Stardate:
100407.3
Filed By:
CAPT Lyn, Isadora
Clearance:
ADDENDUM
I have already voiced my concerns as to the proposal generated by CAPT Nimitz and CAPT Drake and proposed an alternative course of action. The purpose of the following is to expand on the rationale and my own strategic overview.
STATE OF THE INCURSION
The Imperial Navy has launched an all-out offensive on the Republic. The current battlefront is dispersed across a wide and irregular border, with varying levels of fortification. The Empire is pressing its advantage in momentum to break defenses and mount continuous pressure, which both decreases the window for retaliatory strikes and allows them time to consolidate defenses.
It should be noted that many critical systems including Rator, New Romulus, and Iconian gateway near the Jouret system are within easy striking distance of the contested border. The current objective of the Imperial assault may be to conquer the Republic in its entirety, or to simply annex large portions of its territory. The latter seems more attainable, and given the rapid pace of Imperial advance they may be seeking to occupy territory and lean on the Federationās propensity for negotiated settlement to stall Starfleet involvement while they cement their hold on occupied systems.
GENERAL STRATEGIC PRINCIPLES
The current invasion is one of offensive momentum, which favors the Empire. This must be blunted quickly. There are traditionally three methods to blunt this type of offensive.
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Counter pivotal offensive pushes with an equivalent defense. One or several major defeats will unbalance the offensive and disrupt morale. This will also force a window for the Republic to regroup.
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Counter with a large offensive push, which will force a diversion from offense to defense with the same outcomes as above.
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Attritional warfare to deny the ability of the enemy to maintain its forces in the field. Destruction of repair and logistics centers and disruption of supplies will cripple offensive capability long term.
The first option is made difficult by the number of critical targets close to the border. In addition to defending against constant Imperial pressure, forces must be stationed at facilities such as the Dyson Gate and the bottleneck at Mylasa. In contrast the Imperial Navy is free to maneuver and concentrate its forces to strike targets.
I believe the latter two points are the best chance at blunting the Imperial offensive and should be carried out quickly. A slow traditional offensive will allow the Empire too much time to fortify and consolidate territory, greatly prolonging the conflict.
STRATEGIC OPTIONS
The following are what I believe to be strategic options for an independently operating 38th fleet. Large scale support by either Starfleet or Republic elements enables larger strategic considerations. However, these elements are currently unknown and blind speculation without further knowledge does not help the immediate situation.
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The 38th fleet boasts substantial offensive power.
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Fleet strength stands at fewer than fifty vessels making sustained offense or defense untenable if unsupported.
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Independently capturing and holding territory is unrealistic, as the Imperial Navy can commit hundreds of vessels to an engagement.
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Likewise sustained offense against peer or greater than peer opponents will rapidly deplete fleet strength over time.
The fleet should therefore be focused on rapid and overwhelming offense or support in areas where outsize impact can be made. Defensively this means minimal commitment and maximum flexibility so the fleet can respond to sudden incursions by aiding defenders.
The objective of offensive actions should be threefold, with the end objective of tipping decisive engagements in Starfleet and the Republicās favor.
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Destroy or cripple critical infrastructure and logistics to cripple the Imperial Navy.
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Force the Imperial Navy to divert ships away from offensive pushes.
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Force the Empire to expend resources building or rebuilding defenses and infrastructure.
The area of greatest concern is the Republic territory bottlenecked near the Mylasa system. Conversely, one of the areas of greatest opportunity is the Imperial territory connected by the Fvillhaih system.
Operations should be planned as opportunity arises, but to start the Unroth and Hfihar systems are only lightly fortified. I disagree with the view they should be captured to pincer the forces at Aido and Sitar. Instead, an offensive strike followed by the construction of decoy fortifications would force diversion of Imperial forces. At minimum this relieves pressure on Mylasa, and at best it opens up Aido or Sitar to an offensive action.
Gasko Station is home to a TalāShiar contingent and is minimally defended. A surprise attack here allows for capture of valuable intelligence assets as well as diversion of resources and manpower.
Systems recently captured by the Empire or border systems being actively fortified are targets of opportunity, both because defenses are not yet operational and because if they should become fully fortified, they represent launch points for Imperial offense and obstacles for the reclaiming of territory.
Shipyards and major repair facilities are incredibly valuable infrastructure and tend to be heavily fortified. However, I believe there are strategies to penetrate these targets with minimal risk. This will greatly degrade Imperial fighting strength.
The Fvillhaih system represents a lynchpin for the Empire. The entirety of the eastern offensive is sustained through this system, and it is currently being fortified. If possible, a direct strike here supported by Starfleet or the Republic would be highly advantageous.
If such an action is not immediately possible, I believe a series of hit and run actions on convoys supplying and leaving the Fvillhaih system will slow the pace of fortification and divert defensive vessels to convoy escort. Likewise attacking nearby systems and sabotaging repair facilities will disperse and deplete assets able to defend the area. This may open up the system to an independent strike by the 38th although additional support will be needed to hold the area.
Short of supporting major Starfleet or Republic offensives or aiding in defensive actions, I believe the 38th should focus on the eastern edge of the Empire. Targets of opportunity should still be struck where available but the rationale for not committing to the central area is the following
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The central area of the Empire has too many redundancies and is too densely fortified for a midsize fleet to make an outsized impact. Opportunities for deep strikes and lasting damage are limited without committing to a full invasion.
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The immediate danger to the Republic is the isolated portion beyond Mylasa. Short of a strike on Rator itself there is nothing in the central front with the same strategic priority.
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A deep incursion into central Imperial territory carries a number of implications for all involved parties. Starfleetās objective is to defend and restore the Republic, not to annihilate the Star Empire.
CLOSING REMARKS
I will conclude here after touching on two additional points. The first concerns negotiation. Although this may seem antithetical to Federation ethos, I believe diplomatic outreach should not be attempted at this time. At present, the Empire holds the upper hand offensively. Negotiation from such a position is a sign of desperation and weakness from an Imperial perspective. It may only embolden their offensive and make negotiated settlement more difficult in the longer term.
The second point is my view on the Rator system. The Rator system is located relatively close to the border, and represents a tempting option for a decapitation strike. The Empire is no doubt aware of this as well, so I feel extreme caution is warranted before committing to such an action.
Success here means not only breaking the defenses but also capturing the Romulan leadership. This is not the same situation as the battle of Cardassia Prime. In the latter case, the Dominion had been bottled into the system and had nowhere to escape to or forces elsewhere to rally. In this case, capture of Rator without capture of the leadership would be a strategic and political disaster.
I am not of the mind that all Imperial Romulans are held in line only by fear. If that were the case, the Empire would have collapsed prior to this offensive and such an invasion would never have been possible. The scars of Romulus are engraved deep on the Romulan psyche, and the loss of a second homeworld to a hostile force would be all the impetus the Imperial Senate needs to galvanize and rally the public to a level such that diplomacy would become a moot point. Morale amongst the military would also soar, becoming a strategic issue for forces in the field unless this is addressed immediately.
To make my views clear. I do not dispute the value of a quick end to this conflict or of Rator III as a viable target. However, any operation here must be carefully considered and executed flawlessly.
OOC Super late with this, but Iāve been at a conference (still there) and am in self imposed exile for non-work stuff.
