Marlette Crucis March Militia

Crucis March Militia -Brigade logo.png
Marlette Crucis March Militia
Formed 2754[1]
Affiliation Federated Suns
Parent Command Crucis March Militia

History[edit]

In common with the other March Militias found across the Federated Suns, the Marlette Crucis March Militia or Marlette CrMM was formed in 2754 as a result of the Preparedness Act enacted by First Prince Richard Davion in 2735.[2] Richard established a formal training program aimed at increasing the general readiness level of the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns reserve forces and formalized the structure of the March Militias, bringing the planetary militias into a common structure.[1]

Richard established a system whereby each of the Marches within the Federated Suns conducted internal wargames every two years, with those wargames being inspired by the Martial Olympiad conducted by the Star League Defense Force every four years. Each March Militia was formed as an ad hoc brigade drawing on the winners from each planetary militia across each Combat Region. These ad hoc brigades then competed against each other at a March level to earn the title of "Best Prepared" March Militia within each of the three Marches.[1]

The wargames proved to be very popular and by 2750 the prestige that was associated with the "Best Prepared" title inspired troops in every combat region to give their best effort, with some commands making plans years in advance to try and ensure that they were ready. After the close of the 2754 games First Prince John Davion activated all of the combat region commands as federal troops and formed them into the March Militias; while this move was controversial and provoked a flurry of judicial cases opposing the creation of the commands, it also added twenty BattleMech-equipped combat commands to the AFFS in a single stroke. Many of the planets that provided troops for the games were resentful of having their best militia troops pressed into federal service, and it would be 2763 before the last of the cases worked its way through the courts. With the final ruling going in favor of Prince John, he then moved to allay many of the fears expressed by the planets involved by laying down specific instructions that the March Militias wouldn't be deployed outside their home combat regions except under a small number of very rare and clearly defined exceptions.[1]

Like the other Crucis March Militias the Marlette CrMM was well-equipped, much more so than the average Capellan March Militia or Draconis March Militia, and soon established a constant training regimen. The Marlette CrMM was highly active, leading to a readiness level greater than might have been expected of a militia formation, and acted as a mobile reserve for the Marlette Combat Region and a staging ground through which planetary militia soldiers could move on into the AFFS, while retiring AFFS personnel moved into the March Militia to pass on their knowledge and experience.[1] The Marlette CrMM was one of ten March Militia brigades founded within the Crucis March in 2754, with the other nine being the Anjin Muerto, Bastian, Broken Wheel, Islamabad, Kestrel, Malagrotta, New Avalon, Point Barrow and Tsamma Crucis March Militias.[3]

Succession Wars[edit]

The Marlette CrMM was destroyed during the First Succession War,[4] and subsequently rebuilt.

The Marlette CrMM was frequently used as the opposing force for the War College of Goshen, playing the part of Draconis Combine and Capellan Confederation forces. The Marlette CrMM frequently engaged in wargames and exercises to maintain their skills even after the Fourth Succession War removed the immediate threat of the Capellan Confederation.[5] In 3023, while under command of Colonel Winston J Winchester, the MCMM came under the full scale attack when Marlette was identified as a primary resupply base for the Capellan March Militia. Despite the fact that the planet had not been attacked in over a hundred years, and was considered one of the most fortified positions in the Inner Sphere. Despite that, the planet came under full scale assault by the elite mercenary unit McCarron's Armored Cavalry, and their renowned 2nd Regiment, Colonel Marcus Barton. Barton would land his forces near the fortress but far enough away to react to any Davion counterattack. They then proceeded to cross the 3 mile long Stannic Bridge and engaged the CRMM on the other side.

The fighting escalated, with Barton bringing his superior numbers and heavier 'Mechs into the fray against Winchester's solid planning and static defenses. The CRMM forces, using their armor and bunkered infantry, made the mercenaries pay for every step they took towards the Fortress of Bourgogne. Winchester eventually had to pull his troops back to the wall, but the massive damages that were being inflicted upon the MAC after two days of heavy fighting, led Archie McCarron to order a pullout. In a rare disagreement, Barton refused and invoked the MAC custom of allowing each company commander to vote to stay and finish the job or pull out. The majority agreed to continue the assault. McCarron granted them one more day, but if they failed to break the fortress by the end of the day, all units were to return to the DropShips. Barton agreed, and threw everything he had at the fortress and two hours before sunset, the MAC had breeched the wall and destroyed the Fortress of Bourgogne.

In the aftermath of the War of 3039, Hanse Davion decided to upgrade his defenses along the border of the Capellan Confederation. The fortress Bourgogne was one of the very first installations upgraded, with Davion engineers, aware of what the feared McCarron's Armored Cavalry had done to it in the past, ordered it to be as "Barton-proof" as possible. They rebuilt and enlarged the walls as well as upgrading or replacing the already potent turrets and emplacements. Furthermore, various new and lethal 'Mech traps were installed that were capable of destroying a BattleMech. Under their new commander, Lester J. Otto, the CRMM was significantly upgraded. During the Fourth Succession War, MCMM were two 'Mech battalions and one tank battalion. After the war of 3039 they were bought up to a full regiment with an additional battalion added to serve as the planetary garrison. Furthermore, they were also amongst the earliest militia units to receive advanced technology from the NAIS, and all accounts had the MCMM as one of the more highly rated units in the March.

Despite this increased training and equipment, or perhaps because of it, the Marlette CrMM would gain the attention of House Liao intelligence. When Archie McCarron and the Liao High Command went over the newly upgraded defenses, they revealed that Lester J Otto now commanded the force. Marcus Barton, the commander of the 2nd McCarron's Armored Cavalry immediately assigned himself to spearhead the aall out attack as Otto was his sworn ancient family enemy. House Liao insisted that this was a raid, and that they expected them to attack and steal what they could, but Archie McCarron and Romano Liao knew better then to try to stop Barton and sanctioned his attack.

The MAC forces would arrive in-system in force and General Otto could tell from the DropShip count that he faced a sizable army. He ordered the first battalion to back up the city garrison, expecting the MAC to split their forces against several military targets in the area. But after two days, there was no split in the forces, to Otto ordered the MCMM second battalion to back up his defensive forces. On the fourth day of the battle, Baxters Brawlers broke through the outer defenses and moved on the spaceport. The Rangers reported losses but did not ask for reinforcements. Later, scouts reported that the entire 2nd Regiment of the McCarron's Armored Cavalry had landed near the Stannic Bridge, a lostech artifact bridge built by the Star League. Knowing that it was his ancient enemy Marcus Barton come for revenge, Otto ordered his third battalion to engage the forces before the river and the battalion command lance to reinforce the bridge. Otto then ordered the fortress garrison to deploy into the newly built "Ring of Death", a series of the most ingenious and engineered devices that the NAIS Corps of Engineers could come up with to defend the position.

Despite all these defenses and more, Marcus Barton would not be denied his revenge, as he was able to break through the Ring of Death and breech the Wall of Bourgogne. Otto and his command lance entered into the fray and directly took on Barton's vanguard forces that included Barton himself, but instead of using his Devastor's firepower to try to turn the engagement, Otto ordered his lance to close range in order to give him time he needed to escape, but failed. Despite the CrMM's new tech equipment, massive regimental combat teams of armor and infantry, and their manning what was considered to be the most unassailable fortress in the Inner Sphere, Barton would not be denied his revenge, and for the second time in 20 years, Barton would prove his moniker as the "Fort Buster" when he destroyed the CrMM. In addition to killing General Otto and avenging his family vendetta against the man, he ended up taking his prototype DVS-2 Devastator as his revenge.[6]

FedCom Civil War[edit]

Based on Marlette during the FedCom Civil War, the Marlette CrMM didn't face combat until the fourth wave of the conflict. The 5th Crucis Lancers landed on Marlette and the Marlette CrMM pulled back to the Jedda Military Complex.[7] They were reinforced by the 5th FedCom RCT, but refused to work with the rogue unit. Despite this, the two Loyalist units were able to break out of the Jedda Military Complex and put the Fifth Crucis on the defense. This changed when the 20th Avalon Hussars landed on Marlette and eventually smashed the Fifth F-C RCT. A few companies of the Fifth F-C escaped from Marlette, but the rest were either captured or integrated into the CrMM to make up losses. The Marlette CrMM then withdrew to the Jedda Military Complex.[8] After several weeks of siege warfare, the 5th Lyran Guards landed and punched a hole through the Fifth Lancers, allowing the Marlette CrMM to escape. This began a months-long campaign of leapfrog tactics as the two forces battled each other. In November 3065, winter storms dropped twenty inches of snow in just over fourteen hours, stalling operations briefly. Six more storms hit in the next month, depositing the heaviest snowfall seen at the Jedda Complex, and halting operations.[9]

Six months later the snow melted, giving rise to flood waters and marshy conditions. The Marlette CrMM and Fifth Lyran Guards had to store their 'Mechs and armored vehicles in DropShips, which also required sandbag walls to protect them from the high waters. This allowed the Allied forces to strike the Fifth Lyran Guards while they were unprepared, and two thirds of the unit was taken. The Allied commands kept the pressure on, and the commanders of the Lyran Guards and Marlette CrMM ordered their DropShips to lift off. Unfortunately this created huge amounts of steam due to the swampy ground, and this steam inflicted damage on other nearby units. By the end of July the Marlette CrMM was reduced to three thin combat commands. However in July 3066 they received reinforcements from the fighting on Tikonov: The 15th Deneb Light Cavalry and 1st Republican Guards.[10]

The 3rd Crucis Lancers, Blackwind Lancers, and ComStar's 244th Division landed to reinforce the pro-Victor forces. The Marlette CrMM was caught out of position on the Cregmoor Plains and was largely wiped out but some surrendered.[11] After the war ended the survivors were released and used to re-form the Marlette CrMM.[12] They were rebuilding on Marlette in 3067.[13]

Jihad[edit]

The Marlette Crucis March Militia were one of the units contributed by the Federated Suns to Operation SCOUR in 3077. Assigned to the Free Worlds League front of SCOUR, the Marlette CrMM formed a part of Group IV, alongside Beta Galaxy of Clan Wolf-in-Exile and the Third Lyran Guards. The Marlette CrMM soon saw action on Talitha, where Group IV deployed with the Clan Nova Cat Aegis-class WarShip CNC Blade in support and quickly achieved air superiority in the system. With Beta Galaxy forming the core of the ground assault, the three units quickly rolled over the defending Blakists and liberated Talitha in a short campaign.[14]

The first 18 months of Operation SCOUR were a bloody, brutal and demoralizing experience, and by the time the Marlette Crucis March Militia and the other Group IV units had linked up with the bulk of the rest of the Free Worlds League task force on Pollux in June 3078 the Wolf's Beta Galaxy was the least damaged of the Group IV units... and yet could muster only a single Cluster, one third or less of its initial strength.[15]

During the Operation SCYTHE the Marlette Crucis March Militia was assigned to General Galen Cox's command. They were heavily damaged when the defending Word of Blake forces tried to destroy them with tactical nuclear weapons[16] during the battle for control of the Dallas/Fort Worth area.[17] The bulk of those who survived the nuclear attack had retired from active service by 3079, but the few who remained in service would provide the nucleus around which the Marlette CrMM would be rebuilt. The Marlette CrMM was also at the front of the supply lines for rebuilding and was likely to be the first of the new LCT-style Militias to enter service.[17] In addition to the high priority the Marlette CrMM had for supplies, more than half of the 'Mechs and armor from the Anjin Muerto CrMM were earmarked to transfer into the Marlette CrMM, although that transfer hadn't taken place by October 3079.[17]

By 3085 the Marlette CrMM was rebuilding swiftly, and although the equipment supplied to the Militia was of a technology level equivalent to that of the Succession Wars, the new Marlette CrMM LCT was running workups and mock battles on Marlette to gain experience. The Militia found itself with no shortage of recruits as volunteers outnumbered vacancies two-to-one.[18]

Dark Age[edit]

The Marlette Command found itself as the new front line in 3145. The Draconis Combine and Capellan Confederation had made tremendous gains at the expense of the Federated Suns, and the Marlette CrMM was stationed on Marlette to defend against Combine efforts. Their sudden relocation to the front line allowed them to fill all open billets and receive new equipment, including an additional squadron of aerospace fighters.[19]

During the next year the Marlette CrMM were used as bait for a trap aimed at the Capellans. Leaked intelligence to the Maskirovka indicated that the unit was alone in guarding a massive secret base intended to serve as a springboard against the Capellan Confederation. The lure proved successful, though the Marlette CrMM itself was not present at the ensuing Federated Suns victory.[20]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Marlette Crucis March Militia
Colonel Wilson J Winchester 3024[21]
Major General Dennis Wantraub 3025[22]
General Lester J. Otto 3044[23]
Leftenant General Dennis Waxton 3050-3062[24][25][5]
Major General Nicholas Voss-Richmond 3067[26]
Leftenant General Jackie Kenan 3085[27]
Leftenant General Willard Hutchissen 3145[28]

Tactics[edit]

The Marlette Crucis March Militia preferred to use offensive strategies in combat, even when they were defending an area. They frequently split off fire companies of Enforcers and Centurions to engage an enemy in spoiling attacks and tactical assaults. These attacks forced the enemy force onto the defensive, and allowed the Marlette CrMM to position their own main force to best advantage.[5]

Composition History[edit]

2765[edit]

Marlette Crucis March Militia (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[3]

- One BattleMech regiment[1]
- Two armor regiments[1]
- Three infantry regiments[1]
- One mobile artillery battalion[1]
- Two aerospace wings, each of eighteen aerospace fighters[1]
- The Marlette CrMM was stationed on New Valencia at this point in time.[3][29]

2786[edit]

Marlette Crucis March Militia (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[4]

Note: At this point in time the Militia was a light-weight unit operating at full regimental strength, and was based on New Valencia.[4] The unit was destroyed during the war.[4]

3025[edit]

Marlette Crucis March Militia (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[22]

  • CO: Major General Dennis Wantraub
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Marlette.

3040[edit]

Marlette Crucis March Militia (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[30]

  • CO General Lester J. Otto
Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Marlette.[30]

3044[edit]

Marlette Crucis March Militia

  • CO General Lester J. Otto
Marlette Rangers (BattleMech Battalion)[31]
Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Marlette.

3050[edit]

Marlette Crucis March Militia (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[32]

  • CO: Leftenant General Dennis Waxon[32]
Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Marlette.[32]

3054[edit]

Marlette Crucis March Militia (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[33]

  • CO: Leftenant General Dennis Waxon[33]
Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Marlette.[33]

3062[edit]

Marlette Crucis March Militia (1 Reinforced Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[5]

Marlette CMM Aerospace Wing (1 Wing/Regular/Reliable)[5]

Marlette CMM Armor Brigade (2 Regiments/Regular/Reliable)[5]

Marlette CMM Infantry Brigade (5 Regiments/Regular/Questionable)

3067[edit]

Marlette Crucis March Militia (Regular/Reliable)[26]

Marlette CrMM Aerospace Wing (Veteran/Reliable)[26]

Marlette CrMM Armor Brigade (Regular/Questionable)[26]

Marlette CrMM Infantry Brigade (Green/Questionable)[26]

3085[edit]

Marlette Crucis March Militia LCT (Regular/Reliable)[27]

Marlette CrMM Aerospace Wing (Green/Reliable)[27]

Marlette CrMM Armor Brigade (Regular/Reliable)[27]

Marlette CrMM Infantry Brigade (Green/Reliable)[27]

3145[edit]

Marlette Crucis March Militia (1 Battalion/Regular/Reliable)[28]

  • CO: Leftenant General Willard Hutchissen

Marlette CrMM Aerospace Wing (Veteran/Reliable)[28]

Marlette CrMM Armor Brigade (Regular/Questionable)[28]

Marlette CrMM Infantry Brigade (Green/Reliable)[28]

Notes[edit]

  • Field Report 2765: AFFS attributes the Preparedness Act of 2735 to both Richard Davion[2] and Roger Davion.[1] Because other sources indicate that Richard Davion was First Prince in 2735, and that Roger Davion died in 2703, the latter attribution is probably an error.
  • The Marlette CMM provide the enemy force for the Cadets of the Goshen War College's graduation exercise.

References[edit]

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 21: "Federated Suns March Militias"
  2. 2.0 2.1 Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 3: "Strategic Update"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 22: "Regimental Status"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 First Succession War, p. 134: "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns (AFFS)"
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 116: "Militia Profile"
  6. McCarron's Armored Cavalry, pp. 6, 11
  7. FedCom Civil War, p. 124
  8. FedCom Civil War, p. 125
  9. FedCom Civil War, pp. 140–141
  10. FedCom Civil War, p. 155
  11. FedCom Civil War, p. 172
  12. Field Manual: Updates, p. 134
  13. Field Manual: Updates, p. 139
  14. Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, pp. 45–46: "Talitha, Berenson Capitulate"
  15. Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 80: "Terra's Doorstep"
  16. Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 108: "Rio Captured; Dallas Burns"
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 Field Report: AFFS, p. 17: "Crucis March Militia"
  18. Field Manual: 3085, p. 65: "Crucis March Militia"
  19. Field Manual: 3145, p. 82
  20. Shattered Fortress, pp. 22–23
  21. McCarron's Armored Cavalry, p. 8
  22. 22.0 22.1 House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 138 (PDF version): "Deployment Table - The Crucis March"
  23. McCarron's Armored Cavalry, p. 6
  24. 20 Year Update, p. 22: "AFFC Deployment Table - 3050"
  25. Objective Raids, p. 15: "AFFC Deployment Table - 3054"
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 Field Manual: Updates, p. 139: "AFFS Deployment Table - 3067"
  27. 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 Field Manual: 3085, p. 71: "AFFS Deployment Table - 3085"
  28. 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 28.4 Field Manual: 3145, p. 90: "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns"
  29. Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 29: "Armed Forces Federated Suns Deployment Map 2765"
  30. 30.0 30.1 Historical: War of 3039, p. 136
  31. McCarron's Armored Cavalry, p. 26
  32. 32.0 32.1 32.2 20 Year Update, p. 22
  33. 33.0 33.1 33.2 Objective Raids, p. 15

Bibliography[edit]