Burgers

The Burgers
De Burgers
Leader	Sibren van Aalzum Sijbrand Kortum Jan-Willem Martini Lindert Roltvoort Jean de Flandre
Dates of operation	24 May 1873 – 15 February 1875
Country	The Furbish Islands
Headquarters	XXX, Nieuw Maasland
Active regions	Mainly Nieuw Maasland
Ideology	Agrarianism Nieuw Maasland self-determination
Notable attacks	List of Burger attacks
Size	X
Means of revenue	Bank robbery
Allies	Eastern Alliance Northern League
Opponents	The Furbish Islands Army Gendarmerie
Battles and wars	Burger rebellion

The Burgers were a militant organization active during the Time of Troubles. Founded by 19 deserting Gendarmes in 1873, the group would fight the Furbish government for nearly two years in the Burger rebelliion before the third republic was established. The group reorganized into De Burgers, a northern agrarian party active in the present day.

Name

The first address published on newspapers by the Burgers said "We are brothers, fathers, husbands, sons, farmers, factory workers, soldiers, villagers, townsfolk, citizens. We are Furbishmen.". The Dutch word for townsfolk, "Burgers", became adopted by English newspapers as the name of the rebels.

Organization

Early organization

The original 19 members included 4 Gendarmerie commissioned officers, 5 non-commissioned officers, and 10 enlisted gendarmes, and some villagers joined them. This was the origins of the original four-tiered organization. The four commissioned officers became commanders, who would plan and authorize attacks, and sometimes lead. The five NCOs became officers, who would assist in planning and leading attacks, or do so on their own. The rest were simply fighters, with the 10 gendarmes becoming distinguished fighters, who can lead smaller teams.

In the battles of XXX, the Burgers were split into 5 teams, each with an officer, two distinguished fighters, and 4-6 fighters. Each team was under command of one of the commanders. The teams and structure were ad hoc, never permanently assigned, instead shifted around as needed. Some officers were placed in command of others in some battles, though these assignments were never permanent. De Flandre's attack on Boston was led by him, then an officer, and XX, another officer. Dorman attacked Harrisbarig with over 200 fighters and 12 officers, which had their own hierarchy.

As a result of the successful attack on Boston, a new unit was formed within the Burgers, known as the Jagers. Lead by Jean de Flandre, who was promoted to commander, they executed urban guerilla operations, such as assassinations, bank robberies, attacks on armories, and gathering intelligence.

October 1873 reforms

As more joined the Burgers and more were promoted, the limitations of the structure were seen. In the October reforms, the commanders were assigned to oversee local operations

Financing

The majority of Burger weapons and money were stolen from the Gendarmerie.

Women in the Burgers

Women served in combat roles since 1873, over a century before they were allowed to serve in the Furbish Army. This policy was heavily debated among the commanders.

Aftermath

After the third republic was established, many joined the Gendarmerie, provincial national guards, or left for their old jobs. The Burgers reorganized into an agrarian political party.