Battlefield Report: Operation Khopesh
Algedi (Voice of the Dragon)
November 15, 2785
The Gaijin Regiments of General Ramses Vron have surprisingly bested the Ronin during the opening phases of the Great Contest. Despite their strange ways these soldiers have once again proven the wisdom of our glorious Coordinator, Minoru Kurita. Their foreign service or heritage led many native Draconians to question their martial abilities and level of commitment our nation. Even after this initial success some still insist that these outsiders of questionable worth fought inferior opposition when compared to their “masterless” competitors. No doubt Lord Kurita’s shrewd utilization of these suspect military assets factored heavily in their favor but their achievement in the first phase of this grand challenge cannot be denied.
The worlds targeted by the Gaijin, in the so-called “Gram Pocket”, were under defended thanks to the massive diversionary raid on Bone Norman near the Periphery. This well executed feint caused the LCAF to redeploy several BattleMech regiments to the very edge of the InnerSphere and away from the core worlds of humanity. Continuing insurrection in the former Rim Worlds also kept Commonwealth units tied down far from the Draconis border. These factors combined with the Archon’s pro-business partial mobilization of the Lyran nation made conditions ideal for Vron’s Operation Khopesh. In fact the Lyrans offered only a third of the defensive strength that the military of the Terran Republic did against the Ronin.
Shimosuwa, Chimpaw, and Kingtribel were defended mainly by conventional forces that included House Regulars along with Planetary Militia. On average a single Lyran Tank Regiment supported by two Mechanized Infantry Regiments formed the core of the ground defenses. These line forces were augmented whatever local conscripts could be mustered and a wing of aerospace fighters. Gaijin forces easily outmatched their opponents on these worlds and swiftly secured them for the Dragon by November 1st. The terraformed but still arid world of Kingtribel was the first fall. This rough and tumble frontier planet was home to a thriving livestock trade as well as a small but notable artistic community. The cold world of Shimosuwa, which was home to moderate industry and a Star League commercial center, was next. Incredibly the primitive world of Chimpaw home to various bio-industries held out the longest. Its lush terrain and stubborn denizens proved difficult but not impossible to overcome.
As anticipated Gram and Trolloc Prime, which were the two main targets of this assault, held out the longest. Both worlds had the large Planetary Militias as well as additional line forces which included BattleMechs. The 5th Arcturan Guard garrisoned the industrial world Gram while the 25th Heavy Assault Regiment defended Trolloc Prime. Both units fought tenaciously but were constantly defeated by Gaijin forces that consistently drove them back. By November 1st the Lyran High Command had apparently seen enough and ordered its troops to evacuate both planets. Commonwealth naval forces fought their way to each world but the 25th Heavy Assault Regiment on Trolloc Prime refused to withdraw. Under the command of Colonel Jericho Marsden these forces heroically fought to the last man. By November 10th all star systems targeted by the Gaijin were effectively subjugated.
The speed and success of these attacks exceeded all previous expectations earning the Gaijin a measure of respect from even their harshest critics. These developments have put General Vron and his soldiers well ahead of schedule for the phase of operations. Meanwhile their Ronin rivals are still trying to subdue fanatical Terran opposition on Lambrecht. Even though the Gaijin have won this first round the Great Contest has not yet reached its conclusion. Many obstacles still have to be overcome before a clear victor can be declared and the birth of a Fifth Military District can be proclaimed. The Dragon looks forward to this day of destiny and the new era it will certainly usher in.