Operation Thunderbolt
From Scandia
| Operation Thunderbolt | |
|---|---|
| Part of | |
 A Venator missile is fired from the NV Scorpius | |
| Date(s) | April 11—July 7 1537 |
| Location | Coastline of Taereoca |
| Result | Underway |
| Combatants | |
 Valanian Third and Fourth Sea Legions | Various rebel Taerocese factions |
| Commanders | |
| Olvidius Castrus, Third Praetor of the Legions | Eduard Gepidus and various other warlords |
| Strength | |
| 41 ships including 5 destroyers, 8 frigates, 15 corvettes, 1 submarine and 13 other craft | Many small skiffs and yachts, one 1440s era battleship (grounded) |
| Casualties | |
| Two servicemen | Many ships and boats including the battleship |
Operation Thunderbolt was a Valanian military operation in the Sea of Alera.
Objectives
- Eradication of pirates operating in Taerocese waters.
- Removal of threats to Valania's sea trade with northern Dorania.
Origin
Instability in Taereoca means that the central government has no control over much of the country. Many coastal inhabitants began turning to piracy and attacking shipping. At first, they were cautious and only raided small craft. But as time went by, they grew bolder and started to threaten larger cargo ships. Taereoca's waters soon became a no-go zone for all shipping, and this badly affected neighbouring Valania, which was and is reliant on exports overseas.
Valania's Sea Legions began to act, patrolling Valanian and international waters, and sinking any suspicious craft they found there. But, due to international law, they were unable to enter Taerocese waters and so the problem remained. After extensive petitioning, in April 1537 the King of Taereoca officially gave the Valanians free reign until the end of the year.
The operation
As soon as the go-ahead was received, the Third and Fourth Sea Legions were given clearance to seek and destroy. The first target was the warlord Eduard Gepidus's personal battleship. This had been a Valanian battleship built in 1441 and christened the NV Magnus. Though decommissioned in 1501, the vessel was abandoned after Taereoca's declaration of independence, and subsequently commandeered by Gepidus.
The first Venator missile ever fired in anger easily pierced its rusting armour and caused catastrophic damage. The vessel sank within hours.
The next stage of the operation involved bombarding and sending commandos against settlements which had openly backed piracy. This was moderately successful, though most of the warlords responsible had already fled inland.
The final stage then went into progress. Valanian navy officials confiscated every seaworthy vessel on the Taerocese coast. This was to ensure that piracy would not recomence as soon as Valania left. There were rumours that many of these vessels were sold to Valanian fishermen for a healthy profit, one which was not returned to Taereoca.
Operations terminatd on July 7, when the Sea Legions announced that they were satisfied with results and withdrew from Taereocese waters.
