Beta Galaxy (Clan Smoke Jaguar)

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Overview

Beta Galaxy was a front line military formation of Clan Smoke Jaguar.

History

Operation Revival

Beta Galaxy Units fought on the following worlds during Operation Revival, the invasion of the Inner Sphere:

The Periphery

Wave One

In the aftermath of the attack on Turtle Bay, and the failure of the 3rd Attack Cluster to hold the city Galaxy Commander Perez ordered the Galaxy’s warships to destroy Edo City, after this event Dietr Osis challenged for and won the right to command Beta Galaxy.[1]

Wave Two

Wave Three

Wave Four

Wolcott was a humiliating defeat leading to Galaxy Commander Dietr Osis being executed for gross incompetence,[2] after which the Galaxy was led by Sarah Weaver demoted to this position by the machination of Kincaid Furey.[3]

Wave Five

Tukayyid

The Galaxy was led by saKhan Sarah Weaver during the Battle of Tukayyid. Beta was assigned the secondary target city of Port Racice. Staging a combat drop into the marshes of the Racice River Delta leading to the city, the divisions of the Com Guards veteran 5th Army used the advantages offered by the terrain and well-placed artillery fire to herd Beta Galaxy deeper into the treacherous marshes. Hit-and-run attacks by the 367th, 401st, and 207th Divisions drove the Jaguars further and further into the delta, slowing Beta's pace and giving the dug-in Com Guard units amply ambush opportunities while at the same time negating the Clans advantages of weapons range and superior heat sink technology. Luring the Jaguars deeper and deeper into the marshes, the 207th Division eventually succeeded in surrounding Beta Galaxy's Command Star, killing saKhan Weaver.

With the death of Weaver shortly after Khan Lincoln Osis's apparent demise during Alpha Galaxy's push to the Dinju Heights, ilKhan Ulric Kerensky was forced to terminate the Jaguar campaign, the demoralized Beta Galaxy dutifully obeyed and withdrew to their DropShips. [4] [5] [6] [7]

Post Tukayyid

Galaxy Commander Mikhail Ward

The Galaxy settled into a garrison position on the occupied worlds of Avon, Schuyler, Caripare, Kiamba and Teniente. [8] The Galaxy built one of its main bases on Teniente that accommodated the 267th Battle Cluster, which engaged targets of opportunity on Pesht and Irece. [9] This base was a short lived outpost on an otherwise Clan Nova Cat held world.

Operation Bulldog

At the time of Operation Bulldog, Beta's commander Mikhail Ward was the in-theatre commander of the entire Jaguar touman. He and his Galaxy was gearing up for the renewal of the invasion of the Inner Sphere. The first wave of the assault caught the Jaguar's off-guard and the 362nd Assault Cluster was easily destroyed on Kiamba.[10] As events unfolded the two Guards Clusters fought defensive actions during the second wave before withdrawing to shore up the Jaguar position. This strategy did not please Khan Osis and Ward was relieved of theatre command by August 3059. The 267th Battle Cluster was ordered to join Hang Mehta's force for a quick organised counter-attack. Ward did not send the entire Cluster, although it was accompanied by Beta's entire naval assets. As the counter offensive faltered the third wave was unleashed the Second Jaguar Guards were forced to retreat from Schuyler, however Ward and the remaining warriors of the Galaxy were trapped without JumpShips on Outer Volta and wiped out after bitter and protracted fighting.[11][12] Elements of the Second Guards and the 267th Battle Cluster retreated with Hang Mehta to Huntress, where the last warriors of Beta Galaxy fell in battle.[13]

Wave One

Wave Two

Counter Attack

Wave Three

Officers

Mikhail Ward was a Star Captain in the 1st Jaguar Guards on Tukayyid and was not promoted to Star Colonel until after that battle, and Galaxy commander until 3054 [14] however Ward is also reported as holding the rank of Galaxy Commander at the time of the Battle of Luthien. [15]

Tactics

Composition History

3049-3052

3053-3059

  • Swath Keshik
  • 1st Jaguar Guards
  • 2nd Jaguar Guards
  • 267th Battle Cluster
  • 362nd Assault Cluster

Galaxy Naval Assets

Notes

  • Beta Galaxy was effectively destroyed during Operation Bulldog, however elements formed part of Hang Mehta's forces on Huntress in 3060. [16]
  • The 3rd Attack Cluster is credited with being part of beta Galaxy during the attack in Turtle Bay.
  • Elements of the Galaxy are portrayed in the computer game MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries during the Walcott Campaign
  • Beta Galaxy deployed to Luthien in 3052,[17] however the listing for this battle in the Luthien (scenario pack) lists them as the 44th Jaguar Attack Galaxy and comprising of the: [18]

The association as the 44th Jaguar Attack Galaxy is due to it placement second in the list of three Smoke Jaguar Galaxies listed, the commander is listed a Mikhail Ward[19] and the inclusion of the 225th Jaguar Battle Cluster previously identified as belonging to Beta Galaxy.[20]

References

  1. Invading Clans, p. 58
  2. Lethal Heritage
  3. Era Report: 3052, p. 90
  4. Tukayyid, pp. 29-38 "Campaign: Clan Smoke Jaguar"
  5. ComStar, pp. 69-70 "Battle of Tukayyid - Ace in the Hole"
  6. Wolf Clan, p. 47 "Days of Armageddon - Smoke Jaguar"
  7. Invading Clans, pp. 61-62 "Tukayyid: The Crucible"
  8. 'Objective Raids, p. 34
  9. 'Objective Raids, p. 65
  10. The Dragon Roars, p. 10-11, 15
  11. The Dragon Roar, p. 46, 58-9
  12. Field Manual: ComStar, p. 41
  13. Era Report: 3062, p.62
  14. The Dragon Roars, p. 65
  15. Luthien, p. 27
  16. Shadows of War, p.52
  17. Invading Clans, p. 68
  18. Luthien, p. 27
  19. Luthien, p. 20-27
  20. Invading Clans, p. 64

Bibliography