9/21/21 0400hrs
Lambey, 45km West of Frankish-Bourdignie border
"Operation Le Coq is a go" said General Charles Francois Luckner. The 1st Mechanized Division would reach the border around dawn under strict instructions- seize key bridges, airfields, and towns and only fire if fired upon. 11,000 men would be rushing 20 kilometers into Bourdignie. It was the start of a carefully laid plan to finally annex part of the historically Frankish region. Indeed, it would ruffle feathers. But the ongoing public war games and Imperial Congress seemed to illicit little attention. Not to mention the Emperor's veiled speech. No alarm bells had sounded. It was neither a question of raw imperialism or the need to take land. Rather, it was a question of right. The Empire had been shut out of the region's discussions- the ties ignored. It was not an easy decision. Indeed, it was hoped that war would not come. After all, Bourdignie would receive autonomy at the same time they received the full benefits of the Empire. They'd even keep their army. Additionally, the Empire had no desire for all of Bourdignie. So why should war come? So that these guttersnipes can treat Frankish people like a maid servant who has grown so weary that they no longer resist the foul deprivations of men? Where was the parity? Why had the Empire been so insulted and not consulted? It was a debt that further built upon itself. At the end of the day, it was still about the Frankish people. Successor states be damned.
Luckner drove to the head of the column, hanging off the side like a firefighter of old. "Was the fickle finger of winter already reaching out into September" he wondered as he felt the cool wind hit his face. 3 columns would cross the border simultaneously. A white flag would proceed them at each border crossing. If fired upon, the Imperial forces would respond. Once the key positions were secure, some 45,000 more men would follow from the 28th, 1st Guards, and 3rd Armor Divisions. A no-fly zone would be enforced. And, God willing, Luckner thought; "This will be over in days". There was no real second option. The engines roared to life as the general drove by APCs, trucks, IFVs, a few tanks, SPAAA trucks, logistics cars, artillery wagons, and even motorcycle infantry; receiving and returning salutes all the way. About half-way he passed a band playing l'Oignan. It was a horrendous and shimmeringly beautiful sight. If it was to be war, it would be a sad thing. All these young boys and girls, staring back at him. "Tomorrow, you will not be you if this goes wrong" he said to himself as his staff APC drove to the very head of the center column. Eiffelland might respond within hours. As for the others? The Frankish cost would be high if Bourdignie's forces concentrated on a hearty defense. But, only because Luckner was committed to not firing first. The lead elements of the column were not even wearing helmets. It was going to be a long day of questions and answers. War would be devastating for all involved. Especially those safeguarding the puppetry in Bourdignie. If they needed to, they would feel the full force of Le Coq.
Lambey, 45km West of Frankish-Bourdignie border
"Operation Le Coq is a go" said General Charles Francois Luckner. The 1st Mechanized Division would reach the border around dawn under strict instructions- seize key bridges, airfields, and towns and only fire if fired upon. 11,000 men would be rushing 20 kilometers into Bourdignie. It was the start of a carefully laid plan to finally annex part of the historically Frankish region. Indeed, it would ruffle feathers. But the ongoing public war games and Imperial Congress seemed to illicit little attention. Not to mention the Emperor's veiled speech. No alarm bells had sounded. It was neither a question of raw imperialism or the need to take land. Rather, it was a question of right. The Empire had been shut out of the region's discussions- the ties ignored. It was not an easy decision. Indeed, it was hoped that war would not come. After all, Bourdignie would receive autonomy at the same time they received the full benefits of the Empire. They'd even keep their army. Additionally, the Empire had no desire for all of Bourdignie. So why should war come? So that these guttersnipes can treat Frankish people like a maid servant who has grown so weary that they no longer resist the foul deprivations of men? Where was the parity? Why had the Empire been so insulted and not consulted? It was a debt that further built upon itself. At the end of the day, it was still about the Frankish people. Successor states be damned.
Luckner drove to the head of the column, hanging off the side like a firefighter of old. "Was the fickle finger of winter already reaching out into September" he wondered as he felt the cool wind hit his face. 3 columns would cross the border simultaneously. A white flag would proceed them at each border crossing. If fired upon, the Imperial forces would respond. Once the key positions were secure, some 45,000 more men would follow from the 28th, 1st Guards, and 3rd Armor Divisions. A no-fly zone would be enforced. And, God willing, Luckner thought; "This will be over in days". There was no real second option. The engines roared to life as the general drove by APCs, trucks, IFVs, a few tanks, SPAAA trucks, logistics cars, artillery wagons, and even motorcycle infantry; receiving and returning salutes all the way. About half-way he passed a band playing l'Oignan. It was a horrendous and shimmeringly beautiful sight. If it was to be war, it would be a sad thing. All these young boys and girls, staring back at him. "Tomorrow, you will not be you if this goes wrong" he said to himself as his staff APC drove to the very head of the center column. Eiffelland might respond within hours. As for the others? The Frankish cost would be high if Bourdignie's forces concentrated on a hearty defense. But, only because Luckner was committed to not firing first. The lead elements of the column were not even wearing helmets. It was going to be a long day of questions and answers. War would be devastating for all involved. Especially those safeguarding the puppetry in Bourdignie. If they needed to, they would feel the full force of Le Coq.