On January 20, 1917, early in the morning, Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister Baron von Berchtold went to the palace to see German Emperor Wilhelm III.
Although, I just woke up and was having breakfast. But Oscar still ate the bread in his hand, drank the milk, apologized to Empress and the children with an apologetic look, and then went to the study.
"Your Excellency, good morning!" Oscar said with a smile. Although the other party was Foreign Minister from a hostile country, Oscar did not say anything bad. After all, war is nothing more than a continuation of politics. For politicians like them, there is no absolute hatred. Everything is just for their own national interests.
"His Majesty the Emperor, I'm sorry to bother you so early." Baron von Berchtold said expressionlessly. He looked at Oscar with a trace of hatred in his eyes. After all, their country is about to be destroyed by Germany. Now that Austro-Hungarian Empire has fallen apart, unless God comes to the world, otherwise Austria will be destroyed and no one can stop it.
Oscar waved his hand, he didn't care.
"Your Excellency, since you came to see me so early, you must have already received a reply in your country, right?" Oscar asked.
"Yes, His Majesty the Emperor. Although Austro-Hungarian Empire has collapsed. With Austria's strength alone, it is absolutely impossible to stop the iron hoof of Germany. However, we still will not give in. Germany wants to occupy Austro-Hungarian Empire, then crush Austro-Hungarian Empire. Our army will fight to the end. Germany will pay a huge price for this!" Baron von Berchtold said with determination.
Oscar nodded, not surprised that Austro-Hungarian Empire would reply like this. After all, not everyone in any country can be a coward. Especially at the upper levels, there are still people who are bloody. In times of crisis, they can also fight to the end.
"Your Excellency, I can understand you, and at the same time I admire you for making such a decision. However, for the benefit of the German Empire, I will not hold back! I wish you good luck." Oscar said.
"Thank you His Majesty the Emperor, goodbye!" After Baron von Berchtold finished speaking, he bowed to Oscar, then turned and left the palace.
This moment undoubtedly represents the complete failure of peace efforts. In the end, war is still needed to solve the problem. However, judging from the current situation, Austro-Hungarian Empire, or Austria, does not have any advantage at all. Even if they resist desperately, they won't be able to hold on for long. What's more, not all Austria people are determined to resist. Especially in the military, there are many people who are afraid of death. Under such circumstances, Austria's resistance will become even more difficult.
The advancement of German military is still continuing. Although the weather is cold, the roads are icy or there is thick snow, these have set up many obstacles for the troops to advance. However, none of this can stop German military from advancing.
While the German military Logistics Department was trying their best to send more Truck to the front line, German military was advancing faster and faster. Of course, there is a very important reason for this, that is, almost all Austro-Hungarian Empire's troops do not resist. This makes German offensive more like just rushing. Under such circumstances, it was not difficult for German military to quickly kill Vienna.
"Report, German military has captured Amstetten!" a staff officer reported.
The faces of Archduke Friedrich, Duke Kaspar and Baron Marshal von Heitzenforf are getting more and more ugly. You know, Amstetten is less than a hundred kilometers away from Vienna.
"German military is advancing too fast, isn't it? It's only the third day of the war, and they are about to advance to Vienna. At this rate, they will reach Vienna in three days at most!" Baron Marshal von Heitzenforf said.
"Where are the defenders stationed there? I remember that there were at least five Infantry Division there!" Archduke Friedrich asked.
Originally, they were counting on Amstetten's defenders to hold on for a while. After all, it takes a lot of time to draw troops from all over the country and mobilize new troops. Without enough time, they simply could not mobilize a powerful force to resist the powerful German military.
"Report Your Excellency Grand Duke, just after the vanguard of the Germany people arrived at Amstetten and launched a bombardment, the defenders retreated," the staff officer said.
"What? Bastard, there were five Infantry Divisions there, nearly 100,000 people, and they were so frightened that they ran away after being bombarded by the vanguard of the Germanys. They are as cowardly as a mouse and unreasonable!" Duke Kaspar said angrily.
If all Austria's armies were like this, there would be no need to continue this battle. Because they will not be German military's opponents, and they will not even have a chance to resist.
"Arrest Commander, the defender of Amstetten, and send him to the gallows to shock the entire army. If not, the troops will have no fighting spirit at all!" Archduke Friedrich said.
Although, it is not appropriate to hang a senior general at this time. If it doesn't work well, the generals will all be in danger. In that case, this battle will be even more difficult to fight.
However, this must be done in order to shock the generals and give them the courage to continue fighting.
"Okay, I agree!" Duke Kaspar said.
Baron Marshal von Heitzenforf also nodded repeatedly.
"In addition, I suggest that all the troops on the front line be gathered into Vienna. If they are deployed to the front line, they will have no effect. It is just a fearless waste." Baron Marshal von Heitzenforf suggested.
Archduke Friedrich and Duke Kaspar both nodded in agreement.
The Austrian army began to shrink its troops crazily and at the same time began to prepare to mobilize more troops.
Unable to stop German military from advancing, they can only hope for Vienna's defense. I hope that in this battle, I can inspire the confidence and courage of the Austria army, make the Germany people pay a heavy price in Austria, and thus gain a glimmer of hope for Austria.
Although, this possibility is undoubtedly very small. However, for the sake of their country, they can only treat a dead horse as a living horse doctor.
Without the interference of the Austrian army, German military advanced faster.
On January 25, German 3rd Army Corps and 5th Army Corps arrived at Vienna from the west. 6th Army Corps and 7th Army Corps arrived at Vienna from the north.