Operation 'Kantai Kessen'

[Kusari Uchugun]

V. Commentary

This section serves to document commentary issued by all parties with access to operational planning at the request of Defense Minister Kogen. Conflicting points of view on operational key goals led to this decision. No party stood against the operation in general and thus the discussion will limit itself to mission objectives only.
Mobilization and logistical preparations are continuing unhindered of this circumstance to ensure readiness of our troops the moment a consensus was reached. Local commanders will be briefed in full once the internal discussions reached a satisfactory conclusion. For convenience sake, each party will be assigned their own bracket for commentary purposes.

Shogunate

It remains our firm belief that war objectives in Colorado enjoy utmost importance. The leak will have put them on high alert and we must expect fierce resistance. Strike fast, strike hard. The adversary must feel that even prepared, they can no longer guarantee their own safety. Instill fear into the Republic and force them to come to terms with the new reality. (03.03.836, 23:39 STS)

NOH Admiralty

Kaigun Gensui Okamoto commenting in alignment with the rest of the Admiralty. We forward the motion not to strike Pueblo Station as to not alienate the other colonies. Their dependency on Ageira infrastructure - as well as our own which will still persist for years - could tip the scale against us and even lead the other houses to publicly back the Republic. The Admiralty's counter proposal is to strike away from the active border, showcasing our fangs can reach far beyond Colorado if need be. For that purpose, the Admiralty considers an assault on the LNS-Concord as adequate measure. Destabilization of a key corridor will lead to a forced relocation of Libertorian assets away from Colorado and away from their desired invasion of our territory. (04.03.836, 06:04 STS)

Defense Minister

The Admiralty's own proposal far outweighs the risks compared to a full assault on Colorado. Despite the leak, Liberty must still be uncertain about the exact capabilities of the Kishiro Drive. Assaults on less heavily fortified positions will showcase their vulnerability. My proposal is an assault on three locations: Colorado, namely the LNS-Amarna by a mobile strikeforce, a heavy assault on the LNS-Concord and an attack not on West Point but Detroit Munitions. Whilst fortified against criminal attacks, the station would not hold against a surprise assault by our forces and its proximity to Planet Manhattan sends an unmistakable message. (04.03.836, 9:18 STS)

Prime Minister

Seeing as we are given no choice anymore, a first strike remains our only option. I am thankful to even receive the opportunity to voice my opinion on military affairs and have given each proposal hours of my time to not waste this opportunity. We're in the survival phase now and in order to maximize effect, I propose a combination of all approaches so far: Strike the LNS-Amarna, as newest ship of the Liberty Navy seeing it fall to a surprise assault will devastate morale. Strike the LNS-Concord and render California either a freebie for criminal forces, see the Liberty Navy forced to relocate forces meant for the war effort there or create weakpoints in other areas of Liberty. As third objective, strike the LNS-Alma. Whilst the Erie rebellion has been almost put down through military pressure, that pressure would immediately fade with the destruction of the LNS-Alma. Logistic centers such as Harrisburg would end up in a severely weakened position. This opportunity almost guarantees a renewed armed uprising and will sow chaos in Liberty's backyard. (04.03.836, 16:57 STS)