Operation Lion's Heart

Combatants| * British Empire
	+ American Caribbean Territories

Commanders| * Queen Elizabeth II
	+ Admiral Prince Edward
	+ General John Lorimer
	+ General Tommy Franks
* Governor Fred Thompson

Forces| * 1000 Royal Marine Commandos
* 800 Paratroopers
* Carrier Strike Force 2
* 2000 Colonial Garrison (Incl. Police Units)
* 1st American Task Fleet (Atlantic Command) (Late Battle)

Casualties| * 19 Royal Marine Commandos
* 6 Paratroopers
* 656 Americans Captured
* 456 Colonial Soldiers Killed
* 1544 Colonial Soldiers Captured (later fought for the British)
* 1 Aircraft Carrier
* 3 Destroyers
* 1 Light Cruiser

**Operation Lion's Heart** ,otherwise known as the **Jamaican Crisis** or **Invasion of Jamaica**, was a British Military Operation conducted from the 2nd to the 18th of June 1999 and featured a Naval, Amphibious and Airborne Invasion of Jamaica by British Forces. It was a resounding success for the British Empire against the Greater American Reich, although it nearly sparked a full-scale war between the two powers.

The Operation was a logistical triumph as The British Invasion Force had to travel a considerable distance in order to reach Jamaica and Invade without the American Navy intercepting, who had a great presence in the area. The British Task Force departed from a Naval Base in British West Africa and split in half upon reaching the Caribbean. One Fleet captured Trinidad and the Second captured the Southern Bahamas. They then convened and captured Jamaica before encountering the American Navy who withdrew after a brief skirmish.

## History

### Background

Upon the formation of the British Empire, leading Generals and members of the Royal Family knew that to reclaim what they once had they would have to hold lands in the Caribbean. The issue there was the Caribbean was under a strong American grip with all islands in the region being held by the Americans directly or by their puppet, The American Caribbean Territories.

Prince Edward, the leading Military Figure of the Operation, proposed the plan to invade Jamaica and would involve a two-pronged offensive into the Caribbean. Carrier Strike Group 2 of the British Atlantic Command Fleet would carry out the operations by departing from British West Africa and upon reaching the Caribbean , splitting into two and one force hitting the Southern Bahamas and the second hitting Trinidad. These two targets had minimal opposition on them and were selected for smaller groups of Royal Marine Commandos to swiftly capture. The two fleets would then consolidate at Jamaica where the main invasion force consisting of Royal Marine Commandos and Paratroopers would take Kingston and defeat the American Garrison.

Many Generals including General Carter claimed the plan was too risky and the American Navy would be able to defeat the British Carrier Force who were miles away and relied to heavily on the success and speed of the capture of the Southern Bahamas and Trinidad. However, Generals John Lorimer of the Parachute Regiment and General Robert Magowan of the Royal Marines believed it was possible. Queen Elizabeth II and Admiral of the Fleet Prince Phillip gave the green light to Prince Edward. On the 1st of March, Carrier Strike Group 12 ,with 6 Carriers and 16 Escort Ships, and the 1800 Soldiers reached British West Africa and began training for the Operation.

After Months of Training, the British Task Force departed on the 28th of May 1999, ready to make a monumental move

### Capture of Trinidad and the Southern Bahamas

On the 31st of May 1999, The Carrier Strike Group split into two, 3 Carriers and 8 Escorts in each group. Prince Edward sailed with the flagship, HMS Endurance to Trinidad. On the 2nd of June, both Carrier Groups initiated the invasions of the Southern Bahamas and Trinidad. 200 Marine Commandos stormed Trinidad and overwhelmed the small colonial police garrison. Trinidad was in British Hands by the end of the day. On the Southern Bahamas, 150 Marines and 200 Paratroopers landed on the various islands amphibiously and airborne in order to defeat the Local American Garrison who operated a military base on one of the islands and a vital radar array which would alert American Naval Forces in Florida to the British Invasion. The Commandos and Paratroopers fought a hard battle against the American Infantry but eventually overcame them without a distress call being sent out, which would prove to be a decisive move as it bought the Royal Navy more time. By the 3rd, both islands were in British Hands.

### Invasion of Jamaica

The British Task Fleet began surrounding Jamaica in the early hours of the 4th. British Sea Harriers pummelled Kingston for several hours to weaken the defence there. Meanwhile, British Paratroopers landed in the North of the Island and captured the Port City of Montego Bay, a vital target which allowed British Supply ships to supply incursions inland. At 8am on the 4th, The Siege of Kingston began. The British Royal Marines landed and clashed with the American Soldiers and Colonial Police. The Fighting was fierce and American Resistance was initially very strong, however the Marines secured a landing zone and began to expand further into Kingston. The Battle for the Kingston Public Hospital saw some very heavy fighting but eventually the British secured the hospital which was providing first aid to wounded Americans. on the 5th, British Paratroopers began paradropping at Norman Manley International Airport. British Bombing efforts had damaged the American Jets stationed there but the ground crews were beginning to get Jets operational, threatening the British Assault. By the 7th, the Airport was controlled by the British Force after routing the American Garrison.

From the 8th to the 11th, The British Invasion Force began pushing further and further into Kingston. The Marines captured the Jamaican Colonial Government building after a bloody firefight. On the 10th, American Soldiers managed to dispatch a distress call to the American Naval Base in Florida and to Governor Fred Thompson in Havana. The American Navy dispatched a whole task fleet of the Atlantic Command to recapture Jamaica. On the 13th, the last American Forces were forced to retreat from Kingston due to the Royal Marine advancements. In the North, the British Forces continued the advance southward in order to cut off an American Evacuation at Foster Barracks. The American Infantry garrisoned on Jamaica were ordered to withdraw so the Naval Force could evacuate them via air and then launch a counter invasion. On the same day, the American Task Fleet reached North of Jamaica and dogfights between the American and British Jets broke out above Jamaica. Diplomats from both America and Britain were attempting to mediate a ceasefire.

British Paratroopers launched an attack on Foster Barracks on the 14th amidst the evacuation and stormed the Barracks. In response, the American Fleet began an assault on the British Carriers.

### Battle of the Caribbean Sea

On the 15th, the Defenders on Jamaica surrendered to the British Forces, over 600 American Soldiers were taken as prisoners. However, that day, the American Carriers began to launch bombing strikes on the British Carriers. American Naval Commanders believed they outnumbered the British as they had 9 Carriers to the British 6 and they had 29 Escort Ships to the British 16. The Americans overestimated the British who fought back fiercely and had better Anti-Air weaponry. The British also utilised the existing Jamaican Air Defences and employed Jamaican Soldiers who were forced into Colonial Service to operate the anti-air batteries.

On the 16th, The British counter attacked and Prince Edward led the HMS Endurance and HMS Defiance north to launch an effective strike on the American Carriers. The Harriers executed 35 Attack Runs on the American Carriers and sunk a carrier along with 4 escort ships. After the sinking, American Naval Command began a withdrawal, seeing that the Islands were in firm British hands and it would be a bloody fight to retake them. President Spencer threatened all-out war with the British Empire and ordered the British to leave or face destruction. In response, The British threatened to send the entirety of the British Home Fleet. On the 18th, Spencer backed down and the British declared a victory.

## Aftermath

For the British, the Operation was an outstanding victory. It was a logistical mastermind on Prince Edward's behalf and he was heralded a hero by the nation. The people of Jamaica were grateful for the British Invasion after suffering under brutal oppression by the American National Socialists. In thanks, the People of Jamaica requested Prince Edward as Governor of Jamaica, to which the Queen granted. The Royal Navy had proved to the world that they could pull off operations miles away from home and in hostile territories. However, the British also received some criticism from Nations who said that the attack was unprovoked and could have started a larger conflict. The Republic of Australia gave Britain political support and were one of the few nations who praised the British effort, due to the situation developing in the Pacific between Australia and America.

The Americans were humiliated and furious. President Spencer was put under question and the entire American Navy looked weak. Many American Officials were questioning how the British Fleet passed through so easily. Spencer blamed the weak Colonials and launched reprisals across the American Caribbean. In order to look stronger, Spencer pledged that the Americans would retaliate in good time against the British. General Tommy Franks was a heavy critic of Spencer at the time and claimed he was too weak of a leader in wartime and began planning a military takeover.