AAR - Clash Of The Titans

"The walls of Bremerhaven lay in ruin, and the full force of the White Banner Northern Fleet descended into Prussian waters. Enraged by the maddening search for the Markgraf and the losses they had suffered, the Russian Admiralty committed the full weight of their North Sea assets into the attack - the twin kingships of Monarkh Squadron and the immense Petrushka. 

Against them stood Baron Karl-Ehrhart Grunner and the Markgraf, his own flagship Grendel and the Sachsen, recovered from Greenland as the winter ice thawed. The Teutonic Order also committed their grand Hochmeister-class Dreadnought-Robot Carolus Rex, only recently repaired and refitted following battle at Midbrødøya. 

Such a commitment of tonnage and ordnance was unheard of, and grossly foolhardy - truly, two of the Great Nations of the world had been driven insane by their mutual antagonism, and their folly would see the deaths of thousands upon thousands of men. In the hunt for one vessel, the Russian Coalition had sacrificed entire fleets, and in their pride the Prussian Empire had crippled their North Sea operations - and impacted those beyond it. 

Here, at the walls of Bremerhaven, there would be a reckoning - not just for the Markgraf, but for the entire World War..."

- The Hunt for the Markgraf (cont.)

Naval Battles of 1874

AAR - The Russian Coalition versus The Prussian Empire

"The attack upon Bremerhaven was launched at the beginning of summer, as the waters of the bitter North Sea began to warm and the Russian fleets held in the ice of the Kara and Berents Sea could begin to head south. The Petrushka was with them, and none could stand before its wrath as the incredible power of the Sturginium-powered Bombard was unleashed upon the defences of the port. 

The Curtain Wall - first line of defence for Bremerhaven but weak in the face of concentrated Russian bombardment - was sundered in mere hours. The attack continued, driving great rents in the structure that would allow an entire fleet to sail through and into range of the city itself. 

The Prussian retaliation was swift - even as the Bombardment Group prepared to withdraw to allow the next wave of Russian ships to attack, their interceptors leapt upon them. Leading elements of the 76th Iron Fleet, lead by the rugged SMS Kronprinz and the belligerent SMS Hetzer II would catch them before the walls. 

Whether they had the firepower to deal with the Petrushka was another question entirely..."

- The Hunt for the Markgraf (cont.) 

Naval Battles of 1874

AAR Battle Patrol - The Russian Coalition versus The Prussian Empire

"In the wake of their disastrous run past the Jutland peninsula, the Russian Coalition were forced to push back their attack on Bremerhaven and regroup. The Petrushka was integral to their plan, and the recovery of the hulk became their top priority. Fortunately, the Kalmar Navy had been similarly forced to withdraw - Battle Group Adglek had suffered significant damage, and could not face a second wave of Russian squadrons. 

Dragged from the depths of the ocean, the Petrushka rose once more. Repairs would take several days, and it was the duty of the White Navy to defend the repair vessels as they frantically pieced the Dreadnought-Robot back together. Aerial support from the long-range squadrons from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth held back the Prussian attack from the sky, while patrols of White Navy vessels tried to intercept any Imperial Bond attack..."

The Hunt for the Markgraf (cont.)

Naval Battles of 1874

AAR - The Kingdom of Britannia versus The Prussian Empire

"In the wake of the Fair Isle Incident, the engagement between the Russian Battle Group Vityaz and Britannic Task Force 37, tensions were high between the two supposed allies. No longer operating in concert to track the Markgraf, the fleets of these two Powers operating in the North Sea were on constant alert. Through the storms and squalls that plague those waters, they jumped at shadows as their eyes scanned the horizon.

The Kingdom of Britannia secretly deployed a number of Wolf Pack flotillas into the theatre, obliquely to track the movements of both their enemies and their supposed allies while operating counter to the Prussian Wolf Packs still roaming the North Sea. The largest of these submarine groups was the 7th Submarine Squadron under the HMS Auriga. 

Mere weeks after the horror of the Fair Isle Incident, the 7th Submarine Squadron was tracking Russian movements south of Egersund when they chanced upon a small Prussian flotilla following a similar mission. Surprise was on their side as they launched the attack, or so they thought..."

The Hunt for the Markgraf (cont.)

Naval Battles of 1874

AAR - The Russian Coalition versus The Prussian Empire

"In their continuing pursuit across the North Sea, the White Navy deployed huge numbers of Reconnaissance Planes from their Carrier Groups, developed for longer flights across a wider range. They all searched for a single target - the rogue Dreadnought Markgraf. Though initially unsuccessful, they did bring unprecedented mapping of the Prussian Hunter Fleets' locations, giving Grand Coalition convoys a chance in their dangerous journeys.

The Prussian Navy were not lax in this time - they followed the Reconnaissance Planes in turn, tracking them to their Carrier Groups of origin and taking the opportunity to avoid the slower Russian formations, or attack them and achieve significant victories. It was during one of these missions that the infamous Donner Squadron was despatched from escorting the Markgraf to attack a pair of carriers off the Caister Oil Fields. 

For the Russian Coalition, their game of bluff and double-bluff had paid off - aerial attack on the Markgraf was all but impossible with Donner Squadron protecting it, but in drawing them away from the Dreadnought they could pick them off and deny the Markgraf aerial cover in the future. 

The great Skyship Ilyushin was despatched with all haste to engage Donner Squadron and deal with them once and for all..."

The Hunt for the Markgraf (cont.) 

Naval Battles of 1874

AAR - The Prussian Empire versus The Black Wolf Mercenaries

"Some two months had passed since the ambush at Visund Oil Field, and the Prussian Hunter Fleets still keenly felt the loss of U-113, vessel of Submarine Commander Grönemeyer. The Markgraf had withdrawn to the south, and the Prussian hold over the shipping lanes in the North Sea faltered. 

A new player emerged from hidden bases along the Scottish coast - the mercenaries of the Black Company. Piratical and beholden to no Great Nation, their attacks at the end of the last year had forced the Markgraf to turn away from the northern oil fields, and now they had free reign to attack the shipping lanes and plunder as they pleased. 

Baron Grunner could not stomach this conceit - his experience against the Black Company off Greenland had bred a deep disdain for these renegades, and the loss of his best Submarine Commander still enraged him. While the Markgraf evaded Grand Coalition patrols, he charged Carrier Group Lützow with engaging the Black Company - defending Prussian shipping, ensuring his Wolf Packs would have unrestricted access to the North Sea oil fields, and denying them the chance to attack the Markgraf again. 

The Black Company were a scourge, and would need to be dealt with quickly..."

The Hunt for the Markgraf (cont.)

Naval Battles of 1874

The Hunt for the Markgraf - Year One

AN OVERVIEW OF THE CAMPAIGN SO FAR

AAR - The Russian Coalition versus The Prussian Empire

"The Markgraf, once the pride of the Prussian Navy, their greatest prize and invaluable asset in the North Sea theatre, had become a great weight around the neck of Baron Karl-Ehrhart Grunner. Following his early victories, he was now being hunted by some of the most powerful Naval Powers in the world. His political support was drawing thin, and his demands for aid met stony silence. 

With reinforcement lacking and his options running out, Grunner embarked on a highly risky strategy - his fleet would lure their pursuers to the Norwegian coastline and seek to double-back and outflank them amid the rocks. At the same time, they would draw the attention of the fiercely territorial Teutonic Order of Prussian-Scandinavia. Enraged by the presence of foreign interlopers in their waters, it was hoped the Teutonic Order would deploy their infamous Battle Robots to intercede on their behalf. 

The plan was, at least initially, a complete success. Seneschal Gerhard mobilised his Baronial Court as soon as the Russian fleet appeared on the horizon. At Midbrødøya, the immense Battle Robots clambered down the rocks and into the ocean, led by their master aboard the Hochmeister-class Dreadnought-Robot Carolus Rex.

...but Grunner had underestimated the size of the Russian fleet. A truly titanic clash would occur as the Teutonic Order strode into battle with a huge fleet of enemy warships. By days end, both sides would be reeling from the cost of Grunner's arrogance..."

The Hunt for the Markgraf (cont.)

Naval Battles of 1873

Painting Progress - Dreadnought-Robot

THE HOCHMEISTER GETS A LICK OF PAINT

AAR - The Black Wolf Mercenaries versus The Prussian Empire

"...in the wake of the bloody engagement with the Federated States of America and the prolonged duel with the Enterprise-class Dreadnought Dortmunder, the Markgraf was badly damaged and exposed. Struggling through the bitter waters of the North Sea, the remnants of Baron Grunner's Hunter Fleet sought protection amid the oil fields, hoping to mask the location of the Dreadnought while it was repaired. 

Calls for assistance were sent out to Prussian-held ports along the Norwegian and Danish coast, demanding reinforcements to protect the vessel. Encrypted with the latest Prussian ciphers, these messages were nonetheless intercepted and decoded by the brigand mercenaries of the Black Company. Their contacts in the Britannian Admiralty quickly promised them untold riches for the capture or destruction of the rogue Dreadnought, and using their advanced technologies they made all speed for the North Sea oil fields. 

Deploying a massive fleet of aerial and naval vessels out of hidden ports on the Scottish coast, the Black Company were not content to destroy the Markgraf but wished it for themselves - much as they had done two years previously, they would capture a Dreadnought and drag it back to their pirate anchorage. Their fleet was unnaturally fast and could reach the target before any Russian or Britannian squadron, but they would not beat the Wolf Pack of renowned Submarine Commander Jurgen Grönemeyer... 

Battle would be joined amid the dense Visund Oil Field..."

The Hunt for the Markgraf (cont.)

Naval Battles of 1873

The Grandmaster

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS OF THE MIGHTY HOCHMEISTER DREADNOUGHT-ROBOT

Unveiling The Dreadnought-Robot

UNBOXING THE HOCHMEISTER-CLASS DREADNOUGHT-ROBOT FOR THE PRUSSIAN EMPIRE

Donner Squadron

THE ADLER-CLASS HEAVY BOMBER FINALLY DESCENDS FROM THE SKIES

AAR - The Federated States of America versus The Prussian Empire

"In the closing weeks of Summer, 1873, the 17th Reserve Fleet of the Federated States of America finished their sixth tour of duty across the Atlantic and were invited to Liverpool Docks for refit and repair. An unusually generous offer from their allies the Kingdom of Britannia, but a welcome one that would aid their defence of the convoys in the northern Atlantic during their return home. Lead by the immense Dreadnought Dortmunder - still bearing the scars from the Blockade of Greenland the previous summer, the fleet began their approach into Britannian waters on the 7th September. 

New orders reached them before they could turn south toward their destination - the Markgraf had been sighted near the Faroe Islands, and as the largest warship in the vicinity, the Dortmunder was to engage and claim the ship for the Federated States of America. Where other ships had failed, it was hoped another Dreadnought would be a match for the beast. 

This would be a monumental victory for the Federated States - the destruction of an enemy Dreadnought, the end of a known threat to Grand Coalition shipping, and a show of superiority for their "allies" the Russian Coalition. To claim the Markgraf as Prize where the Russians had failed was an irresistible lure for the Federal Naval Command. 

Moving at full speed, the American fleet found the Prussians had not attempted to alter course - they almost appeared to be waiting for them, ready to engage in the open ocean...

- The Hunt for the Markgraf (cont.)

Naval Battles of 1873

AAR - The Grand Coalition versus The Prussian Empire

"The grand Dreadnought Markgraf had been revealed, and was now loose in the North Sea. Escorted by Baron Grunner's Stavanger fleet and joined by reinforcements out of Toenning, the Hunter Fleet set out to cause havoc along the northern coast of the Kingdom of Britannia, starting with the oil fields beyond the Shetland Islands. 

At the Magnus oil field (once under Danish control but lost in the early months of the War), Prussian reconnaissance spotted a small convoy fleet moving amid the derricks, no doubt carrying supplies and manpower to maintain the production of oil. Concealed by covert technologies, they would attack and claim their first prey! 

Unable to respond in time and aghast at the prospect of losing their oil fields, the Kingdom of Britannia appealed to their allies in the north, the Russian Coalition. Enraged at the mere existence of the Markgraf, they consented to give aid immediately, and despatched a small Battle Group to intercept the Prussians at Magnus. 

The Kingdom of Britannia were assured their convoy would be defended, but the Russians had another objective in mind..."

- The Hunt for the Markgraf (cont.)

Naval Battles of 1873

AAR - The Prussian Empire versus The Russian Coalition

"Summer, 1873 brought some small glimmer of heat to the bleak waters of the North Sea, but a wall of ice had formed across the Byfjorden. Not natural but man-made, erected by the immense Glacier Generators of the Russian Coalition, this immense edifice would trap the ships of the Imperial Bond and stop them from escaping into the North Sea.

For Baron Karl-Ehrhart Grunner, this was the tipping point. No longer would he waste lives and ships keeping the Russians at bay - he needed access to the wider oceans or his entire purpose was lost. If they wanted their lost Dreadnought Markgraf so badly, he would drive it into the ice wall himself! 

Assembling the best warships left in his battered fleet and commandeering a Titan-class Troop Transport to carry an entire legion of Luftlancers directly into battle, Grunner ordered the Markgraf to be unleashed, revealed from its secret moorings and claimed as his flagship. They sailed for a narrow passage in the ice wall where a hastily gathered Russian fleet was assembling to intercept the immense Dreadnought. There would be a reckoning amid the ice, near the shores of Bru, and the Russians would finally have their chance to reclaim their lost Dreadnought. For Grunner, this was an incredible gamble - glorious victory and the breaking of the blockade, or a most humiliating defeat..."

- The Hunt for the Markgraf

Naval Battles of 1873

AAR - The Russian Coalition versus The Prussian Empire

"In the weeks since the disastrous attack on Stavanger, the Russian Coalition had endeavoured to blockade the Byfjorden and scour every nook and cranny of the broken coastline, searching for signs of a secret port that could accommodate the grand Dreadnought Markgraf. Their largest vessels were held back to enforce the blockade or were commissioned away from the North Sea theatre, leaving packs of smaller vessels to reave the western coastline of Prussian-Scandinavia. 

Chance encounters and skirmishes between opposing squadrons were common, but without the movement of massed fleets nothing would occur to rival the immense Battle of Stavanger or the Breakthrough at Byfjorden. The Russians held the line, while the Prussian Empire effected refits and licked their wounds. A period of relative calm settled over the Norwegian coastline, and the eyes of the world looked elsewhere. 

In the wake of the Battle of Stavanger and the string of brutal losses that had preceded it, the Prussian fleet commander Karl-Ehrhart Grunner had had his requests for reinforcement intercepted or ignored and his attempts to break the deadlock thrown back. His best hunter, submarine commander Jürgen Grönemeyer, had not returned from the counter-attack at Kvitsøy, and he began to fear the Byfjorden theatre would be locked for the rest of the war. If he could just break the blockade, Prussian naval operations in the North Sea could resume at full effect - without the support of the Norwegian coastal ports, their operational range was severely limited. 

In the last week of June, 1873, Grunner was presented an opportunity to upset the balance. A small column of Russian ships based around the assault carrier Ulyanovsk had broken formation and advanced beyond the protection of the blockade, gathering speed toward Stavanger once more. Ignoring the risks of this potential feint, Grunner gathered what frontline-worthy warships he could find and pounced - he lacked the patience for this siege, and would take any chance to score a blow against the Russian Juggernaut! 

The price of Grunner's hubris would soon be discovered..."

- The Hunt for the Markgraf (cont.)

Naval Battles of 1873

Prussian Air Support

THE HAVEL-CLASS SUPPORT CARRIER JOINS THE FLEET

Unboxing the Bombardment Groups

THE BOMBARDMENT GROUPS FOR THE PRUSSIAN EMPIRE, FEDERATED STATES OF AMERICA AND RUSSIAN COALITION ARE UNVEILED

AAR - The Kingdom of Denmark and Prussian Empire versus The Russian Coalition

"Anticipating strong resistance, the White Banner Northern Fleet moved against Stavanger in the early hours of the 29th April, 1873. Leading the attack were squadrons armed for naval engagement - Bombardment Group Slava would move into range once the defenders had been smashed aside. The Russian vanguard negotiated the dense minefields of the Byfjorden and quickly came within sight of the walls of the port - but also into range of the defending fleet. 

The limited naval assets of the Kingdom of Denmark had been kept in reserve while the 46th Interdiction Group tried and failed to stop the Russian advance, and now they would be forced to prove their mettle in the shallow waters of the port itself. Their powerful short-range gunnery and skill at maneuvering the dense channels of the port would give them an advantage against the immense, ungainly vessels of the Russian Coalition, but they were few in number. 

In support of the Danish flotilla, the surviving Prussian vessels of the 46th Interdiction Group had rallied once more at Stavanger, their numbers almost inconsequential against the coming storm. Nonetheless, their expertise and still-formidable firepower would prove helpful, especially alongside the Sturmbringer-class Submarine U-113, an unexpected ally under the command of infamous reaver Jürgen Grönemeyer that had snuck past the Russian fleet to aid the besieged port. 

The defenders of Stavanger would have one chance to stop the Russian attack - if they failed, the Bombardment Group waiting in deeper waters would have free reign to move into range and level the city..." 

- The Hunt for the Markgraf (cont.)

Naval Battles of 1873