Battle Of Whitesburg

The Battle Of Whitesburg is an ongoing battle between the Draconic Imperium and the Republic Of Adreal. Although other nations from the Iyass Defensive Coalition are helping defend teh city, the majority of the fighting is between the Republic and Imperium.

The Conflict

Prelude

After the fall of Persidia, general Bishop ordered the Republican army to fall back and regroup at Whitesburg. From there, they would build up defenses and turn the city into a fortress. Walls were erected all along the city's perimiter, and intricate trenchlines were dug into the earth ahead of the walls. farmlands were trapped with landmines and razor wire in hopes of causing as much pain for any attackers as possible.
90% of Whitesburg's residents were evacuated. Many homes were demolished to make way for new fortifications. 155mm howitzers were brought in by the hundreds to provide indirect fire, and the port was rebuilt to better accomidate Republican vessels.
On the north end of town, a large section was cleared out and paved over to make a runway for supply and attack planes. Airships could also use this airfield.
As the city was being converted from a merchantlike port to an impregnable fortress, the Imperium came closer and closer. After Venmaya and Ducatel fell, the Republic resorted to using nuclear weapons in an effort to hold Imperial forces back. This delayed the Imperial for 8 months, during which the Republicans continued to fortify the city.

Deployment

On an early April morning, Republican aerial reconnaissance spotted a massive Imperial force moving towards Whitesburg. Immediately A-505 Ravens and F-303 Kestrals were scrambled from the newly built airfield to intercept the aproaching army.
It is estimated that the first wave of Imperial soldiers numbered nearly 10,000 fighters, including 4 adult dragons.
The Kestrals engaged the adult dragons and overwhelmed them, while the Ravens terrorized the ground forced. some estimates say that almost half of the first wave of Imperial soldiers was killed before they even reached Whitesburg.

Conditions

The battle has left a permanant scar on the land south of Whitesburg. Shellholes dot the landscape as far as the eye can see, all vegetaion is dead. Bodies are often left to rot in the field where they lay, causing a deep stench of rotting flesh and blood to permeate the battlefield.
When it rains the ground turns into a near impassable quagmire. It is not uncommon for those trying to traverse the battlefield to become stuck in the mud and drown as they try to escape.
Imperial attacks are common. As such, the drone of gunfire, thumping of artillery and roar of airplane engines sound out nearly 24 hours a day.
If hell were on earth, it would be at Whitesburg.

Conflict Type

Battle

Battlefield Type

Land

Start Date

April 12th 65,372

Location

Whitesburg

Belligerents

Iyass Defensive Coalition

• Democratic Theocracy Of Esora
• Republic Of Adreal
• Ssthra Tribes
• Vulpis Union

Led by

• General Bishop
• Tel'Kros

Imperial Army

• Draconic Imperium

Led by

• General Raathnar

Strength

The Coalition has mobilized nearly 12 million fighters to defend Whitesburg during the entire battle's history. 75% of those mobilized belong to the Republic Of Adreal.

The Draconic Imperium istself has mobilized nearly 12 million of it's own warriors during the battle, along with another 24 million Thralls from across southern Iyass

Casualties

The coalition has suffered close to 1 million cumulative deaths during from the battle.
Republic Of Adreal: 625,500 KIA
Democratic Theocracy Of Esora: 246,000 KIA
Clan Garvug: 110,500 KIA
Ssthra Tribes: 18,000 KIA

The Imperium has lost nearly 4 million of it's own warriors, along with nearly 20 million thralls.

Objectives

The main objective of the Coalition was to halt the Imperial Advance at an easily defenseable chokepoint. The long term stratagey is to bleed the Imperium dry of manpower through attrition, then launch a counter offensive.

The goal of the Imperium at Whitesburg is to break the stalemate and resume the Crusade. At any cost.