Difference between revisions of "War of 3039"

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:'''Outcome''':
 
:'''Outcome''':
  
====Mercenary-Supported Actions====
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====Davion Mercanry Actions====
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Unlike the other first wave thursts, operations on the seven worlds targeted for mercenary-supported revolutions generally succeeded in taking the pro-Davion and under-defended worlds in short order, the only sticking point being the Davion military intelligence's failure to discover the presence of the Ryuken-yon on Harrow's Sun, stymieing all attempts to solidify control. That changed little with Combine counter-attack. While the ''Kanrei'' actively directed his troops to strike at every world targeted by the Allies, with the DCMS were already dangerously overextended to support OROCHI, the seven worlds taken by the Davion mercenaries were mostly ignored. Aside from the ongoing fighting on Harrow's Sun, only two came under direct attack, the Combine ultimately successfully in retaking all three. <ref name=HWof3039-98>''Historical: War of 3039'', pp. 98-102 "Wave Two and Counterattack - Mercenary-Supported Actions"</ref>
  
=====[[Bergman's Planet]]=====
+
By the time the Combine had the resource to strike at the others, the War had effectively been concluded and the dug-in and reinforced mercenaries were able to repulse any DCMS raids and keep their charges in Davion hands, save for Galtor III. Miscommunication during the Allies recall resulted in [[Clifton's Rangers]] digging in despite the AFFS believing they had retreated, the FedSun government secretly supporting the world despite it being in Combine-held space after learning of this. However when the Combine realise they had "lost" Galtor III in the midst of sensitive POW negotiations, the FedSun government ordered the Rangers to pull out to try and avoid a diplomatic incident. Refusing to abandon the world, the mercenaries broke contract to remain behind before being destroyed in 3042 after a bitter 15 month defense, one and a half years after the War of 3039 nominally concluded, when the Combine sent three front-line regiments to brutally subjugate Galtor III. <ref name=HWof3039-98/> <ref name=HWof3039-100>''Historical: War of 3039'', pp. 100-102 "Wave Two and Counterattack - Mercenary-Supported Actions - The Last Battle"</ref>
:'''Invading Forces''': Lindon’s Battalion
 
:'''Defending Forces''': 21st Galedon Regulars
 
:'''Outcome''':
 
=====[[Galtor III]]=====
 
:'''Invading Forces''': Clifton’s Rangers
 
:'''Defending Forces''': 3rd Benjamin Regulars + 1st Amphigean Light Assault Groups +  2nd Amphigean Light Assault Groups
 
:'''Outcome''':
 
 
 
=====[[Harrow’s Sun]]=====
 
:'''Invading Forces''': Miller Marauders
 
:'''Defending Forces''': Ryuken-yon
 
:'''Outcome''':
 
=====[[Lima]]=====
 
:'''Invading Forces''': Simonson’s Cutthroats
 
:'''Defending Forces''': Militia
 
:'''Outcome''':
 
=====[[McComb]]=====
 
:'''Invading Forces''': Martian Cuirassiers
 
:'''Defending Forces''': Militia
 
:'''Outcome''':
 
 
 
=====[[New Aberdeen]]=====
 
:'''Invading Forces''': Cunningham’s Commandos
 
:'''Defending Forces''': 12th Galedon Regulars
 
:'''Outcome''':
 
=====[[Royal]]=====
 
:'''Invading Forces''': Fuchida’s Fusiliers
 
 
 
:'''Outcome''':
 
  
 +
Even with the tragic and contentious loss of Galtor, ultimately the mercenary actions were among the Allies most success, accounting for three of the seven worlds gained by the Federated Suns. <ref name=HWof3039-98/>
  
 
===Galedon Thrust - Operation LAUNCELOT===
 
===Galedon Thrust - Operation LAUNCELOT===

Revision as of 21:30, 23 March 2014

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The War of 3039 was a relatively minor conflict that involved the Federated Suns and Lyran Commonwealth (as the Federated Commonwealth), versus the Draconis Combine.

Background

In the Fourth Succession War, the alliance between House Davion and House Steiner had allowed the Federated Suns to deliver a shattering blow to the Capellan Confederation. Prince Hanse Davion decided to attempt to duplicate this success almost a decade later against the Draconis Combine. Since Lyran Commonwealth Archon Katrina Steiner had pledged not to prosecute any more wars, she stepped down months before the beginning of the war in favor of her daughter, Archon-designate Melissa Steiner.

However, the Combine had realized such an attack to be a logical consequence of the Fourth Succession War, and had been preparing for it for the past years. The differences between the Combine in 3039 and the Capellans in 3028 were legion, and the strategic situation was decidedly different: this time, Davion did not have the advantage of having double agents in the highest ranks of the enemy military. The Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery had also recuperated from the Fourth Succession War and the Ronin Wars much faster than anyone had anticipated, owing in part to a technological renaissance brought about by the Helm Memory Core. New 'Mech designs such as the Hatamoto-Chi, the Daboku and the CGR-1A9 Charger variant had been created in preparation for the expected attack.

Furthermore, Gunji-no-Kanrei Theodore Kurita had created a neutral buffer state along two thirds of his realm's border with the Steiner realm by granting rebellious border worlds their freedom and allowing the Free Rasalhague Republic (FRR) to form. On the sidelines, this had forced House Steiner to also commit numerous contested worlds on their side of the border to the new state, thus nullifying their gains in the previous war. ComStar had actively supported the formation of the FRR and provided the DCMS with BattleMechs from their own stocks as an incentive, including (by error or by design) lostech equipment that had not been seen in the Inner Sphere for decades, if not centuries.

Technological Renaissance

The War of 3039 was notable for being the first conflict in decades, if not in centuries, where vintage Star League-era technology provided by ComStar as well as new or rediscovered technologies were employed on any significant scale (discounting the use of HPG Fax "black boxes", and rare individual cases during the Fourth Succession War where double heat sinks, Triple Strength Myomer and the EW Equipment were employed in their experimental stages).

Unfortunately the Allies were unaware of Gunji-no-Kanrei Theodore Kurita's secret deal with ComStar. Not content merely fielding, the Kanrei had many



Listen-Kill Missiles saw their first widespread deployment in this conflict. However, the Draconis Combine not only reverse-engineered the new technology and used them against the attackers within a very short time; they were also quick to develop and distribute an ECM package to their frontline units that negated the effect of the L-K technology. When the technology was finally ready for mass-production in 3042, the ubiquity of the ECM technology had already rendered it largely useless.

The War

The attack was apparently quite unimaginative, carried out with a conservative strategy that mostly relied on strength of numbers to exploit the Combine's perceived lack of fighting equipment. Theodore Kurita answered with a bold bluff. The Combine fought a delaying action, committing mostly conventional units to bog down the attackers while strong forces were committed to Operation Orochi, a quick counter-attack that captured several worlds including Quentin, an important 'Mech factory site. Operation Orochi was a gamble because it stretched the Combine's defenses to the limit and completely stripped rearward areas of any combat equipment, effectively exposing the Combine's flank to the onslaught. However, the bluff worked and the swift counterattack created the illusion of a much stronger military than the DCMS actually was at the time, augmented by the appearance of vintage Star League era equipment and entirely new BattleMech designs. It succeeded not only in forcing the attackers on the defensive, drawing units scheduled for assaults to defense assignments and thereby upsetting the invasion timetables; made insecure by these unforseen developments, Hanse Davion aborted the offensive and called an end to the War in 3040. It would be eleven years before he would find out that he fell for Theodore's bluff.

Wave One

Commonwealth Thrust Dieron Thrust Benjamin Thrust Davion Mecernary Actions Galedon Thrust Lyran Mercenary Raids DCMS Counter-Strike
Alnasi Ancha Fellanin II Bergman's Planet An Ting Polcenigo Saffel
Alrakis Athenry Klathandu IV Galtor III Capra Luzerne Caph
Altais Biham Marduk Harrow's Sun Delacruz Marshdale New Earth
Kessel Dieron Matar Lima Elidere IV Teniente Procyon
Konstance Halstead Station New Mendham McComb Huan Caripare
Vega Kervil Sadalbari New Aberdeen Thestria Itabaiana
Nashira Royal Soverzene
Pike IV Courchevel
Sadachbia Ardoz
Telos IV Kiamba
Meilen
Baldur
Eguilles
Caldrea
Shirotori
Trolloc Prime

Commonwealth Thrust - Operation WINTERSCHEE

Alnasi

Defending Forces: Militia (1 'Mech company, 1 Reinforced armor battalion, 8 infantry regiments)
Invading Forces: 1st Argyle Lancers + 26th Lyran Guards
Outcome: The invading FedCom troops planned to surprise the defenders with the use of a pirate jump point. The advancing units sent a small unit to secure the landing zone and also to conquer the air port. The onworld DCMS 'Mech force woke a guerilla campaign, raiding the rear of the invaders with some success. Once under siege, the capital could only surrender and did so after one week. The DCMS 'Mech force continued to fight for some weeks, but were eventually forced to give up as well. [1]

Alrakis

Defending Forces: 11th Legion of Vega
Invading Forces: 23rd Arcturan Guards + 5th Donegal Guards
Outcome: The Fed-Com High Command chose to send the two units after another. The initial landing was executed by the 23rd Arcturan Guards. The Lyrans sent three companies via a combat drop at the head of the Legion. That action surprised the defenders and gave them no time for preparation. The remaining two battalions landed immediately and increased the pressure on the 11th. The commander noticed the weakness of the DCMS soldiers. His opponent commander were a veteran. He predict the next move of the lyrans and order his DropShips to evacuate his force to Dromini VI. [2]

Altais

Defending Forces: 1st Ghost + 2nd Ghost
Invading Forces: 8th Donegal Guards + 1st Dragonslayers + Gray Death Legion
Outcome: The planet was in the initial wave of the invasion with rumors suggesting that the DCMS had two unknown units on the planet. These rumors pushed the High Command to decide that the 8th Donegal Guards should be supported by two seasoned mercenary units (1st Dragonslayers + Gray Death Legion). The initial plan called for the Guards to engage the 2nd Ghost near the planetary capital and the Gray Death Legion should fight the 1st Ghost at a spaceport. The Dragonslayers were held in orbit as a strategical reserve force.
The 8th Donegal located the mobile Head Quarters of the DCMS forces on planet which they initiated a low orbital combat drop. The assault destroyed the entire command structure of the defenders, but the DCMS unit broke into smaller units and started to fight from underground after a single week of fighting.
The Gray Death Legion had difficulties in coordinating their assaults at two different spaceports; this was caused due to the second team missing the landing zone. The mercenaries repulsed several counter assaults and was only able to reinforce reinforce their 2nd Team after marching over 150 km across the continent. The 1st Ghost retreated off planet with one third of their former strength and under fire from the advancing Gray Death Legion. The Dragonslayers reinforced the 8th Guards during the final siege of the planetary capital. The 2nd Ghost retreated off world after several more weeks of guerrilla warfare. [3]

Kessel

Defending Forces: 12th Sun Zhang Academy Cadre
Invading Forces: 2nd Donegal Guards + 4th Skye Rangers + 11th Lyran Regulars
Outcome: 12th Sun Zhang Academy Cadre => 40% loses
4th Skye Rangers => 10 % loses => eliminate opposition
2nd Donegal Guards => 10 % loses => eliminate opposition
11th Lyran Regulars => 10 % loses => eliminate opposition

Konstance

Invading Forces: 4th Crucis Lancers + 4th Lyran Regulars + Mobile Fire
Defending Forces: 22nd Dieron Regulars
Outcome: 4th Lyran Regulars => 10 % loses => eliminate opposition
4th Crucis Lancers => 10 % loses => eliminate opposition
Mobile Fire => 10 % loses => eliminate opposition
22nd Dieron Regulars => 25 % loses

Vega

Invading Forces: 3rd Lyran Guards + 3rd Davion Guards + Snord's Irregulars + 1st Grave Walkers + 17th Recon
Defending Forces: 14th Legion of Vega + 5th Amphigean Light Assault Group
Outcome: 5th Amphigean Light Assault Group => 60 % loses => retreat
14th Legion of Vega => 40 % loses => retreat to Eltanin
3rd Lyran Guards => 10 % loses => eliminate opposition
3rd Davion Guards => 10 % loses => eliminate opposition
Snord's Irregulars => 25 % loses => eliminate opposition
1st Grave Walkers => 25 % loses => eliminate opposition
17th Recon => 25 % loses => eliminate opposition

Dieron Thrust - Operation STURMHAMMER

Ancha

Invading Forces: DeMaestri’s Sluggers (Fighting Urukhai)
Defending Forces: 1st Shin Legion
Outcome: DeMaestri’s Sluggers 25 % loses => eliminate opposition
1st Shin Legion 40% loses => retreat

Athenry

Invading Forces: 1894th Light Horse + 21st Rim Worlds (BSI)
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome: Both attacking units suffered no casualties and defeated the militia

Biham

Invading Forces: 8th Crucis Lancers + Laurel's Legion
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome: Both attacking units suffered no casualties and defeated the militia

Dieron

Halstead Station

Invading Forces: 5th FedCom RCT + Roman's Bar Hounds (Fighting Urukhai)
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome:both attacking units suffer no casaulties and defeatet the militia

Kervil

Invading Forces: 7th Donegal Guards + 17th Skye Rangers
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome: 17th Skye Rangers 10 % loses => eliminate opposition
7th Donegal Guards 10 % loses => eliminate opposition

Nashira

Invading Forces: 1st FedCom RCT + Delta (12th Vegan Rangers)
Defending Forces:
Outcome: 1st FedCom RCT 10 % loses => eliminate opposition
Delta (12th Vegan Rangers) 10 % loses => eliminate opposition

Pike IV

Invading Forces: 13th Lyran Guards RCT
Defending Forces: Pike Militia
Outcome:

Sadachbia

Invading Forces: 8th Deneb Light Cavalry + Redfield Renegades
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome: 8th Deneb Light Cavalry + Redfield's Renegades=> eliminate opposition

Telos IV

Invading Forces: 22nd Avalon Hussars + Gamma Regiment (12 Vegan Rangers)
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome:

Benjamin Thrust - Operation GAHERIS

Fellanin II

Invading Forces: 71st Light Horse + 21st Striker Regiment
Defending Forces: 4th Proserpina Hussars
Outcome:


Klathandu IV

Invading Forces: 7th Crucis Lancers + 2nd New Ivaarsen Chasseurs
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome:

Marduk

Invading Forces: 1st Robinson Rangers + 10th Deneb Light Cavalry RCT
Defending Forces: 6th Benjamin Regulars
Outcome:

Matar

Invading Forces: 1st Kestrel Grenadiers + 1st Kathil Uhlans
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome:

New Mendham

Invading Forces: Davion Light Guards + 1st Chisholm's Raiders
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome:

Sadalbari

Invading Forces: 5th Davion Guards + 3rd FedCom RCT
Defending Forces: 2nd Shin Legion
Outcome: The world was a target of the first wave because the planet was a link to Proserpina and could act as a base for possible DCMS reinforcement. The taskforce included the inexperienced 3rd FedCom RCT and the battle-proven 5th Davion Guards. The commanding officer of the entire operation decided to land his troops simultaneously at two large DCMS bases. The first step included the crippling of important communication networks with strikes of his fighters. The next phase started with the landing of six battalions of jump infantry supported by three light 'Mech companies. Those troops get control about important strategic locations. The defenders were unprepared for such an move. The Fed Com troops captured many material and also thousands of POW. A few chose to die fighting and others go to the underground. With the arrival of the remaining heavy forces of the task group the military base was secure. The troops of the 5th Guards had a harder time. The commanding officer waited too long for the strike of the military base which gave the defending forces enough time to build a solid defense line. When the Guards strike the assault was repelled and a huge part of the DCMS forces could retreat. Several more attempts were made by the Fed-Com troops but without success. The Marshal of the operation arrived with some of his officers at the HQ of the 5th Guards to get an explanation of the delay. That was the time when the commanding officer of the 2nd Legion started his counter assault. He used his conventional forces to assault the rear of the enemy. During the fighting the entire command staff was captured, including the marshal. The 2nd in command chose to use the superior numbers to great effect. An overall assault at the DCMS line started during the night and two companies of 'Mechs were held in reserve as mobile forces to exploit any weak spot by the DCMS. When the gab opened the Fed-Com troops used every free vehicle to capture the command post of the 2nd Legion. The DCMS tried several times to recapture it put failed. A large portion of the defenders were able to retreat because the remainder were either captured or wiped out. [4]

Mercenary-Supported Actions

Bergman's Planet
Invading Forces: Lindon's Battalion
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome: The Fed-Com operation on the planet started before the initial invasion. The High Command sent special operation teams to the world to train the local anti-Combine movement. The operatives found a solid resistance organization with some hundred military trained members. The mercenary command Lindon's Battalion was sent as reinforcements to the movement. The local Combine government was overthrown and with the assistance of the special forces the militia was devastated. Any further resistance by the militia was crushed by the mercenary command. [5]
Galtor III
Invading Forces: Clifton's Rangers
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome: The planet was the symbol of a great loss of Combine honor against the Fox in the early 31st century. Prince Hanse Davion knew how important it was to support the local resistance movement with equal material and men. Dozens of intelligence operatives and Special Operation Teams prepared the world for the coming liberation. Several months before the War started the movement together with the SpecOps attacked important Combine locations and personalities. The DCMS reacted with an increase of the local military presence. The Fed-Com side reduced their level of activity to lure the Dragon into a sense of false security. With the arrival of the Clifton's Rangers command the guerillas had the strength to get control over the planet. The mercenaries were supported by six battalions of volunteers which had removed all evidence of their Fed-Com affiliation. The local Combine leader was killed together with most of the high-ranking DCM officers. The units of the defenders chose to inflict damage and to die or surrender to the Fed-Com units. [6]
Harrow's Sun
Invading Forces: Miller's Marauders
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome:
Lima
Invading Forces: Simonson's Cutthroats
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome:
McComb
Invading Forces: Martian Cuirassiers
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome:
New Aberdeen
Invading Forces: Cunningham's Commandos
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome:
Royal
Invading Forces: Fuchida's Fusiliers + volunteer battalion
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome:

Galedon Thrust - Operation LAUNCELOT

An Ting
Invading Forces: 1st Davion Guards + 17th Avalon Hussars
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome:
|Capra
Invading Forces: 1st Crucis Lancers + 1st Albion Training Cadre
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome:
Delacruz
Invading Forces: 3rd Lyran Regulars + 42nd Avalon Hussars RCT
Defending Forces: 8th Sword of Light
Outcome:
Elidere IV
Invading Forces: 1st Ceti Hussars RCT + Screaming Eagles
Defending Forces:
Outcome:
Huan
Invading Forces: 1st Dismal Disinherited + 2nd Dismal Disinherited
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome:
Thestria
Invading Forces: Dioscuri (2 regiments)
Defending Forces: Thestria Militia
Outcome: The world was unremarkable place for both sides. The task to conquer Thestria fell to both regiments of the Dioscuri. The AFFS provided the commanding officers with all available information about the planet but the data were 15 years out of date. The initial landing was uncontested. Pollux annexed three important cities with large quanteties of food because their sister unit get control about an important transport hub. The Thestrian militia was well prepared and dealt the mercenaries several losses. The supporting AFFS infantry occupied the cities which freed the 'Mech formations to hunt the guerilla forces. In the end the DCMS forces could only delay the invaders. The mercenaries prepared their position for the coming counter attack of the DCMS.

Lyran Mercenary Raids

Though focusing the bulk of efforts on Operations Winternee and Sturmhammer, the Lyran Commonwealth also ordered the Killer Bees and Knights of St. Cameron mercenary units to launch deep raids across the neutral Free Rasalhague Republic into the Combine, an attempted distraction to keep the DCMS off-balance and try and prevent troops posted in Alshain and Pesht Military Districts from redeploying quickly to the main front. Setting out as as early as a month before the first invasion wave was launched, the mercenaries struck deep in the Combine before finally withdrawing as the second wave faltered in the face of Combine counter-attack.[7]

Inspiring wide-spread fear in the Combine's civilian population as the mercenaries struck numerous worlds on the most direct paths to important targets such as Pesht and Buckminster, on the surface the raids did succeed in prompting a redeployment of Combine troops to better protect Alshain and Pesht, but in many cases the DCMS merely transfered less seasoned troops into the region as more proficient ones were moved to help repulse the Allies invasion thrusts. The raids also damaged relations between the newborn Free Rasalhague Republic and the Lyran Commonwealth, the Republic Riksdag and the Elected Prince lodging diplomatic protests regarding the Lyran's violation of their neutrality.[7]

DCMS Counter-Strike

Almost as soon as the first Lyran forces crossed the border, the DCMS enacted several contingency plans to redeploy troops from the interior to counter-attack or oppose any further advances, but they were designed more to oppose heavy raids in force rather than full invasion. As the sheer scale of the combined FedCom thrusts became clear, the bulk of the DCMS was shocked into virtual inaction by the overwhelming opposition they faced, practically confirmed by the Coordinator's desperate "Hold at All Costs" defensive orders.[8]

Not all heeded the Coordinator's orders, a few units choosing to adopt an exceedingly liberal interpretation of them and launch offensive strikes to try and convince the Lyran and Davion forces to delay any further thrusts. Similar to the Lyran mercenary deep strikes, the 4th Arkab Legion and the 11th Alshain Regulars launched raids in the Lyran Commonwealth that did little material damage but forced the LCAF to expend resources to hunt them down. The most notable however was the counter-raids launched by the Dieron based Ryuken regiments at the direction of Tai-shu Michi Noketsuna.[8]

While the Ryuken's attacks against New Earth, Procyon and Saffel would prove highly successful, thanks to lacklustre intelligence reports their strike against Caph would prove near disastrous after the Ryuken-ni and Ryuken-san were shocked to discover two additional elite AFFS RCTs and, in possibly the greatest irony of the war, the Wolf's Dragoons were on-world. With the outnumbered Ryuken quickly surrounded, a bold and risky strike at a isolated AFFS staging base hidden in radioactive wastelands broke the stalemate and gave them to opening to escape off-world. Though little more than a footnote in the history of the war, the fighting did serve a cathartic purpose for both the Ryuken and the Dragoons, helping to lay the demons of Misery to rest.[8] [9]

Wave Two and Counterattack

Commonwealth Thrust Dieron Thrust Benjamin Thrust Davion Mercenary Actions Galedon Thrust DCMS Counter-Invasion Dieron Counter-Strike
Alnasi Ancha Fellanin II Bergman's Planet An Ting Breed Fomalhaut
Alrakis Athenry Klathandu IV Galtor III Capra Cartago Quentin
Altais Biham Marduk Harrow's Sun Delacruz Clovis
Kessel Dieron Matar Lima Elidere IV Dobson
Konstance Halstead Station New Mendham McComb Huan Doneval II
Vega Kervil Sadalbari New Aberdeen Thestria Exeter
Nashira Cylene Royal Beta Mensae V Le Blanc
Pike IV Markab Igualada New Ivaarsen
Sadachbia Murchison Kaznejov Rochester
Telos IV Skat Misery Xhosa VII
Altair Homam

Commonwealth Thrust - Operation WINTERSCHEE

Alnasi
Invading Forces: 26th Lyran Guards
Defending Forces: 6th Alshain Regulars + 1st Sun Zhang Academy Cadre
Outcome: The DCMS sent two units to recapture the planet from the LCAF. Before the invasion force arrived the remaining DCMS units on the ground supported by the ISF started a guerilla campaign. The relocation of the 1st Argyle Lancers weakened the position of the Guards further. Further developments such as supply shortages and a hostile population made the situation worse. During the landing of the DCMS troops their DropShips were lightly damaged by the defending fighter force but no losses were recorded. The DCMS commands landed over 100 km away from the Lyran troops. The Guards launched a battalion-sized assault but were surprised by the strong defense. The Alshain Regulars held the line with their main force and sent only scout elements after the retreating Guard units. The 26th Guards waited for the final assault in the planetary capital. The 1st Sun Zhang Academy Cadre tried to sneak into the defensive perimeter but were discovered by a patrol. The commanding officer sent a hastily-assembled force to counter the move when the 6th Regulars began their assault. The Lyrans retreat further. The Dragon tried 5 times to break the defense but were always beaten back. When the Commanding officer together with many of his staff was killed by an car bomb the decision had fallen to retreat back to Lyran space. [10]
Alrakis
Invading Forces: 23rd Arcturan Guards
Defending Forces: 11th Legion of Vega + 8th Alshain Regulars
Outcome:
Altais
Invading Forces: 8th Donegal Guards RCT
Defending Forces: 2nd Ghost
Outcome:
Kessel
Invading Forces: 2nd Donegal Guards + 11th Lyran Regulars + 4th Skye Rangers
Defending Forces: 2nd Sword of Light + 12th Sun Zhang Academy Cadre + 5th Sun Zhang Academy Cadre
Outcome:
Konstance
Invading Forces: 4th Lyran Regulars
Defending Forces: 22nd Dieron Regulars + 3rd Dieron Regulars
Outcome:
Vega
Invading Forces: Snord's Irregulars
Defending Forces: 2nd Legion of Vega + 14th Legion of Vega
Outcome:

Dieron Thrust - Operation STURMHAMMER

Ancha
Invading Forces: Fighting Urukhai - DeMaestri’s Sluggers
Defending Forces: 1st Shin Legion
Outcome: Fighting Urukhai => over 60 % loses => retreat to Addicks

1st Shin Legion => over 60 % loses => secured DCMS

Athenry
Invading Forces: Blue Star Irregulars (1894th Light Horse) + 21st Rim Worlds
Defending Forces: Twelfth Dieron Regulars + Twenty-seventh Dieron Regulars
Outcome: Blue Star Irregulars (1894th Light Horse) => suffer 40 % loses => retreat to Lambrecht
Blue Star Irregulars (21st Rim Worlds)=> suffer 40 % loses => retreat to Lambrecht

Twelfth Dieron Regulars => suffer 60 % loses => secured planet
Twenty-seventh Dieron Regulars => suffer 40 % loses => secured planet

Biham
Invading Forces: 8th Crucis Lancers + ]]Laurel’s Legion]]
Defending Forces: 5th Ghost + 6th Ghost
Outcome: Eighth Crucis Lancers => suffer 25 % loses => retreat
Laurel’s Legion => suffer 40 % loses => retreat
Fifth Ghost => suffer 25 % loses => secured planet
Sixth Ghost => suffer 60 % loses => secured planet
Dieron
Invading Forces:
Defending Forces:
Outcome:
Halstead Station
Invading Forces: [[5th FedCom RCT + Fighting Urukhai - Roman’s Bar Hounds
Outcome:
Kervil
Invading Forces: Seventh Donegal Guards
Defending Forces: First Sword of Light
Outcome:
Nashira
Invading Forces: 12th Vegan Rangers (Delta) + First FedCom RCT
Defending Forces: First Genyosha
Outcome: 12th Vegan Rangers (Delta) => 40 % loses => retreat to Errai
First FedCom RCT => 40 % loses => retreat to Errai
First Genyosha => 60 % loses => forced the AFFS to retreat
Pike IV
Invading Forces: Seventeenth Skye Rangers + Hansen’s Roughriders
Defending Forces: Twenty-fourth Dieron Regulars + Fifth Sword of Light
Outcome:
Sadachbia
Invading Forces: Eighth Deneb Light Cavalry + Redfield’s Renegades
Defending Forces: Ninth Dieron Regulars
Outcome:
Telos IV
Invading Forces: 12th Vegan Rangers (Gamma) + Twenty-second Avalon Hussars
Defending Forces: Second Benjamin Regulars + Forty-first Dieron Regulars
Outcome:


Miscellaneous Actions

Altair
Invading Forces:Second Davion Guards
Defending Forces: Eighteenth Dieron Regulars
Outcome:

Benjamin Thrust - Operation GAHERIS

Fellanin II
Invading Forces: 71st Light Horse Regiment + 21st Striker
Defending Forces: 2nd Arkab Legion + 4th Proserpina Hussars
Outcome:
Klathandu IV
Invading Forces: 7th Crucis Lancers + 2nd New Ivaarsen Chasseurs
Defending Forces: 3rd Benjamin Regulars + 2nd Galedon Regulars
Outcome:
Marduk
Invading Forces: 10th Deneb Light Cavalry
Defending Forces: 6th Benjamin Regulars + 8hth Galedon Regulars
Outcome:
Matar
Invading Forces: Cunningham's Commandos
Defending Forces: 11th Ghost + 12th Ghost
Outcome:
New Mendham
Invading Forces: Davion Light Guards
Defending Forces: 1st Amphigean Light Assault Groups + 2nd Amphigean Light Assault Groups
Outcome:
Sadalbari
Invading Forces: Cunningham's Commandos
Defending Forces: 2nd Shin Legion + 7th Ghost + 8th Ghost

Other Actions

Homam
Invading Forces: 21st Striker (ELH) + 151st Light Horse (ELH)
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome:
Skat
Invading Forces: 12th DLC,
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome:
Murchison
Invading Forces: 8th Crucis Lancers
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome:
Cylene
Invading Forces: 4th Davion Guards
Defending Forces: Militia
Outcome:

Davion Mercanry Actions

Unlike the other first wave thursts, operations on the seven worlds targeted for mercenary-supported revolutions generally succeeded in taking the pro-Davion and under-defended worlds in short order, the only sticking point being the Davion military intelligence's failure to discover the presence of the Ryuken-yon on Harrow's Sun, stymieing all attempts to solidify control. That changed little with Combine counter-attack. While the Kanrei actively directed his troops to strike at every world targeted by the Allies, with the DCMS were already dangerously overextended to support OROCHI, the seven worlds taken by the Davion mercenaries were mostly ignored. Aside from the ongoing fighting on Harrow's Sun, only two came under direct attack, the Combine ultimately successfully in retaking all three. [11]

By the time the Combine had the resource to strike at the others, the War had effectively been concluded and the dug-in and reinforced mercenaries were able to repulse any DCMS raids and keep their charges in Davion hands, save for Galtor III. Miscommunication during the Allies recall resulted in Clifton's Rangers digging in despite the AFFS believing they had retreated, the FedSun government secretly supporting the world despite it being in Combine-held space after learning of this. However when the Combine realise they had "lost" Galtor III in the midst of sensitive POW negotiations, the FedSun government ordered the Rangers to pull out to try and avoid a diplomatic incident. Refusing to abandon the world, the mercenaries broke contract to remain behind before being destroyed in 3042 after a bitter 15 month defense, one and a half years after the War of 3039 nominally concluded, when the Combine sent three front-line regiments to brutally subjugate Galtor III. [11] [12]

Even with the tragic and contentious loss of Galtor, ultimately the mercenary actions were among the Allies most success, accounting for three of the seven worlds gained by the Federated Suns. [11]

Galedon Thrust - Operation LAUNCELOT

An Ting
Invading Forces:
Defending Forces: Ryuken-roku
Outcome:
Capra
Invading Forces: First Crucis Lancers + First Albion Training Cadre
Defending Forces: Third Proserpina Hussars
Outcome:
Delacruz
Invading Forces:
Defending Forces: Eighth Sword of Light
Outcome:
Elidere IV
Invading Forces: The First Screaming Eagles
Defending Forces: Ninth Ghost + Tenth Ghost
Outcome:
Huan
Invading Forces: Second Dismal Disinherited
Defending Forces: Thirty-Second Galedon Regulars
Outcome:
Thestria
Invading Forces: Dioscuri (2 regiments)
Defending Forces: Sixteenth Galedon Regulars
Outcome:

Other Actions

Misery
Invading Forces: Second Screaming Eagles + First Ceti Hussars
Defending Forces:
Outcome:
Kaznejov
Invading Forces: First Crucis Lancers + First Albion Cadre
Defending Forces: Seventeenth Galedon Regulars
Outcome:
Beta Mensae
Invading Forces: First Crucis Lancers + First Albion Cadre
Defending Forces:
Outcome:
Igualada
Invading Forces: First Dismal Disinherited + Third Dismal Disinherited
Defending Forces:
Outcome:

DCMS Counter-Invasion - Operation OROCHI

Breed
Invading Forces: 3rd Ghost + 4th Ghost
Defending Forces: 1st NAIS Cadet Cadre + 2nd Robinson Rangers
Outcome:
Cartago
Invading Forces: 9th Benjamin Regulars
Defending Forces: Clovis Draconis March Mlitia
Clovis
Invading Forces: Ryuken-go
Defending Forces: Clovis Draconis March Militia
Outcome:
Dobson
Invading Forces: 2nd Chisholm's Raiders
Defending Forces: combined mercenary/Ghost battalions
Outcome:
Doneval II
Invading Forces: Ryuken-go
Defending Forces: 15th Deneb Light Cavalry
Outcome:
Exeter
Invading Forces: Ryuken-go
Defending Forces: 1st NAIS Cadet Cadre
Outcome:
Le Blanc
Invading Forces: 4th Ghost + three battalions (mercs collection)
Defending Forces: Robinson DMM + 2nd Ceti Hussars RCT
Outcome:
New Ivaarsen
Invading Forces: 4th Ghost + support
Defending Forces: 1st New Ivaarsen Chasseurs
Outcome:
Rochester
Invading Forces: 4th Ghost Regiment
Defending Forces: Third Ceti Hussars RCT
Outcome:
Xhosa VII
Invading Forces: Ryuken-go
Defending Forces: 7th Crucis Lancers + 2nd New Ivaarsen Chasseurs
Outcome:

Dieron Counter-Strike Continued

Coinciding with the Kanrei's Operation OROCHI, Tai-shu Noketsuna on Dieron received intelligence that Operation STURMHAMMER commander Field Marshal Vanessa Bisla had ordered additional forces advance from their bases in the Terran Corridor to join the Dieron thrust, prompting him to send forces to take advantage of the redeployments. More a continuation of the Dieron raids launched during the first wave than a direct adjunct to Operation OROCHI, the strikes against the high-risk targets of Formalhaut and Quentin would prove wildly more successful than expected, with the 36th and 40th Dieron Regulars able to capture and hold both planets until the conclusion of the War and the signing of the Exeter Accords. The capture of Quentin and Independence Weaponry, the seat of the Federated Suns assault 'Mech manufacturing, would prove to be the Combine's biggest prize of the conflict and more than mitigate the worlds lost to the FedCom forces. [13]

Secondary Factions

While not directly involved in the defense of the Combine, the Free Worlds League and Capellan Confederation both sought to take advantage of Lyran and Davion preoccupation elsewhere to launch raids and strikes against the future Federated Commonwealth.

Free Worlds League Operations

As the War of 3039 formally began, the Free Worlds League was in the final stages of ten-year long Andurien Secession, the bloody conflict to bring the Anduriens back into the fold helping to foster an increased sense of pride and nationalism in many League units. With this increased pride also came a desire to avenge the League's embarrassing defeats in the Fourth Succession War, making the raids that followed a forgone conclusion. [14]

FWLM Wave One FWLM Wave Two
Menkalinan Hsien
Phact Alioth
Old Kentucky Cor Caroli
Raballa Callison
Chamdo Marcus
Capella Hall

Wave One

Still heavily engaged in the Andurien conflicts, the initial League strikes were relatively small scale raids within the final weeks of the Allies first wave, the most extensive and successful being the recapture of Menkalien. In a rare intelligence coup, SAFE alerted the FWLM to the withdrawal of the LCAF garrison on Menkalinen shortly before the outbreak of war, FLWM troops retaking the world within six days. While SAFE ensured the recapture of Menkalien, it failed the 2nd Oriente Hussars on their so-called "Phact Finding" mission. Striking Old Kentucky, Chamdo and Reballa after the transfer of their frontline forces to the Kurita front, the Hussars ran into a frontline LCAF RCT on Phact itself, resulting in an epic three week chase before they could escape on July 10th 3039.[14]

The most surprising of these raids however was the 9th Marik Militia's impromptu strike against the important Liao world of Capella on July 12th. Deployed to extricate the 2nd Oriente Hussars from Phact, when the Hussars escaped on their own, the 9th's CO decided to launch "raid in force" against regional capital, inflicting heavy losses against the unprepared Blandford's Grenadiers before withdrawing in good order. [14]

Wave Two

Emboldened by the relatively success of their raids during the Allies first wave, the FWLM High Command made the fateful decision to launch invasions against six additional worlds during the FedCom forces planned second wave, seeking to capture or re-capture them for the League. Unfortunately the League military incorrectly assumed they would face minimal to no resistance, unaware of the DCMS counterattack and that the Allies postponement of many of their strikes had freed up numerous units to repulse their attacks. [15]

In most respects the Hsien, Alioth and Cor Caroli invasions of July to September 3039 were relatively successful, and the troops assigned able to flee ahead of the returning LCAF and AFFS forces. The League forces that assaulted Callison and Marcus were not so lucky, grossly outnumbered and outclassed, they suffered heavy losses as they were ejected by October. The most infamous however was the reborn Black Widow Battalion's total rout of the 18th Marik Militia on Hall on Christmas Day 3039. Cementing again Natasha Kerensky's fearsome reputation, though nobody in the Inner Sphere realised it at the time, the fighting on Hall was a preview for the future, the first instance of a Clan-style Cluster defeating a Star League-configured regiment. [15]

Capellan Confederation Operations

Much like the Free Worlds League, the Capellan Confederation had regained a measure of pride when it successfully repulsed the combined Andurien-Magistrcy invasion and also considered taking advantage of the distraction of the invasion of the Combine to launch raids into Davion-held space. Unfortunately the increased paranoia in the wake of Chancellor Romano Liao's ascension left the Strategios too scared to take its own initiative, fearful the Chancellor would either order their execution for their presumption if the raids failed or rashly order a full invasion of the Federated Suns if they proved successful. Recognizing they needed somebody with both a good personal relationship with the Chancellor as well as the wherewithal to actively launch the raids, the Strategios approached Archibald McCarron of the famed McCarron's Armored Cavalry. With the Big MAC uneasy at the restful period following the Andurien invasion, McCarron needed little prompting to be convinced to launch a series of deep raids into Davion space in May 3039. [16]

Planets raided by McCarron Armored Cavalry Planets struck as part of CASE JULIET
Alcyone Grand Base
Addicks Victoria
Andro Menke
Bethel Ares
Gallitzin
Kathil
Monhegan
Monongahela
Orbisonia

Attack of the MAC

In total eight relatively minor Federated Suns worlds were targeted over the next several months as the Cavalry's hit-and-run raids extended deeper into the Davion space towards the important factory world of Kathil. Spending little over a week on each world inflicting as much damage as possible, initially the AFFS forces assumed the MAC would attempt to hold their worlds, leading to a confused response. However, after the AFFS realised the goal of Big MAC's strike was Kathil, Duke Morgan Hasek-Davion dispatched CASE JULIET, his own counter-invasion force, and set a trap for the mercenary unit on-world.[16]

Landing first on September 2nd, Barton's Regiment were outnumbered but unconcerned, striking at the seemingly sluggish 8th Syrtis Fusiliers while awaiting the other MAC regiments. Holding back until after the First and Third MAC landed, the Davion forces sprung their trap, revealing the Alcyone CMM and 1st Kittery Borderers were also on-world. Now heavily outnumbered, the shocked MAC held out for few more days before conceding they were over-matched. As the fighting on Kathil bogged down, Archie McCarron learned of the FedCom strike against their homeworld of Menke and immediately recalled the bulk of his troops, but gave an unsatisfied Colonel Marcus Barton authorisation to continue to operate behind enemy lines as he saw fit.[16] [16] [17]

Barton ultimately opted for a totally unexpected and highly questionable attack against Addicks, the command center of the entire Addicks PDZ. With Addicks a major staging point for units taking part in the invasion of the Combine, Barton easily concealed his two 'Mech Battalions among the multiple RCTs and regiments on-world. Painting his forces to resemble some of the Davion units stationed on Addicks, Barton's forces launched their attack on November 14th, rampaging through the spaceport for three and half hours before making a break for their DropShips, escaping but suffering extremely heavy losses in the process, most notably a Union-class DropShip with all hands and a JumpShip whose KF drive burned out after a desperate quick-charge.[16] [18]

After their eventual return, McCarron's Armored Cavalry were hailed as heroes by the Capellan media, boosting the morale of the Capellan military at the cost of the AFFS counter-invasion and the damage it inflicted.[16]

AFFC Counter-assault (Case Juliet)

While the McCarron Armored Cavalry raids reaching as deep as Kathil came as a surprise, Capellan March commander Duke Morgan Hasek-Davion had been making preparations for CASE JULIET since 3038 in case the Capellans chose to test if the AFFS had weakened itself to strike House Kurita. Originally a retaliatory strike against vital manufacturers on Grand Base, Victoria and Menke, Sarna March commander General Roman Steiner also prepared to target Ares after consulting wih Hasek-Davion and the AFFS high command as well.[19]

Though highly risky as JULIET involved almost all the available Capellan March defenders, Duke Hasek-Davion and General Steiner knew a simultaneous strike of this magnitude would send a clear message to the Chancellor and rebuke McCarron for his raids. Demonstrating to the CCAF the weakness of its defenses, a lesson some considered possibly better saved for a renewed war against the Confederation, Hasek-Davion considered it a price well paid to prevent a larger Capellan strike during the War of 3039.[19]

The Confederation however found the price bitter indeed, suffering much greater physical losses compared to those inflicted by the Big MAC on the Federated Suns. The Capellan leadership would spin MAC's victories for a morale boost, "proving" that the Davion military was not invincible, publicly hiding the fact that military production on all four worlds had been crippled for months if not years.[19]

Aftermath

The failure of the LCAF and AFFS to properly coordinate their offensive led to the decision to integrate the military forces of the two nations well before they officially became one nation. House Kurita also won a symbolic victory with their conquest of Quentin where Independence Weaponry produced the Davion-favorite Victor. Following the loss of that factory world, the AFFC had to import their Victors from the St. Ives Compact.

But the Combine victory was not without cost. Though the Kanrei dragooning of the Combine's merchant shipping made Operation Orchi possible, it had a devastating effect upon the realm's economy.

References

  1. War of 3039 p.28
  2. War of 3039 p.29
  3. War of 3039 p.29-30
  4. Historical: War of 3039 p.46-47
  5. Historical: War of 3039 p.48
  6. Historical: War of 3039 p.48
  7. 7.0 7.1 Historical: War of 3039, p. 58-60 "Wave One - Other Wave One Actions - Lyran Operations"
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Historical: War of 3039, pp. 59-63 "Wave One - Other Wave One Actions - DCMS Operations"
  9. Historical: War of 3039, pp. 61 "Wave One - Other Wave One Actions - DCMS Operations - Healing the Rift"
  10. Historical: War of 3039 p.70
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Historical: War of 3039, pp. 98-102 "Wave Two and Counterattack - Mercenary-Supported Actions"
  12. Historical: War of 3039, pp. 100-102 "Wave Two and Counterattack - Mercenary-Supported Actions - The Last Battle"
  13. Historical: War of 3039, pp. 119-120 " Wave Two and Counterattack - Other Wave Two Actions - Combine Operations - Fomalhaut (July) - Quentin (July)"
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 Historical: War of 3039, p. 63 " Wave One - Other Actions - Free Worlds League Operations"
  15. 15.0 15.1 Historical: War of 3039, pp. 120-122 " Wave Two and Counterattack - Free Worlds League Operations"
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 Historical: War of 3039, pp. 122-124 " Wave Two and Counterattack - Capellan Operations - The Mac Attack"
  17. Historical: War of 3039, pp. 124-125 "Wave Two and Counterattack - Capellan Operations - Kathil (September)"
  18. Historical: War of 3039, pp. 124-125 " Wave Two and Counterattack - Capellan Operations - Addicks (November)"
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 Historical: War of 3039, p. 127 "Wave Two and Counterattack - Capellan Operations - Countering the Big MAC"

Bibliography

Dates

  • Start Date - 3039
  • End Date - 3040