FFG Forum Archive

Posted at Nov 10, 2015

Operation Coruscant was naval operation that was aimed at intercepting and interdicting Rebel supply convoys and replenishment and communication lines between Rebel sectors and bases. The task force led by Screed comprised of VSD Scharnhorst, GSD Prince Rupert and GSD Prince Albert from the Laboe Station. Even if the operation was kept confidential, word of it was leaked to Rebel Forces. The Rebels assembled a fleet to intercept Screed's ship. Unknown to the Rebels, VSD Gneisenau was later ordered to rendezvous with the Screed after she had completed her refueling. At this point, the Rebels assumed that Screed's force only comprised of 1 VSD and 2 GSD.

Sometime after Gneisenau rendezvoused with Screed, they came into contact with the enemy. The Rebel fleet comprised of an Assault Frigate, 2 NebB, 1 CR90, 2 X-wing squadrons, 1 B wing and 1 A wing. The Rebels deployed in loose formation, with the Assault Frigate taking front and centre and the Neb Bs flanked both sides. The CR 90 deployed at the rear of the Rebel force. Screed on the other hand, kept both his VSDs together and both GSD deployed line ahead with Screed's flagship, Prince Rupert the Demolisher taking the lead. 518th Fighter wing and 2 loaned squadron from 517th Fighter wing deployed as 2 attack groups. Screed gave strict orders for his ships to keep to formation and maximise their firing arcs.

The battle opened with the Assault Frigate surging ahead into both Scharnhorst and Gneisenau while the NebBs on her port moves ahead for a pincer while the other NebB attempted to tie down both GSDs. The CR90 kept its position at the rear. Screed's ships held their fire as the Rebels were out of range. The ships proceeded at Speed 2 while the GSDs exploited the engine techs on board.

As Screed's force close in, the Rebels started firing. Initial shots by both sides proved to be ineffective. Both sides continued to close the range.

Due to a lapse in command, one NebB found itself alongside both GSDs. Knowing that the chance of coming out unscathed is nil, the NebB's captain ordered all guns to be fired. Despite the valiant efforts by the NebB crew, they only managed to put a dent in both GSD's shields. Prince Rupert launched a full broadside using ACMs and critically damaged the NebB. This was followed by a strike from Prince Albert. The NebB barely survived the attack.

Now both VSDs started their attack on the Assault Frigate, Devestating frontal shots were fired at point blank but the Frigate managed to weather the attacks. While the opening shots were fired, the other Rebel ships continued to close the range. The Assault Frigate continued on its course and speed and proceeded to ram Gneisenau. Meanwhile, the squadrons closed the gap.

The CR90 sped from the back, fired OLP into Scharnhorst and proceeded to ram her. The frigate kept its murderous fire onto both Scharnhorst and Gneisenau while keeping the ramming attacks on Gneisenau. The NebB that was not engaged now pulled up fore of Gneisenau and unleashed heavy fire onto Gneisenau. Gneisenau was badly damaged but none of it were ciritcal hits. Gneisenau unleashed devastating frontal assault using her gunnery teams to devastate the frigate, NebB and CR 90. That strike on the frigate resulted in a power failure and totally took out her remaining shields. Seizing this window of opportunity, Scharnhorst launched a strike into the frigate completely destroying her. Her second salvo into the CR90 took it out as well. While all this was happening, both GSD took out the NebB and started to turn around to engage the frigate.This left the Rebels with 1 NebB and her accompanying fighters.

Seeing the total wipe out of the task force, the last NebB decided that it was enough and withdrew from the battle abandoning the fighters to their fate. Wedge's X wing was quickly chewed up by Howl and 2 other squadrons while the other 3 remaining TIE-Fi mowed down Farlander's squadron with much difficulty. Once both X-wing squadron's were taken care of, Howl's attack group rushed over to overwhelm the last remaining A wing.

With the battle over, Gneisenau heavily damaged, Screed ordered the fleet back into formation. Gneisenau started immediate jury repairs while Screed contemplated on his orders for Gneisenau. Despite this being an overwhelming victory for the Imperials, Gneisenau's damage warrants her to return to the docks for repair.