Janissaries Forward! PBEM 109 DAR

[06 Maestro]

January
Trade Adjustments

Due to Prussia taking British provinces in northern Germany I ended up having trade with them. One trade was already cancelled-this is the last one. There is no point in sending strategic materials to an enemy of my friends-especially when those are needed by my allies. The loss in income is trivial.

[06 Maestro]

January
Strategic Map

Ottoman forces have been booted out of occupied lands. I have one small army left in France-it cannot get back home without it traversing the Alps-they will take a vacation in France.

The battle lines in Russia are shifting further east....

[06 Maestro]

ORIGINAL: evwalt

As far as the Battle of Catalonia, mountains play a BIG difference in quick combat.

As far as Prussia, is Turkey really going to be able to do anything with Austria ready to spring?

I was worried about the mountain fighting-even did some more rules reading. I got the impression that counter assault helps in attacking in mountains and thus took the upgrade that allows regular infantry to deploy skirmishers. We still don't know for sure which area the upgrades add "shock" to in instant battles (if any), so I am sort of guessing and hoping...

Austria will be a concern for the O.E. till the end of time. It is still in a very weakened state. I think I could fight an offensive war at this time with it and win easily. However, I have no further aims against Austria. In fact, I took more than I wanted to in the last peace-didn't trust the ai to use the points correctly. I am actually going to give back at least one province-soon. I have just ended all waste, but have no spare 5 level court provinces. So, in March I will be back up to 4% waste with the new provinces from Spain. By giving something back to Austria I can help it become an Empire again (which actually has some possible benefits for the O.E.) while reducing Ottoman waste-which can be ill afforded.

No matter what I do regarding Austria I am certain that there will be another war towards the end of this era. However, it will be a defensive war for the O.E. I am preparing to fight everyone at once. It will be glorious.

[06 Maestro]

February, 1809
Glory Standings

The O.E. now has nearly a 300 point lead on Great Britain. It will not be easy for it to overcome such a lead. It would surely take a surrender by the Ottoman Empire-that, of course, will not be an easy thing to make happen. King Kingmaker will have to get Russia, Austria and Perhaps Prussia to make that possible, That is a tall order in itself. The Sultan feels secure.

Another province is on its way to becoming a level 5 court asset.

[06 Maestro]

February
Provinces Improvements

For the first time in a few years almost 1/2 of the Empires provinces are undergoing some kind of improvement. Generally, barracks are the order of the day.

The provinces with distant completion dates on the building are ones that just began. Next month those will be adjusted for more rapid work.

[06 Maestro]

February
Political Report

There were military upgrades in 4 Empires. Prussia chose one that will allow for a 10% increase in its mobilization limits. It seems as though the good king is planning on a wider war.

[06 Maestro]

February
Moral Comparisons

It looks like Spain has taken another dive in moral. The other reports do not indicate that-we will have to wait until next month to see what is going on.

The Ottoman Empire has dropped slightly in moral due to cancelling two trades with Prussia. It is unfortunate that luxury consumption dropped just slightly this month-enough so that the normal increase in moral was reduced-just enough to put the O.E. at 970 in moral. It will be made up next month.

Russian moral has improved. Austria is continuing a rapid increase, but it still has a long way to go.

[06 Maestro]

February
Russian AO

The czar avoided another big defeat. This is good for both Russia-and anyone else that my be fighting Prussia in the future. It has picked up some added experience in its current war with Russia.

[06 Maestro]

February
Parade

The Ottoman Carpathian Army conducted a parade in Paris as there was nothing else for it to do.

A boy was heard talking to his father; "papa, are those the men from Constantinople? Istanbul, son, Istanbul" was the reply.

[Zap]

Hi Maestro,

Your work of art(politics and war strategies) have come to fruition. You are now at the top. Congrats.

Still some time left. So, keep looking over your shoulder.

[06 Maestro]

Thanks, Zap. It was a long and dusty trail.

I will be getting neck cramps looking over my shoulder-what a perfectly Machiavellian crowd.

It will be interesting. I am expecting something of a Crusade to drive the Otto's back-I say, let them come. [;)]

[06 Maestro]

March, 1809
Glory & Treaties

The Ottoman lead continues to grow. However, there are problems brewing. GB and France are agitating one another. Also, the Prussians are slapping around the Russians. Without help, Russia will be forced to surrender. If I was to allow that to happen then whatever slight loyalty the Czar has to me will be gone.

My initial concern is how to get my forces to Prussia. Marching through Russia will take quite some time. I am likewise not to enthralled with the idea of sending units around to northern France. There is still an issue of homeland defense. Along with addressing the deployment issue is problem of alliance cooperation-or lack thereof. The French agreed to send an army north for the Prussian operation-that is one of three. Another one may join in later after Switzerland is taken care of. (added to the French Empire).

The solution to reaching Prussia was along shot, but it worked. Emperor Matto of Austria was enough peeved at Prussia grabbing its territory at the end of our last war that he agreed to an alliance with the Ottoman Empire. This is a basic treaty-Austria is not bound to DoW my enemies. However, it does allow free movement through Austria by Ottoman forces. Now, the Otto armies have an ideal path to Prussia-one that the Prussian King would never expect.

[06 Maestro]

March
Strategic Map

The map gives the new location of Ottoman forces, but does not show new positions of other nations.

If the Prussia king does not move back to the west, he will soon be in a very bad situation. The Ottoman Dow was issued at the same time as the initial movement into Austria. Using speed marching, the Prussian border can be reached in one month. The 1st and 2nd Armies will start off from Croatia. They will reach the southern border of Saxony one one month.

[06 Maestro]

March
Central Europe

Another more detailed view of the march area.

[06 Maestro]

March
Istanbul

The capital has undergone massive improvements over the past 18 years. More is to be done. Additional guns we ordered. This is a very expensive project in money, iron, wood and labor. It also is not being done with the time advantage of advanced road development. It already has a level 6 road network. To add to that cannot be afforded at this time. There is also the unknown factor of just when-and who, may attempt to take the capital. After these gun improvements are made, it is planed to take Constantinople to level 7 ports. This should bring in much more needed cash.

[06 Maestro]

April, 1809
Glory Standings

The Ottoman Empire has nearly a 300 point lead on Great Britain. The people are just overjoyed. In the Sultan's palace, there is a more somber mood. It is not believed that the British, or other European nations will long allow Ottoman glory to exceed theirs. Every precaution must be made to protect the Empire.

[06 Maestro]

April
Culture Standings

The dust has settled from the Spanish War. The culture levels are now stable. Just for how long is not known-there is a new war brewing.

[06 Maestro]

April
Ottoman Glory Adjustments

The new standard monthly increase is 21. Last month there was also an added 5 points for the alliance with Austria.

[06 Maestro]

April
Strategic Map

There was an unbelievable mishap, the messengers with the DoW on Prussia got lost. The Dow was not issued last month. The Ottoman armies completed the planned march-an impressive feat. Now, the Prussians will have a month to reposition themselves. No matter what, they are in a bad position now.

[06 Maestro]

April
Training

Another expensive training upgrade was acquired for the army, target practice 2. This should give a bonus during the assault phase of the instant battle.