Druthenian Military

The armed forces of Druthenia (Krigsmakten) is divided into the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Mage force.

The Army
The army (Rikshären) encompasses all non-mage ground forces. With its lack of population and manpower, Druthenian doctrine has been one of quality over quantity during its existance. With the enormous material wealth available in the northern and north-eastern mines, indigenous high-quality designs have been cheap and desireable enough to mass-produce for the armed forces.

Ranks
The further down the list, the higher the rank.

Regulars:

- Menig (private). The lowest rank.

- Vicekorpral (vice corporal). Lowest rank that can be in charge of an Eldgrupp.

- Korpral (corporal).

- Furir ("junior" sergeant). Traditionally in charge of food logistics.

Junior officers:

- Sergeant ("middle" sergeant).

- Fanare ("senior" sergeant). Equivalent to a banner-bearer. Highest rank in charge of an Eldgrupp.

Senior officers:

- Fänrik (second lieutenant). Lowest rank in charge of a Säteri.

- Löjtnant (lieutenant). Highest rank in charge of a Säteri.

- Kapten (captain). In charge of a Baroni.

- Major. In charge of a Grevdöme

- Överstelöjtnant (lieutenant colonel). Lowest rank in charge of a Hertigdöme.

- Överste (colonel). Highest rank in charge of a Hertigdöme.

- Generallöjtnant (lieutenant general). Lowest rank in charge of a Här.

- General. Highest rank in charge of a Här.

- Riksgeneral ("realm general"). Mostly equivalent to a General; honorary title given to those who are in charge of a Rike.

- Fältmarskalk (field marshal).

Infantry
Boots on the ground; merry men armed with guns, ready to fight in wars for glory. At least, that was the general image of war before the trenches of the Great War showed a different reality.

Riflemen
The backbone of any military, the Rifleman has existed in various forms ever since the introduction of handheld gunpowder weapons.

The riflemen of Druthenia are, compared to their international counterparts, better equipped and trained; for example, Druthenia is the only nation who has equipped all their soldiers with steel helmets by the outbreak of the Great War. Druthenian riflemen are also equipped with lever-action rifles, rather than the standard bolt-action rifles used by most of the world. This is because the lever action allows for a faster rate of fire, while also making it easier for the user to remain with their sights on target during cycling. It is however more difficult to use in prone or otherwise cramped positions.

Automatic riflemen
The advent of machine guns changed warfare forever. But heavy machine guns are large, unwieldy, and requires multiple people to operate efficiently. Enter the automatic rifleman.

While the sheer firepower of a full-size HMG is impossible for one man to handle, experimentation for a lighter automatic rifle began in the early 1900's. The resulting weapon was a 20-round box fed rifle with an attached bipod, which, whilst heavy, is easy enough for one man to handle alone. This automatic rifle is given to soldiers who display an ability to remain calm in pressing situations, and are stronger than average.

Shock troopers
Trenches are tough nuts to crack, but never tell a Shock trooper the odds.

Only the bravest and nimblest of soldiers are selected to become Shock troopers. These men are equipped with lighter gear and weapons for close quarters combat in trenches, usually sporting a sub-machine gun or a shotgun. They are also equipped with grenades, and when necessity calls for it, explosives for sabotage or similar disruptive operations.

To maximize the efficiency of Shock troopers, they usually advance whilst something else is distracting incoming enemy fire. This could be a regular assault by other riflemen, advancing vehicles, or accompanying mages. It's also common for Shock troopers to attack in the cover of smoke screens, emerging from the mist close enough to engage any enemy fortification that would pose a danger.

Marksmen
Sharpshooters and snipers were used extensively by Satí militia to stem the tide of Radovians in the outbreak of the Satímaa war. Druthenians, observing their use, had the Satí help with setting up several baronies' worth of Skarpskyttar (sharpshooters). Initially armed with older (but no less accurate) single-shot rifles, the marksmen proved their worth in the conflict, picking off dangerous foes and important officers alike. As the war ground to a halt, most sharpshooter baronies were disbanded and the marksmen attached to regular infantry groups, though two manors remained as special units.

Royal Sentinels & Royal Guards
The kings' finest, the pride of the armed forces, are ready to defend their monarch and their country with their lives.

The most experienced soldiers (either with 5 years of service or 1 year of combat service) are selected for a chance to become Royal Sentinels. They are given increased training and better equipment, most notably self-loading rifles and personal handguns. To complete the set, they are also given a blue cape, to signify their status as the forefront guardians of Druthenia. This cape is simpler in design that that of a mages, making it easy to discern who's who on a quick glance.

Royal Guards are Royal Sentinels that have the honour of defending the monarch and the royal house. These soldier forego the cape for an all-white uniform adorned with golden details. While essentially just people on guard duty who rarely see combat, the Royal Guard can and will fight with the same skill and ferocity as their Sentinel brothers, something the Red Revolutionaries would learn during their uprising.

HESU
Härens Enhet för Särskilda Uppgifter ("the Army's Unit for Special Tasks"), later Enheten för Särskilda Uppgifter and also known as Skalpellerna ("the Scalpels") and more informally as Enheten ("the Unit") and Erikssons Galningar ("Erikssons Madmen") is one of (if not the) first special operations units in world history. Set up in secret in 1919 under the leadership of Major Peter Eriksson, it is tasked with performing highly specialised operations in war and internal security matters.

The first true deployment of the unit would relate to the Radovian civil war, assisting various rebel movements in Mezemia and Zvogoria, as well as preparing for a potential (and later successful) occupation of western Satímaa. The tactics used by HESU proved to be very successful.

Towards the late 20's, HESU was split into two groups: ESU/Säk (Säkerhetspolisen) would transform into a special police unit with anti-terror capabilities, while the original core purpose of the unit would become ESU/Jäg (Jägare). When ESU/Säk was transferred to the police department it would lose the ESU title in favor of Säk/Ins (Insatsstyrkan); the Jäger corps would however continue to bear the name ESU/Jäg.

Vehicles
The first industrialised wars in history would take place during this time, and it's easy to see the use of vehicles in combat.

Armoured cars & trucks
WIP

"Land Crawlers"
Land Crawlers, or Tanks as we know them, make their first appearance in the Great Eidoran War. These armoured vehicles, equipped with caterpillars to traverse uneven ground, would tremendously change warfare by being able to so easily breach the enemy's lines and exploit the new opening itself. Equipped with machine guns, and later cannons, these steel monsters are lethal to any infantry in range, who do not usually possess any means to engage the Crawler with. Some variants even had flame throwers installed, making them literal nightmares that roam the battlefield.

Radovians were the first to deploy tanks on the battlefield, one year after the war broke out. The Commonwealth quickly followed suit, and Druthenia, observing from the distance, followed the development of armoured warfare with great interest, procuring an example of a Radovian tank despite the ceasefire in place. It would be reverse-engineered to produce the first Druthenian tanks.

Armoured Trains
The railroad would become the lifeblood of the new industrialised world, and trains would become vital parts (and targets) of the supply lines required to support advancing armies.

Most industrialised nations would experiment with Armoured trains, and develop their own designs catering to their different doctrines. Druthenian armoured trains are equipped mostly with machine guns and automatic 20mm cannons, with a single short-barreled cannon in a front mount at the frontmost carriage. Additionally, the modular design of trains allows for different carriages to be added at need. Armoured trains fighting in the Red Revolt would pull soldier compartments with infantry for additional support, while the Northern War saw extensive use of railway artillery and mortar carriages, though the lack of infrastructure in Satímaa would limit the use of armoured trains.

The Great War would see intense use of Armoured trains, due to the prevalence of railway infrastructure in the warzones. Special "Rail regiments" were set up by both sides to quickly repair damaged rail or even lay new track when necessary.

Firearms
Infanterigevär, modell 1897 (Ig m/97)1: The main rifle of the Druthenian military, the Ig m/97 ("Igge") replaced the older Ig m/72-88, and differs from other foreign equivalents in that it is a lever action design. Fed via 5-round stripper clips, the lever action design allows (theoretically) for a higher rate of fire, and also makes it easier to keep sights on a target while cycling the action. An acknowledged downside of this design is the difficulty of using the weapon while lying prone. The rifle has a good reputation for accuracy, and is generally liked among troops. In theory, the Ig m/97 can be loaded with 6 rounds (5 in the magazine, one in the chamber), but this is discouraged: official doctrine is to close the action with five rounds in the magazine, allowing for safe stowage and carrying of the rifle while loaded. A single cycling of the action is then required to fire the weapon.

Infanterikarbin, modell 1898 (Ik m/98): A carbine version of the Ig m/97, it was developed and produced when concerns were raised for a more portable and lighter weapon intended for rear guard units. After the experiences of the Satímaa war, the military would realise that the time of long rifles were over, aiming to replace most Ig m/97 in service with the carbine version instead.

Infanterigevär, modell 1872, modifikation 1888 (Ig m/72-88): The former main rifle of the army, this single-shot rifle was introduced when black powder was still in use. Later converted to use smokeless cartridges, this rifle has a worldwide reputation as an accurate and excellent rifle. While essentially completely replaced by the Ig m/97, the old rifles were still used by the Satí militia, and many were still present in storage around the country. Early sharpshooters were given Ig m/72-88's, as the Ig m/97 was not considered accurate enough for the role, alongside false concerns that a magazine would encourage sharpshooters to shoot recklessly.

Infanterigevär, halvautomatisk, modell 1912 (Ig-ha m/12)2: The latest in Druthenian rifle development, the Ig-ha m/12 is a semi-automatic rifle designed as a possible successor to the Ig m/97. By the start of the Satímaa war, only elite troops like Sentinels were equipped with the rifle. It was generally favorably received by its users, but concern were raised due to reliability issues. It was also more complicated and expensive to produce compared to the Ig m/97, and would thus never replace it fully.

Infanterimaskingevär, modell 1913 (Img m/13)3: The first automatic weapon to be adopted by the Druthenians, the Img m/13 sports a 20-round box magazine and full auto capability. A very heavy and expensive rifle, it was nonetheless very successful in use as a reliable and accurate weapon, despite the small numbers produced by the outbreak of the Satímaa war. It was noted that a lot of bipods for the weapon, also a heavy piece of equipment, got "lost" in combat - many soldiers found it easier to carry around the bulky weapon without the extra weight.

Infanteristormvapen, modell 1914 (Isv m/14)4: The first submachine gun adopted into service in world history, the Isv m/14 (or "Isse") had barely begun production when Radovia invaded. Used in limited numbers towards the end of the main stage of the conflict in early 1916, it proved its worth in the hands of shock troopers. The bulky and heavy design, despite the weight making it easier to handle the recoil, became a cause for concern, resulting in a later modification sporting a pistol grip and collapse stock, named the Isv m/14-21.

Infanterihagelgevär, modell 1901 (Ihg m/01)5: A lever action shotgun intended for use in close(r) quarters engagement, it was the main weapon for shock troopers until it was replaced by the Isv m/14. Featuring a detachable stock for cramped spaces, it had a reputation for battering the shoulder of soldiers when the stock was used due to its strong recoil: without a stock, meanwhile, it was known as the "Krutklubba" ("Gunpowder club") as the unabated recoil could easily send the weapon into the user, thereby "clubbing" them. Despite these shortcomings, it was a devastating weapon when used correctly, but it would quickly be phased out of service when the Isv m/14 had been produced in sufficient quantities.

Infanteripistol, modell 1896 (Ip m/96)6: An incredibly popular pistol design, it would see use in many countries around the globe, from Jin He to Xhital. Loaded with 10 round clips of a powerful pistol cartridge, it gained a reputation for reliability and accuracy. As a pistol, this weapon is given only to officers, but as a carbine version (the "Ip-k m/96"), it could be found in the hands of cavalry, police, gendarme, and stormtroopers.

Infanterirevolver, modell 1891 (Ir m/91): The most common sidearm in the Druthenian military, this old revolver is antiquated but gets the job done. It is given to various vehicle crews, and higher ranking soldiers.

Maskingevär, modell 1899 (Mg m/99): A standard water-cooled heavy machine gun, a workhorse of the military used everywhere from defensive positions to naval vessels.

The Navy
With the lack of large colonial overseas empires, the navies of the Age of Turmoil are smaller than our real life counterparts of the era. However, since Druthenia is one of the few states with overseas possessions, the Druthenian navy (Flottan) is quite large for their size, even including several battleships.

All Druthenian naval vessels use the prefix HMF - Hans/Hennes Majestäts Fartyg (His/Her Majesty's Vessel/Ship). "Fartyg" generally denotes larger vessels, and as such, smaller boats such as torpedo boats lack the HMF prefix alltogether.

Vessels
HMF Dain is an older type of battleship, launched in 1905. The only one of its class, HMF Dain was a revolutionary leap forward (meta: like the british HMS Dreadnought) which sparked a sort of naval arms race in Eidora. It performed admirably in the battle of the Druthann strait, which saw the Commonwealth supply fleet cut off from Druthenia.

HMF Nåden (the Mercy) and HMF Vreden (the Wrath) are twin battleships of the Syskon (Sibling) class, the most modern battleships in the world in 1914, having been taken into service the same year. HMF Nåden is sunk in a naval ambush in the early stages of the Satímaa war, but not before inflicting terrible losses for the Radovians, who lost several heavy ships in the action. HMF Vreden was then, befittingly of its name, used for several punitive expeditions that saw the Radovian navy crippled and bottled up in their ports for the rest of the conflict.

The Air force
The Druthenian Air Force ("Luftmakten") was only set up properly as its own unit in 1913 - beforehand, experimentation with aircraft fell under the wing of the army.

The Mage force
A thorn in the side of many generals since time immemorial, the Mage force (Magistmakten) is its own separate organisation, with a different hierarchical structure and way of doing things.

Army
5 soldiers are organized together into a Eldgrupp ("Firegroup", or "Section"). Equivalent to a squad.

5 Firegroups are organized into a Säteri ("Manor") (25 soldiers). Equivalent to a platoon.

8 Manors are organized into a Baroni ("Barony") (200 soldiers). Equivalent to a company.

Up to 5 Baronies are organized into a Grevdöme ("County") (1.000 soldiers). Equivalent to a brigade.

Up to 10 Counties are organized into a Hertigdöme ("Duchy") (10.000 soldiers). Equivalent to a division.

Up to 10 Duchies are then organized into a Här ("Army"), though important, long-standing armies are sometimes called a Rike ("Realm" or "Kingdom")

A example of a Duchy is the modern Matun Duchy, made up of both volunteer Xhitali and Druthenians from Xhis, comprised of 6,000 soldiers (6 counties).

Women in the military
Women (except female mages) are not allowed frontline combat duties that could seriously endanger their lives. They are however able to voluntarily join the military in various positions such as administrative, medical, and assistant jobs. In these roles they were uniformed and had the official ranks as privates. As the Great Eidoran War loomed, the ability for women to work in the military was expanded once more - they could now assist artillery crews with aiming (though not as artillery crew members), assist in close-to-frontline logistics (like distributing equipment and ammunition), and participate in maintenance crews of small arms and other equipment. The highest rank available to women became Sergeant, though this was very rare. Women would now also receive limited firearms training for self-defense purposes, but were not actually issued guns. They could also now receive military awards for their service.

Meta

 * Many weapons and vehicles in this article are based upon real life designs. This includes:
 * 1) Based on the Winchester Model 1895
 * 2) Based on the RSC M1917
 * 3) Based on the BAR
 * 4) A more original design, based on the Kpist m/45 and the Suomi KP/-31
 * 5) Based on the Winchester Model 1887
 * 6) Based on the Mauser C96