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This team worked so well in the late war against Byzantium, that I am compelled to say:

Ministry of War

Subject: Appointment of Chiefs of General Staffs of the Army and Navy​


Effective immediately, Friedrich von Hohenstaufen is appointed Chief of the General Staff of the Navy, and Hugo Unger is appointed Chief of the General Staff of the Army. Each appointment is in effect immediately, and will terminate upon the end of hostilities with France.

Hals Gutfreund, Minister of War
 
((I'll try to get a plan up tomorrow afternoon.))
 
((Sorry for the delay in creating a plan; here it is!))

First of all, I would like to thank the Minister of War for my appointment. I am honoured and, although I did not vote for this war, I shall continue to serve Germany to the best of my ability. Now, I propose that we send Admiral Schobber's squandron to the closest Spanish conial port to make any necessary repairs and to resupply. Once the squandron is fully prepared, they should seek out and destroy the French fleet. If they find the French in port, they are to establish a blockade, using all of the squandron's ships. If they succeed in destroying the French fleet, then they are to immediately send all damaged ships to the nearest friendly port for repairs. If more than 50% of the fleet is damaged, then the undamaged ships will escort the others to port and are not to leave port until all other ships have repaired. Once the fleet is fully repaired, they are to establish blockades of all the main French European ports. I once again leave command of the transports and their 5 escorts to Herr Unger, the Chief of the Army General Staff.

-Friedrich von Hohenstaufen, Chief of the Naval General Staff
 
((Two Things, could I get a pic of Italy armies and who is the army between 10th and 12th?))

((11th is between 10th and 12th. The Italian armies have already returned to their normal positions; the only armies you can't see in the update are 9th -- presently in Trent -- and the Polish armies. There are no armies in Italy itself.))
 
Generals
2nd Army will keep their General.
3rd Army will keep their General.
5th Army will keep their General.
6th Army will keep their General.
7th Army will keep their General.
8th Army will be assigned Bernhard von Ho.... (Not sure what the rest of his name is. He is Colonial and Efficient, just below 1st Army.)
9th Army will keep their General.
10th Army will keep their General.
11th Army will be assigned Anton von Hess.
12th Army will be assigned Anton von Haynau.
16th Army will keep their General.
20th Army will be assigned Engelbert Dankl.
21st Army will be assigned Waltzer Schmitt.


Movements
Transport will move to pick up 3rd Army and 5th. These will be dropped off at Barcelona. Once they have been dropped off, the transports will move back to pick up 7th and 16th. These two will be dropped off at Caen.
2nd Army, 20th, and 21st will move north with both 20th and 21st to engage the French forces along the Straights of Dover. Following that victory 2nd and 20th will pursue. Once that Army is defeated they will go about capturing Northern France
3rd Army will capture Barcelona then move north capturing up and around to Pau.
5th Army will move south of Barcelona capturing south. Once the lands of eastern Spain are captured they will move north to assist any armies having trouble.
6th Army will capture lands north of Moulins west to the ocean.
7th Army will capture lands from Caen around Brittany before moving east and back north.
8th Army will capture (the red outlined area on map) the target.
9th Army will move west to assist 8th Army and any armies engaged in fighting.
10th Army will capture lands south of target.
11th and 12th Army will engage France's southern Army. Once they are defeated they will capture lands in southern France moving towards the center west of the target.
16th Army will assist any armies engaged in fighting or join 2nd, 20th, and 21st in capturing northern France.


Should at any time the enemy engage one of our armies with equal to or more soldiers then we have engaged, any army in the area will move to assist the outnumbered soldiers to ensure we have the advantage.
 
((Apologies, everyone -- meant to play tonight but ran out of time. :blush: I'll play tomorrow, I promise!))
 
The Election of 1854 and the Franco-German War, part 1


The war between Germany and France with their respective allies was the toughest challenge Germany had faced in the nineteenth century.

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Nobody noticed Stadtholder and former Chancellor Miguel de la Rosa Picard quietly slip out the back during Chancellor Bismarck’s speech at the Reichstag. He immediately found the Chief of Staff of the Army.

“Herr Unger, I have known you for years, as I knew your uncle Maximillian. I have always respected and admired you, even for having the courage to break away from the UAI and start a new party. We are not political friends, at least not any longer, but I hope I might rely upon you for a favor.”

Hugo Unger looked puzzled. “Anything that is in my power to grant, of course.”

“I wish to volunteer.”

“Volunteer for what? I am certain I could find something for you to do.”

“I want to fight, Herr Unger.”

“With all due respect, Herr de la Rosa, you are almost 54 years old. A staff job, most certainly, but combat would be very unwise.”

The former Chancellor gazed into Unger’s eyes for a moment. “How many men in your army speak French, German, and Spanish, all as a native?”

“Not many.”

“How many vacationed in the Pyrenees with relatives every summer?”

“Fewer still.”

“Then give me a rifle and a uniform. My son has already been informed, and the people of Brussels will certainly elect him as Stadtholder in my stead.”

Unger sighed. “Why do you wish to do this? You could be of great service to the Republic still.”

“And I am certain I shall upon my return as well, but I must do this. The de la Rosas have been quiet for too long. The warrior’s blood sings in my veins. I could no sooner desert Castille than I could my family, and France has always looked down on those of Belgian descent. No, I must strike a blow.”
“Then I shall sign the order myself. I will assign you to Twelfth Army; is that agreeable?”

“Yes. Thank you, Herr Unger. May God bless you and your family.”

As Miguel de la Rosa bowed and departed, Unger returned to his planning. His fundamental strategy was a three-pronged attack. First, Eight and Sixth Army would drive for Germany’s undeclared war goal – Bourgogne, with her German speaking population.

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Twelfth and Eleventh Army would push west, targeting Montpelier and points west, with the possibility of crossing the Pyrenees if there was opportunity. The final part of the plan was Second, Twenty-First, and Twenty-Second armies racing north to the Straits of Dover, threatening Paris and turning the left flank of the French army. An amphibious assault on Caen would serve as a distraction, with a second one scheduled for 1854 in the vicinity of Barcelona. A swift, strong blow could prevent French reserves from mobilizing quickly enough to make a significant difference.

Meanwhile, the Pskov crisis continued to have ripples, as an angry group of Ethiopian nobles toppled the government and seized power.

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Of all the military problems that faced Germany in the Franco-German War, the one most studied by future officers and military scholars was the Arras Conundrum.

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Two French armies – combined, double the size of Second Army – bordered the province of Arras. Konrad zu Hohenlohe had actually planned to attack Amiens, but the appearance of reinforcements caused him to pause, dig in, and think. If both French armies attacked Arras, they could drive Second Army back, which would open the way to the interior of Germany.

The first step was to call in Engelbert Dankl’s Twentieth Army. Although they were only a cavalry unit, their speed and reconnaissance might help exploit weaknesses in the French formations. The next step was to call for help; Ninth Army, located in Switzerland, was originally supposed to support Eighth Army, but the Eighth Army was doing well on its own.

What changed everything was Twentieth Army. A small troop managed to sneak away during the night and examine the French positions at Dunkirk. They were understrength, which meant the French were on the move. The Captain of the troop made a split second decision to raid a watch post and take a prisoner. The prisoner revealed key information in exchange for his parole: the French were attacking Lille! Hohenlohe’s course was clear.

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Twentieth Army proved their worth in the ensuing Battle of Amiens as well, attacking the enemy flanks and threatening to envelop them.

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It was an extremely bloody battle for both sides.

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However, with the cavalry in hot pursuit, the French army was attacked again at Dunkirk and wiped out. Ninth Army continued to force march in hopes of securing against a French counterattack.

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Perhaps the decisive factor in the early stages of the Franco-German War was actually completely unexpected; an uprising by the French “White Guard,” who blamed the French government for “getting them into a war they couldn’t possibly win.” The White Guard attacked German forces as well, but by destroying the mobilizing peasants in rapid order, the Whites actually helped Germany more than they hurt.

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The Battles of Amiens and First Dunkirk also had a diplomatic impact; they enabled Foreign Minister (and Army Chief of Staff) Unger to present the formal demand for Bourgogne in addition to Spain’s demands.

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On 24 November, Ninth Army arrived, and a double envelopment of the French forces attacking Lille was planned and executed.

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Farther south, Sixth Army executed its own attack on a German army sieging Lons.

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Thanks to the White Guard, the French retreat was cut off and they had no choice but to surrender. The same fate met them at Lille, where a victory and pursuit resulted in a second Dunkirk, the third major field army to be captured by German forces.

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Meanwhile, the First Fleet completed its repairs at the port of Natal on 13 December 1853. They had already eliminated a single French transport supplying their colonies, and now set sail for the Atlantic Coast of France. The Transport Fleet engaged and destroyed a small French task force of one Man ‘o War and two transports en route to Caen. French forts were falling with regularity. Yet Germany had one Christmas surprise for France; an attack into the Pyrenees, designed to take pressure off of Castille’s forces in western Iberia.

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Yet this attack was not like those in the north. The Pyrenees were a serious obstacle, and while French forces were scattered and weak, the bitter cold and driving winter snows took their toll. Captain de la Rosa (he had insisted on serving as a private, but Unger wouldn’t dream of letting a Stadtholder serve as anything other than an officer. Still, the Captain insisted on leading his men himself, and this through a treacherous mountain pass, in an attempt to catch the murderous mountain artillery from the rear. His men made it with his encouragement and determination; unfortunately, the way to the rear of the artillery was not as clear as he (or his superiors thought); the Chancellor caught almost an entire load of canister directly in the chest. There was very little left to bury.

News of the Stadtholder and Chancellor’s death was the last major event before the elections concluded. Calling the elections to the Assembly tight would be a gross understatement; the difference between the top three parties was less than a single percentage point.

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The Conclave also saw changes, although not nearly as dramatic, as it grew more extreme in its politics.

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While the leaders of Germany’s five major parties sat down to discuss a coalition arrangement, Chief of Staff Unger reviewed the war, while the Finance Minister reviewed the treasury.

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Nobody knew whether they would continue their jobs or not; it was anybody’s guess.

So, time to form a new coalition! I also remind you of the Party Balance guidelines, which specifically state:

25% in a house entitles a party to one ministry.

Thus, while the UAI, HUN, and New Society each will receive one Ministry, they do not get to “double up” because the Liberals and Conservative also control 25% of the Conclave. They certainly can be assigned additional ministries, but it is not required.
 
In the same vein as prior, I beckon all parties to come together for the security of Germany. Already, my esteemed colleagues in the HUN have come to me with a coalition proposal, and I have accepted with some concessions, but in any case, we shall not be distracted from this war by politics! Germans, Italians, countrymen, lend me your ears -- Come hither forth and join us in our crusade, for we shall tear France down and liberate our German Volk! I am proud to be this country's Chancellor.

I am open to further coalition proposals from all parties. I hope to continue my partnership with the nation's brightest minds.

The UAI has agreed to remain in a coalition with the New Society, and we shall lead the nation as one people!

Signed,
Otto von Bismarck
 
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I am delighted to hear that my colleagues in the UAI have decided to join the government as well, that it may honor the sacrifice of the late Miguel de la Rosa Picard.

--Michael von Hohenzollern, leader of the HUN
 
As the most senior individual within the Ministry, I ask that I remain Minister of the Interior.
 
As the most senior individual within the Ministry, I ask that I remain Minister of the Interior.

I have you down to remain Minister of the Interior, Herr von Altmark.
 
The recent happenings within the Republic disturb me somewhat. The populace must be free to organize and practice in non-violent political movements. In order to protect their rights as German Citizens and to avoid the slaughter or people I propose the following bill:
Internal Security and Republic Preservation Act
  1. The Chancellor shall not authorize the Corps de Gendarmine to conduct a military operation against internal armed forces without the prior express authorization of the Conclave of Stradeholders.
  2. The Corps de Gendarmine shall be required to attempt diplomacy in an attempt to get some or all of the rebels to stand down and return to their homes.
  3. The Corps de Gendarmine shall be compelled to accept any surrender that does not affect government structure or needlessly endanger lives.
  4. Those rebels who stand down will be given amnesty to the crime of High Treason but, not to lower crimes that they have committed.
  5. The Corps de Gendarmine will not disrupt,arrest,harass or condemn the meetings or members of non-violent political movements.
  6. The Minister of the Interior shall be empowered to appoint or impeach the Commander of the Corps de Gendaemine subject to approval from the Conclave of Stradeholders by majority vote.
  7. During times of lawfully declared Martial Law the consent of the Conclave of Stradeholders To use force against Internal armed groups shall be implied unless otherwise stated by force of a majority ballot of the Concave of Stradeholders.
  8. After an Engagement or at the Request of the Conclave of Stradeholders the Commander of the Corps de Gendarmine shall appear before the Conclave of Stradeholders in order to give a report about the engagement and field questions from the Stradeholders.

((Now, as I don't think we all want to grind to a halt to hold a vote to crush every 5k man rebellion that happens this will be GM's choice as to what happens if it is not a major rebellion. The commander of the Corps de Gendarmine could be anyone in theory but, in practice will often be an NPC general. Non-Violent will be defined as 80 radicalness or less. Further, I think that I can pass this on the Conclave's authority alone.)
Finally I formerly petition to remain the Minister of Finance.
 
the Second Bismarck Cabinet
Minister of the Interior: Friedrich-Augustus von Altmark
Foreign Minister: Michael von Hohenzollern
Minister of War: Hals Gutfreund
Minister of Finance: Dominik Fellman
Minister of Education: Carlo Brunelli
President of the State Planning Commission: Friedrich Meier

I would like to see Herr Unger continue his tenure as the Chief of Staff.
 
The recent happenings within the Republic disturb me somewhat. The populace must be free to organize and practice in non-violent political movements. In order to protect their rights as German Citizens and to avoid the slaughter or people I propose the following bill:


((Now, as I don't think we all want to grind to a halt to hold a vote to crush every 5k man rebellion that happens this will be GM's choice as to what happens if it is not a major rebellion. The commander of the Corps de Gendarmine could be anyone in theory but, in practice will often be an NPC general. Non-Violent will be defined as 80 radicalness or less. Further, I think that I can pass this on the Conclave's authority alone.)
Finally I formerly petition to remain the Minister of Finance.

What a load of hogwash. You tie the hands of state and the law. What does an economist know of law and order?!
 
((Wait... shouldn't the chancellor be a member of the HUN since it is the new ruling party? Or am I missing something?))
 
I, too, would ask that Herr Unger continue as Chief of Staff for the Army and, if I may be so bold, that Herr von Hohenstaufen continue as Chief of Staff for the Navy. I think both have done an excellent job and will continue to do so in the future.

While I do not wholly agree with Dr. Fellman's proposal, I do think that our Constitution lacks a provision for martial law. I propose a separate amendment, in which the Minister of the Interior is allowed to enact a state of Martial Law within Germany, with the agreement of a majority of the Conclave, provided that a specific date is set for its expiration.

I formally put this amendment up to a vote.

Michael von Hohenzollern

EDIT: ((The coalitions are determined by us, the game only gives us the percentages of the vote. So, HUN joined the coalition, recognizing Bismarck as Chancellor in exchange for my position and keeping Unger as Chief of Staff, if not Minister of War.

As a reminder, Bismarck's first term was as a replacement for Bern, so Sakura_F and/or Bismarck is eligible for one more term after this.))
 
((Avindian screwed us. He gave the new society power so he could be the foreign minister. Traitor. Death to the Hohenzollern.

In all seriousness Avindian made a deal with the new society so that they stayed in power and he was named foreign minister while I was supposed to be minister of war. With the UAI making a coalition with them to they did not have to uphold the last part since they now had over 50% without us. So I was demoted to 'maybe' stay as Chief of Army.))