Peace Through Infamy [Solaren Theatre]

[Coronado]

Conferrence Room
Presidential Palace
Toledo, Coronado

President Juarez's reaction to Engellex's attack on Montelimar was not quite what his advisors who were gathered in the room had predicted. Instead of being concerned, he was almost happy about the turn of events. When asked the reason why, Juarez replies with a big smile.

"Engellex has just done what we have only dreamed about, and in such a manner and timing that it is almost like they were fulfilling our wish list and given us the opportunity to expand socialism further into Gallia. Though the attack by Solaren was expected and the EDF was ready for it, this attack on Montelimar was not and will not only force the alliance to fight on two fronts but also exert a great deal more effort to stabilize the situation, and all the while Coronado and the RDTO will be free to do as it pleases in Solaren. Ironically, though both Engellex and the EDF would not want to expand their war on Coronado, the EDF will likely thank us for helping to bring down Urban and his lackies. In the end, both the EDF and Engellex will be weakened and we will be sitting pretty as we will make gains without exerting the proportional effort. I am almost tempted to send Queen Charlotte a thank you card."

Looking directly at Defence Minister Carlos Mendez.

"Compañero Mendez, I order the armed forces on full alert, not just those of the eastern district, I want all districts, including the reserves. I want air defence systems at full alert as well as ground forces, especially those along the borders, with naval forces to locate and target Solaren vessels wherever they is found, but engage only upon the receiving of the go code. We have not changed our plans in respect to Urban, just expanded the scope, but when we act, I do not want to find we too are under attack without being able to respond."

"Compañeros, you have your orders. Make it so."

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Long Sea

Men and women aboard the Samobor were geared up and ready for their missions, as night fell over the Long Sea. Destroyers and Fregates of the Revolutionary Navy moved into position along the south and south-west of Capraria, within missile strike range of the island. "Magpie" multirole fighters had been sent from the Carentanian mainland, exchanging some of their payload for extended range, approaching Solaren in low altitude and operating in pairs of spotter and hitter, aiming to eliminate Caprarias air defenses within a few hours at the very longest. Their approach would be covered by aforementioned ships, that began to jam radar frequencies used by Solaren once the fighters came close to the island. Additionally, cruise missiles would be fired at fixed targets identified through the use of reconaissance drones in the recent days. In total, two dozen ships were part of this front, and almost 200 fighters, organized in two divisions, were ready, though they would not be sent all at once, but rather fly assaults throughout the whole night and day, planes constantly starting and returning at mainland Carentania.

The initial strike was to be a crippling one to the air defense of Capraria, so that the airborne landing operations could go about unhindered. About 4000 men, the entire first paratrooper brigade of the first airborne would be dropped onto Capraria, operating in a wide area of the south-west of the island, organizing ambushes and raids to break the supply lines of the enemy, confuse him and to blur the frontline to the point that enemy commanders would be unable to tell, which parts of the island were held by Carentania and which still by Solaren. It was a strategy, or rather more of a gamble by Rijeka to avoid the use of chemical weapons against their forces. Urbans generals, so they hoped, would not risk eliminating valuable troops of their own through hasty and unplanned use of chemical agents.

Another brigade, the first Marine Infantry brigade, would bepart from the "Samobor" through the use of amphibious landing crafts and helicopters, Panetelleria, biggest port city on the otherwise scarcely populated island, would be taken in a quick pincer movement, supported by naval and aerial support fire. Speed and surprise were the biggest strategic advantages Carentania could muster for this operation. Once Panetelleria was theirs, the whole island was won, whether it would take a day or a month would make no difference then. Through the port, Carentania could then bring down the whole weight of its larger population and industry, and the power of its more resourceful economy as well. The first few hours of the operation were decisive.

For Carentania, much was at stake. A socialist Solaren would drastically change the power balance in the region towards Carentanias favor, while both an EDF-puppet as well as a continued and through a succesful defensive war internally stabilized theocratic regime would endanger it. Neither Urban nor the EDF could be allowed at the shores of the Long Sea if Rijeka wanted to ensure the security of its trade routes. But there was much more to gain than just security. Solaren was a prestigious goal and reshaping the country into a beacon of freedom would hopefully have a lasting positive effect on all of Europe. As well as a quick victory through the efficient use of initiative, mobility and firepower would hopefully impress Europe and reinforce the image that Carentanias Revolutionary Army was a force to be reckoned with. Especially if the EDF fared so much worse in comparision, having not gained a single square meter in all the days the conflict had been lasting yet.

Carentania was hoping to repeat its succes in the Jurzan. But whether it could do so without a popular insurgency sympathetic to the Council Republic, within the target of its expansionism, remained yet to be seen. For all that mattered, however, Carentania had, as of the 14th of August 2011, declared war on Solaren.

 

[Coronado]

14 Agosto 2011


For the past several of months, the world watched as the situation between the Solaren theocracy and the EDF worsened until the inevitable happened...war. All this timethough the government, the intelligence services and the armed forces of the Socialist Republic studied and planned

00:00 hrs

From the President of the Republic in accord with the Council of Ministers and the National Assemby:

To insure the stability of Greater Gallia and to contribute to world peace, the Socialist Republic of Coronado hereby declares War on the Theocratic Kingdom of Solaren. The men and officers of the Army, Navy and Air Force of Coronado shall do their utmost in prosecuting the aims of the Republic with our public servants of various departments shall perform faithfully and diligently their respective duties; the entire nation with a united will shall mobilize their total strength so that nothing will prevent of the attainment of our aims and to bring freedom to the people of Solaren and rid the world of the tyrrany of the Urban regime.

As the Foreign Ministry transmitted the declaration, the code word was broadcast to air bases in Eastern Coronado and within minutes the first attack and fighter aircraft of what will be an air armada of nearly three hundred planes and one hundred helicopters began taking off, their objectives; radar, air defences, communication and infrastructure of western and southern Solaren as well as any aircraft sent up to engage them. Though the strikes are designed to destroy Solaren defences in the west it is also meant to reduce the ability of the Solaren air forces to oppose the Carentanian landings on Capraria.

 

[Rheinbund]

Verteidigungsministerium
Trier, Eiffelland

“Gott-ver-damm-te-Scheisse,” Minister for Defence Daniel Wolzow roared when he realised what was unfolding in front of him. Carentania was taking Capraria, and Coronado was probably preparing to attack the mainland. Securing your access to the Long Sea was one thing, but now they would be able to block it off. Another curse followed, another one, a complete cascade of curses followed, each curse topping the previous one with regards to references to excrements, saints and divine entities. Then Wolzow slammed his fist on the table, contusing all the bones in his hand. Then he took the telephone to call the Chancellor.

“How is the submarine chase going?” Chancellor Matthias Graf von Seydewitz asked in the meeting with all Ministers.
“There are still some Solaris submarines,” Wolzow said.
“You talk about mobilising 60,000 men to take the southeastern tip of the Solaris mainland. Will that be enough? And how much will be needed in Montelimar to fight off Engellex?”
“I don’t know the latter yet. Let’s presume 50,000 men. 60,000 men are enough to take the Southeastern tip of Solaren.”
“Solaren will have to deal with two extra enemies. Would it be possible to get that tip with, say, 40,000 men?”
“I would not take the risk. I realise that Montelimar is a problem as well. We will also need to reserve troops and planes for that. But it is crucial to get that southeastern tip, because then the RDTO cannot block off the Long Sea.”
The Chancellor needed to think for some moments.
“For now, mobilise 100,000 people. And discuss with the EDF how many troops will be needed in Montelimar.”

All ministers agreed.

Soon after Wolzow gave the orders, the mobilising began. Amphibious assault ships were prepared. Airborne divisions were prepared. Infantry units were prepared as well.

Up to now, the planes on the aircraft carrier FT-1 had mainly patrolled the skies above the sea, but now they started to carry out missions further towards Solaren, with Solaris military vessels in the harbours and on the sea as targets. Tanker planes took off to take position between Eiffelland and Solaren. Typhoons were flown in on the FT-1 to replace some Tornados. The Typhoons would attack the radar installations along the coast of Solaren, and after then help in achieving air superiority above Southern Solaren.

 

[Kadikistani Union]

Confidential Governmental Communique
FROM: People's Commissariat for External Affairs
TO: Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (Coronado), Commissariate for Foreign Affairs (Carentania)

Comrades from across the Great Sea,

This highly confidential governmental Communique has been send regarding the recent campaign against the Theocratic Kingdom of Solaren. This campaign against oppression and religious terrorism in which brave soldiers from both Carentania and Coronado have engaged themselves has not gone by unnoticed. Rest assure that you have total moral support from the Democratic Republic of Kadikistan in these endeavours. However we are resolved to offer you more then just our vocal capabilities, more frankly we are offering military support.

While we realise that our nations have shared many differences in the past we are truly convinced of the noble causes of this war. It is with all our red heart that we wish to share the load with our comrades in arms. There is no doubt in our minds that the Socialist coalition could do this without the help of Kadikistan, but surely you agree that considering the recent events in global politics it would be most wise not to let vanity cloud any judgement.

Our proposition is the following. We are willing to send you the Kadikistani Expeditionary Force, a mechanized infantry division counting no less then 20,000 men and women. Further details will be given when both the Workers' Republic and the Socialist Republic give us the green light, you understand our discretion. More practically these troops have been mobilized and could leave in no more then two days which means that they could arrive at the front in a little over a week. The Expeditionary Force will act according to the current strategy employed by the socialist coalition. As veterans they are perfectly equipped to pacify liberated ground, but can also be used in offensive actions or support them. In the event that any prolonged occupation would take place our nation is willing to commit and even send in more military forces upon the joint approval of the socialist coalition.

As compensations for the highly expensive war efforts we would ask nothing except the debatable possibility of sovereign base territory. Other then that the honour of fighting in the socialist coalition and bringing down Pope Urban will suffice.

Signed,
_X_
Colonel Dimitri Leninov
Commissar of External Affairs
_X_
General Pjotr Krashinsky
Commissar of Defence and War

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Long Sea, 45 Nautical Miles East of Nicosia

Lt. Argo was the newest of the officers and thus received the dubious honor of the late watch from 0015-0415. Having just graduated from the military academy, Argo was delighted to be on a corvette. The academy was a world away as his head bounced off of the gray bulkhead on the bridge. The screens and lights flickered several times before becoming stable. Argo struggled to bring himself off of the deck. Minutes before the Captain and other officers arrived at their battle stations and already the two vessels had traded fire several times. "Bulkheads 15-19 have failed" said one of the men on the bridge. Argo shook his head in another attempt to find himself. Argo staggered to the communications station. Bent over at the station was the Captain, bleeding from the forehead.

"Right then. Send this: 'Engaged enemy vessel. Are sinking. Unknown damage to enemy vessel' and give our coordinates. Send out a mayday" said the Captain before turning to his executive officer. "Abandon ship" said the Captain. The entire bridge went silent for a moment before all at once a flurry of activity took hold. "The nearest vessel other than the Solaris ship is 30 miles away. Could be another Solaris ship, Carentanian, or neutral" was the last thing Argo heard before finding himself outside. The ship was listing about 15 degrees as men scrambled into life boats or into the water. Argo found himself in the Long Sea, dragging himself into an inflatable raft with 3 or 4 others. Argo's eyes slowly closed as the waters of the long see lapped against the raft.

Argo awoke to the yells of countrymen and the sounds of slow motor craft. His life preserver's strobe beacon was going off and apparently had been since he had come into contact with the water. He glanced around as the other men in the raft peered towards the small searchlights. He wondered how long it had been since he passed out. Argo tried to tell himself to remain calm and wondered if they were rescuers or future captors. Then he heard it. The bark of rapid small arms fire and the screams of his shipmates. Some in his raft jumped into the water but Argo knew, there was to be no escape. He tightened the straps on his life preserver and waited as the lights moved closer to him.

 

[Lorraine]

Headquarters
Southern Air Command

If Air Marshal René Lefebvre could, he would personally wring the neck of the Coronadan air commander with the launching of attacks in western Solaren has caused Lefebvre to have to modify his own planned, all-out air assault on Solaren. From bases in southern and central Lorraine, over three hundred strike aircraft had been selected for the initial phase of this operation with another hundred fighters providing topcover, but now because of the Coronadans, many of the primary and even secondary targets in the west have had to be changed. Though it means that targets in central and eastern Solaren that had been scheduled for attack on later sorties would be attacked sooner, it also meant rescheduling launch times and routes taken, a fact that has left Air Marshal Lefebvre a bit peeved. But with AWACs already in the skies plotting positions of both friendlies and enemy aircraft, and receiving favorable reports from other coalition commands, Air Marshal Lefebvre ordered operations to commence.

Skies Over Northern Solaren

The attacks would be led in by ECM Jaguars and Tornados from the 85th Electronic Warfare Wing followed closely behind by the suppression aircraft of the 16th, 24th in the center and the 25th and 30th squadrons in the east, using anti-radiation missiles to take out any search or targeting radar that took the chance. Once the radar and SAMs are under attack, fighter-bombers of the 3rd, 6th and 9th fighter groups, with an array of weapons, would attack military targets that have been identified as still viable. All the while, Rafaels and Mirages armed with with air-to-air weapons, fly above waiting for the Solaren air force to show itself.

As the planes begin the assault, army attack helicopters will begin to assault Solaren positions across the border, using laser guided missiles, rockets and chaingun fire a kind of airborne reconnaissance-in-force is conducted, destroying what can be destroyed and pinpointing other target for ground attack aircraft to follow up.

The operation is scheduled to to be continuous for 24 hours, with the first plane to cross into Solaren thirty minutes after the order is given. The assault will be straight forward, divided into two operations zones, Central and Eastern, with planes that had been selected for the Western following in on the Central zone. The attacks will be in continuous as planes will return to base to refuel and reload to go out again. And though scheduled for 24 hours, there contigincies to extended if need.

 

[Coronado]

19 Agosto 2011
Defence Ministry
Toledo

Though the attack the previous night by Platte on the Lorrainian enclave of Auvergne did not stop air operations against Solaren, it did cause a ruckus in the northern sectors and caused some of the planes that were bound for Solaren to be diverted. Though treachery is something that can be expect from the likes of the Platte, such a blatant kind was even a surprise to the Defence Minister, Carlos Mendez. The Platte used the good will, not only of Lorraine, but worse, that of Coronado, to attack Auvergne. To use the pretect of escorting its own neutral shipping to launch an attack, well, so far of the three allies, Torrance, Dulwich and Imperial, surprisingly it had been Torrance that had acted the most nobly in this war. Urban may be a bloodthirsty tyrant, and though he does think he is right, at least he never tried to pretend he something other what he is. As briefing of the intel gathered by AWACs and other electronic reconnaisance aircraft as well as ground stations. Mendez swings his chair around to look at the Chiefs of Staff.

"Compañeros, what happened last night in Auvergne is unfortunate. Though our and the Lorrainians ideologies are not compatible, they still have over the years been honorable foes. That of course could have been different if Solaren had not been there. The old saying about an enemy of our enemy is in this case was correct, but now while we are on the threshold of ridding the world of that enemy, the Platte has stepped in to try and stop the inevitable. Engellex attacking Montelimar did not change the outcome in Solaren, the attack by the Platte in support of Solaren just might and we can't afford to be the next target."

"Compañeros, operation plans in Solaren will not change, but contingency plans for Platte will be instituted. The borders will continue to be reinforced now including the Auvergne border. AEW and air patrols along the intire border will be intensified as well as sae approaches with additional fighter squadrons moved for support. And from now on, if a Platte plane is anywhere near Coronado airspace, I want it targeted. Let the Foreign Minister deal with the complaints filed."

"Remember, neither Platte nor Lorraine are our friends, but Platte is now a potential enemy and shall be treated as such. Your commands, from you on down to the lowest rating, must be made to understand this, Coronado cannot afford to let it guard down, especially now."

 

[Rheinbund]

Kanzleramt
Trier, Eiffelland

“What do the recent attacks on Montelimar and Lorraine have in common?” Chancellor Von Seydewitz asked.
“Both are fighting against Solaren,” Defence minister Wolzow said.
“I don’t know why, but I expect an attack on Eiffelland as well. And then not on the coast by Solaris missiles. Make sure that we are not surprised if that happens. Patrol the skies above Eiffelland but make sure that you don’t violate other countries’ air spaces. The seas to the South and the West of Eiffelland are already intensively patrolled and checked. Do the same with the Ems and the seas to the Southeast of Emsland. Make sure that the Air Force can react immediately if we are attacked. Make sure that the ground forces can stop an attack over land as soon as that attack starts. But mobilise the ground forces in such a way that we don’t frighten up anybody. The Polascianans will only continue to be good neighbours if we do the same,” the Chancellor said.


Lübeck, Eiffelland

Lübeck was an important commercial seaport for not only Eiffelland but also the Germanic League. It had been intensively guarded from the air and the sea from the mobilisation of Solaren onwards, and it still was. Not only because of its commercial importance, but also because of its military function. It was also one of Eiffelland’s naval bases. And it would be one of the three naval bases where Eiffelland’s landing force for Southeastern Solaren would start.
Two amphibious assault ships and two amphibious transport docks were made ready and filled with marines and equipment (450 people and 53 vehicles, among which 13 tanks). Furthermore, Eiffelland’s second aircraft carrier FT-2 was prepared for duty in the seas southeast of Eiffelland and south of Danzig, together with an air defence destroyer, an anti-aircraft destroyer, an anti-submarine destroyer, 3 multirole destroyers, several provision ships and a submarine.
Four stealth frigates were also prepared for hit-and-run actions along the Solaris coast.


Bad Hersfeld, Eiffelland

This town was a 300,000 inhabitants beach town along the west coast of Eiffelland. The high season was coming to its end. Throughout Europe, summer holidays were ending.
Bad Hersfeld also had a naval seaport. Also here two amphibious assault ships and two amphibious transport docks were made ready and filled with marines and equipment (450 people and 53 vehicles, among which 13 tanks). Furthermore, Eiffelland’s third aircraft carrier FT-3 was prepared for duty in the seas between Venetia and Solaren, together with an air defence destroyer, an anti-aircraft destroyer, an anti-submarine destroyer, 3 multirole destroyers, several provision ships and a submarine. Also here four stealth frigates were prepared for hit-and-run actions.


Bremen, Eiffelland

Lübeck was Eiffelland’s most important seaport, but Bremen was important for trade around the Bay of Venetia and the Gulf of Lorraine. Bremen was also a naval base. Here one amphibious assault ship and one amphibious transport dock was prepared and filled with equipment. Unlike the other ships, the ships in Bremen would be loaded with 40 tanks each.


Several airforce bases in Eiffelland

The attack on Southeastern Solaren would not only be carried out over sea, but also over land. As soon as air superiority was gained over Southeastern Solaren, airborne divisions would be dropped there. Their main aims were making the situation as confusing as possible for the Solaris army, and securing a seaport and a landing strip. While the airborne divisions carried out their orders, the amphibious ships would start their attacks and help the airborne divisions with securing a seaport and a landing strip.


Airforce bases in Lorraine

Prince Johann had slept with many girls in his life. But he had never made a girl pregnant. He also knew why. He had a very rare chromosomal disorder, allowing him to function normally except one thing. He had an enormous libido but was infertile. About a year ago, Beaurégard, a notorious journalist of the Eiffellandian yellow press and in that function the terror of Eiffelland’s society, discovered that before he himself knew. Out of revenge, one of the women he had seduced had her abortion material analysed and found out about the chromosomal disorder.
His father had plans to have one of his sons start a cadet branch for the Eiffellandian throne. Traditionally, that would become Prince Johann’s task, but now that he was infertile, it had become Wolfgang’s task. On the one hand a humiliation, on the other hand, Johann was glad with it. He had always been the enfant terrible, and now his role in the monarchy would diminish, so that he could live his own life. He gladly left the life in the spotlights to the others. His passions were flying, taekwon-do, fast cars and girls.

When Prince Johann returned from a mission above Solaren, he met the Montelimarian pilot Valérie Hainault. He immediately invited her for a drink in the base bar.
“Have you already got new orders, Valérie?” he asked when they were sitting at a table in a corner.
“No, not yet,” Valérie answered. “And I haven’t heard anything yet, either.”
“Then we should enjoy what may be our last moments together,” the Prince said.
“What do you mean?” Valérie asked.
“It is war here. And maybe soon you will be called back to Montelimar to fight another war there,” the Prince said. “Something unexpected may happen. Maybe we won’t see each other again.”
“You becoming sentimental? I never thought that that could happen,” Valérie said.
“Well, never a dull moment with me. I am a diamond with many facets. You will always see something new,” the Prince grinned.
“But what do you suggest that we could do?” Valérie asked.
“Your place or mine?” the Prince asked back.
“Oh, you men are all the same,” Valérie smirked. “Your place. Your bed is more solid.”

While Prince Johann and Valérie Hainaut went to Prince Johann’s room, the sorties went on. Eiffellandian planes tried to gain air superiority above Northern Solaren, and bombed many targets there, mainly the support troops that were sent North.

 

[Montelimar]

An Airbase in South-Central Lorraine

06:00 hrs
In the airbase headquarters building, the commander of Montelimar's air forces in Lorraine watches from the window as the first of the nearly one hundred aircraft under his command take-off and head north and to the defence of their homeland. Though they had engaged Solaren forces in the skies, they will now be going to meet those of Engellex. Gen. Delancy keeps watching as flight after flight takes off and leaves his headquarters only when he is notified his own plane is ready. Général de division aérienne Charles Delancy, came to help them Lorrainians defend against a butcher, little did he know that he would soon be defending his own home against another butcher. Though this new butcher my still wear a dress, it is with lace and does not need a mask, but no matter how pleasing she is to the eye of an Aren prince, she is a butcher all the same.

 

[Coronado]

Confidential Governmental Communique
FROM: People's Commissariat for External Affairs
TO: Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (Coronado), Commissariate for Foreign Affairs (Carentania)

Comrades from across the Great Sea,

This highly confidential governmental Communique has been send regarding the recent campaign against the Theocratic Kingdom of Solaren. This campaign against oppression and religious terrorism in which brave soldiers from both Carentania and Coronado have engaged themselves has not gone by unnoticed. Rest assure that you have total moral support from the Democratic Republic of Kadikistan in these endeavours. However we are resolved to offer you more then just our vocal capabilities, more frankly we are offering military support.

While we realise that our nations have shared many differences in the past we are truly convinced of the noble causes of this war. It is with all our red heart that we wish to share the load with our comrades in arms. There is no doubt in our minds that the Socialist coalition could do this without the help of Kadikistan, but surely you agree that considering the recent events in global politics it would be most wise not to let vanity cloud any judgement.

Our proposition is the following. We are willing to send you the Kadikistani Expeditionary Force, a mechanized infantry division counting no less then 20,000 men and women. Further details will be given when both the Workers' Republic and the Socialist Republic give us the green light, you understand our discretion. More practically these troops have been mobilized and could leave in no more then two days which means that they could arrive at the front in a little over a week. The Expeditionary Force will act according to the current strategy employed by the socialist coalition. As veterans they are perfectly equipped to pacify liberated ground, but can also be used in offensive actions or support them. In the event that any prolonged occupation would take place our nation is willing to commit and even send in more military forces upon the joint approval of the socialist coalition.

As compensations for the highly expensive war efforts we would ask nothing except the debatable possibility of sovereign base territory. Other then that the honour of fighting in the socialist coalition and bringing down Pope Urban will suffice.

Signed,
_X_
Colonel Dimitri Leninov
Commissar of External Affairs
_X_
General Pjotr Krashinsky
Commissar of Defence and War

Confidential Governmental Communique
FROM: Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (Ministry of External Affairs)
TO: People's Commissariat for External Affairs​

Compañeros,​

On behalf of Socialist Republic of Coronado and Presidente Fernando Calderón Juarez, we welcome our compañeros from across the Gran Mar to participate in the liberation of Solaren. Facilities to receive and to billet the Kadikistani Expeditionary Force will be arranged with the Minister of Defence. We will be expecting a liaison officer to arrive in Toledo soon.​

Signed,
Carlos Mendez
Ministro de Asuntos Exteriores
República Socialista de Coronado​

​

​

 

[Free Provinces]

Papal Retreat,
La Spina Mountains
Sacred Kingdom of Solaren

A sharp wind had scattered the pieces of the chess game across the board. Once proud knights now lay next to mere pawns and fallen bishops, with levelled towers and humbled queens in the distance. Only the white King remained standing, defying the fearsome forces around him that had laid waste to the battlefield.

Pope Urban IV had been confined to this small villa for days now, isolated in the serenity of the mountains while the fires of war raged all around him. The Grand Inquisitor and his commanders had warned him it was too dangerous to return to Torrence. Tiburan spies had penetrated the vast walls that surrounded the capital, they said. Poison had been found in the water system of the city. Blasphemous literature was in greater circulation than ever before.

From the frontlines to the North, far worse news came. Overwhelming numbers of enemy aircraft had decimated the air defences. RADAR stations, anti-aircraft installations, air bases, all destroyed in the onslaught. True Christian warriors now waited nervously, their fate uncertain as they were left cruelly exposed to the enemy warplanes that had overrun the heavens.

“Your Incredible Holiness,” The Grand Inquisitor entered the room quietly, giving the Pope a respectful slight nod as he approached. He slowly picked up the chess pieces while Urban watched, and placed them on their correct squares, before moving back. He knew better than to play his own master.

“This madness must end Jamal, it must end now.”

Long Sea

After the declaration of war, foreign leaders and merchants from across the globe wrote to Pope Urban IV and pleaded he keep the Long Sea open and free of fighting. A noble and wise man, who understood the worth of an innocent’s life, and the importance of commerce, he restrained his dogs of war, holding them with a tight leash. Their jaws may have snapped, they may have barked, but they did not bite. But today, they would get their first taste of flesh and blood.

The enemy had already enjoyed their share. Their sleek, new submarines that stalked their prey silently had already claimed a few Solaris vessels. It was time for revenge.

Orders were relayed to submarine commanders to begin the targeting and attacking of any ship, civilian or military, linked in any way to the European Defence Federation. The world may have remained silent about the unjust, unprovoked aggression towards Solaren, but it would not remain quiet as millions was lost to the bloodied waters of the Long Sea.

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Rijeka, Carentania

"Those reports point to only one conclusion: Eiffelland is preparing an attack of its own, probably amphibious in nature. It doesn't take a genius to figure out they are worried about the possibility of Carentanian control of the Long Sea, since it's obvious this is what our war effort is aimed at."

Commissar Dracar listened paitently to the report of the officer. He had considered this possibility a while back and the remaining Commissars were of the same opinion as him on what had to be done. This allowed the Workers' Republic to act quickly.

"I want the Revolutionary Navy to enact a blockade of Torrence, to mine the eastern coast of Solaren all the way down to the strait at Capraria. We will inform the world of this measure and warn any maritime traffic in the area of the danger of the mined zone. Order a few Corvettes and Fregates from patrol duty to this mission and have them joined by additional ships once Capraria has a secure beachhead."

The officer looked at Matija Dracar with an empty look on his face, confused as to what to reply. "With all due respect," he noted, "but we won't be able to effectively mine an area that size with so few ships. The chance any Solaren ships hit a mine will be very small if we attempt such a mission."

A knowing smile appeared on Commissar Dracars face. "Focus on the south-eastern coastline of Solaren. This mission is not so much about the Arch-reactionary regime, it is about Eiffelland. They can't know how much mines exactly there are floating around and having one of their ships sunk by a mine after their command ordered them into a minefield they had been warned about will do wonders to public opinion in Eiffelland. This may buy us just enough time to secure Capraria and jump across the strait onto mainland Solaren. And that's all we need to reach our goals in this war."

 

[Rheinbund]

Long sea

The Hermes VI was a container ship sailing under Eiffellandian flag. Currently it carried a lot of containers with many types of loads. It was a brand new ship that made its maiden trip. Captain Stadtlober enjoyed standing on the bridge of a new ship. Everything felt more ... How would he say it? Solid. And everything was still clean and new. Furthermore, the ship had some new advanced features. The engines were of a new, more economic and less polluting, type. Stadtlober had seen a lot in his career. He also saw a lot changing in his work. When he compared the bridge of this ship with the bridges of older ships, he realised how much had changed.
The sea was calm and the sky was intensely blue. It was a hot day again. On the Great Sea, however, the weather would be less good. There was a depression between Aresura and the unoccupied territory north of Dagomba, causing stormy winds and rain. It looked like autumn there, although it wasn’t really bad weather. Stadtlober once had to sail a ship like this one through a hurricane class II, but that was 20 years ago, when he was a chief mate and the captain had suffered from a heart attack while they were sailing on the Implarian Ocean.
Captain Stadtlober looked at the radar screen. Nothing important. He saw a lot of merchant vessels, but that was it. He also looked at the sonar screen. The bottom was far away, but that was not what he was looking at. He saw that there was one dot more on the sonar than on the radar. The dots indicated a vessel. That extra dot on the sonar was a submarine. Suddenly a much smaller dot came out of the dot indicating the submarine. What was happening? The dot came after his ship. When Stadtlober saw the small dot entering the middle circle of the sonar, he felt the whole ship shaking.
Stadtlober ordered all his men to the rescue boats. He would be the last person to leave the ship. But he never left it. The ship sank in 15 minutes.


Navy headquarters
Trier, Eiffelland

“The Carentanians would guard that piece of the Long Sea, wouldn’t they?” one of the admirals aked.
“They would,” another admiral said.
“Then they don’t do it well enough. Ask Kögler to put their ambassador over his knee.”
“But that doesn’t solve our current problem. Our ships are in the Bay of Venetia and seas east of Capraria. Before we have enough ships there, it will be nearly September.”
“But we have to do it. Send ships over there. Especially the stealth ones.”


Bad Hersfeld, Eiffelland

The FT-3 and the fleat around it left the harbour. Destination: Bay of Venetia. The planes on the aircraft carrier would carry out attacks on Southeast Solaren, to knock out the air defence systems there, so that an airborne attack on Southeast Solaren could take place.


Ministry for Defence
Trier, Eiffelland

The highest armed forces commands were not yet aware of what the Carentanians were up to.

 

[Rheinbund]

Ministry for Defence
Trier, Eiffelland

“The Carentanians are mining the coast of Southeast Solaren,” Minister for Defence Wolzow said. “Only the coast of Southeast Solaren. Why only there and not the remainder?”
“Mining off the whole east coast is not doable,” Großadmiral Fischer said. “With a bit of luck, the Solaris will not be able to do any more harm to the Long Sea after this. But it will make our plans for an amphibious attack difficult, if not impossible.”
“What about mine sweepers? We make us a little corridor through the mine field, et voilà,” Großadmiral Rötschke said.
“Good idea, Großadmiral,” Minister Wolzow said. “Meanwhile, what are we going to do with Solaren’s renewed naval activity?”
“Apparently they have some submarines left. Let’s see that we sink them. But we have to look for submarines in the Long Sea as well. I’m afraid the Carentanians aren’t looking out very well,” Großadmiral Rötschke said.
“Do so,” Minister Wolzow said. “Meanwhile, attack the Solaris navy harbours by air. Do so from the two aircraft carriers in the Venetian Bay. How are the attacks on the air defence systems in Southeastern Solaren going?”
“They are going well, but we haven’t destroyed everything yet,” Großadmiral Fischer said.
“Make a map of the parts of Southeastern Solaren where the air defence systems are out. We’re going to drop an airborne division there. Meanwhile, prepare some mine sweepers, mine clearance support ships and mine route survey ships. They will go together with the amphibious assault ships. By the time they arrive, the Solaris air force will be knocked out. Each plane shot down by the Solaris will be replaced immediately. I will order the air force to permanently hang tankers above the sea in case one of the carriers is sunk. Make sure that that won’t happen by the way,” Minister Wolzow said.


On board of the Submarine U‑12

“U‑Boot, oh U‑Boot, was machst du da? Jedenfalls machst du es nicht länger mehr,” the officer on deck said while launching a torpedo.


Venetian Bay

While the Solaris naval activitiy was increased in the Long Sea, the Eiffellandian navy intensified the search for Solaris vessels in the Venetian Bay. Some submarines and destroyers were sent to the Long Sea to fight off the Solaris Navy there.


Trierer Dom
Trier, Eiffelland

Chancellor Von Seydewitz was an enlightened Catholic, but still a Catholic. He also believed in God. Sometimes he went to the Trierer Dom to pray, reflect and think. Now, given the war and the tense situation with Winnemark, he did that more often. Every day he went to the Dom to burn candles and pray that Urban would finally understand that his game was over, so that the blood shed would end.

OOC: Translation:
U‑Boot, oh U‑Boot, was machst du da? Jedenfalls machst du es nicht länger mehr = Submarine, oh submarine, what are you doing there? In any case, you won’t do it any longer.

 

[Rheinbund]

Navy headquarters
Trier, Eiffelland

“Are the mine sweepers ready?” Großadmiral Fischer asked one of the generaladmirals.
“Yes, Herr Großadmiral, the MJ‑1 to 20 are ready, as well as the MKU‑1 to 5 and the MWB‑1 to 4” the generaladmiral answered. In the Eiffellandian Navy, mine sweepers were indicated with numbers beginning with MJ, mine clearance support ships with MKU and mine route survey ships with MWB.
“Good. Give the order for the LS‑1 to 10 to leave port and set sail for Southeast Solaren. Rendez-vous 10 nautical miles southwest from Lübeck. From there, the ships will sail to Solaren,” Fischer said.

In the end, the amphibious assault fleet would consist of all amphibious ships, 8 multirole destroyers, 5 multirole frigates, 5 surveillance frigates, 5 stealth frigates, 4 attack submarines, 10 mine sweepers, 5 mine clearance support ships and 4 mine route survey ships. The tasks of the multirole destroyers regarding submarine chasing were taken over by multirole frigates and surveillance frigates. Now all Eiffellandian navy vessels were on duty.


Sky above Venetian Bay

Tanker planes had positioned themselves above the Venetian Bay, so that fighter planes could carry out missions on the Solaris east coast, mainly focusing on Southeast Solaren, Solaren's naval bases and Solaren's ships. Planes continuously flew to Southeast Solaren and the Solaris east coast, leaving the Solaris defenders no rest at all. Meanwhile, the FT‑3 was going to its destined position in the Venetian Bay.


Airforce bases in Eiffelland

Planes were ready for take-off to deliver a total of 20,000 airborne soldiers above Southeast Solaren. The green light would be given as soon as all air defence systems in Southeast Solaren were knocked out and the ground attack from Lorraine would start.

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Capraria

Panetelleria, Caprarias capital and largest port, had fallen to the invading forces. The city had been nearly obliterated in the process, as the Revolutionary Army broke the fanatical spirit of the defenders with sheer firepower. Throughout the battle, bombs and missiles were raining down on the Solaren positions, while paratroopers and marines assaulted the city from three different directions. Few Solaren soldiers survived and many more civilians died, but Panetelleria was taken and with it, a bridgehead established on Capraria. While Carentanian soldiers and the local population were busy burying the dead and clearing the rubble from the streets of the city that was still largely covered in thick black smoke, first freighters landed at the port, unloading supplies, armored vehicles, weapons and even more soldiers on the island.

The port of Panetelleria had been turned into a restricted zone, patrols and guards turning away any Solaren citizen from the area to protect it from insurgent and partisan attacks. Those storage halls and buildings in the port area that survived the fight had their inhabitants removed and were now housing Carentanian soldiers and supplies. Additionally, tents were set up across the area. The Revolutionary Army wanted a base of operation established as quickly as possible and for now, was caring little for what had to be done to achieve that. After all, the entire war effort was dependant on this early success. Carentania needed Panetelleria.

Outside of the city, the first airborne brigade was wreaking havoc across the south-east of the island. Concentrated attacks on small Solaren positions, ambushes, raids - the Solaren forces would be so occupied with the Carentanian paratroopers that they could not muster an organized response to the advancing armored formations that were starting their offensive from Panetelleria. Meanwhile, several keypoints outside of Panetelleria were already under attack by marines that had left Panetelleria quickly after the Carentanian victory. Across the island, battles were fought and it was yet to be seen how the Carentanian public would respond to the already over 300 casualties on their side.

But this war was far from over yet. Outside of Panetelleria, provisional airfields had been built by Carentanian engineers, to house the first squads of planes to operate from the island. The current Carentanian offensive was mainly focused on pushing Solarens forces as far away as possible from this crucial position, denying it from establishing artillery positions within range of the airfield. Soon, Carentania would be able to attack the mainland of Solaren. For now, the airfield would serve to begin close air support missions across Capraria, taking out Solaren vehicles and artillery. Carentanian helicopters, capable of both serving a limited gunship role as well as deploying a squad of infantry at the same time, would chase down Solaren soldiers in the mountain regions of the island. A permanent partisan presence on the island had become Carentanias biggest worry, now that the battle for Panetelleria had been won and Carentanian paratroopers prevented a counter-offensive against the city.

Many of the fregates and destroyers that had participated in the invasion were meanwhile redeployed to Solarens eastern coast to aid in the mining operations and to monitor both Solaren and Eiffelland movements in the area.

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Capraria

Night was already setting in, the sun slowly disappearing in the west. The paratroopers gathering outside of the small town of Sorrento had wanted to start their assault earlier on, to avoid being detected by the Solaren forces and losing the element of surprise. But with the forces scattered across Capraria, it had taken some time to assemble a few squads for this attack. Even in a succesful campaign, there were always setbacks and a few hours behind schedule was not something to be overly worried about. That was, as long as the first airborne managed to take the settlement.

Sorrento wasn't big, a few homes scattered around a church and market square fenced in by three hills covered in thorny hedges that would provide cover for the defenders and make the assault more difficult. What made Sorrento a priority target was, that it lay on the road northwards from Panetelleria and if Carentania wanted to make use of their armor in the push to the northern tip of the island, they'd need the town as bypassing it was made difficult by rugged terrain and the hilly landscape. The maybe two-hundred citizens of Sorrento were, at least according to Carentanian intelligence, accompanied by fifty Solaren soldiers with light weapons. Carentanias first airborne had gathered about the same number of paratroopers, hoping that the element of surprise, better equipment and training would outweigh the defenders advantage.

The attack would be carried out from two sides. Fifteen soldiers, consisting of experienced sharpshooters and two machine-guns, would take position to the north of the town, taking cover amongst the hedges on a hill as good as possible. Here they could overlook a good portion of the town, including the market square. It was one of the few areas from where that was possible at all and the paratroopers were lucky to have found it. Once the attack came from the south with the remaining paratroopers, all this small group had to do was to take out the Solaren forces that scrambled to the defense of the town, running into the open and making them easy targets for the unexpected fire.

Gunning down the first Solaren soldiers was a rewarding experience, but more followed. And more. From the top of the hill, it was difficult to figure out what unit exactly they had ambushed in the town, but it became clear rather quickly that it were far more than the expected fifty soldiers. More and more silhouettes hurried across the market as the Carentanians entered the city. All of them were quickly gunned down by precise salvos from machine guns and assault rifles. Hundred. Two hundred. Three hundred. The square had become a deathtrap, making the Carentanians wonder why the Solarens kept running into the fire, as the ground was littered with corpses and soiled with blood for everyone to see that only death awaited those who entered the area.

"Cease fire," an exhausted command came over the radio from the attacking squads. From afar, the troopers on the hill could enter a larger group of people enter the market square, walking slowly, unlike the ones coming before them. The assault had reached the market square and Sorrento was theirs. "Rendezvous at the market square, now," another command reached the group across the radio.

As they reached the square, they stopped in horror and disgust. The corpses on the ground of the square were not soldiers. Not even a single one was amongst them. Sorrento had been entirely undefended and the first airborne had shot hundreds of innocents. Elderly, women, children. People trying to flee in panic from the advancing Carentanians, running the only way possible for them: north, away from the Carentanians and across the square. Into their doom.

"They must have been told horror stories about godless invaders coming to rape and pillage," the commanding officer noted almost too calmly. "That's why they ran from us."

Minutes passed as the entire group stood silent, hoping for whatever miracle could undo their massacre. But, naturally, nothing happened. A few soldiers clutched the aid package every one of them had received to hand it over to suffering civilians, as if it was proof of their good intentions, reminding them that they had not wanted to kill all these people, that they had only wanted to defeat Solarens military, to bring democracy and socialism to this land. One soldier threw his package against a wall in anger, the plastic bottle with clean water breaking, soiling the antibiotics, the candy bars, the canned beans, the rice...

"No one must ever hear of this," the commanding officer finally noted. "No one. Not for our sake, not to protect us from the consequences of our action. But for the good of Capraria and the whole campaign. If the Solaren regime finds out what happened here, they will twist and turn the story, using it to incite even more violence."

Hesitating at first, the soldiers finally began to nod.

"No one must ever hear of this..."

 

[Gunnland]

If Solaren's eruption into war had devastated the powerful commercial magnates of Tibur and Danzig, the jerky start of the campaigns had assured them somewhat that the shipping lanes of the Long Sea might remain open enough. Tiburian fishermen, relieved the Solaris navy now had better things to do than harassing Tiburian and Nicosian trawlers, cheerfully reported they could fish closer and closer to the dusty coasts of Solaren. And they darted out each day past the protective cordon established by the Montelimarine flotilla, although everyone wondered how long the Montelimarines' naval squadron would remain.

Grandest of all the craft afloat that day, and larger even than a Montelimarine patrol boat, was Gaspar Cardinal Puopolo's sailing schooner Miranda. His 282-foot yacht was famously extravagant. If the faintest scent of garbage and singed flesh or the muffled crackle of gunfire was perceptible on the prevailing winds toward Tibur, none of the girls in bikinis on deck seemed to notice. Something about his floating paradise being so close to a hellish war-zone gave the cardinal a pleasant tickling sensation. He reclined on a chaise lounge and put his hands over his fat belly. His weight had ballooned in the past five years, but he was tickled by that too.

At first, the nearing Tiburian trawler, with its capped and bearded men in overalls with leathery faces tanned from hard work and constant exposure, perturbed Gaspar. Fascinated by the extremes of pleasure and pain, luxury and violence, Gaspar disliked the intrusion of the mundane. But then again he did like to play with his telescope. And they were approaching the Miranda.

So when he saw among the bronzed and brawny fishermen two pale and emaciated young men, wide-eyed and raving despite their restraints, he was suddenly interested. The shouting men looked like Caprarians. Heretics. Unfortunately it didn't seem like torture would be required for them to divulge whatever horrors they had seen.

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Confidential Governmental Communique
FROM: Commissariate for Foreign Affairs, Carentania
TO: People's Commissariat for External Affairs, Kadikistan

We are naturally glad about your offer of support for the campaign in Solaren and understand your country's desire to contribute to the liberation of the people of Solaren. Therefore we do not wish to spare you from a chance to aid in the destruction of the arch-reactionary regime and will gladly welcome Kadikistani soldiers to participate in Carentanian operations, hoping that they will integrate frictionlessly in the greater operational plans and carry out their missions just as disciplined as Carentanian and Coronadoan forces have at this point.

However, soldiers shouldn't be the only contribution by Kadikistan. War is a great and terrible desaster that wreaks havoc on everyone involved. If there is any stability to come to Solaren and its population, the supply situation of the liberation coalition must be secure, just as the humanitarian situation of the local population must be improved. Whatever Kadikistan can contribute on this front would be appreciated highly and may communicate to the world the just intentions of your involvement as well as the just intentions of the entire coalition.

As for your request to a base, we feel this is not up to us to decide. In difference to the EDF, we come as liberators, not imperialist and therefore can not promise any land nor right to permanent military presence in Solaren. Any such deal will have to be negotiated with a free and independent post-war Solaren.