1991 Bjeorg Conflict: Difference between revisions
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| date = July 18, 1991- | | date = July 18, 1991 - January 13, 1992 | ||
| place = [[Bjeorg|Province of Bjeorg]], [[Libertas Omnium Maximus]] | | place = [[Bjeorg|Province of Bjeorg]], [[Libertas Omnium Maximus]] | ||
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| territory = | | territory = | ||
| result = | | result =Conditional victory for federal forces | ||
| status = | | status = | ||
| combatants_header = | | combatants_header = | ||
| combatant1 = '''Federal Supporters''' | | combatant1 = '''Federal Supporters''' | ||
* | |||
* | * {{flag|Libertas Omnium Maximus}} | ||
* {{flag|Zamastan}} | |||
| combatant2 = '''Rebel Supporters''' | | combatant2 = '''Rebel Supporters''' | ||
*[[Bjeorg|Bjeorg | |||
* | * {{flagicon|Bjeorg}} [[Bjeorg|Bjeorg Rebels]] | ||
* | * {{flag|Xiomera}} | ||
* | * {{flag|Eiria}} | ||
* {{flag|Lauchenoiria}} | |||
| combatant3 = | | combatant3 = | ||
| commander1 = | | commander1 = | ||
Libertas Omnium Maximus | '''Maximusian''' | ||
* {{flagicon|Libertas Omnium Maximus}} [[Jean Paterson]] | |||
* {{flagicon|Libertas Omnium Maximus}} Peter Wallace | |||
*[[Cassious Castovia]] | '''Allied''' | ||
* {{flagicon|Zamastan}} [[Cassious Castovia]] | |||
* {{flagicon|Zamastan}} [[Jarris Tavoka]] | |||
| commander2 = | | commander2 = | ||
*[[Brian Smith]] | '''Bjeorgite''' | ||
* {{flagicon|Bjeorg}} [[Brian Smith]] | |||
*[[Chancellor of Eiria|Chancellor]] [[Cera Balodis]] | * {{flagicon|Bjeorg}} [[Mark Ianson]] | ||
'''Allied''' | |||
* {{flagicon|Eiria}} [[Chancellor of Eiria|Chancellor]] [[Cera Balodis]] | |||
| commander3 = | | commander3 = | ||
| units1 = | | units1 = | ||
| Line 55: | Line 63: | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''1991 Bjeorg Conflict''', | The '''1991 Bjeorg Conflict''', alternatively known by many names including the '''Crisis in Bjeorg''', '''Bjeorg Revolution''', and the '''Bjeorg Uprising''', was a period of civil unrest and military conflict in [[Bjeorg]], then a [[Provinces of Libertas Omnium Maximus|province]] of [[Libertas Omnium Maximus]], prompted by calls for secession from a number of prominent Bjeorgite political figures and organizations. Then Governor of Bjeorg, [[Brian Smith]], officially declared the province's secession from [[Libertas Omnium Maximus]] on July 18, 1991, prompted by a [[1990 Bjeorg independence referendum|rejected independence referendum]] the prior year. The declaration of secession, naturally, was immediately condemned as an illegal political action by [[President of Libertas Omnium Maximus|Maximusian President]] [[Jean Paterson]], though she remained initially hesitant to commit Maximusian troops to securing the Bjeorg isle. The conflict quickly escalated out of proportion, however, when a Zamastanian strategic fighter jet was shot down by Bjeorgite partisans over the [[Strait of Saint Peter]], leading to a Zamastanian declaration of war against the fledgling Bjeorg provisional state. A number of neighboring states looking to dislodge the neoliberal Maximusian Republic's regional influence backed Bjeorg, outfitting the partisans with naval and logistical support. Xiomeran mercenaries were also hired to assist Bjeorgite partisans. Eventually, Maximusian and Zamastanian forces secured the isle, largely due to tremendous infighting within the Bjeorg rebel line, but at tremendous political cost. In 1992, the Portland Accords were ratified, returning Bjeorg to Maximusian control, but granting the republic levels of autonomy significantly exceeding that of federal provinces. | ||
==Instigating Events== | |||
At the time of the onset of conflict, the [[Bjeorg Province|Province of Bjeorg]] had a population of around 3 million. The province comprised all of Bjeorg isle, a large island tens of kilometers off the west coast of mainland Libertas Omnium Maximus and separated by the Strait of Saint Peter. The island was connected to the mainland by three main junctions, the ''Ilien Tunnel'', an automobile tunnel running beneath the strait, and two cable-stayed suspension bridges, both designed for mixed cargo and passenger rail use. At the time, the Bjeorg economy was small, chiefly agrarian, developing slowly, and was culturally distinct from the rest of the nation. These and many additional factors had long since generated animosity between Bjeorg and the broader Maximusian Republic, but tensions came to a head in the late 1980s. | |||
== | === Seeds of Secession === | ||
In 1990, a nonbinding [[1990 Bjeorg independence referendum|referendum]] was added to the Bjeorg gubernatorial election ballot polling Bjeorgite voters on whether or not they would support Bjeorg seceding from the Maximusian Republic. A majority of voters did voice support for the cause, but most assumed the ballot measure was a political stunt which Bjeorgite representatives to the [[Maximusian Senate]] would use to push for legislation more favorable to rural interests. In months following the referendum, a test case was tried before the Maximusian High Court. The court declared that secession was not a right provinces maintained and, as such, the referendum measure was deemed illegitimate and invalid. | |||
On June 10th, 1990, a regional politician named James Wilson was arrested at the Bjeorg Provincial Assembly Building following an impassioned speech encouraging violent resistance to federal authority shortly after the High Court ruling was delivered. His speech and subsequent imprisonment was captured as one of the rallying cries for what would eventually become the Bjeorg rebel movement. | |||
{{Quote|author=James Wilson|text="Bjeorg’s recent appeal to the Maximusian government has been denied. Our yearning for freedom and independence has been crushed under the tyrannical boot of a rigged judicial system. [...] Our federal government has been systematically stripping us of our rights, all the while force feeding us lies that these actions are for the greater good. What of us? Do we not matter? [...] If we cannot have our independence playing their games, we must stop playing. A display of force is our only option. I love Bjeorg. We love Bjeorg; we will set her free!”}} | |||
===Assassinations=== | ===Assassinations=== | ||
Throughout late June of 1991, [[Aurora Novo Militum]] (ANM), a paramilitary organization devoted to Bjeorg independence, began carrying out clandestine terrorist attacks against Maximusian institutions and specific individuals they viewed as opponents to Bjeorgite secession. On July 8, 1991, Melissa Thornton, a federal prosecutor dispatched to investigate ANM, was killed when agents, likely affiliated with ANM (though the attack was never claimed), detonated an improvised explosive device under the runway of the Château sur les Rochers Airport, destroying a taxiing aircraft Mrs. Thornton was travelling in. | |||
===Involvement of Xiomeran Mercenaries=== | |||
As a number of independent, uncoordinated Bjeorgite militia and revolutionary groups began organizing in the early summer of 1991, they found themselves wildly outgunned, even just compared to the small number of [[Maximusian Army|Maximusian troops]] stationed on military bases throughout the isle. Several of these groups vigorously sought help from nations friendly to the black market trade of weapons and ammunition in rectifying the dearth of firepower. One of the key proponents for supplying the rebel forces before the beginning of the conflict were mercenaries operating out of [[Xiomera]]. According to documents recovered by the the Zamastanian [[Zamastanian Intelligence Service|intelligence service]], several cargo ships owned by Xiomeran companies knowingly smuggled heavy arms and artillery into Bjeorg in weeks leading up to open conflict, often under the cover of night. Even after the establishment of a Zamastanian [[Zamastanian Naval Forces|naval blockade]] in July of 1991, many Xiomeran commercial freighters were able to run the blockade and continue outfitting Bjeorgite partisans. | |||
Hardware smuggled by the Xiomerans into Bjeorg may have exceeded twenty tanks, dozens of armored personnel carriers, hundreds of artillery pieces and anti-aircraft guns, a hundred surface-to-air missile launchers, 16 helicopters, and around $50 million in ammunition. During the conflict, around 50 Xiomeran mercenary officers and 1500 ground soldiers were directly deployed to Bjeorg. Mercenary officers also provided substantive combat training for Bjeorg militias and locals who joined the fight, many of whom had never held a rifle before in their life. | |||
==Declaration of Independence== | ==Declaration of Independence== | ||
On July 18th, Governor [[Brian Smith]] | On July 18th, Governor [[Brian Smith]], who had forged a tenuous alliance with ANM to lead the uprising, addressed a large crowd before the Provincial Administration Building and declared the province's secession from the Maximusian federation. His speech echoed the sentiments of Wilson, and Smith vowed to defend the province's independence at all costs, even if this meant shedding Maximusian and Bjeorgite blood. Following the speech, a Bjeorg militia group detonated explosives on both cable-stayed bridge connections to the mainland. Following the bombings, the north bridge partially collapsed, while the south bridge, located in southern Bjeorgite town of Martin, completely fell, killing at least 23. Members of ANM subsequently barricaded the Illien Tunnel, rigging it with explosives, as Brian Smith fled Jonestown to a secure bunker, constructed during the [[Great War]], where he remained for much of the conflict. | ||
===International Response=== | |||
On July 20th, two days after the declaration from Smith, [[Zamastan]]ian [[President of Zamastan|President]] [[Cassious Castovia]] condemned the declaration of independence, calling the secessionists "violent in their ideology", and "flawed in their morality". He sited Zamastan's support of the Maximusian government, while also indirectly citing the [[First War in Vulkaria]] and the [[Prydainian Conflict]] in [[Cadair]] as reasons to act on the developments. | |||
{{Quote|The Imperial Republic of Zamastan is a staunch and assertive supporter of democracy, freedom, and peace throughout the world. With this said, the Government of Libertas Omnium Maximus, no matter how flawed and problematic, has stood for democracy and we have no reason to stand idly aside in a desperate time that may very well have lasting implications and dangerous ramifications for the entirety of the world.|personquoted=Cassius Castovia, President of Zamastan}} | |||
[[Zamastanian Armed Forces]], under the command of [[Jarris Tavoka|Admiral Jarris Tavoka]] moved into Maximusian waters in the early hours of July 21, flying reconnaissance sorties from the aircraft carrier ''[[ZMS Upham]]'' to gather intelligence on insurgent movements and artillery placements. Over 10,000 surveillance photos were captured by the Zamastanians over the course of the conflict. President Paterson remained wary of Zamastanian involvement throughout the uprising, but conferenced frequently with President Castovia to coordinate the Maximusian-Zamastanian response, nonetheless. Paterson was ultimately convinced to allow Zamastanian fighters to act unilaterally while over Bjeorg airspace as the Maximusian army was temporarily mired in its own internal investigations following a wave of airmen defecting to the Bjeorg cause. This decision would prove to be a crucial oversight, and would haunt Paterson for the rest of her political career. | |||
Even as the Zamastanians and Maximusians coordinated, several nations simultaneously noted their support for the Bjoerg rebels. Significantly, communist [[Lauchenoiria]] and the democratic [[Eiria]] both backed the insurgents. [[President of Lauchenoiria]] [[Augustin Méndez]] delivered a statement, remarking the following. | |||
{{Quote|quotetext="The Federation of Lauchenoiria hereby recognizes Bjeorg as an independent state. We condemn the actions of Libertas Omnium Maximus and Zamastan in acting against this fledgling nation, and ask both nations to cease hostilities immediately and allow the people of Bjeorg to build their new nation. We are hopeful for a peaceful resolution, and call upon all parties involved to cease military operations in the area. If, however, this request is ignored, we will consider acting in support of the independence of Bjeorg."|author=Augustin Mendez, President of Lauchenoiria}} | |||
Beyond the simple threat of war, [[Chancellor of Eiria|Chancellor]] [[Cera Balodis]] of Eiria brazenly ordered two ships to perform drills in international waters just off Bjeorg's coast following Castovia's declaration of intent to militarily intervene on behalf of federal forces. In a prior speech, Balodis declared Eiria's support for Bjeorg. | |||
{{Quote|quote="...[T]he Senate has been deliberating over the growing conflict in Bjeorg, and now have come to a conclusion. The Democratic Republic of Eiria hereby recognizes The State of Bjeorg as an independent nation, and Eiria pledges their support in the conflict if it comes to war. Let this serve as a manifesto to [federal forces], that we will not tolerate oppression, and will see you on the battlefield, if it comes to that."|author=Cera Balodis, Chancellor of Eiria}} | |||
=== | ==Early Confrontations== | ||
=== First Shots === | |||
The first intentional fatality of the conflict occurred on July 23, 1991, when Bjeorg insurgents deployed a surface-to-air missile system against a Zamastanian fighter-bomber. Zamastanian pilot Larr Tevis was killed after his plane was disabled by one of the missiles and crashed into the sea below, despite Smith's insistence that he never authorized firing upon the Zamastanians. The shootdown proved to be a watershed moment in the conflict, turning the Zamastanian people, who had been hesitant to commit troops to such an isolated uprising up until that point, against the Bjeorg insurgents. President Castovia gave an impassioned address to the nation and the rest of the [[International Democratic Union]] the night of Tevis' death. His speech has been hailed as one of the most human and emotionally driven addresses given his entire presidency, as he was noticeably holding back tears. Castovia's reputation as a stern, war-time president was made more poignant by his show of sincerity, though some critics still rebuke this as acting to this day. Nevertheless, the speech rallied the Zamastanian against Smith's nascent regime. | |||
====Eirian Military Mobilization==== | |||
Following the death of Tevis, Chancellor Cera Balodis ordered the battleship ''EIS Triton'' to the edge of Bjeorg waters and confirmed with Governor Smith that he would accept Eirian military support. Smith, naturally, acquiesced. During the wait for confirmation, the ''Triton'' was circled at least twice by a Zamastanian jet, receiving communications to back away further into international waters. | |||
=== | === Battle of the Strait of St. Peter === | ||
[[ | On July 25, the ''[[ZMS Lance Pelio]]'' and the ''ZMS Clift'' began pursuing the ''EIS Triton'' and an unmarked Xiomeran cargo vessel known as "Q Ship." The fleeing vessels were accompanied by six Xiomeran speed boats. This incident began the [[Battle of the Strait of St. Peter|protracted campaign]] which saw federal and insurgent forces battling for control of the Strait of Saint Peter. The ''Pelio'' was first attacked by the smaller speed boats, and lost at least 12 sailors before destroying one of the speed boats. The ship then engaged the ''Triton'', scoring a direct hit on the corvette's rear side. Shortly after, the Xiomeran Q Ship struck the ''Lance Pelio'' with a torpedo, damaging the engine systems on the Zamastanian frigate. The ''Triton'' then opened fire, striking the bow of the ''Lance Pelio'' and causing it to list and sink thirty minutes later. 67 sailors were killed on the ''Lance Pelio''. The Eirian and Xiomeran ships then were flanked by the addition of two Eirian battleships, the ''EIS Liberty'' and the ''EIS Napoleon''. They provided retreat cover to the damaged ''Triton'', but were followed for roughly 60 miles out into open waters by the ''[[ZMS Tofiniua]]'', the ''[[ZMS Jackson]]'', and the ''[[ZMS Whiterock]]'', as well as a combined fighter jet and bomber squadron. The retreating fleet took heavy fire during the retreat, with all ships receiving at least minimal damage. The ''EIS Napoleon'' was hit by frigate fire, resulting in an explosion that destroyed their movement, and a cluster of bombs dropped by the plane squadron resulted in the ship's quick capsizing and sinking. 153 total Eirian sailors were killed during the course of the battle. | ||
=== | ====North's Last Stand==== | ||
''{{Main|North's Last Stand}}'' | |||
====Sinking of the ZMS Grissh==== | |||
== | ===Power Struggle Among the Revolutionaries=== | ||
== | |||
==Ground Incursion== | |||
===[[Battle of Saybrook]]=== | |||
At 4:00 in the afternoon on July 30th, Zamastanian forces began landing in the southern Bjeorg fishing villages of [[Old Saybrook]] and [[Glouchester]], referred to by the Zamastanian command as ''Point Alpha'' and ''Point Beta'' respectively. The attack began with four bombers striking separatist turret emplacements. Unknown to command, however, Xiomeran mercenaries were in the proximity of the landing zone and had finished unloading and distributing weaponry to the militia in the fishing towns. Among the weapons were the XM-4, which was the most advanced portable SAM that Xiomera had available. They made their debut during the landings, when three of the four bombers were shot down on approach, killing two of the pilots and causing another to eject. | |||
The landing at Old Saybrook were met with unexpected firepower from the separatist resistance. Two Zamastanian soldiers were killed as they disembarked from the landing craft, and another two were killed as the soldiers began moving through the village. It was in this village that Commander [[Austin Wilson]] and many of his men committed a war crime when they fired upon groups of captured insurgents and villagers that they had gathered in a clearing next to the landing zone. Approximately 27 people were killed in the [[Massacre of Old Saybrook]], but the event was never confirmed until 2019 when a soldier who was present at the battle, [[Nicholas Henners]], exposed the killings after years of silence. [[Secretary of Defense (Zamastan)|Secretary of Defense]] [[Curtis Fondaden]] was questioned by [[Congressional Hall (Zamastan)|a Congressional subpoena session]]. | |||
At ''Point Beta'' (Glouchester), which was six miles north of Old Saybrook, Zamastanian troops met heavier ground resistance than anticipated. The bombers launched in this area of battle managed to evade enemy missiles and destroy all heavy turret installations, allowing for smooth landings from the craft. Once the ground forces entered the village, however, they were met with sporadic ambushes from houses and hidden fox holes. By the time reinforcements from additional landing craft arrived, 21 soldiers had been killed. | |||
The | The two landings are classified as into and overarching, individual battle, due to their proximity and the fact that soldiers from each landing area helped coordinate and reinforce their counterparts in the other. The battle cemented the presence of Zamastanian soldiers and their supply line on the Bjeorg province for the remainder of the conflict. | ||
=== | ===[[Battle of Martin]]=== | ||
[[Category:Zamastan]] | |||
[[Category:Conflicts]] | [[Category:Conflicts]] | ||
[[Category:Politics]] | [[Category:Politics]] | ||
[[Category:Events]] | [[Category:Events]] | ||
[[Category:Lauchenoiria]] | [[Category:Lauchenoiria]] | ||
[[Category:Libertas Omnium Maximus]] | [[Category:Conflicts Involving Libertas Omnium Maximus]] | ||
[[Category:1991 Bjeorg Conflict]] | |||
[[Category: Bjeorg]] | |||
Latest revision as of 14:58, 15 April 2024
| 1991 Bjeorg Conflict | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
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Rebel Supporters | ||||||
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Maximusian
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Bjeorgite Allied | ||||||
The 1991 Bjeorg Conflict, alternatively known by many names including the Crisis in Bjeorg, Bjeorg Revolution, and the Bjeorg Uprising, was a period of civil unrest and military conflict in Bjeorg, then a province of Libertas Omnium Maximus, prompted by calls for secession from a number of prominent Bjeorgite political figures and organizations. Then Governor of Bjeorg, Brian Smith, officially declared the province's secession from Libertas Omnium Maximus on July 18, 1991, prompted by a rejected independence referendum the prior year. The declaration of secession, naturally, was immediately condemned as an illegal political action by Maximusian President Jean Paterson, though she remained initially hesitant to commit Maximusian troops to securing the Bjeorg isle. The conflict quickly escalated out of proportion, however, when a Zamastanian strategic fighter jet was shot down by Bjeorgite partisans over the Strait of Saint Peter, leading to a Zamastanian declaration of war against the fledgling Bjeorg provisional state. A number of neighboring states looking to dislodge the neoliberal Maximusian Republic's regional influence backed Bjeorg, outfitting the partisans with naval and logistical support. Xiomeran mercenaries were also hired to assist Bjeorgite partisans. Eventually, Maximusian and Zamastanian forces secured the isle, largely due to tremendous infighting within the Bjeorg rebel line, but at tremendous political cost. In 1992, the Portland Accords were ratified, returning Bjeorg to Maximusian control, but granting the republic levels of autonomy significantly exceeding that of federal provinces.
Instigating Events[edit | edit source]
At the time of the onset of conflict, the Province of Bjeorg had a population of around 3 million. The province comprised all of Bjeorg isle, a large island tens of kilometers off the west coast of mainland Libertas Omnium Maximus and separated by the Strait of Saint Peter. The island was connected to the mainland by three main junctions, the Ilien Tunnel, an automobile tunnel running beneath the strait, and two cable-stayed suspension bridges, both designed for mixed cargo and passenger rail use. At the time, the Bjeorg economy was small, chiefly agrarian, developing slowly, and was culturally distinct from the rest of the nation. These and many additional factors had long since generated animosity between Bjeorg and the broader Maximusian Republic, but tensions came to a head in the late 1980s.
Seeds of Secession[edit | edit source]
In 1990, a nonbinding referendum was added to the Bjeorg gubernatorial election ballot polling Bjeorgite voters on whether or not they would support Bjeorg seceding from the Maximusian Republic. A majority of voters did voice support for the cause, but most assumed the ballot measure was a political stunt which Bjeorgite representatives to the Maximusian Senate would use to push for legislation more favorable to rural interests. In months following the referendum, a test case was tried before the Maximusian High Court. The court declared that secession was not a right provinces maintained and, as such, the referendum measure was deemed illegitimate and invalid.
On June 10th, 1990, a regional politician named James Wilson was arrested at the Bjeorg Provincial Assembly Building following an impassioned speech encouraging violent resistance to federal authority shortly after the High Court ruling was delivered. His speech and subsequent imprisonment was captured as one of the rallying cries for what would eventually become the Bjeorg rebel movement.
"Bjeorg’s recent appeal to the Maximusian government has been denied. Our yearning for freedom and independence has been crushed under the tyrannical boot of a rigged judicial system. [...] Our federal government has been systematically stripping us of our rights, all the while force feeding us lies that these actions are for the greater good. What of us? Do we not matter? [...] If we cannot have our independence playing their games, we must stop playing. A display of force is our only option. I love Bjeorg. We love Bjeorg; we will set her free!”
— James Wilson
Assassinations[edit | edit source]
Throughout late June of 1991, Aurora Novo Militum (ANM), a paramilitary organization devoted to Bjeorg independence, began carrying out clandestine terrorist attacks against Maximusian institutions and specific individuals they viewed as opponents to Bjeorgite secession. On July 8, 1991, Melissa Thornton, a federal prosecutor dispatched to investigate ANM, was killed when agents, likely affiliated with ANM (though the attack was never claimed), detonated an improvised explosive device under the runway of the Château sur les Rochers Airport, destroying a taxiing aircraft Mrs. Thornton was travelling in.
Involvement of Xiomeran Mercenaries[edit | edit source]
As a number of independent, uncoordinated Bjeorgite militia and revolutionary groups began organizing in the early summer of 1991, they found themselves wildly outgunned, even just compared to the small number of Maximusian troops stationed on military bases throughout the isle. Several of these groups vigorously sought help from nations friendly to the black market trade of weapons and ammunition in rectifying the dearth of firepower. One of the key proponents for supplying the rebel forces before the beginning of the conflict were mercenaries operating out of Xiomera. According to documents recovered by the the Zamastanian intelligence service, several cargo ships owned by Xiomeran companies knowingly smuggled heavy arms and artillery into Bjeorg in weeks leading up to open conflict, often under the cover of night. Even after the establishment of a Zamastanian naval blockade in July of 1991, many Xiomeran commercial freighters were able to run the blockade and continue outfitting Bjeorgite partisans.
Hardware smuggled by the Xiomerans into Bjeorg may have exceeded twenty tanks, dozens of armored personnel carriers, hundreds of artillery pieces and anti-aircraft guns, a hundred surface-to-air missile launchers, 16 helicopters, and around $50 million in ammunition. During the conflict, around 50 Xiomeran mercenary officers and 1500 ground soldiers were directly deployed to Bjeorg. Mercenary officers also provided substantive combat training for Bjeorg militias and locals who joined the fight, many of whom had never held a rifle before in their life.
Declaration of Independence[edit | edit source]
On July 18th, Governor Brian Smith, who had forged a tenuous alliance with ANM to lead the uprising, addressed a large crowd before the Provincial Administration Building and declared the province's secession from the Maximusian federation. His speech echoed the sentiments of Wilson, and Smith vowed to defend the province's independence at all costs, even if this meant shedding Maximusian and Bjeorgite blood. Following the speech, a Bjeorg militia group detonated explosives on both cable-stayed bridge connections to the mainland. Following the bombings, the north bridge partially collapsed, while the south bridge, located in southern Bjeorgite town of Martin, completely fell, killing at least 23. Members of ANM subsequently barricaded the Illien Tunnel, rigging it with explosives, as Brian Smith fled Jonestown to a secure bunker, constructed during the Great War, where he remained for much of the conflict.
International Response[edit | edit source]
On July 20th, two days after the declaration from Smith, Zamastanian President Cassious Castovia condemned the declaration of independence, calling the secessionists "violent in their ideology", and "flawed in their morality". He sited Zamastan's support of the Maximusian government, while also indirectly citing the First War in Vulkaria and the Prydainian Conflict in Cadair as reasons to act on the developments.
The Imperial Republic of Zamastan is a staunch and assertive supporter of democracy, freedom, and peace throughout the world. With this said, the Government of Libertas Omnium Maximus, no matter how flawed and problematic, has stood for democracy and we have no reason to stand idly aside in a desperate time that may very well have lasting implications and dangerous ramifications for the entirety of the world.
— Cassius Castovia, President of Zamastan
Zamastanian Armed Forces, under the command of Admiral Jarris Tavoka moved into Maximusian waters in the early hours of July 21, flying reconnaissance sorties from the aircraft carrier ZMS Upham to gather intelligence on insurgent movements and artillery placements. Over 10,000 surveillance photos were captured by the Zamastanians over the course of the conflict. President Paterson remained wary of Zamastanian involvement throughout the uprising, but conferenced frequently with President Castovia to coordinate the Maximusian-Zamastanian response, nonetheless. Paterson was ultimately convinced to allow Zamastanian fighters to act unilaterally while over Bjeorg airspace as the Maximusian army was temporarily mired in its own internal investigations following a wave of airmen defecting to the Bjeorg cause. This decision would prove to be a crucial oversight, and would haunt Paterson for the rest of her political career.
Even as the Zamastanians and Maximusians coordinated, several nations simultaneously noted their support for the Bjoerg rebels. Significantly, communist Lauchenoiria and the democratic Eiria both backed the insurgents. President of Lauchenoiria Augustin Méndez delivered a statement, remarking the following.
"The Federation of Lauchenoiria hereby recognizes Bjeorg as an independent state. We condemn the actions of Libertas Omnium Maximus and Zamastan in acting against this fledgling nation, and ask both nations to cease hostilities immediately and allow the people of Bjeorg to build their new nation. We are hopeful for a peaceful resolution, and call upon all parties involved to cease military operations in the area. If, however, this request is ignored, we will consider acting in support of the independence of Bjeorg."
— Augustin Mendez, President of Lauchenoiria
Beyond the simple threat of war, Chancellor Cera Balodis of Eiria brazenly ordered two ships to perform drills in international waters just off Bjeorg's coast following Castovia's declaration of intent to militarily intervene on behalf of federal forces. In a prior speech, Balodis declared Eiria's support for Bjeorg.
"...[T]he Senate has been deliberating over the growing conflict in Bjeorg, and now have come to a conclusion. The Democratic Republic of Eiria hereby recognizes The State of Bjeorg as an independent nation, and Eiria pledges their support in the conflict if it comes to war. Let this serve as a manifesto to [federal forces], that we will not tolerate oppression, and will see you on the battlefield, if it comes to that."
— Cera Balodis, Chancellor of Eiria
Early Confrontations[edit | edit source]
First Shots[edit | edit source]
The first intentional fatality of the conflict occurred on July 23, 1991, when Bjeorg insurgents deployed a surface-to-air missile system against a Zamastanian fighter-bomber. Zamastanian pilot Larr Tevis was killed after his plane was disabled by one of the missiles and crashed into the sea below, despite Smith's insistence that he never authorized firing upon the Zamastanians. The shootdown proved to be a watershed moment in the conflict, turning the Zamastanian people, who had been hesitant to commit troops to such an isolated uprising up until that point, against the Bjeorg insurgents. President Castovia gave an impassioned address to the nation and the rest of the International Democratic Union the night of Tevis' death. His speech has been hailed as one of the most human and emotionally driven addresses given his entire presidency, as he was noticeably holding back tears. Castovia's reputation as a stern, war-time president was made more poignant by his show of sincerity, though some critics still rebuke this as acting to this day. Nevertheless, the speech rallied the Zamastanian against Smith's nascent regime.
Eirian Military Mobilization[edit | edit source]
Following the death of Tevis, Chancellor Cera Balodis ordered the battleship EIS Triton to the edge of Bjeorg waters and confirmed with Governor Smith that he would accept Eirian military support. Smith, naturally, acquiesced. During the wait for confirmation, the Triton was circled at least twice by a Zamastanian jet, receiving communications to back away further into international waters.
Battle of the Strait of St. Peter[edit | edit source]
On July 25, the ZMS Lance Pelio and the ZMS Clift began pursuing the EIS Triton and an unmarked Xiomeran cargo vessel known as "Q Ship." The fleeing vessels were accompanied by six Xiomeran speed boats. This incident began the protracted campaign which saw federal and insurgent forces battling for control of the Strait of Saint Peter. The Pelio was first attacked by the smaller speed boats, and lost at least 12 sailors before destroying one of the speed boats. The ship then engaged the Triton, scoring a direct hit on the corvette's rear side. Shortly after, the Xiomeran Q Ship struck the Lance Pelio with a torpedo, damaging the engine systems on the Zamastanian frigate. The Triton then opened fire, striking the bow of the Lance Pelio and causing it to list and sink thirty minutes later. 67 sailors were killed on the Lance Pelio. The Eirian and Xiomeran ships then were flanked by the addition of two Eirian battleships, the EIS Liberty and the EIS Napoleon. They provided retreat cover to the damaged Triton, but were followed for roughly 60 miles out into open waters by the ZMS Tofiniua, the ZMS Jackson, and the ZMS Whiterock, as well as a combined fighter jet and bomber squadron. The retreating fleet took heavy fire during the retreat, with all ships receiving at least minimal damage. The EIS Napoleon was hit by frigate fire, resulting in an explosion that destroyed their movement, and a cluster of bombs dropped by the plane squadron resulted in the ship's quick capsizing and sinking. 153 total Eirian sailors were killed during the course of the battle.
North's Last Stand[edit | edit source]
Sinking of the ZMS Grissh[edit | edit source]
Power Struggle Among the Revolutionaries[edit | edit source]
Ground Incursion[edit | edit source]
Battle of Saybrook[edit | edit source]
At 4:00 in the afternoon on July 30th, Zamastanian forces began landing in the southern Bjeorg fishing villages of Old Saybrook and Glouchester, referred to by the Zamastanian command as Point Alpha and Point Beta respectively. The attack began with four bombers striking separatist turret emplacements. Unknown to command, however, Xiomeran mercenaries were in the proximity of the landing zone and had finished unloading and distributing weaponry to the militia in the fishing towns. Among the weapons were the XM-4, which was the most advanced portable SAM that Xiomera had available. They made their debut during the landings, when three of the four bombers were shot down on approach, killing two of the pilots and causing another to eject.
The landing at Old Saybrook were met with unexpected firepower from the separatist resistance. Two Zamastanian soldiers were killed as they disembarked from the landing craft, and another two were killed as the soldiers began moving through the village. It was in this village that Commander Austin Wilson and many of his men committed a war crime when they fired upon groups of captured insurgents and villagers that they had gathered in a clearing next to the landing zone. Approximately 27 people were killed in the Massacre of Old Saybrook, but the event was never confirmed until 2019 when a soldier who was present at the battle, Nicholas Henners, exposed the killings after years of silence. Secretary of Defense Curtis Fondaden was questioned by a Congressional subpoena session.
At Point Beta (Glouchester), which was six miles north of Old Saybrook, Zamastanian troops met heavier ground resistance than anticipated. The bombers launched in this area of battle managed to evade enemy missiles and destroy all heavy turret installations, allowing for smooth landings from the craft. Once the ground forces entered the village, however, they were met with sporadic ambushes from houses and hidden fox holes. By the time reinforcements from additional landing craft arrived, 21 soldiers had been killed.
The two landings are classified as into and overarching, individual battle, due to their proximity and the fact that soldiers from each landing area helped coordinate and reinforce their counterparts in the other. The battle cemented the presence of Zamastanian soldiers and their supply line on the Bjeorg province for the remainder of the conflict.