1st Royal Guards
Sarna News
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 First became (at least nominally) the personal command of the Archon. Throughout much of its history, the First has been deployed on Tharkad, protecting the Triad itself.
Contents
History
After the assassination attempt to kill Archon Craig Steiner in 2529, the 1st Royal Guards supplied the pair of Griffin BattleMechs, which stand beside the Lyran throne. Over time, the Griffins were replaced by a Crusader and a Marauder (by Victor Ian Steiner-Davion), and also a pair of Hauptmann OmniMechs (by Katrina Steiner-Davion).
Though most of the First's history has been the defense of the Archon, the First has been deployed to the front lines in times of need.
During the Jihad the First Royal Guards and their sister unit, the 2nd Royal Guards quickly fell apart. Though in theory the First was staffed by elite troops, in reality they were better at social climbing and playing politics than fighting. The Archon, Peter Steiner, referred to anyone who fought in the Tharkad resistance as a "Royal Guard". 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.[1]
Officers
In 3025 the unit is commanded by Archon Katrina Steiner.[2]
In 3062 the Commanding Officer was Leutnant-General Gionavva Mellandra, the Duchess of Khartoum. Alexander Carlyle, the son of the famed Grayson "Death" Carlyle also serves as a Hauptmann within the unit.
Tactics
Because of their posting within the Triad and even within the Lyran throne room, the First drills extensively at close quarters fighting, and short ranged combat. Members of the first are exceptional marksmen and are skilled at maneuvering. Despite its urban defensive prowess, the First is best renowned for parade and drill routines.
Recruitment
Posting to the prestigious First Royal Guards is only possible by invitation. Though the recruitment policies were relaxed during the Federated Commonwealth, the First 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 5 years of experience required. Only the Archon can make exceptions.
Composition History
3025
1st Royal Guards (Regular/Fanatical) [3]
- CO.: Archon Katrina Steiner [4]
3054
1st Royal Guards RCT (Regular/Fanatical)[5]
- CO: Archon-Prince Victor Ian Steiner-Davion [5]
=
3062
1st Royal Guards (Regiment)
- CO: Archon Katherine Steiner
1st Royal Guards Aerospace (Brigade)
- Kap.: Paolo Duranti
- 1st Royal Guards Wing
- 2nd Royal Guards Wing
1st Royal Guards Armor Brigade
- CO: Colonel Uwe Dahrendorf
- 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
- Colonel: Austin Graves
- 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
3067
- 1 'Mech Regiment
- 3 Tank Regiments
- 4 Infantry Regiments + 1 Battle Armor Regiment
- 2 Aerospace Fighter Wings
3079
The First 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.[1]