1st Royal Guards

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From their founding, the First Royal Guards were the personal bodyguards of the Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth and Lyran Alliance. After the destruction of the Fourth 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.[1]

History

After the assassination attempt to kill Archon Craig Steiner in 2529, the 1st Royal Guards supplied the pair of Griffin BattleMechs that stood beside the Lyran throne. Victor Ian Steiner-Davion broke with the tradition and, in 3056, replaced the Griffins with a Crusader and a Marauder, 'Mechs common in the former AFFS. His sister, Katherine Steiner-Davion replaced those 'Mechs with a pair of Hauptmann OmniMechs following her accession.[1]

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.[1]

In early 2506 for example the First deployed to Tamar at the close of the Lyran Civil War. Led by Archon Robert Steiner, the First pursued Duke Gilderoy and Margaret Olson into Tamar City. There they fought the rebel forces for eighteen hours before the rebels surrendered.[2]

The First was stationed on Tharkad in 2765. While there they skirmished and trained with the 2nd Royal Guards, who had lost several key members due to criminal behavior.[3]

In 3022 the First Royal Guards fought the Battle of Rigil Kentaurus. The battle began as a joint exercise between the LCAF unit and Marshal Ran Felsner to work out joint AFFS/LCAF tactics. However, the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery sent in large numbers of troops and the joint LCAF/AFFS forces were hard pressed to prevent the fall of the planet. They prevailed however, and Rigil Kentaurus remained free of the Dragon.[4]

Fourth Succession War

The First and the mercenary unit Barrett's Fusiliers were deployed to the Isle of Skye during the Fourth Succession War. Both commands acted as an mobile reserve. When the 4th Proserpina Hussars successfully invaded the Lyran world of La Blon during the Lull, both units were dispatched to counterattack during Operation Holdur. The First caught the Fourth Hussars totally off-guard and captured two strategically important forts. Consequently, the Proserpina Hussars faded away from the Lyran units. At first, the Royal Guards unsuccessfully tried to hunt down the DCMS unit. When the Hussars intercepted a message from the CO of Royal Guards that indicated the bulk of his units had moved out of one of the forts to engage the Hussars, they attacked. However, the message was a trap by the Steiner forces. When the Hussars attacked, the fort was defended by the entire force of the 1st Royals. The Hussars took grievous damage fighting what they believed to be a token force. After four hours, the few surviving lances of Hussars, retreated only to be ambushed by Barrett's Fusiliers.[citation needed]

After the liberation of La Blon, both units dropped on Dromini VI. Though the suicidal attack of the Tenth Lyran Guards damaged many of the JumpShips and destroyed many of the supplies needed for Theodore Kurita's Operation Contagion, the planet was still crowded with Kurita units, including both surviving Legion of Vega regiments, as well as elements of the Benjamin Regulars and the Dieron Regulars. Though the Lyran units were outnumbered by the Combine forces, they harassed the DCMS units. Theodore Kurita realized that Lyran reinforcements would likely arrive soon and that he and his forces would be trapped behind enemy lines with little chance to survive. Consequently, he ordered his units to retreat off-planet. When the First Royals realized the retreat of the Kurita units, they attacked the Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars. Both units took heavy losses, but the Seventeenth lost most, more than a battalion of 'Mechs.[citation needed]

FedCom Civil War

The First Royal Guards were stationed on Tharkad when the Allied task force hit. They fought the Kell Hounds and Clan Wolf-in-Exile's Alpha Galaxy. Though they fought well, the Clan unit eventually smashed them.[5] During the fighting they were led by Nondi Steiner against Peter Steiner-Davion.[6]

Jihad

Due to the severe damage the unit suffered during the FedCom Civil War, the Jihad the First Royal Guards and their sister unit, the Second Royal Guards fell apart during the attack of the Word of Blake forces. The Archon, Peter Steiner-Davion, 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.[7]

In June 3083 the First Royal Guards were deployed to Inarcs to arrest Duchess LaRue for treason. The First Royal Guards arrived with the Second Bolan Guards LCT and quickly landed on the world. The Royal Guards quickly marched on Utoptia, the capital city, and surrounded the Blackstone Highlanders with their armor. The Guard's 'Mech and battle armor forces quickly smashed the Highlander's positions and forced them to surrender.[8] The First Royal Guards then accompanied Duchess LaRue to Tharkad, where she stood trial for treason.[9]

In 3085 the First Royal Guards were stationed on Gibbs.[10]

Dark Age

In 3104 the First Royal Guards were deployed to Gacrux to assault the last of the Brotherhood of Cincinnatus' strongholds. They used updated King Crab BattleMechs as a distraction while the rest of the task force assaulted the rear of the fortress.[11] Adam Steiner led the First Royal Guards and the Fourteenth Lyran Guards personally in their assault against the Brotherhood's forces during the five-hour battle on Gacrux.[12]

The First Royal Guards were ordered not to attack Duke Brewer while he was "Acting Archon", but despite this the First believes that it failed to protect Archon Melissa Steiner from Brewer's coup. The new Archon, Trillian Steiner, did not hold this "failure" against them, but the First began drilling constantly in bodyguard duties to insure that the First would never fail again. The First also faced several Clan Jade Falcon and Clan Wolf units when they attacked Tharkad, and gained valuable experience.[13]

Officers

The First Royal Guards were commanded by Paul Steiner between 2750 and 2761.[14]

As of 3025 the unit is commanded by Archon Katrina Steiner.[15]

As of 3050 the commanding officer was Archon Melissa Steiner-Davion.[16]

As of 3054 the commanding officer was Archon-Prince Victor Ian Steiner-Davion.[17]

As of 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.[1]

As of 3067 the commanding officer was Archon Peter Steiner-Davion.[18]

As of 3085 the commanding officer was Archon Adam Steiner.[19]

In 3145 the commanding officer is Hauptmann-General Markus Clarkston.[20]

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.[1]

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.[1]

Composition History

2765

First Royal Guards (Elite/Fanatical)[3]

3025

First Royal Guards (Regular/Fanatical)[15]

  • CO: Archon Katrina Steiner

3040

First Royal Guards RCT (Regular/Fanatical)[21]

3050

First Royal Guards RCT (Regular/Fanatical)[16]

3054

First Royal Guards RCT (Regular/Fanatical)[17]

  • CO: Archon-Prince Victor Ian Steiner-Davion

3062-3067

First Royal Guards (Regiment/Regular/Fanatical)[1][18]

  • Aide: Leutnant-General Gionavva Mellandra

First Royal Guards Aerospace Brigade[1][18]

First Royal Guards Armor Brigade (3 Regiments/Regular/Fanatical)[1][18]

  • 1st Royal Tharkad Panzer Regiment - Colonel: Liesbeth Tennant
  • 2nd Royal Tharkad Panzer Regiment - Colonel: Noel Seaton
  • 1st Royal Tharkad Light Tank - Colonel: Damien Banbridge

First Royal Guards Infantry Brigade (5 Regiments/Regular/Fanatical)[1][18]

  • CO: Colonel Austin Graves
  • Aide: Leutnant-Colonel Leon Jodrell
  • 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

3079

First Royal Guards RCT

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.[7]

3085

First Royal Guards RCT (Veteran/Fanatical)[19]

  • CO: Archon Adam Steiner

First Royal Aerospace (Elite/Fanatical)[19]

First Royal Armor Brigade (Veteran/Reliable)[19]

  • CO: Colonel Purdie Huang

First Royal Infantry Brigade (Elite/Fanatical)[19]

  • CO: Colonel Asher Wood

3145

First Royal Guards RCT (Elite/Fanatical)[20]

  • CO: Hauptmann-General Markus Clarkston

First Royal Aerospace (Elite/Fanatical)[20]

  • CO: Kaptain Jane Long

First Royal Armor Brigade (Elite/Fanatical)[20]

  • CO: Colonel Fred Evans

First Royal Infantry Brigade (Elite/Fanatical)[20]

  • CO: Colonel Keith Williams

Game Rules

When playing in the Star League or Age of War eras, the First Royal Guards receive a +1 Initiative modifier and a -1 bonus to Piloting skill rolls when operating in Urban terrain. (At least half the mapsheets must be found on the Light or Heavy Urban Terrain Mapsheet Table in Total Warfare for this to apply.)[22]

Reference

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Field Manual: Lyran Alliance, p. 95, "1st Royal Guards Unit Profile"
  2. ↑ Era Report: 2750, p. 52
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Field Report 2765: LCAF, p. 17, "Royal Guards" - Regimental Status
  4. ↑ House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 189
  5. ↑ Field Manual: Updates, p. 69
  6. ↑ Field Manual: Updates, p. 172
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Field Report: LAAF, p. 14
  8. ↑ Field Manual: 3085, p. 104
  9. ↑ Field Manual: 3085, p. 95
  10. ↑ Field Manual: 3085, p. 108
  11. ↑ Technical Readout: 3145 Lyran Commonwealth, p. 46
  12. ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 119, "Reconstruction"
  13. ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 124
  14. ↑ Era Report: 2750, p. 79
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 121 (pdf version), "Unit Deployment Table - 3025"
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 20 Year Update, p. 29, "AFFC Deployment Table - 3050"
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Objective Raids, p. 21, "AFFC Deployment Table - 3054"
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 Field Manual: Updates, p. 178, "LAAF Deployment Table - 3067"
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 Field Manual: 3085, p. 108, "LAAF Deployment Table - 3085"
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 Field Manual: 3145, p. 133, "Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces - Donegal Province"
  21. ↑ Historical: War of 3039 , p. 138
  22. ↑ Era Report: 2750, p. 142

Bibliography

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