2nd Sword of Light
Sarna News
Representing the Pillar of Steel, or the military, in Combine society, the Second Sword of Light was one of the most prestigious unit in the DCMS. The elite Second took part in some of the most notable Combine military actions, but also had been involved in some of their darkest moments, including the Kentares Massacre and an attempted coup against the Coordinator that led to the unit being disbanded.
Contents
History
Age of War
In 2475, the first use of BattleMechs by the Draconis Combine against another BattleMech force was a failure of spectacular proportions. After this defeat, the Second was issued the Combine's first "modern" BattleMech, the Von Rohrs, and assigned to the command of Colonel Ibis Von Rohrs.
Succession Wars
In the second decade of the 30th century, the Second Sword, along with the 20th Dieron Regulars and 4th Proserpina Hussars, headed a massive multi-regiment assault on the Tamar Pact, under the overall command of General Tugima Travison.[1]
As a young officer, future Coordinator Takashi Kurita rose to fame in the Second Sword with his leadership and battlefield prowess, inspiring the already elite unit to even greater heights. Takashi eventually rose to command the regiment's heavy assault battalion prior to his promotion to the Otomo in 3000.[2]
The Second Sword was one of the more notable units to take part in the Third Battle of Mallory's World in 3013, eventually being driven back after the death of First Prince Ian Davion.[3] Upon learning Prince Hanse Davion was pinned down during his attempted escape from Halstead Station, Takashi personally led the Second Sword in an attempt to capture or kill his honored foe.[4]
The Second while under the command of Lord Yorinaga Kurita, returned to Mallory's World in 3016, with 36th Dieron Regulars. Tai-sa Kurita attempted to avenge himself on Colonel Morgan Kell for stoping him from taking body of Ian Davion three years earlier. During the assault, the 36th Dieron managed pin down the first battalion of the Hounds, while Lord Kurita lead the Second Sword to attempt to destroy Morgan Kell's Second Battlalion. After discovering his location in a defensive fortification, Kell challenged him to samuari's duel. Honor bounded by such act, Tai-sa Kurita complied. The battle two dueled and then Kurita was defeated by Colonel Kell using rules of duel against him forcing him to withdraw.[5]
In late 3021 The Second suffered severe casualties assisting in the defence of Dromini VI against House Steiner forces and the Wolf's Dragoons mercenary unit.
Operation Bulldog
The Second Sword partipated in Operation Bulldog in 3059, where it retook world of Hyner from Third Jaguar Cavaliers. The unit then moved to garrison world of Albiero.
Ghost Bear War
In 3062, the 2nd Sword was relieved by the heavily damaged 22nd Dieron Regulars from garrison duty on Albiero, to partipate in war against the Clan Ghost Bear. The Second Sword struck the 283rd Battle Cluster on Garstedt with only half its forces. The Second's other half struck into Ghost Bear Dominion's world of Constance to lure some of Ghost Bear units back from the Combine. Elements of the Second on Garstedt braved Clan's onslaught until the Tenth Ghost Regiment arrived to assist in fighting. The unit was extremely damaged, if was not for tradition it would have been deactivated.[6]
Jihad
A large contingent of the Second Sword, under the command of Tai-sa Li Sak To, helped launch the Luthien coup in 3067, due to the influence of the Black Dragons. The end result saw all the traitors being executed without trial and the regiment being permanently disbanded in early 3075.[7]
Officers
- 3013 to 3016, the Second's commanding officer was Tai-sa Yorinaga Kurita.[8]
- 3025 to 3028, the Second's commanding officer was General Goshi Tengwan.[9]
- As of 3050, the Second's commanding officer was Tai-sa Kelly Tok Do.[10]
- As of 3067, the Second's commanding officer was Tai-sa Li Sak To.[11]
- 43rd Airwing CO: Tai-sa Oswald Lesko
- 3rd Luthien CO: Tai-sa Henri Wabanu
- 71st Mechanized CO: Chu-sa Renee Al-Lanna
Tactics
The "Steel Dragon" preferred open set actions.
Organization
| 2nd Sword of Light | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BattleMech HQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st Battalion HQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supply Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st Company | 2nd Company | 3rd Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Command Lance.[12] | Assault Lance | Fire Lance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fire Lance | Fire Lance | Strike Lance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Light Lance | Recon Lance | Scout Lance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Company Supply Train Platoon | Company Supply Train Platoon | Company Supply Train Platoon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2nd Battalion HQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supply Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st Company | 2nd Company | 3rd Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Command Lance | Assault Lance | Assault Lance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fire Lance | Fire Lance | Fire Lance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Light Lance | Scout Lance | Medium Lance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Company Supply Train Platoon | Company Supply Train Platoon | Company Supply Train Platoon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3rd Battalion HQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supply Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st Company | 2nd Company | 3rd Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assault Lance | Command Lance | Assault Lance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Heavy Lance | Medium Lance | Fire Lance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fire Lance | Light Lance | Light Lance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Company Supply Train Platoon | Company Supply Train Platoon | Company Supply Train Platoon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4th Battalion HQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supply Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reconnaissance Company Gold | 2nd Company | Shigeru's Assault Company[13] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Command Lance | BattleMech Lance | BattleMech Lance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BattleMech Lance | BattleMech Lance | Fire Lance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BattleMech Lance | BattleMech Lance | Support Lance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Company Supply Train Platoon | Company Supply Train Platoon | Company Supply Train Platoon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supply and Transport Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Field Services Section | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Combat Medical Support Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 43rd Aerospace Wing (Attached Aerospace) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3rd Luthien Guards (Attached Armor) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 71st Mechanized Infantry (Attached Infantry) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Artillery Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Combat Engineers Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Evacuation Hospital Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transportation Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Military Police Platoon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Composition
3050
- 2nd Sword of Light (BattleMech Regiment)
3058
- 2nd Sword of Light (Expanded Regiment)
- 43rd Aerospace: Striking Serpents (Two Wings)
- 3rd Luthien Guard: The Stormwalkers (Armor Regiment)
- 71st Mechanized (Infantry Regiment)
3067
- 2nd Sword of Light (BattleMech Regiment)
- 43rd Air Wing (Two Aerospace Wings)
- 3rd Luthien Guard: The Stormwalkers (Two Armor Battalions)
- 71st Mechanized Infantry (Battalion)
Notes
Homeworld: Buckminster
All Sword of Light regiments used a flat red paint scheme in the field and on parade. The Second Sword used a steel colored Kurita crest to denote their regiment, painted on each BattleMech's left shoulder. The symbol of the regimental division, a blazing sword, appeared on every 'Mech's back and on the front of the right leg.
In addition to the House Kurita crest and regimental symbol, the Second Battalion of the Second Sword of Light wore the flag of Kentares IV on its 'Mechs. Ever since the Second Battalion's participation in the long-ago Kentares Massacre, its MechWarriors had painted the flag of Kentares IV on the back upper-right torso of their BattleMechs as a reminder of their predecessors' willingness to sacrifice their own honor in service to House Kurita and the Draconis Combine.[14]
References
- ↑ House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 81
- ↑ House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 87
- ↑ House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 89
- ↑ House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 90
- ↑ Warrior: Coupé p. 62: Yorinaga retells story of his battle with Colonel Morgan Kell during the Fourth Battle for Mallory's World
- ↑ Field Manual: Updates, p. 111, "2nd Sword of Light" unit profile.
- ↑ Jihad Turning Points: Luthien, p. 6
- ↑ Warrior: Coupé, pp. 62-64: Yorinaga tells his son of his battle against Morgan Kell, while in command of the 2nd Sword of Light
- ↑ House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 137
- ↑ 20 Year: Update, p. 41: Benjamin District, Baldur Prefecture - unit listing.
- ↑ Field Manual: Updates, p. 118: Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiers - Pesht Prefecture listed units.
- ↑ The Kell Hounds, p. 53
- ↑ The Dragon Roars, p. 17
- ↑ Field Manual: Draconis Combine, pp. 83, 85
Bibliography
- 20 Year Update
- The Dragon Roars
- Field Manual: Draconis Combine
- Field Manual: Updates
- House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)
- Irreplaceable
- Jihad Turning Points: Luthien
- The Kell Hounds
- MechWarrior, First Edition
- NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1
- Technical Readout: 3075
- Warrior: Coupé
- Wolves on the Border