Meckelno–Nü Krantisk War
| Meckelno–Nü Krantisk War | |||||||
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| Part of NKR insurrection | |||||||
 Meckelnburgh artillery in Balduvien |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Nü Krantisk Repüblik
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| Units involved | |||||||
| NKR study groups
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| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown | ||||||
The Meckelno–Nü Krantisk War is an ongoing conflict in the northwestern cantons of Lac Glacei on Apollonia between the United Kingdom of Meckelnburgh and the Nü Krantisk Repüblik. The war is a part of the broader NKR insurrection, a conflict spurred by the NKR's attempt to overthrow the government of Lac Glacei in face of the inability to control the internal security of the country. Faced with a mounting refugee crisis in Meckelnburgh proper and Iselande, and in response to the reports of genocide committed across the border, Meckelnburgh declared war on the NKR in 1753 AN.
Beginnings
The Parliament of Meckelnburgh declared war against the "illegitimate" Nü Krantisk Repüblik on 14.IV.1753 AN following a plea to Parliament in joint session by Queen Ĉielero III. The declaration also interrupted the 1753 AN parliamentary elections, with the Queen declining to dissolve parliament at their discretion before a preliminary war cabinet could be prepared.
The Queen as commander-in-chief declared the general mobilization of Their Royal Majesty's Services at Arms, including the full battalions of the reserve of Their Royal Majesty's National Guard. The armored rapid response brigades of the National Guard of the United Kingdom of Meckelnburgh launched a blitz attack of the kingdom's tank forces south of Iselande and east from Meckelnburgh, intended to overwhelm the less organized forces of the NKR.
The Lanzerwald Republic's Lanzerwaldmarine offered help to its PRIMA partner Meckelnburgh in V.1753 and sent two Chantiers de Louisville Vaisseau-frégate 1740 frigates to Alexandretta as well as one regiment of the Kriegskorps Ludwigshafen to help defend the city and free up military resources.
Krantbuurg Front
Ground operations
As part of the initial blitz, the National Guard in tandem with the rapid-deployment forces of the 1st and 2nd Armored Brigades and the 5th Mobile Infantry Brigade made steady, calculated progress through Balduvien. Over 14,000 troops were involved in the initial offense. Meckelnburgh forces finally laid siege to Krantbuurg in VI.1753 AN. NKR forces in Krantbuurg were given one month's warning to surrender the city to Meckelnburgh troops or "The institutions of fascist Nü Krantisk governance will learn why an artillery corps is a valuable investment."
On 10.VII.1753 AN, forces of the NKR in Krantbuurg responded to the surrender demand with a reportedly offensive but unpublished response. That afternoon, the War Office approved "all measures in the field deemed effective to end the genocidal forces at minimal loss of civilian life." After work hours circa 1730, the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery fired a single volley of 155 mm guided shells 30 km into the city, engulfing the headquarters of the NKR in flames. Light shelling continued against well-confirmed NKR targets over the coming days.
Air operations
The Royal Meckelnburgh Air Force, employing a flight of Nimbo B-4 Executioners from Boulonne, engaged in a strategic bombing sortie in mid VII.1753 AN against the airport in Kerbuurg, outside of air superiority range. The bombing, designed to deny use of the airport for aerial operations, was noted as a limited success, but did destroy the runway. Further bombings were made throughout VIII.1753 AN against Zeivbuurg and approaching forces to the east of Krantbuurg.
Northern Sea patrol
Starting in VI.1753 AN, a task force of the Royal Meckelnburgh Navy with combined surface vessels stationed in Meckelnburgh proper began a defensive patrol in the Northern Sea, Straits of Artsessdun and the Clear Sea. The task force was given the instruction "to command the surrender of any rickety NKR vessels in the Northern Sea, and send to the Morningstar those fascists who refuse."
Iselandic Front
Forces of the North Arctic Battlegroup launched an attack in tandem to support the remaining front of Lac Glacei government forces pushed towards the Northern Sea south of Nurthaven. Lighter battalions of the Grand Ducal Iselande Defense Force moved south of Antruusbuurg to establish a narrow defensive line beneath Iselandic territory in Jutien. The isolated and desolate front was steadied by the subarctic Meckelnburgh National Guard units by V.1753 AN before an offensive push moved towards the allied-held city of Ter-Sog, where forces arrived in VI.1753 AN to defend it.
In a press conference following the North Arctic Battlegroup arrival in Ter-Sog, the National Guard confirmed forces would focus on stabilizing lines on the Iselandic Font in conjunction with the "rightful" forces of Lac Glacei government. Starting in IX.1753 AN. Meckelnburgh Public Health Service Corps began a systematic operation of providing healthcare and resources to refugees in northeast Lac Glacei, who were diverted from Iselande to Ter-Sog.
Operation Puttin' on the Ritz
In VII.1753 AN, the Expeditionary Strike Group of the Royal Meckelnburgh Navy landed a regiment of the Corps of Royal Marines in Rizactor, attempting to put a light force on the peninsula north of NKR-held Kloss and shore up Lac Glacei defenses for the allied-held city. With the arrival of TRMS Kestrel (CVL), a squadron of carrier-based fighters were positioned, finally placing all government-controlled cities in Anglien, Kloss and Saksenlant under Meckelnburgh air superiority.
Home front
Public opinion for the war registered as over 80% at the start of the conflict in metropolitan Meckelnburgh and Iselande, while Branniboria was more lukewarm at 55%. A war bonds campaign launched in VII.1753 AN earned over Ʀ1 million for the war effort following coordinated military parades in Alexandretta by the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment and in Fenixtune by the Volunteer Band of the Iselande Defense Force. An unofficial march in Hergilsey by an ad hoc band from the Regiment of Royal Artillery was noted as "the most patriotic cacophony in Meckelnburgh history."
Attack on Salem
On 9.IX.1753 AN, an NKR-affiliated "study group" cell carried out a bombing attack on the Meckelnish island of Salem. The attackers crossed by a small false-flagged fishing vessel from the vicinity of Zeivsbuurg in NKR-held territory, landed on the northern coast of Salem, and moved across the island to Salem Town during the main midsummer market day.
Multiple small explosive devices were planted and detonated in the crowded market district, causing heavy civilian casualties and widespread panic. The attack was accompanied by the distribution of propaganda leaflets in Meckelnish, Aspiranto, and Crandish stamped with an NKR emblem. The main headlines of the leaflets were Op än uut Krandböörch (in Meckelnish), Foriru el Krandburgo (in Aspiranto), Alai Krantbuurgo! (in Crandish), all meaning "Get out of Krantbuurg!".
Local police and emergency services secured the area within hours. A few members of the cell were intercepted by a coast guard detachment while attempting to escape by sea, and three suspects were arrested just outside Salem Town itself by municipal police. Authorities reported that three additional perpetrators were believed to remain at large.
The attack provoked strong public reaction in Meckelnburgh and led to heightened maritime security measures around outlying islands. NKR-aligned media later expressed regret for civilian deaths while portraying the attackers as "martyrs" and "family fathers from Krantbuurg, whose families are dying under Meckelnish siege", and who were acting in a desperate response to the siege of Krantbuurg. In mourning the victims, the Chancellor of Meckelnburgh commented "The people of Krantbuurg are fed and warm. They have no shortage of food, light and heat. The fascists must surrender."
