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Line 1: − {{Cleanup|reason=review needed|date=September 2023}}+ The '''Fourth Skye Guards''' were a military unit in service to the [[Free Skye Movement]] during the [[Free_Skye_Movement#The_Rebellion_of_3056|second Skye Rebellion]] of [[3056]]. − {{infoBoxMilitaryCommand + − | image = [[File:4th Skye Guards logo.jpg]] + {{infoBoxStateUnit − | Designation = Fourth Skye Guards + | image = [[File:SG.jpg|130px]] − | formed = [[3056]] + | nickname = None − | Disbanded = + | parent formation = [[Skye Rangers]] − | Previous Designation = + | formed = [[3056]] − | Nickname = + | year = 3056 − | Affiliation = Lyran Commonwealth+ | unitname = 4th Skye Guards − | Parent Command = [[Skye Rangers]] − | Sub-Command = }} }} − − The '''Fourth Skye Guards''' were a military unit in service to the [[Free Skye Movement]] during the [[Free_Skye_Movement#The_Rebellion_of_3056|second Skye Rebellion]] of [[3056]]. ==Overview== ==Overview== − The '''Fourth Skye Guard''' [[regiment]] was formed in 3056 on the orders of [[Field_Marshal|Field Marshal]] [[Richard Steiner (31st c.)|Richard Steiner]] of the [[Skye March]], who chose to support Duke [[Ryan Steiner]], Duke of [[Porrima]] and leader of the Free Skye Movement in his revolt against the [[Federated Commonwealth]] government (and [[Archon-Prince#Archon-Prince|Archon-Prince]] [[Victor Steiner-Davion]] in particular) in early 3056. The unit would be made up of Free Skye loyalists from the [[4th Skye Rangers|4th]] and [[10th Skye Rangers]]. Indeed, all the 'Mechs of the Tenth were employed, while the Guards' conventional forces were drawn from the Fourth. This new unit would strike at what the Free Skye leadership viewed as the sole point of "Davion opposition" in the Isle, the planet [[Glengarry]], home of the famed [[Gray Death Legion]] [[mercenary]] unit. <ref name=DH64>''Day of Heroes'' p. 64</ref> + The Fourth Skye Guard [[regiment]] was formed in 3056 on the orders of [[Field_Marshal|Field Marshal]] [[Richard Steiner (31st c.)|Richard Steiner]] of the [[Skye March]], who chose to support Duke [[Ryan Steiner]], Duke of [[Porrima]] and leader of the Free Skye Movement in his revolt against the [[Federated Commonwealth]] government (and [[Archon-Prince#Archon-Prince|Archon-Prince]] [[Victor Steiner-Davion]] in particular) in early 3056. The unit would be made up of Free Skye loyalists from the [[4th Skye Rangers|4th]] and [[10th Skye Rangers]]. Indeed, all the 'Mechs of the Tenth were employed, while the Guards' conventional forces were drawn from the Fourth. This new unit would strike at what the Free Skye leadership viewed as the sole point of "Davion opposition" in the Isle, the planet [[Glengarry]], home of the famed [[Gray Death Legion]] [[mercenary]] unit. <ref name=DH64>''Day of Heroes'' p. 64</ref> ==History== ==History== Line 24:
Line 20: The Free Skye forces arrived in the Glengarry system on April 1, 3056. <ref name=HTPG7>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 7</ref> Although they faced almost immediate opposition from Gray Death Aerospace assets, they quickly secured the [[Jump Point|jump point]]. Glengarry's Governor-General, Roger DeVries, attempted to take matters into his own hands by arresting the Legion's on-planet command staff and contacting von Bulow to assure Glengarry's neutrality. <ref name=HTPG7/> <ref name=BH130-134>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 130-134</ref> <ref name=BH150>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 150</ref> Fortunately for the mercenaries, the Legion's cadets managed to rescue their commanding officers, sending DeVries and his supporters into hiding. <ref name=HTPG7/> <ref name=HTPG9>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 9</ref> <ref name=BH159-173>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 159-173</ref> The Free Skye forces arrived in the Glengarry system on April 1, 3056. <ref name=HTPG7>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 7</ref> Although they faced almost immediate opposition from Gray Death Aerospace assets, they quickly secured the [[Jump Point|jump point]]. Glengarry's Governor-General, Roger DeVries, attempted to take matters into his own hands by arresting the Legion's on-planet command staff and contacting von Bulow to assure Glengarry's neutrality. <ref name=HTPG7/> <ref name=BH130-134>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 130-134</ref> <ref name=BH150>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 150</ref> Fortunately for the mercenaries, the Legion's cadets managed to rescue their commanding officers, sending DeVries and his supporters into hiding. <ref name=HTPG7/> <ref name=HTPG9>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 9</ref> <ref name=BH159-173>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 159-173</ref> − At von Bulow's command, they initiated Operation Trident, a plan of attack that called for the Skye Guards to divide their troops, conducting their landings in separate locations that would theoretically saturate and eventually overwhelm the defending Legion, which was outnumbered nearly three-to-one, with the Legion's second battalion away defending the [[Clan]] border. <ref name=BH254>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 254</ref> + At von Bulow's command, they initiated Operation Trident, a plan of attack that called for the Skye Guards to divide their troops, conducting their landings in separate locations that would theoretically saturate and eventually overwhelm the defending Legion, which was out-numbered nearly three-to-one, with the Legion's second battalion away defending the [[Clan]] border. <ref name=BH254>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 254</ref> The Guards' first landing, as ordered by von Bulow, was at the spaceport of the capital city of Dunkeld, led by elements of the Guards' first battalion. The Legion successfully ambushed to Guards, though Alexander Carlyle's plan called for the blowing up of one of their own [[DropShips]] in the process. The explosion took out much of the Free Skye troops and gave the Legion the first victory of the campaign. <ref name=BH205-241>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 205-241</ref> <ref name=HTPG10>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 10</ref> <ref name=DH6467>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 64-67</ref> The Guards' first landing, as ordered by von Bulow, was at the spaceport of the capital city of Dunkeld, led by elements of the Guards' first battalion. The Legion successfully ambushed to Guards, though Alexander Carlyle's plan called for the blowing up of one of their own [[DropShips]] in the process. The explosion took out much of the Free Skye troops and gave the Legion the first victory of the campaign. <ref name=BH205-241>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 205-241</ref> <ref name=HTPG10>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 10</ref> <ref name=DH6467>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 64-67</ref> Line 30:
Line 26: The next landing came at the backwater of Loch Sheol. Here, Carlyle was able to respond quickly by using flatbeds on maglev train lines to move his forces around. <ref name=HTPG11>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 11</ref> <ref name=DH7174>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 71-74</ref> Von Bulow expressly forbade his forces from destroying the train lines, knowing that Free Skye would need them after the planet was taken. <ref name=BH271>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 271</ref> With Legion recon lances providing excellent intelligence, the Gray Death forces were able to surround the DropShip before most of the Free Skye forces even disembarked, forcing them to surrender. <ref name=HTPG11/> <ref name=DH7174/> <ref name=BH273-294>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 273-294</ref> The next landing came at the backwater of Loch Sheol. Here, Carlyle was able to respond quickly by using flatbeds on maglev train lines to move his forces around. <ref name=HTPG11>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 11</ref> <ref name=DH7174>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 71-74</ref> Von Bulow expressly forbade his forces from destroying the train lines, knowing that Free Skye would need them after the planet was taken. <ref name=BH271>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 271</ref> With Legion recon lances providing excellent intelligence, the Gray Death forces were able to surround the DropShip before most of the Free Skye forces even disembarked, forcing them to surrender. <ref name=HTPG11/> <ref name=DH7174/> <ref name=BH273-294>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 273-294</ref> − Immediately after the failed landing at Loch Sheol, Hauptmann-General Leonidas Brannock commanded the next landing at Coltbridge, where he would engage elements of the Legion under the command of [[Major]] [[Davis McCall]]. <ref name=HTPG7/> <ref name=HTPG12>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 12</ref> <ref name=DH75-78>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 75-78</ref> <ref name=BH301302>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 301-302</ref> Brannock quickly realized that the Legion's lighter 'Mechs could not stand up to the heavy and assault machines of the Skye Guards, and that McCall's own ''[[Highlander]]'' represented the lynchpin of their defense. Charging his command lance forward, Brannock hoped to eliminate or at least neutralize McCall long enough to provide his [[aerospace fighter]]s with the cover to make a bombing run.<ref name=BH304306>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'', pp. 304-306</ref> Brannock was able to briefly take McCall out of the fight when a [[laser]] blast struck McCall's cockpit, knocking him unconscious. <ref name=BH310311>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 310-311</ref> [[Davis Carlyle Clay]] managed to prevent Brannock from finishing McCall off, placing himself and his ''[[Griffin]]'' in serious danger. <ref name=BH314>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 314</ref> This not only gave McCall time to recover, but it allowed Alex Carlyle to arrive with the Legions' reinforcements. Believing he had fallen into a trap, Brannock ordered his forces to pull back and regroup before reengaging. <ref name=BH314316>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 314-316</ref> The fighting was very heavy with Brannock constantly regrouping his 'mechs and attacking the suddenly resurgent Legionnaires. In the end, it was futile, as Brannock and his troops were forced to withdraw to their DropShips. <ref name=BH323>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 323</ref> Despite being forced to retreat, Brannock had inflicted serious damage on the Legion at Coltbridge, depriving the mercenaries of the strength to fully contest future landings. <ref name=HTPG12/> Nevertheless, Brannock was furious with having been beaten, and it would color his thinking for the rest of the conflict. <ref name=HTPG8/> + Immediately after the failed landing at Loch Sheol, Hauptmann-General Leonidas Brannock commanded the next landing at Coltbridge, where he would engage elements of the Legion under the command of [[Major]] [[Davis McCall]]. <ref name=HTPG7/> <ref name=HTPG12>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 12</ref> <ref name=DH75-78>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 75-78</ref> <ref name=BH301302>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 301-302</ref> Brannock quickly realized that the Legion's lighter 'Mechs could not stand up to the heavy and assault machines of the Skye Guards, and that McCall's own ''[[Highlander]]'' represented the lynchpin of their defense. Charging his command lance forward, Brannock hoped to eliminate or at least neutralize MCCall long enough to provide his [[Aerospace Fighter]]s with the cover to make a bombing run. <ref name=BH304306>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 304-306</ref> Brannock was able to briefly take McCall out of the fight when a [[laser]] blast struck McCall's cockpit, knocking him unconscious. <ref name=BH310311>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 310-311</ref> [[Davis Carlyle Clay]] managed to prevent Brannock from finishing McCall off, placing himself and his ''[[Griffin]]'' in serious danger. <ref name=BH314>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 314</ref> This not only gave McCall time to recover, but it allowed Alex Carlyle to arrive with the Legions' reinforcements. Believing he had fallen into a trap, Brannock ordered his forces to pull back and regroup before re-engaging. <ref name=BH314316>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 314-316</ref> The fighting was very heavy with Brannock constantly regrouping his 'mechs and attacking the suddenly resurgent Legionnaires. In the end, it was futile, as Brannock and his troops were forced to withdraw to their DropShips. <ref name=BH323>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 323</ref> Despite being forced to retreat, Brannock had inflicted serious damage on the Legion at Coltbridge, depriving the mercenaries of the strength to fully contest future landings. <ref name=HTPG12/> Nevertheless, Brannock was furious with having been beaten, and it would color his thinking for the rest of the conflict. <ref name=HTPG8/> − [[File:Gray Death Legion logo.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Gray Death Legion]] - The Skye Guards' target]] + [[File:Gdlblack.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Gray Death Legion]] - The Skye Guards' target]] − Meanwhile, an even larger Skye Guard force was attempting a landing near the remote mining town of Halidon. Though a company of Legion 'mechs and supporting units attempted to stop them, the Legion forces were driven off. With control of a critical pass in the Monaghan Highlands, the Skye Guards finally had a secure landing zone, and could now bring their full strength to bear on the mercenaries. <ref name=HTPG13>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 13</ref> <ref name=DH7982>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 79-82</ref> <ref name=BH327>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 327</ref> Brannock would set up his headquarters at Halidon, while the Guards pursued the Legion. <ref name=HTPG14>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 14</ref> The Legion made a stand at Ryco Pass, where they again made the Free Skye forces pay for every inch. Though they drove off their pursuers, losses to the Legion (including Davis Clay) were so heavy that they were forced to begin a campaign of guerrilla warfare. <ref name=HTPG14/> <ref name=DH8386>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 83-86</ref> Shortly thereafter, von Bulow transferred his headquarters to the planet's surface. <ref name=HTPG14/> + Meanwhile, an even larger Skye Guard force was attempting a landing near the remote mining town of Halidon. Though a company of Legion 'mechs and supporting units attmepted to stop them, the Legion forces were + driven off. With control of a critical pass in the Monaghan Highlands, the Skye Guards finally had a secure landing zone, and could now bring their full-strength to bare on the mercenaries. <ref name=HTPG13>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 13</ref> <ref name=DH7982>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 79-82</ref> <ref name=BH327>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 327</ref> Brannock would set up his headquarters at Halidon, while the Guards pursued the Legion. <ref name=HTPG14>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 14</ref> The Legion made a stand at Ryco Pass, where they again made the Free Skye forces pay for every inch. Though they drove off their pursuers, losses to the Legion (including Davis Clay) were so heavy that they were forced to begin a campaign of guerilla warfare. <ref name=HTPG14/> <ref name=DH8386>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 83-86</ref> Shortly thereafter, von Bulow transferred his headquarters to the planet's surface. <ref name=HTPG14/> − In late September the Legion's second battalion finally arrived, having made the long journey from [[Borghese]]. Although they lost a ''[[Union]]''-class DropShip and all its BattleMechs while running the Free Skye blockade, [[Major]] [[Hassan Ali Khaled]] and most of his Assassins arrived to reinforce the beleaguered remains of the first battalion. <ref name=HTPG7/> <ref name=DH8789>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 87-89</ref> Carlyle soon deployed Hassan in one of their boldest actions of the campaign in late October, with Hassan acting as a rear guard and drawing the Guards into a trap in Lochaber Forest. Sacrificing a crippled DropShip, the Legion triggered an explosion that took out an entire BattleMech company. <ref name=DH9395>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 93-95</ref> In late November, with the assistance of longtime Legionnaire [[Charles Bear]], the mercenaries ambushed a pursuing column of Skye Guards in Killiecrankie Pass. <ref name=DH9698>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 96-98</ref> This was immediately followed by a strike against a second column at Inverurie that gave the Legion all the breathing room it needed. <ref name=HTPG14>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 14</ref> <ref name=DH99102>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 99-102</ref> Although the Skye Guards still controlled the capital city of Dunkeld and other areas, they no longer had the forces needed to pursue the Legion into the Glencoe Highlands. <ref name=HTPG14/> + In late September, the Legion's second battalion finally arrived, having made the long journey from [[Borghese]]. Although they lost a ''[[Union]]''-class DropShip and all its BattleMechs while running the Free Skye blockade, [[Major]] [[Hassan Ali Khaled]] and most of his Assassins arrived to reinforce the beleaguered remains of the first battalion. <ref name=HTPG7/> <ref name=DH8789>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 87-89</ref> Carlye soon deployed Hassan in one of their boldest actions of the campaign in late October, with Hassan acting as a rear guard and drawing the Guards into a trap in Lochaber Forest. Sacrificing a crippled DropShip, the Legion triggered an explosion that took out an entire BattleMech company. <ref name=DH9395>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 93-95</ref> In late November, with the assistance of long-time Legionnaire [[Charles Bear]], the mercenaries ambushed a pursuing column of Skye Guards in Killiecrankie Pass. <ref name=DH9698>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 96-98</ref> This was immediately followed by a strike against a second column at Inverurie that gave the Legion all the breathing room it needed. <ref name=HTPG14>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 14</ref> <ref name=DH99102>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 99-102</ref> Although the Skye Guards still controlled the capital city of Dunkeld and other areas, they no longer had the forces needed to pursue the Legion into the Glencoe Highlands. <ref name=HTPG14/> − For nearly the entire campaign, von Bulow continued to send [[JumpShip]]s back to Skye, requesting reinforcements. When additional forces were not provided, his frustration grew, and he often took it out on his subordinates, including General Brannock. This added pressure had a serious effect on the morale of the Skye Guards' officers. <ref name=HTPG14/> <ref name=HTPG8/> + For nearly the entire campaign, von Bulow continued to send [[JumpShip]]s back to Skye, requesting reinforcements. When additional forces were not provided, his frustration grew, and he often took it out on his + subordinates, including General Brannock. This added pressure had a serious effect on the morale of the Skye Guards' officers. <ref name=HTPG14/> <ref name=HTPG8/> On November 30, a flotilla of JumpShips emerged at Glengarry's jump point. Von Bulow initially believed relief from Skye had finally arrived, only to find that Colonel Grayson Carlyle had at last returned with several regiments of the [[Northwind Highlanders]] as a relief force. Exhausted and facing overwhelming opposition with no support, the Free Skye forces quickly folded. <ref name=HTPG14/> <ref name=HTPG7/> <ref name=DH99>''Day of Heroes'' p. 99</ref> With the failure of the attack on Glengarry and the assassination of Ryan Steiner on [[Solaris]], the rebellion quickly lost momentum. [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]] was able to broker a peace, and Richard Steiner was reassigned. <ref name=SS42>''Shattered Sphere'' p. 42</ref> The Tenth Skye Rangers were eventually rebuilt as a [[Lyran Alliance]] "sink" unit for malcontents and incompetent officers. <ref name=FMLA99>''Field Manual: Lyran Alliance'' p. 99</ref> On November 30, a flotilla of JumpShips emerged at Glengarry's jump point. Von Bulow initially believed relief from Skye had finally arrived, only to find that Colonel Grayson Carlyle had at last returned with several regiments of the [[Northwind Highlanders]] as a relief force. Exhausted and facing overwhelming opposition with no support, the Free Skye forces quickly folded. <ref name=HTPG14/> <ref name=HTPG7/> <ref name=DH99>''Day of Heroes'' p. 99</ref> With the failure of the attack on Glengarry and the assassination of Ryan Steiner on [[Solaris]], the rebellion quickly lost momentum. [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]] was able to broker a peace, and Richard Steiner was reassigned. <ref name=SS42>''Shattered Sphere'' p. 42</ref> The Tenth Skye Rangers were eventually rebuilt as a [[Lyran Alliance]] "sink" unit for malcontents and incompetent officers. <ref name=FMLA99>''Field Manual: Lyran Alliance'' p. 99</ref> ==Officers== ==Officers== − {| class="wikitable"+ Hauptmann-General Leonidas Brannock was the Fourth Skye Guards' commanding officer, though Kommandant-General Wilhelm von Bulow had overall command of the operation. <ref name=HTPG8/> Von Bulow often personally transmitted orders to the Guards' units during the campaign, as opposed to following a strict chain of command. − |- − ! 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="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of the 4th Skye Guards''' − |- − | [[Hauptmann General]]||[[Leonidas Brannock]]||[[3056]]<ref name=HTPG8/> − |- − |} − − ===Notes=== − Though Hauptmann-General Leonidas Brannock was the Fourth Skye Guards' commanding officer, [[Kommandant-General]] [[Wilhelm von Bulow]] had overall command of the operation.<ref name=HTPG8/> Von Bulow often personally transmitted orders to the Guards' units during the campaign, as opposed to following a strict chain of command. − − In the "Blood of Heroes" novel, the Skye Guards Regiment has no numeric designation as it is the only one of its kind. When the Second Skye Rebellion began, the armories on Skye were opened up and the reservists and promising recruits/cadets were equipped and organized into a new regiment. The core of the Free Skye Expeditionary Force was the [[10th Skye Rangers| Tenth Skye Rangers]] regiment and all of their supporting troops. − − ==Tactics== − Unknown. ==Composition History== ==Composition History== − The Fourth Skye Guards were composed of a single BattleMech regiment, with 'Mechs, officers and warriors drawn primarily from the Tenth Skye Rangers, and an unknown number of conventional regiments drawn primarily from the Fourth Skye Rangers. <ref name=DH64/> Although both of its "parent units" were highly regarded for their ability at the time, the rushed reorganization of the units seemed to reduce their overall ability somewhat in the short term, as they were only given a regular unit rating at the time of the Glengarry campaign. <ref name=HTPG8/> The Fourth Skye Guards' equipment was top-rate, however, and featured examples + The Fourth Skye Guards were composed of a single BattleMech regiment, with 'Mechs, officers and warriors drawn primarily from the Tenth Skye Rangers, and an unknown number of conventional regiments drawn primarily from the Fourth Skye Rangers. <ref name=DH64/> Although both of its "parent units" were highly regarded for their ability at the time, the rushed reorganization of the units seemed to reduce their overall ability somewhat in the short-term, as they were only given a regular unit rating at the time of the Glengarry campaign. <ref name=HTPG8/> The Fourth Skye Guards' equipment was top-rate, however, and featured examples of some of some of the newest BattleMechs in production by the Federated Commonwealth at the time. <ref name=HTPG6>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 6</ref> Their attached Aerospace assets included the First New Glasgow Aerospace Squadron. <ref name=BH80>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 80</ref> of some of some of the newest BattleMechs in production by the Federated Commonwealth at the time. <ref name=HTPG6>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 6</ref> Their attached Aerospace assets included the First New Glasgow Aerospace Squadron. <ref name=BH80>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 80</ref> Line 81:
Line 61: ==Bibliography== ==Bibliography== − * ''[[Blood of Heroes]]'' (novel) + * ''[[Blood of Heroes]] (novel)'' * ''[[Day of Heroes]]'' * ''[[Day of Heroes]]'' * ''[[Field Manual: Lyran Alliance]]'' * ''[[Field Manual: Lyran Alliance]]'' * ''[[Historical Turning Points: Glengarry]]'' * ''[[Historical Turning Points: Glengarry]]'' * ''[[Shattered Sphere]]'' * ''[[Shattered Sphere]]'' − * ''[[Tactics of Duty]]'' (novel) + * ''[[Tactics of Duty]] (novel)'' − [[Category:Lyran Commands|Skye Guard, 04]] [[Category:Lyran Commands|Skye Guard, 04]]
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| − | + | The '''Fourth Skye Guards''' were a military unit in service to the [[Free Skye Movement]] during the [[Free_Skye_Movement#The_Rebellion_of_3056|second Skye Rebellion]] of [[3056]]. | |
| − | {{ | + | |
| − | | image | + | {{infoBoxStateUnit |
| − | | | + | | image = [[File:SG.jpg|130px]] |
| − | | formed | + | | nickname = None |
| − | | | + | | parent formation = [[Skye Rangers]] |
| − | | | + | | formed = [[3056]] |
| − | + | | year = 3056 | |
| − | + | | unitname = 4th Skye Guards | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
}} | }} | ||
| − | |||
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
| − | The | + | The Fourth Skye Guard [[regiment]] was formed in 3056 on the orders of [[Field_Marshal|Field Marshal]] [[Richard Steiner (31st c.)|Richard Steiner]] of the [[Skye March]], who chose to support Duke [[Ryan Steiner]], Duke of [[Porrima]] and leader of the Free Skye Movement in his revolt against the [[Federated Commonwealth]] government (and [[Archon-Prince#Archon-Prince|Archon-Prince]] [[Victor Steiner-Davion]] in particular) in early 3056. The unit would be made up of Free Skye loyalists from the [[4th Skye Rangers|4th]] and [[10th Skye Rangers]]. Indeed, all the 'Mechs of the Tenth were employed, while the Guards' conventional forces were drawn from the Fourth. This new unit would strike at what the Free Skye leadership viewed as the sole point of "Davion opposition" in the Isle, the planet [[Glengarry]], home of the famed [[Gray Death Legion]] [[mercenary]] unit. <ref name=DH64>''Day of Heroes'' p. 64</ref> |
==History== | ==History== | ||
| Line 24: | Line 20: | ||
The Free Skye forces arrived in the Glengarry system on April 1, 3056. <ref name=HTPG7>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 7</ref> Although they faced almost immediate opposition from Gray Death Aerospace assets, they quickly secured the [[Jump Point|jump point]]. Glengarry's Governor-General, Roger DeVries, attempted to take matters into his own hands by arresting the Legion's on-planet command staff and contacting von Bulow to assure Glengarry's neutrality. <ref name=HTPG7/> <ref name=BH130-134>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 130-134</ref> <ref name=BH150>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 150</ref> Fortunately for the mercenaries, the Legion's cadets managed to rescue their commanding officers, sending DeVries and his supporters into hiding. <ref name=HTPG7/> <ref name=HTPG9>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 9</ref> <ref name=BH159-173>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 159-173</ref> | The Free Skye forces arrived in the Glengarry system on April 1, 3056. <ref name=HTPG7>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 7</ref> Although they faced almost immediate opposition from Gray Death Aerospace assets, they quickly secured the [[Jump Point|jump point]]. Glengarry's Governor-General, Roger DeVries, attempted to take matters into his own hands by arresting the Legion's on-planet command staff and contacting von Bulow to assure Glengarry's neutrality. <ref name=HTPG7/> <ref name=BH130-134>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 130-134</ref> <ref name=BH150>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 150</ref> Fortunately for the mercenaries, the Legion's cadets managed to rescue their commanding officers, sending DeVries and his supporters into hiding. <ref name=HTPG7/> <ref name=HTPG9>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 9</ref> <ref name=BH159-173>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 159-173</ref> | ||
| − | At von Bulow's command, they initiated Operation Trident, a plan of attack that called for the Skye Guards to divide their troops, conducting their landings in separate locations that would theoretically saturate and eventually overwhelm the defending Legion, which was | + | At von Bulow's command, they initiated Operation Trident, a plan of attack that called for the Skye Guards to divide their troops, conducting their landings in separate locations that would theoretically saturate and eventually overwhelm the defending Legion, which was out-numbered nearly three-to-one, with the Legion's second battalion away defending the [[Clan]] border. <ref name=BH254>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 254</ref> |
The Guards' first landing, as ordered by von Bulow, was at the spaceport of the capital city of Dunkeld, led by elements of the Guards' first battalion. The Legion successfully ambushed to Guards, though Alexander Carlyle's plan called for the blowing up of one of their own [[DropShips]] in the process. The explosion took out much of the Free Skye troops and gave the Legion the first victory of the campaign. <ref name=BH205-241>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 205-241</ref> <ref name=HTPG10>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 10</ref> <ref name=DH6467>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 64-67</ref> | The Guards' first landing, as ordered by von Bulow, was at the spaceport of the capital city of Dunkeld, led by elements of the Guards' first battalion. The Legion successfully ambushed to Guards, though Alexander Carlyle's plan called for the blowing up of one of their own [[DropShips]] in the process. The explosion took out much of the Free Skye troops and gave the Legion the first victory of the campaign. <ref name=BH205-241>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 205-241</ref> <ref name=HTPG10>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 10</ref> <ref name=DH6467>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 64-67</ref> | ||
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The next landing came at the backwater of Loch Sheol. Here, Carlyle was able to respond quickly by using flatbeds on maglev train lines to move his forces around. <ref name=HTPG11>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 11</ref> <ref name=DH7174>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 71-74</ref> Von Bulow expressly forbade his forces from destroying the train lines, knowing that Free Skye would need them after the planet was taken. <ref name=BH271>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 271</ref> With Legion recon lances providing excellent intelligence, the Gray Death forces were able to surround the DropShip before most of the Free Skye forces even disembarked, forcing them to surrender. <ref name=HTPG11/> <ref name=DH7174/> <ref name=BH273-294>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 273-294</ref> | The next landing came at the backwater of Loch Sheol. Here, Carlyle was able to respond quickly by using flatbeds on maglev train lines to move his forces around. <ref name=HTPG11>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 11</ref> <ref name=DH7174>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 71-74</ref> Von Bulow expressly forbade his forces from destroying the train lines, knowing that Free Skye would need them after the planet was taken. <ref name=BH271>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 271</ref> With Legion recon lances providing excellent intelligence, the Gray Death forces were able to surround the DropShip before most of the Free Skye forces even disembarked, forcing them to surrender. <ref name=HTPG11/> <ref name=DH7174/> <ref name=BH273-294>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 273-294</ref> | ||
| − | Immediately after the failed landing at Loch Sheol, Hauptmann-General Leonidas Brannock commanded the next landing at Coltbridge, where he would engage elements of the Legion under the command of [[Major]] [[Davis McCall]]. <ref name=HTPG7/> <ref name=HTPG12>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 12</ref> <ref name=DH75-78>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 75-78</ref> <ref name=BH301302>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 301-302</ref> Brannock quickly realized that the Legion's lighter 'Mechs could not stand up to the heavy and assault machines of the Skye Guards, and that McCall's own ''[[Highlander]]'' represented the lynchpin of their defense. Charging his command lance forward, Brannock hoped to eliminate or at least neutralize | + | Immediately after the failed landing at Loch Sheol, Hauptmann-General Leonidas Brannock commanded the next landing at Coltbridge, where he would engage elements of the Legion under the command of [[Major]] [[Davis McCall]]. <ref name=HTPG7/> <ref name=HTPG12>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 12</ref> <ref name=DH75-78>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 75-78</ref> <ref name=BH301302>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 301-302</ref> Brannock quickly realized that the Legion's lighter 'Mechs could not stand up to the heavy and assault machines of the Skye Guards, and that McCall's own ''[[Highlander]]'' represented the lynchpin of their defense. Charging his command lance forward, Brannock hoped to eliminate or at least neutralize MCCall long enough to provide his [[Aerospace Fighter]]s with the cover to make a bombing run. <ref name=BH304306>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 304-306</ref> Brannock was able to briefly take McCall out of the fight when a [[laser]] blast struck McCall's cockpit, knocking him unconscious. <ref name=BH310311>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 310-311</ref> [[Davis Carlyle Clay]] managed to prevent Brannock from finishing McCall off, placing himself and his ''[[Griffin]]'' in serious danger. <ref name=BH314>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 314</ref> This not only gave McCall time to recover, but it allowed Alex Carlyle to arrive with the Legions' reinforcements. Believing he had fallen into a trap, Brannock ordered his forces to pull back and regroup before re-engaging. <ref name=BH314316>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' pp. 314-316</ref> The fighting was very heavy with Brannock constantly regrouping his 'mechs and attacking the suddenly resurgent Legionnaires. In the end, it was futile, as Brannock and his troops were forced to withdraw to their DropShips. <ref name=BH323>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 323</ref> Despite being forced to retreat, Brannock had inflicted serious damage on the Legion at Coltbridge, depriving the mercenaries of the strength to fully contest future landings. <ref name=HTPG12/> Nevertheless, Brannock was furious with having been beaten, and it would color his thinking for the rest of the conflict. <ref name=HTPG8/> |
| − | [[File: | + | [[File:Gdlblack.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Gray Death Legion]] - The Skye Guards' target]] |
| − | Meanwhile, an even larger Skye Guard force was attempting a landing near the remote mining town of Halidon. Though a company of Legion 'mechs and supporting units | + | Meanwhile, an even larger Skye Guard force was attempting a landing near the remote mining town of Halidon. Though a company of Legion 'mechs and supporting units attmepted to stop them, the Legion forces were |
| + | driven off. With control of a critical pass in the Monaghan Highlands, the Skye Guards finally had a secure landing zone, and could now bring their full-strength to bare on the mercenaries. <ref name=HTPG13>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 13</ref> <ref name=DH7982>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 79-82</ref> <ref name=BH327>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 327</ref> Brannock would set up his headquarters at Halidon, while the Guards pursued the Legion. <ref name=HTPG14>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 14</ref> The Legion made a stand at Ryco Pass, where they again made the Free Skye forces pay for every inch. Though they drove off their pursuers, losses to the Legion (including Davis Clay) were so heavy that they were forced to begin a campaign of guerilla warfare. <ref name=HTPG14/> <ref name=DH8386>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 83-86</ref> Shortly thereafter, von Bulow transferred his headquarters to the planet's surface. <ref name=HTPG14/> | ||
| − | In late September the Legion's second battalion finally arrived, having made the long journey from [[Borghese]]. Although they lost a ''[[Union]]''-class DropShip and all its BattleMechs while running the Free Skye blockade, [[Major]] [[Hassan Ali Khaled]] and most of his Assassins arrived to reinforce the beleaguered remains of the first battalion. <ref name=HTPG7/> <ref name=DH8789>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 87-89</ref> | + | In late September, the Legion's second battalion finally arrived, having made the long journey from [[Borghese]]. Although they lost a ''[[Union]]''-class DropShip and all its BattleMechs while running the Free Skye blockade, [[Major]] [[Hassan Ali Khaled]] and most of his Assassins arrived to reinforce the beleaguered remains of the first battalion. <ref name=HTPG7/> <ref name=DH8789>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 87-89</ref> Carlye soon deployed Hassan in one of their boldest actions of the campaign in late October, with Hassan acting as a rear guard and drawing the Guards into a trap in Lochaber Forest. Sacrificing a crippled DropShip, the Legion triggered an explosion that took out an entire BattleMech company. <ref name=DH9395>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 93-95</ref> In late November, with the assistance of long-time Legionnaire [[Charles Bear]], the mercenaries ambushed a pursuing column of Skye Guards in Killiecrankie Pass. <ref name=DH9698>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 96-98</ref> This was immediately followed by a strike against a second column at Inverurie that gave the Legion all the breathing room it needed. <ref name=HTPG14>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 14</ref> <ref name=DH99102>''Day of Heroes'' pp. 99-102</ref> Although the Skye Guards still controlled the capital city of Dunkeld and other areas, they no longer had the forces needed to pursue the Legion into the Glencoe Highlands. <ref name=HTPG14/> |
| − | For nearly the entire campaign, von Bulow continued to send [[JumpShip]]s back to Skye, requesting reinforcements. When additional forces were not provided, his frustration grew, and he often took it out on his subordinates, including General Brannock. This added pressure had a serious effect on the morale of the Skye Guards' officers. <ref name=HTPG14/> <ref name=HTPG8/> | + | For nearly the entire campaign, von Bulow continued to send [[JumpShip]]s back to Skye, requesting reinforcements. When additional forces were not provided, his frustration grew, and he often took it out on his |
| + | subordinates, including General Brannock. This added pressure had a serious effect on the morale of the Skye Guards' officers. <ref name=HTPG14/> <ref name=HTPG8/> | ||
On November 30, a flotilla of JumpShips emerged at Glengarry's jump point. Von Bulow initially believed relief from Skye had finally arrived, only to find that Colonel Grayson Carlyle had at last returned with several regiments of the [[Northwind Highlanders]] as a relief force. Exhausted and facing overwhelming opposition with no support, the Free Skye forces quickly folded. <ref name=HTPG14/> <ref name=HTPG7/> <ref name=DH99>''Day of Heroes'' p. 99</ref> With the failure of the attack on Glengarry and the assassination of Ryan Steiner on [[Solaris]], the rebellion quickly lost momentum. [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]] was able to broker a peace, and Richard Steiner was reassigned. <ref name=SS42>''Shattered Sphere'' p. 42</ref> The Tenth Skye Rangers were eventually rebuilt as a [[Lyran Alliance]] "sink" unit for malcontents and incompetent officers. <ref name=FMLA99>''Field Manual: Lyran Alliance'' p. 99</ref> | On November 30, a flotilla of JumpShips emerged at Glengarry's jump point. Von Bulow initially believed relief from Skye had finally arrived, only to find that Colonel Grayson Carlyle had at last returned with several regiments of the [[Northwind Highlanders]] as a relief force. Exhausted and facing overwhelming opposition with no support, the Free Skye forces quickly folded. <ref name=HTPG14/> <ref name=HTPG7/> <ref name=DH99>''Day of Heroes'' p. 99</ref> With the failure of the attack on Glengarry and the assassination of Ryan Steiner on [[Solaris]], the rebellion quickly lost momentum. [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]] was able to broker a peace, and Richard Steiner was reassigned. <ref name=SS42>''Shattered Sphere'' p. 42</ref> The Tenth Skye Rangers were eventually rebuilt as a [[Lyran Alliance]] "sink" unit for malcontents and incompetent officers. <ref name=FMLA99>''Field Manual: Lyran Alliance'' p. 99</ref> | ||
==Officers== | ==Officers== | ||
| − | + | Hauptmann-General Leonidas Brannock was the Fourth Skye Guards' commanding officer, though Kommandant-General Wilhelm von Bulow had overall command of the operation. <ref name=HTPG8/> Von Bulow often personally transmitted orders to the Guards' units during the campaign, as opposed to following a strict chain of command. | |
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==Composition History== | ==Composition History== | ||
| − | The Fourth Skye Guards were composed of a single BattleMech regiment, with 'Mechs, officers and warriors drawn primarily from the Tenth Skye Rangers, and an unknown number of conventional regiments drawn primarily from the Fourth Skye Rangers. <ref name=DH64/> Although both of its "parent units" were highly regarded for their ability at the time, the rushed reorganization of the units seemed to reduce their overall ability somewhat in the short term, as they were only given a regular unit rating at the time of the Glengarry campaign. <ref name=HTPG8/> The Fourth Skye Guards' equipment was top-rate, however, and featured examples | + | The Fourth Skye Guards were composed of a single BattleMech regiment, with 'Mechs, officers and warriors drawn primarily from the Tenth Skye Rangers, and an unknown number of conventional regiments drawn primarily from the Fourth Skye Rangers. <ref name=DH64/> Although both of its "parent units" were highly regarded for their ability at the time, the rushed reorganization of the units seemed to reduce their overall ability somewhat in the short-term, as they were only given a regular unit rating at the time of the Glengarry campaign. <ref name=HTPG8/> The Fourth Skye Guards' equipment was top-rate, however, and featured examples |
of some of some of the newest BattleMechs in production by the Federated Commonwealth at the time. <ref name=HTPG6>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 6</ref> Their attached Aerospace assets included the First New Glasgow Aerospace Squadron. <ref name=BH80>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 80</ref> | of some of some of the newest BattleMechs in production by the Federated Commonwealth at the time. <ref name=HTPG6>''Historical Turning Points: Glengarry'' p. 6</ref> Their attached Aerospace assets included the First New Glasgow Aerospace Squadron. <ref name=BH80>''Blood of Heroes (novel)'' p. 80</ref> | ||
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==Bibliography== | ==Bibliography== | ||
| − | * ''[[Blood of Heroes]] | + | * ''[[Blood of Heroes]] (novel)'' |
* ''[[Day of Heroes]]'' | * ''[[Day of Heroes]]'' | ||
* ''[[Field Manual: Lyran Alliance]]'' | * ''[[Field Manual: Lyran Alliance]]'' | ||
* ''[[Historical Turning Points: Glengarry]]'' | * ''[[Historical Turning Points: Glengarry]]'' | ||
* ''[[Shattered Sphere]]'' | * ''[[Shattered Sphere]]'' | ||
| − | * ''[[Tactics of Duty]] | + | * ''[[Tactics of Duty]] (novel)'' |
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[[Category:Lyran Commands|Skye Guard, 04]] | [[Category:Lyran Commands|Skye Guard, 04]] | ||