Outline of GW2
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Prelude
Europe
An arms race was underway for much of the 1930s as Prussian ambitions became more clear. But the different policies pursued shaped the long conflict that was to come.
The Holy Roman Empire was essentially a conservative polity, and its military was conservative as well. Yet there was also a tendency towards innovation, spurred in this case by the Central Powers' failure to achieve any of their major objectives in GW1. So a few key decisions were made in anticipation of another conflict:
- Formation of a proper Kriegsmarine. This was done under the auspices of the Scandinavian Realm's navy, essentially by specialized construction (the U-boats which had proven so successful) and by a few high-quality units crewed almost entirely by Germans. These were the mighty battleships Weimar, Brandenburg and Nürnberg. Dispute over their actual use was expected in the event of war, but no one in the Imperial High Command expected events to shape up as they did.
- Foundation of the Luftwaffe under Ernst von Gehringer. Airships were nothing new, but the Prussians decided to make some of the most advanced such in the world. Towards that end the development of superior bombsights and special torpedoes intended for launch from high altitudes were rigorously tested.
- Training in a tactic that would later be called "Blitzkrieg," or "Lightning War."
Important events included the Austrian Anschluss and the Helvetian Takeover as well as the assasination of the entire house of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, wherein the two duchies were united under the household of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and became known as Mecklenburg.
The Allied Powers (mostly the FK and their Commonwealth, allied with France and the Italies) approaching matters differently. The Federates, in keeping with their notion of being Top Nation saw GW1 as an unmitigated success and a prelude of any future conflict. Hence new construction of battleships, for example, saw upgrades in design but no fundamental change in philosophy. When the Second Great War began English, Scottish and Kemrese warships all to some degree sacrificed armor in favor of speed and manuverability. Even more importantly, they looked upon the Royal Navies as the perfectly complemented by the mighty French Army. To the Generals and Admirals of the British Isles, air power was nothing more than a kind of useful form of advance scouting.
France on the other hand had suffered far more in the previous conflict and didn't want to do so again. Ferocious debate proceeded over the proper use of GW1's most innovative land weapon--the armored tank--and in the end those who advocated concentrating these mobile weapons with infantry support carried the day. Proposals for a series of elaborate static fortresses were tabled in favor of mobile force capable of delivering powerful counterthrusts at the enemy. That may have saved France in the end.
Africa
During the interwar, resentment against Europeans, who lived richly in these port towns using Ethiopians as bad-paid labour, was growing in Ethiopia. Hence Ethiopians joined the German-Chinese side in the Second Great War and immediately retook all the European-controlled cities, as well as invaded Buganda, a Slavic-controlled state at the time, and supported Chinese invasion of Pakštija. Later the Ethiopians went northwards to Egypt, trying to get control of the canal, and westwards to Azande. While the Germans were taking an upper hand in Europe, and the Chinese - in Asia, it was good for the Ethiopians in Africa as the Europeans didn't manage to defend their colonies. However later their fortune changed and Ethiopia lost the war. It surrendered after first usages of nuclear bombs against the Chinese.
Asia
During the 1920's, China entered a major expansionistic phase, expanding northward into Siberia, eastward into Corea and Taiwan, westward into Tibet and southward into Mÿqan̊ Ðaij. Finally, in 1933, they went so far as to place a puppet Emperor on the throne of Japan. The Austronesian League pronounced harsh sanctions against China and prepared for war, forming the ANJAC military alliance.
Chinese expansism also focused northward, leading to Chinese intervention in the 1931 Russian Invasion of Turkestan and Chinese influence over Turketan thereafter. Chinese expansion was checked in the Sino-Russian War of 1934-1938. Germany mediated a cease-fire that left Russia in possession of part of the former SSRS (modern Chukotka), with China still in control of an "Imperial Soviet Republic of Northern Manchuria."
The Great Oriental War broke out in 1937 when China attacked Sednir, New Kemr di'll Ostr. In 1937, Australasian forces under the ANJAC banner unsuccessfully invaded Corea from its base in Naha, Lùquiù. In 1938, China invaded Lùquiù and Xrivizaja.
1939
Europe
1 September - German invasion of Veneda. First use of airship flotillas in advanced of armored Panzer units, the "Blitzkrieg."
September-October - The Thunderstorm War between Russia and Lithuania. Russians annexes the Lithuania (with the exception of its colonies in Africa and Antarctica (see Southern Lands, New Lithuania).
The "Phony War" (or "Sitzkrieg") while both sides gear up.
Establishment of the Castilian State by General Tascon.
Africa
November and December - Failed Russian invasion into Maasai, then a colony of Lithuania known as Naujojo Vilniaus apskritis.
Asia
China attacks Mazapahit and clashes with ANJAC forces.
1940
Europe
Invasion of France, initially very successful. Disaster at Dunkirk with hundreds of thousands of the BEF taken prisoner. Lord Halifax's government sues for terms of a cease-fire, but Foreign Secretary Sherrinford Bell stretches these out for as long as possible. Hessler begins by demanding the Royal Navies be scrapped, while Bell boldly insists on Imperial troops to conquer Kemr and the return of the Aquataine and Calais to England!
By 1940 the Allianz had conquered the Baltic League and most of northern France.
France and the Italies left on their own, but most members of the Commonwealth provide aid, stopping just short of actually siding with them in this conflict. The Duchy of Brittany is laid waste by invading German armies; Bretons once again distinguish themselves for valour in defense of France and in the Resistance movements.
Africa
February - After an unsuccesful campaign Russia signs peace treaty with the African colony of Lithuania (Maasai), according to this treaty the former colony became an independent state of Pakštija. This officially ends the Thunderstorm War.
Ethiopian forces invades and overtakes port cities on its' coastline from the colonial powers, almost without resistance as many of the colonial powers removed their troops to Europe prior to these events:
October - Ethiopia overtook Socotra under pretext that Batavia is occupied by Germany. (But Socotra was an FK territory...)
November 10th - ultimatums to return the port cities and the surrounding areas to Ethiopia were presented by Ethiopia to the Republic of Lombardy, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, France and the Federated Kingdoms. In November 12nd-13rd these cities were occpied.
December - Ethiopia gets back the ports from Castille and Leon, Aragon and Portugal as well in return for payment. Ethiopia invades the French colonies.
Asia
Chinese forces pushed out of Mazapahit. ANJAC forces attack China in Xrivizaja.
1941
Europe
Conquest of the Balkans completed. Deep inroads to departments of Northern France, so the French government relocates for its own safety.
War Parties (or more accurately, War Wings of all parties) begin an unofficial Opposition Coalition which includes members of the current government (especially Sherrinford Bell) in the FK, allied with King Edward VI. The new Liberal leader in Castreleon Calweir Brecryg lends his full support to them.
The invasion of the Denubian Confederation by the Allianz.
Africa
When the Danubian Confederation is occupied by Germany, Ethiopia starts expanding into the Dalmatian colonies with little resistance. (Status of this in dispute)
Asia
Chinese forces pushed into Siam and Burma.
1942
Europe
Tensions continue to rise between Russia and HRE.
Constitutional crisis in the FK as First Lord of the Admiralty orders the battleships Hessler wants scrapped to operations in the North Atlantic. Several members of the cabinet "cross the aisle" including Sherrinford Bell, who becomes de-facto leader of the Opposition.
Calweir Brecryg becomes the Kemrese Toisag.
Africa
Major Ethiopian campaign in the Dalmatian colonies stops.
August 29th - Pakštuva is captured by the Chinese who, with Ethiopian support, launched an attack from Chinese East Africa in support of a local uprising. Buganda is overtaken by Ethiopia in a similar fashion. Both events together are usually called the Borderland War.
In the Secret Treaty of Mogadishu, China and Ethiopia partitions Africa into spheres of influence.
Asia
Start of the Japanese Civil War; formation of the Republic of Ezo.
Stalemate in Siam and Burma.
China occupies a series of islands in Micronesia and the Marianas in an effort to surround the ANJAC positions in Filipinas.
1943
Europe
Outright hostilities begin between Russia and HRE. Meanwhile, the Halifax government resigns and Sherrinford Bell replaces him. Debate regarding terms of the cease fire escalates. Hessler gives orders for unrestricted submarine and airship warfare on shipping headed for the Allied Powers, including the FK. He authorizes "Operation Brünhild", the rushed attempt to land an invading force from France to Britain. The Armorican Navy bleeds itself white forestalling this--the so-called Battle for the Channel.
In the east, "Operation Rheingold" begins, the invasion of Russia. It proves just a little too ambitious and bogs down. Meanwhile, the cease fire with the FK officially ends.
The Atlantic Air War begins in earnest.
Africa
Ethiopians invades and captures the Federated Kingdoms port of Aden (which is in the Middle East, but for clarity explained in this section). A small force of Henua volunteers aids the Ethiopians, although Henua officially is on the Allied side.
June - Ethiopian armies reaches the Atlantic Ocean at Gabon.
The feudalisation of Ethiopia starts.
August 3rd - In the Red Sea Battle, Federated Kingdoms destroyed a large part of Ethiopian navy.
August 4th - Ethiopia invades Egypt in a surprise attack.
Asia
In 1943, however, the tide turned when Russia invaded China. At first they were successful, aided by Japan who entered the war on the Allianz's side against China. President Chiang Kai-shek of China, however entered the war on the Allies' side and slowly drove back the Russians. Unwilling to give up their gains, the Russians diverted troops from the Baltic and took them to Manchuria. (This is from a Conculture posting)
China uses biological weapons in the Southeast Asian theatre.
China attempts to surround the Australian continent. Troops land at New Guinea, while another force heads toward Fiji.
1944
Europe
Over the Atlantic, the air cruiser Ludendorff engages TMS Thomas Jefferson the first capital air carrier built by the NAL. The Imperial airship is destroyed.
General (later Field Marshal) Rommel given command of Eastern Korps, to finalize conquest of Russia while renewed offensives in the western front begin. He is brilliantly successful, forcing the evacuation of Moscow. But the White Council does not surrender.
Civil war breaks out in Danubian Confederation.
Africa
January - El Minya is reached by the Ethiopian armies in Egypt.
Kasai Civil War is won by pro-Ethiopianists.
March - El Minya incident when the Ethiopian forces kills praying muslims in Egypt increases the discontent among the Ethiopia's muslims (which was already quite high due to the FK propaganda). The Somali Revolt starts. It causes to retreat large ammounts of troops from Egypt.
April - Al Mukalla takes Aden from Ethiopia. This is recognised by Ethiopia later that year.
April 15th - Socotra declares independence from Ethiopia.
June - an agreement between the Ethiopian government and the Somali Caliph for more autonomy of Somalia is signed (Treaty of Addis Abeba).
Native States are militarily unified as a single country (Confederation of the Native States of Africa) with Ethiopian support.
December 15th - Republic of Egypt is formed in the Ethiopian-occupied parts of Egypt.
Asia
Continued stalemate in Southeast Asia. Most Fijian territorial islands controlled by China.
1945
Europe
Western offensives by the Allied Powers bog down against German fixed defenses.
General Zhukov takes command of the White Army and begins operations to retake eastern Russia.
Holy Roman Empire invades Rygen. The Scandinavian Realm enters the war on the side of the Allied Powers.
Africa
(Most of this is in dispute)
February - Free State of Kongo, another pro-Ethiopian state, is established in the place of the Dalmatian (Danubian) Kongo.
Ethiopia expanded some more westwards into Mali on the pretext of civil war there.
May - African Alliance, an Ethiopian ruled organisation of free African powers, is established.
Ethiopia captured Meregh, a port of the Scandinavian Realm, the last still not Ethiopian port on the Somali coast.
Ashanti invades and captures Gadangmeland from the Scandinavian Realm. The Gadangmeland massacre happens.
September - Ashanti invades the Portuguese colony of Came Rao, Ethiopia supports the invasion, Portuguese-Ethiopian war starts.
October 30rd - Ethiopian-Chinese conflict as the Chinese unilaterially annex Katanga.
Sultanate of Mali, an Ethiopian puppet state, is established in the Western Africa.
Came Rao is partitioned between Ashanti and Ethiopia.
Asia
Japanese rebels capture Tòquiò, Emperor flees to Quiòto.
1946
Europe
Russia makes a separate peace with the Allied Powers. The Eastern Korps fades from lack of supplies.
Allied attempts to retake the Balkans turn into a bloodbath.
The battleship Weimar is sunk in the Mediterranean, not too far from where the Gwenedd's Pride will go down thirty years later.
Africa
Major airship bombing raids against Ethiopia starts.
March - Allies invades Ethiopia through Egypt.
The Scandinavian plan for a quick offensive against Ashanti fails, but Ashanti is unable to use the situation and launch an effective counter-offensive against Pepper Coast. The frontline barely moves.
April 15th - Republic of Egypt falls.
Ethiopian government leaves Addis Abeba for Marsabit in the south.
Povetry and diseases strike the bombed Ethiopian cities. Northern Ethiopia-proper is conquered.
With the weakening of Ethiopia, Ashanti unilaterially annexes the disputed territory of Northern Gold Coast, that was formerly controlled by Ethiopia, but claimed by Ashanti (in dispute)
Asia
A joint FK/Australasian weapons program established in mainland Australia, with the aid of captured German scientists.
Atom bomb dropped on Xi'an. China does not surrender, however.
1947
Europe
White army launches "Operaton Potemkin," a massive counter-offensive of over a million troops.
On western front, fighting in the Balkans bogs down but is followed by renewed offensives in France.
Communists led by Josip Broz win Danubian Civil War, Confederation of Soviet Danubian States proclaimed.
Africa
March 15th - Addis Abeba falls to the allied troops.
Ethiopia surrenders.
Allied offensive on Ashanti breaches through the defenses. Large chunks of lands in the western Ashanti are captured.
In the Conference of El Minya the Allied powers sign peace treaties with the Native States, Kasai and Buganda.
Somalia declares independence but this is not recognised. Somalia is defeated and forced to accept unconditional surrender in the Somalian War.
Asia
Unrest in China: Tibet and Nanchang declare independence.
Continued stalemate in mainland Asia.
ANJAC forces land at Samoa, beginning the Chinese retreat from the Pacific.
1948
Europe
Russians invade HRE territory. FK and Scandinavian troops land in Northern France in June.
Hessler order Lodz destroyed with an atomic weapon as part of a counteroffensive in October. It works temporarily. But there are no other atomic weapons in the Imperial arsenal, and the facility for making more is destroyed in a Russian Air Raid.
In November, the Allied Leaders meet at Visby.
Africa
February - Azikiwe city, the capital of the Ashanti, falls to the Allies
May - Ashanti is completely occupied.
Asia
Fiji, Tokelau, and New Guinea liberated by ANJAC forces.
1949
Europe
Adolf Hessler deposed.
War officially ends in May.
Africa
???
Asia
Atomic bombs dropped on Beijing, ending Great Oriental War. Chinese-occupied territories reverted to status quo antebellum. China broken up. Formation of the Chinese League, by the Chinese states excluding Tibet, Uyguristan, and Mongolia.
