Hey guys. I'm back with Chapter 2.
This chapter will feature the start of the invasion. I'll also reveal the entire makeup of the naval and land forces committed to the invasion.
Also, just so you guys know, this story actually does have a main character. It's not a wizard or witch.
Finally, there will be some British forces involved that weren't taken over by Voldemort or forced into hiding. They will be described as forces of Free Britain.
Chapter 2- Operation Dragon Fang
England really is beautiful. It's too bad we have to invade it. Never thought this would happen between America and England.
This was what was on the mind of Admiral Daniel Kimball from his position atop the bridge of the USS Nimitz as he looked out at the coast of England near Ilfracombe. His flagship was cruising slowly at 5 knots at a position 70 miles south-west of Ilfracombe.
Admiral Kimball was the overall commander of the invasion fleet that was currently surrounding England. The fleet had been underway for over a week, and had slowly been surrounding the island nation since the previous evening. According to members of MI5 who had gone underground and were spying on the enemy, Voldemort and his regime was not yet aware of the presence of the invasion forces.
Though he had seen evidence proving its existence, Admiral Kimball still could hardly believe that magic really existed. He had been raised to believe magic was a thing of fantasy. Now, here he was, leading a fleet of NATO ships that was preparing to invade England to free it from the iron rule of wizards, led by a wizard more evil than anything the world had ever seen. He also could hardly believe the description of the various creatures this Voldemort had that he would be using against them. He was also worried that a large portion of the British military was under Voldemort's control. That would make things much more complicated.
The Admiral turned to the man beside him and said, "Aircraft readiness?" "We can have them in the air within an hour," said Admiral Samuel Cunningham. Admiral Cunningham was a group commander of the invasion fleet. The fleet was divided into four groups, each made up of a certain kind of ship, and each led by an American admiral.
The first group was comprised of aircraft carriers. The group was led by Admiral Cunningham, who had command of 15 ships. The group was led by 6 US supercarriers: the USS Constellation, the USS Enterprise, the USS John F Kennedy, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, the USS George Washington, and, the flagship of the whole fleet, the USS Nimitz. The group also included 6 US amphibious assault ships: the USS Tarawa, the USS Belleau Wood, the USS Saipan, the USS Wasp, the USS Essex, and the USS Kearsarge. Also in the group were three carriers from other NATO nations: the Free British carrier HMS Invincible, the French carrier Foch, and the Italian carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi.
The second group was comprised of the remaining surface warships, comprising cruisers, destroyers, and frigates. Many of the ships were American. There were 10 cruisers, all of them American: two California class cruisers (the California and the South Carolina), and 8 Ticonderoga class cruisers; the USS Ticonderoga, the USS Yorktown, the USS Leyte Gulf, the USS San Jacinto, the USS Normandy, the USS Philippine Sea, the USS Anzio, & the USS Gettysburg. There were 28 American destroyers: 2 from the Kidd class (USS Scott & USS Chandler), 13 from the Spruance class (USS Spruance, USS Hewitt, USS Elliot, USS John Young, USS O'Brien, USS Stump, USS John Hancock, USS John Rodgers, USS Cushing, USS Harry W. Hill, USS O'Bannon, USS Fife, and USS Fletcher), and 13 Arleigh Burke class destroyers (USS Arleigh Burke, USS Barry, USS John Paul Jones, USS Stout, USS John S. McCain, USS Mitscher, USS Russell, USS Fitzgerald, USS Gonzalez, USS Cole, USS The Sullivans, USS Ross, and USS Mahan). There were also 22 destroyers from other NATO countries: 4 of Free Britain, 6 from France, 3 from Spain, 4 from Germany, 3 from Italy, and 2 from Canada. And, last of all, there were the frigates. The Americans had sent 10, all from the Oliver Hazard Perry class (USS Oliver Hazard Perry, USS Wadsworth, USS Clark, USS John A. Moore, USS Boone, USS Stark, USS John L. Hall, USS Doyle, USS Reuben James, and USS Samuel B. Roberts). Then, there were 41 from other NATO countries: 3 from Free Britain, 6 from France, 4 from Spain, 3 from Portugal, 2 from Belgium, 4 from the Netherlands, 6 from Germany, 5 from Italy, 3 from Norway, 2 from Denmark, and 3 from Canada. This resulted in a grand total of 111 ships, all under the command of Admiral David Scott, who flew his flag aboard the cruiser USS Leyte Gulf.
The third group was comprised solely of submarines. There 24 from the U.S.: 4 from the Sturgeon class (USS Pogy, USS Hawkbill, USS Billfish, and USS Batfish), 1 from the Seawolf class (USS Seawolf), and 19 from the Los Angeles class (USS Los Angeles, USS Philadelphia, USS Bremerton, USS Dallas, USS La Jolla, USS Boston, USS Albuquerque, USS San Francisco, USS Houston, USS Providence, USS Chicago, USS Louisville, USS Pasadena, USS Miami, USS Santa Fe, USS Tucson, USS Salt Lake City, USS Pittsburgh, USS Albany, and USS Springfield). There were also 33 from NATO allies: 4 from Free Britain, 5 from France, 2 from Spain, 2 from Portugal, 3 from the Netherlands, 6 from Germany, 3 from Italy, 3 from Norway, 2 from Denmark, and 3 from Canada. This added up to 57 subs, all under the command of Vice Admiral Fred Mancuso, who flew his flag on the USS Dallas.
Overall, among the first three groups were 183 warships. The fourth group was comprised solely of the transports carrying troops and supplies. The fourth group was under the command of 2 star Rear Admiral Adam Norrington.
Admiral Kimball stared at the beaches next to Ilfracombe where US Marines would shortly be landing. Ilfracombe was one of three landing sites for the first phase of the invasion. The other two were the Cliffs of Dover and a place called Port Talbot in Wales, which was just across the bay from Ilfracombe.
The invasion fleet was divided up to provide cover for each of the landing sites and to form a blockade around England. Three US carriers, the Nimitz, Enterprise, and Constellation, were covering the landing sites at Ilfracombe and Port Talbot. The George Washington and John F Kennedy were stationed about 50 miles south of Dover, covering the landing beaches there. The Dwight D. Eisenhower was stationed off the coast of Northern Scotland to keep watch on the northern end of Britain and prevent any attempt at escape to the north. The other three carriers of other NATO nations were stationed in the Channel. Three of the American amphibious assault ships were stationed with the Nimitz's group, and the other three off the Cliffs of Dover. 80 of the surface warships were either protecting the carriers in the south, or were supposed to provide fire support for the landings. There were also 5 submarines in the bay off Ilfracombe, and 4 more off the Cliffs of Dover. The rest, along with the remaining 33 surface warships, formed a ring around Britain, preventing any escape or attempt at attack by sea.
Admiral Kimball made a radio call to the HMS Invincible. "This is Admiral Kimball. Get me General Watson." General Watson was the British general in charge of the NATO ground forces. He was one of only two British Army generals to escape the country before Voldemort took over.
Seconds later, General Watson returned Kimball's call. "Admiral, this is General Watson." "What's the status of the landing forces?"
A total of 450,000 NATO troops had been mobilized for this operation. The U.S. had sent 292,000 troops (72,000 Marines, and 220,000 from the US Army). There were also 16,000 from Free Britain, 28,000 from France, 18,000 from Spain, 6,000 from Portugal, 5,000 from Belgium, 10,000 from the Netherlands, 24,000 from Germany, 32,000 from Italy, 4,000 from Norway, 3,000 from Denmark, and 12,000 from Canada. Most of these troops were waiting in France to be airlifted to Britain once the invasion forces captured airstrips in Britain. However, 80,000 of them were waiting on transports, ready to begin landing at their assigned beaches. 20,000 US Marines were assigned to land at Port Talbot. 20,000 US Marines and 10,000 Free British soldiers were assigned to land at Ilfracombe. 15,000 US Marines and 15,000 French soldiers were assigned to land at the Cliffs of Dover. A further 20,000 soldiers of the US Army were waiting on the coast of France to be ferried to the Cliffs of Dover once the area had been captured.
General Watson responded to the Admiral. "All soldiers are ready to go. We commence in an hour, correct?" "Correct," said Admiral Kimball.
The Admiral turned to the captain of the Nimitz, Captain Henry Johnston. "Captain, I am off to my quarters." "Understood, Admiral," said the Captain.
"Admiral's off the bridge," the Captain said moments later as Kimball left the bridge with Admiral Cunningham. They quickly made their way to Kimball's quarters.
As they entered the room, their eyes were instantly directed towards a large screen that displayed a live feed of President Bill Clinton, who was directing the invasion, and on whose order the fleet had to wait before initiating the invasion.
Both Admirals came to a stop before the screen and saluted the president. "Mr. President," Admiral Kimball acknowledged. "Admiral," President Clinton responded.
"Is the fleet in position?" President Clinton asked. "Yes. The blockade has been formed and the landing support ships are in position. All aircraft can be launched within an hour, and the troops are ready to go. We are ready to commence the invasion at any point." "Excellent, Admiral," said President Clinton, "You are cleared to proceed. Commence in at 0900 as planned."
The invasion, codenamed Operation Dragon Fang, was due to commence at 9:00 Zulu time, in 45 minutes. No warning or ultimatum had been issued to Voldemort. American and French wizarding authorities had said he definitely wouldn't heed it, nor did he deserve it. The invasion was meant to be a surprise, so as to give NATO the best advantage.
"Copy that, Mr. President," replied Admiral Kimball. "Very well. You a free to go, Admiral," said President Clinton. The two Admirals saluted the president again, then left the room and returned to the bridge.
"Admiral's on the bridge!" called Captain Johnston as Kimball and Cunningham came onto the bridge. Kimball didn't say a word as he walked to the viewport and looked down at the Nimitz' vast flight deck.
10 minutes after returning to the bridge, at 0830 Zulu time, Kimball turned to Captain Johnston. "Call the ship to General Quarters." Then, turning to one of his personal staff, he said. "Send a message to the whole fleet. All ships to battlestations."
As the man hurried to comply, the Nimitz' executive officer (XO) activated the ship's intercom system. The words he spoke were broadcast loud throughout the whole ship.
"General Quarters! General Quarters! All hands, man your battlestations!" At these words, every person aboard the massive carrier responded with trained efficiency. Every man and woman rushed to their battlestations. At the same time, pilots who had been getting dressed and undergoing briefings below deck raced topside, helmets under their arms. At the same time, General Quarters alarms began sounding on other ships.
In minutes, the flight deck was a flurry of activity. Pilots were racing everywhere, climbing up ladders and leaping into their cockpits. Deck crews hurried across the deck as fast as they dared, ferrying bombs, missiles, and drop tanks to waiting fighters. Others were hurrying to get the planes fueled up, ready to go. The first few planes to be prepared were taxied up to the catapults. This action was repeated on the decks of the other 5 supercarriers, and the three smaller carriers in the Channel.
Pretty soon, all aircraft assigned to the initial airstrikes were fueled, armed, and powered up. All pilots were sitting in their cockpits, ready to go as soon as possible.
From the remainder of the time, the whole fleet was rather still and quiet. At 0857 Zulu time, Admiral Kimball gave the order for all carriers to increase speed to 25 knots and turn into the wind, currently blowing at 21 knots, in order to give their aircraft maximum lift for take off.
Admiral Kimball watched the clock carefully. At the stroke of 0900, Admiral Kimball said in a raised voice, "Send out an emergency Flash message to all warships! Time is 0900 Zulu. Initiate Operation Dragon Fang! Repeat, initiate Operation Dragon Fang! Attack! Attack! Attack!"
Just a second later, in the shooter's position forward of the first two catapults, the shooter flipped the switches. The catapults of the Nimitz sprang forward, hurling four F-14 Tomcats into the air. Immediately, 4 more Tomcats started taxiing up to the catapults.
Already in the process of receiving the message, the launching of the Tomcats was a signal to the rest of the fleet that the invasion was beginning.
From his position on the bridge, Admiral Kimball looked over at the destroyer USS John Paul Jones, cruising about 200 yards off the port side of the carrier. For a few seconds, the destroyer was calm. Then, the bow of the ship was engulfed in smoke and flame. A split second later, the first of 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles launched in the opening minutes of Operation Dragon Fang appeared out of the smoke. It flew straight up for about 100 feet before nosing over onto a course for its target, a heavy bunker close to the landing beaches at Ilfracombe.
Looking out over the other warships, Kimball saw more Tomahawks launching and heading towards their targets across Britain. Meanwhile, across the bay, F-14s were launching from the Enterprise and Constellation.
As more aircraft continued launching from all carriers, at the three landing sites, cruisers, destroyers, and frigates that were escorting the transports opened fire with their five inch guns, hurling shells inland to soften up any defenses. A few Los Angeles class submarines stood on standby with Tomahawks armed with cluster munition warheads in case they were needed.
In minutes, the whole of the Navy's airstrike was in the air. From the five US carriers covering the landing beaches came 72 F-14 Tomcats armed for air superiority, 126 F/A-18 Hornets armed for ground attack, and 16 EA-6B Prowlers for jamming support. The Foch put up 8 F-8 Crusaders and 10 Dassault Super Etendards. Together, the Invincible and Giuseppe Garibaldi put 25 Harriers into the air. This amounted to 257 aircraft.
As the Navy aerial strike force moved towards the coast, radar stations began picking them up. Men under the Imperius Curse were about send a warning to Voldemort's military headquarters in London when their radar sets lit up even brighter. Looking at them again, they realized the Navy airplanes were not their biggest worry. Many more airplanes were converging on Britain, and they weren't from the Navy.
The NATO air forces were also taking part in the initial air strikes. Aircraft of most of the European countries, and American A-10 strike fighters, were stationed in France, except those of Spain, Portugal, and Italy, which were operating out of Spanish and Portuguese airfields. However, all American and Canadian aircraft, except American A-10s, were flying out of bases in America, Canada, and Iceland. All US and Canadian aircraft flying out of bases in America and Canada had launched hours earlier. After joining up with aircraft flying out of Iceland, they had all refueled before pressing on towards Britain. All other aircraft had launched more recently. Now, they were all almost to Britain.
The strike force from NATO air forces was massive. The US alone had almost 450 aircraft: 100 F-15Cs for fighter protection, 80 F-15Es, 140 F-16s, 100 A-10s out of France, 16 B-52s, and 6 B-1B bombers. The Canadian Air Force sent 50 F/A-18s. Free Britain sent 32 Tornados, 16 Jaguars, and 21 Harriers. The French Air Force sent in 86 Mirage 2000s and 30 Mirage F1s. The rest of the participating NATO countries sent 200 F-4 Phantoms, 100 F/A-18s, 100 Tornados, and 100 F-16s. This all added up to 1,177 aircraft. Combined with the Navy, Voldemort now had 1,434 NATO aircraft, flown by NATO's best pilots, bearing down on him, the greatest aerial armada ever assembled since the days of World War II.
At a radar station near Ilfracombe, a radar operator, upon realizing the size of the aerial strike force bearing down on England, turned to his radioman and said, "Warn Headquarters." The radioman turned to the radio, but he didn't get the chance. Because a HARM missile from a low-flying F/A-18 struck the station and destroyed it.
However, other radar stations were able to warn Voldemort's HQ. The Royal Air Force under his command scrambled 59 Tornadoes and 37 Harriers to intercept the incoming strike force. However, an E-3 Sentry and E-2 Hawkeyes patrolling off the coast picked up the fighters. Most of the strike force held back while the F-14s and F-15Cs moved in to handle the the threat. An initial volley of AMRAAM, Sparrow, and Phoenix missiles brought down 52 of the 96 British fighters. A flurry of sprawling dogfights erupted over Britain that saw all of the remaining British fighters shot down, against the loss of 2 F-14s and 1 F-15C.
Once the call was made that the skies were clear, the rest of the attack force moved in. Once over England, they separated, each aircraft heading for their targets.
From the bridge of the Nimitz, Admiral Kimball was monitoring everything, and was pleased with how the early stages of Operation Dragon Fang were progressing.
At 1015 Zulu time, the ships conducting the shore bombardment ceased fire. Landing boats began peeling off from transports, as Harriers and attack helicopters aboard the six American amphibious assault ships began warming up to be transferred to shore to provide support from the troops once they were ashore.
At 1030 Zulu, Admiral Kimball sent on an order to the transports. "All troops, begin landing operations. Godspeed and good luck."
Let's stop this chapter there. The next chapter will feature the landings, and introduce us to our main character.
I'm sorry if this was packed with too much info. I'm just weird that way.
It's late, and I have little else to say. So, let's just end there. Please don't forget to review.
Raptor2216 out.
