WesWorld

Heh, 4th Recon had been only lightly engaged because it's commander kept in mind that he had a recce battalion, not an infantry battalion, and avoided getting into a head-to-head smashing contest!

Either offensive option for them makes some sense, though if the Wilno forces on it's current side of the battlefield are moving backwards already it probably makes more sense to launch a surprise attack there and encourage them on their way than it does for 4th recon to have to disengage, swing around behind the battlefield, and try to find the enemy flank in the gathering dark. The latter could be done, of course, it just takes longer and has higher risks of friendly fire.

Ooh, I'll have to set aside some time to catch up with the latest and greatest posts Always enjoy them 148 !

Ok, Part L finished and tidied up, please enjoy. On to the next exciting chapter!

Hmmmm, definitely looks like it might be worthwhile to order German 4th Recon to try to flank and attack the now-surely shaken Wilno forces, who'll surely be shaken from the sounds of the attack on the opposite flank and the survivors who'll have fled through their own rear positions.

October 23rd, 1935: Part M

General de Brigade Yvanne Louis Gerard not unsurprisingly emboldened by the sudden turn of events, advocated to Luitenant-General Jurian van Loon, that the whole of the Mobile Brigade be allowed to immediately advance, forming an anvil to Snellensoon's hammer and thus sweeping the Wilno Army of the Northeast from its chosen fortified position. General de Brigade Gerard, further requested that the 4th German Reconnaissance Battalion be sent forward to mount the previously mooted joint attack with the 2/1st Belgian Lancers Cavalry Regiment. Gerard felt strongly that this attack delivered upon the Wilno Army's right flank now had ever chance of success. Van Loon to surprise of the I Field Corps's and Mobile Brigade's staffs, demured however. He was not particularly convinced - unlike Gerard, whom Van Loon, suspected of having once again gotten the bit firmly between his teeth - that a victory had in fact been won, nor did believe that the Wilno troops who had been fighting stubbornly all day would be so easily dispersed. Moreover, daylight was fast fading, and LoN air support was being withdrawn in view of both nightfall, and what looked to be an extremely wild night as storm clouds which stretched across the horizon were lite with lightning and grumbled with thunder, promising heavy rains. Van Loon, instead of authorizing an advance ordered the Mobile Brigade and the Legion Oranje to break off their attacks. Krebs, De Vries, and Gerard protested in the strongest terms at this unexpected order. Thule, Luck and Piron also expressed their own protests and astonishment when the order was sent to them. Luitenant-Generaal van Loon was however adamant that his withdrawl order be obeyed.

Brigade-Generaal Jacob Snellensoon, responded to the order to withdraw with at first disbelief, then predictablely with ill-concealed rage. A series of increasingly acrimionious radio signs was quickly exchanged between the Legion Oranje Brigade and the LoN I Field Corps headquarters. Snellensoon felt that a golden opportunity to destroy the Wilno Army in the field was being thrown away due to Luitenant-Generaal Jurian van Loon's overly pessimistic appraisal of the situation. All Wilno attacks had been either halted or thrown back, much of the Wilno Army appeared to be in precipitous retreat both on its right and left flanks, with its center completely baulked. More importantly, elements of the 5th German Reconnaissance Battalion and the four battalions of the Legion Oranje had driven well into the rear of the Wilno Army of the Northeast, threatening its lines of retreat and making it quite possible to encircle and destroy a significant portion of the Wilno force - the 3rd and 4th Wilno Field Battalions, and the 9th NSD Wing. True such a battle would be fought preforce at night and without LoN air support, the risks were however justified by the potential gains to be made in the considered opinion of, Snellensoon, his chief-of-staff and his battalion commanders.

Luitenant-Generaal van Loon was not convinced by the increasingly vehement arguments of his subordinates, and rejected both Gerard's general advance plan and Snellensoon's encirclement strategy outright. The LoN I Field Corps would - Van Loon flatly explained - fall back from the various points it occupied on the battle field, several miles to the west, link up and then march northwards to link up with the advancing LoN 1st Field Column. The advancing LoN II Field Corps, under Lieutenant-General Raoul Daufresne de le Chevalerie, wouid then continue the engagement with the fresh forces of the national divisions against the mauled Wilno Army of the Northeast. The I Field Corps would then advance as a unified body upon Vaskes and make contact and subsequently relieve the LoN Garrison. Van Loon planned to use the cover of night and the weather through the night of the 23rd and have his united field corps in position and to be ready to attack Vaskes by the 24th or 25th of October. Specially selected pickets drawn from the Belgian Lancers regiment, and the two German reconnaissance battalions would maintain contact with the Wilno forces and screen the withdrawl.

Luitenant-Generaal Jurian van Loon, informed both Lieutenant-General Daufresne de le Chevalerie and General Orbay of his plans and intentions. While both objected to certain aspects of Van Loon's proposed plan, its timing and the loss of contact with Wilno forces, neither general made an attempt to over-rule, the Dutch field corps commander. Neither Daufresne de le Chevalerie and Orbay felt comfortable countering or second guessing the decisions of the man-on-the-spot, as Van Loon manifestly was in the circumstances, and thus confined themselves to urging, that I Field Corps execute it's planned maneuver without delay.

Lieutenant-General Bartold Jasunski found the situation of his army as night fell, anything but enviable. Jasunski resolved to retire immediately using the cover of darkness, and while supremely puzzeled at the sudden inaction of the LoN units both to his front and to his endangered left flank, was more then ready to make use of that inactivity. Some of Jasunski's staff rather surprisingly argued for holding out in the first line of defenses, although this was rejected quickly by all four field battalion commanders, the cavalry reserve commander and both artillery reserve commanders. The first line had been badly compromised and pierced in several places by LoN troops, much of the immediate supply of ammunition had been already expended, and many of the line's strong points destroyed or badly damaged. Further the first defense line had been compromised on both flanks by significant LoN attacks i.e. the Belgian Lancers and the Legion Oranje, and consequent losses amoungst both infantry and artillery units had been high, and there was no prospect of replacements in terms of either men or material. A swift retirement was essential to preserve the Wilno Army as a force-in-being.

Jasunski quickly ordered pickets formed from the now rallied Wilno NSDB Cavalry Reserve to screen the subequent retreat. Jasunski considered in the circumstances that a retirement to the second line of defense, was unviable. The attack of the Legion Oranje had pierced directly between the first and second lines, and even in places over-run the second line, when it had partially turned while engaged with the 10th NSD Wing. Lieutenant-General Bartold Jasunski instead directed his battered force to retreat to a partially constructed and laid out third line of defense, several miles nearer to Vaskes. This position would however place the Wilno Army with its back dangerously close to the LoN re-occupied Festung Kazim, but it was felt by many of the assembled staff and field commanders that there was nothing for it - the options were limited and time even shorter.

Not a bad decision on the part of Van Loon, he's being conservative and giving his opponent every bit of stature they've earned. Now that he's getting heavier forces to the front, he can afford to be a bit more .... classical in his approach.

Of course, by so doing, he's also ceding the immediate initiative and allowing the opposition to escape and fight another day, when it's POSSIBLE (but not a sure thing) that he could have pocketed them. But he's not trained in blitzkrieg or moti tactics, so his conservatism makes more than a little sense. Krebs and Luck, when they're writing their after action reports for the Heer Generalstab, will point out this situation as a lost opportunity, though one with some risk.

Hmph, I had missed more than I thought, was back in H or J...and thats a lot of battle ago !

I found Van Loons desire to withdraw the recon elements understandable, their mobility makes them better reserves than the Belgian replacements, but Gerard was likely right there, very risky to withdraw from close engagements. It may have been better for the reinforcements to scratch a line and have the recon elements then withdraw through them, but that would be difficult at Bloody Cottage.

Overall, withdrawing to the fields would have been very tempting for Van Loon. While there is a blight in retreat, and risks to morale, it would allow the LON forces to use their mobility and firepower more freely. The 5th Recon's stand is a good example.

I liked Piron's initiative. Though he should have dispatched a pair of messengers to let his superiors knwo where he went.

In such times and terrains, Cavalry retained certain advantages, and shock value of several hundred men descending on you is impressive. Then as seen they can dismount and engage as infantry.

It's just a story, but I've read that when Russian soldiers were used to make a movie of Waterloo, they kept breaking when charged at...perhaps no one explained that the horses would stop. Anyhow the last successful charge was supposedly Italian in 1942, bagging Russian prisoners, MGs and mortars.

The surprise of the 9th seemed total, and a route was not shocking. The funny thing is Snellensoon will come as the rescuer, when his forces had the easiest job.

The Wilno forces should have had some flank guards, but I suppose if they were convinced there was only one force, and they had it identified, it works. Van Loon should be asking for FW-44s to scout the sides and rear himself, at the very least to figure out his troop locations !

I would be tempted to send the 4th Recon scouting round the flank, see what resistance is there and get a jump on the Wilno lines of Communication.

The list of LoN forces marching is impressive. I can't imagine what a muddy quagmire the limited number of roads are likely to become.

The Dutch Marines should bless their light "mountain" equipage which will only be miserable in mud. While the Norse may discover the reliability of 1930s armor on long marches is low and maintenance is so much more fun when caked in mud. Reminds me of the story of the guys that decided to sleep under their tank in the rain...don't.

The

Overall there may be some curious lessons learned.
The viability of the saber and bayonet are old arguments that will see some rehashing, likely to the same results as OTL.

The use of ATRs against light armor should reaffirm their presence in infantry arms.

The air cover lessons are mixed, the successful hit on the Ft-17, from a small # of attempts, may cause advocates to claim great things for air power in combat situations. To me the greater lesson is every battalion should have some AAGs to at least keep em back until the hypothetical friendlies show up.


Van Loon's call to a halt is both regretable and understandable. With the forces scattered, and no real contact, he can't really coordinate a drive. First link up and regroup is not a horrible idea, especially as he would not have good reports as to whom was doing what. Still, with the Recon elements free, he could at least aggressively scout to find the enemy rear, that would tip him off as to their withdrawal.

One thing that the Heer Generalstab is going to be learning from this operation is that while a Corps should contain a recon regiment instead of the recon battalion that was previously part of the OOB, in general that recon regiment should not be tasked with tasks as a regiment, because they're too short of infantry and supporting arms. The inclusion of assault cars will help the supporting arms situation a bit, but it won't help the lack of infantry. A recon battalion as the lead unit of a battlegroup, yes, but support it with line troops, not with more recon troops. The LoN commanders aren't being faulted here, really, they used what they had available to them at the time, but the Heer intends to learn from all the sources it can.

The one exception to the above idea of not using the regiment as a regiment might be on long-distance missions, where the lighter, faster-moving recon units might be just the thing. But for those missions, the COs will need to be carefully briefed on what is and isn't important to the mission and when to continue a conflict and when to disengage.

The Dutch field recon companies which are mostly mounted infantry, with some AC or Light tank. For example the 3rd Marines field the little amphibious tankettes, while the Dragoons have PA-IV ACs, but most line units have a company of cav.

Most of the time, the armor is of more use. The superior mobility and more firepower allows them to force through light screens, as well as scamper to safety.

However in close, tangled forests, marshes, etc. They are far more road bound and the higher levels of cover mean the fewer eyes may matter. It is also harder to spread out, or creep up on an area. Horses are not silent en masse, and also kick up dust, but probably less than an AC, and certainly less than a tankette with squealing metal tracks.

For the Dutch at least, and we see here with Van Loon, there is also the desire to use these elements as the local 'fire brigade' as a mobile reserve. Locally available light armor being more prized than some large heavy armor brigade held by Army command. This however means they can't be used as recon...

All of which makes me think that a Recon unit might be better as a tiered unit. Mounted inf (horse or HT) backed by ACs for most work, with a heavy unit, perhaps Light tanks/TD/AGs, to serve as the reserve, and to puncture the enemy screens. My commanders will still co-op the heavy for a local armored reserve, but it's easier to release for such point target missions- and more effective- than if spread out as a screen. It's also more effective than actually assigning AGs in penny packets at a lower level.

One other thing about the retreat of the WIlno forces to their third line and the separation between the LoN forces and the Wilno defenders, in between the LoN Mobile Force and encircled Vaskes, is it may allow the use of the Do-17s for the first time. Fliegerfuehrer Lituanen has been informed by Luftflotte II HQ that, if he has military targets in open country, he is authorized to call for the Do-17s that he's been so far refused permission to use. This will allow him to have bombers available to attack both the blocking force and the forces in Vaskes, without having to short one or the other. Escorts for the medium bombers can be provided by Fw-187s from East Prussia. Most likely load for the Do-17s is 20 SC50 50kg general purpose bombs.

Quoted

However in close, tangled forests, marshes, etc. They are far more road bound and the higher levels of cover mean the fewer eyes may matter. It is also harder to spread out, or creep up on an area. Horses are not silent en masse, and also kick up dust, but probably less than an AC, and certainly less than a tankette with squealing metal tracks.

I have lots of forests and swamps to deal with. Depending on terrain, the Rifle Division has either an armored car company or a cavalry squadron as its recce element.

Quoted

Originally posted by Hrolf Hakonson
One other thing about the retreat of the WIlno forces to their third line and the separation between the LoN forces and the Wilno defenders, in between the LoN Mobile Force and encircled Vaskes, is it may allow the use of the Do-17s for the first time.

Considering the worsening weather, that may not be a viable option.

Quoted

I have lots of forests and swamps to deal with. Depending on terrain, the Rifle Division has either an armored car company or a cavalry squadron as its recce element.

Which makes good sense.
I am afraid Dutch armored philosophy is a bit behind. Armor, be it light tanks or ACs, was seen as a way to add firepower to units, and assigned based on the unit quality and need.

Queen's troops and Marines were more likely to get deployed, so have their recon elements replaced with companies of 17 vehicles. This wasn't quite the "penny packets" of 4-5 vehicles seen elsewhere, but a similar idea. The only concession to terrain is the Marine tankettes are amphibians, for coastal and riverine ops. Basically a mobile pillbox with 13.2mm MG.

Only now are the Dutch starting to field larger armored units, and I may need to restore the cavalry recon elements and move the light armor to a higher echelon.

October 23rd/24th, 1935:

As night falls upon the battlefield, that will go down in history as Bloody Cottage, after its most brutal focal point, and both side make their effort to withdraw and regroup the dark and dismal skies over this part of Lithuania turn black. League of Nations and Wilno troops are subjected throughout the night to torrential downpours, freezing rains and violent snow flurries, equally bone-chilling winds blast the struggling troops as they make their respective ways from the immediate area through road and lanes that have turned into sucking quagmires of water and mud. Movements overland away from the roads are no easiler, as they must pass through forests quaking with every thunderstrike and lite by lightning flashes, farm fields have been drowned out turned to into fridged swamps. For all it, it is one of the most miserable nights imaginable.

Luitenant-Generaal Jurian van Loon, however brooks neither delay nor obstacle. Throughout the night he drives his men towards their set rally points and marshals them for their planned movement to the north-west of Vaskes. Van Loon seems to his men to be everywhere, bullying, cajoling, terrorizing as the situation required but always leading by example often pitching in to help shift a stalled truck or wagon, or a haul free a field piece entomed in mud. Van Loon is before long, like everyone and everything caked with mud, and soaked to the skin.

The First LoN Field Column halts in place at Colonel Rafail Zhechev's order to await the arrival of the other units of the I LoN Field Corps. The LoN Mobile Brigade screened by elements drawn from the 4th and 5th German Reconnaissance Battalions and the 2/1st Belgian Lancers Regiment slowly pull back to the west of the approaches of Vaskes. A seething and resentful General de Brigade Yvanne Louis Gerard directs the remainder of his units, the 2nd Jagers te Paard, the thoroughly mauled 1st Atlantean Reconnaissance Battalion and LoN Batteries Eisler, Bolkart and Leucht along their assigned routes. The units of the Legion Oranje follow with equal slowness behind. Brigade-Generaal Jacob Snellesnoon gathers in the two reconnaissance battalions and the cavalry troops and sends them to rejoin their parent unit, as his brigade takes over the duties of rearguard.
Van Loon is determined to have the I LoN Field Corps in its planned position by the 25th, at the latest and be ready to attack by the 26th in concert with the other LoN forces marching upon Vaskes. Given weather and the state of the roads, that time table looks increasingly (perhaps wildly) optimistic to many of Dutch Luitenant-Generaal`s staff and unit commanders. Still van Loon will be able to assemble a sizeable force for his attack, one with a more then reasonable chance of success of taking on the Wilno National Self-Defense Battalion troops arrayed before it.

I LoN Field Corps: Luitenant-Generaal Jurian van Loon

1st LoN Field Column: Colonel Rafail Zhechev
2nd, 4th Battalions/Wilno Civil Watch Corps
II Battalion/8th Turkish Infantry Regiment
6th Turkish Armoured Car Company
2nd Royal Dutch Guards Dragoons Regiment, with attached support artillery battalion
LoN Field Artillery Batteries "Hadschieff" and "Stadloben"

Wilno Task Force Mobile Brigade: General de Brigade Yvanne Louis Gerard
2nd Jagers te Paard Regiment
2/1st Belgian Lancers Cavalry Regiment
4th, 5th German Reconnaissance Battalions
1st Atlantean Reconnaissance Battalion
LoN Field Artillery Batteries "Eisler", "Bolkart" and "Leucht"

Legion Oranje: Brigade-Generaal Jacob Snellensoon
1st, 2nd Legion Oranje Infantry Battalions
Legion Oranje Armoured Battalion
Legion Oranje Field Artillary Battalion

His opposite number Lieutenant-General Bartold Jasunski works with equal parts inspiration and ruthlessness to reform his command's shattered and demoralized ranks, get them moving, and shift them into the partial third line of defense. The postions are ramshackle, and the efforts in the darkness, snow, rain and mud to transform them into something viable are backbreaking and disheartening. For the Wilno soldiers the only consolation they have is that the weather has grounded the Luftwaffe units based in Vilnius and East Prussia that have tormented them with such deadly effect whenever the weather is fit to fly.

Bartold Jasunski unlike his LoN opposite number however can not look forward to fresh supplies, new drafts of men to replace losses or even good morale. His Army of the Northeast is in a virtual shambles, and everyone from its generals to its field officers to soldiers knows it. Lieutenat-General Bartold Jasunski makes this clear in an urgent situational report to Marshal Aleksy Letowska in Vaskes. The mood amougst Major-Generals Witold Haller, Jaroslaw Laskowsk, Peter Radowski and Sidor Malecka, Jasunski`s field battalion commanders is decidedly grim. Lt. Colonels Rufin Gradawski, Aleksandr Pozarnsky and Patryk von Kloskowska or Major Valerius Dobovsky, the respective commanders of the 1st Army Reserve Artillery, the NSD Artillery Reserve, and the NSD Cavalry Reserve view the current situations just as gravelly. Supplies are beyond critical, all units are well below even their designated half strengths such has the intensity of the recent fighting. The 9th NSD Wing has practically ceased to exist as an effective unit - the majority of its personal being captured, deserted or killed in action - the whereabouts or even survival of it`s commander Major Julian Bernecka an open question.

Jasunski however gamely tends to his duty, the Army of the Northeast will make every effort to defend Vaskes, to the best of it`s ability whatever the circumstances. Somehow Jasunski manages to enfuse his tired, disheartened officers and men with some element of his own considerable fighting spirit and determination. Marshal Letowska does not materially assist the position of the Army of the Northeast however when he suddenly recalls the NSD Artillery Reserve to take up positions within Vaskes proper during the night. Further Letowska orders the NSD Cavalry Reserve be withdrawn to assume a defense screening posture between the Army of the Northeast`s ``redoubt`` and the Wilno NSD Battalion defensive pocket in Northern Vaskes. Seeing no alternative, Lieutenant-General Jasunski enforces the withdrawls despite the vehement protests of his subordinates, including the two NSD officers concerned!

Both Pozarnsky and von Kloskowska protest in the strongest terms to the Wilno National Self Defense Battalion staff, that this move significatly weakened the already perilous position of the Wilno Army. Lt. Colonel Korberba, WNSD Chief-of-Staff and acting commander of the Wilno Eastern Defensive Pocket, makes his sympathies to the field commanders clear, but states that the order must be carried out in view of the larger military situation.

The Wilno Army of the Northeast (Lieutenant-General Bartold Jasunski), must make its coming stand with the following units:

1st Field Battalion: Maj.General Witold Haller
2nd Field Battalion: Maj.General Jaroslaw Laskowska
3rd Field Battalion: Maj.General Peter Radowski
4th Field Battalion: Maj.General Sidor Malecka
1st Army Reserve Artillery Battalion: Lt.Colonel Rufin Gradawski
10th NSD Wing: Major Valerius Dobovsky

The II LoN Field Corps (Lieutenant-General Raoul Daufresne de la Chevalerie), being gradually assembled against them:

5th Bulgarian Infantry Division: Major-General Theodosi Petrov Daskalov
1st Atlantean Expeditionary Division: Major-General Arikus Patreaus
3rd Dutch Marine Brigade: Luitenant-Generaal Henrius Fabius
with supporting elements of the Luftwaffe Fliegerfuehrer Lituanen as available

Quoted

Originally posted by Agent148
The Wilno Army of the Northeast (Lieutenant-General Bartold Jasunski), must make its coming stand with the following units:

1st Field Battalion: Maj.General Witold Haller
2nd Field Battalion: Maj.General Jaroslaw Laskowska
3rd Field Battalion: Maj.General Peter Radowski
4th Field Battalion: Maj.General Sidor Malecka
1st Army Reserve Artillery Battalion: Lt.Colonel Rufin Gradawski
10th NSD Wing: Major Valerius Dobovsky

The II LoN Field Corps (Lieutenant-General Raoul Daufresne de la Chevalerie), being gradually assembled against them:

5th Bulgarian Infantry Division: Major-General Theodosi Petrov Daskalov
1st Atlantean Expeditionary Division: Major-General Arikus Patreaus
3rd Dutch Marine Brigade: Luitenant-Generaal Henrius Fabius
with supporting elements of the Luftwaffe Fliegerfuehrer Lituanen as available

I can't wait to see how this matchup goes. I know at least my 5th Division has a double-strong artillery group (two regiments instead of one), and with nearly three infantry divisions in the II Corps versus four rebel battalions... heh, I *hope* they try to stand and make a fight of it, cause we'll roll over them like a tidal wave.

In contrast the Atlantean expeditionary division is made up of one Corsair Regiment, three infantry regiments and the 14th tank battalion.

Hard to tell if it's going to be I LoN Field Corps or II LoN Field Corps against the Wilno Army of the Northeast: I LoN Field Corps is the unit that's been in the field against that Wilno force, and the plan is for it to advance to the relief of Vaskes. I haven't seen where II LoN is on the field yet, so II Corps may still be forming and advancing to contact.

GIven the pounding that the Wilno troops here have taken, the recommendation of the commanders of 4th & 5th Recon would be to find the enemy with the Mobile Brigade then pin him so the rest of I LoN Corps can move past them (on whichever flank is most promising) to get to Vaskes. Odds are good the Wilnos will be trying to block the most expeditious route to Vaskes, which means their most likely position can be determined by looking at a map, but they might choose a different position. Once they're found again and pinned, aircraft not needed to support operations over Vaskes can be used against them.

October 23rd/24th, 1935:

Marshal Letowska views his current situation and uses the remainder of the 23rd/24th to effect some necessar redeployments and reorganization of his remaining and very delipidated forces. The Wilno defense is preforce by circumstances, rather then design or tactics, divided somewhat haphazardly into four primary defensive positions.

Wilno Army of the Northeast Defensive Pocket: Lt. General Bartold Jasunski
- 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Wilno Army Field Battalions, 1st Army Reserve Artillery Battalion, surviving elements of the 9th NSD Wing, 10th NSD Wing

Festung Kessel Defensive Pocket: Major-General Ziven Konarski
- ad hoc elements of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th NSD Wings

Wilno Governmental Defensive Pocket: Marshal Aleksy Letowska
- remaining ad hoc elements of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th NSD Wings, 4th NSD Wing, NSD Artillery Reserve

Vaskes Eastern Defensive Pocket: Lt. Colonel Benedek Koberda
- 6th, 7th, 8th NSD Wings, detached elements of the NSD Artillery Reserve

with the NSD Cavalry Reserve positioned so as to screen the gap between the Wilno Army Defensive Pocket and the Wilno Governmental Defensive Pocket.

This defense is threatbare and the majority of the men and officers of the Wilno Army and the Wilno National Self-Defense Battalion know it. Marshal Aleksy Letowska however refuses to acknowledge the possibility of defeat, and moves to galvanize his demoralized government, his despairing military staffs, his increasingly distrustful officers and above all his still -despite everything - loyal soldiers, he works ceaselessly through the night to cobble together a solid defense, and to muster and distribute whatever supplies of weapons, ammo, water and food that remain and can be found.

Incrediblely, Letowska through sheer personal charisma and dogged courage manages to raise his men's morale, and give them fresh heart for what are realize will be the Wilno Republic's last fight. As yet unaware of Diachuk's independent diplomatic actions in Stockholm, Letowska sends word to Nordmark via various ad hoc channels to attempt to recall his ceasefire delegation.

Letowska urgently needs his loyal foreign affairs general-secretary by his side to shore up his faultering hold on his government. With this in mind, Marshal Letowska reorders his cabinet slightly, abolishing the position of premier, and reassigning its responsibilities to the presidency, making Letowska both the Wilno Republic's Head of State, and Head of Governement. Marshal Letowska also abolishes the Wilno Parliment, no new delegates will be either elected or appointed to create a new "Third" Wilno Parliment.

Letowska switched the former premier Anzelm Bazala to the General-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, while shifting Leon Diachuk to the critical post of General-Secretary for Security and Interior Affairs. Marshal Letowska decides not particularly surprisingly to retain the General-Secretariat for Military Affairs in own his hands, no longer trusting the handling of this pivotal position to any of his immediate circle of advisors. Although briefly Letowska considers appointing Lt.General Bartold Jasunski to the post at the suggestion of his cabinet.

For the most part, Letowska decides to retain his current cabinet, The Council of Government - still composed of Bendek Bernacka, General-secretary for Economics and Finance; Roslan Wejechert, General-secretary for Labour and Communications; Walery Lutoslaw, General-secretary for Agriculture; Rufin Bjalik, General-secretary for Public Education; Michal Konarski, General-secretary for Justice; Tadeusz Malecka, General-secretary for Public Health Services - despite past disagreements and upsets as they are the most talented men available to hold their respective posts, and an sort of purge at this time would shatter already the very brittle morale of his government and his troops.

Marshal Aleksy Letowska in a somewhat surprising move promotes Lt.Colonel Benedek Koberda to the rank of Major-General, and formalizes his ad hoc defensive command into the 3rd Grand Wing of the Wilno National Self-Defense Battalion (the Vaskes Eastern Defensive Pocket), to the further astonishment of many of his subordinates, Letowska re-appoints Major-General Ziven Konarski to active command, naming him commander of the 2nd Grand Wing/WNSD Battalion (the Festung Kessel Defensive Pocket). The move however surprising, given increasingly strained relations between Letowska and Konarski, is a popular one and does much to raise morale amoungst the Wilno National Self-Defensemen. Lt. Colonel Jerzy Cywinska, a member of the marshal's military staff, is quickly made the new WNSD Battalion Chief-of-Staff. Another former aide, Lt. Colonel Boleslaw Guttowa, a brother of the late Major Guttowa, is promoted to the rank of major-general and appointed to command the 1st Grand Wing/WNSD Battalion (the Wilno Governmental Defensive Pocket).

Can you say, rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic?

Quoted

Originally posted by Hrolf Hakonson
Can you say, rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic?

Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.


Yay I said it!

Its like watching a movie where someone stalls a little Ford Pinto on the train tracks and a BIIIIIGGG freight train is screaming towards it....

Things are going to get ugly if Letowska decideds to stand and fight.