Little Garden Wars 2014

Little Garden Wars 2014

Central Europe, 1909. There is consternation at developments in the Dukedom of Knish, an important Balkan state controlling 47% of Danube trade. The Duke, Harold, 104 years old, has for many years agreed that on his demise Knish would join the Freedonian Republic as a new Province, and President Firefly has taken out huge loans in the expectation of pawning the Crown Jewels of Knish.

However, there is now a crisis. The Duke is on his deathbed in Rome where he has gone for medical treatment. Harold’s wife, the Duchess Horatia of Knish, aged 92, has fallen in love with the Silvanian Prince Reginald, a devilishly handsome and silver tongued charmer of 44 years.

Under Knish Law, if she remains on Knish soil and remarries on Harold’s death, her new husband becomes Duke of Knish. The dastardly Silvanians and their allies from Glevum have sent an expeditionary force into Knish, where they seized a not unwilling Horatia from her bodyguard and plan to marry her to Reginald the instant news arrives of Duke Harold’s shuffling off the mortal coil.

President Firefly, in a panic, has mobilised the Freedonian armed forces to ‘rescue’ the Duchess and whisk her to a nunnery. He has asked for support from his ally the Tsar of Bratuvia, to whom he owes money. A Freedonian riverboat force is on the Danube, and from the west the Freedonian railway corps is building a track to get a Freedonian army within marching distance of Norbeau, the village where the Silvanian/Glevum force are entertaining Horatia.

A Bratuvian army is marching from the East, but is on the wrong side of the Danube and will need help to cross. There is also a small force from the Princely County of Sachertorte in the area, of uncertain intent. The army of Knish, loyalties torn, seems paralysed. Other local powers may choose to intervene, nobody is sure. The news wires hum with news of the growing crisis.

ROME SEPTEMBER 21 1909. PHYSICIAN TO DUKE HAROLD OF KNISH ANNOUNCES THE AILING DUKE IS ‘DANGEROUSLY PEAKY’ AND ASKS THE WORLD TO PRAY FOR HIS HEALTH.

ORDERS OF BATTLE

REGINALD BATTLEGROUP

VILLAGE OF NORBEAU

SILVANIA Prince Reginald (…and his sweetheart Duchess Horatia of Knish)

3 Regiments Infantry
Artillery Regiment

GRAND DUCHY OF GLEVUM General Fritz von Hummeltz

3 Regiments Infantry
2 Regiments Cavalry

FREEDONIA

ON THE DANUBE

Naval Riverboat Flotilla, Admiral Nicholas Sturgeon

WEST OF KNISH

Railway Corps ‘Meteor’ General Konstantine Fuzion

4 Regiments Infantry
Artillery Regiment

HOLY BRATUVIA

EAST OF KNISH, TRANSDANUBIA General Pavel Ripsitov

3rd Brigade, 3 Infantry regiments
7th Brigade, 2 infantry regiments
Cossack Cavalry regiment
Imperial Horse Artillery
Imperial Motorised Artillery

SOMEWHERE IN THE AREA:

PRINCELY COUNTY OF SACHERTORTE

Colonel Kurt Mozartkugeln

Alpine Fusilier regiment
Horse Howitzer battery

BANDITS

DUCHESS HORATIA’S BUTLER

INSURANCE SALESMEN

MORE BANDITS

The Aftermath

October 1909. To the President of Freedonia, from the Tsar of Bratuvia.

Dear Rufus,

Delighted to hear of the victory of our joint forces during the recent hostilities in Knish. I gather the enemy prince Reginald was accidentally shot while attempting to surrender; and then when he appeared to be on the road to recovery alas had a sudden relapse while being visited by Freedonian security forces. Excellent work and well down to the usual standards of the Freedonian Brute Squad. Seriously though good work and looking forward to working together again, thank you very much for the cheque you sent in full settlement of your debt to me. The Tsarina sends hugs.

Yours ever,

Sandy

Alexander, The Tsar of all the Bratuvias.

PS Bahhh!! Your cheque has just been returned marked ‘insufficient funds’ you dirty so and so. Next time send GOLD.