Operation Hydercide
Operation Hydercide (15 November 1942 – 26 December 1942) was a combined Allied commando raid on the Tartaglia Heavy Water Plant in the Tartaglia Mountain Range, a part of the Andas Mountains in Archadia-Archedes. The Tartaglia Mountain Range is the location of one of the Heavy Water plants used by the Imperials to develop an atomic bomb, codenamed Plan AB. Not only that, but the Imperials and the Quenminese had established several interests in the Andas Mountains being that it was the perfect location to gather Heavy Water before transporting them to either Quenmin or East Europa by submarine. The consequences of the Imperials producing an atomic bomb was deemed unacceptable by Allied High Command, hence the SOE was sent in to destroy the plant. The operations were carried out by the Rubrumian Special Air Service, Erebonian Special Air Service, the Estharian-Dalmascan No.14 Combined Commando, and several SOE-trained Ilarian troops. The operation consisted of the first phase, which was contacting the Archadian Partisans, who would guide the commandos to the Andas Mountains, then the infiltration of the commandos in the plant to destroy it, and exfiltration from the region via the La Signora River.
The operation was a complete success for the Allies, and one of the first and biggest blows to the Imperial War Effort. The operation drastically reduced the chances of creating an atomic bomb for the Imperials. Following this, more hydroelectric plants were converted throughout the Andas Mountains from Archadia to Guadosalam. However, the Allied Commandos were successful in destroy these plants. In addition, the Imperial plans for the Atomic Bomb were eventually scrapped in 1945 as the war neared its end. Following Operation Hydercide, the Special Parachute Service I was created as a combined formation consisting of SOE operatives from the Rubrumian and Erebonian SAS, Estharian and Dalmascan Commandos, and Ilarian operatives.
Background
Prior to the war, the plant was used to power several military installations and towns in the Andas Region. However, the Hydra Archadia Company realised a new project - the production of Heavy Water through means of Electrolysis. This discovery eventually alerted the Imperials powers, especially the Autocratic East Europan Imperial Alliance and the Empire of Quenmin, who were pursuing a tide-turning weapon. The two nations eventually signed an agreement with the Archadian and Guadonian government, dubbed the Tartaglia Agreement, in which the 4 powers would work cooperatively on developing an atomic bomb to turn the tide in their favour.
The fact that the Imperials had the opportunity to build a superweapon was unacceptable to the Allies, hence there were several attempts to undermine the production. It wasn't until 1941 that the Imperial project became known to the Allies. There were several moves to disrupt its development, but out of the 7 missions that were sent, only 3 were able to succeed. By 1942, the Imperial project was nearing its climax. The Archadian Resistance provided the Allies with intel as regards to the project being headed by several Imperial officers and political leaders. Eventually, it was decided that year that the main plant of producing heavy water was to be destroyed in order to prevent the Imperials from developing an atomic bomb.
Mission
The operation began in 15 November 1942, when operatives from the SOE were inserted into Archadia via a fishing boat. The arrived through the port of Santo Angelo. The operatives were taken to the Andas Mountains by Archadian Partisans and were given shelter until the start of their operations. The SOE operatives were led by Major Rickard Keith, a member of the Rubrumian SAS. He was accompanied by Erebonian, Balambian, Estharian, and Ilarian operatives in the operation. His men numbered to at least 50 men. The 200 were later sent by the Ilarian High Command in order to help with the operation's success. The team was to wait for a few days for the Archadian Mafia to clear the area of Archadian military presence in the vicinity near the camp.
While this was happening, the SOE managed to help the Archadian Partisans with several tasks that also contributed to the success of the operation, one of which was the destruction of an Imperial Air Field near the Andas Mountains. By that time, winter approached, which heavily favoured Blazkowicz and his men. After cooperating with the partisans, the group was finally given the signal to raid the facility on the night of the 21st of December. The SOE team was inserted via a lorry driven by Partisans. Supplies required by the Commandos were dropped by the Ilarian Air Force. The containers contained several charges, including several 4kgs of Balambian TNT Stick Grenades.
After several attempts to undermine the facility, the Imperials placed mines, floodlights, and additional guards surrounding the plant. While the mines and lights remained in place, security was rather weak due to the winter. During that day, A Quenminese contingent was tasked with guarding the facility. The SOE force engaged in a silent firefight using suppressed weapons prior to entering the facility. While Blazkowicz led the 1st Platoon into the Facility, the 2nd Platoon led by Captain Läurni Berg stayed in the courtyard to rendezvous with the nearby Archadian Partisans, who were to cover the SOE team's escape before they themselves would retreat into the woods. Blazkowicz's team went into the facility and encountered an Archadian caretaker named Amadeo, who was willing to cooperate with them.
The saboteurs then placed explosive charges on the heavy-water electrolysis chambers, and attached a fuse which allowed sufficient time for their escape. In an attempt to prevent reprisals, a Theimer submachine gun was purposely left behind to indicate that this was the work of Allied forces and not the local resistance. The caretaker managed to escape along with the Blazkowicz's team. As the team escaped, the charges detonated, destroying the electrolysis chambers.
The rain was successfuly. The entire inventory of heavy water that was a big contribution to the war effort, over 1000 kgs, was destroyed with equipment critical to the operation of the electrolysis chambers. Although the Quenminese and Archadian soldiers were sent to search the area for the commandos, all escaped; all 50 commandos, including 14 wounded, were smuggled out of Archadia by the partisans, where they were shipped back to Ilari under the cover of night on the 24th of December.
Aftermath
With the destruction of the Tartaglia Heavy Water Plant, the Imperial developments on the Atomic Bomb were wholly affected, being that the plant contributed 50% of the project's progress. The destruction of the Tartaglia Plant meant that the Imperials had to not only relocate their projects to another plant and convert more hydroelectric plants into heavy water producing plants, but also that the project had tremendously slowed down. The news of the destruction of the plant reached several leaders. According to some accounts, the leaders were shocked with the surprise allied raid and sabotage of the plant.
"That plant was our saving grace, and we could not save it."
- Quenminese Prime Minister Ly Hoc Thao Vien
"It is impossible for us now to end this conflict swiftly."
- Quenminese Imperial Marshal Thạch Hung Sõn Chiến