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#641
June 13th, 2012, 11:21 AM
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Tradestations and forts are present on several places in West Africa, as well as an increasing missionary activity. Naval bases and settlements on the Atlantic islands like Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands. Naval base and growing settlement at the Cape. Trade stations in India and East India. The war has so far meant F-S merchants and ships being practically swept from India and East India, and the KoN energetically try to get an agreement with the Mogul about a trade monopoly, but so far no success. F-S has plantations in SE “USA” but few settlements. Trappers regularly go up the Mississippi. Central America (Nouvelle France) and South America (Nouvelle Espagne) is under firm F-S control, but still with very few F-S present. Slaves are imported to plantations in great numbers, many on KoN ships. Australia and New Zealand are not discovered yet but are likely to end up in the “KoN family” Argentina clearly is in the F-S sphere of influence. Even if opportunities should arise to “snatch” a place like Argentina KoN strategic thinking would hesitate to commit resources just to keep F-S away. The KoN would say: Will it cost money or can we make money? Regards Steffen Redbeard 
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#642
June 13th, 2012, 11:22 AM
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 Regards Steffen Redbeard
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#643
June 20th, 2012, 09:37 AM
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At the Rhine in Germany, spring of 1635, Summary: The French-Spanish have been expelled from central Germany, but Blumenpot is preparing to cross the Rhine.
At the Rhine Blumenpot’s anxiously watched as the French-Spanish across the river. They had built up strength faster than expected and apparently had deployed to prevent him from crossing the Rhine in numbers. In short the problem was that at any crossing point he might choose the F-S could deploy forces faster than he could send across the river. But he was inspired by a young officer’s account about a trip to Japan. He told that the Japanese had a way of fighting where the strength of the opponent was turned against him. That sounded very intriguing – if the F-S wanted to defeat a crossing, then let them do that – at one point! That would leave him the opportunity to have his main force cross at another point and would be worth a tactical defeat of a minor part of his force. He chose Koblenz as the place of the “bait-crossing” and Wiesbaden 30 miles to the SE as the main crossing. At Koblenz crossing materiel was placed not too well concealed, and in the military camps around the city each Skippæn (company) got the tents and markers of a Fylke (Battalion) , a Fylke that of a Herred (Regiment) etc, and all units were ordered to do a lot of marching in and out, making counting the exact number present very difficult. At night Herreds marched out to enter Koblenz with flags flying and drums beating in the morning – each day. Blumenpot himself showed up a few times too. Units elsewhere were withdrawn from the riverbanks and concentrated along the Main River, which ran into the Rhine a few miles east of Wiesbaden. Here a large number of men and horses could be shipped in boats out of sight of F-S intelligence focus and relatively fast be shipped down the Main and into the Rhine to cross East of Wiesbaden along with the units in Wiesbaden itself. The southern tip of the Main estuary held a small fort guarding the crossing but most important when the main force had crossed it would have its right flank (turning towards the F-S main force) protected by the Rhine, and if the F-S not as expected would take the bait at Koblenz, the River Main force could continue down the Rhine to Koblenz and cross there. The F-S did take the bait however, their spies reporting on a great number of relatively weak regiments at Koblenz. One morning of 21st of May 1635 the crossing started at Koblenz and was soon checked by strong F-S forces. Smoke soon enveloped the area making it difficult to assess, but it was obvious that the F-S had no hurry to clear the bridgehead until a big lump of KoN forces had crossed. The next day the F-S general assault cleared the bridgehead however and even taking a number of prisoners. Immediately message was sent to Paris about the glorious victory while the prisoners were studied with great curiosity. Young men of good health and growth, but clad in uniform dull clothes. Well made and durable, but lacking any finesse – even the officers. In the meantime Blumenpot had crossed at Wiesbaden, swept the area across the river from all F-S forces and by 22nd of May was ready to advance in force with the Rhine on his right flank. To be continued… Regards Steffen Redbeard
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#644
June 20th, 2012, 10:43 PM
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Allright, now things are getting very awesome!
I gotta ask, even though I'm cheering for them, when are the KoN going to fall on their asses?
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#645
June 21st, 2012, 05:16 AM
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Nothing would make me happier than to see the KoN march all the way to Andalusia, but it isn't possible. I'm waiting for the moment it goes wrong for them.
__________________
If I've learnt anything. It is that cats are the objectivists of the animal world.
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#646
June 21st, 2012, 05:52 PM
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Well, as I have hinted earlier, there will be a KoN by mid 20th century, so that puts a limit on how bad it can go
OTOH I can't have them conquer the entire universe by 17th century, what should they spend the time with until 20th century then?  The previous war was, compared to its original objectives, a failure for the KoN. It was the plan to seize Central Vinland and dig a canal giving easy access to the Pacific - that failed and cost a lot of money - and pretty much excluded KoN from central and south Vinland. A successful and glorious defence of Copenhagen took up the minds of contemporaries and the Caribbean and Atlantic Islands seized in the war are already now proving their worth. But still, compared to the objectives it was failure that could have cost KoN its cohesiveness, had it not been for the opportunity to give the F-S a good licking in the Channel and at Copenhagen. In the the present war the KoN really hasn't objectives beyond keeping things as normal as possible and being involved as little as possible. In that context the situation is worrying, as things are far from normal and as the KoN is getting ever more involved in the war. With very strong army and navy and leaders like Blumenpot it isn't likely to go really bad, but you might wonder what the long term strategic implications of the Russians getting unlimited access to the Mediterranean might be?! Regards Steffen Redbeard
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#647
June 21st, 2012, 08:31 PM
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I wonder if there are any Huguenots ITTL? Couple of thousand settlers for the KoN colonies?
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#648
June 22nd, 2012, 07:31 PM
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You just gave me an idea for how to utilise them in a "vacant position" I have in the North Vinland part of this ATL - thanks - but I won't say more right now  Regards Steffen Redbeard
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#649
June 25th, 2012, 08:55 AM
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Good update Steffen; Tordenskjolds soldater!!!
I really like your drawing on this and that of OTL makes a very good read. The Hugenots - Virginia??? Tobacco farmers and weavers...
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#650
June 25th, 2012, 07:32 PM
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Concerning Tordenskjold, yes I thought I as a proof of my true Scandinavian spirit would have a Swede conduct the "Tordenskjolds soldater" trick in this ATL Concerning the Hugenots some certainly will be good tobacco farmers and skilled weavers, but their most important significance from Vinland will not be seen until 20th century... Regards Steffen Redbeard
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#651
June 25th, 2012, 07:33 PM
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Summary, the Rhine, spring 1635: By sacrificing a minor part of his army as bait at Koblenz Blumenpot has succeeded in bringing his main force across the Rhine at Wiesbaden and is now advancing to engage the French-Spanish army.
The F-S had already gained huge respect for Blumenpot after he had thoroughly trashed their army last year and having defeated him at Koblenz felt tremendously self assuring. The F-S commander had hoped Blumenpot had been captured or found dead at Koblenz and although several Norsemen who had the slightest resemblance with Blumenpot, dead or alive, were brought forward, nobody really were convincing. The problem was, that to a F-S all Norsemen really looked the same. Stories already ran in the army that Blumenpot had been captured and the news probably would reach Paris any time; it really was tempting to just point at one of the Norsemen and call him Blumenpot, but he also realized the shortsightedness of that plan. The commander tried not to let the absence of Blumenpot disturb his joy over the victory, but it kept nagging him. Why hadn’t any colors been taken? Poles with oilskin covers had been found, but with no flags inside. And when as usual the prisoners were camped regimental wise they didn’t group into the at least 30 regiments (Herred in KoN army) expected in Blumenpot’s army but only into a handful - very strange indeed. The commander didn’t have to wonder for long where Blumenpot was as couriers arrived from the south reporting about a huge KoN army having crossed at Wiesbaden and now advancing. Most of the F-S army was positioned on the rather narrow peninsula between the Rhine and the Mosel flowing from the southwest. It would be disastrous to be defeated with two rivers in your back, which pointed to withdrawing to the other side of the Mosel, but on the other hand staying also offered a good opportunity to put up a good defensive position just south of Koblenz where the two rivers could protect his flanks. He knew from the battle last year how effective the KoN army was to attack in the field, perhaps a good defensive position where you didn’t risk being outflanked was the opportunity waited for? Anyway, a retreat just after the victory proclamations of Koblenz really wasn’t possible, so making a stand it had to be. As a precaution several pontoon bridges were laid over the Mosel supplementing the ancient Balduin stone bridge and just south of Koblenz thousands of men hectically worked to build redoubts in a line between the two rivers. The entire F-S army was deployed, ready and eager for battle when the first KoN scouts appeared on the hill crests in front of the redoubt line. “They’re coming, they’re coming - be ready men!!!” the word went in the F-S line, but nothing really happened that day. The first night was long as KoN patrols stabbed a sentry here and there and were reported everywhere. In the first light of the morning the F-S soldiers could see a huge mass of heavily loaded boats floating down the Mosel and into the pontoon bridges and next concentrating on the stone bridge, soon constituting a virtual dike of boats, pontoons and debris. At that time artillery fire opened up from the KoN Line. Not from particularly heavy guns, the ramparts held well, but most preferred to not pop up beyond the ramparts. Not many minutes inside the bombardment the hills in front of F-S position appeared to become alive with blue-gray figures. The artillery fire had lessened from the centre but fire from both flanks still swept the F-S position in front of the advancing blue-gray line. The F-S knew well this was much a question of timing of the first salvo. If that fell too early the effect would be negligible and the enemy in a good position for a successful storm. But if timed “until you could see the white in their eyes” the enemy attack would be shattered already and you had good chance yourself of a successful counterattack. F-S commanders noted that ahead of the main mass of blue-grays was a thin line of big men with muskets slung over their shoulders but still with smoking matches. Strange, but probably just a deceit to lure them into a premature salvo. “Hold your fire!” the order went about as most men still kept their heads low in the ramparts. The F-S officers couldn’t help admiring the men sent ahead as bait, they sure fulfilled their role with enthusiasm, but would be taken out with cold steel once inside the ramparts – poor devils! A few paces away from the ramparts they stopped however and started what appeared like small mortar bombs with lighted matches into the ramparts. Soon everything inside the ramparts was engulfed in flame and smoke. When the smoke had cleared the bomb throwers had withdrawn as did apparently the entire KoN line! Not many were killed or wounded inside the ramparts, but it felt most disturbing not really having a good response. Not an hour later it started all over again as the hell machine throwers advanced ahead of a mass of infantry. This time however the F-S would not idle and cavalry was sent forward between the ramparts. As soon as horses could be heard the hell machine throwers quickly withdrew behind the bristling pikes of the infantry now formed into squared masses. A few were caught out in the open and cut down, but suddenly the F-S cavalry found itself in-between the infantry masses and under fire and soon also engaged by KoN cavalry. Losses were taken but most reached safety behind the ramparts, but immediately the KoN infantry advancing again. F-S artillery opened up and occasionally hats, heads and limbs could be seen hurled into the air along the path of a cannon ball, but the mass kept moving and soon hell machines were hurled into the ramparts again. This time the throwers didn’t retreat however but just kept throwing their bombs, creating noise, flames, splinters and first of all smoke, reducing visibility to a few meters. Here and there a F-S soldiers started to fire back having the officers shout ever more desperately: “hold your fire, hold your fire!!!” As that order finally was obeyed the enemy infantry masses suddenly appeared out of the smoke quickly advancing with pikes pointing forward. Here and there the defenders succeeded in giving a concentrated salvo cutting down the first ranks of the attackers, but from most ramparts you soon could see or hear another rampart being run over and its defenders massacred. Some stayed and fought to the last man, others retreated more or less orderly. The F-S reserve now conducted a well timed and skilful counterattack, which under other circumstances could have saved the F-S army. Now not only the pontoon bridges were down, but as the first units had tried to withdraw across the stone bridge they found it blocked by KoN troops.! A single Fylke and a couple of light guns from the remains of the bait force defeated a couple of days before had crossed the river in boats at night and now stood in close formation at the opposite abutment. Several assaults were carried out but were hopeless on the narrow front and soon several layers of dead men and horses covered the bridge. As the news of the defeat of the crossing at Koblenz reached Paris and caused much joy at the Court organized F-S resistance ceased at Koblenz and their commander capitulated in a style that even the Norsemen had to admit was most stylish. At Copenhagen they also had news. First about Blumenpot’s glorious victory in the “Grenadier Battle“, but very soon after also most worrying news from the Balkans. To be continued… Regards Steffen Redbeard
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#652
June 26th, 2012, 03:13 PM
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If I'm getting this right, F-S and Russia wishes to expand territory while the Ottomans and the Empire wishes to survive intact, and KoN only tries to interfere to keep the balance and protect their fellow believers?
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#653
June 26th, 2012, 05:35 PM
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Yes, F-S object is to gain domination over Germany and N. Italy, which now are inside the HRE sphere of influence. The F-S to a degree use "the Catholic cause" as a pretext for engaging in Germany.
Russia has nothing less than reconquering Constantinople as its objective. On the surface because the Russian Czar sees himself as the heir to the East Roman Imperial Throne and beacuse of the religious aspects. Behind that surface the prospect of gaining access to the Mediterranean is a huge factor, and anyway, gaining access to the Med. could mean Jerusalem next!? (keeping the Patriarc happy). The Russian focus to the south of course also is due to the KoN being a much more impressive blockade to the north than the OTL Scandinavian powers were. An explosion allways seeks the point of least resistance. The HRE has its role as 1st rate power under pressure, it really is dependent on KoN action (i.e. 2nd rate). They are not willing to admit that, but they try leaving the F-S in Germany to the KoN so that HRE focus can be on utilising the Ottoman collapse (and defending Italy). Just hope the KoN doesn't get too pissed over doing all the work in Germany alone. The Ottomans have a really bad hair day - actually their empire is in dissolution after Murad's death in 1634. I know that the Ottomans in OTL showed a lot of vitality after 1634, but it appears like the OTL Ottoman Empire was in a deep crisis before Murad took power in the 1630's. My judgement was, that taking out Murad by 1634 with that OTL heir, the half-witt Ibrahim, would very likely have meant the end. Especially with ambitious neighbors like the Russians and the Persians. The KoN under Knud are mainly pissed over all the good money they have to spend keeping the world in balance. But no matter what they do or say, they get ever more involved. Regards Steffen Redbeard
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#654
June 27th, 2012, 07:04 AM
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#655
June 27th, 2012, 01:06 PM
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Summary mid 1635: Blumenpot has again defeated a F-S army but things are developing in the Balkans.
In Copenhagen and elsewhere in the Kingdom the news of the Grenadier Battle were celebrated properly, not at least in the numerous taverns, inns and pubs, and very much contributed to Blumenpot’s reputation as an all time great commander. At the court everybody of course was pleased, but most noted that King Knud appeared more resigned than ever. “We win all the battles, but loose all our money!” he mumbled. The gloominess didn’t diminish when news arrived about events on the Balkans. Not so much due to the news of the Ottoman Empire collapsing, that empire had always been seen if not as an enemy then certainly as an impossible ally. The main concern neither was that the Russian proclamations about “liberating” Constantinople appeared to be close to fulfillment. A Russian army stood before Constaninople’s walls and another had been landed on the Asia side of the Bosperus strait. Most people would just think: Good job! What really troubled the court was the news about a strong F-S fleet having swept the Aegean and the Bosperus for Ottoman warships. The Russians having free access to a Mediterranean Sea controlled by the F-S would be like fixing the joint on a huge pincer that really could hurt the KoN! It was obvious that supporting the Ottomans was too late, even the Mameluks in Egypt were revolting now, and some pointed out that an alliance with the Ottomans anyway would have been inconsistent with the basic strategy of not getting involved too much and too far away. Others saw this as an example of the weakness in the traditional strategy - a power the size of KoN simply was too big to keep a low profile: “Either you engage the problems yourself – keeping the initiative, or problems would engage you at a very inconvenient time and place!” “Engaging all possible problems will have even the strongest become overreached!” the counter argument went. “We’re not here to discuss philosophy” the King interrupted, and went on: “We have to admit that the F-S know us well enough to know that as long as we have a big army engaged in France we would be unlikely to field another big and expensive one against the Russians – and the Russians having a free hand to gain access to the Mediterranean must be their main object! What can we do?” It was agreed that the F-S would be unlikely to agree to peace, but that the HRE’s focus on the Balkans perhaps could be utilized. It certainly was better to have the Kaiser control the Balkans than the Czar or the King of F-S. The western Balkans, yet unoccupied by the Russians, was a ripe fruit ready to be picked, but the Black Sea Coast – i.e. Wallachia and Bulgaria – were most interesting, as you from there could challenge the Russian control of the Black Sea. The Russians certainly would recognize that by themselves and the effort right now therefore could be summarized to “talking” the HRE into declaring war on the Russians. In Paris the King had some trouble understanding that being thrashed on own soil by the King of North’s troops really was a great strategic asset! “But if you say so…” he nodded, trying to forget his innermost feelings about those simple Russians – long beards, kaftans and all. They were hardly worthy of being allies with a divine Kingdom like his. To be continued... Regards Steffen Redbeard
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#656
June 27th, 2012, 01:17 PM
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Regards Steffen Redbeard
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#657
June 27th, 2012, 01:59 PM
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Yay! The Kaiser in Vienna needs Thessaloniki! At least!
Considering the balance of powers, what's the KoN population in comparison to the F-S population - including colonies? Quote:
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#658
June 27th, 2012, 02:29 PM
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Considering Russian access to the seas I guess their point is that indirect access through competing powers is less fun and more costly than controlling the access yourself. In OTL it was realistic to reach the Baltic, in this ATL it isn’t, so they have to look in another direction. So in this ATL the Russian “Sturm und Drang” is focused to the south which makes it really lousy to be the Ottoman Empire. But if next considering the British OTL anxiety over Russia and India, imagine the worries of the ruler of India in this ATL!  Regards Steffen Redbeard
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#659
June 28th, 2012, 02:01 PM
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Summary, 1635: Blumenpot has defeated a F-S army at the Rhine and in the Balkans the Russians are advancing on Constantinople. The Russians controlling the Black Sea and the access to the Mediterranean cause great concerns in the KoN, but the King is not willing to divert resources between two fronts but it is hoped that the HRE can be talked into taking on the Russians.
When Byzantine Constantinople fell it had just 50.000 citizens. The Ottoman Constantinople (OTL renamed to Istanbul only in 1930) by 1635 was much bigger, hundreds of thousands. They of course couldn’t all live inside the old walls and the city now included widespread suburbs on both sides of the strait. Some had been cleared and burned down by the defenders as was customary in case of a siege in order not to leave protection and cover for the besiegers, but the general dissolution meant that most was left standing and inhabited. A great part of the citizens had already left the city however, certainly the Ottoman elites and many if not most Muslims in general. Some later historians actually claim that most of the remaining citizens when the Russian army entered the city were not Muslim Turks but Greek Orthodox Christians or Jews. The claim is disputed, and anyway there also were large population groups from elsewhere in the Empire, Egyptians, Arabs etc. and of any faith. A lot of those left in the city had taken the Russian words about “liberation” literally, but their problems was the Russian Czar having an idea about “pay back for 1453” involving a three days free hand for the conquering army to sack the City and its citizens. The Ottoman elites had already taken most of the transportable valuables with them, but that only had the Russian army compensate with more rape and killing – “you have to utilize the three days for something!” seemed to be the motto of the Russian soldiers. When the three days were over the atrocities only slowly died out, but it was estimated that more than 30.000 people - Muslims, Jews and Christians were killed in the sack of Constantinople. The same scheme was followed in other cities like Thessaloniki and Smyrna as the Russians advanced to fulfill their plan of control over the Black Sea and the entrance to the Mediterranean. Greece more or less liberated itself but aided by F-S warships and troops. The HRE by the time of Constantinople’s fall had occupied the Adriatic coast down to about Corfu and inland including Serbia, Transylvania, Montenegro and Macedonia (Hungary, Croatia and Slovenia were annexed after Suleiman’s defeat in 1529), but still there wasn’t any sign of the HRE declaring war on Russia. Much activity was exercised by KoN diplomats to persuade the HRE, but basically the HRE diplomats were right when saying that they were more than occupied with policing the new provinces and defending Italy vs. the F-S. Nothing came of it in 1635. In the west Blumenpot focused on securing the territory between the Mosel and the Rhine while troops were raised in the numerous German principalities now freed from F-S presence. Germany still formally was part of the HRE, but nobody asked Vienna for directions any longer – such things came from the north now. Taxes were collected locally to finance the effort, which of course caused disaffection, especially in the areas where Wallenstein had done the same previously. But refusing to pay really wasn’t an option and at least these taxes weren’t accompanied by uncontrolled bands of mercenaries. To be continued… Regards Steffen Redbeard
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#660
June 28th, 2012, 03:22 PM
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The Russians seem to be doing very well by getting access to the Mediterranean. The Ottomans falling has grave consequences for the entire region.
I wander what is to become of the middle east now? Can't wait for the next update.
__________________
If I've learnt anything. It is that cats are the objectivists of the animal world.
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