America: My Third TL
- Thread starter herricks
- Start date
A Torch operation would work, but the landings would have to be on the Atlantic side of Morocco out of the range of subs operating out of Gibralter. It would take a long time for units to get from Morocco to the front.
That said, is the US Navy strong enough to take Gibralter like they just took Guam? With Gibralter, US could land deeper on the North African Coast.
Could Spain enter the war on the Allies side? Not as a direct enemy of France and Britain but in a move to end the war. Basically Spain throwing in with the Allies to end the war.
A joint Spanish/American operation to take Gibralter. A joint Spanish/American operation to take Portugal, USA takes the Azores while Spain pores on Portugal proper. And finally, a joint Spanish American operation against Riviera France. Spain gets to have Gibralter and Portugal as a reward. USA gets the Azores and Portugal colonial possessions.
To get Spain in, US, German, and Italian diplomacy would have to be convincing. Perhaps, the sound of having a large number of American soldiers waiting to assist would be convincing enough.
Argentina could be the same, enter to end the war. Argentina takes the Falklands.
Would there be a Brazil/Argentina flare up as Brazil would want to back Portugal? I do not think that the former colonial ties are that strong. Brazil could come on the side of the Allies and capture British and French Guyana. Once again, Brazil and Argentina come in to end the war and to be opportunistic.
If the Royal Navy is still too strong in the North Sea, the US probably does not want to risk the run to aid Sweden by introducing troops through Murmansk or whatever port is on the North side of Sweden/Finland/Kola or even a run at Archangel.
With Guam, looks like USA can reinforce Philippines.
That said, is the US Navy strong enough to take Gibralter like they just took Guam? With Gibralter, US could land deeper on the North African Coast.
Could Spain enter the war on the Allies side? Not as a direct enemy of France and Britain but in a move to end the war. Basically Spain throwing in with the Allies to end the war.
A joint Spanish/American operation to take Gibralter. A joint Spanish/American operation to take Portugal, USA takes the Azores while Spain pores on Portugal proper. And finally, a joint Spanish American operation against Riviera France. Spain gets to have Gibralter and Portugal as a reward. USA gets the Azores and Portugal colonial possessions.
To get Spain in, US, German, and Italian diplomacy would have to be convincing. Perhaps, the sound of having a large number of American soldiers waiting to assist would be convincing enough.
Argentina could be the same, enter to end the war. Argentina takes the Falklands.
Would there be a Brazil/Argentina flare up as Brazil would want to back Portugal? I do not think that the former colonial ties are that strong. Brazil could come on the side of the Allies and capture British and French Guyana. Once again, Brazil and Argentina come in to end the war and to be opportunistic.
If the Royal Navy is still too strong in the North Sea, the US probably does not want to risk the run to aid Sweden by introducing troops through Murmansk or whatever port is on the North side of Sweden/Finland/Kola or even a run at Archangel.
With Guam, looks like USA can reinforce Philippines.
Finest Hour
While the Japanese on Luzon knew of the submarine attacks on the convoy & the possibility that more American naval forces, they were however not aware of the Battle of Yaeyama nor the destruction of the Japanese fleet. For over a week they waited growing more worrisome each day that the convoy didn't arrive. On December 4 they learned the terrible truth to the convoys late arrival when word reached the front lines around Manila of American warships shelling Japanese garrisons in the northern part of the island. Now that they knew something had gone terribly wrong the Japanese saw that their time to defeat the Germans was short & they immediately began preparing for an all out assault on Manila. What was left of Japanese naval force in the Philippines moved into Manila Bay & began shelling the city late in the evening on December 5. At 0500 the next day the artillery on land opened up & the Battle of Manila began. By 1000 the bombardment had subsided some & Japanese troops began their attack. It took them over 2 hours to finally capture the first, of 4, defensive lines that the Germans had constructed & the next one at 1500, however by then the Japanese were growing tired. Since the beginning of the attack Japan had received nearly 10,000 casualties & hundreds more were falling every hour. By dark the fighting had lulled as the two sides, exhausted, began to rest.
The next morning the thunderous sounds of the navy's guns were heard across Manila & the fronts. These sounds however, weren't of the Japanese cruisers & destroyers firing on the city. Instead, people on land looked out on the bay to see massive shapes on the horizon. These shapes quickly took the form of warships bearing the US flag & within minutes shells fell all around the Japanese vessels. In little more than an hour the remaining Japanese warships were taken out of action the the US Fleets attention turned to Japanese forces on land. In a matter of minutes the Japanese went from being the attacker to the attacked. By the afternoon German forces began their own assault. By 1700 they had retaken their defensive lines from Japan & were now fighting out in the open across land the Japanese had hardly fortified. The Battle of Manila lasted for another 10 days & by the time the fighting had ended the front was several miles away from the city. Throughout the rest of the month the Japanese slowly withdrew from Manila. By January the front had returned to Angeles in the north & reached Lucena to the south.
While the Japanese on Luzon knew of the submarine attacks on the convoy & the possibility that more American naval forces, they were however not aware of the Battle of Yaeyama nor the destruction of the Japanese fleet. For over a week they waited growing more worrisome each day that the convoy didn't arrive. On December 4 they learned the terrible truth to the convoys late arrival when word reached the front lines around Manila of American warships shelling Japanese garrisons in the northern part of the island. Now that they knew something had gone terribly wrong the Japanese saw that their time to defeat the Germans was short & they immediately began preparing for an all out assault on Manila. What was left of Japanese naval force in the Philippines moved into Manila Bay & began shelling the city late in the evening on December 5. At 0500 the next day the artillery on land opened up & the Battle of Manila began. By 1000 the bombardment had subsided some & Japanese troops began their attack. It took them over 2 hours to finally capture the first, of 4, defensive lines that the Germans had constructed & the next one at 1500, however by then the Japanese were growing tired. Since the beginning of the attack Japan had received nearly 10,000 casualties & hundreds more were falling every hour. By dark the fighting had lulled as the two sides, exhausted, began to rest.
The next morning the thunderous sounds of the navy's guns were heard across Manila & the fronts. These sounds however, weren't of the Japanese cruisers & destroyers firing on the city. Instead, people on land looked out on the bay to see massive shapes on the horizon. These shapes quickly took the form of warships bearing the US flag & within minutes shells fell all around the Japanese vessels. In little more than an hour the remaining Japanese warships were taken out of action the the US Fleets attention turned to Japanese forces on land. In a matter of minutes the Japanese went from being the attacker to the attacked. By the afternoon German forces began their own assault. By 1700 they had retaken their defensive lines from Japan & were now fighting out in the open across land the Japanese had hardly fortified. The Battle of Manila lasted for another 10 days & by the time the fighting had ended the front was several miles away from the city. Throughout the rest of the month the Japanese slowly withdrew from Manila. By January the front had returned to Angeles in the north & reached Lucena to the south.
A question for a possible Torch, is Morocco independent or is it a part of France? If Independent, does Morocco even want a few hundred thousand Americans marching through?
For the Pacific, how strong is Taiwan? Maybe that is the USA next landings. Take Taiwan and then Hong Kong while simply letting the Japanese on Luzon wither on the vine.
Also, do the Americans control Wake Island?
For the Pacific, how strong is Taiwan? Maybe that is the USA next landings. Take Taiwan and then Hong Kong while simply letting the Japanese on Luzon wither on the vine.
Also, do the Americans control Wake Island?
Morocco is like it was OTL
not sure on Taiwan but Hong Kong will be hard. that's why the Chinese haven't gone after it yet
I know it's an American territory but I can't remember if Japan occupied it or not
Closing the Gap
The token force of Indochinese troops left to slow the Chinese didn't last long. By the end of October two Chinese armies were nearing Saigon & another neared Phnom Penh. These were to be some of the last stands for the Franco-Indochinese forces. The first battle to begin was the Battle of Phnom Penh which started on November 8 & the Battle of Saigon started 3 days later. These were the two hardest fought battles of the Indochina Front of the Asia Pacific Theater of the war. For weeks the Mekong River ran red with blood from both sides fighting in Phnom Penh as thousands of soldiers were cut down by hot lead. On November 30 Chinese forces broke through the lines northwest of the city & quickly began moving to surround the city. Too late the commander of the Franco-Indochinese forces in Phnom Penh ordered the city abandoned & his forces to retreat to Saigon. On December 4 Phnom Penh, & the forces defending it, were surrounded. Instead of being drawn in to a bloody street fight the Chinese besieged Phnom Penh & began to relentlessly bombard the city. With morale already almost nonexistent the siege wouldn't last long & on January 2 the city surrendered. 195,000 French & Indochinese soldiers would be marched off into captivity, many of whom would never return.
The Battle of Saigon continued a little longer than Phnom Penh. Here the final battle for Indochina would continue until December 19 when finally, after all routes of escape were cut off, Saigon surrendered. While small bands of insurgents would plague the Chinese occupiers for the rest of the war, the war in Indochina was now over. The only French presence that remained in southeast Asia was in its sphere of influence in Siam. That too was quickly fading & in January Siamese forces would expel the French from the country.
In Manchuria the weather would quickly be turning against the troops fighting one another. The Chinese hoped however that the final link between Vladivostok & the rest of Russia would be severed before operations would have to stop. The Battle of Vanino had been going on since August as Russian forces tried desperately to halt the Chinese. On October 20 it would finally happen. Chinese troops finally smashed a hole in the Russian lines & reached the sea. From there the hole began stretching wider as the Chinese pushed both north & south. By December Russia had given up hope of breaking through to Vladivostok & began pulling all but one field army from the Far East & started transporting them back to the front in Europe. In the southern portion of Outer Manchuria there remained close to 400,000 Russian troops that were now cut off. Aside from a small amount of supplies arriving from Japan the Russians were on their own. However, despite these major setbacks they would continue to hold out for another 3 months before finally surrendered on February 1,1913.
Both the Chinese & Indian Armies had spent the summer rebuilding their armies after the bloodbath at Mandalay. By October however the Chinese were back up to strength & looking to not make the mistakes that they had had made in failing to take Mandalay. On October 12 China went back on the offensive & began quickly moving on Mandalay. The Indian Army however, had rebuilt its numbers as well & was waiting for China's arrival. On October 26 the thunder of the two sides guns were heard throughout the already ruined city & the Second Battle of Mandalay began.
Asian/Pacific Theater right ater the fall of Indochina
The token force of Indochinese troops left to slow the Chinese didn't last long. By the end of October two Chinese armies were nearing Saigon & another neared Phnom Penh. These were to be some of the last stands for the Franco-Indochinese forces. The first battle to begin was the Battle of Phnom Penh which started on November 8 & the Battle of Saigon started 3 days later. These were the two hardest fought battles of the Indochina Front of the Asia Pacific Theater of the war. For weeks the Mekong River ran red with blood from both sides fighting in Phnom Penh as thousands of soldiers were cut down by hot lead. On November 30 Chinese forces broke through the lines northwest of the city & quickly began moving to surround the city. Too late the commander of the Franco-Indochinese forces in Phnom Penh ordered the city abandoned & his forces to retreat to Saigon. On December 4 Phnom Penh, & the forces defending it, were surrounded. Instead of being drawn in to a bloody street fight the Chinese besieged Phnom Penh & began to relentlessly bombard the city. With morale already almost nonexistent the siege wouldn't last long & on January 2 the city surrendered. 195,000 French & Indochinese soldiers would be marched off into captivity, many of whom would never return.
The Battle of Saigon continued a little longer than Phnom Penh. Here the final battle for Indochina would continue until December 19 when finally, after all routes of escape were cut off, Saigon surrendered. While small bands of insurgents would plague the Chinese occupiers for the rest of the war, the war in Indochina was now over. The only French presence that remained in southeast Asia was in its sphere of influence in Siam. That too was quickly fading & in January Siamese forces would expel the French from the country.
In Manchuria the weather would quickly be turning against the troops fighting one another. The Chinese hoped however that the final link between Vladivostok & the rest of Russia would be severed before operations would have to stop. The Battle of Vanino had been going on since August as Russian forces tried desperately to halt the Chinese. On October 20 it would finally happen. Chinese troops finally smashed a hole in the Russian lines & reached the sea. From there the hole began stretching wider as the Chinese pushed both north & south. By December Russia had given up hope of breaking through to Vladivostok & began pulling all but one field army from the Far East & started transporting them back to the front in Europe. In the southern portion of Outer Manchuria there remained close to 400,000 Russian troops that were now cut off. Aside from a small amount of supplies arriving from Japan the Russians were on their own. However, despite these major setbacks they would continue to hold out for another 3 months before finally surrendered on February 1,1913.
Both the Chinese & Indian Armies had spent the summer rebuilding their armies after the bloodbath at Mandalay. By October however the Chinese were back up to strength & looking to not make the mistakes that they had had made in failing to take Mandalay. On October 12 China went back on the offensive & began quickly moving on Mandalay. The Indian Army however, had rebuilt its numbers as well & was waiting for China's arrival. On October 26 the thunder of the two sides guns were heard throughout the already ruined city & the Second Battle of Mandalay began.
Asian/Pacific Theater right ater the fall of Indochina
Blood in the Water
Following the Battle of Farsund surface activity in the Atlantic Theater of the war tapered off to little more than the occasional single ship engagement. Though submarines from both sides still targeted each others shipping relentlessly, the Atlantic & North Sea had became eerily quiet. That being said however, everyone knew that this was only a calm before an epic storm.
With Austria-Hungary knocked out of the fight Italy had stepped up its shipping of supplies & war materiel to North Africa. This also meant that League ships began stepping up their game in attacking the convoys. The LFE's naval superiority however, was now strained. After sustaining the massive casualties they did at the Flemish Cap & Farsund, Britain's Home Fleet was needed reinforcements, & these reinforcements came by the RN cutting ship numbers in their Pacific & Mediterranean Fleets. The French Imperial Navy though, had more then enough strength to keep the Italians contained. Unable to leave the Adriatic or their ports had been eating on the Italian Navy higher ups throughout the war. With much of the Royal Navy's strength sapped in the area they finally believed it their time to shine as the Army had in Austria-Hungary.
On November 17 a fleet of 2 vengeance battleships, 2 pre-vengeance battleships, a heavy cruiser, 4 armored cruisers, & 8 protected cruisers set sail from Taranto to strike at the French. Eighteen hours later they encountered the French fleet near the Sicilian island of Ustica. The French fleet that had sallied forth to engage the Italians was composed of 3 vengeance battleships, 2 pre-vengeance battleships, & 3 heavy cruisers. The first shots were fired at 1135 beginning the Battle of Ustica. First blood was drawn by the Italians at 1205 when a shot from the vengeance battleship Roma set the French cruiser Suffren ablaze, taking it out of the fight & eventually sinking 9 hours later. For 2 & a half more hours the battle raged on before at 1430 the Italian fleet, with half their ships either unk or badly damaged, withdrew sailing to the nearest port.
The Italian Navy had set out to prove itself in open battle against a major navy & had failed. Bloodied themselve the French let the Italians flee. For the remainder of the year the Mediterranean quietened down itself & resembled what was going on in the Atlantic & North Sea.
Following the Battle of Farsund surface activity in the Atlantic Theater of the war tapered off to little more than the occasional single ship engagement. Though submarines from both sides still targeted each others shipping relentlessly, the Atlantic & North Sea had became eerily quiet. That being said however, everyone knew that this was only a calm before an epic storm.
With Austria-Hungary knocked out of the fight Italy had stepped up its shipping of supplies & war materiel to North Africa. This also meant that League ships began stepping up their game in attacking the convoys. The LFE's naval superiority however, was now strained. After sustaining the massive casualties they did at the Flemish Cap & Farsund, Britain's Home Fleet was needed reinforcements, & these reinforcements came by the RN cutting ship numbers in their Pacific & Mediterranean Fleets. The French Imperial Navy though, had more then enough strength to keep the Italians contained. Unable to leave the Adriatic or their ports had been eating on the Italian Navy higher ups throughout the war. With much of the Royal Navy's strength sapped in the area they finally believed it their time to shine as the Army had in Austria-Hungary.
On November 17 a fleet of 2 vengeance battleships, 2 pre-vengeance battleships, a heavy cruiser, 4 armored cruisers, & 8 protected cruisers set sail from Taranto to strike at the French. Eighteen hours later they encountered the French fleet near the Sicilian island of Ustica. The French fleet that had sallied forth to engage the Italians was composed of 3 vengeance battleships, 2 pre-vengeance battleships, & 3 heavy cruisers. The first shots were fired at 1135 beginning the Battle of Ustica. First blood was drawn by the Italians at 1205 when a shot from the vengeance battleship Roma set the French cruiser Suffren ablaze, taking it out of the fight & eventually sinking 9 hours later. For 2 & a half more hours the battle raged on before at 1430 the Italian fleet, with half their ships either unk or badly damaged, withdrew sailing to the nearest port.
The Italian Navy had set out to prove itself in open battle against a major navy & had failed. Bloodied themselve the French let the Italians flee. For the remainder of the year the Mediterranean quietened down itself & resembled what was going on in the Atlantic & North Sea.
Dissolution
Although Austria-Hungary had withdraw from the war its problems were far from over. The loss of over half its territory had left what remained of the country in turmoil. On February 17, 1913 the street of Budapest erupted in violence as the city's inhabitants rioted in protest to the Hapsburg's rule. Unlike the previous uprisings that had occurred during the war however, this one wasn't met by the arrival of troops to quell the riots. Instead, the Hungarians were offered a referendum to decide both their, & the empires, future. On April 1 people all across the Hungarian portion of the empire voted on whether or not they wanted to split from the union with Austria. By over 73% of the vote, Hungary would vote to end their union with Austria. Two weeks later, on April 15, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was no more as the two nations went their own way as the Kingdom of Austria & the Republic of Hungary.
Although Austria-Hungary had withdraw from the war its problems were far from over. The loss of over half its territory had left what remained of the country in turmoil. On February 17, 1913 the street of Budapest erupted in violence as the city's inhabitants rioted in protest to the Hapsburg's rule. Unlike the previous uprisings that had occurred during the war however, this one wasn't met by the arrival of troops to quell the riots. Instead, the Hungarians were offered a referendum to decide both their, & the empires, future. On April 1 people all across the Hungarian portion of the empire voted on whether or not they wanted to split from the union with Austria. By over 73% of the vote, Hungary would vote to end their union with Austria. Two weeks later, on April 15, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was no more as the two nations went their own way as the Kingdom of Austria & the Republic of Hungary.
Red Snow
Winter or not, the war on the Western Front was continuing to move. On February 1 Germany's Winter Offensive began with a large German attack aimed at the port city of Calais. Germany's goals were to cut off the remaining British forces on mainland Europe & the Belgian Army from the rest of France. Not anticipating an attack during the winter German forces covered nearly 30 miles before any meaningful defense could be mounted by the League. On February 7 a combined British, Belgian & French force brought half of the invading front to a halt at the city of Lille. For 8 days the offensive was stalled as the two sides hammered each other. On February 15 though the League was forced to withdraw & the offensive continued. Over the next month the Germans slowly continued forward. By the end of March however, the offensive had ran out of steam near Watten 20 miles short of its goal.
Further to the south in Italy French & Italian forces had been swarming to Turin. On January 17 the Second Battle of Turin began as the Italians moved to retake their city. For three months the city was subject to another round of intense fighting that pounded even more of the already damaged city into the ground. On April 23 the Second Battle of Turin finally came to an end with the ruined city now returned to Italian hands. The Second Battle of Turin had gutted the French army in the Po Valley & a general withdrawal back into the Alps began soon after. In early May the Italians would begin to pursue turning France' withdrawal into a retreat that wouldn't end until they were finally expelled from Italy.
Winter or not, the war on the Western Front was continuing to move. On February 1 Germany's Winter Offensive began with a large German attack aimed at the port city of Calais. Germany's goals were to cut off the remaining British forces on mainland Europe & the Belgian Army from the rest of France. Not anticipating an attack during the winter German forces covered nearly 30 miles before any meaningful defense could be mounted by the League. On February 7 a combined British, Belgian & French force brought half of the invading front to a halt at the city of Lille. For 8 days the offensive was stalled as the two sides hammered each other. On February 15 though the League was forced to withdraw & the offensive continued. Over the next month the Germans slowly continued forward. By the end of March however, the offensive had ran out of steam near Watten 20 miles short of its goal.
Further to the south in Italy French & Italian forces had been swarming to Turin. On January 17 the Second Battle of Turin began as the Italians moved to retake their city. For three months the city was subject to another round of intense fighting that pounded even more of the already damaged city into the ground. On April 23 the Second Battle of Turin finally came to an end with the ruined city now returned to Italian hands. The Second Battle of Turin had gutted the French army in the Po Valley & a general withdrawal back into the Alps began soon after. In early May the Italians would begin to pursue turning France' withdrawal into a retreat that wouldn't end until they were finally expelled from Italy.
An Advance on Egypt
Following their costly victory at El Alamein the Italians had spent the month of January refitting their army so they could continue their advance. By February however, two fresh new divisions from Tunisia had arrived & the Italians were ready to move on. Bedouin cavalry had been combing the Sahara destroying what few threats to Italy's advance their were in that hostile terrain & letting the army be able to focus all of its efforts in destroying the British threat to their front. On February 6 the Italians were on the offensive again with their eyes set on Alexandria. However during the time that Italy rested & refitted the British were bringing as many men as they could from the Sudan & East Africa as well a some from Palestine. So by the time Italy renewed its offensive Britain had nearly two full divisions of new troops in Egypt.
Despite Britain's new reinforcements, the Italians still outnumbered them & drove them back. On February 28 Alexandria finally came within range of Italian artillery, the Battle of Alexandria had began. Unlike previous areas that had been fought over in North Africa, Alexandria was a major city & one that the British & Egyptians were determined to keep in their control. Day after day the battle raged. While the battlefield on the outskirts of Alexandria looked much like nearly every other battle fought in the war with long trench lines, within the city itself the front was much more fluid. The battle occurring in the city was being fought over street by street & house by house. Block by block the ancient city was reduced to bloody rubble with hundreds of people being cut down each day. By the end of April the battle continued to rage with no end in sight.
While British strength in Palestine was only slightly diminished by the troop transfers to Egypt Ottoman forces quickly began planning an offensive on this front so to take advantage of the Italian offensive that began the fall before. On February 22 Ottoman forces launched two separate assaults from Amman & Jaffa aimed at retaking Jerusalem. Almost immediately the Jaffa arm of the offensive met resistance at the city of Lod. The Battle of Lod kept the Ottomans at bay for almost a week before the Amman arm of the offensive, which had had much better luck, forced their retreat. In three weeks the Ottoman pincer movement finally neared Jerusalem. Their plans to encircle the city however were thwarted by the British Army & the Ottoman advance came to a halt & the Second Battle of Jerusalem began.
British forces outside Alexandria
Following their costly victory at El Alamein the Italians had spent the month of January refitting their army so they could continue their advance. By February however, two fresh new divisions from Tunisia had arrived & the Italians were ready to move on. Bedouin cavalry had been combing the Sahara destroying what few threats to Italy's advance their were in that hostile terrain & letting the army be able to focus all of its efforts in destroying the British threat to their front. On February 6 the Italians were on the offensive again with their eyes set on Alexandria. However during the time that Italy rested & refitted the British were bringing as many men as they could from the Sudan & East Africa as well a some from Palestine. So by the time Italy renewed its offensive Britain had nearly two full divisions of new troops in Egypt.
Despite Britain's new reinforcements, the Italians still outnumbered them & drove them back. On February 28 Alexandria finally came within range of Italian artillery, the Battle of Alexandria had began. Unlike previous areas that had been fought over in North Africa, Alexandria was a major city & one that the British & Egyptians were determined to keep in their control. Day after day the battle raged. While the battlefield on the outskirts of Alexandria looked much like nearly every other battle fought in the war with long trench lines, within the city itself the front was much more fluid. The battle occurring in the city was being fought over street by street & house by house. Block by block the ancient city was reduced to bloody rubble with hundreds of people being cut down each day. By the end of April the battle continued to rage with no end in sight.
While British strength in Palestine was only slightly diminished by the troop transfers to Egypt Ottoman forces quickly began planning an offensive on this front so to take advantage of the Italian offensive that began the fall before. On February 22 Ottoman forces launched two separate assaults from Amman & Jaffa aimed at retaking Jerusalem. Almost immediately the Jaffa arm of the offensive met resistance at the city of Lod. The Battle of Lod kept the Ottomans at bay for almost a week before the Amman arm of the offensive, which had had much better luck, forced their retreat. In three weeks the Ottoman pincer movement finally neared Jerusalem. Their plans to encircle the city however were thwarted by the British Army & the Ottoman advance came to a halt & the Second Battle of Jerusalem began.
British forces outside Alexandria
Vistula to Siret
With the Winter Offensive in France raging, German operations against Russia were dialed down everywhere except at Warsaw. Guarded by three heavily fortified lines, German forces tried to encircle the city to the north & south, however the Vistula was a major obstacle & the Russians repulsed every German attempted crossing. Unable to flank the Russians, Germany would pour men into the Battle of Warsaw trying to break through Russia's defenses. Finally on February 20 the first line was captured from Russia at the cost of nearly 100,000 casualties. The second defensive line fell a little sooner than the first only holding out another month before falling. The third however, was the most fortified & well defended of all the lines & by May it still held.
Elsewhere along the Eastern Front the Allies, not plagued anymore by a two front war, continued on the offensive. Along the Black Sea, Bulgarian forces were driving the Russians back between the Danube & coast. Facing offensives all along their front as well as the Battle of Warsaw intensifying with each passing day, Russia was as yet unable to halt them. On March 5 the Bulgarian Army reached the city of Galati where the Russians would make a stand, holding the Bulgarians back for nearly two weeks. By the March 20 however the city had fallen & Russia was in retreat.
Throughout the remainder of Romania Romanian & Serbian forces were on the move too. By February the Romanians had finally pushed into Moldavia & it looked like they were on track to reach the Russian border by the summer. However, one obstacle was in their way in the form of the Siret River. On February 23 the Battle of the Siret began with much of the fighting focused near the city of Bacău. The Battle of the Siret would go on for over two months while the Romanians tried to break through & force the Russians back. Finally on April 27 the Battle of the Siret came to an end with the Russian Army falling back. However while winning he battle Romania would fail in driving the Ruians from their country by summer.
Along the central portion of the Eastern Front Bohemian, Galician, Slovakian, & Serbian forces were still trying to expel Russia from Allied territory. The Serbian Army's section of the front straddled the Romanian & Slovakian border & being the only fully modern military in the region, the new countries pulled from Austria-Hungary had most of their artillery & machine gun forces coming from the German Army, was doing the best in driving the Russians back. Along the other nations peace of the front Russian forces were still withdrawing finally being drove from Slovakia in April. However this was mainly due to the successes made by Serbia, Romania, & Bulgaria.
With the Winter Offensive in France raging, German operations against Russia were dialed down everywhere except at Warsaw. Guarded by three heavily fortified lines, German forces tried to encircle the city to the north & south, however the Vistula was a major obstacle & the Russians repulsed every German attempted crossing. Unable to flank the Russians, Germany would pour men into the Battle of Warsaw trying to break through Russia's defenses. Finally on February 20 the first line was captured from Russia at the cost of nearly 100,000 casualties. The second defensive line fell a little sooner than the first only holding out another month before falling. The third however, was the most fortified & well defended of all the lines & by May it still held.
Elsewhere along the Eastern Front the Allies, not plagued anymore by a two front war, continued on the offensive. Along the Black Sea, Bulgarian forces were driving the Russians back between the Danube & coast. Facing offensives all along their front as well as the Battle of Warsaw intensifying with each passing day, Russia was as yet unable to halt them. On March 5 the Bulgarian Army reached the city of Galati where the Russians would make a stand, holding the Bulgarians back for nearly two weeks. By the March 20 however the city had fallen & Russia was in retreat.
Throughout the remainder of Romania Romanian & Serbian forces were on the move too. By February the Romanians had finally pushed into Moldavia & it looked like they were on track to reach the Russian border by the summer. However, one obstacle was in their way in the form of the Siret River. On February 23 the Battle of the Siret began with much of the fighting focused near the city of Bacău. The Battle of the Siret would go on for over two months while the Romanians tried to break through & force the Russians back. Finally on April 27 the Battle of the Siret came to an end with the Russian Army falling back. However while winning he battle Romania would fail in driving the Ruians from their country by summer.
Along the central portion of the Eastern Front Bohemian, Galician, Slovakian, & Serbian forces were still trying to expel Russia from Allied territory. The Serbian Army's section of the front straddled the Romanian & Slovakian border & being the only fully modern military in the region, the new countries pulled from Austria-Hungary had most of their artillery & machine gun forces coming from the German Army, was doing the best in driving the Russians back. Along the other nations peace of the front Russian forces were still withdrawing finally being drove from Slovakia in April. However this was mainly due to the successes made by Serbia, Romania, & Bulgaria.
The League has to be close to its breaking point
Russia
France
Great Britain
Belgium
South Africa
Anzacs
India
Egypt
Africans
Japan
There have to be several weak links developing. The home fronts have to be getting more agitated with their governments. Even with the Commonwealth allies, political support at home for the war has to be eroding. For the Democracies of the League, are any elections on the horizon that will bring a peace party to power?
Which country will be the next domino? Belgium followed by Russia, followed by France, followed by the Commonwealth nations to bow out. Britain and Japan will be last.
Russia
France
Great Britain
Belgium
South Africa
Anzacs
India
Egypt
Africans
Japan
There have to be several weak links developing. The home fronts have to be getting more agitated with their governments. Even with the Commonwealth allies, political support at home for the war has to be eroding. For the Democracies of the League, are any elections on the horizon that will bring a peace party to power?
Which country will be the next domino? Belgium followed by Russia, followed by France, followed by the Commonwealth nations to bow out. Britain and Japan will be last.
I am trying to end the war this year but that isn't set in stone. My original plans were to have it all but finished by summer 1913 & that didn't work out
as for who is next to fall, well we'll just have to see
Tightening the Noose
As the Caucasian Front began a new year the Battle of Yerevan was intensifying. The Ottoman General Staff wanted a victory over the Russians on Russian soil & were putting nearly everything they had into winning. Men were being poured in by both sides & the casualty rate was skyrocketing. Finally, on February 19 the city fell to the Turks & Russia withdrew. Though taking Yerevan caused them nearly 150,000 casualties, this victory over the Russians was celebrated through the Empire & follow up offensives were immediately called for by Constantinople. While troop strenght was still down the morale of he Ottoman forces was at the highest it had been throughout the war & so on March 11 Ottoman forces went on the attack once more aimed at retaking the city of Kars which had been taken from them by Russia in the latter half of the 19th century. Once again taking advantage of Russia's situation of fighting on virtually all sides, the Turks managed to make gains & on April 2 the Battle of Kars began.
In Karelia Swedish & Russian troops had been battling one another along the Kem River since December. By February the Swedes had finally managed to drive the Russians from the field. The front was only to move a few miles though before reaching a new line along he Vyg River.
European Theater End of April 1913
As the Caucasian Front began a new year the Battle of Yerevan was intensifying. The Ottoman General Staff wanted a victory over the Russians on Russian soil & were putting nearly everything they had into winning. Men were being poured in by both sides & the casualty rate was skyrocketing. Finally, on February 19 the city fell to the Turks & Russia withdrew. Though taking Yerevan caused them nearly 150,000 casualties, this victory over the Russians was celebrated through the Empire & follow up offensives were immediately called for by Constantinople. While troop strenght was still down the morale of he Ottoman forces was at the highest it had been throughout the war & so on March 11 Ottoman forces went on the attack once more aimed at retaking the city of Kars which had been taken from them by Russia in the latter half of the 19th century. Once again taking advantage of Russia's situation of fighting on virtually all sides, the Turks managed to make gains & on April 2 the Battle of Kars began.
In Karelia Swedish & Russian troops had been battling one another along the Kem River since December. By February the Swedes had finally managed to drive the Russians from the field. The front was only to move a few miles though before reaching a new line along he Vyg River.
European Theater End of April 1913
Emerald Peril
Ever since it was clear to the world that the war wouldn't end quickly, Britain had worried about its unruly member of the UK, Ireland. Since the Acts of Union unified Great Britain & Ireland in 1801 London had had a problem with the islands populace. Twice, once in 1848 & again in 1866, the Irish had rebelled against British rule only to be put down. Now that Britain was stuck in a devastating was around the world their were fears that Germany or the US would try & stir up the Irish into rebelling once more. In this area Britain was correct, almost as soon a the war began American & German agents in Ireland began working with working with the nationalists their to stir the country into rebellion. By 1913 Irish nationalists had been planning an uprising for three years. Also for nearly two years American & German warships had been smuggling weapons into Ireland whenever possible to give the uprising a fighting chance of survival.
On March 23, Easter Sunday, the first rays of sunlight began to show themselves across Ireland in what looked to be a peaceful day. Along the western coast of the island however several dozen gray shapes were appearing. The shapes quickly took the form of two dozen American & German warships supporting a fleet of cargo & transport vessels. Within minutes the waters of the Shannon Estuary were filled with both landing craft & regular small boats landing 15,000 US Marines & several tons of equipment & supplies. War had now arrived in the British Isles but the landing was only a small part of it & was used as a signal seen across Ireland. At 1300 all across Ireland, but mostly focused in Cork, Dublin, & Belfast, close to 50,000 Irish nationalists rose up in rebellion. The Easter Uprising had began.
Britain had already heard of the American invasion force & had quickly mobilized most of the division stationed in Ireland & was moving to engage the Marines while Royal Navy units from Berehaven were sailing to engage the Allied fleet. The rebellion however, which deliberately several hours after the beginning of the American landings to catch the British on the move, quickly disrupted Britain's troop movements. At sea the RN sent a fleet of 5 pre-vengeance battleships, 8 cruisers, & 10 destroyers to intercept the Allies & destroy the invasion force before it had time to complete. However as the fleet neared the Dingle Peninsula it ran into an ambush staged by 15 German submarines. In minutes the submarines had sunk a battleship & 3 destroyers while another battleship & 2 cruisers were forced to withdraw. The remaining ships were then pounced on by US & German warships from the invasion fleet & within 2 hours the Battle of Dingle was over with only a damaged battleship, 3 cruisers, & 4 destroyers withdrew.
Within two days Cork, Dublin, & Belfast were under Irish control as well as several dozen more towns & smaller cities throughout Ireland & at Shannon Estuary 15,000 American Marines, 500 German Naval Infantry, & 5000 ethnic Irishmen of the American formed & trained Irish Home Army with an additional 20,000 rifles, 400 machine guns, 100 mortars, & 5 million rounds of ammunition for the Irish rebels had been offloaded. Over the next week the American led Expeditionary Force expanded their foothold capturing Limerick while only encountering light resistance. On April 2 they met up with the Irish Nationalists & began to form a join plan for operations against the British in Ireland. Not all was going well however, though thousands of rifles & hundreds of machine guns had been smuggled to the Irish one thing they didn't have however was artillery. By the first of April the British in Ireland had regrouped &, with some Royal Navy help, would retake Belfast & Dublin after bloody house to house fights. Two fresh divisions from Britain were now being sent to Ireland instead of France, And at sea the British Home Fleet rallied & drove the German & American warships from Irish waters. The Expeditionary Force was now unable to easily get reinforcements & the British felt that soon this uprising & invasion would be finished.
What Britain didn't know however, was that while the Easter Uprising was beginning in Ireland, a thousand miles to the north a massive American armada of warships & transports were sailing near Iceland carrying two divisions of American troops & supplies destined for Narvik. The warships guarding this convoy were to stay in European waters at Sweden while the convoy would hopefully return with more & more troops to assist the US's allies in Europe.
Picture of Irish Nationalists during the start of the Easter Uprising
Ever since it was clear to the world that the war wouldn't end quickly, Britain had worried about its unruly member of the UK, Ireland. Since the Acts of Union unified Great Britain & Ireland in 1801 London had had a problem with the islands populace. Twice, once in 1848 & again in 1866, the Irish had rebelled against British rule only to be put down. Now that Britain was stuck in a devastating was around the world their were fears that Germany or the US would try & stir up the Irish into rebelling once more. In this area Britain was correct, almost as soon a the war began American & German agents in Ireland began working with working with the nationalists their to stir the country into rebellion. By 1913 Irish nationalists had been planning an uprising for three years. Also for nearly two years American & German warships had been smuggling weapons into Ireland whenever possible to give the uprising a fighting chance of survival.
On March 23, Easter Sunday, the first rays of sunlight began to show themselves across Ireland in what looked to be a peaceful day. Along the western coast of the island however several dozen gray shapes were appearing. The shapes quickly took the form of two dozen American & German warships supporting a fleet of cargo & transport vessels. Within minutes the waters of the Shannon Estuary were filled with both landing craft & regular small boats landing 15,000 US Marines & several tons of equipment & supplies. War had now arrived in the British Isles but the landing was only a small part of it & was used as a signal seen across Ireland. At 1300 all across Ireland, but mostly focused in Cork, Dublin, & Belfast, close to 50,000 Irish nationalists rose up in rebellion. The Easter Uprising had began.
Britain had already heard of the American invasion force & had quickly mobilized most of the division stationed in Ireland & was moving to engage the Marines while Royal Navy units from Berehaven were sailing to engage the Allied fleet. The rebellion however, which deliberately several hours after the beginning of the American landings to catch the British on the move, quickly disrupted Britain's troop movements. At sea the RN sent a fleet of 5 pre-vengeance battleships, 8 cruisers, & 10 destroyers to intercept the Allies & destroy the invasion force before it had time to complete. However as the fleet neared the Dingle Peninsula it ran into an ambush staged by 15 German submarines. In minutes the submarines had sunk a battleship & 3 destroyers while another battleship & 2 cruisers were forced to withdraw. The remaining ships were then pounced on by US & German warships from the invasion fleet & within 2 hours the Battle of Dingle was over with only a damaged battleship, 3 cruisers, & 4 destroyers withdrew.
Within two days Cork, Dublin, & Belfast were under Irish control as well as several dozen more towns & smaller cities throughout Ireland & at Shannon Estuary 15,000 American Marines, 500 German Naval Infantry, & 5000 ethnic Irishmen of the American formed & trained Irish Home Army with an additional 20,000 rifles, 400 machine guns, 100 mortars, & 5 million rounds of ammunition for the Irish rebels had been offloaded. Over the next week the American led Expeditionary Force expanded their foothold capturing Limerick while only encountering light resistance. On April 2 they met up with the Irish Nationalists & began to form a join plan for operations against the British in Ireland. Not all was going well however, though thousands of rifles & hundreds of machine guns had been smuggled to the Irish one thing they didn't have however was artillery. By the first of April the British in Ireland had regrouped &, with some Royal Navy help, would retake Belfast & Dublin after bloody house to house fights. Two fresh divisions from Britain were now being sent to Ireland instead of France, And at sea the British Home Fleet rallied & drove the German & American warships from Irish waters. The Expeditionary Force was now unable to easily get reinforcements & the British felt that soon this uprising & invasion would be finished.
What Britain didn't know however, was that while the Easter Uprising was beginning in Ireland, a thousand miles to the north a massive American armada of warships & transports were sailing near Iceland carrying two divisions of American troops & supplies destined for Narvik. The warships guarding this convoy were to stay in European waters at Sweden while the convoy would hopefully return with more & more troops to assist the US's allies in Europe.
Picture of Irish Nationalists during the start of the Easter Uprising
The Irish Republic is born!
Things might get a little tough for those marines though.
In Finland, the Fins are welcoming the Swedes correct? Should be the same as in Ireland where the Fins are aiding the Swedes to pull Finland from the Russian Empire.
So the American army divisions that are heading to Narvik. These will join in a push towards St. Petersburg?
Not having the British reinforcements sent to France will have some ripple effect. The Germans and Dutch are aiming to capture all of Belgium and pour into northern France. Their job is being made easier. So even though the American marines may be in a tough spot in Ireland, they are relieving other allies in France.
Things might get a little tough for those marines though.
In Finland, the Fins are welcoming the Swedes correct? Should be the same as in Ireland where the Fins are aiding the Swedes to pull Finland from the Russian Empire.
So the American army divisions that are heading to Narvik. These will join in a push towards St. Petersburg?
Not having the British reinforcements sent to France will have some ripple effect. The Germans and Dutch are aiming to capture all of Belgium and pour into northern France. Their job is being made easier. So even though the American marines may be in a tough spot in Ireland, they are relieving other allies in France.
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