RFCM

Table of Contents:

• Chapter 1: A Push for Poppy (https://rulesforcommonman.uk/smf/index.php?topic=242.msg1175#msg1175)
• Chapter 2: The Nurumbian-Zumisian War (https://rulesforcommonman.uk/smf/index.php?topic=242.msg2875#msg2875)
• Chapter 3: The Bloody Stalemate (https://rulesforcommonman.uk/smf/index.php?topic=242.msg2877#msg2877)
• Chapter 4: A New Front (https://rulesforcommonman.uk/smf/index.php?topic=242.msg2881#msg2881)

Greetings, everyone! My name's Steven, and I'm currently (in conjunction with my other fellow wargaming buddies) running a narrative campaign using the AK-47 Republic rule system. The campaign, called Republics in Peril, takes place in a fictionally "Balkanized" West and Central Africa, where a plethora of small "nations" have risen to prominence in an effort to eke out an existence. Yet, it's the height of the Cold War during the 1960s, with the United States and the Soviet Union escalating their presence throughout the globe. Some local powers will strive to survive through sheer, nationalistic fervor alone, while others gladly sell their services to the wealthiest or most welcoming global power. In the end, only a select few will conquer this small piece of Africa for themselves, with these factions falling just as quickly as they rose up.

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A small skirmish between two factions, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Restoration of Zumisia (shortened to Zumisians or Zumas) v. the Zumne (or Zumnian) Army (serving as a proxy client-state for the Kingdom of the Southlands), has erupted on the borders shared by these two nations. The Zumnian and Zumusian forces were locked in deadly fighting concerning a border dispute involving matters of free trade and acquisition of resources, namely poppy fields near the border. Furthermore, rumor has it that Zumisia's president, President Mikeobulu, had been illegally smuggling his hit new record "Amore" into Zumne. With tensions running high, both armies clashed suddenly, thus sparking the beginning of the First War of the Republics.

Chapter 1: A Push for Poppy

BBC Audio Recording
Link to the Audio Recording here: https://soundcloud.com/user-88061258/bbc-report-1-zumisia-vs-zumne (https://soundcloud.com/user-88061258/bbc-report-1-zumisia-vs-zumne)
Note: The recording does get a little loud towards the latter half, including sounds of gunshots and explosions. Furthermore, I apologize now for the mediocre British accent. Mind you all, I'm actually an American! But, hey, hopefully I get an A for effort.

The African International - Issue #1

(https://s29.postimg.org/mbhefdb07/African_International_Issue_1.png)

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On the morning of that August day, two forces clashed on a stretch of farmland that would soon turn into a hellish battlefield. The client-state of Zumne, subservient to the will of Prince Elu of the Southlands, marched towards the border with Zumisia. It had only been days prior that Prince Elu had stated to his people that the "trespasses of the Zumisians and their decadent ruler, President Mikeobulu, would not go unpunished". However, the reasons for this war were far from personal (even if Prince Elu had a great distaste for President Mikeobulu's musical endeavors!). The Zumne nation had been struggling with economic woes for some years, and Zumisia's booming tourism trade was the envy of many of the republics in the region. This stretch of Western Africa was untouched by many, but Zumisia had somehow managed to carve out an oasis in the desert. Furthermore, there was word that the Zumisian government was cashing in on more than just tourist money. Opium production had stepped up significantly, and word was that poppy farming was becoming rather ludicrous near the borderlands.


Thus, the Zumne Army, on behalf of their overlords, went on the march.


Covering the events as they unfolded, BBC Africa dispatched reporter John Thompson to the scene. With a trusty camera crew in tow and protection guaranteed by the British government and the United Nations (at least in theory), Mr. Thompson set out to go document the conflict brewing between these two African nations. "This is John Thompson with BBC Africa," began the report, "I'm currently standing atop a hotel here on the border of Zumisia, on the front lines of the war against the Zumne Army!" Word had reached Mr. Thompson that this impending skirmish wasn't the first between President Mikeobulu or Prince Elu, and it certainly wouldn't be the last. The first major action of the day involved Zumisian forces storming the border, claiming key positions and reinforcing the line.


The Zumisians expected stiff resistance, but none came. Some troops within the Zumisian Army actually became rather unnerved by the quietness, and rumor had it that there were evil ghosts roaming the poppy fields. Morning fog was mistaken for specters, with entire columns retreating without having fired a shot! It would be by late afternoon that the first forces, albeit late in their arrival, of the Zumne Army would arrive. A brief skirmish broke out, but the Zumne troops decided it'd be better to simply pull back in the meantime. Triumphantly, the Zumisians could claim a relatively bloodless victory. The BBC Africa crew remained holed up in their hotel, with promised sanctuary by the owners. Outside, Zumisian forces dug in, listening to President Mikeobulu's broadcast concerning the war, followed by a rousing non-stop session of Zumisian hit records.



To the chagrin of the Zumne Army and Prince Elu, this inability to capitalize on the relatively undefended border had to be rectified. Thus, the next day, Zumne forces stormed the field once more, as the Zumisians took up their positions and prepared for a long day of fighting. The first major assaults came in from the east and north, with the Zumne Army using old World War 2-era equipment to their advantage. Retrofitted and jury rigged, these vehicles managed to push back the Zumisian defensive line a considerable distance. Zumne troops quickly seized local farms and crops, but their main prize was a hotel near the center of the field -- the very same hotel Mr. Thompson and his crew had set up in.




Yet, the attack would grind to a halt, as Zumne Army forces were promised the aide of helicopter support that never came. However, more Zumisian troops did arrive instead. Supported by their make-shift armored columns, the Zumisians advanced deep unto the field, destroying the Zumne armored vehicles with superior firepower. Meanwhile, mercenaries contracted by the Zumisian government were flown in via helicopter, further taking the fight to the Zumne troops. Near the north of the field, President Mikeobulu's finest, the Zumisian Golden Lions, held to the bloody last. Their cries of "Zuma, Zuma!" could be heard throughout the field of battle. By the time the Zumne troops managed to call in their air support, the Zumisians had taken the field, and the Zumne beat a hasty retreat back to their border. What token resistance remained decided to storm the hotel, with Mr. Thompson and crew prepared for the inevitable hostage-taking that would occur.


However, it seems the Zumisians weren't quite aware of the BBC Africa crew, or perhaps they didn't rightly care. As the Zumne troops stormed the hotel and struggled to get up to the top, tank cannon rounds were lobbed at the building, spelling an unfortunate end for the occupants inside. It was only after the battle that a United Nations patrol found the remains of Mr. Thompson's recording equipment, but no evidence of Mr. Thompson or his crew were found anywhere. With only their report in hand, the U.N. troops rushed back to the BBC Africa offices in Cairo and sent word back to London about what had occurred.


Clearly, this was only the beginning of a long and bloody conflict -- and all the world observed as this small slice of Africa drove itself further into chaos and madness.

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Thanks for reading, and I hope you all enjoy! Hopefully, if we get more games in and I have the time, I'll post more battle reports here on the forum.

Excellent!

very good!

EDIT: I just added a "newspaper" I had made in conjunction with the BBC recording and the original battle report. It's now available on the original post!

I've now managed to listen to the BBC news report. I hope John Thompson is OK! This is a really great report unlike any I've seen before.

Will done !

Very nice!

Quote from: Sean Clark on August 31, 2016, 07:27:16 AM
I've now managed to listen to the BBC news report. I hope John Thompson is OK! This is a really great report unlike any I've seen before.

Will done !

Thank you! And don't worry about our young, intrepid reporter. Mr. Thompson's covered wars before -- he's used to being in the midst of harrowing crossfire!

Excellent :)

I like the "half track, Sherman, jeep, rifle, rifle, ATTACK CHOPPER!" jump in technology there :D

Standing by for the next installment.

@toxicpixie: You gotta love AK-47. It's a game made for armies comprised out of odds-and-ends.

@Mike Tanner: Check out my entry for the Second Forum Competition -- it's the next chapter in the series!

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For this report, we'll be covering the first battle of war between the Democratic Republic of Nurumbi and the nation of Zumisia. These two countries, led by tin-pot dictators craving for power and wealth, have begun a full-scale war along their shared border. After a few minor skirmishes, the first proper engagement of the war takes place in a small town along the Zumisian border known as Kumagu. What side took the day? Read on and you'll find out!

NOTE: I've included additional media in the order that they should be read or listened to for maximum enjoyment. Also, take care with the SoundCloud files, as the next track will play automatically once the one you're listening to has finished. Be warned of any loud audio, since these clips will include battlefield ambiance!

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Chapter 2: The Nurumbian-Zumisian War


The winds from the coast blew deep inland, providing a calming breeze that cut through the hillsides and forests of the border region. Who could've guessed that this quiet corner of West Africa would soon become a war-zone? Sure, everyone in the villages knew that tensions were running high between Nurumbiland and Zumisia, but no one figured it'd lead to full-scale conflict. The first signs that the situation was beginning to deteriorate came when reports that the ambassadors in the capital cities of Kalumbo and Obuluville were leaving after a heated dispute had occurred during a diplomatic summit. Apparently, a few too many crass jokes were made, and the already thin line was crossed. Now, both countries observed each other's movements, trying to see who would strike first.

Audio Report: International Media Reports on Rising Tensions in West African Region of Republia
Link: https://soundcloud.com/user-88061258/the-world-watches (https://soundcloud.com/user-88061258/the-world-watches)

President Angali of the DRN struck first, and he struck hard. He took center stage, announcing to the nation and the rest of the world that he and the rest of his nation would not tolerate such insults. On that fateful November day, Angali openly declared war on the nation of Zumisia, calling them to the fight. As news of Angali's broadcast made headlines throughout the globe, President Mikeobulu pondered his next move. His advisers suggested a variety of choices, but the intrepid Zumisian dictator decided to play it smart. He sent formal pleas of help to the international community, making it seem as if he was the defenseless lamb being hunted by a bloodthirsty wolf. For the most part, the United Nations and the remainder of the international community ignored Mikeobulu's pleas. After all, they vividly remembered his transgressions against the nation of Zumne that bordered Zumisia to the south. Still, word had spread fast. War was coming. It was just a matter of when.


By mid-November, both countries had mobilized large portions of their populace in preparation for hostilities to erupt. Nurumbian and Zumisian border troops eyed each other warily, waiting for the go-ahead to begin the invasion. President Angali had every intention to strike first, but he had to wait for the all-clear from his generals first. Most were still gathering their troops and readying their vehicles for battle, with only a fraction of the Nurumbian Defense Forces prepared to move out to the border. Mikeobulu knew that the Nurumbians were biding for time, and he had to force their hand if he wanted any chance of gaining the advantage in the conflict to come. So, on the night of 18 November, Mikeobulu dispatched a group of his famed Golden Lions, his elite infantry, on a mission.

To execute an elaborate ruse: to make it seem like the Nurumbians fired the first shot.


The plan was simple. The Golden Lions were to take an old crop duster from a nearby farm, place it near the border, blow it up, and make it look like a crash. Then, the Zumisian media would cover the story in the morning, claiming that a civilian aircraft had been shot down by the Nurumbian Defense Forces. The Lions did just that, driving the plane near some woods and planting some dynamite before high-tailing out of there. A loud explosion filled the air, with fire and smoke billowing up into the night sky. By dawn, Zumisian national radio was covering the news. It made headlines within a matter of hours, as foreign news outlets began reporting about the transgressions committed by the DRN. It worked!


With no other choice, President Angali formally declared an invasion of Zumisia. Even though most of his army wasn't prepared, he took the risk. By 20 November, NDF troops were marching across the Zumisian border, making their way to the town of Kumagu. Hastily, the Zumisian Army mobilized a few hundred men to defend the town until further reinforcements could arrive to relieve them. Most Zumisian troops were jubilant and optimistic, thinking the Nurumbians would be no match for them. After all, Zumisia had survived countless conflicts with other nearby countries and warlords. This, surely, would be no different. However, neither side could predict just how bloody this war was going to be.


Audio Report: BBC Reporter John Thompson on the Front near Kumagu!
Link: https://soundcloud.com/user-88061258/bbc-report-2 (https://soundcloud.com/user-88061258/bbc-report-2)

Just a few miles outside of Kumagu, a young British reporter working for BBC Africa gathered his gear and made his way towards the front. John Thompson, followed by his American technician Willy Jenkins, had survived their harrowing coverage of the Zumisian war against the nation of Zumne some months back. Now, with another big conflict flaring up in the region, Thompson and his trusty Yank sidekick were on the scene to get the big scoop. It wouldn't be long before they spotted a column of Zumisian troops heading east towards the border with Nurumbiland. Surely, they'd stumble across the enemy at some point.


As the Zumisians patrolled the dirt highway, a contingent of Nurumbian Republican Guard made their way quietly across the border, approaching a nearby hill and radioing in their position. They were swiftly given orders to advance, and they did just that. The Guardsmen approached the crest of the hill before them, peering down towards the valley below. Within moments, the Guardsmen opened fire with their automatic rifles, filling the air with lead. The Zumisian border troops were caught unawares for a moment, returning fire shortly thereafter. Eager to make contact, the Guardsmen then stormed off the top of the hill, guns blazing and feet sprinting as they made their way down. Right behind them were a contingent of NDF troops, mostly militia and army reserves. They brought mortars along with them, and they quickly began to bomb the living daylights out of anything they saw within range.


The Zumisian troops, now facing overwhelming resistance, called for support. No response on the wireless. It seemed as if they were on their own. The situation was only getting worse, as Nurumbian troops continued to pour in. This time, a flanking force supported by a T-55 tank made their way down the central highway and right towards the Zumisians. The Zumisians themselves had a few jeeps and a single M4 Sherman which they put to good use, as the two tanks began to exchange rounds the moment they were within range. By now, the gunfight had intensified to the point that the intrepid reporter, John Thompson and his fellow Jenkins, fled the scene towards a nearby hut.


Yet, the Zumisians would not be without support for long. After a devastating and bloody charge by the Nurumbian Republican Guard, which resulted in the whole squad being slaughtered in a flurry of gunfire, the Zumisian border troops signaled for a contingent of local park rangers to take up arms and join them in the fray. They obliged, grabbing a few spare mortars from the armory in Kumagu proper. Arriving on the scene, the Zumisian park rangers and Nurumbian militia began to exchange mortar fire with one another to little effect. In the meantime, the Nurumbians continued to coordinate further reinforcements, with another flanking force arriving on the scene. However, these troops, supported by HMG-armed technicals, seemed to be running low on fuel. They made a slow crawl towards the front, firing a few shots to try and scare off the Zumisians.


Eventually, Zumisian reinforcements arrived too late. By the time they got to the battlefield, the Nurumbians had slain most of the border troops, and the remaining park rangers beat a hasty retreat. Not wishing to jeopardize more valuable armor and troops, the Zumisian Army declared a full-scale retreat from Kumagu, evacuating the town best they could. By dawn, on 21 November, Nurumbian troops were marching into town. Kumagu had fallen.


As for John Thompson and Mr. Jenkins? After the fall of Kumagu, Nurumbian troops captured the BBC reporter and his technician, "escorting" them to the Nurumbian capital of Kalumbo for a "special" assignment.

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Yet, this would not be the end of the fighting! The Nurumbians dug in over the course of the week, preparing for the inevitable counter-attack. President Angali was pleased when he heard the news, going out in public to give an address to the nation from the balcony of his presidential palace in Kalumbo. The message was broadcast to every radio that could pick up the frequency, and the Nurumbian public expressed mixed reactions. The conservatives in the audience were ecstatic to hear that the army had gained the first major victory of the war, as it promised good tidings to come. However, others were skeptical. Why were they fighting this war in the first place? Still, detractors knew that open dissent was prohibited in Nurumbiland. Most kept their mouths shut and went along with the victory parades.

Audio Report: President Angali of the Democratic Republic of Nurumbi Addresses the Nation
Link: https://soundcloud.com/user-88061258/president-angalis-victory-speech (https://soundcloud.com/user-88061258/president-angalis-victory-speech)

Meanwhile, in Zumisia, President Mikeobulu was enraged. He immediately sacked the incompetent commander of his border forces, replacing him with a much more capable leader instead. This new commander made his way immediately towards Kumagu with a fresh supply of troops, including an attack helicopter! With such a force under his command, how could they possibly lose? Yet, the Nurumbians were dug in deep. It wasn't going to be an easy fight for either side.


On the morning of 25 November, the sound of roaring engines and chanting was heard along the western front. NDF troops ran to their positions, with a new host of Republican Guard prepared to reinforce the defense. Ammo was distributed, prayers were made, and guns were sighted in. It was time for the counter-attack to begin. Zumisian forces stormed across the hills to the east of Kumagu, with troops sprinting across open fields with jeeps for support. The oddest sight of all, however, was the presence of naked militia among the Zumisian contingent. These nude warriors hollered and cheered, firing wildly in every direction. The Zumisians had hoped this would scare the Nurumbians, but alas, they merely held their positions and returned fire to devastating effect.


Within moments, the Zumisian warriors were cut down in a hail of gunfire and explosions. Those that remained swiftly fell back, unable to penetrate the first line of Nurumbian defenses. The Golden Lions, however, had better luck. They had pushed back the Republican Guard, chasing after them as they fell back. However, the Golden Lions managed to get themselves encircled. As the Guard retreated, two wings of the NDF swung in to close the trap shut. Nurumbian troops surrounded the brave Lions, as they stood to the last man. Yet, they weren't going to go down without a fight. The platoon commander in charge of the Lions radioed in for helicopter support, albeit a bit late. By the time the Zumisian chopper arrived on the scene, it merely hovered over a grizzly sight. Carnage, utter carnage. The Lions were slain to the last, and the remaining Nurumbian troops were thirsty for blood.


Bullets whizzed past the helicopter, as the Zumisian pilot managed to get a few good attack runs here and there. The helicopter then positioned itself over a nearby hotel, proudly featuring the face of President Mikeobulu on the side of the building. Defending this icon valiantly, the helicopter managed to drive back a portion of the NDF troops, blowing up a technical in the process. As the fires raged, the Nurumbians stormed the hotel in the hopes of closing the distance. Yet, by the time they arrived, the helicopter had fled. It had done its job. It stalled the Nurumbians long enough for the remainder of the Zumisian Army to fall back and regroup. Again, however, the battle was lost. The DRN had won. The honor of Zumisia was tarnished, but by no means in tatters.


The Battle for Kumagu was won by the Democratic Republic of Nurumbi, but the war was far from over. Zumisia made ready to defend its homeland, while the Nurumbian army set its sights on its next target: the copper mines of Fassas.

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Thank you for reading! I hope you all found it enjoyable, and expect more in the future. The war has only just begun!

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The Nurumbian-Zumisian War drags on with no end in sight. Presidents Angali and Mikeobulu, still at each other's throats, send their loyal (and at times not-so-loyal) soldiers into the fray. Many brave souls have been sent to meet their maker, and the body-count continues to stack up higher and higher. Meanwhile, at the United Nations, negotiations are weighed down by fruitless bureaucracy. Continued inaction by the international community is now being criticized, as the great powers of the world demand an end to the death and destruction in West Africa.

Something or someone is bound to give. For now, though, the grinder cranks on.

---

Chapter 3: The Bloody Stalemate


The lines have been drawn in the sand -- neither side is yielding ground. The Zumisian counter-offensive in the north seems to have stalled, while the Nurumbians hold unto their ground in Kumagu defiantly. Yet, that hasn't prevented either side from trying to push harder. The Nurumbian Defense Forces have been rallying as many men as they can to prepare a counter-attack against the northern Zumisian offensive. Meanwhile, the Zumisians have been shelling Nurumbian positions in the south in an effort to dislodge them. Still, nothing has worked. The war grinds on. Hopes were high on both sides that the new year would bring good fortune to their efforts, with decisive fighting occurring early in January 1963. However, what awaited both the Nurumbians and the Zumisians would be some of the bloodiest days in the whole of the war. Yet, what's more, treachery was afoot. Traitors willing to sell their services to the opposing side, spies ready to exploit state secrets, and others just simply trying to keep their head in the midst of political purges.


And there were many purges indeed. Although the Zumisians had little to fear, President Mikeobulu carefully selected his command staff. He wanted to make sure he could take the Nurumbian capital quickly and without delay. The last thing he needed were traitors in his midst. Meanwhile, in the Democratic Republic of Nurumbi, President Angali was not so fortunate. His agents were sloppy. Secret police raided the homes of innocent government officials and commanders, exiling or killing valuable leaders in the process. Those who were conspiring against Angali, however, safely got away for the most part. In retribution for Angali's warmongering, these traitors conspired to ruin his plans to dislodge the Zumisian invaders in the northern borderlands. Working with already established rebel cells hiding in the Nurumbian bush, the traitorous commanders and bureaucrats persuade other army leaders to defect or outright ignore Angali's orders to attack the Zumisian forces in Ikejah. The result is devastating.


The rebels, tired of Angali's war, manage to convince large swathes of Angali's army commanders and warlords to back out of the counter-offensive. With no army, the few troops that do arrive at Ikejah are trapped. The Zumisian forces already there capture and hold key positions throughout the town, pushing back the Nurumbian attackers with ease. By day's end, the planned Nurumbian counter-offensive to push back the Zumisian invaders had failed. However, the Zumisians could not follow up. A large portion of their forces were still held back in reserve, awaiting a much harder push by the Nurumbians. What's more, although Nurumbian resistance was paltry in the north, flanking actions and a strong garrison in Nurumbian-occupied Zumisian land weakened the northern armies. In short, both sides were feeling the strain of ever-complicating logistics.


Although rebels and traitors had managed to avoid Angali's purges in the north, thus ruining his chances at a successful counter-offensive, the southern front wasn't so fortunate to see such a bloodless victory. Instead, Zumisian forces desperately attempting to push the Nurumbians out of the town of Kumagu met stiff resistance at the hand of hardened defenders. For months now, since the start of the war, Nurumbian Defense Forces in the south had staunchly held on to their occupied ground. The Zumisian town of Kumagu, which saw the first major fighting of the war, still remained in Nurumbian hands. Now, with preparations made and troops at the ready, President Mikeobulu ordered an all out attack along the front. Receiving word of this, President Angali encouraged his men once more to hold on to their ground. And hold on they did.


Even in the face of hardened Zumisian veterans, filled with fervor and lust for battle, the weary Nurumbian garrison held on to the last. Reinforcements came right in the nick of time, helping stall the Zumisian advance and for them on the retreat. Still, the price was high on both sides. Zumisian forces were slaughtered near the outskirts of town, while Nurumbian positions were overrun and entire units killed to the last man. It was a bloodbath. Regardless, President Angali was pleased. Although he had been betrayed in the north, his loyal troopers still held on to their southern positions valiantly. The same, vice versa, was the same for President Mikeobulu. He had managed to solidify his position in Ikejah, but was furious to find out that his massive push did not succeed in Kumagu. Both dictators now looked on, wondering how they could break the dead-lock. While President Mikeobulu rallied more troops to his cause from local warlords, President Angali quickly went about exiling or killing any conspirator or suspected traitor in his midst. What's more, Angali planned on investing his resources into more reliable assets. Ones that would not be swayed by money or power. If his men were failing him, then perhaps new tools of war could even the odds for Nurumbi.

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Thank you for reading! I know there's a lack of additional media in this post, but I've been rather busy as of late. The next one should have more of the usual audio media!

Chapter 4: A New Front

Coming soon!

Bump.

We are standing by for the next installment in this conflict.

:)