Date of event: October 14, UC 0079
Location: Desert plains north of the Earth Federation territory, coordinates classified
Estimated duration of engagement: 6 hours
Within the broader context of the One Year War between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon, one of the most tactically significant mid-war encounters was the assault led by Commander Ramba Ral against the Pegasus-class assault carrier known as White Base. This offensive, which followed several days of tracking and infiltration by Zeon forces, showcased both Ral’s military prowess and the rising threat posed by the prototype RX-78-2 Gundam and its young, inexperienced pilot, Amuro Ray.
Background: Pursuit in the Desert
Following a series of prior skirmishes—some in space and others within Earth’s atmosphere—the White Base was in a transitional phase, attempting to reach a Federation stronghold for critical repairs and to deliver vital mobile suit development data.
Zeon, aware that the vessel carried top-secret experimental technology, including the Gundam itself, launched a special operation led by the seasoned Commander Ramba Ral. Known for his charisma and unblemished combat record, Ral was put in charge of a tactical unit equipped with the newly developed MS-07B Gouf—designed to surpass the now-outdated Zaku II in ground-based close-quarters combat.
Zeon’s Preparations and Strategy
Ral and his team advanced via armored transports, shadowing White Base closely while using ground scouts and limited air support to avoid premature detection. The commander understood that the goal was not simply to destroy White Base, but also to test the Gouf’s performance in a real battlefield scenario against the Gundam—an adversary whose battlefield dominance had become legendary.
Ral chose a direct assault strategy, leveraging terrain familiarity and combat experience. He timed the offensive to strike when the Gundam's pilot, Amuro Ray, was absent from the defensive perimeter—further increasing the likelihood of success.
Commencement of the Attack: Breaking the Defensive Line
At dawn, Zeon forces initiated their offensive with suppressive fire across White Base’s outer perimeter. The Federation's defenders, mostly young cadets acting as an improvised crew, were caught off guard. Ral’s Gouf spearheaded the assault, deploying its heat rod to disable fixed defenses and mobile suits like the Gunperry and Guntank that scrambled to return fire.
The disparity in combat experience was immediately evident. Despite their bravery, Sayla Mass, Kai Shiden, and Hayato Kobayashi were swiftly forced into a defensive posture, their lines buckling under pressure. At this point, the threat of White Base being overrun was real and imminent.
Amuro Ray’s Return: Turning the Tide
Amid the chaos, and in a seemingly providential moment, Amuro Ray returned with the Gundam after a brief absence caused by internal conflict with Captain Bright Noa. According to later testimonies, Amuro had left the ship out of frustration and emotional exhaustion, but upon detecting the attack, he returned without hesitation.
The psychological impact of Amuro’s return was nearly as powerful as the physical force of the Gundam itself. Within minutes, the white mobile suit surged onto the battlefield, intercepting the Gouf and forcing Ral to retreat momentarily to reassess the situation.
Clash of Titans: Gouf vs. Gundam
What followed was one of the most studied duels of the mobile suit era. Unlike typical long-range battles, the Gouf and Gundam engaged in direct melee combat, testing not only mechanical capability but pilot reflexes and tactical improvisation. The Gouf’s heat rod briefly entangled the Gundam’s shield, disabling it, while Ral closed in with a saber strike.
Amuro, demonstrating reflexes exceeding even those of veteran pilots, activated the Gundam’s jump-assist system to evade and counterattacked with a clean strike, damaging the Gouf’s right arm. At that moment, Ral fully realized the magnitude of the Gundam’s threat—not just as a machine, but as a symbol of a new kind of warfare.
Strategic Withdrawal by Ral
With his unit diminished, no aerial support, and his mobile suit damaged, Ral made the difficult yet strategic decision to withdraw. Though he had failed to destroy White Base, he succeeded in gathering invaluable tactical data on the Gundam and its pilot. This information would later be relayed to Zeon high command, directly influencing the development and deployment of next-generation suits like the Dom and the Gelgoog.
Aftermath of the Engagement
Ramba Ral’s assault did not achieve its primary goal, but its long-term implications were significant:
- Federation Morale Boost: The successful defense strengthened the cohesion and confidence of White Base’s crew, particularly the relationship between Amuro and the rest of the team.
- Recognition of Amuro Ray’s Talent: Despite his youth, Amuro proved to be a critical asset to the Federation. His battlefield instincts were beginning to resemble those of a Newtype—though the term had not yet entered official military vocabulary.
- Zeon Tactical Adaptation: Ral’s first-hand experience with the Gundam drove a reevaluation of Zeon combat doctrine. The Gouf, though powerful, was ultimately insufficient against the Gundam’s versatility. Zeon responded by accelerating the development of new mobile suits and refining their engagement strategies.
- Personal Tragedy Amid War: On a more intimate note, Sayla Mass—a key crew member of White Base—was deeply shaken upon recognizing Ral, who had been connected to her family prior to the war. This added a deeply human and tragic layer to the engagement.
Commander Ramba Ral would not survive many days beyond this encounter. In his final act of heroism, he launched a direct infiltration of White Base, ultimately perishing in close combat against the Gundam. His death is remembered as both suicidal and legendary.
Nonetheless, the desert assault solidified his reputation as an honorable strategist—one who could recognize enemy talent and prioritize the lives of his subordinates. His legacy would go on to influence even future Federation enemies, who studied his tactics and leadership long after his passing.
The engagement of October 14, UC 0079—known informally as “Stop Ral’s Attack”—was far more than a simple skirmish. It marked a decisive moment when the war began to shift away from Zeon’s veterans and toward a new generation of combatants, with Amuro Ray emerging as a vanguard figure.
Though ultimately a failed operation, Ramba Ral’s assault served as a catalyst for emotional and technological evolution on both sides, and became a defining episode in the history of terrestrial warfare during the UC 0079 conflict.