Operation Pulse

Operation Pulse
Part of the Corum War
Map of the operational area, showing major troop movements
Date IX-XV.1750 AN Location Western Corum Status Concluded
Belligerents
East Zimia and the Wallis Islands	Confederacy of the Dispossessed
Commanders and leaders
Electra Penguinwaffels	Unknown
Units involved
East Zimian and Wallisian War League 5th Brigade 6th Brigade 2nd Ground Attack Wing Bayen	Local forces

Operation Pulse (Sangunese: パルス作戦 Parusu Sakusen) was a military operation by East Zimia and the Wallis Islands in western Corum.

Background

The inland city of Assek in western Corum had been the capital of Monovia from 1588 AN to 1602 AN, before falling to the Bassarids in 1695 AN. Under Bassarid rule, the city was administered by the regional investor of Corum Electric until the collapse of the Haifo-Pallisican Imperial Trade Union in 1719 AN. Assek subsequently belonged to the Çakari riyasat (princely state) of Jaihabar between 1722 AN and 1739 AN.

The Florian invasion of northern Corum in 1747 AN led to renewed instability in the region. East Zimian forces in Western Corum were initially content to remain behind the Corum Electric Fence, a defensive barrier protecting their enclave from the Confederacy of the Dispossessed in the Green; however this attitude began to change after the Florian advance slowed in 1750 AN. The authorities in Corum Electric City grew increasingly concerned that the pause in operations would allow the Dispossessed to regroup and rearm in the south, and ultimately pose a threat to Western Corum. At the same time, the Florian occupation of the coastal region had substantially decreased the manpower needed to secure the northern half of the Fence, freeing up a significant number of troops for offensive operations.

On 7.VI.1750 AN, Queen Mina II appointed her daughter, Princess Electra, commander of the East Zimian and Wallisian War League's 2nd "Corum Electric" Division. The princess quickly set in motion plans for an advance into the interior by elements of her division, with the ultimate aim of securing the city of Assek and ensuring the safety of its Gamesman population.

Planning

The recent Florian invasion was heavily analysed in the early stages of planning for the operation. East Zimian leaders were confident that many of the problems faced by Florian forces could be mitigated: unlike the latter, their troops had been recruited locally and so were familiar with the terrain and people of the continent, and their supply routes would be considerably shorter. A stiffening of elite cyber-enhanced undead soldiers, together with extensive use of locally-manufactured drones and quadwalkers, would help to maintain a high operational tempo. Moreover, it was expected that the majority of opposing forces would be deployed in the north against the Florians, leaving them vulnerable to a rapid advance from the west.

Order of battle

 East Zimia and the Wallis Islands:

• 2nd "Corum Electric" Division
  • 5th Brigade
  • 6th Brigade
• 2nd Ground Attack Wing

Battle

Initial breakthrough and logistical struggles

After nearly a month of preparations, forward elements of the 5th Brigade crossed the Fence on the morning of 20.X.1750 AN. The ground forces were preceded by a swarm of aerial drones; this enabled potential targets and bottlenecks along the lines of advance to be readily identified, allowing the leading quadwalkers to surprise the former while the human soldiers following behind were rerouted to avoid delays. As predicted, there were few hostile forces to contest the initial breakthrough and by the end of the first day, East Zimian forces had advanced a substantial distance beyond the start line.

Although enemy resistance increased after the first few days, geography was to prove a more determined enemy. Despite their rugged design, the legacy L-10 personnel carriers suffered numerous breakdowns, increasing the burden on support elements. By contrast, the limited number of gravimetric supply vehicles quickly proved their worth, allowing much needed supplies to be rapidly moved forward over even the most treacherous terrain.

Winning hearts and minds

Behind the front lines, an equally furious campaign was being waged to win over the local population. The East Zimian leadership had long appreciated the value of winning this war for "hearts-and-minds", and indeed regarded it as equal in importance to the purely military dimension. Once Dispossessed forces had been expelled from an area, civilian liaison teams quickly moved in and attempted to build positive connections with local gamesman communities; these teams had the distinct advantage of being recruited from related ethnic groups, and so well understood the language and culture of the natives. Mindful of the reputational damage that would result from overly-harsh repression, the East Zimian forces instead went to great lengths to portray themselves as a stabilising influence, seeking to end the foreign razzias and internecine conflicts that had long blighted the north of the continent. Bounties and other incentives were also offered to encourage Dispossessed fighters to defect with their weapons, while captured enemy combatants were treated with respect.

As the operation progressed, these measures slowly began to yield results. The rate of enemy defections gradually increased, while active resistance to the East Zimians grew less pronounced in pacified areas.

Occupation of Assek

After six weeks of combat operations, there were signs that enemy resistance was beginning to crumble. The leading units of the 5th Brigade were nearing the city of Assek, while further south, the 6th Brigade was approaching the New Batavian border. Dispossessed fighters were defecting in increasing numbers, while the diehard cadres were withdrawing east into the foothills of Mount Bijaro.

Seeking to maintain the pressure, Princess Electra asked her mother for the use of a gravnought to support an immediate coup de main attempt against Assek, judging that the appearance of one of these powerful vessels might induce a speedy capitulation without unneeded bloodshed. Queen Mina duly agreed to provide the gravnought *Bayen*, which arrived at Corum Electric on 11.XII.1750 AN to embark Princess Electra and her newly-raised battalion of lichguards. Arriving over Assek the following day, the overt show of strength had the desired result, and the city elders promptly surrendered to the princess. The 5th Brigade entered Assek two days later.

Closing operations

With the occupation of Assek, the active phase of the operation ended and the focus instead shifted to local counter insurgency actions, as East Zimian forces sought to complete the pacification of the occupied zone. Additional resources were reallocated to the ongoing hearts-and-minds effort, which was significantly expanded. Particular emphasis was placed on establishing re-education and rehabilitation programmes for former Dispossessed fighters, with the aim of preventing a future resurgence of disorder in the area.

Operation Pulse was formally concluded on the final day of the year, 24.XV.1750 AN.

Aftermath

On 1.I.1751 AN, Princess Electra, assumed the title Princess of Assek and the area occupied by East Zimian forces was proclaimed the Assek Protectorate.