AH European War Challenge

[Gryphon]

(Placed in pre-1900 because most PODs will end up there, I can feel it)

With a POD no earlier than 1871, and preferably as late as possible (I'll take anything up to 1908) have the Kaiserreich and the British Empire on the same side in an alliance against France, Italy, and Austria-Hungary. Russia, America, and the other great powers must be neutral, though they can be leaning towards one side or the other.

These alliances must break out into war in the area of 1910-1915. Any cause for war is acceptable, but the catch is that the Germans and British must be defending the Rhine and parts of Belgium against invading French forces. Other theatres are up to the poster.

By 1910, the ATL will be coming to the end of one era and the beginning of the next. In the previously mentioned war, one sees things like mass airship attacks against trenches defended by bi- and triplanes. The early armoured vehicles against mass artillery from afar. The WWI style of warfare exists, and is the main fo0rm of fighting in the Low Countries, but the world is beginning tocome towards the WWII non-trench warfare, asymetric fighting, and Patton's dreams' tank battles. Etc., etc. Etc.

Extra points are given if there is a War of the Colonies between the POD and 1910.

To best get oneself in a mindset for the type of scenario I'm hoping for, imagine an airship. In sepia. Over the British flag flying in Tripoli and/or Cairo. Or the Imperial German flag flying in Berlin. Or even flying above Constantinople.

So, Semi-Steampunk ATL World of Empires at War Challenge #1 from Gryphon begins...

 

[DuQuense]

France wins the Prussian War, allies with A-H afterwards,
Common interests in North Africa pulls Italy into the Alliance.

 

[Kvasir]

He's my try.

Prussia completely destroys France in the Franco Prussian War, then forms Germany. German Policy is to try to dominate Europe and France begins a long process to revenge. Instead of trying to gain colonies, Germany focuses more on its mainland territory. France and Russia ally in order to put pressure on Gremany who in turn allies with Britain who is competing with France and Russia globally. Germany and Austria-Hungary have a tiff and Germany supports the Ottomans in a disagreement. Austria-Hungary joins the anti-german pact while the Ottomans become pro-German. It becomes the intellectual dream of Germany to create a land border with the Ottomans. When Italy attempts to interfere with the Ottomans, bad diplomacy by Germany pushes Italy into the French camp who welcome them with open arms. As punishment Germany refuses to allow Italy to take any land from the Ottomans and Austria-Hungary is pushed even further to France.

Increased hostility and lots of money allow Germany to build the strongest defensive border ever seen between France and itself. France realizes that in order to regain Alasce-Lorraine it needs a navy to compete with Britain. The money spent on the navies of France and Britain reach astronomical proportions. The world erupts into war in 1912 when a Moroccan uprising is supported by Britain. France attacks Gibraltar and Britain declares war. The French navy prevents Britain from landing forces in Europe at the moment so Gremany is on its own. The French launch themselves at the German defences and get gunned down every time. They have now got a two front war, one in North Africa (aided by the British the rebellion has spread, the Ottomans help, unofficially of course) and the other on the French/German border.

Italy joins the war after France promises parts of North Africa and Malta. The med becomes a "Lake of War". Germany is facing economic blockade and knows it cannot win a prolonged war so attacks Russia and pushes deep into Poland and Belarus. Russians try to counter but fails. Germany had already had troops stationed near the border and was very quick to capitalize on the declaration. Over the next year Germany will push up the Baltic coast and convince Finland to join. Both will begin to target St Petersburg and Russia will use a lot of troops in the defence of the capital. As the Russians melt away Romania attacks Russia and Germany pushes into Ukaraine where Germany will begin to export grain.

Meanwhile Austria-Hungary are in real trouble. Many did not want to Ally against Germany and there is a lot of opposition to the war. Germany plays the nationalism card and stops an Austrian assault and pushes them back to the border. The war does not go well for Austria-Hungary and soon Germany is been welcomed in many Austrian towns and cities and has already taken Prague. France watches its two main Allies getting whipped by Germany and realizes that if this continues Germany will finish them off and put all their resources into smashing them. France decides to attack through Belgium and take the pressure off Russia and Austria.

Germany gains the consent from Belgium to help defend them. The western front gets very bloody and the French are bleeding themselves white while the Germans take much lower causalities. But France doesn't have nearly half as much land to defend and Germany is learning to work with the locals of the occupied territory to minimise the troops away from the front. Britain's armies are attacking French Africa, the French Caribbean and French Guiana. America opposes Britain's violation of the Monroe Doctrine, but Britain basically says "Stay out my way or else." It will take Britain two years to break the French navy enough to get supplies to Germany through Netherlands.

By that time North Africa is swarming with British troops. France is been pushed back and a general evacuation for all those who want it has been declared by France for the Europeans. Italy has taken Malta and is in control of defending Tunisia. They offer to switch sides if they can keep their gains but Britain refuses and Italy begins to defend. The Ottomans allow Britain to transport troops from Egypt to the front. However Italy has taken lessons from the western front and Britain will suffer horrendous losses in Tunisia. Inside Germany, people begin working on new designs aimed at breaking the deadlock. They will not bleed themselves white like the French. Once design requires massive airships to drop millions of bombs over the French territories. This design appears to be nearing completion.

The Germans themselves are doing great. They have taken nearly all of Austria and the city of Pressburg is within sights. There is an uprising in Hungary which is gaining strength and the Italians are itching to take Austrian lands for themselves but since they are allied with them this is impossible. Thousands of Italians protest, stating they joined the round side. Russia has lost most of its industry. Romania has taken Bessarabia and is supplying troops for Germany which they are using in Ukraine. The Crimea is in German hands and several intellectuals believe it would make a great outpost for Deutschland. The question of Poland has come up and
Germany split. One side wants to create an independent Polish State and use it as a buffer state between it and Russia. The other wants to annex Poland and create a buffer state in the form of Belarus. As such, no promise of independence for Poland is given.

Russia has wasted huge numbers to troops in the defence of St Petersburg. and many are becoming concerned that Germany is too close to Moscow. Nearing the end of the 3rd year of war Finland and Germany launch a joint offensive which cuts off St Petersburg from the rest of Russia, and Finland is pushing into Karelia. Germany has cut though Russia like butter and there is a lot of civil unrest in the country. When news leaks that Germany may create an independent Belarus the Russian people rise up and announce they want an end to the war. The Tzar does the worst thing possible. He cracks down on the demonstrations and begins to prepare a huge offensive (a last ditch attempt) to push Germany back.

At this point France does something unbelievable. It convinces America to help them. America is making tones of money selling weapons to the French because the French people are all on the front. Britain begins to attack American shipping. France uses propaganda and lies to turn the Americans pro-France and anti-Britain. Several high profile sinkings later America declares war. America had a small military at the start of hostilities but had been increasing it since the war started. However it wasnt ready to fight. Luckily Britain had all the Canadian troops in North Africa and other colonies. Also Britain had landed troops in Denmark to be sent to the western front to aid in the upcoming offensive by the Germans. The Americans hadn't realized how desperate the French position was, America hadn't heard much from the German front.

So what do you think?

 

[Farfromhome]

The Timeline is interesting but the US will never side against Britain at this timeperiod unless they were attacked or some other kind of insanity. Something like a super zimmerman telegram or something.

 

[Gryphon]

That is quite interesting. It's almost exactly the end result I had in mind. Great job, man! I do agree with Farfromhome, American support is unlikely, but it is an excellent AH.

 

[paxau]

Nice AH though i agree with the previous posters on the subject of the USA siding against Britain in a war during this time-period.

 

[Kvasir]

After all 3 posts after my Timeline all share the same criticism I thought it was time to expand the section. America is frustrated. There is a feeling that they are not taken seriously and they are right to think it. Because of butterflies there was no Spanish American war and their contribution to the boxer rebellion is limited. There are many organisations in the country who want to begin to project power. Those that oppose such ideas concentrate on the Monroe Doctrine and state that Americas influence extends only over the Americas. Once the war starts the government begins increasing the size of the military.

Relations with Britain went flat shortly after the alliance with Germany was declared. The two began to get involved with South and Central American affairs including the Panama canal. German investment is everywhere and Britain is strengthening ties with its American Territories. Between the two they are squeezing American investment. Argentina and Peru are the two largest British/German allies and both are very anti-America. However the thing which annoys them most however is the arrogance that Britain and Germany conducts themselves with. They receive little to no respect from either of them.

By the time of the first world war we have a very strong hatred of both Germany and Britain who are both on the same side in a war. And we also have an American Public demanding a war to show the world America is a forced to be reckoned with. Then we have Britain been arrogant and waving away American protest at Britain flaunting the ignoring of the Monroe doctrine (and in the process destroying the defence of the anti-imperialists). Then we have 100's of American civilians dying at the hands of the British Navy. Add that with French Propaganda and a lack of information as to how bad France is doing. Does war seem more likely at all after this?