[center][h1]1960, Duala - Duchy of West-Afrika[/h1][/center]

Herzog Hurst continued his tour of the War Museum in Duala - showing his current entourage the basic history of the Duchy of West-Afrika. It wasn't so much a Museum - as simply an national exhibit, that detailed the West-Afrika Civil War.

Mostly it contained pictures, old uniforms, equipment, medals and weapons. It told of the major battles between the Loyalist Forces under then-[i]Oberst[/i] Hurst and namely the Rebels, that had been loyal to the traitor Letow-Vorbeck. Most of it - was simply for propaganda, over-hyped numbers and rather patriotic texts written down.

How 'this' weapon killed fifteen traitors - or that cannon was pivotal in the Battle of Hancourt and so on. Some of which, did tell the details about the actual skirmish between those whom would serve the Kaiser onto death and those that had gotten greedy - and forsaken their sworn duty.

Most of the Kaiser' delegates - could read, how many officers had actually gone turn-coat. There was a substantional number - written in precise detail, and some even had location of death. It seemed that the Duke of West-Afrika had made sure - the crimes of his former countrymen were never forgotten.

Especially - when the last glass case, contained numerous Iron Crosses: 'torn from the necks and uniforms of traitors'. Herzog Hurst had taken it personally, and stripped every traitorous officer of their Iron Crosses it seemed, such was the crime it seemed. The rest contained, some pictures of the young Duke, Askari soldiers and loyalist officers. Either posing in some city, or ontop of the ruins a Rebel camp.

It didn't take long for the gathered guests to count up the number of turn-coat officers and realize just how un-matched the situation for the Loyalists had been. Nearly three out of every four officer, had deserted their post - leaving [i]Oberst[/i] Hurst severly depleted in men to lead the [i]Schutztruppe[/i]; and as any man who has worn a uniform would know, without leaders there could be no leadership in the army. That had been mostly fixed by having Askari soldiers promoted to NCOs and Officer ranks. It might be surprising - but some of the names written, managed to achieve rather high ranks. Highest being a [i]Hauptmann[/i] at that - in the Civil War.

"Now then. Shall we continue on to the Royal Palace?" asked Duke Hurst, being their guide in West-Afrika. This part of Duala was near the coast and also between the urban areas - so while having a lot of whites around, there was also signs of black people as well. Surprisingly - they were as polite as any gentleman - even addressing the entourage in German, as they passed by on the side of the road. 

Mostly it was a calming walk down the place - as the Duke walked with a calm grace, showing them around the coastal region. Namely all the many theaters, bars, shops - he pointed to the biggest building in this part of Duala.

Namely it was the [i]Kaiser' Bierstube[/i] - or namely the Emperor' Beer Hall. "Best beer this part of Afrika. Most of it is imported straight from the Fatherland - a few are homebrewed. Not bad, in overall taste. In addition, a few are imported from other states. By far the only decent thing they can make..." he chuckled, in good humor. 

Soon enough, their group entered the Beer Hall. Namely to get something to drink while they talked about details.Namely this time around, Hurst wasn't talking with foreign ambassadors but rather his own countrymen. As such, there wasn't much need for taking to the Royal Palace. Although he would nonetheless, take his entourage for a visit there.

Taking a large gulp of his beer, Steffen Gottlieb, the head of the group from the Fatherland, and the man who would be staying in West Africa to serve as the Kaiser's eyes and ears in the nation, took a look around, and smiled. 

"Such a fine establishment you have made!" He said, loud and jovial. "If it weren't for this African summer heat, I would think I was sitting in my hometown's own Beer Hall! Good on you, Hurst! The Kaiser was right. The Africans haven't changed you a bit. You're still a German, through and through!"

"To be honest Herr Gottlieb - I mostly copied what I had learned during my younger years in University. I wouldn't be ashamed to admit, that many of my ideas had been taken straight from the textbook of good old Bismarck himself," he replied, as soon enough - one man in particular came with some documents for him. The Duke soon thanked the man in question and soon allowed Ambassador Gottlieb to read these papers in question - alongside the other men. "Although, I will admit - we might be able to do better."

Namely these were the basic details of what any good industrialist would need. Namely a decent estimate of the overall of amount of natural gas and oil in West-Afrika. The mineral output of 'industrial' metals - or namely those utilized in the modern world, like iron and aluminum, copper and zinc. Plus the stockpile of gold, in reserve as well.

Needless to say - a rather nice sum and supply. All ready to be organized and utilized. The one thing, many would note was the lack of a strong heavy industrial sector. Light industry was well-developed but its opposite was not - barring mining and transportation. Understandable - since Duke Hurst wasn't a businessman nor an industrialist. Plus, if he had constantly denied the former [i]Entente[/i] forces or their capital from establishing a foot-hold in West-Afrika - then he would be lagging behind in this kind of sector.

"I think we might be able to help in that regard," replied one of Gottlieb' [i]friends[/i]. An eager man from the Ruhr area. As the talks soon continued over beer and some fine meatballs and potatoes - as they continued the talks. With everything provided, the Duchy of West-Afrika had the potential of becoming a rather well-developed manufacturing center for the German Empire. It had both the resources, internal capital and workforce to make it happen. Plus a competent leader in-charge as well.

In-general, it was good humor and mood all around, as the meeting developed more into a meeting of [i][b]how[/b][/i] they planned on developing West-Afrika into the future bread-basket of the [i]Deutsches Kaiserreich[/i] - instead of [i][b]if[/b][/i] they can. That improved the mood all around to be honest.

"I had in mind of also purchasing several of German' finest tanks - if possible," he spoke, to his compatriots - currently bellies full of meat and beer. Namely he wanted for the current amount about five such finely made beasts of war. Tides were shifting and he was sure - that it was better to be safe than sorry. The Afrikan Corps was well-trained, paid and supplied - but they lacked armored support, which he was trying to remedy. Plus - since many in the army understood German anyway - it was better on getting German models for ease of learning and access for parts and repairs.

"We have some [i]Nerthus Kampfpanzer MKII[/i]. A bit old but sturdy and reliable as they come - doing nothing good but gathering dust - with the arrival of the new WK1's. High Command wanted to ship them into reserve anyway - but with some quick retrofitting - we could have them easily shipped to West-Afrika within two months," replied one Prussian among them, namely the German military advisory in West-Afrika. As the situation was, they had many MK2's shipped off, likely facing the scrap heap - with the arrival of the new WK1's just a year ago - so shipping them off here could prove both profitable and useful at the same time - for both sides of the occasion.

The Duke smiled and nodded in reply at this sentence - as the remainder of the talks were namely hashing out the details As with such a new and grand investment coming to the Duchy - Duke Hurst was eager in protection such an investment. Namely in the form of the naval power. While buying a ship was a much bigger deal, and something that required much more talks with both the Kaiser and the High Command - they made way, in perhaps having one or two cruisers of the [i]Kaiserliche Marine[/i] to be posted around the waters of the Duchy. Namely to protect against British 'pirates'. When that was all said and done, two hours later - they all toasted together.

"For the Fatherland."