Tomorrow Belongs To Me - A 'Democratic' Germany AAR

[TheButterflyComposer]

Tomorrow Belongs To Me – A ‘Democratic’ Germany AAR​

Introduction​

There is nothing so destructive, so arousing, so detrimental and so vital to the health and fortunes of a nation than the smoke-ridden backrooms wherein its fate is decided. The Reich, in its short but profound history, had seen no end of such dealings. Now, once again, a small group of men in quiet discussion would decide the essential next steps in the disquiet country of theirs.

“Is it really so bad?”
​

​

The President, long decayed by age and office (of various sorts), was in an ill mood. His own son and advisors were absent from the meeting, barred for their suspected ties. Everyone was a suspect these days, there were daggers hidden within every shadow, and plots everywhere else.

How had it all come to this?

The war, he supposed, though that seemed trite to say. Of course it was the war, everything was down to the war. Everyone who had previously ran the country was either dead, exiled or disgraced. Power then fell to the people he himself had been judiciously ignoring for the prior four years, and a people that had no real experience of governing themselves were now expected to vote. All of them, from the youngest man to the entire womenfolk.
​

It was hardly surprising that chaos ensued, not least because several million angry men returned to find the Reich in ruins and the politicians who betrayed them now running the show. Every flavour of lunatic rioted. Communists, strange quasi-militarists, the trade unions, the bloody Bavarians, even the average worker with a General Strike. Making it all worse was a concerted effort by the French and Dutch to ruin what little progress had been made a few years in.
​

​

How Ebert managed to keep the country together through all that astounded him. If he could declare the man a saint, he would. Gone now of course, which was why Hindenburg himself had to be dragged from retirement into office. Not that there were many other good choices…or any, were he truly honest. Stresemann perhaps but frankly, the man was Bismarck reborn when it came to foreign affairs and he served far better in that ministry. Saving the country from occupation, reconciling relations with Great Britain, and did away with most of the reparations from that god-awful treaty…

Hindenburg made a brief note to ensure both men got statues in the next ceremonial affairs committee.
​

Still, it boded ill when Stresemann demanded a quiet and confidential meeting with the President and a few extremely important officials in the dead of night. He knew the man was not in good health, but surely there must have been more to it than that?

Unfortunately, there was. Hence the question.

“Worse, I fear. Permanent rule by Article 48 at absolute best, which is hardly ideal. At worse…” the Foreign Minister tailed off.

Ruin.

Destruction.

Germany might not survive to see its sixtieth year.

“But the economy is doing well, I see?”
​

“Partially. In terms of fiscal and monetary policy and control, we have recovered from the hyperinflation and subsequent crash fairly well. Real growth and value of the economy, however, is far below what the figures indicate…we are entirely dependent on investment and what could be called speculation, most of which is in foreign hands.”

“French?”

“No, not that bad. British and American, a great deal of both. It’s one of the reasons why I’ve been so successful in dealing with the former, they have a lot of eggs in our basket.”

“Hardly ideal, but not nation destroying?”

“No, we have bigger issues, provided the world economy doesn’t collapse in on itself. The real problem is-”

“The real problem is the Nazis are building their own private state and army in Prussia. And the Communists are being organised by some insidious outside agents, probably linked to Moscow.”
​

​

Hindenburg peered at the army intelligence officer who had snapped out. The man was young, mid-thirties at most, and quiet clearly stressed and anxious over something awful.

No…he was afraid.

Well…that was disquieting.

“Socialism first, gentlemen.”

The officer slumped but Stresemann seemed to agree with the priority. “Indeed sir, we have rumour and reports that they are being armed and organised. An infiltration of labour unions or God forbid, a general strike, would be exactly the impetus required to plunge the economy into disarray and provide the perfect environment for uprisings of all kinds. The post-war period all over again.”

Hindenburg grunted. “Nazis?”

“Their private army now rivals the Wehrmacht in Prussia. We cannot adequately contain them without risking civil war. Their internal party apparatus, incidentally, is advanced and efficient. They’re preparing for something, whether it be a huge election push or a revolution of their own.”

“Options?”
​

​

“The coalition government is close to collapse. If there is a large-scale strike, and we think there will be, they won’t survive the fallout. We need someone to take over one of the centrist parties and form a new coalition. We need a fresh chancellor, who can hold the centre and somehow disarm both radical wings of the country. And someone who commands the respect of the military, and the upper brass. My…” he hesitated, “my own position is secure, but I am hardly in the best of health, as you know. I would be willing to give my seat over to the newcomer, and stay on at the foreign ministry.”

“The country thanks you for your pains, yet again,” the President said absently.

A new chancellor? Untainted by the last decade of politicking, scandal, riots, chaos and turmoil? He would have to be experienced in administration, likeable, politically neutral, albeit preferably rationalist enough to appease the conservative establishment, charismatic…and had to be of the military class. Former military then. A war hero preferably. Someone who had stayed quiet and not supported any sides…that would be difficult. Most with a voice had at least had some involvement with denouncing or supporting a coup at some point in the past ten years…except…

Hindenburg reached for his pipe, and considered.

He would never accept, for one. And he was potentially too close, although not quite enough, to Ludendorff. A quiet critic of the monarchy, which might play to democratic members of the Reichstag, and liberals, considering who his wife was…otherwise as traditionalist as they came, strong, imposing, distinguished service history…hmm…

“Ouster.”

Stresemann paused mid-sentence, whilst the officer to the left of him smiled.

“The Jäger Meister?”

“The Baby Eater,” Stresemann said, dubiously. “Then again, that was only in Russia, wasn’t it? Hmm…”

Yes, it could work.
​

​

Hindenburg was no Ebert, and he knew that. His time had passed. The last bit of service he could do for his country, it seemed, was to try to convince Augustus Frederick Klaus von Ouster to leave the hole he had buried himself in, and save Germany.

One last time.
​

...​

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Table of Contents​

This AAR is a mix of history book and narrative chapters. It is not required to read everything, and those who wish to entirely skip the WW1 content and head straight for the Weimar Germany stuff (when it gets written), should feel free. However, here is listed all sections and chapters of the AAR in full:
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Prologue – The Crisis and War of 1914​

Prologue I – The Cavalier Officer : 2nd July to 5th July 1914

Prologue II – Undue Escalation : 3rd August to 15th September 1914

Prologue III – Peace on Earth : 23rd December to 25th December 1914

Prologue IV – A Prussian Education : 16th January 1915

Prologue V – The First Duty : 31st March 1915

Prologue VI – Radcliffe’s Gambit : 2nd May 1915 (History book)

Prologue VII – The Fighting Jäger : 15th May to 20th May 1915
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The Jäger War – Campaigns and Movements in 1915​

The Jäger War – The War Opens Up : Autumn 1914 to Summer 1915 (History book)

The Jäger War – Ungentlemanly Warfare : 8th August to 9th August 1915

The Jäger War – Our Man in the City : 16th August 1915

The Jäger War – The Old and New Guard : Summer 1915 (History Book)

The Jäger War – The World at War Part 1: The British Empire

The Jäger War – The World at War Part 2: Allies and Enemies

The Jäger War – The World at War Part 3: Neutral Nations of Note

The Jäger War – The World Turns : 18th August to 25th August 1915

The Jäger War – The Battle of Cyprus : 15th September 1915 (History Book)

The Jäger War – How to Win a War : 20th September 1915

The Jäger War – The Little Princes : 30th September 1915

The Jäger War – We are the Dead : 10th October to 11th November 1915
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The Ninth Circle – Betrayal and Treachery, 1915 - 1916​

The Ninth Circle – Party Games : November 1915

The Ninth Circle – The Modern Prometheus : November 1915

The Ninth Circle – The Balkan Front Closes and Opens : December 1915 (History book)

The Ninth Circle – The Arab Revolt : September 1915 to August 1916 (History book)

The Ninth Circle – Invictus : Late November 1915

The Ninth Circle – Leviticus : 15th December 1915

The Ninth Circle – Homecoming : 15th December 1915
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The Ninth Circle – The Return : 15th December 1915

The Ninth Circle – Party Games : 15th December 1915

The Ninth Circle – The Shell Crisis of 1915 (History book)
The Ninth Circle – The Twelfth Night Massacre Part 1: 5 January 1916
The Ninth Circle – The Twelfth Night Massacre Part 2: 5 January 1916

The Ninth Circle – The Twelfth Night Massacre Part 3: 5 January 1916
The Ninth Circle – The Twelfth Night Massacre Part 3: 6 January 1916
The Ninth Circle – The Twelfth Night Massacre Part 4: 6 January 1916
The Ninth Circle – The Twelfth Night Massacre Aftermath (History book)

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The Long 19th Century – Historical points of interest and note​

The Long 19th Century –The War of 1812

The Long 19th Century – The Earl of Atherleigh : 1870s to 1880s

The Long 19th Century – The Spanish-American War : 1890s

The Long 19th Century – The Russo-Japanese War : 1900 to 1905
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...
Timeline – 1781 to 1916
Beware of Spoilers
​

 

[El Pip]

Tomorrow Belongs To Me​

A title choice that is no way foreboding or ominous.

​

Hindenburg was no Ebert, and he knew that. His time had passed. ​

Looking at his record one has to ask if his time had ever come in the first place.

The last bit of service he could do for his country, it seemed, was to try to convince Augustus Frederick Klaus von Ouster to leave the hole he had buried himself in​

A hole so deep and effective that not even the internet had ever heard of him.

and save Germany.

One last time.​

Really? Are we absolutely sure that is a good idea? Germany that is, are we really sure a unified Germany is a good idea. Several hundred tiny germanic statelets collected beneath a umbrella organisation, perhaps one that is completely inaccurately named, maybe that is a better plan? I'm not suggesting HRE 2 Electric Bogaloo is perfect, but it is surely an option worth considering at this point. And what better game than HOI4 to implement it in, that sort of anachronistic recreation of a long passed empire would fit right in.

In any event, good to see this one start and I wish you luck as you battle the madness of the HOI4 focus tree system. Not wishing you luck fighting the AI obviously, no-one needs any luck to beat the AI.

 

[Barsoom]

What did the Dutch do? If you're referring to the occupation of the Rurhgebiet, that was the Belgians.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

A title choice that is no way foreboding or ominous.

Deliberately so. Democracy in the reich is...going to be rather unusual.

Looking at his record one has to ask if his time had ever come in the first place.

His perspective is supremely biased.

A hole so deep and effective that not even the internet had ever heard of him.

Effective indeed.

Really? Are we absolutely sure that is a good idea? Germany that is, are we really sure a unified Germany is a good idea.

The germans do...except for the bavarians. And swabians.

Several hundred tiny germanic statelets collected beneath a umbrella organisation, perhaps one that is completely inaccurately named, maybe that is a better plan? I'm not suggesting HRE 2 Electric Bogaloo is perfect, but it is surely an option worth considering at this point. And what better game than HOI4 to implement it in, that sort of anachronistic recreation of a long passed empire would fit right in.

Would be difficult in hoi4. Can only break Germany into east and west. France is far easier to destroy. Yugulsavia can actually opt to make their own federated little states if they wish. Often its a much better idea than trying to keep it all together.

In any event, good to see this one start and I wish you luck as you battle the madness of the HOI4 focus tree system. Not wishing you luck fighting the AI obviously, no-one needs any luck to beat the AI.

It's already hard. You can either use the focus tree to remove Hitler, which then leads to democratic, monarchies and communist choices....but it's very unlike how the country was. Keeping the Republic reich going with Hitler not getting office does not make any of the military classes, conservatives, ardent reactionary of all sides or the parliament itself more democratic and Liberal.

The only thing liberal about Wiemar Germany was the obscenely liberal constitution.

What did the Dutch do? If you're referring to the occupation of the Rurhgebiet, that was the Belgians.

Ah...a little towards the alt history of the aar. Suffice to say, Belgium does not quite reckon into this story.

 

[Barsoom]

Ah...a little towards the alt history of the aar. Suffice to say, Belgium does not quite reckon into this story.

But... Belgium is where other countries go to fight their wars.

 

[SibCDC]

But... Belgium is where other countries go to fight their wars.

As a Belgian, I can confirm the accuracy of this statement.

 

[Bullfilter]

“This is it, folks, over the top!” I’m expecting both troops and the narrative to be doing this. Good luck, Mein Herr!

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

But... Belgium is where other countries go to fight their wars.

So it is often said.

As a Belgian, I can confirm the accuracy of this statement.

Which is why the nations of Europe cunningly removed Belgium from the maps in hope there would never again be a huge European war.

As ever, there was one tiny flaw with the plan...

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

“This is it, folks, over the top!” I’m expecting both troops and the narrative to be doing this. Good luck, Mein Herr!

We indeed return to just before the kick off of that unpleasantness in the Prologue.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

Prologue I – The Cavalier Officer

2nd July 1914​

Dear Anna,

You will forgive my sudden departure from our holidays. Please pass my excuses to the Dalairds and Spencers. I hope they, like you, are in the best of health.

The wire from Berlin was as unexpected as the summons were urgent. Everyone has been recalled, so it seems.

Please do give all my best to my good in-laws, and let me know if the children are behaving themselves!

I am as ever yours,

Frederick​

…​

5th July 1914​

Dearest Anna,

Frederick will no doubt mellow after teething. Edward certainly did, though really, I supposed twins to be more alike than as they are. Perhaps there is a study in there for you, my dear?

Perhaps it is good I missed Lord Hull. He has been hoping to gain a cabinet appointment for some years and now…well…

My dear, I must ask you to set this correspondence as we always have in regards to military matters. There is little I can share, as well you understand, but recent events have been turning in my mind and I feel the need to commit both to paper and to you.

​

Something indeed is going on at Court. Everyone has been recalled. Everyone. I was both surprised and delighted to see my father in attendance for the first time in…oh, however many years it has been. I am sure the children will be glad to know their Field Marshall still cuts a fine figure, though as for the reason of his presence, I really cannot say.

Indeed, confusion and excitement seem the done feeling at this time. Hans, that is, my counterpart, confesses he has no hints, which is an odd position for him. Always seems to know what is at hand, that fellow.

I really do not know what to make of it all, though confess to being quite disquieted. I hope you are all well and enjoying your repast.

Frederick.​

…​

Anne

Return home with the children at once. Shall explain upon arrival. Make some excuse.

F.​

…​

Two men, alike in character and stature, paced through a richly decorated corridor full of the pomp and splendour of an Emperor with a point to prove.

“What now, another telegram?” one said to the other. “At this time of night?”

“Given the past few weeks, it is hard to estimate the British Foreign Office. Not that it was ever to be our jobs to do so,” he added in a mutter.

“What, two excellent and decorated cavalrymen are suddenly unfit to play international politics? Good lord, man! Next you will be saying economics is best discussed in offices rather than on the hunt.”

“Best not at all.” The two men halted before a door, adjusted their uniforms appropriately, and then nodded to the footman to be admitted.
​

The adjoining hall was loud, hot and angry, much as it had been the past few days. Neither man was suitably important enough to dim the discourse upon their arrival beyond a few seconds, though Ouster caught the nod of his father and directed his friend to an ever so slightly quieter corner.

“Damned business, as ever.”

“No change?”

“None that I know of, though of course that doesn’t mean much these days. Otto never would have played things like this,” a hand was jerked in the general direction of the room at large.

“Yes, well…I think we’ve all been surprised by this one.”

That was an understatement. Two weeks ago, the Foreign Ministry took possession of a written and secret communique from London. The British were willing to not only reconcile the remainder of their differences with the Reich, but had tentatively hinted at a more formal understanding in Europe.

The implications…were astounding.

The British Empire had not been a great land power for just under a century, and yet…they held the balance of power in the world. Everyone recognised that. A change in attitudes, even the slightest hint of a crack in the chill that had pervaded affairs since…well, since the Kaiser had taken things into his own hands…could be very interesting indeed.

Still…

“Something must have changed. They would not bring out everyone in the middle of the night otherwise, surely?”

His father shrugged, exhaustion and irritation had robbed him of his typical manner. Certainly, had Ouster himself done that, he would have been remonstrated harshly.

“Well, whatever it is, here it comes,” Hans said nodding towards the main doors, beyond which the sound of a small procession was projected. Almost as he spoke, they opened, and all men in the room swiftly saluted their monarch and chancellor, along with every ranking member of the Wehrmacht leadership.

“Oh…this isn’t good news,” Ouster heard his father mutter.

Indeed, it seemed it was not. Each man had a grave face about him as they filed in and took stock of the gathered officers. The Kaiser nodded imperiously at Chancellor von Bethmann Hollweg.
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​

“One hour ago, at 8.15pm, Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated whilst visiting a hospital in Sarajevo…er, that is, the capital of Bosnia. His wife, the military governor of Bosnia, and several other people have also been killed by a bomb thrown by an unknown terrorist. Vienna has contacted us, and assured His Imperial Majesty that this was a Serbian attack, and that they shall respond appropriately.”

“A week of mourning shall be announced upon this tragic and monstrous affair.” Ouster was startled to hear the affected nature of the Kaiser, and then grimaced as he recalled the Archduke was a personal friend, and had indeed been visiting only a few weeks ago.
​

Moltke, the Chief of Staff, stepped forward. “It is not presently known how Austria shall react, but they most certainly will respond, and no doubt punitively. I spoke via telephone with my counterpart Conrad von Hötzendorf, and he is confident that the Empire shall seek harsh measures against Serbia, and any collaborators of this vicious and unprovoked attack. Gentlemen, it shall be the official position of the Reich that Austria shall be supported in their measures, though at this stage it should be noted that war is deemed unlikely by our ambassador in Vienna, and by our military intelligence. Nonetheless, you will all turn your full attentions to this matter at once, and I need not underline how vital both your diligence and discernment in these proceedings shall be. There will be no leaks, no hint of our position, no indication of our movements in this affair, till we are good and ready.”

He glanced at the Chancellor and the Kaiser, who gave no indication of anything further.

“You are dismissed for tonight. Come tomorrow, our business is again in the Balkans.”​

 

[Historywhiz]

How Ebert managed to keep the country together through all that astounded him. If he could declare the man a saint, he would.

That Hindenburg is able to think that about an open atheist and social democrat who imposed one of the most liberal constitutions in Europe, and it’s an entirely plausible thought for Hindenburg to have had, just goes to show how mad the Weimar Republic truly was.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

That Hindenburg is able to think that about an open atheist and social democrat who imposed one of the most liberal constitutions in Europe, and it’s an entirely plausible thought for Hindenburg to have had, just goes to show how mad the Weimar Republic truly was.

A Reich without an Emperor, constantly under threat of invasion or coups, when it wasn't being invaded or couped, with a dozen political parties in coalition, a wildly swinging economy, constant tension between various states and the higher government, lingering feelings of betrayal over WW1, a military and military class who were still obscenely powerful and influential, and, later on, a growing Nazi party whom were by the early 30s already running Prussia, had a private army capable of fighting the Wehrmacht, and increasingly good ties with business and military leaders...

You wonder how the place survived as long as it did. Badass does not describe how impressive Ebert and Stresemann were at their jobs. Had the former treated his appendicitis, history might look quite different...though there is no saving the latter, who managed to do all said above whilst also battling a nasty wasting sickness. Him dying just before the Wall Street Crash however is good evidence for the existence of a malevolent deity.

 

[El Pip]

Badass does not describe how impressive Ebert and Stresemann were at their jobs.

/ Looks at all the scams Ebert either induced or approved of to stop Germany paying reparations which were lower than those Germany had imposed on France. Looks at the low German tax rates (lower than France or the UK) while Germany claimed it could not afford to pay. Looks at the Freikorps collaboration. Looks at 'passive resistance' in the Ruhr. Looks at Hyperinflation which Ebert encouraged. /

Yes you are correct, 'badass' does in no way described his performance in the job. Maliciously incompetent is closer. If you insist on being generous then "supped with the Devil with a very short spoon" could fit.

Still, a valuable reminder of the importance of absolutely ramming home to the loser that they have lost. An Allied victory parade through Berlin in 1919, with the entire German political and officer class forced to watch and acknowledge it, would have saved a great deal of later fuss.

 

[Bullfilter]

So we reach back to the last war to view a couple of the latter day protagonists? Will they both be fictional?

 

[ThaHoward]

“The Jäger Meister?” haha I laughed at this one. Up to a good start, a democratic Germany is intriguging.

Many often look to the SPD and KPD, saying that if KPD did not follow Stalin's line they could have salvaged the Republic by cooperating with the SPD, instead of branding them as social-fascist and their main enemy.

However another take is that the conservatives had to remain loyal to the Republic. If Hindenburg turn out to be a democrat or quasi-democrat, I believe he should im to gain the loyalty of the conservatives and perhaps even the nationalist. A constitutional monarchy could come a long way to make them loyal to democracy, however I don't know if the DNVLP and nationalists want to compromise on the sovereign's power, and likewise, if the socialists and liberals will accept a Kaiser at all. Perhaps if the SPD and KPD actually form a united front it will motivate the liberals and centrists to compromise with the monarchists.

 

[Nikolai]

No Belgium? Hitler & co running Prussia? Some obscure or fictional(?) guy called Ouster, possibly in the process of ousting the competition? Curious...

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

Looks at all the scams Ebert either induced or approved of to stop Germany paying reparations which were lower than those Germany had imposed on France.

Fraud on a grand scale, but it worked, and we are looking at things from a German perspective so...

Looks at the low German tax rates (lower than France or the UK) while Germany claimed it could not afford to pay. Looks at the Freikorps collaboration. Looks at 'passive resistance' in the Ruhr. Looks at Hyperinflation which Ebert encouraged.

Yes...the reason why the word democratic is in quotation marks in the title is that, whilst Germany sort of had a Republic going on, they called themsevles the German Reich, had a president who absolutely could be an absolute monarch if they wanted to, and repeatedly sopped to the far right milita and military to bail them out of their many problems. Germany would have become a facist miltiary state in 1920 were it not for a general strike, after all.

Yes you are correct, 'badass' does in no way described his performance in the job. Maliciously incompetent is closer. If you insist on being generous then "supped with the Devil with a very short spoon" could fit.

I'd say those two were not maliciously incompetent. That would be the people who came afterwards who were determined to get out of paying ANY reperations by making the great depression in Germany as bad as they could possibly make it.

They were more ruthless pragmatists, one being a Liberal democratic atheist and the other a formerly hard right monarchist, both of whom had little trouble using the army, emergency powers, dictatorship and the far right to get what they wanted, but also kept trying to keep the liberal republic and voting going. Given the other possible leaders of post war Germany, I would say they were probably the best two who actually got power.

Still, a valuable reminder of the importance of absolutely ramming home to the loser that they have lost. An Allied victory parade through Berlin in 1919, with the entire German political and officer class forced to watch and acknowledge it, would have saved a great deal of later fuss.

They really should have. When every single member of the military throws the Republic under the bus for their failings, and then the politicians themsevles have to also back the stabbed in the back myth, included Ebert who would have been the backstabber in chief according to this theory, something has gone terribly wrong.

Then again, prussian miltiarism and the miltiary officer class were gigantic problems that weren't going away even if they did briefly had to swallow humble pie.

So we reach back to the last war to view a couple of the latter day protagonists? Will they both be fictional?

Mixture of fictional and real players in this AAR. You actually have to Butterfly quite a bit to stop the nazis or the communists taking over Germany in the 20s or 30s. For various reasons including taste (as the intro gently indicates, there are a lot of exceedingly nasty men in Germany of this period OTL and TTL), the main cast will be mostly fictional.

Many often look to the SPD and KPD, saying that if KPD did not follow Stalin's line they could have salvaged the Republic by cooperating with the SPD, instead of branding them as social-fascist and their main enemy.

The problem the SPD were always going to face after 1925 is that Hindenburg, the president and eternally potential absolute ruler of the empire, hated their guts and had done since before WW1. So they would have trouble even if they had a majority in a small and stable coalition, because the president appointed both the chancellor and the cabinet.

This is one of the suspected reasons why eventually Papen got as far as he did, because the alternative was an even weaker coalition with the nazis holding cabinet posts and the chancellorship, or the SPD and communists getting in.

Hindenburg was...really not all that good at being president of a 'Republic'.

However another take is that the conservatives had to remain loyal to the Republic. If Hindenburg turn out to be a democrat or quasi-democrat, I believe he should im to gain the loyalty of the conservatives and perhaps even the nationalist. A constitutional monarchy could come a long way to make them loyal to democracy, however I don't know if the DNVLP and nationalists want to compromise on the sovereign's power, and likewise, if the socialists and liberals will accept a Kaiser at all. Perhaps if the SPD and KPD actually form a united front it will motivate the liberals and centrists to compromise with the monarchists.

The president already was a monarch for all intents and purposes, including ruling by emergency decree alone. He was in essence, the monarchy again but voted in every 7 years. An improvement but not much of one. Honestly the liberals and socialists might prefer a constitutional monarch with less power than that and not voted in...except by the reichstag.

Certainly would have appeased many of the conservatives, traditionalists...but probably not many of the militaristic ones (the people who had actually met the last Kaiser and had to work with him). They were much more looking for a full military dictatorship.

It does remain an in game option, and I have agnosied over what to do about it.

No Belgium? Hitler & co running Prussia? Some obscure or fictional(?) guy called Ouster, possibly in the process of ousting the competition? Curious...

Indeed, no Belgium.

That is actually essentially true to OTL. The reason why the Nazi party were so swift and all encompassing when finally gotten into power was that they'd been prepping for years. The party was it's own state with an intelligence wing (the gestapo), police and military (the SA), bodyguards (SS), and the party was highly effective and efficient. Why, that doesn't sound like the nazis at all? Correct! They purged the guy who organised all that pretty much immediately after Hitler got the Chancellorship.

Mixture of various real officers and ideas, mixed with fictional to create one character. Likewise with Hans. They represent the 'young guard' of prussian miltiary officers who went into WW1, under the command of the 'old guard'. Both groups would be a great deal of trouble later on.

As for ousting the competition...they have a few things going for them. Fortunately, though quite a few in the miktiary quite like Hitler (ludendorff etc), a lot really don't, and would prefer 'one of them' to be in charge. Almost everyone looks more liberal than the nazis, which will also help.

 

[jak7139]

Tomorrow Belongs To Me – A ‘Democratic’ Germany AAR​

Prologue I – The Cavalier Officer

An interesting first look and prologue. Germany probably will be "saved" but what it looks like afterwards remains to be seen.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

Prologue II – Undue Escalation​

​

3rd August 1914​

​

Dear Anna,

Please see enclosed a bundle of letters for the family, and a list of bequests from myself and the men.

My dear,

We are making excellent progress along our chosen route, and the French defence, what little there is, seems in disarray. Our guns have seemingly obliterated any resolve they might have once held, and I feel a strange sense of destiny as I ride the path my father once did so many years ago.

We have barely stopped save to rest the horses, yet I am told, and I agree, that we might reach Paris within the week at this rate of pace. It is remarkable that we have once again performed a lightning-fast strike through the French lines, and yet…here we are.

I do recommend staying the course in regards to the household however, you are quite right. Even if, as seems likely, the war is close to its end already in Europe, the colonies will be a far harder task, especially if the British do decide to intervene after all.

As for myself, I am well, and find the whole affair invigorating. The men are excited, though the pace has kept them from becoming restless. Heaven knows how the infantry are containing themselves, having to march at our rate. The only frustration is the guns that have proven once again our great triumph, and how slow they are to move. The real worry is the French will calm and begin rationally dismantling and sabotaging their retreat in the run up to the capital.

That being said, we are all in good spirits, and the weather is clear enough to not dampen the mood. I shall probably next write you when we halt before the final push, and then who knows?

As ever yours,

​

Frederick​

…​

8th August 1914​

To Field Marshall August von Ouster

My Father

Dear Sir,

Our advance and attack through the north west continues successfully, though we have slowed in recent days due to the exhaustion of horses and the difficulty of moving the guns forwards. The French, from your report, seem trapped in fighting the large assault along the centre of the border, whilst we have already marched through Luxemburg and now aim to outflank them totally.
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I believe the general is confident in success, and so has, as you have heard, split our forces in half, one to march on Paris and one to clean up the French army fighting ours in Alsace. I am therefore making best speed with my fellows to Verdun and then on to the capital.

I wish you the best of luck, and hope to see you in good health in the peace to come.​

Augustus.​

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30th August 1914​

My son,

I regret most bitterly the position you have been placed in. The initiative which we so excellently grasped and took for all its worth has been torn away by the predicament we now find ourselves in. Whilst no true fault of your own, it boils my blood to think that weeks ago you were outside Paris, and now have stymied the entrance of the British onto the continent, and yet we are in a far worse position than that supposes.

I say to you that which I cannot say in public: d– the Kaiser and his toadies! A greater support to our push may have led to a French capitulation before the British walked three miles inland. Certainly, they cannot say we would not have stopped them, for you did! And our armies. Now not only are the French still nipping at my bones, albeit with much reduced strength, but the British have reinforced them, and that fool decision to invade the Netherlands to ‘assist’ your efforts…I admit I prayed on my knees that it were not the action that damned us all.

Your outfit and command have impressed High Command, such that it is, with your handling of the d– mess in the north, though you should not have had to. The Flemish and Belgian regions now under occupation shall surely provide some benefit to us, though in exchange I fear we have guaranteed a long fight with the British, French and Dutch.
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Still, the limits of cavalry have become clear enough. I suspect you must bide your time pacifying the territories we hold rather than fighting on the front lines. Be strong, and good of character.

We are still very much on the path to victory, in spite of our…remarkable…leadership.
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– August​

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15th September 1914​

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My dear Anna,

I am so sorry to leave you worried, my love. The shrapnel was not so bad as all that, though I mourn the loss of my horse and my friends. Truly, we are wasted on the modern battlefield, as outrageous as it is. I had already one lucky escape from another shell that did not explode on impact.

As they are now calling it, the race to the sea, it seems it was a draw. The whole of Flanders and the southern Netherlands has fallen to our forces, bar the vital Channel ports we were trying to attain in the first place. This war seems an unending parade of one step forward, one step back.

I am recuperating now in a field hospital in Brussels, though I must say the city from my window is a shadow of what you would remember. I have heard many dark rumours on both sides of the front, though cannot deny the darkest seem to come from our own.

Still, we must be strong, and I shall no doubt be strong in time. There is a war to fight and win, and we certainly can fight it. The two united kingdoms are, ironically, separated by our forces in the north, with the Netherlands now cut off entirely from outside assistance aside from that of the sea. No doubt we shall soon test who the great power of the German Ocean truly is.

As for ourselves, my unit is stationed within the city, and were I not abed, I suspect we would be glorified policemen at present. Unglamorous but necessary, as the locals, understandably, are not best pleased with our presence nor our aims. Personally, I do not entirely understand why we entered war with the Dutch at all, given their general lack of resolve and cowardice regarding continental affairs. I doubt very much that they could not have been compelled to be neutral in this affair, even as the British landed at Calais.

I digress. The chocolate was beneficial, thank you, though you may want to save up the rest for the children. We are in for a blockade now till our navy smashes it, or the war ends entirely. Such things may not yet be too far away, given the state of the French military less than a month ago. Who knows…perhaps I shall indeed be home by Christmas?

Healing and yours, forever,

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Frederick​

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

An interesting first look and prologue. Germany probably will be "saved" but what it looks like afterwards remains to be seen.

It remains to be seen if the country can indeed be saved from collapse, a three way civil war, or an outright foreign invasion. But yes, should hopefully prove interesting.