Blood And Thunder

[Greywall]

The mass of Gaelic and Lusatian ships departed from Ulster-Gaelia with a fair Spring breeze sweeping the Northern Shawbalt, scout aircraft flew ahead searching for the Galran fleet and found the bulk of the Galran armada near the Western edge of the Nardrac. Admiral Lennon knew it was time for a formal engagement, one that could make or break the Northern Naval campaign. With the bulk of the Galrans found, the Admiral gave the signal to begin an all out assault on the Galran fleet. 

UKUG Royal Navy 

10 light carriers - full compliment of fighters and bombers
15 fast battleships
50 battleships
40 supercruisers
50 battlecruisers
20 heavy cruisers
30 torpedo cruisers
11 large submarines
40 destroyer minelayers
200 escort destroyers
350 frigates
200 corvettes 


Lustatia 

1 Aviation battleship
2 light carriers - full compliment of fighters bombers
10 battleships
16 battlecruisers
20 heavy cruisers
50 light cruisers
20 torpedo cruisers
10 large submarines
30 submarines
30 torpedo destroyers
80 escort destroyers



Galra

40 battleships
11 light carriers full compliment of fighters and bombers
20 fast battleships
100 battlecruisers
100 super cruisers
150 light cruisers
90 large submarines
100 destroyers minelayers
500 torpedo destroyers
500 escort destroyers


The Galran Northern fleet was spread across the Shawbalt, choking the shipping lanes into Touli and keeping the Silk Sea Expedition force supplied and rotated out with fresh ships as Admiral Hillingbee waged his crusade against the Kumosenkan. The loss of Admiral Colain brought up the promotion of Admiral Vance White, an inexperienced naval officer who had the duty of keeping the bulk of the Galran vanguard operating until another assault on Ulster-Gaelia or send reinforcements into the Silk Sea was needed. 

"Admiral White. We have movement in the North." The Admiral looked over the shoulder of one of his bridge officers observing a new experimental Galran long range radar monitor, on its green display came several large white dots up in the upper section of the screen. "Could be a glitch sir, that's alot of movement." 

The Admiral walked over to his observation deck aboard the IGS Talsun, looking with his binoculars, "Its not a glitch Admiral" his first mate reported, "Its the entire fucking Royal Fleet. The Gaelics are launching an attack." Admiral White paused, wiping sweat off his brow in a desperate bid to fight off his anxiety. The Naval Board told him that a Gaelic assault was suicide and that the Royal Navy wouldn't dare risk the entire naval war on such a foolish assault. He had time, he could sit here with the heavy fleet and support Hillingbee and slowly strangle the Gaelic Marines in the Shawbalt. 

No. He was out of time. 

"Scramble the fleet, get our fighters in the air now!" White ordered. 


Meanwhile North of the Galrans the Gaelics and Lusatians had already scrambled their fighters and bombers for an attack run on several gathered Galran warships. As Gaelic pilots entered their fighters and bombers, several officers yelled out reminders of what their objective would be. "You're to hit ships that are separated from their groups! Force the Galrans to panic and buy time for us to get in range with the heavy fleet! You are to cause chaos for the first leg, second refuel and rearm will have you hit assigned targets. LIVE TO FLY, FLY TO LIVE, DO OR DIE, ACES HIGH!" 


Seawolves and T-30A (Assblasters) took off for the Galran fleet, Gaelic and Lusatian ships assumed a K formation heading toward the Galran fleet with destroyers and frigates forming screens and flanks while heavy ships formed up the center with Carriers remaining with support ships to maintain air supremacy and air operations during the battle. Submarines would be sent Wide West to attack the Galran rear ships as they scrambled to react to Gaelic and Lusatian warships approaching. 


In a matter of a few minutes Gaelic naval bombers made contact with Galran Heavy Cruisers that were still in patrol formation, the T-30A bombers dove and assaulted the ships beginning the battle of the Shawbalt. Gaelic fighters flew ahead looking for Galran fighters while Lusatian air elements joined in the assault on enemy ships. The aerial attack sent the entire Galran fleet into a panic as Admiral White did not expect the CN to assault his position. 

The Galrans began to form into a C shape formation and approached the enemy fleet, "We have the numbers Admiral, the ships, we can break them and win the war here." White's first mate was doing everything to instill confidence in his admiral. But White was going by the book. 

[KyferLegs (Diria)]

Despite recent success in the Western Theater of the Dirian Front, especially against Shaum Shella and Abbadon, another theater area begged for respite and was given little action: The Navy. Since the start of the conflict, the Western Dirian Navy remained in limbo, outmatched, outdated compared to its foes in the North and East, and barely guarded against bombers above. Similarly, the large, hulking masses of steel proved too expensive and too hungry to employ precious fuel and money to operate. Thus, the Western Fleet of Diria had slowly declined, with the hulls of sunk, scuttled, or idle ships taking up precious space in the ports of Shawistan. Yet, with the turn of the year, new developments in the Nardrac Sea and Shawbalt Ocean, and the war in the east becoming embroiled in a desperate struggle of total war, the Dirian Ministry of Defense has conceded the navy still has a crucial part to play, but for now, beyond the shores of Diria.

Thus, over weeks and in piecemeal, sailors and officers were called back to the ships, fuel was saddled in their tanks, and their coffers supplied with whatever could be spared. The scheme was bathed in silence, and only on the day when the Ministry of Defense gave the green light to go did the governments of Lustatia and the UKUG receive a message, usually a matter of request beforehand, but in this case, it was a plea. The Dirian Navy in the west was evacuating at post-haste. In desperation, to avoid a blunt refusal by the Entente or tipping the SU off, the bulk of the Western Dirian Blue-Water Navy left the remaining harbors in Shawistan under cover of the night shortly after the message had arrived. To any tactician, it was a gamble and likely a burden. Still, the race for safe harbor was on, and according to the telegrams, the bulk of the ships were sprinting to Nowa Lusatia, and any others who couldn't dock there would have to make the arduous journey to the UKUG. However, with the message came a pledge that whatever the Dirian Navy could provide, the Entente would have, even if it meant their lives.

The total number of Dirian Navy Vessels in the Nardrac Sea steaming ahead at full speed towards Nowa Lusatia:

10 Landing Ships
3 Minesweepers
4 Transport Ships
6 Corvettes
16 Frigates
4 Escort Destroyers
15 Torpedo Destroyers
3 Destroyer Minelayers
14 Submarines
1 Large Submarine
4 Torpedo Cruisers
11 Light Cruisers
4 Heavy Cruisers
1 Battleship
3 Medium Cargo Ships
2 Container Ships

[EpicToaster1]

"Steady course. Keep our carriers behind us and ensure they can't be hit. Destroyers and Frigates are to push forward and be a screen for the rest."

"Yessir."

The Galran fleet would begin the process of getting into an offensive formation, with the smaller ships sneaking to the front of the line while the corvettes were held back to protect the carriers and supply ships. The cruisers and battleships maintained in the center, the different disconnected patrols slowly moving their way to enter this same formation. Though, their slow reaction was soon met with the onslaught of Gaelic and Lusatian aircraft from overhead, bombs and bullets whizzing past as the ships returned fire with their AA.

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Casualties

UKUG

4 Fighters Damaged
1 Bomber Damaged

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Lusatian

2 Fighters Damaged
2 Bombers Damaged

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Diria

None

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Galra

1 Heavy Cruiser Disabled
2 Escort Destroyers Damaged

The three ships would remain together while the rest of the patrol they were part of would zip off, relaying for additional support for the three.

2 Torpedo Destroyers Damaged
1 Light Cruiser Damaged
1 Light Cruiser Minorly Damaged

[Greywall]

Gaelic aircraft had an early advantage with strikes on Galran ships within the initial screen assault, this allowed the UKUG and Lusatian screens to reach and close the distance allowing large scale volleys begin setting the stage for the naval battle. 

Gaelic heavy ships pressed behind their frigates and destroyers, initial battleship bombardments would join the growing battle as more and more engagements began to be reported across several hundreds of miles near the Nardrac. 

Gaelic submarines continued their journey to circle and flank to attack Galran rear ships, Gaelic fighters would radio back what was being seen back to Gaelic Naval command. 

Lennon was picking up that the Galran fleet was not prepared for a direct attack, the enemy was likely hoping that the CN fleets would not be prepared to launch an offensive navally and the Galran fleet was still reeling from the failed assault on the Gaelic islands. "Have our fighters send off a few scouts to find the enemy heavy fleet but the majority are to seek and destroy all these scattered patrols. The enemy is disorganized and we need to take advantage." 

The Battle of the Nardrac has begun

[KyferLegs (Diria)]

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Over subsequent days and weeks, the Dirian Western Navy would limp or slowly bring itself into Nowa Lusatian ports. Most ships were critically low on fuel, supplies, and ammo as they docked, with even a couple being put under tow with the supporting cargo ships and tankers already being sapped dry mid-voyage. Still, by now, most of the largest ships were immobile but at least alive on the isle, leeching off what the Lusatians and Gaelics could provide. Considering that in Western Diria, there were no more significant ports to rest or supply efficiently, the current alternative was at least better than what they had evacuated from. In Diria, most larger vessels had to be left off the coast and sustained with smaller boats. Regardless, what remained of the coastal guard, mainly smaller PT boats and corvettes, made it clear they'd stick around and keep up appearances in the Nardrac and defend against more negligible Abbadoni intrusions.

Nevertheless, the Dirian Eastern fleet was predominantly idling, and its damages and shortages were gradually dealt with. Likewise, its ammo shortages were accounted for; fortunately for the Dirians, older Entente stowages could address most of its calibers. Yet, the higher authorities couldn't but feel the same lull as they did off the shore of Diria, with most repeated general maintenance over the days, and their morale took a blow from it. However, that was until the Battle of the Nardrac began. Immediately, as the message arrived at their ports, the Dirian navy sprung itself into eagerness, with some whispering that UKUG and Lusatian fleets had already engaged the enemy or, in this case, the Galrans. Yet, the possibility that they'd see the same action their allies were going through in the blue ocean was slim to none.

Ultimately, to their fortune, additional news arrived from the UKUG Royal Navy, which informed the Dirian Navy of their first duty of being part of the more considerable war effort, which was simple: they'd patrol the Eastern Nardrac. Thus, with little time wasted, the Western Dirian navy, besides those of the coastal guard and those being auxiliary, would leave the safety of the Lusatian ports and into the greater gulf west of the Great Nardrac Cliffs. The submarines, destroyers, and cruisers would excel in the endeavor and push as fast as possible without burning too much of their fuel or giving away their location to observers. They were a small but swift task force. Their tactics and strategy for any possible engagements depended on their speed and pace. If they engaged, they'd do so on their terms and surprise their enemies, only to sail away before the foe could retaliate or pursue them in full. Regardless, the Western Dirian Navy would be forced to wait and see if they could make their presence worth the trouble.

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Photo of a Dirian Federation Marina Destroyer, the DFM Eicza, off the coast of Nowa Lusatia.
(Dirian Federation Navy - Recompense)

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