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

[Blackoberst]

Only noticed now, but Greece has rather odd borders. A massive Bulgaria owning all of Thrace but Greece still owns Constantinople, Asia Minor and the Pontic coast, I guess off of the virtue that Bulgaria wouldn't be able to rule all that

I guess in this timeline the 'Megali Idea' was implemented (though without its creator, who was Venizelos), and there was no 'Great Catastrophe' of 1923 to push them out of Asia Minor. I'm sure we'll get a proper update with what happened with the Ottoman Empire while it imploded.

 

[Vlad_Dracul1989]

Term 'venizelos' is likely used in same way like 'quisling' in OTL.

 

[Baron Jukaga]

Gah, I thought there was an update

 

[Vlad_Dracul1989]

"French by birth, heart, reason and will, I shall fulfil the duties of a conscious patriot. The republican spirit disorganises national defense, family bonds and favours ruinous influences directly hostile to the Catholic Church. Our only future lies, therefore, in the Monarch, as it is personified in the heir of the forty kings who, for a thousand years, made France. Only the Monarchy ensures public safety and, in its responsibility for order and prevents the public evils in the homeland. The necessary instrument of all general interests, the Monarchy, revives authority, prosperity and honour. I work for the legacy of the Kingdom of France. I pledge myself to serve it by all the means in my power."
- The Maurras Oath

As of late 1920s, German political circles remained bound by the traditional domestic concerns: size of the Army, waning influence of Prussian industrialists, Reichsbank's dealing with inflation or coal mining strikes. Such was a simplistic view of world's matters, that shipyard worker in Kiel had no greater concern over foreign relations than shipyard's shareholders or the Chancellor Hindenburg himself: all of them concerned themselves only with question how many warships they can sell to keep maintain economic growth. Interventions in Anatolia or Russia, no matter how deeply affecting other countries, were only possible due to inability to keep dissent quiet and serene. External threats were convenient means to an end, as long as no opposition bothered the growth of banks, industries and military. This wasn't the case of first half of 1920s. Previous Chancellor, Karl Helfferich, wasn't in favour of direct interventions anywhere, especially to the Far East, and preferred controversial treaty of 'mutual understanding' with the Japanese, to guarantee opportunities of German companies and the Reichsbank in China, while protecting assets of OAG (Ost-Asien Gesselschaft) including it's wholly owned subsidiaries, and security of satellite states like Vietnam and Sarawak, who were largely left to their own designs, as long as they knew to whom their ultimate loyalty belongs to. No governor-generals, no colonial administrators or separate treatment before law.
The greatest way in which Helfferich intervened in China, were 500.000 rifles and 10.000 machine guns, mortars and cannons, mostly discarded but functional ones, along with many war trophies which were not melted down already, after post-war forced disarmament of coalition armies. Rifles were largely in China well-known German 1888 'Commission Rifles' and artillery pieces were trophy French 75's, first mass produced field gun with recoil mechanism.
This would eventually, in 1928, bleed Nationalist forces dry, despite all the available support sent from United States.

When Archduchy of Austria became part of German Empire, widespread celebrations were 'somewhat lacking', as euphemistically expressed by one Swiss journalist.

By that time, however, Paul von Hindenburg was the Chancellor, fully focusing on the inner state of the Fatherland, understanding his role as of keeper, maintaining everything he defended as a soldier of Prussian King and German Emperor. With closer look, seeing through the government-approved newspaper articles and official speeches, however, there were deep cracks in the apparatus of the state. Vigorous maintenance of the old Federal Monarchy founded in 1871 had to conflict with ideological and generation changes in society and especially with addition of former Austrian territories into the Kaiserreich.
Long and brutal war, which ravaged half of Austria-Hungary, fighting many fronts, while Germany could focus with almost full strength to destroy single enemy, therefore defeating them one by one. Left-wing agitation combined with nationalist fanaticism did quickly spread like forest fire, especially in worst affected Kingdom of Hungary, which had to endure Russian and Romanian invasions, while also dealing with Serbian incursions after first failed offensives. Not even the ink on Westminster Treaty was dry, and von Mackensen's soldiers still marched through London, when Emperor of Austria and Apostolic King of Hungary, Charles I. found himself in an impossible position. Barely able to control old Archduchy and Czech lands, he bitterly asked government of German Empire for mediation, meaning swift invasion and disarmament of what was left of Austro-Hungarian former military. At least in the Austrian part of the dying Empire. The briefly proclaimed 'Hungarian Soviet', like the one in Esztergom, was brutally crushed by Hungarian royalist forces using incendiary shells against the city, equally in same amount of intention to prove a point to Germans and from deep hate towards Bolshevism.

The Bohemian Royal Guard, Prague, 1928.

Representatives of the Czech interests in Bohemia and Moravia, however, had much weaker cards to use, but since the radicals remained in France, Manchuria or emigrated to United States, the 'National Committee' headed by Karel Kramar was full of moderates who, before war, were mostly willing to stay loyal to the monarchy. Almost 80 year old Kramar, despite holding panslavist sympathies for Russians, was ultimately a pragmatic politician. First, he declared that Committee and ultimately the entire Czech-speaking majority of Bohemia doesn't oppose incorporation of Lands of Bohemian Crown into Federal Monarchy headed by German Emperor. But, at the same time, there should be Bohemian King sitting in Prague Castle, just like there is still Bavarian King in the Munich. Second, it should be officially recognized that historically, the country was always billingual and therefore, there should be certain provisions addressing this issue, to end any nationalist disputes. The intentions were clear: to leave the historical borders intact, and try to work with the system, in which Czechs could be more succesful than Poles in Province of Posen, due to Bohemia and Moravia being much more industrialized area with 7 million West Slavs.
On German side, it was mostly left in hands of Chancellor Helfferich, who had met with many local elites first, Baron Karel Skoda, who considered himself Austrian German first, Dr. Hans Ringhoffer of powerful Ringhoffer-Tatra conglomerate or Prince Karl Friedrich Schwarzenberg, who was sympathetic to Kramar's intentions to not allow the country being shattered by nationalist rage. Therefore, with the help of elites and nationalist moderates, Helfferich, without any sanction from the Reichstag or the Kaiser, but with support of Centre Party and industrialist circles, proposed the incorporation of Bohemia and Moravia in the form of Kingdom, with similar privileges like Kingdom of Bavaria enjoyed: 6 votes in Federal Council and, in addition, transportation, postal services or insurance policies will remain matters Bohemian Crown. Military and police force could just as same issue their own uniforms and some of their equipment. This 'Royal Bohemian Army' eventually grew into 200.000 soldiers in 1930s.

There were a plenty of serious reasons why Helfferich as a Chancellor in 1920s preferred quick and effective solutions, involving as little costs to Germany as possible, even at the cost of Kaiser and Prussian officers being very unhappy with him: and France was one of them. Fortunately, ever since Armistice of 1914, the population's anger was turning against ideals of French Third Republic, that it 'stabbed victorious French Army in the back' when Marshal Joffre was, presumably, winning Second Battle of Sedan. It was true, that Erich von Falkenhayn's role was hardly enviable (to keep open the narrow supply line to Elsass-Lothringen). The Army's reserves, however, were always prepared to assist, while forces further west continued to attack Paris and Dunkerque pocket, and there were enough horses and trucks to maintain steady flow of ammunition and men, assisted by High Seas Fleet in the Channel, when ports of Dieppe and Le Havre were taken, although this turned British public opinion heavily against war goals of Central Powers and enabled government to eventually scheme to rebuild coalition against it.
So after, once again, street rabble took control of country's destiny, German armies marched deep into France, to every major city, so it's inhabitants can't live in any illusions of victory any longer. Leaving them in hands of their own military leaders, who had lost every gram of respect they once had for the Republic, and once again, they had to take care of own people waiving red flags: although now, in almost entire Northern France, instead of just Paris. Conservative government proclaimed in Clermont-Ferrand took all the necessary steps: forced cities to surrender, one by one, using heavy weapons ("accidentally" left stockpiled in Occitania by retreating German troops) against lightly armed militias. The resulting 'Kingdom of France' was basically military dictatorship promoting Action Francaise's integralist values, as defined by it's founder, Charles Maurras, while the King Jean III., coronated in Clermont-Ferrand's Cathedral, was left powerless, confined to Château de Chambord, placed between Tours and Orleáns: for 'Royal family's safety'.

Groups like Croix-de-Feu (over 2.000.000 members in 1930s), which were not so fervently monarchist, could be counted as Action Francaise's 'conditional allies' only.

The Italians, on the other hand, experienced even more interesting developments. The death of 'Undefeated Duke' Emanuele Filiberto in 1925, who took control of the Kingdom's remnants in the North after war, was a last straw for any semblance of authority it once had. The Italian Republic was declared next year, while Germans and it's allies concerned themselves with pacification of the East and the Middle East, with firm the grip on the Reichstag and the Army on mind, the minor clashes with authorities in Venice escalated into full rebellion, which quickly soon spread elsewhere. Tuscany was lost within two days, so it seemed the Kaiser's intention to divide Italy ultimately failed and it seemed likely, that only total occupation of the Apennine peninsula is an other option. With the militias and the now republican army marching on Rome, it also seemed the Pope will be again a 'Prisoner in the Vatican', as it's few infantry regiments of local and foreign volunteers faced five times stronger forces, not mentioning their own subsequent revolts, in cities of Bologna, Perugia and Ancona. By the October 1926, Papal authorities had no longer control beyond the District of Rome and it's neighbouring towns. Provinces of Romagna, Marches and Umbria were completely in republican hands. However, it's limited, but professional 30.000 strong military was fully capable to destroy any revolt in the city itself, without much risk coming from republican and left-wing agitators pouring into Papal States or when using revolutionary cells within. Regular searches, martial law and unending appeals to the Christian values by priests and monks in and around the city maintained the order, even if dark clouds were descending to it's orderly safe zone every single day.

King of Italy and King of Romans, Ferdinand III. of House Bourbon-Two Sicilies

This was the time when southern kingdom's military intervened and entered the city, with it's King Ferdinand III. personally leading his forces, on his horse and with Order of Golden Fleece around his neck. In his memoirs first printed in 1960s, he admitted he did best to not look absolutely terrified, as he was easy target for any possible fanatic with bomb or sharpshooter in numerous windows he passed on his way to Castel Sant'Angelo, where Pope Alexander IX. took refuge already. Born as Louis-Joseph Maurin and made a first non-Italian Pope after centuries as gesture of defiance against Germany - and to show support for Second Bourbon Restoration in France - he felt even less safe surrounded by Italian revolutionaries. From the start, the meager Papal State's military was professional force made up of volunteers, including demobilized French, Irish or even Flemish or Polish soldiers, who lived in their own barracks outside the city and rarely spoke much Italian. Few loyal units of Italians purposefully consisted of recruited villagers from rural areas, vigorously trained for two or three years to serve the Holy City. Therefore, the Pope's soldiers could be relied upon to defend the city, even if they couldn't maintain the order in rest of Papal States.
It's southern neighbour, once Kingdom of Naples, then and now again of Two Sicilies, was more succesful to reverse 'previous unfortunate Sardinian ways', by the words of it's restored King. Once nominal Duke of Calabria only, he left his family's quiet exile in Bavaria and arrived in Naples with only 1500 soldiers, mostly an ethnic Italians from Dalmatia, led by Riccardo Zanella, who were effectively just a King's Guard and completely strangers in the city, just as it's appointed King. The Ferdinand III., however, proved a skilled negotiator, with calm, but firm posture whenever he went. To restore order, he created improvised militia first, led by influential figures in Naples and beyond, including priests, which also helped to Sanfedist sentiments going back to Napoleonic Wars and defeat of Francis II. in 1861, after which a ragtag, bitter groups of Neapolitans loyal to their King fought for years afterwards. In fact, one of the first orders concerning the restoration of royal authority was a creation of massive monument in front of Royal Palace in Naples - of Cardinal Fabrizzio Ruffo, who led Army of Holy Faith in 1799 holding a cross pointed to the north, surrounded by armed Neapolitans as if fighting their last stand. This was especially fitting considering the fact that new militia, just like the Ruffo's consisted of local peasants, but also consisted of bandits, mercenaries and absolute zealots.

Combination of purely pragmatic decisions and unending attempts to change the view of population wasn't as difficult as he expected, again according to his memoirs. Italy remained culturally and economically divided, with the South neglected in both aspects. Industry and agriculture boosted by favourable loans from the Reichsbank and promotion of Mezzogiorno (Southern Italy) as the only True Italy took their roots in just four to five years. Problem of brigandage and mafia, which had indeed roots in peasant resistance against northern rule, was quietly solved by promoting the 'most reasonable persons' to public offices and lower aristocracy, completely free to deal with 'unreasonable persons' as they see fit.
So, in Autumn 1926, Ferdinand III. led an Army of Naples with 200.000 men, with disproportionately high numbers of old artillery pieces and machine guns from wartime Germany provided to it's allies for almost scrap price. After the three hours in Castel Sant'Angelo, both Pope and King left the ancient fortress and declared both countries unified, with Rome's sovereignty remaining under the spiritual and legal aegis of Catholic Church, and under military and economic protection of new Kingdom - Sacro Regno d'Italia. What happened afterwards was referred later as '30 Days War'. Mostly left-wing militias in Tuscany were wiped out by overwhelming firepower and the former Grand Duchy was promptly annexed. Next week Perugia fell and as startled as enraged, Republic of Italy was in process of full mobilization despite threats from Germans and French, who were in especially ironical position. But the Army of Naples simply stopped on self-declared demarcation line, another week later rubber stamped by Court of Arbitration in Berlin. The Ferdinand III.'s decision was motivated more by the boosted, but slowly dissapearing enthusiasm of his troops, which also spent most of their ammunition stockpiles and now stood on extremely easy defensible positions on Apennine Mountains, from Cisa Pass in Tuscany all the way to Abruzzo, dominated by the 2,912 metres high Gran Sasso mountain. Moment of surprise was left behind and any direct German intervention would ruin everything he achieved so far. All in all, the King's main objectives were a success and he didn't feel the need to push his luck. Now there existed two countries claiming to be only legitimate all-Italian government, not recognizing each other and not signing any peace treaty thereafter. Which was fine for the House of Bourbon-Rome. For this moment. Chancellor Hindenburg was also pleased with outcome. Surprisingly efficient new ally was strengthened and there was no need to waste German lives over Italy, which was hardly better place to do it than Bismarck's beloved Balkans.

Overall, despite setback in Britain, where Scots in 1920s failed to create government popular enough to resist uprisings, strikes and calls for plebiscite, 1926-1930 were the years of Germany's strongest grip on destiny of Europe. Heavily fortified, massive naval base on Lewis and Harris Island combined with free use of Irish ports made sure it wasn't a tragic loss at all. Atlantic Ocean will remain open and there was nothing Englishmen could to about it. At least, that was the prevailing opinions of the Kaiserliche Marine's admiralty.
The Ottoman Empire was unfortunately dismantled, which was left in capable joint Bulgarian-Greek hands, when Kings of Bulgaria and Greece stood together in certain Orthodox Cathedral, burning city behind them, and signing final peace treaty, where the City of Constantine will remain Greek, along with over half of Anatolia as compensation for loss of Macedonia and city of Salonika. This didn't concern teams of German military engineers, who were given task to built new railroad lines along the Black Sea coast: one more connection to Baghdad, continuing now to port of Basra and another lines to Tehran and Baku's oil fields.

 

[Cromwell]

Now that was an eventfull update! Germany seems to be leaving her guns all over the place ready to be "discovered" by friendly parties in other countries. Not the most open way to do bussines but undeniably effective.

 

[stnylan]

Lots going on - but one feels that not all these changes will end up being positive for Germany.

 

[HIMDogson]

With an Integralist France this new Italian Kingdom could go south for Germany.

 

[Specialist290]

France and Italy seem to be benefiting from surreptitious German aid, but the far right factions in these countries might end up proving to be just as dangerous to Germany's imperial ambitions as the far left.

 

[Vlad_Dracul1989]

Now that was an eventfull update! Germany seems to be leaving her guns all over the place ready to be "discovered" by friendly parties in other countries. Not the most open way to do bussines but undeniably effective.

That is great part of post-war 'Weltpolitik'. Armament production means more employment in Germany, be it rifle or battleship. Anything for almighty Reichsmark.

Lots going on - but one feels that not all these changes will end up being positive for Germany.

France and Italy seem to be benefiting from surreptitious German aid, but the far right factions in these countries might end up proving to be just as dangerous to Germany's imperial ambitions as the far left.

There will be peace, as long as there is no coalition made to undermine rightful place of Kaiserreich as sole military superpower.

With an Integralist France this new Italian Kingdom could go south for Germany.

Ferdinand III. kingdom's well-being is absolutely depending on German investments and loans to make it modern country, mostly of light and tourist industry. It's already becoming traditional vacation place. There is still Sardinian-Piedmontese republic the King in the South must annex first anyway, to reunite Italy. Which, again, depends on German willingness to abandon partition of Italy and allow reunification.

Wow, my skin for Germany in your AAR. Great honor for me. Thanks
I'll glad to see new steps of French revenge

Frenchmen certainly do intend to be a threat to peace in Europe.

 

[J_Master]

kind of waiting in heavy anticipation for all of this to come crashing down once the big economic crash comes

 

[Vlad_Dracul1989]

Not sure which ones you would like to see first..

Do you want first to see what's happening in China, Spain or Middle East? Or who's new President of United States?

 

[HIMDogson]

I'd want to see China first.

 

[J_Master]

China would indeed seem interesting, although I'm also interested in how the Primo de Riviera dictatorship is faring in Spain

 

[Cromwell]

Another vote for China!

 

[Vlad_Dracul1989]

So I can't delay my deepest regrets any longer...

It's like this, in the September, I went on vacation, and when I returned, my computer suddenly decided to die. Over a month I tried everything possible and impossible to at least to get data from hard drive, but it seems everything went straight to Silicon Heaven. Back up didn't work either.



But I will continue this thing anyway, although now a more as regular alt history fiction than AAR.

 

[Specialist290]

Ouch! Sad to hear you lost your computer and all its files. As someone who's lost a couple laptops to HD failures before, I sympathize.

Glad to hear you still intend to continue the story, though

 

[stnylan]

Sorry to hear that.

 

[HIMDogson]

I'm really sorry to hear that this is the case; I know what it's like to lose progress on your work, it really sucks. Still, I'm very glad you're continuing your magnum opus to the inevitable victory of the Kaiserreich.

 

[JodelDiplom]

Ouch! That's sorry to hear. My regrets. I hope you still enjoy the inspiration that made you start this awesome AAR in the first place!

 

[HIMDogson]

So I can't delay my deepest regrets any longer...

It's like this, in the September, I went on vacation, and when I returned, my computer suddenly decided to die. Over a month I tried everything possible and impossible to at least to get data from hard drive, but it seems everything went straight to Silicon Heaven. Back up didn't work either.



But I will continue this thing anyway, although now a more as regular alt history fiction than AAR.

this is the worst news of the day