On June 6th, 2016, at about 1830 EVE Time, a battle occurred in the Y-N4EF system in Immensea. The battle was fought over the Infrastructure Hub, which had been reinforced previously by Stainwagon coalition forces.
The Infrastructure Hub was initially reinforced because Vanguard coalition forces were defending a different timer, and were unable to respond in time. However, in the sure knowledge that this system was to be heavily contested, Vanguard forces made ready for a massive brawl.
Because the battle was set to occur during the peak timezone for Stainwagon forces, Triumvirate and their allies contacted Legion of xxDeathxx and Solar Fleet for assistance. The stage was set for what would be one of the largest battles in the war thus far.
With Vanguard aware of Stainwagon’s intention to retake the system in a massive show of force, two fleets of Vanguard and XIX pilots in Machariels formed alongside an additional fleet of mostly Triumvirate capitals. Meanwhile, Solar Fleet provided a force of Tech 3 Destroyers to assist with entosising the contested areas.
The day began with each fleet bridging into the area from different directions. A standoff lasted about thirty minutes, with both groups entosising in different systems. The Vanguard coalition fleet formed up at range on the 20-EEW gate in Y-N4EF, while the Stainwagon forces did the same on the opposite side.
However, with Stainwagon hemmed in, it quickly became apparent that the Vanguard forces would be able to successfully complete their entosising efforts. The two opposing fleets continued jockeying for position in several systems, and Stainwagon were eventually forced to jump into Y-N4EF. The Vanguard fleet, having left their original position, quickly followed and a general engagement began.
The two Machariel fleets squared off, with both sides trading blows and suffering minor losses. A large supporting fleet of Slippery Pete Tengus belonging to The Afterlife were able to gate-jump into the system and come in at long range, but did not have a significant effect on the outcome of the battle. Additionally, a Pandemic Legion Vulture fleet of about forty pilots joined in on the action, but their contribution was also fairly minor.
At this point, both sides escalated the engagement with the use of capitals. Stainwagon initially brought in a large force of carriers to assist their subcapital fleet, and Vanguard forces responded with a large force of Dreadnoughts, who jumped to a cyno directly on top of Stainwagon’s Chimera fleet.
It was at this point that Vanguard forces gained a serious advantage over Stainwagon, with the Dreadnoughts tearing through their opposition with brutal efficiency. Vanguard carriers with heavy tackle were able to hold down the majority of the Stainwagon carrier fleet, though some did manage to escape.
Meanwhile, the Vanguard subcapital fleet was having less success. A series of bad warp-ins caused some casualties before the Stainwagon capital fleet was destroyed. However, bomber fleets belonging to XIX and Fidelas Constans were able to turn the tide, inflicting significant damage on the Stainwagon Machariels and, crucially, disrupting their logistics significantly.
With the tide of battle now swung heavily in Vanguard’s favor, Stainwagon forces began a general retreat into a POS. However, even this would not ensure their safety, as Vanguard were able to successfully guess the POS password and bump several players out before the remnants of the Stainwagon fleet safelogged.
Ultimately, the battle was a major victory for Vanguard forces in Immensea. Though the war is far from over, there is no doubt that Stainwagon’s losses in this battle will have a noticeable effect on their future efforts.
Special thanks to Cpt Patrick Archer of Triumvirate for his contribution to this report.
