A Question of Fates -- A Belgian AAR.

TekcoR · Aug 17, 2004

A Question of Fates -- A Belgian AAR. (Completed)

Due to real life issues, this AAR is being started over. During the game for the previous AAR, I had a power surge before saving. I only had gotten to 1840s and hadn't saved. Thus begins the new AAR:

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A Question of Fates

January 1st, 1836. Belgium find's itself in a unique position, we are at war with the Netherlands, their King William being our former oppressor. The Netherlands has a larger military than us, and the frightens us.

We begin with four standing infantry divsions, three transports squadrons, and a divsion in reserve. Intelligence reported that a Dutch assualt would happen in the region of Gent, and one divsion was sent to reinforce the current divsion there.

The march of Belgium's freedom begins...

In the month of Februrary, after years of debating, the 'Beglian Question' was answered. The United Kingdim signed The London Treaty, securing our freedom as a nation. A hostile France, Prussia, and Netherlands looked into the new land. Yikes!

Freedom at last!

Luckily for us, our country has a few good resources. The land around Brussels produces sulphur, with two provinces producing iron, three producing coal, and one producing timber. We also produce excess wheat and cattle.

However, we did lack a few resources. None of our coastal provinces produced any fish, thus our can food factory was nearly useless. How was Belgium to build an army which requires canned food if it cannot produce canned food? Three plans were drawn up.

I. The French
France's coastal province of Dunkerque provided enough fish, but it was in French hands. Plus, the French had a stronger army, and industry.

II. The Netherlands
With our former oppressors already weak, we could strengthen our military with what we could and attempt to take over the Netherlands. However, this plan was ruined when France invited the Netherlands into a military alliance.

III. Morrocco
Drawn up with the collapse of the second plan, Morrocco was close, provided fish, extra grain, coal and iron! It would be spear headed by 40,000 Belgian troops -- the entire standing strength of the army.

Twenty thousand Belgian troops landed in the Morroccian capital, quickly defeating the 2,000 troops that defended it. While another 20,000 troops landed farther south. Over the next two years, 40,000 Belgians battled the 30,000 troops of Morrocco. Finally on March 15th, 1838, Morrocco became a Belgian colony.

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Messed up the screenshots on the Morrocco campaign, opps.
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During the Morrocco campaign, the Belgian industry began to grow. Railroads were completed connecting the country border to border, though it wasn't hard, being such a small sized nation. With the seizure of Morrocco, the beginnings of a railway started in Rabat, and would hopefully stretch to the end of the Belgian colony.

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Once again, I should of saved before 1840, but didn't. At first I thought it was my fiance that turned off the computer. (It's something she'd do.) Then I realized the fan and the radio were off too.

november · Aug 17, 2004

Alrighty then, let’s see what develops.

TekcoR · Aug 17, 2004

A Question of Fate
The Year of Our Lord, 1839

The summer of 1838 passed without major events in the world, except for one thing. Belgium was considered a great power, ranking in at number six. European eyes, hostile and friendly, turned to Belgium.

On January 9th, 1839, the first hostility broke out.

France, who grew jealous of Belgium's 'vast' empire, declared colonial war on Belgium. However, Belgium had powerful friends...The United Kingdom. The 20,000 troops stationed in the Belgian colony were not fully equipped, nor anywhere near the French/Belgian borders in Africa.

The troops were quickly drawn up to strength, and prepared to march towards French Alergia, however 20,000 French troops were marching out.

French and Belgian troops marching.

A defense line would be plan, in hopes France would wear it's colonial forces out, while Belgium or the United Kingdom would send additional forces.

The defensive line.

The first battle of the colonial war took place of May 5th, 1839, as 10,000 French troops marched towards the 10,000 Belgian troops.

I smell a Belgian victory, hopefully.

The Belgian troops, were surprised, 5,000 French troops had fallen compared to their 1,250 killed, yet the French persisted. An additional 10,000 French soldiers marched towards the fight. Luckily, the United Kingdom showed up in an unexpected way.

July 18th, 1839. The United Kingdom forces a 'return to status quo' peace.

unmerged(28026) · Aug 17, 2004

Interesting start...I usually try to seize some of the Netherlands provinces in the war if I can as Belgium, but peace has its advantages, as your initial lack of debt proves.

Why buy a core province from Brazil? Expensive, and trading away more techs than land means you lose prestige -- why not import the stuff to build a colony yourself in one of the African provinces that provdes fish, or take some of Annam's fish provinces in Asia via a quick and dirty war?

Overall though, fun to read and a good straight gameplay style. Keep it up!

-Adso

TekcoR · Aug 17, 2004

A Question of Fate
Peace in our time?
1839-1842

With the colonial war with France over, and Belgian industry stabilizing, a new project needed to happen. The colonial railway had been completed through all the provinces, allowing for quicker troop movement, and resource production, along with shipment, to the home country.

Incase of further colonial war with France, fortifications needed to be constructed in Belgian Morocco. The two provinces bordering French Alergis; El Rarbi and Oujda, would be foritified.

The beginning of defense positions in Belgian Morocco.

During the year of 1840 peace reigned. There still remained the fear of France and it's mighty industry (ranking second in the world at the time), and it's military (ranking third in the world). On the technology front, the science of 'Organizing the Factories' was being developed. Eventually research into the army and anvy would need to occur.

April 8th, 1940.

Several of the European powers agreed to help the Ottoman Empire in it's quest to 'crush Egypt' and re-claim the Ottoman Empire's rightful lands. Two Belgian divsions were dispatched in hopes of claiming some of the provinces. However, the war was quickly over, and the Belgian divsions never left port.

The Aftermath of the 'war' of Europe vs Egypt.

Over the past few years, the Belgian military did not grow. Small arms, artillery, and all the required supplies were gathered in hopes of creating a 'Grand Army of Belgium'. The year of 1841 looked hopeful for our 'great' empire, hovering around a population of 5 million people.

The expansion of the 'Grand Army of Belgium'. One standing divsion ready to be deployed (bringing our total to 5 standing divsions), and 6 divsions that could be mobilized within a few months.

unmerged(28026) · Aug 17, 2004

oooh, playing VIP. Good fun! I much prefer their economic model, it's really quite balanced and excellent. See if you can't capitalize on French weaknesses when the Germans attack to get some French provinces -- it is one of your state cultures, I think.

-Adso

unmerged(2970) · Aug 18, 2004

I think you should think about colonising the 2 provinces just south of Morroco (Ifni and Draa). Draa is good as it provides Iron, while Ifni - fish (IIRC).

Interesting reading and good luck!

Garuda · Aug 18, 2004

I've never played as Belgium, so I'll be following with interest to see how you get on. I take it that France refused to sign the London treaty in 1836? Just what you needed eh, an aggressive GP neighbour. Its nice to see you beat them down in the colonial war

.

TekcoR · Aug 18, 2004

A Question of Fate
Peace in our time?(Part II)
1843-1844

Our greatest concern was our budget. The Belgian people could never properly recover if we fell too far in debt. Aganist the advice of our 'experts of science', industrious tactics were traded to our greatest ally, the United Kingdom. 'Organized Factories' was traded for an enormous sump of pounds.

Peace reigned in Europe, for now. Meanwhile in the world, several countries declared independence from their former oppressors. The idea of independence began with the American colonies, then the French, and it passed onto the Belgians then and people of Central America.

Central America's problem.

The rest of 1843 passed without major incident -- or concern for our great empire. Though according to our latest census report, the Belgian Empire now had over 5 million people. An amazing feat for such a smaller nation, and the smallest great power (in land size).

In early January of 1944, the people of Carlist Spain found themselves at war with Spain, again. The war did not concern us, Spain would win. What did concern us was our most southern fear, France. Over the course of the great years that had passed since our colonial war with France, we had improved our relations. (Was at -200, now at -40). It was hoped we could eventually ally the French, or atleast convince them not to interfer in the affairs of the Belgian Empire.

January 2nd, 1844.

In August of 1844, Belgium found itself in the spotlight of European affairs. A diplomatic conference was held in our great capital. Diplomats from every European nation met in Brussels for a week of Belgian waffles, and coffee. Only few were impressed enough to improve diplomatic relations with us, not once but twice! The affair led to more prestige to the 'great power' that is the Belgian Empire.

Diplomatic Conference.

The rest of 1844 would end in relative silence. Nothing important happened, except Belgian plans to hopefully one day...who knew.

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Thanks all for the support so far.

Too bad I only got improved relations with German minors...that's really going to come in handy *coughs* not *coughs*. We'll see, shall we?

Heretic · Aug 18, 2004

TekcoR,

One tiny question; I can't see the little numbers next to the soldier icons that normally indicate the number of divisions - is that a VIP improvement?

Also, how are your colonisatoin plans for the Sahara?

Heretic

unmerged(28026) · Aug 18, 2004

There's only one division in each province ;-). Concentration of force is for sissies.

-Adso

btw, I suggest concentrating hard on building up tech and industry -- it's Belgium's only edge, especially in VIP, wheer having a tech edge is harder and even more advantageous for a little nation like Belgium.

TekcoR · Aug 18, 2004

We will be concentrating on tech's mostly. Right now, I'm trying to build up enough of a military just to defend myself. Until the UK can land troops that is. With a standing army of 60,000 (40,00 in Belgium proper, 20,000 in Belgium Morocco), and 60,000 reserves...I can't hold too long.

We do have one good advantage working for us, two acutally. We have all the resources we need for a good industry (so far). We also have a great ally, the United Kingdom.

As for colonisation, I'm not too sure. I have a relatively low badboy score (was at 1 end on 1844). I could declare war on Colombia, get some tropical wood and coffee. Or declare a colonial war aganist the Netherlands and take some of their colonies in the Far East. I do plan on throwing the French out of Alergia. Right now, I don't want to spread my forces too thin. Plus, I still have 25 years before the colonization bans are gone.

Thanks again all.

TekcoR · Aug 18, 2004

A Question of Fate
Troubles in Europe
1845-1848

The Belgian Empire stood at a little bit above 5 million people, with a good chunk of resources for it's industry. However, the populace had demands for such good has tobacco, and larger quantities of coffee. Using it's mass prestige as the a 'Great Power', a trade was set up with the Kingdom of Denmark, which held the Virgin Islands in the New World.

The trade of the Virgin Islands.

We had watched the newspapers, the Danish Empire was having trouble. Revolts shook their lands, from the home country itself, to it's northern colonies, and the Virgin Islands.

Spain was another country racked with revolts. After the end of what was known as the Carlist Wars, the Spanish had won, but at a high price. Their African colony had not yet risen up in revolt, but maybe that would change.

A diplomat was sent to Madrid, Spain, in hopes of claiming their African province of Tafersit, bordering Belgian Morocco and French Alergia. The Belgian king was surprised at the results.

The trade of Tafersit. Chance of 95 percent.

The expansion of the Belgian Empire came at the cost of a few thousand pounds, sharing some technology, and having to build another fortification in Belgian Morocco, aganist French Alergia. That method was prefered over having to go to war with a far numerical superior enemy.

In the beginning of 1846, one of the greatest musical instruments was invented. The sax-a-ma-phone -- saxophone. (Homer Simpson).

Feel the vibes!

Before this great invetion happened, the Kingdom of Krakow -- a Polish nation -- found itself at war with all of Central Europe. Belgium showed no sympath towards the Polish people.

But the greatest of surprises happened, the Grand Army of Prussia and Austria-Hungary could not defeat the Polish! A white peace was signed and Europe quickly returned to status quo.

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1847-1848

The remainder of 1846 ended with silence, most of Europe, along with the United States continued to industrialize, with Belgium remaining the 6th most industrious nation. A massive build-up was seen along the Franco-Prussian border, the French, unsurprisingly, were building fortifications!

The French line of fortifications.

This development was most interesting to us Belgians, no French troops were spotted along their line of fortifaction, but rather near our border with France! To counter this rising threat, we asked for a military alliance with our truest, and most dear friends...the United Kingdom.

Military alliance with the United Kingdom. (Cool colors, eh?)

The French, although not withdrawing, no longer sent additional troops there. Our ploy had worked. On Christmas Day, 1847, we were granted the most welcoming gift a developing nation could ask for. A French scientist defected to our country, teaching us the technology of High and Low Pressure Steam Engines.

The defection of the French scientist.

January 1st, 1848 rolled around. Our great nation had offically been around for twelve years now. However, we were still the new Victorian nation upon the block.

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Enjoy the update, it gets interesting soon.

TekcoR · Aug 19, 2004

TekcoR said:
A Question of Fate
Unforgotten
1848

With our grand new technology of High and Low Pressure Steam Engines discovered, our industry stayed the same. The technological advances to the next phase of railroad had not yet been discovered, but eventually would be.

The early months of 1848 saw a new form of revolts spread across the Europe, the Liberal Revolution. Luckily our vast empire had not seen any such of these 'liberal' revolters. We are a conservative empire, and would remain such until the time was right.

Switzerland, June 13th, 1848.

A new African threat was rising from the looks of it. After their defeat to the Ottoman Empire and it's European friends (including Belgium), the Egyptian's slowly began to rebuild their 'empire'. According to Belgian intelligence -- which at first overlooked the event -- the Egyptian's declared war on Sudan, quickly overtaking it.

Another 'great' African war happened under European noses, as Ethopia and Egypt began to duke it out in the late parts of 1847. The aftermath, once the math had been found out, really didn't surprise the European powers.

The aftermath of the Ethopian - Egyptian war.

And so would end the year 1848 of our lord. The Belgian Empire saw no wars (in which it participated), but did see an expansion of it's military. Two divsions with artillery, and one divsion of regulars were trained.

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Good Eye
1849-1850

The year of 1849 found the Belgian Empire in the same spot it had been for the last decade, the sixth most industrious nation in the world. While other nations controlled vast amounts in land in Europe, France, Russia, Ottoman Empire, and Austria-Hungary for example...Other nations controlled vast amounts of land in Africa, and Asia. While we only controlled a small portion of Europe, and Morocco.

On March 21st, 1849 an order went out to all abled males in the Belgian Empire.

The Edict of March 21st, 1849.

Six divsions consisting of 10,000 soldiers each were to be mobilized by June 14th of the year. However, oppurtunity couldn't wait. The Netherlands declared colonial war on Bali, a uncivilized four province nation in the Far East. Only 10,000 Dutch troops were spotted along the Flemish-Dutch border.

April 28th, 1849 a declaration of war was sent out to the Netherlands. Intense times ruled the Belgian Empire's thoughts. The United Kingdom was guarenteeing the independence of the Netherlands, but was also an ally of ours. Luckily, on April 30th, 1849, the British refused to recongized the Netherlands guarentee of independence and joined in the war aganist them.

The pre-determinded plan for the invasion of the Netherlands.

The intial invasion of the Netherlands encountered no resistance from the Dutch, as 40,000 Flemish troops headed north. As scheduled, June 14th saw the completion of moblization of the 60,000 reserve soldiers, who were quickly stationed along the remainder of the Flemish-Dutch border.

The reserves deployed.

Thirty thousands of the reserves were to march towards Eindhoven and cut off any possible means of retreating for 10,000 Dutch troopers. Meanwhile, 10,000 reserve soldiers were to march into Luxembourg, while the other 20,000 reserves played an increased defensive role.

The next wave of great news hit only 6 days later. Another Central American nation had declared it's independence, while 10,000 Dutch soldiers were now cut-off with the Belgian occupation of Eindhoven. Belgian soldiers advanced north from Middelburg to Rotterdamn, were a recently moblized 10,000 Dutch soldiers laid in waiting.

The greatest disappointment of the war came in the month of September. Our troops were marching towards Amsterdam, the majority of the Dutch Army had given up resistance, through the sheer strength of our army. The Dutch wished for a peace...

The offer of peace.

It was a slap in the face to our great nation, we had not only declared our independence from the Netherlands, we were now beating them in a war, and they would betray us with a pathetic peace treaty! A disgrace!

In the month of October, a true form of punishment was convinced aganist the Dutch. Thirty-five thousand Flemish troops marched into the Dutch captail which was being defended by less than 15 thousand troops.

The siege of Amsterdam.

The siege of Amsterdam raged on through the month of October, into early November. All able-bodied men were to be called up in an effort to spare the city from the Flemish onslaughter. However that was proving pointless, espically so when another two divsions of Flemish troops joined in on the siege.

The siege of Amsterdamn -- month two.

December saw the continuing effort of our great nation in the home country of the Netherlands. The British had landed to the northeast of Amsterdam, a little late for any of the major land action. Meanwhile, British India secured a majority of the Dutch's colonial provinces. On December 31st, 1849 a peace offer was presented to the Dutch. Luxembourg, Breda, Eindhoven, Middelburg, and Maastricht were to become part of the Belgian Empire. Under the condition that if the peace treaty was not signed, the rest of the Netherlands, including the last few colonies it had, would be occupied.

December 31st, 1849...the peace treaty.

However good our war with Belgium was, new troubles now arised. Our borders with Prussia and France, still two very aggressive great powers, had been extended. A new time was upon Belgium, were further questions of our fate would be asked, and then determinded.

TekcoR · Aug 19, 2004

A Question of Fate
The Expansionist
1850-1852

Our less-aggressive southern neighbors, France, had themselves involved in a colonial war with Annam. Over the next few months of 1850, the Frenchmen quickly overtook the country. A few provinces were ceded to the French while Annam remained an independent uncivilized country.

French Far East ambitions.

Over the past few years, through massive peace conferences held in our capital, and through hardball diplomacy, we had forged a nearly unstoppable alliance. The United Kingdom and Belgium, two of the world's great powers allied together. But that was changing. In the month of October, the great nation of Russia was invited into the Anglo-Flemish alliance.

Russia's response.

A deep sigh of relief entered our minds. Incase of war with Prussia, we now had an eastern ally capable of marching into the very heart of Prussia. Yet Prussia would not be our first test as an Anglo-Flemish-Russian alliance. Ever since 1836, Brazil had shown it's aggression to the rest of the South American nations, declaring war on them and forcing humiliating peace treaties.

The United Kingdom was greatly upset with these Brazilian ambtions. In the late month of December, war was declared aganist the Brazilian Empire. The United Kingdom asked us, the small Belgian Empire to honor our military agreements and declare war on Brazil. Twenty-four-thousand soldiers were sent out towards Brazil, with the British Royal Navy escorting us.

The British Royal Navy and the Belgian Royal Navy....of Transportation.

The 'battle' of Quanam, if you can call it that, was quickly over. The Brazilian Army, or what soldiers were sent to defend Quanam, were quickly dispered by the more advanced Belgian Army. To the south of Quanam laid Macapa, another province rich in tropical wood. The British landed 10,000 troops in Macapa, and lent them as an expeditionary force.

The advance into Brazil -- from the northern coast.

The British were quickly all over the coastal regions of Brazil. British troops were landing on the coasts to the east of our forces, along with British Indian troops on the eastern coast. Our objective, so deemed by the British, was to drive as deep as possible into the country.

The continual advance into Brazil -- an overview.

Back home in Europe, events were relatively peaceful. The German states were experincing a lot of liberal revolts, which called for massive reforms to the social structure. In August of 1851 though, the Netherlands, upset about it's recent losses to us, declared war on the recently freed state of Hannover.

The Hannover-Netherlands War.

In the end of the conflict, a peace treaty was signed. Both nations returned to status quo. The year of 1851 would end without any bangs. The British, Indians, and Belgians continued to fight in Brazil. The war dragged on for it's first year, but how many more years would it last?

Heretic · Aug 19, 2004

TekcoR,

I hope you are managing to nab some of those Brazilian provinces, the UK or any AI for that matter has a nasty habit of stealing the provice ownership..

Heretic

Fiftypence · Aug 19, 2004

Good going so far. Crimean war soon, could be problems if you're allied to both the Uk and Russia. Nasty prestige loss from dishonouring an alliance...

TekcoR · Aug 20, 2004

Fiftypence said:
Good going so far. Crimean war soon, could be problems if you're allied to both the Uk and Russia. Nasty prestige loss from dishonouring an alliance...

Aye. I really didn't think about that when inviting them in. I may dissolve the alliance soon, unless I can somehow avoid being summoned into the war.

TekcoR · Aug 20, 2004

A Question of Fates
Unbearable Jungles
1852-1854

The situtation wasn't grim for the Allied powers of Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Russia. The situtation was however grim for Brazil, which saw no outside help. The great nations of Europe, along with the United States sat idle, watching the continual fray in the unbearable jungles of South America.

The Belgian offensive, led by 24,000 crack Flemish troops, and 10,000 British troops, advanced southwards from their intial invasion point. Meanwhile, other British troops advanced from all possible fronts.

The Belgian advance as of January 17th, 1852.

The war looked as if it would be over within a month or two, with substantial land gains for the Allied powers. However, Brazil had another plan.

Brazil's plea for peace...denied!

Over the unbearable months of June, July, and the now upon August, the Allied armies marched deeper into Brazil. And yet Brazil would not cede land to obtain a peace deal. The people of Brazil rejoiced as they were liberated, due to the high war exhaustion in their country, which reached a staggering 60 percent.

Allied advances into Brazil.

Through the next few months, the war effort in Belgium, although not dwindling, was reaching a lower point. No armed revolts had taken place in any places of the vastness of the Belgian Empire. However we wanted out of this war. On October 10th our dreams became true.

The Belgium-Brazil Peace Accord of 1852.

Five provinces were to be ceded to Belgium, which contained the resources of tropical wood, and tobacco. Our industry rejoiced as now we no longer would have to import our tropical wood on the world market, but rather ship it across our on convoy ships.

The news quickly reached the homefront like wildfire. Young men quickly flocked to their local office of the Belgian military and signed themselves up. By October 29th, only a few weeks after our victory aganist Brazil, a new divsion of troops (from the recruits) had been established.

Recruits rally to the flag of the Belgian Empire!

In the early months of 1853, Belgium, after signing it's seperate peace treaty with Brazil, would find itself at war with Brazil again. The United Kingdom, seeking Belgian support, inticited us with further land gains in the Brazil, if we rejoined the war. And so we did.

The state of Brazil, March 6th, 1853.

In the beginning of 1853, four new divsions, two artillery, and two guard divsions were to be recruited and trained. The Belgian Empire was expanding, thus the need for an expanded military. The four new divsions were fully equipped and trained by June 6th of 1853.

The divsions of the Belgian army, 48,000 soldiers.

There was no need for these 48,000 soldiers to come to Brazil. The United Kingdom had sent a diplomat in June to the government of Brazil in hopes of making an honorable peace. There would be no honor for Brazil however.

By the end of the 'Great War versus Brazil', the Allied powers had taken over half of Brazil, before the peace treaty was signed. The peace treaty decreed that 13 provinces would be handed over to British (and British India), and Belgian control. The United Kingdom would maintain 5 provinces, while we, Belgium, maintained 6 provinces. And British India was left with the 2 other provinces. Russia, although in the military alliance -- and the war, did not send any troops to Brazil. Where was Russia's loyalty to it's alliance members?

The state of Brazil, after the peace treaty.

Tropical wood, dyes, and additional tobacco would now flow into the home ports of Belgium. The people would have additional reasons to rejoice, as the Belgian Empire only lost a total of 5,500 troops. 24,000 Belgian troops fought aganist three divsions of Brazilian troops (30,000). With our superb firepower and leadership, only 5,500 Belgian troops died, while 27,000 Brazilians died.

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Thanks for all the replies, and reading.

unmerged(26989) · Aug 20, 2004

Poor Brazil, but awesome Belgium!

A Question of Fates -- A Belgian AAR.

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