National Front

Emblem of the National Front

## Summary

The National Front (NF) was a far-right political party in the Kingdom of Gabbelonia. It was one of the largest parties, consisting of many Pan-Germanists and right-wing exiles from Germany. In 1927 Rudolf Fendler, the official leader of the party, was sidelined by Otto Fife, a radical extremist, while on world tour to gather national legitimacy. Fife led the National Front to nation-wide fame, until his demise following a failed attempt to secure power via a coup. After Fife was removed, and with Fendler's support, Wilhelm von Wallsten took over the group and reformed it into the Populist Party in 1932.

## History

The National Front was founded by Rudolf Fendler and twelve others in 1924 as the Germanic Socialist Party, soon before the creation of the Kingdom of Gabbelonia. Early in its history, it focused on achieving Gabbelonia's independence from the Northern Isles, of which it was a Dominion of, and uniting Germans under a single state and banner. The paramilitary forces of the NF launched raids and ambushes on NI convoys and public officials, especially the Empire's embassy in Gabbelonia. This would culminate in the Gabbelonian Civil War from 1929-30.

On 9 September 1929 the Communist Party was banned on terms of Article 2 Section 6 of the Constitution, which states that a party may be removed if it poses a threat to the Crown. The King stated 'We cannot let traitors have a place in this government'.

On April 10 1930 a diplomat from the Empire of Steamvania, a Gabbelonian ally, is shot in Gabbestadt by NF party members with rifles. The shots are fatal. Otto Fife justifies this as an accident, although a telegram by Rudolf Fendler is intercepted and sent to the Steamvanian government. it reads;

"We need to teach the other parties who is superior sometimes."

This leads many to believe that the assaliants believed he was an official from the Monarchist Party, the main opposition to the NF. However, the diplomat was clearly wearing Steamvanian insignias on his uniform. Later that day, the Reichstag building is burnt. Actions by the Royal Army and Firefighting Division saves the building, although much damage is dealt. The next day, a National Front paramilitary kills three Royal Guards, although he escapes underground and does not face punishment. A few hours later, two more paramilitaries attack and kill a group of several diplomats. They are both arrested, although escape prison soon afterwards. All of these encounters are referred to as the Attacks of April 10-11 or the April Attacks.

On 10 August 1930 King Rickard I was attacked and shot by a National Front member, although he survives. the paramilitary is tracked down in a manhunt and captured soon later. On 15 August a small skirmish between the NF and a coalition of Steamvanian, North Islean, and Gabbelonian troops results in a defeat for the Nationalists. On 25 August a tank from the Northern Isles accidentally kills 2 Gabbelonian troops. The NI says it is an accident, although the National Front demands the King reacts with aggressive force. This never happens. Nationalist propaganda increases heavily on 27 August. On 28 August the Northern Accord Coalition, consisting of Gabbelonian, the Northern Isles, and Steamvania is created with the intent to remove the threat of the National Front. The same day, Islean Marines are attacked by NF paramilitaries (now being referred to as soldiers due to their more professional equipment and training). The Nationalist soldiers shout 'Coup! Nationalist Coup!' and other related phrases, although theories of a NF takeover are not confirmed. More battles, skirmishes, and executed between the Coalition and the Nationalists continue. A blockade of the Reichstag, then rebuilding, begins. This is led by the Northern Isles.

The next day, 29 August 1930, the National Front, aided by much of the Royal Army, march on the Reichstag, successfully capturing the building and hosting many of the top government Ministers hostage. A military junta declares themselves the rulers of the nation, and that they will end only when the National Front is to come to power. However, a response by the Coalition squeezes the NF into the tight boundaries of the Reichstag. Negotiations are opened with them. A full occupation by Northern Accord forces is enforced. The Monarchist Party wins a snap election, which is another defeat for the Nationalists. With little hope left, many moderate Nationalists desert and the radical, completely outnumbered and outgunned, surrender and are demilitarized. The government of Gabbelonia is restored and the King reclaims his power. No ministers were killed.

Despite this, another smaller attempt to overthrow the government is launched by the National Front two days later. This is defeated easily, and the National Front is disbanded. This marks the end of the National Front for the time being, and the end of Otto Fifes major role in politics and he is now arrested on several counts of treason, sedition, inciting a riot, and many other crimes, and is executed a few years later on 17 September 1934. Wilhelm von Wallsten will then go on to rule the new Nationalist Party of Gabbelonia.