NationStates Jolt Archive

Peter walked through the metal detector trying not to look smug. The molotov cocktail he carried beneath his jacket wasn't at all what these pigs were expecting.

He walked through the rotunda, with it's murals of the old victories at Skaggard and Hasern, the 19th century figures covered the wall in the light green uniforms of Kilean's past.

"goddamn fascists" he muttered to himself. frumpy old murals displaying the opressive paternalistic traditions of an imperialist past. This filth wouldn't be here anymore.

The time of protest was over.

The time for action was now! He couldn't stand it anymore, he couldn't take these bastards opressing the working class, he couldn't tolerate Kilean's imperialist, racist actions in southern africa. He wouldn't let those fascists opress him by drafting him into that conformity-factory army.

Peter was going to strike a blow for revolution!

He walked up to the statue of General Sczlava (patriarchical opressor! thought peter) and raised his fist in the air.

"power to the people!" yelled peter as he hurled his firebomb at the statue. It shattered, spraying burning gasoline over the old timbers and plaster of the Kilean Heimatversammlung.

The guards tackled him almost instantly, but he had resisted! He was free in his heart and there was no way The Man was going to change that!

______________________________________________________

State Brodcasting Directorate:

NEWSFLASH: The Kilean Heimatversammlung building is ablaze today after a leftist college student apparently attacked it with a firebomb.

Peter Sajer, a student at the private Ostendt University, and fresh back from a semester abroad in Dibujante is being held by the ISD as the perpitrator of this act.

In a related story, the Kilean Social Justice party had it's offices raided by ISD and National Police units today. Documents found there have shown that Dibujante has given funding to the radical leftist party.

Police sweeps are also apparently going on as we speak at Ostendt University, and the Premier will speak shortly on the matter.....

____________________________________________________________

As the fire blazed and the 24-hour coverage kicked into high gear, one news story slipped through the cracks: Kilean Landsmaacht troops conducting routine monthly exercises near the border with Dibujante had not returned from their scheduled 2-week manuvers.....


<OOC: welcome to the crisis! Rules for this thread are:

The only nations sharing a land border are Kilean/Dibujante. If you are anybody else, anything you do is gonna have to come in via sea/air.

WMD- don't be a dick with them. No empty threats, no use unless its RL circumstances where you would use them. (i.e.- national survival at stake)

There are no such things as godmodders- there ARE such things as idiots. don't be stupid. please.

One rock-solid rule: if you become involved militarily, you MUST quantify in absolute terms your military. What you have in total must be stated at the get-go. No pulling new units out of your ass, or changing what you have.

So here we go- the not-all-that-powerful Kilean senate is having it's building torched, college leftists are being thrown in the slammer, and the government is getting damn suspect of Dibujante.<OOC>

Premier Bomfy was sitting at his desk when an aide walked in with a report on the current situation within Kilean. The aide handed him the paper and Bomfy read over it quietly before placing it on his desk, "What do our analyists predict will happen in Kilean?"

"Sir, it is too early to tell, they don't have any thoughts as of yet," replied the aide.

"Well then, I want us to monitor their government transmissions, news reports coming out of Kilean and satellite photos of the border between Kilean and Dibujante," ordered the Premier, "As well, put part of our military on standby, should something spark a revolution or something, I want us to be prepared to send forces to act as peacekeepers if their own police and military cannot handle it."

"Yes Sir, I'll get on that now." said the aide, saluting and exiting the office.

http://www.redsun.org/images/lenin.gif
Premier Bomfy
Centrist Republic of Aequatio

(this is a closed RP- you can observe and comment diplomatically, but unless invitied, you can't get involved.....however, if you show yourself to be a good RP'er in the diplomatic side of things, an invite TG could be forthcoming :D. No invite= no troops on the ground, but you can still do stuff like sell people arms and give them war loans, always, of course, within reason. )

on television, on the radio, in person, the political machine rumbles unstoppably onwards.

"To even consider mobilizing for war now is madness!" cried Neil Hinkson, hopeful candidate. "We maintain a military to defend our homeland, not police nearby countries' ideologies. The treaty says we have to come to Kilean's aid in the event of war - not match mobilization and arms production!"

"But sometimes policing nearby countries is necessary to guarantee the future of our ideology locally," shot back Max Korte, who wasn't mentioning his involvement with the military just now. "As it stands now, they could catch us unprepared. But if we mobilize - we might be able to catch them with their pants down! We don't have to stay mobilized; it's only for the immediate future!"

There would be no agreement. Ever. This argument would remain deadlocked for some time (forever between these two) barring some sort of galvanizing action ...

New Jericho City

Minister of Justice, Debra Neal was walking near the outdoor monument to the original Jericho City, its inhabitants, and its destruction with the nearly 150 million deaths that followed in the Tulip Terror Wars that had ravaged the nation not so long ago as to be out of recent memory.

the President, Richard von Joshua, literally spent hours waling the paths in the gardens and rereading many of the plaques and inscriptions he had helped write. Debra knew that much of his time was spent thinking about his son who died here along with Kyle, the son of the Prime Minister of long time ally Quinntonia.

She cut off the communications aide who was heading into the grounds with what looked like a flash traffic binder.

Oh No!
the minister of State was still in Kinshasa in the AC and the minister of defense had not yet returned from Anhierach.

Do not disturb the President. Prepare a workup for me on this including details of this student, Ostendt Univeristy, the Heimatversammlung building, the social justice party, this Dibujante, and any details on followup surrounding the disappearence of the Kilean troops near the border.

yes maam

The President would say to let others fool with the details, but she knew, from her success in the legal profession in a system with one of the most stacked decks against accused crinimals with a certain amount of evidence, that the devil was frequently in the details.

lets see where the devil is here she said to no one in particular as she began a supplemental list in her pda that she would fax to the defense ministry from the van.

Off the Lusakan Coast; AC Theatre. Bridge Wing of the PJS CVN Solomon(Nimitz Class)

Commodore Peiper just stared at the transmission for a moment.

Order the task group to make course for home. Once we leave this area we are to increase speed to full

He knew it wouldn't make sense to the crew, rushing home at high speed and the word would get around along with possible scuttlebut that something was up at home again. Commodore Jochen Peiper had no concerns on that score however as he didn't plan to let the crews leave their ships.


Netanya Naval Base

The CVN Zebulon was already preparing to depart port when the orders arrived. Different destination was the only change.

Joshua City; Ministry of Defense

Since when do we take orders from the Minister of Justice?

Since she is traveling with our President and Admiral Chamberlain is still in Anhierach... and yes we must tell them first before we just fly over

The Kilean Ambassador's office receives a phone call from the POJ President's aide aboard "Marine Air" (the President's transport aircraft) saying that President Richard von Joshua intended to call upon the ambassador at the Kilean embassy to personally express sorrow at the agregious acts of the student involved and hopes that the Kilean military forces had suffered no losses or harm.

A short while later, a dept of Defense liason calls on the Kilean Ambassador in Joshua City to explain that the POJ government had authorized overflights of the Kilean Dibujante area by U2 and SR-71s. Information gleaned would be shared.


ooc the POJ military has been posted in full in the military archives section of the New to nationstates thread on p.38
http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2533358&highlight=#2533358

OOC { Rough map of the area. Subject to change, but it will change here when that happens.
Dibujante's city names don't exist yet because I don't know what they are. Coming soon. I don't expect my actual land to become an issue so I won't draw it until it does.
http://www.operationcitadel.net/~matthias/nationstates/img/kdemap.jpg
}

Kinshasa, foreign relations chamber

"Throw a bomb, did they?". Ndelebe was not surprised. Hardly every bumpkin could carry a rough and ready gasoline bomb, even in a protected and safe society like Kilean. "Yes, president general.". The clerk was not very agitated at the news he brought, and Ndelebe understood him, but did not share his sentiment - If this young revolutionary represented a genuine resistance in the Kilean people against the director-general's government, and its aid to the Commonwealth, then a crisis might be at hand. Then again, he might not. The Kilean people never struck him as a very socialist-minded nation, and with a little luck, the firestarter was just a malcontent. Nevertheless, there were appearances to keep. "I need a telegram written", Mshone said, and people scurried to obey.

Open missive to Kilean

Accept our most sincere regards and shock in hearing of this act of domestic terrorism.

If there is indeed a connection between Dibujante's government and the radicals responsible for such destruction, we will officially condemn Dibujante's rogue foreign political tactics. For now, we wait.

Signed,
The Secular Party.

Premier Frosch tried not to blink at the cameras.

"We can't make any statements of blame as it stands, and investigations are ongoing. At this point all I will state is that this was carried out by a radical leftist student who has attended school in Dibujante. It does appear that he has ties to several student leftist organizations."

The questions hit him like a hailstorm.

"The number of fatalities are not yet known, but I can assure you there are..." there was a pause as he looked downwards "...too many. I knew a lot of people who were in that building."

The Premier broke composure and sighed.

"What this brat thought was a symbol of 'opression' and 'the system' was a symbol for everything that Kilean is. That building is- was- more than 500 years old. Those murals were painted by Karl Strasser, one of the greatest artists in Kilean's history, in 1821. That building was a living, breathing part of who we are, and that pampered college kid with his head full of ideas decided that his own opinion overrode centuries of Kilean culture."

The president was glaring at the cameras.

"we will find the people who did this"

___________________________________________________________

Ostendt:

They met in the same back room that they always did. Usually the mood wasn't this serious, however. They didn't have their typical spunk when painting the "Kilean out of AC!" or "end conscription now!" banners. Now they looked more serious. They were determined.

"look, what peter did was noble, and we should all follow suit!" shouted the young woman, dreadlocks bobbing. "the time for protest is over, and direct action is the only way to affect real change!"

Another man got up to speak when the door flew off it's hinges.

The national police team was in the room like a tide of angular uniforms.

"freeze, commies!" shouted the team leader, somewhat redundant, as the leftists were all on the ground, all restrained, some still curled up into fetal positions from heavy-booted kicks.
____________________________________________________________

Foreign Directorate:

"alright" the director-general leaned forwards. "get dibujante on the phone, and tell them that we're ready to go public with evidence they backed this social justice party. make it a nice just-to-tell-you call, but with a bit of implicit threat, alright?"

"also!" the director-general was pacing now. "give POJ tacit permission to do recon missions, although we'll have to act publically like we don't notice them."

"this is going to get messy, folks. we've got work to do."

Aboard the PJS SSBN Moses; in the AC theatre

make your depth 1400 feet and come about to 045. Make revolutions for 30+ knots or better once we are below the layer.

Rear Admiral Sosabowski almost grimaced as he left the bridge to the midnight watchstanders.

it would seem we have become the favorite mode of transport for certain types of people

he said almost to himself as he headed down the hatch to the level where his quarters were.



Back to top

Netanya; POJ Naval Base

WOW, have you seen that many ships leave at once before?

Not in the last week or so. Mind your nav buoys lest one of those ships collides with an incoming vessel!

yes sir.

the new signalman took a renewed interest in his duties as the following ships passed by on their way to sea in the general direction of dibujante

CVNs Zebulun and Jehu
8 Tocongeroga Class CGs
10 Arleigh Burke Class DDGS
3 Spruance Class DDs
9 OH Perry class FFGs
9 Watson Class Transports carrying a Seabee regiment and the 10th Armored Div.
6 LHA/LPD combinations carrying a full Marine Division
3 AOE fleet supply ships
3 Mine Sweepers
4 LA Class SSNs * submerged*
4 LA Class(i) SSNs * submerged*
4 Oscar II Class SSGNs*submerged*

Traveling behind the task force at a slower speed.
2 AS-39 Sub tenders
12 Kilo Class Diesel Attack Subs

____________________________________________________________


Promise News Network

As memorial services were held across the nation for the lost lives in the recent terror attacks in Kilean; the POJ had occasion to celebrate as our more of our servicemen and women returned home with the arrival in port of PJS CVN Joshua.

Open Sea

Task Force Peiper (minus the PJS Joshua) changes course to match course and speed with the Zebulun battle group.

Joshua City; President's residence

Debra Neal; Justice Minister for the POJ, assured President Richard von Joshua

[i] it seems as if the dibujante are completely in the wrong here

double post - sorry

Reports and rumours are running wild in Kilean, but a few facts have managed to come through the buzz of wild speculation:

1) The Kilean military academy has cancelled all postgraduate classes. A somewhat meaningless bit of triva to most outsiders, but every Kilean knows that all officers doing postgraduate work are assigned to A class reserve divisions....

2) In a related move, it seems as if Kilean high command is putting together headquarters groups for Corps and Army level units. No units above divisonal level are permanent in the Kilean army, and any activity in this area is indicitive of Kilean intent to deploy units of that size.

3) The air units recently drawn back from the AC have not stood down, and their bases have bustled with activity in the past few days.

4) The Kilean Foriegn Directorate is preparing to make a high-level statement to the Dibujante government.

5) Large numbers of radical activists have gone missing in the days since the firebombing.


Everything else, at this point, is pure speculation...

the ball, it seems, is in Dibujante's court.

The government of the African Commonwealth would like confrimation on some of the rumours that have been filtering down from the higher echelons of Kileans military:

"Dear Director-General!

While we can only condone the arrest and incarceration of the malcontents responsible for spreading insurgent propaganda, we believe a major Kilean mobilization to be taking place. Request confirmation.

That being said, the secular party has not forgotten Kilean's selfless contribution to our long and draining counter-insurgency warfare. The RAC and RCAF have fully recovered from losses, however, and we will not hesitate to aid the People's Republic with a small naval detachment as well as what infantry forces might be needed to secure order inside Kilean or on the Dibujante border.

We do not wish to make the situation tenser with senseless and unrequired military posturing, however, so please elaborate.

Warmest Regards,
President General Mshone Ndelebe,
For the Commonwealth."


OOC:

A full summary of the commonwealth armed forces, should it become necessary, can be found here! (http://s3.invisionfree.com/nsafrica/index.php?showtopic=7)

tag

ooc: do we think dibujante is going to respond?

OOC:dibujante has finals. I have bad timing.

*A broadcast has made it out of Dibujante's secretive media network. This is the first acknowledgement that Dibujante is even aware of the political turmoil just over the border...*
*Emblazoned upon the first frames are the words, "Republica revolucionaria de Dibujante", set against a background of a sickle and hammer.*
*This persists for a few seconds, as the opening notes of Dibujante' National Anthem play. This fades into the portrait of a young reporter, dressed in the compulsory Unity Suit of Dibujante.*
CUEVAS: "Good day, comrades. This is Juana Hierrera Ortiz Cuevas. As a reporter for The People's Daily Broadcast, I am currently interviewing Party Spokescitizen Francisco Diego Guero Alcantar about the recent incident in the neighboring degenerate capitalist state, Kilean. Good day, Citizen Guero Alcantar."
ALCANTAR: "Good day, Citzen Ortiz Cuevas. El Partido Popular has not been unaware of the Kilean situation."
CUEVAS: "Citizen Guero Alcantar, what does the Partido Popular think of the recent "terrorist attack"?"
ALCANTAR: "It's clear to us that the attack was part of an anti-capitalist resistance group. Dibujante is in no way affiliated with their actions."
CUEVAS: "Citzen Guero Alcantar, how does the Partido propose to react?"
ALCANTAR: "El Partido Popular recognizes and supports the will of the Proletariat. El Partido insists that Kilean cease it's repressive tactics and recognize the indomitable will of the Proletariat in its government. El Partido Popular will refuse diplomatic overtures from Kilean until such is so."
CUEVAS: "But Citizen, I've heard that the Kileans are mobilizing -"
ALCANTAR: "Nonsense. No such thing is occurring. Our borders are completely safe, protected by Las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias. The Kileans could never crush the indomitable will of the people of Dibujante!"
CUEVAS: "Citizen, are you -"
ALCANTAR: "Citizen, I believe that you have used your non-agricultural time quota. This interview is over."
*The screen flashes back to the flag and anthem, then fades.*

Dibujante's reaction has been at best flippant, and at worst bellicose. They have shown to the world- behind flimsy lies- that they support the overthrow of Kilean's present governmental system and it's replacement with a communist state.

We demand that Dibujante cease all support- be it financial, military, or moral- for these terrorists. As the days go by, our evidence against Dibujante grows. It would be advisable to not only disown the groups who supported this act, but to also turn over all Kilean citizens in Dibujante to the ISD.
___________________________________________________________

Near the Kilean-Dibujante border:

the ancient fort had been built as an underground complex in 1916. It was a massive thing of steel and concrete, speckled with armored couplas and old battleship turrets. Over time, a massive base and supply depot had built up around the fortress (now called bastion 3), and it's sister installations along the frontier. It was the huge supply depots- supplies slowly stockpiled over decades- that were the center of activity now. The Logistics Arm men swarmed over the massive base, frantically working to distribute the gasoline and ammunition and 152mm shells to the divisions massing near the bastion. In the distance, the supply men could hear the arty units of the A class reserve divisions training. For now, it was just that- training, but present in every soldiers mind was the idea that the gunfire could be frightfully real soon......

______________________________________________________

Kilean Landsmaacht high command:

The field marshal paused in thought.

"alright, it seems as if Dibujante is becoming more agressive. in that case, we're going to put all of the regular army's panczer divisons- except for 2nd panczer- on the southern river plain. We'll secure the passes with 14th light division until the reserves can mobilize. Then, if we have to, we'll implement one of our case plans."

He paused, and let his gaze sweep across the room

"I just hope it doesn't have to come to that"
_____________________________________________________________

ISD "holding facility", western desert:

The prisoners were being flown in, for the most part. The airplanes were met at the tiny landing strip by a full ISD contingent, and from there they were taken to the facility. The interrogations were assembly-line, constantly probing. Where did you go to school? Have you ever visited Dibujante? What organizations are you a member of?

It was unrelenting, going on for days at a time. But that was the point. Seperated, tired, jet-lagged, sleep-deprived- for one reason or another, many of them talked.

And the ISD was very interested in what they had to say.

Outside New Jericho City

The shrill sound of hunting horns pierced the air as the various company and battalion commanders rallied their troops for the mock assault after the jump.

Major General Skornsky watched from a nearby hill as the men quickly disposed of the chutes and moved out by fire team.

The reservists have done well in their placement of drop zones and execution of plan and are on the ground. Lets see what happens now.

The red team for today's training op was the crack 2nd battalion of his 3rd Parachute Regiment. Major Frost would make the reservists suffer mightily under the POJ afternoon sun before the objective was reached.

Swinging his field glasses to a distant point he could berely make out the dibujante hammer and sickle markings on the objective. The target was a different national symbol and Major Frost knew almost nothing of the Dibujante abilities so his instructions were to defend as if he were defending POJ soil and use all available resources.

The Senior Colonel in command of the reservists had a rude surprise indeed awaiting him as he was briefed the "red" team was disorganized revolutionary rabble. Well, better to find out now than while under real fire if the dibujante are more than the idiots they appear to be so far.

Secretary Hotan was beginning to wonder if his revelation regarding the existance of a second son to Kurosian I would prove to be his biggest mistake. The young Koshiako could no longer be put aside, and he, as official Director of the republic, was begining to take an interest in his late father's work.

Koshiako was aware of the situation in Kilean, of their involvement in Africa, arguably in opposition to Drapoel interests there. He had heard too of Joshuan attention being diverted to the new trouble-spot.

Obviously something much larger was brewing in the Kilean/Dibujante area, but unlike during the African crisis Dra-pol felt relatively secure at home. It was more than fifty years since Drapoel armies had been commited abroad in any strength, and many contended that South Dalania didn't really constitute "abroad" anyway. DaKhiem had though been bombarded with pleas from struggling anti-capitalist states and alliances ever since the republic's valiant stand against the invading Crusader Coalition of which POJ was a part.

Koshiako might be a child so far as Hotan was concerned, but to the republic he was Director. On his insistance DaKhiem sent to Dibujante offering the full military assistance of the People's Army should it be granted access to the nation before major hostilities commence.

Of course in Dra-pol there was little evidence of build-up to possible war as there was no way for the nation to be any more militarised than it was already without collapsing.

Kilean Supreme Command:

The major walked across the bustling command center and stood before the field marshal.

"Sir! All A-class divisions have finished mobilization, and are ready to be sent to their army groups. All B class divisions have begun mobilizing, and should be ready for combat within two weeks."

"are we ready?" asked the field marshal

"BSO troops have manned the border forts, and we think the front line troops can protect us if Dibujante tries anything." The major was confident, but somewhat worried at the prospect.

"good" said the field marshal "now give me that report"

"yessir" the major saluted "that is the overview for Kilean total military power as it stands"

<OOC- sorry for the freakin' novel, but I think this military will get more than a *bit* of usage if things get any more tense<OOC>
____________________________________________________________


The Peoples Republic of Kilean is the most militaristic nation in Onabna. The government operates on a philosophy of “national power”- be it economic, military, cultural, or scientific. To this end, the PRK has made large corporations into virtual state-sanctioned monopolies, supported Kilean cultural institutions above everything else……and poured untold billions of thalers into the military. Kilean has been described as “not so much a nation state with an army, but an army with a nation state”. All told, some 850,000 kilean citizens are active-duty at any time, with some one and three quarters more in the reserves. All Kilean males are inducted at age 18 into the armed services, for a period of some three years, followed by six years of active reserve duty in an “A” class reserve division, then reserve duty in a B or C grade reserve division until they are 40. The draft aside, may kileans choose to become career soldiers, due to the prestige of the job.


Branches of Service

Army- the Kileanishe Laandmacht is without a doubt the largest and most dominant of all the branches. It includes all ground troops, reservists, the Civil Defence Directorate (in wartime) and the Kilean Army Air Branch. The KLM is a virtual state within a state, running schools, public works projects, research facilities, oil refineries, munitions industries (Kilean NatczionallWaffanwerke) in addition to its function as an army.

Navy- The Kilean navy is a small one, mostly suited for littoral operations. Historically, it has operated mostly missile boats and diesel submarines. Recently, however, the Kilean navy has begun purchasing a small, yet effective surface fleet, including one major surface combantant. The Kilean navy also has a tiny Naval Air arm, and the enkranoplan squadron- nobody can decide if they are attached to surface fleet or the air arm. Other attached organizations are the Kilean Naval Infantry, a small (5,000 man) marine corps, and the Kilean merchant marine, that can seize control of all Kilean-flagged ships in wartime.

Air Force- The Kilean Air Force (Kilean Luftzwehr) is much smaller than the Army’s air component. Unlike the Army Air Branch, which provides tactical support and local air superiority denial to the Army, the Kilean Air Force performs primarily deep-interdiction, long-range strikes, and operations against strategic targets. The KAF also is tasked with delivery of Kileans nascent nuclear deterrent.

Other- the Internal Security Directorate is the secret police, intelligence agency, and Special Operations Command rolled into one. They can field several hundred men in their “direct action teams”, as well as a regiment of specialized counterinsurgent troops. Other military forces include the Kilean National Areospace Agencey, which along with the air force operates Kileans few spy satellites. Although insturmental in developing ASAT weapons, the air force, being in charge of high-level air defence, operates those.


Nuts&Bolts

The Army- the Kilean army is a massive force, totaling more than 650,000 men on active duty at any time. The Kilean army has some 17 front-line divisions.

Divisions 1-4 - 1st infantry, 2nd panczer, 3rd infantry and 4th cavalry (airmobile) are known as the “first four” and form the crème of the kilean laandsmacht.

All told, the standing Kilean army has 8 infantry divisions, 6 panczer divisions, 2 airborne/air cav divisions, and 1 light division..

Note: The Kileanishe word “panczer” is equivalent to “tank” or “armored” and is pronounced “pahn-tzer”

Reserves- Because of the length of kilean’s conscription terms, and their setup, the bulk of Kilean’s military power is in its reserves.

Unlike most nation’s reserves, the Kilean reserve divisions (at least the A grade ones) are almost totally up to front-line standards, at least once they have completed their shakedown training periods.

The KLM has 3 grades of reserve division- A, B, and C. (creative, no?)

A- class divisions are basically inactive front-line divisions. All their enlisted troops are reservists, but the officers are all full-time professionals. Transfer to an “A” reserve division usually accompanies an officers graduate work, R&D positions, or another assignment that does not place them in a full-time combat role. A class divisions have their equipment maintained in almost ready-to-go status. Training for men takes place for one week during alternate months, and for a full two-month training period once per year. An “A” class division can be mobilized within a week and a half. If it is totally expected to be up to active-duty standards, a further two weeks would be in order.

B- class reserve divisions have the same equipment as A class reserve divisions and frontline troops. However, this equipment is kept in mothballs, and requires some tuning-up to be mobilization ready. The enlisted men have all served in the KLM within the last 5 years. Officers are any members of the officer reservist corps. Training is one weekend per month for equipment upkeep and basic skills refresher courses, and every division will experience at least 1 call-up per year, usually for a short 2-week period. B class divisions can be mobilized in 2 weeks, although another two weeks of refresher training is advisable.

C-class divisions use obsolete equipment that has been phased out of regular service. The equipment is kept in deep storage, and not in any state of readiness. The men of C class divisions are those ending their service in the reserves- usually 30-40 year olds. Standing Officers are not permanently assigned to C class divisions, but all cadets doing postgraduate work, and all members of the reserve officer corps in the 40-50 year age range are assigned to a C class division. C class divisions can be assembled, have equipment ready and officers assigned within one and a half months, but if any sort of combat is to be expected, they will need at least two months of training to stand a chance on the battlefield. C class divisions are generally only suited for defending fixed positions (like Kileans border fortifications) or for rear-area security or occupation duty.

The KLM has, all in all, some 50 reserve divisions, comprising well over a million men.

“A” class reserve divisions- 11

6 infantry
4 panczer
1 airborne

“B” class divisions- 22

14 infantry
6 panczer
2 light

“C” class divisions- 17

14 infantry
3 panczer

A note: The above units are not the sum total of kilean military manpower. In fact, almost half of the Kilean military are in one of the hundreds of units not part of any division: be they motor-transport brigades, theatre missile regiments, military intelligence companies, and so forth. In addition, the division is not the largest unit kilean uses.

However, the division is the building-block around which the Kilean Laandsmacht bases itself, and the largest permanent unit, that is to say, the largest unit that cannot be pieced together “on the fly”. Kilean divisions are individually far larger and more powerful than those of other nations. A standard Kilean division will have some 25,000 men and somewhere around 1.5 times the artillery power of a “typical” division.

The Kilean army emphasizes overwhelming assault as the key to breakthrough, and large size of the division is seen as key to this. This does mean that Kilean commanders have far less flexibility. Brigades and regiments are too integrated into the division to operate effectively on their own. But this is sort of the point of the system. When the bullet start flying, High command does not want to struggle with coordinating a huge number of autonomous units through “the fog of war” monolithic divisons, with much larger than average troop numbers and a large number of artillery and support units organic to them, are seen as preferable in any land war.

Although corps-level support units do exist, there are not as many of them as in other armies. (in terms of numbers of units, not unit size). Whereas the US military may have specialist intelligence companies that are under corps command, the Kilean army integrates these smaller units into multipurpose “Command support regiments” that encompass a wide array of support troops.

Kilean has no standing corps-level formations, armies, or army groups. The division is so complete in it’s structure that they are seen as being interchangeable “on the fly”. Of course, in wartime this all changes, as units operate together for long periods, new units are tacked on to the corps, etc.

While most nations would balk at the lack of higher-level organization, the excellent Ober Kommand Laandsmacht (OKL- Kilean high command) has a very capable general staff that is able to mix and match unit’s and organize their integration into larger formations in an efficient and rapid manner.

Equipment-

Small arms:
The Kilean army is equipped with the Stgw-74. This is a Kilean-made copy of the AK-74. The quality is far higher, and the machining is better, leading to a more accurate, slightly lighter weapon, but the legendary ruggedness is still there. The “look” of the weapon is radically different, with black composite replacing the wooden stock. The Stgw-74 was chosen because it could kill you just as dead as a more advanced weapon, and is far less likely to jam and is easier for the average soldier to use. Kilean made 40mm under barrel grenade launchers can be attached, and usually one man per squad carries one of the launchers.

The Stgw-74 is being phased out by the Gewehr-21. This is a cutting edge weapon designed by Kilean Waffenwerke to be the new rifle of the Kilean armed forces. It has both full-auto, semi-auto, and 3-round burst abilities. Although it incorporates a lot of composite, the G-21 still is a conventional gun, and although the outer stock is composite, it along with the barrel have been reinforced with metal frames for hand-to-hand fighting. The G-21 eschews bullpup design and opts instead for a conventional layout.
Although low-magnification scopes (of excellent quality-typical of kilean optics) are integral to the gun, iron sights are still usable. It uses the same 5.45-mm ammunition as the Stgw-74, fired from 40-round clips of transparent composite. It is very accurate, even on automatic fire, and the integral scopes make long-range shooting less difficult. It has aroused worry because of higher complexity and consequent need for more cleaning, however.

Although some reserve divisions still use the RPG-7, the soviet-made rockets are by and large replaced by the GegenPanczerRokaten-4 (GPR-4). The GPR-4 is based off of the same design philosophy and has a similar appearance to the German panzerfaust antitank rockets. The basic idea is the same: existing man-portable disposable antitank rockets were too weak to work against modern MBT’s, and the engagement range is usually close anyways, so why not give infantry a powerful weapon that works at the ranges they usually fight tanks at?

To this end, the GPR-4 has a massive shaped-charge warhead, at the expense of range. It is fired from a disposable launch tube, and can penetrate the side or rear armor of most MBT’s at ranges of up to 100m. They are easily made, reliable, (sort of) accurate, and are issued in great numbers.

Every Kilean infantry squad is based around the machinegun. The machinegun is a base-of-fire weapon, responsible for carrying out Kileans “contact, engage, envelop” strategy at the squad level. Boiled down, all Kilean infantry tactics are “use the machinegun to pin the enemy, flank with riflemen”. To this end, Kilean has developed the excellent MG-87. Entering service in 1987 (hence the designation) the MG-87 has show itself to be a capable weapon. It is a medium machinegun that can either be bipod mounted for squad use, or tripod/pintle mounted for vehicle or stationary use. It fires a 7.92mm round, feeding either from loose belts or 100-round drums that can be snapped on bleow the gun. It is capable of very high rates of fire.

The best feature of the design is it’s quick and simple barrel switching procedure. The layout of the gun, and special heat-resistant composite grips on the barrel, makes it very easy to switch barrels from a covered position without exposing the men using the gun. Well-trained crews (I.e.- most Kilean soldiers) can do this very rapidly. This feature more than anything else lets the MG-87 keep up very high sustained rates of fire. In practice, a 2-man team uses the MG-87, one carrying the gun, the other ammuniton and the many spare barrels that are issued. Although heavy in comparison to squad machineguns of other nations, Kilean high command frankly doesn’t care about that. Kilean soldiers, and their famous ability to lug gear, have shown themselves capable of carrying and using the MG-87 to great effect.

Antitank:

Kilean, although content to use soviet-bloc equipment for much of its army due to simplicity, low cost, and ease of securing production rights, will only settle for the best for it’s antitank troops. The troops of the many antitank units of the KLM are tasked with holding back the onslaught of some of the most fearsome weapons on the modern battlefield. With the Kilean policy of concentrating MBT’s into massive units, infantry in units not near tank units often go without MBT’s to back them up. Antitank troops have, time and again, shown that they are the only things holding battalions, regiments, even divisions together in the face of concerted tank assault. Kilean tanks infantry antitank defence very seriously. Kilean antitank units are equipped with the Bofors RBS-56 missile. This Swedish-made, top attack missiles is one of the best in the world.

(http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/rbs56-bill.htm).

In addition, many infantry units and all airborne units are equipped with the PAK-77 antitank gun. Although considered to be made obsolete by the antitank missile, this 70mm high-velocity gun has shown that it’s depleted uranium sabot rounds are still effective against armored fighting vehicles and some tanks. The advantages of an antitank gun are that reloads are less expensive and more of them are easily transported, and that they cannot be “spoofed” by antimissile measures. The PAK-77 is often mounted on the jeep-like Waffentrager-Infantrie light vehicle. It fires from an eight-round clip, with an effective range of around 1,000 meteres against IFV’s.


Tanks/Armor:

The vast majority of Kilean army units are mechanized, and the standard transport of Kilean mech infantry is the BMP-1. (http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/bmp-1.htm)

Although the BMP-1, frankly, is a deathtrap against tanks or armored vehicles of any kind, it was chosen over the M-113 or a series of domestically produced vehicles primarily because of its cheap cost, better troop transport abilities over the BMP-2, and ease of manufacture. Its ability to lend some support to the infantry (taking enemy positions is easier when you have a 73mm gun along) was also a factor.

But, well, mostly cost.

The BMP-1 is now made in kilean factories, and is a common sight in the Kilean army. There are many other vehicles based off of the BMP-1 chassis in Kilean service, from light self-propelled guns to ambulances to command vehicles to antitank missile- armed “tank hunting” IFV’s.

Kilean’s standard battle tank is the T-72 aust.K- these are T-72's refitted with Kilean-made electronics and optics. Along with reactive armor and better antipersonell and nightvision systems, the aust.K has a pretty commanding advantage over the regular T-72. The aust.K has fire-on move capability, world-standard electronics, excellent optical sights, full nightvision and IR systems and a cutting-edge radio suite. Armor inserts, a newer, more powerful engine, and a better quality of worksmanship and materials over the soviet-built versions all contribute to a very capable MBT. Although called obsolete by many, most of the changes to the T-72 aust.k are internal, and although it may not look it, in fact, this is a highly cost-effective and capable tank.

C-grade reserve divisions use the T-62aust.k. This was the 1960’s equivalent to the T-72 aust.k. It is basically a T-62 refitted with electronics around the same level as an M-48- analog fire control computer, crude passive night vision, etc. These are being phased out of even the C-class divisions, however, and many of them are being incorporated into Kileans extensive border fortifications. The-62 has chassis has been put to use in a number of roles since it’s phase out, among them tank recovery vehicle, self-propelled gun chassis, mobile FROG, SCUD, or Longsword launcher, and, outfitted with top-line comm systems, brigade/divisional command vehicle.

In addition to the T-72aust.k, The Kilean Laandsmacht is currently experimenting with smaller, independent armored units to be used as “firefighters” or a sort of quick-reaction force to counter enemy breakthroughs. This will also solve a problem the KLM has encountered before- the Kilean doctrine of concentrating all available tanks in one massive attack makes the rest of the line devoid of armor support. Four panczer brigades have been raised for this purpose, on a semi-trail basis. They are assigned no permanent divison, have some of the best tankers in the Kilean army, and are equipped with the new Etronian Chasseur light MBT, chosen because it’s fuel efficient engine and high speed give it both tactical and strategic mobility.

Kilean is also developing a new MBT, domestically produced and intended to eventually replace the T-72 aust.k. The Pcz Mk.IV “Cougar” is a cutting-edge MBT with an emphasis on crew protection, firepower, and overall survivability.
___________________________________________________
Type: Heavy MBT
Designation: Pcz Mk. IV Cougar.
Weight: 81 tons

Appearance:
The Cougar is a massive tank. It’s body is slung wide and low to the ground. The turret is located at the back of the tank (a la the merkava) and has a roughly wedge-like shape. Crew entry is also in emulation of the Merkava- through a rear hatch. The glacis plate as well as the turret face are steeply angled, giving the tank an almost polygonal appearance. On the front of the tank, the drivers hatch sits next to the camera/IR pod that serves as the drivers main vision system. On top of the tank is the enclosed coupla that contains the commanders 14mm machinegun and targeting systems. The tank as a whole has a wide-set, blocky appearance.

Engine:
A large, powerful turbine engine propels the Cougar. Although a break from previous tank engines Kilean has used, the turbine (made by Ostendt Motorfabrik Gmbh) because only it’s sheer power could propell the massive bulk of the Cougar. It is a more advanced and efficient model than the M-1 Abram’s 1960’s tech turbine engine. However, the power requirements basically nullify the efficiency, giving the Cougar terrible mileage- .4 miles to the gallon. The turbine engine-through an advanced automatic transmission that gives the Cougar great poor-terrain ability- drives the Cougars wide treads, needed to insure that it doesn’t bog down in muddy terrain. Although it can make some 40mph on roadways or hard-packed ground, it can only really hope for a 30mph speed on any sort of rough terrain, and even that carries a dangerous threat of jumping tracks very easily.

Crew:
4- commander, gunner, driver, radioman

Armor:
Armor is where the Cougar really shines. The front glacis plate, side panels, and turret frontal armor have depleted uranium inserts sandwiched between armor-grade steel plating to the outside, and deforming composite-based anti spalling armor within. The main body frame is reinforced in places with tungsten alloy/composite struts, and the entire interior of the tank is lined with Kevlar anti-spalling fabric sheets.

The top and side armor is designed to “pop outwards” in case of a catastrophic hit to the front of the tank- similar to how the hood deforms to absorb impact in many modern cars- and the ammo bays are designed to blow out backwards. In addition, the crew hatches are fitted with explosive bolts to allow rapid crew escape if the tank is hit. A sophisticated firefighting system is also included, along with anti-gas filters and lead-foamed inserts (an idea copied from the soviet T-72) that give the Cougar the excellent NBC protection standard in all Kilean tanks. This is all in addition to good old-fashioned armor, which the Cougar has in spades, angled to greatest effect.

Armament:
The cougar is armed with a 120mm Kilean Waffenwerke smoothbore long-barreled cannon. High muzzle velocity is the main killer with this fearsome weapon. The gun is auto-stabilized for full fire-on-move ability, and is tied in to the commander’s laser/IR range finding& targeting system. Combat load is some 85 rounds, usually an even mixture of APFSDS, HEAT, HE. Secondary armament consists of an MG-87 mounted on the drivers hatch, and a 14mm heavy machinegun mounted on the commanders coupla


Electronics:
The Cougar is equipped with the standard KLM radio suite, for full integration with all Kilean units. In addition, it sports a reduced, local version of the Etronian BattleLAN. This system allows tanks to have access to data on their platoon mates- fuel levels, ammunition, battle damage, etc. Night vision/IR is available for all crew members. The gun is aimed using a computer controlled laser-range finding system. There is also a milimeter-wave radar, although this is never really used for aiming the main gun, as it is mostly used by the “firework” system. The “firework’ antimissile system is similar to the dazzler systems mounted on US helicopters. It appears as a small dome on top of the turret. It uses milimeter-wave radar to detect incoming antitank missiles, and directs a medium-powered laser to “dazzle” the seeker heads of the missiles, disrupting their lock. It is somewhat effective, although by no means a foolproof countermeasure. It is high-upkeep, and it is nowhere near as effective in foggy or rainy weather. It is also useless against non-optical/IR or unguided antitank missiles.

The Cougar has entered into service with some armored units of the “first four”, but is a long ways from any sort of significant operational capacity. It may, in the end, not totally replace the T-72aust.k, due to its expense, high-upkeep systems, and poor fuel efficiency.
__________________________________________________________

Misc. Vehicles:

For utility work, Kilean tends to use tried & true designs. For general transport, WW2 era US-made 2 ½ ton trucks are used. Although newer designs are available, none of them can compete with the simplicity and ruggedness of the 2 ½ ton truck. For utility usage, the Willys jeep is still in use, although it is being supplanted by the more capable Ostendt Motorfabrik Antelope utility vehicle. For heavy-duty work, Kilean produces the Army Heavy Cargo Truck (AHCT), which is used as a tank transporter, fuel truck, and with modification, as TLE for theatre missiles, among other things.

Artillery:

If Kilean obsesses over one thing, it is weight of artillery fire. Kilean is always sure to include at least 1.5 times the normal level of artillery in any formation. Starting from battery level, Kilean artillery batteries include 6 guns instead of the 4 it is in most armies.

Artillery is not seen as an accurate weapon- that’s what the air force is for- instead, the KLM uses sheer weight of fire to supersaturate area targets in preperation for assault. To this end, Kilean equips it’s infantry divisons with huge numbers of towed artillery pieces.

The workhorse of Kilean artillery forces is the soviet-designed M1987 152mm towed howitzer. (http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/2a65.htm) These cannons are all made-in-kilean copies of the soviet design. Units of these guns are organic in large numbers to infantry and light divisions, and all told, a typical Kilean infantry divison has some 80 152mm howizers

In addition, Kilean uses 105mm self-propelled guns mounted on the BMP-1 chassis in all of it’s infantry, light, and airborne divisons. These are used to tag along with mechanized infantry advances, be airdropped in to support paratroopers, and to provide a “shoot and scoot” capacity far exceeding that of the clunky 152mm guns. An average infantry division can call upon some 30 of these vehicles.

For Kilean’s armored divison, an all-self propelled layout is in order. The standard self-propelled gun in Kilean armored formation is the M1973 self-propelled gun. These soviet made-SPG’s are distributed approx. 72 to a Panczer division. In addition, some 16 105mm SPG’s may also be attached as the situation warrants.

Kilean also maintains many corps-level heavy artillery units, which many view as odd, considering Kilean maintains no standing Corps. In any case, these units, although unattached, are powerful and large in both size and number. Among them are:

Heavy howizer regiment:
18 203mm long range guns.

FROG rocket regiment:
36 FROG launchers with TLE’s and reloads. It is worthy of note that these soviet-designed Free Rocket Over Ground (FROG) unguided long-range rockets are thrown in with artillery. They are not used like the theatre missiles they resemble, instead, they are mass-launched (often by a whole regiment at once) at area targets, using their huge submunition warheads to saturate area targets like supply depots or cities.

Rocket artillery regiment:
Kilean is a big fan of unguided rocket artillery. Old-style katyusha truck-mounted launchers have been used for decades, although they are being phased out by the german-made LARS rocket launcher. In armored divisions, self-propelled rocket launchers (a la the MLRS) based upon T-62(k) chassis have started to appear, outfitted with 24 launch tubes for free-flight rockets.

These rockets usually carry area-effect weapons, like submunition warheads and napalm, although HE rounds are used to batter fortifications. It’s standard kilean practice to, after bombarding a target with conventional artillery, have all rocket artillery available flush their racks at the enemy right before a direct infantry assault. The shock value and ferocity of these barrages (although they are short in duration) is not to be underestimated. A rocket artillery regiment contains:

36 Katyusha’s (in B and C class divisons)
OR
36 LARS systems (in all front-line and A grade divisions)
OR
36 T-62(k) multiple rocket launchers.

Theatre missile brigade:
Kilean uses theatre missiles as a “semi-strategic” weapon. The Kilean army has four theatre missile brigades, to be used against large enemy troop concentrations, significant military installations, and cities. Three of these brigades are equipped with 36 SCUD theatre ballistic missiles. These are crude, inaccurate weapons, chosen only because their ease of manufacture means that they can roll off assembly lines in huge numbers during times of war. (in peacetime, Kilean only maintains some 150 SCUD’s). This is because the Theatre missile brigades prefer to saturate their targets with literally dozens of missiles- attempting to soak through any sort of anti-missile system.

The SCUD’s are armed with either HE or submunition warheads for attacks on facilities or troop concentrations. There are also VX bomblet warheads available, but these are not usually fitted to SCUD’s. Although the SCUD’s are nuclear-capable, Kilean would not so much as think of putting one of their expensive and precious nuclear warheads in a piece of crap like the SCUD. Kilean SCUD’s are rolled out as fast as possible and as quickly and cheaply as possible. This is not a finesse weapon, and it’s horrible accuracy makes mass firings the only effective tactic.

The fourth missile brigade deploys the Longsword Land-attack missile. This is a more advanced- albeit shorter range- missile based in large part off of the SS-N-19 missiles used by the Kilean navy. These are cruise missiles that sacrifice the normally long range of cruise missiles for sheer warhead weight. The Longsword has a range of some 350km, and after getting a fix from it’s position off of the GPS system (or, failing that, a backup sun/star tracking system), it flies to it’s target at a supersonic speed. The Longsword is fired from 6-cell launchers carried by converted tank transporters. The 4th theatre missile brigade carries 32 Longswords. Warhead types are classified, although cluster, HE, gas are assumed, and nuclear is probable.

Air-defense systems:
The KLM has, ever since it’s inception, resigned itself to operating without air superiority. The kilean air force is not designed to provide it, and neither is the army air corps. To this end, the Kilean military has created a doctrine best articulated by Gen.Tannberg in his famous essay for Proceedings of the Kilean War Academy- “denied environment, my ass!” The basic idea is to use dispersal of forces and camoflauge to conceal Kilean armed forces, and to use one of the heaviest deployments of MANPADS systems and light AA guns ever seen to force the enemy to use less-accurate high-altitude bombing. The entire idea of Kilean air defence is to make it impossible for the ground-attack aircraft that really screw up ground forces to operate.

To this end, man-portable missiles are issued to every platoon in the Kilean Army. They are lugged around just as naturally as other armies carry disposable antitank rockets, and used in much the same way. Soviet-bloc missiles are the most popular, due to their low cost, but Stinger and several other western European designs are used as well. ZSU-23 antiaircraft vehicles abound in Panczer divisions, and Kilean-made antiaircraft variants of the BMP-1 (mounting quad 25mm cannon) are organic to all units company and up. Any aircraft attacking at low-level will be met with a hail of cannon, machinegun, and man-portable SAM fire, that, although not very accurate, will more than make up for that in sheer weight of lead thrown into the air.

For more conventional air defence, the Kilean Army has purchased large numbers of the French-made Roland SAM system. These provide a decent air defense umbrella against first-rate fighter aircraft.

(http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/roland.htm)

In addition, Kilean sports a huge, although somewhat primitive air defence system. It is organized to be more nodal and decentralized than most air defence systems, while still being organized on a large scale, and is set up to accept the destruction of many regional control centers without degrading effectiveness. The SA-2 missile is used in large numbers for high-altitude defense of cities, and the Croatale and HAWK are also installed near important targets. In addition, the Civil Defence Directorate operates thousands of AA guns that are set up all over Kilean cities in wartime.

Kilean Army Air Corps:

The KLM has its own air force for battlefield local air superiority and tactical support of ground forces. Numbering roughly 425 aircraft, split into four “air armies”, the Kilean Landsmaacht Luftkorps (KLL) operates older but effective aircraft to provide excellent air support to Kilean’s army.

The SEPECAT Jaguar is the workhorse of the KLL, providing a balanced strike jet that is capable of attacking a variety of ground targets.

The A-4 Skyhawk is also still in extensive target. Given improved ECM by the KLL, the A-4’s are often fitted with jammer pods and anti-radiation missiles and sent on “wild weasel” missions.

In addition, the Kilean Luftwerke “Condor” ground-attack craft is also in use. Prop-driven and hyper-rugged, it is a low wing, twin-engined monoplane with a blocky, angular fuselage and split tail. It’s propellers may look somewhat out of date, but the engines in the midwing nacelles are capable of soaking up huge amounts of punishment. The Condor is armed with six linked 25mm cannon in the nose, and can carry huge amounts of ordinance. It mostly carries area-effect weapons like cluster bombs or napalm. Fitted with modern electronics and possessing a low stall speed, the Condors are used for tank-busting, ground support and, due to their low speed and huge gun amament, helicopter hunting.

Rounding out the KLL, Mirage 2000 fighters give the Army Air Corps a good multirole capacity, allowing them to take the fight to the ground attack planes of the enemy.

KLL units are based on the squadron (12) the regiment (48) and the brigade (96).

The KLL also operates all of the Kilean Armies helicopters. The KLM uses Hind attack helicopters as it’s backbone, and every Kilean division will have at least a small number of these attached.

For transport purposes, the KLL uses the “schwalbe” utility helicopter. This is a mid-sized, kilean made general purpose helicopter equivalent in most respects to a UH-1, although it has a slightly larger lifting ability and larger cargo area.

The AH-1 super cobra is also in use in several units. It was decided that the Hind itself, although powerful, was too bulky and not nimble enough for all roles. To this end, upgraded super cobra’s supplement the Hind’s, usually working in teams of 2 cobras and 2 hinds. This has proven to be very effective.

Kilean Air Force: The Kilean Luftzwehr is the smallest and most professional of all the services. A recent creation in Kilean military history, the Air Force is mostly tasked with denying the enemy total air superiority through asymmetric air warfare (dispersed basing, “guerilla” style air attacks on the most vulnerable enemy units) and with deep-penetration strikes against enemy strategic targets. The KLZ operates some 325 aircraft.

The KLZ recently concluded a secret deal with Israel that allows Kilean production rights to the defunct Lavi project, in return for unspecified and at this time secret aid. The jet has been renamed Falkon in Kilean service. The Falkon has been upgraded and many parts of the design have been changed- Etronian electronics, a better Ostendt Luftfabrik jet engine- it is still a canard delta-winged fighter owing a lot to the F-16 in it’s design. These are agile and capable mid-ranged craft. Excellent dogfighters, and more than adequate for mid-ranged air combat. With fuel tanks and midair refueling, they have a huge effective operational radius. The Falkon is a first-rate multirole fighter.

In the fighter capacity, a small number of MiG-29k jets are in service, although these are placed in reserve squadrons. They have been overhauled with modern electronics, and are excellent dogfighters. These will be mostly used to assist the KLL in dominating airspace over a particular battlefield.

In addtion, a wing (36) of Soviet Haaregrad built F-33 (upgraded Mig-29’s) jets is in operation. These are still in front line service, having not been replaced by the Falkon, and will probably stay in service for the foreseeable future.

For deep-strike missions, the british Buccaneer is used alongside the Griefen medium strike jet. The Griefen is similar in overall design to the F-111 and cancelled british TSR-1. The Griefen is designed to deliver a heavy bomb load (heavier than tactical fighters, lighter than bombers) over long ranges at low altitude.

In addition, the KAF deploys several squadrons of refueling aircraft based off of the Albatros heavy transport. (this is the same type of plane used by army air corps to transport kilean’s airborne troops)

Navy:

Kilean’s navy has been historically a small force. However, this has changed in recent years, primarily with the purchase of the KNS Ostendt battle group.

KNS Ostendt battle group:

1 Kirov-class BCGN (the Ostendt)
3 Sovremnyy-class destroyers.
3 Udaloy-class ASW destroyers

2nd surface group:
3 Krivak-class antisubmarine frigates
1 Neustrashimy-class multirole frigate
1st submarine flotilla:
4 type 209 diesel-electric submarines

2nd submarine flotilla
4 type 209 diesel-electric submarines

Other surface forces:

4 PHM 1 Pegasus patrol/missile hydrofoils
5 Grisha-class coastal ASW corvettes
17 Wirbelwind coastal missile boats (kilean made, 150 tons. Armed with 4 exocets and 76mm OTO melara DP gun)
12 costal minesweeping corvettes (kilean-made, 800 tons)
6 underway replenishment ships
8 oilers
4 sub tenders
11 military sealift cargo ships


<OOC>: all the Russian-made ships have had electronics overhauls and now sport integrated systems on par with mid-80’s western bloc ships <OOC>

The GEV squadrons:

The Ground-Effect-Vehicle was a concept hit upon by the Soviets during the cold war, and never really developed. These are craft that “fly” on the air cushion developed by ground effect. Not boats, not quite planes, and not hovercraft, GEV’s can carry heavy weights at high speeds over water. The GEV squadrons have become the elite of Kilean’s coastal navy. Their speed and ship killing power can be matched by few units on the seas. Their weaknesses are a HUGE turning radius, and a vulnerability to air attack (moving too fast to use ship AA systems, flying too low to use aircraft AA systems). Kilean operates two kinds of GEV- the Lun type antishipping GEV

(http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rus/903.htm),

and the Orlan fast transport GEV
(http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rus/904.htm)

used buy Kilean Naval Infantry for coastal raids.

1st Enkranoplan squadron:
12 Lun type missile GEV’s

2nd Enkranoplan squadron:
12 Lun type missile GEV’s

1st fast naval landing squadron:
14 Orlan transport GEV’s

Naval Aviation:

Kilean naval aviation is large for a small navy, however, it has been surmised that maritime patrol is essential to prevent any blockade of Kilean, to project power, and to effectively hunt submarines. These all are land-based aircraft. Kilean has no carriers.

1st Naval Bomber regiment:
36 Bear maritime patrol bombers (various maritime models)

2nd Naval Aviation regiment:
24 Buccaneer strike jets configured for anti-shipping missions.
12 Super Entard fighters. (also in antishipping config.)

3rd Naval Bomber Regiment:
36 Bear maritime patrol bombers (various maritime models)

Strategic Weapons:
Kilean has for some time had a nuclear weapons program. Kilean has tested a 26kt first-generation atomic device, and is proceeding with a thermonuclear weaponry program. As it stands, Kilean is able to produce and deploy high-kiloton range atomic weapons with tritium boosting. These are deployed as airdropped bombs on the KAF’s deep-strike jets and on the SM-02 “riverbed” missiles. These are liquid-fueled intercontinental missiles with a range of 15,000 kilometers and a CEP of roughly 1,000 meters. They are first-generation weapons, armed with a single 1MT warhead. Kilean has some 25 of the missiles in inventory, and these are scattered among 50 silos in the western desert. They are moved at random from silo to silo, so it is unknown which silos are empty and which ones house missiles.

In addition, Kilean has 60 other nuclear weapons that can be deployed on the Griefen tactical strike jet. These range from 26Kt models, to 112Kt weapons.

Other military forces:

The Internal Security directorate has some 800 men in the “direct action teams” that it often uses abroad, and it also deploys 3 regiments of heliborne antipartisan troops.

The Kilean National Police numbers some 250,000 men and women, and is used for homeland defence and internal security in time of war. They are a paramilitary force, but their “special units” can be useful for antt-geurilla work, or establishment of internal order.

The Civil Defence Directorate is responsible for the safety of Kilean’s citizens and maintains Kilean’s huge network of bomb/fallout shelters and air raid alert systems. In time of war, the Civil Defense Directorate is placed under army control. The CDD organizes firefighting efforts in major cities, mass medical aid for disasters, and also can deploy huge numbers of low-level AA weapons to protect Kilean’s major cities in time of war. The CDD, and it’s sub-agency, the Border Security Organization, man Kilean’s border fortifications along with C-grade reserve divisions. The CDD is the largest paramilitary organization in Kilean, numbering some 300,000 members total.

Border forts: In the early 20th century Kilean undertook a massive fortification project along it’s coastline and it’s border with Dibujante. These forts have been maintained and serve on into the 20th century, albeit in a different role.

The bastions are centerpieces of Kileans defence on the Dibujante border. Initially large underground fortifications armed with 12in guns from scrapped battleships, these have developed over time into massive and sprawling facilities, garrisoned by upwards of 1,000 troops each. They are surrounded by rings of infantry bunkers and stationary gun bunkers made from old T-62(k) tanks. Prepared infantry positions, minefields, SAM batteries, and pre-made tank revetments protect the fortresses themselves, as well as their attending airfield, and the most vital asset: the supply dump. The bastions are now guardians of gigantic supply caches. These have been built up over decades, and contain basic spare parts, ammunition, and enough gasoline to allow an army group to stage a major offensive. The defences on the bastions are not up to standard- old SA-2’s and guns built in the 1930’s- but they still make the facilities tough targets.

In addition, the rest of the border is pockmarked with small infantry bunkers, prepared artillery and tank positions, and fixed gun implacements. The Kilean-Dibujante border fortified to an extent that would make the Soviet-Chinese frontier look like a playground.

For coastal defences, the old 16in guns still stand watch on Kilean’s beaches. Now they are backed up by mortar positions, machinegun nests. These old defences have been built upon over time. None of the equipment is top of the line, indeed, most of it is obsolete, but the sheer quantity makes any opposed landing a daunting proposition.

In additon to the coastal defences, Kilean has manufactured huge numbers of the 50’s era “SAMLET” cruise missile, and these are deployed in huge numbers, covering the entire Kilean coastline. These anti ship missiles are old, but there are a lot of them.

__________________________________________________________

<OOC- well, there you have it, the kilean military.<OOC>
_________________________________________________________

Johan looked across the river, into Dibujante. It was a chilly night, and he shivered beneath his BDU's, BDU's that bore the "7th Panczer divison" crest on their sleeves. He shifted his position, hand sweaty on the grip of his squad's MG-87. He was waiting, the rest of the men were waiting.

For what, exactly? They were isolated from the news, but it seemed as if there had been a cryptic Dibujante response, and talk of more demands.....

For now, though, he just wanted to stay warm.

Armed Forces Organisation

Active Forces (Ejercito de la Defensa Publica): Approx. 8 million
Forces as part of the Ejercito del Trabajador: 68 million
Reservists: 18 million
Total forces: Approx. 95 million.

Dibujante's army is called the Fuerza Armada Revolucionaria de Dibujante (FAR). It is primarily composed of active-duty soldiers who are serving full terms in the Ejercito de la Defensa Publica.
The rest of the eligible population (men and women, ages 16+) serve in the Ejercito del Trabajador, which comprises Dibujante's primary labor force.

Ejercito del Trabajador
Dibujante's Ejercito del Trabajador is composed entirely of foot soldiers. Every soldier is issued a standard uniform, standard shoes & helmet and an AK-47 rifle. Captains in Ejercito del Trabajador serve as governors of regions, with lieutenants and officers recieving delegated authority. Members of the Ejercito del Trabajador are highly loyal ( a result of educational brainwashing policies) and perform practically all of Dibujante's labor. The Ejercito del Trabajador has access to RPGs and Degtarev machine-guns, as well as standard bulk cargo transport vehicles (5t trucks and similar vehicles that have been purchased from out of country).
Ejercito del Trabajador squads are 40-strong, commanded by an officer, who reports to platoons of six squads. There are six platoons in a company, making the whole unit approximately 1440-strong. One unit will administer to a specific region within a province.
The remaining links in the political chain are filled by bureaucrats; Lieutenant Colonels and Colonels (of regiments and divisions, respectively) are full-time soldiers. There are, in times of war, four Ejercito del Trabajador companies in a regiment, and four regiments in a division, making each division about 23,000-strong.
There are about 3 million eligible Ejercito del Trabajador divisions, should they be called up.

Ejercito de la Defensa Publica
Dibujante's Ejercito de la Defensa Publica comprises Dibujante's standing army. Standard issue equipment for the Ejercito de la Defensa Publica remains the same as that for the Ejercito del Trabajador. However, Ejercito de la Defensa Publica is well-trained, entrenched, and has access to mortars, Dragunov and Mosin-Nagant rifles, and armored vehicles.
The Ejercito de la Defensa Publica is the first line of Dibujante's defense. Most of the Ejercito's units are guarding the mountain passes and river bridges that compose the Dibujante-Kilean border. Ejercito de la Defensa Publica squads are 16-strong, with 10 squads to the platoon, 8 to the company, four companies to the regiment and four regiments to the division. All told, each division is approximately 20,500 strong.
The Ejercito, while provided with superior training, fanatical morale and more equipment, also houses all of Dibujante's tank divisions. One tank division has about 200 tanks, with a total of 600 crew. There are some 8,000 tanks in the Fuerza Armada Revolucionaria, which are, without exception, modified Russian T-72s designed to run on ethanol. All told, this sums up approximately 40 tank divisions, which enter the command chain at the company level. Dibujante's tanks prefer the HEAT round to the traditional armor-piercing sabot, but a significant number of sabot rounds still exist in Dibujante's armories.
Due to a dearth of high-tech in Dibujante, T-72s use a primitive two-way radio communication system that is ineffective at ranges of over 2km. As such, tank divisions are primarily infantry support divisions, relying on infantry radiomen to ferry signals to division commanders.
There are almost 400 Ejercito de la Defensa Publica divisions deployed nation-wide.

Air Force and Navy
Dibujante's air-force is small. It is currently composed of 200 Mig-21s and 12 modified B-52 bombers (drop large conventional payloads). The airforce is underfunded; pilots fly six times a year, and the planes do not run on Ethanol.
Dibujante's navy is more significant. While lacking significant armor-peircing armament, the navy does have access to a few thousand coastal patrol-boats, armed with machine-guns. The actual number varies, as the patrol boats are a mixture of civilian and Ejercito del Trabajador boats.

Current State of Mobilization
Currently, Ejercito de la Defensa Pubilca are the only active divisions, focused on the Kilean border and stationed in major cities. The Ejercito del Trabajador is scattered into all agricultural and industrial areas. Under optimal conditions, the Ejercito del Trabajador could be made battle-ready and deployable in four days. Activating the air force would require an additional week.

State of the Dibujante-Kilean Border
One hundred years of communist party rule has financed construction of significant fortifications along the border. Most notable is the information network, which ensures that party leaders are almost instantly aware of a major attack. Mountain passes are fortified with bunkers, trenches and barbed wire, defended by Ejercito de la Defensa Publica troops. Bridge crossings are barricaded and watched, with some major bridges rigged to explode if necessary.

*Party officials paced rings in communist party government building carpets. Something was stirring across the mountains, but the chairman wanted to be absolutely sure of what was going on before he made a fool of himself. Meanwhile, tempers flared, patiences were worn to the breaking point and decorated generals pounded their fists upon tables advocating each and every possible course of action as the chairman reterated to his building to think.*

(For want of anything better to do, and an apparent interest in such things, a ramble on the Drapoel military, should Dibujante decide to accept its help-)

The Choson People's Republic of Dra-pol is traditionally an ultra-isolationist state. At this moment in time foreigners are not allowed to enter except in the south eastern city of Kosong, where the republic hopes to encourage trade and tourism. One may think of Dra-pol as North Korea's big brother, more extreme than the DPRK in almost every way. There is one key difference: in Dra-pol, former Director and founder of the republic Comrade Sulo began a commitment. Today in Dra-pol, the Juche Idea works.

Imagine North Korea fifty times larger, forty times richer per-capita, and just about so much more paranoid and xenophobic, and one has a fair picute of the CPRD.

As such Dra-pol's typical military expenditure is close to the combined GDP's of the USA, China, and Japan.

Owing to the republic's closed nature accurate reports on its capabilities are hard to obtain. Much of what is known is drawn from the experiences of a Quinntonian-lead coalition that once included the Promise of Joshua, and that attempted to remove the Communist Party from power in the republic. The war that resulted ended in something of a stale mate, inspite of the gathering of at least half a dozen capitalist Christian nations against Dra-pol. At least three million deaths were absorbed by all sides combined, most Drapoel. To-day an uneasy cease-fire is maintained, with the city-state of Quinntonian Dra-pol being surrounded on the east coast of the republic. Dra-pol's southern neighbour is South Dalania, another capitalist nation with which Dra-pol does not get along (Dra-pol exists on the Korean peninsula, and may be considered North Korea to Dalania's South- the Korean war and resulting "DMZ" occured and exist in this time-line, too). This only aids the Communist Party, based in DaKhiem, in its uber-militarist policies, through which some 34% of gross domestic product are thought to be consumed. For a time the republic only survived by a rather successful propaganda war that won it much foreign aid and allowed its armies to march on half-full stomachs as modest infrastructure collapsed. Over 20,000 civilians died of related malnutrition.

During the war, the republic fielded an army of up to 9.1 million soldiers (a ratio that is actually lower than North Korea's recruitment, and as such might be suspected rather higher by today), and like in North Korea these soldiers proved to be fanatically devoted to the revolution and to their republic.
Most of Dra-pol's military equipment is now produced domestically, allowing such wide-spread armament as was seen without entirely crippling the economy through expensive imports. Several favourable co-operative projects are known to boost this, with barter-deals enacted between Dra-pol and Asian neighbour Penglai, and four armaments plants in East Islandia acting essentially as Drapoel state factories in turning out Drapoel battle tanks.

Again, as with North Korea, Dra-pol maintains an effective and large special forces command. The Red Bamboo consistantly outmanoeuvred oalition forces during the invasion of Dra-pol, and their officers lead regular forces in relentless human-wave attacks upon hopelessly outnumbered and surrounded Joshuan and Raysian forces, slaughtering the 30,000 strong POJ expedition to the last man. This was done at great human cost, of course. Interestingly, a Raysian force tricked and trapped in tiny, walled DaKhiem by a force then under direct command of Secretary Hotan was allowed to surrender and march out of the country under escort, suggesting that diplomatic skill was not an art lost to the Drapoel command, despite its ruthless reputation. It was an act that made certain the survival of the republic.

The infamous Banat are secret police, intelligence agency, and additional elite corps to the republic. One detachment barely a hundred strong fought its way through half of Africa, killing thousands and meeting with an eventual fate that remains unknown. It is rumoured that some made it (from the middle of the Congo) to the Libyan border and possible safety, despite being hunted all the way.

The entire Banat organisation is, or at least was, wanted in Quinntonia for war crimes.

Dra-pol is known to possess basic chemical weapons, and used such on two occassions, once in its own capital city during the rout of Raysian forces, and once against Quinntonian Dra-pol, which again is in truth a Drapoel territory, formerly Hamhung and Hungnam. In the second instance the warheads were delivered by FROG-7B missiles, and it is now known that Dra-pol possesses IRBM technology capable of reaching more than five thousand miles. The CPRD recently tested its first nuclear warhead, which detonated in the interior. The precise yield of the exploded device is unknown outside DaKhiem.

Given all this one wonders then, what weakness does the CPRD military suffer? Well, its technology is ever struggling to keep pace. Until a few years ago the nation was entirely shut off from the world and reliant on late WWII technologies. In the last four years much has been gained, but there are still a few rough edges. Most Drapoel tanks mount Chinese 105mm and native-designed 115mm guns, which are inferior to western 120mm weapons, and even a little behind modern Russian 125mms. A small minority of imported Beth Gellen tanks mount 125mm guns said to out-class the western 120mms, but the republic has been unable to secure more examples, and switching production it seems might be too expensive. Though Dra-pol is wealthy it remains so only by walking something of a knife-edge of prudent investment and apt application of its uncertain means.

Perhaps the main weakness is the republic's lack of a navy. Its coast guard was obliterated in the war, and is only now being replaced with missile-boats. A merchant fleet has been built up, and would likely be put to miltiary use if required. This would of course probably lead to renewed famine, but it has been proved that the government will endure such, and find a scapegoat.

A summary then, of Drapoel military capacity-
The People's Army is thought to exceed 9.1million men. A massive, motivated, absurdly loyal and hard-working force willing to give all for the republic, the idea, and the Choson Drapoel people. Massive, massive expenditure ensures an admirably high standard of training. Most armaments are native-origin, and chamber unusual rounds. The standard assault rifle appears to be a bullpup AK clone in 6.5mm chambering. Infantry utilise Japanese-inspired 40mm "Knee-mortar" grenade launchers and Chinese-designed Type-69I RPGs in huge numbers. Typically infantry will descend upon a target in massive strength, laying down incredible fire and refusing to cease until the objective is secured or obliterated. Sometimes this leaves them unable to progress to a second point.
Armour operates generally on a quantity over quality doctrine, hoping to provide more targets than an enemy can hope to engage at once. Operating close to infantry, Drapoel tanks mean to ensure that enemy armour is engaged while ranks of soldiers pour across positions otherwise suicide for them to attack. Most is suited to operation in Dra-pol's harsh mountain terrain, rather than on vast flats or built up areas. (so hey, what's the terrain like in this region?)

The air force has only just begun to produce its own aircraft, and most of its strength is provided by Chinese FC-1 and J-10 fighters- over three thousand of them. The KJ-1 Feda-Kwong is Dra-pol's first modern jet of native origin, and is a ground-attack fighter.

All things considered, Dra-pol is, as proven less than two years ago, almost impossible to conquer. Its force-projection capacity is though far from proven, and the republic will need much fore-warning if it is to be effective in the defence of Dibutante. Even now the propaganda machine is creaking into life as DaKhiem tries to convince the masses of the need for international revolution, citing the clearly evident dangers that lurk abroad as justification.

(ooc:sorry, I really was quite bored, plus I'm drinking ;) ..which actually you need a permit for in Dra-pol if you like having a head.)

Etronia's military. Maybe soon we'll even get to use it!

Army:

The Etronian army is a small, professional force. It numbers roughly 400,000 men, organized into 12 divisions, with more than half of the manpower in support brigades/regiments that are part of larger units.

Divisions

6 infantry (mechanized)

4 armored divisions

1 airborne division

1 light division

Sub-divisional units of note:

5 armored cav brigades

4 indep. Armor brigades

4 airborne brigades

Marine Corps Divisions:

3 light divisions.

Armored cavalry brigades use Etronia's Chasseur MBT:


MBT: Chasseur.

Crew: Commander/IT system operator, Gunner, Driver.

Etronia has broken with the traditional MBT concept to create the "chasseur" medium tank. The Chasseur is a combination of simple, elegantly designed hardware and cutting-edge battlefield IT technology.

Appearance: The Chasseur is a low-slung tank. It's angled, sleek appearance has caused some to dub it the "stealth tank", however this is due to the careful angling of the armor plates- getting the most protection out of the least heavy plating. Indeed, the term "stealth tank" is somewhat of a misnomer, as the diesel used by the Chasseur is somewhat louder than the turbine engine of the Abrams. It's turret, placed near the back of the tank, is roughly triangular in shape, and the long, slender barrel of the high-velocity 100mm rifled gun protrudes from the angled front. The sleek appearance of the tank is somewhat marred by the milimeter-wave radome and camera pod sticking up from the turret.

Armor:

The Chasseur weighs in at some 48 tons, a marked decrease in weight from heavier MBT's like the Abrams. It's armor, while suicidally light by American or Russian standards, is composed totally of advanced composites, with depleted-uranium slabs at on the turret faces and glacis plate. Blowout panels for ammo storage, a sophisticated firefighting system, and special detcord-rigged ejection-handle style escape hatches increase crew survivability without contribuiting much to the weight of the tank. The Chasseur is survivable, but its primary defence is speed and range.

Engine: The Chasseur does not use a turbine engine, opting instead for a well-engineered diesel motor capable of propelling the lightweight tank at some 60mph flat-out (although doing this on anything but a road/open sand is asking to jump a track FAST). The well-designed suspension and reliability of the automatic transmission result in an engine that is much less matinence-intensive than a turbine, and has far better fuel efficiency. The Chasseur was designed with good mileage in mind, and has roughly double the fuel efficency of an Abrams.

Armament: The Chasseur carries a Etronia Defence Dynamics 100mm auto-stabilized rifled cannon. It is very long-ranged, and coupled with the ecellent fire control sytems of the Chasseur, hyper-accurate. The Chasseur has full fire-on-move ability. It has, under test conditions, performed one-shot kills on moving T-72's out to 3 miles. The ammunition store is large, as the Chasseur is designed to fight running battles- some 80 shells are carried in shielded bins between the drivers compartment in the front, and the gunner/commander compartment in the rear. These are designed to blow outwards/sideways if hit. The 100mm gun is fed by a six-round revolver magazine that is capabile of semiauto fire. Autoloading gear can reload the cylinder in 8 seconds, if the desired shell mix is designated. Combat load usually includes a large number of HEAT and HESH rounds, followed by APFSDS rounds, then smaller numbers of HE and WP rounds. Auxilliary weapons consist of an Etronian Arms 7.62mm MG in the drivers position with 2,000 rounds, and 2 Kilean Waffenwerke 14mm machineguns- 1 mounted coaxial with the main gun, and one in the commanders sponson. They feed from common reload bins with some 7,000 rounds. The gunners hatch also has a mount for the Etronia Arms 7.62mm. Smoke generator and flare launchers are standard. Reactive armor can be fitted.

Electronics: This is where the Chasseur really shines. The excellent firecontrol systems are the best Etronia has to offer, combining top-flight Kilean optics, Etronian laser rangefinders, milimeter-wave radar for locating hidden targets at close range, passive nightvision and thermal sights for night fighting, and a FLIR/camera pod similar to that of many scout helicopters on an extendable mast, giving the Chasseur the ability to maintain situational awareness even in concealed positions.

The Chasseur has an advanced electronics package, consisting of an onboard computer responsible for keeping track of where it is relative to other platoon members and on a map and for the states of other tanks in its platoon through Etronia's own military communications system, BattleLAN. Any tank is able to act as a 'command tank', but there are specially made 'command' tanks with better comms capabilities: it keeps track of more variables regarding itself, other vehicles, and objectives, and its transmitter is capable of reaching farther.

It also has a fire control package clearly designed towards maintaining a very impressive fire-on-move capability with almost no diminished accuracy/range penalty. It has a very complicated optics system aimed at spotting enemy vehicles, infantry, and other targets: an ordinary magnification with no enhancement, infrared, and millimeter-wave radar view modes. All of these are also available through the mast-mounted camera, giving it
increased visibility when necessary.




Navy:

The etronian navy is a large, sophisticated, and well-funded force. The central striking power of the Etronian Navy is in it’s five carrier battle groups. In addition, the Etronian navy also has a significant amphibious assault capability, as well as a large and effective ASW surface fleet. The Etronian submarine fleet has seen growth in recent years, with the launching of 9 nuclear powered attack submarines to supplement the diesel-electric fleet of earlier years.

All Etronian ships are fitted with “bleeding-edge” battle IT systems, and have an integrated defense ability, data management capacity, and battle group integration that would put AEGIS to shame.

Carriers:

Stalwart Class:

ENS Stalwart, Steadfast- CVN

Type: nuclear-powered light fleet carriers

Displacement: 36,000 tons

Speed: 33 knots

Armament: 8-cell sea sparrow (x4), 20mm CIWS (x3)

Air wing: 60 aircraft.

Electronics: Advanced air search radar



Adamant class

ENS Adamant-CV

Type: conventional fleet carrier

Displacement: 61,000 tons

Speed: 29 knots

Armament: 76mm OTO melara DP mount (x2), Goalkeeper 30mm CIWS (x4), 8-cell Sea sparrow (x1)

Air wing: 76 aircraft

Electronics: Air search radar



Resolve class:

ENS Revenge, Resolve CVN

Type: Nuclear-powered super carrier

Displacement: 95,000 tons

Speed: 30 knots

Armament: 8-cell sea sparrow (x2) Goalkeeper 30mm CIWS (x4), 4-cell Meteor point defense HVM (x3)

Air wing: 90 aircraft.

Electronics: hyper-advanced air search radar.

The carriers are deployed in battle groups consisting of the carrier itself, 4 ASW/multirole destroyers, 2 multirole frigates, and more often than not, a guided missile crusier. In addition, several fleet resupply ships (usually 3) will accompany the battlegroup.

Surface Combatants:

Forthright class guided missile destroyers

22 ships

Type: multirole destroyer. ASW/antishipping role.

Displacement: 4,200 tons

Speed: 32 knots

Armament: 76mm OTO melara DP mount (x2), 30mm Goalkeeper CIWS (x2), 12.75in ASW triple mount torpedo tubes (x2), 18-tube Asroc launcher (24 rounds), Exocet quadruple launchers (x2), 8-tube naval croatale launcher (x1, 32 reloads)

Air wing: 2 ASW helicopters

Electronics: sonar, advanced ASW sonar, air search radar, towed sonar



Rapid class guided missile frigates

14 ships

Type: air defense/multirole frigates

Displacement: 3,200 tons

Speed: 33 knots

Armament: 76mm OTO melara 76mm DP mount (x1) 20mm CIWS (x2), Six-cell sea wolf SAM (x1), 10-cell Sea Sparrow launcher (x1, 40 reloads), 4-tube harpoon launcher (x2)

Air wing: 1 helicopter

Electronics: Advanced air search radar, sonar



Sabre class guided missile cruiser

6 ships

Type: multirole missile cruiser

Displacement: 10,500 tons

Speed: 30 knots

Armament: 5in/54 Mk.45 DP gun mount (x2), 30mm goalkeeper CIWS, ‘vector’ anti-ship/ land attack cruise missile VLS (32 cells), 18-cell Asroc launcher, Sea Dart SAM launchers (x2, 46 reloads)

Air wing: 2 helicopters

Electronics: Advanced air search radar, advanced ASW sonar



Courageous class guided missile destroyers

9 ships

Type: multirole/land attack guided missile destroyer

Displacement: 4,500 tons

Speed: 30 knots

Armament: 76mm OTO melara 76m DP mount(x1) , 16-cell “vector” anti-ship/land attack cruise missile VLS, 20mm CIWS (x2), 2-rail multipurpose missile launcher (42-round magazine, carries sea sparrow/asroc), four cell meteor point defense HVM (x1, 16 reloads)

Air wing: 1 ASW helicopter

Electronics: Advanced air search radar, Advanced ASW sonar, towed sonar array.





Submarines: The Etronian navy has recently launched 5 nuclear powered attack submarines. These are not all that deep-diving, fast, or quiet. However, they are the first to be made with Etronian sonars and (more importantly) Etronian sonar input filtration computers. The Etronian submarines have some of the best combat computer and data analysis systems in the world.

Kraken-class attack submarine

9 ships

Type: nuclear powered attack submarine

Displacement: 5,000 tons, 5,900 tons submerged

Speed: 31 knots submerged

Dive depth: 300m

Armament: 16-cell “vector” VLS, 21in torpedo tubes (x6, 24 reloads, various types)

Electronics: Hyper-advanced sonar, towed-array sonar, hyper-advanced ASW sonar suite, data filtration computers.



Other submarines:

4 walrus class diesel subs

4 type-209 diesel subs


Battleships: Unlike the re-fitting process that the Iowa-class battleships went through in the US, the two re-commissioned Etronian battleships have undergone what could be termed a rebuild. They have had total overhauls in their electronics systems, and are now just as “wired” as any ship in the Etronian navy. Seaplane-tending facilities have been converted to helicopter facilities, the rear-deck catapults are now a helicopter pad, and all the original AA armament has been removed. The old room-sized analog gunnery computers have been replaced with a desktop-sized computer. The Redoubt class was chosen for re-commissioning because it’s armor scheme- considered a huge blunder when it was built- was most suited to modern sea combat. The Redoubt class were designed using data from the battle of Jutland, where it seemed that low-trajectory shots to the side were the real ship-killers. Designed to basically fight Jutland, the Redoubt, like the Bismark class, placed the majority of it’s armor protection in it’s side belt. This entire theory was shown to be folly when dive-bombing and plunging shell fire killed many a battleship in world war 2, and the Redoubt class was decommissioned. However, it was noticed in the 1980’s that the heavy side armor would be perfect protection against sea-skimming missiles……

The Redoubt-class as originally launched in 1935:

Redoubt-class battleships

4 ships

Type: battleship (BB)

Displacement: 41,800 tons standard, 52,000 tons full load

Speed: 29 knots

Armor: 12.8in side belt, tapering to 10.6 in. 4.5in deck armor, 14.5in turrets, 13.9in “citadel” armor. (special treatment steel)

Armament: 12 15’ high-velocity guns (x4 triple turrets), dual 6.5in guns (x6), dual mount 4in DP guns: (x8), double-barreled 37mm AA (x12), quadruple 20mm AA (x20)

Air wing: 2 seaplanes

Electronics: crude ranging radar, analog fire control computer, optical rangefinder, crude ASDIC.

The Redoubt class was re-activated in 1986, and given a full re-build. This was in response to the worldwide deployment of large surface combatants, and the proliferation of sea-skimming missiles. The engines were for the most part left alone. The most expensive part of the re-build (in adjusted terms, it cost more to re-build them now than to build them in the first place) was the electronics suite. Carrier-grade air search radar and targeting systems make the Redoubt class very “smart” ships. The space freed up by removing obsolete electronics equipment was converted to modern use, and the room that once housed the analog gunnery computers now houses the first-rate Combat Information Center that is sported by the Redoubt class.


In terms of armament, the change is even more pronounced. All of the 4in AA guns have been removed and replaced with modern weapons, and so have two of the 6in guns. The remaining secondary armament has been re-fitted with auto-loading gear and new ranging devices, making them serviceable DP mounts up to modern standards. In a controversial move, “X” turret (second-to stern) has been removed and replaced with a VLS system for “Vector” cruise missiles. The Redoubt class are truly battleships brought into the modern era, and are formidable surface combatants.

Redoubt-class, circa 2004

2 ships- ENS Redoubt, Recalcitrant

Type: Guided missile battleship (BBG)

Displacement: 41,800 tons standard, 52,000 tons full load

Speed: 29 knots

Armor: 12.8in side belt, tapering to 10.6 in. 4.5in deck armor, 14.5in turrets, 13.9in “citadel” armor. (special treatment steel), interior Kevlar sheeting for magazines, command areas. Automatic firefighting system.

Armament: 9 15” high velocity guns (3 triple turrets), 32 cell “vector” cruise missile VLS, dual 6.5in guns (x4), 8-tube naval croatale launcher (x4, 18 reloads each), Creusot-Loire 100mm automatic DP gun (4x double turrets), 30mm “goalkeeper” CIWS (x4), two-rail Meteor point defence HVM launcher (x2, 24 reloads each), Four-tube harpoon launcher (x4), Breda compact dual 40mm mounts (x6)

Air wing: 1 ASW helicopter

Electronics: Advanced air search radar, advanced C&C facilities, sonar





The BattleLAN system got mentioned above. Here's a more specific rundown of that:
INFANTRY
Each platoon has one 'radioman' who is responsible for
maintaining comms to higher-ups. Each infantryman has a system that is
responsible only for keeping track of where he is relative to other
soldiers - NOT where he is on a map.
The radioman's equipment will know where he is relative to other
broadcasting stations the military keeps set up.
Each infantryman's system is capable of broadcasting 1.5-2km in
ideal circumstances, closer to 1 in most, as little as .5 or 0 in the
worst conditions possible.
The radioman does not maintain a constant link back to command -
for the most part, radio silence is maintained in combat; only important
updates or a need for additional information or guidance would warrant
'calling in'.
Naturally, all traffic is encrypted.

VEHICLES
TANKS
Each platoon of tanks has a much more sophisticated comms
package. Every tank is aware of where other members of its platoon are,
their state (systems damaged/combat-ready, fuel, etc), and how that
relates to a map of the area.
All the tanks in the platoon have a special link to a "command tank",
which has a more sophisticated comms package. Other tanks in the platoon
look to it for direction (e.g. hold fire, move, safe).

SPECIAL STUFF / HIGHER UP

Every ship in the navy has a fairly sophisticated comms package.
This package is comprised predominantly of ordinary parts publically
available in Etronia, but running special military-spec software, and in
some cases hardened against electromagnetic damage.
These systems are mirrored across multiple areas of the ship - a
large cruiser might have 5 different machines acting as a cluster, all
of which are completely capable of duplicating the other's
responsibilities.
The only "special" system is an AEGIS-like fire control
mechanism for certain navy vessels and for some land-based missile
tracking/defense systems. It is only special in that it is generally
comprised of even more redundant parts than ordinary naval comms, and
has much 'larger' links between it and other nodes and ships, e.g. more
data can be pushed through those links faster than through normal naval
comms, which don't need it.

At the higher levels, a massive infrastructure is devoted to
making sure that the right information gets to the right places.
This is not as daunting as it may seem at first, since communication
within your organizational structure is stressed (e.g. platoons tend not
to call on company commanders as often as is seen in other military
structures).
Nevertheless, high-level routing has high levels of redundancy. It isn't
redundancy in the same way the ships are redundant - e.g. a number of
machines act as a cluster, so it doesn't really matter if one goes down
temporarily - but rather that there is always a backup system keeping an
eye on the primary, to take over in case it goes down.

ALL comms are RSA-encrypted, with a 2048-byte key. (Etronia's
cheap electronics means that this is really pretty negligible overhead.
For the most part, military comms are time-critical, meaning that by the
time you have cracked it, it's totally meaningless. Great job,
intelligence community, we've learned that tank platoon A was planning
to flank left. We already lost that battle FIVE FREAKING YEARS AGO (at
best)).
Those of you familiar with RSA, none of these devices are configured to
accept new keys, except with operator intervention.

Naturally, it's possible to make emergency requests, but there is no special system for figuring out what to do. It's entirely up to the commander if, for instance, a fire support request gets answered.


ooc { Now I never have to delineate any of this ever again 8) Onward, RPers! Onward to that bright, shining future! }

The president stood once again at the podium, staring at the cameras.

"The people of Kilean have suffered a strike against our heritage, our government, and our state. Subversive elements within our own nation have shown their hatred for everything we stand for. This is not our doing. The People of Kilean are ruled justly and fairly. As our finance minister and countless executives can attest, the worker is far from exploted" the reference to pushy labor minister DeVanders drew a chuckle "we are not revolutionaries. These actions were incited from without, directed against us by those who fear what we have achived."

The president was dead serious now. "We demand that the republic of Dibujante publicly condemn the actions of socialist radicals in Kilean. Furthermore, we ask that all Kilean citizens in Dibujante be turned over to the ISD. Also, all schools for foriegners in Dibujante must have an equal number of Kilean professors, to assure that all viewpoints are taught. To further border security, we demand that the mountain passes be policed and garrisoned by Kilean forces, and that the Santander river will be a wholly kilean possession."

The room was silent. That was an ultimatum.

"That is all. Thank you, and goodnight. Kilean stands together."

He walked out of the room.
__________________________________________________________

Kilean supreme command:

"The situation as stands?" The field marshal's grand uniform was rumpled from the hours of bustling activity. Around him, the clerks and tacticians of Oberkommandlandsmaacht were running on coffee and stress.

The major snapped to attention nonetheless.

"sir! we're waiting for the B and C-class divisions to fully mobilize, but our force layout is as follows"

He turned to the wall-mounted screen.

"as you can see, most forces are built up south of Skarswald....."
__________________________________________________________

Kilean troop deployment as stands:
(note: A-grade reserve divisions are fully up to front-line standards, so it will only be noted if a unit is a B or C grade division)

SOUTHERN FRONT:

Heersgruppe Sud: Army group south has been formed and is massing on the Dibujante border south of Skarswald. It is comprised of 3rd and 4th armies. Heersgruppe sud contains almost all active and A-grade panczer divisions in the Kilean army.

3rd army:

5 panczer divisions
5 infantry divisions
2 indep. panczer brigades

4th army:
4 panczer divisions
6 infantry divisions
3 indep. tank brigade

Heersgruppe sud also contains 2 of the SCUD brigades.

CENTRAL FRONT:

at the headwaters of the Santander river, some 150km southeast of Neuwald, II Corps has formed, and could be sent to either the southern or northern fronts. II corps is comprised of:

1st infantry
2nd panczer
3rd infantry

These are three of the "first four" divisions, and comprise an elite corps that could be sent to the river plain or north to the mountain passes.

I Corps (airborne) has massed in Neuwald itself. It comprises:

4th Cavalry (airmobile)- a "first four" unit fresh from the AC
16th Cavalry (airmobile)- an A-grade air assault unit
28th Airborne division- A paratrooper unit.

I corps is all of Kilean's airborne forces. They are being held back (along with II corps) for any contingencies.

NORTHERN FRONT:

The mountain passes are currently being held by III Light Corps. III light corps consists of:

1 Light division
1 Infantry division
1 indep. tank brigade.

when the B-grade divisions mobilize, III corps will reinforced with 2 light divisions and 2 infantry divisions.

To compensate for otherwise low numbers, additional area-effect weapons (rocket artillery) have been assigned to III corps.


AIR FORCES:

two KLL brigades (roughly 200 aircraft) are supporting Heersgruppe sud on the river plains, while another brigade (96) guards the southern passes.

The KAF has dispersed to highways and forward bases, and the two bear naval bomber regiments are now flying constant patrols out of SAM/MiG range off the Dibujante coast.
___________________________________________________________

"I'm freezin my ass off" Karl always complained.

"shut up, karl" said the leutnant, glancing at the soldier for a moment, before going back to scanning the looming pass ahead of them.

The men in the foxhole wore white winter coveralls- snow covered the groud year-round up here- and were members of the 11th light division.

The leutnant looked at the red flag, tiny in the distance, waving from one of the peaks.

"I just know they got observers up there. I know it." he said, half to himself.

"sir, with all due respect, sir- I really hope things stay quiet up here." Karl wasn't *quite* whiny.

"Look, karl" said the leutnant with great patience "if the President has his way, we'll just walk in there and take over that pass, and nobody will get hurt, alright?"

"Let's just hope he gets his way, then" said Karl, vaguely insubordinate in his tone. The Leutnant let it go. He knew Karl, and if things got bad, he'd be of help.

He went back to scanning the mountains, and the furtive activity of the soldiers there.

"It - it's for you, sir." The ensign was a bit red in the face and didn't seem to be happy about holding the receiver.
"Yes?" Admiral Meissner barked into the phone. He was a busy man! he had things to do!

Some words, a bit louder than conversational tone, come from the earpiece.

"The treaty --" begins the admiral, to be met with a violent tirade from the other end. He narrows his eyes and holds the phone away from his ear.

The shouting eventually subsides. "I understand the terms of the treaty, Stotten," he fairly spits into the phone. "And, whether or not 'THIS IS IT' as you incessantly cry, I remain bound to the treaty. Fine. We'll ready the navy and get our battlegroups to sea, starting with the Recalcitrant group."

The irony was probably lost on Stotten; he was a very nervous man these days.
Meissner places some other calls, and a few hundred miles away the calls to servicemen began ...

A message to Dra-pol;

This is not your fight. It would be advisable to not involve yourself. Although they may talk of "international revolution", all the leaders of Dibujante want is to continue their regional bullying.

To prevent foriegn interference, the Kilean navy is forming a naval cordon around Dibujante. The KNS Ostendt battlegroup has left port, along with the 2nd submarine flotilla, and will stop and inspect all ships entering or leaving Dibujante.
_____________________________________________________________

Aboard the U-107:

The torpedo tubes shuddered.

"and nobody is the wiser..." the captian said smugly to himself.

The mines settled to the sea bottom off the Dibujante coast...
____________________________________________________________

Neuwald State Prison:

The firing squad came to attention, and fired one round each.

The form tied to the pole in the courtyard sagged. A judge stepped forward

"the sentence laid upon Peter Sajer by a court of law has been carried out."

(Is Dibujante's only land border with Kilean? Either way I should imagine it's more than possible to get in, either by land/air across another nation or if no other borders exist then by sea, as assuming Dibujante is bigger than Grenada, blockading an entire hostile coastline won't be entirely possible)

A rare communiqué left Drapoel airspace. The Central Directorature was sympathising with Dibujante's position. Kilean's demands and its apparent attempt at a blockade were both absurd and, to a nation with Dra-pol's recent history, offensive. The CPRD felt that if nothing else it might help Dibutante's air defence capacity. No one could object to deployment of defensive systems in a nation giving permission for such. Perhaps Choson People's Republican forces could deploy on a goodwill mission of some sort.

And if not, well the republic was always looking for export partners..

<OOC: Dra-pol- Dibujante and I have decided for the sake of simplicity, that we only share a land border with each other. if anything goes in, it'll be by sea.

Also, the Kilean navy blockade isn't a constant patrol, but rather use of the large search radars on the Bear maritime bombers to track all large ships on approach to Dibujante's ports. It's not airtight at all, but if anybody is sending large ships to anywhere in Dibujante with port facilities, Kilean will know about it and send over a helicopter to stop and inspect the ship<OOC>


The foriegn service man rubbed his eyes. The Etronians had finally got off their asses and had sent the Recalcitrant battlegroup to sea (oh, somebody at Etronian Naval Command was a funny one), but Dra-Pol had emerged from it's loony-in-the-mountains isloation to offer aid to Dibujante....

He needed to get on the phone with Etronian command again. Dibujante would be *really* dangerous if it got air-defence systems, and there was no way the tiny Kilean navy could really blockade Dibujante.

He sighed. No rest for the wicked.

"We're here at the Archona docks, where the Stalwart battlegroup is about to set sail to join the Recalcitrant and Steadfast battlegroups already at sea.

This sudden buildup is following the recent terrorist attack on a military fuel dump outside Petropolis, alleged to be the work of communist Hugh Whitlatch. Charges have not yet been filed, but reservists are being called up across the country - especially in the navy.

Some speculate that not only are all other battlegroups being readied for action, but that they will join the Kilean Republic's controversial effort to blockade the Kingdom of Dibujante.

Here with me is Neil Sherfey, one of the naval reservists called up to ..."

With two carrier groups and a battleship task force now behind the blockade, it could now actually be somewhat effective, instead of being a political move.

As effective as a distant blockade against a huge coastline can be, that is. At least now Kilean has a clear military ally in this mess.

In Neuwald, the premier is more and more nervous as no reply comes from Dibujante. Action must be taken soon. If they don't respond, Kilean will damn well PROVOKE a response....

Off the Dibujante Coast between Camarillo and Costa Orgullosa

*still in international waters but not by much**

Our arrival changes things does it not?

Yes, Commodore Peiper it does. Perhaps the Dra-pol will make good on their threat of involvement.

Their show of support solidifies our position and changes our orders considerably

Combined Task Force Peiper and Zebulun:

CVNs Solomon, Levi, Zebulun and Jehu
14 Tocongeroga Class CGs
18 Arleigh Burke Class DDGS
3 Spruance Class DDs
9 OH Perry class FFGs
9 Watson Class Transports carrying a Seabee regiment and the 10th Armored Div.
6 LHA/LPD combinations carrying a full Marine Division
3 AOE fleet supply ships
3 Mine Sweepers
2 AS-39 Sub tenders

4 LA Class SSNs * submerged*
8 LA Class(i) SSNs * submerged*

4 Oscar II Class SSGNs*submerged* and now closer to the land border but off the coast in international waters

Traveling behind the task force at a slower speed.

12 Kilo Class Diesel Attack Subs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

the kilos submerge and take up station in support of the blockade in front of the surface ships and in conjunction with the nuclear attack subs in the group.

off the Camarillo coast between it and the land border

first one, then another head breaks the surface near the shore in the cold night air. A long pause and then both move closer to shore as other wetsuit clad swimmers move closer to the surface and repeat the actions of the advance scouts. The swim in from the Moses had not been to terribly difficult; the waiting for the right time with the tides had been the hardest part.

Netanya; the POJ

The massive Watson class MLRS transport ships continued loading M1a2s and Bradleys and other vehicles of multiple POJ Armored and at least one Mechanized Divisions who had been quietly mobilized. There was no way to hide the buidup in the port or the slowly growing group of escort vessels in the bay. Six more Marine Regiments had already loaded aboard their LHA and LPD MEU vessels earlier along with the Borden Medium Battle Tanks they now used as standard equipment


Vehicle MAFV-1 Borden Quantity:(50 for each Marine Regiment)
Crew 4 (Driver, Gunner, Commander, Loader)
Length 6.45 Meters
Width 2.72 Meters
Height 2.13 Meters
Weight 30 Metric Tonnes
Speed
Road 78 kph
Combat 57 kph
Range 300 miles
Engine
1 x General Motors DRV-9a Water-cooled 4 cycle diesel
Armament
1 x Viking Military Technologies 130mm 1st Generation Electro-Thermal-Chemical Cannon
1 x Saco Defense Industries Mk 19 Grenade Machine Gun
1 x Fabrique National M240G 7.62 x 51mm Machine Gun
1 x Hughes EX34 25mm Chain Gun
1 x Laser Target Designator
2 x Four-Tube Thunderbolt IR/Laser-Guided ATGM Launchers
Ammunition
12 x ATG-1 Mjolnir ATGMs
30 x 130mm ETC Rounds
1,000 x 7.62mm NATO
800 x .50 BMG
Defensive Systems
Layered Ceramic/Composite Alloy Armour with 3rd Gen ERA on forward surfaces and on turret.
Laser/Infrared/Microwave Threat Receptors
Charybdis MkI Laser/Infrared/Microwave Countermeasures Suite
Triphammer Active Intercept System
Kevlar Mine Matt integral to crew deck
Fully NBC-Rated Life Support System
Life Support rated for operation to -48 degrees C
15-Canister Smoke Grenade System
Anti-Spall Coating on all surfaces
Engine mounted forward of driver for enhanced crew survivability
Optics/Sensors
Low-Light Systems for the entire crew
Turret-Mounted IR Sight for both Gunner and Commander
Full Telescopic Magnification on both Natural- and Low-Light systems
Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) Millimeter Wave Radar Set
Computer-Aided Target Recognition system
Communications
Real-Time Command, Control, and Communications (RTC3) Data Link
- GPS Moving Map w' position and status of connected RTC3 units
- Connected to Auto-Diagnostic system for transmission of unit status
- Zip-Squeal Text/Data Transmission Capable
Universal Adaptor Port for Wire Communications
Hardwired Intercom System
High-Frequency Encrypted Radio
Other Systems
Automated Diagnostic System
Enhanced Fire Control System
Unit Cost $6.1M
Prime Contractor Kotterdam Motor Corporation

Notes

While the MBT-3A1 was designed for sheer firepower, the MAFV-1 has been designed from the ground up for portability. MAFV stands for Medium Armoured Fighting Vehicle. It is a tough, agile weapons platform capable of packing a punch while not being too heavy to deploy in a hurry. The MAFV-1 was designed to meet the following requirements: Its dimensions and weight must be such that one can be transported aboard a C-130, two aboard an LCAC or a C-17, and four aboard a C-5 Galaxy or C141. The last mobility requirement can indeed be reached, but requires that the vehicles be loaded on pallets, as they are just barely narrow enough to fit two abreast.

Weaponry:

Although designed to be less than half the weight and marginally smaller, the MAFV-1 doesn't skimp overly much on firepower relative to the MBT-3A1. In fact, it mounts the same 130mm ETC cannon, maintaining a kill-range of five kilometers, with an accurate range of seven kilometers. Like the weapon on the MBT-3A1, it is more than capable of firing HEAT, AP Canister, HE-FRAG, APFSDS-T, and the 130mm ETC version of the RAKE-T, as well as the newly designed Smart Top Attack Kinetic Energy, or STAKE round. On top of all that, it can fire the new ATG-1 Mjolnir anti-tank missile from the barrel.

For anti-materiel applications, the MAFV-1 carries a 25mm cannon by Hughes mounted coaxially to the main gun, as well as a Mk. 19 Grenade Machine Gun from Saco Industries as the commander's weapon mounted in an armoured cupola to grant him a measure of protection while firing it. The loader's weapon, a M240G machine gun by Fabrique National in the 7.62mm NATO, is designed to be quickly unshipped in case of the destruction of the tank to provide extra firepower for the crew.

Two four-tube Thunderbolt missile pods are mounted, one on either side of the turret to grant further anti-armour firepower above and beyond that already supplied by the main gun. In case of critical damage to the pods, or the expenditure of their rockets, both pods are entirely disposable, and may be ejected.

Defensive Measures:

The MAFV-1 mounts a quantity of layered ceramic/composite armour sufficient to defeat up to a 120mm cannon shot within its kill range even without the ERA mounted on the forward surfaces and the turret. No armour is impregnable, though, and a point blank HEAT or APFSDS-T shot still stands a good chance of killing the tank.

Rather than relying entirely on its potent armour, the MAFV-1 also mounts the new Triphammer Active Intercept System, and a full suite of laser, microwave, and IR threat receptors and countermeasures. Also, the forward-mounted diesel engine provides a measure of protection for the crew in the case of a penetrating hit, as well as being well-insulated against heat, and exceptionally well-muffled to decrease engine noise. The composition of the aerosol "Smoke" grenades has been changed so that the cloud not only blocks line of sight visually, but it obscures infrared devices. While the enemy will certainly know that there is a tank somewhere in that cloud of smoke, it lowers the probability of a hit when they are forced to fire blind. As always with KMC-designed vehicles, the MAFV-1 is equipped with a full NBC-rated life support system to protect its crew from environmental hazards.

Fire Control:

The fire control system on the MAFV-1 is based largely on the one currently employed on the MBT-3A1, allowing it to track, target, and engage multiple moving targets, even fast moving ones such as helicopters. This can be done in defilade, on the move, at rest, and even while swimming. The targeting computer is linked into a sophisticated analysis system with an adaptive database that will even suggest an aimpoint and round type based on the past observed performance of similar targets in combat situations. Equipped with a so-called AI similar to that in some of the more sophisticated computer games, the analyzer will actually learn the weaknesses of a specific type of target given enough exposure and is, of course, pre-programmed with the known weaknesses of many standard targets.

ooc: sorry. Everyone else was posting something specific about firepower so even though my Army uses Abrams, I wanted to put the specs for these out there as they are loadable on a C141.

ooc: Since I've already rped U2 and SR71 overflights of Dibujante and now have the navy I do off the coast; I'm confident in the ability to enforce a for real blockade of survaillance and detection against most types of blockade runners large enough to smuggle anything substantial in. Some leakers will alomost always sneak through but I think we just added the cork to the dibujante bottle. (This is primarily directed at my old "buddy" the Dra-pol)

edir: more ooc. my rl shedule has changed for the worse so I plan to try to follow the rp (and have already restricted myself in the AC theatre) but I may not be as proactive as I was there earlier on. This is still going to be fun as I think some cool stuff is going to go down here.

<OOC- if you're taking a less active role in the RP, could your ground units be placed under kilean command for the time being?

also- please do stick around. things are gonna get good soon<OOC>

Strongly encrypted missive to Kilean from AC high Command

Would any further naval assets be required? Our 3 cutting-edge SSBN Barracuda submarines are done with tests and can be considered fully operational. We are more than willing to send two of them to assist your navy assets outside of Dibujante, should the director-general deem it necessary - They are excellent ASW craft, and carry a sizable arsenal of SLBM cruise missiles as well.

There is one consideration, and that is that we do not want to fire upon ships or troops from our allied nation of Dra-Pol, but we should hope that they do not get involved.

OOC - We always assume to have embassies in other nations' capitals for the sake of maintaining diplomatic and economic relations...

~~OFFICIAL NOTICE~~
This is a war warning....

All citizens and businesses of the Republic of Ozymandias IV are instructed to leave the nations of Kilean and Dibujante as soon as possible. The Republic cannot ensure the safety of its citizens as an armed conflict seems inevitable.

All nonessential embassy staff are being recalled.

Again, this is an official Republic of Ozymandias IV State Department war warning.

====

The Republic of Ozymandias IV ambassador to Kilean hand-delivered the following message directly to the Kilean authorities:

The Republic of Ozymandias IV views with concern the continuing escalation toward war between The People's Republic of Kilean and its neighbour Dibujante.

While it is a policy of the Republic never to interfere in the domestic politics of a sovereign state, we take a dim view of conflicts between states as being harmful toward business and the citizens of the nations involved. We urge your two nations to find a peaceful resolution to this situation.

However, failing that, the Republic seeks permission to evacuate its citizens through your blockade.

-signed

Merek III
SecState,
Republic of Ozymandias IV

Ozymandias IV-

You may evacuate your citizens, although don't do anything like fly your airliners at low level while carrying out a mock exocet attack run. Just broadcast neutral IFF and you'll be fine.

African Commonwealth-

It is best in this situation for the AC to simply remain neutral. Kilean is a true friend of the AC, and would hate to see you forced into a position against your ally Dra-Pol. Tensions with them are high. An AC embargo of Dibujante and arms sales to Kilean would, however, be of great use to us.

ooc Kilean has operational and tactical coomand of all posted POJ forces on this thread through at least 2/9.

ooc note:

POJ Carriers each have 25 F14d Tomcat fighters and 25 Rf-11D Raysian Archangels plus 6 multi purpose S-3b Vikings(I use em to carry Harpoons against ground and ship targets)

Raysian Aerospace RF-11D "Archangel"

Happy Baseball Fans Inventory:9,060 aircraft
Tech Level: 2006+
Specifications:
Classification: The Ultimate Multirole
Crew: 2
Wing Span: 35.84 ft (11.20 m)
Length: 49.63 ft (15.51 m)
Weight: 55,018 lb empty (but including QAAM launchers and standard load) / 83,122 lb max. take off
Powerplant: 2 Vectored-Thrust REPH-1100 Pulse-Det Hybrids
Max Normal thrust: 25,000 lbs
Max plus afterburner: 30,000 lbs
Pulse Detonation: adds 7,500 lbs

Aux Power: Two Raysian Aero Aux. Pulse-Det "Blaster" pods, each outputting an additional 15,000 lbs of force (for STO and quick accelleration)
Maximum speed (with only QAAMs onboard, full fuel, and all engines and boosters at full, and flying at 30,000 feet): Mach 3.5
Cruising speed: Mach 1.15
Range: 2,400 km / 1,500 miles
Service Ceiling: 69,000 ft
g limits: +13, -9 (So be careful!) Automatic Safeties prevent the plane from pulling unsafe g-forces and harming the pilot.
Airframe can stand up to 15gs
Armament: One GSh-30-1 30mm cannon on the nose, One Raysia Arms FC-216 Flak Cannon mounted dorsally (35 ammo), 2 QAAM reloaders (with 6 QAAM-28s in each, for standard load), plus up to 22,000 lbs of payload over 8 hardpoints.

Unique Features: The turret mounted Flak Cannon with 35 ammo, Quad-rudders/tails, 3D thrust vectoring, "Blaster" pods for STO ability, and all are Carrier capable. Radar signature easily confused for a Mig-29, and has SuperManeuverability comparable to the Su-37 or F-22. Has built in reconnaissance equipment such as a digital Camera. Missiles can fire any direction.

Computers: Advanced Autopilot to automatically land the plane on a carrier or runway in case the pilot gets knocked out or any other emergency like that, may be engaged by C&C or a wingman. The HUD is used in tandem with the "VisorScreens," which is a display projected onto the Visor of the Pilot's helmet, and uses a sort of compass in tandem with the computer that can allow him to see highlighted targets in any direction, even what used to be a blind spot beneath him or behind him. The 'VisorScreen' does not display the Altitude, pitch, and Speed like the HUD, as most pilots found this very confusing, but the 'VisorScreen' does control the Flak Cannon's direction.

Another cool new feature of this plane is its ability to interact with and control up to 2 UCAV wingmen from the Navigator's seat... something that can come in handy in situations where jamming is heavy and the UCAVs can't be controlled by long distance.

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

Two C-141 Starlifters escorted by a flight of six F-16s approached the nations of Kilean and Dibujante. As they approached sovereign airspace they began broadcasting the following message:

[code:1:45377bb9c5]
This is Republic of Ozymandias IV civillian airlift flight Falcon One (Falcon Two in Dibujante) approaching your airspace. We request a vector to your largest airport to evacuate our citizens.

We are neutral in this conflict and simply want to ensure the safety of our aircraft and civillains within your country.
[/code:1:45377bb9c5]

As the aircraft entered Kilean and Dibujante airspace, the fighter pilots activated their weapons systems and kept an eye out for a trap....

<ooc>Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but I've been putting in 13-hour days hammering out network code :-\. Also, the post system just deleted a page-long post of mine, so I'm retyping it.</ooc>
To all observers, the encircling ships and political bluster have passed unheeded over Dibujante's capitol, dispersing into the air, unnoticed. But within the capitol building, a relentless dream wafts through maroon-carpeted corridors, murmuring darkness twisting around portraits of old heroes and through flickering incandescent lamps, to come to rest in the minds of the Chairman and his top generals.
"So, it looks like they really mean it?" The Chairman's voice had none of the timidity found in the voices of lesser men leading facing the abyss of war. A seasoned soldier, the Chairman had fought against and lead soldiers in battle.
"Yes, sir, it seems that they do." General Riviero Vargas, a promising young general who had proven himself in vicious trench fighting a few years ago, said, stepping forward with a bulging folder of intelligence.
"Have they made any moves? Have our units encountered theirs?"
It was the aged general Olviedo Guarajo who spoke, "They've blockaded our northern coast, a move, I might add, that we have no need to resist."
"What of allies who would make use of the coast to send reinforcements?"
"Presently, none have yet sent troops, but those that do will have to send a diversionary force to breach the barricade."
"Very well. Dibujante will hold this Kilean menace. What is our current troop deployment?"
General Alvances Gorillo, a seasoned and experienced general, announced, "They're distributed evenly over the land, citizen."
"Give orders to redistribute to the north coast, the mountain pass, all major cities and all supply lines. Give orders to prepare the airforce and double coastal boat-patrols."
"Yes, citizen."
"General Olviedo Guarajo, take command of four Fuerza por el Defenso Publico divisions and prepare a coastal response army."
Yes, citizen!"
"General Riviero Vargas, hold the mountain pass until you receive further orders. I'm certain that they'll come over it. Detach additional FDP divisions to cover all major water crossings. That is all."
"As you will, citizen!"

The rhetoric in Kilean is reaching a fever pitch. The weekend is highlighted by the showing of "that ye shall never yield", an epic film about the victory of legendary general Sczlava over the Royal Dibujante forces of King Alfonso XI at Hasern in 1837. Continued red round-ups and the start of several trials is furthering the seige mentality of most Kilean citizens.
____________________________________________________________

All B-class reserve divisions- the bulk of Kileans reserves- have now mobilized and are preparing to ship out to the front.

To the north, the Promise of Joshuan 10th Armored divisios comes ashore in Kilean and joins III light corps in the north, giving the small unit badly needed firepower.

C-class divisions are all partially mobilized, but the 14 infantry divisions and 3 panczer divisions are all being deployed for internal security purposes.
_____________________________________________________________

Tension remains high as Dibujante deploys troops along the border. The Kilean-Dibujante border, always a tense area, has become a tinder box....

<OOC: I'm going on vacation for the weekend, so I probably will not be able to post. I'll try, but who knows. It's a pisser, too, beacuse Dibujante actually has *time* on the weekends....<OOC>

Etronia's capital

"The wording of the treaty is very clear," said Colonel Nodal tiredly. He had explained this so many times. "They call for help, we have to answer. We call for help, they have to answer. There's a number of out-options in case the other goes crazy but this isn't severe enough to warrant that."

"Does this mean that there will be a war?" asked a reporter Nodal particularly hated.

"No. No, it does not mean there will be a war." If his voice were any more weary, it would have died already. "It means that we'll be sending some of our forces overseas to Kilean - some of them under Kilean's command, some of them retained under ours." He saw the other hands with questions go up, but ignored them. "I'm sorry, I'm out of time; the Public Affairs department can answer the rest of your questions."

Mauerstaht
Etronian Chasseurs, their turrets turned backwards and secured for transport, are being pulled off a ship. They will join the rest of Etronia's forces in-theater. ooc{delineation of numbers later or perhaps in another entry}

The Republic of Ozymandias IV transports touched down and civilians were rapidly herded into the aircraft.

As soon as they were all accounted for, the planes powered up their engines and took off, rejoining their fighter escorts and heading back to international airspace where a tanker was waiting for them...

The room had been cleaned for the first time in weeks. Everybody there was in fresh uniform. The lights flickered to life, and the general staff walked in wearing fresh, crisp uniforms.

"gentlemen- as of this morning, mobilization is complete."

The staff erupted in cheering. They'd slaved over papers and charts for weeks to make this happen.

The field marshal interrupted them.

"all of our forces are in place, and we've got some new ones to help us out." He glanced at the Etronian colonel and the Joshuan Major sitting to his right. "our allies have contributed heavily to our defense, and I would personally like to thank them for that. The situation as it stands is...."

The staff as a whole leaned forwards, looking at the wall-mounted map...
_____________________________________________________________

The forces along the Kilean border as stands:

After long (and secret) high-level talks between the Etronian military and Kilean High Command- <OOC: I IM'ed Etronia<OOC>, talks that started almost as soon as news of the arson broke- the bulk of the Etronian Army has been deployed to the Kilean-Dibujante border. Most Etronian forces are under the Etronian 1st Army, which is stationed along the santander river with heersgruppe sud, although several etronian units are incorporated into larger Kilean formations. In addition, the Promise of Joshuan 10 armored division is on the ground in Kilean. This is all in addition to the final 22 reserve divisions that have mobilized.
_____________________________________________________________

ALLIED FORCES ON THE KILEAN-DIBUJANTE BORDER:

SOUTHERN FRONT:

The bulk of the Kilean and Etronian armies are deployed here, under the overall title of Heersgruppe sud. 1st etronian army represents 7 out of 12 total etronian divisions, in addition to a large number of smaller units. Full Kilean mobilization has allowed the reinforcement of 3rd and 4th armies, and the creation of 5th army.

Etronian 1st Army:
4 mech. infantry divisions
3 armored divisions
2 indep. armored cavalry brigades
2 indep. tank brigades

Kilean Army units are:

3rd army:

6 panczer divisions
7 infandtry divisions
2 indep. panczer brigades

4th army:
5 panczer divisions
8 infantry divisions
3 indep. tank brigades

5th Army:
4 panczer divisions
8 infantry divisions

Heersgruppe sud contains roughly 975,000 men and 9,000 tanks. It comprises over 2/3rds of the Kilean Laandsmacht. This excludes the 1st army, which is deployed with, but not under the command of, Heersgruppe Sud.

CENTRAL FRONT:

Almost totally inactive due to the harsh mountians on the border- almost impassible, save for the most experienced mountaineer- the central front is still a massing area for reserves. Skarswald buzzes with a curious collection of elite and 3rd rate reserve troops.

II corps is formed out of 3 of the elite "first four" divisions, and has the best and hardest-hitting units of the Kilean Laandsmacht.

II corps:
1st infantry div.
2nd panczer div.
3rd infantry div.

In addition, I corps (airborne) is also massing on the central front.

4th Cavalry (airmobile)- a "first four" unit fresh from the AC
16th Cavalry (airmobile)- an A-grade air assault unit
28th Airborne division- A paratrooper unit.
Etronian 7th Airborne- an elite etronian unit, and the largest single airborne formation in the Etronian military.

I corps is all of Kileans airborne forces, and roughly half of Etronia's. They are being held in reserve along with II corps.

"C" grade divisions, comprised of the oldest reservist with obsolete equipment are also massing here. Six C grade divisions have secured the coastline, and the rest- eight infantry divisions and three panczer divisions- are deployed along the kilean-dibujante border. The infantry divisions are shoring up Border Security Organization fortress troops (basically the only good C-class reserve troops are capable of doing) and the 3 C-class panczer divisions are being held in Skarslwald. There is talk of using them as training units for any large influx of new troops.


NORTHERN FRONT:

Here Kilean is the weakest, however that situation has changed somewhat. A re-organization has taken place, and now there are two corps in the north.

III Light corps
1 light division
1 etronian light division
2 infantry divisions
1 panczer brigade

IV Light corps
2 light divisions
1 infantry division
Promise of Joshuan 10th armored division.

The northern forces are the most diverse of the allied units, but the two corp's should- on paper- be able to at least hold back the huge numbers of Dibujante troops massing on the opposite side of the passes.

Premier Frosch stood at the charred podium. Above him, where once there were the heavy timbers and carved wood paneling of the Heimatsversammlung celing, there was only the empty sky.

“I stand where they have struck us. I stand where Dibujante attempted to strike down and corrupt everything we stand for.”

His audience stood in the ruins, at the burnt stumps of their old seats. They were the Electors- the elites that ran Kilean. Labor minister De Vanders, the heads of the massive industrial cartels and labor unions, the Economic minister, the diplomats and generals, they were the intellectuals and lifelong civil servants that made up the Heimatsversammlung. They had bickered and fought and raged against one another on this very floor for as long as there had been a Volksrepublik Kilean. Labor versus capital, foreign office versus the army, none of that seemed to matter now. They were listening.

“There is not doubt now that Dibujante provoked the act of violence that we all bear witness to here. They have funded, indoctrinated, and supported groups that seek to destroy the domestic peace and just government that Kilean has enjoyed so long. They seek to turn worker against industrialist, shopkeeper against farmer. They say this is for freedom, they say this is for equality, but this is only for spite! They cannot see, they cannot LET themselves see, that in Kilean the shopkeeper and industrialist and farmer and worker are BROTHERS! They hate our unity, they hate our power, and we stand in the ashes of their attempt to subvert that!”

The Premier gathered himself, and let his gaze fall upon the men in their swallowtail coats, standing in the ruins. It began to drizzle.

“I have attempted to speak with the government of Dibujante. My only response so far has been an official call for the overthrow of this government. Our pleas have gone unanswered. When we met their silence with demands, they have done nothing save gather their hordes on our borders. Let Kilean know, let onabana know, let history know that Dibujante has made no attempt to engage in discussion with us.”

The premier became very serious.

“Our nation has been attacked. Outside forces have attempted to turn our own citizens against us. The attack on a fuel depot in Etronia proves this is no internal Kilean matter. Our blockade has been met with silence. All possible options have been exhausted.”

He took a deep breath.

“At roughly 1 AM today, Kilean Laandsmacht troops were fired upon along the Kilean-Dibujante border. They have been returning fire since then, and fighting has spread along the border.”

The Premier looked at the audience.

“A state of war now exists between Kilean and Dibujante.”
_____________________________________________________________

The phone rang, and the field marshal picked it up.

“Execute Case Red.”

The field marshal turned to a staffer.

“Look’s like the balloon’s gone up. Begin operation Halo.”

The staffer saluted and hurried out of the room
_____________________________________________________________

Pedro was sitting in the educational collective, listening to the Comrade instructor drone on about history. Pedro really didn’t like history. It was so dull. He preferred production class. Working in the collective plot really made him feel like he was doing something, but hearing Comrade instructor Hernandez go on and on about a bunch of boring stuff just seemed like a waste of time.
“As you can see, class, Kilean only won the battle of Hasern because the decadent king Alfonso oppressed the workers and farmers, and made them fight imperialist wars. If we ever have to fight Kilean again, the Peoples Spirit will assure our victory, after all the people are invinci…..”

Pedro just stared out the window. Then he saw something, and almost jumped from his seat.

“Comrade student! What are you doing out of your seat?” Comrade instructor Hernandez was displeased.
“Soldiers, sir! It looks like our army is doing exercises!” Pedro pointed at the men falling from the sky on parachutes. The class rushed to the windows almost as one, staring and pointing.
“Aah, it would seem to be an exercise, but those men are far away from the troops protecting us on the border!” Comrade instructor Hernandez was somewhat puzzled.
“I will go outside and check on this, class. If you’re lucky, we’ll have a collective revolutionary thought lesson on how to defend the people.” The promise of revolutionary study with the Peoples soldiers was enough to make the class quiet down.

Comrade instructor Hernandez walked outside, where the paratroopers continued to fall.
“Buenos Dias, comrades! Are you lost?” he shouted. He was puzzled…the Peoples army didn’t have any paratroopers….he tried another greeting.
“an yung ha sae yo! Are you our comrades from Dra-Pol? Welcome to Dibujante!” He had heard that Dra-Pol was a friendly brother land.

As he walked even closer, something became clear. The men bustled about, unloading machineguns and heavy weapons from airdropped canisters. Their uniforms were grey, and they spoke in harsh, gutteral tones. He realized too late these were not Dibujante troops.

These men were from Kilean.
_____________________________________________________________

OPERATION HALO:

Operation Halo is the sudden and massive invasion of Dibujante by the armed forces of Kilean and Etronia. Operation Halo is, essentially, an attack across the santander river. The overall scheme calls for I Airborne Corps to be dropped in behind the main dibujantean defenses around the northern bridge, seizing roads and blocking reinforcements. I Corps simply has to hold out and wait for the second part of the plan. The second phase of the plan involves the infantry divisions of 4th and 5th armies crossing the santander to the north and to the south of the northern bridge. Once enough troops from 4th and 5th armies have crossed, they will attempt to link up with 1st Airborne Corps, and surround the dibujantean troops along the northern santander, with 1st Corps to the east, 4th army to the north, and 5th army to the south.
_____________________________________________________________

Operation Halo begins with an 8-hour artillery bombardment to rival those of the Somme or Verdun in sheer ferocity. 2.1 million shells are fired, with every artillery piece in Heersgruppe Sud firing at Dibujante troops on the eastern bank of the Santander. Under the cover of the bombardment (and of a massive smokescreen), the infantry divisions of 4th and 5th armies move up from their staging areas and prepare to cross. The artillery bombardment stops at approx. 8:30 in the morning. After a pause just long enough to insure that the Dibujantean troops have come out of cover to set up their fighting positions, every rocket artillery launcher in Heersgruppe Sud flushes it’s racks, showering the defenders with a final hailstorm of explosive rockets.
_____________________________________________________________

Karl moved through the smokescreen and into the clear, his platoon charging onto the banks of the river, carrying their rubber boats with them. The opposite bank of the santander was a hellish moonscape, having been worked over by the fearsome might of Kilean artillery. But the Dibujantean soldiers were still there, in their bunkers, and defensive fire began to reach out at the advancing troops. Karl’s Pioneer unit was among the first across. The men tossed the boat into the water, then scrambled aboard and began frantically rowing. As they reached the other bank, two men aboard the boat fired their mine clearing rocket, sending detcord sailing behind it, into the defenses that began almost at the beach. With a sound like a string of firecrackers, the mines went off in a popping sympathetic detonation. Screaming, the pioneers leapt into the shallow water.
Karl charged up the beach, already arming his satchel charge. He flung it into the first machinegun nest he encountered, then flung himself flat as the blast destroyed bunker, machinegun, and crew. All around him, the Pioneers were frantically working to clear the first line of fortifications so the infantry could cross. It was working, as satchel charge and GPR-4 rockets were pitted against the barbed wire and pillboxes of the Dibujantean line, but it wasn’t without opposition. Already mortar shells were falling among the Kilean troops, and machineguns began to chatter.
He glanced back over his shoulder, back twards Kilean. Two ZSU-23’s had emerged, sending long arcs of tracers into the enemy lines, the sound of their rapid fire cannons a gigantic neverending tearing sound. Dibujante soldiers ducked and ran and died under the hail of 23mm rounds. Then, out of the smokescreen came the BMP-1’s that would take the infantry across. They came out of the smoke like low-slung armored beasts, 73mm guns blazing, and rolled right into the river. Mortars threw up huge splashes of water, and RPG’s streaked out at the armored vehicles. Some were hit, exploding, or sinking beneath the water. More still were destroyed once they reached the beach- either by mine or RPG- but most, most of them made it, infantry pouring out of the rear ramps and swarming over the barbed wire.
Karl pulled out a grenade, yelled “forwards!” and leapt into the trenches. His squad followed.
_____________________________________________________________

The river crossings by 4th and 5th armies go well. Kilean officers studied the Egyptian assault across the Suez in 1973 extensively during the planning of Operation Halo, and it shows. Deploying behind smoke, and advancing on the heels of a devastating rocket attack, Kilean infantry manage to successfully overrun the initial defenses and gain a foothold on the eastern bank of the santander by midday on the first day of combat. However, the troops do not yet have any armor support worth mentioning, and unless the northern bridge can be somehow secured, they will have to wait for pontoon bridges to be built before any sort of significant armor support can be expected.

Behind Dibujante lines, I Airborne Corps- some 60,000 Kilean and Etronian Airborne/air assault troops are dropped some 10km behind the bulk of Dibujantean forces. Almost as soon as they touch down, the para’s are engaged by local militia, and only manage to form into a coherent pocket with some difficulty. The two heliborne air assault divisions pass over the border- assisted by army aviation “wild weasel” squadrons which supress any significant enemy air defense- and add their troops to the pocket created by the paratroopers. As I Corps organizes after the somewhat chaotic drop, they concern themselves with taking an airstrip in order to get resupply, linking up with 4th and 5th armies, and with fending off the inevitable Dibujante counter-attack.

The absolute lynchpin of the plan at this stage, however, is the northern bridge. A modern highway/rail bridge over the santander river, it is the best option for building up and supplying any major force. More importantly, it is one of two bridges over the river that can accommodate large numbers of modern MBT’s. In the predawn hours, teams of ISD commandos, Kilean Navy combat swimmers, and Etronian special forces attempt to seize the northern bridge, which has been rigged by dibujante to explode, and disarm the charges. If they fail in their task, the Kilean forces will have to bring up their armored units across pontoon bridges, which will take precious time- far longer than the operation Halo timetable calls for. If they succeed, however, Heersgruppe Sud will be able to surge across the river, and into Dibujante……

CENTRAL FRONT: Except for I Airborne Corps being airlifted to Dibujante, nothing much changes. The C-grade divisions move up to the border, manning the border forts, but other than that and a few small-scale skirmishes, nothing much happens. The elite II Corps waits, to be sent either north or south.

NORTHERN FRONT: The fewest Kilean troops are stationed here. The two Corps’s guarding the mountain passes hold their positions, and a feeling of immense tension takes hold of the Etronian, Kilean, and Promise of Joshuan troops stationed here. Dibujante has huge numbers of troops on the other side of those passes, and only two light corps’ and the fortifications of bastion 2 are blocking their path. In addition to practical reasons, the fact that the Promise of Joshuan 10th armored division is stationed here precludes any offensive action be taken, as POJ has not yet been drawn into the conflict directly.


At sea:

Kilean naval aviation bombers step-up the mining of Dibujante ports on the first day of the war. Other than that, the only naval action is a somewhat inconclusive battle in which six US-built Pegasus patrol hydrofoils of the Kilean navy engage several dozen Dibujante armed speedboats. At least a 11 speedboats are sunk, but the patrol boat squadron is forced to retreat, the lead boat’s radome smashed by an RPG round. It’s referred to as a “micro-jutland”.

In the air:

A massive surge of Kilean airpower takes place as part of Operation Halo. Three brigades (288) Kilean Army Aircorps planes provide close air support for the assault across the Santander river, using Jaguar jets armed with area-effect weapons like cluster bombs and napalm to pound any massed Dibujante troops. A-4 skyhawks are armed with HARM radar-seeking missiles and sent on “wild weasel” missions to supress enemy air defense, allowing I airborne corps to pass into Dibujante unscathed. In addition, Greifen strike jets from the KAF, escorted by Falkon fighters and electronic-warfare Greifen variants strike at Dibujante air force bases, attempting to catch the small, untrained force on the ground. Losses are in general light, except among the Wild Weasel squadrons, which suffer from a much higher loss rate than expected.

_____________________________________________________________

The war so many expected has finally come. Heersgruppe Sud is firmly established on the Dibujante side of the border, but their plan to pocket and cut off Dibujantean defenders now rests on the shoulders of the special forces attempting to take the northern bridge. If those elite warriors can pull that off, then the panczer divisions of Army Group South will stream across the border. If not, then linking up with I Airborne Corps will be rather more difficult than planned.

To the north, the men of III and IV Light Corps wait, the hordes lurking just to the east of the passes…..

God, I hate this, thought Admiral Meissner, as he blathered on about how yes, Etronia really did have this treaty, and yes, it did commit them to action (Wait - can't say action, can't say anything that involves fighting, commits us to, uh, coming to the aid of Kilean or something) regardless of whether or not individual servicemen really wanted to go or felt like it fit in with their life plan right then.
Admirably, he didn't falter in his mind-numbing drone when an ensign burst into the room. He kept going right up until the ensign got up to him and whispered something in his ear.
Then he just stopped.

"Uhhh ...." he began, on national television - I hate press conferences but I hate what's coming even more"... shit."
He gathered himself hastily, trying not to betray that he had just said shit on national television. "My apologies - national emergency and whatnot - contact Public Affairs, they're sure to have something for you," he called as he ran out of the building with the ensign.
______________________________________________

The majority of the close-in-support aircraft from Etronia's 5 carriers off the northern coast and a smaller proportion of their air superiority fighters are launched off carriers, not to return for several days. All of them head for various forward bases... the air superiority fighters will take on CAP roles until Something Bigger starts happening, and in the north, the stationed close-support aircraft will also be spending more time than usual on station in case the smaller number of troops there need ... immediate support.

The battleship groups head over east a bit, and sort of halfheartedly shell some of Dibujante's coastal cities. There aren't that many military targets there ... or anywhere, really.

OOC { If any of you are capable of looking closely and do, those battlegroups in the east have, um, landing craft. More than you might expect in a naval battlegroup. }

General Riviero Vargas sweated bullets.
Vargas was no coward. No one who had seen him fight would say that. No one who saw the puckered, circular scar of a bullet that almost ruptured his heart would say that. But no matter how many times he fought, he could never quite shake the feeling that he was going to die...
The parachutes had been visible to him. He knew what the chairman had told him, and it didn't take a vast leap of logic to know that they were Bad News. Unfortunately for Vargas (fortunately, perhaps?) the parachutes were too far away for him to respond...but the rising plumes of smoke confirmed his hunch. His pulse quickened; even though no battle was imminent, he was beginning to see things in the hazed black-and-white of an adrenaline charge.
He shook his head. This was no time to go off half-cocked. Calling his aide-de-camp, he gave him specific orders to take an armored vehicle and a squad of soldiers and rouse everyone in a 100-mile radius. Meanwhile, Vargas would make a communique to the Chairman.
Happily enough, Dibujante's forces were well-deployed; fallback plans were available in case FAR soldiers had to abandon regions of western Dibujante. Meanwhile, Vargas made a quick mental plan as to how to carry out the inevitable attack order he would recieve from the Chairman.
This would be a blood-red night.

PM for Life Habbak Shariff: Well sire there is a lot of problems now, it seems that both nations match irreversibly to war...

Emperor Hykar I: Well, what do you suggest Kalashnikov?

Supreme GEM General Kalashnikov: Well what i could suggest is that we keep a diplomatic front up.. whilst send ing in 40 MSAS troops in to blow the bridges and generaly mess their supply lines up...

EHI: who's supply lines though?

GK: both of them...

EHI: you mean play them off against each other?

GK: that would sound about right, they can't fight with out those bridges and their supplies can they?

PM: So we'd be keeping the peace by their inabilitry to fight... i like that idea

EHI: so it is agreed then? Diplomatic front then mess up their supply lines while they have their acks turned?

GK: yes
PM: yes i can agree to that
EHI: excellent...

<OOC. please let me join i have good RP ideas :)

<OOC: alright, midlonia- but just keep in mind that Kilean has huge numbers of internal security troops just waiting to catch infiltrators behind the lines, and that Dibujante is crawling with militia units who want nothing more than to kill counter-revolutionary wreckers.<OOC>

The bridge was taken.
Kilean paratroops had formed a pocket and crushed the northern bridge defenders against the anvil of a Kilean armored assault. Many soldiers were at local towns and industries, performing routine drills and patrolling the riverside. Unprepared as they were, they were unable to activate the bridge-destruction protocol as Kilean armor creaked and whined ominously over the ancient stone-arch bridge.
Most of the worker units scattered into the surrounding forests. The few that remained were determined to die for Dibujante.
As Kilean tanks rolled over barbed-wire and sandbag barriers, and paratroopers stormed pillboxes on the Dibujantean side of the river, a few dozen warriors held a bunker with Degtarevs and hand grenades until Kilean tanks levelled it in a cloud of fire and black smoke.

All around Hauptmann Slama, the high-pitched whine of the turbine engines and the rattling of panczer treads merged together in the harsh, beautiful noise of tanks on the move. He shook in the commanders coupla as his Cougar heavy MBT jerkily rolled off the bridge, and into Dibujante. He pulled the charging lever on his coupla MG, and began to scan the surrounding landscape. The bunkers of the defending troops still smouldered, and the special ops troops who secured the bridge still scurried around, flushing the last holdouts.

Slama's platoon formed up around him, four massive tanks, their engines purring. They began to head westwards, to the distant sound of artillery, to the front.
_____________________________________________________________

The special ops raid to take the northern bridge has worked, and now the mechanized components of 4th and 5th armies are intact. In addition, the panczer divisions, as well as the rest of heersgruppe sud, has begun to cross the santander.

4th and 5th armies, now with all of their infantry divisions across, and their panczer divisions catching up, begin to drive twards I airborne corps. If all goes as planned, by the time they link up with I corps, the heavily-mechanized 3rd army and the hyper-mobile etronian 1st army will be across.
_____________________________________________________________

They were digging frantically. All of them. Even the Oberst was running back and forth, shovel in hand, dirt on his knees, screaming at the men to dig in, telling the missile teams where to set up. The paratroopers waited in their foxholes, nervously. The defensive line was anchored at the school they had dropped right on top of yesterday. The mortars, the brigade CP, it was all back there. Up at the front line, though, they had MG's, Antitank missiles, and not a whole lot else. This was how paratroopers were supposed to operate, yes, but they felt almost naked nontheless.

"you hear that?" asked Blackburn. His unteroffizer cocked his head to one side.

"hear what?"

"somewhere out in that treeline...movement. I think I hear movement"

Blackburn glanced at his loader. He had laid out the spare barrels on his waterproof poncho, and was neatly organizing the spare ammo.

A faint song drifted across the distance between the line and the woods.

"arise ye prisoners of starvation
arise ye wretched of the earth...."

The internationale wafted across the spring night, and over the Kilean troops. They seemed to want to shrink further into the earth. There were a lot of voices out there.

The oberst came running up to their foxhole.

"alright boys, they're gonna come at us soon. Open up at 200 meters, the mortars'll start firing at 250. Hold the line. That's all we gotta do, boys, just hold the line"

He scurried off to the next foxhole.

"oh, so that's all we gotta do? I never knew it was so simple.." Blackburn raised the stock of his MG-87 to his shoulder.

The song had changed to loud shouts of "urra!", becoming louder and faster as time went on. They reached a fever pitch and broke into one loud scream. The Dibujante troops bursted out of the treeline, pesant milita with old mosin-nagant rifles and chinese AK's. Almost shoulder-to-shoulder, they charged like a huge mass at the Kilean lines, yelling at the top of their lungs.

"hold your fire! no firing until they reach 200 meters!" the unteroffizer was shouting orders at the top of his lungs. The men looked at that human tide that was rushing them, and felt fear surge into them. Their NCO's and their orders were all that was keeping them from bolting.

Blackburn counted off the distance....350...300....at 250 mortar shells began to howl overhead and burst in the massed ranks of the militia, throwing them (or bits of them) into the air. As they drew closer, the chattering of MG-87's began spreading up and down the line.

Blackburn held down the trigger, squinting at the muzzle flash and sweeping back and forth in long bursts. The militia went down in droves, the MG rounds slamming into the mass of them.

Smoke began to rise from the barrel. Blackburn stopped firing, and the loader quickly removed it and slapped on a new one. Blackburn tried to blink away the white spot the muzzle flash had created and kept firing. and firing. and firing.

The milita just seemed to keep coming, no matter what.

Suddenly, the unteroffizer slapped Blackburn on the shoulder.

"It stopped, man, it stopped! Cease fire!"

Blackburn shook himself. How long had it been? An awful smell filled the foxhole as the still-glowing spare barrels smouldered on his loaders poncho. Brass casings littered the bottom of the hole. He was shaking.

Some of the bodies were laying right at the lip of his foxhole.

The oberst ran over "looks like they're massing for another attack, boys."
_____________________________________________________________

I corps is holding, for the time being, although they are coming under heavy attack from local milita units who have begun to fight on their own initiative. The news that the bridge was taken has bolstered the spirits of the men to no small degree.

In the first of what will prove to be many such attacks, the 2nd theatre missile brigade mass-launches some 32 SCUD missiles at a large town some 80km behind the lines where Dibujante troops are massing. The massive Kilean economy is beginning to mobilize, and the simple, crude SCUDs will be churned out in huge numbers.

The four boats were pulled gently along the beach to a good hiding place, in each boat was 10 men

Monty(whispering): right lands teams 3 & 4 will both go into Kilean and dibjuante respectively whilst teams 1 and 2 will be busy blowing the bridges and generally muckin their rear around, ok? oh and be careful of militia and stuff like that, mind you they are probably poorly trained.. and so shouldn't be to much of a problem... Goold luck lads, and lets give them a bloody good show....

at this point the 4 teams split up and went their seperate ways, these guys were the best of the rest, the cream of the GEM military, woe bedide any who came across them...

*Ahh more international tensions*

"Tell the Uranium Mining Dept. That they could be in for a lot more work"

African News Network

To celebrate the consolidation of Secular Party stability and rule in the Commonwealth, an all-branch parade was held in Kinshasa today. 3 of the 4 Republican Corps marched through the city, accompanied by nearly a thousand tanks from the RAC and cutting-edge Su-47K carrier fighters soaring through the capital streets. Although it is the greatest display of Commonwealth military power in years, it would not be particularly important international news if not for one thing. Current President, General Mshone Ndelebe, stated that the newfound stability within the Commonwealth eliminates the need for the current large combat-ready RAC divisions inside RAC.

More than 500.000 soldiers are currently well-trained and ready for combat in the RAC and RCAF(the army and air force of the Republican armed forces, respectively). Ndelebe himself mentioned in his parade speech that it is by no means impossible to mobilize parts of the RAC inside Kilean to assist the push against Dibujantes revolutionary forces, quote: "Should the Director-General express his need for such aid. It is but fitting that we repay the favor in blood that Kilean's young men and women so selflessly gave us". Unquote.

This was ANN, I am Mma Django. Good evening.


OOC: It's up to you guys, really. I can mobilize an initial force of assloads of well-trained and equipped soldiers, material and so on, but the exact amount is up to you. We can opt for a balanced or unbalanced conflict, depending on how the players of Kilean and Dibujante would like it. So... What will it be? If you like, you can TG me about it.

The ISD headquarters buzzed with activity, as the last socialist sympathizers were being rooted out, and information was desperately sought about what happened to ISD assets inside Dibujante- it couldn't be anything good, as nothing had been heard from them since the war started. Something else was cropping up, however. The Midlonian intelligence community was up to something, that was sure, but nobody had any idea whose side they are on...
_____________________________________________________________

Low Earth Orbit:

The engine came to life for a few short seconds, and the delicate construct that was the High Perch spysat shifted orbit ever so slightly. It passed over Midlonia, and in the silence of space, it's massive camera aparture opened....
_____________________________________________________________

The men standing in groups along the beach were the 40-something reservists of C grade garrison divisions. The men scurrying out of the Hind, however, were a different matter. Clothed in the universal black combat gear of special forces troops, the formed a ring around a small, mousey man in ISD dress uniform. He paused at looked at the boats.

"So we've got infiltrators."

"Yes, sir- from the looks of it these are about a day old. The garrison troops found them on one of their beach sweeps." The ISD trooper knew what he was talking about- the Counter-Insurgency Regiments were trained for exactly this kind of thing.

"We're going to be working on the assumption that these were banat men. Dra-Pol loves this sort of stuff. We're doing a full manhunt. Get two of the CI regiments in an airborne search pattern. If at all possible, I want these men taken alive. Dra-Pol is not going to screw up our war effort."

<OOC: The Kilean ISD (secret police/CIA/SOCOM all in one) is assuming that the Midlonian spec ops men are Dra-Pol Banat commandoes- a wrong assumption. They are launching a huge manhunt for them, similar to the ROK attempts to catch the DPRK infiltrators in '98<OOC>
_____________________________________________________________

Day and night the tank transporters and 2 1/2 ton trucks rolled over the bridge. It was now ringed with Roland and Hawk SAM systems, and KAF fighters were on constant air patrol over it. Guards ringed the bridge, and patrol boats kept an eye out for enemy combat swimmers. This was Kileans only lifeline into Dibujante, and although pontoon bridges were under construction, the bridge was irreplaceable.
_____________________________________________________________

Karl sat on top of the BMP, covered in dust. He had been one of the first over the river, and he still was at the spearhead of the Kilean advance. Sleep was a fading memory, and exhaustion and hunger tugged at his psyche. He had lost some 20 pounds in the week since the war began. But they had broken through. The fortifications were behind them, and now his company rolled down this dusty road, eyes warily searching the countryside for any sign of the enemy.

Movement got his attention. Olive drab figures scurried in a stand of trees some 50m away from the road. The BMP slammed to a stop, but Karl had already leapt from it- you learned fast that the vehicles were deathtraps to be inside of if the enemy had anything heavier than machineguns- and threw himself into a roadside ditch, raising his Stg-74. He drew a bead on what he thought was one of the figures when a cry came out.

"Airborne! Do not shoot! Do not shoot!" It was hellish Kileanishe, but it was hellish Kileanishe with a heavy Etronian accent. The exhausted men of Karls pioneer company raised themselves wearily as paratroopers- looking just as ragged as Karl's men- emerged from the woods, wearing the grimy hodgepodge of web gear, pouches and weapons all combat soldiers seemed to accrue.

"What take you so long, eh? You have missed the big party." The tired face of the etronian paratrooper broke into a huge grin.

Karl smiled, too. One of the etronian soldiers frantically was tapping on a rugged, olive-drap laptop. The guy spoke rapid-fire etronian.

The paratrooper turned to Karl

"brigade CP is now knowing we have linked up! Where is rest of your unit?"

"down the road about a kilometer" said Karl.

"good, good- many farmers with rifles up ahead, yes? we need assisting"

Karl nodded, and dragged himself back onto the BMP.
_____________________________________________________________

The spearhead units of the 4th and 5th armies have linked up with I Airborne Corps, trapping many of the defenders of the santander river in what Kilean state-run TV quickly dubs a "ring of steel". The pocket is shrinking as Dibujante forces are destroyed, surrender, or simply melt away into the wilderness.

However, Gen. Vargas's forces are intact near the ruins of the southern bridge, and pose a severe threat to the flank of Heersgruppe sud.....

WAR is confirmed! ANN reports developments as they happen.

Allegedly justifying currently oversea troop transfers by "top secret agreements with the Kilean government, President General Ndelebe authorized military assistance to the invading nation Kilean today.

Current mobilization:

2500 men from the CNF Marine Corps, the crack unit known locally as the "Sea Serpents". Well-trained and armed to the teeth, the men and women of the CNFMC are right now sailing towards the Etronian/Kilean beachhead to assist in the invasion of Dibujante. They are aboard Isla-class personnel landing vessels, protected by several AEGIS and missile cruisers.

3 Barracuda-class SSBN submarines. The newest in CNF submersibles, they are a formidable fighting force in their own right, capable of launching cruise missiles, heavy torpedos and IC/SL-BM. They form a screen way in front of the marines, making revolutions for a waypoint near Dibujante from which they can launch their IRBM at enemy strongpoints.

20 ADI-AV-42 Heavy Bomber Planes. Each carrying a full load of 32 metric tons of JDAM cluster munitions, guided missiles and conventional bombs, they are alledgedly preparing to make long-range bombing runs on the Dibujante capital if they can by-pass revolutionary SAM sites - They are currently travelling by air bases in friendly authoritarian middle east nations and will not reach Kilean airbases for another month.


Reserves that may or may not be sent to Kilean:

3rd Republican Corps. 20.000 men, heavy MB Tanks and artillery.

10th Missile Reserve. Domestic ICBM and IRBM with heavy conventional warheads.

evening news

*static crackles for a bit, then your set adjusts. A portly, squat and balding little man with a green uniform and baret on and a huge cigar in his head curses a bit at the skinny camera worker, then realizes he is on and looks into the camera*

I, Presidente Bonza of the Republico De Las Bananas, officially condemns this attack on a sovereign revolutionary nation! While we have little to offer the beleaguered comrades in Dibujante, we will send a box of good cigars for the leadership, that they may go out in style.

*He waves for the worker to turn the set off, and the broadcast continues with related news*

"I'm worried" Said the Field marshal.

"About what, sir? We're meeting little organized resistance, and we're right on schedule for operation halo."

"That's exactly what I'm worried about" The field marshal looked pensive.

He stalked over to the massive map table.

"Alright, get Etronian 1st army to swing south and engage Gen. Vargas. I want more recon flights and sat passes- I need hard numbers on Dibujante troop levels. Pull I corps off the front line and get them to secure our rear area. The're exhausted, and I need them for othe duties. A lot of those dibujante troops just melted away, and I want the heliborne units of I corps to hunt them down. Once that's done, we'll get phase two moving"

The field marshal stopped talking, and gazed at the map for a long moment.

"They are gonna pull something, I can feel it."
_____________________________________________________________

Heersgruppe Sud is contorting as over a million troops shift position in an intricate and massive dance. The elite Kilean General Staff are showing their worth, as the massive re-alignments cause far less disruption than is normal. The infantry divisions that first crossed the river are taken off the front line, new ones are brought up, and the fresh panczer divisions charge forwards.

The Ring of Steel is closed, and all the Dibujante troops inside of it have given up or died, with several mass surrenders near the end. It is worthy of note that such surrenders are a very rare occasion. Although individual men or squads will surrender, large Dibujante units keep their cohesion and often fight to the last man, or disperse in a manner far too organized to be a mass desertion.
_____________________________________________________________
Etronian 1st Army:
4 mech. infantry divisions
3 armored divisions
2 indep. armored cavalry brigades
2 indep. tank brigades

The 1st Army, having crossed the river, is wheeled southwards. The southern route across the santander has been ignored, and Dibujante has a large number of troops there, poised to slam into the flank of Army Group South as it advances. 1st Army, a very mechanized and mobile force (although smaller than an equivalent Kilean formation) is charged with protecting the southern flank, and more importantly, crushing Gen. Vargas's command. Back under direct Etronian control, the columns of Chasseur tanks and swarms of helicopter-mobile infantry prepare to do battle.
_____________________________________________________________

5th Army:
4 panczer divisions
8 infantry divisions

5th army is the smallest Army in Army Group south, and it bore a heavy burden of fighting in the river crossing. 5th Army is covering the northern flank of Heersgruppe Sud, and is slowly advancing in a somewhat northeastern direction. 5th army has the fewest panczer divisions, and so is being used as a "shield" to cover the advance of other units....
_____________________________________________________________

3rd army:

6 panczer divisions
7 infandtry divisions
2 indep. panczer brigades

4th army:
5 panczer divisions
8 infantry divisions
3 indep. tank brigades

3rd and 4th armies are those other units, totalling some 620,000 men and 6,800 tanks. Forming up after the crossing, they strike out eastwards in a thrust aimed at the city of Agrenida. The massive supply stockpiles of the bastion forts are being consumed at a saggering rate to feed this rapid advance of heavy armor units.
_____________________________________________________________

The Kilean Air Force, in what many historians later see as a somewhat pointless and rather spiteful action, stage the longest mission yet in KAF history when 12 Greifen long-range tactical bombers- refuelled several times en route- strike at the capital of De Las Bananas. The bomb load they carry is reduced in order to increase the range of the two-seater swing-wing bombers, and their strike has little effect on De Las Bananas- as little effect as 24 2,000lb bombs can have, that is.

At a press conference, a KAF general states that De Las Bananas has given "dangerous chemical weaponry" to Dibujante, citing studies that show cigar smoke as a cause of cancer.

*hisssss*
Republic of Ozymandius IV falcon one, know that you are entering Dibujantean airspace and that your neutral code has been recieved and confirmed. Unfortunately, our major airstrips are currently filled by launch preparation. In compliance with your request, we are making holes in our air force's schedules to allow Ozymandian planes to pick up civilians, but cannot guarantee a timely evacuation. We apologize for the inconvenience, and hope that the additional time taken will not trouble you overmuch.
*hissssss*

*hisssss*
Republic of Ozymandius IV falcon one, know that you are entering Dibujantean airspace and that your neutral code has been recieved and confirmed. Unfortunately, our major airstrips are currently filled by launch preparation. In compliance with your request, we are making holes in our air force's schedules to allow Ozymandian planes to pick up civilians, but cannot guarantee a timely evacuation. We apologize for the inconvenience, and hope that the additional time taken will not trouble you overmuch.
*hissssss*

*hisssss*
Republic of Ozymandius IV falcon one, know that you are entering Dibujantean airspace and that your neutral code has been recieved and confirmed. Unfortunately, our major airstrips are currently filled by launch preparation. In compliance with your request, we are making holes in our air force's schedules to allow Ozymandian planes to pick up civilians, but cannot guarantee a timely evacuation. We apologize for the inconvenience, and hope that the additional time taken will not trouble you overmuch.
*hissssss*

Just a brief post summarizing my military setup (and sorry for the double-post...it didn't look like it registered the first time):
Dibujante is divided into three action fronts:
The west, along the river,
The northwest, on the mountain pass,
and The North, along the seacoast.
Western froces (includes bridge-guarding forces, patrols along the river, troops stationed in local buildings and industries in order to train, equip and manage supplies):
80 EDP divisions
600 EDT divisions

Northwestern forces (pass-gaurders as well as reserve crews stationed a few kilometers away from the pass entrance):
260 EDP divisions
1100 EDT divisions
20 Tank Divisions

Northern forces (patrols along coast-line, watchtowers, communication relays and training/armament camps all along northern coast):
60 EDP divisions
2000 EDT divisions
10 Tank Divisions

Supply lines leading from pass to Cataliana (takes into account crew, station staff and auxiliary support):
5 tank divisions
12000 EDT divisions

Supply lines leading from northern coast patrol (based in Camarilla) to Divinidad (ditto):
5 tank divisions
12000 EDT divisions

Supply lines from Cataliana to Divinidad to Anadicion (ditto):
75,000 EDT divisions

Fortification of Anadicion (includes bodyguard divisions and general staff, but not city service-running divisions, which are part of the population):
20,000 EDT divisions

Forces set up in the trapezoid made by Argrenida, Anadicion, Cataliana and Divinidad to harrass/confront enemy troops and protect supply lines (includes laborers, labor staff, and all auxiliaries in other supply lines):
250,000 EDT divisions

Forces set up in the triangle made by Argrenida, Anadicion and Olvieda to protect against possible maneuvers and administer to that area:
120,000 EDT divisions

Forces undeployed ("undeployed" is a relative term, since there are troops all over Dibujante performing the roles of laborers, as Dibujante's industries and services are staffed by EDT soldiers. Additionally, EDT soldiers fill the roles of educators, technicians and other personnel which serve to train and supply Dibujante's army. City-based defenses are included in this, since most city-based defenses are composed of servicemen. Time allowing, I'll update some posts accounting for exactly how many extra people are in each city and non-militarized area):
Approx. 26 million.

Kilean 3rd and 4th armies continue their dash eastwards, meeting the EDT units that are everywhere in Dibujante. Aside from that, however, no large-scale operations have been mounted against the Kileanishe advance as it stands.
_____________________________________________________________

The officers clustered around the command vehicle, the light pouring out of the open rear hatch. In the distance, the sounds of helicopters and rocket fire drifted on the light breeze.

"alright, what we're gonna do is draw out the Dibujatean regular army units in the Argrenida-Anadicion-Olvieda area, and we are going to force a conventional battle upon them." Although a general, the man speaking was wearing plain BDU's and sitting in the doorway of the command vehicle with a casual air.

"we're not going to enter Argrenida at first, either. we will encircle the city, and try to get the EDP to relive the city. this isn't our first choice, though. high command is hoping- and I'm hoping- that they'll try to fight at least some sort of land battle. it's important to note that they haven't really put up any large-scale resistance. we've encountered EDT militia, but the regular army is pretty much intact. don't get cocky. this isn't a done deal just yet, alright?"

The officers clustered around the tank nodded grimly.
_____________________________________________________________

Dozens of the vehicles were parked across the clearing. Men scurried around between them, running cords and hoses to the huge trucks. Eventually, they scattered, jumping into trenches dug near the command trailers, or in the armored cabin's of their vehicles. The whining sound of hydraulics filled the clearing. The cylinders carried on the massive trucks began to rise, and it seemed as if the clearing had become a stand of olive-drab metal trees. With a sudden roaring sound, first one, then dozens of the scuds carried by the 3rd theatre missile brigade rose into the sky on a pillar of smoke......
_____________________________________________________________

As Kilean troops advance, Argrenida comes into range of the scud theatre missiles deployed with army group south. Freshly-manufactured missiles have been brought up from the factories in kilean, and the brigades are able to use the usual Kilean tactic of mass launches. The missiles are horribly inaccurate (they can sorta kinda hit within a kilometer of their aim point sometimes), but when loaded with explosive submunition warheads they are very effective at disrupting the normal state of things in a city.

"Hey!" shouted PFC Pries. "We're missing some of our ammo loadout!"
"What ammo?" replied Sgt. Aurand.
"6 of our AP shells!" cried Pries.
"We're carrying extra coax, though. What're we gonna need AP for anyway?" asked PFC Wilkers. "You know who we're attacking?"
"Yeah, obviously," - Pries again - "we're in Dibujante."
"Right. So, Pries, what sort of weapons do you think these damned commies are gonna have?"
"uhh ..." Pries hadn't thought this out. "I dunno. "
"That's great, Pries. I'll tell you what they won't have much of: tanks. And how much do we use AP against infantry?"
"Hey, I got along with those AP shells. Me and them, we bonded,, man."
"Glad to hear it, Pries. But we need the coax. Hell, we probably need more coax than we have."
_____________________
Lance Corporal Cullison stared moodily at the landscape sliding past. It was an incredible view, but he couldn't get his mind off what was coming.
The gun in front of him wasn't his rifle. It was a monstrosity. Apparently, command felt that there would be a whole lot of killing infantry, and not so much anything else. Antipersonnel weapons were the order of the day. The week. The boxes of ammo secured in the helo behind him, next to the other unhappy-looking conscripts.
______________________
"Forward!" screamed Aurand. The other tanks in the platoon arced out away from where Aurand's tank had been hit. Aurand's lurched forward, leaving a few of Dibujante's soldiers, apparently on a patrol, in the center of an uncomfortable semicircle. Things only got worse when the tanks realized there was nothing outside the circle and turned their attention inward.
A very brief and one-sided conflict later (show me the 10-20 troops armed with rifles and perhaps a few grenades who can stand up to a tank platoon), it was damage-control time. Aurand opened the hatch and looked around.
By the looks of it, one of the enemy soldiers had gotten a grenade onto the top of the turret. there was a scar and a big scorch-mark, and the comms antennae had been destroyed, but the armor was still there.
Aurand waited a few moments. The other tanks reformed around his stationary one, and one of them turned out.
"What happened back there?!" barked one of them.
"We got hit by a grenade, sir," replied Aurand. "We've lost comms, but the tank's fine."
"Well, that's just fantastic. Vargas probably knows about is now. You can't stay in the reserve, anyway - hang on a second." he ducked back into his tank. Aurand took the opportunity to activate the "I'm-not-dead-I-just-have-no-comms" IR flare, serving to mark him as friendly in the absence of the normal comms challenge that took place.
A few moments later, the commander emerged again. "You're joining the 3rd armored division, Aurand. Hopefully they can throw something together before you're at the front, but they'll probably have you cover the rear anyway." Aurand understood.
The independent tank brigades needed everything to be perfect. They needed all their systems working with perfect reliability, especially comms - they were the backup for when things went wrong or needed backup. They carried less, went faster, and were a damn sight more elitist than the rest of the Etronian tankers (and that's saying something).
"You gonna sit here all day?!" shouted the commander. "Get moving! Get moving faster than we will be! The only one that gets to relax is the tank we're taking from the 3rd!"
"Yessir!" Aurand's response was all reflex. He ducked back into the tank, sealed the hatch. "You heard him, right? Move. Move as fast as you can - we should be able to meet them at E-52." he clutched the radio issued to all soldiers, hoping the meeting would be easier than asking for help over the short-ranged device.

ooc {
Basically, the plan is that the divisions of the First Army (everything that isn't an "independent brigade", of which there are 4 - two tank, two mech. infantry) is advancing towards Vargas's estimated position. Those 4 independent brigades are hanging back, along with most of the heliborne infantry, to provide rapid response to anywhere stuff goes wrong. Vargas now knows at least that there are many tanks going south, and that patrol was far enough south that it's obvious they were coming for him. CAP near the river has been stepped up - mostly ground-attack stuff - since they figure they're gonna be called on soon enough, and they want to be close.
}

the 20 MSAS had reached the first bridge

Cpt. Price(leading the 2 teams): bloody hell, a few SAM's around....ok here's the plan, sound and noise disapline, Jarmen you take out that sentry quietly and give us support, you two with the PK's and mortar's, set up here.. he pointed at a spot of the map and give us a base of fire and support when you hear us... the rest of you... we will take the SAM batteries one by one, quietly and carefully, sound supressors, and noise disapline, ok? right let's go....

The guard was patrolling the wire, and then stopped, suddenly. Blood trails, leading off. A senty was missing.

30 seconds later his palm hit the alarm button.

The hundreds of elite troops guarding the bridge- and the thousands of troops surrounding it or transferring across it at that moment- began a frantic search of the area. Hind attack helicopters circled the surrounding area, searchlights reaching out. Patrol boats sped underneath the bridge, peering into the water.

<OOC: the bridge has become the center of a huge military effort. Units are literally constantly transferring across it, and on the Kilean side of the river a huge replacement/supply depot has sprung up. As a vital target, it is heavily protected, by conventional troops, AA defenses, and the special ops troops that captured it in the first place. It's been reinforced to carry even more tanks, and riverboat patrols are constant around the supports.<OOC>

The local commander, semi-awake after being frantically roused from his sleep, stalks out into the night.

"Sir, it looks like those banat guys we've been tracking are in the area. We think they're going for the bridge. One of the sentries is down, we think."

The commander squinted. "banat? Dra-Pol guys?"

The other soldier nodded. "yes, sir. who else has the motivation and the means?"

"eugh." the commander was tired. "get those ISD units over here"
_____________________________________________________________

At high speed, the helicopters of the ISD 2nd Counter-Insurgency Regiment came out of the night, noses pitching upwards as they killed forwards velocity. The ropes snaked out of their crew doors, and like clockwork the Internal Security Directorate men quick-roped down at prescise intervals.

As they hit ground, they spread out, crouching, weapons at the ready and eyes never still for very long. Their NVG's, gear and black uniforms gave them a decidedly insectile appearance.

These men were combat vetrans, having seen extensive action in Africa. They hunted infiltrators for a living, but this time, it was different. This time, they were after professionals.

They scurried into woods, or along the bank of the river, searching around the bridge. None of them were sure if they were predator or prey.
_____________________________________________________________

<OOC: Kilean secret police (the ISD) knows there *are* infiltrators, but at this point is assuming that they are dra-pol special forces. Some units within Kilean intelligence know midlonia is up to something, but nobody suspects they are behind this.<OOC>

"Dude, this is wrong in a lot of ways." Said the navigator, shouting over the noise of the props.

"Whadda ya mean?" The radar operator was getting kinda pissed off at the navigators constant bewilderment.

The navigator gestured in the directon of the window, and the white strands of the Promise of Joshuan ship's wakes below.

"Three months ago, we were lining up attack runs at those same exact ships"

The radar operator had to admit that the kid had a point. The Bear-F maratime patrol bomber started shaking as they hit some turbulence.

"Second of all" shouted the navigator "we're heading over land, and third of all, we don't have a single goddamn torpedo, sonobouy, or mine aboard"

The radar operator gave the navigator a scornful look. "what the hell do you expect, kid? This IS a bomber"

"WAS a bomber- back in the freakin' 50's!"

The navigator had the last word, as the bear began to shudder with the release of the ungided bombs....
_____________________________________________________________

The 3rd Naval Bomber Regiment has begun to attack Dibujante's coastal cities. Flying under air cover from POJ and Etronian carriers, these 36 Bear patrol bombers have found themselves pressed into service in their original role as heavy bombers. Their accuracy sucks, but their bombload is pretty good.

In scenes that look like they are out of world war 2, massed formations of prop-driven bombers begin to carpet Dibujante's coastal cities with conventional HE bombs.

<OOC: not much of a naval war, is it? posted cause i'm to cool to do *bump*<OOC>

Monty: Oh sh**! Millis load up that TOW missle and hit the bloody bridge!
Milis: but sir!
Monty: when that tank comes across...he pointed hit it!, the ammo exploding will knock out the bridge!

The T-72 aust.K exploded as the TOW slammed into it's flank. Behind it, the fuel and ammo trucks of the covoy were doused in flaming debris.

One after the other, they began to go off......
_____________________________________________________________

The ISD Regiment reacted as one when the missile hit. They spread out, scurrying forwards to where the missile was launched from, weapons at the ready, Hind helicopters already sweeping down on the area.
_____________________________________________________________

The attack on units crossing the northern bridge, in addition to destroying the better part of an armored battalion in the ensuing fire and secondary explosions, structurally weakens the bridge and covers it in burning vehicles. Even with round-the-clock work to clear and repair the bridge, it will take at least a week to get it back in order.

More importantly, however, the flow of supplies to Army Group South has been disrupted. Although a small "hiccup" in the supply line, it does mean that to avoid over-extending themselves, the spearhead units of the Kilean army will have to stop their advance until the bridge is repaired, and then re-start the drive on Argrenida, losing all strategic momentum and allowing the Dibujante troops to re-group and dig in.

This disruption to the war plan is.......most inconvenient.

Monty: Spread and move out, split into teams and go your ways!
at this point the two teams split up and ran one towards Kilean, the other to dibujante

MSAS Team 4 overlooking store dum somewhere in Kilean
OK now this one we are gunna have to be fast, flashbangs, silencers, the works lads, ok?.......

MSAS team 2 overlooking supply dump in Diujante
Right lads let's do this with usual professionalism eh? det charge of 30 secs when we are in ok?........

Vargas' aid saluted sharply. He said no word, but his bearing indicated that he wanted to be heard.
Vargas looked up from the map of western Dibujante he had covered in red boxes and black arrows. "Yes, citizen, what is it?"
"Sir! Colonel Emilio spotted smoke coming from the northern bridge! He sent a group to investigate and found it burning! Sir!"
Vargas sat back, stunned. Equipment failure, perhaps? No, the Kileans were too professional for that...especially to leave a failed device simply burning over their major accessway. Maybe...
A huge explosion rocked the bunker he had been in. Grabbing his rifle and donning a helmet, he ran, stooped, outside to the smell of smoke and charred flesh.
Around him, men lay in various states of decomposure. From what he coould tell, he could assemble at least sixty men from the pieces in the area. Looking up, he saw a pillar of black smoke. Performing a quick triangulation, he guessed where the explosion had come from...the supply dump near the edge of the base.
Sure enough, it had blown. The ammunition, grenades and spare rockets had augmented the explosion. He barked some orders and within minutes, a bucket brigade was formed to try to fight the roaring flames.

Jorge Bastillo Juarez, advance scout for the Western Army, could feel the dull rumbling down to his bones. Hidden behind a large rock, he peeked over. In the distance, he could make out tank force. Pulling his binoculars, he examined things more closely. Yes, it was a tank force. Infantry, too. They seemed to be looking for something.
There was trouble afoot. Fleet-footed, he ran back to base and informed Vargas.
Arriving at base, the smell of burning wafted over him. This only served to quicken his pace to the command bunker, where Vargas was hurriedly scrawling.
"Sir! Tanks of the likes we've never seen are searching an area closeby. They might find us any day!"
Vargas' eyes seemed to lose some of their luster.
"Sir?"
A deep sigh escaped Vargas, who thrust his forehead into his hand and flicked his pen back and forth. After some while, he looked up.
"Very well. Tell Emilio to take 800 men and see if they can't harass them. Tell him to take as many RPGs as he can."
"Very well, sir." He bowed, and left.

"There! Right over there!" The crew chief was pointing at a clearing where a group of men were scurrying for cover.

The door gunner of the ISD Hind spoke up.

"those don't look like banat to me!"

"I don't give a damn who they are- kill 'em!" yelled back the crew chief.

The door gunner began to fire his MG-87 at the midlonian commados as the Hind twisted around to bring it's weapons to bear. The four other attack helicopters of the platoon were either twisting in midair to begin their rocket attack runs, or quick-roping ISD troopers down to engage the infiltrators on the ground. They'd had a good run so far, but now the midlonians were going to have to fight.

"There! Right over there!" The crew chief was pointing at a clearing where a group of men were scurrying for cover.

The door gunner of the ISD Hind spoke up.

"those don't look like banat to me!"

"I don't give a damn who they are- kill 'em!" yelled back the crew chief.

The door gunner began to fire his MG-87 at the midlonian commados as the Hind twisted around to bring it's weapons to bear. The four other attack helicopters of the platoon were either twisting in midair to begin their rocket attack runs, or quick-roping ISD troopers down to engage the infiltrators on the ground. They'd had a good run so far, but now the midlonians were going to have to fight.

Cpt.Price: GRAB SOME COVER, AA ON THE BLOODY THING NOW!

3 of his men were already cut down.. beofre Davidson could get the launcher ready
Davidson: 'EASE!
Others: FIRE!
the rocket screamed its way towards the chopper, wherther it would hit or not was up to the gods

The 20 ADI-AV-42 "B-Down" heavy bomber planes have reached Kilean airbases, and are currently undergoing slight rearmaments and maintenances to prep them for active duty.

The Sea Serpents have not landed yet, and are situated alongside the Barracuda SSBNs outside the coast of Dibujante.

Today, CAF commander President Ndelebe himself contacted Kilean HQ and informed them that the Commonwealth forces were for Kileans Wehrmacht to command, and that all branches awaited orders on where to strike


((You can TG me if you want, or just post it here - it's all good.))

The Hind was armored, so it didn't explode, but it might as well have, as the missile ripped apart the rear rotor assembly, sending the big attack helo spinning out of control, whirling into the trees and snapping them like dry twigs before finally crashing to earth.

The four surviving choppers dropped their sisal cables and dashed off in different directions, flying in wide arcs to eventually form up in the pincer attack that was the trademark of the Hind.

As the 32 surviving members of the ISD platoon ducked for cover and began to exchange fire with the midlonian commandoes, the Hinds returned- flying in pairs that attacked from different directions- and began flailing the Midlonians with fragmentation rockets. Another Hind took a missile, and trailing smoke, limped off.

The man next to the ISD leader took a two-in-chest-one-in-head burst, and the Platoon leader raised his G-21 to his shoulder, firing three round bursts at the other elite commandoes across the clearing.

Two hyper-elite forces were now engaged in a firefight, and the level of skill and tactical co-ordination of both sides made the fierce struggle seem like a well-choreographed ballet.
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Kilean high command to African Commonwealth air forces:

We greet the arrival of your heavy bombers with great joy. We're preciously short on them (as you may know, we've pressed naval patrol bombers into service as strategic bombers). As the drive on Argrenida has stalled for the moment, due to the attack on our supply lines, our spearhead armies need more air support than ever. Etronian heavy bombers will soon be tasked by allied command to hammer Argrenida itself, as well as any large dibujantean troop concentrations around it with saturation bombing. The CAF units should join them in striking Argrenida.

The CAF heavy bombers have added a huge boost to allied heavy bomber stregnth.

As for all naval/marine forces, TG etronia for operational planning.
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Kilean naval infantry see their first action of the war when seven troop-transport enkranoplan's streak along the coast in an operation supported by POJ carrier-based aircraft and Kilean navy missile boats. The two battalions of naval infantry attack a remote prison camp on an offshore island.

Several hundred prisoners are freed by the raid, and loaded onto the enkranoplans for transport back to Kilean. No military figures are captured and nothing of any military significance is learned. There is one man taken in the raid who will end up having a great deal of importance.

His name is Antonio Belgrano, and he is a former Party official imprisoned for charges of corruption, larceny, forgery, embezzlement, use of state resources for personal gain, work-shirking (a very serious crime in dibujante), attempted bribery of party officials, 1st and 2nd degree immorality, attempts to prostitute state workers, and counter-revolutionary mannerisims (his big cigars, aviator sunglasses, and headquarters in an old caudillo mansion)

He is a greasy, fast-talking scumbag of a man, but the Internal Security Directorate wants him for a side project they have going......

Price a hell of a captain was everything a Midlonian Special Air service man should be... thick set, and strong as an ox, with the wits of a Fox.. was holding his SA-80 and service revolver in the other and blazed away

Price: DANIELS GET THE NADE LAUNCHER!

The grenade launcher sat just out side of the cover that Daniels was behind, he tried to grab it twice and on the third attempt he managed it, he pumped all six rounds out of it before he was shot in the head.... Jarmen who had been in his original hiding position, keept firing at targets of oportunity, he had killed the sergent of the opposing force with that final headshot, just one of his freinds had hit him twice in the chest beofre he pulled the trigger...then the six grenades rained down....

<OOC: I posted earlier but the forum ate it....

Anyways, I'd just like to request that people post more stuff on a larger, operational scale. (i.e.- 'this army corps- this number of divisions, this many men- attacks_____ objective') instead of on a smaller scale (this general turns to his aide and says ____') The in-character stuff is great for adding tone to posts, but I think that in a war this massive, the more clean-cut summaries the better. On a side note, those sort of posts are easier, beacuse you dont have to think of names or dialog. Don't wanna be a jerk here, but searching for a bit of convenience<OOC>
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The ISD platoon was heavily engaged with the midlonian commandoes, but they had contact and were not about to lose track of them- not with the kind of firefight that was raging.

The ISD troops had called in air support, and a flight of fast movers (specat jaguars for those that care) were en route to hammer the midlonians.

The rest of the ISD regiment was heliborne and moving in to cut off any retreat for the midlonian spec ops team.
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Kilean 3rd and 4th armies are stalled about halfway to Argrenida, due to the disruption of their supply lines. The momentum of the attack has been halted, and the armies are now preparing to resist counterattack. Getting them moving again will be no small task.

It was a historical moment.
For a brief instant, emotion flitted across the Chairman's face. For a brief moment, his balled fists slammed the tabletop, sending papers flying. For a brief moment -
Then he was the Chairman, again. You could never have drawn a connection between the two. Mentally, he twisted and dissected what had brought him to such a fury. The war was on, but still, no words from his allies in Dra-Pol. Granted, a sea transport was impossible, but he had finessed things just so, thrown his weight in certain places, and fabricated every excuse known to man, god and beast to bring men to his side, yet the comms were dead. This would be a war that Dibujante would have to fight on it's own.
News travels fast through the farms and forests of Dibujante. Already, the chairman knew of the western front, where Dibujantean troops were trying to harass Etronian forces but two days from the western camp. The northwestern front was silent, yet in the west, Kilean troops seemed to be everywhere...siezing bridges, razing bunkers, destroying supplies. It was time for a change.
An oscillating pitch disturbed the humid, dead air as the knife wavered, point stuck on Gorillo's position. Things would change, starting there!
A quick phone call; within minutes, radio relays tick-tacked out an order on Gorillo's modified telegraph. 120 EDP divisions, 20 tank divisions, and 400 EDT divisions would march by nightfall onto the city of Stahlsburg. It would dawn red.

Machinegun fire raked the oncoming troops, but it seemed as if the Dibujantean troops were a force of nature, a primal thing that could not even be survived, much less defeated.

Peter slammed another clip into his Stg-74, firing short bursts at the oncoming EDP troops. He killed dozens, but it did nothing. Grenades fell into the trenches of his platoon, and soon the green-clad tide was upon him. A small, swarthy man jumped right onto his foxhole, driving the bayonet of a chinese-make AK into peters chest.

"You die, imperialist! You die!" the eyes of the Dibujantean soldier were filled with hate. Peter just gurgled as the life left his body.
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The long-expected attack through the northern passes has come. Standing in the way of over 6 million Dibujantean troops are the 175,000 men of III and IV corps.

In the first hours of the attack, the light divisions of III corps- One Kilean, one Etronian- make a spirited but poorly thought out attempt at a spoiling attack, trying to take the mouths of the passes from the Dibujantean army. This fails horribly, as defensive positions are not even taken, much less secured by the time the bulk of Dibujante's northern forces come screaming through the passes. The two divisions are cut off and die almost to a man.

III corps effectively melts down in the face of the onslaught. Roughly half of it's men dead, the two remaining divisions and the single panczer brigade flee west, twards stahlsburg. It is a rout, not a retreat.

IV corps does much better. Although forced to retreat and taking massive casualties, IV corps does so in an organized manner, with Promise of Joshuan 10th armored division acting as rearguard, it's Abrams tanks making dozens of heroic local counterattacks to attempt to slow the Dibujantean hordes. IV corps is in retreat twards Stahlsburg as well.
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The T-72 aust. K bucked as yet another sabot round was flung into the night, into the flank of a Dibujantean tank. The armored unit had been retreating for two days now, and were staging yet another attempt to slow down the advancing Dibujante troops.

The platoon rolled backwards, west along the highway to set up yet another ambush. They killed most of the Dibujantean tanks they met, but the company had lost 5 panczers already. At this rate, every victory was a phyrric one, and if it kept going like this, the platoon wouldn't still be a platoon for very long.
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A serious problem has arisen for the defenders of Stahlsburg: Both Kilean and Dibujante use variants of the T-72 that, outwardly at least, look similar. This results in POJ 10th armored killing numerous kilean tanks they took to be Dibujantean units. Kilean units themselves take and give friendly fire on many occasions. To counter this, all Kilean T-72 aust. K's are now flying very large Kilean national flags, as well as using IR beacons that Dibujante's less advanced IR systems can't pick up.
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Skarswald- II corps, the hyper-elite 1st infantry div, 2nd panczer div.
and 3rd infantry div, held in reserve since the start of operation halo, get their marching orders. This corps contains the best trained troops in the Kilean army, and over %80 of the new cougar tanks in service. Frantically, they begin to surge northwards, to reinforce III and IV corps. It will take roughly a week for them to reach Stahlsburg, a week that the defending troops may not have.
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The fortifications of Bastion 2- a sprawling network of forts, fuel depots, supply dumps, and prepared positions lie along the axis of the Dibujantean attack. The Dibujantean troops could take the fortifications, or simply bypass them, but either way that will buy Kilean troops time. The border guards, national policemen, and C-grade reservists manning bastion 2 ready their obsolete artillery, activate the massive minefields, and put up the last few belts of barbed wire. Bastion 2 supports a massive web of interlocking MG kill zones, mortars, barbed wire, and minefields. Emplaced in it's ancient forts are 8, 12, and 16 inch guns taken from old warships. But any fortification can be taken or starved out, and the defenders know that they will likely never leave bastion 2 ever again.
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The KAF and KLL (air force and army air corps) scramble all aircraft they can scrape up to attempt to halt the Dibujantean advance. POJ aircraft carriers begin round-the-clock sorties against the advancing EDP and EDT troops. Kilean requests that the Etronian navy task four of their five carrier groups with supporting the forces around stahlsburg, as well as any availiable EAF planes.
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Dibujante takes terrible casualties in the advance, yes, but given the fact that the Allied defenders routinely are outnumbered 50-to-1, they can afford to take them.

Kilean war deaths, standing at around 7,300 since the war began three weeks ago, have in two nights skyrocketed to 65,000. Nearly 50,000 casualties inflicted on a force that, for the most part, was attempting to avoid contact with the enemy. The northern front is a few tank engagements, a few kilometers of retreat, a small faltering of courage away from total collapse.
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Premier Frosch was shaking as he put down the phone. If Dibujante took Stahlsburg there would be slaughter. ISD officials, corporate executives, police, they would all be shot.

Frosh had already ordered all leftists currently held in northern Kilean's prisons to be shot, just as a precaution. No ready allies would meet the Dibujantean advance.

Stahlsburg was being evacuated by order of the Civil Defense Directorate. It didn't look like they could stop the reds before they took the city. This was bad, this was very bad. Prewar assumptions were that enough artillery and airpower could hold off any advance by light infantry. Those assumptions were, as usual, wrong.

This wasn't exactly proving to be a conventional war, was it?

Frosch picked up the phone again. Special orders were given.
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In supply depots all over Kilean, special cargoes were now included in the rush shipments of munitions to the front. The supply men were nervous in handling them, but they were all loaded on schedule. They rolled north, east, everywhere.

There was one more thing for the Chairman to attend to.
Going to the hangar, he recieved the stiff salute of the air major.
A few whispers and hand signals got the major to shouting. 10 Dibujantean bombers and an escort of 60 fighters flew out of the base, toward the Kilean-captured bridge...

Viper (he always liked to be called viper) threw his Falkon into a sharp bank left, sidestepping the air-to-air missile. All around him the Mig-21's were swarming the few Falkon and Mirage fighters left in the southern front. Three squadrons, three tiny squadrons, outnumbered two to one against the Dibujantean migs.....

Viper loosed a Sidewinder at one of the Mig's. The paths of the missile and plane crossed with wonderful grace, and an ejection seat shot from the stricken Dibuantean plane.

Two to one....we can manage that, we can almost manage that, thought Viper.

But can we manage that before the bombers get here?

On the ground, the SAM systems held their fire, not wanting to hit Kilean planes in the massive dogfight overhead.

A job well done, thought the commander of Kilean engineers. The last of the damage from the Midlonian strike had been patched up, and the bridge was clear for traffic once again. It had been pretty touch-and-go there, but the damaged sections were shored up, and the paint for the lane markers was just getting dry.

That special feeling you get when you complete a job well done. The commander looked at his work, beaming with pride.

....just as the first dibujantean bomb fell out of the sky and right on to the middle of the bridge. The blast flung him flat as he saw the whole span fall into the water.

"godDAMMIT" screamed the engineer. "WHY CAN'T ANYTHING JUST WORK!"
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The main bridge is down. Pontoon bridges are up and running, in fact carrying most of the supplies for army group south. The main bridge only carried about 10 percent of all supplies.

But now army group south is ten percent below the level of supplies it needs to operate at full capability.

The descision is made: army group south will hold, except for 3rd army, which will continue the drive eastwards. Some offensive action has to be taken, lest Kilean lose strategic as well as operational momentum.

Etronian 1st army has enough supplies for one more week of combat.

It will take three weeks to get enough supplies stocked up to let the rest of Heersgruppe Sud start moving again.

ooc { Earlier, I said that Etronian aircraft took off from the carriers to support the land war from land-based airfields. This was a mistake. I should have said that Etronian land-based aircraft flew to Kilean. Let's just pretend that all the aircraft in Kilean are returning to their carriers (naturally, not all of them left) and that Etronian land aircraft are heading to Kilean? }
The battleship groups, largely dormant until now, spring into action.
The naval vessels shell targets of opportunity, attempting to soften the beachhead. Substantial air cover is launched from two of the carrier battlegroups, and one moves closer to the battleships to provide more constant cover (about half the ones in the air will be forced to retreat after a little while). Etronian Aesir bombers, coordinated to attack at the same time as the invasion, attack both Camarilla and military targets nearby, attempting to clear the way for the marine invasion.
Two of the marine divisions (one armor, one infantry) landed and secured the beachhead, quickly moving to gain a few miles of land. They were understandably paranoid about having to hold it in the event of a forced retreat. The third stayed back, ready to reinforce.
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"Watch the millimeter-wave, guys," Sgt. Aurand said. Sure, theirs may have been malfunctioning, but investigating that smoke meant watching every sensor and view prism the tank had to offer. It didn't help that he didn't have comms to talk with the other 3 tanks in his platoon.
It especially didn't help that none of the three crew members realized that the other tanks of their platoon had stopped a few tens of meters back.
"SHIT!" screamed Wilkers, following the universal "oh shit I'm going to die" protocol and adopting a crash position, all a second too late for the tank to do anything useful.
A pair of RPGs slammed into the front of the tank. The thin armor came of the Chasseur came back to haunt them, as PFC Pries took something to the chest.
The other 3 tanks of the platoon immediately spread out, firing at real or imagined IR/mm-wave signatures in an effort to give the crew of the disabled Chasseur some chance at surviving.
After a few minutes that must have been very exciting for Aurand and Wilkers, PFC Pries had bled to death despite their best efforts, and the hills were silent.
Command had long ago been notified of the excitement and curious smoke. The three remaining tanks picked up the survivors, backed off a few hundred meters and destroyed the disabled Chasseur, and moved to rejoin the First Army.

ooc { to summarize: 1 infantry / 1 armored division lands in the north, with one infantry hanging back, accompanied by huge bombardment runs. in the south, a tank platoon meets Vargas/Emilio, losing one tank and one crewmember. They were scouting, so they had no infantry support. They're rejoining the rest of the First, which will make a more concentrated attack in the next episode of .... Revolution under Fire! }

Kilean naval infantry- some 5,000 crack troops- are landed in their Orlan ground-effect transports in the Etronian beachead. The KNS Ostendt battlegroup moves up to support the landing with direct gunfire support.

In a picture that soon becomes famous, the ENS Redoubt and the KNS Ostendt are shown side-by-side, old battleship and modern battlecrusier, the Redoubt firing a full broadside, and the Ostendt firing one of it's SS-N-19 heavy missiles into Dibujante.

(like I said, not much of a naval war- so what other uses to I have for some heavy warhead cruise missiles?)

Javier kept marching. He was exhausted, but he kept marching. He needed to set an example for his men, he needed to lead, not just give orders. It was the cornerstone of EDP revolutionary doctrine.

Javier looked over his back at his regiment. They were in marching order on either side of the road as the few trucks and tanks of the EDP rolled past them, into kilean. This was good, he thought, this was victory. Even the state-run media couldn't conceal that in the south there was only defeat for the People's forces.

By midday his unit had shaken out into fighting order, and joined with thousands of EDT militia to make yet another attack on the Kilean troops. It seemed as if they had stopped retreating and set up defensive positions. Big mistake, thought Javier. Every Kilean or Etronian unit that has tried that so far was swarmed and destroyed by Dibujante's brave troops.

He looked left and right, where the thousands of Dibujantean troops were hiding behind the low hills in front of them. He blew his whistle, and up an down the line other officers did the same, joined by bugles. Red banners flying, the troops surged forwards, man-portable mortars supporting them in huge numbers.

As Javier ran forward, the only Kilean answer was a rather light bombardment. Even the enemy troops a half-kilometer ahead were buttoned up in their vehicles- not a single one outside! As the Kilean shells burst overhead, they seemed to be duds, making only a small popping noise and emitting a puff of yellow smoke.

Marker shells? The're firing target marker shells and not even doing it RIGHT?

Javier broke into a grin. They must be out of competent artillerymen. It's not as if the smoke could even mark a target now- it was all dispersed over the battlefield in a haze!

The cloud drifted down onto Javiers men, and his eyes, lungs, everything began to burn. Men and women dropped in huge numbers around him, writhing on the ground in pain.

Javier couldn't see. He was twisting in his death throes like all those around him. If he could have heard through the pain, however, he would have made out the clanking and squealing of armor on the move, and the hollow popping of more of those shells.
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In retreat for days, taking heavy casualties, Kilean forces in the north hit Dibujantean troops with a heavy bombardment of mustard, lewisite and phosgene gas, as well as other miscellaneous types of blister agent. Used in artillery shells, mortars, and dropped from aircraft, the chemical weaponry proves lethal- praticularly against the EDT milita, who lack chem warfare gear.

Right on the heels of the gas bombardment, IV corps mounts a counterattack, hitting the shattered front-line units in a chemical environment. The gas slows all troops, so the battle is almost a farce- Kilean troops in tanks or sweating in heavy CBW gear against crippled and dying Dibujantean troops- but it buys time for III corps to regroup, and turn their rout into an organized retreat.

Kilean strategic planners have accepted that they will not be able to stop the EDP and EDT forces before they reach stahlsburg. In addition, gas warfare will soon cease to be an option as Dibujantean troops enter the suburbs of Stahlsburg, and the war reaches land that Kilean cannot afford to contaminate.

Kilean Airfield

Maintenances and rearmaments over with, the 20 huge bomber craft swung around, ready for their crucial bombing run on Argrenida. The pilots were tense, even more so because they had to wait for reports on revolutionary defenses before they could take off and have it over with. HQ had already telegraphed for the info, so it was only a matter of time now.

((Etronia/Kilean/Dibujante>> What, if anything, does the Kilean and allied forces know about Dibujante's SAM/AA capabilities en route to and inside Argrenida? RCAF pilot command won't let the bombing run commence before they know what to expect))

Aboard Isle 5, CNF personnel landing platform vessel, outside the Etronian beachhead

The 5000 marines were fully prepped for combat. The men received final briefings on the terrain and enemy forces, before commencing with equipment checks. Not long now...

((Etronia>> TG incoming))

Dibujantean high-level SAM capability is pretty much nonexistant. MANPADS are everwhere, and Kilean helicopters/ground attack jets are going down in large numbers, but we've had high-level air superiority from day 1 of the war. The Dibujantean air force have mounded one offensive sortie, and although it was a success, they lost the majority of the planes they sent.

Modern bombers shouldl be able to attack with litte risk to themselves.
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The specialists stood before the premier. They were economists, mostly. At this moment, the premier was totally focused on what they had to say.

"With the northern situation, it does appear that any short victory in this war is not forthcoming. Dibujantean numerical superiorty is, to say the least, crushing, and the decentralized nature of their economy, command structure, and military makes some sort of debilitating strike on a crucial objective improbable. Even if we were able to fight some descisive battle or take some critical objective, it would in all probablility not stop the war. "

The premier nodded. Even the generals around him were having to accept the grip truth this group of nerdy, frail scholars were setting before them.

"We therefore reccomend that we enact Total War Mobilizationl. Conscription should be expanded to cover all males 18-35 in non-critical industries, and the Armaments Bureau should take control of all new war production. Twenty-four hour production at all defense plants, contruction of new facilities, etc. In addition, once enough women have been trained to fill the tasks, all males that are holding lower rank or less skilled positions in war industries should be conscripted."

The other officials in the room were expecting as much, but it still came a shock.

The Armaments Minister spoke up- "the good news in all this, gentlemen, is that our economy is rated by the UN as 'all-consuming'. Right off the bat we can produce a huge amount of weaponry, and once it really swings into gear...well....we can have even more!"

The economist looked at the eagre minister with a strange expression on his face.

"thank you for being so....upbeat. I must stress, however, that at this point we have to essentially write off stahlsburg as a functioning city and start looking at it as a trap, a quagmire, to suck the Dibujantean troops into. I'm not a military man, but I have heard of verdun...."

The generals nodded. One of them spoke.

"With our levels of war production, equipment isn't really an issue, and most of our population has had some level of training already. We've already begun expansion of the military, and I do have some good news- 40 new divisions in six months, Herr Premier."

"If we can hold out six months....." The Premier was, to put it midly, feeling grim.

Inside AVI-AV-42 Bomber "Shaka 5"

The radio gave sound. "*crackle* High-level SAMs low to nil-level. Commence Death From Above. I repeat, commence Death From Above". The pilot closed his eyes, repeated the Mshat under his breath, and then kicked the plane into gear, rolling out for take-off once the technicians had given his weapons systems the green light... He heard the muffled sounds of his fellow bomber-pilots saying the Mshat as well, and then watched Shaka 1 fly into the sky, ready to lead the run that would bring death to the revolutionary capital of Argrenida...

OOC>> Here goes nothing... 640,000,000 kilograms, or 640 metric tons of munitions are now en route to be dropped on Argrenida. it is approximately 140 tons of ADI cluster bombs, 200 tons of guided bombs and HE-frag/HEAP radar-guided missiles, and 300 tons of dumb bombs, packed with HE/Fragmentation charges. The idea is to "Shock and awe"(pardon the expression) Dibujante, by effectively reducing their capital to rubble. All defensive strongpoints and barracks around the capital will be targets of priority for the missiles, but the conventional munitions and clusterbombs will be dropped on civilian and industrial areas. The bomber planes will be flying far too high for regular SAMs to hit them, but they will be quite visible to any and all Dibujante radar sites.

<OOC: the capital of dibujante is andacion, agrenida is the first city kilean is trying to take. (friggin' spainish names!). We're not gunning for the capitol- mostly beacuse kilean doesn't have strategic bombers- we're using scuds against agrenida, mostly. but, please, be my guest to hit andacion. Also: Kilean Air Force fighters will fly overwatch/CAP missions in the area of your strike.<OOC>

<ooc> Finally. Couldn't get into the forums for the longest time!</ooc>
The Dibujantean force's front line was being smashed. Gorillo, hearing of this, called for a withdrawal of regular units outside of the range of standard ordinance. Those who had escaped the ravages of poisonous gas fled southwest, hounded by Kilean bullets and ordinance. All in all, Dibujante had lost over half of it's force to the fighting and gas, and even more in the harrowing withdrawal to a defensive position.
Still, the back of Dibujante's army wasn't broken. Gathering his men and what remained of the tank divisions, Gorillo lead his force to the back towards Stahlsburg once the gas had cleared. Heedless of casualties, he was determined to push into Stahlsburg as soon as possible. He radioed the base back at the pass to rally the rest of the tank divisions, and to have them send about 2 million men south, along the river. They would march on the Kilean-siezed bridge, sending out advance scouts to determine the location of Kilean army units between there and Argrenida. If only they could catch the Kilean army in time...
Meanwhile, SCUDs streaked into Argrenida. Dibujante's buildings had been designed to withstand significantly powerful explosives, but this was too much. Argrenida was quickly being turned into rubble, defended by fleeting ghosts of men armed with rifles and rockets. There were about 1 million defenders left in the city, but their numbers were dropping so rapidly that they were fleeing the city in droves to wage their war from the countryside.

Bastos Ronaldo, an officer who was leading a platoon of EDT in the Western Triangle, picked up radio signals from the Chairman. Their orders: to harrass Kilean soldiers and supplies. To relay these orders to every unit in the area. To take all they could, and destroy what they couldn't.

The Shaka bombers appeared clearly on the Capitol's radar. Unfortunately, they appeared so clearly that their height was known; the Chairman didn't even bother ordering SAM fire upon them. It was time to entrench. Quick telephone calls were made. Dibujantean defenders swarmed into underground-reinforced tunnels as the chairman was spirited away in the fastest of vehicles. Other defenders abandoned Anadicion as quickly as possible, hoping to be out before the bombs hit...

The T-72 aust.k lurked in the side street. As the Dibujantean tank rolled past, it fired one round at a range of less than 20 meters. The communist tank exploded, it's turret flying into the air. The aust.K started to roll backwards, out of the alley and onto the suburban avenue. The familiar scenes of suburbia were all warped and twisted- smoke was rising in huge black clouds to the east, and soldiers scurried along the rooftops of the strip malls and office parks. Antitank missile guidence cables lay draped across the street.

The Aust.K turned, trying to face down the boulevard. More communist tanks were coming. Slowly rolling backwards, the Aust.K began firing. Low thumping sounds more felt than heard singnalled hits on the Dibujantean armor, but like everything else about the communist enemy, how many you killed seemed not to matter. one round bounced off the Aust.K's armor, the reactive armor popping. The next round wasn't stopped. The Kilean tank exploded, sending shrapnel and flaming pieces of armor flying.
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Dibujante troops enter the suburbs of Stalhsburg, despite the best efforts of Kilean army troops. III and IV corps retreat to the western areas of the city. Most civilians have been evacuated, but tens of thousands are still caught in the fighting.

Kilean Laandsmacht engineers are seen frantically at work near the Stalhsburg municipal sport stadium. Sealing the building, and routing the cities natural gas lines into the closed stadium, they convert it into a gigantic fuel- air bomb. As the Dibujante troops overrun eastern Stahlsburg, it goes off with the force of a tactical nuclear bomb.
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As the large Dibujante force wheels southwards, they are coming directly at II corps- an elite force, containing three of the "first four" divisions. Those 75,000 men and 800 panczers (many of them the heavy super-armored "cougar") prepare to engage a huge mass of enemy tanks and infantry. General Anknecht, overall commander of II corps is faced with an overwhelming enemy, and possibly the most critical single battle in Kilean's history.

If he loses this engagement, it means that Army Group South will be cut off inside of dibujante.

The plan for II corps is to lay down huge gas barrages to either side of the Dibujantean force, channling them twards II corps. There, Anknecht will send his panczer division charging into the Dibujantean formation, trying, through sheer ferocity, to destroy most of their armored forces. His two infantry divisions will attack on the flanks of his panczer division. The attack helicopters of the divisional aviation brigades will operate on the flanks of the Dibujantean mass, attacking over the gas clouds to destroy communist armor before it can shake out into battle formation. In addition, an army air corps brigade (96) groud support craft will be supporting the attack. Among them are many "condor" prop-driven tankbuster aircraft.

It is a simple plan, some would say even crude, but Anknecht is putting his faith in the men of II corps- the best soldiers in the Kilean army.
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To the south, army group south has realized it may not have time to wait for more supplies to come up. Using their reserves, all of army group south lunges forwards. 3rd and 4th armies finally come into artillery range of Argrenida, and they begin to implement the attack plan of the two armies. As the dozen or so panczer divisions encircle the city, a "corridor" will be blasted by artillery- a devistated area about a half-kilometer wide stretching from the suburbs to the city center. Kilean infantry will then swarm into the corridor, advancing with overwhelming firepower and heavy helicopter support from their own helicopters as well as the elite 4th air cav division, which has been brought up for the attack.

<OOC: city fighting in this war is a lot like a Black Hawk Down scenario. Elite, mobile kilean soldiers will attempt to keep moving and take key objectives in the city, while the hordes of dibujantean troops will try to bog down and swarm the Kilean soldiers. Like Black Hawk Down, Kilean troops will mostly mount "thunder run" style raids, trying to assert control of the city and break the will of the reisistance by appearing to be everywhere. The problems will be just like black hawk down, but I personally would also expect similar (18-to-1000's) kill ratios. I also pity kilean helicopter pilots. There are a lot of angry Dibujanteans with RPGs in Argrenida.<OOC>

For the first time in the war, however, Kilean troops are outnumbered by as little as 4-to-1! The assault on Argrenida will be spirited, as the men of army group south are seething with hatred. "Remember Stalhsburg!" will be their battle cry.
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Facing the true scale of Dibujante's military superiority, Kilean army high command realized that they simply do not have enough troops. Frantic cries go out to the African Commonwealth and Promise of Joshua to send more ground troops to the north. Significant pressure is also placed upon Etronian army command to not send their reserve divisions- 2 infantry and 1 armored- to the beachead, but to stalhsburg instead.

The Etronian 1st Army, having been notified of just how to narrow their search by the ambushed tank platoon, is approaching Vargas' main troop concentration.
contrary to what one might expect, infantry are going first. Tanks are behind infantry concentrations, with most of their ammo replaced with HE shells. When fighting begins, they will move laterally across the battlefield to become almost impossible to hit, at the best speed they can maintain while remaining accurate and give direct fire support to the infantry. (Naturally, artillery is also giving fire support and will have 30 minutes or so of initial bombardment. Once things get messy and confused, though, they'll mostly have to go quiet.) When Vargas's line is broken, the tanks will charge ahead to break its last vestiges and defeat reorganization attempts on the part of Vargas' soldiers.
After Vargas' main concentration is routed, parts of the 1st will split off to try to prevent the millions of troops in the area from coalescing to form a united front.
More specifically, one of the armored divisions of the 1st will split into a number of brigades and join the other independent infantry/armored brigades. They will coalesce into larger forces if needed, but if Vargas' men manage to coalesce into anything larger than division-size the 1st proper will get involved again (it'll be moving around doing this stuff too).


The 5000 marines of the African Commonwealth join the landing force in the Camarilla area. Etronia's two divisions are the primary force; AC forces have joined Kilean's few thousand in the area, to be used as a lighter independent force in flanking maneuvers or as a surprised reinforcement to an assault. They're just going around disrupting infrastructure however they can (salting the earth, so to speak, if they can - but usually their non-plant-friendly materials are needed for their own purposes), never straying too far from the beachhead. (They also get support from the navy that way.)


Etronia's reserve divisions land on Kilean, in one of the few remaining safe spots near Stahlsburg. They await Kilean's decision on where they would be most useful, and pray that it isn't the city itself.


meanwhile, on the etronian mainland ...
ooc { doesn't saying things like that make you wish the dragnet theme was playing? }

a beast of an underground laser assembly comes to live, making a godawful buzzing like a cheap fluorescent lamp writ large. a complicated mirror assembly splits the beam to a number of surface structures, all but one of which feed the laser beam back into the underground mirror array. One of them, however, reflects a briefly visible ray into the sky. It tracks for a couple seconds, and then shuts off.
Etronia now has limited ASAT capability - they can 'blind' sensors on satellites and aircraft. All of the surface structures can target something independently, so one could feasibly blind 4 sensors at once. There are 2 such sites in Etronia, and unless you were listening in on the test drone's transmissions, you don't know that this exists yet.

http://operationcitadel.net/~matthias/nationstates/img/kdemapf.jpg

The situation as it stands. Army group south is driving on Agrenida, and the Dibujantean troops in the north have entered stahlsburg.

A dibujante salient is reaching southwards, twards the bridge, and the advance of those 2 million troops will be met by the elite II corps.

Dibujantean soldiers shifted nervously. The II corps was approaching, and Dibujantean soldiers had arrayed themselves as best they could for the attack. Technically, they had taken cover in dispersed positions, but the sheer density of troops made their formation more akin to Rank-and-File than modern warfare. Someone was going to die today...Dibujantean soldiers could only pray that the strength of their numbers would ensure that it wasn't <i>them</i>.
Soldiers gritted their teeth and tightened the grasp on their weapons as the first clouds of smoke could appear over the horizon. Muscles tensed, breath hissing, Dibujantean troops waited for the inevitable.
As Kilean troops came into firing range, explosions rocked Dibujantean formations. Dibujantean tanks returned fire, trying to take down front-line Kilean tanks.
Screams came from farther down in the wood. "Gas! Gas!" The lieutenant gritted his teeth. Standing up from the log he had taken cover behind, he screamed, "Charge!" and Dibujantean troops, not yet in battle formation, emerged like a swarm from the forest and ran forwards, firing weapons at the tanks.
They were caught in a crossfire. Almost unnoticed, Kilean infantry divisions had hit their flanks and were lobbing high-caliber bullets back and forth through the Dibujeantean ranks in a deadly dance. Dibujantean tanks exploded, one after another when faced with the seemingly unstoppable Kilean tanks.
Morale broke, soldiers panicked. The lieutenant no more than a crater, Dibujantean troops fled the oncoming tanks only to be mowed down or crushed. The retreat spread like wildfire, until even the Dibujeantean reserves, who were not even within firing range, were dispersing into the forest. Dibujantean tanks wheeled a retreat and set full speed to the north, trying to escape from Kilean tanks and return to Stahlsburg before too many of their numbers were lost.

Meanwhile, in a whistling scream, an Etronian shell hit Vargas' water tower. Shrapnel rained down with a torrent of water. Sentries and machinegunners returned fire, as a slow torrent of howling, wailing 7.62 fire began to issue from the increasing numbers of RPDs and AK-47s that were being fired in the direction of the shells.
Vargas gathered his aides and fled westwards. Out of the range of tank shells (hopefully), he gave radio orders. The base was taken, he repeated, and gave orders for all troops in the vicinity to begin harrassment protocol. Another 12 divisions would join him in a march across the river into Kilean's southeastern territory. Final orders went out to The river guards at Dibujante's southern border. They would coalesce, and, with a day's march, attack Etronia's 1st army.

General Olviedo would now see his challenge. Etronian troops were harrassing the city of Camarilla and establishing presence throughout the area.
A quick dispatch was enough to send 20 divisions, with their complement of fast-moving armored vehicles, in a dispersion pattern to search for the Etronian-African Commonwealth invasion. It was risky, this business of seek-and-destroy through Dibujantean suburbs, but it would have to be done until he locked down their position.

Meanwhile, high command had orders. 3 million troops would skirt the river on the Dibujantean side and engage fifth army from the north, and another 2 million would be pulled from the northern taskforce to put pressure on the 5th Army's eastern flank.

The 1st, having taken the base, moves slowly to the southwest, as patrols have indicated that there isn't as much unpleasantness in the area. All of them need a break, and they should get at least a day's respite.

Kilean scouts note military buildup near the southern bridge. Etronian helo-mobile 105mm artillery is readied, but not fired until a Kilean scout reports that troops are crossing the bridge.
1500 troops make it over before the bridge is destroyed.

The Cougar rolled along the road. All around it, the scarred hulks of dibujantean tanks littered the countryside. The men hanging out of the hatches wore gas masks. Not beacuse of any residual chemical threat, but beacuse of the smell. The bodies lay like a huge carpet all along the landscape. Militia in pesant clothes with world war 2 era rifles lay sprawled over each other, over abandoned kilean fighting positions, over everything.

The 80-ton MBT's just kept rolling northwards. Specat Jaguars howled overhead, speeding northwards to shower the ruins of Stahlsburg with napalm and cluster bombs.
_____________________________________________________________

II corps had crushed the southern probe. The battle they fought will become a textbook example of how to halt, overwhelm, and destroy a dibujante horde.

In a bit of good news for the defenders of stahlsburg, the arrival of II corps and the Etronian reinforcements allows for the creation of 2nd army in the north. 2nd army consists of:

3 infantry divisions
2 light divisions
Promise of Joshuan 10th armored division
2 etronian infantry divisions
1 etronian armored division
2 elite infantry divisions
1 elite panczer division
1 panczer brigade

These 12 divisions are spread all around the stahlsburg area. The first action of 2nd army after it's creation is to launch a general counterattack. II corps will hit the Dibujantean flank, while the rest of the army will lunge into the devastated eastern half of stalhsburg. 2nd army is operating with very short supply lines (factories within uncaptured stahlsburg are actually producing shells for units not more than 500 meters away), and they will be able to level huge amounts of firepower against the Dibujantean troops.

To support the attack, 1st theatre missile brigade volleys 40 Longsword ground-launched cruise missiles at the mountain passes and the Dibujantean bases and supply dumps surrounding them. From now on, the heavy ground launched missiles will be fired as fast as they can be manufactured. The passes are small, and the cruise missiles carry a mix of cluster and scattering mine warheads.
_____________________________________________________________

Karl was STILL at the front. By now it had become familiar, comforting, almost like home. He was ducking behind a burned-out T-72, someplace near people's square in Agrenida. The latest problem was a sniper in one of the buildings up ahead. The hauptmann had been hit and was slowly bleeding to death in the open. One man had tried to rescue him, but he too was hit, and currently screaming for his mother.

This wasn't exactly helping the morale of the men. The Etronian Air Force spotter they had along with them was typing frantically on one of the battlefield computers that seemed to be everywhere in that army. Karl peeked warily over the hulk of the tank.

"I'd call that about 500 meters"

The Etronian nodded, and hit return. Within minutes, one of the EAF strike jets circling the city sent a guided bomb screaming into the building that housed the sniper.

As the platoon rushed forwards, a machinegun began to chatter from the ruins of a house. They all went to ground. Karl crawled forwards under the covering fire of his comrades, and managed to fling a grenade into the MG nest.

The hauptmann was dead by the time they got to him.
_____________________________________________________________

3rd and 4th armies enter Agrenida. According to plan (and standard Kilean doctrine) a 3-day bombardment blasts a half-kilometer wide, three kilometer long corridor into the city, running from the suburbs to the city center. Infantry swarm up this corridor, using the open area to branch out into side streets and rapidly seize whole neighborhoods. Coninciding with the infantry advance, 4th air cav troops quick-rope from their helos to seize key objectives like power stations and local strongpoints.

This proves to be somewhat of a failure, as Dibujantean troops prove to be much better with RPG's than was expected. Helicopters go down in large numbers.

Using tactics copied from the Americans in baghdad, Kilean armored columns streak along the city, shooting up everything in sight and generally trying to scare the living daylights out of the defenders.
_____________________________________________________________

The field marshal in command of 5th army stared at the map, wearing a look of concern as the radio reports came in

"lead brigade has been overrun...."
"...33rd division is in retreat...."
"we can't hold them, we cant hold the...."

5 milllion men. 5 million fanatical light infantry. This was insane. 5th army NEEDED to retreat, but there was no way to break contact with them. They kept coming and coming and the rear guard units never got a break. The 300,000 men (well, less than that now) of 5th army needed to regroup and entrench.

The field marshal had a plan.
_____________________________________________________________

The EDP commander kept running, just like everybody around them kept running. The fleeing Kilean units were just 500 meters ahead.

He skidded to a halt as soon as he heard that hollow popping noise. Gas shells. The odd thing was, they were 250 meters away....his unit wasn't affected.

Then he realized- the gas was there like a deadly smokescreen. Behind it, he could vagely glimpse the Kilean troops regrouping and digging in.
_____________________________________________________________

5th army is in retreat, but they are managing it better than any unit so far. Using clouds of phosgene and lewisite gas, the commander of 5th army is able to break contact with the Dibujantean troops and set up fixed positions by the time the gas dissipates. The rear areas of the dibujantean force- the units clustered together, massing for an assault- are then hit by a frightful new weapon. It is on the northern flank of army group south that Kilean firsts uses nerve gas. Scud missiles loaded with VX and Sarin are lobbed into this huge mob of lightly equipped soldiers, carrying a gas so deadly that a single drop on your skin can kill you.

Heavy long-range artillery and FROG rockets are then used to break up the remaining massed forces. Curtian barrages and rocket artillery are used to shore up the fixed positions, which use dug-in tanks and machine gun centered infantry teams to mow down the attacking mobs. Chemical weapons are never used near Kilean troops, unless it's the most desperate circumstances. Fighting in chemical warfare gear is damn near impossible. Gas is mostly used to disperse and/or kill massed units in the rear.

An Etronian soldier's letter home that mentions the use of blistering agent on Dibujante's troops has sparked a godawful SNAFU at home. The military doesn't censor letters home, but hardline conservatives are saying that they should - and leftists are demanding that Etronia break its treaty with Kilean and withdraw its forces. The military may quietly try to implement a censorship deal, under the reasoning that while it wasn't wrong to report use of gas, it would have been wrong to, say, identify Etronian forces' positions. (It hasn't been done up until now because Etronia is pretty big on freedom of information ... we've never been in a big war.)
Kilean, for its part, is broadcasting footage from Stahlsburg on Etronian networks (ONE DAY CLOSER TO VICTORY! ad type things, weeping Kilean civilians, one amazing shot of a horde of green-clad troops charging a Kilean defensive position, piles of teenaged EDT militia, etc). This is keeping the moderates from joining the leftists, which they probably would otherwise.
For now, Etronian forces in Kilean, Dibujante, and at sea are continuing business as usual, or their commanders are pretending that it is such.

Meanwhile, near the southern bridge over the Santander river - a flight of strategic bombers is seen, high above. They drop a large number of bombs opposite the river from Vargas' forces, in a line about 2km wide (really an ungainly number of lines, but there's some scatter, so you can't identify a blank spot). A few hundred feet into the air, all of them separate into submunitions. They do not explode when they hit the ground.

The Etronian 1st army is approaching Vargas, as Kilean scouts across the river and satellite photos have indicated that there is some organization happening in the area. They are still unaware of the gathering forces to the south. The independent armor brigades are once again hanging back, ready to turn around and get to an important spot or to join the 1st. Substantially smaller patrols and overflights are trying to keep track of the land the 1st is leaving behind to the east.

CAF strategic movements

Republican Commonwealth of the Air Force status: the RCAF maintain that our strike was on Anadicion, dropping the entire load of conventional munitions on the capital, and making the ruins rather inhospitable with cluster bomb droplets.

Commonwealth Naval Forces status: The CNF marine corps is currently fighting a series of skirmishes with remaining forces inside the Camarilla area ~ Using their 80mm mortars(HE, HE-Frag and Napalm 'heads) and HMG to set up heavy weapon nests they attempt to terrorize any particularly vicious attackers and keep the militants at bay. The 3 ballistic submarines outside the Camarilla beachhead still has 30 unlaunched missiles, namely 10 African type-150 BM, 10 Tomahawks and 10 Harpoons - Being technically accountable to Etronian forces, they still await tactical data on where these missiles would be most useful.

Debating the war at home

While the war enjoys a moderate level of public support(at least the kind of support that the all-pervasive state control suggests is very much mandatory), several conservative generals from the Insurgency-War era suggest that all hands are needed at home in case the raging Gabonaise war spills into Commonwealth territories - Pressing demand from president general Ndelebe ensures authorization of transferring a single combined division to Kilean.

Dry and rather pointed missives from CNF and RCAF commanders force the CAF high command to maintain that no CAF forces are to work together with Promise of Joshuan forces, however, as bad blood still runs deep in RAC personnel.






OOC:

Kablammoh! New forces en route to Kilean:

Combined division VII:

2000 mechanized infantry soldiers:
(disciplined, inexperienced troops. Interceptor armour and helmets, H&K G36 assault rifles with built-in optics - Also carry mines, ADI-I4 machetes, fragmentation grenades and ADI issue MANPADs. 450 troopers also heft either 80 mm mortars(HE-FRAG and HE), 84mm HEDP wireless launcher(all-purpose launcher, ideal against armour or for clearing bunkers) or 20mm ADI-42 Heavy MGs.

300 L-2 Oliphant Main Battle Tanks.
Short description: Reaction Armour, 130mm main cannon, drozod and auxillary launcher. Before they're used, you should really read the full description at http://s3.invisionfree.com/nsafrica under Lusaka's military size. Approx 1000 men make out the tank crews.

10 pieces of 155mm artillery with crews(of 8 men, but it can be operated by 4). Carries HE-frag, HE and advanced tear gas shells.

3 ADI-A5 trucks modified to carry IRBM launchers - all carry a classified payload(likely conventional or chemichal warhead IRBM, but ADI quartermasters ain't saying nothing).

Support Corps. 840 engineers, cooks and surgeons.

Short brief on Commonwealth troops(applies to troops already in this campaign as well): RAC troops are not fanatically loyal outside their homeland, but follow a recently instated code of conduct called the Mshat, that is very similar to the bushido code of WWII japan. They rarely break and flee, but may be demoralized to a point where they will either be incapable of fighting or launch suicidal attacks - This is mainly out of fear of secret police officers inside their ranks, but also in healthy part due to their well-funded training and sense of honour.

All RAC personnel is well-trained in close quarters fighting, unarmed with Krav Maga or armed with the wicked ADI-issue machetes, as the Mshat demands such skill.

My internet access may be quite unreliable for the next week or so, and if the show has to go on while I can't get on, Kilean's player will control my forces.

The AC forces will be deployed in the south with 3rd army in Agrenida. It is hoped that their close-in fighting abilities will be used best in the city fighting. AC troops have developed a formidible reputation from the insurgent war.
_____________________________________________________________

Long developed in secret, the "Donner" strategic bomber is revealed at a war rally near Neuwald. 6 of them are built so far, and the planes would be considered advanced prototypes in peacetime, but they have been pressed into service ahead of schedule.

http://mercury.operationcitadel.net/~matthias/nationstates/img/kileanbomber.jpg

Heavy bomber "Donner"
Length: 55 meters
Wingspan: 40 meters
Top Speed: Mach .99
Unrefuled range: 12,000 miles

Armament:
2 30mm cannons facing rearwards

135,000 pounds of munitions in internal bays. It is assumed that the Donner can carry stand-off missiles and guided weapons as well as nuclear weapons, they have only been observed carrying unguided "iron" bombs as well as cluster weapons for use against area targets.

Electronics: Although fitted wtih basic ECM systems, the Donner cannot compare with the Etronian Aesir heavy bomber in terms of electronic warfare equipment. The Donner is mostly a "bomb truck", and isn't supposted to assail air defense systems alone.

Operational capacity: Although only 6 have been deployed so far, current plans call for a wing (36) of the jets to be deployed, although possibilities exist for a much larger force.
_____________________________________________________________

In their first action, the Donners, along with Etronian heavy bombers, carpet-bomb Agrenida, hoping to crush the resistance there.

<ooc>Stupid Qwest killed my internet access for the last two days, so I haven't been able to do *aything*. Thanks for holding off and not nuking me to oblivion while I was away.</ooc>

The first runners from Dibujante's retreating army had reached Gorillo. After a brief moment of thought, Gorillo faced the fact: he was going to get pincered between II Corps and Stahlsburg. He would have to leave the scene or take one of them out.
II Corps was out of the question. The men had just been beaten by them, and would not fancy another encounter. Retreat, and Dibujante would be officially losing this war. Furthermore, he'd likely die in the harrowing withdrawal through the pass; Kilean still had air superiority.
"If I fail, I'm dead. Either way." were the resigned thoughts of Gorillo. Clenching his fist, he turned them into bloodthirsty ones! If he died, he would take as many of those Kilean bastards with him as he could!
Motioning to his aides, he gave orders to pick up camp and advance into Stahlsburg. His main force would bolster the combatants within and try, through anything Kilean could throw at them, to take the city, regardless of casualties or damage. They would leave most of their supplies at base, taking with them only ammunition, radios and RPGs. They could scrounge around Stahlsburg for food if they won, and if they lost, it wouldn't be a problem.
Once in Stahlsburg, they would try to hold out against II Corps. II Army should (hopefully) suffer somewhat in the taking of Stahlsburg, leaving Dibujante with one threat: II Corps. Hopefully, the city would provide sufficient tactical advantage for Dibujante's overwhelming numbers to beat II Corps. "If there are any overwhelming numbers left" snickered Gorillo.
Meanwhile, Vargas has been moving up and down the riverbank, constructing pontoon bridges with the help of men on the other side of the river. While they never last long, he attempts to get as many men across as possible.
The southern coalition is making progress. It is now only a day's march from Vargas' former base and (hopefully) Etronia's last spotted position.
The attackers who pushed 5th army back are settling in. Workers scurry around setting up sand-bags and digging trenches. They can't push past 5th army without support, as 5th army's gas weapons have proven themselves again and again. But they can set themselves up as an anvil for the coalition's hammer.
A massive shift is occurring in Dibujante's territory. In order to counteract war casualties, troops are moving from the southeast (where there has been little fighting) to the center, to guard supply lines. Soldiers who were formerly guarding supply lines are now seeing action at the front, as tens of millions of new soldiers become available for deployment. Kilean has only begun to bleed Dibujante.

Etronia's increasingly harried helo-mobile artlilery brigade succeeds in convincing the Etronian 1st army to close on Vargas. (See close-in map.) Vargas has just finished a new pontoon bridge, and although the artillery is aware of it they're holding off for the attack, which happens within 45 minutes of the bridge being finished.
Unfortunately, this merely transfers the harried, desperate look from the gunner to the ammo loader. They know precisely where their target is, and it doesn't keep moving - but they have to fire at it a whole bunch.
Etronian command figures that it didn't take the commander last time, and it wants him now. A bombing flight and artillery are timed to coincide 30 seconds before the 1st attempts to move in. A number of the helo-mobile artillery pieces are dedicated to smashing up the choke point dibujante's forces have set up.
Not as much softening of the target, but hopefully they'll all still be in disarray when the 1st moves in. They're sort of counting on it.
The backup sections, pretty much useless in their original backup capacity, join the main fight, except for one, meaning the attack is comprised of 6 mech. infantry, ~4/5 armored divisions. Of course, they can't all attack at once, but the commander has the capacity to rotate out troops from the front and bring powerful reinforcements to bear in trouble spots.

ooc { I really should include the 'included map' if I mention it in the post, shouldn't I? }
Closer in:
http://www.operationcitadel.net/~matthias/nationstates/img/vargasriv1.png
(and by tank traps I mean dragons' teeth)
Overview:
http://www.operationcitadel.net/~matthias/nationstates/img/vargasriv2.png
If you want, dibujante, I can make a real close-in thing of your choke point.

Outside Argrenida

The troops arrive, and greet the Dibujante forces at Argrenida with a ceremonial shelling of their position. Most artillery keeps silent, waiting for the time of the next assault, where advanced tear agent will be used to flush enemy combatants out of the building and into waiting RAC infantry.

Tanks and IRBM are kept back in case of enemy counter-attacks.

Missive to Kilean HQ from RCAF command

Anadicion lies in ruins, and JDAM fragments cover most populated areas. They will think twice about their stubborn defense now, or so we should hope. What munitions does the Kilean air force employ, and is it possible to refit our B-Down heavy bombers with Kilean munitions? Any sort will be fine, although JDAMs and guided missiles would be the most effective.

To AC: Kilean industry is currently mobilizing, and huge. Between etronia and kilean there exists a huge industrial base as well as electronics industry. Kilean factories could very soon simply be making copies of AC JDAM's.

The KAF uses a good mix of laser-guided weaponry and conventional bombs (but no JDAM's- we're nervous ASAT's taking out the GPS system). However, in this war, we've found little use for those. Kilean factories are cranking out conventional bombs and cluster/napalm weapons in huge numbers. Most air attacks are against area targets.

Indeed, Kilean has more than enough equipment. We are short of (trained) men. Our huge economy is cranking out tanks and ammo and cannons, but the drill instructors and officer canidate courses can only move so fast. We have several divisions worth of equipment just sitting in storage for lack of operators. Indeed, if the AC or any other power would simply furnish the men, we could equip an entire division with Kilean equipment.
_____________________________________________________________

The Kilean homefront:

Total war mobilization continues as planned. Not as extreme as some would expect, as Kilean is still phasing all fighting-age men out of their jobs slowly- it will take time to train women to replace them. In the southwest, near Polzn, massive training camps are the centers of a huge mobilization effort as around 40 new divisions are already several months into training.

This is not enough, however. More front-line troops are needed. To remedy this, the C-grade divisions- reserve units that use the oldest reserveists and obsolete equipment, and aren't fit for combat- are being re-equipped with first rate equipment. Currently deployed in rear areas (or guarding the coast), when the refit is done they will all be able to be sent to the front. Indeed, the first seven infantry divisions have been upgraded already, and have been stripped from coastal defense and sent to Stahlsburg.
_____________________________________________________________

In Stahlsburg, Dibujantean forces quickly push the remaining Kilean defenders out of the city as II corps cuts them off. Standard doctrine would be to now sit back and just shell the city until there is nothing left, but this is a Kilean city, and a seige or bombardment is not acceptable. 2nd army will have to assault the city, and heavy bombardment or gas is not an option.
_____________________________________________________________

Etronian public opinion is starting to swing against Kilean over the use of chemical weaponry. To remedy this, the Kilean government begins a huge public relations campaign in Etronia. Most of this consists of giving the Etronian media huge access to the fighting around Stahlsburg, and what follows is a very memorable broadcast....
_____________________________________________________________
ENN Broadcast:

It's nightime, and the camera sweeps across the horizon. The city looks vaguely wrong with all the lights out. It's backlight by the orange glow of flames. The popping and cracking of explosions are heard echoing from the city center. Green and blue tracers shoot back and forth. It looks apocalyptic. The noise is drowned out for a moment as Kilean jets scream overhead, twards the city. The camera pans back and over the road.

Dejected soldiers file down the middle of it, exhausted. These are the men that have been pushed out of stahlsburg. Weary, almost staggering, they come in hodgepodge units- Kilean infantry, ragged Etronian troops, Promise of Joshuans in tanker's coveralls, even men in civilian clothes with Civil Defence armbands. To either side of them march the reservists.

"I'm here just outside of Stahlsburg, where dibujantean troops have taken and, although they are isolated, now control the city after weeks of desperate street fighting. In an attempt to drive out the Dibujantean army, the Kileanishe have thrown their oldest reservists onto the line"

The camera pans over the men marching twards Stahlsburg. They are middle aged, perhaps grey in the temples or with paunch showing under their uniforms. Their faces, however, are steeled with a grim determination. Around them, the retreating soldiers, despite their exhaustion, begin to dig in. The camera moves up to one of them.

"Sir, this is ENN news, do you mind if we ask you a few questions?"

The Kilean soldier- an officer, climbs out of his foxhole, shovel in hand and rifle over his shoulder.

"yeah, yeah, I guess I can talk."

"Can you tell us how the men are doing right now?". The reporter, it seems, is shooting for a human interest angle, but the response soon becomes an icon in the Etronian public mind.

"How are we doing? How are we doing? We've been in retreat for weeks. I've had over eighty percent of my men killed. I haven't slept in 36 hours, and I'm one of the well rested ones. The reds just keep coming and coming and coming and there isn't any way to stop them. We just had to abandon a city, a city where people live. The last month has been hell on earth. We've lived like animals, always on the run, always looking over our shoulder. We've slept and eaten and died in our fighting vehicles-Joshuans, Etronians, Kileans- it's just a slaughter. We're fighting a force of nature, not an army. We can win one battle, maybe, but it doesn't matter. We blew up half the city, we placed a whole modern army corps in there, but it didn't stop em."

The reporter is clearly uncomfortable- this man is clearly desperate, despondant. A look of forced newscaster-sympathy spreads over the interviewers face. The officer looks to be breaking down.

"But you know what? Not one of my boys has ever given up. Not one of 'em. Nobody ever said 'I give up'. Nobody surrendered. Nobody left their comrades to die. I...." The officer begins to cry, a jagged sob. He grits his jaw, and continues in a shakey voice. "nobody gave up....." He composes himself.

"I saw men who couldn't even speak each others language die for each other. I saw men- Etronians- who'se homes were a thousand kilometers away stand and fight like they were defending their own. We've been defeated, we've been slaughtered, but we have NEVER stopped fighting. And we never, ever, ever will. I'm digging this hole, and, yeah, I'll probably die in it. But know what? I'm tired. I'm just too goddamn tired of retreating, of running. We're gonna stand here. Beacuse that-"

He gestures to the burning city.

"That's our home."

He looks at the camera, tears streaking his grimey face, kunckles white gripping his shovel.

"Now.....I....I've got a hole to dig."

The newscaster is speechless. The camera simply pans once again past the 40-something men marching twards Stahlsburg.

In a small, quiet voice, the reporter simply says

"ENN, in the field, near Stahlsburg."
_____________________________________________________________

The flash from an Etronian tankbarrel lit the woods with a ruby glare. The shell, hypersonic now, rent a trough through the air, invisible to onlookers save the cone of superheated air and smoke, slammed into a Dibujantean barrier with a fiery reverse-teardrop of an explosion.

Dibujantean 7.62 rounds chattered off of Etronian armor, reducing tree-trunks to bullet-soggy pulp, sending chips of rocks flying, and eliciting shrieks of pain every time they tasted flesh.

They had been fighting for hours, Dibujantean troops behind barricades and Etronian soldiers and armor steadily advancing. They had abandoned many positions, now, as they fought farther and farther back towards the riverside that Vargas was encamped by.

At the river, Vargas weighed his options. It seemed more and more likely that the line would falter. Etronian troops were pressuring Dibujantean soldiers to the river, and had already circled around to block escape from the north.

Well, he had a contingency plan. A brief radio dispatch set all units on the other side of the river to command protocol Alpha*, and a barked order got supplies into his armored vehicle. Quickly loading into it, and picking a few trusted men, he turned on the ignition...

...to be greeted with an enormous red glow from a few miles down the riverbank.

Puzzled, he sent a radio confirmation request to the southern units. No response. Radio signals to other surrounding units recieved similar silence. Finally, he locked onto the channel of a unit who was much farther south than that area.

The unit was in retreat. Etronian tanks, it appeared, had broken through and were moving up from the riverbank. Soldiers were advancing through the woods from the south onto Dibujantean lines, which were buckling under the pressure.

Cursing his ill-fortuned gamble, Vargas radiod his line to reform into a semi-circle. They would fight backwards until they had their backs to the river. Chambering a round into his Dragunov, he fiddled with the sights. If he was to meet his end, he would make it a costly end.

*Alpha protocol means that there is no intermediary hierarchy between the officer of a 40-man squad and the Chairman. It's inefficient for coordinating things, but highly efficient for survival.

As the millions of dibujante troops that attacked 5th army dig in, the overall commander of the 5th likewise orders his men to entrench. The 5th army is only really there to secure the northern flank- it is not an offensive force- so the counter-attack that was expected by dibujante will not happen. Instead, two bands of trenches, foxholes, and prepared positions runs all along 5th armies position for dozens of kilometers. It seems that trench warfare has made an appearance in this war.

The 5th army's defensive line isn't so much a constant barrier so much as a network of bunkers, tank positions, and artillery spotting posts. Few men are on the front line, as most are in quick-response units about a kilometer back, ready to counter any thrust made by dibujante.
_____________________________________________________________

Around Stahlsburg, the exhausted 2nd army makes a massive final offensive against the Dibujantean forces that have taken the city. The Dibujante troops are surrounded, yes, but there is immense political pressure to re-take Stahlsburg as soon as possible. Beacuse the standard kilean doctrine of a massive opening artillery attack won't work- the Kilean army has already blown up half the city and popular opinion demands that there has to be something left to recapture- in this attack the KLM must resort to simply throwing infantry divisions into the city and hoping that superior Kilean squad-level tactics and individual infantry training will win the day.

Two fresh Etronian divisions, three exhausted veteran Kilean divisions, and seven C-grade reserve divisions (175,000 middle aged men only recently issued front-line equipment) storm into the suburbs just before dawn. They are a hodgepodge force, but they fight with a determination never before seen in this war. For it's part, II corps begins to drive east, rolling up the Dibujantean troops behind their lines, and hoping to secure the passes before any attempt can be made to reinforce the Dibujante northern front.

Although for the most part devoid of support, the attack is supported by the battle-hardened helicopter brigades of 2nd army. Super Cobra and Hind attack helicopters range over the city, their insectile forms pouring rocket, cannon, and antitank missile fire with pinpoint accuracy against Dibujante strongpoints.

325,000 men backed by over 600 attack helicopters and the entire airgroup from the ENS Adamant (75 carrier aircraft armed with prescision-guided weapons) will attempt to rapidly overwhelm the Dibujantean troops with a minimum of collateral damage. If this attack succeeds, then Stahlsburg, and indeed, the entire northern theatre, will be once again in Kilean hands.
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http://operationcitadel.net/~matthias/nationstates/img/kileansoldiers.jpg
Battle-hardened Kilean troops supported by helicopter gunships in action somewhere near Stahlsburg.
_____________________________________________________________
In the south, the Etronian 1st army has broken the back of Gen. Vargas's army. However, a number of Dibujantean troops were able to cross into Kilean. 16th Air Cavalry division- one of the heliborne units that first crossed into Dibujante- is pulled from it's duties policing occupied Dibujante, and sent to hunt down the Dibujantean soldiers infiltrated into Kilean. The air-mobile infantry force will scour the countryside along with the battle-tested ISD regiments until every Dibujantean soldier in southern Kilean is captured or dead.
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In Agrenida, another frenzied urban battle is about to break out. 3rd and 4th armies, bolstered by African Commonwealth troops, are launching a final offensive to claim the city once and for all. The Panczer divisions that have encircled the city begin to close in, creeping into the suburbs, while 16 infantry divisions swarm the city center with heavy air support from Kilean Army Aviation. Emphasis is given to attaining local numerical superiority. While as a whole, allied troops are outnumbered, they are able to use the main roads and helicopters to concentrate at key locations, so that where it really matters, Dibujantean defenders are met with more, better trained, better equipped enemies. The fighting will be fierce- in many cases hand-to-hand, and in this role the African troopers have proved formidible, using machetes and martial arts training to storm many a dibujantean position.
_____________________________________________________________

It is clear to all who really are experts that Kilean is trying to re-gain the strategic initiative it lost with the destruction of the santander bridge and Dibujantean invasion of the north.

Kilean tank commanders and sharpshooters took careful shots at Dibujantean defenders. Not wanting to damage Stahlsburg any more than was necessary, Kileanish forces appraoched with prudence. However, as soon as Kileanish troops were in position, they would push into Stahlsburg with intent to conquer.

Gorillo's troops had spent many hours fortifying Stahlsburg. With the help of explosives, local and imported, Dibujantean engineers brought down building after building to supply materials for fortifications.

Kilean troops wasted no time. As soon as they had taken up positions outside the city, they attacked the Dibujantean force.
--------------------
Olvieda's troops attacked Etronian invaders on a regular basis. The land north of Camarilla was littered with bodies, Etronian and Dibujantean alike, as well as the husks of former armored vehicles. Etronian troops were being effectively pushed back to their transports by overwhelming Dibujantean pressure in the area. Prudently, Etronian commanders were cutting casualties and pulling troops away from the Dibujantean menace.
--------------------
Vargas lay gray and dead. He was slumped against the flagpole of his base, his dragunov still held in one stiff hand. His sword, a ceremonial badge of office, was missing from his sheath; he had found time to plant it in the side of an Etronian soldier before he stood fast against the hail of bullets that ended his being.

Etronian soldiers performed routine checks of the area. No Dibujantean soldiers remained, as all had fought to the death, but one could never be sure. 1st army patrolled up and down the riverbank until they had secured all of the Dibujantean supply dumps and recon points in the area.

Etronian jubilation was short-lived, however, as southern units reported skirmishes with the advance guard of Dibujante's southern coalition.
--------------------
Commander Ernesto of the southern coalition was not a man accustomed to fighting, as the southern regiments had been mostly untouched in every Dibujantean war of the last century. However, he now stood at the head of a massive coalition: an impressive force of 12 million soldiers that had drained Dibujante's southern border of all of its troops.

Dibujante was becoming depopulated: the eastern bank of the river was desolate, the southern border was empty, and the eastern reaches of Dibujante were becoming abandoned as Dibujantean troops marched to the front. Hopefully, the war would end before Dibujante's entire population ended up food for rats.

Commander Ernesto reviewed his most recent intelligence. He could spot the location of the Etronian force with good accuracy, as Vargas' last position was well-known. He would attack 1st army and attempt to push past or through them into the heart of Kilean-occupied territory east of the river. Argrenida would be intentionally left alone, whil the coalition attempted to cut it off from supplies, then grind it into the ground using the forces assembling in the east.
--------------------
The Kilean attack on Stahlsburg had begun in earnest. Dibujantean troops were well-entrenched, and, despite a technological disadvantage, were proving difficult to kill. Kilean troops were cautious yet determined, at once to preserve as much of Stahlsburg as possible and to avoid running into a Dibujantean meat-grinder, while trying to make haste through the city. It was becming rapidly more apparent that they would have to be circumspect, however. Dibujantean defenders held their fortifications for as long as possible, making each step into occupied Stahlsburg as painful as they could.

While Kilean troops continued their inexorable advance through Dibujante's impromptu fortifications, Dibujantean engineers were hard at work. They, as well as any troops Gorillo felt he could spare, were demolishing Stahlsburg as quickly as possible: no finesse, little caution, they simply had to bring those buildings down. "Let the Kileans have what's left," thought Gorillo, "we don't need this city intact anyways."

Another building collapsed into rubble, its pieces hauled off by soldiers to form another line of barricades. The fight would be long, bloody, and uncertain. But if Gorillo had to give up Stahlsburg, there wouldn't be much Stahlsburg to lose.

The tank rolled across the green, trimmed lawn. Behind and to other sides of it, soldiers followed in two columns- nervously glancing in all directions. Popping noises broke out all around them as they traded fire with the remaining troops in the square.

The tank reached the marble steps, treads ripping at the stonework. With a loud crack it hit the big timber door. It backed up slightly, then rammed again, knocking the imposing door off it's hinges. The men clustered behind it swarmed in through the gap. The firecracker sounds of gunfire- punctuated by loud bangs- rose to a peak, then abruptly fell off.

Figures appeared on the roof of the building. The Kilean flag unfurled on top of the Agrenida city hall.
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Agrenida has fallen to Kilean and AC forces. Bombarded since the start of the war, and under concerted attack for weeks, the defenders of the city finally lay down their arms. Even before the fighting dies down, 4th army begins to dig in in preparation for a counter-attack.

In a not-all-that-public move, the mayor of Agrenida is taken out behind the city hall and shot, along with most high-level party officials.
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Etronian 1st army is going to come under heavy attack, and soon. Allied commanders form a battle plan: 1st army will retreat, drawing the Dibujantean forces, and then 3rd army- the most powerful mechanized force kilean has, with some 6 panczer divisions, 7 infantry divisions, and 2 indep. panczer brigades, along with the AC division and an elite air cav division- will drive south out of agrenida, trying to cut off the dibujantean salient. After taking Agrenida, it seems that allied forces will be in a defensive posture in the south.
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http://mercury.operationcitadel.net/~matthias/nationstates/img/lion.jpg

The 3rd army is now field-testing the next generation Main Battle Tank, intended to replace the T-72 aust.k. Lighter than the cougar, the "Lion" MBT mounts advanced ceramic/composite armor, an extremely powerful turbine engine, top of the line fire control and a 125mm long-range rifled cannon. 16 of them are currently with 3rd army for field testing. These are semi-prototypes, and are currently having a lot of problems wiht....well, everything, although the biggest source of trouble is the transmission and the turbine engine. Information gained in the coming battles will be put to use for the production version.
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In stahlsburg, the attack into the city has been called off. The 7 C-grade divisions will encircle the city, and starve out the defenders. The lack of supporting artillery fire and the fact that middle-aged reservists were being used in the attack meant that Kilean casualties were simply more than high command was willing to accept. The seven divisions dig in around the city, air strikes are called in on remaining supermarkets and food depots in stahlsburg, and the city water facilities are taken and held by Kilean special forces. Dibujantean troops under seige will lack food, clean water, and sanitation.

For it's part, the rest of 2nd army, led by elite II corps, begins to dash eastwards. Their objectives are the passes, which are coming under heavier and heavier air and cruise missile attack.
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The door slid open. Tens of thousands of feet below, the sea washed against the shore of northern dibujante. All around, Albatros heavy transports flew in formation, guarded by EAF and KAF fighters.

The paratroopers stood, clicked their ripcords onto the wire, and waited. The light near the door turned green. Screaming "Airborne!" at the top of their lungs, the battle-hardened men leapt from the plane, parachutes fluttering open.
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The Etronian troops in Camarilla, on the verge of defeat, are given a boost as two divisions from I Corps (airborne) are dropped into the Etronian pocket around the city in their second drop of the war. A Kilean division and an Etronian division, as well as four Etronian airborne brigades- about 38,000 men alltogether, are parachuted into the pocket. Veterans of Operation Halo, these men have been training and resting in occupied Dibujante ever since the crossing of the santander river. Their arrival will considerably bolster the Etronian defense.
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Kilean Army Aviation, along with Kilean Air force jets, begin a search-and-destroy sweep all across Dibujante. Their target is the remaining Dibujantean air force. A mix of Jaguar and Falkon aircraft attempt to destroy Dibujantean planes on the ground, or, failing that, engage them and destroy them. This operation sees the first use of the new "Raven" air superiority interceptor, a design that has been rushed into production due to the war. A wing (36) of the jets are now in operation with the KAF. These are fast, long-range air superiority jets, similar in role to the F-14 and F-15.
http://mercury.operationcitadel.net/~matthias/nationstates/img/airsuperior2.jpg

The Raven can carry the "Talon" long-range anti-aircraft missile, which can be fired at targets up to 90 miles away. They compliment the short range dogfighting ability of the nimble Falkon with a powerful air search radar, long range weapons, and impressive speed.

In addition to the new Raven jets, the Donner heavy bomber is now a full production model, and the first two squadrons have begun operating from airbases inside Kilean.
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In occupied Agrenida, a scheme that has been under consideration for some time is put into motion, and the political front of this war is about to be drastically changed......

Belgrano- no, Presidente Belgrano, now- reclined in his chair. The old occupant of the seat was the Mayor of Agrenida....but he didn't need it now.

Life was good, thought Belgrano. Kilean marines spring him from that damn labor camp, and he gets what he's deserved all along! Now he was the true, legitimate leader of Dibujante. Belgrano stroked his impressive moustache. Yes, he was his own man now. Strong, with no restrictions. Head of State, he answered to nobody.

"Sir, the Kilean ambassador is here" The aide peeked into to the room.

Belgrano sat up, frantically smoothing his impressive uniform and standing up to shake the hand of the Kilean ambassador.

"good morning, Mr. Belgrano- I trust your first day in office is going well?"

"I look forwards to freeing my people, sir. Once again, Free Dibujante thanks your country for it's assistance and brotherhood." Belgrano seemed like a used car salesman. The ambassador wondered if he had ever said an honest word in his life.
_____________________________________________________________

The Republic of Free Dibujante is declared in Agrenida. It claims soveriegnty over all of Dibujante, and is now officially the government in allied-occupied Dibujante. President Belgrano is a former party offical rescued from a prison camp in an earlier raid (he was held on corruption charges). His moustachioed visage is now being painted on EVERYTHING in free Dibujante.

The FD army will soon take to the field. It operates with Kilean officers, and is comprised of re-educated Dibujantean POW's or deserters.

The Government of Free Dibujante is hated by the people (who are loyal to the regime) and the high party officials (who ARE the regime), but it has a good base of support among the mid-level party beaureaucrats, who finally have a chance to become elites themselves- and- to get rich, something that was officially impossible in Dibujante.

<OOC: Free Dibujante is a lot like South Vietnam in the Vietnam war. Corrupt, and posessing a minimal amount of popular support. Free Dibujante is mostly the creation of the Kilean Foriegn Office and the ISD<OOC>

The landing forces - 3 divisions, plus the 2 airborne - dig in. They know that C-grade divisions from Kilean will be coming, and they think they may be able to hold out.
Most of the force returns closer to the beachhead, within range of fire support from battleships offshore. An armored brigade digs in by the old HQ in an effort to make it appear that the whole force is still occupying the old position - if Olvieda tries to attack, Etronian gunners will have a very exciting minute before they cut and run to the old position.
This seems like a lot of trouble to go to to buy a little time, but when you have 5 divisions (only one of which is armor) facing 20, you do everything you can.
Strategic bombers pull that dropping mines trick again (rather than just cluster bombs whose bomblets don't explode, this is a dedicated munition: there's an antitank and antipersonnel variant, and antipersonnel is greatly overrepresented in this drop), all over the advance routes to both the beachhead and the old HQ. Dibujantean forces will be crossing at least one of those minefields ...

The Etronian 1st Army cooperates wholly with the 3rd. They've had good success with flanking maneuvers in the past, and if they're not the ones taking point in the flank so much the better.
Shovels are in high demand as the increasingly desperate need to build decent (temporary, sadly) emplacements has to be filled in a shorter and shorter timeframe.

Observing the tactical information from DD-1B Spy Planes, the Admiral received a call from Prime Minister Anoit.

"How is the situation progressing, should we join in and help our Communist friends?"

"Not very good, sir. Joining in we could most definatly change the way the situation unfolds."

"Hmm.. stay out of it. "

"Understood, sir."

(OOC: I withdraw, I totally forgot about this and committed these forces to other situations.. I already thought I said I was going to stay out of it but..)

<OOC: eeh, doujin, I've checked your nation pop and economy and....well....there isn't any way you can have that big of a navy. Etronia, Dibujante, and I are cutthroat realists. Etronia is the largest naval power among us, and he's bigger than you in pop by a pretty good margin. His fleet is about half your size. I just got the impression that you were this multi-billion pop nation from your post count. In terms of NS standards your navy is pretty plausible, but we're much more beholden to real life. This is in addition to the fact that 200mi is REALLY short range for a naval engagement. You'll have to give us a hell of a lot more warning/time before you get that close. <OOC>

Yes there is, this is just slightly larger than the US Navy.. I could list every single US Naval vessel if you want me to.. US has about 280 million pop? I have 551 mil... Very Strong = about US Economy.. and when you factor in that the US has, what, the largest air force? I have similarly almost no air force, unless you count my naval air forces.. but that counts as navy. and a relatively small army.. and, (wow) my naval forces just teleported back to Doujin's main port.. damn that puts us farrr away from you.. will take us awhile to get there now -.-

Admiral Stotten stalked across the bridge of the KNS Ostendt. It was over, it was finally over. For the whole war- this war that had consumed hundreds of thousands of lives and whole cities- he had sat here offshore, and waited. Once! Once he did stuff! He fired his antiship missiles into camarilla, but that didn't end up doing much. Seeing the etronian battleships fire was cool, though. For the first week. After that it just hurt your ears.

Now, though- the Doujin task force is sailing its way to Dibujante. There was a naval war to be fought. Already, the coastal minelayers of the Kilean Navy were reinforcing the heavy minefields that had been blockading Dibujante since the start of the war. The Naval Bomber reigments were sent on search sweeps deep over the ocean to locate the incoming task force.

In orbit, High Perch spysats shifted orbits, as KNAA space boosters lofted yet more Tacit Angle killsats into orbit.....
_____________________________________________________________

In preperation for the arrival of the task force, the Kilean navy goes to a higher state of alert. The coastal-defense missile batteries are readied, and all ships prepare to go to sea.
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Kilean’s navy has been historically a small force. However, this has changed in recent years, primarily with the purchase of the KNS Ostendt battle group from various former soviet states.

KNS Ostendt battle group:

1 Kirov-class BCGN (the Ostendt)
3 Sovremnyy-class destroyers.
3 Udaloy-class ASW destroyers

2nd surface group:
3 Krivak-class antisubmarine frigates
1 Neustrashimy-class multirole frigate
1st submarine flotilla:
4 type 209 diesel-electric submarines

2nd submarine flotilla
4 type 209 diesel-electric submarines

Other surface forces:

4 PHM 1 Pegasus patrol/missile hydrofoils
5 Grisha-class coastal ASW corvettes
17 Wirbelwind coastal missile boats (kilean made, 150 tons. Armed with 4 exocets and 76mm OTO melara DP gun)
12 costal minesweeping corvettes (kilean-made, 800 tons)
6 underway replenishment ships
8 oilers
4 sub tenders
11 military sealift cargo ships


<OOC>: all the Russian-made ships have had electronics overhauls and now sport integrated systems on par with mid-80’s western bloc ships <OOC>

The GEV squadrons:

The Ground-Effect-Vehicle was a concept hit upon by the Soviets during the cold war, and never really developed. These are craft that “fly” on the air cushion developed by ground effect. Not boats, not quite planes, and not hovercraft, GEV’s can carry heavy weights at high speeds over water. The GEV squadrons have become the elite of Kilean’s coastal navy. Their speed and ship killing power can be matched by few units on the seas. Their weaknesses are a HUGE turning radius, and a vulnerability to air attack (moving too fast to use ship AA systems, flying too low to use aircraft AA systems). Kilean operates two kinds of GEV- the Lun type antishipping GEV (http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rus/903.htm), and the Orlan fast transport GEV (http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rus/904.htm), used buy Kilean Naval Infantry for coastal raids.

1st Enkranoplan squadron:
12 Lun type missile GEV’s

2nd Enkranoplan squadron:
12 Lun type missile GEV’s

1st fast naval landing squadron:
14 Orlan transport GEV’s

Naval Aviation:

Kilean naval aviation is large for a small navy, however, it has been surmised that maritime patrol is essential to prevent any blockade of Kilean, to project power, and to effectively hunt submarines. These all are land-based aircraft. Kilean has no carriers.

1st Naval Bomber regiment:
36 Bear maritime patrol bombers (various maritime models)

2nd Naval Aviation regiment:
24 Buccaneer strike jets configured for anti-shipping missions.

12 Super Entard fighters. (also in antishipping config.)

3rd Naval Bomber Regiment:
36 Bear maritime patrol bombers (various maritime models)

For coastal defences, the old 16in guns still stand watch on Kilean’s beaches. Now they are backed up by mortar positions, machinegun nests. These old defences have been built upon over time. None of the equipment is top of the line, indeed, most of it is obsolete, but the sheer quantity makes any opposed landing a daunting proposition.

In additon to the coastal defences, Kilean has manufactured huge numbers of the 50’s era “SAMLET” cruise missile, and these are deployed in huge numbers, covering the entire Kilean coastline. These anti ship missiles are old, but there are a lot of them.

NOTE: Kilean has also layed heavy minefields all along the Dibujantean coastline, esp. around major ports.
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Facing the new strategic threat, Kilean Armed Forces Command re-deploys the Kilean air force to bases in Northern Kilean. The ranks of the KAF have been bolstered by new production since the start of the war. The far larger Army Air Corps will provide support to Kilean forces in Dibujante, while the smaller and more professional air force will counter Doujin's forces.
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Kilean Air Force

Total Aircraft:

Air superiority fighters: 36 (the newly introduced "Raven" interceptors)

Tactical fighters/strike craft: 396 (11 wings of "Falkon" multirole strike jets)

Long range strike/medium bomber: 108 (3 "gryphon" wings)

Tactical ECM craft: 64 "gryphon" electronic warfare variants

Strategic bombers: 24 (2 "donner" squadrons)

Airborne Refuelling jets: 108 tankers (3 wings)

Airborne warning/control: 12 airborne radar craft (mostly handled by etronian air force)

Total aircraft: 748
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Nervously, the high tech warriors await the first satillite passes, the first patrol bomber sightings of the incoming fleet. As the bulk of the Kilean navy slips away from it's moorings, the war takes on a new demension, one far removed from the blood-and-guts fighting on the ground.

ust in case it's, you know, needed.

The Etronian navy is a large, sophisticated, and well-funded force. The central striking power of the Etronian Navy is in its six carrier battle groups. In addition, the Etronian navy also has a significant amphibious assault capability, as well as a large and effective ASW surface fleet. The Etronian submarine fleet has seen growth in recent years, with the launching of 12 nuclear powered attack submarines to supplement the diesel-electric fleet of earlier years.

All Etronian ships are fitted with “bleeding-edge” battle IT systems, and have an integrated defense ability, data management capacity, and battle group integration that would put AEGIS to shame.

Carriers:

Stalwart Class:

ENS Stalwart, Steadfast- CVN

Type: nuclear-powered light fleet carriers

Displacement: 36,000 tons

Speed: 33 knots

Armament: 8-cell sea sparrow (x4), 20mm CIWS (x3)

Air wing: 60 aircraft.

Electronics: Advanced air search radar

Adamant class

ENS Adamant-CV

Type: conventional fleet carrier

Displacement: 61,000 tons

Speed: 29 knots

Armament: 76mm OTO melara DP mount (x2), Goalkeeper 30mm CIWS (x4), 8-cell Sea sparrow (x1)

Air wing: 76 aircraft

Electronics: Air search radar

Resolve class:

ENS Revenge, Resolve, Resplendent CVN

Type: Nuclear-powered super carrier

Displacement: 95,000 tons

Speed: 30 knots

Armament: 8-cell sea sparrow (x2) Goalkeeper 30mm CIWS (x4), 4-cell Meteor point defense HVM (x3)

Air wing: 90 aircraft.

Electronics: hyper-advanced air search radar.









The carriers are deployed in battle groups consisting of the carrier itself, 4 ASW/multirole destroyers, 2 multirole frigates, and more often than not, a guided missile crusier. In addition, several fleet resupply ships (usually 3) will accompany the battlegroup.

Surface Combatants:

Forthright class guided missile destroyers

24 ships

Type: multirole destroyer. ASW/antishipping role.

Displacement: 4,200 tons

Speed: 32 knots

Armament: 76mm OTO melara DP mount (x2), 30mm Goalkeeper CIWS (x2), 12.75in ASW triple mount torpedo tubes (x2), 18-tube Asroc launcher (24 rounds), Exocet quadruple launchers (x2), 8-tube naval croatale launcher (x1, 32 reloads)

Air wing: 2 ASW helicopters

Electronics: sonar, advanced ASW sonar, air search radar, towed sonar

Rapid class guided missile frigates

15 ships

Type: air defense/multirole frigates

Displacement: 3,200 tons

Speed: 33 knots

Armament: 76mm OTO melara 76mm DP mount (x1) 20mm CIWS (x2), Six-cell sea wolf SAM (x1), 10-cell Sea Sparrow launcher (x1, 40 reloads), 4-tube harpoon launcher (x2)

Air wing: 1 helicopter

Electronics: Advanced air search radar, sonar

Sabre class guided missile cruiser

7 ships

Type: multirole missile cruiser

Displacement: 10,500 tons

Speed: 30 knots

Armament: 5in/54 Mk.45 DP gun mount (x2), 30mm goalkeeper CIWS (x2), ‘vector’ anti-ship/ land attack cruise missile VLS (32 cells), 18-cell Asroc launcher, Sea Dart SAM launchers (x2, 46 reloads)

Air wing: 2 helicopters

Electronics: Advanced air search radar, advanced ASW sonar

Vigilance class helicopter carrier

ENS Vigilant, Valiant, Victorious

Type: Antisubmarine helicopter crusier

Displacement: 9,850 tons

Speed: 31 knots

Armament: 76mm OTO melara DP mount (x1) 2 cell Exocet launcher (x2), 20mm CIWS (x3), 8 cell Sea Sparrow launchers (x2), 12.75in ASW torpedo tubes (x6)

Air Wing: 8 ASW helicopters and/or Harriers

Electronics: Air search radar, hyper-advanced ASW sonar, towed sonar

Formidable class Cruisers

6 ships

Type: air defense cruiser

Displacement: 10,000 tons

Speed: 30 knots

Armament: 5in/54 Mk45 DP mount (x2), 30mm “goalkeeper” CIWS (x4), 2-rail “sky sweep” long-range SAM launcher (x2, 40 reloads each), 4-cell “Meteor” point-defense HVM (x2, 32 reloads each), 4 cell harpoon launcher (x2), 8 cell ASROC launcher (x1, no reloads)

Air Wing: 1 spotter/ASW helicopter

Electronics: Hyper-advanced air defense computers, fleet air defense data hub, very long-ranged air search radar, sonar.

Courageous class guided missile destroyers

12 ships

Type: multirole/land attack guided missile destroyer

Displacement: 4,500 tons

Speed: 30 knots

Armament: 76mm OTO melara 76m DP mount(x1) , 16-cell “vector” anti-ship/land attack cruise missile VLS, 20mm CIWS (x2), 2-rail multipurpose missile launcher (42-round magazine, carries sea sparrow/asroc), four cell meteor point defense HVM (x1, 16 reloads)

Air wing: 1 ASW helicopter

Electronics: Advanced air search radar, Advanced ASW sonar, towed sonar array.



Battleships: Unlike the re-fitting process that the Iowa-class battleships went through in the US, the two re-commissioned Etronian battleships have undergone what could be termed a rebuild. They have had total overhauls in their electronics systems, and are now just as “wired” as any ship in the Etronian navy. Seaplane-tending facilities have been converted to helicopter facilities, the rear-deck catapults are now a helicopter pad, and all the original AA armament has been removed. The old room-sized analog gunnery computers have been replaced with a desktop-sized computer. The Redoubt class was chosen for re-commissioning because it’s armor scheme- considered a huge blunder when it was built- was most suited to modern sea combat. The Redoubt class were designed using data from the battle of Jutland, where it seemed that low-trajectory shots to the side were the real ship-killers. Designed to basically fight Jutland, the Redoubt, like the Bismark class, placed the majority of it’s armor protection in it’s side belt. This entire theory was shown to be folly when dive-bombing and plunging shell fire killed many a battleship in world war 2, and the Redoubt class was decommissioned. However, it was noticed in the 1980’s that the heavy side armor would be perfect protection against sea-skimming missiles……

The Resolve-class as originally launched in 1935:

Redoubt-class battleships

4 ships

Type: battleship (BB)

Displacement: 41,800 tons standard, 52,000 tons full load

Speed: 29 knots

Armor: 12.8in side belt, tapering to 10.6 in. 4.5in deck armor, 14.5in turrets, 13.9in “citadel” armor. (special treatment steel)

Armament: 12 15’ high-velocity guns (x4 triple turrets), dual 6.5in guns (x6), dual mount 4in DP guns: (x8), double-barreled 37mm AA (x12), quadruple 20mm AA (x20)

Air wing: 2 seaplanes

Electronics: crude ranging radar, analog fire control computer, optical rangefinder, crude ASDIC.

The Redoubt class was re-activated in 1986, and given a full re-build. This was in response to the worldwide deployment of large surface combatants, and the proliferation of sea-skimming missiles. The engines were for the most part left alone. The most expensive part of the re-build (in adjusted terms, it cost more to re-build them now than to build them in the first place) was the electronics suite. Carrier-grade air search radar and targeting systems make the Redoubt class very “smart” ships. The space freed up by removing obsolete electronics equipment was converted to modern use, and the room that once housed the analog gunnery computers now houses the first-rate Combat Information Center that is sported by the Redoubt class.


In terms of armament, the change is even more pronounced. All of the 4in AA guns have been removed and replaced with modern weapons, and so have two of the 6in guns. The remaining secondary armament has been re-fitted with auto-loading gear and new ranging devices, making them serviceable DP mounts up to modern standards. In a controversial move, “X” turret (second-to stern) has been removed and replaced with a VLS system for “Vector” cruise missiles. The Redoubt class are truly battleships brought into the modern era, and are formidable surface combatants.

Redoubt-class, circa 2004

2 ships- ENS Redoubt, Recalcitrant

Type: Guided missile battleship (BBG)

Displacement: 41,800 tons standard, 52,000 tons full load

Speed: 29 knots

Armor: 12.8in side belt, tapering to 10.6 in. 4.5in deck armor, 14.5in turrets, 13.9in “citadel” armor. (special treatment steel), interior Kevlar sheeting for magazines, command areas. Automatic firefighting system.

Armament: 9 15” high velocity guns (3 triple turrets), 32 cell “vector” cruise missile VLS, dual 6.5in guns (x4), 8-tube naval croatale launcher (x4, 18 reloads each), Creusot-Loire 100mm automatic DP gun (4x double turrets), 30mm “goalkeeper” CIWS (x4), two-rail Meteor point defence HVM launcher (x2, 24 reloads each),

Four-tube harpoon launcher (x4), Breda compact dual 40mm mounts (x6)

Air wing: 1 ASW helicopter

Electronics: Advanced air search radar, advanced C&C facilities, sonar







Submarines: The Etronian navy has recently launched 12 nuclear powered attack submarines. These are not all that deep-diving, fast, or quiet. However, they are the first to be made with Etronian sonars and (more importantly) Etronian sonar input filtration computers. The Etronian submarines have some of the best combat computer and data analysis systems in the world.

Kraken-class attack submarine

12 ships

Type: nuclear powered attack submarine

Displacement: 5,000 tons, 5,900 tons submerged

Speed: 31 knots submerged

Dive depth: 300m

Armament: 16-cell “vector” VLS, 21in torpedo tubes (x6, 24 reloads, various types)

Electronics: Hyper-advanced sonar, towed-array sonar, hyper-advanced ASW sonar suite, data filtration computers.

Air Force:


The EAF is a massive and high-tech air force, up to world standards, and ready to contest the skies with the best of them. The EAF contains some 1,200 aircraft, broken down into the following categories:

65 strategic bombers

60 AWACS/NECAP/misc. command and control/SIGINT craft.

130 tanker aircraft

550 air superiority fighters (equivalent to F-15)

625 strike fighters/ground support craft (Equivalent to F-16, F-18, Tornado)

80 medium bomber/deep strike craft (F-111 equivalents)

AWACS/Tanker- these roles are filled in the EAF by converted boeing 777 airliners. The tankers are pretty much of the same type as most nation’s. Where the EAF really shines is the AWACs/C3I planes. These are fitted with a combination land/air search radar system with the combined abilities of the Israeli phalcon and JSTARS. A single E-777 is capable of tracking thousands of units and instantly transmitting that data (via a sophisticated encryption) to the local commanders.

Strategic Bomber:

The Aesir strategic bomber is a sleek swing-wing design a la the B-1 and Backfire bombers. Mounting excellent ECM systems and penetration aids, the Aesir can fly some 10,000 miles without refueling to deliver a bomb load of roughly 75,000 pounds, carried in three bomb bays as well as externally. The Aesir has a top speed of mach 2.1, and is fitted with Terrain-following radar. Armament consists of conventional bombs, air-launched cruise missiles, nuclear gravity bombs, and externally-mounted land-attack missiles (penetration aids). Antiship missiles can also be carried.

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The Etronian navy forms one force again, save for one battleship battlegroup supporting retreating forces near Camarilla, with the addition of few new ships ...
The "Tall Arc" bristles with electronics. Aside from what appear to be two miniature observatory domes, and more SAM launchers than normal for the Etronian navy (and the obligatory CIWS), it doesn't look like it would do that well in a straight naval engagement with another ship.
Once coalesced, the Etronian navy enters complete radio silence. The battleLAN interfaces are taken down. All inter-ship communication is done by signal lights.
They do, however, hear things from high command. The VLF antennae back in Etronia, used for positioning, are also capable of transmitting data, and they periodically tell the navy ... things.
The navy will not be caught by surprise.
The navy moves to take up a position 500 miles east of the projected course of Doujin's navy.

The land-based lasers come online, ensuring a bright future for Etronian power companies. The beams are visible at night as they track (and blind) Doujin's spy satellites.

ooc { That '500 miles east of projected position' position is constantly being updated. They're not immobile.
The new ship mentioned is a new class, a "command ship", so to speak - with even more redundancy in the battleLAN system, a prodigious number of comms systems; the SAM launchers are mostly HVM launchers, aside from one "Sky sweep" launcher. }

Commonwealth Armed Forces status: Recon sweep!

several Yak-44E AWACS planes takes off from the Isle-class landing craft outside the Camarilla beachhead, and more than fifty M1976-A BMP drive out from Combined division VII near Argrenida to use their long-distance radar arrays. The common goal is to establish location of large concentrations of enemy troops, and the coordinates of larger cities like Divinidad and Olvieda.

In situations where terrain is too hazardous for M1976 entry, small scouting parties are sent forth both from the VII C. Division and the marines in the Camarilla(northeast and south, respectively), to locate cities and larger warbands inside Dibujante.

Meanwhile, the three mobile IRBM launchers drive closer to the Dibujantean lines, for no apparent purpose.... Yet.

ooc question: would it be acceptable to reenter the thread with the forces I had posted on pages 1 and 2 less losses incurred? I specifically ask for the naval element "Task Force Peiper" to help with the new arrival. (I hope that nation scales back to a realistic force level. I can provide the NE calculator for force types if needed)

Let me know and I will start posting Sunday night EST.

OOC: POJ! Good to see you back! The losses you have taken: the naval front has been very very dull, with only a single skirmish between kilean patrol boats and dibujantean speedboats.

On land, however, Joshuan 10th armored fought a valiant rear guard action for IV corps (now folded into second army) in it's brutal retreat twards stahlsburg. It, along with just about every unit in 2nd army- except for II corps- has taken heavy casualties, and is on the verge of exhaustion.<OOC>
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http://mercury.operationcitadel.net/~matthias/nationstates/img/map.jpg

The situation on the front before 3rd army launches it's counterthrust. Arrows are major attacks. Dibujante is keeping the pressure on the Camarilla landing despite airdropped reinforcements, and Kilean forces have mostly re-taken northern Kilean and are beseiging the pocketed, starving EDP forces in Stahlsburg. A massive Dibujantean force has hit Etronian 1st army, sending it in retreat (albiet an organized one).

3rd army charges southwards out of Agrenida. It's infantry units are ragged and exhausted from the city fighting, but it's panczer divisions are intact. Culling the artillery units from the spent infantry divisions, 6 panczer divisions and 2 independent chasseur-equipped brigades, with more than double their usual number of artillery units, attack in an attempt to cut off the Dibujantean forces forcing back 1st army.

The assault begins with a brief but ferocious 2 hour bombardment, followed by 3rd and 4th theatre missile brigades lobbing Scuds with VX warheads into the Dibujantean force's rear areas. In addition, the multipule rocket artillery favored by Kilean has proven to be an excellent delivery system for chemical weapons, and unguided rockets range deep into the Dibujantean force.

It is known Etroniai dislikes chemical weaponry in the extreme, but with an attacking force of some 13 million light infantry without chem warfare gear, only one option seems to present itself.

The initial assault also sees the first useage of two new ammunition types- a "beehive" advanced artillery round that will shower a huge area with lethal shrapnel. These munitions excel at mowing down infantry in the open. The other shell is a 125mm flechette round- basically, a shotgun shell for the T-72aust.k. Both types are used heavily in the initial attack.

The tanks and APC's roll forwards, over the chemical-soaked moonscape of the initial bombardment area. They are racing the clock in more ways than one. They have to cut off and crush this force before Etronian 1st army is driven back too far, but they must also do it before the rainy season arrives.

In southern dibujante, torrental rains make large-scale armor manuvers impossible. Once the rains start, Kilean will not be able to make any offensives until they lift. In a bit of conciliation, the EDT militia will also need to go home to tend to their farms and help prevent flooding.

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<OOC: I talked with Dibujante about the weather, and we both more or less agreed that the rainy season will affect the situation as described above. The front will basically be stagnated by the weather for several months, allowing both armies to rest, regroup, and dig in. Although trenches in the rainy season are not popular with the men<OOC>
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At sea, the whole of the Kilean ocean-going fleet is ready. The massive KNS Ostend plows through the waves, technicians doing the last checks on it's massive SS-N-19 missiles. The Bear regiments are fueled and waiting on the runway, props idling. The Donner heavy bombers lumber into the air, flying to their hold points. The Navy and Air force have finalized their plans, and now are waiting for the Etronians to commence their segment of what soon will become the Battle of the Etronian Sea....

Off the Dibujante Coast between Camarillo and Costa Orgullosa

*still in international waters but not by much**

Our arrival changes things does it not?

Yes, Commodore Peiper it does. Perhaps the Dra-pol will make good on their threat of involvement.

Their show of support solidifies our position and changes our orders considerably

Combined Task Force Peiper and Zebulun:

CVNs Solomon, Levi, Zebulun and Jehu
14 Tocongeroga Class CGs
18 Arleigh Burke Class DDGS
3 Spruance Class DDs
9 OH Perry class FFGs
9 Watson Class Transports carrying a Seabee regiment and the 10th Armored Div.
6 LHA/LPD combinations carrying a full Marine Division
3 AOE fleet supply ships
3 Mine Sweepers
2 AS-39 Sub tenders

4 LA Class SSNs * submerged*
8 LA Class(i) SSNs * submerged*

4 Oscar II Class SSGNs*submerged* and now closer to the land border but off the coast in international waters

Traveling behind the task force at a slower speed.

12 Kilo Class Diesel Attack Subs
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the kilos submerge and take up station in support of the blockade in front of the surface ships and in conjunction with the nuclear attack subs in the group.

off the Camarillo coast between it and the land border

first one, then another head breaks the surface near the shore in the cold night air. A long pause and then both move closer to shore as other wetsuit clad swimmers move closer to the surface and repeat the actions of the advance scouts. The swim in from the Moses had not been to terribly difficult; the waiting for the right time with the tides had been the hardest part.

Netanya; the POJ

The massive Watson class MLRS transport ships continued loading M1a2s and Bradleys and other vehicles of multiple POJ Armored and at least one Mechanized Divisions who had been quietly mobilized. There was no way to hide the buidup in the port or the slowly growing group of escort vessels in the bay. Six more Marine Regiments had already loaded aboard their LHA and LPD MEU vessels earlier along with the Borden Medium Battle Tanks they now used as standard equipment


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ooc: I am operating with the above as initial forces deployed. The Netanyana post refers to a full armored corps(3 army divisions) and an armored corps (lite) (2 divisions) and another full Marine Division. My Divisions are 20,000 - 24,000 men each. I will be reposting my military force compliment in the military force section of the forum. Its updated on page 38 of that thread with a pop of 800mil. Now over 1.1bil but will make only some alterations to force support numbers as I have purchased 3 battleships and added 2 carriers in the interim which may appear here.
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ic

Promise News Network

currently shows a line on a blank screen announcing an "emergency broadcast test". This test is media wide as radio stations are similairly affected. Those listening to one "contra" radio station briefly heard an announcer commenting on the "large number of refueling aircraft already launched seemingly headed towards Kilean with c141s currently beng loaded with paras and what looks like flying saucers taxiing on the runways at New Jericho City airfield" with aircraft noise increasing in the background

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In the open sea between AC and Kilean Theatres

Fleet Admiral Rauss in the commo shack of the PJS CVN Judah(Nimitz class) reads a transmission and comments to his staff while holding on to the bulkhead as the massive ship rocks gently in the extremely heavy seas. The snow still melting from his gloves soaks the page as he reads:

Excellent The supplemental landing group from Netanya has joined with the Rahab and Jordan CVN force and the battleships Raider and Padre. Our force will be joining them at sea just prior to arrival in the Kilean threatre. Commodore Peiper will no doubt execute directive #1 with respect to the doujin naval forces should they or any naval elements approach the theatre. Inform the CAG that she is have her CAP aircraft aloft with warshot from this point.

ooc: This force was deployed to the AC theatre with 8 carriers and is now in route arrival sometime Sunday EST. This and the Netanya battle group are additions to the forces posted at the beginning of this thread/post.

Aboard the PJS Solomon

Commodore Peiper enjoys spending time on the outdoor bridge wing in spite of the cold. Speaking to the CAGs of the 4 carriers under command.

Commence ground support strikes with the s3 Viking craft we have have aboard. Save the RF-11 Archangel strike craft as we have multiple duties that we soon become apparent.

Coordinate with the AC AWACS planes to vector to targets of the dibujante coastal army. Primary targets should include transport ability and roadways from the deployed dibujante forces inland that they may use for retreat or redeployment.

The staff salutes without comment and hurries in from the cold.

A short while later a force of 12 s3b Vikings configured for ground strike lift off and head for the Camarilla beachhead area with 4 F14s flying cover.

Solomon strike gs1 inbound requesting vector to priority targets

ooc: AC feel free to take this strike under command and rp it hitting dibujante forces in the Camarilla beachhead area or let me know and I will start the strike myself

ooc: hope this works:

video released during the govt. enforced "emergency blackout" of the media of the POJ strikes against the dibujante "imperialists" outside Camerilla, city of the "Free Dibujante"

here (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/images/mav.mpeg)

note: takes a while to load on dialup

An ear-ringing explosion echoed off of the walls of the pass as another Dibujantean soldier made a fatal mine-disarming mistake under the overcast sky.
To be fair, it was hard work. Not only were most of them undertrained, but they were being rushed and the lighting wasn't good. It was rain season in Dibujante, and patches of sunlight were sporadic and weak.
Onward they worked, though. They had to clear the passes as soon as possible; Dibujantean troops were alraedy moving into position at the passes to advance again into Kilean and help the besieged and faltering defenders of Stahlsburg.
Dibujante's northern bastion, entrenched against Kilean troops, is hard at work. For the first time in this war, Dibujantean troops are serving an important function by *not* charging enemy positions: ensuring the safety of supplies and troops transported through the passes. The trench networks are growing quickly, and Dibujantean manufacturies are producing 125mm smoothbore anti-tank guns (as the rains are making tank movement impractical), to be emplaced in the trench networks and at key locations leading to Anadicion. It's even planned for artillery use in siege-situations, badly supplementing some of Dibujante's stalemates.
Forces near Stahlsburg are pinned against the pass. Minefields make a retreat impractical, but they are attempting to hold for as long as possible, then brave what remains of the minefield in a retreat to Dibujantean territory. Another 4 million men have been moved from Cataliana to the southern pass to ensure that the northern bastion does not get pincered, and to prepare for a counterattack. They bring with them anti-tank guns to make a tank crossing hell.
Dibujante's southern coalition is now faced wtih a deviation from the plan: They had expected more out of Vargas' forces, but he fell with far too many Kileo-Etronian troops in the area. As such, they're marching through territory that is much more contested than planned.
The commander makes a change of strategy: four million of his men will proceed as planned, trying to scoop behind Argrenida and cut the advance off from supplies and communication. Another four million will about-face and march southwards to try to beat the flanking force. As the advance has been hurried, it is not known how well they will fare, but if they are defeated, they are under orders to retreat eastwards, waging a guerrilla campaign in Dibujante's now-muddy woods and fields.
The last four million will be split two ways: 3 million will race ahead, attempting to interpose themselves between Argrenida and Anadicion, should worst come to worst. The final 1 million will march westwards, taking advantage of troops occupied fighting first and second taskforce to try to cut supplies and communication between northern and southern branches of the Kileo-Etronian force.
The Chairman has had good connections to the outside world and has now had time to reply to Doujin's volunteering. In a radio missive, he fully briefs Doujin of the situation: a technologically superior enemy, numerical superiority in Dibujante's favor, occupation of the western bank, and a rainy season that threatens to turn anything larger than a truck into a steel fossil. He awaits Doujin's assistance, and proposes that Doujin's commanders have control of several Dibujantean divisions in order to provide the manpower necessary for their operations.

OOC: Promise of Joshua>> AC commanders will be pleased to coordinate the strike, but i suggest we RP our craft and their strikes independently - mostly because i'm fairly intimate with the systems I use, but I don't know what sort of planes and munitions you're using etc.

STRIKE ATTACK!

Using the info trickling steadily in from "Tall Mike" APC-based radar arrays, radar sweeps from the CNF cruisers off the Camarilla coast and the Yakhont 44-E AWACS planes flying regularly over Dibujante; The AC tactical commando executes the heavy duty that is striking at the enemy. Targets were designated for the ADI-AV-42 heavy bombers and IRBM launchers all over the country, mainly larger concentration of enemy infantry and armour, and of course fortified strongpoints.

Dibujantean-held Stahlsburg

Stahlsburg was a wreck, and might appear as though it could not be rendered in a worse condition. This would prove to be a wrong assumption. Looking to the sky, privates Muerro and Raoul steadied themselves. That odd ear-piercing whine was a bad omen, and...

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/images/slcm2d.jpg

Far overhead and away, an AWACS pilot nodded to himself, and turned on his com-link. "First Long Spear on target."

Revolutionary Manufacturing Collective XII, outside Anadicion

Esmeralda put effort into her work. Word was that foreign armies, of Etronians and Commonwealthers, breaking into her motherland. Yet, word was also that the revolutionary forces were giving them hell, and might hold the line. If the anti-tank cannon she was making would aid the revolution, and keep her loved ones save, may it destroy many a reactionary foreign bastard soldier! She spat on the ground, and began bolting on the sights when the siren let out it's bone-chilling call. When she ran out she saw the big plane silhouettes against the morning sky, and the more unnerving smaller black silhouettes they dropped.

Only fifteen minutes later, wreckage and broken bodies were all that remained of the manufacturing plant.

Way east of Argrenida
((approximate location of the Dibujantean force sent to the waypoint between Argrenida and Anadicion))

The three million men trot-marched. Speed was of the essence, and Anadicion was not to fall, if the people's army had anything to say about it. While stories of destruction and death ahead was not the brightest motivation in the world, the men could see how many they were, and knew that they could make a difference. Some scattering occurred in the ranks when a loud whine possibly heralded incoming artillery. Noone saw the ballistic missile before it exploded in a moderately sized plume of flame over the infanterists' heads! A noise like a strong wind rushed the area, and then all was silent except for the confused and pained screams of nearby soldiers.

While a few dozen unlucky scramblers had been killed by the heat and a small amount of shrapnel, the missile had either been a dud or one with an extremely small payload. The army gave off a nearly collective sigh of relief, before they realized what the 1000kg SCD(Scatter-Capsule Dispersal) warhead actually contained: advanced Sarin, fresh from Commonwealth laboratories. Small, formerly innocous shrapnel lay all over the muddy plain, their deadly cargo seeping out over the ground.

While the wet and somewhat cold weather vastly decreased the agents effectiveness, knowing this would not have eased the terror of the socialist army, as the comrades disarmed and ran for real or imagined cover... Just not for long. Without even a struggle or cry, men keeled over dead to the left and the right.

Elsewhere, the AWACS pilot confirmed that the second Long Spear IRBM had struck home, noting that the "Spear Poison" was working according to plan.

Cataliana

Two ADI-AV-42 heavy bombing platforms deliver their cargo on a mostly demilitarized town: 10,000 pounds of cluster bombs, 4 4000 lb. HE-Frag dumb bombs, and a few GPS-guided bunker-cutting munitions targetting what SAM, artillery or armour the town may hold.

Commonwealth tactical missile firing side, behind the Kilean border

The engineers held their breath, and executed the launch procedure for the third ADI-R6 "Long Spear" Intermediate Range ballistic missile. The launcher tilted to the correct angle, tipping ever so slightly, and... Remained in place. Cursing their bad luck, the commanding officer informed Kilean and AC command centres of a malfunction.





OOC:

There you have it! I assume that the BMP-mounted "Tall Mike" arrays would be able to locate the 3-million force moving between Argrenida and Anadicion. If it's too much of stretch, please inform me and I'll designate another target for the Sarin-loaded IRBM.

The first IRBM had a 1000 kg HE-Frag warhead, and hit the Dibujantean pocket at Stahlsburg, if there was any confusion about that.

Targets that were attempted bombed were:

a single Manufacturing plant(the one hit was actually a lucky fluke, seeing as AC does not know where the plants are located!)

Any large Dibujantean forces(500.000 and up) that the long-distance radars could pick up - These would be shelled with ADI-AV-42-borne JDAMs, dumb HE bombs and GPS-guided HE-Frag munitions.

Some villages and towns in north-western Dibujante(Cataliana among others) were littered with cluster bombs, and a few guided missiles to any military strongpoints they may have.

A short while later a force of 12 s3b Vikings configured for ground strike lift off and head for the Camarilla beachhead area with 4 F14s flying cover.

Solomon strike gs1 inbound requesting vector to priority targets



Each of the s3 Vikings loose 6 AGM-64 Maverick D missiles that use infrared imaging to home in on bridges, supply depots, fuel dumps, large concentrations of troops(people) or moving vehicles behind the primary lines of the dibujante coastal army around Camerilla. (72 missiles launch say 2 veer and crash) 70 mavericks inbound.

A second strike of similair compostition plus:

2 E2-C Hawkeye AWACs aircraft and 12 EA-6b Prowler EW aircraft plus 25 F14d Tomcats on an air superiority sweep for dibujante aircraft.

The EA-6b Prowlers are attempting to detect SAM or other radar and communications sources and target same with HARM missiles. Specs are

here (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/ea-6.htm)

Task Force Peiper aboard the PJS DDG Arleigh Burke Class "Ben Usef"

Fire

2 TALM Tomahawks launch from the forward Mark VII AEGIS launch systems heading inland toward the Dibujante troop lines closest to the coastlines on either side of the bridgehead. 16 DDGs launch 2 missiles each 32 Tomahawks inbound

Offshore of the beachhead

The first wave of landing craft plus the LPD (landing ship dock) begin heading toward the beachhead with the first battalions of the 18,000 POJ Marines and 300 Borden medium battle tanks of the 3rd POJ Marine Division. These troops are equipped with M249s and flamethrowers at the squad level plus normal TO+E for USMC (M16s and mortars, LAWs, M60 machine guns etc)and half the tanks are flame equipped.

The Field Marshal in command of 3rd army looked at the map and grimaced. Staffers were running through the halls of the massive headquarters in Agrenida, and the radios and Etronian BattleLAN terminals were adding their information to a ever growing, and frustrating, view of the battle.

....get the 5th brigade back into line! there is a gap in the divisions line about two kilometers to the east!....

....C company, look out! the goddamn reds have AT guns along that ridge! We've lost two tanks already......

....fire mission, grid coordinates Hotel Lima 3-3-niner, beehive rounds, fire for effect, over.....

....this is big bird 2-1, mark your target, over.....

The armored forces of 3rd army seemed at first to be in a great position to cut off the advance of the dibujantean force along it's flank. 1st army would retreat, overextending the ponderous enemy, and 3rd would strike along the dibujantean salient, encircling and destroying the massive force.

No plan survives contact with the enemy.

The crude AT guns are apparently more than able to penetrate frontal armor on Aust.k's at medium ranges, and the rains were heavy enough that the massive 80-ton cougars were now becoming unusable.

This was six panczer divisions with double the normal distribution of artillery units, though, so the slaughter of dibujantean troops had taken place as expected, and their attempt to flank and cut off Agrenida had been foiled. Dibujantean forces were never the best on the attack, and the AT guns they now had, although deadly on the defensive, slowed them down a lot. Attacking heavy armor units with lots of artillery and other support (the divisional helo brigades had proved to be great infantry-shredders) was not going to work for the enemy.

The pressure had also been taken off of 1st army, as the dibujantean force has split to counter 3rd army. However, all the allied forces have done is avoided defeat. Any sort of counter offensive, or even a limited counter attack, seems impossible under these tactical conditions.

Reluctantly, the commander of 3rd army gives the order to dig in. Now, all Kilean units in the southern theatre are occupying defensive, static positions.
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Calling the Kilean positions a "line" is somewhat of a misnomer. The defensive positions that the kilean army have taken up is really a "belt" of dispersed local strongholds and prepared positions some 2-4 miles deep. Right at the front, dispersed listening posts hold small groups of men and artillery spotters. Their job is basically to deter and break up small raids, and to spot artillery and then bug out if a major attack is made.

Behind them (about a mile or so) are more dispersed, but larger local strongpoints that hold local quick-reaction forces of battalion to brigade size. (usually mechanized infantry) to resist any mid-sized attack. This is the real "muscle' of the defensive line- rear-area quick response teams.

Further to the rear (3-4 miles), firebases operate as staging points for helicopter patrols and as bases for the huge numbers of artillery pieces that every Kilean division has.

In addition, every infantry division along the line has their own bastion, usually right in the middle of the part of the line they are guarding. The "bastion" is a large field fortification (earth berms, sandbags, etc) that holds the divisional command post. In addition, every tank from an infantry division's panczer brigade is dug in and used as a pillbox to assist the forces in the bastion itself.

On a larget strategic level, the armor divisions are held behind the line to deal with a dibujantean breakout, although the rainy season makes this prostpect not very likely.

<OOC: this is sort of like the german defensive lines in world war one. not a lot of men at the front, but a lot of local quick-reaction forces<OOC>
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News of the POJ attack is greeted with jubilation in Kilean. With the AC stepping up strategic operations against Dibujante, and Joshuan boots on the ground in camarilla, morale among the line troops has risen.
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In the north, 2nd army has driven the Dibujantean forces back to the passes. As they occupy what remains of the Kilean fortifications at the border, the exhausted men of 2nd army stop marching and fighting for the first time in months. Except for II corps, every unit in 2nd army is exhausted and under stregnth. In the north, Kilean is fielding "divisions" of some 10,000 men. 2nd army is a hollow, exhausted shell, fit only to hold the fixed positions they are now in.

II corps is a different story, and if Kilean only has one effective force in the north, they sure picked one hell of a unit. Losses have been light, and the elite troops of II corps have seen just enough action to become battle-hardened. 2nd army may not be able to do more than hold positions, but II corps will be able to slaughter any dibujantean force coming out of the passes. II corps tankers have dubbed the passes "world s biggest shooting galleries".

Dibujante will not re-enter northern Kilean- the new heavy artillery brought up to II corps will ensure that. However, Kilean forces at this time cannot force the passes, and the problem of Stahlsburg remains....

The Dibujantean forces inside of the city are not having a plesant time. Constant, light artillery bombardments deprive them of sleep, Kilean special forces hold all the city water pumps and reservioirs, and all large food stocks have been destroyed by air attack. It's only a matter of time before a disease breakout or just sheer hunger forces these men to surrender.
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In boot camps all across Kilean, tired recruits drag themselves out of bed for yet another day of getting screamed at. They've been at this for months, and most are now in their advanced MOS training. Three more months. They are counting the days.

Not many of the recruits realize that the generals are just as excited about their leaving boot camp as they are.

ooc Posting this due to doujin not showing back up. I am assuming Task Force Rauss arrives without incident

ic

The following vessels arrive off Kilean and Dibujante in line of battle (most are from the AC theatre)

10 Aircraft Carriers:
Judah, Simeon, Reuben, Midian, Elisha, Elijah, Rahab, Jordan, Hezekiah, Jehu.

The AEGIS Yamoto Class Battleships Padre and Raider

40 Ticonderoga AEGIS Crusiers
60 Arleigh Burke DDGs
8 Spruance Class DDs
24 OH Perry FFGs

12 LHA and LPD Assault Ships carrying the 1st and 4th Marine Divisions (20,000 men 330 tanks each)

40 T-AKR LMSR Watson Class Transports containing the:

11th Armored Corps "Lite"(1 Armored & 1 Mech Inf Div 40,000 men 650 Abrams tanks) plus 10th Armored(already deployed)

2nd Armored Corps (2 Armored and 1 mech Inf Div 60,000 men 1050 Abrams tanks)

3 Rt-S10 Amphibous landing Craft Transports (1 containing the 8th seabee Regiment; 3,000 men plus gear) The others containing supplies which will become apparent.

9 AOE fleet supply ships
3 AS-39 Sub Tenders
6 Osprey Minesweepers

12 Virginia Class SSNs (new) (submerged)
the OHIO class SSBN Benjamin
the Typhoon II class SSBN "Agememnon"(new, on maiden voyage)
4 LA Class SSNs

dispositions to follow (ooc: I was hoping that dibujante would have responded by now to opening moves. Should I continue

Preisdent Belgrano's image was all over Agrenida. He gazed down from every wall and billboard.

This, he thought, was the life.

Support had really gone up for him after the "free TV's for everybody" program. Enough of this earth-hugging socialist crap. It was time for Dibujante to become a modern nation, with modern conveniences! They were gonna drive cars and get rich, just like everybody else. It was time for that damn chairman to hang, and for a new, strong leader to rule the nation!

Belgrano had a lot of moments like that. He spends most of his time preening in his palace, having dissidents shot, and opening doors for Kilean generals.

The social changes that have taken place in the month since the proclaming of the Free Republic have been amazing. Dibujanteans get their first taste of modern life- things like fast food, mopeds, TV soap operas, and hookers. It seems like the people (or at least a vocal segment of them) have taken to capitalism with a real gung-ho attitude.

Well, the screw-you-and-die, I'd-sell-my-grandma version of capitalism. The Free Dibujantean government is frequently (always) corrupt and uncaring, but they are managing to bribe enough people with money and Kilean consumer goods to have the masses (who are used to being told what to think anyways) sort of on their sides.

I mean- sure, it's part of an honest socialist system, but who wants to work on a collective farm when you can drink beer and watch Etronian action movies? Not most of Free Dibujante, thats for sure.

There is a lowest common denominator in most people, and Free Dibujante has found that with admirable speed. Agrenida is a popular leave destination for allied soldiers on leave, and the streets are filled with rowdy African Commonwealth, Kilean, and Etronian soldiers from Army Group South.

Not to be outdone, the Armed Forces of the Dibujante Republic (AFDR) has prancing military parades every day along all main streets.

The army is still getting organized, but soon the AFDR will field some 7 divisions (large Kilean-style ones), of mostly infantry.

Free Dibujantean soldiers are mostly Dibujantean POW's that were captured in the santander pocket in the first weeks of the war. In the five months since then, they've basically been brainwashed and cajoled into fighting for Free Dibujante and the allies. They fight still with basic EDP tactics- lots of mass infantry assaults- but often have Kilean officers at the brigade or regimental level. They've been given Kilean Laandsmacht hand-me-downs: STG-74s and MG-87's. No nightvision, no antitank units,a nd the divisions have a lot less artillery than an equivalent Kilean formation. In addition, most of the troops are foot infantry, although two of the five brigades in each division are motorized, and no division has more than a battalion of tanks.

There will also be Free Dibujante Air Force- 36 Kilean-surplus F-5 inteceptors are waiting for pilots to be trained.

In addition to the AFDR the Free Dibujante Police have also been formed. Despite Kilean and Free Dibujante propaganda, nobody can really conceal the fact that the FDP are corrupt and brutal street thugs in uniform.

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<OOC: as I've said before- Free Dibujante is the bad parts of south vietnam times four. It's existence is not really played up in Kilean media, as the National Republic of Kilean is frankly sort of embarassed by the puppet government. In Kilean newscasts, references are made to "the provisional government" and some clips of AFDR parades and training are shown, but Belgrano gets little airtime

and speaking of south vietnam......<OOC>
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Karl walked down the street. He'd been given leave after the latest fighting to the south of here, when 3rd army halted the reds in their attempt to encircle Agrenida. Now, here he was; Agrenida, sin city. He had fought here in the brutal street fighting.

To the credit of Free Dibujante, the city actually looked kind of nice now. Well, nice to a soldier on leave with a lot of back pay.

"Hey, you tough guy?"

The girl was 'wearing' clothes that had little modestly and less fashion sense.

"I love you looooong time, GI. Real good, ten thaler!"

"ten?" Karl was indignant. "I wouldn't give five"

"Come on, GI, really good time,muy bueno"

As they haggled, Karl wondered if there was anything that wasn't for sale in this godforsaken country.
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<OOC: sorry, I just can't help the full metal jacket reference. It had to be done.<OOC>

The rains came in torrents all over southern dibujante....

...but in south-west Kilean, dust was everywhere as the huge motor pools of the new divisions buzzed with activity.

(beacuse I'm too cool to say bump)

The Visgoth heavy bombers were the latest addition to the KAF. Only a thousand feet above the marshland of southern dibujante, they screamed past at slightly more than twice the speed of sound.

There were two of them, scrambled from an airbase near Neuwald. The ISD had come through with some fresh intel, and it was acted upon. The bomb bays opened, and the massive 2,000 lb bombs fell a short distance to the ground below. The small village was leveled. Several hundred Dibuajteans were dead.

But so was the Chairman.

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Karl looked over his trench. He automatically ducked down, but this time, this time there was no shot. He noticed something odd. The opposite line seemed......empty. Warily, he raised his head over the trench.

The squad radio hissed.

...late last night, Kilean Air Force bombers killed the chairman of the communist party of dibujante...

It was over? No final offensive, no epic battle- it was over?

It was over. Karl didn't know wether to laugh or cry. He did both.
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The Dibujantean government was centralized, yes, but to a much higher degree than anybody thought before. The death of the chairman led to a rapid and almost total breakdown of the Dibujantean forces as a whole.

Beacuse of the general state of anarchy in Dibujante, the allied powers will occupy the territory until the Republic of Free Dibujante- now under new management following the sacking of Belgrano- is strong enough to take over. Dibujante will be responsible for eventual reperations to compensate the allied powers for the costs of the war.

In a symbolic act, the first Kilean troops in Dibujantes capital- a mechanized cavalry recon unit- put the central comittee building to the torch in symbolic vengance for the burning of the Heimatsversammlung.

As it stands, Dibujante is broken up into the following zones:

The Etronian zone, which comprises the south of the country, in a strip from the Kilean border to Olvieda, running just south of Andacion, with the exception of Agrenida, which is under Free Republic control.

The African Commonwealth will administer the western coast of the country (Camarilla and the surronding area), while The Promise of Joshua will administer the area around Costa Orgullosa.

The Kilean zone will encompass the rest of the country, with the exception of Andicion, which will be jointly governed by all of the allies.

This shall be temporary, as the Republic of Free Dibujante should rapidly be able to assume control of the rest of the nation.

Ongoing efforts will be humanitarian assistance to anarchy-wracked rural dibujante, and clean-up efforts in areas contaminated by chemical weapons.

In Kilean, the rebuilding of stahlsburg shall be financed by Dibujante. The new Stahlsburg city hall is built from stone taken from the crushed Dibujantean communist capital building.
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The Heimatsversammlung opens its doors once again, rebuilt. The one difference is the murals. While the victory of Hasern is still central the other walls are quite recent, and depict yet another generation of heroes...

....a Kilean soldier crossing the Santander....

....Etronian marines hitting the beach at camariilla....

....POJ 10th Armored during the retreat to Stahlsburg...

...AC troops storming a stronghold in Agrenida....

...the Kilean reservists standing at Stahlsburg.....


The war is over.
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<OOC: Dibujante ceased to exist. Therfore, I just went ahead and assumed that the country fell into anarchy following the death of it's leader. Reasonable, I hope. Sorry the RP died down at the end, but it was great, and many thanks to all involved nations<OOC>

Although they found the time to participate in a celebratory parade inside Kilean, the 1st AC Marine Corps, 10th mobile missile regiment, and the VII combined Division rather hastily departed from Dibujante, replacing their beachhead corps with the 77th, 78th and 55th Militias. Armed with AK-74/101/103 rifles, RPG-7s and in some cases riot equipment, they should be adequately equipped, if not trained, to handle the anarcy inside the Camarilla area.

President-General Ndelebe praised the bravery of his troops in a press conference today, as well as that of the Etronians, Joshuans and Kilean troops involved.

Kilean queries the African Commonwealth as to the dire need for it's troops elsewhere....

....after all, we have about 2 million men under arms, and our economy is just warming up to total war mobilization. We've got the troops to spare, and a large debt to pay to the African Commonwealth.

Well, considering the the troops that have been moved need serious time for Rest and Recreation, and that we have replaced them with an even larger number of militia troops, we are not certain that the need can be specified as "dire", but we might very well use experienced troops from the Dibujantean campaign in our ongoing struggle against western imperialists in Gabon.

That being noted, we do not need Kilean men or material at the moment, and they should be given a break considering the stressful environment they have been in.

OOC>>

AC does not need reinforcements as such, and I'm not certain that the Gabon RP is open - they seemed pretty stingy about letting me in, and I share a border with the freaking country ;)

Fleet Admiral Rauss order the retrival of the Marine division on shore and the 10th Armored goes into a rest/resupply/regroup mode before making arrangement to have their euipment (whats left of it) deployed home. Support elements (medical, supply, etc) from the 2nd Armored Corps are brought in to help with the Divisions needs and personnel are slowly rotated home as unit are reassembled from the division which has been jumbled quite a bit in the fighting.

In the Costa Orgullosa Area

The 8th Seabee Regiment is deployed with the 3rd Marine Division initially as the bulk of the 11th Lite Armored Corps is ordered to assume regular duties there and preparations are made for offloading and transport. (11th Armored and 5th Mechanized Inf Divisions)

A small POJ AF continent will be deployed at some point once the area is secured. The airbase will be primarily for resupply but a regular rotation will be established for reserve training

to AC: This makes sense. It does seem that the militia are more suited to this occupation role.

to POJ: we give our deepest thanks to the POJ forces that have fought in Kilean.

The Kilean armed forces are engaged in a similar demobilization process.