Difference between revisions of "3rd Canopian Fusiliers"
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| − | {{ | + | {{infoBoxMilitaryCommand |
| − | + | | image = [[File:Canopian Fusiliers 3rd logo.png]] | |
| − | | image | + | | Designation = Third Canopian Fusiliers |
| − | | | + | | formed = pre-[[2577]] |
| − | + | | Disbanded = [[2584]];<br>re-formed [[2765]] | |
| − | | formed | + | | Previous Designation = |
| − | | | + | | Nickname = Pirate Hunters |
| − | | | + | | Affiliation = [[Magistracy of Canopus]] |
| − | | | + | | Parent Command = [[Canopian Fusiliers]] |
| + | | Sub-Command = | ||
}} | }} | ||
| + | The '''Third Canopian Fusiliers''' was one of the first units formed by the Magistracy prior to the [[Reunification War]], and was one of those units re-formed in the buildup to the [[New Vandenberg Uprising]].<ref name="H:RWp150">''Historical: Reunification War'', p. 150: "Magistracy of Canopus Front (Jump-Off - 2582)"</ref> | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | |||
===Reunification War=== | ===Reunification War=== | ||
| − | When the [[Star League]] declared war on the [[Magistracy of Canopus]] in [[2577]], the | + | When the [[Star League]] declared war on the [[Magistracy of Canopus]] in [[2577]], the Third Canopian Fusiliers were stationed on the world of [[Payvand]]. Under the command of [[Colonel]] [[Adam Buquoy]] the [[Magistracy Armed Forces]] began an elaborate shell game, rapidly moving units from world to world to confuse the [[SLDF]] attackers and allow the MAF to conduct a highly mobile war against the invading troops. The Third Fusiliers would soon be involved in combat actions against the SLDF.<ref name="H:RWp150"/> |
====Ayn Tarma==== | ====Ayn Tarma==== | ||
| − | The world of [[Ayn Tarma]] was one of a number of worlds acting as SLDF staging posts and supply caches for the task force invading the Magistracy. As a world in the rear area, Ayn Tarma was assumed to be safe from threats when the invasion of the Magistracy began; the | + | The world of [[Ayn Tarma]] was one of a number of worlds acting as SLDF staging posts and supply caches for the task force invading the Magistracy. As a world in the rear area, Ayn Tarma was assumed to be safe from threats when the invasion of the Magistracy began; the Third Fusiliers would disprove this theory in early [[2578]]. Intelligence received by the MAF indicated that the second-line troops acting as garrisons on the supply worlds scattered through the border region of the [[Free Worlds League]] were ill-prepared for any attack and that plans in place for the defense of supply worlds were in place but weren't being practiced, in line with the assumption that the war would be driven by the SLDF. Colonel Buquoy took advantage of this assumption by launching raids against a number of worlds within FWL space; the Third Fusiliers were tasked with attacking Ayn Tarma and the resulting raid was a complete success.<ref name="H:RWp150"/><ref name="H:RWp99">''Historical: Reunification War'', p. 99: "Meadowvale (January 2578)"</ref> |
| − | <ref name="H:RWp99">''Historical: Reunification War'', p. 99 | ||
| − | The attacks on the various supply and staging worlds attack were another shocking surprise for the SLDF task force, coming hot on the heels of the Canopian naval ambush at [[Vakarel]] and the rapid | + | The attacks on the various supply and staging worlds attack were another shocking surprise for the SLDF task force, coming hot on the heels of the Canopian naval ambush at [[Vakarel]] and the rapid redeployments that had bloodied VII Corps on [[Cranston]]. While the loss of the supplies was a major blow to the SLDF operations, more damaging was the knowledge that the theater of operations was no longer confined to the Magistracy itself and highlighted that the SLDF would need to defend rear areas previously considered safe. This again forced a change in the SLDF strategy, with the SLDF commander, [[Captain-General of the Free Worlds League|Captain-General]] [[Marion Marik]] ordering a temporary cessation of hostilities while supply routes were reorganized, escorts arranged and garrisons bolstered. The raids also bought the MAF six months to rebuild and rearm.<ref name="H:RWp99"/> |
====Fanardir==== | ====Fanardir==== | ||
| − | The | + | The Third Fusiliers were redeployed to [[Hastur]] in [[2579]] following their raid on Ayn Tarma, and by [[2581]] the Third Fusiliers had been redeployed to [[Fanardir]] along with one of their sister regiments, the [[2nd Canopian Fusiliers|Second Canopian Fusiliers]]. The SLDF launched their attack on Fanardir in March [[2581]] and while the planetary invasion force was smaller than those used during [[2578]] and [[2579]], it still consisted of a complete [[SLDF]] [[brigade]] - the [[60th Brigade|Sixtieth]] - supported by the [[403rd Independent Regiment|403<sup>rd</sup> Independent Regiment]], the [[3rd Orloff Grenadiers|Third Orloff Grenadiers]] and the [[1st Defenders of Andurien|First Defenders of Andurien]]. The two Fusilier regiments followed the pattern used by the defending MAF units on [[Aspropirgos]] and [[Gallis]] in [[2580]]; they stung the invading forces enough to contest the invasion and then retreated before the SLDF could mount an effective pursuit, preserving their strength as part of a general refit and rearmament campaign both sides were conducting.<ref name="H:RWp150"/><ref name="H:RWp101">''Historical: Reunification War'', p. 101: "Gallis, Aspropirgos, Fanardir and Borgan's Rift (January 2580-October 2581)"</ref><ref name="H:RWp148">''Historical: Reunification War'', p. 148: "Magistracy of Canopus Front (Jump-Off - 2582)"</ref> |
====Payvand==== | ====Payvand==== | ||
| − | The | + | The Third Fusiliers returned to Payvand in [[2582]]; Payvand was one of several worlds that the SLDF task force had easily occupied in [[2579]], worlds that had originally defected to the Magistracy of Canopus before the Reunification War and which had petitioned to rejoin the Free Worlds League after their occupation. The MAF was fighting to regain momentum against the SLDF task force, and had launched more raids akin to those conducted against worlds like Ayn Tarma earlier in the war. Despite the relative ease with which Payvand had been ceded to the Free Worlds League, guerrilla activity was a continual problem on the world, which may have been a factored into the decision to dispatch the Third Fusiliers to raid the world in 2582; the raid was a success, and local guerrilla activity would rumble on until the later part of the decade, forcing the SLDF to continue to expend resources reinforcing garrisons and supply depots.<ref name="H:RWp150"/><ref name="H:RWp100">''Historical: Reunification War'', p. 100: "Ruschegg, Payvand and Scheuerheck (July December 2578)"</ref> |
====Canopus==== | ====Canopus==== | ||
| − | The | + | The Third Fusiliers were one of six MAF [[BattleMech]] regiments that fought to defend [[Canopus IV]] when the SLDF invaded the Canopian capital world in [[2584]]. The battle for Canopus IV lasted four weeks, with the Canopian units resisting fiercely and both taking and inflicting heavy losses, despite being outnumbered more than three to one. By early May, all of the defending units had been destroyed or captured, and the [[Magestrix]] had surrendered - although she had refused to order the surrender of the Magistracy worlds still unconquered.<ref name="H:RWp103">''Historical: Reunification war'', pp. 103–105: "Canopus (March-April 2584)</ref> |
===Disbandment=== | ===Disbandment=== | ||
| − | All of the | + | All of the prewar MAF units were either destroyed during the conflict or were forced to disband by [[2588]], and the Third Canopus Fusiliers would remain an inactive unit until the covert military buildup within the [[Periphery]] in the closing stages of the Star League era. In 2765 they were based on [[Tarol IV]] and engaged in live-fire exercises.<ref>''Field Report 2765: Periphery'', p. 15</ref> |
===Amaris Civil War=== | ===Amaris Civil War=== | ||
| − | The | + | The Third Fusiliers were rebuilt in secret by the Magistracy, and in [[2765]] the Third Fusiliers participated in the MAF action that destroyed the [[SLDF]]'s [[219th BattleMech Division|219<sup>th</sup> BattleMech Division]], fighting alongside the Second Canopian Fusiliers - for the first time since the battle on Fanardir two centuries before - and two other Canopian regiments in what would prove to be one of the bloodiest battles of the year. Notably, whereas the Second Fusiliers take great pride in their actions against the 219<sup>th</sup> during the uprising, the Third Fusiliers do not attach the same importance or indulge in the same amount of reveling over the fate of the 219<sup>th</sup>.<ref name=FMP38/> |
===Succession Wars=== | ===Succession Wars=== | ||
| − | For most of the Succession War era the | + | For most of the Succession War era the Third Fusiliers were stationed on the world of [[Marantha]], acting as a bulwark against pirate raids; the Third Fusiliers conducted dozens of strikes during this era, including several punitive raids against forces from the [[Taurian Concordat]].<ref name=FMP38/> |
===Andurien/Canopus Invasion=== | ===Andurien/Canopus Invasion=== | ||
| − | The green | + | The green Third was assigned to take [[Gunthar]], one of the key targets of the [[Magistracy of Canopus]]' invasion of the [[Capellan Confederation]], held by the [[15th Dracon|Fifteenth Dracon]] [[mercenary unit]]. While landing unopposed in early November [[3030]], Major [[Wilhelm Archal]] committed a terrible error in attempting to bribe the Dracons into leaving the world, having mistakenly assumed that the Dracons were of the mold of the rundown mercenary units that he was used to in the Periphery. Archal was completely unprepared for the loyalty the Dracons held to the people of Gunthar, and the Capellan Confederation as a whole, when the outraged "Sir Samuel" launched a surprise assault on the [[MAF]] defensive positions while the bulk of the Fusiliers slept.<ref name=BW2>''Historical: Brush Wars'', p. 56: "Gunthar (November-Ongoing)"</ref> |
| − | Suffering only light losses, the | + | Suffering only light losses, the Fifteenth Dracon destroyed over a company of shut-down Fusiliers 'Mechs and massive quantities of ammunition and supplies until they were forced to withdraw in the face of the massed guns of the Canopian [[DropShip]]s. Recognizing his position was very tenuous, Major Archal kept the bulk of his surviving troops near his DropShips, resulting in a stalemate as both units unsuccessfully attempted draw out and wear the other side down.<ref name=BW2/> The stalemate continued for two years, as the dug-in Third refused to take the initiative, waiting in vain of reinforcements, with the Dracons even selectively weakening their own defenses in an unsuccessfully attempt to convince the Fusiliers to strike.<ref name=BW3>''Historical: Brush Wars'', p. 62: "Gunthar (Ongoing)"</ref> |
| − | After hearing word of the Capellan recapture of [[Drozan]] and [[Betelgeuse]], both the | + | After hearing word of the Capellan recapture of [[Drozan]] and [[Betelgeuse]], both the Third and Dracons were shaken out of their slow defensive actions and launched increasingly furious attacks against each other. Though weakened and facing poor odds, the Fusiliers struck at the Liao positions in an attempt to break the stalemate; but, by late June, as the [[CCAF]] turned the tide of the war, the MAF recalled the unit. The Dracons refused to allow them to escape so easily however, launching a surprise assault and capturing two of the Fusilier DropShips, forcing the desperate Canopians to pack and cram as many troops and hardware as possible into the transports they had left, withdrawing from the system on July 9.<ref name=BW4>''Historical: Brush Wars'', p. 64: "Gunthar (Ongoing-July)"</ref> |
===Pirate War=== | ===Pirate War=== | ||
| − | Pirate raids against the Magistracy spiked in mid-3057 in what became known as the Pirates War, and the | + | Pirate raids against the Magistracy spiked in mid-3057 in what became known as the Pirates War, and the Third Fusiliers distinguished themselves when they used their considerable experience in dealing with pirate activity to aid the [[Canopian Highlanders]] in defending the Magistracy's borders. The actions performed by the Third Fusiliers earned them the reputation of being the finest regiment in the MAF.<ref name=FMP38/> |
===Capellan Civil War=== | ===Capellan Civil War=== | ||
| − | As a result of their reputation the | + | As a result of their reputation the Third Fusiliers were chosen for deployment in the [[Capellan Confederation]] as a part of the [[Trinity Alliance]]. During the Capellan Civil War, the Third fought the [[2nd St. Ives Lancers|Second St. Ives Lancers]] on [[Milos]] in March [[3061]]. Immediately after the conflict on Milos the Third was thrown into the fray on [[Nashuar]], fighting alongside the [[1st McCarron's Armored Cavalry|Nightriders]] regiment of [[McCarron's Armored Cavalry]]. They took serious losses in this conflict, but were able to bring the world to heel.<ref name=FMP38/> |
The [[3062|next year]] saw the Fusiliers fighting on [[St. Ives]] itself, bringing that world back into the [[Capellan Confederation]]. They then spent the rest of the war rebuilding their unit. This rebuilding effort served to tie the Fusiliers more closely to the Confederation; nearly all of the third battalion was composed of Capellan troops.<ref name=FMP38/> | The [[3062|next year]] saw the Fusiliers fighting on [[St. Ives]] itself, bringing that world back into the [[Capellan Confederation]]. They then spent the rest of the war rebuilding their unit. This rebuilding effort served to tie the Fusiliers more closely to the Confederation; nearly all of the third battalion was composed of Capellan troops.<ref name=FMP38/> | ||
| − | In [[3065]], the | + | In [[3065]], the Third was redeployed to [[Denbar]] from Magistracy space after years of recuperating from the [[Capellan Civil War]]. [[Magestrix]] [[Emma Centrella]] has allowed the unit to confer with her daughter [[Naomi Centrella]] commands. The deployment marks first time the unit's dependents were allowed to go along with the service members.<ref>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 191: "Canopian Fusiliers profile, 3rd activities"</ref> |
===Jihad=== | ===Jihad=== | ||
| − | The Third was forced off [[Denbar]] during the early fighting of the [[Jihad]] and then relocated to Sian.<ref name=fm85p139>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 139</ref> The | + | The Third was forced off [[Denbar]] during the early fighting of the [[Jihad]] and then relocated to Sian.<ref name=fm85p139>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 139</ref> The Third Canopian Fusiliers were not heavily damaged by the Blakist forces in either of the major battles. In the first strike (in [[3070]]) they fought the [[17th Division (Word of Blake)|Seventeenth Division]] and [[Dragon's Breath (Mercenary Command)|Dragon's Breath]] mercenary command.<ref>''Jihad Turning Points: Sian'', p. 8</ref> They were the first forces to reach their defensive positions in the second Blakist attack<ref>''Jihad Turning Points: Sian'', p. 7</ref>; [[3074]] saw them fight the [[8th Division (Word of Blake)|Eighth Division]], [[24th Division (Word of Blake)|Twenty-fourth Division]], [[Warrior House White Tiger]], and [[Warrior House Rakshasa]].<ref>''Jihad Turning Points: Sian'', pp. 10, 12</ref> |
| − | They then relocated back into the Magistracy of Canopus, where they fought the Blakist forces for several months. The Third was ordered to find the [[41st Shadow Division| | + | They then relocated back into the Magistracy of Canopus, where they fought the Blakist forces for several months. The Third was ordered to find the [[41st Shadow Division|Forty-first Shadow Division]], which was wreaking havoc in the interior of the Magistracy. The Third Fusiliers were split into battalion sized formations and sent to garrison [[Krimari]], [[Candiear]], and [[Joyz]].<ref name=frp10>''Field Report: Periphery'', p. 10</ref> They never faced the Word of Blake unit, but the defensive preparations they left behind have been maintained by the new garrison unit.<ref name=fm85p139/> |
In [[3085]] the Third had been stationed on [[Brixtana]], [[Trip]], and [[Early Dawn]].<ref>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 149</ref> | In [[3085]] the Third had been stationed on [[Brixtana]], [[Trip]], and [[Early Dawn]].<ref>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 149</ref> | ||
| Line 66: | Line 66: | ||
===Dark Age=== | ===Dark Age=== | ||
The Third remained as the garrison along the rimward side of the Magistracy. Their combat skills declined sharply, and by 3145 the unit had almost no officers with any real experience. The Magistracy Command planned to fix this by sending troops to the Duchy of Andurien, but these deployments weren't scheduled to begin until 3149.<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 193</ref> In 3145 they were stationed on [[Techne's Revenge]] and [[Krimari]].<ref name=FM:3145p200/> | The Third remained as the garrison along the rimward side of the Magistracy. Their combat skills declined sharply, and by 3145 the unit had almost no officers with any real experience. The Magistracy Command planned to fix this by sending troops to the Duchy of Andurien, but these deployments weren't scheduled to begin until 3149.<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 193</ref> In 3145 they were stationed on [[Techne's Revenge]] and [[Krimari]].<ref name=FM:3145p200/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | When the [[Marian Hegemony]] seized [[Gambilon]] and [[Marantha]] in April [[3150]], the Third participated in the Canopian [[Battle of Marantha (3150)|counterstrike]] that drove the Marians from both worlds a month later.<ref>''Shattered Fortress'', p. 88</ref> | ||
==Officers== | ==Officers== | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| − | |- | + | |- |
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Rank | ! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Rank | ||
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Name | ! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Name | ||
| Line 76: | Line 78: | ||
| colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of the 3rd Canopian Fusiliers''' | | colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of the 3rd Canopian Fusiliers''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[Major]]||[[Wilhelm Archal]]||[[3025]] - [[3030]]<ref name=TPp99>''The Periphery | + | | [[Major]]||[[Wilhelm Archal]]||[[3025]] - [[3030]]<ref name=TPp99>''The Periphery First (1988)'', p. 99: "MAF Deployment Table - 3025"</ref><ref name=BW2/> |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Major||[[William Sangrey]]||[[3050]] - [[3054]]<ref name=20Yp78>''20 Year Update'', p. 78 | + | | Major||[[William Sangrey]]||[[3050]] - [[3054]]<ref name=20Yp78>''20 Year Update'', p. 78: "MAF Deployment Table - 3050"</ref><ref name=ORp47>''Objective Raids'', p. 47: "MAF Deployment Table - 3054"</ref> |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[Colonel]]||William Sangrey||[[3064]] - [[3085]]<ref name=FMP38>''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 38 | + | | [[Colonel]]||William Sangrey||[[3064]] - [[3085]]<ref name=FMP38>''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 38: "3rd Canopian Fusiliers Unit Profile"</ref><ref name=FMU201>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 201: "MAF Deployment Table - 3067"</ref><ref name=FM3085p149>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 149: "MAF Deployment Table - 3085"</ref> |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Colonel||[[Elida Salgado]]||[[3145]]<ref name=FM:3145p200>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 200 | + | | Colonel||[[Elida Salgado]]||[[3145]]<ref name=FM:3145p200>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 200: "Canopian Fusiliers"</ref> |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
==Tactics== | ==Tactics== | ||
| − | Considered the elite of the elite within the MAF, the | + | Considered the elite of the elite within the MAF, the Third Fusiliers can exploit every weakness an opponent possesses, manipulating almost any situation to their advantage.<ref name=FMP38/> |
==Composition History== | ==Composition History== | ||
===2765=== | ===2765=== | ||
| − | '''Third Canopian Fusiliers''' (Regiment/Regular/Questionable)<ref name=FR:2765Pp15>''Field Report 2765: Periphery'', p. 15 | + | '''Third Canopian Fusiliers''' (Regiment/Regular/Questionable)<ref name=FR:2765Pp15>''Field Report 2765: Periphery'', p. 15: "Canopian Fusiliers - Regimental Status"</ref> |
| + | :- At this point in time the Third Fusiliers was stationed on [[Tarol IV]].<ref name=FR:2765Pp15/> | ||
| − | |||
=== 2786 - 2821=== | === 2786 - 2821=== | ||
| − | '''3rd Canopian Fusiliers ''' (Regiment/Green/Questionable) <ref name= | + | '''3rd Canopian Fusiliers ''' (Regiment/Green/Questionable)<ref name=1SWp140>''First Succession War'', p. 140</ref> |
| − | : Note: At this point in time the light-weight unit was stationed on [[Tarol IV]]. In 2821 the command was reduced to 36 percent of its strength and was deployed on [[Tarol IV]]. <ref name= | + | : Note: At this point in time the light-weight unit was stationed on [[Tarol IV]]. In 2821 the command was reduced to 36 percent of its strength and was deployed on [[Tarol IV]].<ref name=1SWp140/> |
| + | |||
=== 2830 === | === 2830 === | ||
| − | '''3rd Canopian Fusiliers''' (Regiment/Green/Questionable) <ref name= | + | '''3rd Canopian Fusiliers''' (Regiment/Green/Questionable)<ref name=2SWp100>''Second Succession War'', p. 100</ref> |
| − | : Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on [[ | + | : Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on [[Tarol IV]] with an operational readiness of 58 percent.<ref name=2SWp100/> |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| + | === 2864 === | ||
| + | '''3rd Canopian Fusiliers''' (Regiment/Regular/Questionable)<ref name=2SWp100/> | ||
| + | : Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on [[Tarol IV]] with an operational readiness of 28 percent.<ref name=2SWp100/> | ||
===3025=== | ===3025=== | ||
'''Third Canopian Fusiliers''' (Green/Questionable)<ref name=TPp99/> | '''Third Canopian Fusiliers''' (Green/Questionable)<ref name=TPp99/> | ||
| − | * CO: Major Wilhelm Archal | + | * CO: Major [[Wilhelm Archal]] |
=== 3028 === | === 3028 === | ||
| − | '''Third Canopian Fusiliers'''(Regiment/Green/Fanatical)<ref name =HBSp87/> | + | '''Third Canopian Fusiliers''' (Regiment/Green/Fanatical)<ref name=HBSp87/> |
| − | :Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Marantha]]. | + | :Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Marantha]].<ref name=HBSp87>''Historical: Brush Wars'', p. 87</ref> |
===3050-3054=== | ===3050-3054=== | ||
'''Third Canopian Fusiliers (Green/Reliable)<ref name=20Yp78/><ref name=ORp47/> | '''Third Canopian Fusiliers (Green/Reliable)<ref name=20Yp78/><ref name=ORp47/> | ||
| − | * CO: Colonel | + | * CO: Colonel William Sangrey |
===3064=== | ===3064=== | ||
'''Third Canopian Fusiliers''' (1 [[Regiment]]/Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=FMP38/> | '''Third Canopian Fusiliers''' (1 [[Regiment]]/Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=FMP38/> | ||
* CO: Colonel William Sangrey | * CO: Colonel William Sangrey | ||
| − | :* XO/ | + | :* XO/First [[Battalion]]: [[Force Major]] [[Wilhelm Archal]] |
| − | * | + | * Second Battalion: [[Major]] [[Jean Lis]] |
| − | * | + | * Third Battalion: Major [[Chi LuHan]] |
| − | Having lost a battalion in the conflict on Nashuar, the | + | Having lost a battalion in the conflict on Nashuar, the Third were rebuilt rapidly by a grateful [[House Liao]]; unable to refuse such generosity, the Third Fusiliers have benefited from more than 90% of the unit's 'Mechs being upgraded to advanced technology, but one of the prices paid is that the Third Battalion is manned almost completely with Capellan recruits. |
'''Third Fusiliers Armor Guard''' (2 [[Company|Companies]]/Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=FMP38/> | '''Third Fusiliers Armor Guard''' (2 [[Company|Companies]]/Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=FMP38/> | ||
| Line 134: | Line 137: | ||
===3067-3085=== | ===3067-3085=== | ||
| − | '''Third Canopian Fusiliers''' (Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=FMU201/><ref name=FM3085p149/> | + | '''Third Canopian Fusiliers''' (Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=FMU201/><ref name=FM3085p149/> |
* CO: Colonel William Sangrey | * CO: Colonel William Sangrey | ||
| Line 147: | Line 150: | ||
===3145=== | ===3145=== | ||
'''Third Canopian Fusiliers''' (Green/Reliable)<ref name=FM:3145p200/> | '''Third Canopian Fusiliers''' (Green/Reliable)<ref name=FM:3145p200/> | ||
| − | * CO: Colonel Elida Salgado | + | * CO: Colonel [[Elida Salgado]] |
'''Third Fusiliers Armor Guard''' (Green/Reliable)<ref name=FM:3145p200/> | '''Third Fusiliers Armor Guard''' (Green/Reliable)<ref name=FM:3145p200/> | ||
| − | * CO: Colonel Duane Freeman | + | * CO: Colonel [[Duane Freeman]] |
'''Third Fusiliers Infantry Guard''' (Veteran/Reliable)<ref name=FM:3145p200/> | '''Third Fusiliers Infantry Guard''' (Veteran/Reliable)<ref name=FM:3145p200/> | ||
| − | * CO: Colonel Alison Hubbard | + | * CO: Colonel [[Alison Hubbard]] |
===3079=== | ===3079=== | ||
| Line 163: | Line 166: | ||
==Rules== | ==Rules== | ||
<div class="gamerules"> | <div class="gamerules"> | ||
| − | * The Canopian Fusiliers are drawn from the MAF's best troops; when generating random [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]] skills, the player may roll on the Veteran column of the Random Skills Table within the [[BattleTech Master Rules]].<ref name="FM:Pp151">''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 151 | + | * The Canopian Fusiliers are drawn from the MAF's best troops; when generating random [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]] skills, the player may roll on the Veteran column of the Random Skills Table within the [[BattleTech Master Rules]].<ref name="FM:Pp151">''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 151: "Canopian Fusiliers"</ref> |
| − | * In any turn in which the | + | * In any turn in which the Third Canopian Fusiliers win the Initiative, they may move half of their units (rounded down) after all opposing units have moved.<ref name="FM:Pp151"/> |
</div> | </div> | ||
| Line 176: | Line 179: | ||
* ''[[Field Manual: Periphery]]'' | * ''[[Field Manual: Periphery]]'' | ||
* ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]'' | * ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Field Report: Periphery]]'' | ||
* ''[[Field Report 2765: Periphery]]'' | * ''[[Field Report 2765: Periphery]]'' | ||
| − | * ''[[ | + | * ''[[First Succession War (sourcebook)|First Succession War]]'' |
* ''[[Historical: Brush Wars]]'' | * ''[[Historical: Brush Wars]]'' | ||
* ''[[Historical: Reunification War]]'' | * ''[[Historical: Reunification War]]'' | ||
| Line 183: | Line 187: | ||
* ''[[Objective Raids]]'' | * ''[[Objective Raids]]'' | ||
* ''[[The Periphery (1988)]]'' | * ''[[The Periphery (1988)]]'' | ||
| − | * ''[[ | + | * ''[[Second Succession War (sourcebook)|Second Succession War]]'' |
| − | * ''[[ | + | * ''[[Shattered Fortress]]'' |
| + | |||
| + | |||
[[Category:Magistracy of Canopus Commands|Canopian Fusiliers, 3rd]] | [[Category:Magistracy of Canopus Commands|Canopian Fusiliers, 3rd]] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:04, 29 April 2024
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| Third Canopian Fusiliers | |
| Formed | pre-2577 |
| Disbanded | 2584; re-formed 2765 |
| Nickname | Pirate Hunters |
| Affiliation | Magistracy of Canopus |
| Parent Command | Canopian Fusiliers |
The Third Canopian Fusiliers was one of the first units formed by the Magistracy prior to the Reunification War, and was one of those units re-formed in the buildup to the New Vandenberg Uprising.[1]
Contents
History[edit]
Reunification War[edit]
When the Star League declared war on the Magistracy of Canopus in 2577, the Third Canopian Fusiliers were stationed on the world of Payvand. Under the command of Colonel Adam Buquoy the Magistracy Armed Forces began an elaborate shell game, rapidly moving units from world to world to confuse the SLDF attackers and allow the MAF to conduct a highly mobile war against the invading troops. The Third Fusiliers would soon be involved in combat actions against the SLDF.[1]
Ayn Tarma[edit]
The world of Ayn Tarma was one of a number of worlds acting as SLDF staging posts and supply caches for the task force invading the Magistracy. As a world in the rear area, Ayn Tarma was assumed to be safe from threats when the invasion of the Magistracy began; the Third Fusiliers would disprove this theory in early 2578. Intelligence received by the MAF indicated that the second-line troops acting as garrisons on the supply worlds scattered through the border region of the Free Worlds League were ill-prepared for any attack and that plans in place for the defense of supply worlds were in place but weren't being practiced, in line with the assumption that the war would be driven by the SLDF. Colonel Buquoy took advantage of this assumption by launching raids against a number of worlds within FWL space; the Third Fusiliers were tasked with attacking Ayn Tarma and the resulting raid was a complete success.[1][2]
The attacks on the various supply and staging worlds attack were another shocking surprise for the SLDF task force, coming hot on the heels of the Canopian naval ambush at Vakarel and the rapid redeployments that had bloodied VII Corps on Cranston. While the loss of the supplies was a major blow to the SLDF operations, more damaging was the knowledge that the theater of operations was no longer confined to the Magistracy itself and highlighted that the SLDF would need to defend rear areas previously considered safe. This again forced a change in the SLDF strategy, with the SLDF commander, Captain-General Marion Marik ordering a temporary cessation of hostilities while supply routes were reorganized, escorts arranged and garrisons bolstered. The raids also bought the MAF six months to rebuild and rearm.[2]
Fanardir[edit]
The Third Fusiliers were redeployed to Hastur in 2579 following their raid on Ayn Tarma, and by 2581 the Third Fusiliers had been redeployed to Fanardir along with one of their sister regiments, the Second Canopian Fusiliers. The SLDF launched their attack on Fanardir in March 2581 and while the planetary invasion force was smaller than those used during 2578 and 2579, it still consisted of a complete SLDF brigade - the Sixtieth - supported by the 403rd Independent Regiment, the Third Orloff Grenadiers and the First Defenders of Andurien. The two Fusilier regiments followed the pattern used by the defending MAF units on Aspropirgos and Gallis in 2580; they stung the invading forces enough to contest the invasion and then retreated before the SLDF could mount an effective pursuit, preserving their strength as part of a general refit and rearmament campaign both sides were conducting.[1][3][4]
Payvand[edit]
The Third Fusiliers returned to Payvand in 2582; Payvand was one of several worlds that the SLDF task force had easily occupied in 2579, worlds that had originally defected to the Magistracy of Canopus before the Reunification War and which had petitioned to rejoin the Free Worlds League after their occupation. The MAF was fighting to regain momentum against the SLDF task force, and had launched more raids akin to those conducted against worlds like Ayn Tarma earlier in the war. Despite the relative ease with which Payvand had been ceded to the Free Worlds League, guerrilla activity was a continual problem on the world, which may have been a factored into the decision to dispatch the Third Fusiliers to raid the world in 2582; the raid was a success, and local guerrilla activity would rumble on until the later part of the decade, forcing the SLDF to continue to expend resources reinforcing garrisons and supply depots.[1][5]
Canopus[edit]
The Third Fusiliers were one of six MAF BattleMech regiments that fought to defend Canopus IV when the SLDF invaded the Canopian capital world in 2584. The battle for Canopus IV lasted four weeks, with the Canopian units resisting fiercely and both taking and inflicting heavy losses, despite being outnumbered more than three to one. By early May, all of the defending units had been destroyed or captured, and the Magestrix had surrendered - although she had refused to order the surrender of the Magistracy worlds still unconquered.[6]
Disbandment[edit]
All of the prewar MAF units were either destroyed during the conflict or were forced to disband by 2588, and the Third Canopus Fusiliers would remain an inactive unit until the covert military buildup within the Periphery in the closing stages of the Star League era. In 2765 they were based on Tarol IV and engaged in live-fire exercises.[7]
Amaris Civil War[edit]
The Third Fusiliers were rebuilt in secret by the Magistracy, and in 2765 the Third Fusiliers participated in the MAF action that destroyed the SLDF's 219th BattleMech Division, fighting alongside the Second Canopian Fusiliers - for the first time since the battle on Fanardir two centuries before - and two other Canopian regiments in what would prove to be one of the bloodiest battles of the year. Notably, whereas the Second Fusiliers take great pride in their actions against the 219th during the uprising, the Third Fusiliers do not attach the same importance or indulge in the same amount of reveling over the fate of the 219th.[8]
Succession Wars[edit]
For most of the Succession War era the Third Fusiliers were stationed on the world of Marantha, acting as a bulwark against pirate raids; the Third Fusiliers conducted dozens of strikes during this era, including several punitive raids against forces from the Taurian Concordat.[8]
Andurien/Canopus Invasion[edit]
The green Third was assigned to take Gunthar, one of the key targets of the Magistracy of Canopus' invasion of the Capellan Confederation, held by the Fifteenth Dracon mercenary unit. While landing unopposed in early November 3030, Major Wilhelm Archal committed a terrible error in attempting to bribe the Dracons into leaving the world, having mistakenly assumed that the Dracons were of the mold of the rundown mercenary units that he was used to in the Periphery. Archal was completely unprepared for the loyalty the Dracons held to the people of Gunthar, and the Capellan Confederation as a whole, when the outraged "Sir Samuel" launched a surprise assault on the MAF defensive positions while the bulk of the Fusiliers slept.[9]
Suffering only light losses, the Fifteenth Dracon destroyed over a company of shut-down Fusiliers 'Mechs and massive quantities of ammunition and supplies until they were forced to withdraw in the face of the massed guns of the Canopian DropShips. Recognizing his position was very tenuous, Major Archal kept the bulk of his surviving troops near his DropShips, resulting in a stalemate as both units unsuccessfully attempted draw out and wear the other side down.[9] The stalemate continued for two years, as the dug-in Third refused to take the initiative, waiting in vain of reinforcements, with the Dracons even selectively weakening their own defenses in an unsuccessfully attempt to convince the Fusiliers to strike.[10]
After hearing word of the Capellan recapture of Drozan and Betelgeuse, both the Third and Dracons were shaken out of their slow defensive actions and launched increasingly furious attacks against each other. Though weakened and facing poor odds, the Fusiliers struck at the Liao positions in an attempt to break the stalemate; but, by late June, as the CCAF turned the tide of the war, the MAF recalled the unit. The Dracons refused to allow them to escape so easily however, launching a surprise assault and capturing two of the Fusilier DropShips, forcing the desperate Canopians to pack and cram as many troops and hardware as possible into the transports they had left, withdrawing from the system on July 9.[11]
Pirate War[edit]
Pirate raids against the Magistracy spiked in mid-3057 in what became known as the Pirates War, and the Third Fusiliers distinguished themselves when they used their considerable experience in dealing with pirate activity to aid the Canopian Highlanders in defending the Magistracy's borders. The actions performed by the Third Fusiliers earned them the reputation of being the finest regiment in the MAF.[8]
Capellan Civil War[edit]
As a result of their reputation the Third Fusiliers were chosen for deployment in the Capellan Confederation as a part of the Trinity Alliance. During the Capellan Civil War, the Third fought the Second St. Ives Lancers on Milos in March 3061. Immediately after the conflict on Milos the Third was thrown into the fray on Nashuar, fighting alongside the Nightriders regiment of McCarron's Armored Cavalry. They took serious losses in this conflict, but were able to bring the world to heel.[8]
The next year saw the Fusiliers fighting on St. Ives itself, bringing that world back into the Capellan Confederation. They then spent the rest of the war rebuilding their unit. This rebuilding effort served to tie the Fusiliers more closely to the Confederation; nearly all of the third battalion was composed of Capellan troops.[8]
In 3065, the Third was redeployed to Denbar from Magistracy space after years of recuperating from the Capellan Civil War. Magestrix Emma Centrella has allowed the unit to confer with her daughter Naomi Centrella commands. The deployment marks first time the unit's dependents were allowed to go along with the service members.[12]
Jihad[edit]
The Third was forced off Denbar during the early fighting of the Jihad and then relocated to Sian.[13] The Third Canopian Fusiliers were not heavily damaged by the Blakist forces in either of the major battles. In the first strike (in 3070) they fought the Seventeenth Division and Dragon's Breath mercenary command.[14] They were the first forces to reach their defensive positions in the second Blakist attack[15]; 3074 saw them fight the Eighth Division, Twenty-fourth Division, Warrior House White Tiger, and Warrior House Rakshasa.[16]
They then relocated back into the Magistracy of Canopus, where they fought the Blakist forces for several months. The Third was ordered to find the Forty-first Shadow Division, which was wreaking havoc in the interior of the Magistracy. The Third Fusiliers were split into battalion sized formations and sent to garrison Krimari, Candiear, and Joyz.[17] They never faced the Word of Blake unit, but the defensive preparations they left behind have been maintained by the new garrison unit.[13]
In 3085 the Third had been stationed on Brixtana, Trip, and Early Dawn.[18]
Dark Age[edit]
The Third remained as the garrison along the rimward side of the Magistracy. Their combat skills declined sharply, and by 3145 the unit had almost no officers with any real experience. The Magistracy Command planned to fix this by sending troops to the Duchy of Andurien, but these deployments weren't scheduled to begin until 3149.[19] In 3145 they were stationed on Techne's Revenge and Krimari.[20]
When the Marian Hegemony seized Gambilon and Marantha in April 3150, the Third participated in the Canopian counterstrike that drove the Marians from both worlds a month later.[21]
Officers[edit]
| Rank | Name | Command | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commanding Officers of the 3rd Canopian Fusiliers | |||
| Major | Wilhelm Archal | 3025 - 3030[22][9] | |
| Major | William Sangrey | 3050 - 3054[23][24] | |
| Colonel | William Sangrey | 3064 - 3085[8][25][26] | |
| Colonel | Elida Salgado | 3145[20] | |
Tactics[edit]
Considered the elite of the elite within the MAF, the Third Fusiliers can exploit every weakness an opponent possesses, manipulating almost any situation to their advantage.[8]
Composition History[edit]
2765[edit]
Third Canopian Fusiliers (Regiment/Regular/Questionable)[27]
2786 - 2821[edit]
3rd Canopian Fusiliers (Regiment/Green/Questionable)[28]
- Note: At this point in time the light-weight unit was stationed on Tarol IV. In 2821 the command was reduced to 36 percent of its strength and was deployed on Tarol IV.[28]
2830[edit]
3rd Canopian Fusiliers (Regiment/Green/Questionable)[29]
- Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on Tarol IV with an operational readiness of 58 percent.[29]
2864[edit]
3rd Canopian Fusiliers (Regiment/Regular/Questionable)[29]
- Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on Tarol IV with an operational readiness of 28 percent.[29]
3025[edit]
Third Canopian Fusiliers (Green/Questionable)[22]
- CO: Major Wilhelm Archal
3028[edit]
Third Canopian Fusiliers (Regiment/Green/Fanatical)[30]
3050-3054[edit]
Third Canopian Fusiliers (Green/Reliable)[23][24]
- CO: Colonel William Sangrey
3064[edit]
Third Canopian Fusiliers (1 Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[8]
- CO: Colonel William Sangrey
- XO/First Battalion: Force Major Wilhelm Archal
Having lost a battalion in the conflict on Nashuar, the Third were rebuilt rapidly by a grateful House Liao; unable to refuse such generosity, the Third Fusiliers have benefited from more than 90% of the unit's 'Mechs being upgraded to advanced technology, but one of the prices paid is that the Third Battalion is manned almost completely with Capellan recruits.
Third Fusiliers Armor Guard (2 Companies/Elite/Fanatical)[8]
- Armor Commander: Major Connie Gemmin
The Armor Guard are still waiting for an additional battalion of armor to be assigned to them to make up for losses sustained in the St. Ives conflict, and having waited more than a year so far, the continued failure to obtain a response from the MAF is a continual source of frustration to the CO of the Armor Guard and Colonel Sangrey.
Third Fusiliers Infantry Guard (1 Battalion/Elite/Questionable)[8]
- Infantry Commander: Major Jos Drozky
The Infantry Guard's multiple requests to travel to Menke to train alongside the Nightriders Special Forces battalion after striking up a strong camaraderie with the MAC unit during the St. Ives conflict have all been denied, a decision that has fostered considerable dissent within the infantry guard and forced the MAF to reduce their loyalty rating.
3067-3085[edit]
Third Canopian Fusiliers (Elite/Fanatical)[25][26]
- CO: Colonel William Sangrey
Third Fusiliers Armor Guard (2 Battalions/Elite/Fanatical)[25][26]
- CO: Major Connie Gemmin
- The CO held the rank of Colonel in 3085.
Third Fusiliers Infantry Guard (Elite/Reliable)[25][26]
- CO: Major Jos Drozky
- The CO held the rank of Colonel in 3085.
3145[edit]
Third Canopian Fusiliers (Green/Reliable)[20]
- CO: Colonel Elida Salgado
Third Fusiliers Armor Guard (Green/Reliable)[20]
- CO: Colonel Duane Freeman
Third Fusiliers Infantry Guard (Veteran/Reliable)[20]
- CO: Colonel Alison Hubbard
3079[edit]
After the Jihad ended the unit was at two-thirds of its nominal strength. However it was completely upgraded to use the latest technologies, and the warriors of the unit were considered Elite troops.[17]
Notes[edit]
The unit is most unusual, since it's the only MAF unit to allow deep roots in Confederation.
Rules[edit]
- The Canopian Fusiliers are drawn from the MAF's best troops; when generating random MechWarrior skills, the player may roll on the Veteran column of the Random Skills Table within the BattleTech Master Rules.[31]
- In any turn in which the Third Canopian Fusiliers win the Initiative, they may move half of their units (rounded down) after all opposing units have moved.[31]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Historical: Reunification War, p. 150: "Magistracy of Canopus Front (Jump-Off - 2582)"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Historical: Reunification War, p. 99: "Meadowvale (January 2578)"
- ↑ Historical: Reunification War, p. 101: "Gallis, Aspropirgos, Fanardir and Borgan's Rift (January 2580-October 2581)"
- ↑ Historical: Reunification War, p. 148: "Magistracy of Canopus Front (Jump-Off - 2582)"
- ↑ Historical: Reunification War, p. 100: "Ruschegg, Payvand and Scheuerheck (July December 2578)"
- ↑ Historical: Reunification war, pp. 103–105: "Canopus (March-April 2584)
- ↑ Field Report 2765: Periphery, p. 15
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 Field Manual: Periphery, p. 38: "3rd Canopian Fusiliers Unit Profile"
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Historical: Brush Wars, p. 56: "Gunthar (November-Ongoing)"
- ↑ Historical: Brush Wars, p. 62: "Gunthar (Ongoing)"
- ↑ Historical: Brush Wars, p. 64: "Gunthar (Ongoing-July)"
- ↑ Field Manual: Updates, p. 191: "Canopian Fusiliers profile, 3rd activities"
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Field Manual: 3085, p. 139
- ↑ Jihad Turning Points: Sian, p. 8
- ↑ Jihad Turning Points: Sian, p. 7
- ↑ Jihad Turning Points: Sian, pp. 10, 12
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Field Report: Periphery, p. 10
- ↑ Field Manual: 3085, p. 149
- ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 193
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 Field Manual: 3145, p. 200: "Canopian Fusiliers"
- ↑ Shattered Fortress, p. 88
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 The Periphery First (1988), p. 99: "MAF Deployment Table - 3025"
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 20 Year Update, p. 78: "MAF Deployment Table - 3050"
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Objective Raids, p. 47: "MAF Deployment Table - 3054"
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 Field Manual: Updates, p. 201: "MAF Deployment Table - 3067"
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 Field Manual: 3085, p. 149: "MAF Deployment Table - 3085"
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Field Report 2765: Periphery, p. 15: "Canopian Fusiliers - Regimental Status"
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 First Succession War, p. 140
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 Second Succession War, p. 100
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 Historical: Brush Wars, p. 87
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 Field Manual: Periphery, p. 151: "Canopian Fusiliers"
Bibliography[edit]
- 20 Year Update
- Field Manual: 3085
- Field Manual: 3145
- Field Manual: Periphery
- Field Manual: Updates
- Field Report: Periphery
- Field Report 2765: Periphery
- First Succession War
- Historical: Brush Wars
- Historical: Reunification War
- Jihad Turning Points: Sian
- Objective Raids
- The Periphery (1988)
- Second Succession War
- Shattered Fortress