A fair point, but might I add that woe betide the WRITER who attempts to bow out and leave his "excitable" readers.Allenby said:
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Lord E said:Great work Allenby, impressive indeed. So you have won and peace has arrived, but I still se many great struggles ahead. A peace-conference where everyone wants to grab all they can, a Germany filled with internal troubles and possibly also revolution. Maybe this Wilhelm III will not reign for long, but be forced away by communists and republicans, and what will then happen…
Looking forward to see how all this works out, and I do hope that this time around the British will get their hands on the Germany fleet and stop the Germans from scuttling it
I am glad you reminded me of the remains of the German Navy!
Now I wonder what will should happen to it? It's a pretty useful bargaining counter.You are correct, of course - the trouble might only just be beginning. As Lloyd George himself said to Churchill in 1918, "The war of the giants is over. The war of the pygmies is about to begin."
VILenin said:A fair point, but might I add that woe betide the WRITER who attempts to bow out and leave his "excitable" readers.
Have I ever neglected you?
Allenby said:You are correct, of course - the trouble might only just be beginning. As Lloyd George himself said to Churchill in 1918, "The war of the giants is over. The war of the pygmies is about to begin."
That a genuine quote?
Allenby said:
Well, I didn't actually enivsage Ludwig coming back - a better idea may be his abdication in favour of CP Rupie. Surely he'd be popular with the Nationalistas?
Don't give Austria Bavaria. Please. I know it's tempting to group all the crack-pot Arch-Reactionary Catholics into one big bloc in a desperate bid to stabalise A-H but it really won't wash dontchaknow.
Allenby said:
Throw me a bone.
Earl Uhtred said:
It is indeed. My source is no less than Sir John Keegan.
Vincent Julien said:
I think you're probably right - especially if Rupprecht plays a part in dealing with Eisner. Alternately, Ludwig might stubbornly insist on remaining as the Bavarian Head of State, alienate the people, leading to a republic.
Vincent Julien said:
The fact that it won't wash makes it all the more attractive!
Vincent Julien said:
Far too expensive a reward. Think of something else.
Kurt_Steiner said:
Why on earth not? It might be a good laugh.
CXVII – Armistice
Whilst the armistice negotiations were conducted at Compiègne, the Prime Minister sought to relax with his family and friends. After a Cabinet meeting on the morning of Saturday 4th May, Lloyd George motored to Walton Heath, Surrey, with his wife Margaret and daughter Megan. Later, he journeyed to Walton Health Golf Club and played a terrific round with George Riddell, his private secretary Philip Kerr and the five-time winner of the Open, James Braid. In the evening, he returned to 10 Downing Street and received a surprising telephone call from Admiral Wemyss in France. The First Sea Lord confirmed that the German delegation had signed the armistice. Lloyd George had anticipated days of haggling – he was delighted that the Germans had folded so quickly. The Cabinet was urgently summoned to Downing Street to be informed of Germany’s accession to the demands of the Allies and that the terms would come into effect at 5am the next morning. Later, Lloyd George settled in bed for a good night’s sleep, content in the knowledge that the war would be over by the time he would arise next morning.
The news that Germany had capitulated spread slowly through the evening of 4th May and the early hours of 5th May. Lord Northcliffe pestered his contacts through the night for information, eagerly hoping to be the first to break the news of the armistice in special Sunday editions of his newspapers. A message transmitted by wireless from France confirmed that the war would end shortly: ‘Hostilities will cease on the whole front as from May 5th at 5 o’clock (French time). The Allied troops will not, until further order, go beyond the line reached on that date and at that hour. LYAUTEY.’ With this simple message, the Fleet Street machine began to whir as night gradually gave way for day. The public were still largely unaware of the momentous news. From dawn, crowds began to gather in Whitehall where rumours were exchanged freely. Many waited outside 10 Downing Street for news. A peculiar atmosphere of uncertainty pervaded across London before the first editions of the Sunday newspapers became available. As children wearing sandwich boards revealed the news, a special armistice edition of the Daily Mail sold out rapidly, as did the first editions of the Sunday Pictorial. Lloyd George awoke, breakfasted and proceeded to the doorstep of 10 Downing Street to welcome the crowd which had gathered. At 8am, the Prime Minister announced that “at five o’clock this morning, the war came to and end!” Lloyd George then went Horse Guards Parade to be congratulated by the multitude of people. A cry of “three cheers for Mr. Lloyd George!” prompted mass exaltation of the Prime Minister, who jovially returned to 10 Downing Street, joking and laughing. In turn, Bonar Law, Smuts, Balfour, Milner, Barnes and Curzon all struggled to reach Downing Street through the excited crowds. The car of Winston Churchill, who was travelling with his wife Clementine down Whitehall, was brought to a complete standstill by crowds of joyous people. The Air Minister leant out of his car window to shake hands and made a brief impromptu speech to placate the enthusiastic audience which had surrounded his vehicle. Senior politicians attended a service of thanksgiving at the Church of St. Margaret in Westminster later that morning. On his journey there, Lloyd George was thronged by a mass of grateful people. The scenes in central London were mirrored across the country. In ports, ships sounded their sirens. Everywhere, guns were fired, church bells rang, bands marched and delirious crowds filled the streets of Britain’s towns. Cheers were directed at soldiers and sailors in uniform and exuberant women draped themselves in the Union flag. The collective outpouring of relief by the British people was befitting after nearly four years of relentless bloodletting.
A street party held in Gateshead to celebrate the armistice
In France and Belgium, the army rejoined at the cessation of hostilities. General Horne, commanding First Army, wrote to his wife with satisfaction of how ‘Now the mighty German nation is completely humbled and the great German Army, which regarded itself as the most powerful fighting machine in the world, is in retreat to its own frontiers, broken and defeated!’ In contrast to these exultant words and the delirium at home, Haig kept true to his reserved temperament and marked the momentous day by writing the date at the head of his diary entry in uppercase. Haig called his army commanders to his official train on the morning of 5th May and discussed with them the plans for an advance to the German frontier in preparation for the occupation of the Rhine bridgeheads. The British commander-in-chief also emphasised the importance of maintaining discipline in the ranks whilst providing for their entertainment, writing later that ‘very often the best fighters are the most difficult to deal with in periods of quiet!’ Later, the generals were captured on film for posterity by an inquisitive media. Haig wrote that ‘After the Conference, we were all taken on the Cinema. General Plumer, whom I told to “go off and be cinemaed” went off most obediently and stood before the camera trying to look his best, while Byng and the others near him were chaffing the old man and trying to make him laugh.’ At the front, troops serving on the River Meuse fraternised with locals, dining on food and drink offered by the grateful Belgian public. Soldiers sung and danced as bonfires were lit up and down the line. As many officers and men indulged in revelry together, the emotions of others were mixed. Colonel Alan Brook, an artilleryman, wrote that the ‘wild evening [of 5th May] jarred on my feelings. I felt untold relief at the end being there at last, but was swamped with floods of memories of those years of struggle. I was filled with gloom that evening, and retired to sleep early.’ A lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards, Alex Wilkinson, had enjoyed the war, writing that ‘The jolly old war has come to an end at last, and a good end too. For peace I don’t care one bit, but I am exceedingly glad that we have won the war.’ Some were nonplussed – Major Rice of the Royal Field Artillery recounted how he ‘went round the gun park and harness sheds, and told the NCOs and men. As an example of the calmness with which it was received, when we met Sgt. Goodall walking across the gun park and told him, he merely halted, saluted, said “very good, sir” and walked on!’ The Royal Navy also celebrated the news of Germany’s demise. At Scapa Flow, Admiral Jellicoe ordered all ships to ‘splice the main brace’ and men were issued with an extra ration of rum. The American vessels, which prohibited their crew from drink, were compelled to forego this treat. Later in the evening of 5th May, the ships of Jellicoe’s fleet sounded their horns and sirens in unison, disturbing the peace that usually characterised the Orkneys. Bands played and officers danced on board vessels as the crew of Iron Duke sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” for Jellicoe. Days later, Jellicoe hosted a dinner on board Iron Duke for numerous officers, the American admirals Sims and Rodman among the guests. To his delight, his old chief, Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, responded positively to his invitation to attend. The eccentric sailor arrived in full dress uniform and happily received the cheers of the fleet’s crew. As the defeated German fleet prepared to sail into internment at Scapa Flow, the creator of the modern Royal Navy dined with the man who had commanded his ships to victory in battle. For Fisher, who had worked tirelessly to defend Britain from the expansion of the German Navy, the merry occasion was a satisfactory conclusion to nearly fifteen years of work.
‘Our Man’: Punch salutes Field Marshal Haig at the conclusion of the armistice
Next afternoon in London, Lloyd George made a rare appearance in the House of Commons to speak on the termination of hostilities. The galleries were packed and every seat was filled as MPs and the public gathered to listen to the peroration of the triumphant war leader. The Prime Minister spoke eloquently in praise of the armed forces and the exertions of the British public and the empire as a whole. He concluded by announcing that “Thus at five o’clock yesterday morning came to an end the cruellest and most terrible war that has ever scourged mankind. I hope we may say that thus, that fateful morning, came to an end all wars.” Spontaneously, the members rose as one to applaud the leader who had instilled the British war effort with the zeal which it had hitherto lacked. In an address to congratulate the King in the House of Lords, Curzon spoke brilliantly in tribute to the efforts of the British Empire to defeat the menace of German militarism. “Among the many miscalculations of the enemy was…that we were a doomed and decadent nation. The trident was to be struck from our palsied grasp; the Empire was to crumble at the first shock”, yet, the Foreign Secretary marvelled “the British flag never flew over a more powerful or a more united Empire than now; Britons never had better cause to look the world in the face; never did our voice count for more in the councils of the nations, or in determining the future destinies of mankind.” Curzon was justified in his optimism – Germany was vanquished, the Royal Navy unrivalled, the British Army supreme in Europe and the Middle East under occupation. Despite hardship and loss, the position of Britain relative to her rivals was unprecedentedly strong. Amidst the celebration of victory and the self-congratulation, Lloyd George travelled to Buckingham Palace to advise King George V to dissolve parliament and permit the occasion of the first general election since 1910. By 6th May, the Prime Minister had quickly resolved with Bonar Law, leader of the Unionists, to fight the forthcoming election as a coalition, so that the work done by the government during hostilities could be carried on in peacetime. Curzon was supportive, keen that the government should seek a fresh mandate ahead of the peace settlement. Chamberlain also backed the continuation of the coalition with enthusiasm, opining that unity of purpose would be crucial in the unpredictable post-war world. To Bonar Law, he wrote that ‘the immensely difficult problems of demobilization and reconstruction make it important to preserve the Administration as a broad bottom now as during the years of war.’ To his sister Ida, he elaborated, writing that ‘I am anxious about the future which seems to me full of difficulty & danger, strikes, discontent & much revolutionary feeling in the air when the strain and patriotic self-repression of the last four years are removed.’
Elation over the armistice was tempered by the death of Lord Roberts
However, just as they were commenced, political hostilities were immediately postponed by the saddening news that Lord Roberts had died at the age of eighty-five. The Victoria Cross decorated Field Marshal, who had conquered Afghanistan and the Boer republics, died after visiting British forces in Belgium to congratulate them upon their victories over the German Army. The indomitable soldier had forced the issue of conscription in 1915 and last visited the front line in 1917 to offer advice. In the wake of Britain’s triumph, he ignored admonitions that he should remain at home on health grounds. British soldiers were heartened that their beloved ‘Bobs’ should visit them in their hour of victory – the Field Marshal motored to numerous camps in a short space of time to undertake a number of inspections. This proved to be the last act of a life dominated by soldiering and devoted service to empire, for Roberts subsequently succumbed to Spanish Influenza. A funeral service was held in Antwerp before his body was taken by warship to London and thence to Ascot for a private family ceremony. Roberts’ body was then transported to Charing Cross by train for the lying-in-state at Westminster Hall. Jubilation at the armistice with Germany was replaced by sombre reflection over the passing of the empire’s most famous soldier. With the streets lined with mourners for the state funeral, Roberts’ coffin, draped in the Union flag and mounted on a gun carriage, was pulled through London by the Royal Horse Artillery with his cap and sword resting on top. British Army regiments formed a guard of honour as the gun carriage was led by a procession of elderly soldiers acting as pall-bearers, led by Field Marshals Kitchener, Wood, Nicholson, Grenfell and Methuen. At St. Paul’s Cathedral, a last service was held, attended by the King. The CIGS General Wilson and the commander of Fourth Army, General Rawlinson, both protégés of Roberts, played prominent parts in the service before the body was laid to rest. The solemnity of the state funeral had dampened the ardour of victory. The politicians assembled for the burial of Roberts now prepared to return to their constituencies to confront an expanded electorate that was proud of the nation’s achievements yet sobered by the loss of the great ‘Bobs’.
Whilst the armistice negotiations were conducted at Compiègne, the Prime Minister sought to relax with his family and friends. After a Cabinet meeting on the morning of Saturday 4th May, Lloyd George motored to Walton Heath, Surrey, with his wife Margaret and daughter Megan. Later, he journeyed to Walton Health Golf Club and played a terrific round with George Riddell, his private secretary Philip Kerr and the five-time winner of the Open, James Braid. In the evening, he returned to 10 Downing Street and received a surprising telephone call from Admiral Wemyss in France. The First Sea Lord confirmed that the German delegation had signed the armistice. Lloyd George had anticipated days of haggling – he was delighted that the Germans had folded so quickly. The Cabinet was urgently summoned to Downing Street to be informed of Germany’s accession to the demands of the Allies and that the terms would come into effect at 5am the next morning. Later, Lloyd George settled in bed for a good night’s sleep, content in the knowledge that the war would be over by the time he would arise next morning.
The news that Germany had capitulated spread slowly through the evening of 4th May and the early hours of 5th May. Lord Northcliffe pestered his contacts through the night for information, eagerly hoping to be the first to break the news of the armistice in special Sunday editions of his newspapers. A message transmitted by wireless from France confirmed that the war would end shortly: ‘Hostilities will cease on the whole front as from May 5th at 5 o’clock (French time). The Allied troops will not, until further order, go beyond the line reached on that date and at that hour. LYAUTEY.’ With this simple message, the Fleet Street machine began to whir as night gradually gave way for day. The public were still largely unaware of the momentous news. From dawn, crowds began to gather in Whitehall where rumours were exchanged freely. Many waited outside 10 Downing Street for news. A peculiar atmosphere of uncertainty pervaded across London before the first editions of the Sunday newspapers became available. As children wearing sandwich boards revealed the news, a special armistice edition of the Daily Mail sold out rapidly, as did the first editions of the Sunday Pictorial. Lloyd George awoke, breakfasted and proceeded to the doorstep of 10 Downing Street to welcome the crowd which had gathered. At 8am, the Prime Minister announced that “at five o’clock this morning, the war came to and end!” Lloyd George then went Horse Guards Parade to be congratulated by the multitude of people. A cry of “three cheers for Mr. Lloyd George!” prompted mass exaltation of the Prime Minister, who jovially returned to 10 Downing Street, joking and laughing. In turn, Bonar Law, Smuts, Balfour, Milner, Barnes and Curzon all struggled to reach Downing Street through the excited crowds. The car of Winston Churchill, who was travelling with his wife Clementine down Whitehall, was brought to a complete standstill by crowds of joyous people. The Air Minister leant out of his car window to shake hands and made a brief impromptu speech to placate the enthusiastic audience which had surrounded his vehicle. Senior politicians attended a service of thanksgiving at the Church of St. Margaret in Westminster later that morning. On his journey there, Lloyd George was thronged by a mass of grateful people. The scenes in central London were mirrored across the country. In ports, ships sounded their sirens. Everywhere, guns were fired, church bells rang, bands marched and delirious crowds filled the streets of Britain’s towns. Cheers were directed at soldiers and sailors in uniform and exuberant women draped themselves in the Union flag. The collective outpouring of relief by the British people was befitting after nearly four years of relentless bloodletting.
A street party held in Gateshead to celebrate the armistice
In France and Belgium, the army rejoined at the cessation of hostilities. General Horne, commanding First Army, wrote to his wife with satisfaction of how ‘Now the mighty German nation is completely humbled and the great German Army, which regarded itself as the most powerful fighting machine in the world, is in retreat to its own frontiers, broken and defeated!’ In contrast to these exultant words and the delirium at home, Haig kept true to his reserved temperament and marked the momentous day by writing the date at the head of his diary entry in uppercase. Haig called his army commanders to his official train on the morning of 5th May and discussed with them the plans for an advance to the German frontier in preparation for the occupation of the Rhine bridgeheads. The British commander-in-chief also emphasised the importance of maintaining discipline in the ranks whilst providing for their entertainment, writing later that ‘very often the best fighters are the most difficult to deal with in periods of quiet!’ Later, the generals were captured on film for posterity by an inquisitive media. Haig wrote that ‘After the Conference, we were all taken on the Cinema. General Plumer, whom I told to “go off and be cinemaed” went off most obediently and stood before the camera trying to look his best, while Byng and the others near him were chaffing the old man and trying to make him laugh.’ At the front, troops serving on the River Meuse fraternised with locals, dining on food and drink offered by the grateful Belgian public. Soldiers sung and danced as bonfires were lit up and down the line. As many officers and men indulged in revelry together, the emotions of others were mixed. Colonel Alan Brook, an artilleryman, wrote that the ‘wild evening [of 5th May] jarred on my feelings. I felt untold relief at the end being there at last, but was swamped with floods of memories of those years of struggle. I was filled with gloom that evening, and retired to sleep early.’ A lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards, Alex Wilkinson, had enjoyed the war, writing that ‘The jolly old war has come to an end at last, and a good end too. For peace I don’t care one bit, but I am exceedingly glad that we have won the war.’ Some were nonplussed – Major Rice of the Royal Field Artillery recounted how he ‘went round the gun park and harness sheds, and told the NCOs and men. As an example of the calmness with which it was received, when we met Sgt. Goodall walking across the gun park and told him, he merely halted, saluted, said “very good, sir” and walked on!’ The Royal Navy also celebrated the news of Germany’s demise. At Scapa Flow, Admiral Jellicoe ordered all ships to ‘splice the main brace’ and men were issued with an extra ration of rum. The American vessels, which prohibited their crew from drink, were compelled to forego this treat. Later in the evening of 5th May, the ships of Jellicoe’s fleet sounded their horns and sirens in unison, disturbing the peace that usually characterised the Orkneys. Bands played and officers danced on board vessels as the crew of Iron Duke sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” for Jellicoe. Days later, Jellicoe hosted a dinner on board Iron Duke for numerous officers, the American admirals Sims and Rodman among the guests. To his delight, his old chief, Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, responded positively to his invitation to attend. The eccentric sailor arrived in full dress uniform and happily received the cheers of the fleet’s crew. As the defeated German fleet prepared to sail into internment at Scapa Flow, the creator of the modern Royal Navy dined with the man who had commanded his ships to victory in battle. For Fisher, who had worked tirelessly to defend Britain from the expansion of the German Navy, the merry occasion was a satisfactory conclusion to nearly fifteen years of work.
‘Our Man’: Punch salutes Field Marshal Haig at the conclusion of the armistice
Next afternoon in London, Lloyd George made a rare appearance in the House of Commons to speak on the termination of hostilities. The galleries were packed and every seat was filled as MPs and the public gathered to listen to the peroration of the triumphant war leader. The Prime Minister spoke eloquently in praise of the armed forces and the exertions of the British public and the empire as a whole. He concluded by announcing that “Thus at five o’clock yesterday morning came to an end the cruellest and most terrible war that has ever scourged mankind. I hope we may say that thus, that fateful morning, came to an end all wars.” Spontaneously, the members rose as one to applaud the leader who had instilled the British war effort with the zeal which it had hitherto lacked. In an address to congratulate the King in the House of Lords, Curzon spoke brilliantly in tribute to the efforts of the British Empire to defeat the menace of German militarism. “Among the many miscalculations of the enemy was…that we were a doomed and decadent nation. The trident was to be struck from our palsied grasp; the Empire was to crumble at the first shock”, yet, the Foreign Secretary marvelled “the British flag never flew over a more powerful or a more united Empire than now; Britons never had better cause to look the world in the face; never did our voice count for more in the councils of the nations, or in determining the future destinies of mankind.” Curzon was justified in his optimism – Germany was vanquished, the Royal Navy unrivalled, the British Army supreme in Europe and the Middle East under occupation. Despite hardship and loss, the position of Britain relative to her rivals was unprecedentedly strong. Amidst the celebration of victory and the self-congratulation, Lloyd George travelled to Buckingham Palace to advise King George V to dissolve parliament and permit the occasion of the first general election since 1910. By 6th May, the Prime Minister had quickly resolved with Bonar Law, leader of the Unionists, to fight the forthcoming election as a coalition, so that the work done by the government during hostilities could be carried on in peacetime. Curzon was supportive, keen that the government should seek a fresh mandate ahead of the peace settlement. Chamberlain also backed the continuation of the coalition with enthusiasm, opining that unity of purpose would be crucial in the unpredictable post-war world. To Bonar Law, he wrote that ‘the immensely difficult problems of demobilization and reconstruction make it important to preserve the Administration as a broad bottom now as during the years of war.’ To his sister Ida, he elaborated, writing that ‘I am anxious about the future which seems to me full of difficulty & danger, strikes, discontent & much revolutionary feeling in the air when the strain and patriotic self-repression of the last four years are removed.’
Elation over the armistice was tempered by the death of Lord Roberts
However, just as they were commenced, political hostilities were immediately postponed by the saddening news that Lord Roberts had died at the age of eighty-five. The Victoria Cross decorated Field Marshal, who had conquered Afghanistan and the Boer republics, died after visiting British forces in Belgium to congratulate them upon their victories over the German Army. The indomitable soldier had forced the issue of conscription in 1915 and last visited the front line in 1917 to offer advice. In the wake of Britain’s triumph, he ignored admonitions that he should remain at home on health grounds. British soldiers were heartened that their beloved ‘Bobs’ should visit them in their hour of victory – the Field Marshal motored to numerous camps in a short space of time to undertake a number of inspections. This proved to be the last act of a life dominated by soldiering and devoted service to empire, for Roberts subsequently succumbed to Spanish Influenza. A funeral service was held in Antwerp before his body was taken by warship to London and thence to Ascot for a private family ceremony. Roberts’ body was then transported to Charing Cross by train for the lying-in-state at Westminster Hall. Jubilation at the armistice with Germany was replaced by sombre reflection over the passing of the empire’s most famous soldier. With the streets lined with mourners for the state funeral, Roberts’ coffin, draped in the Union flag and mounted on a gun carriage, was pulled through London by the Royal Horse Artillery with his cap and sword resting on top. British Army regiments formed a guard of honour as the gun carriage was led by a procession of elderly soldiers acting as pall-bearers, led by Field Marshals Kitchener, Wood, Nicholson, Grenfell and Methuen. At St. Paul’s Cathedral, a last service was held, attended by the King. The CIGS General Wilson and the commander of Fourth Army, General Rawlinson, both protégés of Roberts, played prominent parts in the service before the body was laid to rest. The solemnity of the state funeral had dampened the ardour of victory. The politicians assembled for the burial of Roberts now prepared to return to their constituencies to confront an expanded electorate that was proud of the nation’s achievements yet sobered by the loss of the great ‘Bobs’.
That picture from Gateshead's Armistice Day party was a super find.
One of my late godfather's earliest memories was the sun breaking the drizzle as he was led up a hill towards the flags and tables full of sandwiches on Armistice Day.
One of my late godfather's earliest memories was the sun breaking the drizzle as he was led up a hill towards the flags and tables full of sandwiches on Armistice Day.
Earl Uhtred said:
I knew it would be appreciated by this AAR's Tyneside fraternity!
What is rather strange is the complete lack of a table or any chairs.
Perhaps they ate off the floor for street parties in Gateshead?No drizzle in this timeline though - armistice celebrated in late spring/early summer in lovely sunshine! ^_^
That's a nice update. Shame about Roberts - but he had a good crack at the whip.
Don't be a silly sausage. If you leave chairs and tables out in the street in Geetsheed then you'll never see them again. Well, you might see them being used as projectiles against the local pharmacy's windows by hooded kiddywinkies in pursuit of free prescription drugs, but apart from that, na.
A blowjob?
A bit like breaking into poor people's homes and stealing all their stuff.[/Stavros]
Allenby said:What is rather strange is the complete lack of a table or any chairs.
Don't be a silly sausage. If you leave chairs and tables out in the street in Geetsheed then you'll never see them again. Well, you might see them being used as projectiles against the local pharmacy's windows by hooded kiddywinkies in pursuit of free prescription drugs, but apart from that, na.
Allenby said:
A blowjob?
Allenby said:
A bit like breaking into poor people's homes and stealing all their stuff.[/Stavros]
Last edited:
Allenby said:
Ok, an independent Bavaria... might me... (what the heck, I have some Bavarian ancestors...)
A pity loosing good old Bobs.
Sad news about Bobs, but at least he got to see final (military) victory. A political victory to win the peace will not be so straightforward I suspect.
It is however excellent news that the Empire has emerged stronger than historically and in a far better position, now all that needs doing is dismembering Germany into several thousand sub-citystates and long term security will be assured.
As always VJ maintains his renown standards helping to keep the tone of this thread at the correct level.
It is however excellent news that the Empire has emerged stronger than historically and in a far better position, now all that needs doing is dismembering Germany into several thousand sub-citystates and long term security will be assured.
As always VJ maintains his renown standards helping to keep the tone of this thread at the correct level.
Sad to see the grand old soldier die, but very nice to read about the Empire’s reaction and victory celebration. Victory at last after four years, they men sure has a lot to celebrate I think. So a new general election is called, well I guess this will bring a new fresh mandate to the war-hero and his government, but it might mean changing a lot of ministers. Maybe Winnie will be forced away now that the war is won and his department isn’t needed anymore?
Looking forward to see how the election plays out…
Oh and Allenby 05.00 5.5.1918… you sure know how to pick them
Looking forward to see how the election plays out…
Oh and Allenby 05.00 5.5.1918… you sure know how to pick them
Rather apt that the old Field Marshall, one of the old warhorses, was to die just after the conclusion of hostilities, both marking times past. Great, sobre writing.
Vincent Julien said:
Beware. I use teeth.
Kurt_Steiner said:
An independent Bavaria, an independent Saxony, an independent Prussia...
El Pip said:
Well the Curzon quotes are historical.
...Britain's geopolitical position is almost the same here as it actually was. I see that you'll be at Clemenceau's side at the peace conference.
Lord E said:Sad to see the grand old soldier die, but very nice to read about the Empire’s reaction and victory celebration. Victory at last after four years, they men sure has a lot to celebrate I think. So a new general election is called, well I guess this will bring a new fresh mandate to the war-hero and his government, but it might mean changing a lot of ministers. Maybe Winnie will be forced away now that the war is won and his department isn’t needed anymore?
Looking forward to see how the election plays out…
Oh and Allenby 05.00 5.5.1918… you sure know how to pick them
The German defeat event actually triggered on 4th May, but I felt that I was permitted to use a creative license and have the terms come into effect at 5am the next morning.
Yes, a general election will come very soon and there might well a lot of chopping and changing. Winston has done sterling work at the Air Ministry and is a loyal Lloyd Georgian - expect him to be rewarded.
Sir Humphrey said:
Thank you.
I included it to create a stark contrast to the festivities surrounding victory, to shorten the upcoming election campaign by a few days and to modify the mood of the country.
Allenby said:An independent Bavaria, an independent Saxony, an independent Prussia...
Revive Hannover and give it to Curzon. *nods*
Ohhh! Kinky!Allenby said:Beware. I use teeth.
Yep, making sure that he keeps his nerve about dismembering Germany. But also restraining his ambitions in the rest of the world.Allenby said:I see that you'll be at Clemenceau's side at the peace conference.
We must protect the world's natives from French oppression and let them live under the enlightened rule of Emperor Curzon of The Bits Britain Doesn't Want That Much.
I have to say I'm very worried about poor Bavaria. I suppose it is fortunate that there is precedent for Ludwig to abdicate in favour of Rupprecht - are the Wittelsbachs wise enough to follow the Hohenzollerns?
Of course I admit I am biased - I have a weakness for constitutional monarchism.
Of course I admit I am biased - I have a weakness for constitutional monarchism.
A very meaningful update, Allenby, as Europe comes to an exhausting conclusion to this brutal war. Great writing as always, sir.