Future Heroes of Alcovia

Urban youngsters throughout Alcovia participate in state sponsored and supervised clubs that teach them the basics of combat and warfare. Diguised as scouting and club activities, the activities included in these groups instruct the children and youth of urban Alcovians in such elementary military staples as small unit tactics, field craft, as well as marksmanship in the various city rifle competitions.

As Alcovia has not the means for a true military academy, these boys clubs are the closest that young boys will ever get to an academic military education. Any Alcovian aristocrat that wishes a true academy education must travel abroad. In fact most of the Alcovian nobility have received their military educations in foreign lands, a practrice that Alcovian nobility sees as akin to the ancient practices of fostering - creating bonds with other nations through its children.

Right: Rubel Yugolev seen leading his mean in a march to defend Alcovia's eastern borders from Iqenistani raiders.

Still, the basic education in the art of war instilled in Alcovian children and youths in these clubs is much more than some other nations have to offer and the skills learned there can make the difference between being just another poor conscript and the leader of such men. Many Alcovian lietenants are conscripts that have a history in these organizations. At least one national hero, Rubel Yugolev, was a member of the renowned Kuslob Flag and Rifle Team.

Balkrunia - Gateway to the East: Part 3

Of the provinces that make up the so called 'Eternal Empire'; Balkrunia is by far the largest and as a result controls a substantial part of the Duma - the collective assembly that dictates overall policy in the region. There are three other significantly sized provinces - Serotia, Grebania and Albenegro - and a host of smaller principalities; each of which are usually under the nominal suzerainty of one of the four major factions. The Duma has representatives from each province and the military obligation of a province is in direct proportion to the number of representatives sitting on the high council.

The Balkrunian General Staff also contains members from each province to ensure that provincial interests are represented when planning military operations. This can be a disadvantage as decisions tend to be arrived at only after much debate (often quite heated and some staff conferences have been known to come to blows) which means that numerous military operations have been compromised simply by the apparent lack of action by the forces in question. This trait is usually absent when Balkrunia is under attack as the natural tendency of the region's inhabitants to unite against a common threat usually holds sway. Only during the usually ill-fated attempts to expand into the territory of the Karagozian Sultans does this internal squabbling appear to the detriment of military operations.

The Balkrunian Navy is largely free from the command difficulties that beset the army simply because it is a purely Balkrunian force. The only coastline the empire possesses belongs to Balkrunia herself and her navy, whilst small, is very efficient in its role of coast defence and support for the army. It has in recent years taken on a much more aggressive stance and the acquisition of a number of new and powerful vessels has been seen by many observers as a direct challenge to the traditional naval superiority of the Karagozian Empire.

The Balkrunian Air Force is a rather grandiose title for a formation that as yet does not even formally exist. A number of reconaissance machines are operated at corps level by the army and the navy has made use of floatplanes and dirigibles for similar purposes. The Duma recently sanctioned the acquisition of a number of single seat fighter planes to be used as required, again at corps level, primarily as escort and protection for the reconnaisance flights. Following the advice of the noted aerial theorist Lord Brabazon-Short of Eastchurch, the aircraft of choice was to be the Bristol Fighter and so a modest order has been placed to acquire a squadron of 12 machines with 2 spares.

Balkrunia is at the present time very active in the secondhand war material market and her staunch neutrality during the recent Great War has ensured that her economy has avoided the worst effects of the global financial trauma. With many nations attempting to reduce defence expenditure as quickly as possible since hostilities were ended, the expectation is that much war material will be available at a greatly reduced price. This is the hope of the cash rich but extremely frugal Duma!

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

Tradgardland Landstorme...

The backbone of the Duchy of Tradgardland Army are the "Landstorme" or local militia. The Dukes of Tradgardland have used this system for centuries and it was in it's heyday during the 18th century, when the borders of the Duchy were secured against the Imperium by these part time soldiers...

A variety of uniforms (or non uniforms so to speak) are worn as can be seen by the pictures. The men are organised in their own locality and serve with brothers,neighbours and friends. In accordance with tradition, and the agricultural calender and it's needs ,the Landstorme meet regularly to train,practice marksmanship (the Duchy is littered with rifle shooting clubs) and compete in a variety of keenly fought local competitions. Thus a high standard of accuracy with the rifle is maintained.

Early Armor in Alcovia

The late Alcovian King Ilya Chubakov (1847-1920) and his heirs Ilya II, Ukko and Ullo were known for their fondness for armored vehicles. Ever since Ilya I saw their birth in Great War it had become his dream to one day hear the rumble and rattle of armored might crawling across Alcovia towards her enemies. Unfortunately, financial strife and a low technological base hampered Ilya's dreams beyond a few surplus German tanks, but it was a dream that burned on in his sons Ukko and Ullo.

In 1922, Prince Ukko, working with a conglomerate of Alcovian and Elistonian businessmen and a number of foreign investors, gambled on an enterprise to acquire several copies of foreign tanks for study by Alcovian engineers. The intent was to determine what designs were within the realm of possibility for the small nation both economically and technologically. If designs could be found that were within Alcovia's means, Ukku intended to begin production, either licensed or illegally, for the purposes of both national defense and export.

After considering several designs, Ukko's agents settled upon the now quite common FT-17 as a standard tank for use by the Alcovian military. The FT-17 was a widely used tank and Ukko figured that it would be nearly impossible for Alcovia to be cut off from supplies of parts and new vehicles until it was able to produce on its own. FT-17s were imported from a number of sources including France and Poland and were designated the TA22 for Tankovya Alcovia, Model 1922. In total, 35 of these tanks were initially imported.

By 1924, Alcovia had two factories manufacturing TA22s in both their original and the new TA22/24 which was a new version with more horsepower. In total, 54 TA22s and 32 TA22/24 tanks were built before the Royal Armories developed newer vehicles to phase out the FT-17 derived tanks. TA22s were never completely abandoned and continued in service into the 1940s in reserve roles.

The Bread Riot

Right: Artist's rendition of peasants storming a bakery during the Bread Riots.

In 1916, Alcovian common folk in the cities and townships rose up in angry protest against the discovered practice of mixing flower with sawdust and other fillers such as ground chaff and even chalk. This recent practice had been the handywork of bakers who themselves had been victimized by corrupt government grain suppliers who demanded steep kickbacks for the grain they provided.

After three months of on and off again protests and riots, government officials were forced to take action and rooted out at least a dozen corrupt officers from the Department of Agricultural Management. The DAM officers were later found to have amassed a considerable sum of money which, due to the illicit manner in which it was collected, had been shielded from taxation. This elevated their crimes to that of a crime against the state and they were summarily tried and hanged for their "treason".

In the following months the government dispatched bread trucks throughout the country delivery complimentary loaves of bread to townships and within the major cities. Civil order was restored but only after hundreds were killed in the unrest. The Bread Riots, as these events became known, marked a major change in government policies concerning the control of national resources. It should also be noted that rural Alcovia was relatively untouched by these events as local access to quality grain and other agricultural goods left them uneffected by the corruption of the DAM officers.

Balkrunia - Gateway to the East: Part 2

The Balkrunian contingent of the army of the 'Eternal Empire' is by far the largest and is certainly the most organised and best equipped. It is unique amongst the myriad forces comprising the army in that the primary organisation and training is based heavily upon the German model whilst the remaining provincial forces tend to favour a more traditional Slavic approach. Balkrunia herself has field army backed up by her own reserve formations - the whole being mobilised at the outbreak of hostilities. There also exists a brigade sized Guards formation which is traditionally parcelled out amongst the army formations to provide additional support where needed. Whilst the native Balkrunian forces are ordered and disciplined the remaining provincial contingents tend to be far more relaxed about military etiquette and protocol but are formidable fighters all the same. The various provincial forces, whilst each jealously preserving their traditions and regional heritage, all share a common trait and that is an almost mystical reverence for the use of cold steel.

The combination of fighting styles within a typical Balkrunian army - the stolid and organised native Balkrunians and the ferocious and loose knit provincial militia - makes for an effective military force; albeit limited in terms of extended campaigning. The regulars can be relied upon in a normal military fashion to carry out the usual duties of their profession - providing garrisons, internal security and such like but the provincial forces tend to be far more fluid in respect of extended use. Most, if not all, tend to be involved in agriculture and whilst they are for the most part enthusiastic fighters it is usually with one eye on the crops back home. The Balkrunian campaigning season then tends to be quite short when using the provincial troops as the regulars do not have the requisite manpower to be able to operate effectively without them. there have been several attempts in the Duma to formalise the provincial militias in the interests of military efficiency but thus far without any success.

The overall effect on military operations of this unique organisation is that in the short term a typical Balkrunian force comprising both regulars and provincials is a formidable weapon. With traditional ferocity and native cunning the provincial forces are ideal shock troops; skilled at close combat and infiltration tactics for which their mobility and light equipment is ideally suited. The regulars in turn provide the support and the firepower and so are used to consolidate or exploit any opportunity presented by the actions of the marauding provincial troops.

In the next part of this short series of articles I will describe in greater detail the organisation of the Balkrunian Imperial forces - both the regulars and the provincial contingents; together with the difficulties currently being faced in respect of the acquisition and assimilation of new equipment and technology.

Two Wheels best... part 2

Eli Arndt wanted to see this so here goes...

Two Wheels best...

The Duchy of Tradgardland prides herself upon mobility and modernity albeit touched with the tradition of years gone by. Prior to The Great War, the Ducal forces were reorganized with particular reference to tactical doctrines pertaining to bicycle mounted infantry. This served them well and is reflected in the army of the 1930's.

The current Duke is as "at home " upon a bicycle as he is upon his cavalry mount. Motorcycles too feature heavily as a means of reconnaissance as well as moving troops quickly and efficiently...

Balkrunia - Gateway to the East

The Balkrunian Empire (so called merely because many of the constituent provinces acknowledge the nominal overlordship of Balkrunia when faced with an external threat - the whole conglomerate is often called 'The Eternal Empire') can best be described as an Eastern European version of the Swiss Republic but without the pragmatic unity of the Helvetic version. To be honest, the 'Empire' exists only in the loosest sense - usually when threatened by external forces - but by common accord the various provinces are mutually supportive, albeit grudgingly, as and when the need arises. Trade and defence tend to be the main areas of cooperation and if either of these are compromised then the natural warlike ardour of the region tends to come to the fore. Indeed, the tradition of infighting is a long and honourable one and many are the folk tales that can be told to the interested traveller over a glass of 'Slugapitz' whilst listening to the mournful lamentation of a bouzouki playing troubadour. The entire region is noted for its musical inclination and whilst local variations exist the songs and tunes are surprisingly similar - in fact, in many cases all that happens is that one area will use the same tune as another but will change the words to suit!

Balkrunia itself is the largest of the myriad provinces that make up the region and so is acknowledged as the main power and indeed, the various smaller provinces look to her for leadership and guidance, as well as her military and naval strength. As an aside, whilst the main bulk of the provinces are usually unconcerned about their immediate neighbours problems (and this apparent unconcern usually ranges from sullen indifference to outright hostility) all are required by common accord to supply not only representatives on the Balkrunian council - the Duma - but also a contingent to the Empires military forces. It is this military cooperative that is both the Balkrunian Empires strength and weakness. Whilst Balkrunia herself usually fields the main bulk of the regular forces including the navy (this is not surprising as she is the only member of the Empire with a coastline!) the provinces provide a very varied level of support. The provinces rely almost exclusively on militia style units which may vary in size, training, uniforms and equipment but are all good fighters - years of raiding and border skirmishes have seen to that.

The Duma is content to allow the provincial troops to fight pretty much in their own way as most attempts to regularise them have usually met with open revolt by the troops in question. In terms of numbers though, this source of troops accounts for nearly half the total strength of a Balkrunian Army so cannot be easily discounted. Provincial troops retain their own officers and are usually deployed with an equivalent Balkrunian formation thereby combining the best of the old with the new. Balkrunian forces tend to be modern and forward thinking in their outlook; ready and willing to embrace new ideas and technology as far as the imperial purse will permit. The provinces tend to be well equipped as a rule but usually a generation behind and always lighter than their Balkrunian comrades.

At the time of writing the armed forces of the Balkrunian Empire are attempting to assimilate much in the way of Great War surplus equipment - vehicles, aircraft and new warships - and several foreign military and naval advisers have been observed in the capital.

More to follow..................