NationStates Jolt Archive

The Great War in the East

Timeline
March - April 1911
The Finns and Balts have started a revolution, and Germany threatens war when the Russians
crack down. The situation escualates when the Czar and most of his family save the daughter
Anastasia are killed by a bomb that blows up their railway car.

Meanwhile, Russian police units attempt to crush the widespread rebellion breaking out in both
the Baltic provinces and Finland, and this triggers mutiny by ethnic Finnish and Baltic regular forces
stationed in Poland and along the Ottoman border (and their dissolving with the bulk of the troops
fleeing to German or Turkish territory). As the situation grows more serious, Russia mobilizes after
Germany and Austria do so, and in the midst of this, Baltic and Finnish reservists seize control of their
portion of the rail system and concentrate at Helsinki and Kaunus, while mobs and reservists slaughter
Russian police.

By the end of April a German ultimatum has been issued and war is imminent. Finland, Estonia, Lithuenia, and Latvia have declared independence, and Denmark has granted them recognition, with more nations sure to follow. Russia in the meantime prepares its economy for war.

Secret OC
As it turns out the war traces even further back, as Germany has been supplying the Finns and Balts
with assistance and support since mid 1910, as well as arms. Even more secret is the fact that Norway assisted Germany in smuggling those arms in.

May 1911
German and Austrian forces invade the Russian Empire on May 2, 1911, while Bulgaria and Serbia have mobilized, and the remainder of the Balkan states wonder what to do next, or in the case of Rumania, loudly proclaim their neutrality. The Germans prepare their economy for war, as do the Italians.

German and Austrian forces overrun Poland, against light resistance for the most part except at Warsaw, which falls to overwhelming forces after a fierce 10 day struggle. At sea the Russians and Germans give each other a bloody nose, but the Germans are able to send forces to help the Finns.
A good portion of the Austrian Navy arrives at Bulgaria and makes it base at the Bulgarian port of Varna.

Naval rating system for all naval units
German DNs 3 - 5 - 3 - 2
German BC 3 -4-4-2
US built BC 3-2-4-4
BB1 (tech 4.5 BB) 2 -4-2-2
BB2 (tech 4 BB) 2 -3-2-2
CA (armored cruiser) 1-2-3-3
CL 1-1-4-4
CP1 (tech 4.5) 1-0-3-3
CP2 (tech 4) 1-0-2-3
DD1 (tech 5) 2-1-5-2
DD2 (tech 4.5) 2-1-4-2
TB (tech 4.5 and 4) 1-1-3-2
MTB (tech 5) 1-0-5-1
Escort flotilla 1-1-3-4
Minesweeper flotilla 0-0-3-3
transport unit 0-2-2-4
liner unit 0-1-4-4
Merchant shipping unit 0-2-2-special (kind of a placeholder, so not really in one place for range purposes unless used as a transport)
Coastal submarine flotilla 1-special-2-1
Submarine flotilla 1-special-2-2
Long range submarine flotilla 1-special-3-4

units must end each month in a base or port to refuel. A unit can steam its maximum range (say 4 sea areas from Western Approaches to South Atlantic, then steam another 4 sea areas to reach a port, say South Atlantic to Colombo, Ceylon)

US ships generally sacrifice speed for range (except armored and battle cruisers, which sacrifice protection for range)
British ships generally sacrifice protection for range
French and Italian ships sacrifice range for speed
German and Russian ships sacrifice range for protection

more naval rules
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11621363&postcount=3

protection factor is how much damage a ship can take, and how many points are needed to repair it if damaged. Minimum repair cost is 1 even for units with a 0 rating

attack is for my purposes only, and basically how many attack dice a ship gets to attack with

Speed factor determines if a ship can outrun another ship

range is already explained

Tech level 5 ground combat

Units have a basic combat rating which reflects their firepower and ability to take and recieve casualties. They also have a profiency rating which reflects their level of training.

Basic combat ratings
infantry or cavalry Brigade 1
light infantry division 3
cavalry division 2
militia infantry corps 5
militia cavalry corps 3
militia division 2
militia brigade .5 (can only inflict casaulties if paired with another militia brigade)
infantry corps 7
heavy infantyr corps 9
2nd line infantry corps (Landwehr) 6
garrison division 2
fortress corps 9
cavalry corps 5
seige artillery brigades 4
artillery corps 12 (halved unless stacked with an infantry corps)
flak division 1

proficiency ratings
untrained militia 1
police units 2
trained militia 3
older (have been out of the serve over 4 years) reservists 4
reservists 5
conscript regulars / volunteer reservists 6
volunteer regulars 7
elite regulars 8 (only marines, mountain troops)

national bonuses to profiency
Germany, France + 2
UK, Russia, Japan, Imperial China, Italy, USA, Australia, Canada, Spain, South Africa, India +1
Ottoman Empire, Greece, Rumania, Bulgaria, KMT China, Siam, Argentina, Brazil, all other European + 0
all other Asian, African, Latin American nations - 1 or - 2 or even -3

Effects of profiency
When a unit with higher profiency attacks a unit with lower profiency it gets a combat bonus to dice rolls

examples:
German heavy Infantry corps are either prof 8 or 9, while Russian infantry corps are 7 or 6

Other adjustments
Units defending are doubled in strength
units defending in rough terrain, behind a river line, or in a major city are tripled in defense
units defending in a fortress are quadrupled in defense
seige artillery units have their own attack strength, plus allow 4 attacking corps to be doubled in the attack or defense unless attacking a fortress, in which case only 2 corps are doubled. 2 divisons equal a corps or 6 brigades equal a corp for all purposes.

Generals
certain outstanding generals will show up from time to time and can be assigned to one attack and /or defense each month. All units in that attack are doubled, while units defending are increased to x3, x4 or x5 (depending on terrain). Generals can not be bought and are referee determined as to entry and exit.

Movement: Using the WIF Europe map as a base (half this rounding down using Asia map)
infantry units move 2 hexes (and can move up to 3 times in a month depending on weather)
cavalry units move 4 hexes (as above)
motorized HQs and mottorized infantry brigades move 5
HQs and supply units move 2 hexes

Supply (using WIF Europe and modifications as above)
An HQ or Supply unit can supply all units with 4 hexes of them. A motorized HQ or supply unit can support all units within 6 hexes of them. HQ and supply units in turn must be within 4 hexes of a major port, or major city with a railline that is free of enemy forces back to their homeland or a major port. Ports can only be used as supply sources if the enemy doesn't own the sea leading to that port. A supply unit can be used to provide a link to extend this range. So for example an HQ unit that is 12 hexes away from a port or rail line can have 2 supply units or HQs in between to extend that range.

HQs can also be used to reorganize units that are fought out. An HQ can reorganize 2 corps, while a motorized HQ can reorganize 4 corps.

Initial discovery
All German infantry corps are in fact heavy infantry corps.
All German reserve infantry corps are in fact infantry corps
All Russian and Austrian infantry corps are infantry corps (as are all other infantry corps in the world)
All Russian and Austrian reserve infantry corps are 2nd line infantry corps

Units available for purchase
type / cost / maintenance (at wartime munitions levels)/time required
heavy infantry corps 5 points, 1.5 points, 6 months
infantry corps, 4 points, 1 point, 6 months
static infantry corps, 3 points, .75 points, 4 months
light infantry divisions 2 points, .75 points, 6 months
light infantry brigades, 1 point, .5 points, 6 months
militia corps, 2 points, .5 points, 2 months
militia divisions, .5 points. .25 points, 2 months
militia brigades, .25 points, .10 points, 2 months
cavalry corps 5 points, 1.5 points, 6 months
cavalry division, 3 points, 1 point, 6 months
cavalry brigade 1 point, .5 points, 6 months
militia cavalry (corps, division or brigade reduce by half cost and maintenance) 2 months

Replacement units
During lulls in the action, or in parts of the front when no large battles are going on, or because of illness or disease, units will still suffer casualties unless they are behind the lines. It is possible for a unit to literally melt away because of this. Replacements are therefore needed. You can scrap a lower quality unit to keep a higher quality unit on the front line or replace it as it dies or most cheaply, buy replacement units that are essentially pools of trained personnel that are assigned as needed. A replacement unit (corps, division or brigade) can be used to provide people to keep the army up to strength.
replacement corps are 2 points, .5 points maintenance, 4 months
replacement divisions are .5 points, 25 points maintenance, 4 months
replacement brigades are .25 points, 10 point maintenance, 4 months

Seige artillery 2 points, maintainence 1, 4 months (move by rail only)
artillery divisions, 8 points, maintenance 4, 4 months (movement is 2)
flak division 2 points, maintenance 2, 4 months (movement by rail only)

motorized infantry brigades cost 2 points, maintenance 1, 6 months
motorized HQs 10 points, 2 points, 6 months, (can also support up to 16 air units)
motorized Supply units 6 points, 1 point, 6 months
HQ 6 points, .5, 6 months (can also support up to 8 air units)
supply unit 4 points, .25, 4 months,

Special
Ammunition stockpile - cost 6 points, maintenance 2 points, (stack with 1 HQ unit and moves with it), doubles attack strength of 8 corps sized units in one attack
Chemical Weapons stockpile (as above, but only when chemical weapons capability is achieved). Also doubles attack strength of 8 corps. Can be used in conjuction with an ammunition stockpile to quadruple in attack strength up to 8 corps.

Stockpiles can be used to improve the defenders as well, and yes, if a corps is in a fortress, supported by a General, and uses an ammunition and chemical stockpile it can indeed have its defense improved by x 9

Air units
once available or when available doubles the attack strength of one corps sized unit or improves its defensive strength by one rating.

air units and special rules (in progress)
type / air combat rating (means defense only) / bombing/naval attack/strategic bombing/range in hexes using WIF Europe map /cost/maintenance/build time

Zeppelin air combat (1), bombing rating 1, naval attack 0, strategic bombing 1, range 10 hexes, cost 6, maintenance 3, build time 1 year (20 aircraft)
(Germany may convert airline units into military Zeppelin units)

Blimp 0-bombing 1-naval 0-strategic bombing 0, range 5 hexes, cost 2, maintenance .5, build time 6 months (20 aircraft)

Observation planes air combat (1), bombing 0, naval 0, strategic bombing 0, range 2 hexes, cost 1, maintenance .5, build time 3 months (100 aircraft)

effective 1912, Germany (only) can build 1 fighter plane unit. Cost is 3, maintenance 1, range 2 hexes, build time 4 months (100 aircraft).

effective 1913, Germany, France, Italy, Russia, the US, and the UK (only) can build fighter plane units. Cost is 3, maintenance 1, range 2 hexes, build time 4 months (100 aircraft). Air combat rating is 2, no bombing or naval rating.

in addition, the nations above can also build light bomber units
cost is 3, maintenance 1, range 2 hexes, build time 4 months (100 aircraft),
air combat (1), bombing 1 or naval 1 (designate either as bomber or naval bomber),

Seaplane naval bomber, cost is 4, maintenance 2, range 4 hexes, build time 4 months (100 aircraft), air combat (1), bombing 1, naval bombing 1, US only for 1913

Nations may purchase air units from nations that build them if they lack an aviation industry of their own.

To acquire an aviation industry costs 100 points (which can be spread out), and referee approval. You must be tech level 5, and not be at war.


Air units at this tech level require 20,000 men

Available manpower and ongoing casualties (in progrss)

Germany
population 60 million, military manpower 6 million
mobilized 1911 4,587,000 (7%)
permanent casualties (dead) 30,000
permanent casualties (crippled) 25,000
permanent casualties (POWs) 5,000
effect: food production reduced by 6 points but 1 point is gained from Russian Poland.

Coalition Forces (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Finland, Estonia, Lithuenia, and Latvia at start)

German forces
Army Group N (Finland)
Army Group B (Baltic Front)
Army Group C (Belorussia)
Army Group D (Northern Ukraine)
Army Group G (general reserve)
Army Group A (French border)
Army Group E (home forces)
Colonial Forces
High Seas Fleet
Baltic Fleet
Pacific and African Squadrons

Austrian Hungarian Forces
Army Group F (Poland)
Army Group H (Southern Ukraine)
Army Group J (Balkans)
Army Group K (Italian border)
Army Group L (home forces)

Russian forces (if more allies join, becomes Eurasian alliance)

Special economic rules for the nations in this war

Points are tallied up at the start of the year and divided by 6. Maitenance and social services are spent, then the remainder is spread out over the year to that 1/6 of the initial available points are available every 2 months. Builds occur at the end of June, August, October, December, February, April

Zee, TAG.

tag

OOC: Le tag!

Taggage

The United States of America declares itself a neutral in war (doesnt that sound familiar?). Washington expects its merchant shipping to be respected by all nations and will trade with all belligerant powers. Violations of neutrality will be most frowned upon.

The Atlantic in particular is mentioned in this statement. US shipping is advised to avoid the Baltic and ship foodstuffs ordered by the Russians through the Meditteranean. US granaries and industries are avaliable to all nations during this time, especially for the right price...

The Kingdom of Bulgaria issues formal recognition for the states of the Balt and the Fins, aswell as moral and verbal support for Action to protect ethnic groups from violent reprucussion from an unstable state.

Special economic rules

Points are tallied up at the start of the year and divided by 6. Maitenance and social services are spent, then the remainder is spread out over the year to that 1/6 of the initial available points are available every 2 months. Builds occur at the end of June, August, October, December, February, April

supply units and static infanry take 4 months to build
all other infantry, and artillery units take 6 months to build
HQ, cavalry units take 8 months to build
motorized units require 2 extra months to build
air units take 6 months to build and train (as they become available)
naval units are covered in naval post in the military thread
(link to be provided)
Ammunition stockpiles and chemical stockpiles take 6 months to build (rules will be provided, so don't ask just yet)


1. Is Infantry Corps "static infantry" or "other" infantry

2. I'm guessing Motorized Infantry doesn't come out yet, but would that be truck-borne infantry supported by armored cars in a few years, and tanks later on?

3. When will Stormtroopers come around, and what category will they fall under?

The Third Republic declares full neutrality, with the additional statement that any neutral shipping of non-war materiels (i.e. food, medicine, etc) may pass through the territorial waters of French African possessions, in case the mid- and North Atlantic become unsafe for such shipping.

Italy declares its neutrality.

tag

Denmark declares neutrality in the conflict, while it has recognised Finland as an independent nation it is neither in a position militarily to engage in an aggressive war nor does it want a repeat of the Second War of Schleswig (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_War_of_Schleswig) which still haunts the nations conciousness.

[OOC- Tag.]

The War at Sea May 1911
The Eurasian War
May 2 – May 31, 1911

Baltic Sea
The German fleet sends an attack force of torpedo boats to launch a hoped for surprise attack against the Russian fleet anchorage at Kronstadt. However, intelligence that the Russians had just completed powerful harbor defenses including coastal defense guns and minefields fails to reach the attack force, and mines claim several German boats and guns claim several others. A counterattack by Russian torpedo boats finishes off the remainder of the force, and only 2 of the 20 German torpedo boats returns home

OOC
Germans lose 1 torpedo boat flotilla

However the fleet that was coming to attack, with 3 dreadnoughts, 6 battleships, 2 armored cruisers, 9 light cruisers, 4 protected cruisers and 20 destroyers, along with minesweepers, receives word because of the sacrifice of the torpedo boats, and aborts the planned attack.

The Russian fleet, still training with its new battlecruisers, is not yet ready for action, and is content to let the Germans withdraw unmolested.

However, 2 weeks later, the German fleet is covering the transport of a corps of troops to Helsinki, and this time the Russians decide to come out. A submarine manages to damage the BC Borodino, but the 7 BC that remain, along with 1 torpedo boat flotilla and 1 destroyer flotilla, steam out to meet the Germans. A battle results in the Gulf of Finland, resulting in the Russians losing the Poltava and Mukden, and damage to all remaining BCs, but heavily damaging all 3 German dreadnoughts in return and blasting the pre dreadnought Schlewig Holstein to burning, sinking wreckage.

However, the Germans prevent the Russian BCs from reaching the transport fleet and win a victory when the Russians retire.

OOC
Russians will have to spend 12 points to repair their 6 surviving BCx
The Germans will have to spend 12 points to repair their 3 DNs

Repairs will take 2 months for both the Germans and Russians

Black Sea
An Austrian fleet consisting of 6 battleships, 2 armored cruisers, and 3 protected cruisers steams through the Dardennelles with permission from the Ottoman Empire and joins up with the Bulgarian Navy of 1 battleship and a number of motor torpedo boats.

Meanwhile the Russian Black Sea fleet assembles, but cancels its plans when news reaches it of the Austrian reinforcement.

elsewhere
German ships begin looking for Russian shipping throughout the world while the Russians, lacking a fleet in the Pacific, and blocked in by the Austrians and Germans, have lost their ability to influence events on the worlds oceans.

The Russian Navy begins pressuring the government for funds to build moe destroyers, torpedo boats and some dreadnoughts for the Black Sea, and some cruisers for the Pacific

Land battles - The first clash May 1911

Baltic Front
On May 2, the Germans cross the frontier into the Russian Empire. Army Group B, with 8 heavy infantry corps and 1 HQ, (and also General Hindenburg) drives toward Leijbaja, Kaunus and Riga. To meet them, the Russians have 2 corps of cavalry (1 militia, 1 regular), who fight a delaying action as best they can even as a corps of Balts attacks them from the rear. By the end of May however German forces have linked up with the Balts and taken their objectives and reached the Dvina River, where they find the Russians have dug in.

OOC
Russian losses: 1 cavalry corps, 35,000 men
German losses: 20,000 men

Poland
Meanwhile, the Germans drive south from Prussia and east from Brandenburg to crush Russian forces in Poland even as the Austrians drive north. They find that the Russians have a mere 6 corps of cavalry defending the borders, along with fortress of Warsaw. German Army Groups C and D (30 heavy infantry corps, 2 HQs between them) and Austrian Army Group N ( 4 infantry corps, 1 HQ) overwhelm the Russian cavalry, and manage to bag half of it before it can escape the pincers. The Germans then bring up Army Group G (5 heavy infantry corps, 5 infantry corps, 3 seige artillery, 1 HQ)(plus the Crown Prince, who is a very accomplished general) move to deal with Warsaw, while Army Group C drives toward Vilna and Minsk, and Army Group D swings south around Moscow to drive toward Kiev. The Austrians swing east toward Kiev as well.

On May 20, the Germans assault Warsaw and take the city at the cost of 80,000 casualties. The Russian garrison, what survives the battle, surrenders on May 30.

OOC
Russian losses 1 Cavalry corps, 2 Militia cavalry corps, 1 fortress infantry corps, 1 fortress, 90,000 casualties including 30,000 POWs
German losses: 3 infantry corps (scrapped to provide replacements for other units), 100,000 casualties.

Ukraine
In the south, the Austrian Army Group H (6 static infantry corps, 1 HQ, 3 cavalry corps) remains on the defensive along the Russian / Austrian border

elsewhere
German Zeppelins and cavalry patrols determine that the Russian Army is not only not defending the frontier zone, but so far back that until the Germans reach the Dvina, they haven't even met it yet except for Russian cavalry. They also find that in some areas, mainly in Belorussia, the Russians have burned what they couldn't evacuate in terms of agriculture.

ooc
Russians lose 8 points of food production, Austria gains 2, Germany gains 1

The Kingdom of Bulgaria has decided, after much deliberation, to announce its solidarity with its allies in Germany and the Dual Monarchy by formally and officially adhearing to the terms of the formal alliance treaties signed earlier, as such the Government of Bulgaria announces that a declaration of war has been ratified in Parlament and is announced to the International Community.

Bulgarian Forces are ordered to prepare for action along the Russian-Bulgarian Border.

List of Notable Revolutionary Groups, Independence Movements, and Terrorist Organizations

The Russian Empire

The Russian Social-Democratic Labor Party (Bolshevik): A newly formed Marxist Revolutionary Party recently split off from the various Menshevik factions of the Russian Social-Democratic Labor Party following failed reunification attempts. This Party, although obscure at present, shall possibly have a dramatic effect upon the progression of the 20th century. At the start of 1911 The Bolsheviks oppose the war, considering it simply a conflict between the German and Russian bourgeois and it is a matter of indifference which one of them wins (to them nationalism being just one of the tools used to divide the world proletariat). After their respective irreconcilable differences with the Mensheviks (who have rallied to the defense of the Russian State) become clear the Bolsheviks organize a Bolshevik-only Zurich Party Conference and formally expel the Mensheviks and other liberals from the party, labeling them bourgeois. Now the Bolshevik leadership begins reorganizing itself, making plans, and waiting to see how the situation in Eastern Europe in general and Russia in particular develops.

The Bolsheviks believe in organizing the party in a strongly centralized hierarchy that shall overthrow the Traditional Russian State and achieve power. Although the Bolsheviks are not completely monolithic, they are characterized by a rigid adherence to the leadership of the central committee, based on the notion of democratic centralism.

Note: Russia at this stage has two Russian Social-Democratic Labor Parties, one run by the Mensheviks (moderate Socialists, which support’s the Russian State and the war effort) and the other by the Bolsheviks (the hard-line revolutionary Marxists who oppose the war and seek to overturn the Russian State).

(ooc: GB, the location of the Bolshevik party leadership, the Bolshevik party income/budget, how those points are being spent by the party, and how many Bolshevik cells exist in Russia all have to be determined.)

Ukrainian Nationalists and Anarchists: Ukraine has more then a few people with Nationalist or Anarchist sympathies, the later of which was engaged in robberies, extortions, and the killing of wealthy merchants and policemen during the 1905 Revolution. The most significant Ukrainian anarchist is Nestor Ivanovich Makhno (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nestor_Makhno), who is presently enjoying an all expense paid stay at Moscow’s Butyrskaya prison (if Russia has a revolution he will likely be released and go on to cause problems for whoever controls the Ukraine). At present both the Nationalists and the Anarchists are insignificant (nothing of military consequence) and neither care for the Russians or the Coalition.


The Austria Hungarian Empire (excepting Galicia)

Mlada Bosna: a militant Bosnian Serb nationalist group (the one that in RL took out the Franz Ferdinand with the Black Hands help) working to separate Bosnia from the Austrian-Hungarian Empire and join with their fellow Serbs in a Greater Serbia.

Unification or Death (unofficially known as the Black Hand): In 1911, differences between the two main groups of the Narodna Odbrana (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narodna_Odbrana)--political leaders of the Radical Party and military officers—arise. The political leaders prefer a more passive approach for the time being, including more peaceful relations with Austria and concentrating on strengthening Serbia for future struggle, but some of the military officers grow impatient with the more moderate Radical policies (particularly as war between Russia and Austria-Hungry approaches and ultimately arrives). Consequently, the more zealous members of the Narodna Odbrana start a new secret society, and the Black Hand is founded.

The group encompasses a range of ideological outlooks, from conspiratorially-minded army officers to idealistic youths, sometimes tending towards republicanism, despite the acquisition of nationalistic royal circles in its activities (the movement's leader, Col. Dragutin Dimitrijević (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragutin_Dimitrijevi%C4%87) or "Apis", was instrumental in the June 1903 coup which brought King Petar Karađorđević to the Serbian throne following 45 years of rule by the rival Obrenović dynasty).

The purpose of the group is to recruit and train partisans for a possible war between Serbia and Austria and help their fellow Slavs in Russia. Unification or Death begins spreading anti-Austrian propaganda while organizing spies and saboteurs to operate within the Austrian-Hungarian Empire's provinces.

(ooc: GB, the effect this group has on Austrian-Hungarian Stability, Serbian Intelligence gathering, and any bonuses to Russian Intelligence gathering needs to be determined.)


Russian Poland and Austrian Galicia

The Polish Socialist Party: A Polish Political Party that has embraced both Socialism and Polish Nationalism. Its leader is Józef Piłsudski (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B3zef_Pi%C5%82sudski) (who is presently in Galicia). Piłsudski views the Russian Empire as the most formidable obstacle to Polish independence so he and the PSP will initially side with the Coalition if the Austrian-Hungarian Empire sees fit to create any Polish Legions (ooc: which in RL provided the Austrian-Hungarian Army approximately 25 000 soldiers, roughly an all Polish light infantry division), however he is first and foremost a Polish Nationalist so his long term loyalty is doubtful.

Narodowa Demokracja (National Democrats, also called Endecja): A Polish right-wing political movement that believes Polish independence will not be won on the battlefield but through education and culture. It’s most important founder and ideologue is the anti-Semitic Social Darwinist Roman Dmowski (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Dmowski), who is presently a member of the Russian Dumas and President of its Polish Club. Dmowski feels that a strong Russia is Poland's best protection, and best chance for reuniting all Polish territories under one rule as he feels a suddenly independent Poland would be swiftly dominated by Germany. In his view the Russian policy of Russification is impossible against Poles, while the Germans have been far more successful in their Germanisation (as they in his view have a more developed state and stronger social organization). Russia thus can form the Legion Puławski (ooc: probably a brigade or division sized all Polish light infantry unit).

The Polish Socialist Party and Narodowa Demokracja are violently opposed to each other, the PSP having led revolts in Russian Poland and the Narodowa Demokracja having aided the Russians in crushing those revolts. It is in many ways a miniature civil war.


The Ottoman Empire (excepting Armenia)

Although the Ottomans are at present neutral, the country is right next door to the war and brimming with various agitators.

Jöntürkler (The Young Turks): An authoritarian, constitutionalist, progressive, partisan, Turkish Nationalist movement/political faction that seeks to take control of the Ottoman government and implement plans to bring about their vision for a stronger more Turkish Empire with a highly centralized State.

(ooc: This is a borderline group. Although they are at present a peaceful faction competing for power in the Ottoman State, the Young Turks did originate from the secret societies of progressive university students and military cadets, they were involved in revolutionary activity, and in RL they did launch a coup in 1913.)


Ottoman Armenia

The following are Armenian Nationalist Parties seeking to create an independent Armenian State: Hentchak (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hnchakian), the Armenakan party (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenakan), and Hay Heghapokhakan Dashnaktsutiun (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenian_Revolutionary_Federation) (The Armenian Revolutionary Federation).


The Republic of France

(ooc: although France is neutral this is posted for the players benefit so as to keep him fully informed as to the situation in Europe.)

Action Française: A French Monarchist anti-Semitic counter-revolutionary movement that seeks to restore the Monarchy, reverse the separation of Church and State implemented by the Third Republic, and turn back all progress made in France since the Enlightenment It ultimately aims to achieve a restoration by means of a coup d'état, probably involving a transitional authoritarian government. Its principal ideologist is Charles Maurras. Although it is far too weak at present to successfully overturn the Third Republic, it may under the right circumstances come to play a more significant role.

(ooc: They really have no hope of taking power unless France loses a major war and the Third Republic is thus discredited.)

OOC: Quick question, did theprod center at Warsaw make it out before we cut the city off? Also, has Riga fallen?

OOC: Quick question, did theprod center at Warsaw make it out before we cut the city off? Also, has Riga fallen?

ooc
Warsaw was cut off before it could be evacuated, and Riga is solidly defended by the Russians

also Amestria, post the revolutionaries in the NPC thread as well

OOC: In that case, is the prod center at Warsaw damaged or can I use it this year?

After much discussion, Secretary Newberry and newly appointed First Sea Lord Louis Mountbatten (a year early but, hey) come to a decision. With Sir Edward Grey in attendance, the three men agree to issue a joint statement:

Let it be known

That the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the United States of America hereby declare the rights of all persons to conduct righteous and peaceful trade upon the World's Oceans without the disturbance of belligerent nations.

The Royal Navy and her constiuents (RAN, RCN, RIN, RSAN) and the United States Navy hereby swear to uphold these God given rights by any means necissary.

------------------------

Many in the Admiralty hope that this is a turning point in the relationship between the RN and USN. Many in the Admiralty, including old Jackie Fisher think that the rivalry between the US and UK is petty, and that it is the duty of the Anglic Race to defend the Seas of the world. However, none think that this is the time to halt or even slow the Naval expansion but go so far as to think that Naval expansion should increase.

The Statement is sent to Parliament where it is immediately approved by both Houses and the King.

Britain also states that it will uphold its duty to protect neutral nations on the continent, especially the Lowlands.

Parthini;11808392']After much discussion, Secretary Newberry and newly appointed First Sea Lord Louis Mountbatten (a year early but, hey) come to a decision. With Sir Edward Grey in attendance, the three men agree to issue a joint statement:

Let it be known

That the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the United States of America hereby declare the rights of all persons to conduct righteous and peaceful trade upon the World's Oceans without the disturbance of belligerent nations.

The Royal Navy and her constiuents (RAN, RCN, RIN, RSAN) and the United States Navy hereby swear to uphold these God given rights by any means necissary.

------------------------

Many in the Admiralty hope that this is a turning point in the relationship between the RN and USN. Many in the Admiralty, including old Jackie Fisher think that the rivalry between the US and UK is petty, and that it is the duty of the Anglic Race to defend the Seas of the world. However, none think that this is the time to halt or even slow the Naval expansion but go so far as to think that Naval expansion should increase.

The Statement is sent to Parliament where it is immediately approved by both Houses and the King.

Britain also states that it will uphold its duty to protect neutral nations on the continent, especially the Lowlands.

The government of Russia announces its complete and total support for this reolution and praises both countries for their dedication to uphold the freedom of the seas and trade.

Spain agrees totally with the point, and offers it's coaling stations on the Mediterranian, (As I own all of the first coaling stations at the entrance of that body of water.) For the US Navy or British Navy, currently in preperation of protecting the fleet of neutral shipping. The same offer that was given the US is given to the British, in using Spanish ports for these humanitarian shipping areas.

Spain mobilizes two reserve corps for two weeks training.

Spain declares neutrality.

Russian defenses June 1911
Northern Front
Murmansk – 1 static infantry corps
Vyborg – 1 militia cavalry corps, 1 infantry corps, 1 HQ
Petrograd – 1 infantry corps, 1 coast defense unit, 1 static infantry corps,

Central Front
4 infantry corps, 1 fortress corps, 16 static infantry corps, 5 militia cavalry corps
Riga -- 2 infantry corps, 1 fortress corps
Forest Hex southeast of Riga – 2 static infantry corps,
Hex 2 hexes northeast of Kaunus – 2 static infantry corps
Forest hex 2 hexes north of Vilna – 2 infantry corps
Hex northeast of Vilna – 3 static infantry corps
Vilna – 2 static infantry corps
Hex east of Vilna – 2 static infantry corps
Minsk – 3 static infantry corps
Forest hex south of Minsk – 2 static infantry corps
Smolensk – 3 militia cavalry corps,
Pskov – 1 HQ
Hex southwest of Vitbsk – 1 HQ
Tallin – 1 militia cavalry corps
Parnu – 1militia cavalry corps

Pripet Front
1 HQ, 5 cavalry corps
forest hex 3 hexes east of Minsk – 1 HQ
Swamp hex 2 hexes southeast Minsk – 1 cavalry corps
Swamp hex 3 hexes southeast Minsk – 1 cavalry corps
Swamp hex 8 hexes west of Kursk – 1 cavalry corps
Swamp hex 7 hexes west of Kursk – 1 cavalry corps
Swamp hex 6 hexes west of Kursk – 1 cavalry corps

Swamp terrain means that a unit moving in there must stop (so only 1 hex every time a unit can move)

Ukraine Front
2 HQ, 1 infantry corps, 11 static infantry corps, 2 cavalry corps, 3 militia cavalry corps
Forest hex 2 hexes north Kiev – 2 static infantry corps
Hex northeast of Kiev – 2 static infantry corps
Kiev – 2 static infantry corps
Hex southwest of Kiev –1 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps
Hex 2 hexes south of Kiev – 1 static infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Hex west of 3 resource hex – 1 static infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Hex 2 hexes north of Odessa - 1 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps
Hex northwest of Odessa - 1 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps
Odessa – 1 infantry corps
3 resource hex – 1 HQ
hex 2 hexes east of Kiev – 1 HQ

Crimea
Sevastapol – 1 fortress, 1 fortress infantry corps, 1 naval infantry brigade

STAVKA reserve
Moscow – 2 static infantry corps

Southern Front
Batumi – 1 static infantry corps
Baku – 1 static infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps, 1 light infantry division
Tiflis – 1 static infantry corps,

Sinkiang region
1 militia cavalry corps, 1 static infantry corps

Far East Region
Imperial China –1 infantry corps
Vladivostok – 4 static infantry corps
Available reserve – 1 infantry corps, 2 cavalry corps, 8 static infantry corps

Baltic Fleet (based at Petrograd)
6 BC (under repair available once 12 points are spent and then 2 turns pass)
2 CA, 3 CP1, 1 destroyer flotilla, 1 torpedo boat flotilla, 1 coast defense submarine flotilla

Black Sea fleet (based at Sevastapol)
3 BB1, 3 CP1, 1 destroyer flotilla, 1 torpedo boat flotilla

losses to date
2 infantry corps (Balt and Finns – desertion)
2 static infantry corps (Balts and Finns – desertion)
2 cavalry corps
2 militia cavalry corps
1 fortress corps
125,000 (not counting police lost and loss of Finns and Balts)

The Kingdom of Norway affirms the Anglo-American position on commerce and neutral nations. Norway officially declares its neutrality in the conflict at the same time it announces support for the idelas of free global trade.

Meanwhile, Norway's parliament nearly dissolves into chaos as the conservative faction, a group that had steadily been losing ground ever since tnorway's independence, threatens to bolt from the centrists that had been in an opposition coalition against the ruling liberal parties. The cause of the strife has been directly related to Norway's independence movement- this time in Finland.

Liberal parties call up Norway's recent struggle for independence, holding aloft the memories of the frantic preperations for war that were made in the event Sweden had not consented to the peaceful seperation. They demand recognition of Finland as a nation, saying that it is "the right and duty of our free nation to affirm freedom for our neighbors and brothers in Finland." Their conservative opponents argue the American view- the issue should be left until after the war and the nation should not be recognized until it is a nation and not just a "rebellious province" as one right-winger puts it in a statement that was not supposed to be made available to the press.

Norway's public opinion runs along the same veins- conservative businessmen and their allies are against recognition, while the rest of the country feels recognition should be given. And so, with the conservatives crumbling, the moderates bolt to the liberals in the matter and the Stortinget passes legislation calling for the recognition of Finland as a sovereign nation. In private, King Haakon feels it an ill-timed move, with the recent murder of the rulers of the Russian nation still fresh in the minds of many Russians, but is almost forced to keep quiet when a public referendum demanded by the conservatives is allowed and goes sharply in favor of support for liberal policies, a move that further damages conservative credibility and leads Haakon to declare that "they may have elected me but they seem damn well determined to ruin me!"

But his opinions in this instancem matter not, and Norway extends full recognition to Finland in June 1911. An ambassador is dispatched and the Stortinget proclaims its intent to conduct trade with any nation in the Baltic area- another blow to the conservatives as the liberals, emboldened by the massive public support, almost declare outright their intent to allow trade with Finland to commence immediately. Haakon, already annoyed with the Stortinget, now refuses to allow passage of the law, saying to Aftenposten that Norway "has no need to antagonize the Russians- we've recognized Finland and that is more than enough. Adding insult to possible injury will not go over well." Many Norwegians are swayed to his view, but he and the conservatives still take a dip in approval.

[OOC- This based on Norwegian attitudes following their independence movemnt and the general primacy of the liberal parties in Norway, most of which are extremely pro-independence. Haakon, being more of a realist than some of the Norwegians in government, would probably have responded as he did- he'll allow recognition since his people want to, but outright snubbing Russia? No thanks to that and he would have moved to nip that in the bud. If any mods have a problem with this portrayal of the politics, let me know and I'll be happy to change it.]

The Kingdom of Sweden also declares neutrality and is willing to recognize legitimate governments in Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania if necessary... We are willing to trade freely and willing to provide aid to Britain, Denmark, America or any other nation to help those who are in the war-torn areas with medicine, food and the like with only the kindness of our hearts...

The Kingdom of Portugal declares it's neutrality in the eastern conflict.

The Kingdom offers the use of it's naval bases in Angola and Portugal as well as the base being constructed in Macau to any Anglo-American alliance.

Naval and Political events June 1911
Black Sea
Austrian and Bulgarian naval forces establish a distant blockade of Russia by patrolling near the Dardenelles. Although ships with food and civilian items are allowed through, no more military supplies can reach Russia by that route.

Heavily outnumbered, the Russians chose not to engage the enemy at this time.

Baltic Sea
German and Russian torpedo boats and destroyers supported by cruisers engage in numerous duels at the mouth of the Gulf of Finland. The Russians lay extensive minefields, as do the Germans in those waters, and German supplies are rerouted to the small port of Hango. For now this restricts the amount of troops that Germany can support in Finland.

OOC
Losses
German: CP Medusa, Frauenlob, Arcona, Endine sunk, 1 DD flotilla damaged
Russian: CP Pallada, Diana, 1 torpedo boat flotilla sunk

Meanwhile, a squadron of German warships passes through the English Channel and then Gibraltar en route east

Political events
Russian and British backed Persian forces skirmish with each other (without orders)

Imperial China declares war on Germany, and attacks Shangdong province
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11814089&postcount=110

Bulgaria declares war on Russia.

Land battles June 1911

Germans continue their advance into Russia, while the Russian move into their defensive positions according to pre existing plans and dig in.

Northern Front
Army Group N is formed in Finland, consisting of a Finnish static infantry corps and a German heavy infantry corps. For now this army group remains on the defensive in the vicinity of Helsinki.

Baltic Front
Germans probe along the Dvina River line.
German forces:
Army Group B
Hex southwest of Riga – 2 heavy infantry corps, 1 infantry corps, 3 seige artillery brigades, General Hindenburg
Hex northwest Kaunus – 3 heavy infantry corps, 1 infantry corps
Hex northeast Kaunus – 4 heavy infantry corps
Kaunus in reserve: 1 Balt static infantry corps, 1 HQ

Central Front
Army Group C
Hex east of Kaunus – 4 heavy infantry corps
Hex west of Vilna – 4 heavy infantry corps
Wooded Hex southwest of Vilna- 4 heavy infantry corps
2 hexes south of Kaunus – 1 HQ, 1 heavy infantry corps

Army Group G
2 hexes southwest of Vilna – 3 heavy infantry corps
3 hexes southwest of Vilna – 2 heavy infantry corps, 1 HQ, Crown Prince
Warsaw – 1 infantry heavy corps
Brest Litovsk – 1 heavy infantry corps

Ukraine Front
Army Group D
2 hexes northwest of Lvov – 3 heavy infantry corps, 1 HQ
wooded hex northwest of Lvov – 4 heavy infantry corps
Lvov – 4 heavy infantry corps

Army Group F (Austrian / German)
Hex northeast of Cernauth – 3 Austrian cavalry corps
Hex northwest of Cernauth – 2 German heavy infantry corps, 1 Austrian infantry corps, 1 Austrian HQ, General Conrad
Hex southeast of Lvov – 3 Austrian infantry corps

Army Group H (Austrian / Bulgarian / German)
Along Russian border – 1 Bulgarian infantry corps, 1 Austrian static infantry corps
Remaining forces are watching the Serbs, Rumanians and Greeks

On June 15, the Germans launch major attacks along the Divina River east of Riga (ooc attacking the wooded hex with 3 stacks of German units) and assault Vilna (again with 3 stacks). The Russians are dug in and fighting is furious. However, the Russians corps defending this sector are destroyed and the Germans manage to get 4 corps of heavy infantry across the river.

OOC
Battle of Dvina River losses
German: 70,000, 2 infantry corps
Russian 70,000, 2 static infantry corps

At Vilna, the fighting is just as desperate and costly, but the city is taken and the Russian defenders smashed again.

OOC
Battle of Vilna losses
German: 60,000, 2 heavy infantry corps
Russian: 70,000 2 static infantry corps

In June, 4 Ghurka Brigades quietly form up in Delhi and parade for the Governor-General. The Ghurkas are lauded with confetti and kisses from Indian women as they pass. British officials salute them as they pass, proud to be near the most elite fighting force in the world. That night, the 4 Brigades march Northwest out of town. Only a handful of people know where they are headed.

Several weeks later, news from Kabul arrives. Amanullah Khan had been arrested that night for treason against the Crown. The four Ghurka Brigades had met with the King's cousin Mohammed Nadir Shah and surrounded the city. They then declared that unless Amanullah Khan was brought to them, the city would be taken by storm. Fearing the wrath of a sizeable Ghurka force, the local garrison swiftly surrendered and Amanullah Khan was brought out. He and his son were immediately put under arrest, and Nadir Shah was made King after confirming Protectorate status of Afghanistan.

After a brief trial, Amanullah Khan and his son were convicted of high treason and hung. Three of the four Ghurka Brigades returned to India with the head of Amanullah Khan and brought it to the Governor-General, as he wished. The remaining Ghurka Brigade remained to act as "bodyguards," complimented by a staff of British, Indian and South Persian advisors.

OOC: Approved by GB.

Serbia declares it's self neutral in this senseless on going war.

State Ministry of Foreign and External Affairs

Albania shall pledge its neutrality for the time being.

Always eager to obtain intelligence on German strategy and unit quality, the French Army sends several officers to the Russians, to act as strictly neutral observers in the war between the two powers.

Spain creates an observation outpost group to watch and study the war between Germany and RUssia. It's base of operations is left unknown at the moment.

The Rumanian Army dispatches two teams of observers to take notes on the war, one to the German lines and a second to the Russians.

Russian territorial losses

Map link
http://www.jewishgen.org/Belarus/images/russia.jpg

Situation June 1911
The Coalition has secured the provinces of Poland, Grodno, Kovno and Courland, and is deep into the provinces of Vilna and Volhynia.

Germany occupies the province of Poland
Population 11 million, production centers 1 (Warsaw, damaged, will require 12 points to repair), resources: 0, food production 14, available manpower: 650,000 (as 50,000 are casualties, and 300,000 are in the Russian Army already). Current tech level is 4 because of intrastructure damage inflicted by retreating Russian Army

Estonia (provinces of Kovno and Courland) is another 500,000 people, no significant resources or production centers, but food production is 2. of the 50,000 men available for military service, 30,000 are already in Baltic Army.

Province of Grodno, Vilna, and Volhynia have a combined population of 4 million, of which 200,000 are already in the Russian Army. The remaining manpower is not available to the Russians until those provinces are returned to Russian rule and are not available to the Coalition.

Finland population 3.1 million, production centers 1 (Helsinki), resources 0, food production 3, military manpower: 300,000 of which 150,000 are already in service.
Russians hold Viborg area and points south, but no other portions of Finland. Tech level is 5.

The small town of Ekna at the entrance of the Gulf of Finland is an all weather port, and if 12 points are spent, can be used as a naval base and more importantly an all weather supply port for the Germans.

Germany has lost the food production resources from Shandung province in China.

The Serbian government sends a team of military dispatches to learn from the on going war from both sides.

Italy sends its own teams of observers to both sides, including a group of Acquisition Officers, gaining notes as to the Italian Armies next purchases.

In June Germany anounces the creation of the Independent(Puppet) state of Poland comprising most of Russian Poland. One of the first acts of the new state is to declare war on Russia and to accept a German deal to provide Poland with 12 points of aid. Plans are also leaked to create an independent Ukrainian state as well.

Russia responds to this by pointing out that a Ukranian state created by Germany would merely have the image of autonomy and would in fact be a puppet of the Germans who consider the Ukranians and other Slavs subhuman. At least under the Russians, the Ukranians have equal protection under the law as all other subjects and are provided with social services.

After a rather mild debate in the Stortinget, Norway announces that, as part of its neutrality, the shipping of any and all foreign nations is to be allowed to replenish supplies and refuel at all ports in Norway capable of such actions, priovided the vessels of the foreign nations pay for the supplies and/or fuel and respect norway's rights as a neutral nation.

In Norway, the move is seen as one attempting to defuse any criticism that might be levelled against Norway by Russia for Norway's recognition of Finland, as Norwegian ports are by far the closest to Russian vessels when looked at in a strategic and geographic standpoint and the act thus stands to benefit the Russians the most should they want to make use of it. Haakon, perhaps having embraced this line, lodges no protest against the action and it is swiftly passed into law.

Norway also sends a number of military observors to chronicle the fighting after their continued petitions to the government (which amount to cries of "Look! The other nations get to do it!"). Accompanying them are a number of journalists, who are instructed by the ir news organizations to not skimp on any details- the people of Norway want facts, not propaganda for either side,

State Ministry of the Army

Albania has sent a team of observers to both sides of the conflict. They are told to gather anything they can on each sides' tatics, equipment, training, strategy, modes of transportartion, etc. Albania wishes to use this information to improve its' own army. These obsrvers shall remain completely neutral. A team has also been dispatched to particapate with the Spanish observers, whose base of operations is Albania.

Spanish observers use Albania for supplies and possibly medicine if stray shells injure the observers sent to gather information directly. Telegraph lines are sent to reach Spain as easy as possible.

Spanish observers use Albania for supplies and possibly medicine if stray shells injure the observers sent to gather information directly. Telephone lines are sent to reach Spain as easy as possible.

OOC: Um, long distance telephones don't really exist yet....the fastest method of communication to Spain would be the telegraph.

There ya go.

Land battles July 1911 (part 1)

Battle of Riga
Army Group B makes a determined effort to force the Russians to retreat from Riga.
http://files.photojerk.com/dumelow/europe.PNG

http://www.michigan.gov/images/latvia_map_14868_7.jpg

http://faculty.ucr.edu/~legneref/landscap/europe/latvia/doc/latvia1.map.gif

The Germans launch a major attack with 8 heavy infantry corps and 3 seige artillery brigades at the Russian front aiming to clear more of the east bank of the Dvina and secure Plavina and Rezekne in order to clear the way so that they can either flank the Russians out of Riga, or clear they way so they can attack Riga with more force. For the first time in the war, large numbers of observation planes are available as well on the German side. The initial battle lasts 2 weeks, and results in a major German success.

The Germans then switch their offensive to attack the heavily wooded area east of Riga, and smash that Russian force as well, taking the wooded area and forcing the Russians to abandon Riga as the rail lines providing supplies are under artillery fire and subject to German cavalry raids.

Riga is a major German success, although costly. The leadership of General Hindenburg, observation aircraft, and the clear German superiority in weight and training of their artillery is decisive.

OOC
German Losses: 2 heavy infantry corps, 43,000 casualties
Russian losses: 4 static infantry corps, 130,000 casualties.

German and Russian lines at the end of July
German Army Group B
wooded Hex east of Riga – 3 heavy infantry corps,
Wooded hex southeast of Riga – 1 heavy infantry corps, 3 seige artillery brigades, General Hindenburg, 1 HQ
Hex 2 hexes northeast Kaunus – 3 heavy infantry corps,
Hex northeast Kaunus – 3 heavy infantry corps
Riga - 1 Balt static infantry corps, 1 Balt heavy infantry corps, 2 observation aircraft wings

Russian Baltic Front
Hex northeast of Riga -- 2 infantry corps, 1 static infantry corps
Pskov – 1 HQ
Tallin – 1 militia cavalry corps
Parnu – 1militia cavalry corps

Battles of Polatsk and Minsk
Meanwhile, Army Group C is ordered to protect the flanks of the attack on Riga and to threaten Minsk.

http://www.athaia.com/belarus-map.html



At Polatsk, the Germans launch what is essentially a holding attack against 2 Russian infantry corps (wooded hex 2 hexes north of Vilna) and 3 static infantry corps (hex northeast of Vilna) with 4 German heavy infantry corps. The Germans keep the Russians busy, but at a heavy cost.

OOC
German losses: 1 heavy infantry corps, 28,000 casualties
Russian losses: 15,000 casualties

Battle of Minsk
Meanwhile, the Germans attack the 6 Russian static infantry corps defending Minsk and its approaches with 9 heavy infantry corps under General Hoffman. The Germans win a smashing victory, taking Minsk and smashing the Russians but at a heavy cost.

OOC
German losses: 2 heavy corps, 60,000 casualties
Russian losses: 6 static corps, 180,000 casualties

Positions held end of July
Army Group C
Hex east of Kaunus – 3 German heavy infantry corps
Hex northeast of Vilna – 1 German heavy infantry corps
Hex east of Vilna – 4 German heavy infantry corps
Minsk – 3 German heavy infantry corps, General Hoffman
Hex west of Minsk – 1 German HQ

Russian Central Front
Forest hex 2 hexes north of Vilna – 2 infantry corps
Hex northeast of Vilna – 3 static infantry corps
hex east of Minsk – 2 static infantry corps
wooded hex 2 hexes north of Minsk – 3 militia cavalry corps,
Hex southwest of Vitbsk – 1 HQ

Overall, the Germans have won 2 major victories and inflicted severe losses on the Russian Army while suffering heavy losses of their own. But the Russians have managed to maintain a line in front of the Germans on the direct approach to Moscow and also managed to evacuate the production center from Minsk. The Russians also managed to halt the Germans at Poltask, the first Russian victory of the war. (if you ignore the fact the Germans had no intention of taking that area and were mainly launching a diversionary attack).

The production center evacuated from Minsk is moved to Saratov (and won't be available for production until January 1912-- this costs Russia 1 point from its national effort spending for 1911)

The fall of Riga and Minsk gives Germany political control of Latvia (another 500,000 civilians, food production 2), and Belorus (7 million people, food production 6) as well as 6 resources (reduce Russian budget by 3 for rest of 1911). Germany gets these resources (but only 1 of them for 1911, normal amount in 1912 if still holding Minsk)

Finland contacts Russia after the fall of Riga and regretfully indicates that it is honor bound to continue its alliance with Germany as they provided the means for Finland to gain its freedom.

Ukraine and the war at sea July 1911

Ukraine
Austrian and German forces continue to advance in the Ukraine and also send forces into the Pripet Marshes to clear their flanks. The Russians either avoid serious combat (Pripet) or are far enough back that the Austrians and Germans have not reached their defense line by the end of the month.

Austrian / German forces end of July
Army Group G
2 hexes southwest of Minsk – 1 HQ, 3 heavy infantry corps
5 hexes west of Brest Litovsk – 3 heavy infantry corps, 1 HQ, Crown Prince
Warsaw – 1 infantry heavy corps

Army Group D
Wooded hex 2 hexes northwest of Kiev --3 heavy infantry corps,
Hex 4 hexes east –1 HQ, 3 cavalry corps
Hex west of Kiev – 4 heavy infantry corps
hex 2 hexes west southwest of Kiev – 2 heavy infantry corps,
hex 2 hexes southwest of Kiev – 2 heavy infantry corps,

Army Group F (Austrian / German)
hex 2 hexes west of Ukraine resource hex – 2 Austrian infantry corps, 1 German heavy infantry corps
Hex northwest of Cernauth – 1 Austrian infantry corps, 2 Austrian cavalry corps
Hex 2 hexes north of Chisinau – 1 Austrian infantry corps, 2 Austrian Cavalry corps, 1 Austrian HQ, General Conrad
Hex 2 hexes north of Odessa – 2 Austrian infantry corps, 1 German heavy infantry corps

Army Group H (Austrian / Bulgarian / German)
Along Russian border – 1 Bulgarian infantry corps, 1 Austrian static infantry corps
Remaining forces are watching the Serbs, Rumanians and Greeks

Russian forces
Pripet Front
Gomel – 1 HQ
Swamp hex 3 hexes west of Gomel – 1 cavalry corps
Woods hex 4 hexes west of Gomel – 1 cavalry corps
Swamp hex 4 hexes northwest of Kiev – 2 cavalry corps
Swamp hex 6 hexes west of Kursk – 1 cavalry corps

Swamp terrain means that a unit moving in there must stop (so only 1 hex every time a unit can move)

Ukraine Front
Forest hex 2 hexes north Kiev – 2 static infantry corps
Hex northeast of Kiev – 2 static infantry corps
Kiev – 3 static infantry corps
Hex southwest of Kiev –1 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps
Hex 2 hexes south of Kiev – 1 static infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Hex west of 3 resource hex – 1 static infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Hex 2 hexes north of Odessa - 1 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps
Hex northwest of Odessa - 1 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps
Odessa – 1 infantry corps
3 resource hex – 1 HQ
hex 2 hexes east of Kiev – 1 HQ

ooc
German losses – 15,000
Austrian losses – 10,000
Russian losses – 25,000
No units lost (losses are due to attrition) However, Russians and Germans are forced to scrap 1 corps of any type from units due to hit the map in August (broken up to form replacements)

Baltic Sea
The Russian fleet for the most part stays in harbor, but its submarines and mines laid sink a large number of German merchant ships en route to Finland (1 shipping unit sunk) and also damage the battleship Pommern (1 point needed to repair it for service and 1 month repair time). A couple of Russian submarines are lost due to mines (but not enough to inflict a unit loss).

Black Sea
The Austrians and Bulgarians maintain their distant blockade, avoiding action. The Russians maintain patrols to defend their coasts, but send in a torpedo boat flotilla to lay mines of the entrance of Varna, and those mines sink the lone Bulgarian battleship and kill most of its crew.

OOC: I added those all together and this is what I came up with. Average WWI casualties was 30% for killed versus 70% for wounded. Sooo

Russian Casualties: 625,000 (187,500 Killed, 437,500 Wounded)
Central Powers (Namely Germany) Casualties: 440,000 (132,000 Killed, 308,000 Wounded)

July 31, 1911

The Ottoman Khailfah here by declares a state of war against the Russian Empire. I call upon our kinsmen in Russia rise up against their oppressors and join the war against the Russians.


Signed
Sultan Abdul Hamid II

July 1911
For the first time in history, a city is bombarded from the air.

Zeppelins make repeated attacks against Petrograd, and inflict some damage to production (minus 2 points from Russian budget for July/August). They also kill several hundred civilians.

German losses are serious, but not above the replacement rate (mostly to weather and operational accidents, which is why maintenance is so high for Zeppelin units). Figure about 10 Zeppelins lost in a month.

Meanwhile, at sea, the Russian submarine fleet has begun attacking merchant ships without warning (see naval post for damage and losses)

Both sides accuse the other of violating the rules of war.

Russia condemns the Ottoman Empire for breaking the previous Non-Aggression Pact and urges the other nations of the world to do likewise.

Prime Minister Stolypin makes a speech publicized throughout Russia and other major newspapers around the world.

"The Battle has been joined. With a host of subject nations under their direct command the military might of Imperial Germany stands poised to seize control of the Slavic People’s Greatest Achievement. Russia. The single and only great Slavic power in the world and in history. They seek to crush us and ensure that the so called 'barbarian' Slavs never threaten their power over other Slavs! "

"They have even go so far as to ally themselves with our old oppressors and enemies, the vile Turk, the enemy of Christendom. They seek to conquer our people and make them slaves. They want to trample our pride into the dirt. And why? Because we had the audacity to stand up and make for ourselves a great nation? What will our reply be to this challenge? Shall we meekly give in and slink into the darkness?"

"Never! Never I say! We will fight on! Until the last bullet, until the last shell! We will never surrender! We will fight until we are totally overwhelmed. We will pile the bodies of the invaders in the fields and streets. We shall make him pay in blood for every inch of Slavic territory he conquers, for we are free men and will not allow ourselves to be made slaves."

"However, our enemies have greatly underestimated the fighting strength and determination of the Slavs. Even now, fresh men are marching proudly to the front to destroy the enemy. Down with the slaver, we fight for freedom!"

"So, I call upon all Slavic peoples to rise up against the Germans! To unite and fight against our common enemy. Do not fight against your brother Slavs. Embrace him as a brother and then turn, together, to fight the true enemy. The Turks and the Germans will never again humble us. This is truly the war to end all wars. This is a war of the Slav versus the German and we shall not fail. We will suffer greatly. We will be forced to fight in our towns and our own cities. However, we will drive the enemy back to his capital and we will crush him. We will not stop until he has cried for peace a thousand times over."

"So, let our motto be 'Unite, brothers! Death to the enemies of the Slavs!' Victory or death are our only options. And I do not plan on choosing death."


Orthodox priests pray for an early and especially harsh winter to drive out the Germans and Turks, just as it did Napoleon almost 100 years ago.

(Except that Napoleon attacked during a Mini-ice age in the history of the world. And the harshest winters of the 20th century are in 1914-1918.)

Spain commends Russia for standing for it's rights, and once again condemns the aggressors for intruding on internal problems, and like vultures taking advantage of civil unrest. Though SPain continues to leave names out of it's statement. "Aggressors" is the only term ever used. No country is named.

Spain mobilized three reserve corps and will alternate every three months to give men time to rest from military service. This is a precautionary step just in case those who wish to degrade Russia turn their eyes west.

OOC: Doesnt mean they cant pray though. Not by a long shot.

IC: The United States condemns the Ottoman entry of the war as a violation of their treaty obligations. Istanbul is informed that the proposed sale of battlecruisers in 1912 will unfortunately have to be canceled as the US would rather not escalate this terrible conflict (note that the sale of BCs to Russia technically occurred before war broke out).

Washington also makes its discomfort concerning the bombing of civilian populations known and the Navy Department begins to investigate Russian submarine tactics to assure they do not violate the freedom of the seas. Officially though, no condemnations are made.

Back home, the war in Europe garners surprisingly little attention. Most Americans have far more important domestic concerns and their foriegn policy are mostly limited to the Caribbean and Mexico if at all. The farsighted minority though follow events closely and many of those, including a certain president, do not find much sympathy with the coalition and its cause. For now though, even the most eager to get involved sit back and pray that matters may resolve themselves...

The Austro-Hungarian Empire fully recognizes the new nation of Poland and announces the creation of a provisional Ukrainian government in Galicia. This body will eventually be put in charge of the Ukraine as it is liberated from Russian domination and will receive aid from the Austro-Hungarian government until the great Ukrainian people, brothers and sisters of all Austro-Hungarian citizens, are once strong enough to stand on their own.

Japan announces the formation of the Labor Corps, a force of volunteers (for now) to construct defenses in China, Manchuria and Korea. Korean, Han and Manchu Chinese are asked to volunteer (as they won't be except Koeans, and only for garrison and supply units). 100,000 People are asked for, but more will be accepted.

OOC: GB, not sure how many would sign on

OOC: I added those all together and this is what I came up with. Average WWI casualties was 30% for killed versus 70% for wounded. Sooo

Russian Casualties: 625,000 (187,500 Killed, 437,500 Wounded)
Central Powers (Namely Germany) Casualties: 440,000 (132,000 Killed, 308,000 Wounded)

in addition, half the wounded are permanently unavailable for further service. Also, 10% of the total casaulties are missing, of which half of that number are POWs, and the other dead and just not found or identified as remains (being blown to pieces etc)

So permanent casualties are closer to 70% for Germans, 80% for Russians. The remaining casualties are able to return to duty.

Japan announces the formation of the Labor Corps, a force of volunteers (for now) to construct defenses in China, Manchuria and Korea. Korean, Han and Manchu Chinese are asked to volunteer (as they won't be except Koeans, and only for garrison and supply units). 100,000 People are asked for, but more will be accepted.

OOC: GB, not sure how many would sign on


you can use that manpower to form 1 supply unit, and 2 garrison units each from Manchurians and Koreans. No significant interest from Han Chinese except sufficient manpower to form a couple of garrison units. You naturally will have to spend the points to build and maintain those units of course.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire fully recognizes the new nation of Poland and announces the creation of a provisional Ukrainian government in Galicia. This body will eventually be put in charge of the Ukraine as it is liberated from Russian domination and will receive aid from the Austro-Hungarian government until the great Ukrainian people, brothers and sisters of all Austro-Hungarian citizens, are once strong enough to stand on their own.

The German and Austrian Poles
(see map for Austrian Poland)
http://www.deutsche-schutzgebiete.de/webpages/kuk_Galizien_u_Lodomerien_1914+.jpg

and centered around Poznan and Danzig in German Poland

begin pressuring their governments for inclusion in the new Polish Republic.

Germany anounces that parts of Eastern Germany that are heavily Polish will be ceded to Poland.(Not many, nothing major, exact parts to be decided later). Also anounced is the creation of the Polish Army which is to be an independent fighting force entirely comprised of Poles, though armed and trained by Germany.(Most of the Germans doing the training will be German Poles) Ethnic Poles in Germany are told they have permission to volunteer for the Polish army. Ethnic German Poles are also given permission to hold dual citizenship.

Returning wounded and the survivors from destroyed units allow the Russians to create 3 infantry corps (1 each Petrograd, Smolensk and Gomel), and the Germans 2 heavy infantry corps (1 each Konigsburg, Warsaw). Imperial China is also able to form a light infantry division out of its returning wounded and survivors which is formed in Xian.

In July, Imperial China forms 3 militia corps which are sent by rail to Russia and will reach the front by September.

ooc
these units are free

Alright here it is. The total casulaty figures. There we go. THat looks about right. I think...... Sorry, no one was keeping a tally and I thought both players deserve to see what their casualty figures are.

Russians: 625,000 Casualties (187,000 Dead, 198,500 Permanetly Wounded, 174,500 Returning Wounded, 31,250 POW's, 31,250 Missing.)

Central Powers: 440,000 Casualties ( 132,000 Dead, 132,000 Permanetly Wounded, 132,000 Returning Wounded, 22,000 POW's, 22,000 Missing.)

Alright here it is. The total casulaty figures. There we go. THat looks about right. I think...... Sorry, no one was keeping a tally and I thought both players deserve to see what their casualty figures are.

Russians: 625,000 Casualties (187,000 Dead, 198,500 Permanetly Wounded, 174,500 Returning Wounded, 31,250 POW's, 31,250 Missing.)

Central Powers: 440,000 Casualties ( 132,000 Dead, 132,000 Permanetly Wounded, 132,000 Returning Wounded, 22,000 POW's, 22,000 Missing.)

ooc
I am keeping track

incidently, Russia gains 2 replacement units, and Germany gains 2 at the end of August. They show up in Moscow and Berlin respectively. If points are spent, they show up as heavy infantry, infantry or static infantry corps instead. They can also be converted for free into militia units.

War in the East early August

Russians gain initiative and go first and reorganize and reestablish a defense line. By using every available train, they are able to restore a stable defense line protecting the important Gulf of Finland coast, Petrograd, Smolensk and road to Moscow.

Northern Front
Murmansk – 1 static infantry corps
Vyborg – 1 militia cavalry corps, 1 infantry corps, 1 HQ
Petrograd – 1 infantry corps, 1 coast defense unit,

Russian Baltic Front
swamp hex west of Pskov -- 2 infantry corps
Forest hex 2 hexes southeast of Talinn – 1 infantry corps, 1 static infantry corps
Parnu – 1 static infantry corps
Pskov – 1 HQ
Tallin – 1 militia cavalry corps
2 hexes west of Pskov – 1militia cavalry corps
Southwest of Pskov – 2 infantry corps

Russian Central Front
Forest hex 2 hexes north of Vilna – 1 militia cavalry corps
Hex northeast of Vilna – 1 militia cavalry corps
Wooded hex 3 hexes east of Minsk – 2 static infantry corps
wooded hex 2 hexes south of Vitbsk – 2 static infantry corps
wooded hex 2 hexes north of Minsk – 1 militia cavalry corps
Hex southwest of Vitbsk – 1 HQ
wooded hex west of Vitbsk – 1 infantry corps, 1 static infantry corps,

Pripet Front
Gomel – 1 HQ,
Swamp hex 2 hexes west of Gomel – 1 cavalry corps
Swamp hex 4 hexes northwest of Kiev – 1 cavalry corps
Swamp hex 6 hexes west of Kursk – 1 cavalry corps

Swamp terrain means that a unit moving in there must stop (so only 1 hex every time a unit can move)

Ukraine Front
Forest hex 2 hexes north Kiev – 2 static infantry corps
Hex northeast of Kiev – 2 static infantry corps
Kiev – 3 static infantry corps
Hex southwest of Kiev –1 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps
Hex 2 hexes south of Kiev – 1 static infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Hex west of 3 resource hex – 1 static infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Hex 2 hexes north of Odessa - 1 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps
Hex northwest of Odessa - 1 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps
Odessa – 2 infantry corps
3 resource hex – 1 HQ, 3 cavalry corps, 1 observation aircraft unit
hex 2 hexes east of Kiev – 1 HQ, 1 observation aircraft unit

Southern Front
Hex two hexes west of Tibilis - 1 static infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Hex northwest of Tiblis -- 1 light infantry division, 1 mountain division
Tiflis – 1 static infantry corps
Hex labeled 21 - 1 static infantry corps, 1 mountain division
Mountain hex two hexes west of 22 resource hex - 1 static infantry corps, 1 light infantry division,

Sinkiang region
1 militia cavalry corps

Far East Region
Vladivostok – 4 static infantry corps
Available reserve – 2 infantry corps, 2 cavalry corps, 8 static infantry corps

Baltic Fleet (based at Petrograd)
6 BC
2 CA, 1 CP1, 1 destroyer flotilla, 1 torpedo boat flotilla, 1 coast defense submarine flotilla

Black Sea fleet (based at Sevastapol)
3 BB1, 3 CP1, 1 destroyer flotilla, 1 torpedo boat flotilla

OOC: Well do you mind if I keep my own personal track to make sure that the numbers coencide? Or.... I'll just keep one for myself then. In detail for myself. And if anyone wants to know just uhh PM me or something.

Land battles Baltic coast and northern Russia August 1911

The Germans launch offensives against the Baltic and Central fronts aimed at Talinn, Pskov and Vitbsk.

At Parnu, the Germans attack with 1 Baltic infantry corps, 1 Baltic static corps, and 1 seige artillery brigade, supported by an aircraft wing and suffer 30,000 casualties while destroying the Russian static infantry corps defending the city and inflicting 35,000 casualties (Baltic static infantry corps is destroyed in the fighting as well).

Further east, 3 more German heavy infantry corps, supported by 1 seige artillery brigade, 1 observation plane wing and with General Hindenburg present attack 1 Russian infantry corps and 1 Russian static infantry corps defending in thickly forested area southeast of Talinn, and destroy both corps and inflict 70,000 casualties on the Russians, but suffer 25,000 casualties of their own. The Germans are forced to disband 1 replacement units (in addition to the one already disbanded this month) to keep Army Group B up to strength.

However, with the Russian Army effectively destroyed in this sector, the Germans are able to march into Talinn and take the city, giving the Germans bases on opposite sides of the Gulf of Finland and effectively blocking it.

Meanwhile, the rest of Army Group B advances toward Pskov but is stalled by Russian cavalry which eventually is forced back, but only after delaying the Germans for 2 weeks. Discovering that the marshy terrain in front of Pskov is heavy defended, the Germans decide to forgo attacking, hoping events north and south will give them Pskov for a cheaper price later.

situation end of August
Coalition forces
Army Group B
Talinn – 1 Baltic infantry corps, 2 German siege artillery brigades, 2 observation aircraft wings, 1 HQ, General Hindenburg
2 hexes southeast of Helsinki – 3 German heavy infantry corps
2 hexes west of Pskov – 4 German heavy infantry corps
2 hexes east of Riga – 4 German heavy infantry corps

Russian forces
swamp hex west of Pskov -- 2 infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps
Pskov – 1 HQ
Southwest of Pskov – 2 infantry corps

The Russians manage to reorganize the survivors of the destroyed units into 1 infantry corps at Petrograd at the end of August.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuenia have been stripped from Russia, and they declare themselves independent (each of them) with a unified army and trade and customs union at the end of August in the city of Riga.

The Caucasian campaign
Turkey declares war on Russia and crosses the border aiming to conquer the oil rich city of Baku, as well as secure Armenia and Georgia.

Russian Southern Front
Hex two hexes west of Tibilis - 1 static infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Hex 2 hexes east of Batumi -- 1 light infantry division, 1 mountain division
Tiflis – 1 static infantry corps
Hex labeled 21 - 1 static infantry corps, 1 mountain division
Mountain hex two hexes west of 22 resource hex - 1 static infantry corps, 1 light infantry division,

Turkish Armed Forces August 1911
Arm Forces Front Command Deployments as of 1911

Regional Garrisons
Garrison units at Mecca, Medina, Baghdad, Jerusalem, Damascus,
Mosul(deployed at each city hex)

Cavalry Corp Deployments
Cavalry divisions at Damascus, Mosul, Amman (Three total) (deployed at
each city hex)

1st Army Group
Coast Defense fortress unit Gallipoli( at Hex with Gallipoli)
2 garrison units (Adrianople, Istanbul)(station at both city hexs)
1 militia cavalry corps at Adrianople( station outside of the city hex,
to the south)
1 reserve infantry corps at Istanbul( station in the city)
1 Infantry Corp at Ankara( station inside the city)
1 Coast defense fortress at Istanbul( ready by September 1911)

Anatolian Army Group (2nd Army Group)
2 hexes west of Trabzon – 2 static infantry corps
4 hexes west of Trabzon – 2 static infantry corps, 1 infantry corps, 1 HQ unit
5 hexes west of Trabzon – 1 infantry corps, 3 static infantry corps
hex east of Batumi -3 light infantry divisions
2 hexes southeast of Batumi – 1 supply unit
Fortress division (at Kars)(Kars is not pictured on map, but is hex located 5 hexes east of Trabzon)
Fortresses of Kars

(ooc deployments modified to take into account stacking restrictions)

The Army of Islam (3rd Army Group)
2 militia cavalry corps at Baghdad( station in the Baghdad hex)

1st Fleet base at Istanbul
CP Hamidieh ( tech 4.5 )
BB2 Fethi Bulend(tech 4)
2 Motor torpedo boat flotilla (PT) (tech 5)
1 Destroyer flotilla (DD) (tech 5)
2 Light cruiser (CL) (tech 5)

mining the Dardenelles straits(work in progress)
4 Motor torpedo boat flotilla (PT) (ready by winter of 1912)

2nd Fleet base at Smyrna
1 Motor torpedo boat flotilla (PT)

The Turks cross the border and launch full scale attacks against the outnumbered Russian defenders. However, the terrain is severe (mountain hexes quadruple defense except against light infantry, which only faces normal defense)

http://wanderingstars.com/more/maps/turkey_map.jpg

real life Turkish campaign in Caucasus region
http://www.turkeyswar.com/campaigns/caucasus.htm
(also a useful site regarding information on Ottoman Army in general)

Batumi falls without a fight, and the Russian defenders (1 static corps, 1 cavalry corps) find themselves facing 2 Turkish static infantry corps at the battle of Samtradia and easily repulse the Turks, destroying a Turkish static infantry corps and inflicting 35,000 casualties and throwing the other corps back, which retreats to Batumi. Russian losses are minimal, a bare 5,000.

Further east, in the critical passes leading into Georgia and Armenia, the Russian defenders (2 divisions) are attacked by 3 Turkish corps, and are pushed back, suffering 10,000 casualties (1 light infantry division destroyed) but inflict 40,000 casualties on the Turks (destroyed 2 static infantry corps).

In still further in the east, the Turks attack the Russian defenders (1 static infantry corps, 1 light infantry division, plus 1 static infantry corps, 1 light infantry division available in reserve) with 4 corps. The Turks suffer terrible losses, with 90,000 men becoming casualties (and 3 static infantry corps are destroyed) but manage to inflict 20,000 casualties on the Russians (destroy 1 static infantry corps) and force the concentrate their army to hold on to the border. (ooc all Russian units formerly in hex 22 are now in hex 21)

In all, it has been a very costly attack for the Turks, with 165,000 men becoming casualties, and 6 corps of the 9 available destroyed. In exchange for this bloodletting, the Turks have managed to capture Batumi on the Black Sea, and open a pass leading to Tiflis.

Russian losses, only 35,000 men and 1 corps and 1 division, are a trifle in comparison, but still a sizeable portion of the available forces in the region.

Both the Russian and Turkish commanders beg for reinforcements.

Situation end of August
Russian Southern Front
Hex two hexes west of Tibilis - 1 static infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Hex east of Tiflis -- 1 light infantry division,
Tiflis – 1 static infantry corps,
Hex labeled 21 - 1 static infantry corps, 2 mountain divisions

Turkish 2nd Army Group
Batumi – 1 static infantry corps
4 hexes west of Trabzon – 1 infantry corps, 1 HQ unit
5 hexes west of Trabzon – 1 infantry corps,
hex east of Batumi -3 light infantry divisions
Kars(Kars is not pictured on map, but is hex located 5 hexes east of Trabzon – 1 fortress division, 1 fortress
2 hexes southeast of Batumi – 1 supply unit

Russians manage to reform a light infantry division at Tiflis out of survivors of shattered units, while the Turks manage to reform 4 light infantry divisions out of the survivors of their shattered units at Ezrurum

White Russia August 1911
Army Group C drives east further into Russia and find strong defenses in front of Vitbsk. Russian cavalry fights a delaying action before retreating east behind the principal Russian defenses. After examining those defenses, the Germans decline to attack and suffer the inevitable high casualties when they aren’t required.

Russian Central Front
Wooded hex 3 hexes east of Minsk – 2 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps
wooded hex 2 hexes south of Vitbsk – 2 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps,
Hex east of Vitbsk – 1 HQ
wooded hex west of Vitbsk – 1 infantry corps, 1 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps

German Army Group C
hex 4 hexes northeast of Vilna – 2 German heavy infantry corps
Hex 2 hexes west of Vitbsk – 2 German heavy infantry corps
Hex 2 hexes northeast of Minsk – 2 German heavy infantry corps
hex 2 hexes southwest of Vitbsk – 2 German heavy infantry corps,
Hex 2 hexes east of Minsk – 2 German heavy infantry corps
Minsk – 1 German HQ, 1 German heavy infantry corps, General Hoffman

OOC
German losses: 5,000 (due to attrition only)
Russian losses: 5,000 (due to attrition only)

Battles in the Ukraine August 1911
Battle of Kiev
The Germans assault the capital of the Ukraine with 9 infantry corps, 2 seige artillery units and observation aircraft led by the highly capable General Hoffman. Defending the city are 3 Russian static infantry corps, with more reserves available and led by the very able General Ivanov. In three weeks of desperate fighting, the Russians manage to hold off the Germans, inflicting 128,000 casualties on the Germans and suffering 55,000 of their own. But the capital of the Ukraine remains in Russian hands for now.

OOC
German losses: 4 infantry corps destroyed
Russian losses: 2 static infantry corps destroyed, Kiev production centers damaged, Kiev resources reduced by 50% (half to Russians, 25% to Germans)

Battle of the Dniester River
Meanwhile, the Austrians and Germans of Army Group F, almost at the end of their supply lines, remain on the defensive. The Russians however decide that the Austrians are the weak link in the Coalition and mass forces to try and shatter that link. Under the leadership of the soon to be famous General Brusilov, the Russians attack the combined Austrian and German forces on the eastern side of the Dneister River with 2 infantry corps, 2 static infantry corps, 2 cavalry corps, and 2 militia cavalry corps, supported by their own 2 wings of observation aircraft. The Russians win a shocking victory, inflicting 58,000 Austrian and 20,000 German casualties and destroying 2 Austrian infantry corps, and pushing the remaining German corps back at the cost of 32,000 casualties and the loss of 1 militia cavalry corps.

To prevent a total rupture in the line, the Austrians throw into the fight 4 cavalry corps of their own, and in the largest fight between horse cavalry in history occurs. Each side suffers another 20,000 casualties, and a Austrian cavalry corps and Russian militia cavalry corps are destroyed.

In the end, the line remains pretty much as it was as the Russians pull back to their initial positions to avoid getting overextended themselves, but the Austrians have suffered a significant defeat.

Situation in the Ukraine end of August 1911
Pripet Front
Gomel – 1 HQ,
Swamp hex 2 hexes west of Gomel – 1 cavalry corps
Swamp hex 4 hexes northwest of Kiev – 1 cavalry corps
Swamp hex 6 hexes west of Kursk – 1 cavalry corps

Swamp terrain means that a unit moving in there must stop (so only 1 hex every time a unit can move)

Ukraine Front
Forest hex 2 hexes north Kiev – 1 static infantry corps
Hex northeast of Kiev – 2 static infantry corps
Kiev – 1 static infantry corps
Hex southwest of Kiev –1 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps
Hex 2 hexes south of Kiev – 1 static infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Hex west of 3 resource hex – 1 static infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Hex 2 hexes north of Odessa - 1 static infantry corps, 2 cavalry corps
Hex northwest of Odessa – 2 infantry corps, 1 static infantry corps,
Odessa – 1 static infantry corps
3 resource hex – 1 HQ, 1 cavalry corps, 1 observation aircraft unit
hex 2 hexes east of Kiev – 1 HQ, 1 observation aircraft unit

Coalition Forces
Army Group G
2 hexes southwest of Minsk – 1 German heavy infantry corps
3 hexes southwest of Minsk – 1 German heavy infantry corps
4 hexes southwest of Minsk – 1 German heavy infantry corps
2 hexes west of Kiev - 1 HQ, 1 heavy infantry corps
Warsaw – 1 infantry heavy corps,

Army Group D
hex northwest of Kiev --2 heavy infantry corps, 1 seige artillery unit, Crown Prince
hex west of Kiev – 2 heavy infantry corps, 1 HQ, 1 observation aircraft wing
hex southwest of Kiev – 2 heavy infantry corps, 1 seige artillery unit
Hex 3 hexes west of Kiev –1 HQ, 2 cavalry corps
hex 2 hexes southeast of Kiev – 1 heavy infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps

Army Group F (Austrian / German)
hex 2 hexes west of Ukraine resource hex – 2 Austrian infantry corps, 1 German heavy infantry corps
Hex northwest of Cernauth – 1 Austrian infantry corps,
Hex 2 hexes north of Chisinau – 1 Austrian infantry corps, 1 Austrian HQ, General Conrad
Hex 2 hexes north of Odessa – 3 Austrian cavalry corps, 1 German heavy infantry corps

Army Group H (Austrian / Bulgarian / German)
Along Russian border – 1 Bulgarian infantry corps, 1 Austrian static infantry corps
Remaining forces are watching the Serbs, Rumanians and Greeks

Headlines in Petrograd, Moscow, etc.


CRUSHING VICTORY ALONG THE UKRANIAN FRONT!

General Brusilov leads crushing counter-attack against the vile invaders!

Austrians and Germans driven back with great losses!

Massive cavalry battle shows the true mettle of the Cossacks!

---


BRAVE DEFENDERS OF KIEV HOLD AGAINST GERMAN ASSAULT!

In the face of overwhelming odds, the brave defenders of Kiev have halted the German advance!

150,000 enemy casualties reported!

Germans stunned by tenacious defense!

---

VILE TURKS DESTROYED IN THE CAUCAUS!

The Turkish army is utterly routed by the brave defenders in the South!

Over 10,000 enemy prisoners taken to the rear!


The mountains of Russia run red with the blood of her enemies. The vile Turks attacked our brave fighting men in their mountain positions and were driven back with horrible losses. This victory has utterly shattered the Turkish army and forced it to retire!



OOC: Gotta love yellow journalism...Note the exaggeration of enemy casualties. =p

In France, many pro-Russian citizens celebrate the Russian victories and praise Russian élan. Even many Frenchmen who do not care for Russia are impressed by the tenacious defense of Kiev, and the overwhelming Russian victory in the Caucasus. The French military is, unofficially but understandably, happy to see that so many Germans have been killed, captured, or wounded.

The French government, however, becomes somewhat more anxious, as the Russian victories make it more difficult to ignore the calls by French citizens for war against Germany, to assist France's old ally and take back Alsace-Lorraine (at the moment a minority, but they are growing in number).

ooc
previous 2 posts.. chuckle

IC
The Arctic August 1911
The Germans take a big gamble and send their 2 new dreadnoughts, along with 3 predreadnoughts, and 4 protected cruisers along with a transport force carrying 1 marine brigade and 1 mountian division to the far north.

It is nothing less than an audacious attempt to take Murmansk and much to the suprise of the Germans and Russians, it succeeds. Under heavy gunfire support, the German Marine get ashore, and clear a beachhead that allows the alpine troops to land and expand it until the Russian static infantry corps defending the city retreats after suffering 15,000 casualties, including 10,000 prisoners. German losses are relatively light, only 2,000, although the marine brigade is destroyed in the fighting.

But Murmansk, the only ice free port the Russians own in the Arctic is in German hands, and the narrow straits leading into the White Sea and the port of Archangalsk are now closed to Russian shipping.

German ships also sink a large amount of Russian shipping en route or during the assault (1 Russian shipping unit destroyed, 2 now stuck in Archangal)

Petrograd
German Zeppelins attack the city repeatedly during August, but inflict no significant damage and inflict minimal casualties.

Baltic Sea
Russian submarines continue to attack German shipping, but inflict no significant losses due to difficulties penetrating the now extensive German minefields barring the way into the Gulf of Finland from Petrograd. However Russian mines do sink 100,000 tons of shipping (1 German merchant shipping unit damaged, will require 1 point to fix)

Black Sea
The Austrians continue their blockade, while the Turkish Navy and German Mediterranean Squadron begin working up together. Turkish, German and Austrian warships also exercise together in international waters southeast of Crete.

Japan takes careful note of the marine landings for future reference

In light of the recent losses, Austria-Hungary switches to national effort and orders the newly formed troop units (4 Infantry Corps and One Mountain Division) to the Ukrainian Front.

ooc: started those troops begining of '11

Jubilant Rumanians fill the streets of Bucharest, firing off pistols and rifles in celebration of the Russian victories. Many drinking establishments serve vodka at reduced (as much as can be since the importation of the drink has gone down due to the war) prices and any Russians found within the city are immediately offered free drinks.

There are a few minor injuries, and a crowd gathering in front of the German embassy is dispersed by the police to insure that things don't get ugly.

August 1911

Many jubilant Serbs, in Belgrade, go out into the streets to celebrate the Russian victories after so many defeats. Most of them think it's going to be the turning point of the war. However, in some parts of the city the police and a detachment of the Garrison Corp had to be called in to settle the crowd down. The next day business goes as usually in the capital.

Russian priests continue to pray for an early and harsh winter.

Many Russians are jubuliant at the news of the victories and loud are the predictions that the invaders will end up just like Napoleon did almost exactly 100 years ago.

Many Russians are jubuliant at the news of the victories...

Many jubilant Serbs, in Belgrade, go out into the streets to celebrate the Russian victories...

Jubilant Rumanians fill the streets of Bucharest...

And now, for the weather. A wave of jubilance is sweeping the Slavic Front, driven East by the high-pressure Russian Victory conditions in the Ukraine. Expect showers Wednesday through Friday, with possible Prayer Granting yielding an unexpectedly harsh winter.

As the war claims more than 500,000 dead and a similar number of permenantly crippled the International Committee of the Red Cross asks for a combined effort from the national red cross societies to help to alleviate the suffering of those involved in the war. The ICRC asks particularly for volunteers from the declared neutral British and American societies. Assistance from the original Swiss red cross and various other neutral countries is also sought. The British and Americans are targetted due to the presence of English as the main language which is widely recognised, the French speaking nations are also asked as that is the official language of diplomacy, though there are some concerns raised over the neutrality of France.

The Red Cross would like to set up medical stations reasonably close to the front lines and PoW camps to help to alleviate the suffering of the wounded. An International Prisoners of War Society is also formed to help to check the provision of aid in PoW camps and to encourage the exchange of permenantly disabled soldiers. This agency would also supply packages to prisoners of both sides at the approximate rate of one every month per prisoner, consisting of various high energy foods to sustain the prisoners.

The ICRC would further like a seperate agency to be formed to look after the needs of civilians in occupied lands especially any who have felt the effects of war or bombardment.

Finally the agency would like to request financial aid from national governments and concerned individuals to better provide solace for the victims of war.

An effort is also underway to recruit Spanish and Portuguese speaking volunteers to commence aid work in South America which is in the grip of several civil wars. Though operations would not be conducte in Argentina as it is not a signatory of the 1907 Hague Convention which states the right of Red Cross employees to work unaccosted in nations, though Bolivia and Mexico are both signatories.

The Kingdom of Bulgaria welcomes this latest development to elevate the suffering of those affected by war and offers the Red Cross the oppertuinity to deploy in the Bulgaria.

Also promised is future economic assistance in hopes this may ease suffering and hardships many have been facing.

Spain offers to help the Red Cross in any way in relation to the SOuth American nations.

Spain forewarns it's civilians that it will go to a national effort in 1912.

September 1911
The rains come to Russia (and any where else marked on the World in Flames maps as in the Arctic Circle or Arctic weather zone) bringing mud, flooded rivers and making military operations miserable.

ooc
HQ units and supply units cannot move cross country, which effectively makes them stuck where they are, and they can only supply units 2 hexes away on the Europe map instead of 4. Ports and cities connected to a rail line leading to home territory can also support any friendly unit within 2 hexes.

No air operations or amphibious landings.

Ground units can only move 1 hex (except for artillery, supply units, and HQ units which can't move at all)

In October, the rains come to the temperate zone, with the same effect.

In Japan, the mood is more somber. Crowds appear to be far more pro-German, as the Russians fought them in 1905 and supported the Imperials. Rallies are held to support the Germans.

Japan agrees to support the Red Cross in its endevours

Russians give thanks to God for the rain and despite the miserable weather the Russian troops cheerfully (as cheerful as one can get when one is soaking wet, dirty and cold anyway) begin digging into the mud. They know what the rain means: winter is coming.


Russia will allow the Red Cross into its territory if the Germans will allow the Red Cross ships and supplies through their blockades.

special economic rules in effect
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11605323&postcount=1

special timeline in effect as well (same post)

Russian current economic situation to be updated as soon as I can

Battle of Kiev – September / October 1911
The city becomes a cauldron of death as the German Army Group D makes a determined attempt to take it, and the Russians make an even more determined attempt to hold it.

The Germans assault the city with 6 heavy infantry corps and 4 seige artillery brigades, while the Russians defend it with 1 static infantry corps, 3 militia corps and eventually bring in 3 more static infantry corps to replace losses. In spite of horrific casualties, the Russians maintain their hold on the ruins of the city.

OOC
Russian casualties: All production centers in Kiev are no longer damaged. They are in fact destroyed. 3 militia and 1 static infantry corps are destroyed, 145,000 casualties.
German casualties: 77,000, 2 heavy infantry corps destroyed

Elsewhere on the long front running from the Baltic to the Black Sea, and including now Finland and the far north, the front is quiet.

However, weather, disease, and small clashes still inflict many casualties even in quiet sectors.

Austrian casualties: 20,000 (1 division or 1 replacement unit needed)
German casualties: 60,000 (2 replacement units needed)
Baltic casualties: 4,000 (no game effect)
Finnish casualties: 5,000 (no game effect)
Bulgarian casualties: 3500 (no game effect)
Russian casualties: 100,000 (5 divisions or replacement units needed, or 2 militia corps)

Russians disband 2 replacement unit
Germans disband 2 replacement units
Austrians disband 1 light infantry division

The United States authorizes the American Red Cross to use whatever resources it has avaliable in bringing aid to both sides of the war. Congress also authorizes a small package (2 points) of funds as a donation to the International Red Cross for its important projects.

Military Situation October 31, 1911

Arctic and North Fronts
German / Finnish Army Group N
Murmansk – 1 German mountain division, 1 Finnish light infantry division
Helsinki – 1 Finnish light infantry division
West of Vyborg – 1 Finnish infantry corps, 1 German heavy infantry corps

Russian forces
Archangel – 1 light infantry division
Vyborg – 1 militia cavalry corps, 1 infantry corps, 1 HQ
Petrograd – 2 infantry corps, 1 coast defense unit, 1 Imperial Chinese light infantry division, 1 fortress infantry corps, 1 observation aircraft wing

Baltic Front
Russian / Chinese forces
forest hex 2 hexes south Vyborg – 2 infantry corps, 1 Imperial Chinese militia corps
swamp hex west of Pskov -- 1 infantry corps, 1 Imperial Chinese militia corps
Pskov – 1 HQ, 1 militia cavalry corps, 1 militia corps, 1 observation aircraft wing
Southwest of Pskov – 1 infantry corps, 1 Imperial Chinese militia corps

German Army Group B
Talinn – 1 Baltic infantry corps, 2 observation aircraft wings, 1 HQ, General Hindenburg
2 hexes southeast of Helsinki – 3 German heavy infantry corps
2 hexes west of Pskov – 4 German heavy infantry corps
2 hexes east of Riga – 4 German heavy infantry corps

Central Front
Russian Central Front
Wooded hex 3 hexes east of Minsk – 2 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps
wooded hex 2 hexes south of Vitbsk – 2 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps,
Hex east of Vitbsk – 1 HQ
wooded hex west of Vitbsk – 1 infantry corps, 1 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps

German Army Group C
hex 3 hexes northeast of Vilna – 2 German heavy infantry corps
Hex 2 hexes west of Vitbsk – 2 German heavy infantry corps
Hex 2 hexes northeast of Minsk – 2 German heavy infantry corps
hex 2 hexes southwest of Vitbsk – 2 German heavy infantry corps,
Hex 2 hexes east of Minsk – 2 German heavy infantry corps
Minsk – 1 German HQ, 1 German heavy infantry corps, Crown Prince

Ukraine Front
Russian Ukraine Front
Forest hex 2 hexes north Kiev – 1 static infantry corps,
Hex northeast of Kiev – 2 static infantry corps
Kiev – 3 static infantry corps, General Ivanov, 1 observation aircraft wing
Hex southeast of Kiev –1 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps
Hex 2 hexes south of Kiev – 1 static infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Hex west of 3 resource hex – 1 static infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Hex 2 hexes north of Odessa - 2 static infantry corps, 1 infantry corps
Hex northwest of Odessa – 2 static infantry corps, 1 infantry corps,
Odessa – 2 cavalry corps, General Brusilov, 1 observation aircraft wing
3 resource hex – 1 HQ, 1 cavalry corps, 1 observation aircraft unit
hex 2 hexes east of Kiev – 1 HQ, 1 observation aircraft unit
Kharkov – 3 light infantry divisions (survivors from militia corps)

German Army Group G
2 hexes southwest of Minsk – 1 German heavy infantry corps
3 hexes southwest of Minsk – 1 German heavy infantry corps
4 hexes southwest of Minsk – 1 German heavy infantry corps
2 hexes west of Kiev - 1 HQ, 1 heavy infantry corps
Warsaw – 1 heavy infantry corps,
Brest Litovsk – 1 heavy infantry corps (survivors from shattered units)

German Army Group D
hex northwest of Kiev --2 heavy infantry corps, 2 seige artillery units, General Hoffman
hex west of Kiev – 2 heavy infantry corps, 1 HQ, 1 observation aircraft wing
hex southwest of Kiev – 2 heavy infantry corps, 2 seige artillery units
Hex 2 hexes west of Kiev –1 HQ, 2 cavalry corps
hex 2 hexes southeast of Kiev – 1 heavy infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps

Army Group F (Austrian/Bulgarian)
hex 2 hexes west of Ukraine resource hex – 2 Austrian infantry corps, Hex northwest of Cernauth – 1 Austrian infantry corps,
Hex 2 hexes north of Chisinau – 1 Austrian infantry corps, 1 Austrian HQ, General Conrad
Hex 2 hexes north of Odessa – 3 Austrian cavalry corps,
hex west of Odessa - 1 Bulgarian infantry corps, 1 Austrian static infantry corps

KIEV HOLDS AGAINST REPEATED ENEMY ASSAULTS!

Brave defenders suffer horribly, but refuse to retreat!

"Not one step back!" is the rallying cry of our brave fighting men!

Over 80,000 enemy casualties!

The noble city in ruins!

Bishop Tikhon of Yaroslavl proclaims that God is truly with the Russian people, pointing out that the heavens have poured down a veritable deluge to assist the Russian defenders.

"Forty days and forty nights for Noah! For us, we can only hope and pray for the same! But God is truly with us!"

In the Caucasus region, skirmishes continue but neither side has any interest in launch a major battle.

OOC
Turkish losses: 20,000 (skirmishes, disease, etc)
Russian losses: 10,000 (skirmishes, disease, etc)

Turkey forced to disband 1 light infantry division to keep other units up to strength

Situation end of October
Russian Southern Front
Hex two hexes west of Tibilis - 1 static infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Hex east of Tiflis -- 1 light infantry division,
Tiflis – 1 static infantry corps, 1 light infantry division
Hex labeled 21 - 1 static infantry corps, 2 mountain divisions

Turkish 2nd Army Group
Batumi – 1 static infantry corps, 1militia cavalry corps
Sukumi – 1 cavalry division
4 hexes west of Trabzon – 1 infantry corps, 3 light infantry divisions, 1 HQ unit
hex east of Batumi -3 light infantry divisions
Kars(Kars is not pictured on map, but is hex located 5 hexes east of Trabzon – 1 fortress division, 1 fortress, 2 infantry corps
2 hexes southeast of Batumi – 1 supply unit,

other Turkish forces
Regional Garrisons
Garrison units at Mecca, Medina, Baghdad, Jerusalem, Damascus,
Mosul(deployed at each city hex)

Cavalry Corp Deployments
Cavalry divisions at Amman, Mosul,

1st Army Group
Coast Defense fortress unit Gallipoli( at Hex with Gallipoli)
2 garrison units (Adrianople, Istanbul)(station at both city hexs)
1 militia cavalry corps at Adrianople( station outside of the city hex,
to the south)
1 reserve infantry corps at Istanbul( station in the city)
1 Coast defense fortress at Istanbul( ready by September 1911)

The Army of Islam (3rd Army Group)
1 militia cavalry corps at Baghdad( station in the Baghdad hex)

1st Fleet base at Istanbul
CP Hamidieh ( tech 4.5 )
2 Motor torpedo boat flotilla (PT) (tech 5)
1 Destroyer flotilla (DD) (tech 5)
2 Light cruiser (CL) (tech 5)

mining the Dardenelles straits(work in progress)
4 Motor torpedo boat flotilla (PT) (ready by winter of 1912)

2nd Fleet base at Smyrna
1 Motor torpedo boat flotilla (PT)

Black Sea September / October
The Turkish battleship Fethi Bulend is destroyed by an internal explosion killing all aboard.
(ooc, these things happen, and did more frequently then you might think). Russian destroyers lay mines of the harbors of Batumi, Sinop, Trabzon, and Sukumi, and numerous Turkish supply ships are sunk (ooc: Turkey loses one merchant shipping unit sunk)

Baltic Sea
The Russian fleet remains bottled up at Petrograd, and now even the submarines are finding it difficult
(essentially the Russian fleet is stuck in the hex that Petrograd shares with the Baltic)

The IRC thanks the US government for its aid and sets about implementing aid stations in the various occupied territories for displaced persons and those who are injured in the course fo the war. Furthermore it sets up the PoW camp inspectorate to investigate conditions in PoW camps and also puts into place its PoW postal service. The first PoW aid parcels are also made up and dispatched to various PoW camps in Russia and Germany, it is hoped to extend this service to all camps within 6 months.

The first IRC missions in Bolivia are also set up, utilising Spanish speaking volunteers and providing aid to Bolivian refugees (but not Argentinian soldiers as they did not sign the Hague Conventions and so it would be unfair to provide aid to them when it is impossible to recipricate this to any Bolivian PoWs held in Argentina).

Spain sends a few volunteers, though many have had to report for military service, and as such are unable to come. Most of the SPanish volunteers happen to be young single women.

November / December 1911

Winter sets in with particular harshness.

Severe winter conditions in Arctic weather zone
1. HQs can't move, supply range remains 2 hexes
2. attrition effects are doubled for forces not in their home countries
3. No air missions
4. All ports on Gulf of Finland, plus ports in Latvia, Estonia as well as all Russian ports on Pacific Ocean, plus Rostov, and Archangel are frozen, and remain that way until first month of mud or clear weather. Ships in a frozen port cannot move or conduct any combat except to defend the port they are in.
5. All lakes, rivers, swamps in Arctic weather zone are frozen and treated as clear terrain.
6. All units except Russian, Balt, Finnish, Imperial Chinese and Light infantry divisions attack at half their usual attack strength.
7. No chemical weapons in severe winter or winter or mud turns (by the way)
8. All units may only move 1 hex, except light infantry (which move 2), and cavalry (which move 3)
9. River gunboats are unable to move.

Winter in Northern Temperate weather zone.
1. HQs may move 1 hex a turn
2. Units move normally
3. no air missions, chemical warfare
4. supply is 3 hexes instead of 4
5. Attrition is increased by 25% for units operating outside of their own country
6. No amphibious invasions or landings
7. Lakes remain as barriers, but rivers are frozen over. Swamps also remain as barriers.

Eastern and Caucasian Front
Both sides dig in and wait for better weather. Harsh conditions and steady patrols and skirmishes continue to inflict serious losses on the combatants.

Imperial Chinese losses - 50,000 (1 militia corps disbanded to make up losses)
Russian losses - 150,000 (3 corps or replacement units will have to be disbanded)
German losses - 100,000 (2 replacement units disbanded)
Austrian losses - 50,000 (1 corps or replacement unit will have to be disbanded)
Finnish and Balt losses are neglibile and under 2,000 each (and easily replaced)
Turkish losses - 20,000 (a division will have to be disbanded)

Russia will suffer a reduction of 10% in next years food production, as will Finland and Imperial China.

The Russian Orthodox Church praises God, thanking Him for answering their prayers.

Excerpt from a propoganda leaflet fired over Austrian lines.

ATTENTION VALIANT SOLDIERS OF AUSTRIA-HUNGARY!

Ask yourselves, why are you freezing and dieing in the cold Russian winter? Why are fighting for a government that does not care for your well-being? The truth is that you are fighting for the Germans and their brutal, destructive government! They are using you and your companions as cannon fodder so that their people may prosper and grow rich off of your suffering and the suffering of the Russian people.

Russia has no quarrel with you or the country of Austria-Hungary. It is the power-hungry and evil Germans who we fight! They brutally invaded our peaceful country and attacked the peace-loving Russian people after assassinating our leader, the great and noble Tsar Nicholas the Second, along with his wife and all but one of his children.

Do you really wish to fight for them? Some of you are Slavs. Many of you are not even Germanic. We should not be fighting each other. We should be embracing as brothers and living in peace. If it were not for the Germans you could be at home with your wife and children or your sweetheart, going about your daily business warm and dry, without the threat of being shot or killed.

If you no longer wish to fight for the German thugs, simply surrender. Throw down your weapons and approach the nearest Russian patrol or line with your hands raised above your head. This is the accepted sign for surrender. You will be well-treated, be given hot food and sent to a camp in the rear where you will be given blankets and a nice roaring fire. The Red Cross will even send you an aid package every month!

So, do not fight for the Germans! Think of your wife and children! Think of your homes! Do not allow this travesty to go on any longer! End the war!

January / February 1912 Winter continues with particular harshness.

Severe winter conditions in Arctic and Northern Temperate weather zone
1. HQs can't move, supply range remains 2 hexes
2. attrition effects are doubled for forces not in their home countries
3. No air missions
4. All ports on Gulf of Finland, plus ports in Latvia, Estonia as well as all Russian ports on Pacific Ocean, plus Rostov, and Archangel are frozen, and remain that way until first month of mud or clear weather. Ships in a frozen port cannot move or conduct any combat except to defend the port they are in.
5. All lakes, rivers, swamps in Arctic weather zone are frozen and treated as clear terrain.
6. All units except Russian, Balt, Finnish, Imperial Chinese and Light infantry divisions attack at half their usual attack strength.
7. No chemical weapons in severe winter or winter or mud turns (by the way)
8. All units may only move 1 hex, except light infantry (which move 2), and cavalry (which move 3)
9. River gunboats are unable to move.

Winter in Mediterranean weather zone.
1. HQs may move 1 hex a turn
2. Units move normally
3. no air missions, chemical warfare
4. supply is 3 hexes instead of 4
5. Attrition is increased by 25% for units operating outside of their own country
6. No amphibious invasions or landings
7. Lakes remain as barriers, but rivers are frozen over. Swamps also remain as barriers.

Arctic, Northern, Baltic and Central fronts January - February 1912
Harsh conditions prevent any Coalition offensives and higher priorities elsewhere prevent any Russian offensives. Attrition continues with no real change in territory held along the front. The Gulf of Finland and White Sea remain locked in ice, and no significant naval activity occurs.

Balt casualties – 3,000 (no game effect)
Finnish casualties – 2,500 (no game effect)
German casualties - 80,000 (2 corps or replacement units)
Russian casualties – 42,000 (1 replacement unit or corps or 2 divisions)
Imperial Chinese casualties – 6,000 (no game effect)

Situation February 28, 1912
Arctic and North Fronts
German / Finnish Army Group N
Murmansk – 4 German mountain divisions, 1 Finnish light infantry division
Helsinki – 1 Finnish light infantry division, 1 Finnish heavy infantry corps, 1 ammunition stockpile
West of Vyborg – 1 Finnish heavy infantry corps, 1 German heavy infantry corps

Russian forces
Archangel – 1 light infantry division
Vyborg – 1 militia cavalry corps, 1 infantry corps, 1 HQ
Petrograd – 2 infantry corps, 1 coast defense unit, 1 Imperial Chinese light infantry division, 1 fortress infantry corps, 1 observation aircraft wing

Baltic Front
Russian / Chinese forces
forest hex 2 hexes south Vyborg – 2 infantry corps, 1 Imperial Chinese militia corps
swamp hex west of Pskov -- 1 infantry corps, 1 Imperial Chinese militia corps
Pskov – 1 HQ, 1 militia cavalry corps, 1 observation aircraft wing
Southwest of Pskov – 1 infantry corps, 1 Imperial Chinese militia corps

German Army Group B
Talinn – 1 Baltic infantry corps, 2 observation aircraft wings, 1 HQ, General Hindenburg
2 hexes southeast of Helsinki – 3 German heavy infantry corps
2 hexes west of Pskov – 4 German heavy infantry corps
2 hexes east of Riga – 4 German heavy infantry corps

Central Front
Russian Central Front
Wooded hex 3 hexes east of Minsk – 2 static infantry corps,
wooded hex 2 hexes south of Vitbsk – 2 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps,
Hex east of Vitbsk – 1 HQ
wooded hex west of Vitbsk – 1 infantry corps, 1 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps

German Army Group C
hex 3 hexes northeast of Vilna – 2 German heavy infantry corps
Hex 2 hexes west of Vitbsk – 2 German heavy infantry corps
Hex 2 hexes northeast of Minsk – 2 German heavy infantry corps
hex 2 hexes southwest of Vitbsk – 2 German heavy infantry corps,
Hex 2 hexes east of Minsk – 2 German heavy infantry corps
Minsk – 1 German HQ, 1 German heavy infantry corps, Crown Prince

Battles in the Ukraine January - February 1912
Battle of the Dniester River
The Russians launch a massive offensive along the southern flank against Austrian Army Group F just east of the Dniester River (and Rumanian border), attacking with 6 heavy infantry corps, 2 infantry corps, and 2 static infantry corps, led by General Brusilov. The Austrians have only a single infantry corps and a static infantry corps defending the position, and both are destroyed, while the careful Russian preparation (ooc and really bad Austrian luck) limit Russian casualties. A secondary offensive aimed southeast into Bulgaria throws the Bulgarians and Austrians back, and forces the abandonment of Cutatea-Alba.

Russian losses: 48,0000, 1 static infantry corps scrapped for replacements
Austrian losses: 150,000 (including 80,000 POWs), 1 infantry corps destroyed, 2 static infantry corps destroyed
Bulgarian losses: 12,000 (infantry corps reduced in size to light infantry division)

Poor weather, and a stubborn defense however prevent the Russians from advancing further in the south against Bulgaria.

Battle of Uman
However, they are able to continue the offensive against the Austrians in the north, attacking with 2 heavy infantry, 2 static infantry and 2 cavalry corps against the Austrians which have 2 infantry corps available. Another 2 heavy infantry and 2 static infantry corps attack 3 cavalry corps holding nearby. This battle is a much bloodier affair for the Russians, but again they are successful, driving the Austrians back and destroying 3 corps of cavalry that are unable to use their mobility in the harsh conditions to escape decisive battle and are thus destroyed.

Eventually however, the Austrians are able to reform a line, and the offensive ends by the middle of February.

Russian losses: 72,000, 2 static infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps destroyed
Austrian losses: 105,000 (including 50,000 POWs), 1 infantry corps destroyed, 3 cavalry corps destroyed

Situation February 28, 1912 Ukraine Front
Russian Ukraine Front
Forest hex 2 hexes north Kiev – 1 static infantry corps,
Hex northeast of Kiev – 2 static infantry corps
Kiev – 3 static infantry corps, General Ivanov, 1 observation aircraft wing
Hex southeast of Kiev –1 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps
Hex 2 hexes south of Kiev – 1 static infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Hex 2 hexes west of 3 resource hex – 2 heavy infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Hex northeast of Chisenau - 2 heavy infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Hex 2 hexes northwest of Odessa – 2 heavy infantry corps, 2 infantry corps,
1 hex west of Odessa – 2 heavy infantry corps

2 cavalry corps, General Brusilov, 1 observation aircraft wing
3 resource hex – 1 HQ, 1 observation aircraft unit
hex 2 hexes east of Kiev – 1 HQ, 1 observation aircraft unit
Nikolayev – 3 light infantry divisions

German Army Group G
2 hexes southwest of Minsk – 1 German heavy infantry corps
3 hexes southwest of Minsk – 1 German heavy infantry corps
4 hexes southwest of Minsk – 1 German heavy infantry corps
2 hexes west of Kiev - 1 HQ, 1 heavy infantry corps
Warsaw – 1 heavy infantry corps, 1 ammunition stockpile
Brest Litovsk – 1 heavy infantry corps (survivors from shattered units)

German Army Group D
hex northwest of Kiev --2 heavy infantry corps, 2 seige artillery units, General Hoffman
hex west of Kiev – 2 heavy infantry corps, 1 HQ, 1 observation aircraft wing
hex southwest of Kiev – 2 heavy infantry corps, 2 seige artillery units
Hex 2 hexes west of Kiev –1 HQ, 2 cavalry corps
hex 2 hexes southeast of Kiev – 1 heavy infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps

Army Group F (Austrian)
hex 3 hexes west of Ukraine resource hex – 2 Austrian infantry corps, 1 Austrian infantry corps, 1 Austrian static infantry corps, 1 Austrian HQ, General Conrad

Army Group H (Bulgarian)
Constanta - 2 Bulgarian infantry corps,

In the Caucasus region in January and February both sides remain dug in and lose 10,000 men from patrol actions, skirmishes, severe conditions and illness.

In the Black Sea, a Russian submarine raid suffers disaster as mines claim 3 of the 4 boats involved as they attempt to attack Varna. However the survivor manages to penetrate the harbor but fails to score any hits and is destroyed by Bulgarian motor torpedo craft as it attempts to escape.

Frequent and severe storms prevent much else from occuring.

You know the drill...

NEW YEAR'S OFFENSE SMASHES INVADER!

General Brusilov leads glorious counter-attack!

A crushing defeat is inflicted upon the Austrian invaders!

Over 130,000 prisoners taken and marched to the rear!

Complete destruction of the enemy's line is reported!

Russian troops driving south against the Bulgarians!




Excerpt from a Correspondent's Report

It was January First, early in the morning when I was awoken and escorted to the front by my liason officer, Captain Stepan Vladislav. As we moved at a crouch through the fortifications and trenches of the defensive line I could make out the dim shapes of many men in the gloom. Most had bayonets fixed. We stopped as we came to the foremost line. The horizon was beginning to turn grey in the East. Stepan pointed to the front, whispering to me, "Our men have infiltrated very close to the enemy line. Soon their will be a bombardment and then..."

As he spoke, the horizon behind me flashed orange and a moment later there was the roar of hundreds of artillery pieces firing at once. The sound was deafening and I could hearthe shells going overhead. For a moment I almost pitied the Austrians. The bombardment continued for a few minutes and was suddenly cut off.

Ahead of me in the dark there was the faint sound of shouting, shots and struggling. The officer commanding the troops around me turned to his men and leapt to the precipice of the trench, drawing his revolver. He gave a shout, "For Russia!" and then blew a blast on his whistle.

There was a yell from the men around us and then they swarmed over the edge of the trench, spreading into a line as the second wave charged towards the enemy positions over the snow. They faded into the dim dawn light. The volume of shooting increased and there was suddenly a long, deep "Urrah!" as more of our men rushed into the fight.

All around me men were moving forward as the assault continued. Soon the sun was up and I could see over the expanse of no-man's land to the opposite line. Already, soldiers were hurding enemy prisoners to the rear, most of them looking disconsolate and worn out.

End Excerpt


In Petrograd, Moscow and other major cities cheering crowds celebrate the victory, many sure that this is the turning point of the war. Russia's major victory has put morale at an all time high, despite the food rationing.


The Russian government issues a public statement in regard to the Poles: should they refuse to fight for the Germans or even fight against them, Russia will give them true and lasting independence after the war is over. They will not, it is pointedly said, be a client state.


Brusilov is awarded the Order of Saint George for service to the Empire. Several regiments involved in the attack are awarded the Ribbon of Saint George for exemplary service.

The defenders of Kiev are collectively awarded the Ribbon of Saint George for extreme bravery in the face of repeated enemy assaults.

Confidential Report to Paris High Command
From Captain Rupert Levant

I am sure that many of our officers in Paris have been watching the casualties of both sides mount as the Russian winter increases attrition rates to murderous levels. However, it has been proven to me, and to the world by the time that this report reaches you, that the Russian Army is infinitely better prepared to deal with this situation than are the forces of the Hun.

On New Year's Day, the Russian Army launched one of the largest offensives I have yet seen in this war. As an officer from a neutral nation I was not allowed to participate in the actual attack, but upon seeing the lines of Austrian and Bulgarian prisoners snaking to the rear of the Russian lines, I am confident that the war will be over by Christmas next.

Though they are the allies of Germany, I am filled with something like pity for these men of the Dual Monarchy in Budapest. Their gaunt faces watch, cold and hungry, as Russian troops march past them to the front lines, merry and gay with bayonets shining. The Austrians at the Dniester River faced five times their number of such recruits. The Russian Army seems an endless sea of men at times.

Should this report reach the desk of General Foch at the École Supérieure de Guerre, I hope he should be filled with as much a desire to see the government come to its senses, and understand that as the Russians have shown us on several occasions, the Hun and his lackeys can be defeated on the field of battle. Alsace-Lorraine is not nearly so far from Paris as the Ukraine is from Petrograd, after all.

Captain Rupert Levant,
Brigade d'Observation
Ukraine Front, Russia

Russia asks for volunteers among the Slavic POWs to join up to fight the Austrians and Turks.

((OOC: GB, can I get any free units out of this?))

January 1912

The streets of Belgrade were filled with happiness. Upon hearing the Russian victories, Battle of the Dniester River and Battle of Uman, the citizens rushed the streets. Many screamed out 'Long Live the Tsar!' or 'May Victory Come to the Russians'. Also many troops from the nearby Fortress come down to the town and celebrate for their Russian comrades. Most citizens see this as the beginning of many Russian victories that will turn the tide of the war.

The Spanish government can finally keep it's people under wraps no longer. The curfews enposed to prevent celebrations at Russian victories can't be helped. The SPanish people throng in the streets, many drinking to the RUssian victories. Police members request from their local and federal governments on what to do.

Prime Minister Weyler simply sighed, shaking his head as he told them to stand down. The Spanish people needed a day to let their emotions run out. The Police are only under orders to prevent crime. This of course is a loose term as public drunkeness.

In one Spanish town, a group of young men in a carnival like atmosphere start to pelt eachother with fruits and vegetables. It takes a reenforcement of police to stop the food fight before it gets out of hand. The next day, the young men return with a dozen other vegetables and the battle of the food starts all over again.

(Yeah it's about 30 years too early, but I want that tomato fight to start earlier. And have cooler reasons.)

RUmanians in Budapest celebrate once more, despite the cold.A Cheering crowd waving Russian flags surrounds the Russian Embassy chanting "Long Live Anastasia! Long live the Grand Duke! Long Live Russia!" and calling for an appearance by the Russian ambassador.

Drinks are offered to the Russian guards through the gate and the crowd hangs and burns the Kaiser in effigy.

At the Ukranian front, the Rumanian observation staff present General Brusilov with a bottle of Champagne.

March 1912
Spring arrives, and with it, mud and rains. Mud conditions in the Arctic and Northern Temperate zones, as well as the sub tropical weather zone. Clear conditions in the Mediterranean weather zone.

March 1912

Due to the increased proximity of the war, The Rumanian General Staff mobolises 2 of it's 5 avalible reserve corps and has them begin exercises.

effective 1912, Germany (only) can build 1 fighter plane unit. Cost is 3, maintenance 1, range 2 hexes, build time 4 months (100 aircraft).

ooc
note that if started in March, this unit will not be available until July

Russia asks the Chinese for a few more light infantry divisions and promises more aid in 1913 as compensation.

All along the front, Russian troops dig in as they prepare for the inevitable German attacks come dry weather.

March 1912

Due to the increased proximity of the war, The Rumanian General Staff mobolises 2 of it's 5 avalible reserve corps and has them begin exercises.

Rumania is quietly informed that such a move is damaging to relations between Austria-Hungary and Rumania, and the mobilization of any more units would have negative consequences.

Rumania is quietly informed that such a move is damaging to relations between Austria-Hungary and Rumania, and the mobilization of any more units would have negative consequences.

The Rumanian government replies that they have moblised less then half their reserves and that they do not plan to mobolise any further forces unless there is a direct threat to the Kingdom of Rumania.

Russia asks the Chinese for a few more light infantry divisions and promises more aid in 1913 as compensation.

All along the front, Russian troops dig in as they prepare for the inevitable German attacks come dry weather.

March 1912
Imperial Chinese and Imperial Russian officials meet and discuss the state of the war. Additional Chinese divisions are indeed promised.

Meanwhile, the Coalition and Russians prepare for renewed fighting once the weather clears and the ground dries.

The ice melts at Baltic, Arctic, Pacific and Black Sea ports, and the Russian Navy is again available for operations. However, March is spent getting ready for sea.

March 1912

Serbian Marshal Radomir Putnik mobilizes two reserve corps. He says it is to keep down any more "victory parties" that have happen the last time a Russian victory occurred.

April 1912
Continued poor weather (mud in Arctic, Northern Temperate and Mediterranean sea zones) make ground and air operations impractical.

At sea, both sides lay mines and skirmish, but without significant result

Attention Soldiers of the Russian Empire!

Your leaders tell you to defend your homeland, and this is an honorable cause. But the German and Austro-Hungarian forces that oppose you have no quarrel with you, and no interest in your home. No, their quarrel is with your government, the same government that time and time again has proven itself unworthy of your loyalty.

While you and your brave countrymen fight and died in the Russo-Japanese War, your leaders shot protestors and labor organizers who wished to improve the great Russian nation. They outright ignored the Duma or dissolved it for no reason then that the Duma, YOUR VOICE to the Tsar and his advisors, concern over how the war was being fought, concerns that YOU the Russian people had expressed.

Yes, the late Tsar had made some small reforms, but these have been in name only! Your corrupt leaders continue to oppress any who oppose them and their secret police kill or threaten anyone who wishes to better Russia because to do so would threaten their power! They have no interest in helping you, their interest is in money and power!

Do not stand for this injustice any longer! Do not fight those who wish to help you restore a government that cares about you! Turn your weapons on the corrupt rulers who threaten your friends and family at home for no reason then to assure you remain loyal! Return home to farms and to your factories and let those who started this war fight in it!

April 1912

Rumania mobolises a further two reserve corps to begin exercise, citing recent Austro-Hungarian threats against their neutrality as the reason for these moblisiations. Once more, the Rumanian government states it's contiued neutrality and that this mobolisation is merely a precaution against any that might attempt to violate that neutrality.

May 1912

Serbian Marshal Radomir Putnik mobilizes on Mountain Division because of the recent Austro-Hungarian threats against Serbia. Serbia is still declaring it's neutrality in this ongoing war and says that the mobilization is purely defense reasons.

Also in other news Marshal Putnik promotes his aide, Zivojin Misic, to General. Marsahl Putnik creates the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Serbian Army. Each Army will be lead by a General. The Armies and Generals that lead them have been posted.

Serbian 1st Army= 2 Reserve Infantry Corps, 3 Mountain Division
Commander: General Zivojin Misic

Serbian 2nd Army= 2 Mountain Divisions, 1 Reserve Militia Corps
Commander: General Stepa Stepanović

Serbian 3rd Army= 2 Mountain Divisions, 2 Fortress Corps
Commander: General Petar Bojović


General Zivojin Misic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zivojin_Misic)
General Stepa Stepanović (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stepa_Stepanovi%C4%87)
General Petar Bojović (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petar_Bojovi%C4%87)

Rumania orders the mobolisation of it's remaining reserve corp, citing once again Austrian threats against their neutrality and soveriegnity.

More French troops are mobilized to maintain public order in the chaotic Third Republic in the wake of an increase in anti-German and pro-war public sentiment.

May 1912
Weather is clear everywhere

German and Austrian forces mass on the borders of Rumania and Serbia, while a major Russian offensive is launched in the Ukraine. Another major Chinese/Russian offensive occurs in the Southern Front.

Expected Coalition offensives do not occur in the Northern, Baltic, or Central Fronts, but German forces do begin advancing toward Archangel.

ooc
resolution tomorrow

In early May the Russian Orthodox Church declares the late Tsar and his family saints after reports of miracles near and around their burial site.

Battles in the Far North May 1912
Arctic and North Fronts
German / Finnish Army Group N
Murmansk – 4 German mountain divisions, 1 Finnish light infantry division
Helsinki – 1 Finnish light infantry division, 1
Finnish heavy infantry corps, 1 ammunition stockpile
West of Vyborg – 1 Finnish heavy infantry corps, 1 German heavy infantry corps

Russian forces
Archangel – 1 light infantry division
Vyborg – 1 militia cavalry corps, 1 infantry corps,
Petrograd – 2 infantry corps, 1 coast defense unit, 1
Imperial Chinese light infantry division, 1 fortress
infantry corps, 1 observation aircraft wing, 1 HQ

May 1912
German and Finnish forces under the command of Generals Von Mackenson (arctic) and Mannerheim (northern) launch a major offensive aimed at pressuring the Russians.

http://files.photojerk.com/dumelow/scandinavia.PNG

In the far north, 3 German mountain divisions advance without opposition to the junction of the rail lines connecting Murmansk to Archangel and points south. Here (5 hexes east of Oulu) the Russians are dug in with a light infantry division south of the river, and inflict 8,000 casualties on the Germans but suffer 15,000 of their own (1 German mountain division, 1 Russian light infantry division destroyed). However, at the end of their logistical tether, the Germans offensive stalls and they are forced to retreat (2 hexes north to be back in supply).

at the end of May the Germans have
Murmansk 1 Mountain division
Petsamo 1 Finnish Mountain division
3 hexes south of Murmansk 2 Mountain divisions
Russians have no forces in the area and shift 1 static corps to defend the vital rail junction, and another to Archengel to firm up this front.

At Vyborg, the Finns and Germans launch a massive offensive and bombard the Russians for days before attacking. The Russians suffer very heavily and are forced to commit a 2 heavy infantry corps from Petrograd area. The fighting lasts the entire month, with Vyborg changing hands frequently, but in the end the Germans and Finns are forced to break off their attack and go on the defensive holding the ruins of that once picturesque city.

Russian losses 100,000 casualties plus 1 militia cavalry corps, 1 infantry corps, 1 heavy infantry corps destroyed
Finnish casualties: 58,000 casualties plus 2 heavy infantry corps reduced to 2 light infantry divisions
German casualties: 20,000 casualties plus 1 heavy infantry corps reduced to 1 light infantry division

At the end of the month:
Russians have 1 heavy infantry corps at Vyborg facing
1 German, 2 Finnish light infantry divisions.

additional Russian forces remain at Petrograd but are watching the Baltic Front in case operations begin there.

Battles in the Ukraine

May 1912
General Brusilov is to lead his southern Ukrainian forces (the cavalry, regular infantry, heavy infantry corps, and observation air units) in an offensive against the remnants of the Coalitions Army Group F (Austrian) as soon as the weather is dry enough. General Brusilov is to seek the total destruction of General Conrad's Army and turn the Coalitions flank, partially encircling German Army Group D to the North.

General Ivanov and his forces are ordered to hold Kiev and the lines to the north and south of Kiev at all costs. They are not to take a step back.

The Germans and Austrians make a stand at the Dniester Bend with 4 German heavy infantry corps, 3 Austrian infantry corps, and 1 Austrian static infantry corps under Generals Conrad and the Crown Prince. Attacking are 6 Russian heavy infantry corps, 2 Russian infantry corps, and 8 Russian static infantry corps. The Germans commit their new fighter unit and 2 observation aircraft, while the Russians have 2 observation aircraft.

The Russians are stunned when suddenly aircraft losses begin to climb as German aircraft armed with machine guns down plane after plane. Over 150 Russian aircraft are lost in exchange for 20 German planes (observation planes have machine guns too, just no speed or maneuverability).

OOC
2 Russian observation plane units lost

IC
The Russians throw themselves against strong German and Austrian positions and suffer staggering losses and are shattered. A German counterattack, with 4 additional heavy infantry corps (and General Hindenburg) finishes off the Russians, and also captures General Brusilov.

Russian losses: 450,000 casualties (including 200,000 POWs), General Brusilov lost, 4 heavy infantry corps, 2 infantry corps, 8 static infantry corps destroyed
German losses: 58,000 casualties, 2 heavy infantry corps destroyed
Austrian losses: 30,000 casualties: 1 static infantry corps destroyed, 1 infantry corps becomes a light infantry division, General Conrad wounded and unavailable until 1913

Meanwhile, the Germans attack towards Kiev again, with 6 heavy infantry corps, 4 seige artillery brigades and General Hoffman plus 1 observation plane unit. Defending are 4 static infantry corps in Kiev itself, plus nearby reserves of 4 more static infantry corps. In a month of hard fighting, the city (the ruins of the city) falls to German forces and the capital of the Ukraine is in German hands.

Russian losses: 165,000 casualties, 4 static infantry corps destroyed, General Ivanov wounded and not available until 1913
German losses: 68,000 casualties, 2 heavy infantry corps destroyed, General Hoffman wounded and not available until 1913

The two massive blows force the Russians to retreat under heavy German pressure and a new line is formed after pulling some reserves (static infantry) from the northern fronts.

OOC
Special note: the Germans used ammunition stockpiles at Kiev and Vyborg. Germans pulled 8 heavy infantry corps from Baltic and Central Fronts for this battle.

Russian Ukraine front end of May
Forest hex 2 hexes north Kiev – 1 static infantry corps,
Hex 2 hexes west of Kursk – 1 HQ unit
Hex northeast of Kiev – 2 static infantry corps, 2 observation aircraft units
Hex east of Kiev –2 static infantry corps,
Hex southeast of Kiev – 1 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps
Hex 2 hexes south of Kiev – 1 heavy infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps
3 point resource hex – 2 militia cavalry corps
hex northwest of Nikoleyev – 1 heavy infantry corps, 1 light infantry division
Odessa – 1 cavalry corps
Dnieperpetrovsk – 2 cavalry corps, 1 HQ


German Front end of May (all Austrians and Bulgarians committed to other duties beginning next month)
German Army Group G
2 hexes southwest of Minsk – 1 German heavy infantry corps
3 hexes southwest of Minsk – 1 German heavy infantry corps
4 hexes southwest of Minsk – 1 German heavy infantry corps
2 hexes west of Kiev - 1 HQ, 1 heavy infantry corps
Kiev – 2 heavy infantry corps, 2 siege artillery brigades, 1 HQ, 2 observation plane units
hex west of Kiev – 2 heavy infantry corps, 2 siege artillery brigades, Crown Prince

German Army Group D
Hex west of 3 point resource hex – 3 German heavy infantry corps, 1 HQ, 1 fighter unit, 1 observation plane unit
Hex 2 hexes north of Odessa – 3 German heavy infantry corps,

4 hexes west of Lvov – 1 theater supply unit, 1 Austrian cavalry corps

Russia requests a temporary cease fire in June so that the Russian government may listen to Germany's peace terms. Neither side will be able to reinforcethe front lines during said ceasefire.

Baltic and Central Fronts
Coalition and Russian forces remain on the defensive here, and shift forces to the important battles to the south. Losses are a mere 50,000 German and 60,000 Russian, along with 10,000 Polish and 5,000 Baltic casualties. Germans are forced to disband 1 replacement corps, the Russians forced to disband 1 corps as well.

Forces end of May
German Army Group B
Talinn – 1 Baltic infantry corps, 1 German heavy infantry corps, 2 observation aircraft wings, 1 HQ,
2 hexes southeast of Helsinki – 1 German heavy infantry corps, 1 Polish heavy infantry corps
2 hexes west of Pskov – 1 German heavy infantry corps, 1 Polish heavy infantry corps
2 hexes east of Riga – 1 German heavy infantry corps, 1 Polish heavy infantry corps

German Army Group C
hex 3 hexes northeast of Vilna – 2 German heavy infantry corps
Hex 2 hexes west of Vitbsk – 2 German heavy infantry corps
Hex 2 hexes northeast of Minsk – 2 German heavy infantry corps
hex 2 hexes southwest of Vitbsk – 2 German heavy infantry corps,
Hex 2 hexes east of Minsk – 2 German heavy infantry corps
Minsk – 1 German HQ,

Russian Baltic Front
Petrograd – 1 heavy infantry corps, 1 coast defense unit, 1 static infantry corps, 1 fortress infantry corps, 1 observation aircraft wing
forest hex 2 hexes south Vyborg – 2 heavy infantry corps, 1 static infantry corps
swamp hex west of Pskov -- 1 heavy infantry corps, 1 static infantry corps
Pskov – 1 HQ, 2 heavy infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps, 1 observation aircraft wing
Southwest of Pskov – 1 infantry corps, 2 static infantry corps

Russian Central Front
Wooded hex 3 hexes east of Minsk – 3 static infantry corps,
wooded hex 2 hexes south of Vitbsk – 3 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps,
Hex east of Vitbsk – 1 HQ
wooded hex west of Vitbsk – 1 infantry corps, 2 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps

Invasion of Rumania May 1912
Citing Rumanian breech of the treaty ending the Balkan War, German and Austrian forces invade Rumania.

The Rumanians are facing threats from nearly all points of the compass, and are forced to leave 2 static infantry corps and 1 light division to guard Transylvania, 2 static infantry corps to watch the south and Bulgaria, leaving only 3 regular infantry corps, 1 fortress corps and 1 observation plane to guard Ploesti and Bucharest and face the Germans invading from Lvov and Austrians invading from the western Ukraine.

Cernauth and Chisanua fall without a fight and by the end of the month the Rumanians and Coalition forces are in contact with each other.

Rumanian forces
mountain hex 4 hexes west of Bucharest - 1 static infantry corps
mountain hex 2 hexes west of oil resource (Ploesti) - 1 static infantry corps
mountain hex 3 hexes west of Bucharest - 1 mountain division
mountain hex northwest of Ploesti - 1 infantry corps
wooded hex northeast of Ploesti - 1 infantry corps
Bucharest - 1 fortress corps, 1 infantry corps (still forming, ready in June), 1 observation plane unit
wooded hex southwest of Bucharest - 1 static infantry corps
hex 2 hexes northeast of Sofia - 1 static infantry corps
hex east of Bucharest - 1 static infantry corps

Army Group H (Bulgarian/Austrian/German)
wooded hex 2 hexes west of Cernauth - 4 heavy infantry corps
Chisanau - 1 heavy infantry corps
Sofia - 2 German mountain divisions, 1 Austrian mountain division, 1 Bulgarian infantry corps

Bulgarian Forces
Constanta - 2 Bulgarian infantry corps
hex southeast of Constanza - 1 Bulgarian infantry corps
hex east of Varna - 2 Bulgarian Cavalry divisions
resource hex 4 hexes west of Istanbul - 2 Bulgarian mountain divisions
Varna - 1 Bulgarian light infantry brigade

Austrian Army Group F
mountain hex 4 hexes west of Ploesti - 2 Static Infantry Corp, 1Infantry Corp, 1 HQ
hex southeast of Bucharest - 2 static infantry corps, 1 infantry corps
Bucharest - 2 infantry corps, 1 HQ (newly returned from Ukraine)

Russia requests a temporary cease fire in June so that the Russian government may listen to Germany's peace terms. Neither side will be able to reinforcethe front lines during said ceasefire.

Army high command and many other groups are firm in their opposition to such a cease fire. Giving up the Ukraine and Belorussia cannot be tolerated. They must be taken back.

Caucasus and Black Sea May 1912
The Chinese and Russians launch an offensive into the Caucasus region out of Stavropol, catching the Turks by surprise, and taking first Sukomi, then Batumi before they reach the end of their supply tether.

Turkish losses: 80,000 men, 1 Militia cavalry corps, 1 cavalry division, 1 static infantry corps destroyed
Chinese losses: 30,000, 2 light infantry divisions destroyed
Russian losses: 15,000 1 mountain division destroyed

In Turkish Armenia, a revolt begins against Turkish rule

Forces end of May
Russian Southern Front
Batumi – 4 Chinese light infantry divisions, 1 Russian mountain division, General Yudenich
Hex two hexes west of Tibilis - 1 static infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Hex east of Tiflis – 1 static infantry corps, 1 light infantry division,
Tiflis – 1 static infantry corps, 1 light infantry division
Hex labeled 21 - 1 static infantry corps,
1 hex east of Sukumi – 1 HQ unit
1 hex southeast of Batumi – 1 Armenian militia corps

Black Sea fleet (based at Sevastapol)
3 BB1, 3 CP1, 1 destroyer flotilla, 1 torpedo boat
flotilla
1 fortress unit and 1 fortress at Sevastapol

Turkish 2nd Army Group
4 hexes west of Trabzon – 1 infantry corps, 3 light infantry divisions, 1 HQ unit,1 Observation planes unit
hex east of Batumi -3 light infantry divisions
Kars(Kars is not pictured on map, but is hex located 5 hexes east of Trabzon – 1 fortress division, 1 fortress, 2 infantry corps , 1 Observation plane unit
2 hexes southeast of Batumi – 1 supply unit,

other Turkish forces
Regional Garrisons
Garrison units at Mecca, Medina, Baghdad, Jerusalem, Damascus,
Mosul(deployed at each city hex)

Cavalry Corp Deployments
Cavalry divisions at Amman, Mosul,

1st Army Group
Coast Defense fortress unit Gallipoli( at Hex with Gallipoli)
2 garrison units (Adrianople, Istanbul)(station at both city hexs)
2 militia cavalry corps at Adrianople( station outside of the city hex,
to the south)
1 reserve infantry corps at Istanbul( station in the city)
1 Coast defense fortress at Istanbul( ready by September 1911)

1st Fleet base at Istanbul
CP Hamidieh ( tech 4.5 )
4 Motor torpedo boat flotillas (PT) (tech 5)
2 Light cruiser (CL) (tech 5)

mining the Dardenelles straits(competed)

2nd Fleet base at Smyrna
3 Motor torpedo boat flotillas (PT)

Austrian / Bulgarian / German fleet (Combined Fleet) at Varna
1 Bulgarian motor torpedo boat flotilla
Austrian BB1s Ferdinand Max, Wien, Monarch, Budapest
German BB1s Schwaben, Mecklenberg, Kaiser Friedrich III, Kaiser Wilhelm II,
1 Turkish destroyer flotilla

Deutches (German) Mittelmeermeerflotte (based at Smyrna)
DNs Nassau, Helgoland, Ostfriesland, Thuringen
CA Prinz Heinrich, Furst Bismarck
2 destroyer flotillas, 1 minesweeper flotilla, 2 motor torpedo boat flotillas

Russia rescinds its offer of a cease-fire and vows to fight on.

Spain commends Russia for hanging into the fight. And states that it's bravery shall be remembered throughout time as a brave people against the tyrannical dictator.

Spain also alloows it's newspapers to show posters of a shocked Kaiser, as the RUssian soldier stands back up after a brutal two kicks. The Russian states "If that is what you believe shall take a Russian down, than you have a very disappointing fight ahead of you.

Official Austro-Hungarian Diplomatic message to Serbia:

It is clear from the statements and confessions of the criminal authors of the assassination, that the murder at Sarajevo was conceived at Belgrade, that the murderers received the weapons and the bombs with which they were equipped from Serbian officers and officials who belonged to the Narodna Odbrana, and, finally, that the dispatch of the criminals and of their weapons to Bosnia was arranged and effected under the conduct of Serbian frontier authorities.

The results brought out by the inquiry no longer permit the Imperial and Royal Government to maintain the attitude of patient tolerance which it has observed for years toward those agitations which center at Belgrade and are spread thence into the territories of the Monarchy. Instead, these results impose upon the Imperial and Royal Government the obligation to put an end to those intrigues, which constitute a standing menace to the peace of the Monarchy.

In order to attain this end, the Imperial and Royal Government finds itself compelled to demand that the Serbian Government give official assurance that it will condemn the propaganda directed against Austria-Hungary, that is to say, the whole body of the efforts whose ultimate object it is to separate from the Monarchy territories that belong to it; and that it will obligate itself to suppress with all the means at its command this criminal and terroristic propaganda. In order to give these assurances a character of solemnity, the Royal Serbian Government will publish on the first page of its official organ, the following declaration:

"The Royal Serbian Government condemns the propaganda directed against Austria-Hungary, that is to say, the whole body of the efforts whose ultimate object it is to separate from the Austro- Hungarian Monarchy territories that belong to it, and it most sincerely regrets the dreadful consequences of these criminal transactions.

"The Royal Serbian Government regrets that Serbian officers and officials should have taken part in the above-mentioned propaganda and thus have endangered the friendly and neighborly relations, to the cultivation of which the Royal Government had most solemnly pledged itself.

"The Royal Government, which disapproves and repels every idea and every attempt to interfere in the destinies of the population of whatever portion of Austria-Hungary, regards it as its duty most expressly to call attention of the officers, officials, and the whole population of the kingdom to the fact that for the future it will proceed with the utmost rigor against any persons who shall become guilty of any such activities, activities to prevent and to suppress which, the Government will bend every effort."

This declaration shall be brought to the attention of the Royal army simultaneously by an order of the day from His Majesty the King, and by publication in the official organ of the army.
The Royal Serbian Government will furthermore pledge itself:

1. to suppress every publication which shall incite to hatred and contempt of the Monarchy, and the general tendency of which shall be directed against the territorial integrity of the latter;

2. to proceed at once to the dissolution of the Narodna Odbrana to confiscate all of its means of propaganda, and in the same manner to proceed against the other unions and associations in Serbia which occupy themselves with propaganda against Austria-Hungary; the Royal Government will take such measures as are necessary to make sure that the dissolved associations may not continue their activities under other names or in other forms;

3. to eliminate without delay from public instruction in Serbia, everything, whether connected with the teaching corps or with the methods of teaching, that serves or may serve to nourish the propaganda against Austria-Hungary;

4. to remove from the military and administrative service in general all officers and officials who have been guilty of carrying on the propaganda against Austria-Hungary, whose names the Imperial and Royal Government reserves the right to make known to the Royal Government when communicating the material evidence now in its possession;

5. to agree to the cooperation in Serbia of the organs of the Imperial and Royal Government in the suppression of the subversive movement directed against the integrity of the Monarchy;

6. to institute a judicial inquiry against every participant in the conspiracy of the twenty-eighth of June who may be found in Serbian territory; the organs of the Imperial and Royal Government delegated for this purpose will take part in the proceedings held for this purpose;

7. to undertake with all haste the arrest of Major Voislav Tankosic and of one Milan Ciganovitch, a Serbian official, who have been compromised by the results of the inquiry;

8. by efficient measures to prevent the participation of Serbian authorities in the smuggling of weapons and explosives across the frontier; to dismiss from the service and to punish severely those members of the Frontier Service at Schabats and Losnitza who assisted the authors of the crime of Sarajevo to cross the frontier;

9. to make explanations to the Imperial and Royal Government concerning the unjustifiable utterances of high Serbian functionaries in Serbia and abroad, who, without regard for their official position, have not hesitated to express themselves in a manner hostile toward Austria-Hungary since the assassination;

10. to inform the Imperial and Royal Government without delay of the execution of the measures comprised in the foregoing points.


The Imperial and Royal Government awaits the reply of the Royal Government. Failure to meet these demands will result in a state of war and the destruction of Serbia as a sovereign nation, the salting of its land and the immediate execution all persons deemed a threat to Austro-Hungarian safety including but not limited to the Serbian Royal Family and all government officials.


---------------------------------------------------------------


The Austro-Hungarian government hereby issues these terms to the Rumanian Government:

1. the immediate surrender and disarmament of all Rumanian forces;

2. Rumania will withdraw any and all support for any nations currently at war with Austria-Hungary, Germany or their allies

3. the surrender of all high-ranking Rumanian officials, including the royal family, to German and/or Austrian forces;

4. the signing of a non-aggression pact between Rumania and the following nations; Austria-Hungary, Germany and Bulgaria;

5. the recognition of the Baltic states, Poland and Finland;

6. Rumania will sign agreements allowing Austria-Hungary to maintain a military force of three divisions in strength, at Rumania’s expense, on Rumanian soil;

7. The recognition of the current AHE-Rumanian borders as permanent and just.


The failure to meet these demands will be nothing less then the end of Rumania as an independent nation, the destruction of its cultural heritage and its people’s way of life, the destruction of its economy as well as the execution of all Rumanians who attempt to stop such actions from taking place.

The Austro-Hungarian government hereby issues these terms to the Rumanian Government:

1. the immediate surrender and disarmament of all Rumanian forces;

2. Rumania will withdraw any and all support for any nations currently at war with Austria-Hungary, Germany or their allies

3. the surrender of all high-ranking Rumanian officials, including the royal family, to German and/or Austrian forces;

4. the signing of a non-aggression pact between Rumania and the following nations; Austria-Hungary, Germany and Bulgaria;

5. the recognition of the Baltic states, Poland and Finland;

6. Rumania will sign agreements allowing Austria-Hungary to maintain a military force of three divisions in strength, at Rumania’s expense, on Rumanian soil;

7. The recognition of the current AHE-Rumanian borders as permanent and just.


The failure to meet these demands will be nothing less then the end of Rumania as an independent nation, the destruction of its cultural heritage and its people’s way of life, the destruction of its economy as well as the execution of all Rumanians who attempt to stop such actions from taking place.

The Rumanian government utterly rejects all demands. If the Austro-Hungarian Empire wishes to perpertrate genocide and the suppression of a free and noble people, may God have mercy upon their black souls.

The Rumanian government calls upon it's people to resist the invader in any way possible.

The demands and the Austrian threats against the people of RUmania are widely publicised in Rumania, and if possible, sent to the outside world.

Allied fleets June 1912
French / Spanish Atlantic Fleet
French 11th Fleet (Admiral de Lapeyrère) (at Cadiz, Spain) (2 BCs, 20 destroyers)
BC Tavernier, Fraternitie, plus 1 destroyer flotilla,

Spanish 3rd Fleet (Gibraltar guard force)(at Cadiz, Spain) (7 cruisers, 20 destroyers, 20 torpedo boats)
CA Infanta Maria Teresa, Vizcaya, Almirante Oquendo, Princesa de Asturias, Cardenal Cisneros, Cataluna, Emperador Carlos V, plus 1 tech 5 destroyer flotilla, 1 tech 4.5 torpedo boat flotilla

French 5th Fleet (North Atlantic escort force)(based at Brest, France) (13 cruisers, 20 destroyers)
CA Ernest Renan, Jules Michelet, Gloire, Amiral Aube,Conde,Marseilaise,
Sully, Dupleix, Amiral Charner, Bruix, Chanzy, Latouche Treville, Desaix
Plus 1 tech 5 destroyer flotilla,

French 7th Fleet (North Atlantic blockade force) (18 cruisers)(based at Brest)
CP Jurien de la Graviere, D'Estrees, Infernet, Chateaurenault, Guichen,
D'Entrecasteaux, D'Assas, Cassard, Du Chayla, Catinat, Protet, Pascal, Descartes, Bugead, Chasseloup-Laubat, Alger
Spanish CP Lepanto, Estramadura

French 9th Fleet (Channel Fleet)(20 destroyers, 20 torpedo boats, 20 submarines)
1 tech 4.5 destroyer flotilla, 1x Torpedo Boat Flotilla, 1 coast defense submarine flotilla,

French 1st Fleet (West African patrol)(20 gunboats)(based at Dakar)
1 gunboat flotilla

French / Italian / Greek Mediterranean Fleet
Combined Battle Fleet (French/Italian)
French 2nd Fleet (based at Toulon)(Admiral Guéprette)(16 BB1)
BB1 Suffren, Jena, St. Louis, Gaulois, Bouvet, Massena, Jaureguiberry, Democratie, Justice, Libertie, Verite, Republique, Patrie, Charlemagne, Charles Martel, Carnot

Italian 4th Fleet
BB1 Napoli, Regina Elena, Roma, Vittorio Emanuele, Regina Margherita,
BB2 Ammiraglio di Saint Bon, Emanuele Filiberto, Re Umberto, Sicilia, Sardegnia,
Andrea Doria, Ruggerio di Lauria, Francesco Morosini, Italia, Duilio, Dandolo

Italian / Greek 6th Fleet (escort shipping in Eastern Mediterranean) (2 BB, 8 CP, 40 DD, 20 TB, 20 PG)
Italian CP Dogali, Etna, Vesuvio, Stromboli, Ettore Fieramosca, Giovanni Bausan
Greek CP Nauarchos Miaoulis plus 2 tech 4.5 destroyer flotillas, 1 tech 4.5 torpedo boat flotilla, 1 gunboat flotilla
Greek BBC1 Hydra, Spetzal
Older Italian BBs of 4th fleet also escort ships (and so supports 6th Fleet)

Far East Fleet
1 French gunboat flotilla in French Polynesia
French 8th Fleet (based at Saigon)(escort French and Italian shipping in Indian Ocean and Pacific) (7 CA, 9 CP, 20 DD, 20 MS)
CA Kleber, Gueydon, Dupetit-Thouars, Montcalm, Jeane d'Arc, Pothuau
CP Friant, Isly, Jean Bart, Gallilee, Lavosier, Linois,Suchet, Davout
Plus Italian CA Giusuppe Garibaldi, Italian CP Calabria, + 1 Italian destroyer flotilla, 1 Italian minesweeper flotilla

Red Sea Fleet (blocks off Coalition access to Suez Canal and escorts French and Italian shipping in Indian Ocean and Eastern Mediterranean Sea)
Italian 10th Fleet (based at Masawa) (5 CA, 5 CP)
CA Varese, Francsco Ferruccio, Vettor Pisani, Carlo Alberto, Marco Polo
CP Umbria, Lombardia, Etruria, Liguria, Elba, Puglia, Piemonte, Dogali

note that this plan gives Allied shipping an escort over much of the world, and provides a powerful battlefleet in the Med and guards the chokepoints leading into the Med

German Navy June 1911
Ostsee-Flotte (based at Konigsburg)
Battle fleet
DN Oldenburg
BB1 Deutschland, Hannover, Pommern, Schesin, Braunschweig, Elsass, Hessen, Preussen, Lothringen, Wittelsbach, Wettin, Zahringen,

Gulf of Finland patrol
1 destroyer flotilla, 2 motor torpedo boat flotillas, 1 minesweeper flotilla,

High Seas Fleet (based at Kiel)
CA Roon, Prinz Adalbert, Friedrich Karl,
CP Gazelle, Niobe, Nymphe, Thetis, Ariadne, Amazone, Medusa, Frauenlob, Arcona, Endine
2 transport groups
1 long range submarine flotilla

Mittelmeermeerflotte (based at Smyrna)
DNs Nassau, Helgoland, Ostfriesland, Thuringen
CA Prinz Heinrich, Furst Bismarck
2 destroyer flotillas, 1 minesweeper flotilla, 2 motor torpedo boat flotillas

Schwarzes Meer Flotte (based at Varna) (assigned to Austrian command)
BB1s Schwaben, Mecklenberg, Kaiser Friedrich III, Kaiser Wilhelm II,

South Atlantic Fleet (based at Tangiers naval base)
CL Bremerhaven, Frieburg, Rostock, Graudenz, Mainz, Coln, Konigsburg, Graudenz,

Indian Ocean Fleet (based at Dar Es Salaam, a minor port)(has access to British ports)
CL Straussburg, Stralsund, Kolberg, Stettin, Stuttgart, Berlin, Munchen, Munchen, Lubeck, Hamburg, Breslau, Nurnburg, 1 ocean liner unit (functioning as supply ships), 1 shipping unit (functioning as supply ships)

Pacific squadron (based at Truk) (has access to Japanese ports)
CL Leipzig, Emden, Dresden, Karlsruhe, 1 ocean liner unit (functioning as supply ships), 1 gunboat flotilla

Mothball fleet
BB1 Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse, Kaiser Barbarossa, BB2 Hilderbrand, Hagen, Odin, Agir, Siegfried, Beowulf, Frithjof, Heimdall, CP1 Victoria Louise, Hertha, Freya, Vineta, Hansa, Bussard, Falke, Seeadler, Condor, Cormoran, Geier, Hela, Gefion, Irene, Prinzess Wilhelm, Kaserin Augusta, 2 torpedo boat flotillas

Naval Yard: Kiel
Naval Bases: Wilhemshaven, Bremerhaven, Stettin, Lubuck, Tangiers
Other major ports: Hamburg, Danzig

Imperial Naval Air Service: 4 Zeppelin units

Austrians also have a small battlefleet operating out of Trieste, and of course the combined Austrian/Turkish/Bulgarian/German fleet at Varna

June 2nd, 1912

In front of the National Assembly, Prime Minister Jean Charles Reynaud stands to give a speech. Usually a calm man, he reaches for a glass of water to cool the sheen of sweat growing on his forehead.

"Frenchmen, for forty-two years our brothers in Alsace and Lorraine have been ground down by the jackboot of Prussian oppression. Liberty, equality, and fraternity have no meaning under the Hun. Our countrymen suffer under what is to all purposes a military occupation. For years now, the Kaiser has been building up his military presence in Alsace and Lorraine, even before he began his war against the Russian people, even before France was forced to mobilize soldiers in response, to guarantee that our borders could be defended in the event Germany attempted an unwarranted attack on our Republic, a mirror image of their shameless venture in the east of this Continent.

"Frenchmen, for a year now the German Empire and its lackeys have been waging an unprovoked war against the people of Russia, after cowardly killing that country’s leaders and prodding the peoples of that Empire to rebellion.

"Frenchmen, I say to you now that the Third Republic will not accept rampant German imperialism in the heart of Europe itself! We stand as protectors of the rights of men, and I refuse, and so should all of France refuse, to fall slack in that sacred duty. We see the murder of the Tsar and his family, of children! We see the refusal of the German militarist in Berlin to let Europe live in peace. We see the cowardly demands of the Austrian Empire against the Serbs and the Rumanians, threatening to end the sovereignty of those countries if they do not surrender it wholesale to the Germans and Austrians. I say now that France will not stand for this."

Amid the cheers of the hawkish MPs, Reynaud pauses to sip water before continuing.

"I say to the German Empire and its Austrian lackeys with the utmost clarity, that a state of war exists between the Third Republic of France and the Huns to our east. War has also been declared on the Ottoman Empire; they forfeited their right to protection under our non-aggression pact when they broke such a treaty with the Russians.

"The Russian Army has made many a valiant stand to defend their motherland, and I know with certainty that our own soldiers will be honored to fight as their allies once again. France and Russia, with our courageous, selfless, and brave allies in Madrid, Rome, Athens, and Bucharest, will see the Hun defeated. We will see victory in Europe. Liberty, equality, and fraternity for all the peoples of Europe!"

At the French embassy in Bucharest, several Rumanian government officials arrive and present the staff with several bottles of wine, offering a toast during the calm before the storm.

A detatchment of Rumanian soldiers moves in to help the French embassy guard fortify the embassy building.

June 3rd, 1912

We, by the grace of heaven, Emperor of Japan, seated on the Throne of a line unbroken for ages eternal, enjoin upon you, Our loyal and brave sybjects: We hereby declare war on France, Italy, and Russia.

The hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors guarding Us from above, We rely upon the loyalty and courage of Our subjects in Our confident expectation that the task bequeathed by Our forefathers will be carried forward, and the sources of evil will be speedily eradicated.

Nikola Pašić sends a letter to Austrian Ambassador Giesl. The letter read as following:

The Serbian government has accepted all the terms that were listed in the ultimatum, but one term. The term that hasn't been accepted is the sixth term, to institute a judicial inquiry against every participant in the conspiracy of the twenty-eighth of June who may be found in Serbian territory; the organs of the Imperial and Royal Government delegated for this purpose will take part in the proceedings held for this purpose. Our government has thought it as unconstitutional and a violation of our sovereignty.

June 11, 1912

Siam issues a declaration of war to France, and Siamese troops cross the border into Indochina

Behind the scenes:
The King of Siam was quite pro-France, and sent orders to the Siamese military (from Europe, where he was traveling) to prepare a division to help the French. However, the Siamese generals disobeyed his orders and invaded Indochina regardless. The King, meanwhile, was kept essentially incommunicado on board ship while he returned to Siam. In the meantime, the Siamese Army is calling the shots.

Having not formally declared war; Italy is shocked by the declaration by Japan. Therefore, Italy must formally recognize that a state of war now exists between Japan, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Finland, and the Ottoman Empire.

GB, Orders are being TG'd as we speak.

The United States is appalled at the sudden expansion of the war. Although the French action is relatively understood, the Japanese are seen as particularly opportunistic. Roosevelt regretfully orders an immediate embargo on all oil and scrap iron currently traded with the Empire of Japan, which will be rescinded if Japan returns to its borders. This of course is seen as ridiculously unlikely, but the offer is made just the same.

The US by July is on normal spending in reaction to the stresses caused by the expansion of the war. Considerable portions of these newly availiable funds go to modernizing the army, new escorts for the navy, and loans to France.

Therefore, Italy must formally recognize that a state of war now exists between Japan, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Finland, and the Ottoman Empire.

OOC: Does this mean that Italy recognizes Finland?

OOC: Does this mean that Italy recognizes Finland?

No merely the rebellious provincial area that is known as Finland within Russia.

No merely the rebellious provincial area that is known as Finland within Russia.

Mannerheim comments to his subordinates that maybe the Italians will recognize us after the Germans march through Rome

The Kingdom of Bulgaria protests the successive violations of public neutrality statement by the European Nations of France, Italy, Spain, Rumania.

The Kingdom Diplomatically contacts all of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal and Serbia (along with requests of support from the International Red Cross and the Pope) to gather and agree to declare a condemnation of the desecration of the concept of neutrality agreed upon in many treaties of European law and sign a petition to the United Kingdom, the Hague Court and the United States to issue condemnations these Belligerents actions of declaring war without a proper Casius Belli.

The Kingdom of Bulgaria protests the successive violations of public neutrality statement by the European Nations of France, Italy, Spain, Rumania.

The Kingdom Diplomatically contacts all of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal and Serbia (along with requests of support from the International Red Cross and the Pope) to gather and agree to declare a condemnation of the desecration of the concept of neutrality agreed upon in many treaties of European law and sign a petition to the United Kingdom, the Hague Court and the United States to issue condemnations these Belligerents actions of declaring war without a proper Casius Belli.

Newspapers owned by those sympathetic to the Allies or that oppose the Coalition (and actually pay attention to Bulgaria's diplomatic statements with so much else going on) ridicule Bulgaria’s condemnation of France, Italy, Spain, and Rumania declaring war without “a proper Casius Belli,” pointing out the following:

1. Bulgaria declared war on Russia without (as they see it) “a proper Casius Belli” (Bulgaria was not obligated by treaty to go to war with Russia).

2. The Ottoman Empire violated a Non-Aggression Treaty it had made with Russia when it declared war…without “a proper Casius Belli,” which brought it condemnation by the United Kingdom and the United States.

3. The Empire of Japan violated its Non-Aggression Treaty with France by declaring war on France, Russia, and Italy…also without “a proper Casius Belli,” which resulted in condemnation by the United States government, followed by a cutting off of trade.

4. Siam has declared war on France and is in the process of attacking French Indochina, all without “a proper Casius Belli.”

ooc: There is likely going to be a lot of debate after the war about who had a legitimate Casius Belli and who did not, but the Ottoman Empire and Japan violating solemn treaties so casually pretty much blackens their names among those who actually care about such things. Also, it does not help that the Ottoman Empire, Japan, and Siam have gone to war for blatantly predatory reasons.

Serbia is still neutral on this ongoing and growing conflict. They still have kept their troops mobilized for a fear of a invasion from the Austria-Hungary Empire.

The Kingdom of Bulgaria protests the successive violations of public neutrality statement by the European Nations of France, Italy, Spain, Rumania.

The Kingdom Diplomatically contacts all of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal and Serbia (along with requests of support from the International Red Cross and the Pope) to gather and agree to declare a condemnation of the desecration of the concept of neutrality agreed upon in many treaties of European law and sign a petition to the United Kingdom, the Hague Court and the United States to issue condemnations these Belligerents actions of declaring war without a proper Casius Belli.

The Russian government laughs and sends Bulgaria a little not:

"Where was cassus belli when you declared war? Where was cassus belli when the Ottomans broke a Non-Aggression Treaty with us? Where was cassus belli when Japan declared war? You are a band of hypocrites and fools."

RECUERDEN ALFONSO!!!!

Our brave Allies have gone to war with Germany, and many Spanish may ask why Spain should honor it's Alliance with Italy and France. Many ask, what will we be fighting for.

The answer is simple. It has been kept quiet enough, this newspaper has been kept quiet enough. THe government realizes it can no longer keep it secret.

In 1906, the Kaiser ordered the creation of the bomb that killed our beloved king. THe boy king was murdered by the same treachery that cost Anastatsia of Russia her family. We have lost our family because of the Germans. Germany wishes to put the Kaiser on the throne of all of Europe. From Spain to Russia. THey want nothing but the subjugation of Europe. And the Kaiser will murder all others in cold blood.

VENGEANCE
Germany must have blood soaking it's fields. Our innoccent boy king and his wife must be avanged. May every Spanish man rise to the challenge. May we hook arms and arms with our Italian and French brothers. May the Catholic cry of Sic Semper Tyrannus be sent into the fields against the evil murdering Kaiser.

Socialists, Conservatives, Monarchists, now is our time to unite. No longer should our local disagreements hold us. May we cry with one voice that we are Spain, and destroy the evil German horde.

WHen going through the RUssian territory the Germans bayonetted Slavic Babies. Will we let this happen tot he rest of Europe? Too long has RUssia fought alone. Too long has Germany lorded it'self on the European people.

May God in heaven give us victory. And "Remember Alfonso."
------------------------------
A state of war is declared on Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. (Japan is left out as in truth, Spain has no real concerns with Asia.)

1. Bulgaria declared war on Russia without (as they see it) “a proper Casius Belli” (Bulgaria was not obligated by treaty to go to war with Russia).

I did in fact sign a full alliance treaty with Germany and AH following the conclusion of the Balkan wars, thus Bulgaria was infact obliged to declare war else lose alot of diplomatic prestige (something no one seems to care for).

The context on which the nations are contacted are European ones; the context being; unless some value is restored to the Inter-European Agreements signed in the Hague, Geneva and otherwise, what's to stop a larger power from throwing off the whole bulk of all these agreements and annex all it's smaller neighbors? What's the value of a declaration of neutrality?

3. The Empire of Japan violated its Non-Aggression Treaty with France by declaring war on France, Russia, and Italy…also without “a proper Casius Belli,” which resulted in condemnation by the United States government, followed by a cutting off of trade.

4. Siam has declared war on France and is in the process of attacking French Indochina, all without “a proper Casius Belli.”

I don't see trade being cut off France, Spain or Italy even though they did exactly the same thing even though the declaration of war by the Japanese or the Siamese has officially nothing to do with any coalition influence.

Sure, condemnations and Embargos are in order but there is no real reason to declare war on Germany because Japan declared war other than internationally illegal ones.

The context on which the nations are contacted are European ones; the context being; unless some value is restored to the Inter-European Agreements signed in the Hague, Geneva and otherwise, what's to stop a larger power from throwing off the whole bulk of all these agreements and annex all it's smaller neighbors? What's the value of a declaration of neutrality?

France, Italy, etc. did not declare war on any nuetral nation. They declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary who are currently engaged in a brutal war of aggression against the Russian people.

In addition, you should look to your own Coalition before you begin blaming us for violating international law. The Ottoman Empire completely violated a standing Non-Aggression Pact and attacked Russia without reason.

Now Japan, for no reason, has declared war on the Russian Empire.

At least Italy and France are coming to the defence of a nation brutally attacked. Japan is simply taking advantage of neighbor's misfortune (as is Siam).

----

A political cartoon shows a small, pompous Bulgarian man standing in front of France and Italy, telling them "This is shameful! Using violence!" while behind him a Turk and a Japanese are busily beating and robbing a Russian civilian.


In another, a Russian knight and a Chinese soldier are back to back, swords swinging and beset by enemies. Many body parts and enemy dead are piled around them, most notably a hand clutching the fallen Austrian flag. However, in the distance a column of marching soldiers is approaching, the flags of Italy and France flying over them.

In yet another, a Russian man stands, blood flowing down his face from a nasty cut but with a grim smile on his lips as he faces down Germany, Austria, a Turk and a Japanese. He is saying, "It will take more then you to kill a Russian!"

Spain, France, and Italy did not have Non-Aggression pacts with any of the people they declared war on except the Ottoman Empire and since they were defunct, their Non-Aggression pacts were defunct anyways.

And Spain, Italy, and France didn't declare war on Germany, AHE, or the Ottomans because of Japan. We have our own reasons, all viable ones. And since we are at war, we have no need to justify ourselves to an enemy nation. If neutrals ask then we must answer, but we declared neutrality, it can be recinded. As long as we formally declared war without attacking in surprise, then we have not broken any rules. Anyways, it's moot, because I don't see any nations cutting trade with any of the Allies, and if they wish to ask us questions we'll listen. We will not justify ourselves to an enemy. And to start asking for that justification from your enemies sounds ludicrious at best when your allies attacked without formal declarations of war. Believe me, there may be a few fishy things going on with the Allies, but the Central Powers are in way more dirt than the Allies. A ton more. Breaking of Non-Aggression Pacts is a thousand times worse than going to war for dubious (Or at least what you see as dubious) Reasons.

(ANd hey you forgot about Spain in that cartoon. Naughty naughty Russia. lol.)

Newspapers owned by those sympathetic to the Allies or that oppose the Coalition (and actually pay attention to Bulgaria's diplomatic statements with so much else going on) ridicule Bulgaria’s condemnation of France, Italy, Spain, and Rumania declaring war without “a proper Casius Belli,” pointing out the following:

1. Bulgaria declared war on Russia without (as they see it) “a proper Casius Belli” (Bulgaria was not obligated by treaty to go to war with Russia).

2. The Ottoman Empire violated a Non-Aggression Treaty it had made with Russia when it declared war…without “a proper Casius Belli,” which brought it condemnation by the United Kingdom and the United States.

3. The Empire of Japan violated its Non-Aggression Treaty with France by declaring war on France, Russia, and Italy…also without “a proper Casius Belli,” which resulted in condemnation by the United States government, followed by a cutting off of trade.

4. Siam has declared war on France and is in the process of attacking French Indochina, all without “a proper Casius Belli.”

ooc: There is likely going to be a lot of debate after the war about who had a legitimate Casius Belli and who did not, but the Ottoman Empire and Japan violating solemn treaties so casually pretty much blackens their names among those who actually care about such things. Also, it does not help that the Ottoman Empire, Japan, and Siam have gone to war for blatantly predatory reasons.

What the English speaking world thinks
1. The Balkans are essentially savages anyway, so what do you expect but for them to fight each other.
2. Germany is expansionistic, but Russia is corrupt and was oppressing people, so neither is exactly a good guy.
3. Austria Hungary isn't much better then the rest of the Balkans, and neither are the Turks
4. France is finally redeeming itself for failing to honor its alliance with Russia a few years back
5. Italy and Spain are to be commended for being brave enough to follow the French lead
6. Russia better win or the US economy is in trouble (only financial leaders care about this part)
7. The English speaking world is better off getting rich selling to the nations at war then entering into the war at this time.
8. Japan and Siam are both opportunists, but Japan definitely more so. Siam at least is trying to liberate brother Asians from decadent French imperialism (view on Siam held only by left of center types in US)
9. Sure is exciting reading isn't it? (average person)
10. Don't want my son or husband in this (average person)
11. Go old mother country, go (average American immigrant)
12. Hope those damn immigrants don't start fighting here (average native born American)
13. Hmm, Germany is fighting our traditional enemies (British view)
14. Not our problem (average British citizens view)

ooc
views will change as war goes on, but this is what opinion is like as of June 1912

11. Go old mother country, go (average American immigrant)


OOC: This one made me laugh. :D

OOC: British apathy, I see that remaining as long as Belguim doesn't have to fight for it's life. Wonder if Sweden is similar? Hmmm interesting though. Or Switzerland? I swear the Alsaice Lorraine area is going to be a no mans land of craters because it's so narrow.

Or British sense.

Hmmm... yes... lets throw away a million lives just so that some other empire can get bigger at another's expense.

And I liked this one:

9. Sure is exciting reading isn't it? (average person)

The Kingdom of Bulgaria protests the successive violations of public neutrality statement by the European Nations of France, Italy, Spain, Rumania.

The Kingdom Diplomatically contacts all of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal and Serbia (along with requests of support from the International Red Cross and the Pope) to gather and agree to declare a condemnation of the desecration of the concept of neutrality agreed upon in many treaties of European law and sign a petition to the United Kingdom, the Hague Court and the United States to issue condemnations these Belligerents actions of declaring war without a proper Casius Belli.

The Kingdom of Rumania notes, while it still can, that it has continued to declare it's neutrality and that in fact war was forced upon it by the Coalition.

This thread is dead, but I wish to clear my name and my nation's. Japan never had non-agression pacts with any of the Allied nations. France (under Amestria) tried to get me to sign a Non-Agression Pact, as did Russia, however I refused multpile times.

Malkyer approached me, and we discussed the non-agression pact, we never actually solidified the deal, or made it official

And the opprotunistic attacks against the Russians for more CHinese territory? Japan never has alot of room for defense in the wars it goes into.

And the opprotunistic attacks against the Russians for more CHinese territory? Japan never has alot of room for defense in the wars it goes into.

this is pointless so I reccomend we stop after this, but I never said i would defensive at all.

Japanese strategists also never planned for a defensive war, knowing once they were on the offensive they'd lost