Battle of the Vaughn
| Battle of the Vaughn | |||||||||
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| Part of Greater Metro East War, Taydrostian Civil War | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
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Diplomatic support: |
Diplomatic support: | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
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| Units involved | |||||||||
 New Prussian Imperial Army
 PMC Wotan
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 Nitms Armed Forces
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| Strength | |||||||||
| 6 | 5 | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| 3 | 6 | ||||||||
The Battle of the Vaughn was a major battle in both the Greater Metro East War and the Taydrostian Civil War. The Battle of the Vaughn was a territorial fight over the disputed Province of Vaugh, with both the Republic of South Meadowen and the New Independent Taydrostian Movement claiming it.
In December 2023, the Vaughn Front was labeled as a major strategic site of the war. Attacks on the location intensified early morning on 11 December 2023, with forces from all sides arriving 12 December. The battle has been described as a "meat-grinder" for each side; as heavy casualties have been reported on each side of the conflict. This was further exacerbated by New Prussia's use of Nidhogg Chemical Agent, a chemical weapon used to full extent in the battle.
Previously, the infamous PMC Wotan Group had stayed out of the battle, this led to Schpecktenian speculation that the New Prussian government had fallen out with the group, or could no longer afford their service. However, in early January there were confirmed sightings of Wotanite PMCs in the Warzone.
The battle ended in late February 2024, with New Prussia launching a major offensive after the thawing of the winter frost, catching the Taydrostian forces by surprise and overwhelming them.
Prelude
South Meadowen has close ties to the Imperial Federation of Schpecktenia, which has close ties to the Kaiserreich of New Prussia. New Prussia decided to join the conflict between South Meadowen and NITM as a third power, and immediately fought against NITM. Schpecktenia has tried to convince New Prussia to join South Meadowen's side, but it was confusing who New Prussia was allied with. By the fall of the South Meadowen government, it is clear that New Prussia is against Taydrostia.
Timeline
12 December
- Schpecktenia and New Prussia gets involved in both conflicts
- NITM fortifies settlement in the Province of Vaughn
- New Prussian Imperial Army arrives in Vaughn
- New Prussian forces take out around 2 soldiers, loses 1
- New Prussia uses experimental Nidhogg gas, NITM forces retreat
- New Prussian forces take land and damage NITM settlement
- South Meadowen forces take land
13 December
- NITM rebuilds settlement, takes back claimed land
- South Meadowen takes land, confronts NITM
- NITM retreats, South Meadowen takes back land
14 December
- South Meadowen sets up outpost in bordering Province of Bradford
15 December
- New Prussian 28th Artillery Corps "Thor" arrives in Vaughn and begins launching rockets at the Bradford outpost.
- New Prussian forces receive a refill of Nidhogg gas.
16 December
- NITM forces enter disputed territory
17 December
- Schpecktenia forces enter disputed territory
18 December
- 1 NITM soldier was hit by New Prussian artillery fire
19 December
- New Prussian forces, more acclimated to the cold, fire at a small NITM trench, forcing 2 of them to retreat due to the bitter morning cold.
- New Prussian forces rapidly mobilize and spearhead into disputed territories.
20 December
- No notable events
21-29 December
- "Yule Treaty" or "Christmas Truce begins, ceasefire on all sides.
30 December
- New Prussia confirms presence of PMC Wotan in the Battle.
Winter Stalemate (31/12/23-20/2/24)
On 6 January 2024, 3 Taydrostian soldiers attempted to surrender to PMC Wotan forces due to the extreme cold and snow flurries. PMC Wotan allowed them to but soon had them lined up and executed 2 of the soldiers. One soldier attempted to run but was tackled and beaten by a Wotanite. This action has received condemnation from the Taydrostian Government and has called into question the ethics of PMC Wotan.
Taydrostian retreat and subsequent New Prussian victory (20/2/24-25/2/24)
On the 20 February 2024, reinforcements specializing in counter-insurgency and saboteur hit-and-run operations arrive in the battle. The New Prussian 1st Special Forces Group "Alpha" handled the forests of Vaughn, while the 501st Panzergrenadiers assaulted the heavily fortified trenches, which were dug out and reinforced over the winter.
Unable to handle the unexpected raids by the mobile and mechanized forces, Taydrostian Commander, Gregory Bard, ordered the retreat from the Province of Vaughn. PMC Wotan was hired for an additional contract, sending in the Slavic 3rd Mechanized "Kolovrat Battalion" to scout retreating forces, and to engage in small scales. The 12th Heavy Infantry Shock Division "Jomsvikings" encircled the retreating Taydrostians and engaged, inflicting casualties before the Taydrostians could break through.
On 25 February, New Prussian forces took the last, abandoned Taydrostian bunker.
Aftermath
On 26 February 2024, 1 day after the end of the battle, PMC Wotan made an announcement that the New Prussian Military had granted them the occupied zones of the Vaughn as a special occupation zone for PMC Wotan to build a base and training facility and to manage themselves.
Taydrostian sources report that the Vaughn will be retaken by the summer and that the occupation of the Vaughn by PMC Wotan is a "Humanitarian disaster and a travesty to human rights". Civilian interviews have mixed reports on the treatment of civilians by Wotan. Some state that they are "Overall polite, calm but eccentric people", while some interviews report harassment of church-goers and destruction of Christian and other Abrahamic symbols and property.
War Crimes
New Prussian War Crimes
On December 12th, New Prussia documented publicly it's use of chemical weapons. While New Prussia has not signed any treaties banning the use of chemical weapons, this is still frowned upon in warfare. In early December, Generalfeldmarschall Jackson gave the order to target all contacts that potentially could "aid the enemy"
Several sources attest to New Prussian forces, specifically, PMC Wotan firing on surrendering Taydrostians and abusing prisoners with physical punishments and manual labor.