Battle of Zurich (3145)
| Battle of Zurich (3145) | |
|---|---|
| Conflict details | |
| Part of | Dark Age |
| Start Date | 3145 (presumed, see Notes) |
| Planet(s) | Zurich |
| Result | Unsuccesful raid |
| Territorial Changes | No net change |
| Attacking Forces | |
| Affiliation | Republic of the Sphere |
| Command(s) | XIV Principes Guards |
| Defending Forces | |
| Affiliation | Capellan Confederation |
| Other Forces | |
Overview
Once the Republic of the Sphere became aware of a series of supply caches the Capellan Confederation had established on Zurich, they deployed the XIV Principes Guards from their home in Elgin, one jump away. Two DropShips landed in an LZ in a box canyon adjacent to a dry lakebed, well positioned to attack the five supply bases along a thousand kilometer long stretch of beach. The raiding party consisted of six BattleMechs, including two Uraeuses with Sergeant Imogen Nopah in a Uraeus. Security for the LZ was given to Captain Valeriy Kirichenko and the six Revenant; four UBM-2R and two long range UBM-2R2. Unfortunately, a company of hovertanks was on maneuvers near the lakebed and observed their descent. Unable to locate the exact landing zone that first day, the hovertanks encamped. By chance their bivouac site was near the mouth of the box canyon, and once night fell the drones swarmed out.[1][2][3][4]
Swinging around to the next valley over to obfuscate the LZ location, the drones attacked. With the two longer range Revenants firing what appeared to be inaccurate LRM fire from behind cover, the other four rushed into the camp. Three unmanned hovertanks were destroyed and the crews of another four were killed in their tents before the drones retreated. It wasn't until the morning that the truth of the inaccurate fire was discovered from another four hovertanks exploded from Thunder Mines. Despite the heavy damage, the hovertanks were able to get a message out which dispatched two lances of ’Mechs in search of the raiding party. Having only destroyed two of the five supply depots and their infantry security the news of Capellan relief sent them retreating back to their DropShips. During their return to the DropShips, the raiding party stumbled upon the Capellan relief of eight ’Mechs including one Stinger and a CTF-4L stealth Cataphract. With the two Uraeuses anchoring the center the raiders attacked. Sergeant Nopah flattened the Stringer in her initial charge, then proceeded to alpha strike targets of opportunity until her triple-strength myomer was able to engage. Charging fullout into the Cataphract next she pierced its gyro with her Medium Vibroblade. After inflicting significant losses to the Capellans in exchange for two RAF ’Mechs the raiders were able to disengage and retreat back to the DropShips. Both Uraeuses survived but the brutal fighting left their vibroblades broken and the MechWarriors suffering from heat stroke.[1][2][3][4]
Aftermath
For her part in the battle, Nopah was promoted to Lieutenant and offered a Lament to replace her battered Uraeus, which she refused. She proposed forming an all-Uraeus lance to train in close-assault tactics.[3][4]
Notes
- No dates were given for this battle, nor is it known when XIV Principes formed (for context XI Principes was formed by 3140[5]) so this battle is assumed to take place in 3145, using the in-universe date of the TROs.
- The stealth Cataphract could be the CTF-5L but that version didn't exist in the real world when TRO3145 was published.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Technical Readout: 3145 Republic, p. 30: "UBM-2R Revenant"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Technical Readout: 3145, p. 94: "UBM-2R Revenant"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Technical Readout: 3145 Republic, p. 38: "UAE-7R Uraeus"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Technical Readout: 3145, p. 160: "UAE-7R Uraeus"
- ↑ Turning Points: Epsilon Eridani, p. 8: "XI Principes Guards"