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[Vogel]

Objektiv:
To experiment with and pursue a strategy of commerce interdiction as to strangle the economy of Liberty during a time of war

Materialien:
- 400-ARKM-N20 Gunboat modified for long-distance operations
- 20x Personnel (Standard Gunboat crew)
- 40 mt Oxygen reserves
- 40 mt Water reserves
- 40 mt Living Supplies
- 40 mt Consumables
- 5 mt Small Arms

Uberblick:
Operation Drumbeat is the result of observing the exploits of Queen Carinas Privateers and updating and merging plans LOH-10 and LOH-12 to reflect the modern state of affairs. Stated men and equipment reflect phase one and two of the operation only as the results of phase one and two along with contemporary military thinking and resources determine the application of the last stage and its material requirements.

Drumbeat is a direct attempt at interdicting commerce into Liberty for the sole purpose of undermining their war effort in the event of an aggressive action against Rheinland. Its theory lies in the current economic standing of Rheinland relative to Liberty. As Liberty is vastly superior in both industrial capacity and manpower, a sustained effort would inevitably lead to a victory through attrition, and a defensive strategy would merely prolong the deadline for this victory, as determined in plans LMH-51 and LMV-60. The objective of Drumbeat is to test and if necessary enact a strategy of commerce interdiction in order to offset this severe deficiency and deny Liberty the capacity to supply its forces. While Liberty covers a vast tract of space, it is in this fact that commerce raiding is believed possible, as it would take great measures by the Liberty Navy in order to effectively combat it.

The primary focus is on a fleet of deep-penetration commerce interdiction units sent far beyond the border using the network of Jump Holes mapped out by Intelligence reconnaissance missions to bypass military strong-points. As the current snubfighter inventory is predominantly short-range and incapable of sustained operations independent of a base, and since the current model of standard Cruiser would present too large and immobile a target, the recourse is to utilize a number of 400-ARKM-N20 Gunboats modified in ways similar to those of reconnaissance ships. These Gunboats, when tooled with heavy weapons for rapid destruction of larger vessels, are quick enough and small enough to evade detection and capture, and can be replaced in large numbers in order to sustain a working blockade. Crew conditions are considered no-factor, as tests have already shown that a standard crew of twenty can be provided enough provisions for up to a months worth of operations outside of supply lines.

Commerce raiders have not received much attention until recent years, and as a result there was no emphasis on testing their practicality via wargames. Operation Drumbeat seeks to accomplish these tests while already in a wartime environment in order to achieve accurate results. Also, due to the political underpinnings of commerce interdiction with Liberty, Drumbeat seeks to provide insight into the possible methods of engaging in this mode of warfare, from Liberty-specific targets to unrestricted interdiction of all merchant traffic.


Operation Drumbeat is divided into three linear phases:

Phase 1 One (up to three possible) Gunboat with associated crew and stores for the journey is inserted deep into Libertonian space without initially alerting the Navy to its presence. It will take up operations in a designated theater and test initial commerce interdiction tactics, afterwards reporting its results to Command by high-encryption burst transmissions. In order to minimize political fallout to the highest possible degree, phase one targets only Liberty-based corporate traffic bringing goods back into Libertonian space. By letting Liberty continue to export its goods, and by allowing the free passage of independents, Kusari, and Bretonians, the effect will be a small but direct hit at Libertys major corporate shippers: Bretonia and Kusari will still receive imports but decide to transfer exports to its own firms, thereby cutting a portion of Libertys shipping profits. Also, the brief reduction of imports resulting from this will provide Rheinland with a glimpse at not only Libertys public reaction towards such warfare, but the reaction of the Navy when it is tasked with eliminating this problem. Should the Navy seek to extend patrols farther out and in greater number, interdiction will become more difficult but will further thin out Navy resources elsewhere. Should they refrain, it means that there is a viable opening to initiate large-scale interdiction before defenses are in place in order to strike a single massive blow. Exceptions to the import rules in this case involve companies transporting passengers, Ageira and DSE carrying lane parts, and Synthfoods importing food of any kind. Should renegade Rheinland corporate ships be encountered they will be treated as Libertonian ships and destroyed if necessary.

Phase 2 A natural progression of phase one, operations are shifted from a Liberty-only focus to that of a total, unrestricted focus. Any level of interdiction can be implemented, from stopping Libertonian ships both ways, to targeting any and all trading ships regardless of affiliation. This phase will test the public reaction to this method of warfare across the board, as virtually any party can be directly affected by it. Of key concern are the reactions of Kusari and Bretonia, although independent groups such as the IMG and Zoners must also be considered. This phase is still undertaken by the single test ship (or group) as to minimize significant fallout with neutral and allied parties.

Phase 3 The terminal phase, at this point Command must decide on a final course of action based on tactical and strategic reports of the first two phases. At this point the operation can be inducted into a full operational strategy with more resources devoted to its execution. It may pursue either the politically-benign interdiction policy of phase one or the unrestricted warfare policy of phase two depending on results and the decisions of Command. Alternatively, the results of the previous phases may be deemed inadequate for exploitation and the operation may be aborted. It should be understood that premature abortion before reaching phase three leaves this strategy virtually untested, and that the policy of phase one may not provide strategic results sufficient to warrant the commitment of more resources.


The Rules of Engagement for interdictor units are as follows:

- Merchant ships are to be assessed of their allegiances before any action beyond the disruption of tradelanes is taken.

- Merchant ships will be ordered to cut their engines immediately upon encountering or they will be considered hostile and treated accordingly.

- Merchant ships, upon complying with the orders to halt, will be presented a choice of either jettisoning their primary cargo load before continuing on to Liberty or turning back. Ships that attempt to continue with their cargo after this demand will be treated as hostile.

- Liberty Navy and Police units are to be avoided at all costs, as the Gunboats involved have a task-specific weapons layout and will most likely not be in enough numbers to mount an effective defense.


The overall area of operations is split into two theaters:

Westfront Operations take place in the systems of California, Cortez, and Magellan. Ontario is available as an operating system. Manchester is not to be trespassed on under any circumstances.

Nordfront Operations take place in the systems of Colorado, Kepler, and Galileo. Ontario is available as an operating system. Shikoku is not to be trespassed on under any circumstances.

Deep Space Should the need arise to evade detection by fleeing, the systems of Kansas, Coronado, Alberta, and Yukon are always available as refuges. Inverness, while nominally Bretonian sovereign space, is hardly patrolled by any official units. It should be noted however that potential informants will be present in Kansas, Coronado, and Inverness, so Alberta and Yukon are preferable.