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Second Great War: Difference between revisions
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In the earliest part of the war, Urcea employed the use of a full Armored Division, the innovation of [[Yonderre|Yonderian]] advisor [[Benno_de_Caryale#Deputy_Lord_Marshal|Benno de Caryale]]. The Division, where employed, was a major success, defeating both Republican Front militia as well as disorganized Republican Front tankers operating in support of infantry. After the disaster at Marmande, The Armored Division was transferred to XII Corps, though over the objections of the unit's commanders and de Caryale, it was primarily used in a defensive capacity for the remainder of 1934, a decision derided by the military historian Stephan D'Ambrosio as a "massive waste of potential...the shelving of a unit which was a potential war winner in this early stage." Despite its temporary sidelining, the Armored Division was noted by many international observers and is pointed at as a pioneer in international military doctrine. | In the earliest part of the war, Urcea employed the use of a full Armored Division, the innovation of [[Yonderre|Yonderian]] advisor [[Benno_de_Caryale#Deputy_Lord_Marshal|Benno de Caryale]]. The Division, where employed, was a major success, defeating both Republican Front militia as well as disorganized Republican Front tankers operating in support of infantry. After the disaster at Marmande, The Armored Division was transferred to XII Corps, though over the objections of the unit's commanders and de Caryale, it was primarily used in a defensive capacity for the remainder of 1934, a decision derided by the military historian Stephan D'Ambrosio as a "massive waste of potential...the shelving of a unit which was a potential war winner in this early stage." Despite its temporary sidelining, the Armored Division was noted by many international observers and is pointed at as a pioneer in international military doctrine. | ||
===Northern escalation=== | ===Northern escalation=== | ||
Early fall 1934 saw the war expand, first to the detriment of allied forces with the opening of a theater in [[Alshar]] and [[Audonia]] in late September 1934. However, closer to the current theater of fighting, two major participants would enter the war. | Early fall 1934 saw the war expand, first to the detriment of allied forces with the opening of a theater in [[Alshar]] and [[Audonia]] in late September 1934. However, closer to the current theater of fighting, two major participants would enter the war. In the summer, [[Fiannria]] adopted a position characterized by historians as a "nervous neutrality", backing away from its previous support for Derian rebels while keeping Urcea, Burgundie, and the Holy Levantine Empire at arms length. Meanwhile, [[Faneria]] had been mobilizing in secret, partly using arms and supplies from [[Caphiria]] intended for the Derians. Years earlier, Caphiria and Faneria had concluded a secret alliance in the event of Fiannrian intervention in Dericania, an agreement Faneria had incorrectly read to mean a "{{wp|Blank_cheque#In_politics|blank check}}". Given Fiannria's diplomatic isolation, it believed that Imperial forces, who were also otherwise distracted, would not intervene in the event of a war between Faneria and Fiannria. Additionally, Fanerian nationalists had attributed the nation's loss in the [[Fourth Kin War]] as a unique weakness of the nation's ruling monarchy. Accordingly, by October 1934, it appeared the perfect window of opportunity had arisen. Without declaring war, on the morning of 13 October 1934, Fanerian forces crossed the border and launched a surprise invasion of Fiannria. The Fiannrians were caught completely by surprise with many of their border forces routed or encircled and subsequently captured. The "Fifth Kin War" had begun. | ||
The ramifications for the invasion were significant. The Fanerian ambassador was personally summoned to meet with Caphirian leader [[Galdo Bertocca]] and [[Magasevetus]] on the evening of 13 October, and according to eye witnesses the ambassador was lambasted by both men for nearly four hours. While Caphiria was confident that Faneria could defeat Fiannria alone, the preemptive invasion of the Fanerians would likely have the effect of unifying, rather than further dividing, the large powers within the Holy Levantine Empire. These fears came true nearly immediately on 15 October, when Fiannrian officials submitted a request to [[Emperor of the Levantines|Emperor]] [[Brian IV of Urcea|Brian VIII]] for protection and Urcean intervention. The Emperor and Urcean leaders held an all day conference with Burgoignesc officials on 16 October and reluctantly agreed to offer the support to Fiannria, and the latter signed an agreement with Urcea and Burgundie jointly on 17 October. Fiannria refused to sign the more deeply integrated Istroya Pact, instead opting for a looser military alliance. The Tripartite Agreement would form the basis for the [[Levantia and Odoneru Treaty Association]] that would be signed in the coming years. Urcea, Burgundie, and Fiannria jointly declared war on Faneria on 17 October. Fanerian leaders expected Caphiria to honor their secret alliance, and were extremely disappointed to learn that Caphiria would not join the conflict for several months. | |||
=Sarpedonian Theater= | =Sarpedonian Theater= | ||