OPERATION IMPERATOR, The Real Deal...

[Company Medic]

The official orders and results thread.

[Company Medic]

As the dawn washed over the continent of Saimhan, McBride strode into the command centre of the orbiting cruiser, fresh from a hearty breakfast and a brisk run around the hold of the space-faring fortress that he was commanding the war effort on Gensal from. His aides, subordinates, cronies and hangers-on all snapped to attention as he entered in his dress uniform flanked by burly Umbridge Paladin bodyguards, "at ease," he said.

His eyes quickly took in the room and spotted his chief aide standing near the map table conferring with a couple of junior officers. McBride strode over to the Colonel and asked for a report on what had occurred planning wise up until now... and the news wasn't too his liking...

Steeling himself for the reply, he asked whether the Captain-Generals of 13th and 17th Armies had given out orders to their Corps commanders.

Reed's answer was a flat, "no, sir."

Had the Navy shown any sign of orders?

Reed's answer was a flat, "yes, sir. They're convening in three hours time for Group Captain Listy's operational briefing and orders conference for the 1st Wave."

McBride took a slow breath, his eyes narrowed and as he spoke his words came out in a low growl "fetch me a dataslate..."


++++++++++++++++++

Message Begins
To: Captain General de Laguna and Captain General Molotov
From: Brevet Marshall McBride
Re: Orders process

Captain Generals,

It has been brought to my attention that with only two days until planetary insertion no orders have been given. I hope that this will soon rectify itself.

McBride.

++++++++++++++++++

This post has been edited by Company Medic on Mar 15 2006, 01:08 AM

[listy the treadhead]

Orders:

From: Group-Captain D Flasheart.
To: OP IMPERATOR Air group.

Operation FRESCO overview:
This is the opening operation of Op IMPERATOR. This operation is intended to provide a Bridgehead on the enemy held planet, and to secure air superiority over the enemy forces.

To this end, the initial assault landing will touch down about five minuets after Dawn local time. Under heavy escort. Then Bombers will strike at the enemy held airfields in sectors H4 and I5, in an attempt to remove the majority of the enemy held Airfields from action for the next 24 hours.

in the time preceding the drop a selection of dummy drops will be held to throw the enemy off balance and draw out enemy forces.

OP FRESCO Time line:
0000: (D-404) dummy drop on sector I4, to draw out enemy fighters
0020: (D-384) Heavy Dummy drop in sector J5, while enemy planes are Refuelling, to draw out enemy ground forces, specifically the unknown armour unit near Arrumdun.
0514: (D-90) First wave is launched (see specific orders for the Air wings)
0642: (D-4) Dawn at drop site
0646: (D0) First wave lands.
1114 (D+360) Second wave launches.

Op FRESCO missions.

At 0514 (D-90), the 2nd and 3rd Air wings will launch. Their mission is to provide a two tier escort to the initial landing forces. The 3rd air wing consisting of lightning’s will provide the first layer of defence against any enemy attacks. While the 2nd takes the role of close escort for the Landing wave. Although optimised for escort duties they should be able to a limited extent attack enemy ground targets with Priority going to AA positions during the initial drop.
2nd Air wing should endeavour to stay on station for as long as possible, or until relived, after troops have reached the ground to provide CAP.


At 0529 (D-75), The 7th Air wing is to launch, with the mission of providing heavy CAS to the ground troops. Additional Priority targets will any partially stubborn AA units that have resisted attacks so far.


At 0544 (D-60), the 6th Air wing will launch. It's mission will be to render useless the airfields in sectors H4 and I5. This strike is timed to hit its targets at around 0702 (D+20) to coincide with enemy Fighters returning from Attacks On the main drop. Catching the craft on the ground, and the ground crews out of protection, as well as hitting vital structures such as runways. 1 Squadron will be held in reserve, and should one of the other attacks be ineffective then planes will be committed by the Master Bomber to Strike targets. Should all attacks be effective or the reserve squadron not be needed at the airfields then it is to redirect to provide CAS at the main LZ.

From 0559 (D-45), and starting with the 4th air wing (Excluding the 1st, 6th and 7th air wings), Missions will be launched at 1 hour intervals to Provide CAS and CAP cover for the main assault. that should ensure an active CAS and CAP umbrella for the entirety of the ground attack. This is to continue for as long as possible.

Additional information:

1st air wing:
Due to its rather lacklustre performance of late the 1st air wing is to increase it's training program to bring it up to a higher level off effectiveness.

6th and 7th air wings:
After returning from their initial strike missions the 6th and 7th air wings are to standby to hit targets of opportunity. Should Intel judge the Unknown armoured unit near Arrumdun to be of sufficient threat then that is one possible target.



Orders summary:

Wave 1:
Ripple 1
3rd air wing: Escort of landing stream
2nd Air wing: CAP/SEAD

Ripple 2
7th Air wing CAS/SEAD

Ripple 3
6th Air wing, Airfield-strike (16th Sqdrn on standby for one of the Airfields or CAS at the main LZ)

Ripple 4+
2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th on rotating 1hour sorties: CAP/CAS.
Sequence: 4th, 5th, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, Etc.

6th and 7th Air wings:
Switching to direction of the Int cell for high priority targets of opportunity. NOT CAS work Unless a really High threat shows up.


This post has been edited by listy the treadhead on Mar 16 2006, 07:48 PM

[Commissar Molotov]

Day One, Landing Phase One: 17th Army Orders

These orders can now be considered COMPLETE when Updating.

Orders

17th Army HQ/33rd De Geb Light Infantry
The 17th Army HQ will land with the 33rd De Geb and VI Corps in sector G5. The 33rd De Geb are charged with the defense and protection of 17th Army HQ against attack.

Special Forces Elements
- 16th Gensal Light Infantry, 50th Storm Troopers
Once XIII Corps lands at the F4 Spaceport, the enemy will likely attempt to reinforce and consolidate their forces spread throughout the vicinity. As such, 17th Army's special forces elements will take certain steps to prevent any such build-up and increase the Imperial Advantage.

Soldiers from the 16th Gensal and the 50th Storm Troopers will be utilised to destroy bridges across the Blue Serpent and Blood River. If the strikes are successful we will have isolated Arrumdun from enemy supplies, cut off enemy forces from north-south communication, and further secured our own strategic situation.
Their targets are:

• Western Rail Bridge
• Western Road Bridge
• West Helvett Bridge
• Southgard Bridge
• Axford Bridge
• South Faltrax Bridge
• North Tradern Bridge

---
These bridges are displayed in the following image as yellow crosses.


The Soldiers will be deployed via valkyrie. The Valkyries will be dropped from high orbit via Lifter. These Valkyries will be taken from XC Corps stockpiles. This mission will require two hundred forty Valkyries deployed via sixty Atlas Lifters. For this operation all relevant special forces units will deploy without their logistical trucks or Salamander transports.

16th Gensal Light Infantry Regiment

• Regimental Headquarters
  The Regimental Headquarters, 16th GLI will deploy with VI Corps in Sector G5. They will coordinate special forces operations across the AO.
• 1st Battalion
  Two Bridges cross the Blue Serpent river in sector B3. The First Battalion will land via Valkyrie between the two bridges. Two companies will assault each bridge with a fifth company in reserve. Once the bridges are destroyed with demolitions, the special forces troopers will retreat back to the drop-off point to arrange for extraction via Valkyrie.
• 2nd Battalion
  - Three Companies from the 2nd Battalion will assault the Southgard Bridge in Sector F6. They will deploy to the southwest of the bridge and assault on foot. They will destroy the bridge and then withdraw.
  - The final two Companies will assault the Axford Bridge in Sector D3. They will deploy west of the bridge, assault, destroy, and retreat.
• 3rd Battalion
  - Two Companies from the 3rd Battalion will assault the South Faltrax Bridge in Sector G3. They will deploy in the hills northeast of the bridge. They will destroy the bridge and withdraw.
  - The final three Companies will assault the North Tradern Bridge in Sector I3. They will deploy on the north side of the bridge as close to the target as possible. They will attack, destroy, and withdraw.

A/1st/50th Storm Trooper Regiment
The 50th will deploy via Valkyrie in Sector C5. Their target is the West Helvett Bridge. They will land just north of the bridge in the hills. They will attack, demolition the bridge, and then withdraw.


9th Kovnian Gharkas

• Regimental Headquarters
  The Regimental Headquarters, 9KG will deploy with VI Corps in Sector G5. They will coordinate the observation teams from the 9th Kovnian that will be infiltrating the region.
• 1st Battalion
  1st Battalion, 9th Kovnian Gharkas will be broken into squads to form deep reconnaissance teams that will be deployed across the area of operations. The purpose of these teams is to quietly monitor enemy movements throughout the Arrumdun Region. Their reports will be filtered through their regimental command. Information gathered will be passed to Firelight for analysis. The 9th will provide AGA with forty-five ten-man reconnaissance units.

Thirty-three teams will deploy in the following eleven sectors:

• E5
• F3
• F5
• F6
• G5
• G4
• H5
• H4
• I4
• I5
• J4

Three teams will monitor each sector. The teams are to select points by which they can observe enemy movements along main roads throughout these sectors. Teams are to avoid contact with enemy forces at all costs. If they are detected they are to attempt to break contact and evade the enemy. Under no circumstances should they engage enemy targets under their own volition.

Twelve teams will deploy in the following sectors:

• A4
• B4
• C5
• D5
• C1
• D1

Two teams will deploy per sector. The teams are to select points by which they can observe enemy movements along main roads throughout these sectors. Teams are to avoid contact with enemy forces at all costs. If they are detected they are to attempt to break contact and evade the enemy. Under no circumstances should they engage enemy targets under their own volition.

------------------

Correspondence
MESSAGE STARTS
To: All Soldiers, 17th Imperial Army
From: Captain-General K. Molotov, CO 17th Army

You are due to embark upon the invasion of Samhain, a task which we have prepared for over the course of these past weeks. Alongside the 13th Army and the Imperial Nay, it is our duty to liberate the people and the infrastructure of Samhain from their oppressor, the Arch-Enemy of Man. The tyranny of the Dark Powers and their servants must be opposed by the stalwart forces of the Imperial Guard.

I have full confidence in the courage, valour and skill of the 17th Army. With the blessing of the God-Emperor, we will achieve total victory and strike a heavy blow on the enemy forces.
MESSAGE ENDS



MESSAGE STARTS
To: Lieutenant-General Y. Volgin, CO XIII Corps
From: Captain-General K. Molotov, CO 17th Army

Lieutenant-General. I need not spell out that the assault and capture of the Spaceport is critical. As such, the task has been assigned to XIII Corps. I have every confidence in the ability of your men to capture the spaceport intact. The four combat regiments of your corps will deploy via air directly into the fray. Capture and hold the spaceport against counter-attack at any cost.

Good luck.
Molotov

MESSAGE ENDS

MESSAGE STARTS
To: Lieutenant-General T. Washington, CO XC Corps
From: Captain-General K. Molotov, CO 17th Army

Lieutenant-General, your initial role in Operation Imperator is to quickly seize forward objectives and delay the enemy from attacking the F4 Spaceport before it is adequately secured by XIII Corps. This task is critical in keeping enemy defenders off-balance and uncoordinated.

XC Corps will be expected to hold the rail junction in sector F5, the two road junctions in sector G5, and the Battarnun road north-west of the spaceport in sector F4. One airborne regiment should be dedicated to each objective.

Your mission is risky; the soldiers of XC Corps may well quickly come under heavy fire. If you can persevere in the face of the onslaught, your forces will quickly be reinforced by other Imperial Units.

Good luck, General. Your success in the coming days will be vital.

Molotov.
MESSAGE ENDS

MESSAGE STARTS
To: Lieutenant-General R. Benedict, CO VI Corps
From: Captain-General K. Molotov, CO 17th Army

Lieutenant-General; In accordance with your plans, VI COrps will deploy via air in Sectors F5 and G5. VI Corps will reinforce airborne forces around their objectives. VI Corps will also provide security defense for this portion of the perimeter.

VI Corps will also be responsible for the security of 17th Army HQ and 17th Army SPECFOR contingents. I have every faith in your abilities.

Molotov.
MESSAGE ENDS


----------------------
Waves and Ripples

RIPPLE ONE

17TH ARMY SPECFOR - 60 Atlas Lifters
XIII CORPS - 95 Assault Landers (See XIII Corps post for Landing OOB)

RIPPLE TWO

XC CORPS - 150 Atlas Lifters (See XC Corps post for Landing OOB)

RIPPLE THREE
VI CORPS - 63 Assault Landers (See VI Corps post for Landing OOB)
AD-HOC CORPS - 56 Assault Landers
17TH ARMY HQ/33RD DE GEB LIGHT INFANTRY - 6 Assault Landers

[Captain Seato]

To: Lieutenant-General H. Oderstein, CCCXXXIII Corps HQ, 13th Army
From: Captain-General M. de Laguna, 13th Army HQ

RE: (was left blank)

Message begins

Continue drilling your troops in orderly debarkation. Follow Invasion Plan Alpha orders until informed otherwise.

Message ends

---

To: Lieutenant-General D. Smith, XXXV Corps HQ, 13th Army
From: Captain-General M. de Laguna, 13th Army HQ

RE: unit reassignment

Message begins

The following units are hereby reassigned to Lieutenant-General Simpson, for the purpose of supporting special operations fundamental to the first phase of Invasion Plan Alpha. These units will be returned to XXXV Corps, at soonest convenience, after your Corps makes landfall.

• 16th Joridan
• 119th Kassirine

In all other respects, continue drilling your troops in orderly debarkation. Follow Invasion Plan Alpha orders until informed otherwise.

Message ends

---

To: Lieutenant-General I. Ibraxim, DCCXLII Corps HQ, 13th Army
From: Captain-General M. de Laguna, 13th Army HQ

RE: (was left blank)

Message begins

Continue drilling your troops in orderly debarkation. Follow Invasion Plan Alpha orders until informed otherwise.

Message ends

---

To: Lieutenant-General F. Simpson, DCCIV Corps HQ, 13th Army
From: Captain-General M. de Laguna, 13th Army HQ

RE: Preliminary orders

Message begins

Congratulations, Lieutenant-General, on leading the first 13th Army elements on Samhain.

Using the following units, you are to support the special operations venture in the Montford region (F4, F5).

• 16th Joridan
• 111th Miphan
• 209th Miphan
• 119th Kassirine Dragoons regiments

This ad hoc Corps will counter enemy reinforcement. This will be achieved by:

• Covering the NW approach to the starport, with an eye on Montford (E5)
• Supporting the SpecFor operations in the area

VI Corps, 17th Army, will also be deploying in the Montford region (F5), also in support of SpecFor operations.

The balance of your Corp will be landing will be in the following waves, to rejoin you later.

The Lieutenant-General and his subordinate units are to consider themselves on detached service under 17th Army command until the starport is secured.

After proper command and control is established with 13th Army command, Task Force West will continue supporting operations in the Montford region until the balance of DCCIV Corps touches down and is able to rejoin you.

Message ends

[SilentPsycho]

Phase 1 Orders

Lieutenant-General Freedek Simpson emerged into the vast hanger bay, where the regiments of the hurriedly formed ˇ§Task Force Westˇ¨ prepared to board their assault landers. In the hustle and bustle of organised chaos, Freedek could barely feel or hear the tapping of his stick upon the reinforced deck plating. Pausing momentarily, Freedek stopped to take in the sight of so many troops going about their preparations and inhaled the smell of burning promethium as vehicles were loaded into the landers.

A jogging figure feature approached him, and the Lieutenant General turned to greet him. Captain Keril stopped in front of him, giving him a crisp salute, which Freedek returned.
"Sir, we're proceeding on schedule to load up on the transports."
"Very good, Captain. Has Captain General de Laguna been sent a copy of the regimental orders?"
"Yes sir, they've been sent", Keril answered, crisp and proper.

Freedek nodded, and took out a dataslate, and brought up a file. Checking it had appeared correctly, he handed it to his aide.
"See that Colonels Yuriar and Janten receive this message."
Taking the dataslate, not intruding by looking at the messageˇ¦s content, Keril nodded. Stepping back, he gave another crisp salute.
"Yes sir"
"Dismissed"
And with that, the Captain disappeared in to the mass of human bodies.

Overall Summary
Task Force Westˇ¦s primary task will be to hold the road between the spaceport and Montford. This can both mean we will have to prevent any reinforcements from Montford reaching the spaceport assault, but also securing the area from any enemy forces that attempt to break out from the spaceport. It may be prudent to also set up a temporary HQ for the rest of XXV and DCCIV Corps when they land. The assault landers will land along the central stretch of the Montford-spaceport road landers for specific regiments landing closer to the regiment's deployment area.

Assault Lander requirement=56

DCCIV HQ Elements
Corps HQ will land north of the central part of the road and set up a field HQ and co-ordinate the actions of the regiments of Task Force West. The 4th Coronan Grenadiers 4th Battalion will set up to defend this position from enemy attacks. I shall remain with the HQ elements during this phase of the operation.

Joridan 16th Medium Infantry
The Joridans are to position themselves to defend the road from enemy forces deploying from Montford (roughly a third of the road down from Montford). They are to organise a defence in depth, with the first line consisting of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions and the second consisting of the 4th, 5th and 6th. A single battalion in each line will hold the road itself, while the other two hold the flanks of the area. The two lines will hold about 1 km from each other.

The 7th and 8th Battalions will form an infantry reserve to plug the gaps. The 9th and 10th Battalions will deploy in between the lines, and move to engage any armour threats. The 11th Battalion will hold back behind the second line to engage any armoured flank attacks.

The 12th Battalion will stay near the rear of the second line, and to the north, to provide any fire support. Regimental HQ will set up nearby to the 12th Battalion.

119th Kassirine Infantry
The Kassirine will deploy similarly to the Joridans, except this time they shall hold the area from enemy coming from the spaceport (so roughly a third down the road from the spaceport). This means the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions will be the first line and the 4th, 5th and 6th Battalions will create the second line. The Kassirine donˇ¦t have their own infantry reserves, but other forces within TSW will provide them.

The 7th and 8th Battalions will provide fire support to the first line, positioning themselves between the two lines. The 9th and 10th Battalions will deploy along each of the flanks of the second line to counter any flank attacks. Regimental HQ will set up north, behind the second line

209th Miphan Infantry
The 209th is to land southernmost of TSWˇ¦s landing area (roughly 10-20 km south southwest), tasked with holding the southern approaches to the drop zone. 1st and 2nd Battalions will create the first line, with 3rd and 4th Battalions forming the second line. 5th and 6th Battalions will create a reserve.

The engineers of the 7th and 8th Battalions will work on fortifications and equipment for the field HQ being set up by the DCCIV HQ. 9th and 8th Battalions will reinforce any Imperial armour engagements in our area. 12th and 13th Battalions will give fire support to wherever it is needed most. The 11th Battalion may be used to temporarily mount up part of a battalion during the engagement. Regimental HQ will set up behind the second line.

111th Miphan Infantry
The 111th is to land northernmost of the TSWˇ¦s landing area, to provide mobile reinforcements, and to guard the northern area. 1st Battalion will support the Joridans, the 2nd Battalion support the Kassirine and the 3rd Battalion will support the 209th. The 4th Battalion will help the 209thˇ¦s engineer battalions with setting up the field HQ. The 5th Battalion will support armoured counter-attacks, and the 6th and 7th Battalions will give additional fire support. The 8th Battalion will assist the 209thˇ¦s 11th Battalion in mounting a battalion for this phase of the combat.

450th Cadian Support Battalion and 1017th Jantine Field Hospital
These two support battalions are to land with the DCCIV HQ elements, and set up their operations as part of the Field HQ that is to be set up.

Task Force West OOB

CCCXXXIII Corps HQ
AQ/HQ
+ CCCXXXIII Corps HQ
400 Logistics Personnel
---
4th Coronan Grenadiers (EQ/HI, MECH)
+ 7th Battalion
600 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 60 Chimeras

16th Joridan Medium Infantry
AQ/MI
+ Regimental HQ
780 Infantry, 500 Logistics Personnel
+ 1st Battalion
800 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel,
+ 2nd Battalion
800 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel,
+ 3rd Battalion
800 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel,
+ 4th Battalion
800 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel,
+ 5th Battalion
800 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel,
+ 6th Battalion
800 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel,
+ 7th Battalion
800 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel,
+ 8th Battalion
800 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel,
+ 9th Battalion
40 LR Destroyers, 25 Logistics Personnel,
+ 10th Battalion
40 LR Destroyers, 25 Logistics Personnel,
+ 11th Battalion
40 LR Destroyers, 25 Logistics Personnel,
+ 12th Battalion
40 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel,
---

119th Kassirine Dragoons
AQ/MI
+ Regimental HQ
400 Logistics Personnel, 40 Trucks
+ 1st Battalion
800 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel,
+ 2nd Battalion
800 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel,
+ 3rd Battalion
800 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel
+ 4th Battalion
800 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel
+ 5th Battalion
800 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel
+ 6th Battalion
800 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel,
+ 7th Battalion
40 Griffons, 25 Logistics Personnel,
+ 8th Battalion
40 Griffons, 25 Logistics Personnel
+ 9th Battalion
40 Leman Russ, 25 Logistics Personnel,
+ 10th Battalion
40 Leman Russ, 25 Logistics Personnel

111th Miphan Infantry
EQ/Mech, MI
+ Regimental HQ
450 Logistics Personnel
+ 1st Battalion
700 Infantry, 100 Logistics Personnel, 70 Rhinos
+ 2nd Battalion
700 Infantry, 100 Logistics Personnel, , 70 Rhinos
+ 3rd Battalion
700 Infantry, 100 Logistics Personnel, , 70 Rhinos
+ 4th Battalion
400 Engineers, 50 Logistics Personnel, 40 Rhinos
+ 5th Battalion
40 Leman Russ MBTs, 25 Logistics Personnel
+ 6th Battalion
40 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel
„h 7th Battalion
40 Griffons, 25 Logistics Personnel
+ 8th Battalion
40 Chimeras, 25 Logistics Personnel
---

209th Miphan Infantry
GQ/Motor, MI
+ Regimental HQ
425 Logistics Personnel
+ 1st Battalion
700 Infantry, 100 Logistics Personnel
+ 2nd Battalion
700 Infantry, 100 Logistics Personnel
+ 3rd Battalion
700 Infantry, 100 Logistics Personnel
+ 4th Battalion
700 Infantry, 100 Logistics Personnel
+ 5th Battalion
700 Infantry, 100 Logistics Personnel
+ 6th Battalion
700 Infantry, 100 Logistics Personnel
+ 7th Battalion
400 Engineers, 50 Logistics Personnel
+ 8th Battalion
400 Engineers, 50 Logistics Personnel
+ 9th Battalion
40 Leman Russ MBTs, 25 Logistics Personnel
+ 10th Battalion
40 Leman Russ MBTs, 25 Logistics Personnel
+ 11th Battalion
40 Chimeras, 25 Logistics Personnel
+ 12th Battalion
40 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel
+ 13th Battalion
40 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel

450 Cadian Support Battalion
GQ/LOG
+800 Logistics Personnel, 80 Trucks
---

1017th Jantine Field Hospital
GQ/MED
+400 Medical Personnel, 100 Trucks, 80 Ambulances



Official Messages

Message Begins

To: Captain-General de Laguna, 13th Army HQ
From: Lieutenant-General Simpson, DCCIV HQ
Subject: Re: Preliminary Orders

Thank you, I shall ensure that these regiments will do the 13th Army proud. A copy of the orders I have given to the ad-hoc corps should have been sent to you.

Regards,
Simpson

Message Ends

Message Begins

To: Colonel Yuriar, 111th Miphan HQ, Colonel Janten, 209th Miphan HQ
From: Lieutenant-General Simpson, DCCIV HQ
Subject: Non-DCCIV units

Colonels,
You will of course be aware that we will be operating with units from XXXV Corps. While they may have a perhaps-distasteful reputation, I remind you that you are to work with them as if they were any other Miphan unit. While, as officers, I can count on you to do so, it would be helpful if you can remind your troops as well, as I donˇ¦t want this crucial part of the landings fouled up by hostile tensions between our units.

Regards,
Simpson

Message Ends

[Khellendros]

Washington made sure that the troops around him were double checking the chutes and lasrifles. The last thing he wanted to happen was for his men to never even hit the ground alive. Washington began to rub the good luck charm through his shirt as he looked over his rifle again and again. The Captain-General had given him orders tha "may or may not" be accomplished with the loss of his entire corps. That was the worst part of it, each of those road junctions had the possibility of bringing a horde of enemies down upon only a single regiment of paratroopers. His men wouldn't last long under that kind of firepower and though he was "supposed" to be reinforced by other imperial forces, there was no absolute proof of this. But it was war, and men would be lost. Washington reached inside of his shirt and gripped his charm so hard he could feel the warmth of flowing blood as it began to leak from his skin. Washington gritted his teeth, he could spare a little blood for his men, the ones who would be giving up far more than just a little bit of blood for HIM. Washington stayed stoic as he opened the communications channels.

Correspondence:

To: Captain-General Molotov, CO 17th Army
From: Lieutenant-General Washington, CO XC Corps
Body: Your orders have been recieved and the men are prepared, They will be carried out to the letter. I will be looking forward to the fast deployed reinforcements as I take the objectives. Your will be done.

Orders:

For the G5 Drop Zone

1st Bekkan Airborne: Will attempt to drop via grav-chute south of the G5 north west road junction. Mines and razor wire will be carried in the lifters along with the troops if possible, and the engineers will set up razor wire and trenches. The engineers are to focus on getting trenches up as fast as possible.

3rd Bekkan Airborne: Will chute in from the lifters to the east of the North East road junction and will carry razor wire and mines if possible. They will dig trenches in the road and attempt to hold it as long as possible.

Both of these: All further troop drops will be cut short if enemy anti air is to strong to continue dropping forces in the area. If the Enemy AA is strong but there is a lack of armour or infantry protection, then the infantry will assault them.

For the F4 Drop Zone:

43rd Raddigan: The 43rd will drop from the lifters to the west of the f4 road. They will proceed to take and hold the road, using any cover possible. (though i realize it's a road, there's nothing there) If more than three entire batallions are killed then the troopers are to break off and assist with the assault of the space port. Washington will drop with this group.

For the f5 Drop zone:

2nd Bekkan: This group will grav-chute drop south of the 3 way rail junction and march north. And the rail junction will be held at any cost. Hopefully however they will be reinforced. They also will set up trenches, but all the engineers will focus on this alone, no mines or wire are to be used unless they can be used in the construction of the trenches extremly fast. They are not to let themselves be surrounded, if it appears that they will be overcome by enemy forces they are to attempt a retreat and abandon the rail.

Corps OOB on Landing:

XC Corps HQ - 400 Personnel
1st Bekkan Drop Regiment -
4700 Infantry
350 Logistics Personnel
600 Combat Engineers
64 Mortars

2nd Bekkan Drop Regiment -
4700 Infantry
350 Logistics Personnel
600 Combat Engineers
64 Mortars

3rd Bekkan Drop Regiment -
4700 Infantry
350 Logistics Personnel
600 Combat Engineers
64 Mortars

43 Raddigan Airborne
2800 Infantry
500 Logistics Personnel

- 150 Atlas Lifters

[DarthMidget]

Major-General Rasmussen Benedict knelt before the small cot in his rather spartan personal quarters aboard the Navy transport. Benedict's soft whispers were inaudible, but the guards outside the room knew what Benedict was doing. The general always prayed before operations started. After quite some time Benedict lifted his head. A moment later he stepped outside his cabin. The guards and his aide-de-camp snapped to attention.

"Let it begin," Benedict said.

VI Corps Orders
Orbital Deployment
Transport Craft: 63 Assault Landers
Resources Remaining in Orbit: 413 trucks, 265 chimera, 150 engineering vehicles, 1450 cavalry

VI Corps HQ
1. Command Battalion: 400 logistics troopers
2. 8th Battalion, 23rd Cathedrian: 500 infantry, 50 logistics personnel, 5 trucks
3. Assault Landers Required: 2

23rd Cathedrian
1. Regimental HQ: 25 infantry, 125 logistics personnel, 13 trucks, 3 Leman Russ Tanks
2. 1st Battalion: 600 infantry, 75 logistics personnel, 8 trucks
3. 2nd Battalion: 600 infantry, 75 logistics personnel, 8 trucks
4. 3rd Battalion: 600 infantry, 75 logistics personnel, 8 trucks
5. 4th Battalion: 600 infantry, 75 logistics personnel, 8 trucks
6. 5th Battalion: 600 combat engineers, 75 logistics personnel, 8 trucks
7. 6th Battalion: 53 Leman Russ Tanks, 25 logistics personnel, 3 trucks
8. 7th Battalion: 47 Basilisks, 25 logistics personnel, 46 trucks
9. Assault Landers Required: 10

66th Cathedrian
1. Regimental HQ: 40 infantry, 15 logistics personnel, 2 trucks
2. 1st Battalion: 40 Leman Russ Tanks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 3 Trucks
3. 2nd Battalion: 40 Leman Russ Tanks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 3 Trucks
4. 3rd Battalion: 40 Leman Russ Tanks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 3 Trucks
5. 4th Battalion: 40 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 3 Trucks
6. 5th Battalion: 40 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 3 Trucks
7. 6th Battalion: 40 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 3 Trucks
8. 7th Battalion: 40 Hydras, 25 Logistics Personnel, 3 Trucks
9. 8th Battalion: 700 Infantry, 40 Logistics Personnel, 4 Trucks
10. 9th Battalion: 700 Infantry, 40 Logistics Personnel, 4 Trucks
11. 10th Battalion: 700 Infantry, 40 Logistics Personnel, 4 Trucks
12. 11th Battalion: 600 Combat Engineers, 40 Logistics Personnel, 5 Trucks
13. Assault Landers Required: 13

222nd Edana Artillery
1. Regimental HQ: 20 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 10 Trucks
2. 1st Battalion: 30 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 10 Trucks
3. 2nd Battalion: 30 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 10 Trucks
4. 3rd Battalion: 30 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 10 Trucks
5. 4th Battalion: 30 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 10 Trucks
6. 5th Battalion: 30 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 10 Trucks
7. 6th Battalion: 30 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 10 Trucks
8. 7th Battalion: 30 Hydras, 25 Logistics Personnel, 10 Trucks
9. Assault Landers Required: 10

1313th Merengtar Chevaliers
1. Regimental HQ: 323 Infantry, 575 Logistics Personnel
2. 1st Battalion: 600 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel
3. 2nd Battalion: 600 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel
4. 3rd Battalion: 600 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel
5. 4th Battalion: 700 Combat Engineers, 75 Logistics Personnel
6. Assault Landers Required: 5

30th Ottoma Light Infantry
1. Regimental HQ: 275 Infantry, 250 Logistics Personnel
2. 1st Battalion: 600 Infantry, 50 Logistics Personnel
3. 2nd Battalion: 600 Infantry, 50 Logistics Personnel
4. 3rd Battalion: 600 Infantry, 50 Logistics Personnel
5. Assault Landers Required: 4

12th Thutmos Tomb Guard
1. Regimental HQ: 700 Infantry, 200 Logistics Personnel, 20 Trucks
2. 1st Battalion: 800 Infantry, 100 Logistics Personnel, 6 Trucks
3. 2nd Battalion: 800 Infantry, 100 Logistics Personnel, 6 Trucks
4. 3rd Battalion: 800 Infantry, 100 Logistics Personnel, 6 Trucks
5. 4th Battalion: 800 Infantry, 100 Logistics Personnel, 6 Trucks
6. 5th Battalion: 800 Infantry, 100 Logistics Personnel, 6 Trucks
7. 6th Battalion: 800 Infantry, 100 Logistics Personnel, 6 Trucks
8. 7th Battalion: 800 Infantry, 100 Logistics Personnel, 6 Trucks
9. 8th Battalion: 600 Combat Engineers, 100 Logistics Personnel, 6 Trucks
10. 9th Battalion: 600 Combat Engineers, 100 Logistics Personnel, 6 Trucks
11. 10th Battalion: 600 Combat Engineers, 100 Logistics Personnel, 6 Trucks
12. Assault Landers Required: 13

777th Mordian/De Geb Field Hospital
1. 500 Medical Personnel, 40 Trucks, 80 Ambulances
2. Assault Landers Required: 4

33rd De Geb Supply Battalion
1. 400 Logistics Personnel, 40 Trucks
2. Assault Landers Required: 2

Note: Medical and logistical personnel from the 777th Mordian/De Geb Field Hospital and the 33rd De Geb Supply Battalion will share an assault lander for the landing. Their vehicles will be carried via Atlas Lifter.

General Orders
The mission of VI Corps is to land along and guard the eastern flank of XIII Corps in the assault on the Arrumdun Spaceport. As such VI Corps will deploy combat elements throughout a large area to cover the gaps between units of XC Corps and support the airborne in combat engagements. VI Corps will also be responsible for the security of 17th Army Headquarters and the regimental headquarters of the 16th Gensal Light Infantry.

Specific Orders
IV Corps HQ, 17th Army HQ, 16th Gensal Light Infantry HQ, 777th Mordian/De Geb Field Hospital, 33rd De Geb Supply Battalion, and the 1313th Merengtar Chevalier will deploy in Sector G-5. These formations will set-up in what will be referred to as the ‘Triangle’.

The Triangle is the area formed by the roads that intersect through the area. Headquarters, logistics, and artillery units will set-up in the Triangle to support VI Corps operations across the sector.

The 1313th will be responsible for perimeter security. Engineers from the 1313th will immediately begin constructing trenches and obstacles around ‘Triangle Base’.

At all times the 222nd Edana will be on call for fire-support to all elements. 222nd Edana will also liason with artillery coordinator from the 66th Cathedrian so that the guns of both regiments can fire in concert.

The 23rd Cathedrian will deploy to the south of the Triangle in Sector G-5. They will reinforce the airborne elements holding the crossroads in this area. The 23rd are instructed to hold their armor in reserve to counter-attack any local penetrations.

The 30th Ottoma Light Infantry will deploy to the northeast of the Triangle in Sector G-5. They will reinforce the airborne elements holding the crossroads in this area. The 30th are instructed to dig-in as soon as possible.

The 66th Cathedrian will deploy along the road due east of the Triangle. Infantry elements of the 66th will maintain defensive positions along the road. Infantry battalions are to dig in around the artillery. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions will stand ready to move to reinforce the northern or southern crossroads if enemy armored forces are spotted or a position is in danger of being overrun.

The 12th Thutmos Tomb Guard will deploy in Sector F-5. They will guard the eastern approaches to the crossroads in this sector. The 12th’s CO is instructed to liason will elements from 13th Army in the area to ensure close cooperation.

[=][=Nine Breaker=][=]

General Volgin looked over the masses of soldiers crammed into the launch bay he had requested use of. The great majority was dressed in the purple and chrome Jantine carapace, but the gold of the Terran troops could be easily picked out. Captain-General Molotov had already sent a little pep talk for the men to read, but Volgin hardly cared for its content. These men deserved to see their commander among them, to hear him speak, before they were sent into the jaws of hell.

Our duty to liberate the traitorous and heretical people of Samhain? Is that what the Imperial Guard did these days?

“Men of XIII Corps, on Beltane we were handed defeat at the vile hands of Chaos. But we lived to fight again! We withdrew, we regrouped, we rearmed, and we prepared for what is now just hours ahead of us. Soon, the invasion of Samhain will commence, and the warrior-elite that is XIII Corps shall be the very spearhead of this invasion. After all these months of endless drills and training, we have finally arrived at what shall be our finest hour! Soon, we shall descend on Samhain and purge the foul taint of Chaos with hellgun and flamer, basilisk and battle cannon.
All of you have been given the tools necessary for victory. You are the best of the best, the very greatest the Imperium has to offer. You have all seen horrors that many hardened veterans couldn’t dream of, fought and killed in warzones that most of the Imperium has never known existed. All for the glory of mankind! And it has all lead to this… I wont lie to you; this will be a real war. As somebody once said, ‘Victory is measured in blood. Yours or your enemies.’ And there shall be blood. I for one though am confident that we shall triumph over the Archenemy no matter the odds! Our guns WILL lay low those foolish enough to stand before the might of the Imperium! And we shall pave the way for domination in His name! You, the warriors of XIII Corps, Jantine or otherwise, shall be remembered as the conquerors of Samhain. We are the lions and Chaos our prey, and we, as the Astartes are fond of saying, shall know NO fear!”

Volgin looked over the thousands upon thousands of elite troops under his command as they cheered their approval and broke into a battle lust. Pulling the microphone closer to him, Volgin slowly began beating his fist over his carapace-armored chest. The Jantine crowd picked up on the ancient pre-battle ceremony of their homeworld swiftly and easily, and the Terran among them swiftly caught up. Volgin gradually began beating faster and faster, and his men followed suit. His chest had grown sore by now, but he cared little for the pain as the noise of the ritual grew into a deafening crescendo. Then, as sudden as a lightning bolt, the old general punched his fist into the air.

“Imperial Victor!”

Volgin smiled for the first time in weeks as XIII Corps took up his cry… They were ready.

Day 1: XIII Corps

Orbital Deployment:
Transports Allocated: 95 Assault Landers
Resources Remaining: 873 trucks, 1653 chimera, 20 salamanders, 150 logistics personnel, 650 engineering vehicles, 800 construction engineers

XIII Corps HQ
1. XIII Corps HQ: 400 logistics personnel, 20 trucks
2. 7th Battalion, 42nd Jantine Patricians: 700 infantry, 75 logistics personnel, 8 trucks
3. Assault Landers Required: 2

701st Terran Prefects
1. Regimental HQ: 2 Infantry, 550 Logistics Personnel, 55 Trucks, 1Chimera, 20 Leman Russ Tanks
2. 1st Battalion: 600 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
3. 2nd Battalion: 600 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
4. 3rd Battalion: 600 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
5. 4th Battalion: 800 Combat Engineers, 75 Logistics Personnel, 40 trucks
6. 5th Battalion: 27 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 13 Trucks
7. 6th Battalion: 27 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 13 Trucks
8. 7th Battalion: 27 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 13 Trucks
9. 8th Battalion: 30 Leman Russ Tanks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 3 Trucks
10. 9th Battalion: 30 Leman Russ Tanks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 3 Trucks
11. Assault Landers Required: 15

42nd Jantine Patricians
1. Regimental HQ: 608 Infantry, 225 Logistics Personnel, 10 Trucks
2. 1st Battalion: 700 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
3. 2nd Battalion: 700 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
4. 3rd Battalion: 700 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
5. 4th Battalion: 700 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
6. 5th Battalion: 700 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
7. 6th Battalion: 700 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
8. 8th Battalion: 42 Leman Russ Tanks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 3 Trucks
9. 9th Battalion: 42 Leman Russ Tanks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 3 Trucks
10. 10th Battalion: 42 Leman Russ Tanks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 3 Trucks
11. 11th Battalion: 30 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 13 Trucks
12. 12th Battalion: 30 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 13 Trucks
13. 13th Battalion: 30 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 13 Trucks
14. 14th Battalion: 30 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 13 Trucks
15. 15th Battalion: 20 Hydras, 25 Logistics Personnel, 20 Trucks
16. 16th Battalion: 20 Hydras, 25 Logistics Personnel, 20 Trucks
17. 17th Battalion: 600 Combat Engineers, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
18. 18th Battalion: 600 Combat Engineers, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
19. 19th Battalion: 600 Combat Engineers, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
20. Assault Landers Required: 21

44th Jantine Patricians
1. Regimental HQ: 608 Infantry, 225 Logistics Personnel, 10 Trucks
2. 1st Battalion: 700 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
3. 2nd Battalion: 700 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
4. 3rd Battalion: 700 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
5. 4th Battalion: 700 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
6. 5th Battalion: 700 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
7. 6th Battalion: 700 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
8. 7th Battalion: 700 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
9. 8th Battalion: 42 Leman Russ Tanks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 3 Trucks
10. 9th Battalion: 42 Leman Russ Tanks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 3 Trucks
11. 10th Battalion: 42 Leman Russ Tanks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 3 Trucks
12. 11th Battalion: 30 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 13 Trucks
13. 12th Battalion: 30 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 13 Trucks
14. 13th Battalion: 30 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 13 Trucks
15. 14th Battalion: 30 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 13 Trucks
16. 15th Battalion: 20 Hydras, 25 Logistics Personnel, 20 Trucks
17. 16th Battalion: 20 Hydras, 25 Logistics Personnel, 20 Trucks
18. 17th Battalion: 600 Combat Engineers, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
19. 18th Battalion: 600 Combat Engineers, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
20. 19th Battalion: 600 Combat Engineers, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
21. Assault Landers Required: 22

47th Jantine Patricians
1. Regimental HQ: 608 Infantry, 225 Logistics Personnel, 10 Trucks
2. 1st Battalion: 700 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
3. 2nd Battalion: 700 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
4. 3rd Battalion: 700 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
5. 4th Battalion: 700 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
6. 5th Battalion: 700 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
7. 6th Battalion: 700 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
8. 7th Battalion: 700 Infantry, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
9. 8th Battalion: 42 Leman Russ Tanks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 3 Trucks
10. 9th Battalion: 42 Leman Russ Tanks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 3 Trucks
11. 10th Battalion: 42 Leman Russ Tanks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 3 Trucks
12. 11th Battalion: 30 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 13 Trucks
13. 12th Battalion: 30 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 13 Trucks
14. 13th Battalion: 30 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 13 Trucks
15. 14th Battalion: 30 Basilisks, 25 Logistics Personnel, 13 Trucks
16. 15th Battalion: 20 Hydras, 25 Logistics Personnel, 20 Trucks
17. 16th Battalion: 20 Hydras, 25 Logistics Personnel, 20 Trucks
18. 17th Battalion: 600 Combat Engineers, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
19. 18th Battalion: 600 Combat Engineers, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
20. 19th Battalion: 600 Combat Engineers, 75 Logistics Personnel, 8 Trucks
21. Assault Landers Required: 22

14th Terran Field Hospital
1. 400 Medical Personnel, 40 Trucks, 80 Ambulances
2. Assault Landers Required: 4

General Orders:
XIII Corps will launch a direct attack on the Arrumdun Spaceport via orbital assault. XIII Corps assault landers will land directly on the primary landing pad and commence combat operations. Structural damage to the spaceport is to be kept to a minimum unless absolutely necessary. Any and all potential threats are to be eliminated. There should be no discrimination between the Chaos forces and heretical Skaxon.

42nd, 44th, & 47th Jantine Patricians:

+Regimental HQs
The regimental HQs will land with the rest of the unit and make sure that the disembarkations, regrouping, and reorganizing after the initial landings are seamless. We can’t afford Chaos in this moment and organization coupled with efficiency will be the key to victory.

+1st-7th Battalions, 17th-19th Battalions
Upon landing, these battalions will immediately disembark from the assault landers and organize into attack formation. Once completely organized, these battalions will form a perimeter and eliminate enemy forces in the spaceport. Priority targets should be enemy AAA. These should be either captured or destroyed. Once the enemy presence has been eliminated in the area, they will utilize captured enemy positions to hold this sector of the spaceport.

+8th & 9th Battalions
These units will directly support the infantry by providing long-range firepower, destroying enemy [static] defenses, and blunting enemy counter-attacks. If an enemy armor presents itself, the Jantine tank battalions will mass together, attack, and crush the enemy unit.

+11th-14th Battalions
These battalions’ main priorities will be counter-battery fire and supporting our soldiers. Anything else is secondary.

+15th & 16th Battalions
These battalions’ sole role in this invasion will be to keep enemy aircraft at bay and provide support for the Imperial Navy.

701st Terran:
The 701st will secure and maintain a perimeter around the HQ units and support units. Their tanks will be used to stop any enemy attempts on our HQ or support units and the combat engineers are to build makeshift barricades for the infantry if enemy positions can’t be used. The Terran artillery will provide support to the Jantine and conduct counter-battery fire on the enemy.

This post has been edited by Commissar Molotov on Mar 18 2006, 04:47 PM

[Captain Lithonius]

OP Imperator, Day 1, Wave 1

0000: The Navy launches a dummy drop on sector I4 with a few Assault Landers. Imperial auspex picks up the few enemy fighters sent to intercept and numbers the fighters at around 4 squadrons. Long range Auspex picks up a spike in enemy transmissions. Intel notes that enemy forces are starting to go on higher alert.

0020: Heavy dummy drop in sector J5 conducted by a few Assault Landers. Long-range auspex again picks up enemy fighters heading to area. Long-range auspex picks up another spike in enemy transmissions, followed by a lull, then a steady number of transmissions.

0223: Strange energy spikes detected from AoO. Location is south-west, but cause or purpose is unknown.

0514: 2nd and 3rd Airwings and XIII corps and special-forces landing craft launch.

0529: 7th Airwing is launched on combat air support missions. XC Corps is also launched and reaches upper atmosphere unhindered apart from the loss of one Lifter carrying B Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Bekkan. XC Corps reaches lower atmosphere and begins to deploy.

0533: XIII Corps in Assault Landers begin combat descent. As they are beginning to drop into the atmosphere a large energy spike is detected from the AoO. There is a blinding flash, and a XIII Corps assault lander splits in two, the pieces tumbling away and catching fire as they fall towards the planet. The enemy has a defense laser! The defence laser opens fire as XIII corps descends, ripping open two Assault Landers and sufficiently damaging four others that break apart and burn up in the upper atmosphere. The defence laser then begins to target the 2nd Ripple. This allows the rest of the XIII Corps to reach the lower atmosphere.

17th Army launches their special forces and reach the lower atmosphere unhindered at approximately 0614 Hours.

0544: 6th Airwing is launched and flies to attack the three enemy airfields. 2nd and 3rd Airwings reach theatre airspace. Enemy fighters are launched from the spaceport to intercept. However, they do a quick auspex reading of the incoming Imperial craft and simply flee westwards. They are not seen again for the rest of the 1st Wave landings.

0548: XC Corps begins combat drop. The laser is still firing at XIII Corps at this stage, and only switches to fire at XC corps landers when they are well into the atmosphere. Only one Atlas is shot down, carrying 3rd Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Bekkan.

0605: VI and ‘Ad-hoc’ Corps launch delayed due to preparations designed to limit effectiveness of the defence laser through the massive use of decoys.

0621: VI and ‘Ad-hoc’ Corps begin combat drop, with all spare landing craft dropping a number of decoys as they fall. The decoys distract the defense laser somewhat, and only two assault landers with Imperials forces aboard are shot down. Unfortunately this includes the regimental HQ of the 12th Thutmos and 7/111th Miphan.

0640: 17th Army special-forces Valkyries are deployed at high altitude and begin to deliver their soldiers. A series of mixed results are reported in:

1st Battalion, 16th GLI (B3 Bridges)

Upon approach and landing the Valkyries are heavily engaged by enemy AA fire. Three Valkyres are brought down killing all onboard. The remaining Valks break for safety, deploying the forces in a scattered pattern to the west. The force groups together quickly and immediately moves out to attack the bridges. The 1st Force runs into a channelling set of minefields and razorwire entanglements. They begin negotiating the area with no enemy fire. This turns out to be a trap and the enemy quickly wipe out most the force in brutal crossfires and two counterattacks headed by Hydra AA tanks, and demo charge throwing, flamethrower toting combat engineers. There are 6 survivors. They flee back and scream for evacuation.

The 2nd Force run into a series of minefields but find that a defile leads them quite close without any risk. Suspecting a trap they avoid it and instead try to work their way through a dense system of razorwire and tank traps. The Skaxon SF come quite close to attacking the main bridge before the enemy start firing from concealed bunkers behind the 2nd Force. As they essentially mill around in confusion, they are wiped out to a sole group of survivors that are forced to surrender.

2nd Battalion, 16th GLI (F6 Bridge)

Three Companies from the 2nd Battalion deploy via their Valkyries to a concealed position 2.3km from the bridge. Their scouts quickly determine that the bridge is FAR too heavily defended to attack with such a small force, and the enemy seems quite alert. Enemy force is estimated to comprise of at least a regimental size formation of Calder. The attack is called off, and they withdraw.

2nd Battalion, 16th GLI (D3 Bridge)

Two Companies land to assault the Axford Bridge. They deploy west of the bridge, and manage to get within one kilometre of the target, and have it under observation range before an enemy patrol stumbles into them. A firefight erupts, the enemy skaxon are wiped out but their comrades turn up in droves. A five kilometre running firefight occurs as the GLI desperately try to withdraw as several battalions, including tanks, mount a pursuit through the woods. A company is lost and two Valkyries are shot down trying to flee. The rest escape.

3rd Battalion, 16th GLI (G3 Bridge)

Two Companies from the 3rd Battalion will assault the South Faltrax Bridge in Sector G3. They will deploy in the hills northeast of the bridge. They run into a concealed enemy position containing what seems to be a full company. In a series of running firefights, A and B Companies, 3rd Battalion are cornered and finally completely wiped out as the woods prove too thick to get Valks in to rescue them and the enemy are far too knowledgeable of the terrain to allow them to get away.

3rd Battalion, 16th GLI (I3 Bridge)

C-E Companies deploy close to the North Tradern bridge. They discover the bridge is unguarded and completely destroy it. They fall back from the area into cover and maintain an OP overlooking the bridge.

A/1st/50th Storm Trooper Regiment (C5 Bridge)

A/1st/50th Storm Trooper Regiment deploys via Valkyrie in Sector C5 and quickly gets in range of the West Helvett Bridge. Realising the depth of the enemy defences and the nature of their activity, the Storm Troopers send a small squad led by a cigar chomping Sgt Carter to destroy the bridge. Sgt Carter leads his men down the river gorge by simply scaling/moving amongst the rocks. They plant demo charges on the bridge and withdraw back to the main position. At 0858 Hours a quick button press sends the bridge collapsing into the river below. The Storm Troopers withdraw.

1/9th Kovnian is deployed as ordered and the following occurs over the day as various teams report in:

J4 - one team lost due to an extraordinarily alert enemy patrol and well organised pursuit force. The remaining teams flee the area.
F3 - success
F5 - success
F6 - success
E5 – the teams in this area withdraw due to a huge enemy presence.
G5 - success
G4 - one team gets shot up badly in the woods on the north side of the hex. The other two report success.
H4 - success
H5 - success
I4 - evade a couple of patrols, success
I5 – all contact is lost with the platoon deployed
A4 - success
B4 - all contact is lost with the platoon deployed
C5 - success
D5 - success
C1 - success
D1 – success


Saimhan Secundus Spaceport

The grim combat descent begins with Jantine itching to close with the enemy and simply tear them apart. Chanting the litanies of hatred, the Assault Landers descend into a veritable wall of AA gunfire, AA missiles and heavy AA missiles from the spaceport and surrounding hexes. The lighter stuff at such a height has little effect, but the heavy AA missiles punch into the hulls of several StormEagles, sending three Assault Landers blazing to ground below. All aboard are killed.

As the drop formation reaches low altitude above the spaceport, AA fire intensifies to an unholy storm. Multiple craft start reporting damage. The landers close the distance to begin final combat descent and are hammered by literally hundreds of missiles, cannons and guns. The fire is so thick that targeting augurs cannot lock any enemy targets on the ground and the gunners are forced to fire blind. Five landers suffer so many hits that they finally succumb and crash into the spacepad below in spectacular explosions. At least a dozen other landers report critical damage and start to lose landing control. The formation begins to break up as the Navy pilots lose their nerve in the face of such heavy fire and mounting losses. Almost half the remaining craft break formation and land or make controlled crashes into neighbouring hexes. Volgin’s own HQ lander is amongst those forced to crash. A mere forty landers make it to the spacepad.

From there, things get even worse. No sooner have the ramps begun to drop than the enemy shells begin to fall. Thousands of tonnes of munitions slam into the spaceport from every direction, so numerous is the fire that counterbattery detection is absolutely impossible. Tanks drive out from concealed positions, AT guns fire from bunkers, and engage in a massive turkey shoot as XIII corps tries to deploy down the ramps. Even with the supporting fire of the landers themselves, the casualties are horrendous.

With the situation becoming increasingly desperate, the lander pilots scream for their Naval brothers to assist. The 2nd, 3rd and 7th Airwings dive into the attack to try and take some of the heat off. Many planes are shot down and others seriously damaged by the huge number of AA guns, but the bombing runs distract the enemy long enough to get some of the landers off the pad intact. Of the 40 landers that hit dirtside at the spaceport, only 27 take off again, and only 14 of those can return to space. The rest flee to Imbolc or Lammas airfields for emergency repairs.

Of the ground forces left, all contact is lost by 0956. Garbled reports of attempted assaults on concrete bunkers, tank assaults and waves of AA fire stream into Imperial comm-nets. All remaining uncommitted Naval assets begin relentless bombing and strafing runs in an effort to even the score, but the titanic amount of AA fire makes the task hazardous, and there is nothing the Navy can do to stop the artillery fire.

Under intensive Naval bombing cover, an ad-hoc force of Jantine soldiers and tanks manages to seize a warehouse complex, slaughtering the skaxon labourers inside. Their safety is short lived, as the enemy simply calls down siege artillery onto the buildings until they are little more than smoking craters. No one else even makes it off the spacepad.

Initial spaceport assault failed.


XC Corps landings

The 1st and 3rd Bekkan grav chute near the north-west road junction. This proves to be a costly error, as this junction is right next to the spaceport. Enemy in concealed bunkers slice into the descending paratroopers, causing a battalion worth of casualties before the paratroopers withdraw in a confused scramble.

The paratroopers withdraw out of range and hunker down on a safer section of road around an hour later, their marching accompanied by the thundering of the spaceport battle. Their safety is short-lived, and soon they are being heavily shelled. Huge siege shells dig several hundred foot craters into the paratrooper positions, and rockets continually shower shrapnel over the desperate men as they scrabble in the dirt to dig themselves some sort of protection. An estimated two battalions worth of men are wounded or blown apart by artillery fire, and the men are now huddling in shallow foxholes and trenches.

The 43rd Raddigan receive unclear orders. They were ordered to land west of the F4 road, however a quick map check reveals there are THREE major roads in this hex. Unsure of what to do, they instead land in the middle of F4. Their CO observes ‘Ad-hoc’ Corps landing to the south, and the paratroopers spend the next three hours marching through the fields to link up with them and obtain a status report. They reach the Kasserine positions at 1001 Hours, at which point they rest and await further instruction.

The 2nd Bekkan lands south of the road/rail junction, then marches north. They quickly meet enemy patrols and get pinned down by heavy artillery fire, then are counterattacked by disorganized armoured forces from the junction. The paratroopers fight a cunning defense, but still suffer an estimated battalion of casualties as the shells rain down. The enemy suffers light casualties, losing a few tanks to track hits. Their forward elements manage to hole up in a few small woods and hamlets, urgently turning out their skaxon occupants and setting them up as defense posts. Shellfire continues falling, but the enemy assault slacks off fairly quickly and they withdraw back towards the junction. The 2nd estimate they are 5-7km south of the junction.


Ad Hoc force landings

16th Joridan Landers come under fire from heavy AA weapons in or near Montford, seriously damaging three landers which crash from low altitude, wounding many of the soldiers inside. Several others suffer light damage. The landers then are also heavily shelled as they land by a mass of rocket and very heavy shells. One lander is struck by some sort of huge artillery round and completely destroyed, and a further one is damaged on the ground.

Following orders, ‘Ad-Hoc’ Corps artillery attempts counterbattery. This results in the near total wipeout of the Joridan’s artillery elements as hundreds of rocket bursts over the open topped vehicles rip apart the hapless crews. Any nearby Joridan infantry are likewise shredded, losing some three battalions overall. Light casualties are reported throughout other units attempting counterbattery fire, but they are struck by far less of a response than the hapless Joridan. Enemy casualties are unknown.

Roughly two hours later, the 16th Joridan are then assaulted by a wave of light tanks and a mounted infantry unit. Most of the Joridan’s Leman Russ tank destroyers are still active however, and the attack is driven back with heavy casualties amongst enemy tank crews.

The rest of the landing force reports light shelling, but no other enemy contacts and have established their positions as ordered.


VI Corps force landings

VI Corps landers come under fire from enemy hydras as they being their final descent. The autocannon rounds bounce off harmlessly. Naval gunners respond with lascannons, destroying at least a company of hydras before the enemy scuttle away.

The deployment goes off without any serious opposition, although reports of intense combat from the spaceport are received. HQs and supply bases are set up, and artillery sited. The deployment is largely completed by 0812, although thanks to the loss of their HQ the Tutmos simply mill around without much direction. The Cathedrans on the southern flank receive repeated requests for immediate armour assistance from the paratroopers at the road/rail junction and move to help.

Shortly after they leave, highly accurate artillery fire begins to smash into the 'triangle'. Soft vehicles are obliterated with impunity, and artillery, logistics and HQ units all begin to suffer casualties. Counterbattery auspex reveals the fire is all coming in from Arrumdun, and is exceedingly heavy and incredibly accurate.

The 23rd Cathedrians tanks and a battalion of infantry (which clamber onto and ride the tanks) charge towards the rail junction to try and assist the paratroopers. The enemy however proves well prepared, and they conduct a brutal ambush of the Cathedrans with a large number of tank destroyers. Infantry casualties are light, but almost the whole armour battalion is lost.

The Ottoma report that they can’t find the paratroopers they were supposed to link up with anywhere at all, so they start digging foxholes astride the road. The 66th Cathedran also take up positions without any sign of enemy.


Airbase attacks

The 6th Air Wing begins bombing airfields as ordered. The first airbase appears to be caught largely unawares, with most of the positions not even removing the camo-nets. Several hydra positions open fire, shooting down two bombers, but this doesn’t stop the runway and attendant buildings being bombed to scrap.

The second airbase proves even more inept. Virtually none of the camo-netted positions appear prepared, and the bombing raid is greeted only by sporadic light weapons fire bursts and a few lone hydras. Once again, the area is reduced to craters.

The third airbase is attacked, but mere seconds before the bombers open their bays, the whole base opens fire at once. A huge storm of very accurate AA fire slams into the bombers, completely disrupting the attack. A few bombs strike their target, in exchange for 8 aircraft shot down and 4 damaged. The rest return to orbit, having run out of ammunition by this stage.


Exit

Their drop missions completed, the remaining assault landers attempt to return to orbit. The enemy defense laser blazes away continuously as they do so. A further 12 assault landers are shot down trying to reach orbit. Special forces valkyries also return to their Atlases and attempt to flee to orbit. One of the Atlases is destroyed by the defense laser along with its 6 valkyrie cargo. Luckily the Atlas struck contained no soldiers.


1st Wave Complete

[Commissar Molotov]

Sergeant Saul Regis of the Fighting Thirty-Third De Geb held his 'stubby' autogun with sweating hands and stole a glance over at the Captain-General. He was hunched over the map-table muttering to himself and writing, constantly writing little notes. From what Regis understood, the assault against the spaceport had failed. XIII Corps had taken huge casualties; even their Lieutenant-General, Volgin, had been reported as MIA. Regis reflected that the Jantine was such a big target that the enemy would have had a hard time missing.

The situation was slipping out of Molotov's control, and the Captain-General looked ashen and weak. He seemed to have shrunk, retreating into himself. He certainly didn't seem as confident as he did once. Regis knew that Molotov had plenty of enemies waiting for a show of weakness so they could swoop in and do whatever political (or personal) damage they wanted to. There was an air of awkward uncertainty in 17th Army HQ that made Regis nervous. He'd seen Commissar Van Saar around the HQ, and nobody wanted to get on his bad side.

It seemed that all eyes were on Captain-General Molotov.
-------------------------------------------------
Correspondence

To: Lieutenant-General M. Akritedes, CO I Corps, 17th Army
From: Captain-General K. Molotov, CO 17th Army

The situation is, in truth, particularly grim. I fear that our cause has been severely compromised already. XIII Corps is scattered in enemy territory and may never be the same again. The airborne soldiers of XC Corps are enduring extremely heavy artillery after capturing 'vital' junctions that now seem pitifully useless.

It falls to I Corps to salvage the day. Your Corps, along with the Hamek's Landing of CCCXXXIII Corps are charged with securing a landing zone and a logistical spine capable of sustaining 17th and 13th Army. Your actions will also providing a much-needed morale boost to the Imperial Soldiery. If your actions fail... I need not spell out the consequences.

You have operational command over CCCXXXIII Corps - I am given to understand that their newly-appointed Lieutenant-General is lacking in confidence and experience. Let us hope she does not also lack in ability, hmm?

Your forces will be dropped by the Navy in Sector H4 and are tasked with capturing one (preferably two) of the airbases within the locality, before making them proof against any enemy counterattack or assault.

Mosovic, the men of the 34th Galach have always been stalwart companions to me since the earliest days of Operation Invictus. I have every faith in your abilities as a commander and in your men. If Seventeenth Army HQ should fall in the coming hours, you are to take provisional command of the Army. Do not let me down.

Molotov.

======


To: Lieutenant-General M. Svenal, CO III Corps, 17th Army
From: Captain-General K. Molotov, CO 17th Army

General, it falls to you to hold our new western flank and provide safe-haven for the regrouping Imperial forces. All Imperial Forces in Sectors F4 and F5 are to group in G4 and G5. You will be working with Lieutenant-General Smith of XXXV Corps. Do not fail me.

Molotov.

=====


To: Lieutenant-General R. Benedict, CO IV Corps, 17th Army
. Lieutenant-General Y. Volgin, CO XIII Corps, 17th Army
. Lieutenant-General Washington, CO XC Corps, 17th Army
. Lieutenant-General F. Simpson, CO TFW, 17th Army
From: Captain-General K. Molotov, CO 17th Army

Generals.
There is little time for blame. We must, with all haste, attempt to salvage as much as possible of the Imperial Fighting Machine. All units within sectors F4 and F5 are to use any means possibel to arrive in G4 and G5. Cooperation between corps is highly advised, and is in fact ordered. Help your compatriots in their time of need and show the arch-enemy our moral superiority. The G4/G5 line will become our new Western Front, and your forces should be able to rendezvous with Imperial Forces led by III and XXXV Corps.

We will have opportunities to regroup, strike back and have our vengeance against the enemy. Until then, we must be prudent and resourceful.

Molotov.

=====


To: Captain-General M. de Laguna, CO 13th Army
From: Captain-General K. Molotov, CO 17th Army

Brevet-Marshall McBride is likely running out of patience - it is in as short supply as our reinforcements. Let us hope we can salvage this operation - and keep our lives.

M.

=====


To: Group-Captain Flasheart, CO 1st Army Air Corps
From: Captain-General K. Molotov, CO 17th Army

I must with all urgency request that you take decisive action against the defense laser complex in sector C6. It cannot be allowed to pose a threat to further Imperial landings. Whlist distraction and misdirection will likely work in the short term, we cannot in all seriousness operate in an environment when any air support is compromised. The Defense Laser must be destroyed with all haste.

Molotov.

-----------------

Orders

17th Army HQ, 33rd De Geb LI and attached components of the 16th Gensal LI and the 9th Kovnian Gharkas are to travel eastwards with VI Corps and remain under Lt-General Benedict's protection.





------------------------------------------------

[Captain Seato]

It was not a good day.

Captain-General de Laguna had seen the Landers leave the ship and waited in the ship's observation lounge until they returned. Too few of them did, and those that made it back bore far too many blackened armor plates to have been sustained from mere re-entry. And far too many had tell-tale crimson splashes near their assault ramps. The ship was too far from the action for the Captain-General to see the DZ, but he could interpret the scene from the flight crews' vox-communications piped in, by his request, into the room.

Captain Jefferson, just back from communicating with 17th Army intel, marched stiffly into the chamber, holding out the report with a trembling hand.

"Sir," he said, the word a hoarse whisper.

Marcelo looked the document over, then looked it over again to be sure. He was no stranger to casualty figures, but the implications for the initial landings were horrendous. "By the God-Emperor... That damned Navy fool."

It was not a good day.

[Company Medic]

Colonel Reed, attached to 17th Army HQ as an observer and liasion officer with Army Group command read over the casualty report he'd managed to get a copy of. The fact that he had to prise the data slate out of some dead 17th Army briefing officer didn't point to a successful start to this campaign....

17th Army HQ: 50 Personnel KIA, 250 WIA, 9 Trucks destroyed
1/16th GLI: 494 KIA
2/16th GLI: 100 KIA
3/16th GLI: 200 KIA
1/9 KG: 80 KIA
VI Corps HQ: 100 WIA, 30 Trucks destroyed
1/23rd C: 25 KIA, 75 WIA
6/23rd C: 45 Leman Russ destroyed
HQ/12th TTG: 900 KIA, 20 Trucks destroyed
777 M/DG FH: 150 WIA, 30 Trucks and 30 Ambulances destroyed
33 DGSB: 200 WIA, 28 trucks destroyed
1/1st BDR: 25 KIA, 75 WIA
2/1st BDR: 112 WIA, 38 KIA
3/1st BDR: 50 KIA, 150 WIA
4/1st BDR: 25 KIA, 75 WIA
5/1st BDR: 25 KIA, 75 WIA
6/1st BDR: 112 WIA, 38 KIA
7/1st BDR: 50 KIA, 150 WIA
8/1st BDR: 50 KIA, 150 WIA
1/2nd BDR: 25 KIA, 75 WIA
2/2nd BDR: 112 WIA, 38 KIA
3/2nd BDR: 25 KIA, 75 WIA
4/2nd BDR: 25 KIA, 75 WIA
5/2nd BDR: 25 KIA, 75 WIA
6/2nd BDR: 25 KIA, 75 WIA
7/2nd BDR: 25 KIA, 75 WIA
8/2nd BDR: 25 KIA, 75 WIA
1/3rd BDR: 50 KIA, 150 WIA
2/3rd BDR: 38 WIA, 12 KIA
3/3rd BDR: 112 WIA, 38 KIA
4/3rd BDR: 38 WIA, 12 KIA
5/3rd BDR: 112 WIA, 38 KIA
6/3rd BDR: 38 WIA, 12 KIA
7/3rd BDR: 38 WIA, 12 KIA
8/3rd BDR: 25 KIA, 75 WIA
XIII Corps HQ: 180 WIA, 20 KIA, 20 Trucks destroyed
3/701st TP: 68 KIA, 269 WIA
4/701st TP: 88 KIA, 349 KIA, 4 Trucks destroyed
1/42 JP: 775 KIA, 8 trucks destroyed
2/42 JP: 775 KIA, 8 trucks destroyed
3/42 JP: 775 KIA, 8 trucks destroyed
4/42 JP: 775 KIA, 8 trucks destroyed
5/42 JP: 775 KIA, 8 trucks destroyed
6/42 JP: 775 KIA, 8 trucks destroyed
8/42 JP: 277 KIA, 42 Leman Russ and 3 trucks destroyed
10/42 JP: 277 KIA, 42 Leman Russ and 3 trucks destroyed
11/42 JP: 175 KIA, 30 Basilisks and 3 trucks destroyed
12/42 JP: 175 KIA, 30 Basilisks and 3 trucks destroyed
15/42 JP: 125 KIA, 20 Hydras and 3 trucks destroyed
16/42 JP: 125 KIA, 20 Hydras and 3 trucks destroyed
17/42 JP: 675 KIA, 8 trucks destroyed
19/42 JP: 675 KIA, 8 trucks destroyed
HQ/44 JP: 833 KIA, 23 trucks destroyed
1/44 JP: 775 KIA, 8 trucks destroyed
2/44 JP: 775 KIA, 8 trucks destroyed
3/44 JP: 310 WIA, 127 KIA, 4 trucks destroyed
4/44 JP: 775 KIA, 8 trucks destroyed
5/44 JP: 775 KIA, 8 trucks destroyed
7/44 JP: 775 KIA, 8 trucks destroyed
9/44 JP: 277 KIA, 42 Leman Russ and 3 trucks destroyed
10/44 JP: 277 KIA, 42 Leman Russ and 3 trucks destroyed
12/44 JP: 175 KIA, 30 Basilisks and 3 trucks destroyed
14/44 JP: 175 KIA, 30 Basilisks and 3 trucks destroyed
15/44 JP: 125 KIA, 20 Hydras and 3 trucks destroyed
16/44 JP: 125 KIA, 20 Hydras and 3 trucks destroyed
19/44 JP: 675 KIA, 8 trucks destroyed
HQ/44 JP: 833 KIA, 23 trucks destroyed
2/44 JP: 775 KIA, 8 trucks destroyed
4/44 JP: 310 WIA, 127 KIA, 4 trucks destroyed
5/44 JP: 310 WIA, 127 KIA, 4 trucks destroyed
6/44 JP: 775 KIA, 8 trucks destroyed
9/44 JP: 277 KIA, 42 Leman Russ and 3 trucks destroyed
10/44 JP: 277 KIA, 42 Leman Russ and 3 trucks destroyed
12/44 JP: 175 KIA, 30 Basilisks and 3 trucks destroyed
13/44 JP: 175 KIA, 30 Basilisks and 3 trucks destroyed
14/44 JP: 77 KIA, 15 Basilisks and 1 truck destroyed
15/44 JP: 125 KIA, 20 Hydras and 3 trucks destroyed
16/44 JP: 125 KIA, 20 Hydras and 3 trucks destroyed
17/44 JP: 675 KIA, 8 trucks destroyed
18/44 JP: 675 KIA, 8 trucks destroyed
19/44 JP: 675 KIA, 8 trucks destroyed
14 TFH: 300 KIA, 30 trucks and 60 Ambulances destroyed

This post has been edited by Company Medic on Mar 21 2006, 04:28 AM

[Company Medic]

Reed having glanced over the massive casualty lists of the latest in 17th Army disasters, was slightly distracted as several artillery shells landed nearby, shaking the dataslate from his hands and forcing him to duck for cover right at the bottom of the slit trench that he'd made his home for the past four hours. He felt the reverberations and heard the loud high explosive bursts as the enemy directed another salvo at the Army HQ. He heard a loud scream and suddenly the upper half of another 17th Army briefing officer suddenly became visible, dangling down into his 'home.'

A quick glance saw that the man was definitely dead, but Reed noticed a second data slate at the bottom of the trench. Obviously the officer was carrying something important! Reed bent down and picked up and read over it...

13th Army Casualty Figures, 1st Wave (Approximate)
7/111th MI: 185 KIA, 40 Griffons and 3 trucks destroyed
1/16 JMI: 110 KIA, 328 WIA, 4 trucks destroyed
2/16 JMI: 110 KIA, 328 WIA, 4 trucks destroyed
3/16 JMI: 110 KIA, 328 WIA, 4 trucks destroyed
4/16 JMI: 54 KIA, 150 KIA, 4 trucks destroyed
5/16 JMI: 43 KIA, 112 WIA, 2 trucks destroyed
6/16 JMI: 25 KIA, 75 WIA, 4 trucks destroyed
7/16 JMI: 25 KIA, 75 WIA, 5 trucks destroyed
8/16 JMI: 38 WIA 112 WIA, 3 trucks destroyed
12/16 JMI: 50 KIA, 150 WIA

[Drakkar Windrider]

"Are you telling me the XIII Corps, easily one of the best units in all of Gensal, has been wiped out?"

Hannah looked up from the brief notes written onto a paper Captain Davison had brought to her. The well-aged man nodded calmly, this not being the first time ever he had seen such casualty lists. Although, not in just one day...

Hannah closed her eyes, covering her face with her hand, and sighed. Griff stared at her with its yellow eyes fixed upon her. It was said animals can read their owners' minds sometimes, and Davison was pretty sure that, at least this one, could. Just in case, he took a step back. Oderstein had not been in command long enough for the HQ staff to know her and her possible reactions, and this made her all the more dangerous to the cohesiveness of the HQ staff.

Thankfully, she had brought a couple guys with her. But they were not reliable, as far as Davison was ready to attest.

"Davison, make sure the rest of the Corps does NOT find out about this. Tell the Navy personnel to keep their mouths shut, and don't answer any questions with the full truth. I don't want anyone to find out... but I don't want them to think their new CO is a liar. Dismissed."

Davison walked out, his petrified serious outlook vaguely glad about Oderstein's character.




When the veteran captain was outside and his steps were lost in the distance, Griff quickly jumped off the table, just when Hannah's fist hit the paper pile on top of the table. Thankfully, she hit the pile from above.

"Shits! Frakking Navy! Frakking genius ideas!" She gritted her teeth, before she adjusted her glasses. So many men dead, and we haven't gotten shit out of it! And the 13th will have to pay for the broken dishes, as usual! Damnit!

Griff jumped back on his owner's lap, and stared into her eyes. She stared back. They were like this for a good two minutes, before Hannah's hand stroked the head-to-tail black cat's back. She sighed, wondering who was next into the meat-grinder... and fervently hoping it wouldn't be the 13th... and specially her Corps.