1st Canopian Cuirassiers

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History

Formation from Ashes of Destroyed Units

The 1st Canopians originated from one of the nameless ad-hoc BattleMech battalions that were put together after opening rounds of the Reunification War destroyed original MAF units in 2577. Its sister unit ad-hoc battalion had resounding success against the Star League invaders. MAF named their unit the Magistracy Guards, and so like them, the unit was originally given the unit name Canopian Cuirassiers. It was in hopes it being named would bring them success. The unit didn't experience same success as then Magistracy Guards and experience number of defeats up to its decommissioned with other MAF units at end of the war.[citation needed]

In 2765 the unit was stationed on Canopus IV. For several years the unit had five battalions, but two of these were stripped away in the 2730s to form the Second Canopian Cuirassiers.[1]

Recommissioning & Succession Wars

After Magestrix Janina Centrella declared the Magistracy of Canopus independent of the Star League in 2786, the Canopian Cuirassiers were recommissioned into the MAF.[2] Drawn into the Cuirassiers were some survivors from the former 186th Mechanized Infantry Division, a former Star League Defense Force division; approximately a regiment of personnel defected to the Magistracy from the 186th during the Periphery Uprising, and those that survived the Uprising went on to form elements of both the Cuirassiers and the Magistracy Guards.[3] However the Cuirassiers did not see any action until 2817, when the unit fought renegade mercenaries on the world of Luxen. It participated in five other major engagements during the war, however, its sixth was a notable event.[2]

In 3012 the Red Chasseurs of Taurian I Corps had raided New Abilene, overwhelming the local militia forces there. One system away, was the Cuirassiers whose JumpShip's helium seal had blown were stranded, unable to arrive. The unit managed to make repairs and dropped into the Red Chasseurs' fortified defenses. What has been described as the Cuirassiers' finest moment, the unit drove into the Taurians and forced them from the world.[2]

The unit is noted for its actions in 3058 against the Blakist funded pirates of Astrokaszy, while under the command of Major Danai Centrella.[2]

Operation Bulldog

Late in 3059 the 1st Canopian Cuirassiers were chosen by House Liao Chancellor Liao to participate with four other Capellan regiments in the new Star League's Operation Bulldog. During Operation Bulldog the Cuirassiers joined with the 8th Dieron Regulars, St. Ives Cheveau Legers, and 11th Alshain Avengers to defend Meinacos from the Smoke Jaguar's 267th Battle Cluster. The Eighth Dieron drove into the 267th Cluster's flank, while the 11th Alshain distracted them and the Canopian Cuirassiers cut off the Clan unit's retreat. After the Avengers refused to disengage, the Cuirassiers advanced to support them against the Clan unit.[4]

The Cuirassiers later traveled with Victor Steiner-Davion to Strana Mechty for Trial of Refusal. The unit commander and heir-apparent to the throne of Magistracy died in one of the battles that led to Inner Sphere victory. The Cuirassiers' involvement in Operation Bulldog, made it the only regiment to have salvaged Clan equipment.[5]

3060s

In the late 3060s, the unit had not seen much of way of combat except for pirate raids on Capellan, Fronc Reaches, and Concordat borders.[5] The unit's Infantry and Armor assets were station on Fanardir with half of its 'Mech assets as of 3067, while the remaining forces were found on Canopus IV.[6]

Jihad

During the Jihad the First Cuirassiers were stationed on Canopus. There they faced the Word of Blake directly. Unlike Raventhir's Iron Hand the First was able to escape total destruction. Under the strategic command of Hadji Doru the First Cuirassiers resisted the Blakists for years until eventually driving them off Canopus. The First became one of the most highly decorated units in the MAF, receiving the Ribbon of the Magestrix.[7]

Dark Age

Elements of the First Canopian Cuirassiers were used as a recruiting tool for the MAF during the Dark Age.[8] After the world of Thurrock chose to rejoin the Magistracy - Thurrock having been a Magistracy world prior to the Reunification War but which was claimed by the Free Worlds League as a part of the enforced peace - it was deemed a significant enough asset that the First were assigned to protect the world. Thurrock had benefitted from three hundred years of investment from the League, and while it was unlikely to be raided by the Duchy of Andurien given the cordial relations between the Duchy and the Magistracy, other former League worlds attacked Thurrock frequently enough to keep the First busy.[9]

Officers

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the 1st Canopian Cuirassiers
Major Alexandra Vakirrov 3025[10]
Major Margaret Zachara 3050 - 3054[11][12]
Major Danai Centrella 3058[2]
Colonel Lane Meisel 3064 - 3079[2][6]
Colonel Candace Clifford 3085[13]
Colonel Chet Davids 3145[14]

Notes

Colonel Lane Meisel became the most highly decorated veteran of the Jihad, receiving both the Fist of Raventhir and the Ruby Canopus Cluster, but without having to pay the "donation" that normally accompanies that award.[7]

Tactics

The unit specialized in combat drops and displayed excellent salvage abilities.[6]

Composition History

2765

First Canopian Cuirassiers (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[15]

- At this point in time the First Cuirassiers was stationed on Canopus IV.[15]

2786 - 2821

1st Canopian Cuirassiers (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical) [16]

Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on Canopus IV. In 2821 the command was reduced to 42 percent of its strength and was deployed on Canopus IV. [16]

2830

1st Canopian Cuirassiers (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable) [17]

Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on Canopus IV with an operational readiness of 84 percent. [17]

2864

1st Canopian Cuirassiers (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical) [17]

Note: At this point in time the heavy-weight unit was stationed on Canopus IV with an operational readiness of 27 percent. [17]

3025

Canopian Cuirassiers (Veteran/Fanatical)[10]

  • CO: Major Alexandra Vakirrov

3050-3054

First Canopian Cuirassiers (Veteran/Fanatical)[11][12]

  • CO: Major Margaret Zachara

3064-3067

First Canopian Cuirassiers (BattleMech Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[2][6]

  • CO: Colonel Lane Meisel
  • 2nd Battalion: Major Mart Gemmel
  • 3rd Battalion: Major Candace Clifford

First Air Guard (Air Lance/Veteran/Fanatical)[2][6]

First Armor Guard (2 Battalions/Regular/Reliable)[2][6]

  • Armor Commander: Colonel Carla Marx

First Infantry Guard (1 Battalion/Veteran/Fanatical)[2][6]

  • Infantry Commander: Major Juliet Tompson

- Supported by Battle Armor

3079

After the Jihad the First Cuirassiers were reduced to forty percent of their pre-Jihad strength.[18]

3085

First Canopian Cuirassiers (Veteran/Fanatical)[13]

  • CO: Colonel Candace Clifford

First Cuirassiers Air Guard (1 Squad/Veteran/Fanatical)[13]

  • CO: Commander Wil Cary

First Cuirassiers Armor Guard (Regular/Fanatical)[13]

  • CO: Colonel Lothaire Gomulka

First Cuirassiers Infantry Guard (Veteran/Fanatical)[13]

  • CO: Colonel Chet Denholm

3145

First Canopian Cuirassiers (Veteran/Reliable)[14]

  • CO: Colonel Chet Davids

First Cuirassiers Air Guard (Veteran/Reliable)[14]

  • CO: Major Jolie Bassett

First Cuirassiers Armor Guard (Regular/Reliable)[14]

  • CO: Colonel Kimberly Kunkel

First Cuirassiers Infantry Guard (Veteran/Reliable)[14]

  • CO: Colonel Vinnie Parham
- At this point no element of the First could muster more than seventy percent of full strength.[14]

Notes

References

  1. ↑ Field Report 2765: Periphery, p. 13
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 Field Manual: Periphery, p. 31, "1st Canopian Cuirassiers Unit Profile"
  3. ↑ First Succession War, p. 34, "Those Left Behind (Continued)"
  4. ↑ The Dragon Roars, p. 41
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Field Manual: Updates, p. 190, "Magistracy Royal Guards"
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 Field Manual: Updates, p. 201, "MAF Deployment Table - 3067"
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Field Manual: 3085, p. 138
  8. ↑ Technical Readout: 3145 Capellan Confederation, p. 24
  9. ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 191, "Magistracy Royal Guards Brigade"
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 The Periphery (1988), p. 99, "Unit Deployment Table - 3025"
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 20 Year Update, p. 78, "MAF Deployment Table - 3050"
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Objective Raids, p. 47, "MAF Deployment Table - 3054"
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Field Manual: 3085, p. 149, "MAF Deployment Table - 3085"
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 Field Manual: 3145, p. 200, "Magistracy Royal Guards"
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Field Report 2765: Periphery, p. 13, "Magistracy Royal Guards - Regimental Status"
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 ’’ First Succession War’’, p. 140
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 ’’ Second Succession War’’, p. 100
  18. ↑ Field Report: Periphery, p. 10

Bibliography

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