War for Gazaan

War for Gazaan
Date	Year 22 Day 276 — Day 297
Location	Gazaan planet
Result	Zann Claimed Victory
Belligerents
Zann Consortium Void Wolves Dark Star Hellions Crimson Dawn	Rebel Alliance Rogue Squadron Blue Star Dominion Sanctuary Prime DOM Arsenal Stryker Military Services
Commanders and Leaders
Bork Shalas Kyota Navic Hrussk Hskar Lazarus Grimm Hondo Walker	Karl Hawkmoon Ily Zacri
Casualties and Losses
~459 mercenaries ~106 military droids ~12 field commanders wounded Unknown mercenaries wounded	~2,543 troopers ~270 military droids 1 Rathar ~60 field commanders wounded Unknown troopers wounded

The Battle of Gazaan was a minor battle that took place on the planet of Gazaan near the Derra system. The Zann Consortium launched an invasion of the planet with the intent of hindering the Rebellion's presence in the sector, while Rebel forces mobilized to protect and evacuate the civilian population. The Consortium amassed a force of 6,000 mercenaries and 2,000 droids while Rebel forces were estimated at over 9,000 in combined strength by the end of the war.

History

The Battle of Gazaan was a Year 22 conflict that took place in the small world of Gazaan in the Kira CW sector that lasted approximately three weeks. Among the Rebel groups that participated were the Rebel Alliance, Blue Star Dominion, Sanctuary Prime, Rogue Squadron, DOM Trading Company, and Stryker Military Services. Zann Consortium's forces included the Dark Star Hellions, Crimson Dawn, and the Void Wolves.

Causes

The peace treaty between the Zann Consortium and New Republic ended in Year 20 after then-Director of New Republic Intelligence Adam Hughes led an operation against the Consortium that resulted in Adam’s capture and subsequent execution by Zann's Defilers. The introduction of the Blue Star Dominion, a long-time enemy of the Zann consortium, into the Rebellion further fueled the already-tense relations between Zann and the Rebel Alliance. In Year 22, Zann intelligence intercepted communications between Rebel groups which allowed the criminal consortium to locate a Rebel garrison located on the planet Gazaan. It is believed that Zann's leadership considered an attack on Gazaan as an opportunity to cripple the Rebellion's ground capabilities.

General features of the war

Rebel unpreparedness for war

Zann officials claimed several times that Rebel troops were not equipped with weapons and were used as shields to protect armed troops, and that Rebel forces were untrained and unprepared for different types of combat. Zann claimed the Rebels were equipped for long-range engagements, allowing Zann forces to exploit their lack of close quarters capability. Zann also claimed that communication among Rebels members proved to be an issue as attacks were not well-coordinated until the last days of the battle, when improvements in communication allowed them to launch a final but ultimately unsuccessful assault.

Mobilization and Equipment

Both the Rebel and Consortium forces relied on large dropships for troop deployment, along with some vehicles for rapid transport. Civilian witnesses describe Sabaoth Destroyers used as the Rebel's primary as their main means of deployment, while Consortium forces reportedly used Sphyrna-class Corvettes, Arquitens-class Light Cruisers, and Hammerhead-class Cruisers. Rebel troops were equipped primarily with rebel trooper and battle armor, E-11b rifles and X-45 sniper rifles with the exception of several squads equipped with heavy battle armor. Consortium mercenary units were equipped with battle armor and bowcasters as their primary kit, with amban sniper rifles granted to marksman units. The Rogue Squadron withdrew its two Ground Liaison Officers on Day 285.

Tactics

Rebel forces reportedly employed guerrilla tactics throughout the war, though launched a massive ground assault during the final days of the battle. Consortium forces reportedly employed a "charge-style" and "planned attack warfare, though Rebels later defined this as simply massing large numbers of mercenaries whenever possible.

Casualties

The Rebellion's losses reportedly consisted of over 2,500 troopers, around 270 droids, and 1 Rathar, while 60 officers and an unknown number of troopers were injured. The Consortium's losses reportedly consisted of over 400 mercenaries and over 100 droids, while 12 officers and an unknown number of mercenaries were injured. Zann officials claim that approximately 300,000 civilians died during the war, though this has been disputed by Rebel officials speaking on condition of anonymity.

Aftermath

The Zann Consortium declared itself the victor by the battle's end while the Rebellion expressed no public stance on the event. The Zann Consortium consolidated its dominion on the Derra system which resulted in the Dark Star Hellions presence and temporary control of Derra IV. Many Gazaan residents fled the planet to seek refuge in near systems.