Difference between revisions of "3rd Canopian Fusiliers"

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Revision as of 23:34, 4 August 2018

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History

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 reformed in the buildup to the New Vandenberg Uprising.[1]

Reunification War

When the Star League declared war on the Magistracy of Canopus in 2577, the 3rd 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 3rd Fusiliers would soon be involved in combat actions against the SLDF.[1]

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 3rd 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 3rd 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 re-deployments 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

The 3rd Fusiliers were redeployed to Hastur in 2579 following their raid on Ayn Tarma, and by 2581 the 3rd Fusiliers had been redeployed to Fanardir along with one of their sister regiments, the 2nd 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 - supported by the 403rd Independent Regiment, the 3rd Orloff Grenadiers and the 1st 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

The 3rd 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 3rd Fusiliers to raid the world in 2582; the raid was a success, and local guerilla 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

The 3rd 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

All of the pre-war MAF units were either destroyed during the conflict or were forced to disband by 2588, and the 3rd 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

The 3rd Fusiliers were rebuilt in secret by the Magistracy, and in 2765 the 3rd Fusiliers participated in the MAF action that destroyed the SLDF's 219th BattleMech Division, fighting alongside the 2nd 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 2nd Fusiliers take great pride in their actions against the 219th during the uprising, the 3rd Fusiliers do not attach the same importance or indulge in the same amount of reveling over the fate of the 219th.[8]

Succession Wars

For most of the Succession War era the 3rd Fusiliers were stationed on the world of Marantha, acting as a bulwark against pirate raids; the 3rd Fusiliers conducted dozens of strikes during this era, including several punitive raids against forces from the Taurian Concordat.[8]

Andurien/Canopus Invasion

The green 3rd 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 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 Fusilier's troops slept.[9]

Suffering only light losses, the 15th Dracon destroyed over a company of un-powered Fusiliers 'Mechs and massive quantities of ammunition and supplies until they were forced to withdraw in the face of the massed guns of the Canopians 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 3rd 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 3rd 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's 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 9th.[11]

Pirate War

Pirate raids against the Magistracy spiked in mid-3057 in what became known as the Pirates War, and the 3rd 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 3rd Fusiliers earned them the reputation of being the finest regiment in the MAF.[8]

Capellan Civil War

As a result of their reputation the 3rd Fusiliers were chosen for deployment in the Capellan Confederation as a part of the Trinity Alliance. During the Capellan Civil War, the 3rd fought the 2th St. Ives Lancers on Milos in March 3061. Immediately after the conflict on Milos the 3rd 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 3rd was re-deployed 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

The Third was forced off Denbar during the early fighting of the Jihad and then relocated to Sian.[13] The 3rd 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 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 8th Division, 24th 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 41st 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

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]

Officers

As of 3025 to 3030, the 3rd's commanding officer was Major Wilhelm Archal.[21][9]

As of 3050 to 3054 the commanding officer is Major William Sangrey[22][23], he promoted later to the rank of an Colonel and is still from 3064 as to 3067 the unit's CO, and also after the Jihad in 3085.[8][24][25]

In 3145 the commanding officer is Colonel Elida Salgado.[20]

Tactics

Considered the elite of the elite within the MAF, the 3rd Fusiliers can exploit every weakness an opponent possesses, manipulating almost any situation to their advantage.[8]

Composition History

2765

Third Canopian Fusiliers (Regular/Questionable)[26]

3025

Third Canopian Fusiliers (Green/Questionable)[21]

  • CO: Major Wilhelm Archal

3050-3054

Third Canopian Fusiliers (Green/Reliable)[22][23]

  • CO: Colonel Wilhelm Archal

3064

Third Canopian Fusiliers (1 Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[8]

  • CO: Colonel William Sangrey

Having lost a battalion in the conflict on Nashuar, the 3rd were rebuilt rapidly by a grateful House Liao; unable to refuse such generosity, the 3rd 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 3rd Battalion is manned almost completely with Capellan recruits.

Third Fusiliers Armor Guard (2 Companies/Elite/Fanatical)[8]

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]

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

Third Canopian Fusiliers (Elite/Fanatical)[24][25]

  • CO: Colonel William Sangrey

Third Fusiliers Armor Guard (2 Battalions/Elite/Fanatical)[24][25]

  • CO: Major Connie Gemmin

- The CO held the rank of Colonel in 3085.

Third Fusiliers Infantry Guard (Elite/Reliable)[24][25]

  • CO: Major Jos Drozky

- The CO held the rank of Colonel in 3085.

3145

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

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

The unit is most unusual, since it's the only MAF unit to allow deep roots in Confederation.

Rules

  • 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.[27]
  • In any turn in which the 3rd Canopian Fusiliers win the Initiative, they may move half of their units (rounded down) after all opposing units have moved.[27]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Historical: Reunification War, p. 150, "Magistracy Of Canopus Front(Jump-Off - 2582)"
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Historical: Reunification War, p. 99, "Meadowvale (January 2578)"
  3. ↑ Historical: Reunification War, p. 101, "Gallis, Aspropirgos, Fanardir and Borgan's Rift (January 2580-October 2581)"
  4. ↑ Historical: Reunification War, p. 148, "Magistracy Of Canopus Front(Jump-Off - 2582)"
  5. ↑ Historical: Reunification War, p. 100, "Ruschegg, Payvand and Scheuerheck (July-December 2578)"
  6. ↑ Historical: Reunification war, p. 103-105, "Canopus (March-April 2584)
  7. ↑ Field Report 2765: Periphery, p. 15
  8. ↑ 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. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Historical: Brush Wars, p. 56, "Gunthar (November-Ongoing)"
  10. ↑ Historical: Brush Wars, p. 62, "Gunthar (Ongoing)"
  11. ↑ Historical: Brush Wars, p. 64, "Gunthar (Ongoing-July)"
  12. ↑ Field Manual: Updates, p. 191 - "Canopian Fusiliers profile, 3rd activities".
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Field Manual: 3085, p. 139
  14. ↑ Jihad Turning Points: Sian, p. 8
  15. ↑ Jihad Turning Points: Sian, p. 7
  16. ↑ Jihad Turning Points: Sian, p. 10, 12
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Field Report: Periphery, p. 10
  18. ↑ Field Manual: 3085, p. 149
  19. ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 193
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 Field Manual: 3145, p. 200, "Canopian Fusiliers"
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 The Periphery 1st (1988), p. 99, "MAF Deployment Table - 3025"
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 20 Year Update, p. 78, "MAF Deployment Table - 3050"
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Objective Raids, p. 47, "MAF Deployment Table - 3054"
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 Field Manual: Updates, p. 201, "MAF Deployment Table - 3067"
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 Field Manual: 3085, p. 149, "MAF Deployment Table - 3085"
  26. ↑ Field Report 2765: Periphery, p. 15, "Canopian Fusiliers - Regimental Status"
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Field Manual: Periphery, p. 151, "Canopian Fusiliers"

Bibliography

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