IMAGI-NATIONS. PART 38.

 THE OUTBREAK OF WAR WITH THE RUSSIAN GERMAN ALLIANCE

During the final months of 1887 Germany and Russia finalised their strategy for war against the UNION. It was agreed that with substantial German assistance in both the supply of weapons and railway construction materials and expertise  the Russians would invade Ukraine and commence the construction of a railway towards the UNION. It was understood that the UNION would undoubtedly also  start building a railway and the two sides would meet in battle in the centre of Ukraine about six month later. To avoid the UNION being able to concentrate all its forces against each adversary separately the Germans would need to start their invasion of the old Federation just before Russia and the UNION met in Ukraine. This would ensure the UNION had to fight a two front war giving the alliance an over whelming numerical superiority.

 The Russian build up commenced immediately while German ships started to deliver large quantities of weapons, ammunition and railway material. By 4th May 1888 the Russians were ready and on that date some 750,000 Russian troops started to cross into Ukraine together with thousands of railway construction labourers. The UNION was surprised by the Russian invasion. They had no idea of the alliance with Germany and just had not expected Russia to risk another war. However as soon as long range cavalry patrols had confirmed the Russian move was indeed a full scale invasion the 2nd army in Fort Levenworth was instructed to cross the border and establish a defensive line to protect the construction of a UNION railway.

 As the UNION had not expected a Russian assault no preparations had been made to stockpile railway materials but UNION factories went into overdrive to produce the materials needed.  It was a little over 2000 miles from Russia to the UNION border so each side needed to build at least 1000 miles of track. At the usual rate of three miles a day it would be at least six months before the two sides could support combat operations although the UNION army's supply service was capable of far out performing the Russians so the UNION expected to be able to start fighting in September at the latest.

Over the next couple of months both sides rushed to lay track and advance their armies towards each other. There was no fighting until in early July UNION cavalry and horse artillery launched a hit and run attack on the Russian railhead. Although little serious damage was caused both the Russians and Germans were surprised the UNION could reach so far forward. Germany would need to be ready to launch her attack somewhat earlier than expected and therefore commenced a build up in the Rhineland. 

Shortly after this first contact, the British advised the UNION of rumours in diplomatic circles that Germany was in alliance with Russia. Although it was not known if this extended to joint military action, the Germans were certainly supporting the Russians with railway and military supplies. This news caused grave concern in the UNION. Fighting Russia was one thing but fighting Germany as well at the same time was quite another. UNION strategists realised that if such an alliance existed then it was likely that Germany would attack at the same time the UNION came into contact with the main Russian army. 

As that time was still a few months away the question arose as to whether the UNION should launch a  pre-emptive strike against Germany immediately to defeat them before the UNION faced a two front war. The problem was that it was only in March 1887, just 18 months previously, that the UNION had announced a policy of no first strikes. The debate swept through UNION government and military circles. Finally in early August the government decided that as the evidence against Germany was not fully substantiated there would be no first strike however full defensive measures would be taken along the border with Germany.