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Springtime of Nations II: A European Republic Quest

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So how humiliated the Russian empire be if we beat them hard because some how I believe Japan's and China could use this to break away from them since they look like they are starting their own alliance
 
Whenyouseeyou said:
So how humiliated the Russian empire be if we beat them hard because some how I believe Japan's and China could use this to break away from them since they look like they are starting their own alliance
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FYI neither China nor Japan are aligned with or sympathetic to Russia.
 
The December 1898-February 1899 update is now posted on Patreon for all $5 patrons and above. It will remain there for up to 24 hours and then I'll post it in the thread. Thank you to everyone, patron or otherwise, for your continued support and participation.
 
I guess it was inevitable, if a bit of a pity, that the war means we can't have a 50 years of German Republicanism celebration. We can package it in with the victory celebrations I guess.
 
I assume we still celebrated a golden anniversary of the First German Revolution, but much more staid & toned-down than it would otherwise have been in peacetime.
 
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Fashion: Leute-wear
  • Apocrypha
    • Getting a bit fashion history-brained again, even tho I'm far from fashionable

    Keeping in mind the more formal morning coat was more frequently used for business by the urban aristos & bougies of Americas & Europe up until WW1, and then replaced with the more casual - but still more formal than suit - now-extinct stroller suit (called the Streseman in IRL interwar Germany)...

    We're approaching the era when Sun Yat-Sen adapted Japanese college uniforms for the RoC's longue suit equivalent - the Zhongshan suit aka the Mao suit with a shirt collar and 4 pockets with more "showy" design than longue/business suits.

    There's also the similar Stalinka with 2 similarly "showy" chest pockets and a shirt collar, which was itself based on the "French" - a Tsarist Russian military jacket

    We could be seeing ourselves switch to something like those three, since I assume in the decade+ after the 2nd Revolution & the Great Eastern War people have freely did the blazer/sport coat + slacks combinations from the (currently) "sporty" longue suits.

    (Callback to when the French diplomats & emperor dress in country clothing to casualize themselves during negotiations for the Schnabele crisis since our own side wore the then "sporty" suits)

    Maybe we'll wear a similar suit with shirt collars inspired by our military jackets due to how intertwined the civil and military side is since the First Republic. For inspiration, this Imperial German one in wool and a similar design in cotton drill (akin to cotton chino) for summer could be the basis for post-war office wear. Granted, we use subtler & more drab uniforms than IRL late 19th century/early 20th century uniforms which would likely lack the Imperial German uniform's red piping, brass buttons (wood, ceramic, & iron are potential cheaper but still hardy alternatives), & no epaulets (this "victory/mil-wear/Leute suit" is not intended to be worn by on-duty soldiers, after all).

    Perhaps the "going out" version of the mil-wear (Leute-wear? Pls don't laugh) would have the flap waist pockets + "boat" chest pocket configuration standard for the longue suit...or maybe - as @C_Z discussed with me elsewhere - veterans of the war would instead input elements like the amount of buttons, the design of the sleeve buttons, & the design of the waist pockets to the longue suit jacket or "odd" jacket (equivalent to IRL sport coats & blazers) ensemble for both office wear and "going out-wear".

    For cooler weather, @C_Z suggested that people could be quick to adopt sweaters & cardigans with IRL M1911 or similar practical design as an alternative to jackets in milder weather conditions or as a mid-layer under it. I could certainly see us eventually adopting it as socially acceptable for indoor office wear layering and relegating the "mil-wear" suit to outerwear and/or more sober affairs (funerals, legal tribunals, international diplomacy, by civilian officials during central government ceremonies, etc). But I project the mil-wear suit to be used for quite some time after the Great Eastern War due to being more iconic since such sweaters would likely only see use as mid-layers in really deep winter conditions, while our major gains were made outside winter AFAIK (e.g. Vienna & breaking thru the Alps).

    On the warmer weather side, we could eventually progress from a cotton drill or linen version of the mil-wear suit as standard office wear to just shirt and slacks after the popularity of the iconic original milsurp trends down. A driving factor that could inspire such a shift could be - through our Spaniard allies - Hispanosphere workwear that later became accepted IRL as alternative smart attires such as the guayabera/camisa de Yucatan/other names across Central & South America as well as barong tagalog from the Philippines.

    Edit: changing some sentence structures & fixing some writing
     
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    The Great Eastern War: December 1898-February 1899
  • Threadmarks
    • The Great Eastern War: December 1898-February 1899​

    Ultimately, the Alliance declines the offer by the independent Balkan states. Whether due to ideological concerns or simple strategy, the three republics commit to maintaining their war effort by themselves.

    Bulgaria and Romania undertake the mobilization process free from outside pressure; the process is slow and likely to take all winter, but they're far from the front lines, giving them the luxury of time. In particular, Romania's mobilization is notably lackluster due to its neglect of its armed forces and the utilization of its railways to supply the Austrian front.

    As the first snows fall, the armies of the Republican Alliance and the expanded Imperial League brace for another bloody winter.

    Poland and the Baltic
    Having expended most of its offensive strength in the fall, the Russian Imperial Army refrains from any major operations over the winter, save for the constant low-grade pressure that's generated by repeated small attacks all along the German line. The casualty ratio remains in the Republic's favor throughout the season, but every push costs blood, bullets, and bandages.

    In order to unbalance the grinding status quo and follow up the autumn's defensive victory with a successful attack, General Vogel orders a winter offensive into East Prussia. By now, Konigsberg is heavily fortified, while its lagoon makes any approach from the Baltic questionable, but Vogel has field-ready troops and her opposite number doesn't, so she puts her trust in the Landwehr's militant spirit.

    The Allied Combined Fleet takes up position off the coast of Konigsberg; while the city itself is far outside their gunnery range, the coastal settlements aren't, and the threat of an attack like the one that captured Middelfart is enough to keep the fortifications manned and ready. The naval action itself is largely inconclusive on a tactical level, but it serves its strategic purpose, and that's enough.

    The Landwehr advances northeast from Elbing, punching through the first few anemic defensive lines before finally facing serious resistance several miles outside Konigsberg proper. Lacking the ammunition for the sort of shattering bombardment that usually precedes a Landwehr lightning attack, and not wishing to brave Konigsberg's defenses without one, Vogel orders the city besieged. The Landwehr forms a perimeter on the landward side, while the Combined Fleet blocks off resupply from the sea.

    While the general commanding Konigsberg's defenses orders several spirited attempts at breaking out, it quickly becomes apparent to everyone involved that St. Petersburg has more or less given up on holding Prussia, and most of Russia's forces have withdrawn to Lithuania or Belorussia. The Russian general holds the line through January and part of February, then negotiates an honorable surrender before actual starvation sets in. Prussia, at long last, has fallen.

    Croatia and the Adriatic
    In the south, General Speyer is tasked with taking Zagreb as the first stage of breaking down the Franz Joseph Line. The historic capital of Croatia is shielded by a pair of mountains that are characteristic of the rugged Balkan terrain, and so he assumes joint command alongside General Cavallotti of the Red Legions, whose Alpine mountaineers are trained for surmounting just such an obstacle.

    While the Landwehr attacks the three fortified mountain passes with its typical bombast, laying on a bombardment for several days to telegraph that the usual frontal attack is en route, mountain-trained elements of IV and VII Legion move across Medvednica as the fourth prong of the offensive. They arrive on the southern slopes of the mountain several days later, punching through the depleted mountain-side garrison in the process.

    Faced with Alliance troops in the midst of his city, the Austrian general panics. He first orders troops off the fortifications to contain the mountaineers, then reverses himself, creating absolute confusion in the process. By the time the defenders have unsnarled themselves, the mountaineers have gone to ground on the mountain and Landwehr troops are pushing through two of the passes.

    Zagreb does not surrender easily, however, and what follows is a prolonged street-by-street battle as Croatian troops stubbornly resist the Allied advance. At several points, Allied artillery support is called in to dislodge a particularly dug-in enemy force, while roads are torn up and buildings demolished to block the attackers' movements.

    By the middle of February, however, even the most determined defenders have fled the city, allowing the Allied armies to take possession of a half-ruined Zagreb and count their dead.
     
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    Situation Report: February 1899
  • Informational
    • Situation Report: February 1899
    ​

    All numbers are abstract, relative, and not precise, and exist solely as an illustration of comparative troop strength rather than as an exact indication of how many soldiers are in which place. The numbers should not be judged on the basis of realism. I tend to round to the nearest 10,000 when possible.

    Armies with asterisks are those made up of fresh conscripts, and may operate at reduced efficacy compared to their reservist counterparts.

    "Reserves" indicate the amount of reserve manpower that's readily available to a given state. More troops may be mobilized beyond that number, but it'll be costly politically and/or economically.

    Ships listed as "under repair" will be back in service by the beginning of the next three-month period.

    Also, the map is very rough; please do not point out issues unless something is dramatically, wildly incorrect.

    Front Status
    France
    Germany (400,000/400,000)
    X Army (400,000/400,000)

    Poland
    Germany (6,000,000/6,000,000)
    I Army (400,000/400,000)
    III Army (400,000/400,000)
    IV Army (400,000/400,000)
    V Army (400,000/400,000)
    VII Army (400,000/400,000)
    VIII Army (400,000/400,000)
    XI Army (400,000/400,000)
    XII Army (400,000/400,000)
    XIII Army (400,000/400,000)
    XIV Army (400,000/400,000)
    XV Army (400,000/400,000)
    XVI Army (400,000/400,000)
    XVII Army (400,000/400,000)
    XVIII Army (400,000/400,000)
    XIX Army (400,000/400,000)

    Russia (8,000,000/8,000,000)
    I Army (400,000/400,000)
    III Army (400,000/400,000)
    VI Army (400,000/400,000)
    X Army (400,000/400,000)
    XI Army (400,000/400,000)
    XII Army (400,000/400,000)
    XIV Army (400,000/400,000)
    XV Army (400,000/400,000)
    XVI Army (400,000/400,000)
    XVII Army (400,000/400,000)
    XX Army (400,000/400,000)
    XXI Army (400,000/400,000)
    XXIII Army (400,000/400,000)
    XXIV Army (400,000/400,000)
    XXVI Army (400,000/400,000)
    XXIX Army (400,000/400,000)
    XXX Army (400,000/400,000)
    XXXI Army (400,000/400,000)
    XXXII Army (400,000/400,000)
    XXXIII Army (400,000/400,000)

    Hungary-Croatia
    Allied Forces (6,400,000/6,400,000)
    Germany (3,600,000/3,600,000)
    II Army (400,000/400,000)
    VI Army (400,000/400,000)
    IX Army (400,000/400,000)
    XX Army (400,000/400,000)
    XXI Army (400,000/400,000)
    XXII Army (400,000/400,000)
    XXIII Army (400,000/400,000)
    XXIV Army (400,000/400,000)
    XV Army (400,000/400,000)

    Italy (2,400,000/2,400,000)
    I Legion (400,000/400,000)
    III Legion (400,000/400,000)
    IV Legion (400,000/400,000)
    V Legion (400,000/400,000)
    VII Legion (400,000/400,000)
    VIII Legion (400,000/400,000)

    Spain (800,000/800,000)
    II Army (400,000/400,000)
    V Army (400,000/400,000)

    League Forces (6,400,000/6,400,000)
    Austria (3,600,000/3,600,000)
    I Army (400,000/400,000)
    II Army (400,000/400,000)
    III Army (400,000/400,000)
    IV Army (400,000/400,000)
    VII Army (400,000/400,000)
    X Army (400,000/400,000)
    XI Army (400,000/400,000)
    XII Army* (400,000/400,000)
    XIV Army* (400,000/400,000)
    XV Army* (400,000/400,000)

    Russia (1,600,000/1,600,000)
    V Army (400,000/400,000)
    XIX Army (400,000/400,000)
    VII Army (400,000/400,000)
    XIX Army (400,000/400,000)

    Bulgaria (800,000/800,000)
    II Army (400,000/400,000)
    III Army (400,000/400,000)

    Romania (400,000/400,000)
    I Army (400,000/400,000)

    Baltic Sea
    Germany
    9 Armored Cruisers
    2 Second-Class Cruisers
    3 Coastal Battleships
    2 Corvettes
    29 Gunboats and Torpedo Boats
    9 River Monitors

    Italy
    4 Armored Cruisers

    Spain
    3 Armored Cruisers
    3 Second-Class Cruisers

    Russia
    2 Battleships
    5 Armored Cruisers
    2 Second-Class Cruisers
    8 Coastal Battleships
    3 Corvettes
    19 Gunboats and Torpedo Boats

    Scandinavia
    1 Second-Class Cruisers
    3 Third-Class Cruisers
    11 Coastal Battleships
    4 Corvettes
    29 Gunboats and Torpedo Boats

    Mediterranean Sea
    Italy
    2 Battleships
    3 Armored Cruisers
    6 Second-Class Cruisers
    11 Third-Class Cruisers
    7 Coastal Battleships
    25 Gunboats and Torpedo Boats

    Spain
    4 Armored Cruisers
    4 Second-Class Cruisers
    6 Third-Class Cruisers
    3 Coastal Battleships
    72 Gunboats and Torpedo Boats

    Austria
    3 Second-Class Cruisers
    3 Third-Class Cruisers
    5 Coastal Battleships
    16 Gunboats and Torpedo Boats
    3 River Monitors

    Russia
    1 Armored Cruisers
    8 Coastal Battleships
    2 Corvettes
    17 Gunboats and Torpedo Boats

    Remaining Reserves
    Germany: 2,860,000
    Italy: 2,060,000
    Spain: 590,000

    Austria: -3,210,000
    Russia: 3,350,000
     
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  • Informational
    • How does Austria have negative reserves?
     
    I expect the Austrian front is a lot weaker than it looks on paper due to poorly trained reinforcements and lacking supply chains. We could probably just hit them even where they're concentrated.

    On the other hand I also want to keep pushing Russia because I don't think the current borders we are occupying are good enough.

    But, and I think this is important, next turn is spring and you really don't want to do anything in Russia during the rasputitsa.

    So I think next turn we should hit Austria hard.
     
    I'm going to disagree. Summer's prime time for a big push into Russia, since the spring and fall are rasputitsa. We've also seen very clearly that we do not have enough shell production for two simultaneous offensives. If we want to hit Russia hard before this war is over, then we should stockpile our shells for this turn, then do two offensives into them in the summer.
     
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