Battle of Sabatini (1739)

Battle of Sabatini
Date 5.XV.1739 AN –27.XV.1739 AN Location Sabatini Island Result Occupation of airfields, dockyards and bunker HQ End of naval interdictions between Sathrati and Draconia Islands
Belligerents
Karsten Koryandar (Tribune)	Salbnan-Afzælthvaszhaldan (Commander)
Strength
Imperial Forces Main Liberation Corps (52,800) Northeastern Corps (34,000) Southeastern Corps (31,000) = ~117,000 combat troops  Imperial Navy of Shireroth 4 aircraft carriers: IRS Vermeylen, IRS Muxiecheng, IRS Baichaitian, IRS Chongchacheng 3 battleships 2 battlecruisers 21 destroyers 17 submarines 2 minehunters 1 hospital ship	*1st Air-Landing Division (11,160) Marinestation Sabatini (14,400) = ~25,000 combat troops
Casualties and losses
Killed in Action (KIA): ~12,000 soldiers Wounded in Action (WIA): ~18,000 soldiers Missing in Action (MIA): ~1,000 soldiers Total Casualties: ~31,000 troops	Killed in Action (KIA): ~14,000 soldiers Wounded in Action (WIA): ~5,000 soldiers Captured: ~4,000 soldiers Total Casualties: ~23,000 troops

The Battle of Sabatini, fought in late 1739 AN, was one of the first and largest engagements between Shirerithian and Benacian troops during the Shiro-Benacian War. The island of Sabatini, situated between the Shirerithian islands chains of Sathrati and Draconia, held strategic significance as a heavily fortified base of the Benacian Union. Notable landmarks included the imposing cliffs of Arlath Heights, the dense and rugged Saelthrin Woods, villages such as Telvaris (a coastal settlement), and the inland village of Havranth with its airfield, served as key logistical points for the island's defenders. Its presence posed a persistent threat to Shirerithian naval operations and shipping lanes despite their dominance at sea.

For years, the Benacian Union had invested significant resources into fortifying the island, turning it into a veritable fortress. By the time of the invasion, the island hosted a garrison of over 25,000 personnel and a network of defensive installations, including coastal batteries, anti-aircraft emplacements, and bunkers. Key locations included Fort Zythalos, a central command bunker; Arnesh Port, a fortified naval harbor; and the villages of Vraethis and Qelvani, which served as supply hubs and defensive outposts. Despite the Shirerithian blockade that severely restricted supplies, the defenders remained a formidable obstacle.

It was a big victory for Karsten Koryandar, the Modanese Tribune from Signy, who was hailed as a hero. Politically it strengthened the case of Yukio Kalirion, of whom the Tribune was a proponent during the struggle for power in the Mango Anarchy.

Prelude to the Battle

The Shirerithian Imperial Military, recognizing the threat posed by Sabatini, began planning an amphibious invasion to neutralize the island. This operation, codenamed Azure Tide, involved a massive commitment of ground, naval, and air forces. The Shirerithian strategy was to achieve air superiority, conduct heavy naval bombardments, and launch a multi-pronged assault to overwhelm the defenders.

The invasion commenced in the early days of late 1739 AN, with naval forces bombarding coastal fortifications and airstrikes targeting key defensive installations. The stage was set for one of the bloodiest battles in the Shirerithian-Benacian conflict.

Order of Battle

Shirerithian troops

Unit	Subunit	Strength	Commanding officer	Notes
Main Liberation Corps	9th Amphibious Assault Division	12,000	Karsten Koryandar
	7th Mechanized Infantry Division	10,500	Danek Sorreth
	15th Dalmacijan Infantry Division	23,000	Livna Ervanis
	1st Gong Heavy Artillery Battalion	1,800	Draegor Harkaven
	12th Xianbei Engineering Brigade	5,000	Tao Nong	Advanced fortification demolition, bridge-building, and logistics support.
Northeastern Corps	4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade	14,000	Axel Vrenholm
	5th Batavian Airborne Brigade	4,200	Mark Konincksberg	Shirerithian unit of the Luchtmobiele Brigade.
	3rd Combat Engineer Battalion	1,200	Tarik Somylas	Beachhead clearing, demolition of fortifications, mine-clearing operations.
	22nd Audente Armored Division	15,000	Ravel Tynessar	Main battle tanks, armored personnel carriers, self-propelled artillery.
Southeastern Corps	3rd Air Cavalry Regiment	3,500	Eryka Velestian
	8th Lunaris Logistic Support Corps	6,500	Johan Verbeeck
	9th Amphibious Assault Division	12,000	Lorne Aethrial
	7th Lichkeeper Mechanized Infantry Division	9,500	Kami Song

Benacian troops

Unit	Subunit	Strength	Commanding officer	Notes
1st Air-Landing (Mounted) Infantry Division	45th Special Purpose Regiment	1,200	Salbnan-Afzælthvaszhaldan Venebacht Carsten
	1st Air Assault Brigade	7,200
	1st Airlanding Anti-Tank Regiment	1,200
	1st Forward (Airborne) Observation Unit	360
	Upland Free Kossar Cavalry Regiment	1,200
Marinestation Sabatini	Coastguard	10,000
	BUDF General Inspectorate and Commissariat Troops	3,200
	Benacia Command Commissariat and Inspectorate Troops	1,200

The Battle

The battle began with a ferocious aerial bombardment by Shirerithian air forces, targeting anti-aircraft installations, ammunition depots, and communication centers. This was followed by a week-long naval bombardment that cratered the coastline and inflicted significant damage on the defenders' fortifications. Despite these efforts, the Benacian Union defenders, under the leadership of Salbnan-Afzælthvaszhaldan and Venebacht Carsten, managed to hold key positions and maintain a strong defense.

Initial Landings

The first wave of Shirerithian forces, composed of the 9th Amphibious Assault Division and the 15th Infantry Division near the heavily fortified Arnesh Port, faced intense resistance as they landed on the beaches. The defenders had heavily mined the landing zones and established overlapping fields of fire from entrenched machine gun nests and artillery positions. Simultaneously, landings began on the northeastern and less defended - but more mountaineous southeastern beaches. Casualties everywhere were heavy, with entire companies being wiped out in the initial hours of the assault.

The 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion played a critical role in clearing obstacles and enabling subsequent waves to land near Vraethis. The Benacians, in an attempt to halth the Engineers, blew up the remaining naval facilities of the town, trapping the Shirerithian forces between the coast and hellfire ("as if Balgurds Daemons itself were unleashed on the poor souls of the 3rd", a Jingdaoese officer would comment from aboard the IRS Muxiecheng). Despite fierce resistance, the Shirerithians established a precarious beachhead by the end of the third day on all three landing points.

Inland Fighting

As Shirerithian forces pushed inland, the battle devolved into a brutal, close-quarters struggle. The defenders utilized a network of underground tunnels and bunkers to mount ambushes and counterattacks. The 7th Mechanized Infantry Division, supported by the 1st Heavy Artillery Battalion, spearheaded the assault on the main defensive line, eventually breaking through after a week of sustained fighting.

The 5th Airborne Brigade conducted daring drops behind enemy lines to disrupt supply routes and force the defenders to divert resources. However, they suffered significant casualties due to anti-aircraft fire and coordinated counterattacks by the Upland Free Kossar Cavalry Regiment.

Climax of the Battle

The turning point came on the 15th day of the battle when Shirerithian naval forces on the western side launched a coordinated strike, bombarding the last remaining coastal batteries near Arnesh Port. This allowed the 12th Engineering Brigade to advance on Fort Zythalos from the west (effectively cutting off the Benacians in Arnesh Port), while the 9th Amphibious Assault Division assaulted the defenses and cave system from the east. The defenders, low on supplies and suffering from weeks of constant bombardment, began to falter.

By the 22nd day, organized resistance collapsed, and the Shirerithian forces declared victory. However, the cost was staggering: over 31,000 Shirerithian soldiers were killed or wounded, while Benacian Union losses exceeded 23,000, including prisoners.