[FT] Consolidated History

Hi All,

Sorry this is so long, however...

I've taken this from all the GZG books, omitted the duplications, and
done
a little tidying up. Sorry that I've changed spelling to the American
versions (e.g. armor vice armour), but it drives my spellchecker less
crazy
that way.

GZG HISTORY

1992	The creation of the Commonwealth of Independent States from the
Soviet Union.
2014	Britain withdraws from the EC following the Spanish invasion of
Gibraltar and EC refusal to take economic or military action.
2018	Nicholas III crowned Czar in St. Petersburg as the Romanovs
return
to Russia.
o	Australian/New Zealand forces liberate French occupied New
Caledonia. The EC threaten military retaliation. Both Britain and the
USA
offer military support to their antipodean relatives. The EC backs off.
2023	The creation of the EC sponsored Economic Union of African
Republics (EUAR) in Central and Southern Africa. Arab African countries
remain outside of the Union.
2027	The destruction of the State of Israel by Islamic terrorist
action.
	Saudi Arabia annexes Gulf States and launches an invasion of
Yemen
and Iraq.
	Egypt declares solidarity with the Saudis and attacks Libya.
2032	The Gilderstein Foundation purchases an island off the
Philippines
and, with technical and financial support from Japan, embarks on its
research program into FTL travel.
2037	Sikh fundamentalists detonate a small nuclear device in Delhi,
razing most of the city. The Indian government retaliates by destroying
Amritsar and massacring the entire population.
2039	Indonesia invades and conquers Malaysia.
2042	The EUAR follows the example of the EC and becomes a federal
super-state - the Pan-African Union (PAU).
2043	The house of Saud completes its suppression of its fellow Arab
states and creates the Islamic Federation
o	Indonesian forces overrun Borneo.
2045	Heavy fighting on the Sino-Siberian border as the Beijing
government presses long redundant border claims against a financially
and
politically bankrupt Russia.
2046	South Korea falls to a lightning strike by North Korea and
China.
2047	A Beijing sponsored coup in Moscow results in the return of
Communist government to Russia and several of the Commonwealth
Republics.
The Czar and a sizable military force flee to the Ukraine, who along
with
Byelorussia and the Baltic States remain free from the Communist
shackle,
as the EC intimates to Beijing that further Communist expansion west
will
not be tolerated, whatever the cost. The Communist states then create
the
Eurasian Union. The remaining Commonwealth States create the Romanov
Hegemony, realizing that divided they will be picked off by the Eurasian
Union in time.
2049	The US economy collapses, followed by the federal government as
the
President is assassinated in the bombing of the White House. General
Parham
declares the creation of a military government. Many states ignore the
proclamation, violently opposing the armed forces' attempts to assume
control.
2050	Parham requests UN military involvement to restore order in the
US.
The request is denied. The military government turns towards Britain and
Canada for help. The "pacification" of the former USA begins.
o	The US inspired Organization of American States collapses and is
replaced by the Brazilian / Argentinian dominated League of Latin
American
Republics. The LLAR intimates that it will use force to recover
territories
occupied by "colonial powers." Britain advises the LLAR that it will use
any weapon in its arsenal to protect its subjects in the Falkland
Islands.
The LLAR backs down.
o	Philippines conquered by Indonesia and assimilated into the new
Indonesian Commonwealth. Japanese naval units act to protect the
Gilderstain Foundation's installation from Indonesian aggression.
o	In response to the growing Indonesian threat, Australia, New
Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and a number of South Sea island states
create
the Oceanic Union.
2050-2057: The Second Secessionist War
The collapse of the US economy and the assassination of President Amy
Koslowski in 2049 precipitates a Second Civil War in the USA. After
unsuccessful attempts to gain control, the provisional Military
Government
calls on British and Canadian support to quell the uprisings throughout
the
Union. This leads to the formation of the New Anglian Confederation.
2051	The Eurasian Union crosses the Himalayas and invades the Indian
sub-continent.
2053	The Indonesian Commonwealth invades and conquers Burma and
Thailand.
2054	The remainder of Indo-China falls to the forces of the
Indonesian
Commonwealth.
2057	Britain, Canada, and the United States unite under the Crown and
create the Anglian Confederation. Admiral Dewsbury is appointed Lord
Governor of the territory previously know as the United States of
America.
o	The LLAR declares that the AC has no mandate to rule over the
ex-Hispano-US peoples and decrees California, New Mexico, and Texas as
LLAR
territory under foreign occupation and launches an invasion of these
areas.
The fifteen-year War of the Americas starts.
2057-2072: The War of the Americas
In the confusion of the end of the 2nd Civil War, the League of Latin
American Republics attempts to take control of California, New Mexico,
and
Texas. A prolonged and difficult conflict between LLAR and Anglian
forces
results in defeat for the League and the loss of not only its foothold
in
the north, but also its possessions in Central America.
2059	The Gilderstein Foundation's L5 Lab disappears from orbit.
2062	The Foundation reveals the true nature of the disappearance of
the
L5 Lab.
o	The Islamic Federation and PAU clash in north-east Africa over
water rights. The EC sponsor a peace initiative backed by the threat of
force.
2063	The first trans-solar probe is launched to (and returns from)
Barnard's Star.
2067	The Gilderstein Foundation sends the first manned FTL mission
out
of the Solar system.
2069	Both the Anglian Federation and the EC launch FTL craft and
begin
the colonization of space.
2070	Assisted by the EC, the Islamic Federation, the PAU, and the
Romanov Hegemony all launch FTL craft.
2072	The LLAR sues for peace in the War of the Americas and cedes all
territories in North and Central America to the Anglian Confederation.
The
LLAR looks to space as a means of expansion.
o	The Eurasian Union launches its first FTL ship and renames
itself
the Eurasian Solar Union.
2075	The LLAR launch their first FTL craft, as does the Indonesian
Commonwealth.
2096	The founding of "New Israel" on garden world of Epsilon Indi
system.
2098	Conflict again between the Anglian Confederation and the LLAR as
border clashes escalate into all out war. Within two years the LLAR
looses
all possessions on Earth. Survivors of the League government and its
supporters flee to the small Brazilian colony of Santa Rico.
2099	The first settlement of Albion by Anglian Confederation
colonists.
2101	The struggling and unstable European Commonwealth finally
disintegrates as Germany, Austria, and several east european states
agree
to the formation of the Neu Swabian League (NSL) in protest at continued
French domination of the EC. In response, France and the remaining
members
of the EC (notably Italy and Spain) dissolve that organization and
reform
as the Federal Stats Europa (FSE). Very soon, border incidents between
the
NSL and FSE about territorial claims on Earth and the other settled
worlds
intensify into open warfare. Initially the war goes well for the FSE as
they overrun the NSL inner colony settlements of Trelleborg and
Flensberg,
followed by the taking of the outworld colonies of Wittenberge, Kecel,
and
Lienz after brave resistance from their colonial militias. On Earth,
Baden
Wurttemburg, Bayern, and parts of the Rheinland swiftly fall to FSE
armored
thrusts.
2102	The Netherlands also leaves the FSE, but refuses NSL offers of
union and reasserts its independence.
o	Further FSE advances into Germany falter as NSL forces under
General Janos Matthias halt the FS armor at the battle of Breznice. An
attempted counter-thrust by NSL units is a bit of a non-event, only
succeding in regaining territory up to the Danube.
o	Late in the year, the Netherlands (which had been at best an
unwilling "associate member" of the FSE since the EC's collapse) breaks
all
ties with the FSE. Refusing an offer of alliance from the NSL, the Dutch
reassert their independence and eject all FSE influences from their
homeland and colonial possessions.
2103	While the NSL/FSE war on Earth and the inner worlds stagnates,
the
battles in the outworlds intensify. The NSL launches commando raids and
planetary assaults against a number of FSE colonies and bases, but with
only limited success; while hit-and-run strikes caused significant
damage
to many FSE installations, the NSL's abilities to mount full-scale
assaults
proved sorely lacking.
2104	The Treaty of Saarbrucken brings a conclusion to the NSL/FSE
war,
confirming territorial boundaries on Earth and the inner colonies, and
establishing spheres of influence in the outworlds. The peace accord in
sponsored by the UN and NAC, and although neither of the protagonists is
really happy with the outcome, they are both too economically weakened
by
the war to protest effectively.
2110	Air attacks by Indonesian Commonwealth forces herald the start
of
their war with the Oceanic Union over Papau New Guinea. The
low-intensity
war runs the Indonesians' way for much of the first year, as they manage
to
inflict a crushing defeat on the Oceanic 6th Infantry Division at Aitape
and go on to take the Long Islands, Admiralty Islands, and establish a
beach-head on the New Islands. The Indonesian advance is finally stopped
in
Southern Papau, at the battle of the Mouths of the Fly River.
2110-2112: The Papau New Guinea War
The Indonesian Commonwealth attacks Papau New Guinea, bringing it into
conflict with Australia and New Zealand (Papau's major partners in the
Oceanic Union). A generally low-intensity war, this is notable for the
first widespread use of "Grav" propelled combat vehicles on Earth
(mainly
fast, light Indonesian "Gunskimmers" used for coastal and riverine
actions). To-and-fro thrusts by both protagonists throughout the islands
gradually grind to an indecisive halt, and the Sydney Accord finally
ends
the war with an Indonesian withdrawal.
2111	Oceanic forces seize the initiative and launch an assault on
Indonesian territory with two armored and three infantry divisions.
Quickly
taking Traigan, Jamdena, and Timor, the Oceanic advance halts after the
Battle of Ramang in the South Banda Sea, and the war enters another
quiet
phase and peace negotiations commence. Despite a rather half-hearted and
ineffective attempt at a renewed offensive by the Indonesians late in
the
year, the war grinds to an indecisive close.
2112	The Sydney Accord officially ends the Papau New Guinea War.
2123	Islamic Federation and ESU forces clash on Earth as the ESU
massacres many Muslims in an anti-Islamic pogrom on the Indian
subcontinent. Most of the action is limited to cross-border raids and
artillery duels; frantic UN diplomatic efforts prevent full-scale
escalation. The Beijing government, appreciative of the fact that
religious
persecution has no place in the multi-cultural Union, deals harshly with
the Hindu officials who sanctioned the pogrom.
2124	Expanding interests on the colony worlds and the difficulty of
maintaining strong centralized control force some liberalization within
the
ESU; Poland, Czechnia, and Slovakia petition to join the ESU as
"economic
partners," considering themselves to have been poorly treated by the
NSL.
2127	The balance of power within the ESU shifts away from Chinese
domination as the Union government is moved from Earth to the mainly
Russian-settled Nova Moskva.
o	One hundred years after the effective destruction of Israel by
Arab
terrorist groups, the Jewish government on the colony of New Israel
renews
the pledge of never-ending war against the anti-Zionists. To date this
"war" has been largely the province of the New Israeli Intelligence and
Special Forces. However, Rabbi Avraham Yoffe's public statement that the
Jewish state would take each and every opportunity to avenge the
destruction of their original homeland actually marked the start of
Operation Jericho, during which New Israeli interface and airborne units
assaulted and destroyed several Islamic bases on the Inner Colonies.
2128	LLAR mercenary forces hired by the Indonesian Commonwealth clash
with Anglican forces on Earth against their employers' will. The
Indonesians execute the entire force in a move designed to conciliate
the
AC. The LLAR protests at the outrage and attacks the Indonesian
Commonwealth. The Mercenary War, as it becomes known, lasts four years
with
both sides employing large contingents of mercenary and volunteer forces
to
compliment their existing arsenal.
o	The Islamic Federation and PAU clash over spheres of influence
in
space. The FSE enforces a peaceful solution.
o	LLAR mercenary forces (the San Deseado Interface Brigade), hired
by
the Indonesian Commonwealth to protect their installations on the
disputed
Caroline Islands, clash with New Anglian forces against the will of
their
employers. In a desperate attempt to conciliate with the Anglians, who
are
threatening retribution, the Indonesians execute the entire LLAR
Brigade.
Understandably furious at this, the LLAR strikes at the Indonesian
settlement on Easter, marking the start of what becomes known as the
"Mercenary War" (as both sides employ large numbers of mercenary and
foreign contingents to compliment their own limited forces). The next
four
years see a very scrappy and inconclusive war fought out, the only real
winners being the bank balances of the various mercenary units.
2128-2132: The Mercenary War
Both scrappy and inconclusive, the war was named both for the large
numbers
of hired foreign troops used by both sides and for the action that
started
the conflict. An LLAR mercenary unit working for the Indonesians clashes
with Anglian forces against the orders of its employers, and in a move
to
placate the NAC the Indonesians massacre the entire LLAR unit. In
retribution, League forces strike at Indonesian targets in the Colonies,
and a four-year struggle between the two powers ensues. The Mercenary
War
ends with large reparations being paid to the LLAR, and brings about the
signing of the Mercenary Charter by most major powers - formalizing the
existence, hiring, and use of mercenary forces.
2129	Dutch mercenaries of the Van Koost Armored Legion, working for
the
Indonesians, recapture the Commonwealth's settlement on Easter,
defeating
LLAR regular forces and a Turkish mercenary unit in the process. A Swiss
strike force employed by the LLAR in turn raids a major Indonesian
logistics center in Manila on Earth, but is repelled by local forces and
a
contingent of Japanese mercenary troops. The Swiss make use of nerve
agents
to cover their withdrawal, causing heavy casualties to the Japanese and
bringing severe protests in the UN assembly.
2130	Shi'ite fundamentalists declare independence from the Islamic
Federation on their outworld settlements of Abu Haman and Sad Al Bari.
Saudi attempts to regain control of these colonies fail as tropps of the
2nd Islamic Legion sent to suppress the rebellion switch sides after
landfall and join the fundamentalists under the banner Mullah Saeed ibn
Aamir. The two colonies declare the formation of the Saeed Khalifate,
and
in efforts to raise much needed hard currency, soon begin to utilize
their
armed forces as mercenary units for hire. Over the next few years, the
Khalifate's mercenaries are to earn themselves a reputation of being
among
the toughest units in human space.
2131	Israeli and Islamic mercenaries clash with each other on Easter,
despite both being hired by the Indonesians; both forces' contracts are
promptly revoked, and several Commonwealth Defence Ministry staff
responsible for the hirings are severely punished for their lack of
foresight.
2132	ESU and Anglian forces skirmish on Chi Draconis VII as both
powers
continue to expand their colonial settlement programs. Over the next
five
years such "border skirmishes" become more frequent, especially in the
minor colonies and Outworlds.
o	The Mercenary War is finally brought to an end with the signing
of
the Mercenary Charter on the Dutch-settled world of Freisland. The
Charter,
as well as finalizing the LLAR/IC dispute with heavy reparations being
paid
by the Indonesians over the San Deseado Brigade incident, lays out a
code
to which all mercenary units and their employers are expected to adhere.
All signatories to the Charter, which include most nations and blocs
that
either supply or employ foreign mercenary troops, agree not to hire any
unit that does not comply with the terms of the code.
2133	Radical French separatists on the Outworld colonies of
Bretonneux,
Doullens, and Compville declare unilateral independence from the Federal
Stats Europa. The FSE send elements of the Colonial Legion, namely the
1e
REP, 5th and 13 DBLC, to quell the insurrection. Resistance from the
separatists proves stronger than anticipated and the Legion units find
themselves penned into the capital cities and spaceports where they
landed,
besieged by separatist planetary militia units. However, with the
assistance of offworld fire support from FSE naval starships, the
Legionnaires finally succeed in breaking out and smashing much of the
separatists' "regular" forces before being drawn into a vicious and
long-running guerrilla war with parts of the indigenous population.
2135	The Anglian Confederation moves its parliament to Albion, which
now
has a population almost as large as England thanks to massive
immigration
and engineered population growth programs. The reigning monarch, King
Charles V, divides his time between palaces in England, Vermont, Ottawa,
and Albion.
2136	The Anglian Confederation renames itself the New Anglian
Confederation and revises its constitution to include all related
colonies
as independent members.
2137	The Eurasian Solar Union declares war on the New Anglian
Confederation due to "the hostile actions and intents of the
Imperialists."
The following five years of intense space and land warfare, known as the
First Solar War, rages through the Inner Colonies and Outworlds.
o	ESU forces invade NAC settlements on Salzburg, but are repelled
with heavy losses after fierce fighting. The important NAC Outworld base
on
Lancelot is taken by an ESU Naval Infantry Assault Division, and an
inconclusive skirmish between NAC and ESU space units off Grendel
signals
the start of major naval offensives by both sides.
2137-2142: The First Solar War
the Eurasian Solar Union declares war on the New Anglians due to "the
hostile actions and intents of the Imperialists in space." Five years of
intense warfare spans the settled worlds as the two Superpowers battle
each
other on planet and in space, ending in 2142 with the Anglians claiming
a
victory and the ESU retiring to lick its wounds and consider its next
move.
2138	The NAC launch Operation Jester, a counter-thrust against the
Eurasians; ESU possessions on Mariana and Trelleborg fall rapidly, but
an
attempt to take the major colony of Chiang is beaten back. An attempt to
retake Lancelot also fails with heavy losses to the Anglian 2nd Drop
Cavalry.
2139	ESU forces comprising the 15th Guards "Zhokov" Division and the
135th "Tyulenev" Division land on Flensberg and invest the Anglian
settlement of Faith. The colony, defended only by Local Volunteer
Reserve
troops and the 3rd Infantry Brigade of the reformed Gurkha Rifles,
manages
to hold out for nearly nine months until relief forces under General
Pauline Chappell arrive and repel the Eurasians.
2140	Operation Season's End results in the NAC seizing the ESU
outposts
of Mikhailovka and Showyang, both against heavy resistance.
2142	The Accord of Freisland brings the First Solar War to an end,
with
the Anglians hailing it as a major victory while the ESU licks its
wounds
and considers its next move. Human space enjoys an all-too-brief period
of
relative peace.
2143	The United Nations Space Command (UNSC) is formed to forbid
space
conflict in the Core systems, and provide a peacekeeping force where
required in the inner colonies. Pressure by several major powers result
in
the UNSC having no mandate to operate in the Outworlds, except in a
scientific or research capacity.
2145	A suprise strike against the Romanov Hegemony by ESU units
heralds
the outbreak of the Second Solar War. This time more major powers are
quickly dragged into the conflict, with the NAC and NSL supporting the
RH
against the "communist aggression," while the FSE and PAU enter the war
on
the Eurasian side. UNSC presence prevents the war intruding on the Core
systems, though combat occurs on several inner colonies.
2145-2157: The Second Solar War
ESU attempts to regain its possessions lost at the end of the First
Solar
War quickly escalate into another widespread conflict, this time drawing
in
other major powers, such as the FSE, the NSL, and the PAU. The war rages
throughout the Inner Colonies and the Outworlds, ending this time with a
compromise Treaty that leaves neither side happy.
2146	The war escalates as the ESU launch a major campaign dedicated
to
regaining the possessions lost during the First Solar War. Their
occupied
colonies on Trelleborg and Showyang are retaken after short but bloody
campaigns. On Dnestr, Romanov defenders manage to beat back a joint
FFSE/PAU invasion force and hold their major towns, but the invaders
merely
fall back to regroup in the vast outback of this sparsely settled world.
2147	The ESU finally retake Mikhailovka, and make strike raids
against
the Anglian settlements of Bifrost and Valhalla.
2148	NAC forces under Admiral Sir Andrew Le Throux instigate
Operation
Dryland, a suprise attack on the Pan African settled world of Grand
Lahou.
Despite strong resistance from PAU and FSE naval units, the Anglian
force
makes a successful assault and takes the major townships of Bouna and
Markounda.
2149	Bouyed by the success of Dryland, the NAC and NSL militaries
launch
Operation Galahad: a joint strike to regain Lancelot. The ESU defenders,
led by General Lech Pawodowski with the 57th Combined Division, beat
back
attack after attack as the NAC and NSL troops are poured into the
battle.
After seventy days of spirited resistance Pawodowski surrenders with
full
military honors, leading the remaining one hundred and forty survivors
of
his Division into captivity.
2150	Neu Swabian forces attempt to take the FSE settlement of Di
Persano, but are repulsed by System Defense forces before they can
approach
orbit. A PAU strike force fails to recapture Grand Lahou.
2151	Romanov assault forces land on the ESU colony of Nizhneudinsk
and
begin a prolonged campaign to capture the major townships. NAC political
agents attempt to persuade the Manchu government on Chiang to rise
against
the ESU, but without success.
2152	Boer Voortrekkers claim a large area of subtropical land on
Iylichograd, naming it Neu Transvaal. Operation White Feather is
launched
in the Chi Draconis system as Anglian forces attempt to remove the
Eurasians from the system. Fierce fighting in space and on planet ends
in
an Anglian defeat from the sheer weight of the defending forces.
2154	The FSE concludes a peace treaty with the NAC/NSL/RH alliance
and
withdraws from the Second Solar War. The PAU makes a last abortive
attempt
to retake Grand Lahou before joining the peace negotiations.
2155	In a last ditch effort to change the tide of the war, the ESU
assaults the Winchester system with a massive task force. Large troop
landings are made on the NAC-held colony, but the Planetary Defense
troops
hold on stubbornly through Winchester's long and bitter winter.
2156	Anglian Naval units under Rear Admiral Dame Jayne Oppenburger
jum,p
into the Winchester system and soundly defeat the ESU fleet; teh
Eurasian
troops on the planet surrender unconditionally following their fleet's
virtual destruction.
2157	Following long negotiations, the Second Solar War is finally
ended
with the Treaty of Khorramshahr.
2159	California and Texas declare themselves independent from the
NAC,
and claim all rights to the small colonies of Austin and Fenris, which
they
rename New Pasadena. After much diplomatic protest and saber rattling,
plus
a few token military strikes, the NAC accepts the declaration and the
Free
Cal-Tex (FCT) is formed.
2163	Islamic fundamentalists seize power in New Riyadh, murdering the
remaining members of the Saudi royal family. Loyalist elements attempt
to
regain power in a civil war lasting two years, but eventually fail. The
Islamic Federation becomes increasingly hostile to both the NAC and ESU.
2164	ESU forces on Iylichograd move on the Neu Transvaal colony and
claim its mineral resources; the Boer settlers withdraw to the jungle
areas
and embark on a guerilla war against the occupying Eurasians.
2165	The Third Solar War breaks out as NAC forces launch a
"blitzkrieg"
attack to regain worlds lost to the ESU following the Treaty of
Khorramshahr. Initial success falters as the FSE joins the USE,
providing
men and materials, as well as money to hire mercenary contingents from
the
Indonesian Commonwealth and the LLAR.
2165	The Third Solar War is heralded by a massive operation by the
NAC
to regain worlds left under Eurasian control following the Treaty of
Khorramshahr. Early successes falter as the FSE once again allies with
the
ESU, providing men and material as well as funding to hire mercenary
contingents from the LLAR and Indonesians.
o	As the Third Solar War breaks out, Confederation intelligence
agencies supply covert aid to the French separatists via the sympathetic
Dutch government.
2166	The Third Solar War escalates further as the NSL attacks the
bordering FSE frontier. Mercenary forces from New Israel are hired by
the
NAC. The Romonov Hegemony attacks the ESU and refuses safe passage for
Indonesian or LLAR mercenary units through its space.
2168	ESU Naval forces enter the Treralis system and attempt to take
the
Romanov-held settlement of Tsitsihar. The Eurasian fleet under Admiral
Jia
Dehuai manages to defeat the system defense forces, but at high cost,
leaving the Eurasian assault forces too weak to create a beachhead in
the
face of fierce resistance from the Planetary defenses.
2169	Sponsored by NAC agents, the French separatists in Bretonneux
and
Doullens overthrow the Federal forces and proclaim the New French
Republic.
A similar insurrection attempt on Compville fails; however, the
guerrilla
war there continues.
o	The French Republic on Bretonneux and Doullens was only to last
four years before the FSE forcibly took the colonies back under their
wing.
During this brief period, however, the Republicans proved a very painful
thorn in the side of the FSE, especially their small and rather
makeshift
naval force, which scored many notable successes against FSE convoys.
2170	Scandinavian mercenaries employed by the NAC overrun Compville
and
install the separatists in government; Compville joins the New French
Republic, which is still denied any kind of diplomatic recognition by
the
UN due to FSE pressure.
2171	The Thrid Solar War enters a relatively quiet phase, with most
protagonists involved in little but minor skirmishing and diplomatic
posturing. The major powers use the next few years to consolidate and
rebuild their depleted forces, and an uneasy state of "peace within war"
ensues.
2173	The Sumani IV incident. ESU and NAC peace negotiators are
assassinated by an Islamic Federation terrorist attack. Years of
distrust
between the two powers lead them to blaming each other, and a failure to
identify the real culprit. The Third Solar War intensifies.
2176	Archeologists discover the remains of a non-human civilization
on a
rim world planet in Indonesian space.
2177	A sudden ESU fleet attack on the Anglian Nagisa system signals
the
start of the next "hot phase" of the Third Solar War; the Nagisa colony
falls quickly following a warning orbital bombardment from ESU warships.
Meanwhile, NSL regulars and Swiss mercenary units strike at FSE
settlements
on the inner colony of Flensberg.
2179	The colony of Bradley on Fliescher II falls to FSE units under
General Henri de Pascalle, despite heavy resistance from the 136th
Gloucestershire Regiment that held on for nearly six months. The FSE
pours
massive reinforcements of armor into Bradley to forstall NAC attempts to
regain it.
2181	On Kayleigh, by LLAR mercenary units defeat a combined NSL and
NAC
armored force. General Heinrich Vortsheimer, leading the allied troops,
is
relieved of his command following this ignominious reverse.
2182	The ESU lands Khalifate mercenaries on Tsitsihar to reinforce
their
offensive against Romanov units in the colony.
2183	Indonesian mercenary units working for the ESU capture NSL
possessions on Salzburg. With the aid of Khalifate troops the ESU
finally
takes Tsitsihar from the Romanovs.
o	The UNSC Survey Cruisers Niven and McCaffrey are lost while on a
mission off Lagos IV in the Pan African rim. The UNSC dispatches the
PeaceForce Cruiser Heitman to investigate, and it locates identifiable
debris from the Niven, showing signs of combat. There is no trace of the
McCaffrey or any hostile forces; all space-going nations deny any
involvement in the incident, and public speculation grows that the UN is
suppressing information about the unknown aggressors.
o	Late in the year, the PAU Battlecruiser Kinshasa is engaged and
destroyed by an unidentified hostile in the New Lusaka system.
2184	Unexplained attacks and incidents increase in frequency,
affecting
not only PAU space, but other nations as well; with the ongoing state of
war between the NAC and ESU, much of the blame is placed by each power
on
the other. Both blocks, however, begin to realise that something far
more
important is happening.
o	Late in the year, NAC fleet intelligence recovers the first
identifiable alien debris following an encounter near Angel II in which
a
Confederation squadron managed to destroy two ships from an attacking
alien
group. For the first time, humanity has positive proof that the
attackers
are another sentient life form.
2185	The first cooperative action between the ESU and NAC against the
Kra'Vak occurs at the battle of Sulaxar; although tensions still run
high,
especially in diplomatic circles, the militaries of both main powers,
and
several smaller nations, are coming inexorably together in the face of a
much greater threat. On 27.07.85, the UN Assembly declares that a state
of
war now exists between all the nations of humanity and the race known as
the Kra'Vak; the First Inter-Sentient War has truly begun.
2186	Early in the year, the advances towards joint ESU/NAC response
falter when a Eurasian naval unit fails to assist a Confederation
squadron
under attack by alien forces off Caleb. Finally escaping with barely 25%
of
his force and men, Commodore Farris accuses the ESU of standing off from
the action in order to gain control of the Caleb system. The diplomatic
repercussions gradually settle, but illustrate the deep distrust that
still
exists between the major powers.
2186	The Kra'Vak offensive gathers momentum, and very late in the
year
reports begin to come in of the first surface assaults by Kra'Vak
forces.
2187	The first major success against Kra'Vak ground forces is
reported
on the NSL outworld colony of Rheinhold, where a combined force of NSL
and
NAC Marines, supporting local militia units, manage to beat off an
attempted planetary landing by the alien invaders. Rheinhold then
survives
five months of protracted siege and repeated landing attempts before the
Kra'Vak are driven out-system by the arrival of a large joint task force
of
NAC, NSL, Dutch, and Free Cal-Tex ships.
o	Elsewhere, humanity does not fare so well, and aliens continue
to
make inroads toward the Core Systems. Virtually no information is
released
to the public concerning what is happening on worlds taken by the
Kra'Vak,
which threatens to cause panic in some colonies as rumors of massacre
and
genocide spread. Public opinion on Earth, Centaurus, and Barnard begins
to
swing in favor of pulling all forces back from the Outworlds to defend
the
Core. Such a defensive concept does not find favor with the military,
nor,
naturally, with the colonial population.
2188	Contact is made with a second xeno-sentient species, the
Sa'Vaksu.
Mankind waits to see if the will find friends, or new enemies.