Capellan Chargers

Brigade Insignia of the Capellan Chargers
Capellan Chargers
Formed pre–Age of War;
re-formed between 3134 and 3144
Nickname The Rangers
Affiliation Capellan Confederation
Parent Command CCAF
Sub-Command(s) First Capellan Chargers
Second Capellan Chargers
Third Capellan Chargers
Fourth Capellan Chargers
Fifth Capellan Chargers
Sixth Capellan Chargers
Seventh Capellan Chargers


History[edit]

Second Exodus and Age of War[edit]

The Capellan Chargers were the core of the Capellan Hegemony Armed Forces prior to the formation of the Capellan Confederation and were devoted to the ideals and traditions of the Capellan Hegemony, a trait that they would continue to maintain beyond the end of the Age of War. Traditionally heavy armored units, the Capellan Chargers were dedicated to maintaining high standards in both performance in combat and proper decorum, and the success with which the Chargers did so was obvious in the number of members of the Lorix Order who served with the Chargers - more than would serve with any other contemporary Capellan brigade.[1]

The regiments of Chargers were amongst the first regiments within the Capellan Confederation Armed Forces to receive BattleMechs and were active in every major Capellan offensive, often found in the thick of the fighting. It was the tireless efforts of the Chargers across the length and breadth of the Confederation that earned the brigade the nickname "the Rangers"; the high standards expected of the MechWarriors of the Chargers — who were referred to as cavaliers — limited the size of the Chargers as a brigade, but the Chargers were vocal in their belief that their quality more than made up for any lack of quantity.[1]

The Reunification War[edit]

With the formation of the Star League many of the best military personnel serving House Liao were transferred to the newly formed Star League Defense Force, and this included a significant number of personnel from the Chargers when the CCAF drew the Chargers down to just two active regiments, the First and Second. Those who transferred into the SLDF served with distinction; a typical example of a former Charger in Star League service was Yuri Bykov, who was awarded the Medal of Valor for his actions during the siege of Pinard during the Reunification War campaign against the Taurian Concordat.[1]

The Star League[edit]

When the Star League Council voted in 2752 to repeal the Council Edict of 2650, which had limited the size of the militaries of the various Great Houses, the CCAF began to expand the Capellan Chargers once more, reactivating the Third and Fourth by 2765. The resurgent Chargers were firmly indoctrinated in the mythos of the brigade, particularly the Third and Fourth Chargers, with many of the personnel convinced that the Chargers were nigh invincible and that each cavalier was a virtual god amongst men, an attitude that was likely to prove a critical flaw in the future.[1]

First Succession War[edit]

As one of the premier brigades serving the Capellan Confederation at the start of the First Succession War, the Capellan Chargers won many battles against opponents of equal strength or better. However, their unwillingness to retreat or surrender made them vulnerable to nuclear weapons and overwhelming odds. The entire brigade was destroyed by the end of the First Succession War.[2]

The Strategios decided not to rebuild the brigade as their combat philosophy resulted in wasted resources for not enough gain.[2]

Re-formation[edit]

The Capellan Chargers brigade was re-formed sometime during Operation GREAT FLOOD as one of the Hidden Lion brigades resurrected by Chancellor Daoshen Liao using stockpiled equipment.[2] The new Capellan Chargers used the Augmented Regiment formations commonly found in the CCAF by 3145.[3] They were the front-line regiments of the Capella Commonality.[4]

Operation CELESTIAL REWARD[edit]

The majority of the Capellan Chargers brigade took part in Operation CELESTIAL REWARD. Raiding numerous planets in the Capellan March, they have been moderately successful in damaging infrastructure and capturing equipment.[2]

Officers[edit]

All military forces inside a Commonality are commanded by a Line Director and a Home Guard Director. The Line Director is also responsible for the readiness, supply, training and personnel needs of all front-line and reserve regiments based in the Commonality, even if they are assigned to another Commonality temporarily.[5]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Capellan Chargers
Jiang-jun
Line Director
Cesare Tzemos 3145[6]
Jiang-jun
Home Guard Director
Ariadne Su-Liao 3145[6]

Tactics[edit]

2765[edit]

The entire brigade was the primary offensive force of the CCAF during this period and would favor attack over defend missions.[1]

3145[edit]

With the exception of the Fifth Capellan Chargers, the brigade was assigned to raiding duty and used tactics appropriate to such missions.[2] All regiments were organized into Augmented Regiments.[3]

Units of the Capellan Chargers[edit]

Color Scheme and Unit Insignia[edit]

The brigade insignia was a green cross over a wheel. They used a khaki paint scheme.[2]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Field Report 2765: CCAF, p. 9: "Capellan Chargers"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 Field Manual: 3145, p. 34: "Capellan Chargers"
  3. 3.0 3.1 Field Manual: 3145, p. 27: "General Review"
  4. Field Manual: 3145, p. 28: "The New Old-Fashioned Way"
  5. Field Manual: Capellan Confederation, p. 25: "Rise of the Jiang-jun"
  6. 6.0 6.1 Field Manual: 3145, p. 46: "Capella Commonality"
  7. First Succession War, p. 135

Bibliography[edit]