TL: The War of Dogger Bank, or the Anglo-Russian War - Version 2
- Thread starter WarlordGandhi
- Start date
I think it's more likely the German thought process worked backwards; We can't win a long war => We need to do something dramatic and win quickly => Invade through Belgium => This brings in the UK => So it's even more important we win quickly
Admittedly this line of thought should actually have ended in "So don't fight the war at all" not "Gamble everything on winning very quickly", but this is the Kaiser's Germany we are talking about, that sort of logical thinking was heavily discouraged.
1908 Eastern Front Part One - Fall of the Republic?
Hey guys, here is another update! Please comment thoughts and feedback!
1908 Eastern Front Part One - Fall of the Republic?
January: With the Republican Russians deprived from Entente support and the Soviets seemingly on their last legs, the Central Powers decide to destroy the Republican forces before turning once again to deal with the Soviets. With the Battle of Moscow still raging on with immense numbers of troops within the city, the German decide to concentrate forces at Kaluga in an offensive eastward to encircle the Republican forces in Moscow.
January: Battle of Moscow: Republican forces attempt to cross the Moskva River at Lyublino District but are thrown back with heavy casualties.
February: With the promise of Crimea and Rostov, Ukraine enters the war on the side of the Central Powers. Their inexperienced army begins a slow drive to Sevastopol
February: Battle of Moscow: The Republicans once again try to cross the Moskva River, this time at Kapotnya District. However, they are finally successful and manage to establish a substantial beachhead north of the River.
March: Battle of Kaluga: After a six hour artillery bombardment, German, Austro-Hungarian and Byelorussian armies destroy the Republican positions on a line from Kaluga to Sukhinichi. Central Power cavalry immediately exploit the breakthrough and advance forward over 6 kilometers on the first day. By the end of March, the Central Powers have taken Odoyev.
March: Battle of Moscow: In coordination with the Kaluga offensive, Byellorussian troops attack the Cheremushki District, attempting to drive the Republicans but failing to do so with heavy losses.
March: Battle of Izhevsk: Tsarist forces begins a drive towards Kazan. The outnumbered Soviet troops steadily fall back to Izhevsk.
April: Battle of Kaluga: The Central Powers continue their rapid advance with the Republican lines completely disintegrating in disarray. In an attempt to preserve as much of their army as possible, the Republicans begin evacuating their part of Moscow to establish a defensive line much further South. Tula falls by the end of April. However, the entry of Italy to the war, along with Entente offensives in the Benelux, force the Germans and Austro-Hungarians to withdraw one army each from the Eastern front.
April: Battle of Moscow: Seeking to capitalize on the Republican evacuation, the Soviets launch an offensive over the Moskva River both inside and east of Moscow in the direction of Podolsk. As the Byellorussians are still recovering from fighting the previous month, the Soviets quickly advance to Vidnoye.
April: Battle of Izhevsk: The Tsarist advance begins to slow due to a lack of supplies and heavy Soviet counter attacks.
May: Battle of Kaluga: With Central Power troops being siphoned off to other fronts, and their advance outrunning their supplies, the Kaluga offensive begins running out of steam.
May: Battle of Moscow: A surprise Byellorussian attack at Tsaritsino District drives the overextended Soviets back over the river.
June: Battle of Izhevsk: The Tsarists finally take Izhevsk but stop their offensive in order to consolidate their gains.
June: Battle of Kaluga: The Central Powers halt their offensive on a line running from Kursk to Ryazan. While the majority of Republican forces escaped encirclement, they are disorganised, and morale is low. The Central Powers begin planning for a follow up offensive in August to end the Republican movement in Russia.
June: Battle of Moscow: With Moscow now split between the Byellorussians and Soviets along the river, the First Battle of Moscow comes to an end as both sides lick their wounds and dig in.
1908 Eastern Front Part One - Fall of the Republic?
January: With the Republican Russians deprived from Entente support and the Soviets seemingly on their last legs, the Central Powers decide to destroy the Republican forces before turning once again to deal with the Soviets. With the Battle of Moscow still raging on with immense numbers of troops within the city, the German decide to concentrate forces at Kaluga in an offensive eastward to encircle the Republican forces in Moscow.
January: Battle of Moscow: Republican forces attempt to cross the Moskva River at Lyublino District but are thrown back with heavy casualties.
February: With the promise of Crimea and Rostov, Ukraine enters the war on the side of the Central Powers. Their inexperienced army begins a slow drive to Sevastopol
February: Battle of Moscow: The Republicans once again try to cross the Moskva River, this time at Kapotnya District. However, they are finally successful and manage to establish a substantial beachhead north of the River.
March: Battle of Kaluga: After a six hour artillery bombardment, German, Austro-Hungarian and Byelorussian armies destroy the Republican positions on a line from Kaluga to Sukhinichi. Central Power cavalry immediately exploit the breakthrough and advance forward over 6 kilometers on the first day. By the end of March, the Central Powers have taken Odoyev.
March: Battle of Moscow: In coordination with the Kaluga offensive, Byellorussian troops attack the Cheremushki District, attempting to drive the Republicans but failing to do so with heavy losses.
March: Battle of Izhevsk: Tsarist forces begins a drive towards Kazan. The outnumbered Soviet troops steadily fall back to Izhevsk.
April: Battle of Kaluga: The Central Powers continue their rapid advance with the Republican lines completely disintegrating in disarray. In an attempt to preserve as much of their army as possible, the Republicans begin evacuating their part of Moscow to establish a defensive line much further South. Tula falls by the end of April. However, the entry of Italy to the war, along with Entente offensives in the Benelux, force the Germans and Austro-Hungarians to withdraw one army each from the Eastern front.
April: Battle of Moscow: Seeking to capitalize on the Republican evacuation, the Soviets launch an offensive over the Moskva River both inside and east of Moscow in the direction of Podolsk. As the Byellorussians are still recovering from fighting the previous month, the Soviets quickly advance to Vidnoye.
April: Battle of Izhevsk: The Tsarist advance begins to slow due to a lack of supplies and heavy Soviet counter attacks.
May: Battle of Kaluga: With Central Power troops being siphoned off to other fronts, and their advance outrunning their supplies, the Kaluga offensive begins running out of steam.
May: Battle of Moscow: A surprise Byellorussian attack at Tsaritsino District drives the overextended Soviets back over the river.
June: Battle of Izhevsk: The Tsarists finally take Izhevsk but stop their offensive in order to consolidate their gains.
June: Battle of Kaluga: The Central Powers halt their offensive on a line running from Kursk to Ryazan. While the majority of Republican forces escaped encirclement, they are disorganised, and morale is low. The Central Powers begin planning for a follow up offensive in August to end the Republican movement in Russia.
June: Battle of Moscow: With Moscow now split between the Byellorussians and Soviets along the river, the First Battle of Moscow comes to an end as both sides lick their wounds and dig in.
I am not especially happy that this timeline just railed its way to a "historical" pattern.
In the first place von schlieffens plan at this point would require flanking through the nethelrands as well. Army sizes are different and somewhat more favorable to Germany, even including Russia (without Russia Germany has an overhelming advantage against France).
Secondly I am not convinced that Italy would join, certainly not so soon. Why is Austria falling apart? Russia is in a civil war, and Serbia should not be involved on the tsars behalf. Similarly Romania is allied to Germany and participating for bessarabia.
More likely was that Italy stayed neutral or even joined in against the French. Or rather Italy would IMO be more likely to declare war over Austrian occupation of albania than her irredentist claims, this was a major bone of contention and one that would go hot very quickly if there is a general war in the Balkans... alternately algiceras could have enflamed anti French sentiment.
Then there are the Balkans themselves. IIRC this is before the Bosnian annexation, before the young Turk revolution, before the Balkans wars or the general realignment and expansion of Serbia into a regional power.
With Russia and turkey in open war the Balkans states are almost certain to declare one way or the other- Bulgaria and Greece probably for the Entente, Romania and Serbia for Germany.
In the first place von schlieffens plan at this point would require flanking through the nethelrands as well. Army sizes are different and somewhat more favorable to Germany, even including Russia (without Russia Germany has an overhelming advantage against France).
Secondly I am not convinced that Italy would join, certainly not so soon. Why is Austria falling apart? Russia is in a civil war, and Serbia should not be involved on the tsars behalf. Similarly Romania is allied to Germany and participating for bessarabia.
More likely was that Italy stayed neutral or even joined in against the French. Or rather Italy would IMO be more likely to declare war over Austrian occupation of albania than her irredentist claims, this was a major bone of contention and one that would go hot very quickly if there is a general war in the Balkans... alternately algiceras could have enflamed anti French sentiment.
Then there are the Balkans themselves. IIRC this is before the Bosnian annexation, before the young Turk revolution, before the Balkans wars or the general realignment and expansion of Serbia into a regional power.
With Russia and turkey in open war the Balkans states are almost certain to declare one way or the other- Bulgaria and Greece probably for the Entente, Romania and Serbia for Germany.
Thanks for your feedback!
Firstly, Germany only had an overwhelming advantage at a glance. The Haber process has not been invented yet, meaning that Germany has very little time to win a large scale European war, plus they have to "ration" their artillery shells. The Central Powers are going to have a semi-equivalent of OTLs "Shell Crisis" (but with no solution) soon. The immense fortifications on the Franco-German border, as well as a lack of substantial numbers of siege artillery meant that German could not afford to go through with an offensive on the Franco-German border. An advance through the lowlands, while a complete gamble, was the only way to quickly win the war. Further it already seemed that the British would enter the war anyway due to the establishment of the Western Entente alliance.
Secondly, Italy has far closer ties to the entente at this time in TTL than OTL, the political alignments during the Algiciras conference make this apparent. Further, everyone knows that the Central Powers don't have reserves of Nitrates for a long war, and since the Germans were completely stopped before making it to France, Italy thought it was making the right decision by joining the war on the Ententes side. I'm not sure where you get the impression about your next information. Austria is not falling apart, Serbia is not involved at all, and Romania is not in the war (they have occupied Bessarabia but that was more than a year prior to the outbreak of the European war.)
Thirdly, Turkey is not at war, and in fact is experiencing a minor economic boom due to access to the Baku fields. They are also gradually reforming their army.
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I wonder what the turks are going to do. They can join the Germans in order to regain egypt or they can remain neutral and let their weapon industry benefit from the war.
1908 Global Theater Part One - Trouble in the Orient
Update!
1908 Global Theater Part One - Trouble in the Orient
January: The Central Powers begin placing large orders of weapons from the Ottoman Empire. While the Ottoman industry is initially strained by the large quantity of orders, profits from the Baku oil fields allow the Ottomans to begin expanding their armaments productions quickly. Germany also begins importing Nitrates through the Ottoman port of Basra, but low infrastructure within the Ottoman Empire means that only minimal imports can be shipped through the Ottomans. These imports aren't enough to sustain the German war machine for more than a couple months longer. However, the Ottoman Empire accelerates construction of the Berlin-Baghdad Railway as a result.
January: Siege of Qingdao: The German East Asia squadron attempts to break out of the Japanese blockade but is driven back to Qingtao with the Furst Bismarck sunk.
February: The occupation of German Kamarun and South-west Africa is completed. Britain occupies Dar es Salaam.
February: Battle of Ningde: Republican Chinese forces attempt an offensive south along to coast. Their advance is slow amid heavy revolutionary resistance.
March: Siege of Qingdao: Japanese troops begin landing on the outskirts of Qingdao in an effort to seize the city
March: With the ongoing blockade of Germany and the inability of the Central powers to respond, the United States, along with other neutral nations, begin protesting the blockade. President Roosevelt calls the blockade immoral and barbaric, but the British and French refuse to lift to blockade. US-Entente relations begin a long-term deterioration as a result
March: German colonies across the Pacific are occupied by Britain and Japan.
April: The Japanese offensive against the Republican Chinese begins. Thrusting out of Manchuria, the Japanese advance along the coast in the direction of Beijing. However, Yuan Shikais New Army is in strong defensive positions, and the Japanese are only able to advance due to superiority in tactics and artillery.
April: Battle of Ningde: In coordination with the Japanese offensive in the north, the Revolutionary Chinese counterattack, driving the Republicans back.
April: German East Africa is fully occupied by Britain.
April: Siege of Qingdao: Qingdao falls to the Japanese. There are no German colonies left unoccupied.
May: Battle of Shandong: Fresh from the victory at Qingdao, Japan begins a drive to occupy the Shandong Peninsula.
May: Battle of Ningde: The Revolutionary drive continues north along to coast, reaching Wenzhou by the end of May
June: Battle of Beijing: The Japanese army reaches the outskirts of Beijing amid heavy resistance, but pauses to give their troops respite. Yuan Shikai, President of Republican China appoints General August von Mackensen commander of the New Army in the hope of stopping the Japanese advance.
June: Battle of Ningde: The Battle of Ningde ends with Wenzhou falling to Revolutionary forces in a quick assault.
1908 Global Theater Part One - Trouble in the Orient
January: The Central Powers begin placing large orders of weapons from the Ottoman Empire. While the Ottoman industry is initially strained by the large quantity of orders, profits from the Baku oil fields allow the Ottomans to begin expanding their armaments productions quickly. Germany also begins importing Nitrates through the Ottoman port of Basra, but low infrastructure within the Ottoman Empire means that only minimal imports can be shipped through the Ottomans. These imports aren't enough to sustain the German war machine for more than a couple months longer. However, the Ottoman Empire accelerates construction of the Berlin-Baghdad Railway as a result.
January: Siege of Qingdao: The German East Asia squadron attempts to break out of the Japanese blockade but is driven back to Qingtao with the Furst Bismarck sunk.
February: The occupation of German Kamarun and South-west Africa is completed. Britain occupies Dar es Salaam.
February: Battle of Ningde: Republican Chinese forces attempt an offensive south along to coast. Their advance is slow amid heavy revolutionary resistance.
March: Siege of Qingdao: Japanese troops begin landing on the outskirts of Qingdao in an effort to seize the city
March: With the ongoing blockade of Germany and the inability of the Central powers to respond, the United States, along with other neutral nations, begin protesting the blockade. President Roosevelt calls the blockade immoral and barbaric, but the British and French refuse to lift to blockade. US-Entente relations begin a long-term deterioration as a result
March: German colonies across the Pacific are occupied by Britain and Japan.
April: The Japanese offensive against the Republican Chinese begins. Thrusting out of Manchuria, the Japanese advance along the coast in the direction of Beijing. However, Yuan Shikais New Army is in strong defensive positions, and the Japanese are only able to advance due to superiority in tactics and artillery.
April: Battle of Ningde: In coordination with the Japanese offensive in the north, the Revolutionary Chinese counterattack, driving the Republicans back.
April: German East Africa is fully occupied by Britain.
April: Siege of Qingdao: Qingdao falls to the Japanese. There are no German colonies left unoccupied.
May: Battle of Shandong: Fresh from the victory at Qingdao, Japan begins a drive to occupy the Shandong Peninsula.
May: Battle of Ningde: The Revolutionary drive continues north along to coast, reaching Wenzhou by the end of May
June: Battle of Beijing: The Japanese army reaches the outskirts of Beijing amid heavy resistance, but pauses to give their troops respite. Yuan Shikai, President of Republican China appoints General August von Mackensen commander of the New Army in the hope of stopping the Japanese advance.
June: Battle of Ningde: The Battle of Ningde ends with Wenzhou falling to Revolutionary forces in a quick assault.
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If this is anything like OTL there should be a major Chinese army operating out of Manchuria. Where's that disappeared to?
And I'm not sure why Beijing fell so quickly. Yuan Shikai's power base is in Beijing. China will be united under him because of the foreign invasion, and the Beiyang Army is a powerful force. I don't know why it would surrender Beijing so rapidly.
That also brings me to why the revolutionaries are cooperating with the Japanese, which makes some sense but I feel like the revolutionary faction would object to Japan seizing large sections of norhern China. They're Chinese nationalists too, after all.
And I'm not sure why Beijing fell so quickly. Yuan Shikai's power base is in Beijing. China will be united under him because of the foreign invasion, and the Beiyang Army is a powerful force. I don't know why it would surrender Beijing so rapidly.
That also brings me to why the revolutionaries are cooperating with the Japanese, which makes some sense but I feel like the revolutionary faction would object to Japan seizing large sections of norhern China. They're Chinese nationalists too, after all.
Japan controls Manchuria due to gaining it in 1905, there is no Chinese army there unlike OTL.
You're right about Beijing though I'll do an edit.
The Revolutionaries are only nominally allied with the Japanese to win the Civil War. Without outside help they would not win, and they know this.
Why should neutral countries, Protest against the blocade? Germany invaded Belgium and the Netherlands
In OTl there was a protest against the blockade lead by the US but the advent of unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany stopped this.
In TTL, Germany has only commissioned one submarine as of the beginning 1908, and so they have no response to the blockade. Thus the protest continues.
1908 Western Front Part Two - End in Sight
Update!
1908 Western Front Part Two - End in Sight
July: With the failure of the German offensive to cut the Western Entente in two and recognizing the impossibility of a new successful offensive, von Bülow turns to the defensive in the Benelux, hoping to cause substantial losses to the Entente in order to obtain favorable peace terms. A defense in depth is established, with counterattacks to be minimized.
July: Sensing German weakness, the British agree to launch a joint offensive with the French at Charleroi, after which they would drive on to Namur. This offensive is scheduled for August.
July: Second Battle of Gorizia: The Italians attempt to cross the Tagliamento and liberate their land but are repelled with heavy casualties.
August: Battle of Charleroi: The British and French open their offensive with a joint artillery barrage of 1800 guns around Charleroi, which lasts for 4 days. However, a lack of detailed reconnaissance means that many of the German forward positions and fortifications are left intact. The first day of fighting alone sees 31,000 British and French casualties for less than a kilometer of gain.
September: Second Battle of Gorizia: An Austro-Hungarian counterattack briefly establishes a beachhead on the east bank of the Tagliamento but is driven back by a vigorous counterattack.
September: Battle of Charleroi: The Entente offensive continues despite heavy Entente casualties. The British have managed to advance to Velaine-Sur-Sambre, while the French have advanced to Tamines.
September: Battle of Lommel: In order to try and divert German reserves from Charleroi, the Dutch and Belgians launch an offensive south of Eindhoven near the Dutch-Belgian border. Similarly to the Dutch offensive earlier in the year, the Dutch and Belgians make very little headway with immense casualties.
October: Battle of Charleroi: With the Franco-British offensive petering out, the Germans attempt a counter-attack in order to regain lost ground. However, the German offensive fails to gain any ground. The battle is called off by the end of the month.
October: A lack of artillery shells forces the Germans to start rationing artillery shells, with the Artillery ordered to only fire when absolutely necessary.
November: Battle of Charleroi: The Battle ends with the French and British having suffered over 400,000 casualties, and the Germans losing over 200,000. The western Entente has only advance around 7 kilometers.
November: Battle of Trentino: The Austro-Hungarians aim to cut off the Italians in Venezia by launching an offensive south out Trentino. While the Austro-Hungarians make substantial headway at first, a lack of artillery shells and worsening weather forces the Austro-Hungarians to stop just short of Bassano del Grappa.
December: Von Bülow prepares plans to withdraw to the Meuse if necessary but is replaced by Moltke the Younger due to the Kaisers disapproval.
1908 Western Front Part Two - End in Sight
July: With the failure of the German offensive to cut the Western Entente in two and recognizing the impossibility of a new successful offensive, von Bülow turns to the defensive in the Benelux, hoping to cause substantial losses to the Entente in order to obtain favorable peace terms. A defense in depth is established, with counterattacks to be minimized.
July: Sensing German weakness, the British agree to launch a joint offensive with the French at Charleroi, after which they would drive on to Namur. This offensive is scheduled for August.
July: Second Battle of Gorizia: The Italians attempt to cross the Tagliamento and liberate their land but are repelled with heavy casualties.
August: Battle of Charleroi: The British and French open their offensive with a joint artillery barrage of 1800 guns around Charleroi, which lasts for 4 days. However, a lack of detailed reconnaissance means that many of the German forward positions and fortifications are left intact. The first day of fighting alone sees 31,000 British and French casualties for less than a kilometer of gain.
September: Second Battle of Gorizia: An Austro-Hungarian counterattack briefly establishes a beachhead on the east bank of the Tagliamento but is driven back by a vigorous counterattack.
September: Battle of Charleroi: The Entente offensive continues despite heavy Entente casualties. The British have managed to advance to Velaine-Sur-Sambre, while the French have advanced to Tamines.
September: Battle of Lommel: In order to try and divert German reserves from Charleroi, the Dutch and Belgians launch an offensive south of Eindhoven near the Dutch-Belgian border. Similarly to the Dutch offensive earlier in the year, the Dutch and Belgians make very little headway with immense casualties.
October: Battle of Charleroi: With the Franco-British offensive petering out, the Germans attempt a counter-attack in order to regain lost ground. However, the German offensive fails to gain any ground. The battle is called off by the end of the month.
October: A lack of artillery shells forces the Germans to start rationing artillery shells, with the Artillery ordered to only fire when absolutely necessary.
November: Battle of Charleroi: The Battle ends with the French and British having suffered over 400,000 casualties, and the Germans losing over 200,000. The western Entente has only advance around 7 kilometers.
November: Battle of Trentino: The Austro-Hungarians aim to cut off the Italians in Venezia by launching an offensive south out Trentino. While the Austro-Hungarians make substantial headway at first, a lack of artillery shells and worsening weather forces the Austro-Hungarians to stop just short of Bassano del Grappa.
December: Von Bülow prepares plans to withdraw to the Meuse if necessary but is replaced by Moltke the Younger due to the Kaisers disapproval.
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I expect a rapid humiliating defeat as the lack of nitrates forces whole German armies to surrender due to a lack of ammunition to fight with.
1908 Eastern Front Part Two - Beginning of the Red Phoenix
Update!!
1908 Eastern Front Part Two - Beginning of the Red Phoenix
July: With the front line against the Russian Republicans settled at a line running from Kursk to Ryazan. Germany prepares an offensive directly south, focusing on speed and aiming to reach the banks of the Volga within a few months. The underequipped and outnumbered Republicans are expected to quickly disintegrate. The offensive, initially scheduled for August is brought earlier to late July:
July: Second Battle of Voronezh: The Central Powers open their offensive with a short Artillery barrage around the Republican lines at Yelets that lasts for 4 hours. The Germans and Austro-Hungarians quickly breakthrough and start a rapid advance in the direction of Voronezh. The Republicans are once again forced to retreat, or risk being annihilated.
August: Battle of Sevastopol: After heavy fighting between the inexperienced Ukrainians and the underequipped Republicans, a ring is finally closed around the fortress of Sevastopol.
August: Second Battle of Voronezh: The Central Power advance continues, as the Republicans are so broken that they are not able to even attempt to mount a defence. Voronezh is taken by mid-August, along with Tambov.
September: Battle of Viipuri: Having regained a major part of their strength, the Soviets feel confident enough to launch an offensive against the Finns and secure the flank of Petrograd. The Finns are surprised and are driven back towards Viipuri.
September: Second Battle of Voronezh: Overstretched supplies, along with troops being siphoned off to the Western Front means that the Central Powers advance begins to slow. Nevertheless, the Germans continue to take ground.
October: Second Battle of Voronezh: The Republicans finally have finally recuperated enough men to mount a defensive line from Donetsk to Kamyshin. The Germans and Austro-Hungarians stop their offensive to allow for supplies to catch up.
October: Battle of Viipuri: The Finns are driven back to the Vuoksi River, where they are able to establish an effective defence against the Soviets.
November: Battle of Sevastopol: The demoralised Republicans surrender to the Ukrainians, who quickly establish control over the City.
November: Battle of Viipuri: The onset of winter brings an end to the Soviet offensive. However, they have succeeded in securing the northern flank of Petrograd.
December: With the lack of artillery shells now plaguing the Central Powers, the Germans withdraw two further armies to the Western Front to hold off the Entente offensives anticipated for next spring. The Republicans are too disorganised and demoralised to exploit this withdraw.
1908 Eastern Front Part Two - Beginning of the Red Phoenix
July: With the front line against the Russian Republicans settled at a line running from Kursk to Ryazan. Germany prepares an offensive directly south, focusing on speed and aiming to reach the banks of the Volga within a few months. The underequipped and outnumbered Republicans are expected to quickly disintegrate. The offensive, initially scheduled for August is brought earlier to late July:
July: Second Battle of Voronezh: The Central Powers open their offensive with a short Artillery barrage around the Republican lines at Yelets that lasts for 4 hours. The Germans and Austro-Hungarians quickly breakthrough and start a rapid advance in the direction of Voronezh. The Republicans are once again forced to retreat, or risk being annihilated.
August: Battle of Sevastopol: After heavy fighting between the inexperienced Ukrainians and the underequipped Republicans, a ring is finally closed around the fortress of Sevastopol.
August: Second Battle of Voronezh: The Central Power advance continues, as the Republicans are so broken that they are not able to even attempt to mount a defence. Voronezh is taken by mid-August, along with Tambov.
September: Battle of Viipuri: Having regained a major part of their strength, the Soviets feel confident enough to launch an offensive against the Finns and secure the flank of Petrograd. The Finns are surprised and are driven back towards Viipuri.
September: Second Battle of Voronezh: Overstretched supplies, along with troops being siphoned off to the Western Front means that the Central Powers advance begins to slow. Nevertheless, the Germans continue to take ground.
October: Second Battle of Voronezh: The Republicans finally have finally recuperated enough men to mount a defensive line from Donetsk to Kamyshin. The Germans and Austro-Hungarians stop their offensive to allow for supplies to catch up.
October: Battle of Viipuri: The Finns are driven back to the Vuoksi River, where they are able to establish an effective defence against the Soviets.
November: Battle of Sevastopol: The demoralised Republicans surrender to the Ukrainians, who quickly establish control over the City.
November: Battle of Viipuri: The onset of winter brings an end to the Soviet offensive. However, they have succeeded in securing the northern flank of Petrograd.
December: With the lack of artillery shells now plaguing the Central Powers, the Germans withdraw two further armies to the Western Front to hold off the Entente offensives anticipated for next spring. The Republicans are too disorganised and demoralised to exploit this withdraw.
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Without Americans that pressure France to keep Germany intact after the war, we will see an even more harsh treaty of versailles
1908 Global Theatre Part Two - Split
Apologies about the several month hiatus, I have been hemmed in by uni and work but now I have a bit more time on my hand to resume writing this TL. Here is the next update!
1908 Global Theatre Part Two - Split
July: With their economy booming, the Ottomans are able to pay off a part of their public debt early. They are also able to begin a modernisation program of their military.
July: Battle of Beijing: The Japanese resume their advance on Beijing in a frontal assault believing that their superiority in artillery will allow them to easily breakthrough. The Imperial Japanese Navy is brought in for coastal bombardment for added firepower. However, the Republican Chinese repel the attacks with heavy casualties.
July: Having been continually fighting a war for most of the past several years, along with the costs of maintaining the occupation of Manchuria and Pacific Russia, war weariness is starting to show in Japan. Anti war demonstrations begin to organise.
August: Battle of Beijing: The Japanese finally breakthrough through sheer volume of firepower the Republican lines and enter Beijing, but house to house fighting is fierce, with Japanese casualties skyrocketing.
August: Battle of Shandong: In an attempt to divert Republican reserves from Beijing, the Japanese attack in the direction of Jinan. Despite early advances, the assault stalls after a few days.
September: Despite pressure to launch an attack north to help the Japanese, the Revolutionary Chinese instead opt to recuperate their forces for an ambitious planned campaign to reunify China in the next year.
September: Battle of Shandong: The Battle of Shandong ends with the Japanese calling off their offensive.
October: Battle of Beijing: Beijing finally falls to the Japanese but has basically been destroyed by house to house fighting. The Japanese do not attempt to renew the offensive but instead dig in to lick their wounds.
October: As news of the horrific losses reach home, the anti-war protests in Japan rapidly swell in size. As the Japanese economy has already been strained by the war, the government is fearful that the protests will paralyse the economy. A cease fire is agreed upon with the Republican Chinese, but a peace agreement is never made, leaving the Japanese in occupation of Beijing.
November: With news of the Japanese ceasefire, the Revolutionary Chinese have no choice but to enter in a ceasefire with the Republicans. China is effectively left split into two for the next several years.
November: William Howard Taft is elected 27th President of the United States.
December: The Ottomans enter into a military and economic pact with Turkestan.
1908 Global Theatre Part Two - Split
July: With their economy booming, the Ottomans are able to pay off a part of their public debt early. They are also able to begin a modernisation program of their military.
July: Battle of Beijing: The Japanese resume their advance on Beijing in a frontal assault believing that their superiority in artillery will allow them to easily breakthrough. The Imperial Japanese Navy is brought in for coastal bombardment for added firepower. However, the Republican Chinese repel the attacks with heavy casualties.
July: Having been continually fighting a war for most of the past several years, along with the costs of maintaining the occupation of Manchuria and Pacific Russia, war weariness is starting to show in Japan. Anti war demonstrations begin to organise.
August: Battle of Beijing: The Japanese finally breakthrough through sheer volume of firepower the Republican lines and enter Beijing, but house to house fighting is fierce, with Japanese casualties skyrocketing.
August: Battle of Shandong: In an attempt to divert Republican reserves from Beijing, the Japanese attack in the direction of Jinan. Despite early advances, the assault stalls after a few days.
September: Despite pressure to launch an attack north to help the Japanese, the Revolutionary Chinese instead opt to recuperate their forces for an ambitious planned campaign to reunify China in the next year.
September: Battle of Shandong: The Battle of Shandong ends with the Japanese calling off their offensive.
October: Battle of Beijing: Beijing finally falls to the Japanese but has basically been destroyed by house to house fighting. The Japanese do not attempt to renew the offensive but instead dig in to lick their wounds.
October: As news of the horrific losses reach home, the anti-war protests in Japan rapidly swell in size. As the Japanese economy has already been strained by the war, the government is fearful that the protests will paralyse the economy. A cease fire is agreed upon with the Republican Chinese, but a peace agreement is never made, leaving the Japanese in occupation of Beijing.
November: With news of the Japanese ceasefire, the Revolutionary Chinese have no choice but to enter in a ceasefire with the Republicans. China is effectively left split into two for the next several years.
November: William Howard Taft is elected 27th President of the United States.
December: The Ottomans enter into a military and economic pact with Turkestan.
1909 Part One - When the War was over
Update time!
1909 Part One - When the War was over
January: With their defeat all but imminent, the Central Powers attempt to negotiate a peace settlement with the Entente. Sensing victory, the Entente refuse.
January: Angry with the conduct of the war so far, protests begin organising throughout Germany and Austria-Hungary.
February: Battle of the Isonzo: The Italians launch an assault over the Tagliamento. The Austro-Hungarians attempt to hold but a lack of artillery shells force them to retreat. The Italians advance in good shape in the direction of Trieste
March: Battle of Namur: The British and French launch a massive offensive after a short but intense artillery bombardment. The Germans initially hold for three days but break into a shattered retreat. The Germans virtually have no shells left and are unable to respond to the Entente bombardment. The Battle of Namur sees the first use of aircraft in war, with two French built Bleriot XI monoplane aircraft providing limited aerial reconnaissance of the retreating Germans
March: Battle of the Isonzo: The Italians decisively defeat the Austro-Hungarians on the Isonzo River. The Austro-Hungarian army begins to collapse.
April: Battle of Namur: The German lines in Belgium collapse amidst a shortage of shells. The Entente rapidly advances in the direction of Malmedy
April: Seeing the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian army, Romania and Serbia launch an invasion of Transylvania and Vojvodina. They advance with little resistance.
April: Battle of the Isonzo: Trieste falls to the Italians, who now advance on Ljubljana.
April: The Soviets resume their advance against the Finns, who are unable to hold the lines north of Viipuri.
April: The Polish NDP, led by Roman Dmowski stage an uprising and begin fighting Royalist forces for control of Warsaw and the surrounding countryside.
April: Second Battle of Moscow: Central Powers armies begin a withdraw from occupied Russian territory, leaving the Byelorussians to face the Republicans and Soviets alone. While the Republicans are still too shattered to exploit this, the Soviets quickly launch an attack across the river, taking back the south bank of Moscow from the demoralised Byelorussians.
April: With the war effort collapsing, the home situation in Germany steadily worsens. Support for the extreme right and extreme left skyrocket.
May: Battle of Namur: By now, the Germans have been almost completely driven from Belgium and the Netherlands, with only Maastricht and Liege in German hands.
May: Battle of the Isonzo: The Italians take Ljubljana. The Austro-Hungarians sue for peace with the Entente, and while the Entente essentially demands a total surrender, the Austro-Hungarians have no choice but to agree. The Italians, Serbians and Romanians begin occupying the empire.
May: The Dutch, emboldened by their ally's success down south, launch an offensive in the direction of Dortmund and Emden, bringing the war to German soil for the first time. The Germans offer what resistance they can but are unable to stem the Dutch advance.
June: Warsaw, Lodz and Lublin fall to the NDP. King Wladyslaw V flees to Germany.
June: With their army disintegrating and hostile soldiers on its soil, the Germans ask for a conditional surrender to the Entente. The Entente accepts, with the terms of the armistice including the surrender of its fleet to the Entente, the withdraw of its forces from all occupied territory and eastern European states, and the occupation of the Rhineland, Oldenberg and Baden. The Great War is now over.
1909 Part One - When the War was over
January: With their defeat all but imminent, the Central Powers attempt to negotiate a peace settlement with the Entente. Sensing victory, the Entente refuse.
January: Angry with the conduct of the war so far, protests begin organising throughout Germany and Austria-Hungary.
February: Battle of the Isonzo: The Italians launch an assault over the Tagliamento. The Austro-Hungarians attempt to hold but a lack of artillery shells force them to retreat. The Italians advance in good shape in the direction of Trieste
March: Battle of Namur: The British and French launch a massive offensive after a short but intense artillery bombardment. The Germans initially hold for three days but break into a shattered retreat. The Germans virtually have no shells left and are unable to respond to the Entente bombardment. The Battle of Namur sees the first use of aircraft in war, with two French built Bleriot XI monoplane aircraft providing limited aerial reconnaissance of the retreating Germans
March: Battle of the Isonzo: The Italians decisively defeat the Austro-Hungarians on the Isonzo River. The Austro-Hungarian army begins to collapse.
April: Battle of Namur: The German lines in Belgium collapse amidst a shortage of shells. The Entente rapidly advances in the direction of Malmedy
April: Seeing the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian army, Romania and Serbia launch an invasion of Transylvania and Vojvodina. They advance with little resistance.
April: Battle of the Isonzo: Trieste falls to the Italians, who now advance on Ljubljana.
April: The Soviets resume their advance against the Finns, who are unable to hold the lines north of Viipuri.
April: The Polish NDP, led by Roman Dmowski stage an uprising and begin fighting Royalist forces for control of Warsaw and the surrounding countryside.
April: Second Battle of Moscow: Central Powers armies begin a withdraw from occupied Russian territory, leaving the Byelorussians to face the Republicans and Soviets alone. While the Republicans are still too shattered to exploit this, the Soviets quickly launch an attack across the river, taking back the south bank of Moscow from the demoralised Byelorussians.
April: With the war effort collapsing, the home situation in Germany steadily worsens. Support for the extreme right and extreme left skyrocket.
May: Battle of Namur: By now, the Germans have been almost completely driven from Belgium and the Netherlands, with only Maastricht and Liege in German hands.
May: Battle of the Isonzo: The Italians take Ljubljana. The Austro-Hungarians sue for peace with the Entente, and while the Entente essentially demands a total surrender, the Austro-Hungarians have no choice but to agree. The Italians, Serbians and Romanians begin occupying the empire.
May: The Dutch, emboldened by their ally's success down south, launch an offensive in the direction of Dortmund and Emden, bringing the war to German soil for the first time. The Germans offer what resistance they can but are unable to stem the Dutch advance.
June: Warsaw, Lodz and Lublin fall to the NDP. King Wladyslaw V flees to Germany.
June: With their army disintegrating and hostile soldiers on its soil, the Germans ask for a conditional surrender to the Entente. The Entente accepts, with the terms of the armistice including the surrender of its fleet to the Entente, the withdraw of its forces from all occupied territory and eastern European states, and the occupation of the Rhineland, Oldenberg and Baden. The Great War is now over.
Without a Russia as a counterbalance to Germany, the Entente has to build up a strong Poland in order to keep Germany in line