Strafexpedition aka the Despoiling of the Azores

[Borys]

Borys     
Posted: Feb 20 2007, 05:03 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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Late Morning, December 13th, 5 miles SE of Porto Santo Island (Madeira Archipelago).

On the launch to the passenger liner s/s Almirante Reis (selected for briefing for its spacious rooms) Vize-Admiral Srnicek eyed his ,,armada". This was one of the most powerful fleets ever commanded by a Habsburg officer. Three Schlachtischiffe, 5 Panzer Kreuzer, and 6 Kleiner Kreuzer. Well, that was what he was supposed to have – the eldest and the youngest cruisers - the SMS Budapest and SMS Hussar had problems. Whilst the old PK was badly hit by the storm the Cruiser Squadron had run to, taking serious damage to its frame, it still could use its aramement and was good for 10 knots - so it could chug behind, operating independently. On the other hand, the inexperienced crew of the small cruiser had wrecked one shaft and turbine, and was limping to Pola for repairs. Out of line until the summer.

- "Almost criminal to use ships in their work-up periods for combat. But the Graz class is so lousy, that it is almost criminal NOT to use those fast ships." He made a note to self not to involve the SMS Graenzer in any feats of speeds unless absolutely necessary.

Taking various routes, the fleet had concentrated near their target. Hopefully nobody had detected the build up, especially that part of it had been in line with ,,normal" – for the last half year – Austrian maritime traffic.

The battleships and armoured cruisers had left Paranagua together, but soon split up. The Austrian PK sailed NW, to Colombia, to have their bottoms cleaned. This Squadron concentrated at Trinidad, from where it sailed straight across the stormy North Atlantic. Occasionally used for convoy duty, their sight in those waters was not surprisng - although their number was.

The Battleships, the DKB cruiser, and the Graz class KK disappeared into the middle Atlantic, making course NE for Liberia. After recoaling they had sailed northwards along the African shores, a bit further away from the coast as was common practice, as to be seen by as few ships as possible. Again, this was quite a natural and oft used route for KKK warships, even if not of such calibre as this.

The s/s Almirante Reis (a Portuguese charter) and s/s Harald Hadrada (a BL charter) had been making yet another run across the Atlantic in Habsburg service. This time with settlers, not troops. However, after passing the Cabo Verde Islands the ships sailed for Sao Luis de Maranhao, not Paranagua as originally planned. There the settlers were offloaded (to be taken by Colombian freighters to their destination) and three battalions of the Auslaender Legion embarked. Escorted by the SMS Graenzer and hapless sister ship – SMS Hussar – this detachment made its way North through the emptiness of the middle Atlantic. Being surrounded by a lawless countryside and with the cable in Austrian hands, as concerns news propagation Sao Luis could be on another planet. Nobody should expect any Austrian Infantry to come FROM Brazil. Austrian chartered liner and cruiser - yawn - seen every fortnight, either south or north bound.

The SMS Ulan and Jaeger had originaly been escorting the large, slow convoy with the Szent Istvan Corps. But they had left their charges near the Fernando de Noronha Islands, passing their care to Normal class cruisers, and made way to join the other fast ships at Sao Luis.

And there was yet another force, not present off the Portuguese island. It was somewhere to his North-East, puffing along at 8 knots. Here again he hoped the deception had worked. That specialized unit should be innocuous enough, not raising any suspicions, as it was taking a path which close to 200,000 Habsburg troops had covered since April of this year. Additionally, the Sappeurs had left with much publicity about their use against the Satanists at El Dorado.
- "Well, that was not to be" - he thought to himself - "There were Satanists to be had closer to home, at the doorstep of Europe."

Climbing aboard the liner and making his way to the large cabin to be used for the Officer Briefing, his thoughts meandered to the Brandenburger ship. Even if ostensibly speaking the same language, there were some subtle nuances in the words of command which prevented their full integration in the force. He had quickly agreed to their coveted role of "taking Mar's skull" - ("Was that a figure of speech, or had the Brandenburgers succumbed to some customs of the South Seas' Primitives?") - That should keep them busy and out of the line of fire of his ships.

- Gruss Gott, Meine Herren – he began – we are to punish the Evil Doers of the ACM. We are to bring God's Judgement to them, the Wrath of God for trafficking with Daemon Worshipers. Let us first Pray for the success of our mission.
- Our orders are ...

This post has been edited by Borys on Feb 20 2007, 08:37 PM
   
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Borys    
Posted: Feb 20 2007, 05:33 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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Habsburg OdeB

Battleships (Schlachtschiffe) - Schlachtgeschwader:
SMS Frankreich
SMS Tegethoff
SMS Jan Sobieski


Armoured Cruisers (Panzerkreuzer) - Panzergeschwader:
SMS Kronstadt
SMS Inssbruck
SMS Prag
SMS Budapest (detached)

DKB
SMS Prinz Adalbert

Protected Cruisers (Kleiner Kreuzer)
Graz class:
SMS Maria Theresia
SMS Ferdinand

Ulan class
SMS Ulan
SMS Jaeger

mod Ulan class
SMS Graenzer

troopships
s/s Almirante Reis and s/s Harald Hadrada
with 3 infantry battalions of the Auslander Freiwilliger Legion

the MarineInfanterie Battalion is spread at more or less half-company strenght across the KKK battleships and SMS Maria Theresia - half, and the Armoured Cruisers - half (400 men)

number of DKB cruisers may change - pending memory refresh by Swamphen
   
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Borys    
Posted: Feb 20 2007, 06:48 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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Darkness before sunrise on December 15th
Some 20 miles SE off Ponta Delgada. Speed 12 knots, course 310
Weather quite good.

Vize-Admiral Srnicek had sent out his small cruisers ahead, to positions off smaller ports on the Sao Miguel Island. Nobody was to escape the killing ground.

In the main body the lead ship was his, the Frankreich, followed by the Tegetthoff and Jan Sobieski. The Brandenburger Prinz Adalbert came immediately behind the battleships. The line was closed by the Maria Theresia. The passenger liners were 2 miles astern of the small cruiser, out of harms way. A pity he had not called in the GTB Flottille at Alhucema – made available to him by the Marinestab, but at this time of the year the Atlantic was particularly not to be trusted - he feared the tiny ships would founder.

The Panzerkreuzer Squadron, with the Kronstadt, Innsbruck and Prag was approaching the Island of Faial in like manner to his, to strike at the second base of the ACM fleet. And to capture the telegraphic cable stations.

Some 10 miles SE off Ponta Delgada
A message from the radio-room arrived. He walked up to a source of light on the bridge to read it. Bad news - the Panzerkreuzers had run into an inquisitive Cod class TPC ("they still have something afloat?") off Faial and had to sink it by gunfire. He sighed - so much for total surprise. But the fact that the ACM still had ships afloat made him modify his orders. Thank God for WT.

7:52 - 4 miles SE off Ponta Delgada - course 330
The first rays of the sun were illuminating the harbour and city. They had arrived as planned - with the sun at their backs. Through his binoculars Srnicek watched impassively as the grey hull of what he guessed to be the Almirante Grau to be making its way past the half mile long breakwater, exiting the harbour. "Slippery viper" was the kindest expression he could think off. A hit at this range was not likely, but maybe God will be with them.
They were almost on the territorial waters limit, so it was time for the guns.
- "Signal to Brandenburgers - "Intercept warship leaving harbour".
- "All ships - fire at will."
He went outside, waving away officers motioning towards the conning tower. Visibility was poor enough as was, and through the vision slits worst still.

The cunning whoever-was-giving-orders on the Almirante Grau decided not to turn westwards, and thus lose speed to the 180 degree turn. The ship simply accelerated eastwards and ran along the coast. This made her difficult to see against the still dark hills, and due to 25 miles an hour - and rising - passing speed - sharply cut down the time of exposure to fire.

Amid the booms of the front turrets of the Big Guns, the Brandenburgers turned sharply to E, to course 100, as to give the fleeing ship their left broadsides. After losing speed to this sharp turn they began to accelerate, to catch their coveted prey.
   
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Borys    
Posted: Feb 20 2007, 07:46 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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Soon the ACM - or was it Peruvian – cruiser passed the 20 knot mark. The white water at the bow made her easier to see, but the speed and zigzagging made here even more difficult to hit.

Srnicek always had the feeling that the third point on their list of objectives (now the personal pennant of the Criminal was vislble) would not be accomplished, so it was not with such a heavy heart that he ordered the battleships to cease fire. He ordered the WT to transmit "The hens have flown from the henhouse" – hopefully the newly setup station at Alhucema would pick it up. If it didn't pick up signals from the strongest transmitter the Navy had, he would repeat it by cable – if he captured the Post Office relatively intact, that is. He found rumours of New Swiss ships in the South China Sea maintaining radio contact with their base at Honolulu hard to believe.

New orders were given, with the flags repeating what had been discussed 2 days before at Porto Santo.

The formation slowed down and turned to course 270 degrees, now parallel to the coast. They were now exactly opposite to the yards at Sao Rotado, to the west of which was the fishing port, and finally the Grand Harbour of Ponta Delgada, protected by its half a mile long breakwater. There, on the waterfront, along the Avenida do Commercio, in the queer but strangely logical mix of warehouses and Governmental buildings, beat the heart of the ACM. The panorama was enclosed from the West by the ancient Castelo do Sao Bras.

Light was improving fast, as was typical for southern latitudes. After slowing down and effecting the turn the battleships commenced their bombardment. The first targets were any warships noticed in the harbour, even if close to merchants ("tough luck"). After ensuring lack of ACM Armada response the Frankreich – with the heaviest armament in the fleet - turned onto the Castle, whilst the two other ships turned to their pre-designated targets. The secondary guns began to turn the waterfront and yards into a burning inferno. The main guns sought out targets further a field, like the Delagrande Palace, Presidential residence, or Navy Arsenal. On the waterfront only the Post Office and church of Sao Miguel were spared the wrath of Austrian ordnance.

Amidst the roar of guns, on their seaward sides the big ships lowered their boats. The boats were filled with MarineInfanterie. The cockleshells cast away and let themselves be overtaken by the battleline, and then turned at right angles and headed for the harbour – with row boats being towed by the steam launches. The landing force was preceded what had been the last ship in the line – the SMS Maria Theresia. Korvetten Kapitan Schlachtiger – given command over the landing operation - had a terrible feeling of deja vu. Entering a burning harbour, with naval artillery wrecking the waterfront district, on a sister ship of the vessel he had lost - it was so very much like Tangier again that it hurt. But this time he was going in to capture the town, and not trying to save Habsburg Infanterie being massacred on the wharf.

The small cruiser's 4 guns and multiple machine guns were to brush aside any surviving floating threat to the 400 marines, and then give covering fire to their landing in the fishing port. There were no other favourable places for landing – there were walls all around the harbour.
   
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Borys    
Posted: Feb 20 2007, 07:56 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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Various points on the Azores, later in the morning of December the 15th 1904

1 - Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel

The Marines secured the Post Office and breakwater. There were losses when storming the Alfandega, i.e. the all-important Customs Building. The liners moored at the wharf and began disgorging their 18000 soldiers. A manhunt for ACM Directors began. Due to scarcity of Austrians who knew them (see below), the Vize-Admiral decided to put a price on their heads.

2 - Horta, Faial

The Panzerkreuzer had subdued ACM opposition and landed the half-battalion to capture the cable stations, thus cutting off the Azores from the world

3 - Battle of Ponta da Madrugada, eastern Sao Miguel

The Almirante Grau surprised the small convoy bringing the Sappeur Abteilung - 4 freighters and the SMHS Andreas Hopfer. The auxilliary ship sacrificed herself to protect the merchants, which tried to scatter. Almirant Grau only managed to sink one ship before it decided to continue its escape - the approaching and stubbornly giving chase Prinz Adalbert was well visible. Sunk is not the correct word - due to the explosives on board it was an impressive fireball.

Not only was one coy of the Sappeurs lost, but also some diplomatic personell embarked on the Andreas Hopfer - previously posted to Ponta Delgada - which was to aid in contacts with the locals and in the hunt for high ranking AC officials. Happily the civilian engenieurs had been dispersed across the freighters, so only one fourth were lost.
   

[Borys]

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Borys    
Posted: Feb 20 2007, 08:22 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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Diplomatic release. Cabled out in evening of the 14th, delivered to respective Governments in the morining of the 15th

This morning the Habsburg Empire and the Deutsches Kaiserreich Brandenburg attacked the ACM. This Strafexpedition is give the world - and those low enough to contemplate similar actions - the lesson that one does not have truck with Agrival Mars with impunity. Dealings with this notorious Satan worshipping international criminal will lead to Just Retribution from all God Fearing and Law Abiding Nations.
The Austrian and Neubrandenburger Govt's do not harbour any inimical intentions towards the UKA. No actions against it are envisioned. The two Allied Govt's see the Treaty of New York, signed with a Bandittenstadt, as Null and Void in light of International Law.
   
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Borys    
Posted: Feb 20 2007, 09:08 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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Due to power shortage part of Note missing and sent out again on the morning of the 15th

Full text, as delivered in the afternoon of the 15th to respective Govt's:

This morning the Habsburg Empire and the Deutsches Kaiserreich Brandenburg attacked the ACM. This Strafexpedition is give the world - and those low enough to conemplate similar actions - the lesson that one does not have truck with Agrival Mars with impunity. Dealings with this notorious Satan worshipping international criminal will lead to Just Retribution from all God Fearing and Law Abiding Nations.
The Austrian and Neubrandenburger Govt's do not harbour any inimical intentions towards the UKA. No actions against it are envisioned. The two Allied Govt's see the Treaty of New York, signed with a Bandittenstadt, as Null and Void in light of International Law.
Neither do the Austrian and Neubrandenburger Govt's harbour any designs on any territories currently under ACM rule. Both Interested Govt's agree that the best solution would be to assign the Islands to custody of one of the Iberian Monarchies.
   
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Earl822    
Posted: Feb 21 2007, 03:15 AM


Hegemon
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Could I have had a PM to warn me of this lot, coz at the moment, the ACM is still not Game playable (a lot of work going on)
   
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Earl822    
Posted: Feb 21 2007, 03:23 AM


Hegemon
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Oh and I forgot to tell Maddox, there are at least 50000+ lvl 4 Soldiers in the Azores, wait he told me that! It may also be noted that I am behind with my News by some way, and with exception to some scenes in the First Sea Lords Office, I'd almost given up on writing it at the moment, none the less, those scenes were going to Put the First Battle squadron and escort in the Azores.
   
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Earl822    
Posted: Feb 21 2007, 03:38 AM


Hegemon
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and that Cod Cruiser will still be afloat in Q1, unless you sank a different one to the one that is supposed to be in the Azores in Q1?
   
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Borys    
Posted: Feb 21 2007, 03:43 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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OOC
I produced lots of posts about ship and troop movements.
On Feb 15th I gave the heaviest hint imaginable (by me, at least).
http://z4.invisionfree.com/Navalism/index....dpost&p=4155995

Four days later I acted on your lack of reaction.

50,000 troops - there are nine islands ... how are they distributed?

I have 5 1/2 Battalions - some 5000 rifles - this is enough for my purposes.

Borys

This post has been edited by Borys on Feb 21 2007, 04:17 AM
   
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Borys    
Posted: Feb 21 2007, 03:50 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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I was going by this post:
http://z4.invisionfree.com/Navalism/index....dpost&p=4155348

Battleships:-

Azores Class BB-Azores, it's sister ship Macao, supposedly underconstruction was probably nearly finished, but was scrapped to keep the Azores afloat
Wall Class CDBB's-(Insert Name)'s, probably grounded as a defence batteries, ala Fort Greater Napoleon.

AC's:-
Bass Class AC-(Bass), badly worn, and only worthy of scrapping.
Tuna Class AC-(Tuna), In reasonably good condition, but requiring a major refit.
Marlin Class AC's-(Names Irellivent), On slips, little more than keels in the process of being scrapped.

TPC's:-
Salmon Class TPC's-(Swordfish & Scallop), one beached and in process of scrapping, the other is afloat, but is not worthy of a refit, is acting as flagship in Bahamas.
Carp Class TPC-(Clam), listing badly, and holed below waterline, only good for scrap.
Haddock Class TPC's-(Whitefish & Herring), one in Drydock, only useful for scrap, other is wrecked on rocks.
Cod Class TPC-(Cusk), Only TPC capable of undertaking patrols, will be refitted for service.

The only ships mentioned as being operational are the Azores, Tuna and Cusk. Plus small fry. Battleships are not prone to single dawn patrols, so I worked my way up from smallest cruiser.

IMO it is likely that a TB would not had caused enough of a commotion to merit an alert. I could had simply rammed it.
   
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Borys    
Posted: Feb 21 2007, 06:26 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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15th December
Various points in the Azores, early afternoon

1 - Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel
The Sappeurs and surviving wet diplomats arrive. After confirmation of identity several captured ACM directors are shot. The De La Grande palace is ransacked, producing valuable papers and valuables. Servants claim that just before dawn the "Old Master" was dragged away by the "Young Mistress" to her husband's ship.

The Sappeurs, supervised by civilian engineers, began systhematic demolition of naval facilites. Locks, pumps, cranes - all the vital pieces identified by civilians are blown up. Other civilian engineers supervise looting of documents from the offices of firms involved with naval and military production. Attempt to reach factories outside of Ponta Delgada beaten off by hastily forming ACM troops.

Population given notice to loot coal from port for own use before it is put to the torch.


2 - Horta, Faial
ACM counterattack forces MarineInfanterie out of cable stations. These - already damaged by retreating Austrians - are later subject to bombardment until destroyed by the Panzer Kreuzer. The surviving MarineInfanterie are taken off the beaches by small boats.


3 - Santa Maria
Anything that looks like a factory or yard is bombarded by the SMS Budapest
   
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Borys    
Posted: Feb 21 2007, 07:03 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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Afternoon and night of the 15th December

1 - Ponta Delgada
Demolition of Naval yard continues. Factories within the city are now coming under same treatment, although lighter and/or valuable equipment is taken to the port and loaded on impressed freighters. Due to growing ACM pressure the third AL battalion disembarks, which is a change on previous plans. Two more Directors found and shot.

2 - Santa Maria
Intermittent shelling by SMS Budapest continues

3 - Angra do Heroismo, Terceira
Alerted by various means about what is going on at Faial, the Tenente do Navio Joze Manuel Souza de Medeiros takes all operational TBs - three - for a nightime attack at the agressors.

4 - Horta, Faial
The Panzer Kreuzer keep the naval base under fire. A landing attempt fails with heavy loss of life.
A daring nightime attack by ACM TBs sinks the SMS Prag. Hit by two torpedos - one of whch is a dud - she capsizes after 7 minutes.
The TBs shot up by machine gun fire escape, although one has to beach itself on Faial. The other two return to Angra.

16th December
1 - Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel
Removal of equipment and demolition of factories continues through the night. Some attacks by civilians on Austrian troops taking the loot to the harbour are met with gunfire.
In the morning the Austrians abandon the city, torching remaining ACM Gov't buildings and the coal supplies in the port.
The impressed freighters sail south, where they encouter the Budapest off Santa Maria. The freighters, now accmpanied by the cruier, sail to the South.


Sao Miguel, later during the day
With devastating fire support from the ships, Austrian troops land near industrial establishements. After demolishing all they can, the infantry and sappeurs retire to the boats.

2 - Horta, Faial
During the day the crowded - fished out sailors outnumber the berths freed by dead and drowned Marines - the 2 remaining cruisers - Innsbruck and Kronstadt - maintan station off Horta, using their guns to prevent repair ttepts at the cable stations or naval base. At nght the ships retire 25 miles to the SW, to avoid another night time attack.

17th December
Horta, Faial - plus other islands of the Central Group
In the morning the Innsbruck and Kronstadt return, reinforced by the Prinz Adalbert and Marie Theresia, plus the Harald Hadrada and a freighter. Naval bombardment allows the infanterie to land and temporarily take the port. Facilities are blown up and the coal stocks put on fire.
The battleships shell industrial and maritime facilities on Faial, Pico and Sao Jorge. In some cases this fire made it possible to land small demolition teams.
At night the combined force takes a round-about way to Terceira. Special care was taken to put the coal stocks at Velas (Sao Jorge) on fire.

18th December
1 - Angra do Heroismo, Tereceira
Even with heavy naval fire attempts to land troops were not successful. The Austrian ships limit themselves to shelling.

2 - Santa Cruz, Flores
The cruiser division fires off its remaining shells to burn the coal stocks

During the night, the whole force sails Eastwards towards the Straits of Gibraltar.
   
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Earl822    
Posted: Feb 21 2007, 08:47 AM


Hegemon
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This all seems pretty useless, as officially as of Q1 1905, The ACM (by then a player nation) is supposed to have in the Azores 5HBP, 2MBP, and 2LBP.

But IC:

Official Despatch from King Michael II of the UKA to Austria the DKB.


QUOTE
What you have commited in attacking the ACM, can only be construed as an act of war against the ACM, and thus by treaty, the UKA. We will look lightly on you this time, as long as the Islands of the Azores are either returned to the control of the ACM, or to its second largest shareholder, the UKA. If this is not done, a state of war will exist between us, and all Austrian and DKB nationals in UKA territories will be arrested for either internship or deportation.

[Borys]

Borys     
Posted: Feb 21 2007, 09:14 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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OOC
I suppose that the date of the Note is December 15th, maybe 16th

IC
Ballplats, 19th December 1904

The Habsburg Government - and we trust that the DKB also - considers Azores ruled by a new Board of Directors, composed by individuals untainted by contacts with the Notorious Agrival Mars, to be one of the solutions acceptable to the Habsburg State.
The Habsburgs and DKB protest the damage to property held by its Subjects in the UKA, and expect payment of due and just damages.
   
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Ithekro    
Posted: Feb 21 2007, 11:34 AM


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(That was another reason I was going to wait until January-March to move on this)
   
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Borys    
Posted: Feb 21 2007, 12:50 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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Habsburg losses:
1 Armoured Cruiser
1 Auxiliary Vessel (Imperial Yacht)

238 men

41 Rohanian merchant seamen from the s/s Luthien

Heer&other
200 Marineinfanterie
250 Sappeurs
500 Kaiserjaeger
600 Auslaender Freiwilliger
15 diplomats
4 volunteer engineers

1569 men, of which 600 were victims of the same fireball when the s/s Luthien exploded

   
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Earl822    
Posted: Feb 21 2007, 02:00 PM


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15th Dec seems right, sorry I was at uni when I posted that, and IE was mucking about
   
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Borys    
Posted: Feb 21 2007, 05:50 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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OOC
IE is otherwise known as the Internet Exploder smile.gif

Sailing on the evening of the 15th will get you to the Azores - if you take battleships along - on the night from the 21/22.
And with empty coal bunkers smile.gif

I did some some checking around and ran some calculations concerning your vessels smile.gif

I was planning to hang around longer, but some mistakes in my planning came out during the operation - e.g. like no spare ammunition. And I should have taken a full Army Brigade, too.
Well, live and learn ...
Borys
   
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swamphen    
Posted: Feb 21 2007, 09:15 PM


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Pretty good. biggrin.gif

(Just a note, it was the two Prinz Adalberts with the force, Prinz Heinrich is still holed up in southern Brazil.)
   
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Borys    
Posted: Feb 21 2007, 09:31 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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OOC
All Heinrichs I could catch have mutated into Adalberts. The captain is invited to Vienna for a Honoris Causa from the Wiener Politechnik Hochschule.
   
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Earl822    
Posted: Feb 22 2007, 02:51 AM


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We'll arrive on the 24th with Coal, plus the UKA has its merchant fleet in the Atlantic sowe can get easy re-supply.
   
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Borys    
Posted: Feb 22 2007, 03:12 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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OOC
I humbly point out that:
- upon departure on the 15th or 16th the UKA does not know about the destroyed coal stocks; this might be guessed at, even if Austrians are not known for being thorough (or are they?);
- UKA merchants do not have W/T;
- 10 knots is mighty fast for a coaler - 8 knots is much more likely;
- the UKA fleet was caught by surprise - even if warships can be hastily assembled and expedited - with some missing crewmen - rounding up coalers might take more time;

Maybe the battlefleet - sailing prudently at 10 knots, as to arrive with some coal reserve, does show up on the 24th at Flores and sends out cruisers (which have ample reserves of coal) to check what is going on, waiting for coaliers to arrive on the 26/27th.

This is my vision of the logistics involved, which might be flawed, of course. I might be missing something obvious for instance.

I expected your cruisers to show up on the 22nd, and yes - your battleships on the 24th smile.gif

Borys


   
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P3D    
Posted: Feb 22 2007, 03:20 AM


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May I interfere a bit, but I think it is not too stretching to place the UKA fleet into higher readiness after the Austrian and DKB reaction.
   
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Earl822    
Posted: Feb 22 2007, 03:24 AM


Hegemon
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The UKA fleet has sailed many times in the last few years, and often near Christmas. The merchant fleet would have easily been rounded up, (the beauties of pigeon post), and the liners, well the Royal Family has a rather large share in Cunard. The UKA fleet usually always sails in a way to best reserve coal.
   
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Borys    
Posted: Feb 22 2007, 03:30 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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OOC
The fact is that a heightened state of readiness was not mentioned.
But as they say on the Azores, nao se chora sobre leite derramado (you don't cry over split milk).
It doesn't matter anyway - I did the "Bravely brave Sir Robin" bit, and I've scarpered, I've buggered orf!
smile.gif

On the 24th the Punitive Expedition - churning white water at 9 knots - will be a day or two from Gibraltar anyway smile.gif

Good to know about the speed, might be useful in the future ....

How do pigeons work at sea?

Borys
   
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Earl822    
Posted: Feb 22 2007, 03:33 AM


Hegemon
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OOC:

Good, then war can be averted, just. The Admiralty is just permanently edgy, ever since the initial collapse of the ACM, and the near loss of Warwickshire to a mere TCA.


And in a way Austria has done the UKA a great favour.
   
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P3D    
Posted: Feb 22 2007, 03:35 AM


Hegemon
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OTOH it would take longer than a few days to embark two infantry divisions, especially if half the liner fleet is away, presumably taking passengers. 200,000t of shipping you need cannot be assembled so quickly (one corps with combat load). I'd call it a few weeks.

The ACM passivity is, however, surprising, after all the hostile moves made by the two Kaisers.
   
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Borys    
Posted: Feb 22 2007, 03:42 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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OOC
No one expects the Austrian Punitive Expedition!

After making angry noises after the treaty of New York was signed, the two Empires kept quiet. Austrian naval traffic across the Atlantic has been a constant since April, so ships under the red-white-red flag heading either way were no cause for surprise nor excitement. I tried to outline the deception, the last minute concentration, the drawing of troops from an unexpected quarter, the use of lesser used waters in the 13th of December post.
To this add the sending of the newest troopships with a Foreign Legion Brigade EAST - to the Philippines. While troopships sailing West were carrying smelly goatherds.
Also, the ACM had just signed a mutual defence treaty with the UKA, which issued a stern "keep off" warning to the H&H alliance.
Borys

[Borys]

Maddox     
Posted: Feb 22 2007, 03:45 AM


Hegemon
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Taking Moderator Hat.


Agrival, not the most available player on the forum, as asked me to avoid him to play a country.

Recently, a lot of PM's and negotiations later, the ACM could reach the player status again.

With Agrival as figurehead.

The Habsburg and Deutsche Kaiserreigh Brandenburg involvement, logic as it is, doesn't change a bit, except a potential war with the UKA and others.

For now, the Habsburgers came to the ACM, defeated the feeble ACM homeland defences and caused a lot of damage and are leaving again, mission only partialy accomplished.
   
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Borys    
Posted: Feb 22 2007, 03:58 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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OOC
BTW - I started putting the expedition together early in November, after I learnt of Agrival being active in the Azores. I wanted to show up at Ponta Delgada and demand Mars being turned over to me - or burn the warehouses. This was before the treaty was announced.
The first orders for the December 15th attack were given around November 8th - 6 weeks of fleet and troops movements ...
I hope I left ample evidence in the KK Zeitung and Case Platinum threads.

I really should had taken a Kaiserjaeger Brigade ...

Borys
   
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Earl822    
Posted: Feb 22 2007, 05:01 AM


Hegemon
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The UKA had been planning to move, I just kept failing to post the News.
   
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Maddox    
Posted: Feb 24 2007, 01:44 AM


Hegemon
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Current events, Paris, Hotel Bonaparte


Ah, Capet, join us in a cognac. We're just discussing the Austrians audacity in the Azores.

That is a very interesting subject monsieur Marcel. I'll join you, but I prefer a Kirr Royal to a cognac.

Good choice, as always. But I stay with the excelent cognac.
Garçon, un Kirr Royale pour monsieur, and be sure it won't get empty.
Ah, yes, the Hapsburgs, what to do. They show such cheek, do they not?

Yes they do. I must say, I'm not thrilled with them destroying the property we could have had impounded as repayments for the contracts broken.

I agree, Capet, on the other side, we have to many irons in the fire already. So if the Habsburgers solve the "problem Agrival" why should we spend, time and resources?

Well, it may be a case of simply giving them enough enough rope to hang themselves with.

So, we adopt a wait and see stance?

I think that is the best course--they have stirred up even more international resentment against them, and that can only work to our favor.

It's at least the cheapest way. But I do not like the Habsburgers getting to frisky. Glorious France already has lost to much prestige with the Brazil debacle.
I wish we would have known earlier about his duality , his other masters...

Regards the Hapsburgers, they live in a box. France can remind them any time it chooses. We can deny them the Atlantic at or whim, and the Suez is the only other way out.

You're right Marcel, but using that option to much, and they will find a way out, even if they have to build a railroad right trough the Ottoman Empire. Emperor Stefan is fanatical enough to do so, and use Jeruzalem as a stop over.
Paixhans, we didn't know, and we have to deal with the facts. So, what do you know about the gran Colombian offensive against El Dorado? That is were Premier Palpaté is.

I cannot say I've kept up on those details too much--work at the ministry has been accumulating faster than I can get it off my desk these days.

I know Marcel, I don't blame you for this. It's not your job to watch that. Just keep the research with the ears in a good track, and coordinate other efforts

Work on those tracks comes along, but I think it could be improved. I was digging through some paperwork the other evening, and discovered in the archives that there was an agreement with our neighbors cross channel to coordinate research with France. Now, to my knowledge, the records say we transferred torpedo technology to them, but we've yet to collect much in the way of debt there. Perhaps the death of their old emperor is to blame, but a polite reminder may be in order.

Ah, that can enhance my position in the latest rounds of negotiations. But what torpedo tech? The one we got from the ACM, or the indegious?

The paperwork seemed a bit incomplete, but it mentions the transfer of 18" torpedoes to the Essalieyans. In return, they were supposed to collaberate with us on other research projects. That has not happened.

Surprisingly, after the disaster.I suggest we do not involve the Essalieyans in the ears research.

Indeed, but what is the ears thing exactly?I'm afraid I'm only involved around the edges of it, but I know it's important. Papers crossing my desk mention it, but never any details.


Marcel, I'm afraid even I can't tell... all I can say it is very important. And the details are very visible. L'Inquisiteur is equipped with the latest version. But results are not entirely satisfactionary.

I'm sure it all has a good reason. Minister, but for now, the Habsburgers can hunt Agrival Mars as they please?


   
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Borys    
Posted: Feb 24 2007, 05:30 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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OOC
Earl, just to clarify:
- the vessels sent to the Azores were placed on war footing, with resulting increase in upkeep?
- the Infantry Corps was not mobilized, thus at some 30,000 strenght?

Borys
   
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Earl822    
Posted: Feb 24 2007, 06:11 AM


Hegemon
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Increased upkeep will be accounted for, please hold on until I have fully revised my plans, as it is, I am at Home (thus not at Uni), for the weekend, and thus, my internet access is limited, so I will be very slow in catching up.
   
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Borys    
Posted: Feb 24 2007, 07:46 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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OOC
OK - I will not invade Long Island before Tuesday.
Borys
   
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swamphen    
Posted: Feb 24 2007, 10:27 PM


Großeadmiral Sumpfhühn
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QUOTE (Borys @ Feb 24 2007, 07:46 AM)
OOC
OK - I will not invade Long Island before Tuesday.
Borys

*whistles innocently away...*
   
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Earl822    
Posted: Feb 25 2007, 05:05 PM


Hegemon
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OOC:Make it Wednesday. Once I've got Maddox's agreement on what I'm planning to do, I'm gonna need some time to rearrange things, specifically my Quarterly reports before I can move on, the good news is though my health seems to be returning so I can do more again.
   
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Borys    
Posted: Feb 25 2007, 06:28 PM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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Ahoj!
No need to worry about the Habsburgs. I'm leaving the sim for good.
Bye!
Borys
   
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Desertfox    
Posted: Feb 25 2007, 06:36 PM


Commander Johann Wyss
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Hu? Why?
   
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Ithekro    
Posted: Feb 25 2007, 10:02 PM


King of Rohan
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I always worry about the Hapsburgs. I mean they are everywhere. You never know when you'll be walking along and this guy will jump out of nowhere and demand to know if you have been saved by the one true God and then not give you a chance to answer before declaring you to be a heathen that must be saved and....wait that wasn't a Hapsburg (or was it?) The world may never know....

So why you leaving?
   
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Borys    
Posted: Feb 26 2007, 01:16 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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QUOTE (Ithekro @ Feb 26 2007, 05:02 AM)

So why you leaving?

Ahoj!

In this post, in the last sentence
http://z4.invisionfree.com/Navalism/index....dpost&p=4162767
QUOTE
Regards fractions and decimals, I almost always round up to the nearest whole number, or very rarely, to the nearest .5.  It creates lost resources, which is not entirely inaccurate, but speeds things up immeasurably. I label the lost fractions, "government subsidies to industry," and don't bother with it.

QUOTE
Looking at your data again - where do I say I do not like the starting 40 HBP and 24 MBP for the same reasons I did not like END's 10 HBP and 0 MBP. In this thread, or here:
http://z4.invisionfree.com/Navalism/index.php?showtopic=931


This has been my setup from the beginning of the sim, when first created, deal with it.


there used to be "so STFU and" in front of "deal". Now removed. After checking the meaning of that acronym I decided that this board is not for me.

Borys
   
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Maddox    
Posted: Feb 26 2007, 03:08 AM


Hegemon
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I removed all the "insults" in the tread Borys refers to.
In an attempt to keep the board clean and easy for everyone.


I failed.
Again.
   
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Borys    
Posted: Feb 26 2007, 04:22 AM


Kaiser und Koenig Stefan
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Ahoj!
Adapting a well known saying to the situation:

The sand is always cleaner in the sandbox over the hill.
smile.gif

Borys