News has reached us about the First Danish Army battle.

Battle of Leipzig.   Spring 1793…Danish first engagement.

The Danish forces first engagement was one of mixed fortunes. General Jorgenson had sent 2^nd Corps into Leipzig with orders to take the city and hold. The large Supply depot was also a target. Colonel Paulsen led the initial assault on the city taking the streets from a gallant defence of Saxon  Militia troops left to hold the City limits.

Problems arose when the Saxons main body appeared on its march back from Prussia. The retreating Saxons ,counted over two Corps. Danish forces out numbered made a gallant stand. Captain Forsband and a regiment held the bridge whilst Paulsen organised a withdraw.
As night fell Saxon troops had regained the city. Bitter fighting had been seen throughout the day. What could have been a total disaster, was in the end avoided.
Forsband and his men fell, but not before the Corps had retreated. This was completed throughout the night. Danish loses were about 6000 , the Saxons losing in total around 2500.

Foreign Office News
Swedish Treaty

The treaty of Skane with Sweden has been extended until the end of 1795 which is a welcome sign of peace in the Baltic. The deal was struck only recently and hopeful shows the world that Sweden and Denmark are once again following the same path.

Our Foreign Ministry still has treaties in place with Mecklenberg and Prussia the mainstays of the Baltic Nations alliance and we have a treaty with Britain of many years.

Portuguese Troops in Hannover....

We have dispatched our lead correspondent to Hannover to check the  claims from Wurttemberg about the presence of Portuguese troops in Hannover.

Information hasn't been very forthcoming I am afraid. Since the invasion of Hannover by Saxony , Hannover has taken steps to safeguard itself from further aggression but we cannot substantiate a Portuguese presence.

Saxon King.

The new Saxony Monarch has a tough time ahead. Diplomatically one cant see where he might start. Financially he must be pretty close to bankrupt. Tough job!
 

Europe has now been at peace for a year. The hostilities of Winter 1793 seem very distant but the fall out and landscaping of the Europe has changed.

Russia has been vanquished and Saxony is in turmoil albeit with a large successful 'score' which somehow looks rather odd under the circumstances.

Hannover having been the first victim of invasion now has a large British presence which was sadly lacking back in early 1793.

Countries count the cost of War and this alone I suggest, has kept the dogs at bay.

Prussia is rebuilding its shattered Countryside. Russia is rebuilding . Saxony has a new Monarch.

So what can be expected  in Central Northern Europe in the next year.

Anxiety prevails with the UFS who are seen as the voice of France. Our correspondent has found the French very courteous and one suspects many if, not all ills ,are put on the French doorstep through paranoia, but is there smoke without fire.

The main states of Austria Prussia and Britain are allied one assumes to combat any threat from France and UFS.

Continued period of peace would appear  the obvious conclusion but we await the  build up of forces and money, as nations will surely once again look for success on the fields of battle.

  Flagship returns
Picture shows the fleet regrouping in Kobenhavn harbour.

DK1FL Kronprinse Maria sails into harbour with the main Admirals onboard celebrating their return.

Army... resources ?

Field Marshall Jorgenson has spoken  in government  about his appraisal of the Army performance during the Wars of 1793. The costs and requirements of his findings will be studied carefully before any upgrade will be considered.

Jorgenson we hear is battling hard  to get funding to re build his Armed forces.

Training is currently underway in Christiania of new volunteers as the Danish people flock to aid the Countries defence. But rifles are currently few.

Naval war in Baltic…

The Russian decision to attack the Prussian homeland had serious consequences at sea for the Russian fleet command as well on land.

Having previously served with the officers Denmark's commanders felt ill at ease when war broke out.

Swedens neighbours and allies decided to remain neutral which in itself caused anxiety  due to Russian s troops using Pomerainia.

The scene was set for many Naval engagements throughout the Baltic region.

The Baltic states fleet comprising of Danish Mecklenberg and Prussian contingents performed well enough. Sinking or capturing at least 8 Russian ships.

A low point was confusion when command was out of action and a thwarted attack on Libau harbour defences lost several ships of the Baltic nations fleet.

Dutch  UK and French ships entered the area and with larger better ships began to mop up the Russian fleet. Blockades were lifted around Prussian coastline and Russian ports now had many allied ships stationed in coastal waters.

The eventual decision to stop hostilities by Russia was a sensible one but probably came to late to save most of the northern Russian fleet.

Dutch return ship

The DRN Valdemar was returned to us in the Summer by the Dutch . The ship entered Kobehavn harbour for repairs recently looking quite battered.

It was lost to the Russians but regained by the Dutch. In a show of unity and friendship the ship has been restored to our command by the generous Dutch C&C.

Diplomatically this has led to further discussions with Minister Parmenion about the treaty between our nation and Holland which is currently a non aggression treaty.

Discussions continue as the year long treaty is due for renewal. Both sides look towards further trade, harmony in the region and of course continuance of friendship.

Government review.

As part of the overall review of performance during the wars of 1793 this newspaper was staggered to learn that Denmark lost in excess of 35000 men on land and a further 6 ships at sea. It must be said one was in storm, 5 in battle.

Questions will be asked, as yet government sources have not explained nor seem willing to explain the huge cost of life lost or monies involved to rebuild the armed forces.

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