The Austro-Danubian Empire
Bratislava: An Empress's First Move
The beautiful city of Bratislava.
The city
of Bratislava has been under Austro-Danubian occupation for more than a year, as the successful Second Austro-Polish Conflict left the Empire's Volkswehr in control
of the city. The key to the Danube, the city saw horrific fighting in the Empire's first intervention in Poland as Austrian and Italian forces struggled to take the city from the Workers' Front. When the Workers' Front once again posed a threat to the sovereignty
of the Empire and opened fire on Danubian peoples in Bratislava, General Edmond von Grau's "Operation Rubicon" saw the swift capture
of the city (and the entirety
of the Danube for that matter) at the cost
of only 114 Austrian fatalities.
The Volkswehr has kept the peace in Bratislava for over a year as Austrian, Italian, and Fregantes investments saw the city prosper. The introduction
of the Mediterranean Commerce Guild (MCG) and the Aureus saw the economy
of the city boom as it had finally integrated itself into the stable economy
of the Triumvirate instead
of the war torn mess that Poland's new administration inherited.
The young Empress Nicole II made one thing clear in her coronation: she would continue her father's work
of protecting all Austrian and Danubian peoples wherever they may be, and work in the benefit
of both the Triumvirate and Europe as a whole. As many expected her first action as Empress to be executing a swift and brutal revenge on the Iron Guard, her introduction to legislation has proved wise. It has been clear for a while that Bratislava should be officially introduced into the Empire and that military occupation was only a temporary solution to securing the Danube. The late Emperor Martin's legislation stagnated in the latter half
of his reign, however, as the peacefulness brought by the Triumvirate and the strength
of the Empire brought a Golden Age that many civilians
of the Empire didn't want to disturb in any way. The Empire as a whole was happy, but the people
of Bratislava felt between two nations and confused. The Empire has awakened from its slumber since the death
of the Emperor, and its many problems have resurfaced themselves once again.
It was with this in mind that Empress Nicole II lifted the occupation
of Bratislava and welcomed the city as an official part
of the Empire. The fourth city state and fifteenth continental province, the Empire gains 450,000 inhabitants in the District
of Bratislava celebrates the end to its interregnum. Furthermore the 10,000 Austrian soldiers taking part in the peaceful occupation
of the city have been called to return to their homes. As citizens
of the Empire, the inhabitants
of Bratislava are now completely eligible for the benefits
of both the Empire and the Triumvirate. The Imperial Governor (former mayor)
of the city has declared a day
of city-wide celebration as fire works and parties ignite throughout its vibrant streets.
When asked
of how the European community will respond to the move, the Empress simply responded that "...we Europeans should be looking at the actual issues that are presented to us. What has happened in Bratislava is a long sought solution to an issue that is between the Empire and Poland and would be foolish to be brought up as blood is being spilled in the hills
of Galicia."
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Imperial Response to Iberia
Austrian personnel in the iconic lavender gear.
The majority
of Europe watches as war rages in her western corner. The United Roman Triumvirate, and by extension the Austro-Danubian Empire, has officially declared neutrality in response to Portugal and the German Union's perhaps unlawful war over the independent nation
of Galicia.
Although this move was approved by both the Austrian Directory and the Roman Senate, Empress Nicole II has declared that she would "...not rest idly as innocents are slaughtered and butchered on European soil." In addition to announcing that she would be stepping up defense protocol throughout the Empire to prevent German expansionism from affecting any Imperial Dominion, she has declared that she would do all in her power to safeguard innocent lives in Iberia while maintaining Austrian neutrality. No stranger to war and destruction, the Austro-Danubian Empire holds sympathies with a land struggling to unite or defend itself depending on the point
of view.
On the Empress's orders, Austrian diplomats met with Iberian officials in Madrid to discuss any and every way in which Austrians could work to prevent unnecessary loss
of life. Iberia and Austria share a long history with one another, at one point even being important allies in the days before the Imperial League transformed into the Triumvirate. Perhaps attempting to rekindle this friendship and because
of the fact that Austria sees Iberia as the rightful negotiator and middle man between the Portuguese/German invaders and the Galician/Puertollanoan defenders, the talks went exceedingly well according to those that attended.
The Empress, as a result
of these talks, has declared the formation
of the "Iberia Korps." 20,000 members
of both the Wehrmacht and the Reichswehr have volunteered themselves into a temporary unit to serve as peacekeepers and to aid civilians in need wherever they may be on the Iberian Peninsula. In order to save money they have taken the iconic and out
of commission lavender garments and standards
of the Imperial Peace Corps (IPC for short), which serve to blatantly extinguish themselves on the battlefield. Although non combatants, they are armed for self defense and to protect the commonfolk should any party commit crimes against them.
Upon assembling themselves in Austro-Croatia they have boarded transport ships that will be escorted by the Kriegsmarine to Tarragona, where they will make their landing. From Tarragona they will travel to Zamora, which will be their main base to launch peacekeeping operations out
of. Although currently only working with Iberian officials and on any fronts that Iberia may take part in, the Iberia Korps under General Julian Walter has opened itself to Galicia as well, offering to take up posts in Galicia to combat any war crimes committed by Portuguese or German aggressors.
The Iberia Korps has been ordered to not fire unless fired upon, or unless civilians come into any deliberate danger from any aggressor. Should any
of these small groups be shot at by any party, larger parties
of Iberia Korps personnel will be dispatched to free them through force if necessary.