Afghans and the Indian forces distributed themselves near the ends of the two mountain pass that the Russians were taking into the city and hid in the mountains. On the 22nd Russian forces were marked as passing though the two and were allowed to march unopposed by British forces. Estimate give their numbers at the time as around 800,000, with most scholars putting the exact figures around 785,000.

It was only on the morning of the 23rd that Russian forces would first be met with British shelling as they passed within a mile of the city. The Russians had expected resistance and, after setting up their own guns, continued to move ahead. However British rifles were firing before the Russians even reached the city and, ignoring plans involving trenches or attempts at a long term siege, Russian forces pressed on. Afghani forces, alongside their British counterparts, put up a tough fight and it would take the Russians several hours to force their way into the city, only breaking in at 2pm. Casualties were huge on both sides, with fighting going street-by-street. Proper combat lines didn't last long and fighting rapidly became up close and personal, the Afghani and Russian weaponry was seriously outdated but the British were well equipped with at modern gear. The British Maxim Gun again proved absolutely devastating to the Russians and it seemed as if the British might be able to repel the Russian attackers. However, to the great surprise of the Russian Generals, Earl Roberts ordered a general retreat at 4pm and the Russians pursued the British to the edge of the city. The term, “to Roberts” meaning to entirely and completely deceive someone, originated here. Every since fighting had begun British forces had been marching towards them from every direction. Already tired and low on supplies, the Russians were pounded by an ever increasing amount of artillery and are said to have experience a ten percent casualty rate in the minutes between the two engagements. When the Russians forced their way out of the city, the British scattering in their wake, they were dismayed to find a huge, fresh British force waiting for them. Following a short skirmish, the General Ornichov ordered an absolute retreat, the Russians poured from the city like rats on a sinking ship.

As noted previously there were three passes into the city, two from the North West, which the Russians had entered through, and one from the South. The Russians attempted to flee back through the passages they had came from and in doing so scattered in two directions. At the end of each passage however, were the Indian Brigades. Surrounded and without escape the Russian General Stravnichov, who maintained command of the men in the Westernmost passage, ordered his men to fall back and dig in at the city. What Stravnichov failed to realise however was that General Ornichov, who had assumed command of those in the Eastern passage had ordered an all out assault on British lines. Ornichov’s men, battered and tired, did make a half hearted assault but were cut down in droves. The Russians surrendered that night but the blood was spilt. Thirty thousand British Soldiers lost their lives that day, alongside twenty one thousand Indians and almost fourty thousand Afghanis. Their opponents however, one hundred and eight thousand men, with the rest of their army laying down arms on mass. It was believed to be the bloodiest battle in modern Russian history and would shock the people of the world. Dissent began to stir in Moscow and the war entered its second and final stage. Moving from the back and forth blows of the early battles, the next few months would see the complete and total destruction of the Entente cause.

Indian Lancers pursuing the fleeing Russians​

 

[Major Crimson]

So guys, thoughts?

Any criticism is great, discussion is always cool, ect ect.

 

[Darth_Kiryan]

Thirty thousand British Soldiers lost their lives that day, alongside twenty one thousand Indians and almost fourty thousand Afghanis. Their opponents however, lost almost five hundred thousand men. It was believed to be the bloodiest battle in modern Russian history and would shock the people of the world.

500000 men, in one day? I can understand the British, Afghan and Indian figures, as the Somme and Marne are testament enough to cargane of OTL, but 500000 russians?

 

[Komnenos002]

Really enjoying the timeline so far, great work!

Not entirely sure on the figure of 500,000 Russians, maybe make it more clear that the vast majority were forced to surrender? That seems believable to me, although I must confess I'm not sure on how likely an encirclement with late 1800's technology is.

 

[Major Crimson]

Ah, maybe 500,000 was a bit overkill, so to speak. I'll cut that number greatly and have a good deal surrender.

Also, due to life being a thing, no update till tomorrow, sorry chaps.

 

[Major Crimson]

Chapter Seven: ... I Shall Fear No Evil


A British Educational Pamphlet from 2008

Hi Year 10, I'm your new teacher Mrs Guard and I’ll be teaching your Imperial History module next term. I know Mr Brill taught you up until the Scramble for Africa but I know he wasn't able to complete the Short War module before he took paternity leave, so here’s a summary of the middle part of the war to read over the Easter holiday, we’ll be working on the end of the war next week. This is an A-Level piece so it's a bit above your level and I've put in some notes as to what stuff you need to remember.

Part I: Africa

The war in Africa should have been one on even footing, the French were prepared, pumped and ready to let loose their wrath on the British. For the first few months of the war, this seemed true. Ping-pong raids back and forth across borders, small skirmishes with local troops and guerrilla warfare dominated the months of July and August. As the war entered its third month however, it became obvious that this would have to change. There are three main reasons for this. First and foremost was the British victory at Punjao. With that battle the entire Russian Army in Afghanistan collapsed. It took barely a week for the British to reclaim the rest of the country and all further Russian assaults were dealt with quite handily. As the Afghani front wore down into Trench Warfare and Britain prepared for it’s first counter attack, the French realised something horrifying: they were losing on every front.The second reason was clear,at sea the Royal Navy, with limited support from the IJN, was unmatched. And finally, in Asia all French colonies had fallen to Anglo-Japanese hands. Desperate for at least a small victory and taking advantage of their short term logistical dominance of Africa, the French attempted another invasion of Sudan. Though the damage dealt to the Panama Canal would not be repaired until months after the end of the war, the British were able to end the French dominance of the Mediterranean with the decisive Second Battle of Trafalgar, or as the French called it, the Battle of Gibraltar. Trafalgar was a cutting blow and on the 7th of September, France suddenly found their cross-Mediterranean supply route considerably less viable.

French forces in France were cut off from supplies, communication and reinforcement. Never-the-less they would attempt to carry out their orders admirably and, on September 15th, French forces marched back into the Sudan. After an incredibly surprising victory at the Battle of Nyala, the French faltered. They simply couldn’t match the British in terms of equipment, numbers or even drill. It is interesting to note that the Second Invasion of Sudan was the first time that all the nations of the world looked on and truly saw the massive advantage given by the British Khaki Uniforms. The gaudy French, with their crimson caps and blue jackets, were mowed down en masse by British machine gunners and their even gaudier officers didn’t last long in the hand of British sharpshooters. The British themselves, however, found great advantage in their drab brown uniforms, at range they were difficult to pick out and their scouts were far less likely to be spotted. The French gains would not last long however and, low on supplies and morale, the French were pushed back inch by inch until on September 29th, they were pushed out of the Sudan for good. With the loss of the Sudanese Front, all fighting was now taking place on Entente soil.

The British pushes in Africa had been slow, steady advances across the board but, with Generals hungry for blood before the war ended, advanced greatly increased in speed. Importantly, Imperial cooperation was huge throughout the war. In West Africa, Canadian men made up 32% of the British force and the elite Boer Blackshirts were used to great effect as guerilla night fighters. As the speed of the War in the West tripled, the casualties quadrupled. This was the first front of the war, followed shortly by Afghanistan, that modern, Tragic War Poetry emerged. Contrasting with the still popular Heroic War Poetry, his new genre attempted to teach the horrors of war, not just the glories. (You’ll do more of this in English!)

British forces using a Maxim Gun to defend against a French Assault in Southern Sudan​

Part II: Asia
In Asia, the situation was even bleaker for the French but, despite popular opinion, less so for the Russians. French Indochina was, in theory, still not entirely occupied. This is seen by most as little more than a technicality however as the important cities of Saigon and Hanoi had fallen to Australasian and Japanese forces respectively. The Siamese entry into the war had been the real death blow to the French in the theatre, an expected attack from the West as well as the Anglo-Japanese invasions was unstoppable. At the Treaty of Saigon the three powers divided the land up between them, the Siamese would receive French Laos and minor concessions on the Cambodian border. Cambodia itself would become British along with the entirety of the Vietnam colony. The Japanese received no land but were promised dominion over the French enclaves in China, as well as British support for Japanese Sakhalin, as compensation. It is important to note (and you will be expected to remember for the exam) that this wasn’t official yet and merely a division of occupation zones. The final French presence in the region would not be purged until September 25th, when the French Governor-General Paul Rousseau was captured and official surrender to Anglo-Australasian forces. (Remember to mention the Australasians, extra marks for global context!)

East Africa was the source of Japanese jubilation. After trouncing the Russians at sea (with British help of course) an Anglo-Japanese descent was able to capture the important city of Vladivostok. The attack began with huge scale shelling from British and Japanese ships, forcing the Russians out of port. After what remained of the Russian Pacific Fleet had been sunk, capture or scared away, the men landed and captured the city. With many Russian troops committed in Afghanistan, the Japanese were bale to make serious advances and with the advantages of numbers, equipment and supplies, captures both Sakhalin and much of Russian Primyore. The Japanese Sun was indeed rising and it was all the Russian bear could do to hide in it's little cave.

West Asia was less bleak for the Entente, the Afghani front had been almost unmoving since the Russians were pushed out following Punjao. Despite this, the British made quick, small attacks, testing the lin and capturing minute amounts of territory. The Russians transferred their two million strong Central Reserves but by this point, Anglo-Indian-Afghani forces already numbered almost one-point-five million. As in Africa, the green clad Russians were cut down by British Maxim Guns in the first truly effective use of trench warfare. It would not take the Russians long to dig their own trenches but these fortifications were limited in their effectiveness by the colossal size of the front and British assaults continued. Casualties were high and the impact was low but everyone could tell (and you should mention in your coursework!) that Britain was winning the war.

A Map of the World on September 29th 1896​