7th Crucis Lancers

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History

Formation

The Seventh Crucis Lancers began in 2784, when the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns recruited a battalion of troops from the 142nd Battle Regiment,[1] one of the regiments within the 251st BattleMech Division,[2] itself a part of XIV Corps[3] in the Fourteenth Army.[1][3]

First Succession War

By 2797 the Goderich system, which had been conquered in the second wave of the massive invasion of the Federated Suns by the Draconis Combine, was back under Federated Suns control and was home to the remains of three regiments who had withdrawn from Kentares or systems nearby: the Third Deneb Light Cavalry, the Seventh Crucis Lancers and the Twentieth Syrtis Fusiliers. When word reached Goderich of the massacre being conducted on Kentares IV by Coordinator Jinjiro Kurita, the three regiments became the first Armed Forces of the Federated Suns units to break ranks and launch furious, vengeance-driven attacks against nearby Combine forces, beginning in October 2797. Other units were soon doing the same, and by November the vengeful AFFS units had broken through the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery defenses on both Logandale and Marlette, returning both systems to Federated Suns control. This was the beginning of a resurgence across the AFFS that would eventually lead to the Combine invasion being turned back, and the majority of the conquered Federation worlds being liberated.[4]

Third Succession War

In 2900, Martin Kane-Logan, a descendant of one of the survivors from Kentares IV, was given command of the Seventh. By 2922 the unit was increased to the size of a brigade. Ineffective leadership by Randolph Kane-Logan forced the unit to be reduced to regiment size.[5]

In 3001 the 7th Crucis Lancers were stationed on Lincoln and had to withdraw from an attack by Warrior House Imarra and Warrior House Lu Sann. This embarrassing defeat was later blamed on Duke Michael Hasek-Davion's treacherous machinations that hampered the Lancers.[6] In both this battle and a 3010 battle on Moore the Lancers were noted to have made extensive use of Shadow Hawks.[7]

In 3027, the Lancers saw action on the Combine world of Misery, fighting Wolf's Dragoons. [8]

Fourth Succession War

In the Fourth Succession War the Seventh Crucis Lancers attacked Tikonov with the other Crucis Lancer RCTs. There they fought elements of Hamilton's Highlanders.[9] After that attack, they moved on to take Menkib and Foochow.[10] The fifth wave of AFFS invasion into the Capellan Confederation saw the Seventh Crucis Lancers attacking New Macao[11], and in the sixth wave of attacks they secured the Matsu system for the Federated Suns.[12]

War of 3039

The Seventh Crucis Lancers and the Second New Ivaarsen Chasseurs were assigned to take the world of Klathandu IV. The population of Klathandu had waited a long time for an invasion by Federated Suns forces, and welcomed the Seventh and Second with open arms. The units departed their DropShips to gain some shore leave and facilitate the move of Klathandu into the Suns.[13]

Preparing for the Combine counterattack turned the people of Klathandu from loyal subjects to neutral parties. They weren't happy that their world could become a battleground.[14] The Combine sent a strike force consisting of the Third Benjamin Regulars and the Second Galedon Regulars to bring Klathandu back into the Dragon's talons. The DCMS forces quickly drove two battalions of the Lancers out of a city and began to slowly but surely destroy Federated forces.[15] After watching the DCMS troops for two weeks, the Seventh attacked the flanks of the Combine force with two brigades of troops. Shocked by their appearance, the Combine troops had to withdraw. With no Federated reinforcements coming, and a lack of orders from the High Command, the Seventh's commander maintained a defensive approach to the fighting. This allowed the Seventh to use the terrain and the Combine warriors' impatience against their enemies. This worked well, as the Combine warriors began making suicidal charges against the Lancer positions. Though this inflicted losses on the Crucis Lancers, it nearly destroyed the Combine units. Of the original two 'Mech and six conventional regiments the Combine sent, by October there were only nine mixed battalions (barely three regiments). After reducing the Combine forces to approximately two regiments, the Seventh received a Black box transmission ordering them off Klathandu. Though stunned, the Lancers left Klathandu IV in the Combine's hands.[16]

After their withdrawal from Combine space the Seventh went to Xhosa VII to attack Ryuken-go and the Kanrei, who was personally leading the raid on the world. The Seventh slammed into two battalions of the Ryuken regiment, and less than an hour later the Combine troops were withdrawing under heavy fire. They left a company of 'Mechs behind.[17] This was small comfort to the AFFS however as the Ryuken had captured thousands of tons of supplies originally slated for the Davion Light Guards and other Federated Suns units.[18]

Clan Invasion

At the start of the Clan Invasion the Seventh lacked transport assets, and so didn't see any action against the Clans.[19]

Operation Bulldog

The Seventh Crucis Lancers did not participate in Operation Bulldog.[20]

Operation Guerrero

In 3058 the LAAF reassigned transports to the Seventh and they began running a series of exercises on the Periphery worlds near their baseworld of Winter. During this time the Seventh would break into smaller units and practice defending multiple worlds. In 3060, the infantry and armor brigades went to the uninhabited Periphery system of Savarin 223-74 for exercises. After missing their check-in deadline, the Seventh's commander sent his 'Mech regiment to investigate. No trace of the detachment was found in the system, and after a year of searching the LAAF called off the search. This event cost the unit four JumpShips, sixteen DropShips, and approximately 11,000 soldiers.[19]

Civil War

During the FedCom Civil War the Seventh Crucis Lancers operated as three smaller units rather than a complete RCT. On Inarcs elements of the Seventh Lancers faced off against the Ninth Lyran Regulars. After Lancer AeroSpace units destroyed a Union DropShip, the Regulars landed. The Regulars' First Battalion was hit by Lancer armor and infantry as soon as they landed. The Lancers killed the Regulars battalion commander, throwing the unit into chaos. The Regulars couldn't recover and the Lancers forced them to move to their emergency rendezvous point. The Second Battalion of the Ninth Lyran Regulars withdrew to the rendezvous point after losing a company of 'Mechs to artillery and vehicle strikes. The Regulars' Third Battalion lost another company of 'Mechs to the Lancers' BattleMech battalion. The Lancer units harassed the Regulars as they were withdrawing to the rendezvous point, forcing the Regulars to lose more units. When the Ninth Lyran Regulars left Inarcs they only had a reinforced battalion of troops.[21][22] Several weeks later the Lancers were attacked by the complete Neerabup MTM. After six weeks of resistance and severely damaging the Blackstone BattleMechs Limited plants the 7th Crucis Lancers surrendered to the Lyran unit.[23]

Another third of the Seventh Crucis Lancers faced the Royal New Capetown Training Battalion and the Eleventh Arcturan Guards on Coventry. This detachment of the Seventh Crucis Lancers was flying the colors of the Thirty-ninth Avalon Hussars to confuse LIC. The Lancers quickly destroyed the Royal New Capetown Training Battalion and forced the Eleventh Arcturan Guards onto the defensive. The Seventh mauled the 11th, overrunning the Lyran unit when they tried to withdraw from Coventry. The Lyrans reduced the Lancer unit to a battalion of armor, two companies of 'Mechs, and a battalion of infantry.[citation needed]

The remaining third of the Seventh Crucis Lancers attacked the Turkina Eyrie Cluster on Chapultepec, forcing three trinaries of Clan warriors off the world.[24]

As they were missing several brigades of troops, the Seventh took up rear guard duties rather than engaging in direct combat. They rebuilt themselves up to Regimental Combat team strength by adding several free regiments of infantry and armor. After the FedCom Civil War these regiments were permanently assigned to the Seventh Crucis Lancers.[25] After relocating back to the Federated Suns from the Lyran Alliance the Seventh was assigned a new homeworld Defiance.[26]

Jihad

The AFFS High Command detached the Fox's Teeth company from the Seventh in 3069. They raided the Blakist held world of Demeter, maneuvering the Call of the Faithful III-Delta unit into an ambush featuring Hauberk battlesuits.[27] In 3076 the Seventh Crucis Lancers were part of a Coalition raid on New Earth. Though they were attacked by two Blakist Divisions, those units were mostly armor and infantry supported by a few light 'Mechs. The Seventh was able to withdraw under cover of AeroSpace Fighter and artillery attacks on the Blakists.[28]

After the destruction of the 3rd Crucis Lancers' Mech unit, the conventional forces were reassigned to the Seventh and 2nd Crucis Lancers to replace combat losses. They also absorbed the survivors of the 6th Crucis Lancers.[29] Though this increased their numbers significantly, many of the survivors of the Sixth Crucis Lancers suffered from "survivor's guilt". This led to a drop in overall morale in the Seventh. Several members of the former Sixth Lancers committed suicide due to their guilt, which led to further morale problems.[30]

In 3085 medical tests showed that many of the survivors of the Galax assault were not only dealing with psychological issues, but medical ones as well. The "Galax Syndrome" apparently consists of secondary effects of the Galax plague. Though most of the former Sixth Lancers have retired or left the service for medical reasons, there are still some that continue to serve. Seeing these Lancers suffer affects morale, as has the loss of McKinnon's Raiders to The Republic of the Sphere.[31]

Dark Age

The Seventh Crucis Lancers were one of the units destroyed on Palmyra during the Draconis Combine's invasion of the Federated Suns. Despite this, survivors of the Seventh acted as a resistance force against the DCMS forces on world.[32]

Officers

Early in her career, Sandra Barclay served briefly with the Seventh before moving on to join the Eridani Light Horse.[33] She would eventually go on to command the prestigious mercenary brigade.

Tactics

The Seventh specializes in living up to their motto "Anything, Anywhere, Any Time" by focusing on conducting hard-hitting attacks.[19]

Composition History

2786

Seventh Crucis Lancers (Green/Questionable)[39]

- At this point in time the Seventh was a heavy-weight regiment operating at full strength and was stationed on Broken Wheel.[39]

2821

Seventh Crucis Lancers (Green/Questionable)[39]

- At this point in time the Seventh was a heavy-weight regiment operating at just over one-third of full strength, and was stationed on Doneval II.[39]

3025

Seventh Crucis Lancers RCT (Elite/Fanatical)[34]

  • CO: Marshal Robert Steadman

3040

Seventh Crucis Lancers RCT (Elite/Fanatical)[40]

3050-3054

Seventh Crucis Lancers RCT (Elite/Fanatical)[36][37]

  • CO: Hauptmann General Jasper Zibler

3062

Seventh Crucis Lancers (1 Reinforced Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[19]

  • CO: Leutnant-General Jasper Zibler

- Best equipped, but only have a handful of OmniMechs

Seventh Crucis Lancers Armor Brigade (1 Regiment/Elite/Reliable)[19]

  • CO: Leutnant-Colonel Sutton Scott Briggs
  • Twentieth Crucis Lancers Armored Regiment - Leutnant-Colonel: Sutton Scott Briggs
  • Seventh Crucis Lancers Artillery Battalion - Kommandant: Lila Dahar

405th Federation Interceptor Wing (1 Wing/Veteran/Fanatical)[19]

  • CO: Kommandant Sammy "The Slugger" Dahlke

- Reinforced to 4 Squadrons

3067

Seventh Crucis Lancers (Elite/Fanatical)[26]

  • CO: General Jacob Hasek

Seventh Crucis Lancers Aerospace Brigade (Elite/Fanatical)[26]

Seventh Crucis Lancers Armor Brigade (Regular/Reliable)[26]

  • CO: Leftenant General Dimitrios Furchini

Seventh Crucis Lancers Infantry Brigade (Regular/Reliable)[26]

  • CO: Major General Tal Le Frere

3079

After the Jihad the Seventh Crucis Lancers was at 70% of their pre-Jihad strength, making them the most well-equipped Crucis Lancer unit.[30]

3085

Seventh Crucis Lancers RCT (Elite/Questionable)[38]

  • CO: Admiral Sammy Dahike

Seventh Crucis Lancers Aerospace Brigade (Green/Reliable)[38]

  • CO: Colonel Mihovil Sinasohn

Seventh Crucis Lancers Armor Brigade (Regular/Reliable)[38]

  • CO: Major General Marius Dimov

Seventh Crucis Lancers Infantry Brigade (Green/Reliable)[38]

  • CO: Major General Anil Switzer

Notes

  • The motto of the 7th Crucis Lancers is "Anything, Anywhere, Any Time".
  • The parade colors of the unit are Davion green with red and blue highlights.[19]
  • The famous "Fox's Teeth" company was a part of this unit.
  • The first edition of BattleForce stated that the Seventh Crucis Lancers was formed in 2795 on Winter, from Star League loyalists and semi-independent units affiliated with the Federated Suns; that their first mission was the defense of Kentares IV from the Draconis Combine, triggering what would become known as the Kentares Massacre. Survivors of the onslaught continued to perform guerrilla actions against the 2nd Sword of Light. Only two companies remained by the time the planet was liberated, McKinnon's Company and Kane's Company. The Seventh Crucis Lancers was kept on AFFS rosters as a memorial. The unit was reactivated during the Second Succession War, but was again effectively destroyed after one mission in Kurita space.[5] This has been superceded by First Succession War, which has differing origins for the Seventh, removing the question of why an AFFS unit would have formed up on a planet in the periphery regions of the Lyran Commonwealth during the First Succession War.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 First Succession War, p. 33, "Those Left Behind"
  2. Starterbook: Sword and Dragon, p. 15
  3. 3.0 3.1 The Star League, p. 147, "Fourteenth"
  4. First Succession War, p. 88, "United In Rage"
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Battleforce , p. 68
  6. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 93; Handbook: House Davion, p. 68
  7. Technical Readout: 3025, p. 66 (Shadow Hawk entry, Battle History section)
  8. Wolves on the Border, p. 189
  9. The Fourth Succession War Scenarios Volume One, pp. 14-15
  10. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 11
  11. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2, p. 38
  12. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2, p. 51
  13. Historical: War of 3039, p. 42
  14. Historical: War of 3039, p. 90
  15. Historical: War of 3039, p. 91
  16. Historical: War of 3039, p. 92
  17. Historical: War of 3039, p. 121
  18. Historical: War of 3039, p. 121
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 19.6 19.7 Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 73, "7th Crucis Lancers Unit Profile"
  20. not listed in The Dragon Roars, pp. 10-13
  21. FedCom Civil War (sourcebook), p. 87
  22. FedCom Civil War (sourcebook), p. 129
  23. FedCom Civil War (sourcebook), p. 148
  24. FedCom Civil War (sourcebook), p. 114
  25. Field Manual: Updates, p. 128
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 26.5 Field Manual: Updates, p. 139, "AFFS Deployment Table - 3067"
  27. Jihad Hot Spots: 3070, p. 74, "Fox's Teeth Still Sharp"
  28. Jihad Hot Spots: 3076, pp. 82-83 "The New Earth Raid"
  29. Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers, p. 46
  30. 30.0 30.1 Field Report: AFFS, p. 11
  31. Field Manual: 3085, p. 59
  32. Technical Readout: 3145 Federated Suns, p. 6
  33. The Battle of Coventry (scenario pack) p. 39
  34. 34.0 34.1 House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 137 (pdf version), "Alcyone PDZ"
  35. Historical: War of 3039, p. 42
  36. 36.0 36.1 20 Year Update, p. 28, "AFFC Deployment Table - 3050"
  37. 37.0 37.1 Objective Raids, p. 21, "AFFC Deployment Table - 3054"
  38. 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 38.4 Field Manual: 3085, p. 73, "AFFS Deployment Table - 3085"
  39. 39.0 39.1 39.2 39.3 First Succession War, p. 134, "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns (AFFS)"
  40. Historical: War of 3039 , p. 136

Bibliography