The End Tide

[Kadikistani Union]

Rurikgrad/Belgarsk Military District
9th of June 1957

War seemed unavoidable as the Burgundian authorities refused to back down from establishing control over Nova Srbjan airspace. The new, more aggressive, foreign policy coming from Chagny had surprised even the National Committee for Justice and the Rejuvenation of Socialism as in the past the francophone nation did everything within its power to avert such global crisis's, rather than creating them. Nevertheless the cards were dealt and the line drawn out by Kadikistan weeks ago, urging all nations to stay out of the civil war that was waging in Nova Srbja which was deemed an 'internal affair', was ostentatiously crossed by Bourgogne. The ultimatum set for the 10th of July was largely ignored by the Burgundian regime, their foreign ministry replying overly-nonchalant to this escalation with two short sentences in which they stated they would continue their operations to dominate Srbjan airspace. Kadikistan and each and everyone of its citizens knew war far too well, just like they could feel that something possibly disastrous was coming despite the new regime in Kadikistan opening its doors to the capitalist world just a few weeks ago. A moderate foreign policy was to no avail and the enemies of Kadikistan appeared more keen on furthering their own agenda and exploiting the destabilized state of Kadikistan. "So be it.", General Secretary of the Communist Workers' Party Ratko Salatic thought as he issued the order mobilizing the entire Western Direction of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, meaning the Rurikgrad -and the Belgarsk Military Districts. With this move Salatic effectively mobilized almost 1 million soldiers, giving his men the time to prepare and organize by setting the deadline on the 10th. Naturally such a vast mobilization was enormously difficult and costly, but the nation would rally behind their new leaders like never before and the West had nowhere near the military culture and tradition that Kadikistan had since the age of the Czars.

The war plans had been drawn out pre-emptively many years ago, as most nations do. Simply put, it placed seven divisions along the border with Ruthenia-Galicia. This was not only in order to be better defended against possible hostilities coming from that country, but also to ward off any potential offensive launched by Eiffelland through Ruthenia-Galicia. Eiffelland being deemed a fierce enemy in the skies, but manageable on the ground due to Kadikistan sheer numbers and mass stockpiles. The bulk of the mobilization, however, was positioned along the border of the Yiddish Free States, on both sides of the Great Lake. A total of 31 divisions would be deployed along the Trivodnian border, totalling over 600,000 soldiers and including seven Tank Divisions, along with five Aerial Divisions. The Kadikistani's expected to steam-roll the Free States, taking Amstov within days and pushing through to Istokgrad in Nova Srbja within weeks while the rest of the Free States was 'liberated' in the days that followed the fall of their capital. Kadikistani troops took positions along the entire border with the Free States, but the largest concentrations of forces was found at four distinct locations. From Zarkazeni the Kadikistani Revolutionary Army would launch an offensive North with one tank divisions, supported by four Mechanized and two Motorized Infantry Divisions. Within the Pjotorski Socialist Oblast two tank divisions supported by eight mechanized and motorized infantry divisions, each with strong light and heavy artillery detachments, prepared for a rapid advance to take and secure Amstov, only about a hundred kilometres from the border. The Third Concentration of the invasion force was located south of Marekt, who's primary goal was to cut the northern half of the country off from the south, while the Fourth Concentration, made up of three tank divisions supported by six Mechanized, two Armoured and two Motorized Infantry division along with one Artillery Division and no less than two Aerial Divisions took positions in Olrusk and Chetsjenevo in order to spearhead the Kadikistani offensive that would hopefully end up in Istokgrad and eventually Banja Luka.

"The hypocrisy of the West knows no bounds, Sergei.", Marshall Salatic told his close personal friend and confidant, General Sergei Drakovinic, during a private meeting at his modest house just outside of Ivar after a long, hard day of preparing and discussing. He took another drink of the state-produced Kadikistani Premium Vodka, he loathed the Clans for their past decadence in importing various drinks such as Burgundian wine and Ivernish whiskey, before continuing his rant, "If Kadikistan would have secured the Nova Srbjan airspace we would be chewed up by nations from all corners of the world for our imperialism and violation of sovereignty. But if those Chagny bastards unilaterally take matters into their own hand and impose air superiority over all warring factions they are suddenly the 'hero's under siege'? This is Milesia all over again. I will not stand for this, Chagny will be held accountable this time. They have one day to stop their stubborn intervention, or we won't stop until Chagny is burned to the ground. I'm sure Serazin will wet his francophone pantalons with the mere prospect of a two-front war consuming Bourgogne.", Drakoviniv chuckled, but the atmosphere remained dark as both men knew that this could potentially mean the demise of Kadikistan, but not without dragging the world down with them. "Serenierre is preparing for this war for weeks now. When they are ready they will overrun the southern border of Bourgogne. I almost regret ending our involvement in Borovanger as a sign of goodwill to the west so we could have done it ourself. Contact Berbadjov anyway.", Marshall Salatic said with more emotions than you would expect from a Kadikistani. "I will sign the order to mobilize the Southern Coastal Military District too within the hour while the Southern Kalahari Fleet assumes defensive positions just outside our territorial waters, especially the island group around Kragujanin. Scouts and submarines will keep an eye out for when the Eiffellanders and the Pelasgians come to die. Once hostilities break out tomorrow the Revolutonary Armed Forces will be in a state of full mobilisation, from Naritstok to Ivar and from Rurikgrad to Kirvtsk."

Speed would be essential in taking down the enemy. Bourgogne would be forced to understand that it does not have the sole right in this world to interfere wherever it pleases since it so strongly considers its own political system superior and just. No doubt the West would turn this into a war of Good versus Evil, but if that was to be the case Kadikistan would make the war so gruesome, so terribly brutal and atrocious, that no one would dare provoke them for the following century.

 

[Pelasgia]

Superior Military Diocese of the Interior and the Archipelago
9th of June, 1957

To the Pelasgians the war that now seemed ready to engulf the whole of Europe was absurd to say the least. The legitimate government of some small Slavic country in Germania had requested the aid of Bourgogne to quell a brutal revolt, and the Kadikistanis, who were sympathetic to the rebels, despite their numerous crimes against humanity, had seen it fit to threaten war over the affair. To think that the Kadiksitanis would act as if a foreign nation was their 'turf', so to speak, holding its established authorities to equal respect as some breakaway pseudo-state which had emerged merely weeks ago was baffling to the West, to say the least. As a nation which had supposedly abandoned ideological expansionism abroad out of a wish for reconciliation (even though the expansionism in question was not feasible and tenable in the long run to begin with), Kadikistan seemed all to inclined to facilitate the breakup of yet another country, its arms doubtlessly being shipped to the Communist rebels as it called for other nations to remain uncommitted. An ultimatum was rather drastic but, truth be told, Kadikistan had been acting belligerently and via the use of ultimatum diplomacy for decades. Alas, the Empire found itself obliged to honour its alliance to Bourgogne, and so it would.

The Third and Fourth Fleets were not the pride of the Imperial Navy, but on their own they were still more than capable of matching Kadikistan meagre presence in the Kalahari. The bells of all the churches in Stolos and Anaktora rung with pride and might, signalling to the men which had once formed the Propontine Karabisianoi and the crews of Triremes before that that the sea was once again calling them to dye it red with their foes blood. The warships of the Imperial War Navy had departed the two ports since yesterday, their sailors having been greeted with kisses and images of Saint Nikolaos, the patron saint of the Navy, and Panagia, the Virgin Mary, patron of the Empire, their mothers reminding them to "return victorious or not return at all", as had been the adage since antiquity. The ports were still decorated with flags of all sizes and varieties, as the two fleets sailed the Kalahari. The two fleets comprised of 3 Aircraft Carriers, 1 Battleship, 6 Missile Cruisers, 2 Frigates, 21 Destroyers and 15 Submarines each. The 41 Destroyers and 4 Frigates of the fleet, specialising in anti-submarine and anti-air defence led the way on the surface, while down below the 30 submarines of the fleet lay waiting to strike any Kadikistani vessel which might dare to approach. The 2 Guided Missile Battleships, which had been converted to their new class as part of a modernisation programme, and the 12 Missile Cruisers jointly guarded the fleets' Aircraft Carriers, in addition to looking to engage any incoming enemy ships from a long range. Finally, the crown jewel of this combined force, its 6 Aircraft Carriers, equipped entirely with state-of-the-art jet fighters and fighter-bombers, prepared to rain death on enemy ships and ground installations. A combined force of 44,800 Marines followed the fleet in transport ships, having temporarily halted in the islands south of [MENTION=18]Eiffelland[/MENTION], in allied territory. The fleet patrolled the area near Helgoland and its twin island, ready for a possible Kadikistani onslaught.

The Pelasgians did not wish for war; they never had. In fact, the navy often housed many of the most left-leaning petty officers in the Imperial Armed Forces. But since Kadikistan had led Europe to a dead end and the mad, senseless slaughter was to begin, all aboard were resolved: they would uphold the honour of the Imperial Way Navy or die trying. After all, a death in wartime was the most noble and envy-worthy death they could hope for. The Kadikistanis might certainly have had a militant culture, but the Pelasgians had a centuries-old Orthodox culture of self-sacrifice and martyrdom, and that, coupled with unrivaled naval tradition, was a fierce driving factor.

On the morrow of the 9th, the Imperial War Navy's First and Second Fleets, departed their stations with similar proviso and pomp, being the bulk of the Empire's naval might. The two fleets, composed of 4 Aircraft Carriers, 2 Battleships, 6 Missile Cruisers, 4 Frigates, 21 Destroyers and 15 Submarines and 3 Aircraft Carriers, 2 Battleships, 6 Missile Cruisers, 4 Frigates, 21 Destroyers and 15 Submarines respectively were deployed in a similar fashion to their counterparts off of Helgoland, patrolling the area north of Pelasgia in preparation for a potential sortie by the Serenierrese navy, though other powers in the region could easily take care of that, too. The 44,800 Marines of this force were stationed in the southernmost isle of Nichtstein, where they could be easily board their transport ships once more, assist in the front against Serenierre, or be transferred to help defend Eiffelland from a Kadikistani onslaught. These fleets comrpised of the pride of Pelasgia's naval might, being state of the art in every possible way, their joint commander, Admiral and Sevastokrator Thodoros Laskaris-Phouskarnakes, the Emperor's half-brother, only serving to augment the pride and dedication the sailors aboard this vast armada felt to their fleets. As the priests on every ship delivered a final sermon before the war, reminding the men aboard these vessels of their duty-bound obligation in the eyes of God, kin and folk to drive back the red menace, a wave of fury and fortitude overtook each and every crew, with the celebrations that usually accompany the baptism by fire of new troops and the solemn ponderance that the veterans feel right before the indiscriminate slaughter begins. For now, at least, the words of the Megas Doux Nikolaos Kallerges, the commander of the entire Imperial War Navy, who also acted as the Empire's Minister of Defence, echoed in the minds of all: "With the might of God and the wishes of the Sovereign and in the name of Justice, I sail with unstoppable force and with the unshakeable belief in our victory over the foe of the nation."

Military Diocese of the North
9th of June, 1957

Nobody could have escaped the sight of the First Fleet, one of the mightiest naval forces in the hsitory of man, passing through the Propontine Straights. Indeed, as the school of ironclad fish cut through the shining waters of the boundary between the Long Sea and the Euxenian Sea, in open and apparent splendour for all in Queen of Cities to witness, news of similar sights came from across the Long Sea. The golden Imperial War Ensign, the standard Pelasgian flag surrounded by a fiery red border, a remnant of the olden days when the mention of Pelasgian fire was enough to scare entire fleets away, flew from the bows and masts of Tiburia's warships, while the happy, loud and rapid ringing of the bells in every Church across the Empire was proof enough of the fleet's destination. As the crowds gathered on docks and seaside peaks to wave the fleets goodbye, the Imperial Army of the Land and the Imperial Militart Aviation made their own preparations of war.

The entire Imperial Army of the Land, 330,000 strong, had been recalled, with the First Army being already prepared to be shipped overseas, if needed, while the Second and Third Armies were drilling on their respective territories, the former being prepared to stay and defend Pelasgia from any possible land-based threat and the latter being placed on the frontier of [MENTION=2161]Ayyubistan[/MENTION], in case the Communist terrorist groups there were succesful in starting an armed rebellion. The national guard units of the First and Second Armies had also been tasked with reinforcing coastal defences, though a sea-bound threat seemed distant for now. Of course, due to the tooth-to-nail ratio needed for logistical support over such a large territory, the Pelasgian military was mostly made up of non-frontline personnel, meaning that only 82,500 troops were professional combat ground troops. However, as Pelasgia had mandatory conscription and a national guard (which was descended from the medieval Akrites), 750,000 more national guardsmen and reservists were available to serve within short notice, bringing the overall number of combat troops which Propontis could commit, if necessary, to 270,000. Accompanying these troops were 3.300 IFVs, 2.900 APCs, 1.800 towed artillery pieces and 2.606 self-propelled artillery pieces.

On the aerial front, the Imperial Military Aviation was composed of no less than 3.200 planes, most of which were still rotor-based, though a growing minority of them were indigenous Pelasgian jet-powered fighter-bombers, fighters and bombers. The Pegasos Deucalion, a long-range, high-altitude, delta-wing, strategic bomber was of particular interest, as it was capable of bearing and delivering highly-destructive and accurate anti-ship homing missiles at supersonic speeds from very high above, essentially being able to strike at the heart of Kadikistan's Kalahari fleet at a moment's notice. It would also play a critical role in bombarding Kadikistani territory, urban centres and coastal defences if it came to that. The bombers squadrons of Pegasos Deucalion planes were already being prepped, as was most of Pelasgia's aerial component, with 72,000 paratroopers, being drilled to go into battle overseas or to the east, should a Communist revolt break out in Ayyubistan.
Exarchate of Tephanon
9th of June, 1957

As a potential war drew closer and closer, the Empire's most remote corner was also preparing for the storm. Martial law had been imposed on the colony. The Imperial garisson of 11,200 Imperial Marines was accompanied by a carrier group of 1 Aircraft Carrier, 1 Guided Missile Battleship, 1 Guided Missile Cruiser, 2 Anti-Submarine Frigates, 1 Destroyer and 1 Submarine. The Imperial forces in Tephanon, just like those in the Long Sea, began patrolling the waters around the Pillars of Nearchus (known as the Sortan Straights to foreigners), ready to harass and sink any and all Kadikistani shipping if it came down to war. In Parliament, an emergency decree was already awaiting the Emperor's signature, aiming to cut grain shipments to Kadikistan and starve the industrial south, whose faltering food supply was even more depleted due to Kadikistan's internal crisis, among other measures.

 

[Rheinbund]

The Eiffellandian armed forces have a five-level indication of readiness of the armed forces. These levels are called Alarmstufen. Alarmstufe 0 is the normal situation at peace time. Alarmstufe 1 indicates a higher level of security measures and a more intensive intelligence watch; ground attacks by the 3rd Army (completely consisting of professional soldiers) are allowed. Alarmstufe 2 indicates the switch to coded communication for all units of the armed forces; the Air Force makes itself ready to attack in 15 minutes. Alarmstufe 3 indicates a further increase of readiness for all units of the armed forces, and a complete mobilisation of the Army; all Armed Forces make themselves ready to attack in less than six hours. Alarmstufe 4 is the highest level of readiness; this level is reserved for the case that Eiffelland is under attack or an attack on Eiffellandian soil is imminent.
The Eiffellandian conscription laws are such, that all men between 18 and 40 are conscripts. However, only the men serving their society service in the armed forces are actually part of the armed forces; all other conscripts are only called to arms for periodic short drills and in case of emergency.

The Eiffellandian Government was fully aware that the Nova Srbja Crisis was at high risk to escalate. Eiffelland would not be able to stay out of that war. Therefore, the Government and the Armed Forces increased the alarm level to Alarmstufe 3.

The Eiffellandians knew their strengths and weaknesses very well. They also understood their geographic position very well. A direct attack on Kadikistan over land was not on the table. Such an attack would only be possible by invading Ruthenia-Galicia, and then Eiffelland would have one more enemy to fight against. It would be better to fight with Ruthenia-Galicia against Kadikistan than to fight againt Ruthenia-Galicia and Kadikistan. This did not mean, however, that Ruthenia-Galicia remained unwatched. It was taken into account that Ruthenia-Galicia could choose the Kadikistani side without Eiffelland attacking it.

For now, the 1st and 2nd Army (the conscript armies) would stay on Eiffellandian soil and prepare for defending Eiffelland. The 3rd Army (the professional army) was prepared for operations abroad.


Helgoland, Rügen and Fehmarn

The Eiffellandian armed forces welcomed the Pelasgian forces on Helgoland and Rügen. Shortly before the Pelasgians arrived, the governments of Eiffelland and Pelasgia had agreed that the Pelasgian armed forces could operate from Eiffellandian soil. This would indeed ease operations against Serenierre and the defence of Eiffelland’s Long Sea islands against Kadikistan.

The Eiffellandian Navy patrolled the Kalahari Sea around Helgoland, Rügen and Fehmarn with 8 patrol ships, 6 frigates, 4 destroyers, 4 destroyer escorts,, 4 submarines, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft; the focus was on Kadikistani submarines, but the naval forces also looked above the water level.

The two Army brigades (consisting of 9000 men each) on the Long Sea islands had been mobilised and were ready to take up their defensive tasks.


Sea arm west of Nichtstein

This was the place where the Eiffellandian aircraft carriers were sailing, together with 2 cruisers, 4 destroyers, 6 destroyer escorts, 5 submarines, helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft and fighter planes. Also here the sailors were very keen on submarines, but of course the events above sea level were not overlooked. These ships would support a possible amphiious attack on Serenierre.


Air Force

The Air Force would become the main weapon against Kadikistan. A ground attack was not considered at the moment, but there were clear and concise plans to bomb the industrial centres in Southern Kadikistan, as well as the Kadikistani Naval Forces. Also the Air Forces of Kadikistan and Serenierre, and the Long Sea harbours of Serenierre would become targets. And of course the land troops from both countries.

Meanwhile, Dassau Flugzeugwerke had managed to solve the last issue they had in setting up emergency facilities for increasing the production of Sturmvogel planes, although they could not completely scratch the emergency facilities to build Mysterium II planes. Dassau would be able to dramaticly increase the production of fighter planes when needed.

Meanwhile, the 25 Warnstern early warning planes were doing shifts to control the air space above Eiffelland, the Long Sea, the Long Sea Islands and the seas west of Eiffelland. At least 6 Warnstern planes were in the air on each tmoment of the day.

 

[Remuria]

The Grand Duchy of Nichtstein did not care much for the worries of the world far away from its shores, but it was sure a power to be reckoned with in the Retalian Sea and the Long Sea, at least nearby the Nichtsteiner shores. And especially within the Retalian Sea, which was a maze of naval routes spread out between the numerous islands, uninhabited rocks, naval artillery fortifications and military garrisons. Unlike the fancy numbered fleets of the bigger powers, the Grand Ducal Navy was subdivided into operational commands with areas of responsibility closer to the shores.

And as Kadikistan announced its ultimatum to the world, Nichtstein reacted. Naval elements, already on constant alert because of constant surprises from Serenierre, burgeoned again with renewed activity and enthusiasm. Ground and air elements followed suit throughout the Mainland and the Islands, to both reinforce the national defence, as well as support the Eiffellander and Pelasgian allied military elements that were arriving throughout the numerous military installation of the Grand Duchy in the Retalian Islands.

Nichtstein’s role in a potential conflict with the Communist Block could be outlined in two major vectors:
1) Lockdown of the Retalian Archipelago. A mission that the Grand Ducal Armed Forces were capable of accomplishing given the geographic particularities of the country and the military doctrine of the Grand Duchy which was oriented more towards national defence than power projection further away from the shores.
2) Invasion of Eastern Serenierre (as Nichtstein referred to the Arriere). An amphibian invasion from the Mainland or the Islands using the Grand Ducal Navy’s numerous capabilities in the. Whilst Nichtstein did not really have much experience in mounting amphibian assaults, it was not that much of a strategic problem as, first of all, the Nichtsteiners could count on Eiffellander support. And second, Nichtstein could if required orient its entire military potential against Serenierre. While Serenierre would have to deal with threats from both Bourgogne and Nichtstein (if not also from Pelasgia and Eiffelland), thus splitting its military potential on at least two vectors, if not more.

If Serenierre chose to stay out of a potential war, then this would of course free up the Nichtsteiner military for a war effort against Kadikistan. Including a potential amphibian or ground invasion, depending on the numerous political and military pieces that were yet to fall into place.

OOC: I'll bother with silly OOB numbers later, as it pretty much means the entire Nichtsteiner military -_-

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Ivar Embassy Row

Ambassador Maurice Cresson was neither one of Chagny's best, nor most experienced. He was by no means incompetent but lacked the skill for hardliner negotiating. His appointment was a concession by the Grand Duke to the left-leaning party of Bourgogne's legislature. When Senatorial leaders had arrived at the old Bishop's Palace, now the Ducal Residence, they had mostly agreed on appointments. While the Grand Duke did not need to consult, he knew it was politically necessary. He had wanted one of the best of the diplomatic service for the role. Instead, the Senators would not budge. Cresson had been in and out of diplomatic circles and was once the interim-ambassador to Engellex. Now, as the car he rode in back of pulled from the drive; a torrent of angry protesters hurled eggs and sticks at his car. A head of lettuce thumped off the windshield as Cresson watched Ivar's police garrison half heartily, or sometimes not at all, try to restrain the crowd. The chanting had gone on for over a day now and much of the staff had been evacuated quietly. As the blue Burgundian sedan made the turn, a rock shattered the back window. The driver put the pedal down as more rocks banged off the car. A single police car trailed them to the External Affairs. Cresson had what was the last possible grasp for peace. While Bourgogne would welcome a reasonable counter offer, few in Chagny thought that would happen. He would hand deliver a letter and would await an answer. If the answer was in the negative, Cresson would be forced to deliver a far less appealing letter.

To: People's Commissar for External Affairs
Democratic Republic of Kadikistan
From: Maximilien, Grand Duke of Bourgogne




Sir,

I think we may both agree, at this juncture, privately pointing fingers will not advance the ultimate goal of peace. Therefore, Bourgogne will dispense with threats, pleasantries, and other innocuous discussion. We extend this olive branch in hopes that it may avert the growing crisis we both face. Plainly, neither of use want a war which will take sons from fathers, brother from brother, and peace from our lands. Our proposal is simply that

1. Both nations, without delay, begin to demobilize military forces
2. An agreement shall formally be made that neither nation will enter further aerial operations over Novo Srbja.
3. Neither nation, formally or informally, shall enter troops into combat in Novo Srbja.


These are simple and reasonable terms which we hope you will accept. They do not iron all wrinkles between our two nations, only prevent wrinkles from turning to tears.

-Maximilien

 

[Kadikistani Union]

Palace of Peace
Tovarich Square
Ivar Capital District

It wasn't long before the Burgundian ambassador received a reply. Only about half an hour later a Kadikistani apparatchik descended from the wide stairway, which was covered in a red carpet down the middle and velvet-coated safety leanings on the sides while in the background a large portrait of the late Nikolai Leninov looked down the hall. It was in that hall that ambassador Maurice Cresson had been kept waiting for the longest thirty minutes of his lifetime. Scratching the luxurious coating of the chair he had been appointed ever so slightly out of sheer nervousness while not wanting to damage the chair or show weakness to his Kadikistani hosts. The military dressed apparatchik was carrying a perfectly folded watermarked letter which he promptly handed over to the ambassador before turning around sharply with the military discipline that you would expect to see from a Kadikistani. The letter contained the following:

------------------------------

CONFIDENTIAL INTERNAL COMMUNIQUÉ
FROM: Office of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Kadikistani Communist Workers' Party
TO: Maximilien, Office of the Grand Duke of Bourgogne
RE: Nova Srbja and the Burgundian Intervention

UNDER THESE TERMS, WE ACCEPT.

SIGNED,
_X_
Marshall Ratko Salatic
General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Kadikistani Workers' Party
Supreme Commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces
Democratic Republic of Kadikistan