Operation GUERRERO

Cleanup tagged articles without a reason field Operation Guerrero was a short conflict between the Federated Commonwealth, the Free Worlds League, and the Capellan Confederation. Despite lasting only three months (September 3057 - December 3057), the conflict set the stage for serious repercussions over the next two decades, ultimately culminating in the FedCom Civil War.

Background

After the death of Joshua Marik in 3057, Victor Steiner-Davion replaced the child with a double to keep war supplies from the Free Worlds League coming to his forces. Thomas Marik discovered this substitution in September of that year, and ordered the FWLM to attack the Federated Commonwealth in retaliation for the deception. Most of these worlds were former Free Worlds League planets that the Federated Commonwealth had captured and integrated into the Sarna March. Sun-Tzu Liao ordered the CCAF to attack Sarna March worlds as well to support his (possible) father-in-law.

Simultaneously with the attacks on the Sarna March by the FWLM and CCAF, Katherine Steiner-Davion announced the formation of the Lyran Alliance and declared her nation neutral in the conflict.

Military Actions

The Federated Commonwealth was completely taken by surprise by the attacks, as most of their attention was on the Clan front. The LIC, DMI, and MIIO erroneously attributed the movements of the FWLM attackers along the Sarna March border to routine troop movements.

FWLM First Wave

In September 3057, the FWLM attacked the Callison, Denebola, Marcus, Van Diemen IV, Talitha and Wasat systems. These six systems were each attacked by three FWLM regiments. The systems were chosen specifically because they were garrisoned by Federated Commonwealth troops.

Planet:Callison

Attackers:4th Free Worlds Legionnaires + 1st Free Worlds Guards + Silver Hawk Irregular's Falcon

Defenders:small planetary militia

Outcome:Callison was attacked by the 4th Free Worlds Legionnaires, 1st Free Worlds Guards, and Silver Hawk Irregular's Falcon regiment. Though normally defended by a Sarna March Militia unit, the Denebola FTM was conducting exercises on Caph with Gustafson's Grenadiers which left the system's defense to the small planetary militia. After holding out for several days the militia unit surrendered.

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Planet:Denebola

Attackers:6th Free Worlds Legionnaires
Atrean Hussars
4th Marik Militia

Defenders:11th Lyran Guards (withdrew)

Outcome:Denebola was taken by the 6th Free Worlds Legionnaires, Atrean Hussars, and 4th Marik Militia. The 11th Lyran Guards withdrew in good order from the system, basically leaving the system to the FWLM forces.

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Planet:Marcus

Attackers:7th Free Worlds Legionnaires
5th Marik Militia
12th Atrean Dragoons

Defenders:12th FedCom RCT

Outcome:The attack on Marcus was very different from the Callison and Denebola attacks. Defended by the 12th FedCom RCT, Marcus was attacked by the 7th Free Worlds Legionnaires, 5th Marik Militia, and 12th Atrean Dragoons. The FedCom 'Mech regiment attacked the larger force in a suicidal attempt to provide time for the rest of the FedCom defenders to withdraw. This attack destroyed a third of the Seventh Legionnaires, but the Fifth Militia and Twelfth Dragoons circled behind the Twelfth FedCom's 'Mechs and destroyed them.

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Planet:Van Diemen IV

Attackers:10th Marik Militia + 23rd Marik Militia + 3rd Oriente Hussars + 1st Sirian Lancers

Defenders:On Van Diemen IV the FedCom defenders successfully held off the 10th Marik Militia and 23rd Marik Militia regiments, and the 3rd Oriente Hussars until December, when the 1st Sirian Lancers reinforced the FLWM.

Outcome:

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Planet:Talitha

Attackers:6th Marik Militia + Atrean Hussars + Iron Guard

Defenders:1st Republican

Outcome:Talitha was secured for the Free Worlds League by the 6th Marik Militia and Atrean Hussars.

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Planet:Wasat

Attackers:Thirteenth Marik Militia + 4th Oriente Hussars + 2nd Sirian Lancers

Defenders:2nd Republican

Outcome: The 2nd Republican regiment was destroyed on Wasat by the Thirteenth Marik Militia, 4th Oriente Hussars, and 2nd Sirian Lancers.

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FWLM Second Wave

With more time to prepare, the FedCom defenders did marginally better at defending their systems from the Free Worlds League forces that attacked, though they lost Devil's Rock, Oliver, Castor, Pollux, and Zosma. Unlike the first wave, the FWLM didn't always use overwhelming force when taking these systems, allowing the FedCom defenders to give a better performance.

Planet:Devil's Rock

Attackers:3rd Free Worlds Guards

Defenders:planetary militia

Outcome:On Devil's Rock the 3rd Free Worlds Guards were rapidly bogged down in a harsh fight with the planetary militia, but eventually crushed all organized resistance.

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Planet:Zosma

Attackers:9th Marik Militia

Defenders:planetary militia

Outcome:The defenders were no match for this Combat Group

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Planet:Castor

Attackers:3rd Sirian Lancers

Defenders:planetary militia

Outcome:Castor by a few planetary militia units which were easily defeated by the 3rd Sirian Lancers.

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Planet:Oliver

Attackers:20th Marik Militia + 1st Orloff Grenadiers

Defenders:3rd NAIS Cadet Cadre

Outcome:The 3rd NAIS Cadet Cadre cost the 20th Marik Militia and the 1st Orloff Grenadiers dearly, but eventually were forced off of Oliver.

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Planet:Pollux

Attackers:34th Marik Militia

Defenders:planetary militia

Outcome:Pollux's defenders were limited to two regiments: One each of armor and infantry. The other five regiments either withdrew to the Lyran Alliance or joined the Free Worlds League, so the 34th Marik Militia gained control of the system within a week of their arrival.

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Role of the Capellan Confederation

Though the death of Joshua Marik and the attempt to deceive the Captain-General was the excuse given for starting Operation Guerrero, the Free Worlds League Military wasn't the major aggressor in the struggle. Once the FWLM forces took possession of the eleven Sarna March systems that had belonged to the Free Worlds League prior to the Fourth Succession War, Thomas Marik ordered his troops to consolidate their holdings.

Sun-Tzu Liao, however, had been fomenting rebellion on many Sarna March worlds since he took the Celestial Throne in 3052 and wouldn't be satisfied until all the former Capellan worlds were once again part of the Confederation. While engaged to Isis Marik he also pushed Thomas to assist him in attacking the Sarna March. For five years Thomas refused, but when Operation Guerrero began, the LCCC assigned the tactical and strategic command rights of several mercenary units to the CCAF.

Capellan Preparations Pre-Guerrero

The Capellan Confederation sponsored pro-Capellan freedom fighters on former Sarna March worlds, and in 3056 these groups stepped up their attacks on Federated Commonwealth forces. The most well known resistance group, Zhanzeng de Guang (War of Light), struck police and militia units on Aldebaran, Gan Singh, Zurich, and Styk. Throughout 3056 and 3057 the Zhanzeng de Guang and other resistance groups set up cells on Acamar, Fletcher, and Nanking. These groups did whatever they could to destabilize the Davion-installed governments, but neither the CCAF or FWLM would commit troops to support their efforts until Operation Guerrero was authorized.

As a result of the joint invasion the CCAF captured in their first attempt -

19 Planets:

and cretate rebellions on

50 Planets:

CCAF First Wave

Summary of CCAF First Wave

Planet	Capellan Forces	Federated Commonwealth Forces
Liao	Five Warrior House Regiments	Liao SMM
Zurich	Zhanzeng de Guang	Planetary Militia

Five Warrior House regiments attacked Liao on the same day that the Free Worlds League announced hostilities with the Federated Commonwealth. The Liao SMM surrendered without a shot being fired and the system fell immediately. At the same time, the Zhanzeng de Guang took control of Zurich, overthrowing the existing pro-Davion government.

CCAF Second Wave

Summary of CCAF Second Wave

Planet	Capellan Forces	Federated Commonwealth Forces
Caph	Capellan sponsored guerrillas	Planetary Militia
Keid	Capellan sponsored guerrillas	Planetary Militia
New Home	Capellan sponsored guerrillas	Planetary Militia
Epsilon Indi	Capellan sponsored guerrillas	Planetary Militia
Northwind	Northwind Highlanders Death Commandos	Consul Guards 3rd Royal Guards
Nanking	Black Cobras Smithson's Chinese Bandits	Planetary Militia

At the start of Operation Guerreo's second wave, Sun-Tzu Liao activated guerrilla networks on Caph, Keid, New Home, Epsilon Indi, and Northwind in an attempt to return the worlds to the Capellan Confederation. These revolts were successful on each world except Epsion Indi, and the FWLM sent mercenary units to every world except Kied. (Kied would later join the Lyran Alliance.)

On Northwind, home of the famed Northwind Highlander regiments, the local Federated Commonwealth Representatives attempted to seize direct control of the planet from the Northwind Highlanders, prompting Victor Davion to send the 3rd Royal Guards to ensure the planet didn't leave the Federated Commonwealth. The Third's commander attempted to take the planet by force from McLeod's Highlanders that garrisoned the planet. The arrival of reinforcements Stirling's Fusiliers and aerospace support from the Death Commandos prevented Northwind from falling, practically destroying the Third Royal Guard RCT in the process. Sun-Tzu declared Northwind an independent Confederation barony and permanently ceded it to the Highlanders. The breakup of the Federated Commonwealth also prompted the Northwind Highlanders to recall all regiments garrisoning planets along the Clan border.

Zurich fell to a pro-Davion counter-terrorist group when the Crater Cobras mercenary unit's Black Cobras regiment was ordered to Nanking by the LCCC.

The Black Cobras were assigned to secure Nanking for the Capellan Confederation, which would bring the system's factories under CCAF control. As the Cobras were making planetfall, their DropShips were destroyed by explosives placed by saboteurs. This effectively wiped out the Black Cobras as a whole, and Smithson's Chinese Bandits (a Marik mercenary unit already on Nanking) surrendered to the planet's defenders when a Federated Commonwealth relief force arrived.

Aftermath

There were several important outcomes that resulted from Operation Guerrero's success. The most obvious was the destruction of the Federated Commonwealth when Katherine Steiner-Davion formed the Lyran Alliance. Her actions, and Victor's efforts to oppose her, ultimately led to the FedCom Civil War.

Though the Free Worlds League gained eleven systems it had lost, the real victor was the Capellan Confederation. Most of the Capellan Confederation's Sarna Commonality worlds, controlled by the Federated Commonwealth since the Fourth Succession War, would return to the Capellan Confederation. (Ironically, this didn't include Sarna, which became one of several independent states in the Chaos March.) Sun-Tzu Liao would also create a new commonality centered on Liao.

The other major outcome of this conflict was the creation of the Chaos March, where forces loyal to the Capellan Confederation, Free Worlds League, Federated Suns, and Word of Blake struggled for control of many of the former Sarna March worlds. Rather than a single strong entity that the Capellan Confederation couldn't defeat, the Chaos March was populated by at least six minor and short lived independent nations. Sun-Tzu Liao's Xin Sheng-inspired CCAF would have little trouble conquering these nations in the next few decades.

Independent Nations in Chaos March

Independent nations in the Chaos March created as result of the invasion

Duchy of Small

Planet:Ingress

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:It forged a alliance with Small World in exchange for the protection of the Ducal Militia.

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Planet:Small World

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome: The duke's regiment-sized force of personal guards defeated the Cappelan terrorists and then declared the world independent.

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Saiph Triumvirate

Planet:Saiph

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:Elements of the Fifth Lyran Regulars abandoned Saiph, leading to civil war. Pro-Capellan groups gained control of the world.

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Planet:Tall Trees

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:Elements of the Fifth Lyran Regulars abandoned Tall Trees, leading to civil war. Pro-Capellan groups took control.

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Planet:New Canton

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:On New Canton forces of McCarron's Armored Cavalry and First Kestrel Grenadiers clashed together for two months and then abandoned the planet. Count Lado Balatine sent 'Mech forces as support for counterrevolutionary movements. The counterrevolutionaries won and the Triumvirate was born.

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Sarna Supremacy

Planet:Sarna

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:Stapleton's Grenadiers and the Tooth of Ymir attacked the Kaifeng SMM, the Sarna Martial Academy's First Battalion, and Grim Determination. The Grenadiers fled after taking substantial losses from the air superiority of the defenders. The Tooth of Ymir surrendered.

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Planet:Sakhalin

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:Grim Determination and the newly hired Tooth of Ymir liberated Sakhalin from the single battalion of Kingston's Legionnaires.

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Planet:Kaifeng

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:The Kaifeng SMM liberated the planet from Liao-friendly forces.

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Sirian Holds

Planet:Procyon

Attackers:civilians

Defenders:Jo's Fourth Cavalry

Outcome:Jo's Fourth Cavalry and Boodelay's Backup (both Mercs) defended both planets. The units were crushed by followers of Alisendar Gyrn (he believe he his the reborn Jerome Blake). Followers destroying all modern technology. Thugs of Gyrn's began rounding up dissidents, intellectuals, technicians, and many others, ostensibly to begin their re-education as purificaton for a new era.
Both plaents were later liberated through an attack by the Sirian Lancers.

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Planet: Sirius

Attackers:civilians

Defenders:Boodelay's Backup

Outcome:

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Styk Commonality

Planet:Styk

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome: The Third Donegal Guards abandoned the planet, leading to chaos and civil unrest. Pro-Capellan forces were defeated through the intervention of assorted mercenary units. Styk and Gan Singh later created the Styk Commonality.

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Planet:Gan Singh

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:Pro-Capellan forces were defeated by assorted mercenary units. The planet announced the creation of the Styk Commonality to defend themselves.

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Terracap Confederation

Planet:Terra Firma

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:A huge part of the Lyran defenders abandoned the world after the declaration of the Lyran Alliance. The remaining militia held off the pro-Capellan forces until the arrival of the Blackhearts mercenary unit. The mercs and revolutionaries defeated the defenders.

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Planet:Capella

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:The Fists of Mokal landed on the planet and forged an alliance with one faction. After their victory on one planet they succed on Terra Firma too.

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Independent Worlds of Chaos March

Planet:Acamar

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:Capellan agents and their nobel private armies seized the planet. Merchants hired the Tiger Sharks. The mercs turn the cause of the war but were repulsed by an counterattack of pro-Liao forces. No central goverment exist. Many indepent City states are the rule.

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Planet:Arboris

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome: Two battalions of Ishara's Grenadiers pressed hard on the understrenght Arboris SMM. As the Grenadiers began to harass the civilian a resitance movement were born. The Farmers Freedom Army forged an alliance with the Arboris SMM. The Freedom army turned against the SMM after a great victory over the Grenadiers. None of the three faction have enough power to controll the hole planet.

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Planet:Bryant

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:Liao and Marik forces bypassed Bryant for more tempting targets. A local warlord calling himself Viscount Dvensky claimed Bryant as his fiefdom.

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Planet:Caph

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:The Denebola Skye March Militia and Gustafson's Grenadiers (planetary homeguard) were on exercise when Liao agents make uprises on the planet. The revolt was crashed by local forces. As consequence two factions odered each to surrender but none agreed. Lindon's Battalion were on the planet for rest and refit. The unit saw themself as neutral but were attacked. The Stealthy Tigers and Always Faithful mercs landed too and shift the tide in the Liao corner. No faction have total controll on the planet.

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Planet:Carver V

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:Liao sympathizers, aided and abetted by Capellan agents, took advantage of the Liao-Marik invasion to rebel against the planet's Commonwealth government. A mercenary heavy aerospace unit - Angels of No Mercy - inflicted heavy damage on the FedCom militia. 4 fation (pro-davion,-steiner,-marik and liao) battle over the planet for controll.

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Planet:Elgin

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:The 5th Republican were on the planet for the protection of the noble elite. The command were unsuccesful by the defense of important sites. The commander were demasquerad as a Maskirovka spy. The noble forces attacked the FedCom forces and after their defeat turn on each other.

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Planet:Epsilon Eridani

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:The Epsilon Eridani SMM rooted the liao cells out with great effectivity. The commander of the milita declare the indepence from every great house. He were elected as leader of the planet.

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Planet:Epsilon Indi

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:The Zhanzheng de guang make and uprising against the goverment. They were widely defeated by the combined forces of milita and citizens. The pro-liao forces get support through the Langendorf Lancers (Marik-Mercs) but culdn't make a final decision.

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Planet:Fletcher

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:Zhanzheng de guang guerillas fight against a strong and effective citizen's militia. No faction have total controll.

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Planet:Genoa

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:After early victories for the militia (they have a informant in the liao forces) the where crushed by the rebels. Local cooperation battle them down and fight against each other for the next presidency of the planet.

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Planet:Hall

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:The 4th Republican crushed any rebel movement with brutal force. The commander of the unit crowning himself Emperor of Hall after the speech of Katherine Steiner-Davion. One local opposition remain on the planet and the Ridzik twins Yuri and Nikoli are fighting too against the other faction.

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Planet:Hsien

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:The Second F-C RCT were rooted out by the First and Second Regiments of the MAC. The unit was later destroyed on Elgin by Swann Cavaliers.

After the assault three realms have been established and the balance of power is stable.

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Planet:Keid

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:A short-lived anti-Davion rebellion led to the fall of power from Duke Joseph Hunsen. His daughter were later installed in power and she ask for help from the Lyran Alliance. The Archon sent the 30th Lyran Guards as support.

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Planet:New Home

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:The 30th Lyran Guards declared martial law after repeated attacks on their forces. The planetary government lost control and the rebels gained more power. The guards fight against the new formed New Home Regulars (mixed regiment) but neither force could win a last.

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Planet:Northwind

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:The Chancellor helped the Highlanders through an agent. The 3rd Royals battle about the control but lost against the combined might of two regiments (MacLeod's Highlanders + Stirling's Fusiliers).

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Planet:Outreach

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:Chancellor Sun-Tzu Liao proclaimed Outreach as an independent barony of the Capellan Confederation. The Dragoons gover the planet wih fair hand.

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Planet:Sheratan

Attackers:

Defenders:

Outcome:The Sheratan Knights (single regiment of warriors loyal to the FedCom) make short work with the rebels. The arrival of the Fist of Mokal turned the tide for the Liao forces. The local government collapsed after huge fires on the planet.

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Planets attacked by the CCAF

Planet	FedCom Forces	CCAF
Sarna	Grim Determination and Sarna Martial Academy Training Battalion	Stapleton's Grenadiers
Campertown	Twelfth Vegan Rangers {Alpha}	Fourth Tau Ceti Rangers
Wazan	6th Syrtis Fusiliers	Kamakura's Hussars
Wei	Wei CMM	1st MAC
Kaifeng	Kaifeng SMM
Sakhalin	3rd F-C RCT ?	3rd MAC
Second Try	8th F-C RCT	???
New Canton	1st Kestrel Grenadiers	???
Corey	Corey SMM	???
Raballa	???	???
Lesalles	4th F-C RCT	???
Shengsi	5th Crucis Lancers	???
Tsitang	5th F-C RCT	???
Styk	3rd Donegal Guards (FM LA p. 64)	Warrior House Imarra
Elnath	15th Arcturan Guards (FM LA p. 56)	???
Phact	2nd Robinson Rangers	???
Tsinghai	12th Vegan {Beta}	???
Old Kentucky	12th Vegan {Gamma}	???
Chamdo	12th Vegan {Delta}	???
Truth	20th Avalon Hussars	???
Tsingtao	6th Lyran Guards	???
Bora	5th Syrtis Fusiliers	???

In roughly six months, the Confederation reclaimed nineteen systems lost during the Fourth Succession War and also instigated pro-Liao movements or anti-Davion rebellions on more than fifty other worlds.

Planets attacked by the FWLM

Planet	FWLM	Defenders
Acamar	Greenburg's Godzillas (Mercs)	Militia
Asuncion (FWL)	3rd Free Worlds Legionnaires 3rd Free Worlds Guards 1st Atrean Dragoons	Zion-backed Mercenaries Unruly Mob
Callison	4th Free Worlds Legionnaires 1st Free Worlds Guards Falcons	11th Lyran Guards Planetary Militia (Guards withdrew when Falcons arrived on-world)
Caph (CM)	Stealthy Tigers (Mercs)	Gustafson's Grenadiers (Mercs)
Capolla	Blackhearts (Mercs) Assisted CCAF	Lyran Garrison (Unknown)
Castor	3rd Sirian Lancers	Handful of militia regiments
Denebola	6th Free Worlds Legionnaires	small planetary militia
Devil's Rock	3rd Free Worlds Guards	Planetary Militia
Elgin	Swann's Cavaliers (Mercs) Assisted CCAF?	2nd FedCom RCT
Graham IV	30th Marik Militia	Planetary Militia
Marcus	7th Free Worlds Legionnaires 12th Atrean Dragoons 5th Marik Militia	12th FedCom RCT
Oliver	20th Marik Militia 1st Orloff Grenadiers	3rd NAIS Cadre
Pollux	34th Marik Militia	7 militia regiments
Procyon	4th Free Worlds Legionnaires 1st Sirian Lancers	Mercenaries
Sirius	2nd Sirian Lancers 3rd Sirian Lancers	(Unknown, probably mercs) Sirian Holds Campaign
Talithia	Atrean Hussars 6th Marik Militia Iron Guard	1st Republican
Van Diemon IV	10th Marik Militia 3rd Oriente Hussars	3rd Republican
Wasat	13th Marik Militia 2nd Sirian Lancers 4th Oriente Hussars 21st Centauri Lancers (Mercs)	2nd Republican
Zosma	9th Marik Militia	FedCom Militia
Zurich	Crater Cobras (Mercs)	(Unknown)

(Unknown) Barrett's Fusiliers (Mercs) (Unknown) Assisted CCAF (Unknown) Redfield's Renegades (Mercs) (Unknown) Assisted CCAF