Karzevan Army

Karzevan Army
Карцевский армия
File:Karzev coa.png
Active	WIP
Country	Template:Country data Karzev
Allegiance	Supreme Oligarchy
Branch	Army
Size	WIP
Headquarters	Nezevgrad Kremlin
Engagements	WIP
Commanders
Current commander	Lord General Dimitri Krazic

The Karzevan Army (Korskan: Карцевский армия), also known as the Union Army or the State Army, is the main armed land force of the Karzevan Union. It is commanded by Lord General Dimitri Krazic, and its headquarters are based in the Nezevgrad Kremlin, the seat of power in the Union. The Karzevan Army currently has a total of 17 standing Regiment, along with 30 independent cavalry and auxiliary battalions, totaling about 100,000 soldiers.

Organisation

The main fighting force of the Karzevan Army is the Regiment. Regiments generally number around 5000 men.The infantry contingent of a Regiment is split into 9 Battalions, three of halberdiers (sometimes pikemen), three of swordsmen and/or greatswords, and three of Streltsy. Each Battalion numbers 400 men, and is split in two Companies of 200 men each. The cavalry contingent of the Regiment numbers 800 men and is split in four Rotas (Companies) of 200 men each. Two Rotas are medium or heavy cavalry, and the other two are usually light and/or skirmisher cavalry. Each Regiment usually has an artillery detachment, usually one or two batters, consisting of eight pieces each. The personnel required to man those batteries depends on the type of weapon used. The remaining men are command personnel, nurses, armourers, blacksmiths and other camp followers.

As for cavalry, the Army doesn't have Regiment-size cavalry units, barring three undersized Kozzak mounted militia Regiments. Cavalry units exist in Battalions made up from two or three Rotas, and are meant to reinforce and support the infantry. Most cavalry Battalions are either Potwezian Winged Hussars or Ungul Mounted Archers, while Korskan Dragoons are also common. Belovyan irregulars also have several smaller, 100-man cavalry units called Atrads.

Regiments are commanded by Colonels, Battalions by Majors and Companies by captains. Each Regiment has a Commissar attached to it, to ensure loyalty to the State and faith in Khadar among the troops. Chaplains, known also as Regimental Priests are also attached to Regiments to improve morale with their fiery preachings of faith.

Regiments are raised provincially, and have the name of their Oblast in their title along their number. All personnel wear standard uniforms, apart from specialised units like the Kurganite Kozzaks or the Belovyan Partizans, who don more local, traditional apparel.

Tactics

The regular way of deployment of a Karzevan Regiment is a three line formation, with the Streltsy in front, the halberdiers in the middle, and the assault infantry in the rear. Cavalry is deployed on the flanks of the infantry in a mixed fashion, so a medium cavalry and a light cavalry Rota is on each flank. Artillery is usually deployed in the rear, but sometimes a gap is made in the formation to accommodate more direct fire weaponry.

In the opening faces of a head on engagement on a level ground battlefield, the artillery opens fire on the enemy from afar. The Streltsy are deployed in the front ranks, and bury the back end of their berdiche axes in the ground in front of them, the blade looking up and forwards, to deter any cavalry charges against them. When the enemy is within range, they open fire with their weapons, usually with the first line kneeling after firing, to allow the second to fire, who in turn kneel themselves to allow the others to fire. The practice keeps on until all lines have fired and then the formation repeats. Sometimes, the first line kneels to fire and the second fires over their head, delivering a more devastating first volley. When the enemy fields fast infantry that can reach the firing line quickly, the Streltsy rest their weapons on their berdiches, using them to stabilise their shots while also having them nearby in case the enemy reaches them quickly.

If everything goes smoothly, the Streltsy pick up their berdiches and weapons and their battalions fall back through the infantry behind them, reforming as the third line. The halberdiers then step forward to take their place. The first two ranks of halberdiers hold their weapons in a level fashion, pointing forward, so even if enemy infantry manages to bypass the first line of halberd blades, a second line is there to counter them. The rear lines hold their halberds pointing up and forward, so they can quickly bring them to bear, while deflecting some arrows with their blades. As the halberdier line engages the enemy, the reformed Streltsy formations in the back have reformed and rested. They turn face and are deployed in the flanks of the formation, and covered by the cavalry, deploy and fire in the enemy's flanks. If enemy reserves are sent in to attack them, the Streltsy with their berdiche great axes and swords are more than capable of defending themselves.

If the halberdiers start breaking or the fight is indecisive, the assault troops is sent in. Assault troops are either shield bearers armed with shwords, maces and axes, or heavily armoured greatsword-wielding shock infantry, called Guardsmen. Deciding when to send the assault troops in to break the deadlock is one of the most crucial decisions a commander must make. Sending them too late or too early may prove a critical mistake. If the halberdiers seem to be able to hold the enemy back, the assault troops may be ordered to the flanks, either to attack the enemy troops already engaged in the rear, or to counter any flanking maneuvers. Sometimes, they can be dispatched to protect the flanking Streltsy if they seem to be getting overwhelmed.

The job of the Regimental Cavalry and the attached Cavalry Battalions is to protect the flanks of the infantry force and counter any movement of enemy troops away from the main clash. Light cavarly armed with missile weapons such as bows, crossbows or handguns may also harass enemy reserves and even try to assault enemy artillery if it is left lightly protected. Medium and heavier cavalry usually engage enemy mounted units to prevent them from threatening the friendly formation's rear. If they manage to accomplish cavalry superiority over the enemy, the Karzevan cavalry launches devastating charges against the already engaged enemy infantry, shattering their morale and breaking their formation apart.

With the promotion of the radical Dimitri Krazic to the position of Lord Marshal of the Union's Army, cavalry has began to take a different role than infantry support. The independent battalions are being joined into ad hoc regiments of cavalry that march independently from the main infantry force, using their superior speed to outflank enemy armies on the more strategic level. A recent example of this is the Battle of Krovinki, when the rogue Ataman Ruslan Ruda and his haidamak of disgraced Kozzaks and bandits were slaughtered. The 10,000 man bandit army fell upon the 6th Kurganite Regiment and slowly started to encircle them with their superior numbers, when the so called Gruppa "Dorosh", a cavalry-only formation of 4,000 men named after its commander, General Kazymyr Dorosh, appeared behind the traitors and routed their force. Dorosh's force had forded Yuloga river and appeared north of the village of Krovinki, in the rear of Ruda's army.

Unit type and equipment

The Karzevan Army, besides the regular soldiery, has several unique types of troops, owing to the Union's multi-ethnic nature. This section describes how regular and more specialised troops of the Union's Army are equipped.

Regular Troops

Halberdier (Alebardshchik): The Karzevan Halberdier is a frontline trooper in almost all cases, being the first to make physical contact with the enemy. He wears the standard Karzevan red coat with gold buttons and trim over black pants and white shirt. He is armoured with a full or half-plate chest piece with faulds, usually with tassets to protect his thighs, as well as spaulder to protect his shoulders. Additionally, he may also wear a bevor to protect his neck, and sometimes gauntlets for his hands. For headgear, he either wears the traditional service ushanka with the Karzevan coat of arms, or a sallet type helmet, though there's a variety of helmet available, usually depending on the Oblast.

Swordsman (Fekhtovalshchik): The swordsmen are the second line of troops in the regiment. They are close-combat experts, armoured and dressed in a similar manner as the Halberdiers. However, they are more heavily armoured due to the nature of their role. Over their regular uniform and in addition to the chest piece, faulds and tassets, all swordsmen wear bevors and gauntlets as standard, in contrast to the Halberdiers were the latter two are an occasional privilege. Swordsmen usually wear helmets, however, some still maintain the ushanka during combat as it doesn't impeach their hearing and/or vision. He is armed with a heavier variant of the traditional Shashka single-edged and single-handed sword, which is used for both thrusting and stabbing. Along his sword, he also carriers a shield, usually a heater type, though the older kite shields are still in use by some Regiments. Sometimes, swordsmen may also carry axes and maces, using their swords as a back up.

Guardsman (Gvardeyets): Guardsmen are the most and battle-hardened infantrymen in the regular Regiments of the Union. They are clad in full plate armour, complete with pauldrons, leg armour, full chest plate, sabatons, and all the kit one would normally associate with the Vityaz (Knights). Beneath their plate they wear chainmail hauberks on top of their regular uniforms. They usually wear visored helmets for head protection, though the falling buffe and burgonet combination is becoming more popular. They are armed with a large, two handed great sword as their primary weapon, with either a mace, warhammer or axe as a back up. Guardsmen may also carry handguns with them, which they use alongside one of their backup weapons.

Shooter/Hangunner (Streltsy): The famed Streltsy are one of the most versatile troop types of the Union, and possibly the whole of Aenosh. Most wear the regular red coat without armour, though some Regiments have the privilege of wearing chainmail under it, or even half or full plate chest pieces. For headgear they mostly wear the traditional military ushanka or a steel helmet. They are armed with wheellock muskets (some Battalions retain the older matchlock firearms for their simplicity), a Shashka sword or dagger as back-up, as well as the famed Berdiche two handed polearm. The Berdiche, apart from an offensive or defencive melee weapon, is also used to stabilise the firearm as the Streltsy can rest the musket on it to fire. Most of the times however, the Streltsy firing line puts their berdiches into the ground in front of them with the blade tilted forward, forming a wall of sharp polearms that protects them from cavarly charges.

Dragoon (Dragun): The Dragoons are one of the two cavalry types of the Karzevan Army that don't have strict regional origins. They are the eyes of the Karzevan troops, as well as a harassing force, and sometimes used as mounted missile infantry that can dismount and fight on foot. The Karzevan Dragoon wears a shorter variant of the standard-issue red coat so it he may not interfere with his movement, a half or full plate chest piece, usually with faulds and tassets, vambraces to protect his forearms, as well as a Kudenovka helmet. The helmet - named after famed Karzevan cavalry commander Vasily Kudenov - has a pointy top where usually a crest is mounted, and has a removable face mask for additional protection. He is armed with a shorter, cavalry carbine version of the wheellock muskets used by the Streltsy, as well as a Szabla-type cavalry sabre. Additionally, the Dragoon may also carry pistols as back ups. Their horses are generally unarmoured and are bred to be fast with great stamina.

Knight (Vityaz): The Karzevan Vityaz are the second Union wide cavalry units. They are heavily armoured shock cavalry, armoured in a similar fashion to their Gvardeyets brothers-in-arms that serve in the infantry; full plate armour over chainmail, but with some additional pieces such as Rondels and Couters. They are some of the most heavily armed soldier of the Army. They carry long cavarly lances, arming swords or larger two handed ones, maces, warhammers, daggers and some even carry pistols. The Viyaz also use heater shields to protect them on the charge, though other types of shields are also used. Their steeds are the strongest in the Union, and are armoured with heavy armour for protection. It normally takes but a single charge of the Vityaz to break an enemy infantry line; granted said infantry line is not armed with pikes or long polearms. However, it is for that reason the popularity and use of the Vityaz has lately being eclipsed. The advent of pike and shot formations and the adoption of said tactics by the Union's enemies has rendered the knights obsolete. However, they may still be a vital unit on the battlefield.

Regional and Specialised Troops

Belovyan Partizans (Belovskiji Partyzan): The famed Partizans of Belovya trace their origins back to the war with Potwez. In contrast to most of the Union's units, the Belovyan Partizan does not have a standard issue uniform. Most Partizans wear civilian clothing, more akin to a hunter's or a woodsman's apparel. Many prefer to wear a brown, green and black clothing, so as to be able to conceal themselves better in the woods, so dark green cloaks are a usual piece over leather is a usual combination. The partizans wear little armour, mostly leather and some chainmail, though many wear steel helmets, usually with leather or cloth coverings for camouflage. Due to the mixed nature of their uniforms, Partizans wear some red to identify them as troops of the Union, usually armbands. While having no standard issue armament, the partizans are still missile troops, so most units carry crossbows, bows or firearms. For melee they can carry a variety of arms, from maces, to axes, to spiked clubs. In times of war, the Belovyan Partizans usually act as harassment forces or scout troops, while in times of peace they patrol the borders of the Union, escort convoys or guard the countryside of Belovya from bandits. There are currently five 500-man Braterstvas (Brotherhoods) of Belovyan Partizans active.

Potwezian Hussar (Potwezscy Husaria): The famed Husaria of Potwez are some of the most elite cavalry units of the Union's Armies. They are heavy lancer cavalry, and are one of the most common cavalry units in the Union. While not being as heavily protected as the Vityaz, the Hussars are heavily protected. Over the usual red coat, they wear a cuirass (breast plate), back plate, gorget, shoulder guards, vambraces, as well as a tasset hip, cuisse thigh and poleyn knee protection, underneath a thigh-length coat of mail or specially padded coat with mail sleeves. For headgear, they wore a special helmet shaped like a hemispherical skull, comb-like, morion 'cheekpieces' with a heart-shaped cut in the middle, neck-guard of several plates secured by sliding rivets, and adjustable nasal terminating in a leaf-shaped visor.For armament, they carry a long cavalry lance and the famous Szabla Husarka sabre. Individual hussars may also carry warhammers or battleaxes, as well as one or two wheellock pistols in the saddle holster. Their horses usually had chanfrons for head protection, a peytral for the chest and most of the times a criniere for the neck. Husaria horses are bread to be fast, manuevreable, and with great stamina, so a horse can walk hundreds of kilometres loaded with over 100 kilograms (warrior plus armour and weaponry) and instantly charge. There are currently twelve 500-man Chorągiew (Banners) of Potwezian Hussars active.

Kurganite Kozak (Kurganskyy Kozak): The Kurganites have been a people of warriors even before becoming a unified kingdom in the 2nd Era. The Kozaks are some of the most famed light cavalry of the world, and their martial prowess is undeniable. Kozzaks usually wear white blouses, wide pants, boots, as well as the signature red Karzevan Army coat. Most wear a plate cuirass beneath or over the red coat, which is usually the only piece of armour they are equipped with. However individual Kozaks may choose to wear additional pieces if they have the coin; gauntlets, vambraces and spaulders for example. For headgear, most simply wear the traditional papahka wool caps, adorned with the Karzevan coat of arms, while some choose to wear helmets. As for armament, the Kozaks are equipped with a Shashka sabre, daggers, as well as pistols and carbines, some units however prefer to use the proven bow and arrow instead of firearms. There are currently seven 500-man Sotnias of Kurganite Kozaks active.

Ungul Horse Archer (Ungulyn Morin Armichid):

Order of Battle

The Karzevan Army currently has a total of 17 standing Regiments, 12 regural and 5 shock infantry, 3 Cavalry Militia Regiments along with 30 independent cavalry battalions. The detailed Order of Battle (ORBAT) of the Karzevan Army is as follows:

• 1st (Korskan) Regiment Garrisoned in the Korsk Oblast. Missile battalions are entirely made up of handgunners. Includes two attached Rotas of Cavalry and one Rota of Bear Cavalry. Supported by two cannon Artillery Batteries (8 guns).
• 2nd (Korskan) Regiment: Stationed in the Korsk Oblast. Missile battalions are entirely made up of handgunners. Includes two attached Rotas of Cavalry. Supported by two cannon and one catapult Artillery Batteries (8 guns and 4 large catapults).
• 3rd (Korskan) Regiment: Stationed in the Korsk Oblast, garrison of Kasr Nezevsk. Missile battalions are made up of handgunners and crossbowmen. Includes a Rota of Cavalry and a Rota of Bear Cavalry. Supported by one cannon Artillery Battery (4 guns). One of the two Regiments that include an entire Rota of Warrior-Mages.
• 4th (Korskan) Regiment: Stationed in the Korsk Oblast, garrison of Nezevgrad. Missile Battalions are made up entirely of handgunners. Includes an attached Rota of Cavarly and two Rotas of Bear Cavarly. Supported by three cannon Artillery Batteries (12 guns).
• 5th (Korskan) Regiment: Stationed in the Ungol Oblast. Missile Battalions are made up of handgunners and bowmen. Includes an attached Rota of Cavarly. Supported by two catapult batteries (8 catapults).
• 6th (Kurganite) Regiment: Stationed in the Kurgan Oblast. Missile Battalions are made up of crossbowmen and bowmen. Includes two Rotas of Cavarly. Supported by a catapult and a cannon battery (4 catapults and 4 guns).
• 7th (Kurganite) Regiment: Stationed in the Kurgan Oblast, garrison of Zavgorod. Missile Battalions are made up entirely of handgunners. Includes three Rotas of Cavalry. Supported by three cannon batteries (8 guns)
• 8th (Kurganite) Regiment:
• 9th (Belovyan) Regiment:
• 10th (Belovyan) Regiment:
• 11th (Potwezian) Regiment:
• 1st (Korskan) Shock Regiment:
• 2nd (Korskan) Shock Regiment:
• 3rd (Kurganite) Shock Regiment:
• 4th (Belovyan) Shock Regiment:
• 1st (Ungol) Cavalry Militia Regiment:
• 2nd (Ungol) Cavalry Militia Regiment:
• 3rd (Ungol) Cavalry Militia Regiment: