QuoteFurther south, the semi-dreadnought Mahmud Reis is struck by two torpedoes, one of which breaches a transverse bulkhead aft.  Tonnes of water pour into the ship and she begins to sink by the stern.  She is ordered abandoned at 1647 as her sisters leave her behind.  She finally goes down a half hour later under the watchful eyes of the reformed Allied line.. 

Good end for a bad ship. Damned Italian bulkheads. I'm glad she got sunk when she was someone elses.

Quote from: The Rock Doctor on July 31, 2008, 06:43:33 PM
I was thinking around the same percentage of dead to wounded myself.  Probably another 25% won't be fit for combat duty again (then again, the Hapsburgers might eventually get desperate).

Looking at WWI casualty figures, KIA was between 20% and ~40%, so I'd suggest 25%
KIA (to be subtracted from national population), another 25% (my guess) as unfit for further duty and 50% 'lightly' injured.

Quote from: miketr on July 31, 2008, 05:40:40 PM
Not saying that the Ottoman Navy will not continue to be a pain and cause us trouble in defense but this battle opens the Eastern Med to us and gives us more choices and the Turks less. 

Yes. I envision this as the end of Ottoman naval operations west of Matapan.

Quote from: miketr on July 31, 2008, 05:40:40 PM
It could be the end of the war or major step towards it.

Yes, it should.
Borys

Quote from: The Rock Doctor on August 01, 2008, 08:37:14 AM

QuoteThe Sublime Porte regrets that Imperial Russia has chosen to recognize a state that does not yet exist. 

The Sublime Porte has concluded that a small minority of zealous Greeks, with the assistance of outside forces, has made further co-existence of Greeks and other loyal Ottoman subjects impractical.  As such, the Sublime Porte has indicated to the Iberian Empire and Hapsburger Kaiserreich that it is now prepared to negotiate the secessation and creation of a new Greek state. 

It is the Sultan's hope that the creation of a new Greek state will satisfy the Iberian Empire and Hapsburger Kaiserreich's humanitarian concerns, allowing all three powers to conclude a ceasefire and return of their armed forces to their own soil.

The Imperial-and-Royal Government notes with satisfaction the new position of the Sublime Porte.  The Moanrchy would wish to add to these talks the issue of the "small minority of zealous Greeks" a smilarly small and zealous number of Servians and Makedonians, who wish to be rulled by a Christian Monarch.

"The Sublime Porte has agreed to consider the creation of a new Greek state; not the wholesale dismemberment of the Sublime Porte."

Quote from: olekit on August 01, 2008, 04:05:20 AM
9\1912

The Russian official position of Greece
The Russian Empire recognises the Independent Greece and is ready to provide help and supply for the new nation.
The Russian Empire insists on discussing the conditions of the Greece Independence, her territory and international position at the Paris Congresse of Iberia, Austria and Ottoman Empire. 
The Russian Empire hopes, that Iberia and Austria will support the Russian iniciative and Greece independence will be one of the conditions to cease fire.

The Habsburger Kaiser-und-Koenigreich is surprised by the Russian note. Although the Monarchy is pleased by Russia's verbal support of the Greek Cause, it does not consider the Russian Empire to be a Party to the Paris talks.
The Paris negotiations are between the Directly Interested, i.e., the Belligerent Powers, and the Mediating Power.
Russia is not present on the battlefield. Nor had the Offices of Mediation been requested of Her.

Sunday 8th of September 1912
Belgrade

It had taken about two weeks to prepare everything for the Grand Day. A major problem was bringing in the bells for the 200 mosques converted to churches (and for the existing churches, too).  And installing them in previosly empty bellfreis or hastily converted minarets. Bringing in the Imperial-Royal couple was much, much easier ...
So the morning of Sunday the 8th of September 1912 began with the din of bells, never before tolling in such number. The last time any bells had tolled was in 1739, before the last Fall to the Turk.

A field mass outside the Fortress was celebrated by Lukijan Bogdanovic, the 6th Patriarch of Karlovci, the 46th Patriarch of the Serbs. The Holy Mass was attended by the whole Court and Government, with all Orthdox members taking Communion. Naturaly, the most promiment were the Empress Yelena herself, and the freshly nominated General der Infanterie/Gyalogsági Tábornok - Svetozar von Bojan-Boreovic.
During the parade any jeering that might have had happened was drowned out by the constant bell tolling and roars of approval as the soldiers of the Korps involved in the liberation of the city marched past.
In the afternon yet another ceremony took place - in the presence of the 46th Patriarch of the Serbs, the Empress Yelena Vladimiryevna von Habsburg-Romanova took a spade and turned the first earth on the construction site of the Church of Saint Sava - which was to become the seat of the Patriachate uniting all Servians under a single Spiritual Leader.

During his sermons and speeches of the day, His Holiness Lukijan did not shy from drawing comparisons between Stefan Dusan and the current Habsburg Emperor, who so conveniently was the Serbian Emperor's namesake.

Nor did the Habsburg downplay the connection - in his short speech delviered in Serbo-Croat Stefan expressely mentioned making Serbia "stretch to the Sea once again, like in Stepan Duschan's time".

Apologies for the delay.

12 September 1912:  Crete

With the Allied beachheads now secure and the first wave of troops unloaded, minesweeping operations begin in an effort to secure an anchorage for future naval operations. 

13 September 1912:  Serbia

The Hapsburger Reserve Army resumes its attack on Ottoman positions around Obrez.  This effort is succesful and dislodges the Ottomans, who suffer an estimated sixteen thousand casualties to approximately ten thousand amongst the Hapsburgers.

As the Ottomans fall back towards the headwaters of the Great Morava, they are harassed by Hapsburger cavalry who pick off a few slower-moving or isolated units.  Amongst these is a convoy of horse-drawn wagons loaded with artillery ammunition.  As this is not compatible with Hapsburger calibers, the capture does not gain much interest - until engineers sent to detonate it note that the shells are stamped in Spanish.  An Iberian liaison officer confirms that, according to the markings on the shells, they are from the Naciones Unidas de Suramerica.

13 September 1912:  Crete

The Hapsburger minesweeper M-4 is badly damaged (down to 43%) after a mine detonates rather close to the hull.

15 September 1912:  Montenegro

The Iberian Expeditionary Force launches another attack on Ottoman fortified lines in the vicinity of Nudo.  With a more prolonged artillery barrage preceeding the attack, the ensuing assault by Iberian XVIII Mountain Corps is succesful, albeit bloody:  seven thousand dead and wounded litter the approach to the Ottoman bunkers, and another thousand fall in and around the trenches and bunkers themselves. 

The Ottoman forces under attack collapse, but the Iberians are too physically exhausted to do more than secure a two mile wide gap in the Ottoman lines.  The Ottomans, for their part, seem unwilling or unable to stage a counter-attack.

16 September 1912:  Greece

Greek rebel forces report that they control the Peloponesian peninsula, up to a No Man's Land around the Corinth Canal.  There, the Ottomans are well dug in, and have cut up a few Greek efforts to storm across the canal.

Resistence from Ottoman forces on the peninsula has been reported to be minimal - perhaps a division or two, at most.  Ottoman activity has been concentrated on two tasks - evacuating Muslim citizens and their essential belongings via coastal steamers was the early focus.  With this task coming to a close since early in the month, the Ottomans have also taken to destruction of bridges, factories, and burning of crops.  There aren't enough Ottoman troops to make it a systematic effort, but it's going to be a problem.

17 September 1912:  Serbia

Thanks to aerial scouting reports, Ottoman cavalry are able - barely - to slow down the flanking attack of the Hapsburger VIII Corps, which has marched through the highlands and into the valley of the West Morava.  Hapsburger artillery harasses the Ottomans as the latter continue south in the direction of Nis.

18 September 1912:  Vigo, Iberia

The Nuestra Señora de Las Vinas (2,682 GRT) is reported six days overdue from Belem, Brazil.

19 September 1912:  Belgrade

A column of pro-independence Serbians marching through Belgrade collides with a parade of pro-Hapsburger Serbians doing the same thing.  A brawl ensues along several adjacent streets, with cobblestones being thrown at both civilians and the Hapsburger cavalry who arrive to restore order.  This isn't fully accomplished until well into the next morning, by which time several dozen buildings have been set ablaze and at least forty people are dead.

19 September 1912:  Crete

With most of the Iberian Marines and AFL now ashore, the Allied army pushes eastward.  The Marines take the coastal route, along the northern shore.  The AFL marches into the mountains of the Lefka Ori.  East of Souda, the first serious resistence from Ottoman defenders is encountered; unfortunately, the Ottomans seem most inclined to set up ambushes on ridges and high ground, plaster exposed Allied troops as they attack, and then withdraw to the next position during the confusion. 

20 September 1912:  Montenegro

After a few days' worth of preparation, the Iberian Expeditionary Corps begins attacking the Ottoman fortified line south of its initial breakthrough.  The Ottomans have been preparing for this, but are hindered by the limited ability of their artillery to shoot into other parts of the line.  A similar issue exists with the fortifications themselves, which are capable of protecting those within from small arms and mountain gun fire, but do not offer effective lines of fire into the Iberian-occupied section of the line.

A lot of the fighting consists of short-range gunfights and melee actions, which cost both sides dearly.  Ultimately, however, the Iberians are better equipped, better trained, and better supplied.  They roll up three miles of fortified lines on this first day of the effort, at a cost of two thousand casualties.

20 September 1912:  Serbia

4 Janissary Corps tries - and fails - to break out of Batocina once again. Several hundred prisoners are captured by the Hapsburger Third Army and, when interrogated, indicate that they were running out of food.

21 September 1912:  Cartagena

The Iberian embassy is advised that the Iberian refidgerated freighter Halcon (4,488 GRT), expected in Esmeraldas on 12 September 1912 from Manila, is now a week overdue.

22 September 1912:  Serbia

The Hapsberger Reserve Army meets the Ottoman Army at Trnjane, about thirty kilometres north-northwest of the city of Nis.  Seven corps are involved in the advance, along with supporting cavalry; the other corps, the VIII Heimwehr, has been detached for another attempt at a flanking manuever via a minor valley to the southwest - if it works, they'll come out in the South Morave about fifteen kilometers south of Nis, directly along the Ottomans' primary line of supply.

The Ottomans are, as usual, arrayed across the river (at this point, just the South Morava) at a wide meander.  Janissaries hold the west side of the valley, flanked by reservists to the northeast and southwest.  The remaining Mountain troops are primarily deployed on the extreme southwest, where the land rises up to a mountain.  As usual, there are a few observation balloons behind the lines, and two aeroplanes are buzzing overhead, noting the location of Hapsburger troops, trenches, and guns.

The Hapsburgers fire off a lengthy artillery barrage, with limited response from the Ottomans' larger corps-level guns.  The Hapsburger infantry prepare in their usual way, inspecting their rifles and bayonets, praying, telling jokes, or just watching the not-so-distant explosions their artillery is creating.  As the barrage stops and the troops move forward to their start lines, the Ottoman heavy guns finally start shooting.  The fire appears to be targeting the densest concentrations of Hapsburger troops, but few shells detonate. 

Many, instead, impact the ground and green clouds spew out from the craters.

A number of Hapsburger officers and men recognize that they are under gas attack - but they are surprised and seconds away from being given the order to assault the Ottoman lines.  There is no clear procedure for reacting to the attack, and individual officers make their own decisions as the bugles, horns, and drums sound the order to charge the Ottoman lines.  Some units run forward, out of the gas and into Ottoman fire; some stay in their trenches, and some units fall back.

The attacking Hapsburgers suffer very little from the gas, which is being slowly blown to the north, across their own lines and away from their objectives.  However, their reduced numbers affects morale and the attack fails in many places under enthusiastic Ottoman gunfire.  Several units do reach and assault Ottoman trenches, even driving out their occupants in a few cases, but these hardy troops end up being cut apart by Ottoman reserves.

The Hapsburgers that stay in the trenches fair poorly, as the chlorine clouds settle into topographic lows such as these.  Officers call out instructions to urinate on kerchiefs or garments and to breath through the wet item, but this is easier said than done for heavily laden troops that are having difficulty breathing or thinking clearly.

Those troops retreating from the gas barrage have difficulties, too, as the prevailing wind direction pushes the gas clouds across the pathes of troops fleeing the left (northeastern) wing of the Hapsburger lines.  Those on the right wing are quickly of the clouds, and their officers regroup their units and look for direction from above.

Within the hour, the Hapsburger attack is over, having barely started.  Seventeen thousand Hapsburgers have fallen to Ottoman gunfire in the attacks, with a small number taken prisoner by Ottoman counter-attacks.  In the Hapsburger lines, another eight thousand are dead and an estimated twenty-six thousand are suffering from the ill effects of the gas attack.  Ottoman casualties are unknown, but thought to be minor.

23 September 1912:  Crete

The requisitioned passenger liner Nuestra Senora de Begona strikes two mines in quick succession, six miles northwest of the Cretan coast.  She sinks in twenty minutes, taking a brigade's worth of heavy equipment and supplies with her.  One hundred seven crewmen and embarked soldiers are killed.

24 September 1912:  Montenegro

Ottoman efforts to retain the defensive line between the Iberian breakthrough and the Adriatic coast come to an end.  Iberian troops have started to wrap their way around the southwestern side of the fortified lines, and rather than be caught in a pocket and eventually forced to surrender, the Ottomans spike their heavy artillery and flee along the coast.

Since the Iberian effort of 20 September, an additional three thousand Iberians and up to five thousand Ottomans have been killed or wounded.  Another thousand Ottomans are captured on this day.

25 September 1912:  Greece

Rebels outside Athens report a series of large explosions in the vicinity of the Ottoman naval base there.  Civilian contacts offer conflicting stories - ships have blown up, the naval base has blown up, the Ottomans were shelling civilian parts of the harbour. 

25 September 1912:  Greece

Greek rebels occupying the town of Pylos are alarmed to see unfamiliar ships appear on the horizon; as the ships draw closer, their alarm turns to confusion as it becomes evident that the ships are flying the colors of the United Norman Kingdom.  Two ships, apparently troopships, come alongside the town's piers.  Two warships, one large and one small, remain offshore.

The local Greek commander heads to the harbour to investigate; he is met by a major in the Norman Marines.  The Norman says that he has been instructed to evacuate refugees, determine the status of the area, and investigate war crimes.  The Greek asks if the Normans have entered the war, and is told that the UNK remain neutral, but is undertaking the noble cause of aiding civilians in need.

The Greek then inquires as to whether the Normans have consulted the Provisional Government, or those of Iberia and Austria.  The Norman replies that he understands diplomatic consultations are taking place, but that he is not involved in them. 

The Greek commander eyes the Marines disembarking from the Norman ships, and the warships offshore, and tells the Norman there are no refugees here - but there is plenty of evidence of Ottoman atrocities that he can show the newcomers.

Similar scenes play out at Corinth and the island of Kythira.

26 September 1912:  Serbia

A system of strong winds and heavy rains begins pummeling Serbia, creating a muddy mess along the front and leading to the cancellation of an intended Hapsburger attack.  Angry as the Hapsburger command staff are, they won't attack until the ground is dry enough to allow reliable transportation of artillery, ammunition and other supplies.

27 September 1912:  Serbia

Following another unsuccessful break-out attempt, the survivors of 4 Janissary Corps surrender to the Hapsburger Third Army at Batocina. 

27 September 1912:  The Med

Hapsburger and Iberian shipping between Malta and Crete note the passage of Norman warships and auxiliaries on a course for the Aegean.  There are no subsequent reports of these ships arriving at Greek-occupied territory.

28 September 1912:  Greece

A squadron of Ottoman monitors and gunboats is sighted off the Pelopenesian coast, steaming south.  The spotting is made by an Iberian/Hapsburger supply convoy that is returning to Malta after dropping supplies at Kythira.  The Ottomans do not pursue the convoy, and the convoy escorts, mindful of their charges, do not rush to attack the Ottomans.

29 September 1912:  Crete

Hapsburger and Iberian troops beseige Irakleio, the main town on Crete.  The Allies and the Ottomans have lost about three thousand casualties each over the past ten days, but the Allies have a sense that most remaining Ottoman troops are bottled up in the own at this point.

30 September 1912:  Greece

Hapsburger forces at Kelafonia are intrigued by the arrival of a Norman squadron (an armored cruiser, a scout cruiser, two destroyers, and three amphibious warfare ships).  The Norman commander advises the Hapsburger senior officer that he has been instructed to investigate the status of Kelafonia, render humanitarian assistance, and investigate possible war crimes.

30 September 1912:  Greece

Reports from various rebel factions conclude that the Ottoman army in Greece is abandoning the southern part of the region.  Their retreat towards Larisa is marked by the demoiition of bridges, railway tracks, obvious industrial structures, and sporadic burning of crops.  Civilians of Turkish ethnicity are fleeing along with the troops, taking what they can carry or cart.  The rebels are tempted to attack the Ottomans, but the hard-nosed senior commanders are determined to secure the land before looking for opportunities to exact revenge.

In Athens, Greek rebels enter the city and are greeted by hordes of elated civilians.  A patrol sent to the Ottoman naval base finds it ablaze and abandoned.

Clarification:  UNK squadrons are flying both the Union Jack and Green Cross, but speak in terms of their operations being Norman operations, rather than Green Cross operations.

In a nutshell. And not very elaborate.

The Green cross is aware of the Norman actions, and as long there ain't no official complaints, and the Normans hold themselfs to the efforts they have promised, the Green Cross organisation is accepting the support.

Also, the Green Cross asked France to provide information and materials to aid chemical attack victims.

If the Green Cross is going to get in the allies way Madrid makes no promises for their safety; this is a ludicrous action.  Iberia will have to reevaluate its stance on the Green Cross in the long term. 

Madrid suggests that the Normans, leave the warzone.  Also we expect that any such "green cross troops" that choose to remain will follow allied instructions when military operations are ongoing, failure to follow such instructions and Iberian forces are being instructed to treat the green cross military units as hostile formations and use deadly force. 

Also if allied powers of Austria, Iberia and Provisional Greek government do not receive some type of communication from the Normans sooner rather than later Iberia is going to order them to leave Greece.       

The Green Cross headquarters aknowledge the comments of Iberia, and will consult the Normans about their rash actions.

Greetings one and all!

(Mostly OOC in language- IC in nature, to give an idea where I am coming from, and due to time constraints)

I have been out of town for the past few days and like guiness have had my hands full with our baby but I had desired to stick my foot in the international waters as it were.

The UNK had announced its intent to follow France and CSA leads in humanitarian aid.  Due to the proximity of combat zones and RL(and I expect Navalism) knowledge of the animosities of the belligerents, combat units were assigned to 'keep the peace' while attempting to help the innocents of this conflict.
Objections to this was not forthcoming.

UNK troops and vessels have both the Green Cross and Union Jack prominently displayed and illuminated. Transports would have a large lit up painted Green Cross on their sides. I expect to be spread thin and would desire local authorities to give aid and personnel toward the efforts.

As I see it This is a clumsy and naive attempt at protecting the innocents of international conflicts (those who generally have no such protection).

Due to time constraints, I personally cannot writeup every encounter between the governments/authorities involved.  I assumed that they have been taking place with acceptable outcomes. This limits some of the roleplay yes, but there it is.
I had also stated a lack of knowledge of the timeframe for these events taking place (I honestly don't know how much time it would take to pursue such an adventure).

I realized that the peacekeeping efforts and holding governments responsible for the actions of there agents was a bit too modern, but I wanted to give it a shot anyway.

UNK forces have entered Greek territory in response to alleged horrific abuses on the populace.  The UNK recognizes NO ownership of the areas in question, we only desire to act in a peacekeeping role. The goal is simply to keep order and protect innocent lives.
This was the nature of the information given to The Rock. (kudos to all your efforts in this conflict)

If the rumors are true, and the Ottoman Government wishes to continue its existance in civilized society it will need to voluntarily hold its troops and leaders accountable for there actions.
UNK authorities also condemn the use of Gas in warfare and any 'scorched earth' policies and desire to put a stop to this ASAP.

The "Allies" have little to fear from British naval or land forces, unless they have, in addition, commited atrocities of there own.
As we see it the Allies should be thankful for the services rendered.

I was not present for the reconstitution of the Iberian State but I believe that France and the UNK, by meddling in the affairs of others, made possible its existance though a MUCH larger military intervention of a more aggresive nature.

The UNK is also pursueing its own route of contact with the 'Greek' authorities and 'military' leaders. To them we wish to extend our support for a Free Greek state and our requirement that they minimize retalitory actions against Ottoman civilians(and surrendered troops).

The UNK does not recognize the size of the current Greek Territorial claims.

The UNK would like to propose an international body of officials be created to uphold the proper conduct of war to minimize its impact on innocents.
(ie. A league of nations)

Sorry for the jumping about and general incoherance but I have to drop some folks off at the airport soon, so I am rushing to get my views out, so you folks are not dealing with a vacumn.

OOC I understand your time constrants at the same time just assuming the other players/ nations would agree is not a given.  It would have been better if you had sent a PM, noted you had time limits and we could have just jumped to the end game so to speak to work out details.

What is done is done and for the moment Iberia is going to be annoyed with the UNK and distrustful of it. Don't feel bad Iberia has this response to many nations larger than it.  Consider it a form of Napoleon complex.

IC Iberia understands the desire of the United Norman Kingdom to help the Greeks at the same time we disagree as to how.  The Greeks will clearly need food and other supplies as between the war and the Ottoman's campaign of scorched earth will all but assure there will be a famine before long. 

As to looking for, "war crimes" Iberia has extreme reservations about this idea and is out right against any attempt by Norman Troops to act as judges over the conduct the Greek Rebels. 

The nature of the territory of the future Greek State is between the allied powers and the Ottoman Empire. 

Lastly Greek and Iberian troops are to be landed shortly and they will be start to organize the rebels and provide aid for on going combat operations.  Madrid will have to insist that the UNK not get in the way of this goal.

More information to follow in private.