EUROPEAN NEWS - FOREIGN AFFAIRS - ATANOSIAN QUESTION
"ARIETE" IS SURROUNDED,"ARIETE" CONTINUES TO FIGHTIn the total defeat of Allied invasion of District 6,the heroic sacrifice of the 132th Tank Brigade "Ariete" rekindles the pride and saves thousands of livesAll the reasons for the failure,how it changes the strategy
Dramatic news coming from the front of the District 6,where it is now clear that the invasion attempt has been transformed into a relentless defeat. Loyalist forces,strengthened,as we shall see,by the numerical superiority and by the support of the towers EMP,which still remain a big problem for Allies commands,won the European and allied forces,now in retreat,and began a rapid advance northward. However,as will be illustrated later,for tactical and strategic reasons,it is impossible that the enemies manage to break through the boundaries of the District 6 north.
But let's start from the beginning. After the conquest of the District 2 and 5, the District 6 has become a strategic priority for achieving the ultimate goal, ie the conquest of the capital. Analysts agree in saying that if the District 6 will fall, with it will collapse the entire dictatorial government. Conversely,if Snow will retain control of these areas,he will still have a hope to resist,however insignificant in front of the poweful military potential of the Allies.
Hence the invasion plan of the District,which,at least in theory,was to be a fast action of breakthrough enemy defensive lines,made from flexible units,massive mechanized and technologically superior. It was also made full reliance on air support,close and strategic,and actions and long-range missile artillery. A sort of blitzkrieg,which moreover has had great success in all previous Districts (in particular 2 and 5),with minimal losses,and the enemy forces destroyed in a short time,with relatively low collateral damages.
A Squadron of Eurofighter "Sky-Shark",of European Air Force,in air-space security operations over District 2
But something went wrong: a disastrous chain of erroneus commands as well as strategic and tactical decisions,biased and inaccurate intelligence data,capacity enemy proved unexpectedly higher than expected,led to the disaster we have witnessed.
First of all,the numerical superiority. After the destruction of the dam in District 5,the priority have shifted from the attack to the consolidation of defenses. The high command have preferred to keep the bulk of the forces to strengthen and enhance the defensive systems and logistics supply lines,as well as to continue the massive relief efforts,damage mitigation and infrastructural reconstruction,after the collapse of the dam. An appropriate choice of course. Except that the generals still wanted the invasion of District 6 go on to full pace,despite more than the 80% of the initial strike force had been recalled. A real strategic suicide, you will say. But for the leaders of the chain of command was not. And this brings us to the second cause of defeat.
The strategic superiority over the enemy. The high generals thought,on the basis of precise and,according to them,reliable intelligence data, that the enemy would not have had anyway capabilities to counter the invasion. Then,according to plan,the conquest would have to be fast and with tiny pockets of resistance uncoordinated between them. So even with a force numerically lower,there should have been, however,a military superiority. So it was not: our men suddenly found themselves in front of a compact and well organized army,with good firepower, and,despite the heroic and honorable resistance, our troops were forced to retreat. Why? Simply because the intelligence data were distorted,very inaccurate,extremely incomplete,and underestimate greatly the military potential of the enemy. Practically the whole strategy was based on falsehoods, and the consequences are obvious. But what led to intelligence data unreliable? The towers EMP of thw enemies blocked the vast majority of intelligence operations,before conducted regularly by reconnaissance stealth drones and aircrafts,and using highly advanced satellite technologies. Obviously we can not lean entirely blame the intelligence agencies, who have done the best possible, but as to the upper echelons of command, who misinterpreted the data available to them.
Finally,air and technological superiority. With the activation of the towers EMP, virtually air superiority has failed: for obvious reasons, most of the operations of air support,of any kind,were withdrawn. Same for the support of long rage missile artillery,rendered ineffective. Moreover,with the disturbances of EMP,our forces could not make the most of mechanization and extensive technological superiority. In practice,half of the strategy was thwarted,but the high generals still continued the invasion,literally gambling: sin were not playing with the cards,but the lives of many brave men and women.
PATRIOTs Adanced Capability-3,of European Army (from 4th "Peschiera" Artillery Brigade,Army Air & Missile Defense Command),near the southern borders of the District 5,as part of the defensive system
Based on this analysis, we can go and see exactly what happened. After an initial advance,with sporadic resistance and easily tamed,despite all the limitations imposed by the EMP,our men have met the bulk of the enemy forces. Allied troops,barricaded in an abandoned network of fortifications,have done everything possible to resist to the impact force of the enemy,which,however,exerted pressure uncontainable. So the Allied units began a general retreat toward the northern border of the district,in order to save themselves,and to lure the enemy into a deadly trap: the dictatorial forces in fact could never break through the boundaries in the north,where air support,long and medium-range artillery and the barrage of powerful defensive lines would block the offensive. The retreat was conducted in an orderly manner,maintaining coordination, discipline and compactness.
The enemies of course,to prevent our troops could withdraw,they tried to surround them and block to them all roads: in this case would be the end. Precisely to avoid this,the 132nd Tank Brigade "Ariete" (from "Ariete" Tank Division,recently deployed in Atanosia),spearhead of the Allied breakout force,with some battalions entilery equipped with tanks deployed in the District,has voluntarily decided to sacrifice himself,effectively saving thousands of soldiers,European and Allies. The Brigade has set itself among the enemy in attack and allied forces in retreat,blocking the breakthrough of loyalist forces for some time: this gave time to the other units to get far enough away,reach the borders in the north,and be able to save themselves. However,the heroic soldiers of the 132nd Brigade have paid this courageous action with life: finally they were surrounded and completely annihilated. But, as is clear from the reports, of enemies and allies, the Brigade fought to the last man, shot to the last bullet.
A final report,come from a single battalion of the Brigade to the General Command,reads: "We are completely surrounded,we have no escape route,there are only three operational tanks: we counterattack immediately." A report by the enemy,says: "Ariete Brigade is surrounded,Ariete Brigade continues to fight." Another enemy dispatch: "They were in a few,without ammunition,without supplies,without hope. Yet no white flag waving,no European soldier raised their hands. We have not collected prisoners simply because we did not succeed to capture them,they did not stop to fighting,even at the cost of attacking our armored vehicles with the bayonet." A further communication of enemy says: "The remains of the 132nd Brigade have resisted beyond all limits of human possibilities,I never seen anything like it."
To remind, the ultimate sacrifice made by the few air squadrons in the District,forced to learn a battle against an enemy force numerically superior,and with the technological superiority in the fact canceled by EMP. Fighting bravely,our air forces have diverted attention of the enemy from Allied ground units,allowing the retreat. A successful paid dearly: the albeit few allied air forces in the area were completely destroyed. Finally,we remember all efforts offered by rebel forces in the area, which with guerrilla actions,sabotage and asymmetrical war,have greatly weakened enemy force,suffering heavy losses,however.
European heavy units,from "Heavy Metal" Heavy Armored Cavalry Brigade,1st Armored Cavalry Division (I Army Corps),in defense of northern borders of District 6
Currently retreating forces reached the borders in the north,and several thousand men managed to escape. Despite this,it is estimated that over 50% of the initial attack force (albeit small),has been destroyed,or dispersed (official sources claimed that many soldiers,even entire units,having been separated from other Allied forces,have joined the rebel groups,and that they continue to operate behind enemy lines). The enemy losses are uncertain,but it would seem to still be high. At this time the defenses north of District 6,consisting of a powerful network of fortifications,reinforced by high precision artillery positions,and an efficient network of surveillance and defense against air and missile threats. All this is reinforced by many mechanized battalions,heavily armored and deployed along the border,and by an overwhelming air superiority. Strong networks of logistical support ensure a regular influx of reinforcements. Official sources indicate that the enemies have tried numerous times to break through,without success: the enemy forces,therefore,seem to be under control. Official sources also claim that preparations are underway for a big counterattack.
In short,the value,the courage,the professionalism,the spirit of the will of each individual soldier,more than offset the inefficiency and stupidity of the high commands. In this context of "glorious defeat",the quote "An army of lions led by a bunch of monkeys" fits perfectly. In his address to the nation,taking a few hours ago,the President of the Council of Ministries Martin Schulz praised the glory of the soldiers, and strongly condemned the mistakes made in the upper echelons of command. Probably in the top floors of the Ministry of Defense is shaping up a "work of cleaning" unprecedented.
MASSIVE EUROPEAN AID & RECONSTRUCTION CAMPAIGN IN DISTRICT 5Enhanced and maximized efforts to mitigate damages, to bring aid to civilians and to continue the reconstruction
European Army Engineers,while they build a road to restore the infrastructural network,in District 5
European Government,through an action of coordination between the various agencies of Ministry of Defense,Ministry of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs,has further expanded the already massive relief operation and reconstruction in the District 5,devastated by the floods that followed the destruction of the dam. Currently in the area are engaged tens of thousands of men,with great technical expertise and know-how,as well as with extremely advanced and capable equipments and vehicles,the funds made available are on the order of billions. However the whole operation,proceeding anyway to full pace,remains an engineering nightmare of huge proportions. The only positive is the human lives: the only victims would seem to be the approximately 800 New Zealand soldiers,unfortunately present on the dam at the time of the collapse. Among the civilian population (much of the population was evacuated in time),there were no deaths,according to official sources,while all the missing were recovered by rescue teams.
In the area,to deal directly reconstruction and risk mitigation operations,are deployed several divisions of Army Corps of Engineers,as well as various government agencies and companies (public and private),hired as "contractors" to operate in specific areas. Are instead dealing with the direct relief operations for the civilian population highly specialized units from National Fire Corp,European Civil Protection Department and Army Medical Command,as well as European Red Cross and various voluntary associations. Logistics efforts,obviously immense,are fully supported by Military Sealift Command (European Navy) and Air Mobility Command (European Air Force).
The allied forces have created a solid network of temporary housing areas,equipped with all the essential services (including heating,water supply,electricity),to accommodate the displaced population, in which there is also psychological support and leisure. Inside of them was created a large network of distribution of humanitarian aid, in order to ensure to each person the basic necessities on time, both distributions with door-to-door,both within specific structures. In addition,rescue forces have created a solid and omnipresent network of field hospitals,of which many highly skilled,in order to ensure to people a normal health service. Part of the population was evacuated in other Districts,where will be hosted by local communities and facilities made available by the Allied forces. Also continue the reconstruction operations,with works for the rubble removal and for the mitigation of damages,that continue apace. Are well on the works of reconstruction and strengthening of the infrastructural network (particularly road and rail networks,port and airport infrastructures,telecommunication lines). Where necessary, the infrastructure links are being created from scratch.
NEWS FROM THE FRONTEnhanced military device in Atanosia,consolidated control over Districts 2 and 5Begin the transformation and training of rebel militias in regular security forces
Rebel militiamen,now framed in the National Atanosian Army,in shooting training
Official sources cite a great strengthening of European military forces in the area. In addition to the already units operating in Atanosia,have been deployed
"Pozzuolo del Friuli" Armored Cavalry Division,
1st Armored Cavalry Division,
"Ariete" Tank Division and
"Friuli" Aviation Division (from
I Army Corps),as well as
"Sassari" Mechanized Division and
"Garibaldi" Mechanized Division (from
II Army Corps). Also deployed several brigades from
Army Artillery Command,
Army Air & Missile Defense Command and
Army Trasimissions & Information Command,to provide highly specialized soldiers and equipments in specific areas. Maximized and enhanced
European Navy and
Air Force units,in order to ensure persistent air and naval superiority. Obviously were heavily reinforced logistical supply lines,as well as sustainment and support units.
Meanwhile it was consolidated and stabilized control over the Districts 2 and 5,won with operations of invasion conducted with efficiency and speed,able to minimize collateral damage and losses. A strong network of lines and bases of logistic support ensures a constant flow of supplies and materials,as well as persistent sustainment,for each individual unit,and was guaranteed a constant and ubiquitous presence in the territory,to ensure the proximity to civilians and security,by positioning military installations in a strategic and branched manner. Obviously it also ensured the defense of the Districts,with constant monitoring and patrol of air and naval space,and with the creation of a powerful defensive network (including a surveillance and protection system against air and missile threats). Like all Districts previosly conquered,were initiated the usual operations of support to the population,reconstruction and state building,that continuing with good results.
Paratroopers of 82 Airborne Division (Army Airborne Corps) in deployment in Atanosia
Meanwhile,come new information on reconstruction of the Atanosian regular forces. First,every militiaman was identified and regularized. The individual rebel militias are being gradually but quickly turned into regular units,with the simultaneous reconstitution of the chain of command and support units. Hierarchies will be fixed taking into account the preparation of each militiaman. Then proceed with tight training sessions,to improve preparation,professionalism and harmony among the various units,and with operations of supply of weapons and equipment (one symbolic note,the reintroduction of the old Atanosian Repubblic uniforms). Same thing is happening to the naval and air units that have defected from the regime. Also started recruitment operations on a voluntary basis. The ultimate goal is completely replenish those that were the glorious Atanosian Armed Forces: all this is part of a broader effort to reconstitution of the old republican institutions,both locally and nationally. A huge operations of state building,which give the first fruits: the local administrative units (with related public services) and the local judicial system were almost completely restored (now the territories are back to administer themselves with coordination and democracy),and move the first steps for the reconstruction of the national administrative structures. All this only reinforce the confidence of the civilian population towards the Allied forces.