North's Last Stand

North's Last Stand
Part of The Battle of the Strait of St. Peter, 1991 Bjeorg Conflict
Date July 28th, 1991 Location Northern Strait of St. Peter Result Maximusian Victory
Beligerents
Libertas Omnium Maximus	Bjeorgite Revolutionaries
Commanders and leaders
	Admiral William North (KIA)
Units involved
two cruisers, one frigate, one corvette	two frigates, one corvette
Casualties and losses
35 wounded 15 killed one cruiser critically damaged	152 wounded 84 killed one frigate disabled one frigate lost

North's Last Stand was a naval confrontation during the larger Battle of the Strait of St. Peter, between Maximusian and Bjeorgite forces. It was a precursory battle to the 1991 Bjeorg Conflict. The confrontation took place in the early morning of July 28th, 1991. It is considered to be the last confrontation before the official start of the war. During the course of the battle, one ship was sunk and two were disabled. North's Last Stand was a victory for the Maximusians but proved to be a pyrrhic one as they encountered unexpectedly high resistance and nearly lost their flagship.

Background

After declaring their independence from Libertas Omnium Maximus, the Bjeorg revolutionaries were left with very few military resources. They were only able to assemble a fleet of three small warships to blockade the north entrance of the Strait of St. Peter. Maintaining control of the strait was a paramount objective of the Bjeorgite insurgents, as it would prevent a Maximusian or Zamastanian amphibious assault.

After some skirmishing in the south portion of the strait, Zamastanian and the defending Eirian fleet was deadlocked in place. The fate of the territory remained contested. In order to end the deadlock, the Maximusians launched a small armada from Saint Augustine, which consisted of two cruisers, one frigate, and one corvette.

Course of Battle

The Maximusian armada reportedly encountered North's fleet at 7:01 AM. Accounts of the incident maintain that the Maximusians opened fire without provocation, though this has been difficult to corroborate. North's fleet promptly began evasive maneuvers and prepared for a Maximusian broadside attack. In this initial salvo, the BNS Spjut was critically damaged. In order to give the BNS Kiln, the Bjeorgite frigate, more maneuvering room, the Bjeorgite corvette, BNS Månsten, navigated due west of combat, incidentally running into very shallow water. At 7:26 AM, a missile detonated after impacting on the BNS Månsten's stern deck. The detonation was sufficient to disable the vessel's starboard propeller, causing the ship to careen towards the Bjeorg shoreline. Before the captain of Månsten could regain control of the ship, the vessel collided with a sandbar became immobilized. The order to abandon ship was given, although the Månsten did not sink.

With the Månsten run aground and the Spjut seemingly disabled, all four Maximusian ships turned their attention to the BNS Kiln. In a last ditch effort to inflict further injury upon the Maximusian fleet, the Kiln realigned itself, despite taking on significant water and listing more than 15^o to port side, and attempted to return fire upon the Maximusian fleet. This risky reengagement proved to successful, as the BNS Kiln was able to land a crippling blow to the Maximusian fleet's flagship. However, the Maximusian fleet quickly responded, launching another salvo against the Kiln. This salvo destroyed the Kiln's bridge, killing Admiral William North and most of his officer corps. The hull of the Kiln was also critically damaged as a result of the Maximusian volley and began sinking. Bjeorgite sailors began abandoning ship around 7:30 AM and the Kiln completely sank soon after. With the battle lost, the BNS Spjut raised its white flag and began traveling in a holding pattern. The Maximusian fleet continued south, though their flagship, which had sustained heavy fire by the BNS Kiln, was required to turn back to the Saint Augustine naval base for repairs.

Seeing that the water was calm and the Månsten and Spjut were disabled close by, the Maximusian fleet did not engage in rescue operations to recover surviving sailors from the BNS Kiln. All stranded crew members were rescued by the Spjut or were able to swim to the stranded-but-intact BNS Månsten.

Aftermath

With the north end of the Strait of St. Peter left completely unguarded, the Maximusian fleet was able to send for reinforcement ships and successfully occupy the strait. With both exits blocked off, the Eirian fleet present in the center of the strait was trapped. This shift of control also made an amphibious landing by the Maximusians feasible. On July 30th, 1991, the Maximusians did, in fact, carry out an amphibious landing in Martin, Bjeorg.