Re: Blood and Iron

Chapter 259: The Arab Revolt Begins



Maximilian more or less lived a rather lavish life over the course of the days that followed his discussion with Faisal I bin al-Hussein bin Ali al-Hashemi, and when the man returned to him, the verdict was clear.

The Arab leaders beneath the control of the Ottoman Empire had agreed to wage war. And they agreed to do so in exchange for the terms Maximillian had presented to them.

In other words, in exchange for allowing the independence of the Islamic World following the defeat of the Allied Powers, and their right to rule their own lands without European influence, they would take up arms against the Allied Powers, primarily the Ottoman Empire and their allies fighting alongside them within their territory.

The agreement was signed in secret, and weapons were quickly given over to the Arab militants to take up arms against the Ottoman Empire. A few crash courses were made to teach them how to operate weapons like G-43 Semiautomatic Rifles, MP-34 submachine guns, and MG-34 general purpose machine guns.

But after a mere month or so of proper weapons and maintenance training, the Arab militants were more than well-equipped enough to absolutely decimate the Ottoman Army. Especially since 60mm lightweight mortars were added to the mix, allowing these men to wage a guerilla campaign of hit-and-run tactics against Ottoman Forces and their positions. Maximilian ultimately decided to remain as an attaché to Faisal, acting as an advisor of sorts on a variety of topics. As for their first attack, it was swift and sudden. Thoroughly decimating the infrastructure of the Ottoman Railway which led from British Egypt into their territory. With the railway sabotaged, the Ottomans had no way of ferrying Allied troops and supplies into Armenia, creating a major crisis for Ottoman Troops, and in doing so announced the Arab Revolt, and their entry into the war as another player.

President William Howard Taft stared at the newspaper in his hands and scoffed. The words "Arab Leaders Revolt against Turkish Caliphate" were boldly written at the top of the page. And the text beneath it accurately displayed the ongoing situation within the Ottoman Empire.

The Arabs had revolted and had been given weapons and supplies by German operatives as was evidenced by the brutally destructive capabilities they appeared to be wielding. Hit and run tactics were troublesome enough.

But when men would ride in on the back of camels with automatic weapons in their hands, gun down Ottoman Soldiers, and blow up their infrastructure before fucking off back into the vast desert wastes of the Arabian Peninsula? Now that was just hell to deal with...

Taft did not envy the Allied Powers and the numerous fires that the Germans had lit for them to deal with. Whether it was the disaster that was the western front, the repeated sinking of British ships, whether commercial or naval within the North Sea, the stalemate within the Alps, or the surrender of the Balkans there were too many things for the Allies to focus on and not a single major victory had yet to be had for their side.

Staying out of this war was indeed the wisest course of action for the United States and no matter how much many of his detractors had begun to profess their disagreement on the national stage, as a result of the temporary hit their economy was suffering because of the nation's pursuit of selfsufficiency in the name of neutrality.

The fact remained the Central Powers were simply too powerful to deal with. It would be a complete and total annihilation for the American Army if they fought on land. But the British Navy was still more than capable enough of harassing American shipping and naval prowess in the Atlantic should the United States, for whatever reason, see fit to join hand in hand with the Germans.

Either way, there wasn't exactly much for the United States to gain from fighting this war, especially if they remained unprovoked. Hence why Taft could only shake his head and sigh as he felt nothing but pity for the Allies for picking a fight with an opponent, they simply were not equipped to deal with.

As he did so, the Vice President smoked a cigar while reading his own paper. Commenting on Albania's recent subjugation by the German Reich, and their rapid advance into the country.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"It is still hard to believe that within a mere twelve hours this so-called Albanian Republic capitulated to a German Advance. Sure, they were more or less an anarchic state and were overwhelmed on all sides by a superior power.

But how does one advance so rapidly through the mountains in order to force such a victory? Surely this must be an error, no?"

Taft cut the end off of his own cigar as he lit the end, smoking it in the process. Once he had done so, he spoke the truth of the matter.

"The Germans have advanced far beyond any of us thought was possible. They advanced with a completely motorized force. Their men sat within the beds of trucks, while their artillery was pulled by the very same trucks.

Others sat on the backs of armored vehicles, which provided protection to them after they deployed. It was a style of rapid maneuvering I had never thought was possible. Or should I say, our generals never thought was possible. I'm not exactly a man with a mind for military matters, as you are well aware..."

Taft didn't realize how truly terrifying the words he reiterated truly were, but the Vice President was, and his face went pale when he heard of the style of overwhelming firepower and mobility that the German Army possessed.

He was quick to conclude that there were absolutely no circumstances where the United States, if God forbid, they found themselves on the rival side of the Central Powers, would win such a conflict. And because of this, he was quick to speak his thoughts on the matter.

"Sir, I must say, your foresight into staying absolutely neutral in this conflict was indeed most wise..."

Taft simply smirked confidently as he leaned back in his seat and smoked his cigar, before taking a sip of his bourbon as well. No matter what troubles may come, unless they were outright provoked by the central powers in a way that could simply not be ignored, then war was the last thing that his administration would ever push for.