Battle of Furnace Lane
| Battle of Furnace Lane | |||||||
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| Part of Mesoun Crisis | |||||||
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Battle of Furnace Lane
The Battle of Furnace Lane was an intense urban conflict fought in 1728.11 between Florian special forces, elements of the Parachute Regiment, and the rogue paramilitary Shadow Group in Marinsk,Mesoun. The battle resulted in a Pyrrhic victory for the Florian forces, who suffered significant casualties while successfully eliminating the insurgent group. The operation gained further significance after firm evidence emerged that the Shadow Group had stolen long range missiles, raising severe national security concerns.
Background
The Shadow Group was a rogue paramilitary organization known for its involvement in assassinating President Chopin. Their motive was later discovered when it was found that the paramilitary was funded by Mesounese Separatists. Floria commenced an undeclared war against the group and separatists and in 1728.11 intelligence reports indicated that Shadow group had established a fortified base in Furnace Lane, an abandoned industrial district on the outskirts of Marinsk, Outer Meson. This area, filled with derelict factories, warehouses, and underground tunnels, was turned into a defensive stronghold, with the Shadow Group using booby traps, sniper nests, and fortified bunkers to prepare for a potential assault.
Prior to the battle, Florian intelligence agencies intercepted communications suggesting that the Shadow Group had acquired long range-capable missile components, possibly stolen from military storage facilities. This intelligence prompted the Florian government to authorise a high-risk military operation to eliminate the group before they could transfer or deploy the stolen weapons.
Operation Thunderstrike: Initial Assault
At 02:00, MARSOF operators, alongside elements of the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Parachute Regiment, launched Operation Thunderstrike, a three-pronged assault, on Furnace Lane: MARSOF teams infiltrated the district from the north, aiming to neutralise enemy leadership. 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment launched a direct assault through the main road, seeking to secure key buildings and the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment flanked from the east to prevent enemy escape.
Despite these efforts, the Florian forces were quickly ambushed by Shadow Group defenses, leading to intense street-to-street combat. Shadow Group utilised sniper positions, underground tunnels, and suicide drones to their advantage inflicting heavy casualties on the advancing soldiers.
By 0500 hours, the battle had devolved into brutal, close-quarters combat, with Florian troops clearing buildings room-by-room. The Shadow Group fighters, using the terrain to their advantage, conducted hit-and-run attacks, forcing Florian forces to move cautiously.
The urban layout hindered artillery and air support, making Florian troops rely on grenades, heavy machine guns, and breaching charges to dislodge entrenched defenders. IED explosions and sniper fire further slowed the advance, with the Parachute Regiment suffering severe losses.
Breakthrough and Capture of Missile Components
By 1600 hours, after nearly 18 hours of continuous fighting, MARSOF forces located the Shadow Group’s command centre inside an abandoned factory. After a fierce firefight, the facility was overrun, and Florian forces discovered evidence of stolen missile components.
Captured documents and electronic data confirmed that the Shadow Group had acquired missile guidance systems and warhead components. Some missile parts were recovered intact, but intelligence suggested that at least one full missile had already been moved out of the area, raising concerns about a potential terrorist attack with intelligence suggesting the group was planning to destroy the Confederate States Capitol.
The final phase of the battle involved a desperate last stand by Shadow Group fighters, culminating in hand-to-hand combat inside the factory ruins. By 1830 hours, Florian forces had secured the district, eliminating the last remnants of the insurgents.
Aftermath
The Battle of Furnace Lane resulted in a Pyrrhic victory for the Florian military:
- Over 200 Florian soldiers were killed, with hundreds more wounded.
- 47 MARSOF operators perished, including high-ranking officers.
- The Shadow Group was annihilated, but some of its leaders escaped through underground tunnels.
The discovery of stolen missile components during the battle led to a national security emergency. While some missile parts were recovered, intelligence indicated that at least one complete had been smuggled out of Furnace Lane before the battle. This revelation sparked intense political and military investigations, with Florian security agencies launching a nationwide manhunt to locate the missing weapon.
The government also faced public backlash over how the Shadow Group had managed to steal weaponry of its kind undetected. High-ranking military officials were questioned over security lapses, and sweeping reforms were introduced to tighten weapons storage protocols. Special Warfare Service troops recovered the missile at an undisclosed time later in the Mesoun Crisis.
Legacy
The Battle of Furnace Lane remains one of the deadliest urban battles in modern Florian history, marking a turning point in counterinsurgency operations. The discovery of stolen missiles intensified Florian efforts to combat rogue paramilitary groups not just in Mesoun but globally, leading to increased funding for intelligence operations and a major restructuring of military security procedures.
The battle would be the overall turning point and Floria would eventually be successful in winning the Mesoun Crisis. The Parachute Regiment widely consider this battle as the biggest war honour due to the large sacrifice of paratroopers in the battle.
