4th Lyran Regulars

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Unit Description

The Fourth Lyran Regulars was originally a frontline BattleMech Regiment in the service of Lyran Commonwealth. The unit was noted historically for holding grudges and for hating the Draconis Combine and then later the Clans.

History

Star League Era

The regiments of the Lyran Regulars were prone to being disbanded and reactivated as needed; each time a regiment was reactivated, it would be populated with a mix of re-enlisted veterans and fresh recruits, before being assigned to a garrison posting to free up a line regiment for active service. During peacetime, the Regulars would then disband down to a much smaller size as a brigade, awaiting the next time they would be called on. The Fourth were an active regiment in 2765, stationed on Elume, and were responsible for causing a stir within the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces. The focus of this attention was Colonel Michelle Eanes, the Fourth's Commanding Officer; Colonel Eanes had married one of her subordinate officers, Hauptmann Liza Stansfield. The LCAF had responded by attempting to post Stansfield to another command, but Stansfield was sueing to have the posting overturned, citing that military regulations allowed for fraternization between officers, only forbidding relationships where one officer was reporting directly to another. The LCAF High Command responded by making life as difficult as possible for the Fourth to put as much pressure on the two officers as possible, while their case worked its way through the Commonwealth's military courts.

Fourth Succession War

The Fourth Lyran Regulars took an active part in the Fourth Succession War. During Operation GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG, the major Lyran Commonwealth offensive of the Fourth Succession War, the Fourth deployed alongside the Third Donegal Guards for the invasion of Orestes. Then, in the exploitation phase that began on the 21st of October 3028 to capitalise on the successes of the initial wave of attacks, the Fourth Lyran Regulars and the Third Donegal Guards joined the Twenty-second Skye Rangers in the invasion of Grumium. The conquest of Grumium was considered a significant emotional victory, as Grumium had been a Lyran world prior to being conquered by the Combine. The Fourth then joined in the final wave of attacks launched under Operation GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG, capturing Camlann.

Post-Fourth Succession War and the Ronin War

After the Fourth Succession War, the unit would see the worlds they had helped conquer for their home province of the Tamar Pact given away to the newly formed Free Rasalhague Republic in 3033. A year later these hard-won worlds would come under attack by rogue Draconis Combine regiments attempting to retake the Republic for House Kurita. By this time, the unit has been transferred to Blue Diamond as its new garrison world. Without a break in fighting, the unit took advantage of the situation and conducted a series of raids against the Draconis Combine as a means to vent their frustration forcing the House Steiner to give up worlds for formation of the Republic.

The War of 3039

The Regulars were assigned as part of the attack forces used in the FedCom's invasion of the Draconis Combine in the War of 3039.

In the first wave of the conflict, the Regulars were part of the assault force assigned to attack Konstance. They arrived in April of 3039 with Fourth Crucis Lancers and mercenary force, Mobile Fire to take the system. On the CO2 laden world, due to mechanical problems was the Twenty-second Dieron Regulars. The FedCom expedition planned to conduct a two-prong invasion of the planet, taking the capital of Ishtalla and important sites on the continent of Epigaus. The Regulars were assigned to Task Force Hope, the Task Force commander Leftnant-General Michael Bradbury directing the Task Force to land 40 kilometers outside the city of Lazarus Bay on Epigaus.

The Regulars moved into the city where they found a battalion of the Twenty-second Dieron Regulars with conventional Armor forces dug in waiting for them. The Dieron 'Mechs struck first, conducting a series of quick flanking attacks. The Fourth Lyran Regulars countered with their own raids. These fast attacks from both sides would make the battlefield quick and ever changing situation. The quick-paced battle quickly used up the Task Force's allotment of spare parts, but the Fourth and its mercenary allies gained control of the city and its port facilities. After securing the city, the Regulars' allies in Ishtalla would note only token resistance in comparison to the Regulars' fight for Lazarus Bay, leaving the threat of remaining components of the Twenty-second Dieron on the loose. During their occupation of the city and its surroundings, the Fourth and its allies would suffer from a series of strikes conducted against them by Dieron Regulars. The Combine troops had taken to using civilian submarine transports and using them to strike them with no means for the Regulars hit back. Tensions between the Regulars' leadership and that of the Crucis Lancers developed, with arguments over seniority. The High Command's ability to guide the War had been knocked out with the unsuccessful assassination attempt on General Nondi Steiner on Vega.

By August, the expedition had failed to convince High Command to dispatch reinforcements and naval assets to the planet to help hunt down the 22nd Dieron. On the 19th, Draconis Combine reinforcements in the form of the Third Dieron Regulars had arrived via a pirate point. Led by Tai-sho James Kurenal, who directed the Third Dieron to a landing zone south of Lazarus Bay. The Fourth Lyran Regulars now faced a heavier force, but had hoped their lighter and faster machines would be able to outmaneuver the incoming Kuritan force. The Fourth Lyran moved swiftly, surprising the incoming Third Dieron who were prepared to conduct a city assault. Two battalions of Lyran Regulars drove straight to the HQ of the Third Dieron; however due to earthworks erected to protect the Kurita infantry, this caused the fast-moving 'Mechs of the 4th Lyrans to slow down enough for the Third Dieron's command Company to take advantage of their maneuver. The Combine force led by Tai-sho Kurenal charged into the flank of the Fourth Lyran's attack force with such velocity and venom that it caused the Fourth Lyrans' commander to retreat which then became a rout. The damage inflicted by the Kurita counter-attack left long-lasting psychological damage to the Lyran Regulars for decades to come. A company Kurita troops would cause two battalion of worth their numbers to withdraw in route, something they would refuse to believe a generation later.

The Lt. General Bradley would order the Regulars to fall back to the Lazarus Bay. On September 3rd, the surviving elements of the Twenty-second Dieron Regulars combined forces with some of the Third Dieron to breach the Lyran's defenses of the city. Mobile Fire's Third Division's expertise with urban warfare proved enough to win them a string of successes against their Kurita invader's lack of experience in urban fighting. However shortly afterwards the Mobile Fire's commanding officer, Quinten Moore, was killed, leaving the Regular's commander with the decision to withdraw from the planet. He would order a retreat from the planet on September 5th, abandoning the Fourth Crucis Lancers to their own devices due to his own bitterness over arguments seniority. Bradley would cause the Crucis Lancers to agree to parley and withdraw from Kontance in November.

The Clan Invasion years leading to the FedCom Civil War

The Fourth Lyran Regulars would be spared being deployed to the war front during the Clan Invasion. After the Battle of Tukayyid and its Truce in 3052, the FedCom High Command selected the Regulars amongst other units to conduct raids into the Clan Occupation Zones. The combat in these raids were high intensity, and 30 percent of the Fourth's 'Mech assets would be lost. The unit was considered so badly damaged that the Lyran High Command ordered it be deactivated while it was being rebuilt. During its rebuilding and reactivation, the unit would come under the command of Colonel Chas Mohring, whom transferred from the Fourth Deneb Light Cavalry. He would from day taking command begin to teach the unit new tactics learned during his years with the Fourth Deneb.

The unit had been considered hot bed for criticism of the Archon by 3062, though originally suspected due to the unit's ties with former Tamar Pact and its ruling family whom now controlled Skye. However, its criticism from its ranks was aimed towards their burning hatred for the Clans.

The FedCom Civil War and the 11th Arcturan Battle Group

Neutral at start of the War, the unit would ultimately be drawn into the fight. The Regulars would join the 11th Arcturan Guards' Battle Group of Lyran Loyalist forces hunting down Victor Steiner-Davion. Task Forces now encumbered 4th Alliance Guards, Alarion and Carisle PTMs arrived on Thorin in August 7th, 3065 with reports suggesting the Prince was on world. The Regulars and rest of the task force moved to planet's capital of Ecol City. However both 244th Division and Outlands Legion repulsed the move to try to take the city. General Linda MacDonald's 11th Arcturan Guards' and Task Force's commander lead Regulars and it troops in a two week action against the Victor's ally troops. Regulars and the Task Force would continue to fight for control of Thorin until January 24th, 3066, where Victor Steiner-Davion would arrive on planet and pull his forces off planet. The moderately damaged Regulars would be left by Battle Group to garrison the planet for rest of the war.

The Jihad

In February of 3068, Regulars were called by Marshal from their assigned on Thorin to participate in Operation Überschatten, the offensive against the Free Worlds League's attack of against Skye. During the course of the offensive, the Regulars would attack McAffe in May 20, where the Ninth Regulan Hussars were garrisoning. However, the Regulars were led into an ambush which would inflict considerable damage to the unit. The Fourth Regulars lost nearly a quarter of their troops withdrawing from the world. After action reports indicate that the Home Guard and two additional regiments of Marik Militia troops were on the world. The unit's staff was accused of incompetence and its command staff would be withdrawn from McAffe and assigned elsewhere.

On July 2nd, Free Worlds League forces mounted a counter offensive against the Skye/Bolan Forces. The Regulars would be heavily damaged and rendered non-combat effective, with a third of its command captured by the League forces. They spent the rest of the Jihad garrisoning Megrez. In 3079 they were transferred to Ford.

Dark Age

The Fourth and Eighth Lyran Regulars assaulted Epsilon in the Tamarind Abbey District. The Regulars faced the Thirty-fourth Marik Militia which put up some resistance but eventually the LCAF force overwhelmed the battalion sized formation and forced them off world. They later fought for several months on Bella I in 3082 and eventually took that world as well. In 3085 they were still garrisoning Bella I.

Officers

As of 2765 the commanding officer of the Fourth was Colonel Michelle Eanes.

As of 3039, the commanding officer was Leutnant-General Michael Bradbury.

As of 3050, the commanding officer was Leftenant General Cynthia Wellers

As of 3062 to 3067, the commanding officer was Colonel Chas Mohring.

As of 3085 the commanding officer is Colonel Devon Lestrade.

Tactics

During the War of 3039, the Regulars would utilize its speed and try to out maneuver enemy force and try to hit them in their flanks or hit them with lightning fast strikes.

By 3062, the unit's tactics would change after its reactivation and receiving a new commanding officer. The unit would utilize its attached Force's Hovercraft type Combat Vehicles forces to screen and scouts. It would augment its BattleMechs and heavier Combat Vehicles have them form Combined Arms subcommands to maneuver independently exploiting local terrain to their own advantage.

Unit Insignia

Unit's insignia is a outline of a palm tree with lightning striking above it.

Composition History

2765

Fourth Lyran Regulars (Regular/Questionable)

3025

Fourth Lyran Regulars (Regular/Reliable)

3040

Fourth Lyran Regulars (Regular/Reliable)

3050

Fourth Lyran Regulars (BattleMech Regiment)

• CO: Leftenant General Cynthia Weller

Note: Unit Listed with Regular Skills, reliable loyalty and stationed on Menkent as of 3050.

3062-3067

Fourth Lyran Regulars (BattleMech Regiment)

• CO: Colonel Chas Mohring

Regulars Note: In 3062, the Regulars would be considered Regular skilled and listed with a Reliable loyalty rating while still stationed on Blue Diamond. As of 3067, the unit strength would be 80%, while its noted being having regular skills and reliable loyalty rating.

Twenty-third Menkent Cavalry (Armor Regiment)

• CO: Lieutenant-Colonel Devon Lestrate

Cavalry Notes: In 3062, the unit had been rated as Regulars, and Reliable along with rest of the regiment. In 3067 the Cavalry's strength would be up to 95%, with loyalty ratings of Regular and it was considered to be Reliable.

Unit Note: In 3062, the Regulars (as whole) would be noted for taking a neutral status in growing during the reign of the Katrina Steiner-Davion leading to the Civil War. It had access to D rated Equipment this time period.

3085

Fourth Lyran Regulars (Veteran/Questionable)

• CO: Colonel Devon Lestrade

Notable Members of the Unit

• Devon Lestrade - The Armor/Tank Commander of the Fourth's attached combat vehicle regiment, he is a nephew of the traitorous late Duke of Summer, Aldo Lestrade. Unlike his late uncle, he would from all appearances does not possess a desire for intrigue. He is however politically astute and is among the number of officers who has a burning wish to destroy Clan Jade Falcon. After the FedCom Civil War, he would be viewed as a patriotic individual refusing to be involved with the Free Skye movement. However this would estrange him from his family due to their ties with that rebel organization.

Rules

Game Rules

From Field Manual: Lyran Alliance, the Fourth Lyran Regulars' special abilities & benefits some stem from its Commanding officer Colonel Chas Mohring. The Regiment has been given the Banking Initiative ability.

Colonel Mohring's presence (Using Classic BattleTech RPG / MechWarrior 3 RPG rules) would be given any player character assigned to the unit +5 XP per month (in game time) for strictly Tactics and Strategy skills. While in a scenario, a player in command while using RPG character, can roll tactics skill check. If should the player win their roll, they would get the following benefits (Unless scenario's conditions allow and maps are randomly generated for it); The player may choose any four maps sheets when setting up the battle/scenario. They may choose their home edge and hide half of their force. Should the player fail their tactics check, the opposing player gain all advantages the controlling player would received.

Bibliography

• 20 Year Update
• FedCom Civil War (sourcebook)
• Field Manual: 3085
• Field Manual: Lyran Alliance
• Field Manual: Updates
• Field Report 2765: LCAF
• Historical: War of 3039
• House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)
• Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents
• NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1
• Objective Raids