THE SARNATH CAMPAIGN
The Sarnath Campaign was the invasion of the Sarnath System. The Jade Empire of Ingen and her allies sought to topple the Great Marchander Guild of Commerce, which had been infiltrated by the Merger. It began in 2487 AT when an increase of pirate activity in the region prompted the JIAN to investigate, uncovering a religious organisation calling itself the Cult of Carcaros which had infiltrated the political and cultural institutions of Sarnath.
Although the allied invaders succeeded in their initial goals, the campaign proved to be costly in lives, finance and materiel. The campaign was largely defined by asymmetrical warfare, with the Marchanders relying on poorly co-ordinated militia units and PMC operators as they attempted to defend the system against professional militaries in the early stages, leading to disproportionate losses. The GMGC and the Merger subsequently shifted their strategy and increasingly relied on guerilla warfare and terror tactics as the occupying forces gained more and more ground on the planetary surface. Although the GMGC capitulated following the Bombardment of Hornqvist, the Merger did not, and splinter and continuation groups continued to wage a guerilla campaign. BACKGROUND
The Merger, a pseudo-religious terror organisation with its roots in the FB-1 region, began infiltrating Sarnath at an unknown date several years prior to the start of hostilities. By the time the JIAN dispatched Agent Gandr Volksfahr to the system, it had already placed members at the top levels of Marchand and Zdenii society. The brothers Pardok and Gulnak had replaced the previous leaders of the Great Marchander Guild of Commerce, whilst the enigmatic Bergon had been elected captain of Patire on Zdeno.
Volksfahr was able to gather evidence linking the Cult to the rise of these officials and to multiple acts of piracy, as well as unusual trade and regulatory acts that seemed to disproportionately target the Jade Empire and its allies. Before he could exfiltrate, however, his cover was blown and he was attacked by Marchander cultists, and is presumed KIA. In response to this, Daimyo Taira Toshi approved immediate action and deployed the 7th Fleet and supporting elements under the command of Josef Prescott to the system. Contingents from the Union and FRK, the Nalydian Empire, and the Gauss Dominion also committed to investigating the problem and dismantling the mercantile power structure of the system. The allies brought professional militaries to the fray, whilst the GMGC relied primarily on a disparate force of contractors, volunteers and mercenaries, with only a small core of professional Merger ships. FIRST BATTLE OVER MARCHAND
Confronted by nearly 3,000 ships belonging to the Great Marchander Guild of Commerce with the Merger fleet hidden in reserve, the 800 ships of the allied fleet launched an immediate attack. Sweeping aside a 200 ship picket, they assembled with the Union, FRK and Pords on the left flank, the Ingenious on the right and the Gauss in the centre. Despite suffering casualties, the allies were able to drive back the GMGC lines to a secondary position. The allies then captured the Crossdock orbital station and the Ba-Sten lunar artillery emplacements, turning the flank of the new GMGC position and routing them in the First Battle over Marchand. This victory cleared the path for a planetary invasion.
BATTLE OF CASS CITYThe Union and FRK forces landed east of Cass City to lure the defenders towards the east. The Jade Empire subsequently deployed two regiments to the west. A psionic EMP trap was used to isolate the Jade Marines as they approached the rear echelons of the GMGC positions. The Jade regiments were then attacked by reserve forces of Cult militia and Merger abominations, resulting in heavy losses. The battle was only won when Union forces managed to defeat the professional GMGC forces whilst reserve Jade Marine regiments advanced to capture the GMGC headquarters in the city.
BATTLE OF DEBRUSKThe Gauss Dominion landed a heavy force of tanks and walkers east of Debrusk and assaulted GMGC positions along the Debrusk Mountain ridge. Simultaneously, a Shadow Ranger team landed to the west of the city to disable the defenses there. After a hard-fought battle the Dominion armour was able to break through and a Crescent Blade team was able to capture the GMGC commander, Bailiwick Kuraly, leading Bailiff Sweeney to surrender the city. An abortive attempt by Bailiff Zanussi to liberate the city was driven off with minimal casualties on either side by Dominion artillery strikes.
|
BATTLE OF HALAK
Pordish forces from the Empire of Nalydia assaulted the seaport of Halak, landing in the ocean and performing an amphibious landing. An additional Dominion force attacked from the south once the defenders were committed. Initially confined to their beachheads by heavy GMGC resistance, the Pords were eventually able to achieve a breakout in the north, encircling the enemy and forming a pincer movement in conjunction with the Dominion forces south of the city. The GMGC division routed and Pordish infantry were able to capture Bailiwick Bulger, the regional commander for the Guild.
SECOND BATTLE OVER MARCHAND
Whilst the allied fleets were partially invested supporting their ground forces, a reserve force of approximately 500 Merger destroyers that had hidden in the shadow of the gas giant Nenglan attacked the allied positions. The allied fleets were already depleted following the first battle, and the Dominion had reduced its presence due to the onset of the Gauss-Furrelian War. Only the sacrifice of advance light units, including many FRK ships, allowed the allies time to reform their lines and drive off the attack.
BOMBARDMENT OF HORNQVIST
With allied casualties rapidly mounting, the Crown Prince Mitsuyoshi Kuriyabashi resigned his infantry commission and transferred from his post at Cass City to the flagship, the IJN Mako. Upon arrival he employed his royal prerogative to relieve Admiral Prescott of duty and assume direct command of the theatre. He immediately directed his capital ships to orbitally bombard the Marchander capital city, Hornqvist. Millions of civilians were killed and the display of unchecked firepower convinced Bailiwick Sundin of Donchree to surrender. The remaining Bailiwicks either followed his example or dispersed their forces, bringing an end to the initial Sarnath Campaign.
AFTERMATH
WIP