The Crusso-Fezian War Errupts

Above; Fezian forces deploy in Mogostan but without artillery support, which is located on the other side of the battlefield.

Above: Crussian deployment in Mogostan. A well thought out defensive strategy is formulated.

Above: The Crussian artillery prepare for a deadly salvo into the Fezian positions. Below: A Crussian heavy gun and militia take position on one side of a lake in Fez.

One of the sultan's guards, hoping to fill that night's cooking pot, takes a pot shot, with his bow, at a passing duck!

                                                                                                                                                                Above: The sultan takes his hookah everywhere, even on the battle field. Here he is directing operation , in his usual decadent way, in Mogostan.                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                               The Fezian army and its Mogostani allies sighted the Crussian invaders and prepared to fire. However the Crussians were very careful to place their advancing troops behind hills and villages where the Fezian infantry and artillery were unable to get clear shooting. The Crussians, however, positioned their own artillery to deadly effect. 

 

Above: The sultan on his ass. These days he prefers his steam motor.

Below. Fezian artillery limber up in the hope of finding line of site to the Crussian positions.

Below: Crussian infantry occupy a patch of scrub and await any Fezian advance. They shoot up some Fezians caught in the open and add to the death toll caused by Crussian artillery.

Below: Crussian cossacks are ordered to join with Brigadier Kersky's division in nearby Fez. A rider has already been sent to direct him to extend the offensive their beyond the town of Abbadad. As things are stable in the land occupied by General Kruscov he is considering joining them as no news has arrived from Kersky. The Greater Leopard River lies between, forming the border between Mogostan and Fez. It is shallow but broad and will delay travel. The river shown here is the Lesser Leopard River, a tributary of the Greater Leopard.

                                     Below: The Fezians edge forward on the Mogostan centre,

                                          Below: The cossacks on their secret mission pass the Crussian artillery.

       Below:  Meanwhile, in Fez, the Crussian Rifle regiment moves towards the town of Abaddad.  Behind them the Miners Yellow Cap Regiment hold their position to resist any enemy cavalry advance.                                                                                                                                            

                             

 

                                      Below: A sprinkling of inhabitants greet the Rifles Regiment. One of the local women even began dancing and waving her tambourine. The delighted Crussians observed the folk dress and realized that the villagers were Balkans types, weary of Fezian rule. They hoped, for the villagers' sakes that the Fezian army would not return if the Crussians left; the Fezians were not known for their tolerance in such matters.

 Crussian infantry and cavalry have made a long forced march along an exceptionally good road on the Fezians left flank. The Crussians have also been filled with exceptional patriotic zeal which has made the usually slow moving army very fast,
The Crussian Officer regiment and a machine gun take positions on the other side of the village.

                                 Above: Fezian cavalry advance and prepare to charge Crussian infantry. They are fired by their defence of the homeland. However, an astonshing rumour hits the army, that the enemy has destroyed the Mogostan mosque; the Fezians stop all advance in stunned horror. Actually. the story had been spread through jeering, taunting Crussian soldiers, determined to unnerve the Fezians and in a case of wishful thinking as revenge for the burning of the Crussian consulate in Mogostan; in fact Crussian strategy brought Crussian troops nowhere near the mosque.

                                    Above; Fezian troops have been greatly diminished by Crussian shooting  Above: Crussian troops have mad a sweeping flank attack and are within striking distance of fezian artillery. They await the order to attack.     

        Above: Herman machinegunners edge forward so that they can fire on the Crussian riflemen.

                                   Above: Herman artillery lack a clear view of the enemy.

 Above: A treacherous anarchist has appeared with a bomb and near Crussian brigadier general, Kersky The general fires his pistol but misses.  His dispatch rider shoots his carbine, without result. the bomb is thrown and kills the sub commander. the rider charges the anarchist.  Who will the general's messenger deliver his new orders too?

                                   The Herman brigadier general rejoices at the news. ( It is apparent that Hermans play a big role in the Fezian army!) He may be self conscious, however, that he rides in a Redian car as the Redians have supplied vehicles to Fez but it has become a rival to Hermany.

Below: the brigadier general's despatch rider charges the anarchist only to be cut down by pistol bullets.

 

Below; Fezians are preparing to resist overwhelming Crussian forces.

                              Below: Remnants of Fezian cavalry retreat from Crussian rifle fire.  

 

 Below: the plucky anarchist kills two Crussian militia with his pistol before they fell him with a hail of gun fire. He falls with seven bullets in his body.

                                                                  Below: The Crussian general's despatch rider arrives from Fez and delivers the message to individual regiments - charge! Fezians flee Crussian hussars.

 

 

Above: The remnants of Fezian forces are virtually wiped out in Fez. In Mogostan the Fezians and their Mogostani allies are decimated. Swathes of Fezian and Mogostani territory have fallen into the hands of the Crussian infidels. The sultan has been killed by a Crussian shell; his son arrives in Mogostan to take over the command and the sultanate but too late to change the course of the battle. As a final indignity a Crussian shell blows up the sacred mosque, an outrage which will, in the future, l rally those of the faith.

The Crussian general attempted to cross into Fez feom Mogostan but his steam auto could not cross the Greater Leopard River; he returned to Mogostan.

The death toll for Fez was 156 men and three cannon, not to mention the sultan himself.
The Crussians lost 19 men and a brigadier general (with auto).
The Crussians controlled five territories and virtually controlled a sixth. The Fezians controlled one and disputed another. The Crussians also held a town.