The
Media!
A Final Push
by Brigadier General Kennedy (retired)
General Zellana decided that a deadly punch to the Kolbronnians before the start of the summer campaign was in order, and although her methods are costly, the results are triumphant.
The plan was two fold: first set out some "bait" for the Kolbronnians, and then hit them hard when they went for the bait. It started with some false radio transmissions (using some recently known compromised code) talking about the troop movement and deployments: The Frontier Brigade (in it entirety) was to be placed on Far Reach, to be used as a "Jump point" to the Kolbronnian rear echelon area. The rest of the Army was to be placed as a diversion on Remer 5 (far to the North). General Zellana knew the enemy could not afford to let this go unchecked, and the plan unfolded. The Frontier Brigade was the bait on Far Reach, but only the 3rd Brigade of Foot (1st Charge & 4th Charge) was sent to Remer 5 (so they acted as the diversion). The HQ units (with the 2nd Battalion of the 13th Rifleman) and the 4th Brigade (Blue & Green Militia) remained in hiding on the Frontier Fleets transports, inside the caves on one of Far Reach's Moons.
The plan was set, and the forces in place, everyone hoped that the Kolbronnians had not found out, for the fate of the 3rd Brigade of Foot was at stake. One the 3rd week of the month, the enemy took the bait. The a small detachment of Kolbronnian tanks where sent to Remer 5 with some infantry support (apparently as a diversion by the enemy) and the battle between the 2 small forces raged for over two days, with neither side the clear victor. The rear battle victory came when the Kolbronnian deployed its 2nd, 28th & 35th Brigades to Far Reach in an attempt to whip out the Frontier Brigade. The 2nd Brigade was sent in first, supported by the 28th and 35th (and some Naval Bombardment). The Frontier Infantry Regiment and the INHB took some immediate losses, but the call went out to the reserves on the moons of Far Reach, and they knew it would only be a matter of hours before help arrives. The fighting was fierce, and the infantry regiments of both sides took heavy losses. The Vampires started to throw their new Armor in from the 35th Regiment, when they encountered the Frontier Cavalry (composed of some our newest tanks and hovercraft). The Kolbronnian tanks where destroyed as quickly as they could advance, and the 35th Brigade was forced to retreat and regroup (well done to the Frontier Cavalry).
After several hours, the scanners on the Kolbronnian ships sounded, and they noticed the approach of the Imperial Frontier Fleet. This was the start of the surprises for them. The approach of the fast Frigates and Destroyers put the enemy fleet on high alert and all hands went to battle stations. The two fleets engaged each other while the transports slipped past with no losses at all. The trap was sprung!
On Far Reach, the Frontier Brigade had fought a brave and valiant fight, but it was evident that in a few hours, they would be pushed back and destroyed. So the arrival of the Fresh Brigade and Headquarters units was a welcome surprise. The 4th Brigade immediately reinforced the lines made by the INHB and the Frontier Regiment, and with the fresh units they started to push back the Vampires. The real excitement came from the deployment of the 2nd Battalion of the 13th Rifleman (under the command of Major Car-Veth). As he sat with General Zellana aboard the SS Lexington (the new Flagship of the Frontier Navy), he saw the chance to end this battle quickly. The Vampires had left an opening in their defenses, and he requested permission to exploit it with his Battalion. The General agreed and commended him for his military prowess. The Major took the 2nd Battalion and landed on the enemy's far right flank, and advanced until they encountered the Headquarters of the Kolbronnians, protected by the weakened "Blood Guard". Major Car-Veth ordered an attack and his men jumped into action. The loss of life was high, but much higher to the Vampires. The enemy General saw his own life in danger after a short time and ordered and immediate withdrawal to his fleet. This started a chain reaction of enemy departures, and soon the planet was void of all but dead and dying Vampires.
Meanwhile the in orbit around Far Reach, the enemy fleet was in trouble, for the Frontier Navy was hitting them hard in remembrance of the late "SS Valley Forge and Admiral Nitz". When the remnants of the Kolbronnian Army returned to their ships, the enemy had no choice but to retreat back to their lines and to relinquish this newly acquired part of the Galaxy.
General Zellana will return after the Spring Campaign to a Hero's welcome, for her tactics (although costly) have shown the enemy that the Empire is still a force to be reckoned with.