40 Years On: Friedrich von Manstein's Brandenburg

[unmerged(53911)]

Once again the cauldron of Europe boils over! While the Americas appear to simmer.

What are the goals versus Burgundy? Plan to take away her colonial possesions or "neaten up" the Empire's boarder on the Continent?

 

[PrawnStar]

Looking at that map of North America shouldn't you be getting a CSA event?

 

[unmerged(70701)]

So... if the USA did form in German lands, would it inexplicably have 'American' culture (which is in the English group) or would they be Germans?

 

[coz1]

Production Diary: Day 34 (Just a bit more fb-fb)​

Once again the cauldron of Europe boils over! While the Americas appear to simmer.

What are the goals versus Burgundy? Plan to take away her colonial possesions or "neaten up" the Empire's boarder on the Continent?

Indeed it does. As for goals, I am still looking towards mainland territory. It gets to be a bit old-hat and easy to invade Burgundy's colonies and since I have so many, I am looking to rounding out the old borders.

Looking at that map of North America shouldn't you be getting a CSA event?

Heh! Now that I look at it, you are right. That's one crazy CSA though, isn't it?

So... if the USA did form in German lands, would it inexplicably have 'American' culture (which is in the English group) or would they be Germans?

That's a very good question and one I do not know the answer to (and hope not to.) You would assume they would have German culture given the amount of time I have been building there, but who knows how strict the files are on that? If I wanted to play around (and still had the save game) we could find out. Maybe someone else will do a bit of an experiment.


Thanks, as always, for the comments. Today was TWOTR update day and tomorrow is 40 Years On update day so look to the war post then. And I spent a little time looking over my notes for Eagle in Winter and may even have something cooked up for that. God love time on the weekends. But now, but is time for UGA football. Go Dawgs!

 

[Duke of Wellington]

Times ahead look turbulent and exciting. I know that you shall overcome all who might attempt to challenge you.

 

[germanpeon]

Very cool. Have you recieved any events to raise the revolt risk in your North American colony-cities? The USA gaining cores event seems like an empty threat of rebellion if there is no actual unrest.
I noticed in post #976 that when you got the "Prospering Times" event it said that people were flocking to Brandenburg, and Brandenburg had a thriving economy. Strange that the game doesnt recognize that what was Brandenburg is now Germany.

 

[coz1]

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From the very beginning of the war, it was clear that Germany held a numerical superiority over our foes and as German soldiers swept across the borders, it appeared that the war itself would be over much sooner than anticipated.

The Battle for Liege was simply one such battle that proved our better-trained and better-equipped soldiers were the masters of Europe. And within a month these brave men occupied nearly the entire front. Attacks were repelled in Valenciennes and Champagne and by October we held the upper ground in every siege.

But the harsh winter combined with Philippe’s tenacity put paid any idea that the war would be over by Christmas. In truth, the start of the New Year saw a well-considered counter push against our forces in the North, first in the Battle of Zeeland and then further in open Breda.

There was some worry that the Burgundian soldiers might break through our lines and begin to harass the German countryside. And in April of 1756, Burgundy would retake Breda and this fear grew worse. General Schneider was ordered to take his 18th army to close this gap and throw Philippe back once more.

But Philippe was a wily general himself and escaped our clutches. Traveling south, he would make it to Schwyz in time to repel yet another of our advances.

Thankfully, our military planners had given this possibility much thought over the years and we knew that eventually, our numbers would wear down the enemy as would be proven by September of 1756.

It would take us nearly a full year more to push our lines clear across the Burgundian Arch-Duchy while also gaining mastery of Burgundy’s colonies in America. But when Konstanz finally fell to assault in August of 1757, Philippe knew he was bested. On the 19th of that month, Burgundy accepted our generous peace offer and handed over Schwyz and Konstanz into German hands and Piedmont to our allies in Milan. Yet again, it had been a terribly successful war.

 

[Lord E]

Good work teaching the Burgundians another lesson. The Empire is looking better and better each time you given them a good licking I think. That USA event was kind of interesting, would have been a little cool to mismanage to colonize just to see if you could get the USA to stand up against you. Then you can crush them and get even finer battlefield experience

 

[canonized]

Hooray ! Time for me to stop by . Although most of the captivating elements that struck me about your work were incapsulated albeit concisely in the interview , I can say that it'll be a fruitful continuation from here . Deutschland Deutschland !

 

[unmerged(53911)]

Given the overall size of both armies arrayed against each other I think it was a relatively short war. The borders do begin to "round out" nicely!

It would appear that the sailing will be smooth from here on - unless Germany decides otherwise...

 

[Duke of Wellington]

That Burgundy looks rather pathetic now. Maybe it's time to focus on putting it out its misery?

 

[unmerged(70701)]

Do you have NA? If so, will you be playing this AAR until 1823?

 

[Corbett]

Good on you for your superb victory against the Burgundians!

Might I suggest that you go out and capture the rest of the H.R.E.?

 

[unmerged(79001)]

good going, your borders start to look better and better. I think that its no stretch of the imagination to conclude that Germany is the dominant power in Europe and the america's

 

[ColossusCrusher]

I believe that the USSR will have something to say about all this expansion...oops, wrong game .
Ming, maybe.

 

[unmerged(81390)]

Good work teaching the Burgundians another lesson. The Empire is looking better and better each time you given them a good licking I think.

That's right!

 

[Storey]

Your Western border is secure so is it time to tidy up your Eastern border?

Joe

 

[unmerged(24320)]

coz1: ...Burgundy accepted our generous peace offer and handed over Schwyz and Konstanz into German hands and Piedmont to our allies in Milan. Yet again, it had been a terribly successful war.

caught up ! !

wonderful progress ! !

magnificent updates ! !

 

[coz1]

Production Diary: Day 36 (Just Good Old Fashioned fb-fb)​

Times ahead look turbulent and exciting. I know that you shall overcome all who might attempt to challenge you.

Indeed, I don't have too many that were willing to challenge me by this point in the game. Good thing too because I did not wish for the distractions.

Very cool. Have you recieved any events to raise the revolt risk in your North American colony-cities? The USA gaining cores event seems like an empty threat of rebellion if there is no actual unrest.
I noticed in post #976 that when you got the "Prospering Times" event it said that people were flocking to Brandenburg, and Brandenburg had a thriving economy. Strange that the game doesnt recognize that what was Brandenburg is now Germany.

Actually, I do not think so, at least not by this point in game. And I'd agree - a very empty threat. And you are very right that it should have said Germany. I did notice that and have no idea why it did not change. Thanks for stopping by.

Good work teaching the Burgundians another lesson. The Empire is looking better and better each time you given them a good licking I think. That USA event was kind of interesting, would have been a little cool to mismanage to colonize just to see if you could get the USA to stand up against you. Then you can crush them and get even finer battlefield experience

Yes, I think so too. But it was slow going. And thinking back on it, it might have been interesting. Actually, in most games I eventually release the US, but never did here.

Hooray ! Time for me to stop by . Although most of the captivating elements that struck me about your work were incapsulated albeit concisely in the interview , I can say that it'll be a fruitful continuation from here . Deutschland Deutschland !

Hooray in return! Thanks for doing so. And I sure hope it will be fruitful, or at least enjoyable.

Given the overall size of both armies arrayed against each other I think it was a relatively short war. The borders do begin to "round out" nicely!

It would appear that the sailing will be smooth from here on - unless Germany decides otherwise...

Yes, it could havebeen bloodier, but I think they were still smarting from the last war. It was quite often war, wait five years, rinse and repeat. And yes, they are rounding out nicely.

That Burgundy looks rather pathetic now. Maybe it's time to focus on putting it out its misery?

Oh, she still has some strength in her yet. Those Burgundian Philippe's are a pain too. But rest assured, I am focusing on Burgundy over France right now, mostly because I no longer have military access.

Do you have NA? If so, will you be playing this AAR until 1823?

I do not have NA yet but plan on purchasing it once the MM Gold comes out. It's just too boring by itself, unfortunately and I am really disappointed in the number of events and such included. A real shame. But as far as this game, I would not be able to because I no longer have the save games - just lots and lots of screenies.

Good on you for your superb victory against the Burgundians!

Might I suggest that you go out and capture the rest of the H.R.E.?

Thank you sir and rest assured I am doing my best to achieve much the same. I actually have a good portion of it, but I don't want to take all of it because then I would lose all the bonuses being HRE gives me. It's good to have vassals.

good going, your borders start to look better and better. I think that its no stretch of the imagination to conclude that Germany is the dominant power in Europe and the america's

Yes, I think that is an easy assumption. Though France does still have some healthy colonial possessions.

I believe that the USSR will have something to say about all this expansion...oops, wrong game
Ming, maybe.

Well, if a USSR ever existed it might. Russia never formed but Novgorod did join the HRE not long ago. Kazan is actually the big power up there I believe and they've not raised their heads in quite some time. The combo of me and Lithuania pretty much has that area quieted.

Good work teaching the Burgundians another lesson. The Empire is looking better and better each time you given them a good licking I think.

That's right!

Indeed it is.

Your Western border is secure so is it time to tidy up your Eastern border?

Joe

Secure but not near pretty enough for my tastes. And why in the world would I wish to disrupt the beautiful friendship I've developed with Lithuania? We got out twice a week, have some lovely dinner and maybe a bit of the you know what after and then I can go my merry way without having to worry about calling the next day. It really has been a wonderful thing.

coz1: ...Burgundy accepted our generous peace offer and handed over Schwyz and Konstanz into German hands and Piedmont to our allies in Milan. Yet again, it had been a terribly successful war.

caught up ! !

wonderful progress ! !

magnificent updates ! !

Excellent and great to see you stop by here again. Thanks for the compliments, GW!


To all - look for another update likely tomorrow. Thanks, as always, for you all following along and letting me know that you are!

 

[coz1]

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Following the brilliantly successful war with Burgundy, Joseph set about doing his best to placate the political factions by offering up concessions in the form of favoritism. Two of the more troubling voices were the Counts in Vienna and Trent. To these he offered the sop of a refinery to be built in each city with a healthy portion of the income derived shared between them. It would seem to work for some time. And we were all pleased when the military planners came to the Emperor with plans to overhaul the structure of our cavalry forces to address the new age upon us.

But as the year 1758 passed by, we noticed more and more that the Emperor seemed in ill health. His mood was want to change drastically and quite often, he would start to babble incoherently and was often shut away in his rooms. It was during these months that his son, Friedrich, would come to the fore and take on more of the governing responsibilities. No regency, this, but it would little matter when Joseph I suddenly died in June of 1759.

His son would take the throne and Imperial role as Friedrich V and already he had a firm grasp on the body politic. In truth, it had been his own insistence that constables and tax assessors be assigned to each and every province of the land. His training, while not entirely diplomatic, was exceptional in military and administrative affairs. And his feelings on his father’s wishes were resolute such that we spent the better part of the following two years planning the latest attempts at colonization and to be sure, the next round of warfare with Burgundy. When a colony at Jamaica was successful in late 1761, we were pleased to draw up new maps of the region.

And soon after the start of the New Year of 1762, we were ready to redraw the maps of Europe once again. War was promptly declared on Philippe XIV, another in a long line of Burgundian Arch-Dukes.

The first conflicts of the war, as always, told the tale of the entire struggle. Our numbers were superior and yet we would still be forced to chase the rascally Philippe all over his lands.

The year of 1762 was spent pushing our lines forward such that by the following spring we had much of the North under our possession, or it soon would be.

And though Philippe would find some victories against our superior forces, even he was no match for the excellent training and sheer tenacity of our armies. By September of 1763, we would accept the surrender of nearly 3,000 Burgundian soldiers in Franche-Comte and by the end of the year; Philippe had been forced to take ship to escape the same fate. But even here, we had him bested, as his own colonies were nearly ours as well.

By April of 1764, Burgundy had little choice but to submit to our new Lord and Master and Friedrich accepted their full surrender with them handing over Luxemburg, Bern and Briesgau. We were that much closer to uniting our continental lands entirely and now had yet another border with our ancient enemies, the French. In one short decade, Burgundy had gone from one of the most prominent members of Europe to a quickly dying almost ran. It would have been a shame were it not such a glorious moment for our new Emperor.