Maku said:Nice work, also nice to see a Scandanavia AAR that doesn't start off with Sweden
Pfft, Sweden! Long live Denmark! My ancestors are from Denmark.
And without further adue, the next update.
The Crown of Europe
Chapter 9
1866-1872
In April of 1868 in it became evident that the United States of America was in deep econmic and military trouble. The state formerly known as Utah, declared it's independence from the Union. The United States declared war on Desert, but quickly found itself in a disadvantage. By the end of 1868, the United States signed a peace treaty returning the nations to status quo.
In that time the United States began looking for new allies, King Christian IX willingly accepted. Although the Danish Empire would not become an offical ally of the United States, 20 million pounds (20,000 in game) would be sent to Denmark. The United States military was to be trained in the latest European tactics, along with it's bankers being taught the latest in econmic practices.
The pretext for war presented itself when the throne of Spain was offered to a prince of the house of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, a branch of the ruling house of Prussia. The offer, at first accepted on Bismarck’s advice, was rejected on July 12, 1870 after a strong French protest. However, the aggressive French foreign minister, the Duc de Gramont, insisted on further Prussian assurances, which King William I of Prussia refused. Bismarck, by publishing the famous Ems dispatch, inflamed French feeling, and on July 19 1870, France declared war on Prussia.
The nation of Italy and the Czarist Russia would join the Prussians in their quest to defeat the French. The United Kingdom, Spain, Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Danish Empire would remain neutral.
The outset of war. The French only had a defensive pact with the Ottoman Empire.
While other European powers wished to further extend their colonial boundaries, our nation was differnt. The colony of Brunei was to be the only Scandinavian settlement outside of the Northen Hemisphere. On July 7th, 1870 the world offically recongized the final act of colonization of Brunei.
The colony of Brunei.
The combined forces of Italy, Prussia and Russia was thought to be enough to defeat the military might that is France. However the Czar was feeling quite reluctant to fully commit to a war aganist France. By November 7th, 1870, French troops had rolled into two Prussian provinces and one Italian province.
The French offensive.
After a year and a half of extensive military training and new econmic practices, the United States of America declared war upon the rebel nation of Desert. The war began on December 12th, 1870, less than two weeks later, the annexation was complete.
Over the winter months of late 1870 and early 1871, the French offensive continued in Western Prussia. King Christian IX saw this as a spelndid oppurtunity. A game of diplomatic cards was in store. Diplomats quickly left for St. Petersburg, Russia and Rome, Italy.
The progress of the French offensive.
The Czar would agree not to declare war on us if we declared war on Prussia, Italy however would be a differnt story. The Italians would not betray the lost cause that is Prussia. On March 24th, 1871, the Danish parliament declared war on Prussia and Italy.
The outset of war, again.
Our generals had prepared for the Germanic nations to come to the aid of Prussia. It would become the case in the spring of 1871, for the first time our true fortifications could be used aganist the Prussians. With our eastern flank secure, the western offensive could begin in earnest.
The beginning of the offensive aganist Hannover.
Copenhagen recived it's first of many documents on July 11th, 1871. The Germanic nation of Bremen had accepted the annexation of itself into the Danish Empire.
The annexation of Bremen.
August 20th, 1871 saw how desperate the Germanic nations were at an attempt for peace. Oldenburg sent several documents to Copenhagen in hopes for peace, all of them were rejected.
Peace, pfft!
September 1st, 1871 the nation of Hannover sent it's first offer to peace to King Christian IX. Peace was not desired aganist Hannover.
Peace, pfft!
On the same day, Oldenburg was incorporated into the Danish Empire. The homeland of the previous Danish kings was once again part of Denmark.
Oldenburg is annexed!
A major gap occured in our defensive lines as troops were shifted across our 'vast' holdings. The Prussians took advantage of our defensive blunder and occupied one province with 36,000 troops. In response, 46,000 Danish troops continued their march towards Munster.
The march towards Munster and the defensive blunder.
The French offensive in Western Prussia had slowed down and began to lose ground. By April of 1872, the French offensive was hopeless. On April 8th, an army was spotted near the town of Elberfeld, it turned out to be the French army, 58,000 strong. Also on this date, the offensive to knock Hannover out of the war began with 24,000 Danish troops advancing towards the city of Hannover itself.
The Elberfeld Surprise and March on Hannover.
The Battle of Hannover would of turned into a disaster for the 24,000 Danish soldiers hadn't an additional 24,000 soldiers arrived. Thirty-six thousand Germans came to defend the city of Hannover, and by July 7th of 1872 that number had dwindled down to 13,000.
The battle of Hannover.
Seven Prussian divsions, numbering atleast 12,000 soldiers each, began a march towards the city of Lüneburg in the Germanic nation of Hannover. The Prussians were finally going on the offensive! To intially met the Prussians were three crack Danish divsions, it was believed this would not be enough to hold back the Prussians. Four divsions were recalled from the offensive and sent towards Lüneburg. When the arrived, the had caught the Prussians in a disastour spot. The Prussians backs were to them! A slaughter ensued, 60,000 Prussians were killed, the rest were captured or fled.
The Battle of Lüneburg.
The back of the Germans was broken at Lüneburg. Hannover sent another plea for peace, which was rejected by King Christian IX and the Parliament.
Peace, pfft!
October 23rd, 1872, the Germanic nation of Lippe-Detmold was annexed into the Danish Empire.
The Prussian back, although broken was not yet defeated. A new offensive was called upon, one that would truly break the back of the Prussian army.
The beginning of the offensive, November 17th, 1872.
Peace agreements were finally reached upon in Copenhagen, on Danish terms. Prussia was to be spared any land loss, but was to pay war indemenites to us for three years. Hannover would suffer the most; three of it's provinces were annexed into the Danish Empire; war indemenites were to be paid to us for three years.
Peace at last!
Danish soldiers could now go home.
