Howitzer

My friend, Jay Stribling, of  the Jackson Gamers gave me a blue metal catapult to add to my lead.  After getting it home, I removed it's wheels and modified it. Here are some pictures of the progress.  I will finish the modification as painting time permits

Side view

Back view

       

Front view

Baerschloss festivities continue 2

Oberst von Hubersen entered the room and came to attention and saluted the Hewrzog. "Your orders have been carried out," he said then waited for further orders.

"Oberst take a seat, I wish the input of a serving officer. Today, I intend to plan new operations in Swabia." "I am honored Your Highness.Said the Oberst then he took a seat.

The Herzog began, "The campaign season is coming to an end and the Schwabians have almost finished turning Zwilling-Eichen into a forward base where we will certainly need to focus of our operations next. The question is, do we take it before winter quarters or in the spring?" The room grew quiet and the Herzog resumed, "Since there are no suggestions, I propose that we begin operations before winter ends all campaigning. I want to probe the southern borders and tie up those Schwabian forces while the Jaeger Corps will raid North of Zwilling-Eichen pulling troops North. I want forces to puse toward Zwilling-Eichen and engage them. Our winter plans will depend on the outcome of that engagement. Your opinions and I expect your truthful thoughts."

Gerbert von Reinhard, the new Minister of War, said "The provisions are abundant for operations and winter gear is available should operations continue throughout the winter. At present, our forces have a strength of 300 per battalion.  Our Jaeger Corps is at full strength at 2-160 man companies and 1-160 man Mounted Jaeger squadron. Our horse is short of men and horses but adequate for operations."

Minister of Information, Albert Gerissenheit injected, "The Schwabians are in the same situation. Even with the return of the Reich contingent they will field less battalions, squadrons, and guns than we can put into the field. The Herzog's plan should give our forces at worst an even fight at Zwilling-Eichen."

Oberst von Hubersen stated, "Our troops will give a good account and are ready for the fight.  Our formations may be lean but that lean is all muscle."

Baerschloss festivities continue

Minister Gerissenheit followed the Herzog from the courtyard to the ground floor room used for Ministerial meetings. As he entered the room he noticed 3 seated men, the Herzogs secretary standing by his writing desk, and a dozen Lieb Grenadiers at attention. Upon noticing the Herzog's entrance, the men stood and bowed to their heads. You may all be seated," said Fredrick William III to the assembled men.  "Sergent send for an orderly to bring coffee and cups as this will be a long meeting." "Yes your highness, as you order," replied the Sergeant as he set about caring out his orders.

Once the the coffee was delivered and each of the seated men served, the Herzog began to speak. "Let there be no doubt about what I expect from my Ministers. You can never hide the truth from me!" said the Herzog as he slammed his fist onto the table. "You will never lie to my face just to cover your own inefficiency or incompetence!" he shouted, as he slammed his fist onto the table. "If needs be, I will postpone all operations and use up all my powder, ball, and rope keeping the executioners busy for a fortnight. I will cleanse my realm of all who would aid those people and lie to me!"

The Ministers could clearly see the handwriting on the wall and each promised to take the mornings lesson to heart. Minister Gerissenheit cleared his throat and asked, "Have you decided the others fate or may I humbly make a suggestion?"

"What devious trouble have you in mind?" asked the Herzog. "The prisoners lied in correspondence to my secretary, but the Ministers each stated that they operated under their orders. They should have known that correspondence to Fritz is the same as correspondence to me."

"If I may, I wish to question them to see if they could be used for information gathering," said the Minister. "Our contacts across the border need couriers and I need 1 or 2 for other duties."

The Herzog thought for a moment as he drank his cup of coffee. "Another cup steward," he said as he placed the empty cup to the side. "Fritz!" The Herzogs secretary seated at his writing desk behind the Herzog replied,"Yes, Your Highness." "I want undated death sentences for each of the 5 remaining prisoners. I will sign them when they are finished.  Minister Gerissenheit, you will take the documents and the prisoners. Do with them what you want. The date of their execution is entirely up to you. Let them know that if they do not prove to be of any use, they will be hanged! I do not wish to be bothered by them any more."

"As you command, Your Highness. You will never hear of them again."
Minister Gerissenheit sat back and awaited the documents and wondered what else the Herzog had planned for today.

Baerschloss festivities

"Gentlemen, I am pleased you have obeyed my order and hurried here to the Baerschloss." Fredrick William III, ErbHerzog von Harzburg resumed after letting his words sink in, "You know I am not quick to punish those who make a mistake, as long as they are truthful to their superiors.  A glaring example of misconduct and disobedience has come to my attention and the situation must be put right at once.  The superior who was lied to in this situation is me."

A tense silence filled the courtyard of the Baerschloss, family seat of the von Harzburg's, as each of the assembled looked about. The under-secretaries looked for their Minister for direction.The Ministry of Information took their lead from Minister Gerissenheit and stood quietly awaiting the Herzog's next words. Nervous glancing and talking started among the under-secretaries from State and War. All the assembled could not help but notice the Leib Grenadiers at attention surrounding them.

"The war effort has been hamstringed by the ineptitude of 2 of my Ministers." The assembled watched as the Leib regiment repositioned themselves at a simple nod from the Herzog. At the corner of the courtyard 7 post could be seen, gasp escaped many as the Ministers of War and State were escorted out of a side door followed by 5 under-secretaries. 

Oberst von Hubersen of the Leib Grenadiers looked to the Herzog and received a stern nod.  The Ministers were escorted one at a time to the post by the Oberst and each were secured to a post. The Oberst then offered each man a blindfold and both refused.  Another stern nod from the Herzog and Oberst von Hubersen announced in a strong loud voice, "You have been judged guilty of disobedience to direct orders from the Herzog in a time of war, lying directly to the Herzog causing harm to Harzburg's interest and aiding the enemy. Do you have any statement to make? The Ministers both began professing their innocence and pleading to the Herzog for mercy for past actions.

The Herzog sternly and loudly called out, "Enough of this dribble.  You have been found guilty of these egregious charges and there will be no reprieve. Your actions have stalled all operations when we had some advantage in direct opposition to my wishes and direct orders. I am showing you a leniency by not having you hanged where you could slowly strangle as you swing. Oberst von Hubersen, carry out my orders."

Oberst von Hubersen smartly came to attention and saluted the Herzog and upon receiving the Herzog's salute he began, "Firing squad assemble." Twelve Grenadiers marched before the Ministers and were formed into a line by their Sergeant. "Sergeant, load muskets."ordered the Oberst. The Sergeant barked the orders and led the men through the procedure of loading their muskets. With their muskets loaded, the men awaited their next order. "Squad attention!" barked the Oberst, as the men snapped smartly to attention. "Shoulder arms! Cock hammers!" the Oberst turned to the Herzog and received a stern nod. "May God have mercy upon your souls. Aim! Fire!" The Oberst walked over to the two slumped figures and delivered a coup de grâce to each in the head. 

He then turned to the squad and ordered them to return to their barracks then he strode over to the Herzog. After the Oberst came smartly to attention the Herzog began to speak, "Take the rest of the party back to their cells till I am ready to decide their fate. You may send all but the first company back to their usual duties.  I will require you to stay at my side for the time being, return once the regiment is dispersed."   As the Oberst went to carry out his orders, the Herzog began, "I am hereby appointing Heinrich von Kortig, as the new Minister of State and Gerbert von Reinhard, as the new Minister of War. I think that there needs be no doubt about the need not to hide facts from me in the future.  Undersecretaries you are dismissed and are to return to your duties.  Minister Gerissenheit, join me." The Herzog turned brusquely and headed to his office in the schloss. Minister Gerissenheit followed the Herzog wondering if the fate of the prisoners could be made to work for his Department.