Battle of Kankan (Donald King Timeline)

The Battle of Kankan was a defining moment in the Guinea War, revealing the inability of American forces to effectively fight a guerrilla war with insurgents. Despite a nominal US victory, over 800 troops were killed in the operation, and the event catalyzed considerable American impatience with the war effort. Similar US campaigns in Coyah, Port Kamsar, and Gueckedou, as well as a Second Battle of Kankan, would occur in subsequent years. The battle is often regarded as symbolic of the Guinea War.

=Background=

After the US occupation, Kankan became a stronghold for the militia insurgency, and virtually became occupied by ecocentrists, as most American troops were deployed near the capital city of Conarky. Many insurgents based in Kankan would attack mineral mines and infrastructure, much of it owned by Bruce Industries. Kankan was an essential ecocentrist base during the February offensive, and after the troop surge of 2063, President Donald King ordered a large campaign in the city.

=Battle and Aftermath=

American forces surrounded Kankan with superconducting artillery, battle bots, Mechas, and some 50,000 soldiers. Hypersonic drones participated in extensive airstrikes that killed both militia members and civilians alike. Moving in to occupy and secure the city, US forces encountered a large maze of improvised explosives that were detonated remotely by insurgents. These concealed mines and munitions destroyed infantry exoskeletons, Mechas, and bots. Furthermore, militia units ambushed US troops using 3D printed assault weapons, including mortar rounds fitted with a HEAT shaped-charge. 3D printing made the production of such weaponry cheap and ubiquitous (the US military, on the other hand, used highly expensive and sophisticated antimatter explosives, electromagnetic assault rifles, and robots). Militias often possessed powerful shaped-charge warheads that could penetrate armour, while rockets and concealed explosives always damaged even the most defended troop caravans.

Despite ultimately securing the city by Christmas Day, the US lost over 800 soldiers. Some 15,000 militia members were also killed. The controversial US tactic of using antimatter munitions in heavily populated urban zones caused much destruction, and killed over 5,000 civilians.

=Legacy= The Battle of Kankan is perhaps the most famous campaign of the Guinea War. The massive number of US troop deaths, the resultant urban destruction, the effective use of guerrilla tactics by militia units, and the great number of civilian casualties severely damaged American trust in the military. Subsequent battles in Coyah, Port Kamsar, Gueckedou, and the Second Battle of Kankan would cause a similar level of destruction and catalyze continuing harm to the war's public relations effort at home.