Quetzenkel front: Difference between revisions

[[Anglei]] entered the Varshan War on February 25, 2022, announcing its intent to assist in recovery efforts for the nations impacted by the conflict. That day, an international naval force sponsored by [[Anglei]] departed from [[Alba Concordia]] armed with medical supplies, construction materials, and foodstuff to aid the civilians who were victims of the war. Alongside this assistance were 20,000 Ænglish soldiers who were to arrive at [[Quetzenkel]] as part of allied offensive operations. The deployment of soldiers was joined by air raids on Anzo. Operation Cobalt Prince was launched on April 7, 2022, with some 20,000 Ænglish soldiers under the command of Isaac Swan launched a southward offensive into the mountains along the Quetzenkel-Varshan border in an attempt to puncture the lines and drive into the Varshan heartland. Although initially a success, Varshan had trapped Anglei's forces deep into their lines, and on April 25, 2022, they launched an offensive to surround 15,000 of Swan's forces deep in the mountains. Recognizing his position, Swan dug in and with help from Ænglish aerial forces, established the Cobalt Fortress to hold out until assistance arrived.

Despite promises of a counterattack to relieve the fortress never materializing, the siege of Cobalt Fortress was initially a success. Varshan's attempts to force a surrender failed, with the Ænglish knowing that surrender meant torture and eventual death. Instead, as time went on, they held out despite starvation, lack of medical supplies, and the bitter cold of the mountains. Within two months, the 15,000 trapped in the fortress were reduced to 12,000 by June 2022. Allied support from the air ameliorated the crisis of supplies in the short term and allowed for the evacuation of wounded Ænglish soldiers and personnel. [[Martin St. Clair]] subsequently shelved other offensive plans and began an operation to lift the siege and to help Swan break out from the fortress. [[Intrepid Enterprises]] forces were used extensively as part of operational security for the rescue. In October 2022, the Urcean offensive began, and on December 3, 2022, Ænglish forces managed to put north after abandoning the fortress and reunited with friendly forces. Of the 20,000 Ænglish involved in Operation Cobalt Prince, 2,530 were killed 4,206 were wounded and 102 were missing. Around 8,200 Ænglish escaped the Cobalt Fortress unscathed.  

The siege of Cobalt Fortress was a major blow to Ænglish morale and precipitated a major reform of its armed forces. With almost 6,000 casualties taken in the span of less than a year (equivalent to a quarter of the [[Army of the United Angle States]]'s total strength), Operation Cobalt caused a deep national identity crisis among the population of [[Anglei]], leading to greater focus on a possible independent national defense and national spirit. The Cobalt campaign and siege represented the worst Ænglish military defeat since the [[Nordmontaine War]].