1998 Douglandic-Lorsalian War

Victory for the coalition

The **1998 Douglandic-Lorsalian War**, also known as the ‘Summer of Hell’, was an armed conflict fought between a Douglandic-led coalition against Lorsalia in response to the Lorsalian surprise invasion of eastern Dougland. The conflict was the result of growing tensions between Dougland and Lorsalia since the 1993 Lorsalian Coup and Lorsalia’s subsequent rearmament. Tensions only grew in April 1998 with Lorsalia massing troops on the Douglandic border. In response, Dougland and Ninhundland held large-scale military exercises in western Dougland. Which diverted the majority of Dougland’s military forces away from the border. Seeing the opportunity that had presented itself, Lorsalia invaded Dougland on June 12, 1998, at exactly 8:00 am.

Initially, the Douglandic and Ninhundish militaries were caught off guard by the invasion, with Douglandic troops stationed on the border being overwhelmed and routed by the much larger Lorsalian force. Due to the initial shock of the advance, Lorsalian forces were able to advance 150 kilometers into Douglandic territory before being bogged down by tenacious resistance by reserve and paramilitary units. Against all odds, the lightly armed Douglandic forces in the west were able to establish a defensive perimeter on the Alabas River and held out for three days before reinforcements could arrive from the west.

On June 31, coalition forces launched a counter-offensive operation code-named ‘Summer 98’ against the Lorsalians. With the element of surprise lost and the lack of technological edge, the Lorsalians were pushed back to the border on July 2 despite heavy resistance and scorched earth tactics aimed at Douglandic citizens.

On July 5, Allied forces had now been authorized to begin an incursion into Lorsalian territory. Lorsalian forces were overwhelmed by Allied forces and withdrew 50 km west into Lorsalian territory to establish a defensive perimeter around Mount Keechelus.

On July 9, Allied forces halted their advance and consolidated their position around Mount Keechelus to resupply and maintain logistical functionality.

On July 12, the decision was made to not advance any further into Lorsalia unless strictly necessary, as a measure to prevent international condemnation of the Coalition.

However, Lorsalian artillery near the top of Mount Keechelus continued to harass and pummel Allied forces. With satellite imagery showing the Lorsalian military preparing for a counter-offensive, Allied forces then decided to launch an offensive against Mount Keechelus to regain the initiative and put the Lorsalian’s on the backfoot.

Here infantry on both sides dug in on the prominence of the mountain at 4,300m, relying on air support to de-trench the enemy and supply themselves. Seeing the importance of aerial superiority over the mountain, both sides would vie for control of the airspace surrounding Mount Keechelus.

The battle for control of the skies culminated in the largest air battle since the Second World War on August 2 after Lorsalian and Allied aircraft calls for reinforcements over the mountain escalated into the entire combat wing of the Lorsalian Air Force engaging Allied aircraft. With the Lorsalian Air Force pressing attack aircraft into the aerial superiority role to boost their numbers.

Due to coalition aircraft being much more advanced than their Lorsalian counterparts and reliance on beyond visual range engagements, the Lorsalian Air Force would decide to disengage after losing over 30 aircraft in the battle to prevent further losses.

With the airspace around Mount Keechelus now uncontested, coalition forces were able to fully capture Mount Keechelus on August 9. Famously, the Douglandic flag was planted by Nova Roman troops on the peak of the mountain in honor of a Douglandic soldier who died that day while fighting for the peak.

With Allied Forces taking full control of Mount Keechelus, Allied artillery rained down on Lorsalian positions, preventing a major counter-offensive from the battered army.

Throughout the rest of August and September, Lorsalian forces attempted minor offensives that were repelled. On September 31, the Lorsalian government signed a ceasefire agreement with Dougland.

Ever since the 1998 conflict, the Douglandic military has occupied the captured territories ever since and has established a defensive perimeter on the edge of the occupied land to prevent future invasion. Additionally, the war is the most recent example of high-altitude warfare in mountainous terrain, and as such, the conflict posed significant logistical problems for the combating sides.