New Englia

[Rogue]

ND makes final request for Bevan Valley, deploys Army Division to border

[imperialpearl]

At a joint press conference held alongside Secretary of State for Defence Magnus Dawson, Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Nelson Walker and Chief of the Air Guard Air Marshal Bishop Maguire, Prime Minister Norah Turney announced that the New Englian Defence Force had conducted a series of early-morning preemptive strikes against numerous targets throughout eastern North Dovani. According to the Prime Minister, at around midnight, around 50 of the New Englian Air Guard's Unionfighter Typhoons and Tornados IDS + ECR took off from numerous bases across New Englia whereafter they entered North Dovanian air space and conduct a series of precision airstrikes against key military targets throughout the eastern portions of the nation. "During the early hours of the morning, the New Englian Air Guard conducted a series of precision airstrikes against numerous key military targets in eastern North Dovani, targeting military bases, training camps and command and control centres." Prime Minister Turney explained. She noted that her decision, which formally opens armed hostility between North Dovani and New Englia, was informed by an assessment of the New Englian Defence Intelligence Service which noted that preemptive strikes against key military installations in the eastern half of North Dovani would provide the New Englian Defence Force with the best opportunity for success. Admiral Walker confirmed that the sorties conducted by New Englian Air Guard had seriously crippled the North Dovani Air Force. "We can confirm that the sorties conducted have seriously crippled the North Dovanian Air Force. Our intelligence had informed us that throughout eastern North Dovani, North Dovani stores much of its combat-capable aircraft in hardened aircraft shelters and thus bunker-busting munitions were used alongside TV-guided and laser-guided bombs." Admiral Walker also confirmed that due to the coordinated airstrikes, much of the nation's over-the-horizon radar arrays had been destroyed alongside other known anti-aircraft positions. Air Marshal Maguire stated that although the airstrikes represented a major early "win" for New Englia, with tensions now open, the potential for North Dovani's military planners/decision-makers to shift all remaining air equipment to the east is now very certain. "We are assessing the airstrikes' impact on our long-term objectives. Whilst we can state that without fear of contradiction: "We have destroyed the North Dovanian Air Force in eastern North Dovani, it does not rule out the possibility that additional assets from the west could be reoriented towards the east in response to these airstrikes." Air Marshal Maguire cautioned. Delving into details of the operation which the Department of Defence has coined Operation Archer, Air Marshal Maguire stated that both the electronic warfare suite on both the Tornado ECR and the Unionfighter Typhoon and flying below radar detection had enabled the New Englian Air Guard to enter North Dovanian air space largely undetected until the last minute. "The operation saw the numerous "chalks" enter North Dovanian airspace from the South (crossing the North Dovani-New Englian Border) and the east (from the Verranderlijke Ocean). Via below radar detection and passive/active jamming of any radar, the chalks were able to move deep inside North Dovani without being locked by North Dovani anti-air and only became visible to their radar once the actual bombing missions began.

Dressing down the geopolitical implications of the preemptive strike, both Director of National Assessments Rowan MacTraynor and Secretary of State for Foreign and Dovanian Affairs Vivienne Dennison stated that a preemptive strike against North Dovani's ability to conduct attacks against positions inside of New Englia. "The assessment conducted by the Defence Intelligence Service set much of the groundwork for the airstrikes. It was the belief of the Prime Minister that should the mounting confrontation between North Dovani and New Englia were to boil over, any and all operations were to be conducted on our terms. Acting on that belief and the assessment of the DIS that by crippling the North Dovanian Air Force we will seriously hinder most offensive operations by North Dovani into New Englia, the decision to conduct coordinated airstrikes against their air assets, radar and anti-air installations was made." Director MacTraynor explained. Just as it had been confirmed that the first few bombs had hit their targets, Prime Minister Turney summoned the North Dovanian Ambassador to Clove Street where she informed the Ambassador of the airstrike. Foreign Secretary Dennison has confirmed that the North Dovanian Ambassador had been given 48 hours to leave the country via a flight to a third-party nation, most likely Suyu Llaqta. Secretary Dennison noted that having virtually fired the first shot, history would come to judge the appropriateness of the decision. "We did not seek a confrontation with these forces, but will most certainly not willingly give said forces an edge. When this is over, history will judge our actions' appropriateness. It is with that in mind that we must strive for success above all," she said. With a state of conflict now existing between New Englia and North Dovani, Admiral Walker acting on the advice of both Prime Minister Turney and Secretary Dawson has called for a partial mobilisation of the New Englian Defence Force, calling up active personnel and reservists to their formations. The Joint Forces Command Headquarters has been activated and will become the central hub for decision-making among the nation's military commanders. "It is not our intention to be bogged down fighting off North Dovanian troops. This is not a protracted, drawn-out war." Admiral Walker quipped.

[Rogue]

North Dovani invades Bevan Valley following air assault

[imperialpearl]

With the North Dovanian Army's 8th Division had crossed the border and entering the Bevan Valley, following a largely uncoordinated and seemingly confused artillery damage, Prime Minister Norah Turney ordered the evacuation of Northern North Englia. At a press conference held at the Department of Defence building in Lonmouth, the Prime Minister flanked by both the Secretary of State for Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff, ordered that civilians and non-essential personnel be evacuated from the northern counties/municipalities of North Englia. She explained that an assessment by the Joint Forces Command Headquarters concluded that although fighting could be contained within the Bevan Valley, the most recent artillery strikes and their largely uncoordinated nature presents a unique problem whereby due to the sheer inaccuracy of the barrages, civilians could be placed in danger. Joining the press conference via a video link from the provincial government's disaster management centre in Malick, North Englian First Minister Kate O'Hegarty donning a bulletproof vest and helmet spoke to the efforts being made by the North Englian Government to move persons residing within the vicinity of the Bevan Valley to temporary relocations zones in the southern end of the province. "Due to the nature of the situation, we have activated our disaster management plan and it is all hands on deck in moving civilians from border regions to temporary relocation centres to the south of the province. The counties being evacuated are Dubdee, Kilran, Belshannon, Waterderry, Northnagh and Longgal. We are urging citizens in these areas who have the means to move to the relocation centres on their own, be it by car or bus to do so immediately. Those seeking transport can contact their local municipal body and arrangement will be made." O'Hegarty urged. O'Hegarty stated that the evacuation is expected to last for around 2 days, whereby a constant stream of vehicles including transport trucks from the NEDF, cars and buses will attempt to evacuate some 200,000 persons from the border regions. She has noted that there have been some who have been resistant to the notion of being moved, instead pushing back against evacuation efforts and retorting that the people should take up arms against the invasion force. O'Hegarty, in swiftly shutting down the notion, urged citizens to adhere to evacuation orders and to refrain from "attempting to be heroes". "Those who refuse to adhere to the order will be forcefully removed. PSNE is out in its numbers both assuring an orderly evacuation and maintaining a sense of law and order," O'Hegarty explained. The temporary relocation centres are reportedly being managed by the North Englian Government with considerable assistance from the National Government in the form of food, clothing and beds. Prime Minister Turney declared a state of emergency throughout New Englia with a curfew being enacted in North Englia. To augment PSNE numbers in the province, the Department of Home Affairs has approved some 1,000 PSNE officers to be temporarily transferred from Dunnard and South Englia to aid in evacuation efforts and maintaining the curfew.

To manage the NEDF's response to the invasion, Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Nelson Walker, GOC (General Officer Commanding) of the Northern Command Centre Major General Timothy "Tim" Wooding has been named the overall commander of NEDF forces in North Englia. Speaking to the situation within the Bevan Valley, Major General Wooding stated that although the initial artillery barrage conducted by the North Dovanian invasion force was largely uncoordinated, some rounds landed in a munitions depot setting off much of the ammunition stored here and others knocked out a water booster station and a transition station, cutting water and power in the valley region. Frontline forces, primarily the NE Army's Quick Reaction Force (QRF) remain engaged in a brutal fight against numerous armoured and infantry columns attempting to press deeper through the Valley. QRF, owing to its name for a rapid reaction to critical events, is little armoured, with the formation primarily consisting of lightly armed infantry with LATs (light anti-tank) munitions and other support vehicles including the Mastiff MRAP (mine-resistant ambush-protected) vehicle, the Jackal AWV (armoured wheeled vehicle) and the Scimitar Reconnaissance vehicle. With largely heavy anti-tank weapons on hand to deal with the 8th Division's T-62 tanks and BMP-1 IFVs, troops have become extremely dependent on close air support for the New Englian Air Guard's Eurofighters and Tornados. Soldiers have however noted the limitations of their reliance on jet-bound close air support. "We often have to wait for the jets to come on station (i.e. enter the combat zone) to begin giving them laser designations for bombs. The nature of combat is fluid and often requires split-second decisions and reactions. Your squad could potentially come across an idle company of tanks, but because the jets are refuelling and rearming you have to wait for them to take off and enter the combat zone and by that time your either dead because you've been spotted or the tanks have moved." Sgt Brian Mac Coluim, 1st Battalion, The Hermons explained in an exclusive interview. Chief of the General Staff Lt.General Thomas MacKenna admitted that mobilisation for the NE Army was slow. He stated that although he had advancing planning in place, they had been caught with their pants down. "We have undoubtedly dropped the ball somewhat on our mobilisation efforts, but I can assure both the population and our troops have relief is on the way," the General explained. He noted that the NE Army's heavier assets were being moved to the frontline as a part of the partial mobilisation. To reduce the strain placed on the NE Air Guard, the Lynx AH.7 TOW (a variant of the Lynx AH.7 capable of carrying eight TOW anti-tank guided missiles) will be deployed to the Bevan Valley alongside infantry fighting vehicles such as the Warrior IFV and the Stormer HVM and towed artillery systems. Anti-tank capabilities are expected to come in form of the Scorpion ARV (armoured reconnaissance vehicle) and the MBT LAW heavy anti-tank guided missile launcher. Addressing sightings of North Dovanian paratroopers behind the line established by the NEDF, Lt.General MacKenna stated that the NE Army's Special Services Regiment, Parafinders and Special Air Group had been activated to both eliminate said paratroopers and secure the rear-guard before going on to their special taskings.

[Rogue]

North Dovani intensifies invasion despite major losses

[imperialpearl]

With both North Dovani and New Englia pouring reinforcement into the Bevan Valley, the Joint Forces Headquarters has confirmed that it has begun planning on what it believes will be the NEDF's first and largest offensive since the beginning of the ar. Having promised to reinforce the New Englian Army's rapidly dwindling Quick Reaction Force (QRF) with heavier troops and equipment, some 6,000 troops have entered the Bevan Valley as a direct result of the NEDF's partial mobilisation order, bolstering NEDF numbers in the area to around 10,000. Pointing to the NEDF's success in the Battles of River Creek and Gooseeye, GOC of the Northern Command Centre Maj. Gen. Tim Wooding stated that the New Englian Army, although smaller in number compared to the nearly 30,000-strong North Dovanian invasion force, had demonstrated extreme determination to keep much of the fighting contained to the region. "Our troops have fought long and hard to ensure much of the fighting remains contained to the Bevan Valley, the rare guard action of the Special Services Regiment and the work being done by the Special Air Group and the Pathfinders to ensure North Dovanian infantry/armoured companies do not flow out of the valley via the various side-roads leading out of the area, have all put ensured that we can concentrate considerable firepower and troops in this area as we begin to push this invasion force out." Maj. Gen. Wooding explained. As numerous mechanised units begin to pour into the valley, Joint Forces Headquarters has confirmed that the Quick Reaction Force will be withdrawn and placed one rear-guard duty. The heavier-hitting mechanised infantry units, bring numerous advantages for the NEDF over their QRF counterparts. A lack of heavy anti-tank capabilities had been identified by QRF as one of the defining reasons why it remained extremely dependent on airborne close-air support for the majority of its time in the Bevan Valley. Mechanised infantry units such as the Hermons possess heavy anti-tank guided missile weapons platforms such as the MBT LAW. Among the vehicles accompanying these troops, is the Warrior MILAN, a variant of the Warrior infantry fighting vehicle equipped with the MILAN ATGM. Alongside the Warrior MILAN, armoured combat vehicles such as the Scorpion are expected to play a role in major engagements against North Dovani's tank columns. Cpl. Cameron O'Donnell, a gunner for one of the Scorpion ACVs being sent into the Bevan Valley sang praises of the vehicle's capabilities. "It is an amazing piece of kit. It comes in two configurations, the Scorpion 76 possessing a 76mm gun which is really good against infantry targets entrenched in buildings via its HESH (high-explosive squash head) round, and the Scorpion 90 possessing a 90mm gun which is capable of dealing with heavier armoured vehicles such as North Dovani's T-62s and BMP-1s." At the Joint Forces Headquarters daily media briefing, Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Nelson Walker, flanked by Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Thomas MacKenna and Maj. Gen. Wooding confirmed that soon the NEDF's operations will begin to change, noting that whilst the war had mainly existed within the confines of conventional warfare doctrine, once the NEDF has retaken enough ground there are plans to treat the war as an insurgent whereby newer tactics will be employed. Admiral Walker confirmed around 1,000 casualties for the NEDF, stating the vast majority of said casualties came from the Quick Reaction Force. "This conflict is humbling in numerous regards. Aside from demonstrating to us the importance of planning and execution, it has revealed major gaps in our capabilities which will certainly have to be addressed once we've pushed the North Dovanian invasion force out of New Englia and dragged them to the negotiation table, kicking and screaming."

[imperialpearl]

In what has been described as the largest bombing campaign on the Dovanian continent in recent history, the New Englian Air Guard, acting on intelligence garnered from the efforts of the New Englian Army's Special Air Group, Special Services Regiment and the Defence Intelligence Service, launched Operation Midfielder against numerous targets throughout North Dovani. Having ordered the strikes which decimated the North Dovanian Air Force during the initial phases of the conflict under Operation Archer and emboldened by the recent gains by the New Englian Army in the Bevan Valley, the Joint Forces Headquarters has been searching for numerous "knock-out blows" aimed at either forcing North Dovani to the negotiating table or developing a route among the nation's troops. For much of the war's duration, the Defence Intelligence Service has been conducting a comprehensive intelligence sweep of North Dovani, utilising numerous data collection methods including HUMNIT and OSINT. Having briefed both the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence on the potential uses for the intelligence gathered by the DIS, the Prime Minister ultimately decided to approve a series of airstrikes against targets throughout North Dovani. Proposed by Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Bishop Maguire under the premise of targeting the nation's critical infrastructure to instigate a public reaction within North Dovani against the continuation of the war, Air Marshal Maguire's plan called for the full deployment of the New Englian Air Guard's combat aircraft fleet under the operation. In a joint press conference following the airstrikes, Air Marshal Maguire stated that the operation's scope and scale was extremely daring. "I must admit that the operation was extremely daring. The deployment of the nation's entire combat air fleet for the operation was most certainly a major risk." Air Marshal Maguire explained. The operation saw numerous flight wings of the New Englian Air Guard combined and organised into waves/phases. Armed with numerous assortment of ammunition and bombs, the aircraft which primarily consisted of Eurofighters and Tornados took off from numerous bases across New Englia where they entered North Dovani airspace from numerous directions including the north, south and east. Their targets included numerous strategic buildings including the North Dovanian Ministry of Defence building, training camps, airports, military bases, key highways and train lines throughout the country with some airstrikes being conducted as far as western North Dovani. The logistics of the operation had been the brainchild of Group Captain Shane Monaghan, a student of the Kazulian Bas90. According to Group Captain Monaghan, the strikes lasted for 72 hours with intervals between airstrikes lasting as long as an hour. "The aircraft would conduct their strikes and immediately return to New Englia for refuelling and rearming. In many cases, much of the refuelling and rearming had to be conducted on highways and country roads. A concept of the Kazulian Bas90, the aircraft would land on the highway where refuelling trucks and additional ordinances will be waiting. A quick maintenance check is conducted before the aircraft are sent out again." Monaghan explained. During the press conference, Director-General of the Defence Intelligence Rear Admiral Michal Grannell stated that Operation Midfielder was a major success. He confirmed that the airstrikes had seriously crippled much of the roads and highways leading into the Bevan Valley from North Dovani, alongside critical highway infrastructure throughout the country which he concludes is a certain a garner a reaction from the North Dovanian public. "These strikes have certainly brought the war to the doorsteps of many North Dovanians. The airstrikes have targeted important highways linked to numerous cities and towns. They have targeted numerous government buildings of importance and have clearly demonstrated to North Dovani our resolve and determination." Grannell explained. Secretary of State for Defence Magnus Dawson confirmed that Operation Midfielder had seriously reduced the NEDF's stocks of bombs from guided to unguided bombs.

[Rogue]

Chinasa: After the destruction of a significant chunk of the North Dovanian invasion force, heavy airstrikes on North Dovani itself and even civilian casualties pressure on the Ozioma government had been mounting. After the death of two workers from the Ministry of Defense protestors took to the streets to demand an end of the war, a protest attended by over 140.000 people. Within the government itself a struggle was emerging between moderate FPP members and hawkish FPP and UftR members, resulting in open fighting in the media between the different government ministers. This combined with grim news from the front, where at least 9.000 have died, been wounded or missing in a relatively short period and the situation in the country became flamable. Trying to prevent bloodshed and preserve the country President Onyekachukwu has, in a unprecedented move, dissolved the House of Representatives and dismissed the Ozioma government. Instead of appointing a new Premier the President has used one of his most controversial reserve powers, opting to appoint a "war cabinet" and temporarily postpone new elections. The new cabinet will consist of nearly all anti-war politicians from the opposition, with the president mentioning in his declaration that these actions have been taken with a clear goal in mind, ending the war in the Bevan Valley and "avoiding further North Dovanian blood be shed."

It seems that, until the situation has cleared, operations in the Bevan Valley continue. With some local and extremist commanders already announcing to continue the war until "direct orders are received to halt operations." The President has in a TV adress promised the people peace, calling on protestors to return home. Many have not abided by the request, with one protestors noting "we go home, they do as they please. We stay till our demand of peace has been met."

[Rogue]

Peace achieved, North Dovanian populace remains resentfull

[imperialpearl]

Having signed the peace agreement which brings the North Dovanian-New Englian war to its conclusion, and with the general election drawing near, Prime Minister Turney has unveiled her government's plan to rebuild the Bevan Valley, in what can be considered her final act in government. Speaking at an impromptu press conference in the Bevan Valley during a visit to the numerous battlefields, Prime Minister Turney stated that although the war was over, its effect would profoundly change how New Englia interacts with the region and the wider world. "we have all experienced events in the past month, which has most certainly changed our lives and our perspective on regional and global affairs. Against that backdrop, I dare you to ask yourself where you see this nation in the next decade, century or millennia." she posited. A feature of the peace agreement is the reparations to be paid by North Dovani for damage done to New Englian infrastructure in the Bevan Valley and environs. Prime Minister Turney noted that although the agreement has drawn the ire of numerous sects and personalities within North Dovani, New Englia had every intention to utilise the promised 18 billion solely to reconstruct the Bevan Valley. "We are aware of the murmurs within North Dovani that the agreement is somehow one-sided or represents a great embarrassment to the people of North Dovani. Whilst it is our belief that such an embarrassment should be used to temper the passions of the North Dovanian population, what remains important to us [New Englia] is that the reparations will most certainly be used to rebuild the Bevan Valley area and environs. Once the North Dovanian Government remains committed to that, we will continue to maintain our distance from that nation," PM Turney quipped. According to Turney, the 18 billion will be placed into a fund from which the North Englian Government can draw down finances after a review of the feasibility of its plans. The reconstruction effort will be primarily managed by the provincial government, with technical assistance from the national government. First Minister of North Englia Kate O'Hegarty, has stated that the provincial executive had approved the creation of a special interest firm, solely responsible for reconstruction efforts in the Bevan Valley. To be known as the Bevan Valley Development Agency, it will be the sole public entity responsible for the development of the Bevan Valley region, along the lines of a new planning agenda as outlined by the North Englian Department of Finance and the Economy's Central Planning Bureau. Although the agency will not be responsible for rebuilding infrastructure (most notably roads, highways and bridges), it will be responsible for reorienting the region's economic development trajectory. National Quarries has announced its intention to restart its mineral extraction operations, with works set to restart in the next 2 years. Companies such as Bevan Valley Proprietary (BVP) have sprung up, pursuing the goal of working around National Quarries' statutory monopoly by requesting exemptions from the national government to establish mining firms, which will primarily operate outside of New Englia but will be listed and headquartered in New Englia and will conduct business with National Quarries on minerals trade.