Kaiser's New Clothes[]
PoD[]
In the aftermath of the Armistice and the fall of the Monarchy and Nobles within Germany, the last Kaiser opted not for exile in neutral Holland. Rather, he argued, that the seat of his former Kingdom still laid open for himself to retake. Though the constitution of Germany had once prevented him form being able to, now Ex-Kaiser Wilhelm decided now was the time to reclaim the title of King of Prussia; something his family had held for generations before himself. Getting onboard several of the remaining loyal members of the now defunct German High Sea's fleet, the inspired King made landfall in what was once the second most important city in Prussia, Königsberg. Though not the Capital, as Berlin was, Königsberg had been vital to the trade and growth of Prussia in it's early years while under his great uncle, Frederick the Great, and his father, Frederick William the Soldier King. The City had served Prussia well, and had remained a important City due to its strong heritage farther back to the Teutonic Order. The City also remained stanchly conservative, Militarist, Nationalist and Monarchist respectively.
With his sudden arrival at the end of the war, Wilhelm would proclaim to a crowd of loyal Monarchist citizens, Conservatives, Nobles, and loyal Army veterans; that a new Day had come with the dream of the Empire's place in the sun was not yet loss. It was during this, that Historians would consider the most Ironic part of his own speech, Wilhelm would quote the same man who had sometime ago attempted to lead Wilhelm down the path of peace, and avoid of War. Someone who Wilhelm had disagreed with, and eventually forced his retirement.
"The Great Questions of The Day, will not be settled by means of speeches and majority decisions,
But by Iron and BLOOD!!!"
The crowd cheered, chanting 'Long Live the King!' over and over, while the rest of Europe simply looked on; as it seemed to the former Entente that their former foe had escaped 'death's grip. Though neither France or Britain would take action, opting for restoring order in their own realms.
Brief Early History[]
Fleeing Holland[]
On November 10th, the former Emperor had taken a train across the border into the Netherlands from the Fatherland, which had remained neutral throughout the Great War. He eventually bought a Manor house, in the town of Doorn, and remained there for a period until August, during the rise of Weimar Republic. The now exiled Monarch sought to reclaim the Prussian throne, despite the Constitution which held the throne of the Empire with the King of Prussia. SMS Kölberg, a surviving member of the Kölberg-Class of Light Cruisers, joined with several remaining Merchant and Imperial Warships, mostly light cruiser's including SMS Stuttgart of the Königsberg-class cruiser arrived at the Port of Rotterdam, Holland on January 3rd, 1920. In a brief period of planning and re-arming with what equipment was left not touched or dismantled, the now hopeful Monarch would launch his 'coup' to reclaim the Prussian throne. The plan would follow the use of the remaining loyal members of the Imperial fleet, which would transport his majesty and nobles, alongside what few Freikorp members, ashore where they would hopefully convince any veterans to fall to their side. The hopes was that their wouldn't be a fight, but incase the Naval units would be ready for an escape, planning to flee for Sweden or Finland. From there, the plan was obscured.
Arrival in Königsberg[]
On the Night of February 14-15th saw the Monarch task force perform a landing, before occupying the Government buildings around the City. The local Garrison, made up of Freikorp troops, would promptly turn their back on Weimar and join Wilhelm's Rebellion. Nobles, mostly those of the Prussian Junkers Class, began supporting the Ex-Kaiser's efforts through secretly funding his operations and sending weapons. The Weimar Republic, for its part and still getting back together after the Great War and Treaty of Versailles. were unable to respond. Neighboring Poland proved a terrible neighbor, unwilling to allow foreign Armies to march through their land, especially during the Russo-Polish War.
After merely two months, from June to late July, Prussia would be secured, followed by the Port of Danzig which would fall early in August following one quick conquest of the City by one Veteran Division. With East
Prussia now taken, and a sizeable portion of the Freikorp, and support in the Reichstag by German Nobles, East Prussia was renamed the Kingdom of Prussia. With that, the Kaiser would get back his crown and the title of King, alongside a new constitution tying the Hohenzollern dynasty to the throne of Prussia.
Government of Prussia (1920 - 1922)[]
The Prussian Government based itself partially upon the Reichstag of Weimar, with a Parliament and position of Chancellor along with their subordinate positions under them. The King would retain much influence and Power, now with mostly Loyal Nobles and smaller Territory to Govern over. The King was Head of State, while the Chancellor would remain head of Government, while representatives would be elected locally by the Provinces and Towns to the Parliament. Three main parts of Government would be the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches, each working together on managing the state.
Military affairs were under a Chief's of Staff, ones personally Loyal to the King and chose by him personally.
Lithuanian - Prussian War[]
Fought between 1922 to 1923, the Lithuanian - Prussian War would be fought between the states of Prussia and Lithuanian over a course of two years during the early 20s era in Europe. The War's origins would trace back to a time way before, however, due to tension between the dominate German Noble class over the Lithuanian Population. During the Wars of Lithuanian Independence, Conflict between Lithuania and the Bolsheviks. Though the War ended with Lithuanian victory, the now alone German Noble class was left without protection. Seeking it however, the Prussian King would turn his attention towards the eternal conflicts inside Lithuania, leading to a invasion with roughly around 10 to 12 divisions, made up by Freikorp members and the restored Prussian Army.
Under Command of former Imperial German General, now Reichsheer; August von Mackensen would lead a force of volunteers, veterans and Reichsheer troops from Northern Ports into Prussia where they would engage in intense combat with Lithuanian forces. Mackensen would be joined by Hans von Seeckt, a former Chief of Staff under Machensen, Adolf Heusinger, Fedor von Bock (a support of Monarchy), Gerd von Runstedt, who joined with many others sympathetic to the Monarchy and would join the Kaiser in exile and fight for Prussia's future.
Thanks to the former Veterans and experienced leadership of the new Prussian Army, the War would see a turn with the Lithuanians forced back across the border and towards their own capital alongside the growth of the Army thanks to volunteer's joining. By the War's end, Prussia had become the clear victor and so, would easily dictate the terms of it's treaty which would have Lithuania annexed into Prussia as a new client state, though under it's own local Government separate of that of Prussia's.
Final Battle of the War (Battle of Vilnius 1923)[]
Fought in the final months of the War, what remained of the Lithuanian forces would engage with the First and Second Prussian Army in the city. The Battle would start in February, and continue through June until April would finally come. The German Freikorp and Volunteers would prove their steel in this Battle, leading the charge with Freikorp lancers striking out and forcing back a smaller Lithuanian force, made up of recruits or those willing to even fight. The attack caused the weak division of Lithuanians to retreat into the City itself where they set up defenses and blockaded the streets. Outside, the Freikorp and Prussian Armies re-grouped before launching a devastating offensive from all sides. The fighting was bloody, sometimes house to house, which were captured then re-captured by both sides; but soon it was done. Prussia had won it's first war in centuries since the end of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 - 1871.
Aftermath of the War[]
Much of Lithuanian and small parts of Prussia were left partially ruined or destroyed, from either Artillery or attacks by infantry. With this, the King (Wilhelm II) opted for a era of reconstruction known as the "Kulturelle Wiederbelebung," or Cultural Revival; seeing the reconstruction of Ancient sites and cities alike, as well as reforms that allowed Lithuanian to remain mostly independent and allowing for the creation of the Lithuanian-Prussian Commonwealth. This would help slowly mend ties between the two recently bitter eneimes. Another major part of the reconstruction was the inclusion of a major railroad network (soon to be operated by the apply aptly name; Prussian Railway Company) which would allow for better transportation of goods, people and troops throughout the new Nation State.
Restoration of the Prussian Military[]
Following the events of the Lithuanian-Prussian War, King Wilhelm would begin overhauling his Army and Military overall.
it's structure and tactics. Learning from the final years of the Great War, the idea of a 'combined arms' warfare intrigued the King. Movement was a must, however with only infantry and armored cars, this could easily be overcome. Instead, military planners and the Prussian military staff began drawing up plans for a total overhaul of the current army. Freikorp troops were given the option of joining, or leaving their military career for good and returning home, with many doing the latter though many more remained. Reserves were soon formed from the volunteers, becoming the Prussian Reserve Corps, while the standing Army became the Royal Army. Training in forms of 'modern' warfare, the Royal Army would begin experimenting with new weapons and equipment, most being hold overs from the Great War.
Armored Cars would be left to local garrisons and police, while newer models designed for off road were introduced. Trucks and half tracks, models combined the easy steering of cars with the off-road capabilities of a tracker, were first introduced in the Model Truppenpanzerträger or Troops Armor Carrier. Aircraft, mostly old biplanes were solely replaced with single winged fighters. Naval assets, however, saw the least amount of overall change, with a majority of Warships being what few ships could be salvaged from the scrapyards of Northern Germany before being taken apart. Though some saw minor refits, including new Turrets and more modern range finders, the Prussian Navy left much to be desired in terms of a 'serious threat' to any other naval power in the region.
For overall doctrine, the Royal Army would focus squarely on elite troops, modeled and inspired by the original Stormtroopers of the Imperial German Army, with heavily armored escorts and vehicles which would help punch through enemy lines with the infantry who would quickly overwhelm their opponent. With the Army being smaller then that of even Belguim's for it's time, it was scene as the only way for survival. With this investments early on into the Prussian Army, the soldiers would prove to once again be some of Europe's finest. And over the remaining years of the Inter-War period, Prussia would grow its Army by an additional 10,000 troops, most volunteers. When war did begin, the Army would switch to conscription, adding a additional troop number of 100,000 troops.
The Prussian Air-force did see some improvements, mostly through contracts and deals by Germany proper from those sympathetic to the Kingdom. This included things such as newer aircraft, training facilities and expert pilots who volunteered to help aid and train new pilots for the slowly growing Prussian Royal Air Service. By the time of 1938, a total of 230 aircraft of various types (mostly fighters and light bombers) would be ready for service, with around 40 for training and a additional 30 for reserves. For the Naval Arm, most ships were old and wearing down, leading to the most ships being scrapped. This included all destroyers, and gunboats. By the end of 1930, Prussia had effectively no navy. Rather instead, the Navy had converted several cargo ships into simple min-layers and troop ships, or basic surface raiders. While crude, the ships would prove useful in several years during the Second World War. However, efforts by Monarchist elements in Germany allowed the purchase of various vessels. Later, with the Soviet's making moves, Britain and France would reluctantly allow for the selling of several ships also to aid in Prussia's defense.