Recaps

Britain and the Holy Roman Empire moved from diplomatic confrontation to open war, as air raids devastated British cities and the South Seas Fleet won a decisive battle against the British-Japanese coalition. The arc left Franz publicizing the naval victory while the war’s fighting continued.

• Louis proposed using transport airships to supply Russia, while Britain and the Holy Roman Empire prepared for war and Russia increased its purchases from the Empire.
• After conflict erupted in South Africa, European countries joined the Anti-British Alliance, and Franz ordered mobilization while Britain struggled to find allies and a battle plan.
• The Suez Canal attack halted traffic, and the Vienna Government blamed Britain, demanded reparations, and set a deadline for the culprits to be handed over.
• Edward VII declared war on the Holy Roman Empire on December 26, and the Empire began bombing Liverpool and London while British defenses suffered heavy losses.
• Franz ordered continued bombing of British cities as Campbell faced public anger and tried to rebuild Britain’s air defenses and organize its war effort.
• Admiral Arest maneuvered the South Seas Fleet near Singapore to draw the British Far East Fleet into an ambush, while Admiral Michel approached with the Japanese Navy.
• After Hans spotted the Japanese fleet, Arest ordered an attack, and Holy Roman aircraft damaged British and Japanese ships as the combined fleet came under fire.
• Major Wallace’s submarines attacked the retreating coalition, and Arest halted the fighting to rescue survivors after most enemy capital ships were sunk or captured.

After the defeat at Malacca, the Continental Alliance steadily stripped Britain of its allies, colonies, and military options while unrest spread across Europe and the British Empire. With India collapsing and shortages worsening, Britain held a referendum on whether to continue the war or seek peace.

• Campbell ordered Britain to build a naval air arm and seek aircraft and pilots from its allies, while Russian ministers argued over whether to abandon the Far East for India.
• Friedrich redirected allied forces toward India, and the Continental Alliance advanced as Britain lost control of its Far Eastern fleet and faced air raids on London.
• The Holy Roman Empire captured Djibouti and gained the advantage at sea and in the air, while Britain struggled to defend the Cape and protect its shipping.
• Britain gathered a million troops to defend the Channel, but the Continental Allied Fleet fought the Royal Navy and air forces to a costly withdrawal, leaving the invasion threat intact.
• Friedrich’s army joined the Russian advance in Persia and captured Tehran, while Britain-backed uprisings and strikes disrupted supply lines and spread unrest across Europe and Russia.
• The Continental Alliance landed at Glair, and British forces failed to prevent the invasion as allied countries began defecting and Britain’s financial crisis deepened.
• Japan captured Vladivostok after Russia’s supply lines failed, while India faced a two-front invasion and Britain’s leaders resumed peace negotiations.
• As food shortages and factory shutdowns worsened, Parliament approved a referendum, and Franz accepted a one-week truce while threatening to withhold food if Britain rejected his terms.