Janissaries Forward! PBEM 109 DAR

[06 Maestro]

In this Training Report the O.E. Army's special skills are shown. This list is not very impressive-yet. As experience climbs, so will the skill. The Sultan is aware that much, if not most, of the new "experience" will have to come from actually fighting battles-battles that can be won-or must be won.

[06 Maestro]

The Ottoman Empire is not entirely unprepared for war. The corps system has been introduced-with some decent commanders assigned. The total force is the largest among the Great Powers. There are weaknesses such as the old artillery. There is also the problem of possible multiple fronts. This results in some dispersion of the Army.

Even though there is an Alliance with Spain the danger from them cannot be ignored. They have pushed across North Africa to the borders of Egypt. Lower Egypt is the second only to Istanbul in importance to the Empire-it cannot be left undefended.

[06 Maestro]

The Strategic Report does not appear much different from 2 years ago. However, the situation has changed. The Austrians have conquered Poland and gave some of that land to Russia and Prussia in return for Alliances. Austria's moral has also improved dramatically making them more prone (in the Sultans view) to start some military adventure. The forces that have been assembled are much larger also.

The European nations have apparently concentrated their forces into large army's which means they are paying for depots to support their forces. This is something that is too expensive for the O.E. to engage in. The O.E. army's appear rather small, but there are units in the immediate vicinities to bring them up to strength when the need arises. It is hoped that this appearance of weakness will cause some over confidence in some possible adversaries.

[ShaiHulud]

Glad you've posted. Was worried that you and Sweden might have dropped out. Interested in a deal with Austria, dividing up Veneto for her and the rest for you? Admittedly, neither is a prize province, but, it all adds up. Also, that'd put Austria (via Veneto) in the path of both French and Spanish aspirations, before they can get to your holding in the Baltic.

Of course, Austria might just be greedy and want it all. That'd give you good cause to deal with others in carving a bite from her holdings.

[06 Maestro]

ORIGINAL: ShaiHulud

Glad you've posted. Was worried that you and Sweden might have dropped out.

I fully intended on continuing. I was having some monitor problems which made the AAR effort more than it should be. I just received my new LCD today-so its time to roll.

Of course, Austria might just be greedy and want it all. That'd give you good cause to deal with others in carving a bite from her holdings.

Oh, I have little doubt that Austria is eyeballing Ottoman territory. The alliances that have come together are not very comforting for the Sultan.

Venice is indeed a grand prize. No doubt there are several empires drooling over it. At this time my goal is to survive the coming war without surrendering. It is hoped that the military will increase its experience, and one or two previous Ottoman provinces will be brought back in to the Empire. After such events have occurred, the political landscape of Europe will look quite a bit different I assume. Long term plans will have to be adjusted.

[pvthudson01]

What is wine used for (in game, trust I know in real life [:D] )

[06 Maestro]

ORIGINAL: pvthudson01

What is wine used for (in game, trust I know in real life [:D] )

Wine is one of the items that will keep your people happy. It is consumed at set rates depending on your total population. A large amount of wine available helps in raising national moral. National moral has an affect on military moral and on economic production.

there are other items such as textiles, spices and luxery goods that also add to national moral. The more you have, the less production needs to be dedicated to luxery goods. Its a nice thing to have an abundance of.

In this particular scenario, Turkey can easily offset the lack of wine by some very impressive textile production. However, I would rather trade the textiles for money and have wine for consumption. Turkey is cronically short of wine.

[06 Maestro]

July 1795

In the Sultan's War Room the great map; is displayed. It has most of the current info as to the where abouts of the major formations, but not their strength. Occasionally, a spy can get some good intel, but generally it is a guessing game.

At first glance this may look similar to the previous years situation map, but it is not. Spanish forces have grown in Italy and for the first time the Austrians are sending large formations to the south-towards the Holy land.

The Staff must remain calm as this can hardly be considered a crisis. However, even though the O.E. has a long term treaty with Spain, we do not trust them. It is entirely possible they have a secret agreement with Austria-who knows what the Austrians promised them. One thing for certain; the Austrians have been in a tight strategic situation. They sense that they cannot go on another conquering spree with an ever increasingly powerful Turkey on their large southern border. Somehow they must weaken us before they are free to march in central Europe. We know this. Just how they will attempt to implement such an operation is not known yet. The O.E. shall remain vigilant-and focused. We can count on one solid ally, England. If Spain plans to do Austria's bidding, they shall pay a heavy price indeed.

[06 Maestro]

The Ottoman Empire's army has grown slightly, but the units are more modern with higher moral. The upkeep cost are slightly higher to to some concentration resulting in the need of a depot. Costs should not increase significantly until there is war.

[06 Maestro]

July '95
Comparative Strength

The most important to the Sultan in this report is the rapid increase in Spain's military. The other item of some interest-and impact on current events was the rapid fall of Prussian Army numbers. This was due to an insurrection in Bavaria. Agents of the O.E. were, shall we say, instrumental in causing this important event.

[06 Maestro]

7 '95
Political Report

The known treaties are not that tangled-yet. What is worrisome are possible secret treaties.

Turkey is currently allied to Spain and England. There is also a friendship treaty with Russia. These treaties cover the most pressing concerns of Turkey-as long as those are honored.

[06 Maestro]

Included in this report is the proof that the Prussian King is having a hard time accepting the loss of the Bavarian provinces. He still seeks vengeance. His only two agents are ion Egypt attempting to cause an insurrection. Egypt is a rich and well governed province-I doubt those Prussians will succeed. If they do, as sure as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, Brandenburg will be pillaged by the O.E. Army-insallah.

[06 Maestro]

7 '95
1st Army

The first army is the main force on the northern frontier. One other corps of cavalry is located just to the south sheltering in garrison. They can easily join the main body when required.

As you can see there is a wide variance of quality in the respective infantry divisions. New replacements have a moral factor of 4.5. In time, the older units will increase in ability.

Edit: Well, you could have "seen" the difference in moral had I shown that-instead of strength. Anyway-some are are 2.5 and others at 4.5.

[06 Maestro]

2nd Corp, 1st Army

This view gives a better picture of the different quality of the various divisions.

[06 Maestro]

7 95
National Economy

During the last year the tax rate was as low as 4%. This was largely done to increase the national moral (NM) (represented by the blue bar). The O.E. currently has the highest national moral of any of the major powers. In fact, it has been the highest for perhaps 2 years. This was achieved by an adequate amount of luxuries and a low tax rate. Also important was avoiding military losses. There has been only 2 small battles against rebels and virtually no foraging losses. In comparison, Prussia is currently at zero (0).

This high NM will become important later during war or due to some little upheaval should it be decided to reduce the feudal level.

[06 Maestro]

Production and Stocks

If you compare this report to the one from 1792 you will notice a rather large increase in goods available per month.

Food has increased enough that Turkey has experience population growth nearly every month for the past two years. It is becoming more difficult do to the higher population and supplying the Army.

Production of luxuries has been reduced as it was over consumption-just plain waste. It is likely it will have to be increased again of NM begins to drop-which is a possibility as taxes must go up again-war is likely.

[06 Maestro]

7 '95
Production Adjustments

In this crafty little report you can see the effects of the various improvements ordered by the Great Selim the Third.

It is just a coincidence that at this point in time that the increases from the higher NM and that of lower taxes are equal. This is the first time that has occurred-they are based on separate factors. 8% tax and 1000 NM just might be the magic numbers for this to occur.

The top line shows the effects of the added improvements in the various provinces. Due to the need of maintaining high production, there cannot be too many factories or farms undergoing improvement at once. Typically there are no more than 2 farms or two factories being built at the same time. It also takes considerably longer to make such improvements here due to the high feudal level. This is something that needs to be adjusted, but that will be a very unsettling event.

Below the table you will notice the wastage report. 3 years ago the O.E. had a wastage rate of 18%. It is now 4. Next month the last required court will be completed so in October the official wastage level will be ZERO. This involved the construction of no less than 25 courts in 9 provinces. There have been several more added in various locations just to reduce the risks of rebellion. Construction can now more fully concentrate on the military. Most already was dedicated to barracks construction, now that can increase.

[06 Maestro]

7 '95
City Improvements

In this table you can see the scope of investment that has been ongoing. There is never enough money or resources to build everything desired. However, the Sultan is intent on bringing the O.E. into the industrial age. Ironically, the factories must be paid for by the sweat of farmers.

The list shows almost all cities undergoing building. The total is nearly 2/3rds of all of the O.E. There are currently 24 provinces out of a total of 39 being improved. Seldom has it been a higher ratio, but it has.

With the threat of war looming, money needs to be save along with raising taxes.

[06 Maestro]

Much of the funding for these improvements have come from some lucrative trade in wool, cotton and textiles.
Turkey has also imported more than just money. The low number of iron factories made it necessary to import iron from abroad-just to maintain building improvements not to mention the few units that have been built which require iron.

Trade has been conducted with France, and more importantly, England. We are not interested with trading with Austria or Prussia until their wicked ways have been amended. Trade with Russia is a possibility, but the only thing they could offer is food-that may be needed someday.

These trades below represent less than half of the total volume.

[06 Maestro]

Karaman
7 '95

Karaman is the most important cotton producing province in the Empire. It does remarkably well even though it is lacking any formal farming organization. This is being corrected now. By February of '96 this province will have a huge increase in production-a new report will be posted for comparison.