After the major defeat in Weiden, Stalin's remaining troops retreated back across the border to Vienna, where he was faced with an insurgency. Since the departure from Vienna, the remaining defenders had abused the local population. Forced to put down a rebellion and prepare the defense against the EA forces, which are still on his trail. On January 2nd, 1922, EA forces approached Vienna. General Stalin rounded up all of the population, armed them and ordered them to defend the city. To make sure the civilians would not desert, he took the mayor as his hostage. However, as soon as the German troops surrounded the city, the Austrian civilians deserted and joined the German army. Unable to raise a good defense, General Stalin retreated back to Budapest, where he hoped he would have time to f