Mistral IIIbis Class Fighter

The Mistral IIIbis is one of France's signature fighter craft, the rapier to the Martel's bludgeon. Designed by the near legendary George Mileaux, the Mistral has classic lines and follows the old adage of 'if it looks right, it will be right.'. Tactically the Mistral relies on its impressive stealth characteristics for survivability and to enable it to close on the enemy, deliver its payload and escape. The Mistral has a laser for self-defence and a Ritage 1D or Ritage 2 missile for its offensive punch. Early models of the Mistral served against Manchurian forces in the Sol system at the end of the Central Asian War and the Mistral IIIbis saw action in the War of German Reunification. The Mistral serves only with the MSIF and has not been exported.

In action against the Kafers the Mistral has proved largely ineffective against their heavily armoured battleships, unable to deliver a knock out punch or to survive long in close combat. Instead techniques have been evolved to use the Mistral in the patrol and reconnaissance role, locating the enemy and bringing in heavier support to attack them. Escadrons detached from 13e GCS and 14e GCS served at Eta Bootis in this way, reducing the strength of these units when the main Invasion finally came. Similarly Mistrals from these units were detached to Rochemont's Fleet and for the defence of Kimanjano. When the Kafers assaulted Beta Canum the remnants of 13e GCS fought alongside the Bonapartes of 8e GCS, British and German defenders but were unable to halt the Kafer juggernaught. The seven surviving Mistrals went to ground on the surface until the return of Rochemont. 14e GCS at QAS was reinforced by 15e GCS from Earth and both saw action in the Battle of Beowulf and the subsequent Liberation campaign. The bravery of the Mistral crews in their fragile craft and lonely reconnaissance role is widely recognised.

Pictured is a Mistral IIIbis crossing above the Mediterranean in Earth orbit. This Mistral is from Escadron 1/9 'Landes', the Mistral operational conversion unit based at the famous MSIF Fighter School on Ganymede. This unit is responsible for training new pilots to operate and fight the Mistral as well as developing doctrine for the use of the craft. Since the Battle of Beowulf several veteran Mistral pilots have been brought back from the front to pass on their expertise as instructors.

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Bismarck Class Battlecruiser

The Bismarck and her sister-ships are pride of the DSKM and formed the heart of human resistance to the Kafers at Eta Bootis. These distinctive panzerstermschiffe are at the heart of the German riskflotte defence strategy and the Bismarck was the first new warship laid down by Germany following the Reunification. The Bismarck was intended to be a versatile, powerful warship capable of holding its own against the most powerful of opponents, carrying a small number of screening fighter craft and embarking a battalion of marines. She would operate as the flagship of a mobile squadron of warships which, let loose in the colonies, would be capable of tying down a large proportion of the French fleet. Ironically as soon as the Bismarck was completed she was despatched to Hochbaden to lead such a squadron in support of the French and Ukrainians fighting the Kafers in the neighbouring Eta Bootis system. A heavily armed and armoured ship, the ship has some limitations with its fire control and sensor systems which aren't quite up to the standard of those of other nations. Plans are in place to upgrade these systems as soon as the war permits.

The Bismarck has an unmatched combat record for a ship of its size and four years of operations and combat have honed her crew into a crack team. Even though they have not seen Earth since 2298 the crew are highly decorated heroes to the German public in particular and most humans have heard of the Bismarck. The few officers who have rotated from the crew are almost guaranteed prestigious commands of their own. The Bismarck has seen most of its combat at Eta Bootis, Arcturus or Hochbaden in the Aurore Fleet's epic contest with the Kafers besieging Eta Bootis. Frequently used as his flagship by the Ukrainian tactical savant Borodin or turned over to Kommodore Lutke for important secondary tasks, the Bismarck was never far from the action racking up an impressive number of kills. Bismarck's sister-ship Guderian slipped through the lines to reach Eta Bootis and participated in the climatic battles of January 2302 which saved the colony. The Bismarck and Guderian remain at Hochbaden and Eta Bootis respectively whilst a further Bismarck approaches completion above Earth.

Pictured is the Guderian in transit through Vogelheim on its way to join Rochemont's Fleet during 2301. The ship was deployed straight from completion and its trip down the French Arm served as a shake down cruise. Indeed many shipyard technicians remained on-board to fix last minute teething problems and were only put ashore at BCV. Captained by a former XO of Bismarck the Guderian had a hand-picked crew taken from across the DSKM and was soon operating to high standards.

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Fantasque Class Frigate

The Fantasque was designed as a follow up to the unsuccessful Orage class of frigates which failed during the Central Asian War. Although excellent long duration patrol ships, the Orages were outmatched by missile armed Manchurian frigates and privateers and later proved completely inferior to German opponents. The Fantasque utilised many of the same components as its predecessor but with greatly improved weaponry and survivability. The Fantasque carried a doubled laser armament, submunitions dispensers as well as a pair of missile packs. The ship was also faster, better armoured and stealthier at a cost of almost a doubling of price. The first Fantasques joined the fleet in 2290 but only a very few were available at the outbreak of war with Germany and consequently line warships had to be brought in for convoy escort duties. The Fantasques proved their worth in several encounters with German raiders who soon learnt to respect the ship, as well as brush up on ship recognition to avoid mistaking it for an Orage.

The Fantasque class had grown to 13 vessels at the outbreak of war with the Kafers and several were deployed along the French Arm including 3 with Rochemont's 3rd Fleet. In the early years they were used for escort duties for convoys on the way to Eta Bootis. However following the Invasion the Fantasque class were the backbone of the French close escort frigates with Rochemont, with the Imperieuse or Tonnant usually providing the goalkeeper for the flagship Richelieu. The Fantasques were also heavily committed to the French element of the Reserve Fleet at QAS and seriously engaged in the Battle of Beowulf. Never a glamorous ship, the Fantasques nevertheless provided yeoman service in numerous different roles throughout the role. Today they remain the cutting edge of the French frigate force with several deployed throughout the Eta Bootis finger.

Pictured is the Aventurier on outpost duty in the Hochbaden system late in 2302. The devastated system of Hochbaden is now a major naval base for the human forces. This strategic choke point is held in force with French, German, British, Ukrainian and American forces present under the command of Admiral Rochemont.

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De Lancey Class Auxiliary Warship

Not all human warships are purpose built for combat and the De Lancey is a prime example. Designed and built as a dedicated deep survey and exploration vessel for the FPK of Wellon, the vessel was 'taken up' by the Royal Space Navy soon after its completion. The ship had always been tasked as an auxiliary troopship as part of the cost of its construction was subsidised by the British government. Like its sister ship, the Ashton, De Lancey had the key characteristics of sustainability, robustness and speed. It was envisioned that the Ashtons would be deployed at the far ends of the frontiers and would need to have minimal transit times as well as the ability to stay on station for a substantial duration whilst undertaking their survey and exploration missions. Scientifically the ships would be outfitted to conduct a whole range of missions; from initial survey to detailed exploration and including dedicated scientific investigative missions. Consequently the ship was equipped with an impressive array of labs and sensors. The need for a multiply redundant interface was incorporated into the design with a combination of landers and heavy load dead-drop gliders being carried by the vessel.

Mobilised in 2300 the De Lancey was altered to trooper configuration, being stripped of most scientific facilities and fitted with additional defensive armaments before being dispatched to the French Arm where she was initially tasked as a conventional trooper. Alongside the assault ship HMS Normandy, the De Lancey was almost cut off in the Beta Canum Cluster by the Invasion but made a risky run through Kimanjano to reach the Reserve Fleet at QAS. She was then taken over by Commodore Williamson commander of the RSN's Assault Landing Group, ASLAN, who was impressed with her speed, communications and computer systems. She was subsequently used as the command ship for the '3rd Liberation' landings on BCV, operations on Crater and in co-ordinating Commonwealth relief efforts on Nous Voila. De Lancey has proved an invaluable resource for ASLAN, filling a major gap in capability and it is unlikely the ship will be de-mobilised any time soon.

The De Lancey is shown in orbit above Crater in the autumn of 2302, with a Wellington fighter in close attendance. The ship operated as a command ship for the British forces in the 1st Dayside Campaign against the Kafer remnants. She carries the pennant LSC-1A, Landing Ship Command - 1 Auxiliary, as well as the Wellon merchant Red Ensign. The ship's origins in Wellon as well as her predominantly Wellonese crew have made her a very famous ship with the citizens of that country.

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Vengeur Class Cruiser

The Kafer War has seen an unprecedented number of ship losses and nations have struggled to make these up. Traditional warships were 'jacks of all trades', being able to fulfil an number of roles with many capable of carrying large numbers of troops. Against the massive Kafer battleships however, only the ability to destroy the enemy in combat matters and most nations are now designing dedicated ship-killers. The Vengeur is one of France's solutions to this problem, a cutting-edge ship killer that can be produced quickly and in significant numbers. The Vengeur's weapons, drives and systems are all off the shelf designs with limited modifications. Even the hull elements are modular to allow for production by subcontractors and rapid final assembly of components limits the time the ship is on the slips. The result is a very fast, well armed and stealthy ship capable of carrying two Mistral fighters or landers, with survivability enhanced by light armour and shielding. The downside is in the strict functionality of the ship, a world away from the stately Suffrens.

There have been three Vengeurs funded and the first was launched in the summer of 2302. During trials the ship has proved very succesful, gaining the nickname of 'flying saucer' from MSIF crews. The tag was intended as an insult but has been taken as a badge of honour by the crew of the Vengeur. The ship has since been dispatched to Eta Bootis where it is intended to operate in a fast squadron alongside American Kennedy Class Cruisers.

The Vengeur is shown during its missile firing trials in the Alpha Centauri system.

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Bonaparte Class Fighter

The Bonaparte is a fighter that is somewhat in the shadows of its more illustrious contemporaries, especially the powerful Martel. Another George Mileaux design she is definitely in the heavy class of fighters, carrying both a laser and submunitions dispenser. She has an excellent reputation with her pilots and the versatility of operating from planetary surfaces. Unfortunately she just fails to match up to the Martel across the board and consequently has been relegated to the colonial defence role. Escadrons of Bonapartes can be found at French colonies and outposts across the colonial Arms. They are used most often for patrols and customs duties with a pair of Bonapartes often being used in preference to a larger frigate or corvette. The Bonapartes have often seen action against an array of threats, especially those units deployed in the Chinese Arm outposts who frequently spar with pirates.

At the start of the Kafer War there were numerous Bonapartes on the French Arm, with the greatest concentration at Beta Canum Venaticorum. Several were destroyed in action at BCB and more were moved across to beef up the security of Vogelheim. The defence of BCV was largely in the hands of fighters and Bonapartes provided the bulk of French combat power with their major warships away with Rochemont. Following the retreat of the Admiral Scheer Battlegroup it was the Bonapartes of 8e GCS that made the main effort to stem the Kafer tide, closing time and again to deliver submunition strikes, loosing fighters at every attempt. Only three Bonapartes were left at the end of the day and these were forced to go to ground and wait out the occupation. Bonapartes took part in the Battle of Beowulf but were again outshone by the Martels. However they played a key role in policing the bridge of stars from QAS to Earth in the absence of major warships, destroying several 'leakers' in the aftermath of Beowulf. The Bonapartes have since been regrouped and have resumed their colonial policing role.

Shown are two Bonapartes of Escadron 2/2 'Provence' in a hanger at the Adlerhost orbital terminal in the Vogelheim system undergoing routine maintenance. This unit was usually based at Nous Voila in the BCB system, but was moved after the 1st Battle of BCB to provide additional protection to Vogelheim. This was rather fortunate as they escaped the destruction of a sister squadron at the 2nd Battle of BCB. 2/2 'Provence' was involved in the defence of the Vogelheim system throughout the war.

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Wellington Class Fighter

The Wellington is a somewhat controversial British fighter, which has nevertheless proved relatively successful in combat. The British Exospace prototype was a high concept demonstrator of a fighter capable of operating effectively across the interface and armed with a particle accelerator which could operate in all conditions. Unfortunately the technology availible didn't match the concept and the result was a badly flawed fighter craft which was lambasted in the press. The poor accuracy of the DUNARMCO particle accelerator and lack of active sensors coming in for particular criticism. As a result procurement of the Wellington was cut short at only three squadrons and the more powerful French Martel acquired as the Harrier. The Wellington was relegated to a colonial defence role away from Earth, but in the hands of good pilots could be a capable craft.

When the Invasion came the Wellington was kept away from the frontlines but with squadrons at BCV and Henry's Star it was only a matter of time before they saw action. For 1302 Squadron at BCV that day came all too soon and the squadron stood alongside French and German fighters against the Kafer assault. The Wellington squadron fought close in with their particle accelerators picking out a Kafer Beta for repeated attacks, but paying the price for their bravery and only half the squadron made it back to the surface. 1301 Squadron at Crater fared even worse with its two surviving Wellingtons being destroyed on the ground after being defeated in orbit. 1302 Squadron then operated in the ground attack role for which their DUNARMCOs were more than accurate enough, greatly aiding the ground troops. 1305 Squadron was moved up from Tirane specifically to operate in this role and although it operated conventionally at the Battle of Beowulf, it has conducted ground attack duties since then. Both 1305 and a rebuilt 1302 Squadrons remain on the French Arm.

Pictured are three Wellingtons from 1302 NFS in 2299 operating in the BCV system. Like other Wellington units 1302 found it difficult to gain superiority over Kafer fighters. However the Wellingtons proved themselves unmatched as ground attack units, supplementing conventional aircraft in the defence of New Africa.

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Anjou Class Freighter

As mentioned above many civilian ships served in the frontlines during the war, indeed with Kafer warships marauding through the shipping lanes there was no real frontline. The Anjou class was typical of the ships that served in a variety of roles; as piquets, couriers and auxiliary warships. Although perhaps they saw most use in carrying supplies for the warships and the ground force units that Liberated the Beta Canum Cluster following the Battle of Beowulf. The Anjous were a 60's design capable of carrying some 25000 cubic meters of cargo, yet also with a respectable turn of speed whilst unloaded. All this extra space gives the Anjous a great capability to be modified for other tasks.

Anjous could be found across the French Arm at the start of the war but it was not until the invasion that they began to be modified for other roles. Indeed several found fame; the L'Oriente in running blockades to bring news from Eta Bootis or the 1812 helping the Australian squadron defeat a Kafer battleship in June 2301. Anjous were present as privateers, government owned Q-Ships, impressed shipping and as patriotic volunteers. Several were converted to act as 'grandes oreilles', electronic eavesdroppers loitering on the edge of occupied systems. Others operated behind the lines, linking up with human raiders and battlegroups carrying spare ordnance and supplies. A small number were converted as 'floating batteries' to deny low orbit to the Kafers around QAS.

The image is of the Anjou class freighter Lumière Logique in the BCV system. In reality the ship was actually an MSIF Q-Ship, the Vilain Petit Canard, whose armoury matched that of a line destroyer. A veteran of numerous anti-piracy missions on the Chinese Arm, she was deployed on the French Arm to tempt Kafer raiders. She is currently missing, last heard of in the Sans Souci system.

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Suffren Class Cruiser

The Suffrens may play second fiddle to the massive battleships of the MSIF in terms of public recognition but proved the main French combat ships of the Kafer War. The Suffren class was one of the first of the new wave of fast, well armed, multi-purpose warships that came into service in the last thirty years of the 23rd century. They were to be the centrepiece of French interstellar force projection, being capable of long duration missions whilst carrying a half-battalion of troops. At the time this enabled the ship to be capable of virtually any volume supremacy and colonial troubleshooting mission. They could work alone or with a flotilla of other vessels, and were fast, heavily armed and armoured. Combat proven against Manchuria, Elysia and Germany, they have been steadily improved and updated. There were eleven Suffrens in service at the start of the war, with three more on the slips.

The Kafer War began catastrophically for the Suffrens with the destruction of the Suffren and De Grasse, isolated and overwhelmed by the Kafers during the first contact at Eta Bootis in 2298. However they rallied from this low point, with the Bassompierre conducting a famous raid to Arcturus and providing a cornerstone of the defence of Eta Bootis during the siege. Three Suffrens; Tourville, Colbert and Jean Bart reinforced and fought with Rochemont's Fleet, whilst a further two Gloire and Montcalm were with Graham's Reserve Fleet at the Battle of Beowulf. Two further Suffrens; the Georges Leygues and Gaiaenne saw action in the Liberation. Although several of these vessels were badly damaged none were lost, and these ships provided much of humanities' heavy striking power on the French Arm.

Pictured is the Montcalm on patrol at QAS prior to the Battle of Beowulf. The Montcalm had participated with her sister-ship the Gloire in the ENTENTE mission to Kimanjano but was later badly damaged at the Battle of Beowulf. Since repaired she is now a part of the MSIF squadron defending Eta Bootis.

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