Why the Chinese play cricket (The Pax Imperialis)

Miss Construction · Nov 26, 2017

VERY BELATED EDIT
At the risk of thread necromancy. This version of the TL has been abandoned. While I think it is not too bad, certainly nowhere near as bad as my first two attempts, it did have some some serious issues which could not be fixed without a total reboot.

The latest iteration can be found here
Iteration Four

The Pax Imperialis (The Peace of the Emperor). Or why the Chinese play cricket
(For my beloved daughter)

This one of those "the sun never sets" British Empire timelines. However what comes out at the end will very definitely not be the British Empire. Nor is it the Indian Empire or any other Empire. It's a defuse global federation called the Imperial Commonwealth. This Commonwealth grows to become the world's sole hyperpower, with a distributed economy spread over five continents. However while its global nature is its greatest strength, it is also its greatest weakness. Though it has immense power, it is extremely hard for it to focus its power.

The point of divergence is Gladstone's Landlord and Tenant (Ireland) Act isn't diluted. This brings forward the split between the radical and whig factions in the Liberal party, increasing the pace of reform. However the butterflies spread fairly quickly and start to reach outside the bounds of the Empire in odd ways. However significant changes don't start to show up until the 20th century, hence its in the post 1900 threads.

I try to wait at least 24 hours between posting updates to allow time for people to comment. For anyone coming in "late," I always update each entry if I make alterations. So all you need to do is follow the bouncing ball through the threadmarks. There are some "design notes" which go into greater depth about the underlying reasons for what's happening, amazing comments and suggestions, a wonderful running commentary by a follower on what's happening and some really weird utterly irrelevant chatty stuff. But all you need to do to get a grip on the timeline is go through the threadmarks.

There are a lot of abbreviations and terms which may be hard to keep track of, certainly FAR too many to remember. I periodically post an updated list of them and threadmark it. So if you run across an abbreviation or term you don't understand, all you have to do is look it up. They same applies to alliances. This is a multi polar world and it can be hard to keep track of whose allied with whom. Also past about 1920, do not assume anything is like the OTL. The timeline changes slowly, but it changes beyond all recognition. Some very important points to remember

1) The Imperial Commonwealth (abbreviated CW throughout the timeline) is a vastly different state from the OTL British Empire. It has a totally different geopolitical outlook, focusing on the Far East not Europe. Its involvement in Europe is primarily to keep the European powers from interfering in the east by keeping them focused on Europe. It also abandons traditional imperialism, instead using soft power to create client states.

2) The relative power of the CW and US is basically reversed. By 1940 the CW economy is twice the size of the US. This chapter on the relative GNP of the world gives some indication of economic power of various states

https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...-pax-imperialis.431300/page-138#post-17058344

3) By the mid 30s India has a modern industrialised economy and has throughly been integrated in the CW political structure. I recommend reading the threadmarked chapter on Indian development

https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...e-pax-imperialis.431300/page-97#post-16634373

4) Italy is also a very different place. By the 40s it has the fourth largest economy in the world and one of the most efficient militaries. It's explained in these two chapters

https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...-pax-imperialis.431300/page-147#post-17094255

https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...-pax-imperialis.431300/page-147#post-17094486

5) Poland is also quite different. Not only does it include all of OTL Poland but all of Galicia, Silesia and half of East Prussia. It also received considerable CW investment in the 30s to build up as credible rival for the Franco-Russian Entente

Constructive criticism is VERY welcome. This timeline has a lot of personal importance to me. I want it to be the best it can. I've even enlisted the help of one my clients who happens to be a history professor specialising in the late Victorian and Edwardian period (he was surprised but very happy to help lol).

So while I really love people telling me what I'm doing right. Feeds my ego no end and keeps me writing this. What I really want is people to tell me what I'm doing wrong, to rip it to shreds, point out mistakes and where things don't make sense. I will listen and incorporate suggestions. So thank you for both the good and bad.

But if you think something can be done better, is poorly thought out, horrendously wrong or just plain sucks, please say so. I've been called more nasty names than you can probably imagine, I'm no delicate flower. But please also say why. I will listen.

I should point out while I am developing this as a serious timeline. I also keep in mind its use as an RPG setting. Hence the oddities such as airships, dual battalion British cavalry regiments, gyrodynes and domesticated zebras. These are intended never to move beyond novelties. The number of airships in this timeline is economically unsustainable. There will not be regiments of zebra cavalry. Gyrodynes however will achieve some limited military use in special forces operations, such as is suitable for RPGs. These things will exist on the fringes where they have no real effect on the timeline.

This timeline was originally intended to have the Japanese playing cricket. However this timeline is growing organically as I incorporate the very valuable criticism being given. I might still be able to swing the Japanese around to a gentleman's game, but the focus is now China.

Miss Construction · Nov 26, 2017

~1870-1879: One tiny step

15th February 1870: British Prime Minister William Gladstone presents The First Irish Land Bill to parliament. The bill is fiercely debated, polarising parliament between the liberal and conservative factions.

March 1870: With demand for rubber growing dramatically in Europe, US entrepreneur George Church proposes a railway in the Amazon jungle to improve access to the rubber producing regions.

April 1870: A captive breeding program is begun aimed at domesticating the Grévy's Zebra.

July 1870: The Second French Empire declares war on Prussia and the North German Confederation.

July 1870: Gladstone's Landlord and Tenant (Ireland) Act is finally passed. Despite attempts by conservatives to restrict its effect, it gives security of tenure, prohibits excessive rather than the conservatives desired exorbitant rents and provides government loans to purchase their land even in the event of an unwilling seller. The Act will see the start of the split between the Whig and Radical elements of the Liberal Party as a number of whig liberals defect to become the Independent Whigs.

August 1870: The Elementary Education Act introduces a formal system of state education in Britain.

September 1870: The Prussians decisively defeat the French Army at the Battle of Sedan, all but guaranteeing victory in the war. However French Emperor Napoleon III is captured and the Empire overthrown, leaving no legitimate government for the Prussians to negotiate with.

January 1871: King Wilhelm of Prussia is proclaimed Emperor of Germany in Versailles.

January 1871: The British and US government agree to attempt to settle a number of outstanding grievances over fishing rights, Canadian border disputes and outstanding claims from the American Civil War. Canadian Prime Minister John MacDonald is included on the negotiating committee.

February 1871: After the fall of Paris, an armistice is signed bringing an end to the fighting in the Franco-Prussian War.

February 1871: Tsar Alexander II of Russia gifts the Zoological Society of London with three breeding pairs of wild Tarpans.

March 1871: Communist revolutionaries declare the Paris Commune, rejecting the authority of the French government.

April 1871: Gladstone openly expresses the British government's opposition to any French territorial losses without the approval of the local population in the wake of their defeat by Prussia.

May 1871: The Treaty of Frankfurt is signed ending the Franco-Prussian War. France is forced to cede Alsace-Lorraine and is forced to pay an unprecedented indemnity of five billion gold francs.

May 1871: The Treaty of Washington is signed settling many of the disputes between Britain and the US. The British agree to compensate the US for damage done by British build Confederate raiders during the Civil War and the US to compensate Canada for damage in the Fenian Raids, though neither side is required to acknowledge blame or apologise. A joint US Canadian Fisheries Commission is established to regulate the Halifax fisheries and the US pays $5.5 million directly to Canada for access to Canadian waters while the Vancouver border dispute is sent to arbitration by King Christian IX of Denmark. Canadian opposition to the Treaty is assuaged by a supposedly unrelated British loan to finance the construction of a trans Canadian railway. Despite disquiet at having to accept US access to their fisheries, the otherwise generally favourable outcome of the Treaty does much to strengthen pro Imperial feeling in Canada.

May 1871: French troops crush the Paris Commune.

November 1871: In the wake of the French defeat by Prussia, British Secretary of State for War, Edward Cardwell begins a series of reforms to professionalise the British army.

February 1872: Three breading pairs of Quagga are established at London Zoo in an attempt to ensure the sub species survival.

May 1872: The French begin a massive program of development, funded extensive loans, to modernise and repay its war indemnity.

October 1872: The arbitration committee established by King Christian of Denmark decides in favour of Canada in the Vancouver border dispute.

May 1873: The Vienna stock market crashes, triggering the first wave of the Long Depression. The crash will rapidly spread to Germany, causing the collapse of an investment bubble created in the wake of French war representations.

June 1873: The Irish University Bill that would remove the requirement for faculty members of Trinity College in Dublin to be Anglicans is defeated. Gladstone resigns as Prime Minister and the Conservatives under Benjamin Disraeli form a minority government with support from the Independent Whigs.

August 1873: Chancellor Bismarck of Germany negotiates the League of Three Emperors with Austro-Hungary and Russia to ensure France's diplomatic isolation.

September 1873: France repays its war indemnity to Germany two years early, due to the end of the boom sparked by the increased cash into the German economy.

September 1873: The New York stock market crashes, deepening the growing Long Depression.

March 1874: Disraeli, unwilling to continue his minority government, calls new elections. He wins a narrow majority as the Liberals lose several seats to Independent Whigs. The election also sees sixty Irish nationalists of the Irish Parliamentary Party elected.

January 1875: Chinese Emperor Tongzhi dies and is succeed by his nephew Zaitian as Emperor Guangxu.

November 1875: The British purchase a 44% share in the Suez canal.

January 1876: Large numbers of British immigrants begin to arrive in Argentina and Chile to exploit the plains of Patagonia for sheep farming. The farming industry will grow, greatly increasing the prosperity of both nations and lead to further development of Patagonia in Argentina, further encouraging economic growth.

March 1876: The Long Depression has resulted in a sharp rise in protectionism in Europe and the US. Lord Carnarvon, British Colonial Secretary, institutes a policy of developing and expanding the Empire to provide an alternative market for British goods. The first goal is the absorption of Southern Africa.

June 1876: Despite opposition from the Dowager Empress Cixi, British Ambassador Thomas Wade is able to convince her co-regent, Dowager Empress Ci'an to send the young Emperor Guangxu to Britain for his education.

August 1876: The British entrepreneur Henry Wickham smuggles the seeds from rubber trees out of Brazil to establish rubber plantations in Malaya.

November 1876: The Imperial Capital Act is passed providing incentives for investment in the development of infrastructure and economic development the Dominions.

April 1877: The Russo-Turkish War begins. The war will result in an Ottoman defeat and the emergence of independent Bulgaria, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia.

August 1877: The Colonial Capital Act provides encouragement for investment in Britain's African colonies similar to the Imperial Capital Act.

February 1877: Disraeli orders a British fleet into the Black Sea to prevent a Russian takeover of Constantinople.

March 1878: The Treaty of San Stefano ends the Russo-Turkish War with a Russians victory.

June 1878: Concerned by Russian gains in the Russo-Turkish War, the great powers call a conference in Berlin. The resultant treaty limits Russian gains and recognises the new states of Bulgaria, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia.

March 1879: Disputes over the Atacama desert between Bolivia, Chile and Peru explode into war when Bolivia and Peru ally to gain control of this resource rich region, beginning the War of the Pacific.

May 1879: The railway to the upper Amazon rubber producing regions is completed. This allows for far greater extraction to meet the European demand for rubber.

June 1879: Disraeli's policies of encouraging the development of Imperial markets is beginning to show dividends as the British economy starts to recover from the Long Depression. The increasing importance of Imperial markets gradually leads to refocusing of British attention away from Europe towards the Empire, particularly the huge market of India. This trend will greatly strengthen Britain's policy of "splendid isolation" and avoiding European entanglements.

October 1879: The Chilean navy destroys the Peruvian fleet in the Battle of Angamos. The overwhelming Chilean victory ensures naval superiority, allowing them to suipply their army in the Atacama, giving them a decisive advantage in the War of the Pacific.

October 1879: Germany and Austria-Hungary sign the Dual Alliance promising benevolent neutrality if the other is attacked.

Miss Construction · Nov 26, 2017

~1880-1889 The seed is planted

March 1880: The Liberals under Gladstone win a landslide victory in the British general elections. Gladstone begins his second ministry, concentrating on social and educational reforms. Gladstone appoints a cabinet favouring the radical elements of the Liberal Party over the considerable number of remaining whigs, including the appointment of Joseph Chamberlain as Colonial Secretary. Chamberlain will continue his predecessor Carnarvon's policies of encouraging the economic development of the Empire to provide a market for British goods.

June 1880: The Chilean's destroy the remnants of the Bolivian and Peruvian armies, assuring victory in the War of the Pacific.

July 1880: Keen to capitalise on the Chilean experience in the Battle of Angamos, the Royal Navy offers to assist the Chileans with further navy assistance and training. This will lead to greater non political professionalism in the Chilean navy.

August 1880: Compulsory primary education is introduced in the UK.

September 1880: The first cricket test match is played between All England and All Australian teams.

October 1880: Julio Roca becomes president of Argentina. This begins the domination of Argentina by the National Autonomy Party which will last for decades. President Roca embarks a program of development of Argentina's agricultural and mining industries which will greatly increase the countries prosperity.

December 1880: The First Boer War breaks out over the British desire to fully absorb the semi independent Boer republics.

January 1881: Irish nationalist leader Charles Parnell allies with Colonial Secretary Chamberlain to prevent the passage of Secretary for Ireland William Forster's Coercion Bill seeking to suspend habeas corpus in Ireland. This is the beginning of Chamberlain and Parnell's working relationship.

March 1881: After a string of sharp defeats, Gladstone has come to believe the expense of conquering the Boer's will far outweigh any benefit. A face saving peace treaty is signed giving the Boers full independence with only a nominal statement of British sovereignty. The defeat in the war will lead to extensive reforms in the British army by Secretary of War Hugh Childers, bringing major improvements in equipment, organisation and tactics.

June 1881: Negotiations between Argentina and Chile over Tierra del Fuego and control of the straits of Magellan. Despite Chilean willingness to cede territory due to the ongoing War of the Pacific, British concerns over maintaining communication with the Empire lead them to convince the US that having one nation in sole control of the area is vital.

July 1881: The Technical and Scientific Scholarships Act establishes government scholarships for "worthy candidates of sober morals and modest means" to foster scientific and technical education amongst the working and middle classes.

July 1881: The Childers Reforms group existing British infantry and cavalry regiments into dual battalion regiments. The system has one battalion for home service feeding recruits to keep the other imperial service battalion up to strength.

August 1881: Parnell fails to prevent the passage of the Second Irish Land Act despite its perceived flaws in failing to provide significant increases in assistance for tenants to purchase land. The act does however, greatly improve the security of tenure and further prevent excessive rent increases.

August 1881: The Mahdi of Sudan rebels against Egyptian control starting the Mahdist War.

September 1881: The Treaty of Buenos Aires settles the boundary dispute between Argentina and Chile, awarding Tierra del Fuego and control of the Straits of Magellan to Chile. This settlement causes huge resentment in Argentina and sparks a naval arms race between the two nations.

November 1881: The Dowager Empress Ci'an dies unexpectedly. Despite her efforts Prince Gong, supported by British Ambassador Thomas Wade, is able to prevent the Dowager Empress Cixi from recalling Emperor Guangxu from his education in Britain due her being sick.

January 1882: The first coal powered electric power station comes into operation in London. The success of the station leads to the Electricity Supply Act giving encouragement for further stations to be opened.

May 1882: Parnell, with Chamberlain's support, brings about an agreement on rent abatement in Ireland. Five days later radical Irish Nationalists attempt to assassinate the new Chief Secretary for Ireland Lord Frederick Cavendish. Parnell gains much support in both Ireland and England for his vocal condemnation of the attack.

July 1882: The British capture Alexandria securing the Suez canal.

August 1882: The Married Women's Property Act enables women to totally control any property they own in their own right.

September 1882: British troops occupy Cairo making Egypt a de facto protectorate.

February 1883: Chinese Emperor Guangxu enters Eton college.

June 1883: Now fully in control of Egypt, the British become involved in the Mahdist War, sending British officers to command Egyptian troops in the conflict.

August 1883: Viceroy of India, Lord Ripon introduces the Libert Bill reforming the Indian legal system. It includes provision for greater native involvement in the Indian civil service and for Indian judges to hear cases involving Europeans. The bill provokes widespread opposition both in the Westminster parliament and amongst European settlers in India. However, the bill gains the support of Chamberlain and passes with little modification. The modified act allows full participation in the civil service for Indians of "suitable education" and that Indian judges may try cases involving Europeans but that Europeans may demand a jury of 25% Europeans in such cases.

October 1883: The War of the Pacific finally draws to a formal close with Chile gaining total control of the Atacama desert. This victory firmly establishes the Chilean position as one the leading South American nations.

March 1884: British general Charles Gordon is besieged by a large Mahdist army in Khartoum.

20th April 1884: The breading pairs of Quagga located in London Zoo have produced a small herd of sixteen individuals, ensuring the Quagga's survival.

May 1884: The Education in India Act establishes government schools in India to provide suitable education for Indians to enter the civil service.

June 1884: After the intercession of Queen Victoria herself, an expedition under General Garnet Wolseley is dispatched to relieve Khartoum.

June 1884: The Representation of the People Act equalised urban and rural representation in Westminster and abolishes multi member constituencies.

November 1884: The Berlin Conference divides Africa into European spheres of influence.

January 1885: Wolseley's expedition successfully relieves Khartoum. However the British withdraw after extracting Gordon and leave the Sudan to the Mahdists.

March 1885: Metis people under Louis Riel stage an uprising in Saskatchewan. Despite some initial success, the uprising is defeated and Riel captured. Though sentenced to death for treason, his sentence is commuted to life penal servitude after many appeals for clemency.

July 1885: With the Imperial markets now growing in importance and the British now well out of the Long Depression, the Imperial Development Act is passed. Its intent is to encourage the industrialisation of the Dominions in an effort to further their economic integration. The Act provides loans as well as incentives for private investment.

November 1885: The relief of Khartoum has resulted in a surge of support for the Liberals and Gladstone is comfortably returned to power. Notably, the radical liberal faction makes significant gains.

December 1885: With the completion of the transcontinental Canadian Pacific Railway, Premier MacDonald uses the Imperial Development Act to secure a large development loan for Canadian industry.

December 1885: Gladstone proposes an Irish home rule bill despite widespread opposition within his party. He takes the time to consult with his party which results in modification to the bill, limiting the competency of the proposed Irish assembly. The modified bill passes the Commons only to be defeated in the Lords. As a result of the bill, many whig liberals split to join with the independent forming the Unionist Party, but the radical unionists, especially Chamberlain remain.

January 1886: As a result of the split in the party, Gladstone loses a vote of no confidence and resigns, being replaced by William Harcourt. Harcourt abandons Irish home rule in favour of Chamberlain's Imperial federation while Chamberlain is successful in convincing Parnell to reframe his nationalist ambitions within the structure of the proposed Imperial federation.

February 1886: Parnell's acceptance of the Imperial federation has split the Irish Parliamentary Party. However the Parnellite faction wins enough seats to allow Harcourt to continue in power despite the Liberal defections to the Unionists.

June 1886: The British begin reforming and retraining the Egyptian army along British lines. The new army is intended to include twelve dual battalion infantry regiments, two dual battalion cavalry regiments, and ten artillery batteries. The new army is similar to the Indian with British officers in command of Egyptian troops.

September 1886: Chamberlain successfully gets India included in the Imperial Development Act.

March 1887: As a result of widespread Irish land protests, an attempt to suspend trial by jury is introduced by the Conservatives and Unionists with backing from the whigs within the Liberals. The bill is narrowly defeated as Chamberlain rallies the radical unionists in the party to oppose it. The defeat of the bill strengthens Parnell's position with the nationalists despite his failure to support the land protests.

August 1888: The Local Government Act gives women the vote in local body elections throughout the United Kingdom.

October 1888: Rhodesia is established by the British South Africa Company.

December 1888: The introduction of the new rimless 0.303" service round highlights British industry's inability to produce a modern smokeless powder. The resultant Cordite Scandal results in the creation of the National Development Board to ensure British industry remains abreast of technology. This is followed by the Technical Education Act later in the year, further encouraging engineering and scientific education.

May 1889: The Conservatives force through the Naval Defence Act mandating the two power standard that the Royal Navy be equal in strength to the next two most powerful navies. The Act brings about a program of regular continuous naval construction.

July 1889: The first annual conference of Imperial heads of government to coordinate Imperial policy is held. The venue, Ottawa, is deliberately chosen over London in an effort to emphasise the Dominions improved status in the scheme. Future conferences will rotate throughout the Dominions, with London not hosting until 1897.

August 1889: The Egyptian army, retrained and reequiped by the British, defeats an attempted Mahdist invasion of Egypt.

November 1889: A conservative coup deposes Emperor Pedro II of Brazil and establishes a republic.

Miss Construction · Nov 28, 2017

~1890-1899: The African queen

March 1890: The Liberal government in Manitoba halts public funding for Catholic schools, provoking a crisis with Canada's francophone population.

July 1890: Britain cedes Heligoland and the Caprivi Strip to Germany in return for a free hand in Zanzibar and the transfer of the Ruandi-Urundi region.

January 1891: Tensions between the liberal President Jose Balmaceda of Chile and the conservative congress reaches a head. With the army loyal to Balmaceda, Congressional leaders attempt to rally support in the navy. However the navy refuses to become involved. Eventually the US mediates a settlement that imposes congressional limits on the presidents power. This will eventually evolve into a true parliamentary democracy. However, the congress also demands reforms in the army with a US military mission. These will lead to a non political army similar to the navy.

July 1891: The Melbourne Imperial Conference rejects Chamberlain's proposed Imperial customs union, supporting a far more limited Imperial preference scheme instead.

August 1891: France and Russia enter into a defensive alliance.

January 1892: Khedive Tewfik of Egypt is succeeded by his son Abbas II. The new Khedive immediately attempts to assert his independence from the British.

March 1892: In the scheduled general election several radical left wing groups unite to form the Labour Representation Committee under Keir Hardie and George Lansbury who align with Chamberlain and the radical liberals. This, along with the collapse of the Irish Parliamentary Party vote due to its split allows the Liberals to retain their majority despite more whig defections to the Unionists. In the same elections, Joseph Chamberlain's son, Austin is elected as a member for the Liberals.

June 1892: The England vs Australia test cricket match becomes an annual event.

August 1892: The US adopt the 0.30-30" M1892 Springfield Krag as their standard infantry rifle.

January 1893: Khedive Abbas II of Egypt launches a campaign to oust the British from Egypt. Hundreds of British officers with Egyptian army units are murdered. The British under Brigadier Herbert Kitchener hold Alexandria with British and loyal Egyptian units, supported by the ships of Admiral George Tyron's Mediterranean fleet. The British public is outraged by the slaughter of the British officers.

June 1893: Kitchener, reinforced with additional troops launches an offensive toward Cairo.

August 1893: Admiral Tyron, is appointed First Sea Lord. He institutes a program of training reform, designed to encourage initiative in officers. He institutes his TA signalling system greatly increasing initiative and flexibility in the Royal Navy.

September 1893: Cairo falls to Kitchener's forces. Khedive Abbas flees to the Ottoman Empire. The British install his uncle Hussein as Khedive. The Egyptian army is placed under much tighter British control.

October 1893: In order to further foster British industry, Harcourt introduces tariff reforms limiting free trade. The measure is passed but sees the defection of the many whig liberals to the Unionists. Harcourt, disillusioned by the continued political infighting, resigns and Chamberlain becomes Prime Minister, committed to the radical "Newcastle program" of social reform.

November 1894: The Australia vs New Zealand test cricket match is held in Adelaide.

May 1894: Further reforms in India remove the racially weighted jury system of 1884 and introduce compulsory primary education for Indians.

August 1894: The Sino-Japanese War breaks out over control of Korea.

September 1894: Compulsory education in the UK is extended to age 13.

December 1894: French artillery officer Captain Alfred Dreyfus is convicted of treason for passing information to Germany. Very little evidence is presented on his trail, and racist attitudes due to his Jewish heritage play a large part in his conviction.

January 1895: The Indian army is reformed and unified. Several regiments are selected for "Indianisation" whereby Indian officers will be posted in at the bottom of the command structure and British officers wasted out through natural attrition. Several public school type colleges are set up in India to provide education for potential candidates and the Indian Military Academy is opened in Derha Dun to train native officers for the Indian army as it is considered "unsuitable" that Indians should train with European officers.

March 1895: Seeking to regain control of Sudan, an Anglo-Egyptian army under Kitchener is dispatched to reconquer the region.

April 1895: The Sino-Japanese War ends with an overwhelming Japanese victory and the annexation of Formosa. However Russia, with the support of France and Germany intervenes to prevent Japanese dominance in Korea.

June 1895: The continued failure of British industry to supply adequate quantities of cordite to the army leads to the Chemical Industry (Support) Act designed to encourage the growth of the British chemical industry.

July 1895: President Kruger of the Transvaal Republic imposes heavy tariffs on goods from the Cape Colony and Natal using the railway passed the Vaal river. The British colonies respond by offloading goods at the river and transporting them by wagon to Johannesburg.

July 1895: In an attempt to modernise their army after the Sino-Japanese War, the Chinese form the New Armies equipped with modern weapons.

August 1895: President Kruger responds to the use of wagons to circumvent the rail tariffs by closing the fords across the Vaal river.

August 1895: Major Georges Picquart, a staff officer on the French General Staff is dispatched as a military observer to the growing South African Crisis.

September 1895: Backed by the Orange Free State, Cape Colony Prime Minister Cecil Rhodes demands an end to all forms of protectionism by the Transvaal.

November 1895: As the Transvaal has refused to end protectionism Prime Minister Rhodes of the Cape Colony declares war, starting the Second Boer War. The Orange Free State declares its neutrality.

December 1895: The initial invasion of the Transvaal is defeated at the Battle of the Vaal River. Chamberlain dispatches further troops as reinforcements.

January 1896: The Transvaal moves over to the offensive, invading Natal. The British forces are rapidly forced back.

March 1896: With it becoming clear the British intend to annex the Transvaal, the Orange Free State abandons its neutrality and enters the war in support of the Transvaal.

May 1896: The British Dominions agree to commit troops to the war in South Africa.

June 1896: Canadian Prime Minister Charles Tupper narrowly wins the federal election and reaches a compromise in the Manitoba Schools Question. Tupper continues the Canadian Conservatives pro-Imperial policies, though still opposing full Imperial federation.

August 1896: The Boer offensive in South Africa is finally halted.

August 1896: Franchise in the UK is extended to women on the same basis as men. The remaining whig liberals desert the party as a result. In what will become known as the Petticoat Election, Chamberlain's Liberals, buoyed by the new women's vote win a comfortable majority. The Unionists however win more votes than the Conservatives, though fewer seats. In a highly controversial move, Chamberlain creates the post of Secretary of State for the Dominions then appoints New Zealander Richard Seddon to the position. Seddon is raised to the Peerage and resigns as Premier of New Zealand to allow him to become the first cabinet minister from the Dominions.

November 1896: The British resume the offensive in South Africa.

January 1897: Premier Tupper agrees to fund the establishment of a Canadian navy, initially to consist of two cruisers. However, the ships are to be built in Canadian yards, with the British assisting in funding the expansion of the necessary shipbuilding infrastructure. In the interim, the British supply an old cruiser to train the personnel.

February 1897: The British take Johannesburg.

February 1897: Seeking to stymie British control of Sudan, the French dispatch a small force of 300 men under Major Jean-Baptiste Marchand to establish a French protectorate over Southern Sudan.

March 1897: The Electrical (Supply) Industry Act introduces national standards electricity supply in the UK.

April 1897: The British army makes the Maxim MG standard issue, with two being assigned to each infantry battalion.

June 1897: The British occupy Bloemfontein ending organised Boer resistance. However the Boers go over to guerrilla warfare.

August 1897: The British annex the Boer republics.

September 1897: The Quebec, a challenger class cruiser is laid down in Halifax for the Canadian navy.

October 1897: The British under General Kitchener destroy the Mahdist army taking Khartoum. Kitchener is made Baron Kitchener of Khartoum.

November 1897: The French recall Marchand's force in response to the British conquest of Sudan.

January 1898: The US battleship Maine explodes in Manila harbour. Popular opinion in the US blames Spain and calls for war.

February 1898: Over Egyptian objections, Sudan is made a British protectorate.

March 1898: Germany passes its First Fleet Law meant to strengthen its navy. This goes largely unnoticed in British strategic planning.

March 1898: The French adopt the canon de 75 modele 1897, the first quick firing artillery piece as their standard field gun.

March 1898: Russia leases Port Arthur from China for 25 years.

April 1898: Former Khedive Abbas of Egypt convinces the Ottomans to launch and invasion of Egypt, starting the Anglo-Ottoman War.

April 1898: The US declares war on Spain, starting the Spanish-American War.

May 1898: The Ottoman invasion of Egypt is defeated at the Battle of Suez.

June 1898: With China's total defeat in the Sino-Japanese War, the Emperor Guangxu begins a program of radical reform.

June 1898: In response to the Russian lease of Port Arthur, Britain signs the Treaty of Shanghai with China whereby considerable new territory is ceded permanently to the British to expand Hong Kong and it is granted a lease on Weihaiwei as long as Port Arthur remains in Russian hands.

July 1898: The Irish and Welsh regiments of foot guards, each of two battalions, are raised to recognise their participation in the Second Boer War.

August 1898: The Spanish-American War comes a close with the US in control of Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. All three become the first US colonies.

September 1898: British forces land at Gaza opposed by Ottoman forces. The landing is a fiasco resulting in heavy casualties.

September 1898: Chinese conservatives lead by the Dowager Empress Cixi stage a coup bringing an end to Emperor Guangxu's reforms and placing him under house arrest. Support from Yuan Shikai, commander of the Beijing Army, is vital to the success of the coup.

December 1898: The British introduce a scorched earth policy in South Africa to defeat Boer guerrillas. Under the policy, Boer civilians are interned in camps to deprive the guerrillas of support.

February 1899: British forces are withdrawn from Gaza.

June 1899: Compulsory education in the UK is extended to 15 years of age.

June 1899: The Treaty of Beirut ends the Anglo-Ottoman War. Egypt and Cyprus become British colonies as does Sudan.

July 1899: The British surrender their right of extraterritoriality in Japan, marking their recognition of Japan as modern nation.

August 1899: Work begins on the Cape to Cairo railway. The intention is to use ferries on Lake Tanganyika to bridge the missing link through German East Africa.

September 1899: As a result of the failed landing at Gaza a through investigation into amphibious warfare methods is initiated by the Royal Navy.

October 1899: The Boers finally surrender to the British. The Treaty of Vereeniging provides for Boer self government within ten years and substantial funds to rebuild the farms destroyed during the war.

Miss Construction · Nov 30, 2017

~1900-1904: Back to Europe

January 1900: The US attempts to obtain agreement from the Great Powers to pursue an "Open Door" policy in China.

January 1900: The Dowager Empress Cixi allies with the mystic Righteous Fist movement, or Boxers, in an effort to drive the Europeans out of China.

March 1900: In response to the deficiencies shown by the Boer War, Secretary of State for War Richard Haldane begins a comprehensive series of reforms to the British army. One of the first moves is to create a General Staff to coordinate Imperial defence. This General Staff includes permanent representation from the Dominions.

March 1900: Despite orders from the Dowager Empress, Yuan Shikai and the order commanders of the New Armies refuse to support the Boxer Rebellion. They instead act to suppress the Rebellion.

April 1900: In response to the Second Boer War the Mounted Infantry Regiment is raised.

June 1900: Boxers in China besiege the European legations in Beijing.

June 1900: Grand Admiral Alfred von Tirptiz takes advantage of German hostility toward Britain in the wake of the Boer wars to pass the Second Naval Law. This is intended to double the strength of the German navy over next 17 years. It is part of his "Risk Flotte" theory. The plan is to build a fleet strong enough that the British will not be able enter war with Germany without risking suffering losses which will cost their naval superiority. The law causes great concern in Britain, sparking a naval arms race and eventually forcing the British to reengage with Europe to a degree.

June 1900: A 30,000 strong multinational force is formed to relieve the foreign legations in Beijing. The force includes 18,000 British and Indian troops. Meanwhile Japanese and Russian troops move into Manchuria to defeat the Boxers there.

July 1900: The Adelaide Imperial Conference adopts a policy of forming Imperial free trade zone.

August 1900: The multinational force reaches Beijing and relieves the besieged legations. The Dowager Empress, delayed by Emperor Guangxu's reluctance to leave, attempts to flees but is captured along with the Emperor.

September 1900: In response to the investigation of the Gaza debacle, the Royal Navy begins developing amphibious warfare techniques, including specialist landing craft.

October 1900: The first England vs New Zealand test cricket match is held in Wellington. This marks the first time the English team has played outside of Britain and makes headline news throughout the Empire, being hailed as a clear sign of The Dominions growing status within the Empire.

November 1900: Charles Tupper again narrowly wins the Canadian federal elections. He begins instituting a free trade policy with Britain and the other Dominions.

January 1901: Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, South and West Australia unify as the Commonwealth of Australia. Despite being invited to join New Zealand remains out of the federation.

January 1901: Queen Victoria's dies and is succeeded by Edward VII.

April 1901: Chancellor of the Exchequer Henry Campbell-Bannerman introduces a radical budget featuring many social welfare reforms. The budget is rejected by the Conservative dominated Lords creating a constitutional crisis. Chamberlain goes to the polls and wins a mandate for a constitutional reform and the Unionists become the second party in the Commons. Chamberlain's second son, Neville is elected as a Liberal MP.

July 1901: The Quebec is commissioned. Construction of her follow up, the Ontario is commenced

September 1901: The protocol imposed in the wake of the Boxer Rebellion imposes substantial reparations on China. Emperor Guangxu is restored to power in an attempt to create a regime with increased great power influence on Chinese affairs. The Emperor however will prove adept at playing the powers off against each other to limit this influence. Yuan Shikai is removed from command of the Beijing Army for his role in the 1898 coup against Guangxu.

October 1901: With the Argentine-Chilean naval arms race now threatening war, the US has become increasingly concerned about the stability of the region. With the arms race proving ruinously expensive for both parties, they accepted a proposal for US meditation. The Santiago Protocols finally ends arms race. Both nations agree to a five year moratorium on all naval construction in return for the US assuming a quarter of the debt both nations have incurred due to the race.

November 1901: The British relinquish their right to dual control of any trans American canal in the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty. However they retain the right to equal access to the canal even in times of war.

January 1902: The Anglo-Japanese Alliance is signed, ending Britain's "splendid isolation."

February 1902: Capitalising on unrest caused by the Ottoman defeat in the Anglo-Ottoman War, the reformist Young Turk movement launches a coup and gains control of the Empire. Sultan Abhulhamid II is reduced to a constitutional monarch.

February 1902: Emperor Guangxu'sed son Yixuan is born.

April 1902: The Grévy's Zebra breeding program has finally produced a domesticated subspecies, the Hertfordshire Zebra. This new subspecies rapidly replaces mules in Africa. While a reference population of wild Grévy's Zebras is retained, work begins on breeding a larger domesticated subspecies suitable to replace horses.

June 1902: The Parliament Act removes the Lords power of veto over legislation and ability to reject a budget.

August 1902: The British introduce a new universal rifle, the Short Magazine Lee Enfield, to replace existing cavalry carbines and infantry long rifles.

November 1902: Emperor Guangxu proclaims a series of political reforms known intended to transform China into a constitutional monarchy. The Cen Chunxuan is appointed the first Grand Chancellor pending elections.

January 1903: The Hay-Herbert Treaty sends a dispute over the Alaskan border to arbitration.

March 1903: The arbitration of the Alaskan border dispute fails when the British support the Canadian suspicions of lack of impartiality on the part of the US appointed arbiters.

March 1903: The Dowager Empress Cixi is finally released. She is banished to Liaoyang by the provisional government.

20th April 1903: Brazilian, Alberto Santos-Dumont makes the first controlled heavier than air flight in his 14-bis machine. Taking off from a field in Kent, he completes a 159' flight before successfully landing.

May 1903: The US adopt the M1903 Mauser in 0.30" Springfield as their standard infantry rifle. The Springfield is a traditional long rifle and will be later accompanied by the M1905 carbine for use by cavalry and M1907 carbine for other troops.

June 1903: The Power Industry in the UK is rationalised into six large privately owned regional companies in a series of government mandated mergers.

July 1903: The British and US agree to submit the Alaskan border dispute to international arbitration.

August 1903: The Experimental Motor Force is formed in the British army to investigate the potential use of automobiles in war. The force consists of two platoons of lorried infantry supported by a troop of five Rolls Royce 30hp cars mounting a Madsen light machine gun.

September 1903: Compulsory education in India is extended to age 15.

October 1903: International arbitration of the Alaskan border finds generally in favour of the US, but negotiations produce significant concessions over Canadian access with a permanent lease on the port of Haines. The British support of the Canadian position in the face of US aggressiveness greatly strengthens Imperialist feeling in Canada.

November 1903: The US incites a rebellion in Panama, separating it from Colombia in order to construct a trans American canal. The rebellion is followed by the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty negotiated by telegraph between the US Secretary of State and the French lead engineer of the canal project. The treaty gives the US the right to control and garrison the canal, separate from Panamanian jurisdiction. The treaty will be met with great opposition by the Panamanian population and became a major issue in relations between the two nations immediately.

December 1903: Cen Chunxuan become Grand Chancellor in China's first democratic elections. With Emperor Guangxu's informal support in limiting European influence, he embarks on a program to transform China into modern state on a par with the great powers.

December 1903: Orville and Wilber Wright make the first powered flight in the US. However, unlike Santos Dumont, they patent all their developments, greatly hindering the development of aviation in the US.

February 1904: After years of growing tensions over Korea and Manchuria, Japan launches a surprise attack on the Russian Pacific Fleet in Port Arthur.

April 1904: Concerned by growing German naval aspirations, the British enter into an informal alliance with the French known as the Entente Cordiale. While the alliance creates no formal obligations, both agree to coordinate efforts to limit German power in Europe.

May 1904: Work begins on the Panama Canal.

May 1904: The Central Military Academy is established in Beijing to train officers for the Chinese army. British army officer General Edward Clive is its first commandant, beginning an ongoing British influence on the Chinese military.

July 1904: The Wellington Imperial Conference agrees set up an officer training corp at universities throughout the Empire to provide a pool of potential officers.

October 1904: Admiral John Fisher is appointed First Sea Lord and begins further reforms of the Royal Navy.

October 1904: The Russians dispatch their Baltic Fleet to the Pacific to participate in the Russo-Japanese War.

November 1904: Prime Minister Tupper of Canada retires. His Conservative Party under Robert Borden is defeated by Wilfred Laurier's Liberals. The Liberals reverse the Conservatives pro Imperial policies for closer engagement with the US, however the previously agreed Imperial free trade policy is maintained.

December 1904: In line with his "Big Stick" foreign policy, US President Theodore Roosevelt puts forward the Roosevelt Corollary to the Munroe Doctrine. The Corollary puts forward the US should intervene to preserve order in Latin America to prevent European intervention.

December 1904: The Experimental Motor Force is regularised as the single squadron Motor Corp.

Miss Construction · Dec 3, 2017

1905-1909: The genesis of federation

January 1905: Port Arthur falls to the Japanese.

March 1905: The US agrees to dedicate its portion of the Boxer indemnity to improving education in China.

April 1905: German chief of staff, Alfred von Schlieffen, develops a plan for war in Europe. The plan calls for adopting a defensive posture against Russia while launching an enveloping attack on France through Belgium and the Netherlands.

April 1905: The new liberal Ottoman government signs an agreement with Germany to provide assistance in developing the Empire.

May 1905: The Russian Baltic Fleet is destroyed by the Japanese at the Battle of Tsushima. This defeat, and the Japanese occupation of Sakhalin Island, results in the Russians suing for peace.

June 1905: The vote is extended to non whites in the Cape Colony and Natal.

July 1905: The New Zealand test team tours Canada, marking the arrival of Canada on the test circuit.

August 1905: Haldane's reforms create a Territorial Army of 21 divisions for home defence and Regular Expeditionary Force of nine divisions for service overseas.

August 1905: Conservatives headed General Yuan Shikai, commander of Beijing Army and Dowager Empress Cixi, stage a coup against Cen Chunxuan's government. Unable to counter the strength of the Beijing Army, Cen Chunxuan and his government flee to Nanjing with the Emperor. There they gain the support of General Li Yuanhong's Jiangsu Army. The new Beijing regime declares the Emperor Guangxu deposed and places the infant Pugong on the throne.

August 1905: The Treaty of Portsmouth ends the Russo-Japanese War, ceding the entirety of Sakhalin Island (as Karafuto) and the Kuriles to Japan in return for the Japanese dropping claims for reparations. As a result of the war Russian influence in China is removed.

October 1905: In the response to widespread unrest, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia proclaims limited democratic reforms and the country's first constitution. The constitution provides for a legislative Duma.

November 1905: Korea becomes a Japanese protectorate.

November 1905: The Central Military Academy is reestablished in Guangdong.

December 1905: A coup by conservatives in the Ottoman Empire succeeds in Constantinople, restoring Sultan Abhulhamid II to effective power. However the liberal government is able to muster significant support and retreats to Symra beginning the Ottoman Civil War.

January 1906: The Indian test team tours New Zealand. The Indian side includes several Indian players causing a controversy over the appropriateness of this.

February 1906: Chamberlain wins the scheduled election but suffers a stroke in September and is replaced by Cambell-Bannerman, who rebuffs calls for new elections.

March 1906: Germany places its support behind Sultan Abdulhamid, sending advisors and supplies.

March 1906: The British army adopts the Madsen LMG to replace the Maxim MG with cavalry battalions, issuing two Madsens per squadron to each battalion.

April 1906: As part of the development of the Royal Navy's amphibious warfare capacity, the liners Campania and Lucania are purchased for conversion into specialist assault troopships.

April 1906: Tsar Nicholas, retaining the support of the army, cracks down on liberal elements. The Duma is reduced to a consultative body.

June 1906: Learning from the lessons of the Russo-Japanese War, Austria-Hungary and Germany begin development of super heavy artillery designed for destroying modern fortifications.

July 1906: The Cape Town Imperial Conference Agrees to expand the National Development Board to cover the entire Empire, creating a second Dominion cabinet post. The Australian, Joseph Cook is appointed to the post.

August 1906: Intending to take advantage of the Ottomans Civil War to expel the Ottomans from the Balkans, Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia form the Balkan league with Russian backing. This sparks an international crisis as Austria-Hungary, supported by German acts to prevent this.

December 1906: The first all big gun battleship, HMS Dreadnought, is commissioned in the RN. This sparks a world wide naval arms race.

January 1907: The Russians back down in the Balkans due to their weakness after the Russio-Japanese War. The resulting humiliation and defeat by the Japanese causes the Russians to begin significant reforms to their army.

15th February 1907: In response to continued agitation for Irish home rule Campbell-Bannerman introduces the Devolution of Government bill. This would creates five regional assemblies (England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and a reduced six county Ulster) with significant, but below that the Dominions, competence for home rule. Many nationalists reject this, calling for the full competence granted to the Dominions, the more radical republicans still calling for complete independence. The bill narrowly passes the Commons but is sent back by the Lords. The bill will not finally become law until 1910. Both Austin and Neville Chamberlain oppose the bill and defect to the Unionists.

March 1907: Yuan Shikai's forces defeat Cen Chunxuan's forces under Li Yuanhong's in the Battle of Nanjing. Cen Chunxuan's government retreats to Changsha.

March 1907: With it's navy having fallen seriously behind the Argentinians and Chileans and it's economy booming due to the demand for rubber, the Brazilians order two dreadnoughts from British yards. Both Argentina and Chile immediately repudiate the Santiago Protocols and begin planning a new naval building program.

March 1907: With the Russian weakness exposed by the Russio-Japanese War, German chief of staff Helmuth von Molkte (the younger) modifies the Schlieffen plan reducing the forces in the east and restricting the enveloping attack on France to Belgium alone.

March 1907: The SMLE Mk III, optimised for a new high velocity spitzer bullet is introduced.

April 1907: With German support, the conservatives emerge victorious in the Ottoman Civil War. Sultan Abdulhamid resumes his absolute rule.

June 1907: Five armoured cars based on the Rolls Royce Silver Ghost chassis are ordered to replace the unarmoured 30hp cars in the Motor Corp.

August 1907: The British enter into a similar arrangement to the Entente Cordiale with Russia. This forms the Triple Entente as a very loose alliance to counter the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy.

September 1907: Li Yuanhong defects to the the Beijing government. Cen Chunxuan's government retreats to Guangdong where he gains the support of Chen Jiongming, commander of the Guangdong Army.

November 1907: The former Boer Republics are granted self government. The immediately set about instituting racist policies excluding non whites from power.

January 1908: The Guangdong government enlists British support in reforming their army. Large amounts of military equipment including surplus Lee Enfield long rifles are supplied to reequip their army.

May 1908: A second squadron is formed in the Motor Corp.

April 1908: Campbell-Bannerman resigns due to his failing health and is succeeded by David Lloyd George. Lloyd George continues Campbell-Bannerman's reforms. By now the political climate in the UK is becoming increasingly favourable to social reform and economic intervention.

June 1908: HMS Invincible, the world's first battlecruiser is commissioned.

October 1908: Backlash against the pro US policies of Laurier's Liberals in the wake of the Alaska border settlement allows Robert Borden's conservatives to win the Canadian federal elections. Borden resumes a pro Imperial policy.

November 1908: The dowager Empress Cixi dies. Yuan Shikai purges Qing elements from his regime. The infant Pugong is deposed and replaced by the Marquis Zhu as purely ceremonial emperor, creating the Yao dynasty. This break from the Manchu Qing dynasty greatly increases his support in China.

February 1909: The reequipped and retrained Qing armies under Chen Jiongming defeat Yao forces under Li Yuanhong in the fiercely fought Battle of Yuzhong, retaking Hunan province and securing their control over Southern China.

March 1909: The Industrial Development Act brings incentives to electrify industry and adopt modern mass production techniques.

March 1909: The French adopt war plan XVI. The plan anticipates a German enveloping attack through Belgium.

March 1909: New Zealand offers to fund the construction of a new Indefatigable class battlecruiser for the RN.

June 1909: The Imperial Cricket Conference is formed to promote the sport throughout the Empire. The Conference regularises test schedules rather than the previous ad hoc system. Responsibilities for the rules of the game however remains with the MCC.

October 1909: The Cape to Cairo railway is finally completed with the commissioning of five rail ferries on Lake Tanganyika. The railway greatly improves communications in British Africa, acting as a spur to further development.

December 1909: Australia orders a battlecruiser of the Indefatigable class as the flagship for the Royal Australian Navy. Three light cruisers and six destroyers are also ordered, one cruiser to be built in Australia. As with the Canadians, two obsolete cruisers are supplied for training.

Miss Construction · Dec 8, 2017

~1910-1912: That last summer

January 1910: Seeking to modernise their fleet, the Ottomans purchase two obsolete pre dreadnought battleships from Germany sparking a naval arms race in the region.

March 1910: Having consolidated their power in Southern China (Xinjiang, Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guzhou, Hainan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Hunan, Jiangxi and Fujian provinces), the Qing institute a series of educational and structural reforms intended to lay the foundations for the modernisation of China.

May 1910: King Edward VII dies and is succeeded by George V.

May 1910: The Qing government orders two small training cruisers from British yards as the basis for a navy. The port if Foochow is to be developed as a naval base with British assistance.

May 1910: The Canadian government authorises the expansion of the RCN. Three further cruisers and six destroyers are to be built in Canadian yards.

May 1910: The Cape Colony, Natal, Orange River Colony, Transvaal and Southern Rhodesia unify as the Union of South Africa. The former Boer commander Louis Botha is elected as its first Prime Minister.

June 1910: The West Indies tour Canada, marking their arrival on the test cricket circuit.

June 1910: In response to the Ottoman purchase of the two German ships, the Greeks purchase an armoured cruiser under construction in Italy.

July 1910: The German Army orders an experimental 42cm seige howitzer designed to destroy modern fortifications. A second will be ordered in February of 1911.

August 1910: Japan formally annexes Korea, transforming it into a colony.

August 1910: The British begin the development of an improved infantry rifle to replace the SMLE Mk III.

September 1910: In response to the growing tensions in Europe, the three remaining single battalion cavalry regiments (the Royal Horse Guards, King's Horse formerly the 1st Dragoon Guards and the Royal Dragoons) each have a second battalion raised. The Motor Corp is also increased to a battalion of armoured cars and one of motorised infantry, both of four companies.

October 1910: In response to the the Brazilian acquisition of two dreadnoughts, the Argentineans order two dreadnoughts from the US.

October 1910: A coup by republicans liberals in Portugal topples King Manuel II. Manuel accepts a British offer of exile as they recognise the new republican government.

November 1910: President Profirio Diaz is returned as Mexican President in blatantly rigged election. His opponent Francisco Madero flees to the US. This event will spark a decade long revolution in Mexico.

January 1911: Lloyd George wins a landslide victory and the Conservatives unite with the Unionists to form the Conservative Unionists.

February 1911: Yuan Shikai's Yao regime enlists Japanese assistance in reforming the Yao army after the defeat at Yuzhong.

March 1911: Devolution comes into effect. There is widespread sectarian violence in both Ulster and Ireland. The Irish nationalists have split into three factions, the Federalists who want to work within the new system, the Nationalists who wish to continue pushing for full Dominion status and the Republicans who call for full independence. Despite forming a majority, the Nationalists and Republicans are unable to unite and split the vote, allowing the Federalists under William O'Brien to win a plurality and form a coalition government with the Southern Unionists.

March 1911: With devolution, violence breaks out both in Ulster and Ireland. Lloyd George attempts to remain aloof, allowing the local authorities to deal with the situation. But as violence continues calls for Westminster intervention grow louder. A meeting is held in Galway, which the Republicans boycott. Lloyd George firmly sticks to his position that it a matter for local government. Eventually it is agreed that troops will be deployed to restore order, but only at the request and under the direction of local government. This will become know as the Galway Doctrine, establishing local unrest should be dealt with at the local level. However, the violence continues for several months before a tense calm is established. The compromise however, drives the Republicans further toward a hard line.

May 1911: Mexican revolutionaries force President Diaz into exile.

April 1911: The British commission two gunboats to protect the rail ferries on Lake Tanganyika.

June 1911: In an attempt to gain naval dominance in the region, the Ottomans order a Konig class battleship, the Rasediya, from German yards. This further fuels the naval arms race in the region.

June 1911: The Brazilians order a third dreadnought, the Rio de Janeiro from Britain.

July 1911: An attempted counter-coup by Portuguese monarchists fails when former King Manuel refuses to give his support to anything other than constitutional means to restore the monarchy. As a result many Portuguese monarchists move their support to a rival claimant, Duke Miguel of Braganza, backed by Germany and Austria-Hungary.

July 1911: The Italians invade Libya. The Italians are quickly victorious in the short war.

August 1911: With the South American dreadnought race now in full swing, the Chileans order two dreadnoughts from British yards.

11th September 1911: French chief of staff General Joseph Joffre revises Plan XVI increasing the number if troops on the Belgium border and preparing for an offensive war in Belgium while standing on the defensive on the German frontier.

September 1911: The Qing adopt the SMLE Mk III as their standard infantry rifle, beginning production of a licensed copy.

October 1911: Francisco Madero is elected President of Mexico. He will prove highly inexperienced, alienating both radicals and conservatives.

November 1911: The War Office and Admiralty are merged into a single Ministry of Defence as a cost cutting measure.

January 1912: A revolt against Ottoman rule begins in Albania.

January 1912: The French government agrees their army may enter Belgium in the event of war, but only in the event Germany does so first.

January 1912: The Greek government orders the battleship Salamis from the US to counter the Ottoman Rasediya. As an interim measure they acquire the Brazilian Rio de Janeiro under construction in Britain as the Kulkis. The Brazilians begin planning a new, even larger ship, to replace her.

February 1912: Concerned about the growing unrest in Mexico, US President William Taft imposes an embargo on US arms exports to Mexico.

April 1912: The liner Titanic strikes an iceberg on her maiden voyage and sinks with great loss of life, with the Californian, the first ship on the scene only arriving half an hour after she has sunk. The sinking will result in far reaching changes to maritime safety regulations.

May 1912: The Balkans nations of Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro and Serbia reform the Balkans League to drive the Ottoman Empire out of Europe.

May 1912: The Greek acquisition of two battleships provokes the Ottomans to order a second Konig class ship, the Fatih Sultan Mehmed, from Germany.

June 1912: The ever increasing cost to Germany of the naval arms race with Britain has become unbearable in light of the need to face both France and Russia. The Germans hold talks with British Defence Secretary Herbert Asquith. The talks however founder over German demands that a naval building holiday by tied to a British guarantee of neutrality in any war. Nonetheless, Germany greatly reduces its building program regardless of the lack of agreement.

June 1912: Dissatisfied with the conservative nature of President Howard Taft, former US president Theodore Roosevelt splits from the Republican party to form the Progressive party.

July 1912: The Melbourne Imperial Conference accepts a full Imperial customs union. The Imperial federation movement now has solid popular support throughout the Empire, with significant opposition remaining only in South Africa. In light of the clear reduction of the German naval building program, the conference agrees to begin disengaging from Europe.

July 1912: The Emperor Meiji dies and is succeed by his son Taisho. The Emperor's weakness ushers in a series of liberal and democratic reforms in Japan.

August 1912: With the Amazon rubber boom collapsing due to competition from rubber plantations in Malaya, the Brazilians abandon plans for their third dreadnought bringing an end to the South American dreadnought race.

August 1912: Portuguese monarchists, with German backing, attempt to overthrow the Republic and place the Duke of Braganza on the throne. Former King Manuel condemns the attempt but the monarchist gain control of northern Portugal, starting the Portuguese Civil War.

August 1912: The Canadian government of Borden expands its earlier naval program, adding a battlecruiser to be built in British yards.

September 1912: An improved version of the Maxim MG, the Vickers MG, is introduced to British service. Four guns are to be issued to each infantry battalion.

October 1912: Roosevelt survives an assassination attempt. increasing his popular support.

November 1912: The Germans begin supplying the Monarchist faction in the Portuguese Civil War.

November 1912: The US presidential elections are an unprecedented three way contest between the democrat Woodrow Wilson, Republican Taft and Progressive Roosevelt. The lack of growth in the US economy, caused slow fall off of British investment over the last three decades has lead to public dissatisfaction with the established two party system. Thus the elections result in no candidate gaining a majority in the electoral college, though Wilson and Roosevelt have a clear lead over Taft. Roosevelt is finally selected in a close house vote.

December 1912: A new British service rifle chambered for a 0.276" magnum round and using a Mauser action is selected for troop trials as the Pattern 13 rifle and limited production of 5,000 rifles is begun.

Miss Construction · Dec 21, 2017

~January to June 1913: A broken spring

January 1913: Yao Chinese forces under Cai E attempt to drive the Qing from Jiangxi province. The initial attack is successful, forcing the Qing to fall back to Nanchung.

January 1913: After having failed to find a market in his native US, Colonel Isaac Lewis enters an agreement to being production of his light machine gun in Britain.

February 1913: To counter German support of the Portuguese Monarchists, the British begin supplying the Republican faction.

February 1913: Crown Prince Constantine of Greece is appointed Chief of Staff of the Greek army.

February 1913: The first 42cm seige howitzer is delivered to the German army. The second will become operational in May.

March 1913: The Balkans League, with Russian backing, begins preparing for a war with the Ottoman Empire.

March 1913: With the troop trials having proved successful, the British formally adopt the Pattern 13 as the Enfield rifle. However as problems remain with the high powered 0.276" round, it is decided to delay it's introduction until 1914 to allow the issues to eliminated, though production tooling is prepared at Vickers and the Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield.

April 1913: Germany and Austria-Hungary begin to pressure the Balkan League to avert their invasion of the Ottoman's European territory.

April 1913: The Balkans League mobilises for an attack on the Ottomans. Austria-Hungary and Germany respond threatening intervention if the attack goes ahead.

April 1913: The Yao drive into Jiangxi province is halted at the Battle of Royang Hu.

April 1913: Despite strong opposition, US President Roosevelt gains Congressional approval to construct two battlecruisers, two battleships and six cruisers. However due to limits imposed by congress, the Abraham Lincoln class battlecruisers are limited to 26,000 tons and the Pennsylvania class battleships to 24,000 tons. As a result, both are armed with eight 14" guns and their armour is reduced, 12" for the battleships and 6" for the battlecruisers. The battlecruisers are capable of 27 knots and the battleships 21 knots. The cruisers are limited to 4,000 tons, armed with five 6" guns, 3" of armour and capable of 27 knots.

May 1913: An All Empire team tours the US in conjunction with a state visit by King George in an effort to promote the game there. The tour does inspire an increase in interest in cricket, with a small regular US circuit developing.

May 1913: Russia guarantees support for the Balkans League in the event of Great Power intervention in their attack on the Ottomans.

May 1913: President Madero of Mexico is deposed in a US backed coup by General Victoriano Huerta. The violence of the Mexican Revolution quickly resumes as Huerta establishes a brutal dictatorship and the revolutionaries coalesce around Venustiano Carranza.

May 1913: Using the ongoing revolt in Albania as a pretext, the Balkans League declares war on the Ottoman Empire. Austria-Hungary and Germany issue an ultimatum giving the League nations one week to withdraw from Ottoman territory.

May 1913: The poorly deployed Ottoman army begins to fall back in the face of the concerted Balkans League attack.

May 1913: Russia orders a general mobilisation to support the Balkans League. This triggers Austria-Hungary and Germany to mobilise, which in turn forces the French to mobilise.

May 1913: The Ottomans close the Turkish Straits.

May 1913: The Serbia and Bulgaria begin moving troops from the facing the to face a potential Austro-Hungarian attack. This allows the Ottomans a respite to form a defensive line.

May 1913: Austria-Hungary declares war on the Balkan League nations. The war rapidly spreads with France, Germany and Russia all entering within a few days. The British cabinet meets to discuss the growing crisis. After fierce debate, the cabinet issues a demand all parties respect Belgium neutrality.

June 1913: Belgium rejects a German demand to allow their troops free passage across the country. Germany invades the next day, a few hours later French troops enter the country to counter this without consulting the Belgium government. The British government strongly protests, demanding both France and Germany immediately withdraw. Both refuse, stating they will withdraw when the other does. The cabinet debates entering the war but decides to delay any decision until the Dominion leaders can be consulted at the Cardiff Imperial Conference scheduled for July.

June 1913: Germany besieges the fortresses of Leige and Namur while the Belgium government grudgingly accepts the French moves as support. German heavy artillery rapidly destroys the fortresses.

June 1913: The Austro-Hungarians launch an offensive into Russian Poland.

June 1913: French troops begin occupying German colonial possessions in the Pacific.

June 1913: The British demand all parties respect the freedom of navigation, especially in the English Channel. The Royal Navy begins neutrality patrols in the Channel and North Sea.

June 1913: The US declares its neutrality in the European war.

June 1913: Germany demands the Danes mine the Danish Straits to close off access to the Baltic. Despite treaty obligations not to close access to the Danish Straits, the Danes agree after consulting the neutral powers.

June 1913: The German High Seas Fleet begins shelling the Belgium coast.

June 1913: Russian troops enter East Prussia. The Germans fall back in the face of the Russians

June 1913: German surface raiders begin attacking French merchant shipping.

June 1913: Acting on his own initiative, General Maximilian von Prittwitz commanding German Eighth Army orders a counter attack against the advancing Russians. Attempting to destroy the Russian First and Second Armies in detail, he is caught in the flank by the Second Army under General Aleksei Brusilov and his army destroyed. Von Prittwitz orders a general retreat in the face of the Russians.

Miss Construction · Dec 22, 2017

~July to December 1913: The school of hard knocks

July 1913: The initial Austro-Hungarian attack into Serbia drives the Serbs from Belgrade. However the Austro-Hungarians under General Oskar Potiorek fail to follow up aggressively due to heavy casualties. This allows the Serbs to form a defensive line running from Nis to the Ibar River.

July 1913: The Austro-Hungarians are routed in Poland and the Russians begin to advance through Galicia.

July 1913: The German battleship Elsass is sunk by a French submarine off the Belgium coast. As a result, the High Seas Fleet is withdrawn from coastal bombardment.

July 1913: The German Fifth Army under Crown Prince Ruprecht of Bavaria is redeployed to the east as a result of the Russian success in East Prussia and Galicia. Further reinforcements will be dispatched later.

July 1913: The Russian army places an order with the BSA for 500 Lewis LMGs and 40,000 SMLE rifles, both in 7.62mm Russian, as a stopgap to help make up their shortage of small arms. They continue to order Lewis LMGs though future orders for rifles are for the their standard Mosin-Nagant.

July 1913: The French and Belgians are forced back in Belgium. The French suffer massive casualties as their offensive doctrine leads to repeated frontal attacks on German positions.

July 1913: The Cardiff Conference debates entering the now six week old war. New Zealand Prime Minister William Massey, supported by Imperial Chief of Staff Lord Kitchener, convinces the Conference that contrary to popular opinion the war will not be short. The decision is to issue the strongest diplomatic warning that Belgium independence must be maintained but otherwise declare neutrality. Both the France and Germany immediately agree to ensure Belgium remains independent at the end of hostilities.

July 1913: The Japanese and French sign a secret treaty granting Japan German possessions in China and the Pacific in return for entering the war. Japan immediately grants the French Navy access to Port Arthur to blockade Tsingtao.

August 1913: The Russians secure Galicia and the Austria Hungarians fall back to the Carpathian mountains.

August 1913: The Entente begin placing large orders in Britain for raw materials, rolling stock, and military hardware. The purchases include setting up new production facilities. The Entente will quickly come to depend on British industry for their war effort. While the Central Powers also place orders, these are smaller due to Germany's industrial base and ability to supply its allies. Thus, they never become as dependant.

August 1913: In a manner similar to Britain, the combatants begin placing war orders with Italy. While only a fraction of those placed with the British and initially primarily food stuffs, these orders promote the growth of Italian industry. Austria-Hungary in particular becomes dependent on Italian food and industry.

August 1913: French colonial troops invade Togoland and Kamerun.

August 1913: Under German pressure, the Austro-Hungarians launch an offensive in the Carpathians to divert Russian troops from East Prussia. This offensive will prevent the Austro-Hungarians from renewing their offensive in Serbia. The offensive will prove to be a costly failure when it draws to a close in October.

August 1913: The Fifth Army arrives in East Prussia greatly strengthening German resistance.

August 1913: With the outbreak of the Great War and associated concerns regarding British involvement, the introduction of the Enfield rifle is abandoned. However development is begun on a new version of the SMLE incorporating some of the Enfield's features.

August 1913: The Russians launch an offensive against the Ottomans in the Caucasus.

August 1913: Leading Irish capitalist William Murphy begins dismissing his employees who are members of a union. This sparks a massive dispute as employers attempt to remove union members from their work force leading to a series of strikes and lockouts, known as the Dublin lockout.

September 1913: Utilising the tooling already in existence, Vickers successfully sells 15,000 Enfield rifles in 6.5mm to the Greeks and another 35,000 in 7.65mm Mauser to the Belgians.

September 1913: The Germans to finally halt the Russian advance in East Prussia on a line running from Kolberg to Posen then Breslau and along the Oder river.

11th September 1913: French submarines begin attacks on German shipping in the North Sea. The Germans quickly follow suit. Both the British and US demand international prize law be respected by all combatants.

September 1913: With the growing war in Europe, German support for the Portuguese monarchists beings to tapper off, allowing the republicans to gain the upper hand in the Portuguese Civil War.

September 1913: The withdrawal of the Fifth Army allows the French to stabilise the western front on a line running from Ghent, along the Schelde to Valenciennes, then to a line from Reims to Verdun and the German border.

September 1913: The Russian Caucasus offensive is halted in order redeploy troops to the Balkans.

September 1913: Rather than renewing their attack in Serbia Austro-Hungarians launch an offensive into Bulgaria to relieve pressure on the Ottomans.

September 1913: France begins ordering Lewis LMGs for their forces.

October 1913: Six Russian divisions are deployed to strengthen the Serbian and Bulgarian defences.

October 1913: The German East Asia Squadron under Admiral Maximilian von Spee defeats the French Eastern Squadron under Admiral Dominique Marie Gauchet in the Battle of Shandong Peninsula. The battle breaks the blockade of Tsingtao.

October 1913: Due attacks by surface raiders the French begin arming merchant ships. The Germans follow suit to counter French submarine attacks.

October 1913: The Greeks force the Ottomans from the Janina Vilayet in southern Albania. However reinforcements from Thrace allow the Ottomans to form a new line.

November 1913: The French launch an offensive in Aisne. The offensive will drag on until December, gaining little ground but inflicting heavy casualties on both sides.

November 1913: The Austro-Hungarians launch a winter offensive in the Carpathians aimed at retaking Galicia.

November 1913: Concerned at the growing violence and disruption to the burgeoning economic boom due to foreign war orders, Irish Prime Minister William O'Brien forces through the Workplace Order Act under urgency. The act bans all strikes and lookouts for the next six months, ending the lockout and begins a program of workplace reform lead by O'Brien's Federalists.

November 1913: Expecting the local Muslim population to rise in revolt, the Ottomans invade the Russian Caucasus in a winter offensive. The invasion is supported by an offensive into neutral Persia to cut off Russian access to the Caspian oilfields.

December 1913: Winter brings the Austro-Hungarian offensive in Bulgaria to a halt. Fierce Bulgarian resistance has limited their advance to the Iskur river.

December 1913: As their own Hotchkiss MG is unsuitable, the French begin ordering Vickers MGs and Lewis LMGs to arm their aircraft. Since the 8mm Lebel round has proven somewhat unreliable for their Lewis LMGs, the French select the 0.303" British for their use on aircraft.

December 1913: Sun Yat-sen becomes Grand Chancellor of Qing China after defeating Cen Chunxuan in the third democratic elections. He begins to reduce the influence of the Emperor on government.

Miss Construction · Dec 23, 2017

~January to April 1914: The end of innocence

January 1914: With British industry unable to fully cope with war orders, production begins to expand to the Dominions and even India.

January 1914: Russian troops enter Persia to force prevent the Ottoman drive to the Caspian Sea.

January 1914: Admiral von Spee's East Asia Squadron begins commerce warfare against French shipping in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

January 1914: Serbia orders 25,000 Enfield rifles from Vickers in 7mm Mauser due to the impossibility of obtaining new rifles from Germany. Bulgaria follows suit with a similar order in 8mm Mannlicher as a result of the same issue with Austria-Hungary.

January 1914: Concerned about the Ottoman invasion of Persia, British and Indian troops are deployed to secure the Persian oilfields.

January 1914: The Austro-Hungarian winter offensive in the Carpathians is finally called off having failed to dislodge the Russians from their positions.

January 1914: The Ottoman invasion of the Caucasus is decisively defeated and their army virtually destroyed. The Russians launch an immediate counter offensive.

January 1914: German airships begin bombing Paris.

January 1914: The Ottomans begin placing orders for rifles, machine guns and artillery from Britain and Italy as it is proving difficult to get equipment from Germany.

February 1914: The Austro-Hungarians launch another winter offensive aimed at driving the Russians from the Carpathians. The offensive will again be a costly failure with massive casualties.

February 1914: The Italian company Fiat obtains a production licence for the Enfield rifle to capitalise on its growing popularity. The cost of the licence will be recouped within three months as the French place massive orders.

February 1914: Despite the failure of their offensive in Aisne, the French launch new offensive in Flanders. Again the battle turns into a bloody stalemate. This pattern will continue throughout the year.

15th February 1914: As a response to bombing by German Zeppelins, the French order six airships from Vickers in Britain.

February 1914: Yao force attack the Qing in Hunan province. However, the offensive makes little headway as the Qing dig in, forming a defensive line.

February 1914: The submarine U7 is sunk by an armed French merchant ship. As a result Germany gives permission for their submarines to sink armed merchant ships without warning. Using the German move as justification, the French likewise authorise attacks without warning.

February 1914: With the destruction of the Ottoman army in the Caucasus, the Ottoman Armenian minority rises in revolt.

February 1914: With France becoming increasingly dependant of British industry for their war effort, German cruisers begin attacking French shipping in the Channel. Operations are quickly abandoned after two cruisers are lost. However, this leads to the British stepping up their neutrality patrols and prohibiting warships entering the Channel or the delivery of strategic materials to channel ports to ensure its neutrality.

March 1914: Togoland and Kamerun are occupied by the French.

March 1914: British and Indian troops complete the occupation of southern Persia.

March 1914: In light of the war in Europe, the construction of three more Royal Navy gunboats on Lake Tanganyika is authorised to protect the Cape to Cairo railway.

March 1914: With the failure of the Austria-Hungary offensive in the Carpathians Russia returns to the offensive in the Carpathians.

March 1914: In the wake of the disaster in the Caucasus, the Ottomans are forced to reinforce the front with troops from the Balkans.

March 1914: The first atmospheric nitrogen fixation plant using the Haber-Bosch process begins operating in Germany. This process ends German dependence on Chile for nitrates.

March 1914: The British inform the Entente they regard any attempt to occupy German East or South West Africa as unacceptable. At the same time they inform the Germans they will occupy the colonies if they are used as military bases.

March 1914: As a result of the Armenian uprising, the Ottomans begin the forced deportation of Armenians within the Empire. These deportations will rapidly turn into genocide.

April 1914: Germany begins redeploying troops from the west for a drive to retake East Prussia.

April 1914: With the Lebel rifle proving to be troublesome due to it's length and tubular magazine and the Berthier limited by its three round clip, the French order a large number of Enfield rifles to supplement them. Since the Enfield can not easily be adapted to the 8mm Lebel and the French are already using the 0.303" British for aircraft, these are ordered in that calibre as the Fusil Mle 1914 "Enfield." The intention is to gradually phase out both the Lebel and Berthier along with the 8mm round.

April 1914: With the outbreak of war and the need to protect the East Indies, the Netherlands order four 26,000 ton battleships from Vickers. The ships are armed with eight 13.5" guns, capable of 22 knots and feature heavy deck armour for the anticipated long range fighting in the Java Sea.

April 1914: Using a Lewis LMG mounted on the top wing clear of the propeller, the French introduce the Nieuport 11, the first dedicated fighter aircraft.

April 1914: Mexican forces temporarily detain nine US naval personnel in the city of Tampico. President Huerta refuses to give an apology. As a result Congress authorises the occupation of Tampico and its oil fields. This action incites widespread anti US violence and riots throughout Mexico. Both President Huerta and revolutionary leader Venustiano Carranza condemn the action but neither are able to effectively oppose the occupation.

April 1914: With the Austro-Hungarians efforts focused on the Carpathian front the Bulgarians and Serbs both switch troops to face the Ottomans.

April 1914: The armed French merchant man Comte d'Artois is sunk off the French coast without warning. Three US crewmen are amongst those lost. In the wake of this the US public demand action and, despite a German apology, President Roosevelt gains Congressional approval to commit US warships to the British neutrality patrols in the Atlantic.

April 1914: With the war in Europe growing more intense, President Roosevelt again extracts approval for two battleships, two battlecruisers and six cruisers in the 1914 program. Again to reduce costs, they are to be of the same class as the smaller ships in the 1913 program.

April 1914: The Yao abandon their offensive in Hunan and an armistice e arranged. Both the Yao and Qing move to concentrate on developing their territories. However, the Yuan does not abandon his effective dictatorship, allowing the Qing to slowly pull ahead.

Miss Construction · Dec 26, 2017

~ May to August 1914: The tide is high.

May 1914: The Russian Caucasus offensive takes Erzurum virtually without any resistance.

May 1914: Ships of the German East Asia Squadron attack merchant shipping off Vladivostok aiming to disrupt the flow of foreign war material to Russia.

May 1914: The British liner RMS Laconia, with a cargo including munitions for the Ottomans, is sunk without warning in the Mediterranean by the French submarine Mariotte with the loss of over 500 lives. While the French give an apology, British public opinion is outraged. As a result of this and other sinkings, most nations become reluctant to carry cargoes in war zones. However the Norwegians, with a tradition of carrying cargoes in high risk areas, quickly dominate this trade.

May 1914: Argentina, Brazil and Chile attempt to mediate a resolution to the Tampico Crisis between the US and Mexico. Eventually a compromise is reached. President Huerta will resign in favour of Carranza and an apology will be given to the US, with reparations for the damage to US property. In return, the US is to withdraw from Tampico. While this agreement defuses the immediate tensions, the entire affair leaves a legacy of strong anti US sentiment in Mexico which will last for decades.

May 1914: With German warships continuing to disrupt shipping off Vladivostok Japan issues an ultimatum demanding the Germans withdraw the East Asia Squadron from the Pacific. The German refusal brings a Japanese declaration of war. Japan begins to replace the French occupation forces in Germany's Pacific colonies. Japanese forces begin besieging Tsingtao within a week while the Imperial Japanese Navy immediately starts hunting down the German raiders and blockading Tsingtao.

June 1914: With French merchant ships now armed, the effectiveness of German surface commerce warfare has dramatically decreased. As a consequence, the Germans move to submarines to attack French shipping in the Atlantic, moving their cruisers to the Pacific.

June 1914: Japanese troops begin taking over the occupation of Germany's Pacific possessions from the French, freeing up those troops for service in France. The British protest this as Australia and New Zealand are both greatly concerned by this development. These fears are eased by Japanese agreement to limit their forces to those strictly needed as garrisons.

June 1914: The French launch a new offensive in the Argonne Forest. Again the offensive is inconclusive but results in massive casualties on both sides.

June 1914: With the improved transport network established during the later part of the 19th century, the industrial growth sparked by the massive war orders from Europe begins to spread to the Canadian mid west and Pacific coast, particularly close to the mineral resources in British Colombia.

June 1914: The renewed Balkans League offensive has forced the Ottomans from the Eastern Rumelia, Scutari, Kosovo Vilayets and much of the Monastir Vilayet, clearing Albania and western Macedonia.

June 1914: The British modify Bristol Scouts to carry a Lewis LMG as an interim fighter pending the development of dedicated aircraft.

July 1914: With the Japanese declaration of war, Admiral von Spee decides with withdraw his squadron to Germany through the neutral British dominated Indian Ocean.

July 1914: With the Austro-Hungarians on the verge of collapse in the Carpathians, German troops are sent to bolster their defence.

July 1914: The Nieuport 11 enters service on the Eastern and Balkans fronts.

July 1914: The Salisbury Imperial Conference reaches agreement the Dominions should raise standing armies for Imperial deployment. Australia and Canada both agree to maintain a division each, while New Zealand and South Africa will both maintain a brigade, with Newfoundland raising a token force. These new units are to be integrated into Imperial planning. It is also agreed manufacturing arsenals should be established in Australia, Canada, India and South Africa to produce both small arms and artillery.

July 1914: With the collapse of the Austro-Hungarians seeming imminent, the Italians begin secret negotiations with the Entente to enter the war.

July 1914: The Russian Caucasus offensive takes Trabzon on the Black sea coast, allowing them to dramatically shorten their supply lines. However, the offensive is halted to allow Persia to be cleared as troops are withdrawn to face the German offehensive in East Prussia.

July 1914: The battleship Kulkis is completed in Britain. However it's delivery to the Greeks is suspended due to concerns regarding a violation of neutrality and the creation of another Alabama claim.

July 1914: As part of his preparedness program Roosevelt orders a trial mobilisation of the National Guard. The exercise results in absolute chaos and will lead to far reaching changes in the US military.

July 1914: The German reinforcements allow the Austro-Hungarians to stabilise the Carpathian front and the Russian offensive is held without a breakthrough onto the Hungarian plains.

August 1914: With his position revealed by the US on Guam, von Spee's squadron is intercepted by the Japanese under Admiral Katō Sadakichi. The Japanese squadron includes the battlecruiser Kongo and the pre-dreadnought battlecruisers Tsukuba and Ikoma. The combination of the Kongo's speed along with the Tsukuba and Ikoma's 12" guns proves overwhelming and von Spee's squadron is totally destroyed.

August 1914: The British order four new fast battleships and additional cruisers for the 1914 program. The battleships are to displace 30,000 tons, be armed with ten 15" gun and use the "all or nothing" armour scheme, allowing a significant increase in protection. Also their use of small water tube boilers allows them to make their designed speed of 25 knots. They are assigned the names Erin, Cambria, Caledonia and Albion. Also noting the effectiveness of aerial reconnaissance, the old cruiser Hermes is to be converted into a seaplane carrier for fleet work.

August 1914: Germany launch their offensive in the east. The Fifth Army drives in East Prussia, meeting fierce Russian resistance. However the German superiority in artillery forces the Russians back.

August 1914: Tsingtao falls to the Japanese, ending the German presence in China and the Pacific.

August 1914: The Ottomans are driven from Persia. The Russians begin construction of a railway from Tabriz to Tehran.

Miss Construction · Dec 29, 2017

~September to December 1914: Norwegian would

September 1914: The Balkans League advance has cleared the remainder of Macedonia as well as Blagoevgrad forcing the Ottomans back further into the Salonika Vilayet.

September 1914: Extensively subsidised universal health care is introduced in England. Similar policies will soon be introduced throughout Britain. These programs will eventually greatly improve the health of the working classes and increase productivity.

September 1914: A large force of French pre-dreadnoughts are deployed to Greece, gaining naval superiority and allowing the occupation of the Ottoman islands in the Aegean Sea.

September 1914: The British arms companies BSA and Vickers begins producing the now abandoned military 0.276" round for the commercial market. Vickers in particular, markets a sporterised version of the Enfield rifle in the calibre.

September 1914: Believing her to be an armed French merchant ship, the German submarine U21 torpedoes and sinks the neutral US merchant SS Paul Daniels. 7 US seamen are killed in the attack. The US public is incensed, with some even calling for war. However President Roosevelt limits the response to increasing US neutrality patrols and extending them to the North Sea.

September 1914: With the Russians falling back in East Prussia, The German Tenth and Eleventh Armies begin a second offensive into Poland. Once again, the German superiority in artillery proves decisive.

September 1914: In order to interdict trade to Russia, German submarines are deployed to the Arctic Sea. Due the harsh conditions making identification difficult, many attacks are made without warning.

September 1914: Unable to resist the overwhelming German superiority in artillery, the Russians are decisively defeated in East Prussia and begin a general retreat.

September 1914: The French launch their third offensive of the year in Flanders. Again it results in huge casualties for very little gain.

September 1914: The British begin construction of a railway in Persia to link up with the Russians at Tehran.

October 1914: The British cabinet reaches a final decision regarding the Kulkis. The ship will not be delivered during hostilities but an offer is extended to purchase the ship. With some reluctance, the Greeks accept and she is commissioned into the RN as the Acadia.

October 1914: The first of the French airships built by Vickers, the Clement Adar, enters service. She immediately begins bombing German cities in retaliation for German attacks on French cities. As the French have already ordered another ten airships from Vickers, strategic bombing by both sides will become a regular feature of the war.

October 1914: Capitalising on the sinking of the Paul Daniels, President Roosevelt introduces a preparedness program despite heavy Congressional opposition. The army is to be increased by 100,000 men and the National Guard by 200,000 men

October 1914: The Germans introduce the Euler D.I, a direct copy of the Nieuport 11. However this fact causes considerable problems for both sides.

October 1914: The Russians break in Poland and begin a general retreat. The Russians are forced to withdraw troops from Caucasus front, bringing offensive operations there to a halt.

October 1914: The Enfield rifle and Lewis LMG are introduced into French service with two corps initially being reequipped.

October 1914: Deprived of German support, the Monarchist forces in Portugal agree to disarm, bringing an end to the civil war. However as a condition, the Republicans agree to hold a referendum on restoring Manuel II to the throne.

October 1914: The Russians offer to deploy an army to the Balkans to take Constantinople and open the Turkish Straits. However the Balkans League states, fearing a Russian attempt to gain control of the Straits, refuse permission. After this refusal the Russians withdraw their troops from the Balkans.

October 1914: Warsaw falls to the Germans. However with the weather worsening, the German advance begins to slow.

November 1914: With the onset of winter and German supply lines stretched, the Russians finally halt the German offensive in the east on a line running from Krakow to Brest-Litovsk, then to Kovno and along the Neman River.

November 1914: With German surface raider operations in the Pacific growing the Japanese begin a major program to increase their cruiser strength. Ten new cruisers are ordered, however this program is at the cost delaying the construction of the IJNs latest battleships.

November 1914: Winter brings the Balkans League offensive against the Ottomans to a halt. By now the League has cleared Thrace, leaving Edrine as the last area of the Balkans under Ottoman control.

November 1914: With submarine warfare becoming increasingly important, all combatants have been increasing their construction. However the French are hampered by the loss of critical industrial capacity in the early stages of the war. To increase their submarine force, the French order twenty boats from Japan.

November 1914: With the Russians in full retreat, Italy ends talks to enter the war.

December 1914: The British obtain a production licence for the Madsen LMG, intending to issue two to each infantry company.

December 1914: The Vickers FB.5, a two seat pusher aircraft armed with a single Lewis LMG enters British service as their first purpose built fighter. The aircraft's performance however proves to be disappointing.

December 1914: The British adopt the SMLE Mk IV rifle and 0.455" Webly Mk I automatic pistol. The new rifle incorporates the improved sights, heavy barrel and one piece stock of the Enfield rifle.

December 1914: With shipping losses in the Arctic Sea climbing, most merchant ships have abandoned it with the exception of the Norwegians, who have a long tradition of carrying cargoes in hazardous waters.

December 1914: The Halberstadt D.I and AGO D.I both enter service. Their performance, though better than the Fokker E series, is still disappointing.

December 1914: The Panama Canal is opened, dramatically shortening transit times between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Miss Construction · Dec 30, 2017

~January to April 1915: You sunk my battleship

January 1915: Losses to Norwegian merchant ships operating in the Arctic Sea have climbed, with many seamen killed in the freezing waters. The Norwegian press is filled with lurid stories and the Norwegians public is demanding action. The Norwegian government issues a strong diplomatic protest, demanding an end to the attacks. However, the Germans refuse, claiming the attacks are legal.

January 1915: Believing the Western front to be stable, the Central Powers meet in Munich to discuss strategy. The Austro-Hungarians demand a focus on recapturing Galicia while the Ottomans call for the defeat of the Balkans League to open a supply line. For their part, the wish a new offensive in the Baltic States to knock Russia out of the war. Eventually no compromise can be found and it's agreed to attempt to do all three. However, German support for the Ottomans leads to an Austro-Hungarian commitment to support the Ottomans with an offensive in the Balkans, though the Austro-Hungarians extract a promise of German support for their Galician offensive.

January 1915: With submarine attacks in the Arctic sea continuing, Norway arms six trawlers to patrol the sea.

January 1915: The conversion of the cruiser Hermes is completed and she begins trials to determine the viability of naval aircraft operations.

February 1915: Planning a major offensive in Walloonia, the French launch a diversionary attack in Artois with the aim of drawing off German reserves.

February 1915: Qing Emperor Guangxu's son Yixuan enters Eton college.

February 1915: With the economies of Argentina, Brazil and Chile now booming due war orders for raw materials and agricultural products, Brazil reopens the South American dreadnought race by ordering a new dreadnought from Britain. She will displace 28,000 tons and be armed with eight 15" guns.

February 1915: The British introduce the Airco DH.2 and Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2 as their first purpose built single seat fighters. These are agile pusher aircraft armed with a single Lewis LMG.

February 1915: The British authoritise the strength of the Motor Corp to be expanded to two armoured car and four motorised infantry battalions.

February 1915: As part of their ongoing development of amphibious warfare, the British raise a four battalion Royal Marine brigade.

15th February 1915: The French airship Felix du Temple and the German airship Z V engage in an aerial duel over France. After a slow dogfight lasting an hour, the Z V is brought down.

February 1915: The Ottomans open the Central Powers eastern campaign with a drive along the rail line toward Sofiya from Edirne. The offensive makes little headway as the Bulgarians transfer troops from the Iskur line to reinforce their positions.

March 1915: The Norwegian destroyer Gorm rams and sinks the German submarine U19 in the Arctic Sea. Germany condemns the incident and authoritises it's submarines to act in self-defense.

March 1915: The Austro-Hungarians begin their Balkans campaign in support of the Ottoman. The campaign opens with an offensive against the Bulgarians and Serbs aimed at Sofiya. The offensive makes slow progress against determined resistance.

March 1915: The Greek battleship Salamis is completed in the US. However President Roosevelt refuses to release her, maintaining US neutrality.

March 1915: The two seat Sopwith 1 1/2 strutter enters British service as their standard observation and bombing aircraft. Armed with a Lewis LMG for the observer and a single Vickers MG forward, it is the first British aircraft to feature interruptor gear.

March 1915: The French begin to transfer the majority of their submarine fleet to the western Mediterranean to cut the Ottomans access to foreign supplies and markets.

March 1915: The Russians form the Czech legion from Czech and Slovak prisoners of war. This brigade will grow to divisional strength by the end of the year.

March 1915: The Greeks launch an offensive against the Ottomans in Edirne to take pressure off the Bulgarians.

May 1915: The French dispatch troops to the Balkans to reinforce the Bulgarians.

March 1915: The Germans introduce the Albatross D.I and Halberstadt D.II finally gaining superiority over the Nieuport 11.

March 1915: The planned combined Franco-Belgian offensive in Walloonia is begun with the aim of achieving a breakthrough toward Antwerp. The offensive makes little headway but results in huge casualties. However the offensive marks the first use of a creeping barrage to shield the infantry advance.

April 1915: The Austro-Hungarians launch their Galician offensive with a drive in the Carpathians. The Germans simultaneously begin an offensive from Silesia and Poland, with the Germans employing poison gas for the first time. While the Austro-Hungarian offensive makes little headway, the German drive breaks through the Russians line forcing them to begin a retreat.

April 1915: The German submarine U12, claiming self-defense, sinks the Norwegian armed trawler Heldig Blomst with the loss of her entire crew. The Norwegian public is outraged.

April 1915: With the situation in the war clearly changing, the Italians now begin negotiations with Central Powers regarding entering the war. Their demands however centre on Austria-Hungary ceding substantial territory, hindering and slowing. negotiations.

April 1915: With the loss of the Heldig Blomst and submarine attacks in the Arctic sea continuing, the Norwegians issue an ultimatum demanding their end. The German refusal leaves the Norwegians no option but to declare war.

April 1915: Despite President Roosevelt's calls for further military expansion, Congress refuses to support any further expansion on the grounds it high unlikely the US will be drawn into the war. Naval construction is limited to two new battleships. However the battleships at 31,500 tons, armed with twelve 14" guns and 13.5" of armour, have considerably increased fighting power.

April 1915: With their offensive in the Balkans making little headway, the Austro-Hungarians employ chlorine gas against the Serbs. The gas attack is devastating opening a hole in the Serbian lines, allowing the Austro-Hungarians to break through. The Serbs retreat exposes the Bulgarians flank to attack.

April 1915: The French offensive in Artois achieves a breakthrough. However lack of adequate reserves prevent this being exploited and allows the Germans to reform their line.

April 1915: The Norwegians begin purchasing modern weapons from Britain to reequip their army.

April 1915: The French begin purchasing British interruptor gear to match the Germans.

20th April 1915: The USS Tacoma, is sunk off the French Atlantic coast by the German submarine U28 with heavy loss of life. While Germany apologises, agrees to pay reparations and court marshal the Captain, US public reaction overwhelmingly calls for a declaration of war.

Miss Construction · Jan 1, 2018

~May to August 1915: This way that way no way

May 1915: The French and Norwegians sign an agreement for an Entente fleet to be based at Bergen to blockade the North Sea and prevent German submarines reaching the Arctic. While the Norwegians convert another ten trawlers for antisubmarine patrols.

March 1915: The Russian Sikorsky S-22 Ilya Muromets four engined bomber enters service, bombing Konigsberg.

May 1915: An All Empire team tours Qing China. While the tour achieves some success, the game does not take hold outside Hong Kong.

May 1915: In an attempt to mollify US public opinion, Germany issues strict rules regarding target identification for their submarines and forbids attacks without warning on merchant ships. The French quickly follow suit.

May 1915: The Bulgarian line on the Iskur finally breaks with an Austro-Hungarian flank attack from Serbia. The Austro-Hungarians again employ gas attacks to break the Bulgarian positions.

May 1915: The public outcry over the sinking of the Tacoma has led to increasing demands for a declaration of war. President Roosevelt calls a Congressional and Senate vote. Result is overwhelming and the US declares war on Germany.

May 1915: With their defences in the Carpathians holding against the Austro-Hungarians, the Russians stabilise their front against the Germans at Tarnow.

May 1915: The Austro-Hungarian offensive in the Carpathians having made little ground for heavy casualties. The Austro-Hungarians begin building up for a major drive in the Dukla and Uzhok Passes.

May 1915: Evidence emerges the Germans are using South West Africa to refuel and resupply their surface raiders. The British inform the Germans the colonies will be occupied if this continues. To reinforce the threat a battalion of Royal Marines is landed to occupy the German naval base at Luderitz Bay.

May 1915: The German Baltic offensive is begun with a three day artillery bombardment supported by gas which obliterates the Russian positions and allows the Germans to cross the Neman River. The breakthrough is however repulsed by furious Russian counter attack, allowing the line to be reestablished

May 1915: Japan agrees to base it's battle fleet and a cruiser force to Bergen in an attempt to blockade the North Sea and stop German raiders reaching the Pacific. A secret addendum to this agreement is the ceding of French treaty ports in northern China and basing rights in French Indochina at the end of the war.

June 1915: Sofiya falls to the Austro-Hungarians. However rather than pursue the retreating Bulgarians, the Austro-Hungarians redeploy substantial numbers of troops to reinforce their faltering Carpathian offensive. This allows the Bulgarians to form a new line behind Sofiya.

June 1915: Access to Bergen has not only allowed the Entente to establish a blockade, but also greatly increased the effectiveness of Entente submarines by placing them directly in the North Sea.

June 1915: Negotiations between Italy and the Central Powers collapse over Italian demands for Austro-Hungarians territory.

June 1915: Conscription is introduced in the US to assemble an army for the war. Lacking a domestic arms industry, the US placing huge orders with the British, includzing 1,0000,000 Enfield rifles in 0.3" Springfield as the M1915, to equip this army. Congress also authorises a massive naval building program. The program includes two Abraham Lincoln class battlecruisers, four Pennsylvania class battleships and twenty cruisers plus destroyers and submarines. The two larger battleships in the 1915 program, having not been laid down, are replaced by two more Pennsylvania class to speed construction, bringing the total number of battleships to six.

June 1915: With the Baltic and Galician fronts stalled, the Germans transfer troops from both for a new offensive in Poland.

June 1915: Citing the Central Powers first use of chemical weapons, the French employ chlorine gas to support their Walloonia offensive.

July 1915: Due to war orders from the Great War, the British Empire's economy is booming and the industrial base of the Dominions and India have increased considerably. The Auckland Imperial Conference agrees to work for still greater economic and political integration and the establishment of an Imperial common market with a commitment to move towards an economic and monetary union.

July 1915: The French introduce the Nieuport 17, an improved version of the Nieuport 11. This new fighter allows the French to begin regaining air superiority over the Germans.

July 1915: The US battle fleet is deployed to Bergen to join the Entente fleet. With the arrival of the US ships the fleet stands at ten US, five French and three Japanese dreadnoughts, with four Japanese and two US battlecruisers. The force is named the North Sea Fleet with US Admiral Frank Fisher in command and Japanese Admiral KatÅ Sadakichi in command of the battlecruiser squadron. Admiral Fisher immediately begins an intensive training program to turn the multinational fleet into an effective fighting force.

July 1915: With their line in Edirne against the Greeks nearing breaking point and their supply situation becoming desperate, the Ottomans call off their offensive against the Bulgarians to reinforce the Edirne front. This and the Austro-Hungarians abandoning their offensive allows Bulgaria and Serbia time to rest and reequip their armies.

July 1915: For the past four years, Haiti been wracked with political instability. With the outbreak of war with Germany and fearful of a German attempt to seize Hispaniola, President Roosevelt take the opportunity of the assassination of the current Haitian President to order the occupation of the country.

July 1915: With the US entry into the war, the purchase of the Greek dreadnoughts Salamis is arranged despite Greek reluctance. In return for the Salamis, the Greeks receive the US pre-dreadnoughts Mississippi and Idaho. These are commissioned as the Kulkis and Lemnos.

August 1915: The regular US 1st and National Guard 42nd Divisions reach Norway as a token contribution to the war pending the arrival of the National Army being formed. The two divisions immediately begin training for trench warfare.

August 1915: A group of hardline Irish Republicans form the Irish Republican Army for an armed campaign to achieve Irish independence.

August 1915: The Germans launch a new offensive in Poland aimed at Lublin. The area has been deprived of troops to reinforce the Baltic and Galicia. The Russian line collapses under the assault and the Russians begin a general retreat, forcing them to move troops from Galicia in an attempt to stabilise the situation.

August 1915: Having gained little ground but suffered massive casualties, the Franco-Belgian offensive in Walloonia is finally called off.

August 1915: With the Russians retreating in Poland, the Germans renew their drive in Galicia. The depleted Russian forces put up a fierce resistance but their line breaks and they are forced into full retreat.

August 1915: With reinforcements arriving from the Bulgarian front, the Ottomans have been able to stabilise the Edirne front. It now being clear that they can make no further headway, the Greeks call off their offensive.

August 1915: Despite the European powers having ceased ordering new battleships, the 1915 program includes just four more Erin class fast battleships. However the program includes an increase in cruisers, destroyers and twelve specialist antisubmarine sloops. In addition the old cruisers Powerful and Terrible are selected for conversion to seaplane carriers. The Hermes is to be converted into an experimental carrier for conventional aircraft, with her entire superstructure replaced by a full length flight deck.

August 1915: The Austro-Hungarians renew their Carpathian offensive with a massive attack in the Dukla and Uzhok Passes. The attacks again initially make little headway, but with their forces being drained to counter the German drives in Galicia and Poland, they eventually break and begin a retreat.

Miss Construction · Jan 1, 2018

~September to December 1915: Making the trains run on time

September 1915: With the situation in the east deteriorating rapidly, the Russians withdraw their forces from Persia.

September 1915: With the French unable to supply artillery, the US adopt the British 4.5" howitzer as their standard field howitzer designating it the M1915, while the 9.2" Mk II howitzer is adopted as heavy artillery, also as the M1915. The US 3" M1903, 4.7" M1906 guns and 6" M1908 howitzer are also placed in production in Britain. The Lewis LMG and Vickers MG are adopted in 0.30" Springfield as also adopted as standard US automatic weapons.

September 1915: In a compromise agreement with Grand Chancellor Sun Yat-sen, Emperor Guangxu abdicates in favour of the Duke of Zhou. This brings an end to the Qing dynasty replacing it with the Gaige dynasty. The position of Emperor is reduced to a ceremonial role. The Emperor Guangxu himself is awarded the title Duke of Aisin-Gioro, reverting to his personal name of Zaitian. Recognising his political skill and the vital importance of their support, Sun appoints to the position of Ambassador to Britain.

September 1915: With the Entente naval blockade it is becoming increasingly difficult for their raiding cruisers to leave the North Sea. To circumvent this they begin using merchant ships as disguised raiders.

September 1915: As the combination of the Entente blockade and submarines has all but stopped neutral trade, Germany withdraws troops from the east to form the Thirteenth Army under General Karl von Bulow for an invasion of Norway.

September 1915: With the situation in the east growing desperate, the French launch an offensive on the Meuse to take pressure off the Russians.

September 1915: Austria-Hungary, with German support resumes the offensive against the Bulgarians in the Balkans. The attack opens with a massive artillery bombardment but Bulgarian line holds the initial assault.

September 1915: With the Russians unable to stem the Central Powers advance Lublin falls to the Germans.

October 1915: The Austro-Hungarian Third Army retakes Przemyl as the Russians fall back in Galicia. However the advance slows as troops are withdrawn to the Balkans.

October 1915: German troops begin landing in Norway at Kristiansand and begin advancing on Oslo. Despite having just completed their training, the US divisions are committed to the defence of Oslo.

October 1915: With the invasion of. Norway, both Denmark and Sweden break off diplomatic relations with Germany. The Danes however, maintain the minefields in the Danish Straits. The British also issue a strong diplomatic protest. Danish and Swedish volunteers begin flowing to Norway.

October 1915: The Central Powers finally break through the Bulgarian positions.

October 1915: Denmark and Sweden sign a Mutual Defence Treaty.

October 1915: British cryptographers break the French diplomatic codes and as virtually all telegraph cables run through Britain, begin intercepting French diplomatic communications. Work begins on cracking other nations codes.

October 1915: With the Russian withdrawal, Britain moves to occupy the rest of Persia, reducing it to de facto protectorate.

October 1915: Seeking to capitalise on Ottoman weakness, British agents incite the Arabs of Hajaz under Hussein bin Ali to launch a revolt, supplying them with arms and gold. To avoid having their involvement revealed, the arms are German weapons produced in Britain.

October 1915: Seeking to gain naval supremacy for a landing to take Bergen. the German High Seas Fleet of 17 dreadnoughts, 5 pre-dreadnoughts, 6 battlecruisers and 1 pre-dreadnought battlecruiser under Admiral Reinhard Scheer clashes with Admiral Frank Fisher's Combined allied fleet of 18 dreadnoughts and 6 battlecruisers off the Jutland Peninsula. The battle is close with both sides suffering heavy damage. However the Entente gains a critical advantage when the Danish steamer Min Lille Vinkel broadcasts the position of Admiral Franz von Hipper's I Scouting Group, allowing Admiral Sadakichi's battlecruisers to decisively defeat it, depriving Scheer of his reconnaissance force and giving Fisher the initiative. Despite poor coordination, Fisher's fleet forces the High Seas Fleet to retreat, gaining control of the North Sea. In his retreat, Scheer is forced to abandon his pre-dreadnoughts, none of which return to port. Fisher's victory will be hailed throughout the US. However the US battlecruisers poor protection is highlighted with the loss of the Thomas Jefferson due to a magazine explosion and the Abraham Lincoln being crippled.

November 1915: With stiffening Russian resistance, troop withdrawals, worsening weather and supply problems hampering the advance, the Austro-Hungarians are halted at the battle of Lemberg. This victory allows the Russians to divert troops to face the Germans in Poland.

November 1915: The Railways Consolidation Act is passed combining British railways into five large companies. The act causes considerable controversy as it covers all five of the home nations. Lloyd George justifies this as required to maintain a single unified transport network for economic growth.

November 1915: Four US Monitors, along with torpedo boats and submarines under Admiral Henry Mayo arrive at Horten to reinforce the Norwegian fleet.

November 1915: The German Tenth Army attempts to take Breast-Litovsk. However reinforcements from Galicia allow the Russians to hold the city despite heavy casualties.

November 1915: With the Central Powers over extended in Bulgaria, the offensive is halted at Pazardzhik. Despite their success, a supply line to the Ottomans has not been opened. Their situation is now desperate and their army incapable of offensive operations.

November 1915: The German Thirteenth Army is defeated by the newly formed Northern Army, consisting of Norwegian, French, US and Nordic volunteer units, under General Hans Kielhau in the Battle of Kragerø, ensuring the security of Oslo. The battle is US troops first combat in war.

December 1915: The onset of winter and lengthening supply lines bring the Central Powers offensive in the east to an end. The Russians have been forced back to a line running from Kovno to Lemberg.

December 1915: Hussein bin Ali's irregulars take Mecca, inflicting a heavy blow to Ottoman prestige.

December 1915: The German Thirteenth Army falls back toward Kristiansand, having suffered heavy casualties. However winter prevent a pursuit. Nonetheless, the victories at Jutland and Kragerø do much to boost morale within the Entente.

December 1915: With the development of trench warfare, the British begin developing improved artillery with longer range. The Battalion level Vickers MGs are also withdrawn and concentrated in a dedicated machine gun company with 18 guns at brigade level. The number of Madsen LMGs is increased to six per infantry company or cavalry troop to compensate. A similar company of 18 Vickers MGs is also attached to each cavalry brigade. These companies are grouped into the Machine Gun Corp, separate from from both the infantry and cavalry branches. Development of an armoured vehicle for trench warfare is also begun.

December 1915: With winter crippling operations and the situation in the east stabilised, the French call off the Meuse offensive. The offensive has caused massive casualties and resulted in little change to the front. As a result of this and the other failed offensives, the French high command is reorganised and General Robert Nivelle replaces Joseph Joffre in command of the French army.

December 1915: The Norwegian navy, strengthened by Mayo's monitors and torpedo boats successful interdicts the German supply lines to the Thirteenth Army.

Miss Construction · Jan 3, 2018

~January to March 1916: A gathering storm

January 1916: With German submarine operations being severely restricted by the long transit times around Britain, the Germans begin employing resupply ships in the Atlantic.

January 1916: Denmark begins purchasing modern weapons to reequip their army and lay down three modern submarines.

January 1916: With the disastrous performance of the USN battlecruisers at Jutland, there are vocal calls for the four under construction to be cancelled. However as ships are urgently required, the Ulysses Grant and John Adams nearing completion are continued with improvements to their flash protection. The James Monroe and Andrew Jackson however are cancelled and reordered as 28,000 ton ships with 9" armour patterned after the Japanese Kongo class.

January 1916: With the disastrous fate of the pre-dreadnoughts at Jutland, the German admiralty order all but four disarmed and their guns used as artillery. The four retained are deployed as coast defence ships in the Baltic.

January 1916: The American Expeditionary Force under General Frederick Funston begins arriving in France. The French, their army exhausted by two and a half years of futile offensives call for them to be deployed to reinforce their depleted units. The US however refuses as these troops still lack training and equipment. They demand US forces only be deployed as a single force when properly trained.

January 1916: To make good the losses from Jutland and strengthen their fleet, the Germans begin a building program with four battleships and four battlecruisers of a new powerful design.

January 1916: A joint French, Japanese and US naval commission is formed to investigate the lessons of Jutland.

January 1916: The Central Powers meet in Salzburg to discuss strategy. After the uncoordinated efforts of 1915 the Germans demand a unified command under their leadership. With the Ottomans near collapse and the Austro-Hungarians dependant on German support, both have no option but to accept. The strategy decided is to hold against the Russians, instead concentrating on finally secure the Balkans. The Germans will also launch an offensive at Reims to break the French army before US troops arrive in strength.

January 1916: The referendum in Portugal restores Manuel II to the throne.

January 1916: Having suffered immense losses and widespread food shortages due to the Danish and Turkish Straits being closed, Russian civilian morale is collapsing. Strikes and food riots have become common. Desperate to reopen the Turkish Straits, the Russians again request the Balkans League allow a Russian offensive against Constantinople.

January 1916: The Central Powers begin negotiations with Romania regarding entering the war, promising them Bessarabia and Moldova in return for their entry into the war.

February 1916: The Germans begin stripping forces from the Eastern front for their offensive against Reims.

February 1916: A serious accident on the RN battlecruiser Indefatigable during a firing exercise results in a turret flash causing the catastrophic loss of the ship with only three survivors. The subsequent investigation will result in far reaching changes to RN ammunition handling as well as change in focus from rate of fire to accuracy.

February 1916: The Gaige Chinese introduce universal compulsory primary education. The Gaige ambassador in London, Duke Zaitian, is able to secure British loans to fund this, stressing it will increase the return of British investments.

February 1916: The German offensive in west begins with a diversionary attack on the Sambre aimed at drawing off French reserves.

February 1916: A permanent subcommittee is formed by the ICC to select suitable players for an All Empire touring team to promote the game outside the Empire. These tours will be irregular, however one to the Netherlands is to be arranged for 1917.

February 1916: Hussein bin Ali's irregulars takes Medina, further damaging Ottoman prestige.

February 1916: The North Sea Fleet now includes 9 US, 5 French, and 2 Japanese dreadnoughts along with 4 Japanese battlecruisers. 3 US, 1 French and 1 Japanese battleships plus the Abraham Lincoln still undergoing repairs from Jutland. They are faced by 11 German battleships and 3 battlecruisers of the High Seas Fleet, with 3 battleships and 2 battlecruisers still undergoing repairs. The Entente fleet's cruiser strength has also increased considerably by new US and Japanese cruisers. However, as US Admiral Fisher is following a Mahanian strategy, seeking a decisive battle with the High Seas Fleet, the blockade of Germany is not preventing German disguised raiders and submarine depot ships reaching the Atlantic.

February 1916: The Sikorsky S-22 Ilya Muromets enters licensed production in France. Over time, multi-engined bombers will replace airships for strategic bombing.

February 1916: With the Bulgarians near collapse, the Balkans League finally agree to form a unified command and coordinate their efforts. Greek troops are deployed to reinforce the Serbs while further French troops are to strengthen the Bulgarians. The League also finally consents to a Russian offensive against Constantinople.

March 1916: The main German offensive in the west begins with a drive to capture Reims. The French line buckles under the assault and they are forced back toward the city.

March 1916: The Greeks launch an offensive in Edirne. The Ottomans withdraw troops from Bulgaria to hold the line.

March 1916: Four Russian divisions are deployed to Norway, allowing the French divisions to be withdrawn to strengthen the defence at Reims.

March 1916: The British Motor Corp begins testing its first tracked armoured fighting vehicles. The tests are conducted in great secrecy with the vehicles referred to as tanks to conceal their nature. The trials prove disappointing with the vehicles being extremely unreliable and exhausting to operate. However the it is considered the vehicles show sufficient promise to continue development.

March 1916: The conversion of the Hermes is completed. She begins trials with an airgroup of three Sopwith Pups and three Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutters.

March 1916: The Russian Sixth Army under General Alexey Kaledin arrives in Bulgaria for the offensive against Constantinople.

March 1916: The British break Russian diplomatic codes.

March 1916: With the South American dreadnought race resuming, Argentina orders a 23,000 ton ship armed with ten 14" guns from Italy.

March 1916: The South Africans agree to establish a navy of three cruisers, eight destroyers and four submarines to be built in domestic yards. As with the other Dominions, the British supply two cruisers for training purposes.

March 1916: The Austro-Hungarians and Germans begin their offensive against the Bulgarians aimed at finally taking the rail line to Constantinople. However, the reinforced Bulgarians hold, inflicting heavy casualties.

Miss Construction · Jan 4, 2018

~April to June 1916: Just one more push

April 1916: Under German pressure to break the blockade of the Ottomans, the Austro-Hungarian fleet under Admiral Miklós Horthy sorties in an attempt to break the Entente naval control of the eastern Mediterranean. The fleet is harassed and seriously weakened by light forces in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. This damage finally forces Horthy to turn back before he reaches the Aegean. With this failure, the Austro-Hungarian navy is progressively stripped of men for the army.

April 1916: New Zealand orders a cruiser to form the basis of a navy. The British supply an obsolete cruiser to commence training.

April 1916: The Greeks and Serbs open an offensive against the Austro-Hungarian flank in Bulgaria. The Austro-Hungarians are forced to weaken their offensive along the rail line to face this attack.

April 1916: Romania agrees to enter the war in return for Bessarabia, Russian Moldova and Bulgarian Dobrudja along with a promise of Central Powers support.

April 1916: The Kielhau's Northern Army now consisting of six Norwegian, four Russian, two Nordic volunteer and two US divisions launches an offensive against the Thirteenth Army.

April 1916: The British change the terms of the Territorial army's service to allow it to be deployed overseas in the event of a war.

April 1916: The US naval program includes three more Pennsylvania class battleships and four more James Monroe class battlecruisers. The program also includes another ten cruisers and a large number of smaller vessels, in order to strengthen the naval blockade.

April 1916: The Russian Sixth Army launch their offensive against the Ottomans in Bulgaria. The Ottomans, weakened by withdrawals to face the Greeks with their supplies virtually exhausted break and the retreat turns into a rout.

May 1916: Still concerned for the security of the Caribbean, President Roosevelt uses a coup in the Dominican Republic as a reason to complete the occupation of the island of Hispaniola.

May 1916: With the Ottoman position rapidly deteriorating, six German divisions are withdrawn from East Prussia to support operations in the Balkans.

May 1916: The Sikorsky S-22 Ilya Muromets enters licensed production in the US.

May 1916: The British begin to form an Indian navy, transferring four old sail sloops to begin training.

May 1916: Unlike Argentina and Brazil, Chile refuses to be drawn into a new ruinous race. Instead modern cruisers, destroyers and submarines are ordered from Britain.

May 1916: The Indian Artillery Regiment is formed, finally reversing a policy depriving the Indian army of artillery. The initial strength of the regiment is set at three field batteries and one heavy battery in addition to the ten existing mountains batteries.

May 1916: The conversion of the Hermes to a flush deck aircraft carrier is completed and she begins extensive trials to develop conventional naval aviation.

May 1916: The Ottomans begin withdrawing troops from all parts of their Empire in a desperate attempt to halt the Russian advance toward Constantinople.

May 1916: The French begin rotating their troops through the Battle of Reims, ensuring units have adequate time to recover before returning to combat. The Germans however leave their divisions in the line feeding reinforcements to the units. This policy causes the German morale to deteriorate.

May 1916: Seeking to draw Russian forces away from Constantinople, the Central Powers launch an offensive into Serbia and Albania.

May 1916: With the Ottoman Empire appearing on the verge of complete collapse, the British Royal Marine brigade, along with two regular divisions are deployed to Alexandria to protect British interests. An Indian division is also deployed to Kuwait to protect the oilfields.

May 1916: The Greco-Serb offensive against the Austro-Hungarians is halted as the Greeks and Serbs are forced to withdraw troops to defend Serbia.

May 1916: With the entire Empire's economy booming, Lloyd George wins the scheduled elections in a landslide. Liberal governments also win in England and Wales. Conservative governments are returned in Scotland and Ulster. In Ireland, support for the Republicans collapses due to the booming economy. The Nationalist take over the government, narrowly defeating the Federalists.

May 1916: The depleted Ottoman garrisons allow Hussein bin Ali's irregulars take Tabuk, securing the entire Hejaz, declaring it independent as the Emirate of Hajaz. The British supply instructors to create a brigade strength regular army.

May 1916: The Romanians declare war on Bulgaria. Their army immediately begins an offensive into Dobrudja. The Entente nations and the US respond by declaring war on Romania.

June 1916: With their utter defeat in the Irish elections the IRA launch an uprising in Dublin. The uprising is rapidly crushed. Lloyd George cites the Galway Doctrine and leaves the matter of dealing with the rebels to the Irish government. With public opinion now firmly against the Republicans, the Irish government takes a hardline, with heavy sentences passed down. The Irish Republican movement will never recover from this uprising.

June 1916: The Central Powers offensive in Albania takes Tirane, leaving the Serbian flank exposed.

June 1916: The German Thirteenth Army is defeated at Arendel and forced back to their base at Kristiansand. Kielhau's Northern Army pursues the retreating Germans.

June 1916: The conversion of the RN cruisers Powerful and Terrible into seaplane carriers is completed and they enter service supporting the fleet.

June 1916: With the casualties at Reims mounting, the French push for a Russian offensive to draw German troops to the east. The Russians agree to launch an offensive against the Romanians in Moldova.

June 1916: British cryptographers break the German diplomatic codes. Interception of their traffic begins immediately.

June 1916: The Russian Black Sea Fleet begins bombarding a blockading the Romanian coast, preventing supplies reaching the Ottomans by sea.

June 1916: The French develop a new persistent chemical weapon named mustard gas. The weapon is put into production immediately.

June 1916: The new Ottoman Eighth Army under Mustafa Kemal, hastily created from troops withdrawn from the Empire, is deployed for the final defence of Constantinople. The Russian advance is halted at the Battle of Corlu, but the casualties leave Kemal's army barely capable of holding the line.

June 1916: Despite inflicting heavy casualties on the inexperienced Romanians, the Bulgarian defences in the north are too weak to prevent the Romanian advance. They are however able to fall back in good order.

June 1916: Skopje falls to the Central Powers. The Greeks and Serbs fall back into Macedonia. Kaledin's Sixth Army abandons its drive toward Constantinople in order to stem the Central Powers advance in Macedonia.

June 1916: With the entire reserves committed to Reims, the French call for US units to be committed to the battle. The US is still unwilling to allow their troops to be used as reinforcements, wanting the army to be committed as a single force. However, recognising the seriousness of the situation, they offer to take over the French positions in Flanders, releasing those troops for the battle.

June 1916: Seeking to protect the oilfields in Kuwait, the British occupy Basra in Iraq. The Ottomans break off diplomatic relations with Britain, but are otherwise unable to take any action. However this leaves the Ottomans almost totally dependent on Italy for the supply of weapons and equipment.

June 1916: The reinforced Norwegian fleet defeats an attempt to evacuate the isolated Thirteenth Army in the Battle of the Skagerrak.

Miss Construction · Jan 5, 2018

~July to September 1916: The river ran red

July 1916: With the Serbs and Greeks forced back to Macedonia, the Central Powers switch to Bulgaria, aiming to clear the railway to Constantinople. Reinforced by the Russian Sixth Army, the Bulgarians hold.

July 1916: With their supplies exhausted, the the German Thirteenth Army in Norway surrenders.

July 1916: The Friedrichshafen G.II, Germany's first two engined bomber enters service.

July 1916: With the French army at Reims at breaking point, the US agree to launch an offensive in late September to relieve pressure on the beleaguered French. General John Pershing's Second Army will attack on the Schelde at Oudenaarde to break through toward Brussels

July 1916: By now Ottoman morale has collapsed and desertion has become endemic, with these soldiers often selling their weapons to locals. With order breaking down, Royal Marines land at Gaza. The British justify their actions by the need to protect the Suez Canal. The Central Powers strongly protest, going as far as threatening to break off diplomatic relations.

July 1916: The Romanian offensive in Dobrudja falters as their poorly equipped raw troops launch costly assaults on the veteran Bulgarians.

July 1916: The French deploy Mustard Gas at Reims. The new gas causes heavy casualties and slows the German assaults.

July 1916: After meticulous preparation and using newly developed infiltration tactics, the Russian Southern Army Group consisting of the Second, Third and Tenth Armies under General Aleksei Brusilov launch an offensive into Romania from Moldova. The raw Romanian troops collapse in the face of Brusilov's veterans.

July 1916: Concerned with retaining their Pacific conquests in the event of an Entente defeat, Japan commits a ten division expeditionary force to France. The decision is made to deploy them alongside the US forces.

July 1916: The Dunedin Imperial Conference is dominated by the economic effects of the. Since the start of the Great War, the French have expended virtually their entire gold reserves to secure loans for the purchase of war materials from Britain. With no more than six months left, Their is concern the effect a sudden cessation of French war orders could have on the Empire's economy. A radical approach is decided, to issue loans secured by French colonies. It also recognised regardless, the war will end and result in a depression as the orders cease. Agreement is reached to lay aside a portion of vast money currently flowing in to provide a cushion for the social and economic effects of this inevitable depression.

August 1916: German troops from Macedonia reinforce the Romanians, allowing them to resume their offensive, driving the Bulgarians back from Pazardzhik toward Plosdiv.

August 1916: French morale at Reims begins to break with entire battalions and even regiments refusing to go into action. The French push for the US to bring their offensive on the Schelde forward. The US however refuse, unwilling to attack before completing their preparations.

August 1916: With the Danish and Swedish sympathies now firmly laying with the Entente, the government signs an agreement with the Entente to remove the minefields in the Danish Straits in return for a guarantee of their security. With the minefields removed, a supply line to Russia is opened. However the Danes refuse to let warships use the straits.

August 1916: The Ottomans withdraw further troops from the Caucasus and Mesopotamia to reinforce the Eighth Army at Constantinople.

August 1916: With the mutinies at Reims spreading, the French again push for the US offensive to be brought forward. Again the US refuses.

August 1916: In order to prevent the Germans reinforcing the Romanians, the Russian First and Seventh Armies under Alexander Samsonov launch an offensive against the Germans in East Prussia. The German forces having been stripped of troops for Reims, struggle to hold the line.

August 1916: With apparent weakness of existing battlecruisers displayed at Jutland, British naval estimates include the construction of four large fast battleships capable of 30 knots. With the conversion of the Hermes to flush deck carrier showing promise, a purpose built carrier is ordered to replace her and the incomplete Holland America liner Statendam is purchased for conversion pending the purpose built ship's construction. With submarines clearly a threat to merchant shipping, further antisubmarine sloops are included, along with the development of effective antisubmarine weapons and tactics.

August 1916: With the Russians under Brusilov drive through Romanian Moldova, the Romanians withdraw troops from the Dobrudja offensive to face the onslaught. This allows the Bulgarians to form a defensive line on the Tundzha River and halt the offensive.

August 1916: Samsonov's East Prussian offensive forces the Germans back from the Neman river. However, his exploitation is cautious, seeking only to tie down the Germans and prevent them reinforcing the Balkans.

August 1916: Yuan Shikai, Yao Chinese Prime Minister, dies suddenly. With no clear successor, the Yao begin to fragment as local leaders vie for power.

September 1916: The Russian Tenth Army forces the Romanian positions on the Ialomita River and begin driving toward Bucharest an Ploesti.

September 1916: The Russian Second and Third Armies force the passes in the Carpathians, advancing into Transylvania against the unsupported Austro-Hungarians.

11th September 1916: The US Second Army, supported by the Japanese Expeditionary Force under General Osako Naomichi, launches their offensive on the Schelde. Despite lengthy training, the US command has dismissed many of the lessons the French have learnt over the past three years. The Second Army suffers 48,000 casualties on the first day, with over 16,000 killed or missing, dwarfing the Battle of Antietam as the bloodiest single day in US military history. Japanese casualties however are significantly lower due to their superior use of artillery. Nevertheless, the US and Japanese troops inflict massive casualties on the German Third Army facing them and Pershing continues the offensive.

September 1916: Eight Austro-Hungarian divisions are withdrawn from the Bulgarian front to reinforce the Romanians.

September 1916: Having reached Konigsberg, Samsonov begins digging in to face the German counter attack.

September 1916: With supplies now flowing to Russia, Germany withdraws their submarines from the Atlantic and embarks on a massive building program to interdict this supply line.

September 1916: With the now weakened by withdrawals to Romania, the Bulgarians and Russians are able to stabilise their positions at Plovdiv.

September 1916: Two Austro-Hungarians armies are moved from the Russian front to launch a counter offensive against Brusilov's advance into Hungary from Romania.

September 1916: The Russian Tenth Army forces the Romanian positions on the Ialomita river and begin driving toward Bucharest and Ploesti.

September 1916: With the US domestic arms industry rapidly growing, war orders to the British Empire begin to taper off. The British begin to repurpose war industries for civilian production and start penetrating the markets abandoned by the Entente and Central Powers.

September 1916: The Germans withdraw eight divisions from Reims to reinforce the Balkans front and secure the Berlin to Bagdad railway.

Miss Construction · Jan 6, 2018

~October to December 1916: The torch is passed

October 1916: The Austro-Hungarian Fifth and Eighth Armies in Transylvania break and begin a general retreat.

October 1916: The Entente Naval Commission completes its investigation into the Battle of Jutland. The commissions report highlights a number of serious defects in ship design and operating procedures. The lessons learnt from the battle will have far reaching effects on ship design in the future.

October 1916: With opening of the Baltic, the situation in Russia has improved dramatically. Though shipping losses are high, food and supplies are now arriving. The economy is starting to recover as goods can be exported. Civilian unrest has fallen and army's morale improved. A committee has been established to investigate ways of reducing shipping losses. As a first step, following the Norwegian example, a program of trawler conversion has begun, along with the construction of specialised escorts.

October 1916: The Germans counter attack Samsonov's Forces. Samsonov falls back slowly, continuing to prevent these troops reinforcing the Balkans.

October 1916: The Martin MF-3, the first indigenous US fighter to match European fighters, enters service. The US arms industry is now a match for any European power.

October 1916: The US First Army under General Robert Bullard joins Pershing's Second in the Schelde offensive, attacking at Rouse. Once again, Bullard throws his troops into costly frontal assaults for very little gain. The combined US casualties have now nearly reached 100,000. However the US have inflicted 50,000 German casualties and troops begin to be withdrawn from Reims to face the offensive.

October 1916: The Central Powers, reinforced by German divisions withdrawn from Reims, renew their assault on the Balkans League positions to take the Berlin to Baghdad railway. In a two pronged offensive. The Austro-Hungarian Third Army will attack the Russian Sixth Army on the Tundzhu River. While the Austro-Hungarian Fourth and German Tenth Armies will assault the Balkans League at Plovdiv.

October 1916: With US casualties on the Schelde mounting, US African-American units previously relegated solely to support roles, are increasingly deployed for combat.

October 1916: The French at Reims have reached breaking point, forced back to the city itself. However their morale has been buoyed by the US Schedle offensive and their resistance is stiffening. The French have by now suffered 380,000 casualties, as against 300,000 Germans. However the pace of the assaults are slowing as troops are withdrawn to face the Russian and US offensives.

October 1916: With the Ottoman battleships Resadiye and Fatih Sultan Mehmud nearing completion and no possibility of them being delivered, the Germans purchase the ships to reinforce their High Seas Fleet.

October 1916: Ploesti falls to the advancing Russian Tenth Army.

October 1916: Samsonov retires behind the Neman River and prepares to hold the German advance.

October 1916: The Germans reach the outskirts of Reims and the battle reaches its peak. However the exhausted Germans are no longer capable of offensive operations and can advance no further.

October 1916: With the Romanians collapsing and the Berlin to Baghdad railway still not secured, another four divisions are withdrawn from Reims.

October 1916: The US finally relents and four US divisions, primarily African-American, are committed to Reims. Their arrival results in a massive increase in French morale.

October 1916: With the Germans no longer advancing, the French take the opportunity to rest and refit their troops.

October 1916: The Central Powers breakthrough at Plovdiv. The Sixth Army on the Tundzha begin to fall back to avoid becoming isolated.

November 1916: The Russian Second Army takes Marosvásárhely while the Third takes Sibiu. However with their supply lines stretched, they are unable to continue.

November 1916: With total casualties now approaching 160,000 and the ground flooding with winter rains, the US Schelde offensive is abandoned. The US have advanced just five kilometres, but have managed to inflict 90,000 casualties on the Germans. More importantly, they have drawn significant German troops away from Reims at a critical time.

November 1916: With the weather worsening and the Russians still holding on the Neman, the Germans call off their attempts to force his positions.

November 1916: With it now clear the French will not collapse and the US now committed in strength, the Germans decide to adopt a defence in depth strategy. A new defensive line will be constructed to hold the Entente and force them to exhaust them with a defensive battle.

November 1916: With their army's morale restored and troops refitted, the French begin a counter offensive at Reims.

November 1916: The Balkans League falls back to Adrianople and the Rhodope mountains. With winter rapidly setting in, the Austro-Hungarian Third and German Tenth Armies Assault the Russian Sixth Army at Adrianople. The line initially holds, but the Tenth Army breaks through at Adrianople. The Sixth Army falls back to the Rhodope mountains, finally clearing the Berlin to Baghdad railway.

November 1916: The Russian Tenth Army takes Bucharest. However with winter setting in, Brusilov orders his forces to dig in and hold. His offensive has inflicted nearly 740,000 casualties on the Austro-Hungarians and Romanians, but his own forces have suffered 300,000.

November 1916: The US Presidential elections are again a three way race between the Democat Woodrow Wilson, the Republican Charles Hughes and Incumbent Progressive President Roosevelt. Again no candidate wins a majority in the electoral college. Congress however, selects Roosevelt again. The three way nature of the election finally decided by Congress leads to calls for reform to the system.

December 1916: Seeking to further expand their influence in the Arabian Peninsula, the British begin cultivating ties in the Najd, supplying weapons and gold to Abdulaziz Ibn Saud to allow him to gain control of the Central Arabian peninsula.

December 1916: German advisors begin to retrain and reequip the battered Romanian army.

December 1916: Despite huge opposition within the government and National Assembly, the French are forced to acknowledge the dire situation with their gold reserves. With their reserves now exhausted, the French agree to secure loans with their colonies.

December 1916: With it clear the Germans are continuing to use their African colonies to support surface raiders, the British begin moving troops to occupy both colonies.

December 1916: The Handley Page O/100 enters service with the Royal Navy Air Service as Britain's first strategic bomber.

December 1916: With the Germans pushed back and Reims now secure, the French end their counter offensive. While a breakthrough has been avoided, the casualties have left the French army incapable of anything other than defence.

December 1916: The Japanese secretly give the RN the full data and report into the Battle of Jutland in return for details of the RNs naval aviation developments. Though the design of four fast battleships ordered is too far advanced to incorporate all the lessons of Jutland, their design is radically altered, delaying their construction.

Miss Construction · Jan 8, 2018

~January to March 1917: Quiet, too damn quiet

January 1917: The loss of the Romanian oilfields and Entente blockade is having a severe effect within the Central Powers. Civilian morale has suffered as food grows short and homes remain unheated. War production has also dropped and the lack of fuel is restricting air and naval operations.

January 1917: Against strong Central Powers protests, the British occupy Beersheba, again justifying their actions by the need to protect Suez from unrest.

January 1917: The now rested and reequipped Romanian army begins preparations for the summer offensive against the thinly stretch Russian Tenth Army.

January 1917: The Central Powers meet in Berlin to discuss strategy. It rapidly becomes apparent the Germans will be dictating strategy. With the failure to knock the French out of the war, the arrival of the US in forces and the opening of the Baltic, Russia will have to be knocked out of the war. No offensives on other fronts are to be launched. The Ottomans are unable to conduct any offensive operations and will focus on restoring order, while the Russians will be knocked out with a series of coordinated offensives starting in East Prussia to take the Baltic States, cutting the vital supply line. The focus will then shift to Romania, to retake the vital oilfields. The final blow will be delivered in Poland and Galicia. To hold in the west, a series of heavily fortified lines will be constructed, relying on a defence in depth to prevent a breakthrough. Once this is achieved, attention will switch to the still tottering French next year, leaving the US to fight alone.

January 1917: Germany withdraws five dreadnoughts from the High Seas Fleet to form a Baltic Fleet facing Russia's four dreadnoughts. This leaves ten dreadnoughts and five battlecruisers to Admiral Fisher's ten US, three French and three Japanese dreadnoughts and four Japanese and three battlecruisers US battlecruisers. In the Mediterranean the Entente has four French and three US dreadnoughts against the four Austro-Hungarian dreadnoughts. This gives the Entente control of both seas. The US has six dreadnoughts and four battlecruisers with four Russian battlecruisers under construction against Germany's four battleships and five battlecruisers.

January 1917: The majority of German troops in the Balkans are withdrawn for the upcoming East Prussian offensive.

January 1917: The Entente leaders hold a joint strategy conference Marseille to coordinate their efforts. As the French are incapable of major offensive operations the weight of the war in the west falls on the US. The US will launch an offensive at Valenciennes to breakthrough and clear Belgium. This offensive will be preceded by limited French attack in Aisne to draw off German reserves. The Russians will capitalise on the success of last year's Romanian offensive to drive to the Hungarian plains. Then, with the front weaken the Balkans League will launch an offensive to take Adrianople. The fleet at Bergen will protect shipping entering the Skagerrak and blockade the exit from the North Sea and continue its efforts to force a battle with the High Seas Fleet.

February 1917: With with small coastal submarines from the 1916 program now beginning to appear in numbers, losses to the vital Baltic supply line begin to mount.

15th February 1917: The Government of India Act is passed. The act creates an Indian assembly, with competence over education, health and welfare. It also requires the Viceroy to consult with the assembly on other matters. However it only requires the Viceroy to take the assembly's advice into consideration, not to follow it. Each province is allocated members according to the act's consideration of their importance, not population. And while the assembly is elected, property and educational restrictions excluded the majority of lower class Indians from the franchise, resulting in an assembly dominated by the Anglised Indian middle class.

February 1917: The US begin planning for their offensive in Flanders. Pershing's Second US Army and Naomichi's Japanese Expeditionary Force along with the newly formed Third US Army under General Hunter Liggett will assault the German positions at Valenciennes for a drive toward Brussels.

February 1917: The German Baltic offensive in East Prussia begins with a massive artillery bombardment on the Neman River. The Russians, their morale and supply situation greatly improved, hold despite heavy casualties.

February 1917: The Entente leaders meet to discuss their plans for a post war settlement. The major Central Powers are to broken up into smaller states. Germany will be divided into six smaller states. An independent Czechoslovakia, Croatia and Slovenia, and Transylvania will be created in Austria-Hungary, while the core of the Empire will become separate Austrian and Hungarian states. Romania will be divided into Wallachia and Moldova. The Ottoman Empire will be split up with Syria, Palestine and Iraq going to France, while the Russians will gain Constantinople, with Armenia and Kurdistan as client states. The Balkans League states will be rewarded with large territorial gains from Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire.

February 1917: With their limited protection and now limited speed, the three invincible class and two remaining Indefatigable class battlecruisers are decommissioned. The entire force of pre-dreadnoughts and 12" armed dreadnoughts are also decommissioned. The original Dreadnought herself and the Invincible are to be preserved. The Australia is to be replaced by two new cruisers armed with eight turreted 7.5" guns.

March 1917: Again using his infiltration tactics, Brusilov's Second and Third Armies assault the Austro-Hungarians in Transylvania. Deprived of German support for the East Prussian offensive, the Austro-Hungarians break and begin to fall back.

March 1917: With the success of the joint investigation of Jutland, the Entente agrees to share all information gained from naval operations in the North Sea and Baltic. Particular importance is given to sharing information on antisubmarine operations.

March 1917: Despite the opening of the Berlin to Baghdad railway, order in the Ottoman Empire continues to deteriorate as the Kurds revolt against the weakened Ottoman garrisons.

March 1917: After a month of fierce fighting, the Germans break through on the Neman river and the Russians begin to fall back.

March 1917: The British lay down their first purpose built carrier. The old Hermes is retained to train aircrew, though renamed Pegasus to free her name for the new ship.

March 1917: The advancing Germans take Grodno and begin to advance toward Vilnius.

March 1917: The French begin their diversionary attack in Aisne. Even though the objectives are limited, the casualties are still heavy and gains limited.

March 1917: After having gone through many trials the Motor Corp introduces its first tanks. There are two models, the heavy Mark V designed to breakthrough trench lines and the medium Mark B. Both feature a separate engine compartment, greatly improving habitability. The Mark V has two 6pdr guns in sponsons, while the Mark B has a turreted Vickers MG. The strength of the Motor Corp is increased to two battalions each of heavy and medium tanks, three battalions of armoured cars and eight battalions of motorised infantry.

March 1917: The British Persian Railway reaches Teheran. The British take over completing the Russian line to Tobriz and then building another extension to Erzurum and Trabazon.

Why the Chinese play cricket (The Pax Imperialis)

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