Military Operations of Lac Glacei

Operation Underlord

In keeping with Lac Glacei's objective to combat piracy in the Strait of Pearls, the Grand Duke ordered the launch of Operation Underlord, which resolved to bring the former isles of Norsmandy under control of the Grand Duchy, which would then be utilized as a forward operating base to extend naval patrols along the strait. Elements of the Glaceian Army Reserve Department were deployed from Ergo Sum and the Tigra Isles. The operation was split into two phases:

• Phase I: The LS Chang was deployed with the LS Rosario as escort to lead an amphibious assault on Bajoccas, the largest of the three Norsman isles. The carrier Konigen was deployed as a rear guard and to provide air-to-ground support. Lac Glaceian marines would lead a spearhead assault onto Bajoccas where they would take control of the island and secure the area for more troops to be brought in. Once Bajoccas is secure, the other two islands could then be taken.
• Phase II: Aircraft from the Konigen will provide ongoing air-to-ground support by strafing enemy positions on the islands. The Lac Glaceian Mala-class helicopter will be on hand to provide additional air-to-ground support.

Operation Underlord was officially declared on 7.1695 AN and immediately commenced engagement. The barbaric tribes of Norsmandy were caught completely off guard as marines landed in the early hours of dawn on the southern shores of Bajoccas. Air forces were able to disable the defenses of two coastal villages, allowing amphibious forces a clear window to enter and secure the area. The local population was armed mostly with hunting rifles and had few prepared defenses capable of withstanding the assault. Within three hours the southern half of Bajoccas was secure and more troops were being ferried in from Fort Matthias. Once fighting entered the central area of the island, troops were forced to slow their progression, as by this time the rest of the island had been alerted to the attack. It took twenty-eight more hours for the remainder of Bajoccas to be secured, with total casualties amounting to 18 Lac Glaceian soldiers and 73 Norsmen. By the next morning a temporary prison camp had been established to hold and process POWs and a operational HQ constructed in the south.

The third day of the conflict saw the expansion of the assault with new attacks on the other two Norsman isles; Jarnia and Magus. Jarnia, the northernmost of the three Norsman isles, had a negligible population of around seventy inhabitants, and was secured quickly and without much conflict and, thankfully, without any casualties. Magus had a more sizable population of around eight-hundred and forced another amphibious landing by Lac Glacei's marines. While only a fraction of the size of Bajoccas, the operation followed a similar routine. Air support only required the assistance of the Mala-class helicopter, and the island was secured within fifteen hours. No losses were incurred by GARD forces, with ten local casualties.

By the fourth day of the conflict the entirety of Norsmandy was under Lac Glaceian control and the government began an active program of rebuilding the damaged infrastructure and working with local government to incorporate the isles into the ducal hierarchy. Negotiations with local leaders granted the islands limited autonomy in exchange for recognizing the Grand Duke as legitimate ruler of Norsmandy.