Difference between revisions of "Battle of Helm (3138)"
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| − | {{ | + | {{InfoBoxBattle |
| − | | conflict = | + | | conflict = Battle of Helm |
| partof = [[Operation HAMMERFALL]] | | partof = [[Operation HAMMERFALL]] | ||
| − | | image = | + | | image = |
| − | | | + | | startdate = 19 April [[3138]] |
| − | + | | enddate = 28 April 3138 | |
| − | | | ||
| planet = [[Helm]] | | planet = [[Helm]] | ||
| + | | place = Helmdown | ||
| + | | result = Lyran and Wolf victory; Silver Hawks' partial destruction | ||
| territory = | | territory = | ||
| − | | faction1 = | + | | faction1 = [[Lyran Commonwealth]]<br>[[Clan Wolf]] |
| − | | | + | | commander1 = [[Alaric Ward]]<br>[[Vedet Brewer]]<br>[[Roderick Steiner]] |
| − | | | + | | command1 = [[1st Hesperus Guards]]<br>[[1st Steiner Strikers]]<br>[[Alpha Galaxy (Clan Wolf)|Alpha Galaxy]] |
| + | | faction2 = [[Marik-Stewart Commonwealth]] | ||
| commander2 = [[Anson Marik]] | | commander2 = [[Anson Marik]] | ||
| − | | | + | | command2 = [[Silver Hawk Irregulars]] |
| − | | | + | | faction3 = |
| − | | | + | | commander3 = |
| − | | | + | | command3 = |
| − | |||
}} | }} | ||
| + | The '''Battle of Helm (3138)''', also known as the '''Helm Massacre''', was a late [[Dark Age Era]] military operation undertaken by the allied [[Clan Wolf]] and [[Lyran Commonwealth]] forces against the defending [[Marik-Stewart Commonwealth|Marik-Stewart]] defenders.<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 108</ref> | ||
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===Origins of the Conflict=== | ===Origins of the Conflict=== | ||
| − | + | [[Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth|Archon]] [[Trillian Steiner]] used [[Anson Marik]]'s reformation of the [[Silver Hawk Irregulars]] as an excuse to invade former [[Free Worlds League]] space, enlisting the help of Clan Wolf in exchange for granting the wolves new worlds. Although tenuous, the alliance served both the Lyrans' and the Wolves' interests for the time being.<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 24</ref> | |
===Lyran Invasion=== | ===Lyran Invasion=== | ||
| − | Reinforced by Clan Wolf forces, the | + | Reinforced by Clan Wolf forces, the Lyran invasion was almost unstoppable: the minor forces of the Marik-Stewart Commonality were overwhelmed and, worse still, a second front formed as [[Marik]] and nearby worlds were invaded by the [[Spirit Cats]] and [[Oriente Protectorate]]. Only the Silver Hawks were able to stymie the invaders on several occasions but their small size, barely having a regiment in strength, limited their effectiveness.<ref>''Era Report: 3145'', pp. 23–24</ref> |
===Attack on Helm=== | ===Attack on Helm=== | ||
| − | The | + | The First Hesperus Guards and a Clan Wolf Cluster, commanded by then-[[Star Colonel]] [[Alaric Wolf]], would first see action together on Helm in April. The bulk of the Irregulars had been sent offworld, leaving behind only two skeleton companies to delay the invaders' advance as long as possible. Fortunately for the Silver Hawks, the Wolf and Lyran forces were not cooperating due to a number of issues and a lack of trust between their commanding officers [[Duke of Hesperus II|Duke]] [[Vedet Brewer]] and Alaric Wolf. In addition, Brewer had his own ambitions and only followed the Archon's plans because it benefited him. Archon Trillian Steiner, assisting the invasion from the front lines, used her diplomatic skills to get both units to work together. |
| − | Clan Wolf attacked Helm's capital city of Helmsdown | + | |
| − | By May | + | Clan Wolf attacked Helm's capital city of Helmsdown where the Silver Hawk Irregulars had entrenched themselves but encountered heavy resistance from the Irregulars' forces hidden amongst the civilian farmers. By 22 May, Steiner had called in the [[First Steiner Strikers]] led by her cousin [[Colonel]] [[Roderick Steiner]] to reinforce Brewer and Alaric Wolf's troops.<ref>''The Last Charge'', ch. 10</ref><ref>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 24</ref> |
| + | |||
| + | ===The Helm Massacre=== | ||
| + | On 28 April,<ref>''Era Report: 3145'', p. 20: Timeline of Events - 3138</ref> the battle for the capital city resumed as the Wolves initiated their attack, clashing with the Silver Hawks while the Hesperus Guards simultaneously advanced, supported by artillery fire and the newly-arrived First Strikers. The Irregulars were compelled to retreat toward the city center with the Lyran forces in pursuit, however the Hesperus Guards were hindered by concentrated artillery fire, forcing them to abandon the chase.<ref>''The Last Charge'', chs. 11–12</ref> | ||
| − | + | The Hawks continued their strategic retreat through the city, employing hit-and-run tactics to harass both Lyran and Wolf forces. Alaric Wolf then ordered air strikes to bombard the city center, facilitating the Wolves' advance. Fearing the overwhelming three-sided assault, the Hawks, now disoriented and leaderless, decided to surrender to Brewer's forces, perceiving him as the most honorable. [[Lieutenant]] [[Fred Parsons]] initiated contact with the duke, proposing the Irregulars' surrender, and Brewer accepted the proposed terms.<ref>''The Last Charge'', chs. 13–14</ref> | |
| − | |||
| − | The | + | The surrender attempt went awry when a significant portion of the Hawks, led by Lieutenant [[Zeke Carleton]], began firing indiscriminately. Despite Duke Vedet communicating the surrender to Roderick and Alaric, the Wolf leader ignored the ceasefire order and led a final charge against the Hawks. Mercilessly, the Wolves, encountering only scattered resistance, killed both surrendering and rebellious Hawks, including Lieutenant Parsons, and the event became known as the Helm Massacre.<ref>''The Last Charge'', chs. 15–16</ref> This event deeply shook Anson Marik's resolve and Trillian Steiner promptly covered up the incident. Duke Vedet, furious with the Wolves for stealing his victory, vowed never to collaborate with them again.<ref>''Era Report: 3145'', p. 23: "Hammerfall & Homecoming"</ref> |
| − | |||
===Aftermath=== | ===Aftermath=== | ||
| − | + | By June 3138, Anson Marik made his final stand on [[Stewart]] and died fighting to protect his worlds from the joint Lyran/Wolf invaders. With Marik's sole heir disinherited two years prior, the collapse of the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth became inevitable. Survivors of Anson's newly formed Silver Hawk Irregulars, created to honor the original [[Silver Hawks Coalition]], could only watch the absorption of most of said Coalition by the Wolf Empire.<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'', pp. 17–18: "The Hammer Falls"</ref><ref name=EA_40>''Empire Alone'', pp. 40–41: "A New Coalition"</ref> | |
| − | + | ||
| + | Their opportunity for revenge arose on 7 August [[3151]], when Colonel [[Lucas Cameron-Witherspoon]] led a strike on Helm with the First Battalion of the [[Gryphons]]. Despite Helm not being historically a Silver Hawks world, the Gryphons, many of whom were survivors of the Helm Massacre, held a deep-seated vendetta against Clan Wolf and their mission was mainly to inflict maximum casualties on the Wolf warriors stationed there. After initial skirmishes, the Wolves withdrew to the Nagayan Mountains where the Gryphons spent a week hunting them down. By 13 August, only Wolves from the Clan's civilian castes remained on Helm. After claiming victory, Cameron-Witherspoon honored the Silver Hawk Irregulars who had fallen during the Helm Massacre with a monument outside Helmdown.<ref name=EA_40/> | ||
| − | + | ==Gallery== | |
| + | <gallery> | ||
| + | The Last Charge cover.jpg|Alaric Ward's ''Timber Wolf'' leading the last charge | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 65: | Line 53: | ||
==Bibliography== | ==Bibliography== | ||
| − | * ''[[ | + | * ''[[Empire Alone]]'' |
| − | * ''[[ | + | * ''[[Field Manual: 3145]]'' |
* ''[[The Last Charge]]'' (novela) | * ''[[The Last Charge]]'' (novela) | ||
[[Category:Late Dark Age Era Military Operations|Battle of Helm (3138)]] | [[Category:Late Dark Age Era Military Operations|Battle of Helm (3138)]] | ||
Latest revision as of 11:41, 2 December 2023
| Battle of Helm (3138) | |
|---|---|
| Conflict details | |
| Part of | Operation HAMMERFALL |
| Start Date | 19 April 3138 |
| End Date | 28 April 3138 |
| Planet(s) | Helm |
| Location(s) | Helmdown |
| Result | Lyran and Wolf victory; Silver Hawks' partial destruction |
| Attacking Forces | |
| Affiliation | Lyran Commonwealth Clan Wolf |
| Commanding Officer(s) | Alaric Ward Vedet Brewer Roderick Steiner |
| Command(s) | 1st Hesperus Guards 1st Steiner Strikers Alpha Galaxy |
| Defending Forces | |
| Affiliation | Marik-Stewart Commonwealth |
| Commanding Officer(s) | Anson Marik |
| Command(s) | Silver Hawk Irregulars |
| Other Forces | |
The Battle of Helm (3138), also known as the Helm Massacre, was a late Dark Age Era military operation undertaken by the allied Clan Wolf and Lyran Commonwealth forces against the defending Marik-Stewart defenders.[1]
Contents
Origins of the Conflict[edit]
Archon Trillian Steiner used Anson Marik's reformation of the Silver Hawk Irregulars as an excuse to invade former Free Worlds League space, enlisting the help of Clan Wolf in exchange for granting the wolves new worlds. Although tenuous, the alliance served both the Lyrans' and the Wolves' interests for the time being.[2]
Lyran Invasion[edit]
Reinforced by Clan Wolf forces, the Lyran invasion was almost unstoppable: the minor forces of the Marik-Stewart Commonality were overwhelmed and, worse still, a second front formed as Marik and nearby worlds were invaded by the Spirit Cats and Oriente Protectorate. Only the Silver Hawks were able to stymie the invaders on several occasions but their small size, barely having a regiment in strength, limited their effectiveness.[3]
Attack on Helm[edit]
The First Hesperus Guards and a Clan Wolf Cluster, commanded by then-Star Colonel Alaric Wolf, would first see action together on Helm in April. The bulk of the Irregulars had been sent offworld, leaving behind only two skeleton companies to delay the invaders' advance as long as possible. Fortunately for the Silver Hawks, the Wolf and Lyran forces were not cooperating due to a number of issues and a lack of trust between their commanding officers Duke Vedet Brewer and Alaric Wolf. In addition, Brewer had his own ambitions and only followed the Archon's plans because it benefited him. Archon Trillian Steiner, assisting the invasion from the front lines, used her diplomatic skills to get both units to work together.
Clan Wolf attacked Helm's capital city of Helmsdown where the Silver Hawk Irregulars had entrenched themselves but encountered heavy resistance from the Irregulars' forces hidden amongst the civilian farmers. By 22 May, Steiner had called in the First Steiner Strikers led by her cousin Colonel Roderick Steiner to reinforce Brewer and Alaric Wolf's troops.[4][5]
The Helm Massacre[edit]
On 28 April,[6] the battle for the capital city resumed as the Wolves initiated their attack, clashing with the Silver Hawks while the Hesperus Guards simultaneously advanced, supported by artillery fire and the newly-arrived First Strikers. The Irregulars were compelled to retreat toward the city center with the Lyran forces in pursuit, however the Hesperus Guards were hindered by concentrated artillery fire, forcing them to abandon the chase.[7]
The Hawks continued their strategic retreat through the city, employing hit-and-run tactics to harass both Lyran and Wolf forces. Alaric Wolf then ordered air strikes to bombard the city center, facilitating the Wolves' advance. Fearing the overwhelming three-sided assault, the Hawks, now disoriented and leaderless, decided to surrender to Brewer's forces, perceiving him as the most honorable. Lieutenant Fred Parsons initiated contact with the duke, proposing the Irregulars' surrender, and Brewer accepted the proposed terms.[8]
The surrender attempt went awry when a significant portion of the Hawks, led by Lieutenant Zeke Carleton, began firing indiscriminately. Despite Duke Vedet communicating the surrender to Roderick and Alaric, the Wolf leader ignored the ceasefire order and led a final charge against the Hawks. Mercilessly, the Wolves, encountering only scattered resistance, killed both surrendering and rebellious Hawks, including Lieutenant Parsons, and the event became known as the Helm Massacre.[9] This event deeply shook Anson Marik's resolve and Trillian Steiner promptly covered up the incident. Duke Vedet, furious with the Wolves for stealing his victory, vowed never to collaborate with them again.[10]
Aftermath[edit]
By June 3138, Anson Marik made his final stand on Stewart and died fighting to protect his worlds from the joint Lyran/Wolf invaders. With Marik's sole heir disinherited two years prior, the collapse of the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth became inevitable. Survivors of Anson's newly formed Silver Hawk Irregulars, created to honor the original Silver Hawks Coalition, could only watch the absorption of most of said Coalition by the Wolf Empire.[11][12]
Their opportunity for revenge arose on 7 August 3151, when Colonel Lucas Cameron-Witherspoon led a strike on Helm with the First Battalion of the Gryphons. Despite Helm not being historically a Silver Hawks world, the Gryphons, many of whom were survivors of the Helm Massacre, held a deep-seated vendetta against Clan Wolf and their mission was mainly to inflict maximum casualties on the Wolf warriors stationed there. After initial skirmishes, the Wolves withdrew to the Nagayan Mountains where the Gryphons spent a week hunting them down. By 13 August, only Wolves from the Clan's civilian castes remained on Helm. After claiming victory, Cameron-Witherspoon honored the Silver Hawk Irregulars who had fallen during the Helm Massacre with a monument outside Helmdown.[12]
Gallery[edit]
Alaric Ward's Timber Wolf leading the last charge
References[edit]
- ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 108
- ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 24
- ↑ Era Report: 3145, pp. 23–24
- ↑ The Last Charge, ch. 10
- ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 24
- ↑ Era Report: 3145, p. 20: Timeline of Events - 3138
- ↑ The Last Charge, chs. 11–12
- ↑ The Last Charge, chs. 13–14
- ↑ The Last Charge, chs. 15–16
- ↑ Era Report: 3145, p. 23: "Hammerfall & Homecoming"
- ↑ Field Manual: 3145, pp. 17–18: "The Hammer Falls"
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Empire Alone, pp. 40–41: "A New Coalition"