The Measured Tread (Germany 1914, AAR Mod)
The Measured Tread
Game Info: Darkest Hour w/ AAR Mod
Scenario: 1914 AOD, Tech Team Takeover On
----
My purpose here is to play through Germany as a rather pragmatic Imperialist nation. No real love of any allies. No real interest in accepting any kind of shared spheres of influence or the like. As I load the game I have the following goals:
-France is clearly bitter about its losing record against me. They need to be defeated again.
-Take at least the Baltic States from Russia
-Avoid war with the UK at all costs.
My last goal is primarily because in the 1920s I want to enjoy a glorious war of sea combat against a Japanese-UK lead alliance (so much glorious BB combat!). So I want the UK to sit out WWI so that I don't have to wreck them.
I'm not very good at writing dialog between historical characters and the like, so I likely won't do much of that. Instead let me try to take you in the minds of the German leaders:
----
Germany has no allies. No worthy allies that is. In 1914 there is of course Austro-Hungary. A state linked to Germany through marriages and through a shared culture, the Austrian side of it at least. Yet at the same time they bring problems with them. Their feud with Russia over the Balkans area. Domestic unrest and the heir apparent that is reckless, incompetent, and violent.
Yes Austro-Hungary provides Germany with naval bases in the Adriatic Sea. Yet at the same time consider what that means: For all their claims if Imperial Greatness, the Austro-Hungarians can't even field a fleet to match the French or British forces in one body of water, thus the Germans must base a squadron there to aid them.
The undersized Tegetthoff Class Battleship, pride of the Austro-Hungarian Fleet, derided by the Germans
The Austrians are useful enough as they provide warm bodies against the unwashed masses of Russian troops that the Czar has at his command. Yet they are not equals of their Germanic cousins.
Then there are the Ottomans. A useful market for German industrial and military goods (such as their purchase of obsolete German ships). Yet as their war with Italy showed they are useless against anything beyond the Czar's peasant soldiers. The sick man of Europe is friendly enough, but impotent.
One of the Brandeburg Class Pre-Dreadnoughts purchased by the Ottomans.
So the Kaiser and the Chancellor sit there, envoys from Austria and the Ottomans coming to pay homage and proclaim their brotherhood to Germany. One side of their mouth speaking of their own Imperial might. The other side of their mouth begging for access to Germany's industrial might so that they might claim such petty prizes as the Balkans or Egypt.
Meanwhile the hated French conspire with the Russians, seeking to lock Germany in immobility. The Russians and French heard Bismarck's speech in 1888 during the Bulgarian crisis just as plainly as his domestic audience. They try to dangle the sword of a two front war over the head of the German Empire. Even more intolerable was the fact that once Franz Ferdinand ascended to the Austrian throne, he seemed primed to perform the very stupidity that Bismarck had warned against.
The British meanwhile fuel their own industrialization with the fruits of their Imperial holdings. Allowing their factories and shipyards to run day and night as they extract resources from every corner of the globe. Only through the greatest achievements of German efficiency can Germany match the building programs of British. Even Belgium and the Netherlands, two minor states that would embrace the glory of German Empire, hold colonies that compare favorably in mineral wealth to that of Germany.
In 1914 the world is in an intolerable state of affairs as far as the German government was concerned. Germania's closest ally was a mess of sweeping nationalisms that were causing it to lose territory, yet all the Austrians could concern themselves with were adding more rebellious ethnic groups to their empire. An Empire whose military spending had stagnated since 1888. Her next closest ally was also a mess of varying nationalisms and one incapable of crossing the narrow body of water known as the Suez to wrestle some sand from the British.
As the Kaiser had shouted, in one of his more volcanic moods, "We are shackled to the fools of Europe.".
Shackled they were. Germany was the second most populous nation in Europe, yet when they faced the Russian and French they would need those 52 million subjects of the Austro-Hungarian crown. They would need the Ottomans to open the Bosphorus and access to the Black Sea. They would need the Young Turks opening another front against Russia.
Just because Germany needed these states today, did not mean them tomorrow. The German throne and the House of Habsburg had a long history of royal marriage. Franz Ferdinand would not be the Emperor to ever have his rule cut short and his successor might be one with more Germanic blood in his veins. The Magyar nobles could in turn be placated with greater autonomy. As for the Ottomans, once Russia was defeated and the Germans had laid claim to the Ukraine, doubtless the Kaiser would find it more advantageous to have the Bosporus in more reliable hands. Today Germany could support the Young Turks, but tomorrow she could support the Arabs.
When the Kaiser, the Chancellor, and the German High Command met, this is what they discussed. How the incompetent Habsburgs could be replaced. A task easy enough on the military front. Franz Joseph I was entering the 80th year of his life and very much detached from military affairs. Franz Ferdinand was consumed with his posturing and his sport hunting. Quiet assurances were made to the Magyars that as Vienna was pulled closer to Berlin, Budapest would find itself with more freedom while retaining the backing of German arms.
The aging Franz Joseph I.
The British Royalty was also reminded frequently of their origin as German nobles and of their German styles. During visits to Berlin, British nobles would also find themselves with additional styles heaped upon them. In part to earn their goodwill and in part as propaganda for the German Embassy in London to publish as proof of the strong Anglo-German ties. Kaiser Wilhelm II would travel to London on the anniversaries of Queen Victoria's death to pay homage to to his beloved grandmother. After King Edward VII died in 1910, Kaiser Wilhelm II would also make a point of visiting the grave of his "much beloved uncle". The British public, who saw Queen Victoria as the beloved matriarch of the Empire, was touched by such displays of filial piety. In a slightly less subtle move, Kaiser Wilhelm II would arrive onboard a different dreadnought for every state visit, a reminder of the size of the German Navy.
The SMS Nassau shown a postcard distributed to British citizens during her visit to Portsmouth
British officials were also frequently invited to German to partake in fleet reviews or the christenings of new warships. Accompanied by additional pamphlets from the German Embassy in London about the strong Anglo-British ties. Privately British officers were reminded that the Kaiserleche Marine was the second strongest navy in the world, and with issues such as Irish nationalism and Indian home rule, the British Empire gained nothing locking itself in mortal combat with the Kaiser's fleet. On the other hand, a France that was further weakened was merely a potential bloated carcass on whose colony holdings the British could feast. When asked about the Imperial German designs on such colonies and Europe, the Germans would always claim their sole Imperial interest was removing Russia as a threat.
King George V and Czar Nicholas I on a visit to Berlin, both in German military uniforms
A weak Russia would allow the Germans to expand in the Baltic States and definitively deal with the Balkans. France would of course likely seek revenge for its defeat in 1871, but the Germans assured their British cousins that they would merely defend themselves against the French Army. France would exit the war with an easy peace and minimum molestation whenever they wanted, thus preserving France as a counterweight against German aggression.
The German High Command was split on the issue of France. Some argued that Russia should be dealt with. Rapid strikes against the Russians and their peasant hordes. The troops after all had little love for Bloody Nicholas and were unlikely to die for their country. Nicholas could be forced to peace the table and the German Empire could expand massively in size. Then the threat of a two front war would be gone and France could be crushed.
The more hothead nationalist of the officers though found the idea of standing on the defense against the French to be unacceptable. Crush the French quickly they argued. Dare the British to intervene, the German Army could move so quickly that by the time British troops landed on the continent, the Landswehr Division made up the oldest and slowest reservists would be parading in Paris.
The debate was still in full force when in 1914, Franz Ferdinand took his ill fated road trip.
The Measured Tread
Game Info: Darkest Hour w/ AAR Mod
Scenario: 1914 AOD, Tech Team Takeover On
----
My purpose here is to play through Germany as a rather pragmatic Imperialist nation. No real love of any allies. No real interest in accepting any kind of shared spheres of influence or the like. As I load the game I have the following goals:
-France is clearly bitter about its losing record against me. They need to be defeated again.
-Take at least the Baltic States from Russia
-Avoid war with the UK at all costs.
My last goal is primarily because in the 1920s I want to enjoy a glorious war of sea combat against a Japanese-UK lead alliance (so much glorious BB combat!). So I want the UK to sit out WWI so that I don't have to wreck them.
I'm not very good at writing dialog between historical characters and the like, so I likely won't do much of that. Instead let me try to take you in the minds of the German leaders:
----
Germany has no allies. No worthy allies that is. In 1914 there is of course Austro-Hungary. A state linked to Germany through marriages and through a shared culture, the Austrian side of it at least. Yet at the same time they bring problems with them. Their feud with Russia over the Balkans area. Domestic unrest and the heir apparent that is reckless, incompetent, and violent.
Yes Austro-Hungary provides Germany with naval bases in the Adriatic Sea. Yet at the same time consider what that means: For all their claims if Imperial Greatness, the Austro-Hungarians can't even field a fleet to match the French or British forces in one body of water, thus the Germans must base a squadron there to aid them.
The undersized Tegetthoff Class Battleship, pride of the Austro-Hungarian Fleet, derided by the Germans
The Austrians are useful enough as they provide warm bodies against the unwashed masses of Russian troops that the Czar has at his command. Yet they are not equals of their Germanic cousins.
Then there are the Ottomans. A useful market for German industrial and military goods (such as their purchase of obsolete German ships). Yet as their war with Italy showed they are useless against anything beyond the Czar's peasant soldiers. The sick man of Europe is friendly enough, but impotent.
One of the Brandeburg Class Pre-Dreadnoughts purchased by the Ottomans.
So the Kaiser and the Chancellor sit there, envoys from Austria and the Ottomans coming to pay homage and proclaim their brotherhood to Germany. One side of their mouth speaking of their own Imperial might. The other side of their mouth begging for access to Germany's industrial might so that they might claim such petty prizes as the Balkans or Egypt.
Meanwhile the hated French conspire with the Russians, seeking to lock Germany in immobility. The Russians and French heard Bismarck's speech in 1888 during the Bulgarian crisis just as plainly as his domestic audience. They try to dangle the sword of a two front war over the head of the German Empire. Even more intolerable was the fact that once Franz Ferdinand ascended to the Austrian throne, he seemed primed to perform the very stupidity that Bismarck had warned against.
The British meanwhile fuel their own industrialization with the fruits of their Imperial holdings. Allowing their factories and shipyards to run day and night as they extract resources from every corner of the globe. Only through the greatest achievements of German efficiency can Germany match the building programs of British. Even Belgium and the Netherlands, two minor states that would embrace the glory of German Empire, hold colonies that compare favorably in mineral wealth to that of Germany.
In 1914 the world is in an intolerable state of affairs as far as the German government was concerned. Germania's closest ally was a mess of sweeping nationalisms that were causing it to lose territory, yet all the Austrians could concern themselves with were adding more rebellious ethnic groups to their empire. An Empire whose military spending had stagnated since 1888. Her next closest ally was also a mess of varying nationalisms and one incapable of crossing the narrow body of water known as the Suez to wrestle some sand from the British.
As the Kaiser had shouted, in one of his more volcanic moods, "We are shackled to the fools of Europe.".
Shackled they were. Germany was the second most populous nation in Europe, yet when they faced the Russian and French they would need those 52 million subjects of the Austro-Hungarian crown. They would need the Ottomans to open the Bosphorus and access to the Black Sea. They would need the Young Turks opening another front against Russia.
Just because Germany needed these states today, did not mean them tomorrow. The German throne and the House of Habsburg had a long history of royal marriage. Franz Ferdinand would not be the Emperor to ever have his rule cut short and his successor might be one with more Germanic blood in his veins. The Magyar nobles could in turn be placated with greater autonomy. As for the Ottomans, once Russia was defeated and the Germans had laid claim to the Ukraine, doubtless the Kaiser would find it more advantageous to have the Bosporus in more reliable hands. Today Germany could support the Young Turks, but tomorrow she could support the Arabs.
When the Kaiser, the Chancellor, and the German High Command met, this is what they discussed. How the incompetent Habsburgs could be replaced. A task easy enough on the military front. Franz Joseph I was entering the 80th year of his life and very much detached from military affairs. Franz Ferdinand was consumed with his posturing and his sport hunting. Quiet assurances were made to the Magyars that as Vienna was pulled closer to Berlin, Budapest would find itself with more freedom while retaining the backing of German arms.
The aging Franz Joseph I.
The British Royalty was also reminded frequently of their origin as German nobles and of their German styles. During visits to Berlin, British nobles would also find themselves with additional styles heaped upon them. In part to earn their goodwill and in part as propaganda for the German Embassy in London to publish as proof of the strong Anglo-German ties. Kaiser Wilhelm II would travel to London on the anniversaries of Queen Victoria's death to pay homage to to his beloved grandmother. After King Edward VII died in 1910, Kaiser Wilhelm II would also make a point of visiting the grave of his "much beloved uncle". The British public, who saw Queen Victoria as the beloved matriarch of the Empire, was touched by such displays of filial piety. In a slightly less subtle move, Kaiser Wilhelm II would arrive onboard a different dreadnought for every state visit, a reminder of the size of the German Navy.
The SMS Nassau shown a postcard distributed to British citizens during her visit to Portsmouth
British officials were also frequently invited to German to partake in fleet reviews or the christenings of new warships. Accompanied by additional pamphlets from the German Embassy in London about the strong Anglo-British ties. Privately British officers were reminded that the Kaiserleche Marine was the second strongest navy in the world, and with issues such as Irish nationalism and Indian home rule, the British Empire gained nothing locking itself in mortal combat with the Kaiser's fleet. On the other hand, a France that was further weakened was merely a potential bloated carcass on whose colony holdings the British could feast. When asked about the Imperial German designs on such colonies and Europe, the Germans would always claim their sole Imperial interest was removing Russia as a threat.
King George V and Czar Nicholas I on a visit to Berlin, both in German military uniforms
A weak Russia would allow the Germans to expand in the Baltic States and definitively deal with the Balkans. France would of course likely seek revenge for its defeat in 1871, but the Germans assured their British cousins that they would merely defend themselves against the French Army. France would exit the war with an easy peace and minimum molestation whenever they wanted, thus preserving France as a counterweight against German aggression.
The German High Command was split on the issue of France. Some argued that Russia should be dealt with. Rapid strikes against the Russians and their peasant hordes. The troops after all had little love for Bloody Nicholas and were unlikely to die for their country. Nicholas could be forced to peace the table and the German Empire could expand massively in size. Then the threat of a two front war would be gone and France could be crushed.
The more hothead nationalist of the officers though found the idea of standing on the defense against the French to be unacceptable. Crush the French quickly they argued. Dare the British to intervene, the German Army could move so quickly that by the time British troops landed on the continent, the Landswehr Division made up the oldest and slowest reservists would be parading in Paris.
The debate was still in full force when in 1914, Franz Ferdinand took his ill fated road trip.
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