| |
Bonaparte's Egyptian Expedition has turned into a complete disaster. Leaving
his army in shame, Bonaparte heads towards his destiny in France, leaving
the army in despair behind him. General MENOU assumes command and quickly comes to the idea that converting to Islam will bring him
the support of the local population. This position win him the acclaim
of the local
population, as well as the Ottoman authorities, who see the
conversion as a sign of alliance, and the signal for the launching of a new
Jihad. More than expected, the news of this situation rapidly spreads
along the Nile valley, and the whole French expeditionary corps in Egypt
is affected. Feeling abandoned by their commander in chief, thousands of
miles
from their homes in France, besieged by British fleet and aggressive Ottoman forces,
the desperate French soldiers feel they only have a choice of : 1/ - being
slaughtered by the forces arrayed against them; 2/ - converting to Islam and join the Jihad. Choosing between
their certain destruction and the promise of 70 virgins waiting in paradise
was no choice as the French soldiers who at least on the surface converted to
Islam and enlisted in the army raised by the Ottoman Empire.
Delighted by this unexpected turn of event, the British soon decided they
could use this new powerful combined French / Turk army to weaken and
finally defeat his continental enemies.
In the year 1804, a British fleet, unaware of an Ottoman master plan, carries
a 500.000 men strong combined
Ottoman (sic French) army through the Straits of Gibraltar, and from Sicily to the
South of Italy. During the long and complex landing operations, the
British sailors were left defenseless. during the night of December,
24th, 1804, the sailors were celebrating midnight religious office,
regrouped and disarmed, when they find themselves surrounded by
thousands of Turk soldiers. Only few Royal Navy sailors survived, only
to be taken as slaves on the various sultan's fleet galleys. The
remaining British ships in the Mediterranean took refuge in French ports
of Marseilles and Toulon, where they were amalgamated in the French
Navy.
The Ottoman Empire therefore won a decisive strategic advantage in
capturing almost intact the whole Mediterranean naval squadron, as well
as locking the Gibraltar straight, depriving England from interfering
with the sea traffic and Turkish supply lanes.
Meanwhile, other Islamic armies invade Austro-Hungarian
empire through the Balkans and Russian Empire through its Caucasian
borders. The religious fervor of the invading armies, together with the
European political and religious divisions soon leads to the near
complete invasion of Spain, Portugal, Southern Italy, Greece and the
Balkans. These regions are established as Islamic caliphates living
under the charia Islamic laws. The population is given the choice
between death, or slavery and conversion to Islam. Priests are executed,
churches transformed into mosques.
Soon, a resistance movement is organized in the imperfectly occupied European
territories. Everywhere, the local populations organize theirselves with
the surviving nobles and priests, and together with the remnants of
old Spanish and Italian armies begin to fight against their oppressors
for their freedom.
In India, a rebellion against Britain rule forces the King to send a
120.000 men army, otherwise the Kingdom economics could be strangled.
In France, Napoleon, badly wounded in a terrorist attack perpetrated
by a Mameluke traitor from his body guard, is kept away from his
military command for a long year, leaving the leadership in the hands of his incompetent
brother Jérôme. Without adequate leadership, the semi-paralyzed French army is fighting
all along the coasts of France against naval incursions of Ottoman troops supported by the
captured British
navy.
The Pope Pius VII who is
exiled in Avignon while Rome is turned into the capital of the new caliphate
of Italy. From Avignon,
in April 1805, The Pope launches a call to re-conquer the lost catholic
lands, as well as the Holy city of the Vatican.
Having no interest in such a religious war, the mainly Protestant Northern European states
of Prussia, Sweden ignores the call. Britain, already tied up in his war
against Indian rebels could only send a few of her tiny army to help.
Without a large industry and economy necessary to fight a
"modern" war, the various Islamic European caliphates found
themselves isolated and in a difficult posture against now united European
armies, led by Napoleon now recovered from his wounds..
It is now time for a nearly reunited Europe in supporting the Catholic powers to
once again launch the
RECONQUISTA of her lost territories.
TO TOP OF PAGE
|
|
| |
A
campaign relation by Oberst von Füllgraff, former Commander, 2nd
Westphalia line regiment, appointed commander, 3rd reconquista infantry
regiment.
The
first day of the month of June, 1809, an arrangement of the great
European armies takes place, according to a late resolve of Maréchal
Berthier. A large gather of troops from throughout Europe assembles in
South West as well as in South East of France, getting ready to begin
the reconquista of Occupied Christian territories in Spain and Italy.
The remnants of the troopers of the old Spanish and Italian regiments
are to be incorporated in new ‘reconquista regiments’. The officers
for these newly formed regiments will come from the surviving cadres and
nobility of occupied Christian territories. The officiers are to be
entitled to the same ranks and emoluments than in their previous armies.
The officers and men of these reconquista regiments are actuated by the
purest principles of christianism, patriotism; having engaged in the
mighty struggle, we are ambitious to persevere to the end. To be
instrumental in the achievement of freedom, as well as a glorious
independence for our countries and posterity, will be a source of
infinite satisfaction, and of most grateful recollection, during the
remainder of our days.
Even the older officers remains in duty rather than retire.
Notwithstanding
the unparalleled sufferings and hardships which have hitherto attended
our military career, scarcely an officer retires without the deepest
regret and reluctance. So strong is the attachment, and so fascinating
the idea of participating with their illustrious commanders in military
glory against the islamists, that a separation is like a relinquishment
of principle, and abandonment of the great interest of our native
country, and a desertion of our common values.
1st day of reconquista.
- Our brigade took possession of our huts for the winter, in the woods
about twenty miles north of Saint jean de Luz in France. Our situation
is singularly touristic, on a highly-elevated spot, affording a view of
the country for many lieues in all directions. We have now reason to
complain of our accommodations; the huts are warm and comfortable, wood
in abundance at our doors, and an excellent supply of provisions and
wines provided by the local population, well known for its gastronomy
and excellent wines. Our only complaint is want of starting the campaign
as soon as possible.
8th day of reconquista.
- Reports of a very serious and alarming nature have this day reached us
from neighboring encampments. The 1st reconquista regiment, mainly
recruited amongst napolitans, consisting of about three thousand men, in
winter-quarters in the vicinity of Biarritz, have come to the desperate
resolution of revolting from their officers. Though the napolitan troops
have been subjected to all the discouragements and difficulties felt by
the rest of the army, some particular circumstances peculiar to
themselves have contributed to produce the revolt. The commanding
officer having been discovered selling goods and launching real estate
business with the islamist caliphate of Irun. The traitor was arrested
by imperial gendarmerie, but it was a full week before calm could be
restored amongst the troops.
15th day of reconquista.
– GeneralMajor Danloup Verdun, a compatriot Westphalian - has
transmitted to Maréchal
Berthier Staffs an account of a brilliant action of his troops.
GeneralMajor Danloup Verdun engaged a reconnaissance into the
caliphates, with a body of four hundred horsemen, of 1st Westphalia
Husaren regiment, and about five hundred Jägers infantry from Oberst
von Hessberg battalion. The conflict was warm and close, in which the
encountered five thousand strong Muslim enemies were defeated. A first
attack from screaming janissaries was repulsed by deadly precise fire
from our troops. They rallied, and on the second charge were repulsed
again. They made a third effort, but a precise fire from an eminence,
occupied by part of the Jägers, gave them an effectual check. After a
brilliant charge from our Husarens; they quitted the field and retired,
leaving one hundred eighty dead and nearly four hundred wounded. Only
six were killed and four wounded on the part of the Westphalians.
18th day of reconquista.
- Accounts have been received that an action has been fought deep inside
France itself, near town of Narbonne, between a body of the enemy, under
the infamous leader called ‘Bin Laden’, with three thousand one
hundred horsemen and two thousand riflemen, and a party of about six
hundred French National guards. Our troops, surprised by this deep and
unexpected razzia were totally routed. Only ten men and two officers
survived to describe the fate of the population of Narbonne that
followed, and the sack and ravage to the town. A relief column from the
French 1st Army Corps arrived too late to capture the vanishing ‘Bin
Laden’ who escaped through the Pyreneans into Spain.
Second month of Reconquista. - I have taken my quarters at Oloron
Sainte Marie, in a post with the mission of protecting the frontier
against enemy razzias that have been more and more frequent. This
vicinity is constantly harassed by small parties of muslims, who are
making every effort to disrupt our supplies, affect our morale, and to
kill or capture all who are found in arms, or even without. Women are a
most preferred pray for the raiders, and are captured, raped, even in
front of the eyes of their beloved husbands and childs, unless they
agree to be sent in caliphates to become muslims slaves. This is to be
considered as a very hazardous situation; it requires the utmost
vigilance to guard against a surprise.
Third week, second month of Reconquista :
- The medecin Major from Imperial guard comes to the line, to vaccinate
the troops against the smallpox.
Third month of reconquista :
- A large detachment of Muslim troops and French rebel army embarked
from Irun, bound on an expedition to Bretagne, under the command of the
infamous traitor MENOU. He took possession of QUIMPER, where they are
employed in ravaging and rifling the cultures, and destroying property.
The Maréchal Jourdan, with a command of about one thirty thousand men
and thirty six guns, mainly from Batavian Kingdom and Northern Germany,
is detached from our main army, for the purpose of protecting the coasts
from the depredations of the enemy. We now that we could have needed
these troops to liberate Spain, but we understand that the protection of
our civilians is equally important.
October, 9th, 1809 :
With a more secure rear area, the whole army assigned to the Spanish
front is ordered to march at last towards Spain. My regiment leaves the
camp, only leaving invalids and a small garrison behind. The regiment
stands at 2.725 officers and men, 122 horses, 10 women, and is carrying
supply in abundance as well as two Austrian 3 pound guns.
The army crosses the Adour river at Bayonne, through Saint Esprit
bridge. The regiment reaches Bayonne’s entrenched camp at night. One
division is expected to cross the bridge every two hours until the whole
army have crossed.
In the camp, I received instructions that the regiment will be brigaded
together with 4th reconquista infantry regiment, both under general of
brigade Grandeau command, as part of 4th division, 1st army corps of Maréchal
Oudinot. We are proud of being part of this magnificent brigade, and we
shall behave in glory.
TO TOP OF PAGE
|
|
