NationStates Jolt Archive

In the former Boer republic of Transvaal, a large group of former soldiers sat in the meeting hall, awaiting the speaker's opening words. Louis Botha (http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/people/images/botha-l.jpg), onetime General of the Transvaal Army, walked onto the stage, and rested his hands on the podium. A glass of water sat on the edge, but he did not drink.

"Brothers, I see a good number of you have answered the call. A few of you, I can tell, are young idiots, who want adventure and excitement. Bah. But most of you, most of you fought beside myself, or Jans Smuts, or Christiaan de Wet in the war that ended three years ago."

"South Africa is sick, weak, but she is not beyond saving. What she needs is money, to get her back on her feet. The industrial world, Europe and America, has the money we need. The problem is that we don't have anything to sell. Our industry, such as it is, is too small-scale for the Europeans and Americans to be interested. Our farms can barely produce enough food for ourselves, after the British brutality during the war. Even they produced enough to export, the only ones interested in buying it would be British merchants, to sell to the Africans north of us."

"That leaves the Boer people with one skill good enough to export: fighting. I doubt anyone in the British Empire would deny that the Boers can fight. That is why you are here. Together, we will go from country to country, fighting and sending money home to our farms and towns, so that South Africa can rebuild. The world is rife with conflict. There is war in Europe, bandits in China, et cetera. I do not doubt we will find employment."

***

An advertisment paper, wherever such things are advertised in Europe, America, and various European colonies]

The 1st Kommando of elite South African cavalry is officially for hire. Excelling in both mounted and infantry combat, the 1st Kommando will fight for you! Whether you are fighting a civil war, battling a foe in set battle, or stamping out rebellion, the 1st Kommando can do it. All equipment and ammunition is included, but certain supplies such as food for the men and horse must be furnished by the employer. Contact Janick de Beer in Pretoria at the address below. Contracts will be first come, first served unless the leadership of the First decides otherwise.

Our Serbian brothers in Montenegro are hard pressed by the vile Habsburgs. If you are willing relieve them, we will happily pay your wages, transport, and expenses in full. I warn you the terrain is difficult, but the need and the rewards are great.
Field Marshal N. N. Romanov

[OoC: Isn't there a railroad now between South Africa and Egypt? If you can make it to Egypt, I'm sure my good friends the Ottomans will let you pass to Bulgaria and/or Macedonia, both of whom owe Russia big. And a Bush War in Montenegro is the last thing Austria needs right now, I'm sure.]

Field Marshal Romanov,

The 1st Kommando will depart on the railroad for Cairo within the week, as soon as the men can be gathered from their farms. I shall send a message to Istanbul requesting permission to travel overland to Macedonia, but if that is not an option then I am sure we can work out arrangements with a private vessel in Cairo.

Barring any problems, the First should arrive in Macedonia sometime in the next two weeks. From there, we will begin our actions in conjunction with the Serbs.

Respectfully,
Janick de Beer
Regimental Adjutant

Official Notice from Executive Outcomes PMC
As the war in Europe grows in scope, it has become apparent that the conflict will in all likelihood last much longer than originally anticipated. In light of this, the Afrikaaner Broederbond has decided to raise another battalion of light cavalry. The Second Kommando will have completed training and be available for hire between October 1906 and January 1907, though retainers on their services may be purchased earlier.

The only restriction on these services is that the Second Kommando may not be hired to fight against the First Kommando, currently employed by Russia to fight the Austrians in Serbia.

Germany will hire them to attack Spain.

Correction: Attack Spanish outposts in Morocco.

Secret Telegraph
Upon the completion of their training next month, the Second Kommando will travel by rail to Southwest Africa, and will depart by sea to Spanish Morroco.

Respectfully,
Janick deBeer
Regimental Adjutant

Current Status of Mercenary Kommandos

First Kommando: Hired by the Ottomans to train their soldiers in insurgency tactics.
Second Kommando: Hired by the Ottomans to train their soldiers in insurgency tactics.
Third Kommando: Hired by the Ottomans to train their soldiers in insurgency tactics.
Fourth Kommando: Hired by the Ottomans to train their soldiers in insurgency tactics.
Fifth Kommando: Hired by Greece to train their army.
Seventh Kommando: Hired by Greece to train their army.
Eighth Kommando: In Ecuador, training government troops and fighting rebel factions.
Tenth Kommando: In Ecuador, training government troops.
Eleventh Kommando: In Persia, training Ottoman troops.

bump, updated status of the Kommandos.

Brazil would like to hire the Tenth and Eleventh commando for training jungle and mountain warfare operatives. Hopefully an eventual army corps of jungle and mountain operatives totalling roughly 60,000 fighting men will be trained and ready for combat. Fully schooled in manning light artillery, such as French 75 mm guns and proficient with portable machine guns and shock and surprise tactics. As well as insurgency and counter-insurgency skills.

Regards,
Glorious Leader

Mr. Leader,

Consider the troops of the Tenth and Eleventh Kommandos hired. You may wire the money to our accounts or pay in cash upon their arrival in Brazil. They will arrive on civilian ships, and will depart once they have all gathered in Port Elizabeth.

I hope you will find our forces to your satisfaction.

Respectfully,
Janick deBeer
Regimental Adjutant

OOC: No offense, but no Boer would ever call a foreigner "Glorious."

Mr. Leader,

Consider the troops of the Tenth and Eleventh Kommandos hired. You may wire the money to our accounts or pay in cash upon their arrival in Brazil. They will arrive on civilian ships, and will depart once they have all gathered in Port Elizabeth.

I hope you will find our forces to your satisfaction.

Respectfully,
Janick deBeer
Regimental Adjutant

OOC: No offense, but no Boer would ever call a foreigner "Glorious."


OOC: Lol thats okay, the leader is a bit of an arsehole anyway.

IC: Excellent, 3/4 of the cash will be paid on arrival and another 1/4 on completion of the training.

Updated status of Kommandos (Post #8) I assumed that by 1920 they would be done with their respective tasks, and so I've labeled them as being for hire. If this is incorrect, let me know.

Also, the Sixth and Ninth Kommandos (which were pretty much annihilated during the Great War fighting in Palestine) have been disbanded, rather than replaced. This was done to supply a cadre of experienced officers and NCOs to the Union Defense Force.

Dear,
Janick deBeer
Regimental Adjutant

Russia wants to hire the Eighth and Seventh Kommandos. We want them ready for desert warfare in Ottoman. They will be experts in desert camo. Also they will not take any prisoners. We will pay a hefty price for this units.

From,
Grand Marshal Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov

OOC:
Comstan, this is a thread for the Alternate History Earth (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=424002). If you'd like to sign up for it, go ahead, but otherwise please don't post in this thread. And by the way, Russia is taken.

sorry

OOC: Don't worry about it.

How many are in a Mercenary Kommandos unit?

Also i'm thinking about become a nation so can you save the eighth and seventh kommando groups for me. I will update you later on the nation i am and what the groups will do. Ok. I also thank you for your nice and not brutal apogize to me.

How many are in a Mercenary Kommandos unit?

They're light cavalry regiments, roughly 600 to a Kommando. However, they can fight as dismounted infantry; they did this in Palestine during the Great War.

Also i wanted to ask is Ecuador taking as a nation.

Dear,
Janick deBeer
Regimental Adjutant

The Republic of Ecuador wants to hire the eighth and seventh Kommando groups. We will send the money to your country once we have gotten the troops. The Eighth Kommando group will stationed on Galápagos Island. The Seventh Kommando group will be located on Ecuador. They will be trained for gurellia warfare, all types camo, desert warfare, and forest warfare. I also want to have a alliance with you. You come under attack i will help you.

From
Grand Marshal Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov of Ecuador

Dear,
Janick deBeer
Regimental Adjutant

The Republic of Ecuador wants to hire the Eighth Kommando Group. We will send the money once we have gotten the troops. They will train my troop and also get rid of the splinter of the coastal banking interests. They will be treated with respect and honor.

From
Jose Luis Tamayo President of Ecuador

To: President Jose Luis Tamayo
From: Janick deBeer, Regimental Adjutant

Mr. President,

The Eigth Kommando would be honored to work for the nation of Ecuador. The voyage to Ecuador may take several weeks, but upon their arrival the Kommando will begin training your soldiers.

We will accept the payment upon arrival, and look forward to this business venture.

Sincerely,
Janick deBeer

OOC: I'm assuming you got my telegram?

Yes I'm deeply sorry.

Will the Kommando group go through the Panama Canal? Also do you have any old british ship for sale. If you do we will give a hefty price.

With Great Respect,
Jose Luis Tamayo President of Ecuador

Yes, the Kommando will travel through the Panama Canal, obeying all American and Colombian regulations for the transit thereof. I apologize, but I do not know if the Naval Service has any ships it is willing to sell.

Janick deBeer

OOC: Don't worry about it, it's an honest mistake. And also, I don't have any ships for sale. I'd recommend asking the Americans [Galveston Bay], Britain [Lesser Ribena], or Germany [Parthini] for surplus vessels.

Dear,
Janick deBeer
Regimental Adjutant

We have made a bid with the Italians to get the battleship Giulio Cesare. If we get the battleship it will meet up with the Kommandos.

With Great Respect,
Jose Luis Tamayo President of Ecuador

Mexico wishes to hire the 1st and 2nd Kommando to train and help our armed forces.

To Whom It May Concern,

The First and Second Kommandos have been notified and are preparing to ship out from Cape Town. They should arrive in Mexico in roughly two to three weeks.

Janick deBeer,
Regimental Adjutant

From: Bolivian Government

We are currently trying to train the current wave of 30,000 new recruits in the Bolivian Army. We wish to hire the 3rd and 4th Kommandos to help with the training prosess.

To: Bolivian Government

The Third and Fourth Kommandos will be sent to Bolivia as soon as we get permission for them to travel through Brazil or Argentina.

Janick DeBeer
Regimental Adjutant

[SECRET COMMUNIQUE]

Janick DeBeer, Regimental Adjutant

I wish to hire the Fifth Kommando and Seventh Kommando, to help better train my new recuits so that I may protect myself from Balkan Agressors. I do wish to inquire if you have any Kommandos that have special navy training as my navy is currently busy.

Alexander I, King of the Hellanes

Your Highness,

The Fifth and Seventh will travel to Cairo via the Cape-to-Cairo railway, where they can either travel on private vessels to Greece, or be picked up by official Greek vessels if you wish.

I am afraid that the Kommandos do not have any special naval training, given that they are trained as light cavalry and infantry.

Respectfully,
Janick DeBeer

[Secret Communique]

Janick DeBeer, Regimental Adjutant

How many men are in each Kommando unit? and they well be transported on 2 of my light cruisers. I will pick them up from Cairo with private vessels then they shall conect with my Cruisers at a predetermined loacation. I wish to inquire upon when shall they arrive from the Cape?

Alexander I, King of the Hellanes

The Kommando units fight as light cavalry regiments, which can be dismounted and used as infantry if necessary. The average size of a Kommando is roughly 700, though some are larger.

They should arrive in Cairo in roughly a week.

Janick DeBeer

Dear,
Janick deBeer
Regimental Adjutant

Ecuador will like to hire the tenth Kommando to also train and fight a rebel faction.

From
Jose Luis Tamayo

Dear,
Janick deBeer
Regimental Adjutant

Ecuador will like to hire the tenth Kommando to also train and fight a rebel faction.

From
Jose Luis Tamayo

Due to your recent hostility towards my nation recently I will refuse permission for the Kommando to travel through my nation. Bolivia I accepted but I would not like Ecuador to have the benefit of such a highly trained and experienced force. Nothing personal against the Kommando's, whom we respect greatly and hold in the highest regard for their training work in our nation, but we cannot allow such a hate filled nation benefit from their experience. They will have to travel through other country's as we withhold permission.

Deepest Regards to the South African Government.

To:Janick DeBeer, Regimental Adjutant
From: Ottoman General Staff

Dear Sir
The Ottoman General Staff would like to hire Tenth Kommando and the Eleventh Kommando, they are to use in war game in Ottoman Persia to help impove the training of the Ottoman Army of Persia. Funds will be send after this is confirm.

Dear,
Janick deBeer
Regimental Adjutant

Has willing to hire the Tenth Kommando Group. The Terms will be the same for as when I bought the Eighth. Will you please give me the Kommando group instead of Ottoman Empire. I have asked before they did? I hope this wouldn't ruin are relations.

From
Jose Luis Tamayo

President Tamayo,

Please accept my sincere apologies for this late response to your inquiry. The Tenth Kommando has accepted you offer, and will depart at once for Ecuador.

Sincerely,
Janick DeBeer

To: Ottoman General Staff

I apologize, but the Ecuadorian government did request our services first, and the Mercenary Kommando operates on a first come, first served basis. I accept the blame for not making this clear sooner.

The Eleventh Kommando has accepted you offer, and can arrive in Cairo in a week, from where they will move on to Persia. I hope this does not harm the fruitful business relationship we have had with the Ottoman Empire in the past.

Faithfully,
Janick DeBeer

OOC: Ottoman, check your TGs in about five minutes.

The Hungarian Government is interested in hiring your forces for training purposes, specifically kommando style tactics.

All the mercenary Kommandos are currently away training other national armies in our style of fighting, but I can put several groups on first-priority retainer for Hungary if your government wishes.

Sincerely,
Janick DeBeer
Regimental Adjutant

Offer accepted, thank you.

The Worker's Railroad (Trans Eurasian) hereby prohibits any armed forces, other than those of Germany, Russia, China, or the Ottoman Empire and only as far as the border goes, to transport troops or arms by way of the Trans-Eurasian Railroad, without permission from the Worker's Railroad Commissar.

To:Janick DeBeer,Regimental Adjutant
From: Ottoman General Staff

We will paid for whatever units you have that are free of assignment to be send to Western Asia Minor, whoever you send will be useful for us. We will paid for the tranportion of these units.

To: Ottoman General Staff

The First through Fourth Kommandos are currently available. We will ready them at once to move by train to Cairo, from where they will board a train to Asia Minor.

If I may, I would like to inquire as to your plans involving our mercenaries.

Yours Faithfully,
Janick DeBeer
Regimental Adjutant

To:Janick DeBeer,Regimental Adjutant
From: Ottoman General Staff

We plan to have your troops attack one of key forts, to show us any weakness within our defenses of the the Izmir naval base, also we need your soldiers skills in fighting wars that do not follow the rules of war...(in other words,Insurgent tatics.)

May we enquire if any of the Kommando is now free for hire? Preferably the Tenth or Eleventh whom we have hired previously. We are possibly going to be fighting an anti-insurgent war in the near future.

Deepest Regards,
Brazil's Politburo and Parliament.

Neither the Tenth nor Eleventh Kommandos are currently available, though I believe that the Fifth and Seventh are nearing the end of their contract with Greece. If you like, you may hire them once said contract is fulfilled.

Janick DeBeer
Regimental Adjutant

Neither the Tenth nor Eleventh Kommandos are currently available, though I believe that the Fifth and Seventh are nearing the end of their contract with Greece. If you like, you may hire them once said contract is fulfilled.

Janick DeBeer
Regimental Adjutant

Certainly, may we consider them hired?

Deepest Regards,
Brazil's Politburo and Parliament.

The government in Pretoria has suspended the operatin license for the various mercenary Kommandos for the duration of hostilities. They are not to take part in any combat actions against either LTA or Pact troops, and the Union government requests that they be treated as a neutral party in this conflict.