Battle of Freeborn

Battle of Freeborn
Part of 2020 War in Vulkaria
Zamastanian troops take cover from an explosion resulting from an M.L.F. rocket-powered grenade
Date January 6th, 2019 Location Freeborn, Vulkaria Result Coalition Victory Opened routes to Amden and Geelmol
Beligerents
Coalition Forces Vulkaria Zamastan Libertas Omnium Maximus Shen	Malvarian Liberation Front
Commanders and leaders
Zamastan General Avery Reynolds General Chase Lyons Commander James Greshen Lieutenant-Colonel Emmett Marsh Libertas Omnium Maximus Major-General Alexander Wallace Jr. Colonel Mason Greer Shen General Chang Fenhau	Arcken Baimani Pollic'l Kiuano
Casualties and losses
Vulkaria 52 Killed 192 Injured Zamastan 13 Killed 32 Injured Libertas Omnium Maximus 11 Killed 36 Injured 2 M.I.A. Shen

The Battle of Freeborn took place on January 6th, 2020, and was one of the first engagements of the 2020 War in Vulkaria, pitting Coalition forces led by Zamastan and consisting of divisions from Libertas Omnium Maximus and the Empire of Shen against the Malvarian Liberation Front who had been in control of the city since 2017.

Background

Preparations for the battle

Following the attacks of January 2nd, 2020, President Farhen Brooks requested a Zamastanian-led coalition to assist the Armed Forces of Vulkaria to capture M.L.F.-controlled territory, as well as for the planned destruction of the terror group. Zamastanian, Maximusian, and Shen forces massed in Vulkar and prepared for an assault to push deep into enemy territory.

Defenses of Freeborn

The first city along the planned route was Freeborn, a sizable river-side city with a population of 17,000 people. To prepare defenses against the assault, M.L.F. operatives dug 4 m2 holes around the city, which they planned to fill with burning oil to reduce visibility and slow advances. They also built dozens of elaborate tunnels in the villages surrounding Freeborn, rigged with explosives and booby-traps, and laid improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and mines along the roads. There was considerable concern that M.L.F. might employ chemical weapons against soldiers and civilians. However, it was discovered that much of the M.L.F. defenses had been moved in the days prior to the attack to the city of Amden up north in preparation for the eventual Zamastanian assault on the city which was expected to happen following the inevitable capture of Freeborn.

The insurgents also had several anti-air defense systems spread across the city that were preventing air raids by Zamastanian planes. These systems were mounted on flatbed trucks and continuously moved, which made tracking and targeting difficult for coalition forces.

Forces involved in the battle

About 3,000–5,000 M.L.F. fighters were estimated to be in Freeborn city, according to the Zamastan Department of Defense. Other estimates ranged as low as 2,000 and high as 12,000 M.L.F. fighters, with "half of them... highly trained, and the rest... either teenagers or not well trained. About ten percent of the fighters are foreign (Vulkarian and non-Vulkarian). Most are from inner townships and districts."

Zamastanian, Maximusian, and Shen troops were the three main forces taking part in the battle. About 3,000 Zamastanian troops, led by General Chase Lyons, with direct combat roles given to Commander James Greshen and Lieutenant-Colonel Emmett Marsh. The Zamastanian troops situated themselves directly east of the city to take the two main bridges into the city.

Battle

Initial Advances

Officials reported howitzers firing on M.L.F. targets on January 4th. The main assault began on January 6th at approximately 6 a.m., local time, with shelling and the arrival of armored vehicles to the front lines. Vulkarian forces started the ground assault by advancing on M.L.F.-held villages from three fronts, while Vulkarian security forces advanced from the south. Vulkarian troops advanced on the area east of Freeborn while M.L.F. fighters fired mortars at them. Vulkarian government fighters retook 200 square kilometers (80 square miles) from the M.L.F. on the first day of fighting. Vulkarian government officials reported inflicting severe casualties and destruction of equipment on M.L.F. forces in the district southeast of Freeborn. Wounded M.L.F. fighters reported to have been transferred to their de facto capital Tilbreg for medical aid. Freeborn's "Rannan Bridge" was destroyed in the fighting.

At this point in time, the Coalition strategy was reported to be to half-encircle Freeborn completely, after which Zamastanian troops would advance into the city center. As the Vulkarian and Zamastanian armies advanced on Freeborn, rebellion against M.L.F. broke out in the city, though insurgent forces put down the revolts within a couple of days.