Re: Blood and Iron

Chapter 64: International Conspiracies



While Bruno was moving his forces within the Iron Brigade, as well as the supporting elements of the Imperial Russian Army into position near the city of Tsaritsyn. International interests began to converge. Not in support of the Red Army, but rather in opposition to the German Reich.

To all who observed what had happened in Saint Petersburg, there were two things that stood out. One, the use of machine guns as employed by the Iron Brigade had universally changed the world's understanding of warfare and how it was fought.

Or at the very least, this was the case for the world's major powers. In addition to this, the use of steel helmets on the battlefield was an irregularity which the Iron Brigade had utilized. Some thought that this was perhaps simply a ceremonial decoration in reference to the word iron, which was in their unit's name.

After all, most headwear in military use was ceremonial to some degree. But those with a bit more intelligence and insight were quickly able to deduce why these steel helmets were employed. To reduce head injuries from artillery. Something that was rapidly becoming a concern for the world at large as artillery developed over the course of the last century. Because of this, most militaries were now looking to make investments into both machine guns and steel helmets for their soldiers. And upon seeing that the cat was now out of the bag, the German Army saw this as a perfect opportunity to no longer conceal their power level, so to speak.

Over night the preparations Bruno had made as far back as 1901 were beginning to enter the service. The new uniforms patterned after the 1915 German Uniform from Bruno's past life were quickly issued to all troops.

The new feldgrau uniforms were a statement, and from the perspective of the other nations very forward thinking. While camouflage had yet to come into existence, gone were the days of wearing bright and flashy colors. Which in all honestly was a remnant of a bygone era.

Instead, the Germans had adopted a uniform in earthly tones, which would allow them to better blend in with their environment. This, of course, was another concept that other militaries began experimenting with as well.

While the German Reich and its allies met together to discuss the future of warfare, including the nations of Germany, Austro-Hungary, Japan, and Italy. So too did the Reich's enemies. Specifically Britain and France, as the Russian Empire was currently on the fence of whom to join.

While Anglo-Russian relations were progressing as they had in Bruno's past life. It was the end of 1904, and it would be another two to three years before the Anglo-Russian entente was signed.

Bruno had chosen to throw a wrench in these plans, as he sent the Iron Brigade to ensure the Tsar's survival during the Russian Civil War, which as a result of his previous interference in the timeline had occurred a decade earlier than it should have.

Thus, despite previous incidents that angered the Russian Empire, they were now no longer openly hostile with the German Reich. Instead, they were neutral in the matters of Europe. And should Bruno emerge victorious in this war, he may very well win the support of the Tsar for the German Reich.

As for Italy, it was officially a part of the Triple Alliance, and had yet to default on this agreement. Because of this, they were also present at the meeting between the German Reich, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Empire of Japan.

With Japan recently declaring its full-fledged support by signing its membership in the Triple Alliance, or as it was now known the Central Powers. The gathering between Britain and France, when compared to the four nations of the Central Powers was an immediate cause of concern for the two powers of the Entente.

The German Reich had blindsided them over the course of the last four years. First by signing an alliance with the Empire of Japan, and second by revealing the advancements they had made in terms of infantry weapons and tactics.

This was only a small display of what Germany actually had planned. With their semi- automatic rifles, general purpose machine guns, sub-machine guns, advanced artillery, tanks, and aircraft still being either in production, undergoing military trials, or simply withheld from the public.

Because of this, the representatives of Britain and France were naturally anxious. While the Naval Arms race was proceeding in Britain's favor. The reality of the situation was that the determining factor of the upcoming European War, as the minds of the time referred to it as, would be decided on land, not on sea.

Since this appeared to be the case, the representative of the British Crown spoke with an inflection in his tone that hinted the nervousness of only himself, but also the monarch he served as he met with the French President in Paris.

"Of course, King Edward and Parliament as a whole would like to assure our allies in France that we are wholeheartedly dedicated to the agreements which we signed earlier this year. However, there are certain matters for concern.

It was bad enough when our enemies appeared to be the three realms of Germany, Austria, and Italy. But now the Japanese have thrown their lot in with the Triple Alliance, meaning our possessions in the east will no doubt come under attack should war emerge between us all.

In addition to this, relations with the Russian Empire appear to be heading in the opposite direction. The league of Three Emperors that fell apart in decades past due to conflicting interests between Austria and Russia may very well be reformed.

Especially after the recent deployment of the Iron Brigade to Russia, and their victory at Saint Petersburg. This incident appears to have mended the strained relations between the German Reich and the Russian Empire.

I fear that should this young German General play a more significant role in the conflict, the Tsar might very well be swayed to join our rivals. Albeit there would need to be some significant diplomatic maneuvering on behalf of the German leadership should they wish to achieve such a goal.

Even so, if such a thing were allowed to come to pass, then we would most certainly find ourselves isolated from the rest of the world's major powers. As mighty as the British Empire is, such a combined force could easily overwhelm our two nations in an armed conflict. Especially after Germany has revealed its hand. Investing heavily into machine guns was a strategy that none of us could have anticipated. And perhaps if this was a year ago I would mock the Germans for such a strategy.

But Saint Petersburg proved beyond a reasonable doubt the overwhelming effectiveness of such weapons. So much so that as we speak, our Army is scrambling in its efforts to procure as many machine guns as possible.

However, I fear we are quite a bit behind our rivals. And this gap only seems to be increasing in scale. If we wish to win this war, then we must find a way to tarnish the relations between the German Reich and the Russian Empire.

We must also act swiftly to convince Italy to join our side. If forced to fight a three front war, the odds will be significantly much more in our favor. But if the German Reich and its allies coordinated their efforts entirely on your borders, there is no army in this world that could save you, my friend..."

Perhaps it was simply the nature of the French, on some deeply engrained genetic level. But the French President had a smug, and arrogant air about him. Even under such pressure from the other major powers, he seemed almost entirely unconcerned.

As if France was somehow superior to everyone else in this world, so much so that they could take on the entire world by themselves and emerge victorious. And it was hence no surprise when his response exuded such a conceited aura.

"I thank you for your concerns ambassador. And your proposals are indeed interesting to say the least. However, there is one clear defining factor in the creation of these so called central powers. And that is this fool who calls himself the Wolf of Prussia.

He alone has gained the favor of the Japanese, and continued to coerce the Russians to his side. The solution to this problem is incredibly simple. Slay the wolf, and the alliances he has

made will fall apart.

Because of this, the Republic will do everything we can to arm and supply the Red Army in

secret. After all, we do not wish to strain relations with the Tsar. Then again, should the Red Army emerge victorious they would be a far more valuable ally, as they will not suffer from the incompetency of the Tsar, nor will they share any ideological ties to these Central Powers. As for the young general in question, our agents are being dispatched to Russia to take care of him. I promise you this, he will not live to see the end of this war..."

These words were not reassuring for the British ambassador. For starters, neither he nor the British government in favor of empowering radical revolutionaries of any ideology. Especially those that despised monarchies and republics alike.

In addition to this, he believed that the French had missed the point entirely. Focusing on one

man, rather than the alliances he had helped establish. It was an error in thinking, one that could only be explained by the hatred which the French had for their neighbors to the East.

The reality of the situation was, these concerns were largely unfounded. It would be difficult for Austria and Russia to resolve their disputes in the balkans. One of the other would have to concede, and that was simply improbable.

As for Italy, they were a wild card. And Bruno personally had more faith in being able to wipe out the Italian Army in its entirety at Isonzo than he did in them actually maintaining their loyalty to their allies.

Two World Wars in his past life had proven Italians to be both ineffective on the battlefield and untrustworthy as allies. Because of this, Bruno would rather have the Italians as an enemy, than be stabbed in the back by them. And he would naturally advise the Kaiser on this position when the time came for him to do so.