5th Sun Zhang Academy Cadre

Sunzhang5.png
Nickname Perseverance
Affiliation Draconis Combine
Parent Command Sun Zhang MechWarrior Academy Cadre

One of the Sun Zhang MechWarrior Academy's cadre units, cadets assigned to the Fifth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre are put to the ultimate test by seeing real combat.

History[edit]

Formation[edit]

As of 3025, the Fifth were assigned to Moritz.[1]

Fourth Succession War[edit]

Moritz[edit]

Moritz was one of the worlds attacked in the opening wave of Operation GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG, the major Lyran Commonwealth offensive of the Fourth Succession War. The attack on Moritz was intended to capitalize on the historic pattern of assigning new recruits to Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery units at specific times of the year, a bad habit that the DCMS had fallen into over the years. The Fifth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre were still assigned to Moritz, and the intelligence was correct - the Cadre was understrength due to the combination of recent transfers and graduations. The LCAF dropped the Eighth Donegal Guards on Moritz, and the resulting campaign was fast and furiously fought. When the Guards broke through the Cadre's lines and drove towards the planetary capital, New Coffton, the Fifth retreated from Moritz. By the time the Fifth left Moritz almost half of its personnel were either missing, wounded or dead.[2]

Engadin[edit]

The Fifth retreated to Engadin following their withdrawal from Moritz. Roughly three months later the Twenty-sixth Lyran Guards landed on Engadin as a part of the final wave of attacks launched during Operation GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG in late 3028.[3] Rather than managing a quick victory, the Twenty-sixth found the campaign for Engadin dragging on into 3029,[4] in part because the campaign began to go wrong from the beginning. Leutnant-Colonel Woodruff Patterson and the Twenty-sixth had anticipated finding the Fifth on Engadin,[5] but the initial landings went badly, with a lack of coordination on the part of the DropShip pilots left the 'Mech forces tens of kilometers away from their support elements. Things rapidly got worse when the St. Cyr Heavy Assault Group, battered from their defeat on Kandis at the hands of the Twenty-sixth, revealed their presence on Engadin - by attacking and capturing the Twenty-sixth's support equipment and personnel.[5]

The Twenty-sixth ran themselves ragged for a month attempting to chase down the St. Cyr HAG before the lull in combat operations, at which point Colonel Patterson requested relief or reinforcements. In May, the LCAF responded by ordering him to capture Zurin Spaceport so that supplies and reinforcements could be brought in. Zurin Spaceport was the main Draconis Combine Admiralty aerospace base on Engadin, and when Patterson led his forces to attack the airfield the St. Cyr HAG suddenly found their roles reversed, intently pursuing the rapidly-moving Twenty-sixth. By splitting his forces, Patterson managed to seize the airfield with his lighter 'Mechs while his heavier 'Mechs used the Flanders Swamp to block the advancing St. Cyr HAG forces.[5]

The St. Cyr HAG withdrew, giving the Twenty-sixth the opportunity to receive the infusion of supplies they needed, and the Twenty-sixth went on the offensive again, sparring with the St. Cyr HAG and attempting to seize the planetary capital city, Yonkers, from the defending Fifth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre - who were firing ammunition captured from the Twenty-sixth during the initial landings back at the Lyran forces. The Twenty-sixth made three unsuccessful attempts to capture Yonkers before the arrival of the Blackhearts mercenary command on Engadin in June; the Blackhearts launched an offensive of their own on Yonkers, using Long Tom Artillery to provide cover as they moved around the hillsides near Yonkers to attack the Sun Zhang cadets. After a two-hour battle in which the cadets fought bravely in their light 'Mechs the damage sustained on Moritz tipped the balance, and the cadets were forced to surrender. With no way to hold Yonkers, the St. Cyr HAG retreated from Engadin, leaving the planet in Lyran hands.[5]

Ronin War[edit]


War of 3039[edit]

The Fifth Sun Zhang Cadre landed on Kessel in late 3039. There they joined the Second Sword of Light and the Twelfth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre in a series of assaults against the Second Donegal Guards, Eleventh Lyran Regulars and Fourth Skye Rangers regiments, commanded by General Caesar Steiner. The Fifth fell into a trap, however, when the Fourth Skye Rangers withdrew from their positions. The Fifth pursued them aggressively, and the Second Donegal Guards hit the Fifth's flank hard. The Fourth Rangers then turned around and engaged the Fifth, forcing the Cadre to fight on two fronts. The conflict was brutal, with only two companies' worth of Cadre soldiers escaping.[6]

Clan Invasion[edit]

The DCMS High Command positioned the Fifth on Altona, expecting to face Clan Smoke Jaguar forces. Unfortunately the Jaguars bypassed the world, and the 5th saw no combat against the Jaguars.[7]

However, between 3053 and 3055 Clan Nova Cat forces based on Bjarred and Tarnby struck Altona. Each time the Fifth was unable to prevent the Nova Cat forces from destroying or seizing supplies and parts. During this time replacement troops and supplies were slow to come. In 3056 the raids suddenly stopped and parts and recruits arrived to bring the Fifth back up to full strength.[7]

Operation Bulldog[edit]

The Fifth challenged the Nova Cats' 44th Nova Cat Cavaliers to a soccer game for control of Itabaiana. The Fifth's troops won the game, and the world.[8]. The Fifth later went to support the Eighth Sword of Light as they took Byesville from the Smoke Jaguars.[9][10]

Dominion War[edit]

Rotated to Nykvarn in 3062, the Fifth arrived just in time to face the heavy Sixth Bear Regulars. The first battle with Ghost Bear forces destroyed one battalion completely, and losses continued to mount. The Fifth had to withdraw to Brocchi's Cluster to rebuild.[9]

Federated Suns Incursion[edit]


Jihad[edit]

The Fifth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre garrisoned Kessel during the Jihad. Early on, the Word of Blake struck the world, smashing several cities with tactical nuclear weapons and deploying a neutron bomb to cover their retreat. The Fifth spent the next five years helping rebuild the world. During that time they drove off several attacks made by mercenaries employed by the Blakists. Then in late 3076 the Word struck again. By using an orbital strike, the Blakists destroyed the Cadre's command staff and main fortification. By combining with the Fortieth Dieron Regulars, the Fifth was able to survive, but at a greatly reduced level.[11]

Dark Age[edit]

Those graduates assigned to the Fifth SZAC spent a single tour with the unit before moving on to a front line command, since the destruction of the Jihad required it. In 3082 things stabilized, and the Fifth was able to begin pirate hunting duties in the Pesht Military District. On one of these raids, they destroyed a company-sized force of pirates on Hongor and captured their DropShip. These officers were quickly graduated to line units and new replacements arrived to fill the ranks.[12]

In 3089 the Fifth launched a punitive attack on the Periphery world of Farstar, targeting the pirate band known as the Farstar Raiders. The Fifth staged a daring combat drop directly into the landing zone of the Farstar Raiders' DropShip landing zone, taking heavy damage but inflicting a terrible toll on the ground forces there who were caught completely by surprise. The Fifth had been on New Samarkand prior to the strike on Farstar; after the Farstar Raiders struck at the Draconis Combine world of Tabayama, the Fifth were tasked with tracking down and punishing the pirates, whose trail led back to Farstar.[13]

In 3145 because of the formation of 3 new Cadres, the Fifth at two-thirds 'Mech strength. Posted on Luthien, where the 2nd Sword of Light is planning to accept some into their number to replace their recent losses.[14]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the 5th Sun Zhang Academy Cadre
Tai-sa Ishtar von Nielsburg 3025 - 3067[1][7][15]
Tai-sa Rob Jeffers 3085[16]
Tai-sa Jinzaburo Yasukawa 3145[17]

Tactics[edit]

Unknown.

Composition History[edit]

2765[edit]

Fifth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre (Regiment/Green/Fanatical)[18]

- At this point in time the light Fifth Cadre was based on New Samarkand.[18]

2786 - 2821[edit]

5th Sun Zhang Academy Cadre (Regiment/Green/Fanatical)[19]

Note: At this point in time the light-weight unit was stationed on New Samarkand. In 2821 the command was reduced to 24 percent of its strength and was deployed on Gandy's Luck.[19]

2830[edit]

5th Sun Zhang Academy Cadre (Regiment/Green/Reliable)[20]

Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on Gandy's Luck with an operational readiness of 50 percent.[20]

2864[edit]

5th Sun Zhang Academy Cadre (Regiment/Green/Reliable)[20]

Note: At this point in time the heavy-weight unit was stationed on Gandy's Luck with an operational readiness of 30 percent.[20]

3025[edit]

Fifth Sun Zhang Cadre (Regiment/Green/Reliable)[21]

  • CO: Colonel Ishtar von Nielsburg
Note: The unit is classified as a light 'Mech unit.[22] At this point in time the unit was stationed on Moritz.[23]

3040[edit]

Fifth Sun Zhang Cadre (Regiment/Green/Fanatical)[24]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Caldrea.[24]

3050[edit]

Fifth Sun Zhang Cadre (Regiment/Green/Fanatical)[25]

  • CO: Tai-sa Ishtar von Nielsburg[25]
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Caldrea.[25]

3059[edit]

Fifth Sun Zhang Cadre (1 Regiment/Regular/Fanatical)[7]

Note: The unit will be issued OmniMechs for higher-ranking officers. Medium machines dominate the ranks, which are supported by 24 heavy 'Mechs.
Fifth Sun Zhang Aerospace (1 Wing/Regular/Fanatical)[7]
  • Wing Commander: Sho-sa Janice Kyotosagi
Dragon's Cavaliers (2 Battalions/Veteran/Reliable)[7]
  • Armor Commander: Tai-sa Blake Wilson
Seventeenth Alton Militia (1 Regiment/Green/Questionable)[7]
  • Troop Commander: Tai-sa Ling To Duk
Note: The command includes, 24 artillery pieces and 12 VTOLs for integrated support tasks

3067[edit]

Fifth Sun Zhang Cadre (Regular/Fanatical)[15]

  • CO: Tai-sa Ishtar von Nielsburg
Fifth Sun Zhang Aerospace (Wing/Regular/Fanatical)[15]
  • CO: Sho-sa Edwin Strauss
Dragon's Cavaliers (2 Battalions/Veteran/Reliable)[15]
  • CO: Tai-sa Romero Aritaga

3079[edit]

Fifth Sun Zhang Cadre (Regiment/Regular/Fanatical)[26]

Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Kessel and Alrakis.[26] The Fifth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre was reduced to 45% of its pre-Jihad strength.

3085[edit]

Fifth Sun Zhang Cadre (Regular/Fanatical)[16]

Fifth Sun Zhang Aerospace (Wing/Green/Fanatical)[16]
Dragon's Cavaliers (Regular/Fanatical)[16]

3145[edit]

Fifth Sun Zhang Cadre (2 Battalions/Veteran/Fanatical)[17]

  • CO: Tai-sa Jinzaburo Yasukawa
Fifth Sun Zhang Aerospace (Wing/Veteran/Reliable)[17]
Dragon's Cavaliers (Regular/Fanatical)[17]
5th Sun Zhang Battlesuit Regiment (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[17]

Color Scheme and Insignia[edit]

The color scheme of all Cadre 'Mechs is white with blue stripes.[7]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 134: "Deployment Table"
  2. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 50: "Other Early Action"
  3. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, pp. 44–45: "Operation GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG"
  4. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2, p. 61: "Trellshire and Tamar Theaters"
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2, p. 62: "Engadin"
  6. Historical: War of 3039, pp. 74–75: "Kessel (July-December)"
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 Field Manual: Draconis Combine, p. 90: "Fifth Sun Zhang Unit Profile"
  8. Field Manual: ComStar, p. 117
  9. 9.0 9.1 Field Manual: Updates, p. 112: "Fifth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre"
  10. The Dragon Roars, p. 10: "Operation Bulldog"
  11. Field Report: DCMS, p. 14: "Sun Zhang Cadre"
  12. Field Manual: 3085, p. 45: "Fifth Sun Zhang Cadre"
  13. Technical Readout: Prototypes", p. 106: "WFT-2B Wolf Trap"
  14. Field Manual: 3145, p. 59: "Fifth Sun Zhang Cadre"
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Field Manual: Updates, p. 119: "DCMS Deployment Table"
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Field Manual: 3085, p. 51: "DCMS Deployment Table - 3085"
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 Field Manual: 3145, p. 67: "DCMS Deployment Table - 3145"
  18. 18.0 18.1 Field Report 2765: DCMS, p. 17: "Sun Zhang Academy Cadre"
  19. 19.0 19.1 First Succession War, p. 137
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 Second Succession War, p. 97
  21. House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 136: "DCMS Deployment Table"
  22. House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 148: "The Sun Zhang Academy Cadre"
  23. House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 134
  24. 24.0 24.1 Historical: War of 3039, p. 139
  25. 25.0 25.1 25.2 20 Year Update, p. 43
  26. 26.0 26.1 Field Report: DCMS, p. 14

Bibliography[edit]