The Great War: 1914

Coz am dumb
I had heard about it, but didnt know if it would do exactly what i wanted so i thought i would just go ahead and do this one myself this time around.:rofl:

The first year ends

The fighting to destroy the remnants of the Russian winter offensive carried on through to spring and the summer. In the south, every available man and horse was thrown into the battle to destroy the French pocket. A further month, April, of fighting saw the destruction of the Russian pocket in the north of the empire followed by a massive thrust into the extreme northern wing of the Russian front. This latter attack was a disaster resulting in horrendous casualties, and the attack being called off.

In the meantime, after seeing no evidence of major enemy fleet activity during the year and no attempt by the Entente to blockade our ports, Admiral Hellpach ordered the fleet into a more offensive role. The pre-dreadnoughts would take up more blockading positions freeing up the main fleet to conduct sweeps. Several French and Russian vessels were sunk for no loss in these sweeps. A short time afterwards fleet of twenty Russian transporters moving through the Hellespont: the main fleet moved to intercept and destroyed them in quick succession for no loss. Due to the late night battle, and no search being made for survivors, it was unknown if any troops were aboard.

Due to the Russian build-up at Brest-Litovsk, the Defence Minister – temporary in command of the army, ordered a limited invasion of Russia on 11 May. Troops, attempting to fully occupy the Ottoman border region, crossed over into Russia; cavalrymen holding the area behind them. At the same time a small scale counterattack was ordered against Korosten once more. The strategic aim was to spread the Russians out and thus deny them the opportunity to concentrate any more men in the area of Brest-Litovsk.


In the south, with most men besieging and assaulting the French positions and the rest battling rebels and occupying territory, 30,000 Ottoman troops launched an assault over the Hellespont to retake their capital. The Ottoman Army had finally made a comeback; it would seem they had been concentrated to defeat the rebels in their Asian provinces. Intelligence suggested that this was over half the men the Ottoman Army was still fielding. With nothing to halt their offensive other than the remains of three battered cavalry brigades, reinforcements were required. Two of the new armies were ordered into the battle, although they were several days away; the cavalry would have to hold on until they arrived.


Within days the reinforcements arrived and the cavalry were passed into reserve. For a fortnight the new armies battled with the Ottoman troops, repulsing assault after assault on their trench lines. By the end of the month the Ottoman Army was broken with half their force lost. Success on land was followed by further success at sea: numerous French, Italian, and Russian ships were sunk for no loss.

At the beginning of June a new chief of staff, and commander of I. Armee, was appointed: Adolf Eisner. Meeting with the intelligence staff he was informed that the Russians are estimated to be fielding an army of 1.3 million men, however along the frontline just over half a million has been identified. It was suggested it was wishful thinking to suggest that these half a million men represented around 400 burnt out brigades and thus the entire Russian Army; they surely have much depth to their defences and many reserves. On the other hand, while the army had suffered heavy losses, it numbered 1.5 million men. However quite a number of the regular regiments were no understrength, mauled, decimated, with a population unable to reinforce them. If the war was to carry on any longer the new armies would have to take the brunt of the fighting, but likewise the ones who had saw action were understrength with problems with reinforcements. Eisner was informed that if the fighting continued into 1916 it may become necessary to start amalgamating some of the 154 divisions (spread over 77 armies and not including the cavalry or panzer units) to keep fighting strength up. The planned formation of new regiments is all but a trickle, only a few of the new armies have been reinforced with artillery and cavalry troops. The II. and III. Panzer Korps have been formed but are seriously under the strength envisioned and thus not yet committed to the frontline.


Eisner’s first actions were to take command of the fighting at Brest-Litovsk personally, and to commit more of the new armies to the fighting near Odessa: an opportunity had arisen to encircle and destroy 30,000 Russian troops. On the 17th of the month, the Russian forces to the west of Brest-Litovsk were routed. These were remnants of the winter offensive. Over 70,000 Austrian casualties had been suffered but Russian troops had been ejected from German soil: a small force was ordered to follow the Russian retreat and complete the rout while the rest, along with additional reinforcements, were to be fed into the main battle.


On 1 July, just over eight months after the fighting started, the campaign in the south was wound up. The French contingent, holding a small pocket to the west of Constantinople, was wiped out to the last man, no prisoners were taken. The only task left to complete was the complete occupation of the Ottoman capital and the border region with Russia. The southern army group now numbers just over 300,000 men, an early estimate suggested the loss of 140,000 men to capture the entire region: a figure later adjusted to be 173,988 men killed or wounded (highlighting the number of reinforcements fed into the battle).


The southern armies were given new orders: the most seriously mauled units were to head back to home soil, the cavalry were to occupy the old French position, troops were to construct a line at Constantinople with reserves to the west of the city, leaving only around 90,000 men (8 divisions and the panzer korps) to move north to assist in the fighting near Odessa.


In the north the follow-up of the Russian rout continues, however is becoming more costly the further the men advance. By mid-July the chase had led into Russia, where with troops from the south completed the encirclement of the Russian force at Brest-Litovsk. However the battle is far from over and more men have been ordered into the battle. As the month came to an end, signalling a year at war, major battles were raging at Brest-Litovsk, Korosten, and around Odessa. At sea more French ships were sunk and the navy finally suffered its first loss: a single dreadnought.


One year at war had cost the Austrian Army 468,304 killed or wounded and 6,000 captured; losses in one year are fast approaching the losses suffered in the five year Balkan War of 1898-903 when 760,000 Austrians were killed or wounded. Our losses while on the defensive were within reason, however during our counterattacks our losses have increased dramatically. Enemy losses, facing our own men, during these twelve months have reached 653,841 killed or wounded and 45,981 captured (Russian Empire: 351,709 casualties and 42,342 captured; Ottoman Empire: 29,070 casualties; French Empire: 66,724 casualties; Serbia: 2,338 casualties and 3,639 captured; Ottoman Red Guard: 204,000 casualties).

National news and dispatches from the front

11 August 1915, national wartime newspaper headline article:


The government has reluctantly announced today why casualties have seen such an increase over the past six months of the conflict. While Austrians troops have seen success on all fronts, driving the Russians from our northern territories and liberating occupied Germany, they have been subjected to cruel and to banned forms of warfare. The government has confirmed that in spite of the Hague Conventions, Russian troops have subjected the Austrian Army to gas attack during offensive and defensive battles! It is this newspapers opinion, while yet unconfirmed, that French troops have also engaged in gas warfare. The government has also confirmed that the Austrian armed forces have at no point, engaged in such barbaric forms of warfare and have sent formal complaints to the Russian government.


Dispatch from the front, 9 August 1915:

I can confirm, in response to your enquires, that Russian troops have been using gas in aid of their defence and offense. The weapon appears to be extremely effective and causing untold casualties. I agree with your proposal that the news of the Russian use of the weapon, and our temporary lack of defence against it, should be published for propaganda purposes.

Consulting with our research and development staff, we should have rudimentary masks that should protect against gas attack sometime next year. In addition our own deployment devices, since we have yet to capture any intact, should also be completed during 1916 and it is my opinion that once the weapon is deployable it should be used en mass against the Russian positions to help the proposed mass offensive.

- Eisner, 9 August, 1915

Dispatches from the front

30 August, 1915

Reports up and down the front have confirmed that the Russians are using gas in all of their attacks; it explains the increased losses suffered this year to last. We cannot continue to mount offenses when we have no countermeasure. Our troops, regardless of quality, cannot fight while being gassed and thus are being cut down by artillery and machine gun fire. Our large tank numbers mean nothing if the supporting men are dead!
I have thus ordered the counterattack at Korosten to be called off, and the pincer movement to be abandoned. I am also considering to call off the battle at Brest-Litovsk.

- Eisner


7 September, 1915

Russian troops have crushed the northern end of our pincer, a few thousand men have been trapped behind Russian lines while several thousand have escaped into Prussia. Russian troops have also engaged the northern wing of our army: 15,000 men. They are unable to withdraw and might also be lost in the coming days and weeks. This series of developments on our northern shoulder, and with few German troops insight, has led me to the only conclusion that seems likely. The Austrian Army MUST withdraw its northern forces back to the winter start line.

Requesting permission to withdraw from the battle of Brest-Litovsk.


- Eisner


8 September, 1915

With no government reply, and wishing to save the main force before it is decimated, I have ordered the Battle of Brest-Litovsk to be called off. Our losses here have been horrific! These losses, along with the costly follow-up of the Russian retreat and cancelled counterattacks along the front, have changed the balance on the Eastern Front.

We must adopt a policy of defence; rely on our strong border fortifications, and attempt to wear down the Russian forces in a battle of attrition favourable to ourselves and retake the offensive once we have developed our countermeasures to their use of gas or we must seek peace!


- Eisner

Thanks for the comments guys. Due to the pulling back from the battles described above before i lost my army, saw my saw plumment from the +10-20 region to -20. Only a uphill struggle now.

Further dispatches

1 October 1915,

All forward positions are to be abandoned, by my order; the men are to man the mainline only to shorten the frontline and husband resources. The northern defences have been reinforced and a secondary line has been established behind these positions. We will hold the Russians here, on our old 1883 frontier, there will be no retreat from this line.

Troops in the south have been ordered to carry on to buy time for the border area to be completely occupied so we can take advantage of the Ottoman-Russian border forts.

- Eisner


2 October 1915,

Wish to inform the government that I have refused a peace offer brought to us by the Russians. Our honour demands we avenge our fallen and defeat the Russians.

- Eisner


1 November 1915,

Prime Minister, all fighting in the south has been called off; all forces have been given the order to retreat to friendly territory. At Minsk our trapped men, remnants of a regular formation, fought to the last round and man, there was no surrender. Elsewhere however I have been informed of a large number of men from two new armies, trapped, who have surrendered. I can inform the Prime Minster that the border forts have been fully occupied, the various defensive lines have been established, and as much of the army that could be saved, has been saved.

- Eisner


1 December 1915,

Prime Minister, per your request for an update on casualty figures: over 250,000 men were lost in the various battles, and 25,000 captured, since the strategic withdrawal was ordered. Russian losses are estimated in the region of 150-200,000.

- Eisner


11 December 1915,

Prime Minster, the new NCO training programme has been completed. We should see a marked increase in the proficiency of our men in future battles. The research and development section are now fully looking into turning various gasses into weapons to be used against the Russians along with the capability to resist the Russian use of such weapons. They have stated the initial research should be completed by October 1916, but have no date when the actual weapon and gas masks will be issued to the men.

I therefore suggest that the men on the Eastern Front hold the line and remain on the defensive, allowing us to regain our strength. I am aware that this will also mean that the Russians will be allowed to regain their strength. But if they attack, we can bleed them white on our defences. At any rate once ready, we will hold the initative and will destroy the Russians.

- Eisner


12 December 1915,

I have been informed by the Foreign Minister, that the Chinese have surrendered to the British and the Belgians have been knocked out of the war by the Germans. The former is extremely worrying. It is an increased possibility that the British and Indian armies will be on the Eastern Front during 1916. Chinese population has dropped 2.17 million since the war began, mostly believed to be war time casualties.

Hellpach’s battle fleet have managed to seize control of the Mediterranean, he has informed me that French shipping is in limited numbers and sunk after brief clashes, and that the weight of the Royal Navy has yet to be seen. I therefore propose the launching of two offensive operations as soon as possible. Operation Hera, an 18,000 strong infantry attack upon the weakly held British island of Malta, followed by Operation Minotaur to destroy the 12,000 strong French garrison based on Crete. The same infantry would be used throughout, to minimise casualties, followed up by cavalry to thoroughly occupy the ground. The latter operation would be supported by the II.Panzer Korps. These operations will allow us to look for a peace deal with the west, on our terms.

- Eisner


28 December 1915,

Per the government’s request for accurate information on casualties for 1915: 564,160 men of the Austrian Army have been killed or wounded and 28,628 captured. Russian losses have amounted to 376,781 Russian casualties with 17,342 captured.


- Eisner

Yep! They have fought like 8 wars with the yankees.

Ha! I just noticed myself, looks like the Swedes grabbed some of Siberia! lol

Indirect approach

During the middle of January 1916, the fleet left port to take up positions between Malta and mainland Europe. The transport fleet, escorted by 7 dreadnoughts and a few cruisers, moved the force of 18,000 men of the new armies to the Maltese shore. On 28 January the landing commenced and was immediately opposed by the British garrison. Over the course of the next eighteen days, the 18,000 Austrian troops outflanked each British defensive position pushing them into a smaller and smaller pocket. On 15 February the battle was over, 693 men had been lost while the British garrison fought to the last man.

The follow-up wave, the cavalry, started landing operations immediately but the transfer took to the end of March to complete. Operation Minotaur was then launched. It took until 29 April for the second wave, the II.Panzer Korps and additional cavalry, to land on the island. The infantry and tank force then marched east to attack the French garrison. It was not until 1 May that the French garrison was engaged.


During this time the Dutch made peace with the British, and dispatch a sizeable force to the Eastern Front. Russian troops closed up with the Austrian mainline and took 6,000 prisoners in the process, men who had just been raised in the borderlands. Throughout the year the Greeks, following in the footsteps of Achilles and co, had launched an invasion of Ionia and pushed inland. On 15 April, with Constantinople firmly in our hands, the Austrian Army invaded Asia Minor. In a top level strategy meeting it had been decided we would have to do our upmost to knock the Turks out of the war, and deal with the Anglo-French. A move against the Italians would follow and if all went well by the end of the year attention could be focused on the Russians on an even playing field.


As our troops went into action on Crete, British troops were sighted on the Eastern Front. They engaged German troops and I.Armee was ordered to interfere; strike at the British now before they had time to build up their forces. On the 9th of the month, the Ottoman Army was also engaged. By the end of the month, after around seven months of inactivity, the Russians launched an attack on our southern front attacking the Ottoman border forts, all reserves in the south were immediately thrown into the battle. On 2 June, the French garrison was defeated with nearly 7,000 men captured.


The army had, had enough time to recover from most of its major losses. Frontline units had returned to strength, and the new armies had received a number of the brigades they required of horse and gun; although most would be going without for sometime still.

Throughout June our forces inflicted small defeats upon the British and Turks, chasing both about the open fluid fronts of Germany and Asia Minor. However by the end of the month the Russians were about to launch 100,000 men against our southern positions, had moved at least 100,000 men into Asia Minor, and the British had arrived on the Eastern Front with at least 89,000 men. Knocking Turkey out of the war now seemed a distant dream once more and the increased pressure from Britain and Russia was looking to unhinge our entire strategy.

Thanks for the kind words. As for the Ottomans: i need a warscore in the 70s, i only have it in the 30s. It would seem i need to seek out and destroy their army, and capture as much ground as possible. Blockading their ports will help but will not be the deceisive factor i fear.
Edit: Relooking at the map, there are only a few ports not blockaded, the rest are held by Rebels or have been captured by the AI or me. So it cant hurt to put the complete strangehold on them

Strategic review, 26 June 1916

Intelligence reports have been brought to the attention of the armed forces: Germany appears to be on her last legs, her army is a shadow of its former self. The losses our Italian allies have suffered are crippling to their war effort. The Greek military is tiny, while they are out preforming the world’s best opinion of them, they cannot factor into any of our plans. The Dutch, now concentrating their strength on the Eastern Front, are no substitute for the Germans or Italians.


With these factors, in conjunction with 150,000 Russians swarming into Asia Minor, and another 100,000 attacking south, and around 100,000 British now on the Eastern Front; it is time to face the music. Our great Austrian Empire can no longer fight a war on multiple fronts against so many enemies. Therefore peace feelers have been sent out to the French (with hopes they will also call off the Spanish), the Swedish (advancing nearly 40,000 men into Asia Minor), and the Serbians. In a move of goodwill Operation Odyssey, a newly formed plan to land 9,000 cavalrymen on Corsica, has been cancelled. Peace with the Ottomans is a possibility, however that would require abandoning the claim to two-thirds of the land we seek; too much blood has been shed to back down from these claims now. Additionally an envoy has been sent to the Rumanians requesting an alliance: with our southern flank currently protected by forward positions, this is a gamble to gain access to 30,000 extra troops.


With the bulk of our main force committed to holding our border positions, rebuilding to fight the Russian horde next year, we are hoping the British will attack and suffer such horrid losses that they will abandon their war with us (This strategy tingles with nostalgia for the older staff officers who remember the Austrian-Russian Wars of 1883-1894; 300,000 British lives wasted on the Austrian trenches and border forts).

The men in Asia Minor are for the whole part being ordered to fall back to smaller bridgehead. 30,000 men from army reserve have been ordered to the Balkans, along with some additional units rebuilding in Hungary; these forces are to be split between the two fronts. As the men return from Crete, and the men who were destined for Corsica, they will be fed into the southern battles. With peace possible with the French, the armies in Italy have ordered into forward positions. They are to be reinforced with the troops from our northern borders closest to the French border. These 327,000 men have been given the order to destroy the Italian military and regain our ally’s losses. They face 170,000 Italian soldiers of unknown quality. If they can close down the front, 300,000 Austrian troops and our Italian allies will then be freed up for the fight in the Balkans.


This latter moves represents, it would seem, the last roll of the die; we have lost the strategic initiative can cannot risk launching a general offensive to crush the Russians until our men are fully prepared. The coming days may be Austria’s darkest.