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Old 07-29-09, 05:48 AM   #13
Raptor1
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The Great(er) War Begins!

April 2nd, 1916


After the entirely boring winter of 1915-1916, Germany and Austria-Hungary decide it's time to start the big one. The war may have been stolen by the Ottomans, but that doesn't mean the French are going to get away with it.

Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy declare war on France and Russia on April 2nd, 1916 (A day after April 1st, both to catch them by surprise and to make sure they don't take it as a joke). The Schlieffen Plan is implemented the following day, April 3rd, with the declaration of war on Belgium and Luxembourg and causes Britain to join the war on the Entente's side.



Specific details on the early fighting are missing because the head reporter on the Western Front has been killed by a shell near Antwerp. The one responsible for the Eastern Front has went missing in the vicinity of Lemberg and we have not heard from him since. So, instead, we'll give you the long overview.

Invasion of Belgium and Plan XVII - Battle of the Frontiers

German troops, a combination of fresh but well drilled troops and veterans from the Turkish campaign, march on Liège, Arlon and Luxembourg on April 6th. A French counterattack in Luxembourg drives the German advance guard out but retreats after the main force arrives. Cavalry sent to take the Northern coastline are cought by French and Belgian infantry divisions and forced to retreat. After several days, a front forms across the French-German and French-Belgian border with the northern part of Belgium remaining in the Entente's hands.

The German High Sea Fleet, taking agressive action in the English Channel, manages to halt reinforcements from Britain and sink several British ships.







The French open up their offensive against the weak left flank of the German army. Aiming to take Mülhausen, lost in the Franco-Prussian War, from the Germans. The 5 divisions under von Zwehl's XV. Armeekorps, though heavily entranched, are faced with 31 French divisions. After holding for several weeks, the Germans are forced to retreat and concede Mülhausen to the French. This creates a crisis with the German High Command, as the only reserves are far way and will not be able to block French advance for some time. A desperate counterattack fails to recapture the city, and a wide gap in the German front forms.





In the north. A breach in the line is spotted and quickly exploited in Brussles. 5 French and Belgian divisions are cought and besieged in the Antwerp and a series of battles ensues between German and French forces for control of Mons, Ghent and Dunkerque.





Offensives continue into late May, at which point German High Command calls a halt to most offensive action in order to reorganize. The Schlieffen Plan has failed, Paris has not fallen in 40 days and the Battle of the Frontiers has ended with Germany controlling most of Belgium, except Antwerp, which is still under siege, and parts of France. French forces hold Mülhausen and the Germans are desperately trying to block their advance.



To be continued, very soon
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Current Eastern Front status: Probable Victory

Last edited by Raptor1; 07-29-09 at 08:15 AM.
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