Erik John Vandemeer
 | This article is incomplete because it is pending further input from participants, or it is a work-in-progress by one author. Please comment on this article's talk page to share your input, comments and questions. Note: To contribute to this article, you may need to seek help from the author(s) of this page. |
Erik John Vandemeer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname(s) | Ming the Merciless |
| Born | 19 August 1912 Gimli, Jutland-Gimli |
| Allegiance |  Jutland-Gimli |
| Service/ | Jutland-Gimli Army |
| Years of service | 1938 - 1982 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | Jutlandish and Gimlian Expeditionary Defence Force |
| Battles/wars | Second Europan War War of Lorican Aggression |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Honor Legion of St. Georgius Military Medal Second Europan War Victory Medal |
| Relations | Johannes Vandemeer (2nd great-grandfather) Marina Kayami (suboordinate, later lover) Allone Grønkjær (schoolmate and close friend) Murasame Susaya (schoolmate and close friend) |
General Erik John Vandemeer CLE (19 August 1912) is a retired Jutlandish military commander who distinguished and served during the Second Europan War in the Scandinavian Campaign. Vandemeer is well-known for his tact strategies that helped the Allies in East Scandinavia win the war. He was also nicknamed Ming the Merciless for his aggressive but careful approach to battle.
He is a descendant of famous Baselian general, Johannes Vandemeer.
Early Life
Military Career
Vandemeer's training would pay off during the Second Europan War. Vandemeer was a seasoned commander with an experience of commanding regiments. During the first years of the war, Vandemeer demonstrated cunning and swiftness in battle. He was often aggressive yet careful as he also cared for his troops. He was considered and beloved by his command and his colleauges who gave him the moniker of Ming the Merciless since he never gave any opportunity for the enemy to regroup.
His success against Ruzhite forces were notable at the Battle of Vejle, where he halted the Ruzhite attempt to take Eastern Gimli. The Battle of Salling, where he managed to outflank a larger Ruzhite force threatening the Gimli Mines. And in one of his grandest moves, he managed to encircle 2 Ruzhite divisions, and forced them to surrender during Case Squire, the Ruzhite Invasion of Jutland-Gimli. Because of this, he was promoted to Brigadier in 1940, attaining a General rank by the age of 28.
In 1942, Vandemeer commanded the Jutlandish and Gimlian Expeditionary Defence Force, in which the Jutlandish government sent support to Aurucolia following the sudden Imperial Invasion of Aurucolia.
Personal Life
Despite his reputation as one of the most feared allied commanders, Erik is affable outside of his duties and often carves pottery in his spare time. He also makes kites for children. He is fond of drinking tea and is often seen drinking it every day. Erik also is a fond reader, collecting more than 1,000 books, as well as keeping books that his ancestor, Johannes Vandemeer had kept.
Following the war, he married his subordinate, Marina Kayami. He fathered 4 children. He is the grandfather of Patrick Vandemeer, a prominent member of Task Force 141.