Third Frontier War
Third Frontier War
Summary
Third Frontier War (979 to 985): ... erupted ... in 979 with simultaneous blows in the Querion and Jewell subsectors. Imperial reaction was deficient, and the hostilities continued for nearly six years with little to show for it. The armistice finally signed in 986 give each side little, and brought about the abdication of Emperor Styryx in 989 [AD03 48].
Strategy
The Third Frontier War (979 to 986) began in much the same manner as the previous two wars had, with Zhodani attacks in the coreward regions of the Spinward Marches. The initial Zhodani attacks against the Imperium concentrated on Boughene, Pixie, and Efate in an attempt to cut off the Jewell subsector. These opening moves were essential duplicates of Zhodani actions in previous wars; only after the hostilities had continued for several months did the enemy introduce a new strategy to parallel the action in Regina. A subordinate drive, supported only by a narrow string of makeshift bases, pushed through both Vilis and Lanth subsectors straight at Rhylanor. Major forces then took Porozlo and began a siege of Rhylanor, hoping to reduce the world and establish a major stronghold before the Imperium could respond.
During the siege, Imperial forces from Regina were diverted to reinforce Rhylanor, even though they were sorely needed elsewhere. Rhylanor was ultimately the scene of several battles, and only the insertion of fleet assets from the neighboring Sabine subsector finally turned the tide of the war.
By 981, the war was back on a more even footing, with actions concentrating in the Regina and Vilis subsectors. Nevertheless, enemy raids were frequent throughout the area for several years [AD03 52].
During the Third Frontier War (979 to 986), the major efforts of the Outworld Coalition were directed at Efate, Boughene, and Pixie, all in the Regina subsector. This strategy was essentially the same as had been used in the previous wars. But in addition, the Coalition launched a subordinate drive through the Vilis and Lanth subsectors, across the Abyss, and gaining a foothold at Jae Tellona. From there, both Rhylanor and Porozlo were put under seige. This salient diverted large portions of the Imperial fleet from their main engagement in the Regina subsector, and brought the war to a stalemate that lasted some eleven months. Neither side could make any real advances, but the entire rear of the Imperial defense was threatened. The insertion of substantial reinforcements from the neighboring Sabine subsector eventually broke the deadlock, and forced the Zhodani hordes back [AD02 7-8].
Vanejen
Vanejen figured prominently in this campaign of the Third Frontier War. [It] remained at low tech levels until recontacted in 980. Strategically the Navy needed a rear area starbase from which to support the expulsion of the Outworlders; Vanejen looked to be most suitable. The local inhabitants became aware of their starfaring neighbors.
Ordinarily, this would be the cause of great civil upheaval, but the Navy was exceptionally prudent. In return for services to the Navy, the government received technological assistance [AD02 7-8].
Porozlo, Battle of 980
The Zhodani thrust (in the Third Frontier War) through Vilis and Lanth subsectors toward Rhylanor met a not unexpected problem - Rhylanor has no gas giant, although it does have a strong naval base to defend it. Neighboring Porozlo (Porozlo / Rhylanor 0305 B867A74-A) not only had a gas giant for quick refueling, but also possessed a naval base of potentially great use to invading naval forces.The battle began with the appearance of a single large Zhodani task force off Porozlo's primary; it proceeded directly to the larger of hva gas giants in the system. The local naval base reacted immediately, even admirably, considering that there was no warning of Zhodani approaches this far from the front lines, However, as the first Zhodani task force refuelled, portions of it engaged the local defenses, preoccupying them as a second task farce appeared and drove straight for Porozlo. The threat of action against the planetary defenses and facilities prompted the world organization to declare Porozlo an open world. Naval forces either surrendered or jumped to safety at Rhylanor.
The fall of Porozlo provided the Zhodani with a supporting base for their siege of Rhylanor. Ships could easily refuel at the gas giant, jump-t to Rhylanor for raids, attacks. or blockade patrols, and still have enough fuel for jump-1 back to Porozlo, where a class A starport and the captured naval base stood ready to repair any damage immediately [AD03 46-47].
Quar
Quar (0808) was pronounced independent as a result of the armistice after the Third Frontier War [SMC 18].
World Reabsorption
Initially, the lmperium resorted to diplomacy and bureaucracy to reabsorb scattered worlds [in the Solomani Sphere] into the lmperial mainstream. [...] Exhausted, however, by the Third Frontier War (979 t o 986), the lmperium was unable to complete the process [of reintegration by means of the Solomani Rim War] [DA03 23].
Internment
During the war, the Imperial Navy interned approximately 400 Zhodani civilians (all proles; social standing 9 or less) on Lewis at this site, and the interneeswere usedto operatethe mine. When the war ended, the Zhodani were repatriated [TTA 120].
Military DoctrineDuring the war, high losses in civilian shipping and among transport vessels impressed into Imperial service resulted in the issuance of an Admiralty specification for a mid-sized escort vessel expressly for close protection of unarmed transport craft. The design which was finally accepted was the Fer-de-lance class destroyer escort [FS 15].
Naval architecture had concentrated primarily on the battle rider as the main vessel intended to stand in the line of battle [FS 9].
The 154th Battle Rider Squadron was refitted with the new Quiquilat class Battle Riders - one jump-4 carrier and six riders. With the outbreak of the Third Frontier War in 979, the squadron was transferred to the Spinward Marches, where it fought in the region of Lysen and Utoland [SMC 32-33].
The 154th Battle Rider Squadron adopted its current in- signia in 992 in commemoration of its service in the Third Frontier War. In operations at Lysen, the 154th saw action against the Zhodani 18th and 198th Cruiser Squadrons attempting to force their way through to Lysen's surface. In a feint, the Zhodani commander committed thirty-four Zhdits class Destroyer Escorts against two Battle Riders holding station off Lysen, and saw thirty-three of them destroyed by deadly accurate fire. The two Battle Riders then returned to the main battle and assisted in driving off the cruiser squadrons with only light damage to themselves [SMC 38].
During the Third Frontier War, the [4518th Lift Infantry] regiment was committed to the Jewell subsector, serving on Foelen and Farreach [SMC 38].
Consequences
The Third Frontier War marked the end of an uneasy peace that lasted nearly 350 years. In that time, the Zhodani territory in the Spinward Marches expanded to include four new systems (extending down into Querion subsector from Cronor). The Imperium retained Retinae/Querion as an Imperial territory and expanded its holdings in the Five Sisters subsector. In 979, Zhodani battle fleets struck at Jewell and Querion after several years of sabre-rattling. The Imperial reaction was deficient initially, although reinforcements were soon brought into the battle. The Third Frontier War was less characterized by the planetary sieges of previous wars, and more by commerce raiding, deep thrusts by cruiser squadrons to disrupt shipping, and by harassment of civilian shipping.The damage done to the civil populace, and the lack of progress in the war, turned public sentiment against the high command, and ultimately against the Emperor, who it was felt was prosecuting the war too slowly. Ultimately, an armistice was reached which ceded systems to the Zhodani in the Jewell subsector and allowed Zhodani occupation of several in the Querion subsector. Moreover, the Imperium withdrew several parsecs from their previous positions, creating a demilitarized region through much of Vilis subsector. With the Zhodani on their doorstep, Retinae applied for, and was granted, disunion from the Imperium. The outcry against the peace settlement when it was announced was enough to force the abdication of the Emperor Styryx. Nevertheless, the settlement created reasonably secure borders along the Zhodani frontier, and allowed the Marches to continue with their commerce and industry [LDNZ 40-41, TTA 14-15].
