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Post by Sophie on Oct 11, 2023 12:16:17 GMT -5
“Nervous?” Fleet Admiral Ignatius Colain, who wore more medals on his chest than most nations even offered, boomed with laughter. “About what? A bunch of pansy men in skirts whose biggest accomplishment is getting their asses kicked by a bunch of women? Their biggest battleship is twenty thousand tons lighter than ours! If they didn’t run and hide like the little scardey cats they are, we’d sink their entire fleet by noon!” Admiral Colain continued to openly chastise the Captain, who dared express a single ounce of concern, to the entirety of his crew. The Captain slumped down into his chair and threw daggering glances at Colain. The Admiral’s puffed-out chest wasn’t completely unfounded. He was commanding enough steel to hollow out a small asteroid. 3 Carriers - 108 carrier bombers and 108 carrier fighters 10 light carriers - 108 carrier bombers and 108 carrier fighters 38 fast battleships 100 battleships 250 battlecruisers 150 super cruisers 200 heavy cruisers 250 light cruisers 100 torpedo cruisers 50 minelayers 650 torpedo destroyers 1000 escort destroyers Half the force would be split in three to assault and patrol the home islands of the UKUG; this force held the entirety of the fleet carrier force. Their initial targets were to send bombing runs over the island. Area-level bombings were commenced in coastal and near coastal cities. Primary targets were warships in dock, dry docks, factories, and large buildings. Battleships pushed forward to shell the coastline for over twenty kilometers away. The three groups circled the islands like sharks, attacking at seemingly random. The other half of the force broke into fifths. Two-fifths launched an immediate naval invasion of the tiny islands closest to Garlra, and the other three patrolled the waters, seeking Gaelic taskforces to kill. 30,000 special infantry were attached to the navy to invade these islands.  100 Submarines, and 100 coastal submarines cast a wide net around Gaelia to choke her off from the vital imports she needed to survive.  An incredible force of 340 Medium Bombers began bombing runs of the islands. |
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Post by Greywall on Oct 13, 2023 7:14:27 GMT -5
It was a normal cool autumn morning when Cavanaugh and the 358 began their routine patrol of the Gaelic outer islands and channel. The captain drank his coffee and ate a small breakfast of bacon and toast before jumping into his FC-21 Siskin, it had been outfitted with more tech in the last few months that it no longer resembled the aircraft he took over 4 years ago. A radio, enhanced Stewart engine, new Vicker machine guns and the Fox emblem now on the fuselage.
His squadron prepped and took off around 6:45 am, against the cool air that now in the upper atmosphere must have been freezing.
"Check in."
"sec A reporting"
"sec B reporting"
"Alright laddies, lets complete our patrol and turn in, I don't wanna miss the game. Knights are playoff bound this year."
"That's what you think cappin' my Highlanders are gonna end that winstreak."
"In your dreams McFadden. Your defense is-"
"Captain 7 O clock!"
What Cavanaugh saw in the distance due East, sent a cold chill down his entire body, the hair on every end was sticking up as he saw the mass heading their way. Ships, thousands of them. "Oh my god they're coming."
"Radio central command!"
Right as he gave the order bullets whizzed by, Galran fighters. "We got Lancers! inbound! Sec B get to radio range and tell them now! We'll hold em"
"Cappin' those are Lancers! We're in bloody Siskins!"
"Then lets die well, For the Kingdom!"
As Cavanaugh led the 358 into a dogfight two fighters in Sec B raced back to the islands to alert them. It was close but when the signal was sent, it lit up the UKUG like a christmas tree at their phone and telegram offices. All public lines were shut off, taken by the military as the massive communication needed to coordinate the defense would still take hours. Hours the UKUG didn't have. But at the least two truths were made clear.
UKUG had prepared for their homeland to be hit one day, not by Galra but by Kumosenkan, regardless they had a plan.
Second.
Galra was incredibly, sloppy.
The approach was easily detected and allowed the island to be alerted, coastal forts and their new Flak guns began preparations. Coastal towns and cities ordered their police departments to get civilians into shelters and out of what was being described as a massive assault. The Navy was scrambling to get to their assigned gathering points when the deafening sound of aircraft engines above now made a horrid reality clear. Galra was hitting from the air too.
"Enemy fighters! Gunners! Aim to the front! Tell engineering we need Staol in my boilers and we gotta get out!"
The RGS Tagrain was a newly minted Boudica Battleship, but against the sheer might of the Galran airforce she was sunk almost immediately. Ships in the Eastern coastal docks at the opening of the assault were smashed hard, Coastal flak guns fired at the enemy fighters while machine gunners down below had to learn when best to hit their targets. "Wait for the enemy to drop into attack formation and then fire!"
When the Galran dive bombers descended now Machine gunners would riddle them from the port and ship decks. "Get those slow cunts out of harbor!". But the ships weren't the only thing being hit, nearby factories and docks were also destroyed as Gaelic sailors and soldiers scrambled to react. Galran aircraft seemingly had free reign to do as they pleased, as Galran enemy ships came within range the Coastal forts would find the enemy ships just 2 miles off range as they received heavy damage. Taking out flak guns that slowed aircraft assaults and leaving the docks more vulnerable.
Dock master Betty O'Toole had never seen anything like this, a Gaelic destroyer was cracked open in half by a Galran diverbomber hitting its magazine and the entire harbor was ablazed. She got on the radio trying to get help, any help, but the docks were all being slaughtered.
"We're losing ships at Abarath"
"Deploying fire brigades but were completely overrun with enemy fighters!"
"We got the word, The Serria Contingency has been activated."
"Enemy bombers have hit Baile Glas!"
"This can't be happening!"
"RGS Huron launched and prep-"
Large explosion
"What the hell! We lost the Huron"
"This is Black Sheep squadron. You got Wolves in the skies. We're not going anywhere."
Black painted Star Wolf fighters engaged the enemy aircraft, taking them down and likely shocking the Galran pilots with the new UKUG fighter. "Round them up, group 2 take your wing and silence those bombers"
"Affirm, engaging."
All over the East coast the Star Wolves, Siskin fighters, Faolin fighters, even old tri planes had been scrambled to engage the Galran aerial assault. "Open broadcast" the lead fighter of the Black Sheep let the Galrans hear what was likely the only response they would hear from the UKUG that day.
"Live to fly. Fly to live. Do or die. Aces high!"
Fighters weren't the only thing scrambled, Mud Dauber torpedo bombers that were close to being retired were scrambled from the airfields and began their runs on the Galran ships coming in to shell coastal forts.
Claudia O'Driscoll captain of the 211 Dauber squadron. "Yellow Jackets"
"Remember your damn training, if they fire at you, maintain your course, drop payload and when you fly over their goddamn decks. LOOK THEM STRAIGHT IN THE EYE!"
"Yes Ma'am!"
"Kill those ugly ships!"
Dauber torpedo bombers had the advantage with the Galrans being close to their shores and sending enemy fighters to targets in engage enemy ships quickly. Daubers weren't the only thing being sent out to the enemy ships, new T-30 A CAS fighters loaded with Marrish bombs and torpedos also engaged the enemy ships. "
Kenneth Mclain of the 93rd T-30A squadron, "Dragonborn"
"I wanted Kumo, but I suppose some over confident zealots will do. LET THEM HAVE IT! Don Réimse!"
The attack on the ships would likely allow the battered Gaelic Eastern fleet time to escape. Admiral Lennon was gather assets to the West, the only fleet remaining was the capital fleet and reports were not good from Baile Glas.
"Captain Mclain you have new signals heading your way, due mark east 34 miles and closing from watch tower 32B. Enemy fighters."
"They had to get smart eventually, any word on our fighters?"
"Tied up, hold them off as best as you can."
"Hear that? fly low and fast for the coast once your payload is dropped!"
Enemy Galran carrier fighters closed in, likely as a response to the Gaelic counter. Mclain thought 'good means they gotta stretch'. "Perry you got one of the cunts on your six!"
"I can't shake him!"
The T-30A was a hulking aircraft, not meant to be without fighter escorts. Making them easy targets for Galran Lancer fighters.
In a ball of fire Perry would be shot down, "dammit these things slow" Mcclain thought to himself, "you like shooting us down do ya? Here's a little something for ya from the 93rd!" Mcclain hard braked his aircraft letting the Lancers ahead and firing his Rolbeck guns into them. "YOU DIDN'T LIKE THAT DID YOU!?"
"Captain Mcclain, sorry to keep you waiting, we're on you!"
Charles "Nevvaro" Gunterra of the 67th Faolin squadron, (Wizard squadron)
"Careful desert boy they got those Lancers"
"Heh, good. Means it'll hurt more when I shoot them down"
The Faolin fighters dropped with the altitude advantage tearing the pursuing Lancers to pieces. "You beautiful bastard!" Mcclain shouted over the radio.
"Let's send a message, this is our home"
Gunterra's squadron covered the T-30A withdrawal, when they arrived at the base they would find out just how massive this opening battle really was. "Reload them and refuel lets go!"
Mcclain felt reality hit him, they were not done, and likely wouldn't be done for some time. "I need you back up there pronto, enemy ships are smashing our coast." Mcclain nodded as a worker gave him something to drink. "Get me back out there then."
Cavanaugh and his squadron back at Marshall were over whelmed. Down below the 500 man garrison was barely holding on as Galran soldiers stormed the beach for the town and main airbase. "Cavanaugh, this is base commander Williams."
"Go ahead"
"Get your fighters to the mainland now!"
"Sir?"
"We're losing ground fast down here, get to the homeland and fight on. We're gonna fall in minutes."
A pause between Cavanaugh and the base commander held before Cavanaugh stated, "I will be back".
"I know you will. But get going son, you've been lucky and you won't last much longer."
Sounds of gun fire in the background drowned the last transmission as Cavanaugh ordered his squadron to fly West at top speed.
Down below was an utter hell, the islands had fallen and the base on Marshall was being hammered. "I think they're fuckin' elites!" cried out one soldier, "Ah fuck!" another complained as he reloaded his Model 4. "Fall back into the air field." Gaelic soldiers were dropping against the Galran elite troopers using semi auto rifles and fully automatic submachine guns and new BAR rifles. In a matter of 20 minutes the base would fall and the channel islands would now belong to Galra.
Out West Lennon had gathered the bulk of the fleet and was sending scout aircraft to track what the Galrans were doing, to his surprise, there was no real planned pattern other than they had split some of their fleet to encircle and damage the coast. They had their ships that close to the coast he thought, and split apart. "Track a group, have the heavy fleet ready to hit it off the Western coast of Eire. We're getting in this fight."
The moment a Galran fleet entered the far West coast of Eire, came down the Royal fleet. Lennon sent fast moving Frigates and Corvettes to flank it in a wide C formation while the heavy fleet, battleships and cruisers moved in the center. "Pin them to the coast, force them one way to move." The Galrans in this one group would be given one way to move away. East, toward the coast, toward the coastal guns wanting revenge.
"As soon as they move toward us, Let em have it lads!" shouted the coastal fort commander. Lennon used the vast Carrier airforce to scout enemy movements but sent CAS Assblasters to hit Galran groups that strayed too far away. Whoever commanded the assault while doing a lot of damage had left a massive opening for the UKUG to strike back. Lennon muttered, "I've waited for the spider, but instead, I get the fool."
The capital fleet, a group of 10 Battleships, 34 frigates, 5 heavy cruisers and 100 corvettes would hold the line as best as they could to the capital port.
Gaelic submarines would dive below and per the Sierra Contingency would head East from the main fleet targeting Galran patrols. The Royal navy didn't have a lot of submarines but would use them as best as possible.
The Royal Airforce worked around the clock, enemy bombers continued to hit their targets despite the fierce resistance given to them by the Gaelics. Star Wolf squadrons would do their best engaging bomber fleets while Flak guns remaining from the coastal shelling fired in the large groupings hoping to force early drops or at best destroy them.
As the sun began to drop, the fires of the new war kept the skies lit up. Bail Glas was in blazes, reports that the Emerald Palace being destroyed dismayed the population but the reports that the Royal Family had escaped kept them in the fight.
Given the sheer carelessness of the assault by the Galrans it was clear they were not following a real plan but using sheer brute force, which had done considerable damage. Several factories were destroyed, thousands of soldiers were dead, ships had been destroyed in dock and the UKUG had been given on hell of a black eye day 1. But the Galrans didn't know of the coast, they didn't know of the hidden troves and as the Galran fleet continued to circle around the islands they would learn of a Gaelic strategy once again reserved for the much larger Kumo warships.
As Galran ships passed by in the night sky near the coast, swarms of torpedo boats would emerge going full speed and launching torpedoes at Galran warships before disappearing into the night. Knowing where to go in the rocky coast. If Galran warships attempted to pursue they ran the risk of striking the rocky shores.
Reports made it clear, the UKUG was cut off from the world. Trade and civilian shipping was being sunk in the shawbalt by enemy submarines. The colonies were under attack, the enemy failed to locate and cut the telegram allowing communication.
In the bleak background of war, the radios of Ulster-Gaelia would hear the voice of their King at last.
Rufus had taken a personal price, a severe loss, his face bared the scars of what happened to him that day.
"People of the United Kingdom of Ulster-Gaelia. It is with great tragedy, that I must now inform you that we find ourselves at war with the Imperium of Galra. We have taken severe losses, our colonial arm has been severed in the Shawbalt, our empire is being attacked all over and we have reports that the Sovereign Union have attacked every nation from the Sunset Sea to the Auran Fjords, all the way to the Silk Sea. The world has learned a hard truth, that the SU cannot be trusted further on, they have violated the ISTT and we have reports that Koi is being actively invaded.
The treachery of this action means Galra, Grinvel and Verak have betrayed the ISTT they signed. In their ruthless attempts to control Ouhiri, I shall not concede to Galran rule in Koi. I have spoken with Parliament and the Taoiseach, for the first time since the opening Staol Wars I have been given the authority for Total War. All factories, all hands and all are now called to do their part in this great endeavor. We are in a struggle to preserve our civilization, our way of life and against the greatest threat our nation has ever faced. I feel though, as all do their duty and part, we shall overcome this growing darkness. But we cannot do this alone, the nations of the world must bind themselves to this creed hence forth no more shall we be separated or shall we perish otherwise. A united front must be established, the road will be long and hard. Our generation will be shaken by the horrors and violence of war, but we must prevail, we must defeat this enemy at all costs and Ulster-Gaelia shall stand, even if the world rejects our call and we're cut off starving to death. I will not accept the enemy proposal for their vision of the world to come, We shall fight on, we shall go on til the bloody end! We shall fight in Lusatia, we shall fight on the beaches, on the landing grounds and in the damn streets. In our highlands and our hills, we shall never surrender! And if death is our hard and cold truth and destiny then so be it! For a true Gaelic will die for the right cause and this is our righteous calling, to stand before the face of evil and destruction and declare it nevermore accepted! I have in my hand, Autarch Applegate's intent for the world to accept Galran occupation of the Koian Republic. He has asked for nations to disarm and allow in a new ISTT that Galra now controls the Koian nation as an extension of the Imperial State. My response is thus, Only a fool will stand up and willingly lay down his arms. No not me! Not when death lasts forever!"
Roars and cheers could be heard as men and women shouted at their radios as if it could be heard,
"Fight on and prepare for the long war! We shall go on ever onward!"
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Post by EpicToaster1 on Dec 15, 2023 23:43:56 GMT -5
Sheffield
The Eastern-most inhabited island of the channel islands, Sheffield would be the first to fall. With the sudden invasion by 1,000 Galran special forces, the ships in the port wouldn't have much time to react. Only two ships would make it out alive, the RGS Glóir, a corvette, and the RGS Gorm Meirge, a destroyer, would manage to flee out of the harbor before being destroyed, but the remainder of the fleet would be captured, destroyed, or sunk while attempting to escape. Only a couple minutes of fighting would be all the Gaelics would manage before their defensive positions are overrun by the Galran marines.
Even the town of 4,500 would receive some collateral damage from the bombing runs, though the marines would thankfully spare the town a full siege as it'd surrender. Their twenty minutes of fighting would be violent and bloody,
Gaelic Casualties
Civilian Casualties:
8 Killed
20 Injured
Military Casualties:
54 Killed
108 Injured*
538 Captured
Galran Casualties
26 Killed
52 Injured
Marshall
With more advanced warning, Marshall's forces would have more time to ready up their defenses. All of their aircraft would be able to escape to the mainland, fleeing before the Galran fighters manage to intercept them. As for the soldiers, the base would fall as bombs rained from above and bullets whizzed by from the beaches. The fort itself would be reduced to little more than stone rubble, the vague shape of the fort still visible but otherwise nonfunctional in its current state.
The nearby village of 800 would also be bombed by the aerial assault. Homes and businesses were destroyed in the flashes, while the runway of the airbase would be cratered from the initial run.
Gaelic Casualties
Civilian Casualties:
61 Killed
234 Injured
Military Casualties:
103 Killed
22 Injured*
175 Captured
Galran Casualties
98 Killed
15 Injured
*Injured Soldiers have also been captured, obviously.
Gaelia
The Brentrock Channel was crowded with steel and smoke, Galran ships closing in on the island while Galran aircraft softened up the defenses of the Eastern coast. But the fierce resistance of the Gaelic military certainly caught the Galrans off guard, whom expected to catch them so off guard they wouldn't be ready for a fight.
The initial strikes did catch the Gaelics off guard, but their preparation for war with other foes that kept them on their toes left them in a much better position. Galran fighters, however, chewed up much of the Eastern shoreline and cities and bases alike were turned to smoldering rubble.
Gaelic Casualties
Civilian Casualties:
398 Killed
874 Injured
Military Casualties:
675 Killed
543 Injured
24 Siskins Lost
6 Star Wolves Lost
11 Daubers Lost
8 T-30As Lost
1 Faolin Lost
1 Fast Battleship Sunk
1 Battleship Sunk
2 Battleships Damaged
1 Heavy Cruiser Sunk
2 Heavy Cruisers Damaged
2 Light Cruisers Sunk
1 Light Cruiser Damaged
4 Torpedo Destroyers Sunk
3 Torpedo Destroyers Damaged
2 Escort Destroyers Sunk
3 Escort Destroyers Damaged
3 Frigates Sunk
8 Frigates Damaged
4 Corvettes Sunk
2 Corvettes Damaged
4 Torpedo Boats Damaged
1 Patrol Boat Damaged
4 Boxcars Destroyed
2 Boxcars Damaged
The Galran Fleet would see great, sweeping success in the initial moments of the battle, but as the hours wore on, the momentum faded and the intense fighting grew closer and closer to the Galran fleets. Those sent close to the shore to fight the coastal batteries were soon returning the greater fleet limping or laying motionless and ablaze on the horizon. The Galran ships were struggling against the torpedo bombers, the few AA guns their designs sported unable to shoot low enough once they made it to their diving altitude, only being able to fire on them after they dropped and were flying back to safety and by that point the torpedoes were already on their way.
Galran fighters battled over the open channel, the heavier weapons able to blast the Gaelic aircraft easily, but their slow maneuverability was easily taken advantage of by the smaller and more nimble Star Wolves. With the fighters occupied, more Gaelic planes could focus on the now unescorted bombers that assaulted the islands. A few Star Wolves would even manage to make it to the greater fleet and fire a few rounds into the side of the steel beasts before turning back to the safety of the islands. But they would achieve their goal of spooking the crews, the lower-ranking seamen expressing extreme distress at the fleet's lack of ability to defend itself from the "skirtmen".
Galran Casualties
29 Lancers Lost
5 Trinities Lost
14 Justices Lost
1 Heavy Cruiser Damaged
1 Light Cruiser Sunk
3 Light Cruisers Damaged
7 Torpedo Destroyers Sunk
12 Torpedo Destroyers Damaged
1 Escort Destroyer Sunk
2 Escort Destroyers Damaged
Underwaves
Under the surface of the ocean, submarines moved to embargo the islands and assault the invaders. Neither side would see immediate combat at this state, the Galran submarines only managing to fire upon a single staollier heading to the islands, but the torpedo detonated too early, allowing the ship to evade and flee at a faster clip to the islands.
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Post by Greywall on Dec 16, 2023 15:45:08 GMT -5
Battle of Brentrock Channel
Gaelic deployment
50 battleships
19 fast battleships
70 battlecruisers
90 super cruisers
40 heavy cruisers
100 light cruisers
90 torpedo cruisers
11 large subs
9 submarines
30 torpedo destroyers
400 escort destroyers
700 frigates
550 corvettes
180 torpedo boats
180 patrol boats
5 light carriers - 60 carrier bombers and 25 carrier fighters
80 medium bombers
30 CAS fighter/bombers
2 interceptor prototype fighters
250 heavy biplane fighters (Star Wolves)
10 light trifighters
30 heavy triplanes
45 torpedo biplane bombers
The RGS Cnoc na Saoirse, a Boudica class battleship was traveling full speed ahead, her crew determined and ready for what laid ahead. A squadron of Star Wolf fighters descended toward her flying near her deck as the massive 406mm main guns turned toward the mass of chaos up ahead, Admiral Lennon had deployed the bulk of the Royal Navy to defend Ulster-Gaelia and break whatever blockade Galra had planned. It resulted in a massive naval battle filling the Brentrock.
Dozens of Star Wolf squadrons would enter the skies as the island nation began churning out anything and everything to fight the Galran menace, in their rapid need for more fighter pilots the RAF was training them as fast as possible but were now recruiting foreign volunteers. civil pilots who flew commercial and private aircraft were now piloting various military aircraft to help give the Gaelic military any edge against their opponent. Ashinarian, Marrish, Mil'Nor, Nevarran, Koian, Roskanan, and even a few Amali were now flying fighter planes or bomber craft for the RAF.
One squadron was the reinvigorated 358th led by Cavanaugh, flying new Star Wolf Mk2 fighters and their squadron restored to full strength with volunteer pilots. "We're approaching the combat zone, Gold squadron are you prepared for link up?" Far to the Northeast were 20 or so T-30A CAS bombers strapped with bombs to hit Galran ships, "Roger Foxes, we're linking up now" the mass of aircraft linked up forming a cloud of metal as they approached the Galran fleet. "We got visual, enemy fighters coming 3 o'clock"
"I don't see them!"
"There above the water line, Lancers"
The Galran fighters engaged the Gaelics as the 358 attempted to create a path for the bombers, "There's too many of them!" shouted one pilot, "Keep calm, continue to engage them!" Captain Cavanaugh retorted. Across the channel there would be massive dogfights like this, Gaelic airpower was used to close the gap between the Royal Navy and Galra's massive fleet. Aerial supremacy was to be established first and foremost and repel the naval assault on the islands, followed by an anti sub campaign with Ferris Combine designing a new aircraft designed to hunt and kill enemy submarines.
Any Galran ships that invoked around the islands were met with rapid ambushes of patrol and torpedo boats, even worse would be any Galran ships getting close enough to the coastal defenses to meet a deadly volley.
Medium bombers with fighter escorts flew over the fleet battle to drop payloads and given the Galrans likely would be bunched up with their massive numbers its easy to assume they would hit several targets with these runs. Galran aerial assaults onto the mainland would be where a lot of pressure would be applied as Gaelic Flak guns and fighters became accustomed to the enemy attempts at hitting their homeland from above.
During once such raid a group of Foreign pilots in the newly formed 444th interceptor group learned the Gaelic huddle chant before the launch of their mission to stop the Galrans, "Live to fly. Fly to live. Do or die. Aces high!" the 444th jumped in their newly minted Star Wolf fighters, two Ashinarians, three Marrish, two Mil'Nor, an Inselni and Koian all led by Gaelic captain Jordah O'Malley.
"Red form in attack pattern four, target the drifters first we wanna send them back quickly now" - O'Malley
"Copy Red Leader"
A well oiled machine of aerial warfare was contesting the skies heavily.
Meanwhile at Skyfall, King McDonald was pushing to break the Galran assault soon and then launch the fleet South of the Shawbalt to establish vital supply lines. It was going to be a long war.
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Post by Greywall on Mar 20, 2024 14:29:35 GMT -5
Galran losses were climbing up and becoming staggering in the channel, Admiral Colain was furious, all the firepower to create an actual crater in Ouhiri and he was struggling to break the Gaelics. It was quickly becoming clear that two things had crippled Galra's ability to take Ulster-Gaelia out of the war, the Gaelics had prepared far more than expected and were far more than willing to eat taking a loss to continue fighting. Admiral Lennon forced Galra into a brutal showdown in the Brentrock which was consuming ships and aircraft aplenty on both sides, but Galra was starting to feel the effects of the months long assault. Nay, near year long. Galran bombers were shredded by Gaelic Star Wolf fighters as intense dogfights rippled across the skies of Eastern Alba between a growing rivalry of the Galran engineered Lancer fighter and Gaelic Star Wolf. The massive advantage Galra believed it would have in the air was contested nearly day 1, the Royal Navy earned its reputation as one of the finest as it strangled the Imperial fleet in the Brentrock. And to make matters worse, the blockade had in the last few spring months utterly deteriorated. Colain received heavy casualties pressing the assault forward now, the element surprise long gone and the UKUG now a hardened target that responded in a manner that he utterly envied. If he sent carrier bombers and even long range medium bombers from the homeland then the Gaels just rallied fighters to intercept almost immediately. There was no window. These people were fighting like mad to defend their homeland. ---- In the Brentrock the massive naval battle saw Gaelic airpower from the islands close the gap in Galran numerical supremacy. The Roskanan-Marrish-Gaelic project CAS fighter T-30 and T-30A were invaluable in crippling and sinking enemy ships. Galra's own trinity aircraft paled in comparison to how much armament these aircraft could carry. Admiral Colain was now facing an attritional nightmare, if he carried on the assault then maybe he keeps Ulster-Gaelia out of the fight elsewhere, but if Hillingbee failed to contain Kumosenkan then the Galran fleet would be needed to secure the Shawbalt and supply lanes into Touli. Raw resources from Touli and the conquered territories flowed without restriction with the Gaelic and Kumo fleets contained, but if that changed then a new strategy was needed. With Summer approaching and a full on year since the assault began, it was clear progress against the UKUG wasn't being made without significant casualties. And more importantly, resources and fuel needed elsewhere.  Ulster-Gaelic Star Wolf shooting down Galran seaplane |
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Post by Greywall on Mar 30, 2024 10:50:18 GMT -5
03:45 am The summer air had slightly cooled from its oppressive heatwave the day prior, the country sides of Ulster-Gaelia were silent save for the quiet hoots of a nearby owl and song sung by crickets in the field. Here in the airbase near Noc'al Nairen everything was still and silent. Dozens of RAF pilots slumbered into their uniforms and had their equipment near by, ready at the drop of a pin, maintenance crews did rotations down in the hanger prepping Siskins, Star Wolves and Faoileán fighters to intercept bombing raids. High above in a control tower would be a team of whispering watchers waiting for telegrams of coastal reports or even naval ships seeing Galran bombers coming for the Gaelic cities and urban centers. They brewed warm Nevarran coffee and chatted lightly to not overbear the subtle sounds of a telegram being sent in. "What did O'Brian think of it all?" "Well you know, she's not into fancy but she enjoyed the chips at least" "Yea but get on with it? Did ya get in it?" "I-" The telegram machine went off, the entire room sucking in whatever room had until it finished. "I'll just say her breasts are immaculate laddie" They began reading the telegram, bomber squadron moving North toward Caithair Iarinnn, "Sound it!", and with that the alarm was raised sending every pilot out of their bunk and getting dressed while aircraft were rushed onto the runway. "Get it on there! GO GO GO!"
Planes were rushed, refueled, armed and it didn't take long for them to take to the skies. This was the fighting 103 squadron, they had in the year of defending the island become very well conditioned in sending rapid interceptor squadrons. Their resolve in defending the island was matched by several now highly trained and experienced Gaelic fighter squadrons who have been fighting over a year for the skies of Ulster-Gaelia.  Leading the squadron were several Star Wolf fighters backed up by older Faoileán FC-28 fighters and the last of the Siskin fighters in active service for the RAF. The year was harsh to the older biplane models, Galran Lancers made mincemeat of them while the Star Wolf had an impressive 29-6 Kill Death Ratio. The pusher aircraft was deadly in close range dogfighting and given the Lancer was made for fast engagements the wolf being able to drag out firefights made it very difficult for Galran pilots to counter the better turning and climb of the Star Wolf in close range. "Got a visual, 20 bombers, mediums and heavies looks like they're heading for the industrial sector." "What about fighters?" "We're in luck we're coming on their 8 O'clock and they are in standard formation, little bastards up front big bastards in the back." "Roger, Gold squadron take your Siskins and hit them from the rear, Red and Blue we're taking the fighter escorts" The aircraft began their divide as the slower moving Siskin fighters moved toward the hulking bombers while the faster moving Wolves and Faoilean fighters went after the Lancer aircraft that immediately reacted once they were alerted to the arrival of Gaelic aircraft. Down below factories were being evacuated as well as civilian homes nearby. It was clear as the year went on that Galra was not above dropping bombs over civilian homes and committing to as much destruction as possible, even if it meant a lackluster assault on Gaelic industries the leadership in Galra believed that terror bombings were effective to a degree. The 103rd wouldn't be the only ones flying this early morning, several Gaelic squadrons were activated as a large scale bombing assault was launched to hit factories and civilians kicked off after Galra suffered larger than desirable losses in the Brentrock channel. Naval units still clashed in the open seas around the Gaelic islands, but the addition of airpower simply made Galran efforts to slow down. A year of constantly assaulting the Gaelic islands had dented the Galran navy to a degree, Admiral Lennon was breaking the blockade and creating a situation where at last the UKUG could break free and begin fighting abroad. Two things were immediately established for the UKUG at this point, while the battle of Gaelia was slowing down and Galran assaults were more and more timid in nature. It still meant the proximity of Galran bombers and the Galran navy was a clear and present threat. Admiral Lennon needed to punch the Galrans hard in the Brentrock and was preparing for a large scale assault in the fall to finally break off the battle to free the islands from the assault. The Second thing was to begin the risky funneling of Gaelic infantry, armored units and supplies into Lusatia. Dubbed the Northeastern corridor, several Gaelic destroyers and frigates would begin the transportation of nearly 270,000 troops, 2,000 field guns, 1,000 howitzers, 4,000 supply trucks, 40 landships and 50 light tanks. Along with this deployment were supplies Lusatia would need to continue the fight and the ships intended to return with much needed materials for the UKUG to continue manufacturing more aircraft, tanks and vehicles. As the dogfight intensified over the skies of the city, the 103rd began mopping up the bombers sending them down in a burning inferno. Galran bombing raids were breaking down, AA flak guns and better aircraft made the islands a near impenetrable fortress. A sense of hope began to rise among the Ulster-Gaelics, more and more men were being trained up into the army and RAF as equipment and supplies came in a slow and steady stream. The only question that remained, with the massive build up of armored cars, rifles, ammo, aircraft that couldn't be used when would the UKUG begin shipping these out to the other nations of Ouhiri fighting the war? Only time would tell. For now the Battle of Gaelia was swinging in favor of the UKUG.  |
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Post by Greywall on Apr 7, 2024 10:43:28 GMT -5
The command room in Skyfall never slept, a constant rotation of staff keeping information and orders flowing as the Gaelics fought their part in the global war becoming a cerebral organ of different people relaying their own stations full of telegrams, telephones and letters. Ulster-Gaelia was fighting back, hard, the Emerald Empire had given Galra and her new allies a hard fight across the Shawbalt and any doubt that the UKUG could defend herself after Hawaii quickly dissipated with the rising deathtoll of the Galran forces assaulting them. But not everything was good, Galra desperate to seize Touli and use the continent's resources to feed the war machine of the SU was now landing troops in the Gaelic Shawbalt islands and attempting to seize full control of the mid Shawbalt. By doing this they limited the Royal Fleet and Merchant Fleet in resupplying Touli, particularly Zedonia, Cricon, Ashinara and Valdera. Grand Admiral Lennon believed the Galrans weren't having much success in the Silk Sea, based on Gaelic experiences with the Kumo fleet in the Hawaiian war and with the new focus on seizing the undeveloped continent he was going to gamble that the Galrans had sent considerable assets away from the Brentrock. It was time to bring the hammer down and end the year long battle. The Admiral walked in with Field Marshall O'Keith bringing everyone's attention onto them, "It's time, we're launching an all out counter assault now. The Royal fleet in conjection with the RAF will launch an all out strike on Galran naval assets in the channel and clear a path for the 15th Army to retake our island there. I want our island back and those airfield flying bombers East from now on, I want this horde of barbaric heathens banished from our homeland and I will cut their throat HERE." He sternly pointed his index finger on the central map in the room pointing at the Brentrock channel, "We take back control of the channel as we have for a thousand years and we ship troops and supplies to Lusatia immediately, their line has fallen and our lads are needed in the great fight that is to come. Then I want the entire stock of our Royal Marine Corp to go South and take back our islands in the mid shawbalt, re establish the vital supply lines into Touli and dammit get this done by next summer before Reito breaks the Galran fleet out of the Silk." The Admiral's confidence was slightly questioned by a staff member, "Do you really think Kumo can-" The Admiral cut him off, "Yes, I think we can all agree here that the Galrans aren't experienced like we thought and are completely in over their heads, numbers they've got but we've butchered them all the same. We take back our Oceanic Empire one step at a time and then when the Emerald Empire is safe we march on our enemies by collapsing the damn fronts they're attempting to spread us out on. Field Marshall O'Keith?" The Admiral turned over to Field Marshall O'Keith the man in charge of the Royal Army and ground forces of the United Kingdom, "We beleive the SU is attempting to spread out all defenders of the Koi on various battlefields so we can't zero on em where the fight is hardest. So we've decided aside from reshoring our allies in Lusatia and Koi and Marrlan we beging Operation Domino Fall. We Kill the bastards with their own stratagem, we hit them where they wanna meet us but we hit them on our terms. HERE." He pointed to three locations, Eastern Touli, Frannerre and Diria. "That's where we make the SU fall, Eastern Touli we can crush their fuckin' colony quick with the Valderans and the full might of the Royal Army, Frannerre has held them back so far and that means the enemy is bogged down by the fuckin' onion eaters. Its soft underbelly we need to gut, once we have the Toulians we can land troops here at Diria and take back the Desert Fox to supply Oil and begin a siege of Verak and Southern Galra. Force them to pull forces away from the North and Koi and that leaves Grinvel isolated to Marrlan and Roskana. We have reports that Grecians are close to victory, once that happens we have a small window to ship reinforcements desperately needed in Koi and Amali. Once these fronts collapse our enemy will be outnumbered and outgunned and the King has told me he has zero interest in negotiating with the Galra. He wants them fucking dead." "Any questions?" Nothing. "Begin" The UKUG royal fleet began its move onto the Brentrock for a final assault, flying overhead the bulk of the RAF. Starwolves escorting T-30 and even T-30A naval bombers, Granna Ra medium bombers flew to drop payloads on clustered enemy ships. The large deployment Galra sent in meant ships would be huddled together, there wasn't much space in the channel for their entire attack fleet. Once the RAF and navy made their move the 15th would move on the islands landing to retake Gaelic soil. Leading them would be General McIntosh a man whose position in the military was always a what if this would happen scenario, well it finally happened, his mighty 15th army was being deployed. He stood on the bow of the transport ship as it headed toward Marshall and began speaking via a radio to all the ships carrying his men, "They want me to make a speech, but i've never been good at these things. You can fight for god, for honor or country I do not care just SO LONG AS YOU FIGHT!" The men roared to life waiting a year to fight, helping clear rubble, bodies and fire fight after the Galran bombers ravaged their homeland. It was time to take back their lost country. The engagement began at 7:45 am as Gaelic fighters and bombers attacked Galran ships in the channel followed by Gaelic warships engaging the enemy. Galran comms went ballistic. "We got greens! Comin-" comms lost "Dear Voshoz! They're everywh-" comms lost "Contact forward point we're being overrun! "This is Imperial Naval command fall back pattern Delta 4, report losses" "We can't hold!" "Taking on water!" "IGS Conan hold on we're coming" "GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" comms cut off due to explosion "Dammit.."  Retribution, has come. |
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Post by Greywall on Apr 12, 2024 12:21:20 GMT -5
Galran naval command was thrown on their backheel from the sudden assault launched on the channel, it forced naval assets North of the UKUG to pull back and deployment of new warships out of Jasper and Decatur. The mass of steel clashing in the Brentrock deafened the surrounding area and you could hear the faint sounds of thunderous naval gunfire even in Lusatia. Gaelic heavy warships slipped through Galran screens and began pulverizing enemy cruisers as Galran battleships scrambled. In the chaos the RGS Merrimack and IGS Sinai met close broadside destroying each other as they fired at point blank range. A large scale aerial battle began to break out as the ships below ravaged one another, in the skies in a new Mk2 Starwolf was Cavanaugh, his squadron had replaced their aged aircraft with newer starwolves. The 358th returned to take back their old island back a year later. "We got Lancers up ahead, 11 O'clock." Reported a wingman, Cavanaugh looked and saw a large formation of Galran fighters. "Let's take it to em, Lock in attack formation. Don't fire til your close, remember the bastards got the range on us so save your ammo." As air squadrons above engaged in the fight, Gaelic soldiers of the 15th made landfall on Marshall island facing intense Galran resistance. The first wave was comprised of 400 men all standard infantry. The Assault was ineffective forcing survivors to seek cover in the open beach as dozens if not hundreds of Gaelic soldiers were cut down by hellish gunfire. The Second wave was deployed another 400 men, but they were given more fire support from a nearby light cruiser. "Push forward! Take the seawall!" The bloodiest fighting the Ulster-Gaelics faced outside of the colonial fronts were made in the hours of making a beachhead on Marshall island. Landing tanks became ineffective as they sank into the sand, leaving infantry to be the main driving force of the attack. They pushed Eastward and met more resistance past the beach, it seemed that Galra had left a large and well equipped force to guard the islands and it was taking a bloody toll on the 15th army. While they had the beachhead the 15th were consistently harassed. Even when heavy infantry units from the 15th were pulled up the enemy held ground, it was too much to push further inland causing a significant delay in the operation. A request for Stormtroopers was thus made. Medium Granna Ra bombers dropped their payload at slow moving Galran warships as they fired wildly into the air, "Where are the Lancers!? They are suppos-" The ship, a Galran Colorado class battleship, was struck and began taking on water. Its metal frame warped and distorted. Combat losses for both sides were alarming but Admiral Lennon pressed the assault further, he needed to buy time to get the islands back under UKUG control and end the bombings. As the hellfire of battle above the waves raged, South of the channel Gaelic submarines were hunting incoming Galran ships and breaking into the Shawbalt to harass transport vessels. With SU unrestricted submarine warfare, Rufus gave the go head for his submarines to do the same. Any ship, regardless of class flying a nation of the SU would be sunk. The first Gaelic war crimes began to pop up as Gaelic submarines torpedoed and sank merchant Galran ships and even passenger ships. "eye for and eye, tooth for tooth" some of submarine captains would mutter, as they watched the fiery engulfment of their prey slowly be swallowed by the sea. While Ulster-Gaelia failed to take the islands back and drive Galra from the channel in the second stage of the assault, they did successfully force Galra to reel back reinforcements to Admiral Hillingbee in the Silk Sea and request Veraki to assist the Admiral instead.  Gaelic submarines have broken into the Shawbalt hunting enemy ships |
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Post by Greywall on Apr 25, 2024 21:18:05 GMT -5
The long and drawn out Battle of Gaelia had become a bitter and brutal hell for the Galran fleet and airforce, for every Gaelic warship they sank the Ulster-Gaels just kept throwing themselves in with the same wild ferocity that was consistent since the day they attacked the islands. Colain was starting to feel it, the strain it was putting on the Galran naval operation, with the other half of the fleet engaged in the Silk Sea and the rest operating across the open Shawbalt he was left with little wiggle room. Ports in Decatur and Japser were launching new warships but experience was lacking, the naval academies of the Imperial state pumped out sailors and officers like a factory but even the best naval officers of the Imperial State didn't match the years of combat UKUG nor Kumosenkan had. The assault on Ulster-Gaelia was being proposed to be shelved as ground warfare objectives were close to completion and the Autarch wanted naval assets preserved to secure his future Staol lanes. The Imperial navy also failed to implement a proper blockade on Ulster-Gaelia, the Gaelic airforce and navy had slugged it out without fail meeting their enemy head on and never stopping to meet them. It left the Galrans pushing to remodel the Lancer to turn better, have a faster engine and put more armor on. Against the Gaelic Starwolf it paled miserably in close dogfights. Gaelic aircraft sank several Galran warships and damaged others denting the assault into a stalemate. Ulster-Gaelia didn't come out unscathed, several major cities were damaged. Major factories hit by airstrikes, the royal palace and parliament utterly destroyed, major ports on the East coast rendered useless. Heavy casualties in the navy and airforce also laid down a brutal tone of sacrifice that was needed to hold the islands. They lost a Queen, thousands of civilians and were burning through their stockpiles of fuel and ammunition. In the channel islands the Gaelics received much needed help to retake their lost territory, stormtroopers, the best trained infantrymen in the United Kingdom. The fierce fighting for Avalon, Marshal and Sheffield took months in the summer. Burning out the Galrans and forcing the last remnants on the edge of the coast or retreating back home. Ulster-Gaelia had slowly and finally took back control of their channel islands, but it came at a heavy cost of nearly 10,000 infantry against highly trained and well equipped Galran special forces. Fighting in the channel continued to rage on, ships fired on one another and intense large scale dogfighting in the skies for air supremacy went on into the new autumn. Admiral Lennon felt the change however, Galra was tired, it needed its navy elsewhere as did the UKUG. The engagements out in the Shawbalt forced Galran warships to depart the channel and slowly yield it back to the UKUG. While total control wasn't likely, the Galran assault on the Ulster-Gaelic islands was finally ending. But Galran Admiral Colain wanted one last attempt to break the Royal Navy. He prepped the heavy fleet for one final assault on Ulster-Gaelia, he would be damned if he had to face the Autarch with this failure. "We are bringing our holy crusade to the Gaels! We shall win!" 50 battleships 10 fast battleships 100 super cruisers 100 heavy cruisers 40 torpedo cruisers 300 torpedo destroyers 300 escort destroyers 200 medium bombers and 300 lancer fighters The assault began at around the morning of the mid week into Autumn, the Royal Navy and Airforce already well prepared to respond. Lennon seemed shocked at the massive assault but ordered his fleet to engage the enemy, the channel once again became a fiery hell of battleships and cruisers firing at one another as massive aerial battles overhead broke out. New Lancer B1 fighters finally proved capable of fighting and shooting down Starwolves making a much more even and leveled battlefield in the skies. Cavanaugh was damn determined to not lose his island again, he launched the 358 and entered a sky of death. "Keep your eyes open, we're looking for Lancers" "What about those bombers cap?" "Let the Siskins and flak take them out, we need to fight the bandits off" "Enemy fighters 11 o'clock" Several Lancers made a straight line toward the 358, closing in fast, "They got speed, dive then climb!". A strategy to avoid the Lancer closing in to strafe was to use to the wolf's weight to drop quickly and then climb making the aircraft a moving and difficult target on a vertical scale. These Galran fighters were ready however, they had fought the Gaelics before, countering with slowing down and then firing after the climb. They shot down two wolves before Cavanaigh ordered them to break formation. The war of aces was on. Down below Gaelic and Galran warships flooded the air with heavy ordnance, as black smoke pillared toward the atmosphere in such intensity you could see it in Eastern Gaelia as if a storm moving in. It took six hours of brutal fighting for it all to finally end, Colain was forced to pull back East where he would hold the Galran side of the channel. Lennon was able to keep control of the West and the area around the channel islands. It didn't seem like it at first, but the brutal onslaught was the final major engagement for the Battle of Gaelia. Both sides would engage the other to contest territorial waters and air supremacy dogfights still broke out, but as for Galra launching a major assault on the UKUG. It had all but ended, the UKUG weathered the storm for nearly over a year and a half. Her navy battered and in desperate need of repair, the young airforce was now experienced and while bloodied had proven very successful against the Galran Imperial Airforces. The UKUG was now preparing to send what ships were left into the Shawbalt and secure the Northern shipping lanes into Lusatia. Sending troops and supplies to their ally at last for the brutal ground war that was to come.
 The Battle of Gaelia came to a fiery end |
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Post by EpicToaster1 on May 14, 2024 23:27:54 GMT -5
SheffieldGaelic CasualtiesCivilian Casualties:40 Killed 185 Injured Military Casualties:5,700 Stormtroopers Killed 560 Stormtroopers Injured 2 Starwolves Downed 2 Light Bombers Downed 3 Destroyers Sunk 1 Heavy Cruiser severely damaged due to collision Galran Casualties5,400 Marines Killed 870 Marines Injured 620 Marines Captured 15 Lancers Downed 4 Medium Bombers Downed 8 Destroyers Sunk 2 Light Cruisers Sunk 1 Submarine Sunk due to collision
MarshallGaelic CasualtiesCivilian Casualties:18 Killed 141 Injured Military Casualties:4,100 Stormtroopers Killed 1,230 Stormtroopers Injured 5 Starwolves Downed 1 Medium Bomber Downed 9 Destroyers Sunk 1 Light Cruiser Sunk Galran Casualties4,900 Marines Killed 250 Marines Injured 6 Lancers Downed 12 Destroyers Sunk 2 Light Cruisers Sunk 1 Heavy Cruiser Sunk
AvalonGaelic CasualtiesCivilian Casualties:63 Injured Military Casualties:200 Stormtroopers Killed 510 Stormtroopers Injured 1 Light Bomber Downed 2 Destroyers Sunk Galran Casualties600 Marines Killed 330 Marines Injured 200 Marines Captured 2 Lancers Downed 1 Destroyer Sunk 1 Submarine Sunk
GaeliaGaelic CasualtiesCivilian Casualties:2,875 Killed 9,740 Injured Military Casualties:23 Siskins Downed 36 Starwolves Downed 14 Torpedo Biplanes Downed 5 Carrier Bombers Downed 3 Carrier Fighters Downed 4 Light Bombers Downed 2 Medium Bombers Downed 2 Battleships Sunk 1 Battleship Severely Damaged [In Repairs for the next Season] 2 Fast Battleships Sunk 4 Battlecruisers Sunk 7 Super Cruisers Sunk 17 Heavy Cruisers Sunk 23 Light Cruisers Sunk 19 Torpedo Cruisers Sunk 1 Large Sub Sunk 1 Submarine Sunk 8 Torpedo Destroyers Sunk 29 Escort Destroyers Sunk 8 Escort Destroyers Severely Damaged [In Repairs for the next Season] 26 Frigates Sunk 35 Corvettes Sunk 12 Torpedo Boats Sunk 1 Light Carrier Sunk 1 Light Carrier Severely Damaged [In Repairs for the next Season] Galran Casualties79 Lancer As Downed 26 Lancer B1s Downed 142 Medium Bombers 7 Battleships Sunk 3 Battleships Severely Damaged [In Repairs for the next Season] 10 Fast Battleships Sunk 3 Super Cruisers Sunk 9 Heavy Cruisers Sunk 4 Heavy Cruisers Severely Damaged [In Repairs for the next Season] 18 Torpedo Cruisers Sunk 34 Torpedo Destroyers Sunk 48 Escort Destroyers Sunk 17 Escort Destroyers Severely Damaged [In Repairs for the next Season]
Galran Admiral Colain stood on the bow of his battleship, the front guns disabled by Gaelic bombs that mangled the barrels of the turrets. The rear guns tried to continue firing towards the Gaelic vessels in the distance as Lancers and Starwolves and bombers and biplanes flew overhead. The central deck, where much of the AA-fire was still peppering the sky, was blazing bright with fire, the captain of the ship in the damaged bridge of his limping vessel. His eyes darted between the Admiral on deck and the aircraft above. In his peripheral, a Gaelic bomb that smashed through the windows but failed to detonate, sitting precariously over the radioman's post and having destroyed the transmission equipment. "Williamson, turn us around. We will soon be dead in the water, I want what power we have to get us back to the safety of home." "Yessir." The Admiral continued to stare off into the distance, his eyes following a biplane coming in low with the water towards the battleship. With the radios down, a single red and white flag flung up the mast out the broken window of the bridge. The torpedo under the biplane released into the water with a splash, the biplane quickly turning to get out of there and away from the anti-air. The battleship stopped firing as it began a hard turn to port, forcing the AA-guns on the port-side to lose their track on the biplane. The Admiral's eyes watched the small trail rapidly approaching the battleship, the nose now turning closer and closer as the distance fell. The Admiral turned back to the bridge, staring up at the crew before giving a salute. Before the crew could understand what was happening, a massive explosion wracked the front of the vessel, causing it to lose significant speed as the ship practically hit a brick wall in the water. Fire and shrapnel rocketed in all directions from the nose, the Admiral nowhere to be seen. Watertight doors were ordered shut, preventing the nose from taking the ship down. Without sight of the Admiral as the doors came to a shut, a black flag was soon thrown out the window too, coming to flutter on the line just below the red and white one. The crew awaited an order from the captain. "Continue course home." The crew understood. He was likely dead. And if they stopped to check, they would be dead too. The flagship fully broke rank, many of the screening ships soon following. The break of rank caused mass chaos in the Galran lines, ships scattering in all directions to turn around and retreat towards friendlier waters. The nose of the battleship was completely gone, only the strength of the bulkheads keeping the ocean from flooding the ship as it slowly limped back towards the Bay. While the surface vessels retreated, submarines that had been prowling around remained in operation in the area, but the ships needed to regroup to a better position while the injured make their way back to the dockyards for much needed repairs and hospitalization.
Admiral Colain surfaced seconds after making hard contact with channel. He splashed about for a moment before calming himself enough to tread water, looking about for something to grab a hold of. His eyes locked onto a wooden crate bobbing in the water, his arms stretching out to pull himself up as his eyes saw the glimpse of his flagship steaming away, the glowing orange smoke from the stacks being tailed by countless smaller vessels and hordes of Galran and Gaelic aircraft in the skies above.
His grip tightened as he watched the ships sailing away, pain searing through his left arm. A quick glance was all he needed to confirm it was very broken, likely from the explosion or the impact after being flung through the air. He sat floating on his crate, his strength leaving him as the reality set in, allowing himself to just bob in the waves of the channel, waiting for a plane or ship to spot him or a shark to come take him.
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