The White Horse (Hanover AAR) Updated Dec 24

[Scottish King]

Chapter 12: Battle of Vienna Part I

After nearly two weeks of marching, the Hanoverian Expeditionary Army was before the walls of Vienna, the capital of the Habsburg Empire.

“There she is,” Gustav said as he and Hans looked toward her walls from the lines of the regiment. “I hope the spies got it right.”

“Not so much that the spies were right but that Austrian army hasn’t heard of our advance. If so, we are going to be in for the fight of our lives.”

“You’re right about that Hans.” Gustav let out a low whistle as the General Ketterer rode with his guard down the front lines of the army. “You think the Emperor is still in the city?”

“Let’s hope so then we can finish this and go home.”

Soon the signal was given and the men began marching forward. Once again, Hans regiment was in front and would be among the first to reach Vienna’s wall. He looked around for the Winking Soldier but didn’t see him. In fact, neither Hans nor Gustav had seen him in almost a two months. One day, he was there and then he was gone. He would have to face the advance forward without him. However, unlike the advance at Breslau, the cannons atop of the wall were curiously silent. Hans glance over at Gustav. Perhaps the soldiers were gone and the citizens were too scared to put up a fight. Perhaps the city would simply surrender…

Boom. Boom. Boom.

The sound of cannon fire echoed across the plains. Hans let out a frustrated sigh. They would not be so lucky today. The shells fell surprisingly short of the advancing men. As time went on, Hans began to notice that none of the cannon shells were hitting their marks. They were either too short or they overshot the Hanoverian men. Hans’s heart rose. This perhaps was a sign that less than qualified men were defending the city and the army had caught them by surprise.

Soon Hanover’s Army was met by the sound of musket fire. This was not like the musket fire at Breslau which was irregular but a concerted firing of many muskets at once. Men screamed in pain as some of the balls hit home. Others simply collapsed never to move again. Hans had his hat blown off his head but found himself more lucky than the guy behind him who was hit by the ball in the chest.

The men were ordered to run to the wall and provide cover for the men on the way up. Following orders Hans’ regiment took aim and fired but none of their shots hit any of the defenders who simply hid behind the wall until after the volley had been delivered. Hans’ regiment was then given the order to fire at will. Hans and Gustav in concert loaded their muskets aimed and fired, this time Gustav hit a defender and with a joyful whoop began reloading his musket. Hans’ however, missed every shot he fired but as long as it kept the defenders from firing back he felt that he was doing his job.

For twenty minutes, Hans’ regiment provided cover for those going up the wall. From the look of things, it looked like the assault was going well as more and more men made it to the top and over the battlements. Soon it was Hans turn to climb the rope. Swinging his rifle over his shoulder he pulled himself up the wall. By the time the man in front of him went over the wall his arms were aching and though the sounds of battle raged above him, he longed to be on top of the wall where falling to your death was less of a certainty.

As Hans pulled himself over the top of the wall, the butt of a musket slammed into his chest not only knocking the breath out of him but also causing to lose his grip on the wall began the fall to his death.

[IneptCmdr]

What a cliffhanger (or should I say wallfaller). I hope this is not the end of Hans. I really liked the picture in this one, very nicely framed.

[Lugotorix]

'Happy trails, Hans.' .... sorry, I had to say it.

[Scottish King]

What a cliffhanger (or should I say wallfaller). I hope this is not the end of Hans. I really liked the picture in this one, very nicely framed.

Thanks for the compliment on the pic! Maybe he's dead, Maybe he isn't...

'Happy trails, Hans.' .... sorry, I had to say it.

What a terrible thing to say Hans would be quite hurt.

Here comes the next update!

[Scottish King]

Chapter 13: Battle of Vienna Part II

Gustav’s arms ached as he followed Hans up the wall of Vienna. ‘I need to get stronger if I’m going to last in these assaults on walled cities,’ he thought to himself. ‘I would hate to fall to my death…’

Suddenly, Hans wasn’t going forward any more instead he was falling back onto Gustav. Without thinking Gustav tucked in his head and tightened his grip as his friend tumbled passed him. It suddenly hit him that Hans was falling.

“Hans!”

Gustav turned his head to look down to see what had happened to Hans but was immediately pushed forward by the man below him.

“Keep it moving! There is nothing that can be done for your friend now!”

Gustav heart sunk and tears came to his eyes. He dared not look down now. His friend was dead and it was his fault. ‘I could have caught him! I could have caught him!’

Gustav tightened his gripped and pulled himself closer to the top of the wall. The Austrians would pay for what they had done to Hans. Securing his grip, on the cold stones Gustav pulled himself onto the top of the wall. A musket butt came directly for his head but he quickly ducked and jabbed his bayonet into the abdomen of the Austrian. The man’s face contorted in pain as Gustav pulled out his bayonet. ‘He was the one who pushed Hans to his death,’Gustav thought as rage burned in him and he stabbed the man again driving him into the wall and again and again until his was pushed from behind.

He turned around still raging and swung his musket hitting a fellow soldier in the head and knocking him to the ground. This snapped Gustav out of his rage and fear crept into heart. Had he just killed one of his own? He looked up to see an Austrian with a look of surprise on his face look up from the moaning soldier to Gustav before raising his musket to fire at Gustav. Gustav quickly swung his musket knocking the man’s musket out of his hands and with one move kicked the man right in the chest, sending him falling into the streets below.

Seeing that he was surrounded by Hanoverian soldiers, Gustav turned to help the soldier he had hit earlier. Helping the man to his feet, he asked him if he was ok to which the man slowly shook his head. Handing him back his musket, Gustav patted him on the back and then turned to follow the others making their way to the streets below.

Exiting onto the streets, the men were greeted with musket fire. There were no soldiers in sight and Gustav assumed there were none in the city. Ordinary citizens were fighting to protect their city and their empire. But Gustav was fighting to avenge the death of his friend since childhood and he would not let anything get in the way of doing his duty. His musket was still loaded and when he saw an exposed defender he aimed and shortly after the defender knew no more but the darkness that accompanied death.

A soldier fell to the ground screaming next to Gustav as he reloaded his musket. He looked up to see a mob of people running down the street toward them. Hearing shouts from behind him as well, Gustav turned to see another group of people running at them. The group he was in of about thirty soldiers was facing at least seventy-five armed citizens. Gustav face became even more determined as he aimed his musket. They were no longer innocent bystanders or civilians the moment they picked up those weapons, the moment they killed Hans. They were now the enemy and he was going to kill them all.

[Alwyn]

Poor Hans and Gustav! For me, the way that the soldiers compared the battle to their previous experiences - and the raw emotions they're going through as events unfold - help to make it feel authentic.

[Scottish King]

Poor Hans and Gustav! For me, the way that the soldiers compared the battle to their previous experiences - and the raw emotions they're going through as events unfold - help to make it feel authentic.

Thanks! Here's the new update!

[Scottish King]

Chapter 14: Battle of Vienna Part III

Gustav managed to get off two shots before the crowd of armed citizens reached him. One was hit in the chest the other in shoulder. Now that they were too close for him to reload he had to depend on his bayonet for protection. He thrust it forward at the armed man in front of him but the man jumped back. Gustav had to quickly raise his musket to block the swing of the man’s sword as he struck back. Gustav let out a shout of rage as he kicked the man in the stomach and brought the butt of his musket down on the man’s head. The man had barely hit the ground when another took his place swinging a club. Gustav blocked it and with a shove pushed the man back.

Having a small reprieve from attacks, Gustav swung his musket over his shoulder and picked up the sword his previous attacker had been wielding. When the club was swung his way again he was quick to block it and drove the sword into the man’s side. The man fell back into the crowd and two more men took his spot. Gustav glanced around. The group of soldiers he was with would not last long surrounded even if their attackers were untrained citizens. Weapons killed soldier and townsfolk just the same.

Suddenly, the sound of musket fire drew Gustav’s attention back up to the wall. A regiment had taken position there and was firing down into the citizens. A dozen dropped in the group in front of Gustav dead or wounded. Another volley and another ten fell. The two men facing Gustav, seeing their comrades fall, panicked and began to run with the rest of the citizens to safety.

‘You’re not getting away that easily,’ Gustav thought to himself then said aloud, “Get them! Don’t let the bastards get away!” and set off after the fleeing men brandishing his sword. One tripped and fell. As he was trying to get up Gustav brought the sword down into his back. The man screamed then collapsed as Gustav withdrew the sword and carried on with other soldiers right behind them. Every now and then one would stop and fire and another citizen would fall screaming pain or to never move again. A few turned around and tried to fight back, two of which were run through by Gustav himself.

Still giving chase, Gustav saw one of the two men that had been about to fight him before they were put to flight by musket fire. The man was trying to open a gate to enter one of the houses. Gustav shouted and ran at the man with his sword held over his head. The man was caught by surprise but manage to raise his own sword in time to block Gustav’s own swing. Gustav furiously swung his sword trying to break through the man’s defenses but the man had obviously had some experience with handling a sword. Suddenly, Gustav found himself desperately trying to defend himself from his enemy’s thrust and swings. However, one of them found its mark cutting through his musket’s shoulder strap and his left shoulder. Gustav let out a shout of pain as the man continued with his attack driving Gustav back a couple of steps.

Then a woman’s scream pierced the air. The man who had been attacking quickly glanced at the house he had been trying to enter. It was all Gustav needed to land a strike of his own and Gustav’s thrust entered the man’s chest. The man let out a slight cry as he stumbled and fell against the nearby gate. Gustav was just about to finish him when from the other side of the gate, an arm wrapped around the collapsed man. It was a woman screaming and pleading for Gustav not to kill her husband. The man with labored breaths complained that he knew someday she would get him killed. Gustav looked from husband to wife not sure what to do. Then he remembered Hans and anger filled his heart and he clearly knew what he had to do. With shout full of rage and hate, Gustav brought his sword down into the man’s chest. The woman let out a heart wrenching scream as Gustav turned away with his bloodied sword.

‘No mercy for the enemy for they will show you none,’ he said to himself as he ran toward the city square. ‘No mercy.’

[Alwyn]

I like stories that surprise the reader - I would assume that Gustav would 'do the right thing' and show mercy, but the loss of Hans has had an overwhelming effect on him. Your story has got me interested in how Gustav will develop as a person - will he look back on this incident with regret or will 'no mercy' be his rule from now on?

[Scottish King]

Chapter 15: Battle of Vienna Part IV

With the screams of the woman still echoing through the streets, Gustav continued to run toward the city square. The sound of musket fire grew louder as he got closer. ‘They still haven’t given up,’ Gustav thought as he glanced at his bloodied sword. ‘Why don’t they give up? Can’t they see they can’t win?’ As Gustav turned a corner he recognized he was entering the city’s center. He noticed the rest of his regiment had gathered together on one side of the main street with the sergeant calling for them to ready their muskets.

“You there,” the sergeant shouted as Gustav ran over to join them. “Where’s your musket?”

“Let him keep the sword, sergeant,” someone shouted. “He’s killed about seven people today with it including and man in his woman’s arms.”

The sergeant looked back over at Gustav’s expressionless face with a raised eyebrow then turned to address the rest of the regiment. “The city is almost taken but we need to take care up the last pockets of resistance. Now follow me!”

The regiment moved forward and down a side street away from the city square at a slow run. After making a few turns, the sergeant raised his hand for the regiment to come to a halt. After walking ahead to take a look around a corner where the sounds of fighting could be heard, he came back to the regiment.

“Alright men, we’ve managed to come behind a group of militia still fighting. We advance as silently as possible then charge them as quickly as possible. You with the sword should have an advantage that the rest don’t.”

“Don’t worry,” someone said, “Bloody Gustav, will do his part.”

Gustav barely heard what was going on. He just wanted to get around that corner and put an end to the futile resistance. The sergeant looked over at Gustav’s expression and immediately knew what was going on in his head. ‘Another one driven by blood lust,’ he thought as he gave the signal to move forward. As silently as they could, the 2^nd made their way down the street toward the militia but were soon sighted. With a shout, the 2^nd surged forward and into the militia’s rear. What happened next was all a blur to Gustav. It was as if he was no longer in control as he swung his weapon back and forth cutting a swathe of death. Then suddenly it was over.

Gustav blinked his eyes as if coming out of a trance to find his comrades staring at him in surprise, bewilderment and in some cases fear. Even the sergeant was speechless. He turned away from their gazes to see the Winking Soldier making his way towards him.

“Gustav,” he exclaimed as he stepped over the wounded and dead. “I’m glad you are alright. Some battle, if you can call fighting old men and young boys a battle. I just finished talking to Hans. He-”

“Hans,” Gustav said in a barely audible voice. “Hans?”

“Yes, he was being treated for a broken leg. Seems he fell off the wall-”

A flood of emotions washed over Gustav that drove him to his knees and all stared in astonishment as the blood covered soldier wept.

[Scottish King]

I like stories that surprise the reader - I would assume that Gustav would 'do the right thing' and show mercy, but the loss of Hans has had an overwhelming effect on him. Your story has got me interested in how Gustav will develop as a person - will he look back on this incident with regret or will 'no mercy' be his rule from now on?

We shall see...

[Alwyn]

The survival of Hans was a brilliant surprise - a moving chapter.

[Merchant of Venice]

I don't often visit the ETW AAR sub-forum (though perhaps I should) but its good to see when I do visit that it is in such capable hands as yours and Inept's(though calling him Inept sounds like an insult). I love the contrast between Hans and Gustav and their dialogue is well written indeed. I'm happy to see Hans has survived and it was great how you showed the anger Gustav had when his friend died.

[Scottish King]

Thank you guys for reading and your support. Ill try to have an update up soon.

[Lugotorix]

Hans breaking his leg has created a beast. Now he's going to be an emo-broken beast now that he knows Hans is alive.

[Scottish King]

Chapter 16: Diplomatic Issues

“Your army had no right to take Vienna!” roared King Frederick I of Prussia. Otto Schiller stood in the presence of the man he had been wanting to personally talk to for months. Usually he was directed to the ministry of war or the foreign diplomat. But not today. The news of Vienna’s capture by Ketterer’s troops had infuriated the Prussians as they had wanted the honor and glory associated with the taking of the Holy Roman Empire’s capital city. The fact that Ketterer had defied the Prussian’s military command to not advance on Vienna added insult to injury.

“Not only did your block-headed general,” continued Frederick, “take a risk in leaving Silesia undefended but he also let Leopold, the Holy Roman Emperor, if he can even be called by that title anymore, escape! Now the war will go on! The plan was for both armies to march on Vienna together and crush the Austrians in one sweeping blow! You Hanoverians have ruined that!

“You are to immediately tell your Elector and your blasted general that going against my wishes will not be tolerated! Your forces will vacate both Breslau and Vienna as soon as Prussian troops are sent to occupy them and I am withdrawing my offer of making your Elector a king!’

Schiller stood silent through the whole tirade. Silence fell over the room as the monarch and those officials present awaited his answer. He knew how he should answer: ‘Yes, your majesty, my Elector apologizes for any disrespect on the part of General Ketterer we will comply with your wishes.’ But that was not to be his answer. His Elector had been studying the Prussian situation himself and believed that the Prussians were in no position to push demands and would have to concede. Their entire army was either engage in rebellions in and around Dresden or lined around their eastern border in anticipation of a Polish invasion. With a slight smile, Schiller bowed slightly.

“Your majesty, my humble Elector with all due respect has informed me that he can and will not comply with your wishes. However, he would like the arrangements of our agreement to stand with these amendments-”

The Prussian monarch eyes widened in surprise and his hands shook with fury.

“Then damn your Elector! Get out and never step foot in this palace again!”

Schiller bowed again and turned and walked out of the door. Upon leaving the room, Schiller passed by a Polish diplomat waiting for an audience with Frederick. ‘Perhaps,’ Schiller smiled to himself, ‘the monarch will be more amiable to our demands after the Pole is through saying what he has to say…’

-------

The day after Schiller’s audience, the Polish diplomat left Berlin with relations between Poland and Prussia still in shambles. Schiller was called back to the palace. After a whole month of discussion and negotiation, the Prussians and Hanoverians had hammered out an agreement. Concerning the city of Prague, the city would remain in Hanover’s hands until the Prussian army could take control with 75% of the taxes collected from the region going to Prussia the remaining 25% to Hanover. Silesia and Vienna would remain under Hanover’s control with 40% of the taxes from Vienna and the surrounding region going to Prussia with the remaining 60% going to the Hanoverian treasury. Hanover would continue to prosecute war against Austria and make sure that Poland did not come through Silesia to attack Prussian lands.

The Prussians begrudgingly agreed to the terms only because they needed Hanover’s to act as a buffer against Austria which was rumored to be rebuilding its army. With that reasoning, Schiller had succeeded in keeping the Prussians true to their word. In a week after the announcement of the treaty, the Elector was to arrive in Berlin where they along with Frederick I would travel to Vienna where the Elector would be crowned king of Hanover and as a show to both Prussia and Poland that they were united at least in public. As Schiller went to sleep the night after the Vienna Agreement was announced, he was proud that he had been the instrument by which this great milestone had achieved.

[Alwyn]

It's great to see your story progressing and with such an enjoyable chapter. The diplomatic negotiations give me a good impression of what's going on as well as the developing relationships between these nations.

[IneptCmdr]

Great to see this continue. It seems Hannover's influence is growing.

[Merchant of Venice]

Wonderful to see you updating this, loved the bit with the Prussian king. Can't wait for more.

[Scottish King]

It's great to see your story progressing and with such an enjoyable chapter. The diplomatic negotiations give me a good impression of what's going on as well as the developing relationships between these nations.

Great to see this continue. It seems Hannover's influence is growing.

Wonderful to see you updating this, loved the bit with the Prussian king. Can't wait for more.

Thanks guys! Had to think of a way to explain why Prussia would let such a small Electorate gain so much power! Hanover's influence certainly is growing but it will not be without its consequences.