Stories of Byzantine Empire

[Jefgte]

February 9 1910

Sakalava Sultana Conquest

Arrival in view of Mayotte destroyers carefully seek a passage in the coral reef. They finally pass to the west of Chissioua Island and then descend along the coast. The first landings begin around noon in Soulou bay. Recognition groups are sent immediately.
Chembenyoumba police station is disarmed.
2 columns of 90 fusiliers are formed and begin Mayotte conquest by north & south. 2 destroyers follow them along the north and south coast to support them.

Mayotte and the Comoros are part of the Sakalava Sultana which occupies the western part of Madagascar. Sultan Abdalah IV leads Sultana.

[Jefgte]

February 10 at dawn

The fleet heads to Grande Comore.
Moroni, the main port is reached in early afternoon.
The first launches of soldiers are greeted by rifles from the Captaincy. TGB23 opens fire with these 120 & 47 guns.
The building is quickly put in ruin.
The governor's house is taken shortly after and the staff captured.
4 columns of 90 fusilliers are organized to conquer the island.

[Jefgte]

On February 11, landings take place at Fomboni on the island of Moheli and Mutsamudu on the island of Anjouan. Each island must be taken with 4 sections (120 fusiliers)
A few shots were fired from the captaincy causing some wounded.

In the same time, Marmara fleet arrives from the north, Madagascar coast could be seen.
Engines trouble on the TTR3, troop transport, forced to stop in the Seychelles.
Admiral Akim has only 2500 soldiers,
Since yesterday; on February 10, the Sultan of the Kingdom of Sakalava, Abdalah IV is warned that his islands are attacked by the Byzantines,
Since his new capital, Majunga, he decides to gather his small army to "welcome" invaders ....

[Jefgte]

Capitain Ramashadiran was sent in 1904 to the Chadahar Gunnery School of the Parthian Empire. On his return, in 1906, the Sultan of Sakalava gave him the command of the artillery of his kingdom.
The Capitaine had bought in Parthia, 4 guns of 45L45 QF and 2 guns of 90L45 QF with 120 shells each. The 45 guns were assigned to the Sultan's palace. The two 90 guns, were installed in a little fort at the entrance of the harbor of Mahajanga, the harbor of Majunga.

On February 10, the Byzantine invasion of the Comoros Islands placed the Sultana in a war condition.
The Captain decided to move the two 90L45 guns of the fort, which he thought too much expose to the firing of the enemy ships, towards the south of the peninsula of the harbor, skilfully protect and totally concealed in houses. 2 machine guns 7,5L45MG were placed in houses near the guns.
He had tree trunks painted in black installed in the fort to lure the Byzantines...

[Jefgte]

MAJUNGA BATTLE

February 12 7am
Marmara's fleet comes to Majunga. The palace of the Sultan of Sakalava, Abdalah IV could be seen.
Admiral Akim on the battleship Kilkis gives his orders, after consulting his officers:
"
- TGBs will support the landing near the beach of Amborovi.
They carry out a light bombardment on the houses bordering the beach in order to neutralize the possible defenses,
Destroyers D57 & D58, supported by cruiser Bosra, further offshore, will enter Bombetoka Bay and neutralize the defenses of Mahajanga Harbor.
The cruisers and destroyers will protect the transports.
Let the ships take positions. Operations begin in 30 minutes.
Transmetter »
"Your orders Admiral"

7:30.
"Report to D57 & D58 to begin neutralization of the harbor defense. "
-" Your orders Admiral"

With their shallow draft, and fearing grounding, Admiral Akim assigned 2 small destroyers, D57 and D58 to neutralize the harbor.
7:37 - They advance in line, 5 knots to Bombetoka Bay, pass the southern tip of the coast and then slowly turn towards the harbor. Appearing the fort and the guns (fictitious), the leading destroyer (D57) opens fire.
Near the two guns, south of the peninsula, a whistle sounded, immediately, Sakalava 7,5 machine  guns concealed in the houses open fire at less than 300m on the 2nd destroyer, D58.
Following the instructions of Captain Ramashadiran, they beat the bridge and, in a few seconds, put all men out of action.
The 2 90 guns fire quickly and accurately, devastating deck , the bow gun is pulverized, the aft boiler room is damaged. Shells pierce the hull and start fires. Sailors are mowed by machine guns.
Then D57, the leader, opened fire with his aft gun on the position of Sakalava artillery. Turning to starboard, he is soon masked by the D58 and stops firing. Offshore, the cruiser Bosra charged to protect the destroyers opened fire with her 152 on the southern part of the coast. When the Byzantine shells were too close, Captain Ramashadiran ordered his gunners to abandon their guns and retreat to the Sultan's palace.
D58 situation is critical, it was hit by about fifteen 90 shells and many men are wounded or killed, there is no more officers, the ship is slow down & on fire.
The ship trailed itself at 3 knots and threatened to hit the wharf ...
7:40 - Suddenly, a violent explosion resounded. The fore magasine exploded.
7:41 AM - The handsome destroyer bows, capsizes on port and comes to die near the wharf under the destroyed harbor fort.

"Admiral, the cruiser Bosra reports that the guns of the port and the peninsula are destroyed and that hit several times, D58 has just blew up. "

"This is the first ship I lose under my command.
This Sultana decided to sell his life dearly ...
Orders to TGBs and cruisers to clean the coastal. Destroy coastal constructions, they hide their guns. Do not shoot at the Sultan's palace.
Send to D59 & D60 to rescue D58 and operate near the port with the D57. "
-"Your orders Admiral"

The ships of the fleet opens fire on the city.
Cruisers Burgas - Bapha - Banha
TGB49 - TGB50 - TGB51 - TGB52 spray the coastal dwellings.
Cruiser Bosra and D57 & D60 do the same on the southern part of the city.
Soon, fires are observed in the neighborhoods of Mahavoki, Atsimo, Mangarivotra and Mahahanga.

7:50
"Tell the troop transports to start landing"
"Your orders, Admiral"

Shortly after 8am, the first boats arrive on the beach.
Warships stop fire.
Section after section, fusilliers enter the city in ruins and on fire.
They meet no resistance.
They are close to the Sultan Palace in the city center when the whistle of Captain Ramashadiran orders to 3x45 guns the opening of the fire on the Byzantine troops. Shells fall on the first sections. The Byzantine infantry small 47 guns are quickly instaled in positions and open fire towards the houses at the entrance of the Palace. After a few minutes of shooting, the three 45 Sakalava guns are silenced.

From then on, fusilliers progressed carefully and entered the courtyard of the Palace.
At the end of the courtyard, the captain's whistle is heard one last time.
The last 45 gun from Sakalava and the Sultana Guard opened fire on the Byzantines.
The 47 guns of  Byzantines are set up and open fire on the Palace ...
Soon, the Sultana Guard lays down the arms and the Sultan is taken prisoner.
At 9:30, the city and the port are conquered.

Review of the battle
Byzantine Empire:
105 fusilliers killed
245 injured
D58 lost with:
21 killed (including the commander and the artillery officer)
32 injured

Sakalava Sultana:
185 soldiers killed including 30 gunners
288 injured
254 prisoners
more than 500 civilians killed or wounded.
Commander the last gun of Sakalava Artillery, Captain Ramashadiran died gloriously at his post.

[Jefgte]

...Quickly, the medical teams take care of the wounded and the prisoners are regrouped.
The Sultan is transferred to the battleship Kilkis and placed under surveillance.

February 13
The 254 prisoners are transferred to the TTR4 transport.
The Sultan is received by the Admiral.
The Admiral announces that his Sultana is now part of the Byzantine Empire.
The Admiral tells him that he will be transferred with his soldiers to Egypt, to the military school in Cairo and later integrated into the Byzantine army.

February 16
TTR3 troop transport arrive from Seychelles after repairs.
Colonel Grafur prepares the north conquest of Sakalava Sultana.
He had about 3000 fusiliers, 75 Spahis & 25 Mamluks.

February 17
All troop transports leave the islands to Alexandry, escorted by armored cruisers Burgas & Bapha. The Sultan and his soldiers are on TTR4.

February 18
Early in the morning, 3 coluns screen by Spahis & Mamulks left Majunga & walk north east...

[Jefgte]

July 1st 1910

The 4 troop transports had made 2 rotations Alexandria / Madagascar
There are now about 10000 soldiers, 400 Spahi & 300 Mamluks,
Madagascar north conquest is well advanced.
All north Sakalava Sultana, small kingdoms of Betsimisaraka & Antankarana are conquered.
Byzantine troops battle organization made very impressive on the small kingdoms forces.
Resistance was poor and ineffective.

[Jefgte]

july 7 1910

Madagascar;
The battleships Kilkis & Lemnos left Bombetoka Bay...

[Jefgte]

9 days later, july 16th, the battleships refueling in Aden.
July 18th, they go to Red Sea, Suez, & arrive in Byzance for maintenance july 28th.

[Jefgte]

august 12 1910

Without battle, litle kingdom of Tsimihety submit to Byzantine army.
The king proclaims his membership to Byzantine Empire.

[Jefgte]

October 1st 1910

Expanding projects by Grand Admiral Izmar Commander of the Fleet & Naval Council,

--Grand Admiral Izmar commander of the Fleet
Admiral Akim, the Council congratulates you for conducting the operations in the Indian Ocean. The operations were conducted with efficiency and realism. The conquest of Madagascar is progressing well despite a rate of unavailability of men of 27% due to diseases.
The situation in the Mediterranean is very calm,
Our relations with our neighbors Romans and Iberians are relaxed.
Their freighters regularly use the Suez Canal to travel to the Indian Ocean,
Our reinforced Red Sea patrols deter pirates from their bad actions.
Regarding the Indian Ocean, we have less good news.
Our informants tell us that the Parthians are building four 30000t battleships equipped with 5 triple turrets, ie 15 guns. This represents a considerable firepower of 60 guns. They are expected to be commissioned in the first half of 1913.

--Admiral Guruf
30000t and 15 guns! they are the most powerful battleships in the world. Such a squadron is built for one purpose only, to hunt us from the Indian Ocean and seize our colonies.

--Grand Admiral Izmar Commander of the Fleet
In 1913, the battleships Ramses II and Seti I, battlecruisers Eupatoria and Enteia will be commissioned. Our battleships fleet will then have 86 guns in front of the 136 Parthian guns. Our battleships will be in a state of great weakness.

Admiral Guruf
An attack on our recent conquests or the Aden Gulf will led us to a defeat certain ...

--Admiral Tremazy
Defeat! Parthian battleships will actually be more numerous and more powerful than ours, however, battles of squadrons are won with guns and torpedoes. If our informations are correct, the Parthians have 32 squadron torpedo boats and 8 others are under construction. We have about 120 squadron torpedo boats. The maneuvers we perform in the Black Sea have shown that a battleship, alone, have the greatest difficulty in neutralizing and destroying more than 2 torpedo boats during a charge ...

--Admiral Akim
We all know the value of your torpedo boats, Admiral Tremazy, and we know you're always on the lookout for new tactics with maximum destructive efficiency on the battlefield. I have in mind the 1909 annual exercise during which you torpedo 3 battleships by a daring deliberately confused maneuver but in fact, very organized ... "The divergent charge" it seems to me.

--Admiral Tremazy smiles
Exact Admiral. The attack was led by 6 divisions ...

--Grand Admiral Izmar Commander of the Fleet
We all have confidence in your torpedo-boats to break enemy battleline, Admiral,
however, we can not leave the Parthians such superiority in the field of battleships.
We can begin to build in 1911, 2 other battleships but, to respect the 1913 commissioning period, we can only build battleships of 18000t and completely stop the other programs. The Bureau has already submitted 2 battleships studies of 18400t and 18800t equipped with 3 triple turrets, in fact, a battleship version of the Eupatoria class.

--Admiral Guruf
2 battleships and 18 guns more ...
There is another alternative ... The 4 x 15650t battleships of the Barbarossa class begin their decennial overhaul. Their guns of 35 calibres are not very effective on range and rate of fire,
In other words, they no longer have their place in the first line.
I studied the redesign of these 4 battleships with guns of 254 mlle 1904, 2 double turrets and 4 simgle turrets. The boardside of each ship is 2724kg per minute, a total of 10896kg. Taking as reference the shots of the cruisers Ceyhan, equipped with these guns, shooting 8 to 9 seconds from the first to the 4th battleship, can dispatch about 500 shells in 10 minutes. We can hope to burn down and neutralize an enemy battleship with 12 to 16 hits. In addition, we would have a light and fast battle wing because the speed of 22kts is possible, with turbines, on these 150m battleships.
The cost is also 2 times lower than the construction of 2 new battleships of 18000t. This makes it possible to maintain certain other constructions.
That mean too 32 semi heavy guns vs 18 heavy guns for 18000t battleships projects
Another advantage is that 16 turrets with 2x234 guns will be available and 2 x 272t turrets can be mounted on a 6000t cruiser hull.

--Grand Admiral Izmar Commander of the Fleet
We had just planned 2 cruisers of 6000t for 1913.
16 turrets represent 8 cruisers ... Very interesting for the colonies. I will review these projects Admiral.
I will make my decision within a week.
Thank you Gentlemen

--Admiral

[Kaiser Kirk]

--Admiral Guruf
30000t and 15 guns! they are the most powerful battleships in the world. Such a squadron is built for one purpose only, to hunt us from the Indian Ocean and seize our colonies.

--Grand Admiral Izmar Commander of the Fleet
In 1913, the battleships Ramses II and Seti I, battlecruisers Eupatoria and Enteia will be commissioned. Our battleships fleet will then have 86 guns in front of the 136 Parthian guns. Our battleships will be in a state of great weakness.

From the ship notes : "Tiamat was a Babylonian sea goddess, to some a dragon, but a ruler of the waves. The Tiamat class is Parthia's assertion that she rules the Indian Ocean. "   :)
The Tiamat class is indeed meant to ensure Parthian capital ships have the advantage, but for some reason I expected your colonies to be in West Africa or the Americas, so they were not meant to seize your colonies :)

On your torpedo boat squadron count, I'm a bit perplexed.  In the discussion you speak of your 120 "squadron" torpedo boat vs. the Parthian 32.
What is a "squadron" torpedo boat?

Your order of battle lists 30 squadrons of 5, or 150 older  torpedo boats, and 6 squadrons of 4 modern motor torpedo boats - giving you 36 squadrons and  174 TBs.
Parthia lists 240 older torpedo boats, another 96 modern motor torpedo boats, and there's 16 from 1910 un-entered*, for something like 352.
Further, with our torpedo boat carriers, we can carry 48 along with us to where ever the battle is.

Maybe you mean Destroyer ? In which case I guess you missed the 1899 Javelin class of 32 ? plus I finished 8 which are on trials, for 72 total.

*Apparently I need to go update some of my encyclopedia pages to show those 1910 ships, sorry. ok updated through HY1, 1911. +24 MTBs, +6 MS, +8 DDs, +2 DDL, finish the 4 ACRs, again sorry I hadn't gotten that done on the various pages. 

[Jefgte]

...What is a "squadron" torpedo boat? ...

Admiral Tremazy answer:
-Squadron Torpedo Boat are made to attack battleline (first line destroyer)
they need to be < to 300t and/or 25kts and/or 2000nm for high sea fleet
in 1912, I consider smaller TB for coastal operations (second line destroyer).

[Jefgte]

October 8, 1910

From Grand Admiral Izmar, Commander of the Fleet

After much consultations, I have decided for the Imperial Byzantine Fleet;
To rebuilt the Barbarossa class Battleships with 10" double & single turrets, turbines for 22kts.
Rebuilts start in 1911 & the 4 battleships must be recomissionned mid 1913.
In 1911, 2 x 6000t, 25kts cruisers with 3 x 234 turrets from the Barbarossa class.

[Jefgte]

October 9 1910

Affected to new islands conquests
La Réunion
Maurice
Rodriguez

AC1: Atokos - Arkoudi
SC2: Barja - Banias
D2: D21 - D22 - D23 - D24

Troop Transports: TTR1 – TTR3 – TTR4
Tenders: TEN3 - TEN4
Transport: TRA4 – TRA5 – TRA6
Hospital Ships: HOS4 – HOS5
Colliers: COL1 – COL2