Oktavians Zvinelis
Oktavians Zvinelis | |
|---|---|
 Zvinelis in 1974 | |
| Nickname(s) | 'The Stoic One' |
| Born | 28 October 1905 Keshek, Kolodoria |
| Died | 10 February 1993 (aged 87) Keshek, Kolodoria |
| Allegiance |  Kolodoria |
| Service/ | Kolodorian People's Defense Forces |
| Years of service | 1955-1985 |
| Rank | Marshal |
| Unit | Second Army Group |
| Battles/wars | Northern War Vinyan War |
| Awards | see below |
Oktavians Zvinelis was a Kolodorian general who led Kolodorian People's Defense Forces on the Tairngiric Front during the Vinyan War, responsible for recapturing much of southern Kolodoria from the Anglo-Ivernic forces.
Born to a lower middle class family, Zvinelis was conscripted into the Royal Confederate Army in 1940 and fought in the Northern War. Following the Kolodorian Revolution Zvinelis joined the KPDF and was commissioned as a Junior Lieutenant, subsequently rising through the ranks of the Ground Forces. Zvinelis reached the rank of Lt. General in 1973 and was assigned to the Operations Directorate of KPDF Headquarters where he helped planned out the invasion of Tír Tairngire. Following the outbreak of the Vinyan War Zvinelis remained heavily involved in the planning and logistical side of affairs. Following the reversal of Kolodorian fortunes and the invasion of Radstadt by the combined Anglo-Ivernic forces, Zvinelis was placed in command of KPDF forces in 1976 and susbsequently carried out a massive counter-offensive which susccesfully drove the coalition forces back south. Kolodrian forces recaptured Zavijava in early 1977. The war subsequently entered into a stalemate, and in 1979 Zvinelis was promoted to Marshal of the KPDF and managed the entire war effort. Following the conclusion of the war in 1980 Zvinelis was honored for his services and retired in 1982, briefly coming out of retirement to help plan for the invasion of Vyzhva in 1985 before retiring again. Zvinelis passed away in 1993, and a state funeral was held in his honor.
Zvinelis remained a popular figure among KPDF personnel and the general public during his time. His quiet, reserved demeanor became common knowledge during his time in service, earning his nickname "The Stoic One" among his peers, with General Secretary Aleksis Kraulis even commenting "...his face might as well be made of stone for all the emotion he carries". Zvinelis's leadership during the Vinyan War, and his reversal of the Anglo-Ivernic forces in 1976 remains a heavily studied subject in Kolodorian military circles, and he is routinely rated as one of Kolodoria's finest commander.