Operation Honey Sun

[Markus Wilding]

Private

 

In the early morning hours, the 1. Infanterie-Division, 2. Infanterie-Division, 3. Infanterie-Division, 4. Infanterie-Division 10. Infanterie-Division, 11. Infanterie-Division, 6. Panzer-Division, 1. Gepanzerte Kavallerie-Division, and the full strength of the Schwarze Korps headed to the Brandenburgian border. Once the go-ahead was given, the combined divisions would cross the border at Bayern, Czech states, and Poland, surrounding Brandenburgian troops and providing, at most, one or two retreat routes. Rules of engagement for ground forces was simple - fire only if fired upon.

 

While this happened, the Kriegsmarine departed from Szczecin with 1,894 soldiers of the Marinestoßtruppregiment, the full fleet in tow. This complement was ordered to land in Lubeck first, securing and holding the city to await further reinforcements in the form of themselves. Given the short distance between the landing zones, it was expected the full regiment could be dropped in in about seven hours.

 

Luftwaffe aircraft conducted sorties, working first on SEAD/DEAD missions to prevent an armed response, if one came. Luftwaffe high command did not want their planes caught unprepared by hidden defenses.

 

In Vienna, work was underway by both the BND and BfV to fabricate evidence of ultranationalists in northern Germany. Everything and anything necessary was being constructed - fake people, fake documents, fake reports from Brandenburgian authorities...no detail would escape the Alvonian intelligence agencies.

 

Public

 

A small announcement was made regarding Brandenburg - the Wehrmacht had just begun liberating Brandenburg from ultranationalists that threatened to overrun Berlin.

[Zoot Zoot]

Babylon offers its full support to Alvonia in its endeavors.

[Markus Wilding]

Private

 

The BND and BfV's work was now complete - information had successfully been compiled detailing a non-existent Brandenburgian military officer who had been declared an ultranationalist. General Konrad Strohkirch, while completely invisible from any Brandenburgian file, had a full dossier in the BND. According to his fake history, Konrad Strohkirch joined the German army before the Great Collapse and quickly rose to the rank of General after the fall of the German state, even handing out arms to known ultranationalist groups in Alvonia. It was no surprise, then, that once the general saw the Brandenburgian monarchy weakening, he took it upon himself to rally divisions of the army to his side and fight those that opposed him.

 

There was only one problem - BND agents were unable to plant this false file in any of Brandenburg's military databases. Anyone who had the time or inclination to do so would not be able to find any record of a General Konrad Strohkirch in Brandenburg - at least via the military. Publicly, Konrad Strohkirch did exist in Brandenburg.

 

Meanwhile, the Wehrmacht continued their advance into Brandenburg, searching and clearing all buildings that could be used to fire upon Alvonian troops or vehicles. Nothing was exempt - although a few priests did protest the Wehrmacht searching every nook and cranny of their parishes. Any government buildings that were encountered were quickly searched for any useful documents, especially of military importance and details of access. In Lubeck, the second wave of the Marinestoßtruppregiment had landed, and joined their comrades in securing the city - the first priority was sealing all roads in and out of the city, especially major highways. Nothing and no one would get in and out of Lubeck if the Marines could help it.

[Markus Wilding]

Brandenburg

 

The Wehrmacht continued its advance, securing cities and ensuring the mayors of the villages and small towns knew who was in charge. Local resistance, both civilian and military, would be swiftly and harshly put down. Work began among the Wehrmacht's second-line troops to establish connections, civilian and military, to Alvonian systems in Poland.

 

(1/7)

 

Schleswig-Holstein

 

The Marines in Lubeck continued to hold their ground, and the third wave had arrived, placing the regiment at near full strength. The fourth deployment would be the final, and bring the division to its full strength, however due to its size it still was not able to carry out ground operations in clearing the state of Schleswig-Holstein. That would have to wait until the Heer had secured Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

 

(1/7)

 

Sachsen

 

The Wehrmacht now had full control of Dresden, with minimal resistance. As in Brandenburg, the first priority was to bring systems back online and sync them with Alvonian ones in Austria and the Czech states. Civilians were also encouraged to report those they suspected to be ultranationalists, as well as those who spoke of their desire to fight against Alvonian troops in a resistance campaign. Disabled public systems, such as water and electricity, would be brought back online wherever they had been destroyed or sabotaged.

 

(1/7)

[Markus Wilding]

Brandenburg

 

The wave of the Heer continued, securing the small towns and leaving the larger cities for later - unless of course, the larger cities proved to have enemy units in them that prompted a response. Work began to reestablish working electricity and water in cities where these had been knocked out. Phone lines were also reestablished, and a hotline was set up to provide compensation for those who had lost property in the fighting that had defined the first few weeks. Not just anyone would receive the Alvonian state's money, of course - proof that destruction caused by the Wehrmacht was needed.

 

(2/7)

 

Sachsen

 

Half of the province had now been secured, and most systems had been reconnected to their Alvonian counterparts. Much like in Brandenburg, work began to restore power and water to citizens and a hotline was also set up. Infrastructure damage in the areas the Wehrmacht occupied were now, for the most part, repaired.

 

(2/7)

Edited July 12, 2014 by Markus Wilding

[Californian]

OOC: I'm going to request a GM reviews the actions of this thread that take place after the initial post. Dinoz, the owner of Brandenburg is not inactive as per the rules. Therefore I believe autoadvances would have to be granted by the GMs, and it would be impossible to start making posts necessary to annex these regions. 

 

That being said, this is a response to the actions of the initial post.

 

IC:

 

The announcement from Alvonia would provoke an immediate reaction and response from the Northlands. The nation had spent a good amount of effort and capital to ensure the independence of the land that had become Brandenburg, and the government had cordial, if not somewhat muted, relations with Brandenburg including a recent overture to advance that relationship. The advancement of Alvonian forces into Brandenburg under flimsy pretenses would be immediately criticized. While Alvonia's departure from the European Community had been disappointing, their official position to attack the vaguely defined "ultranationalists" of the world had raised quite a few eyebrows. 

 

A message would be sent from the Northlands to Alvonia "We request you immediately remove your forces from Brandenburg. We have worked with you previously to secure the independence of these lands and note the continued functioning of the Brandenburg government. We are open to working with you and the Brandenburg government to investigate possible extremists in the region, but the invasion of a sovereign nation is unacceptable."

 

Alongside the diplomatic response, the Office of Security would immediately contact Brandenburg. An offer of support in the form of military aid would be made to ensure the sovereignty of the neighboring government. With Brandenburg's tentative approval the Northlands would begin moving in to take defensive positions in the nation.

 

The 1st Division would be moved to reinforce Schleswig-Holstein, the 2nd  Division would be sent to Bremen and Lower Saxony. The II Corps be on its way to Berlin and Brandenburg proper. A rapid response force of 10,000 troops would immediately move to support the Saarland and Rhineland, with the 5th Division prepared to support this vanguard force. The rest of the IV Corps would be mobilized on the Brandenburg border to prepare for immediate operations into the nation. All of these troops would work with their Brandenburg counterparts to take up defensive positions at key choke points across the nation as well as in front of large population centers and key infrastructure. The frigates Holland and Zeeland would be dispatched to Schleswig-Holstein. Six squadrons of fighters would be brought to reinforce the ground troops, with AWACS operated close to the Brandenburg-Alvonia border. 

[Markus Wilding]

The following message was sent to the Northlands diplomatic ministry:

 

 

The Alvonian Wehrmacht will not withdraw its troops and rejects the offer. The Brandenburgian government is under assault by a known Ultranationalist within their very own military ranks. Furthermore, the Alvonian position on ultranationalists and the definition of such is clearly outlined in our Anti-Ultranationalism and Prevention of Ultranationalism bill as outlined [post='3260673']here.[/post] While we recognize that our nations worked together in the past to bring peace to Germany, this is a mission that will be carried out and led by Alvonia, and any interference from the Northlands will be seen as an act of war and responded to accordingly.

 

In Brandenburg, the 1. Infanterie-Division, 2. Infanterie-Division, and 6. Panzer-Division halted upon seeing Northlands troops taking up defensive positions. Recon elements scouted out their defenses, working to find weak points or gaps, careful only to fire only if fired upon first. Flakpanzers attached to the infantry divisions began to set up around the armored vehicles and makeshift defensive infantry positions, watching the skies for any intruding helicopters or low-flying aircraft. Tornado ADV aircraft based out of Szczecin were also on standby should anything be pinged via radar signatures or visual sighting.

 

In Sachsen, more or less the same happened. The 3. and 4. Infanterie-Divisions halted in place and probed Northlands positions, while Flakpanzers attached to the 4. Infanterie-Division set up and watched with their radar. The 10. Infanterie-Division spread itself out, providing flank security and effectively widening the front while the 1. Gepanzerte Kavallerie-Division set up its artillery and air defenses. Khs-21 Wolf helicopters attached to the Kavallerie-Division also spread out, on watch for any hostile ground forces incoming.

 

At Lubeck, the Marinestoßtruppregiment reinforced its position and dug in, more or less in control of the port. With the threat of Northlands naval action, two Tarantul-III Mods were sent back with the SKM Läufer to retrieve another complement of the Marines. This trip would bring the total number of Alvonian Marines in Lubeck to 3,788 total soldiers.

[Californian]

OOC: Markus, beyond your diplomatic response you have not been granted an autoadvance at the time of this posting and I do not believe you are allowed to post these movements and actions. That being said, I did PM Dinoz a week ago and he has yet to open the message, so it is probably time to consider moving forward without his response, at least for now. 

[Markus Wilding]

EDIT: Wiped

Edited July 23, 2014 by Markus Wilding

[Californian]

The following message would be transmitted: “The unlawful invasion of Brandenburg will not be tolerated. All Alvonian forces are to immediately vacate Brandenburg territory. The Northlands has dedicated itself to using all means necessary to defend Brandenburg and will take action against remaining Alvonian forces to achieve this. This will be your final warning.”

 

Behind the front lines that were being drawn, defensive measures were being undertaken at the key roads and population centers in Brandenburg/Northlands-held Germany. Positions would be dug around all major cities, with checkpoints constructed at crucial roadways. Key buildings and infrastructure would be scouted as base locations, to be reinforced with heavy weaponry being transported from the Northlands. The Northlandic military would request permission to use civilian airports to allow for men, arms, and supplies to reach these cities as well as be quickly moved to the front lines. Small arms, portable missiles for anti-armor and anti-surface warfare, and larger caliber artillery would form an imposing interwoven perimeter of anti-ground defenses. In addition to MANPADS and Patriot batteries, several THAAD units and air-search radar installations would also be supplied to provide anti-air and anti-missile defenses.

 

Schleswig-Holstein Front

 

The 1^st Division in Schleswig-Holstein would move quickly to secure and fortify Gluckstadt and neighboring Hamburg with just over 15,000 men. Hamburg in particular was fortified quickly and the airport and nearby Brandenburg military installations repurposed as a Northlands forward operating base. Three squadrons of F35s would be stationed at FOB Hamburg. The remaining 10,000 men were moving from Husum to Kiel, which was on the western coast above Lubeck where the Alvonian troops seemed to remain for the time being. The securing of Kiel would prove crucial for the opening of a second front from the north.

 

To this end, the 1^st Division would prepare moving forward into Lubeck. The men would not be the first to fire, and would allow the Alvonians to leave as they moved to secure the city. A main force would move east from Hamburg while a secondary force would move south from the Kiel area, to strike the city in a pincer-like attack. It Alvonian troops did open fire as the Northlandic men attempted to assume control of the city, the response would be immediate and severe. The F35 aircraft flying above would first engage enemy aircraft before providing air support for the ground. The squadrons of F35 aircraft now in Hamburg were to provide support, and ten B1 bombers were in the air on highest alert, prepared to fly sorties and hit troops near Lubeck swiftly with uploaded coordinates.

 

While this was ongoing, naval forces would be going around the Jutland peninsula to reinforce any conflict that may arise in Lubeck. In addition to the two frigates, two corvettes, a cruiser, and a battlecruiser would be ordered to escort the RNV Europa amphibious assault ship with its complement of marines to the Baltic Sea.

 

Eastern Front

 

While Northlands forces moved the quickest in Schleswig-Holstein to push back Alvonian forces and liberate Lubeck, the other areas of Germany were not neglected. Especially in Saxony and Brandenburg, the Northlands forces of the II Corps would establish a line of defense to stop the Alvonian advancement. The forces would be quick to move flanks out along either side when an enemy advance was spotted. 

 

The IV Corps, already mobilized and deployed to Brandenburg-held Germany, would be sent to reinforce these positions. Additionally, they would be ordered to advance forward and secure Berlin. The men had orders to fire upon the enemy if they did not retreat. Much like in the north, a similar pattern would be followed: F35 aircraft operating in Brandenburg would confront enemy aircraft, with the assistance of ground based MANPADS of the vanguard units. Then the ground units would move forward with air support and MBTs from armored support to strike enemy locations. The push to Berlin was being made to both secure the center of German governance and administration as well as split the invading Alvonian forces in half.

 

The 2^nd Mechanized Infantry Division would be moved to provide support in northern Brandenburg state and being setting up a line of defense in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. They would be primarily tasked with repelling any advances from the east, but were to be kept in reserve for an additional front on Lubeck depending on the outcome of that city.

 

Southern Front

 

The southern border between Brandenburg and the two Alvonion-controlled German states would prove to be the region of least confrontation for the time being. The quick response forces that had been deployed to the Saarland, having secured the small area, would advance and take up key positions in the Rhineland and Hessen along the Alvonian border. Their purpose was to quickly and efficiently maintain defensive positions as the men of the 5^th and 6^th Division came to reinforce them. Any incursion would have to face the waiting Northlandic men and tanks and minefields currently being set along the border. Any movement from Baden-Wurttemburg or Bayern across the border would not be tolerated and would be immediately fire upon and repulsed.

 

Particularly in the south, the amount of space between Northlands military forces and Alvonia proper left a small margin for error. For now the Northlands would not strike in Baden-Wurttemburg or Bayern. However, inside the Office of Security, Strategic Missile Forces had drawn a list of Alvonian military installations and industrial centers for targeting by missile, the list being updated frequently through air surveillance at the border and by satellite. The 5^th Division had orders to prepare for an imminent assault; if Alvonia continued to invade Germany it would have to face the consequences of losing its states that had already been partitioned to it from Germany proper.

 

The VI Corps has been mobilized and is currently being deployed to Brandenburg.

 

In cities that were further back from the front and where defenses had been prepared, Northlandic military and intelligence officials would ask local Brandenburg officials to hand over records and documents relating to the government. Alvonia claimed an ultranationalist element had infiltrated the nation and the Northlands was determined to conclusively support or reject Alvonian claims once they had access to the records. 

 

Summary:

 

I Corps: (1^st Division) Schleswig-Holstein (Gluckstadt, Hamburg, Kiel) moving forward to Lubeck.

I Corps: (2^nd Division) Northern Brandenburg state moving into Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

II Corps: Brandenburg state and Saxony

III Corps: Rhineland and Hessen border with Alvonia

IV Corps: Brandenburg state moving forward to Berlin

 

 

OOC: 7/23/14 edits

 

Removed "They worked to set road blockades and physical obstacles to prevent Alvonian forces from moving forward."

 

Changed "This would be aided by the transfer of airports from Brandenburg civil authority control to the Northlandic military, allowing for men, arms, and supplies to reach these cities as well as be quickly moved to the front lines." to "The Northlandic military would request permission to use civilian airports to allow for men, arms, and supplies to reach these cities as well as be quickly moved to the front lines"

 

Changed "In cities that were further back from the front and where defenses had been prepared, Northlandic military and intelligence officials would work with local Brandenburg officials to collect records and documents relating to the government. Alvonia claimed an ultranationalist element had infiltrated the nation and Northlands would examine all records to reconcile this statement, ultimately proving a futile task in the cities in western Germany to which they had access. While the Brandenburg government appeared somewhat slow to operate and at times unresponsive, there was no indication that extremists were in any way involved with the government. These records, once processed, would be made available to friendly and neighboring nations, with invitations to send forensics record officials to Brandenburg government sites to confirm this fact."  to "In cities that were further back from the front and where defenses had been prepared, Northlandic military and intelligence officials would ask local Brandenburg officials to hand over records and documents relating to the government. Alvonia claimed an ultranationalist element had infiltrated the nation and the Northlands was determined to conclusively support or reject Alvonian claims once they had access to the records. "

Edited July 24, 2014 by Californian

[Markus Wilding]

"The Wehrmacht is withdrawing from Lubeck, and hopes the Northlands would not be foolish enough to fire upon our retreating soldiers."

 

And it was so. The Marinestoßtruppregiment, or at least the forces present in Lubeck, would take the path of least resistance out of the city, keeping their weapons on safe and lowered as they withdrew. Their path would take them through the coast of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern on their way back to Alvonia, and would give Northlands forces notice of their passing through the area. The Kriegsmarine would also withdraw, with four corvettes staying as close as the coast would allow to their marines as the rest protected the SKM Läufer and Markus Wilding on their way back to Szczecin.

 

In Brandenburg and Saxony, the Wehrmacht had received their orders, but did not appear to act on them. Another message was sent to the Northlands: "Wehrmacht troops in Brandenburg and Saxony will move once we have confirmed our Marines have returned home safely."

 

Behind the lines, the 11. Infanterie-Division, 7. Panzer-Division and 1. Panzer-Division would stop and dig in at Vorpommern, an Alvonian province. This was all to ensure Alvonia's Polish territories still remained intact, simply a quick reaction force in case the Northlands proved untrustworthy.

[Californian]

The Northlands would acknowledge receipt of the message and confirm that retreating soldiers would not be fired on. These orders would be relayed to the soldiers in Schleswig-Holstein who were approaching Lubeck. They would follow the opposing men while maintaining a reasonable distance, so as not to be provocative but to demonstrate to the Alvonian forces that they were being monitored. The 1st Division and 2nd Division were ordered to meet in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state and secure Schwerin and Rostock as they followed the Alvonian troops. The vast majority would move forward to take up position near the border with Alvonia, messaging that they would remain at least two kilometers from the border so long as the Brandenburg-Alvonia border was respected. 

 

The II and IV Corps would pause their advance and take up defensive positions. They were notified to remain on the highest possible alert but to wait until confirmation from the I Corps that the Alvonian marines had returned to their nation before moving forward. A small detachment of 1,000 men from the IV Corps would continue moving through to Berlin, notifying Alvonian forces in Brandenburg that while the Northlands would not fire on them while the marines were still in Germany, these men would be proceeding to the capital to assume control over government offices and buildings and determine the fate of Brandenburg. They were ordered only to shoot if fired upon and would otherwise seek to minimize interactions with any Alvonian troops.

 

As the Northlands military began to set up defensive positions close to the Alvonian border, especially in the south and in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, cargo planes would begin delivering THAAD and Patriot batteries to reinforce these positions from Alvonian air or missile attack. Additionally, five dozen PzH 2000 artillery units would be ordered to take position overlooking the major crossings on the border that Alvonia had entered from. Trust in Alvonia was non-existent after their opportunistic invasion and the Northlands would be taking thorough precautions to ensure that the Alvonians did what they said.

[Markus Wilding]

In order to secure the border from illegal incursions, the 5, Infanterie-Division and 5. Panzer-Division deployed to Baden-Wuerttemburg border with Brandenburg, and took up defensive positions there.

 

The Marinestoßtruppregiment would take its time in marching back to Alvonia. Stops for rest and water were common, as well as stops in the cities to purchase things like the use of soda machines to fill their hydration packs with water, and some Marines would even take the time to buy a candy bar or two. The Marines were well aware the Northlands troops were following and monitoring them, and a few would use their frequent rest periods to try and trade with the opposing troops, offering cigarettes, candy, or even coffee if they could sneak that out. After several hours, though, the Marines would finally be approximately 5 km from the border with Alvonia, and some waved goodbye to the Northlands troops if they had made friends or traded, or just as a friendly gesture.

 

Once the last Marine crossed the border, a single encrypted radio message was sent to the Wehrmacht in Germany - "Inmate 4859 has been released." With those words, the Wehrmacht began to move again, although it would not be back across the border. From Sachsen, the 3. Infanterie-Division along with the 1. Gepanzerte Kavallerie-Division moved to support the positions in Brandenburg, taking with them approximately 100 members of the Schwarze Korps. In Sachsen itself, the 4. and 10. Infanterie-Divisions would stretch themselves out and dig in as the nearby 4. Panzer-Division moved to support the two divisions.

 

In Brandenburg, the 1. Infanterie-Division began to move, heading around the Northlands forces with tanks from the 6. Panzer-Division, with the supporting Flakpanzers of these divisions sticking close. From Vorpommern, the now-full strength Marinestoßtruppregiment crossed the border again, this time with their new PzH DANA artillery systems, and with the 11. Infanterie-Division, 7. Panzer-Division and 1. Panzer-Division. The 11. Infanterie-Division would begin heading to the south to link up with elements there, while the Panzers rolled around Berlin itself to link up with the 1. Infanterie-Division and 6. Panzer-Division. Facing the east and south, only Alvonian troops would be seen by Northlands infantry, while the north was crowded by Alvonian tanks lurking with elements of the Schwarze Korps and Marines moving to support and deter any anti-armor munitions.

 

As usual, no ground forces were to fire unless fired upon first. In airbases back at Alvonia, Panavia Tornado aircraft were loaded up with 7 ALARM missiles and Sidewinder missiles for defense. Tornado ADV aircraft were loaded up with as many long-range air-to-air missiles as they could carry, while Tu-95MS bombers were loaded with Kh-555 cruise missiles, although a few would be loaded up with Kh-101 missiles. These aircraft went up in the air, but stayed in Alvonian airspace and were told to await further orders.

[Californian]

It was hardly a surprise the Alvonians had gone back on their word once again, and this incident was added to the growing heap of lies the central European state had been spouting to justify its absurd invasion. Fortunately the Office of Security had been working under the assumption this was the case, and the now well reinforced and invigorated fronts in Brandenburg and Saxony would be given the go ahead to proceed.

 

Berlin

 

The force of 1,000 men were able to reach Berlin without exchanging gunfire with Alvonian forces. They would arrive to find the city in disarray, with the citizens unsure what was happening and scrambling in panic. German translators in the group did what they could to avert the near anarchy, but there were simply too many civilians. For the moment, the troops would focus on reaching the heart of the Brandenburg government structure, entering into the buildings that had housed important organizations and officials. They were disheartened to see that Brandenburg had all but collapsed, with buildings abandoned and some partially destroyed. While the Northlands had responded to the Alvonian incursion and managed to stall its advance, the men speculated the initial invasion had been enough to push the fragile administration into chaos.

 

Just as worrisome as this news were the reports that Alvonia was moving tanks around Berlin to separate it from the main Northlandic forces in the west. The head of the battalion knew that they would not be able to repel an invasion with their numbers, but they hoped to stall any advance into the city long enough for the main group to reach it. The main roads leading into the city would be mined and physically obstructed with barbed wire and whatever else they could find in short time. They would then break off and hide themselves in buildings and structures, guns zeroed in on major firing lanes in the city, waiting for a possible attack. 

 

Brandenburg & Saxony

 

If the Alvonians were foolish enough to send forces from the front to fight Berlin, that would be all the more advantage to the troops commencing attacks on the front lines in Brandenburg and Saxony. When the Alvonian marines had crossed the border, the men on the eastern front were immediately notified, waiting for the Alvonian response. Within the hour, when it was clear that there was no intention of retreating, the go ahead was given to begin reclaiming German soil from the invaders.

 

A combination of satellite imagery, AWACS, portable radar installations which had been installed at Northlands defensive positions, naval radar in the Baltic Sea, and infantry relaying enemy positions would be used to paint a picture of Alvonian equipment and movements. The information, relayed back to field headquarters and the Northlands proper, would be used to help identify certain enemy installations, aircraft, and armor. The information would be uploaded to both launched aircraft and missiles.

 

Fifty Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from the RNV William IV would strike Alvonian bases and armor throughout Brandenburg and Saxony, concentrating on installations where large numbers of infantry were clumped together.  Two squadrons of F-35s (equipped with air-to-air) and one squadron of F-22s were sent to engage Alvonian fighters and maintain Northlandic air supremacy over the battlefield. The F-35s and F-22s would attempt to lock-on their missiles and shoot down the fighters, as well as draw them as close to Germany as possible. The 100 Patriot batteries located on the Northlands front from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to Saxony had a range that currently extended only a little ways into Alvonia but would immediately engage any enemy aircraft that were lured into range or choose to move into German airspace. Additionally, any Alvonian aircraft that chose to venture in parts of Germany north of Berlin would be targetted by S300 SAM missiles from the Northlandic naval group now just off the German coast.

 

Two squadrons of F-35s equipped with air-to-surface missiles would also be engaging ground targets, concentrating specifically on eliminating main battle tanks from the front lines closest to the Northlands positions. The ten B1 bombers, fully loaded with munitions, were ordered to first strike heavily fortified positions in north Brandenburg, and then artillery and MBTs once the F-35s/F-22s had begun engaging enemy aircraft. 

 

While Alvonian forces were dealing with cruise missiles, air-to-surface missiles, and bombs from the sky, the Northlands ground forces took the opportunity to begin steadily advancing. They were given orders to engage on sight, and the PzH 2000 and Abrams MBTs would advance to support the soldiers. The artillery and tanks were specifically targeting enemy armor, using coordinates and information being frantically uploaded to the battle network as frantically as possible. The advancement would be pressed the hardest in Brandenburg, especially in the north, in the hope of repulsing Alvonian forces and containing them to Saxony in the southeast. 

 

Elsewhere

 

As this was happening, twenty Pershing II medium ballistic missile launchers and  thirty cruise missile ground launchers were ordered to be moved into the Rhineland, while 150 M270 MLRS units loaded with MGM-140 surface-to-surface missiles were to be deployed to the front immediately to prepare for the next phase of the counterattack. 

 

As a precaution, anti-ballistic missile defenses including a mixture of THAAD and Patriot batteries have been deployed around major cities in Northlands proper. Government buildings have been evacuated and officials are being sent to secure bunkers throughout the nation. Citizens have been urged to remain calm and vigilant, and stay indoors where possible. 

[JEDCJT]

"Crush the Alvonian imperialist scum! You have our fullest support, Northlands!" - Imran Markov, leader of the Ultranationalist Party

[Californian]

[Flavor non-military actions]

 

The secretive Bureau of Intelligence & Operations, part of the Office of Security but hidden from all but the highest levels of government, have deployed operatives to Northlands-held GLFB (German Lands of the Former Brandenburg, used to refer to the area of Germany less the two Alvonia controlled-states in the south) . Their mission was to foment hatred towards Alvonia and instill good will towards the Northlands among the populace. Pretending to be local citizens, they would begin forming Anti-Alvonia and Pro-Northlands groups in major population centers, with the ultimate goal of putting these groups into control around the nation.

 

Newspapers published in German would be distributed with headlines and articles such as "Northlands saves Germany again" and "Why Alvonia pretends to be German." While ostensibly made and produced by Germans, their printing and distribution would be heavily funded by the BIO. 

 

The amount of officials on the Northlands - GLFB border has been temporarily tripled to handle large amounts of refugees transiting the border. The Northlands has promised to allow refugees to temporarily reside in the Northlands while the Brandenburg conflict is ongoing and is processing them as fast as possible. Refugees must prove former Brandenburg citizenship and turn over all weapons and explosives. Temporary camps are being set up near the border by the Office of the Homeland. 

 

While Northlands citizens would appreciate the blunt statements expressed by Mr. Markov, the government would not formally respond to the statement of the fledgling party in Russia. However, the Muscovy government, an ally of the Northlands, would be notified of naval movements in the Baltic Sea region as well as kept abreast of developments in the region.

 

***

 

While the Alvonian marines were retreating, a few Northlandic men would trade with them while monitoring their movements. All candy bars would be promptly tested for poison and destroyed. One Northlandic soldiers scribbled "Property of Ultranationalists, please deliver promptly to Herr Wilding" on the side of a coffee packet that he traded away. 

Edited July 25, 2014 by Californian

[Evangeline Anovilis]

"Finally someone is putting an end to the Alvonian aggression. Let there be three cheers for the Northlands!"
-M.S. Maria I al România, R.R.

Edited July 25, 2014 by Evangeline Anovilis

[Horo the Wise Wolf]

"Hip... Hip... Hooray."
- King Wilhelm von Hohenzollern, ominously

[Markus Wilding]

Classified

 

The following message was sent to Milan, Zapadnaya, and Babylon:

 

 

Esteemed leader,

 

It is with a heavy heart I write to you to inform your nation and government that Alvonia is under attack. In our rightful and legal attempt to liberate Brandenburg from ultranationalists, the Northlands has taken it upon itself to protect and assist these ultranationalists, citing claims of protecting Brandenburg. Our troops have just now been subjected to artillery and air strikes, and intelligence indicates Northlands ballistic missile capabilities have moved to the Rhineland. I and my staff have already evacuated to an undisclosed location, as Vienna is unsafe and may be subjected to strikes. The situation is clear - Alvonia and the Wehrmacht have come under attack via a foreign power. Although this is not the ideal situation in which I would write to you, I have no choice but to activate our mutual defense pacts.

 

Director Markus Wilding

 

Public

 

Baltic Sea

 

Although the Northlands naval action was not unexpected, the Northlands had forgotten that the Kriegsmarine did not fall back to its Szczecin port. Using last known positions and search radar, the ships of the Kriegsmarine closed in with their Northlands naval counterparts. The SKM Markus Wilding opened the naval action by firing off 4 of its Shipwreck missiles at the RNV William IV, while two more would be launched at the RNV Victory. The escorts around the fleet, although small in size and armament, were more than capable of being able to fire off their complements of Sunburn missiles at their opposing corvettes and frigates, and should those missiles be defeated by CIWS, the 76 mm guns would work. In order to prevent the Northlands ships from being able to fire off their own missiles, the Tarantul corvettes providing escort began to jam enemy systems, and a call was made to the air base in Szczecin - naval bombers were needed. Within half an hour, four Tu-22M carrying ten Kh-15 missiles each headed to the scene of the naval action, ready to take down the bigger cousins of the Northlands fleet that had escaped hits from the Kriegsmarine.

 

Air War

 

Up in the air, Luftwaffe planes would stay in Alvonian airspace, wary of the Northlands SAM systems. Tornado ADVs, once able to find their opposing Northlands planes, fired off their long-range air-to-air missiles and deployed countermeasures if locked on to. Once also found, ALARM missiles would be launched from their longest possible range at the Northlands Patriot systems, hopeful to at the minimum damage, if not outright destroy, the enemy SAMS. In their bases back in Alvonia, A-10A Thunderbolt CAS planes loaded up with napalm bombs for one squadron and anti-armor munitions for the other squadron. Luftwaffe aircraft would not be lured into Germany - at least, not until it was confirmed that the Patriot batteries in Germany had been destroyed or forced to withdraw. Tu-95MS bombers also flew up, and using data collected from the ALARM missiles, targeted enemy SAMs with their Kh-555 missiles from well within Alvonian airspace, out of range of the Patriot batteries. Two planes carrying these also took aim at the THAAD systems, hoping to force wasteful ammunition use.

 

Ground War - Brandenburg

 

Northlands missiles would prove to kill or damage only a few Alvonian tanks or troops per missile, as the Wehrmacht had been ordered to spread out and not to cluster too much in anticipation of such an attack. While the Alvonian troops were encircling Berlin itself, there was a line of retreat for the Northlands forces if they chose to withdraw. It was narrow, to be sure, and threatened to be closed at any second, but the opening was there regardless. In response to armor and artillery movements against the Alvonian divisions in Brandenburg, PzH 2000 and Raketenartilleriepanzers attached to the Gepanzerte Kavallerie-Division returned battery fire on the Northlands. Armor from said division also began to fire back, making sure to flank and close in using smoke screens wherever possible.

 

Ground War - Saxony

 

Like in Brandenburg, positions would not suffer much in the way of casualties as their positions were very spread out and deliberately manned with as few soldiers as necessary, in preparation for such an attack. Northlands aircraft attempting to conduct bombing runs in both states would be subjected to Fliegerfaust 2 missiles launched from the Flakpanzers, using their radar to lock on to and fire against the planes. Once the Northlands planes withdrew or were destroyed, their radar would be turned off to prevent anti-radiation missiles from getting a lock onto their position. Like in the north, PzH 2000 tube artillery combined with the Raketenartileriepanzer systems to fire upon enemy bombardments, although some of the rocket artillery would be directed to fire on the THAAD systems that had been confirmed. With 240 rockets firing at once, it was hoped this bombardment would overwhelm the THAAD systems and force it to withdraw for ammunition resupply.

 

Casualties

 

Of course, it was impossible for the Alvonian forces to remain totally unscathed. 148 Alvonian servicemen and women lost their lives, with an additional 70 wounded. Those deemed in critical condition were evacuated to army hospitals behind the lines in Bayern, while those with less serious injuries were treated at field hospitals and sent back to the front when able to. 12 Leopard 2A5 tanks were lost, mostly repairable, as were two Panzer VII. One Panavia Tornado was lost as well, the pilot taking one too many risks and getting the business end of an air-to-air missile for his efforts.

[Lysergide]

Diplomatic Note from the Kingdom of Sverige

 

The Kingdom of Sverige condemns the aggressive actions taken by the Alvonian Government in the invasion of Germany, and the former state of Brandenburg that has seemed to collapse due to this unwarranted and unwanted aggression. Because of these actions taken by the Militant government of Alvonia, and while they say they are fighting Ultra-Nationalists, it seems more the case that their very own government are the ones whom are the Ultra-Nationalists and seem to be attempting to reform a Greater Germany in the vision of the Third Reich. As we feel this is the case, the Kingdom of Sverige will be closing the Danish Straights to all ships coming from, or going to the nation of Alvonia.

 

Battle Group Ragnarok

 

Having been deployed to Denmark during the last Baltic Crisis, the Battle Group Ragnarok would send dispatches under the orders of the Kingdom of Sverige to the Northlands that they would begin moving into the German State of Schelswig-Holstein to seize and secure the Kiel Canal from foreign aggression, as well to enact its blockade on all ships heading into, and from the nation of Alvonia. A reply wouldn't be waited upon from the nation of the Northlands and the armored columns of the Battle Group Ragnarok would begin to roll across the border, with the anti-air defenses of the battle group strategically placed througout the entire battle group to afford protection from any aircraft that might get the bright idea to engage open fire on the armored columns and troop transports that were moving down the roads. While on the way, Sverige soldiers would give food, water, and medical aid to people that they would come across that needed it with the recent collapse of the Brandenburg government.

Edited July 26, 2014 by Lysergide

[JEDCJT]

 

Diplomatic Note from the Kingdom of Sverige

 

The Kingdom of Sverige condones the aggressive actions taken by the Alvonian Government in the invasion of Germany, and the former state of Brandenburg that has seemed to collapse due to this unwarranted and unwanted aggression. Because of these actions taken by the Militant government of Alvonia, and while they say they are fighting Ultra-Nationalists, it seems more the case that their very own government are the ones whom are the Ultra-Nationalists and seem to be attempting to reform a Greater Germany in the vision of the Third Reich. As we feel this is the case, the Kingdom of Sverige will be closing the Danish Straights to all ships coming from, or going to the nation of Alvonia.

 

 

"We assume by 'condone', you meant the word 'condemn'."

[Lysergide]

 

"We assume by 'condone', you meant the word 'condemn'."

 

OOC: That is what I get for using auto finish, after working 70 hours so far this week, I edited it.

[Triyun]

Encrypted Dispatch to the Government of the Northlands:

 

The Government of Sparta would request its Ambassador be allowed to meet with your wartime cabinet.  

 

-Ambassador Lieonus.

[Euphaia]

The government of Hungary-Slovakia condemns the aggressive, imperialist invasion of Brandenburg by Alvonia in the strongest possible terms.

 

Such an invasion by Alvonia makes Hungary-Slovakia much doubt that Alvonia will keep their end of the Carthage Accords.

 

As such, any soldiers, diplomats, or Alvonian Foreign Nationals currently in Subcarpathia are being expelled from Subcarpathia, and Alvonian soldiers are no longer welcome to return to it.

[Hereno]

Having been requested to join the fight by the Alvonians, the Milanese began readying themselves.

While this was ongoing, naval forces would be going around the Jutland peninsula to reinforce any conflict that may arise in Lubeck. In addition to the two frigates, two corvettes, a cruiser, and a battlecruiser would be ordered to escort the RNV Europa amphibious assault ship with its complement of marines to the Baltic Sea.

With the Northlandic navy tied up in the north, there would be little presence left in the Mediterranean to stop the Milanese navy and a sizable ground force from moving on the Baleares, backed with air support from Sardinia. With communications incoming detailing the defenses of the islands, a message was broadcast secretly to the leadership of the Northlands.
 

We have been called to arms by our Alvonian allies against the Northlands. We have no other quarrel with your nation, and we are honorable people. Withdraw from Germany and cease your offensive against the Alvonians, or face Milan.

The operators would give enough time for a response, as they would also be sending a message to the Balearic presence instructing them that they can either surrender peacefully or face potential annihilation if they resisted the Italian movement. The soldiers awaited the final order to move, which was subject to alteration based on the responses of the Northlanders.

edit [ooc: added at 9:03 am CN time]: The Alvonian government was made aware of the Milanese movements. Edited July 29, 2014 by Hereno