BATTLE OF DEBRUSK
The Battle of Debrusk was a part of the Sarnath Campaign. The Gauss Dominion landed ground forces to assault the city and remove the Great Marchander Guild of Commerce from power. The battle was a victory for the Gauss Dominion as, following their capture of Bailiwick Kuraly, the Imperial Jade Navy was able to compel him to stand down his remaining forces.
BACKGROUND
Following the allied victory in the First Battle over Marchand, they were left with relatively unopposed control of the space around the planet. Unwilling to risk significant collateral damage to civilians and infrastructure by an inaccurate orbital bombardment, several cities were selected as invasion targets with the aim of removing the GMGC power structure.
Debrusk, somewhat south-east of the capitol at Hornqvist, was selected as a target for the Gauss Dominion. ORDER OF BATTLEIn the east the Gauss Dominion deployed the 233rd and 234th Divisions, primarily mechanised in nature, with a force of approximately 4,000 tank walkers and 20,000 combat mechs, with significant rear-echelon support as well as special operations in the form of a Crescent Blade and a team of Shadow Rangers. In the later stages of the battle, they deployed six further divisions to the west of Debrusk, although these units saw little combat.
Bailiwick Kuraly, in charge of the combined defense of the city, had nearly a million armed combatants, primarily members of various private military contractor firms based on Marchand and volunteer militias. They had in excess of 1,500 armoured vehicles and a significant series of fortifications along the Debrusk Mountains to the east of the city. GAUSS ADVANCEThe Gauss forces landed in the plains east of Debrusk, encountering little resistance other than a few scattered insurgents. They moved in columns towards the mountains, supported by aerial reconnaissance, and engaged the mountain guns at range. Although suffering some casualties, they rapidly silenced the static emplacements and were able to advance towards the mountain passes.
SHADOW RANGER ADVANCEA team of Shadow Rangers led by Arasi landed west of Debrusk in the ranchlands and advanced on foot towards the city. Infiltrating the undermanned picket lines undetected, the team was able to reach the western line of fortifications including a large artillery complex located on the lip of the city's underlying plateau. After subduing the guards and planting explosives, they exfiltrated and were able to destroy a central portion of the city's western defenses.
GMGC COUNTER-ATTACKBailiwick Kuraly had massed two large formations of armour and infantry in the mountain passes beneath his gun emplacements. He had also directed certain gun emplacements to engage in subterfuge and pretend to be knocked out of action. When the advancing Dominion formations reached a killing zone he ordered his remaining artillery to open fire at close range, combined with a massed charge by his ground forces.
It was at this point that Field Commander Kauldesi Anturan of the 233rd was killed by artillery |
fire. He was replaced by Field Commander Mataya Huen who repositioned her forces to face the oncoming assault, directing their rear echelon units to concentrate their own artillery on the northern formation of enemy armour whilst a Sentinel-class cruiser arrived to provide fire support.
Although the GMGC attack succeeded in penetrating the Dominion formation and causing significant casualties, the superior firepower and organisation of the Dominion resulted in a defeat for the GMGC. Their retreat was complicated by the narrow mountain passes, which quickly clogged with damaged or wrecked vehicles. Only a hundred or so armoured vehicles made it back to the city, whilst nearly 200,000 soldiers were killed or captured in the battle. A Dominion Crescent Blade agent captured Bailiwick Kuraly as he attempted to escape, arresting him and transferring him to Jade custody.
Although the GMGC attack succeeded in penetrating the Dominion formation and causing significant casualties, the superior firepower and organisation of the Dominion resulted in a defeat for the GMGC. Their retreat was complicated by the narrow mountain passes, which quickly clogged with damaged or wrecked vehicles. Only a hundred or so armoured vehicles made it back to the city, whilst nearly 200,000 soldiers were killed or captured in the battle. A Dominion Crescent Blade agent captured Bailiwick Kuraly as he attempted to escape, arresting him and transferring him to Jade custody.
WESTERN ADVANCE
With the city's defenders engaged in battle to the east and their static defenses compromised, the Dominion landed six further divisions to invest the city proper, advancing from the west along the same route as the Shadow Rangers. Before they could engage in combat with the remaining defenders, however, Bailif Sweeney announce a general surrender, whilst directing his remaining loyal PMC units to turn on their Cultist allies.
This was a result of pressure brought against Bailiwick Kuraly by his Jade captors - the threat of area bombing against the city convinced the Bailiwick that supporting the Cult no longer represented the Guild's best interests.
This was a result of pressure brought against Bailiwick Kuraly by his Jade captors - the threat of area bombing against the city convinced the Bailiwick that supporting the Cult no longer represented the Guild's best interests.
AFTERMATH
The city of Debrusk was temporarily placed under Dominion control by the surrender of Baliff Sweeney.