The Battle of Maputo was part of Operation Taurus, the largest urban battle to take place during the AU War for Independence. The battling faction consisted mostly of Unity Defense forces and the Prussian Armed Forces fighting directly in the city. Approximately 25,000 Prussians we’re defending the city, while UDC had 20,000 troops. In addition, approximately 100 Nebelparder IIK Tanks were in the city, compared to the 250 M28A4 Basilisk MBTs. UDC also brought 150 M44A3 CEP V1 Spartan Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicles to attack the city. With its thick armor and fast-firing 35mm gun with very good elevation angles, the Spartan would prove invaluable in taking the city, blocks at a time. Along with them, 100 M29A1 Puma Heavy Armored Personnel Carriers were brought in. These vehicles could transport twelve fully-loaded troops while being able to withstand a tank cannon and and any MANPATS the Prussians could bring to bear. The Prussians did bring over 350 combat vehicles varying in type, along with a large amount of aircraft.
On the 1st of August, 2017, a preemptive naval force led by 15 Athena-Class Guided Missile Cruisers, 12 MK210-Class frigates, 10 MK211-Class destroyers, and 10 MK212-Class cruisers cleared the way of Prussian Navy vessels, only losing the frigate San Bernardino.
With Prussian ships neutralized, UDAF planes dropped pamphlets in both Afrikaner and German warning both civilians and defenders that the city would soon be under imminent bombardment and invasion.
On the 3rd of August, the 25 cruise-missile armed ships began launching missiles at critical infrastructure and military targets, knocking out the power grid and several important military assets.
On the 5th of August, at 0330 local time, the invasion took place. The night landing, while risky, was effective due to Prussian unpreparedness to a night landing, a beach head was established by 0500.
Fighting was fierce: building were fought for room by room, and floor by floor, where superior UDC CQB training and tactics showed through. A favorite weapon in these situations was the AR-3C (also known as the AR-300, after its caliber), firing the powerful .300 Blackout cartridge, proved immensely effective at close range and provided an intermediate between the lighter 5.56mm assault rifles and the heavier 7.62mm battle rifles.
By the 12th of August, most of the city was either in ruin or about to be. Spartan Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicles proved invaluable in providing high-angle fire support with its 35mm autocannons and heavy armor, resistant to MANPATS systems. Encounters with Nebelparder IIK tanks increased as UDC forces pushed towards the center of the city, and the Basilisk MBTs were brought up to deal with them. The Basilisks, armed with L/55 120mm guns could easily defeat Nebelparders at the distances involved, especially when shooting at the IIKs weakspots. In addition, AT4 and Javelin anti-tank systems were carried on board in case the main gun could not be brought to bear on any targets. The M28A4 and it’s derivatives, the M44A3 CEP V1 and the M29A1 proved excellent in urban combat, usually leading and tailing convoys due to its mine-resistant V-hull structure.
Fighting reached its head on August 17th, with the newly reinforced 4th Panzer Corps crashed headlong into the 17th Armored Division which was holding the city center and the surrounding streets. The 4th Panzer Corps pushes the 17th Armored back six blocks before several cruise missile strikes and air support weakened the attacking spearhead. Along with heavy armored support, pushed the 4th Panzer back to the original front line.
At this point in the battle, the frontline in the city had left buildings collapsed, roads cratered, and pipes spewing water in the air, leaving a large scar across the city.
On the 21st of August, UDC Forces has pushed the Prussians out of most of the city, and fighting was contained to the outskirts and surrounding countryside, where superior Prussian numbers held UDC at bay while both sides brought up reinforcements. UDC Paladin SPHs shelled the Prussians non-stop.
On the 23rd of August, at 0430 hours local time, a concerted barrage of 150 six-inch guns and fire support from the warships posted near the port, the final push to take the outskirts of Maputo. The reinforced 17th Armored Division, along with the famous 7th Armored Division would spearhead the attack with their Basilisks while the 14th Mechanized Division and the 5th Mechanized Division would follow suit, carrying the survivors of the heavily depleted 43rd Infantry Division which wouldn’t rotate out of Maputo until a week after the battles conclusion.
The attack was a complete success. The 4th Panzer Corps was almost completely destroyed and it’s late reinforcement, the 6th Panzer Corps was completely cut off from being able to relieve their allies. The 6th Panzer Corps would be turned away from Maputo and would never get the chance to attempt to take the city back. On the 30th of August, Operation Taurus was declared an astounding success, not without losses. 9,900 troops, 12 Tanks, 20 IFVs of varying types, 90 APCs, 24 aircraft, 35 helicopters, and 15 artillery pieces.
A memorial was set in the city center, where the heaviest fighting was. A gutted M28A4 that was the only one to be destroyed in the fighting was cosmetically restored. A granite wall with the names of all 9,900 soldiers that died. Engraved above them in UDCs motto: Actus non Verba, meaning “Actions not Words”.