At the end of 1913, Austria-Hungary was the focus of the world, watching the mixed world news and the people of all countries around it. Rudolph smiled bitterly: I'm afraid it will still be so lively next year.

For Austria-Hungary from the reform of the political system, to the civil war, to the military reform, all countries are dumbfounded. This ancient monarchy seems to have been revitalized for decades.

Various countries are aware that Archduke Ferdinand, Crown Prince, has officially entered the political arena. As a close friend of Ferdinand and an ally of Austria-Hungary. Wilhelm II and the German press praised Austria-Hungary as looking to Germany, and Austria-Hungary was a staunch and reliable ally of Germany.

Another ally, the Kingdom of Italy, seems to be in the same bed as Austria-Hungary. They seemed to be irritated by Austria-Hungary's actions, and as if they did not want to see their neighbor become stronger. They began to show the "glorious achievements" of the Revolutionary War. ”

The Russians were still so arrogant that they disdained to understand the internal struggle between Austria and Hungary. The assistance of the French enriched the pockets of the tsar, no one could threaten Russia, Russia would crush all enemies, this was the consensus of every Russian.

Public opinion in France is free, and they make all sorts of assertions about it. But the right-wing newspapers, on the other hand, were a little ill-intentioned, and they repeatedly stressed that the Germans were the work of the Germans in the Austro-Hungarian civil strife. The Germans were ambitious to tie Austria to the chariot and impose shame on France.

Serbia is still in the midst of their big dreams, and Serbia is stirring up popular emotions. They indignantly pointed out that the Austro-Hungarian move was a captivity of the Serbs in its territory and a threat to Serbia. The realization of Greater Serbia was necessary to liberate the homeland occupied by Austria-Hungary. In Rudolph's opinion, with this group of ultranationalists, war is already inevitable.

As for the British, their attitude is indifferent. The United Kingdom is keeping its eyes on the oceans, and their hot spot is nothing more than a few more dreadnoughts in the High Seas Fleet.

In Rudolph's view, the media's remarks are all partial and comprehensive, and have a strong orientation.

In the midst of all the bustle, flipping through all the newspapers, all you can see is the superficial affairs.

The heat comes and goes as fast as it gets. Only one was left with a deep impression that the Austro-Hungarian army threw away their brightly colored military uniforms from the Victorian era. In this regard, the French also brazenly said that this would hit the morale of the troops.

The situation in the world is becoming tense day by day, and the arms race is in full swing. The Austro-Hungarian reforms, while reasonable, also signalled war.

In this world of great contention, every country is ambitious. When the young and vigorous crown prince came to power, he hit it off with the belligerent generals, and the conservative policies of the past no longer existed.

As early as 1910, Austria-Hungary provoked a competition. But the Navy preemptively. Since the twentieth century, Italy has had absolute superiority in the navy. In 1906, the appearance of dreadnoughts brought everyone to the same starting line again. However, at that time, the quasi-dreadnought Radetzky-class was under construction.

By 1910, Italy had begun construction of the experimental Dante, and without receiving an appropriation, the crown prince borrowed money to start the construction of two combined-force class warships.

Now, the United Forces has been in service for two years, and the Tegerhoff was launched in July. Prinz Eugen and St. István are also halfway through.

On the Adriatic coast, the two poorest imperialist countries have also set off a small arms race, and the most ridiculous thing is that the two countries are still allies.

If Austria-Hungary is "ragdoll imperialism," then Italy is the joke among the great powers. Rudolph still can't forget the Italian soldier wearing an Adrian helmet with a large "RF" printed on it. ”

Austria-Hungary's two neighbors were the most sensitive, and Serbia signaled war, even with a sense of pathos of fighting to the death. Italy can only be helpless, the navy has no absolute superiority, and the army is not even equipped with rifles, so it can only anesthetize itself and avoid the cruelty of reality.

No one worries about Italy, and the rugged Alps are an insurmountable danger. For Austria-Hungary, Russia was the worst enemy, and Serbia was the focal point of the war.

Rudolph longed for peace, but he couldn't resist the war enthusiasm of the General Staff. The generals, led by Conrad, seem to have only thought about victory and military merit. Rudolph wondered who gave them courage.

Germany and Austria-Hungary had another policy of joint operations. Roughly speaking, Germany attacked the Western Front, quickly routed France, Austria-Hungary defended Russia, and finally defeated Russia together with Germany.

The ideal was full and beautiful, and Rudolph knew that the plan was nothing more than a castle in the air, and that the two chiefs of staff were primarily responsible.

If Conrad is considered to be ambitious and talented, then Moltke Jr. has no ink on his chest. The two chiefs of the General Staff, when considering the strategy, pinned everything on the slow reaction of the Russians.

Whether Austria-Hungary will barely be able to fight Russia is unknown, but the defense should be possible. It is unknown whether the Germans will be able to crush the French quickly, but the defense is also possible.

I don't know whether to say it is self-confidence or stupidity, Moltke Jr. clings to the "Schlieffen Plan," but looks ahead and forgets the last words of the old chief of staff, "strengthen the right wing". Conrad was full of confidence, and after dividing his forces, he neither defeated Serbia with all his strength, nor did he stick to Galicia. A third of the army is hovering in the morning change. When the troops were concentrated, they continued to reap one heavy victory after another and failed miserably. A year after the start of the war, the Austro-Hungarian elite was completely lost, and then a breakthrough completely ended the dream of war and the fate of the country.

Victory and defeat are a common occurrence in soldiers, and Conrad was overjoyed to have at least a glimpse of the two countries at the Battle of Caporetto, and as a staff officer, his mapping skills and strategic vision were excellent. If he is not in charge of specific command work, he will definitely be an excellent staff officer.

As for Moltke Jr., the only thing worthy of praise on him is the legendary name "Moltke". Before the war began, Wilhelm II had calmed down. Ask his chief of staff if he can attack Russia first. Moltke Jr. almost burst into tears at the time and replied, "There is only one choice." The Emperor said desolately, "If old Moltke were still there, he would have given me another choice." ”