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⚫ | The '''First Battle of Chin'toka''' was the first offensive launched by |
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+ | | conflict name = First Battle of Chin'toka |
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+ | | part of = the [[Dominion War]] |
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+ | | image = Akira class destroyed by orbital weapon platform.jpg |
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+ | | caption = Dominion orbital weapons platforms opens fire on an Akira-class starship |
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+ | | date = [[2374]] |
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+ | | location = [[Chin'toka system]] |
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+ | | result = [[Federation Alliance]] victory |
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+ | <!-- combatant 1 --> |
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+ | | combatant1 = '''[[Federation Alliance]]''' |
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+ | :[[File:United Federation of Planets logo.svg|22px]] {{Federation}}<br />[[File:Klingon Empire logo.png|22px]] [[Klingon Empire]]<br />[[File:Romulan Star Empire logo.svg|22px]] [[Romulan Star Empire]] |
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+ | | commander1 = [[File:Klingon Empire logo.png|22px]] [[General]] [[Martok]]<br />[[File:United Federation of Planets logo.svg|22px]] [[Captain]] [[Benjamin Sisko]] |
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+ | | strength1 =≥1 {{class|Defiant}} starship<br /> ≥5 {{class|Akira}} starships<br />≥5 {{class|Galaxy}} starships<br />≥6 {{class|Excelsior}} starships<br />≥5 {{class|Miranda}} starships<br />≥20 [[Klingon Bird-of-Prey|Klingon Birds-of-Prey]]<br />≥8 {{class|Vor'cha}} attack cruisers<br />≥11 {{class|D'deridex}} Warbirds |
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+ | | losses1 = Heavy, including at least:<br /> 18 Klingon warships (including 4 Birds of Prey and 3 ''Vor'cha''-class attack cruisers)<br /> 2 ''Akira''-class starships <br /> 1 ''Miranda''-class starship <br /> 2 ''Excelsior''-class starships <br /> 2 ''D'deridex''-class warbirds |
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+ | <!-- combatant 2 --> |
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+ | | combatant2 = [[File:Dominion logo.png|22px]] [[Dominion]] |
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+ | | commander2 = [[File:Dominion logo.png|22px]] [[Weyoun 5|Weyoun]]<br />[[File:Cardassian Union logo.png|18px]] [[Legate]] [[Damar]] |
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+ | | losses2 = All weapon platforms <br /> All Jem'Hadar attack ships (≥16 ships) |
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+ | |strength2=Several hundred [[Cardassian orbital weapon platform]]s<br />5 [[Jem'Hadar attack ship]] squadrons (≥16 ships)}} |
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+ | {{aquote|This is a momentous occasion. It's not every day I embark on a journey to liberate my homeworld.|[[Elim Garak]]|2374|Tears of the Prophets}} |
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⚫ | The '''First Battle of Chin'toka''' was the first offensive launched by the [[Federation Alliance]] into [[Cardassian]] territory during the [[Dominion War]]. The battle, fought in late [[2374]], was a tactical and [[psychological]] victory for the Allies, but failed to lead to a general [[invasion]] of [[Cardassian]] [[space]]. ({{DS9|Tears of the Prophets}}) The [[star system]] remained under almost constant siege by [[Dominion]] forces until it was [[Second Battle of Chin'toka|retaken]] following [[Breen-Dominion Alliance|the Dominion's alliance with the Breen]] in [[2375]]. ({{DS9|The Changing Face of Evil}}) |
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==Prelude== |
==Prelude== |
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− | Apart from the short |
+ | Apart from the short and successful campaign to retake [[starbase]] [[Deep Space 9]] during [[Operation Return]] about eight months previously, the [[Federation]] and [[Klingon Empire]] were fighting a defensive war. Key Federation [[planet]]s such as [[Betazed]] and [[Benzar]] fell to the [[Jem'Hadar]], while core worlds like {{dis|Vulcan|planet}}, [[Alpha Centauri]], and [[Earth]] were coming into range of the Dominion war machine. |
− | However, with the sudden entry of the |
+ | However, with the sudden entry of the [[Romulan Star Empire]] into the war ({{DS9|In the Pale Moonlight}}), the allies had enough combined firepower to launch a full offensive on Dominion-held territory. [[Starfleet Command]], in conjunction with the [[Klingon]] and [[Romulan]] high commands, agreed that the war could be won only by taking the war into enemy territory. |
− | [[ |
+ | [[File:Chintoka tactical map.jpg|thumb|left|The invasion plan]] |
⚫ | The [[Chin'toka system]], located on the [[Cardassian border]], was chosen because the Dominion had drastically weakened the complement of [[warship]]s defending the system – only five [[squadron]]s of [[Jem'Hadar attack ship]]s were left to defend Chin'toka, while the rest were sent to fight on the Romulan border. Admiral [[William Ross|Ross]], [[General]] [[Martok]], and [[Senator]] [[Letant]] ordered an immediate buildup of warships at Deep Space 9 for an attack on Chin'toka. |
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+ | {{bginfo|A [[deleted scene]] also depicted the [[Ventani system]] and [[Torg'Q system]] as possible invasion targets, before settling on Chin'toka. ''[http://www.st-minutiae.com/resources/scripts/550.txt]''}} |
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⚫ | |||
+ | [[File:Cardassian orbital weapon platform.jpg|thumb|Orbital weapon platforms]] |
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− | However, the Chin'toka System was not left as undefended as the allies believed. The Cardassians had developed a new type of [[orbital weapon platform]] that compressed a huge amount of weaponry into an independently |
+ | However, the Chin'toka System was not left as undefended as the allies believed. The Cardassians had developed a new type of [[Cardassian orbital weapon platform]] that compressed a huge amount of weaponry into an independently deployable hull. The platforms were protected by [[regenerative force field]]s, and armed with three heavy [[disruptor]] cannons and one thousand [[plasma torpedo]]es. Hundreds of the platforms were placed around the inhabited [[binary planet]]s in the Chin'toka system. |
⚫ | The allies' intelligence detected the deployment of these weapons barely three days before they were scheduled to go online. However, because of the lack of other vulnerable targets, the decision was made to take the small window of opportunity and attempt to destroy the platforms before they became operational. |
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− | [[Image:First Battle of Chin'toka 1.jpg|thumb|Orbital Weapon Platforms.]] |
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+ | {{clear}} |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | The allies' intelligence detected the deployment of these weapons barely three days before they were scheduled to go online. However, because of the lack of other vulnerable targets, the decision was made to take the small window of opportunity |
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⚫ | |||
+ | [[File:Vor'cha class destroyed.jpg|thumb|left|A ''Vor'cha''-class attack cruiser is destroyed by the Jem'Hadar]] |
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⚫ | |||
+ | [[File:USS Galaxy.jpg|thumb|The USS ''Galaxy'' and a Cardassian orbital weapon platform exchange weapons fire]] |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | The small contingent of Jem'Hadar attack ships defending the system had little care for the odds, though, and brazenly attacked the fleet's flank. In the space of just two minutes, the Jem'Hadar ships managed to cripple or destroy at least 15 Klingon warships – many by ramming the Klingons directly. Undaunted, the fleet advanced into the midst of the deactivated platforms and proceeded to demolish them without resistance. |
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⚫ | However, the Cardassians were able to get the weapon platforms on-line before the allied fleet had a chance to destroy too many of them. The orbital weapons platforms' effect proved devastating – protected by their powerful regenerative shields, the Cardassians could pour heavy fire upon the attacking fleet while suffering practically no losses themselves. Several starships were disabled or destroyed by the platforms' furious barrage. Rather than retreat, however, Captain Sisko chose to continue the fight, correctly believing that if the defense platforms could be defeated, then the system would fall to the allies. |
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⚫ | The small contingent of Jem'Hadar attack ships defending the system had little care for the odds, though, and brazenly attacked the fleet's flank. In the space of just two minutes, the Jem'Hadar ships managed to cripple or destroy at least 15 Klingon warships |
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⚫ | In the chaos of the battle, an unusual anomaly was detected by [[Elim Garak]] – none of the weapons platforms carried their own power source, but were instead powered by a single central generator. This generator was located on a small [[asteroid]]al [[Chin'tokan moon|moon]] in a low orbit around one of the two inhabited Chin'toka planets. If it could be destroyed, the platforms would be powerless. |
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− | [[Image:First Battle of Chin'toka 2.jpg|thumb|left|The platforms open fire.]] |
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⚫ | |||
− | However, the Cardassians had prepared a trap for the allies, making it appear that the weapon platforms were deactivated. Moments after the fleet entered orbit, the platforms flared to life — the defense network had already been completed, and the Cardassians had merely been waiting for the allies to close to point-blank range before opening fire. |
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⚫ | The allies attempted a frontal assault, but proved unable to penetrate the asteroid's defensive shields even with the sustained fire from multiple starships. Chief [[Miles O'Brien]] of the {{USS|Defiant|2370}} proposed tricking the automated platforms to fire on their own power source. Using the ship's [[deflector array]], O'Brien imprinted a Federation [[warp signature]] on the generator, making it appear as if it were an enemy vessel. The orbiting platforms immediately locked onto this large new signal, pouring fire into the asteroid and quickly destroying it. |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | The orbital weapons platforms' effect proved devastating |
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+ | ==Starships present == |
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⚫ | In the chaos of the battle, an unusual anomaly was detected |
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+ | The following is a partial list of [[Federation Alliance]] starships present at the battle. |
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+ | {| class="grey" |
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⚫ | The allies attempted a frontal assault, but proved unable to penetrate the asteroid's defensive shields |
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+ | |- |
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+ | ! Ship Name |
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+ | !Registry |
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+ | ! Class |
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+ | |- |
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+ | |{{USS|Defiant|2370}} |
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+ | |NX-74205 |
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+ | |{{class|Defiant}} |
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+ | |- |
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+ | |{{USS|Galaxy}} |
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+ | |NCC-70637 |
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+ | |{{class|Galaxy}} |
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+ | |- |
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+ | |{{USS|Hood|Excelsior class}} |
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+ | |NCC-42296 |
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+ | |{{class|Excelsior}} |
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+ | |- |
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+ | |{{USS|Nautilus}} |
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+ | |NCC-31910 |
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+ | |{{class|Miranda}} |
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+ | |- |
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+ | |{{IKS|Rotarran}} |
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+ | |N/A |
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+ | |[[Klingon Bird-of-Prey]] |
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+ | |- |
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+ | |{{USS|ShirKahr}} |
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+ | |NCC-31905 |
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+ | |{{class|Miranda}} |
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+ | |- |
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+ | |{{USS|Tian An Men}} |
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+ | |NCC-21382 |
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+ | |{{class|Miranda}} |
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+ | |- |
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+ | |{{USS|Valley Forge}} |
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+ | |NCC-43305 |
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+ | |{{class|Excelsior}} |
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+ | |- |
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+ | |{{USS|Venture|NCC-71854}} |
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+ | |NCC-71854 |
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+ | |{{class|Galaxy}} |
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+ | |- |
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+ | |} |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | Although the hoped-for grand offensive into Dominion territory failed to develop after Chin'toka, the battle nevertheless had major consequences for the conduct of the remainder of the war. The Dominion faced their first major defeat since Operation Return, as well as the spectacular failure of the orbital weapons platforms, which had been a key plan for the Cardassians to upgrade their defensive capabilities. Although the system was lost to the Dominion in the [[Second Battle of Chin'toka]] approximately eight months later, Chin'toka had played an important role in the course of the war. |
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⚫ | The allies also had the opportunity to examine Dominion technology like [[AR-558|Relay Station AR-558]], which boosted the Allies' knowledge of enemy capabilities. However, although the Chin'toka system was nominally in Federation control, it was constantly under attack by Dominion forces. ({{DS9|The Siege of AR-558}}) |
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⚫ | Without more incoming power, the orbital platforms quickly fell silent and were once again easy targets for the allied fleet. |
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+ | {{Dominion War battles}} |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | Although the hoped-for grand offensive into Dominion territory failed to develop after Chin'toka, the battle nevertheless had major consequences for the conduct of the remainder of the war. The Dominion |
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+ | == External link== |
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⚫ | |||
+ | *{{mbeta}} |
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+ | {{featured|date=May 2004|id=23210|re-date=May 2012|re-id=1390119}}[[bg:Първа битка за Чин'тока]] |
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− | Ultimately, the first Battle of Chin'toka proved to have the most impact in terms of morale, as well as reversing the nearly-constant Dominion advances of the preceding six months as more Jem'Hadar had to be diverted for defensive reinforcements. Although the system was lost to the Dominion in the [[Second Battle of Chin'toka]] approximately eight months later, Chin'toka played an important role in the course of the entire war. |
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+ | [[cs:První bitva u Chin'toky]] |
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− | |||
+ | [[de:Erste Schlacht von Chin'toka]] |
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− | {{msg:DWB}} |
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+ | [[ja:第一次チントカ星系の戦い]] |
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− | |||
+ | [[nl:Eerste slag om Chin'toka]] |
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− | {{msg:featured}} |
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+ | [[Category:Conflicts|Chin'toka, First Battle of]] |
Latest revision as of 06:00, 26 November 2023
The First Battle of Chin'toka was the first offensive launched by the Federation Alliance into Cardassian territory during the Dominion War. The battle, fought in late 2374, was a tactical and psychological victory for the Allies, but failed to lead to a general invasion of Cardassian space. (DS9: "Tears of the Prophets") The star system remained under almost constant siege by Dominion forces until it was retaken following the Dominion's alliance with the Breen in 2375. (DS9: "The Changing Face of Evil")
Prelude
Apart from the short and successful campaign to retake starbase Deep Space 9 during Operation Return about eight months previously, the Federation and Klingon Empire were fighting a defensive war. Key Federation planets such as Betazed and Benzar fell to the Jem'Hadar, while core worlds like Vulcan, Alpha Centauri, and Earth were coming into range of the Dominion war machine.
However, with the sudden entry of the Romulan Star Empire into the war (DS9: "In the Pale Moonlight"), the allies had enough combined firepower to launch a full offensive on Dominion-held territory. Starfleet Command, in conjunction with the Klingon and Romulan high commands, agreed that the war could be won only by taking the war into enemy territory.
The Chin'toka system, located on the Cardassian border, was chosen because the Dominion had drastically weakened the complement of warships defending the system – only five squadrons of Jem'Hadar attack ships were left to defend Chin'toka, while the rest were sent to fight on the Romulan border. Admiral Ross, General Martok, and Senator Letant ordered an immediate buildup of warships at Deep Space 9 for an attack on Chin'toka.
However, the Chin'toka System was not left as undefended as the allies believed. The Cardassians had developed a new type of Cardassian orbital weapon platform that compressed a huge amount of weaponry into an independently deployable hull. The platforms were protected by regenerative force fields, and armed with three heavy disruptor cannons and one thousand plasma torpedoes. Hundreds of the platforms were placed around the inhabited binary planets in the Chin'toka system.
The allies' intelligence detected the deployment of these weapons barely three days before they were scheduled to go online. However, because of the lack of other vulnerable targets, the decision was made to take the small window of opportunity and attempt to destroy the platforms before they became operational.
The battle
As the combined fleet entered the Chin'toka System, it seemed as if the allies' projections had been true – Chin'toka was practically undefended and the automated defenses were off-line. Quick victory appeared within reach, with the odds overwhelmingly in the allies' favor.
The small contingent of Jem'Hadar attack ships defending the system had little care for the odds, though, and brazenly attacked the fleet's flank. In the space of just two minutes, the Jem'Hadar ships managed to cripple or destroy at least 15 Klingon warships – many by ramming the Klingons directly. Undaunted, the fleet advanced into the midst of the deactivated platforms and proceeded to demolish them without resistance.
However, the Cardassians were able to get the weapon platforms on-line before the allied fleet had a chance to destroy too many of them. The orbital weapons platforms' effect proved devastating – protected by their powerful regenerative shields, the Cardassians could pour heavy fire upon the attacking fleet while suffering practically no losses themselves. Several starships were disabled or destroyed by the platforms' furious barrage. Rather than retreat, however, Captain Sisko chose to continue the fight, correctly believing that if the defense platforms could be defeated, then the system would fall to the allies.
In the chaos of the battle, an unusual anomaly was detected by Elim Garak – none of the weapons platforms carried their own power source, but were instead powered by a single central generator. This generator was located on a small asteroidal moon in a low orbit around one of the two inhabited Chin'toka planets. If it could be destroyed, the platforms would be powerless.
The allies attempted a frontal assault, but proved unable to penetrate the asteroid's defensive shields even with the sustained fire from multiple starships. Chief Miles O'Brien of the USS Defiant proposed tricking the automated platforms to fire on their own power source. Using the ship's deflector array, O'Brien imprinted a Federation warp signature on the generator, making it appear as if it were an enemy vessel. The orbiting platforms immediately locked onto this large new signal, pouring fire into the asteroid and quickly destroying it.
Without more incoming power, the orbital platforms quickly fell silent and were once again easy targets for the allied fleet. Once the grid was shut down and thus posed no more threat, General Martok began transporting ground troops to the surface of both planets. (DS9: "Tears of the Prophets")
Starships present
The following is a partial list of Federation Alliance starships present at the battle.
Ship Name | Registry | Class |
---|---|---|
USS Defiant | NX-74205 | Defiant-class |
USS Galaxy | NCC-70637 | Galaxy-class |
USS Hood | NCC-42296 | Excelsior-class |
USS Nautilus | NCC-31910 | Miranda-class |
IKS Rotarran | N/A | Klingon Bird-of-Prey |
USS ShirKahr | NCC-31905 | Miranda-class |
USS Tian An Men | NCC-21382 | Miranda-class |
USS Valley Forge | NCC-43305 | Excelsior-class |
USS Venture | NCC-71854 | Galaxy-class |
Aftermath
Although the hoped-for grand offensive into Dominion territory failed to develop after Chin'toka, the battle nevertheless had major consequences for the conduct of the remainder of the war. The Dominion faced their first major defeat since Operation Return, as well as the spectacular failure of the orbital weapons platforms, which had been a key plan for the Cardassians to upgrade their defensive capabilities. Although the system was lost to the Dominion in the Second Battle of Chin'toka approximately eight months later, Chin'toka had played an important role in the course of the war.
The allies also had the opportunity to examine Dominion technology like Relay Station AR-558, which boosted the Allies' knowledge of enemy capabilities. However, although the Chin'toka system was nominally in Federation control, it was constantly under attack by Dominion forces. (DS9: "The Siege of AR-558")
Major battles of the Dominion War |
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2373: Second Battle of Deep Space 9 • Battle of Torros III |
2374: Battle of the Tyra system • Operation Return • Battle of Betazed • Liberation of Benzar • First Battle of Chin'toka |
2375: Destruction of Monac shipyard • Raid on Trelka V • Siege of AR-558 • Battle of Ricktor Prime • Invasion of Septimus III • Breen attack on Earth • Second Battle of Chin'toka • Battle of Rondac III • Attack on Avenal VII • Battle of Cardassia |
External link
- First Battle of Chin'toka at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
Original featured revision (23210) • Diff to current • Last featured revision (1390119) • Diff to current • Blurb