Part I - Chapter 1

In the end history is simply a explosive chair reaction. One single event, not matter how small and insignificant it may seem at the time, may or may not turn out to be just the right trigger to start an event that can radically change the world for years, decades, even centuries to come. These "gunpowder" events, are the cornerstones of history. They can also lead people to wonder "What if...?" Well, friends, I have often sat and wondered "What if..?" about a great many things, and this is probably the most explosive of all the "gunpowder" events I have podered.

What If...? France's pleas to Austria and Bavaria in 1870 had gotten through, and Prussia had lost the Franco-German War, therfore not allowing a unified Germany to form?

---------------------------------------------------------------

Our little endeavor into the What If? begins on the flat plains of Northern Europe. For months, conflict had been brewing in Europe. In Paris, an extremely ambitious Napoleon III had been looking warily at King Wilhelm of Prussia, or more importantly, Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. Tensions between these two military powerhouses had been brewing since 1867, when Prussia and the North German Confederation blocked France's purchase of Luxembourg from The Neatherlands. In early 1870 the Spanish Throne had no apparant heir. Otto von Bismarck eagerly offered Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, a distant cousin of King Wilhelm of Prussia to the Spanish throne. A Furious Napoleon III immediatly sent a Telegram to Berlin instructing that either Prussia will cease it's current course or war will be declared.

Prussia kept it's current course.

July 19, 1870

Napoleon III of the Second French Empire declares war on The Kingdom of Prussia under King Wilhelm and Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. Almost immediatly, the North German Confederation backs Prussia by declaring war on France. The Southern German states of Bavaria, Baden, and Württemberg, and Saxony, always in competition with the North German States, are more reluctant to join any cause. It seems that it will take some persuasion to sway these small Kingdoms.

July 21, 1870

The first of Napoleon's diplomats begin discussions of alliance in Vienna. Kaiser Franz Josef of Austria-Hungary, still furious over Austria's humiliating defeat in 1866 listens intently to the alliance proposal.In Munich and Dresden, similiar discussions are also underway. In both cities, the French beat their Prussian counterparts by scarce hours. This will prove to be extremely fortunate for the French as the war continues.

July 28, 1870

Napoleon III joins up with the 100,000 strong Army of the Rhine in Metz. The French army is full of well-trained Regulars, some of which have fought in the Crimea, Italy, Algeria, and Mexico. The Army of the Rhine is expected to grow dramatically as French Mobilisation continues. However, unknown to Napoleon, the Germans are mobilizing much faster, as the entire Prussian Army is made up of conscripts.

July 30, 1870

Austria-Hungary declares war on Prussia. The first reserves were called up as soon as hostilities began and have been concentrating in Bohemia for a few weeks now, and by now about 150,000 men are ready for action. Franz Josef chooses Archduke Albert to lead the force. The Archduke has an impressive record, defeating an Italian army more than twice the size of his own in the 1866 war.The Kingdom of Bavaria, it seems, had been waiting for this exact event, for scarce hours later, it also declares war on Prussia and her allies.

August 2, 1870

French General Frossard's II Corps and Marshal Bazaine's III Corps cross into Germany, evicting the Germans from the vital city of Saarbrücken. In the short skirmish that ensued as the French entered the city, the French Chassepot rifle proved superior to the decade old Prussian Needle Gun.

French Zouaves outside of Saarbrucken.

Meanwhile, Marshals MacMahon and Canrobert are in planning with Bavarian and Austrian commanders on the strategy for the war in the south. I Corps under MacMahon in concert with the Bavarian army and the small Austrian Army of Tyrol would invade Palatinate and proceed to "liberate" southern germany, completely bypassing the 350,000 some men that von Moltke has arrayed on the French Border.

August 4, 1870

The first real battle of the war touches off at the small city of Wissembourg. The short, bloody battle occured when a single divison of the Army of the Rhine was attacked by two Prussian Corps. The Prussia attack was wild, uncoordinated, and undercommanded by the upper echelons of Prussian Command. This confusion, combined with a good defensive positon, allowed General Douay to successfully repluse three strong attacks by forces more than double the size of his. By the end of the day the French send in reinforcements and the field is taken by the French.

(Author's Note: In our time, the Prussians came to Wissembourg with two Prussian Corps, and one Bavarian Corps, the absence of the Bavarians, I believe, would allow the French to gain the upper hand, and eventully win this crucial battle.)

August 7, 1870

The war in the south begins. A Franco-Austrian force of about 60,000 coupled with the Bavarian Army invades Palatinate, finding little organized resistance. The Napoleonic allies are making very good progress before the day is out. Von Moltke immediatly dispatches a Corps to deal with the invasion.

To Be Continued....