Viva la República! [RP, Open]

[Platoa]

2/1/14

The reports of a large reformed Spanish army readying to attack Alfoquia surprise High Command. They had not expected a reform of an enemy they thought almost finished. The French were now also readying themselves for war. In response the 2.Rev.Guards are sent to Alfoquia proper to allow the Alfoquians in the North to continue their operations. The naval infantry that were to land in Galicia instead proceed on the the Basque region to help hold the French in the mountain passes. Firith leads Platoan naval forces in securing and blockading Spanish ports in the bay of Biscay.

3/1/14
The air forces stationed in Southern Spain are resupplied with fuel and cleared for general supporting attacks across central Spain. Naval Infantry dig in in the Pyrenees. Armoured vanguard units reach Alfoquian lands.
Both Alfoquia and the Independent Basques have their Freedom guaranteed by Platoa

[Alfoquia]

((I figured that in real life the Spanish would be fighting much harder than they have been, so now's their chance))

[Platoa]

((Do we still have the Basque guy?))

[Alfoquia]

((Maybe he's gone the same way as the Slavs))

[Independent Basques]

((He's here, will post later today))

[Alfoquia]

((Is anyone still there? If the Basques don't post anything by this evening, I'll just go ahead. I've waited too long already.))

[Independent Basques]

In San Sebastian, the business of creating a new national government - and military force - was well underway.

De Ibarra had shrewdly decided to add three high-profile individuals to the Revolutionary Council. These included Archbishop de Vittoria; Caen Oxalt, the Chief of Police in Navarre province; and Brus Miguel, the editor of the Bilbao Press, the largest newspaper in Basque country. In one deft maneuver he managed to unite the Church, Press, and Police with the new state. As the propaganda machine blared from all quarters, 20,000 men volunteered to serve in the new military. While still under 1% of the new nations population, the Council was happy - and somewhat relieved - to know that their efforts would be taken seriously now that an army had almost spontaneously emerged to defend the new Basque homeland. Oxalt was appointed Commander of the Ground Forces, and word was sent forth to all volunteers to head to the southeastern corner of Navarre - the one place where both Spanish refugees and French invaders could join forces against the nascent nation.

Meanwhile, in France, Bishop Jean had almost lost control of the situation. It was bad enough that de Vittoria's monks had crossed the Pyrenées and raised the battle cry in the Dominican monasteries and their sister churches in the rural areas, where the flame for basque independence had always burned brightest anyway. But now, news that France was mobilizing troops to crush the basque rebellion and Alfoquian nation in Spain was turning even the more conservative towns against Paris. In the eyes of the French basque country, it was Paris, not San Sebastian, that was the aggressor among the "northern" provinces. Mayors and opportunistic politicians began calling for a united response against France - and Jean found himself between a rock and a hard place. He could support France, as one among dozens of loyal French Bishops, and call for peace; or, he could join the popular tide that was now calling for secession - and union with the new Basque Nation.

In the end, Jean decided, right or wrong, to side with his own people - and call for a Basque uprising in France. His words had the impact of a flame on dry tinder...and the long-silent, but ever-present dream of a national homeland spread like a flame through Lower Navarre, Lapurdi, and Zuberoa - the three "northern provinces" of Basque country.

Crowds took to the streets, but the jubilation was dulled by news that France was, indeed, on the march.

[Alfoquia]

Please stand by; we are experiencing technical difficulties

(My computer's hard-drive failed, and every attempt to install linux as a stop-gap has failed)

Sorry, You may have to wait a day or two :/

[Alfoquia]

This is the announcement for those of you that are impatient that I am currently writing my post. I should go back to a normal update schedule now. I got linux working.

[Alfoquia]

((I should also be rejoining the diplomatic RP, for the one person out there who cares))
January 2, 2015:
A few skirmishes with advance Spanish soldiers convince the two commanders of the Home Guard, Mu'tamid Kefilwe (a Libyan turncoat), and Leon Vela, to begin a withdrawal. In the past there had been a rivalry between these two men, with Leon being angry that a former enemy was promoted so high, but that was quelled temporarily by a personal visit from the Minister for the Army, who went so far as to threaten both of their dismissals if their disagreements impaired Alfoquia's ability to react to the Spanish.

The leaders of the Army of Alfoquia, having just fought so hard for the north-eastern coast of Spain, argue about whether to abandon it, but in the end they decide to at least pull back several kilometers, and dispatch several aircraft to the bases near the northern Alfoquian border.

Meanwhile, the Algerians fall back towards the coast. There's no point in holding territory near the border of Portugal anymore, and since
top Algerian commanders are worried that another Spanish army will materialize and attack them, a shorter front is preferable.


January 3, 2015:
An evacuation of Albacete in advance of the Spanish forces is ordered. Hundreds of soldiers march out in columns, heading towards the east, and are followed by several thousand civilians, worried about Spanish reprisals. A few HSLRAM missiles arrive at Palma, but they are largely ineffective against the fast-moving Spanish army and the consequent lack of intelligence of Alfoquia's part.

The Army of Alfoquia decides to head home to fight the Spanish, leaving no garrison behind, but offering the defense of the territory up to the Basques.

France sends ultimatums to both Alfoquia and the Basques.

French Ultimatum to Alfoquia:

You have a day to respond. You must stand down your military and surrender unconditionally to Spain. Failure to comply will result in war with France.

French Ultimatum to the Independent Basques:
You have a day to respond. You must stand down your military, agree to cease inciting revolution within the territories of the nations of France and Spain, and surrending unconditionally to Spain. Failure to comply will result in war with France.

The Alfoquian government refuses to comply. Italy announces that it will back up France's ultimatums.

[Alfoquia]

((I hope I didn't kill the roleplay))

[Independent Basques]

04 January

De Ibarra and de Vittoria spent the day on the phone with Bishop Jean in France, strategizing on the responses necessary. Events were moving quickly, and all of western Europe seemed to be on the cusp of having a finger in what should have been very local matters. In the end, the men agreed on a complicated plan of action and public relations efforts. It was clear that the Basques needed to fight at least some of these battles in the court of public opinion, rather than on the military battlefield.

from: Tomás de Vittoria, President of the Independent Basque Republic
To: His excellency, the President of France:

We are in receipt of your ultimatum. Please rest assured that the uprising of the Basques in Spain is indeed a local action that is peculiar to Spain. Our governing council consist only of representatives of the Four Provinces south of the Pyrenees. We have no armies and no political representation in France, and have done nothing to provoke your animosity. Any incursion across the border by France will be seen world-wide as an act of aggression against a nation that wishes you no harm, and we will defend ourselves and die as men rather than acquiesce to the demands of a nation that has no place south of the mountains.

From: Jean, Bishop of Lower Navarre
To: His Holiness, the Pope, Vatican City

I write to implore your Holiness's intercession on behalf of your church in France. The Church among the Basques, the most devout in all of France, has committed herself to supporting the desires of her loyal Christian children to effectuate a separation from Secular France. We have learned that French troops are being amassed to slaughter the Church in Lower Navarre. As we speak, monks are forming a human chain across the A-63 and the A-65, the two routes into the Basque country. Much to our horror, we have learned that France has secured Italy's complicity in this. Most Holy Father, if anyone can prevent Italian troops from desecrating the Bride of Christ, it is most certainly the Holy See. We beg your intervention to prevent Italy from joining forces with Secular France in harming your Church among the Basques.

Meanwhile, on the ground, word spread that the French were amassing against the nascent Basque Nation - an indignity that only served to swell the ranks of volunteers. The ragtag army of 10,000 volunteers swelled to 20,000, drawing largely from among the ranks of the unemployed and fringes of society - nonetheless, they were live bodies willing to march and die for the basque nation. On order of the general, the group, finally in formation in the southeast corner of the Basque nation, launched a preventative strike by marching towards Zaragosa, Spain. Spaniards who had fled the Basque revolution had themselves headed here, flaming local fears of the approaching Basque army - and unwittingly serving as a propaganda force that made the basque army appear more fierce than it was. If Zaragosa could be placed under siege, it would require the French to shift forces south, rather than placing the Basque nation under a direct attack.

[Alfoquia]

((It's alive! *evil scientist laugh*))

[Alfoquia]

((The rest of Alfoquia's post will come after Platoa's done, this is just the French reply to the Basques))

Dispatch from the French National Assembly, dated January 4, 2015
We would like to cite the 2003 defense agreement with Spain, guaranteeing them French support against terrorist and revolutionary actions. The very existence of your nation is an insult to the sovereignty of Spain, and a revolution of the highest order. As you have declined to accept our ultimatum, we are left with no choice but to enforce it through the regrettable use of violence upon your people. We are supported by Italy in this, and both you and Alfoquia should expect the full reprisals of the law for your heinous actions. I have been ensured by the Spanish Prime Minister that the majority of the former citizens of Spain living within your nation will receive pardons if you surrender now.

The pope has declined to send a response at this time. One may be forthcoming in the future, though.

[Platoa]

4/1/15

The withdrawal of the Alfoquian forces was a sensible move but it left the 2nd Rev. Guards in a difficult position. They were now an increasing distance from their allies with an unexpected enemy army in the middle. For now they were well supplied and had taken very few casualties but they could not remain cut off from Mediterranean supply lines for long. But was this an opportunity?

From their current positions they stood fair chance of actually encircling this army and maybe even engaging them before they were ready for it. To do so they would need Alfoquian support and the withdrawing army would need to race back up to the West. But if they pulled it off the last chance for Spain would be crushed. The General's staff sent a message to both Vela and Kefilwe and kept heading towards both enemy and ally.

Viduin, once a Commissar, now a Lieutenant, still Naval Infantry was also experiencing difficulties. His platoon had spent the day fortifying a mountain pass village near the border with France. The locals were not exactly helpful. Some protested that the Platoans had not been invited into the new Basque country. Some protested the fact that the Platoans would not help the rebellion in France. Some did not enjoy being told to evacuate their villages. Some weren't happy that their living rooms now held HMGs.

((No I didn't warn the Basque 'government' about any of this. The Platoan government takes the view that the locals should be grateful to get any help and that the threat posed by the French military to Platoan personnel overcomes their desires.))

His whole unit had taken the most casualties of any Platoan group, first in the difficult advance out of a smokey and still burning Lisbon and then again in the room to room fighting in the city centre. His men were due to receive the heavy equipment they would need in the next few days (the last days that shipments directly to Atlantic coast Spain would be possible) but for now they had only the gear assigned to them for the landings. They had mortars and machine guns as well as a smattering of handheld AT launchers but no protection from the air. At least the terrain was more appealing than the population.

5/1/15

Offers to join the Alfoquian-Platoan Entente with similar terms are extended to the Basques.

TERMS OF THE PLATOAN-ALFOQUIAN ENTENTE ((For reference))
-Alfoquia will lease the neighboring islands of Conills and Na Redona, as well as land of your choice near Ziama Mansouriah, for a period of 50 years, at which point it will be decided whether the lease is to be renewed.
-Alfoquia will provide 92 million Maravedis to assist in the construction of military facilities on said territories.
-Alfoquia will allow Platoa to establish an embassy in Alfoquia, as well as consulates in Palma and Jijel, if it so chooses.
-Alfoquia will reduce tariffs layed upon businesses originating from Platoa by 30%.
-Platoa must provide military aid in the conflict against Spain, Tunisia, and Libya.
-Platoa must agree to a pact of non-agression while the above lease is active.

Additionally a permanent military alliance is suggested to both Alfoquia and the Independent Basques(read that as very strongly recommended). Think NATO but for the little guys. Seeing as the Basque army does not contain the regular military units found in the Alfoquian army they also offer Platoan training officers to them. The Platoan delegation expect the Basques to amend or reject some of the terms of the potential treaty and are open to negotiations.

All Platoan warships finish recombining into one fleet and prepare to strike Mediterranean French naval units.

[Independent Basques]

((OOC: As a point of clarity, where *exactly* are the Platoan forces located? Do you have a city/province in mind?))

The Revolutionary Council met in San Sebastian to discuss the Platoan proposal. While the Council was pointedly disturbed at the incursion of foreign forces into Basque territory, the Revolutionaries had quickly become extremely pragmatic about the military realities, and put both their pride and idealism aside.

"As best I can tell," said de Ibarra, "the Platoan army represents our best hope at a secure military defense against either the Spanish or the French. It makes more sense to enlist them as allies than to see the entire world as our enemies. We need capable allies if we are to survive. And we need reliable trade partners...it is not yet impossible for Spain to suffocate us through trade blockades rather than through military means."

The Council agreed to the following message, which was immediately transferred to Platoa, with a copy to Alfoquia:

The Independent Basque Nation is in receipt of your recent transmission. We embrace the opportunity to join forces, militarily and economically, with Platoa.

We accept Platoa's offer to train our military, and welcome your assistance in our defense of the Pyrenee border.

We look forward to unfettered economic trade with you. It is Basque Policy to trade with allies free of all tariffs and quotas.

By this response we signal our intent to join the Platoan-Alfoquian Entente.

[Platoa]

((Well they would have come from the bay of Biscay so I guess near San Sebastian in the mountains.))

[Alfoquia]

((I'm going to post four days in one, so I can get the first posts in and run the war with France. Just start your next ones on the fifth))
January 4, 2015:
Albacete, bereft of its garrison and most of the population, surrenders immediately to the Spanish. Spanish troops march to the Jucar, which the Home Guard has spent the last few days feverishly fortifying, and bombard the Alfoquian positions across the river. The Alfoquians respond though, and for a moment it looks as if the Spanish may be repulsed. The tables turn, however, when a detachment of the Spanish army is sent to circle around towards La Roda and cross the river there. The Alfoquian right flank, being now attacked in two sides, surrenders, leaving its entire complement of artillery to the enemy. The rest of the army is able to withdraw towards the suburbs of Arborea in a more orderly fashion.

The President issues evacuation orders for every member of the executive staff, the Senate, and the Governmental Court. With a fighter escort totalling a third the air power of the entire country, they file into several requisitioned passenger jets and take off towards the east, arriving at Palma an hour later.

In preparation for a declaration of war from France, Alfoquian ships, which had been harassing the northern Spanish coast, begin their journey around the peninsula towards (moderately) safer waters.

((Platoa, I'm not sure whether I misread what you posted, or you misread what I posted, but the only major Spanish army is about two-thirds of the way down the peninsula, and most of the way towards the east. There is basically no Spanish military presence in the north))

January 6, 2015:
Spanish troops turn towards the south, in the direction of Alfoquia's capital. While they are harried by frequent Platoan and Alfoquian attacks, they make good time simply due to their armies' sheer size, and the fact that they have enough artillery to force their way through a small mountain if necessary.

By this point it is clear to the Army of Alfoquia that they won't arrive at their capital in time to influence the inevitable battle, so the commanders issue new orders to construct basic fortifications within the Alfoquian border to prevent both Spanish reinforcements from arriving and any beaten Spanish army from retreating. They are assisted in their efforts by Algerians, who have begun pouring into Iberia at an accelerated rate.

The National Museum, still under construction, has its contents (and caretakers) follow the government to Palma de Mallorca. The trip is a tense one, as Spanish fighters had been reported in force in the western Mediterranean just that morning.
January 7, 2015:
The Alfoquian Home Guard rallies and, bringing up every mortar and tank in their arsenal, manage to stave off the Spanish advance 33 kilometers north of Alfoquia (the city). Algerian fighters destroy several of their Spanish counterparts and make their way to Alfoquian airforce bases on the Mediterranean coast, from which they strike at the Spanish supply lines. This is largely ineffectual as the supply had been slowed to a trickle by the intervention on the border by the Army of Alfoquia.

January 8, 2015:
The stalemate continues on for most of the day. Finally, the Spanish, wary of the Army of Alfoquia behind them, attempt to maneuver around the Home Guard. They fail spectacularly, and both armies engage in fierce fighting. The Home Guard is overwhelmed by sheer force of numbers, though. Most of the men in the Home Guard were the original revolutionaries, and because of this most units attempted to fight to the last, since as they all knew that they were the only thing between the Spanish army and the capital. In fact, the army only withdraws after the Prime Minister himself had sent his second order to do so. The Spanish ignore the retreating army and instead focus on the capital. The Spanish commanders order their men into a forced march, with the exhausted rotating in and out of vehicles, and by the time they make camp they're only 19 kilometers away. Since the communication network had degraded in the wake of the Spanish advance, and any military officials in the area were either preoccupied with fighting off the Spanish or didn't know where they were, the Army of Alfoquia simultaneously receives the news that the Spanish army had been temporarily stopped by the Home Guard and that the Home Guard had been routed, immediately pulls up and marches south. Despite the fact that the Spanish army is too far away to reach in time, the commanders only order a stop when their soldiers start collapsing in droves from exhaustion. Late that night, two lieutenants making their way to the tent of Josue Inocenio Ferran Olana, one of the two co-commanders of the Army of Alfoquia, and find him lying in his cot with his wrists slit. The other general assumes overall command, yet he blames himself for the defeat of the Home Guard. If he had just kept marching... If he hadn't stopped, and tried to reach the army...

As night descends, French Leclercs, VBCI's, and VAB's cross over into Basque-controlled territory. The French do not declare war on either the Basques or Alfoquia, as they do not recognize either nation's existence, but instead announce a military intervention as per the G8 treaty in 2003 with the Spanish areas of Andalusia, Navarre, and Alicante. They do, however, declare war on Algeria. They ignore the Platoan garrisons for the moment, as the field commanders do not wish to be responsible for any more declarations of war.
The French troops number some 580,000, and are supported by both reconnaissance vehicles and main battle tanks, as well as any number of French Army infantry fighting vehicles (such as the aforementioned VBCI's, VAB's, and the "Engine Blinde", an engineering vehicle of which only 42 exist in the entire world.) Simultaneously, French warships depart from ports in Brittany and Gascogne, heading south towards the Spanish coast.

The Alfoquian Prime Minister is finally evacuated from the capital, in the last aerial convoy out of the city. The only other passengers are a few assorted civil servants from Arbolea and the surrounding towns, and a few special forces soldiers there to guarantee the Prime Minister's safety. The President is reminded again to stay in Wyztrkstan where he's attending the succession of the new Sultan for his own safety.

((The map will come when I get home. It hasn't changed a lot, though.))

[Alfoquia]

Addendum to previous post: We've recently ordered quite a few modern main battle tanks, assault rifles, cargo helicopters, and other things ((I'll give you the full list when they actually get here)). The senate was able to approve a massive budget for the purchase of these due to the fact that the fate of our nation depends on the hasty arrival of these.

Topic: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=305958&p=23252628#p23252628
(page 14)

[Platoa]

((Perhaps I hadn't said but I only landed 1/3 of my forces in Northern Spain, the rest advanced East form Lisbon across land. So depending on the timing you could have some help in Alfoquia proper.))

[Alfoquia]

((Perhaps I hadn't said but I only landed 1/3 of my forces in Northern Spain, the rest advanced East form Lisbon across land. So depending on the timing you could have some help in Alfoquia proper.))

Well, you would have had to fight through the core of Spanish territory, probably at least through Toledo, and likely also through Madrid. On top of that, the Spanish have a huge military presence there to oppose the Algerians, so it would have taken quite a while, been sort of costly troop-wise, and I don't see much of "advancing east" in your posts.

[Independent Basques]

05 January

Thirty-five Dominican monks, who had engaged in an act of civil disobedience by lying across the main highway into French Basque country, lost their lives when the French army simply rolled over them. Pictures of the mangled and bloodied monks raced across the media, and even those who opposed secession were outraged. If the French thought they were crushing a rebellion, their efforts were counter-productive: the outrage and horror of the days events only served to energize a previously apathetic French Basque movement. News of military support from a Platoan unit spread as well, and recruits from the area rushed en masse for the Pyrenees, to be trained to fight in the defense of the Basque people.

06 January

The impromptu Spanish-Basque army arrived at the city of Zaragosa, to find pandemonium. News of the approaching 'army' of recruits greatly exaggerated their actual strength and skills, and the city was in chaos as citizens fled to the southwest. The invading Basque army found some important city buildings unoccupied, and quickly took possession. It was hardly a military victory - but that didn't stop them from using this minor event as a public relations win. The largest radio station in Zaragosa was now in Basque rebel hands, and they made the most of the opportunity.

07 January

In the French Basque country, the constant stream of news set events in an irreversible direction: news that the monks had been slaughtered at Tarbes; news that the Platoans were training Basque troops; and news that Zaragosa had "fallen" to the Spanish Basques created an insurmountable pressure. Leaders of the three French-Basque provinces hastily called a news conference, declared their formal secession from France, and unilaterally declared that they were uniting with their brethren to the south of Pyrenees.

In not much time at all, Tomás de Ibarra had realized his dream - that the Seven would be One.

Now it was a matter of holding it together.

[Alfoquia]

Platoa? Hello?

[Alfoquia]

I'm just going to go ahead this afternoon.

[Platoa]

((Sorry guys mock exams are unfortunately extant and fast approaching for me))

6/1/15
((Its the FINAL RETCON do do do do, do do do do do....))

The 2.Rev.Guards have by now reached the front-line in Southern Spain and are fighting scattered Spanish resistance alongside the Algerians unfortunately far removed from the critical Alfoquian theatre. They will not be able to help the Home Army yet.

Platoan naval command, fearing a battle in the capital move warships into the coastal waters outside Alfoquia to provide fire support. This move will take a couple of days and the hope is that the province will hold out until at least then.

Platoan naval infantry in the Pyrennees are swamped with recruits. Many are unarmed and few have any formal drilling, never mind their marksmanship. Viduin himself commanded 1 platoon of Platoans and 2 local 'platoons'. The locals were armed from a hodgepodge of spare Platoan arms , recovered ETA caches and relics prised from the walls of houses and sheds nearby. At first uniforms had been issued but by now a red-green armband was all that distinguished the recruit from civilians.

The first order of business was selecting officers, anyone with military or paramilitary experience was plucked out, briefed and sent to his new command immediately. As soon as the new units were at all organised they were sent to their final positions, generally as a light reserve or flank guard to take the pressure off the real soldiers.

Nobody on the ground knew how long they would have until the French attacked and a feverish rush was seen in the actions of every Platoan. Frantic requests for arms and supplies were sent to the Basque government (though they knew they had their hands full too) and high command back home.

Swelled with recruits the length of the Platoan defence increased but they still covered less than half of the Pyrenees, just the Western passes. Hopefully Alfoquia and the Basques would take care of the East.

Back home things were not looking good for the Vanguard party. Elendsa, his staff and High Command had all underestimated the Spanish and none had counted on the French. Debates raged in the Halls on whether or not to commit fully, to truly mobilise the whole country. It was hard to say which way it would go. Even Elendsa himself was unsure of what to do. They could not abandon their allies but he knew also in his heart of hearts that not even at her full strength could Platoa win this war alone, not against France.

7/1/15

The secession of Basque France was being celebrated outside but for the trainers of the jubilant Basques the event posed a dilemma. The marines knew their orders, to hold the line in the mountains but the locals wanted to rush down into France. By unanimous decision any lands North of the mountains were written off by the Platoans. They were simply indefensible. The Basque government were advised to pull back any useful men or materiel from France and to leave those lands for the negotiations.

By now the troops, both Basque and Platoan, were well entrenched and hopefully capable of fending off even an armoured attack (just not for very long).

Platoan air raids continue throughout this time and presumably for the duration of the campaign, fuel supply issues having been resolved.

((Ok I apologise if I missed anything and again for my lateness))