The Great War (1923-1939)

The Great War
Date 14 February 1923- 15 August 1939 Location Major Theaters: Borealia Amnis Crepuscula Magnaterra Penetusian Sea Mediriman Ocean Forsian sea Result De facto Victory for Lexa accords and the Latin league
Belligerents
Borealian United Front Tayichi Syua Qília Lexa Accords Kathricore Hooseria Biggonia Jote Latin League Artevenia Orleaux Hooseria Others Papalania Relykstrana North Bardonia Various colonial revolts	Hansa-Aligned Nations Hansa Wurgellia Tesdai Dolplandia Terra Argo Singhapala Bisaya Tansitoia Hansan Vabas Others Tussia Micalandia

The Great War was a military conflict which took place from 1923 to 1939 between two main groups: The Hanseatic Commonwealth against a united front consisting of the Lexa Accords, the Latin League and the Borealian United Front. The Great War was the first (and only) war fought over all four continents of Finterra, and the deadliest armed conflict in history.

The first decades of the 20th century involved escalating diplomatic tensions among Amnisian powers, leading to a tense situation in the subcontinent of Vabas in 1923, culminating in a skirmish between Hooserian and Hansan forces on February 8th. The Hansan government blamed Hooseria for this, and declared war on February 14th. The Lexa Accords and the Latin League were drawn into the war soon afterwards.

Background

For decades, the Hansan Empire reigned as the dominant global force, extending its influence across various regions across multiple continents. However, this dominance provoked dismay from various nations, notably the rival Artevenian Empire, determined to dismantle Hanseatic supremacy. Among Artevenia's key allies stood Hooseria, which had deep grievances due to Hansa's control over Hansan vabas, which had been carved out of Hooserian territories over nearly 3 centuries. Similarly, the recently unified Biggonian Empire had dramatically expanded its industry, economy, and global prestige throughout the late 19th and early 20th century; reasserting control over its old colonies and rocketing to become one of Hansa's fiercest rivals. As such, they sought to cooperate with Hooseria and Kathricore against Hansa, signing the Lexa Accords in [date]. The escalating tensions between these powers led to the eruption of the Great War. In Borelia, the Empire of Tayichi had ambitions similar to those of Artevenia, seeking to expand its power at the expense of Hansa. However, Hansa stood as a formidable counter, exerting influence on the nation of Singaphala. The history between Tayichi and Hansa was written by longstanding hostility, with naval skirmishes spanning a few centuries. As the great war loomed on the horizon, Tayichi aggressively pursued military growth, particularly bolstering its navy, with the explicit aim of challenging the maritime might of Hansa.

Prelude

A border skirmish between Hooseria and Hansan Vabas, commonly known as "the devils encounter" on February 8th marked a critical escalation in the longstanding tensions between Hooseria and the Hansan Empire. Hooserian forces, operating along the heavily fortified Hansan Vabas border, launched an assault on Hansan soldiers patrolling the border, sparking an intense eight-hour skirmish. The clash resulted in approximately 23 Hoosiers killed and around 60 wounded, while approximately 88 Hansan soldiers had been killed, with about 140 wounded. This encounter was taken into discussion within the halls of the Hansan parliament. Within a short span, the Hansan government concluded: that war was the only viable response. On February 14th, 1923, the Hansan Empire officially declared war on Hooseria, setting the Great War into motion.

Warfare

Vabasian Front

The Vabasian Front emerged as the primary theater at the beginning of the Great War, starting with minor battles along the Hooserian border with Hansan Vabas. Given the substantial fortifications on both sides, the initial clashes led to a stalemate. A pivotal victory for Hansa came in 1924 when the Hansans achieved a significant victory at the Battle of Larencia Septentrionalis, which enabled them to begin a considerable offensive, pushing into Hooserian territory. Hansa's breakthrough at the battle allowed them to push quickly into Hooserian territory, the offensive would not fully halt until 1926. In 1926 The front once again stalemated and Hooserian troops began to use guerilla warfare against the Hansans. In 1928 the fronts had devolved into miles of trenches where the two began to engage in trench warfare. In 1929 Hooseria Broke through the Hansan trenches and began a counter-offensive that lasted until 1932 when there was another stalemate at the Vabas River. In 1934 Hooseria Began its offensive into Hansan Vabas, resulting in the Hoosier genocide started by Hansan colonial officers. Approximately 8(?) million Hoosero-Aberocans were killed. At the end of 1935, the final stalemate in the West Antarctican Highlands began, and guerilla warfare restarted. By this point Hansa had been severely weakened and was beginning to lose grip on the war, losing major battles, and key territories. In 1937 After 14 years of fighting Hansa Surrendered to Hooseria, which marked the beginning of the end of the Great War.

North Amnis Front

Relykstrana had been Hansa’s largest rival since the 1880s when Relykstana properly industrialized and was building up a navy to rival Hansa. Relykstranan nobles had become infatuated with Hansan and Artevenian culture. Politically, however, Hansa only existed as a rival to them blocking them from ocean access. Mitte-Harchlianian unification and alignment with Hansa in the 1890s and 1900s was seen as a detriment to Relykstrana. Relykstrana had also wanted the city of Tonsi back from Hansa having lost it in the brief Relyk war 1890-1892. Both Tonsi and the region of Tansitoia were security threats to Relykstrana. Meanwhile, Artevenia had been a cautious ally of Hansa from the 1860s-90s though were not officially allies. Common interests in the conquest and division of Spokane and the Forsian treaty of 1869 split the Forsian Sea into an Artevenian section and Hansan controlled section. By 1920, Artevenian Leader (NAME) secretly met with Relyk officials to discuss countering the Hansan threat. But it was only with an unrelated Hoosier attack in Vabas that saw an opportunity. Meanwhile the semi-independent nation of Tansitoia then in Relykstrana was a region that had a lot of Hansan sympathy. The city of Tonsi was directly administered by Hansa and was subsequently an entrance for information and dissent. The (Tansitoian city) massacre of 1919 was a breaking point in Relyk-Hansan relations with Hansan King Fredrick I being an outspoken supporter of human rights. The Hansan senate was okay with this because of economic gains to be had in the region. When war broke out in early 1923, Northern Amnis remained at peace. Being so close to metropolitan Hansa and the Hanseatic center of power, the powers of Relykstrana and Artevenia were hesitant to do anything. However, Hansa reinforced Tosi heavily. By late 1923, war was becoming more and more inevitable with each day. Though it would be nearly a year before anything happened. On November 19th, 1924, the HMS Obonus was hit by a mysterious explosion of the BBR en route to Tonsi. Hansan reports of the incident were blaming Relykstrana since it was unclear what was on the ship. (Relyk accounts were weapons on board while the Hansan grain). Relyk officials claimed that it was the Bonnie Blue Republic that struck the ship due to its proximity to the island (it was not and there were both weapons and grain on board). But Hansa responded with a naval barrage on (Relyk coastal city 1). On January 19th, 1925, Hansa declared war officially on Relykstrana. Artevenia subsequently declared war on Hansa on February 1 while Mitte Harchliana declared its (temporary) neutrality. The 1920s portion of the North Amnis front saw several naval battles between Relykstrana and Hansa. Meanwhile, Tonsi was heavily fortified and not much could happen and a stalemate would start. However, Artevenia was planning on exploiting a similar region to Tansitoia to invade Hansa from the north. The region of Biseatia was a turbulent one, with a lot of ethnic Artevenians, Hansans, and Elianites living there. In 1926, Artevenia staged a coup in the fragile nation and Biseatian Dictator Clement Luxor declared war on Hansa. Upon defeats in Vabas, the Hanseatic army could not spare divisions to defend the north; established the national guard on September 1st, 1926 to form a civilian army to protect the north of Hansa. The National Guard was to be administered by each state with Anseatia and Nordewald being the most relevant. Despite being a long border, no major ground was gained by either side with Biseatia being extremely poor and Artevenia instead focusing on a naval blockade. The summer of 1926 was a very tumultuous year with the Artevenian navy amassing in the Bonnic strait. The Battle of the Anglian Sea in October was the largest Hansan naval defeat to date and gave the Artevenians sea access to Tonsi. Tonsi was now surrounded and under siege, until Hansa could rebuild their navy. By this point, the Hansan industry was accelerating and was still intact, but Tonsi would remain under siege until the Hansan counterattack at the First Battle of Tonsi in April 1927.

Borealian Front

Just a month after the Great War began Kathricore and Biggonia invaded Singaphala from the south, via Biggonian-controlled Jote. They made slow but important gains in the south up to 1926. In 1924 Tayichi officially joined the war against Hansa and engaged in naval conflict around the borelian coast for months before eventually invading the Singaphala North in 1925. Tayichi would land in Tacloban and Simigaran in 1925, along with some northern islands, setting up the two main fronts for Tayichi in Singaphala. With support from the allied kingdom of Syua, In 1926 Tayichi pushed into the center of Singaphala, hoping to cut off troops in the north. Tayichi also pushed into the Singaphala north after invading from the previously mentioned islands. Following the Invasion of Biggonia, all biggonian troops were put under the control of Kathricore. In 1927 the multiple Tayichian fronts united after land gains. Tayichi was also able to capture Fort Opon, and General Kendublat around the time marching to the outskirts of Palo. In 1928 gains slowed down and Tayichi focused on capturing the north segment of SBR, which had been surrounded, the Tayichians were successful in this effort capturing hundreds of thousands. In 1929 Tayichi continued to push until a Coup d'etat in SBR put a tayichian puppet in power in the north as resistance cells began to form in the south of Singaphala. Because of this Tayichi pushed for peace with Hansa and ended up signing a separate treaty the same year. After that Singaphala immediately fell into a civil war between the tayichian puppet north and rebels in the south, what would result was years of guerilla warfare on the Bisayan countryside until 1939 when Tayichi's naval defeat at the hands of tussia forced them out of Singaphala, resulting in the puppet government falling shortly

Aftermath

In Borealia, after Hansa's surrender to the last major Lexa and Latin League forces, and Tayichi's surrender to Tussia in 1939, led by overwhelming condemnation of the war by the Tayichian public, the two main powers in Borealia had suddenly left the war and subsequently ended most conflicts. Tayichi would quickly withdraw from SBR, and the civil quickly ended with the democratic rebels overpowering the Tayichian puppet government. Hansa would also formerly abandon their colonies in Spokane, and Syo. Qilia would annex some territory taken from SBR during the war, but the rest would be given back after the end of the Civil War. The war had destroyed almost every major economy in Borealia. SBR would quickly begin its process of industrialization, while Tayichi would put effort towards repairing its economy. Tayichi would quickly demobilize, and enter a faze of diplomatic neutrality while investing heavily into the developing economies of Borealia. Tayichi's faze of neutrality would last for about 80 years ending recently with their entry into IDA.

In Amnis Hansa's troubles would continue for many decades as Hansa continued to fight with Relykstrana after signing peace with the powers of the Great War. After Hansa surrendered to Relkystrana in 1941, the government collapsed and Hansa entered a 15-year civil war. After concluding in the 50s, with a democratic group coming out victorious, Hansa would finally get back on its feet, and begin its re-entrance into the modern world. Hansa would create IDA and would become the main leader of the democratic world. In West Amnis, various countries were hit severely by the war, with various countries dealing with economic and social issues. Due to the failure of the government in Orleaux during the Tussian invasion, by the government nationalizing several industries which subsequently collapsed, the Orleauxan population drifted towards supporting a very laissez-faire approach to the economy. Tussia would also occupy the westernmost province of Orleaux until the 50s, using its significant population of Hellens as justification. In Tussia proper, the nation would finish its industrialization that had started during the Great War and would have huge economic growth until the 70s. The economy has been stagnant since then. In Vabas, Hooseria annexed large swaths of what was Hansan Vabas, most of these areas had a large Hoosier population. The rest of what was Hansan Vabas would become New Aberoca, which would consistently have trouble getting on its feet, recently a large part of New Aberoca joined with Hooseria to form the Vabasian Federation. In Biggonia, many of its colonies gained independence after the Great War. Biggonia entered a period of rule under a brutal fascist dictatorship. Biggonia would have several problems growing its economy after the war, which would result in various internal issues which would result in the recent civil war.

In Magnaterra, the effects of the Great War had lesser effects, North Bardonia would recover from its invasion from Hansa relatively well, as they had a huge boom by selling weapons to various countries during the war. Wurgellia, now known as Pantsville would gain its independence towards the end of the war and would finish industrialization in the following decade. In 1942, Pantsville and Deims Kir created the Magnaterran Economic Community, or MEC. This helped both nations recover their economy after the war, and continues to be a key driver in economics in Magnaterra.

Militaries

Tayichi

Tayichian Imperial Army parade in Kojima, March 1924

Imperial Army

Organization & Structure

While the Imperial Army were under direct control and supervision of the War Ministry, they were also given a substantial degree of independence. Following Tayichi's entrance into the Great War, three main command centers were established - Tacloban Operational Command (West to North-West SBR), Fort Opon-Daklanao Operational Command (East to North-East SBR) and the Daimako Operational Command (Daimako & Vabas). Field Commanders in charge of these command centers were allowed to operate fairly autonomously, given broad independence during the planning and execution of commands.

In 1924 the Imperial Army, the largest part of the Tayichian Armed Forces, numbered 1,478,000 active personnel, a large increase from just under 300,000 15 years ago, and a number which would grow into over 3 million by 1930. This large increase is mostly attributed to the National Conscription act, passed by the Kawashima Administration in 1920, which affected young men from 20 to 24 years of age, introducing limited conscription to the country for the first time. The 1920 Act was replaced by another one in 1924, which expanded the age range for service to 18-41.

Uniforms & Equipment

Standard Imperial Army field uniform

The Standard Tayichian Uniform mainly consisted of: The "Tetsu-Tama" (鉄頭), a rounded steel helmet to protect soldiers from shrapnel and debris. The front of the helmet often featured a metal plate with a Tayichian Imperial Seal. The tunic and trousers (The "Samu-Shugi", 寒主義) were typically gray or khaki and made of wool. Relatively slim and tailored fit, it also featured a high stand-up collar which could be buttoned up for more protection. Shoulder straps and collar patches displayed the soldier's rank and unit insignia, while cuff patches displayed the soldier's branch of service. Trousers were also made out of wool and were straight-cut. Every uniform also included a leather backpack and a gas mask container. The boots were typically made of gray leather, ankle-high and lace-up. Often featured hobnails on soles and toe caps.

Naval Uniform - The uniform ("Umi-Kin", 海均) is typical of a navy blue color, with white, round, and visorless caps. Officers' jackets were typically either navy blue or black, double-breasted with gold-colored buttons. The number of golden strips on the cuffs and collar indicated their rank. The caps ("Admiral's cap, Teitoku-bō", 提督帽), unlike the normal ones, were navy blue with black visors which included a golden Imperial Seal in the front, which would be raised above the visor. The Admiral's cap is still employed today, worn by high-ranking Imperial Navy officers, Admirals, and police officers.

Motohara rifle (Motohara-jū, 素晴銃) is a family of Tayichian military bolt-action rifles and was developed in 1899 by the Gyoson Arms Company. Type 75, developed in 1925 was the main rifle used by the Tayichian Imperial Army during the invasion of the SBR in the Great War, while several new types were developed throughout the War. Type 75 used 6.5x50mm Motohara cartridges and had a barrel of around 31 inches long. Stocks were typically made out of wood, while also included a bayonet lug and sling swivels.

Kadōkikai-3 (Kadōkikai-sanjū, 可動機械三銃) was the first Tayichian design for a submachine gun developed by the Gyoson Arms Company in 1927, and was introduced to the Borealian front the same year. It used 8x22mm Kadōkikai cartridges and was a selective-fire submachine gun, allowing for both semi-automatic and fully automatic modes. Its barrel was quite short, usually of around 8.7 inches. Typically used 30-round detachable box magazines, but also included a 20-round variant. The Kadōkikai had the advantage of being about 80% faster to build than the heavy, stationarym variants, and far more portable.

Tayichi became the first country to use the tank on the Bisayan front, introducing their first variant in early 1927, shortly after the first usage of the Hansan tank on the Vabasian front, with the primary goal to break the trench warfare which became deadlocked by 1927. In their first use on the [insert battle name], they were placed under command of the infantry and ordered to attack their given targets in groups or pairs. They were also assigned small groups of troops, who served as an escort while providing close defense against enemy attacks. Initially, many broke down or got stuck in the mud before reaching enemy lines.

Doctrine

The initial tactic employed by the Imperial Army was the "Race to the Daklanao", in which Tayichian generals hoped to use their superior units to quickly cut off the northern SBR front into two via the Lake Daklanao. This plan, however, quickly fell apart as it became evident that manoeuvre warfare would give way to trench warfare, for which the Imperial Army was not fully prepared, and had to wait for further shipments of supplies such as barded wire, hand grenades and trench mortars. In the initial years of the invasion the usual Tayichian attack formation was based on a battalion, each comprised of four companies. Each battalion would move in waves, with fighting elements at the front and the carrying platoons in the back. Each wave was expected to move some 100 meters every 2 minutes, even though each man had to carry his rifle, gas mask, ammunition, two hand grenades, wire cutters, a spade, two empty sandbags and a flare. Carrying platoons at the rear carried additional equipment such as extra ammunition, barbed wire and construction materials.

an Imperial Army artillery company on the outskirts of Fort Opon, January 1927

In the latter years of the Invasion, tactics evolved to include to form more flexible waves. The infantry started to move more covertly, and occupied shell holes or ditches for cover near the enemy lines. The first line was now formed of skirmishers which would followed the creeping barrage, while additional fighting forces were moved to the back to defend captured territory. Additionally, each platoon now had a Kadōkikai section, and leap frogging became more employed, which sometimes allowed units to move more quickly.

Initially, artillery comprised only a small section of the Imperial Army, and mostly acted independently to support infantry operations, but heavy guns grew more important as time went on. By 1929, the number of artillery field brigades in service more than quadrupled as compared to 1925, from 42 to 169. Artillery became even more advantageous for Tayichi due to their much larger and developed industrial capacity ensuring that the Bisayan forces were usually outnumbered in terms of heavy guns. Additionally, the army began mounting a variety of surplus naval guns on railway platforms to provide mobile long-range support, which began to be used starting in 1927.

The adoption of treach warfare led to widespread usage of the barrage, due to the need for indirect fire. Initially, a creeping barrage would follow and kept pace with infantry, but would convert to a standing barrage once it reached enemy trenches. In the latter years of the invasion, the Tayichian numerical advantage in terms of heavy guns enabled the barrage to be used as a form of psychological warfare and a way to demoralize the enemy with a short, intense, bombardment before an infantry assualt.

While the tank was adopted to break static warfare, the initial variations of it were very unreliable and often broke down or got stuck in heavy mud. By 1927 a new tactic would be employed by the Imperial Army in which three tanks would advance forward in a triangle formation, while providing support for the infantry in the rear. Tanks would be able to break barbed wire and destroy Bisayan positions with their ammunition, but were still suceptible to artillery fire. Tanks saw greater use by the Imperial Army during the Bisayan Civil War and Daimako Campaign during the latter years of the Great

Wurgellia

The Wurgellian Military boasted 130k in personnel at its peak during the Great War. Of this 113k were in the army, 18k were in the navy 7k were in the airforce, and another 2k served as national guard. Most soldiers for Wurgellia served in combined units with Hansa. Wurgellians fought in Vabas, Biggnonia, and North Amnis, with volunteers serving in Borealia. Common equipment was a button-up khaki-green jacket, with khaki-green pants and boots. The soldiers would wear packs with various tools. However, the most notable piece of equipment for these soldiers was the Brodie helmet, which became the recognizable attire for all Wurgellian soldiers.

Hooseria

Hooseria conscripted an estimated 10 million total soldiers during their war, with about 3-4 million serving at times.

Economies

Hooseria

Hooseria relied heavily on its flatter river valleys for industry and agriculture, Hansa's invasion of Hooseria heavily impacted Hooseria's industry and agriculture in these areas, and the loss of some of these lands caused a large famine in Hooseria, due to significant losses of food, and Hooseria relied on allied shipments of food to continue survival during the war.

Wurgellia

Like many Wurgellia suffered many negative economic effects due to the Great War, at least initially. The Great War saw Wurgellia begin its first steps towards industrialization as part of supplying Hansa during the war. These goods were mainly small arms, artillery, trucks, and airplanes, among others. Most of the production was based in and around major cities, specifically Falmata, Temfall, Peklu, and Midorp. Despite this, the economy of Wurgellia stagnated throughout the war, but boomed afterward, mainly due to its conversion to a manufacturing-based economy.

War Opposition

Initially, widespread enthusiasm for the war was apparent within most nations, but gradually decreased as the conflict dragged out. Simultaneously, in various colonies, the war served as an opportunity to incite revolutions and anti-imperial uprisings. Amid this global unrest, nations like Tesdai, Micalandia, Wurgellia (renamed Pantsville), and Spokane embarked on their distinct paths toward revolution. Tesdai, for instance, chose to align with the lexa-latin faction opposing Hansa as the war neared its end. Wurgellia, on the other hand, opted for negotiations to secure independence while continuing to provide support and resources to Hansa.

Anti-war sentiment wasn't uncommon in Tayichi, as millions were not ready to sail overseas and fight in some conflict that they did not see just or as their own. The slogan "Why Die for Daklanao" (なんで諾羅猶のために死ななきゃならないの, "Nande Dekuranao no tameni shinanakyanaranaino?") became synonymous with Anti-War opposition in the first years of the conflict, as it was widely used in anti-war protests. The Kawashima Administration saw keeping National Unity as crucial, which is why it often used police force to suppress these anti-war protests and often used some degree of censorship or propaganda. However, still, the majority of the population rallied behind the cause, and Premier Kawashima did win the elections, after all. However, following the signing of the Treaty of Shuto and the assassination of Premier Kirishima a lot of people were unsure why Tayichi continued fighting since it had already achieved its main goal - kicking Hansa out of Borealia. With the Bisayan Civil War going badly, as well as major naval losses in a battle with Tussia, the situation reached a boiling point and the Conservatives were ousted from power in the 1939 elections. The new government quickly went to end the conflict with Tussia in quite an embarrassing peace deal in which Tayichi ceded the Tussian lands it occupied, as well it pulled out of the SBR, leading to a quick collapse of the Military Junta forces and the end of the Bisayan Civil War.