Rumours of unrest in the Lauranian Armed Forces

The recent news – as yet unsubstantiated – that the Lauranian Ministry of Defence has ordered armoured plate from Korrupt Arms, coming as it does in the wake of suggestions that the Lauranian Army at home and overseas might be reorganised, has led to rumours of unrest within the upper echelons of the Lauranian Armed Forces.

It is thought that some senior officers in the Army are concerned that they might be placed on the half-pay retired list if the reorganisation takes place, and if the armour plate is to be used to reinforce the existing border defences, such a reorganisation seems more likely. Fewer troops than the Army presently has on the strength would be required to man the chain of fortresses that may be built, and whilst the Artillery branch might be expanded, there is a possibility that the Cavalry would be reduced to a single Regiment or even disbanded altogether. The role of the Infantry would also change from a mobile to a static one.

Extract from The Lauranian Courtier

Is Laurania buying armour plate ... and why?

It is rumoured that the Lauranian Ministry of Defence has placed a large order for armoured plate with Korrupt Arms. This story emerged from sources close to the Minister in the wake of the recent visit to Laurania by Basil Bazarov, Korrupt's leading salesman.

Does this presage a programme to build armoured vehicles for the Army or will the armour be used to reinforce the country's border defences? Might orders for new warships be in the pipeline?

An extract from The Lauranian Courtier

Lauranian Army of Africa may also be reorganised

For many years the Lauranian colony in Africa has been garrisoned by a mixture of Regular Army and specially-raised units. The latter include both locally recruited 'native' units and the Overseas Legion.

The specially-raised units of the Lauranian Army of Africa includes:

• 1st and 2nd Regiments of the Overseas Legion (1° and 2° Regimentas Infantaria da La Legiona Oltramara)
• 1st to 4th African Infantry Regiments (1° - 4° Regimentas Infantaria da Africa)
• 1st and 2nd African Artillery Batteries (1° and 2° Batterias Artilleria da Africa)

It is expected that the Lauranian Army of Africa will undergo some restructuring in the forthcoming months, but it is likely that this will not be as drastic as that to be undertaken within the Regular Lauranian Army.

Extract from The Lauranian Courtier

Lauranian Army: Is a reorganisation on the cards?

For many years the Regular Lauranian Army has been organised as follows:

• A regiment of Guard cavalry (Lanca da Guarda [The Lancers of the Guard])
• Three regiments Guard infantry – 1st to 3rd Regiments of Infantry of the Guard (1° - 3° Regimentas Infantaria da Guarda)
• Four regiments of line cavalry – 1st to 4th Cavalry Regiments (1° - 4° Regimentas Cavalria)
• Twenty regiments of line infantry – 1st to 20th Infantry Regiments (1° - 20° Regimentas Infantaria)
• Six batteries of field artillery – 1st to 6th Field Artillery Batteries (1° - 6° Batterias Artilleria da Campa)

Traditionally the Regular Army has been supplemented in time of war by the Republican Militia. This is organised on a regional basis, and all able-bodied male Lauranians from 18 years of age up to the age of 55, who are not members of the Regular Armed Forces or the Regular Army Reserves, are expected to serve in the Militia.

In the light of recent technological developments, the Army High Command is considering a complete and radical restructuring of the existing army so that it can adequately defend Lauranian sovereignty, especially as tensions in the region are on the rise.

The nature of the new structure is unclear at present, but it is expected that there will be a reduction in the number of horsed Cavalry Regiments as some or all of the latter become mechanised, and the existing single-battalion Infantry Regiments may be amalgamated to form larger two or three-battalion Regiments. One branch that can expect to expand is the Artillery, as it will need to be enlarged to cope with the growing demands for anti-aircraft defence.

Extract from The Lauranian Courtier

Training at the Lauranian Military Academy

Besides learning Mathematics, Military Administration, Military History, Basic Field Engineering, Basic Science, and Drill, the young cadets at the Lauranian Military Academy play games. And not just team games like Rugby and Polo, both of which teach teamwork, aggression, and fair play; they play 'Kriegsspiel' or 'war games'. These teach them how to command large bodies of troops, and help prepare them for promotion to higher rank.

Currently the Academy uses a ‘war game’ devised by Mr Joseph Morschauser. A picture of one such game can be seen below.

The two sides are called Red and Black (they are never given real names just in case it might offend another country) and they fight their imaginary wars over a board that is divided up into areas called hexagons. The playing pieces are made of lead and painted in such a way as to make them look like tiny men. They are in fact 1.5cm high, and all the other military equipment is made to the same scale.

Extract from an article in The Lauranian Courier