1984 Moskochevian Conflict

**Casualties and losses** | Adrionis: < 18,116 killed, 40,000 wounded
Moskochev: < 8,415 killed, 20,000 wounded
(August 1984)

The 1984 Moskochevian Conflict was a border conflict between the Kingdom of Adrionis and the People's Republic of Moskochev during the mid-1980s.

The conflict resulted in a rise of Moskochevian nationalism. The events of the conflict helped later usher in the dictatorial eras of Ivan Truchev and Nikolai Kalinov, two extreme nationalists.

Following decades of tension between Adrionis and Moskochev, a conflict erupted following firefights on Adrionis' border with Moskochev in early 1984, resulting in several Moskochevian civilian casualties. On March 9th, a land invasion was launched in Adrionis' southern peninsula (also known as the Alwarda or Alardia region).

Moskochevian troops pushed upwards through Alardia, with a decisive battle occurring between March 21st and March 25th in Adith Harbor, a port city about 65 miles south of Alardia City. The event later came to be known as the Battle of Adith Valley. Naval support was provided by the HMS Draconis (AD-17), captained by Nick Bovi, and the HMS Exeter (AF-87), captained by Jon Sheckles.

On March 26th, the Adrionian Navy encountered several Moskochevian warships on route to the Occupied Zone of the peninsula, and a battle in the ocean ensued. Among the Adrionian ships lost include the flagship HMS Draconis and the battleship HMS Exeter (AF-87), and the deaths of captains Bovi and Sheckles. The survivors were then transported onto land, and temporarily re-assigned as reserve ground units for the Adrionian Royal Army near the combat zone.

## Operation Cascade

A full-scale invasion of Moskochev's southern sea border began on April 2nd, 1984. Adrionian forces consisting of both the reserve units as well as regular infantry stormed the beaches of Moskochev, quickly claiming land approximately 10 miles inland. The Moskochevian government had not anticipated the attack.

The initial battle, dubbed "The Battle of Black Tuesday", lasted two and a half days and resulted in hundreds of casualties for both sides, but ultimately resulted in Moskochevian forces being pushed back about 15 miles inland. According to sources present at the conflict, Adrionis made heavy use of white phosphorous and napalm attacks from air units.

On April 5th, a procession into Moskochevian-occupied territory was launched. Over a thousand infantry stormed into the marshy forests of southwest Moskochev, and were ultimately met with heavy resistance. The town of Sokolov was the bloodiest battleground, and was leveled by both napalm attacks from Adrionis, as well as "carpet shelling" from Moskochev's heavy use of artillery. The town was completely destroyed, and never rebuilt.

The first push into Moskochev lasted two days, before the order was given to retreat back to the ten mile line. Overall, hundreds of Adrionian military personnel were killed on April 5th and 6th, in what many consider to be the first major blunder of the war. Furthermore, at least three of Adrionis' jets were lost during the fierce battle.

On August 26th, a decisive three-day battle occurred on the front line, about 15 miles inland in the town of Korolovsk. The town was besieged on all sides, and all but several of the infantry personnel were killed or captured as prisoners of war, and taken to the nearby town of Vybongrad. On August 30th, a rescue mission was launched to attack the town and rescue the prisoners. The initial assault failed, and over 4,000 Adrionian soldiers were killed or captured in a span of three days.

## 1985 Escalation

By January 1985, the eastern front's primary focus lay on Adrionis' push through Moskochev's southwestern wilderness and steppes. Heavy resistance was encountered from about 15 to 20 miles inland, and much of the casualties in this part of the war can be attributed to the Siege of Vybongrad.

In the western front, Moskochevian military units managed to hold key points in the Alardia region, though they had adopted a more guerilla-based tactical style. Several battalions of Moskochevian soldiers led quiet campaigns inward, primarily to major Adrionian socioeconomic centers, before striking unexpectedly. In the region surrounding the capital city of Draconis, the Moskochevian government also employed pro-communist Islamic guerilla fighters to lead internal sabotage missions against Adrionian military installations.

## Characters involved in the conflict

### Miriam Jordania

Served as a midshipman aboard the HMS Exeter (AF-87) prior to its destruction on March 26th. Later reassigned as a temporary ground reserve unit for the Adrionian Royal Army. Was present for both the *Battle of Black Tuesday*, as well as the *Battle of April 5th*. She was later captured as a POW on August 28th, 1984 and taken to the town of Vybongrad. She survived the August 30th rescue operation, and later escaped captivity to survive within the besieged city.