First Esermian War

First Esermian War
(clockwise from top left) Destroyed trenches after the Battle of Volu Hill Recon blimp of the Tlusev 318th Aerial Revoltists in the Tlusev town of Szaran Bavmarkian line infantry during the May 1891 offensive League delegates celebrating the liberation of Petschek-Sloza Heran flagship Atírasto leading the Parazin Fleet
Date 25 February 1888 – 1 January 1893 (4 years, 10 months and 1 week) Location Esermia, Siradia Result League victory Tricolour Rebellions Collapse of various monarchies and imperial governments Rise of socialism in Esermia and internationally Prelude to the Second Esermia War Territorial changes Formation of Lycoria, Vlazen, Morlund and Freilund
Belligerents
League powers: Colchan Empire Heran Empire Ameiss Prokhogrsk Rodvia Sevostia Malat Mosum Norisovia Bavmark (until 1889) Sicgar Normanfara Lycoria (from 1890)	Regime powers: Tlusevian Empire Terado-Murataldi Empire Lycoria (until 1890)

The First Esermian War, also known as the War of Empires, was a major continental conflict in Esermia that began on 25 February 1888 and ended on 1 January 1893. Involving nearly every major Esermian power of the time, the conflict is regarded as one of the deadliest in recent history and a defining point of modern geopolitics.

Summary

Opening stages

A full-scale offensive was launched by Tlusev forces at approximately 6:50am in the morning of 25 February 1888. The offensive consisted of Army Groups 1 through 7, seeking to encircle eastern Colcha by pushing southwest through Ameiss and Bavmark. Tlusev 2nd and 3rd advanced without confrontation, while the 1st at Udnaly, and 4th, 5th and 6th at Yuvlona, were met with resistence from Colchan and Bavmarkian garrisons, respectively. By 26 February, Udnaly had been occupied and the 1st continued south towards the River Nieder. Receiving news of Udnaly's attack, emergency mobilisation of Allied forces begins from major cities across Colcha and Bavmark. The 7th Army (the largest of the Tlusev command) was tasked with taking Tetaburg and Karlodorf in Ameiss, supported by Lycorian forces, however would not reach either until 28 February due to Lycorian logistical issues. Yuvlona would fall to Tlusev forces on the same day, with the Lycorian 1st commanded by Dmetre Grundstakk meeting fierce resistance at the outskirts of Tetaburg.

By 2 March, most territory east of the Nieder had capitulated to Regime forces, excluding the major city of Baikav of which the Colchan 4th and 8th armies were garrisoned. At noon, a Tlusev attack by elements of the 1st is made on the Diatrel Bridge in north Colcha, close to the Kohlian border, of which Colchan forces manage to defend. After two days of fighting the bridge is destroyed by Colchan engineers, forcing the now-exhausted Tlusev to attempt improvised amphibious assaults with little success. Full-scale offensives by the Tlusev 3rd and 4th are made on Baikav on 5 March utilising newly developed siege artillery, namely the 180mm Kopranev m.1886 mortar. Suffering heavy casaulties within the town limits, the Baikav garrison requests immediate reinforcement from the west and from friendly forces positioned north on the naturally defended Nieder. After a week of fighting, Tetaburg militia surrender on 6 March to the Lycorian 1st and approaching 2nd army.

On 10 March, the Colchan 3rd, 5th and 9th armies from Ferrburg and Renstein arrive to reinforce Baikav as Tlusev forces reach within 10 miles of the city center. Intense urban fighting erupts and much of the historic city is turned to ruin.

• 14 Mar 1888 Regime forces launch a dual offensive on Port Grigor and Lemvig, meeting large resistance against Heran expeditionary forces.
• 17 Mar 1888 The frontline along the Nieder expands as Regime forces launch attacks against Turismach in central-east Colcha. Unsuccessful in attacking across the Nieder, many troops are diverted to assist in capturing the main city of Baikav.
• 30 Mar 1888 Baikav falls to Regime troops as Allied forces withdraw west to defend the northern border of Bavmark.
• 04 Apr 1888 Struggling to advance on the final Ameissen western coastal towns, Regime forces intensify offensives southwest of Baikav to gain a foothold north of the Baatenian Mountains. They meet resistance against Bavmark alpine troops.
• Apr-May 1888 Fighting along the River Nieder comes to a standstill as the river widens following the winter months. Regime attempts to cross during this time fail.
• May-Jul 1888 Regime forces attempt various offensives from Baikav on the western side of the Nieder, encountering fierce resistance from arriving Colchan and Bavmarkian troops.
• Jul-Aug 1888 Following heavy shelling of Turismach, makeshift amphibious offensives by Regime forces begin in a bid to capture the city.
• 09 Aug 1888 Turismach falls to Regime forces, albeit after suffering heavy casualties.
• Aug-Sep 1888 Allied forces begin a withdrawal of troops west from the Nieder, as Regime advancements continue from the captured centres of Turismach and Baikav.
• Sep-Nov 1888 Regime forces continue to push Colchan troops west through the densely-forested Dierchem region. Allied alpine troops continue to halt the Regime advance in central Bavmark.
• Nov-Dec1888 The forested and rolling terrain slows Regime advancment, allowing Allied forces to set-up defences along the River Friesee, which runs directly through central Colcha and south into Bavmark.
• Jan-Feb 1889 Heavy defences and newly-arrived Allied forces at Mossine in Colcha and Ferrburg in Bavmark slow the Regime advance.