[font=Lucida Sans Unicode]< Radio Freies Rheinland broadcast initiated >
< Broadcasting across all Rheinland, Bretonia, Omega, Sigma, Omicron systems >
Citizens of Rheinland! Free worlders, Zoners, independent miners! All those who value freedom of themselves and of others!
Yesterday the vile fascist empire that is the Rheinland government unilaterally declared an annexation of the Omega-7 system. At that moment, the jackboot enforcers that are the Rheinland Military moved in and immediately opened fire on IMG civilians, whose only "crime" was being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Standing IMG security forces fought back valiantly against the blunt force applied to them however, and successfully kept at bay the first Military wave, gaining themselves a small secure area around Freistadt. But this disgusting situation is by no means over.
We have reports from our sympathisers that several cruiser groups are moving into Omega-7. Their target: Freistadt. Their objective: annihilation. Such murder and terrorism is unthinkable, and yet the interplanetary community simply watches and lets the genocide commence. No sanctions, no response, no anything. A truly pathetic display of fear and compliance.
But let the IMG not fear! For they will have allies in their dark hour, for even those who they have previously shunned while blinded by an illusion of peace with the fascists of Rheinland will come forth and fight against the oppressive obsessions of the dictator Rheinhardt.
His war with Liberty is not even close to conclusion, and yet the fascist continues to extend his bloodied hands towards other systems! Sigma-13! Sigma-17! Now Omega-7. All of those are marked with poorly concealed imperialist intentions, the same sort of intentions that led to the Rheinland Empire's downfall. Make no mistake, Rheinhardt is naught but an "emperor" of the old kind, and just like the monarchy of old he will lead the great Rheinland nation into complete ruin! And just like the so called "Empire", he must be stopped before it is too late.
------
Freedom fighters of Rheinland! Let this be a declaration of intent:
In but a matter of days the Red Hessian movement will resume regular battle operations in Omega-7. The same force that has time and again repulsed the Rheinland Military from the system will once again return to do its duty to freedom, and will once again help bring about the downfall of the blunt force driven policy of the so called "Kanzler", just as we brought down the "Emperor" before him.
Let it be known that just like in the 80 Years War, a war of freedom and independence, the Rheinland Military will be picked apart piece by piece if necessary, until nothing remains of the guardians of Rheinhardt. The conflict will be lengthy, but all those who now see the Kanzler and his vision for what they really are will be welcomed into the ranks of the Red Hessian Army with open arms. We will not stop until all those who support Rheinhardt are either defeated or convinced otherwise.
For the Volksrevolution! For the final victory!
------
Stay tuned to this channel, we will continue reporting on the situation in Omega-7 as it unfolds.
[font=Lucida Sans Unicode]< Radio Freies Rheinland broadcast initiated >
The miners' fightback begins!
The forces of the Red Hessians have yesterday proved that they are ready for the fight ahead of them. As the first fights between the IMG and the Rheinland Military have already erupted, the IMG's steady defence has reduced Rheinhardt's imperialists to roaming the southern half of the system. It seems the so called "undefeated Rheinland Military" either already buckles under the relentless resistance, or there are forces within it that actively oppose the murder of civilians for the advancement of the Kanzler's mad ambitions. I speak for everyone when I say: it is about time the Military started to think about the consequences of their collaboration with the corrupt government!
------
Yesterday a large Military and Police patrol roaming the southern part of Omega-7 was attacked in retaliation for the Military's relentless attack on defenceless miners in the system by a smaller Red Hessian squadron. The Red Hessian force, half the size of the Military patrol was outnumbered and outgunned.
But instead of turning around and calling for reinforcements, the pilots have decided to prove the sheer willpower of the Volksrevolution! The sheer determination, skill and passion of the pilots involved allowed them to keep the fight going, and they successfully dispatched the members of the patrol one by one. This engagement was a perfect opening to the struggle that the Rheinland Military has been thrown into by their imperialist leaders! The victorious Red Hessian squadron has gathered the IDs of the shot down pilots:
Leutnant Sarah Austerlitz, Rheinland Military
Gefreiter Ernst Hollweg, Rheinland Military
Gefreiter Herrmann, Rheinland Military
Flieger Michael von Reims, Rheinland Military
Flieger Heinz Hardt, Rheinland Military
Unnamed Bounty Hunter collaborator
Unnamed Rheinland Police pilot
This large group was defeated by no more than 4 pilots with only a single reinforcement much later in the fight! This act should send a stern message to the Rheinland Military: you will not win a fight against your own people, against those who value their freedom! Save your forces for the Liberty front, because anything you send into Omega-7 will not return from it!
------
Multi-pronged attack
At the same time our revolutionary forces have set their eyes on a different target in Frankfurt: the Battleship RNC Stauffenberg in command of a cruel fascist collaborator. While a small number of fighter pilots distracted the Rheinland Police, these same Police called in for backup from the Military. The overzealous battleship captain immediately obliged and moved into position, completely oblivious to the ambush at hand. The battleship was drawn from the trade lanes and then forced to remain in place, as the heavy artillery of the Rot Front moved into position.
The very moment they appeared on scanners, the battleship's captain must have gotten the sinking feeling for he tried to escape immediately, but it was no use! The ambush was designed to draw him out, and cruise disruptors kept him in place. The battleship was successfully disabled, its engines obliterated by a salvo, and the ship itself left to float around the Frankfurt sun. The Military now commands one less ship to oppress the miners of the Omega systems with!
------
Join the fightback! Your time is now!
To all miners and workers of the Omega systems: the great revolution has begun! This is our chance to establish the groundwork for a new, democratic Rheinland government! To begin throwing off the shackles of slavery from the population of Rheinland, one system at a time! The great push will happen soon, and while the Kanzler's own security is away fighting his numerous wars, we will be able to make our stand on the grounds of New Berlin and finally shout in unison: No! We will not fight your imperialist wars! We will not let our economy be consumed by the war machine once again! We will not be oppressed by your fascist rule!
[font=Lucida Sans Unicode]< Radio Freies Rheinland broadcast initiated >
The military fears the miners' response!
Yet another victory on the front!
Despite the grim outlooks of each and every Military sortie into Omega-7, each and every one of them is met with organised resistance from a united front of all free miners. Neither the Military nor Daumann are not making any gains, despite their attempts to coordinate their strikes.
Only today a Military and Daumann patrol of several fighters appeared in Omega-7, bent on attacking the much smaller IMG force there. The IMG put up a valiant resistance, but the Military supported by Daumann were simply too great in number. Despite that, the battle quickly shifted to the side of freedom as several Red Hessian fighters quickly appeared out of the nebula to reinforce Freistadt defence.
The appearance of the Red Hessians on the battlefield alone made the Military patrol rout in disarray leaving the ruthless Daumann security alone on the field. The Red Hessians engaged the Daumann patrol and quickly forced it back to their Briesen base, where they escaped shamed for their attempted murder of IMG civilians.
The IMG and Colonials present were deeply grateful to the Hessians for their assistance, and the resulting withdrawal of Daumann and Military surely boosted their spirits and gave them confidence in their fight against imperialism.
------
A civilian viewpoint
Our correspondent in Omega-7 was able today to talk to one of the IMG defenders as well as a Colonial Leutenant about Freistadt's situation in the war. It would appear that in no small part due to the help they are enjoying from the local freedom fighters, the IMG is in a good position to hold its place. But it is a grim defence, as every day both the Military and Daumann hound civilian IMG transports and attempt acts of terrorism on Freistadt itself. Below is a transcript from the conversation:
Quote:Correspondent: Herr Starwind, I'm not sure if you have picked up the transmissions yet, but we have begun transmitting a radio broadcast designed to inform the public on what is really happening in Omega-7.
IMG|Gene.Starwind[D]: Nop i have not Correspondent: It is a Radio Freies Rheinland broadcast.
IMG|Gene.Starwind[D]: I will look in the transmiision log Correspondent: I am sure it would be very helpful if we got an account from a person from the IMG.
IMG|Gene.Starwind[D]: an account what do you mean? Correspondent: So if you could tell me, how is your impression of the conflict so far? Are the Military as ruthless to you as they are to us?
(...)
IMG|Gene.Starwind[D]: They are not very nice to us now at all
IMG|Gene.Starwind[D]: Setting Battleships infront of our bases is not something we like Correspondent: Do they attack your civilian miners and transports as the rumours go?
=CR=Lt.D.Wright: They're brainwashed by their government, we aren't surprised of their ruthlessness.
IMG|Gene.Starwind[D]: They do indeed, Ohn the Traders its so sad Correspondent: It is a shame indeed how a military force can sink so low as to attack civilians.
=CR=Lt.D.Wright: The sad side of the things, it's not just the military. Correspondent: Is it Daumann as well? Kruger?
IMG|Gene.Starwind[D]: It is and them come and take what the Independent have fought to keep for so long
=CR=Lt.D.Wright: Daumann launched a large-scale bombing raid on Freistadt yesterday.
=CR=Lt.D.Wright: Which can be only described as an act of terrorism. Correspondent: What is the state of Freistadt? Did it sustain any damage?
IMG|Gene.Starwind[D]: Light damage nothing that cant be repaired
IMG|Gene.Starwind[D]: Lost a scanner arey thats about it
=CR=Lt.D.Wright: It suffered some major damage on one of the docking bays, though.
IMG|Gene.Starwind[D]: OPh and the mess hall has a whole in it Correspondent: But their intent was doubtless to cripple or even destroy the station? I assume their raid was foiled by an organised defence?
=CR=Lt.D.Wright: And they were casualties, quite a lot. Correspondent: That is truly despicable.
=CR=Lt.D.Wright: Indeed it was repelled, but it was quite a surprising effort for us.
=CR=Lt.D.Wright: They managed to land some initial hits on the base.
=CR=Lt.D.Wright: But their aim indeed was simply causing damage nevermind the civilian casualties. Correspondent: Are you able to get transports with supplies and equipment in from Bretonia? I heard the Rheinland lobby was strong in denying you that.
=CR=Lt.D.Wright: Under strong escort, the route from Aland to Freistadt is passable, yes.
=CR=Lt.D.Wright: Though the shipyard is our main base of operation.
IMG|Gene.Starwind[D]: We are able to slip a few by but its been hard Correspondent: Ahh yes, Aland. I assume the Military did not manage to launch any strikes on it?
=CR=Lt.D.Wright: They have neither tried nor succeeded, and I doubt Bretonia would like that if it happens in the future.
=CR=Lt.D.Wright: I think that keeps them away, for now. Correspondent: Well, last time I've heard they had a pact for "joint defence". Bretonia might just as well be Rheinland's partner in crime for simply standing idly by and looking at these atrocities that are happening here.
=CR=Lt.D.Wright: They can indeed be blamed for ignoring the situation but they aren't in the position to do much about it anyways. Correspondent: Perhaps but even political pressure would help.
=CR=Lt.D.Wright: the only good thing is that relation between Bretonia, their corporations, and us - the Republic and the IMG are significantly warmer nowadays. Correspondent: That's good to hear. At least they aren't blocking aid transports.
=CR=Lt.D.Wright: I heard of the news that there's even a contract signed that allows BMM to mine niobium in IMG's fields. Correspondent: The IMG would be best wary of that, it might begin a similar situation to the one in Omega-7: imperialists attempting to annex that what is not theirs.
=CR=Lt.D.Wright: Which is kind of a strange move by the Guild, compromising their monopoly, but helps strengthen their relation with the neighbours. Correspondent: Thank you for your account of what has been happening here in Omega-7. This is Radio Freies Rheinland, signing off.
Needless to say Daumann is abusing their position in Omega-7 by terrorising the occupants of Freistadt, despite the Military's assurances that no acts of terrorism would follow in this conflict. It would appear that that promise is now broken, and all gloves are off. We will be waiting for the response of the Red Hessian Oberkommando regarding this turn of events.
------
Help the IMG, help yourselves
The recent attack on the IMG station of Freistadt perpetrated by Daumann hired mercenaries has left several systems on board either heavily damaged or disables. The Military blockade ensures that the IMG cannot simply bring additional base components to the station to patch up their systems. If you are an independent supplier and you want to help the IMG's fight for freedom, use your transport! Bring in mining machinery, superconductors and alloys to Freistadt so that they may reinforce their station against further terrorist attacks such as the latest one! The IMG have many ores to sell you in return, do not think this will not bring you profit.