Gardenstan

 Welcome to the first installment of a closer look at the nations of Eurica.  Today we start with the smallest of the three nations.  Below is the entry from the 1985 CIA* Sourcebook.  As with any Intelligence document, the below information is based on the data available at the time of publication (January 1, 1985) and subject to revision.

* Conceptual Imagination Assessment

We'll start off with Gardenstan, as almost all of their units have been painted.

Gardenstan

Formerly a British colony, the tiny nation of Gardenstan is famous for it’s uncharacteristically rich, productive soil and exotic plant life.   The Nation is rich in waterways, which drain the interior of the continent.   It was their control of the these major waterways combined with their surplus agriculture output that  initially caught the eye of the Soviet Union and resulted in their ultimately being cultivated as a Soviet client State in the early 1950’s.  

 

Unfortunately, in their new found Communist zeal, and the influx of the Soviet military equipment, the leadership of Gardenstan lauched an unsanctioned attack on the neighboring nation of Willhelmsland.  Had the attack been successful, all would have probably been forgiven.  Unfortunately the attack failed miserably.  And to add insult to the Soviet pride, it was predominantly upgraded WWII area German equipment that defeated their ally.  With their attack stalled and their new shinny Soviet equipment in flames, the leadership of Gardenstan quickly reached a peace agreement with Willhelmsland that still stands (tenuously) to this day.

 

Following their failed, unauthorized attack on Wilhelmsland, Gardenstan fell out of favor with the Soviets.  Many speculate were it not for their control of the major rivers, the Soviets may have abandoned them completely.  With the discovery of oil in Rubishlandia the Soviets redirected much of the efforts and resources in the area from Gradenstan to Rubishlandia.  The Soviets provided just enough support to keep the Gardenstan leadership (and river access) firmly in their camp.  But their military support is still minimal, as the Politburo does not tolerate unauthorized military action, especially when it results in embarrassment to the Communist cause as well.

 

Geography

Gardenlstan and its immediate neighbors are located in a geographic anomaly on the continent.   Gardenstan is a coastal nation but has a minimal fishing industry.  Due to the unique mountain ranges the area is particularly fertile, receiving ample rainfall with a moderate climate allowing most crops to be grown.  Gardenstan is known for diverse medicinal plants and lush ornamental flowers.  The geography also sports a larger than expected  number of rivers, with one being navigable well into the continental interior.  It was this river and its ability to control the waterway into the interior that first caught the eye of the Soviets.

 

Industry

Gardenstan has limited heavy industries, having been primarily and agricultural based nation for most of its existence.  Once they became a Soviet client state, any efforts to develop a more industrial base were frowned upon, thereby increasing their dependence on the Soviets.

 

Production

As noted above, Gardenstan remains a primarily agricultural based country.  They raise a surplus of grains, which are exported to the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact nations.

Society

The 2.7 million people of Gardenstan are roughly split 50/50 between urban and rural.  The have a one party government that is viewed as being somewhat illegitimate by the populace.  Over the years there has been very little imigrtation into Gardenstan, with only 11% of the population have ancestry from outside of Gardenstan, despite this there is still a lack of cultural cohesion in the nation.  
Gardenstan’s government is unpopular and rife with cronyism, they also are extremely concerned, some would say paranoid,  with the potential foreign sabotage within the nation.The official language of Rubishlandia remains English, just as it was when they were still an British Colony.

 

Military

The Military of Gardenstan follows the Soviet organization for the most part, with a few variations based on equipment availability.  While the Soviet military contributions are limited, Gardenstan continues to have a military force sufficient to deter any would be aggressor in the region with the possible exception of their fellow Soviet Client state and nominally Ally Rubbishlandia, or the pro-west nation of Willhelmsland.

The Infantry is mechanized. The forces are lacking in anti-aircraft assets. They field two batteries of the older BM14 MLRs for indirect support.

 

The Air Force is old, dating back to when Gardenstan was still a priority for the Soviets but it remains the second largest in the region and is maintained at a much higher state of readiness than Rubbishlandia’s.

 

As of current (January 1985) the Gardenstan military consists of the following.  It is worth noting that while small and somewhat dated the overall readiness status of their ground equipment is quite high, while the readiness of the token aircraft is limited.  Due to equipment constraints, some of the unit organizations may seem strange, but as the Gardenstan Military is fond of saying, you make do with what you have.

 

Gardenstan Guards Motorized Rifle Regiment

Headquarters

Recon section  BRDM-2, PT76

Anti-tank battery, BRDM-2 AT

1^st Guard Motorized Rifle Battalion

            3 companies of BTR60

2^nd  Guard Motorized Rifle Battalion

            3 companies of BTR60

3^rd  Guard Motorized Rifle Battalion

            3 companies of BTR60

1^st Guard Tank Battalion

            3 companies T-72 Tanks

Guard Artillery

            1 Battery of BM-14 MLR

 

As always click to enlarge.  These tiny things are a pain to photograph

And the Helicopter eye view

 

1^st Gardenstan Motorized Rifle Regiment

Headquarters

Recon section  BRDM-2, PT76

Anti-tank battery, BRDM-2 AT

1^st Motorized Rifle Battalion

            3 companies of BTR60

2^nd Motorized Rifle Battalion

            3 companies of BTR60

3^rd Motorized Rifle Battalion

            3 companies of BTR60

1^st Tank Company

            3 companies of PT-76

Artillery

            1 Battery of BM-14 MLR

 

Regiment on parade 

And the helicopter view

 

1^st Gardenstan Tank Regiment

Headquarters

Recon section  BRDM-2, PT76

1/1 Tank Battalion

            3 companies of T-55 Tanks

2/1 Tank Battalion

            3 companies of T-55 Tanks

3/1 Tank Battalion

            3 companies of T-55 Tanks

4^th Motorized Rifle Battalion

            3 companies of BMP-1

 

In the early 1980's the T-55 were still a force to be reckoned with.  That whole quantity vs. quality thing

All of the above photos are GHQ figures, some bought in the 1980's, some last month.

AirForce

 

Su7

MiG19

Sorry, no photos of these yet.

Thanks for indulging me on this trip down memory lane.  More foolishness to come. 

So much lead, so little time.