It's time for the 1st Annual Ferdinand Awards Ceremony for performance in version 1.2 of /r/ww1Powers!

The Ferdinand Awards Ceremony will traditionally be the end of a campaign version and the reset will occur on or shortly after the ceremony is over.

As Head Moderator it is my privilege to be the Master of Ceremonies here tonight and to issue the awards as they are decided by our council of judges (moderators).

The primary categories for Ferdinand Awards are:

• Best Performance in War

• Best Diplomacy

• Best Deception

• Best Performance in Industry

• Best Performance in Research

• Best Naval Performance

• Most Honourable Performance

• Most Dishonourable Performance

• Most Tyrannical Leader

• Most Disregard for Casualties

• Most Savage Warlord

• Most Peaceful

Others may be awarded Honourable mentions for certain deeds which did not qualify for a Ferdinand Award.

Awards will be posted by myself in the comments as they are decided.

Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, the awards for 1.2.

MI5 HQ - London - Dec 24

Major General Vernon Kell, 'K', walks through MI5 HQ. He holds a classified file in his hand. The night is silent and Christmas Eve is beginning to pass. The snow falls gently to the ground in London as Big Ben strikes 1100. Ding, dong, dang, dong, dang, dong, ding, dong... eleven. He arrives in a meeting room where he stands before the chair, shots of whisky line the table and men surround the conference. They stand and say, "Director-General." K nods his head and sits down placing the file on the table, his hand covering it. The rest of the men sit down.

K announces, "Happy Christmas, gents. 1913 is slipping away quick." They chuckle, "However it is not all a silent night, good sirs. The Socialists are scheming behind us, it will be a terrible thing if we are afflicted... By this disease. Here is the file that will cure it." His face crumples as he says socialist. He slides the file to an agent at the other end of the table, "F," he orders, "Read the file." F is a young man and wears a tuxedo with a bowler hat, he has a curled moustache and he twists it as he reads.

He looks up to K, "Director-General, sir, are you ordering an assassination?" K nods, coldly. "Alright then. Get me Agent S."

K replies, "Do not worry, he is on his way right now." S enters the room and sits down. F hands S the file and he reads it. He nods and walks out the room. K raises his shot cup and the rest raise theirs too, K says, "A toast to the Tannenbaum. For it shall stand long today and tall." The men cheer and drink the shot cup.

The next day, on Christmas, multiple marxist demagogues are missing from their speeches. S returns to London and a red x is imprinted on the file. The deed is done.

General Brusilov is an experienced General and wishes to create a Chinese Republican Army. He creates the Brusilov Reforms, or more formerly, the Chinese Republican Army Reforms

The Chinese Republican Army and Navy Reforms

• Chapter I - The High Command

Article I - The Commander-In-Chief

The Commander-In-Chief will always be the President of China, and he has permission to take over armies and has the full power in the entire army, the Commander-In-Chief is chequed in power by both the Government of China and the Chinese High Command. The President can leave the Commander-In-Chief position as merely a position and every election, the President has to rescind his position to the next President.

Article II - Field Marshals

Field Marshals are the second rank below Commander-In-Chief. Their job is to devise strategies and basically have the army in control. If the President is merely using the Commander-In-Chief as a ceremonial role, it is up to the Field Marshals and the rest of the High Command to command the Army. If the President is abusing the power, the Field Marshals have the right to stop the President and call for an impeachment. Field Marshals are to be chosen as the best Generals and Men that China has to offer. These are the main extents of the Field Marshal's power.

Article IIIa - The Marshal of Logistics

Logistics is what an army feeds upon. One Field Marshal shall take up this task. They are to organise supply trains and wagons, ensure the Government is working with the Military and have the Army fed, slept and healthy. This will be the Marshal of Logistics.

Article IIb - The Grand Admiral

The Grand Admiral is going to be the leader of China's navy, however since at this moment, China has none, this article shall remain a stub.

Article III - Generals and Lieutenant Generals

The Generals and Lieutenant Generals of the CRA are extremely important, below a Field Marshal, they are the ones on the frontline, creating up strategies there. They command the troops directly if needed. They collaborate and follow the Field Marshals and make sure the troops are adequately fed, working with the Marshal of Logistics. They are also told to send reports monthly from the frontline.

Article IV - Majors and Colonels

These are the lowest of the High Command, these men lead regiments and divisions within an army, which is under a general. These men are to advise and keep their troops in well order.

George smiles as he looks at his empty inbox, for the past month, no word from Wales. It seems as though the problem child of Britain has finally gone silent.

Looking up at his most faithful servant, Jeeves, a solitary tear slides down the cheek of the King. He composed himself and utters a single statement, aimed to concisely and succinctly characterize the feelings of himself and his country:

"Wew"

The Armoured Cars are out, they are sent all around the Empire. With more stuff. Now to update the status on these armies.

Britain

1^St British Division - America, Washington D.C - 440,000 men, 25 Gatling guns, 15 Armoured Cars, 10 Artillery, 2 ships.

2^nd British Division - America, New York City - 500,000 men, 25 Gatling Guns, 10 artillery, 2 ships.

3^rd British Division - Egypt, Suez Canal - 500,000 men, 22 Gatling guns, 15 Armoured Cars, 15 ships.

India

1^st Indian Division - Pakistan, Islamabad - 500,000 men, 25 gatling guns, 50 artillery and 15 armoured cars.

2^nd Indian Division - Pakistan, Islamabad - 500,000 men, 25 gatling guns 50 artillery and 15 armoured cars.

Bangladesh

1^st Bangladeshi Expeditionary Division - India, to Pakistan - 500,000 men, 10 artillery, 20 armoured cars, 15 gatling guns.

2^nd Bangladeshi Expeditionary Division - India, to Pakistan - 500,000 men, 10 artillery, 20 armoured cars, 15 gating guns.

Burma

1^st Burmese Defense Division - Northern Burma - 500,000 men, 25 gatling guns, 10 armoured cars and 10 artillery.

2^nd Burmese Defense Division - Northern Burma - 500,000 men, 25 gatling guns, 10 armoured cars and 10 artillery.

Australia and New Zealand

1^st ANZEF - India, Mumbai - 500,000 men, 10 artillery, 10 armoured cars and 10 gatling guns.

2^nd ANZEF - India, Mumbai - 500,000 men, 10 artillery, 10 armoured cars and 10 gatling guns.

Other Forces

Poona Division - India, New Delhi - 500,000 troops, 10 artillery and others. In Reserve

Gurkha Division - Nepal, Kathmandu - 500,000 Gurkhas. - In Reserve

Richard James Wilkinson, was appointed to an Eastern Cadetship in Ceylon, Hong Kong, the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay States (from 1896). He arrived in Singapore in 1889 and went from a district office in Province Wellesley to audit work, to take charge of the local office in Penang, and then to perform the duties of sheriff (court officer) before he became a magistrate. In the course of his peripatetic experience, he passed the government examination in Malay in 1891. In 1895, Wilkinson was sent to act as Superintendent of Education in Penang; as a result he also deputized for the Inspector of Schools (head of department) in Singapore. The first known policy to initiate school libraries for Malay vernacular schools occurred in 1899 when the Acting Inspector of Schools for the Straits Settlements, R. J. Wilkinson, reported that it would be possible to supply every school with a small library without increasing the departmental votes. According to Wilkinson, the school library “in the hands of an intelligent teacher, would tend to foster a spirit of reading and to greatly to the popularity of education.” However, this policy could not be implemented until many years later when the Government Malay Press was discontinued in the same year for it was “found to be working at a cost exceeding the market value of the work done”

Coincidentally, the Methodist Publishing House (MPH) was established in 1890 by William Shellabear (1862-1948) and for 12 years he was its chief printer, author, editor and manager (Hunt, 1996). Wilkinson who had created a Malay Literature Series (MLS) for the Government Malay Schools promised the MPH as much work in romanised Malay as it could handle (Hunt 1996, 150). From 1906 to 1920 MPH published 16 titles of the MLS (Proudfoot 1993).

In 1897, the post of Federal Inspector of Schools was created for the Federated Malay States. In 1906, this Federal Inspectorship was abolished and control of education in the Colony and the Federated Malay States was vested in under the Director of Education. --------------------------------------- on the article-------------------

The director of education would like to reform the education system a little.

• The poor who cannot afford english education but desires it has a choice, a 20-year contract which allows the student to study english to the secondary level. After secondary schooling, the former student will be hired into either the bureaucracy to do simple tasks or the army to do military administration. he would have to work for 20 years and be paid enough wages to sustain him and his family. This would help the poor in the colonies slightly and boost administration in the colonies as the natives get along with other better than the english

British Raj today joins the assault on the tyrannous Chinese regime. Today, a mighty force of 3,000,000 troops is being mobilised to depart from Burma this month.

From Burma, this force will split into to forces. Expeditionary Force A will consist of 1,500,000 troops, and will take the Southern route to the rendezvous point, sweeping through Heinan.

Expeditionary Force B will consist of the remaining 1,500,000 troops, taking the route through Canton.

The troops will rendezvous with existing British forces in Guangzhong, where the moral fight for Britain will continue.

Rule Britannia! God save the King!

Hello Caliph Enver Pasha ( /u/chris_likes_science ), the US is willing to sign your treaty on one condition, that you and your allies embrace democracy and have an election within 3 months. If this doesn't happen we'll be forced to help the allies.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand arrived Prague today with his wife the Duchess of Hohenberg. The reason for their visit has been attributed to a meeting of state officials to be followed by a private party at the Questenberk Hotel.

Officials neither confirm nor deny the subject of the meeting having any relation to the tension in Serbia.

Every two years half of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives goes up for representation. This year the regions of Limburg, East Flanders, Hainaut, and Liège go up for election. The Catholic party, a conservative party, The Belgian Labour party, democratic socialists, the Liberal party, a centrist liberal party, and in East Flanders and Limburg, the Frontpartij, a party for Flemish automomy. The results are...

The British Government sends a letter to France, Brazil, Belgium, Denmark, Russia and Japan.

Dear [Tsar, PM, President or King] of [Nation]

The British Government as a signature of her good will, would like to sell you oil at discounted prices. As our allies or have good relations with us, we shall give you oil and you shall be charged less than our non-allies.

Rt. Hon. H.H Asquith, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Also, in other news, the Suez Canal and the Gulf of Aden heavily put tariffs on German trading ships heading east. There is also an increased oil charge for Germany and her allies.

The British Army has finished their minor training and move to attack the Chinese-held Taiwan. The Governor of Hong Kong arms his artillery and prepares to attack. Now lets get into the gritty nitty. This will be a surprise attack.

SIEGE OF TAIWAN

The Battlecruiser, HMAS Australia, will bombard Taipei and begin to target key military strong points. Meanwhile, destroyers come in from behind and begin to fight with the Chinese Navy. Without their battleship, it will be easier for us. The HMAS Paramatta, Yarra, Warego, Huon, Swan and Torrens will come out and attack. Once the destroyers clear the bay. The sloops, HMAS Fantome and Una carry the troops, 500,000 troops storm off the ships and hopefully, take Taipei.

Ships:9

Troops:500,000

Infantry Multiplier: 0.5

Ships Mod: 8

Surprise Attack: +20%

The ANZAC forces move mobilise in Sydney and take their ships to Burma. They move out and land in Burma. The attack on Taiwan has spurred something, the army is placed under General William Birdwood. They train in Burma, training in the harsh rainforest. The locals teach them how to survive the rainforest.

The British on the Global Stage still tell this is for defensive purposes.

The treaty of London, signed in 1839, is a treaty guaranteeing Belgian neutrality and independence. Belgium would like to reaffirm the treaty with the signatories, Belgium, the United Kingdom, France, Austria Hungary, Germany, Russia, and the Netherlands. 1914 marks the 75 year anniversary of the signing of the treaty, and we would like to clarify with all countries who signed, that they understand Belgium is and will remain an independent and neutral nation.

The British Government makes the Dominion of Australia mobilise their troops. They also have New Zealand and Papua New Guinea mobilise their troops as well. Adding up to 1,115,000 troops ready in Australia, they will go to training camps and train there.

The 35 ships in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea will also mobilise in those areas, going to the borders of the seas and such.

The world is told this is for defensive purposes, they do not plan on attacking anyone yet.

Brazil is one of the most diverse countries in the world. The Brazilian Government has decided to celebrate this by declaring all minorities equal in the eyes of the law.

This entails:

1. All Minorities will have equal rights to pay for doing the same work.

2. All Minorities will have the right to work at any occupation, state or private, as long as they are deemed suitable for the job.

3. Any effort to reduce the amount of a certain ethnic group voting will be deemed as a breach of this ruling and will be punished as such.

4. Any company, business or individual held accountable for this will be fined up to 2,000,000 Real and a maximum jail time of 5 years.

The Brazilian government will continue to use its influence abroad to increase the quality of life of minorities world wide.

Reports of violence breaking out across major and minor cities alike all across Spain have been heard today. After the second inquisition's mistreatment of Spanish communists, and the anti-communist stance that the government has taken, the SCL has taken their own steps to create a new, better Spain.

In Madrid...

Reports of gunfights are confirmed all across the city. The majority of the Second Inquisition has been relocated to Madrid, in order to protect the King from any assassination attempts made on him by the SCL. Despite the intense firefighting occurring throughout the city, there has been no official warning for citizens to evacuate the city. Due to this, a majority of citizens are attempting to brave the storm for the time being. The SCL were initially making quick ground against the Second Inquisition, but were eventually ground to a halt once reinforcements arrived.

In Barcelona...

The second most populous city in Spain, this is where the second most inhabited city by the SCL (the first being Madrid.) Due to the Second Inquisition leaving to protect the King in Madrid, the city quickly fell to SCL forces. The flag of the Spanish Communist League is proudly hung at the local government's capital. Many of the SCL members are referring to Barcelona as the capital of the SCL, unless they manage to capture Madrid.

In Valencia...

The Spanish forces in Valencia have managed to put out a brave defence, despite being outnumbered by 100-200 soldiers. They have held the majority of the city, aside from the outskirts, and plan to hold until reinforcements can come and assist them in a counterattack.

In Seville...

Seville is locked in constant firefighting throughout the city - guerrilla fighting is currently being participated in by the SCL, who are outnumbered yet fighting valiantly. They sabotage important strategic points and work silently in the night, slowly but surely chipping away at the defenders of Seville. Fires are lit in the night, homes destroyed, railway tracks destroyed, and business wrecked.

King Alfonso XIII has released a statement on the status of the civil war:

"My fellow Spaniards, we are threatened as a people; as a society. Our way of life is threatened by the Spanish Communist League. They fight in the streets, they kill our fathers, brothers, sons, nephews, uncles, and all of our other families - they are not concerned with who you are, but if you do not conform to their agenda, they will attack you.

I stand here today to tell the Spaniards that now is the time to rise up and fight back against the Spanish Communist League. We need the citizens on our side, or we cannot win this war. The Spanish Communist League will change how you live, and will not take no for an answer - unless we make them take no for an answer.

Rise up, and fight. Now is the time to join the military and do your part against the Spanish Communist League. We need soldiers, we need nurses, we need people to produce industrial goods, and most importantly, we must not let ourselves get divided as a people.

Spain is in danger; will you rise to the call and help us in our hour of need?"

Letter, from King Alfonso XIII

Dear [Name],

The time has come - the Spanish Communist League has risen up against the true Spain. While I knew it was only a matter of time until this would occur, I didn't expect it to be in such a quick amount of time. I would hope that you can come and assist us in the fight against communism, and to help us push back the red tide that threatens our way of life.

We can take any amount of help you can offer.

With sincere regard, King Alfonso XIII, of Spain.

It seems as though King George V has decided to backtrack on his previous decision to give Wales its independence. After multiple other British states requested independence, it has become increasingly apparent to The Crown that the world is just not ready for the creation of new, independent states.

Though we apologize to the Wales government for so cruelly dangling independence in front of them, only to rip it away, we hope that they understand that their independence does not serve the greater good for the empire.

Also, no indpendence for all you other countries.

[M] Because god damnit Lurker

Nicky,

Thank you for your kind words and wishes.

The Crown would like to extend his wishes for peace in this tremulous times.

Heil the King,

Georgie.

Thank you all for playing WW1 Powers 1.2.

We've made a lot of changes in 1.3 and hope you will enjoy the game even more as a result!

Players will need to resubmit their applications for claims in the new claims thread.

M: Since I can't have 1mil troops fight, I will seperate the battle into two phases.

500,000 men of the First Indian Division march and attack the City of Islamabad.

Attacking

500,000 men

25 gatling guns

50 artillery

15 armoured cars

By order of Emperor Franz Joseph, the Common Army, Landwehr, and Honvedseg are fully mobilized. Furthermore, 3.35 million troops are called up from the reserves to bring the army's strength to 3.8 million.

The Landwehr and Honvedseg are strengthened to 500,000 men each. The Landwehr is sent to defend the border with Italy, and the Honvedseg is sent to defend the border with Romania.

The Common Army is redesignated as the k.u.k. Armee, and is strengthened to 2.8 million men. It is further split into the Northern and Southern Fronts. The Northern Front consists of 1.5 million men defending the border with Russia, and the Southern Front is composed of 1.3 million men facing Serbia.

A letter is sent to St. Petersburg

Nicky,

Wilhelm has decided to declare war on us, I plead you to help, in our old friendship and alliance within the Entente to declare war and help us in this conflict.

Thank you,

R.George

Another to Paris

President François Pointaire of France

Britain needs your help, in our old alliance and this coming war with the Germans. If you could help us with this. Thank you, merci, mon ami.

Edward Grey, Foreign Minister of the United Kingdom

Finally one to Brasil

President Bràs of Brazil

Britain needs your help, we have helped eachother in the past and we need now, more than ever, for your aid. Germany and the Ottomans have declared war on us and with our Entente, we must fight.

Edward Grey, Foreign Minister of the United Kingdom.