3rd Confederation Reserve Cavalry

3rd Confederation Reserve Cavalry
Third Confederation Reserve Cavalry
Formed Star League era[1]
Nickname Sarna Light Horse (2765)[1]
Solar Eclipse[2]
Affiliation Capellan Confederation
Parent Command Confederation Reserve Cavalry

The Third Confederation Reserve Cavalry took part in the Fourth Succession War, defended the Confederation during the combined Andurien-Canopus invasion, and fought in the Xin Sheng Campaign. Their tendency to fight to the last man rather than showing more prudent use of manpower and equipment has left them at the back of the resupply line and largely languishing.[3]

History[edit]

Formation[edit]

The Capellan Reserve Cavalry formed during the years between the repeal of the Star League Council Edict of 2650 in 2572 and the eruption of the Amaris Coup. The Capellan Confederation Armed Forces had expanded rapidly, as did the militaries of the other Great Houses, and the Capellan Reserve Cavalry was the last of the CCAF brigades to form (or re-form) prior to the Coup. Between 2572 and 2765 the Reserve Cavalry mustered seven new regiments, with the intention that the Reserve Cavalry would act as rapid reinforcements to other units and as a source of replacement personnel for frontline commands. Like the other regiments within the Reserve Cavalry, the Third was an odd combination of volunteer corps, training cadre and militia, with standing orders for the junior Colonel in charge of the Third to subordinate his command to place it at the full disposal of any frontline command it served alongside. This allowed the Third to act as a synergistic part of the superior formation, free of internal power struggles or conflicts.[1]

Between mustering and the Amaris Civil War the Fifth saw action in the Periphery and performed well, although rumors had begun to circulate linking the Third with an obscure death-cult.[1]

Third Succession War[edit]

At the end of the Third Succession War the Third was stationed at battalion strength on Sirius, Hsien, and Fletcher as of 3025.[4]

Fourth Succession War[edit]

Operation RIPOSTE[edit]

A battalion from the Third joined a company from Trimaldi's Secutors and a company of Lothar's Fusiliers in an attempt to destroy a supply depot on |Kawich during Operation RIPOSTE, but was ambushed by infantry, armor, and a battalion of 'Mechs from the First Davion Guards. When faced with the dug-in defenders the commander ordered a retreat but many over enthusiastic warriors ignored the command and charged hopelessly into the ambush.[5]

Andurien/Canopus Invasion[edit]

The Third Reserve fought during the Andurien-Canopus invasion of the Confederation but tended to make suicide-stands.[3]

Xin Sheng Campaign[edit]

Reactivated and rebuilt in 3052, the Third Reserve fought on Denbar in the Xin Sheng Campaign where they were trapped in the Ho-Lu Lowlands by the Blackwind Lancers and destroyed.[6]

The command company's final suicide charge led to eventually replacement by the Fifth Reserve and reassignment to Drozan in the Victoria Commonality.[3]

The homeworld of the Third Reserve is Holloway.[7]

Jihad[edit]

During Operation SOVEREIGN JUSTICE the Third fought on Homestead and Manapire. On Homestead they split into small, lance-sized elements and engaged in a guerrilla campaign. One lance, Youling Zhanshi, was particularly effective,[8] helping also Death Commando Jason Zaklan targeting Illician Lancers. On both Homestead and Manapire they faced the Illician Lancers, fighting the skilled mercenaries to a standstill both times. They were recalled to Confederation space, where they split up into battalion sized groups and foiled attacks by both the Federated Suns and the Word of Blake.[9] As of 3079 the Third was split up, with a short battalion on Tsingtao, Ares, and Capricorn III.[9]

The assault on Sian made the unit snap out of its depression, and the extreme fighting they experienced in the Jihad quickly rebuilt their skills. In addition the fighting against the Capellan March forces resulted in the Third CRC acquiring a great deal of salvage from the Federated Suns. The unit is now proud of their status as a senior regiment of the Confederation Reserve Cavalry.[10] The Third was once again split up in 3085 with battalion sized units stationed on Repulse, Ward, and Rollis.[11]

Republic Era[edit]

During the Victoria War, the Third rushed to reinforce Victoria. Unfortunately they arrived in battalion sized formations over the course of a week, and this made them easy targets for the AFFS units already on the world. Before the final battalion was destroyed, it inflicted heavy losses on the Twenty-second Avalon Hussars.[12]

Dark Age[edit]

Re-formed and staffed with troops who hated the Federated Suns. The Third CRC were able to vent their rage during Operation GREAT FLOOD, briefly battling the pro-Davion military splinter group Swordsworn. Afterwards they were pulled back to the Victoria Commonality and reassigned to the periphery border.[2]

The Third CRC were disappointed to be kept out of Operation CELESTIAL REWARD, however a few were transferred to the Victoria Rangers in time to take part in the recapture of Victoria.[2]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the 3rd Confederation Reserve Cavalry
Sang-shao Petyr Oravey 3062[13]
Sang-shao Martin Penwall 3063[3]
Sang-shao Lyle Crawford 3067 - 3085[7][14][11]
Sang-shao Kelly Taniwan 3145[15]

Tactics[edit]

Star League Era[edit]

The Third served the Confederation as a fast raiding force.[1]

Clan Invasion[edit]

The Third Reserve's loss of aerospace assets and much of its armor has resulted in their relying on older doctrines.[3]

Composition History[edit]

2765[edit]

Third Confederation Reserve Cavalry (Regiment/Regular/Fanatical)[1]

- At this point in time the Third was stationed on Propus.[1]

2786–2821[edit]

Third Confederation Reserve Cavalry (Regiment/Regular/Fanatical)[16]

- At this point in time the Third was a light-weight regiment operating at full strength and were stationed on Propus.[16] In 2821 the unit was operating at just below one-third of full strength.[16]

2830[edit]

3rd Confederation Reserve Cavalry (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[17]

Note: At this point in time the light-weight unit was stationed on Les Halles with an operational readiness of 100 percent.[17]

2864[edit]

3rd Confederation Reserve Cavalry (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[17]

Note: At this point in time the light-weight unit was stationed on Yuris with an operational readiness of 35 percent.[17]

3025[edit]

3rd Confedeation Reserve Cavalry (3 Battalions) (Regular/Reliable)[4]

Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Sirius and also on Hsien.[4]

3063–3067[edit]

3rd Confederation Reserve Cavalry (1 Regiment/Green/Questionable)[3][7]

3rd Cavalry Armor (2 Battalions/Regular/Reliable)[3][7]

  • Armor Commander: Sao-shao Gart Umbiqua
  • Armor Commander (3067): Sao-shao Rigel Black

3rd Cavalry Support Staff (1 Company/Green/Questionable)[3][7]

  • Infantry Commander: Captain Erin Karata
  • Infantry Commander (3067): Sao-shao Erin Karata

- Mostly Taurian Concordat troops on exchange

3079[edit]

3rd CRC (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[9]

Note: The unit was stationed on Tsingtao, Ares, and Capricorn III.[9] The Third lost a little under thirty percent of their troops during the Jihad. Each battalion is short one company.[9]

3085[edit]

3rd Confederation Reserve Cavalry (Regular/Questionable)[11]

  • CO: Sang-shao Lyle Crawford

3rd Cavalry Armor (Regular/Reliable)[11]

3rd Cavalry Support Staff (Company/Regular/Reliable)[11]

3145[edit]

3rd Confederation Reserve Cavalry (Regular/Reliable)[15]

  • CO: Sang-shao Kelly Taniwan

Sun Killer Flight (Green/Reliable)[15]

3rd Cavalry Armor (Regular/Reliable)[15]

3rd Cavalry Auxiliary (Regular/Questionable)[15]

Notes[edit]

  • 3rd Reserves armor commander Sao-shao Gart Umbiqua attacked 'Mech commander Sang-shoa Martin Penwall after Gart was demoted. The ensuing incident resulted in the deaths of both men.

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Field Report 2765: CCAF, p. 16: "Confederation Reserve Cavalry"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Field Manual: 3145, p. 39: "Confederation Reserve Cavalry - 3rd Confederation Reserve Cavalry"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Field Manual: The Capellan Confederation, p. 71: "3rd Confederation Reserve Cavalry Unit Profile"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 House Liao (The Capellan Confederation), p. 105: "Regimental Deployment Table"
  5. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 92: Kawich
  6. The Killing Fields, p. 16
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Field Manual: Updates, p. 32: "Capellan Confederation Deployment Table - 3067"
  8. BattleTech Dossiers: Youling Zhanshi, p. 1
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Field Report: CCAF, p. 11
  10. Field Manual: 3085, p. 28
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Field Manual: 3085, p. 34: "Capellan Confederation Deployment Table - 3085"
  12. Historical: Wars of the Republic Era, p. 54
  13. The Killing Fields, p. 17
  14. BattleTech Dossiers: Youling Zhanshi, p. 1: "Youling Zhanshi"
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 Field Manual: 3145, p. 47: "Capellan Confederation Deployment Table - 3145"
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 First Succession War, p. 135: "Capellan Confederation Armed Forces (CCAF) - Deployment Table"
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Second Succession War, p. 95

Bibliography[edit]