Star Trek Expanded Universe
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Battle of Getha
Part of Dominion War
Battle of Getha01
Date: 2375
Location: Getha system
Result: Federation victory
COMBATANTS
Federation Alliance Dominion
COMMANDERS
Admiral William Ross, General Martok, Ar'nal Velal unknown
STRENGTH
8,350 Federation, Klingon and Romulan starships nearly 18,000 Dominion, Cardassian and Breen starships
MATERIAL LOSSES
around a half of the Romulan's fleet; one third of the total force two thousand+
CASUALTIES
heavy unknown
CONFLICT CHRONOLOGY
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Liberation of Betazed Battle of Cardassia

The Battle of Getha was a Federation Alliance offensive launched at the end of the Dominion War that took place in the Getha system, less than a light year from the Cardassia system. (The Dominion War Sourcebook: The Fires of Armageddon)

With the creation of a countermeasure to the Breen energy dissipator the Federation and Romulan fleets rejoined the conflict and the Federation Alliance continued its advance. The Female Changeling made the decision to pull out all her forces from Federation, Klingon and Romulan space to form a tighter defensible perimeter as well as offer the Alliance a chance to also pull back and recuperate. Instead the Alliance decided to launch an attack against Cardassia Prime.

The Alliance gathered 8,350 Starfleet, Klingon and Romulan vessels and headed towards the Cardassia system. The Alliance fleet was met by the Dominion less than a light year from the Cardassia system at the Getha system. The Dominion amassed a massive fleet, nearly 18,000 vessels to repulse the enemy. The Federation Alliance split its forces into three groups, Starfleet wings struck the centre while the Klingons and Romulans attacked the flanks. The Dominion's lines held causing significant losses to the Federation Alliance, in particular the Romulans who lost their flagship, the Vereleus-class Ko'nar with all hands and nearly half their forces and required reinforcement by Starfleet vessels. Admiral William Ross and General Martok attempted to take advantage of the thinly spread center lines of the Dominion but met with little success. As the Federation Alliance's losses mounted it began to seem as if they would be forced to abandon their bold assault.

Salvation came in the hands of an unexpected source: the Cardassian fleet. The Dominion's heavy handed attempt to quell a building rebellion on Cardassia Prime saw the Cardassian military turn on their allies. The initial surprise saw over two thousand Dominion and Breen ships destroyed. The Alliance renewed their push and after three hours of battle the Female Changeling ordered her forces to disengage and mass around Cardassia Prime for a last stand.

Thanks to the Cardassians the Alliance won the engagement and had driven the Dominion back to the Cardassian system. Suffering the loss of a third of their forces so far Admiral Ross initially wanted to end the battle there and just contain the Dominion. Captain Benjamin Sisko and General Martok argued to continue the push and finish off the Dominion rather than allow them a respite to rebuild and rearm. Despite the predictions of a further 40% losses Ross agreed and the Federation Alliance fleet encircled Cardassia Prime in preparation to bring the Dominion to its knees. (DS9: "What You Leave Behind"; The Dominion War Sourcebook: The Fires of Armageddon)

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