Battle of Caph (3151)
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| Battle of Caph (3151) | |
|---|---|
| Conflict details | |
| Part of | ilClan Era |
| Start Date | 3 March 3151[1] |
| End Date | 22 December 3151[2] |
| Planet(s) | Caph |
| Location(s) | Steam Continent[2] |
| Result | Capellan Confederation victory, then Star League victory[1][2] |
| Territorial Changes | Star League conquest[2] |
| Attacking Forces | |
| Affiliation | Capellan Confederation[1] Duke of Tybalt[2] |
| Command(s) | Fifth Sian Dragoons[1] First Kearny Highlanders[2] |
| Defending Forces | |
| Affiliation | Republic of the Sphere[1] |
| Command(s) | Caph Militia[1] |
| Other Forces | |
| Affiliation | Third Star League[2] |
| Command(s) | Fifth Battle Cluster[2] |
Contents
Overview[edit]
Prelude[edit]
When news reached Chancellor Daoshen Liao that Clan forces had found a way through the Fortress Wall to assault Terra while the Capellan Confederation still struggled to solve that obstacle, he was determined to capture any fleeing Republic of the Sphere forces in hopes their interrogation would solve the puzzle of the Wall. He reasoned that Republic troops would retreat to Sirius and Caph, both ancestral Capellan worlds. The assault on Sirius began in February, while the Caph operation began the next month. Due to the Skobel MechWorks and Martinson Armaments factories, the Confederation anticipated a fierce battle and the Fifth Sian Dragoons were given the honors because of their specialization in siege warfare.[1]
Capellan Confederation Attack[edit]
On 3 March 3151, the Fifth Sian Dragoons made an unopposed landing and encountered only mild Caph Militia resistance which surrendered after two hours of combat. It was soon discovered that the Republic garrison troops of the XIV Triarii Protectors had relocated to Terra some months prior in preparation for the Battle of Terra, but not before rendering the industriplexes inoperable through careful sabotage. Estimates to return the factories to operation were measured in years.[1]
Star League Attack[edit]
At some unknown point, ilKhan Alaric Ward ordered the Fifth Battle Cluster of Clan Jade Falcon to occupy the planet. It is unknown if the Dragoons were still present but given the strategic importance of the world to the Confederation that is likely. A Trinary of OmniMechs were split into component Stars and tasked with garrisoning the continent of Steam. Star Commander Aren Helmer was guarding a preestablished listening post when they met opposition on 22 December 3151.[2]
The First Kearny Highlanders, recently escaped from the Battle of Terra, had been hired by Loren Hansen, newly installed Duke of Tybalt, to probe what they believed to be Confederation defenses. While other Highlanders landed across the planet, Captain Kevin Street took two Lances aboard the Trojan-class DropShip Ghost Piper to secure the listening post. The engagement favored the Highlanders despite losses, but a sudden appearance of a herd of neosaurs resembling Triceratops prompted Street to break contact in order to report the unexpected presence of Jade Falcons on Caph. Highlander casaulties included Sergeant Kimberly Michelle and MechWarrior Anthony Ryan in a Wasp and Locust respectively. MechWarrior Sara Beth and her Phoenix Hawk were captured, Beth was made a bondswoman by Star Commander Helmer.[3][2]
References[edit]
Bibliography[edit]
- Chaos Theory (short story)
- ilClan (sourcebook)