Petar Volkmann (1922–1995) was a Bosken politician and former militant commander who served as a Senator for District X (Moraviskameja) from 1964 to 1982, and leader of the BLF for two years from 1972 to 1974. A founding member of the Bosken Liberation Front (BLF), he entered the Assembly of the Republic following the sudden resignation of Nadja Vrasch in the wake of the 1964 AFIM Kidnappings.
Volkmann is a pivotal figure in the stabilization of the Bosken political movement during the “Diekwisch Interregnum.” While Party Leader Lutz Diekwisch handled the intellectual and legal strategy of the BLF, Volkmann—a former high-ranking field commander for BRC-21—provided the party with credibility among the militant veterans and the rural populace. His presence in the Assembly served as a deterrent against the total radicalization of the Bosken youth by the terrorist group AFIM, representing the “Honorable Peace” achieved by the Treaty of Brod Moravice.
Early Life and Militancy
Petar Volkmann was born in 1922 in Sprodvice, one year after the conclusion of the Kresimirian Unification War. Growing up under the military occupation of the “Iron Era,” he worked as a mechanic before joining the underground BRC-21 network in 1940 at the age of 18.
The Southern Hills Brigade
Volkmann rose rapidly through the ranks of the insurgency during the leadership of Neda Orlak. By the early 1950s, he commanded the “Southern Hills Brigade,” a unit responsible for securing the smuggling routes along the Boskenmark border.
Despite his role in the insurgency, Volkmann was known as a pragmatist. Kresimirian intelligence files from the Council for Internal Affairs (CIA) described him as a “soldier, not a zealot,” noting that he frequently enforced discipline within his ranks to prevent attacks on civilians. This distinguished him from more radical commanders like Jochen Schoff.
Support for the Treaty
Following the disastrous 1960 Bombing of Karlovac University, Volkmann aligned himself with the moderate faction led by Nadja Vrasch. He played a critical role in the internal coup that sidelined Neda Orlak, using his influence to ensure that the field units loyal to him adhered to the ceasefire. He was a vocal supporter of the Treaty of Brod Moravice, arguing that continued war would lead to the annihilation of the Bosken people.
Political Career
The 1964 Special Election
In March 1964, BLF leader Nadja Vrasch resigned from the Assembly, devastated by the torture and murder of her aide during the AFIM Kidnappings. Her departure threatened to collapse the BLF, as the party’s remaining senator, the academic Lutz Diekwisch, lacked the charisma to hold the base together against the rising influence of AFIM.
The party drafted Volkmann to fill the vacant seat. Volkmann won easily.
Tenure in the Assembly (1964–1982)
Volkmann served in the Assembly for 18 years. His tenure was defined by his stoicism and his role as the “Silent Guardian” of the Treaty.
While Diekwisch engaged in parliamentary debates and legal maneuvering, Volkmann rarely spoke on the floor. His presence was symbolic; he often sat with his arms crossed, staring down the nationalist benches. This silent intimidation was effective—Senators from the Sons of Kresimir, such as Davor Banit, frequently accused him of being a “terrorist in a suit,” but they were wary of provoking him, knowing his influence over the demobilized militias in the south.
Volkmann’s primary political contribution was his covert war against AFIM. He worked through back-channels with the moderate Kresimirian security chief Vlado Soric to de-escalate tensions. Volkmann traveled extensively through the rural villages of Moraviskameja, using his reputation as a war hero to dissuade young men from joining Schoff’s terrorist cells. He famously declared at a rally in Brod Moravice in 1968: “The gun has done its work. Now the ballot must do the rest.”
Volkmann strictly adhered to the policy of Moraviski Abstentionism, refusing to vote on the confirmation of the Divine Chancellor or military budgets. However, he voted in favor of infrastructure bills that benefited the south:
- 1967 District Governance Act: Volkmann voted For the bill proposed by Ante Brov, securing greater autonomy for the BLF-led local councils.
- 1978 Cross-Border Exchange Protocol: He supported Stipe Seitz in passing the act that opened the border to Boskenmark, viewing it as a vital cultural lifeline.
In 1974, Volkmann stated that it was time for the “generation of the gun” to step aside for the “generation of the law.” He stayed on as Senator, but passed the party leadership to Stipe Seitz.
Retirement and Death
Volkmann announced his retirement prior to the 1982 election. He endorsed the young activist Jannik Lehr as his successor.
He retired to a farm outside Sprodvice, living quietly until his death in 1995. Unlike Kristrad Bronstein, who was prosecuted for his foreign military service, Volkmann was protected by the amnesty clauses of the 1961 Treaty and never faced prosecution for his time in BRC-21.
Legacy
Petar Volkmann is remembered as the stabilizing anchor of the Bosken political movement during its most fragile decade. By successfully transitioning from a guerrilla commander to a Senator, he proved that the BLF was a viable political entity. His partnership with Lutz Diekwisch is cited by historians as the model of “Sword and Shield” politics that allowed the BLF to survive the hostility of the 1960s and 70s.