The Macedonian Wars (MT, Större Europa)

[Storre Europa]

A map of pre-war Macedonia, West Macedonia in red and East Macedonia in blue.

September 8, 1972. Chairman Pandel Malenkov of The People’s Federation of Macedonia (West Macedonia) had signed an armistice with President Marek Savic of the Allied States of Macedonia (East Macedonia). East and West Macedonia would be split along the Vardar River, with a wall being constructed to separate what would become East and West Skopje. Both sides of the Vardar River would remain heavily fortified and defended for the next 40 years.

September 1, 2012. Following the reports of short, but intense skirmishes near the city of Veles, a secret deal was struck between President Simo Zore of Serbia and President Aleksander Staios of East Macedonia, allowing East Macedonian soldiers to enter Serbian land in exchange for East Macedonian recon aircraft designs. 20,000 East Macedonian soldiers, accompanied by 300 armoured vehicles, 100 artillery units, 1 recon jet, 1 bomber, and 5 jet fighters.

September 8, 2012. Exactly 1 hour after dawn, East Macedonian forces surged across the Serbian-West Macedonian border. Tetovo was captured almost bloodlessly, and the East Macedonian army was ordered to split up. 10,000 men would march south to Gostivar, under the protection of air support, while the rest of the army would march East to Skopje, hoping to surround the West Macedonian troops. West Macedonia responded much more swiftly than East Macedonia expected, and a full assault was ordered across the Vardar River by the West Macedonian high command. Many East Macedonian troops (who didn’t know that war had broken out) were taken completely by surprise, and many of the East Macedonian border guards have been pushed back or routed. Fierce fighting has broken out in Skopje as West Macedonian artillery blew apart the Skopje Wall, and the city of Veles has fallen to the West Macedonian forces.

[Lombardia-Venezia]

"This is a blatant act of aggression by East Macedonia, and an absolute outrage! Not only have you attacked a nation whom you made peace with, but you attacked without formally declaring war! The warmonger President of East Macedonia, Aleksander Staios, must be stopped, no matter the cost!

To arms Lombards! To arms Venetians! TO ARMS, ITALIANS! We must defend our socialist comrades, West Macedonia. East Macedonia WILL be stopped!"

~ Presidente Leonardo D'Ascanio, President of the Democratic Republic of Lombardy-Venice (La Repubblica Democratica di Lombardia-Venezia), after learning of the East Macedonian attack on West Macedonia. His speech was followed by great applause, and "To arms Italy! To arms!" could be heard all throughout Milan for the next hour.

A few hours later, the President of East Macedonia received an official declaration of war from Lombardia-Venezia.

[East Macedonia]

This is an outrage.  We have every right to attack our neighbor because they were always provoking us.  We always wanted peace, but due to multiple pressures we were forced to attack them.  We have no quarrel with Lombardia-Venezia, so we will avoid try to avoid combat with LV (Lombardia-Venezia).  In our defense our only aim is to unify the country into a greater Macedonia to help preserve our heritage and also to provide a decent living condition for all Macedonians.  If other nations join the West Macedonians in war we will be forced to attack with our ally Scandinavia and the Nords.  The peace loving East Macedonians accuse Leonardo D'Ascanio of waiting for this opportunity to attack East Macedonia for their own desires to control the Adriatic sea.  

We want to spread the ideas of democracy to all the countries of Storre Europa and we will die fighting before we see it in the hands of dictators like Leonardo D'Ascanio.  They talk about democracy, but they only have one ruling party!  Do you want Macedonia to became part of the cruel corrupt country of Lombardia-Venezia?  If we fall then soon Scandinavia and the Nords will fall into a dictatorship.

Do the people of Lombardia-Venezia continue to want to live in a god forsaken country where there is no basic civil rights, no political freedom and a crumbling economy?  If Lombardia-Venezia is a true democracy let the people vote!  Do the people want a broke broken country or a beautiful flourishing democracy?


Shortly after copies of the interview were sent to Leonardo D'Ascanio and other Leaders

[Scandinavia and the Nords]

Olaf Johansson, Prime Minister of Scandinavia and the Nords, steps up to adress the nations of Större Europa.

"Nations of Europe! Why must we fight? This is clearly a regional conflict, and it should stay that way. I see no reason to send our soldiers to die for someone else's war. Say that our troops would be victorious, what would we have gained? Deaths for young men who could've achieved much? The overthrowing of a inefficient government, that would've collapsed anyway? And if we lost? Countless young lives, fought and wasted, all for naught!

*Olaf turns to the East Macedonians that were present.*

*Ahem*. Since when has East Macedonia decided Scandinavia's foreign policies? You assume we are allies, which we are not, and never have been. You say you will be "forced to attack", which is utterly ridiculous! You're the aggressor in this war! You've already attacked, how can you attack after already attacking?

You say the Lombardian-Venetian government is corrupt. I'll have you know, in the latest region-wide reports Lombardia-Venezia was reported to have the least corruption, with your nation having some of the most! You claim the Lombardian-Venetians are opportunistic warmongers, and yet they only entered the conflict to protect their ally, West Macedonia! And you claim they "desire to control the Adriatic Sea". I'm afraid East Macedonia doesn't have any Adriatic coastline, that would be West Macedonia. Check your facts.

Of course, there is one final thing I want to say to you. You claim that if East Macedonia falls, so will Scandinavia. Well I have a few things to say to you. There is NO possible way that the fall of some minor balkan nation will cause the collapse of our Federation. I am absolutely confused as to what made you think that the fall of your country will bring Scandinavia, a country far, far, to the north, to it's knees.

*Olaf turns back away from the East Macedonians*

Thank you, that is all"

As Olaf leaves the room, he is sent away with great applause from the Scandinavians who were present.

[East Macedonia]

I am sorry to here you say that Olaf. I didn't mean ally as in war, but I was just implying that we have the same political viewpoint. Don't we want to spread political freedom to the entire region. I will also have you know that the corruption point is a big lie. Our analysis shows that Lombardia-Venezias levels of corruption are over nine times our corruption level. I accuse us of having bad sources, but I believe it is you with the outdated information. Please try to make us seem stupid with true facts not false lies. On the warmongering note our country is way more peaceful than Lombardia-Venezia. Our citizens also have greater life spans than your citizens. We will also wonder what is use of fighting. Your soldiers will die for nothing. Please let this be a Macedonian issue not a region wide one. Forced to attack you say makes no sense. You have not really gotten my message. I meant that we will try not to attack Lombardia-Venezia.

[Scandinavia and the Nords]

Hans Ulrich, foreign minister of Scandinavia, has decided to address the East Macedonian response.

"Although I, like many of my colleagues, do not enjoy arguing, the East Macedonian speech simply rubbed me the wrong way. I will deconstruct the speech and adress each topic as best I can.

I will also have you know that the corruption point is a big lie. Our analysis shows that Lombardia-Venezias levels of corruption are over nine times our corruption level.

I'd like to know how one measures corruption, to a point where you can say that Lombardy-Venice has "over nine times our corruption level".

On the warmongering note our country is way more peaceful than Lombardia-Venezia.

I believe it is your nation that struck first, not Lombardy-Venice.

Our citizens also have greater life spans than your citizens.

One of the highest life expectancies in the world are on the island of Okinawa. Your point is?

We will also wonder what is use of fighting. Your soldiers will die for nothing. Please let this be a Macedonian issue not a region wide one.

I couldn't agree more."

Hans Ulrich steps off the podium, and walks off the stage.

[The Baltic]

General Urlich says " We, the Republic of the Baltic believe in every way that East Macedonia should be able to attack their long time neighbors in the west! If I am not mistaken, it was West Macedonia that has provoked East Macedonia causing anger between both countries. It is not a war of aggression but a one of teaching a lesson. One to West Macedonia so they learn not to anger other countries."
The President shouts " The Baltic will help the East Macedonia in war if needed, but our army and forces cannot reach that far. We shall only help the East Macedonians if they have disastrous trouble with West Macedonia. West Macedonia has behaved foolishly and will pay the price one way or another."

[Delmolaar]

We the Borderlands of Delmolaar wish to condemn the East Macedonians for this sudden and undeclared war, and query the East Macedonians as to what provocation caused them to turn on their neighbor so ruthlessly? A force of the infamous 13th Delmolaarian Scouts fifteen thousand strong (military service in Delmolaar is required for a minimum of five years) under Brigadier-General Ethan Werlam will be dispatched to aid the West Macedonian forces in defending their country from the agressor.

At this point the Borderlands of Delmolaar wish to add that their forces will operate in a defensive role only, and are hereby forbidden to cross the border into East Macedonia.



Delmolaar out

[Lombardia-Venezia]

Leonardo D'Ascanio, President of Lombardy-Venice, gave the following adress to the leaders of the world earlier this morning:

"It seems The Baltic have abandoned their communist ideals! It saddens me to see yet another socialist state succumb to the march of imperialist capitalism! I hope this is just a temporary bout of madness, and that soon General Urlich will come to his senses.

As for the East Macedonians, I have nothing to say to you. Your President, Aleksander Staios, is an incompetent leader who refuses to listen to the logic of foreign nations. We spit on your people."

[Storre Europa]

OOC: Er... Delmolaar. This is a Storre Europa only RP.

[East Macedonia]

I have a serious thing to say. Are the communists becoming so weak that they call for help form outsiders I find that quite strange and I though the Nords settled this as a Macedonian matter. I also agree with the Baltics. On your comment that they are becoming non-communist, I believe that just because they are supporting me doesn't mean they are non-communist and if Lombardy keeps insulting us I will personally go to Lombardy and sign a peace offering. This is not going to become a region wide war. Our country's defense is weak with more land our armies will get stronger to repel other countries. Nations of Storre Europa I hope you don't apply the newcomer's defensive strategy to the war. Meaning no offense to the newcomer I hope you will leave the forum and only return after joining Storre Europa.

[Lombardia-Venezia]

"Peace treaty? Hah. The only peace we'll accept is an unconditional surrender to West Macedonia.

On the non-communist comment: any nation supporting you is showing anti-socialist attitude. First it will be supporting democracy against marxism. Then what? Will corporations be allowed to enslave the population once again? Will the poor man die alone, a drunkard on the streets, because he was born into a poor family and the government refused to aid him? Will education be reserved only for the elites? You see, helping you was the first step in allowing the just and wise communist government in the Baltic to be stomped under the boot of foreign capitalism. Once again I hope the Baltic leaders will realize the horrible tragedies caused by capitalist countries, and join our plight against the imperialist devils."

~ Presidente Leonardo D'Ascanio, broadcasted live from Venice.

[East Macedonia]

How long are communists going to say that. Your ideology has a fatal flaw. According to your system everyone gets a equal share no matter how hard they work. I think that that gives your country a weakness. If someone doesn't work at all they receive the same pay as a worker who works very hard. This gives no reason to work hard. In our ideology our people have some encouragement to work hard and receive pay for how hard he works. If people work more then they strengthen your country's economy. Quick change to capitalism before it is too late to repair your damaged economy. The Baltics are not guilty as you say they are. Just because they are helping us doesn't mean that they are capitalist!

[Lombardia-Venezia]

"See, it is thinking like that will bring foreign nations down. When a "flaw" in our system is universal education and healthcare amongst our citizens, and being a corporate slave is a good thing, it shows just how wrong our world has become. Also, you assume there are people who do not work in my country. That is a lie. The unemployed are given jobs by the government, and trust me, they work as hard as they can.

As for the flaws in capitalism, well, there's quite a few. Firstly, for example, make more money than the poor, simply by being born into a rich family. This is just WRONG! All men should receive the same income, whether they are blue-collar workers or government officials! Secondly, powerful corporations employ thousands of wage-slaves, toiling for next to no pay all for the sake of mass-producing potato crisps, stuffed animals, or whatever they are producing. I shouldn't have to say why that is bad. Thirdly, if capitalism is such a great method where all have an equal opportunity to earn money, than why are there unemployed? If capitalism is so star-spangled awesome, why do workers who toil in mines for years earn not even a fraction of the money their boss earns in much less time, who most likely inherited his fortune from daddy?

As for how long we will defend our ideals, well, I assure you that we will NEVER give up. It may be 10 years, it may be 100, but eventually the red flag will triumph over her foes!

Workers of the world, unite!"

~ Presidente Leonardo D'Ascanio

[East Macedonia]

This has gone on long enough. I hope we will just settle our differences and stop insulting each other and continue fighting. I will send a ambassador to Lombardia to see for myself to the magnificent country of Lombardia. I hope you will let my ambassador into your country

[Storre Europa]

War Update #1

Both East and West Macedonia immediately ordered the full mobilization of their army. The West Macedonians, who were prepared for a situation such as this, were able to raise 200,000 eager, yet poorly equipped troops. The East Macedonians had stockpiled weapons prior to the war, but the men of East Macedonia weren’t too fond of war. In total East Macedonia raised 100,000 moderately equipped soldiers.

West Macedonian Conscripts

In the north of Macedonia, the East Macedonian forces had split up, with half going to Gostivar and the other half sent to reinforce East Macedonian forces in Skopje. The Battle of Skopje, as it is being called was quite bloody, not in soldier deaths, but in civilian deaths. An estimated 45,000 soldiers died in battle (25,000 East Macedonian, 20,000 West Macedonian) while an estimated 120,000 civilians were killed (over 20% of the population). It is important to note that many of the civilian deaths were due to the mobilization of both sides. Many young men living in Skopje were armed and sent to fight, only to die by the hands of the professional soldiers.

Downtown Skopje, one of the hardest-hit parts of the city

The city of Veles, a city split between East and West like Skopje also saw quite a bit of fighting. Although the city was captured by West Macedonia early in the war, the East Macedonians were quick to take it back. The East Macedonians, mostly a group of conscripts lead by a small amount of elite troops, had encircled Veles before attacking. The West Macedonian troops, although outnumbered, fought to the last man. All 15,000 West Macedonian troops were killed or captured in the fighting, but it came at the cost of 21,000 East Macedonian troops (20,000 of which were conscripts, while the rest were elites). Similar to the Battle of Skopje, 10,000 men were conscripted into the West Macedonian forces (slightly less than 25% of the population). These men, however, were horribly equipped and not at all loyal to West Macedonia. When the conscripts realized that the fight was lost, many switched allegiance to East Macedonia. Both the Battle of Veles and the Battle of Skopje were East Macedonian victories.

Young men being conscripted into the West Macedonian army, with West Macedonian troops keeping guard

The fighting near Gostivar and Thessalonica, however, were a different story. Gostivar in particular was a disaster for East Macedonia. While marching towards Gostivar the East Macedonian army was constantly harassed by West Macedonian and Lombard-Venetian bombers. The small wing of fighters the East Macedonians had with them were shot down by Lombard-Venetian jet fighters (an East Macedonian bomber and recon jet escaped to Serbia). Even under the constant attack from enemy aircraft, the East Macedonians marched on until they reached the outskirts of Gostivar. Before they could even begin attacking the city, a combined army of Lombard-Venetian and West Macedonian troops (60,000 men strong) had crushed the 10,000 East Macedonians with almost no casualties. The 60,000 men then continued there advance towards Tetovo. Thessalonica, a major East Macedonian port, was also captured by West Macedonia.

[East Macedonia]

I the president of East Macedonia wishes to ask for support from West Serbia and The Nords. I think that this war is going to end up very violent and I suggest Lombardia-Venezia to withdraw from battle

[West Serbia]

West Serbian Soldiers will help support East Macedonian soldiers against West Macedonia.

[Scandinavia and the Nords]

Hans Ulrich once again adresses the nations of Större Europa

"We have said it once and we shall say it again. Scandinavia will remain neutral in this conflict."

[Lombardia-Venezia]

"We shall not withdraw from battle! Incase you hadn't gotten the message, Lombardy-Venice will forever defend our comrades in West Macedonia! Of course, I dislike violence as much as you do. Which is why I suggest you spare the lives of thousands of young men, and surrender to West Macedonia.

To West Serbia, you have made the wrong choice. You're country will fall to the glorious armies of the socialists!"

~ Presidente Leonardo D'Ascanio

[East Macedonia]

Our people will kindly send a gift of gratitude to West Serbia. As for Lombardia-Venezia I suggest a peace treaty. You let us take West Macedonia and we will assist you in future wars.

[Lombardia-Venezia]

No.

~ Leonardo D'Ascanio

[East Macedonia]

OK prepare to fall