Second Great Majatran War

[Kubrick]

The Second Great Majatran War, or in Majatra also known as the Second War and the Greater Majatran War, or for the Zardic people the Fourth Great Majatran War is the Majatran conflict between Zardugal and her allies against the Tripartite Alliance consisting of Vanuku, Jelbania and Deltaria. With the vast network of alliances for both factions the war may end up in a global conflict.

All news updates for this war may be posted in this thread.

[PaleRider]

WAR
Late one night, a border skirmish broke out between Zardic Border Patrol agents and members of the Vanukuean Armed Forces. The situation quickly escalated into a heavier fight and now the Fourth Great Majatran War has broken out! Currently the Zardic-Vanukuean border is lightly defended (comparatively speaking) by Federal Border Police, paramilitaries and light infantry units however heavier units are being mobilized and pushed to the front at break speed.
AT sea, where this war has started, the 2nd Zardic fleet (flagship, the carrier ZNS Limenostomo) has put to sea and leaving two destroyers and a frigate behind to protect Kostandian Bay (the actual bay, not city) has moved out to protect the Zardic coast and the southern sea lines of communication. Zardic Government officials have declared the waters around Vanuku a war zone and authorized the sinking of commercial and military vessels related to Vanuku.
Zardic naval forces in the Majatran Sea are already moving to "choke-off" Vanukuean trade coming in from Seleya and eastern Artania with Zardic Naval and air forces launching patrols of the key access points into the Majatran Sea from their base in Selucia.

FORCE STRENGTH
~60,000 men (6th Zardic Army)
~6000 (Endiraho National Guard)
~4500 (Border Patrol and Federal Police)
~2200 (Zardic Patriotic Forces and People's Armed Militia)

[Kubrick]

"Operation Emperor"
Vanuku moves to defend homeland.


Vanukuian mechanized infantry moving forward through the northern front.

Southern frontline, Vanuku - The tragedy the government has feared for several years now has finally happened, Zardugal has declared war on Vanuku. Zardic irregulars started firing at Vanukuian positions late in the night, after some reluctance the commander of the southern front, General de Rood, gave permission for all units to return fire. Shortly after this, at 5:30 am, the Zardic forces advanced. Several Zardic units violated Vanukuian borders and marched into Vanukuian land while several Zardic ships violated Vanukuian waters in an attempt to shell harbours and target Vanukuian naval vessels. At 6:07 am precisely the Commander of the Vanukuian Armed Forces gave green light to Operation Emperor, the Vanukuian answer to the Zardic invasion. Mechanized infantry supported by tank regiments and heavy artillery started a heavy assault using focus points in the Zardic line. By 8:00 am the Vanukuian forces had broken through on several points in the Zardic line, entering Zardugal itself. They pushed back most Zardic units and forced a few to irregulars to surrender after encircling several Zardic positions. In the afternoon the Commander, General Ornklarz, announced the city of Sebasto had been secured by Vanukuian troops. At 16:30 another quick press conference was given announcing that the prestigious 1st Armoured Division (1ste Pantserdivisie) had captured the largest Zardic military base near the city of Gatineo. With the General James Fulcher Combined Operations Base under firm control and a few light skirmishes in the city of Gatineo the Vanukuian Commander announced the first and second phases of Operation Emperor had been concluded. The Zardic invader had been repelled and a foothold was established on Zardic soil, keeping the war away from the Vanukuian homeland.

Meanwhile the Vanukuian submarine groups have been going all out on all Zardic vessels in the Majatran Sea. The lightly armed nuclear powered submarines harass every Zardic vessel they can find, delaying and destroying as many Zardic material as they can. The two Vanukuian fleets active in the Majatran Sea are both heading to Vanuku, escorted by several submarine groups as well. The third fleet has set sail all along the Vanukuian coast to repel the Zardic naval assaults. The Vanukuian Air Forces have been flying sortie after sortie, scouting the frontline and trying to repel Zardic fighter-bomber squadrons. Commander-General Ornklarz announced that they intent to capture the Zardic capital of Belgae by the end of this month with a united Vanukuian, Jelbanian and Deltarian force.


SOUTHERN ARMY GROUP

Supreme commander: General Jusuv-Eksandr Ornklarz
Local commander: General Victor de Rood

Field Army III (82,000 men) OFFENSIVE ARMY WEST
Field Army IV (51,000 men) OFFENSIVE ARMY EAST
Field Army V (27,000 men) RESERVES

Total: 160,000 men

[PaleRider]

ZARDS MOVE TO COUNTER

Zardic mechanized infantry launching a counter offensive to retake Gatineo and General Fulcher Ops Base


Zardic light infantry engaged in action in the suburbs of Gatineo, also close to the base

In a rapid response, thousands of Zardic troops and paramilitaries have begun to slowly stabilize the front line. On the border skirmishes the border agents, police and paramilitaries suffered heavy casualties while the main Zardic force force strategically retreated to Sebasto. However the distance was not to last as an aggressive and well coordinated Vanukuean offensive caught the 6th Army off guard. Despite intense and brave fighting, the Zards suffered several hundred casualties and were forced to retreat to pre-planned positions between Sebasto and Belgae.
Meanwhile Vanukuean troops moved in and made a surprise attack on Zardic forces in and near Gatineo, home of a strategically important General James Fulcher Combined Operations Base. Despite the surprise offensive local volunteers, police, paramilitaries and base personnel held off the offensive long enough for most important material to either be evacuated or destroyed. Most base equipment was destroyed that could be evacuated. Indeed, as the fighting got closer, large plumes of smoke could be seen from the base as base workers burned most of the documents and other valuable items in the facility.
However, despite the recent setbacks, Zardic forces are rallying and mounting the counter offensive. While the 6th Army has been placed in a defensive posture between Sebasto and Belgae, the activated 4th Army (Reserve) has quickly stabilized the front south of Fulcher Base and is having forward placed units begin mounting a local counter offensive to retake the base and city.
In the air war, both sides have a rough parity (thanks in part to most major air assets being relocated to Wyatt Walker Air Base, south of Belgae) as they battle for control of the skies. Zardic and Vanukuean fighter jets are doing their best to out perform the other but so far neither side has the air war break through they need.
On the coasts, Zardic vessels have secured the entrances to the Majatran Sea, making trade more difficult with Vanuku. Combined air and sea patrols ensure the fight for the Majatran Sea will be a long and costly one for both sides. With the ZNS Belgae arriving in Selucia with more Zardic naval ships and other assets, it appears Selucia will be a key base of operations and a thorn in the side of the Tripartite Alliance.


Zardic destroyers and frigates patrolling the sea entrance between Selucia and Cildania

Zardic Z-19 (OOC: F-16) fighter aircraft flying into battle over north Endiraho

Zardic Army Group 1
~56,459 (6th Army) (north of Belgae)
~66,000 (4th Army) (south of Gatineo)
~5,652 (Endiraho National Guard) (mixed with both 4th and 6th)
~3,759 (border guard and federal authorities) (primarily retreated to Belgae)
~1,596 (PAM and ZPF) (most PAM around Belgae, most ZPF around Gatineo)

Zardic Army Group 2
~75,000 (2nd Army) (Between Augustana Justiniana and Paralia Cezareo; Jelbanian border)
~60,000 (3rd Army ) (east and south east of Belgae)
~4,400 (Zardic Patriotic Forces) (patrolling Endiraho countryside south and south west of Belgae)
~3,000 (People's Armed Milita) (Protecting Venetio (1100) and the Government District in Belgae (1900))

Zardic Army Group 3
~120,000 (5th Army) (Headquartered in Kostandian Bay)
~100,000 (1st Army) (Headquartered in Skaraj)
~600 (ZPF) (Attached to 5th Army)
~1000 (PAM) (Protecting Government and Party buildings in the area)

Zardic Army Group 4
~110,000 (8th Army) (Headquartered in Limenostomo)
~90,000 (9th Army) (Headquartered in Zardopolo)
~99,000 (11th Army (Headquartered at Nova Unkaso)
~2,000 (PAM) (Protecting Government and Party offices in Limenostomo and surrounding area)
~5,000 (ZPF) (Patrolling the interior of Ingomo State)

Zardic Army Group 5
~130,000 (10th Army) (Headquartered in Fortreso)
~70,000 (12th Army) (Headquartered in Darmopolo)
~80,000 (13th Army) (Headquartered in Rejketo)
~600 (PAM) (Protecting ZDI factories and the Federal Space Centre)
~4,000 (ZPF) (Patrolling border and conducting internal security work)
~3,500 (FPS, CTA, Border Patrol)
OOC: Note: Most forces outside the front near Belgae should be considered reserve and are NOT fully activated or operational but in the coming RL days will be

[Reddy]

The Khanate Enters the War

Jelbania has declared war on Zardugal and is preparing a grand mobilisation of the Great Jelbek Horde. The Khanate is thirsty for revenge after its humiliation in the 3630's by the Augustan Empire and with Zardugal being the chief successor state of the defunct Empire, the Khanate has transferred all its anti-Augustan spirit to it. Khan Temrkai II has sent forth the Third Army to Gatineo, Zardugal. The Third Army is under the command of General Jeiri Suadjakai and shares the same name as that which sacked the city of Augusta Justiniana in the Jelbanian-Augustan war of the 3630's.


The Great Jelbek Horde enters Gatineo

Disunity damaged Jelbic chances in the last war and the Khan recognising this has placed the Third Army under the supreme command of General Jusuv-Eksandr Ornklarz. They are to take part in the third phase of Operation :Emperor under the Vanukuian General's leadership.Meanwhile the Fifth Army has been posted west, to just outside Ornaéhrne, Nemawar near the border with Zardugal with the sole duty of defending the Khanate from any possible invasion by the Zards. It is backed by some modest airpower and a lot of anti-aircraft batteries which the traditionally over-cautious Khanate has installed in the far west, ever apprehending a surprise Zardic invasion.

Jelbanian Third Army led by Gen. Jeiri Suadjakai - 196,000
Jelbanian Fifth Army - led by Gen. Wrntukai Jezkrzi - 218,000

[washington2.1]

USSVR Declares War On Zardugal
The USSVR has declared war on Zardugal due to a secret defensive alliance arranged with Vanuku.

The President Of The Council Of People's Commissars, Winston Charles made the following statement:

"We enter this war against foreign aggression to defend the people of Vanuku and to defend Majatra from imperialism."

[Aquinas]

June 3727
Lodamese insurgents call for "unity amongst Hosians"

The Hosian Liberation Front (HLF), variously regarded as either freedom fighters or terrorists for their often violent campaign against Lodamun's Hosian-persecuting government, has issued the following statement to the international media:

It is a tragedy and a disgrace that at a time when Hosians are being butchered by the atheist regime in Lodamun, nations with deep Hosian roots are fighting against each other in the continent of Majatra. At a time like this, unity amongst Hosians should be the first prerogative. We therefore call upon the Zards, the Vanukuese, the Jelbeks, the Voronans and the others to put aside their differences, make peace in the name of Eliyahu and unite together in attacking the Satanailic minions who oppress the good people of Lodamun.

[Kubrick]

Tripartite forces press on!
Troops crawling to outskirts of Belgae.



A tight fit, but it fits - a Vanukuian vessel passes through the Grand Canal in Schoorvesten.

Southern frontline, Zardugal - After linking up with the Jelbanian troops placed under the command of General Jusuv-Eksandr Ornklarz the united front near Gatineo presses on. The high command of the Tripartite Alliance is convinced the fall of the Zardic capital will crush the morale of Zardic units and bring a swift victory, General Ornklarz has therefore decided to focus the advance on the city of Belgae. Jelbanian troops moved quickly to support the Vanukuians near Gatineo where Zardic troops were determined to recapture their old base of operations. Several of the Jelbanian detachments have moved up in the front towards Belgae together with their Vanukuian brothers. General Ornklarz commented he was impressed with the Jelbanian troops and how quickly they adapted to the integrated command system between Vanuku and Jelbania. The advance however went slowly and casualties keep piling up, yet the Jelbanians and Vanukuians pressed on into the outskirts of Belgae where General Ornklarz decided they should halt and dig in. The other Vanukuian Field Armies remain where they are, fearing invasions from other hostile nations like Barmenia and Selucia. One Field Army located in central Vanuku however is making its way toward the frontline. Meanwhile the Deltarian army has yet to move but this seems to be part of Operation Emperor. Davostag and Endralon also seem to remain on the sideline for now, perhaps saving their strength for when the war gets bloodier. Indrala also has yet to make an official statement about the war.

The Vanukuian Naval Forces have been hard at work to neutralize the discomfort of Zardic vessels harassing trade lines towards Vanuku. The Third Fleet has passed through the Grand Canal in Schoorvesten and is now targeting all Zardic vessels west of Majatra, keeping a line open from Artania so fresh products that are not native to Majatra can still reach the Vanukuian stores. The two fleets inside the Majatran Sea have linked up and are constantly targeting Zardic vessels close to the Tripartite nations, operating in tight formations to concentrate their strength. Vanukuian submarine packs continue attacking all Zardic vessels and report several sunken ships, mostly trading vessels. Meanwhile the Prefect of Vanuku, Juhn Salyzr, has thanked and complimented the USSVR for standing up against imperialism and helping defend the Jelbek homelands from the Zardic invader. Whether USSVR troops will join the frontline in Majatra is yet unknown.

SOUTHERN FRONT

Commander-General of the Southern Front Jusuv-Eksandr Ornklarz

Jelbanian Third Army led by General Jeiri Suadjakai - 194,486 men
Field Army III led by General Victor de Rood - 76,910 men
Field Army IV led by Major-General Pieter Vrn - 43,792 men
Field Army V led by Major-General Karel van Swagteraer - 26,968 men
Field Army VI led by Major-General Azi Kez'i - 40,000 men

Total: 382,156 men

[WatershipDown]

Pontesi Gov't Calls for "International Solidarity" Amid the Violence
July 3727


Premier Dr. Eksandr Bozujigumo speaks to journalists from various Pontesi news agencies

LERNA, CAESPASIA: In a press conference today surrounded by members of the Council of People's Commissioners, key delegates from the National Assembly and various party officials, military leaders and religious figures, Dr. Bozujigumo called for members of the various nations currently involved in the 2nd Great Majatran War to greater solidarity.

"It is vital that the proletariat not be destroyed through the clever workings of the bourgeoisie. They know our power-they know our potential! This war is merely an excuse to further the exploitation of the working class to further the aims of the political and economic elite. While claiming to fight for country, or land or some other so-called laudable goal, the real rasons behind the war are twofold: first, to thin the herd of the members of the working class and secondly, to further the economic gains and aims of the war profiteers and warlords.

Comrades! Lay down your arms and seek peace! Unite together in love, solidarity and socialism and out of the ruins of the old oppression will arise the Socialist Majatran Republic!"

This is the first instance in which the Pontesian government has expressed interest in furthering the revolutionary principles to other nations. Having pledged in the Treaty of Lerna with Endralon to reject the use of military force, it will be difficult to influence and convince other nations to join Pontesi in the creation of this new republic.

In it's foreign policy, Pontesi remains neutral both in relations to the Zards and to members of the Tripartite Alliance. However, some observers have noted that the government currently seems to be somewhat more favorable to the Alliance. Barmenia, which neighbors Pontesi, is also a Jelbic speaking nation. Some speculate that Bozujigumo may seek some regions of Barmenia as compensation if Pontesian support is given to the Alliance, once the war ends.

[PaleRider]

ZARDS EVACUATE ENDIRAHO

Zardic troops evacuating Belgae

A Zardic Military convoy heading south to take up new, more defensible positions

In one of the larest blows to Zardugal in recent memory, the Government and High Command have ordered the evacution of Belgae and the northern front in Endiraho. Despite some recent successes in counter attacks taken around Gatineo, the situation on the rest of the front was growing more and more dire. The 6th Army was badly mauled in its defense of Belgae while with the addition of Jelbk forces backed up with Vanukuean forces from the east caused the 2nd and 3rd Army to buckle at their northern lines making the situation untenable. AT 0600 on August 15th, Zardic High Command ordered the "strategic" withdrawl of all Zardic forces south to rally up with the southern and central armies which are now nearing full strength.
Zardic forces are now reloctaing and preparing for the next phase of the war. The Government has fled Belgae and the Cabinet, Prime Minister and Congress have taken up session in Limenostomo while the President has moved from the Presidential Palace to the Presidential Retreat in Venetio. Long columns of Zardic forces can be seen moving south along with millions of refugees who are no doubt making the internal humanitarian crisis worse. Protected by increased air support from the region and more fixed defense positions, the armed forces seem to be, by surprise in better spirits than before. Top commanders and officals now say that with the more strategically and geographically defensive central Zardugal regions. The 6th and 2nd armies are moving to Paralia Cezareo and taking up positions there while the 4th Army moves southwest to take up defensive positions in northern Unkaso, southern Endiraho so as to keep both sides of Kostandian Bay secure from Vanukuean interference. Meanwhile the centre positions are being held by 11th Army based around Nova Unkaso and the 9th Army, which is moving up from its base in Zardopolo.
In the new occupied lands, Zardic resistance groups are already organizing. The Federal Intelligence Agency and other military intelligence groups have left networks of informants and organizers along with secret arms caches so as to have a large resistance group. The Zardic Resistance Front (ZRF) has already emerged as the official resistance group and consists of large numbers of former police and soldiers along with the aforementioned left behind networks and caches. Other militia and paramilitary resistance groups have also emerged at the local level and are working to disrupt the Vanukuean occupation and make more difficult their use of the region. As the Vanukueans and Jelbanians march into northern Zardugal, they find the shells of burned out and ravaged cities and a hostile populace with few willing or open sympathizers.

Army Group West
~51,251 (6th Army) (north of Belgae)
~62,258 (4th Army) (south of Gatineo)
~3,024 (Endiraho National Guard) (mixed with 4th)


Army Group East
~75,000 (2nd Army) (Headquartered east of Paralia Cezareo and along that section of the Jelbanian border)
~55,258 (3rd Army ) (Headquartered at Paralia Cezareo)
~5,500 (Ingomo National Guard) (Based north of Venetio)

Army Group Centre
~90,000 (9th Army) (Headquartered in Zardopolo)
~99,000 (11th Army (Headquartered at Nova Unkaso)
~2,950 (ZPF) (Conducting internal security operations in area)

ZARDS LAUNCH COUNTER OFFENSIVE

Zardic armoured troops pushing across the border

Zardic Marine storming the shores of Jelbania in the Lake Majatra regions

In a daring move, after feeling more secure from their new and more practical defensive positions, Zardic forces have launched an assault on the southern Jelbanian front, hoping to steal some of the momentum from the Alliance forces. 60,000 troops from the 8th Army combined with 30,000 troops from the 10th Army have crossed the border and are now taking the war to the Jelbks. Zardic commanders are confident that superior Zardic training and equipment will rule the day over the larger and more outdated Jelbanian armies, more accustomed to playing an internal role than fighting external enemies in recent years. So far the campaign has gone well with several small town falling to Zardic forces with the divisions converging around the city of Nrktaésrtràp. However Jelbanian forces are rallying around the city, promising the battle for the city to be a tense and well fought one.
In a secondary move, some 20,000 Marines linked with the 8th Army have launched a daring amphibious assault on the Jelbanian Lake Majatra coast and are moving inland to link up with mainland Zardic forces. Air support is limited however given the high concentration of anti-air batteries in the area which ground commanders are rapidly moving to try and knock out. Special forces have been deployed in the area and are hitting the batteries with some success but there is still a large number left.