Stadtschloss
August 10th
The Emperor, whose face and posture showed the stress he had been placed under over the past days, was not a happy man. "You assured me the Aegean axis would stay neutral. And now the Dominion is maneuvering against our colonies."
Hugenberg, the new chancellor, bowed deep to his enraged monarch. "Your Majesty, we have no choice but to proceed. The analysis -" he waved a folder around "- clearly shows the explosives used were of British design. If it costs the blood of millions, we shall not waver in this endeavor." Wilhelm snatched the file and looked at it, then nodded. "Very well. I do not like it, but you have my blessing."
When Hugenberg left, Wilhelm muttered to himself that "the arrogant socialist would not have messed this up so bad".
Diplomatic message to all nations
Your excellencies,
the findings of the Gardepioniere indicate that the explosives used in the cowardly attack was of British manufacture, while the design of the charge and explosion effect seems to correspond to British training procedures. Therefore, the German Empire feels confident in viewing any action it may take as justified.
Other nations are asked not to interfere.
Signed,
Hugenberg
From the Alliance to the Aegean Axis
Your excellencies,
the Alliance views your recent movements as a direct threat to national security and shall respond in kind.
Signed,
Marian I.,
Alain Dupont
Hugenberg
Missive from the Alliance to the Grand Dominion
Your excellencies,
the Alliance will gladly pay for any damage the Enrico Dandolo suffers due to her decision to place herself into harms way.
Signed,
Marian I.,
Alain Dupont
Hugenberg
Letter from the German Government to the Grand Dominion
Lord Fairfax,
I have to say that your recent threat puzzles me. I had thought you would welcome a government that would share more of your ideology. Apparently I was mistaken.
Any attempt to take the German fortresses in the Indian Ocean will be met with deadly force. The Garrisons have been alerted to that regard.
Your explosive experts are however more than welcome to review the findings by the German commission.
Signed,
Hugenberg
Letter to all nations
The German Empire is willing to let the findings be examined by a neutral party and is quite confident that they will stand up to scrutiny.
Please direct your requests for informations or Visa to examine the debris to the German embassies in your nations.
Signed,
Hugenberg
General Staff
"....and let us now turn to the resource situation. First off, oil...."
The assembled commanders, Field Marshal von Mackensen (Heer), Großadmiral von Scheer (Marine) and General Hermann von der Lieth-Thomsen (Luftstreitkräfte), flanked by the corresponding commanders and attacheés of the French and Spanish armed forces, had gathered to review the Status of the forces.
To this end, the large audience hall in the bunker beneath the General Staff building was filled to capacity. As the various department head announced their findings and plans, a clear picture of the probable German war effort came to pass. The findings were not to the liking of the German High Command.
The resource situation was the least troublesome, though it too prevented some problems. Germany depended, on the Nordic Union and on France for her ore to some part. The Spanish and the French had already taken measures to up their production, and the Soviet Union could deliver some more ore if needed, so this development was not viewed as threatening. Rare materials had also been stored in sufficient quantity, as had been rubber. However, the Grain situation was more troubling. If war with Britain happened and the Nordic Union or Poland shut off sea trade with the Soviet Union, the only way to import Grain from the Soviet Union would be over the single-double tracked railroad that connected it to Hungary. The problem was that this railroad was also used for the transport of oil to Germany and was already near maximum capacity. It was therefore up to the Navy to guarantee a supply of Grain from the USA. The Spanish Navy attacheé said that the Spanish Navy could secure up to four convoys to and from the USA simultaneously, provided the majority of the British fleet was tied up elsewhere. This, the Hochseeflotte could guarantee. The Oil situation was a bit more troublesome. Oil had largely come from the Aegean Axis, which was now threatening war. The second major supplier (besides domestic production) was the Soviet Union, from which more oil was ordered.
The Navy delivered a status report on its battlefleet:
"The combined allied forces consist of:
60 battleships, 22 battlecruisers, 12 aircraft carriers, 20 heavy cruisers, 84 light cruisers and 193 destroyers. We also have 326 submarines of varying sizes and over 600 fast attack crafts. Our yards currently have also 6 battleships and 6 battlecruisers as well as 4 aircraft carriers fitting out or on sea trials. Our designers have assured me that of these, 8 can be rushed into service. Work on that is commencing as we speak. Should our allies of Portugal and Tuscany also join in the fray, then we can expect another 40 heavy units to join our battleline. Now, most of the heavy units of France and Spain will be engaged in convoy protection, as will our own heavy forces. However, the Hochseeflotte will have available by the end of the week:
Hochseeflotte composition:
28 first rank battleships (2 seized export ships, 1 Spanish)
5 second rank battleships
12 battlecruisers or fast battleships (4 spanish, 2 french, 1 seized export ship)
2 heavy cruisers
7 aircraft carriers (2 french)
23 light cruisers (6 Spanish)
205 destroyers (24 french, 18 spanish)
This listing does not cover French forces assigned to the Atlantic Fleet. All other forces are assigned to blockade Gibraltar or to convoy protection. We also have currently the four Störtebeker-class cruisers having their final cruise in the North Atlantic, they have been ordered to prepare for commerce raiding. Needless to say, the Spanish have sent their Q-ships out. There is also a listing of our transport capacity:
Troop transports:
- 9 Barbarossa class liners, fully ready
Ocean liners:
SS Bismarck (56kt, 23.5 knots) - en route to Bremen, shall arrive tomorrow
SS Leviathan (54 kt, 26 knots) - has disembarked passengers in Cuba and has joined Spanish Caribbean fleet
SS Imperator (52kt, 24 knots) - Hamburg, ready
2 SS Columbus class (32 kt, 22 knots)
- SS Columbus - Bremen, ready
- SS Hindenburg - Amsterdam, ready
SS Kaiser Wilhelm II (25 kt, 23.5 knots) - in USA, to be interned
SS George Washington (25 kt, 19 knots) - in USA, to be interned
4 SS Deutschland class (21 kt, 20 knots)
- SS Deutschland - in transit from Stettin to Wilhelmshaven
- SS Albert Ballin - in transit from Danzig to Hamburg
- SS Hamburg - in Hamburg, ready
- SS New York - in Vigo
SS Kronprinzessin Cecilie (19kt, 24 knots) - in USA, to be interned
SS Hansa (16kt, 22 knots) - in Tsingtao, ready
SS Kronprinz Wilhelm (15kt, 23 knots) - in Brazil, to be interned
Passenger ships
NOTE: List incomplete and does not list ships smaller than 10kt, might also miss a few ships)
SS President Lincoln (32kt, 14,5 knots) - in Hamburg, ready
SS Amerika (22 kt, 18 knots) - in Portugese port
SS Zeppelin (21 kt, 15.5 knots) - in Portugese port
SS Großer Kurfürst (20kt, 15.5 knots) - in Bremen, ready
SS Prinz Friedrich Wilhelm (17 kt, 17 knots) - in Bremen, ready
SS Berlin (17kt, 16 knots) - in Amsterdam, ready
SS Cleveland (17kt, 16 knots) - in Amsterdam, ready
SS Cincinnati (17kt, 16 knots) - in Venice, ready
SS General von Steuben (15 kt, 16 knots) - in Transit to Flores
SS Prinz Eitel Friedrich (14 kt, 16 knots) - in Transit to Flores
SS Prinz Ludwig (10kt, 15 knots) - in Hamburg, ready
All passenger ships are prepared to undergo modification to troop transport. Troops are already embarking on some ships and the ships have been turned over to Brussels command. In short, Gentleman, the Navy is ready. We do however expect to lose control of the Mediterranean, at least until Gibraltar has fallen.
Our oversea fortresses are at high alert. We estimate that they can hold out up to six years from provisions, and up to two years under siege. However, as you all know, it has always been our position that any war would be decided in Europe and the fortresses may be sacrificed if need be.
Submarines have already dispersed.
Our Indian Ocean surface fleet save the minelayers has already been given orders to relocate to the base in Kenya and to prepare for long transit back to Europe."
"Thank you." Hugenberg clearly was satisfied. Next to report was the Air Force.
General von der Lieth Thomsen had the duty to do so. "Despite the demands placed upon us by Brussels command, we should be able to put 1000 fighters and at least 200 bombers in the field. This number will only increase once initial operations in Brussels have completed and the French airforce will have taken over that theater of operations. Meanwhile, the Spanish Airforce will concentrate on the Mediterranean coast. All in all, this is not nowhere near satisfactory, but it is the best we can do."
Hugenberg nodded. "Now, for the Army - von Mackensen?"
Field Marshal von Mackensen stood. He too had slept little. "The French and Spanish have announced that everything is ready on their part. Both are mobilizing and Siege Artillery is already in position to pound Gibraltar. Brussels command is stating that it is at full readiness."
Von Mackensen took a deep breath before continuing. "More worrying is the situation in Northern Africa. Our french allies state that they are willing to surrender territory there and logistics make a massive advance there impossible. Still, we will not be able to invest Carthago or be effective there until Gibraltar has fallen.
The decisive front however will be the Balkans. With the pledge of our french and Spanish friends, we shall have a total of 14 million men in place for an offensive by September. We estimate that due to our railway network, we shall be able to achieve local superiority in relevant theaters. We estimate that due to our industrial advantage and our higher manpower, we shall be able to have superiority throughout the conflict. But..."
"Yes?" "But we estimate it will cost us at least six to eight million men to conquer the Balkans. We can take and replace these losses, but it is questionable if we should."
Hugenberg's brow shot up. "You do not question the willingness of Germans to die for their country, Field Marshal?" Von Mackensen took a few moments to compose himself and not ram his field-marshal baton down Hugenberg's throat. "No, but I question the sense of it. What is in the Balkan territories that justifies this expense?"
"Oil. And Glory." Hugenberg looked at the Field Marshal, who after muttering something just nodded and sat back down.
"Alright, Gentlemen. I have every confidence in our victory. Three cheers for the Kaiser. Hip Hip - "
"HURRAH."
"Hip Hip-"
"HURRAH".
"Hip Hip-"
"HURRAH".
As the officers filed out, Mackensen was talking to Scheer. "I do not understand Hugenberg. What does he want with the Balkans?" Scheer shook his head. "I do not know. As Sänger once put it - the trouble with the Balkans is that either you attack them and lose, or you win and then you got the Balkans." Mackensen nodded. "Bismarck was right. These lands are not worth the bones of a single grenadier."
Alliance territories
All over the vast Alliance lands, trains were departing, carrying soldiers either to Gibraltar, to the Northern coast or to the east, where the largest Land army in the History of the World was assembling.
And at the naval bases distributed all over the world, sleek grey shapes were slipping into the waters. The grey wolfes were assembling.
And on August 11th, 4 am, Johannes Sänger opened his eyes.