Battle of Xhosa (3022)
Sarna News
| Battle of Xhosa (3022) | |
|---|---|
| Conflict details | |
| Part of | Third Succession War |
| Start Date | 3022 |
| Planet(s) | Xhosa VII |
| Location(s) | Plain of Swords |
| Result | Draconis Combine defeat |
| Territorial Changes | No change |
| Attacking Forces | |
| Affiliation | Draconis Combine |
| Commanding Officer(s) | Tai-i Mercer Ravannion |
| Command(s) | "Horde" Battalion |
| Defending Forces | |
| Affiliation | Federated Suns |
| Commanding Officer(s) | Cadet Captain Michael Ubodo |
| Command(s) | Xhosa VII Garrison, Draconis March Militia |
| Other Forces | |
Prelude[edit]
In 3019 Tai-i Mercer Ravannion unsuccessfully tested his Horde doctrine and was soundly defeated. After returning to the Draconis Combine he refined the tactic, realizing he simply needed more machines to throw at the enemy. Still possessing high levels of support within the DCMS he grew his horde from six ’Mechs to thirty-six, and selected the frigid and barren Plain of Swords for his next experimentation with the Horde.[1]
Cadet Michael Ubodo had recently graduated from the NAIS and was brevetted to command the two companies of the Xhosa VII Garrison.[2][3][4][5]
Overview[edit]
In 3022 he went for a second round. When the Combine DropShips grounded on the Plain of Swords, a battalion comprised mostly of Wasps with some Stingers swarmed from their bays, and were met with two companies of Locusts and Blackjacks under the command of Cadet Captain Michael Ubodo, piloting his Blackjack, "The Arrow". As Tai-i Mercer anticipated the Locusts were hampered by the cold, but Ubodo was able to retain his nerve and fully utilize what little terrain there was to scour the Horde with Autocannon and Laser fire. After Ubodo personally led the counter attack that broke the Combine lines, Ravannion's forces retreated in disorder.[1][2][3][4][5]
Aftermath[edit]
Ravannion would return to the Combine where he managed to use what clout he had left to try the Horde a third time the following year on Fallon II in a final confrontation with McKinnon's Raiders.[2][3][4][5]
Ubodo was presented the Federated Suns Star by Prince Hanse Davion himself, and awarded a permanent commission in the Eighth Deneb Light Cavalry.[2][3][4][5][6]
References[edit]
- ↑ a b Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 4, p. 4: "Wasp"
- ↑ a b c d Technical Readout: 3025, p. 46: "BJ-1 Blackjack"
- ↑ a b c d Technical Readout: 3025 Revised, p. 46: "BJ-1 Blackjack"
- ↑ a b c d Technical Readout: 3039, p. 128: "BJ-1 Blackjack"
- ↑ a b c d Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 68: "BJ-1 Blackjack"
- ↑ Handbook: House Davion, p. 133: "Medals and Honors" - Described in Technical Readout: 3025 as the "Davion Star of Bravery", the Federated Suns Star is the closest match in both appearance and criteria