Italian Civil War

[Markus Wilding]

In the early dawn hours of February 8th, 1967, chaos consumed the tenuously-held Italian border. The two claimant Italian states - the Kingdom of Ital and the People's Republic of Italy - had gone to war, with the Kingdom having declared war following a two-year long investigation into the death of one of her border guards. The Italian King, Victor Emmanuel IV of Savoy, claims this is a valid and legal case for war. The Communists had been intruding on their border for years, spurred on by the success of the French and their recent civil war that saw the Communists boxed in by unfriendly Swiss neighbors, revolutionary Frenchmen and Balkan neighbors of dubious trustworthiness. In response, the Socialist Republic of Italy has claimed no wrongdoing and posits it has been set up.

Either way, the war has started, and North Italian troops have reportedly already reached Rome as naval combat in the Tyrrhenian Sea escalates and disrupts vital Franco-Victorian trade. Both sides have reportedly petitioned the UN for assistance and sanctions against one another, as well as seeking foreign support. The AP reports that the Kingdom of Italy has called for all like-minded nations to support it in its endeavors against the Communists, warning that just like France fell, if they fall then a domino effect will cascade across Europe as nations are overthrown by communist revolutions.

OOC: Map upcoming tomorrow.

[Markus Wilding]

The SRA has dispatched the SRN's 2nd Fleet to Italy, as well as members of the Socialist Republic Marine Corps to aid the People's Republic of Italy in defending against this dangerous and uncalled for aggression by the Kingdom of Italy.

[Avalanche]

The Celtic Union has dispatched Carrier Group Orion, Expeditionary Group Morrigan, and Strike Group Northumbria to assist the People's Republic of Italy in putting down the aggressive northern regime.

[Sabriel]

Victoria sends a simple message to both combatants: trade must not be disrupted. The Italies must keep their fighting from impacting Victorian interests, or face the Ascendant Host.

Trade routes are made clear, and civilian ships are warned to adhere to the shipping routes. Warships found to be violating the civilian shipping routes will be warned once and told to return to the conflict zone, or face destruction at Victoria's hands.

[Markus Wilding]

At the end of February, the Kingdom of Italy has pushed as far south as Chieti, stalled by the inability to capture Rome and staunch Communist counterattacks along the front. The presence of the SRA's Marines also prevents a full-fledged offensive as the UN drags its heels on intervention and sanctions. In the seas around Italy, the two naval forces fight a brief but inconclusive battle, with both sides electing to withdraw and conduct limited raids on the other side's flagged commerce rather than contest one another.

While combat continues and settles down as March rolls in, the Eternal Flame has shown to be a place of neutrality for both sides, with Eternal Flame members allowed to pass through the Kingdom's lines in order to deliver food and medicine to the people of Rome, as long as they submit to the Royal Italian Army's searches to ensure ammunition and military supplies are not included.

[Markus Wilding]

As the months continued, the stalemate turned into a mud-filled slog as heavy rains poured down on the trapped Communist forces. For now, the fighting had stalled, but the Kingdom was loathe to let this status quo continue. The Kingdom mustered its forces, ignoring the dire warnings of combat with the SRA, and pressed forward for a renewed autumn offensive. What followed was a chaotic, brutal fight that dislodged the Communists at Rome and drove further and further south until Foggia was threatened. With the fall of Rome, many thought that the end was near for the Communist government, but in reality, the Kingdom had only succeeded in inciting the fury of the SRA's Marines. Quick calls were made to end the war, but with the Republic backed by the SRA and Ireland, no negotiations were made or even attempted. Out at sea, the naval battle renewed in force as the two Italies fought one another for dominance in the Med, with the nearby Irish and American fleets scrambling to respond.

OOC:

In their attacks, the Kingdom of Italy rolled a 1, 3 and 7 for ground, air and naval actions, respectively. This results in 2 units of ground losses, 3 units of ground damages, 1 unit of air losses, 1 unit of air damages, 1 unit of naval losses, and 1 unit of naval damages for the People's Republic of Italy. A bombing campaign resulted in 1 Industry lost and 1 Industry damaged, with an additional 1 unit of ground losses and damages.

In their attacks, the People's Republic of Italy rolled a 3, 9 and 3 for ground, air and naval actions, respectively. This results in 1 unit of ground losses and damages, 1 unit of air losses and damages, and 1 unit of naval losses and damages for the Kingdom of Italy. A bombing campaign resulted in an additional 1 unit of ground losses and damages.

The Kingdom of Italy takes the following casualties:
2 units motorized lost
2 units artillery damaged
1 unit fighter lost
1 unit bomber damaged
1 unit warships, light lost
1 unit warships, heavy damaged

The People's Republic of Italy takes the following casualties:
1 unit light infantry lost
2 units motorized lost
2 units artillery damaged
1 unit armor damaged
1 unit fighter lost
1 unit bomber damaged
1 unit coastal lost
1 unit coastal damaged

[Sabriel]

A lone Seraphim flew over the Kingdom’s capital, far above where most aircraft could reach it. As it flew a message was sent to the Italian monarch: “Withdraw to pre-war borders. Do not make the Seraph Queen involve herself in this conflict.”

[Markus Wilding]

Incensed by the sudden and violent North Italian attack, the SRMC engaged with the North Italian military intent to push back towards Rome, and hopefully convince the Kingdom that further combat would be totally unnecessary. American rocket artillery signaled the beginning of the assault, covering the advance of the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions and their armor. This would, in effect, be the first combat test of the new M211 Infantry Fighting Vehicle, and high hopes were placed upon it even if its trial by fire was against a less technically inclined attacker. Marine scout snipers led the way in identifying enemy positions first, marking them for precision battery fire from 203mm howitzers stationed behind the line, or for defeat in detail from highly mobile combat units.

Meanwhile, at sea, the American Navy taskforce set sail to engage the remaining North Italian Navy, intent on eliminating the North Italian threat to the friendly Communist South, aiming to use overwhelming numbers and their technology in order to emphasize resistance was futile. With luck, between the Victorian threat and the looming American forces, the North Italians would soon be compelled to surrender.

[Markus Wilding]

OOC: The Kingdom of Italy opted not to attack the SRA in this round.

Ireland opted not to attack in this round.

In their attacks, the SRA rolled an 8, 2 and a 6 for ground, air and naval actions, respectively. This results in 3 units of ground losses, 4 units of ground damages, 5 units of air losses, 6 units of air damages, 1 unit of naval losses and 2 units of naval damages for the Kingdom of Italy.

The Kingdom of Italy took the following casualties:

2 units armor lost
1 unit motorized infantry lost
1 unit artillery damaged
3 units motorized infantry damaged
5 units of fighters lost
1 unit bombers damaged - double damage leads to loss
1 unit fighters damaged - double damage leads to loss
1 unit warships, light lost
2 units warships, heavy damaged

[Markus Wilding]

Given the recent catastrophic defeat of Italian air power over southern Italy and the show of force from the Inferno Queen, the Kingdom of Italy has negotiated a peace that has allowed it to return to prewar borders.