Part 2 – AAR – Austria. Religious Conflicts & The Austrian-Spanish-Swiss alliance war.
(Since Patric and the rest of the EU team are working their Swedish asses off at the moment I've decided to post the Austrian aar up myself. This is part 2 / 7. It was finished 2 months ago, and that is a long time when speaking of the changes this game has made, so if some things are a bit puzzling, ask and I'll try and explain..If I can recall
)
I now decide to invade the principalities of Helvetia and Baden, annexing them would, along with enlarging my realm create a fluid, common allied border with me and the Spanish lands bordering on eastern France. This would create an unending arc from Austria, west past the base of Italy and all the way North to the coastline. This would cement our power along this area of Europe and force the other nations of Europe (most importantly France & The German principalities) to take heed of our strength.
Declaring war on the alliance will however be a difficult matter. Being Catholic, they are of the same religion as Austria and this may enrage the rest of the Catholic world. I sure wouldn’t like a bad relationship with neighboring Poland that’s for sure. Therefore I decide to a royal marriage with the Poles and they agree in early 1620. This will hopefully keep them from mixing in these affairs. I am also hoping that Spain will help me in this conflict so it’s brought to a quick conclusion. Inevitably they do indeed help me, but the war is much harder than I thought it might be.
I create 3 armies. One under General Galls, in Austrian Alsace, with 10,000 men & 15 artillery pieces. This army will attack south into Helvetia. Field Marshal Papenheim in Alsace as well, with 10,000 infantry will attack east into Baden. Third army under Lieutenant Brieg, 13k infantry and 20 artillery pieces will advance from Tyrol, west into Helvetia combining with Galls’ army there.
As of June 1620 I am unable to declare war as my country is in chaos (stability –3), the Catholics and Protestants are in constant uproar demanding better emphasis on their respective religions. I am forced to quell many peasant revolts all over the north and south areas of my country over the course of the next few months. I also create a directive to improve conditions for these religions, so that I may finally get my peace and get on with war
Austria’s merchants are doing profitable business in the COT of Venice during this time. There are 5 merchants there, earning a total of 34c a year. This is equal highest with Venice, the country that owns and controls the trade there. This is very good news. Perhaps I won’t be forced to take this province anytime soon.
In late November of 1620 most of the country is again in peace (-2 stability). On the 23rd of the month I formally declare war on the Helvetian alliance. Spain agrees to help me, as my armies move into Baden and Helvetia. Bavaria dishonors the alliance, not very surprisingly.
Helvetian armies of 23,000 decide instead of facing my armies coming from the south and west to head into neighboring province of Spanish Milan. Later on I’ll be quite thankful for their decision.
Philip II, becomes Spanish Emperor, January 1st, 1621.
January 4th, 1621, my army (12k) under Papenheim joins battle with a field army of Baden (10k) I win this battle quickly and convincingly, laying, forcing the entire army to surrender. I now lay siege to Freiburg, capital of Baden. This will turn out to be a very long and bloody siege.
28th of January my combined forces under Galls of 13,000 men join battle against 22,000 Swiss soldiers in Milan. After a brutal battle, I manage to win against enemy infantry that is definitely superior to my own. I manage to win this bloody battle, but I’m now a bit worried about facing large, well motivated Swiss infantry in the open. My fears will prove well founded. Spanish reinforcements of 2,000 men are now making their way into Milan.
At this time I’m promoted to Nobleman, title of ‘sir’. Probably due to my accomplishment beating off that superior Swiss army, both in numbers and technology. I now assault Tyrol under Galls with 15,000 men + artillery. At this time I notice that the Swiss army that I beat several weeks before has somehow made its way east into Austrian Tyrol. Sly tactics. I send reinforcements of 6,000 men under Brieg to Tyrol immediately on Feb 27th, 1621
April 14th 1621. I win against 6k Swiss soldiers (my army is 15k), near Zurich. During this battle I lose most of my artillery pieces, it’ll now be very difficult to continue laying siege to such a well built city like Zurich.
Several days later my 6k army under Brieg attacks the Swiss (14k) laying siege to Tyrol. A bloody battle ensues at the end I am forced to flee (FAST), the Swiss having butchered nearly ½ my men. They too lose significant forces, almost 5,000 men dead and seriously wounded. This battle may not have been the largest of the war so far, but definitely the bloodiest.
The war is not going very soundly. Revolts begin to pop up all over my realm. Galls is forced to retreat from Zurich in April of 1621 after shocking losses assaulting the city. Papenheim is still laying siege to Freiburg, however his forces are not enough to be seriously active in this battle.
In June, Galls moves the remainder of his army from Alsace, after his retreat from Zurich into Freiburg to assist Baden.
A 9,000 Swiss army now lays siege to Austrian Styria. What are they doing so far east? How did they get there? Perhaps they had assistance from Venice? Those bastards!
By July of 1621 there are nearly 30,000 soldiers laying siege to Freiburg, in Baden, comprised of nearly 20,000 Spanish and about 10,000 Austrians.
In July I send Briegs’ 6,000 man army against the 10,000 Swiss to Styria. On the 30th of July battle is joined and most of his army is torn to shreds by the Swiss infantry. What is left of his men retreat north. In October / September a 10,000 man army is conscripted in Zurich (since the Austrians were forced to retreat from its walls earlier). Things are not looking good at all
During the course of September a 24,000 man Spanish army from Milan moves into Helvetia and joins battle with the newly conscripted 10k Swiss army near the border of Milan-Helvetia. The Spanish manage to defeat them with some difficulty and begin laying siege to Zurich.
November 12th, 1621 Freiburg (Baden) surrenders to our combined armies, after about 10 months! That we managed to capture the city was only due to the help from the Spanish in these last few months. The city captured, Papenheim now moves to help the 19k Spaniards assaulting Zurich to the south
November 27th, Austria officially (and forcefully) incorporates Baden into their territory after the execution of most of the government as well as the Emperor. This angers the Catholics in Austria even more so and I am forced to conscript small 1000-2000 man forces to deal with these foolish troublemakers over and over again.
There are now over 30,000 Spaniards and Austrians laying siege to Zurich as of the 2nd of December, 1621. The siege will be very long since the army is short of artillery and reinforcements are not due for another 2+ months. However it is only a matter of time.
The Swiss army laying siege in Austrian Styria however is blind to these developing events (being way too far east to get any decent information from its own provinces. I am unable to send out a field army to deal with these heroes as there are only about 3k max soldiers in eastern Austria as of this time and they are busy fighting with the revolting peasantry. Needless to say sending 3,000 men against such a Swiss force would be idiocy and I have very little cash to spare in the treasury to conscript more forces as of this time.
At the end of February 1622, the Swiss forces under Klausenburg assaulting Tyrol finally retreat. Whether the a.i did this due to them being unable to capture the fortress, or whether the army was somehow notified of the assault on Zurich I don’t know Nevertheless, they are now marching with full speed towards the Swiss border. Our small Austrian skirmishing armies are warned to stay clear of this powerful infantry formation.
It seems like Klausenburg got wind of the situation at his beloved capital. Perhaps his army is marching on a suicide mission against the 30,000+ Spanish/Austrian troops laying siege there
The Spanish are irritated that the fortress has not fallen and they continually send in their troops to attack the defenses causing high casualty rates as well as a fall in moral. If they continue to persist in these attacks in the next month we won’t be able to defend ourselves against the upcoming 10,000 men under Klausenburg. This continues till the end of March, the Swiss army now being but a few days away from reaching the crumbling city.
April 1st, 1622 a white peace is signed between France and Austria. We still had not concluded a peace treaty at the end of the previous war with them. Therefore a white peace is automatically reached after 36 months of inactivity on both sides.
April 8th, within ear-shot of the Swiss army, Zurich falls to a mass attack by the Spanish forces. The defenders fight to the death, however they are totally outnumbered now 25k vs. 6k and are massacred in the city streets. What remains (about 3k) give them selves up. On the same day, Zurich is annexed by the Austrians and incorporated into my domains. Had the city officials known about the advancing Swiss army, perhaps it would have been different
Before Klausenburg knows it trumpets sound from the war beaten walls of Zurich announcing the peace agreement formally. His standards, on arrival, are forced to give up their arms and are formally inducted into the Austrian army field forces Many of the Swiss soldiers go into a wild rage, breaking out into mobs demonstrating this decision, however the Spanish see that they are subdued, quickly and efficiently. It’s a choice between execution or induction Klausenburg chooses the latter, his army follows his decision.
Austrian lands are now joined border to border with Spanish lands bordering eastern France. My dream has come true. A nightmare for our enemies! (see picture, Austria is in white, Spanish lands in yellow)
A note: Without the support of the Spanish I would have lost this war. I can’t say it any simpler than that. To say the Spanish were extremely generous in providing forces to our cause, is an understatement.
Despite this, we lost massive forces in this war. (November 23rd 1620 to April 8th 1622)
Estimates are around 20,000+ dead and wounded Austrian soldiers, through direct combat as well as marching / starvation / death through disease. I’d say 45% of these 20k would have been seriously wounded. Our provinces to the east also didn’t go without suffering damage. Various peasantry revolts exploded over the last two years causing massive damage to our lands. Much more damaging than the encroaching of Swiss forces onto my territory which did happen on various occasions, the most important being the 10k army that besieged Tyrol, as I’ve noted in this AAR earlier.
End of Part 2.
(Since Patric and the rest of the EU team are working their Swedish asses off at the moment I've decided to post the Austrian aar up myself. This is part 2 / 7. It was finished 2 months ago, and that is a long time when speaking of the changes this game has made, so if some things are a bit puzzling, ask and I'll try and explain..If I can recall
)I now decide to invade the principalities of Helvetia and Baden, annexing them would, along with enlarging my realm create a fluid, common allied border with me and the Spanish lands bordering on eastern France. This would create an unending arc from Austria, west past the base of Italy and all the way North to the coastline. This would cement our power along this area of Europe and force the other nations of Europe (most importantly France & The German principalities) to take heed of our strength.
Declaring war on the alliance will however be a difficult matter. Being Catholic, they are of the same religion as Austria and this may enrage the rest of the Catholic world. I sure wouldn’t like a bad relationship with neighboring Poland that’s for sure. Therefore I decide to a royal marriage with the Poles and they agree in early 1620. This will hopefully keep them from mixing in these affairs. I am also hoping that Spain will help me in this conflict so it’s brought to a quick conclusion. Inevitably they do indeed help me, but the war is much harder than I thought it might be.
I create 3 armies. One under General Galls, in Austrian Alsace, with 10,000 men & 15 artillery pieces. This army will attack south into Helvetia. Field Marshal Papenheim in Alsace as well, with 10,000 infantry will attack east into Baden. Third army under Lieutenant Brieg, 13k infantry and 20 artillery pieces will advance from Tyrol, west into Helvetia combining with Galls’ army there.
As of June 1620 I am unable to declare war as my country is in chaos (stability –3), the Catholics and Protestants are in constant uproar demanding better emphasis on their respective religions. I am forced to quell many peasant revolts all over the north and south areas of my country over the course of the next few months. I also create a directive to improve conditions for these religions, so that I may finally get my peace and get on with war
Austria’s merchants are doing profitable business in the COT of Venice during this time. There are 5 merchants there, earning a total of 34c a year. This is equal highest with Venice, the country that owns and controls the trade there. This is very good news. Perhaps I won’t be forced to take this province anytime soon.
In late November of 1620 most of the country is again in peace (-2 stability). On the 23rd of the month I formally declare war on the Helvetian alliance. Spain agrees to help me, as my armies move into Baden and Helvetia. Bavaria dishonors the alliance, not very surprisingly.
Helvetian armies of 23,000 decide instead of facing my armies coming from the south and west to head into neighboring province of Spanish Milan. Later on I’ll be quite thankful for their decision.
Philip II, becomes Spanish Emperor, January 1st, 1621.
January 4th, 1621, my army (12k) under Papenheim joins battle with a field army of Baden (10k) I win this battle quickly and convincingly, laying, forcing the entire army to surrender. I now lay siege to Freiburg, capital of Baden. This will turn out to be a very long and bloody siege.
28th of January my combined forces under Galls of 13,000 men join battle against 22,000 Swiss soldiers in Milan. After a brutal battle, I manage to win against enemy infantry that is definitely superior to my own. I manage to win this bloody battle, but I’m now a bit worried about facing large, well motivated Swiss infantry in the open. My fears will prove well founded. Spanish reinforcements of 2,000 men are now making their way into Milan.
At this time I’m promoted to Nobleman, title of ‘sir’. Probably due to my accomplishment beating off that superior Swiss army, both in numbers and technology. I now assault Tyrol under Galls with 15,000 men + artillery. At this time I notice that the Swiss army that I beat several weeks before has somehow made its way east into Austrian Tyrol. Sly tactics. I send reinforcements of 6,000 men under Brieg to Tyrol immediately on Feb 27th, 1621
April 14th 1621. I win against 6k Swiss soldiers (my army is 15k), near Zurich. During this battle I lose most of my artillery pieces, it’ll now be very difficult to continue laying siege to such a well built city like Zurich.
Several days later my 6k army under Brieg attacks the Swiss (14k) laying siege to Tyrol. A bloody battle ensues at the end I am forced to flee (FAST), the Swiss having butchered nearly ½ my men. They too lose significant forces, almost 5,000 men dead and seriously wounded. This battle may not have been the largest of the war so far, but definitely the bloodiest.
The war is not going very soundly. Revolts begin to pop up all over my realm. Galls is forced to retreat from Zurich in April of 1621 after shocking losses assaulting the city. Papenheim is still laying siege to Freiburg, however his forces are not enough to be seriously active in this battle.
In June, Galls moves the remainder of his army from Alsace, after his retreat from Zurich into Freiburg to assist Baden.
A 9,000 Swiss army now lays siege to Austrian Styria. What are they doing so far east? How did they get there? Perhaps they had assistance from Venice? Those bastards!
By July of 1621 there are nearly 30,000 soldiers laying siege to Freiburg, in Baden, comprised of nearly 20,000 Spanish and about 10,000 Austrians.
In July I send Briegs’ 6,000 man army against the 10,000 Swiss to Styria. On the 30th of July battle is joined and most of his army is torn to shreds by the Swiss infantry. What is left of his men retreat north. In October / September a 10,000 man army is conscripted in Zurich (since the Austrians were forced to retreat from its walls earlier). Things are not looking good at all
During the course of September a 24,000 man Spanish army from Milan moves into Helvetia and joins battle with the newly conscripted 10k Swiss army near the border of Milan-Helvetia. The Spanish manage to defeat them with some difficulty and begin laying siege to Zurich.
November 12th, 1621 Freiburg (Baden) surrenders to our combined armies, after about 10 months! That we managed to capture the city was only due to the help from the Spanish in these last few months. The city captured, Papenheim now moves to help the 19k Spaniards assaulting Zurich to the south
November 27th, Austria officially (and forcefully) incorporates Baden into their territory after the execution of most of the government as well as the Emperor. This angers the Catholics in Austria even more so and I am forced to conscript small 1000-2000 man forces to deal with these foolish troublemakers over and over again.
There are now over 30,000 Spaniards and Austrians laying siege to Zurich as of the 2nd of December, 1621. The siege will be very long since the army is short of artillery and reinforcements are not due for another 2+ months. However it is only a matter of time.
The Swiss army laying siege in Austrian Styria however is blind to these developing events (being way too far east to get any decent information from its own provinces. I am unable to send out a field army to deal with these heroes as there are only about 3k max soldiers in eastern Austria as of this time and they are busy fighting with the revolting peasantry. Needless to say sending 3,000 men against such a Swiss force would be idiocy and I have very little cash to spare in the treasury to conscript more forces as of this time.
At the end of February 1622, the Swiss forces under Klausenburg assaulting Tyrol finally retreat. Whether the a.i did this due to them being unable to capture the fortress, or whether the army was somehow notified of the assault on Zurich I don’t know Nevertheless, they are now marching with full speed towards the Swiss border. Our small Austrian skirmishing armies are warned to stay clear of this powerful infantry formation.
It seems like Klausenburg got wind of the situation at his beloved capital. Perhaps his army is marching on a suicide mission against the 30,000+ Spanish/Austrian troops laying siege there
The Spanish are irritated that the fortress has not fallen and they continually send in their troops to attack the defenses causing high casualty rates as well as a fall in moral. If they continue to persist in these attacks in the next month we won’t be able to defend ourselves against the upcoming 10,000 men under Klausenburg. This continues till the end of March, the Swiss army now being but a few days away from reaching the crumbling city.
April 1st, 1622 a white peace is signed between France and Austria. We still had not concluded a peace treaty at the end of the previous war with them. Therefore a white peace is automatically reached after 36 months of inactivity on both sides.
April 8th, within ear-shot of the Swiss army, Zurich falls to a mass attack by the Spanish forces. The defenders fight to the death, however they are totally outnumbered now 25k vs. 6k and are massacred in the city streets. What remains (about 3k) give them selves up. On the same day, Zurich is annexed by the Austrians and incorporated into my domains. Had the city officials known about the advancing Swiss army, perhaps it would have been different
Before Klausenburg knows it trumpets sound from the war beaten walls of Zurich announcing the peace agreement formally. His standards, on arrival, are forced to give up their arms and are formally inducted into the Austrian army field forces Many of the Swiss soldiers go into a wild rage, breaking out into mobs demonstrating this decision, however the Spanish see that they are subdued, quickly and efficiently. It’s a choice between execution or induction Klausenburg chooses the latter, his army follows his decision.
Austrian lands are now joined border to border with Spanish lands bordering eastern France. My dream has come true. A nightmare for our enemies! (see picture, Austria is in white, Spanish lands in yellow)
A note: Without the support of the Spanish I would have lost this war. I can’t say it any simpler than that. To say the Spanish were extremely generous in providing forces to our cause, is an understatement.
Despite this, we lost massive forces in this war. (November 23rd 1620 to April 8th 1622)
Estimates are around 20,000+ dead and wounded Austrian soldiers, through direct combat as well as marching / starvation / death through disease. I’d say 45% of these 20k would have been seriously wounded. Our provinces to the east also didn’t go without suffering damage. Various peasantry revolts exploded over the last two years causing massive damage to our lands. Much more damaging than the encroaching of Swiss forces onto my territory which did happen on various occasions, the most important being the 10k army that besieged Tyrol, as I’ve noted in this AAR earlier.
End of Part 2.
