► Source:[REDACTED] ► Encryption:port RM-KGV-HC-R9C-RH7T-KT ► Submitter:Reinhardt von Ehrenberg ► Recipant: Oberkommando Berichtzentrale ► Subject:Unternehmen Nachtlicht, After Action Report
After Action Report: Unternehmen Nachtlicht
In accordance with the retraction and invalidation of the Modular Installation Permit "Aluminium", rescinded by Order of the Registry, fleet forces consisting of Mobile Deployment elements of the Kampfgruppe Vallentorm along with First Fleet Response Divisions and available Reserve Forces, were deployed to undertake the deconstruction of the "Aluminium" Facility.
In accordance with Operational Orders "Nachtlicht", the first shots were fired at approximately 0900 hours, local time, by the RWK-Falkengraf under command of Konteradmiral Reinhardt von Ehrenberg. The initial assault was undertaken with support from RWK-Westerwald, RWK-Koenigstein and RWK-Lichtenstein.
Within a few hours of the initial assault, it became apparent that, although the registered owner was unwilling to communicate with the Rheinland government, he was able to contract the services of the Rote Hessen. According to statements made by assaulting hessian forces, he owner was able to send a discreet distress call to entice the services of elite wings of the Red Hessian Army.
Although their initial assault were unexpected, unsurprisingly, even their most elite wings of troops were unable to impede the carrying out of our orders to deconstruct the station. However, it did present us with a unique opportunity to study the current deployment of their forces - as well as gather valuable intelligence on power struggles and fractures within the movement. I include a summary report by the Falkengraf's Abwehrdienst Attache.
Abwehrdienst Berichtsblatt Wrote:
Defending Daumann assets has necessitated the re-deployment of substantial forces from other theatres. In particular the removal of the "SOA" Sondereinheit from the Hessian's Omega frontline is an exploitable opportunity, for Rheinland and for those foreign assets which are presently engaged in fighting the red menace in the far Omegas; a subject leak to these forces is recommended to bolster their determination, without revealing the Abwehr's direct involvement.
The so called 'alliance' between the Sirius Coalition Expeditionary Corps and the Rote Hessen Armee remains strong, however observation over fourteen individual encounters clearly indicates the disregard with which the Hessen treat the Coalition's independent operations, and the wider communist cause. In one-hundred-percent of encounters, SCRA forces were subject to commands of lower ranking Hessian officers - with multiple recorded incidents of offense given freely; this officer particularly enjoyed the hessian description of their allies as "loudmouth scum." As recorded observational data is insufficient for a comprehensive conclusion, Abwehr recommends the activation of "Asset Brecht" to investigate this matter, and if possible further the growing breach between the Armee and the Communist Movements of Sirius.
For the first time in some months, the hessian operations came out into the open, revealing a unique insight into the internal issues they are suffering. Based on data collected, we conclude that current operations are being undertaken without the consent, or against the will of, its own Oberkommando. In particular, repeated encounters with hessians who have become disillusioned with the leadership and its priorities who report being "thrown out" of the armee for disagreements with the command, represent an opportunity to further weaken the communist cause. Respectfully recommend a re-evaluation of "Unternehmen Rotkreuz".
Multiple reports of, and encounters with, civilian contractors - including at least two freelancers and two independent Daumann contractors - suspected of cooperation with the Hessians throughout the early stages of the operation demonstrated the importance of the defence of Aluminium to the Hessian cause; a list of vessels likely cooperating with them has been compiled and shared with the Abwehrzentrale and the Rheinwehr, including: [REDACTED].
Although the reasons for the policy change of Hesse to support Daumann are not clear, this officer respectfully submits that it represents an opportunity to cut to the core of the movement. In particular, the unofficial leaking of documents demonstrating this policy change to the correct outlets will undermine what little public support they have not already destroyed themselves, amongst the lower classes. Discreet questioning of Herr Mannlicher is also advised; although unlikely to be directly involved, should he have knowledge of these policies, it represents an opportunity to bring that corporation to heel.
Off-record conversations, the contents of which remain classified Streng Geheime Staatssache, with disgruntled elements of the communist movement who refused to participate in what they described appear to see as "betrayal of the hessian cause", indicated that the light wings are operating from the "Eltmann Moor" facility in the Munich System, while capital assets were being transfered from furter afield. This officer respectfully recommends that, although a relatively low priority overall, the allocation of forces to contain or destroy the Eltmann threat would prove beneficial to the long term security of the Republic.
Over the course of the operation, and no less than fourteen seperate, determined, assaults by the Hessian on siegeing forces took place. Initial pace was extremely determined, but composed primarily of light vessels - conversations with a certain [REDACTED] suggest this initial response was comprised of local forces, responding mobile forces, while subsequent assaults were undertaken by the wider forces available to the armee, brought into action from Dresden and the Omegas. Observation by patrols support this theory, as capital vessel movements were monitored coming from Dresden, while lighter wings were not.
Despite determined resistance from communist forces, they were not able to slow the deconstruction with sufficient effect. Following the arrival of further reserve and first fleet forces led by General Kossuth, the hessians made a final attempt on our positions and were given a very bloody nose; beaten back with heavy casualties, they seem to have expended too great a number of their forces, and retreated. They affected no further actions against Operation Nachtlicht after the destruction of their capital assets.
It should be noted that following the withdrawal of Hessian forces, supply of the station by independent contractors also ceased, and the station's defenses were soon rendered inactive. Resultantly, the honour of firing the last salvo went to Konteradmiral Heinrich Hiestand and the RWK-Westerwald; the "Aluminium" facility was formally recorded destroyed at 0055 hours, Sirius Standard Time.
For their actions during the siege, I recommend the Eichenlaub to General Kossuth, Fregattenkapitän Kesselman, Fregattenkapitän Koetz and Soldat Rommel.