575
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Post by 575 on Mar 25, 2021 18:20:19 GMT
Naval strategy:
The Danish Navy would redefine its role regarding Germany which to an extend would also cover possible Russian adventures through the Straits on getting to Norway if that should ever materialize though the Danes thought it a what-if to the Norwegians the possibilities of yesterday apparently still seemed possible.
The consoling part about Russia was that Sweden would be watching that too; the Swedes had some experience having Russia as a neigbour just like Denmark had in regard to Germany. That would ease some of the possible strain regarding the Baltic. Strategic planning for the Navy was new but necessary.
There had been a VERY informal meeting at the Danish Navy Headquarters in Copenhagen of the Scandinavian participating Navy Admirals of the funeral parties. As all were dressed in Danish uniforms nobody except guards would notice that some Admiral suddenly seemed having a strong Swedish accent! Even Government had been kept off it and the Swedish Admirals seemed quite satisfied if a little perplexed that the meeting had been arranged at all that the Danish and Norwegian Navies also planned on possible Russian expeditions. As the formal meeting ended and a late evening supper served the Snaps and beers were plenty.
Germany was another matter. Germanys concern was Britain as Molkte had said himself no illusions about the subject matter. If Denmark and Norway would like to be taken serious it would cost in both money and political will.
In times of crisis the Straits would have to be defended but Copenhagen because of its situation close to Sweden required special attention too.
As a means to defend Copenhagen from the Swedish threat - which could also be aimed at Germany - coastal defences was projected on Amager to the south of Copenhagen on Saltholm in the middle of the Sound as well as on Stevns and Møns Klint further south.
The last two to get early warning of units of either Sweden or Germany approaching Copenhagen.
The export port of Esbjerg on the Jutland west coast got its own building plan for a Naval base facility to observe any movements in the Wadden See as well as a permanent presence in the North Sea. It would become home to a few of the older Torpedoboats turned guard ships.
Linked to the joint Dano-Norwegian Squadron planned to operate in said sea in times of crisis though the main Allied base would be at Stavanger in Norway.
Both PMs realized the costs going ever up.
In any threat scenario Submarines would be needed to augment the strength of the Navy and deter an aggressor. With Submarines having a cost of only 10 % of an Armoured Coastal Ship the procurement seemed possible though being a new type required more investment.
The launch of the Royal Navy all-big gun battleship Dreadnought influenze the building of Scandinavian warships mainly in confirming the right approach in limiting the number of different gun calibres fitted and fewer types of ammunition carried.
To say that the plans made for discussion at Parliaments would be an understatement of a severe magnitude.
In Denmark it was a storm and would make waves within the press when relating the happenings in Parliament. That similar events unfolded in Norwegian parliament did little to comfort I.C. Christensen.
The Danish Socialdemocratic group of 16 soon got company of part of the ruling Liberal Venstre which had left their party to set up a new one; adverse to the new defensive policies they found if not friends then allies in that new party.
The two weren't enough but the split within Venstre forced I.C. Christensen to resign.
Foreign Minister Raben-Levetzau after much coercing by the King agreed to form government.
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575
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Post by 575 on Mar 25, 2021 18:25:40 GMT
Lighter than air and heavy metal: 1906 would see Danish inventor Ellehammer “fly” his first aeroplane on the island of Lindholm. As the plane was tied to a pole to restrict unwanted manouevres it wasn't counted as flying except in Denmark. Ellehammer however continued his working on aeroplanes, engines, motorcycles and a host of other projects in years to come. Some of which also attracted the attention of the Armed Forces. In order to be party to the Navy builds and repairs Burmeister & Wain funds the first steelworks in Denmark. (couldn't resist naming it  ) |
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575
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Post by 575 on Mar 28, 2021 15:43:25 GMT
1907:
Continuing the activist foreign policy Denmark was ready to support Norway in the Svalbard question; the victory in the war had also strengthened Norwegian resolve and by 1907 Norway decided – backed by Britain - to occupy the islands and then call an international conference on the issue of the status of the islands at Oslo.
It soon became clear to the Norwegians that everybody was eager to avoid a power vacuum in the North Atlantic/Arctic and Norway was granted sovreignty of the islands; not least to the surprise of the Norwegians.
Spurred on by the success Norway asked the Great Powers to include Bjørnøya in the treaty which was granted too.
During mid-July a disarmament conference is held at the Hague, the Netherlands that doesn't achieve its objective but a set of conventions regulating conduct of war is negotiated and rights of neutral countries codexed.
King Frederik 8. travels to Iceland aboard the Royal Yacht Dannebrog to visit the nation a part of his Kingdom and to accommodate the Icelanders who desire autonomy. Arriving 30. July the visit is a great success with the King being very forthcoming towards his unruly subjects who desire the right of self determination.
At home Folketinget the lower house of Parliament ratify an act on recognized unemployment savings which had been instituted among the members of trade unions but which Parliament across political parties decide to support though only members that haven't lost employment due to strikes or lock-out in an effort to ease the situation of those in need to avoid poor relief which would entail loss of individual rights – hence loss of votes! The horror of established politicians mainly so the Socialdemocratic Party which viewed itself the natural political home of all workers.
The Conservatives and Venstre had argued that the Navy building programme of new ships as well as rebuilds and repairs great numbers of skilled workers would be needed and as such no need for the proposed act all on course to not increase numbers of votes for the Socialdemocratic Party.
1907 would be the year when the first Submarine “Dykkeren” (Diver) entered service with the Danish Navy.
The previous years of repairs and rebuilding had prevented such an enlargement of the fleet until now. Soon however another three would join the first ship. The boats had been built in Italy by Fiat at La Spezia that would also serve to supply the first submarine to Norway “Kobben” by 1908. Soon however the Navy Yard would be able to build its own submarines.
Dykkeren was an electricity only ship which needed to charge its batteries at the Navy wharf before operation which of course was of limited range. It was however a successful training unit and subsequent units would be diesel-electric boats.
The old Armoured Coastal Ships Lindormen Gorm and Tordenskjold had been sold for scrap; the Battleship Helgoland had been modernized and sold to Greece being renamed Elli.
On 23. October 1907 Norwegian premier Christian Michelsen withdrew from his post due to ill health; his government was reformed with Jørgen Løvland as Primeminister though very soon Løvlands own partisans of Venstre Party attacked the coalition Government on its ruling. Løvland then dissolved Government and the King asked Venstre to form new Government which a few Venstre partisans led by Gunnar Knudsen managed to form by getting support from the Workers Democratics a spinoff of Venstre.
This state of affairs would continue till 1913 when elections held during late 1912 had given Venstre the majority in the Storting and this government would rule till 1920.
To Danes not really in the know of the issues troubling Norwegian Government during this early time of independence it looked a mess but the Norwegians had a lot of defining issues to attend to such a writtine language which had been a relic of Danish Rule and now sought to be changed to a Norwegian form. All things hugely important for new-born Nation.
The death of King Oscar 2 of Sweden 8. December 1907 made for the Scandinavian Primeministers having an unofficial meeting at Stockholm during the funeral days as the Royals had their family reunion. The first meeting of Jørgen Løvland with the other two. Løvland was generally continuing the alliance and foreign policy of Michelsen.
There was no real agreements made but the talks had been made in a “friendly atmosphere” as Raben-Levetzau would later recall and attributed that to the ongoing rebuilding of the Russian Baltic Squadron making Sweden once again feel the Russian dagger pointing at Stockholm.
Minister of Justice P. A. Alberti ask Premier I.C. Christensen to leave his office due to occasional rumours of his illeagal economic transactions which Alberti argued was ruining his political position as well as that of his party.
Christensen asks Alberti if there is anything to the matter which Alberti strongly rejects but feel that he might become a millstone around the neck of the PM if the rumours isn't ended.
In fact Alberti knew that the Navy building programmes and other initiatives were making for more eyes on the monetary transactions than before the war and realized it would only be a matter of time before he would face justice or at least political scandal.
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575
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Post by 575 on Mar 29, 2021 18:59:33 GMT
1908:
Unfortunately the success soured the Danish – Norwegian relationship. Apparently the Norwegians DID reckon themselves able to walk on water! Or so it looked to the Danes.
Nothing like money will be able to divide any family and so it almost happened.
Norwegian politicians by 1908 brought up the Kiel Treaty of 1814 and demanded renegotiating the status of the old Norwegian North Atlantic territories that had become party to Denmark at that time.
It was the Danish position building a monopoly on trade in Greenland that offended Norway but also Britain and to a lesser degree France.
Trying to preserve the good relations Denmark offered Norway a beneficial trade treaty on Greenland but on the news leaking Britain with France in tow protested this.
Denmark would be allowed its monopoly but that should in or exclude any and all others.
The Greenland issue sparked much controversy in Denmark on wheather to recant the beneficial trade treaty with Norway or not but also made for secret Danish diplomatic feelers to Germany; on a lesser extend on defensive and major extend the Schleswig issues.
Germany strongly rejected ceding North Schleswig and threatened violation of Danish neutrality in case of war.
Nothing more was done about it and the talks kept secret.
Concurrent with the diplomatic feelers to Germany Danish Parliament had a prolongen session on the Danish-German relations mostly so regarding the lost lands in Southern Jutland and the Danes living under German rule.
As diplomacy was done in the dark nothing was revealed of it to Parliament and Government would use the session to openly calm down Germany as to Danish intentions.
The German reply had sent Denmark reeling back into the arms of the Scandinavian alliance and during fall the Danish king Frederick 8 would visit his son and daughter in law at Oslo.
The cheering crowds dispelled any mistrust between the two nations on the surface; beneath this the informing of the Norwegian Government of the German reply did send such a signal that Norway saw the writing on the wall and decided to back down on the issue of expansion in the North Atlantic for the time being.
Independence had been won too recently to be jeopardized and Norway realized it had put all its Naval eggs in the Danish basket. Building such in Norway would be quite big investment and did not appeal as it would have real influence on Norwegian economics.
The internal Norwegian discussion didn't all subside and was followed closely in Copenhagen by the reading of Norwegian newspapers.
The matter was quite grave because of the possibility of other powers notably the USA might demand sovereignty of Greenland or parts of it.
Though the USA by 1826 had recognized the King of Denmarks possession of Greenland the explorative activities of US expeditions in Artic lands post that year - among these Greenland - had well opened the door for territorial demands by the USA in Greenland well realized by Danish Government.
The USA also barred the sale of the West Indies to other European powers like Germany which had been suggested in Denmark as such would be seen as a violation of the Monroe doctrine – trading one colonial power for another.
The USA wasn't interested in buying themselves and not letting anyone else in the back door.
It would remain a drain on Danish resources unless something would be done to change the situation.
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575
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Post by 575 on Mar 30, 2021 19:29:08 GMT
North and Baltic Sea Conventions ratified by Denmark, Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Russia guarantee the inviolable coast of the signatory powers.
Germany's Admiral Tirpitz Minister of Naval Affairs propose a new Navy Act to counter Dreadnought and the mini-dreadnoughts of Denmark and Norway by rapidly increasing the number of battleships.
The German Navy wants more focus on the Danish – Norwegian naval threat but the Army doesn't see any such. Though the Danish Army is clearly shifting its focus from the Fortress of Copenhagen to a major presence in Jutland and Funen it still isn't wieved a threat mainly because of lack of alliance to a major possible German opponent and the joint neutrality course pursued by the governments of Denmark and Norway. Norway is weived as no player by the German Army.
In the Balkans Russia and Austria-Hungary decide to let Russia have the Straits and Austria-Hungary Bosnia-Herzegovina. Austria-Hungary with Russian support annexes Bosnia-Herzegovina but in company of Germany threatening war decline to support the Russian demands on the Straits; Bulgaria claims independence from the Ottoman Empire. The Cretan Parliament decide to join Greece.
In the Ottoman Empire the Young Turks led by Enver Bey/Mustafa Kemal later known as Ataturk rebels and reinstate the 1876 constitution forming a new parliament.
Belgian Congo become a colony ruled by Parliament in response to the disclosed atrocities comitted during the Royal rule.
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575
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Post by 575 on Apr 2, 2021 7:56:19 GMT
1909:
If the Norwegians were able to walk on water the Danes certainly weren't.
Money once again being the problem.
A financial scandal struck as the Sjælland Peasants Savings Bank went bankrupt when the former Minister of Justice Alberti suddenly turned himself in to the Commissioner of Copenhagen Police claiming to be a fraud.
That made for a bank run on the Savings Bank robbing it of its reserves.
Ideed the accusations had turned up every now and then since Alberti's leaving office during 1907 and by turning himself in he pulled the carpet from under PM Raben-Levetzau who being a man of old time honour saw no alternative than to hand in his resignation.
The political turmoil in the wake of the financial scandal made for the Socialdemocratic Party gaining its till then largest number of votes at the elections which served to elect cigarmaker Thorvald Stauning to Parliament for the Socialdemocratic Party.
Stauning had tried running at the 1906 elections but the programme of peace and more rights for the working man had little success just the year post victory in war.
This time with the increase in industrial workers to no small degree because of the Navy building programme and new steel works which had been asked to make armoured steel besides other produce still with mediocre living standards the Socialdemocrats had percieved the will of the constituency right.
Even if the Venstre government had had to call for elections Venstre did pull the warcard and rebuilding of the Navy managing to hold its own and telling the constituency that this was the real benefit to the meagre prosperity of the working class as the opposite to none.
The resignation of Raben-Levetzau made for Niels Neergaard also of Venstre to come to power being asked by the King to form Government.
Neergaard was known to be anti-German thus the good relations with Britain would be maintained during his time in office.
If Raben-Levetzau managed to navigate the crisis by resigning I.C. Christensen didn't.
Being accused of making Alberti able to do his fraud and not stopping it Christensen was indicted by the Crown Court and found guilty of being too supportive of Alberti - his position within the party ruined for the time being.
The Socialdemocratic Party had for some years argued to the benefit of industrial workers of better wages and shorter work days. It had been a nuisance to Government and Conservatives but it was to get worse. The Navy building programme was seen by the Socialdemocratic Party to be a lever though not the way Vestre was propagating but to actually in the long run uplift the workers economically. Though it would be a long haul.
The year saw the real enlargement of the Danish Navy; the two new ships of the enlarged Herluf Trolle class which were by now less of a monitor design to better work in the North Sea alongside the Norwegian Navy were commissioned named Peder Skram and Herluf Trolle.
Each of six 8” QF-guns in dual turrets and eight 5” guns in single mounts. Their role would be North Sea patrols alongside their Norwegian sisters or blockade of Sweden in case of war.
The Norwegian Navy had two building the Bjørkvin and Nidaros that would join that Navy by 1910.
Even if main guns went from 9” to 8” the addition of more tubes made the ships able to deliver three times as much punch as the two early Herluf Trolle class.
Also joining the Danish Navy was the late sister of Valkyrien – Freja – a protected Elswick Cruiser just like the rebuilt Valkyrien. Each of four 8” QF-guns in dual turrets and six 5” guns in single mounts.
With new machinery the ships had been redesigned from the Protected Cruiser status to a new more Armoured Cruiser one by getting an armoured belt protecting the magazines and machinery – the Achilles heel of Valkyrien at Göteborg – at only a sligt loss of speed and of course the ships were critizised for being too vulnerable and a waste of money.
These ships had to fill the role of power projection into the North Atlantic as well as the Caribbean but also act as a reserve of the Danish Norwegian North Sea Squadron.
The modernized main armament would make them better suited to join the battle line should that be necessary again which Admiral Kofoed-Hansen hoped not.
The three mini-Elswicks had been sacrificed as had the old Skjold. One mini-Elswick had become the depot ship of Submarines another a Cadet training ship and the last scrapped.
Skjold had been sold to Greece with a change of main gun to two 8” QF-guns in a dual turret and retaining the rest of the original modern armament. Already an economic boat to operate with new guns and modern armour the Greek Navy liked their addition. Though in competition with the Swedish Naval sales commission the Greeks knew the Danes to prioritize sailing qualities thus if smaller than the Swedish ships it would be a welcome addition as a training ship.
The Danish and Norwegian Navies also had new Torpedoboats and Submarines enter service.
The crossing of the Channel in a flying machine by French Louis Bleriot fuels a surge in interest in flying around Europe.
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Apr 2, 2021 16:20:19 GMT
575 , There is some interesting butterflies here. I assume the banking scandal was OTL but possibly the election result afterwards wasn't. Also an extra ship for the Greek navy could have implications if the 1st Balkan War goes off as OTL, although the Greeks seem to have had a naval superiority anyway. The impact of a somewhat more industrially developed Denmark could be useful although if WWI still occurs and its given a choice Denmark will still want to stay out of any great power conflict, especially if it means war with Germany.
Steve
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575
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Post by 575 on Apr 2, 2021 18:26:01 GMT
575 , There is some interesting butterflies here. I assume the banking scandal was OTL but possibly the election result afterwards wasn't. Also an extra ship for the Greek navy could have implications if the 1st Balkan War goes off as OTL, although the Greeks seem to have had a naval superiority anyway. The impact of a somewhat more industrially developed Denmark could be useful although if WWI still occurs and its given a choice Denmark will still want to stay out of any great power conflict, especially if it means war with Germany.
Steve
Stevep ,
The Banking scandal was OTL 1908 and quite real though I.C. Jacobsen wasn't tried and formed Government later. Stauning had been elected to Parliament 1906 OTL but the war makes for better Venstre elections through the years and Stauning have to wait a few years. The Greeks seemed to have had Naval superiority but a ship or two extra won't do any harm. OTL Denmarks mobilization 1914 probably made Germany not roll out Plan N/J (Norway/Jutland) by 1917 though here the Danish Army will in Jutland and not on the suburbs of Copenhagen. Don't expect a Danish-German confrontation during WWI but there will be a few butterflies more.
I'm not advanced beyond 1920 but I expect to have a larger Danish call-up should WWII break-out which may well have an effect then as will stronger Norwegian - Danish Navies. This is still in the planning stage and not really reached.
Carsten
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575
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Post by 575 on Apr 2, 2021 18:44:07 GMT
1910:
Danish Minister to Berlin Hegermann-Lindencrone caught wind of the German General Staff dusting off its contingency plans making for a more aggressive stance regarding Denmark.
The enlargement of the Kiel-Canal that had been initiated 1907 had been seen as a way of circumventing the new Dano-Norwegian security alliance though this seemed another kettle of fish.
Denmark asked the Norwegian cabinet to agree to an increase of joint Army manouevres in Jutland which seemed to convince the Germans that they would have to give more serious considerations to Scandinavia than previously and not just stumble into war by bullying a neighbor.
In the end the German plan were put back on its shelf for the time being the Scandinavian activity ensuring no attack to be expected from Germany in the north.
The increased focus upon defence of Jutland made for the Conservative party to beat the drum on the Capital being left defenceless to be taken by a single Swedish or German officer debarking a steamer!
It didn't make for changes as Government still had 2/3 majority within Parliament. The Socialdemocratic pacifist programme would alter nothing either.
The Conservatives would however continue their agitation of the defenceless capital and it would in years to come make more of an issue of it than by now.
Denmark had established close to normal relations to Sweden with a new trade treaty and asked Sweden to join in the Danish-Norwegian Monetary Union which the Swedes cautiously would decide to be staying off for the time being.
The relations with Sweden still seemed somewhat stretched with the German growing interest in Scandinavia making for a trade agreement with Sweden as well as for German warships visiting Swedish west coast ports; the latter seen as a clear signal to Denmark and Norway that Sweden was wavering in the direction of Germany should war break out in Europe.
A Socialist International conference held at Copenhagen with the attendance of V.I. Lenin and J. Jaures did attracht Scandinavian wide interest among workers; socialists of Norway Sweden and Finland would arrive at Copenhagen spending the days in accomodation by Danish Socialists.
It was agreed among the Scandinavian participants that another war should be barred by joint action and not just be a national cause as during the last one which at one point made tempers flare and a huge fight erupted between Norwegians and Danes on one side Swedes on the other.
In the end Police was called to quell the fight and several Swedes and Norwegians too were deported home as was a number of other foreign nationals that conveniently could be disposed off at the moment having taken part in fight or not. (oh no, they will survive just get deported)
1910 saw the first project to electrify the Swedish Railways (SJ); Parliament had discussed the various lines as first project and decided upon the ore line from Kiruna that needed upgrading to increase loads.
However maintaining the line into Narvik, Norway wasn't so interesting anymore. Strong voices argued that the ore should be shuttled by rail to either Göteborg on the Kattegat coast or Ystad on the Baltic coast.
As the political talks dragged on Germany showed an interest and proposed a joint German – Swedish undertaking for running the ore to Ystad by rail.
The German Army had as early as 1903 an electric experimental line at Zossen-Marienfelde running with trains attaining 210 km/h.
The German proposal would see an influx of capital into Sweden and swayed the Swedish to begin building the electrified line from Kiruna to Luleå on the Botnia and then south towards Ystad.
This also meant strengthening the foundation to be able to carry the heavy trains but the cost was reckoned to be payable with German credits.
The line to Narvik would be operated until the new line be completed though more emphasis would be placed during icefree seasons on Luleå for shipment of ore out of said port indstead of Narvik once Luleå be connected to Kiruna.
The Swedish decision was viewed in Denmark and Norway as a Swedish step back from Scandinavian cooperation.
An increase in Swedish manouevres in Northern Sweden was seen as a potentiel threat to Narvik and Norway once again asked for joint Danish – Norwegian Army exercises to be carried out in Norway.
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575
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Post by 575 on Apr 2, 2021 19:58:07 GMT
Map depicting new railway south from Hanstholm to main line; new bridge at Oddesund to the south of it and Military camp at Skallingen - open and enlarge to view.
I know its rather smallish but difficult to find useable maps and no expert in making..
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575
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Post by 575 on Apr 3, 2021 15:21:47 GMT
Still 1910 -
The death of King Edward 7 of Britain saw no change in Dano-Norwegian and British relations. Both Scandinavian nations saw themselves as naturally aligned with the Great Naval Power due to their own reliance on seaborne trade and of course both nations Kings participated in the funeral and appropriately arriving on Navy ships. The Danish new Peder Skram was making a headline or two in German and Swedish newspapers as a new Danish instrument of War.
Not being able to sell the West Indies and still having to finance the rebuilding of the Navy made for some major changes in Danish defensive spending.
The changed German outlook towards Scandinavia only served to reinforce this as the importance of Jutland had grown due to the frequent Dano-Norwegian Army manouevres usually carried out there; in this way a change in the strategic outlook of Denmark had occurred gradually but rather quickly if weived against the normal time perspective.
The visual changes was the building of an enlarged Military camp on Skallingen the peninsular to the northwest of Esbjerg in desolate coastal terrain of sanddunes and little population. Excellent place to house troops with plenty real estate to train troops and range artillery.
To ease transfer of troops from Norway to Esbjerg portfacilities were built at Hanstholm on the northwest shoulder of Jutland and a railline linking it to the west Jutland railway network with a new stronger bridge at the Limfiord crossing at Oddesund.
The Hanstholm port wasn't a necessity to civilian Denmark; the new bridge definitely would be so when trains grew heavier.
This proposal made for much Conservative opposition which was supported by the Radikale Venstre to almost everybodys surprise as the Radikale Venstre being the party of the intellectuals seeing war as destructive and counterproductive do national development as the Conservatives still wanted the Fortress of Copenhagen strengthened.
On the other hand the Socialdemocratic Party supported the Venstre Government as it would serve to get more workers into national works thus stability on the market expected to yield better wages and controlled interaction of workers and firm i.e. government versus private enterprise where the battles were raging in private enterprise.
Elections made for Venstre to remain in Government supported by the Socialdemocratic Party. A really odd situation but no less odd than the partnership of Conservatives and Radikale Venstre.
The Navy would be the instrument that in cooperation with the Norwegian Navy would keep the Swedish aspirations on Norway in check as well as enforcing neutrality watch in the North Sea in case of conflict and defend the Straits from German aggression.
The first two would need Artillery Ships as well as a few Cruisers to maintain communications with the Atlantic possessions; the latter Submarines and Torpedoboats.
To reinforce the defence of the Straits new Coastal Batteries were build along them which would be manned by new guns procured for this task and manned by Army Artillery units.
The major problem in case of conflict would be the position of Sweden. The strait at Elsinore could easily be covered by artillery but the eastern half of the waterway would be within Swedish territory which was quite unfortunate and would require ships to reinforce the shore batteries against crossings.
The construction of new shore batteries even in the vicinity of Copenhagen didn't make the Conservatives lessen their agitation of the defenceless Capital.
The defence issue being one major political issue of the time another were the workers unrest manifest by strikes which had been a major issue since 1899 when 2,8 million working days had been lost due to such.
It was the advent of socialism manifest in Denmark by the Socialdemocratic Party which had used the Trade Unions for their political agenda and voiced it as the political agenda of the working man. 1903 had been a quiet year but 1905 prior to War and 07 had been years of major conflict.
Still the Socialdemocratic Party was small but the writing was on the wall. The indirect running of the workers unrest showed clearly that the Socialdemocratic Party would be a vital political factor in days to come.
Would this unrest mainly within Industry continue? There was no indication of its subsiding; not in Denmark nor in the other Scandinavian countries.
In Norway it was at times so bad that Army Command had had the breechlocks of its rifles stored at Police Headquarters to guard against a socialist coup. This had even occurred prior to the war of 1905.
The solution of course weakened the readiness of Norwegian defences but in light of events of 1905 ample warning was expected before hostilities would break out.
Both Army and Navy of Denmark and Norway is gifted aeroplanes by citizens to establish an aerial capacity in the countries defence as an outcome of the Bleriot crossing of the Channel the year before.
Danish arctic explorer Knud Rasmussen founds the trade post Thule in northwest Greenland as a private venture. Denmark doesn't have any interest in the northern parts of the huge island.
Rasmussen in years to come on his own will be leading five Arctic expeditions; the third taking him all across Canada and Alaska even a short trip into Siberia. This third expedition is what really makes him famous and serves to secure funds for following expeditions.
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575
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Post by 575 on Apr 4, 2021 8:24:22 GMT
1911:
East Asiatic Company launched the diesel powered M/S Selandia which seemed to mark a new era in maritime propulsion by diesel engines. The Scandinavian navies took a keen interest in the new propulsion engines and the almost non-emission of visible smoke from the engine which would make warships close to invisible at long distances. Which could be both a help and a hindrance at sea depending on your intentions or task.
There was no changed attitude by the Trade Unions or Socialdemocratic Party; this year more than 600,000 working days were lost due to strikes. The situation almost made it to Cabinet as fears that Navy building and the Jutland West Coast Railway should be drawn into the conflict.
However the Socialdemocratic Party seemed to keep projects of national interest off the agenda both to keep workers in employment but also because both were viewed as benefitting the nation and as such the workers and the Socialdemocratic Party wanted to be the party of the Nation.
At Parliament the Socialdemocrats are asking more railways being modernized as the West Jutland Railway to link Hanstholm with the German border is prioritized before other railways.
Once again France and Germany were at loggerheads over Morocco but the German Government wasn't despite high pitched press agitation ready to wage war.
The events forced the German eyes away from Scandinavia making the three Kingdoms mainly Denmark relax in regard to the big neighbor; Sweden however this year decided to build 2 big Coastal Armoured Ships and would have a new Light Cruiser enter the Ship List by 1912.
During the Moroccan crisis Italy decided to get itself a colony and attacked Libya though when the Ottomans dug in the offensive was stopped.
The Italian use of aircraft in the conflict was viewed as a novelty but it made for new interest in Ellehammers building of aircraft and engines. Both the Danish and Norwegian Armed Forces got their first few aircraft to be used for reconnaisance duties and artillery spotting.
As the rate of write-offs is high due to inexperienced young airmen those gifted the year before is off duty due to accidents.
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Post by stevep on Apr 4, 2021 14:33:52 GMT
1911: East Asiatic Company launched the diesel powered M/S Selandia which seemed to mark a new era in maritime propulsion by diesel engines. The Scandinavian navies took a keen interest in the new propulsion engines and the almost non-emission of visible smoke from the engine which would make warships close to invisible at long distances. Which could be both a help and a hindrance at sea depending on your intentions or task. There was no changed attitude by the Trade Unions or Socialdemocratic Party; this year more than 600,000 working days were lost due to strikes. The situation almost made it to Cabinet as fears that Navy building and the Jutland West Coast Railway should be drawn into the conflict. However the Socialdemocratic Party seemed to keep projects of national interest off the agenda both to keep workers in employment but also because both were viewed as benefitting the nation and as such the workers and the Socialdemocratic Party wanted to be the party of the Nation. At Parliament the Socialdemocrats are asking more railways being modernized as the West Jutland Railway to link Hanstholm with the German border is prioritized before other railways. Once again France and Germany were at loggerheads over Morocco but the German Government wasn't despite high pitched press agitation ready to wage war. The events forced the German eyes away from Scandinavia making the three Kingdoms mainly Denmark relax in regard to the big neighbor; Sweden however this year decided to build 2 big Coastal Armoured Ships and would have a new Light Cruiser enter the Ship List by 1912. During the Moroccan crisis Italy decided to get itself a colony and attacked Libya though when the Ottomans dug in the offensive was stopped. The Italian use of aircraft in the conflict was viewed as a novelty but it made for new interest in Ellehammers building of aircraft and engines. Both the Danish and Norwegian Armed Forces got their first few aircraft to be used for reconnaisance duties and artillery spotting. As the rate of write-offs is high due to inexperienced young airmen those gifted the year before is off duty due to accidents.
So Italy failed to take Libya from the Ottomans? Presumably also with the Dodecanese? That could make for some impacts as the Ottoman weakness here helped prompt the 1st Balkan war which might not occur or possibly end differently. [Even if the Ottomans still lose it might be different in the outcomes. If the 2nd Balkan War or the break between Bulgaria and Russia were averted then their potentially large butterflies for instance]. It will also have impacts both in the view of Italy by the other great powers - having been defeated by the Ethiopians ~15 years before and now failing to conquer an isolated outpost of the faltering Ottoman empire its going to look a lot less worthwhile as an ally - plus on internal politics inside Italy.
I am a bit uncertain how they could fail as they seem to have had a large naval advantage which means not only could they seize the Dodecanese early on in the conflict but they are able to isolate Libya. Also looking at the wiki entry they deployed at least twice as many troops and a lot more equipment into Libya than the Ottomans were. Unless the Ottomans got considerably better leadership say. Although reading a bit deeper the Italians struggled to advance beyond the coast for most of the war.
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575
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There is no Purgatory for warcriminals - they go directly to Hell!
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Post by 575 on Apr 4, 2021 15:06:50 GMT
1911: East Asiatic Company launched the diesel powered M/S Selandia which seemed to mark a new era in maritime propulsion by diesel engines. The Scandinavian navies took a keen interest in the new propulsion engines and the almost non-emission of visible smoke from the engine which would make warships close to invisible at long distances. Which could be both a help and a hindrance at sea depending on your intentions or task. There was no changed attitude by the Trade Unions or Socialdemocratic Party; this year more than 600,000 working days were lost due to strikes. The situation almost made it to Cabinet as fears that Navy building and the Jutland West Coast Railway should be drawn into the conflict. However the Socialdemocratic Party seemed to keep projects of national interest off the agenda both to keep workers in employment but also because both were viewed as benefitting the nation and as such the workers and the Socialdemocratic Party wanted to be the party of the Nation. At Parliament the Socialdemocrats are asking more railways being modernized as the West Jutland Railway to link Hanstholm with the German border is prioritized before other railways. Once again France and Germany were at loggerheads over Morocco but the German Government wasn't despite high pitched press agitation ready to wage war. The events forced the German eyes away from Scandinavia making the three Kingdoms mainly Denmark relax in regard to the big neighbor; Sweden however this year decided to build 2 big Coastal Armoured Ships and would have a new Light Cruiser enter the Ship List by 1912. During the Moroccan crisis Italy decided to get itself a colony and attacked Libya though when the Ottomans dug in the offensive was stopped. The Italian use of aircraft in the conflict was viewed as a novelty but it made for new interest in Ellehammers building of aircraft and engines. Both the Danish and Norwegian Armed Forces got their first few aircraft to be used for reconnaisance duties and artillery spotting. As the rate of write-offs is high due to inexperienced young airmen those gifted the year before is off duty due to accidents.
So Italy failed to take Libya from the Ottomans? Presumably also with the Dodecanese? That could make for some impacts as the Ottoman weakness here helped prompt the 1st Balkan war which might not occur or possibly end differently. [Even if the Ottomans still lose it might be different in the outcomes. If the 2nd Balkan War or the break between Bulgaria and Russia were averted then their potentially large butterflies for instance]. It will also have impacts both in the view of Italy by the other great powers - having been defeated by the Ethiopians ~15 years before and now failing to conquer an isolated outpost of the faltering Ottoman empire its going to look a lot less worthwhile as an ally - plus on internal politics inside Italy.
I am a bit uncertain how they could fail as they seem to have had a large naval advantage which means not only could they seize the Dodecanese early on in the conflict but they are able to isolate Libya. Also looking at the wiki entry they deployed at least twice as many troops and a lot more equipment into Libya than the Ottomans were. Unless the Ottomans got considerably better leadership say. Although reading a bit deeper the Italians struggled to advance beyond the coast for most of the war.
Stevep
Ehm - the Italian adventure is continueing into 1912.. 
I'm not too much into butterflies and am aware that they really have been concerning Denmark and its relationship to Germany - and Sweden; but these are going to have an effect on both WWI + II.
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575
Captain
There is no Purgatory for warcriminals - they go directly to Hell!
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Post by 575 on Apr 4, 2021 15:13:11 GMT
I'll better hurry on -
1912:
The news of Roald Amunsen having reached the South Pole before the British Expedition of Scott make for great festivities in Norway and Denmark.
The attention of the World to the feat makes for more Danish interest in the Knud Rasmussen Thule Expeditions with the first taking off this year to assist in the search of the lost Expedition members of the Einar Mikkelsen Expedtion on the East Coast becomes known the year after.
Rasmussens feat of crossing the Greenland Ice Cap in breakneck speed to take part in the search makes for at great tale of heroism in the Arctic wasteland.
The death of King Frederik 8. made for a Scandinavian PM's meeting at Copenhagen as Christian 10. was declared King.
Sweden were still building the electrified ore railway having begun the southern branch from Luleå along the Botnia coast and still didn't show any interest in joining the Monetary Union.
Though trade would be done and inter Scandinavian cultural events staged.
A joint trade agreement was signed with Sweden being able to trade steel and copper to Denmark and Norway in return of Danish agricultural produce and Norwegian fish.
The year see a new Italian offensive with a bombardment of the Dardanelles and landing of troops on Aegean islands.
With the development the Great Powers decide to push the Ottomans to the negotiating table and threatened by Balkans uprisings the Ottomans cave in and cede Libya to Italy.
During fall the Balkan nations alliance talks are leaked and war is declared. Montenegrin Serb Bulgarian and Greek troops routs the Ottoman Armies.
In the Aegean the Greek Navy soon rule the waves thanks to its procurements of modern or modernized warships in addition to those already at hand.
Graf Zeppelin docks his airship Hansa at Copenhagen airfield.
Danish and Norwegian Armed Forces takes the first steps towards taking their own aircraft into the sky. Since Ellehammers first “flight” 1906 several airmen have taken to the skies over Denmark and similar developments have happened in Norway.
The Danish Navy Works soon begins building their own design flyingboats. It does lay the keels of two new artillery ships the Willemoes and Tordenskjold to counter the Swedish ships building.
The domestic politics of Denmarks is a new constitution with changes to the age of voters, females allowed to vote and the upper House being elected by the Municipalities.
Premier Klaus Berntsen is able to keep his party Venstre reined in and is supported by the Socialdemocratic Party and Radikale Venstre as well as no small part of the Conservatives making for a Parliamentary majority to decide the issue.
Especially the Womens right of vote makes for international news.
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