BLOODY NOSE ISLAND
Community Submission
WAR 106, DAY 1-179, Primus Trames, Godcrofts --- Upon the outbreak of conflict once more on the continent, the commanding officer of the 17th Marines Regiment [17WMR] identified the need to secure the strategic island of Primus Trames. Located in the Godscroft's sector, initially assaulting the island seemed a relatively simple task for the small regiment. Being only roughly 50 metres across and 100 metres long. Throughout the first 50 days of the conflict, the small 17th Marine Regiment would assault the island repeatedly. This culminated in fierce close quarters combat, the island changing hands 6 times. However, the Marines would successfully secure the Island. Yet as Warden attention shifted to the Port of Rime and Morgen’s Crossing, so would the presence of large regiments in Godcrofts. This left the 17th Marines relatively alone in the quiet oceanic sector.
[17WMR] Gunboat Shelling of Lipsia
For the next 75 days, the Marines would continually fortify the island and be forced to conduct repairs from the daily gunboat bombardment. Furthermore, both sides realised the importance of watchtowers and observation bunkers, providing an early warning capability, stopping invasion forces and gunboat raids. Nevertheless, Colonial forces began to consistently launch naval assaults to take back the island. Sometimes, despite being manned by only a small fire team of Marines in off-hours, waves of landing forces would be repelled with rifle and grenade fire. While gunships would be dispatched to engage enemy ships identified by the watch towers. This would furthermore assist in significantly halting enemy attempts at severing naval logistics to the Port of Rime.
By Day 150 Marines had established four 120mm artillery guns on the island, being able to operate them against the recently seized Lipsia and Colonial Gunboats. Yet Colonial Gunboats would utilise multiple gunships in response, exploited periods of a limited garrison on the island. They levelled all defences with these, causing the island to change hands a successive 4 times from Day 150 to 179. As a result the island has taken a toll of an estimated 1300 casualties, both Warden and Colonial since the War started. Thus the 17th Marine’s nickname of “Bloody Nose Island” has stuck.
This toll will only rise though, the Marines being ordered to defend Godcrofts until the last ration, until the last bullet, choosing to sacrifice tactical or strategic advantage for an emphasis on attrition and maximizing enemy casualties. With the help of the 147th, 1881st, 6th Marine, SPUD, ROGUE, and 74th Naval Raiders regiments, Godcrofts will hold, or they shall die trying, taking as many Colonials as possible with them. Even the "quiet" sectors have become their own version of hell.
Written by: Esperical
Edited by: [PRESS] Henry Stewart
Published on: 13/11/2023
This article is a Community Submission, posted in the submissions text channel on the PressCorps Discord. Community Submissions feature independent reporting and may be modified for reasons of clarity and grammar.