Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Chapter 126 A Reliable Alliance (2)

Though the Serbian Royal Army, which had repelled Austro-Hungarian forces three times including at the Battle of Cer, requested material support through Romania.

Though they proposed forming a central defense line after Belgrade's fall.

Though they pleaded for Russian forces and command to be sent since German command had entered the Austro-Hungarian camp.

"Constantinople, only Constantinople."

From the empire's Prime Minister, there was no sign of granting their requests.

Though everyone thought the war would end and they'd return home by Christmas, countless veterans across many fronts had to spend this joyous day in trenches.

And around the New Year...

[December 29, 1914. Due to the withdrawal of the embassy in Sofia, we convey the empire's opinion through official correspondence.

The Great Russian Empire and Romanian Kingdom have decided to punish the Ottoman Empire, which has long threatened Europe's peace, but respecting the Bulgarian Kingdom's neutrality.

We request you guarantee passage for allied forces through Dobrich.

Russian Emperor,

Nikolai Alexandrovich Romanov]

I sent a letter to Bulgaria.

As our allied forces head to Constantinople.

Asking to borrow their road.

==

From ancient times, there have been several established methods, almost like formulas, for how the Russian Empire fights the Ottoman Empire.

First is the West Asian direction, advancing south through Georgia.

Often called the 'barren land,' desert mountain terrain spreads out the size of the Black Sea, neither side can advance deeply, and with the coast entirely lined by rugged mountains, advancing along the coast is also difficult.

In this direction, they just fight moderately, pushing back and forth.

Next is amphibious operations.

Naturally, with the Black Sea between the two countries, naval combat is inevitable, but in the 19th century, the Ottoman Empire's naval power was no match for Russia.

As a result, it became a one-sided pattern of Russia landing and the Ottoman Empire defending.

"The Anglo-French forces."

These countries that declared war on the Ottoman Empire but had only managed to take a few islands along with Greece until now.

If they come, they'll surely bring massive naval forces.

"...It's over without even looking."

"Yes, with Romania's joining we didn't need to stake everything on amphibious operations, and if they bring their navy too, it might be even easier than Poland."

It looks very good strategically too.

Romanian-Russian allied forces coming through Bulgaria.

Anglo-French allied forces attacking through the Mediterranean.

Amphibious operations via the Black Sea fleet.

Plus the Caucasus theater in West Asia keeping them nervous.

Even to Roman, at this rate the enemy wouldn't be able to concentrate their forces and would have to give up their capital the moment one side breaks through.

"When exactly are they coming?"

"They said they need about one to two months. So roughly late January to early February to start amphibious operations."

Since it's too difficult for warships to come straight from the Mediterranean to Constantinople, they'll also need to conduct amphibious operations before reaching Constantinople.

There's only one candidate for the landing site.

Just as Russia aims to occupy the Bosphorus Strait, they need to take the Dardanelles first, right here.

"...Gallipoli."

"Their naval minister seemed to have this in mind since summer. That's why they seized two Ottoman battleships that had declared neutrality."

Roman couldn't tell if this should be called foresight or neighborhood thuggery, but.

"Finally we can see the Western Europeans' vaunted dreadnoughts in actual combat."

"The Dardanelles Strait? Once those massive battleships fire their guns a bit, it's over."

Still, today more than ever, having them as allies felt truly reassuring.

With their military power, they might even blow up the Padishah's palace with 15-inch naval guns after occupying the strait.

Roman truly did not doubt the alliance.