[Rhymes]

I think the entire war basically occurred in smaller battles (and by smaller I mean not half the armed forces committed to one single operation) .  At the most, there would be one fleet from each side, two at a stretch on the defending side (if it was GTA attacking, say, Vasuda Prime) in any given battle.  Had the entirety of their forces been committed, both sides would have lost most of their military power.  The war would have been over because nobody would have been left with the ability to fight.

[Scotty]

Either that, or we are vastly underestimating the warfighting and producing capacity of the GTA and PVE.  On an order of magnitudes.

[Rhymes]

Eithere than,

What? 

[Scotty]

Fixed.  I apparently don't know how to move my index finger in the direction I want to.

[Rhymes]

Oh.  In that, case, yeah.  And your idea is quite plausible, Scotty.  We never do get any real idea of the manufacturing and production capabilities of the GTA and PVE.    never makes it clear, or even hints at it.

[Knight Templar]

Posted for posterity and those who are confused. More important parts are bolded or otherwise marked. From the Freespace Reference Bible ala Volition.

...

The Vasudans had an advanced civilization, a fascinating history, and an evolved culture. They were similar to humans in many ways. Unfortunately, those similarities included irrational fear, and the willingness to sacrifice lives over politics. It didn’t take long for hostilities to break out, and for the first interplanetary war in history to begin.

AP 2/26:  We’ve kept the specifics of the start of the T-V War purposefully vague.  For future elaboration in add-on disks, sequels, and fiction like this.

What started out as a show of strength and technology degenerated into a war of attrition, with both sides suffering heavy losses. Terran and Vasudan ships skirmished in remote areas of space while the politicos flapped their gums on the news. After 14 years, both sides suffered terrible losses, and the end was nowhere in sight. Until…

...

The Galactic Terran Alliance was formed many years before FreeSpace begins.  It’s largely a defense and research organization, and has few domestic influences, focusing it’s attention on matters in outer space, and the exploration thereof. Terrans (aka Humans) are much the same as modern day humans.  They share many of the same strengths, weaknesses, and prejudices. During the T-V War (later called the 14-Year War)  Terrans have excelled (over Vasudans) in the area of mass manufacturing and weaponry.

Earth (sometimes half-jokingly called Terra by spacers) has naturally become the super-industrial hub of the GTA’s space empire.  All central government functions take place on, or in orbit around Earth.


...

Vasudans originate from the planet Vasuda Prime.  Their anatomy is similar to humans in many respects.  They’re bipedal, have two eyes and a mouth, and have nearly the same atmospheric & respiration needs.  For a long time, their bony, sinewy limbs were a cause of revulsion for by the relatively soft-looking humans.  The dry, arid climate of Vasuda Prime has given the Vasudans a brown, mottled, leathery skin.

Terran-Vasudan communication was relatively easy to establish, despite the fact that Vasudan vocal cords are unable to make the sounds needed to produce the English language (now refered to as “Terran Standard” by spacers).  This requires the use of small translational devices during any T-V exchange.  The speaker talks in a low tone near the “squawker” and it translates and speaks for the user in the desired language.  Small earpieces allow the devices to relay the opposite translations to the user.  While the squawkers work on both species, the Vasudans are typically the ones to wear the devices.

Human archeologists and geologists have often been amazed that Vasuda Prime was capable of producing an intelligent species like the Vasudans.  The planet is nearly completely covered by wind-blown deserts and barren, rocky terrain. As a result, Vasudans live mostly in domed, sheltered, or underground cities.  Vasudans have, of course, always excelled at excavation and the efficient use and transport of resources.  It’s also been speculated that Vasudans were originally forced prematurely into space in order to gain the resources needed for their species’ survival.  Vasudans also excel at general engineering and efficient, high-speed ship propulsion systems.

Despite the physical differences between humans and Vasudans, their mentalities evolved  very similarly.  They have strong family structures, and enjoy many similar social activities that Terrans do.  Parts of their not-too-distant history are shrouded in much ancient mysticism, and preoccupation with legends.  So much so that it’s been often rumored that the Vasudan Parliamentary government actively discourages any remnants of such mysticism and fanatical religion.

...

Due to the fact that the Vasudans were the first sentient species that the Terrans encountered in space, the Terrans adopted a naming convention based on Zodiac signs and constellations for Vasudan ships.

Note the AP quote is from Adam Pletcher, the dude who wrote the story for Freespace.

[Grizzly]

The Great War used to be the old name for the First World War, untill the second one came along...

Objectives are similar, conditions are similar (stalemate! Going over the top with your fighters (operation tresher comes to mind) etc.)

[k19]

Lets say the Vasudans captured Earth, destroyed its orbital fleet (this would still work for the terrans capturing Vasuda prime) they would have to land troops on the planet to capture and colonise it. But this is completely different to having a home town captured ITS YOUR HOME WORLD. Vasudans have done kamikaze they aren't going to give up because the terrans have destroyed their fleet (and they'll probably redirect their other fleets to Vasuda prime to "protect the motherland"). Terrans have endured wars by their own kind what do you think we'd do if it was an alien race trying to kick us out. The fact both races would fight till the last man (or women assuming the Vasudans have that or we have equal rights now). To truly put down a local resistance you would have to carpet bomb the surface of the planet with Harbingers (and the Vasudans equivalent). But terrans can't do this because of human rights, Law, The Geneva Conventions (although terrans may twist this to not include Vasudans), Also lately we haven't followed this so who knows what would have happened. But still if the Vasudas (or terrans) won i promise you there are no other race alive and your race would be almost wiped out. The shivans saved the terrans and the vasudans (in the most unusual way possible).

[eliex]

The Great War used to be the old name for the First World War, untill the second one came along...

I'm pretty sure that "The Great War" refers to the TV War, not any Shivan Incursion, first or second.

[Rhymes]

Actually, the Terran-Vasudan War is always referred to in-game as the 14-year war between Terrans and Vasudans. "The Great War" is always used to describe the events from the attack on Ross 128 and outpost Riviera, to the obliteration of the Shivan forces in Ikeya and Ross 128 after the destruction of the Lucifer.

[Androgeos Exeunt]

The Great War used to be the old name for the First World War, untill the second one came along...

Isn't World War II also called the Second World War? I've always felt that the name "Second Shivan Incursion" was derived from the other names given to WWII.

[NGTM-1R]

Either that, or we are vastly underestimating the warfighting and producing capacity of the GTA and PVE.  On an order of magnitudes.

Or four.

Consider how rapidly they were able to bring new technologies and weapons into service. The Avenger was ubiquitous not in months, but a week or two.

They weren't fighting this war, not really. Combat was ongoing, but it was almost just for show; the war has acquired a momentum all its own. It is an institution, the way things are, not a corruption of the norm.

[Scotty]

Vastly underestimating production would also account for a larger fleet and explain canon quirks like the Bahka (spelling?), with it's over 6000 produced.

[Charismatic]

It was to kill everybody.

As FS2 Mulitplayer pilots used to say " Kill Red Dots."