Chapter 179
Ever since declaring war on the Ottoman Empire, Austria had entered a state of war. Vast quantities of strategic supplies were transported along the Danube to the Balkan Peninsula, while two hundred thousand Austrian troops marched there in mighty force.
On the surface, Austria appeared to be seeking revenge against the Ottoman Empire. Their hatred stretched back centuries. If the Ottoman Empire had not kept stirring up trouble, the House of Habsburg would have unified Germany long ago.
This time, Franz had deceived the entire world. Troops and strategic supplies continuously poured into the Balkan Peninsula; even within Austria, everyone believed they were preparing to beat the Ottoman Empire to death.
Only a handful of senior officials knew that the Balkan offensive had already come to an end. The Austrian troops and strategic supplies gathering in the Danube basin were mainly there so that, once the westward strategy began, forces could be rapidly redeployed.
Were not the strategic supplies sent to the Balkan Peninsula also needed by the Russians? Even though the Tsarist Government had spent two years preparing for war, it still had not solved its domestic transportation problems.
Originally, the Tsarist Government had intended to solve its logistical problems through sea transport. They had concentrated strategic supplies at the ports along Ukraine's coast, and with the Black Sea Fleet providing escort, it had seemed foolproof.
But plans could never keep up with changes. Once the British and French navies arrived, the sea route was cut off.
That was when their allies had to pull their weight. Austria had the Danube running through its territory, providing a direct route to Bulgaria, so supplying logistics would not be a major problem.
It could be said that the Danube was a treasure bestowed upon Austria by heaven. Before the