PCBaller World/Poland/Eastern Crisis

The situation known as the Eastern Crisis (Kryzys wschodni) in PSNR, Great Lithuania War (Wielka wojna litewska) in The Eastern Polish Republic and Eastern Antiliberal War (Zahodny antyliberalny wójna) in Republic of Sorbia was a conflict between the PSNR and FRWPIL which resulted in the treaty of baranovichi

Background
During the 13-day civil war, the Porajists and the Lithuanian separatists were not fully eradicated due to the Polish army and police being preoccupied with fighting Sorbia in the west. As a result, an Eastern democratic anti-government movement emerged. When the Zgorzelec treaty was signed, the Porajist government realized that they could not depend on the Polish army and police being busy in the west. Therefore, they launched a grand offensive in the Republic of Belarus, which was then led by Lukashenko. This strategy worked initially, as Porajists and democratists took control of important cities in Belarus. However, Poland intervened to assist its ally, the Belorussians, from falling into the hands of westernists, which escalated the conflict into a full-scale war. The Porajists established their own government in the east, which was not recognized by the government in Warsaw. The conflict eventually involved most of the international community.

Opening operations
Initially, the war exhibited a high degree of fluidity, characterized by maneuver warfare as the prevailing and effective strategy employed by both sides. The Polish army concentrated its efforts on securing Ruthenia and Belarus, but encountered challenges in these regions due to the emergence of guerilla warfare. Consequently, the Polish army lost control over these territories.

In contrast, the FRWPIL prioritized establishing a relatively stable front and enhancing its military organization. While the Polish army remained engaged in confronting the Belarussian and Ruthenian forces, the FRWPIL initiated diplomatic channels with the European Commonwealth and directed its forces northward, leading to the proclamation of an independent Lithuania in Vilnius. Subsequently, the European Commonwealth intervened in the conflict, resulting in the swift advancement of their armies through Lithuania. Their progress was only halted by Sorbian troops at Ciechanów. As Sorbian forces fortified the Polish frontlines, the PSNR managed to push back and advance all the way to Riga, culminating in the Riga Agreement. This agreement entailed the disengagement of Sorbia and the European Commonwealth from the war, allowing the PSNR to focus its efforts on combating the FRWPIL.

However, due to logistical constraints and limited supplies, the PSNR faced setbacks and was gradually forced to retreat, relinquishing control over the territories claimed by the FRWPIL. Moreover, the FRWPIL initiated aerial bombardments on PSNR defenses in Brest and Grodno, signaling preparations for a major offensive against the Social Nationalist government.

Triple Offensive
While the FRWPIL's bombing campaign had dire consequences for the inhabitants of the eastern regions of the PSNR, the ZZ, facing significant casualties and attrition, underwent a process of radicalization, adopting ultranationalist ideologies. In response, the ZZ launched an extensive recruitment campaign in collaboration with the Polish army to bolster their forces. Concurrently, the PSNR entered into an agreement with the remnants of Russia, whereby Russian armed forces would engage the FRWPIL armies, allowing the PSNR to execute an offensive aimed at establishing a connection to Minsk. This strategic move served the dual purpose of providing support to Finland in its preparations to defend against the Sacred Kingdom of Sweden while also enabling the PSNR to generate revenue through investments in the Finnish military, thereby sustaining ongoing operations against the FRWPIL.

After a month of concerted campaigning and enduring bombings in the eastern regions of the PSNR, the army achieved readiness and positioned itself in north Kaliningrad. Advancing into the FRWPIL-occupied zones of Brest and Grodno, the PSNR encountered resistance. In the Klaipeda area, the offensive made significant progress, reaching the city; however, naval bombardment from the FRWPIL navy compelled the PSNR army to withdraw, pursued by local Lithuanian independence fighters. Near Grodno, the army directed its efforts towards Wilno in an attempt to prompt the FRWPIL's capitulation. Despite a successful offensive, the army was only able to reach the outskirts of the heavily fortified city and, due to logistical constraints, could not proceed with a further invasion.

However, with assistance from the Russians, the Brest offensive unfolded seamlessly, securing key transportation and infrastructure systems along with a 15-kilometer buffer zone occupied by the PSNR. This development allowed for the substantial sale of equipment to Finland, resulting in an influx of funds into the country. Recognizing the vital importance of safeguarding this transportation route, the PSNR was prepared to defend it at all costs.

Polish-Belarussian zone establishment
Recognizing the necessity of establishing legitimacy and control over the crucial road network leading to Minsk, the PSNR devised a strategic approach. In this regard, the PSNR elevated Alexander Lukashenko, the former president of Belarus, to the position of a PSNR general. Under his leadership, small divisions were recruited to operate within the PSNR forces. Consequently, the PSNR army officially declared the establishment of the Polish-Belarussian zone, designed as a temporary occupation to safeguard the road until the eventual restoration of the Republic of Belarus.

Simultaneously, a large-scale anti-FRWPIL propaganda campaign was launched in the region, aimed at shaping public sentiment and garnering support. The PSNR also made significant investments in expanding and enhancing the size and quality of its armed forces. Among both the PSNR society and government, there existed an unwavering commitment to the principle that the Polish-Belarussian zone must be steadfastly maintained, irrespective of the costs involved.

Frozen period
As the war fronts reached a state of relative stability, the FRWPIL grew weary and sought to assert their perspective to the international community. They contended that the Polish-Belarussian zone was unlawfully occupied, emphasizing their declaration of independence in Vilnius as encompassing not only Lithuania but also Belarus and Volhynia. In pursuit of support, they engaged with influential powers such as Greater Illinois, Byzantium, the Liberal Federation of America, and the European Commonwealth. The heightened attention on the Eastern crisis prompted the PSNR to seek allies, ultimately leading to the formation of numerous stringent mutual defense pacts with neighboring countries. Additionally, the establishment of the New Warsaw Pact between Norway-Sweden, the new Communist Russian government, and the PSNR emerged as a response to these developments. Interestingly, it is noteworthy that the Eastern Crisis played a significant role in fostering amicable relations between the PSNR and the Neo-Soviet Union.

These new alliances, coupled with the growing strength of the PSNR army, facilitated the continuous occupation and control of the southern portion of the Vilnius offensive, which underwent reorganization and was established as the Wilno Voivodeship, alongside the Polish-Belarussian zone. Remarkably, for almost a decade, these borders remained unchanged.

Meanwhile, the dwindling resources of the FRWPIL were allocated towards organizing a Ukrainian revolt within the southeastern region of the PSNR. Consequently, both the PSNR and the FRWPIL refrained from launching any offensive actions in the ensuing years. The FRWPIL, exhausted and facing financial strain, struggled to sustain its operations, while the PSNR focused on fortifying its defenses to uphold control over the Polish-Belarussian zone and suppress the Ukrainian insurrection in its southeastern territories.

Recognizing the increasing flow of Western support directed towards the FRWPIL, the PSNR acknowledged the challenge of achieving victory in the war alone, even with the backing of allies. Despite experiencing ongoing incidents with Greater Illinois, both sides exhibited a reluctance to display signs of weakness, preventing the PSNR from approaching Greater Illinois directly. However, when Greater Illinois initiated contact with the PSNR following the PSNR's recapture of Tarnopol from the Ukrainian insurrection, which significantly weakened the Ukrainian Liberation Army's structure, the PSNR swiftly and proactively engaged in détente talks. One of the key focal points of these discussions was the Eastern Crisis.

Subsequently, the signing of the Treaty of Chicago instilled the PSNR with a newfound confidence. This prompted the PSNR to issue a final ultimatum to the FRWPIL, demanding the renouncement of their claim over the Polish-Belarussian zone and the facilitation of a plebiscite in Northern Belarus, aiming to establish a lasting peace in the region. Regrettably, the FRWPIL declined the PSNR's ultimatum. Consequently, the PSNR army, after nearly a decade of frozen conflict and internal strife, embarked on the Continuation War and initiated the Marijampole offensive, marking a resumption of hostilities.

Continuation war
The armed forces of the PSNR directed their efforts towards the region of Lithuania, with a primary objective of capturing Wilno. However, the city proved to be heavily fortified by the FRWPIL during the period of frozen conflict, essentially transforming it into an impregnable fortress. In response, the PSNR forces adopted a strategic approach, prioritizing the capture of strategically significant cities near the border to address the logistical challenges encountered in the initial stages of the Eastern Crisis.

Simultaneously, in the southern sector of the front, the PSNR army concentrated its efforts on Pruzhany and Dubno, aiming to catch LFA volunteers off guard in these areas. While some encirclement maneuvers were partially successful, the LFA volunteers managed to evade capture for an extended duration. The PSNR army faced significant obstacles in capturing Wilno, with intense battles resulting in high casualties and limited progress in terms of gaining control over a few buildings at a time. Consequently, a decision was made to shift focus towards encircling Wilno and implementing a strategy of besiegement to exhaust the city's resources. Additionally, a separate contingent occupied Marijampole to secure an improved supply route in support of the front around Wilno.

The forces of the Eastern Roman Republic, consisting of dedicated volunteers, strategically withdrew from Wilno upon recognizing that the PSNR had halted their assault on the city. They redirected their efforts towards the northern sector of the Polish-Belarussian zone, swiftly and effectively capturing the entire road network from Skidzyel’ to Minsk within a matter of days. The volunteers refrained from attempting to recapture the PSNR-controlled areas in Wilno due to the presence of the Indonesian Expeditionary Army, which had implemented a scorched earth policy that rendered subsequent offensives in the region highly challenging. Instead, the volunteers shifted their focus southward, launching successful attacks and securing the towns of Stara Vyzhivka and Liuboml within a matter of hours. Their objective was to eventually capture Chełm, further advancing their campaign in the region.

Byzantine Pullout
As the Polish-Belarussian zone faced relentless attacks, the PSNR army intensified its offensive in the Lithuania region, capturing additional cities of limited strategic significance with the aim of undermining the morale of the FRWPIL armed forces. Concurrently, as the Chełm offensive commenced, the Kultokrat embarked on a diplomatic mission to Athens, presenting a peace treaty proposal to the FRWPIL. While aware of the unlikelihood of its acceptance, the Kultokrat sought to enhance the PSNR's international standing and potentially sway the Eastern Roman Republic to disengage from the FRWPIL by making this appearance. Despite the proposed treaty's favorable terms, the FRWPIL rejected it. The Eastern Roman Empire actively advocated for the FRWPIL's acceptance, aiming to alleviate tensions in the region and secure a beneficial agreement. With the New Warsaw Pact nations, including Norway-Sweden and the Neo-Soviet Union, increasingly supporting the PSNR, the potential for escalation loomed, a prospect the Eastern Roman Republic sought to avoid, particularly amidst the ongoing Byzantine-Balkan incident. Following the FRWPIL's repeated refusal of the treaty, the Eastern Roman Republic made the decision to withdraw from the conflict, with leaders from both Greater Illinois and the Eastern Roman Republic expressing concern over what they perceived as the FRWPIL's self-destructive disposition.

Following the withdrawal of the Eastern Roman Republic from the FRWPIL, the FRWPIL's international reputation suffered a significant decline due to its aforementioned self-destructive behavior. Consequently, increased support rallied behind the PSNR, notably from nations such as Norway-Sweden and the Indonesian Empire. In a coordinated effort, the Soviet Union and Indonesia initiated a relentless joint bombing campaign alongside the PSNR, targeting Wilno and other major FRWPIL strongholds and military installations. The devastating bombardment severely compromised the FRWPIL's defenses in Wilno and inflicted substantial casualties upon their armed forces. This strategic weakening rendered the FRWPIL more vulnerable to subsequent incursions by the advancing PSNR forces across the nation.

Ending operations
Following the withdrawal of the Eastern Roman Republic and the progressive weakening of the FRWPIL, the PSNR embarked on a series of offensives along the entire front line. Notably, the Ratne Pocket witnessed a significant turning point as the LFA volunteers were encircled, resulting in approximately 60% of fighters surrendering and returning home, while the remaining 40% were executed for their refusal to surrender. In the Battle of Wilno, the Haldorsson Selskap, employing innovative close-quarters combat tactics and state-of-the-art equipment provided by Norway-Sweden, effectively demolished the remaining FRWPIL fortifications in Wilno. The Indonesian Expeditionary Army's recapture of the Polish-Belarussian zone was accompanied by intense fighting and a highly destructive bombing campaign, although the intervention by ZZ limited the extent of damage, ensuring the region remains inhabitable. The PSNR's successful encirclement of the North Lithuanian pockets resulted in a high rate of surrender among the FRWPIL forces, with approximately 90,000 prisoners of war subsequently were put in labour camps within the PSNR. Finally, on the 14th of May, the signing of the treaty of Baranovichi marked a significant milestone, and within hours of its signing, the remnants of the FRWPIL army in eastern Volhynia, now lacking a government, surrendered. This date has since been commemorated as a national holiday within the PSNR.