Uh oh. Looks like its time to oversee those western defences again, make sure the machineguns are lubricated, bunkers are stocked with supplies, tank ditches are deep enough etc etc.
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The Russian state was left virtually non-existent after the Great War, due to inability of the last Tsar to understand the basic concept of rule or to recognize the total military defeat. Proclaimed Russian Republic survived longer than anyone abroad expected, though. With Bolshevik takeover of state's institutions, the right-wing forces fought back, with support of various countries, often hostile to each other just years ago: like German and Japanese Empires. This soon caused defeated British State, humiliated by the Treaty of Westminster to sent 'humanitarian aid' to Soviet Russia, effectively turning the conflict into proxy war. Further aid of more economic nature was offered by United States few years later, when Germany made it more than clear, how little the rest of the world cares about American government's opinion. This development had many causes, like alarming growth of socialist parties and unions in both countries, bolstered by resignation of many opposition forces, too much fearing now the gradual descent into revolution, civil war - or right-wing dictatorship under too convenient national security reasoning. Similarly, United States gave much more support to Constitutional Protection Movement in China, including industrial machines and gold to help it's currency, after Germany signed bilateral treaty with Japan about how influence in China should be divided, with secret provisions regarding Russian Civil War, for example, to never recognize Soviet state as lawful government and to recognize only Russian government-in-exile already organized in Europe. Therefore in many ways, war in China was very much connected to battles within territories of fallen Russian Empire. Chinese Nationalists themselves had to view Bolsheviks as the only true allies, for the moment, also resenting their reinforced status as a pawns of Great Powers, which turned Kuomintang into more left-wing party, falling under control of Wang Jingwei, cooperating the actions with Soviet representatives, while balancing their influence with very much welcomed American support.
Unable to create united front against Bolsheviks, the divided opposition soon fell into defeatism, no matter how many weapons and ammunition were sent to the East
The Bolsheviks, on their part, proved good knowledge of Realpolitik way of thinking: they knew how to mobilize their resources effectively in Western Russia, how to acquire enough foreign support and how to avoid anything lethal to revolution, like direct German intervention. This, in practice, meant certain moderation of Bolshevik policies, more tolerating opposition and not overly supporting revolutionary activity in Euroof course required some changes of Party's leadership. This 'moderation', rather than revolutionary fervour, and growing foreign support were indeed the true reasons behind their success, destroying White forces one by one in a merely two years, while slowly weakening it's allies, victims of complacency, allies only until their usefulness came to an end and were absorbed or marginalized in Soviet Russia. In fact, many Russian liberals and social democrats abandoned the White cause and embraced the Bolshevik country, lying to themselves, that pragmatic Soviet policies are proof of democratization process. Majority of them shunned stories of continuing atrocities as a propaganda, arguing, that after the war, there will be opportunity to create stronger and more democratic Republic, reducing opposition further into hardline conservatives and nationalist forces in Caucasus and Central Asia, with distinctive lack of manpower, industry or foreign support. Their only luck in this situation was, ironically, presence of German military in the Eastern Europe, allowing them to retreat safely, with their weapons or their families. Generally sympathetic to their plight, and usually under command of aristocrats, like in case of Heeresgruppe Mackensen (Army Group Mackensen), German units often fought the Bolsheviks behind the designated border, to cover their evacuation. In one instance, 2nd Royal Bavarian Uhlans prevented massacre of surrendered White soldiers, under false promise of amnesty. It's commander, hopelessly outnumbered by the Red Guards, claimed that surrendered soldiers are accused of criminal activity in Ukraine and they will be judged by German military court, adding that his action is authorized by Feldmarschall von Mackensen himself. After that, of course, he was officially reprimanded, before promotion and transfer to Finland as military advisor for it's new Royal Finnish Army. In the Far East, Manchuria under control of Japanese was used by retreating Whites in the same way, with same respect for borders on Japanese side, especially after Nikolayevsk Incident, during which Bolshevik commander authorized war crime against Japanese civilians and captured soldiers. This was used as a reason to not only support Whites, but also reinforce garrisons in Manchuria with 200.000 more Japanese soldiers and to annex entire Sakhalin island.
So it should be clearly noted, that German Empire didn't truly adopt position of passive observer, as was later claimed during resignation of Reichskanzler Karl Helfferich, replaced by Paul von Hindenburg. In 1918-1919, the survival of Soviet state was considered dubious at best, not only in the Kaiserreich. Many politicians generally expected, although despised, Russian 'Reign of Terror', which will certainly crush on itself, by the pressure of anti-Bolshevik forces or by the coup of some ambitious officer. These predictions were not at all wrong: Soviet Russia was constantly plagued by dissent, like Kronstadt Rebellion, Peasant War or Tsaritsyn Uprising, to name a few. More than one general or one division changed sides or tried to proclaim new government, sometimes twice. This, sadly, was more troubling for White forces: even Admiral Kolchak, for a two years internationally recognized Russia's Head of State, failed to unite anti-Bolshevik forces, despising moderate republicans same as rights of ethnic minorities, relying heavily on foreign aid of Germany and Japan. In short, White movement did seemingly everything to fail, while Bolsheviks managed to use their enemies for their own purpose, acting as defenders of the nation against foreign aggression or foreign puppets. The mentioned Admiral, who took title of 'Supreme Commander', managed to alienate even Czech divisions under command of General Geidl: more precisely, the ones who refused to return after Kingdom of Bohemia became part of Germany, as the majority accepted amnesty and returned home. These were the largest White forces which escaped to Manchuria.
Supposedly realistic depiction of 2nd World Congress of the Comintern, 1920, during which the outcome the Civil War was already decided.
By the years 1921-1922, when last serious armed opposition crumbled, reinforced Bolshevik government evaluated their options: thousands of kilometers were still under control of various rebel groups or bandits, often truly hard to recognize one from another, but the Red Army now had free hands to do more. Secured Central Asia and Mongolia would open communication and supply lines to China, where Sun Yat-sen's and then Wang Jingwei's Nationalist state struggled against Beiyang Government. Any help they received from abroad could be easily cut off by German military - if the Germany was able to at the time. The Troubles in Britain, French Civil War, dissolution of Belgium or not-at-all flawless integration of Austrian lands into German federal monarchy constantly kept westward attention of government and military, considering Russia as a great, but so far avoidable nuisance. Forced separation of Italian lands, African colonial projects or expanding foreign markets also required high level of vigilance and dedication.
The definitely turning point was 'Canaris' Report': in the Spring 1924, Vice Admiral Wilhelm Canaris, who was in control of Naval Intelligence at the time, was sent to the Far East, amongst other things, to make assessment of Bolshevik influence in Siberia and China. His discoveries were alarming, to say the least. Soon after his arrival, first Chinese president Sun Yat-sen died, replaced by his closest aide Wang Jingwei, with support of Liao Zhongkai and Hu Hanmin, all of them in favour to strengthen ties to Soviets and Chinese Communists. Their main enemy, Chiang Kai-shek, was murdered two months later: five gunmen riddled him with bullets from Mauser C96s. This allowed left-wing faction to purge their party of suspected imperialist influence, more than ever before repeating Sun's Three Principles: nationalism, democracy and socialism, with special emphasis on the last one. Aside from this, Vice Admiral managed to analyse the depth of American support, counting not only official aid, like state loans or cheap goods but also from various U.S. companies and non-profit organisations. No wonder, how one by one, warlords in the Northern China had problems to resist Kuomintang's forces, with Soviet military advisors and American supplies, sometimes simply bought off by hard currency. If warlord refused, his subordinates were often coerced or bribed to desertion, with additional elimination afterwards, as strongly suggested by the Soviets. Therein Canaris' conclusions lied: whether China will turn into another full revolutionary slaughterhouse or not was irrelevant to the fact, that Soviet-Chinese alliance will prove deadly to the schemes of now hesitating Japanese, while Germany had only limited to none presence in China, with exception of Macao and Hong Kong. American government was more than willing to support both powers against Empires hostile to United States as their counterweights.
With German permission, Hetman Skoropadsky organized deep raids into Soviet-held territory for the six years, same as General Bułak-Bałachowicz, de facto leader of White Ruthenia
The many pages of his report 'accidentally' ended up in major German newspapers, not the ones about forming of deadly coalition to destroy Germany of course, but the others, about Bolshevik policies enforced within the fledgling 'Worker's paradise'. It arrived to leading articles just after revolution in Ottoman Empire, which created Socialist Republic of Turkey: the Sultan Mehmed VI. barely escaped aboard German cruiser, dying on the way to exile. His successor, Abdulmejid II., was killed very same day by Turkish revolutionaries. Now there was no longer time for subtle actions: during so called 'First Berlin Arbitration', armies of Bulgaria and Greece, with full support of Mittelmeer Flotte under command of Admiral Souchon, marched into Turkey, joined soon by forces of Rashidi dynasty and Reza Shah, supplemented in Palestine by 'security forces' of Suez Canal Company and, again, by the fleet actions. It wasn't actually the first decision made by the Court, but the first one, which authorized international military operation as the only viable option left. Jaffa, Beirut and Jerusalem fell under German control with minimal resistance. Turkish revolutionaries tried to mount resistance, but were soon warned to cease and desist: invading forces had clearly upper hand and it wasn't a secret anymore, that Souchon received official permission to indiscriminately bomb every coastal target, including Constantinople itself. Foreign protests were shunned as perverted sympathies to communists and anarchists. These days, American, British and French diplomats in Berlin couldn't leave the embassies, day and night harrased by nationalist crowds yelling profanities. Police usually rejected their complaints under reasoning that no property is being destroyed and no one was harmed. And Germans had right to express their free speech after all.
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A Red Russia certainly is cause for alarm within the German leadership. The Tsar's own weakness may have led to his downfall, but now that the socialists have a state of their own and a clear aim of exporting the revolution, it's only a matter of time before they feel confident enough to try to bring down the governments of Eastern Europe, and perhaps even try to cause an insurrection within the German heartland itself.
Mention of meddling Americans makes me wonder if they're perhaps gearing up for a direct confrontation down the road, or at least what we would call a "cold war" nowadays. I definitely get a clear sense that they're trying to ring Germany (and Japan, who I'd imagine would be the more immediate threat from America's Pacific-centered perspective) with hostile powers they can turn to as allies should a shooting war begin...
Mention of meddling Americans makes me wonder if they're perhaps gearing up for a direct confrontation down the road, or at least what we would call a "cold war" nowadays. I definitely get a clear sense that they're trying to ring Germany (and Japan, who I'd imagine would be the more immediate threat from America's Pacific-centered perspective) with hostile powers they can turn to as allies should a shooting war begin...
So we have a relatively large nationalist and socialist republic in Turkey. The Reds finally defeating their White opposition in Russia. The position of the Beiyang government seems to become unholdable. France has descended into a civil war between two anti-German factions and the US is making moves against Germany. It seems to me the German world order is showing its first cracks.
How did Mongolia get so big? Is that Sternberg?
Also, it'll be interesting to see who takes power in the USSR. Given that Socialism in One Country seems even more prudent ttl, my money's on Stalin.
Also, it'll be interesting to see who takes power in the USSR. Given that Socialism in One Country seems even more prudent ttl, my money's on Stalin.
The Germans are busy teaching everyone else in Europe, Asia, Africa and the rest of the world proper dance tunes (everyone must dance to the German tune!)
How can they spare attention to the goings on in Russia? Don't they have some underlings in the eastern satellites who can keep an eye on those things.
Your AAR is great.
I'm have a question about commie army. Look, if i'm remember correctly, Soviets can not create army with more than 50 divisions, if German Empire and Austria - Hungary still exists
(This condition from DH Full)
I'm see you have more than 100 divisions, so what about size of the Soviet army? Less than 50 divisions?
I'm have a question about commie army. Look, if i'm remember correctly, Soviets can not create army with more than 50 divisions, if German Empire and Austria - Hungary still exists
(This condition from DH Full)
I'm see you have more than 100 divisions, so what about size of the Soviet army? Less than 50 divisions?
You can bet there is high level propaganda war already, with Americans presented in Germany as immoral shopkeepers without dignity (British v2.0), while US newspapers never stopped babbling about Kaiser being rapist or Prussians eating kids - so plans to bomb New York by Zeppelins are most serious articles here. Every day some German spy or assassin wants to destroy greatest democracy in the world.
Main different factor here is, that Germany in 1920s refuses to acknowledge existence of concept called 'disarmament'. Peace not backed by monstrous military and gunboat diplomacy is just ridiculous idea, right?
That's basically just border gore from various temporary faction-countries.
Political leaders there have still hard times explaining silly peasants and intelectuals how they have just two options, being kamerad of Germany or fall into deep level terror pit.
That doesn't apply here, apparently. In 1926, Soviets have 70 divisions. Austria-Hungary doesn't exist anymore, so that's perhaps it.
If you want peace, prepare for war.
Actually, Germany keeping the army up is a good thing I would say. No need to re-arm after the German Order collapses because the army has always remained in top shape. No 3-5 years where the enemy has re-armed and you are vulnerable.
"You can make a throne out of bayonets, but you cant sit on it for long, and the longer you sit the bloodier the result"
This will end badly for everyone involved.
Meme depicting WWI ITTL. Replace fat man with an attitude with "rainy island with an Empire"
New part in progress, but for now I must share what I just found in antiques and couldnt resist:
That must be an artefact from a parallel universeNew part in progress, but for now I must share what I just found in antiques and couldnt resist:
To call 1926 German election fiercely contested by the opposition, would be an understatement. Right-wing coalition ruling Germany so far, with clear Reichstag majority, and it's cooperation (called 'servility' by SPD) with ruling cadres of officers, industrialists and aristocrats was now fractured beyond repair: many moderates within Centre Party criticised political developments in previous years, both inside and outside the country. Continued focus on naval building, fueled by generous loans provided by Reichsbank to shipyards and it's customers (Netherlands, Brazil, Spain etc.), inevitably kept image of warmongering state of insatiable ambitions. The 'Ostpolitik', a massive economic development of Eastern Europe under the aegis of the German Army (all new infrastructure being planned by military engineers), also proved a success at home, but a lot of disasters abroad. Enough being sad, an elite Sturmtruppen battalions had to operate independently in Ukraine, solving 'local disputes'. Due to such large scale projects, unemployment virtually didn't exist, which kept public support high, but all attempts for at least modest reforms were shunned or outright rejected by the Chancellor Helfferich, now replaced in office by military hero and retired soldier, Paul von Hindenburg, who had to lead DNVP (German National People's Party or known as 'Kaiserpartei') into the new elections. After the 'joining' of Archduchy of Austria and Kingdom of Bohemia into Federal Monarchy, some compromises were made to keep administration content (general amnesty, autonomy provisions similar to ones in case of Bavaria), but the public opinion was an another thing. The Czechs particularly excelled in passive resistance and non-violent acts of defiance, with majority of worst, militant radicals already far away, in Soviet Russia, Manchuria or United States. This inevitably caused greater rise of regional parties', calling for more autonomy, including old prewar ones: Elsass-Lothringen Partei, Bayerischer Bauernbund or Polnische Partei.
"The course stays right" DNVP poster for 1926 German federal election: clear message to both supporters and enemies
Therefore in 1925, DNVP pushed through the change of electoral law, which now demanded 8% threshold to obtain any seats, with additional provision, that any coalition of two or more parties must receive 16% of votes to enter the Reichstag. In ironical twist, this bolstered position of previously shattered SPD's social democrats, calling for unity and less aggressive approach advocated by communist or anarchist sympathizers, changing the party into one popular front. The DVP and DDP liberals, always a minor political force, created a powerful coalition with Centre Party, making it now clear, that continuation for current coalition is not automatic and certain demands will be respected now, if country's elites want majority government, whether more for sake of unquestionable public support or constitutional rights - with the second arguably more important one, since International Court backed by full power of German Empire claimed legality of enforcement of it's verdicts worldwide. This was crucial part of postwar implementation of Wilhelm II.'s 'Weltpolitik', maintaining that every foreign policy made by the Empire is being lawful and orderly at all times.
The German Emperor in 1920s rarely intervened in country's affairs, leaving them once again in the hands of the Chancellor. In the Great War, he already felt his influence diminished or transferred to generals and admirals. Once he got rid of self-serving ambitious men such as Tirpitz or Moltke the Younger, they were only replaced by aggressive officers, fully supported by the Hindenburg-Ludendorff wartime diarchy. These no longer felt that allegiance to Kaiser must remain on same level as the loyalty to the Fatherland, which was the very important difference in decades to come. Contributing factors were definitely also the suicide of his son, Prince Joachim and subsequent deaths of his wife Augusta Victoria, called 'Dona' in the family circle, and his grandson Wilhelm Friedrich (due to outbreak of 'French flu' pandemic), who could have been the German Emperor one day. It was truly like the tragedies continued to ravage Wilhelm II.'s family, with another of his sons, Oskar, killed in war, whose wife expected their third child. Shortly before the 1926 elections, his younger brother Heinrich died of throat cancer, just like their father Frederick III. Wilhelm's other brothers, Sigismund and Waldemar died to infections as a children. The grief over these losses alone were more than enough to explain Kaiser's growing seclusion, which in turn gave his public image better, more humane light than any pompous ceremony or warlike speeches he insisted on before the war.
Growing dissent against decisions made usually outside Reichstag, be it German Emperor's residence, military headquarters or industrialist conference, was countered by fueled propaganda campaign against danger of Bolshevism.
Reaction of the the Crown Prince was a different case, as he was being perhaps too active in politics now, previously despised as bothersome business of lower classes. Still partially living the life of playboy, mingling with Empire's and foreign celebrities, he added support for paramilitary units and Goring's National Socialists to his list of interests at these days - with them sticking to DAP acronym of German Worker's Party, while constantly rejecting derogatory terms 'Nazi' or 'Nazi-Sozi'. With the victory of Maurras' Integralists in the French Civil War and success of similar movements in Spain, Portugal or North Italy caused closer ideological ties to them, slowly scrapping the whole 'socialist' inclination of the party. After the 1926 elections, though, they overplayed their hand and caused incident, which had catastrophic consequences for their schemes.
The 1924 official portrait of German Emperor, used for schools, post offices and so on, wearing only simple uniform with Iron Cross and 'Blue Max', a distinct change from pre-war portraits. Notice the evocative use of black, white and red in the center.
It's self-appointed 'Fuhrer' of DAP, Hermann Goring, and his men from Sturmabteilung tried to block Reichstag's entrance for SPD deputies. The visibly annoyed Crown Prince arrived from Potsdam, supposedly to defuse the situation, accompanied by men from his old Prussian Hussar Regiment, with their iconic totenkopf symbols now on modern steel helmets. That was the interpretation made in press: in fact, he was scheduled to arrive instead of his father, to represent the country's sovereign and himself, as many started to believe, that Wilhelm II.'s reign may not last to the next elections, due to his deteriorating health. Not used to be defied in public, especially not by violent shouting upstarts literally a meters from reporters, taking notes of every detail and every word, in terse manner he ordered the Hussars and policemen to remove them from his presence, which shocked all parties present, including SPD members protected by police. The Chancellor Hindenburg knew nothing of what was happening, since he requested to not be disturbed for any reason, having a presumably critical discussion in his office with Hugenberg, Stresemann and Wirth. Everything started and ended sooner, than old soldier and his guests could know what transpired in front of cameras.
Whole affair appeared more impressive on photos, than in reality: Goring was dragged away by Berlin police and Sturmabteilung members in brown shirts ran away same second, when Hussars drew their weapons and approached them, sabers in the air. According to the reporters, it looked too very real, expecting carnage in seconds. Then cavalrymen simply did let the rest on the police units, as extremists were dispersed to all corners of the city.
The 'Extremism vs. monarchy' , 1926, Reichstag.
Some criticised this harsh, but effective and (almost) bloodless move, by perhaps someone who uncharacterically snapped by anger in a moment. The DAP, however, in that day directly challenged the authority of German monarchy in the public, and even Centre Party's moderates understood the logic behind strong reaction to previous action. The hectic post-war years were gone, now it was time to solidify the gains at home and abroad. Stability had to be achieved, and radicals like Goring were no longer applauded by any significant portion of German population. Before the incident, they were barely tolerated already by the both Centre Party and once supportive DNVP, which now negotiated a coalition government through a change of foreign policy: moderates and liberals knew they cannot completely reverse everything what happened in the last years, and it wouldn't be wise to try it, since too many nationalist - and more importantly, financial - interests now rested on the shoulders of world's greatest military power.
The 'adjustments' were therefore accepted, to concentrate on development of Europe's new nation states, as well as colonial struggle in German Africa. The Atlantic Fleet was now center of Kaiserliche Marine's efforts to built a battlefleet second to none, which left Asia pretty much to it's affairs, shared with the Dutch, Oceania, Japan - and United States. Little they knew, that Chancellor Hindenburg was informed and approved years before, that German Empire shouldn't try to overstretch itself and choose which gains are best to focus on in order to keep them. Even without such a brilliant analytical mind of his fallen comrade in arms, Ludendorff, the new Chancellor realized that only major threat now is a possible world coalition - United States and it's warlike President Leonard Wood, himself being a former soldier and staff officer, proved enough moral flexibility to support even their local or ideological rivals to eventually turn them against Germany, such as Soviet Russia - or, surprisingly, Japan, still not firmly decided of it's path, triple divided by the civilian government, Army and Navy.
One thing was certain, time of inaction was at end, as it could cost Germany too much in the future. Divisions of the German Army in the Eastern Europe started to amass on the Soviet borders, receiving modern equipment, like newest armored cars or submachine guns in greater numbers than ever before. Volunteers, Landwehr veterans and few classes of young men on their military service were all sent to the East. Partial mobilization was approved and done sooner than newspapers of the world fully realized what was happening. New police units were activated and sent to the streets of major cities to prevent any subversive actions by 'politically criminal elements'.
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The Kriegsmarine vs the USN in the Battle of the Atlantic should be a true clash of the titans; looking forwards to it.
Also, just to be clear: the Kronprinz dispersed the Nazis, yes? The writing was a bit unclear as to if he dispersed the SPD or the Nazis.
Also, just to be clear: the Kronprinz dispersed the Nazis, yes? The writing was a bit unclear as to if he dispersed the SPD or the Nazis.
I do have to wonder: Was the Crown Prince's handling of the DAP really a spur-of-the-moment thing? Or was it a shrewd political move designed to distance himself from a former ally of convenience that has no longer proven useful?
You mean version of mod? Not the latest one. I am also adding my own events or making changes on map manually to save time.
Yeah, tough for them to fight someone actually able to destroy them. Kaiserliche Marine totally plan something like occupation of the carribean and naval blockade of east coast.
Added few lines to make it clear.
Not everything in the Empire is orchestrated by someone for some long game
Heir of the throne of greatest power on Earth, and some fat guy is shouting on him profanities in daily light, so his options were limited, to not look like a fool.
