Rasalhague Regulars

Brigade Insignia of the Rasalhague Regulars
Rasalhague Regulars
Formed 2730[1]
Disbanded 3034[2]
Affiliation Draconis Combine
Parent Command DCMS

The core of the forces of the politically-sensitive Rasalhague Military District, the Rasalhague Regulars were noted for their actions against the Lyran Commonwealth as much the constant ISF scrutiny intended to ensure their loyalty to the Combine. The Regulars were disbanded in 3034 upon the formation of the Free Rasalhague Republic.

History[edit]

The Rasalhague Regulars began with the formation of the First Rasalhague Regulars in 2730. The founding of the brigade with the formation of the First was something of a public relations coup for both the Draconis Combine and the DCMS; formed on Rasalhague, the First was modeled on the Striker-pattern regiments used by the SLDF and was based around light and medium 'Mechs, with organic aerospace fighter support. The First contained a large proportion of 'Mechs designed by the Star League and produced either in the Combine or purchased as SLDF surplus, including a complete company of Land-Air 'Mechs produced by LexaTech Industries on Irece. The high technological standard of the First made it stand out among the ranks of DCMS units, particularly given the Combine's tendency to lag behind the neighboring Lyran Commonwealth in terms of military technological advancement.[1]

The loyalty of the Rasalhague Regulars was of vital concern to the Kurita family, and subject to constant scrutiny. Even if a Coordinator would like to man these units with dependably loyal, handpicked troops (namely, those who trace their lineages back to ancient Japan on Terra) that would have been dangerous, if not disastrous as nothing would galvanize the anti-Kurita sentiment of the Rasalhague public more quickly than to make every MechWarrior in the Rasalhague Regulars a warrior of Japanese descent. If this kind of action was taken, it would not have taken long for the Rasalhagians to believe that the units were there to watch them instead of to protect them from Lyran aggression. Because of this, most MechWarriors of the Rasalhague Regulars were of European descent, with those of Japanese origin forming a small minority. To be eligible, these warriors had to pass an examination of their political leanings as tough as that given to men entering the Sword of Light regiments. To control this, the ISF was always checking the Rasalhague Regulars, though it had some side effects. One was that the units are almost uniformly paranoid and that almost all their actions off the battlefield were planned to keep agents of the ISF from criticizing their propriety.[3] On top of that, the Procurement department created delays in the flow of supplies so ISF agents could carefully scan every request the units made for parts and equipment to prevent the unit from attempting to stockpile equipment. As a side effect of this, the techs of the Rasalhague Regulars became magnificent scroungers, capable of amazing feats of rigged repairs.[4]

The Rasalhague units have the highest MechWarrior turnover rate among the five districts, mostly because of the strain caused by the constant surveillance. This attrition impairs the Rasalhague Regulars ability to act as true units and not just a collection of MechWarriors. Though their unit skills tend to be poor, they are acceptable to Lord Kurita, who apparently fears rebellion more than he does the Lyran Commonwealth.[4]

Despite the distrust shown the Regulars, they served the Dragon well and honorably for many years. In the Third Succession War it wasn't uncommon for companies or battalions from the Rasalhague Regulars to disappear for weeks or months before appearing on a Lyran factory world and fighting like berserkers. They were instrumental in taking multiple worlds from the Lyrans, often without the direction of Duke Hassad Ricol.[2]

Upon the formation of the Free Rasalhague Republic the Regulars faced the choice of moving further into the Draconis Combine to guard worlds not their own or disobeying the Gunji-no-Kanrei and Coordinator's orders and remain on the worlds. Some Regulars simply retired from the DCMS and joined the new FRR's military, but those that remained chose to ignore the Coordinator's orders. They were declared ronin and those that didn't commit seppuku were destroyed by loyal DCMS troops. None survived the Ronin War of 3034.[2]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Rasalhague Regulars
Tai-sho Marcus Kurita 3030[2]

Tactics[edit]

Different per Unit.

Units of the Rasalhague Regulars[edit]

Notes[edit]

  • The 2nd Regulars was destroyed during the Second Succession War.[6]
  • The 3rd Regulars was destroyed during the Second Succession War.[6]
  • The 5th Regulars was destroyed in 3034.[7]
  • The 8th Regulars was destroyed in 3034.[7]
  • The 9th Regulars was destroyed in 3034.[7]
  • The 11th Regulars was destroyed during the Second Succession War.[5][6]
  • The 12th Regulars was destroyed during the First Succession War.[5][11]
  • The 13th Regulars was destroyed in 3034.[9]
  • The 14th Regulars was destroyed during the Second Succession War.[5][6]
  • The 16th Rasalhague Regulars was destroyed during the Second Succession War.[5][6]
  • The 17th Regulars was disbanded in 3034.[9]
  • The 18th Regulars was destroyed during the Second Succession War.[5][6]
  • The 19th Rasalhague Regulars was destroyed during the Second Succession War.[5][12]
  • The 20th Regulars was disbanded in 3034.[9]
  • The 22nd Regulars was disbanded in 3034.[9]
  • The 23rd Regulars was destroyed during the Second Succession War.[6]
  • The 24th Regulars was destroyed during the Second Succession War.[6]
  • The 25th Regulars was disbanded in 3034.[7]

Colors and Insignia[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Era Report: 2750, p. 43: "First Rasalhague Regulars"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Combat Manual: Kurita, p. 42
  3. House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 142: "Rasalhague Regulars"
  4. 4.0 4.1 House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 143: "Rasalhague Regulars"
  5. 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 Field Report 2765: DCMS, p. 16: "Rasalhague Regulars"
  6. 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 Second Succession War, p. 97
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 Historical: Brush Wars, p. 120
  8. First Succession War, p. 137: "Deployment Table"
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 Historical: Brush Wars, p. 121
  10. Field Report 2765: DCMS, p. 16: "Rasalhague Regulars"
  11. First Succession War, p. 137: "Deployment Table"
  12. Second Succession War, p. 97: "Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery: Deployment Table"

Bibliography[edit]