View source for Custer's Carnival - 2649

{{infobox military conflict
| conflict    = Custer's Carnival
| partof      = [[Terran-Kilrathi War]]
| image       = 
| caption     = 
| date        = 2649.205 - .208
| place       = [[G'wriss System]]
| coordinates = 
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| latitude    = 
| longitude   = 
| map_size    = 
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| territory   = 
| result      = Kilrathi Victory
| status      = 
| combatant1  = [[Terran Confederation]]
| combatant2  = [[Empire of Kilrah]]
| combatant3  = 
| commander1  = 
| commander2  = 
| commander3  = 
| units1      = 
| units2      =
| units3      = 
| strength1   = G'wriss Assault Force<br>''[[TCS Tiger's Claw]]''
| strength2   = Defense Force
| strength3   = 
| casualties1 = ''TCS Tiger's Claw'' heavily damaged<br>Over fifty percent pilot casualities
| casualties2 = 
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| notes       = 
}}

'''Custer's Carnival''' was a 2649 rearguard action between the [[Terran Confederation]] and the [[Empire of Kilrah]]. 

Confederation High Command on 2649.189, using information on Kilrathi fleets and deployments gained through their breaking of Kilrathi encryption methods, assembles a force consisting of 60% of the [[Vega Sector Fleet]] aimed at invading and occupying [[Kilrah]] itself. Given the overwhelming superiority in force and information as well as strategy, a victory seems well in hand to Confederation strategists.

Terran ground forces launch an attack on a fortified [[Kilrathi]] colony in the G'wriss system, only to be routed by unexpected Kilrathi fighter support. The [[TCS Tiger’s Claw]] is detached from its previous station and assigned to lead the relief operation to evacuate the ground forces back to Confederation space. The three day long delaying action eventually becomes known as Custer’s Carnival. Swarmed and badly damaged by Kilrathi fighters, the ''Tiger's Claw'' distracts Kilrathi forces long enough for the Terran fleet to evacuate and reach safety. 

Despite the fact that three-fourths of its engines are destroyed and half its pilots are listed as casualties, the heroic efforts of the ''Claw''’s crew allow the carrier to also make it back into [[Terran]] space. Two [[Gold Stars]], one awarded to Lt. [[James Taggart]], and numerous other medals - many of them posthumous - are awarded to the ship’s personnel. The carrier itself spends six months in spacedock for repairs and refitting.

[[category:Terran-Kilrathi War]]
[[category:Battles]]