A War Up the Coast: Record of the Battle of Apollyon Gulf

A historic battle in 1995 DR seeing Lindin facing off against the Sirelina and Drekayan navy. It was a crushing defeat for the Allies and painted a picture of just how tumultuous Shamos's War had become.

The Battle of Apollyon Gulf was a pivotal and catastrophic engagement in 1995 DR, set during the broader conflict between Lindin, Astana, Suna, and Drekaya. It marked a bloody confrontation and reshaped the strategic calculus of the war. It is also one of the most notable battles so far, as Lindin, through grit, surprise, and tactics, was able to outmaneuver three nations at once. It was an early battle that marked the atmosphere of the conflict overall.

King Shamos of Lindin initiated the conflict with a cunning and aggressive strategy. After sending a letter of intent to Astana, he gave no time for a response. Instead, Lindin launched a series of swift and calculated airship attacks on Astana's most easterly territories. These raids caused significant disruption and panic, paving the way for Lindin’s ground forces to arrive two months later. Astana, reeling from the coordinated assaults, found its naval forces outmatched and its strategic options severely limited.

Seeking assistance, Drakengard reached out to Suna, urging them to intervene to halt Lindin's advances along the coastline. However, the Ministry in Sirelina was initially hesitant. Suna recognized the enormity of the task and doubted the feasibility of a decisive victory. Reluctantly, they were swayed by Drakengard's urgencies and promises. To ease their burden, Suna negotiated a complex agreement to call on the aid of their contemperary, the Drekayan Empire to the south, involving monetary bonds, and territorial concessions, allowing for the deployment of Drekayan forces.

A coalition was formed between Suna, Drekaya, and Drakengard.

Suna: Mobilized warships from three of its naval commissions and pledged its expertise and firepower.

Drekaya: Contributed a powerful dreadnought-class vessel and a retinue of smaller cruisers, positioning them at Honeybreeze, a southern port in Astana, to support the operation.

Drakengard: Held Lindin’s forces at bay in a grueling stalemate at the Apollyon Gulf, awaiting reinforcements.

The coalition devised a pincer strategy to strike Lindin’s forces from both the sea and the land. The plan aimed to converge on a coastal embankment near an abandoned town, believed to be a vulnerable point in Lindin's defensive line.

The engagement began with the joint forces of Suna and Drekaya moving into position while Drakengard maintained pressure on Lindin's navy and air fleet. However, the maneuverability and firepower of Lindin’s air vessels proved to be a devastating factor. Over the course of three days, the coalition fleet suffered heavy damage.

Lindin's Air Fleet: Using superior mobility and devastating bombardments, the airships decimated the coalition forces, targeting key ships and breaking the cohesion of the fleet.

Naval Combat: While Suna and Drekaya managed to inflict significant damage on Lindin’s naval forces, they were unable to maintain their position. The dreadnought and accompanying cruisers were overwhelmed, and the smaller Suna ships were unable to withstand the combined assault from air and sea.

The battle ended in a disastrous retreat for the coalition:

Coalition Losses: 82% of the joint fleet was destroyed, marking one of the heaviest naval losses for Suna since 1975. Drekaya's flagship was sunk, further exacerbating tensions within the alliance.

Lindin's Perspective: The victory was hailed as a sign of their dominance and a foreshadowing of further triumphs. Morale among Lindin forces soared.

Drakengard's Realization: The battle exposed the full scale of Lindin’s military strength and underscored the dire situation facing the anti-Lindin coalition.

Drekaya’s leadership, furious at the humiliation of retreat, openly criticized the coordination of the coalition forces, and tensions arose between the allies. Suna, while battered, began reassessing its strategy, determined not to repeat the mistakes of the Apollyon Gulf.

The Battle of Apollyon Gulf became a symbol of both Lindin’s rising power and the frailty of the coalition’s unity. It was a harsh lesson in the complexity of modern warfare, the importance of coordination, and the devastating potential of Lindin’s air fleet. For the coalition, it marked a somber turning point, forcing them to rethink their strategy and alliances in the face of an increasingly aggressive adversary.