Chapter 13, the War for Italy
--- The private journals of Jero I, King of the Croats and Prince of Montenergro ---
Journal Entry 237, 31st January, 1906
South German military officers caused a stir this month, when a Croatian General reported that they were conspiring against the state. They swiftly earned themselves the boot from our army.
Journal Entry 238, 31st April, 1906
Two new frigates and a new Clipper Transport were added to our navy this month, while a new artillery factory commissioned using government funds has continued the trend of a swiftly growing industrial capacity for Croatia.
Journal Entry 239, 31st June, 1906
In addition to two new ships (a clipper and a frigate) that were completed this month, an impressionist music academy has opened with royal patronage in Zagreb.
Rebels also continue to cause trouble, Austrian Nationalists breaking out in open defiance of Croatian rule this time.
Journal Entry 240, 31st July, 1906
Proto-Existentialism, or in layman’s terms “scholars sitting around arguing over preconceptions about time, being, intuition, and intellect”, swept the nation this month - earning our scientific experts and our nation as a whole some recognition.
In addition, two new frigates were completed and we crushed around half of the rebel groups.
Last but not least, a rousing speech on the virtues of our nation by a conservative member of parliament earned my attention this month - Happily, my advisors tell me that the population has settled down slightly since its distribution in the press.
Journal Entry 241, 31st August, 1906
With the last of the rebels destroyed this month, upgraded steam engines were able to be implemented - greatly improving mining and farming capacity, and the speed at which resources and produce can reach the cities. Military staff systems will be implemented soon enough too.
In addition, new ships (Two frigates and a clipper) were complete this month, adding to our now sizable fleet.
Journal Entry 242, 31st September, 1906
War has been declared, this time with Italy for the island of Sicily. Spain and Montenegro join us in this endeavour, although Russia has abandoned us, and even now the Croatian armies sail for Sicily on board our fleet.
Journal Entry 243, 31st October, 1906
Our fleets have landed in Messina, on the Isle of Sicily. Our troop’s found - to our delight - that the only Italian force in sight is unorganized, smaller and engaged with rebels.
However, problems occurred soon enough. Italian troops dealt with the rebels quicker than thought possible, while reinforcements managed to slip across the strait from mainland Italy, despite our ships blocking the strait - We have no idea how this happened. Our own troops are now in combat with a force of Italians 20,000+ men larger than our own.
Journal Entry 244, 31st December, 1906
Despite being outnumbered, we managed to beat the Italians in Messina. We procured over 12,000 causalities though, just a tiny number more than the Italians. However, this can be taken as either a major loss or a great victory; considering the Italian armies larger size, it is amazing we won and even dealt nearly as many causalities to them as they did to us. However, it now leaves us even smaller against the Italians who could afford to take such losses, whereas we really couldn’t.
In addition, more Italian armies have crossed the straight and now converge on Croatia’s troops - Spain is also a no-show, not bothering to contribute troops by the looks of it.
We appear doomed as far as I can see.
Journal Entry 245, 31st January, 1907
We lost, and our troops were forced to flee to Reggio di Calabria, and were slaughtered there as well (loosing ten thousand men to 900 Italian causalities) while rebels have broken out at home.
On the upside, military staff systems have been implemented.
Journal Entry 246, 28th February, 1907
What remains of our troops have fled onto the fleet, which is now on its way home. Meanwhile, the rebels have been gotten under control by the garrison left at home.
Journal Entry 247, 31st March, 1907
A delinquent General got the smart idea of offloading the remainder of the troops Catania for no good reason, resulting in the slaughter of what remained of the Croatian invasion force.
Journal Entry 248, 31st April, 1907
I ordered the fleet to assist an embattled Spanish fleet in the Strait of Messina this month; this is the first time the Spanish have shown up, and despite being a great power they are getting themselves smashed by Italy’s navy.
I also ordered the beginning of a program to draw up new military plans and planning strategies for the officer’s academy cadets to study.
Journal Entry 248, 31st May, 1907
Our fleet lost a ship fleeing the failed Battle of the Strait of Messina, and is even now fleeing for Greek ports, the most distance friendly ports imaginable. The Admiral in charge is obviously some imbecile, and I look forward to firing him when he returns home.
Journal Entry 249, 31st June, 1907
I ordered the training of four brigades of guards, one brigade of artillery and a brigade of infantry to begin this month,
In addition, eleven new frigate are now complete.
Journal Entry 225, 31st July, 1907
Blueprints for ammunition factories came through this month.
Journal Entry 227, 31st August, 1907
A new frigate came through this month.
Journal Entry 228, 31st September, 1907
Italy has begun going on the offensive, landing troops in Spanish Istria, bordering Croatia. I immediately sent our troops to reinforce the Spanish troops who are besieged by the Italians. In addition, I have ordered the construction of three new clippers to replace those lost.
Journal Entry 229, 31st October, 1907
We fought off the Italian forces in Postojnab this month, while Italy began requesting white peace from us. We stoutly refused and instead called up two new brigades that finished training this month, and sent them to Istria.
Just last week we have won a battle in the neighbouring province to Postojna, Gorizia.
Journal Entry 230, 31st November, 1907
Italy sent another envoy to ask for white peace this month, and was rejected. In addition, a new clipper was completed.
Journal Entry 231, 31st December, 1907
The fleet set off for Italy this month, carrying six brigades. In addition, the drafting of military plans has been completed, Italy requested a white peace again and bread riots began in the homeland. The last set of evens kind of overshadows the good news.
Policies on army decision making are the new innovation that government funds will be spent on.
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Journal Entry 232, 31st January, 1908
Our troops landed in Catania this month, and were quickly attacked by an Italian force that we missed. Currently, the Italians are winning although the battle still rages.
Journal Entry 233, 28th February, 1908
The use of telegraphs to coordinate troops came into use this month, aiding the organization of our troops. In addition, we were slaughtered in Catania, and our troops forced to retreat.
Journal Entry 234, 31st March, 1908
Five new brigades reached completion this month, and have been grouped in Karlovac province. In addition, Italy offered us white peace again - which we refused.
In addition, just yesterday I ordered the mobilisation of our forces.
Journal Entry 235, 31st April, 1908
Italians marched into Croatia this month, slaughtering the garrison in Karlovac in a swift and deadly battle.
Journal Entry 236, 31st June, 1908
Four new frigates was completed this month, and our troops attacked the Italians invaders in Karlovac, with Spanish reinforcements.
Journal Entry 237, 31st July, 1908
We beat the Italians in Karlovac this month, and the Italians began requesting white pace again. I rejected them once again, which on hindsight might not have been the best decision.
Journal Entry 238, 31st August, 1908
Our fleet was slaughtered in the Straits of Otranto this month, 23 Croatian ships lost in the battle, with zero Italian ships lost.
Journal Entry 239, 31st September, 1908
The strategy of pre-planning mobilisations, from when and where to pick up weapons to time tables for trains was introduced this month,
Journal Entry 240, 31st October, 1908
Italy sent another envoy asking for white peace, which was rejected, while we got embroiled in a battle in Postojna with Italian troops and Spanish troops on our side.
Journal Entry 241, 31st November, 1908
We won the battle in Postojna, while Italy has gotten itself into a war with Czechoslovakia over Italian Lombardia.
In addition, distracted by this war, I had to turn away a delegation of South German businessmen, which has greatly upset them and their colleagues.
Journal Entry 242, 31st December, 1908
I am happy to find that the Netherlands and Wurttemberg have both taken up to fighting Italy together.
Journal Entry 243, 31st January, 1909
I ordered the commissioning of 28 new clippers this month, in every port province. Meanwhile, Italy began asking for white peace again, and 45,000 of our troops attacked an Italian force of 15,000 in Zagreb.
Journal Entry 244, 28th February, 1909
Communist rebels broke out in three provinces this month, and I also commissioned an ammunition factory in Dalmatia state, a clothes factory in Transdanubia, and ordered the expansion of two factories. In addition, before the communists were even put down Austrian nationalists took arms and began rebelling.
Journal Entry 245, 31st March, 1909
Four new ships were completed this month, while Jacobins began rebelling in a single province.
Though the numbers are small, our troops are occupied battling Italians in Zagreb.
Journal Entry 246, 31st April, 1909
The rebellion continues, the titanic Battle of Zagreb continues unabated, two new ships are completed and a new research has been completed. Military statistics are next.
Journal Entry 247, 31st May, 1909
Italy offered peace again, and was refused. In addition the Battle of Zagreb has finally finished, with Croatia victorious but at a high cost; 16,000 men dead, though 12,000 Italians are also now deceased. In addition, three new clippers were completed.
Journal Entry 248, 31st June, 1909
We defeated rebels in Zagreb this month, four more clippers were completed and now we move to put down the other rebelling groups. The first target was rebels in Sisak, and they were swiftly destroyed.
Journal Entry 249, 31st July, 1909
A second group of rebels in Zagreb and a group in Kaposvar were both destroyed this month. In addition, five more clippers were completed.
Journal Entry 250, 31st August, 1909
Rebels in Vukovar were put down this month, the Italians sent an envoy requesting peace which was rejected, and five more ships were completed.
Journal Entry 251, 31st September, 1909
Elections began this month, while I was forced to lose technological progress in order to keep order among South Germans in the Gyor provincial school system. Rebels were also put down in Zadar.
In addition, Italy is now being ground down by the forces of the Kingdom of Czechoslovakia, the Empire of France, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Duchy of Wurttemberg in three separate wars. However, Croatia’s war with them has ended, as decreed by Spain.
Journal Entry 252, 31st October, 1909
Category tables have been invented this month, designed to categorise each soldier and the role he fits into. I’m told it will increase mobilisation size and speed.
Also, two more clippers were completed.
Journal Entry 253, 31st November, 1909
5 new clippers were completed this month. I was also disgusted to find that Czechoslovakians in Croatia have been getting together in seemingly innocent gymnasts clubs, but which are actually small nationalist movement groups. Why can’t the wretched people immigrate to Czechoslovakia instead of causing trouble in Croatia?
Journal Entry 254, 31st December, 1909
I ordered the demobilisation of Croatia’s poor this month, sending them back to their jobs.
Journal Entry 255, 31st January, 1910
Delegated power organization took hold in the military ranks this month, giving generals authority to give extra responsibility to subordinates in areas that didn’t require full authority.
In addition, Italy is now at war with a large coalition of multiple nations.
The war with the Netherlands ended in a white peace, but now Switzerland and the Ottoman Empire have joined the bandwagon.
Journal Entry 256, 31st March, 1910
Yugoslavian Pan-Nationalists and Communists took up arms this month, and the election finished with the Royal Party still in power.
Journal Entry 256, 31st April, 1910
We destroyed rebels in Varazdin, Bjelovar and Sisak this month.
Journal Entry 257, 31st May, 1910
The rebellions in Zadar and Split were put down this month.
Journal Entry 258, 31st August, 1910
Braunschweig, who had loans with our national band, when bankrupt this month - giving us a reason to go to war. However, we do not have access to Braunschweig and so I had to let it go.
Journal Entry 259, 31st September, 1910
Military statistics were completed this month. In addition we imprisoned a Hungarian nationalist this month.
An academy to sponsor expressionism thought is now being built with government funds.
Journal Entry 260, 31st November, 1910
Austrian Nationalists have rebelled in five provinces this month.
Journal Entry 261, 31st December, 1910
We put down the rebellions in Sopron, Pancevo and Novi Sad this month, and the rebels in Zagreb dissolved before we reached them. However, more rebellions are on the horizon.
And in the rest of Europe, France is winning their war with Italy, Czechoslovakia has now successfully taken the Italian half of the state of Lombardia and the Ottoman Empire has ended their war for Puglia.