Second Leersog War

The Second Leersog War, also known as the Battle of Hetland, the Fall of Hetland, the Reclamation of Leersog, or the First Party's War (Syrvanian: Jest Partisya Wodoc), was a military conflict fought between Syrvania and the Kingdom of Hetland from the summer of 526 (official declaration of war was made by Hetland on 18 Nulgost, 526) to the late summer or early spring of 527 (official surrender issued by Hetland on 22 Somvhost, 527), and was one of the opening conflicts of the Westenlands Wars.

The war began with a two-front invasion by Syrvania, ostensibly pursuing reparations for Hettic involvement in the Syrvanian Incursion. Per its name, it was the second major conflict fought between Syrvania and Hetland regarding control over the provinces of the Leersog region. Unlike the First Leersog War, fighting would continue into the interior regions of Hetland, and would culminate in the collapse of the Kingdom of Hetland, and the foundation of the Hettic Republic.

According to many modern historians, the Second Leersog War saw one of the first practical implementations of modern combined arms maneuver warfare in history. Popular narrative suggests that this served as inspiration for a worldwide re-evaluation of armor doctrine, and is often regarded as a turning point in a strategic paradigm which had prioritized more traditional, methodical tactics. However, the "Syrvanian Wake-Up Call" was more related to how technology and doctrine could help smaller powers achieve parity with larger ones, rather than being the impetus for widespread technical and doctrinal development it is often believed to be. The Second Leersog War also saw the introduction and most significant use of the Independent Rapid Divisions of the Syrvanian army, as well as the first effective use of airborne infantry by Syrvania.

## Background

The First Leersog War ended in 446 with the collapse of the Syrvanian economy, forcing Syrvania to disarm and make territorial concessions to Hetland. These concessions consisted of the Leersog Duchies of Urdow and Kravan, the two provinces west of the Zlowiće River, as well as to abandon any claim over Myrszy, thus putting the entirety of Leersog under Hettic rule.

Following the Third Spat, and the abdication of the Syrvanian throne by King Fedorik II, the Sovereigns' League made efforts to quell the influence of the Lusivakian Commonwealth in the Westenlands. Believing Commonwealth influence in Syrvania could spread to the whole region if left unchecked, the League put its support behind the Lords' Uprising, supplying the Restorationists with mercenaries, materiel, and propaganda. The hope was that, even if the Restorationists did not achieve total victory, the Syrvanian people might be inspired to "recall their heritage and duty to the Great Legacy", resulting in at least some connection to nobility to remain. However, discovery of the League's involvement only further embittered public opinion toward them, and emboldened the stricter anti-monarchist elements in Syrvanian politics, such as the Bulwark.

The League's fears would be further realized going into the 520s, with Akrovia and Elandris offering increased economic and military aid to Syrvania, culminating in the Syrvanian-Akrovian Trade Pact. Seen as the prelude to a full annexation, the Chergarian Empire, left with no diplomatic solution after the defeat of the Lords' Uprising, launched the Syrvanian Incursion, invading through Hetland in early Autumn of 524. Though the Syrvanian military was forced to bear the brunt of the invasion alone, early losses and bureaucratic difficulties prompted the formation of an emergency military government under the National Party and defense minister Bartoniy Kruvik. Greater autonomy granted to the army, as well as the arrival of Commonwealth intervention forces and fewer restrictions placed on them, would allow new combined arms maneuver elements to operate with greater efficiency. This would help form the groundwork for the Independent Rapid Divisions, as field officers took the time to collect and communicate data up their chain of command.

The war in Syrvania would end in the summer of 525, with the signing of the Treaty of Pansk. Half a year of fighting in eastern Syrvania, and Chergarian long-range bombing later in the war, would ruin more than half a decade's worth of new and much-needed infrastructure development. On top of the tens of thousands killed in the war, many Syrvanians in newly developing urban areas were left without power or heat for the next winter, brand new roads and railways were rendered inoperable, fledgeling industries in the west were killed in their infancy, and damage to farmland resulted in a food crisis that bordered on nationwide famine. Aid from Commonwealth nations persisted, and offers were made to aid in reconstruction, but the Syrvanian government concluded that a full and independent recovery would not be possible without regaining control of territories lost during the Leersog War. Furthermore, a new policy of defensive expansionism called for full control of the Leersog region, elimination of potential regional threats, and establishment of a buffer zone to allow for defense in depth in the event of another invasion.

Between these factors, their role in the Chergarian invasion, and a need to rectify results of the Leersog War, conflict with Hetland was inevitable. Over the next year, Commonwealth aid would be utilized to rebuild Syrvania's economy to emphasize a military-industrial complex, and as more Syrvanians came of recruitment age, veteran forces would retool the army to utilize its relatively small size as effectively as possible.

## Syrvanian invasion plans

The offensive consisted of two army fronts. Northern Army Front would be led by mountain troops through the highlands, moving in parallel with the primary Southern Front, and descending on Lingaen from the north. Meanwhile, the larger Southern Army Front, led by the Independent Rapid Divisions, would seize ground in southern and central Leersog. "Floating" motor infantry and armor formations (generally more dedicated divisions, as opposed to the more versatile combined-arms formations represented by IRDs) would be dispatched to hold ground and reinforce leading forces as needed. Air assets were distributed across the fronts under various ground force commands, though an Army Theater Air Command would oversee long-range bombing, interdiction, and airborne support operations. While the brunt of naval operations were left to the Elandric and Akrovian navies, Syrvania's Revenue Reserve Fleet would deploy surface assets within range of friendly aircraft, laying mines to disrupt Bressian convoys and Hettic littoral craft, and bombarding shores to redirect Home Army attention to the south. Meanwhile, the "high-endurance boats" of Syrvania's submarine service would harry targets coming into our out of Hettic waters, though due to intense secrecy, the full extent of their operations remains unknown.

## Hettic defense plans

Expecting to force Syrvania into a war of attrition, the Home Army planned to spread its forces along the Perlechkin line. While the entire line was expected to be able to hold, forces were nevertheless concentrated at key areas in order to encircle any potential breakthroughs, though just before the Perlechkin Line Offensive, this was changed to instead launch a methodical counteroffensive back to the Podan river. Following the breaches at Praegan and Kitter Moer, encirclement forces failed to counterattack in time due to poor coordination, finding themselves isolated and overrun from behind, or cut off from forces further east. Following the fall of the Perlechkin Line, Hetland switched to a strategy of defense-in-depth, hoping to bleed invasion forces dry as they took key, well-fortified positions, with support from the Royal Flying Service to protect against bombers and intercept Syrvanian lines of supply. With many of the key defensive positions simply being bypassed, and the Flying Service being integrated into the Home Army after the raid on their headquarters at Castle Dazhik, Home Army command considered devising a counter-maneuver strategy by early autumn, but organizational deterioration had resulted in a lack of any overarching strategy. In the latter months of the war, disparate Home Army elements simply conducted operations in whichever way they saw fit, with mixed results.

## Course of the war

### 526

#### Late Summer of 526

* **17 Nulgost, 526 - Invasion Begins:** Syrvanian National Party Chairman Konstantin Strynovich declares reclamation of Leersog; former Duchies of Urdow and Kravan are to be reinstated into Syrvania's national borders, while Myrszy, Ladzyk, and Zomé are to be annexed as reparations for "indignity and marginalization forced upon [Syrvania] by the Hettic Monarchy", thus encompassing the entirety of Leersog. War opens with skirmishes by motor and mechanized infantry supported by air attack as multiple villages are occupied in the first day of the invasion. By decree of Zrykosi III, Hetland declares war, making a public condemnation of Syrvania for its failure to do so. Following standing orders, Home Army elements immediately activate in western Urdow, operating independently to fortify key towns and locations until lines of communications can be established.
* Skirmishes continue east of the Podan over the next few days; Syrvanian Southern Army Front feints an advance along the southern coast toward Gadnowé (formerly Gdnovy, once a major Syrvanian port and main access point into the Zlowiće river), along with a coastal incursion by the Syrvanian Revenue-Reserve Fleet, to include mine-laying, attacks on shipping and fisheries, and bombardment of coastal towns. Hettic Central Staff believes the Syrvanian plan is to incite panic and draw the Home Army out west in a rushed counteroffensive, in order to neutralize or outmaneuver them in a push toward Gadnowé. Home Army instead begins mustering a large force along the Perlechkin line in preparation for a massed, methodical advance toward the Podan, with aims of destroying or dispersing Syrvanian forces and isolating any southern elements.
* Syrvanian Southern Army Front consolidates to await Hettic counterattack. Hettic Navy begins to muster in Gadnowé to counter Syrvanian coastal incursion.
* **22 Nulgost - Perlechkin Offensive:** Syrvanian Independent Rapid Divisions launch an assault on the Perlechkin Line, with simultaneous breakthroughs at Kitter Moer and Praegan. Materiel and personnel losses at Kitter Moer force the 3rd Independent Rapid Division to stand down for reinforcement and resupply while 2nd IRD continues its advance beyond Praegan.
* Syrvanian Northern Front begins advance through highlands, meeting minimal resistance.
* **23 Nulgost - Battle of Ćerzieg Bridge:** Syrvanian 8th Motor Infantry Division moves ahead of 3rd IRD to cut off supplies and reinforcements to Adsvaan Brast via Ćerzieg bridge near Mazdokiy, establishing a bridgehead on the east side of the river.
* **24-25 Nulgost - Raid on Gadnowé:** Syrvanian South Air Detachment 3 launches bombing raid on Gadnowé, targeting the harbor and bridge, while submarines S.1-9, S.1-10, and S.1-12 enter the harbor to sink Hettic shipping. Bombers deal significant damage to infrastructure and minor damage to shipping. Bridge sustains heavy damage, but is able to be repaired. Submarines fail to enter the harbor during the raid, but S.1-9 and S.1-12 manage to sink two ships and cripple the Baughlt class destroyer *Felix Bvestermenn* (formerly Bressian destroyer *Edsmoth*) afterwards, while S.1-10 catches and sinks the ammunition ship *Svenholdt* and Aedental class frigate *Shaeren* during their escape.
* **25 Nulgost:** News of the Perlechkin Line breakthroughs arrive late to the Central Staff. Hettic Home Army continues to reinforce Gadnowé via makeshift bridges constructed by Home Army Stewards Corps and by boat while bridge undergoes repairs, under the belief that Syrvania's breakthroughs intend to draw attention north. Fighting continues along the Zlowiće as local Home Army elements muster to prevent a crossing.
* **27-29 Nulgost - Battle of Adsvaan Brast:** 2nd IRD launches an offensive on Adsvaan Brast from the south without support from 3nd IRD, though Adsvaan Brast regiment had also been sent to deal with 8th Motor Infantry at Mazdokiy and to help retake Ćerzieg bridge. Splitting of forces allows Syrvania to occupy the city, encircling remaining forces at Mazdokiy.
* Zwerca militia forces form in western Leersog from civilians and isolated Home Army elements, conducting partisan actions against Syrvanian forces.

#### Early Autumn of 526

* **4 Orhane:** Syrvanian forces cross the Zlowiće river and push into Myrszy and Ladzyk provinces.
* Twin East-Zlowiće Salients form as Independent Rapid Divisions push east across the Zlowiće river, advancing on St. Lyvan and Ludow.
* **12 Orhane - The Great Gadnowé Counterstroke:** Hettic counteroffensive launched from Gadnowé, hoping to advance north along the Zlowiće river and cut off Syrvanian supplies. Counteroffensive fails; remaining Home Army forces in Gadnowé are ordered to withdraw and reinforce St. Lyvan.
* Syrvania occupies Gadnowé with almost no resistance, but the bridge and port infrastructure were sabotaged during the Hettic retreat.
* **18 Orhane - Siege of St. Lyvan:** Syrvania lays siege to St. Lyvan, with South Air Detachment 3 running bombing raids on the city and surrounding lines of communication.
* **29 Orhane - Relief of St. Lyvan:** Hettic and Bressian merchant ships successfully resupply and reinforce St. Lyvan garrison under heavy attack by Syrvanian aircraft and coastal vessels.
* Paratroopers of Syrvanian 5th Light Patrol Group begin to conduct operations in Leersog, dropping in ahead of both army fronts to divert Hettic attention, cut off lines of communication, and eliminate key assets and personnel.

#### Mid Autumn of 526

* **Raid on Castle Dazhik:** Syrvanian paratroopers launch a surprise attack on Castle Dazhik, headquarters of the Hettic Royal Flying Service, killing many key staff and securing vital intelligence. Royal Flying Service is merged into the Home Army, air forces put under command of ground forces.
* King Zrykosi III and his family are evacuated from Hetland in secret aboard Bressian destroyer *Ildridge*.
* **Battle of Ludow:** [Placeholder]
* **Battle of Labwun:** [Placeholder]
* Syrvanian Southern Army Front ceases eastward advance, begins securing the Diska river; Northern Army Front continues advance toward Radetziy Pass as weather worsens.

#### Late Autumn of 526

* Home Army Central Staff is made aware of King Zrykosi's flight; Syrvanian intelligence discovers this shortly afterwards.
* Syrvanian Army declares successful annexation of Leersog and demands Hetland's surrender.
* **Diska Counteroffensive:** Brief reversal along the southern Diska river as the Hettic Home Army launches a counterattack, before being recalled to reinforce Tába. Counteroffensive fails due in large part to conflicting orders.
* Syrvania consolidates along Diska river.
* Northern Army Front secures Radetziy Pass and continues advance downslope.
* Syrvanian Army begins invasion of Hetland proper.

#### Early Winter of 526

* **Siege of Tába**: Syrvanian forces lay siege to Tába.
* **Battle of Muldoc**
* **March of the Free Legion:** Brother Colonel Haars Marcek leads the Free Legion out of Hetland by train.
* **Battle of** **Ilast Valley:** Last remaining major Hettic armored units are defeated in Ilast Valley as Northern Front elements merge with 2nd IDR
* **Battle of Tába Begins:** Syrvanian forces enter city of Tába. 3rd IDR slows to a crawl amidst intense urban fighting, reinforced and relieved by Heavy and Motor infantry divisions.
* Hettic battleship *Grand Rorigan* arrives offshore of Tába to provide artillery support. Syrvanian submarine attack called off due to heavy presence of escorts, and with most of Syrvania's submarine force returning from shadowing *Ildridge* or engaging Bressian shipping in the Kartas Strait. Grand Rorigan remains on station for three days before being sunk by Syrvanian bombers.

#### Winter of 527

[Placeholder; Syrvanians enter Lingaen; Litcwermenn declares Hetland's surrender]

#### **Spring of 527**

[Placeholder; Lingaen Trials see Stanos Návotian, other Central Staff members, political figures, officers, convicted of incompetence and "selfish endangerment of the people", sentenced to prison, execution, or deportation; Hettic Republic founded, Hettic armed forces reformed into Hettic Republican Army; Syrvanians eliminate remaining major resistance in Hetland]