One Year War

By Jenxi Seow

Published

Updated

One Year War

The One Year War (一年戦争 Ichinen Sensō), also known as the Zeonic War for Independence (ジオン独立戦争 Jion Dokuritsu Sensō), was the first major conflict of the Universal Century. Fought between the Principality of Zeonand the Earth Federation from 3 January UC 0079 to 1 January UC 0080, it was the single largest and most devastating conflict in human history.

The War was the culmination of long-standing tensions between the Earth Federation and the space colonies, particularly Side 3‘s Principality of Zeon. The conflict began with Zeon’s surprise attack on other Sides and escalated into a full-scale war that spanned Earth and space. 

Despite its relatively short duration, the war resulted in catastrophic loss of life and set the stage for many subsequent conflicts. The war’s impact on politics, technology, and society would continue to resonate throughout the Universal Century.

Prelude

Relations between the Earth Federation and Side 3 had been strained since the latter declared independence as the Republic of Zeon under Zeon Zum Deikun’s leadership. Following Deikun’s death and the Zabi family’s rise to power, Side 3 became increasingly hostile towards the Earth Federation.

In UC 0069, Side 3 was renamed the Principality of Zeon, with Degwin Sodo Zabi as its Sovereign. The Principality entered a state of national mobilisation, dividing their military into a Space Attack Force under Dozle Zabi and a Mobile Assault Force under Kycilia Zabi. During this period, Zeon made significant advancements in mobile suit technology, developing the MS-05 Zaku I and later the MS-06 Zaku II, which would prove to be a game-changer in the early stages of the war.

One Year War

One Week Battle

The war began with Zeon’s surprise attack on Side 1, Side 2, and Side 4 on 3 January UC 0079. This period of initial conflict, known as the One Week Battle, saw the use of G3 nerve gas by Zeon forces, resulting in the deaths of billions of civilians. 

The most significant event of this period was Operation British, Zeon’s attempt to drop a depopulated colony cylinder from Side 2 on the Earth Federation headquarters at Jaburo. While the Earth Federation Space Forces managed to divert the colony drop, the remains of the colony struck Sydney, Australia, causing massive destruction and environmental damage.

Battle of Loum

The Battle of Loum from 15–17 January UC 0079 marked the first major space battle of the war and demonstrated the devastating potential of mobile suit warfare. Zeon forces, led by Rear Admiral Dozle Zabi, attempted another colony drop using a cylinder from Side 5, Loum. The Earth Federation Space Forces, under the command of General Johann Ibrahim Revil, launched a major counteroffensive to prevent the colony drop.

The battle resulted in the complete destruction of Side 5 and significant losses for both sides. Zeon’s use of nuclear weapons during this battle caused horrific casualties. Despite heavy losses, the Earth Federation managed to prevent the colony drop, but their fleet was decimated, and General Revil was captured by the Black Tri-Stars, a renowned Zeon mobile suit team.

Antarctic Treaty

Following the massive casualties of the early war, both sides agreed to the Antarctic Treaty on 31 January UC 0079. Negotiations took place at the neutral research station on Earth, Antarctic Base. The location was chosen for its symbolism as a place of international cooperation and scientific pursuit.

The Antarctic Treaty marked a turning point in the One Year War. It represented the first diplomatic breakthrough between the two sides and set the tone for the conduct of the war moving forward. 

The treaty prohibited the use of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, as well as colony drops, forcing both sides to rely more heavily on conventional warfare and mobile suit tactics, which would shape the nature of combat for the remainder of the conflict. It also established rules for the humane treatment of prisoners of war and guaranteed the neutrality of uninvolved parties such as Side 6 and the Jupiter Energy Fleet.

Earth Invasion

Taking advantage of their superiority in mobile suit technology, Zeon forces launched a series of drops to establish footholds on Earth in March UC 0079. The Earth Attack Force, commanded by Garma Zabi, was divided into five MS divisions with distinct objectives in their assigned regions.

  • Central Asia: Capture and destroy the Federation’s Baikonur spaceport.
  • North American West Coast: Capture the Federation’s California Base.
  • Oceania and Southeast Asia: Secure control over food supplies and natural resources
  • Africa: Establish a foothold in the largely undefended African continent.

By April UC 0079, Zeon had gained control of large portions of the planet’s surface, including much of North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The Earth Federation Forces, lacking mobile suits of their own, struggled to repel the Zeon advance.

Operation Odessa

Operation Odessa marked the turning point of the war. On 7 November UC 0079, the Earth Federation Forces launched a massive offensive to reclaim Zeon’s mining facilities in Eastern Europe, which were crucial to Zeon’s war effort. The operation involved 30% of the Earth Federation’s military resources and was notable for being fought primarily with conventional forces against Zeon’s mobile suits.

The Earth Federation’s victory at Odessa on 11 November UC 0079 drove Zeon forces out of Europe and Asia, marking the beginning of a series of Federation victories that would eventually lead to Zeon’s defeat.

Battle of Jaburo

The Battle of Jaburo was a pivotal engagement in the One Year War, marking Zeon’s ambitious attempt to strike at the heart of the Earth Federation Forces. Jaburo, a massive underground facility located in the Amazon rainforest, served as the Federation’s headquarters and the primary base for their mobile suit development programme. On 30 November UC 0079, Zeon forces launched a multi-pronged assault on this crucial installation.

The attack was spearheaded by the infamous Char Aznable, who led a team of MS-06F Zaku II and MSM-04 Acguy units in an infiltration mission. Zeon conducted a simultaneous large-scale diversionary attack on the base’s main entrance, deploying a mix of aerial bombings and mobile suit drops to draw attention away from Char’s team.

However, the Earth Federation Forces, anticipating such an attack, had prepared a staunch defence. They unveiled their mass-produced RGM-79 GM mobile suits, which had been developed in secret. The battle saw the first large-scale deployment of these units, alongside the RX-78-2 Gundam and other prototype mobile suits. Despite initial successes, including Char’s team infiltrating deep into the base, the Zeon forces were ultimately repelled. The Federation’s new mobile suits, combined with the base’s formidable defences and the element of surprise, proved too much for the Zeon attackers. This defeat marked a significant turning point in the war, demonstrating the Federation’s growing strength and technological parity with Zeon in mobile suit warfare.

Operation Cemballo

Operation Cemballo marked the Earth Federation’s first major offensive into space, aimed at reclaiming Zeon-held territory and shifting the balance of power in the conflict. Launched on 14 December UC 0079, the operation’s primary objective was to neutralize Zeon’s space fortress Solomon, a key strategic position commanded by Dozle Zabi that protected the Zeon homeland.

The Earth Federation Space Force (EFSF) assembled a massive fleet for this operation, including their new assault carrier White Base and its contingent of mobile suits. The Federation’s strategy relied heavily on their numerical superiority and the element of surprise, particularly the deployment of their new weapon, the Solar System – a massive array of mirrors that focused intense solar radiation on Solomon.

Fall of Solomon

The Battle of Solomonbegan on 24 December 0079, with the EFSF launching a multi-directional assault on the space fortress. The battle saw fierce fighting between mobile suit squadrons, with both sides suffering heavy losses. The tide turned when the Federation deployed the Solar System, rendering much of the fortress’s defences inoperable. In a last-ditch effort, Dozle Zabi piloted the experimental mobile armor MA-08 Big Zam, but it was ultimately defeated by the Federation’s RX-78-2 Gundam, piloted by Amuro Ray.

The fall of Solomon was a decisive victory for the Earth Federation, depriving Zeon of a crucial strategic position and dealing a severe blow to their morale and military capabilities. In the aftermath, the Earth Federation renamed Solomon to Konpei Island and used it as a staging area for their final push against the Zeon homeland. This victory shifted the momentum decisively in the Federation’s favour, setting the stage for the final battles of the One Year War.

Battle of A Baoa Qu

The final major battle of the One Year War took place at the massive asteroid fortress A Baoa Qu, Zeon’s last bastion protecting Side 3. The Earth Federation Forces launched a full-scale assault on the fortress on 31 December UC 0079, committing the majority of its surviving forces to this operation, determined to end the war decisively.

As the battle commenced, both sides deployed their most advanced mobile suits and weapons. The Federation’s forces, led by their new mass-produced GM units and the White Base with its contingent of mobile suits, faced off against Zeon’s diverse array of experimental units and elite pilots. The conflict was marked by fierce fighting both in space and within the fortress itself, as Federation forces attempted to penetrate A Baoa Qu’s formidable defences.

The tide of battle shifted dramatically with two key events. First, Gihren Zabi was assassinated by his sister Kycilia in retaliation for his earlier patricide, throwing the Zeon leadership into chaos. Shortly after, Char Aznable, revealing his true identity as Casval Rem Deikun, killed Kycilia Zabi, effectively decapitating the Zeon command structure. With their leadership in disarray and their forces overwhelmed, Zeon’s remaining troops either surrendered or fled. The fall of A Baoa Qu marked the effective end of the Principality of Zeon and the One Year War.

Aftermath

The war concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Granada on 1 January UC 0080. The conflict resulted in the deaths of roughly half of humanity, with the total casualty count reaching an unprecedented 5.9 billion.

The war’s aftermath shaped the political landscape of the Earth Sphere for decades to come. The Earth Federation, while victorious, was left with the monumental task of rebuilding and managing the influx of refugees from the destroyed space colonies. Lingering tensions between Earthnoids and Spacenoids continued to fuel future conflicts.

The Principality of Zeon was allowed to maintain its autonomy, reformed as the Republic of Zeon, but was placed under Federation supervision. However, some Zeon forces refused to surrender, retreating to asteroid bases like Axis or going into hiding on Earth, setting the stage for future conflicts.

Legacy

The One Year War left an indelible mark on the Universal Century timeline, shaping the course of human history for decades to come. Its impact extended far beyond the immediate aftermath, influencing military technology, political structures, and societal norms throughout the Earth Sphere.

The conflict catalysed rapid advancements in mobile suit technology, leading to an arms race that would define future conflicts. This technological leap not only changed the face of warfare but also had far-reaching implications for civilian applications of mobile suit technology.

The political landscape of the Earth Sphere was dramatically reshaped in the wake of the war. The delicate balance of power between Earth and the space colonies was irrevocably altered, intensifying the already complex relationship between Earthnoids and Spacenoids.

This ideological divide would continue to fuel tensions and conflicts in the years following the war. The environmental impact of the conflict, particularly the colony drop on Sydney, left lasting scars on the Earth’s surface, with 16% of Australia’s landmass rendered uninhabitable. This catastrophic event served as a grim reminder of the war’s cost and influenced environmental and colonial development policies for generations.

Economically, the war’s destruction led to significant challenges in rebuilding infrastructure, particularly in space colony development and resource allocation. These economic pressures would continue to influence political decisions and social movements long after the cessation of hostilities. Perhaps most significantly, the One Year War set the stage for many subsequent conflicts in the Universal Century.

The unresolved tensions and power struggles that emerged from the war directly led to events such as the Delaz Conflict, the Gryps Conflict, and the First Neo Zeon War. In this way, the One Year War’s legacy continued to shape the destiny of humanity in space, serving as a constant reminder of the cost of conflict and the fragile nature of peace.

Behind the scenes

The One Year War draws significant inspiration from World War II, with the Principality of Zeon often compared to Nazi Germany and the Earth Federation to the Allied forces. The final battles of the One Year War, particularly those at Solomon and A Baoa Qu, bear similarities to the Pacific Theater battles of Saipan, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

The war’s creator, Yoshiyuki Tomino, used this conflict as a backdrop to explore themes of war, politics, and human nature, setting the tone for the entire Gundam franchise. Tomino’s experiences growing up in post-war Japan heavily influenced the narrative, with the devastating consequences of the war reflecting the real-world impact of nuclear weapons.

Appearances

The One Year War appears in or is referenced in numerous Gundam works, including:

Television Series

OVAs and ONAs

  • Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team
  • Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: The Hidden One Year War
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt

Movies

  • Mobile Suit Gundam I
  • Mobile Suit Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow
  • Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space

See also

One Year War

One Year War

Overview

Beginning: 3 January UC 0079

End: 1 January UC 0080

Location: Earth Sphere (Space colonies and Earth)

Result: 

  • Earth Federation victory
  • Fall of the Principality of Zeon
  • Establishment of the Republic of Zeon under Federation control

Major battles: 

Combatants

Earth Federation:

Principality of Zeon: