WI Austria sided with Russia in the Crimean War

So in OTL Austria demanded the Russians leave the Principalities because she feared growing Russian influence in the Balkans. But as a result she lost her main ally and didn't gain anything in return as Austria was in short order attacked by France and Sardinia-Piedmont.

So lets say despite Austria decides to look at the Balkans another way realizing that yes culturally the Balkans would look to Russia but economically would really on Austria as Austria controlled the Danube. Besides Austria would need Russia to help fend off French encroachment and Italian nationalism not to mention the trouble-some Hungarians. Simply put Austria needs a strong friendly Russia at her back.

So Austria determines to support Russia fully if push comes to shove. Given Austrian backing the Russians reduce Silistra quite quickly, what happens next?
 
Well, besides Balkan politics, one major thing the Austrians will have contemplated is that if they join, they have their own war on their homeland. In fact, a two-front or even three-front war, depending on what the Turks can mount. And I doubt that the Russians could support the Austrians that much in the Italian theater, which would be the main theater for the Austrians if all German statelets stay out of the war. That means that the war with France and Savoy happens a lot earlier, probably with the same result.
 
Assuming the German statelets stay out, the Austrians only have to be afraid of Savoy and that is not much to be afraid of. This time it's only a few years, not a decade, after Radetzky utterly defeated Savoy during thew revolutions of 1848-9.

Unlike 1859, Radetzky is still alive and in command during the Crimean War. Savoy will think twice before they try something and the best part of the French Army is besieging Sevastopol.
 

67th Tigers

Banned
Assuming the German statelets stay out, the Austrians only have to be afraid of Savoy and that is not much to be afraid of. This time it's only a few years, not a decade, after Radetzky utterly defeated Savoy during thew revolutions of 1848-9.

Unlike 1859, Radetzky is still alive and in command during the Crimean War. Savoy will think twice before they try something and the best part of the French Army is besieging Sevastopol.

The Crimean expeditionary force was an afterthought (and for the French was about a fifth of their army) after a complete collapse of the Russians in the balkans. With Austria in then 1859 happens in 1854, but with a British Army supporting them as well
 
I've also read that the Prussians would cooperate with the Austrians and Russians. So if France attacks into Germany wouldn't Prussia join Austria and Russia?
 
The war may not even move to the Crimea. Russia only withdraw from the Danube and Principalities at the insistance of Austria. But IMO war will break out in Italy because Sardinia-Piedmont will immediately join the war. The main question in my mind is if war will break out in Germany.
 

67th Tigers

Banned
I've also read that the Prussians would cooperate with the Austrians and Russians. So if France attacks into Germany wouldn't Prussia join Austria and Russia?

No, they'd attack into Italy with the Sardinians as allies.

Prussia's army is fairly weak at this time, they'd struggle to provide their promised 3 Corps to the Confederation if Germany goes to war. Their Rhineland territories will last as long as a snowflake in hell before the French have occupied them.
 
Okay so what happens in Bulgaria, the Caucauses and Italy? Are the Brits and French able to mount their expeditionary force to the Balkans? I'd imagine the British would be able to as they aren't engaged anywhere else at this time but could/would the French? What is the state of the Austrian army at this time?
 

67th Tigers

Banned
Okay so what happens in Bulgaria, the Caucauses and Italy? Are the Brits and French able to mount their expeditionary force to the Balkans? I'd imagine the British would be able to as they aren't engaged anywhere else at this time but could/would the French? What is the state of the Austrian army at this time?

The expeditionary force started as a single large division of ca. 10,000 to defend Constantinople, after several months it was decided to reinforce this force to that of an army and land in Bulgaria. The Crimean campaign was essentially a gigantic raid on a naval base gone wrong (contrast with Kronstadt and other places it was done right which we never hear about). The British have a disposable 50,000 men ready for whatever.

The Austrian Army of 1854 is essentially the same as in 1859, although there are no rifle-muskets on issue. They have 12 Infantry Corps, each of 8 Regiments of about 2,000 each (on paper they had around 6,000, but half the battalions didn't exist in peace and those that did were understrength), a cavalry regiment (800) and 32-64 guns (32 with the divisions, plus an authorised 32 as Corps Reserve, but this didn't exist in peace and they struggled to create them).

The best I can do for now is their peacetime stations on 1 Jan 59: http://www.cgsc.edu/CARL/nafziger/859AAA.pdf and their mobilisation state in Apr 59: http://www.cgsc.edu/CARL/nafziger/859DAB.pdf

The invading French Army in 1859 initially consisted of 5 Corps: http://www.cgsc.edu/CARL/nafziger/859DAA.pdf with a 6th added within a month: http://www.cgsc.edu/CARL/nafziger/859EAB.pdf
 
No, they'd attack into Italy with the Sardinians as allies.

Prussia's army is fairly weak at this time, they'd struggle to provide their promised 3 Corps to the Confederation if Germany goes to war. Their Rhineland territories will last as long as a snowflake in hell before the French have occupied them.

So you say Prussia and the remaining German statelets stay out of the war?

I mean even if the Prussians are weak, it's only 4 years after the revolution failed. Nationalism is there. If the French occupy the Rhineland, this could start something in Germany which they might not defeat that easily...
 
Top