Surovian Imperial Guard

The Imperial guard is the auxiliary branch of the Surovian military. They are responsible for the administration of Vallaria as well as incharge of policing and security in multiple regions of the nation. They are known for excess brutality in regions they administer and are often the most feared branch of the military, especially for a civilian populace. They are unique from other ground forces in their use of all Zaravs, not just the Magdas populace of the nation.

Founding
During the late 19th century Surovias population went through a rapid urbanization, a result from the industrialization of the age. In an effort to reduce the excess urban population and expand the Surovian military to deal with regional rivals, Emperor Zheglov issued the "Guards Act of 1913". This act issued the creation of the Guards, and issue other various economic reforms to help the poor and urban populations.

Within the first year tens of thousands flocked to the Imperial guard, finding stationing all across the empire. For the time up until the Great War, they acted as police in regions such as Vladitov or the Far East. they often accompanied Surovian regulars as rear guard troops in interventions or resistance suppression. It is important to note that prior to the War, the guard remained independent of the overall Military command structure, only after Imperial order 328, was the guard integrated into the command structure

Great War
After the outbreak of war in the east, most Surovian regulars were moved eastwards and Guardsmen took their place guarding the western front, save for a few army units such as the 18th Magdas Shock army, and the 24th army group, making up the bulk of western front forces. as tensions built up in the west more Guards units traveled west to fill perceived gaps in the line, however these guards were inexperienced in fighting the strong militaries of the ADL, forces much stronger than the insurgents the Guard were used to fighting.

In early 1935 when the ADL declared war, the Surovian western command was caught off guard by the ferocity of their attacks. Within two weeks the 18th army had been surrounded at Ulykan completely, and after a month of brutal fighting was destroyed, with hundreds of thousands dead or taken prisoner. After this victory a ADL lighting advance towards the Vintra and the great cities of Surovia provoked Emperor Zheglov into issuing order 328. Along with establishing the Guard in the military high command, it removed the restrictions on recruiting non-Magdas into the Imperial army, and soon millions flocked to the army and guard. The guard were reformed into "guards corps", from their previous organization only going up to the regiment level. These corps along with reinforcements from the east soon helped hold off the ADL as they approached Nogininsk.

The Guards were mostly focused on the southern front in the west, protecting Noginink and Novo Novomorkuta while the northern front was less protected. Guardsmen were known to be the most fanatical defenders of the Surovians, with many guards regiments having a casualty rate of 70% or higher. In the Siege of Nogininsk Guards corps were responsible for holding the city center and Imperial district of the city, keeping ADL forces at bay. Political officers responsible for keeping morale high were known to fight in the front with their soldiers, although they were also known to execute deserters. As the long siege drew to a close Guards assault teams were responsible for pushing out the Vallarian and Galesian attacks and were known for their use of the city underground to launch attacks from the rear of ADL forces.

Imperial guards were instrumental in minor fronts across Surovia. they took part in brief conflicts with both Haimayotte, and Haixiao, when no Surovian regulars were able to beat bark these invaders. Overall the guard had mixed successes in the war. Many attribute the successful defense of Nogininsk to the Guard, however it can also be claimed that the 5th Magdas army, who started the momentum north of Nogininsk that allowed them to push out the ADL. Furthermore the Imperial Army blames the guard for the loss of the northern war against Haimayotte that resulted in concessions to the enemy, and this has driven discontent in the two branches.

Post-Great war
Following the end of the Great War, the Guard was reduced in size, and removed from the military command structure once more. They found their post-war role in recently conquered lands, such as Vallaria or in the Far East. In 1945 the Guard was called in to Vladitov to deal with the growing Vladitov National Workers Liberation Front, a terrorist group responsible for small scale attacks across the region. The Imperial Guards deployed to Vladitov, known as the Vladitov Guards Corps, VGC for short, was known for its brutality to captured VNWLF members. the VGC made sue of no-knock raids and rigid security of imperial officials and property.

In the months following the end of the Great War occupied Vallaria was placed under a military government, headed by Surovian Marshal Tarasovich. Guardsmen were placed under the command of Military occupational forces for the first six years. increased activity of anti-Surovian insurgents in the area saw even more guardsmen deployed to the area. In 1947 the military was forced out of their role as head of the occupation, as the Guard was given control over the region by the emperor himself.

Imperial guardsmen not deployed to either of these two areas were used as regular military auxiliaries, or in support of police forces combating crime in Surovias cities.

Vladitov Crisis
Main Article: Vladitov Crisis

Recruitment
The Imperial Guard is unique in Surovian ground forces, as they recruit from the entire male Zarav population. The Imperial army, and by extension most of the military, recruit exclusively from the Magdas population of Surovia, seeing as that is their traditional role in society. The Imperial Guard removed these restrictions upon its founding, looking to expand the pool of potential recruits from the population.

The guard is made up almost exclusively from Surovians, males aged 18-28. Through propaganda films and posted the Guard advertises to young men in the cities, hoping to escape from the cities and find adventure out in the vastness of Surovia. These efforts are extremely successful in poor regions offering increased pay for them and their families, and as a result the guard is never short of recruits and can find replace losses in a quick manner

Inter-service Rivalry's
Ever since the Great War the Guard has grown its influence in the state and the people. The Army and the Guard are often found fighting over resources and equipment procurement in the Rada. On the individual level Magdas and Guardsmen are known to get into bar fights often, resulting in court martial for the individuals involved. Tensions between branches reached a high when the Military was removed from all administration and guard roles inside of the occupied Vallaria, with the Imperial guard being put in full control over the region, including placing local army units under their command. Outrage in the army continued for years until the army was awarded new equipment procurement over the Guard. Most in the military blame the Guard for failures during the northern front of the war, resulting in the loss of land to Haimayotte, while the guard blames the military for providing minimal support during the operations in the north

While no outright fighting has taken place, a brawl in a bar at Vladitov left eight guardsmen injured and three Magdas injured and all given trials, with the guardsmen being expelled from the guard and the Magdas being placed in military jail for a year. Both sides were outraged at the decision, wanting harsher punishments for the opposing group and more leeway for their own soldiers.

Great War
The Imperial Guard during the war operated the various POW camps located in Surovia. These camps were usually located just beyond the Mevets Mountains, in brutal conditions. Forced labor in the camps were common, along with purposeful starvation of the POWs. Information of the camps was kept strictly secret, with the only ones allowed in being members of the Guards Security corps. The death rate in the prison camps was high, every year harsh winters took their tool on the prisoner population. the existence of Such camps is a closely guarded secret in the Surovian state, with many members of the Rada, and almost no members of the assembly knowing of its existence.

on campaign the Guard had a policy of no surrender, and this extended to potential prisoners. During heated battles such as Nogininsk the Guard was known to not take prisoners, with most surrendered ADL soldiers being shot by the political officers of the Guard. Post-war many officers were tried in a court martial for these offenses, however fewer than 10 were found guilty of war crimes.

Post Great War
The brutality of the Guard from the Great War overflowed into the succeeding years. the Guards Vallarian occupation is known for extremely brutality to insurgents and their families. Following increased attacks after the take over by the Guard, Reprisals became common in the country side after attacks on Surovian patrols. Summary executions were common under the Guards regime and this only served to fuel the insurrection. The guards have been accused of restricting freedom of press and religion in the region, with Peter churches often being forced to delay repair or reconstruction, and absolutely no outside news is allow into the region. No one is allowed to leave the region, and all contact the civilian population had with the outside world was cut. raids on civilian houses were common by the guards and often led to fights and later trials or death of the Vallarians involved