Weisau

Weisau
Weisau 3151.svg
System Information
X:Y Coordinates377.137 : 134.115[e]
Star names2[1] (Orpheus, Eurydice)
Spectral classF5V, F7V[1]
Planet(s)9[1]

The Weisau system was home to at least one habitable world and as of 3145 was located in the Kaznejoy Prefecture of the New Samarkand Military District within the Draconis Combine.[2][3]

System Description[edit]

The Weisau system is located near the Delacruz and Valentina systems.[2][3]

Apocryphal Content Starts

The information after this notice comes from apocryphal sources; the canonicity of such information is uncertain.
Please view the reference page for information regarding their canonicity.

Weisau was described in very great detail including much planetographical data such as geology, topography, and atmosphere as well as sociological data in a "Worldbook" entry in the now apocryphal BattleTechnology, Issue #0101. According to this entry, the Weisau system is a close binary system of the suns Orpheus and Eurydice, and features nine planets plus an asteroid field. Discovered in 2235, it was only settled in 2640 for mining purposes.

Only the fifth planet in the system is even marginally habitable, and has been nicknamed "Brimstone" by the natives (though its official name remains Weisau); it has a large satellite or twin world called Fire. Its surface gravity is 1.175g. The temperature range at the polar capital of Port Erebus is given as +10°C on a winter night through +66°C on a summer day while equatorial temperatures can exceed 125°C.

The Weisau system returns in BattleTechnology, Issue #9, featuring a short story and a scenario both revolving on Jump-Station Kusari. Due to the peculiar eccentricity of the Weisau orbit and the intensely powerful planetary magnetic field surrounding it, JumpShips cannot obtain sufficiently accurate navigational data to reach the jump point at Weisau Zenith without course corrections. A large planetoid, kwnown as Jump-Station Kusari, orbits at at greater distance but following a less eccentric track. It hosts navigational and communications equipment which transmits the necessary data to JumpShips. Anyone who controls this planetoid controls outgoing JumpShip travel from the Weisau system. [4]

Apocryphal Content Ends

System History[edit]

The Weisau system was settled during the Age of War era and by the end of the era was a part of the Outworlds Alliance.[5]

Political Affiliation[edit]


Weisau[edit]

Weisau

Planetary History[edit]

Reunification War[edit]

Possessed of a hostile and particularly stormy atmosphere, Weisau was a mining world and originally a part of the Outworlds Alliance up until it was occupied by Star League forces and subsequently annexed by the Draconis Combine during the Reunification War.[9]

Targeted during the first wave of attacks, with two brigades from the Fifteenth Division of V Corps - the Forty-third and the Forty-fifth Brigades[53] - landing on the 2nd of August 2581, a few weeks after the opening attacks on Groveld III and Bryceland. The commander of the invasion force, Lieutenant General Clay Strombergs, knew that Weisau was dependent on regular imports of food from other worlds, and his landings concentrated on four large targets, each of which was a transportation hub and spaceport, and each of which was targeted by a company of BattleMechs and two companies of infantry. Although the violent atmosphere of Weisau scattered troops widely, enough were on target or close enough to their targets for all four objectives to be seized within half an hour, with the remainder of the Star League forces landing soon after and taking control of the surrounding communities and facilities.[9]

Although Weisau was notionally defended by a handful of armor companies and a few hundred infantry, this was far from the total extent of the opposition the Fifteenth Division forces would face; Weisau was populated by literally tens of thousands of miners spread across a hundred different locations and employed by mining concerns of varying sizes, and the majority of these miners were more than willing to defend their claims against the invaders using the tools of their trade: heavy vehicles, tools and copious quantities of explosives. Strombergs knew that time was on his side, and that clearing the extensive strip mines and mining sites on Weisau would be difficult compared to severing the planetary supply lines and simply starving the defenders out.[9]

With all of the initial objectives secure, Strombergs had choked off the supply of food and supplies to Weisau; he positioned his forces ready to respond to any holdouts, while promising amnesty to any who laid down their weapons. The first two weeks saw a number of small mining concerns capitulate, but it wasn't until the Weisau-Gorbbels Mining Cooperative agreed to Star League oversight in early September in exchange for a lucrative contract that active violence erupted on Weisau. Weisau-Gorbbels was one of the largest groups operating on Weisau, and dozens of other mining concerns began scrambling to obtain similar deals... while just as many mining concerns launched attacks against both the SLDF forces and those attempting to submit to Star League control.[54]

Strombergs was forced to use his troops to respond to the attacks, but the combination of severe weather and the difficulty of identifying friend from foe resulted in chaos - which other large, well-organized groups used as cover to launch more raids and secure supplies to allow them to continue to hold out against the Star League forces.[54]

The major resistance on Weisau finally ended in October 2581; by the beginning of October, more than thirty assorted communities and mining concerns were actively resisting, but more than seventy were under Star League control and dozens more had been either abandoned or destroyed in the fighting. Stromberg launched major attacks against three of the most resilient opponents on the 8th of October, each intended to completely destroy the opposition; these attacks were ultimately successful, and by the 10th of October the Star League forces had defeated all three. Of the three major engagements, those at Gorch Canyon and DiSalvo mines were the most destructive, the sites littered with bodies and destroyed equipment as a result of the ferocity of the fighting on both sides, but the Star League forces had a supply chain that would allow them to rebuild these losses. Despite defeating the three most significant opponents, Stromberg's troops would be forced to fight another 17 significant battles before the last organized resistance was defeated.[54]

Although the planet was declared to have been pacified on the 17th of November 2581, the last holdouts managed to resist until the end of the year. The losses inflicted on the Star League forces were only moderate, but the Star League regiments required several weeks to repair all of the damage inflicted on their equipment by the citizens of Weisau.[54]

On the 25th of July 2585 the Treaty of Cerberus was signed, declaring peace between those involved in the conquest of the Outworlds Alliance, and when the treaty took effect on the 1st of August Weisau and thirteen other planets were ceded to the Draconis Combine as part of the treaty terms.[10]

Apocryphal Content Starts

The information after this notice comes from apocryphal sources; the canonicity of such information is uncertain.
Please view the reference page for information regarding their canonicity.

Fourth Succession War[edit]

On May 3029, the Federated Suns sent a JumpShip containing at least one battalion of 'Mechs to take Weisau and use it as a fleet staging area for further attacks against the Draconis Combine [55]. Galt's Grenadiers, a mercenary unit working for House Kurita, was tasked to defend it against the Davion invaders. Several resource centers on the planet were identified as possible strategic targets, as well Jump-Station Kusari. Major John Galt, leader of the mercenary unit, reorganized the Grenadiers into nine separate task troops. A reinforced Fire Lance was sent to reinforce the Kusari detachment but the Davions got there first, taking control of the station before the arrival of the mercenaries. The Grenadiers unit, led by Lieutnant Ludmilla Janonka, bravely engaged the Federated Suns forces, composed by two light lances and several infantry platoons. A tough fight ensued, during which the Grenadiers suffered heavy damage. Janonka's Quickdraw was about to be destroyed by concentrated fire, when her lancemate Sandusky Sorrell jumped his Shadow Hawk in near-perfect "death-from-above" style against an enemy Enforcer; while the attack was not fatal, it allowed Janonka to close in a behead the Enforcer with a punch, killing its pilot instantly. This brought a palpable change on the battlefield, breaking morale of the Davion troops. Even as Janonka had to retreat, the remaining Grenadiers managed to drive off the enemy and retake control of the station, without having to blow it to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Federated Suns.

Apocryphal Content Ends

The Jihad[edit]

Weisau was assaulted and captured by WarShips from Clan Snow Raven during the first two weeks of May 3069.[46]

Military Deployment[edit]

2581[edit]

3085[edit]

Geography[edit]

Planetary Locations[edit]

  • DiSalvo Mines: site of a major battle during the Reunification War.[54]
  • Gorch Canyon: site of a major battle during the Reunification War.[54]

Industrial Centers[edit]

  • Weisau-Gorbbels Mining Cooperative[54]

Notes[edit]

Weisau is misspelled as "Wiesau" in the deployment tables on page 141 of Historical: Reunification War.

Image gallery[edit]

Map Gallery[edit]

Nearby Systems[edit]

Closest 24 systems (24 within 60 light-years)
Distance in light years, closest systems first:
Delacruz 21.5 Valentina 22.0 Groveld 22.9 Schirmeck 24.6
Niles 25.7 Budingen 28.4 Kesai 29.3 Waldheim 31.6
Senorbi 35.3 Goubellat 40.4 Conroe 42.7 Belacruz 45.0
Santiago 46.1 Altdorf 46.4 Capra 46.4 Bryceland 46.7
Kaznejoy 47.7 Medron 51.0 Cimeron 52.2 Delitzsch 52.2
Alegro 53.7 Wittington 55.1 Latexo 56.0 Cosenza 58.1

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 BattleTechnology, Issue #0101, pp. 6–7: "Worldbook"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Era Report: 3145, p. 39: "Inner Sphere - [3145] Map"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Field Manual: 3145, p. VI: "Inner Sphere - [3145] Map"
  4. BattleTechnology, Issue #009, pp. 23–24: "Assault on Jump-Station Kusari"
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 147: "Outworlds Alliance after Age of War (2571) and at the Fall of the Star League (2750)"
  6. Handbook: House Kurita, p. 18: "Draconis Combine Founding" - [2319] Map
  7. Handbook: House Kurita, p. 31: "Draconis Combine after Age of War - [2571] Map"
  8. Handbook: House Davion, p. 48: "Federated Suns After Age of War - [2571] Map"
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Historical: Reunification War, p. 113: "Weisau"
  10. 10.0 10.1 Historical: Reunification War, p. 126: "Year Five: Peace In Our Time"
  11. Era Report: 2750, p. 37: "Inner Sphere - [2750] Map"
  12. Field Manual: SLDF, p. vii: "Inner Sphere - [2764] Map"
  13. Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1, p. 11: "Inner Sphere - [2765] Map"
  14. Field Report 2765: Periphery, p. 36: "Outworlds Alliance Militia Deployment - [2765] Map"
  15. Field Report 2765: DCMS, p. 25: "Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery Deployment - [2765] Map"
  16. Historical: Liberation of Terra, p. 98: "Outworlds Alliance - [2767] Map
  17. First Succession War, pp. 24–25: "Inner Sphere - [2786] Map"
  18. Handbook: House Kurita, p. 43: "Draconis Combine after First Succession War - [2822] Map"
  19. Handbook: House Davion, p. 54: "Federated Suns after First Succession War - [2822] Map"
  20. Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 2, p. 122: "Inner Sphere - [2822] Map"
  21. First Succession War, pp. 112–113: "Inner Sphere - [2822] Map"
  22. Second Succession War, pp. 18–19: "Inner Sphere - 2830"
  23. Handbook: House Kurita, p. 53: "Draconis Combine after Second Succession War - [2864] Map"
  24. Handbook: House Davion, p. 60: "Federated Suns After Second Succession War - [2864] Map"
  25. Second Succession War, pp. 78–79: "Inner Sphere - 2864"
  26. House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. vii: "Draconis Combine Map - [3025]"
  27. Handbook: House Kurita, p. 64: "Draconis Combine after Third Succession War - 3025"
  28. Handbook: House Davion, p. 70: "Federated Suns After Third Succession War - [3030] Map"
  29. Handbook: House Kurita, p. 66: "Draconis Combine after Fourth Succession War - [3030] Map"
  30. Handbook: House Davion, p. 72: "Federated Suns after Fourth Succession War [3030]"
  31. Historical: War of 3039, p. 133: "Inner Sphere - [3040] Map"
  32. Handbook: House Kurita, p. 68: "Draconis Combine after War of 3039 - [3040] Map"
  33. Handbook: House Davion, p. 76: "Federated Suns after War of 3039 - [3040] Map"
  34. Era Report: 3052, p. 11: "Inner Sphere - [3050] Map"
  35. Era Report: 3052, p. 23: "Inner Sphere - [3052] Map"
  36. Handbook: House Kurita, p. 71: "Draconis Combine after Operation REVIVAL - 3052"
  37. Objective Raids, p. 24: "Draconis Combine Map"
  38. Era Report: 3062, p. 11: "Inner Sphere - [3057] Map"
  39. The Periphery, 2nd Edition, p. 110: "Outworlds Alliance"
  40. Era Report: 3062, p. 29: "Inner Sphere - [3063] Map"
  41. Inner Sphere, p. 33: "Federated Suns Map"
  42. Handbook: House Kurita, p. 74: "Draconis Combine after FedCom Civil War - [3067] Map"
  43. Handbook: House Davion, p. 82: "Federated Suns after FedCom Civil War - [3067] Map"
  44. Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 150: "Outworlds Alliance (3067)
  45. Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 43: "Inner Sphere - [3067] Map"
  46. 46.0 46.1 Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 47: "The Jihad In Review"
  47. Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 64: "Inner Sphere - [3075] Map"
  48. Field Report: Clans, p. 28: "Clan Snow Raven & Outworlds Alliance Deployment Map - [August 3079]"
  49. Field Report: DCMS, p. 21: "Draconis Combine Mustered Soldier Deployment Map - [August 3079]"
  50. Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 63: "Inner Sphere - [3081] Map"
  51. Field Manual: 3085, p. vii: "Inner Sphere - [3085] Map"
  52. Era Report: 3145, p. 11: "Inner Sphere - [3135] Map"
  53. Historical: Reunification War, p. 141: "Outworlds Alliance Front"
  54. 54.0 54.1 54.2 54.3 54.4 54.5 54.6 Historical: Reunification War, p. 114: "Weisau"
  55. BattleTechnology, Issue #009, pp. 24–27: "Assault on Jump-Station Kusari"
  56. Field Manual: 3085, p. 128: "Deployment Table - 3085"

Bibliography[edit]