Operation Repulse
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| Nations: |  Nova England  South Sea Islands
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| Location: | Warring Islands | |||
| Date: | 18.02.1693 AN | |||
| Forces: | Nova English Armed Forces South Sea Islands Defence Force | |||
| Objective: | Reinforcement of Hempton Bay, expansion of Nova English Government area of control. | |||
Operation Repulse is the code name given to a join military operation carried out by Nova England and the South Sea Islands to secure Hempton Bay and the broader Warring Islands region. Under the unified command of Nova English Army Field Marshall Wilfred Boyfield, the primary objective is subdue hostile militia activity around the city of Hempton Bay itself, with a secondary objective of expanding Nova English Government control over the whole of the islands, following years of lawlessness and instability.
Background
Following the collapse and reestablishment of the Nova English state, the city of Hempton Bay was established in 1689 AN with the sponsorship of Jeremiah Avon-El. While the new city grew and developed steadily, by 1693 AN it had become apparent that attempts to peacefully bring the surrounding rural areas under Nova English Government control had failed. Influential militia groups retained control over large swathes of territory, preventing the effective provision of government services and extorting funds from the rural population.
In February 1693 AN the small garrison at Hempton Bay were reinforced by 200 personnel of the South Sea Islands Defence Force, who initially arrived in the city for a goodwill visit following their recent withdrawal from Camp Gloucester. At the request of His Royal Majesty King Josephus I, Field Marshall Wilfred Boyfield was dispatched to the city to command and utilise this new combined force.
Forces
The joint force deployed to Hempton Bay consist of the following elements:
- Nova England: the garrison of Hempton Bay consists of approximately four hundred members of the Nova English Light Infantry, supported by a detachment of the [Nova English Artillery Regiment armed with heavy guns and multiple rocket launchers. The Nova English force is able to call on a significant fleet of transport and logistical vehicles.
- South Sea Islands: the South Sea Islands Defence Force deployment consists of 200 infantrymen of the Combat Support Services Regiment, 10 off road motorcycles, 4 Snatch Land Rovers and a NH-76 Dromosker helicopter. The force arrived on the Warring Islands aboard the R.R.S. Madison, a lightly armed Logistic Support Vessel equipped with a 4.5 inch naval gun.
Opposing the joint force is a loose alliance of militias. Their numbers and armaments are, at present, unknown.
Key Events
- February 14th: following a period of relative quiet in and around Hempton Bay, reports begin to reach the garrison of sporadic gunfire to the east of the city, with an unconfirmed number of police officers killed by armed men. Suggestions that the deaths occurred during a shootout with criminals are quickly dismissed and a stream of refugees from the city's eastern suburbs begun to arrive in the city centre, reporting the approach of a significant armed force. The bells of the Church of St Gabriel the Archangel are run to warm the city's population of the danger as the garrison, initially taken by surprise by the sudden assault, move from the barracks to take up defensive positions outside of the city's perimeter.
- February 15th: with the initial attack from the east of the city repulsed, intermittent fighting occurs at various entryways into the city. Truck bombs are deployed by the militiamen in an attempt to dislodge Nova English Forces from their defensive positions. Airstrikes are called in from the mainland, the Nova English Royal Air Force make roads on the city's eastern approach impassible, cutting off a large group of militia forces in the process. Law and order is maintained in the city itself, artillery is deployed to the city's outskirts, with precise fire directed at militia positions with the aid of hand-launched unmanned aerial vehicles.
- February 16th: despite news of fighting nearby, a planned goodwill visit by the South Sea Islands Defence Force goes ahead. When following the coast towards the harbour of Hempton Bay, the R.R.S. Madison is targeted by an unguided, shoulder-launched rocket based on the headlands east of the harbour. While the rocket fell well short of the ship and was not deemed to be a threat to the vessel, the Madison returned fire with 4.5 inch deck gun after hurried consultation with Nova English Forces. This marks the first time a ship of the South Sea Islands Defence Force has ever fired in anger. The visiting forces arrive and disembark, after which the Madison put to see again to ensure the safety of the ship.
- February 18th: after high level discussions between the governments of Nova England and the South Sea Islands, the decision is reached to launch the joint Operation Repulse to secure Hempton Bay and the surrounding areas.
