Battlefield Report: Operation Katana
Ashio (Voice of the Dragon)
December 5, 2785
The Ronin Regiments have finally overcome their initial opposition to complete their first strikes in the Great Contest. While this victory came on time and according to schedule the Ronin’s commander, General Daisuke Toyotomi, expressed extreme disappointment. Despite concluding operations by the High Command’s deadline of December 1, 2785 finishing second to the Gaijin Regiments was clearly not something he or his troops desired. Many have criticized these “masterless” warriors for their questionable battlefield performance. Some say the Ronin make excellent warriors but poor soldiers especially when compared to the “foreigners” commanded by General Ramses Vron. While tactically superior some analysts call the Toyotomi’s troops strategically challenged.
These detractors overlook the formidable opposition arrayed by the desperate leaders of Terra who placed an impressive defensive force along the Draconis border. Hoping to stave off certain extinction the remnants of House Cameron deployed several BattleMech regiments along with supporting forces to their frontier. In addition they reorganized and bolstered their nationwide militia forces creating another difficult obstacle for our troops to overcome. Finally the target region had long been fortified by Hegemony leaders for many years. Defenses were established to such an extent that even damage caused by the Amaris Coup failed to completely annihilate them. Quickly rebuilt by the New Republic these fortifications presented daunting challenges for any attackers. The Ronin proceeding along Styx and Imbros Salients ran head long into these massive defensive efforts which inevitably slowed their advance.
However in spite of all these difficulties Operation Katana managed to secure four of its initial objectives by November 1st while Operation Khopesh only held three. The Terran worlds of Lonestar, Chaville, Kervil, and Telos IV all fell despite their ‘Mech garrisons and defensive strong points. The industrial world of Kervil was the site of the Ronin’s most impressive triumph as the troops of General Shin Mayota managed to destroy the 5th Dieron Borderers while sustaining little damage. On Chaville the planetary authorities wisely chose to back our efforts of the Ronin aiding in the destruction of Billing’s Bandits. The natives of Telos foolishly chose to resist our forces by attempting several dishonorable attacks that resulted in severe collateral damage and the annihilation of the 6th Dieron Borderers. Only the 4th Tau Ceti Rangers managed to escape the Dragon’s wrath on Lonestar when a Terran Fleet jumped in and managed to evacuate them from planet.
Despite these clear victories the one world continued to hold out despite the best efforts of the Ronin. Lambrecht with its vast mineral wealth and well-developed industry was the single most valuable target in the opening phase for either Draconis assault. The Terrans had long fortified this key border world and made sure that its planetary militia was one of the finest in all known space. Additionally they stationed two BattleMech regiments, four Armor Regiments, six Infantry Regiments, and an entire Aerospace Regiment to help garrison the world. These line units combined with the planet’s intricate defenses guaranteed any struggle for control would be difficult at best. The Terran commander, Major General Shelton Northcutt, proved a cunning foe using every tool at his disposal to fend off the Ronin assault. Eventually the defenders were defeated even though it took longer to accomplish then the Gaijin offensives on Trolloc Prime and Gram.
In the final analysis the Ronin faced more enemy forces and still managed to finish their operations on schedule. Enemy causalities exceeded five BattleMech regiments as well as a host of lesser forces. These losses can not be afforded by the already weakened Terran state and could lead to its eventual downfall. Early Ronin successes clearly outpaced the Gaijin but according to the rules of the Great Contest as laid down by the High Command the Ronin finished second and lost this initial phase. General Toyotomi has vowed to improve his forces performance and win the next leg of this great challenge.