- Main
- Origin
| “ | A battle at Loum will decide the outcome of the war. Or rather, it must decide it! | ” |
The Battle of Loum was a major conflict during the One Year War.
Background[]
After the One Week Battle concluded with the destruction of Hatte and the failure of Operation British, the Principality of Zeon turned to Side 5, Loum. At the time, Loum was split between pro-Zeon and pro-Earth Federation factions. However, the Loum government had been promised powerful support by the Federation. The Second Fleet (more commonly known as the Tianem Fleet), the most powerful fleet in the Earth Federation Space Force, had entered Loum's capital, Miranda, which caused the pro-Federation faction to gain the upper hand. Because of this, Gihren Zabi decided that Loum must be purged like Hatte.[1]
The violent clash in Miranda
Later, a violent clash broke out in Miranda between pro-Zeon and pro-Federation protestors. In response, the Loum government deployed its defense forces to forcefully quell the pro-Zeon protestors, even opening fire on them with live rounds. This prompted an exodus of pro-Zeon citizens to Side 3.[1]
On January 23, U.C. 0079, Federation Admiral Johann Ibrahim Revil learned that Zeon was about to attack Loum. In response, the Third Fleet was launched from the newly constructed Jaburo using boosters and rendezvoused with the First Fleet led by Revil at Luna II. The combined fleet then headed for Loum to assist the Tianem Fleet.[1]
The Tianem Fleet consisted of 15 Magellan-class battleships, 45 Salamis-class cruisers, 22 Lepanto-class missile frigates, as well as various landing craft and other vessels, rivaling the entirety of Zeon's fleet in its size. Meanwhile, Revil's combined fleet was speculated by Zeon to be three times the size of the Tianem Fleet. By dedicating an overwhelming amount of power to this battle, the Federation hoped to end the war with a single blow.[1]
Zeon's battle plan for the Battle of Loum
Knowing that the Federation fleets were four times the size of Zeon's entire fleet, Vice Admiral Dozle Zabi, Zeon's supreme fleet commander, decided to engage the Tianem Fleet with the entirety of the Zeon fleet. Meanwhile, the Special Assault Regiment, organized into two battalions, would launch from A Baoa Qu and attack Revil's main force. The two battallions would be led by Char Aznable and Miguel Gaia of the Black Tri-Stars.[1]
The destruction of Miranda's bay
In preparation for the battle, a Zeon commando team led by Char launched a diversionary attack on the bay areas of Loum's colonies, with Char personally destroying Miranda's bay. After accomplishing their mission, the team rendezvoused with the Special Assault Regiment, which launched its mobile suits at the Revil Fleet at roughly the same time.[1]
The Special Assault Regiment
Though the Tianem Fleet was closest to Loum, they were unable to divert their forces to defend Miranda due to facing the entirety of Zeon's fleet. In response, Revil ordered Cunningham and Wakkein's fleets to defend Miranda and for some of the supply ships and landing craft to aid the civilians, exactly as Zeon had planned. As a result, the relative fighting strengths were now three to one rather than four to one.[1]
Wanting to watch the battle up close, Sovereign Degwin Sodo Zabi ordered the Great Degwin Fleet to be stationed at the final defense line, in the orbit between Side 3 and the moon. Garma Zabi was also aboard the Great Degwin. The Zeon fleet was led by Dozle aboard his flagship, the Valkyrie. After departing from Side 3, it advanced towards Loum under radio silence.[1]
Meanwhile, due to Minovsky particles interfering with their sensors and datalinks, the Revil fleet ordered a double rotation of recon craft as they approached Loum.[1]
The Battle[]
The Dozle Fleet striking the first blow
The Dozle Fleet made the first move, launching a full barrage at the Tianem Fleet, which soon returned fire. Since the Federation ships were superior in terms of range and firepower, many Zeon vessels were destroyed. Soon, Dozle gave the order to disperse and change heading while returning fire.[1]
While on a recon mission, a recon craft piloted by Sergeant Ryu Jose and an unnamed radar operator accidentally flew right into the Dozle Fleet as it was moving to engage the Revil Fleet. However, Dozle ignored it and continued with the plan.[2]
The Valkyrie engaging the Ananke
At this point, Char Aznable had reached the Revil Fleet in his Zaku and began attacking it, sinking the Magellan-class battleship Forrestal with a bazooka round. As Revil deployed a cruiser group toward Char's Zaku, the Dozle Fleet suddenly appeared in front of the Revil Fleet. Dozle ordered the fleet to charge into Revil's fleet, with the Valkyrie landing a full barrage at Revil's flagship, the Ananke, at point-blank range.[2]
Meanwhile, the Special Assault Regiment, led by the Black Tri-Stars, had arrived. They launched an attack from below the Revil Fleet, damaging and sinking many ships. Being caught in a pincer attack, the Revil Fleet was devastated. In response, the Columbus-class carriers launched their FF-3F Saberfish attackers in an attempt to destroy the Zeon ships. However, the space fighters proved no match for mobile suits in dog fights.[2]
It was clear at this point that none of the Revil Fleet's weapons were effective against mobile suits, which were far too nimble to be tracked. The Black Tri-Stars were able to deal the killing blow to the heavily damaged Ananke, forcing its surviving crew to abandon ship. However, Revil's escape craft was captured by the Tri-Stars.[2]
However, while the Revil Fleet was devastated, the Tianem Fleet, which only sustained light damage, soon arrived at the final defense line, which was only defended by the Great Degwin and two Musai-class. Though he could have broken through and struck at the Zeon homeland to force a surrender, Tianem decided to turn around and cover the Revil Fleet's retreat instead.[2]
Aftermath[]
Following the battle, the Principality of Zeon's morale rose higher than ever. In the newly completed Sovereign's Office, a great victory celebration was held.
Not wanting to be assigned to the Staff Office, Garma volunteered to be assigned to mop up remaining resistance in the Loum colonies. He commanded Zeon forces from a Gallop-class, having little regard for civilian casualties and collateral damage. The Federation's defeat during the war would eventually force them into signing the Antarctic Treaty, which would have been a de facto instrument of surrender.
Notes & Trivia[]
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin Episode 5, Clash at Loum
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin Episode 6, Rise of the Red Comet
Please read the linked project page before editing this article.
Project Leader: User:FortressMaximus