Invasion of West Suffolk (1983: Doomsday)

The Invasion of St Edmundsbury and Forest Heath by Essex and Woodbridge is an ongoing military operation in the British Isles. As such, the information below is subject to rapid change. The invasion began at 3:00 AM following prolonged buildups by Essex and Woodbridge ground and air troops over the past week.

Before the Invasion
Prior to the invasion St. Edmundsbury and Forest Heath represented a reasonable security risk to the two nations. Intelligence had confirmed that, though weak in number, remnants of the True British Army were operating out of the area, and had launched dozens of harrassing raids into both countries. Securing the territories would guarantee a degree of security to the more important heartland territories of Woodbridge and Essex's northern border. There was also an element of expansionism, in that it would secure Woodbridge valuable new development areas. However, the task of conquering the area would be difficult for Woodbridge alone, even with its air force, and a piecemeal conquest of the area would allow the enemy to regroup and make the next assault continually harder.

In consequence Woodbridge authorities turned to Essex. The latter country had a much larger ground-based military and an industrial core to match. Given the history of close cooperation between the two nations in the past there was little reason for Essex to refuse Woodbridge's request for support. Unsuprisingly the two countries came to agreement, though decided that there was no need to bring in mutual tertiary ally East Britain given its vastly inferior military. The date was set for June 1st, the same day as Essex would switch over to the New Pound currency, the justification being any hostile groups in St Edmundsbury and Forest Heath with radios would hear the news but assume that nothing else would happen the same day.

The Week Before
News of troops building up near Sudbury and Diss was easily suppressed by the military thanks to the limited degree of communication in the areas. Movement towards the areas was made along the most inconspicuous routes possible; though unlikely, it was possible that spies from within the Invasion Zone could be watching, and the military did not want to take any chances. Intelligence had reported that of the population in the area an estimated 20% would resent the invasion, but only half that number would actually take arms. Again, military officials remained cautious.

For the most part the operation would be a fairly routine expansion mission, though on a scale never attempted before by either Essex or Woodbridge. It would be the first time the main body of Essex's military had been committed to aggressive action since 2008, though they were prepared. The only major 'first' was that it would be the first mission of the EAS Cavalier, Essex's sole airship. The vessel was loaded out with ammunition and medical equipment; this is to be ferried to invading troops and, if necessary, the ship will also be used for close air support (though Woodbridge's airborne division has been designated this as their primary task).

June 1st
Initially the invasion was easy. Communities close to the borders were eager to join, welcoming troops in and providing them with information. Only three conflicts were reported, all with no casualties, at 6:58, 7:12, and 8:18 AM. Throughout most of the morning no conflict was reported, with forward scouts and airborne patrols reporting a lack of civilian movement.

By lunchtime, however, it was noted there was an increasing amount of resistance. Essex soldiers in Little Thurlow reported that the village had been abandoned, seemingly minutes before troops had arrived, though a helicopter sweep over the area reported no visual sightings of movement. At 13:17 Woodbridge soldiers near Ixworth found themselves under a mixture of arrow, shotgun, and rifle fire. Two armoured cars managed to locate and destroy the source of the opposition - sixteen men - but not before six Woodbridge soldiers had died and another fourteen injured.

As troops progressed further it became clear that resistance was growing heavier. A combined Essex-Woodbridge group at Harleston reported being attacked by at least fifty enemy troops with hand-to-hand weaponry, and with an unknown number providing fire support from a nearby wood, at 13:52. Again the raid was beaten off, this time by a combination of helicopter support and a pincer assault made by a nearby unit, but with seventeen dead and thirty-nine wounded it was clear that troops were less than welcome.

So far seven more attacks have been reported, with sixty-eight dead for Essex, forty-four dead for Woodbridge, and at least a hundred for local forces. Military command has ordered troops to entrench overnight and resist any further assaults. Artillery is reportedly being stationed close behind to offer fire support in case the enemy has regrouped by the morning. Meanwhile elite troops and intelligence units are attempting to learn about and disrupt the enemy's movements.