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The Glorious Sixth [Germano-Gallic Theatre]

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06 AUGUST 2011

00:30 HRS

WESTERN AIR DEFENCE COMMAND (WADC)

It has had been a quite night noticed the night duty officer, Maj. Raynard Deville as he took a sip of the coffee. A mild Radilo blend in which he realized would likely become very expensive or even next to impossible to obtain now that the Republican government has collapsed and the King has had to appoint a Viceroy in its place. Well, if things did go to hell down there, he could always buy the Anglysh stuff. Sitting down, Raynard is about to when one of begin his usual rutine of filling out the nightly paperwork when one of the supervisors comes up to him.

"Major, sir, for the past ten minutes we have received three reports from three different radar stations detecting a higher than usual number of aircraft over Engellex airspace. I was about to inform you when we received and additional call from Western Region Air Traffic Control saying they are also picking up additional aircraft, and they aren't sporting civilian recognition."

A look of concern comes to the major's face. Any trouble was suppose to be far away in Lorraine or from the sea, not from Engellex, but because Montelimar was at war, Deville had to follow procedures.

"SPA.5, 9, 23 and BE.16 are on ready status tonight, contact their bases and have them scramble their alert aircraft. I will notify Central as well as the General."

01:00 HRS

THE SAXON MARCHES

Began to be refered to as such during the reign of Emperor Charles I, the region called the Saxon Marches eventually became the region bordering Engellex and is still referred to as such by the military. It is from this region, from three different bases and from three border sectors, twelve aircraft launched, four Be.202C Mirage 2000 each from Escadrille SPA.5 and 23 and four Be.231C Rafale from SPA.9 while a single E-2067 AWAC from BE.16 in central Montelimar have taken to the skies. Though these aircrft are to cover the entire area from the coast to the Vistrasian border, they are the first line of defence if there is an attack on Western Montelimar.

By this time though, WADC has been receiving added info from radar istallations and civilian air traffic control of far more aircraft approaching the Montelimarian border than was first indicated, though the exact number is impossible to tell, it is taking on the looks of a massive air assault, this has given Gen. Henri Landreu, Commanding General Western Air Defence Command, no option but to order a general alert, an alert, though there is little time, it will alert Valmy as well as all military bases of possible air attack. The alert, late as it may be, will bring additional escadrilles and anti-aircraft batteries on-line, only time and training will determine just how much of a defence can be mounted before the enemy aircraft reach their targets.

<RED ALERT....ATTENTION ALL COMMANDS: AIRCRAFT BELEIVED TO BE ENGELLEX WARPLANES ARE APPROACHING MONTELIMARIAN AIRSPACE....RED ALERT>

01:30 HRS

FECAMP NAVAL BASE

The radar station at Forsyth Point had already been tracking all shipping and aircraft coming within its radar range when the alert sounded and had turned their attention to those naval vessels of the Engellex navy that had taken up positions west of Fecamp. It was the operators monitoring these vessels that were the first to notice the distict radar signature.

"We have multiple misslie launches."

Twelve minutes later Forsyth Point Naval Radar Station was hit.

01:42 HRS

TERRITORIAL WATERS,
WEST OF FECAMP NAVAL BASE


The corvette RNN Jacoubet, along with other patrol vessels, is on picket duty outside Fecamp keeping track of the foreign shipping and standing guard against any Solaren attack that gets by the Royal naval vessels and Alliance warships further out to sea. The claxston was still sounding when a flash was seen in on the eastern horizon approximately where Forsyth Point is located as the Jacoubet changes course towards the radar contact due west of Fecamp.

MORMANT

North of Fecamp is the city of Mormant and its massive commercial harbour. The air raid sirens barely begin to wail when the first missile hits its target. Though it was expected that Mormant would be attacked, it was thought it would be from Solaren missile strike from the sea not from Engellex missile and and attack planes. As the missiles find their targets, the lights begin to go out in Mormant City.

IN THE SKIES OF WESTERN MONTELIMAR

Though SAM batteries will also be a factor in the battle, it is the total of twenty-four fighters from three escadrilles stationed in western Montelimar that will be the first to engage what is to be estimated to be two hundred plus Engellex warplanes. Though in time more friendly fighters will eventually join the fight from other parts of the country, it is these planes, outnumbered nearly ten-to-one that will fearlessly defend their homeland from the dastardly attack mounted from a nation that, until now had declared its neutrality in Solaren's war against its neighbor.
 

Remuria

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The Swissman
Considerations of a political nature

War between Engellex and Montelimar put Wendmark into a new delicate position. Indeed, whilst there was no doubt in Einsiedeln about continuing to provide the EDF with access through the country in their war against the nutjob regime in Torrence, this situation was different. Until recently, Engellex was considered by Einsiedeln as an average State in political terms which, despite a somewhat silly anti-republican leaning, was rather sensible and could be dealt with and interacted with.

The sudden aggression against Montelimar , however, changed everything. Indeed, if Engellex could backstab one country, it could very well do this to other countries in its vicinity. From an average reasonable state, Engellex overnight turned into a bloodthirsty invader that hid behind pretensions of safeguarding the sovereignty of non-EDF states. Thing is, Wendmark for one did not feel her sovereignty undermined by the EDF and never asked for any Great Engellex to come and kick the EDF in her name. As such, in so far as Einsiedeln was concerned, the war by Engellex against Montelimar was one of imperialist conquest and not one of concern for the smaller states of Gallo-Germania.

This newly found aggressive nature of Engellex, couped with her anti-republicanist sentiments, meant that Dulwich overnight turned from a distant trade partner into a new menace to the Republic (well, officially the Free State, but no matter the semantics of Elbebruck). Should Montelimar fall and Engellexic troops find themselves in the Jura and along the Elbe plains, the existence of Wendmark would be menaced. If Engellex could invade, unprovoked, the Kingdom of Montelimar, it could very well invade the Free State of Wendmark.

But for now, Engellexic tanks were not pointing their guns at their Wendmarker counterparts and, as such, political considerations called for a careful approach to the matter. This careful approach would be translated in the short term by the following measures:

1. that following the already harsh worded statement of condemnation against Engellex, there would be no upscale in the gravity of diplomatic statements from Einsiedeln;
2. that the permanent readiness brigades of the Wendmarker Army deployed in the east of the country, unthreatened by invasion, would redeploy towards the Jura and western Wendmark. This redeployment would be hidden under the guise of a Janus-style exercise destined to test the state of permanent readiness brigades, with cancel of leave for contract and professional servicemen employed in such brigades;
3. that the Wendmarker Air Force would increase its rate of aerial patrols over the Free State's airspace;
4. that the anti-aerial defence network of Wendmark would be scaled up in readiness, with the partial recall to military duty (for now for a period of three weeks) of technical and other necessary personnel, which would be for now hidden under the guise of a Zeus-style exercise with the advancement of yearly refreshers for the concerned units;
5. that fow now Wendmark would not move to suspend EDF's rights of transit, a right reserved to the Free State under the agreement, thus allowing the unhindered passage of Franconian troops into Montelimar;
6. that the right of passage would still be conditional to the requirements established under the agreement, namely in terms of safety, timetables and, quite obviously, payment.​

As the situation evolved, further measures to ensure the continued sovereignty and independence of the Free State of Wendmark would be carried out. In the direst of scenarios, the doctrine of Total Defence would be applied in full.
 
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Free State of Bavaria
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Zittau
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ErAn, Franken, ArEn
August 13
Königsburg, Nürnberg


Deep in the proverbial bowels of the Königsburg there were the main war rooms of the Crown, which were an excact copy of those below the Staatskanzlei. They were used alternatingly lest their anti-eavesdropping security be compromised by too curious foreign intelligence agencies. While one was used, the other one would be checked for bugs and other security leaks.

The assault by Engellex did catch most of the European Defence Federation off guard – quite certainly, but it wasn’t surprising. “Her Most Charming Engellexic Majesty is surrounded by a camarilla of generals and politicians who mourn the days of old cabinet politics. All things considered, your royal highness, sirs and madams, the Engellexic state is rotting from the inside. It continues to afford maintaining a ruling elite that is more or less fully state-sponsored. Furthermore, they have had a range of colonial problems of their own, as their overseas possessions become aware of their own national identity. Finally they cling to the idea that republican countries cannot work. Waging a war to rally all dissenting parties behind their queen was the most logical choice. Engellex’s foreign policy is a sad relict of the turn of 19th to the 20th century,” Ministerpresident Graf Solms told the members of the Reichssicherheitsrat, who were being briefed on the status quo of the operations.

“It’s a good thing Franken’s government of past and present have continuously instilled the public with the idea it is Franken and her allies which see to Central Europe’s stability. Thus even our more liberal media will paint the dear queen as the head of a reactionary regime that wants to disrupt the peace and prosperity of Germania and Gallia. Say, Feldmarschall Angerer, don’t we have a talented female general we could put in charge of Franken’s contingent?” Prince Regent Jakob grinned mischievously.

“I see where you are going here, Prinzregent,” Generalinspekteur (1) Feldmarschall Tobias Angerer quickly searched the armed forces’ general officers data base, “There we go. This charming lady, ladies and gentlemen, is Royal Air Force Generalmajor Dorethea Seiler. She is but 50 years old, has commanded contingents in our overseas bases in Anglyn, excelled in the Batavian peace keeping mission and has very recently been appointed to lead the western air command of Franken. As the likelihood of an immediate assault on Franken is minimal, I believe we can assign her to head our contingent. She has successfully raised three children, one husband and rose through the ranks of the air force. Thus Generalmajor Seiler will be a perfect opponent for Charlotte and her camarilla.”

“Anyhow, it’s crucial that Eiffelland will focus on crushing Solaren. They can send air support, but it will make more sense for Franken to carry the burden with Montelimar,” Graf Solms reminded the others.

August 15
Military Transfer Train Station, Bamberg


Due to the relative proximity to Wendmark Bamberg’s military transfer train station had seen considerable expansion and growth in relevance in recent times. Following the instructions issued by the General Staff two Royal Army divisions – both with focus on heavy armoury and grenadiers – were to be assembled near Bamberg and being continuously transferred to Montelimar alongside supplies and the ground support equipment for the 20 multirole fighters which had been assigned a base by the Montelimarian government. They would be backed up by another 10 multirole fighters and 8 bombers which were to operate directly from Southern Franken.
Together with own staff and support units CO Generalmajor Dorothea Seiler was brought to Montelimar’s central command where she would set up Franken’s sub-command.

-----------
(1) chief of staff
 

Great Engellex

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Engellex
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A ROYAL ENGAGEMENT
THE ENGAGEMENT & THE IMPERIAL STRIKE DAY TWO PART ONE

Battent Palace, Dulwich, Union of Great Engellex, 7 August 2011


Charlotte was quickly realising how very solemn her uncle the Grand Duke of Wantage had become. Her aunt, the Grand Duchess, had lost her sense of charm and splendour, and Charlotte had certainly developed a taste for it; she could not help but compare the Grand Duke to her match the Crown Prince of Arendaal, and secretly finding the Grand Duke rather boorish and incredibly unfashionable. One could no longer burst into merry laughter around the Grand old Duke. He did not approve of so many things which Charlotte discovered she approved of very much. Pomp and pageantry for instance. The Grand Duke thought it rather pompous, but indeed why should one and people not indulge in a little patriotic grandeur after following the serious economic and political occupations forced upon the country by its over-extended neighbours. She believed a little national expression was essential to maintaining the charm of the Crown, which in spite of its progressive evolution over the centurys, had remained rather attached to that 19th century character of being overbearing. The Crown Prince of Arendaal on the other hand believed that a little national opulence was good for one, and that was the difference between the two men who had been given a special position amongst her thoughts.

You do not doubt that I have decided in his favour? Charlotte asked her mother. I have no doubts on the matter whatsoever. The question is when will the marriage take place? The Dowager Duchess asked with a warm smile. Once it is announced it should be fairly soon; though the people have been difficult, do remember that incident recently. Charlotte reminded her mother about the attempted shooting with an almost paled expression. The people are easily swayed, and there most definitely isn’t anything to sway them as swiftly as a wedding. Give them a lavish ceremony, a young Queen-Bride and they shall cherish you for the duration of your reign. I am sure of it. Her mother reassured her. Nothing pleased Charlotte more than to dance for many hours of the afternoon with the Crown Prince, it was quite perfect, and she certainly didn’t allow the circumstance of war to distract her from this bliss. How strange that she had been feeling so empowered by her decision to go to war, and had now suddenly been moved to the state of fragile ecstasy by the arrival of Crown Prince Soren to Battent Palace. Every time she saw him his Aren beauty impressed her; and that he was clever and well cultured added to her enchantment. She wanted the whole of Europe to know of this Great Engagement, which despite the tradition of inviting the representatives of reigning royal houses to witness the occasion only so many had the decency of fulfilling that tradition, which was above political divergence, at least the Queen thought so.

The Queen was escorted into the ballroom by the Grand Duke of Wantage; the King of Walssex-Battent; the Duke of Rothermere (and War Secretary); the Duke of Westmooreland; the Duke of Middlesex; the Viscount of Hessex; the Prince of Went; and the Marquess of Grafton. An arrangement of magnificent national flowers from the nine constitutional states of the Union had been made for a bouquet which she carried, and was set to be the most impressive display of roses from around Great Engellex. The Dowager Duchess, Charlotte’s mother, remarked how she looked enchantingly sumptuous and absolutely personified the majesty of the Crown and Realm. The Crown Prince Soren of Arendaal was standing before her like the centrepiece of the Grand State Ball Room. He was handsomely magnificent and was surrounded by the most distinguished people of the continent and the Queen’s realms. There was the Princess of Suionia; the Princess Royal of Cantigny; the Lord Commissioners of Zadar-Istria, Wightland and Karoskland, and the Great Assembly of the Diplomatic Corps. The Marquess of Zetland observed humorously how it appeared that the Royal Houses of the European Defence Federation were to be represented by peasants, a most sorry state of affairs indeed! In an expression of love Charlotte took some red roses representing the Kingdom of Engellex from her bouquet and gave them to the Crown Prince. Soren received them, bowed, and his brilliant eyes looked straight into hers. He was in an Aren uniform, and looked every bit the part of consort to the Queen of Great Engellex, he placed the flowers in a hole above his heart.

Soren, she said, holding out her hand to him, I trust you have enjoyed your time in Dulwich? He said he had indeed and so had the others of the Aren royal retinue. I understand you must be aware of why I asked you to come here. There was some hesitation, this was in fact the first time in around one hundred years a reigning monarch engaged during their reign, and Charlotte continued. It would make me too happy to consent to what I wish of us. Soren understood at once. The uncertainties and assumptions were over. He found her enchanting; her adoration was quite obvious to this becoming man; all the fretful delays and protocols were to be forgotten. Charlotte loved him, there was no doubt of that; and he was more than ready to love her. Soren took her hands in his, and they both moved closer to embrace one and another in a symbolic kiss. The Queen gave the Crown Prince a gold engagement band which he promised to wear always and he swore he would love and cherish her till death did them part. What a Glorious evening that followed! There was dancing and celebrations which were more reminiscent of those of the Ancien Régime that conservative and morally superior Engellex. There was very little consideration that the country and launched an air strike against Montelimar yesterday, and were in fact continuing that strike to-day and to-morrow.

The Admiral of H.E.M.S. Belliqueux confirmed to the First Lord of the Admiralty, the Crown Prince of Walssex-Battent, that in the conclusion of a three month refitting operation the carrier will have made sufficient fittings ready for departure of the naval port in Bantyr to rendezvous with the Seventh Submarine Squadron just north of the Cambrian continental enclave on that date, an escort of the lone vessel by the Bantyric Navy would soon be in the process of being neogiated. The carrier will have completed a process of refitting for the purpose of operating as an aircraft carrier alongside the helicopter carrier of the same class. Due to the small Surface Fleet of the Royal Engellexic Navy the carrier will be vulnerable to enemy attack, as the remainder of the fleet is within Engellexic and Montelimarian waters; however, the entire Seventh Submarine Squadron of five vessels and the Sixth Submarine Squadron of four vessels will be placing the security of the navy’s flagship as an absolute priority. The sixth squadron being in operation from the waters surrounding Bimbeck. From the foregoing the situation seemed to be contained and controlled. The Third Submarine Squadron also commenced their advancement to the waters West of Great Engellex, location in the midst of Bimbeck and Breotonia. It was widely accepted that the Surface Fleet was not a force strong enough to deal with a circumstance of confronting an aggressive Federation fleet, the Naval Doctrine of Great Engellex had not been a futile focus on grand carrier battle groups with awesome power projection; instead the focus rested upon the strong foundations of a large submarine fleet capable of harassing enemy surface fleets and ensuring that an enemy strategy of a surface attack very difficult. The Surface Fleet, however, was focused on delivering a swift and well executed amphibious assault, originally for the protection of territorial interests.

By the conclusion of the August 7, the Seventh Submarine Squadron will positioned in a zone of patrol north of Cambrian enclave to intercept enemy vessels from the north; the Sixth and Third Submarine Squadron will be stationed in zones west of Engellex, south of Bimbeck and north of Breotonia for the same purpose of interception of vessels from the west. The territorial waters of Engellex only remained vulnerable to vessels taking a southern course through the Fisherman’s Strait, though the First Submarine Squadron is located around the Hessex Bite in Engellexic and Montelimarian waters. The flagship, H.E.M.S. Belliqueux will be anchored within the naval port in Weybourne, in the north, separated from the second carrier in Peterloo, a minor naval port. The Third Destroyer Flotilla received orders to operate patrols in the northern waters of Engellex, supported by the Third Frigate Flotilla that was stationed in Weybourne thus far. The First Destroyer Flotilla and the Second Frigate Flotilla continued in their positions within the Hessex Bite, in and around Montelimar.
 
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Palais Royal
Valmy


It was one forty-five in the morning when the phone rings in the Royal bed chamber. Groggy with sleep, King Armand aswers.

"This had better be important!" says the King.

On the other end, the duty officer of the Guard Gendarme, Major Avries speaks.

"Your Majesty, I am sorry to awaken you, but the Defence Minister is on the line. He wishes to speak to you. He says it is important."

"It better be!" Armand snaps at the officer.

A moment later, Defence Minister Truveau comes on. "Your Majesty."

"Truveau, like I said to Major Avries, this had better be important."

"Your Majesty, I would not have disturbed you unless it was. At approximately 1:05am Major Gen. Henri Landreu, Commanding General of the Western Air Defence Command has ordered an alert, scrambling three escarilles. I do not know the specifics yet, but I have been told that early warning radar has picked up a large number of incoming aircraft from Engellex. Your Majesty, if this is true, I need your authorization to order a full alert of all commands. There is no time to waste."

Knowing the implications of a possible attack from Engellex, the King did not need to be told there was no time to waste.

"If this is true, it may already be too late. You have my authorization. Put all commands on full alert. I will get dressed and will talk to you in the situation room in....."

"Excuse me Your Majesty," the minister interupts. The King can hear Truveau's end opf the conversation over the still open line.

"Are you sure...there is no mistake...yes, do what is needed...the King has already authorized it."

There is a moment of silence before the Defence Minister comes back on the line. "Your Majesty, I am on a direct line with General Landreau...Fecamp is under attack as well as forward radar and air defence facilities along the border. They have been identified as Engellex aircraft. Fighters of escadrilles SPA.5, 9 and 23 have been ordered to engage. Your Majesty, we are at war."

King Armand could not believe that Engellex would launch such an attack, he knew now he was a fool to believe they were any better than the Solarens, that their sense of decency would not win out over their yearning for power and dominance in Gallia. That any desire for peace would actually win out over their hunger for empire.

"Contact all commands, shoot to kill....Truveau, send them all to hell."

The Skies Over Montelimar

Even though fighters and SAMs were still able to engage those first groups of enemy aircraft that entered Montelimarian airspace and the sheer number of them gave the defenders plenty to shoot at, those same numbers and timing meant that the defender were very much outnumbered and those fighters and air defence batteries that were able to target the incoming aircraft found themselves overwelmed. But engaged they did, and though few survived, they did not go down without a fight.

Over the next several hours, as the Engellex forces continued their assault, though other than the three escadrilles they began encoutering more and more Montelimarian fighters and more SAM batteries and radars, though most of the fixed sites had been attacked already, these were mobile and now needed to be hunted for, but it is during this time that the Engellex began using ECM, which many would think would give them an additional level of safety, but they soon found that was not always the case. While all radar is susceptible to jamming, there are those that are less so than other, and there is Montelimarian radar that fit that rule, but what would be most frustrating to the Engellex fighter, where those missiles, both ground and air launched, that did not need radar to find their target, they just homed in on those same jamming signals and rode them straight to their sources, and in most cases, being that there was no signal being trasmitted from the launcher or the missile, the Engellex fighter didn't even know they were being fired at until they were hit.


Fecamp Naval Base

The tomahawk missile fired from the naval vessels at sea struck at communications, radar, power generators, repair facilities and barrack. At the nearby naval air station, pilots rush to their planes.

At Sea, West of Fecamp

The corvette RNN Jacoubet had received the message to engage the enemy, and not so far away was the enemy. Corvette Captain Rene DeClair knew that his one corvette would not pose much of a threat to the Engellex squadron ahead, but he had to try. It was the H.E.M.S. Warspite that had become the target that DeClair had his eye on, though he had no doubt the Engellex ships had him in their sights also, as soon as the corvette came into range launched its two Exocet 38s

The Long Sea
Solaren Theater of Operations


The RNN Brissac was already in a warzone and therefore on combat alert when the signal that Montelimar was under attack by Engellex forces came through. Vice Admiral Jean Montigue immediately informed the battle group and plot the positions of all known Engellex vessels within operations zone and ordered his operations to identify greatest threats and prepare to engage those threats.

The aircraft carrier Le Souverain had been moved from it base at Fontaine-Harcourt to Eiffelland before the war with Solaren had begun and was now supporting Eiffelland air and naval operations in the eastern Bay of Venetia, that is until the commander received new orders and new targets, the Engellex navy.
 

Great Engellex

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Dulwich
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Engellex
DAY TWO
THE ENGAGEMENT & AND THE IMPERIAL STRIKE PART TWO

Over the Skies of Montelimar, 7 August 2011


During the diplomatic battering leading up to the evening’s occasion of state, the Queen’s proposal of marriage, Queen Charlotte and the Northern Secretary both tried to explain to the Federation’s diplomats in Dulwich that they didn’t understand what the military capabilities of Great Engellex truly were. Anthony Pelham-Holles made it quite clear to the ambassadors that unless the Federation withdrew from Solaren; the Long Sea; and the military forces of Anglyn, Guiana and Aquitania from the continent, then the objective of Great Engellex was to force the Federation to accept that reality in an embarrassing defeat. They did not understand the nature of the three services within the Great Engellexic Armed Forces, the fact that modern technology had been integrated in dated systems where necessary, and the resolve of the nation. They did not imagine the possibility of the air-defence system of Montelimar being rendered impotent from the opening moments of a war. They could not have imagined the force that was about to rain down from the skies with such intensity and accuracy. In the first forty-eight hours, the Royal Engellexic Air Force flew more sorties than the branch had seen in its entire history thus far.

The morning after the first bombs fell over Montelimar, they initiated a feeble response to the massive punishment Great Engellex was inflicting. At 06:00, the F-16s of the No. 74 Squadron in five groups of four operated from a position in Wantage to seek and destroy enemy artillery units in northern Montelimar. The attempt would prove mostly unsuccessful due to the reliance on outdated intelligence, though the aircraft descended upon targets and dropped bomb after bomb, several target locations were incorrect. This highlighted a need to infiltrate intelligence communications in Montelimar swiftly in order to fully update enemy positions. The initial assault against Montelimar was not limited to just air attacks. At 07:30 on the 7th, the 6th Royal Artillery Regiment of the XII Corps, the 5th Royal Artillery Regiment of the XXX Corps, the 7th Royal Artillery Regiment of the V Corps, and the 8th of the XIII Corps began launching rockets from their M270 MLRS’s into northern Montelimar. Military targets in and around Nimes, Mormant, and even Clarmont* were being attacked; nearly 200 rockets were used. Simultaneously, M270’s from the 18th Royal Artillery Regiment of the XIX Corps, the 19th Royal Artillery Regiment of the XX Corps, the 16th Royal Artillery Regiment of the XIV Corps, and the 22nd Royal Artillery Regiment of the XXXIV Corps also launched rockets into eastern Montelimar; they attacked military targets near Limoges, Lille, and Chambery*.

As the air war continued, Marshal of the Royal Engellexic Air Force Sir Edward Leonard Ellington, Viscount Ellington, expanded the air force’s estimated number of sorties from one thousand five hundred to just over two thousand for the 7th. At 07:45 twenty-two Phantom IIs of the No. 89 Squadron, ninety-six Phantom IIs of the No. 6 Group, and twenty-four Phantom IIs of the No. 90 Squadron launched from bases in south and eastern Great Engellex. They would demonstrate the ability of the Royal Engellex Air Force to maintain, and extend, its supremacy of the air over Montelimar; the aircraft would descend upon the fighters of the enemy air force, encounter the Rafale and Mirage aircraft, and provide an aggressive distraction over the skies of north and central montelimar. It was a distraction for the purpose of another massive air raid. This time ten Avro bombers from the No. 78 Bomber Squadron, joined by sixty F-16s from the No. 3, No. 5 and No. 6 Squadrons attacked military infrastructure and targets in Valmy and the surrounding area. The surrendering of the northern skies by the enemy allowed the air force to move further south, knowing that timing they have before directly responding to the air raid has been prolonged, while the use of the Vickers VC10s to refuel combat and bomber aircraft over northern Montelimar extended the ability to sustain the intensity of the raid. The attack aircraft flew as part of ten groups of six, allowing them to cover a wide area. Maintaining strict radio silence, each strike group raced into central-southern Montelimar toward their assigned military targets at speeds of Mach 2. The six-flight group broke into three groups of two (30 groups or 2 across the area) and dove in one their targets through an unending barrage of AAA and SAM missiles. In succession, each of the sixty planes dropped eight 1,000 lb. MK83 bombs on enemy air stations, barracks, runways, power generators and radars, then pulled out of their attack dive into a steep climb, kicked in their afterburners and rapidly climbed to a safe altitude. At 07:15 the four squadrons, consisting of five Westland WAH-64 helicopters and one AgustaWestland AW101 helicopter, from the opening attack against Montelimar on the 6 August, had taken to the air for their second mission. Rather than focusing solely on radar facilities in the immediate region surrounding Valmy, the squadron’s objectives were to fly under the dual cover of the Phantom IIs and F-16s and strike radar facilities with over one hundred missiles, then to spray the immediate area of the radars, AAA, and SAM with rockets and thousands of rounds of cannon fire.

The corvette RNN Jacoubet was being tracked on both the bridge and operations room radar by the Principal Warfare Officer and Navigation Officer, for the purpose of reacting to any incoming missile attack. Painstakingly the vessels of the Royal Engellexic Navy are prevented from launching the first strike against enemy vessels, as constituted by a new law that was part of an understanding to demonstrate to the Breotish Government the intentions of Great Engellex to not bring open war to the seas. Two Exocet missiles had been launched, and received on the radar. In accordance with Engellexic naval policy, adopted in the 1990’s, H.E.M.S. Warspite recognising that it was under missile attack turned toward the threat swiftly, accelerated to maximum speeds of 30 knots and launched five rounds of Mark 36 SRBOC, providing an effective spread of decoys and countermeasures, to prevent the ship being caught defenceless. H.E.M.S. Havock who was in continuous conversation with Warspite immediately accelerated speeds to close in on the position of the corvette. Havock launched her own four Exocet missiles at Jacoubet.

By the end of the second day, it was reported that twelve more Engellexic aircraft had been lost in action. One Avro bomber; four F-16s and six Phantom IIs. It was these loses which compelled Queen Charlotte, amidst the exuberance of the evenings engagement ball and splendour, to make known the position of Great Engellex to her assembled Lords and Ladies, not to mention those of Europe that also assembled for this occasion. Your Majesty, spoke a finely dressed footman as he handed a folded piece of paper to the Queen. Charlotte read it solemnly, those immediately surrounding her noticed her intent toward what she was reading. Walking to the centre of the Grand State Ballroom, Charlotte signalled for the orchestra to stop, your Royal Highnesses, my Lords, my Ladies and Gentlemen, she began, may I ask for silence, because I very much regret to announce that my realm is at war with Montelimar. And lives of my beloved Crown Subjects have been lost. It was the announcement half of Great Engellex anticipated with excitement, the others with absolute sadness. Eerily a silence ensued as the hundreds took time to fully understood what was now before them; the collapse of an era that has lasted for hundreds of years and supported many aristocratic and royal dynasties, or the entrance of Great Engellex as a Major Power upon the European stage. It would not have been mistaken, by the ambassadors serving the Courts of the Federation, that in this magnificent hall of gold gilt, flowing silks and diamonds, there stood boldly as polished brass was Queen Charlotte in all her overbearing opulence as Queen of this Imperial Realm. Her presence, through her eyes, acknowledged theirs in a scene reminiscent of a Lord throwing down his glove for a challenge.
 
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Nov 1, 2006
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1,167
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Santa Clarita, Ca
At Sea, West of Fecamp

Aboard the corvette RNN Jacoubet, the captain and crew know that their two exocet will likely not hit their target, they do know that now the Engellex ships need turn their attention to the lone warship, and though they will probably make short work of the vessel, it may give those on land the few minutes of breathing room. The captain does know he has no missiles left, he does have torpedoes and gun, and what might be just as important, a radio.

As the Jacoubet speeds toward it likely doom, the captain orders communications to start broadcasting on all emergency frequencies a message and to keep broadcasting it until he is ordered to stop or until he is no longer capable. The message will be simple, a simple warning that Montelimar was under attack.

ALERT...ALERT...THIS IS A WARNING TO ALL VESSELS AND AIRCRAFT RECEIVING THIS MESSAGE...THIS IS THE RNN JACOUBET...WARSHIPS IDENTIFIED AS BELONGING TO THE NAVY OF ENGELLEX HAVE...WITHOUT WARNING...LAUNCHED MISSILE STRIKES ON TARGETS WITHIN MONTELIMAR...ALL CIVILIAN VESSELS BOUND FOR MONTELIMAR ARE WARNED TO AVOID ENTERING THE AREA...ALL CIVILIAN AIRCRAFT BOUND FOR AIRPORTS IN MONTELIMAR OR TO USE MONTELIMAR AIRSPACE SHOULD DIVERT TO ALTERNATE DESTINATIONS OR ROUTES...ALERT...ALERT...

The message repeats itself over and over again, in which time many vessels, both military and civilian receive the warning until as suddenly as it began, it stopped, in mid sentance. It will later be learned that it was at that moment that Exocet missiles fired from the same vessels the warning was about, tore through the Jacoubet, and the 1200 ton corvette, along with her 42 officers and crew, sank beneath the waves.
 

Remuria

Establishing Nation
Joined
Aug 4, 2007
Messages
2,640
Nick
The Swissman
Considerations of a somewhat illegal nature

Despite the unfavourable outcome in the Staatstag, the Landamann was not about to be derailed in his ever growing desire to assist the EDF against Engellex. For in the opinion of his ministers and councillors, it was far better to have the EDF fight Engellex as far as possible from Wendmark's borders than right on Wendmark's borders. Wendmark has learned to live with the EDF without abandoning its national sovereignty. The same could not be said of Engellex should Dulwich succeed in its war of conquest. The prospect of Engellexic tanks on the Elbe was a terrifying one for the Landamann, for it would mean fighting on home soil and losing Wendmarker lives.

A cabal was forming, involving the most loyal political officials, military commanders and intelligence officers that would act in the best interests of the Free State, even if such acts would not be directly compatible with the exact wording of the Staatstag resolutions. The secret operation, elaborated and decided in the highest echelons of Wendmark's political and military establishment, would bear the name of Projekt 77. P-77 would for the time being involve several measures:

1. Secret intelligence sharing with Franconians, namely “leaking” radar surveillance data, which would allow the EDF to cover eastern Montelimar and southern Vistrasia.
2. “Leaking” information and data intercepted by Wendmark's Onyx interception system, namely faxes, telephone calls, internet traffic and cables pertaining to or relating to Engellex. In case of encrypted data, if decoding would prove problematic, data would be provided as-is.
3. The secret right of overflight for EDF combat and cargo planes over Wendmark outside of the established time frames and, since not exactly covered by the Transit Agreement, on a pro bono basis. Such transfers would be covered up as Wendmark's own aircraft on patrol or on redeployment throughout the country.​

Additional measures would be elaborated depending on the evolution of warfare on the ground in Montelimar.
 
Joined
Oct 11, 2007
Messages
504
Location
Nebraska
Defense Ministry
August 9th, 1800hrs

The Defense Ministry was not as many would expect it to be as a singular large building but was instead several buildings spread across a large complex. It was in one of the several buildings here that the heads of each branch and the officers from the Confederate Intelligence Service(CIS) were carrying on a meeting largely in secret as they had already been given approval by the Confederate Council.

The meeting was simply the final preparation for what was to come. The men gathered in the room were taking the time to ensure that nothing new had developed, nothing had largely changed in enemy positions, but most importantly to view intelligence to make sure the greatest kept secret had yet to be revealed. The Commander in Chief of the Air Force had gone to great lengths to ensure that the air space was always cluttered with combat aircraft from the Confederation for the past 48 hours, the excuse had been perfect thanks to the neighboring conflict. Soon the righteous hand would come sweeping down and bewilder the enemy with another crushing blow. There would be no official declaration of war at this time, that would wait until such a time as regulars from the army were in position to launch the assault into the enclave on the ground, three Brigades would receive marching orders before the night was over.

Operation Gift
Coast of Lorraine Enclave, 2300hrs

It was the dark of night as the squad of naval commandos slipped off the edge of the cargo ship and into the dark depths below to begin making their swim under the surface of the sea towards the naval installation that Lorraine had in the Enclave. These nine men would be the first strike of the Confederation against the enemy.

The mission for them was quite simple. Once they had reached their destination they would place several explosives on the underside of the enemy vessels in port. the goal was not to permanently sink any ships, but just to remove them from operational use for the time needed. If there was any combat vessels in port they were the first priority with the secondary objective being any support ships such as ammunition or fuel carriers. The explosives would have set timers to allow the team to get distance between them and any potential forces once the explosives would go off.

Operation Inferno
Offut Airfield, 15 miles West of Imperial 0030hrs; August 10th

An evening raid was the preferred for the initial strike, and hopefully the aircraft would in theory be preparing to fire the first missiles as the explosives set by the Naval Commandos went off in port hoping to add to the confusion. The 23rd Fighter Squadron and the 72nd Fighter squadron hand picked by the Chief of Staff to launch the aerial assault upon Lorraines air defenses and radar sites. They would not be flying alone this evening in the skies as to assist them in a supporting role was electronic warfare aircraft whom was assisting them in two roles, the first section was to guide them to the radar sites allowing the fighters to leave their onboard radar off until they were within range to attack and monitor for enemy aircraft while the other section would provide jamming support. The attack teams would have the backing of another squadron of F-15 Eagles ready to scramble for any possible air interdiction that was needed.

The 23rd Fighter Squadron was comprised of 18 F-16 Fighting Falcons, they would be responsible for knocking out the enemy radar using the HARM missile systems, it would not matter to them if it was mobile or stationary if it could detect friendly aircraft presence to the enemy they wanted it knocked out of service. They would run sorties all night until the early dawn hours.

The 72nd comprised of 16 F-15 Strike Eagles was on the other hand responsible for launching stand off missiles targeting enemy facilities inside the enclave that were stationary. Maximum damage was the goal to remove the capacity of the enemy to fight, they would launch at maximum range and were primarily attacking buildings believed to hold ammunition stocks and fuel storage tanks as well as barracks and and aircraft hangers.

The most tactical element would be carried out by a UCAV squadron operating six UCAVs over the eastern section of the country. They would be flying sorties utilizing the Hellfire missiles against enemy mobile anti-air assets as the primary focus and enemy vehicle formations as secondary targets.
 
Joined
Aug 30, 2009
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2,646
Location
Free State of Bavaria
Capital
Zittau
Nick
ErAn, Franken, ArEn
August 19
Camp Alpha
Valmy, Montelimar


For practical purposes the Franconians’ command in the war theatre had been set up in a building of some ministry whose difficult French name Generalmajor Dorothea Seiler couldn’t quite recall. She was more fluent in Anglyish and Aren than in French due to her command assignments in those regions. Entering a black sedan that sported the Franconian ensign she was brought to the central command where she and her closest staff would commence planning Franken’s participation in the efforts. As far as she had been informed Engellex’s air force had made impressive thrusts into Montelimar. Probably to minimize exposure to negative propaganda they had been focusing on avoiding civilian targets as far as possible.

To the Montelimarian commander-in-chief Seiler could present the following plan: Franken’s two army divisions would be placed in the north east where they were to be held in reserve for a ground assault and to tackle the vicious air attacks additionally. They would receive the additional air protection from 10 multirole fighters, while the other 10 would join the 10 multirole fighters and 8 bombers to fly raids on Engellex’ eastern bases. Furthermore, she had received word from the Admiralty which confirmed the successful start of preparations for a naval assault mission via Würzburg. According to first estimates the amphibic assault group would be ready until Monday.

Having finally arrived at the command, she was swiftly led to the Montelimarian general, who had been impatiently waiting for her. Time was of the essence, no doubt. "Bonsoir, Monseigneur. J'espère que notre appui sera bénéfique." (1)

---
(1) Good evening, sir. I hope our assistance will be of use. (apologies to any French native speakers ;) )
 
Joined
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Messages
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Santa Clarita, Ca
Aug 6th

It was all-out defence, with the ECM planes still targeted with homing missiles, but anything enemy that flew was engaged. Throughout the day of the sixth, Royal Air Force jets put up a hell f a fight as planes from the east joined those left in the west in engaging the enemy, but as the airfields in the west being targeted it caused the escadrilles to need to be relocated to better protect ones in the east, even the 1st and 2nd GB (1° and 2° Groupe de Bombardement) were relocated as far east as Fontaine-Harcourt.

Though it was bad in the air, in was hell on those on the ground. SAM site were continuously targeted only the army's heat seekers made any real impact in those early hours as manpads and vehicle mounted Mistrals did bring down both helicopters and the lower flying attack aircraft.

Fecamp

The naval base was hit hard as the tomahawk missiles it was up to the fighter of the Gepard Naval Air Station southeast of Fecamp to mount any kind of defence. Naval Rafales were what mounted that defence as twenty planes headed north to engages incoming aircraft. The naval pilots knew their job and would defend bases with everything they had.

Though most of the planes were sent to intercept the incoming enemy aircraft, two four plane flights were ordered to engage the ships at sea that were firing the tomahawks. Four planes armed with anti-radiation missile each, the other four planes armed with two Exocet missiles, as the first targeted the ship's radars, the other two would launch its Exocets.

Grande Henri Airport

A lone plane escorted by four Rafales take-off heading north. Aboard the plane, the Queen, the Crown Prince and the Queen Mother. Their destination, Nurmberg.

Aug 7th
To be written
 

Remuria

Establishing Nation
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Aug 4, 2007
Messages
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Nick
The Swissman
Matters of royal escorts

Interception of aircraft is somewhat tricky matter for a landlocked nation. When does one give the order for jets to take off or for patrols to be turned around to intercept an approaching aircraft? Clearly once the potentially hostile aircraft crosses the imaginary line in the sky separating two sovereign airspaces, it is already too late. Hence why it is standard protocol to get fighters in the air before the foreign aircraft crosses that imaginary line. Foreign craft are easily tracked through military, civilian and dual-purpose radars. Once it is confirmed that the foreign aircraft are on an approach vector towards Wendmark, or fly parallel to Wendmark's border, but within close vicinity of it, jets of the Wendmarker Air Force move into patrolling position on either on an interception course, either on a course on which they could quickly counter-attack the enemy aircraft if the latter commit an aggressive act. The number of birds raised into the air is generally equal or proportional to the amount of foreign aircraft to be intercepted, number of aircraft within the area of operations permitting.

As such, and given the increased rate of aerial patrols due to the conflict raging in Montelimar, the aerial group carrying the Montelimarian royals would be immediately intercepted by half a dozen jets of the Wendmarker Air Force the moment they approached the Free State's airspace. Interception did not in any way mean a hostile action, simply that Wendmarker jets would escort the Montelimarian ones. A strict corridor would be assigned, with the Wendmarker aircraft ensuring two things at a time: that no Engellexic aircraft pursue and that the Montelimarian aircraft (namely the combat jets) do not go off vagabonding throughout the Free State.
 
Joined
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The unmarked long range executive jet carrying the royals identified themselves to the Wendmark air control. As a Princess of Arendaal, Queen Katerina left Valmy aboard and Arendaal diplomatic jet, and though it had Montelimarian escorts, those turned back as soon as their charge had safely entered Wendmark airspace. Queen Katerina was bound for Nurmberg, but it was for only a short time, it was Arendaal and her father, King Edvard that was her ultimate destination.

Aug. 7th

Things were not as bad on the second day of the war as it was on the first, though that doesn't say that it was good either. Several airbases in the west had to be abandoned and what was remaining of the escdrilles assigned to them were moved eastward with ground personnel grabbing what could before evacuating. An estimated two hundred aircraft had been destroyed or damaged so far, and though most of these were on the ground, it did not look good for the air force on the first day.

The second day the Engellexic felt cocky, though their surprise attack of the day before was successful, it did not knock out the the King's air force. Montelimar was not some third rate nation with antiquated defences and substandard training, and though the government may have failed to recognize the danger of Engellex, the military was not going to roll over and die, but instead faught back bravely and fiercely. This was shown in the Engellex attack on Valmy, nearly one hundred and fifty Mirages and Rafales, from some twenty escadrille, some survivors of those hit the day before, met the onslaught. Fully armed with air-to-air missiles both guided and heat seekers, they met the enemy as they approached and the battale over Valmy was on.

This did not mean that the ground force were unoccupied, army Crotale and Mistral batteries engaged incoming aircraft, in fact the Engellex helicopters found they were not immune to anti-aircraft fire especially the AW101s, not only from AAA guns but also troops with MANPADs and light vehicles with multiple lauchers stationed along the routes to Valmy.

While the Engellex fighters were engaged over Valmy, from behind the Bleuridge Mountains forty fighters with long range missiles engaged the tankers and those fighter protecting them. It would be Escdrilles SPA 18, 20 & 30 who job would be to engage the fighters while SPA 8 would destroy the tankers, and and any other support aircrft in the area.

Fecamp

The battle of Fecamp is still waging as the navy pilots and with the help nearby airforce jets defend their base and their field. And though the naval base has been hit hard with several ships in the harbor hit, the base holds out, with even a few of the subs behind a screen of FACs. Though most of the attack sub of the fleet are either on patrol or in the Long Sea hunting Solaren subs, there were several conventional subs still in port. It is the surviving ones, using the sound of the fast attack craft to sneek out of the harbor and into the open sea.

Caen

Though Caen is not a major port, it does have two squadrons of La Combattante FACs, and they too are sent to engage the Engellex surface ships. Supported by helicopters armed themselves with Exocets. It is a mad dash to engage the enemy all costs.
 

Great Engellex

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Oct 30, 2006
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5,258
Location
London, UK
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Dulwich
Nick
Engellex
DAY TWO

THE IMPERIAL STRIKE DAY TWO PART THREE

Parliament of Great Engellex, Dulwich, Union of Great, 7 August 2011 (Morning)

Charlotte was set on advancing with the marriage despite the war, negotiations with the Aren Royal Family had been firmly settled even though there looked to be dithering due to the war. In accordance with Engellexic custom the Queen invited representatives of the ruling houses of Preuti-Borussia to be witness to her proposal to the Crown Prince, there had never been an issue with this custom historically. The response, if you can call it that, from the European Defence Federation was that they had no intention of sending a representative to the engagement occasion. Queen Charlotte was indignant. Was she – the Queen of Great Engellex – expected to beg for the attendance of the Federation? Really, the lesser crowns could be so very arrogant at times. How dared they, who now are in no possession of power and dignity, though Charlotte gave consideration to the Court of Nurnberg, attempt to dictate to the Queen of Great Engellex. This was to be an outrage that would only reinforce the resolve of the Queen to bring the Federation to heel. The entrenched hatred for war and determination to steer the Union out of any conflict had dissipated faster than any hold of policy by any former monarch. Lords and politicians over the last decade had warned over the trouble that eventually manifest from the Federation’s aggressive foreign policy, they predicted it would eventually allow a conflict to emerge on the continent, as had happened, and Great Engellex should not allow it and go to war with a policy of prevent Open Continental Warfare.

How right they all were, for now the entire Federation had declared war on Great Engellex. This had the potential to cause a great split in the Royal Family. Charlotte and the Grand Duke of Wantage had been at loggerheads since the decision to mobilize. The Queen, of course, supported the determination to force the due regard of her realm which many believe is right and proper; the Grand Duke of Wantage was anti-war out of sympathy for the people of Montelimar who the people of Wantage have always regarded as friends across the border. Charlotte was once again proving her position as a political as well as a ceremonial leader of the nation, much to the dissatisfaction of the Grand Duke. The Queen was to make one of the most important and longest speeches of her political life within the House of Lords :- This House, that Other Place, and the Parties have differed and quarrelled in the past; but now this Union shall find its unity in recognising my determination to see our victory, and never to surrender my beloved people to servitude and shame, whatever the cost and the agony may be. This shall be regarded as the finest hour in the proud and illustrious history of Great Engellex. To say with certainty, beyond doubt, the most splendid. Unaided except by those Crown Subjects whom are dependent on my Crown and which rest beneath the shield of Engellesia - side by side, the Great Engellexix and Crown peoples have advanced to restore not only Preuti-Borussia but Europe to the Era of Free and United Nations. Behind Great Engellex, behind the Army and the Air Force of this Glorious Nation - gather silently but firmly the Ignored and Threatened Nations of Europe, upon all of whom will be at the mercy of the long hours of the Federation’s Imperialism, which shall descend, undisturbed even by a second of hope, unless we Liberate, as liberate we must; as liberate we shall.

Before this Great Nation stands an ordeal of the most grievous kind. What will be before my people will be many, many long months of struggle and of unimaginable suffering; as we challenge the tyranny. The policy of your Queen I can say is to wage a war of victory, by sea, land and air, with all the might and with all the strength that the deity can spare us; to wage war against an overbearing collective of insufferable imperialist dynasties.

In the air, though in the face of unimaginable odds against us, the Noble and Righteous Airmen of the Royal Engellexic Air Force have been Glorious in their effort to bring about the beginning of our supremacy, with the relative balance of the Engellexic and Federation Air Forces now considerably more favourable to us than at the beginning of this war. In striking swiftly and with the utmost precision we have dealt a blow to the air power of the enemy from which they shall not see recovery of, we are not simply fighting the Battle of Great Engellex but that of Preuti-Borussia. You can all hold the confidence in their ability to fight it out to the Grand Defeat of the Montelimarian Air Force, as they have certainly been strengthened by the fierce encounters which have taken place and are taking place. At the same time, our heavy bombers are striking with the thundering might, that Europe can expect of this Great Nation, upon the Military Power of the enemy and reducing it to rubble, and have already inflicted serious damage upon the Naval Port of Fecamp on which the Federation’s Western effort to dominate the continent directly depends. In the bitter and increasingly demanding conflict which lies before us we are resolved to keep nothing back, and not to be outstripped by any in service to the cause of a Free and Liberated Europe. Let the great cities of Preuti-Borussia whom have endured the blunt force of the Federation’s barbarism banish the misery of suffering even in the midst of their agony. Their liberation is sure. The day will come when the bell towers of Preuti-Borussia will ring again in the Joy of Freedom, and when victorious nations will plan and build in justice, in tradition, and in freedom an Era of United Free and Democratic Nations.


During the morning session of parliament the one hundred forty two Phantom IIs of the No. 89 and 90 Squadron, as well as No. 6 Group, streaked into Central and Eastern Montelimar in occurring waves of twenty. These fighters ascended to their designated areas of air patrol to engage and bring down enemy aircraft. Their mission was simply to fly cover for the other planes. AWACS controllers operated at maximum capacity to provide alerts of the approaching Montelimarian fighters. On approach to encounter Montelimarian fighters, the pilots of the Engellexic Phantom II’s maneuvered into attack positions before proceeding to illuminate their opponents with the aircraft’s radar at 50km before launching their AIM-7 Sparrows. In all, over three hundred of these missiles will be fired alone on that day. Pilots would immediately kick in their ECM pods upon being targeted by enemy missiles before slamming the enemy launcher at short range with AIM-9 Sidewinders. During the thundering showdown of air power, sixty F-16s led the attack, under the cover of the Phantom IIs, to knock out the enemy’s radar, SAM and communications with HARMS munitions and Mark 83 bombs. They raced toward their target in thirty groups of two, while dodging enemy AAA as best as possible at one hundred fifty feet. The F-16 pilots were forced to jink and dive to avoid the AAA. Flight after flight of the attack aircraft swept down their assigned targets, in and around Valmy; they quickly quickly expended all of their HARM missiles and turned to home airspace.

Shortly before the F-16s made their returns the wave of ten Avro Vulcans arrived over their targets. These aircraft were to conduct bombing missions deep and over key military airfields and infrastructure in Valmy and the surrounding region. These lumbering behemoths were maintained at a high altitude before descending dramatically over their targets. When they reached their targets the pilots conducted low level bombing runs over central and southern airfields. The Great Engellexic Air Force Central Command had thoroughly planned and choreographed the first two weeks of air operations, originally conceived to be a support plan for EDF aggression but later expanded to respond to their open war. Striking the balance between allocating resources for the suppression of air defence and the destruction of SAM was the difficulty in the planning. H.E.M.S. Warspite and H.E.M.S. Havock also continued to fulfil their strategic value by continuously pounding the air defence system of southern and central Montelimar with over two hundred Tomahawk missiles; these targeted radar, SAM and AAA installations.

Parliament convened once more before the Queen’s Occasion of State, Marshal of the Royal Engellexic Air Force Sir Edward Leonard Ellington, Viscount Ellington, entered the House of Lords in his first attempt to bring persuasion onto the peers to swiftly pass measures that will replenish those which were lost that day. The session was at full capacity, the focus existed on further expansion on the Army by lesser learned Lords of the Whig backbenches, which were dismissed of course by those of the front. Though not much could be dismissed when one Lord was advocating the need for more financing of the military, and there was much hear hear, which is where Viscount Ellington hoped to direct the attention of the House onto the service that certainly did need expansion, and technological development. My Lords, I stand here this evening to plead the cause of this proud nation. It may be accepted that this House my take in another time, and in other circumstances, an opposition; but this evening I speak on behalf of the Royal Engellexic Air Force and the Military Economy. His Grace the Secretary of State for War has been asking, indeed, demanding a great deal of estimates. And members of the Other Place, and even so, shadow ministers, talk of a continental war, and I say my Lords that we must not allow the regard for war as a modern game that we may play one evening and retire the next. No – no. It is no longer a game. A continental war cannot be anything but a cruel and terrifying struggle, which if we are to ever enjoy the bitter fruits of victory must demand, perhaps for years, the entire manhood of the nation; the entire efforts of industry; and the concentration to one end. And on the whole, and on the whole it must be judged, Engellexic influence is a kind and helping thing, and so I say my Lords, we would make a fatal bargain if we allowed the moral force which this country has for so long exerted to become diminished or enslaved! All for the sake of debating costly military estimations! The conclusion of which was meant with a thunderous applause by the House in support of the Viscount’s plea of support for military estimates.
 
Joined
Jul 24, 2011
Messages
43
Rathdowne Gardens
Near Rathdowne, Birkenmoor


Theobald Muller found King William standing on the veranda of the palace at Rathdowne Gardens. Rathdowne Gardens was the royal family's home away from home; it was a majestic and ornate villa set in a lush countryside. Located in Birkenmoor, the duchy neighboring the capital territory of Rubenow, the palace had been used for centuries as a country retreat for various royalty. Now-a-days, King William liked to use the palace as a weekend retreat or as a place to go anytime he wanted to escape the congested and smoggy capital. That was the case on this particular day, as it was only Wednesday morning. The King had taken the hour-long helicopter ride up the coast from the capital the night before.

The morning sun shone brightly as Theobald, the King's private secretary, strode onto the terrace that overlooked the scenic garden below, having just arrived from Rubenow via private car. In his hand he carried a thick folder stuffed neatly with many papers. William had a pensive look as he gazed out over the gardens, clearly caught up in his own thoughts.

"Good morning, Your Majesty," Theobald said. "I bring the latest news from the Great Engellex struggle."

The King turned around to face his private secretary, attempting to hide the fact that he had been a bit startled by the other man's arrival. He nodded towards Theobald in a signal to continue, as he turned to overlook the gardens once again.

"Well, from what we can gather, Queen Charlotte's air strikes have been highly successful against the Montelimar defences," Theobald began. "In fact, it appears they decimated the northern defences in the initial assualt. The Montelimarians seemed to have been caught off guard just as the rest of us were, which is good news for the Union. However, as expected, a growing tide appears to be building against Engellex and her actions. The European Defence Federation is, as expected, quite agitated at the attack against their counterparts, and all have started the process of declaring war on Engellex. We also seem to have been the only state thus far that has, publicly anyway, announced their support for Queen Charlotte. This caused a bit of a diplomatic row with the Wendmark Free State. While they are claiming neutrality at this point, it seems that are at least tacitly supporting the Defence Federation."

Theobald paused for a moment, allowing the King a chance to respond to the news of a growing war not far from Winnemark's borders. After an awkward silence, with the King not responding, Theobald continued. "Your Majesty, we should come to a conclusion soon about how we are going to move forward with respect to the increasing conflict in Central Europe."

The King knew that soon his government would need to put into an action some sort of plan of response. He knew this, and that is why he was so pensive. They had been discussing various responses for a couple days now, and the King had come to Rathdowne Gardens to escape the political debate in Rubenow and allow him to think carefully about the options. Obviously, Winnemark was supporting Engellex fully - they had made that announcement clear. But to what extent would the Rubenow kingdom go to support the Engellex Union? That was the key question. Because of geography and the various conflicts playing out across Europe, it would likely be very difficult for Winnemark to put troops on the ground. But that doesn't mean they couldn't still act militarily.

What was more was King William felt that this could be his moment to act upon ambitions he had long harboured. This could be Winnemark's chance to make the mark they so long desired upon the Central European landscape. This could be his chance to potentially united all of the Germanic states under one crown - his crown. He knew what he wanted to do, but was it feasible at this point in time? The King was so pensive because he wanted to get this perfect; Winnemark's move had to be completely perfect, otherwise it would likely be for naught.

"Theo, we have to do this right," the King finally responded.

"Of course, Your Highness. Perhaps we can at least start with a general mobilization of the Royal Armed Forces? That will put any option in play. Plus, we can use the excuse that we are simply protecting our own borders to give us some political cover. What we do from here is not locked in."

"Yes, a general mobilisation is a good first step. Put it into action," the King said, returning his gaze to the sun draped gardens.
 

Rheinbund

Established Nation
Joined
Oct 30, 2006
Messages
11,806
Location
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Capital
Fehrbellin
Schloss Bellevue (Kanzleramt)
Trier, Eiffelland

Chancellor von Seydewitz's secretary rushed into the Chancellor's office.

"Herr Kanzler, Herr Kanzler," she shouted. "Turn on the television. The Winnemarkers are mobilising."
"Wasss?" the Chancellor exclaimed. Then he put on the television to see the Winnemarker King and hear his speech. Meanwhile, he made sure that all ministers were called to go to Schloss Bellevue.

"What is happening?" one of the ministers asked.
"Watch this," the Chancellor said. Before the ministers had entered his office, he had searched for the news item on the website of the broadcaster. He linked his laptop to the projector and projected the news item on the wall. "This was broadcasted half an hour ago."

After the news item had ended, the minister for Defence cursed and raised his fist to slam it on the table. He was stopped by one of his colleagues: "Careful, Daniel, your fist hasn't cured from the previous time yet."
"But what are we going to do now?" he asked.
"We can't do anything else than mobilise ourselves. We can't afford to be surprised like Montelimar and Lorraine. Luckily the skies are already patrolled. We continue with that. But now we have to prepare a speech to announce our mobilisation as well. Why in Heaven's name are suddenly all those countries after us?" Von Seydewitz asked.
"Either they see how prosperous all the EDF-countries are and became jealous, or the Governments see their own positions at stake. Remember that Engellex, Winnemark and the Platte Confederation are de facto dictatorships. Their populations see how well we are doing and blame their governments for being less prosperous than we are," Minister for Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor Kögler said.
"Then study all books about the [WIKI]Soziale Marktwirtschaft[/WIKI] and do what we have been doing during the past 50 years, for Christ's sake," Von Seydewitz said. "Anyway, we have a speech to make. But first, let's give all the orders for a general mobilisation."

OOC: For the people not seeing it, the words "Soziale Marktwirtschaft" link to the Eurowiki about it.
 

Remuria

Establishing Nation
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Aug 4, 2007
Messages
2,640
Nick
The Swissman
Considerations of a defensive nature

Whilst total mobilisation was not declared, the Landamann used his emergency powers to undertake a number of administrative measures that would translate into tangible defensive measures on the ground.

First of all, Auszug battalions had their refresher dates rearranged in such a manner, as to continuously have a sufficient defensive Auszug presence on the western reaches of the country. Once one battalion finished its refresher, another would immediately take its place. In addition to the permanent readiness brigades staffed with professional and career soldier and officers, this would create a sizable defensive force.

Then came the Landwehr servicemen. They would be issued additional ammunition by their district commands, as well as protective gear, and formed into mobile and stationary units (depending on the personal timetable of each Landwehr serviceman) and assigned to protective duties on vital infrastructure, where they would provide back up to Police and Military Police detachments charged with securing these facilities. Landsturm servicemen still on duty would also receive ammunition and protective gear and, for now, act as an additional manpower reserve for the activated Landwehr units, in case the latter must pass into infantry duty for the Auszug.

The Landwehr and Landsturm activations were undertaken throughout the country, not simply in the west. However, since the direct military menace was the most probable on the western direction, it is there that the Auszug and the Bereitschaftsbrigaden had their main presence. Needless to say that should Winnemark pass on the offensive and invade Danmark for whatever reason, Wendmark would react accordingly.
 
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ErAn, Franken, ArEn
August 7th

The jet carrying the royal passengers had been directed to the executive section of Nürnberg’s Ludwig Erhard International Airport, where they were brought into a hangar. Despite those busy times when Nürnberg was scrambling how to respond to the surprise attack by Queen Charlotte’s regime Prinzregent Jakob von Franken received his cousin, the queen of Montelimar was his aunt’s daughter, himself.

“These are crazy, crazy times, my dear. I’m not a particularly timid man, but I sometimes do wonder if it was the devil himself who made poor cousin Charlotte decide to butcher your homecountry. It’s silly, I know, but how else could we explain Engellex’ attack? Sure, we didn’t quite extend our hand in friendship towards Engellex, yet this is so wrong. Charlotte and her leading elite seem to live in a period long before ours,” a concerned Prinzregent Jakob told Queen Katherine, “Your connection flight to Arendaal will be duly escorted by the Royal Air Force, of course.”

Some foreign affairs experts panel on Franconian tv on August 8th or 9th

[…]

“In the end of the day this stand-off is about who will be the big boss of Germania. Will it be the autocracies of Engellex, Platte and Winnemark? Or will it be the liberal states of the European Defence Federation? Granted, the EDF had it coming from Engellex. If Engellex hadn’t done a thing, their Queen Charlotte would have ended up overthrown by a disgruntled populace and/or plotting lords of their upper house!”

“Let’s not forget the persisting rumour the EDF courts’ polite refusal to send any royal representative to the engagement ceremony caused Queen Charlotte to kick off these sad events, dear colleagues.”

“Whether there’s any substance is not sure, it could very well be a false rumour being planted by any EDF intelligence service. But judging from what we know about Charlotte it’s plausible. It would be a perfect illustration how she and her camarilla cling to the ways of the late 19th and early 20th century. Engellex’ political organization is an anachronism. Unfortunately it’s an anachronism with good and strong weaponry.”
[…]

August 23
Königsburg, Nürnberg


The Reichssicherheitsrat was meeting once more. “Ladies and Gentlemen, it appears Engellex is being permanently joined by Winnemark and Platte Confederation, who seek to exploit the already ongoing conflict. This afternoon Winnemark issued full mobilization of its armed forces,” Generalinspekteur Feldmarschall Tobias Angerer explained.

“What do you recommend, Herr Feldmarschall?” The Prince Regent’s question was quite rhetoric, of course. “Our reserves ought to remain at code yellow, whilst the Royal Armed Forces should be raised to code red, i.e. full mobilization of the professional personnel. At this point we better be prepared for everything.”

“Then let’s move on to introducing the plans how we will be able to take the initiative from Engellex and bomb the living hell out of Charlotte’s precious home. Ahem, please do forgive my language, ladies and gentlemen,” Prinzregent Jakob remarked. To him it was still puzzling how queen Charlotte’s conscience could bear this butchering she ordered? There was no reason but her own hurt feelings. A reasonably acting state didn’t send off the cavalry – this was too expensive – they chose more sophisticated and civilized means. Was Charlotte capable of telling her own conscience assaulting a neighbour was a just action?
 
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Templier Harbor

Templier Harbor was named such, not because of the Solaren Templars, but because it was a main base for those Templi\er knight that sailed to the Holy Land during the Crusade. Though unfortunately the Solaren's share that history with the Templer of Aquitania, who today still has church and connect priory in the city of Castellane. During peacetime, the harbor would be full of pleasure boats and cruise ship and merchantmen, but because of Urban IV and his maddness, the harbor has become all but empty. Being right under the guns of Solaren, all that remains is three vessels that were not able to leave the port do to mechanical problems, two fly the flag of Lorraine and one of Anglyn and the handfull of patrol and fast attack boats, and a few fishing boat.

Still the harbor is active, even though the Solrens have yet to attack the harbor, it still does not mean it won't be, and the marines and sailor in the harbor are on constant alert and when the Aquashield Diver Detection Sonar detected the divers entering the harbor, security went into action. Once the divers were detected, they were allowed to proceed further into the harbor shockwave emitter were activated, forcing the divers to the surface, once there, if they were smart they would surrender to the the fast approach patrol boats.

Auvergne Air Control Center

The Coronadan had the entire Lorrainian Southern Command up-in-arms. Their sudden entry in the war with Solaren, though not unwelcomed and not entirely unexpected, was annoying. Their sudden filling of the air with fighter had put the Auvergne into even a greater sense of alert than Solaren's attack. Though it would mean that Solaren have much more to worry about thna the Lorrainian enclave, it also means that the air defence will have to be more vigilent otherwise it might be Coronadan planes and now Platte aircraft, as they escort their ships, that end up getting shot at.

It is this reason when Auvergne Air Defence Center detected radar jamming, the alert was sounded as radar frequencies are changed upon which time the aircraft was detected. The fact that jamming was being used forced the ADC to activate shoot down procedures. SAM batteries have been manned since the first attacks by Solaren on Lorraine now engage Platte fighters.

Though Auvergne had and extensive air defence system, it did not have a large number of interceptors. The Auvergne Combat Air Group was made up of three 10 plane squadron located a three airstrips, Vichy, Castellane and St. Charles, and though all three maintain alert, only one at a time is on combat ready alert with a flight in the air, tonight it is Vichy Squadron that gets the call as Rafales scramble to join the two already being vectored to the incoming aircraft.
 
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Templier Harbor

The divers had been swimming under the water for a short while and had now made it to within 500 meters of the piers and the ships they were going to plant explosives upon. They had believed they had covered this entire distance undetected but this was not the case as they had been detected by the defenders. It was at this time that the nine members of the team began to feel an extreme discomfort that was making it difficult to maintain their control underwater.

Six of the men began their way to the surface to attempt and make the swim in the dark while the other three continue to deal with the discomfort and change the plan with the intent to make the swim back away from the area at a much shallower depth to meet and the rendezvous point at sea with the blackhawk established in their briefing.

As the six surfaced the Sgt leading the men knew this was going to end in bloodshed and so did the others, they could at least attempt to cover those attempting to make the escape back to sea. As they breached the surface with firearms in grasp they began their swim on the surface with the firearms in hand attempting to get themselves into better positions to fight using the dark and harsh waves to that they could to their advantage. As a patrol boat made its way towards them two of the men began firing at the lights and another attempted laying down suppressing fire as they carried out a fire and swim tactic. The thud of a 203 could be heard as it was pelted towards the deck of the ship and the sound of automatic fire from the water and towards the water rattled away. They fought for as long as they could, how long was something they would never truly know as when the fighting breaks out all sense of time is lost as the adrenaline rushes. Four of these six men, including the Sergeant in charge of the operation lost their lives in the water with the other two becoming injured and captured by the defenders of Templier.

Operation Inferno

The Electronic Warfare aircraft supporting the Operation were doing their jobs well. The section in charge of jamming were not amateurs and were equipped with some of the finest equipment and were jamming over every frequency, while this did not allow them to focus the full jamming capacity at a singular frequency it did allow them to still limit the detection and reaction capabilities of the Auvergne air defense command to a point. The AWAC section had been guiding the respective squadrons they had been assigned to allowing them to leave their radar off for as long a possible time as they could. The 23rd Squadron was Red squad while the 72nd was Yellow squad.

"Red leader this is airborne command, Magnum is a go. Repeat Magnum is a go." It was with this order that the leader of the 23rd Squadron and the rest of his fellow aircraft turned on their radar and locked onto several radar signals. It was at this time that one of the HARM missiles under his wing separated from his wing pylon and those of his fellow F-16. Some of the radar targeting them was closer then others but it was believed that they would devastate the enemy air defense network. The aircraft were not unarmed for air-air combat however and were prepared to defend themselves in the event the enemy made an approach on them as they retreated back to the airbase.

"Yellow Squadron your also a go." That was all that was needed as the F-15 Strike Eagles launched their Slam-ER attached to the aircraft disconnected and began their travel towards the targets that they had been picked to attack. The Slam-ER's were launched at a significant range keeping this squadron safe from enemy air defenses. New orders were patched down, "Yellow Squad leader, your squad is to move immediately to support withdraw of red squad and engage incoming enemy aircraft utilizing your AMRAAM."

((To refresh memory of of Yellow Squads targets look at the previous post.Really want to get this caught up to current date.))
 
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