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The '''Battle at Szurdok Ridge''',<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/Universe/Detail/assault-on-the-stars-1/7fd16a33-7a93-4b99-9ebc-53217627d5d7 | The '''Battle at Szurdok Ridge''',<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/Universe/Detail/assault-on-the-stars-1/7fd16a33-7a93-4b99-9ebc-53217627d5d7 ''Halo Waypoint:'' Assault on the Stars 1]</ref> also known as the '''Szurdok Ridge offensive''',<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/warthog ''Halo Waypoint'': Warthog]</ref> was a major engagement between the [[United Nations Space Command]] and the [[Covenant]] during the [[Fall of Reach]] in [[2552#August|August 2552]].<ref name="tip">''[[Halo: Reach]]'', campaign level, [[Tip of the Spear]]</ref> | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
On the night prior to the battle, [[SPARTAN program|Spartan]] [[Noble Team]], split into two splinter groups, [[Recon Team Alpha]] and [[Recon Team Bravo|Bravo]], conducted a reconnaissance mission at [[Szurdok Ridge]] to determine the Covenant force deployments in the area. They discovered a massive ground army amassing in the plain, with three {{Class|SDV|heavy corvette}}s hovering overhead.<ref> | On the night prior to the battle, [[SPARTAN program|Spartan]] [[Noble Team]], split into two splinter groups, [[Recon Team Alpha]] and [[Recon Team Bravo|Bravo]], conducted a reconnaissance mission at [[Szurdok Ridge]] to determine the Covenant force deployments in the area. They discovered a massive ground army amassing in the plain, with three {{Class|SDV|heavy corvette}}s hovering overhead.<ref>''Halo: Reach'', campaign level, [[Nightfall]]</ref> | ||
The UNSC responded with a massive ground and air based counterattack the following morning. The overall goal of the UNSC was to blitz the Covenant strike force before the rest of the [[Covenant fleet]] arrived, preventing any solid Covenant foothold on Reach. The main target for the UNSC counterattack was to take out the [[Covenant spire|Covenant Spires]] located along the valley ridge. Upon attacking, UNSC did not yet know what the main purpose of the spires.<ref name="tip"/> | The UNSC responded with a massive ground and air based counterattack the following morning. The overall goal of the UNSC was to blitz the Covenant strike force before the rest of the [[Covenant fleet]] arrived, preventing any solid Covenant foothold on Reach. The main target for the UNSC counterattack was to take out the [[Covenant spire|Covenant Spires]] located along the valley ridge. Upon attacking, UNSC did not yet know what the main purpose of the spires.<ref name="tip"/> | ||
==The battle== | ==The battle== | ||
A massive UNSC strike force stormed the Viery plains towards the Covenant-occupied site, attempting to reclaim the land and eliminate all Covenant presence from Reach. The entire assault force was mechanized, as the lack of available cover on the plains prohibited an infantry assault. The UNSC thus resolved to close the distance with the Covenant and engage in an armored battle at close quarters. An advance wave of [[M12 Chaingun Warthog|Warthogs]], backed up by [[M808 Scorpion|Scorpion tanks]], as well as [[M274R Mongoose|Mongooses]], formed the ground component of the attack. Air support was provided by a mixture of [[UH-144 Falcon|Falcons]] and [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelicans]]. [[SPARTAN-B312|Six]] and [[Kat-B320]] led the ground attack, while [[Jorge-052]] and [[Carter-A259]] coordinated air support. | A massive UNSC strike force stormed the Viery plains towards the Covenant-occupied site, attempting to reclaim the land and eliminate all Covenant presence from Reach. The entire assault force was mechanized, as the lack of available cover on the plains prohibited an infantry assault. The UNSC thus resolved to close the distance with the Covenant and engage in an armored battle at close quarters. An advance wave of [[M12 Chaingun Warthog|Warthogs]], backed up by [[M808 Scorpion|Scorpion tanks]], as well as [[M274R Mongoose|Mongooses]], formed the ground component of the attack. Air support was provided by a mixture of [[UH-144 Falcon|Falcons]] and [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelicans]]. [[SPARTAN-B312|Six]] and [[Kat-B320]] led the ground attack, while [[Jorge-052]] and [[Carter-A259]] coordinated air support.<ref name="tip"/> | ||
[[File:Reach TotS Bridge.jpg|thumb|left|The destroyed bridge.]] | [[File:Reach TotS Bridge.jpg|thumb|left|The destroyed bridge.]] | ||
===The battle begins=== | ===The battle begins=== | ||
As the UNSC force closed on the Covenant landing zone, the Covenant detected the incoming attack and opened fire, hammering the advancing UNSC force with long range [[plasma mortar]] fire, supplemented by [[Type-26 Banshee]]s, which performed strafing runs. Although the Covenant bombardment inflicted casualties, the UNSC was undeterred and continued the advance. During the charge, Kat detonated the [[Unidentified UNSC explosive|charge]] set on the [[stealth pylon]] by [[Jun-A266]]. Covenant heavy units, including three [[Type-47B Scarab]]s, moved to counterattack the UNSC force. A small group of Warthogs, including Noble Six and Kat, and supported by Falcons, split off from the main assault wave onto a ridge overlooking the main battleground; however, a Wraith mortar shot destroyed a bridge over a large ravine that the group needed to cross to gain access to the ridgeline. Kat successfully managed to jump the gap, but the following Warthog was not so lucky, falling into the ravine below, and the Spartan's Warthog was destroyed by the crash. All of the preceding Warthogs were either destroyed by the destruction of the bridge, or by two [[Type-26 Shade]]s, which also forced the Falcons to withdraw. | As the UNSC force closed on the Covenant landing zone, the Covenant detected the incoming attack and opened fire, hammering the advancing UNSC force with long range [[plasma mortar]] fire, supplemented by [[Type-26 Banshee]]s, which performed strafing runs. Although the Covenant bombardment inflicted casualties, the UNSC was undeterred and continued the advance. During the charge, Kat detonated the [[Unidentified UNSC explosive|charge]] set on the [[stealth pylon]] by [[Jun-A266]]. Covenant heavy units, including three [[Type-47B Scarab]]s, moved to counterattack the UNSC force. A small group of Warthogs, including Noble Six and Kat, and supported by Falcons, split off from the main assault wave onto a ridge overlooking the main battleground; however, a Wraith mortar shot destroyed a bridge over a large ravine that the group needed to cross to gain access to the ridgeline. Kat successfully managed to jump the gap, but the following Warthog was not so lucky, falling into the ravine below, and the Spartan's Warthog was destroyed by the crash. All of the preceding Warthogs were either destroyed by the destruction of the bridge, or by two [[Type-26 Shade]]s, which also forced the Falcons to withdraw.<ref name="tip"/> | ||
[[File:Reach TotS Tyrant Overlook.jpg|thumb|left|A ''Tyrant'' anti-aircraft gun overlooking the field of battle.]] | [[File:Reach TotS Tyrant Overlook.jpg|thumb|left|A ''Tyrant'' anti-aircraft gun overlooking the field of battle.]] | ||
===Clearing the skies=== | ===Clearing the skies=== | ||
The two Spartans took out the two nearby Covenant Shade emplacements, and cleared the way for a Pelican to deliver a [[M12R Rocket Warthog|Rocket Warthog]]. Covenant heavy anti-aircraft artillery, meanwhile, was preventing the UNSC from bringing heavy air support into play. A Covenant [[Type-38 Tyrant]] with a commanding view of the battlefield was inflicting casualties on the UNSC's airpower, so the two Spartans were assigned to destroy it. The two succeeded, clearing the skies for three [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longswords]] that made a bombing run on the main Covenant force, destroying the three Scarabs serving as the linchpin of the Covenant defense. The strike punched a hole in the Covenant's lines, allowing UNSC Scorpions and Warthogs on the plains to advance upon the rest of the Covenant force. The | The two Spartans took out the two nearby Covenant Shade emplacements, and cleared the way for a Pelican to deliver a [[M12R Rocket Warthog|Rocket Warthog]]. Covenant heavy anti-aircraft artillery, meanwhile, was preventing the UNSC from bringing heavy air support into play. A Covenant [[Type-38 Tyrant]] with a commanding view of the battlefield was inflicting casualties on the UNSC's airpower, so the two Spartans were assigned to destroy it. The two succeeded, clearing the skies for three [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longswords]] that made a bombing run on the main Covenant force, destroying the three Scarabs serving as the linchpin of the Covenant defense. The strike punched a hole in the Covenant's lines, allowing UNSC Scorpions and Warthogs on the plains to advance upon the rest of the Covenant force. The {{Class|Paris|heavy frigate}}s {{UNSCShip|Grafton}} and {{UNSCShip|Saratoga}} also moved in on the battlefield, supporting ground units with their [[M910 point defense network|point defense guns]]. A Pelican placed a [[deployable bridge]] to replace a destroyed one near the AA gun, allowing Six and Kat to progress further towards the Covenant lines.<ref name="tip"/> | ||
===Assault on the spires=== | ===Assault on the spires=== | ||
Six and Kat joined a group of Troopers assaulting a Covenant outpost located in a [[BXR Industries|BXR Mining]] facility. Here, they were forced to abandon their warthog, and press through the facility on foot. They cleared the outpost and killed the [[Sangheili Zealot|Zealot]] in command of it. Upon passing through the facility, the two Spartans advanced further, destroying a second AA gun. As a result, the UNSC gained air superiority over the battlefield and let the frigates advance closer to the [[Spire One|first Spire]]. After an LZ was cleared, a Pelican dropped off a squad to secure the area and Kat began to set up a forward observation post. ONI required up-close recon on the spires, and it was necessary to fly Noble Six the rest of the way. Jorge therefore picked up Six in a Falcon to fly him to the Spire through a Covenant-fortified canyon. The main UNSC ground force continued their advance, and Six supported them by using the Falcon's [[M460 Automatic Grenade Launcher|grenade launcher turret]]. The Falcon passed through the electromagnetic shields emitted by the Spire structure to drop off Jorge and Noble Six, but the shield disabled the Falcon, causing it to crash, and killing the crew; however, Jorge and Noble Six were able to make it out in one piece. The pair continued fighting their way into the structure, with Six managing to deactivate the structure's shielding system. Cleared of defenses, the UNSC called in a MAC strike executed by the ''Grafton'' to destroy the Spire. | Six and Kat joined a group of Troopers assaulting a Covenant outpost located in a [[BXR Industries|BXR Mining]] facility. Here, they were forced to abandon their warthog, and press through the facility on foot. They cleared the outpost and killed the [[Sangheili Zealot|Zealot]] in command of it. Upon passing through the facility, the two Spartans advanced further, destroying a second AA gun. As a result, the UNSC gained air superiority over the battlefield and let the frigates advance closer to the [[Spire One|first Spire]]. After an LZ was cleared, a Pelican dropped off a squad to secure the area and Kat began to set up a forward observation post. ONI required up-close recon on the spires, and it was necessary to fly Noble Six the rest of the way. Jorge therefore picked up Six in a Falcon to fly him to the Spire through a Covenant-fortified canyon. The main UNSC ground force continued their advance, and Six supported them by using the Falcon's [[M460 Automatic Grenade Launcher|grenade launcher turret]]. The Falcon passed through the electromagnetic shields emitted by the Spire structure to drop off Jorge and Noble Six, but the shield disabled the Falcon, causing it to crash, and killing the crew; however, Jorge and Noble Six were able to make it out in one piece. The pair continued fighting their way into the structure, with Six managing to deactivate the structure's shielding system. Cleared of defenses, the UNSC called in a MAC strike executed by the ''Grafton'' to destroy the Spire.<ref name="tip"/> | ||
===The ''Long Night of Solace'' revealed=== | ===The ''Long Night of Solace'' revealed=== | ||
ONI determined that the spires served as teleportation terminals, though what they were linked to was yet unrealized. With Nobles Five and Six evacuated by Carter's Falcon, ''Grafton'' moved in and destroyed the Spire with its [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]]. The disruption of the cloaking field revealed a new danger: a {{Class|CSO|supercarrier}}, the ''[[Long Night of Solace]]'', which had been holding position about a kilometer above the battlefield. The supercarrier dropped its active camouflage and opened fire, instantly destroying the ''Grafton'' with its ventral energy projector. Unable to compete with the sheer firepower of the Covenant warship, the UNSC retreated. The supercarrier then withdrew into Covenant-held space in orbit above Reach. | ONI determined that the spires served as teleportation terminals, though what they were linked to was yet unrealized. With Nobles Five and Six evacuated by Carter's Falcon, ''Grafton'' moved in and destroyed the Spire with its [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]]. The disruption of the cloaking field revealed a new danger: a {{Class|CSO|supercarrier}}, the ''[[Long Night of Solace]]'', which had been holding position about a kilometer above the battlefield. The supercarrier dropped its active camouflage and opened fire, instantly destroying the ''Grafton'' with its ventral energy projector. Unable to compete with the sheer firepower of the Covenant warship, the UNSC retreated.<ref name="tip"/> The supercarrier then withdrew into Covenant-held space in orbit above Reach. | ||
==Aftermath== | ==Aftermath== | ||
With the appearance of the supercarrier, the UNSC forces disengaged and fell back. The UNSC were unable to destroy the carrier as all their [[nuclear weapon]]s were either destroyed or unavailable. Covenant forces deployed from the supercarrier continued to harry UNSC forces on Reach until the launch of [[Operation: UPPER CUT]], which, utilizing a makeshift [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine#Atypical uses|slipspace bomb]], succeeded in destroying the ship at the cost of the {{UNSCShip|Savannah}} and its [[Savannah Actual|crew]], [[Jorge-052|one SPARTAN-II]], and a squad of [[YSS-1000 Sabre|Sabre]] pilots.<ref> | With the appearance of the supercarrier, the UNSC forces disengaged and fell back. The UNSC were unable to destroy the carrier as all their [[nuclear weapon]]s were either destroyed or unavailable. Covenant forces deployed from the supercarrier continued to harry UNSC forces on Reach until the launch of [[Operation: UPPER CUT]], which, utilizing a makeshift [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine#Atypical uses|slipspace bomb]], succeeded in destroying the ship at the cost of the {{UNSCShip|Savannah}} and its [[Savannah Actual|crew]], [[Jorge-052|one SPARTAN-II]], and a squad of [[YSS-1000 Sabre|Sabre]] pilots.<ref>''Halo: Reach'', campaign level, [[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]</ref> | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
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*''[[Halo Mythos]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Halo Mythos]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
*''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]'' | *''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]'' | ||
==Related pages== | ==Related pages== | ||
*[[Order of battle (Viery, Reach)]] | *[[Order of battle (Viery, Reach)]] | ||
{{ | ==Sources== | ||
<references/> | |||
{{Engagements in the Fall of Reach}} | |||
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The Battle at Szurdok Ridge,[1] also known as the Szurdok Ridge offensive,[2] was a major engagement between the United Nations Space Command and the Covenant during the Fall of Reach in August 2552.[3]
Background
On the night prior to the battle, Spartan Noble Team, split into two splinter groups, Recon Team Alpha and Bravo, conducted a reconnaissance mission at Szurdok Ridge to determine the Covenant force deployments in the area. They discovered a massive ground army amassing in the plain, with three SDV-class heavy corvettes hovering overhead.[4]
The UNSC responded with a massive ground and air based counterattack the following morning. The overall goal of the UNSC was to blitz the Covenant strike force before the rest of the Covenant fleet arrived, preventing any solid Covenant foothold on Reach. The main target for the UNSC counterattack was to take out the Covenant Spires located along the valley ridge. Upon attacking, UNSC did not yet know what the main purpose of the spires.[3]
The battle
A massive UNSC strike force stormed the Viery plains towards the Covenant-occupied site, attempting to reclaim the land and eliminate all Covenant presence from Reach. The entire assault force was mechanized, as the lack of available cover on the plains prohibited an infantry assault. The UNSC thus resolved to close the distance with the Covenant and engage in an armored battle at close quarters. An advance wave of Warthogs, backed up by Scorpion tanks, as well as Mongooses, formed the ground component of the attack. Air support was provided by a mixture of Falcons and Pelicans. Six and Kat-B320 led the ground attack, while Jorge-052 and Carter-A259 coordinated air support.[3]
The battle begins
As the UNSC force closed on the Covenant landing zone, the Covenant detected the incoming attack and opened fire, hammering the advancing UNSC force with long range plasma mortar fire, supplemented by Type-26 Banshees, which performed strafing runs. Although the Covenant bombardment inflicted casualties, the UNSC was undeterred and continued the advance. During the charge, Kat detonated the charge set on the stealth pylon by Jun-A266. Covenant heavy units, including three Type-47B Scarabs, moved to counterattack the UNSC force. A small group of Warthogs, including Noble Six and Kat, and supported by Falcons, split off from the main assault wave onto a ridge overlooking the main battleground; however, a Wraith mortar shot destroyed a bridge over a large ravine that the group needed to cross to gain access to the ridgeline. Kat successfully managed to jump the gap, but the following Warthog was not so lucky, falling into the ravine below, and the Spartan's Warthog was destroyed by the crash. All of the preceding Warthogs were either destroyed by the destruction of the bridge, or by two Type-26 Shades, which also forced the Falcons to withdraw.[3]
Clearing the skies
The two Spartans took out the two nearby Covenant Shade emplacements, and cleared the way for a Pelican to deliver a Rocket Warthog. Covenant heavy anti-aircraft artillery, meanwhile, was preventing the UNSC from bringing heavy air support into play. A Covenant Type-38 Tyrant with a commanding view of the battlefield was inflicting casualties on the UNSC's airpower, so the two Spartans were assigned to destroy it. The two succeeded, clearing the skies for three Longswords that made a bombing run on the main Covenant force, destroying the three Scarabs serving as the linchpin of the Covenant defense. The strike punched a hole in the Covenant's lines, allowing UNSC Scorpions and Warthogs on the plains to advance upon the rest of the Covenant force. The Paris-class heavy frigates UNSC Grafton and UNSC Saratoga also moved in on the battlefield, supporting ground units with their point defense guns. A Pelican placed a deployable bridge to replace a destroyed one near the AA gun, allowing Six and Kat to progress further towards the Covenant lines.[3]
Assault on the spires
Six and Kat joined a group of Troopers assaulting a Covenant outpost located in a BXR Mining facility. Here, they were forced to abandon their warthog, and press through the facility on foot. They cleared the outpost and killed the Zealot in command of it. Upon passing through the facility, the two Spartans advanced further, destroying a second AA gun. As a result, the UNSC gained air superiority over the battlefield and let the frigates advance closer to the first Spire. After an LZ was cleared, a Pelican dropped off a squad to secure the area and Kat began to set up a forward observation post. ONI required up-close recon on the spires, and it was necessary to fly Noble Six the rest of the way. Jorge therefore picked up Six in a Falcon to fly him to the Spire through a Covenant-fortified canyon. The main UNSC ground force continued their advance, and Six supported them by using the Falcon's grenade launcher turret. The Falcon passed through the electromagnetic shields emitted by the Spire structure to drop off Jorge and Noble Six, but the shield disabled the Falcon, causing it to crash, and killing the crew; however, Jorge and Noble Six were able to make it out in one piece. The pair continued fighting their way into the structure, with Six managing to deactivate the structure's shielding system. Cleared of defenses, the UNSC called in a MAC strike executed by the Grafton to destroy the Spire.[3]
The Long Night of Solace revealed
ONI determined that the spires served as teleportation terminals, though what they were linked to was yet unrealized. With Nobles Five and Six evacuated by Carter's Falcon, Grafton moved in and destroyed the Spire with its MAC. The disruption of the cloaking field revealed a new danger: a CSO-class supercarrier, the Long Night of Solace, which had been holding position about a kilometer above the battlefield. The supercarrier dropped its active camouflage and opened fire, instantly destroying the Grafton with its ventral energy projector. Unable to compete with the sheer firepower of the Covenant warship, the UNSC retreated.[3] The supercarrier then withdrew into Covenant-held space in orbit above Reach.
Aftermath
With the appearance of the supercarrier, the UNSC forces disengaged and fell back. The UNSC were unable to destroy the carrier as all their nuclear weapons were either destroyed or unavailable. Covenant forces deployed from the supercarrier continued to harry UNSC forces on Reach until the launch of Operation: UPPER CUT, which, utilizing a makeshift slipspace bomb, succeeded in destroying the ship at the cost of the UNSC Savannah and its crew, one SPARTAN-II, and a squad of Sabre pilots.[5]
Gallery
- Viery.jpg
UNSC force deployments in the Viery territory during the battle.
UNSC Frigates attack the Covenant.
Kat detonating the charge in the pylon.
UNSC armored forces engage Covenant Scarabs in the valley.
The Tyrant AA is destroyed.
The Grafton advances after the destruction of the AA cannon.
A Longsword supporting ground troops.
The Scarabs are bombed by Longswords.
A Pelican deploying a bridge so Six and Kat can proceed.
The UNSC Saratoga and the Grafton holding position above Szurdok Ridge.
The Grafton and Saratoga participate in the battle.
The objective of the assault: the Covenant Spires.
The Grafton destroys Spire One.
The Long Night of Solace de-cloaked above the ridge.
The Grafton is destroyed by the Covenant supercarrier, forcing the UNSC to retreat.
List of appearances
- Halo: Reach (First appearance)
- Halo Mythos (Mentioned only)
- Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual
Related pages
Sources
- ^ Halo Waypoint: Assault on the Stars 1
- ^ Halo Waypoint: Warthog
- ^ a b c d e f g Halo: Reach, campaign level, Tip of the Spear
- ^ Halo: Reach, campaign level, Nightfall
- ^ Halo: Reach, campaign level, Long Night of Solace
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