Much ado about nothing?

 

The issues surrounding the status and role of the Police/Gendarmerie in Syldavia following the “sceptre incident” has been perplexing me lately.  In my particular alternative timeline for Syldavia, something has most certainly happened to them. Consider this, first the king is shown to be an energetic and somewhat autocratic leader.  Second, the “sceptre incident” demonstrates that vast segments of Police are not loyal to the crown, but rather to Musslter.  Logically the king must take some steps to bring the police under control, and I feel that this would be the case.  However, it is curious to note that in the adventure “Destination Moon” the security forces (or ZEPO as they are known) guarding the rocketry facility appear in largely the same uniforms as seen in “King Ottokar’s Scepter”.  In general one does not entrust the security of a secret faculty to an organisation that cannot be trusted.  Finally another interesting point is the complete absence of the traditional police uniforms in the “Calculus Affair”.  Perhaps then, following the “sceptre incident” the Police were reorganised in order to root out any Bordurian sympathisers, and by the 1950’s finally seen as an entirely trustworthy organisation, albeit with a new role as a secret police/internal security force.

So, let us then explore this alternative timeline shall we?  The 1938 “sceptre incident” has demonstrated a grave problem within the Syldavian state, and in the months following the incident attempts are made to rid the police of subversive elements.

Initially this resulted in mass arrests across the country. Policemen had to fill in a questionnaire regarding their professional and political activities. About three hundred investigations were conducted, and the suspects divided into five categories - from "major offender" to "discharged".  Cleared of any subversive activity or links to Borduria, the majority of the police returned to their jobs. Most were not removed from their office, but the whole of the force was disarmed (just as it remains today), and over the next few years the police uniform was redesigned to differentiate it with the pre-war organisation.

However, this was not the end for the police or their pre-war uniform.  Ironically in 1949 the decision was reached that the state required an internal security force tasked with high security installations and countering Bordurian intelligence gathering activities.  The ZEPO is rumoured to have been formed in autumn 1949, although details are sketchy at best.  Although there are a few differences the official uniform is remarkably similar to the pre-war police uniform.

The Independent Cavalry Regiments

5th Zeta Lancers

On 10 January 1750, Lord Strazcowitz of Zeta offered to raise a regiment at his own expense for service in the Army. The King accepted his offer and thus was born one of the more unusual regiments of the Slydavian Army. While officially simply another unit in the cavalry corps, the distinction was lost on the public and the men serving in its ranks. It could hardly have been otherwise, as the unit was recruited entirely in the eastern region Zeta. It was equipped by Lord Strazcowitz, quartered in Lanzkigrad, and paraded outside the city’s old citadel. The men cut impressive figures, resplendent in dark blue uniforms and matching fezes, and mounted on local Zeta ponies with traditional lances.  Over the years the uniforms changed in only minor ways, until the 1920’s military reforms.  Unlike most Syldavian cavalry units the 5^th Zeta Lancers (and the 3^rd Polishov Hussars) have remained a non-mechanised force.  Despite this the regiment adopted the new uniforms, with some differences.  The new uniform of the regiment was, as of 1926: 

The regulation uniform for the on-duty cavalry enlisted man consists of the wool service coat (w/ a falling collar), fez, wool shirt, wool jodhpurs and riding boots. The boots are laced ankle boots. The boots are worn with matching gaiters and spurs with spur straps. Beginning in 1931, an ankle-height laced boot was issued to enlisted personal for the first time and worn with a separate canvas or leather gaiter. Prior to 1931, a knee-high boot was worn. All ranks would wear a pistol belt with holster and magazine pouch for the C96 Mauser Pistol. The pistol would be secured with a lanyard looped from left shoulder to right hip as required when armed with the pistol while on horseback. The mounted version of the cartridge belt has nine pockets each containing one en bloc clip of ammunition for the C96 Pistol. Additional ammunition is carried in the saddlebags for extended field service.

Weapons of the 5^th Zeta Lancers:

    * 1855 pattern Sabre carried by all cavalrymen.

    * C96 Mauser Military Pistol. The "96" was carried by all cavalry troopers for use as a mounted offensive weapon. The sabre had been retained as a cavalry service side arm although the pistol was the weapon exclusively employed in most actions. The pistol was always worn with a lanyard. The lanyard was worn from left shoulder to right hip and snapped to the butt of the pistol. It prevented loss of the pistol if dropped while on horseback.

The unit was known, officially, as the 5th Zeta Lancers.  Unofficially, it was known as the “Sir Kromir’s Light Horse” It was made up of three “banners” recruited exclusively from the famed horsemen of eastern Zeta. The regiment famously experienced a considerable amount of hard fighting during the 1851 border war with Borduria as well as the Zarawir crises of 1856.

3rd Polishov Hussars

The Polishov Light Horse was first raised in the 18th century. Initially they formed part of the 4th cavalry regiment performing scouting, reconnaissance and the like, but due to their successes in this role, (and also in charging and harassing the enemy), they soon acquired a reputation for courage and skill. The decision was made to allow the light horse to be formed as an independent regiment dedicated to this role, and the Polishov Light Horse were formed.

The Polishov Light Horse was initially known as Sir Vladizlav’s Regiment of Light Horse. By 1781 the regiment title was simplified to the 3rd Regiment of Light Horse. In 1861 the regiment changed its name to the 3rd Polishov Hussars and in 1924 it amalgamated the 8th Royal Hussars (Queen Najada's Own).

Before 1830 the regiment wore a dark blue, braided, dolman jacket and a leather "Tarleton" style helmet. After 1830the uniform consisted of dark blue jackets with short tails and a shako.

The 1851 War

In 1851 the regiment was ordered to prepare for service. On the 20 September the regiment, took part in the first major engagement of the War, the Battle of the Almazout Valley. Although the regiment’s role in the battle had been minimal early on in the day, with the Bordurians now in full retreat by the afternoon, General Prosdj ordered the Regiment to pursue the fleeing enemy. After a brief, but fruitful pursuit, the regiment was recalled when it was realized that the Bordurians had a significant uncommitted cavalry force in reserve.

During the 25 October the regiment took part in the Battle of Barazoum. They formed the right of the front line along with the 5th Zeta Lancers on the left. The 3rd and 5th moved forward; after 100 yards the 3rd Royal Lancers, in the second line, also moved off followed by the 5th and 6th. It was not long before they came under heavy Bordurian fire. The regiments were soon cutting down the artillerymen that had remained at their posts. Once the Bordurian guns had been passed, they engaged in hand-to-hand fighting with the few enemies that remained and engaging in a rout of those Bordurians forced to retire.

Renamed to The 3rd Polishov Hussars

On the 8 April 1861 the 3rd Regiment of Light Horse were renamed the 3rd Polishov Hussars. The regiment remained otherwise unchanged until 1918 when they underwent there next major change. The new uniform of the regiment was, as of 1918: 

The regulation uniform for the on-duty cavalry enlisted man consists of a grey wool service coat (w/ a standing collar), fez, shirt, grey wool jodhpurs and knee high riding boots. The boots are worn with spurs with spur straps. Prior to 1931, a knee-high boot was worn. NCO’s and officers would wear a pistol belt with holster and ammunition pouch for the Smith and Wesson Model 3 revolver. The pistol would be secured with a lanyard looped from left shoulder to right hip as required when armed with the pistol while on horseback. The mounted version of the cartridge belt had nine pockets each containing one clip of ammunition for the 1888 Mauser carbine. Additional ammunition is carried in the saddlebags for extended field service.

Weapons of the 3^rd Polishov Hussars:

    * 1855 pattern Sabre carried by all cavalrymen.
    * 1880 Smith and Wesson Model 3 revolver carried by all officers and NCO's.

    * 1888 Mauser carbine. The carbine was carried by all cavalry troopers for use as an offensive weapon. The sabre was been retained as a cavalry service side arm although the carbine was the weapon exclusively employed in most actions.

Independant Slydavian military units

Prior to the 1700’s, there was effectively no standing army in Syldavia, the King maintained a personal Bodyguard, the Royal Guard and the Honourable Company of Gentlemen, as well as a few locally raised companies to garrison important places. As we know from earlier discussions, troops required for foreign expeditions were raised upon an ad-hoc basis when required. This was a development of the feudal concept of fief (in which a lord was obliged to raise a certain quota of knights, men-at-arms and foot soldiers).

In practice, noblemen and professional soldiers were then commissioned by the King to supply troops. They would then raise their units, filling their quotas by indenture from a variety of sources. A Commission of War could be issued to raise even more troops for a foreign expeditions, drawing on a range of earlier laws that directed that, at least in theory, the entire male population who owned property over a certain amount in value, were required to keep arms at home and periodically train or report to musters.

The military reforms of the 1720’s created the first professional standing army in Syldavian history. The King Boris III issued the Royal Warrant that created the first units of what would become the Syldavian Army in May of that year. One of the first new units was the Royal Guards, which was recruited from soldiers formerly in service in the King’s personal guard and the Honourable Company of Gentlemen. This is the oldest infantry regiment in the Syldavian army (known simply as the "Royal Guard"). Infantry and cavalry units had originally been known by the names of their officers, such as "Sir Kazimir's Regiment of Foot", obviously this system could be confusing if officers succeeded each other rapidly or more than one officer of the same name commanded separate companies. In 1781 a numeral system was adopted, with each regiment gaining a number according to their rank in the order of precedence.

The continued existence of independent companies within the Syldavian military is something of an anomaly.  The reason for this lies with Boris III’s decision to allow some lords to continue to raise independent companies in their duchies.  Although they were encouraged to adhere to the new regulations, they were independently funded and for many years, these regiments were to be the most colourful and distinctive units in the Army, retaining much of Syldavia’s traditional dress.  The tradition continued down the years with the more recent raising of 6 motorcycle and bicycle companies in the mid 1930’s.

3rd Infantry Regiment, The Duke of Travunia's

4th Infantry Regiment, The Duke of Moltuja's Rifles

5th Infantry Regiment, The Duke of Hum's Fusilers

5th Zeta Lancers

3rd Polishov Hussars

13^th bicycle company

14^th bicycle company

15^th bicycle company

16^th frontier motorcycle company

17^th frontier motorcycle company

Syldavian 1939 order of battle

The Syldavian Army of 1939 was organized as follows:

The King was the commander in chief

The regular armed forces had 4 Corps with 25,000 active duty personnel and a strength reaching 75,000 when fully mobilized.

The Army Corps
(The 3rd, 4th, and 5th regiments are privately raised)

The Royal Guard Regiment

1st Infantry Regiment, The King's Fusilers
2nd Infantry Regiment,The Royal Zeta Guards
3rd Infantry Regiment, The Duke of Travunia's
4th Infantry Regiment, The Duke of Moltuja's Rifles
5th Infantry Regiment, The Duke of Hum's Fusilers
6th Infantry Regiment, The King’s Ragusian  Rifles
7th Infantry Regiment, The Zympathia Rifles

The Army Corps had the following:
Corps Staff
Four active and three reserve Infantry regiments
Corps Artillery Battalion of 3 companies of two batteries with 16 artillery pieces, heavy mortars or Infantry antitank guns. per battalion
Pioneer company
Seven Infantry Regiments each of 2,000 men.

Cavalry Corps
Composed of the following regiments, all of which were armoured. Each with three companies:
Corps Staff
1st Royal Hussars
2nd The King’s Dragoon Guards
3rd Royal Lancers
4th Light Dragoons
5th Royal Cuirassiers
6th The King’s Hussars
Training squadron

Mountain Corps
Corps Staff
1st Mountain Rifle Brigade
2nd Mountain Rifle Brigade
(both of which were partially motorized.)

Royal Syldavian Flying Corps 
1st Observation Group with 25 aircraft
2nd Fighter Group with  25 aircraft
3rd Fighter Group with 25 aircraft
4th Reconnaissance/Bomber Group with 25 aircraft
Each squadron also had an anti-aircraft artillery company
5th Auxiliary Group with ancillary and refueling squadrons

Syldavian Home Guard regiments
Hum
Travunia
Ragusia
Zeta
Wladruja
Moltuja
Zympathia
Polishov

Three independent bicycle companies

Two independent feudal horse cavalry companies
5th Zeta Lancers
3rd Polishov Hussars

Two independent frontier motorcycle companies

Final reckoning

In total 907 were killed during the 74 days of the conflict:

    * Borduria - 649
          o Army - 549 (16 officers, 35 NCOs and 498 conscript privates)
          o Air Force - 55 (including 31 pilots and 14 ground crew)
   
    * Syldavia - 255
          o Royal Guard - 86
          o Syldavian Army - 168 (7 officers, 40 NCOs and 121 privates)
          o Royal Air Force - 1 (1 officer)
         

Of the 86 Royal Guards, 57 were lost in Niedzdrow, 10 lost at Mount Harad Grad.

Thirty-three of the Syldavian Army's dead came from the 1st brigade 2nd Regiment, 21 from the 3rd Battalion 2nd Regiment, 18 from the 2nd Battalion the 3rd Regiment, 19 from the 1st mountain infantry regiment, 3 from Royal engineers and 8 from the Polishov Home Guard.

The Fall of Niedzdrow

Notable battles:
    * Battle of Mount Haraz
    * Battle of Mount Zilharum
    * Battle of Tiran Ridge
    * Battle of Mount Harad Grad
    * Battle of Two Sisters

On the night of 11 June, after several days of painstaking reconnaissance and logistic build-up, Syldavian forces launched a brigade-sized night attack against the heavily defended ring of high ground surrounding Niedzdrow. As the 2nd regiment began their assault on Niedzdrow, units of 3rd Brigade, supported by artillery gunfire, simultaneously assaulted Mount Haraz, Two Sisters, and Mount Zilharum. Mount Haraz was taken at a cost of 22 Syldavian and 38 Bordurian soldiers. At Two Sisters, the Syldavians faced both enemy resistance and friendly fire, but managed to capture their objectives. The toughest battle was at Mount Zilharum, where Syldavian forces were bogged down by rifle, mortar, machine gun, artillery fire, sniper fire, and ambushes. Despite this, the Syldavians continued their advance.  After a night of fierce fighting, all objectives were secured. Both sides suffered heavy losses.

The night of 13 June saw the start of the second phase of attacks, in which the momentum of the initial assault was maintained. At the Battle of Tiran Ridge the 2nd regiment with armour support, captured Tiran Ridge with a loss of 3 Syldavian and 25 Bordurian dead.  The 2nd battalion, Royal Guards, captured Mount Harad Grad in the Battle of Mount Harad Grad, which cost 10 Syldavian and 30 Bordurians dead.

With the last natural defence line at Mount Harad Grad breached, the Bordurian town defences of Niedzdrow began to falter. A cease-fire was declared on 14 June and the Bordurian garrison in Niedzdrow surrendered the same day.

Mount Almazout

Meanwhile, the 2nd regiment (1st IB) prepared to move to the nearby Mount Almazout. Unknown to senior Syldavian officers, the Bordurian generals were determined to tie down the Syldavian troops in the Mount Almazout area, and on 27 May and 28 May they sent reinforcements to Niedzdrow.

For the next week, the 2nd regiment (1st IB) waged intense patrol battles with patrols of the Bordurian 2nd Company. On 31 May, the 2nd regiment (1st IB) defeated Bordurian Forces at the Battle of Kavrarovitch House. A 13-strong Bordurian Army detachment (Captain Stazek’s 1st Assault Section, 2nd Company) found itself trapped in a small house. The Bordurian soldiers fired from windows and doorways and then took refuge in a stream bed 700 ft from the burning house. Completely surrounded, they fought 19 Syldavian troops for forty-five minutes until, with their ammunition almost exhausted, they elected to surrender.  On the Bordurian side there were two dead and three badly wounded. Only five Bordurians were left unscathed.

Major Szhrinkoff’s 6th Commandos tried to move forward to rescue the 1st Assault Section, 2nd Company on the mountain. Spotted by members of the 2nd regiment (1st IB), they were engaged with 81mm mortars and forced to withdraw to “Two Sisters” mountain. Captain Chekoff on Almazout Mountain realised his position had become untenable and after conferring with fellow officers ordered a withdrawal.

By 1 June, with the arrival of a further 5,000 Syldavian troops of the 3rd Infantry Brigade, the new Syldavian divisional commander, Major General Czek, had sufficient force to start planning an offensive against Niedzdrow.  During this build-up, the Bordurian air assaults on the Syldavian forces continued, killing 56.

On 1 June a detachment of the Royal Guards were sent to support a rapid advance along the southern approach to Niedzdrow. On early morning of 2 June a small advance party moved to the village of Drozu. They discovered the area clear of Bordurians and (exceeding their authority) commandeered local buses to frantically ferry another contingent ahead to Titzroy (a settlement outside Niedzdrow).

This uncoordinated advance caused planning nightmares for the commanders of the combined operation, as they now found themselves with a 30 miles (48 km) string of indefensible positions on their southern flank. Support could not be sent as the required transport vehicles were involved elsewhere. The soldiers could march, but their equipment and heavy supplies would need to be ferried separately. Plans were drawn up for half the Royal Guards to march light on the night of 2 June, whilst the second half of the Royal Guards were to be ferried from their positions on the night of 5 June.

The battle of SpinalTap Grad

From early on 27 May until 28 May, the 1st Infantry Regiment with artillery support from 8th Battery approached and attacked the ancient fortress of SpinalTap Grad, which was held by the Bordurian 12th Infantry Regiment. 37 Syldavian and 101 Bordurian soldiers were killed after intense fighting that lasted throughout the night and into the next day. In total 907 Bordurian troops (including 202 Bordurian Air Force personnel) were taken prisoners.

With the sizeable Bordurian force at SpinalTap Grad out of the way, a breakthrough of the Bordurian line by Syldavian forces was now possible. On 28 May, men of 3rd regiment started the march towards the settlement of Jegebur.

Escalation of the air war

The Polishov region had only three airfields. The longest and only paved runway was in Niedzdrow and even that was too small to support a large force. Therefore, the Bordurians were forced to launch their major strikes from the across the border, severely hampering their efforts and combat air patrols. The effective time in Syldavian airspace for incoming Bordurian aircraft was low.

The first major Bordurian strike force comprised 36 aircraft, and was sent on 1 May, in the belief that the Syldavian counter attack was imminent or had already taken place. Only a section of Group 6 found Syldavian artillery, which were firing at Bordurian defences near Niedzdrow. The aircraft managed to attack the positions and return safely. This greatly boosted morale of the untested Bordurian pilots.  Meanwhile, Syldavian aircraft operating out of Birna intercepted other Bordurian aircraft. Two Bordurian fighter aircraft were shot down in the action.

Combat broke out again on 3 May between fighters of No. 5 Royal Air Squadron and fighters of Group 8. Both sides refused to fight at the other's best altitude, until two Bordurian aircraft finally descended to engage. One was shot down, while the other escaped but was damaged and without enough fuel to return to its Bordurian air base. The plane made for Niedzdrow, where it fell victim to friendly fire from the Bordurian defenders.  As a result of this experience, Bordurian Air Force staff decided to employ their BF 109’s only as strike units, the BF108’s as decoys to lure away the Syldavian fighter aircraft.

Niedzdrow was used as a Bordurian strongpoint throughout the conflict. Despite the Czarlitz raids on Niedzdrow airfield and overnight shelling, it was never out of action entirely. A mixture of AA defences defended Niedzdrow. Junkers W 34 transport flights brought in supplies, weapons, and fuel, and airlifted out the wounded up until the end of the conflict.

The only Bordurian Junkers shot down by the Syldavians was lost on 1 June when KT-63 was intercepted northeast of Niedzdrow.

The tempo of operations increased throughout the second half of May. The fighting in the Polishov region had a profound impact on the Syldavian public, bringing home the fact that the "Border Crisis" was now an actual "shooting war".

During the night on 21 May the Syldavian 1st corps under the command of General Sprodj mounted Operation Ottokar, in the northwest of the region. 

By dawn the next day they had established a secure position from which to conduct offensive operations. From there Brigadier Jazcek’s plan was to capture SpinalTap Grad and before turning towards Niedzdrow. Now, with the Syldavian troops in the region in force, the Bordurian Air Force began the night bombing campaign against them until the last day of the war (14 June).

The Czarlitz raids

On 1 May Syldavian operations opened with the first attack (of a series of five) on the airfield at Niedzdrow. A Syldavian bomber flew on a round trip mission dropping bombs across the runway. The overall effect of the raids on the war is difficult to determine, and the raids consumed precious resources. The raids did minimal damage to the runway and damage was quickly repaired.

Of the five Czarlitz raids, three were against the Niedzdrow Airfield, with the other two missions targeting Bordurian supply columns.

War!

On 2 April 1939, Bordurian forces crossed the eastern borders of Syldavia, following the ZZRK activities in Syldavia in March. The initial invasion met only a nominal defence organised by Polishov’s regional Governor. The initial Bordurian attack focused on the region’s Home Guard barracks and the early morning hours engagement between the Bordurian troops and the Polishov Home Guard was brief and sporadic with the last holdouts surrendering at noon in the regional capital.

Word of the invasion first reached the capital via amateur radio.

The retaking of the Polishov region was considered extremely critical to the government: the main constraint though was the disparity in air cover (the Syldavia having only 75 modern aircraft against Borduria's 220 aircraft).

The first military encounters began on 4 April when the Royal Air Force was briefly engaged by aircraft of the Bordurian Air Force during their reconnaissance of the region.

Recapture of Kragenidin

The first Syldavian Army forces available for the counterattack, consisted of the 1st and 2nd Mountain Rifle Brigades, under the command of General Prosdj, both of which were partially motorized.  These were rushed to the region.

The first offensive action by Syldavian troops took place on 12 April.  Unfortunately, there was mass confusion in the fog and operations were halted after elements of the 1st MR brigade got lost. On 14 April, the Syldavian forces regrouped and resumed offensive actions.

With the fog now lifting and the Bordurian forces in Kragenidin still unaware of the presence of enemy forces nearby, Major Schzlozitch decided to make a direct assault that day. After a short forced march by the Syldavian troops, the Bordurian garrison was caught by surprise and surrendered with minimal resistance. The message sent from the force to the capital was:

"Pleased to inform His Majesty that the Black Pelican flies in Kragenidin once more. God Save the King."

Lead-up to the conflict

In the period leading up to the war, Borduria had been in the midst of a devastating economic crisis and civil unrest against the military government that had been governing the country since 1919.  In December 1938 there was a further change in the Bordurian military regime bringing to office a new premier, General Schtoz. Schtoz was the main architect and supporter of a military solution for the long-standing claim over Syldavia, calculating that the Kingdom would be unable to withstand a Bordurian invasion.  In doing so the government hoped a military victory would reap the benefits of Bordurians' long-standing patriotic feelings towards the region and thus divert public attention from the country's chronic economic problems, and also bolster the regimes legitimacy.

The ongoing tension between the two countries increased between 19 and 25 March when several Bordurian border police stations along the Syldavian border region of Polishov were attacked by members of Borduria's secretive ZZRK posing as Syldavian soldiers.  The posts were burned to the ground and Syldavian flags raised over them, an act that would later be seen as the first offensive action in the war. The Bordurian military, noting that Syldavia was attempting to reinforce its forces in the Polishov region, ordered the invasion of Syldavia to be brought forward to 2 April.  General Schtoz an ardent nationalist and sylda-phobe, was the driving force in the decision to invade.

Syldavia was initially taken by surprise by the Bordurian attack on their eastern border despite repeated warnings by officials in the region regarding a military build up across the border.

Crisis in the Kingdom of the Black Pelican: May - June 1939

OK, how about a bit of background info?

The Syldavian-Bordurian War (Known in Borduria as the "The war of reunification"), was fought in 1939 between Borduria and the Kingdom of Syldavia over the disputed sovereignty of Syldavia. Borduria has long disputed the kingdoms sovereignty, and claimed ownership of the region.

The conflict began on Friday, 2 April 1939, with the Bordurian invasion and occupation of eastern Syldavia. Syldavia responded with a counter attack against the Bordurian forces, and  ultimately retook the occupied region by force. The conflict ended with the surrender of Bordurian forces on 14 June 1939. The war lasted 74 days. It resulted in the deaths of 255 Syldavian and 649 Bordurian soldiers and airmen, and the deaths of countless civilians.

The conflict was the result of a protracted diplomatic confrontation regarding the sovereignty of the kingdom. Neither state officially declared war and the fighting was largely limited to the eastern half of the country and did not spread to other parts of the region. The initial invasion was characterized by Borduria as the re-occupation of its own territory, and by the Syldavians as an invasion and an attack on its sovereignty. Borduria has shown no sign of relinquishing its claim. The claim remained in the Bordurian constitution until its reformation in 1991.

The political effects of the war were strong in both countries. A wave of patriotic sentiment swept through both nations: the Bordurian loss prompted an even greater clampdown on dissent by the ruling military government; in Syldavia, the government of King Muskar XII was bolstered. The war has played an important role in the culture of both countries, and has been the subject of several books, films, and songs. Over time, the cultural and political weight of the conflict has had less effect on the Syldavian public than on that of Borduria, where the war is still a topic of discussion.

Relations between Borduria and Syldavia were ultimately restored in 1991 following Borduria’s “Autumn Revolution”.