Great Degwin – MechaBay | Mobile Suit Gundam

The Great Degwin was a Gwazine-class space battleship that served as the personal flagship of Sovereign Degwin Sodo Zabi during the One Year War. As the lead ship of the most powerful class of warships deployed by the Principality of Zeon, it represented the pinnacle of Zeon naval engineering and served as a symbol of the Sovereign’s authority.

History

The Great Degwin was constructed as part of the Principality of Zeon’s naval expansion programme in the years leading up to the One Year War. Completed in March UC 0076, it was specifically designated as the personal flagship of Sovereign Degwin Sodo Zabi, reflecting both its strategic importance and the prestige associated with the Gwazine-class design.

Early service

During the early stages of the One Year War, the Great Degwin served as Sovereign Degwin’s mobile command centre. From its spacious bridge, Degwin could observe and direct major military operations whilst maintaining direct communication with Zeon’s political and military leadership. The vessel’s luxurious interior accommodations, including a dedicated stateroom with sophisticated monitoring equipment, reflected its dual role as both a warship and a seat of government.

The Great Degwin was present during the Battle of Loum in January UC 0079, where Sovereign Degwin observed the devastating effectiveness of Zeon’s mobile suits against the Earth Federation Forces. From the flagship’s command facilities, Degwin witnessed the destruction of Side 5 and the capture of General Johann Abraham Revil, marking a decisive Zeon victory that demonstrated the superiority of mobile suit warfare.

Peace negotiations and destruction

As the war progressed and Zeon’s position became increasingly precarious, Sovereign Degwin grew weary of the conflict’s mounting casualties. Against the wishes of his son Gihren Zabi, who had effectively assumed control of Zeon’s military operations, Degwin secretly initiated peace negotiations with the Earth Federation.

On 30 December UC 0079, the Great Degwin departed Side 3 to rendezvous with General Revil’s fleet at a predetermined location for peace talks. The negotiations represented Degwin’s final attempt to end the war before the costly Battle of A Baoa Qu could commence. However, Gihren Zabi, viewing his father’s peace initiative as an act of treason against Zeon’s cause, decided to eliminate both negotiating parties.

At 21:05 hours on 30 December UC 0079, Gihren ordered the firing of the Solar Ray superweapon at the Gel-Dorva line, knowing that both his father’s flagship and General Revil’s fleet were positioned directly in the weapon’s path. The massive laser completely vaporised the Great Degwin along with General Revil’s command ship Phoebe and approximately one-third of the Federation attack fleet. Sovereign Degwin Sodo Zabi perished aboard his flagship, becoming a victim of his own son’s ruthless ambition.

Design

As the flagship of the Gwazine-class, the Great Degwin incorporated all the advanced features that made these vessels the most powerful warships of the One Year War era. The ship’s crimson hull and distinctive angular design reflected Zeon’s architectural aesthetics whilst housing formidable military capabilities.

Command facilities

Unlike standard Gwazine-class vessels, the Great Degwin featured extensively modified internal spaces designed to accommodate its role as a sovereign’s flagship. The ship included a luxuriously appointed stateroom where Degwin could receive status reports and observe battlefield developments through six large retractable monitors. These sophisticated display systems allowed real-time observation of both sides’ tactical situations during rapidly changing combat scenarios.

The vessel’s bridge incorporated advanced communication systems that enabled direct contact with Zeon’s political leadership and military commanders throughout the Earth Sphere. These facilities allowed Sovereign Degwin to maintain governmental functions whilst operating from his mobile headquarters.

Defensive features

The Great Degwin’s defensive systems reflected the paramount importance of protecting Zeon’s head of state. Enhanced armor protection and redundant systems ensured the vessel could withstand concentrated enemy fire whilst maintaining operational capability. The ship’s substantial bulk and advanced construction made it one of the most survivable vessels in the Zeon fleet.

Eight external fuel tanks mounted on the stern provided extended operational range, allowing the flagship to traverse vast distances independently. This capability proved essential for diplomatic missions and strategic deployments far from Zeon’s primary bases.

Armaments

The Great Degwin carried the standard armament configuration of the Gwazine-class, making it one of the most heavily armed vessels in space during the One Year War.

Main battery

Four twin mega particle cannon turrets were mounted along the dorsal hull, providing the ship’s primary offensive capability. These high-energy weapons could engage enemy capital ships at extreme range with devastating effect. The concentrated firepower of these main guns exceeded that of any Earth Federation vessel, including the Magellan-class battleships.

Secondary armament

Twenty twin anti-air mega particle cannon turrets were distributed across the hull to provide comprehensive defensive coverage against mobile suits and smaller vessels. These weapons offered rapid-fire capability whilst maintaining the destructive power necessary to disable or destroy mobile weapons. The secondary battery’s positioning allowed for overlapping fields of fire, creating a formidable defensive screen around the flagship.

Mobile suit complement

The Great Degwin maintained hangar facilities capable of accommodating up to twenty mobile suits, providing both escort capability and offensive options. These mobile weapons were stored in a large cargo bay beneath the ship and could be deployed rapidly to respond to tactical requirements. The flagship’s mobile suit complement likely included elite units befitting its status as the Sovereign’s personal vessel.

Notable service record

Battle of Loum participation

During the Battle of Loum, the Great Degwin served as Sovereign Degwin’s observation platform, allowing him to witness the devastating effectiveness of Zeon’s mobile suit forces against the Earth Federation fleet. This battle marked the first major demonstration of mobile suit superiority in fleet combat and validated Zeon’s strategic doctrine.

Diplomatic mission

The Great Degwin’s final mission represented a remarkable transformation from warship to diplomatic vessel, as Sovereign Degwin attempted to negotiate an end to the increasingly destructive conflict. The vessel’s destruction during these peace talks highlighted the tragic irony of a war that ultimately consumed even those who sought to end it.

Behind the scenes

Yamane Kimitoshi was the original mechanical designer for the Great Degwin version seen in Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin. The original Gwazine-class design was created by Tomino Yoshiyuki with assistance from Okawara Kunio for the original Mobile Suit Gundam series.

The Great Degwin’s destruction serves as a pivotal moment in the Mobile Suit Gundam narrative, representing the complete breakdown of the Zabi family and the triumph of militarism over diplomacy. The vessel’s fate underscores the series’ anti-war themes by demonstrating how conflicts can destroy even those who attempt to end them peacefully.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Gundam
Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin

External links

Great Degwin on MAHQ
Gwazine-class on the Gundam Wiki