Ageod WW1 Manual Cover.qxd

Notes: once successfully in play, the event is discarded and cannot occur
again.
Zimmerman Telegram
Description: This event will make the diplomatic relationships between USA
and Germany heavily deteriorate!
Historical notes: On January, 16th, 1917, Arthur Zimmermann, Foreign
Secretary of the German Empire, sent a coded telegram to the German
Ambassador of the U.S. which was henceforth forwarded to the German
Ambassador of Mexico. The telegram was sent in the anticipation the
resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare, which would cause the U.S.
to enter the war. In the telegram a military alliance between Germany and
Mexico was suggested, offering material help to Mexico in the reclaiming
territories lost during the Mexican-American War. The Zimmermann
telegram was intercepted and decoded by the British intelligence of Room
40. Its content raised anti-German sentiments within the American society,
while the Mexican government officially rejected the German offer.
Conditions: not before 1915.
Difficulty: die roll 5+.
Modifiers: +1 if the diplomatic level of USA is 13 or less, +1 if the diplomatic
level of USA is 5 or less (cumulative with the previous one).
Enter in play: Events phase, any turn.
Option #1: (historical choice) Zimmerman telegram intercepted by USA –
The diplomatic attitude of USA will seriously be affected: the diplomatic
level of USA is shifted by 4 points towards the Entente. In addition, a new
“Diplomacy” event is generated and shuffled in the deck.
Notes: once successfully in play, the event is discarded and cannot occur
again.
Economic Stratagems
Severe Blockade
Description: This event will make the effects of Blockade on Germany
worsening for the incoming turns.
Historical notes: Due to superior naval forces, the British were able to
establish a naval blockade of Germany already early in the war, which was
unusually brutal in even denying food deliveries. Over the course of the
war, the British blockade on Germany caused about 750,000 German
civilians to die from starvation. The effective naval blockade of German
seaports contributed significantly to the breakdown of morale and
productivity that led to the defeat of Germany. The blockade was even
continued after the Armistice in November 1918 until early 1919, causing
even more people dying from starvation.
Conditions: Great Britain must be at war against the Central Powers and
the political action “Blockade” must be in effect.
Difficulty: die roll 3+.
Modifiers: +3 if the USA are at war against the Central Powers.
Enter in play: Events phase, any turn.
Option #1: (historical choice) Germany suffers Major Blockade effects –
Germany will suffer from a +2 penalty to the Blockade Table die rolls
during the incoming 6 turns!
Notes: once successfully in play, the event is discarded and can be later
reshuffled in the deck.
Blockade Runners
Description: This event will improve your resistance to the Entente
blockade, bringing also some colonial troops as reinforcement.
Historical notes: The naval blockade enforced by the Entente Powers led to
great difficulties for the Central Powers in acquiring raw materials and
resupplying their overseas colonies. Merchant steamers were sometimes
employed for the hazardous task of running the blockade but other more
esoteric craft were also used to limited effect such as the cargo carrying
submarines Deutschland and Bremen or airships such as the L.59
Afrika-Schiff. In November 1917, the naval airship was ordered to prepare
for the resupply of Colonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck’s troops in German
East Africa. Setting out from a base in Bulgaria she soon ran into
difficulties and her radio was temporarily put out of action after
encountering an electrical storm over Crete. On November 23, 200 km
west of Khartoum her radio again became operational and she received an
abort message. The ship returned to Bulgaria arriving on November 25th,
having travelled over 6,800 km.
Conditions: Great Britain must be at war.
Difficulty: die roll 2+.
Enter in play: Events phase, any turn.
Option #1: (historical choice) Colony reinforced by successful blockade
runner – National Will of Germany is immediately boosted by 2 points, the
treasury of Germany receives an immediate bonus of 5 EPs and a
reinforcing 4-7-5 African corps is scheduled for the incoming turn.
Notes: once successfully in play, the event is discarded and can be later
reshuffled in the deck.
World War One: La Grande Guerre 1914-1918 183