OVA
Description
Willibald Joachim von Merkatz was born in 738 UC (429 IC / 3538 CE). He attained the rank of Imperial admiral, achieving flag officer status by at least 791 UC (482 IC / 3591 CE). Early in his career, he commanded the Merkatz Fleet from the flagship *Nördlingen*. Notable actions included rescuing Reinhard von Lohengramm's damaged destroyer *Hameln II* in 791 UC and participating in the Sixth Battle of Iserlohn in 794 UC (485 IC / 3594 CE) against Alliance forces.
By the Battle of Astarte in 796 UC (487 IC / 3596 CE), Merkatz served as a full admiral under Reinhard von Lohengramm. Initially skeptical of Reinhard's tactics, he later acknowledged the younger admiral's genius following the Imperial victory. Known for his conventional yet effective command style, contemporaries such as Oskar von Reuenthal noted a lack of adaptability that hindered further promotion.
Forced into the Lippstadt Rebellion later in 796 UC after Emperor Friedrich IV's death, Merkatz became commander-in-chief of the aristocratic coalition under duress from Duke Otto von Braunschweig, who threatened his family. His strategic advice to consolidate forces at Geiersburg Fortress was undermined by internal dissent and Braunschweig's interference. Marquis Littenheim's unsanctioned sortie cost a third of their fleet, and Braunschweig's nuclear attack on Westerland shattered morale. After the rebellion collapsed, Merkatz defected to the Free Planets Alliance with his adjutant Bernhard von Schneider, rejecting suicide to preserve his honor and continue resisting Reinhard.
Within the Alliance, Merkatz received "guest admiral" status, equivalent to a vice admiral in Yang Wen-li's Iserlohn Garrison Fleet. He maintained loyalty to the fallen Goldenbaum Dynasty, wearing his Imperial uniform and serving primarily as a tactical advisor. His first combat role occurred during the Eighth Battle of Iserlohn in 798 UC (489 IC / 3598 CE). Temporarily commanding the garrison in Yang's absence, he inflicted heavy losses on Admiral Neidhart Müller's fleet using Alliance Spartanians in direct strikes—a tactic reflecting his Imperial preference for massed small craft assaults.
When the Galactic Empire Legitimate Government formed around the kidnapped child emperor Erwin Josef II on Heinessen later in 798 UC, Merkatz accepted the position of Minister of Military Affairs and Fleet Admiral, despite Schneider's observation that the role was largely symbolic. He departed Iserlohn to join the government-in-exile, viewing it as a continuation of his loyalty to the Goldenbaum throne. During Operation Ragnarök, he commanded a fleet under Yang Wen-li's broader strategy. After Yang's death, he transferred allegiance to Julian Mintz and the Iserlohn Republic.
Merkatz was killed in action during the Battle of Shiva in 801 UC (3 NIC / 492 IC / 3601 CE) at age 63. His flagship *Hyperion* came under direct fire from Admiral Ernst von Eisenach's fleet. Schneider fulfilled his final duty by returning Merkatz's remains to his family in the Empire.
By the Battle of Astarte in 796 UC (487 IC / 3596 CE), Merkatz served as a full admiral under Reinhard von Lohengramm. Initially skeptical of Reinhard's tactics, he later acknowledged the younger admiral's genius following the Imperial victory. Known for his conventional yet effective command style, contemporaries such as Oskar von Reuenthal noted a lack of adaptability that hindered further promotion.
Forced into the Lippstadt Rebellion later in 796 UC after Emperor Friedrich IV's death, Merkatz became commander-in-chief of the aristocratic coalition under duress from Duke Otto von Braunschweig, who threatened his family. His strategic advice to consolidate forces at Geiersburg Fortress was undermined by internal dissent and Braunschweig's interference. Marquis Littenheim's unsanctioned sortie cost a third of their fleet, and Braunschweig's nuclear attack on Westerland shattered morale. After the rebellion collapsed, Merkatz defected to the Free Planets Alliance with his adjutant Bernhard von Schneider, rejecting suicide to preserve his honor and continue resisting Reinhard.
Within the Alliance, Merkatz received "guest admiral" status, equivalent to a vice admiral in Yang Wen-li's Iserlohn Garrison Fleet. He maintained loyalty to the fallen Goldenbaum Dynasty, wearing his Imperial uniform and serving primarily as a tactical advisor. His first combat role occurred during the Eighth Battle of Iserlohn in 798 UC (489 IC / 3598 CE). Temporarily commanding the garrison in Yang's absence, he inflicted heavy losses on Admiral Neidhart Müller's fleet using Alliance Spartanians in direct strikes—a tactic reflecting his Imperial preference for massed small craft assaults.
When the Galactic Empire Legitimate Government formed around the kidnapped child emperor Erwin Josef II on Heinessen later in 798 UC, Merkatz accepted the position of Minister of Military Affairs and Fleet Admiral, despite Schneider's observation that the role was largely symbolic. He departed Iserlohn to join the government-in-exile, viewing it as a continuation of his loyalty to the Goldenbaum throne. During Operation Ragnarök, he commanded a fleet under Yang Wen-li's broader strategy. After Yang's death, he transferred allegiance to Julian Mintz and the Iserlohn Republic.
Merkatz was killed in action during the Battle of Shiva in 801 UC (3 NIC / 492 IC / 3601 CE) at age 63. His flagship *Hyperion* came under direct fire from Admiral Ernst von Eisenach's fleet. Schneider fulfilled his final duty by returning Merkatz's remains to his family in the Empire.