WWI Simulation Student Journal: Ottoman Empire

Ottoman Empire 8 1913

The end is nigh for the people of the Ottoman Empire. The rising tension is so thick, you could cut it with a saber. I can see clearly war is on the horizon, and with a heavy heart I know I must do everything in my power to make sure my people are safe. Only time will tell. With this written down, I can finally reflect on the possible good that might have been given to us. As of this moment a successful defensive treaty has been made with Bulgaria, with hopefully more to come from Greece and Romania. It does worry me that Romania is slow on their responses, possibly because they’re trying to make a pact with Russia. I wish them the best of luck, for those peasants hold nothing but empty promises for any who try and help them. Even so, reports have reached my ears that they are trying to eradicate our Austro-Hungarian allies, along with the possibility of an attack on the strait. They are children playing a warriors game. They cannot hope to take that they deem important if they cannot see what is behind it. No matter what events may occur, the people of the Ottoman Empire will stand steadfast for we have no other choice.

Ottoman Empire 8 1914

The year has come and gone in the blink of an eye. While the Ottoman Empire has not personally made any offensive maneuvers against either the Russian peasants or our resilient neighbors of Greece or Romania, there has been success non the less. Our allies, the German Empire, have made astounding progress in the east against Russia while at the same time holding stalwarts against the French in the west. The information that worries me is that not only is Russia in full retreat, they are diverting more forces to the caucasus, mostly likely in preparation of a full bore assault to take the Dardanelles. If need be, it might be necessary to move Austro-Hungarian forces to reinforce the border. All I know is that the empire cannot fall if we hope fulfil our goals.

Ottoman Empire 8 1915

The year of 1915 shall be known as the year of complete failure for the Ottoman Empire and our allies. The year itself looked promising as the Germans pushed farther into Russia, arriving upon their capital before midyear. Along with this, the Bulgarians also joined on my behalf and would have served as worthy partners if it weren’t for their decimation at the hands of the Entente. They were willing to die for a people that weren’t even their own and it cost them dearly. The great capital of the empire was also lost in a storm of blood and steel to those devil French and British. We committed too many divisions to protect the Russian border, thus leaving our homeland open to invasion. For now our forces will have to hide in the far waste of the desert with our Austro-Hungarian allies. Reports have also reached my ears of the Italian dogs siding with the invaders. They were also soft bellied, waiting for the precise opportunity to join once they knew who the victor was. Along with this, there are also whispers of a failed assault by German and Austro-Hungarian legions on the region of Serbia. It is simply unfathomable that such a small nation and people could withstand the might of the Germany army. I think that it might be time to consider an armistice with the United Kingdom. Better to survive with our lives than taking our dignity to our graves. 

Ottoman Empire 8 1916

Let it be known in the history books that fortune favors the bold. After the failed coup by the German leadership, I concluded that there is no honor in surrendering ourselves to pretentious outsiders like the British or French. I tasked my remaining generals with their last order: an all out assault to recapture our homeland. It hurts my heart to say that it was a failed plan knowing so many great men died fighting for what they believed in. I now write these entries from my estate behind allied lines in Germany, and will also be serving as a military advisor to the Kaiser and Emperor of Austria-Hungary. Recent days have brought a slew of reports to my desk stating that not only have the traitorous nations of Greece and Romania joined our enemies, but also the western outsiders, these “dough boys’ ‘ from the United States of America. They are putting too much stock in their effectiveness against true armies like the Germans and Austro-Hungarian legions. After much debate, the Kaiser has assumed supreme authority of both armies and is now employing defense in depth tactics to slow their assaults. The Russians themselves have been dealt serious blows by the German raids and their usage of chemical weapons. The western front, however, is a different story. Multiple accounts are flooding in, stating that the enemy has amassed hundreds of thousands of troops on the Belgium border. I dare them to violate Belgium’s neutrality, only to see them earn themselves another enemy to fight

Ottoman Empire 8 1917

Time is a slow and steady march that cannot be interrupted. The year itself has felt like an eternity of planning, complemented with small skirmishes. The western front remains unchanged except for a few hundred extra American troops in France and their ships in the North Sea. The east has also grown quite in anticipation of what is to come. The Russian army has been stalled in their advance for weeks due to the German gas raids and ambushes. What worries me is that there are sightings and reports of mass troop movements from Romania, Greece, Serbia, and Italy. It seems as if the demon’s plan to encircle us before the killing blows from all sides. I may not have been born, raised, and lived in central europe, but I dare those fools to try in storm the great mountains of the Austro-Hungarian empire, I dare those fools to even try and sack the German Empire, I DARE THEM to even make a move against a hardened army the likes the world has ever seen.

Ottoman Empire 8 1918

The year of 1918 is one for the history books. Though I write this when peace has been made between the nations of Europe, I cannot help but to reflect on what has occured. The year started with literal bang by the Kriegsmarnie when they tried to surprise the allied fleet in the Atlantic Ocean. God bless the souls who died upon the high seas fighting for the nation. Surprisingly the year escalated in terms of excitement with a full assault by the Italian and French armies. Oh how they fell to the storm of German lead and steel upon the high mountains of southern europe. From that point forward, there was none to stop the German conquering of Serbia and Romania. Serves those traitorous fiends for refusing to join in the glory of the Ottoman Empire. Oh how it would have been wonderful for the empire to be retaken by our allies, but alas an armistice was signed between the Kaiser, Emperor of Austria-Hungary and the Entente. We were that close with reuniting our people under the sign of strength in our empire. I know not what the future holds for those of us still alive, but there is talk of a rising politician in the homeland. I believe his name was Ataturk. If a man wishes to try and reform an age old system, tha I wish all the luck in the world.