OOC thread!
*** The underground of Palace of Republic
1955 brought major changes in Nam Lac. Once occupied by Nihon, Nihonese army withdrew after agreement in Nihon - Tong war, also called the Great Furukurian Sea War, was reached. Nam Lac had to hold an elections about the future of the state. The elections came in 1958, but nobody in fact accepted their result. Two major parties, Communist Party of Nam Lac and Freedom and Independence (representing conservative free-market views) competed against each other in elections which de facto failed; communists scored minimal victory, only 50% to 48% of votes. This, however, was not taken enthusiastically by FaI party, which quickly mobilized it's own militia, claiming that communists faked the elections; the militia force was quickly armed in Nihonese weaponry and trained by KITSUNE force, as that time emperor Go-Juntoku was afraid of spread of communism in that region. The communists of course received support from other communist states. The war erupted in January 1956 and ended in November 1958. Two years of fighting costed millions of people lives; Communists quickly secured North, while the FaI forces secured the south. The biggest bloodshed was in former capital of Vo Cai, which was split into half during early hours of the war - the front line almost did not move for whole conflict. The war left enormous destruction of Vo Cai; historic city full of palaces, temples and works of art was destroyed so badly that it was not rebuilt even until today. However the war of attrition waged by both sides did not served either one; both sides depleted resources by 1958, and international opinion wanted to see peace in Nam Lac. In addition, there was civilian question; the FaI guerilla units known as "Night Tigers" were conducting bloody raids on communist party members and supporters, and communists shown them and their families no mercy in return. Such wave of terror was not taken kindly by civilian population. In October 1958 most of Night Tigers guerillas as well as Republic of Nam Lac regulars - trained by Nihon and armed in Nihonese arms - were pushed at 48*S. Then, the leaders of both countries agreed on temporary cease fire with demarcation line at 48*S. Ironically, the cease fire lasted for 57 years. At the time both countries were creating their economies and arming themselves, preparing for final confrontation. Many border clashes, shelling of RONL territories by communists or occasional terrorist attack by National Volunteer Corps, as Night Tigers were renamed, were still carried however - as the FaI guerillas never were deactivated, partially thanks to liberal gun laws in RONL, and communists were not particularly interested in allowing such raids.
Year 1998, 50 years after the war ended, brought new power onto the RONL political sphere; it was so called FaI coalition, named after original FaI from 1950s, which was fractured in following years. The coalition of right wing conservatives, nationalists and capitalists consisted few parties - like Đảng Tự do Thương mại (Free Trade Party) or Đảng Bảo thủ ( Conservative Party). Most important role however was played by " Người đảng toàn quốc Nam Lạc "Trieu"- "National Party of Nam Lac People - Trieu", named after half-legendary Trieu dynasty which founded Nam Lac according to folklore. Headed by charismatic Dr. Tu Van Thao, who assumed post of president from arm of this party in year 1998; and according to constitution could be elected three times for seven year term. Dr. Thao created series of free market reforms and militarisation; while he was often accused of limiting democracy and freedom of speech, he was not totalitarian, rather authoritarian - but still, communist government did not liked him. Dr. Thao was famous for his "crusade against the reds". Being devout protestant Christian, whose family were Imperial officials who were first to convert when British colonized those lands (before Nihonese invasion drove them out in 1916), dr. Thao's political campaign begun without explosions; but he ascended quickly. Now in power as president of Nam Lac, Dr. Tu Van Thao built enormous military force and was responsible for economic boom in early 2000s; his wise economic policies given Republic of Nam Lac one of fastest growing economies in the region, while communist economy was hit after soviet union fell. Now, even with this indirect Vedrian support, Dr. Thao was ready to realise his vision before he will leave office; Nam Lac united under the south.
Nihonese trained his army perfectly, as well as delivered enormous amount of equipment. Bought through Nihonese contacts were 12 TaH - 29 multi role air superiority fighters, all piloted by Nihonese "advisers" which would be used to defend the capital in coming war. 372 [url]Type 86 Chi - Go[/url] built by Nihonese with Nachmerian cooperation had advantage over every single tank what the communists had. The Duvalier - 1M missile bought from Inyursta was outclassing every air defence system that DRNL had. While his army still was using a lot of old equipment like AMX-30, it was a considerable force to be counted with.
Dr. Tu Van Thao was now sitting deep below the ground of the Palace of the Republic, with most important people from his government. He was looking at Marshall Hai Van Sinh, who was pointing at something on the wall. The Marshall was just finishing the speech he was giving.
"... As I said before, we have serious chances to win this war. My plan was outlined before, so I do not need to repeat it again. In terms of equipment we are on advantage. As you are aware, most of terrain in both DRNL and RONL is Jungle, so technically our light infantry formations will be having serious advantage. Besides we outmatch them not only by numbers but also by technology; while I do not believe that tanks will play a serious role in this war, we have 2524 to 1869, with our tanks like PT - 91 or TYPE - 86 having considerable advantage, as they are modern constructions, while their best tank is 1984 variant of T-80. In terms of navy we have bigger number of submarines and surface vessels, but they have more expanded light surface strike forces; it can pose some trouble, but nothing we can not deal with. Even if they posses some landing ships, identified by TC8 as "Ropucha" class, this ships are unable to carry more than naval infantry regiment when combined. In terms of air power we are equal. Mr. President, I believe we have serious chances of ending nightmare of our brothers in the north and removing the commies from power."
The president smiled and spoke:
"You got my congratulations, Marshall" his eyes were focused on him. The Supreme Commander knew that Dr. To Van Thao is a cunning man, and well versed political player capable of manipulating people to his will as he wanted "If, according to your analysis, we can win this war, I am giving you green light. Expect my speech tomorrow morning, I shall provoke the commies a bit. They need to give us reason to attack. Dismissed."
When they left, the true game begun.
*** Tiehn Dihn Province
Gen. Hai Van Dien was usually a calm man, who was considered a father by his soldiers. In his free time, Hai Van Dien was busy painting and fishing; but on the battlefield this man was ruthless commander who was known for showing no mercy to communists. Right now he was on training ground in Ba Diep, overseeing the training of 1st Self Propelled Artillery (MRLS) brigade/1st Infantry Corps. Equipped with RM - 70/85M MRLS. While not so long in range, this was not a priority, as the long range upgraded ASTROS II and M110 howitzers were not far behind them; purpose of RM - 70/85M was more to mow down the possible advancing communist infantry than to provide long range fire support; the terrain layout in front of them dictated this. The front would not be wide in case of conflict - the border was about 54km long. Single corps would be able to hold it, but both nations had much more to offer. With the 1st Artillery Corps behind them, whole area had serious cover - the DRNL lacked similar formation capable of striking the big guns like those of the southerners.
The general was standing on the rice field. His short posture was dominating over that hill from which he and another officer, Colonel - General On Duc Toai, much taller than him and with more imposing posture, were watching the missile unit conducting the fire drill conducted by Col. Gen. On Duc's unit. The RM - 70/85M were standing on place of cut off jungle, aiming for abandoned rice field where nobody was growing rice any more.
"Ran, this is Ran actual, fire mission coming, over!" said tall soldier to the radio when observing the area. By the way he spoke he seemed to be a commander of whole situation.
"Ran, whole load, over!" he gave another command, indicating how many rounds will be fired by the MRLS. Each of them had 40 rounds - and all of them were going to be fired at imaginary communist horge.
"Ran, load standard, over!" the crews rushed to load the powerful rockets into the mighty jaws of the MRLS tubes. Soon they will breath fire, destroying the imaginary communist assault. The tubes were loaded, now the time came for another preparations.
"Ran, contact fuze, over!" the ammunition was prepared to wreck havoc on the "commies".
"Ran, deflection zero three two one, over!" the MRLS prepared themselves. The trajectory was calculated. The fire would soon begin.
"Ran, elevation two seven two, over!" the mighty rocket launchers arose, readying itself for fire. It seemed like it will soon devour whole land around.
"Ran, fire for effect, over and out!" the method of fire was chosen, and soon nothing could stop the fire to be unleashed from tubes. Terrifying hissing sound covered whole area as the missiles started, and it continued until all the rockets left the tubes. The rice field soon turned into area of explosions, torn apart by exploding rockets. "Advancing communist infantry" was destroyed. The man radioed to his commander the damage report. Mission was accomplished.
"Seems that we have enough to kill those motherf**kers if they come at us" smiled Gen. Hai Van, as he looked at fires burning among what used to be rice field once, and now was training ground for his men "If this were commies, they would be all dead now."
"I am honoured, sir!" Colonel - General On Duc Tai was a humble man, who did not liked to exalt himself over his men.
General Hai Van wanted to speak more, but he was cut by coming lieutenant who was ruing towards them with worried look on his face. The young NCO saluted both officers and shouted:
"Sergeant 2nd class La Minh reporting in!" he saluted, and, Gen. Hai Van noticed the logo of the corps communications battalion on his arm "You got new orders from An Mihn, sir. It has been authenticated already."
"Rest!" Gen. Hai Van saluted him "Colonel - General, please provide me with safe room for reading."
They went quickly to the HQ of his brigade. The General Hai Van opened the envelope and read it. As he was reading it his face change it's look. He just received a WARNO for eventual attack on the North. He was not sure if this was true or false plan - as the military procedures often involved circulating false plans to confuse DPRNL, but he was sure something was about to happen...
At the same time additional units were moved a bit north, to ensure bigger combat reserves. Their procedures were the silent march as created by Nihonese; the soldiers were coming through jungle in small groups, re-supplying on prepared earlier by National Volunteer Corps resupply points. The small groups had bushes attached to them and moved through dense jungle guided by locals. The vehicles used the road systems at night, going without the lights on, using the locals and accumulator - loaded nocto vision to orientate in terrain. Many of those light infantry units were not to be revealed until the initial strike, and would have to infiltrate through the border, guide the incoming units and capture strategic locations to ensure envelopment.
Moving through well known terrain, the units moved sacrificing flank security for speed; the established infiltration routes were already prepared.
The war would soon begin, and nothing would save the commies.
