Russia’s spring offensive picks up steam, while other European powers struggle to reorganise for the next assault…

The most aggressive and successful player this season has been Russia. There is a clear strategy of annexing all of Eastern Germany, with forces moving into Berlin with more behind. While the fleet that dramatically took Kiel last year has been ousted, the loss of Berlin will be keenly felt by Germany. Russia now has two fleets stationed east of Denmark, posing a real threat to British held Sweden.

Germany itself has consolidated its position from the previous year, but with an ever shortening border against the aggressive and relentless Russian war machine. Support from the English in defending Denmark proved unecessary, and there is now a solid defensive line stretching from Holland to Munich, but only time will tell if this will be sufficient to stop further losses.

England’s actions this season can mainly be described as ones of retreat and consolidation. A clearly planned assault on the Russian capital of St Petersburg was called off at the eleventh hour – instead Whitehall seems content to defend its new territories in Scandinavia. At home, the newly struck fleet in Liverpool heads out to sea trials in the Irish Sea, hoping to dissuade any further French invasion.

England’s neighbour to the south has fared little better. After the failed invasion of England the French fleet has set course for south, presumably with the intention of occupying Portugal, the only sovereign nation to have stayed neutral during the current conflict. More pressingly however, Italy has decided to send the expeditionary force that had punched through into Burgundy last year into Marseille. Some diplomats question how long Italy can hold on to such a position however, as its force still remain perilously thin and the expeditionary force is now surrounded by French armies that are surely looking to retaliate.

On the home front, Italy has constructed two new fleets in record time, but not before Ottoman forces were able to occupy Tunis and move the rest of their fleet into the Ionian Sea. The Sultan now controls the seas both sides of the Peloponnese, and his position in mainland Europe seems increasingly steadfast. On land, his forces move northwards into unoccupied Albania and Ottoman held Bulgaria. Is this the prelude to a pincer attack Austrian forces in the Balkans?

Finally, Austria’s hold on its territories has been nothing if not consistent. With no gains or losses, this can be considered as much a victory considering the kingdom’s precarious position. It’s fleet in Trieste has finally set sail for the Adriatic, presumably in response to Ottoman aggression. Next season will be the first true test of a resurgent Austria, as it finds itself once again bearing the brunt of Ottoman and Russian aggression.