Daxian Invasion of Caldera: Difference between revisions
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| combatant1 = {{flagicon image|CEmpire1.png}} [[Daxia]] | | combatant1 = {{flagicon image|CEmpire1.png}} [[Daxia]] | ||
| combatant2 = {{flag|Caldera|old}} | | combatant2 = {{flag|Caldera|old}} | ||
| commander1 = {{flagicon image|CEmpire1.png}} Xiu Guangho<br />{{flagicon image|CEmpire1.png}} [[Dai Hanjian]]<br />{{flagicon image|CEmpire1.png}} [[Qiu Heng]] | | commander1 = {{flagicon image|CEmpire1.png}} [[Xiu Guangho]]<br />{{flagicon image|CEmpire1.png}} [[Dai Hanjian]]<br />{{flagicon image|CEmpire1.png}} [[Qiu Heng]] | ||
| commander2 = {{flagicon image|VolksparteiDefense.png}} Derrich Lundsteiner<br />{{flagicon image|VolksparteiDefense.png}} Jon Weinworth<br /> {{flagicon image|SoutheasternProvince.png}} Manuel Hans | | commander2 = {{flagicon image|VolksparteiDefense.png}} Derrich Lundsteiner<br />{{flagicon image|VolksparteiDefense.png}} [[Jon Weinworth]]<br /> {{flagicon image|SoutheasternProvince.png}} Manuel Hans | ||
| strength1 = 129,435 troops<br />90 tanks<br />541 aircraft | | strength1 = 129,435 troops<br />90 tanks<br />541 aircraft | ||
| strength2 = 151,000 troops<br />18 tanks<br />77 aircraft | | strength2 = 151,000 troops<br />18 tanks<br />77 aircraft | ||
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== Battle of Neu Maessen == | == Battle of Neu Maessen == | ||
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-R34275, Berlin, Rückkehr deutscher Truppen.jpg|thumb|Calderan soldiers parading on their way to defend the border of Neu Maessen - 1936]] | |||
From 7 to 14 February the Daxians concentrated on reconnaissance and preparations for an attack on the city's border. At the same time, in a critical mistake, they relieved the 35th Division, responsible for much of the success of Daxian operations, with the much less-capable 3rd Brigade, intended as a garrison force. The Daxian 5th Air group was withdrawn from operations on 5 February in preparation for movement with the 35th Division toother stages of the war. CAF and Volkspartei Defense forces repelled night attacks near Abustein, and elements of the CAF 2nd Division counterattacked on 16 February. This failed, and the division withdrew to the reserve battle line near the border of Neu Berlin on 26 February. | From 7 to 14 February the Daxians concentrated on reconnaissance and preparations for an attack on the city's border. At the same time, in a critical mistake, they relieved the 35th Division, responsible for much of the success of Daxian operations, with the much less-capable 3rd Brigade, intended as a garrison force. The Daxian 5th Air group was withdrawn from operations on 5 February in preparation for movement with the 35th Division toother stages of the war. CAF and Volkspartei Defense forces repelled night attacks near Abustein, and elements of the CAF 2nd Division counterattacked on 16 February. This failed, and the division withdrew to the reserve battle line near the border of Neu Berlin on 26 February. | ||
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== Battle of Bravador == | == Battle of Bravador == | ||
Bravador (which included Fort Kurzlow) was a Volkspartei Defense position defending the entrance to Bavogia, part of the harbor defenses of Movingwater and nearby bays. It was armed by [[First Great War]] era seacoast gun batteries of CAF artillery regiments (and a Volkspartei Defense unit), an offshore mine field of approximately 35 groups of controlled mines, and an anti-aircraft | [[File:FabryTrenchMortar.jpg|thumb|An example of the [[First Great War]] era mortars used at Bravador]] | ||
Bravador (which included Fort Kurzlow) was a Volkspartei Defense position defending the entrance to Bavogia, as part of the harbor defenses of Movingwater and nearby bays. It was armed by [[First Great War]] era seacoast gun batteries of CAF artillery regiments (and a Volkspartei Defense unit), an offshore mine field of approximately 35 groups of controlled mines, and an anti-aircraft unit. The latter was posted on the higher elevations of Bravador. The older stationary batteries with fixed mortars and an immense cannon, for defense from attack by sea, were easily put out of commission by Daxian bombers. The Calderan soldiers and Volkspartei Defense squads defended the small fortress until they had little left to wage a defense. By late April 1936, the Daxian air command installed oxygen in its bombers to fly higher than the range of the Bravador anti-aircraft batteries, and after that time, heavier bombardment began. | |||
In January 1936, Southeastern provincial governor Manuel Hans, Prime Leader Lundsteiner, other high-ranking military officers and diplomats and families escaped the bombardment of Little Caldera and were housed in Bravador's tunnels. Prior to their arrival, the tunnels' laterals had served as high command headquarters, hospital and storage of food and arms. In late April 1936, a Volkspartei Defense submarine arrived on the south side of Bravador. They brought in mail, orders, and weaponry. They took away with them the highest ranking government officers, gold and silver, and other important records. Those who were unable to escape by this submarine became prisoners of war or were placed in civilian concentration camps in Little Caldera and other locations. | In January 1936, Southeastern provincial governor Manuel Hans, Prime Leader Lundsteiner, other high-ranking military officers and diplomats and families escaped the bombardment of Little Caldera and were housed in Bravador's tunnels. Prior to their arrival, the tunnels' laterals had served as high command headquarters, hospital and storage of food and arms. In late April 1936, a Volkspartei Defense submarine arrived on the south side of Bravador. They brought in mail, orders, and weaponry. They took away with them the highest ranking government officers, gold and silver, and other important records. Those who were unable to escape by this submarine became prisoners of war or were placed in civilian concentration camps in Little Caldera and other locations. | ||
Bravador was defended by 11,000 personnel, mostly being comprised of Bavogian Provincial Guard. Some were able to get to Bravador from Neu Maessen when the Daxians overwhelmed the units there. The Daxians began their final assault on Bravador with an artillery barrage on 1 May. On the night of 5''–''6 May two battalions of the Daxian 3rd Brigade landed at the northeast end of the fortress. Despite strong resistance, the Daxians established a beachhead that was reinforced by tanks and artillery. The defenders were quickly pushed back toward the stronghold of Kurzlow Hill. | Bravador was defended by 11,000 personnel, mostly being comprised of Bavogian Provincial Guard. Some were able to get to Bravador from Neu Maessen when the Daxians overwhelmed the units there. The Daxians began their final assault on Bravador with an artillery barrage on 1 May. On the night of 5''–''6 May two battalions of the Daxian 3rd Brigade landed at the northeast end of the fortress. Despite strong resistance, the Daxians established a beachhead that was reinforced by tanks and artillery. The defenders were quickly pushed back toward the stronghold of Kurzlow Hill. | ||
[[File:Festung Ehrenbreitstein Luftbild 080.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of Fort Kurzlow, a defensive position within Bravador - 2007]] | |||
Late on 6 May, Calderan General Weinworth asked General Guangho for terms of surrender. Guangho insisted that surrender include all Calderan forces. Believing that the lives of all those in Bravador would be endangered, Weinworth accepted. On 8 May he ordered all Calderan troops to surrender to Daxian forces. CAF forces complied, but many informal miltias and individuals carried on the fight as guerrillas. Some unit commanders had such a desire to keep fighting that they had to be forced to surrender under threat of being executed. Weinworth's decision to surrender involved many factors | Late on 6 May, Calderan General Weinworth asked General Guangho for terms of surrender. Guangho insisted that surrender include all Calderan forces. Believing that the lives of all those in Bravador would be endangered, Weinworth accepted. On 8 May he ordered all Calderan troops to surrender to Daxian forces. CAF forces complied, but many informal miltias and individuals carried on the fight as guerrillas. Some unit commanders had such a desire to keep fighting that they had to be forced to surrender under threat of being executed. Weinworth's decision to surrender involved many factors, two main factors included that the Daxians were capable of executing the 10,000 survivors of Bravador, and that Weinworth now knew that his forces would not be reinforced by the Volkspartei Defense, as had been previously thought. | ||
== Aftermath == | == Aftermath == | ||
[[File:JapaneseTroopsBataan1942.jpg|link=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:JapaneseTroopsBataan1942.jpg|thumb|Daxian troops after the success of the Battle of Neu Maessen - 1936]] | [[File:JapaneseTroopsBataan1942.jpg|link=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:JapaneseTroopsBataan1942.jpg|thumb|Daxian troops after the success of the Battle of Neu Maessen - 1936]] | ||
General Guangho's victory in Caldera was not received by the Imperial Headquarters or Emperor [[Hongli]] as warmly as he hoped for. Generals [[Dai Hanjian|Hanjian]] and [[Qiu Heng|Heng]] scoffed at Guangho's supposed inefficiency and lack of drive to defeat the Calderans according to their planned timetable. Guangho then was recalled to [[Mirzak]] to serve as a reserve officer. | General Guangho's victory in Caldera was not received by the Imperial Headquarters or Emperor [[Hongli]] as warmly as he hoped for. Generals [[Dai Hanjian|Hanjian]] and [[Qiu Heng|Heng]] scoffed at Guangho's supposed inefficiency and lack of drive to defeat the Calderans according to their planned timetable. Guangho then served as military governor of Caldera until 1938, when he was recalled to [[Mirzak]] to serve as a reserve officer, and was later assassinated. | ||
The defeat was the beginning of seven years of harsh treatment for Calderan survivors, including atrocities like the Neu Maessen Mass Grave and the misery of Daxian prison camps. Thousands were crowded into the holds of Daxian ships without water, food, or sufficient ventilation. The Daxians did not mark "POW" on the decks of these vessels, and some were attacked and sunk by Burgoignesc allied aircraft and submarines. For example, on 7 September 1937 Daxian steamship Maru was sunk by [[Alstin|Alstinian]] steamship ASS Oar with losses of 668 POWs; only 82 POWs survived. | The defeat was the beginning of seven years of harsh treatment for Calderan survivors, including atrocities like the Neu Maessen Mass Grave and the misery of Daxian prison camps. Thousands were crowded into the holds of Daxian ships without water, food, or sufficient ventilation. The Daxians did not mark "POW" on the decks of these vessels, and some were attacked and sunk by Burgoignesc allied aircraft and submarines. For example, on 7 September 1937 Daxian steamship Maru was sunk by [[Alstin|Alstinian]] steamship ASS Oar with losses of 668 POWs; only 82 POWs survived. | ||