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Battle for Earth: Difference between revisions
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The '''Battle for Earth''',{{Ref/Reuse|Id=hnbc8}}{{Ref/Reuse|OSFM69}} also referred to as the '''Earth Sustained Defense Campaign''',{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate2}} was one of the largest, bloodiest and latest engagements fought between the [[Covenant]] and the forces of the [[Unified Earth Government]] (primarily those of the [[United Nations Space Command]]), at the end of the approximately twenty-seven year-long{{Ref/Note|The war was definitely concluded on December 11, 2552 when the Prophet of Truth was killed. However, an official cessation of hostilities did not come until March 3, 2553.}} [[Human-Covenant War]], which took place on and above the planet [[Earth]] from [[2552#October|October 20]] to at least [[2552#December|December 3, 2552]].{{Ref/NoteReuse|battleend}} It was one of the most important battles of the war, as the fate of humanity depended on the survival of its homeworld and seat of its [[UEG|government]].{{Ref/Note|While [[Insurrectionist|not all]] of humanity believes itself to be subject to the UEG, the UEG claims authority over all of humanity.}} | The '''Battle for Earth''',{{Ref/Reuse|Id=hnbc8}}{{Ref/Reuse|OSFM69}} also referred to as the '''Earth Sustained Defense Campaign''',{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate2}} was one of the largest, bloodiest and latest engagements fought between the [[Covenant]] and the forces of the [[Unified Earth Government]] (primarily those of the [[United Nations Space Command]]), at the end of the approximately twenty-seven year-long{{Ref/Note|The war was definitely concluded on December 11, 2552 when the Prophet of Truth was killed. However, an official cessation of hostilities did not come until March 3, 2553.}} [[Human-Covenant War]], which took place on and above the planet [[Earth]] from [[2552#October|October 20]] to at least [[2552#December|December 3, 2552]].{{Ref/NoteReuse|battleend}} It was one of the most important battles of the war, as the fate of humanity depended on the survival of its homeworld and seat of its [[UEG|government]].{{Ref/Note|While [[Insurrectionist|not all]] of humanity believes itself to be subject to the UEG, the UEG claims authority over all of humanity.}} | ||
Though the invasion took place on a global scale, the most significant conflicts occurred in the [[East African Protectorate]] in the form of three battles fought within and between the cities of [[Mombasa]] and [[Voi]], collectively referred to as the [[First Battle of Mombasa|first]], [[Second Battle of Mombasa|second]], and [[Battle of Voi|third]] battles of Mombasa.{{Ref/Game|Id=HSA|Game=Halo: Spartan Assault|What=co-op introductory cutscene}} The conflict began when the [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]], under the command of the [[Prophet of Regret]], arrived on October 20 with intentions of traveling through the [[Portal at Voi|portal]] that a [[luminary]] in its possession pointed to. This move was made without the consent of the other two [[Hierarchs]] and in ignorance regarding the status of this planet as [[human]]ity's homeworld. Faced with the full might of the [[UNSC Home Fleet]], it was not long before Regret's [[Solemn Penance|flagship]] fled to [[Installation 05]]. Soon after this, the Prophet of Truth initiated his plans to [[Changing of the Guard|replace]] [[Sangheili]] with [[Jiralhanae]] and assume control over the entirety of the hierarchal triumvirate. The Jiralhanae occupation forces left behind by Regret assumed control of all remaining local Covenant forces on and over New Mombasa by secretly killing all abandoned Sangheili in the city to secure Truth's later arrival as the herald of [[Great Schism]]. Later on the next day, a large [[Truth's | Though the invasion took place on a global scale, the most significant conflicts occurred in the [[East African Protectorate]] in the form of three battles fought within and between the cities of [[Mombasa]] and [[Voi]], collectively referred to as the [[First Battle of Mombasa|first]], [[Second Battle of Mombasa|second]], and [[Battle of Voi|third]] battles of Mombasa.{{Ref/Game|Id=HSA|Game=Halo: Spartan Assault|What=co-op introductory cutscene}} The conflict began when the [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]], under the command of the [[Prophet of Regret]], arrived on October 20 with intentions of traveling through the [[Portal at Voi|portal]] that a [[luminary]] in its possession pointed to. This move was made without the consent of the other two [[Hierarchs]] and in ignorance regarding the status of this planet as [[human]]ity's homeworld. Faced with the full might of the [[UNSC Home Fleet]], it was not long before Regret's [[Solemn Penance|flagship]] fled to [[Installation 05]]. Soon after this, the Prophet of Truth initiated his plans to [[Changing of the Guard|replace]] [[Sangheili]] with [[Jiralhanae]] and assume control over the entirety of the hierarchal triumvirate. The Jiralhanae occupation forces left behind by Regret assumed control of all remaining local Covenant forces on and over New Mombasa by secretly killing all abandoned Sangheili in the city to secure Truth's later arrival as the herald of [[Great Schism]]. Later on the next day, a large [[Truth's fleet|Jiralhanae support and excavation fleet]]<!--Halo Waypoint confirms that Truth's fleet arrived on October 21st--> sent by Truth was then dispatched to Mombasa and begin to [[Glassing|glass]] most of [[Republic of Kenya|Kenya,]] along with the remnants of Regret's fleet while additional Covenant reinforcements continued to appear in the system and began a resurgent and larger assault on the planet.{{Ref/Reuse|waypointvergil}}{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate2}} | ||
At this point, the fight for Earth began in earnest. Smaller battles were waged all across the world, from the UEG capital of [[Sydney]], [[Australia]], to [[Cleveland]], [[URNA]], to [[Havana]], Cuba, and to [[Mount Erebus]], [[Antarctica]] and multiple other locations even when the Sangheili and now Jiralhanae-led Covenant forces turned each other following the beginning of the [[Great Schism]].{{Ref/Reuse|encycearth}}{{Ref/Reuse|HUI1}}{{Ref/Reuse|goo204}}{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate2}} By November 17 after very hard fighting, most of the Home Fleet had been obliterated by substantial Covenant naval forces loyal to the [[San'Shyuum|Prophets]], including the Prophet of Truth,{{Ref/Reuse|H2GJ}} and the majority of cities were destroyed as well throughout the battle.{{Ref/Reuse|HUI3}} After defenders and the orbital defense grid were overwhelmed, the Earth has been massively devatasted by a large Covenant [[orbital bombardment|bombardment]], resulting catastrophic human casualties.{{Ref/Reuse|H3CN}} It was on this date that the Prophet of Truth himself, aboard the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] and with [[John-117|Spartan-117]] in tow, arrived and headed straight for the [[Portal at Voi|Excession]], by then fully excavated. Upon interfacing with the [[keyship]], the portal was activated and a large contingent of the remaining Covenant fleet under the Prophet's command departed through the [[Portal at Voi|Portal]] with the intention of activating the [[Halo Array]] from [[Installation 00|the Ark]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3Storm}} | At this point, the fight for Earth began in earnest. Smaller battles were waged all across the world, from the UEG capital of [[Sydney]], [[Australia]], to [[Cleveland]], [[URNA]], to [[Havana]], Cuba, and to [[Mount Erebus]], [[Antarctica]] and multiple other locations even when the Sangheili and now Jiralhanae-led Covenant forces turned each other following the beginning of the [[Great Schism]].{{Ref/Reuse|encycearth}}{{Ref/Reuse|HUI1}}{{Ref/Reuse|goo204}}{{Ref/Reuse|lootcrate2}} By November 17 after very hard fighting, most of the Home Fleet had been obliterated by substantial Covenant naval forces loyal to the [[San'Shyuum|Prophets]], including the Prophet of Truth,{{Ref/Reuse|H2GJ}} and the majority of cities were destroyed as well throughout the battle.{{Ref/Reuse|HUI3}} After defenders and the orbital defense grid were overwhelmed, the Earth has been massively devatasted by a large Covenant [[orbital bombardment|bombardment]], resulting catastrophic human casualties.{{Ref/Reuse|H3CN}} It was on this date that the Prophet of Truth himself, aboard the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] and with [[John-117|Spartan-117]] in tow, arrived and headed straight for the [[Portal at Voi|Excession]], by then fully excavated. Upon interfacing with the [[keyship]], the portal was activated and a large contingent of the remaining Covenant fleet under the Prophet's command departed through the [[Portal at Voi|Portal]] with the intention of activating the [[Halo Array]] from [[Installation 00|the Ark]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3Storm}} | ||
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Elsewhere, Jiralhanae forces landed in [[London]], [[Britain]] and soon established an occupation of the city. UNSC forces were deployed into the city to evacuate civilians, including future [[SPARTAN-IV program|SPARTAN-IV]] commander [[Laurette Agryna]].{{Ref/Generic|[[Halo Infinite Multiplayer Season 1 Cinematic Intro]]}}{{Ref/Site|URL=https://axisstudiosgroup.com/work/halo-infinite/|Site=Axis Studios|Page=Halo Infinite|Quote=Focusing on the recollections of Spartan Commander Laurette Agryna, the trailer delves into her own heroic journey as a young girl caught in the crosshairs of a battle in the centre of London 2552 AD, her rescue by Spartans and her inspiration to become a Spartan herself.|D=31|M=8|Y=2021}} | Elsewhere, Jiralhanae forces landed in [[London]], [[Britain]] and soon established an occupation of the city. UNSC forces were deployed into the city to evacuate civilians, including future [[SPARTAN-IV program|SPARTAN-IV]] commander [[Laurette Agryna]].{{Ref/Generic|[[Halo Infinite Multiplayer Season 1 Cinematic Intro]]}}{{Ref/Site|URL=https://axisstudiosgroup.com/work/halo-infinite/|Site=Axis Studios|Page=Halo Infinite|Quote=Focusing on the recollections of Spartan Commander Laurette Agryna, the trailer delves into her own heroic journey as a young girl caught in the crosshairs of a battle in the centre of London 2552 AD, her rescue by Spartans and her inspiration to become a Spartan herself.|D=31|M=8|Y=2021}} | ||
On [[2552#November|November 3]] | On [[2552#November|November 3]], the [[Great Schism]] finally erupted among the Covenant with all [[Covenant separatists|now-casted out]] Sangheili and Covenant forces, now led by the Jiralhanae as the new dominant military backbone of the hegemony, turning and fighting each other which resulted many Sangheili being allied with the UNSC following the death of the [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]] [[Tartarus]] during the [[Battle of Installation 05]].{{Ref/Reuse|H2GJ}} During that time, the Spartan Blue Team were [[Battle of Havana|deployed]] to [[Havana]], [[Cuba]], where they stole the enemy Jiralhanae [[Sinaris-pattern heavy destroyer|destroyer]] ''[[Bloodied Spirit]]'', and destroyed another destroyer and the [[Centennial Orbital Elevator]]. They subsequently redeployed aboard the stolen ship to the Forerunner [[shield world]] [[Onyx]] to aid [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]], the creator of the SPARTAN-II program.{{Ref/Novel|Id=goop.220|Halo: Ghosts of Onyx|Page=220}} During the same day, 3 UNSC [[expeditionary fleet]]s of the [[UNSC Home Fleet|Home Fleet]]: the [[Second Fleet|Second]], [[Seventh Fleet|Seventh]], and [[Sixteenth Fleet]]s were contesting Earth orbit against numerous Covenant vessels during major orbital skirmishes as the fighting in orbit is scattering the orbital defense,{{Ref/Novel|Id=goo204|Halo: Ghosts of Onyx|Page=204-205}} but the Covenant continued to raid the surface in search of [[Forerunner]] artifacts, with many under the [[Prophet of Truth]]'s command mostly concentrating in East Africa.{{Ref/Book|Id=mythos|Book=Halo Mythos|Page=117}} | ||
On [[2552#November|November 10]], Covenant forces began to excavate and occupy built-up positions centered around [[Free-fire Area OZONE]] in [[Arizona]], [[URNA]].{{Ref/Generic|Id=lootcrate2|Heading=[[Halo Legendary Crate]]|Subheading=[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #2]]}} As of mid-November, the majority of cities were destroyed over the course of the Battle for Earth,{{Ref/Reuse|HUI3}} and the population of Earth was already reduced to 5 billion earlier this month.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=ENC}} | On [[2552#November|November 10]], Covenant forces began to excavate and occupy built-up positions centered around [[Free-fire Area OZONE]] in [[Arizona]], [[URNA]].{{Ref/Generic|Id=lootcrate2|Heading=[[Halo Legendary Crate]]|Subheading=[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #2]]}} As of mid-November, the majority of cities were destroyed over the course of the Battle for Earth,{{Ref/Reuse|HUI3}} and the population of Earth was already reduced to 5 billion earlier this month.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=ENC}} | ||