Difference between revisions of "3rd Taurian Lancers"

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{{infoBoxStateUnit
+
{{infoBoxMilitaryCommand
| image   = [[File:3rd Taurian Lancers.jpg|191px]]
+
| image         = [[File:3rd Taurian Lancers.jpg|191px]]
| nickname = Growing Pains
+
| Designation    = Third Taurian Lancers
| parent formation = [[V Corps (Taurian Concordat)|V Corps]] (3063)<br>[[I Corps (Taurian Concordat)|I Corps]] (3083)
+
| formed        = [[3063]]
| formed  = [[3063]]
+
| Disbanded      =
| year    = 3085
+
| Previous Designation =
| unitname = 3rd Taurian Lancers
+
| Nickname      = Growing Pains
 +
| Affiliation    = [[Taurian Concordat]]
 +
| Parent Command = [[V Corps (Taurian Concordat)|V Corps]] (3063)<br>[[I Corps (Taurian Concordat)|I Corps]] (3083)
 +
| Sub-Command    =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
===Formation===
 
===Formation===
The '''3rd Taurian Lancers''' formed in or around [[3063]] as a result of [[Protector]] [[Grover Shraplen]] deciding that equipment slated to go to the [[Colonial Marshals]] within the [[New Colony Region]] could be better employed filling a hole in the ranks of the [[Taurian Defense Force]], as could the people originally intended to join the Marshals. By combining the newly-formed 3rd Lancers with the mercenary unit [[Vandelay's Valkyries]] within [[V Corps (Taurian Concordat)|V Corps]] the TDF strength on paper increased substantially. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation didn't match up to expectations.<ref name="FM:Pp68">''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 68, "3rd Taurian Lancers: Growing Pains"</ref>
+
The '''Third Taurian Lancers''' formed in or around [[3063]] as a result of [[Protector of the Realm|Protector]] [[Grover Shraplen]] deciding that equipment slated to go to the [[Colonial Marshals]] within the [[New Colony Region]] could be better employed filling a hole in the ranks of the [[Taurian Defense Force]], as could the people originally intended to join the Marshals. By combining the newly formed 3rd Lancers with the mercenary unit [[Vandelay's Valkyries]] within [[V Corps (Taurian Concordat)|V Corps]] the TDF strength on paper increased substantially. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation didn't match up to expectations.<ref name="FM:Pp68">''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 68: "3rd Taurian Lancers: Growing Pains"</ref>
  
To say that the 3rd Lancers and the Valkyries encountered some difficulties working together would be an understatement; the two regiments formed a jealous rivalry with each other almost immediately, which led to an increasingly violent cycle of one-upmanship, backbiting and finally an actual shooting match on what should have been a joint training exercise. By the time the smoke cleared the 3rd Lancers had destroyed 6 of the Valkyries' [['Mechs]] and had lost 11 'Mechs and 5 combat vehicles in return. To add insult to injury, one of the companies within the 3rd Lancers' armored vehicle contingent later took a detour, driving quite literally ''through'' the Valkyries' headquarters, destroying several hundred thousand C-bills worth of personal equipment and collapsing four buildings in the process.<ref name="FM:Pp68"/>
+
To say that the Third Lancers and the Valkyries encountered some difficulties working together would be an understatement; the two regiments formed a jealous rivalry with each other almost immediately, which led to an increasingly violent cycle of one-upmanship, backbiting and finally an actual shooting match on what should have been a joint training exercise. By the time the smoke cleared the Third Lancers had destroyed 6 of the Valkyries' [['Mechs]] and had lost 11 'Mechs and 5 combat vehicles in return. To add insult to injury, one of the companies within the Third Lancers' armored vehicle contingent later took a detour, driving quite literally ''through'' the Valkyries' headquarters, destroying several hundred thousand C-bills worth of personal equipment and collapsing four buildings in the process.<ref name="FM:Pp68"/>
  
The 3rd Lancers were marked from the outset for lacking a sense of self as a regiment, something that made cooperation between the various battalions both difficult and rare.<ref name="FM:Pp68"/> Their deployments didn't help with this lack of identity. For example, in [[3067]] the 3rd Lancers had been broken into battalion sized formations and were stationed on [[Hyalite]], [[Perdition]], and [[Celentaro]].<ref name=FMU202/> This deployment allowed the 3rd Lancers to defend against raiders from [[Pirate's Haven]] and the [[Calderon Protectorate]].<ref>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 193</ref>
+
The Third Lancers were marked from the outset for lacking a sense of self as a regiment, something that made cooperation between the various battalions both difficult and rare.<ref name="FM:Pp68"/> Their deployments didn't help with this lack of identity. For example, in [[3067]] the Third Lancers had been broken into battalion sized formations and were stationed on [[Hyalite]], [[Perdition]], and [[Celentaro]].<ref name=FMU202/> This deployment allowed the Third Lancers to defend against raiders from [[Pirates Haven]] and the [[Calderon Protectorate]].<ref>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 193</ref> In September 3067 the Lancers forces were in combat on Hyalite, attempting to gain control of the planet, but discovered that the population was considerably less enthusiastic to see them than the inhabitants of the [[Pleiades Cluster]]. A force from the Third Taurian Lancers led by Brigadier Smallwood and a small mercenary command, [[Lennox's Light Horse]], battled against forces from the [[Second Albion Training Cadre]] before the sudden departure of the Lancers back to Concordat space left the Light Horse high and dry. Despite the slaughter of civilian dependents on [[Bromhead]] by Taurian forces the month before, the Light Horse were allowed to surrender and depart after handing over the [[Warhammer|WHM-8D ''Warhammer'']] piloted by the Light Horse's CO as ransom, due to their good conduct during the campaign.<ref name="S&F">''Sound and Fury''</ref>
  
 
===The Jihad===
 
===The Jihad===
In [[3068]] the [[Taurian Concordat]] had initiated combat actions against the breakaway [[Calderon Protectorate]] and the 3rd Lancers had been tasked with the conquest of [[Marknick]]. The mercenary [[Black Angus Boys]] had been contracted to support the offensive operations against the Protectorate, but refused to defend the 3rd Lancers' landing zone when the Lancers found themselves the target of a counterattack by the [[1st Taurian Pride]]. The Black Angus Boys refusal to support the Lancers effectively ended the entire campaign against the Protectorate.<ref name="MSUp31">''Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 31, "Black Angus Boys"</ref>
+
In [[3068]] the [[Taurian Concordat]] had initiated combat actions against the breakaway [[Calderon Protectorate]] and the Third Lancers had been tasked with the conquest of [[Marknick]]. The mercenary [[Black Angus Boys]] had been contracted to support the offensive operations against the Protectorate, but refused to defend the Third Lancers' landing zone when the Lancers found themselves the target of a counterattack by the [[1st Taurian Pride]]. The Black Angus Boys refusal to support the Lancers effectively ended the entire campaign against the Protectorate.<ref name="MSUp31">''Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 31: "Black Angus Boys"</ref>
  
===Post-Jihad Era===
+
===Post-Jihad===
It was reported that as a result of the combat seen during the extended war with the [[Federated Suns]] and then in [[Operation MATADOR]] the 3rd Taurian Lancers had been reduced to less than a quarter of their established strength by mid-[[3081]].<ref name="J:FRp115">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 115, "Taurian Concordat"</ref> Split across the worlds of [[Hyalite]] and [[Lothair]], the Third found themselves heavily outnumbered when the [[AFFS]] launched it's counterstrike. On Lothair, the Third Lancers' First Battalion found itself facing two complete [[Light Combat Team]]s, including the [[22nd Avalon Hussars]]; it was a testament to the Third Lancers that they managed to extract any forces at all from the battle. As it was, the last 5 'Mechs from the First Battalion escaped to [[Brockway]] less than two weeks after the initial AFFS landing, while the remains of [[Gordon's Armored Cavalry]], who had been garrisoning Lothair alongside the Third Lancers, made a hasty retreat to [[Mithron]].<ref name="FM:3085p142">''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 142, "Third Taurian Lancers"</ref><ref name="FM:3085p54">''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 54, "Operation MATADOR"</ref>
+
It was reported that as a result of the combat seen during the extended war with the [[Federated Suns]] and then in [[Operation MATADOR]] the Third Taurian Lancers had been reduced to less than a quarter of their established strength by mid-[[3081]].<ref name="J:FRp115">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 115: "Taurian Concordat"</ref> Split across the worlds of [[Hyalite]] and [[Lothair]], the Third found themselves heavily outnumbered when the [[AFFS]] launched its counterstrike. On Lothair, the Third Lancers' First Battalion found itself facing two complete [[Light Combat Team]]s, including the [[Twenty-second Avalon Hussars]]; it was a testament to the Third Lancers that they managed to extract any forces at all from the battle. As it was, the last 5 'Mechs from the First Battalion escaped to [[Brockway]] less than two weeks after the initial AFFS landing, while the remains of [[Gordon's Armored Cavalry]], who had been garrisoning Lothair alongside the Third Lancers, made a hasty retreat to [[Mithron]].<ref name="FM:3085p142">''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 142: "Third Taurian Lancers"</ref><ref name="FM:3085p54">''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 54: "Operation MATADOR"</ref>
  
The Second Battalion, based on Hyalite, was equally unfortunate; facing the [[2nd Robinson Strikers]] and the [[8th Syrtis Fusiliers]] [[Light Combat Team]]s, the Second Battalion was convincingly mangled before the remnants of the command were able to withdraw;<ref name="FM:3085p54"/> just 7 Lancer 'Mechs managed to escape to [[Atreus Prime]]. At the end of hostilities the few survivors of the Third Lancers were incorporated into [[I Corps (Taurian Concordat)|I Corps]] and mustered at 40% of full regimental strength on paper, but the battered command lost many personnel due to discharges from post-traumatic stress, and by [[3085]] the Third Lancers was a weak shadow of it's former strength, like to fold quickly in combat.<ref name="FM:3085p142"/>
+
The Second Battalion, based on Hyalite, was equally unfortunate; facing the [[2nd Robinson Strikers]] and the [[8th Syrtis Fusiliers]] [[Light Combat Team]]s, the Second Battalion was convincingly mangled before the remnants of the command were able to withdraw;<ref name="FM:3085p54"/> just 7 Lancer 'Mechs managed to escape to [[Atreus Prime]]. At the end of hostilities the few survivors of the Third Lancers were incorporated into [[I Corps (Taurian Concordat)|I Corps]] and mustered at 40% of full regimental strength on paper, but the battered command lost many personnel due to discharges from post-traumatic stress, and by [[3085]] the Third Lancers was a weak shadow of its former strength, likely to fold quickly in combat.<ref name="FM:3085p142"/>
 +
 
 +
===Dark Age===
 +
The Third Lancers raided a string of worlds between [[Brusett]] and [[Colorado]] in 3141. This raid was one of the deepest ever completed by the TDF. In 3145 the Third Lancers were stationed on [[Lindsay]], a world that was originally claimed by the Concordat but was taken by the Federated Suns during the [[Reunification War]]. After five centuries of Davion control, Lindsay's population resisted the Taurian forces, and the Third became adept at countering the insurgents present on the world and fighting large infantry formations.<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 195</ref>
 +
 
 +
===ilClan Era===
 +
At the dawn of the [[ilClan Era]], the Third was the main Taurian unit involved in the [[Pleiades War]].<ref>''Dominions Divided'' p. 41</ref>
  
 
==Officers==
 
==Officers==
As of [[3064]] the commanding officer was ''[[Colonel]]'' Teresa Danielle, an old friend of [[Protector]] [[Grover Shraplen]]; aware of her lack of tactical ability, ''Colonel'' Danielle relied on ''[[Brigadier]]'' Miho Katsuba of the 1st Battalion for military tactics.<ref name=FMP66>''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 66, "3rd Taurian Lancers Unit Profile"</ref>
+
{| class="wikitable"
 
+
|-
As of [[3067]] the unit was commanded by ''Colonel'' Kalvin Hobbes.<ref name=FMU202>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 202, "TDF Deployment Table - 3067"</ref>
+
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Rank
 +
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Name
 +
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Command
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="3" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of the 3rd Taurian Lancers'''
 +
|-
 +
| [[Colonel]]||[[Teresa Danielle]]||[[3064]]<ref name=FMP66>''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 66: "3rd Taurian Lancers Unit Profile"</ref>
 +
|-
 +
| Colonel||[[Kalvin Hobbes]]||[[3067]]<ref name=FMU202>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 202: "TDF Deployment Table - 3067"</ref>
 +
|-
 +
| Colonel||[[Abel Gabrielson]]||[[3085]]<ref name=FM3085p150>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 150: "TDF Deployment Table - 3085"</ref>
 +
|-
 +
| Colonel||[[Linda Griffin]]||[[3145]]<ref name=FM:3145p201>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 201: "I Corps"</ref>
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
As of [[3085]] the commanding officer was ''Colonel'' Abel Gabrielson.<ref name=FM3085p150>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 150, "TDF Deployment Table - 3085"</ref>
+
===Other Officers===
 +
* [[Brigadier]] [[Miho Katsuba]] was the commander of the 1st Battalion in 3064.<ref name=FMP66/>
  
 
==Tactics==
 
==Tactics==
{{sectionstub}}
+
Unknown.
  
 
==Composition History==
 
==Composition History==
 
===3064===
 
===3064===
'''3rd Taurian Lancers''' (1 [[Regiment]]/Green/Reliable)<ref name=FMP66/>
+
'''Third Taurian Lancers''' (1 [[Regiment]]/Green/Reliable)<ref name=FMP66/>
* CO: ''Colonel'' Teresa Danielle
+
* CO: Colonel Teresa Danielle
:* 1st [[Battalion]]: ''Brigadier'' Miho Katsuba
+
:* 1st [[Battalion]]: Brigadier Miho Katsuba
:* 2nd Battalion: ''Brigadier'' Kalvin Hobbes
+
:* 2nd Battalion: Brigadier Kalvin Hobbes
:* 3rd Battalion: ''Brigadier'' Aaron Wells
+
:* 3rd Battalion: Brigadier Aaron Wells
 
- The 3rd Battalion is short a [[company]] of 'Mechs - a result of their squabble with Vandelay's Valkyries - and is of Questionable loyalty.
 
- The 3rd Battalion is short a [[company]] of 'Mechs - a result of their squabble with Vandelay's Valkyries - and is of Questionable loyalty.
  
'''3rd Taurian Armored Lancers''' (2 Companies/Green/Questionable)<ref name=FMP66/>
+
'''Third Taurian Armored Lancers''' (2 Companies/Green/Questionable)<ref name=FMP66/>
* Armor Commander: ''[[Subaltern]]'' Jessiah Hawkins
+
* Armor Commander: [[Subaltern]] Jessiah Hawkins
  
'''3rd Taurian Foot Lancers''' (1 Regiment/Green/Reliable)<ref name=FMP66/>
+
'''Third Taurian Foot Lancers''' (1 Regiment/Green/Reliable)<ref name=FMP66/>
* Infantry Commander: ''Colonel'' Roman Waters
+
* Infantry Commander: Colonel Roman Waters
  
 
===3067===
 
===3067===
'''3rd Taurian Lancers''' (1 Regiment/Green/Reliable)<ref name=FMU202/>
+
'''Third Taurian Lancers''' (1 Regiment/Green/Reliable)<ref name=FMU202/>
* CO: ''Colonel'' Kalvin Hobbes
+
* CO: Colonel Kalvin Hobbes
  
'''3rd Taurian Armored Lancers''' (2 Companies/Green/Questionable)<ref name=FMU202/>
+
'''Third Taurian Armored Lancers''' (2 Companies/Green/Questionable)<ref name=FMU202/>
* Armor Commander: ''Subaltern'' Jessiah Hawkins
+
* Armor Commander: Subaltern Jessiah Hawkins
  
'''3rd Taurian Foot Lancers''' (Green/Questionable)<ref name=FMU202/>
+
'''Third Taurian Foot Lancers''' (Green/Questionable)<ref name=FMU202/>
* Armor Commander: ''Colonel'' Roman Waters
+
* Armor Commander: Colonel Roman Waters
  
 
===3079===
 
===3079===
'''3rd Taurian Lancers''' (Regiment/Green/Reliable)<ref name="FR:Pp12">''Field Report: Periphery'', p. 12, "Taurian Concordat"</ref>
+
'''Third Taurian Lancers''' (Regiment/Green/Reliable)<ref name="FR:Pp12">''Field Report: Periphery'', p. 12: "Taurian Concordat"</ref>
 
:- At this point the Third Lancers were operating at 60% of full strength, with 15% of their equipment using advanced technology.
 
:- At this point the Third Lancers were operating at 60% of full strength, with 15% of their equipment using advanced technology.
  
 
===3085===
 
===3085===
'''3rd Taurian Lancers''' (Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FM3085p150/>  
+
'''Third Taurian Lancers''' (Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FM3085p150/>
* CO: ''Colonel'' Abel Gabrielson
+
* CO: Colonel Abel Gabrielson
  
'''3rd Taurian Armored Lancers''' (1 Battalion/Regular/Questionable)<ref name=FM3085p150/>  
+
'''Third Taurian Armored Lancers''' (1 Battalion/Regular/Questionable)<ref name=FM3085p150/>
* CO: ''Subaltern'' Kato Tendaji
+
* CO: Subaltern Kato Tendaji
  
'''3rd Taurian Foot Lancer''' (Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FM3085p150/>  
+
'''Third Taurian Foot Lancer''' (Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FM3085p150/>
* CO: ''Colonel'' Virgil McGinnis
+
* CO: Colonel Virgil McGinnis
 +
 
 +
===3145===
 +
'''Third Taurian Lancers''' (Veteran/Fanatical)<ref name=FM:3145p201/>
 +
* CO: Colonel [[Linda Griffin]]
 +
 
 +
'''Third Taurian Armored Lancers (Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=FM:3145p201/>
 +
* CO: Colonel [[Benjamin White]]
 +
 
 +
'''Third Taurian Foot Lancers''' (Veteran/Fanatical)<ref name=FM:3145p201/>
 +
* CO: Colonel [[Teresa Moore]]
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
After their formation the 3rd Lancers operated a particularly strict policy on the display of unit crests on any of their machines. This markedly draconian stance was considered by outsiders to perhaps be a mark of the lack of actual combat experience on the Lancers part manifesting as an over-exaggerated sense of propriety. The 3rd Lancers rules dictated that the Taurian Concordat insignia must always be larger than any other crest or insignia on the 'Mech or vehicle, and must be placed in the most prominant position, and that the regimental crest may be placed anywhere above the waist of a 'Mech but not on the rear. A MechWarrior may place replicas of any awards earned on his 'Mech, but only on the left leg.<ref name="FM:Pp68"/>
+
After their formation the 3rd Lancers operated a particularly strict policy on the display of unit crests on any of their machines. This markedly draconian stance was considered by outsiders to perhaps be a mark of the lack of actual combat experience on the Lancers' part manifesting as an overexaggerated sense of propriety. The 3rd Lancers' rules dictated that the Taurian Concordat insignia must always be larger than any other crest or insignia on the 'Mech or vehicle, and must be placed in the most prominent position, and that the regimental crest may be placed anywhere above the waist of a 'Mech but not on the rear. A MechWarrior may place replicas of any awards earned on his 'Mech, but only on the left leg.<ref name="FM:Pp68"/>
  
 
==Rules==
 
==Rules==
 
<div class="gamerules">
 
<div class="gamerules">
* When using BV to determine the composition of forces, 20% of the BV allocated to the 3rd Taurian Lancers must either be spent on armor units or lost.<ref name="FM:Pp153">''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 153, "V Corps"</ref>
+
* When using BV to determine the composition of forces, 20% of the BV allocated to the 3rd Taurian Lancers must either be spent on armor units or lost.<ref name="FM:Pp153">''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 153: "V Corps"</ref>
 
* When elements from different battalions of the 3rd Taurian Lancers are deployed together, the 3rd Taurian Lancers elements receive a -1 Initiative Penalty for the entire game.<ref name="FM:Pp153"/>
 
* When elements from different battalions of the 3rd Taurian Lancers are deployed together, the 3rd Taurian Lancers elements receive a -1 Initiative Penalty for the entire game.<ref name="FM:Pp153"/>
 
* When elements from different battalions of the 3rd Taurian Lancers are deployed together, enemy units may not fire on infantry from the 3rd if a BattleMech from the 3rd is closer to the firing unit.<ref name="FM:Pp153"/>
 
* When elements from different battalions of the 3rd Taurian Lancers are deployed together, enemy units may not fire on infantry from the 3rd if a BattleMech from the 3rd is closer to the firing unit.<ref name="FM:Pp153"/>
Line 89: Line 123:
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
 
* ''[[Field Manual: 3085]]''
 
* ''[[Field Manual: 3085]]''
 +
* ''[[Field Manual: 3145]]''
 
* ''[[Field Manual: Periphery]]''
 
* ''[[Field Manual: Periphery]]''
 
* ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
 
* ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
Line 94: Line 129:
 
* ''[[Jihad: Final Reckoning]]''
 
* ''[[Jihad: Final Reckoning]]''
 
* ''[[Mercenaries Supplemental Update]]''
 
* ''[[Mercenaries Supplemental Update]]''
 +
* ''[[Sound and Fury]]''
 +
  
 
[[Category:Taurian Concordat Commands|Taurian Lancers, 3rd]]
 
[[Category:Taurian Concordat Commands|Taurian Lancers, 3rd]]

Latest revision as of 17:24, 28 April 2023

3rd Taurian Lancers.jpg
Third Taurian Lancers
Formed 3063
Nickname Growing Pains
Affiliation Taurian Concordat
Parent Command V Corps (3063)
I Corps (3083)

History[edit]

Formation[edit]

The Third Taurian Lancers formed in or around 3063 as a result of Protector Grover Shraplen deciding that equipment slated to go to the Colonial Marshals within the New Colony Region could be better employed filling a hole in the ranks of the Taurian Defense Force, as could the people originally intended to join the Marshals. By combining the newly formed 3rd Lancers with the mercenary unit Vandelay's Valkyries within V Corps the TDF strength on paper increased substantially. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation didn't match up to expectations.[1]

To say that the Third Lancers and the Valkyries encountered some difficulties working together would be an understatement; the two regiments formed a jealous rivalry with each other almost immediately, which led to an increasingly violent cycle of one-upmanship, backbiting and finally an actual shooting match on what should have been a joint training exercise. By the time the smoke cleared the Third Lancers had destroyed 6 of the Valkyries' 'Mechs and had lost 11 'Mechs and 5 combat vehicles in return. To add insult to injury, one of the companies within the Third Lancers' armored vehicle contingent later took a detour, driving quite literally through the Valkyries' headquarters, destroying several hundred thousand C-bills worth of personal equipment and collapsing four buildings in the process.[1]

The Third Lancers were marked from the outset for lacking a sense of self as a regiment, something that made cooperation between the various battalions both difficult and rare.[1] Their deployments didn't help with this lack of identity. For example, in 3067 the Third Lancers had been broken into battalion sized formations and were stationed on Hyalite, Perdition, and Celentaro.[2] This deployment allowed the Third Lancers to defend against raiders from Pirates Haven and the Calderon Protectorate.[3] In September 3067 the Lancers forces were in combat on Hyalite, attempting to gain control of the planet, but discovered that the population was considerably less enthusiastic to see them than the inhabitants of the Pleiades Cluster. A force from the Third Taurian Lancers led by Brigadier Smallwood and a small mercenary command, Lennox's Light Horse, battled against forces from the Second Albion Training Cadre before the sudden departure of the Lancers back to Concordat space left the Light Horse high and dry. Despite the slaughter of civilian dependents on Bromhead by Taurian forces the month before, the Light Horse were allowed to surrender and depart after handing over the WHM-8D Warhammer piloted by the Light Horse's CO as ransom, due to their good conduct during the campaign.[4]

The Jihad[edit]

In 3068 the Taurian Concordat had initiated combat actions against the breakaway Calderon Protectorate and the Third Lancers had been tasked with the conquest of Marknick. The mercenary Black Angus Boys had been contracted to support the offensive operations against the Protectorate, but refused to defend the Third Lancers' landing zone when the Lancers found themselves the target of a counterattack by the 1st Taurian Pride. The Black Angus Boys refusal to support the Lancers effectively ended the entire campaign against the Protectorate.[5]

Post-Jihad[edit]

It was reported that as a result of the combat seen during the extended war with the Federated Suns and then in Operation MATADOR the Third Taurian Lancers had been reduced to less than a quarter of their established strength by mid-3081.[6] Split across the worlds of Hyalite and Lothair, the Third found themselves heavily outnumbered when the AFFS launched its counterstrike. On Lothair, the Third Lancers' First Battalion found itself facing two complete Light Combat Teams, including the Twenty-second Avalon Hussars; it was a testament to the Third Lancers that they managed to extract any forces at all from the battle. As it was, the last 5 'Mechs from the First Battalion escaped to Brockway less than two weeks after the initial AFFS landing, while the remains of Gordon's Armored Cavalry, who had been garrisoning Lothair alongside the Third Lancers, made a hasty retreat to Mithron.[7][8]

The Second Battalion, based on Hyalite, was equally unfortunate; facing the 2nd Robinson Strikers and the 8th Syrtis Fusiliers Light Combat Teams, the Second Battalion was convincingly mangled before the remnants of the command were able to withdraw;[8] just 7 Lancer 'Mechs managed to escape to Atreus Prime. At the end of hostilities the few survivors of the Third Lancers were incorporated into I Corps and mustered at 40% of full regimental strength on paper, but the battered command lost many personnel due to discharges from post-traumatic stress, and by 3085 the Third Lancers was a weak shadow of its former strength, likely to fold quickly in combat.[7]

Dark Age[edit]

The Third Lancers raided a string of worlds between Brusett and Colorado in 3141. This raid was one of the deepest ever completed by the TDF. In 3145 the Third Lancers were stationed on Lindsay, a world that was originally claimed by the Concordat but was taken by the Federated Suns during the Reunification War. After five centuries of Davion control, Lindsay's population resisted the Taurian forces, and the Third became adept at countering the insurgents present on the world and fighting large infantry formations.[9]

ilClan Era[edit]

At the dawn of the ilClan Era, the Third was the main Taurian unit involved in the Pleiades War.[10]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the 3rd Taurian Lancers
Colonel Teresa Danielle 3064[11]
Colonel Kalvin Hobbes 3067[2]
Colonel Abel Gabrielson 3085[12]
Colonel Linda Griffin 3145[13]

Other Officers[edit]

Tactics[edit]

Unknown.

Composition History[edit]

3064[edit]

Third Taurian Lancers (1 Regiment/Green/Reliable)[11]

  • CO: Colonel Teresa Danielle
  • 1st Battalion: Brigadier Miho Katsuba
  • 2nd Battalion: Brigadier Kalvin Hobbes
  • 3rd Battalion: Brigadier Aaron Wells

- The 3rd Battalion is short a company of 'Mechs - a result of their squabble with Vandelay's Valkyries - and is of Questionable loyalty.

Third Taurian Armored Lancers (2 Companies/Green/Questionable)[11]

Third Taurian Foot Lancers (1 Regiment/Green/Reliable)[11]

  • Infantry Commander: Colonel Roman Waters

3067[edit]

Third Taurian Lancers (1 Regiment/Green/Reliable)[2]

  • CO: Colonel Kalvin Hobbes

Third Taurian Armored Lancers (2 Companies/Green/Questionable)[2]

  • Armor Commander: Subaltern Jessiah Hawkins

Third Taurian Foot Lancers (Green/Questionable)[2]

  • Armor Commander: Colonel Roman Waters

3079[edit]

Third Taurian Lancers (Regiment/Green/Reliable)[14]

- At this point the Third Lancers were operating at 60% of full strength, with 15% of their equipment using advanced technology.

3085[edit]

Third Taurian Lancers (Regular/Reliable)[12]

  • CO: Colonel Abel Gabrielson

Third Taurian Armored Lancers (1 Battalion/Regular/Questionable)[12]

  • CO: Subaltern Kato Tendaji

Third Taurian Foot Lancer (Regular/Reliable)[12]

  • CO: Colonel Virgil McGinnis

3145[edit]

Third Taurian Lancers (Veteran/Fanatical)[13]

Third Taurian Armored Lancers (Elite/Fanatical)[13]

Third Taurian Foot Lancers (Veteran/Fanatical)[13]

Notes[edit]

After their formation the 3rd Lancers operated a particularly strict policy on the display of unit crests on any of their machines. This markedly draconian stance was considered by outsiders to perhaps be a mark of the lack of actual combat experience on the Lancers' part manifesting as an overexaggerated sense of propriety. The 3rd Lancers' rules dictated that the Taurian Concordat insignia must always be larger than any other crest or insignia on the 'Mech or vehicle, and must be placed in the most prominent position, and that the regimental crest may be placed anywhere above the waist of a 'Mech but not on the rear. A MechWarrior may place replicas of any awards earned on his 'Mech, but only on the left leg.[1]

Rules[edit]

  • When using BV to determine the composition of forces, 20% of the BV allocated to the 3rd Taurian Lancers must either be spent on armor units or lost.[15]
  • When elements from different battalions of the 3rd Taurian Lancers are deployed together, the 3rd Taurian Lancers elements receive a -1 Initiative Penalty for the entire game.[15]
  • When elements from different battalions of the 3rd Taurian Lancers are deployed together, enemy units may not fire on infantry from the 3rd if a BattleMech from the 3rd is closer to the firing unit.[15]
  • Any characters assigned to the 3rd Taurian Lancers gain the Disadvantage Quick/Rivalry with Vandelay's Valkyries.[15]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Field Manual: Periphery, p. 68: "3rd Taurian Lancers: Growing Pains"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Field Manual: Updates, p. 202: "TDF Deployment Table - 3067"
  3. Field Manual: Updates, p. 193
  4. Sound and Fury
  5. Mercenaries Supplemental Update, p. 31: "Black Angus Boys"
  6. Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 115: "Taurian Concordat"
  7. 7.0 7.1 Field Manual: 3085, p. 142: "Third Taurian Lancers"
  8. 8.0 8.1 Field Manual: 3085, p. 54: "Operation MATADOR"
  9. Field Manual: 3145, p. 195
  10. Dominions Divided p. 41
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Field Manual: Periphery, p. 66: "3rd Taurian Lancers Unit Profile"
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Field Manual: 3085, p. 150: "TDF Deployment Table - 3085"
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Field Manual: 3145, p. 201: "I Corps"
  14. Field Report: Periphery, p. 12: "Taurian Concordat"
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Field Manual: Periphery, p. 153: "V Corps"

Bibliography[edit]