2nd Crucis Lancers

Crucis Lancers 2nd logo.png
2nd Crucis Lancers RCT
Formed 2783[1]
Disbanded 3144 (destroyed)[2]
Nickname Kestrel Lancers
Affiliation AFFS
Parent Command Crucis Lancers


History[edit]

Formation[edit]

The Second Crucis Lancers were originally a Star League Defense Force regiment - the Ninety-first Heavy Assault Regiment, which had been a part of XL Corps within the SLDF Fifteenth Army. Having survived the Periphery Uprising, Amaris Coup and the Hegemony Campaign the Ninety-first was recruited by the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns in 2783; the AFFS redesignated the Ninety-first as the Second Crucis Lancers, joining another ex-SLDF unit - the 1008th Heavy Assault Regiment - which had been recruited the year before and designated as the First Crucis Lancers. A third Crucis Lancers regiment - the Seventh - would also be founded by the AFFS using ex-SLDF personnel prior to the First Succession War, when the Federated Suns managed to recruit a battalion of personnel from the 142nd Battle Regiment in 2784.[1]

First Succession War[edit]

During the First Succession War, the Lancers successfully attacked Capra.[3] Elements of the Second were also present on Kentares IV in 2796.[4]

Third Succession War[edit]

The Second was disbanded shortly after 3025 due to heavy prior losses against the Draconis Combine. Despite being officially deactivated, the MechWarriors of the Second Crucis Lancers were reluctant to leave, taking duty assignments with other units and waiting in hope of the Second would be one day rebuilt.[5][6]

Fourth Succession War[edit]

Elements of the Second would take part in the Fourth Succession War under their own name when the combined Crucis Lancers RCTs attacked Tikonov from their jumping-off point of Mira during the second wave of Operation RAT, the first time in the Lancers history that all eight RCTs attacked a single world. Despite their inexperience in comparison to the other Lancer forces, the Second Crucis Lancers were tasked with the capture of the mountain city of Gizhiga, facing elements of the Ariana Grenadiers. Aided by heavy fighter support on October 9 and fighting like veterans, the Second took the city within two weeks.[7][8][9]

After securing the planet, the Second moved on to attack Tigress with the Third Crucis Lancers. An important prize of Operation RAT's third wave, the so-called Laurel's World was defended by the fanatical Warrior House Hiritsu, elements of Kerr's Intruders and the native all-female Laurel's Legion. Attacking the vital Four Cities industrial complex from the north while the Third struck from the south, the Second Crucis Lancers easily avoided an ambush set up by Kerr's Intruders and overwhelmed the Capellan troops. The Third fared much worse against the elite Hiritsu and an ill-coordinated attack from the combined Lancer forces narrowly avoided becoming a disaster. As the battle swung toward the Crucis Lancers, Hiritsu chose to forcibly take the bulk of Laurel's Legion when they withdrew from Tigress. When the still-fighting Legion Third Company heard their sisters had been effectively kidnapped at gunpoint, they surrendered to the Second Lancers and offered to assist the AFFS in rescuing them.[10] Once Tigress fell, the Second Crucis remained to garrison the planet.[8]

War of 3039[edit]

Allowed to rebuild as a full Regimental Combat Team once the dust of the Fourth Succession War settled, the Second Crucis Lancers were stationed on Tikonov as of 3038. During the War of 3039, the Second Crucis Lancers moved to Galatia III in preparation for combat against the Draconis Combine. Those plans were put on hold, and eventually canceled. After the war, the Second returned to their garrison post on Tikonov.[11]

Clan Invasion era[edit]

The first real test following their reactivation, when the Clans appeared the Second spent the time during the invasion on operating behind the lines, raiding and harassing Clan Jade Falcon rear territory in aid of rebel groups. While salvaging Clan 'Mechs and becoming adept at guerrilla operations, the Second were effectively battered down to little more than a reinforced brigade by the Battle of Tukayyid.[5] While the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth attempted to rebuild as best it could, the Lyran Succession in 3057 ended that with the newly formed Lyran Alliance Armed Forces choosing to reassign the Davion loyalist unit to the "important" garrison post of Timbiqui, assigning barely enough supplies to keep the unit operating.[6]

Recognizing that the LAAF would never truly aid them, then unit commander Ane Sung came up with an inspired means to get the funds to keep the Second Crucis Lancers combat viable, approaching Timbiqui Spirits' Raasch Brewhaus to help produce advertising for the popular Timbiqui Dark beer. Assisting in the production of the infamous "Brew of the ilKhan" advertising holovids, though technically against the regulations of the AFFC and LAAF, Sung would paint up a lance of the Second's Clan BattleMechs to resemble Ulric Kerensky's Golden Keshik for filming purposes.[6]

Civil War[edit]

At the start of the FedCom Civil War, the Second Crucis Lancers remained stationed on Timbiqui. They moved to Cavanaugh II to deter Free Worlds League adventurism. On their way back to Timbiqui, they attacked Bolan. Expecting to face the 1st Bolan Jaegers, they were shocked when the Dixie CTM ambushed them. Two-thirds of the Lancers' Third 'Mech battalion was destroyed. The Lancers' First Battalion, supported by two conventional regiments, smashed into the CTM and inflicted heavy casualties. The Lancers were only stopped when the Bolan Jaegers reinforced the CTM. Once the Jaegers had engaged the Lancers, the Lancers' Second Battalion hit the Dixie CTM's opposite flank, throwing them into chaos. The Lancers destroyed about half of the CTM's strength. The Second Crucis Lancers took some losses of their own, however, and withdrew to Halfway when they realized they couldn't take Bolan.[12]

On Halfway the Second Crucis Lancers joined Victor Steiner-Davion. He quickly reassigned them to counter the Jade Falcon Incursion as part of Operation Audacity.[13] The two combat commands of the Second Crucis Lancers arrived on Chapultepec. There they sparred with the Jade Falcon's Omega Galaxy before leaving the world.[14] As part of Operation Audacity the Second Lancers hit Beta VII. There they destroyed the Jade Solahma Cluster.[15] The Second Crucis Lancers then relocated to Machida to rest and rebuild before returning to the Federated Suns.[16]

After returning to the Federated Suns, they were stationed on Pitkin.[17]

Jihad[edit]

After the destruction of the 3rd Crucis Lancers, the conventional assets of that unit were reassigned to the Second and Seventh Crucis Lancer RCTs.[18]

After receiving their new recruits, the Second Crucis Lancers broke into three LCT sized commands and garrisoned worlds on the Federated Suns-Draconis Combine and Federated Suns-Outworlds Alliance borders. These commands are headquartered on Pitkin and Delos IV.[19]

In 3085, the Second Crucis Lancers had lost a 'Mech battalion. The unit makes up for this by using an expanded conventional force. Effectively it's two Light Combat Teams in one unit. It has placed half its force on Tancredi IV, and the other half is free to perform raids against pirates and conduct other patrols. The unit has a full regiment of battle armor, but only four regiments of conventional infantry.[20]

Palmyra[edit]

The Second Crucis Lancers were among thirteen Federated Suns military commands destroyed at the hands of the Draconis Combine during the 3144 Palmyra Disaster.[2]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Second Crucis Lancers
Marshal Dino Riggs 3025[21]
Marshal Jackson Davion 3026 - 3032[22]
Hauptmann General Anne Sung 3050 - 3062[23][24][6]
General Julius Gramstad 3067[17]
Major General Lorenzo Rode 3085[25]

Tactics[edit]

Skilled in guerrilla warfare and orbital drops.[6]

Composition History[edit]

2786 - 2821[edit]

Second Crucis Lancers (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[26]

- At this point in time the Second was a heavy-weight regiment operating at full strength and was stationed on Kestrel.[26] In 2821 the unit was operating at below half-strength and was stationed on Elbar.[26]

2830[edit]

Second Crucis Lancers (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[27]

- At this point in time the Lancers were an assault-weight regiment and had rebuilt to just over two battalions in strength. The Lancers were stationed on Elbar.[27]

2864[edit]

Second Crucis Lancers (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[27]

- At this point in time the Lancers were an assault-weight regiment stationed on Errai, and had been reduced to just over a quarter of full strength.[27]

3025[edit]

Second Crucis Lancers RCT (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[21]

  • CO: Marshal Dino Riggs[21]
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Mira.[21]

3040[edit]

Second Crucis Lancers RCT (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[28]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Tikonov.[28]

3050[edit]

2nd Crucis Lancers RCT (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[29]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Tikonov.[29]

3054[edit]

2nd Crucis Lancers RCT (Battalion/Regular/Reliable)[24]

  • CO: Hauptmann General Anne Sung[24]
Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Kikuyu.[24]

3062[edit]

Second Crucis Lancers (1 Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[6]

CO: General Anne Sung
Aide: Leftenant Colonel Bruno J. Goskopf
Note: An understrength regiment, with a dozen of Clan-based 'Mechs
Second Crucis Lancers Aerospace Brigade (2 Wings)[6]
CO: Light Commodore Schoener Liljestraand
  • Third Crucis Lancers Aero Wing
  • Fourth Crucis Lancers Aero Wing
Second Crucis Lancers Armor Brigade (3 Regiments/Veteran/Reliable)[6]
CO: Major General Edward Cook
Aide: Leftenant Colonel J. G. Julian
Second Crucis Lancers Infantry Brigade (4 Regiments/Green/Reliable)[6]
CO: Major General Charity Jessman
Aide: Major Marc Geary
  • Fourth Crucis Lancers Infantry Regiment - Colonel Don Schmidt
  • Third Crucis Lancers Mechanized Infantry Regiment - Colonel Joelle La Mere
  • Fourth Crucis Lancers Mechanized Infantry Regiment - Colonel Lyons Freeman
  • Second Crucis Lancers Jump Infantry Regiment - Leftenant Colonel Karl Lim
Note: the Second Jump includes two companies of Cavalier battle armor

3067[edit]

Second Crucis Lancers RCT (Veteran/Fanatical)[17]

Second Crucis Lancers Aerospace Brigade (Elite/Reliable)[17]
Second Crucis Lancers Armor Brigade (Veteran/Reliable)[17]
Second Crucis Lancers Infantry Brigade (Regular/Reliable)[17]
  • CO: Major General Lyons Freeman

3079[edit]

Second Crucis Lancers (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[30]

Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Pitkin.[30] In 3079 the Second was understrength, reaching only two-thirds of its pre-Jihad strength. These losses were made up for by the inclusion of the survivors of the 3rd Crucis Lancers. Though the Princess-Regent promised to rebuild the Crucis Lancers as a whole, they realized that this would take a long time given the state of the Federated Suns. The Second reorganized itself as a trio of LCTs, which allow it to garrison several worlds.[19]

3085[edit]

Second Crucis Lancers RCT (Veteran/Fanatical)[25]

Second Crucis Lancers Aerospace Brigade (Regular/Reliable)[25]
Second Crucis Lancers Armor Brigade (Veteran/Fanatical)[25]
Second Crucis Lancers Infantry Brigade (Veteran/Reliable)[25]

Notes[edit]

  • The service of the Second Crucis Lancers during the Fourth Succession War period is confused with early sources indicating the unit was on the verge of disbandment as of 3025 but fought in the Fourth Succession War with other Crucis Lancer units, only for Field Manual: Federated Suns to seemingly ignore that and claim it was disbanded and missed that conflict, even though also listing Jackson Davion as CO of the unit for the same period of nonexistence. Era Report: 3052 attempts to walk back the disbandment to a degree with elements of the unit being reassigned but refusing to leave their old unit behind before its reactivation.
  • The Second Crucis Lancers are the viewpoint unit for MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries linear Fourth Succession War campaign introduced in the game's second DLC expansion Legend of the Kestrel Lancers, released 23 September, 2021.[31]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 First Succession War, p. 33: "Those Left Behind (Continued)"
  2. 2.0 2.1 Field Manual: 3145, p. 71: "Debacle at Palmyra"
  3. Technical Readout: 3025 Revised, p. 58
  4. Technical Readout: 3025 Revised, p. 16
  5. 5.0 5.1 Era Report: 3052, p. 26
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 68: "2nd Crucis Lancers Unit Profile"
  7. BattlePack: Fourth Succession War, pp. 16–17: "Scenario 3: Strike at the Heart"
  8. 8.0 8.1 NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 11: "Operation Rat"
  9. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 30: "Other Actions on Tikonov"
  10. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, pp. 38–39: "Tigress"
  11. Historical: War of 3039, p. 138: "Deployment Table"
  12. FedCom Civil War, p. 84
  13. Field Manual: Updates, p. 128: "2nd Crucis Lancers"
  14. FedCom Civil War, p. 114
  15. FedCom Civil War, p. 117
  16. FedCom Civil War, p. 185
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 Field Manual: Updates, p. 141: "AFFS Deployment Table - 3067"
  18. Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers, p. 46
  19. 19.0 19.1 Field Report: AFFS, p. 11
  20. Field Manual: 3085, p. 59
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 137 (PDF version): "Valexa PDZ"
  22. Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 33: "AFFC Profiles"
  23. 20 Year Update, p. 24: "AFFC Deployment Table - 3050"
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 Objective Raids, p. 22: "AFFC Deployment Table - 3054"
  25. 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 Field Manual: 3085, p. 72: "AFFS Deployment Table - 3085"
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 First Succession War, p. 134: "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns (AFFS)"
  27. 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 Second Succession War, p. 94: "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns (AFFS)"
  28. 28.0 28.1 Historical: War of 3039, p. 136
  29. 29.0 29.1 29.2 20 Year Update, p. 24
  30. 30.0 30.1 Field Report: AFFS, p. 11
  31. MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, Legend of the Kestrel Lancers

Bibliography[edit]