December 4309International Brigades join Communist cause in OstlandFlag of the Communist International BrigadesUp to 500 volunteers from the Communist International Brigades, associated with the
Communist League of Terra, are believed to have made their way to Ostland, in order to support the Communist forces led by Comrade X. The volunteers come from a range of nations, although the largest numbers so far are from Dorvik and Egelion.
Most are thought to have journeyed to Ostland the long way round, through Delagogesa, although there are rumours a very small number have been foolhardy enough to attempt to cut through Kazulia, but found themselves detained by the Kazulian authorities.
The Brigadeers have come to Ostland with high spirits, enthusiastically singing left wing songs and chanting popular slogans such as "Make Karstadt the tomb of fascism". Most practised learning the Hulstro-Mikun language before they arrived, in solidarity with Hulstro-Mikuni speakers who have been persecuted by the government. Some are bringing valuable and much needed skills - for example, there are doctors, nurses and engineers amongst the volunteers.
However, according to some reports, Communist commanders on the ground are complaining that most of the volunteers have little or no experience of fighting and are ill-prepared for the challenges they are likely to face. There are reports of some commanders seeing most of the volunteers as a nuisance, because they are little help either on the battlefield or behind the lines, and yet a potential liability, because the death of young volunteers from overseas could generate a lot of negative PR and international criticism. Martin Pfeiffer, the 19 year old son of the prominent Dorvish Communist politician Friedrich Pfeiffer, is amongst those who have joined.
In some countries, pressure is mounting on governments to take more action to prevent their citizens, especially young citizens, from going off to fight with the International Brigades. The reasons behind this are varying, ranging from concern about what the consequences would be of a Communist victory, to concern that citizens - young ones in particular - are being manipulated by "Red Propaganda" and are recklessly endangering their lives.