Operation Scalpel

[Markus Wilding]

[i]"[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8j4B0TFFag&feature=related"]This is not a drill! Repeat, this is not a drill![/url]"[/i]

In the dark hours of August 9th, 20XX, Republican forces began to encroach the RoA-Ghana border. Total number of forces on the Commonwealth side totaled 55,946 soldiers, over six hundred armored vehicles and 15 HH-53 "Pave Low" heavy assault helicopters. In addition to the mechanized forces, over 200 artillery pieces were moved into place via truck. Their primary target was the city of Accra, where satellite intelligence placed the Marxist Kwame Nkrumah. To get to Kwame, however, the Republican army first had to fight through the cities the "PRG" had taken.

They arrived in Ho first. The 1st Mixed Independent Brigade set up outside the city with loudspeakers as their comrades carried on towards Tema and eventually Accra. The loudspeakers repeated this message every half-hour:

[quote][i]People's Republic of Africa soldiers,

As I speak, over fifty thousand soldiers are moving into Ghana, supported by an ungodly amount of armored vehicles and artillery pieces. I implore you to evacuate any and all cities you are in, so as to save yourselves from an inevitable death. Soon after this message is recorded, the Republic of Africa will begin offensive actions against the so called "People's Republic of Ghana". While we can guarantee you will pass unmolested should you evacuate, you will be annihilated should you stay. You have a choice: die defending a country with no hope of Socialist survival, or return home, to your wives, your mothers, your families.

You have one hour. Use it wisely.[/i][/quote]

In addition to it's other goals, the 1st African Armored Cavalry Unit had another objective: seize the airfields and destroy any military aircraft. With 103 Leopard IIs and "King Tiger" tanks, supported by 1,390 soldiers in BMP-2F APCs, any infantry or armored force they meet on the way will be destroyed regardless. Coordinates of the cities that Republic forces were near were given to the Republic's air force to begin the massive aerial campaign.

Edited August 9, 2011 by Markus Wilding

[VigilantWatcher]

[u][b]01:30 Hours Local Time[/b][/u]

The second phase codenamed Operation Scalpel began with a force made up of twenty four B-5A Black Wraith Stealth Bombers carrying GBU-24 Paveway III 2000 Pound Bunker Buster Bombs or JDAM Mark 83 1000 Pound Bombs supported by twenty F-29A Black Kite Stealth Fighters and ten F/A-18SE "African Hornet" Multi-role Fighters taking off from Douala Air Force Base and flying over the Gulf of Guinea. Military Satellite WAR-1 began to observe the target area to call out targets and to call out any enemy forces which attempt to intercept. KC-135R "Stratotanker" Air to Air Tanker Aircraft would keep the fighters in theatre along with E-3B Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) Aircraft and EC-130J Commando Solo Electronic Warfare Aircraft keeping station.

At the same time Victory Class Missile Cruiser WNS Triumph and the newly arrived Voodoo Class Destroyer WNS Phantom each fired fifty BGM-109C Tomahawk Cruise Missiles at radar sites and anti air defences in Accra, Koforidua, Tema, Cape Coast, Ho, and Takoradi scouted by the satellite. These attacks would disable any way of detection and divert attention from the ground assault taking place. The Karachi Class Missile Boats WNS Yaounde and WNS Bangui would if needed eliminate any coastal positions with their GS10 Short Range Ballistic Missiles.

The bomber force as it approached the coast split into six flights of two bombers and headed towards their targets. They would be at risk during the bombing run so fighters flew alongside to provide cover for each flight Using their night vision equipment each flight approached their target before dropping their bombs at high altitude with pinpoint accuracy. The flights would then regroup over the coast before heading home.

The naval force would stay in position to support the ground assault in the east and a fighter presence would be established in the area to provide close air support. They had sowed the wind, now they would reap the whirlwind.

[Captain Enema]

[b]Operation My Little Pony[/b]

Legion isn't officially tied to the people of Ghana. Legion holds not a single treaty with the commie government that is rolling around its own country like a chicken with it's own head cut off. However, to Legion, it is the choice of the people of Ghana to determine their own destiny. The full facts of the situation has not yet made itself known to Legion regarding the former government of Emperor Khine. Even if the People's Republic of Ghana is venting hot air out their hindparts, Legion can not be forced to give a damn about involving itself in what is purely an internal matter.

The forces approaching the border and the message transmitted to the Ghanian people are heard by the Legionnaires of the West African Division as well. The 22,345 fighting Legionnaires are put on standby alert in a high order transmission directly from the cloistered confines of the shadowy Legion Council in Port Sudan. "Defend the people of Ghana, help is on the way," is the message they are given. Most importantly it is who comes bearing the message and the men he brings with him that raise the spirits of the Legionnaires.

Lt. General Bari Mustapha, the Mad Bomber of the Legion, and the entire Legion Airborne Regiment find itself sitting on the tarmac at the Joint Development Project Airstrip waiting for orders. The 2400 men of the LAR and Mustapha had been organized and put on alert much earlier in the week at the beginning of the entire Wadagou/PRG crisis. With them are the forces of an entire Legion Armored Division that is making its way around Africa in their ships. The 334th Air Strike Group and their F-165 Advanced Air Superiority Fighters provided from the UFE round out the fighting forces that are either in place or on the way.

Total Forces:

West African Division
3 Armored Regimental Combat Teams
54 MBTs Each
108 APCs Each
12 MLRS Vehicles Each
12 155 mm SPA each
24 Dual Purpose ADA Vehicles each
126 Assorted Support Vehicles Each

Fort Mbembe:
332nd Air Strike Group- 36 F-18 Silent Hornets
334th Air Strike Group- 36 F-165 Air Superiority Fighters
Legion Airborne Regiment, positional defense
1 Infantry Battalion, positional defense

Cape Fear Convoy- Temporary Holding Pattern, pending orders:
Port Sudan Armored Division
54 MBTs Each
108 APCs Each
12 MLRS Vehicles Each
12 155 mm SPA each
24 Dual Purpose ADA Vehicles each
126 Assorted Support Vehicles Each

The 332nd Air Strike Group is ordered up into the air over the Joint Development Zone. The Legion Airborne Regiment is ordered to disperse into the zone to prevent infiltration attempts from either side. They are assisted in this by help from the Legion Special Detachment who has been preparing for such a crisis by organizing local guides for Legion forces. The Cape Fear Convoy, a convoy of ships with their armored vehicles pre-loaded, is ordered to hold of the coast of Aeon, a message is sent to the Aeonic command to express the convoy's intentions, rather than leaving this to speculation. The West African Division is ordered out of its laagers and into the field within the Joint Development Area.

A message is sent to both governments:

"Western African Forces and Commonwealth Forces, DO NOT Cross the border or continue firing upon Ghana, I repeat, DO NOT Cross the border or continue firing upon Ghana by order of Lt. General Bari Mustapha of Legion."

A message is sent to both Austrian High Command and the UFE High Command:

"Legion Forces requesting assistance is halting aggressive actions against Ghanian people."

Edited August 9, 2011 by Tidy Bowl Man

[Markus Wilding]

***Classified***
Army Group Lome advanced towards the Legion-RoA border, consisting of 500 T-80 tanks and 34,920 soldiers. They would be put on standby in case things got out of hand.

[Captain Enema]

Public Announcement:

Africans, we've spilt too much blood to see this sort of thing happen again. Violence over politics?

Hell no...

It wasn't too long ago we had people slicing off arms in Rwanda over tribal differences. Are we going to bring violence to our soil over politics? Are we Europe for christ sakes?

I expect this sort of behavior from Germans, not my fellow Africans. I thought we Africans had matured beyond this sort of despicable behavior. Come to the table, talk to the Ghanians, and stop all attacks.

[Centurius]

"The Athenian Federation strongly urges the Republic to maintain restraint. The people of Ghana deserve a communist government, any attempt to violate this sovereignty may have severe consequences for the Republic"

Edit:

[b]Classified[/b]

Elements of the Atlantic Fleet are ordered to the West African coastline and the Hellenic Army begins preparations for another assault.

Edited August 9, 2011 by Centurius

[Captain Enema]

"Legion has communicated with the government of West Africa. We've come to an agreement that involves an immediate cease-fire. Let it be known that while Legion will not stand for politcally motivated violence, we will not stand for atrocities in the name of politics either. The borders of the Legion Joint Development Project are opened to the former Khine government members and supporters. They will be given safe haven until specific charges supported with proper evidence can be presented along with a legal order for extradition.

I ask at this time that the members of the International Community leave this matter to Africa to handle. No offense, but we've seen way too many examples of European diplomacy at work in the last year alone to really want European fleets in the area."

-Dellion, Legion


Private to UFE/Austria:

Crisis Averted, no assistance required at this time.

[VigilantWatcher]

[u][b]*Public*[/b][/u]

The Republic of Africa repeats the declaration of an immediate ceasefire in the affected zones and we would like to give our intention resolve this crisis quickly alongside Legion. We hope that a peaceful resolution can be achieved.


[u][b]Classified[/b][/u]

All military assets that were in the area were ordered to cease combat operations. Ground units were to hold position with the combat aircraft being withdrawn from Ghanaian airspace and keeping a small presence in international airspace nearby.

Edited August 9, 2011 by Curristan

[VigilantWatcher]

[u][b]Classified[/b][/u]

Meanwhile a representative team had been sent to Legion to interview any refugees who may enter the Legion base territory. This would be part of the joint investigation being undertaken.

Edited August 9, 2011 by Curristan

[Markus Wilding]

***Classified***
Forces in Ghana were ordered to stop immediately and await further orders. ROE was fire if fired upon, no need to kill anyone yet.

[Axolotlia]

Classified:

The PRA Atlantic Fleet was put on high alert, with elements sent to the south-western PRA maritime border, shared with Ghana, and PRA forces in the region (Both already in Ghana, and in PRA) would be put on alert, and prepared for possible conflict.

Public:

The PRA is disgusted that its southern neighbors would turn to violence over all else due to a disagreement with their neighbor's political choices. Will this be a precedent for how we should expect you to act to neighbors in the future?

OoC: How do you know my troops are there?

[Markus Wilding]

[quote name='Axolotlia' timestamp='1312905744' post='2775895']
Public:

The PRA is disgusted that its southern neighbors would turn to violence over all else due to a disagreement with their neighbor's political choices. Will this be a precedent for how we should expect you to act to neighbors in the future?

OoC: How do you know my troops are there?
[/quote]
This is a precedent to how we will react to violent takeovers of legitimate governments. We are not intervening because we dislike the man in charge, we are intervening to restore the legitimate government of Ghana.

OOC: Unless they were moved in the dead of night, our satellites picked the aircraft heading into Ghana and back traced the plane's route to the PRA.

[Captain Enema]

"There comes a time when the need for a violent take over is present. This could well be one of those times. Until otherwise established we are going to have to insist that you draw your forces back over into your territory. A halt in place is not enough when there is no clear reason beyond politics that you are in this nation in the first place."

Lt. General Bari Mustapha,
Legion Regionnal Commander


The Cape Fear Convoy is ordered to finish the voyage to For Mbembe, but to remain outside in international waters until ordered into the Legion Joint Development Area. Which at this time isn't much of a joint development area, as the contract between the two governments specifically states that the fall of either government will cause the land to revert to the ownership of the surviving government.

And the People's Republic of Ghana certainly isn't who Legion signed the contract with. This problem established small teams of Legionnaires quietly disarm Ghanian troops in the Legion Zone and escort them to the borders if they make the choice to cross into Ghanian territory. This is accomplished with a minimum of violence as the total deployed Wadagou forces to the area were never more than a battalion.

A battalion of 1000 men, surrounded by a full armored division tends to get the point rather quickly, rather quickly indeed.

[Markus Wilding]

***Private***
"God DAMN IT!" General Thomas Garnier paced around his HQ in Togo, clearly angry about the results from captured prisoners. His aides implored him to calm down, but to no avail. "These soldiers should know what's happening in their own goddamned country, for Christ's sake! Not a single one knew anything! God!" An Overwatch Officer appeared in the doorway, no emotion on his face. "General, the West Africans are looking into the civilians and some of the other soldiers. We expect their report to come soon, and to hopefully shed more light on the situation." Garnier nodded his head and waved him away.

*To Legion*
The soldiers we interrogated knew nothing. Until further reports come in, we cannot discern any evidence.

[Executive Minister]

[b]Public Statement[/b]
[quote][i]The Princess is preoccupied with other matters, and has ordered me to act as her mouth in offering a number of warriors to serve as peacekeepers within this troubled state.

I am ordered not to express any support or disdain for this 'communist' or 'socialist' republic, nor am I instructed to uphold the Wagadou Kingdom against the apparent wishes of the Ghanian peoples.

Instead, it has become my lot in life to ensure a non-violent voice is given to the Ghanians. My forces will immediately work with PRA troops to expel ANY antagonistic forces, suppress violence and enforce a fully transparent series of democratic elections to give the citizens of this nation a chance to choose a government most suitable to them. Regardless of the outcome, my forces will immediately withdraw after the Ghanian determination is found.

My Lady prays that all will be well in Africa following this offer.[/i][/quote]
[b]Jaran Marxon[/b], Avatar-of-War and Sword of House Sidamo

[Biohazard]

[b]/C[/b]

A ceasefire was quickly called between the two opposing sides regarding the invasion by the Republic of Africa. A hasty resolution was enacted between the two sides: the invasion by a foreign nation must be stopped at all costs. It was agreed that they would fight together to repel the invaders, and after the fact, if Ghana still existed, would hold a democratic election. Numerous concessions were made by both sides to make the deal, but in they end they were set: they would unite to fight off the invaders.

Both Kwame Nkrumah, representative of the Marxist Party of Ghana, and Joseph A. Ankrah, representative of the Loyalists to the Crown, agreed that, in a post-invasion Ghana, it would be wise to do away with the Khine regime. For the remainder of the fiasco, Kwame would be the spokesperson for the United Ghanian Front. Political activity had decayed during Khine's rule and people's rights were repressed; a post-invasion Ghana would go along with the plans for a democratic election to decide which group would hold power within the government, with elections to be scheduled every six years.

[b]/P/UGF Announcement[/b]

"The aggression displayed by those that we called friends, and at one time, allies, is appalling. You have forced us to unify, to repel you; at this moment, the United Ghanian Front stands ready to protect the people of Ghana. We may have our differences on how the people should be governed, but at no time do we believe that either of our sides wish to further submit the people to political terrorization that was present during Khine's reign.

The UGF will agree to host a transparent, democratic election between the Crown of Ghana Party and the Marxists Party of Ghana, the two largest and most influential parties, within Ghana.

With that in mind, the Republic of Africa will do well to withdraw from our country. We are able to cast aside our disagreements to protect the people of Ghana; you are doing nothing but further ensuring that the Ghanian people are subjected to further harm. Failure to exfiltrate yourselves from our land will result in a full retaliation."

[b]/M/Legion/[/b]

The former agreement between the Empire of Wagadou is still active. The successor of Wagadou is still the nation that you were treatied to, and as such, we'd transfer the treaty over to the next legal representation of the people.

[b]/C/Military[/b]

The two groups, put together, resulted in roughly 250,000 soldiers and combat personnel fit for active, with another 70,000 in reserve, ready to be called up. In addition to that, 2500 tanks, with 700 in reserve, could be contributed to the defense of the nation.

The pooled militaries began stationing themselves near the RoA military, preparing themselves for battle, separating into divisions of 85,000 men, with 850 tanks apiece dedicated to each division.

[Markus Wilding]

***Classified to the West African Republic***

Zone is too hot, falling back to pre-op border. Scouts put enemy forces numbering in tens of thousands, unknown number of armored vehicles. Scouts also suggest preparing for possible PRA intervention on Marxist side, conflict possible.

***Classified to UGF***
Our troops are withdrawing from your region. Do not fire upon them or we shall bring our full military and political might against you. Consider it your only warning.

[Biohazard]

[b]/C[/b]
Reports of the agreement between the MPG and LttC parties were slow to reach the soldiers in cities that were near the RoA. As a result a small amount of small arms fire was exchanged before word came that there was a withdrawal and tentative peace agreement between the RoA and Ghana. The soldiers were reprimanded once news had reached them, and discharged from their positions.

[quote name='Markus Wilding' timestamp='1313025582' post='2777095']
***Classified to UGF***
Our troops are withdrawing from your region. Do not fire upon them or we shall bring our full military and political might against you. Consider it your only warning.
[/quote]

[b]/C/M/RoA[/b]
" 'Our only warning'? You invaded our lands, making outlandish accusations and slandering our image. [I]You[/i] are the ones who are being warned. We will not hesitate to wipe out your invasion if you continue your actions. Be gone from our lands."

Edited August 11, 2011 by Biohazard

[Axolotlia]

With aggressiveness by both parties, the PRA peacekeeping troops have moved to secure the border by positioning itself on the Ghana side of the border. The PRA peacekeepers will not tolerate any further aggressive behaviors by either the Republic of Africa or Ghana.

[Captain Enema]

The Port Sudan Armored Division begins unloading in the Project Port to add additional weight to the Legion strength in the area. Patrols along the borders of Ghana and the Republic are doubled for the time being. While Ghanian troops have been expelled from the zone for the time being the native police operations are well intact. Negotiations will tell the rest of the story as far as the project zone goes and the future of it.