January 30th, 1900
Franz Joseph I Emperor of Austria and Apostolic King of Hungary from 1848 died after a massive stroke. The late Emperor and King was 69. It is noteworthy that January 30th is the 11th anniversary of the suicide of Franz Joseph's son, Rudolf, Archduke of Austria and Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary. Besides his son Franz Joseph was also predecease by his wife Elisabeth Empress-Consort of Austria and Queen-Consort of Hungary and a two year old daughter, Archduchess Sophie.
These family deaths are only part of the troubled reign of the late Emperor and King. Franz Joseph came to the throne in 1848 following the abdication of his uncle Ferdinand I during the year of Revolutions in 1848 that swept Europe. The next four decades saw a steady decline in the fortunes of the Hapsburg Empire as various territories have been peeled away. First the Italian territories Lombardy in 1859 and Venetia in 1866 as part of the aftermath of the Austro-Prussian War. Besides loosing Venetia the Hapsburg Empire was also pushed out of Germany as the German Confederation was disbanded which Franz Joseph had been the president of. Over the next five years Prussia went on to form the German Empire. The chaos of defeat in 1866 allowed Hungary to push for radical change in the Hapsburg Empire and to avoid possible civil war the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 followed. This agreement split the Empire into Austrian and Hungarian halves. Each half with its own parliaments and administration but a single foreign policy and united under the rule of Franz Joseph.
1880 saw the final humiliation of the Hapsburg state as it declared war on the Ottoman Empire when the later attempted to assert historic rights in the Balkans. Over the next two years the Austro-Hungarian armies lost ground while Vienna and Budapest feuded over funding the war effort and other matters. Finally Romania entered the war to cease Transylvania. Followed by a Polish revolt in Galacia which caused Russia, fearing revolt in Congress Poland, to move. The Peace treaty that followed saw Austra-Hungary greatly reduced as Galacia, Transylvania and Croatia were lost to Russia, Romania and the Ottoman Empire.
Franz Joseph was only able to hold onto his throne with the intervention of German Troops. At the time many expected that Austria would be annexed to Germany following this latest humiliation to complete the finial unification of the German People. The German Chancellor Bismarck despite calls by Pan German Nationalists in Germany and within Austria itself refused and instead propped up what many now called the 'cripple of central Europe.'
In the roughly two decades that followed Franz Joseph has attempted to bring stability to Austria Hungary but with decidedly mixed results as the Emperor was a noted reactionary and has kept reforms to an absolute minimum. Despite the loss various territories the Dual Monarchy is a polyglot state with various minorities crying out for increased autonomy.
The New Emperor and King of Austria Hungary Franz Ferdinand, nephew of the late Franz Joseph. For many years Franz Ferdinand has openly called for reforms of the Dual Monarchy. Hungarian Nationalists have been worried over some of the 'reform' ideas circulating linked to Franz Ferdinand that would see a decrease in Hungarian authority and power within the empire. The Hungarians have been smarting since the Eastern Crises War of 1880-82 that saw several provinces of the Crown Saint Stephen lost; most notable Transylvania and Croatia.
With a new and reforming monarch could Austria Hungary be at last set to turn the page on a half century of defeats and dismembering?
Excerpts from speech of the new monarch of Austria-Hungary, Franz Ferdinand
February 1900
"The past century has brought many changes to Europe but too often Austria Hungary has not changed, instead we have been caught like wheat between the grind stones...
...If there is still to be a Kingdom in twenty years then Austria Hungary must change to meet the challenges of a new century...
...Out first act is to call a joint assembly of the Austrian and Hungarian Parliaments to consider and implement necessary changes for the survival of the Monarchy...
...Austria Hungary is made up of not just Germans and Magyars but also Czech's, Slovaks, Croats...
...A new way of governing is needed...
...Austria Hungary to be reorganized around a Federal model with rights of minority's protected and new regional parliaments established..."
There has been shock in many quarters within Austria Hungary at Franz Ferdinand's speech. While Czech politicians in Bohemia and Moravia express cautious optimism Hungarian politicians have been cool to outright angry at the suggestion of the radical reorganization that Franz Ferdinand is suggesting.
OOC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_of_Greater_Austria
Diet of Hungary
"Bye order of his majesty this body is to assemble..."
The imperial order was cut off by a wave a boos and cat calls from many memners of the house. After several minutes the speaker was able to restore calm to the house.
"Point of order Mr. Speaker! Point of order!" A member of the house shouted for attention.
The speaker with some reluctance allowed the member to speak.
"As Franz Ferdinand has not yet been crownd..." the Member pronouced the Emperor and Kings name in the German style.
Another member of the house shouted, "And he never will either!" Which genereated a wave of applause and it took the Speaker several minutes to restore order.
"As Franz Ferdinand has not been crowed King of Hungary I question the legality of this order..." which again set off more shouts that echoed across the chamber.
Hofburg Palace
Vienna
"So they refused the summons..." Franz Ferdinand was sitting behind an ornate desk and a large frown was plastered on his face.
"Not at exactly your Majesty there is some concern over the legal forms..."
The new Emperor and King stood up and his voice was tense, "I haven't been crowned because they are dragging their feet on that too. Well enough is enough tell the Hungarian Premier he and the Hungarian Diet are to appear as ordered."
Then turning to the General standing off to the side of the gilded room, "Just in case I want you to start to draw up some plans...."
Wiener Zeitung
Vienna
Protests broke following the order of the Hungarian Diet to meet in Prague in a rare joint session of the Austrian and Hungarian Parliaments with the stated purpose of government reform. The protests in Hungary have turned violent with protesters attacking business owned by Germans, Slavs and Jews with the police standing by. In the second day of rioting it appears that organized groups have been formed attacking non Magyars. Besides property damage there are reports of injuries and some deaths in the largest cities of Hungary. Protesters have taken to burning placards of Franz Ferdinand and waving Hungarian nationalist symbols.
The Prime Minister of Hungary has called for calm but has refused to call out the military to restore order...
Népszava
Budapest
Two nights ago peaceful demonstrators that were protesting the tyrannical edict of Franz Ferdinand who is attempting to strip the Magyars of their rightful place within the monarchy were attacked by subversive elements. Fighting broke out and self-defense groups have been formed to defend against the subversive elements that wish to break apart the Kingdom of Hungary and undo the gains made since 1848...
Hofburg Palace
Vienna
A frown marred the brow of Franz Ferdinand, "How many have show up in Prague?"
"A little over a third and they tabled the Hungarian Diet out of session without addressing a number of key items including approving the budget."
The Hapsburg ruler sighed as while disappointed he wasn't surprised by this news. He asked another question already suspecting the answer for that one, "The violence?"
"Its reduced but its still going on with the Hungarian police doing little to stop it."
A fist slammed down onto the table and Franz Ferdinand had his nostrils flare like a bull, "Enough is enough. I want the Honvéd to go into the cities and restore order and for I want arrest warrants for every member of the Hungarian Diet that hasn't appeared. Draw up the papers for me to sign."
The ministers looked concerned, "Is this wise?"
A general interjected, "How do we know that the Honvéd will obey?"
Franz Ferdinand, "We can't let this go on and sending in the Common Army, even Magyar regiments would just enrage these hot heads even more. No lets see if the Hungarian Army can restore order and is loyal."
The General asked, "And if its not loyal?"
"Then we see how good your plans are General..."
***
"By order of his Apostolic Majesty, Franz Ferdinand, King of Hungary the Royal Hungarian Landwehr is ordered to mobilize..."
OOC: This has taken too long so spending events up.
IC:
April, 1900
Budapest
Large crowds in the center of the city.
"Down with the German Tyrant Ferdinand!"
"Hungary! Hungary! Hungary!"
"Death to the Jews!"
"Death to the Germans!"
The mobs started to sweep through the city smashing windows of many business. The Jewish quarter was very hard hit but also the German quarter. When the mobs came to barricades manned by the Honvéd the rifle men looked on nervously but slowly the mobs turned down side streets and resumed burning and looting. The Hungarian troops stayed put and did nothing.
Hofburg Palace
Vienna
"How many are dead?" A dejected Franz Ferdinand asked.
The General raised his hands helplessly, "At least several hundred, we don't rightly know. It's clear that the Honvéd just isn't controlling the rioters at all."
"Its spreading out into the countryside too at this point. It's no longer the cities. " The Austrian Premier said.
Franz Ferdinand said nothing for a minute then he took a deep breath, "We have no choice, the Hungarians had their chance. I want units from the Common Army mobilized and the Austrian Landwehr placed on alert. If the Hungarians won't restore order then we will do it for them. "
The others in the room looked at each other but no one wanted to say what they were all thinking. What would the Hungarians do when Imperial troops were used in Hungary.
Two Weeks Later
A training carrying the Infanterieregiment Freiherr von Giesl Nr.16 from Vienna into Hungary started down a slope into the Danube valley.
In the woods nearby, "This will teach the German scum..."
KABOOM!
Several pounds of dynamite go off as the detonator is activated and the engine of the train jack knifes off the rails Other cars quickly follow. What is left is twisted mass of metal, wood and smashed flesh.
Hofburg Palace
Vienna
"Have we made any progress?" The Hapsburg Monarch looked to have aged ten years in the last few months.
"Very little sire."
The General snorted, "Less than little, its clear that the Honvéd is in active revolt and there are reports of desertions from Hungarian Regiments in the Common Army. Half measures are simply not going to work."
"What do you recommend General?" Asked the Austrian Premier.
"General Mobilization of the Common Army and the Austrian Landwehr, we move in with force and end this. Once and for all."
The politician was horrified, "You know what you are saying? Its going to set off a CIVIL WAR!"
Franz Ferdinand looked shook his head, "The civil war is already upon us. All that is left is to end it as quickly as possible. Mr. Prime Minister I want a bill out of the parliament at Prague to authorize extraordinary measures for Hungary, I am declaring martial law all throughout Hungary; habeas corpus is suspended. The Hungarian Parliament is dissolved and so are the Hungarian Courts. "
"Get the German and Italian Ambassadors in here."
Wein, Austria :
Ambassador Raffaele Cappelli, of the Kingdom of Italy, wondered how this strange turn events had come to pass.
King Umberto had heeded Bismarck's call to alliance, and so forged this Triple Alliance with the old foe of Austria-Hungary, but that was against the Ottomans, and if need be the French. To be asked to send troops to put down the Hungarian uprising, well he really hadn't known what to tell the Emperor. The Hungarians were petty tyrants and ill liked, but rather distant from Italy, and the Alliance did not cover this. In fact, he was rather curious to see Rome's response, but unsure how to politely break the bad news to the Emperor.
Rome, Italy
As the carriage carried him through the night Prime Minister Giovanni Giolotti fidgeted as the Foreign Undersecretary,
Tommaso Tittoni briefed him on the events in AustroHungary. Minister Giolotti's head swam with the potential reasons the King would summon him at this time.
At the palace, they were met by the King's aide-de-campe, a Capitan Calviglia, who ushered them to the King's Library
On their entrance to the library, the tableau that greeted them was of a large map strewn table around which several men earnestly discussed matters.
As the Captain announced them, the men turned in greeting. Giovanni surveyed the assemblage, Treasury minister Luzzati, War Minister General Magnani, Chief of Staff Lt. General Saletta, and Admiral Marquess D'Aste-Stella, and of course the spry little King.
King : "I have Wonderful news Mr. Giolotti, we're going to war!" the little King announced.
PM : "Sire? Begging your pardon, but with whom, not the Austrians? I know they are having difficulties, but with all due respect that ruin our reputation"
King :"No, no Mr. Giolotti, with the Hungarian rebels. We are to aid the Austrians. It may not be covered by the treaty, but they have asked for both Germany and ourselves to come to their aid, much as the Germans did last time this happened, but this time we are equally awarded the honor."
PM : "Aid the Austrians? Sire, I feel I must draw your attention to the unpopularity of the Alliance, further returning independence fighters to their shackles will go poorly in the land of Garibaldi".
King : "Oh, quite so, and this is why this is a perfect. The Hungarians are revolting because the Emperor wishes to bring more independence to those they oppress, so by sending support we are aiding the oppressed slavs under the Hungarian thumb. Granted, we care little about the slavs, but it's a wonderful opportunity to burnish Italian honor and blood our troops and test General Magnani's reforms.
PM : "Yes Sire, I see, may I sit and have a glass"
King : "Of course, sit, drink, and we shall plan.
Minister Luzzati (who looks queasy) informs me we can pay for this expedition by deferring expenditures on naval construction, while Admiral D'Aste-Stella (who looks pained) has agreed to this and promised to support operations with a squadron. This will of course be primarily a task for the Royal Army, and we shall be entrusting Lt. General Perrucchetti with the expeditionary corps.
For Phase I, we shall send the Celere Divisione (Cav) and the Bergsaglieri Divisione by train through the border to Marburg an der Drau (Maribor). II Fantera division will join the Expeditionary Corps as rail transport is available. At Marburg the Corps will reassemble and coordinate with German and Austrian forces, but most likely operate to secure Nagy kaniza*, seizing it's rail hub. I expect our cavalry will be most effective on the Hungarian plains. That will not be all of course, follow on forces will consist of the Navy delivering La Marina Divisione Regiments to Trieste where they will move inland, relieving Austrian forces of garrison duties. III Riservare will be activated and can replace the II Fantera's positions in Veneto."
PM : "I see, well if the die is cast, how can I be of service?"
King : "Well, it would be courteous to explain this to the Chamber of Deputies and the public. We will need fliers explaining the perfidious nature of the Hungarians, and the chance of glory this brings"
PM : "Ah..."
*Historically connected by rail to Rijeka, here that is held by the Ottomans, so connecting to Marburg an der Drau and thus Trieste would be logical and so make a logical strategic front for the Italians.
Wein, Austria
Ambassador Raffaele Cappelli, reread the message again. It would appear the Emperor would be pleased, well time to make an appointment. As he left the chamber, it occurred to him that it would be best to make a second appointment for the next day, to continue discussions on the coal tariffs the Austrians were leveling on their exports.
Hofburg Palace
Vienna
"What do you mean the parliament in Prague won't approve the declaration!" Franz Ferdinand shot up from behind his desk and then pounded his fists. The fine china tea cup bounced on its saucer.
"Majesty a block of the Czech Nationalists and all of the Hungarians at the Parliament are using various maneuvers to drag out debate and prevent a vote. The leader of the Czech's ha said they will drop resistance as soon as we agree to certain proposals regarding the future of Bohemia and Moravia."
The Austrian General snorted, "So its blackmail, never trust a Slav... " Then with an almost Gallic shrug the General turned to the Emperor, "We need the approval before we can move into Hungary in force. It had better be quick as the Germans already have troop trains headed for the border and the Italian will be following soon."
The Emperor nodded, "Find out what they want, we need to lance this festering boil in Hungary before it gets any worse."
Leonding, Austria (a small town not far from the border with Bohemia)
An eleven year old boy with strait black hair and piercing eyes yells at a man walking down the street, "Traitor! Dirty Czech! You are league with the Hungarians and Jews (OOC common troupe is to blame the Jews for anything including bad weather by some)!"
The man ignores the boy which just enrages the boy who just had another fight with his father over schooling. The boy picks up a stone and throws it at the man, then another and another stone fly. A few other children nearby join in.
The man enraged tries to defend himself from hail of stones. At this point people take notice of a man fighting with several boys with the boys calling the man a Czech and traitor. Soon other adults join in the fight...
A number of nationalist news papers run stories about a Czech attacking children in Austria. Other incidents break out nearby Bohemia between Czechs and Germans over the delayed Martial Law bill, the stalled debate had dominated news stories for days, and over the incident in Leonding.
Declaration of Independence of the Kingdom of Hungary!
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Flag_of_Hungary_%281920%E2%80%931946%29.svg/1024px-Flag_of_Hungary_%281920%E2%80%931946%29.svg.png)
The Hungarian Parliament declares that the Dual Monarchy of Austria Hungary is dissolved and from this moment, Hungary is an independent nation. As Archduke Franz Ferdinand has never been crowned King of Hungary, he also has refused the just demands of the Hungarian people and has now resorted to attempting to make himself dictator, the Hungarian Parliament declares the throne of the Kingdom of Hungary vacant. The Hungarian people offer the crown to Archduke Joseph August, eldest son of the Archduke Joseph, Palatine of Hungary, who will be crowned at once.
Austrian troops are to leave the territory of Hungary at once and general mobilization of Honvéd is declared. Hungarian Regiments of the former Common Army are ordered to obey the lawful orders of the Hungarian Kingdom.
Can we get a date on this?
Dammit, Adolf. What is it with you and Czechs?
Quote from: The Rock Doctor on September 04, 2014, 05:07:02 PM
Dammit, Adolf. What is it with you and Czechs?
He was born there and clashes between the two groups had a good deal of history. I was wondering if I left enough clues to I D the future paper hanger and dictator.
Quote from: snip on September 04, 2014, 04:54:32 PM
Can we get a date on this?
Lets go with May
Berlin, Germany
May 17th 1900
"Chancellor has my army wiped out the Hungarians in rebellion to their rightful sovereign?"
Kaiser Wilhelm was all too often prone to bombast, especially when the German Military was the topic.
"The Bavarian Corps is passing through Austria on its way to..."
Wilhelm waved his one good hand, "Yes, yes but what of the Prussian Troops? What of my most excellent Guard Corps?"
"They are stuck on Bohemia, problems with the railroads. We are going to reroute them to Austrian Silesia and march overland."
The German Emperor frowned, "What sort of problems..."
Hofburg Palace
Vienna
May 17th 1900
"General What in the hell is going on in Bohemia and Moravia?'
The Hapsburg Chief of the General Staff, General Friedrich von Beck-Rzikowsky looked every inch his 70 years but his back was still straight and his eyes clear, "The Czech railroad workers are on strike and we can't move the Prussian Troops through."
Aid to the General, Major General Franz Conrad von Hötzendorf sneered, "The Czechs are showing their true colors! We should have the Prussians crush these rebels."
Franz Ferdinand looked sideways at the fire eating General, "No I don't think I am going to push this disturbance into full blown revolt. The real worry is the German Nationalists, the bill they put forward will do would just that. Its casting a net so wide it will sweep up anyone that speaks out, Hungarian rhetoric aside I have no wish to be a dictator. We need to talk the Czechs down and then the German Nationalists"
Conrad looked horrified, "Majesty you shouldn't cave into these Czech traitors..."
General Beck-Rzikowsky quieted his subordinate.
"I am going to Prague..."
Budapest
People were handing out fliers calling for the restoration of 'Greater Hungary.' Depending on which person you got a flier from showed different definitions of 'Greater Hungary.' One called for a restoration of the Kingdom of Matthias Corvinus in 1480.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/Hungary_1480.jpg
Others called for the Kingdom of Louis the Great at his death in 1387.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/Hungary_1370-1387.jpg
These various maps showed territory belonging to Russia, Romania, Germany, Austria and the Ottoman Empire in various combinations.
Combat Events
Last two weeks of May.
The Hungarian Army was able to get more troops into the field with Austria experiencing mobilization problems. Believing the best defense was a good offense the Hungarians went on the offensive.
In the Carinthia Region the Hungarians hoped to be able to sweep to the coast and trigger a revolt by the Slovenes. This would have the effect of breaking Austria's connection to the Sea and also giving Hungary a connection. At first the offensive made good progress made good progress in the east but once out of Styria the terrain turns rough and the Austrians were able to rush enough troops to form a defense line along the Sava Hills. In particular the elite Kaiserjäger with their specialist mountain warfare training were of decisive effect in stopping the Hungarians.
A the same time the Slovak Regions in the north were not responding with the enthusiasm that Budapest wanted. In reality the Slovaks were dragging their feet much the way the Czechs were in Bohemia. So several Hungarian Divisions, with a strong backing of newly raised militia flood the region. There is very little organized resistance by the Slovaks but that doesn't stop a great deal of prosperity damage being caused and many deaths unruly Hungarian troops. In several villages Slovak woman and late teens suffer at the hands of the Hungarian Militia. By the end of the month the Hungarians have rolled up to the border with Moravia.
In the mean time the German Guard Corps has arrived in South East Moravia and the Bavarians are east of Vienna. Italian troops have also started to cross into Carinthia heading East.
Notes:
A-H-CW Situation at start of mid May.
A-H-CW-1 Direction of Hungarian offensives
A-H-CW-1a Situation at end of May.
Assassination Attempt in Prague!
June 1st, 1900
While making an impassioned speech calling for utility in the face Hungarian Revolt a Czech Socialist Deputy fired a number of shots with a revolver at Franz Ferdinand. Struck twice, one of which was in the chest the Hapsburg Emperor collapsed. It is reported that once the delegates got over their shock over the shooting many German Nationalist deputies attack Czech Deputies and a near riot resulted that wasn't stopped till the Emperors Guards fired several rounds into the ceiling.
It is feared that the situation in Bohemia and Moravia will grow even worse in the wake of this latest incident.
OOC will wait a day or two to see if there is any player response.
Venice
HQ II Fantera Divisione
General Alberto Pollio regarded the message with a mixture of relief and exasperation.
The idea of having a reserve divisione replace his in line was not going to work. The mobilization times were simply too long, yet it had taken nearly a week for the staffers in Rome to figure that out. Now that they finally had, he was to hold his Divisione ready until regiments from V Fantera arrived to replace his brigades, a delay of several more days.
Milan
HQ Celere Cavalry Divisione
Prince Tommaso, Commander Italian Cavalry, watched as his troopers and their mounts were loaded on the waiting freight cars. The grandiose scheme was unfolding in way to cast the Quartermaster Corps in a decidedly unfavorable light. It had always been assumed the Cavalry would simply trek across the Po valley to whichever front they were needed. There was apparently little provision to dispatch them by rail to any destination in Italy, much less the Austrian Empire. Train schedules were being improvised, there seemed no provision for troop movements to locations lacking depots, and the quartermasters seemed to lack knowledge of how many troops or horses which type of rail car could carry.
Most infuriatingly, the individual proving to know the most was the Russian advisor Polkovnik Valeri Titov. The Russians at least had paid great attention to the details of mobilizing troops by rail across the fastness of the Russian Empire. Polkovnik Titovs assessment of the Italian reserve system had not been favorable, but his advice had served well, and was proving must useful in this case.
Taranto
HQ La Marina Divisione
Captain Leonida Matarelli strode the corridors of the Pasquale di Paoli making sure his men were bunked down properly. The loading had gone as expected, as practiced. The Regiment would be finished loading within the hour, and they were told the trip to Trieste would take a little over 2 days on this ship. The Austrians were supposed to have trains to take them to some place called Adalsburg, where they would relieve border troops, their presence ensuring the Ottomans understood the Alliance to be valid.
Goritz, Austrian Littorial
Customs post, Goritz [Goriza].
Lieutenant Giuseppe Matucci, Platoon Commander, 1034th Company, 103rd Regiment, 10th Grado Brigade was trying very hard to fight the butterflies in his stomach while looking stern and insightful as he inspected his men. The Bergsagliari tradition demanded fast movement, and he was pleased to see that had happened, everything was on schedule, but he had the gnawing worry something had been forgotten. It was the strangest thing to be inspecting his troops in conjunction with the Austrian Customs Officers at Goritz but they insisted on it, so here, in the middle of the night, they had roused his men to hold an inspection.
Soon, the train would be let to continue east, pausing in Laibach [Ljubljana] on it's journey to Marburg an der Drau [Maribor],where the Corpo di Spedizione Italiano was marshalling under the command of Lt. General Perrucchetti.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t163/Lithocarpus/Navalism/Carniola_zps7be6516e.jpg) (http://s160.photobucket.com/user/Lithocarpus/media/Navalism/Carniola_zps7be6516e.jpg.html)
3 June 1900
The Freighter Tijdperk Valk Departs from Roterdam with a Cargo of Humanitarian and Medical supplies, the Destination is listed as Split on all official manifests.
Quote from: Tanthalas on September 07, 2014, 11:35:33 PM
3 June 1900
The Freighter Tijdperk Valk Departs from Roterdam with a Cargo of Humanitarian and Medical supplies, the Destination is listed as Split on all official manifests.
Okey dokey, note that the AH/Ottoman boundaries are different, so the destination is in the Ottoman realms
Crap... uhm well DOPH... uh ok it can still be listed as Split, it dosn't have to be actualy going there (actualy it wasnt intended to anyway) :P
Quote from: Kaiser Kirk on September 08, 2014, 10:01:55 AM
Quote from: Tanthalas on September 07, 2014, 11:35:33 PM
3 June 1900
The Freighter Tijdperk Valk Departs from Roterdam with a Cargo of Humanitarian and Medical supplies, the Destination is listed as Split on all official manifests.
Okey dokey, note that the AH/Ottoman boundaries are different, so the destination is in the Ottoman realms
Early June
Carinthia Front
Lt. General Perrucchetti, commander of the Corpo di Spedizione Italiano, was a little concerned that not all of his troops had arrived but he still had had the majority of three divisions online now. The Austrian Commander was General der kavallerie Erzherzog Eugen and he was greatly worried about events in his home in Moravia. Communication was starting to become difficult but the Erzherzog had mission and that was to drive out the Hungarians. Under his command was a Division of the Tyrolean Kaiserjägers, a Brigade of mostly Slovenians that had been chewed up facing the first Hungarian attack and a second brigade of newly raised Landstrum that he didn't place much faith in. Especially as the Landstrum was equipped with a mix of rifles dating to 1880 war with Turkey. Further units were coming up as Italian Marines relieved Austrian troops in Carinthia , but the preponderance of troops were Italian As galling as it was Erzherzog Eugen had to defer to Perrucchetti. So the goal of the operation was Nagykanizsa, SW of Lake Balaton, as desired by the Italians.
The Hungarians had two Divisions in the region so they were not badly outnumbered but the Hungarian penetration was long and not very wide. As a result nearly half of the Hungarian strength was tied up covering their flanks to prevent an offensive out of Styria in Austria from just cutting off the entire force. This gave General Perrucchetti nearly 3 to 1 odds on the front lines, and the advantage in mobility as the Italian Cavalry had no Hungarian counterparts and room to maneuver on the Hungarian plain.
Lower Austrian Front
Feldmarschalleutnant Franz Conrad von Hötzendorf late assistant to the Hapsburg Chief staff had a grand vision of massive cauldron battle in western Hungary. At the same time Vienna wanted to seize Burgenland with its majority German population as soon as possible and there was a great deal of concerns over disturbances in Bohemia and Moravia. So some of his force was going to have to head north which meant that Hötzendorf to listen to the suggestions from the Commander of the 1st Bavarian Corps, General der Infantry Prince Arnulf of Bavaria. The prince suggested the offensive be in South East Direction and try to coordinate with the Italians and the objective of Lake Balaton.
Cooperating with Italians wasn't something that pleased Hötzendorf but getting to some place before the Italians so he could gloat about it did appeal. So Hötzendorf dispatched an infantry division to Bohemia while his Landstrum Brigades would cover the flanks of the advance by the Austro-Bavarian into the SW plans of Hungary.
Moravia Front
General der Infanterie Max von Bock und Polach found himself in a strange situation. With the attempted murder of Kaiser Franz Ferdinand was he in friendly territory or enemy territory? The problems with the movement of his corps pointed towards the later. Being sorely tempted to take hostages from local civilians von Bock decided to wait on events. What was even more worrisome is that the Austrian Commander of the nearby infantry division wasn't really coordinating his activities with him at all. Deciding that this was a mess of a situation von Bock d would conduct only limited offensives with the Prussian Guard Corps into Slovakia to try to pin the two Hungarian divisions facing him.
If Von Bock had known that one of the 'Hungarian' Divisions facing him was really a Slovak and its members were ready to revolt he might have decided to make a harder push.
Eastern Hungary Front
General Zhilinskiy was very tired and his staff even worse off, after a hectic past few weeks things were nearly ready for the next step. Stavka had ordered that his forces were cross into Hungary as soon as the 5th but no later than the 10th. To try to keep this as hidden as possible St. Petersburg wasn't even going to inform Budapest that they were coming till just before he was ready to move. Luckily the Hungarians appear to have stripped the area of everything but some militia and border guards that appeared to be more interested in terrorizing Slovak females. So entry wouldn't be a problem but if the Hungarians decided to fight Zhilinskiy logistics would break down quickly as the entire operation was jury rigged. His orders to get to Budapest but not too fast were the only part of his orders that Zhilinskiy liked.
Hungarian Plans
Budapest had hoped that the Austrians would just collapse and appearance of not only Italian but also German troops in the front lines in strength made the situation very difficult. Clearly the advance into Carinthia was over extended and open to being cut off all along the northern flank. The front line in Carinthia had to be shortened at the same time there were worrying signs that Russia might be getting ready to jump into the conflict as Russian troops were massing along the northern frontier. Many in the Hungarian Government were worried that this would be a repeat of the Russian intervention during the Revolution of 1848.
At the same time there were hopeful signs, with the attempted assignation of the Tyrant Franz Ferdinand the Czech's appeared ready for revolt perhaps all that would be need is spark to set Bohemia and Moravia aflame. Agents would be sent to the major Czech Cities and two of the three divisions in Slovakia would attempt an offensive. In the meantime troops would have to be sent to the central and southern fronts to shore up the lines there. Little could be spared to cover the frontier with Russia, all that could be done there would to move some of the newly raised militia brigades to cover the border.
Lt. General Perrucchetti continued to have trouble trying to coordinate to with General der Kavallerie Erzherzog Eugen and as a result the Austro-Italian offensive got off to a late start. The Hungarians were already well into in the process of pulling back when the preparation bombardment began. A liaison officer from the German Army noted a lack of aggressive patrolling and scouting by both the Italian and Austrian forces. At once Perrucchetti ordered a general pursuit to try to catch up to the Hungarians.
Things went better for the Austro-German forces in the center if for no other reason than General der Infantry Prince Arnulf of Bavaria treated the highly complex 'orders' from Feldmarschalleutnant Franz Conrad von Hötzendorf as suggestions and made his own plans. As a result the Lower Austria offensive kicked off on schedule. The Hungarian 3rd division had a frontage of 40 miles to cover and so didn't have much depth to speak of. The Bavarian 1st Corps hit the Hungarians at the junction of the 3rd Hungarian Division and the 2nd Hungarian Militia Brigade near a town the Hungarians called Németújvár but its German inhabitants called Güssing. Prince Arnulf concentrated an entire Division as a break through force with the Austrian Cavalry ready as an exploitation force. The Hungarian 3rd Division buckled under the assault while the Militia Brigade simply shattered. A ten mile hole was opened in the front and over 20,000 cavalry raced towards Hungary. There were a number of strange events as Austrian Lancers with their front and back clamshell breast plates gleaming in the sun ran down fleeing Hungarian militia mixed in with attempts to charge machinegun nests that ended VERY badly. Over all by the 3rd day of the offensive 10,000 Hungarians had been captured along with 10 guns.
Along the Moravia - Slovakia border the Germans and Hungarians opened up their offensives at almost the same time. Fifty thousand men attacked each other over the front on June 2nd. At once the Hungarian offensive stalled and General Von Bock surprised by the Hungarian offensive called off his own offensive. It was like a pair of pulls charging each other head on. Both were still standing at the end of the day but the Hungarian bull had been pushed back half a step. Von Bock began to look for ways to flank the Hungarians.
In Bohemia the Austrian Forces started to enter the region while Ethnic German communities setup their own militia called Freikorps. Ethnic Czech Regiments concentrated in the center near Prague. At the same time Czech Politian's reached out to Vienna to 'discuss' the situation. There were a number of incidents of fighting but it hadn't become general as of yet. General Von Bock in the end had decided to not take hostages but he had told the notables of the Landtag that he would if any incidents occur plus he bluntly informed them at a 3rd German Corps would be coming and the Czechs could either let it into Prague or Prague would be reduced to smoldering ruins.
By June 7th the two offensives in the south were making excellent progress but the 1st and 2nd Hungarian Divisions were also making good effort on trying to break contact. The Hungarians did this by just abandoning all of their heavy artillery and only holding on to their field guns and machine guns. The Italians captured over a dozen 15cm and 18cm heavy field guns.
At this point the Russians at least mad their move and informed the Hungarians that they were going to 'help' Hungary be free. It became clear that the Hungarians and Russians had different ideas as to what this would involve. The Russians disarmed the Hungarian Border Guards, with only two incidents of bloodshed and secured control of the Hungarian railroads. Mostly the Russians marched with their rifles slung and the Hungarian civilians looked on with numb shock. The Russians were moving towards Budapest with nearly 100,000 men.
On June 8th Von Beck found an opening and started a new attack into Slovakia. The Prussian guards made steady if costly progress as the Hungarians made good use of the ground and the Slovaks while not happy to fight for the Hungarians didn't want to let the Germans in either as all sorts of rumors were being spread that the Germans would shoot anyone caught under arms and level the village where the troops came from. These rumors were caused by the Germans doing just this on June 6th in Moravia when someone snipped at a German patrol in the back areas of Moravia, the Germans didn't know it was Hungarian infiltrators. So the Germans leveled one in ten homes in the closest village and took hostages from a dozen families. The hostages would be shot if any other incidents occurred, on June 10th the hostages were shot when another sniper incident occurred.
By June 10th the Austro German offensive had reached their objective, Lake Balaton, 45 miles into Hungary. The Austro-Italians had made credible progress but not as quickly. The Hungarians faced the possibility of having the two divisions caught off and so they started a movement south of Lake Balaton while the Austro-Germans tried to close the gap.
The Russians had secured Nyíregyháza, 40 miles in from the jump of point of Chop. With the possibility that half of the Hungarian army might be encircled. The Hungarian Government became desperate and offered to transport the Russians to Budapest. The Russian government agreed but was being cautious and detached a Brigade of Guards Infantry to be sent to Budapest while the rest of their troops continued a foot march into Hungary.
In the meantime a political solution had been worked out between Vienna and the Czech Leadership. The Czech Regiments would stand down and orders would be given for calm in Bohemia and Moravia. Austro-German Friekorps would stand down also and the landstrum would pull out. In a week the Czech Regiments would join the fighting at the front. Some very low level fighting continued over the next week but it died out by mid month.
At last Von Beck was able to establish some measure of cooperating with his Austrian counter parts and a joint offensive into Slovakia would be launched starting on the 11th.
In SW Hungary the offensive by the Austro-German-Italian forces would continue. The Hungarians by now were in poor shape haven been driven back up to 75 miles from their high water mark in Carinthia Front in just 10 days. The two Hungarian divisions were at this point in very poor shape and now outnumbered roughly three to one. Only the fact that the Italian and Austrian troops out of Carinthia were starting to have supply problems made the situation anything other than desperate.
The first of these new offensives to launch was Von Beck's Slovakian offensive and the new target was the Slovakian dominated division. Hit from two directions at once by Austrian and German troops it didn't quiet shatter but almost at once it started to give ground.
On the 12th the southern offensive was launched and slammed into a rear guard the Hungarians had setup to cover their attempted withdrawal south of Lake Balaton. The worn out Hungarian troops did just shatter on the onslaught. Ottoman Empire had over 2,000 Hungarian troops spill over the border as they fled the advancing Austrian, German and Italian troops. These troops had little fight and were interned by the surprised Ottoman Forces which had no instructions as to what to do if anything like this happened. The three allies captured or killed another 5,000 Hungarians while their own losses were light by comparison. Another Brigade was trapped against the Lake and so less than a Division of Hungarians escaped by the 15th.
The led formations of the Russians had advanced another 30 miles Polgár, Hungary but their main body was 10 miles behind that and the supply columns were stretching all the way back to the border. The Russians despite not facing any resistance were starting to have supply problems. A brigade of Russian troops detrained in Budapest who were meet with flowers in the streets.
The German Armeekorps V was passing through Bohemia on its way to the front.
The situation as of the June 15th is that Hungarian forces have taken several bloody hits in the last two weeks. One regular infantry division has been effectively destroyed with the remains being weak brigade now surrounded in the south. Two other divisions have taken heavy losses and are in poor shape. Two brigade of militia have been moved to the front to try to stabilize the situation for Hungary. The Italian and Russian forces are having supply problems. All forces are starting to have munition problems as prewar stocks of artillery shells are being used up at shocking rate. The German forces are only keeping their levels adequate because they have resorted to taking supplies from un-mobilized Corps back in Germany. Once the German Armeekorps V arrives on the front Line there will be 4 German-Italian Corps fighting in Hungary which alone outnumber the Hungarian forces.
Graflinden, Gottschee region, Duchy of Carinola
Compound of the 3rd Regiment, 11th Brigade "San Marco", La Marina Divisione
Maresciallo Scaroni : "colonnello Revel !"
Colonel Revel : "Yes Sergeant?"
Master Sergeant Scaroni : "Sir, there is a German civilian at the gate, he has been injured. He says some Slovenians are shouting slogans and have been assaulting non Slovenians, shouting at them to go home and to quit hoarding wealth. The regimental surgeon is seeing to his injured arm now. "
Revel : "I thought this region had been settled by Bavarians, not Slovenians. Why has the fellow come to us, and not sought the Gendarmerie? "
Scaroni : "He is the local Gendarmerie sir. Apparently those of Bavarian blood are more prosperous than the Slovenians around them, leading to jealousy."
Revel : " Well, we can't have murder or looting. I'll go interview the fellow."
Scaroni : Sir? If I may inquire, what are we to do?
Colonel Revel : We can't have the locals come to blows on our watch. This entire region speaks the same weird German, and has a dozen or more of these towns. We'll stand two battalion to arms and dispatch a company to each. A show of bayonets and cutlasses should put the fear in them, and hopefully that show of force will be sufficient to separate them. While I talk to this man, inform Maggorio Piccio that I shall be needing him.
2. Ljubljana, Schweizerhause pub,
Herr Franc Maček , operator for Austrian Telegraph & Telephone (or AT&T ) lifts a mug and takes a long draw, then returns to discussing matters with his friends
"I tell you Edvard, from the traffic we're receiving, our countrymen are striking for liberty throughout the Duchy, there aren't enough Austrians to stop us."
"Ahh, but Franc, we can't expect the Germans and Italians to sit idle"
"True Edvard, true, but think, the Emperor is pressed as it is, surely he may choose to grant us more autonomy in exchange for peace"
3. Ljubljana, Headquarters, La Marina Division
The players
Maggior GeneraleCarlo Caneva*
Aide, Lt Enzio Garibaldi (grandson of Guiseppi Garibaldi)
Austrian Chief Gendarmerie of Carniola : Oberst (Colonel ) Hermann Wurm
<Lt. Garibaldi opens the door, calling out in Italian "Oberst Wurm of the Gendarmerie to see you sir" >
Caneva : Oberst Wurm, a pleasure to meet you, please come in, be seated.
Oberst Wurm : General Caneva, so very kind of you to see me at this hour. Oh, and I must compliment you on your accent, your Austrian is extremely good.
Caneva : My career did not start with the Italian Marines, it started with the Austrian artillery, I was at Sadowa on that grim day. Once my country unified, I came home to serve. Now I find myself once again in service to the Austrian Crown.
Wurm : I must say I am delighted to find you of that mind. Forgive me though, I have pressing issues to bring to your attention.
Caneva : Tsk tsk, one must not rush, first some vino.
Wurm : I regretfully must decline, I have serious business I must attend to, and must keep a clear head.
Caneva : I see, well certainly you can't protest if I have some, we can chat until my aide brings some bread and cheese to go with it....
Wurm <interrupting>: Actually sir, I would like to draw your attention to an urgent matter.
Caneva (chilly) : I should hope it would be suitably important Oberst.
Wurm : Sir, you must have heard them, the people are protesting, they are on the verge of rioting.
Caneva : My dear Oberst, I have nearly a Brigade of Marines here, they will not attempt to bring us grief.
Wurm : General I wasn't suggesting that you in peril. My Gendarmerie have been drawn down to support efforts in Hungary, we no longer have the numbers to suppress the protesters. The task falls to you, but I see no action.
Caneva : Oberst Wurm, my soldiers are Marines, not constables. The streets of Ljubljana is none of our concern so long as it does not effect our mission.
Wurm : General I protest, you have been sent here to replace the Austrian Garrison now in Hungary, It is them I would normally turn to in order to suppress these protestors, in their absence you MUST take their place.
Caneva : Herr Wurm, my Division is here at the behest of your Emperor for the explicit purpose of subduing the Hungarian rabble and securing your southern border from Ottoman opportunism. So long as they are merely protesting, and not committing mayhem, they are not a threat to our mission or our communications. So unless they turn to violence, we shall have nothing to do with rounding up your Slovenian protestors for you. You must simply request your Gendarmerie returned.
Wurm (stunned): General Caneva, I must protest, what sort of idiocy is this ?! You are here to aid your allies in securing their territory, what matters if Carinola is threated by the Ottomans or by rebels, It is YOUR DUTY TO AID US.
Caneva (offended) : Oberst Wurm, I do not suffer any calling me an idiot to my face. Nor do I need advice on my duty, I have served for nearly 40 years and I believe I know it better than you. We shall protect imperial property and those facilities essential to the war effort. We shall have nothing to do with the protesters, that is entirely a matter for the Austrian Government.
Wurm (furious) : This is unacceptable ! My Gendarmeries are committed to Hungary, you are here to aid us, I demand action !!
Caneva (chilly) : My dear Oberst you may demand the moon, but I suggest you direct your efforts towards Vienna. Should they prevail on the King and General Saletta**, and those esteemed personages chose to change my orders, I will most happily remove the burden of policing this region from you. Until then, I shall deign to post some guards about Imperial property, but nothing further.
Wurm : I see, Vienna will hear of this ! <Storms out>
Garibaldi : Sir, if I may, my Grandfather Guiseppi**** would be proud of your bold stroke in favor of Liberty !
Caneva : Young man, I did no such thing, I am merely following the King's orders, and those rather specifically indicate we are only concerned with Hungarian Rebels, these slovenian ones are none of our business so long as they do not disturb our mission. If the King, or General Perrucchetti*** choose to change my orders, I shall deal with the rabble. In the mean time I have no desire to wind up like General Bava-Beccaris***** . I trust you understand my orders on this matter? Fine, write them up and run along to the telegraph and send a message to remind the rest of the division.
Garibaldi : Yes sir. I'll relay your position on these matters to all regimental commanders.
Lt. Garibaldi leaves for the telegraph station to send the General's message.
Later, at the Telegraph station, operator Franc Maček solemnly took the missives from the Italian Marine Lieutenant and the Gendarmerie Lieutenant, promising to send them quick.
Once the officers left, he sat down and read them carefully. Thoughfully, he took the stamp marked "Sent" and stamped the Gendarmerie message and carefully buried in the "Out" stack, then proceeded to hammer out the Marine's message, as well as some additional ones.
*General Caneva has been described in various ways by his contemparies. He has been described as lacking initiative and passive in the military operations. Another felt Caneva lacked initiative and did not understand the implications of his conduct for international politics. Another described him as "On my word of honour, I did not know if he was worth the table (as they say) for the most complete example of stupidity". Makes him the perfect choice for this storyline.
** General Saletta is Chief of Staff.
*** General Perrucchetti is normally Commander, Venetian Front, and currently Commander of the Italian Expeditionary Corps the La Marina Division is part of.
**** Senator Bava-Beccaris (Ret) recently came under a Court of Inquiry for his 1998 massacre of protesters in Milan. Which eventually led to two anarchists shooting Kings of Italy and Belgium.
***** General Giuseppe Garibaldi was an internationally famed patriot, and Italian Hero. General Garibaldi's redshirt rebels armies were a key in the Italian unification. Clashing with Monarchists, he accepted them, but always maintained hostility towards the Papacy. At times jailed, he and his sons fought in several revolutionary wars.
Duchy of Carinola
In the days following Major General Caneva's refusal, the depleted ranks of the Austrian Gendarmerie find it increasingly difficult to maintain order.
Protesters, regardless of if they clamor for more autonomy or complete independence, are increasingly met with violence by Gendarmeries frantic to maintain order.
The efforts of appointed legislators of the Slovenian diet to calm either group fails. Protests turn to riots. Gendarmeries meet the public with cudgels, bayonets and pistols. Raids scoop up both politicians espousing this course and suspected ringleaders among commoners. Cordons of Italian troops do appear at City hall and the Railyards, but they make no effort to alter events- except in the German enclave of Gottschee, where the 11th Brigade's commander Brigadier Luigi Capello interpreted his mandate to secure the Ottoman Border as ensuring the towns on his section of the border remained peaceful.
Oberst Wurm, furious at Vienna's supposed indifference to his first message, and then, after another day with no answer, uses the telephone to call the central office, where a poor clerk's ears were soundly chewed on. The Oberst's message finally delivered, it percolated up through the chain of command, and then the upset Austrians communicated the situation to Rome, where Caneva's blithe indifference to the Austrian situation and blind adherence to a limited order set is viewed poorly,
Lt. General Perrucchetti finds himself in the bothersome position of being required to dispatch staff to investigate the situation and identify a solution.
So, a little over a week Major General Caneva grandly declared "streets of Ljubljana is none of our concern" , General Caneva found himself relieved of command by a newly brevetted General Capello, who's orders now specified he was "to take command of civil policing efforts in the Duchy of Carinola, to enforce the laws and keep the peace".
General Capello moved quickly, gathering senior officers and outlining his expectations.
Protests were to be allowed, albeit under a watchful eye. Riots were not. Prisoners taken in the past week would asked to sign a parole to forswear rioting or violence, and if agreed they shall be released. The Gendarmerie would be stripped of weapons and serve as advisers to the Marines stationed in their towns. Company Commanders were to be required to meet daily with village leaders. Troops on patrol were to ensure there were no rounds chambered, or bare blades showing. Lieutenants were made responsible with ensuring that the men under their command resorted to bloodshed as a last resort. Arrangements were made in Trieste, and applications were taken for Italian/Slovenian speakers to serve as translators, and men rapidly shipped to towns.
It was not long before many of those in Trieste who considered Italian to be their ancestral tongue began to agitate for change as well. Many chanted the name "Oberdan, a reference to Guglielmo Oberdan, dead these 18 years, hung by the Austrians with the cry "Viva l'Italia!" his last. The elder statesman of the irredentist movement, Matteo Imbriani found himself taking a long train ride from Naples to be once again in Trieste, encouraging the locals. There, reinforced by members of the Austrian navy, the Gendarmerie found it far easier to keep matters civil, and were made the exception to the disarmament command.
OOC Sorry for the delay on this and lack of map. Been very busy with stuff.
A number of rumors of Russian troops crossing the border into Hungary had reached Berlin, Rome and Vienna. The lack of official statement from the Tsar's government was most worrisome. None of the powers had any idea as to what the Russians objectives might be. One school of diplomatic thought had the Russian involvement an act of war as they had crossed into Hungary without permission of Kaiser Franz Ferdinand's government. Of course the Hungarian rebels could have invited the Russians in but it would be assumed that this would be linked to an official announcement, especially one recognizing the Rebel government. Instead it was just silence, the most popular conclusion is that the Russians didn't want to make an official statement they would have to back away from. The recommendation was to push full speed ahead to end the war as quickly as possible before Russia decided to make an official stance that might set off a general war.
Some in the German government favored a general war right now, viewing a fight verse Russia in isolation a perfect opening to order the balance in European affairs to the Reich's favor.
For now the instructions to the troops were to keep moving forward.
June 16th
German Armeekorps V was to move to the front along the Austrian – Hungarian Border. General der Infanterie Ferdinand von Stülpnagel was ordered to drive towards Budapest.
The Guard Korps would continue its offensive into Slovakia in the north. Berlin instructed the Guards to advance east as much as possible in the hope of threatening the supply lines of any Russian troops and perhaps get them to pull out of Hungary.
In the south Lt. General Perrucchetti, General der Kavallerie Erzherzog Eugen and General der Infantry Prince Arnulf of Bavaria would continue their battle near Lake Balaton.
Feldmarschalleutnant Franz Conrad von Hötzendorf would also begin a drive towards Budapest once reinforced with troops from Bohemia, especially Czech regiments that had till a few days before been refusing orders but it would take several days to move and assemble the troops. Which of course angered Feldmarschalleutnant von Hötzendorf all the more, the Italian liaison officer noted a long rant about the Czechs dragging their feet and that once Budapest was in ruins they should just line the Czechs up and shoot them too.
The Hungarians were greatly worried as the last two weeks had seen problems on many fronts while their new allies were not doing much. From reports of the number of troops involved there were major commitments of German and Italian troops helping the Austrians. All that could be done was to order a fighting withdrawal, as long as there was a Hungarian army there was a Hungarian Nation.
June 17th
Germans Troops assigned the I Bavarian Corps had been fired on by snipers in Hungarian villages with no sign of Hungarian troops. With reluctance General der Infantry Prince Arnulf of Bavaria concluded the snipers to be civilians in arms or Hungarian troops that had discarded their uniforms. Hostages were taken in the German zone and warnings that additional incidents would see swift retaliation.
In the meantime the remains of the 2nd Hungarian division attempted to escape on small boats across the lake but it was difficult with Austrian and Italian pressure continuing.
June 18th
At last Feldmarschalleutnant von Hötzendorf begins his own offensive in the center. The Hungarians in front of him had been pulling troops back to try to deal with the offensive by German Armeekorps V. As a result the Austrians, now that the Czech's and other troops from Bohemia arrived, had up to a 4 or 5 to advantage in numbers at the points of attack along the front. The elements of the Hungarian 3rd division being attacked under best of circumstances would have had trouble dealing with such lopsided numbers. This was hardly the best of circumstances and 2nd Brigade of the 3rd Division attempt to do a fighting withdrawal turned into a route. This was the first instance in the camp of Hungarian regulars collapsing like this. Feldmarschalleutnant von Hötzendorf told anyone that would listen that this was the result of his brilliant planning.
June 19th
The last of the 2nd Hungarian division surrenders with less than 4,000 escaping with little more than their side arms and sometimes not even that. Twice that number have been captured or killed.
With more sniper attacks on German troops General der Infantry Prince Arnulf of Bavaria orders reprisals. A half dozen villages have the hostages shot by firing squad and three other villages that didn't have hostages taken have homes of leading citizens destroyed. More hostages are taken and demand for the sniper attacks to end is repeated. The result is panic as what exactly the Germans are doing is blown out of proportion and mixed together with reports of activities by ethnic Germans looking for retribution from activities by Hungarian militia before the fighting started. At first hundreds and later thousands of civilians start to flee the area. Soon Ottoman Empire Border guards report ethnic Hungarians cross the border and seeking refuge.
June 21st
The situation in the center has become desperate as the collapse of the 3rd Hungarian Division has opened up the entire front. The Austro-German forces are now moving ten miles a day and are less than 60 miles from Budapest. Feldmarschalleutnant von Hötzendorf reports he will be in Budapest before the month is out and while the German commander of V Corps, General der Infanterie Ferdinand von Stülpnagel, thinks Conrad is being a little over optimistic agrees that the Hungarians ARE in collapse along the entire front.
Kaiser Franz Ferdinand decides to use the good news to announce that he will change the succession laws of the monarchy as part of the settlement agreement. In particular that his marriage will be declared as DYNASTIC and that any children of his will be heirs to throne. This sets off protests in the Austrian Senate as many in royal court view the Empress Consort Sophie or The Countess Sophie as her detractors call her as being unworthy of being Empress. In other words Vienna has yet another political crises.
In the South the 1st Hungarian division is slowly being pushed back by the Austro-Italian forces and the Germans are tied up trying dealing with the partisan problem. Currently fighting is around the town of Nagybajom south of Lake Balaton
The Austro-Germans in Slovakia have captured Zilna roughly 20 miles from the Moravian border. The Hungarians pull out the 4th Division and leave the Slovak troops to delay the Austro Germans. The 4th Division and the various militia units are to be part of a defense line to the west of Budapest. This defense line is to be created with a Brigade of Russian infantry that has setup west of the city. The Hungarian leadership had at last pressured the Russians to move west of the city after a couple of incidents of misconduct of Russian troops in the city itself and reports of more east of the city. The main body of the Russian army continues to move slowly towards Budapest.
June 23rd
A border violation occurs into Ottoman Croatia across the Hungarian border as German troops chase after 'partisans.' By now well over ten thousand refugees have crossed the border into the Ottoman Empire.
With half the troops now gone from Slovakia the Austro-German forces are now moving forward at about 5 miles a day and are approaching Martin.
June 25th
Contact occurs between German and Russian Forces 15 miles west of Budapest at the town of Biscke. The Russian troops are clearly flying White, Blue and Red Flag of Russia. The Germans not interested in setting off a general war without clear orders from Berlin stop. Pleasantries are exchanged with demands for each other to leave Hungary. The Germans and Austrians attempt to find a way around the Russians; however, the Hungarians are also flying Russian flags and a number of Hungarians that speak Russian come forward to talk to the Austro-German forces wearing Russian uniforms. It appears a Russian supply sergeant was willing to sell officer uniforms to the Hungarians. The Hungarian gambit isn't totally successful as the uniforms of the troopers behind the fake Russians are clearly Hungarians.
June 26th
Over the night the Germans launch raids to figure out the identity of units in front of them. While attempting to avoid the positions the Germans are certain have Russians one of the raids does end up attacking a Russian held trench. Several Russians are captured and killed. The Austro-Germans use the pause to rest up and regroup while plans for the offensive to get to Budapest are made.
June 27th
The Russian troops have switched positions and once again confusion reigns as to where exactly the Russians are. With reluctance Berlin authorizes General der Infanterie Ferdinand von Stülpnagel to make his best judgment. Vienna is now gripped by confusion as the Franz Ferdinand and the succession crises has paralyzed Austrian Government for the moment so Feldmarschalleutnant von Hötzendorf refuses to attack but will fire artillery to pin the forces in front of his forces.
The Germans attack in afternoon and while they had a fairly good idea of the Russians locations it's not perfect. Especially as a Battalion of Russian guards just moved again. The result is pitched battle between Russian and German infantry. When the Russian Brigade commander receives word of the attack he immediately opens fire in support, which draws German and Austrian counter battery fire down on the Russian artillery. Hundreds of Russians are killed and wounded in the fighting that follows. Foreign Military Observers and News Correspondents soon send word out that German and Russian forces are in battle.
Elsewhere in the center front the Germans didn't make very good progress as the Hungarians had now several days to entrench and even the Hungarian Militia proves capable of determined effort when they have no flanks. So while the Germans breached the Hungarian trench line in two places the effort so disorganized the attack that the Hungarians were able to rush reinforcements and start to dig in a new line before the Germans could follow up.
In the mean time in the South along the Ottoman Border refugees continue to cross the border and Austrian force exchanges fire with Ottoman Border guards when there is confusion on the location of the border.
General der Infanterie Ferdinand von Stülpnagel asks Berlin for additional troops, in particular more artillery to blast open a hole through the Hungarian defenses.
July 1st, Rome
The Regio Esercito puts active duty troops on 48 hour mobilization alert. Reserve Formations are instructed to take inventory and notify their reservists to make arrangements for mobilization on one weeks notice. Proclamations are duly printed in the Newspapers and posted outside Chuches for Sunday Mass.
In Rome, Ambassadors of various nations are informed that Italia will participate in the Constantinople conference on the Hungarian Issue.
July 2nd County of Tyrol
Protesters shouting "Viva l'Italia!" were met with cudgels by the Austrian Gendarmerie, unimpressed for their calls for seccession.
Vienna
July 1st,
"Your majesty for the good of the Monarchy you need to step down." Announced Archduke Otto, the oldest brother of the Kaiser, Franz Ferdinand. Behind Otto were a number of notables of the Monarchy, including most of Franz Ferdinand's other brothers and the German Ambassador Philip, Prince of Eulenburg.
Propped up by pillows on his bed Franz Ferdinand had an almost white pallor to his skin but it was better than just a week ago when a burning fever caused many to fear that his wound would prove fatal. "I think we are past that point Otto..." Then the Hapsburg Kaiser was wracked by coughing fit.
The Empress Sophie glared daggers at everyone else in the room but her husband, "Don't listen to them Franz! They are a bunch of traitors, all of them!"
"Peace my darling... Peace..." Franz Ferdinand looked to have aged 10 years in the past half year. "Otto, Baron von Frankenthurnl and Prince Eulenburg are to stay, everyone else is dismissed."
Once the four men were alone Franz Ferdinand looked at his brother, "I understand what prompted you in this but what I am curious is what does the ambassador from Berlin have to say?"
"My government has instructed me to inform your majesty that if you feel it is necessary to step down that Germany wishes to offer you the Ducal Throne of Elsass-Lothringen. I am sure I do not have explain to your Majesty the connection of that region to your House."
Nodding in understanding as Hapsburgs traced their line back to the Dukes of Upper Lorraine who once had their seat in Metz. "That is a interesting offer but the more pressing question to ask is there a Monarchy to save at all at this point? Gentlemen let us be frank... cough... the... cough... Hungarian... revolt... cough... is the 3rd such in the last 50 years. They Magyars always chaffed under our control and look at the history of our house over the last... cough... century or so. Once we rules from Flanders to Italy and east into Poland now all that is left a rump of a once great dynasty."
Otto and the Minister-President looked down at the floor, both knew what the Kaiser was saying was true and the last half century had been nothing less than a disaster for the Empire. Defeat in 1866 had seen ejection from Italy and affairs of Germany and then defeat again in 1882 saw ejection from Balkans and Poland.
Franz Ferdinand continued, "I have been informed that Germany and Italy are prepared to fight Russia over this issue, that is correct Ambassador?"
"Yes your majesty but the Chancellor regrets... that it has come to this."
A weak small crossed the Kaisers face, "I am sure the Chancellor had other things to say. No.. My attempt to reform the monarchy has failed. The Czechs nearly revolted also and the Landtag of the Carniola was in talks with the Italians. I will not plunge Europe into a General War over trying to save this rotting edifice. Instead I will correct the mistake of Bismarck."
Everyone else in the room was confused as to where or what the Austrian Kaiser was talking about.
"When Bismarck created the German Empire he deliberately left out Austria and later following our defeat in 1882 at the hands of the Turks he again declined despite many on both sides of the border demanding just that. Austria shall join the German Empire."
It took all of the Princes' diplomatic training to keep the shock he felt off of his face. Otto was stunned and Baron von Frankenthurnl lot out of cry of protest.
Franz Ferdinand raised his hand, "If we will not fight over Hungary what remains is too weak to stand alone. Austria will have to join the German Empire."
At once a heated argument followed among the four men. The German ambassador had thought that when he came to the palace tonight he would be helping to shore up the tottering Hapsburg Empire but instead he found himself negotiating for its final dismemberment.
The rough outline of the deal worked out by the four men.
The Ottoman Offer to a conference would be accepted but in advance the Russians were to be contacted. In exchange for Vienna accepting the Independence of Hungary the Russians would back the annexation of the remaining Austrian State to Germany. Italy would be given the Italian lands in Tirol and Küstenland along with the Slovenians of Carniola. The Tsar should accept, especially when it was that or face a General War. Franz Ferdinand would step down as the last Hapsburg Emperor to become Grand Duke of Elsass-Lothringen while his brother Otto became King of Austria within the expanded German Empire.
July 2nd, 1900
Pending Final Talks a cease fire in place has been agreed to for all parties fighting in Austria Hungary. Cease Fire to go into effect 12:00 Local Time.
Austrian Imperial Parliament.
July 15th
155 members of the lower house met in special session to consider the bill put before them. The bill called for the annexation of Austria into the German Empire. Most representatives were shocked at what they were summoned to vote on. In effect they were to vote to end their nation or not. From the start there were problems.
An ethnic Italian from the Princely County of Tirol demanded that the Italian lands be turned over to Italy at once. The real difficulties were the representatives from the Kingdom of Bohemia and Margraviate of Moravia or rather the Czechs. While not all Czechs were making the call for independence a large number were. Calls of 'Czech State' were shouted out with some Germans answering with cries of 'Traitors' and 'Assassins'. Lastly there was a small but vocal minority of Germans that didn't want to see the end of Austria as an independent state.
Once the vote was called the Yes for Annexation quickly jumped out into the lead. At this point a number of Czech's decided to walkout. The final total was 115 yes, 20 no, 5 present and 15 walking out in protest. A small number of Czechs, 8, voted in favor of annexation.
Diets of Bohemia and Moravia
July 16th
Czech nationalists called for a vote on independence. German delegates attempted to delay the vote with parliamentary maneuvers. Such as walking out to remove quorum; which was quickly dealt with by the Sergeant at Arms locking the doors and keeping the delegates in the hall. In the Moravian Diet calls of 'remember Mušov' a village subjected to reprisals by the Prussian Guard during the fighting with Hungarians when someone attacked German Troops.
A small minority suggested waiting. One Czech went so far as to call his fellow s fools. As there is no way the Germans were going to accept this vote or Czech independence and it would just make things harder in the end.
No German delegate voted yes and a few Czechs didn't either but the Majority did vote for independence.
July 17th and 18th
Ethnic Germans Secede from Czech Lands.
Ethnic Germans in the cities of Eger, Krummau and Troppau along the outer edges of Bohemia and Morovia along with ethnic Germans in the cities of Brünn, Iglau and Olmütz in the interior of Moravia have proclaimed their union with Austria and their secession from Bohemia and Moravia. These moves claim the German majority lands of Bohemia and Moravia which are about 1/3 of the population of these two provinces of the Austrian Empire.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/GermanAustriaMap.png)