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Editing Campaigns of Persuasion

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The '''Campaigns of Persuasion''' were a series of military operations waged by the newly formed [[Terran Hegemony]] during the early [[twenty-fourth century]] with the aim of reuniting all of humanity under Terran rule. Initially successful in reclaiming many former [[Terran Alliance]] worlds, the [[Hegemony Armed Forces]] were eventually fought to a standstill by the nascent [[Successor States|Great Houses]].
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The '''Campaigns of Persuasion''' were a series of military operations waged by the newly formed [[Terran Hegemony]] during the early 24th century with the aim of reuniting all of humanity under Terran rule. Initially successful in reclaiming many former [[Terran Alliance]] worlds, the [[Hegemony Armed Forces]] were eventually fought to a standstill by the nascent [[Successor States|Great Houses]].
  
 
==Background==
 
==Background==
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McKenna made it clear that he was resolved to unify all human worlds under Terra's banner, peacefully or by war, and resorted to the latter in dealing with a newly formed anti-Hegemony alliance between three wealthy planets: [[Quentin]], [[Errai]], and [[Helen]]. In March 2316, a large HAF fleet {{m}} including [[WarShip]]s {{m}} departed Terra and proceeded to successfully conquer all three worlds. Their inhabitants, utilizing converted civilian craft as naval vessels and trained militia ground forces, put up a determined fight but were ultimately beaten. From the hard-won lessons of this campaign, the HAF drew up its blueprint for future conquests.<ref name=SL16/>
 
McKenna made it clear that he was resolved to unify all human worlds under Terra's banner, peacefully or by war, and resorted to the latter in dealing with a newly formed anti-Hegemony alliance between three wealthy planets: [[Quentin]], [[Errai]], and [[Helen]]. In March 2316, a large HAF fleet {{m}} including [[WarShip]]s {{m}} departed Terra and proceeded to successfully conquer all three worlds. Their inhabitants, utilizing converted civilian craft as naval vessels and trained militia ground forces, put up a determined fight but were ultimately beaten. From the hard-won lessons of this campaign, the HAF drew up its blueprint for future conquests.<ref name=SL16/>
  
A standard Hegemony campaign would typically begin months prior to the assault with comprehensive intelligence gathering efforts. From this, a plan would be crafted and the armada would begin its journey. Two large WarShips and [[aerospace fighter|space fighter]]-carrying [[JumpShip]]s would secure the target system's two jump points, then the troop transports would follow. Armed reconnaissance of the planet itself was then carried out, sometimes in the face of native opposition. With detailed information now available, the updated invasion plan would be carried out, with the transports and their WarShip escorts swiftly arriving in orbit and deploying their [[DropShip]]s. Priority targets tended to be major population or industrial centers, and often water sources; planetary governments tended to surrender once the HAF had seized control of these.<ref name=SL16/>
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A standard Hegemony campaign would typically begin months prior to the assault with comprehensive intelligence gathering efforts. From this, a plan would be crafted and the armada would begin its journey. Two large WarShips and [[Aerospace Fighter|space fighter]]-carrying [[JumpShip]]s would secure the target system's two jump points, then the troop transports would follow. Armed reconnaissance of the planet itself was then carried out, sometimes in the face of native opposition. With detailed information now available, the updated invasion plan would be carried out, with the transports and their WarShip escorts swiftly arriving in orbit and deploying their [[DropShip]]s. Priority targets tended to be major population or industrial centers, and often water sources; planetary governments tended to surrender once the HAF had seized control of these.<ref name=SL16/>
  
 
These tactics proved successful and the first "Campaign of Persuasion" ended a year later with the fall of [[Towne]].<ref name=SL16/>
 
These tactics proved successful and the first "Campaign of Persuasion" ended a year later with the fall of [[Towne]].<ref name=SL16/>
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By [[2335]], McKenna felt able to begin a new campaign. This time the Hegemony focused its efforts coreward and anti-spinward of Terra; this area of space contained most of the remaining independent worlds that had not yet joined one of the emerging interstellar nations. The HAF, having improved in equipment and training, easily conquered [[Denebola]], [[Milton]], [[Alioth]], [[Mizar]], and [[Lyons]], while an assault on [[New Rhodes III]] was also successful, after the Federated Suns deserted that world's defenders following a token battle. The HAF Navy, now with over 300 WarShips and commanded by the Director-General's charismatic and flamboyant son Admiral Konrad McKenna, appeared unbeatable and both the Hegemony populace and military were confident of more victories to come.<ref name=SL18-19>''The Star League'', p. 18-19, "The Syrma Ambush"</ref><ref name=JHST148/>
 
By [[2335]], McKenna felt able to begin a new campaign. This time the Hegemony focused its efforts coreward and anti-spinward of Terra; this area of space contained most of the remaining independent worlds that had not yet joined one of the emerging interstellar nations. The HAF, having improved in equipment and training, easily conquered [[Denebola]], [[Milton]], [[Alioth]], [[Mizar]], and [[Lyons]], while an assault on [[New Rhodes III]] was also successful, after the Federated Suns deserted that world's defenders following a token battle. The HAF Navy, now with over 300 WarShips and commanded by the Director-General's charismatic and flamboyant son Admiral Konrad McKenna, appeared unbeatable and both the Hegemony populace and military were confident of more victories to come.<ref name=SL18-19>''The Star League'', p. 18-19, "The Syrma Ambush"</ref><ref name=JHST148/>
  
Forced to retire from the front lines by ailing health, James McKenna turned over ''de facto'' command of the campaign to Konrad. The admiral proceeded to carry out the assaults upon [[Galatea]] and [[Syrma]], the two primary targets of the campaign, but his recklessness would cost the Hegemony dearly.
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Forced to retire from the front lines by ailing health, James McKenna turned over ''de facto'' command of the campaign to Konrad. The admiral proceeded to carry out the assaults upon [[Galatea]] and [[Syrma]], the two primary targets of the campaign, but his recklessness would cost the Hegemony dear.
  
 
In July 2335, the HAF under Konrad successfully invaded Galatea, but his overconfident attack without the standard prior reconnaissance and blithe dismissal of the pacifist and backward inhabitants as a threat — which proved mistaken when the Galateans took up guerrilla warfare and were subdued only after a costly year-long campaign — antagonized many HAF commanders.
 
In July 2335, the HAF under Konrad successfully invaded Galatea, but his overconfident attack without the standard prior reconnaissance and blithe dismissal of the pacifist and backward inhabitants as a threat — which proved mistaken when the Galateans took up guerrilla warfare and were subdued only after a costly year-long campaign — antagonized many HAF commanders.
  
 
===Defeat at Syrma===
 
===Defeat at Syrma===
Despite his experience at Galatea, Konrad again chose to discard standard procedure when planning the invasion of Syrma. This time, instead of WarShips and fighters jumping in first to secure the jump points, the entire armada would all make the journey together. Konrad believed that, because the Syrmans colonists were antitechnology, they would pose no threat to the HAF ships and so the transports could safely head straight for the planet. Despite intense opposition from all of his subordinates, Konrad insisted on proceeding with his risky plan.
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Despite his experience at Galatea, Konrad again chose to discard standard procedure when planning the invasion of Syrma. This time, instead of WarShips and fighters jumping in first to secure the jump points, the entire armada would all make the journey together. Konrad believed that, because the Syrmans were anti-technology colonists, they would pose no threat to the HAF ships and so the transports could safely head straight for the planet. Despite intense opposition from all of his subordinates, Konrad insisted on proceeding with his risky plan.
  
 
When the invasion began on July 23, 2338, the HAF immediately stumbled into an ambush. While the neighboring [[Federation of Skye]] did not wish to openly fight the Hegemony over Syrma and Galatea, nor was it pleased at the prospect of Terran power anchored so close to its [[Skye|eponymous capital]]. Thus, the Federation had opted for a more subtle form of opposition: establishing vast networks of mines and sleeper missiles around Syrma's jump points. The result was disaster for the Hegemony fleet; while the WarShips could handle multiple hits from the mines and missiles, the more vulnerable troopships in the first invasion wave were virtually annihilated with twenty-seven out of twenty-nine vessels destroyed. When the second wave of ships started jumping in, unknowing of what had taken place, the resulting collisions resulted in more vessels lost. All in all, thirty-three troop transports and thirty-four WarShips were destroyed.<ref name=SL18-19/><ref name=JHST148/>
 
When the invasion began on July 23, 2338, the HAF immediately stumbled into an ambush. While the neighboring [[Federation of Skye]] did not wish to openly fight the Hegemony over Syrma and Galatea, nor was it pleased at the prospect of Terran power anchored so close to its [[Skye|eponymous capital]]. Thus, the Federation had opted for a more subtle form of opposition: establishing vast networks of mines and sleeper missiles around Syrma's jump points. The result was disaster for the Hegemony fleet; while the WarShips could handle multiple hits from the mines and missiles, the more vulnerable troopships in the first invasion wave were virtually annihilated with twenty-seven out of twenty-nine vessels destroyed. When the second wave of ships started jumping in, unknowing of what had taken place, the resulting collisions resulted in more vessels lost. All in all, thirty-three troop transports and thirty-four WarShips were destroyed.<ref name=SL18-19/><ref name=JHST148/>
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==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
* ''[[House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)]]''
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*''[[House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)]]''
* ''[[House Liao (The Capellan Confederation)]]''
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*''[[House Liao (The Capellan Confederation)]]''
* ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: Terra]]''
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*''[[Jihad Hot Spots: Terra]]''
* ''[[The Star League]]''
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*''[[The Star League]]''
  
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==Dates==
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*Start Date - [[Start date::2316]]
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*End Date - [[End date::2338]]
  
 
[[Category:Age of War Era Military Operations]]
 
[[Category:Age of War Era Military Operations]]
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[[Category:Terran Hegemony]]
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[[Category:Wars]]

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