First allow me to lay out a few assumptions, upon which the following scenario is contingent. The Great war started much like it did within our own timeline, save for one key aspect. Italy, instead of entering in late on the side of the allies, maintains her neutrality. In spite of this, the war goes largely the same, and still results in the defeat of the Central powers in 1919, with the subsequent Versailles Treaty and other events happening largely as they had. Following the end of the conflict, the Austro-Hungarian empire disintegrates, though Austria is able to cling to some semblance of an empire.
Austria emerges from the war with Tirol intact, as well as the Ljubljana-Rijeka corridor, providing access to the Adriatic (Pola and Trieste were lost by plebiscite following the war and invaded by italy in 1920). Austria was also able to preserve and even build upon its surviving navy, though some ships were lost. The venerable battleships Viribus Unitus and Tegetthoff continue to serve as the backbone of the small fleet. The army, though limited, is easily a match against neighboring powers, and their air force is slowly developing.
For three years, Hitler has been consolidating his power in the north. It is now up to this generation of Austrians: will they seek to join a greater German empire, which their nation earlier spurned? Will they attempt to preserve their neutrality, having learned the lessons of the last war? Or will they take a stand, and seek to retake their place in the sun, lost a generation ago?
Austria emerges from the war with Tirol intact, as well as the Ljubljana-Rijeka corridor, providing access to the Adriatic (Pola and Trieste were lost by plebiscite following the war and invaded by italy in 1920). Austria was also able to preserve and even build upon its surviving navy, though some ships were lost. The venerable battleships Viribus Unitus and Tegetthoff continue to serve as the backbone of the small fleet. The army, though limited, is easily a match against neighboring powers, and their air force is slowly developing.
For three years, Hitler has been consolidating his power in the north. It is now up to this generation of Austrians: will they seek to join a greater German empire, which their nation earlier spurned? Will they attempt to preserve their neutrality, having learned the lessons of the last war? Or will they take a stand, and seek to retake their place in the sun, lost a generation ago?
