The Grand Germanic Empire; A Kaiserreich AAR

[TheSublimeGoose]

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This will be a role-play set in the Kaiserreich universe (or at least, heavily inspired by it). The basics of the KR lore remain the same, although I may tweak details here and there for role-playing and story purposes.

Spoiler alert, this is my attempt at creating a realistic narrative surrounding a victorious Germany (in both the 1st and 2nd Weltkriegs), and as such, this AAR shall be heavily focused on Germany.

I'll try to post daily, or every other day.

Please let me know if you're interested in what mods I'm using. Mostly just some light map mods, along with some army/division/air force/navy icon mods (aside from KR, obviously). I use "Player-Led Peace Conferences" and the "State Transfer Tool" for role-playing purposes. ALL expansions are active.

It will be non-interactive. The 'chapters' shall be written from a post-war, pro-German (or at least, not anti-German) historian's perspective.

I hope you enjoy -- this is my very first attempt at an AAR. Please let me know what you think of my writing/narrative, etc. I'm an aspiring amateur author, so any and all critiques are welcome!

P.S. If you're fluent or at least good at writing German, PLEASE let me know how I am at it/correct me when I misuse Google Translate
~~~

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The Grand Germanic Empire​

A KAISERREICH AAR

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The German Empire is stirring once again. Syndicalist radicals, National-populist extremists, and even moderate social liberals clash in the streets. Clamoring for something, anything. The Kaiser, however, is not without his supporters. Indeed, it would appear that, despite the growth of the more radical elements of German society, the Kaiser's conservative supporters have flourished. According to many scholars and pollsters, Kaiser Wilhelm II hadn't enjoyed this level of popularity since the victory of the First Weltkrieg. This was Germany in 1936, the nation that determined the destiny of Europe for decades -- and perhaps even centuries -- to come.​

In an (ultimately successful) attempt to show a softer side to the German people, Kaiser Wilhelm II often posed for more casual photos in the latter years of his reign. Here we see him vacationing in the Netherlands, enjoying a cigarette, and -- according to some -- dressed in his favorite suit.
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Since the early 1920s, with a victorious Empire at his command, the Kaiser began pressing his advisers for an answer to one question. "What is next for our dear Germany," was put to countless government executives and bureaucrats, generals and admirals; often by the Kaiser himself. Generalfeldmarshall Paul von Hindenburg would say shortly before his death that "The Kaiser wishes to lead Germany to a grand greatness. If only I could tell him the way. To serve my Prince and The Empire one final time..."

Apparently, Hindenburg may have been one of the men that first proffered the "Grand Idea" that the Kaiser would spend the last years of his life chasing. The Kaiser's personal diary shows that the day after Hindenburg's death, Wilhelm II wrote "...with the end upon him, he urged me to pursue not only further German unity, but a Germanic unity."

The Kaiser quickly dedicated himself to the idea of a grand Germanic Empire, an empire that would dominate Europe utterly. All Germanic peoples would be brought under the Kaiser's rule.

Wilhelm II ordered his command staff to begin planning for the invasion and annexation of the Netherlands, Flanders-Wallonia, Switzerland, and eventually... Austria itself. Obviously, such a highly contentious plan would be kept secret, and the Kaiser continued to outwardly call for peaceful relations across the world. However, he knew that the Syndicalist menace would need to strike at the heart of the old world -- Germany -- in order to complete a total Syndicalist revolution. The Kaiser meant to utilize such an "opportunity" to its fullest extent.

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Berlin, 1936- Since a victorious end to the First Weltkrieg, Germany had dominated Europe, Africa, and even parts of Asia. Power was being centralized in Berlin, all the while foreign nationalists and syndicalists were attempting to tear apart the relatively fragile global-empire that Germany had built.
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Europe in January 1936​

States under direct German control as of 1936:​

-The Kingdom of Flanders-Wallonia
-The United Baltic Duchy
-The Kingdom of Lithuania
-The Kingdom of White-Ruthenia/Byelorussia​

States under indirect German control as of 1936:​

-The colonial African super-state of Deutsch–Mittelafrika
-The colonial Asian quasi-naval state of Deutsch-Ostasien (German East Asia)​

States under German influence as of 1936:​

-The Kingdom of Ukraine
-The Kingdom of Finland
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The colonial super-state of Mittelafrika along with Germany's other imperial colonies; Madagascar and Djibouti. The latter two, unlike Mittelafrika, are directly administered by the German Empire. As of 1936, the Statthalter (Steward or Governor) of Mittelafrika was Hermann Wilhelm Göring of the Mittelafrikan political party, the Deutsche Vaterlandspartei. While it provided a modest boost in manpower reserves, the primary function of Mittelafrika was to provide The Empire with precious and desperately needed resources. However, many contemporary political commentators and historians pointed out Mittelafrika's fatal flaw; She was simple too large. An attempt to homogenize such an incredibly vast number of culture, languages, and peoples would eventually plunge Mittelafrika into a desperate civil war, eventually leading to dozens of African states.

Germany's Asian possessions have been grouped together under a single state, Deutsch-Ostasien. Instead of reporting to the Reichskolonialamt (Imperial Colonial Office) it reports to the Reichsmarineamt (Imperial Naval Office) or RMA. While nominally independent in her day-to-day functions, the state's primary goal is to ensure the continued economic growth of the area for the Empire's sake. With the RMA at the helm, a strong "naval culture" has developed here. Most ground units of the state are designated as and fully trained & capable as Marines. The Navy itself is one of the strongest (or at least, largest) fleets in the region. The Air Force is entirely subordinate to the Deutsch-Ostasien fleet.​

German over-confidence in the late 1920s and early 1930s would help lead to one of the greatest finanical catastrophes in history; Schwarzer Montag or "Black Monday." Chasing the dream of a large, stable Empire, the Kaiser authorized virtually uncontrolled spending on both her colonial possessions, her European protectorates, as well as at home.
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The Berlin stock exchange just hours before the crash of Black Monday. Note the large top-hats; this article of clothing would later be pilloried in uncountable cartoons and op-eds. Black Monday led to such a hatred of the top-hat wearing German investor around the world that it single-handedly eliminated the fashion.

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Hapless officers of the Kaiserliche Berliner Polizei (Imperial Berlin Police; the only police force in Germany to hold the "Imperial" title) attempt to hold back the surging crowds of the German populace, making a run on their banks immediately after the crash of Black Monday.​

Black Monday came on 10 February, 1936, and would be utterly devastating to the German economy. All the while, her miraculous recovery would end in a massive net benefit for The Empire. Just how Germany would recover, as well as the events of the late 1930s will be discussed in our next lesson...​

 

[TheSublimeGoose]

With the catastrophic failure of the global -- and German -- markets, the Kaiser ordered His government to assume nearly direct control over the economy. Emergency measures were forced through both the Bundesrat and the Reichstag, albeit in relative secrecy. While many were concerned of the so-called "syndicalist" nature of these measures, the Kaiser forcefully shut-down any opposition personally.

German men eat at a government-sponsored soup kitchen. ​

The government began rapidly selling off its silver, gold, and other precious metals reserves. This, however, was quickly brought to a halt, as the German government single-handedly began crashing the precious metals market. Instead, the government began focusing on its Programm für öffentliche Arbeiten or Public-Works Program. Massive construction efforts were put forth towards mostly civilian-market manufacturing industry -- with the idea that such manufacturing facilities could be quickly turned around and converted into military-focused manufacturing, if and when the need arose.

German governmental construction efforts provided jobs for tens of thousands of unemployed men.​

Most private holdings of the middle and lower-class were guaranteed by the government, at great expense. These efforts provided a great boost in confidence for the average German citizen, while the public-works programs proffered benefits to both the public and the industrial base of Germany.

Meanwhile. unsettling news came from the Eastern chaos that was the Russian Republic. President Alexander Kerensky was assassinated while on his way to the Russian senate. While worrying for the sake of European stability, most analysts in Germany would assume that any chaos in Russia would make Germany safer. The "Menace of the East" had been rebuilding, re-arming, and growing in confidence throughout the 1920s and 30s, and anything that served to disrupt this would be a boon to The Empire.

As news of the assassination flashed across the world, most mourned. However, the mood was reportedly jubilant within the inner-circles of the German government.​

Still looking eastward, more negative news would come out of the relatively young Kingdom of Poland.

Newspapers reported the Polish seizure of German assets with great alacrity; while great strides had been taken in repairing Polish-German relations, the German media was quick to pounce on any chance to inflame the public's passions... and sell newspapers.​

The young Polish Kingdom was slowly entering the good graces of Germany, and, despite the asset seizure, the Kaiser sent a "Letter of Continued Friendship" to the Polish Regency Council. This was received with open arms, and shortly thereafter, the Council would -- in an attempt to further foster even closer German relations and possibly to make up for the aforementioned asset seizure -- elected King Friedrich Christian of Saxony as the new King of Poland. While he was already the nominal King of Saxony, The Empire had entirely centralized its power in Berlin, making the Dukes, Grand Dukes, and Kings of the constuent states of Germany little more than figureheads. Thus, the "King of Saxony" was eager to assume the new -- and sovereign -- title of 'King of Poland.' Taking the regnal name of 'Fryderyk Krystian,' he quickly moved into the Zamek Królewski w Warszawie -- the Royal Palace in Warsaw -- and, taking a page from the Kaiser's governance, assumed virtually absolute control over His new kingdom.

Then-King Friedrich Christian of Saxony, in one of his final official German portraits, shortly before his move to assume to Polish throne. Note the uniform; as Fryderyk Krystian of Poland, the King would work to introduce German-style uniforms much like this to the Polish army; along with other, more tactical, strategic, and meaningful reforms. Fryderyk Krystian would quickly become popular among the conservatives of Poland, the military, and even among Polish nationalists. The latter category believed -- somewhat correctly, as time would prove -- that their new King's move to sharpen Poland's teeth would only serve to guarantee her continued independence. ​

To the south, the crumbling Austro-Hungarian Empire -- literally falling to pieces after Black Monday -- showed the world its growing weakness in an embarrassing move that would begin the chain of events which would lead to the German Intervention of 1940. The Austro-Hungarian Empire moved to sell its Chinese concession of the valuable and strategic port city of Tianjin.

The world reacted with an embarrassed awe on behalf of the Austro-Hungarian Empire as they learned of her sale of Tianjin to Imperial Japan. To think that a "grand & old Empire," in the words of Austro-Hungarian Ministerpräsident Karl Renner, could be forced to seek the assistance of an Asian empire was collectively embarrassing to Europe. Europe's racism towards Japan (among other nations) would lead to a vast under-estimation of her capabilities in the coming years.​

However much derided the Austrian Empire may have been, it proved to have been an intelligent move, as the Qing Empire imploded within weeks of the sale. While important in geo-political terms, Kaiser Wilhelm II had determined years before that China would not concern Germany; Instead, all German efforts and resources would be concentrated on Southeast Asia, and more specifically, Deutsch-Ostasien.

The various warlord-led "Cliques" of post-Qing China. While the empire held on in the north, the Fengtian Government, often referred to as "Manchuria," or the "New Chinese Empire," attacked the remnants. The Fengtian Government was a virtual puppet of Imperial Japan by 1936. The Japanese viewed this support as an easy way to gain a strong foothold in China; While a direct invasion would raise the eyebrows -- if not the hackles -- of Europe, an inter-Chinese squabble would not interest them.​

Meanwhile, in response to the rising instability of Asia, the leading body of Deutsch-Ostasien, the Reichsmarineamt (RMA; the Imperial Naval Office), requested that a unified colonial military command be formed. Berlin responded, authorizing the creation of the 1. Festungsarmee, which would be jointly controlled by the RMA and the Reichskolonialamt (RKA; the Imperial Colonial Office, the controlling body of all other German colonies aside from Deutsch-Ostasien). While the RMA had relatively substantial units of all-German infantrymen, their habit of insisting that all ground units be trained and designated as fully-capable Marines -- an obvious sign of the RMA's naval influence -- slowed the recruitment process. Due to their long training period, they were quality infantrymen and Marines, but their numbers were low. Thus, any measure that provided extra security was welcomed by the RMA. According to the agreement between the RMA and RKA, any troops of the 1. Festungsarmee physically in Deutsch-Ostasien would be under the control of the RMA, while all other units fell under the RKA's purview.

Here we see a contemporary tactical map, showing the deployment of one of the new units to Singapore, "...the Jewel of The Empire..." as the Kaiser called her. Many a German young man sprinted to the recruiting office when word went out that "Seekers of Adventure in the Orient" should enlist to serve in the new security units. While many were skeptical of Germany-proper providing additional resources to the colonial ventures that were supposed to be self-sustaining, they couldn't deny that it was good for relieving unemployment. ​

While the public was whipped into a frenzy by newspapers regarding the so-called "Halbstarke Terror," it was quickly resolved. This was due to the rapid deployment of the newly formed and highly trained military police units of the Deutsches Heer-- the Kaiserliche Feldgendamerie -- to all major cities. However, the new security units meant for Deutsch-Ostasien were a huge draw for many of these young men. The allure of adventure -- and the promise of a paycheck in the middle of one of the worst financial crises in history -- was too much for many of these young men to resist.​

In our next lesson, we shall cover the issue of law & order in a floundering German Empire and the Ukrainian Wheat Crisis of '36.

 

[TheSublimeGoose]

While the Kaiser's government was handling the Great Crash remarkably well, flexing The Empires economic and industrial might in order to ease the impact of the crash on the nation -- as some historians succinctly put it, "Germany's economy was so big, that her economy could be sicced on her economy, in order to improve the economy..." -- things were not all rosy. Times were especially hard on the lower & lower-middle class Germans -- especially those of cities -- whom were increasingly drawn to leftist and far-left ideologies. In response to the increasing radicalism at home, the Imperial government took the rather extreme option of banning the FAUD -- a leftist-socialist political party born from radicalist unions -- and to immediately take her leading members into custody. While this was a rather radical move on behalf of a government that prided itself on maintaining a relatively open and free society, some say this order came directly from the Kaiser, although there is no concrete evidence of this.

Along with the silencing of the FAUD, the Imperial Government also approved the establishment of the Kaiserliche Geheimpolizei (KGP)-- the Imperial Secret Police -- which was the second national police force to be established in The Empire. The KGP was phenomenally effective in infiltrating virtually all political parties left-of-center, and had a hand in innumerable collapses of political parties, obviously orchestrated from within. Virtually all spezialagenten of the KGP operated in an undercover role, and their role in shaping The Empire up until their dissolution (or absorption, rather) cannot be understated.

Spezialagenten (Special agents; a term borrowed from American federal investigative law enforcement agencies) of the KGP gather outside of a post-ban secret FAUD meeting-house, preparing for a raid.
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The KGP was only the second civilian national law enforcement agency to be established within The Empire; law enforcement was a task traditionally left to the constituent states. The KGP served as an undecover-complement to the Kaiserlich Deutsche Polizei (KDP; the Imperial German Police); a national uniformed police force. The KDP was originally constituted solely as an additional police force for Berlin as the Kaiserliche Berliner Polizei, but the Imperial governement quickly realized the benefit of having a national police force at their command, and changed the KBP's name and mandate.

NCOs and privates of the newly-renamed KDP perform ID checks and searches in a neighborhood known for its FUAD and even syndicalist sympathies and tendencies. ​

Between the establishment of the KGP and KDP and the banning of more radical political parties, the homefront, while still fragile post-Great Crash, was markedly more secure. While an aura of stern authortarianism seemed to descend upon Germany for those on the left, the center and right would laud these moves as necessary for the survival of The Empire.

Tensions remained high in the Rhineland, but after numerous crackdowns and shows of force by the KDP, Rhenish radicals fell to the wayside.​

While public safety and order may have been restored, the economic ramifications of Black Monday were continuing to ripple through Mitteleuropa and Germany proper. The German agricultural sector was especially hard-hit, with landed Junkers of the Kingdoms of both Prussia and Bavaria petitioning the Imperial government to place a heavy tariff on all foreign agricultural products, especially Ukranian wheat -- quickly becoming a staple in the homes of middle-class Germans. The Kaiser forcefully rejected such propositions, and offered only a stern rebuke to Prussian and Bavarian Junkers. The Kaiser made it clear that Germany would never risk her Mitteleuropa ties.

While tempting, the Kaiser turned down any proposals to place a tariff on Ukranian wheat, a move which ingratiated Ukranian farmers and her Royal government to Germany.

In lesson #4, we shall cover the Belgian Revolution of 1936!​

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Apologies for such a short entry, for those subscribed! However, I will be posting a longer and more interesting entry tomorrow! Cheers, and thanks for reading; I'm really enjoying doing this

 

[TheSublimeGoose]

In September of 1936, the Kaiserreich would be tested more seriously than she had been -- at least in regards to her foreign policies -- since the First Weltkrieg. Funded, armed, and encouraged by French syndicalist-radicals, the Belgian center-left and left deposed the Kaiser's third son, King Adalbert I, in an armed revolution. Adalbert von Hohenzollern fled to nearby Luxemburg to monitor the situation and advise his Imperial father on further steps. Within hours of the King's deposition, the First Belgian Socialist Republic was declared -- stopping short of totally giving into the Syndicalists, in order to perhaps prevent the ire of The Empire -- and divisions of the new 'Belgian People's Army' rushed to the border to defend against German aggression. Indeed, the Kaiser had quickly responded, and had ordered the entirety of 2. Kaiserliche Armee to move from the French border to the Belgian border, and to immediately begin planning a 'quick invasion and an even quicker restoration of order.'​

2. Kaiserliche Armee troops arrange themselves on the Belgian-German border, preparing for the invasion. While the Armee was officially under the command of General Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb, the deposed King Adalbert made a show of assuming control of the Armee. His presence was enjoyed and appreciated by the troops, however, his rousing speeches and willingness to interact with the junior enlisted was noted.
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The Empire did not stand entirely alone. Pan-Germanic unionists and traditionalist conservatives longed for the protection of Germany from radicalism. Thus, a relatively robust pro-German resistance was quickly established in various 'Belgian' cities. Pro-Germans living on the border flooded across, with many a young man offering to re-join the invasion. These men were placed into ad-hoc units under the 2. Armee's command, organized as Miliz (militia), and intended to be utilized as rearward security troops. Roughly half of the Royal Army of Flanders-Wallonia defected to Germany, variously crossing the border if close enough, or joining resistance cells in the cities. Virtually the entirety of the Royal Navy of Flanders-Wallonia requested to dock at Wilhelmshaven, the home of The Empire's primary high-seas fleet naval base. Naval and Army Air Forces primarily switched loyalty to the new Belgian government, although several light and heavy fighters were landed in Germany shortly after the revolution, carrying pilots requesting asylum. These pilots would quickly be integrated into the newly-independent German Air Force, the Kaiserliche Luftwaffe.

The Kaiser did not want any hesitation, and upon some completion of some curt and unsuccessful negotiations, the Kaiser issued a Declaration of War, and ordered the invasion to go ahead. Forces on the French border were placed on high alert, and the extreme tensions caused some minor incidents between Imperial Border Guards and Commune Border Patrolmen. Indeed, late on the 23rd of September, one nervous German Border Guardsman reported "an entire squadron of bombers" to be crossing the Franco-German border, and light, medium, & heavy AAA batteries all opened fire... on a flock of a geese illuminated by the moonlight.​

Medium and heavy AAA batteries of Strassburg open fire on the 'Mystery Formation' as it would come to be known. While the official explanation was that of misidentification of a flock of geese, this photo has fueled speculation that Imperial forced actually engaged a 'flying saucer' on that chilly night in 1936.
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However, the resistance of the new Belgian Republic had been vastly overestimated. Most 'Belgian' citizens cared not to enter into a war with the greatest power on Earth, and only the most radical of radicals decided to defend this new nation. Early on the 24th of September, Imperial forces stormed the border, with relentless ground-attacks by the Kaiserliche Luftwaffe's new heavy fighters and dedicated ground-attackers supporting the ground troops surging forward. The Kaiser decided to spare his new motorized and panzer divisions from participating, as he wanted them on the French border in case the Commune took the opportunity to strike. The order had been passed down that any German soldier caught in the act of purposely vandalizing, looting, or assaulting any civilian would be executed immediately, and the German army found itself fighting its most well-behaved war.

Then again, 'war' is a stretch. Resistance quickly melted, and German cavalrymen were scouting the outskirts of Brussels on the 26th of September, with the city being taken in force the next day. The Belgian People's Government quickly offered their surrender to a triumphant King Adalbert. Most importantly, however, was the peace negotiations. Flanders and Wallonia would not be granted independence in any way, shape, or form. Instead, they would join The Empire as the constituent state of the Kingdom of Flanders-Wallonia, with King Adalbert as the head of their government. The peace treaty specified that it was time that "...it is time that the Fleming and Walloon peoples be brought into their proper place as members of our Germanic Empire..." clearly signing the intention to the world that the Kaiser was intent on pursuing the idea of pan-Germanic unity under his rule.​

A freshly-annexed Kingdom of Flanders-Wallonia takes her place as a constituent state of the German Empire. Troops of the 2. Armee were scattered throughout the Kingdom on peacekeeping duties. Full integration was relatively quick, as the Kaiser allowed the Fleming and Walloon peoples their cultural independence, as long as they acknowledged Imperial authority over their state.​

In our next lesson, the implosion of Mittelafrika!

 

[TheSublimeGoose]

While the German people were proud to see their nation grow with the addition of the Kingdom of Flanders-Wallonia to The Emprie, the conflict had distracted the government long enough for the collapsing Mittelafrika to implode in upon itself. While the precise factors are innumerable and beyond the scope of this lesson, suffice to say, the leading causes were rampant corruption, too many cultures under one umbrella, and, of course, Black Monday. In the early hours of the 22nd of October, 1936, almost 25 African tribes, kingdoms, sultanates, and collectives declared their simultaneous and unilateral independence. While many of these nations argue over whom first issued a declaration, it didn't matter; once one did, it emboldened every independence movement within the heart of Africa, and Mittelafrika disintegrated.

Africa as of October 1936. While many new nations have since developed, and some of these nations no longer exist, this was a momentous day for anti-colonialist movements around the world, and showed that even the most powerful European empires had their weaknesses.​

German-nationals and Mittelafrika-born Germans mostly fled to Sudwestafrika, the last bastion of African-territory that remained loyal to the Empire. While most of the Germans serving in the army, navy, and air force of Mittelafrika fled to Sudwestafrika as well, the original formations and units were gutted. Mittelafrika had largely counted on native Africans to fill the ranks of the junior enlisted and junior NCO ranks, with Germans serving as mid to senior-grade NCOs. Additionally, virtually all warrant & commissioned officers were of the German nobility. Thus, while the new Armee von Sudwestafrika were an experienced and highly-trained nucleus of NCOs & officers, it was a relatively small force. The provisional government would therefore once again call on locals of the area, with the intention of re-creating the famed Askari units of Ostafrika, who performed so valiantly during the First Weltkrieg.

Seeking to correct the mistakes of the backwards regime of Mittelafrika and keep the "Neuer-Askari" ever-loyal, pay equivalent to white Germans of the same rank was authorized. Furthermore, full German citizenship upon completion of a 12-year term of enlistment was offered to every Askari, along with their wives and children. Promises of full upward mobility were made, as well -- Askari could be selected for promotion beyond junior NCO ranks, and the most elite few could be sent to Germany to complete the new Offizierskandidatenschule course (Imperial Officer Candidate School; Recognizing mistakes from WWI and limiting the officer corps to only nobility, the OKS course was created for non-military college graduates and prior-enlisted personnel specially selected for advancement to the officer ranks).

A German Askari planting the flag of Ostafrika, now co-opted to be the flag of the new nation of Sudwestafrika.​

While Statthalter Hermann von Goring was pilloried in the German Press as "the man who lost Africa," the Imperial government took the situation far more seriously. An Imperial arrest warrant was issued, and agents of the KGP were scattered throughout Africa, in the hopes to capture the rotund and supremely corrupt Weltkrieg flying ace. While many sightings of him were reported throughout the years, no concrete evidence ever emerged of his escape from or demise in Mittelafrika. It is well-known that von Goring had secreted away vast portions of the treasury of Mittelafrika, and little to none of this wealth was ever recovered. The most persistent rumor is of a daring escape to Argentina, von Goring personally piloting a heavy fighter, specially modified with extra internal fuel tanks as well as external drop-tanks. While this rumor has been dismissed by the KGP and Imperial Government for decades, the discovery of a Second Weltkrieg-era German heavy fighter -- modified for extreme long-distance travel -- hidden on a remote airstrip recently would seem to partially confirm this rumor.

Regardless of the fate of von Goring, Mittelafrika was lost, although the Imperial Government -- along with the Kaiser -- seemed to take the news rather lightly. No blustery threats were made, no troops deployed, no cities bombed. Indeed, according to some Imperial Palace sources, the Kaiser merely nodded when he heard the news, and reportedly replied with "I cannot put into words how relieved I am that this African... adventure... is finally over." The budgets of Mittelafrika was consistently ballooning -- along with von Goring's waistline -- and could barely be sustained by a healthy German economy, much less one suffering the full brunt of Black Monday. While the Kaiser wished to maintain some level of direct presence in Africa, he and His government determined that a strong, stable, but much smaller state of Sudwestafrika was ideal.

While the majority of Sudwestafrika and her natives wished to join The Empire, the north now housed an independence movement for the African nation of Namibland. As a test of the new Askari army of Sudwestafrika, the Kaiser authorized a massive arms shipment to the new colony, and requested that they "return German order to the so-called Namibland, and We ask that you reclaim this rightfully German land." This mission was accomplished rather quickly, although irregular units of so-called Ruga-Ruga plauged the area of Namibland for years after its re-integration into Sudwestafrika.

Ruga-Ruga irregulars posing for a press photograph in the Namibland "Bush." This particular photograph was taken by a British syndicalist reporter. Both the Union of Britain and the Commune of France had a romantic view of the Ruga-Ruga, stalwart warriors fighting the oppressive German Empire. Indeed, there were many fundraising efforts withing both the UoB and the CoF to provide arms, equipment, and rations for the Ruga-Ruga. In reality, the Ruga-Ruga were little more than bandits, raping and pillaging their way through Namibland. Eventually, they turned even the natives of Namibland against them, and their movement was wiped out by loyal Askari troops within several years.​

Then-Fähnrich (officer candidate) Paul Schwarz -- an assumed name -- was the first Askari to be selected for the OKS course. He graduated in the top 3 of the class, and was personally handed his Imperial commission by Kaiser Wilhelm II himself. As a newly-minted leutnant (2nd lieutenant), Schwarz returned to Sudwestafrika and was assigned as a platoon leader. Schwarz would distinguish himself numerous times, and was awarded the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse and Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse (Iron Cross Second and First Class, respectively), along with various awards commissioned by the local government of Sudwestafrika. Schwarz would go on to reach the rank of Oberst (colonel), and would serve in the reserve army of Sudwestafrika until his death. In 1946, then Major Schwarz was summoned to the Imperial Palace in Germany, and granted the Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Grand Cross of the Iron Cross) by Kaiser Wilhelm III personally. Wilhelm III and Schwarz became fast friends, and would write to one another for the rest of their lives. Schwarz was often considered Wilhelm III's most senior (if unofficial) advisor concerning Sudwestafrika and Africa in general. Schwarz would go on to become the commandant of the local OKS created in Sudwestafrika, and would oversee the training of an entire generation of officers in the army of Sudwestafrika. After his passing, Schwarz's family moved to Berlin at the express invitation of Wilhelm III, his wife was granted a townhouse and Imperial pension, and their descendants still live in the capital (along with some whom serve in the Imperial Army).​

In our next lesson; the integration of the Kingdom of Denmark into the Empire!

 

[TheSublimeGoose]

In the waning months of 1936, momentous events would shake Europe's already-fragile semblance of political balance. The Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway would both fall prey to syndicalist revolutions, severely jeopardizing Germany's northern flank. The new syndicalist nations vowed unyielding support of the "global revolution" and pledged themselves to support both the Commune of France and Union of Britain, come what be. The Kingdom of Denmark frantically tried to stem the tide of syndicalist agitators now flooding in from her Nordic neighbors. Danish reactionaries clashed with syndicalists in the streets, and the dominant Danish syndicalist party called for a "bloody revolution" that would "wash away the decadent monarchy and boot-licking conservatives."

Well-funded by both France and Britain, with additional manpower from Sweden and Norway, the Danish Crown and His Majesty's Government knew they were days away from a full-fledged revolution; one in which it was unlikely they would even survive, nevermind emerge victorious. The Danish military was undergoing an active modernization program, and her units were not prepared to engage in a full-scale civil war; apart from which, the Krigsministeriet (Ministry of War) felt that as much as 30 to 40 percent of all Royal Army enlisted personnel would feel compelled to desert and join a potential syndicalist revolution. The Marineministeriet (Naval Ministry) was proffering even more startling predictions, claiming the navy was a "hot-bed of working-class agitation" and that much as 80 percent of the Danish Royal Navy could defect to a hypothetical syndicalist army. The Crown and government felt that the situation was quickly spiraling out of control, and King Christian X, feeling his options were few, personally petitioned the Kaiser, asking for the protection of the Reichspakt.

King Christian X personally wrote a letter of request to the Kaiser, asking that Germany extend protection to her. According to the King's personal writings, he did not expect the Kaiser to accept his plea, and if he did, he expected that the Kaiser would demand Denmark's full annexation, along with his -- and his family's -- full abdication. The Kaiser's offer therefore surprised him; Christian X's writings show that he wasn't terribly reluctant to accept.​

The Kaiser, in his pursuit of Germanic-unity, issued King Christian X a counter-offer of sorts. The King could keep his throne, the current government would be supported by Imperial troops, and the full protection of the Empire would be extended to the Kingdom of Denmark... but only as a constituent state of the Empire. The offer was cordial, and included a guarantee of all rights enjoyed by Danes under their current laws, as well as a "cultural guarantee;" The Kaiser assured the King that no cultural infringements or impositions would be placed upon Danes, and their language would be protected by law. While the idea of surrendering their nation to the Germans didn't appeal to some, others in the Danish government rallied behind the offer. They pointed out how the Germans had handled the integration of the Kingdom of Flanders-Wallonia; the people were happy, and they maintained a degree of autonomy. Furthermore, the idea of falling to a syndicalist revolution appealed even less. So it was, that on 31 December, 1936, at the stroke of midnight in Copenhagen, the Kingdom of Denmark was officially integrated into the German Empire.

Denmark on a contemporary tactical map, just before the deployment of German Feldgendamerie units. The Imperial Navy also quickly took to the task of securing Danish nautical borders, ensuring that no more syndicalist agitators could covertly slip into the Kingdom.​

Seconds after midnight, Imperial Feldgendamerie units began crossing the former border; their more law-enforcement-centric training was to employed in the cities of the Kingdom. Regular German troops, joining with still-loyal Danish troops, began to scour the countryside. The integration sparked a minor, low-intensity partisan movement, primarily backed by syndicalists, although the occasional Danish nationalist group was arrested. For the most part, the Danish people, exhausted from the skirmishes in the city streets, were glad to see order restored, the partisans driven out to the countryside. Furthermore, Germany was recovering quickly from Black Monday, and many felt that Denmark could only prosper again, now that she had joined the Empire.

The Imperial government, shortly after the official integration, sent a message to the local Icelandic government, offering her a choice. She could either join the Empire outright -- and she would remain under the Kingdom of Denmark -- or she could could forge her own path, with a "guarantee of independence and protection" by the Empire. Under this latter offer, the Icelandic government was to allow the Empire to build a naval and military base in or near Reykjavík, and was to permit the free movement of Imperial Army and Navy units through these bases. The Imperial government, however, made it clear that German sailors and soldiers would only leave their respective installations for liberty in Reykjavík, and only at the discretion of the local government. Iceland quickly accepted the offer of independence, and within hours, a moderate democratic-socialist state was declared, one which still enjoys warm relations with the Empire today.

Greenland would be placed under the direct administration of the Reichskolonialamt (Imperial Colonial Office), although the local government was permitted to retain their autonomy. Plans were drawn up for a large naval base to be constructed near the capital, and a German convoy carrying the 500 troops of the 167. Gebirgs-Feldgendamerie Bataillon (167th Mountain Military Police Battalion; Imperial troops that were fully qualified military policemen who had also earned the coveted Edelweiß badge, indicating they were proficient mountaineers and cold-weather survivalists) were sent at full-steam to secure Greenland's place with the Empire.

In our next lesson; the Syndicalist Rebellion of Ukraine and German intervention.

 

[TheSublimeGoose]

Compared to other members of the Reichspakt, the Kingdom of Ukraine had maintained a great degree of autonomy, the Imperial government allotting more and more powers and authority to the Ukrainian Royal Government. This was partly due to Ukraine's distance from Berlin, but it was also due to the young Kingdom's relative pacificity. Ukrainian nationalists were pleased to finally enjoy their own nation and even their own King (even if he did speak German at court). Those on the left were pleased by the Kingdom's relatively liberal policies, guaranteeing a variety of freedoms and rights for all citizens. However, with the growing 'Soviet Syndicalist' movement in Russia, the syndicalist presence in Eastern Ukraine likewise ballooned. Soon, Russian, Ukranian, Ruthenian, and even Polish syndicalists gathered in Kharkiv, and began fomenting rebellion.

King Vasyl I von Habsburg-Lothringen of Ukraine, with strong familial ties to Germany -- and especially Austria -- had long guided the nation according to the directions of Berlin and Vienna. However, he was a lifelong Slavophile; He was especially interested in Ukrainian culture, something which endeared him to the populace. Seeking a better future for his people, Vasyl I had, in the early years of his reign, obtained a very lucrative trade deal for his new Kingdom. Germany and Austria were to allow artisan, mechanical, and military goods to flow freely into Ukraine, while the Kingdom would become the "Breadbasket of the East." Pre-existing farmers were given special subsidies, tax cuts, and even additional land by the government; any Ukrainian family that showed the aptitude and work-ethic would be granted plots of unused farmland at no cost by the government. This quickly led to an agricultural revolution in the Kingdom, and her citizens began to enjoy a level of wealth that they had never before imagined. However, as the post-Weltkrieg years dragged on, Ukrainian cities languished; all attention was focused on the country side and farms. Former urban industrial centers were closing rapidly; most goods were now imported cheaper than Ukrainian factories could make them. With an abundance of food, the population also exploded... and by 1935, a true problem had emerged.

King Vasyl I von Habsburg-Lothringen of Ukraine; For a post-Weltkrieg, foreign-born monarch, Vasyl I was exceptionally popular, at least among certain segments of the population. While he was more closely related to the Austrian Imperial Family, Vasyl I saw that Austria-Hungary was a collapsing empire, and spent the post-First Weltkrieg years warming up to Imperial Germany. The Kaiser would go on to authorize massive loans and spending by German quasi-state-owned corporations in Ukraine. As the Imperial Army underwent its massive modernization program of 1935-1938, the Imperial High Command -- with the blessing of the Kaiser -- granted the fledgling Kingdom a huge percentage of its FW-era equipment. The Ukrainian Royal Army, increasingly drawing her recruits from the more-loyal countryside, would swell in size; the Royal Army often performed exercises alongside the Imperial Army. The Ukrainian Royal Navy (URN) was viewed by the Germans as strategically important in the security of the Black Sea and therefore, the Balkans, Crimea, and Ukraine herself; the Imperial Navy often gave older vessels to the URN.​

Those born just before, during, and immediately after the First Weltkrieg were -- especially if they lived in the cities -- immensely resentful of the thought of single families taking up as much land that could house thousands within a city. This generation quickly trended towards syndicalism, and most cities became hotbeds of agitation, often funded by Soviet, British, or French syndicalists. Agents of the German Kaiserliche Geheimpolizei (KGP) and of the Ukrainian Korolivsʹka Politsiya Osoblyvoyi Bezpeky (KPOB; Royal Special Security Police) began infiltration of syndicalist organizations and communes in Ukraine, around the same time the KGP were doing the same in Germany. This joint operation, while not as tremendously successful as said efforts in Germany, were still worthwhile. By the beginning of 1937, the KBOP was confident of syndicalist plans -- they intended to revolt. The KGP concurred with this assessment, and advised Berlin thusly. The Kaiser was quick to act, ordering the Kaiserliche Oberste Heeresleitung (KOHL; Imperial Supreme Army Command) to, "...as subtly and as covertly as possible, prepare for the invasion and subsequent restoration of order to The Ukraine." The KOHL, with little fanfare, decided to constitute a new command in Eastern Europe, in order to have a manager of strategic operations at the highest level, but who is also on-location, reporting to the KOHL; this, instead of various units in Eastern Europe reporting directly to the KOHL. This new command, Heeresgruppe Ost (HGO; Army Group East), was also to remain permanently established; The KOHL intended to use this command as an active effort in deterring any future Russian aggression.

In early 1937, various Imperial Armees began to make their way, via train, through the Duchy of Lithuania and Kingdom of White Ruthenia, towards the Ruthenian-Ukrainian border. In the past two years, the Imperial government had authorized massive investments in the transportation infrastructure of Lithuania and Ruthenia, precisely for this reason. It paid off, as dozens of divisions were able to promptly secure the border and prepare for invasion; all while logistical support was able to flow freely. Ostensibly, the divisions were on the border to participate in an annual war game with Ukraine; however, the HGO made sure that its various Armees kept the majority of their forces behind the front line, a few miles into Ruthenia. This was to ensure that any syndicalist presence in Ukraine would only report the normal number of German divisions participating in the annual war games; and not ten times that number.

The Armees mainly consisted of cavalry divisions; thought to be an ideal choice for the open countryside of the 'Breadbasket of the East,' while sparing the newer motorized and panzer divisions for the French border. Several infantry divisions were involved; these would primarily be utilized in mopping-up operations and for assaulting & securing any cities that might fall to syndicalists. Various units of the Kaiserliche Feldgendarmerie stood by to assume peacekeeping duties and to assist the various still-loyal Ukrainian law enforcement agencies.

By 9 January 1937, cities were overrun by local syndicalist communes, and the "Socialist Republic of Ukraine" was declared. While France and Britain promised full financial and covert military support, they stopped short of inviting the new socialist-syndicalist regime into the Internationale; Neither nation was prepared to risk all-out war with Imperial Germany over a nation of little strategic importance to the Internationale. By 10 January, a surprisingly potent syndicalist militia had assembled itself at the Ruthenian-Ukrainian border, leading Berlin to consider the possibility that the KGP or KBOP had been infiltrated itself; but it was no matter.

With the Ukrainian Royal Family secure in neighboring Ruthenia, an ultimatum was issued to the syndicalist troops on the border; Lay down your arms, return home, or suffer the consequences; the militias were bombarded by the Imperial Air Force with leaflets containing the message, along with a reminder that every leaflet would be a bomb instead within hours. With little command centralization, no order of surrender would be given, and thus, the Imperial army pushed forward. Under the cover of intense close air support -- a test case for the new air force -- the militias quickly melted. Within a day, Imperial cavalrymen were once again advancing deep into the heart of Ukraine.

Imperial cavalrymen ride past a stream of Ukrainian syndicalist militiia POWs. The militias were armed in a smattering of equipment ranging from French helmets, to Russian coats. Many went into battle with pre-FW weapons, a testament to the spirit of the Ukrainian people.​

Within a week, dozens of German divisions were scattered across Ukraine, and the Kingdom -- the 'breadbasket' -- was secure. The King was quickly placed back into power, with Imperial troops to hold the line. Ukraine would recover rather quickly, mostly due to its strong & loyal farming class remaining resolute supporters of the government and her Imperial ally.

In our next lesson.... WAR!

 

[TheSublimeGoose]

With the destruction of the syndicalist 'Socialist Republic of Ukraine,' The Empire had once again used military power to enforce its influence. Across Europe, Germany was responsible for rising tensions; Her annexation of Belgium and Denmark, the Poles bowing to German power, and the enforcement of (German) order in Ukraine worried all syndicalist strategists and commentators. Germany was clearly cementing her role as the dominant world 'mega-power,' a term born in the mid-1930s to describe the rise of individual nations that exert disproportionate influence and power over the rest of the world.

The Internationale; officially consisting of, in 1937; the Union of Britain, the Commune of France, the Commune of Sweden, and the Commune of Norway; met in Paris, in August of 1937. Officially, the only agenda was "...to further the Glorious People's Revolution..." but unofficially, two items were of priority. First, The Internationale discussed how much support would be proffered to any syndicalist revolution in the United States of America. Rising tensions in the states, along with a myriad of other issues, had already fractured the nation; it was merely a matter of time until an 'official' breakup was finalized. Secondly, "...containment of German Imperial aggression, here in Europe, as well as globally, [was] of the highest priority." The Internationale had noted that Imperial military commitments had spread her forces thin; very thin. Thus, a hard line was taken; Any further Imperial aggression towards any syndicalist nation would be treated as an affront to all syndicalist nations, and would be acted upon accordingly.

In response to this, the KOHL (Imperial Supreme Army Command) ordered Heeresgruppe West (Army Group West) to began a massive fortification update on the Franco-Imperial border. In addition, the newly-independent Kaiserliche Luftwaffe (KL; Imperial Air Force) made no effort to hide their movements; light and medium fighter units were moved to newly upgraded bases near the border. Heavy fighter units were in held in reserve in the heartland of Germany, to serve in the zerstörer or 'bomber-destroyer' role. The Air Force had also placed an equal emphasis on close air support (CAS) and strategic bombing (SB), and had reserves -- although somewhat small -- of both types of aircraft. The ground-attackers, however, had shone in their CAS during the Ukrainian intervention, and thus the KL did begin to trend towards focusing on CAS and light bombers. This latter decision would prove to be hugely helpful in the coming months.

KL Pilots and Airmen of Jagdgeschwader 16 pose before a Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW) Bf-109 C-4. The 109 was tested as a possible replacement for the aging Fokker D.XXI (the first monoplane of the KL), the KL's primary light fighter. While many pilots praised the 109's maneuverability, low-altitude rate-of-climb, and relatively heavy armament for a light fighter, the design ultimately lost out to the Heinkel He-100. While early models of the He-100 were outgunned by the Bf-109; The 100 sporting x4 7.92mm machine guns; while the 109 was armed with x2 7.92mm machine guns, an engine-mounted MG-FF/M cannon, and two under-wing (or wing-root) mounted MG-FF/M gunpods; Heinkel assured the KL that the 100 could be up-armed without any performance penalties (which it would be; later models would even bear up to x2 12.7mm HMGs and up to x3 20 or 30mm minengeschoss cannons). Indeed, performance was the primary reason the 100 was chosen over the 109; the 100 went on to set world speed records, and was continually upgraded throughout the war. The 109 would be adopted instead as the KL's primary medium fighter in 1937. The KL was unique, in that it was the only Air Force to classify fighters into the light/medium/heavy classes. As a medium fighter, the 109 was called upon to function as a fighter-bomber, supplementing ground-attackers; and as a high-speed interceptor, when heavy fighter armament wasn't called for, but speed was. The 109 would continue in service around the world, after the end of the 2WK. Of particular note was the German-Jewish pilots whom served in the 2WK and then joined the new Jewish State of Madagascar's Air Force. The Madagascan Air Force was equipped with late-model 109s by the Imperial government. In support of the Jewish Evacuation in Palestine, the 109s were flown from Madagascar to the Imperial air base at the Suez Canal, and then flew sorties over Palestine in support of Madagascan ground troops and Imperial Marines.​

Within a month of The Internationale's blanket guarantee of any aspiring syndicalist nation, the Netherlands would fall. Early in the morning on 7 September 1937, Queen Wilhelmina was forced to abdicate her throne and flee her Kingdom. She, much like monarchs before her, called upon the Kaiser to reclaim her nation from the radicals now running it; The Germans were unprepared to allow an ally of their greatest foes to lie so deeply in on German territory.

According to contemporary reports, Wilhemina was lucky to escape with her life, and only dedicated troops of her Royal bodyguard unit were able to guarantee her safety while traveling.​

The KOHL spared no time in directing all forces on peacekeeping duties in Flanders-Wallonia and Denmark (the peace was not hard to keep in either, prospering constituent state, anymore) to the Dutch border. With relentless ground-attack from the KL, tens of thousands of Imperial infantrymen and cavalrymen swarmed across the Dutch border, their disorganized ' Batavian People's Army' quickly collapsing under the pressure.

The 'Second Prussian Intervention,' as it would become known, was described in the press as "Yet another quick jaunt across the border." Neither the government nor the press truly believed The Internationale would respond as they had promised should another syndicalist nation's sovereignty be violated; They were wrong.

With the collapse of the Batavian Commune, the final straw had been placed. The Internationale officially declared war on The Empire, and her allies & subjects, on 12 September 1937, widely recognized as the start of the 2WK.​

Imperial infantrymen on the border prepared to man their new defensive positions, while the new panzer and motorized divisions prepared, behind the lines, for a new tactic, the 'armored spearhead.' From Dunkirk to Mühlhausen, a hard line, called the Kaiserlinie (the Emperor's line) by Imperial troops, was drawn. The French would vastly overestimate how spread thin the Imperial Army was, and how greatly underestimate the new German fortifications; and would take the disastrous first steps of the war. Tens of thousands of Fernch troops, utilizing 1WK tactics against 2WK weaponary, were marched into the Kaiserlinie as if into a meat grinder. Within days, the Commune had "replaced" her generals on the border, and these tactics stopped. British transports, in order to avoid the now-massive Imperial Navy, skirted across the English Channel just days before the war began. The French quickly swept into Switzerland, and Swiss syndicalists quickly declared the the 'Helvetic Commune' had voluntarily joined The Internationale.

Rushing to defend this new and vulnerable border, the Kaiser personally ordered the 4. Jäger-Armee to the Imperial-Swiss border. The 4. Jäger-Armee was a new venture, concentrating the specialist units of the Imperial Army under one command. Most Gebirgsjäger, Alpenjäger, and Ski-Jäger (mountain troops) units were assigned the 4. Jäger-Armee; The KOHL also assigned new, experimental units, the 1., 2., 3., 4., & 5. Marine-Sturm-Division. The German military had not wielded proper Marines for decades, and thus this would be the initial test for them. The Marines would accompany their mountain-soldier brethren (most Marines had been selected directly from the various mountain units) to the Swiss border, and would defend this precarious position well. Once the border had been secured, the Marines would be sent to Dunkirk, where they began planning their invasion of the Union of Britain.

The Franco-Imperial and Imperial-Swiss border on 12 September 1937; The outrbeak of the Second Weltkrieg

An Imperial Marine in the early-war uniform. Note the Karabiner 98 kurz; While standard infantrymen would utilize the Kar 98 into the mid-war era and beyond, Marines quickly replaced it with a rugged, all-purpose, rifle-caliber, select-fire weapon, the MjG 42 or Marinejägergewehr 42. Marines, already selected from the most elite mountain troops, would quickly gain a reputation as the Kaiserreich's most elite troops. While nominally Naval servicemen, they were seconded to the KOHL. The Army would vie for ever more control over them, particularly as they grew in prestige; while the Navy would fight to maintain control. Eventually, a compromise was reached; The Marines would become an autonomous arm of the Navy, with its own rank structure and their own command staff (including a flag officer equivalent to the Großadmiral of the Imperial Navy; the General der Marine-Jäger) about halfway through the 2WK.​

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the chaos of the start of yet another Great War collapsed the already-teetering United States of America. The nation would ostensibly split into 3 nation-states, although the federal government held on in the Midwest, and the northern South Atlantic region/Greater Washington D.C. area for several months. However, the main contenders for the American state were the Combined Syndicates of America in the North and Northeast; the American Union State in the eastern-Midwest, the South, and the southernmost-Northeast; and the Pacific States of America on the West Coast. The federal government held virtually no de facto authority over all of the regions they claimed to maintain control over, and within months, all territory save for Washington D.C. proper were occupied by either the PSA, CSA, or AUS.

A contemporary tactical map shows the situation on the eve of the 2ACW. Note that while the federal government claimed large swathes of the nation, actual control of most of the areas would quickly fall under one of the new successor-states.​

While The Empire had another Great War on her hands, the Kaiser personally authorized arms shipments to the American Union State, and sent a 'Letter of Friendship and Support' to President Huey Long himself. The Empire would, over the course of the next few years, ship hundreds of thousands of small-arms (albeit outdated models), old artillery, and even 'war-weary' fighter aircraft to the AUS. The 2ACW would rage on for years; even with heavy German support -- including volunteer divisions of 2WK-experienced combat veterans once the War in Europe was nearly over -- the AUS would struggle against syndicalist traitors to the north and separatist vipers to the west for years to come.

In our next lesson; The experimental 'armored spearhead' smashes through French lines, and 'The Long Advance' across France begins; German Marines fall back from the Imperial-Swiss border once syndicalist attacks slow, and prepare for an invasion of the UoB; the UoB launches a surprise naval-invasion of North Denmark, and it's up to German military policemen to repel.​

 

[TheSublimeGoose]

With German defenses shoring up, troops on both sides of the Imperial-French-Swiss border settled in for a defensive trench war, a la the First Weltkrieg. Unbeknowst to the French and British, however, Imperial forces were massing their armored forces in the north of the Kingdom of Flanders-Wallonia. Both French and British doctrines held that armored brigades and divisions were to be dispersed among their various corps, and were to be employed in purely infantry support and mopping-up operations. Within The Empire, however, a new line of tactical and strategic thinking was emerging, set out by visionaries such as General der Panzertruppe Heinz Guderian and Generalleutnant Erwin Rommel. While British and French (and even the occasional Swiss) panzers outnumbered Imperial armored forces, they did not have the quality of German panzers. To overcome this, both generals promoted the concept of Manövrierkrieg (war of maneuver), and advocated for the use of panzers en masse, to be used as an armored gauntlet, smashing through enemy lines.

While more traditionalist infantry-branch generals maintained that their branch would ultimately win the war, the cavalry branch (as well as the soon-to-be independent armor branch) and the Luftwaffe enthusiastically supported Manövrierkrieg. Thus, the Kaiser ordered the Kaiserliche Oberste Heeresleitung (KOHL; Imperial Supreme Army Command) to attempt the Manövrierkrieg tactic in northern France. Thus, the panzer build-up in Flanders-Wallonia. General der Panzertruppe Guderian personally took charge of the overall operation, even managing to have infantry and cavalry divisions transferred to his corps. Generalleutnant Rommel was to command the panzer divisions on the ground.

In 1937, Imperial armored forces consisted mainly of LP Is and LP IIs (Leichter-Panzer I & II; Light Panzer 1 & 2), although some units had begun to be outfitted with the MP I (Mittlerer-Panzer I; Medium Panzer 1) 'Donnerschlag.' The Donnerschlag was, for 1937, a panzer ahead of its time. Its unintentionally mildly sloped armor proved to be far more effective than the armor of lighter tanks, and the wide variety of main guns and MGs available in different variants provided for a Donnerschlag for every situation.

The Kaiserliche Luftwaffe enthusiastically supported this form of warfare, and prepared all available Schlachtgeschwader (ground-attack wings) for operational service. Fuel was a mild concern, but it was felt that if the armored gauntlet could move quickly enough; or at least smash the enemy's front-lines enough for infantry and cavalrymen to flood through; then all could be accomplished within a margin of safety without running out of strategic fuel reserves. The Kaiserliche Kriegsmarine (Imperial Navy) was limited to coastal patrol operations, and only the area of the main naval port, the Kaiserliche Werft Wilhelmshaven (Wilhelmshaven Imperial Port) was protected with any real zeal.

With the winter of '37, lines solidified, and WWI-style defensive warfare was the name of the game. However, in May of '38, the 'armored gauntlet' was pushed through, and Manövrierkrieg would go into the history books as General der Panzertruppe Heinz Guderian and Generalleutnant Erwin Rommel executed their long-prepared armored attack. French lines in the north, while densely packed with Syndicalist infantrymen and naval battalions, the concentration of medium panzers to make the initial breakthrough, and light panzers to mop up the infantry, simply melted the once-stolid French frontlines.

​

French troops were simply no match for the concentration of the steel of German panzers.​

The air war in 1938. As French frontlines in the north buckled, the focus on ground-support shifted to tactical and strategic bombing, as well as naval patrol missions over the channel to make up for the lack of naval dominance. While intelligence provided information that the UoB's People's Air Force was in good shape, with a new, 8-gun, air superiority fighter being introduced, the Syndifire, the French Air Force, on the other hand, was heavily overwhelmed by Imperial air superiority. By mid-1938, German light, medium, and heavy bombers had free reign over the heart of France. Meanwhile, in the channel, German dominance would reign supreme, until the Syndifire was introduced, at which point He-100 light fighters and Bf-109 medium fighters were assigned to escort the naval bombers.​