Chapter 446 Preparations for Attack

In War and Diplomacy, 1. new

Looking back, the entire situation is chaotic. The Battle of Verdun and the Battle of the Somme were launched successively, the bright red of 1.

These two battles alone caused the British, French and German forces to suffer more than 5 million casualties and more than 2 million deaths in total. They were two out-and-out super wars.

For most of the countries participating in the war, this war was more about losses. The loss of manpower, economic loss, material loss, land loss, etc. gave this war a negative color in the eyes of most European civilians.

If there were sufficiently advanced polling institutions to conduct polls among civilians in all European participating countries at this time, the European people's support for this war would never exceed one-third.

After the former French Commander-in-Chief Joffre was dismissed, the new French Commander-in-Chief was General Nivelle.

Unlike the conservative and stubborn Joffre, Nivelle had a terrible impulse and passion hidden in his heart.

France's well-planned Battle of the Somme did not achieve the outstanding results imagined, and the new commander-in-chief Nivelle had different plans.

The entire country was engaged in a terrible war of attrition, which also made Nevers very taboo about such a battle.

After Nivelle became commander-in-chief of France, the French people generally hoped that he could bring a glorious victory to end the war.

It was precisely because of the people's expectations for Nivell that when time entered the 1st, Er decided to plan a new campaign and named it the Spring Offensive.

The main core of the spring offensive was actually a replica and amplification of Nivelle's winning experience in the Verdun area.

Nivet selected a German protrusion protruding from east to west on the Aisne River. The north of this protrusion was the British army and the south was the French army.

Nivelle's plan was for the British to launch a fierce attack first, just like the Battle of Verdun at that time, to lure the Germans out of their holes, and then the French would attack the German flanks, tearing a gap in the German trench system, and thus obtain a victory that could decide the war. . new

Of course, in order to expand the results of the war and even promote the arrival of peace, Nivere also asked the Italian and Balkan coalition forces on the southern front to expedite their attack on the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

At present, apart from Russia, the weakest great power should be the Austro-Hungarian Empire. So far in the war, the Austro-Hungarian Empire has suffered more than 3 million casualties, and the pure death toll has reached more than 1.2 million.

Currently, the remaining combatable troops of the Austro-Hungarian Empire are less than 1.2 million, and they have to be dispersed to the southwestern and southern borders. Under the attack of the Italian and Balkan coalition forces, the borders are already in danger.

If the Germans had not sent a group army to help the Austro-Hungarian Empire defend the border, I am afraid that the Austro-Hungarian Empire would have been discussing where to set up the temporary capital at this time.

This does not mean that the current situation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is better. The logistics of the frontline troops, the treatment of a large number of casualties, the shortage of supplies, and the rise of the strike wave all gave the Austro-Hungarian Empire a headache.

The neighbor's revolution made the Austro-Hungarian Empire shed a cold sweat, because the possibility of civil strife in the Austro-Hungarian Empire was even higher than that in Russia.

As a multi-ethnic country, there were inherent differences in status and wealth among the various ethnic groups in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The long war has exhausted the empire, and the death of Francis I at the end of last year has made the empire even more difficult.

The successor as Emperor of Austria-Hungary was Francis I's grandnephew Karl I. After Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated, Charles was appointed Crown Prince of the Empire and became the successor of the old emperor.

But it is obvious that Karl I does not have the ability of the old emperor. For more than a month after taking the throne, he has not received strong support from the imperial government and the Hungarian government.

If it weren't for the remaining power of the old emperor, I am afraid that the Austro-Hungarian Empire would have erupted in an anti-war demonstration like Tsarist Russia in an instant.

After receiving the request from France, Italy first agreed and agreed to launch a large-scale offensive on the border with the Austro-Hungarian Empire. new

Since the war broke out, Italy has achieved the least results. If it were not for the Italian navy's contribution to the blockade of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean, Italy's presence in this war would be close to zero.

So far, the front lines of Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire have been advancing slowly. After the Austro-Hungarian Empire increased its troops, it is even more likely to be a stalemate.

If it weren't for the fact that the Balkan front had shared at least 800,000 combat troops from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Italy might have been considering the terms for peace now.

This is not to belittle Italy, but the combat effectiveness of Italy's army is disappointing, and the results achieved in several battles are even more surprising.

If it were any normal great power, I am afraid that the Austro-Hungarian Empire would have surrendered by this time.

Not only did Italy not put too much pressure on the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but it also provided a batch of weapons and equipment to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and trained new soldiers.

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Naturally, the French's telegram requesting coordinated operations was sent to Thomas, then commander-in-chief of the Australasian Expeditionary Force and commander of the 1st Guards Division.

As Thomas reported this telegram to the country, after careful consideration by Arthur and the Ministry of Defense, they decided to cooperate with the French in this battle and strive to end the war as much as possible.

Although Arthur remembered that the historical spring campaign did not achieve much results, and even the French suffered a large number of casualties.

However, Australasia's mission in this battle was to contain the Austro-Hungarian Empire and at the same time hold back the German army in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It would not engage in a head-on confrontation with the main force of the German army.

In this way, Australasia can accept whether this battle can be won or not.

Anyway, the Australasian Expeditionary Force continued its battles in the Balkans and was itself containing the Austro-Hungarian army.

In fact, it is not unacceptable for Australasia to end this war now. Anyway, Australasia has obtained a lot of benefits from the Allies, and has firmly established itself as one of the top five powers.

In terms of land, what is needed has been obtained. All that remains is to absorb a large number of German talents and people after the war and completely increase the country's potential.

In any case, Australasia will receive a good distribution of benefits after the war. Whether it is the British attitude to win over Australasia or the strength that Australasia has developed, it can ensure that Australasia will obtain sufficient benefits.

On the other hand, Russia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which were hardest hit in this war, especially the Austro-Hungarian Empire, are likely to lose their status as great powers.

Italy's strength has also been clearly seen by all countries. Even if Italy can maintain its status as a great power after the war, it will definitely be the one with the weakest strength.

A country that can be completely held back by a small number of troops from the remaining Austro-Hungarian Empire, no wonder other countries despise it.

For Arthur, most of the goals of this war have been achieved, and European countries have been severely weakened.

Judging from the results achieved so far, they are already in line with Arthur's expectations for this war, and there is no need to continue consuming it.

If Arthur remembers correctly, the United States in history will intervene in this war this year and join in to take a share of the pie.

Naturally, Britain and France would not refuse the United States' participation. After all, the Americans could also provide a large number of troops, thus reducing the casualties of the British and French troops.

The large amount of supplies from the United States can also alleviate the domestic pressure on Britain and France, allowing Britain and France to have enough patience to consume Germany.

But this is not a good thing for Australasia. The United States is bound to get a piece of the pie when it joins, and it will definitely get a lot.

According to Arthur's strategic plan, what Australasia sought after the war was Pacific hegemony.

This also means that Australasia is bound to conflict with the United States on the other side of the Pacific, and there will even be some friction with the island countries to the north.

The stronger the allies, the better, and the weaker the enemies, the better. Arthur did not want to see the United States take a large share of the war, so the best outcome was to end the war before the United States entered the war.

You know, the real rise of the United States began with World War I. Americans absorbed a large number of European talents during the two world wars, which promoted American technology to explode in a short period of time and helped the United States become the world's hegemon.

Judging from the national conditions of Australasia and the United States, if both sides are determined to compete for talents, Australasia may not necessarily be able to compete with the United States.

After all, the United States is a real power. Its economic and industrial strength ranks first in the world, and it has unique advantages in financial resources.

Looking at the degree of development of the United States alone, there is no doubt that it has an advantage over Australasia. If both sides spend a lot of money to attract talents, Australasia will basically not be a rival to the United States.

If the United States is allowed to absorb European talents, the gap between Australasia and the United States will become wider and wider. Competing for hegemony with the United States will be like throwing an egg at a stone.

Only by weakening the United States as much as possible can Australasia have any hope of defeating the United States in the struggle for Pacific hegemony.

The Americans gained many benefits from World War I in history. More importantly, it strengthened the federal government's influence on local areas and improved its military strength.

Before entering the war, the United States could only be said to be an economic and industrial power. Its military strength was in shambles, and its army was ranked last among the major powers.

After entering the war, the United States made considerable progress in its army and navy, and the size and strength of its army ranked higher than that of the middle powers.

It also means that the United States used World War I to achieve the transition from an economic power to a military power, and successfully got rid of the control of European capital over the domestic economy of the United States.

Before World War I, the United States was a debtor country. After World War I, the United States became a creditor country. Through aid and loans to Europe and various economic means, it completed its penetration into the European continent.

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