The Appalachian Federation

[Sabriel]

The years had not been kind to the region of the former United States that now called itself the Appalachian Federation. With the spread of the German Flu, and the quarantine that resulted in the breakup of the American Republic, Appalachia found itself bereft of the military and industry that had helped the United States recover from the Great Depression. Left to itself, the fledgling Federation had attempted to instil some sense of order, mimicking the old Republic where it could.

So it was that President Jonathan Sidel found himself in office, overseeing the ongoing quarantine while his nation festered. His efforts had seen the reformation of the Federation’s armed forces, which he used liberally to enforce the quarantine. His secret ambition was to march north and unite other elements of the Republic under his leadership, a dream he suspected would not come to pass.

The Appalachian Armed Forces were spread throughout the Federation, stationed at small outposts along the Federation’s major roadways. What few aircraft they possessed were used sparingly to patrol the skies for potential incursions or violations of the quarantine.

[Markus Wilding]

Operation Tar Heel had begun. By order of the President, the 4th Army began the offensive in line with their simulated wargames. Under the command of General Sigmund Blanchett, the collected army began their war on a cool evening, with small, single flights of recon planes across the front collecting puctures. These planes were careful not to cross the border, though they probed as far into it as they dared and were allowed to, quickly retreating if challenged. The mission of these recon planes was primarily to discover any defenses that could not be observed by ground observation, but also to judge whether a reserve force was needed.

In the end, Atlanta had decided the reserves were necessary. The 5th Infantry Corps was pulled from their bases in southern Alabama and sent to the SRA-Appalachian border there, just shy of Nashville. By the corps own estimation, it would take about four days for the entirety of the corps to arrive, by which point it would likely have to begin marching once more.

Regardless of the presence of a reserve force, the 4th Army undertook its mission. Spread out across the entirety of the SRA-Appalachian border, the 4th Army began the dawn of the next day by beginning an artillery barrage against confirmed enemy positions, preferring precise strikes over mass batteries of fire to destroy the enemy. After two hours of constant barrage had been concluded, the attack moved forward, pressing for key strategic cities in Chattanooga, Charlotte, Nashville, and Memphis. On the coast of the Carolinas, the 3rd Mechanized Corps, consisting of an armored division and two mechanized infantry divisions, drove as fast and far as possible, intent on driving for Norfolk as soon as possible.

In the air, meanwhile, the SRA'S Army Air Corps committed seven wings of fighters to the area, casting a broad and wide net to intercept and shoot down enemy aircraft, aiming to overwhelm the enemy where possible. One wing provided long-range escort for a wing of B-52 bombers, attacking confirmed naval bases in Norfolk and shipyards in Newport News to disrupt potential rebuilding and rearmament.

Out at sea, the SRA's navy seemed relatively quiet. The Second Fleet sailed out, not on an attack run, but to escort civilian shipping heading t Germany, hoping the presence of the battleship Georgia would deter the Appalachian Navy - if it existed - from venturing out from port. Various submarines, acting under independent orders and commanders, sailed out to disrupt civilian shipping, lurking out at sea and preying on any ship that dared fly the flags of the Appalachian Navy or merchant marine.

For many soldiers of the SRA, this would be their first trial by fire.

OOC: References:

The 4th Army is made up of two infantry corps and one mechanized corps
Each infantry corps contains three infantry divisions

Each mechanized corps contains one armored division and two mechanized divisions
Each infantry division contains 10,000 soldiers, 24 M12 self-propelled howitzers, 24 M19 self-propelled anti-air guns, and 54 M59 towed howitzers

Each armored division contains 250 M46 tanks, 450 M5 half tracks carrying 4,500 soldiers, 54 M12 self-propelled howitzers, 24 M19 self-propelled anti-air guns, and 24 M59 towed howitzers
Each mechanized division contains 1,000 M5 halftracks carrying 10,000 soldiers, 54 M12 self-propelled howitzers, 24 M19 self-propelled anti-air guns, and 24 M59 towed howitzers

Each fighter wing consists of 60 F-86 Sabres
A bomber wing is made up of 15 B-52 bombers
All submarines referenced are Tench-class submarines.

List of actions taken:

• Two hour artillery bombardment on border positions
• General offensive across entire front
• Mechanized corps moving along coast toward Norfolk
• General air superiority missions
• Bombing of Norfolk naval base
• Strategic bombing of Newport News shipyards (attack on Industry)
• Show of force in Atlantic ocean intended to deter naval actions
• Submarine attacks on Appalachian shipping and military naval vessels
• Movement of two infantry divisions from southern Alabama to northern Alabama (non-combat movement)

[Markus Wilding]

(OOC: Total SRA deployment to Appalachian Federation as of March 2019 [1953 in-game]
2 points infantry
1 point armor
3 points mechanized
3 points artillery
1 point bombers
11 points fighters
All of the above is in Territory 22.
3 points warships light
3 points warships medium
1 point heavy warships
2 points submarines, conventional)

The war did not begin well for the Socialist Republics of America. Hours of artillery bombardment had indeed softened up enemy defenses for the approaching Socialist Republic Army, but the Appalachian Federation had recruited thousands of militiamen to swell their ranks, and even with one unit surrendering entirely the Army faced difficulty in progressing beyond the border. The 17th Infantry Division and 23rd Infantry Division found themselves under a ceaseless barrage of fire, with old field guns having been turned on their convoy, wrecking several vehicles outright. Initially, the mechanized infantry here thought themselves under fire by a much more modern force than first projected by Army intelligence, however after reinforcements arrived in the form of the 4th Armored Division, this turned out to not be the case - the foe that had pinned down two entire SRA divisions for four hours was no more than a large, highly mobile group of militiamen using whatever guns had been cobbled together for their use.

The advance fare far better in the west for the men of the 4th and 6th Infantry Corps. The combined weight of six infantry divisions crashed down on another wave of enemy militiamen, shattering the milita and forcing them to retreat further into the woods around Tennessee. Progress was good, even if the 13th Infantry Division was temporarily detached to provide rear-line security for the advancing corps.

In the air, the Socialist Republic Army Air Force almost immediately established air superiority as roaming Appalachian Federation planes were caught totally unprepared and unable to maneuver against the SRA's modern fighter jets. Several plucky Appalachian fighters did manage to clip the wings of a handful of SRA jets, forcing them to be grounded for some time as the repair crews patched .30 cal holes in the wings. The Appalachian air force likewise retired, impotent to stop the SRAAF from conducting its bombing campaign of Newport News shipyard.

Out at sea, meanwhile, the waters were calm. Lone, unaware merchant ships were caught unawares by Socialist Republic submarines, but the Appalachian Federation's navy refused to set sail. Many SRN commanders believed the enemy had been sufficiently cowed by the impressive show of force by the surface fleet, but Nashville knew better. The truth was the the Appalachian Federation Navy did not feel it had sufficient fuel to venture out and challenge the SRN in open combat, much less contest the waters.

And thus, as the first week of combat between the two green all-American armies concluded, the rolling hills and tall mountains settled into an uneasy peace waiting for each side to make a move.

(OOC: Autocombat was used for this round.

SRA inflicts 1 point of ground losses and 2 points of ground damage on Appalachian Federation.
SRA inflicts 2 points of air losses and 3 points of air damage on Appalachian Federation.
SRA inflicts no naval losses or damages on Appalachian Federation.

Appalachian Federation inflicts 1 point of ground losses and damages on SRA.
Appalachian Federation inflicts no air losses and 1 point of air damages on SRA.
Appalachian Federation inflicts no naval losses or damages on SRA.

[Markus Wilding]

(OOC: Autocombat was utilized for this round.)

The lull in combat did not last long.

As the next Monday arrived, the Socialist Republic Army mobilized to engage the enemy across all fronts. Inspired by their success in the air, the SRAAF continued its campaign of destruction and devastation, striking Appalachian Federation planes on their runways. By the end of Tuesday, few could argue that the SRA held complete air superiority over the skies of Tennessee and North Carolina. Gun runs became commonplace as the SRAAF pilots had little else to expend their ammunition on, though these haphazard and oftentimes dangerous gun runs were quickly replaced by conventional dive-bombing attacks and rocket pod strikes.

On the ground meanwhile, the armies of the Socialist Republic advanced ever further, destroying outright two large groups of militamen who had been called up from the reserves to stand against the might of Atlanta. Near Memphis, men from the armored divisions engaged in an hours-long firefight with Appalachian Federation regular infantry, the first sighting of the regular uniformed force since they had crossed the border two weeks ago. Though the Federation's army fought hard with the Southern aggressors, by the end of the week, little could be done to stem the tide. The front line extended from Memphis, fully under SRA control, to a bulge just a scant 40 miles outside of Nashville, to a line extending from Chattanooga to Jacksonville, North Carolina.

(OOC: SRA inflicted 2 points of ground losses and 3 points of ground damage on Appalachian Federation.
SRA inflicted 2 points of air losses on Appalachian Federation. Damages were rolled, but not applied as the Appalachian Federation no longer has any suitable units to take the damages.
SRA inflicted naval losses and damages, but the Appalachian Federation does not posses a navy - this was overlooked in the previous round and damages/losses will not be applied.

Appalachian Federation did not inflict any ground or air damages or losses on the SRA.)

[Markus Wilding]

(OOC: Autocombat was used for this round.)

The SRA continued the advance into the Appalachian Federation with swiftness and brutal measures. The remaining militia had been crushed with little opposition, finding themselves disorganized in the face of overwhelming SRA firepower. Eventually, North Carolina was deemed clear of all hostile militia elements, and the path was clear for the SRA's propaganda arm to begin converting the people over to Atlanta's brand of communism.

Meanwhile in Tennessee, continued skirmishes with SRA forces, supported by aircraft from the SRAAF, proved almost ineffectual for the Appalachian Federation's military. Exploiting the weakness in their lines, the SRA counterattacked, bringing the line ever closer forward and spelling doom for future operations.

(OOC: The SRA inflicted 2 points of ground loss and 3 points of ground damages on Appalachian Federation. Both losses were taken on militia. All damages were taken on infantry.

Appalachian Federation did not inflict any damages on the SRA.)

[Markus Wilding]

(Autocombat was used for this round. Autocombat can not longer be utilized until next month due to having used autocombat 4 times in this game round.)

With the enemy militamen all but destroyed and discounted as a serious military threat, the Socialist Republic Army set to work eliminating the Appalachian Federation's regular forces. Intense combat erupted in the mountains as the two forces clashed, stubborn defenders of the nation fighting against highly motivated invaders. Thousands of guns escalated the conflict into total destruction, leaving no small town or struggling city unscathed. SRA and Appalachian armored forces clashed daily, trading hits but ultimately with little success on either side, but as most American wars so often did, it came down to the infantryman and his rifle. The SRA and Appalachian Federation engaged in a brutal and massive infantry battle, supported by artillery that raged for weeks on end. By the time the year ended, the SRA had claimed a victory, but it was extracted from the blood and sweat of thousands of dead Appalachian soldiers with SRA losses not comparable. It seemed this time, their rifles were working in favor for them.

(OOC: Appalachian Federation inflicted no ground losses or damages on the SRA.
SRA inflicted 2 points of ground losses and 3 points of ground damages on the Appalachian Federation. 2 points of infantry were lost, while 3 points of armor were damaged.)

[Markus Wilding]

(OOC: Autocombat was used for this round.)

As the front settled and extended into 1956, the unusually cold winter stalled the Socialist Republic Army's advance. The two armies settled into trench lines, divided by only a scant few miles of open ground between them. Despite the overwhelming superiority in airpower and almost complete supremacy in deciding engagements, the SRA high brass elected instead to hold and consolidate forces, a move that the opposing Appalachian Federation took as a sign to launch an attack. The Federation's numbers were balanced out by the fact the SRAAF could call upon heavy bombers to disrupt the massed enemy formations, though inexperienced aircrews meant the bombs missed their mark more often than not. Either way, it had the desired effect - perhaps in spite of their superior numbers, the Federation called off their attacks a week after they had begun. Likewise, a counteroffensive from the Socialist Republic Army began almost immediately, but with little success and in face of staunchly-held trenches that rivaled any works built on the Western Front, this campaign was also called off. By the time winter ended, the only advancement that could be claimed was perhaps a quarter of an inch of land gained.

(OOC: Appalachian Federation rolled a 10 on their roll, inflicting no damages or losses on the SRA.
SRA rolled a 7 on their roll, inflicting no damages or losses on the SRA.)

[Markus Wilding]

OOC: Autocombat was used for this round. In their attacks, the SRA rolled a 4. This results in 2 points of ground losses and 4 points of ground damages for the Appalachian Federation.
In their attacks, the Appalachian Federation rolled a 2. This results in 2 points of ground losses and 2 points of ground damages for the SRA.

IC:

The spring thaw brought renewed vigor into the two armies locked into deadly combat over the former American states. By order of the high brass, the SRA launched an offensive intended to drive a wedge between two isolated groups of Appalachian infantry, a goal that was achieved surprisingly quickly. What the men of the 13th Infantry didn't count on, however, was being cut off by a well-coordinated and lightning quick counteroffensive. The 13th, alongside the 9th Infantry Division, were encircled almost immediately. Attempted breakthroughs by reinforcing elements of the 4th Army proved fleeting and stalled to a halt before a corridor could be opened to allow a retreat, or at least sustain an operation to evacuate the pocket. Seesaw-esque attacks raged for the better half of a month as the SRA sought to break the encirclement. Despite suffering severely, the Appalachian Federation held strong to the encirclement, despite throwing the better half of their armed forces to sustain the line.

By the end of spring, the campaign had cost the SRA three full-fledged infantry divisions, with casualties sustained to the armored corps and artillery regiments. With mounting casualties, the Army elected to send the First Field Army into the Appalachian Federation. However, the opposing force had not escaped unscathed - thousands of soldiers had perished defending their home, and relentless artillery and aerial bombardment had wracked the artillery of the Federation. Hundreds of guns had been lost, but the enemy artillery still held strong, even if their numbers had dwindled.

OOC: The SRA is moving 1 point of infantry, 6 points of mechanized, 3 points of armor, and 5 points of artillery into the Appalachian Federation. These forces will arrive next round.

[Markus Wilding]

OOC: Autocombat was used for this round. In their attacks, the SRA rolled a 1. This results in 6 points of ground losses and 10 points of ground damages.
In their attacks, the Appalachian Federation rolled a 7. This results in no points worth of ground losses or damages to the SRA.

Since the Appalachian Federation cannot sustain further damages or losses, and has lost all combat effective points, the annexation has been completed.

IC:

In the end, it was inevitable.

The wrath of the Socialist Republics of America, reeling from losing thousands of brave men forwarding the cause of Communism, had no equal in the Federation. Though battered and beaten, the remnants of the SRA 4th Army were joined by the full-strength and and bloodlust-filled 1st Field Army, stocked to the brim with men who had been waiting across the border for the opportunity to join the war and take revenge upon those who had murdered their friends, brothers, and cousins.

Supported not just by the SRAAF, but the full political backing of the Senate, the 1st Field Army surged forward, intent on nothing more than outright destroying any vestige of the Appalachian Federation's existence. The 1st Infantry Division especially took great pleasure in tearing down the old flags, inspired by the former American flag, and replacing desperate recruitment posters with Party-approved propaganda posters, highly visible across the major cities in the former Federation.

Not all of the SRA's work was peaceful. The 3rd Mechanized Corps and 3rd Armored Corps, joined by the remnants of the previous 4th Army, clashed almost daily with the dying breaths of the Federation, desperate men who did not accept that the war was turning against their little republic. Fighting in the former capital took the better half of two months, involving nearly every soldier of the 1st Field Army and the 4th Army, with artillery and SRAAF aircraft constantly bombarding the city round the clock until it resembled little more than a broken mass of concrete, rebar, and wood. The devastated city provided excellent cover for the defenders, dug in behind every brick. It mattered little - the commander of the 23rd Infantry Division handed down a direct order - one which was widely condemned in the military establishment and Atlanta Post - to hunt down every capitalist rat, no matter where they hid.

Four months later, the territories of the former Appalachian Federation was declared secure, and the process of transferring control from military administrators to civilian ones was begun, albeit slowly. Many officers claimed that the separatist rebels had not been adequately pacified, and their occupation forces were needed for a little while longer.

Either way, the implications were clear. The Appalachian Federation had ceased to exist as an independent entity. Its people - and its valuable resources - were now under the firm control of the SRA.