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Chapter 179:
Germany’s Twilight.
Germany’s Twilight.
Taken from "'War, Tyranny and Liberation - 1920-1970" by Andrea Ivankovic
Russia’s declaration of war against Germany on February 10th has generally been considered the watershed of any German efforts to win the second Weltkrieg. Until February 10th, many powers still hesitated to take action against Germany. There remained a deep seated fear of her feldgrau clad soldiers and professional navy which had won the first war despite suffering grave setbacks and then gone on to impose Berlin’s will throughout the world for the next two decades. Even as Germany’s troops were being pushed in disarray into their homeland’s interior, many held out at least some expectation that they might suddenly rally and drive the French back all the way to Paris and beyond.
That changed the moment Russia entered the war, simultaneously adding another front, removing a potential ally and rendering the military (and economic) situation completely hopeless.
Finally convinced that Germany was in a fatal spiral, opportunists emerged around the world.
On the Indian Subcontinent, the conservative and backward Maharajas had long relied on German support, trade and funding in order to resist diplomatic and political pressure from the British backed Delhi and the dramatic civil unrest continually sponsored by the Syndicalists of the Bhartiya Commune with their Internationale advisors and aid.
German assistance had already petered out with the outbreak of war in 1939, but even their empty threats of military retribution had kept the Indian Commune in check, such was the global fear of the German war machine.
As soon as that threat was removed, the Indian Commune unleashed a campaign against its Southern Neighbour without fear. Red uprisings spread throughout the territory of the various petty Indian rulers, coordinated by long established networks of agitators and revolutionary action specialists, many of which had received specialist training in the Commune of France.
The Population of the Princely Federation, already suffering from the results of massive institutional corruption, crushing tax burdens, ineffectual economic systems and a collapse in trade as a result of German weakness, were generally unwilling to oppose the red campaign and popular support grew rapidly. This alone may not have been fatal but the decentralised nature of the Princely Federation, along with the mutual suspicion among many of its rulers, made a coordinated response against the centrally guided revolutionary movement all but impossible. Where pockets of resistance did emerge, red forces proved adept at staging local assassinations or uprisings to remove those rulers capable of putting up determined resistance and, in so doing, prompted others to flee to points of safety or overseas, abandoning their fiefdoms completely.
Collapse was rapid and absolute. Before Entente sponsored Delhi could even begin to put together a cohesive plan to intervene in the crisis, red forces had brought the former Princely States of Southern India under their effective control, dramatically shifting the balance of power on the sub-continent.
At the same time as red forces moved against Germany’s colonial holdings and allies, the Russo-Japanese alliance moved into action following its long established plans for salvaging the German holdings.
In Asia, Japan extended a hand of friendship to the King of Siam who had historically coveted German holdings in Indo-China as well of that of Germany’s Burmese ally. Russia was amenable to this move, it limited the direct power of its Japanese ally while adding further resources to Russia’s Pacific buffer against future American aggression. It also added an additional Asian power to cover Russia’s movement in the region and limit charges of white imperialism in a region that had experienced waves of resistance to Western rule for all of living memory. Operations against German held Vietnam would commence against minimal resistance within four days of the first Russian move into Poland.
With the consent of Japan, Russian forces made their contribution to the East Asian campaign against Germany. Russia’s lone Far East Rifle Division (not yet joined by the naval infantry still completing final unit formation in Vladivostok) occupied German holdings at Tangshan and Tianjin. The move caused a further fall in diplomatic relations with the Qing Empire who had actively been hoping that any collapse in German power would result in the recovery of the territories. Instead, Tianjin fell under Russian control and would become a significant army and air base in the months and years to come. Much to the chagrin of the Chinese Emperor, the former treaty port would become a dagger pointed at Beijing by the Russo-Japanese alliance for years to come, all but guaranteeing that any act of aggression on the part of the Xuantong Emperor would result in immediate allied retaliation against his capital city.
Action against the German Empire in Asia would not be limited to major powers. The Philippines, increasingly isolated since the collapse of American power in the Pacific, also looked to Germany’s collapse as a valuable opportunity to advance their limited fortunes. North Borneo would fall to an ad-hoc Philippines invasion force almost without battle, the German garrison long having been withdrawn to fortify ongoing efforts in Europe. Russia and Germany took no action against the minor power, Japan opting instead to continue negotiations with the minor power as it drifted friendless on the currents of international relations.
But if there was a true prize taken in the feeding frenzy that followed the sudden collapse in the German military and political position, it was to be found in the Middle East.
German since the collapse of Britain as a global power, the Suez Canal represented the only cost efficient gateway from Europe to the Indian Ocean and an invaluable entry point into the Mediterranean. It was also the gateway by which European Germany had maintained its colonial empire, a small territorial carve out surrounded by the Kingdom of Egypt, protected by the guarantee of German arms.
With Germany collapsing, the Imperial military undertook yet another quick operation. At the insistence of the Imperial family and their closest advisors, the Imperial armed forces dedicated its relatively untested 2nd Air Landing Corps to the Middle East rather than to supporting European operations. Along with a small detachment of veterans from the Emperor’s Own Guard Regiment who had served in the region before, the regular VDV paratroopers were dropped behind the German fortifications and, after a short but intense firefight against the German garrison unit, seized control of the West Bank of the canal, bringing the vital waterway under Russian control. Then, their transport aircraft immediately transferred back to Europe to fly vitally needed supplies to the tank columns while the navy took over responsibility for supplying and then replacing the paratroopers.
The decision to some of Russia’s valuable paratroopers from the European campaign to the Suez continues to be controversial to this day. Critics argue that in diverting these troops, the Imperial armed forces likely slowed their advance into Poland and Germany by at least two or three critical days. Those days, it is argued, would make a difference to the lives of tens of thousands that would end up caught in areas under red rather than imperial control.
This author must respectfully disagree, siding with the Imperial military on this particular issue. Egyptian desires to reclaim the canal were common knowledge among Imperial Intelligence services and there was a risk that if Russia waited for a desperate Germany to withdraw yet more forces from Suez, Egypt might have been tempted to undertake an occupation. Had that happened, it is likely a full war with that country would have been necessary to reclaim the canal, an act which was beyond the logistical capacity of the Russian military in 1940, particularly given its European commitments, not to mention a challenge to justify diplomatically or politically.
Perhaps even more dangerous was the prospect that any armistice signed by Berlin might assign the canal to Syndicalist forces. This was, after all, the reason for declaring war and pushing so far into German territory as quickly as possible in the first place. Only by occupying German territory could the Russian Government pre-empt any red effort to secure that ground by force of treaty with Germany and head off any potential international crisis with the Internationale. If Russia was eager to avoid war with Egypt in 1940, averting any war with the Internationale was a matter of National Survival.
Dropping onto the Suez caused some offence in Cairo, but it gave Russia its guaranteed passage East, providing a maritime link between European and Far Eastern Russia to augment the limited capacity of the Trans-Siberian Railroad.
With the exception of Mittelafrica, Germany’s colonial dreams were collapsing. For Russia, the gateway to a truly global presence, had just been opened.
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It will be interesting to see how Russia will manage a post-Germany world and how they will confront the Syndicalist.
Side Question: I'm not that well versed in KR events. I know that the UoB gets an event that could lead to a change in the party and even the Second English Civil war if the right events are chosen. What kind of events does the Commune and SRI get and what can they do?
Side Question: I'm not that well versed in KR events. I know that the UoB gets an event that could lead to a change in the party and even the Second English Civil war if the right events are chosen. What kind of events does the Commune and SRI get and what can they do?
Don't you see? This is the Darkness, masquerading as the Light.
You could have prevented this Tievel. Now you cannot. It's too late.
You could have prevented this Tievel. Now you cannot. It's too late.
Good man, I was previcating on whether to post good ol Tyrone
I should see if I can pay Tyrone to make a message to cookfl about how horrible his world is
I should see if I can pay Tyrone to make a message to cookfl about how horrible his world is
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Someone's going to have to let the author in on the subtext here. Are we just generally lamenting the way this fictional world is going?
Do you really think Russia will get away with this? Do you think that at the end of all things, the Tsar will have to come to account?
Allow me to explain. We are using a meme known as 'Doom Paul'. Doom Paul is a parody of Ron Paul based on his 2012 campaign. It 'predicts' an apocalyptic scenario if Ron Paul failed to be elected, often accompanied by the catchphrase "It's Happening!" among others. We are now using this meme, jokingly, to describe a doomsday like scenario happening in this world.
Although if I'm being honest, from my view point it does look like it's going into a dystopian crapper so "It's Happening!" as an apocalyptic stand point is somewhat valid.
This is by far the greatest Paradox AAR I've ever read. I absolutely devoured it over four days. The only AAR I can compare to it in terms of breadth and narrative is the Total War AAR "I Am Skantarios". Just such a brilliant story!
I am a great fan of Vladimir and the Autocracy. I can't wait for the Holy Russian Empire to stretch from the Pacific to the Atlantic. My only regret is that the Entente and the Holy Alliance of Russia have broken apart. A reunion of the Allies of the Weltkrieg would be unstoppable. The navies of the British Empire and Japan would sweep clear the seas of the Syndicalist scum. The armies of the Holy Empire would liberate Paris for a restored Bourbon Monarchy. Mosley and Orwell would be lined up against the wall and shot, whilst the Royal Standard flies once more above England's green and pleasant land.
I'm sure Dmitri and Alexei regret the divide that exists between two of the worlds greatest monarchies. Britain saved the Romanovs once, it would be a sweet repayment if Russia were to facilitate the return of His Majesty to Buckingham Palace.
Whatever happens, the world as a whole will benefit from the destruction of the treasonous Syndicalists. Crush them, burn them, rip them apart, destroy them. Show every one of them what it means to stand against his God and his King.
Bozhe Tsarya Khrani. Keep up the marvellous work!
I am a great fan of Vladimir and the Autocracy. I can't wait for the Holy Russian Empire to stretch from the Pacific to the Atlantic. My only regret is that the Entente and the Holy Alliance of Russia have broken apart. A reunion of the Allies of the Weltkrieg would be unstoppable. The navies of the British Empire and Japan would sweep clear the seas of the Syndicalist scum. The armies of the Holy Empire would liberate Paris for a restored Bourbon Monarchy. Mosley and Orwell would be lined up against the wall and shot, whilst the Royal Standard flies once more above England's green and pleasant land.
I'm sure Dmitri and Alexei regret the divide that exists between two of the worlds greatest monarchies. Britain saved the Romanovs once, it would be a sweet repayment if Russia were to facilitate the return of His Majesty to Buckingham Palace.
Whatever happens, the world as a whole will benefit from the destruction of the treasonous Syndicalists. Crush them, burn them, rip them apart, destroy them. Show every one of them what it means to stand against his God and his King.
Bozhe Tsarya Khrani. Keep up the marvellous work!
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I wonder if you can basically absorb the Entente ?
I mean you can propose France to National France if you have conquered it so maybe there is the same thing with giving back Great Britain to Canada ?
I mean you can propose France to National France if you have conquered it so maybe there is the same thing with giving back Great Britain to Canada ?
I do not think Teivel's Russia is anywhere near enough of being able to overrun France, let alone invade the British Isles. Don't forget that for all the awesomeness, Teivel's Russia started off at the start of the scenario in even a worse situation than the USSR was OTL and Teivel had to reclaim quite some stuff. Despite the major and gigantic leap forward, Teivel's Russia in this scenario is not a country that can go on a world conquest spree right away.
Chapter 180:
City of Iron
City of Iron
Imperial Army Headquarters, Saint Petersburg.
Marshal Markov lorded over the titanic war-map the staff had taken to using for political and high level briefings. It was a masterpiece of cartographic art and military utility, covered in army and front markers of various types. His fine wood pointer came to rest on a German flag centred on Konigsberg, drawing the attention of the various worthies in attendance.
“German 12th army is, according to our intelligence, the last major German force uncommitted on the Western front.”
“Composition?” enquired Vladimir as his eyes darted over the visual representation of the military sittuation.
“2 Panzer divisions, 2 cavalry divisions and various supporting formations, under the Command of General von Manstein.”
That immediately brought Dimitri into the conversation “Erich? He commanded the German expeditionary forces during the Ukrainian and Central Asian campaigns.”
“As did most of his direct subordinates” confirmed Markov “he has retained Generals Rommel and Guderian as division commanders. I worked with each them personally. Commanders of the highest calibre."
“Continue the briefing Marshal.” Vladimir pushed, partly to keep things moving and partly to avoid having to deal with Dimitri’s sentiment for their former German allies while there was still a war to fight. He had no love of unnecessary moral uncertainty during times of crisis, and the war with Germany was flavoured with enough doubts as it was.
“We are now confident that 12th Army has abandoned any plans it may have had to block our advance in Poland and is undertaking a rapid redeployment towards Berlin.”
“Bolstering the defence there with armour and fresh troops” observed Dimitri.
“Precisely” confirmed Markov, “which leaves us with something of a singular opportunity.” A light sketch with a pencil revealed the point.
“ If we commit our bombers to the task, we should be cut enough of the railway lines to slow their redeployment considerably. If we then instruct Konev and Zhukov to swing North East we may be able to cut off 12thArmy short of Berlin, encircle it and force its surrender. That would give us a clear run at Berlin, even with the limited force we’re able to project forward of our main lines.”
The Emperor felt the prickling of Dimitri’s disapproval long before he saw it. By his silence, he gave Russia’s formal head of the army the implied freedom to comment.
“And what, Marshall, are our chances of taking Berlin before the French if this plan is a complete success?”
Markov took the query professionally as always “The Communard 1st, 3rdand 4tharmies have all been tasked to the Berlin offensive and are making steady gains. That said, we have an advantage in position. There is every chance the French would break through before our units made it into the city, but if that remains our objective, this is the only way.”
“And how many German civilians are making their way out of Berlin on the roads and railways we’d be bombing every day General.” Dimitri pressed.
Markov maintained his composure “Unknown at this juncture, tens of thousands a day, minimum.”
“Marshal Markov” interjected Vladimir, finally committing to the conversation. “You said earlier that the German 12thArmy’s arrival in Berlin would prevent us from being able to practically take it.”
“Correct Majesty, It would be at least a month before we could concentrate sufficient infantry forces and make ready for the appropriate river crossings.”
Vladimir mused, staring at the map, the barrage of red arrows marking the Commune’s single minded advance on the German capital city. “How long could they hold the Internationale?”
Markov was unfazed, “between two and four weeks.”
“Time” urged Dimitri, “for the Germans to undertake a more complete evacuation of valuable capital and civilian equipment into our hands, and for them to bleed the red hordes just that little bit longer, to dull their taste for further hostilities with us.”
Vladimir stepped away from the planning table for a moment. War, real war, a war where suddenly they didn’t have total, overwhelming material advantage was proving a harsh teacher and he felt the pressure and excitement both building in his skull. Part of his mind was guilty at just how much he yearned for the familiar ease of another one sided operation, another Scandinavia or another Balkan campaign.
I mean, would the Commune even accept a universe in which Russia made it to Berlin first, that seemed to raise more political questions than it answered. Would that kind of continuity of Government in Germany really work to their advantage??
No, no was the honest answer to that question. And no matter how much he wished to march beneath the Brandenburg Gate as a victor, there was no point in risking a fragile Empire for such a prize.
“Berlin, Marshall, is not a military objective for the Russian army.” Vladimir declared.
“Yes Majesty” Markov nodded, accepting the logic of it, he too longed for the glory of the German capital but he quietly doubted that his mobile units would be up to the task.
Instinct, Destiny Conviction….trust the logic of it.
“Nor,” continued Vladimir “are you to attempt to cut the German 12th Army off from Berlin.”
“Majesty?”
“I want every German man, tank and shell in 12th army to arrive in Berlin intact, and I want that railway undamaged. Dimitri, you had our ambassador in Berlin extend our offer of humanitarian conduct to the Germans?”
“Yes Majesty” declared Dimitri, suddenly energised.
“Then make sure they are reminded, along with every German in that Godforsaken city. It is the opinion of the Russian Government that an assault on Berlin in its present state would result in unconscionable loss of civilian lives and damage to vital equipment and infrastructure. As such, we will refrain from attacks against the city until they are satisfactorily evacuated. To that end we will provide shelter and supplies and just care for any German that evacuates to our territory, along with a guarantee of safe conduct, be it to Austria or Africa. Let’s see if we can’t deny the reds much in the way of a prize.”
“Understood, I understand Sokhov’s people are already active in monitoring that process, hopefully convincing a few of the more valuable Germans that it might be worth staying once we move in.”
“Very good, in that being the case, Marshal Markov, you are cleared to take Frankfurt an der Oder, then I expect your forces to turn and conduct themselves in keeping with the North Wind variant of Michael. Is that understood?”
Markov drew himself up as he mentally pieced together the movements his Emperor’s orders would entail. “It is your Majesty, though I must advise caution. North Wind would leave only the weakest of forces defending the lines of communication for the mobile group. If the Germans turn their mobile units back against us they could quite easily cut off and destroy my mobile forces before the infantry could intervene.”
“And why would they do that?” questioned Dimitri. “I admit this is a risk, but I can see no logic in Germany expending its last resources against us when the Commune advances with such vigour from the West.”
“I have to agree” confirmed Vladimir. “I admit it is a risk Marshal, but one we have to take. I shall send a message to my Sister in Berlin and we will have to trust the Germans are not entirely broken or without wisdom.”
XII Army Railway Depot, Berlin.
Fear and coal smoke saturated the air as General Heinz Guderian stepped off his arriving train and saluted his waiting Superior.
Manstein’s face was impassive as so often, stony and disciplined despite the cacophony around him. “Good of you to finally arrive Heinz” he offered, returning the salute “is your division intact?”
Guderian was moving immediately, following the direction indicated by Manstein and absorbing as much of the situation as he could. His speech was rapid and gruff. “The last of the vehicles will be offloaded within 4 hours, we managed to make it through before the Russians reached the rail line.”
“Incompetence of the highest order General! No wonder the Russians waited until the reds bled us before launching their betrayal.” Guderian was forced to acknowledge the words issuing forth from General von Epp, one of Berlin’s last remaining commanders and technically Guderian’s superior officer (with so many of Germany’s best officers wounded or isolated away from the capital, there were slim pickings to be had in Berlin, the efforts of red assassins and snipers had not made the situation any better either). The Moustachioed Bavarian seemed to retain his famed sense of confidence and superiority, even as they felt the distant dull thud of air dropped explosives detonating at the edges of Germany’s capital city.
“I doubt, General Epp, that this represents an oversight or incompetence on the part of the Russians. Heinz and I trained them too well for that” said Manstein.
“They know how to read a map and a speedometer at least, if we made it through it's because they let us through.” Confirmed Guderian.
Epp waved off the advice “Evidently you’ve both spent too much time in Russia. The Russian army is like a blind bear, struggling to find its way. They are no doubt both overextended their lines of communications and separated their mobile forces from the bulk of their army, making exactly the same mistakes you’ve always been prone to Erich.”
Manstein said nothing but Guderian felt the anger begin to spike internally. Who was Epp to talk, the man who had lost half of Prussia.
Epp continued, oblivious to, or perhaps revelling in the displeasure of the avowed Panzer General. “As such, General Guderian, I expect you to punish them for their error. Once your division is deployable I want arrangements made for an armoured counter-attack against the forward Russian positions. I hear half their units are cavalry anyway, easy meat for your Panzers."
Guderian glanced towards Manstein for validation but Erich seemed to be distracted, scanning the crowded depot for something or other.
“I must have misheard Franz, I could have sworn the defender of Berlin just ordered his mobile reserve to leave the city and chase after a Russian army that appears to be actively avoiding threatening Berlin.”
Epp glared at the famously impertinent Prussian. “Tanks, General, are of no use for the defence of cities, as such, it will be best if you take them and use them against the Russians where they might do some good, your written orders will be forthcoming.”
“And what about the French, might I ask, General?” Guderian fumed now, and he could feel the eyes of a number of more junior officers being drawn to the sight now even as they walked. Manstein remained passive.
“The French are my concern Heinz, and they shall be stopped by determined infantry resistance once they enter the city’s outskirts.”
“And when they encircle this city just as we kick the Russian’s out? What then General?”
“General Guderian, you are entering the realm of insubordination, you will follow your orders and refrain from further, unnecessary commentary.”
Guderian felt his face boiling and turned to Manstein for support. Instead, he found his eyes centred on a running messenger in the uniform of the Imperial Footguard. Manstein returned the salute as the courier snapped to attention and then extended a folder of written orders which the General withdrew and read with little apparent surprise.
Manstein turned back to the group as the guardsman ran off again into the chaos of the rail depot. “General Epp, you are relieved of your command effective immediately. You will report to Imperial General Headquarters and cooperate fully in consolidating 9th and 12 armies into a single command.”
Epp’s face sank like a boulder impacting the surface of a lake. “Impossible, I enjoy the full confidence of the Staff!”
Manstein offered the written orders and remained impassive. “Perhaps, but you do not enjoy His Imperial Majesty’s confidence, nor mine. In light of 12th Army’s success in making it to Berlin, His Imperial Majesty has appointed me as Field Marshal and given me command of all Imperial German forces in the Berlin sector.”
Guderian thrived on the look of confusion on Epp’s face.
“The Emperor is ill, delusional, borderline comatose half of the time! This war will kill him before long!”
“And, yet” offered Guderian, "He still seems to know infinitely more about the proper conduct of war than you do.”
Manstein ignored Guderian’s interjection and took a step closer to the Bavarian General instead. “General Franz von Epp, you are entering the realm of insubordination, you will follow your orders and refrain from further, unnecessary commentary.”
With that, Manstein walked off, motioning for Guderian to follow. As the throng of men and officers parted to clear way for their commanders, Manstein finally began to speak again.
“Sorry to make that so brief Heinz, but we don’t have time for personal vendettas now.”
Guderian nodded, still riding high from Epp’s long overdue destruction.
“There are currently between six and eight million people in the greater Berlin area” continued Manstein. It was a collosal figure, reflective of the fact that the population had close to doubled with refugees, soldiers and civilians fleeing the red tide to the West. “Every single one of them now depends on us, and on their army.”
“Our strategy?”
“The Russian’s have agreed to maintain a humanitarian corridor out of the city to the East. We can’t hold this city forever, we can’t surrender it to the Russians and we can’t feed or supply the civilian population, so evacuating them is our only option. That corridor is now the lifeline for every man, woman and child in this city. The red forces will try to seal it off or overrun the city itself. We’re going to hold it open, and hold this city, for as long as we can.”
“I’m going West then?”
“20th Corps is still retreating from the East, pushed hard by the Commune’s vanguard. You’re going to take the Panzers West and cover that retreat. I already have Erwin siting guns and defensive positions running from Potsdam out, using whatever 9th army and our cavalry units can throw together. He’ll build the wall, you convince the French to smack face first into it.”
“That we can do Herr Feld Marshal.”
“I know you can Heinz, meanwhile I will look to rallying what I can here and speeding up the evacuation.”
Guderian stopped as they finally cleared the depot and arrived at the waiting staff car. The two officers climbed into the luxurious leather interior and the vehicle sped off. Everywhere Guderian looked there were ragged lines of civilians orderly advancing towards the train terminal under police direction.
“A bad war, this one” remarked Guderian, suddenly sombre.”
“Perhaps the worst Germany has ever seen Heinz, but I’ll be damned if it’s over yet.” Manstein set a hand on Guderian’s shoulder and the blaze tank General saw an alien fire in the eyes of his normally stone faced superior. “For God, for the Emperor, for our Fatherland and for the Honour of German arms, we Will. Hold. That. Corridor.”
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