Belka

Location: Northern Osean Continent

Nation Capital: Dinsmark

First Mentioned: Ace Combat 05: The Unsung War

Unknown - 1900
The Principality of Belka survives the harsh, Dark Ages and is a Monarchic Country, with it’s Capital being Steir Castle. A Group of Belkan Knights distinguishes themselves during these harsh times and make themselves known in Belkan History. However, Belka enters the next Era of their History. After doing away with their old Monarchic System, they adopted a Democratic Based Government and soon established a stable government which modernized the country.

The Osean Wars (1905 - 1945)
In 1905, the Belkan Military had entered war with the neighboring country of Osea. This was one of the first confilcts in which Osea was involved, and it became known as the Osean War. During this war, Belka uses Aircraft for military operations; a first for any military in world history. The War drug on for Five years straight. The Osean War ended in 1910 with Osea as the victor.

Despite their defeat, the Belkans entered war once more in the 1940s, during a second great war. The war did not end with a clear victor, but Belkan did manage to secure lands in the South, which reached the Great Lakes. This land became known as South-Belka.

Expansionism (1940s - 1968)
In the late 1960s, the Belkan Government then saw it fit that the country expand its borders to include the lands around it. This expansionism was sprarked by the acquirement of South Belka, which was officially inducted and created the Belkan Federation. However, the countries which owned these lands were not supporting this idea and would now allow The Belkan Federation to simply take these lands from them. The Belkan Government decided that it would take these lands by force and began to move it’s military forces into the neighboring countries of Sapin and Ratio.

The Belkan Federation split its attacks on the neighboring countries into Battle Lines; the Eastern, Western and Southern Battle Lines. The fiercest actions took place on the Eastern Line.

As the annexation battles took place, the Belkan Air Force had quickly established itself as a formidable force, just by itself. In some cases, a few pilots had become Aces and had made their name known in their own Country and across the continent. On the Western Battle line, the Wing Leader of the 156th TFS Silber, Dietrich “Boss” Kellerman and his unit had been recognized as a vital part of that Line and it’s ability to hold.

Soon, the last opposing Nation, Recta, was under attack by Belkan Forces. Recta’s Air Force, while smaller but more experienced, was effectively defending itself from the initial attacks and maintained its Air Superiority. The 156th TFS Silber was deployed there, from the Western Battle line and soon the tide of war changes. Most notably at the Battle of Mt. Mainz, in which they claimed Air Superiority and allowed Belkan Ground Forces to take the city of Calle, wiping out the Rectan Liberation Front Forces.

The last action of the Belkan Annexations ended with the 156th TFS Silber engaging unknown Fighters over the Crescence Islands. After they are shot down, all actions against the Belkans begin to cease. This took place in 1985.

Just two years later, the Belkan Democratic party came under heavy opposition, due to the fact that the Belkan Economy was declining rapidly and soon the government was forced into a process which would re-evaluate their effectiveness to run the country. The Belkan Federal Law Review was held in 1987. In the end, a new Federal Government was established and new laws were set in place.

The Federal Era (1987- 1994)
Two territories had broken away from the Belkan Federation, not agreeing with the new system. In 1987, the North-Eastern State of Belka was the first of the two territories and split into multiple small nations. They were later known as the FATO Nations. Also, in 1988, the Republic of Ustio was formed when a South-Belkan State also breaks away.

The Belkan Government could do little to stop them from breaking away, since their economy continued to fall. Eventually, in 1991, they had sold their remaining lands back to the Eastern Nations, all Belkan Military forces return to Belka. These lands were distrubuted among Sapin, Ustio and the FATO Nations and resulted in the expansion of the Sapin and Ustio and the formation of Gebet and Recta.

However, nothing seemed to help the Belkan Federation come out of their economic bind and the country entered a state of unrest. During this time the Public cries out for order to be restored. Amidst the chaos an extreme-Right Wing Democratic Liberal Party takes power in Belka. They had learned of Osea’s lies and their plan to take the Rich lands around the Great Lakes, and also had intentions of reclaiming the two territories which had broken off.

In 1987, Belka had receded its Northern and Southern lands of the Great Lakes to Osea, in hopes of revitalizing its economy, since a Joint Research Group Announced that there was a large amount of resources there. Osea had promised to repay them a high percentage of the materials there. However, there weren't as many resources as they had said were there.

They had attempted to retake their land from Osea after finding out that reports of theirs, reading that they were not Rich in minerals, were false and made up by Osean Officials.

The Belkan Military began to re-amass itself under the orders of this new regime and conflict on the continent became imminent.

The Belkan War - (1995)
The Belkan Military crossed the borders of the Independent countries and Open War was declared. The Belkan Military advanced on all fronts and never stopped, despite the military opposition in front of them. The southern states lost Air Superiority after the opening week of the war. The Republic of Ustio had lost 90% of its Air Force and was forced to retreat, during the retreat they lost a third of their land in-order to reduce the number of fronts they had to fight on. The Belkan forces continued a steady advance. Osea, too was thrown off guard by the sudden Belkan Advance.

On April 2nd, the Belkan advance had reached its zenith on all fronts. On the Ustian front, only one major base remained, Valias, which was perched on top of the Ustian mountains. The Belkan Air Force attempted to neutralize it, but was unsuccessful, due to the reformation of the 6th Ustian Air Division into a force of Foreign Mercenaries. With there resources stretched thin by the multi-front offensive, the Belkan drive grinded to a halt.

This gave time for the Allies to regroup. In early April, the now unified allied forces of Osea, Sapin, Ustio, and Yuktobania, conducted Op. Roselin, which connected the Allied nations of Ustio and Osea through Belkan occupied Arlon, Sapin. This was in preparation for the Allied counter-offensive against Belka.

After diverting the Belkan Air Force's attention to the Round Table on the 20th with a diversionary recon mission, The Osean 3rd Fleet, with it's new capital ship, the OFS Kestrel moved through the Belkan-occupied Futuro Canal into the bay of Lumen, opening up an Air corridor into South Belka. This was the beginning of Osean Offensive 4101. By early May, all Osean and Sapin land had been liberated. All that remained was Ustio.

On May 12th, the Osean 101st airborne launched Op. Varsity, a paratroop mission to take Solis Ortus, to gain Acces to the Ustian capital of Directus. Although the Belkans put up a fight, they were unable to hold Solis Ortus and were forced to fall back to Directus. The following day, with the Osean Army from the South and the Ustian Army from the North, as well as a civilian resistance movement directly in the city, the Allies were able to take Directus. This proved to be disastrous to the Belkans, for the HQ of the Ustio-branch Belkan army was in Directus, as well as most of the occupying army. With the loss of Ustio, the Belkan Army fell back to the Hydrian Line, Belka's first line of defense.

At this point, there was a dramatic shift in the war. Belka is no longer the aggressor, but the defender, as the Allies prepared to invade Belka. The story is told differently from each standing point. Here is what we do know:

On May 17th, the Allies launched Op. Hellbound, an attack on the centerpiece of the Hydrian line, Glatisant. The allies suspected that Glatisant was not just a fortress, but a nuclear weapons production facility. The mission was pegged as a nuclear inspection, which some of the Ustian Mercenary pilots found laughable. Despite the heavy AA defense network at Glatisant, The Mercenary forces are able to neutralize the defense capabilities of Glatisant.

With it's main fortress neutralized, the Belkan Military abandoned the Hydrian line, pulling back to their second line of defense in the Schayne Plains. Although this was well into South Belkan territory, the plains lacked defensive cover. The Allies thought to capitalize on this weakness, and on May 19th, they launched an air raid on the defensive positions in the plains. After the objective was completed, however, the Belkans deployed Excalibur against them. Most of the attacking force was destroyed by the Laser before they could escape, but a few pilots made it through, including the Mercenary Galm team.

Excalibur soon became the Allies Priority target, as the withering fire power of the laser tower kept their forces from advancing. Causality figures were placed high, as this was Belka's pillar of defense. On may 23rd, Ustian Mercenaries attacked Tauberg, the place where Excalibur was built, deep in North Belkan territory. Although 4 Jammers were present, and the defenses at Excalibur itself were fierce, the Ustians were able to destroy Excalibur. With Excalibur out of the way, the Allies continued to advance northward.

Then, on May 28th, Osea Announced its permanent abrogation of the Nonaggression treaty in front of the Assembly of Nations, and commenced Op. Battle Axe, a large scale Air sortie into the Round Table, which was still tight in the grasp of the Belkan Air Force. Although at first the battle seemed to go in the Belkans favor, destroying 40% of the Allied forces, the balance swung into the Allies court when the Demon Lord, as his new moniker was, entered the fray, and routed the Belkans, even defeating an Ace Belkan squadron.

Around the same time, South Belka was beginning to become weary of the war. Disillusioned of the patriotism and nationalism that lead them into the war, as well as having there land be torn up for defense line after defense line for the land in the north, South Belkan cities began to surrender and disarm peacefully. Unable to set defense positions, the Belkan Army retreated to the north to the Waldriech Mountains and the border between the Belkas. The end of the war was drawing near.

The Allied Air forces then started to make the destruction of Belkan war productions their main priority. On June 1st, the Allies launched a heavy bombing raid on the industrial center of Hoffnung. The bombing run wasn't a surgical strike, but Saturation bombing, where the bombers released ton after ton of unguided bombs on Hoffnung. In turn, the Belkans began to sabotage the facilities, to let nothing fall into the allies hands. The mission was A success, but with a terrible cost to civilian life.

With the fall of Hoffnung, Sudentor was the last major South Belkan city still under North Belkan control. Resistance there was fierce, due to weapons from the South Belkan munitions plant that was in the city. To put down the resistance, the Allies called upon the Ustian mercenaries to meet up with the Allied ground forces south of the city. On the way there, they flew over Stier, when a large bomber formation appeared to the north. Supposedly, it was carrying a nuclear bomb destined for Ustio. Through valiant fighting against improbable odds. the Mercenaries were able to destroy the entire formation, which, curiously, was being attacked by South Belkan fighters as well. Although they had stopped the bombers, several smaller jet fighters made it through, and dropped their payload.

Seven nuclear bombs were dropped on the Waldriechs, killing over 12,000 people. The EMP discharge from the Nukes made communication difficult for several days, but that did not keep the world from knowing what had happened. Everyone was stunned by the Belkan's grand act of self-sacrifice. They had lost the will to fight anymore, after watching the tragedy unfold before their eyes. The allies quickly agreed with the Belkan high command for a ceasefire. For the most part, the war was over.

Some Belkan officers, however, refused the ceasefire order, and began to regroup in the Yaring mine region near Mt. Shirim. Ustian Mercenaries were sent to quell the resistance, but found it to be larger than anticipated. Nevertheless, the mission was successful.

On June 20th, the official peace accords of the Belkan war were held in Lumen, South Belka. At same time, Unfortunately, another group of Belkan insurgents appeared on the Belkan coast near Anfang, decrying the peace accords. Due to the circumstances, the Allies secretly sent in mercenary forces to take care of the insurrection. Although, as, one of the pilots pointed out, there was too much resistance to be simply an insurrection, the mission was successful. The peace talks were held without incident.

The treaty signed at Lumen was one that heavily favored the Allied nations. Belka lost all it's southern territories, leaving only North Belka, which was renamed the Principality of Belka. It's military was heavily restricted as well, to ensure that Belka would never again be a threat. The diplomats then proceeded to squabble over the same resources that had ignited the war in the first place. Nevertheless, the world seemed to be at peace, with the Belkan war behind them.

Then, on Christmas Day, 1995, "A World With no Boundaries" revealed itself, by first attacking Lumen, the signing place of the peace accords, and Valais Airbase with the XB-0 Hresvelgr, Belka's experimental bomber.

Although the bomber and its escorts were destroyed, it was discovered that AWWB had control over Avalon Dam, a secret V2 test launch facility. A strike force was quickly assembled, and made it's way to Avalon. Although the Strike team suffered severe casualties, Galm team made it through, and was able to destroy the V2 controls, disabling the V2, before disappearing into history.

But some technicians who worked on the V2 did not join AWWB, as they fervent Belkan Nationalists. They would only repeat later in history. "A World With no Boundaries" had managed to keep any information about them extremely secretive, so information about them is somewhat scarce.

Post-Belkan War - (1996- 2009)
After the Belkan War, a new Government was being put into place with help from the many of the Allied Nations. The Belkan Federation dismantled and all but the north territory, the Principality of Belka, remained. In a show of good will by Osea, a new Fighter Squadron comprised of Belkan Aces from the War was established in the Osean Air Force.

However, after 1995 Belka's Activities outside it's borders had almost ceased, as they were focusing on re-stabilizing their Nation. A Period of International Isolation had begun. The only, technical Belkan activity was by Grunder Industries, which was an Arms and Weapons manufacture in South Belka, now known as North Osea.

A few members of the Belkan Air Force were thought to have made a terrorist group known as "The Falcons of Dawn". Belkan Ace Oswald "Regen" Baermann created the group. It is belived that Elmar "Amsel" Hahn is also a member of this group, but there was no official statement. "The Falcons of Dawn" had established themselves on the Osean Contienent and are still somewhat active, even into the new Millennium.

The Circum Pacific War - (2010)
In 2010 neighboring Osea was being probed by unknown aircraft from an unknown country. Days later, a former Ally during the Belkan War, Yuktobania declared War on Osea. In the initial days of fighting, Yuktobania had attacked the Osean Fleets and launched Amphibious Assaults, but those were repelled by Osean Military Forces and soon, Osea had preformed an Amphibious Assault on Yuktobanian soil and established a foot-hold.

Little did each country know, the war between them was engineered by extremists from Belka, still angered by the Belkan War 15 years ago. These extremists were believed to be the "Grey Men". They had been planning to use operatives within the Osean and Yuktobanian Militaries. They had two Squadrons at their disposal in each military. The Yuktobanian 'Ofnir' Squadron lead by Michael Heimeroth and the Osean 8492nd Squadron, actually known as the Grabacr Fighter Squadron, lead by Ashley Bernitz; each were Belkan Aces from the war 15 years ago.

The 'Grey Men' had planned on keeping the War between the two Countries active so they would eventually lose economic. They did this by capturing the Osean and Yuktobanian Head Leaders. Also, they were beginning to rebuild their Military by using funds from a South Belkan Company in Sudentor, known as Grunder Industries; which sold Weaponry and Aircraft to each nation.

During the Osean operations in Yuktobania, the 8492nd Squadron was operating covertly. In one case during the Osean Advancement into Yuktobania they had attacked a Yuktobanian College Facility, during an Osean Campaign to reassure Civilian Safety. This move by them had taken a vital Osean Squadron, known as the War Dog Squadron, out of the War temporarily; the War Dog squadron were a pivotal Osean Squadron in the war, which were responsible for the success many large Operations. Unfortunately for them, the War Dog returned to the front lines.

During that time an unknown group of assailants had managed to board the Osean Super Weapon, the Ark Bird in space and sabotaged it. Thus knocking it out of action and balancing the power between each side.

The Belkan Operatives then managed to help Yuktobanian Aircraft penetrate Osean Air Space and attempt to kill the Osean Vice President, during a speech in November City. The 8492nd, also there, had another chance to attack the War Dog. After an Aircraft crashed on landing at a nearby Air Field, the 8492nd managed to fool incoming Osean Aircraft into thinking the raid was just a drill and they turned back. Because of this one of the War Dog members was killed in Action.

Days later in Yuktobania, the 8492nd and multiple Aircraft, believed to be Belkan Aircraft, jumped the War Dog during their flight back to Sand Island. The War Dog managed to escape.

However, a former 8492nd Pilot now an Advisor at Sand Island Air Base, Allen C. Hamilton indicated the War Dog to be spies. When they landed Military Police attempted to capture them, but they escaped in Trainer Aircraft. All Osean Aircraft were ordered to shoot them down on sight. The 8492nd Squadron, in the area, pursued them, but lost them and disengaged. The War Dog were later shot down by an Aircraft from the Osean Marine Defense Force.

With the War Dog not tipping the balance of the war, the 'Grey Men' continued their efforts. However, soon the War Dog had resurfaced as "The Ghosts of Razgriz" and rescued the Osean President from Steir Castle in Belka. The Razgriz then were sighted operating over Belka, near a mine shaft where the Belkan Nuclear Weapons from the Belkan War, were located, also there they found aircraft from the Grabacr and Ofnir Squadrons. The next day the mine was destroyed, but two Nuclear Devices were taken out of the country. The first was stolen, days later by Yuktobanian Resistance Fighters, in a Canyon. The ‘Razgriz’ had appeared in the Canyon Air Space and destroyed all Yuktobanian military forces searching for them. However, the Ofnir Squadron had also entered the Canyon in pursuit of them. After a High Speed Air-to-Air battle, the Ofnir were shot down, but ejected.

The next Nuclear Weapon was found onboard the Ark Bird, which was secretly repaired and modified by Belkan Units, during the midst of the War. It was attacked by The Razgriz as well. Unfortunately for the ‘Grey Men’ the Ark Bird was too shot down and the Nuclear Weapon was lost over the Ceres Ocean. Soon after that, the Yuktobanian Prime Minister was rescued by the Razgriz in Yuktobania. The Grabacr Fighter Squadron did engage them, but also were shot down. They too had ejected.

After losing the two Weapons their last card, the Re-vamped V-2 Project was the only thing that the Belkans had left. The V-2 was stored in the Grunder Industries’ Underground Test Facility in Sudentor. However, the Osean President and Yuktobanian Prime Minister had made their way back into Osea and announced the Grey Men’s plans to use the V-2 on one of their countries. A Combined Osean-Yuktobanian Force, with the Razgriz, had then attacked the Grunder Facility. The Belkan Operatives there then said that they would hand over the V-1, the less powerful weapon, if the War Mongers in the area would protect their facility. Soon, each force were engaged in combat over Sudentor.

In a rush effort, the Belkan Forces managed to make the SOLG, a Sub-Orbital Cannon made during the Belkan War, but never completed; operational. It then began to attack the advancing Ground Forces, heading towards Grunder Industries. The Combined Forces working against the Belkans managed to open the Base’s main blast doors and the Razgriz had flown into the Matinence Tunnel being chased by Allen C. Hamilton, the Sand Island Base Advisor. The Razgriz managed to destroy the V-2’s first Power Generator, while an Osean Pilot named Jack “Heart Break One” Bartlett flew in from the other side and destroyed the secondary generator. During their escape, the Razgriz were engaged by multiple aircraft, but managed to escape.

Allen C. Hamilton was killed by one of these aircraft which had come in in-front of them. The V-2 and the SOLG Control Facilities were destroyed and the Belkan Operatives, seeing their defeat they had pre-programmed the SOLG to fall onto the Osean Capital of Oured, if contact was lost with Grunder Industries. As SOLG fell into the atmosphere, the Razgriz had launched from Oured in an attempt to destroy the Satellite. They were intercepted by a combined Belkan Fighter Unit of Ofnir and Grabacr. As the SOLG fell into the Atmosphere, the Ofnir and Grabacr continued their fight against the Razgriz, but were ultimately shot down and killed. Later, the SOLG was also destroyed by the Razgriz and all Belkan Activities had ceased once again. The Grey Men had managed to slip away unharmed, as they did once before.

2011 - present day
Belka remained a country after the Circum Pacific War, but they've had no confirmed actions since then.

Links of Interest
Belkan Military - Belkan War - Excalibur - V2

SOURCES Ace Combat 03: Electrosphere (the game itself) Ace Combat 05: The Unsung War (the game itself) Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War (the game itself) PROJECT ACES: ACZ WEBSITE PROJECT ACES: AC5 WEBSITE