NAME: Johannes Krauer

BIRTHDATE: January 3rd 2265

BIRTHPLACE: Durban, African Southern Region, Earth

AFFILIATION: Terran Imperial Union Navy

RANK: Captain

FATE: Killed in Action, 8th October 2299 (First Battle of Toyr’diablo)

Krauer was commissioned an Ensign when he was 19 years old. He was well known for his stubbornness and unwillingness to compromise, two qualities that were highly valued in the Navy during the early days of first contact with the Dakota Republic.

Fear of the Dakota invading, led to officers like Krauer being promoted due to their tough views on keeping the Dakota out of Union Space.

Krauer’s first command came when he was a 27 year old Lieutenant, he was given command of the U.S.S. Durango (SPC-3215) – a system patrol craft operating out of Alpha Centauri. An uneventful assignment, but he proved himself to be a capable ship commander.

As a Lieutenant-Commander aboard the U.S.S. Nairobi (SFG-899) two years later he would see his first combat against the Dakota during the frontier skirmishes in 2289.

When the Nairobi was attacked and the Commanding Officer killed, the XO assumed command and Krauer filled in as acting XO – a job he did very well, the Nairobi was able to chase away her attackers and destroy a Dakota frigate.

Krauer was promoted to Commander and given command of the U.S.S. Patton (SCA-703) in 2294. As a commanding officer of a main capital ship it became clear to fellow commanders and Krauer’s own crew that he is a hard man to deal with at the best of times. Even after being promoted to Captain, Krauer found that higher assignments to bigger ships were not forthcoming.

In 2296 at the Battle of Van Gaal, Krauer gave the infamous order to retreat after the loss of the U.S.S. Roanoke (SDD-1081). This controversial decision cost the lives of all aboard the C.S.V. Nile Road (TC-26) including the lives of Mary and Sam Caine, the wife and child of Major John Caine. It was a decision Caine would never forgive and never let Krauer forget.

The Battle of Van Gaal severely tarnished Krauer’s reputation; other commanders began to shun him as his notoriety as an arrogant coward became more widely circulated throughout the fleet.

Krauer found himself and his ship attached the to the Reinager Invasion Group with Caine being reinstated as Air Wing Commander – something Krauer found very irritating.

On 8th October 2299 the Invasion Group was attacked by a Dakota Strike Force – after the loss of the Group’s command ship – the U.S.S. Canberra (SCG-2008) Krauer began to panic, with the Dakota having slightly superior firepower, more ships and a massive dreadnought, he attempted to take command of the fleet and order a withdrawal. This order was immediately countermanded by fellow ship commanders amongst the Invasion Group and the chain of command quickly broke down with no one knowing who had authority. Some ships did indeed follow Krauer’s orders and retreated, some stayed – the result was total defeat.

Krauer attempted to round up surviving fighters and withdraw, however in the confusion the Patton collided headfirst into a badly damaged U.S.S. Hornblower (SDD-1073), Krauer and his crew were all killed as both ships were destroyed instantly.

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