Operation Magni

Revision as of 13:38, 25 May 2020 by District (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Operation Magni
Part of the East Vierz Front of the Great War
Trzej żołnierze piechoty niemieckiej na polnej drodze na froncie wschodnim (2-1012).jpg
Vierz soldiers in the opening days of the operation
Date10 April – 5 November 1942
(6 months, 3 weeks and 5 days)
Location
Result

Vierz strategic failure

  • Beginning of the East Vierz Front
  • Entry of Apelia into the war
  • Vierzland unable to swiftly defeat Luepola
  • Initiation of successful Luepolan counteroffensives in early 1943
Belligerents
 Vierz Empire  Luepola
Commanders and leaders
Vierz Empire Hermann Eschau
Vierz Empire Gerold von Uppitz
Vierz Empire Helmut Bergmann
People's Republic of Luepola Anton Marusić
Units involved

Vierz Empire Army Group South

Vierz Empire Army Group East

Strength
Frontline strength (initial):
2.3 million men
2,900 tanks
4,000 aircraft
Frontline strength (initial):
Casualties and losses
Total military casualties:
850,000

Operation Magni (Vierz: Unternehmen Magni) was the code name for the Vierz invasion of Luepola during the Great War. The operation began on 10 April 1942 after Vierzland's declaration on war against Luepola on 9 April.

Diplomatic relations between Luepola and Vierzland had been deteriorating since 1927, and the militaries of both countries had made in-depth battle plans in case of war. On 8 April 1942, Luepola invaded Zacotia, a Vierz ally, which provoked Vierzland's declaration of war the next day. The invasion plans were green-lit by Hermann Eschau and went into effect immediately. Over 2 million troops were committed to the invasion, making it the largest military operation in world history. The East Vierz Front, the theater of war involving Luepola, Vierzland, and later Vorochia and Vyzinia, became the deadliest theater of the Great War with over 20 million military and civilian casualties combined.

Vierz forces made rapid gains in eastern and western Luepola in the opening weeks of the operation. Their efforts were slowed by the entry of Apelia into the war on 15 April and the capitulation of Zacotia on 28 April. Vierz soldiers became unable to break past Luepolan defensive lines, and were lacking necessary manpower due to the situation on the West Vierz Front. They became quickly outnumbered by their Luepolan counterparts. On 5 November, Eschau ordered the suspension of the operation and the strategic withdrawal of some divisions needed for the effort against Apelia.