The Election of 1854 and the Franco-German War, part 1
The war between Germany and France with their respective allies was the toughest challenge Germany had faced in the nineteenth century.
Nobody noticed Stadtholder and former Chancellor Miguel de la Rosa Picard quietly slip out the back during Chancellor Bismarck’s speech at the Reichstag. He immediately found the Chief of Staff of the Army.
“Herr Unger, I have known you for years, as I knew your uncle Maximillian. I have always respected and admired you, even for having the courage to break away from the UAI and start a new party. We are not political friends, at least not any longer, but I hope I might rely upon you for a favor.”
Hugo Unger looked puzzled. “Anything that is in my power to grant, of course.”
“I wish to volunteer.”
“Volunteer for what? I am certain I could find something for you to do.”
“I want to fight, Herr Unger.”
“With all due respect, Herr de la Rosa, you are almost 54 years old. A staff job, most certainly, but combat would be very unwise.”
The former Chancellor gazed into Unger’s eyes for a moment. “How many men in your army speak French, German, and Spanish, all as a native?”
“Not many.”
“How many vacationed in the Pyrenees with relatives every summer?”
“Fewer still.”
“Then give me a rifle and a uniform. My son has already been informed, and the people of Brussels will certainly elect him as Stadtholder in my stead.”
Unger sighed. “Why do you wish to do this? You could be of great service to the Republic still.”
“And I am certain I shall upon my return as well, but I must do this. The de la Rosas have been quiet for too long. The warrior’s blood sings in my veins. I could no sooner desert Castille than I could my family, and France has always looked down on those of Belgian descent. No, I must strike a blow.”
“Then I shall sign the order myself. I will assign you to Twelfth Army; is that agreeable?”
“Yes. Thank you, Herr Unger. May God bless you and your family.”
As Miguel de la Rosa bowed and departed, Unger returned to his planning. His fundamental strategy was a three-pronged attack. First, Eight and Sixth Army would drive for Germany’s undeclared war goal – Bourgogne, with her German speaking population.
Twelfth and Eleventh Army would push west, targeting Montpelier and points west, with the possibility of crossing the Pyrenees if there was opportunity. The final part of the plan was Second, Twenty-First, and Twenty-Second armies racing north to the Straits of Dover, threatening Paris and turning the left flank of the French army. An amphibious assault on Caen would serve as a distraction, with a second one scheduled for 1854 in the vicinity of Barcelona. A swift, strong blow could prevent French reserves from mobilizing quickly enough to make a significant difference.
Meanwhile, the Pskov crisis continued to have ripples, as an angry group of Ethiopian nobles toppled the government and seized power.
Of all the military problems that faced Germany in the Franco-German War, the one most studied by future officers and military scholars was the Arras Conundrum.
Two French armies – combined, double the size of Second Army – bordered the province of Arras. Konrad zu Hohenlohe had actually planned to attack Amiens, but the appearance of reinforcements caused him to pause, dig in, and think. If both French armies attacked Arras, they could drive Second Army back, which would open the way to the interior of Germany.
The first step was to call in Engelbert Dankl’s Twentieth Army. Although they were only a cavalry unit, their speed and reconnaissance might help exploit weaknesses in the French formations. The next step was to call for help; Ninth Army, located in Switzerland, was originally supposed to support Eighth Army, but the Eighth Army was doing well on its own.
What changed everything was Twentieth Army. A small troop managed to sneak away during the night and examine the French positions at Dunkirk. They were understrength, which meant the French were on the move. The Captain of the troop made a split second decision to raid a watch post and take a prisoner. The prisoner revealed key information in exchange for his parole: the French were attacking Lille! Hohenlohe’s course was clear.
Twentieth Army proved their worth in the ensuing Battle of Amiens as well, attacking the enemy flanks and threatening to envelop them.
It was an extremely bloody battle for both sides.
However, with the cavalry in hot pursuit, the French army was attacked again at Dunkirk and wiped out. Ninth Army continued to force march in hopes of securing against a French counterattack.
Perhaps the decisive factor in the early stages of the Franco-German War was actually completely unexpected; an uprising by the French “White Guard,” who blamed the French government for “getting them into a war they couldn’t possibly win.” The White Guard attacked German forces as well, but by destroying the mobilizing peasants in rapid order, the Whites actually helped Germany more than they hurt.
The Battles of Amiens and First Dunkirk also had a diplomatic impact; they enabled Foreign Minister (and Army Chief of Staff) Unger to present the formal demand for Bourgogne in addition to Spain’s demands.
On 24 November, Ninth Army arrived, and a double envelopment of the French forces attacking Lille was planned and executed.
Farther south, Sixth Army executed its own attack on a German army sieging Lons.
Thanks to the White Guard, the French retreat was cut off and they had no choice but to surrender. The same fate met them at Lille, where a victory and pursuit resulted in a second Dunkirk, the third major field army to be captured by German forces.
Meanwhile, the First Fleet completed its repairs at the port of Natal on 13 December 1853. They had already eliminated a single French transport supplying their colonies, and now set sail for the Atlantic Coast of France. The Transport Fleet engaged and destroyed a small French task force of one Man ‘o War and two transports en route to Caen. French forts were falling with regularity. Yet Germany had one Christmas surprise for France; an attack into the Pyrenees, designed to take pressure off of Castille’s forces in western Iberia.
Yet this attack was not like those in the north. The Pyrenees were a serious obstacle, and while French forces were scattered and weak, the bitter cold and driving winter snows took their toll. Captain de la Rosa (he had insisted on serving as a private, but Unger wouldn’t dream of letting a Stadtholder serve as anything other than an officer. Still, the Captain insisted on leading his men himself, and this through a treacherous mountain pass, in an attempt to catch the murderous mountain artillery from the rear. His men made it with his encouragement and determination; unfortunately, the way to the rear of the artillery was not as clear as he (or his superiors thought); the Chancellor caught almost an entire load of canister directly in the chest. There was very little left to bury.
News of the Stadtholder and Chancellor’s death was the last major event before the elections concluded. Calling the elections to the Assembly tight would be a gross understatement; the difference between the top three parties was less than a single percentage point.
The Conclave also saw changes, although not nearly as dramatic, as it grew more extreme in its politics.
While the leaders of Germany’s five major parties sat down to discuss a coalition arrangement, Chief of Staff Unger reviewed the war, while the Finance Minister reviewed the treasury.
Nobody knew whether they would continue their jobs or not; it was anybody’s guess.
So, time to form a new coalition! I also remind you of the Party Balance guidelines, which specifically state:
25% in a house entitles a party to one ministry.
Thus, while the UAI, HUN, and New Society each will receive one Ministry, they do not get to “double up” because the Liberals and Conservative also control 25% of the Conclave. They certainly
can be assigned additional ministries, but it is not required.