Platz under Sonne - German AAR (The Grand Campaign Mod)

[J_Master]

We in the Netherlands were mobilized for the entire war, jad the borderregions put under military controll, bridges were set to blow, fortifications were manned and land set to be flooded. But we never spoke of a front. To be honest, Frontpartij is a pretty awesome name

 

[Vlad_Dracul1989]

"Should future operations take a favourable course, we should be able to inflict serious damage upon the enemy. Nevertheless, there can be no doubt that even the most successful outcome of a further battles with the Grand Fleet will not force England to make peace. A victorious end to the war within a reasonable time can only be achieved through the defeat of the British economic heart - that is, by using the surface fleet and U-boats directly against British ports and naval bases."
- Confidential report on the first series of battles in the North Sea, Admiral Reinhard Scheer, 1915

The pre-war 'Dreadnought Race' which was ultimately ended by decisive victory of the Kaiserliche Marine, and continued during the war after a short pause. The Bayern-class battleships became the backbone of reconstituted German naval force, after scrapping 30 out of 60 ships, mostly pre-dreadnoughts or too damaged during vicious battles with Royal Navy, not expected to be in top shape anymore. More advanced Graf Spee-class warships were ordered in 1921, along with badly needed cruisers. In order to secure the Europe, Africa and the Southeast Asia, where lied the primary German interests, four battlefleets had to be built to protect sea lanes and project power anywhere, anytime there. Effectively, an absolute control of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, with smaller squadrons in control of Baltic, North and Mediterranean Seas. On the other side of the Atlantic, United States only reluctantly tried to counter the threat, well aware of Germany's superior technical skills and experience in naval matters, after they forced to surrender the greatest navy of 1914. The way how it was done terrified the American admirals, when they found out about it: luring the portions of numerically superior Royal Navy close to their own cost and then force battle upon them, without regard for own losses. Victory measured only by the damage caused to enemy. If lone cruiser's sacrifice resulted in exploded battleship, like it was done in one case, it was considered a great success. If battlecruiser's crew fought to the death to save two more of them or killed more enemy sailors, it was a victory too. Germans showed they were prepared to do literally whatever to hurt the enemy in a war on sea. Could U.S. Navy face such an opponent? Such was the thought process of naval strategists, same as in the public, concerned also very much over cost and efficiency of uncontrolled shipbuilding race. There were also concerns about present and future Japanese threat in the Pacific - after their victories over Chinese, Russians, which led to annexation of Korea and Formosa, the Empire of Japan was building it's own sphere of influence, regarding China as a future prize. Now, with the Western Pacific in control of Imperial Japanese Navy and Kaiserliche Marine, these threats were beyond mere concern. The US government had to face entirely new, hostile world surrounding it.

In November 1921, SMS Deutschland, the Bayern-class battleship, visited United States during Washington Naval Conference

To circumvent any future threat coming from the England, as the Kaiser himself held no illusions about ability of Scots to remain independent in the decades to come, the sparsely populated Outer Hebrides were annexed and fortified. Large naval base was built here in 1920s, able to provide logistics for the newborn Atlantik Flotte and to guarantee German merchant fleet the open ocean during whatever crisis may occur in the Channel: if the Germans could use submarines and mines with such great results, they don't have to be the only ones. Unified Ireland could be seen as further insurance, since they could count on constant hostility towards former oppressors, which truly won't change in just few generations. In fact, not only the Reichsbank provided many low-interest loans for the government, Blohm & Voss or Krupp's subsidiaries heavily invested to facilities outside Northern Ireland, to industrialize rest of the country - receiving cheap labour and land in return. Aside from strategic and economic profit for both sides, Irish soldiers were asked to help the guard Scottish border with England, then known as 'Wire of Death'. Electric fences were later supplemented by anti-personnel mines. The task many of them fulfilled with unparalled vigor.

Continued contruction of new warships brought prosperity to many companies, be it Schichau-Werke in Danzig or Germaniawerft in Kiel. Not only the Kaiserliche Marine, but also Dutch or South American states expressed interest to buy new ships. Offer was also made to Kingdom of Portugal, restored in 1919, to sell them two older battleships in exchange for a favourable trade treaty and access to their colonial resources, especially in Angola. With the full knowledge, that Germany doesn't have to ask nicely for the second time. If 'imperialist capitalism' was a thing, it was exactly during those times. Aristocracy, including the very members of House Hohenzollern, industrialist dynasties, middle-class officers and nationalist politicians, had now one and the same goal: to profit from the victory, in one way or another. Even the soldiers, a mere conscripts, received free land in the Eastern client states, elevated above the locals. Others found their prosperity in Africa or Southeast Asia. But the naval expansion, from obvious reasons, was the most visible expression of victor's uncaring pride in the rest of world. At least for the public: educated parts of every modern society resented the 'International Court' much more, because the Germans basically declared aphorism 'might makes right' an official, legal proceeding. Always backed by entire military of the German Empire, virtually elevating Reich's law above every other.

The Americans only now fully appreciated the centuries long British efforts to keep balance of power over seas and continents. Favourable to them, sure, but still balanced. Now, the world was out of balance. The shattered remnants of their Empire now tried to find support and protection here, with the 'Yanks' somewhat frustrated with their new role. Most of the public was in support of return to full isolationism, happy enough to narrowly escape madness in Europe, despite the outrage with the Westminster Treaty or horrendous rise of violence in Northern Ireland, dismissed by Germans as false allegations, claiming to fully trust their 'new Irish friends'. President Leonard Wood, a representative of an older era that valued moral and physical strength, viewed this development with dissapointment, presumably elected to stand against tyranny even at the cost of arms race. In merely a months, he was pressured by his own allies and peace demonstrations organized by the both major parties to find a different way to deal with the Reich. To his own surprise, Germans agreed.

The public, same as Secretary of State Hughes or Democratic opposition, was united in belief, that some kind of accord must be found. Hughes, a Republican candidate in 1916 presidential election and the main figure behind planned naval conference, knew well that existence a common ground with the Germans on naval matters may be close to impossible. Nevertheless, the Japanese expansion in the Pacific or their own designs in China had to be kept in check, even at the cost of slight humiliation. Therefore he prepared them the best offer imaginable to Wood's administration: battleship ratio 10:10:7:3 to United States, Germany, Japan and other countries (France and Britain included). Voices calling for banning the submarines were dismissed as ridiculous: there was no way any agreement of that kind was possible, and some very vocal officers from the Navy were supporters of mass submarine production as cheap and efficient solution. Limits regarding cruisers could be discussed, but never emerged during the talks, due to nature of things how conference progressed. After all, naval matters were not the only ones to appear there: question of German island colonies in the Pacific or the German Hong Kong could be easily solved by selling them to United States, a traditional American way. To never see sparsely populated but resource-rich Australia to gradually fell into Japanese or German sphere of imperialism was a single worthwhile goal.

Admiral Reinhard Scheer, head of German delegation, who was promoted to rank of Grand Admiral after his return.

The event went swimmingly, to almost everyone involved. Except the Americans themselves. First, they realized that entirety of German delegation consists of naval officers of famous names and of high rank, be it Scheer himself, or Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, the most successful submarine captain of the war. Only then they noticed that entire part of delegation in civilian clothes are not politicians or diplomats either. Except, of course, the Ambassador to United States, Wilhelm Cuno: a businessman and former director of HAPAG, a world's largest shipping company at the time. The rest? Representatives of other German companies, mostly the shipbuilders. There were exceptions, like steelmaker Fritz Thyssen, who freely conversed with foreign observers and journalists that lack of heavy industry is what makes great but less developed countries like Brazil slower in pursuing their own place in the sun. Another warning sign was the zero communication of the delegation with their home country, sending only telegrams of absolutely trivial nature. Secretary Hughes then started a speech, where he outlined his main objectives. Admiral Scheer listened his every word, with the same, severe expression he had in the war. That's why his subordinates called him the 'Man with the iron mask'. For a few next days, German delegation continued exactly like they started: promising nothing definitive, while 'changing the American conference into German trade fair', as New York Times described it with a lot of dismissive sarcasm. Hughes and other politicians, like Senators Lodge and Underwood, were losing patience, unlike the President Wood, who waited for his moment of satisfaction. It eventually came to fruition, when Scheer made a speech in the name of His Majesty the German Emperor. A lot of it was obviously written by Admiral himself, due to long and exhausting amount of text used, until he reached the truly important parts: any discussion regarding China and the Western Pacific is purposeless, since Germany signed bilateral treaty with Japan (basically giving Japan a free hand in entire Northern China, with secret part opening possibility to give islands in the Pacific to Japan if and when they will prove supportive in any 'Russian crisis' involving Germany directly). After dropping this bomb, Scheer explained, that Germany sees no actual need for a naval treaty, before leaving the conference room in Memorial Continental Hall. Japanese delegation, led by Prime Minister Katō Tomosaburō, also left the building without further comment. Prime Minister of Japan was actually more dissapointed than Secretary of Hughes: in Japan, the three surviving Genrōs (especially Yamagata Aritomo, father of modern Japanese militarism), considered already as relics of Meiji era, held enough influence to force liberal government to accept German deal, as they predicted it's infinitely more practical than anything Hughes and Wood may offer. The Wilhelm II. opposed it at first, but he was eventually persuaded by both Chancellor Helfferich and Hugenberg (strongest party's new chairman), that Far East is too far anyway, but revolutionaries are too damn close.

 

[stnylan]

With the benefit of hindsight I would recommend automatically no one sign the Washington Naval Treaty

 

[JodelDiplom]

Hahaha, sending admirals, shipyard owners and steel makers to a naval and limitation conference. What a gesture.

But is Germany really so powerful as to not need to fear the Americans? The American shipyards are second to none in the world and they have them on two oceans.

 

[Specialist290]

Agreeing with JodelDiplom here; this seems like a blunder on the part of the Germans in the long term. America may have a small standing military, but they have the resources of nearly an entire continent to draw upon, and -- unlike Russia -- a strong industrial base that can actually make full use of them. Should the Americans ever decide to prioritize guns over butter...

 

[J_Master]

Germany also has the resources of a continent to draw upon now, not to forget multiple minor allies who will also be providing their navy to the cause. And Germany has a major lead in exsisting naval capacity. But I still see 2 major problems. The capacity of the dockyards in northern Germany is still limited, but with the increased global presence I see this easily ratified. And, instead of the Americans, the Germans aren't going to be fighting in their backyard.

Speaking of naval construction. The Dutch navy was looking into some major expansion in WW1 and the Interbellum. In 1917, they were looking into the purchase of multiple dreadnoughts and late in the 30'ies they looked at the construction of 3 battlecruisers for the defence of Indonesia against Japan. Maybe Germany is willing to provide? Especially with South Africa now closely linked to the Dutch Crown

 

[Vlad_Dracul1989]

With the benefit of hindsight I would recommend automatically no one sign the Washington Naval Treaty

Well, it's ridiculous anyway: if you don't want to ruin yourself in naval race, okay, just let the better country win and accept your inferiority

Hahaha, sending admirals, shipyard owners and steel makers to a naval and limitation conference. What a gesture.

But is Germany really so powerful as to not need to fear the Americans? The American shipyards are second to none in the world and they have them on two oceans.

Agreeing with JodelDiplom here; this seems like a blunder on the part of the Germans in the long term. America may have a small standing military, but they have the resources of nearly an entire continent to draw upon, and -- unlike Russia -- a strong industrial base that can actually make full use of them. Should the Americans ever decide to prioritize guns over butter...

Let's just imagine demographics and economy: In 1920, United States had population of 106 million people. Germany, with addition of Austrian lands, now contains 90 million people and in 1940 it will be 110 million. Industrialization continues unhindered like crazy, with almost none British or French competition, markets under control, and people from throughout Europe will be moving here to work. Which of course will cause many foreigners to learn German for practical reasons. In 1930s, Germany's GDP could be highest in the world.

Germany also has the resources of a continent to draw upon now, not to forget multiple minor allies who will also be providing their navy to the cause. And Germany has a major lead in exsisting naval capacity. But I still see 2 major problems. The capacity of the dockyards in northern Germany is still limited, but with the increased global presence I see this easily ratified. And, instead of the Americans, the Germans aren't going to be fighting in their backyard.

Speaking of naval construction. The Dutch navy was looking into some major expansion in WW1 and the Interbellum. In 1917, they were looking into the purchase of multiple dreadnoughts and late in the 30'ies they looked at the construction of 3 battlecruisers for the defence of Indonesia against Japan. Maybe Germany is willing to provide? Especially with South Africa now closely linked to the Dutch Crown

I feel 4 Mackensen-class battlecruisers for a friendly price are reasonable offer, perhaps with help of loan from Reichsbank...or in exchange for few oil fields in East Indies....

 

[JodelDiplom]

Let's just imagine demographics and economy: In 1920, United States had population of 106 million people. Germany, with addition of Austrian lands, now contains 90 million people and in 1940 it will be 110 million. Industrialization continues unhindered like crazy, with almost none British or French competition, markets under control, and people from throughout Europe will be moving here to work. Which of course will cause many foreigners to learn German for practical reasons. In 1930s, Germany's GDP could be highest in the world.

I feel 4 Mackensen-class battlecruisers for a friendly price are reasonable offer, perhaps with help of loan from Reichsbank...or in exchange for few oil fields in East Indies....

Just small remark...

Having all markets under your control is usually *not* a condition under which a country undergoes major industrial expansion. Industrial expansion is investment and requires frugality and savings. That's not what economically dominant nations do.

Such dominant nations are rather like the British in late 19th century, or the Americans in the late 20th century - lacking stiff competition they keep supply short on their markets in order to drive up margins, rather than expanding production. They shift spending from investment to consumption, raise the living standards of their populations, and live the high life off their domination of world markets. They don't innovate since they don't have to. They just sell their customers more of the same old products who have no choice and have to buy them.

Meanwhile, in other less dominant places, the people aren't yet sated and they become the ones who save save save, invest invest, invest, innovate innovate innovate, and so on. Think east Asia and the tiger economies of the 1980s.

It would be absurd to expect Victorious Germany to perform industrial miracles. It might be more in line with economic history examples for them to splurge on social spending and prestige projects to pacify and integrate the catholics and Austrians, to splurge on agricultural subsidies for the aristocratic class and the "settlers" on the east, and follow a rather moderate course when it comes to industrial investment. Limiting expansion by the big giants, Krupp and Thyssen, while discouraging smaller or (God forbid) Austrian or foreign companies from any expansion. In terms of innovation, of course it would be in line with history for them to continue to build battleships while the Americans build aircraft carriers.

As for population growth - the way the Germans are trampling on Europe, the Americans are going to enjoy enormous immigration from all the downtrodden countries. Historically their growth went from 106 million in 1920 to 130 million in 1940, and that was with strong limits on immigration throughout the 1920s and 1930s...

 

[Vlad_Dracul1989]

Just small remark...

It would be absurd to expect Victorious Germany to perform industrial miracles...

...while discouraging smaller or (God forbid) Austrian or foreign companies from any expansion.

As for population growth - the way the Germans are trampling on Europe, the Americans are going to enjoy enormous immigration from all the downtrodden countries. Historically their growth went from 106 million in 1920 to 130 million in 1940, and that was with strong limits on immigration throughout the 1920s and 1930s...

Quickly found stuff from Wiki:

"The merger of four major firms into the Vereinigte Stahlwerke (United Steel Works) in 1926 was modeled on the U.S. Steel corporation in the U.S. The goal was to move beyond the limitations of the old cartel system by incorporating advances simultaneously inside a single corporation. The new company emphasized rationalization of management structures and modernization of the technology; it employed a multi-divisional structure and used return on investment as its measure of success.[52]

Whereas Britain's share of world trade had declined between 1880 and 1913 from 38.2 per cent to 30.2 per cent, Germany's share had increased in the same period from 17.2 per cent to 26.6 per cent.[53] Between 1890 and 1913 German exports tripled and by 1913 Germany's share of world manufacturing production was 14.8 per cent, ahead of Britain's 13.6 per cent.[54] By 1913 American and German exports dominated the world steel market, as Britain slipped to third place.[55] In 1914 German steel output was 17.6 million tons, larger than the combined output of Britain, France and Russia.[54] Germany's coal production reached 277 million tons in 1914, not far behind Britain's 292 million tons and far ahead of Austria-Hungary's 47 million tons, France's 40 million tons and Russia's 36 million tons.[54]

In machinery, iron and steel and other industries, German firms avoided cut-throat competition and instead relied on trade associations. Germany was a world leader because of its prevailing "corporatist mentality", its strong bureaucratic tradition, and the encouragement of the government. These associations regulated competition and allowed small firms to function in the shadow of much larger companies.[56]"





And I dont really see Americans in their 1920s mindset to open immigration more. I expect them to be even less reasonable in that.

 

[JodelDiplom]

Quickly found stuff from Wiki:

"The merger of four major firms into the Vereinigte Stahlwerke (United Steel Works) in 1926 was modeled on the U.S. Steel corporation in the U.S. The goal was to move beyond the limitations of the old cartel system by incorporating advances simultaneously inside a single corporation. The new company emphasized rationalization of management structures and modernization of the technology; it employed a multi-divisional structure and used return on investment as its measure of success.[52]

Whereas Britain's share of world trade had declined between 1880 and 1913 from 38.2 per cent to 30.2 per cent, Germany's share had increased in the same period from 17.2 per cent to 26.6 per cent.[53] Between 1890 and 1913 German exports tripled and by 1913 Germany's share of world manufacturing production was 14.8 per cent, ahead of Britain's 13.6 per cent.[54] By 1913 American and German exports dominated the world steel market, as Britain slipped to third place.[55] In 1914 German steel output was 17.6 million tons, larger than the combined output of Britain, France and Russia.[54] Germany's coal production reached 277 million tons in 1914, not far behind Britain's 292 million tons and far ahead of Austria-Hungary's 47 million tons, France's 40 million tons and Russia's 36 million tons.[54]

In machinery, iron and steel and other industries, German firms avoided cut-throat competition and instead relied on trade associations. Germany was a world leader because of its prevailing "corporatist mentality", its strong bureaucratic tradition, and the encouragement of the government. These associations regulated competition and allowed small firms to function in the shadow of much larger companies.[56]"





And I dont really see Americans in their 1920s mindset to open immigration more. I expect them to be even less reasonable in that.

A few comments on that

1) the historic mergers in 1920s Germany (IG Farben for example, or the steel merger you mention) were not driven by some essential teutonic urge to do certain things in certain ways but by the pressures and necessities of industrial crisis in a defeated nation. German corporations formed cartels due to shrinkage of the market not because it was a sensible thing to do under any and all circumstances. Under the circumstances of a hypothetical victory, with France and in particular Britain humiliated and cut off from their traditional markets, the German corporations would have enjoyed dominance over these markets and suffer none of the pressures that drove them into cartel consolidation in our history. (Consolidation meant they could reduce cost and thereby remain profitable even with shrunk markets.)

Keep in mind that rationalization means laying off workers, cutting cost on prestige projects, and some corporate bosses agreeing to become subordinates to other corporate bosses. That's not something you do unless you have to.

2) you quoted some facts about raw steel production. Yes Germany outperformed Britain in that area in 1914 as in some others. But Britain was by far the richer nation in 1914, both in terms of living standards for the middle class and in terms of high tech consumer goods like automobiles, telephones, gramophones etc. That stuff is not produced in steel mills. Germans after victory in WW1 would want to live the life of rich Britons not that of frugal Prussians. Prussia cultivated frugality because it was always smaller, poorer and less populous than the neighbors and needed to punch harder than them in order to survive. This lent itself well to an economic mindset, after 1871, in which Germany was seen as a late comer to industry and world trade who had to be industrious and frugal in order to be able to afford a quick catch up to the British who at that time reigned supreme as world economic leader.

But all of that is no longer the case with a victorious German empire so why would the old attitudes of frugality and high investment / high savings persist?

3) The American immigration limits of the 1920s were mostly aimed at limiting immigration from Asian and southern European countries... For various mostly racist reasons. But with Britain wrecked and France humiliated those two "white" countries would be major sources of emigrants coming to the USA. The limits put in place in OTL weren't aimed at "white" immigration

 

[Pieter Bruegel]

Bah, who cares.

I want to see the Operational Plans in action! German marines in New England! German battleships bombarding New York and Boston! Damn plausibility, this is the German Century!

In all seriousness, I'm really enjoying this AAR and I wish you good fortune. I hope it gets to WW2.

 

[HIMDogson]

this is an aar where wwi germany invades britain, being totally plausible was never the point, all aars are by the nature of the fact that the player is up against an incompetant ai wanks

 

[Vlad_Dracul1989]

But all of that is no longer the case with a victorious German empire so why would the old attitudes of frugality and high investment / high savings persist?

The American immigration limits of the 1920s were mostly aimed at limiting immigration from Asian and southern European countries... For various mostly racist reasons. But with Britain wrecked and France humiliated those two "white" countries would be major sources of emigrants coming to the USA. The limits put in place in OTL weren't aimed at "white" immigration

Because you can't change general trend through one short historical event. OTL, you needed two world wars and decades of prosperity to change attitudes even in that thing.

Different timeline, different problem: since Germany will keep supporting right-wing regimes, how many socialists, liberals, communists, syndicalists or anarchists will keep coming to United States, or will try to? Persisting First Red Scare would be enough to not be too opened...

Bah, who cares.

I want to see the Operational Plans in action! German marines in New England! German battleships bombarding New York and Boston! Damn plausibility, this is the German Century!

In all seriousness, I'm really enjoying this AAR and I wish you good fortune. I hope it gets to WW2.

No spoiler, but basically, for a time, Germany will keep 'fixing' the world wherever it's possible, but in time, sheer number of stuff happening outside and inside will require major overhaul.

this is an aar where wwi germany invades britain, being totally plausible was never the point, all aars are by the nature of the fact that the player is up against an incompetant ai wanks

Still want to keep some level of plausibility. I'll make sure to manually or through events to make all potential enemies far stronger than they would be otherwise.
Therefore no China under German company, for example And this time, not even transoceanic invasion

 

[Rifal]

Alexander the Great LARPed all the time, at the expense of strategic sense or even producing an heir. No one really holds it against him now, do they?

Ofcourse not, can you imagine how boring the history books about the post-Alexander near East would be if there were no Diadochi wars.

 

[Vlad_Dracul1989]

"There’s a reason why the French are on their Fourth Republic, while we never had a single one. That’s because we did not have a worship of reason at the beginning in the Versailles, as the French did, and then discovered by examples of others, that the purity, the liberal idealism, is simply not one for the real world, or not one that avoids the guillotine."
- Paul von Hindenburg, 1921

In the Great War, the French nation experienced unprecedented, albeit short-living sense of unity. It mirrored the acceptance of the republican system, in which the once always resurging monarchists were little more than a fringe group, no longer the major faction of either moderates or extremists. Particularly, the right-wing radicals of Action Francaise, just as same, considered war unity as the absolutely primary concern, especially disillusioned and shocked by the quick defeat in 1914. So the change of the regime was unthinkable at the time. When the Crown Prince Wilhelm's forces captured the Paris, they were among the political leaders calling Marshal Joffre to continue Second Battle of Sedan, an attempt to completely cut off German forces in Northeastern France. The city fell, however, exactly because Joffre requested every available reserves to face the von Falkenhayn's army, guarding the only supply and escape route on land. Therefore, Joffre faced only impossible options: continue without approval of his own democratically elected government, with angered Germans continuing further, most likely into Normandy, with German and Austro-Hungarian battleships maintaining blockade of French ports, with no solid promise from United Kingdom, maintaining neutrality in conflict so far. Second option, of course, was the humiliating defeat, worse than the one in 1871. Finally, the armistice was bitterly accepted, with cold arguing, that Germans can't be too greedy right now, with Russian armies deep in Prussia and Hungary. This prediction ultimately proved right. With exception of few, mostly worthless colonial posessions, the territorial loss didn't happen, although the government had to officially denounce any claims over Elsass-Lothringen, publicly confirmed as integral part of German Empire. The Republic had to limit it's military capabilities, but didn't have to demolish the fortified lines, such as the Verdun fortress. Otherwise, no demilitarized zone or crippling war reparations were imposed: all in all acceptable peace treaty - if accepted by the French public. Afterwards, the French Republic was the 'least divided' political system of France no longer. With exception of pragmatic centrist politicians, especially left-wing and right-wing radicals couldn't accept the arguments behind the defeat. Spirit of French soldiers nor nation was broken, both sides claimed, and found it's enemies: be it corrupted members of bourgeosie or claimed German agents or Jews stabbing France in the back, one thing was certain, the French people couldn't find peace in this peace treaty. Germany didn't care much at first, focusing on Russian threat or soon later, British schemes to create a new coalition, but after series of failed coup attempts, failed governments and political assassinations, the escalation quickly proceeded, with re-ignition of war - officially against Bulgarian aggression in Balkans, knowing well, who's the Bulgarian prime ally. No promised massive British support happened, however, and American participation of war proved to be merely a theoretical dream, born from the unrealistic conspiracy theories. The country was fully occupied now, with Germans in Marseille, Pyrenees and Britanny.

Prince Jean, Duke of Guise. His coronation as Jean III., the King of France and Navarre happened in Clermont-Ferrand's Cathedral, 1922, immediately after start of French Civil War.

The full weight of defeat was felt everywhere, accompanied by more methodical and less cruel Prussian approach to simply take control of communication and supply lines, leaving French citizens in cities to figure out what they want for themselves. The mere existence of military triumvirate headed by Pétain, Castelnau and d'Esperey wasn't universally accepted, nor it's order to disband the remnants of civilian government in this times of 'emergency'. Several rival governments were established, some ended by Germans, some crushed by divisions loyal to junta, consisting usually of men from rural areas. This also led to decision of generals to change France's capital, now being in Clermont-Ferrand. At first, the Orleáns was chosen, but it was considered too close to Paris, under control of so called 'Provisional government of Fourth Republic' - for a months, both sides refused to even recognise their mutual existence within the country, acting independently in absurd degrees. Pétain refused to recognize the new National Assembly, calling it's Prime Minister, Aristide Briand, a 'mayor of Paris' at best, pointing out the fact, that many areas seemingly in control of 'Fourth Republic' were in fact ran by left-wing local governments, going so far as calling them 'soviets'. The officers didn't wish to further ruin defeated France, horrified by prospect of same vicious civil war like the one in Russia, and tried to find common ground with Briand's representatives, especially with fellow soldiers loyal to the Briand's government, younger generals like Gamelin or Weygand.

Meanwhile, socialists and anarchists were making irrepairable damage in Northern France, while the junta's main powerbase in Massif Central, from Bordeaux and la Rochelle to Alps and Nice, was heavily influenced by conservatives and right-wing nationalists, escaping the persecutions led by revolutionaries in towns like Caen or Reims. It was not just the Action Francaise's activity reaching new heights: more influential political organisation there in 1920-1921 was 'Fédération Nationale Catholique' with 4.5 million members at it's peak. Both groups worked well with each other, targeting mostly different parts of population. At that point, the civil war was widely considered inevitable, despite the both main factions to be a loose coalitions: Briand had to rely on citizen militias and more or less radicalized army units, including thousands of sailors from Marine Nationale and it's battleships (Navy, unlike Army, remained fiercely loyal to the Republic), while the junta established firm positions mostly in southern and eastern countrysides, relying on support of catholic and conservative areas. There were also groups not fully allied with neither of main factions, Basques or Corsicans, establishing virtually a small states within state, as long as junta and Briand were preoccupied with each other. Unlike shattered Russia, however, the France managed to pretend unity for a much longer time: money printed in Clermont-Ferrand was accepted in Paris and vice versa - army units didn't fire at each other, even if not much later, one unit wore fleur-de-lys on helmets, while other one painted lorraine cross - or red star. It took, in fact, numerous incidents and violations of promises, to see internal divisions developed into full-scale civil war. That's why the France in years 1918 - 1922 is commonly called 'Fourth Republic', because until that year, no one questioned it's official legitimacy.

The AF movement's newspaper was very soon supplemented by new form of media: public radio, broadcasting from Clermont-Ferrand and Orleáns

What proved as the infamous last straw in such crisis, was an attempt of armed band of anarchists to take over Lyon, a large city with sizeable garrison of troops consisting of villagers from Alps and Languedoc. After their initial refusal to lay down arms or join the 'Army of the Fourth Republic', the waves of militiamen stormed the local barracks. Unexpectedly, on accounts of shocked witnesses, machine guns started to massacre the only lightly armed members of republican militia. Republican general Gamelin immediately left Clermont-Ferrand, after Pétain and Castelnau refused to resign from their posts or swear loyalty to the government in Paris. Important naval base of Bordeaux immediately experienced strikes and then the rebellion of sailors and dock workers - and just when the soldiers wanted to leave the city to prevent a carnage against civilians, minor, but armed and tolerated group of aggressive right-wing radicals from Croix-de-Feu (Cross of Fire) appeared in the scene. Skull symbols on their uniforms were always supplemented by war medals, as their members were usually the most bitter veterans of 1914 campaign. In words of their self-proclaimed commanding officer, Colonel de La Rocque, only 'these traitors within the glorious French nation are worse than Germans'. It was fitting, that leader of this group didn't ever see any battle in France: for the entirety of war, he was stationed in North Africa, and his requests to be transferred to defend mainland were repeatedy denied, until he resigned immediately after furious Germans started second invasion of France. Soldiers returning from the colonies like him were another valuable source of recruits: for those rejected or rejecting the post-war French Army, either under control of junta or the Republic, Croix-de-Feu was only option. The several 'brigades' were established, formally respecting Army's chain of command, operating as local garrison in less 'exposed' parts of Occitania. Arrival of two such brigades to Bordeaux was unexpected and there is still debate among the historians, that de La Rocque had to receive verbal order from either Castelnau or d'Esperey.

Pétain remains unlikely suspect, as he vigorously, in public, supported negoatiations with Briand's government to stabilise French state. Wherever lies the truth, the brigade took control of Bordeaux's port after brief, but brutal street skirmishes and several summary executions of 'anarchist traitors'. Shocked crews of anchored warships proved reluctant to risk massive civilian casualties and surrendered to quickly arriving Army units - only small portion of junta's military personnel or civilian bureacracy deserted, but the ports and major railroad lines had to remain under vigilant guard of most loyal units from now on.

So where it leaves future King of France at this moment? As perhaps a novel writer could describe, Duke of Guise became unwilling pawn in a game with high stakes. Allowed to stay in France during the war, the Duke was a central figure in a very minor incident in his estate, used as a field hospital. During apparently heated confrontation, he personally protected wounded soldiers, including few French ones, claimed to be deserters. After situation in the country deteriorated, he returned to his family in Belgium, now as a head of House Bourbon. As we know, the Belgium didn't escape changes for worse, so the Duke returned to France once again, with his family, during short period of relative stability, in 1919, before leaving for Geneva. On the way, he had a meeting with a certain member of Action Francaise, with a certain proposal: not allowing himself to be used, the Duke refused, only to be reapproached in Switzerland again, three years later. Three years of unwanted attention from all sides: officials of the Fourth Republic, reminding him, that law of exile forbidding royals to enter France is now in completely full effect, random persons shouting at him 'vive le Roi' or brick thrown to his window, after which he hired private detectives to protect his family.

Charles Maurras amidst the civilian representatives of Clermont-Ferrand government

And one day, merely a week after bloodshed in Lyon and Bordeaux, he was visited by Louis Franchet d'Esperey, the Marshal of France, wearing fleur-de-lys on his uniform. Government of National Integration, the now official name of proclaimed rival government in Clermont-Ferrand, lacked international recognition and public support. Various groups pledged support to it, but none single Marshal or General had enough authority to be Head of State: Pétain had sympathy of common soldiers, Castelnau had control or support of Catholic organisations and d'Esperey, could be said, represented moderate conservatives and oldschool monarchists. They needed visible, public figure, a symbol of authority. Like d'Esperey, the King Jean III. never wrote memoirs nor he didn't mentioned the details of the dialogue in Geneva in any interview. What is certain, however, that soon after he left for Clermont-Ferrand accompanied by d'Esperey, his relatives moved to Bern, a little more far away from the now heavily guarded French borders.

The Kingdom of France returned once again - under motto of "Travail, famille, patrie".

 

[stnylan]

France remains France, be it under president, King or Emperor, and will forever be the enemy of all right-thinking people

 

[Specialist290]

The merry-go-round of French politics turns and turns. Who knows when the ride will end?

 

[der Kriegsherr]

@Specialist290

Hopefully, here. As long as it's not a threat to the Reich, of course.

 

[HIMDogson]

@Specialist290

Hopefully, here. As long as it's not a threat to the Reich, of course.

Given the AF's historical Germanophobia and the fact that they're blaming the Jews who allegedly control the German government for their defeat, yeah, I'd say it's a threat to Germany.

 

[Nikolai]

Given the AF's historical Germanophobia and the fact that they're blaming the Jews who allegedly control the German government for their defeat, yeah, I'd say it's a threat to Germany.

Definitely.