The Rise of Australasia

On August 17, 1914, after nearly two weeks of preparation, Australasia officially launched the Pacific Unification War.

The Army's First and Second Divisions, totaling 32,000 troops, and the Navy's Australasia, HMAS Australia, and New Zealand dreadnoughts, as well as their respective fleets participated in this war.>

Specifically, the plan was for the First and Second Divisions to arrive first at Australian New Guinea and then move on to German New Guinea in the north after repairs were made.

German New Guinea was Germany's largest colony in the Pacific and had the strongest defense among all of its Pacific colonies.

According to the Royal Intelligence Bureau's estimates, there were about 1,000 German guards in German New Guinea, and along with the German civilians there, a force of at least 2,000 could easily be armed.

Arthur would not underestimate the combat power of the German army, even if it was just a colonial garrison, as carelessness could bring significant casualties to Australasia.

It was also due to Arthur's attention that this war mobilized not only two divisions but also the main naval forces to escort and provide fire support when necessary.

After all, besides the land on the New Guinea Peninsula, German New Guinea also had numerous islands and archipelagos.

Occupying these areas required the assistance of the navy, and it was impossible for the army to reach them on foot alone.

On August 18th, all the troops successfully arrived in the capital of Australian New Guinea, Moritzby Port.

After more than ten years of development, this port city had grown into a small city with nearly 70,000 inhabitants.

Though the population may not seem large, it was already among the best in terms of size within Australasia's colonies.

At present, Moritzby Port practiced a strict racial segregation system, where local black indigenous people were not allowed into the city under most circumstances.

Indigenous people had designated living areas, which were generally assigned by the colonial government.

Compared to more developed urban areas, some indigenous living quarters were dirty, chaotic, and substandard.

Fortunately, these indigenous people primarily died in construction sites and building areas, and their bodies were cremated and buried after death, preventing the spread of epidemics and contagious diseases.

After a brief refurbishment at Moritzby Port, the First and Second Divisions split into two groups. One group continued northward by land into German New Guinea.

The other group remained on transport ships heading for the capital of German New Guinea, HerbertsHera.

For the conquering of a colony like German New Guinea, the primary focus was to capture the king first before the thieves.

Once HerbertsHera was captured, at least 90% of the residents of German New Guinea would be under Australasia's control.

By then, it would only be a matter of course to deploy troops to occupy the whole of German New Guinea.

So far, German New Guinea had approximately 110,000 inhabitants, where more than half were of German descent and the rest were European immigrants and those with mixed race backgrounds.

Out of these 110,000 people, more than 80,000 lived in HerbertsHera, which demonstrated the importance of controlling the city.

It was good news for Australasia that the outbreak of the European War had severed all ties between Germany and its Pacific colonies.

There were fleets of Allies scattered throughout the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Indian Oceans. It was virtually impossible for German supply fleets to reach the Pacific.

Even if a fleet managed to reach New Guinea, the journey would take at least one month.

Based on the timeline, Australasia would have at least half a month to fully occupy German New Guinea.

German New Guinea's importance was not only tied to its population of over 100,000 people and more than a million indigenous inhabitants but also to its vast territories and rich mineral resources.

Most importantly, the New Guinea Peninsula - where German New Guinea was located - was the second largest island in Oceania and could serve as a barrier for northern Australasia.

At the same time, this region could be used as a springboard for Australasia to extend its influence in Southeast Asia, as it was adjacent to the Dutch East Indies.

In terms of strategic significance, it was also quite similar to the Philippines. This posed a huge threat to the United States-controlled Philippines and presented a means for Australasia to eliminate American influence in the Southeast Asian region.

If the entire peninsula could be fully occupied, Australasia would be much closer to the Philippines.

Furthermore, the US-controlled Philippines was unstable. A small spark could likely result in the United States losing the territory on the other side of the Pacific.

On August 19th, the Second Division, aboard the transport fleet, successfully arrived at the capital of German New Guinea, HerbertsHera.

Almost all colonial capitals are located by the sea, as most colonies cannot be self-sufficient, especially small colonies like German New Guinea, which heavily rely on various supplies transported from Germany.

To facilitate the transportation of these supplies, establishing colonial capitals at ports has become the preferred choice for these colonies.

Of course, there is another important reason: colonizers first arrived at the coast of the colony.

For the sake of convenience in communication with their homeland, these colonizers often establish bases by the sea rather than inland areas farther from the coast.

After all, European colonial exploration depends on solid ships and powerful cannons. Building land by the sea not only facilitates immediate departure but also convenient trade with other regions.

The arrival of the Australasian Army immediately caught the attention of the Germans.

German colonies were not like Portuguese and Dutch colonies, which not only lagged in coastal defense but also had patrol systems that had already collapsed.

However, what the Second Division Brigadier General Fritz Leiner did not expect was that the Germans were indifferent to the landing of the Australasian Army, and they did not even organize any effective counterattacks or defenses.

It is worth noting that Germany is universally recognized as the world's strongest army power. Although it is only a German colony, who can underestimate the strength of the German Army?

Although puzzled by the German reaction, Fritz, the Brigadier General, proceeded cautiously, ordering the troops to slowly approach the city of HerbertsHera.

As he got closer to the city, Fritz became even more puzzled. The Germans not only did not counterattack, but the city of HerbertsHera also had its gates wide open, seemingly invitingly.

"General, I am Mayor Ulrich of HerbertsHera. This is our surrender document. Please review it." Just as Fritz continued to be puzzled, a politician in a suit and leather shoes walked out of the city, holding up a document and shouting loudly.

"General?" The soldiers looked at Fritz, waiting for his decision.

No one can guarantee whether the enemy is deceiving, so it is better to let the Delegation Brigadier General Fritz make the decision himself.

Otherwise, if something unexpected happens due to the wrong judgment, ordinary soldiers cannot bear such a huge responsibility.

After looking at the man for a while, Fritz finally said, "Bring it over, sir. If this is true, it is best. I do not want to see war, and I do not want to see unnecessary casualties on both sides."

It is naturally the best outcome to capture this city without bloodshed.

Once this city is captured, it means occupying the entire German New Guinea. This also means that more than half of the Australasian Pacific Unification War is completed. As for the small German colonies, even if they do not surrender, it is easy to capture them.

The mayor of HerbertsHera was stopped by Fritz's guards when he was still 50 meters away from Fritz.

With no choice, the mayor of HerbertsHera handed the surrender document to a guard, who passed it on to Fritz.

Looking at the surrender document in his hand, Fritz believed most of it.

After all, Germans do not have too many cunning tricks, and they are not good at conspiracies.

Moreover, resistance is indeed unnecessary for Germans. The occupation of German New Guinea and all German colonies by Australasia is inevitable.

For one reason alone, these German colonies cannot possibly receive material assistance from the German mainland, and relying solely on these colonies cannot meet the daily needs of the colonial population.

Even if Australasia does not attack and only encircles, the Germans will eventually collapse due to lack of resources.

If they surrender, perhaps they can receive corresponding prisoner treatment due to the prior good relations between Australasia and Germany, and safely get through this war.

This is the best result for both Australasia and Germany. Both parties can avoid unnecessary casualties and hatred, and Australasia can achieve its strategic goals.

"Your Excellency the General, as early as six months ago, the garrison of HerbertsHera, even most of the German New Guinea garrisons, had been recalled to the German mainland. If you do not believe me, you may have your subordinates look around.

In the entire HerbertsHera area, there is no armed force other than the police maintaining order." Seeing that Fritz still looked somewhat incredulous, the mayor of HerbertsHera continued to explain.

Brigadier General Fritz did not accept the mayor's proposal to have someone check; instead, he instructed the mayor to order all armed police officers to leave the city and hand over their weapons and equipment.

Fritz's reasoning was that since the order of HerbertsHera would be maintained by the Australasian Army from now on, there would be no need for armed police carrying guns.

With a bitter smile, the mayor of HerbertsHera shook his head and agreed to Fritz's proposal.

Soon, more than a hundred policemen in HerbertsHera city took their weapons out of the city and handed over their firearms to the designated location of the Australasian Army.

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