[Classic] The Mountain Opening
Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2018 10:40 pm
When Italy declared war on the Central Powers in 1915, the "Italian Front" of the Great War began. To the German-speaking empires of Germany and Austria-Hungary, this front became known as Gebirgskrieg - "the Mountain War", fought in the high reaches of the Alps.
Akin to history, the Mountain Opening involves Italian perfidy against a Central Power, helped by a Western ally. This is a joint Italo-French opening, requiring heavy diplomatic labor by both sides.
In Spring 1901, Italy's and France's diplomatic work should be directed on Russia. It's almost imperative that the Tsar jumps aboard for cooperation, as Russia can provide much-needed pressure on all of the Italian and French neighbors: Austria, Germany, England and Turkey. The Pope and the President get bonus points if they also manage to throw Prime Minister against Kaiser, or Archduke against Sultan. Sending Austria' Fleet Trieste away to Albania and keeping Germany's Army Munich from entering Burgundy (or holding) is just as relevant.
Once the Spring negotiations end, the Mountain Opening can come into action:
Link to map: https://imgur.com/a/y98wMzT
Italy
A Venice-Tyrolia
A Rome-Apulia
F Naples-Ionian Sea
France
F Brest-Mid-Atlantic Ocean
A Paris-Burgundy
A Marseilles S A Paris-Burgundy
As you can see, this opening mixes France's Maginot Opening with Italy's Tyrolian Lepanto. The intention is clear by now: a supported attack on German-held Munich.
By Fall 1901, France should attempt its best to convince both Germany and England to focus on Belgium (hopefully for a standoff), while Italy promises Germany no harm (perhaps showing it as an anti-Austrian ruse or defensive paranoia). Unless Germany attempts the incredibly unlikely A RUH S A KIE-MUN, Munich is almost guaranteed to fall in 1901 and resist even a 5-center Germany who took Belgium, Holland and Denmark - for a considerable time. If England moved to the Channel, they may receive the promise of non-intervention on Belgium or be outright confronted with F Mid-Atlantic Ocean-Brest. Ideally, Austria didn't dare move to Venice or the Adriatic Sea either and is gunning for the Balkans - giving Russia and Turkey considerable pause in case any of them dream of a Juggernaut. The Fall 1901 moves:
Link to map: https://imgur.com/a/mXdhuyt
Italy
A Tyrolia-Munich
A Apulia-Tunis
F Ionian Sea C A Apulia-Tunis
France
F Mid-Atlantic Ocean-Portugal
A Burgundy S A Tyrolia-Munich
A Marseilles-Spain
Belgium should be neutral, but an English fleet there is nothing to be scared of, especially if Russia is supportive of your plans and lays claim to Scandinavia (keeping the Prime Minister's builds busy). If Germany took Belgium not all is lost; Munich can still be held on if England jumps in, though an Italian retreat to Ruhr or Silesia can cause just as much headache to the Kaiser.
France has greatly weakened a major rival, while Italy gained a precious second build. The Mountain Opening gives both powers five units to play with in 1902 and the ability to create greater mischief against Germany (jointly) and nearby powers (individually). The builds should be:
Italy
A Venice
F Naples
France
F Brest
A Paris
Italy is now positioned to strike further into the continent thanks to its Venetian army, probably against Austria (followed by an Illyrian Opening of F Ionian Sea-Adriatic Sea). A traditional Lepanto can also be performed against Turkey, while Russian support may considerably help Italy's ambitions in the Balkans. France has plenty of possibilities as well, with F Brest-English Channel and F Portugal-Mid Atlantic Ocean being able to wreak havoc behind English lines, while its armies push into Ruhr with Italian support.
Given that France's likely paths for more centers goes through Munich, Italy may not have to hang on the center for eternity. Munich serves a temporary purpose - it gives Italy a second army to use against Austria in 1902, and once more Austrian or Turkish centers are taken Munich can be handled over to France without much fuss. Once again, Russian pressure on its neighbors' borders can make the difference between a swift campaign or a slower march across the board.
Italy & France can do much more together than just demilitarize a couple of provinces and exchange kind words. Sitting at the most peaceful part of the Main Stalemate Line, Pope and President can achieve much by making use of the Alpine paths around Switzerland in order to increase their earlier potential.
Next time you go to Burgundy or Tyrolia remember the fate of the German and Austro-Hungarian empires, and give the Franco-Italian partnership a chance!
Akin to history, the Mountain Opening involves Italian perfidy against a Central Power, helped by a Western ally. This is a joint Italo-French opening, requiring heavy diplomatic labor by both sides.
In Spring 1901, Italy's and France's diplomatic work should be directed on Russia. It's almost imperative that the Tsar jumps aboard for cooperation, as Russia can provide much-needed pressure on all of the Italian and French neighbors: Austria, Germany, England and Turkey. The Pope and the President get bonus points if they also manage to throw Prime Minister against Kaiser, or Archduke against Sultan. Sending Austria' Fleet Trieste away to Albania and keeping Germany's Army Munich from entering Burgundy (or holding) is just as relevant.
Once the Spring negotiations end, the Mountain Opening can come into action:
Link to map: https://imgur.com/a/y98wMzT
Italy
A Venice-Tyrolia
A Rome-Apulia
F Naples-Ionian Sea
France
F Brest-Mid-Atlantic Ocean
A Paris-Burgundy
A Marseilles S A Paris-Burgundy
As you can see, this opening mixes France's Maginot Opening with Italy's Tyrolian Lepanto. The intention is clear by now: a supported attack on German-held Munich.
By Fall 1901, France should attempt its best to convince both Germany and England to focus on Belgium (hopefully for a standoff), while Italy promises Germany no harm (perhaps showing it as an anti-Austrian ruse or defensive paranoia). Unless Germany attempts the incredibly unlikely A RUH S A KIE-MUN, Munich is almost guaranteed to fall in 1901 and resist even a 5-center Germany who took Belgium, Holland and Denmark - for a considerable time. If England moved to the Channel, they may receive the promise of non-intervention on Belgium or be outright confronted with F Mid-Atlantic Ocean-Brest. Ideally, Austria didn't dare move to Venice or the Adriatic Sea either and is gunning for the Balkans - giving Russia and Turkey considerable pause in case any of them dream of a Juggernaut. The Fall 1901 moves:
Link to map: https://imgur.com/a/mXdhuyt
Italy
A Tyrolia-Munich
A Apulia-Tunis
F Ionian Sea C A Apulia-Tunis
France
F Mid-Atlantic Ocean-Portugal
A Burgundy S A Tyrolia-Munich
A Marseilles-Spain
Belgium should be neutral, but an English fleet there is nothing to be scared of, especially if Russia is supportive of your plans and lays claim to Scandinavia (keeping the Prime Minister's builds busy). If Germany took Belgium not all is lost; Munich can still be held on if England jumps in, though an Italian retreat to Ruhr or Silesia can cause just as much headache to the Kaiser.
France has greatly weakened a major rival, while Italy gained a precious second build. The Mountain Opening gives both powers five units to play with in 1902 and the ability to create greater mischief against Germany (jointly) and nearby powers (individually). The builds should be:
Italy
A Venice
F Naples
France
F Brest
A Paris
Italy is now positioned to strike further into the continent thanks to its Venetian army, probably against Austria (followed by an Illyrian Opening of F Ionian Sea-Adriatic Sea). A traditional Lepanto can also be performed against Turkey, while Russian support may considerably help Italy's ambitions in the Balkans. France has plenty of possibilities as well, with F Brest-English Channel and F Portugal-Mid Atlantic Ocean being able to wreak havoc behind English lines, while its armies push into Ruhr with Italian support.
Given that France's likely paths for more centers goes through Munich, Italy may not have to hang on the center for eternity. Munich serves a temporary purpose - it gives Italy a second army to use against Austria in 1902, and once more Austrian or Turkish centers are taken Munich can be handled over to France without much fuss. Once again, Russian pressure on its neighbors' borders can make the difference between a swift campaign or a slower march across the board.
Italy & France can do much more together than just demilitarize a couple of provinces and exchange kind words. Sitting at the most peaceful part of the Main Stalemate Line, Pope and President can achieve much by making use of the Alpine paths around Switzerland in order to increase their earlier potential.
Next time you go to Burgundy or Tyrolia remember the fate of the German and Austro-Hungarian empires, and give the Franco-Italian partnership a chance!