Davion Light Guards

Insignia of the Davion Light Guards
Davion Light Guards RCT
Nickname Swift Foxes
Affiliation Federated Suns
Parent Command Davion Brigade of Guards


History[edit]

In 3025 the Davion Light Guards were based on Groveld III.[1] The homeworld of the Davion Light Guards was Mendham. In 3067, their new homeworld was Panpour.[2]

Fourth Succession War[edit]

During the first wave of Operation RAT, the Davion Light Guards landed on St. Andre along with the Alpha and Beta regiments of the Twelfth Vegan Rangers. The Light Guards Third Battalion and the Rangers faced the first battalion of the Blackwind Lancers, inflicting heavy casualties on the CCAF unit and causing them to surrender. The Guards then seized the Blackwind Lancers' headquarters and convinced Justinia's Cuirassiers to sortie from the city of Jerome. The Guards and Rangers then destroyed that unit as well.[3]

The First and Second battalions of the Light Guards were attacked by Liao aerospace fighters on their way in, scattering the two battalions and allowing Cochraine's Goliaths to begin grinding down the two units. The double-strength Delta Company quickly landed behind the attacking Goliaths, closed with them, and destroyed five of them in the opening salvo. The lighter 'Mechs of Delta Company massed their fire and were able to get inside the minimum range of the PPCs and LRMs of the Goliaths used by Cochraine's unit. This sudden attack allowed the Light Guards battalions to regroup and destroy Cochraine's Goliaths.[4] On Algot a few months later, the Light Guards destroyed the Second Ariana Fusiliers.[5]

The Light Guards RCT then traveled to Remshield, where they faced the first battalion of the Fourth Tau Ceti Rangers and Hurloc's Hussars. The Light Guards defeated both units.[6] They quickly returned their DropShips for a short trip to Sarna. On that world, McCarron's Armored Cavalry had destroyed the Fifth Syrtis Fusiliers and stranded the Screaming Eagles and Crater Cobras. Along with the Davion Heavy Guards, the Light Guards reinforced the two mercenary units, forcing the Big Mac to retreat off planet.[7] A short while later, the Light Guards redeployed again, landing on Kaifeng. What should have been a simple takeover stretched out into a series of engagements led by a fanatical militia defense force.[8]

FedCom Civil War[edit]

During the FedCom Civil War, they fought on Sirdar and New Syrtis against Katherine's forces. Later, they joined Victor's assault on New Avalon, where they suffered heavy casualties.[9] In 3067, they were reactivated, but they were only at approximately 50% of their listed strength.[2]

Sirdar[edit]

On Sirdar, the defending Sirdar CMM had no chance against the combined might of the First Federated Suns Armored Cavalry, Ninth Illician Rangers, Twenty-First Illician Rangers, and Davion Light Guards. During the fight they suffered light losses.[citation needed]

Jihad[edit]

In January 3068, in the outbreak of the Jihad, the Davion Light Guards attempted to land on New Avalon, but were intercepted by Word of Blake WarShips and destroyed before they could make planetfall.[10] The unit was struck from AFFS rolls, for the first time in history, after this event.[11]

Though observers expected the rebuilding process to take several years, Marshal Jon Davion found a quick workaround: He drafted the entire First NAIS Cadet Cadre into the Brigade of Guards as the new Davion Light Guards. Though this has provided skilled soldiers in a hurry, they still need time to work together and rebuild their forces before they can deploy. Their current posting to New Avalon will likely provide them the time they need.[11]

Post-Jihad[edit]

The new Light Guards were staffed by the veterans of the FedCom Civil War and the Jihad. In 3085 the Light Guards were stationed in the Periphery March and had been involved in several anti-pirate raids and defensive missions.[12] The Light Guards were one of the first units to receive supplies of the new Cuirass BattleMech in July 3086, and the Light Guards proceeded to use the new 'Mechs as the core of a new Delta Company.[13]

During the Draconis Combine's assault into the Federated Suns, the Light Guards were stationed on Brookeland. They inflicted heavy losses on the Tenth Ghost and Eleventh Ghost regiments.[14] During this fighting the Light Guards sent a lance of Gunsmith BattleMechs behind the Eleventh's lines to perform deep raiding duties. After two weeks of raids, the Eleventh had lost seven 'Mechs, six tanks, and nineteen suits of battle armor. They had also destroyed thousands of tons of supplies and parts.[15] This raid was a response to the Eleventh Ghost using Shillelagh Missile Tanks to destroy half a Light Guard lance.[16]

By the time the Light Guards withdrew from Brookeland, the Tenth and Eleventh Ghosts combined could barely count as a full command and their accompanying conventional forces were likewise seriously mauled. The Light Guards retreated to Mayetta in order to requisition men and material from the Third NAIS Cadre so as to build back up to at least half of its BattleMech strength. Additionally, the Draconis Combine's Rimward push into the Federated Suns had heavily extended itself, making it likely that General Sherman Yollis would begin launching strikes against the Combine's supply lines in the narrow corridor surrounding Adrian.[17]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Davion Light Guards
Georgina Howard 2829[18]
Marshal Jonathan Riffenberg 3025 - 3060[19][20][21]
Hauptmann General Jon Buckvold 3060 - July 3065[22]
Marshal Jessica Quarles 3065[22][2][23]
Major General Tess Freeman-Steiner 3085[24]
General Sherman Yollis 3145[25]

Tactics[edit]

The Light Guards used speed and maneuverability to outmaneuver their opponents instead of relying on firepower. They would try to remain on the edge of a battlefield, slashing in and isolating small units of enemy forces and destroying them via massed fire. Then they would withdraw to the edge of the battle and look for another opportunity to slash in at the enemy.[23]

After rebuilding and retraining on New Avalon for several years, the Light Guards continue their traditional hit and run tactics, but the unit has also been equipped with assault-class battle armor. This armor is deployed on the battlefield via VTOLs and fast hovercraft. The battle armor acts as an anvil while the fast 'Mechs streak in and slash at the enemy. Backup for the battle armor is provided by a complete regiment of attack VTOLs.[12]

Composition History[edit]

2765[edit]

Davion Light Guards (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[26]

Note: The Davion Light Guards were stationed on Ulvskollen at this point in time.[26] In common with the other regiments of the Brigade, the Light 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. As the lightest formation within the brigade the unit mainly light machines.[27]

2786–2821[edit]

Davion Light Guards (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[28]

Note: At this point in time the Guards were a light-weight regiment stationed on Ulvskollen and were operating at full strength.[28] In 2821 the unit was stationed on Frankson and had been reduced to just over forty percent strength.[28]

2830[edit]

Davion Light Guards (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[29]

Note: At this point in time the Guards were a light-weight regiment and had rebuilt to just over two-thirds of full strength. The Guards were stationed on Farwell.[29]

2864[edit]

Davion Light Guards (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[29]

Note: At this point in time the Guards were a light-weight regiment stationed on Valexa, and had been reduced to less than half a battalion strength.[29]

3025[edit]

Davion Light Guards RCT (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[19]

  • CO: Marshal Jonathan Riffenberg
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Groveld III. The 'Mech regiment contains light designs.[30]

3040[edit]

Davion Light Guards RCT (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[31]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Groveld III.[31]

3050[edit]

Davion Light Guards RCT (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[32]

  • CO: Marshal Jonathan Riffenberg[32]
Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Xhosa VII.[32]

3054[edit]

Davion Light Guards RCT (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[21]

  • CO: Marshal Johnathan Riffenberg[21]
Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Pasig.[21]

3062[edit]

Davion Light Guards (1 Reinforced Regiment/Veteran Reliable/)[23]

CO: Hauptmann General Jon Buckvold
Aide: Leftenant General Jessica Quarles
Note: Primarily medium-class 'Mechs

Davion Light Guards Aerospace Brigade (2 Wings)[23]

CO: Leftenant General Athena Davion-Ross

Davion Light Guards Armor Brigade (4 Regiments/Veteran/Fanatical)[23]

CO: Hauptmann General Jacob Drathers
Aide: Leftenant General G. L. Froze
Note: The 105th fields two full Companies of heavy armor.

Davion Light Guards Infantry Brigade (5 Regiments/Regular/Reliable)[23]

CO: Hauptman General Angela Voss
Aide: Kommandant Randy P. Hempe IV
Note: each jump regiment includes a battle armor company and organic transportation.

3067[edit]

Davion Light Guards RCT (Elite/Fanatical)[2]

CO: General Jessica Quarles

Davion Light Guards Aerospace Brigade (Elite/Reliable)[2]

CO: Vice Admiral Athena Davion-Ross

Davion Light Guards Armor Brigade (Elite/Reliable)[2]

CO: Major General F. James Weatherby

Davion Light Guards Infantry Brigade (Veteran/Reliable)[2]

CO: Major General Angela Voss

3079[edit]

Davion Light Guards RCT (Reinforced Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[33]

Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on New Avalon.[33] After the horrors of the Jihad, the Davion Light Guards were only at half their prewar strength.[11]

3085[edit]

Davion Light Guards RCT (Veteran/Fanatical)[24]

CO: Major General Tess Freeman-Steiner

Davion Light Guards Aerospace Brigade (Veteran/Reliable)[24]

CO: Rear Admiral Ridley Kunze

Davion Light Guards Armor Brigade (Veteran/Fanatical)[24]

CO: Major General Stig Garner

Davion Light Guards Infantry Brigade (Elite/Fanatical)[24]

CO: Major General Mithras Richter

3086[edit]

Davion Light Guards RCT

  • The Davion Light Guards was creating a new Delta Company.[34]

3145[edit]

Davion Light Guards LCT (Veteran/Fanatical)[25]

  • CO: General Sherman Yollis

Aerospace Brigade (Elite/Fanatical)[25]

Armor Brigade (Veteran/Fanatical)[25]

Notes[edit]

During the wargames on New Syrtis in 3064/3065, the Davion Light Guards received a further nickname: the Grease Foxes. None of the other units had been able to outmaneuver and trap them.[citation needed]

References[edit]

  1. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 109
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Field Manual: Updates, p. 139: "AFFS Deployment Table - 3067"
  3. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 20
  4. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 21
  5. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 90
  6. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2, p. 39
  7. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 51
  8. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 109
  9. Field Manual: Updates, p. 129: "Davion Light Guards"
  10. Jihad Turning Points: New Avalon, pp. 6-7: "Combatants"
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Field Report: AFFS, p. 12
  12. 12.0 12.1 Field Manual: 3085, p. 60
  13. Technical Readout: 3085 Supplemental, p. 26: "Deployment"
  14. Technical Readout: 3145 Federated Suns, p. 14
  15. Technical Readout: 3145 Federated Suns, p. 32
  16. Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine, p. 16
  17. Field Manual: 3145, p. 77: "Davion Light Guards"
  18. Second Succession War, p. 29: "The Suns-Confederation Front"
  19. 19.0 19.1 House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 136 (PDF version): "Bryceland PDZ"
  20. 20 Year Update, p. 19: "AFFC Deployment Table - 3050"
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Objective Raids, p. 23: "AFFC Deployment Table - 3054"
  22. 22.0 22.1 Imminent Crisis, p. 37
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 78: "Davion Light Guards Unit Profile"
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 Field Manual: 3085, p. 73: "AFFS Deployment Table - 3085"
  25. 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 Field Manual: 3145, p. 93: AFFS Deployment Table - 3145"
  26. 26.0 26.1 Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 14: "Regimental Status"
  27. Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 13: "Condition"
  28. 28.0 28.1 28.2 First Succession War, p. 134: "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns (AFFS)"
  29. 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 Second Succession War, p. 94: "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns (AFFS)"
  30. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 137
  31. 31.0 31.1 Historical: War of 3039, p. 136
  32. 32.0 32.1 32.2 20 Year Update, p. 19
  33. 33.0 33.1 Field Report: AFFS, p. 12
  34. Technical Readout: 3085 Supplemental, p. 26: "CDRdr-1X"

Bibliography[edit]