Royal Army

Biodata

Background and history

The Royal Army initially wins a series of battles against the Saxon-backed National Army in Aragon’s civil war. The Holy Britannian Empire supports it and lands troops in Royal Army-controlled territory, prompting Saxony to send forces to aid the National Army 5.

Royal Army troops hold San Isidro and defend a Vickers machine-gun position that inflicts heavy losses on the attacking Saxon 1st Battalion. Morin’s platoon destroys the position, and the village falls after further fighting 11 13 14 15.

The 24th Infantry Division is stationed in and around Seville alongside Britannian forces. Its defenses include Magic Crystal Cannon positions, but Saxon bombardment destroys or disables about 70 percent of those positions at the start of the assault. Royal Army counterattacks on the surrounding heights are repelled, and the force withdraws from Seville 22 28 29 31 32 39.

The Royal Army and Britannians subsequently regroup less than eight kilometers from the city and receive reinforcements. Their vanguard enters Seville cautiously; after encountering little resistance in the outer streets, it reaches a barricade and comes under fire 42 50.

Organization and equipment

• 24th Infantry Division — Deployed in and around Seville under General José Sanjurjo 22 23 29.
• 48th Brigade, 126th Regiment, 1st Battalion — Identified by its commander, Lieutenant Colonel Juan de Rivera, during Morin’s interrogation of him 22.
• Uniforms — Ordinary soldiers wear black; officers’ black uniforms have conspicuous silver trim. Officers also carry sabers 13 31 32.
• Infantry weapons — Rifles and a Vickers machine gun are documented in the fighting around San Isidro and Seville 11 13 31.
• Magic Crystal Cannons — Deployed around Seville. Royal Army crews operate them, with Britannian mage assistance used to guide at least one later bombardment 28 30.

Conduct and battlefield performance

• San Isidro: Despite poor organization and morale, the defenders’ machine gun and rifle fire cause severe Saxon casualties before the village falls 11 14 15.
• Seville’s outer defenses: Exposed cannon positions suffer heavily from Saxon artillery; surviving crews abandon one position without an effective response 28 29.
• Counterattack on the heights: Infantry advance in close ranks and a tight supporting column. Flanking Vickers fire breaks the formation, killing more than 70 percent of the first three ranks in the initial charge 31 32.
• Civilian abuse and corruption: Morin witnesses soldiers looting businesses and officers abducting three girls in Seville. Juan de Rivera admits buying his commission; Sanjurjo has tolerated his misconduct because Juan pays him 21 22 24.

Relationships

• Holy Britannian Empire — Principal foreign supporter; Britannian troops, mages, and armored forces fight alongside the Royal Army around Seville 5 8 22 30 35.
• National Army — Opposing Aragonese civil-war force, backed by Saxony 5.
• International Brigades — Fight against the Royal Army alongside Saxon and National Army forces 6 24 29.
• Saxon Empire — Intervenes on the opposing side and captures San Isidro and Seville during its offensive 5 15 29 39.