by Clarke Fountain
synopsis
The year 1848 saw a revolution and two governments in France, a revolt in Czechoslovakia, another in Austria, and the abdication of the Austro-Hungarian Emperor. It also saw unrest throughout parts of the Austro-Hungarian empire. In this story, a group of Hungarian hussars who have served the time of their enlistment in the Imperial Austrian Army want to go home. They refuse military orders to fire on civilians in Crakow (a sometimes Polish city) and head back for their Hungarian home through Austrian military lines. Filled with archaic notions of honor, the 80 men in this unit are hunted and killed in barbaric fashion by their military commanders.
characteristics
- Military Life
- Political Unrest
- Revolution
- Revolt
- Honor [recognition]
- Deserter
- Desertion
- Escape
- Behind-enemy-lines
