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17th Arcturan Guards

Insignia of the 17th Arcturan Guards
Seventeenth Arcturan Guards RCT
Nickname The Kezla Rams
Affiliation Lyran Commonwealth
Parent Command Arcturan Guards


Unit Description[edit]

The Seventeenth Arcturan Guards is a House Steiner military formation; in its early days it was a purely BattleMech Regiment. After the formation of the Federated Commonwealth, the unit was reorganized into the lead element of its own Regimental Combat Team. The unit saw little action through most of the early and late thirty-first century until the FedCom Civil War.[citation needed]

History[edit]

Star League Era[edit]

The Seventeenth was not active in 2765, although both the Sixteenth and Eighteenth Arcturan Guards were.[1]

First Succession War[edit]

The Seventeenth Arcturan Guards were re-formed in 2781 through the recruitment of the 205th Heavy Assault Regiment, a former Star League Defense Force regiment from the Seventeenth Army, and had the distinction of being the first SLDF unit to be recruited by the LCAF.[2]

Third Succession War[edit]

The Seventeenth faced Wolf's Dragoons Beta and Delta Regiments on Wyatt in 3016. The unit did something few other units had: It destroyed a battalion of Beta Regiment when they destroyed a Dragoon DropShip.[3]

In 3019 the Seventeenth ambushed Zeta Battalion and the Black Widow Company on Lamon. The Seventeenth wasn't able to drive off the Dragoons, but they did put up a heavy defense that inflicted serious losses on the two Dragoon units.[4]

Fourth Succession War[edit]

In October 3028 the Seventeenth were stationed on Wyatt when it was targeted by the Free Worlds League Military as a part of Operation DAGGER, the offensive planned by Captain-General Janos Marik to seize valuable industrial worlds in the Federation of Skye. Wyatt was a particular target of DAGGER because of the presence of the Seventeenth and the Eleventh Lyran Guards; while the Fifth Regulan Hussars and Twenty-fifth Marik Militia jumped into the Wyatt system intent on destroying both regiments, other FWLM regiments were capturing the Milton and Phecda systems in an effort to isolate the Lyran forces.[5]

Unfortunately for the two League regiments, the two Lyran regiments had been forewarned of the attack. The Hussars arrived at a pirate point allowing them to make an immediate drop on the surface of the planet, while the Militia appeared at the zenith jump point - only to find the Eleventh Lyran Guards waiting at the jump point, with the 'Mechs embarked on transports and aerospace fighters patrolling. Before the Militia could launch fighters the Eleventh's aerospace fighters began strafing attacks, with pairs of Chippewas and Lucifers each launching a single attack before withdrawing. The cumulative damage destroyed two Unions and a Leopard; worse still for the Militia, one of the DropShips was transporting a battalion command staff, and when it was destroyed, not only were those staff killed, but the DropShip then exploded, damaging a number of neighboring DropShips as they separated from their Invader-class JumpShip. With the Militia forces frantically trying to form up, the Eleventh retrieved its fighters and jumped out to the Alchiba system, while the Arcturan Guards jumped for Cor Caroli.[5] Although the plan to destroy the two Lyran regiments was unsuccessful, the League did capture Wyatt.[6]

Post–Fourth Succession War[edit]

The unit undertook a raiding mission against the Free Worlds League world of Dubhe in 3049. The unit was noted for having crushed the Silver Hawk Irregulars' Falcon Regiment in the action.[7]

Clan Invasion[edit]

In 3047, the Guards saw action against the 13th Marik Militia. During that operation, the unit learned to develop defensive tactics to protect its vital rear staging areas.[8] By 3050, the Guards were stationed on the planet Wyatt along the border of the Free Worlds League.[9] They remained there in the years following the Clan Invasion, and would ultimately remain on Wyatt until 3062.

FedCom Civil War[edit]

Garrison Duty on Solaris[edit]

The unit was first deployed to Solaris VII with orders to reinforce the garrison on planet, as the locals failed to contain increasing levels of violence that become later known as the Solaris Riots in 3062.

Small World[edit]

In 3066, the Seventeenth was ordered to reinforce Loyalist forces fighting on Tikonov, however they ended up on Small World.

On April 20th, the unit moved land on the planet and awaited new orders from LAAF High Command. In what was only meant to be a stopover, the unit was attacked by Smithson's Chinese Bandits and other minor militia and mercenary units under their direct control. The Bandits were originally contracted by the planet's government to protect the world's mining complexes. The Guards' proximity to Mining complex was too close for them and the Bandits attacked while the Guards were landing. Caught in complete surprise, the Guards and Bandits battle extended into a conflict for control of the planet instead of simple way station to wait for orders. The Bandits led the Guards in chases through Small World's arctic regions, but ended up unsuccessful hunting down the units. By 14th of June, the Achernar SMM had arrived to reinforce the Guards. The unit commanders prove to dislike each other but were able to carry on in their efforts to hunt down the Bandits. Within three days, both loyalist units were successful in destroying the Smithson's Chinese Bandits.

On the 21st of June, Victor Steiner-Davion's Allied forces arrived in-system. The 5th Syrtis Fusiliers was leading brigade of Mercenaries, under the command of Major General Koening. Initially the 5th Syrtis and its forces were using their range weaponry to wear down the Guards and its Militia ally. Despite this, in 2nd July the Guards & Militia pushed back Federated Suns forces to back to their landing zone.

Unfortunately for the Guards, Koening had additional forces called in, inform of few battalions of mercenary led by Wilson's Hussars. The sheer size of forces against the Arcturans and its Militia put the unit within two weeks of fighting. By July 23rd, Leutnant-General Davis Lillie ordered a withdrawal for all loyalist forces. As Guards & Militia were loading their troops on their DropShips, Allied forces conducted a Combat Drop of BattleMechs on their LZ. This actions by the allies was backed by an attack by numerous Armor units. On the next day of fighting, General Lillie formally surrendered to Allied forces, and his unit's personnel were incarcerated on the planet.[10]

Post–FedCom Civil War[edit]

During their incarceration, the mercenary units involved in the fighting attempted to confiscate the Guard's equipment for their own. However, Major-General Koening prevented Guards from being rendered equipment-less. However, the unit did end up losing some their assets to the mercenaries.[11]

Jihad[edit]

The Seventeenth Arcturan Guards survived the initial Jihad actions in the Federated Suns and fought in Operation SCOUR.[12] As part of the Coalition's Lyran Thrust, the Seventeenth raided Zosma in 3077.[13] Finding the world nearly defenseless, they promptly took control of the planet and brought it into the Coalition's control.[14] They also served under General Belle Lee's assault on Sydney, Australia, Terra.[15][16] While fighting in Sydney, they fought alongside Ryuken-san and Stone's Stalwarts.[17]

After the Jihad ended, the Seventeenth was rotated back to Arcturus. There they rebuilt to fighting strength. They have the distinction of being the only full RCT left in the Arcturan Guards brigade,[18] though they are still at barely half their listed strength.[19]

Dark Age[edit]

In 3083 one Star from the 13th Battle Cluster from Clan Wolf raided Surcin, but was repulsed by elements of the 17th Arcturan Armor Regiment.[20]

The Seventeenth was stationed along the Port Moseby Salient, a finger of Commonwealth controlled systems that ranged from Port Moseby to Auldhouse. When the Jade Falcons jumped the border, the Seventeenth's commander ordered a general retreat towards Tharkad instead of fighting. None of the Seventeenth engaged the Falcons before they withdrew. They fought on Tharkad, but as soon as the Falcons and Clan Wolf forces retreated, the Seventeenth's commander was arrested and charged with dereliction of duty. The Seventeenth was then assigned to garrison Coventry under a new commander.[21]

In February 3148 the Seventeenth were engaged by seven Clusters of Jade Falcon warriors under Galaxy Commander Stephanie Chistu. As the Seventeenth fought the Clan warriors in the Ridesein River Valley and elsewhere, they were unable to utilize tactics that had been successfully employed ninety years earlier during the previous Falcon assault; Chistu anticipated such measures and countered them. The arrival of reinforcements led by Roderick Steiner and Jasek Kelswa-Steiner enabled the Seventeenth to avoid defeat, and the unit remained intact at the battle's end.[22]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the 17th Arcturan Guards
Colonel Timothy Elgar 3025[23]
Hauptmann General Allan Nacine 3050 - 3054[9][24]
Leutnant-General Davis Lillie 3059 - 3067[25][26]
Leutnant-General Ursula Winfried 3085[19]
Leutnant-General Gregory Paulus - 3143[27][28]
Leutnant-General Francine Ross 3143 - 3152[29][28]

Tactics[edit]

The unit is oriented in conducting lightning fast assaults. The guards employ shock and momentum to their assaults. The unit however is weak in policing actions which requires peacekeeping and employing defensive tactics.[30]

Composition History[edit]

2786–2821[edit]

17th Arcturan Guards (Regiment/Veteran/Questionable)[31]

- At this point in time the Seventeenth were stationed on Chimpaw and were at full strength.[31] In 2821 the unit was at just thirty-two percent of full strength, and were stationed on Camlann.[31]

2830[edit]

17th Arcturan Guards (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[32]

Note: At this point in time the heavy-weight unit was stationed on Camlann with an operational readiness of 102 percent.[32]

2864[edit]

17th Arcturan Guards (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[32]

Note: At this point in time the assault-weight unit was stationed on Caldrea with an operational readiness of 52 percent.[32]

3025[edit]

17th Arcturan Guards (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[33]

  • CO: Colonel Timothy Elgar[33]
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Wyatt.[33]

3040[edit]

17th Arcturan Guards RCT (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[34]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Wyatt.[34]

3050[edit]

17th Arcturan Guards RCT (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[9]

Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Wyatt.[9]

3054[edit]

17th Arcturan Guards RCT (Regular/Reliable)[24]
CO: Hauptmann General Allan Nacine

3062[edit]

17th Arcturan Guards (BattleMech Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[35]
CO: Leutnant-General Davis Lillie
Aide: Colonel Anthony Richardson

Aerospace Brigade (2 Wings)[35]
CO: Kaptain Rico Fargo
- 411th Independent Wing
- 7th Solaris Wing

17th Arcturan Armor Brigade (3 Regiments/Regular/Reliable)[35]
CO: Colonel Tørk Moritz
Aide: Leutnant-Colonel Koloman Landaw
- 127th Arcturan Heavy Armor Regiment: Colonel Antonis Vasilou
- 173rd Arcturan Armored Cavalry Regiment: Colonel Jaye Isenberg
- 186th Arcturan Armored Cavalry Regiment: Colonel David Cross

17th Arcturan Infantry Brigade (5 Regiments/Regular/Reliable)[35]
CO: Colonel Victoria Bryce
Aide: Leutnant-Colonel William Weare
- 294th Wyatt Heavy Infantry Regiment: Colonel David Pugh
- 302nd Arcturan Infantry Regiment: Colonel Ray Sanchez
- 304th Arcturan Infantry Regiment: Colonel Julian Moseley
- 12th Arcturan Commando Regiment Colonel Agnes Hui
- 19th Arcturan Jump Regiment: Colonel Maximillian Kimbell

3067[edit]

17th Arcturan Guards (BattleMech Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[26]
CO: Leutnant General Davis Lillie

Aerospace Brigade (2 Wings/Veteran/Reliable)[26]
CO: Kaptain Rico Fargo

Seventeenth Arcturan Armor Brigade (3 Regiments/Regular/Reliable)[26]
CO: Colonel Jaye Isenberg

17th Arcturan Infantry Brigade (5 Regiments/Regular/Reliable)[26]
CO: Colonel Victoria Bryce

3079[edit]

Seventeenth Arcturan Guards (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[36]

Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Surcin.[36]

3085[edit]

17th Arcturan Guards RCT (Veteran/Reliable)[19]
CO: Leutnant-General Ursula Winfried

17th Arcturan Aerospace Brigade (Regular/Reliable)[19]
CO: Kommandant Bernard Ansgar Russel

17th Arcturan Armor Brigade (2 Regiments/Veteran/Reliable)[19]
CO: Colonel Antoninus Brand

17th Arcturan Infantry Brigade (Regular/Fanatical)[19]
CO: Colonel Jitinder Aucciello

3145[edit]

17th Arcturan Guards RCT (Regular/Questionable)[29]
CO: Leutnant General Francine Ross

17th Arcturan Aerospace (Regular/Questionable)[29]
CO: Kommandant John Young

17th Arcturan Armor Brigade (Veteran/Reliable)[29]
CO: Colonel Billy Clark

17th Arcturan Infantry Brigade (Regular/Questionable)[29]
CO: Colonel Ronald Butler

References[edit]

  1. Field Report 2765: LCAF, p. 9: "Regimental Status"
  2. First Succession War, p. 33: "Those Left Behind (Continued)"
  3. Wolf's Dragoons, p. 21
  4. Wolf's Dragoons, p. 23
  5. 5.0 5.1 NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, pp. 62–63: "Operation DAGGER"
  6. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 63: "Overview"
  7. Field Manual: Lyran Alliance, p. 57: "17th Arcturan Guards" - Raid in Free Worlds League noted, one of the few actions the unit is noted for doing
  8. Field Manual: Lyran Alliance, p. 57: Tactics - Unit fought 13th Marik Militia and learn its tactics, but unspecific where they fought
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 20 Year Update, p. 27: "AFFC Deployment Table - 3050"
  10. FedCom Civil War, pp. 160–161: "Small World" - The Unit Actions on Small World and their defeat
  11. Field Manual: Updates, p. 168: "17th Arcturan Guards" - Unit lost equipment after being jailed by FedSuns troops
  12. Field Report: AFFS, p. 20
  13. Total Chaos, pp. 89, 171
  14. Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 65
  15. Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 96
  16. Field Report: LAAF, p. 10
  17. Total Chaos, pp. 221–223
  18. Field Manual: 3085, p. 98
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 Field Manual: 3085, p. 109: "LAAF Deployment Table - 3085"
  20. BattleCorps Scenarios: Pillbox
  21. Field Manual: 3145, p. 125
  22. Shattered Fortress, pp. 50–51
  23. House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 119: "Unit Deployment Tables - 3025"
  24. 24.0 24.1 Objective Raids, p. 19: "AFFC Deployment Table - 3054"
  25. Field Manual: Lyran Alliance, p. 57: "Note of commanding officer"
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 Field Manual: Updates, p. 179: "LAAF Deployment Table - 3067"
  27. Tamar Rising, p. 22: "Nice Planet You've Got There"
  28. 28.0 28.1 Tamar Rising, p. 79: "17th Arcturan Guards profile"
  29. 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 29.4 Field Manual: 3145, p. 132: "Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces - Coventry Province"
  30. Field Manual: Lyran Alliance, p. 57: "Tactics" - Unit strength and weaknesses in its methods of combat
  31. 31.0 31.1 31.2 First Succession War, p. 139: "Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces (LCAF)"
  32. 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 Second Succession War, p. 99
  33. 33.0 33.1 33.2 House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 117: "LCAF Deployment Table"
  34. 34.0 34.1 Historical: War of 3039, p. 137
  35. 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 Field Manual: Lyran Alliance, p. 57: "17th Arcturan Guards Composition"
  36. 36.0 36.1 Field Report: FWLM, p. 10

Bibliography[edit]