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8th Donegal Guards

Donegalguards08th.png
Eighth Donegal Guards RCT
Nickname Boston Regiment (2765)[1]
Mud Wrestlers (3145)
Affiliation Lyran Commonwealth
Parent Command Donegal Guards


History[edit]

Third Succession War[edit]

The Eighth Donegal Guards were stationed on Port Moseby in 2765.[1]

In 2895, Archon Elizabeth Steiner sent the Eighth Donegal to Skye, with Narhal's Raiders, and twelve armor and infantry regiments. The force assisted the Seventeenth Skye Rangers in their defense against the Draconis Combine in what would become known as the Battle of Skye.[2] The Eighth, along with other forces that were sent, fought a fierce, 13 month battle for the planet. The battle was a huge success for the Lyran forces, but use of a tactical nuclear weapon against a strategically important dam and many atrocities of the Lyran forces tarnished the victory.

The unit, while not involved in the use of nuclear weapons, was judged guilty of other atrocities during the Skye battle. As a result the officers of the unit aren't considered gentlemen, and forbidden to use braids on their uniforms.[3]

The unit earned its nickname, 'Mud Wrestlers', at the battle of Coopers Creek on Skye, when an ambush on a Combine patrol degraded into close combat in wetlands.[3]

By 3025, the unit had been stationed to the world of Sevren.[4]

Fourth Succession War[edit]

In the Fourth Succession War, the unit fought on Moritz and Stanzach.[3]

Rasalhague and the War of 3039[edit]

In 3034, when the Lyran Commonwealth was forced to relinquish many of its wartime gains to the new nation of Rasalhague, a number of clashes between Lyran and Rasalhagian troops took place. Captain Schmelling's company of the Eighth Donegal Guards took part in the most serious of these, brawling with Bravo Company, Second Battalion of the First Drakøns regiment.[5]

In the War of 3039, the unit got tied down in the fighting on Altais, and lost a third of its strength before it was able to disengage and retreat.[3]

Clan Invasion Era[edit]

Prior to the invasion of the Clans, the Eighth was stationed in the Davion side of the Federated Commonwealth. It was located in the Capellan March region as part of the Alcyone Command on the world of Monhegan in 3050.[6]

FedCom Civil War[edit]

Battle of Kathil[edit]

After Victor Steiner-Davion put out his call to arms, the Loyalist-leaning Eighth Donegal Guards was preparing to assist fellow loyalist units on Alcyone. However, they received orders from the Archon-Princess to reinforce the battered and near-depleted Eighth Federated Commonwealth RCT on Kathil. On February 3063, the Eighth Donegal, backed up by two free Aerospace Wings and free armored brigade from Gallitzin. However, not all of the Aerospace Wing assets had arrived, and so were unable to firmly secure aerospace superiority against the Kathil CMM & First Capellan Dragoons. The Eighth's Aerospace forces fought an aerospace battle against General Sampreis's aerospace assets. They managed to successfully land their forces in three separate locations on planet. After its landing, the Eighth Donegal fought its way to the planetary capital of District City. The attack was to help the Eighth to link up with the battered 8th FedCom at the city.[7]

The Eighth Donegal combined with the Eighth FedCom to push back the Allied forces through District City to secure a secondary GM Plant in the nearby city of Radcliffe. The Kathil CMM counterattacked by hitting loyalist holdings, causing the Eighth Donegal's attack to lessen. Unfortunately, the raids slowed the Eighth Donegal's efforts enough for allies' Sixth Syrtis Fusiliers RCT land on 18th to reinforce the allied units. Four days later, Marshal Nathaniel Hasek arrived quietly, taking command of allied efforts on planet.

On the 2nd March, the Eighth Donegal and its ally vacated its positions they had gained in District City and GM Plant to go on the offensive against CMM. However, the Mud Wrestlers, as Eighth is sometimes is known by, began to be bogged down by winter weather hitting the southern hemisphere of Kathil. The allies began pound on the Eighth FedCom ally to the north, while Guard units were stuck in foul weather. It was not until May the Eighth was able to organized strikes against Marshal Hasek's task force, hitting the Kathil CMM yet again in District City. With coordination of the Eighth FedCom, the unit conducted a three week campaign against the CMM, where they shattered militia unit. Despite efforts of Marshal Hasek taking vital an aerospace base and nearby city. Situation changed when allied force in the form of the Fifth Davion Guards RCT in late July.[8]

In January 3064, the Eighth Donegal attempted to conduct a flank rear-flanking on continent of Furillo. However, they were stopped by the actions First Capellans. The unit was split in two by the attack and became isolated in Woodbine city region. General Pashik, instructed his forces to destroy series of dams that stopped the First Capellans from taking further actions against them in February.

In late March, the Eighth FedCom's Commander, General Weintraub, was killed in action. However, his final orders sealed the fate of the First Capellan Dragoons. General order remaining troops to converge on his position attack First Capellans, despite his headquarters were overwhelmed by Fifth Davion Guards, leaving Eighth Donegal's commander leading loyalist officer on planet.

In July 3064, loyalist reinforcements arrived in the form of the Second Chisholm's Raiders, backed up by a naval squadron of assault DropShips. Despite Allied naval blockade consisting of two Avalon Cruisers, Hanse Davion and Andrew Davion, a large portion of loyalist unit made planetfall to assist General Pashik's dire situation. The arrival of the Raiders changed situation for the Loyalist forces. They immediately assaulted the GM Plant near District City after their landing, then later worked to retake the city itself from the allies. Drawing enemy forces away from Woodbine, the Eighth Donegal broke out allies defensive lines attempt to link up with General Helen Eisener and her RCT in District City. Marshal Hasek, forced into action moved secure cities of Carter City and Burlington. By September, the Eighth Donegal managed to linkup with the Second Chisholm. This is after they devastating Marshal Hasek's forces in city of Greenhaven with artillery and missile bombardment. With destruction of allied forces in Greenhaven, the two loyalist forces retired from the field to District City.

2 January 3065, the combined arms brigade of the Eighth Donegal slammed into the Fifth Davion Guard's string of artillery firebases. Over course of week, brigade consisting of newly built 'Mechs and tanks of scattered the Fifth Davion from the bases. Combined with the Second Chisholm's Raiders, the Eighth drilled into a single brigade of the Fifth Davion. Combined loyalist force pushed them from Tormad Valley and it firebase. General Pashik then had his forces form defensive line around new string of fire bases his forces had seized. All forces exhausted, three-week ceasefire was established.

On the 8th of March, proved to be the turning point for the Eighth. As the allied reinforcement arrived in the form of First Federated Suns Armored Cavalry RCT arrived in orbit, dropped on Eighth Donegal's rear lines. This led to allied units striking the weakened RCT's frontlines at the same time. The Eighth Donegal folded in at end of May, with prior to capture it commanding officer.[9]

The Eighth FedCom was absorbed by the Eighth Donegal at some point during the conflict on Kathil.[10]

As of 1 August 3067, the Eighth was on Kathil and down to 15% strength.[11]

Jihad[edit]

In May of 3069, the Eighth Donegal Guards found themselves facing three different Capellan Confederation regiments that were part of Operation THUNDERSTRIKE's Task Force Shen Lung. Still reeling from the damage done during the FedCom Civil War, and now facing overwhelming odds, the unit was believed destroyed.[12]

However, the unit managed to survive, becoming enough of a nuisance that the attacking Blakists deployed nuclear weapons against them.[13] The unit was completely wiped out.[14]

Dark Age[edit]

The Eighth was rebuilt as a Light Combat Team after the end of the Jihad and posted to Crimond. There they act as a deterrent to both Clan Jade Falcon and Clan Wolf.[15]

They were re-formed in 3137 and posted to guard Hesperus II. They received a boost from the disbandment of the Seventh Donegal Guards after that unit was heavily damaged in fighting on Tharkad. These new troops swelled the Eighth and provided more tactical experience. In 3145 they were stationed on Caledonia and launched raids against systems held by the Wolf Empire and Clan Jade Falcon. These raids served a defensive purpose: By raiding the Clan worlds and forcing them to respond to the raids, the Clan forces couldn't attack Hesperus II.[16]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the 8th Donegal Guards
Hauptmann-General Mitchell Weintraub Fourth Succession War and War of 3039
Marshal Isador Bertini 3050[6]
Hauptmann-General Galen Meinecke 3054[17]
Hauptmann-General Tadeusz Pashik 3062 to 3067[3][11]
Leutnant-General Jason Smith 3085[18]
Leutnant-Colonel Lucrecia Sheridan 3145[19]

Tactics[edit]

The heavy elements stand in the front of the enemy and hold them in place for the surrounding with the lighter more mobile machines for flanking/rear attacks.[3]

Composition History[edit]

2765[edit]

Eighth Donegal Guards (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[1]

Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Port Moseby.

2786–2821[edit]

Eighth Donegal Guards (Regiment/Regular/Reliable) [20]

Note: At this point in time the heavy-weight unit was stationed on Port Moseby. In 2821 the command was reduced to 34 percent of its strength and was deployed on Port Moseby. [20]

2830[edit]

Eighth Donegal Guards (Regiment/Regular/Reliable) [21]

Note: At this point in time the assault-weight unit was stationed on Port Moseby with an operational readiness of 87 percent. [21]

2864[edit]

Eighth Donegal Guards (Regiment/Regular/Fanatical) [21]

Note: At this point in time the assault-weight unit was stationed on Buckminster with an operational readiness of 27 percent. [21]

3025[edit]

Eighth Donegal Guards (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[4]

Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Sevren.

3040[edit]

Eighth Donegal Guards RCT (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[22]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Gallery. [22]

3050[edit]

Eighth Donegal Guards RCT (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable) [23]

  • CO: Marshal Isador Bertim [23]
Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Monhegan. [23]

3054[edit]

Eighth Donegal Guards RCT (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable) [24]

  • CO: Hauptmann General Galen Meinecke [24]
Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Monhegan. [24]

3062[edit]

Eighth Donegal Guards (1 Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[3]
CO: Hauptmann General Tadeusz Pashik
Aide: Leftenant General Alun Lewis

Eighth Donegal Guards Aerospace Brigade (2 Wings)[3]
CO: Leftenant General Pierre Condorelli
- 14th Donegal Guards Wing
- 62ndDonegal Guards Wing

Eighth Donegal Guards Armor Brigade (3 Regiments/Regular/Reliable)[3]
CO: Leutnant General Hubert Beazley
Aide: Kommandant Annabelle Laclos
- 367th Donegal Armored Cavalry Regiment: Leftenant General Giavani Allen
- 42nd Donegal Heavy Armor Regiment: Leftenant General Chapman Mustafa
- 47th Loxley Light Tank: Leftenant General Corrine Paquin

Eighth Donegal Guards Infantry Brigade (5 Regiments/Regular/Reliable)[3]
CO: Leftenant Generall Charles Gruber
Aide: Kommandant Ramesh Chandra
- 17th Moneghan Infantry Regiment: Leftenant General Ilras Miah
- 194th Donegal Heavy Infantry Regiment: Leftenant General David Hill
- 22nd Lyndon Motorized Regiment: Leftenant General Dai Mansaray
- 331st Donegal Mechanized Rifles: Leftenant General Julianne Ruddle
- 311th Donegal Jump Regiment: Leftenant General Moksod Samtani
- The 311th includes two platoons of Fenrir battle armor)

3067[edit]

Eighth Donegal Guards RCT (Elite/Reliable)[11]
CO: Hauptmann General Tadeusz Pasnik

Eighth Donegal Aerospace (Elite/Reliable)[11]
CO: Leutnant Kommodore Pierre Condorelli

Eighth Donegal Armor Brigade (Veteran/Reliable)[11]
CO: Leutnant General Pascal Bell

Eighth Donegal Infantry Brigade (Veteran/Reliable)[11]
CO: Leutnant General Ramesh Chandra

3085[edit]

Eighth Donegal Guards LCT (Green/Fanatical)[18]
CO: Leutnant General Jason Smith

Eighth Donegal Aerospace (Green/Reliable)[18]
CO: Colonel Godafried Horvatincic

Eighth Donegal Armor Brigade (Regular/Reliable)[18]
CO: Colonel Mikala Hodges

Eighth Donegal Infantry Brigade (G/F)[18]
CO: Colonel Tybalt Pfaff

3145[edit]

Eighth Donegal Guards (Elite/Fanatical)[19]
CO: Leutnant Colonel Lucrecia Sheridan

Seventeenth Caledonian Cavalry (Veteran/Reliable)[19]
CO: Colonel Shaina Ponce

Eighth Caledonian Hussars (Veteran/Fanatical)[19]
CO: Colonel Mariko Grooms

Notes[edit]

The officers of the Eighth are explicitly forbidden to wear service braids with their dress uniforms, as a result of the unit's alleged involvement in atrocities on Skye in 2895.

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Field Report 2765: LCAF, p. 11, "Donegal Guards" - Regimental Status
  2. House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 69: "The Battle for Skye (2895)" - 8th Donegal sent in to help with defense of Skye.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 Field Manual: Lyran Alliance, p. 69: "8th Donegal Guards Unit Profile"
  4. 4.0 4.1 House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 116: "Deployment Table - 3025"
  5. 20 Year Update, p. 49
  6. 6.0 6.1 20 Year Update, p. 21, "AFFC Deployment Table - 3050"
  7. FedCom Civil War, p. 56: "8th Donegal assaults Kathil to assist the beleaguered 8th FedCom RCT for the Loyalists".
  8. FedCom Civil War, pp. 56–57: "8th Donegal Guards enter battle take Kathil".
  9. FedCom Civil War, p. 124: "Last chapter of 8th Donegal's fight on Kathil".
  10. Field Manual: Updates, p. 169: "Donegal Guards"
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Field Manual: Updates, p. 179: "LAAF Deployment Table - 3067"
  12. Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 20: "Operation Thunderstrike, Fourth Wave, 8th Donegal Guards are wiped out by Capellan forces".
  13. Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers, p. 98
  14. Field Report: LAAF, p. 11
  15. Field Manual: 3085, p. 100
  16. Field Manual: 3145, p. 127
  17. Objective Raids, p. 14, "AFFC Deployment Table - 3054"
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 Field Manual: 3085, p. 109, "LAAF Deployment Table - 3085"
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 Field Manual: 3145, p. 133, "Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces - Donegal Province"
  20. 20.0 20.1 First Succession War, p. 139
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Second Succession War, p. 99
  22. 22.0 22.1 Historical: War of 3039, p. 137
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 20 Year Update, p. 21
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 Objective Raids, p. 14

Bibliography[edit]