Operation Flexing Lance

## Overview

During the Grey Fleet Crisis in 351 DoS the Grand Duchy of Julithar made an ambitious plan to invade the Republic of Judecen and Mitura. The plan would later become public knowledge in 370 DoS after it was declassified. The plan also involved the Kingdom of Nodith's assistance in the invasion of Mitura and Republic of Judecen. The plan was considered very ambitious and unlikely to work over the timeframe that the Grand Duchy predicted.

## Operation Flexing Lance

### Phase one (operation swift strike, operation clashing carnage and operation shiro)

Phase one of the operation would be broken down into three different invasion groups swift strike made up of the Grand Duchy first, second, third, forth, fifth and sixth fleet that would launch from the Sejona system to attack Centora. Operation clashing carnage would consist of the Grand Duchy eight, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth fleet which would launch from Sho'ma and Omeme to take Kadovina. Operation Shiro would have the Grand Duchy fourteenth and fifteenth fleet and the Nodith first, second, third, fourth and fifth fleet would attack Mitura's primary system. Lastly the Grand Duchy seventh fleet would remain near the Cantium boarder to act as a deterrent should they intend to take advantage of the situation.

#### Operation swift strike

Swift strike was the operation that needed to be conducted with the most haste and secrecy. Launching a surprise attack into Centora. They would engage defenses while the fourth, fifth and sixth fleets would stay behind to mop up any resistance during this time the first, second and third fleet would continue to Hunoara. Intelligence suggested that Hunoara was not as well defended and that the Judecen would withdraw to defend their home world instead of defending Hunoara.

#### Operation clashing carnage

Operation clashing carnage would see a two prong strike at the Kadovina system seeing a combined 6 fleets against the systems defenses. During the Grey Fleet Crisis this system was used as a staging ground for the fleets along the boarder. Defenses were brought in making it a well defended port, but it would be necessary to take or risk leaving their flank open. Following the attack the eighth, ninth, eleventh and thirteenth fleets would have to scatter and hunt down fleeing groups of the Judecen navy. Any resistance left to regroup would be a major concern for operation crown. This was predicted to be a make or break moment for the plan.

#### Operation Shiro

This operation would see two Grand Duchy fleets and the major fleets from the Nodith strike into the Mitura's capital system. Victory was predicted to be overwhelming and it was concluded that hunting down the fleeing Mitura groups was not a priority of the operation.

### Phase two (operation Wind sweep and operation crown)

Phase two largely only consisted of two major offensives with continuing fighting predicted in Kadovina.

#### Operation wind sweep

Following the eventual victory at Kadovina the tenth fleet would move on to take Lacross with what ever forces the other fleets from clashing carnage could spare. This was the far less important operation of phase 2. This is also where Project Apolade was expected to take place.

#### Operation crown

The major offensive of Operation flexing lance was the taking of Judecen including the first, second, third and forth Grand Duchy fleets and the first, second, third and forth Nodith fleets to attack the capital of the Republic. Using the Nodith to strike at the Judecen fleets in hit and fade attacks they would attempt to draw out the Republics (remaining) Cougar carriers. Once they eliminate or disable the Cougar carriers the proper attack could commence. This operation would require the Grand Duchy to completely subdue all ground forces in order to force them to surrender. All available Valkyrie class carriers not in use would be required to bring forces into orbit for the landings. It was hopped that this would end the war and the Republic would surrender; however if they did not the operation would continue to phase 3.

### Phase three

Phase three sees the most forward Grand Duchy forces fight what would likely remain of the Republic navy. In order to draw the last of the Republic navy into a fight the Grand Duchy would conduct several smaller scale invasions into the Sharap and Illois systems; either the navy would respond with the last of their strength or they would retreat farther north and be unable to retake any territory resulting in victory for the Grand Duchy. With the Republic of Judecen and Mitura pacified the Grand Duchy could turn their attention west against the Mass Alliance.

## Grand Duchy vs Republic

Well most of the information for Operation Flexing Lance was largely built on theory rather then direct trial and error information. Some information behind the thought process was based on real events during the Grey Fleet crisis, such as their knowledge about the strength and weaknesses of the Republic's navy such as the Grand Duchy's Scar destroyers being much stronger then the Republics Panther destroyers. Largely the Grand Duchy ships were more powerful and better armed then the Republic's, with the exception of the Republics Cougar class assault carriers. It would be a priority for the Grand Duchy to eliminate these ships at the earliest available opportunity.

It is also an important note that the Republic navy outnumbered the Grand Duchy's fleet by over 50 ships. However this was unlikely to be an issue as the Grand Duchy navy's ships were newer and better designed.

## Political climate

In 370 DoS the plan was declassified to the public and drew the ire of the Republic of Judecen. However do to the fact these nations were not on friendly terms this didn't mean much in the long run.