5th Benjamin Regulars

Insignia of the Fifth Benjamin Regulars
Fifth Benjamin Regulars
Formed mid-2680s[1]
Disbanded between 2830 and 2864
Nickname Mirror, Mirror[1]
Affiliation Draconis Combine
Parent Command Benjamin Regulars

History[edit]

Star League Era[edit]

Formed in the mid-2680s, the Fifth Benjamin Regulars were one of the handful of DCMS regiments specializing in defensive operations. Built around the heavy and assault-weight machines of the Thirteenth Regulars Battalion (the "Thirteen Orphans"), two more such battalions were constructed during the 2690s, with an additional company of light 'Mechs, hovercraft and VTOLs for each battalion. This gave the Fifth the means to both conduct defensive operations and react to changing battlefield circumstances; the light companies would gather information on the enemy, allowing the main units to devise counters to enemy tactics before they engaged.[2]

Of the various brigades of Regulars active within the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery during the Star League era, the regiments of the Benjamin Regulars - including the Fifth Benjamin Regulars - were considered to be the most flexible. This was a reflection of the reality that the Regulars could at any point be called on to fight against the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns, the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces or the Star League Defense Force, as a result of the Benjamin Military District bordering the Federated Suns, Lyran Commonwealth and Terran Hegemony. This was even acknowledged by the Internal Security Force, who gave the Fifth and the other regiments of the Regulars more leeway than the average DCMS unit - an attitude the Benjamin Regulars repaid by limiting complaints and criticism to supply issues and local concerns, rather than anything to do with politics.[3]

The first duel involving a graduate of the SLDF's Gunslinger Program was undertaken with a member of the Fifth Benjamin on Christmas Day 2687, when Gunslinger Colonel Donovan Fresnel of the Seventy-fifth Royal Hussar Regiment and Chu-sa Shinichi Konya fought to a draw on the planet Minakuchi.[4]

During the War of Davion Succession the Fifth reinforced DCMS units on Donenac in June 2726, where they fought the First Robinson Chevaliers. The Fifth offered their opponents the option of surrender after the Davion unit had suffered heavy losses; the Chevaliers refused and successfully waged a guerrilla campaign against DCMS supply depots instead. The Fifth was later beaten in 2729 by the Davion Heavy Guards on Colchester.[5] [2]

The First and Second Succession Wars[edit]

The Fifth Benjamin survived the First Succession War, albeit reduced to half-strength by the end of the conflict.[6] It was not so fortunate during the subsequent war, with the unit listed as 'destroyed' sometime prior to 2864.[7]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the 5th Benjamin Regulars

Tactics[edit]

Star League Era[edit]

The 5th Benjamin Regulars where trained to be expert defenders[8] and to be adaptable; the ability to quickly adapt to an opponents tactics can confuse even the most experienced commander.[9]

Composition History[edit]

2765[edit]

Fifth Benjamin Regulars (Regiment/Green/Reliable)[3]

Note: At this point in time the Regulars were stationed on Benjamin; attached to the Regulars were a wing of aerospace fighters, an artillery regiment, four infantry regiments and four armored regiments.[3]

2786 - 2821[edit]

Fifth Benjamin Regulars (Regiment/Green/Reliable)[6]

Note: At this point in time the Regulars were a light-weight regiment, operating at full strength and stationed on Irurzun.[6]In 2821 the unit was operating at half-strength and stationed on Ludwig.[6]

2830[edit]

Fifth Benjamin Regulars (Regiment/Green/Reliable)[7]

Note: At this point in time the Regulars were a light-weight regiment, operating at near full strength and stationed on Sendai.[7] The unit was destroyed during the war.[7]

Rules[edit]

Game Rules[edit]

2750[edit]

In any scenario against the 5th Benjamin the opposing force will lose the following special abilities: Overrun Combat, Forcing the Initiative, and Banking the Initiative

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Era Report 2750 pp. 42-43, "Fifth Benjamin Regulars"
  2. 2.0 2.1 Era Report: 2750, p. 42-43, "Fifth Benjamin Regulars"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Field Report 2765: DCMS, p. 10, "Benjamin Regulars"
  4. Era Report: 2750, p. 27
  5. Era Report: 2750, p. 30-31
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 First Succession War, p. 136, "Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery (DCMS)"
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Second Succession War, p. 96, "Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery (DCMS)"
  8. Era Report: 2750, p. 43
  9. Era Report: 2750, p. 141

Bibliography[edit]