Hail Zlobenia!

I picture of PFU troops from Zlobenia. The Zlobs have always been more open in their views about the outside world, and see the current conflict as a way to create a government that will embrace a global stance.
Some of these views are reflected in their uniforms. The Zlobenia Home Guard Volunteers wear surplus uniforms from Albion. Blue, the provincial color of Zlobenia, has been added. As these early surplus uniforrns wore out, new ones were made, but not with the same dye. Over a short period the color went to a more mustardy yellow you see here.

The skies over Unkerlant

UWP planes

In the early morning, the skies above Geseburg erupted in battle. Ahead of the expected Nationalist zeppelin attack, their planes went forward to clear the skies of any Communist air power.
They wer met plane for plane by the UWP forces. The planes were no doubt piloted by Transbalkanian "observers".
High above the town they dueled. For every fascist plane downed, a UWP plane was destroyed. One desperate UWP pilot even even crashing his disabled plane into a UNF plane.
After a very short battle, a lone UNF plane staggered back to its bay aboard the zeppelin. The lumbering air giants were seen turning back. With no air cover they would be easy prey for the remaining communist pilots.

UNF planes

This was a chance to dig out an old favorite: Crimson Skies. Though designed for an alternate 1930s USA, these planes fit right in the skies above Unkerlant.

UWP attack on Gesehburg

The long anticipated assault on Gesehburg began this morning. Most of the city had evacuated early in the week. Only those loyal to the Unkerlant Workers Party, lower class laborers and a few union groups, had remained.
UWP forces charged up the steep cliffs and hills. They encountered little resistance.
Gesehburg, that majestic city on the mountaintops, home to vacation villas of the nobility, in the hands of communists and their foreign backers. Yes, readers, spotted amongst the UWP troops were "advisors" from Unkerlant's most hated enemy, Transbalkania. The villas and mansions are now in flames. The whole city burns.
But, just before sunset on the western horizon, the shadowy bulk of zepplins were spotted against the sky. Is the UNF on it's way?

A Transbalkanian soldier standing guard outside the courthouse.

Period photo

A photo of the KCM.

Patch of the Zeppelin Truppen

Many of the Army sided early with the Unkerlant Nationalist Front. One of those units was the elite airborne Zeppelin Troops. They were awarded their own distinctive shoulder patch.

UNF Soldier

Pictured is soldier serving the Unkerlant Nationalist Front. His uniform, a little antiquated for the time, is little changed from those who served briefly in the Great War. Indeed, this is probably a veteran, as shown by the ribbon on his button hole. Many soldiers flocked to the fascist banner carrying what arms and uniforms they had, often adding a bit of red piping or painting UNF symbols on their helmets.
Though later defections plagued the UNF, those that remained were stalwart soldiers.
Source: "The Secret War: a History of the War in Unkerlant, post WW1".

Highlander

Another portrait by an unknown artist simply titled: "Bergstaat Highlander". As with much of its history, Bergstaat was divided by geographical lines during the war. The lowland east, with its factories and forges leaned towards the promises made by the Communist UWP, while the mountainous north was staunchly Monarchist.
This highland fellow is easily recognized by oversized beret. His raspberry pom-pom distinguishes him as a grenadier. The Bergstaat highland grenadiers suffered high casualties in the fighting around Geseburg. The remnants of these tenacious troops were later folded into the regular Ludwigian forces.

International Brigades

Pictured is flag of one of the many "International Brigades" sent to Unkerlant. The term brigade is misleading. Few could muster more than a platoon.
Filled with the best intentions, many foreigners flocked to Unkerlant, and its various factions, to help with struggle for a united Unkerlant. Very few actually made it. Travel in and out of Unkerlant, even with todays trains and aeroplanes, is spotty at best. And with most of the borders closed, even harder. Most foreigners are forced through Transbalkania, where they are arrested. if they are lucky. Worse, if they are unlucky.
One unit, however, has distinguished itself fighting for the more progressive PFU forces. The Ben Franklin Battalion, from the US, is made up from a collection of WWI vets and adventuresome scientists.
Unkerlant's isolation, both politically and geographically, has attracted academia for years. When not studying the country's peculiar linguistics, geology, flora, fauna and scientific advances (or lack there of), members of the Ben Franklin battalion can be found kicking in some teeth of those jack booted thugs, the UNF.

Koenigstadt Civic Militia

A rough watercolor by an unknown artist of a Civic Militiaman after the fall of Koenigstadt. Acting both as police force and personal bodyguard to the king, even at the height of warfare, the Militia still wore their distinctive spiked silver helmets and appulettes. They proved to be effective shock troops.

For St Osbert and Unkerlant!

Though Unkerlant has never been considered especially pious, a few rural militias have been known to carry religious flags into battle. This is one such flag, depicting Unkerlant's patron saint, St. Osbert. Osbert was a wayward monk sent to preach to the unholy barbarians located in the secluded valley that would become Unkerlant. Osbert approached the local chieftain, Unkar, and began describing the wonders of Christianity. Unkar promptly had Osbert's head detached from his body. Still, legend says, Osbert kept preaching the gospel. He was set on fire. Still he kept singing the gospels praises.
The chieftain was impressed. He would not convert, but from that point on, his descendants would. St. Osbert would come to embody the fighting spirit of the people of Unkerlant. Battling on despite the odds.

Flags of War

Presented is a flag carried by the first (and only) volunteer battalion of the King's Loyal Cheesmongers. As the name suggests, this group fought briefly for the Restorationists.
source: Dur Unkerlant Reichsarmee undt Provenzal Staattruppen 1920-1930 by Arneld Von Zupp

Winter into Spring

We here at the Unkerlant Chronicle are dedicated to bringing you the latest news from the front. Unfortunately, several factions have have banned our publication and this has made distribution difficult. Combined that with the notoriously horrible roads in our home country and you have a recipe for scattered news coverage.
Winter this year has been particularly brutal, but battle lines have stabilized during the frigid temperatures. With Spring here, no doubt hostilities will continue.
A quick look at the map shows only four cities still up for grabs, as they say. Gesehburg in the south, Grunburg in Hochland, Ostvald in the north and neighboring Wurzen, capital of Franistover.
The next battle, when it surely comes, will mostly likely happen in Gesehburg. Fascist and communist factions have been building up in neighboring towns and village. Whatever happens, it will most likely be a brutal affair. Gesehburg is Unkerlant's highest city, located in the steep Widowfang mountains. Few roads access it, so it will come as no surprise the recently seized Carroburg Zeppelin Works by Fascist forces may aid them in their assault. The vaunted Iron Legion Zeppelintruppen may come into action. Until now, they have seen little action as UNF leaders have been reluctant to lose any of this elite unit in some petty skirmish.

UWP artillery stationed outside Gesehburg

Second Battle of Agbetten; Monarchist Counter Attack

With UWP leader Oskarr Phlattz barely cold in the ground, and Unkerlant Workers Party forces still reeling from their oil reserves being destroyed, Ludwigian forces took the opportunity to counter attack and try to retake Agbetten.
The city was still burning in places from the last battle, when Monarchist shells started falling. The barrage lasted almost 3 hours before the steady rumbling of tanks was heard. The outer defenses quickly fell, trenches being manned mostly by hastily rounded up conscripts. The airfields too, were attacked with planes still on the ground, so Ludwigians controlled the skies.
It was over for the UWP quickly. Remnants of the army that had captured Agbetten a week before, now fell back to Wuppental in defeat.

A captured UWP tank, soon to be pressed into Monarchist service.

Identifying the forces presently engaged at war

As part of our coverage of the current internal conflict in Unkerlant, we will presenting a series of studies on the vast array of uniforms of the forces involved, to better help our readers determine who is marching down their street.
Presented here is the uniform of a cadet soldier from the Unkerlant Academy for Martial Prowess and Study. This smartly dressed lad has the traditional colors of Styrland troops, white, yellow and black.

The red tabs on his collar mark him as an Officer of the Cadets. The rigors of battle may force these young men to adopt more drab uniforms, but for now they march smartly into the fray.

 source: Dur Unkerlant Reichsarmee undt Provenzal Staattruppen 1920-1930 by Arneld Von Zupp

The Return of the King

Today Monarchist forces captured the capital. It was only a matter of time, as most of the capital police and the Koenigstadt Civic Militia were already fighting alongside Ludwigian forces.
King Ludwig himself addressed a huge crowd in the Koenigplatz, flanked by his new advisor, General Rolf Von Stern, Commandant of the Civic Militia. Ludwig appeared in all his royal regalia, looking every inch the monarch. But, as he spoke, one could hear the age and recent stresses in his voice.
"Unkerlant, our home, is and has always been, an independent nation. We don't need outside ideas or more importantly, outside armies on our beloved soil! These experiment swith democracy, socialism, and most all fascism, have lead us to this sorry state of affairs. So, my children, I ask you. Will you help me cast out these invaders and restore Unkerlant to its former glory?"
The crowd exploded into cheers and celebratory gunfire.

King Ludwig I

Dirty Deeds!

Assassination, always a staple of Unkerlant politics, struck the very heart of the Unkerlant Workers Party this day. Oskarr Phlattz, heart and soul of the UWP movement was found dead in his simple shack outside Grenzstadt. His throat had been cut. Many have pointed fingers at a now missing mistress, and now supposed agent of the Ludwigian Restorationists. Indeed, Monarchists have taken claim to an explosion at the oil refinery in Agbetten. The loss of both a leader and much needed fuel in the same day has paralyzed the UWP, and poised the Monarchists for a counter attack.
Phlattz's brother and right hand man to the movement, Hermann, seems the obvious replacement as leader. He addressed a large crowd this afternoon outside the Hotel Agbetten. "Children of the Revolution. Do not be disheartened by the loss of our father. We must carry on the torch of freedom to brothers and sisters across our shared Homeland. Let its light both blind our enemies, and light our way to victory!"

Styrland to join the PFU

While the battle for Agbetten raged in the south, the People for a Free Unkerlant quietly seized control of Styrland, and most importantly, the Electorate of Asstryria. With the capture of Asstyria comes the Unkerlant Military Academy for Martial Prowess and Study, and with it, most of the young officer corps. With these brave young lads leading the PFU cause, nothing should stand in their way of the conquering the north.

Battle for Agbetten, Averland

Ludwigian forces in the recently captured city of Agbetten, were surprised this morning by artillery fire from UWP forces. It seems the sleeping Red giant has awakened! The bombardment was followed by strafing from the tiny Unkerlant Workers Party air force, mostly converted crop dusters and civilian aircraft.
Monarchists tanks rolled out south to root out the UWP gun emplacements and were met by UWP tanks. These were real tanks, not just modified, armored trucks. It seems an outside force is funneling in arms and equipment to the UWP, possibly through Transbalkania.

Monarchist Tanks race south to engage the UWP

A large infantry battle erupted around the ironworks in the southern part of town. Once the the Monarchists tanks were destroyed, UWP armor was able to support their forces around the ironworks. Monarchists forces were forced to pull back to the northern sector, and seek refuge in St. Lothar's Cathedral.
The UWP peasant workers were reluctant to assault such a religious symbol, but the arrival of the UWP sector Commisars, and few "examples" later, and the cathedral was reduced to rubble. The battle for Agbetten was over.
A short speech was read from Oskar Phlattz, spokesman and head of the UWP, who was not there for the battle. Then, surviving members of the local nobility were paraded out and summarily executed.

UWP soldiers form up in Agbetten's town square.

Monarchist claim part of the Drakwald

Ludwigians gained another city today, this time Averswald in the Drakwald. The sleepy lumber town was unprepared for sight of Monarchist planes in the air above their community. A delegation representing King Ludwig soon followed, and the town was theirs.

Monarchist planes approaching Averswald. Pictured are a FL12 Kutlass and an F611 Brigand.

UU gains in Salacia

The Salacia province has always been one of Unkelrant's poorer states. Deemed nothing more than a den of thieves by outsiders, Salacia has had to make do over the centuries, sometimes "borrowing" things that don't belong to them. But recently, maybe due to the crushing poverty, Communist ideas have made inroads into Salacian society. The Socialist Brotherhood of Salt Miners has been very active and influential in Salzenmund particularly.
It was into this Red den that Unkerlant United forces invaded this afternoon. UU forces quickly overwhelmed the unprepared Salzenmund militia, and UU tanks smashed through the Salt Miner's hastily armored tractors and armored trucks. As fierce as the battle was, there was little bloodshed.
Unkerlant United placed a garrison and few "advisors" to the mayor in place, then hastily made a public statement. Arch Duke Viktor Von Volborg had this to say:
"We, free people of Unkerlant, have come to the aid of Salacia, in order to protect them from what we see as the true threat to freedom in our fair country, the Iron Legion. Salzenmund was the obvious choice in their ruthless expansionism."

UU troops inspect a captured armored truck