Coastal Union

Lore & Background

In the aftermath of the meteor strike, the Rubinelle Army, led by General Brenner, fights to survive against the harsh environment and the initially hostile Lazurian Army. Over the course of the campaign, the Lazurian Army becomes an ally, and together they form the Allied Nations. Key locations include temporary camps and the Rubinelle Army's headquarters, not a named 'Coastal Union' base. The term 'Coastal Union' is not used in the game's narrative.

Reader's Guide

The chronology of World War II, noting that Japan attacked American and British territories in December 1941 and that Germany invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941. It lists specific dates such as September 2, 1945, for Japan's surrender.

Did You Know?

• Units like the Anti-Tank and Flare are generic and available to multiple factions, not signature to any fan-defined group.
• Port Haven is a location in the game, but the protagonists' primary base is the Rubinelle Army's headquarters or temporary camps.

Origins and Escalation

The conflict erupted from deep-seated tensions left unresolved after World War I, fueled by the rise of fascism in Europe and aggressive militarism in Japan. While some historians trace the roots to earlier events like the 1931 invasion of Manchuria or the Spanish Civil War, the war is most commonly dated to September 1, 1939. On this date, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, prompting immediate declarations of war from Britain and France. The Soviet Union also invaded Poland shortly after, partitioning the nation under a secret pact with Germany. By 1940, the Axis powers had expanded their control significantly; Germany conquered much of Western Europe, including Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, while Italy joined the fray. Following the fall of France, the war shifted to a stalemate between the British Empire and the Axis in the Mediterranean and Atlantic theaters until 1941, when Germany launched a massive invasion of the Soviet Union, opening the brutal Eastern Front.

Global Expansion and Turning Points

The conflict truly became global in December 1941 when Japan attacked American and British territories across Asia and the Pacific, including the infamous strike on Pearl Harbor. This event drew the United States into the war against the Axis powers. Initially, Japanese forces achieved rapid conquests in coastal China and Southeast Asia, but their momentum was halted at the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Simultaneously, Allied fortunes began to turn in early 1943 with decisive victories in North Africa and the Soviet Union's triumph at Stalingrad. The fall of Italy's fascist regime followed an Allied invasion later that year. By 1944, the Western Allies had opened a new front by invading France at Normandy, while Soviet forces advanced into Central Europe. Japan faced crippling naval defeats and lost key islands in the Pacific, setting the stage for the final collapse of Axis resistance.

Conclusion and Aftermath

The war in Europe concluded with the liberation of occupied territories and a direct invasion of Germany itself, culminating in the fall of Berlin and an unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945. The conflict in Asia ended after the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, followed by a Soviet invasion of Manchuria. Japan announced its surrender on August 15, formally signing documents on September 2, marking the official end of hostilities. In the immediate aftermath, Germany, Austria, Japan, and Korea were placed under occupation, while leaders from Germany and Japan faced trials for war crimes. The devastation was unprecedented; estimates suggest between 60 to 75 million people died, the majority being civilians who perished due to massacres, starvation, disease, and genocides like the Holocaust.

Geopolitical Transformation

World War II fundamentally reshaped global political, economic, and social structures, laying the groundwork for international relations in the modern era. The United Nations was established to foster cooperation and prevent future conflicts, with China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States becoming permanent members of its Security Council. The war's conclusion saw the emergence of the Soviet Union and the United States as rival superpowers, initiating the Cold War. Europe's devastation significantly weakened the influence of traditional great powers, accelerating decolonization movements across Africa and Asia. Meanwhile, nations with damaged industries embarked on paths toward economic recovery and expansion, altering the global balance of power for decades to come.