Chapter Fifteen
To improve internal order, or at least to divert attention from the lack of it, external threath was required once again. Ever since that first failed expedition to find source of Nile, Franz Joseph had shown ever increasing interest with the ancient Egyptian culture. And with every other great nation acquiring colonies around the world, clearly the prestige of Empire required acquisition of one for ourselves too. (3rd of October 1897)
Thus the Kaiserliche Marine transported XXI. Armee consisting of 2 cavalry regiments, 2 dragoon regiments and 6 infantry regiments under Theodor zu Hohenlohe to Sidi Barrani from where they marched towards Alexandria. (17th of October 1897)
After the Alexandria Garrison had been swept aside, the XXI. proceeded to the Egyptian capital of Cairo, to engage what little forces Eqyptians had managed to get together. (6th of November 1897)
Battle of Cairo was easily won and the remainder of Egyptian force was taken prisoner in Giza and sent to work on a canal project between Mediterrean and Red Sea, under the amazing engineers that had completed Kiel Canal in no time at all earlier this year. (17th of November 1897)
Gottlieb Daimler had also finally finished plans for an automobile which would be practical enough to be produced in large numbers, and indeed, many others would come to use the basic concept over the world. (17th of February 1898)
Two additinal Armee's, the XX. and XXII. had also arrived to Egypt, to help with subjucation of the local population, yet enforcing Imperial rule in occupied areas was slow work. (3rd of March 1898)
Indeed, after the hot summer, locals found enough energy to rebel against the invaders, which caused additional delays to efforts to 'rearrange ownership' in Egypt. (2nd of September 1898)
But despite the minor obstacles, the first colony of Austro-German Empire was formed eventually, and the road was open for futher colonial expansion. (14th of March 1899)
The new 'German Egypt' covered most of the lenght of Nile until it entered Ethiopian territory atleast, and would allow for extensive excavations, and by the agreement, also in the territory that was left under local goverment. (14th of March 1899)
With over hundred thousand prisoners of war and other rebellious rabble working under Imperial supervision, the Suez canal was finished almost as fast as Kiel canal had been. (15th of March 1899)