Grave Walkers

Template:InfoBoxMercUnit

History

While not as famed as units like the Eridani Light Horse, the Grave Walkers have a solid reputation which has lasted for centuries. Throughout their long and glorious career the Walkers have fought for and against every major House.

Fourth Succession War

The Lyran Commonwealth did not deploy the unit in their Fourth Succession War military operation Operation Gotterdammerung. However, they did transfer Walker's 2nd BattleMech regiment to Apollo to garrison that world from pirate attack.[1]

During the Draconis Combine's counterattack into the Tamar Pact the First and Second Grave Walkers were routed to Tamar. There they faced the 13th Rasalhague Regulars. After some minor confusion, the Grave Walkers were able to counter the Regular's assault on the world. The Walkers offered the Regulars a chance to surrender, but the Kuritan unit fought until it was destroyed.[2]

The War of 3039

The 1st Grave Walker regiment was assigned by the Commonwealth to Task Force Blizzard the War of 3039 against Draconis Combine. The Task force included such merc unit as the Snord's Irregulars and the 17th Recon Regiment (also known as the Camacho’s Caballeros). The Task Force Blizzard was assigned as part of the invasion of Vega with another house unit filled Task Force in April of 3039. The Walkers & Caballeros first took Vegan spaceport of Nasew. After securing Nasew, they moved to counter any Kurita units attempting retake Nasew. Kurita's 5th Amphigean Light Assault Group had dispatched probing attacks which were repelled. However, 5th Amphigean's 3rd Battalion proved to be worthy opponent. The Walker's allies, The Snord's Irregulars, utilized lost-tech stockpile of Arrow IV artillery missiles to flush out the 5th and make them quit the planet.

During this time, the 14th Legion of Vega had been held up at Vega's capital city of Neuascon. The allies house units, 3rd Lyran & 3rd Davion Guards had been laid seized to the Vegan regiment. After forcing the 5th Amphigean to abandon the planet, Grave Walkers were transferred with rest of the Blizzard Task force to reinforce seize of Neuascon. Their arrival forced the decision of 14th Legion's commander to abandon the planet to FedCom forces by June 21st.

However, in mid-July, the 14th Legion of Vega and 2nd Dieron Regulars had return to the planet. Assassins had injured campaign leader General Nondi Steiner, placing command of the entire Vegan campaign to old school commander, Hauptmann-General Kathleen Heany. Her out of date tactics were no match for 2nd Dieron's commander who utilizing Theodore Kurita's new thinking of fighting. The 2nd Dieron had nearly entered the Neuascon, when the Grave Walkers arrived reinforce Lyran defenders. Heany's bad command style & disastrous events lead to the Grave Walkers abandoning Vega in early August. Hauptmann-General Heany had laid blame on Walkers and the Irregulars, but were exonerated by the MRBC for any wrong doing.[3]

Clan Invasion of 3050

During the opening of the Clan Invasion, the Walkers faced their darkest hour.

First Regiment's Battle for Bone-Norman

In March 3050, the 1st Regiment of the Grave Walkers under the command of Colonel Dennis Merwin received satellite reports of Clan Jade Falcons' dropship approaching in small numbers to planet. Seeing this as sign of weakness, had his forces in attack Falcons as they hot dropped onto Bone-Norman's Red Stone Palace. The Walker were able to beat of the attack, however shortly after reinforcement came in changed the tie of battle against them.[4]

Second Regiment's Battle for Apollo

The Grave Walker's 2nd Regiment was lost in May, against Jade Falcons' Turkina Keshik & Gamma Galaxy on Apollo. The 2nd Regiment held out as long it could in planet's ancient fortification, until they were forced to surrender.[5]

Aftermath of Clan Invasion

Reduced to a battalion from a former command of over 2 regiments plus supporting elements, the invasion left the mercenary unit shattered. The Walkers began to rebuild to regimental strength with battlefield salvage and the integration of new members during the 3050s, but their demons from the past came back to haunt them.

Jade Falcon Incursion of 3064

In 3064 they faced off against the Jade Falcons again, and history repeated itself. After being severely mauled on Kooken's Pleasure Pit. The unit faced Khan Marthe Pryde with her Turkina Keshik & 3rd Falcon Swoop Cluster. In hour of fighting, the unit lost entire Battalion of forces. Colonel Kirah managed win a personal trial of possesion for the right of to invoke hegira, withdrawing from the planet.[6] The managed to withdraw to Babaeski where the command was reduced to a mere shadow of its former self.

While the roots of the unit were lost during the Clan Invasion and the Jade Falcon Incursion into Lyran space, the Grave Walkers are once again in the process of rebuilding their command.

The unit was reduced to several BattleMechs in reinforced lance which included two Clan BattleMechs. Its vehicle support unit known as the Grave Walkers Minelayers, now consisting of only Jeeps and Flatbed trucks with LRM launchers used to dispurse minefields.[7]

Insurrection and Resurrection

The unit reputation had suffered since the Falcon Incursion, its commander Lt. Colonel Tevdt had become drunkard due to his nervous breakdowns. In 3068, was the last straw for Walker's members when Tevdt signed a raid contract with Blackstone BattleMechs Limited to raid Falcons' capital world of Sudeten. The unit rebelled and removed Tevdt from command and brought its only ranking officer left into command, now Captain Robert Prather of the Grave Walker Minelayers.

At urging of his men, Prather petitioned Lt. Colonel Daniel Allard of the Kell Hounds to allow his unit to disband and join the ranks of Hounds. However, Allard refused on grounds there were others units on a waiting join the Hounds. Instead he offered the retainer contract to him, to augment Arc-Royal defenses, which Prather accepted.

In 3069, events of the Jihad had changed things on Arc-Royal. The Falcons newest incursion, had claimed Allard's life. This left Lt. Colonel Akira Brahe, whom found he needed to increase speed of training and recruitment among his forces. So, he offered Grave Walkers a new deal; Become a training cadre for incoming mercenary recruits for hounds, the Walkers would get retain number of recruits while the Hounds took on the best. This deal was acceptable to Walker, however older members of the unit did not like the idea of being simply a training unit. The unit expanded during this time into two Combined-Arms Battalions, which highly successful in its role. Unfortunately, many of veterans recruits who joined Walkers had been suffering from post-traumatic stress. Though unstable in combat, the new members were too experienced to dispense with in their new role as trainers. Success of Walkers in their new role, lead to the unit being employed by House Steiner to train LAAF recruits by 3071.[8]

Post-Jihad Era

Having survived the Jihad, it was reported by intelligence services working for the Republic of the Sphere that the Grave Walkers had been discussing forming a part of the Kell Hounds in 3079. This was considered somewhat remarkable, given that the Grave Walkers and the Kell Hounds were mustering approximately the same troop strength as each other at this point.[9]

Officers

3025-3050

As of 3025, the unit was commanded by Colonel Dennis Merwin. His brother, Lt. Colonel Jason Merwin commended the unit's Second Regiment. Until Colonel's death at the Clans's hands in 3050. Jason handed command over to Major Ahruu Kirah.

3064

Colonel Ahruu Kirah - The heavy losses have taken their toll on the commanding officer of the Grave Walkers. Having suffered several nervous breakdowns, the Walker XO, Lt. Colonel Tevdt, has begun to drink heavily. Walker then after Colonel Kirah's death took over the command by 3065.

3068

As of 3068, command of the Grave Walkers was turned over to Lt. Robert Prather, who was last ranking officer remaining in unit at the time. He become Major by 3071 when the unit expanded into two Battalions.

Tactics

3067

The use of Thunder LRM munitions to slow down their opponent and concentrated fire has served the Walkers well in the past and they continue to practice these tactics.

Support

3067

The Grave Walker's support assets are get shorter with the time through loan to other units (their soldiers and techs are on stand-by in most cases).

Dragoon Ratings

3067-3071

Dragoon Rating: C

Unit Colors & Insignia

The Grave Walkers use forest green with sea green highlights to paint elements. The unit's insignia is a skull on a tombstone.

Composition History

3025

Grave Walkers (2 regiments/Regular/Reliable)

Contract:LCAF [10]
  • CO: Colonel Dennis Merwin
Note - In 3025, bolstered large quanity of Heavy Class BattleMechs, Combat Vehicle & Infantry Support forces supplimentally Regiments with DropShip support transport all units. The Walkers were in good financial shape with Regular experience for its troops. By 3050, these troops had become veterans by the time Clans Invaded.

3040

1st Grave Walkers (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[11]
2nd Grave Walkers (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[11]

3054

The Grave Walkers (Regular/Reliable)[12]

  • CO: Colonel Jason Merwin [12]

3062

  • The Grave Walkers (BattleMech Regiment)
  • CO: Colonel Ahruu Kirah

3067

The Grave Walkers(1 Reinforced Lance/Veteran/Questionable)

- Only 7 'Mechs are operational after clashing with the Falcons.

Grave Walker Minelayers (1 Company/Green/Questionable)

- This unit is compromised entirely of refitted non-combat vehicles.

3071

Grave Walkers 2 (Combined-Arms Battalions)

Notes

No detail information of the make up/Composition of a Combined-Arms Battalions has been listed in the Supplement Update.

A member of the Grave Walkers, one Lieutenant Lance T. Vedten, was quoted in 2865 as saying:[13]

“ Ever notice that every textbook you can probably name uses war to gauge historical progress? Even the maps have started to date themselves by the most recent fighting. That’s saying something right there. ”
  — Lieutenant Lance T. Vedten

The name Lance T. Vedten may be a homage or reference to Øystein Tvedten, a BattleTech Line Developer and source for some or all of the maps produced for BattleTech under the Catalyst Game Labs and Topps labels.

Game Notes

3067-3071 Abilities

The unit has C grade equipment rating, its Force Specific Rules abilities are; They can deploy minefield of any type on the map prior to start of a game if they are the defender and if scenario allows mines. The player commanding the Walkers may not deploy no more than two mine field per each Walker unit on the field. Maximum number of mines allowed on the field is 16.[14]

References

  1. ↑ NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 45 - Unit did not partipate in war, but 2nd Regiment was transferred to Apollo.
  2. ↑ NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2, p. 67
  3. ↑ Historical: War of 3039 pp. 32, 77-78 - Vega - The Grave Walker's 1st Regiments exploits during the War of 3039.
  4. ↑ Jade Falcon Sourcebook p. 36 - Bone Norman - March 3050 - 1st Grave Walker Regiment's battle for Bone-Norman.
  5. ↑ Jade Falcon Sourcebook p. 27 - Second Wave: Falcon Strikes - 2nd Grave Walker's plight against the Falcons'.
  6. ↑ FedCom Civil War (sourcebook), pp. 115-116 - Falcon Incursion - Jade Falcons take Kooken's Pleasure Pit from Lyrans.
  7. ↑ Mercenaries Supplemental p. 32 - Unit history and situation in 3067.
  8. ↑ Mercenaries Supplemental Update p. 57 - Grave Walkers' early years in the Jihad, in its new role as training unit on Arc-Royal.
  9. ↑ Field Report: LAAF, p. 18, "Irregular Forces"
  10. ↑ House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth),p.120
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Historical: War of 3039 , p. 140
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Objective Raids, p. 23
  13. ↑ Handbook: House Steiner, p. 45, "Third Succession War (2866-3025)"
  14. ↑ Mercenaries Supplemental - FORCE-SPECIFIC RULES - Grave Walkers scenario abilities, skills and equipment rating.
  • Mercenaries Supplemental, p. 32 - "Unit Profile"
  • Mercenaries Supplemental Update, p. 57 - Unit Profile

Bibliography

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