Liberation War

The Brazak Liberation War (9315-9317) was the rebellion of the Brazak West Zone against Ganzabi rule, resulting in the independent nation of Brazak West. The United Sky Kingdoms was also extensively involved in assisting the Brazakker rebels in the latter stages of the war.

Background

See: The Occupation

At the end of the Old Nezzu War, Great Brazak went into peace talks with Ganzabar. However, the ruling class of the republic were greatly corrupt; Ganzabar was able to secure the political co-operation they needed with bribery, that saw them able to abolish the Brazakker parliament and transfer rule to Zaropolis by 9307.

Strong resistance, focused particularly in the western region, arose initially but was aggressively crushed by pro-Ganzabi peacekeeping forces. The famous Brazak veteran Natalya Ataryk, feeling betrayed by the aristocracy, stormed the dissolution of the parliament and was eventually detained by the authorities.

Tension to Hostilities

Ganzabar attempted to quell the resistance by splitting the region into two zones: Brazak West Zone and Brazak East Zone. The predominantly Ziothi East was estimated to be more receptive to Ganzabi authority than the Svalic West. This resulted in even more intense unrest in the West zone, while its eastern counterpart became comparatively quiet.

Finally, in February 9314, violence exploded with the rumoured death of Natalya Ataryk. Ironically, she had in fact been freed by the BULF, one of the most established anti-Ganzabi movements. The authorities' failure to prove her still alive and well subsequently sparked whispers of a secretive execution. This was the trigger that set off a wave of violence across the Brazak zones, that had simmered since the occupation began. The revolt was on such a pervasive scale that the Ganzabi fleet presence was vastly outnumbered and could only firefight the violence, particularly in the west.

Eventually the BULF were able to reunite Ataryk with her ship the Rhiannon, bearing the red star standard which would become forever associated with her and a symbol of Brazak resistance. Ataryk and two BULF escorts made rendezvous with three other resistance ships and conducted an attack on a Ganzabi supply base at Grelkin. The attack was inconclusive, but the mere notion of airship-level resistance hugely bolstered hopes for a free Brazak nation; as well as striking fear into the Ganzabi authorities. The moment would mark the beginning of the full-on conflict of the Liberation War.

The Early Years of the War

• Initial success
• Ganzabar distracted
• Risley and Laronor become bases of rebel operation

Ganzabar's Crackdown

• Merchant Wars die down
• Ganzabar brings in reinforcements
• Risley under seige

Intervention : The USK's Pivotal Role

By September 9315, things looked dire for the Brazak rebels. Risley had fallen, and several prominent members of the BULF that had operated from there had been rounded up and shot. Laronor and Valyagrad remained in rebel hands, but a serious lack of war materiel was beginning to stymie their efforts. Captured remnants of Great Brazak's hardware and supplies were not being restocked, while Ganzabar had nearly all industrial production under its control; as well as plenty more from the homeland. Laronor's factories were hungry for Carbon and Vapour, while Valyagrad struggled with food shortages.

For some months previously, meetings had taken place between the rebels and USK diplomats. The United Sky Kingdoms was keen to help the Brazakkers throw off their oppressors for a number of reasons. Ganzabar's relentless expansion had been cause for concern in New Frander and the notion of an independent Brazak was popular, if only as a buffer zone from Ganzabi expansionism. The USK was in bitter competition with Ganzabar on an economic level. In addition, cynics pointed to the strong Sterling Dollar and need to push export of the USK's products. This was exibited by their War Funds programme; whereby all debts for the aid would be suspended until a Brazak government was reinstated.

Despite infuriating the Ganzabi government, Ganzabar refused to acknowledge the USK as a belligerent for fear of head-on war with them, and were able to do so as no USK personnel were involved in the fighting directly. However, the USK contributed massively to the BULF's stock of ships, planes and supplies. It even housed the workforce and factory-ships of Locke & Samson Heavy Industries, allowing them to build their Foxtail Duplane for use in the war. Many ships that played a key role in the war, such as the Dawnstar were built in or by the USK.

Liberated Brazak

The winter of 9315-16 was particularly bitter in Great Brazak, taking a heavy toll on both sides. However, the Brazakkers had both experience and simpler logistics on their side. Ataryk also honed her guerilla methods utilising the poor visibility to carry out hit-and-run attacks on supply convoys; particularly those coming from Ganzabar. She called it the "Avenger" campaign, and it was devastatingly successful. Using a network of contacts across the zone, the BULF was able to anticipate the whereabouts of Ganzabi cargo ships; while the weather allowed them to vanish before the Ganzabi could muster a response.

By spring 9316, the BULF was back up to fighting strength while Ganzabar's occupation forces had been crippled. Fresh squadrons of Foxtails were arriving from the USK, along with cargo ships full of food and new military vessels. The rebellion pushed back, retaking Yasmanyk and Nymograd by April.

Ganzabar fought hard to reclaim them; but after a second, even harsher, winter in 9316-17 it was becoming clear they were fighting a lost cause in the Brazak West Zone. The East Zone had also been in rebellion, but less decisively. An uneasy ceasefire was called in the summer of 9317, but Ganzabar attempted to go back on it unsuccessfully, resulting in further losses of ground to the rebels. Finally, as winter set in and Risley came under rebel control in October 9317, Ganzabar offered independence: but only to Brazak West. Thus, the nation of Brazak West came into being.