A.E.I.O.U. [Finished]

[theSilentKiller]

A.E.I.O.U- Alles Erdreich ist Österreich untertan
[

Mods:1600 AD

Faction:Habsburgian Monarchy


Even though English is not my native language and I might encounter linguistic barriers I still decided to write an AAR in English (I guess it will be a good exercise for writing English Texts) Thus I would love to get some writing tips

Prologue: Wer ich bin?

Who I am, you ask? People like you shouldn't ask this a low born. But since it's your wish I will tell you. My name is Matthias Marterstein and I was born in a small village close to Graz. Until I was 14 I lived on a small farm with my parents , my two brothers and my sister. I was the youngest, hated by my mother and commonly abused by my sibling. Then, after my 14^th birthday I joined one oft he armies, which ones marched through our city. I learned how to shoot with a rifle and served under the Austrian flag. That was 3 years ago. Three years of training...3 years without even participating in a battle, but when the Empress Maria Theresia I. decided to sent her armies against our enemies that son changed...

Chapter One: Was hab ich schon zu verlieren?

“Hey”,shouted the man with a Halbert in his hands, “ what are you doing over there!” The man who walked closer to someone who was sitting in front of a burnt down bonfire. Slowly he walked past the tents until he reached the sitting man.
“Oh Matthias it's you...why are you out here in the middle of the night?You need to be well-rested tomorrow.”
“I can't sleep...tomorrow will be my first battle...and you heard the stories from Dresden..”, said the man close the the ash from the old bonfire while he stood up.
“Yeah yeah, the siege of Dresden 2 months ago. I know, but it's war. It's normal that many people die...and many might loose an arm or leg. But don't worry even tough you need to be closer to the enemy with your Arquebusier you are better armed than most of the man. It could be worse, I mean when one of our fleets encountered one of the fleets from the Berbaresque States many people drowned or burned to death! Also, we outnumber the enemy, so we will definitely win.”
Matthias turned around and said: “Anyway...as long as I don't get wounded I am happy. I don't care if I die. If I can't sleep I just go and lay down with my wife for a last time, you know bang like I won't be able to do it a second time.” He laughed stupid and walked away. The man with the Halbert looked on the direction in which Matthias walked and said laughingly "Well good idea, I should do that too".


On the next morning the people in a camp in the woods east from Silesia the troops were woken up by the sounds of a horn. The men put in their clothes and armor and picked up their weapons. On this day in winter 1606 they had to fight against a Polish-Lithuanian army. The Austrians outnumbered the Polish army and they had artillery. From the battle itself is nor known much but there are stories which say that it turned out to be annihilation of the Polish army. Throughout the battlefield were many small pike units fighting. Afters hours of battle the Polish and Lithuanians flew the field of battle and were run down by the Austrian cavalry. Only 2 weeks later the same happened again which means that the west of Poland was undefended.This is what the Austrians wanted. They marched to Warsaw. The soldier, Matthias Marterstein, later known as Matthias the hag-ridden survived the battle was wounded during an enemy cavalry charge. He lost his half of his left ear and got an ugly scar on his left cheek. But this was only his introduction into the cruel world of war.

I know it's nothing overwhelming and the two chapters are pretty short (I will make the next chapters longer) but I just decided to write an AAR to a campaign I just begun and I do this to learn so I hope someone will give me some tips ^^

[Zeion]

Hi SilentKiller, good start and a nice banner. Also, interesting to see a 1600 AD mod AAR. I'm actually quite curious about this mod myself. So hopefully, you will keep this one going.

Just some comments:
- There is some weird stuff going on when copying text from OpenOffice into the forum. I don't know why but it deletes blanks between words in every new line (in the OpenOffice format). This means that you always need to re-insert these blanks after copying your text. It's a bit cumbersome but I suggest that in the future, you proof-read your text very carefully before posting. For examples, see the "ChapterOne" headline, or "Yeahyeah" etc.
- There seems to be something wrong with your image link - when I click on it, I still only see the thumbnail. Maybe something wrong on my end?
- Otherwise good style, quite personal, but that can be a very nice thing.

Good job, keep it going!

[theSilentKiller]

Thanks for your comment^^ Yeh I saw that this problem happens and I read through it twice but appearently I didn't find all missing blanks
Hmm okay I don't know why but I think it's my fault . I'll look that up

Thanks

[theSilentKiller]

So I looked that up and I think the image is just really smallA really stupid mistake I did....won't happen in the future for sure XD

[theSilentKiller]

Chapter I Part II - Erinnerungen einer Schlacht


Slowly the two armies marched approaching each other. The fresh snow on the ground was poached up and stamped down wherever a regiment walked over it. Soon there were many ugly brown-white mud trails of the hundreds of walking men. After an hour of marching and forming up the Austrian and Polish-Lithuanian armies built lines of men with guns and halberts.

As a rifleman Matthias was in the first line on the right flank of the Austrian army, which deployed on a hill surrounded my some small cluster of trees. A freezing wind blew through the lines and some men began to shiver. On the distant horizon Mathias could see the red flags of the Polish-Lithuanian regiments which slowly marched towards the Austrians. A drum sounded and the men of the 1^st Arquebusier regiment in which Matthias served began to march forward. Without knowing where they will stop the men eagerly headed of forward until the were ordered to stop in the middle of a small cluster of trees.

Matthias saw in the distant a large black-red bulk marching towards them. After half a minute he could see that this large bulk was a unit of enemy pikemen. After another 30 seconds he was able to see the silhouettes of the enemy troops.

Suddenly a loud and thunderously bang penetrated the quiet and almost calm atmosphere. Matthias could see for a few seconds a line in the air and suddenly the ground quivered. One of the Austrian cannon shot at the approaching pikemen but missed and hit the ground only a few meters away of them. In the next few seconds the same thing happened three times. The last shot hit the pikemen regiment on the left flank and whacked about twelve men.

Now they almost ran and after one minute Matthias could see their faces. He heard the order for fire at will. The first row of his regiment shot and walked into the rear to let the second row shoot. This happened again and now Matthias was in the first row.

In front of him was a wall made of smoke and behind him he heard the sound of the reloading guns. In the distant shots and screams resounded. Matthias exhaled and and pulled the trigger. From his Arquebuse and the ones of his comrades sounded a deafening sound and his gun presses against his shoulder.From his weapons mouth reeking smoke exhausted so thick that he could not see the enemy lines drop. The smoke took his breath and prevented him from thinking straight. He was used to the smoke due to his training but he never experienced it this intensively.

Someone grabbed him by his shoulder and pushed him behind his regiments lines. There he inhaled the fresh and cool winter air and remembered that he had to reload his gun. A trained man could reload his gun in one minute and a half. Matthias could do it in one minute.

But he wasn't able to finish the process because the drums ordered to retreat back since the pikemen almost reached them so Matthias grabbed his gear and followed his comrades.

The regiment reformed on top of a small ridge. After Matthias reached his position in the third row he could see that one of the Austrian heavy pikemen units blocked the path of the pikeman. Screams and the sound of clashing steel filled the air. Terrified Matthias watched the gory struggle in middle of a thin smoke cloud only thirty meters away of him.

Suddenly someone shouted a incomprehensibly word through the ranks. When Matthias realized what it meant it was too late.

From the right came an enemy cavalry unity. Some men next to Matthias were able to shoot but many had to reload. The men dropped the guns, drew their sabers and ran to a small cluster of tree. But the cavalry unit was faster and charged into the running men. Some men were pushed aside by the horses, some were impaled by the sabers of the horsemen. Most were not not killed instantly and lied in the snow screaming or crying. While Matthias was running a horse suddenly appeared at his corner of his eye. He prepared to dodge the charge but wasn't fast enough and the horseman reached him. He heard a swing and was strongly pushed back. While he fell screaming to the ground he was holding his bleeding left ear and cheek.

After two minutes the cavalry rode away since the Austrian pikemen won their engagement and rushed in to scare off the horsemen. Lying on the ground Matthias could see the riders disappearing in the distant. He tried the stand up but his head hurt to much and he fell with his face into the cold snow. Around him the snowy white was pushed back by his red warm blood.

Then Matthias blacked out.
​

A battle on the other side of the battlefield:

[Alwyn]

Herzlich willkommen (a warm welcome), theSilentKiller! I like the title and the idea of a 17th-century Austrian AAR. I am enjoying your story and I hope that Matthias will survive. You asked for feedback. I like your pictures, they complement your story well. If your story starts in the year 1606, would Matthias be a rifleman or a musketeer? (Had rifles been invented in 1606? I think that they were introduced in the 18th century - I could be wrong). Of course, it's your story - if you decide that rifles have been invented in 1606, in the world where your story happens, then rifles have been invented.)

When you have a certain number of posts (25, I believe) you will be able to edit your posts. The text size varies - do you want the font size in Chapter I Part II to be as large as it is? You asked for tips - I recently posted Critic's Quill article on Writing a first AAR - Ten things you can do - which you might find helpful.

[theSilentKiller]

Thanks for your comment^^
I guess my mistake was that I thought rifle was the english word for every kind of longer gun (muskets, Archebus, etc...) I'll change that as soon as I can edit my posts (but I think I wrote several times that he uses a archebuse)
Yeah I actually forgot what size I used in the first post and I don't know why my text changes in the second Part...I tried to change that but the last sentences were always smaller
Thanks I'll read through that

[theSilentKiller]

Chapter I Part III - Zurück von den Toten

Over and over and over Matthias was dreaming the events of the battle. At night and day and every time the battle was longer. It was like time was being slowed down. Not only was every one marching slower but also the sounds were stretched and loud. Every time the swing which hit him partly was slower but Matthias wasn't able to react. He wanted to move faster but his body would just move as slow as everything else. And the pain was every time even more painful and it lasted longer than before. It was like his life was nothing but the freezingwinds, stinky smoke, screams, and pain.

Then suddenly he was forced out of this nightmare just to wake up in his old hellish life. He was lying on a small dirty camp bed in a small hot and humid tent. His clothes smelled like they were weeks old.Matthias looked around and saw that there were other beds with people lying on them. All of them were wounded. Some had only one leg or arm, some had only half a face and some were just lying around crying or moaning. When he stood up from his bed Matthias noticed that the ground was laced with faeces. This and the smell of the many unwashed people in this small warm tents was the reason that there was an unbearable fetidness. Slowly Matthias walked in the direction wherehe assumed the exit.
Outside of the tent he was blinded by the bright sun hence he tried to cover his eyes with his left hand. When Matthias saw his hand he noticed a dirty old bandage wrapped around it and all at once he remembered his left ear. When he tried to touched it a horrible pain entered his head.So he decided not to touch it for a while.

When he finally scanned the area around him Matthias saw a huge camp withtents and men as far as he could see. In the distance he could see a fort surrounded by tents.
“A siege, I guess”, Matthias thought. Still standing in front of the tent he exited he thought what he should do until someone said:
“Hey! Why are you outside the medical tent?”

When Matthias looked to his left he saw an old woman facing him. She was smaller than him but that's probably because she was aged about sixty yeas Matthias assumed. The old woman had almost no hair and the few she had were gray and dirty. Further more she had almost no teeth only two black incisors. Hear clothes also sired of her old age. She wore a holey apron and a stained dress with colors which were fashionable fifty years ago.
“Don't stare like I am a lightly dressed fifteen year old! Why aren't you inside the tent?”
“Erm..wellI woke up and wanted to know where I am.”
“Aha,so you decided to go out of the tent with your inflammated ear.”
“Inflammated?” Matthias gulped. He knew what that might mean. “I didn't know that.”
“Ahaa...Well you were unconscious for five weeks, had a serious fever which you miraculously survived and now, as soon as you woke up you want to go into battle again and get cut in half or if you are unlucky you die because of your ear before you even hear rumors of an enemy army! Men are all the same, my husband, son and pretty much every patient I had!! Go out and die but I wont help you again if you get hurt!” The old woman pushed him away with a surprising strength and entered the medical tent.

Matthias thought about what he should do and decided that he should search for his wife.She should know that he is alive. It was common that husbands and fathers disappear after a battle and leave their wives back which will end up desperate jaundiced like the old woman he just met.
Matthias walked on the dirty ways between the tents and whenever he met someone he knew he asked them if they might have knowledge of his wife whereabouts.
After three hours he found the small tent which supposedly was hers. He entered and found himself in a small tents so low-risen that he had to bend down. There he saw her, sitting on the floor stitching something. When she saw him her eyes widend. Rashly the young woman stood up screamed in joy and ran to him in order to hug him. Matthias opened his arm and hugged her like someone who feared his wife may have been killed or worse. Two minutes they hold out in an hugging position which was painful since the low - risen tent forced both to bow down but they didn't care.
“I though you were dead, I checked all survivors and dead after the battle but you weren't there. What happened...your ear..” The young woman whispered in his healthy ear.
“I got hit my a saber and fell unconscious... I just woke up in one ofthe medical tents. What happened after the battle...how long has it been Maria??”
“We won, our pikes defeated the Polish-Lithuanian army. One week after we encountered another army but managed to defeat this one too. Then we marched towards Warsaw which we are currently be sieging. It was sucha long time, I missed you so much.” Maria kissed Matthias which he answered with another one.
Afterwards they sat down and finished after a long conversation talking, hugging, kissing and other thing married people do.

After the two Lithuanian armies were defeated nothing could prevent the Habsburgian Monarchy to take Warsaw.
A few days after the Austrians began besieging Warsaw the Ottoman Empire declared war on them. An army was sent south to deal with them while the Austrian Fleet was able to fight of French ones. Everything was going smooth that far, until...

A city of tents around Warsaw (picture of the siege of Warsaw in 1656)

[Alwyn]

Good chapter! I enjoyed the conversation Matthias had with the old woman. Is Austria fighting Poland-Lithuania, France and the Ottoman Empire at the same time? That sounds like a dangerous situation for Austria - and soldiers such as Matthias. I like the use of the picture of the siege of Warsaw.

[theSilentKiller]

Thanks^^
Yeah, the Ottoman Empire and Austria often had fights as well as with the French. And in the 17th century pretty much whole europe was fighting over religion (of course it was more about political control) . (protestants and katholics) The Habsburgian Monarchy was katholic but some parts in Austria were protestants. This all led to the thirty year war (of course it had several reasons) And additionally to that the mod has almost the same politic relations as the native game so far

[Zeion]

Nice updates SK!
In general I think it is quite interesting to see such a big conflict from a foot soldier's perspective.
Do you somehow keep track of the regiment Matthias is in in-game? (The unit card in the game)
This war is surely be a long one anyway... I wonder where it might take Matthias.

I can only suggest you have a look at Alwyn's article, it's really good!
Also: Me personally, I use simple Notepad to pre-write the parts for my AAR. I know it's really difficult to proof-read the missing blanks that happen when copying parts out of OpenOffice. I can only advise you not to use it.

Oh, btw, if you don't mind: Can you comment on how "finished" or polished the 1600AD mod is? Is it fairly stable? How does it compare to Darthmod?

[theSilentKiller]

Thanks^^
Well I keep track of the units that do the most (so it's not always the 1rst foot regiment )

Yeah I already changed the programm I write with

Well it's is quite good. Some new music and sounds for weapons and soldiers. Some new animations for pikes and halberds. Many units look historical accurate (even the armies on the campaign map are different and have a 17th century look) but some things are not quiet right. For example the technologie. Even tough the tech tree is smaller you can stil research technologies that weren't available during the 17th century. For example the pucklegun (some factions have it at the beginning but I think it should represent the ribauldequin or something like this.) And the naval battles have changed in terms of accuracy. There are only basic ships and their accuracy is even worse but I think that might make sense. But the AI hasn't changed much...
But I haven't played the mod that much (this is my first playthrough) but from what I can tell: It plays different than the base game. Money is really tight and infantry still dominates the battles (the guns and artilleries are inaccurate and reload slow) You really feel like commanding a 17th century army^^

[theSilentKiller]

Chapter I Part III – Verdammte Scheisse

[Note: A fiew vulgar words are replaced with smilies... they could either mean a word for the process of procreating or a word for excrements but you can insert any word you want]


“ing !” said Matthias angryly while he pushed his shovel into the wet soil.
“Digging and digging nothing but digging! Why do we have to dig while most of the army sits in their warm tents doing nothing just because it's raining!!! These wimps! ing !!!” With his last sentence he thrusted the shovel so hard into the soft ground that it split a stone into two.
“Well..because it was the 1rst foot regiment which was drunken and burned down about ten tents...I mean you pretty much started it...Ten people died and one guy will never be able to have children....or go to the toilet” said the man next to him who was filling a wooden container which was placed on the rim of the sap with stones. An old friend of Matthias. He always called him Thomas but most men in the camp referred to him as '5 secs' since a whore he lay down with once said that he couldn't last longer.
“Yeah but I mean how could I know that donkeys can...”
Before he could finish his sentence a horn sounded. Somewhere from the camp musket sounds and clashing steel emerged.
Shouts from the tents reached Matthias and his companions.
“We are attacked!”


“Everyone, follow me”, said the battalion's commander from his horse down.
“Hmm this can only be an army made of peasant. I don't believe that there are enough experienced soldiers around Warsaw... but why would they attack...I mean it can't be a big army otherwise our scouts would have seen them.” Matthias speculated the logic behind all this. Before they reached the camp he said: “Wait...didn't some soldiers wander around the countryside to get some more food and recruit some men? What if they defected to the enemy?”
“In that case”, Thomas said “ this still wouldn't make sense...they were inexperienced men and...” his sentence was disrupted by a bang in the distant.
“And this would only make sense if the attacker...”, Matthias wanted to finish the sentence but stopped when he heard a noise behind him.


He turned around and saw hat the city gates opened. Shouting men and women marched out of the city walls.
“Holy ...”,whispered Thomas and Matthias simultaneously.
The batallion's commander reacted instantly and shouted to his men: "Hold them back as long as possible! I'll get reinforcements from the camp! You there!" He pointed at Matthias who was standing next to him "I'll leave you in charge!"
The commander threw a long thin colored wooden bar at Matthias. Matthias catched it niftily. He held the bar into the air and shouted: "Men! Ready your guns and form up next to me!" The whole regiment formed a line on Matthias' left side.
The attacking defenders were already in the range of the 1rst foot regiments muskets.
"Fire!"

A fulminating sound echoed over the digged ground and a wall of white smoke envelopped the Austrian line. With only one volley about twenty Polish-Lithuanian men fell dead or wounded on the ground. Angrily the defenders ran until their arquebuses were in range.
Now it was their turn to shoot. Even tough there were thrice as many defenders than the Austrians the defenders lost only a few men. This procedure repeated itself many times for about half an hour.

During this time many men, predominantly Lithuanians died. Still it was not enough. Matthias recognised that he woul loose sooner or later. Just in the moment he wanted the give the order to retreat he
heard a whistling sound and in the next moment a bullet pierced through his right arm. He clenched his teeth bacause of the pain. But he couldn't show any weakness.
With a craggy voice he shouted: "Retreat! Retreat to the camp!"
Delayed the men turned around and ran.
A horn resounded. It was the horn of the Austrian general, Florian Frey. On their horsed his men and he appeared out of a smoke cloud and dashed into the defenders flank. The horses, screams and casualties caused them to break. Desperately their tried to run back into the city gates but were cut down by cavalry.

After a long time of slaughter the shouts and death cries died down. Smoke clouds thinned out and revealed a gruesome field of death and agony.
When Matthias turned around and looked at that horrific sight his wound began to hurt even more.
"ing ..."


A painting depicting Florian Frey's charge into the enemies which was one of his many heroic deeds during the Austro-Polish war

[theSilentKiller]

So appearently every post after the december 23thrd is deleted and the google cache gives me the page from the second post on just as every cache else so I am going to put every in one part in spoilers so I have to post only once ( I really have nothing better to do for the next two hours ) I put some pics after every part because I am to lazy to just put them into the right place.

chapter 1 Part V

spoiler

Chapter I Part V – Angriff 2nd of march 1608: Austria has been besieging Warsaw for about five month. For a long time the defenders were able to hold out without big casualties. It was almost a miracle how they weren't hit by a big disease or hunger. Filled with confidence they decided to sally out and attack the attackers. A fatal mistake. The defenders wanted to use a defected Austrian army as a distraction but weren't able to us the moment of distraction for their advantage. Soon after the besiegers breached the city walls with their cannons. “Fire!!” shouted the commander of the artillery and while the Austrian pikemen and footmen ran through the saps to get as close to the fort as possible. Soon the attackers and defenders traded cannonballs. “Everyone into the breach!” shouted one commander. “Hurry hurry!” many voices raised and men started to shout. The saps were filled with ankle-deep water, mud and dead bodies. Matthias tried to run as fast as he could without falling over the dead bodies of his comrades. Bullets and cannonballs were hitting people and the ground around him. Men fell dead on the ground and mud was tossed into the air wherever a cannon shot hit it. Then he heard a whistling blow and a big stone ball just missed him and crushed a man next to him. Matthias tripped. Now he was trenched in mud and gore but he just stood up and ran. The closer he got to the walls of the fort the more dead or wounded people littered the ground. Cries and prayers mixed with bangs filled the air. After he reached his regiments position close to the breach of the wall chaos awoke. “They are storming out of their fort.!” “Are they mad?!” “Fire! Freaking fire you dogs!” Confused shouts echoed through the air. People shot; people ran and people fell to the ground. Matthias didn't know how long this lasted but when the noise died out the breach was covered in a thick smoke cloud. For about a minute everyone stood still. Matthias used the time to reload his rifle. “Damn, I barely have ammunition left. I hope the pikemen will deal with the rest...”, he thought. “There are still some left”, some men shouted. "Sir, what are we supposed to do?", asked one commander the general. "Hmm we should nor rush in...take ropes and try to conquer the walls." After some time everything was prepared. “Climb up the walls!”, the 1rst foot regiment's commander said. The men, including Matthias ran to the wall and grabbed ropes that were hanging down and started to climb. In this very moment even the most ruthless and vile men prayed for safety for the ropes were old and used. While Matthias climbed his right arm began to bleed. The wound he received when the attackers sallied out. When everyone reached the top Matthias saw that the defenders gave up the walls and barricaded themselves on the streets and buildings. “Form up! We'll shoot down from 'ere.” Standing close to the gap of the wall Matthias aimed at the men that couldn't find shelter. Most were pikemen and civilians. They were shot to pieces by the 1rst foot regiment which stood on top of the walls and wherever someone tried to hide they were able to hit them. Some Austrian pikemen formed up do blockade the streets. Now the Florian Frey moved up. With his bodyguard and pikemen the famous general stood in the streets and shoot at the remaining troops with his pistol. Some defenders tried to shoot at them but their bullets couldn't penetrate the thick armor. After the last defender died or yielded Austrians, soldier, woman and children stormed the city and tried to take what they could grab. Matthias ran into a collapsed house. From outside came sounds of fighting and crying. Die Kette The house had only one room left and this room was devasteted. Broken furniture was scattered over the room and dust was leisurely floating in the air. Matthias saw a dead woman on the ground. She had a wonderful silver necklace around her twisted neck. Fascinated by it's magnificence and he wanted to grab it but then somenone hit him from behind. It was a young girl, probably about thirteen years old. “That's mine!”, she said “I'll give it my papa!” “The daughter of a soldier, I guess”, Matthias thought. “No you can't have it.”, he said and bowed down to take the necklace but the girl jumped on his back and wrapped her arms around his neck. He was pulled back by her weight and almost fell on his back if he hadn't reached for an old bookshelf. He did some pirouettes in order to get her off but her grab was too strong. He grasped her shoulders and threw her into a dark dusty corner of the room. From outside he heard many women cry. The whole city was covered in death cries and smoke. The girl stood up, grabbed a broom and when Matthias turned his back on her she hit him with all her force. He fell on the ground and she continued hitting him. Even though she was young her blows were strong. Blood ran over his face. Matthias rolled to the side and jumped up, unsheathed his saber and cut the broom in half. The girl screamed angry and charged at him. Matthias raised his saber. Waited. Waited. Then she was close enough and he swung his weapon. It hit the girl in the left shoulder. Crying she landed on the ground. Tears ran over her face while she was holding her injured shoulder. The cut was deep and almost reached her chest. Fast and unemotional Matthias stabbed her in the face to end her misery. Slowly her small body relaxed. Her blue eyes which were red from the tears became glassy. One last sob left her mouth and she was dead. Untouched Matthias grabbed the necklace and walked to the broken door. Suddenly someone appeared at the doorframe. It was an frightened old man. He saw the dead girl and Matthias blood covered body and saber. Then he saw his face. A scar drew over his left cheek and parts of his ear were missing. His left eye was light green, his right a stong clear blue with red sprinkles. Matthias facial expression was murderous. “A monster”, the old man shouted and ran away in fear. Then Matthias continued his looting until nighfall.

Chapter 1 Part VI

spoiler

Chapter I Part VI – Nachspiel “Hach it's again raining all day”, said Maria to her husband who was sitting at the table engraving crosses into his bullets. “You shouldn't complain. I have to do guard duty and repairing the city...” “Yeah yeah I am not complaining”, said Maria while she was stitched Matthias' clothes. They had many holes and his right sleeve was burned. The whole room was quiet except the sounds of rasping, the pattering rain and the oil lamp in the middle of the table which emitted only a feeble light. The small flame fought jittering against the cold dark in the small room but was only able to push it back into the dusty corners. When Matthias looked out of the window he saw wet streets and the patrolling guards. The noon sun was reflected by the water film in the bumpy cobble stone streets. Someone knocked on the door. Matthias stood up, walked to the door and opened it. On front of him stood a man wearing a soaking wet gray coat. His hood covered most parts of his face. “Matthias Marterstein! You are being called for guard duty. Follow me”, said the man on the door. Matthias put on his coat and grabbed his saber which was hanging on the wall next to the door. He said good bye to his wife and followed the man into the rain. No one talked which made the mood even more depressing. While the men walked through the wet streets and alleies Matthias looked around and saw the many construction sides. Most of the city was destroyed. After a while they reached the amoury which was located in the south east of the city. Matthias entered the small building and was in a warm room filled with holdings for weapons on the walls. Men blithesomely talked and armed themselves. “Are you from the 1rst foot regiment” , asked a man on his left Matthias nodded. “Good, grab a halbert and meet with the other men in front of the Johannis cathedral.” Matthias did as ordered. When he arrived at the place in front of the cathedral it stopped raining and through the clouds the noon sun was visible. At the gate of the cathedral were seven men. His squad. He didn't know any of them but only one. “Hi Thomas”, Matthias said fiendly. “Oh you are here? Haven't heard anything of you since the attackers sallied out. But as always you survive”, Thomas said “ May I introduce you to our team members? This is Albrecht, he can't speak but believe me...when he was able to talk he wasn't a good conversationalist. The guy with the blonde hair is Michael and this fellow here is Johannes. Here we have Szymon and Mateusz, they are volunteers. Nice people but kinda stupid.” Thomas walked down the line of men while he spoke and tapped everyone on the shoulders when he introduced them. “Now shouldn't we patrol around the main square”, asked Michael. “Yes let's go, form double rows”, shouted Thomas. The men formed up and marched in lock-step. "So...this Albrecht...he 'was' able to speak?", asked Matthias surprised. "Yes, but since he heard that his wife, three sons and daughter died in the looting of the city he stopped talking. "Woah quiet a loss..." "Yes, isn't it? His three sons were soldiers and his wife helped looting. And his daughter, not even thirteen years old was found dead in a building. Someone... cut her up and stabbed her in the face..." "What? What kind of monster would or better could do this? I mean what reason could someone have", said Michael who overheard the conversation. "Yeah...who could do this..." said Matthias with a low voice. He had to think of a certain dead girl and of a silver necklace which he sold for a lot of money. Deep within him Matthias felt a awful feeling but also some thing different. He couldn't quiet say what it was but it felt unsettled. While they were marching Matthias noticed the dark and angry looks of the citizens on the streets. “They hate us”, said Michael who was next to him “ many innocent died especially women and children when we looted the city. Some even won't work and there were people who attacked guards. Even tough the general executed some rebellious subjects...” It's true, they hate us, thought Matthias... On a small farm outside of Cracow The two men met in the barn. Nothing but hay, cows and barrels were in it. Outside everything was wet and the water on the grass reflected the sun so that it looked like many diamonds were scattered lying on the ground. Waterdrops dripped down drom the wooden roof into a brimmed barrel. “You got it”, asked one man. “Yeah”, said the other and searched for several balls in his rucksack. Each ball had a fuse. "Okay hide them here. The soldiers will come soon.” The one with the bombs placed them between some barrels. “How stupid can someone be and hide gunpowder in a barn”, said the other angry. The one who placed the balls ignited the fuses. The other ran out of the barn. A short time after some soldiers entered the it. “Hey what are you doing here”, asked halberder and pointed with his weapon at the man who was still on the barn. “Precz z okupacją”, shouted the man. A big explosion erupted an threw the solders back. Some of them died because of scales of woods which were tossed into the air. The others burned to death. The man outside the barn looked at it while it burned. When men and women arrieved and tried to extinguish the fire he disappeared in the crowd. End of chapter one

Chapter 2 Part 1

spoiler

Chapter II – Aufstand: Das Heilmittel ist schlimmer als die Krankheit. Chapter II Part I – Hass In the tavern were about thirty men and women gathered. All of them were peasants, workers or beggars. One man, small and malnourished was standing on one of the tables. His tattered clothes couldn't hide his scars that covered his body. His left eye was missing but was partly covered by some unwashed long hair which fell into his ugly uneven face. “They are taking our land, eating our food and raping our wives and now they want us to fight in their wars?! This is the greatest brazenness I ever heard off,” the ugly man shouted. The crowd in the room agreed with shouts. Many fists were raised into the air. “All over the country people are waking up just to hear that they son or daughter was killed by an drunken soldier. And I ask you is there any justice? No! Instead they hog-tie you on a post and whip for hours. These men...these Austrian are monsters! But we aren't weak! We are more then them and we have more to fight for! So if I asked you would you take up arms and fight against the suppressors?” The crowd shouted eagerly. “Then friends let us claim our liberty!” The ugly man jumped of the table grabbed a and ordered everyone out of the tavern. The crows opened the door and burst out on the streets. Some had weapons, those who didn't, picked up stones. One soldier who saw the noisy crowd in front of the inn walked to them and wanted to speak to an ugly man who seemed to be the leader. Before the soldier even opened his mouth the man hit him with his cleaver in left shoulder. Shouting the soldier fell to the ground. Three soldier rushed to aid him “The are you doing”, said one of them angry. “I'll kill anyone who moves!” The crowd shouted and overran the three soldiers. All of them were trampeld to death. The crowds target was the town hall. Inside the tow hall while the crowd was still in the inn "First of February 1608. Now I just have to put my signature here....aaand finished" A corpulent man sad in a chair and wrote on a sheet of paper. “Now back to our previous topic. I do think that you have good point there mister Martin but I think that they are not able to do so. We have reinforced the walls and dug a ditch around this building. Even if someone wanted us to do something; what I think is absurd he couldn't do so” The man who spoke, mister Alexander von Cryznik sat on a chair and ate a fatty saucage. When he stood up his silk clothes had problems holding back his fat waist. Fat and dip were stuck in his gray mustache. The man in the corner of the big warm room, called Lukasz Kowalczyk looked worried out of the window but the streets were calm. He opened the window and the cool night air blew through the room. He turned around and watched Alexander standing in front of a bookshelf thinking about what he should read next. “Anyway I will order the guard to lift the draw bridge...just to be sure”, said Lukasz and left the room. After a while Alexander decided what he wanted to read when a noise attracted his attention. He looked out the window and saw a big mass of people with torches, dung forks, scythes and stones approaching the town-hall. Some soldiers with halberts attempted to hold them back but were pushed into the ditch. In the very moment the people stepped on the draw bridge it began to lift. Some people fell into the ditch and broke their legs, some jumped and grabbed the rim of the bridge. The sheer mass of the many people hanging in the bridge forced it back down. The men and women who didn't jump off were crushed by the bridge when it landed on the ground. The crowd stormed into the gatehouse and killed everyone who tried to resist. The few soldiers were overwhelmed by the mass. Alexander ran to the door but before he reached it it was opened and men, women and children stormed into the room. “Alexander von Cryznik, you are accused of committing crimes against people and god. You are sentenced to death. No trial”, said a ugly one-eyed man and forced him to the window with the help of a cleaver. There the man pushed Alexander out of the window. He screamedHe heard the sound of his cracking bones when he laded on the ground. Other people, mostly governors and lesser nobles. With his hands Alexander tried to crawl away but they were crushed by a chair that was thrown out of the window. It is said that he cried for help for four days. This day 1rst of February 1609 was the beginning of a long storm. (Picture of the second Defenstration of Prague)

Chapter 1 Part II

spoiler

Chapter II Part II – Propaganda Battles, sieges, marches and lootings were the main aspects of war for a long time. But when Johannes Gutenberg invented the letterprinting in 1450 warfare got a new facet. Media. Around 1500 a.d. 40000 books were released. Instead of monks who copied books by hand printoffices printed books en mass. This made them cheaper and even the normal citizen could buy one. During th 16th century more and more people demanded education, especially reading and writing. Thus a few years before 1600 almost half the population of germany was able to read. And they didn't wanted to read only books. The people wanted tho know what happens around the world. The newspaper publishers were able to appease the citizens penchant for sensationalism. Thus in 1605 and 1609 the first newspapers were released in Strasbourg ('Relation' first) and Wolfenbüttel (Aviso). (Both are one of the first german newspapers) Correspondents around the continent were connected by network of roads, so that information could travel from one place to another in a third of the time it usually needed. Then the printoffices write articles and printed the newspaper in mass and sold them for about three kreutzer, approximately the hourly wage of a mason, on the streets and taverns. At the beginning newspapers were released at irregular intervals. But soon the first publishers offered monthly, weekly and one even daily releases. And for the better situated they extended an annual subrscirption for everyone who could spare a few guldens. But soon the market was flooded with hundrets of different newspapers. Thus the emperor granted the so called 'privilegium impressorium' to some publishers which ensured them that nobody could reprint what the privileged newspapers wrote. But the 'privilegium impressorium' was also used to control the media, even more effective than censorship. But due to this more and more anonymous broadsheets were printed to spread the news which the official newspapers didn't mention. So in the night of the February the 2nd 1610 a paper was handed though Vienna wich told about somehing nobody knew. A gigantic war. Russia, Brandenburg and Venice declared war to the Habsburgian Monarchy. To prevent civil disorder the crown forbid the media to mention it but the free press heard of it and wrote about it. The straight up truth. Austria was surrounded by enemies and th Monarchy would not be able to defend against an attack from all sides. It also mentioned the countless raides throughout the lands. The war finally reached the big cities within the realm. To prevent uprisings the minister of the press wrote a text in which he called on the citizen to not believe the 'lies of the enemies'. The minister found favor whilst the free media was hate. A excerpt of the broadsheet: The truth about the war The are many rumors about the war - or should I say wars? Yes, we are at war with many counryies, 6 to be precise. Many people hate us, for expansionsim, suppression and murder. Mirder? you may ask, I answer Yes! murder. Warsaw, Crocow, Lipie, Goglin, I could go on and on but the path of desdruction is endless. I say: “Wake up you people, this war costed to many lives and for what?” Is it a just war? If id would be, why would we be attacked by so many countries?Wouldn't the just be supported? War is a human eating beast only you peole can stop it! The free media In thanswered with Do not believe the lies Many of you might have read the abhorrend leaflet 'The Truth about the War'. I ensure you the people of the great Austria that nothing about this is true. These are nothing but wrong fallacies - Propaganda of the enemy to deceive you, the citizens.The enemies know that they can't wind thus they try to win you for their wrong ideals. Do not waver. In this dark times the crown has to trust it't mostvaluable peole - the citizens, workers, soldiers and women of this wunderful country of ours. Mister Emanuel von Friedrichshofen, Minister of the Press

Chapter 2 Part III

spoiler

Chapter II Part III – Massaker The sky was clear, a small group of birds circled around. No one could have imagined what they would witness that day. From above it looked like two gigantic masses walked towards each other. On the ground it looked like the beginning of a battle. The hostile armies lined up and the generals gave their inspiring speeches. The last animals cleared the space between the two armies to let the slaughter which will happen enough space. When the Habsburgian authorities gave the order to extend the borders south the first region they intended to conquer was serbia. Thus an army of 9000 men headed towards Belgrade. On their way they plundered and razed dozens of smaller towns and villages. The general, commanders and their retinue together with their family cusummed so much foot that they left nothing but plain wasteland. To stop them farmers, workers and nobles took up arms. They managed to embattle an army of 12000 man. The two armiers met on a hot sommer day. A warm breeze blew and swirled up some dust. A bigg flat plain was chosen for as battleground. Some small groups of trees stood here and there. Only on the horizon appeared some small mountains and hills. The Austrians deployed their infantry right of their cannons and the majority of their cavalry left of it. The Ottomans send forward their horseman which engaged the Austrian cavalry. Due to a mistake in the communiction on the battlefield aimed the Austrian artillery at the enemy horseman but hit their friendly troops instead. Hit strong the Austrian cavalry were now outnumbered, but were able to defeat the Ottomans after a long and brutal battle. When the Ottoman general heard of this loss he ordered his infantry to march forward. The defenders hat more infantry than the invaders but it consisted predominately of farmers and untrained rifleman. One of this peasents with only a dung fork was the 14 year old Kiprijan Marjanovic. He was one of the first who entered the mob of people who were eager to fight against the foes. He had little knowing of the world and viewed war as a honorable adventure. He could not have been wronger. The Austrian halberds and pikeman engaged with the Cemaat Janissary and farmers. It was a long and brutal fight. The dead were covered by other dead people. Wounded men lied screaming on the ground. Here and there lied a chopped of arm or leg. In the thick of it the terrified Kiprijan. He thrusted his gigantic fork into everything in front of him. Soon he was covered in blood, his and those of others. (A fate many men shared that day) The meele fight lasted for hours until the very end of the battle. The Sides of the Ottomans were hit by the muskteers and cuirassiers of their enemy. The golden with ornaments garnisheds cannons of the defenders shot. The heavy iron balls tear through the ranks of the fighting units leaving crushed men and torn apart bodies. Everytime a cannonball hit the line of fighting men the fighters got splattered by blood. Many people turned isane - or mabe sane? - and tried to run from this this madness but were cut down, by friends and foes alike. The soldiers count't longer tell the differnce because everybody looked the same; - red-skinned and red-clother human with a sharp or spiky weapon. The Austrian foot regiment shot relentlessly into the mass of fighting men. Undoubtly they hit freinds enemies. But it didn't matter. Nobody cared, they only wanted to survive. The plain turned into a slaughter field. During the meele fight the Austrian cavalry tried to silence the artillery of the enemies but got shot to pieces by canister shots. The remaining horsemen killed every Ottoman that tried to flank the Austrians. The right flank of the Ottomans broke first. From there the Austrians overwhelmed the Jannisaries. Seeing that the fight was lost the remaing Ottomans ran ... and got pursued by some riders. (the Ottomans leaving with the setting sun) Kiprijan evade the horses and the long and pointy weapons of the men on their back. Just as he thought he was safe a bullet hit him in the knee. His kneecap got crushed. He tried to crawl away until somthing pressed him down. Kiprijan looked up and saw a man with a halbert standing above him, his body covered the sun so that Kiprijan could not see the face of the man. The man raised his weapon in attemped to thrust it into the boy who was lying in the ground. The boy began to sob. Tears rolled over his dirty clood-covered face. "I....I sur...surrender", stemmered Kiprijan. The man lowered his weapon. Kiprijan cried but felt felt relieved. Maybe someone would rescue him from captivity or the man would let him run. He might be able to see his aunty, mother, father and five sisters again. "No prisoners." The spike of the halbert pierced through Kiprijan throat. Kiprijan began to choke. Blood was spit into the air. Thorugh his wounds and mouth ran blood and landed on the dry ground. The sand was dying red competing with the setting sun. The last thing Kiprijan saw was the man turning around and leaving him alone to die. (Was it worth it?) In this battle fought the later famous painter Zenobrio Tagnoni, a Italian mercenary on the Austrian side. With his guerdon and money he brought with him (he was the third son of a lesser noble family) he bought canvases and paper. It's asmumed that many paintings were done after the battle for Serbia (also called the massare Wojwodina). As for example here: 'Shooting Cuirassier' 'Abandoned cannons' 'Triumph march' the victorious Austrians walking on a red carpet Both pictures above are by an unknown artist

[Zeion]

Hello SK - good to see you recovered those parts and good to see you back on it!
I really enjoyed the battle with the Ottomans, some brilliant images there!

[Alwyn]

Yes, it's good to see these chapters re-appearing after the forum rollback.

[theSilentKiller]

Thanks for the kind comments, Zeion and Alwyn^^

Chapter II Part IV – Aussichtslos

Men, women and children hat to dig, build and fortify the defences of the city. For five days they had to work until everything was as strong as it could be. On the sixth day men, young and old had to take up weapons and trained shooting, reloading, fighting and discipline. Only a week and a half ago the message about an attack by the french had arrived; a mighty army stood in front of Strasbourg, the biggest city of Alcase-Lorraine. When the Strasbourgians woke up one morning and patrolled on the walls they saw a fearsome sight. The city was surrounded by a french camp. French flags were raised above almost every tent. The besiegers managed to built up their camp in only one night.




The next weeks were nothing but waiting and praying. A quarter of the population died by dysentery and hunger. There were stories of dug up graves and half eaten corpses. Once even a carpenters assistant disapeared. It is said someone ate him.
There weren't enough pits for the dead so they piled up in the streets. To prevent further spreadings of deseases the corpses were burned. Black and grey smoke ascended into the air and formed thick dark clouds. Instead of rain ash fell down on the city.
The ash and fumes from the city costed even the besiegers many men.


(The sky, poisoned by the exhausted fumes)

Inside the wooden hut of the french general:

A messenger of one of the french commanders ran into the tent.
Breathlessly he said: "Si...Sir, commander Banlieu-Marconnay wants to inform you that we were not able to breach the walls and we do not have much ammunition for our cannons left!"
General Josselin D’Uclaux de La Valette stood up from his chair, closed the book he read and answered:
"Then ask monsieur Banlieu-Marconnay why HE was not able to breach the walls. It was an order! If he cannot make an opening for the infantry, then I will order him to climb up the walls and open the gates from within! Oh and when you are at it, remind him that he should hurry...if we loose our canon fodder further to deseases, he might provide his body as shield."


Later in the evening another messeger, a young boy with almost red hair and a snow pale skin asked for a meeting with D’Uclaux de La Valette.
"Mon général, a message from Guillaume d’Hautemer. He says that he has concernes for the planned assault. We lost many men and further losses might force us to give up the siege. And I he wants to remind You of the importance of this army."
"Well ", answered Josselin trying to net get angry, " tell this lazy old coward that I do very well know of the importance of this army. And then ask him where he lost his manhood, since he consideres retreat over a heroic attack. And please remember him what will happen if I do not succeed in this undertaking. Oh and here." Josselin grabbed two round leather balls filled with cotton, toys he confiscated when he saw one of his commander juggling with them. "He might need them", said the La Valette with a wink.
After the messenger left La Valette grabbed a poker and started to batter the table that stood next to the door. His red face turned into a mask of anger and rage.
"Ahhh", he screamed, "I am surrounded by treacherous idiots! What have I done to deserve this humility?! I am going to kill that bastard of Hautemer."
"But you need him", said someone in the shadows of the dim room, " otherwise you won't live for a long time."
"I know I know... curse this Henri the fourth." Josseling smoothed his hair that fell into his angry face back. This covered up a dent next to his left temple. A wound he received in a battle. Since then he had not a single moment of silence.
"But after this siege we won't need him anymore and then..."
Josselin could almost hear the person who spoke beginning to smile when he said the last sentence. He walked to a corner where the voice came from. On his way he grabbed a candle. The weak light revealed what spoke. A mirror reflecting the mad and angry general.


Pierre Banlieu-Marconnay was not able to breach the walls and when the french attacked the fort, Pierre was as promised the one who ho had to run as one of the first to the walls. He didn't make it even half way though before his head was crushed by a cannon ball.




The attackers had more men but without a breach they had little chance of success. But still, the delusional general Josselin D’Uclaux de La Valette ordered an assault. It could not have been more empty.


While the halberders marched to the city they were greeted by volleys of cannons. Even tough the defenders were clearly outnumbered they had enough men to man the cannons. Many French were torn to pieces before they could even reach the walls.



When they eventually reached they were shot to pieces by a hail of lead. And when they climbed up the walls the defenders poured hot tar over the attackers. It is said that the defenders even threw parts of dead bodies down the walls. The attacking suisse garde and musketeers tried desperately to kill the defenders on the wall but were too well protected by the fortifications they built.




The weeks of of diseases, stench and the many casualties killed so many of the attackers that the French had to give up the siege.
And in the end nothing was gained as the defenders had to find out....


(The weeks of shooting at the walls left its marks)

[Alwyn]

Good chapter, with a vivid description of the horrific experiences of the French soldiers in this attack on well-prepared fortifications. Your images are done well.

[Caillagh de Bodemloze]

I'm enjoying the story, and those are great pictures!

[theSilentKiller]

Thanks Caillagh and Alwyn for your comments, really motivating

Chapter II Part V - Niederlage

Dear mister Erasmus von Steigenheim, Friday, April 1st 1611


it may beatify you to hear that we have successfully captured another french trading ship. I think our recent prosperousness' in seizing the enemy's trading goods, among gunpowder, ammunition, cloths, linen wheat and valuable spices from the east might obliterate every doubt you had about this undertaking. The fleets are not well protected, thus it was easy to defeat them. Soon I will head for Ploče for restocking our supplies. Skurvey begins to spread on some ships. I heard you are on a tour through the conquered lands, maybe we meet in Ploče, if you write me your travelling agenda.


Yours sincerely,
Alduino Pisani.


(Austrian ships taking over a French trading galley)






Captains logbook,
Monday, April 4th 1611,


Bad heaver slowed down your way to the long desired mainland. Oh how The crew gets fretful, they miss the sound of the wind blowing through the treetops. But the wind remains weak and the sea calm.







Captains logbook,
Wednesday, April 6th 1611,


Some ships signaled enemy ships. A fleet built for war. My small caper fleet cannot fight them. The wind strengthens for our favor.
I can see the first mountains on the horizon. Some smaller clouds are above them and seem to be stuck there. I fear the worst.






Captains logbook,
Thursday , April 7th 1611,


As I feared. The Bora hit us and drifts us away from the coast line. I don't know if we will be able to flee from the enemy fleet for three another days.
I hope to reach a port in Italy in which we would be safe. But I fear we won't make it in time. I have to prepare for battle.










After one and a half day the fleeing Austrian fleet became reinforcements. They used the Boar which filled their sails to reach their fellow Austrians in time. Then they got cought by some venetian ships. Only a small fleet but they prevented them to escape the french which were coming closer every hour. Now there was no other choice. They had to fight. The ventians had to be defeated before the french arrive. Otherwise there won't be a tomorrow. The whole Habsburgian navy against a much bigger french fleet and a venetian patrol.


The wind blew in favor of the enemies. Alduino Pisani knew how to gain the upper hand against the venetian ships. With smart manoeuvres the Austrian ships encircled the ventians and managed to sink two of three ships. But after one hour of battle the wind changed and the french arrived sooner than expected. Like a spear teared the French line of ships through the austrian formation almost risking crossing the t.



After 30 minutes Pisani lost half his fleet. Just as he wanted to head for the enemy admiral vessel a volley hit his ship; the masts were burst apart. Unable to do anything Pisani had to see how his fleet was defeated by the superiority.
He could see one ship with bow down sinking. A creacking sound resounded and the beatiful 'Bellavista' was torn apart. The two pieces, bow and stern crashed into the rough see.


(a Austrian ship without a mast)


"Fabricco", said Alduino to his coxswain, "perepare the lifeboats to escape. If you are stealthy you might be able to escape to the italian mainland."
"What? No we don't give up the-" a cannon ball flew above their heads crushing into the remains of the main mast. "we don't - we won't give up our lovley old lady of the sea!"
"Fabricco, listen" Alduino looked deep into the young mans eyes, "You have the pontential to command a fleet one day! Don't let the world lose such a talented seaman." The waves crashed into the ships side. The old man never said soemthing that proved to be wrong to Frabricco. He had no choice.
"I will go." He said, then he shouted: "Men ready the dinghies!"
Slowly were the long-boats lowered into the sea. The captain and his most trusted man would leave the ship as the last men.
"Come, take my hands, we will jump together", said Fabricco to his old friend and admiral.
"No, a captain dies with his ship", said Alduino an pushed his young friend and cox over the railing. Amongst the sounds of the sea and cannons he could not hear the young man falling into the water but he was sure Fabricco managed to survive.
He slowly walked to his cabin. Just as he reached it a volley shot holes into the vessel's side. The ship began to fill with water.
When Alduino Pisani closed the door behind his back the water began to slowly flow the cabin. The old captain and admiral looked around the room. This small cabin on his old ship was his whole life. Here he began his career and here will it. He sailed the world's oceans. He was hit twice by a bullet. Lost two fingers in a duel and got the gout. He rembered his first time on his father's ship and how exciting it was. Since then he dreamed about expriencing his own sea adenture. Now his adventure came to an end. In a way it should end.


Fabricco managed to flee with the small long-boat. In the distant he saw his captain's - his mentors ship sinking. He struggeled with holding back his tears while he watched the 'Altezza' disappearing in the dark blue sea. The same sea which took many of his friend. But he could not allow to show any weakness in front of the crew. He would definitely safe them.


On the 10th of april, a sunny sunday with a calm breeze a small boat with ahungered Austrian men landed on the shores of Italy.


(A Austrian ship trying to flee)