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I am curious about the fate of Eastern Europe. I hope we get that chapter soon enough!
Well, war's over, lets go home. No way the allies beat you now, let alone with the Eastern puppets churning out troops.
Chapter XXVII: Switzerland's Finest Hour
"If they shoot off our arms, we will kick them to death. If they tear off our legs, we will stare them to death. And if they gouge out our eyes, we will curse them from beyond the grave. They Shall Not Pass!" -Unknown Swiss Soldier, Siege of Bern, Late August 1915
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August 1st - September 30th, 1915
A German War Poster found in Bern during it's month-long siege, a forever lasting testament to Germany's Iron Will.
Needless to say, it was a total disaster. The Northern Chinese had no ambition to join arms with Germany, not because they were Anti-European but instead since they already had another alliance. This alliance was with the Entente, just Germany's Luck. With the Northern Chinese joining the Entente (not militarily), thousands of Chinese Workers were leased out to France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. This way, the Entente would be able to boost their manpower by not having their men work in factories and put said men on the front, without reducing their industrial capacity. However, with their Northern Cousins joining in with the Entente, the Southern Republic of China might be able to find an enemy of enemy and make them friend.
That wasn't all the Italians were capable of though, as proven by the events of which transpired on August 13th, 1915. For as long as the Austro-Hungarian Navy could remember, it had been the bane of all Entente Ships in the Mediterranean Sea. While far from an ideal Habsburg Lake, the seas of the Mediterranean did offer many offensive advantages to the Austrian Navy. Of course, most of that changed when the Royal Navy destroyed a significant portion of the Austro-Hungarian Navy, but it was not broken. Other Battleships that were still docked in Pola were still alive and kicking, and they would be the new backbone of Kaiser Franz Joseph's Navy. The Austrians finally came out of hiding, from Ottoman Ports, the Austrian Navy once again stalked the waters of the Nile Delta. The Italian Grand Fleet, which was on patrol for the British around Egypt, stumbled upon the large Central Powers' Fleet. A fierce naval competition ensued between the two forces, but by the end of the second hour of fighting, the Austrians had to pull back because of the mounting casualty rate. The Austro-Hungarians lost one battleship, two light cruisers, and seven destroyers. This all culminated in the death of 2,000 Sailors, a very bad loss for the Habsburg Empire. All was not lost though, as the Austro-Hungarian Navy still stood as a fighting force by the end of the day, and the Italians too lost ships. The Kingdom of Italy lost one battleship as well, along with this was a bundle of three destroyers. If this confrontation taught the Central Powers anything, it was that they did not rule the seas...
For now.
German Soldiers sporting the traditional Pickelhaube man machine guns during the Fifth Battle of Lugano, Alpine Front, August 10th, 1915.
Five long days of hell ensued with no end in sight. The Swiss-German and Anglo-French Forces were both giving it their all, this was the most defining battle of the entire Alpine Front. In the end, the French Flag waved over Zurich, and the Capital of the Swiss Nation was cut off from Berlin, Vienna, Sofia, and Constantinople. For one brief moment, the fate of Switzerland hanged in the balance, and nineteen divisions (Eleven Swiss, Six German, One Austrian, One Bulgarian) were surrounded with no where to go. President Hoffmann of the Swiss Confederation knew the grave circumstances that they were in, but he would not surrender until his head was put on a pike. Helvatia too had an Ironheart it seemed, truly a jewel nestled in the Alpine Mountains. This was Switzerland's Darkest Hour, and he would make sure that it would go down in history as not only it's Darkest Hour, but also it's Finest.
"From Genf in the West to Lugano in the East, the Swiss Nation is surrounded, and as you all know, is being strangled. Our nation is cowardly cut off from the rest of the outside world, and the allies we have made are unable to make a breakthrough to save us. I call upon you, every man, woman, and child, to give one last request, if all things we love are taken from us. Do not despair, for the worst has already passed.
"I was elected President of this confederation not because I was the better of other evils, but because I thought I had to strength to defend our confederation. Of course, that confederation with the French and Italians is no more, but I believe I still have the willpower to at least defend what remains. Yes, we may be surrounded by all sides. Yes, we may be outnumbered, and Yes, we may be on our own, but that does not mean the fight is over. With anything, you are not finished when you lose, but rather when you quit.
"Our precious capital, Bern, will not be given to the Entente without a fight, nor will the Swiss Nation suddenly vanish into the night. To all men out there, fighting on the front against a dangerous foe, know this: You are Switzerland's Pride. Everything that has happened in our history, ever trial we've ever faced, it has all lead to this single point in our history. You are all our Greatest Generation, not our Lost.
"I know this, for I have seen it myself. You have joined the German Crusade against an evil far worse than anything we could've imagined. You have fought and bled for this land in great numbers. The Battles of Lugano and Zurich only prove this point further, Soldiers of the Swiss Army, you are not trash, you are not lamb to the slaughter, you are Men! You have the power to change this war, the courage to save Switzerland, and the determination to forge anew. Now, your time to take up Helvatia's Shield and bring us to victory is at hand!
"To all Swiss Men still not defending their homeland, now is also your chance to become a true man. Will you give all you can give so that our banner may stay hang, some will fall and others will live, will you stand up and take your chance? The blood of the martyrs will water the mountains of Schweiz! Will you join in our crusade, who will be strong and stand us? Somewhere beyond the war is there a world you long to see? Do you hear the people sing Switzerland's praises, do you hear the distant drums? It is the salvation that they bring when tomorrow comes!
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"This is our darkest hour, but also our finest. Heil Dir Helvatia!" -President Hoffmann
Thus started the month-long Siege of Bern, but the real fight would take place a little bit higher, Zurich. Urgently recalled from the Eastern Front, the Savior of East Prussia, Field Marshall Paul von Hindenburg, arrived in Freiburg, Germany, where a large potion of the Swiss and German Alpine Armeis were stationed (after the fall of Zurich). He personally took command of the entire force, numbering around 17-21 Divisions, all Swiss Divisions being beaten to their cores. Hindenburg was already briefed about the situation on the Alpine Front, but even he never imagined that the situation would be this dire. After seeing the front for himself, he knew only one course of action was required in order to defeat the Entente in Switzerland. There would have to be a battle so decisive, that it would top even the Battle of Tannenberg, so great that it would earn him the title of 'Savior of the Swiss'. He knew where the German Army had to attack - Zurich, the same place where the Swiss/German Coalition was defeated. He needed to be quick too, there no telling how long the cut off Armies of the Central Powers in Bern would last. The Field Marshall drew up an operation, one of the most daring and costly of the war. It was called Operation Tannenbaum, the Saving of Switzerland.
"I was elected President of this confederation not because I was the better of other evils, but because I thought I had to strength to defend our confederation. Of course, that confederation with the French and Italians is no more, but I believe I still have the willpower to at least defend what remains. Yes, we may be surrounded by all sides. Yes, we may be outnumbered, and Yes, we may be on our own, but that does not mean the fight is over. With anything, you are not finished when you lose, but rather when you quit.
"Our precious capital, Bern, will not be given to the Entente without a fight, nor will the Swiss Nation suddenly vanish into the night. To all men out there, fighting on the front against a dangerous foe, know this: You are Switzerland's Pride. Everything that has happened in our history, ever trial we've ever faced, it has all lead to this single point in our history. You are all our Greatest Generation, not our Lost.
"I know this, for I have seen it myself. You have joined the German Crusade against an evil far worse than anything we could've imagined. You have fought and bled for this land in great numbers. The Battles of Lugano and Zurich only prove this point further, Soldiers of the Swiss Army, you are not trash, you are not lamb to the slaughter, you are Men! You have the power to change this war, the courage to save Switzerland, and the determination to forge anew. Now, your time to take up Helvatia's Shield and bring us to victory is at hand!
"To all Swiss Men still not defending their homeland, now is also your chance to become a true man. Will you give all you can give so that our banner may stay hang, some will fall and others will live, will you stand up and take your chance? The blood of the martyrs will water the mountains of Schweiz! Will you join in our crusade, who will be strong and stand us? Somewhere beyond the war is there a world you long to see? Do you hear the people sing Switzerland's praises, do you hear the distant drums? It is the salvation that they bring when tomorrow comes!
"This is our darkest hour, but also our finest. Heil Dir Helvatia!" -President Hoffmann
The German Army under the leadership of Paul von Hindenburg on the 14th of September, 1915, launched what would become known to the world as the Most Effective Counterattack of the Entire Weltkrieg. German and Swiss Forces launched a continuation of the Battle of Zurich, catching the British and French Armies surprised. Swiss Troops recaptured Fort Zähringer (a major fort along the Entente Frontline) from the French on the first day of fighting alone, the Elite German Alpenkorps completely breaking through all British Trenches. A mastermind behind Tannenberg vs fools screaming around the mountains, the poor bastards. Also, finally a section of the Trans-Anatolian Railroad was completed by German Engineers. It is hoped that by the end of 1916, the whole railroad will be completed, thus giving Germany oil for ages to come.
German Soldiers wearing the newly issued Stahlhelm M1915 mow down French Soldiers during the Battle of Zurich, the Greatest Counterattack in History, September 1915.
After the Siege of Bern ended, Kronprinz Wilhelm III of Germany (the Kaiser was busy dining in St. Petersburg), Kaiser Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary, Tsar Ferdinand I of Bulgaria, and even Mehmed V all visited the ruined, yet still standing city of Bern. They did this out of their goodwill, to show solidarity between them and their Swiss Allies. To be brutally honest, no one in the Central Powers thought the Swiss had it in them. Now look at Helvatia, still standing, and even stronger than before. The Swiss returned their friendship by erecting a monument in the dead center of Bern, to all troops who fought during the Siege of Bern. Swiss Troops weren't the only ones who bled for the Fortress of the Alpine Mountains, no, so too did Germans, Austrians (them and Hungarians, Slovenians, Croatians), and Bulgarians. The Three Kaisers and One Prince payed their respects to their soldiers, and for once in the war, a golden horizon beamed over the Central Powers. The Sunspots were going away, and the Sun would soon be Black, White, and Red.
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Now, the Kaiserreich prepares for what is to come in the West. The Year of Battles is nearly over, and with it, a new year will come, and 1916 is already looking to be even bloodier than the last year. German Troops amass in the Rhineland, preparing to sweep the French Nation off it's feat by activating the Schlieffen Plan - the Invasion of Belgium to quickly capture Paris. Not only that, the German Imperial Navy is almost done licking it's wounds, preparing for one last battle in the English Channel to decide the fate of the United Kingdom. New innovations are being made everyday, for the most ambitious plan of the entire war, ideas for soldiers to drop out of planes and land on enemy territory. 'Paratroopers'. On the blood-soaked Alpine Front, the Sixth Battle rages on, and still, the worst for the front has not come. Brescia is looking to become the Bloodiest Battle of the Entire Alpine Front, an Austro-Hungarian Version of Sarny. 1916 is looking to become a deadly year, but it will also be decisive in who wins the war.
Rest now, Entente. For when spring comes next year, the German Empire will come knocking. 1916 will be the Kaiser's Battle - Kaiserschlacht!
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End of Chapter XXVII: Switzerland's Finest Hour
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So after the war will you force the ROC to reinstall the monarchy, or will you leave it as it is?
This 'Two Years War' started and will end as mostly European conflict for sure.
Transsiberian Railroad. Or they can try Xinjiang-Central Asia-Ottoman Empire journey.
How exactly are the Chinese workers reach the Central Powers?
Transsiberian Railroad. Or they can try Xinjiang-Central Asia-Ottoman Empire journey.
Beiyang China is in between ROC and the Transsiberian. The other route is incredible hazardous.
That remains to be seen, but generally I like the Republic more.
How exactly are the Chinese workers reach the Central Powers?
I have no clue just like you, but for the sake of the event, maybe they reached Germany/Austria-Hungary by going through Xinijang and into Russia (transsiberian).Beiyang China is in between ROC and the Transsiberian. The other route is incredible hazardous.
I've got no problem with seeing the ROC remain in power (as I would also prefer them over the Qing), but if you are planning to continue this in a slightly modded Kaiserreich the Qing have to exist in some form and the ROC has to be destroyed. I'd recommend the following sequence of events in that case, inspired by the 1926 scenario: after the war, the ROC attempts to reunify China with German support, but a Syndicalist uprising by Chiang Kai-Shek and a subsequent coup by military hardliners causes the republic to fracture into regional warlord states, and royalists appeal to Germany to intervene. Then everything would proceed according to the 1926 scenario. But it's up to you if you would prefer to prop up the ROC as a
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unfortunately events force him to have a non-aggression pact with the Chinese no matter whether he likes it or not. so, i am pointing that a limited intervention (in the form of supplies) would work but not the full intervention like you see in Kaiserreich and its 1926 scenario. Besides it is horribly unrealistic for Germany to do this IRL since the issue is whether the Germans want to intervene in China and having a legitimate justification to do so. if I were you I would create my own mod based off of the ending of the Great War.
ROC- Second Reich, Sino-German cooperation makes sense. Unlike full intervention, AOG and trying to make Qing great again. for, like, multiple reasons in every case.
Restoring the Chinese monarchy is pointless and unreasonable. Yuan Shikai (i'm guessing he's the one cooperating with the entente) is doing that and a lot of the Chinese people hate him for it. A foreign invader won't do any better. There is absolutely no advantage that restoring the Qing could give us rather than keeping our allies a (somewhat authoritarian) Republic, and KR already has a Chinese Republican faction. Just have them controlling the areas the AOG and Qing control in regular KR and it's basically the same. Germany can still take legation cities from the defeated Imperials, and the warlords will still be screwing with everything in the west so the KMT will have taken over the Beiyang Gov't anyway.
I agree but i think only Shanghai and Hong Kong should be German, (my reasoning is that Shanghai is a port of international concession and closer to German possessions in Qingdao than the other territories) Hong Kong is based on the Harsh option of the Treaty of Balmoral Castle/ the Treaty of Versailles South China delegation.
That would only be getting rid of one or two provinces, so I'm sure it's fine. But I do think an expansion of our holdings in the Qingdao peninsula a la regular KR as a reward from the RoC for helping bring down the traitor Shikai would be a nice prospect.
That happens at the end of WW1 anyways, although Germany may get Port Arthur
Yeah, the intervention is quite pushing the limits of realism in the mod. Germany, along with the other European powers, was weakened by the war. Limited intervention in the Russian Civil War is as much as they could do, much less invade China itself.
If we're following real life, Yuan Shikai's lost most of his support among the generals and the elite just by declaring himself emperor (which I assume he's done here). Besides, nobody would accept a return of the Qing because they were Manchus and many Han Chinese hated being ruled by a non-Chinese dynasty. I'd agree there's no benefit for restoring them other than to get a mediocre puppet who would almost certainly be overthrown as soon as the Germans were busy elsewhere.
Shanghai is a port of international concession, yes. But it is international, and while most of the concession owners were Entente members that includes the US, and Germany absolutely does not want to anger the US. The best they could do is probably take the French concession, which is separate from the international concession. As for Hong Kong, it's unlikely that it would be German unless Germany beats the UK into the ground as hard as it does to France, which is unlikely unless the Kaiserliche Marine can decisively defeat the Royal Navy. As for expansion in Qingdao, it would be pointless unless the city of Tianjin was included, but Kaiserreich already has Germany owning Tianjin so that's not a problem. Though I don't think the ROC is willing to trade over that much land just for getting rid of Yuan. They'd probably end up becoming an analogue of Mussolini's Italy if that happens.
When I said to expand in Qingdao I meant that's how we'll explain the border changes from WWI to KR
He doesn't need to use Kaiserreich he could make his own mod instead of using an incompatible mod to entail Europe in the 1930's besides Kaiserreich is a little bit screwy replacing Marxists with Syndicalism even though the Russian Revolutions happened historically.
Marxism fails though, the October Revolution is squashed. Therefore the radical left look to their idealism once more due to Marxism being "not real socialism" else why would it fail?
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