The War of Flowers

The War of Flowers
Date 30th August 1977–3th June 1979 (1 year, 9 months, 4 days) Location Sunalaya Result Rhodeve Victory The Ile du Fleurs becomes an Imperial Territory Rhodevus takes federal control over 75% of IdF land
Belligerents
Rhodevus	Ile du Fleurs
Strength
Rhodevus 40 ships 18,000 soldiers Loyalists 9,000 soldiers	Communist Rebels 7 ships 24,000 soldiers Democratic Rebels 7,500 soldiers Royalist Rebels 2,300 soldiers

The War of Flowers was a military conflict in Ventismar.

Background

The Failed Referendum

Every second year, there is a referendum in the Ile of Flowers whether to become an independent nation or to remain as a territory of Rhodevus. Like usual, the polls were tied on which side would win, but most thought that the island would remain as a territory. This side often won by a 10-15% majority.

This year was different. The elected governor of the island was extremely pro-independence, and produced many advertisements to boost independence favouratism. The advertisements worked very well, and when the referendum results came in, 49.5% were in favour of separating from Rhodevus and becoming independent, while 50.5% were in favour of staying part of Rhodevus as a territory.

These results were extremely close, and have never been this close in all of history. The Independence side, under Governor Machia of the Ile of Flowers decided that they had a enough support to take independence by force.

The purpose of the referendums bi-yearly was to stop any need for war. But, this referendum failed in what it was meant to stop and avoid and all costs. The Ile of Flowers staged a massive rebellion and revolution. The referendum was forever known as The Failed Referendum.

Beginning of the Conflict

The rebellion started with mass protests by the Royalists; the people who wanted to bring back the Kingdom of Flowers when it became independent (approximately 35% of the independence voters). There were small clashes against the police, but nothing severe. This resulted in some property damage and 3 arrests.

Only a week later a smaller protest was held by the Democrats; the people who wanted to introduce democracy when it became independent (approximately 15% of the independence voters). This too led to small clashes against the police, but there were no arrests and minimal property damage.

Governor Machia was replaced with a more Pro-Rhodevus Governor in hopes of curbing the increased anti-Rhodeve violence. Instead, this sparked larger protests and riots by both groups.

Road to War

Instead of trying to calm down the protests, more RRMP officers were sent to the island to break up the protesters. This only lead to a full out rebellion by the Royalists, with help from the Democrats. They called for an overthrow of Rhodevus entirely.

Rhodevus acknowledged the Fleurian call to arms and declaration of war, by sending in 40 War ships into the nation.

Changing Opinions

As news of the Rhodeve Navy approaching the island, the rebelling Fleurians were able to mount a first offensive and defeat the RRMP officers stationed there, sending them out of the country by boat. This first victory over the Rhodeves allowed the rebels to quickly grow their numbers, by introducing national reforms allowing for an increase in Socialist and Communist laws. Since the majority of Fleurians were either socialist or communist as this time, this was favourable and enabled the rebels to hold a majority of fleurians on their side for the coming Rhodeve invasion.

Almost half a week later, Communist groups infiltrated the governor's office and assassinated him. They also quickly led a coup against the Royalists, allowing them to take control over the government. This split up the Fleurian factions into four parts. The Communists with 50% of all Fleurians, Royalists with 21% of all Fleurians, Democrats with 7% of all Fleurians and Loyalists (those loyal to Rhodevus) with 22% of all Fleurians.

Course of the War

The 40 Rhodeve Warships reached the Ile du Fleurs on September 24, 1977. This date is now known as the start of the War of Flowers. The navy was split into 4 teams of 10 ships, so that the island could be blockaded and simultaneously invaded from every direction.

Northern Front

In the North, a team of 6000 soldiers landed on the shores of the Kuldan region to link up with the Fleurian Loyalists. Now as an army of 10,000 strong, the force marched South through the jungles and swamps of the region. The Northern battles in the jungles marked the first defeats of the Rhodeve forces to the Fleurians.

The Fleurian forces were able to hold back the Rhodeve army through use of guerrilla warfare and scare tactics. During these first weeks, there was constant rainfall, which also limited sight and sound.

The Northern front lasted a full year, ending on September 13, 1978 with a Rhodeve surrender.

Eastern Front

In the East, a Rhodeve force of 4000 infantry fought its way onto the shore and through the city streets. The Eastern part of the city was the most urbanized, so the battles taking place were centered around city conflict. This happened to be a specialty to the Rhodeve forces, who were able to muster a quick surrender during their first battle by the Fleurians after one week of fighting.

The Eastern Front as it is called, lasted for 17 months, ending on January 31, 1978. After the first crushing defeat by the Rhodeves, the Fleurians maintained long lasting trench and house warfare in order to stall the Rhodeve army from taking the entire region.

Western Front

In the West, the Rhodeve force held 5000 men and was centered around open, grassland warfare. With such open areas to fight in, there were many small battles with intermittent times of negotiation, truces and ceasfires.

The Rhodeve force fought against a Fleurian Communist force of some 8000 strong, but the Fleurians were overwhelmed by the Rhodeve technological advancement and training. As well as their use of tanks. To combat this threat, the Communists used short ranged bombardment and home made explosives.

This war on this front ended on June 2, 1979. The last front to call an end to the war.

Southern Front

Often recalled as the most grande of the fronts, the war for the south was not only a land based war, but it was the only war fought on the ocean. The Fleurian navy; the ships that were taken over from the Rhodeve Navy based in the Ile of Flowers, was made up of 15 ships. As the Rhodeve and enemy navies were fighting, 3000 Rhodeve soldiers fought against a force of 8000 Fleurians through beaches, hills and forests.

The Rhodeve force was able to defeat the Fleurian army during their first encounter. This battle was reminiscent of the 1500s, when armies charged at each other in large numbers. About 4000 soldiers died on both sides, but more heavy casualties on the side of the Fleurians. After the battle (Battle of Escapment), fighting was minimal and usually ended in geurrilla styled warfare, where the Rhodeve forces needed to find and destroy Fleurian bases of operations.

This front ended in a Rhodeve victory on May 17, 1979.

Final Surrender

On June 2, 1979, the final front of the war ended. Although the fronts ended on separate dates, their was still fighting in all areas of the Ile of Flowers until the official surrender. The Fleurians officially surrendered on June 3, 1979, marking the end of the war.

For the next 2 years, the army stayed on the island to monitor the situation, before being recalled. The Ile of Flowers was brought further into the Rhodeve circle as a territory instead of a crown colony.

Legacy

This war marked a turning point in Rhodeve history. Prior to the war, crown colonies were still thought of as part of the long gone Rhodeve Empire. The new territory was granted additional rights as well as a more socialist government, which in turn allowed for more social reforms to be implemented in Rhodevus.

More attention was given to the Rhodeve territories and commonwealth. It was in this time, that hope for a return of a new Empire diminished, and the Bannerless Brotherhood increased in size.

It also played a significant role in shaping Rhodevus during the Cold War. Prior to this war, and post the Communist-Capitalist Flip-Flopping of the 50s and 60s, Rhodevus maintained a hard capitalist stance. Following this war, Rhodevus was finalized into a Social Capitalist system in order to take into account the needs of Rhodeve territories.

Evacuation of Civilians

While both sides were in a constant state of warfare, small truces were made in order to allow for civilians to flee areas of heavy fighting. The Fleurian-Athabaskan Bridge remained open throughout the course of the war to allow for Fleurian refugees to cross through as well as ensure food imports reached civilian areas.