Update
The Netherlands begin planning for elections.
Guests to the Albanian coronation return home safely.
Germany declares itself neutral in the Belgian-Dutch war.
France blockades the Netherlands!
The Ottoman Empire calls worlds leads to discuss the war in the low countries.
Spain and Portugal form an alliance.
Bulgarian troops grow restless along the border
Germany and Greece sign a defensive alliance.
Germany declares war on Denmark!
The German Empire declares war on the Kingdom of Denmark.
Denmark has threatened us, Denmark has claimed our lands, Denmark has mobilized its forces against us. Now Denmark joined an aggressive war and mobilized its forces although both France and Germany clearly stated that no other nation must get involved. Let it be known that Germany keeps its word.
The German Empire states that it will still not get involved in the Belgo-Dutch quarrels. The actions taken against Denmark are separate actions taken due to Danish provocations and will not inflict damage on our relationships with any other European country.
In order to prevent further escalation, the German Empire vows that all its allies will stay out of the conflict as long as no other nation joins into the German-Danish war.
European Mayhem.
Events in Europe have begun to snowball downhill. The declaration of war by Belgium in March many powers have found themselves being sucked into the matter. Following the attack on the Antilles by the Dutch blockade on Antwerp the French fleet put to sea to enforce the French ultimatum on the Netherlands. The blockade of the Netherlands was in full effect within 72 hours of the fleet putting to sea. This move by France drew little criticism from the rest of the European community. Favour within European seems to be going ever further towards the Belgians. To great surprise it was the Ottoman Empire that first begun to call world leaders to meet to discuss the war. The mixed response on the matter spoke for itself about the feelings of Europe towards the Ottomans.
In the Balkans the mood between Bulgaria and the Ottomans, though still not friendly, seems to have calmed down. With the demobilisation of Ottoman forces the Bulgarian troops, still mobilised, have had little to do along the borders. Many wish for war with the Ottomans, whilst other simply wish to go home. This mood of wishing to return home was one being echoed across many European nations. Troops in Italy, Great Britain, Romania and Austria-Hungary are also beginning to long to go home. In response the Italian government established the Organizzazione di Servizio Italiano as a means to distract the men. However this mood if left unchecked could become dangerous.
The biggest shock to Europe however, was the sudden and unexpected German declaration of war, and subsequent invasion, of Denmark on the 16th Junel 1914! The declaration (see above) was sent 2 hours before German troops begun their invasion.
Second Zeeland Offensiver
On the morning of the 8th Junel Dutch defensive lines in Zeeland were once again heavily bombarded by Belgian field emplacements. To the Dutch bewilderment the rounds begun to fall short of their positions. For a while the shelling continued to fall short until the Dutch forward defenses begun to be hit. To the horror of the dug in troops they realised the shelling was getting closer and closer. Behind this slow crawling barrage came the Belgian 1čre Division d'Infanterie and 2čme Division d'Infanterie. Such was the effect of the barrage followed by infantry that the offensive was a resounding success and Dutch defenses in the area were soon overpowered and taken. Elements of the Belgian 1čre Division de Cavalerie were swift to make gains on the offensive and push up ahead of the Infantry, pursuing the disorganised Dutch troops. It was clear from a number of captured Dutch troops that they blamed the lack of organisation within the high command for their defeat. By the 20th Junel much of Zeeland had fallen into Belgian hands. The offensive cost the Belgians 7 thousand casualties to the the Dutch 18 thousand, of whom a ⅔ were P.O.Ws!
Though the second offensive into Zeeland had been a success for the Belgian, in the air the success was not to be seen. Belgian attempts to send long range reconnaissance missions into the Netherlands resulted in the heavy loss of planes and life and eventual calling off of the mission. Following the last number of flights the dug in Dutch had turned a number of their Machine guns skywards to prevent and further attempts. This had resulted in the shooting down of numerous planes as they attempted to pass over. At sea neither side were able to bring one another to battle. Though it was clear that the Belgian warships were spoiling for a fight the presence of the French Navy so close to shore and the discovery of the numerically superior dutch force had meant that the Belgians had opted to avoid battle. The Dutch opting to avoid hitting the French also avoid battle.
Jutland Offensive
Following the sudden declaration of war by the German Empire; German artillery, that had been stationed along the border two months prior, begun to shell Danish emplacements all along the border guided by spotting planes, something the German high command had noticed from the Belgo - Dutch War. The suddenness of it all caught Danish troops by complete surprise. Despite being mobilised and up to strength the men were simply not prepared for the attack. Following the heavily shelling troops from the German IX, XV and XIX Armeekorps long with 10 Reserve-Divisions crossed the board overwhelming the Danish 3. and 5. Infanterie Divisons forcing them back. The 4. And 6. Infanteri Divisons however refused to submit from their positions and were soon surrounded and cut off from help. Despite the initial shock and awe of the attack German troops were soon held up by their own size. With so many men trying to navigate the Danish infrastructure movement rapidly slowed down. This slow down gave the Danish vital time and as German troops attempted to enter Eastern and Northern Jutland their offenses were pushed buck. The fighting in Eastern Jutland was especially vicious with the German XV Armeekorps along with the 76. and 32. Reserve-Divisions and elements of the 3. Königlich Bayerische Division were unable to break through the Danish 2. Infanteri Divison. The German Navy was present throughout the advance into Denmark, providing heavy support to the advancing troops. By the 27th June the assault had faltered and been halted. The Danish had lost a staggering 20 thousand lost (most captured) to the German 8 thousand.
The date is now 1st July