Davion Heavy Guards

Insignia of the Davion Heavy Guards
Davion Heavy Guards RCT
Formed mid-2500s[1]
Disbanded 3144 (destroyed)[2]
Nickname Strength of the Davions
Affiliation Federated Suns
Parent Command Davion Brigade of Guards


The Davion Heavy Guards are one of the highest-profile units in the AFFS.

History[edit]

At the time they were founded, the Davion Heavy Guards were intended to serve as the bodyguard unit to the First Prince.[1] Over time they became skilled in different tactics, eventually becoming the best heavy cavalry unit in the AFFS. They were stationed on New Avalon, and only deployed out of that system by order of the First Prince. During the War of Davion Succession, they defeated the Fifth Benjamin Regulars on Colchester in 2729.[3]

Second Succession War[edit]

In October 2829 the Davion Heavy Guards and Third Ceti Hussars landed on Axton as a part of Operation RAIN - one of two offensives into the Capellan Confederation being conducted simultaneously (the other being Operation SUN). The defending Third Liao Lancers fought a handful of minor clashes, despite being heavily outnumbered, before deciding to withdraw rather than be destroyed.[4]

In 2847 the Davion Heavy Guards raided Ozawa and inflicted heavy damage on the Diplan Mechyards plant.[5]

Third Succession War[edit]

The homeworld of the Davion Heavy Guards was Galax. In 3002 they fought the Fourth Proserpina Hussars and Eighth Sword of Light in the Third Battle of Harrow's Sun.[6] In early 3014 Hanse Davion lead the Thirty-fourth Avalon Hussars, Tenth Deneb Light Cavalry and the Davion Heavy Guards in an attack against the toxic world Halstead Station attempting to destroy the large Draconis Combine supply depot being built there. The defending Ninth Dieron Regulars and Second Proserpina Hussars regiments failing to stop the destruction of the supply depot still managed to keep all three AFFS regiments tied up until Takashi Kurita could arrive with the fresh Second Sword of Light.

Fourth Succession War[edit]

During the Fourth Succession War, the Heavy Guards attacked Styk in the first wave. Most of Warrior House Fujita was destroyed during this assault.[7] Later they attacked Tsingtao and Truth.[8] They then moved to New Aragon to defend the forward logistical bases there from a CCAF counterattack.[9] They would also link up with the Davion Light Guards and spearhead a relief taskforce to Sarna and force McCarron's Armored Cavalry off world.[10]

War of 3039[edit]

During the War of 3039, the Heavy Guards remained on New Avalon while the rest of their Brigade took part in the invasion of the Combine.[11] The decision to keep them on New Avalon may have been influenced by the Death Commando attack on the underdefended capital during the Fourth Succession War. (An action actually committed by the Com Guards.)

Clan Invasion[edit]

As of 3055, they were apparently stationed along the Clan Border, where it was said they had a vendetta against Clan Jade Falcon. At one point, they were planning an operation to retake Black Earth from the Falcons, and as such were considered a prime candidate for new Federated Commonwealth 'Mech designs.[12]

Operation BULLDOG[edit]

During Operation Bulldog, the Heavy Guards were committed by Prince Victor Ian Steiner-Davion to the new SLDF. They saw action against Clan Smoke Jaguar on Asgard and Schuyler.[13][14] It was on Schuyler that they fought alongside Prince Victor and the Tenth Lyran Guards. These actions reduced the regiment from its former size of four full battalions to three battalions each with an attached demi-company.[15][16]

FedCom Civil War[edit]

Afterward, the Heavy Guards would eventually return to Galax. At the start of the FedCom Civil War, they were briefly stranded there due to Katherine Steiner-Davion stripping them of their transport.[17] As a result, they were unable to prevent the destruction of the First Davion Guards on New Avalon. They later joined Prince Victor and his allies for the Second Battle of New Avalon, landing on the continent of Brunswick behind twelve confiscated Conquistador-class DropShips,[18] where they finally removed Katherine from power. The Guards played a critical role, destroying Katherine's potential escape transport in a drive that essentially destroyed the unit for a time.[19] After the Civil War, the Heavy Guards kept four of the Conquistador DropShips.[20] Orders transferring the Heavy Guards to Kathil had been arranged,[21] but the Heavy Guards never relocated there.

The Jihad[edit]

The unit later saw action during the Blakist Jihad, fighting in the Third Battle of New Avalon. They arrived on-planet unhindered in January 3068 and immediately found themselves in a fight once they landed. The unit served as one of the primary defenders of Avalon City after breaking through enemy forces.[22] Though they were able to drive the Forty-fourth Shadow Division from the world, they were not able to prevent the Blakists from destroying Mount Davion.[23]

After the end of the Jihad, the Davion Heavy Guards was swiftly rebuilt. Though they were headquartered on New Avalon for administrative purposes, the Heavy Guards was broken down into two-company mixed units. These smaller commands were stationed on dozens of worlds within thirty light years of New Avalon and worked to rebuild the local planetary militias.[24] A cadre from the Guards were also detached to help defend Layover, another important military-industrial world.[25]

The Dark Age[edit]

Between 3080 and 3084 the Davion Heavy Guards deployed to dozens of worlds to rebuild their militia commands. Training against one of the best commands of the AFFS quickly sharpened the skills of these new defenders. The Heavy Guards rotated to Kathil in 3085 and continued their training regimen in the Capellan March. As part of this training effort, the Heavy Guards have a regiment of conventional fighters assigned to them in addition to the double-sized aerospace fighter contingent common to Davion Guards RCTs.[26] The Heavy Guards have also used their training experience to mentor the First NAIS Cadet Cadre, which was also assigned to Kathil.[27]

The Davion Heavy Guards was one of the regiments destroyed on Palmyra during the catastrophic losses taken by the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns during the DCMS invasion of the Draconis March. Despite the regiment being shattered, some survivors attempted to continue to fight; one such individual was Captain Benjamin Horn, a company commander who lost half of his company in the initial assault but who went on to conduct a guerrilla campaign against the DCMS forces on the planet. Leading the remains of his company from his Vulpes, Horn became adept at luring Combine lances into long-range ambushes using emissions from his Guardian ECM Suite. Horn scored four kills himself before a company from one of the Sword of Light regiments managed to catch him and his companions in a battle against a cliff face, leaving them with no avenue to retreat. Horn's soldiers fought to the last man, taking eight Sword of Light 'Mechs with them before the last man fell.[28]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Davion Heavy Guards
Major General Ran Felsner 3010-3025[29][30]
Marshal Ardan Sortek 3033-3035[31]
Marshal Candent Sortek [15]
Marshal Ann Adelmana 3050-3062[32][33][15]
Marshal Jonathan Davion 3067-3074[21][22]
Marshal Athena Davion-Ross 3074-3085[34]

Tactics[edit]

The RCT is divided in smaller subunits with to tasks: one part of this units uses fireteams to pin the enemy in place because the other units surround it and assaulting the rear/flanks.[15]

Composition History[edit]

2765[edit]

Davion Heavy Guards (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[35]

Note: The Davion Heavy Guards were stationed on Robinson at this point in time.[35] In common with the other regiments of the Brigade the Heavy Guards had a large contingent of conventional forces permanently attached; these conventional forces included one brigade of armor, two brigades of mixed infantry regiments, an artillery regiment and a regiment of aerospace fighters. In contrast to the Assault Guards the Heavy Guards uses machines with more speed and mobility.[36]

2786 - 2821[edit]

Davion Heavy Guards (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[37]

Note: At this point in time the Guards were a heavy-weight regiment stationed on Robinson and were operating at full strength.[37] In 2821 the unit was stationed on Markesan and had been reduced to just over forty percent strength.[37]

2830[edit]

Davion Heavy Guards (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[38]

Note: At this point in time the Guards were a heavy-weight regiment and had rebuilt to the extent that they were more than ten percent above full strength. The Guards were stationed on Axton.[38]

2864[edit]

Davion Heavy Guards (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[38]

Note: At this point in time the Guards were a heavy-weight regiment stationed on Axton, and had been reduced to less than two battalions in strength.[38]

3025[edit]

Davion Heavy Guards RCT (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[30]

  • CO: Field Marshal Ran Felsner[30]
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on New Avalon.[30] The 'Mech regiment contains heavy designs.[39]

3040[edit]

Davion Heavy Guards RCT (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[11]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on New Avalon.[11]

3050[edit]

Davion Heavy Guards RCT (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[40]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on New Avalon.[40]

3054[edit]

Davion Heavy Guards RCT (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[33]

  • CO: Marshal Ann Adelmana[33]
Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on New Avalon.[33]

3062[edit]

Davion Heavy Guards (1 Reinforced Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[15]

CO: Marshal Ann Adelmana
Aide: Leftenant Colonel Wendy Karner
Note: Split in three battalions with each a demi-company

Davion Heavy Guards Aerospace Brigade (3 Wings)[15]

CO: Rear Admiral Sen Wedde
  • 538th New Avalon Attack Wing
  • Twenty-ninth Kestrel Attack Wing
  • 374th Federation Fighter Wing

Davion Heavy Guards Armor Brigade (4 Regiments/Elite/Reliable)[15]

CO: Major General Jonathan Davion
Aide: Colonel DeLourdes Milland
Note: One Battalion of artillery and two of Combat Engineers

Davion Heavy Guards Infantry Brigade (4 Regiments/Regular/Reliable)[15]

CO: Major General Harry Tuttle
Aide: Colonel Samson Lowry
Note: The Second includes a few dozen Elemental battlesuits

3067[edit]

Davion Heavy Guards RCT (Elite/Fanatical)[21]

CO: Marshal Jonathan Davion

Davion Heavy Guards Aerospace Brigade (Elite/Fanatical)[21]

CO: Rear Admiral Ernesto Ramirez Villalobos

Davion Heavy Guards Armor Brigade (Elite/Fanatical)[21]

CO: Major General Donovan Kleif

Davion Heavy Guards Infantry Brigade (Elite/Fanatical)[21]

CO: General Harry Tuttle

3079[edit]

Davion Heavy Guards RCT (Reinforced Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[41]

Note: The Davion Heavy Guards are at eighty percent of their pre-Jihad strength. Unfortunately they are scattered in small two company units across at least two dozen worlds performing cadre duties. Once their planetary militia units are up to speed it is likely the Davion Heavy Guards will relocate back to New Avalon.[24]

3085[edit]

Davion Heavy Guards RCT (Veteran/Fanatical)[34]

CO: Marshal Athena Davion-Ross

Davion Heavy Guards Aerospace Brigade (Green/Reliable)[34]

CO: Rear Admiral Vasha Moreau

Davion Heavy Guards Armor Brigade (Regular/Reliable)[34]

CO: Major General Titus Cormack

Davion Heavy Guards Infantry Brigade (Green/Reliable)[34]

CO: General Ursula Whit
Note: The ground forces of the Davion Heavy Guards during this time are all capable of cruising/walk speeds in the 50 km/h range.[26]

Uniforms[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Era Report: 2750, p. 44
  2. Field Manual: 3145, p. 71: "Debacle at Palmyra"
  3. Era Report: 2750, p. 45
  4. Second Succession War, p. 28: "The Suns-Confederation Front"
  5. Technical Readout: 3025 Revised, p. 26
  6. Technical Readout: 3025 Revised, p. 104
  7. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 22
  8. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2, p. 42
  9. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2, p. 97
  10. McCarron's Armored Cavalry, p. 10
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Historical: War of 3039, p. 136
  12. Technical Readout: 3055, p. 68
  13. The Dragon Roars, p. 11
  14. Grave Covenant, p. 296
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 15.7 Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 77: "Davion Heavy Guards Unit Profile"
  16. Grave Covenant, pp. 248–249
  17. FedCom Civil War, p. 18
  18. FedCom Civil War, p. 170
  19. Endgame
  20. Field Manual: Updates, p. 129: "Davion Heavy Guards"
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 Field Manual: Updates, p. 137: "AFFS Deployment Table - 3067"
  22. 22.0 22.1 Jihad Turning Points: New Avalon, pp. 6–7: "Combatants"
  23. Jihad Turning Points: New Avalon, p. 9
  24. 24.0 24.1 Field Report: AFFS, p. 9
  25. Objectives: Federated Suns, p. 16: "Layover"
  26. 26.0 26.1 Field Manual: 3085, p. 60
  27. Field Manual: 3085, p. 68
  28. Technical Readout: 3145 Federated Suns, p. 42: "VLP-1D Vulpes"
  29. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 189
  30. 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 138 (PDF version): "Federated Suns Deployment Table"
  31. Historical: War of 3039, p. 23
  32. 20 Year Update, p. 22: "AFFC Deployment Table - 3050"
  33. 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 Objective Raids, p. 15: "AFFC Deployment Table - 3054"
  34. 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 34.4 Field Manual: 3085, p. 69: "AFFS Deployment Table - 3085"
  35. 35.0 35.1 Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 14: "Regimental Status"
  36. Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 13: "Condition"
  37. 37.0 37.1 37.2 First Succession War, p. 134: "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns (AFFS)"
  38. 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 Second Succession War, p. 94: "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns (AFFS)"
  39. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 137
  40. 40.0 40.1 40.2 20 Year Update, p. 22
  41. Field Report: AFFS, p. 12

Bibliography[edit]