1st Royal Guards

(Redirected from First Royal Guards)
Royalguards1st.png
1st Royal Guards RCT
Nickname The Pride of Donegal;
The Archon's Own
Affiliation Lyran Commonwealth
Parent Command Royal Guards


From their founding, the 1st Royal Guards were the personal bodyguards of the Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth and Lyran Alliance. After the destruction of the 4th Royal Guards, the 1st became (at least nominally) the personal command of the Archon. Throughout much of its history, the 1st has been deployed on Tharkad, protecting the Triad itself.[1]

History[edit]

After the assassination attempt to kill Archon Craig Steiner in 2529, the 1st Royal Guards supplied the pair of Griffin BattleMechs that stood beside the Lyran throne. Victor Ian Steiner-Davion broke with the tradition and, in 3056, replaced the Griffins with a Crusader and a Marauder, 'Mechs common in the former AFFS. His sister, Katherine Steiner-Davion replaced those 'Mechs with a pair of Hauptmann OmniMechs following her accession.[1]

Though most of the unit's history has been the defense of the Archon, the 1st has been deployed to the front lines in times of need.[1]

In early 2506 for example the 1st deployed to Tamar at the close of the Lyran Civil War. Led by Archon Robert Steiner, the 1st pursued Duke Gilderoy and Margaret Olson into Tamar City. There they fought the rebel forces for eighteen hours before the rebels surrendered.[2]

The 1st was stationed on Tharkad in 2765. While there, they skirmished and trained with the 2nd Royal Guards, who had lost several key members due to criminal behavior.[3]

In 3022 the 1st Royal Guards fought the Battle of Rigil Kentarus. The battle began as a joint exercise between the LCAF unit and Marshal Ran Felsner to work out joint AFFS/LCAF tactics. However, the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery sent in large numbers of troops and the joint LCAF/AFFS forces were hard pressed to prevent the fall of the planet. They prevailed however, and Rigil Kentarus remained free of the Dragon.[4]

Fourth Succession War[edit]

The 1st and the mercenary unit Barrett's Fusiliers were deployed to the Isle of Skye during the Fourth Succession War. Both commands acted as mobile reserves. When the 4th Proserpina Hussars successfully invaded the Lyran world of La Blon during the Lull, both units were dispatched to counterattack during Operation HOLDUR. The First caught the 4th Hussars totally off-guard and captured two strategically important forts. Consequently, the Proserpina Hussars faded away from the Lyran units. At first, the Royal Guards unsuccessfully tried to hunt down the DCMS unit. When the Hussars intercepted a message from the CO of Royal Guards that indicated the bulk of his units had moved out of one of the forts to engage the Hussars, they attacked. However, the message was a trap by the Steiner forces. When the Hussars attacked, the fort was defended by the entire force of the 1st Royals. The Hussars took grievous damage fighting what they believed to be a token force. After four hours, the few surviving lances of Hussars, retreated only to be ambushed by Barrett's Fusiliers.[5]

After the liberation of La Blon, both units dropped on Dromini VI. Though the suicidal attack of the 10th Lyran Guards damaged many of the JumpShips and destroyed many of the supplies needed for Theodore Kurita's Operation CONTAGION, the planet was still crowded with Kurita units, including both surviving Legion of Vega regiments, as well as elements of the Benjamin Regulars and the Dieron Regulars. Though the Lyran units were outnumbered by the Combine forces, they harassed the DCMS units. Theodore Kurita realized that Lyran reinforcements would likely arrive soon and that he and his forces would be trapped behind enemy lines with little chance to survive. Consequently, he ordered his units to retreat off-planet. When the 1st Royals realized the retreat of the Kurita units, they attacked the 17th Benjamin Regulars. Both units took heavy losses, but the 17th lost most, more than a battalion of 'Mechs.[5]

FedCom Civil War[edit]

The 1st Royal Guards were stationed on Tharkad when the Allied task force hit. They fought the Kell Hounds and Clan Wolf-in-Exile's Alpha Galaxy. Though they fought well, the Clan unit eventually smashed them.[6] During the fighting they were led by Nondi Steiner against Peter Steiner-Davion.[7]

Jihad[edit]

Due to the severe damage the unit suffered during the FedCom Civil War, the Jihad the 1st Royal Guards and their sister unit, the 2nd Royal Guards fell apart during the attack of the Word of Blake forces. The Archon, Peter Steiner-Davion, referred to anyone who fought in the Tharkad resistance as a "Royal Guard" despite being the only living member of the unit on several occasions.[8] After the Blakists were driven off of Tharkad, the First Royal Guards were rebuilt by adding a battalion of troops from the Alekseyevka TTM and Florida TTM. This has led to some tension between the survivors and the new arrivals.[9]

In June 3083 the 1st Royal Guards were deployed to Inarcs to arrest Duchess LaRue for treason. The 1st Royal Guards arrived with the 2nd Bolan Guards LCT and quickly landed on the world. The Royal Guards quickly marched on Utopia, the capital city, and surrounded the Blackstone Highlanders with their armor. The Guards' 'Mech and battle armor forces quickly smashed the Highlander positions and forced them to surrender.[10] The 1st Royal Guards then accompanied Duchess LaRue to Tharkad, where she stood trial for treason.[11]

In 3085 the 1st Royal Guards were stationed on Gibbs.[12]

Dark Age[edit]

In 3104 the 1st Royal Guards were deployed to Gacrux to assault the last of the Brotherhood of Cincinnatus' strongholds. They used updated King Crab BattleMechs as a distraction while the rest of the task force assaulted the rear of the fortress.[13] Adam Steiner led the 1st Royal Guards and the 14th Lyran Guards personally in their assault against the Brotherhood's forces during the five-hour battle on Gacrux.[14]

The 1st Royal Guards were ordered not to attack Duke Brewer while he was "Acting Archon", but despite this the 1st belief that it failed to protect Archon Melissa Steiner from Brewer's coup. The new Archon, Trillian Steiner, did not hold this "failure" against them, but the 1st began drilling constantly in bodyguard duties to insure that they would never fail again. The 1st also faced several Clan Jade Falcon and Clan Wolf units when they attacked Tharkad, and gained valuable experience.[15]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the 1st Royal Guards
General Paul Steiner 2750 - 2761[16]
Archon Katrina Steiner 3025[17]
Archon Melissa Steiner-Davion 3050[18]
Archon-Prince Victor Ian Steiner-Davion 3054[19]
Leutnant-General Gionavva Mellandra 3062 - 3067[1]
Archon Peter Steiner-Davion 3067[20]
Archon Adam Steiner 3085[21]
Hauptmann General Markus Clarkston 3145[22]

Tactics[edit]

Because of their posting within the Triad and even within the Lyran throne room, the unit drills extensively at close quarters fighting, and short ranged combat. Members are exceptional marksmen and are skilled at maneuvering. Despite its urban defensive prowess, the 1st Royal Guards are best renowned for parade and drill routines.[1]

Recruitment[edit]

Posting to the prestigious 1st Royal Guards is only possible by invitation. Though the recruitment policies were relaxed during the Federated Commonwealth, the 1st represents the Protectorate of Donegal and therefore mainly recruits from units raised only in this state. Though approximately one third of the 1st Royal Guards are nobles, postings are based on merit, with at least five years of experience required. Only the Archon can make exceptions.[1]

Composition History[edit]

2765[edit]

1st Royal Guards (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[3]

Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Tharkad.

2786 - 2821[edit]

1st Royal Guards (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[23]

Note: At this point in time the assault-weight unit was stationed on Tharkad. In 2821 the command was reduced to 52 percent of its strength and was deployed on Tharkad.[23]

2830[edit]

1st Royal Guards (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[24]

Note: At this point in time the assault-weight unit was stationed on Tharkad with an operational readiness of 102 percent.[24]

2864[edit]

1st Royal Guards (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[24]

Note: At this point in time the assault-weight unit was stationed on Tharkad with an operational readiness of 65 percent.[24]

3025[edit]

1st Royal Guards (Regiment/Regular/Fanatical)[17]

  • CO: Archon Katrina Steiner
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Tharkad.

3040[edit]

1st Royal Guards RCT (Regiment/Regular/Fanatical)[25]

  • CO: Archon Katrina Steiner
Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Tharkad.[25]

3050[edit]

1st Royal Guards RCT (Regiment/Regular/Fanatical)[26]

  • CO: Archon Melissa Steiner Davion[26]
Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Tharkad.[26]

3054[edit]

1st Royal Guards RCT (Regiment/Regular/Fanatical)[27]

  • CO: Archon Melissa Steiner Davion[27]
Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Tharkad.[27]

3062-3067[edit]

1st Royal Guards (Regiment/Regular/Fanatical)[1][20]
CO (3062): Archon Katherine Steiner
CO (3067): Archon Peter Steiner-Davion
Aide: Leutnant General Gionavva Mellandra

1st Royal Guards Aerospace Brigade[1][20]
CO: Colonel Paolo Duranti
- 1st Royal Guards Wing
- 2nd Royal Guards Wing

1st Royal Guards Armor Brigade (3 Regiments/Regular/Fanatical)[1][20]
CO: Colonel Uwe Dahrendorf
Aide: Leutnant Colonel Gill Davis
- 1st Royal Tharkad Panzer Regiment - Colonel Liesbeth Tennant
- 2nd Royal Tharkad Panzer Regiment - Colonel Noel Seaton
- 1st Royal Tharkad Light Tank - Colonel Damien Banbridge

1st Royal Guards Infantry Brigade (5 Regiments/Regular/Fanatical)[1][20]
CO: Colonel Austin Graves
Aide: Leutnant Colonel Leon Jodrell
- 2nd Royal Tharkad Light Infantry Regiment - Colonel Holly Tenn
- 4th Royal Tharkad Light Infantry Regiment - Colonel Jona Kork
- 1st Royal Tharkad Mechanized Regiment - Colonel Galeazzo Halder
- 2nd Royal Tharkad Mechanized Regiment - Colonel Kerry Bracher
- 1st Royal Tharkad Battle Armor Regiment - Colonel Harold Carter

3079[edit]

First Royal Guards (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[28]

Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Tharkad.[28] The 1st Royal Guards were nearly destroyed on Tharkad. To rebuild the unit rapidly they received two battalions of Timbuktu Theater Militia forces. This brought them to 80% of their pre-Jihad strength.[9]

3085[edit]

1st Royal Guards RCT (Veteran/Fanatical)[21]
CO: Archon Adam Steiner

1st Royal Aerospace (Elite/Fanatical)[21]
CO: Kommandant Winston Abello

1st Royal Armor Brigade (Veteran/Reliable)[21]
CO: Colonel Purdie Huang

1st Royal Infantry Brigade (Elite/Fanatical)[21]
CO: Colonel Asher Wood

3145[edit]

1st Royal Guards RCT (Elite/Fanatical)[22]
CO: Hauptmann General Markus Clarkston

1st Royal Aerospace (Elite/Fanatical)[22]
CO: Colonel Jane Long

1st Royal Armor Brigade (Elite/Fanatical)[22]
CO: Colonel Fred Evans

1st Royal Infantry Brigade (Elite/Fanatical)[22]
CO: Colonel Lori Rodriquez

Notes[edit]

Reference[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Field Manual: Lyran Alliance, p. 95: "1st Royal Guards Unit Profile"
  2. Era Report: 2750, p. 52
  3. 3.0 3.1 Field Report 2765: LCAF, p. 17: "Royal Guards" - Regimental Status
  4. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 189
  5. 5.0 5.1 Field Manual: Mercenaries, Revised, p. 42: "Barrett's Fusiliers: The Light Musketeers"
  6. Field Manual: Updates, p. 69
  7. Field Manual: Updates, p. 172
  8. Jihad Turning Points: Tharkad, p. 6
  9. 9.0 9.1 Field Report: LAAF, p. 14
  10. Field Manual: 3085, p. 104
  11. Field Manual: 3085, p. 95
  12. Field Manual: 3085, p. 108
  13. Technical Readout: 3145 Lyran Commonwealth, p. 46
  14. Field Manual: 3145, p. 119: "Reconstruction"
  15. Field Manual: 3145, p. 124
  16. Era Report: 2750, p. 79
  17. 17.0 17.1 House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 121 (PDF version): "Unit Deployment Table - 3025"
  18. 20 Year Update, p. 29: "AFFC Deployment Table - 3050"
  19. Objective Raids, p. 21: "AFFC Deployment Table - 3054"
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 Field Manual: Updates, p. 178: "LAAF Deployment Table - 3067"
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 Field Manual: 3085, p. 108: "LAAF Deployment Table - 3085"
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 Field Manual: 3145, p. 133: "Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces - Donegal Province"
  23. 23.0 23.1 First Succession War, p. 139
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 Second Succession War, p. 99
  25. 25.0 25.1 Historical: War of 3039, p. 138
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 20 Year Update, p. 29
  27. 27.0 27.1 27.2 Objective Raids, p. 21
  28. 28.0 28.1 Field Report: FWLM, p. 14
  29. Era Report: 2750, p. 142

Bibliography[edit]