The Second Great War, 1931-1934
Though the two dominant alliances in Europe remained at peace through 1930, tension between them rose inexorably, especially after Bavaria, formerly a Hungarian ally, was persuaded to join the German Empire. But it was England's ambitions not Germany's that finally brought the two sides to war once again. In March 1931, England declared war on Etruria in hopes of regaining the Northern Cape. It was aided in this endeavor by Germany and Scandinavia, while Hungary and Peru defended their Etrurian allies.
Though journalists were already calling it the "Second Great War", it had barely started when the Hungarians were drawn into a second conflict. Although technically, this was a new war because it involved Hungary, it was often viewed as part of the general struggle for supremacy between Germany and Hungary. As such, it became popularly viewed as part of the second great war as would several other conflicts in the years to come.
This second conflict began when Denmark called upon Hungary's aid in its assault on its former colony in Argentina, which was defended by Leinster. But even though Peru was able to occupy lightly defended British South America and Scandinavian North America, the brief but bloody conflict in Europe went poorly for Hungary and Etruria. Casualties were enormous, exceeding two million on both sides, but the Germans and English had greater manpower and better supply lines, especially after the defeat of the Etrurian navy. Leinster defeated the Danish navy ensuring not only that the Argentinians would occupy Danish South America once again, but that Leinster could invade Europe. They occupied much of Danish Iberia by the end of 1932.
Western Europe in January, 1933:
Still hoping to salvage something from the war in South America, the Hungarians agreed to accept the English claim on Northern Cape.
Southern Africa, January 1934
But the English convinced their German and Byzantine allies that their enemies were vulnerable and declared war on Denmark soon afterward. Despite their losses in the previous year, the Hungarians honored their alliance as expected, as did the French with whom the Danes had renewed their traditional ties.
Already spanning Europe and the Americas, the conflict spread to Africa in the Spring of 1933. The fascist governments of Egypt and Tripoli had been eyeing each other's lands hungrily for years and finally went to war, drawing in their respective allies in Byzantium and Mali. When all three of the major conflicts were viewed together this meant that Germany, England, Byzantium, Leinster and Argentina were effectively at war with Hungary, Denmark, France and Mali.
The situation was clearly untenable for Denmark and by September, they conceded in South America. But this time, Argentina's allies had been able to attack the Danes in Europe and returning to the status quo would not be an option. Denmark was forced to relinquish Bahia and Rio Grande do Norte to Argentina in return for peace. . Denmark was left with only a few minor South American possessions.
South America, January 1934
The sprawling Byzantine Empire was ill-equipped to face a two-front war. By 1934, it was obvious that--no doubt pressured by their German allies--they had chosen to prioritize the European war over the conflict with Mali. Malinese forces poured into the Levant while communist insurgents ruled southern Anatolia. The Byzantines were fortunate that their old enemies in Funj were wracked by civil war and in no position to take advantage of the situation.
The Middle East, January 1934:
But in Europe, the situation grew increasingly dire for the Hungarian side. The English navy easily defeated the French and Danish forces, largely eliminating their seapower in the early months of the war. Crushing losses to the English at Dunkirk in June and Leon in August left France essentially defenseless. English and German forces rapidly occupied most of the country. The Danish faced a Scandinavian invasion from the North while a smaller German force approached from the south.
The French and Danish fronts, January, 1934.
The Hungarians were able to defend against the Byzantines only by leaving their German frontier inadequately defended. The Germans soon occupied most of their western provinces. In March of 1934, Hungary went to the bargaining table desperate for peace. The terms were harsh. Byzantium regained most of the lands in Europe it had lost to Hungary in 1918. The Germans acquired French Vlaanderen and the French were further forced to dismantle their military bases in Holland
Although the Byzantines had been on the winning side, they still faced a disastrous situation in the middle east. In October, Mali compelled them to disband much of their remaining forces and sign a treaty that severely limited future military build-ups.
Europe in 1935:
The Second Great War was finally over, but the cost had been high. Hungary was beaten, Denmark and France were in the throes of revolution, and millions had lost their lives. Some argued that the real victors of the conflict were the rising nations of Asia that had remained peaceful while the rest of the world fought. And it was not only Wu that the Europeans now feared. Japanese industry had grown dramatically, and many saw the island nation as the equal or even superior to such traditional powers as Mali and Etruria.
Though the two dominant alliances in Europe remained at peace through 1930, tension between them rose inexorably, especially after Bavaria, formerly a Hungarian ally, was persuaded to join the German Empire. But it was England's ambitions not Germany's that finally brought the two sides to war once again. In March 1931, England declared war on Etruria in hopes of regaining the Northern Cape. It was aided in this endeavor by Germany and Scandinavia, while Hungary and Peru defended their Etrurian allies.
Though journalists were already calling it the "Second Great War", it had barely started when the Hungarians were drawn into a second conflict. Although technically, this was a new war because it involved Hungary, it was often viewed as part of the general struggle for supremacy between Germany and Hungary. As such, it became popularly viewed as part of the second great war as would several other conflicts in the years to come.
This second conflict began when Denmark called upon Hungary's aid in its assault on its former colony in Argentina, which was defended by Leinster. But even though Peru was able to occupy lightly defended British South America and Scandinavian North America, the brief but bloody conflict in Europe went poorly for Hungary and Etruria. Casualties were enormous, exceeding two million on both sides, but the Germans and English had greater manpower and better supply lines, especially after the defeat of the Etrurian navy. Leinster defeated the Danish navy ensuring not only that the Argentinians would occupy Danish South America once again, but that Leinster could invade Europe. They occupied much of Danish Iberia by the end of 1932.
Western Europe in January, 1933:
Still hoping to salvage something from the war in South America, the Hungarians agreed to accept the English claim on Northern Cape.
Southern Africa, January 1934
But the English convinced their German and Byzantine allies that their enemies were vulnerable and declared war on Denmark soon afterward. Despite their losses in the previous year, the Hungarians honored their alliance as expected, as did the French with whom the Danes had renewed their traditional ties.
Already spanning Europe and the Americas, the conflict spread to Africa in the Spring of 1933. The fascist governments of Egypt and Tripoli had been eyeing each other's lands hungrily for years and finally went to war, drawing in their respective allies in Byzantium and Mali. When all three of the major conflicts were viewed together this meant that Germany, England, Byzantium, Leinster and Argentina were effectively at war with Hungary, Denmark, France and Mali.
The situation was clearly untenable for Denmark and by September, they conceded in South America. But this time, Argentina's allies had been able to attack the Danes in Europe and returning to the status quo would not be an option. Denmark was forced to relinquish Bahia and Rio Grande do Norte to Argentina in return for peace. . Denmark was left with only a few minor South American possessions.
South America, January 1934
The sprawling Byzantine Empire was ill-equipped to face a two-front war. By 1934, it was obvious that--no doubt pressured by their German allies--they had chosen to prioritize the European war over the conflict with Mali. Malinese forces poured into the Levant while communist insurgents ruled southern Anatolia. The Byzantines were fortunate that their old enemies in Funj were wracked by civil war and in no position to take advantage of the situation.
The Middle East, January 1934:
But in Europe, the situation grew increasingly dire for the Hungarian side. The English navy easily defeated the French and Danish forces, largely eliminating their seapower in the early months of the war. Crushing losses to the English at Dunkirk in June and Leon in August left France essentially defenseless. English and German forces rapidly occupied most of the country. The Danish faced a Scandinavian invasion from the North while a smaller German force approached from the south.
The French and Danish fronts, January, 1934.
The Hungarians were able to defend against the Byzantines only by leaving their German frontier inadequately defended. The Germans soon occupied most of their western provinces. In March of 1934, Hungary went to the bargaining table desperate for peace. The terms were harsh. Byzantium regained most of the lands in Europe it had lost to Hungary in 1918. The Germans acquired French Vlaanderen and the French were further forced to dismantle their military bases in Holland
Although the Byzantines had been on the winning side, they still faced a disastrous situation in the middle east. In October, Mali compelled them to disband much of their remaining forces and sign a treaty that severely limited future military build-ups.
Europe in 1935:
The Second Great War was finally over, but the cost had been high. Hungary was beaten, Denmark and France were in the throes of revolution, and millions had lost their lives. Some argued that the real victors of the conflict were the rising nations of Asia that had remained peaceful while the rest of the world fought. And it was not only Wu that the Europeans now feared. Japanese industry had grown dramatically, and many saw the island nation as the equal or even superior to such traditional powers as Mali and Etruria.
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