Arkiania Rising

[Hadash]

Septem 14th, 1599

The Octitanian military predicted that Laganda could be able to resist at least one or two months, unless the Arkianian further increased their pressure on the siege, but it was unlikely that they could resist more if Octitanian forces were able to launch a counter-attack on the area, which right now seemed complicated.

In other areas of the Octitanian-Arkianian front, Octitanian forces were reinforced by military volunteers and concripts, which included some retired veterans. For now, Octitanian forces aimed to stop or decrease the advance of Arkianian forces, at least until larger number of active troops could join the military front.

The military leadership presented Prime Minister Sephanos Menelaus a plan in which case the Arkianian forces invaded further north and the Octitanian couldn't stop them and some of the main urban areas fell under control of Arkianian government. The plan consisted in a network of elite soldiers and trained militants who would carry out attacks against infraestructure and Arkianian forces. However, Menelaus were not happy to have to discuss such plan so early, which seemed to prepare for an eventual defeat.

Two days later, Menelaus announced the formation of a "national unity government" in Octitania, aimed to unite Octitania until the Arkianian forces were defeated. It was expected that two or three political parties of the opposition would join the government. Some members of Menelaus' political party and parliamentary faction were not extremely happy about it, but the military leadership had pressure the government to do so in order to avoid any division in the civilian front.

[Mestra]

Septem 13th, 1599

The Mestran 3rd Fleet made preparations for an attack on key military and infrastructure targets in the port city of Moshofion. While the fleet moved into striking distance, the 2nd fleet was finalizing is maneuver around southern Arkiania as it moved towards the Arkanium Bay. The goal of the 2ndfleet would be to provide aerial and naval support in the defense of the Arkianian Capitol and Antigus, while being withing striking distance of Laganda.

To compensate for the movement of the 2nd fleet out of the South Sea, the Imperial 1st Fleet was dispatched to the Mestran islands south of Kormia, which bordered the Gulf of Mestra and the South Sea. Mestran command awaited joint strike authorization from the Arkianian government before it would fully engage the in its assault on Moshofion. The Imperium while willing to engage in naval and aerial sorties, remained hesitant to land any ground troops on the island for ground operations outside of humanitarian aid.

[Arkiania]

Septem 15th, 1599

Further offensives were continued as it became known that Octitanian was rather limited and that they were making massive movements to reinforce their defending forces as quickly as possible. Over the week, Arkiania forces continued to push the Octitanians back steadily but growing ever slower. Further close air support was focused on eastern offensive, with the majority being open and flat terrain, the Army put devoted a bigger effort from its vast numbers of helicopters to provide close air support and reduce the high amount of attrition Arkianian forces faced and increase the rate of advance before the Octitanians could fully reinforce its troops with units from further inside Octitania's territory, but this was also part of the plan as the Arkianians expected eventual landings by Mestran forces in the future.

At the island, special forces had secured most of its goals, the majority of important infrastructure and strategic posts had been secured and by the 15th most of the islands western side had been secured with stiff pockets of resistance remaining. The operation however was to be soon interrupted by the Octitanian Royal Navy looks to break Arkiania's naval dominance in the east. Trailing behind it was a Mestran fleet looking to support Arkiania operations in the east. The three navies would soon meet.

[Hadash]

Septem 18th, 1599

Octitanian forces were not able to properly defend Moshofion against enemy navy and air force. However, the city was prepared to resist, and well defended, Octitanian leaders were confident that a landing was unlikely unsuccessful.

Octitanian government suspended a rumoured large counter-offensive in order to retake territory and end the siege of Laganda, as it would probably result in considerably losses for Octitanian ground forces. Instead, they focused the efforts to stop the avance of Arkianian forces as much as they could.

Meanwhile, in southwestern Octitania, an operation was started, aimed to make impossible a further invasion of Arkianian forces toward the Arkianian/Octitanian gulf. Bridges and roads were destroyed, aimed to slow down any advance of the enemy, while the front was reinforced with a considerably amount of troops -at least as much as Octitanian logistics allowed.

[Arkiania]

Septem 22nd, 1599

Throughout the week, Arkianian forces advanced south east of the bulge that had formed in the front line securing the its south eastern flank, in the hills the fighting was bloody, as the brunt of the Octitanian defense was focused around them. By the end of the week however the first parts of the hill ranges have been taken, but a fierce fight continues. Starting at the end of the week, a new offensive operation was under-preparation between the two ranges was a gap of flat terrain which offers a flat terrain path to Cassel the long term goal for the war, and secondary the capital, Polachia. The Octitanians were aware of this however, and the choke point offered a significant defensive advantage especially as more troops were being brought in. Elsewhere in the mountains, small scale offensives were carried out to gain complete control of the pass, which were secured by the end of the week. In Laganda, the Arkianian's grip slowly tightened as advances into the outskirts were made facing small but heavy pockets of resistance. Intense building by building, and room to room fighting ensued. Meanwhile, in an unexpected request, Arkianian command pleaded with local officials to setup a secure zone to allow civilians to evacuate, and receive humanitarian assistance south behind the Arkianian front lines.

At sea, The Octitanian relief force had met with the Arkianian Navy, trailing behind it was a Mestran fleet. For two weeks, while assisting in amphibious operations, the Arkianian fleet was reinforced with reserve ships increasing the fleet's number to 30. With the two fleets met, an intense naval battle ensued, over the day, the fleet had lost 6 ships, but due overwhelming naval air power from the Supercarrier Alexian, and 3 smaller carriers. What was a pyrhic victory at beginning turned into a devastating defeat, with the Octitanians losing 9 ships by the end of the day. The next day, the Mestran fleet had arrived, and with the Octitanian fleet surrounded further blows were dealt, with an Octitanian carrier being disabled, 6 more ships lost. The Octitanian fleet trashed its carriers to prevent capture, and surrendered.

In the diplomatic realm, Arkianian officials pressed the Mestrans to prepare the ground invasion as had previously been discussed. Arkianian officials grew increasingly frustrated at the hesitance of the Mestrans to commit troops, especially as it had been agreed upon and a crucial aspect towards meeting the goals of the war. Especially as the Arkianians did not want a long drawn out war, and hoped with the joint invasion, Octitanian forces would be split, and thus weaker on both fronts.

[Mestra]

Septem 24th, 1599

After days of deliberation and debate, the Imperium would finally commit ground combat assets to the Arkianian war effort. While humanitarian relief effort continued to be carried out by the UDF, of which many Mestran, Arkianian, and Drahen personal had been involved with, the Imperial government had continued to push back on sending in ground forces. They had continued to hope that the Octitanian government would surrender after suffering numerous air and naval defeats, but the will of the Octitanian people to continue to fight had prevented the resounding victory the Mestrans had hoped for. As the weeks had drawn on, the Imperial High Command had continued to receive requests by the Arkianian military to send in ground troops to prepare for an invasion. Emperor Edward had finally agreed.

Military forces would arrive behind the Arkianian's northern border, well behind the line of engagement as preparations would be made for a ground invasion of Laganda. The Mestran 2nd fleet would be positioned to allow for massive air strikes on Octitanian ground forces near Laganda. The operation would see 20,000 troops sent. In the north, the 1st fleet was being deployed to provide the 3rd battle group to provide escort for naval and aerial transport to the Mestran-led invasion of northern Octitania, 30 miles north of Moshofion. The 3rd fleet would engage in aerial support of the landing, while naval assets took out key targets along the northern coast. The effort was to land nearly 60,000 troops within a week of opening the northern front.

[Arkiania]

Ochtyr 1, 1599

Another week fighting of saw bloody fighting in the hills, as well positioned Octitanian forces dug entrenchments around the hills as well as underground. Worse for the Arkianians the hills were heavily forested. The Arkianians considered this a setback after making so much progress as the first month of the war nears its end. Futrher west progress continued to be made in the flat plain between the hill range and the mountains. The advance was again limited as Octitanian air presence increased, limiting CAS ability. In Laganda, minor incursions were made deeper into the outskirts of the city, but were slowed for the purposes of evacuating of civilians. In the inlet, the majority of the resistance on the island was stamped out.

[Hadash]

Ochtyr 4, 1599

Octitanian armed forces had suffered an increasing number of casualties during the last ten days, probably the largest since the beginning of the war. However, although there were some minor territorial losses against Arkianian forces, the Octitanian army was able to defend itself without the enemy being able to destroy or break their defensive strategy.

Laganda remained under Octitanian control, although it was unclear if it would resist as planned as there were signs of an increasing number of troops gathering around the isolated Octitanian province. The chances of launching a counter-offensive to break the siege of the city were reduced now, but the Octitanian army was not willing to surrender the city, which had become more a moral and symbolical than military aim at this point. Meanwhile, the increasing pressure by Mestran forces seemed to fade away the chances that the war could be ended, or at least halted, in the diplomatic front. However, Octitanian government was still prepared to defend their country.

[Arkiania]

Ochtyr 8th, 1599

This week saw little progress as the Arkianians were continually bogged down in the forests against well fortified Octitanian positions. The Royal Octitanian Airforce kept close air support aircraft from providing significant support. They had to resort to low flying tactics in order to avoid anti-air, and aircraft. By the 5th however, the first major hill had been successfully taken, providing an overview of the flat lands that lay ahead of it. For now, the soldiers that had taken it were given orders to re-purpose what was left of the Octitanian fortifications, and dig in. Despite the fighting in the hills continuing, the major position that was taken gave the Arkianians security and overview of Octitanian positions in the plain. Preparations began immediately for a new offensive intended to drive towards Cassel, new freshly trained soldiers were being brought for the offensive.

In Laganda the deadline had passed, Arkianian aircraft began buzzing the city targeting any anti-aircraft installations remaining as well as remaining heavy equipment while Arkiania forces started moving en masse into the cities exterior. The siege had begun.

[Hadash]

Ochtyr 22th, 1599

Octitanian forces were prepared to resist the advance of Arkianian forces, although with considerable losses and manpower. However, Arkianian forces would have a hard time if the expected to take over central Octitanian regions before than expected.

The siege of Laganda had started. The defenses of the city suffered considerably losses, although Arkianian forces were not probably in a position to take the city yet. Without the hope of a counter-attack to break the siege, life was becoming harder in one of the largest cities of the nation. The complicated military situation gave a way to more political aims. Octitanian authorities reported considerably in the damage on civilian population -unavoidable in any case due to the concentration of the civilian population- and the humanitarian crisis resulting in the isolation of the city for propaganda purposes.