NationStates Jolt Archive

Background:

Rwanda consists of two peoples the Hutus and the Tutsis. The Hutus make up 85% of the population yet are seen as an underclass by the traditional ruling Tutsi peoples.

Following full independence from Great Britain who took over from the Germans as foreign power in the early 20th century a parliament was set up to rule Rwanda. Prior to this the Tutsi had been allowed free reign to exercise their tribal powers over the Hutu as an example of how considerate the British Empire could be in allowing traditional values and customs to continue. The country is amongst the most densly populated in Africa and as space has run out tensions over land ownership have increased.

Following elections under a universal sufferage system "The Party of the Hutu Emancipation Movement" gained power, benefitting from recent troubles in the nearby nation of Congo the Hutu prime minister and his parliament have gradually been retaking power from the Tutsi people, culminating in some acts of violence resulting in a migration of 200,000 Tutsi to neighbouring countries and 20,000 Tutsi being killed. There is widespread anger against the Tutsi and violence against them is widespread.

This situation has been reported by MI6 to London, CIA to Washington, the South African, Egyptian and Nigerian Intelligence Agencies who all have agents in the area. The governments of Burundi, Congo, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are also aware of the situation.

The British have quietly informed the Commonwealth and EEC of the matter and are considering sending some peacekeepers into the area.

Burundi have promised an infantry division to help restore peace, Kenya a unit of BAC Lightning jet aircraft and Tanzania a further infantry division. Britain has not accepted these yet but has cancelled leave for the British Expeditionary Force and readied transport aircraft to reach the region.

Prior to action Britain awaits UN, EEC, OA, and Commonwealth reactions. The Rwandan government has stated that it is undergoing some "land reforms" and that news of a massacre is unfounded.

OOC: For reading matter look up the 1959 Rwandan civil war.

Japan will offer a Parachute Brigade and a helicopter unit if Britain wishes it

Chancellor Heuss recieved word of the news in Rwanda with sadness. Rwanda had been a part of the German Empire before it was traded to the British. He remembers he took a trip there with his father, long ago.

He called an Emergency meeting of the Cabinet and the Kaiserin was also brought. The general consensus was that since Rwanda was a part of the Empire long ago, that Germany should assist. It was their moral duty. Many, however, decided to ensure that it was in no way Germany's fault.

The Kaiserin offered the use of her Imperial Guard. Since their founding, they have not been in one engagement, the most difficult assignment being the quelling of a riot in Potsdam. If they were going to pay for them, they might as well use them.

So it was decided. Chancellor Heuss send a message to the British Office informing them of the German offer to send up to 4 Brigades of Imperial Guards. Two would be Paratroopers from the Middle East, with them would be their DO 500s as well as 1 TA 202 to accompany. Two others would be Light Infantry, utilizing the new Helicopters. These new "air assault" brigades would pioneer and pave the way for potential reinvestment in the Imperial guard. Should they fail, the traditional Paratroopers would help them.

As part of the Nile Defense Pact, the United Republics offer Uganda a temporary border patrol force to keep the conflict from spreading. A large Republican Force is offered to Britain (or whoever's in charge the peacekeepers) to restore peace. A temporary aslyum in southwestern Sudan is offered to Rwandans fleeing the conflict, although communication and technological issues may prevent most refugees from reaching Sudan.

The two Republican mountain brigades in northeastern Congo are sent south to the Rwandan border.

OOC: I guess no one really cares about Republican soldiers in the Congo. I sent them in there when I gave the first ultimatum to Belgium (which is technically an invasion) and they haven't left since. They're not really hurting anybody and since the Congo isn't a real country yet, it technically isn't an invasion.

South Africa will send offers to send a light infantry division to Rwanda, and is willing to deploy airborne special forces troops to protect and pacify remote villages and other settlements.

SIC:
FVD agents in London quietly contact the British government, stating that President van Aarten is of the opinion that since Rwanda is Commonwealth territory, the Commonwealth should provide the bulk of the international presence in the country.

The Nigerian government reacts with quiet shock and outrage. The news is as of yet not made public, but Niegerian intelligence agents begin looking into extracting some of the more pominent Tutsis. Nigeria also offers the services of their Light Infantry Division and an Armored Brigade as peacekeepers.

The Nigerian Embassy begins to take in refugees. An extra platoon of marines is brought in to protect the embassy, along with two armored cars.

France offers the services of:

Special Ops Forces:
1 Transport Helicopter
1 Airborne Light Brigades -Elite- + Handpicked
1 expert pilots

And:

Supply Wing:
1 Helicopter Cargo
1 Expert Pilot

For immediate action, to serve side-by-side with the British, We also recomend presenting the matter to the UN and attain the services of the Forign Legion.

ooc
Logistics are going to be extremely difficult for this operation. Rwanda being landlocked after all, so everything will have to come in by road and rail, and no major rail lines go through Rwanda. An HQ unit will be needed from someone to operate effectively OR 1 air transport unit for each division sized ground unit or combat air unit operating in the country. Now the aircraft can always operate out of Kenya and other places, but ground forces will need logistical support on a significant scale.

Incidently Koryan, I knew your brigades were in Congo and the US was in position to cut your supply if you had became difficult (chuckle).

IC
The US spends money to create a Congo national army to defend its borders and also prepares to assist the Congolese in handling refugees. The US works on persuading the Congolese and Belgians (which shouldn't be difficult) to allow the UN Refugee Commission to set up and supervise refugee camps.

I thought a cargo helicopter can work as an HQ

FVD agents in London quietly contact the British government, stating that President van Aarten is of the opinion that since Rwanda is Commonwealth territory, the Commonwealth should provide the bulk of the international presence in the country.

Britain concurs and further adds that any more permenant peacekeepers after the operation would be best drawn from African nations so that the feeling of a "European invasion" is not present.

Britain accepts contributions from the following nations:

Kenya - BAC Lightning jet aircraft and pilot
France- Cargo Helicopter and Expert Pilot
South Africa- liight Infantry Division, several airborne assets.
Nigeria- Light Infantry Division and an Armored Brigade

Britain declines assistance from neighbouring nations viz:
Burundi - infantry division
Tanzania - further infantry division
to allow these nations to defend their own borders in case fighting spills over and to provide dedicated refugee support.
Germany- Transport aircraft and pilot.

Britain declines military aid from Japan and the United Nile Republics out of a general feeling to keep the project a Commonwealth matter. Military troops contributions from Germany and France are also declined for the same reasons, though logistical assistance is welcomed (helicopters, transport planes etc). Britain suggests that any nation wishing to contribute further be allowed to supply humanitarian personnel and supplies to help to stop any potential threats from disease or famine.

Uganda accepts UNR help in patrolling its borders and providing aid to refugees.

The British contribution as figurehead of the Commonwealth is likely to include:

BEF
Headquarters Staff
1st (Royal Marine Mechanised) Independent Brigade, 3bns of Royal Marine Mechanised Infantry - 1 elite mechanised marine brigade
2nd (Air Assault) Independent Brigade, 3bns of 1st Air Assault Infantry Regiment - 1 elite airborne brigade
1st SAS Commando - 1 handpicked airborne batallion.

Army Air Support
1 helicopters (transports) and pilots
1 helicopters (cargo) and pilots
2 helicopters (gunships) and pilots

2 C82 air transports will be used to ferry troops to the area, a unit of BAC Lightnings will be seconded from teh UK and based out of Kenya, if required permission ahs been granetd for the use of either of the Avro Vulcan intercontinental bomber wings with tanker support, though this is highly unlikely to be required.

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Local Rwandan forces pre-war included 2 highly trained infantry divisions, largely Hutu based so some fairly decent equipment will be in the hands of the militia, who may also count trained members of the defence force amongst their number.

France approves of Britain's stance so as not to create a feeling of a European invasion, in light of this, in addition to the Cargo heicopter we offer:

1 Transport Helicopter
1 Do 500 Transport
2 Expert pilot
1 Amphibious assault naval transport group

I thought a cargo helicopter can work as an HQ

for a single unit

OOC: Holy shit. I'm am so close to in-fucking-vading Georgia-Armenia or something just so I can fucking get a battlefield test for my Special Forces that I spend more money than some nation's total incomes. I don't spend 10 points a year to have the best soldiers in the world for nothing...

Parthini']OOC: Holy shit. I'm am so close to in-fucking-vading Georgia-Armenia or something just so I can fucking get a battlefield test for my Special Forces that I spend more money than some nation's total incomes. I don't spend 10 points a year to have the best soldiers in the world for nothing...

Oh and Germany withdraws the offer of logistic support. The helicopters are supposed to be used for Air Assault.

after consideration, there is a rail line into Rwanda.. but you still need a HQ unit to operate (1 unit will support up to 10 air or ground units in country, while additional air units can be based elsewhere)

IC
The Americans, Belgians, and Congolese ask the United Nile Republic troops to return home as their presence is unneccessary in Congo.

The US offers Military Airlift Command support to the UK and associated partners in the form of however many C130 and C133 units are needed. A pair of C123 wings and a special operations wing will operate in Congo to provide logistical support to UN refugee efforts in the region.

OOC: lol... I like how you quoted me when you said that.

I was also going to say that I'm pretty sure the Cape-Cairo had a connection to Rwanda. But then I saw I was being hated on. And I forgot about it.

I changed my mind. Germany will be glad to assist the Commonwealth forces with the Cargo Helicopter and Elite pilot.

Nigeria respectfully asks the United Statesto fly in it's peacekeeping forces. In addition, they ask the British to provide logistical support for their units (essentially putting the British in overall command).

The Americans, Belgians, and Congolese ask the United Nile Republic troops to return home as their presence is unneccessary in Congo.

Egypt, seeing it's aid isn't needed, withdraws the four Republican divisions from the Congo and apologizes for any worries it might have caused US/Congolese forces. Before leaving, the UR reminds Belgium that it's input is not needed, as the United Republics do not reconize any form of administration they may have over the Congo that was no democratically elected.

Republican forces are dispatched to Uganda on strict orders to engage only when needed. They are also given orders to obey and assist any nearby British forces should an armed conflict erupt.

the newly formed Congolese Army
5 garrison units, 2 parachute brigades, 1 light infantry division
and Congolose Air Force
1 UH1 transport helicopter unit, 1 F5 fighter bomber unit, 2 pilots

with 2 US Special Forces groups plus various advisors from the Belgian and US military

takes up the following positions: garrrison units are assigned to the capital (Kinshasha), Bukavu (on the border with Rwanda), Kisangagi, Lumbambashi, and Kanaga, while the parachute brigades remain in reserve in Kinshasha, and the light infantry division take up positions to back up the garrison forces near Rwanda.

The Belgian Army in Congo (1 garrison unit, located in Kinshasha), is reinforced by the Belgian Parachute brigade (which takes up positions on the Rwandan border as well).

The US sends in 2 C123 transport units, 1 Special Operations unit (mixed helicopters and C123s) from the USAF (forming the 5th Air Force), while the US Army has the 11th Aviation Group (1 unit each UH1 transport, UH1 gunship and CH47 transport helicopters), plus the 5th and 7th Special Forces Groups.

In addition, 4 C130 transport units are providing airlift support to British and associated power units carrying out missions in Rwanda.



http://it.aminet.net/~aminet/dirs/aminet/pix/map/Zaire.jpg

OOC: Had a headache for much of today, so no action from me i'm afraid, i'll updtae tomorrow after work if I can...

Following severe supply and logistics difficulties the vanguard of the coalition forces eventually manage to establish a supply base and runway near to the Tanzanian border. This lead unit consists of the 1st Commando Brigade alongside elements of the Royal Engineers. German, British, French, US and other air transport units bring in the supports. Soon all units committed are in the area and a major supply base is established with C130s from the USAAF and other forces bringing in supplies on a daily basis from a major depot at Dare Es Salaam on the Tanzanian coastline.

Coalition forces led by Tanzanian, Burundi, Kenyan and Nigerian troops lead the way towards the capital, Kigali, taking more than a week to cover the 50 miles of heavy going jungle and mountainous terrain. Mechanised and armoured forces suffering the most. Passing through small towns and villages on the way they find many abandoned or razed to the ground with evidence of mass graves, all such evidence is duly noted by an official from the British high court and will be passed on to the relevent UN agencies as soon as possible. Several hundred refugees are collected en route and sent back towards Tanzania under armed guard to be received by a UN run refugee camp on the border.

When nearing the capital the British air assault brigade makes use of its helicopter transports and, supported by gunships, stages a drop to take control of the suburbs, under orders to quell any violence by any means required. In the fighting that ensues more than 30 Hutu civilians are killed as well as 4 British paras in missions that result in the rescue of 500 Tutsi civilians. The paras find themselves hard pressed to defend a compound they have established in teh suburbs and are only saved from being surrounded by an angry mob by repeated gunship missions and the timely arrival of the Kenyan vanguard units. The arrival of the coalition troops seems to awe the Hutu who cease rioting and return home almost to a man.

The new units quickly take control of the city, establishing many patrols to ensure that the violence is really over and begin to spread out to the rest of the country. The embassy complexes are put back into use for the collation of data relating to the genocide. The British commander states that he hopes to have the whole country under control by January next year and requests additional UN officials to help in the catalogging of genocide offences. Several Hutu leaders are rounded up and placed under close arrest with several others still being hunted by occupying troops. The civilian airport in the city is reopened and the supply depot for the troops established there.

In the coming weeks the helicopter gunships show their worth in rescuing civilians and indentying mass graves and remaining Hutu forces. Whilst conventional aircraft are relegated to air patrols being too quick to easily examine the ground.