The strengths and weaknesses of the Belle Époque armies

A secret report about the various Belle Époque armies has come to light, and an extract follows.

---

The Commonwealth of Britannia

This army is composed entirely of long-service volunteers and is split into two main parts, the Home Defence Force (which comprises two infantry divisions, a cavalry brigade, and a small number of unattached units) and the Britannic Expeditionary Field Force (which comprises two infantry regiments, a field artillery regiment, and a supply column). The second of these can be supplemented by a Naval Brigade.

This is a small but formidable army, well trained and equipped, and in the case of the Britannic Expeditionary Force (BEFF), it is kept at a high state of readiness.

---

The Republic of Burgundy

The army is composed of a number of regular units supplemented by a significant number of reserve and militia units. It has three infantry divisions, a cavalry brigade, and several unattached units. One-third of the infantry regiments in each of the infantry divisions are regulars, one-third are reservists, and one-third are militia. The army would therefore require time to mobilise should war break out and would have to rely on its two unattached regular infantry regiments to counter any invaders whilst the mobilisation took place.

Once mobilised, this army would be able to match any other in existence. It is well trained and equipped, and its leadership is second to none.

---

The Sultanate of Harabia

Although this army looks formidable on paper, two of its three infantry divisions are composed entirely of barely-trained militia (Fowj). The same is true of the army's camel brigade, which is made up of three Fowj camel regiments.

The regular infantry division and cavalry brigade are reasonably well trained and equipped thanks to the recruitment of officers who have served in the Khakistani, Stalbanian, and Zubian armies and purchases of weaponry from major arms manufacturers, but these formations serve mostly in an internal security role.

All-in-all this army could prove to be a formidable opponent to any invading army but would probably prove very fragile if used in a conventional war.

---

The Principality of Hyderapore

This small army comprises an infantry brigade and a cavalry brigade, but it is entirely professional in nature and trained and equipped by the Commonwealth of Britannia. It is ideally suited to the role of defending Hyderapore from attack and acting as an internal security force.

---

The Sultanate of Khakistan

This army comprises three infantry divisions and two cavalry brigades as well as a small number of unattached units. However, only one for the infantry divisions and one of the cavalry brigades are made up from full-time regular units whilst two of the infantry divisions and the second cavalry brigade are a mixture of regular and reserve units that are best suited to garrison and home defence duties.

The army is reasonably well equipped, and the regular units are well trained. The reserve units would require further training to get them up to the same standard.

The Khakistanis have a reputation for being stolid in defence and aggressive when attacking. A formidable foe whose potential is often underestimated.

---

The Emirate of Khyberistan

The army has a small regular element (the capital's garrison that also serves as the Emir's bodyguard) and three tribal groups. The latter might be regarded as militia by more advanced national armies, but they are very experienced in fighting in mountainous areas and are equipped to move and fight in extremely difficult terrain. The warriors of these tribal groups spend their time raiding neighbouring countries or each other's tribal areas.

Although their weaponry is often nearly obsolete, their fighting spirit makes them a formidable foe and as many invaders have discovered to their coast, invading Khyberistan is something to be avoided if at all possible.

---

The Sultanate of Sahel

The geography and size of the Sultanate of Sahel make any centralised control by the sultan difficult, and in many ways the country can best be viewed as a loose confederation of three tribes, each of which fields a small army. Each of these armies has a unit of regular troops armed with firearms and a number of other poorly-trained units armed with spear and swords. They indulge in inter-tribal warfare and raids into neighbouring countries, not always successfully.

If the tribal armies could combine into a coherent whole, this could be a formidable army to beat due to its sheer size. However, as it tends to operate and fight as separate tribal armies, each with its own objectives, it should be possible for any invader to defeat it piecemeal.

---

The Kingdom of Schwarzenberg

The army comprises two regular infantry divisions and a regular cavalry brigade, supported by two reserve infantry regiments and two reserve supply columns. It is very well trained and equipped and led by graduates of world-renowned Schwarzenberg Staff College.

The army is kept at a high state of readiness and would be a formidable opponent in a short war. However, its lack of reserves would put it at a disadvantage in a longer war.

---

The Principality of Stalbania

For many years the Stalbanian Army was a tribal militia, but over recent years it has been transformed into a well-equipped, professional, brigade-sized force.

The Stabanians enjoy a reputation for being tough fighters, especially in difficult terrain.

---

The Khedivate of Zubia

Like the Khakistanis, the Zubians have a reputation for being stolid fighters, especially in defence. Its army is wholly professional and comprises a Guard Brigade, an infantry division, and a cavalry brigade.

Its main role is defensive, and its troops are mainly deployed to protect its borders from Saheli raids.