Chapter I
THE GREAT WAR
Episode 4
WAR EXPANDS
Right after the War started, Tsar gets some disturbing news from spy in Istanbul.
Good thing Petr already counted on Ottomans being a part of an anti-Russian coalition. But, they didn't enter the war yet, they just are preparing for it. So is Russia, troops are moved to Ottoman border in Armenia. Russia and Ottomans will fight again.
Just as Nicholas ordered offensives into Galicia, a ultimatum comes from Wilhelm of Germany. He is requesting that Russian troops demobilize, because Austria is German defensive ally. Nicholas talked to his ministers about this ultimatum.
THE GREAT WAR
Episode 4
WAR EXPANDS
Right after the War started, Tsar gets some disturbing news from spy in Istanbul.
Good thing Petr already counted on Ottomans being a part of an anti-Russian coalition. But, they didn't enter the war yet, they just are preparing for it. So is Russia, troops are moved to Ottoman border in Armenia. Russia and Ottomans will fight again.
Just as Nicholas ordered offensives into Galicia, a ultimatum comes from Wilhelm of Germany. He is requesting that Russian troops demobilize, because Austria is German defensive ally. Nicholas talked to his ministers about this ultimatum.
"-If we give into his demands, Wilhelm will never forget that. He will think we are cowards, and we really would be if we demobilized right now. We expected a war, we will fight a war."
"-Tsar, please reconsider. If Germany enters on Austrian side, we would be at war from Baltics to Romania. I don't think we can fight that."
"-Sergey, I will let Petr speak for me."
"-Well, I have designed a plan to fight both Austria and Germany..." ,"and Romania and Ottomans",added Nicholas to Petr's speech. "...yes, all of them. I think we can win this war. So my opinion is that we decline this ultimatum and ready our troops to attack East Prussia."
Russian cabinet agreed, the ultimatum was to be declined, and war with Germany is expected to start very soon.
In the meantime, Russian soldiers conducted an offensive into Galicia in an attempt to push Austrian troops all the way to the Hungarian border. Generals surely thought army had what it takes to win, but soldiers didn't feel the same way.
Battle of Tarnopol started, with 33 Russian divisions fighting only 4 of Austrians. And it was in this, first battle of the war that Russian command realized, only with numbers they can win. Austrians put up a fight and the battle rages on.
And soon, Germany declared war. Even though he expected it, Nicholas was still very surprised with these news. Apparently, he walked in his palace constantly repeating the same sentence: "-Why Wilhelm, why?" On the dinner that night he told these news to his spouse Alexandra and added "-I never liked that German anyway." It was probably in this moment that people around him started thinking that Nicholas is slowly going mad. But he didn't think that.
It was time for Petr Bark to prove his worth. Entire Russian Eastern European Army (REEA) was in full combat readyness, fit for fighting at any moment. Then, while Galician offensive still went on, Petr made a decision to attack East Prussia as well. Some of the generals thought that two tough offensives at the same moment, while trying to hold Poland is not the best decision but Nicholas approved it anyway.
So Russian troops started moving by the Baltic coast. Goal was simple- reach Danzig.
Two days later, while he was walking in park, Nicholas got the news, that Tarnopol has been captured. He then burst with pride and called a party that very night in his palace.
But it didn't stop there, Russian troops quickly rallied and set off for Austrian lines again. The goal was to capture Chust before September.
The answer from France soon arrived on this War. France had a treaty with Russia so the mobilized, and because of that mobilization Germany declared war on France and neutral Luxembourg and Belgium. Western front had started.
"-People of Petrograd, and entire Russia. We are at war, we declared war on Austria-Hungary in order to protect our Serbian allies. Since then, it has erupted and now we are fighting Germans as well. But we are not alone. France is on our side, they formally declared themselves our allies. And our government believes Britain will soon be joining on our side as well, as Germany has attacked neutral Belgium. Government requests your help. Everyone needs to have a role in this war. Work harder, give food to local military facilities, soldiers on frontlines need it. Any man wanting to go to war can sign up as a recruit. Government thinks of you, and you have nothing to be afraid of. Russian Imperial Army led by REEA will end this war soon enough. You won't even notice. That is all."
And just as the cabinet expected, Britain joined Franco-Russian alliance soon. And this alliance got a new name- Entente, opposed to a German alliance- Central Powers. "-With British navy, French land army and Russian numbers, this war will surely be ended soon", Nicholas thought. This war was already getting big proportions, and some have even found a name for it- the Great War.
It was in these moments that propaganda played a vital role. Cult of Tsar as it was called played a big role at the start of the war. Nicholas was to represent the savior, who will save the people from war and ensure peace. It worked, for now.
Maps of frontlines were being printed daily, Nicholas checked all of them. First ones were:
Offensives are going good. Petr and Nicholas are happy. Seems like that talk back in Rostov really payed off. East Prussia is slowly coming under Russian control, and path to Chust is pretty much open now.
"-Honey I think we should move to Moscow. This war may actually last longer then I and Petr expected."
"-To Moscow? Are you sure, you know how kids don't like to travel?"
"-Oh don't worry. Moscow is more safe then Petrograd. German navy may attack Petrograd, you know that."
"-Alright then, we will move to Moscow. Who will come with us?"
"-Ummm, haven't really thought about it. I will see to it tomorrow, I am too tired now."
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