Jura War

Combatants| * Republic of Bern

Strength| * Approximately 1,500 infantry
* 10 tanks
* 15 artillery pieces
* 10 artillery pieces

Units| * 11th Bernese Infantry
	+ A Company
	+ C Company
* 14th Bernese Combat Support
	+ A Company
* 16th Bernese Panzers
	+ E squadron
* 10th artillery group
	+ 1st battery
* Juran Artillery

Casualties| * 100+ killed
* 400+ wounded
* 4 tanks disabled
* 5 POW
* 100+ wounded
* 125 POW

The **Jura War** was a conflict between the Republic of Bern and French militants in the Jura region.

## Course of conflict

### Prelude

Since the establishment of the Bernese Republic, anti-German sentiments have been growing in the west of the country and the surrounding region. This area has many people who are ethnically French and who oppose the foreign policy of Bern which appears to favour ethnic Germans.

### Battle of Lajoux and Saicourt

The opening engagement of the conflict was the Battle at Lajoux. This is a town outside the Bernese borders, in the Jura region. Militants had fortified the town and had a number of light and heavy artillery pieces stationed there.

Bernese troops were ordered to occupy their own territory in the Jura after word was received regarding organised French militia groups. The Bernese set up a base at the town of Saicourt within the nation's borders. Soon after establishing this position, they were attacked by artillery from the Jurans.

Over several hours on the 10th of August, artillery was exchanged between the two armies at Lajoux and Saicourt. The Bernese eventually silenced the Juran guns, knocking out four light and two heavy artillery pieces. During the battle, nine Bernese troops were wounded and one killed. The Jurans suffered significantly worse losses, with twenty wounded and fifteen killed.

### Troop movements on the 11th and 12th of August

On 11 August, the Jurans fled Lajoux and established a position at Les Genevez. This was a far more fortified position and was reinforced with troops and artillery from deeper in the Jura. Bernese scouts discovered the Juran positions early on the 12th, and several hours later the entire contingent at Saicourt began to march towards Les Genevez.

### Battle of Les Genevez

Around midday on the 12th, the Bernese launched an attack on Les Genevez. The forces were struck by artillery as they approached the town, but it was largely ineffective. Nonetheless, the Bernese army dug trenches several hundred metres from the main entrance to the town.

The first attempt to take Les Genevez was done by E squadron, 16th Panzer Corps as well as sections 1 and 2 of A company of the 11th Infantry battalion. The Bernese managed to capture the western flank, establishing themselves in houses on the town's outskirts. However, the push proved fruitless after Juran artillery struck the flank, killing several infantrymen and forcing the contingent back to the trenches.

The second push came on the night of the 12th. Several infantry sections pushed up to the town's main entrance, while the tanks attacked the eastern flank. The Jurans held these two fronts for a while, killing a number of Bernese and disabling a tank with a landmine. However, heavy tank suppressing fire eventually split the Juran forces. Half of their troops charged the retreating Bernese at the main gate, while the other half fled the town to the north. The southward split was utterly destroyed by the Bernese, with many killed or captured, while the northern group escaped.

The battle at Les Genevez was much more costly than that at Lajoux and Saicourt. 115 Jurans were killed while a further 125 were captured (52 of which were wounded). Thus, only 290 were able to escape. 92 Bernese were killed in their several waves of attack, with a further 270 injured. One tank was also destroyed.

### Subsequent battles and end of war

Through mid August, there were several skirmishes which were incredibly costly for the Bernese forces. The Jurans also abandoned their frontline and thus the Bernese decided to withdraw from the occupied Jura. Bernese troops had completely left by 4 September 2021.

### Current situation

Five Bernese troops are still held as prisoners of war despite the fact that the conflict has ended. There are ongoing efforts by the Bernese government to have them released, perhaps in exchange for some or all of the 125 Juran POWs.