Daftpanzer
canonically ambiguous
World Gazette 1928
Global news brought to you by the impartial* Global Journalist Bureau
Roman occupation of Ollantaytambo!
First, a shocking development in the sleepy mountain kingdom of Ollantaytambo, as thousands of Roman troops enter the territory, backed up by columns of cavalry and towed artillery, facing no apparent resistance. The Roman spokesperson claims the Legions are there to ‘protect’ the country and to ensure peaceful development of the region. A railway line is now under construction, linking the country to Roman lands in the west. Reports suggest the King of Ollantaytambo was lulled into signing a treaty allowing Roman troops to enter the country ‘in the event of an emergency’, but this was then immediately seized upon by the Romans, citing the Portuguese rebellion raging in the neighbouring Inca Nation. We can not know exactly what has transpired at the Royal Palace, however it seems likely that King Taycanamo VII was outmanoeuvred while trying to plot a course that would guarantee his country’s independence and that of the Chimú people.
A sense of paralysis and uncertainty grips the Kingdom as all await to see what happens next. By all accounts, Roman troops have not taken over the government and the country officially continues to function as an independent Kingdom, and aside from some isolated incidents, there does not seem to be any fighting. Indeed, a portion of citizens seem to welcome the Roman troops. However, the authority of the King seems to be collapsing - there are reports of government troops deserting their posts, and hiding arms in the countryside, while both Communist and Democratic groups may be waiting for a moment to strike…
Ollantaytambo: -4 Militia, -1 Infantry, -1 Cannon, -1 Rough Riders have all deserted.
Battle for Portugal - World Tensions Rise!
The Portuguese uprising continues, with a Celtonian blockade of the coast offering some breathing room for the rebellion. Tensions remain high, and for a time a full-scale war looks imminent, with a seemingly belligerent stance from Consail Thomson, amidst a flurry of diplomatic cables around the world. The majority of the Celtic people sympathise with the Portuguese plight, but seem unwilling to embroil the Cetlic nation in a major war, with Parliament only narrowly passing a vote to declare a blockade of the Portuguese coast, on the condition that a peace plan is proposed. Cuzco also stops short of fully mobilising its troops, seemingly reassured by the announcement of a defensive pact with the Mayan Empire and by promises of support from the Iroquois.
Several attempts are made to agree a ceasefire early in the year, but the ill-disciplined militias on both sides ensure that such efforts are in vain, and fighting breaks out again. The Inca government then moves to contain and slowly strangle the rebellion, while Celtonia still threatens to intervene if the fighting nears Lisbon itself. There are reports of atrocities on both sides as chaotic fighting sweeps back and forth through the countryside; rebel forces have some success pushing westwards in a determined offensive to link up with their isolated comrades near the border with Arequipa, while government forces attack down the railway line towards Lisbon. Incan newsreels show columns of infantry and artillery advancing confidently, backed up by fearsome-looking armoured trains, convoys of military trucks, and biplanes flying overhead. Yet despite the official Cetlic blockade, one way or another the rebels are able to acquire more rifles, machine guns and old artillery pieces to contest the advance, frequently ambushing the government troops amidst the sprawling farmland and plantations north of Lisbon. But the rebels are relentlessly pushed back; after being outflanked from the west, rebel forces fail to hold a line at the river Tagus and retreat further south. Fierce fighting then takes place for the railway line near the Mayan border, with armoured cars being used by both sides, and a costly victory here for the rebels prevents Lisbon from being completely surrounded, at least for the moment.
Incan troops meanwhile surround Lisbon from the north and reorganise their front lines, but have so far refrained from launching any assault or bombardment, much to the relief of a city full of refugee camps and makeshift hospitals. As the silhouettes of Celtic Super-Dreadnoughts loom large on the horizon, there is hope for a new round of peace talks; the Inca have hinted at agreeing to a Celtic proposal for rebels to disarm and be given amnesty, and a plebiscite to be held under the eyes of a neutral party, though it seems unlikely the Inca will accept the Celts to assume this role. Few Portuguese believe they can expect good terms while Cuzco’s troops hold the upper hand. Some rebel commanders vow to fight on through the ruins of Lisbon if necessary, and it seems weapons and ammunition are being gathered for a last stand, however there is undoubtedly a growing sense of hopelessness in their ranks. There are continual rumours of Mayan troops marching north to support their Inca allies, although this has yet to materialise.
Inca: -2 Militia, -1 Infantry and -1 Basic Artillery lost; 2 Militia, 2 Infantry, 1 Chasqui Scout, 1 Field Artillery, 1 Basic Armoured Car, 1 Truck and 1 Armoured Train damaged; +$1 materials captured.
Portugal: -1 Militia, -1 Infantry, -1 Basic Artillery and -1 Basic Armoured Car lost; 2 Militia, 1 Infantry, 1 Rough Riders and 1 Steamer damaged.
Celtonia: 1 destroyer damaged in accidental collision.
Mexican Fighting continues!
Now to the mountains and jungles of Mexico, where negotiations begin between the Communists and the central government, and not for the first time in this long-running conflict. Celtonia uses its leverage to push for a peace plan, this time with seemingly greater urgency, and a large grant of funds to assist the Mexicans with land reforms. Negotiations drag on throughout the year, but there are signs of an agreement nearing, which would give the communists a political voice and a place in the Mexican senate. It remains to be seen if Mexico’s fragile democracy could survive such an arrangement, but a ceasefire holds for now.
Both sides turn their attentions to the zealots of the so-called ‘Holy Aztec Empire’; an allied force of Celtic and government troops is joined by the Acadian highlanders in their first foreign deployment, by executive order of the Acadian Consail, in a move that has proved controversial back in Halifax. Backed up by artillery, aircraft, and river gunboats, this bolstered allied force makes good progress along the railway line in south-central Mexico, reconnecting the government-controlled lands of Xochicalco and Zitaltepec, and taking thousands of rebel prisoners - those that chose not to make suicidal last chrages into allied lines. Government troops meanwhile storm the city of Teotihuacan, and there is brutal house-to-house fighting in some of the suburbs, but the flag of the Union of Mexico is soon raised over the ancient Aztec ruins of the old town, in a big boost for government morale - this was the site of grizzly atrocities committed by the fanatics just a few months ago. Government troops also reclaim the oilfields near the Scandinavian border, although almost all the infrastructure has been torched by retreating fanatics, with oilwells set ablaze. In a controversial move, troops from Normandie also cross the border to create a ‘buffer zone’ against zealot raiders, eventually meeting up with government soldiers; this creates a minor regional crisis, and only the intervention of local Celtic commanders prevents an immediate shootout between these new ‘allies’.
Attacked from all sides, the southern half of the ‘Holy Empire’ has now all but collapsed, with stubborn remnants retreating into the mountains. But the northern province based at Calixtlahuaca is still going strong; determined attacks by thousands of fanatics, backed up by aggressive use of old artillery guns, have pushed back the government and Celtic troops from their overstretched positions near the Iroquois border, forcing them to pull back to avoid being cut off, with some units reportedly fighting through enemy lines for days before reaching safety. Emboldened fanatics have even launched raids into Celtic territory at Nemausus, taking a number of border guards and civilians hostage, causing a scandal in the Celtonian press; the zealots claim they are merely avenging the raids they have suffered by Celtic troops and occasional shore bombardments of coastal settlements. Meanwhile, the eccentric adventurer Frederick Itzcóatl Thomson remains in control of the island of Cuto, now under blockade by Celtic ships; the ‘Consul’ is now organising food rationing and appealing to the international community for recognition of the nation of New Constantinople.
Celtonia: 1 Infantry, 1 Rough Rider, 1 Highlander and 1 Gunboat damaged.
Union of Mexico: -2 Militia and -1 Infantry lost; 2 Infantry and 2 Rough Riders damaged; +$2 materials recovered.
Mexican People’s State: 2 Militia damaged.
Holy Aztec Empire: -2 Melee Infantry, -3 Militia, -1 Musketeer and -1 Cannon lost; 3 Militia, 1 Rough Rider damaged.
Normandie: -1 Militia lost; 1 Infantry damaged.
War of the Cliques - Escalation in France
The seemingly intractable conflict in France may be entering a new decisive phase; this year sees a major escalation with Empress Jeanne personally travelling to the front lines to command a determined campaign against the Loire Clique alongside loyalist Marshal Neige Villiers. Besides this, there was the surprise announcement of an expedition from the Roman Empire to assist the Paris government in its new endeavours, the first such Roman expedition in modern times. The Romans are busy with their occupation of Ollaytantambo, but are able to send some of their finest warships, along with a small amount of tanks and artillery to France.
The Roman expedition is inauspicious from the start; several ships suffer mechanical problems during a stormy South Atlantic crossing, and a general lack of supplies greatly slows the deployment of Roman troops into battle, with Romans having to beg and borrow some supplies from the hard-pressed French government. Loire forces succeed in laying sea mines around Lyon ahead of the Roman advance; in one incident, the Roman flagship Basileus, a large modern battlecruiser, is struck by such a mine in the dead of night while at anchor; although damage repair teams quickly contain the flooding, several Roman sailors are killed, and in the immediate panic and confusion after the explosion, some of the auxiliary guns open fire on a Celtic steamer that was passing nearby as part of humanitarian mission, setting it ablaze and causing it to capsize shortly thereafter, causing outrage in the Celtic press. The smoke has barely cleared when there is a daring dawn raid on Lyon by the improvised bomber force of the Loire Clique, the audacity of the low-level raid taking the defenders by surprise, although there is only minimal damage to the port from makeshift bombs, it was a further blow to morale. Not long afterwards, it is reported that a Roman submarine runs aground on rocky shallows nearby, and has to be towed back to harbour for full repairs.
The first snows of autumn are falling as the Roman tanks and artillery finally join the French government on an advance south. The Roman vehicles do not handle the cold well, and there are frequent breakdowns, with little in the way of combat. Roman artillery gunners do however prove their worth in laying down fire support as the Imperial Guard lead the advance of Parisian infantry. The Roman flagship and its heavy guns remain out of action at Lyon, but Roman destroyers provide some additional fire support along the coast, and make life difficult for any smugglers attempting to trade arms for oil. Nonetheless, Loire forces fight a clever delaying action and retreat in good order, while their river gunboats help to stop the Parisian flanking advance along the Loire valley, denying Paris a decisive victory. Interestingly, this front sees some of the first confirmed air-to-air combat in recent years, with both sides using an assortment of old biplanes of Celtic and Scandinavian design; the dogfights are inconclusive, but seem to convince Marshal Villeneuve to disperse his heavy biplane bombers and keep them grounded in camouflaged shelters for now. The danger to Lyons is removed, and for all their mishaps, the Romans have gained valuable experience of overseas operations, but the gains likely fall short of what Paris and Constantinople had wished for as the winter snows set in.
Meanwhile, as a result of this escalation, the other Cliques begin to drop the facade of loyalty to Paris, and become more overtly hostile to Joanne’s regime. Marshal Ignace of the Orléans Clique orders renewed attacks against Parisian territory, managing to capture a bridgehead across the Somme north of Amiens, a relatively small advance that nonetheless poses greater threats in the months to come. Meanwhile, Empress Jeanne narrowly survives an assassination attempt, as grenades are thrown at her motor-carriage during a trip to Paris to inspect a newly-raised division of Imperial Guard; in an embarrassment for the security services, the perpetrators disappear into the crowds of Paris, and it is not known if one of the rival Cliques, or Communists or Anarchists are behind the attempt.
Celtonia: -1 Steamer accidentally sunk by Roman Empire.
Roman Empire: 1 Basic Submarine, 1 Destroyer and 1 Basileus-class Battlecruiser damaged.
French Empire: -1 Militia, -1 Infantry and -1 Rough Rider lost; 1 Militia, 1 Infantry, 1 Basic Artillery, 1 Gunboat and 1 Basic Biplane damaged.
Loire Clique: -2 Militia, -1 Infantry and -1 Basic Arilltery lost; 1 Basic Artillery, 1 Basic Biplane and 1 Basic Armoured Car damaged.
Orleans Clique: -1 Militia lost; 1 Rough Rider and 1 Armoured Car damaged.
Rheims Clique: -1 Militia lost; 1 Militia damaged.
Atlantic Alliances
The Roman Empire is barely out of the headlines this year, and in another development, Crown Princess Euphemia, daughter of the Empress, attends the signing and ratification of the new North Atlantic Treaty Organization in New York, which soon becomes known by its American abbreviation of ‘NATO’; an initiative pioneered by the Romans, with Germany and the USA as founding partners. Invitations are sent to other nations, but reactions are mixed - the Romans stress that this is a defensive alliance, but many see this as a provocative move. Historically, such alliances were only formed during wartime or in the buildup to war. By most metrics, the combined strength of the Roman Empire, Germany and USA greatly surpasses that of both Celtonia and the Iroquois separately, with Celtonia maintaining an advantage only in terms of naval firepower. If Celtonia were also to join NATO, it would surely create a democratic alliance of seemingly overwhelming strength. But the public mood in Celtonia currently seems to be wary of such entanglements with other major powers, and the government of Consail Thomson seems to echo that sentiment.
In response to NATO, an unlikely partnership of Acadia alongside Spain and the Iroquois Nation is calling for the creation of a ‘League of Nations’ as a global body dedicated to resolving conflicts through diplomacy. However, this idea has yet to receive the backing of any other major power. Now facing a formal German-American alliance on its eastern border, some predict that the Iroquois will instead seek to build their own alliance centred on the Pacific, which could potentially include Spain - where Iroquois influence is growing - along with the Inca Nation and Mayan Empire; for now though, the Iroquois seem to be keeping their cards close to their chest.
Communist Sunset?
The Netherlands is gripped by political turmoil this year as Chairman Dick de Jonker is taken ill with an unspecified illness, while democratic reformists organise mass protests throughout the country; rumours suggest de Jonker refuses to trust any of his subordinates to assume power, fearing that either a complete communist collapse or a descent into totalitarian suppression is possible, and is desperately trying to hold the communist party together from his hospital bed until a suitable successor can be put forward. Some have declared this to be the ‘sunset’ of communism on the world stage…
It is only a few decades since communist ideals were a dominant force in the world, reaching a peak in Celtonia during the World Wars, although the promised era of universal prosperity that so many fought for never materialised, with disenchanted army veterans leading the cause of democratic reforms in Celtonia at the end of WW2. The remaining communist states are Holland, Arequipa and Nassau-Tennessee, of which only Holland has any significant influence. Communist political movements are however alive and well in many nations, and it is still popularly seen as a ‘third way’ in opposition to the excesses of democracy and fascism, with a universalist appeal to the working classes of the world, regardless of ethnicity and culture. But such political parties typically operate in the shadow of other, more popularist movements.
Mexico is one of the few places where communist ideals may be about to break through to serious political power, though some commentators claim this is an oddity of Mexico’s long history of suffering under colonial overlords, and it is not for certain that the Mexican communists would gain a majority in a national vote. If the Netherlands is seen to turn away from communism just as Celtonia did, it may well be a fatal blow to communist ideology worldwide. Time will tell if these are truly communism’s final days…
World Tour of Hatti Royal Family
Aside from war and politics, the news sensation of the year is the world tour of the Hatti royal family, led of course by the current Tawananna, or King, Mursilis XIII. The Tawananna is traditionally a ceremonial role with little actual power, and is expected to preserve the status quo of the theocratic order. Very few serving monarchs have ever left the borders of Hatti. Mursilis’s determination to travel and see the world is a bold move indeed.
Politics plays a role in the journey. The Tawananna receives an especially warm welcome during both stops in the Iroquois Nation, and in the final overland journey through the Mayan Empire after docking at Chichen Itza with great pomp and ceremony, both nations that may be keen to build friendships with the Hatti as a counter to the new Atlantic alliances. At Kiel, the Zeppelin company gives the Tawananna and some of his companions a free return flight over Berlin and New York on board the Gutenberg, with no expenses spared, benefitting from the publicity. The flagship of the voyage, a large ironclad warship, suffers severe engine trouble during the trip along the North American coast; by the time of reaching Maunch Chunk in Iroquois territory, the ship is barely mobile and in need of a complete overhaul, and it is decided to take up the Iroquois offer of completing the journey on one of their cruisers, the Schascari, which is made as comfortable as possible for the royal guests; a small ‘flotilla of honour’ of Spanish and Iroquois ships accompanied the tour as it crosses the Pacific.
The trip is also marked by controversy, scandal and conspiracy theories; there are rumours of secret agents, illicit love affairs, smuggling of weapons, stolen archaeological artefacts, and mysterious deaths amongst the entourage during the voyage; Chairman Dick de Jonker also falls severely ill not long after meeting the Tawananna at a state dinner in Amsterdam. At the tropical island of Molde, a senior Hatti official is killed in an altercation with one of the locals, in circumstances that remain unclear.
The Tawananna’s goal may have been to open Hatti society to trade and exchange with the wider world, but opinion in Hatti has been divided, with traditionalists angered, and the democratic reformists - particularly younger generations - encouraged. The world tour returns full of new ideas and inspirations; it remains to be seen how exactly this will play out in the years ahead, but certainly there has already been an increase in demand on the world market for luxury goods from the Kingdom.
Holy Kingdom of Hatti: 1 Heavy Ironclad damaged
Election in Scandinavia - the Norse Bear sleeps?
Ulfur Oerstenvagyr begins a second term as Hásætisvörður, leading a Conservative coalition to another election victory in Scandinavia, with a policy of political neutrality, ‘light’ pan-Noridicsm, and a priority on economic prosperity. The election takes place as smoke from the sabotaged oilfields south of Teotihuacan casts literal shadows over the heart of the country. Although winning a convincing majority, there are bitter attacks from the right, which criticise the government’s policy of halting spend on new weapons; the nation maintains a relatively high state of military readiness, but arms manufacturing and weapons development has allegedly slowed to a crawl, at a time when shells from the Mexican and French civil wars are landing in Scandinavian territory, Scandinavian fishing boats are being sunk by mines off the coast of France, and border guards are being killed in skirmishes with Aztec fanatics. Some are calling for the nation to take a far more active role in world affairs in order to achieve real security of the nation. A potential coalition of far-right nationalists, pro-militarists and Asatru fundamentalists could swing the balance in the next election…
French Art Treasures in Providence
US officials have uncovered a collection of priceless paintings and small sculptures originating in Imperial France during the interwar years of the last century, including ‘The Death of Marshal De Gaulle’, ‘Madame X with Parasol’ and ‘The Apotheosis of the Maid of Orléans’; thought lost in the chaos of WW2 and its aftermath, it now seems that the collection first fell in to the hands of Celtic army officers as they overran a French headquarters at a mansion near Bayeux, Normandie, before being secretly sold to a wealthy US banking family after the war, where it remained in a private collection at a mansion near the city of Providence, until the current owner died without an heir to his estate. US law seems unclear on the legal status of these artefacts, and the case may go to the US supreme court; potentially, the governments of Celtonia, Normandie and France could all make a claim to ownership of the collection.
World Prize Motor Racing - Orbis Terrarum
Returning again to the Roman Empire, and an annual motor racing event at a purpose-built track near Constantinople is competing in popularity with traditional horse and chariot racing; the competition known as the World Motor Crown, known as the ‘Orbis Terrarum’ in abbreviated Latin, attracts a handful of motor enthusiasts from around the world. The teams have so far been self-funded, or funded by rich patrons, but with the latest event attracting record crowds and publicity, it is suggested there may soon be sponsorship from national governments as a boost to national prestige and to automobile technology; a Roman team won this year’s event, but a Mayan entry achieved a surprise 2nd place, with a Celtic team in 3rd.
Other News
* Norseland establishes a new armaments plant as part of an industrialisation plan; said to be working on groundbreaking howitzer artillery for the export market.
* Iroquois influence grows in Spanish politics; Spanish and Iroquois conduct joint naval and aircraft exercises near Santiago, dangerously close to Celtic waters at Nemausus.
* Germany goes to the polls this coming year - it looks likely Industrialist party will hold on to power as part of a right-leaning coalition, but some are unhappy with the government’s lack of assistance for ethnic Germans caught up in the Mexican civil war, or the former Cuzco germans, many of whom are fighting as volunteers in the Portuguese uprising.
* US industrialists have donated $4 to government funds.
World Trade Report:
With heavy investment in weapons by all of the major powers, supply of commercial goods was limited, and profits are increased.
Scandinavia: 7x = $14
Germany: 2x = $4
USA: 2x = $4
Acadia: 2x = $4
Hatti: 2x = $4
Mayans: 2x = $4
Norseland: 1x = $2
Spain: 1x = $2
Holstein: 1x = $2
Normandie: 1x = $2
Akwesasne: 1x = $2
1929 begins…
*Global Journalist Bureau is funded by charitable donations from private benefactors whose identities are protected by Celtonian Law under the ‘Privacy of Private Benefactors Act 1921’
OOC: The ‘left’ continent is hereby officially known as Altarra (which is a mash up of various native american terms for ‘Turtle’ with something sounding vaguely germano-latin). Major regions include America (the whole of the north, and Iroquois land), Mexica (Spain and Mexico area - middle), and Europa (Scandinavian Union including Gotland, and France)
The ‘right’ continent is hereby known as Tetrea (a Celto-Greek-Latin corruption of a translation of Incan ‘four corners’), with major peninsulas known as Alba (north Celtic region - Norseland), Gallica (southwest Celtic region), Calabria (northeast Roman Empire - Aventia), Yucatan (northeast Mayan Empire) and Zeeland (eastern Holland).
However, players are free to use their own vocabulary!
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There was a defensive pact called ‘Celtonian Commonwealth’ in the stats for Norseland, I had meant to take this out. I’ve retconned it with a defensive pact that will expire at the end of this turn, along with most of the initial defence pacts.
Heavy Cruiser didn’t have a listing in the Units and UU doc (apologies), although it existed in the stats for Celtonia. It was meant to be a buildable unit, I’ve added this as a unit everyone can build.
The generic Armoured Car is renamed to ‘Basic Armoured Car’
The cost for Transport is reduced from 4PP to 3PP, as on reflection it seemed excessive. The nations that built Transports this turn had a free point into ‘trade goods’ added.
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I have been meaning to re-write some of the rules… I will relax the rules for sending units to other players, I think it should be possible to transfer units and have them go straight into action that turn, provided the receiver is expecting them, has enough manpower to man the units, and has some funds for logistics. I’ll also clarify about damaged units.
Stats
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Roman occupation of Ollantaytambo!
First, a shocking development in the sleepy mountain kingdom of Ollantaytambo, as thousands of Roman troops enter the territory, backed up by columns of cavalry and towed artillery, facing no apparent resistance. The Roman spokesperson claims the Legions are there to ‘protect’ the country and to ensure peaceful development of the region. A railway line is now under construction, linking the country to Roman lands in the west. Reports suggest the King of Ollantaytambo was lulled into signing a treaty allowing Roman troops to enter the country ‘in the event of an emergency’, but this was then immediately seized upon by the Romans, citing the Portuguese rebellion raging in the neighbouring Inca Nation. We can not know exactly what has transpired at the Royal Palace, however it seems likely that King Taycanamo VII was outmanoeuvred while trying to plot a course that would guarantee his country’s independence and that of the Chimú people.
A sense of paralysis and uncertainty grips the Kingdom as all await to see what happens next. By all accounts, Roman troops have not taken over the government and the country officially continues to function as an independent Kingdom, and aside from some isolated incidents, there does not seem to be any fighting. Indeed, a portion of citizens seem to welcome the Roman troops. However, the authority of the King seems to be collapsing - there are reports of government troops deserting their posts, and hiding arms in the countryside, while both Communist and Democratic groups may be waiting for a moment to strike…
Ollantaytambo: -4 Militia, -1 Infantry, -1 Cannon, -1 Rough Riders have all deserted.
Battle for Portugal - World Tensions Rise!
The Portuguese uprising continues, with a Celtonian blockade of the coast offering some breathing room for the rebellion. Tensions remain high, and for a time a full-scale war looks imminent, with a seemingly belligerent stance from Consail Thomson, amidst a flurry of diplomatic cables around the world. The majority of the Celtic people sympathise with the Portuguese plight, but seem unwilling to embroil the Cetlic nation in a major war, with Parliament only narrowly passing a vote to declare a blockade of the Portuguese coast, on the condition that a peace plan is proposed. Cuzco also stops short of fully mobilising its troops, seemingly reassured by the announcement of a defensive pact with the Mayan Empire and by promises of support from the Iroquois.
Several attempts are made to agree a ceasefire early in the year, but the ill-disciplined militias on both sides ensure that such efforts are in vain, and fighting breaks out again. The Inca government then moves to contain and slowly strangle the rebellion, while Celtonia still threatens to intervene if the fighting nears Lisbon itself. There are reports of atrocities on both sides as chaotic fighting sweeps back and forth through the countryside; rebel forces have some success pushing westwards in a determined offensive to link up with their isolated comrades near the border with Arequipa, while government forces attack down the railway line towards Lisbon. Incan newsreels show columns of infantry and artillery advancing confidently, backed up by fearsome-looking armoured trains, convoys of military trucks, and biplanes flying overhead. Yet despite the official Cetlic blockade, one way or another the rebels are able to acquire more rifles, machine guns and old artillery pieces to contest the advance, frequently ambushing the government troops amidst the sprawling farmland and plantations north of Lisbon. But the rebels are relentlessly pushed back; after being outflanked from the west, rebel forces fail to hold a line at the river Tagus and retreat further south. Fierce fighting then takes place for the railway line near the Mayan border, with armoured cars being used by both sides, and a costly victory here for the rebels prevents Lisbon from being completely surrounded, at least for the moment.
Incan troops meanwhile surround Lisbon from the north and reorganise their front lines, but have so far refrained from launching any assault or bombardment, much to the relief of a city full of refugee camps and makeshift hospitals. As the silhouettes of Celtic Super-Dreadnoughts loom large on the horizon, there is hope for a new round of peace talks; the Inca have hinted at agreeing to a Celtic proposal for rebels to disarm and be given amnesty, and a plebiscite to be held under the eyes of a neutral party, though it seems unlikely the Inca will accept the Celts to assume this role. Few Portuguese believe they can expect good terms while Cuzco’s troops hold the upper hand. Some rebel commanders vow to fight on through the ruins of Lisbon if necessary, and it seems weapons and ammunition are being gathered for a last stand, however there is undoubtedly a growing sense of hopelessness in their ranks. There are continual rumours of Mayan troops marching north to support their Inca allies, although this has yet to materialise.
Inca: -2 Militia, -1 Infantry and -1 Basic Artillery lost; 2 Militia, 2 Infantry, 1 Chasqui Scout, 1 Field Artillery, 1 Basic Armoured Car, 1 Truck and 1 Armoured Train damaged; +$1 materials captured.
Portugal: -1 Militia, -1 Infantry, -1 Basic Artillery and -1 Basic Armoured Car lost; 2 Militia, 1 Infantry, 1 Rough Riders and 1 Steamer damaged.
Celtonia: 1 destroyer damaged in accidental collision.
Mexican Fighting continues!
Now to the mountains and jungles of Mexico, where negotiations begin between the Communists and the central government, and not for the first time in this long-running conflict. Celtonia uses its leverage to push for a peace plan, this time with seemingly greater urgency, and a large grant of funds to assist the Mexicans with land reforms. Negotiations drag on throughout the year, but there are signs of an agreement nearing, which would give the communists a political voice and a place in the Mexican senate. It remains to be seen if Mexico’s fragile democracy could survive such an arrangement, but a ceasefire holds for now.
Both sides turn their attentions to the zealots of the so-called ‘Holy Aztec Empire’; an allied force of Celtic and government troops is joined by the Acadian highlanders in their first foreign deployment, by executive order of the Acadian Consail, in a move that has proved controversial back in Halifax. Backed up by artillery, aircraft, and river gunboats, this bolstered allied force makes good progress along the railway line in south-central Mexico, reconnecting the government-controlled lands of Xochicalco and Zitaltepec, and taking thousands of rebel prisoners - those that chose not to make suicidal last chrages into allied lines. Government troops meanwhile storm the city of Teotihuacan, and there is brutal house-to-house fighting in some of the suburbs, but the flag of the Union of Mexico is soon raised over the ancient Aztec ruins of the old town, in a big boost for government morale - this was the site of grizzly atrocities committed by the fanatics just a few months ago. Government troops also reclaim the oilfields near the Scandinavian border, although almost all the infrastructure has been torched by retreating fanatics, with oilwells set ablaze. In a controversial move, troops from Normandie also cross the border to create a ‘buffer zone’ against zealot raiders, eventually meeting up with government soldiers; this creates a minor regional crisis, and only the intervention of local Celtic commanders prevents an immediate shootout between these new ‘allies’.
Attacked from all sides, the southern half of the ‘Holy Empire’ has now all but collapsed, with stubborn remnants retreating into the mountains. But the northern province based at Calixtlahuaca is still going strong; determined attacks by thousands of fanatics, backed up by aggressive use of old artillery guns, have pushed back the government and Celtic troops from their overstretched positions near the Iroquois border, forcing them to pull back to avoid being cut off, with some units reportedly fighting through enemy lines for days before reaching safety. Emboldened fanatics have even launched raids into Celtic territory at Nemausus, taking a number of border guards and civilians hostage, causing a scandal in the Celtonian press; the zealots claim they are merely avenging the raids they have suffered by Celtic troops and occasional shore bombardments of coastal settlements. Meanwhile, the eccentric adventurer Frederick Itzcóatl Thomson remains in control of the island of Cuto, now under blockade by Celtic ships; the ‘Consul’ is now organising food rationing and appealing to the international community for recognition of the nation of New Constantinople.
Celtonia: 1 Infantry, 1 Rough Rider, 1 Highlander and 1 Gunboat damaged.
Union of Mexico: -2 Militia and -1 Infantry lost; 2 Infantry and 2 Rough Riders damaged; +$2 materials recovered.
Mexican People’s State: 2 Militia damaged.
Holy Aztec Empire: -2 Melee Infantry, -3 Militia, -1 Musketeer and -1 Cannon lost; 3 Militia, 1 Rough Rider damaged.
Normandie: -1 Militia lost; 1 Infantry damaged.
War of the Cliques - Escalation in France
The seemingly intractable conflict in France may be entering a new decisive phase; this year sees a major escalation with Empress Jeanne personally travelling to the front lines to command a determined campaign against the Loire Clique alongside loyalist Marshal Neige Villiers. Besides this, there was the surprise announcement of an expedition from the Roman Empire to assist the Paris government in its new endeavours, the first such Roman expedition in modern times. The Romans are busy with their occupation of Ollaytantambo, but are able to send some of their finest warships, along with a small amount of tanks and artillery to France.
The Roman expedition is inauspicious from the start; several ships suffer mechanical problems during a stormy South Atlantic crossing, and a general lack of supplies greatly slows the deployment of Roman troops into battle, with Romans having to beg and borrow some supplies from the hard-pressed French government. Loire forces succeed in laying sea mines around Lyon ahead of the Roman advance; in one incident, the Roman flagship Basileus, a large modern battlecruiser, is struck by such a mine in the dead of night while at anchor; although damage repair teams quickly contain the flooding, several Roman sailors are killed, and in the immediate panic and confusion after the explosion, some of the auxiliary guns open fire on a Celtic steamer that was passing nearby as part of humanitarian mission, setting it ablaze and causing it to capsize shortly thereafter, causing outrage in the Celtic press. The smoke has barely cleared when there is a daring dawn raid on Lyon by the improvised bomber force of the Loire Clique, the audacity of the low-level raid taking the defenders by surprise, although there is only minimal damage to the port from makeshift bombs, it was a further blow to morale. Not long afterwards, it is reported that a Roman submarine runs aground on rocky shallows nearby, and has to be towed back to harbour for full repairs.
The first snows of autumn are falling as the Roman tanks and artillery finally join the French government on an advance south. The Roman vehicles do not handle the cold well, and there are frequent breakdowns, with little in the way of combat. Roman artillery gunners do however prove their worth in laying down fire support as the Imperial Guard lead the advance of Parisian infantry. The Roman flagship and its heavy guns remain out of action at Lyon, but Roman destroyers provide some additional fire support along the coast, and make life difficult for any smugglers attempting to trade arms for oil. Nonetheless, Loire forces fight a clever delaying action and retreat in good order, while their river gunboats help to stop the Parisian flanking advance along the Loire valley, denying Paris a decisive victory. Interestingly, this front sees some of the first confirmed air-to-air combat in recent years, with both sides using an assortment of old biplanes of Celtic and Scandinavian design; the dogfights are inconclusive, but seem to convince Marshal Villeneuve to disperse his heavy biplane bombers and keep them grounded in camouflaged shelters for now. The danger to Lyons is removed, and for all their mishaps, the Romans have gained valuable experience of overseas operations, but the gains likely fall short of what Paris and Constantinople had wished for as the winter snows set in.
Meanwhile, as a result of this escalation, the other Cliques begin to drop the facade of loyalty to Paris, and become more overtly hostile to Joanne’s regime. Marshal Ignace of the Orléans Clique orders renewed attacks against Parisian territory, managing to capture a bridgehead across the Somme north of Amiens, a relatively small advance that nonetheless poses greater threats in the months to come. Meanwhile, Empress Jeanne narrowly survives an assassination attempt, as grenades are thrown at her motor-carriage during a trip to Paris to inspect a newly-raised division of Imperial Guard; in an embarrassment for the security services, the perpetrators disappear into the crowds of Paris, and it is not known if one of the rival Cliques, or Communists or Anarchists are behind the attempt.
Celtonia: -1 Steamer accidentally sunk by Roman Empire.
Roman Empire: 1 Basic Submarine, 1 Destroyer and 1 Basileus-class Battlecruiser damaged.
French Empire: -1 Militia, -1 Infantry and -1 Rough Rider lost; 1 Militia, 1 Infantry, 1 Basic Artillery, 1 Gunboat and 1 Basic Biplane damaged.
Loire Clique: -2 Militia, -1 Infantry and -1 Basic Arilltery lost; 1 Basic Artillery, 1 Basic Biplane and 1 Basic Armoured Car damaged.
Orleans Clique: -1 Militia lost; 1 Rough Rider and 1 Armoured Car damaged.
Rheims Clique: -1 Militia lost; 1 Militia damaged.
Atlantic Alliances
The Roman Empire is barely out of the headlines this year, and in another development, Crown Princess Euphemia, daughter of the Empress, attends the signing and ratification of the new North Atlantic Treaty Organization in New York, which soon becomes known by its American abbreviation of ‘NATO’; an initiative pioneered by the Romans, with Germany and the USA as founding partners. Invitations are sent to other nations, but reactions are mixed - the Romans stress that this is a defensive alliance, but many see this as a provocative move. Historically, such alliances were only formed during wartime or in the buildup to war. By most metrics, the combined strength of the Roman Empire, Germany and USA greatly surpasses that of both Celtonia and the Iroquois separately, with Celtonia maintaining an advantage only in terms of naval firepower. If Celtonia were also to join NATO, it would surely create a democratic alliance of seemingly overwhelming strength. But the public mood in Celtonia currently seems to be wary of such entanglements with other major powers, and the government of Consail Thomson seems to echo that sentiment.
In response to NATO, an unlikely partnership of Acadia alongside Spain and the Iroquois Nation is calling for the creation of a ‘League of Nations’ as a global body dedicated to resolving conflicts through diplomacy. However, this idea has yet to receive the backing of any other major power. Now facing a formal German-American alliance on its eastern border, some predict that the Iroquois will instead seek to build their own alliance centred on the Pacific, which could potentially include Spain - where Iroquois influence is growing - along with the Inca Nation and Mayan Empire; for now though, the Iroquois seem to be keeping their cards close to their chest.
Communist Sunset?
The Netherlands is gripped by political turmoil this year as Chairman Dick de Jonker is taken ill with an unspecified illness, while democratic reformists organise mass protests throughout the country; rumours suggest de Jonker refuses to trust any of his subordinates to assume power, fearing that either a complete communist collapse or a descent into totalitarian suppression is possible, and is desperately trying to hold the communist party together from his hospital bed until a suitable successor can be put forward. Some have declared this to be the ‘sunset’ of communism on the world stage…
It is only a few decades since communist ideals were a dominant force in the world, reaching a peak in Celtonia during the World Wars, although the promised era of universal prosperity that so many fought for never materialised, with disenchanted army veterans leading the cause of democratic reforms in Celtonia at the end of WW2. The remaining communist states are Holland, Arequipa and Nassau-Tennessee, of which only Holland has any significant influence. Communist political movements are however alive and well in many nations, and it is still popularly seen as a ‘third way’ in opposition to the excesses of democracy and fascism, with a universalist appeal to the working classes of the world, regardless of ethnicity and culture. But such political parties typically operate in the shadow of other, more popularist movements.
Mexico is one of the few places where communist ideals may be about to break through to serious political power, though some commentators claim this is an oddity of Mexico’s long history of suffering under colonial overlords, and it is not for certain that the Mexican communists would gain a majority in a national vote. If the Netherlands is seen to turn away from communism just as Celtonia did, it may well be a fatal blow to communist ideology worldwide. Time will tell if these are truly communism’s final days…
World Tour of Hatti Royal Family
Aside from war and politics, the news sensation of the year is the world tour of the Hatti royal family, led of course by the current Tawananna, or King, Mursilis XIII. The Tawananna is traditionally a ceremonial role with little actual power, and is expected to preserve the status quo of the theocratic order. Very few serving monarchs have ever left the borders of Hatti. Mursilis’s determination to travel and see the world is a bold move indeed.
Politics plays a role in the journey. The Tawananna receives an especially warm welcome during both stops in the Iroquois Nation, and in the final overland journey through the Mayan Empire after docking at Chichen Itza with great pomp and ceremony, both nations that may be keen to build friendships with the Hatti as a counter to the new Atlantic alliances. At Kiel, the Zeppelin company gives the Tawananna and some of his companions a free return flight over Berlin and New York on board the Gutenberg, with no expenses spared, benefitting from the publicity. The flagship of the voyage, a large ironclad warship, suffers severe engine trouble during the trip along the North American coast; by the time of reaching Maunch Chunk in Iroquois territory, the ship is barely mobile and in need of a complete overhaul, and it is decided to take up the Iroquois offer of completing the journey on one of their cruisers, the Schascari, which is made as comfortable as possible for the royal guests; a small ‘flotilla of honour’ of Spanish and Iroquois ships accompanied the tour as it crosses the Pacific.
The trip is also marked by controversy, scandal and conspiracy theories; there are rumours of secret agents, illicit love affairs, smuggling of weapons, stolen archaeological artefacts, and mysterious deaths amongst the entourage during the voyage; Chairman Dick de Jonker also falls severely ill not long after meeting the Tawananna at a state dinner in Amsterdam. At the tropical island of Molde, a senior Hatti official is killed in an altercation with one of the locals, in circumstances that remain unclear.
The Tawananna’s goal may have been to open Hatti society to trade and exchange with the wider world, but opinion in Hatti has been divided, with traditionalists angered, and the democratic reformists - particularly younger generations - encouraged. The world tour returns full of new ideas and inspirations; it remains to be seen how exactly this will play out in the years ahead, but certainly there has already been an increase in demand on the world market for luxury goods from the Kingdom.
Holy Kingdom of Hatti: 1 Heavy Ironclad damaged
Election in Scandinavia - the Norse Bear sleeps?
Ulfur Oerstenvagyr begins a second term as Hásætisvörður, leading a Conservative coalition to another election victory in Scandinavia, with a policy of political neutrality, ‘light’ pan-Noridicsm, and a priority on economic prosperity. The election takes place as smoke from the sabotaged oilfields south of Teotihuacan casts literal shadows over the heart of the country. Although winning a convincing majority, there are bitter attacks from the right, which criticise the government’s policy of halting spend on new weapons; the nation maintains a relatively high state of military readiness, but arms manufacturing and weapons development has allegedly slowed to a crawl, at a time when shells from the Mexican and French civil wars are landing in Scandinavian territory, Scandinavian fishing boats are being sunk by mines off the coast of France, and border guards are being killed in skirmishes with Aztec fanatics. Some are calling for the nation to take a far more active role in world affairs in order to achieve real security of the nation. A potential coalition of far-right nationalists, pro-militarists and Asatru fundamentalists could swing the balance in the next election…
French Art Treasures in Providence
US officials have uncovered a collection of priceless paintings and small sculptures originating in Imperial France during the interwar years of the last century, including ‘The Death of Marshal De Gaulle’, ‘Madame X with Parasol’ and ‘The Apotheosis of the Maid of Orléans’; thought lost in the chaos of WW2 and its aftermath, it now seems that the collection first fell in to the hands of Celtic army officers as they overran a French headquarters at a mansion near Bayeux, Normandie, before being secretly sold to a wealthy US banking family after the war, where it remained in a private collection at a mansion near the city of Providence, until the current owner died without an heir to his estate. US law seems unclear on the legal status of these artefacts, and the case may go to the US supreme court; potentially, the governments of Celtonia, Normandie and France could all make a claim to ownership of the collection.
World Prize Motor Racing - Orbis Terrarum
Returning again to the Roman Empire, and an annual motor racing event at a purpose-built track near Constantinople is competing in popularity with traditional horse and chariot racing; the competition known as the World Motor Crown, known as the ‘Orbis Terrarum’ in abbreviated Latin, attracts a handful of motor enthusiasts from around the world. The teams have so far been self-funded, or funded by rich patrons, but with the latest event attracting record crowds and publicity, it is suggested there may soon be sponsorship from national governments as a boost to national prestige and to automobile technology; a Roman team won this year’s event, but a Mayan entry achieved a surprise 2nd place, with a Celtic team in 3rd.
Other News
* Norseland establishes a new armaments plant as part of an industrialisation plan; said to be working on groundbreaking howitzer artillery for the export market.
* Iroquois influence grows in Spanish politics; Spanish and Iroquois conduct joint naval and aircraft exercises near Santiago, dangerously close to Celtic waters at Nemausus.
* Germany goes to the polls this coming year - it looks likely Industrialist party will hold on to power as part of a right-leaning coalition, but some are unhappy with the government’s lack of assistance for ethnic Germans caught up in the Mexican civil war, or the former Cuzco germans, many of whom are fighting as volunteers in the Portuguese uprising.
* US industrialists have donated $4 to government funds.
World Trade Report:
With heavy investment in weapons by all of the major powers, supply of commercial goods was limited, and profits are increased.
Scandinavia: 7x = $14
Germany: 2x = $4
USA: 2x = $4
Acadia: 2x = $4
Hatti: 2x = $4
Mayans: 2x = $4
Norseland: 1x = $2
Spain: 1x = $2
Holstein: 1x = $2
Normandie: 1x = $2
Akwesasne: 1x = $2
1929 begins…
*Global Journalist Bureau is funded by charitable donations from private benefactors whose identities are protected by Celtonian Law under the ‘Privacy of Private Benefactors Act 1921’
OOC: The ‘left’ continent is hereby officially known as Altarra (which is a mash up of various native american terms for ‘Turtle’ with something sounding vaguely germano-latin). Major regions include America (the whole of the north, and Iroquois land), Mexica (Spain and Mexico area - middle), and Europa (Scandinavian Union including Gotland, and France)
The ‘right’ continent is hereby known as Tetrea (a Celto-Greek-Latin corruption of a translation of Incan ‘four corners’), with major peninsulas known as Alba (north Celtic region - Norseland), Gallica (southwest Celtic region), Calabria (northeast Roman Empire - Aventia), Yucatan (northeast Mayan Empire) and Zeeland (eastern Holland).
However, players are free to use their own vocabulary!
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There was a defensive pact called ‘Celtonian Commonwealth’ in the stats for Norseland, I had meant to take this out. I’ve retconned it with a defensive pact that will expire at the end of this turn, along with most of the initial defence pacts.
Heavy Cruiser didn’t have a listing in the Units and UU doc (apologies), although it existed in the stats for Celtonia. It was meant to be a buildable unit, I’ve added this as a unit everyone can build.
The generic Armoured Car is renamed to ‘Basic Armoured Car’
The cost for Transport is reduced from 4PP to 3PP, as on reflection it seemed excessive. The nations that built Transports this turn had a free point into ‘trade goods’ added.
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I have been meaning to re-write some of the rules… I will relax the rules for sending units to other players, I think it should be possible to transfer units and have them go straight into action that turn, provided the receiver is expecting them, has enough manpower to man the units, and has some funds for logistics. I’ll also clarify about damaged units.
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