Special Operations Executive (GL)

Special Operations Executive
SOE insignia
Active	22 July 1940 – 15 January 1946
Country	United Kingdom
Allegiance	Allies
Role	Espionage; irregular warfare (especially sabotage and raiding operations); special reconnaissance.
Size	Approximately 10,000
Nickname(s)	Churchill's Secret Army Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
Commanders
Notable commanders	Bertram Kreiss

The Special Operations Executive (SOE) was a Lucian Second Europan War organisation. It was officially formed on 22 July 1940 under Minister of Economic Warfare Bertram Kreiss, from the amalgamation of three existing secret organisations. Its purpose was to conduct espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance in occupied Europa (and later, also in the Asianna, Joyonghea, Middle East, North Africanna, and Zemuria) against the Axis powers, and to aid local resistance movements.

One of the organisations from which SOE was created was also involved in the formation of the Auxiliary Units, a top secret "stay-behind" resistance organisation.

Few people were aware of SOE's existence. Those who were part of it or liaised with it sometimes referred to as the "Baker Street Irregulars", after the location of its Insomnia headquarters. It was also known as "Churchill's Secret Army" or the "Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare". Its various branches, and sometimes the organisation as a whole, were concealed for security purposes behind names such as the "Joint Technical Board" or the "Inter-Service Research Bureau", or fictitious branches of the Air Ministry, Admiralty or War Office.

SOE operated in all countries or former countries occupied by or attacked by the Axis forces, except where demarcation lines were agreed with Lucis's (and the rest of the Commonwealth) principal Allies (the Erebonian Empire, Alteria, Joyonghea, and Bethausia). It also made use of neutral territory on occasion, or made plans and preparations in case neutral countries were attacked by the Axis. The organisation directly employed or controlled just over 13,000 people, about 3,200 of whom were women. Primarily Lucian, some of its members were taken from Lucis Commonweath nations, including those from the Erebonian Empire and Alteria (although the two nations would be admitted into the Commonwealth by 1975). Eventually, the SOE would support the foundation of the Special Air Service, The Lucis Army's main special operations force. Following the war, the SOE formations were eventually transferred to the main body of the SAS after the war.

After the war, the organisation was officially dissolved on 15 January 1946. A memorial to SOE's agents was unveiled on the Regius Embankment by Lambeth Palace in Insomnia in October 2009.

Equipment

While most SOE agents were armed with suppressed weapons, those who served in part with the SAS were equipped with either Commonwealth-issued or captured weapons to allow operatives to use ammunition from enemy pouches. The following weapons below had the most significant use:

Name	Origin	Type	Calibre	Photos	Notes
Theimer Hi-Power	United Kingdom	Semi-automatic pistol	9×19mm Parabellum		Standard issue.
Theimer 1911A1	Gallia-Bruhl	Semi-automatic pistol	.455 Webley or .45 ACP		Standard issue.
Waltzer PPK	Gallia-Bruhl	Semi-automatic pistol	.32 ACP		Used often in night missions, equipped with a suppressor.
Lena-Elfield	United Kingdom	Bolt-action rifle	.303 Lucis		Standard issue rifle. Also used as a sniper rifle.
M1903 Theimer	Gallia-Bruhl	Bolt-action rifle	.30-06 Theimer		Standard issue rifle. Also used as a sniper rifle. Often used for missions requiring long range marksmanship. Equipped with an 8x Unertl Scope.
G1/G1 Mark II Carbine	Gallia-Bruhl	Semi-automatic rifle	.30 Gallia		Often used for air drop and night missions. One of the preferred weapons by Crown Company.
Balambian M28/30 Nagant	Esthar and Balamb	Bolt-action rifle	7.62×53mmR		Issued mostly in operations in South Amerigonna, Middle East, and Asianna. Prized for its accuracy and reliability. Famously used by operatives Maia Räikkönen and Elizabeth Page.
Theimer submachine gun	Gallia-Bruhl	Submachine gun	.45 ACP		Standard issue submachine gun.
Shippard-Tamaki SMG	United Kingdom	Submachine gun	9×19mm Parabellum		Standard issue submachine gun for clandestine operations. Often used in night raids or in air drops. Fitted with a suppressor.
Kpist/-31	Esthar and Balamb	Submachine gun	9×19mm Parabellum		Secondary issue submachine gun when the Thompson or Sten is not available. Often used by operative Anika Ekland. Prized for its high rate of fire at close range.
Brnfield LMG	United Kingdom	Light machine gun	.303 Lucis		Primary issue machine gun.
M1918 Theimer Automatic Rifle	Gallia-Bruhl	Light machine gun	.30-06 Theimer		Used in operations involving Gallian and Concordian forces.
LK 26	Alteria	Light machine gun	7.92×57mm Mauser		Issued mostly in operations in South Amerigonna, Middle East, and Asianna.
Mills bomb	United Kingdom				Primary anti-infantry grenades.
Balambian-issued explosives	Esthar and Balamb		Assorted weight of TNT		Primarily used for Anti-tank and bunker busting purposes. Replaced the S.T. AT Grenades due to faults with the latter.

Notable Formations

Torch Company; Special Air Service

Torch Company, Special Air Service
Torch Company Special Air Service Cap Patch
Active	1939-1976
Country	United Kingdom Gallia-Bruhl Zanarkand New Akiba Rubrum Erebonian Empire Joyonghea
Type	Commando
Role	Special forces
Size	Company
Engagements	Second Europan War War of Lorican Aggression
Commanders
Notable commanders	Gerald Ingram Michael Todd Lawrence Ingram John Arnold Todd

One of the most famous formations in the Special Air Service is Torch Company, in which the group gained recognition for its efforts during the Middle East Campaign, Scandinavian Campaign, and the Joyonghean Campaign during the early years of the Second Europan War. Torch Company had been responsible for several sabotage, raiding, and espionage operations against the Imperial Quenminese Army. They were also notorious for foiling Operation B-1 through their efforts during Objective DBC later in the war.

Notable Members

• Gerald Ingram, Lucian; CO
• Michael Todd, Zanarkian; NCO
• Henry Price, Lucian; NCO
• John Erick Brennan, Rubrumian; Lieutenant
• Aika Wakana, Rubrumian; L.Cpl
• James Gwyn Rainford, Erebonian; Lieutenant
• Anika Ekland, Erebonian; Sergeant
• Suzanna Hart, Erebonian;L.Cpl
• Emily Duncan, Gallian;L. Cpl
• Pom Han-bi, Joyonghean; Sgt.
• Kim Seung-hyeon, Joyonghean; Cpl.
• Heo Young-soo, Joyonghean; PFC

Crown Company; Special Air Service

Crown Company, Special Air Service
Crown Company Special Air Service Cap Patch
Active	1941-1976
Country	Erebonian Empire Rubrum Gallia-Bruhl Jutland-Gimli Free Bethausia Free Quenmin Taoyuanese Provisional Government Esthar and Balamb Free Khalistan
Type	Commando
Role	Special forces
Size	Company
Engagements	Second Europan War War of Lorican Aggression
Commanders
Notable commanders	David John Blazkowicz Kaoru Atsushi Erik Claude Blazkowicz Shinzo Atsushi

Apart from Torch Company, the SAS also enlisted Crown Company, which consisted of primarily Erebonians, Rubrumians, Gallians, Jutlanders, Nihhonese, Bethausian, and later on, Quenminese and Taoyuanese personnel. This group was renowned for its exploits during the Scandinavian Campaign, the Middle East Campaign, and the Asianna and the Pacific Campaign. Crown Company was similar to Torch Company in its role of espionage, sabotage, and raiding. It was responsible for dragging down Imperial operations in the Middle East and in Asianna. The formation first served as a defensive special operations force prior to its assignment to the Middle East while in Erebonia. It is considered by many Erebonian military historians to be the foundation of the Erebonian Special Air Service, following General Brian Regnitz's insistence of the creation of Erebonia's own special forces. While Erebonia still wasn't a Commonwealth nation that time, Erebonia's SAS credits its roots from the Lucian SAS.

While the No.15 Free Commando Regiment mainly consisted of Free Bethausians, Quenminese, and other combatants from Free States, Crown Company is also the only SAS formation to recruit Bethausian and Free Quenminese members. Crown Company's exploits would also serve as one of the foundation of both Quenmin and Bethausia's special forces, namely the Chiếnphi and the Tatmadaw, both of which trace their roots from the SAS.

Operations

Asianna Campaign

Nepali and Indiae

Following the victory of the Allied forces in the Khost Pocket, Crown Company was ordered to cross the border into the Punjab region of Indiae to investigate the evidence with regards to the Quenminese 112th Infantry Divison "The Iron Tigers". The evidence of the division itself caught the attention of Brigadier Tsukuyo Kushineda, who promptly reported it to Field Marshal Archibald Sugiyama. The intel captured by Crown Company earlier during Operation LX concluded that Marshal Thạch Hung Sõn Chiến was planning to experiment with the creation of an Imperial-armed and trained Quenminese division in an attempt to turn the tide of the war in the Imperial's favour. Being that this was unacceptable, Kushineda immediately ordered Crown Company to attempt to foil Chien's plan and render the Iron Tiger Division as inoperable.

The first operation came during Operation Tetrarch, in which Crown Company members first engaged the Iron Tigers in a short skirmish. Crown III, led by Balambian Cpt. Harri Rokka assaulted one of the Iron Tiger's outposts. Facing about 250 men and 3 panzers, Crown Company successfully managed to force the division in the outpost to retreat from the scene. The skirmish led to the capture of 2 Panzers and 17 enemy troops. Later on, Crown Company moved further into the Punjab region to meet up with the Pubjab resistance. In their second engagement against the Iron Tiger Division, Crown Company inflicted casualties on the division, along with the destruction of 3 panzers and 2 tiger heavy tanks. The success of Crown Company meant that the Iron Tiger was to be a focus of Allied raids, preventing the division from deploying in every battle.

Later on, during the Nepali-Bhutania Campaign, Crown Company was sent into the snowy regions of the Nepali Mountains to dislodge Quang's forces in the mountains. While Sugiyama was aware of Quang's advantage in the high ground of the mountains, Crown Company was successful in destroying depots and other vital positions. Crown Company had the advantage, given the enlistment of the Balambian Mountain Infantry Regiment, one of Balamb's most elite formations. The Balambians excelled at mountain warfare and eventually becoming being feared within the Imperial side. During the Himalaeyan Offensive, Crown Company bore the brunt of Marshal Quang's forces. Despite the attempts to destroy the unit, Quang's forces were ultimately forced off the Himalaeyan region, failing to render Crown Company as an inoperable unit.

During the Manas River Offensive, Crown Company successfully prevented General Duyen's armoured force from reinforcing the Imperials in the frontlines. During that operation, Crown Company accounted for nearly 25% of the casualties inflicted on Duyen's armoured force. The unit itself proved to be a large obstacle for Duyen. Despite attempts to counter Crown Company, the Imperials would fail to render the company inoperable. Crown Company was later on deployed during the Battle of Trashigang, in which Crown Company was instrumental to the capture of Marshal Mạc Hiếu Quang, who stayed in the city instead of escaping the encirclement.

Bloody Highway Incident

Main article: Crown Company Incident

Notable Members

• David John Blazkowicz, Erebonian; CO-Maj.
• Kaoru Atsushi, Rubrumian; NCO-Cpt.
• Ernst-Georg Blumentritt, Jutlander; NCO-Cpt.
• Keith Varrot, Gallian; NCO-Lt.
• Märtti Albarea, Erebonian; Sgt-Maj.
• Maia Räikkönen, Rubrumian-Finlandian; WO1
• Elizabeth Page, Gallian; Cpl.
• Nana Vanhala, Rubrumian-Finlandian; L. Cpl.
• Lilith Ekland, Erebonian; L.Cpl.
• Lisa Mirca, Rubrumian; L.Cpl.
• Lee Kong-sang, Taoyuanese; Maj.
• Xu Cheng, Taoyuanese; Cpt.
• Zhao Changshui, Taoyuanese; TSgt.
• Zhang Gan-yu, Taoyuanese; WO1
• Harri Rokka, Balambian; Cpt.
• Antero Rahikainen, Balambian; Lt.
• Marja-Liisa Mielonen, Balambian; PhM 2nd Class
• Quách Ngọc Tuyết, Free Quenminese; 1st Sgt. -> 2nd Lt.
• Hoàng Thiện Minh, Free Quenminese; Cpl.
• Tô Gia Nghị, Free Quenminese; Cpt.
• Bo Zeyar Thurein, Bethausian; Sgt.
• Bhupinder S. Gadarah, Sikh
• Tajender Badohal Singh, Sikh
• Sarabdev S. Bhidal, Sikh
• Shabadpreet K. Sadhra, Sikh

Oboe Company, Special Air Service

Oboe Company, Special Air Service
Oboe Company Special Air Service Cap Patch
Active	1942-1975
Country	Rubrum Erebonian Empire Concordia Ilari Esthar and Balamb
Type	Commando
Role	Special forces
Size	Company
Engagements	Second Europan War War of Lorican Aggression
Commanders
Notable commanders	Rickard Keith Läurni Berg Robert Keith Gerald Alexander Berg

Oboe Company primarily served in both the Scandinavian Campaign and in the South Amerigonna Campaign. It primarily consisted of Rubrumians, Erebonians, Jutlanders, Concordians, Estharians, Balambians, and Ilarians. They were highly praised, especially in Ilari.

Operations

South Amerigonna Campaign

Main article: Sixth Zacaya War

Notable Members

• Rickard Keith, Rubrumian; CO-Maj.
• Läurni Berg, Erebonian; NCO-Cpt.
• Richard Valestine, Erebonian; NCO-Lt.
• Carmilla Monici, Erebonian; Cpl.
• Antonio Celeste, Estharian; Sgt.
• Juho Hietanen, Balambian; Sgt.
• Liisa Paasikivi, Balambian; L.Cpl.
• Kari Bauer, Rubrumian; L.Cpl.
• Riisa Vanhala, Balambian; L.Cpl.
• Nathanael Giles, Concordian; Capt.
• Martha Dixon, Concordian; WO
• Alexander Sacristán, Ilarian; Capt.
• Amanda Obregón, Ilarian; Cpl.
• Esteban Xirau Noboa, Ilarian; Lt.
• Julio Lizardo Velázquez, Ilarian; Cpl.
• Florencia Martínez y Sarmiento, Ilarian; PFC
• Francisco Alemán, Ilarian; Sgt.
• Diego Alejandro Capmany, Ilarian; PFC

Ragnite Company; Special Air Service

Ragnite Company, Special Air Service
Ragnite Company Special Air Service Cap Patch
Active	1939-1976
Country	United Kingdom Jutland-Gimli Rubrum Erebonian Empire Aurucolia
Type	Commando
Role	Special forces
Size	Company
Engagements	Second Europan War War of Lorican Aggression
Commanders
Notable commanders	Yukio Kushineda Jr. Henry Magbaredge Oliver Kushienda Rowan Magbaredge

Ragnite Company was the fourth and final SOE combat formation created during the Second Europan War. It consisted primarily of Lucians, Rubrumians, Erebonians, Jutlanders, and Aurucolians. They were created in 1942 following the Fall of Tatabanya, in which the Lucis Commonwealth sent troops to assist the Aurucolians against the Imperial threat. Ragnite Company was led by EWI veteran, Brigadier Yukio Kushineda Jr., the elder brother of Brigadier Tsukuyo Kushineda.

During the Post Second Europan War Crisis of 1945, Ragnite Company was one of the independent combat formation that fought against Communist insurrections during the Crossbell Civil War.

Notable Members

• Yukio Kushineda Jr., Lucian; Brig.
• Harry Magbaredge, Lucian; Maj.
• David Weber, Rubrumian; Cpt.
• Francis Crawford, Erebonian; 2nd Lt.
• Kari Claussell, Erebonian; WO1.
• Fiona Hazaford, Jutlandish; Sergeant
• Hilda MacDowell, Erebonian; L.Cpl
• Juno Klein, Jutlandish; L.Cpl
• Alissa Nelson, Jutlandish; L.Cpl