33rd Avalon Hussars

(Redirected from Thirty-third Avalon Hussars)
Avalon Hussars 33rd logo 3025.png
Thirty-third Avalon Hussars
Formed Age of War
Nickname The Spelunkers (Reunification War)[1]
March Madmen (Star League)[2]
Affiliation Federated Suns
Parent Command Avalon Hussars


History[edit]

In 2431 the Thirty-third Avalon Hussars defended Kentares IV against the Terran Hegemony. The Hegemony forces destroyed the unit.[3]

Reunification War[edit]

During the Reunification War the Thirty-third Avalon Hussars, along with the First, Seventh, Eleventh, and Twentieth Avalon Hussars, formed part of the Federated Suns Auxiliary Corps assigned to support the SLDF on the Taurian Concordat border.[4] The soldiers of the Thirty-third Hussars became experts at finding and destroying scores of hidden bunker complexes on Mavegh and Montour. These actions required the Thirty-third's troops to fit their 'Mechs into tight spaces that other units couldn't, giving rise to their nickname: "The Spelunkers." Light 'Mech pilots in particular were adept at moving into very tight areas and clearing out enemy locations.[1]

In 2581 and most of 2582 the Thirty-third was on Weippe, but in mid-2582 they relocated to Verdigreis.[5] They would spend the next five years on that world, before moving to Cyrton in 2587.[6]

Star League Era[edit]

The Thirty-third Avalon Hussars was one of many Avalon Hussars regiments to be deactivated during the Star League era after the Star League Council issued the Council Edict of 2650, which limited the maximum permissible size of the military of each Great House. When the Council Edict of 2650 was revoked in the mid-twenty-eighth century each of the Great Houses began an extensive rearmament program, including the Federated Suns. The Thirty-third was duly reactivated in 2760 and swiftly attempted to resurrect the regiment's traditions.[2]

When the Thirty-third was originally founded during the Age of War the first Commanding Officer of the regiment was the graduating class Most Valuable Player of the Albion basketball team; that CO brought basketball to the Thirty-third as a sporting tradition, one that the CO of the newly reactivated Thirty-third, Colonel Walter Nellis, brought back despite knowing nothing about basketball. While not everyone in the regiment was required to be basketball fan, one of Nellis' decisions was to hire a professional basketball coach on behalf of the regiment so that the tradition would continue.[2]

The 33rd Avalon Hussars, like all the Avalon Hussars had rejected 'Mech technology, which in reality turned them more like planetary garrisons.[7]

First Succession War[edit]

The First Succession War was to be the time to prove their worth, but instead Kurita and Liao BattleMechs shattered their outdated tanks and hovercraft.[7]

Second Succession War[edit]

In 2828 the Thirty-third was rebuilt and sent to Novaya Zemlya, where they faced the CCAF's elite Prefectorate Guard. The green Thirty-third was effectively destroyed by the Capellan unit, losing 90% of their equipment and troops. To maintain morale, the High Command rebuilt the unit.[3]

The Thirty-third Avalon Hussars landed on Northwind in 2841 alongside the Davion Assault Guards. They faced off against the 3rd Kearny Highlanders and Stuart's Highlanders regiments of the Northwind Highlanders.[8] The Assault Guards pinned the Highlanders in place and the Hussars flanked them, forcing the Capellan units to withdraw. Eventually the Hussars, Assault Guards, and mercenary forces would destroy the Capellan units.[9]

Third Succession War[edit]

Galtor III[edit]

As of 3025, the unit was based on Nopah.[10] The 33rd Avalon Hussars took part in the fighting for Galtor III.[11] They spent much of their time guarding the Star League depot found on the world. A battalion of the 33rd was stationed on the Wagnall Plain[12] The other two battalions were stuck in transit,[13] and one was later diverted to assault Marduk in a spoiling attack where they crushed Moroushi's Independent Assault Battalion.[14][15] The other missing battalion eventually arrived.[16] The 33rd fought the 17th Benjamin Regulars several times around New Wuhan City.[17] At the end of the fight, the unit had suffered 84,354% casualties.[7] Wilson Mandella, its commanding officer, died in the early stages of the operation.[18]

Fourth Succession War[edit]

Liao[edit]

During the First Wave the unit invaded Liao III in support of all three regiments of the Blue Star Irregulars. They were opposed by several veteran CCAF units including Warrior House Lu Sann, 1st Confederation Reserve Cavalry, Vincent's Commandos and the Protectorate Guard.[19]

The 1st Blue Star Irregulars regiment defeated Vincent's Commandos after a short battle.

The 33rd Avalon Hussars forced the 1st Confederation Reserve Cavalry to retreat.

The 2nd Blue Star Irregular regiment destroyed the 1st Battalion of Warrior House Lu Sann after a fierce fight.

The 3rd Blue Star Irregular regiment was attacked after probing raids from the Reserve Cavalry. The merc unit followed them into an ambush through the Protectorate Guard.

The Avalon Hussars tried to close the gap around the CCAF forces but were hindered by the Reserve Cavalry. The special forces of the elite Warrior House used the chaos to a raid behind the lines of the AFFS forces. Only reinforcement through the arrival of the Redfield Renegades changed the tide of battle to the FedSuns side. The mercs entered the Forbidden City. These event was the signal to all remaining Liao forces to retreat. Only one Battalion each from the Warrior House and the Reserve Cavalry together with the Protectorate Guard left the planet.[20]

Genoa[edit]

It was listed as their homeworld as late as 3038.[21]

War of 3039[edit]

During the War of 3039, they saw action on Caph against the Ryuken. After the war, they were reassigned to Tikonov.[22]

Clan Invasion[edit]

As of early 3050, they were based on Suk II.[23]

In early 3052, they were called on to defend Suk II against Khan Natasha Kerensky and Clan Wolf's Alpha Galaxy during the Fifth Wave of the Clan Invasion. The battle lasted several weeks as the Clan force expended most of its ammunition. Alpha Galaxy eventually prevailed when one of the Hussars' heavy tank regiments was hit hard by Elementals, allowing the Wolves to breach the Hussar lines. The Hussars retreated off-world to Orkney.[24]

The remaining Hussars were defeated on Orkney by forces of Clan Steel Viper.[25]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the 33rd Avalon Hussars
Colonel Walter Nellis 2760[2]
Colonel Hieronimus "Harry" Zibler 2830[26]
Lieutenant-General Wilson Mandella 3025[27][28]
Hauptmann General John Yapt 3050[29]

Tactics[edit]

Star League Era[edit]

During the Star League era all of the Avalon Hussars were required to focus on being both flexible and mobile, with every regiment required to be capable of deploying within eight hours, although many of the Hussars struggled to actually achieve this.[30]

Third Succession War[edit]

In 3025, the 33rd Avalon Hussars were comfortable piloting their 'Mechs through cities, but in other terrain types they had some difficulty targeting units at long range.[31]

Composition History[edit]

2765[edit]

Thirty-third Avalon Hussars (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[32]

  • CO: Colonel Walter Nellis[2]
Note: At this point in time the Thirty-third was stationed on Rowe.[32] In common with the other regiments of the Avalon Hussars the Thirty-third had an attached aerospace wing, although these forces were primarily tasked to provide ground support rather than escort duties.[30]

2786–2821[edit]

Thirty-third Avalon Hussars (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[33]

Note: At this point in time the Hussars were a medium-weight regiment stationed on Rowe and were operating at four-battalion strength.[33] In 2821 the regiment were stationed on New Aberdeen and were down almost two battalions in combat strength from their prewar status.[33]

2830[edit]

Thirty-third Avalon Hussars (Regiment/Regular/Fanatical)[34]

Note: At this point in time the Hussars were a medium-weight regiment and had managed to rebuild to close to three battalions in strength. The Hussars were stationed on New Aberdeen.[34]

2864[edit]

Thirty-third Avalon Hussars (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[34]

Note: At this point in time the Hussars were a medium-weight regiment stationed on Northwind, and had been reduced to just over four companies in strength.[34]

3025[edit]

Thirty-third Avalon Hussars (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[35][7]

  • CO: Lieutenant General Wilson Mandella[36]
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Nopah.[36] The 'Mech regiment contains heavy-weight designs.[37]

Regiment TO&E

Regimental BattleGroup
(Four Armor Lances, two 'Mech Lances)
Benham's Battalion
  • Battalion Headquarters
  • Epsom's Company
  • Parkerson's Company
  • Whiteway's Company
Meade's Battalion
  • Battalion Headquarters
  • Astor's Company
  • Fennell's Company
  • Hosmer's Company
Lyon's Battalion
  • Battalion Headquarters
  • Buller's Company
  • Marten's Company
  • Previn's Company
Support Vessels
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Nopah. In other expansions, the Thirty-third Avalon Hussars is considered a Reinforced Regiment[27] As of 3025, the 33rd's BattleMech contingent is a heavy reinforced Regiment that includes an extra battalion of assault 'Mechs.[39] This could mean that after the Galtor Campaign the unit was expanded.

3040[edit]

Thirty-third Avalon Hussars (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[40]

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

3050[edit]

Thirty-third Avalon Hussars RCT (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[29]

  • CO: Hauptmann General John Yapt[29]
Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Suk II.[29] The unit was destroyed during the Clan invasion.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Historical: Reunification War, p. 33
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 9: "Avalon Hussars"
  3. 3.0 3.1 The Galtor Campaign, p. 43
  4. Historical: Reunification War, p. 65
  5. Historical: Reunification War, p. 144
  6. Historical: Reunification War, p. 145
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 The Galtor Campaign, p. 43: 33rd Avalon Hussars"
  8. Northwind Highlanders, pp. 20–21
  9. Second Succession War, pp. 64–65
  10. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 136: "Addicks PDZ"
  11. Historical Turning Points: Galtor, p. 6
  12. The Galtor Campaign, p. 10
  13. The Galtor Campaign, p. 13
  14. The Galtor Campaign, p. 70: Decision at Marduk
  15. The Galtor Campaign, p. 19
  16. The Galtor Campaign, p. 22
  17. The Galtor Campaign, pp. 22–24
  18. The Galtor Campaign, p. 17
  19. The Fourth Succession War Scenarios Volume One, pp. 8–9
  20. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 16
  21. Historical: War of 3039, p. 135
  22. Historical: War of 3039, pp. 61, 135
  23. 20 Year Update, p. 26
  24. Wolf Clan Sourcebook, p. 68
  25. Invading Clans, p. 89
  26. Shrapnel Issue 13: Planet Digest: Gandy's Luck
  27. 27.0 27.1 House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 136: "Addicks PDZ"
  28. Historical Turning Points: Galtor, p. 9: "Aftermath"
  29. 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 20 Year Update, p. 26
  30. 30.0 30.1 Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 8: "Avalon Hussars"
  31. Historical Turning Points: Galtor, p. 7
  32. 32.0 32.1 Field Report: AFFS, p. 10: "Regimental Status"
  33. 33.0 33.1 33.2 First Succession War, p. 134: "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns (AFFS)"
  34. 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 Second Succession War, p. 94: "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns (AFFS)"
  35. The Galtor Campaign, p. 13: "Phase One Units"
  36. 36.0 36.1 House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 134: "Federated Suns Deployment Table"
  37. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 138
  38. The Galtor Campaign, p. 13
  39. Camo Specs, p. 35
  40. 40.0 40.1 Historical: War of 3039, p. 135

Bibliography[edit]