Ferdinand of the Artillery (Frog Stomp Diaries)

[Aqualung71]

Sounds like a perfect time for an invasion

[marcuspeddle]

From History of the Spanish, by Marcus Peddle

The next few months were chaotic and troubled. The once mighty Spanish armies were pulling back from Austria and the Ottoman empire but taking losses as they retreated. Worse than these troubles was the apperance of Russian warships coming down the French coast. With no functioning government, naval commanders took charge and ordered them sunk. This is probbaly not what a responsible government would have ordered but the country was in a state of anarchy and no one could control the admirals. The army was also not idle during this chaotic period but lacked central direction. Units of cavalry and infantry ran to places where they attacks might come from and there ceased to exist anything that might be called an organised army. Still, the threat of invasion held the people together and, although a new government had not been chosen, there was no threat of civial war at that time.

[marcuspeddle]

I didn't notice what kind of ships they were when I attacked. I was just hoping they were full of troops.

[Aqualung71]

Ships of the Line can hardly carry soldiers, Russian or otherwise I take it you didn't see any Troop Transports sink to the bottom of the ocean during your unprovoked attack, did you?

[marcuspeddle]

No doubt your cargo was hordes of Russian soldiers waiting to pillage the Spanish homeland.

[Paddy]

oh maybe you could get one of the Ottomen to step and help you out

[Aqualung71]

So who's the new leader of the desperate, militarily weak Spanish who make cowardly attacks on Russian cargo ships plying their trade routes?

[marcuspeddle]

Oops. Caught! Ah, Orwell was a clever, clever man. Anyway, Ferdinand is dead. Where's the next 'comrade'? ^^

[Aqualung71]

Originally posted by Masuro
...king Ferdinand...

Oh, how the worm turns. So "Comrade" Ferdinand of the glorious peasant revolution of Spain has become king already!

Brings to mind that line from Orwell's Animal Farm:

"All animals are equal......but some are more equal than others"

[marcuspeddle]

Dispatch from a foreign journalist:

It is a sad day for the Spanish people. Their king Ferdinand was killed while attacking the once-French city of Bordeaux and the rest of the army was thrown into confusion. Taking advantage of the Spanish misfortune, Austria then sent a large number of cavalry and infantry to ravage the Spanish forces. It now seems that it's every man for himself and the Austrians are nearing the Spanish border.
There is no word yet on the fate of the army dealing with the Ottomans but it is likely that they will withdraw to deal with the Austrians or to keep calm in the cities.
It is indeed a dark time for Spain as they struggle to come to terms with their leader's death and find a new head for the government.

[Paddy]

and he does have quite a sizeable force we have heard

[Aqualung71]

Hmmm, I wonder why the Ottomans decided to attack Spain

Looks like they are paying for their silliness, as Ferdinand has whipped his troops into an impressive fighting force. Good effort for a so-called "peacemonger".

[Paddy]

bring it on big fella

[marcuspeddle]

Spanish Daily Headline Story:

Spanish Daily sources say that a certain southern city belonging to the Ottomans was heavily shelled by Spanish forces in the morning but resisted attempts by the Spanish to enter the city. Spanish cavalry casualities were high and the commander of that army has decided to wait for reinforcements before attacking again.
On another front, the King and a unit of his horsemen heroically attacked and defeated a unit of Austrian cavalry near ------ forest.
In other news, an Ottoman troop transport was sunk by our forces, putting yet another thorn in the side of an Ottoman invasion.

[marcuspeddle]

ha ha ha ha