Cry havoc! The armies of Europe meet in battle for the first time. Blood has been spilled, cities have been conquered and first salvos of war begin again…

Let us start this dispatch with the quieter Western front of the European theatre. the forces of England all too predictably move to protect the citizens of Norway with a peaceful and benevolent amphibious landing. With a land force now on continental soil the English have more clearly laid bear their intentions.

To the south, the French Republic has been roused into action. All of its forces have pushed north, leaving its southern border to Italy unprotected. Such a mobilisation at the expense of Spain and Portugal can only indicate the Republic’s determination to seize Belgium before another power can lay its own claim. An aggressive move from the French navy into the Channel also poses a threat to English superiority in the region. Does this mark the first attempt at a naval invasion of England since the little Corsican’s failed invasion nearly 100 years ago?

Another nation that has enjoyed a peaceful Autumn is the Ottoman Empire. The sultan’s forces continue their inexorable march through the Balkans, as the Ottoman fleet crosses the Bosphorus into Europe and its army stationed in Bulgaria swoops south to claim Greece uncontested. Over 500 years ago the last Roman emperor successfully held on to the Peloponnese through a series of courageous sieges – this time the Ottoman conquest has been swift and absolute. This marks the end of a peaceful but industrious 1901 for the Empire, as they expand their supply centres considerably while steering clear of any conflict.

Events have not been so kind for the Ottoman’s neighbour, the kingdom of Austria. An attempt to hold on to Vienna has failed, as German troops supported by their Italian allies have repulsed the outnumbered Austrian forces. One small solace is that this has prevented a Russian advance into Galicia. To the south the Austrian fleet has fared better, repelling an Italian attack into Trieste with the support of another Austrian army. This holding action has prevented any further losses to Austrian territory, but means that the nation does not have any capacity to produce more forces in the coming months.

The kingdom of Italy’s support of Germany and failed sortie in Austrian territory has certainly set the tone for Austro-Italic relations for the foreseeable future, and laid bare Italian plans for further conquest. In recent days onlookers have spotted the king proclaiming from the Palatine dressed in a purple robe, ominous signs indeed… their fleet has also set sail for North Africa in predictable conquest for the young kingdom. Where will this fleet set sail to now? Harass the Iberian coast or create chaos in the Adriatic?

Finally, Germany has continued its frighteningly successfully conquest of Central Europe. The occupation of Holland and Vienna dramatically increases the kingdom’s military capacity for the coming year, the burning question of every other European leader being where these new forces will soon be deployed. Rest assured, they will bring the same deadly Prussian efficiency as the veteran forces already on the field. This season also marks the first example of international military co-operation. Is this the start of a deeper confederation between Italy and Germany?