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DigitalRescue

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  1. https://docs.google.com/document/d/11BCmSaPsZLJQB5MkFWOqMaaHQsnq7DhQB_EsSpxbcds edit
  2. https://docs.google.com/document/d/110aemxvpaN3kxyBcSqrayfhs25NvEIH9wl7H7hmJtJo
  3. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1--u3e_a8kdV53IlmMTNTEdzRTA5TuyGFudmK-vIaLKo
  4. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tBL7ngTvcBsWqqQziYEIONP3GNW8l4hPcfI6AEl4BDY 1917 (all year)
  5. Kraljevstvo Srbije The second half of the year rolls round, and another six months of internal going-ons follows. The summer kicks off with a general election being called, as several parties kick up massive propaganda campaigns in a desperate struggle for power. The first round of elections and debates go through, with the main competitors to the top job being as follows: The currently ruling Serbian Radical Party put forward Nikola Pašić to once again run in office, owing to him the many reforms that’d been conducted under the reign of Peter I, as well as the current stability within the Kingdom itself. It essentially promised more of the status quo, with increased - and almost sole - trade with the Central Powers being a key point. This is criticized by opposition parties however, who claim that the increased reliance on the likes of Germany and - more prevalently - Austria Hungary would lead Serbia into an economic alliance that they could never leave nor change. It also somewhat neglected the minorities of the Kingdom, subjecting them to just the benefits of the constitution (can own land, property, right to work etc) but no other reassurances. The further left Serbian Progressive Party put forward Stojan Novaković, who was the cheerleader for decentralization of power from the government and crown to local governments in order to better represent minorities. He also wished to uphold Austrian hegemony of Vojvodina and Bosnia, citing that the honourable King Peter I had signed away claims on these provinces knowingly. He was a staunch opponent of Pan-Slavism, and against the invasion of Albania, whilst also thinking the Bulgarian peace terms were too harsh. Whilst he was rather popular with the Bulgarian and Albanian minorities (only certain cooperative regions in the latter were allowed to vote), he faced heavy backlash from conservative Serbians, as well as the far-right. The final candidate put forth was a controversial one. Montenegrin-born Major-General Vasko Aleksic, a famous war hero in the Kingdom for his speech against the Bulgarians whilst receiving the Order of Karađorđe's Star, had used his fame and immense popularity to catapult his way through the ranks of the military, and now to kick off his political career. His party, the National Slavic Centralist Party, was a new one, and so voters couldn’t really decide which bench - right or left - they should be put on. The main points of their campaign were a mix of both: Bulgarian and Albanian citizenry will benefit from the same rights as Serbs and Montenegrin Serbs offered forward by the constitution, that being the right to work, travel and own property within the Kingdom. All companies must ensure equal work opportunities, and, like the military, must not discriminate based on background nor ethnicity. The Orthodox Church will be re-established into local authorities, but not intervene in federal or state laws or trials, lessening the bond between Church and State whilst not abolishing it. Those of other religions, notably the Muslim population of Albania, are given freedom and support to emigrate to other nations such as the Ottoman Empire should they feel persecuted for their views. However, emphasis for tolerance is focused on those born of Slavic blood, regardless of creed. Pan-Slavism and unity among Serbs and their brothers. This is a main talking point, as it undermines the crown’s signing off of claims to Austrian held, but ethnically Serbian land. This is accredited to Point 17 of Article 4: The demanding of the unification of Serbs in Greater Serbia, under the pretext of self-determination. Emphasising the duty of the state to provide for its dependencies, and the duty of individuals to the state. The reduction of powers of the crown and the increasing of power to the head of the government whom is elected by the people. The crown would still be able to attend and debate laws, and has the right to offer advice to the head of state, or directly intervene only in times of national crisis. The centralization of the government, with state law overriding local provincial laws. Education, though encouraging various subjects, will be the same across the board regardless of location. Returning to the liberalized reforms of 1909, before King Peter I’s government shifted towards Austrian appeasement and abandonment of the constitution. Nationalization of the railroads and industries, purchasing of industries from private sources unless approved of by the state. Farmers have the right to work their own land on their terms, cutting out the middleman, meaning trade between the supplier and the state is easier and frictionless. The encouragement of women to work, with their hours and pay being equal to that of a man’s should a man not be available to be employed to do said work and the woman not have underage children who are dependent on her. With the general displeasure at the current government’s ruling, it’s unlikely that Pašić would see a third turn in office, though the same could be said about the Progressive party, who’d upset the conservative populace and undermine the nationalism that’d been building for the last four years. The National Slavic Centralist Party was a dark horse, and potentially one that the voters would risk a chance on. The latter also has the backing of many military men, including the ageing Field Marshal Putnik, due to Vasko’s military past in all three Balkan wars. Meanwhile, Serbian military occupation of Albania and by extension Northern Epirus continues, with garrisoning troops receiving strict orders to stick to the rules of engagement and work alongside cooperating local police forces to ensure stability. Those caught committing crimes or treating the civilian populace unfairly face court-martial. Several skirmishes break out with Albanian guerrilla fighters, who then retreat to the hills afterwards. The military’s response to this is to use the overwhelming numbers to work to quickly turn the attacks into counterattacks, and use overwhelming fire and the numerical advantage to chase the enemy out. Commanding officers are ordered to write about the success and disadvantages of the Albanian tactics honestly, before sending them to Serbian High Command. The reason for this is unknown. The Greek government is invited to take over the occupation of Northern Epirus whenever they are ready, as detailed in the Treaty of Thessaloniki. The port cities of Albania go under heavy industrialization, many tankers being loaded already with Serbian goods to be exported to the world. Several shipyards are commissioned for construction also - the kingdom may eventually build their own navy. The reform of the army went through well, and soon Bulgarian troops are implemented into the roster, boosting the total number of men to 550,000, meaning the total number of divisions is at 45. It is emphasized that there are no solely Bulgarian divisions, in order to defend against potential mutinies and the like. --- Somewhere in northern Serbia… Gavrilo was awoken with a start, as rifle fire went off rapidly for around 15 seconds, before ceasing to a halt. The young Bosnian Serb sat up with a start, before relaxing his shoulders and yawning. Final week of their training, he thought, standing up and slipping on his boots. They might last just as long when it all kicks off, if they’re lucky. He got up, coughed and walked out the small shack, seeing men loading and reloading their rifles repeatedly, practicing formations and building mock fortifications both in between buildings and in the ground. A few hundred men, training here and several other places just like this, across Serbia over several weeks. Some spoke Serbian, some Croatian, but all were beat into shape under the unofficial military training of the Serbian army. At the head of this was a military man simply known as “Apis”. He’d never met him, but all the orders came from him. The Bee, he thought, followed by a small laugh. “The Greatest Rebellion in History” organised and orchestrated by a f*cking bee. He could’ve picked a better name. He walked over to the arsenal, where some recruits were loading up a horse and cart with the standard - multiple rifles, a chauchat, ammunition and a couple of grenades and pistols. After six months of supplying and delivering, the uniformity of it all had for the most part gone as stockpiles of captured weapons began to run thin. Now damaged weapons (missing buttstocks, rotting wood etc) were a more common sight in the deliveries, none of them Serbian or German made however. It’d almost be time to leave, having spent the last four weeks helping to train the recruits. He dreaded going on that damn supply route again, all paranoia and tension. He, just like all the nationalists he was dealing with, just wanted the green light already. But they all knew it’d soon come. He came across a young Bosnian, screaming about the futility of the cause and the certainty of death, with a small chance of success. Gavrilo stormed over and quickly punched the Bosnian in the gut, kicking him to the ground. “What are you scared of? The Austrians? The Hungarians? Why?! Do you not want to live freely?” The young man groaned and whimpered, still hysterical. Maybe he’d run a few too many miles. “What about when they overrun our barricades, when they send us running to the hills?!” “We’ve thought of that. The fight doesn’t end if you lose your homes. We’ve set up strongholds in the country, in hills and mountains. Should we lose the cities, I say, we can go where we want, to a place they’ll never find, and fight on from there. Plague their supplies, slaughter their garrisons. We’ll surprise ‘em with the victory cry! Unity or Death!” His shout was echoed across the camp. “UNITY OR DEATH!” It’d been many months, this rag-tag bunch of hotheads being beaten into a militia, and from a militia to a competent fighting force. Not as numerous as the Empire’s men, not as trained, but they had a cause. An ideology. They were scorned and oppressed and had nothing to lose. Princip really didn’t, his illness was getting the better of him daily. But he wouldn’t die to a disease. He’d go out on his own terms. If anything, that meant more to him than the cause itself… --- ACTIONS General election called. Albanian tactics to be responded to with counterattacks using superior firepower and a numerical advantage. The results are to be sent to Serbian High Command. Greece is invited to occupy their part of Albania, Northern Epirus. Albanian ports and shipyards are industrialized. First Serbian goods are exported navally through interned Albanian convoys. Bulgarians are integrated into the army.
  6. The young Serb was shook awake as the truck he was sitting in hit a rut in the road, causing a loud metallic clang to reverberate around the chassis from the front axle. He’d been dreaming of sweet nothings, but his face was a terrible scowl now that he’d been disturbed from his slumber. “Watch the damn potholes next time will you?” he asked, rubbing his lower back in discomfort. “The wheels are only made of wood, and we don’t have a spare.” Nedeljko, his friend, frequent partner on assignments and the driver of this new and unreliable vehicle for the next few hours, waved his complaint off. “Well, it’s a lot better than using a horse. At least we aren’t getting a whiff of **** every couple of minutes.” The truck bounced on, bumping and shaking when the road got rough, occasionally bouncing over tree roots and other obstructions. An hour or so passed with little conversation as the sun rose, until signs of activity finally started appearing. Farmers were beginning to bridle their horses for a days work as they passed, often either looking up and gawking at the loud, bundling vehicle passing by, or shaking their heads in disapprovement, waving off the relatively new invention. Eventually they passed through the countryside and into the fringes of a large town, eventually coming to a T-junction. Pointing to a hand painted roadsign, the young Serb yawned before muttering “Down here, Dabrobosanska.” He pulled out a small book, scanning over a page before tapping on some words. “Yeah, we’re nearly here. Look out for a butchers.” “Finally, my arse is numb from this damn thing. You sure we can trust this guy?” Nedeljko asked, though he was so tired that he didn’t really care for an answer. “God only knows,” replied the Serb. “I don’t question these things. Besides, worst comes to worst, we get captured and tortured or have to crunch down on some cyanide. Nothing too bad.” He let out a short laugh at his own joke, before it turned into a rough cough, which he caught with a handkerchief. “Humour has never been your strong point, has it?” He received no answer as he pulled up alongside a shop where two men were hauling pig carcasses onto a cart. They stopped and turned at the sound of the vehicle, before one immediately dropped the carcass and ran inside. “Well that was subtle,” murmured Nedeljko. He turned off the truck, and grabbed a pistol from under the seat, then relaxed in his chair. “If you aren’t back in 5, I’m loosing bullets.” “Not that you’d hit anything,” replied the young Serb, as he dismounted and headed into the butchers. Inside, a grim man with a scarred eye and twirled moustache awaited him, holding a cleaver. He stood up, without talking, and stood to the man’s face. Cleaver in his left hand, he held out his right, and smiled. “Brat!” he beamed, his grim face turning into a large grin. “Come, let us see what you’ve brought us!” He herded the Serb outside, and back towards the truck. Upon seeing them, Nedeljko seized up, before relaxing and folding his arms. He lay back and tipped his hat over his eyes, intending to catch his first wink of sleep in almost a day. Meanwhile, the pair walked to the back of the truck, opening the hatch and shifting aside several bags of meat and grain to reveal several long boxes. “Zlatan, Vidak! Dođite i zgrabite oružje. Take them into the attic.” At that the two men from before drop what they’re doing and run to begin unloading the truck. Two boxes are hauled up and dropped on the counter of the shop, where the scarred man and the Serb inspect what is inside. “A Chauchat, it’s French,” the Serb muttered to the other man, letting out a short grunt as he picked it up. “Cut down a lot of our men in Bulgaria this did, we grabbed them wherever we could.” He handed it to the butcher to hold whilst he opened the other box. All the while the two boys - now joined by Nedeljko, who’d been begrudgingly woken from his slumber - were hauling box after box upstairs. “This other one is a Lee-Enfield, British made. There’s three more of these, two French Lebel 1886’s and a few Bulgarian Mannlichers. Plus grenades and ammunition.” “Very good, very good! When’s the next delivery?” The butcher lay the Chauchat back into its box, and called for - presumably his sons - to come and lift it out the way. “They’ll come every fortnight, won’t be us again for a month however.” The Serb shook his hand again as Nedeljko came down the stairs, looking more exhausted than ever. “We’ve got to go now, many more deliveries to do.” He put his arm around his friend and said goodbye to the butcher and his sons, before walking back to the truck, covering up the munitions and locking the hatch. Suddenly he was hit with a sharp pain in his nose, followed by a light jangle as keys bounced off him and hit the ground. “You’re driving for the next 5 stops, Princip. I feel like I could sleep until tomorrow.” Gavrilo Princip laughed, before hacking up a cough and regaining his composure. “That’s nothing out of the ordinary for you, you lazy ****,” he said, before mounting up and starting the engine on his third try. They then pulled out, and drove north. He thought of all the other delivery drivers doing exactly the same job as him, and smiled as he considered how they’d be remembered in infamy for their role in history.
  7. Kraljevstvo Srbije The war with Bulgaria was finally over - two, basically three, straight years of bitter and bloody fighting finally drawn to a close. Thousands paid the ultimate price for Serbian freedom, and as such a national memorial day is declared. Newspapers print two pages filled with nothing but the names of the deceased and their divisions, to be remembered as heroes. As the first troops begin pulling off the frontline, they parade through major cities, showered with roses and gifts, hailed as saviors of the slavic race. Soon, battles and detailed events of the war began to be declassified and published, highlighting the heroics and professionalism of the Serbian army during the conflict, though little is said of Austrian nor Ottoman participation. In fact, many high ranking Serbian generals criticised the Austrian involvement. One saying that gained popularity across the country came from Field Marshal Petar Bojović, who claimed the now infamous phrase in an interview with Txe Telegraf newspaper: “The Serbs did the fighting. The Serbs did the bleeding. The Austrians? They did the looting.” This came as a reference to Austrian ignorance of suggested Serbian plans, as well as their march across the north of Bulgaria - which was mostly undefended. Instead of fighting the Bulgarian army, they raped and murdered the Bulgarian civilians. Not that Serbian treatment of the Bulgarians was much better, but those atrocities were by and large swept under the carpet, and censored from the press. Prince Alexander II, despite his father’s pleading, didn’t do much to discredit these claims, and though he didn’t say anything so controversial himself, the general opinion was that he agreed with the Field Marshal. Besides, Alexander had more pressing matters to attend to than to support petty insults. He had 400,000 men returning from war, an experienced but hurting and disorganized army, and several internal problems that had to be solved before Serbia could progress to further stability and greatness. Over six months after the war had ended, Alexander planned and executed several key goals that would strengthen the Serbian state: First, the military needed restructuring. The casualties sustained combined with patchwork reinforcements had left the divisions entirely jumbled, with some having a force of 20,000 whilst others had a little over 10,000. As a result, the standard division size would be strictly 12,250, with 6,000 support elements of the artillery and logistics corps headed by a Major General. This would leave the armed forces with 33 divisions, and make planning and organizing the army’s maneuvers much easier in the long run. Major Generals are picked from Company commanders with exceptional or impressive service records, the most famous of which being Vasko Aleksic. Secondly, using the influx of reparations from the Bulgarians as well as profit made from exporting to the Central Powers members (notably pork and grain exports to Germany, and motorvehicle parts to the Ottoman Empire), the Serbian National Rail company as well as the transport sector of the government begin buying railroads within Serbian land off of Austrian companies in order to finish off economic reliance on the larger neighbour. This was started by the King in 1908, but with his switch to Austrian appeasement the plan was abandoned. The project is now revived. Alexander continues to abolish suppressive laws within the kingdom as his father had done a decade prior, in order to reestablish the consensus that Serbia was a safe haven for not just ethnic Serbs, but also Slavic culture and identity as a whole. Working hard through public appearances and speeches, he tries to instil the idea that no slavic race was inferior to another, and - begrudgingly, at the behest of the Minister of Foreign Affairs - started spreading the idea that even the Bulgarians now in Serbian land could redeem themselves through hard work and service to the Kingdom. Though public acceptance of this would be slow to come round, the government continues the propaganda push. A program is set up to increase the population of Serbia in the coming years, notably by pushing for higher birthrates. Larger families will be entitled to subsidies from the government in order to support them financially if one or both parents have jobs. As for parents with three or more children, the eldest born will be entitled to attending University, public schooling or a work apprenticeship for free, whichever the parents (or child, should they be 17 or over and still living in the same house) decide. The second child will have the choice of the remaining options, and the third receiving a scholarship to attend the third. The current standards to enlist in the armed forces is to be between 21 and 46, and as such will be lowered to anyone between the ages of 17 and 46, in order to potentially increase the number in the armed forces, if only by a few thousand. Racism and discrimination within the army is cracked down upon, and equal opportunities are guaranteed to soldiers from all locations and walks of life. Even ex-Bulgarian soldiers are allowed to join up and enlist into the Serbian army. Any form of bullying or racism will result in a severe punishment (beastings and revoked weekend passes for first offence, lashings for second offense, court-martial for third). Anyone caught physically assaulting a fellow soldier because of their nationality or original country will face prison time or (depending on severity) death by firing squad. These reforms are installed over half of the year, supported by the government which, at the higher levels, was essentially under Alexander’s thumb. The railroad industry is put under the governance of the Economic Development of Transport sector, along with those companies working to establish better motorized vehicles, such as trucks, tractors and trains. This sector receives large amounts of funding, given the importance of movement of supplies in the war. For now, the aviation industry is kept under the influence of the military’s research sector, and continues development, even as recon planes roll off the line and pilots begin to be trained. Meanwhile, the fractured government of Albania is notified of a declaration of war with the casus belli of subjugation and unfair treatment of ethnic Greeks in Northern Epirus, who had tried to form the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus in 1914. At the conclusion of this war, the lands of Northern Epirus will be transferred to the ownership of the now Centralist Greek government. Serbia had also never recognized the the new Republic of Albania as a legitimate government, only recognizing the independence of the Principality of Albania in the London Conference in 1912. As that government failed to keep their country under control and suffered ethnic Montenegrins and Serbs living in Northern Albania through a civil war, they are formally called a failed state in need of Serbian intervention. ------------- ACTIONS Restructuring of the military. Purchasing of Austrian owned railroads within Serbia. Abolishing of suppressive laws within the Kingdom, following Peter I’s initial plan in the 1900s. Larger family encouragement. Relaxed military standards for joining, from 21 down to 17. Bulgarians allowed to join. Discrimination and racism cracked down on within the military, but not civilian life. Transport industries and aviation industries allocated more funding. Albania is delivered a declaration of war.
  8. Kraljevstvo Srbije Prince Alexander addressed the nation in a telegram published in all major Serbian newspapers, printed over two weeks and distributed to all corners of the Kingdom, as well as the frontline. Serbs across the Balkans deserve to know the betrayal that their brothers on the frontline had faced in the Spring Offensive, and so they would be told the truth. “Good citizens, Serbs and Southern Slavs, On the 28th of April, our forces began an offensive into the Struma basin. Our brave soldiers achieved resounding success, capturing key targets and forcing the Bulgarians out of their hideouts. Alas, the assault was halted when we were betrayed. The only other remaining member of the Balkan League, Greece, has stabbed us in the back, just as the Bulgarians did in 1913. They have sided with the enemy. Thousands of Greeks and Bulgarians attempted to push us out - but couldn’t hold a candle to the might of the Serbian army. Against overwhelming odds, we held our ground and eventually beat the enemy back. It is evident however, that this is not what the Greek people want, as many have defected to join our side. For they recognise that we didn’t start this war. They see that we want only strength between the Slavic peoples, and understand our strife. No, the Greek people do not want this, but their corrupt and incompetent rulers have led them astray. They are not cut from the same cloth as the Bulgarians, they are not evil and treacherous by nature, but their government must pay for the slight against us. But I bring good news also. We are winning the war. By the efforts of our brave souls in the armed forces, the brilliant minds of our tacticians, and the hard workers at home, the Bulgarians have asked for an armistice, and the Greeks will surely soon follow! само слога Србина спасава!” Meanwhile, in Kosovo, the industrial hub of the kingdom, the first recon monoplane rolls out of the hangar and onto a military runway. There were only five pilots in the Serbian Air Force, under the command of Major Kosta Miletic. They’d seen only one mission in the first Balkan War above the Shkodra front, on a reconnaissance flight above Ottoman positions. Two of these same pilots would fly the first standard Serbian recon plane, fitted with a camera and machine gun on a tripod in the rear seat. The plane itself is not dissimilar to the French Blériot XI - an extremely lightweight, and altogether not too stable looking piece of machinery, capable of doing its job nonetheless. Soon it takes off heading towards Bulgarian and Greek lines, to scout and photograph troop positions. The quota for these plans is set at 200 currently, which would make up the first fleet of purpose-built military aircraft in the kingdom. Meanwhile, research would continue, as the aero-science division is allocated more funds. Left: Lieutenant Miodrag Tomic and Milutin Mihailovic (observer) in their recon plane, 1915. Talks of an armistice begins with Bulgaria and Greece, as many expect the end of the war to come soon. But preparations for another assault begins should the peace talks fall through. ACTIONS Speech by Prince Alexander, regent of Serbia. Serbian delegates meet the Bulgarians and Ottomans for peace talks. Greeks are invited for peace talks. Serbian aviation industry continues development.
  9. Kraljevstvo Srbije King Peter I, aged 73, sat with his advisors. The recent spread of the uncensored version of Mr Vasko Aleksic’s speech across the men on the front line was a worrying thing to happen, but it had managed to be contained to the soldiers and not the civilian population. Peter could still see the threat it could pose to the growing relationship between Serbia and Austria that he’d sacrificed so much for, but his Minister of the Press assured him it was just something to rouse the troops, giving them a will to fight with tenacity. Field Marshal Putnik gave a different opinion however, citing several reports from COs that had reached him, claiming that tensions between Serbian and Austrian troops had been rising on the front. Nothing major, just several cases of fist fights, bullying and shouting abuse. As a result, Serbs and Austrian or Hungarian soldiers begin to be segregated in trenches, only in the areas where problems are beginning to show. It was during this council meeting that Peter announced he was handing over royal powers to his son, Alexander I, who would become the Regent of Serbia. A controversial decision to be sure, but none of the advisors questioned it. Field Marshall Putnik was rejoiced, as Alexander was responsible for driving the Ottomans from Kosovo in the First Balkan War, and had a sound mind of a tactician. Several others were worried however. Prince Alexander has had a reputation of being incredibly outspoken with his prejudices in the Balkans. One notable example was after the first Balkan war, when - after being celebrated for liberating Skopje - he asked a nine year old girl the infamous question of “What are you?” After she replied saying she was Bulgarian, he slapped her. Little incidents like this led to him having a very volatile reputation, which would make him difficult to control. Several days later, Alexander called a meeting with Chief of Staff of the army and Field Marshal Putnik, to discuss the current state of the war in Bulgaria. “The advance in the north pushed the Bulgarians back all the way to Pleven, with them ceding land faster than we could take it. If they weren’t running with their tails between their legs, then they were being slaughtered by our infamous Red Faced brigade!” He let out a hearty guffaw at this, before it turned into a rough cough. When the Field Marshall finally settled, Alexander spoke up. “I’m hardly surprised, Bulgarians being as cowardly and treacherous as they are. And I heard the speech by that, erm, Aleksic, is it? Quite amusing!” “Yes, yes, one our finest COs. His men and he have had quite the impact across the front, both with our soldiers and the enemy,” That came from Field Marshal Stepan "Stepa" Stepanović, as he swilled his whiskey around his tumbler glass. “Quite,” remarked Alexander, “I’d very much like to meet him one day. His words are causing quite the stir. Anyway, the assault in the north was a success, but our first attack in the Struma basin failed. Why was that and what were the casualties like?” Stepanović shifted uncomfortably in his seat, before Putnik spoke up. “In the first assault they were ready for us, and we attacked across and along mountains, without proper logistical support. Thousands of men were cut down by machine gun fire as soon as they crested hilltops. We lost 35,000 soldiers in the ensuing fight, all for a couple of miles of hills.” “Well,” Alexander began, “Let’s try again. Begin planning an offensive for late Spring - if we take that basin, we have Sofia threatened on three fronts; it’ll be ripe for the taking.” --- The Montenegrin apprentices are vital to the Serb industry, but can’t account for all the work force. As a result, foreman and supervisor positions are opened up to women, in order to encourage more women to staff the industrial sector. This results in many protests and petitions for Women’s Suffrage, which is debated in parliament and eventually passed after several months of heated discussion. Work on the airbase and plane production continues at a steady pace. Montenegro is approached to become a semi-autonomous state within the Kingdom of Serbia, thereby officially recognising the nationality of the nation to be Serbian, with the subdivision of Montenegrin Serbian. This would mean Serbian investment into the infrastructure of the country, and free resettlement and movement to anywhere in the Kingdom. The Logistics Corps continues training and expanding, with every third motorized vehicle coming out of the factories in Northern Macedonia being assigned to the military. Prime Minister Nicola Pasic begins his journey back across the Atlantic. --- Actions: King Peter I cedes royal powers to Prince Alexander, who becomes Regent of Serbia, due to Peter’s old age. He orders a Spring Offensive on Bulgaria. Women’s Suffrage is voted on, and passed after several months of hot debate. Work on the plane industry continues. Montenegro is approached to join with the Kingdom of Serbia officially. The Logistics Corps continues training and expanding, with every third motorized vehicle coming out of the factories in Northern Macedonia being assigned to the military. Prime Minister Nicola Pasic begins his journey back across the Atlantic.
  10. Kraljevstvo Srbije The third Balkan war is raging, all but a separate theatre from the wider Great War due to lack of Entente intervention. It’d been the most bloody conflict that east Europe had ever seen, hundreds of thousands of men dying in just weeks. The Serbs started with a flawed assault in the Struma basin, teaching them that plans that look good on paper don’t always work in actuality. Then the war was quiet for a while, until Serbian generals deemed that the front was undermanned, and Serb forces outnumbered. Thus, a second attack took place in the north, to scare the Bulgarians away from a counter offensive. This led to the capture of the city and region of Vidin, and gave Serbian forces a - finally - not mountainous frontline. Then the Austrians arrived, led by Franz Conrad von Hotzendorf, who promptly ignored Serbian officials advice, and sent 400,000 men to their deaths in the Balkan mountains, for no significant gains. After witnessing this catastrophic failure on behalf of the Austro-Hungarian forces, King Peter I tasked Field Marshall Radomir Putnik to show the Central Powers how war is done. In a show of cunning and genius, Serbian forces misled the Bulgarians into thinking an attack was coming from the south, before surging forth along the Danube river in the north, capturing some 170km, along with the major city of Pleven. But more importantly, they captured or destroyed vital Bulgarian supplies, and almost halved the agricultural production of the country. This meant the Bulgarian troops defending Sofia, as well as the 200,000 or so civilians living in the valleys or the city itself, had to survive off of just what they produced. They had Austrian forces to the west, Serbs to the north, and the Ottomans pushing in from the south-east. They were under siege. From all these wars in recent years, one group of soldiers in particular had made quite the name for themselves. The men of 2nd Company, 1st Battalion in the 88th Belgrade Regiment went by a different title across Serbia. Led by one Captain Vasko Aleksic (born in Montenegro in 1886), they had fought in both Balkan wars prior to this one, where they quickly became the talk of the army due to their unwavering bravery, brutality, and the fact that they painted their faces red before every attack. Their name, “Mrtav život” (meaning “Dead Soldiers” in Serbian) came from the third Ottoman garrison who faced them, who claimed the Serbian soldiers continued fighting even after they had been killed. In the second Balkan war, they were deployed to northern Macedonia, where they suffered heavy casualties but were instrumental in holding the line during several enemy attacks. They also took part in the counter attack into the Bulgarian hills, where they supposedly fought savagely, fighting in such a brutal manner that their actions were close to being called atrocities. This war was no different. They were one of the first over the top in the October offensive, and fought on all the way to Pleven, taking trophies from the bodies of the men that they’d killed. News of these men spread across Serbia like wildfire. Already far fetched stories became exaggerated even more, and soon the red-faced undead soldiers of the 88th Belgrade Regiment became national heroes. Soon after the siege of Pleven, in which the Captain personally risked his life to save countless Serbian soldiers in a daring field gun raid, Aleksic was awarded the Order of Karađorđe's Star, at a large ceremony in Macedonia. There he gave an inspiring speech to thousands of onlookers: “Brothers and sisters, I am honoured and humbled to receive this medal, for a deed that any true Serbian would have done in my position. These times of war are proving the strength our people have from the Slavic blood that runs through our veins. Thrice I have faced our enemies, and thrice they have been driven from rightful Serbian lands. The cowards we face are nothing compared to the sons of Serbia. The soldiers we fight with pale in comparison to Serbian warriors. For every Serb that falls, ten of the enemy are taken with him. Believe me, once this war is over, the scourge of the Balkans - the traitorous Bulgarians - will be held accountable for the betrayal of our nation once again. Then, and only then, will Serbia reign as the strongest, dominant power in the Balkans. Then, and only then, will we unite Serbdom as a whole, and bring unity to the Slavic peoples, who have faced oppression for so long! само слога Србина спасава!” The speech received thunderous applause, and soon the phrase “Only unity saves the Serbs” began to be plastered across the nation - billboards, newspapers, pro-war graffitti. Seeing his massive popularity as a tool to increase nationalism in the country, Peter I awarded Vasko Aleksic the title of Hero of Serbia, and used his likeness in propaganda to drive up more volunteers. He did also see some of the man’s statements in the speech as a threat however. Aleksic had just claimed the average Serbian soldier was leagues above the Austro-Hungarian men. Peter did not want to damage the relationship he had managed to build with the Austro-Hungarian empire, and so when this speech was rewritten in newspapers, publications were ordered to omit this statement. With the frontline secure, soldiers in training had a more intensive 5 month course before they were deployed, in which they were taught how to best counter machinegun fire, flanking tactics and - due to the Mrtav život’s success - elements of psychological warfare. The armed forces continued to grow, with arms and artillery coming from the Germans, and motorvehicles made in Macedonia specifically for the army being used in the extensive logistical network that the Serbs had made. In fact, the success of this network led Field Marshall Radomir Putnik order a new type of division to be made - the Logistical Corps. Due to the need for men of fighting ages, older people and women were permitted to volunteer to serve in it, doing what they could by driving trucks and carts, building bridges and helping to maintain road networks. This branch of the armed forces worked closely with the Medical Corps, often working together to set up forward medical bases, or ferry wounded and healed troops to and from the front. Meanwhile, more places for Montenegrin apprentices are opened up to compensate for the amount of workers joining the armed forces, as hundreds join the construction or industrial practices. Work on the Berlin-Baghdad railway continues, but many begin expanding the industry in central Serbia, creating factories to produce consumer goods, whilst the main military industrial complex is in Macedonia. Many also go into farmwork, to learn the trade and also help on harvests for the next two years, as well as assisting in the exporting of livestock to Austria-Hungary and Germany. The Austrian chief of staff von Hotzenberg is urged by Field Marshal Putnik to use the Serbian assault to his advantage, and attempt another attack. The sooner Sofia is captured, the sooner the Bulgarians would have to surrender. Peter I also addresses Constantine I of Greece, and urges him to liberate ethnic Greeks in Thrace from Bulgarian occupation, before the opportunity is lost because of the advancing Ottomans. This would also cut off Bulgaria from any imports save from the Black Sea, which would bring the war to a close without any more needless loss of life. Further assaults would just lead to slaughter, and the Bulgarian people have to push the military to surrender in order to bring the death and hardship to an end. The military are ordered to treat the civilian populace well when occupying towns - any rape, looting or murder would result in a court martial. However, they are ordered to fight with all the ferocity they can muster against the Bulgarian troops, only showing mercy if the enemy surrender and beg for their lives. Prisoner of War camps are set up in Serbia, where the prisoners are fed and clothed, but made to work on repairing war damage. Finally, four aeroplane factories are commissioned in Leskovac, in order to begin producing the beginnings of the Serbian Air Force. The first plans are for biplanes, small but maneuverable, to be used as reconnaissance vehicles. ACTIONS - A young soldier named Vasko Aleksi is awarded the Order of Karađorđe's Star, the highest military and civilian medal of honour for his outstanding soldiering in all three Balkan wars. He’s the Captain of the Mrtav život company, feared and respected in the military due to their brutality and fierceness. (Custom character). He delivers a rousing speech, but part of it is omitted in newspapers by King Peter I’s demands. Basic training is extended for new recruits and conscripts. Logistical Corps commissioned. Montenegrin apprenticeship act expanded. Von Hotzenburg is urged by Putnik to deliver another, well thought out attack to take Sofia. Greece is pleaded with to take Thrace in order to save hundreds of thousands of lives by cutting off Bulgarian imports from the Adriatic. The military are ordered to treat occupied civilians well, but fight hard. POW camps are set up.
  11. Kraljevstvo Srbije As predicted, war in the Balkans raged again, as the bitter Bulgarians betrayed their allies and attacked Serbia and Greece because of territorial disputes. Admittedly, the war may not have been won were it not for Romanian and Ottoman intervention, as Serbian casualties sky rocketed. The doctrine of throwing men at the enemy had eventually worked, but at what cost? Thousands lay dead in miles and miles of destroyed countryside. But the darkness had now passed, and opportunities are beginning to arise for the Slavic nation. The propaganda machine keeps on turning, emphasising the strength of the Slavs against the traitorous Bulgarians. In an attempt to not cause even more racial tensions, the Bulgarian government is laboured with most of the blame, for lying to their populace and leading them astray against their allies. The second Balkan war taught many lessons and showed some problems with the Serbian military, notably the lack of specialization within the army, and the officers subscribing to the idea of throwing men into the meat grinder rather than thought out battle plans. As such, the Italian offer is accepted and soon the military begins extensive reforms to base itself off of the Italian’s. Officers are retrained and taught alternative tactics, as well as how to better discipline their men. Many are replaced with fighting infantrymen who’d had experience in both Balkan wars, having had actual experience. After men had rotted in battle for several days without end in the last war, the importance of rotation in and out of combat is also highlighted, and later worked on. Italian automotive companies are offered factories in Serbia to produce quality load bearing vehicles such as trucks to help with the mobility of these plans. It would take some time for these reforms to be widely accepted, but will result in a better trained army. Multiple changes are also scheduled to the equipment of the average fighting man. Due to the massive amounts of injuries from shrapnel and rubble from field guns, bucket helmets now begin to be commonplace, slowly being issued alongside the traditional cloth field cap. As well, now with German influence, the Maxim gun becomes a staple of the standard Serbian squad, increasing the lethality of infantrymen heavily. The rebuilding effort is extended to the border regions of Bulgaria and the newly gained territory. It will take time to integrate the populations of these regions, and so military garrisons are positioned in potentially resistant areas. Meanwhile, the German offer is one of great debate in the government. With ties being drawn with Italy, who are already close with the central powers, it seemed folly to refuse. It also meant that the Austrians were restrained, and war would be avoided with them – or at least delayed until Serbia is in a better position. But still, the nationalists in the government were outraged that people were considering giving up the claims on Austrian held Bosnia, and abandoning Bosnian Serbs. Meanwhile the Liberals moan on and on about how much trade will be brought in by this deal, and how beneficial it’d be for Serbia’s economy. Finally, it was decided to agree to the offer and join the Central Powers. Ethnic Bosnian Serbs are offered help in migrating to Serbia proper should they wish to, but if they choose not to they are encouraged to live peacefully under Austrian rule. Just before New Years Eve the claims on Austrian controlled Bosnia are rescinded. The SIA are put on high alert for corruption or backlash among government officials, and armed policemen are sent to Belgrade and the northern holdings to put down any resistance or rebellion. It was a controversial action, and one the government will surely have to watch closely for retaliation. Russian advisers and diplomats are slowly expelled from offices, and replaced with German and Italian, the latter two languages being taught at middle class schools and universities. Massive campaigns for workers are put up to help Germany with the railway, with entire trade depots planned in the north and south, in Macedonia. Greece are approached to ensure that the two countries remain in eachothers good graces, but eyes wander to Romanian controlled Macedonia already. Montenegro, Serbia’s ally since gaining independence, is offered scholarships for Montenegrin young workers to train in a trade in Serbia, such as construction, before returning back to their home country. An official royal visit is also organised, to support the fellow slavic country. --- ACTIONS -Italy’s help is put to use. Italian automotive companies are offered to build factories in Serbia for lower import rates. -Germany and Austria’s help is accepted, effectively ending the relationship between Serbia and Russia, and resulting in the rescinding of Serbian claims to Austrian Bosnia. -Greece is approached to ensure the remaining members of the Balkan League are still just that allied. After all, they had been for two wars prior. -The Maxim machine gun begins to be widespread across Serbian forces. -Industrialization continues, aided by the acceptance of the German proposal. -Montenegro is visited by King Peter I, and offered a worker scholarship program to increase the employment rates in the country, as well as strengthen bonds between the two allies. Talk about the importance of unity within all of Serbdom is a major point that Peter brings up to government officials, in private of course.
  12. Kraljevstvo Srbije With the success of the Balkan war, and the Ottomans pushed almost back to Istanbul, Serbian officials began the task of unifying the newly liberated lands that now fell under the Serbian flag. Propaganda was spread across newspapers, given out for free in many major cities, emphasizing the strength that comes with unification of ethnic South Slavs, using the defeat of the Ottomans as an example. Programs are set up to begin the transitioning of the local currency to the Dinar, as well as finding industrial work for the unemployed, notably repairing damages caused by the war, as well as the construction of automotive and military factories in Kosovo and central Macedonia. Census stations are set up all across the new territories to establish and archive records of common people, to transition them into becoming a Serbian citizen. But whilst the government focused on civil affairs, the top brass in the military looked towards Bulgaria. Their threatening stance in the peace talks in London and posturing on the border of new Serbian controlled land raised red flags as tensions grew. The army hadn't yet demobilized, and war looked likely once again. The Serbian forces are moved eastwards to the border, with 7000 men left behind on garrison duty. Greece is also encouraged to prepare for an attack by the bitter Bulgarians, and Romania is approached for a defensive agreement - if the Bulgarians were fighting on two fronts already, then the Romanians could stand to make significant gains should the war be won. The army desperately needed modernizing, but with civil servants busy on repairing Kosovo and a second war likely on the horizon, resources and weaponry to do so would have to be found elsewhere. As such, an appeal to all the western Great Powers is sent out, asking for help in evaluating and professionalizing the Serbian military. Whoever is chosen to do so would gain a great deal of influence in the Balkans, and potentially the full support of the remaining Balkan league members, should the alliance last the year. A new intelligence organisation is set up, independent of the government and military. The SIA is founded to root out and charge any officials found guilty of corruption in both services, to better protect the nation from radicals, such as the illusive 'Black Hand Gang'. They're also to set up a network of sleeper cells in Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire (via Cyprus). Not to act until called upon. - Actions - - Industrial centers focusing on automotive parts and infantry equipment set up in Kosovo and central Macedonia. New citizens are put into a census. - Border fortifications ramp up with Bulgaria, as the army prepares for an attack. Greece and Romania are also warned to be wary of Bulgaria. - All Great Powers are offered the chance to gain massive influence in the Balkans should they help modernize the Serbian military. - The SIA is founded to combat groups of radicals, corruption and to install agents in foreign countries. ((Discord numbers are #3136))
  13. Application Discord Name; dires.ewan Nation of Choice (and why?); The Kingdom of Serbia. Infamously one of the two belligerents that struck the match that exploded the powder-keg of Europe in 1914 with the assassination of Arch-Duke Franz Ferdinand. It had an interesting and violent decade of war that nearly led to its complete destruction, but ultimately resulted in victory and the almost doubling of its territory. Nation’s historical background leading up to 1912 (Would like a paragraph + here giving a full account of your nation's state at the moment. Particularly important if you want to apply for one of the Greater Powers); The First Balkan War has just ended, with the victory of the Balkan league. However, not all is well and good. Serbia's forces advanced far further south than expected and previously agreed, whilst the Greeks pushed north to capture Thessaloniki before the Bulgarians managed to arrive. The latter are now embittered, feeling cheated by their allies, and are refusing to stick to the pre-war agreement, effectively trying to minimize Serbia's gains, as well as downplaying Serbian involvement in the war effort. As a result, tensions are rising higher than ever before and war between the allies is inevitable. At the same time, the Serbian government is trying its hardest to match Ottoman propaganda within its new territories, highlighting the decisive Serbian victories in the war such as the Siege of Adrianople and in Vardar Macedonia - despite the lack of presence of the 100,000 Bulgarian troops supposed to have been deployed there. Nation’s Government Type and Leader/Party; Constitutional Monarchy Peter I of Serbia Any special characters you made and want to introduce?; Not yet Nation’s relative army/navy statistics (If you can’t find any pm me); 347,000 soldiers by the beginning of the Second Balkan War. Did you read all the information?; Georgia
  14. Bruma AP: 16 3AP invested into economy the Altmer merchant is hired to lead the paper company and is given a start up budget of (3AP). She is tasked with making the industry boom within its first year, or see her role given to the other merchant. 500 heavy cav are recruited to join the third legion (6AP) 1000 heavy infantry are recruited to join the first legion (4AP) Agnippr and his men are to support the Reclaimers that are securing the area around Kragenmoor (Skype I guess idk) the third legion is to move westwards The lord of Leyawiin is asked if the Bruma Trading Company could establish a permanent vendor in Leyawiin, in order to export their goods of leathers, furs and paper further across Tamriel.
  15. Union of Bruma-Falkreath Base AP: 16 (+1 2 turns) 17 (+8 this turn, -1 upkeep) 24 Where from?: 6 base, 3 trade (1 bonus), 1 for 4 provinces, 4 from union, 1 from economic investment Population: 104,550 (10,500 per turn) Military: First Legion, encamped outside Morrowind 3000 Light Infantry 2000 Heavy Infantry 500 Light Cavalry 10 Mages (10 Restoration) Second Legion, encamped outside Morrowind 4000 Light Infantry 2000 Heavy Infantry Auxiliary (Patrols, Garrison duty, Guard duty) 1000 Heavy Infantry 500 Light Cavalry 1000 Light Infantry 575 Skirmishers (+25 per turn) 100 Light Infantry (Castinus' guards) Total: 14,685 The Bruma Trading Company proved to be a great success, bringing in lots of profit for the state as many merchants scramble to sign up for it. A bi-monthly meeting with the most influential traders in the company is set up, in order to allow the members to voice their ideas and opinions for the company moving forward. But first of all, the paper industry had a fair ways to go yet, and a head of the industry still had to be chosen. Both Vialfre Vanette and Corrirnil Larethael receive guarded audiences with the Countess, where they're interviewed and each declare their past successes in trading in order to see who is best qualified. A decision will be made by the end of the year. Looking ahead at the importance of more products, and how the hold imports most of its metals, 12 Alteration mages are conscripted from the college of Nifelheim. Soon enough, Bruma will have its first ore mine. 12 restoration mages are also hired from the same college, in order to be trained in formation to heal and embolden fighting troops. (8AP, Nifelheim gets 4AP) Meanwhile, news of the battle near Riften begins to filter back through the Pale Pass, as do the Kvatch wounded and deceased heading back home. The soldiers are given provisions, blessings and food and drink by the citizens of the town. Seeing this, Lycinia orders the raising of more troops to support the first and second legions, with the establishment of a third. 500 heavy cavalry (6AP), 1000 Heavy Infantry (6AP) and 2000 Light Infantry (4AP) are recruited and combined with the auxiliary to create the third legion. They are to be trained extensively throughout the year, before setting out eastwards to reinforce the men on campaign. Zenone Felance is given command of the legion, and his ideas of lances and heavier armor are considered. Soon, the light cavalry in this legion begin clothing their horse with leather armor, and carry a sword, board shield and a longer, heavier spear (if required to scout or perform reconnaissance, they'd carry only the sword, and take off the horse's armor). The heavy cavalry are equipped with iron or chainmail horse armor, a sword and lance. Third Legion (after training is completed): 2000 Heavy Infantry 2000 Light Infantry 575 Skirmishers 500 Light Cavalry 500 Heavy Cavalry 12 Mages (Restoration) Meanwhile, with the Reclaimers finally showing up at the border to Morrowind, Agnippr proposes a counter argument to Vidinia's plans. Rather than Bruma and some of the Reclaimer legions heading straight for Kragenmoor, they should first head north to intercept any Dunmer reinforcements heading for the pass to Riften. This would minimize the bloodshed in Riften and ensure the Dunmer siege fails, whilst also clearing the way for the Kvatch and Rift troops to move forth into Morrowind. This means more friendly troops in enemy territory, plus it stops those troops from potentially attacking the siege camp at Kragenmoor. After the battle, the men would move south and besiege the city and continue with Vidinia's plan. (Skype) The light infantry continue scouting near the Riften pass and further out, attempting to find any reinforcements and size up their forces.
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