Tigeric Wars

The Tigeric Wars (Aestian Tiigerlikud Sõjad) were three wars initiated by Aestia between 1933 and 1935.

The Tigeric Wars are perhaps the most known achievement of Tiiger, with Aestia claiming victory in first two wars. The victory-defeat of the Third Tigeric War, however, ruined all illusions of Tiiger's military capabilities, and in longer term, costing Tiiger the leadership of Aestia and her own life.

Background
Ever since the declaration of neutrality in 1914, Aestia had refrained from joining any foreign wars, with only exceptions being the military conquests against Shi Dynasty in 1920s.

The rise of Tiiger and Tigerism, however, paved way to the rise of militarism, and upon her appointment as regent, Tiiger began drawing up the plans for attacking the Aurora Empire, weakened by plague since 1925.

First Tigeric War
Under the cover of darkness, Aestian soldiers and tanks crossed the Aestia-Aurora border in early morning hours of 7th August, 1933. Attack came as a surprise for Aurori forces arriving home from long campaign against partisans in Central Asia. Aurori resistance was quickly crushed and after piercing three hundred kilometers into Aurora, Aestian forces captured Peterburg on 16th of August, and Tikhvin on 27th. Empress Anastasia I, sensing the danger, sought armistice and on September 6th, the Peace of Saku was signed, handing the disputed Ilmenia region over to Aestia.

This was displayed the effectiveness of Aestian military evolution in these nineteen years of neutrality. The effective coordination between the different branches of military and TOA was the first example of Aestian new military doctrine, while the legendary Aestian kümnis displayed the wonders of quick military manpower rotation.

Second Tigeric War
The defeat of Aurora immediately alerted other major powers, most notably Aestian long-time nemesis. Based on battle experience sent by Imperial military attachés to Aurora, the Imperial Seventh Research Division, responsible for developments in armored and counter-armored warfare research, was tasked with the development of new anti-tank cannons and armored vehicles, most notably leading to the development of Panzer III medium tank. Plans were being drawn up for the quick conquest of Aestia.

Thanks to the efforts of TOA, however, Tiiger learned of Imperial plans, and decided to act immediately. Self entitled Baltic Napoleon immediately ordered the forces stationed along the Prussia-Aestia border to attack, catching the opposing Imperials off guard and completely unprepared. In matter of days, frontline was pushed all the way to Vistula river, finally stopping as Imperials managed to raise large enough militia force.

Despite initial successes, Aestian field marshal Taavi Uster was unable to completely destroy the remnants of Imperial forces in area, and thus the resistance formed in the Prussian forests and swamps.