Ceti Hussars

Ceti Hussars -Brigade logo 3062.png
Ceti Hussars
Formed Star League Era
Affiliation Federated Suns
Parent Command AFFS

The Ceti Hussars are a group of units that were patterned on the Light Horse regiments of the Star League Defense Force and which were created specifically for conducting short raids.

History[edit]

Star League Era[edit]

The Ceti Hussars were the first serious attempt made by any of the Great Houses to emulate an SLDF light horse unit. When the First Ceti Hussars were formed, the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns threw resources at the command, which was able to take its pick of personnel and equipment - partly because the formation of the Ceti Hussars was a direct reaction to the lack of coordination shown between the various branches of the AFFS during the War of Davion Succession. This level of predetermination in the formation of the Hussars was a sharp contrast to the light horse-style regiments of the other Great Houses, whose formation had been more incidental or accidental.[1]

The importance of the Ceti Hussars waxed and waned during the late Star League era, with the AFFS High Command reducing their support for the Hussars in later years; the Hussars didn't expand beyond the First during the Star League era, but the High Command had also stopped short of disbanding the regiment or dividing it into the more traditional mono-type sub-units, although that didn't stop others attempting to separate out components of the command for actions, including the Duke of the Capellan March, who attempted to have the BattleMech component of the Hussars undertake actions independently.[1]

By 2765, appointment to the Ceti Hussars was available only by request; while this reduced the number of potential recruits into the brigade, it also ensured that those who did join were committed to the Hussars and their tactics. The Hussars continued to practice open messes, encouraging all personnel to dine together regardless of rank or branch of service, prompting a feeling of equality; this played an important factor in keeping the Hussars active, producing a high level of morale within the regiment and a reenlistment rate equal to that of the Davion Brigade of Guards.[1]

Though successful, the experiment was almost abandoned. At the outset of the Amaris Civil War, the units' value became clear, and its ranks were bolstered with former Star League Defense Force soldiers that did not follow Aleksandr Kerensky into the Deep Periphery. The Ceti Hussars' tactics and regimental combat team organization proved its value, especially during the Third Succession War. Each Hussar Regiment was divided into three small units each centered around a BattleMech Battalion.[2]

The Succession Wars[edit]

The Hussars were highly regarded by the St. Ives Compact. They were used as the model for the St. Ives Janissaries.[3]

The Jihad[edit]

During the Jihad, the First Ceti Hussars lost nearly 90% of their forces at Rio. The survivors joined the Princess-Regent as part of her defense routine. The Third Ceti Hussars were driven off of Taygeta during Operation THUNDERSTRIKE, taking heavy losses. They moved to New Syrtis to defend that world, and the brutal house to house fighting further depleted their numbers, particularly in the command staff. The Third's survivors were rolled into the Second Ceti Hussars to make up combat losses in that organization. The First and Third were deactivated until replacement troops were available.[4]

The Dark Age[edit]

When the Light Combat Team concept was introduced after the Jihad the AFFS High Command used the tactics developed by the Ceti Hussars as the training doctrine for the new units.[4] After rebuilding, most of the Ceti Hussar regiments participated in Operation MATADOR.[5] In 3085 the Ceti Hussars were organized as Light Combat Teams.[6]

During the Draconis Combine's assault on the Federated Suns, the Third Ceti Hussars were destroyed on Deshler and the Fifth was destroyed on Palmyra. The First and Second Ceti Hussars were stationed in the Draconis March, while the Fourth remained in the Capellan March.[7]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Ceti Hussars
Field Marshal Vance Lamont 3067[8]
Field Marshal Kellie Lee-Merrow 3085[9]

Tactics[edit]

Different per Unit.

Units of the Ceti Hussars[edit]

Notes[edit]

Color Scheme and Unit Insignia[edit]

The unit uses dark blue with red or light blue highlights during ceremonial duties.

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 12: "Ceti Hussars"
  2. Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 62: "Ceti Hussars"
  3. Handbook: House Liao, p. 104
  4. 4.0 4.1 Field Report: AFFS, p. 10
  5. Field Manual: 3085, p. 54
  6. Field Manual: 3085, p. 58
  7. Field Manual: 3145, p. 75
  8. Field Manual: Updates, p. 127: "Ceti Hussars"
  9. Field Manual: 3085, p. 58: "Ceti Hussars"
  10. Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers, p. 47

Bibliography[edit]