December 24, UC 0079
The EFSF's Operation Cemballo culminates in the Battle of Solomon.
Approaching from Side 4, White Base and Wakkein's Third Fleet form the vanguard of the assault, keeping the Zeon defenders busy while Tianem's Fourth Fleet set up a weapon of mass destruction, the Solar Flare System, at the edge of Side 1. Wakkein is killed during his fleet's advance toward Solomon.
When Tianem fires the Solar Flare, the Federation vanguard are able advance to the asteroid itself, landing their mobile suit forces. Zeon ace Anavel Gato wreaks havoc on the attackers in his MS-09RS Rick Dom using a prototype beam bazooka – earning him the nickname "Nightmare of Solomon."
Vice Admiral Dozle Zabi orders the evacuation of his wife Zenna and their infant daughter Mineva, then personally deploys in the mobile armour MA-08 Big Zam. Dozle tears through swaths of Federation forces using Big Zam’s numerous weapons, even sinking the Fourth Fleet’s flagship, Titan, killing Tianem. As he goes on the attack, Dozle orders Solomon's remaining forces to retreat.
Big Zam is equipped with an I-field generator that blocks shots fired by beam weapons. Seeing no other way to damage the mobile armour, White Base pilot Sleggar Law rams his Core Booster into Big Zam's underside, sacrificing his life to give the Gundam an opening. Amuro passes through Big Zam's protective field and destroys the mobile armour, killing Dozle.
(Mobile Suit Gundam 3: Encounters in Space)
