Chapter Twenty Four - The Thin Pink Line
With the war now underway the government cannot help but think they have forgotten about something.
Oh. It may have been a good idea to refrain from declaring war upon France until she had removed her sizeable force from the newly acquired Philippines. It may have been an even better idea to refrain from beginning work on forts within the province, which is now likely to fall long before their completion.
Setting aside this slight mishap the first reports filter through of Sokot troops meeting the French in battle.
Rather worryingly France have appointed a gifted commander to this first attack, Gallieni a skilled, attack minded general. Far more worryingly General Rumfa is rather competent himself. Thankfully, despite appointing a skilled general to lead this attack France is rather outnumbered on the battlefield, the bulk of her troops in the region understandably more interested in the most important aspect of warfare, looting and pillaging. In this case the looting and pillaging of Sokoto's empty Spanish holdings to the east.
With battle met along the whole of the narrow front, Sokoto secures her first victory a month later.
This victory won after the French General de MacMahon led his men into an ambush, having become hopelessly lost whilst following a map of his own creation. This the reason why cartographers should never be given command.
Research into 'Army Decision Making' comes to an end a few days later.
The army is now more than happy that both troops and officers have been taught to always make decisions which will bring victory whilst causing as many casaulties as possible. A majority of men now making the wise decision to take to the battlefield whilst entirely unarmed.
Research is next begun into 'Iron Muzzle-loaded Artillery'. This after Sokot industralists promised the government that they can produce iron, made from cow dung and cotton, which will prove far more sturdy and resilient than the current bronze used to make cannon.
A few days later and Sokoto secures a crushing victory at Burgos.
For some reason France's strategy of throwing forward newly mobilised reserves at a narrow, well defended front against entrenched, numerically superior opposition, whilst leaving the bulk of her troops to loot, pillage and besiege empty Sokot provinces, is not proving a good one.
All is far from lost for France though, as her ally Belgium makes an audacious landing in Sokot Italy.
With her allies employing such ingenious strategies France is sure to win the war soon.
Whilst Belgium makes her daring attack upon Sokot Italy, France attacks with her troops in North Africa, happily marching them back and forth in the attrition causing deserts of Sokot Egypt.
This a brilliant strategy Sokoto's army remains keen to emulate as soon as possible.
There is considerable surprise amongst the government just over a week later as they are told of the growing temperance movement within Sokoto.
Whilst greatly doubting the need for such a movement, it hardly as if the leading producer of liquor and wine within the world would have a problem with rampant alcoholism, the government nonetheless give the League their support. The government is always willing to bully poor citizens by denying them what they want. That is, the government is always willing to aid poor citizens by protecting them from the temptation of alcohol.
The government is given some hugely worrying news a few weeks later.
Sokoto has suffered defeat. That is not what causes the government huge worry however. What is hugely worrying is that even when suffering defeat France's casualty count is far higher than that of Sokoto's. Sokoto really need do something to address this worrying imbalance.
A few weeks later and the government is given the alarming news that the victor of Soria, General Gallieni, is leading an attack in Santander.
Attacking Sokoto's entrenched troops with a hugely outnumbered, battle weary force which is on the point of collapse, Gallieni shows the genius for command which explains his great victory at Soria. Sokoto can feel little shame in losing to so skilled a general.
Whilst Sokoto's troops in Santander battle desperately to defeat the brilliant Gallieni, the government is informed of a thumping Sokot victory in Burgos.
A thumping victory which brings yet more disappointment. Sokoto's army has a long way to go before it too can suffer such casualties, France's army clearly superior.
The government's despondancy at the inadequacy of Sokoto's army in comparison to France is lifted a few days later by wonderful news from North Africa.
Somehow the worryingly competent Zamnagawa has triumphed over the attrition ravaged force led by General d'Orleans, who is rightly regarded as a rising star by the French military, when all Zamnagawa had in his favour was a gift for command and overwhelming numbers.
Evidently inspired by the great Gallieni, France continues to throw forward small, battle weary forces at well defended Sokot positions.
Quite why France persists with this strategy is a mystery to Sokoto's army. There is no chance of Sokoto being defeated by horribly outnumbered, disorganised French reservists attacking entrenched Sokot brigades with no artillery or cavalry support.
No chance whatsoever. Sokoto's men are too brilliantly led, equipped, trained and, most importantly, clothed. France should simply concede defeat and stop employing this awful tactic.
Yes, there is no chance whatsoever that Sokoto will succumb to such a strategy. Ahem. In losing to a far smaller, disorganised force the Sokot army is left hugely impressed by Zamnagawa's display. His promotion is now assured.
Whilst France and Sokoto battle desperately in Spain, the government is given some welcome news just over a month later.
France's forces in North Africa have now been defeated, which allows Sokoto's soldiers within the region to begin the much dreaded task of besieging France's North African holdings. Many quickly succumb to grevious injuries as a result of said siege duty. Grevious injuries such as having to suffer sand in their eyes.
As Sokot troops suffer through horrifying siege conditions in North Africa, Sokot forces in Iberia continue to battle on against endless French attacks.
France need be commended for continuing her brilliant strategy of throwing forward mobilised reserves with little artillery or cavalry support against easily reinforced and defended Sokot positions. She will doubtless gain victory soon.
Whilst France somehow meets repeated defeat in Spain despite employing her brilliant strategy, the army of her ally, the Ottomans, is crushed.
Although not before they defeat Sokoto at Uskudar. General Rumfa winning much praise for his defeat here as he suffered an acceptable amount of casaulties, a first for Sokoto thus far in this war. Defeat in such circumstances is always welcomed by the Sokot army as it allows for war to drag on for a bit longer, which gives the possibly of more men being lost.
After almost a year of fighting Sokoto seems to be gaining the upper hand in this war. Her pink clad troops near invincible, they have defeated French armies time and again, swiftly whittling down France's brigade count. Once France's numbers dwindle sufficiently Sokoto will be able to press home her advantage, at last able to advance. There can no doubt that Sokot attacks will sweep all before them.
Well, perhaps a little doubt.