Chapter 180: Outbreak of the Near East War

  Chapter 177 – Outbreak of the Near East War

On February 21, 1852, the Ottoman Empire rejected the Russians’ insolent demands, the Constantinople negotiations ended in failure, and the Russo-Turkish War had become inevitable.

This was not as unexpected as everyone else’s; the Russians’ demands would have been impossible for anyone else to agree to.

If it was just a matter of knocking a little bit off the edge, maybe the corrupt Ottoman government would have put up with it, but there was no way to compromise if they wanted to swallow them in one gulp.

A week later, the Sultan’s government likewise rejected Austria’s conditions, and the countdown to war began.

Militarily speaking, it was unwise to fight on two fronts.

Theoretically, by allowing Austria to occupy Moldavia and Wallachia, Russia and Turkey were separated in the Balkans, and the Ottoman Empire would be under much less military pressure.

Politically, however, the Sultan’s government simply could not be compromised, and by showing a hint of weakness at this time, British and French support could change.

Maybe Britain and France will compromise with the Russians, and then the four great powers will come together to divide the Ottoman Empire, and that will really be the end of the world.

Although the Ottoman Empire was corrupt, it was still a “strong country” on the surface. Britain and France still had confidence in them until their weakness was exposed.

Europe’s four major powers divided into two waves, the rest of the countries, naturally, is neutral neutral, follow the footsteps of their respective bosses yell yell, participate in the war, even if, we are civilized people how to fight and kill it?

The Ottoman Empire’s reputation in Europe is very bad, of course, the reputation of the Russians is not much better, they are considered a rotten brother and sister, in Europe belongs to the unpopular main.

Only the Ottoman Empire’s reputation to be a little more bad, Franz sent people and turned out the Ottomans of the old accounts, so in public opinion the Russians support is still higher.

The popular response gave the Russians confidence. Nicholas I presented himself as the liberator of Christendom, and the same banner was carried by Franz.

On March 27, 1852, the Russian Empire officially declared war on the Ottoman Empire and the Ninth Russo-Turkish War broke out.

On March 28, under the order of Nicholas I, the Russian army launched an attack on the Ottoman Empire.

This time the Tsarist government was very disciplined and operated in strict accordance with international practice, without engaging in any undeclared war.

Vienna

Before the outbreak of the Russo-Turkish War, the Russians informed Austria in accordance with the covenant. Franz immediately ordered the whole army to prepare for the war, and at the same time held an enlarged meeting of the military and political sessions.

Field Marshal Radetzky pointed to the military map and analyzed: “Look, gentlemen, according to the judgment of our General Staff, this time the Russians have three attack routes to choose from.

One, an attack from the Caucasus; two, an attack from the Balkans; and three, an attack from the sea.

The Russian attack from the Caucasus has little to do with us and can be ignored.

If they attack from the Balkans, then they must first occupy the principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, which according to the agreement is our sphere of influence.

Then we must take action, or the westward strategy will wear out, and as soon as the Russians leak the secret pact, Britain, France and Prussia will be dead set on us.

If they attack from the sea, then there are many landing sites to choose from, port cities along the Black Sea coast of the Ottoman Empire are possibilities.

Militarily, all three routes of attack are feasible, and the Russians may choose one or two of them, or all three together.”

In the absence of British and French intervention, the Russians had too many options. The corrupt Ottoman Empire was riddled with loopholes and was simply defenseless.

Once Britain and France intervened, the sea attack was a non-starter. The Black Sea Fleet was fine to bully the Ottoman navy, but when it came to the British and French navies, it was just a giveaway.

For Austria, the most difficult thing for them is the Russians along the Balkan Peninsula to fight over, if let the Russians occupy the Danube Valley, and then let them withdraw will be difficult.

As for alliances, from the moment they are signed, they are meant to be torn up. Any alliance is unreliable as long as the stakes are high enough.

Metternich thought for a moment and said, “The westward strategy must not be exposed, if it draws the attention of various countries, it will be difficult for us to unify the South German region.”

Everyone nodded their heads, for the westward strategy Austria had already paid too much, if it was exposed at the critical moment, it would be a big loss.

What Austria wants is to unify the South German region, not to smash the South German region.

If a surprise attack was made, with the help of the Beltway Party, the first time Munich was occupied, the war could basically be declared over.

Essentially, the westward strategy was “three parts military, seven parts political”. Austria’s strategy towards the governments of these states was mainly based on political surrender, with military strikes only as a supplementary measure.

If the plan was exposed, the South German states and Austria would fight to the end with the support of the Great Powers, and even if they won the victory, the loss would outweigh the gain.

If more blood was shed on both sides, it would be difficult to rule these places. Austria’s annexation of South Germany was to strengthen its national power, not to add to the trouble.

Marshal Radetzky thought for a moment and said: ”Then we have only two choices, one of which is to immediately launch a westward strategy to catch them off guard.

Only then, the possibility of French intervention is very high, and we have to prepare to fight with the French first.

Two, continue with the alternative Balkan strategy and release a smokescreen to the outside world.

As long as we start a war in the Balkans, even if the Russo-Austrian secret pact is leaked, Britain and France will be misled by us.”

It’s clearly not in Austria’s interest to do it now, it’s acting as a backstabber for the Russians. With Austria picking France off, even with British support, the Ottoman Empire would likewise not be able to hold off the Russians.

It’s not easy to release a smokescreen. It’s easy to start a war, but it’s harder to quell it. It’s possible that the British and French allied forces ran over to take Austria to task before seeking bad luck with the Russians.

Prime Minister Felix said with a serious look: “This situation we have long expected, once the Russians take military action, we also immediately follow, they want to attack along the Balkan Peninsula can.

But the two Danube Valley principalities, we must also send troops to occupy them. We can’t let Russia swallow them in one bite.

As long as the Russo-Turkish war can’t be resolved quickly, they won’t be able to get away from us, and the Russians won’t be able to break the contract at this time.”

Franz nodded in agreement, and that would do. No strategy could be guaranteed to be foolproof, as the Emperor naturally couldn’t rush to the front, he had to leave a buffer.

In case something changed midway and caused the plan to fail, someone had to take the blame, right? Cabinet is the most suitable choice, politics is so cruel.

Of course, Franz is a good boss, to help him take the blame is fine, at most, will be driven home to mix a few years, the wind is over can come back.

This kind of thing has happened too many times in history. Almost every successful emperor has played this way.

……

On March 28, 1852, the Near Eastern War expanded when Austria, following the Russians, submitted its war letters to the Ottoman Empire.

Constantinople.

After receiving the letters of war from the Russians and the Austrians, the Sultan’s government gave up its last hope, and Abdul Mejid I likewise declared war on both countries, tit for tat.

In terms of courage, Abdul Mejid I was a competent emperor and did not back down at this time.

Theoretically, Abdul Mejid I now had a million troops under his command, and with the support of Britain and France and the replacement of modern weapons, as the defensive side, they were not without a fighting chance.

“What did the British and French representatives say, when will they send reinforcements?” Abdul Mejid I asked with concern

The Foreign Minister replied, “Your Majesty, both the British and French representatives have expressed their intention to support us, but it will take some time to send reinforcements.

If we agree, the British and French navies can immediately enter the Black Sea and suppress the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

Britain and France have also agreed to let the instructors who are helping us train our army join the war, though they must do so as commanders.”

It’s easy to invite the gods, it’s easy to invite the British and French fleets into the Black Sea, it’s harder to get them to leave.

Suppressing the Russians’ Black Sea fleet was only one aspect, for Britain and France controlling the Black Sea Straits would also increase their voice in the Ottoman Empire, which came with a lot of economic benefits.

Abdul Mejid I frowned, he knew that the British and French aid was not easy to take, and he did not mention the conditions before.

Before the outbreak of the Near East War, the Ottoman Empire was able to make concessions, how was it as big as after the outbreak of the war?

Now it is a poor figure, the British and French military instructors sent out to participate in the war as commanders, which is to the Ottoman government to ask for the right to command the army.

Once the Sultan’s government made a compromise, it would be difficult for the Ottoman Empire to get rid of the British and French control in the future. This is a positive plot, that even if Abdul Mejid I knows that there is a pit in front of him, he must jump into it.

“Tell them that as long as the British and French reinforcements can arrive earlier, I will agree!” Abdul Mejid I said through gritted teeth

For him, agreeing to such a condition was undoubtedly an insult to his dignity, but reality had no choice.

Near East War broke out, the Ottoman Empire can not be separated from the support of Britain and France. Weapons and equipment need to be provided by Britain and France, military expenses need to be provided by Britain and France, want to win the war but also Britain and France’s reinforcements.

……

On March 28, 1852, the Russian army launched an offensive in the Caucasus; on March 29, the Russian army attacked the Danube Valley, and on the same day Austria also sent troops to the Danube Valley.

Faced with the simultaneous attacks of the Russians and Austria, the autonomous governments of the principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia surrendered very crisply.

There was no such thing as fighting for the Ottoman Empire. The Romanians had no intention of working for the Sultan, and they had rebelled against the Ottoman Empire for more than a day or two.

(End of chapter)