Panamanian Civil War

[Markus Wilding]

With the violent revolt supported by the SRA, the Socialist Riflemen have occupied parts of Panama City and the northern coast, as well as other areas of the Panamanian nation as fighting starts to envelop the small Central American nation. Evidence surfaces of clear SRA involvement, prompting a marked increase in even further violence as the rebels armed with old SRA tanks, artillery pieces, and weapons challenge the government to open warfare, declaring their intent to secure the revolution. The coup seems doomed to fail from the start, though already outside powers are taking an interest in the nascent civil war.

[Markus Wilding]

The SRA's entry into the Panamanian Civil War had already happened, if the rumors and evidence of CIA involvement was to be believed. After all, it sounded in line. The Panamanian rebels had already declared solidarity with the workers in Atlanta, they used equipment that Atlanta had discarded, and the Panamanian government had solid-looking evidence of Atlanta's involvement.

Of course, Atlanta didn't quite see it that way. Congress saw no validity in the claims of CIA involvement, but did see a clear threat to American interests. The Panama Canal had been an overlooked spot in American foreign politics as of late, and the incidence of violence did not go unnoticed. The American military soon moved out to secure the "rights and freedoms of the Panamanian people" as it was claimed. Thus, the SRN's Second Fleet, along with the Marine Corps from Italy, the Airborne from Georgia, headed to Panama with the 9th Army Group waiting in the wings for the initial landings to succeed.

[Markus Wilding]

Situation map as of March 8th, 1968

The Panamanian Civil War was inherently rooted in confusion and disorganization immediately upon the first shots being fired. The government attempted to rally its troops, calling out a general alert for their military to prepare itself to fight a dangerous Communist incursion, but lackluster command and control meant the Army was slow to respond. Many border units in the northwest were unaware that there was even active fighting until the Communist militias overran their posts. For now, the Socialist Riflemen claimed control over the mountains in the central part of the country, and the government intended to keep it that way. Artillery fire rocked the mountains as the beginnings of the government offensive were conducted, in conjunction with naval blockade of the Socialist Riflemen's only port. Overland smuggling and resupply was possible, of course, but given the inclinations of neighboring Costa Rica, the threat posed by this was considered low. A comprehensive bombing campaign began in the early morning hours of the 8th, intent on annihilating the roads that could give the rebels freedom of movement and easy resupply.

In direct counter to this, the Socialist Riflemen charged down from their mountains after trading artillery fire with the government batteries, driving for Santa Fe and Salud. Immediately, the technology that they had mysteriously acquired (most likely given to them by the SRA) proved its worth, overwhelming underprepared Panamanian government forces and nearly forcing a major rout near Penonome. The crippling air superiority was, however, a factor that could not be overcome, but they could at least make the efforts to maintain it difficult with the "new" American-made M57 MGMC mobile anti-air guns.

The first serious attacks of the war had begun, and with the SRA's military looming on the horizon, the capacity for violence was only barely filled.

[Markus Wilding]

The SRA sent only one missive to the Panamanian government, declaring that it would secure the Panama Canal to ensure that freedom of trade would not be restricted, and that safe passage would be guaranteed to any vessel wishing to traverse the Canal. Marines and Airborne led the way, utilizing not just new combat vehicles but new gunship transport helicopters, being utilized for the first time in American combat. The Airborne descended upon the Canal on the southern end, moving with gunship support to the north where the Marines had landed, while the Navy kept watch for signs of Panamanian interference. Overhead, American fighters and bombers loitered, just waiting for the signal to begin a comprehensive attack.

Either the Panamanian government would see reason, or it would force Atlanta's hand. Either way, the SRA would get what it wanted.

[Markus Wilding]

OOC: In this round, the Panamanian government attacked the rebels and the SRA.

In this round, the rebels attacked the Panamanian government.

In this round, the SRA attacked the government.

In their attacks, the Panamanian government rolled an 8, 2 and 3 for ground, air and naval actions, respectively. This results in 1 unit of ground losses, 1 unit of ground damages, 1 unit of naval losses and 1 unit of naval damages for the rebels and SRA. A bombing campaign resulted in 1 unit of ground losses and 1 unit of ground damages.

In their attacks, the rebels rolled a 3 for ground actions. This results in 2 units of ground losses and 4 units of ground damages for the Panamanian government.

In their attacks, the SRA rolled a 1, 1 and 2 for ground, air and naval actions, respectively. This results in 9 units of ground losses, 10 units of ground damages, 2 Industry lost, 3 Industry damaged, 10 units of air losses, 11 units of air damages, 5 units of naval losses, and 9 units of naval damages. A bombing campaign resulted in 10 Industry lost, 12 Industry damaged, 5 units of ground losses, and 6 units of ground damages.

Panama does not have enough units to sustain all the casualties inflicted upon it. It is considered defeated. Panama is now a Client state of the SRA, and will require 2 Industry invested to keep it in line, as its government has changed to Authoritarian/Socialist per the military defeat of its forces.

The SRA takes the following casualties:
1 unit Warships, Medium lost
1 unit Warships, Medium damaged

The rebels take the following casualties:
1 unit armor lost
1 unit artillery damaged