Battle of Grendelsbane

Battle of Grendelsbane Conflict Second Havenite-Manticoran War Date 1919 PD Place Grendelsbane System Result Havenite victory Combatants Royal Manticoran Navy Task Force Grendelsbane Republic of Haven Navy task force of the 1st FLT Commanders Adm. Allen Higgins Adm. Jacques Griffith Strength 7 SD(P) 16 SD 4 CLAC with 430 LAC 19 BC and CC 32 SD(P), SD, and CLAC Casualties in combat: 7 SD(P) 400 LAC in construction slips: 73 SD(P) 19 CLAC 53 lighter units several sections of Grendelsbane Station 42,000 shipyard workers captured unknown

The Battle of Grendelsbane was an armed engagement between the Royal Manticoran Navy and the Republic of Haven Navy in the opening days of the Second Havenite-Manticoran War.

When the Havenites struck the system in a surprise attack as part of Operation Thunderbolt, the overwhelmed RMN forces destroyed all stationary hardware in the system, including Grendelsbane Station, with nuclear devices.

Order of Battle

Royal Manticoran Navy

Task Force Grendelsbane - Admiral Allen Higgins commanding:

• wall of battle:
  • a battle squadron (SD(P))
  • two battle squadrons (SD)
• a CLAC squadron
• screen:
  • a battlecruiser element
  • a cruiser element

Republic of Haven Navy

Task force of the First Fleet - Admiral Jacques Griffith commanding:

• wall of battle
• a CLAC element
• screen

Course of Battle

Seven Manticoran SD(P)s and 400 LACs were destroyed in the initial engagement. Admiral Higgins then ordered the withdraw of the rest of his forces and the destruction of all orbital facilities and ships under construction or undergoing repairs.

Aftermath

The complete loss of the Grendelsbane yards was the killing blow to the High Ridge Government. Prime Minister Michael Janvier resigned from his office and First Lord of the Admiralty Edward Janacek took his own life after news of Operation Thunderbolt arrived on Manticore.

In order to prevent their capture by the Havenites, Admiral Higgins ordered the destruction of the shipyards and all ships under construction at the time with nuclear warheads, resulting in the destruction of 92 capital ships and almost 670 million tons of new construction.

The Havenite forces were able to capture 42,000 shipyard workers that were unable to evacuate when the Manticoran forces withdrew. The workers were later repatriated to the Star Empire of Manticore by the unilateral decision of Havenite President Eloise Pritchart in 1922 PD as an olive branch in her attempt to end the war and create the Grand Alliance. (HH10,HH13)

Admiral Griffith was awarded the Congressional Cross for his conduct in the operation. (HH11)

Losses

Combat Losses

• 7 SD(P)s
• 400 LACs

Lost in construction slips

• 46 Invictus class SD(P)s
• 27 Medusa class SD(P)s
• 19 LAC carriers
• 53 lighter types
  • 20 Wolfhound class destroyers
• several sections of Grendelsbane Station (HH10, Companion)
• 42,000 shipyard workers captured (HH13)

External links

• The Grendelsbane Yards comment on the infodump