The One-week War

My friend, if you wish to learn the basic military mistakes and political blunders one can commit, simply read about the One-week War and you will have a small compedium. General Fieldmarshal von Wohn jokingly to General Hotzenberg

The Conflict

Prelude

Expansionist ambitions of the Strauvalst

The main drive for the conflict was the lust for conquest and power projection by the Strauvalst Kingdom, which was the result of their victorious war with one of their larger neighbours. Blinded by victory and with their newborn concept of ascending to a status of a regional power, this set them on a warpath with everyone around.

The Blind Letter

With their recent victory, the Strauvalst soon decided to keep on going forward, subjugating states around their own. The decision on who to attack next was made very abruptly and with no real consideration of their choice's capability to defend itself from an invasion. Because of this, the Krairechen Kingdom was chosen as the next target - a smaller country, although with a very well-organized army and more importantly, a border with the Strauvalst that was rather close to the Strauvalstian capital of Majaleska. This however, as it was mentioned before, did not interest the Strauvalstian government. The army was ordered to mobilize and the war declaration was sent to the Krairechen via a letter that would be later nicknamed "the Blind Letter" because of the absolute lack of sensible perception that the Strauvalst have shown by carrying out an act of aggression while having no real plan for it, strictly believing in their military superiority and bigger numbers.

Deployment

Both sides mobilize and the Krairechen's advance

When the declaration of war reached the Krairechen government it caused genuine confusion. Such a sudden change of relations was not expected, especially that no invading army has been sighted on the borders as of then. Now knowing they had a war to win, the Krairechen ordered their border army to be mobilized and reinforced by some remaining forces, leaving the rest behind to safeguard the country. At the same time, the Strauvalstian army was putting itself in place, however due to the mismanagement by the general command, it was going slowly and inefficiently.
Two days after the news of war came in, the Krairechen army was already advancing across the border into Strauvalstian territory. They were headed to the 50km away capital city of Majaleska. In truth, they were not expecting a swift victory, knowing that their enemy has a larger army and should already be headed their way. However to their surprise, when they came across the Strauvalstian border fortifications the garrisons there were not yet reinforced and were still waiting for heavier equipment to arrive. Because of this, seeing the full bulwark of the Krairechen army, they gave up without a fight. This resulted in an immediate breakthrough of the border for the Krairechen. Suddenly, they could get back to marching on the capital far quicker than they anticipated.

Battlefield

Battle of Majaleska

Four days after the war began, the Krairechen army was already entering plainlands around Majaleska, the Strauvalst capital. It was there when they finally met their foe in its true form. It was 20 000 on their side against their 35 000. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Krairechen had something that far outweigh it - an extensive and organized field command. Their army was divided into four parts, each with its own separate commanding staff. On the other hand, the Strauvalstian army was surveyed by just a small, six-man group of generals and field officers leading the charge. It is due to this difference that the battle that ensued was won by the Krairechen. Being able to efficiently control the soldiers and thanks to that counter the enemy was exactly what turned the tide of victory. The Strauvalstian command had difficulty in keeping up with the situation and sending orders across such a big army and that's why after a two-day long battle they were defeated and forced to retreat from the city's vicinity, leaving it wide open for the Krairechen.

Siege of Majaleska and armstice

On the sixth day of the war, the siege of the Strauvalstian capital began and lasted for just one day. This was because the entrapped government officially called for an armistice with the Krairechen and thus signed it on the seventh day. Just after a week since the war began it was already over.

Outcome

The Strauvalst had to pay an immediate war indemnity as well as move its garrison troops away from the border regions which were decided to be an unmilitarized zone for the next decade.

Aftermath

The most painful result of the war for the Strauvalst Kingdom was the total humiliation of the nation and its government, that still resounds loudly in the minds of the Strauvalstian people.

Historical Significance

Legacy

The conflict is widely recognised as one of the most ridiculous military confrontations that ever took place and a perfect example of a government overestimating the capabilities of its armed forces, failure due to complete ignoration of planning and most importantly - lack of basic common sense.

In Literature

The war influenced a whole series of books that were dedicated to studying the military and diplomatical blunders of the Strauvalst, as well as analyzing how the war could have been handled in other ways. Additionally, comical representations of the war became popular, after it was depicted with great success in a theatrical play "Two steps to Majaleska".

Conflict Type

War

Battlefield Type

Land

Conflict Result

A quick and easy victory for the Krairechen Kingdom

Belligerents

Krairechen Kingdom

Strauvalst Kingdom

Strength

25 000 mobilized

38 000 mobilized

Casualties

2750 total casualties:

• 1600 wounded
• 1150 dead

4050 total casualties:

• 2250 wounded
• 1800 dead

Objectives

Capture the Strauvalst capital city.

Break the enemy border fortifications and capture key cities.

How many wrongs can a government make in a span of just a single month? To answer that question it is only required to look at what happened before and during the One-week War on the Strauvalst side. Ignorance and mindless pity of the enemy, disorganization of both the government and army and the lack of any preparations or real plan. All of that resulted in the stunningly swift victory of the Krairechen and the following resignation of the current at that time Strauvalstian cabinet alongside with the abdication of the king in favour of his son. A passage from a book detailing the war