Difference between revisions of "Wilson's Hussars"
(Revised to include more information on the Periphery years. Fixed some broken and incorrect reference tags. Expanded History, Assets, Support, and Officers sections. Added Game Rules section. Added notes on canon conflicts.)
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{{Update Needed|[[Combat Manual: Mercenaries]]}}
 
 
{{infoBoxMercUnit
 
{{infoBoxMercUnit
 
| image    = [[File:Wilson's Hussars.jpg|200px|Emblem of Wilson's Hussars]]
 
| image    = [[File:Wilson's Hussars.jpg|200px|Emblem of Wilson's Hussars]]
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| year      = 3067
 
| year      = 3067
 
| commander = Major Donna Wilson
 
| commander = Major Donna Wilson
 +
| Formed    = 3007
 
| disbanded = 3076
 
| disbanded = 3076
 
| jumpships = no
 
| jumpships = no
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==History==
 
==History==
−
Originally a Liao battalion, the '''Lafarge Hussars''', the unit which would one day become '''Wilson's Hussars''' started as a proud and celebrated unit, faithfully serving [[House Liao]] for countless years in numerous battles under the command of near-legendary Major Alexander Floyd. This all ended on the contested planet [[Burroughs]] when the [[Federated Suns]] [[6th Syrtis Fusiliers]] crushed them, killing over a third of the unit's MechWarriors as well as Major Floyd.  The rest of the battalion surrendered and were allowed to become a regular militia attached to the [[House Davion]] victors. <ref name=MH-93>''Mercenary's Handbook'', p. 93</ref>
+
===Foundation===
 +
Originally a Liao battalion, the '''Lafarge Hussars''', the unit which would one day become '''Wilson's Hussars''' started as a proud and celebrated unit, faithfully serving [[House Liao]] for countless years in numerous battles under the command of near-legendary Major Alexander Floyd. This all ended on the contested planet [[Burroughs]] in [[2996]], when the [[Federated Suns]] [[6th Syrtis Fusiliers]] crushed them. Over a third of the unit's MechWarriors - as well as Major Floyd - died.  The rest of the battalion surrendered and were allowed to become a regular militia attached to the [[House Davion]] victors. <ref name=MH-93>''Mercenary's Handbook'', p. 93</ref>
  
−
They remained in service to House Davion for the next decade giving faithful if not exemplary service. Owed three months back pay the fully restored Hussars battalion, led by Major Jennifer Langstrom, left Davion service for the mercenary life, believing it would yield more profits than the current garrison duties they were drawing from their [[Federated Suns]] masters. Initially taking service with [[House Kurita]] they did at first excel and the Hussars seemed destined for greatness. <ref name=MH-93/>
+
They remained in service to House Davion for many years, giving faithful if not exemplary service. Finally, shorted by three months of back pay, Major Jennifer Langstrom led the fully restored Hussars battalion out of Davion service for the mercenary life. She believed it would prove more profitable than the garrison duties they were drawing from their [[Federated Suns]] masters. Taking service with [[House Kurita]] in [[3007]], they did at first excel and the Hussars seemed destined for greatness. <ref name=MH-93/>
  
 
After their initial successes came a series of less successful missions and the Hussars left Kurita service for more glory and the hopes of a restored reputation in the service of House Liao. Though initially the unit served well and was successful, their luck ran out in [[3014]] on the planet [[St. Ives]]. Defending against a House Davion raid Major Langstrom lost her life when armored units destroyed her ''[[BattleMaster]]''. Her brother Michael Langstrom then took command, leading to an era of disaster and deterioration for the once storied Hussars. <ref name=MH-93/>
 
After their initial successes came a series of less successful missions and the Hussars left Kurita service for more glory and the hopes of a restored reputation in the service of House Liao. Though initially the unit served well and was successful, their luck ran out in [[3014]] on the planet [[St. Ives]]. Defending against a House Davion raid Major Langstrom lost her life when armored units destroyed her ''[[BattleMaster]]''. Her brother Michael Langstrom then took command, leading to an era of disaster and deterioration for the once storied Hussars. <ref name=MH-93/>
  
−
Under Michael Langstrom's uninspired leadership the unit's morale deteriorated. His command style caused near mutiny and his inability to effectively lead led to disaster after disaster, culminating on Ingersol, where, due to incompetence and panic, he caused most of the Hussars to be destroyed in the crash of the [[DropShip]] he ordered into danger to save him <ref name=MH-93/>. Though Langstrom did survive the initial crash, his 'Mech was soon destroyed by energy weapon fire, and his assistant, Captain David Wilson led the remnants of the unit to safety on their remaining DropShip.<ref name=MH-93/>
+
Under Michael Langstrom's uninspired leadership the unit's morale deteriorated. His command style caused near mutiny and his inability to effectively lead led to disaster after disaster, culminating on Ingersol, where, due to incompetence and panic, he caused most of the Hussars to be destroyed in the crash of the [[DropShip]] he ordered into danger to save him <ref name=MH-93/>. Though Langstrom did survive the initial crash, his 'Mech was soon destroyed by energy weapon fire. His assistant, Captain David Wilson, led the remnants of the unit to safety on their remaining DropShip.<ref name=MH-93/>
  
−
From then on the now named Wilson's Hussars went from bad to worse, going from unsuccessful contracts with [[Inner Sphere]] noble houses to bare survival in [[Periphery]] bandit kingdoms and pirate havens. <ref name=MH-94>''Mercenary's Handbook'', p. 94</ref> They lived hand to mouth, barely making it but still surviving, much to the surprise of any and all they came in contact with.
 
  
−
In [[3021]] Wilson's Hussars were based on the Periphery world of [[Butte Hold]] and in the employ of the Bandit King [[Redjack Ryan]]. Ryan tasked the Hussars with raiding the Draconis Combine world of [[Kimball VI]]. Kimball VI had a population of just 100,000, and relied on the small planetary militia and a hired mercenary unit for defense; Ryan envisaged an easy raid, securing him mining and ore processing equipment in the face of little resistance.<ref name="TRO:3026Rp20">''Technical Readout: 3026, Revised Edition'', p. 20, "Warrior H-7 Attack Helicopter"</ref>
+
===The Periphery Years===
 +
In [[3018]], a corrupt Kurita official framed the Hussars for bribery, and successfully sued in the [[MRB]] courts to withhold payment for their successful raid on [[Suk II]]. They launched a counter-raid on [[Kobe]], but were badly beaten.<ref name=MH-93/> By [[3021]] Wilson's Hussars had officially gone rogue, based on the Periphery world of [[Butte Hold]] and in the employ of the Bandit King [[Redjack Ryan]]. Ryan tasked the Hussars with raiding the Draconis Combine world of [[Kimball VI]]. Kimball VI had a population of just 100,000, and relied on the small planetary militia and a hired mercenary unit for defense; Ryan envisaged an easy raid, securing him mining and ore processing equipment in the face of little resistance.<ref name="TRO:3026Rp20">''Technical Readout: 3026, Revised Edition'', p. 20, "Warrior H-7 Attack Helicopter"</ref> Sheila Bannock, the unit's Executive Officer (and close friend of Captain Wilson) had recently been killed in a bar brawl, however, and Wilson's grief had compromised his usual tactical skill<ref name=MH-94>''Mercenary's Handbook'', p. 94</ref>.
  
−
The Hussars landed 30 kilometers south of a mountain range with active mines and moved north in [[company]] strength. By the time the Hussars reached the foothills they had been targeted by the mercenary garrison, who proceeded to ambush and harass the Hussars using their [[Warrior (Combat Vehicle)|Warrior H-7 Attack Helicopters]]. The Hussars couldn't close with the fast VTOLs after the initial ambush against the Hussars' Recon Lance, but Wilson insisted on trying, leading his entire company in pursuit of the mercenaries. That pursuit ended in an ambush in a box canyon, where the waiting planetary militia dropped SRMs and Infernos on the luckless Hussars. After losing 3 [['Mech]]s Wilson called for a general retreat, and his surviving 'Mechs were harassed constantly by the mercenary helicopters all the way back to their drop zone.<ref name="TRO:3026Rp20"/>
+
The Hussars landed 30 kilometers south of a mountain range with active mines and moved north in [[company]] strength. By the time the Hussars reached the foothills they had been targeted by the mercenary garrison, who proceeded to ambush and harass the Hussars using their [[Warrior (Combat Vehicle)|Warrior H-7 Attack Helicopters]]. The Hussars couldn't close with the fast VTOLs after the initial ambush against the Hussars' Recon Lance, but Wilson insisted on trying, leading his entire company in pursuit of the mercenaries. That pursuit ended in an ambush in a box canyon, where the waiting planetary militia dropped SRMs and Infernos on the luckless Hussars. After losing 3 [['Mech]]s Wilson called for a general retreat, and his surviving 'Mechs were harassed constantly by the mercenary helicopters all the way back to their drop zone<ref name="TRO:3026Rp20"/>.
  
−
In 3056 the unit fell to the command of Major Donna Wilson<ref name=FMM-94/>, daughter of David Wilson. In desperation she and the Hussars returned to the Inner Sphere to wash up on [[Outreach]] in a battered, barely functional DropShip of questionable provenance <ref name=MH-94/>. It seemed the prototypical hard-luck unit had finally hit bottom, because from there on their luck changed and for once it was for the better.
+
Following the disastrous defeat, the Hussars terminated employment with Ryan. They picked up a contract with [[Helmar Valasek]], Bandit King of [[Santander V]] shortly thereafter. Valasek assigned some of his own MechWarriors to assist the Hussars in raiding Longbow Mountain in the [[Taurian Concordat]]. This raid failed "disastrously". When the news reached the Bandit King, he ordered the retreating Hussars to be abandoned in the [[Outworlds Alliance]], where they remained through at least [[3025]]<ref name=MH-94/>.  
  
−
On Outreach the Hussars initially scrambled for contracts, willing to accept anything to allow them to continue to exist as a unit.<ref name=FMM-94>''Field Manual: Mercenaries'' p. 94</ref> After months of fruitless searching a bit of luck fell their way when a small security force agreed to a merger, bringing with them a company of Drillson tanks and two platoons of infantry as well as much needed support personnel. From there on out things began to change for the better.<ref name=MS-65>''Mercenaries Supplemental'', p. 65, "Wilsons Hussar's Profile"</ref>
+
===Return to the Inner Sphere===
 +
In [[3050]], following a possible tangle with the Clans, the Hussars returned to Outreach with just two operational Lances of 'Mechs and - allegedly - the same trashed Dropship that had evacuated them from [[Ingersol]] thirty years previously. While David Wilson was still in command, his daughter Donna (who led their retreat from the Periphery)<ref name=CMM-70>''Combat Manual: Mercenaries'', p. 70</ref> would assume his mantle by 3056<ref name=FMM-94/>. It seemed the prototypical hard-luck unit had finally hit bottom, because from there on their luck changed and for once it was for the better.
 +
 
 +
On Outreach the Hussars initially scrambled for contracts, willing to accept anything to allow them to continue to exist as a unit.<ref name=FMM-94/> After months of fruitless searching a bit of luck fell their way when a small security force agreed to a merger, bringing with them a company of [[Drillson]] tanks and two platoons of infantry as well as much needed support personnel. From there on out things began to change for the better.<ref name=MS-65>''Mercenaries Supplemental'', p. 65, "Wilson's Hussars Profile"</ref>
  
 
Taking a contract with the [[Federated Suns]] in [[3056]] on the eve of the [[FedCom Civil War]], the unit served admirably, culminating with the defeat of the [[17th Arcturan Guards]] on the planet [[Small World]]. The Hussars were tasked with command of an ad-hoc unit of many smaller mercenary units in this victory. Afterwards many of the forces they led chose to join the Hussars, increasing their 'Mech assets from two [[Lance]]s to a full [[Battalion]] in strength. <ref name=MS-65/>
 
Taking a contract with the [[Federated Suns]] in [[3056]] on the eve of the [[FedCom Civil War]], the unit served admirably, culminating with the defeat of the [[17th Arcturan Guards]] on the planet [[Small World]]. The Hussars were tasked with command of an ad-hoc unit of many smaller mercenary units in this victory. Afterwards many of the forces they led chose to join the Hussars, increasing their 'Mech assets from two [[Lance]]s to a full [[Battalion]] in strength. <ref name=MS-65/>
  
−
With this added strength the Wilson's Hussars seem once again to be flirting with greatness. For what the future holds only time will tell, but the Hussars, for the first time in a long time, seem ready to face it with at least a chance for victory.<ref name=MS-65/>
+
With this added strength the Wilson's Hussars once again flirted with greatness. For the first time in a long time, they seemed ready to face the future with at least a chance for victory.<ref name=MS-65/>
  
 
===The Jihad===
 
===The Jihad===
Line 40: Line 44:
  
 
==Officers==
 
==Officers==
−
The commanding officer in 3025 was [[Captain]] David Wilson.<ref name=MH-93/>
+
* '''[[Major]] Alexander Floyd''', Commanding officer, ???-2996<ref name=MH-93/>
−
As of 3056 [[Major]] Donna Wilson is the CO of Wilson's Hussars.<ref name=MS-65/>
+
* '''[[Major]] Jennifer Langstrom''', Commanding Officer, 2996-3014 <ref name=MH-93/>
 +
* '''[[Major]] Michael Langstrom''', Commanding Officer, 3014-3016 <ref name=MH-93/>
 +
* '''[[Captain]] [[David Wilson]]''', Commanding Officer, 3016-3055<ref name=MH-93/>
 +
** '''[[Lieutenant]] Sheila Bannock''', Executive Officer, ???-3021<ref name=MH-94/>
 +
*** '''[[Lieutenant]]s Paula Stillson, Bryce MacDowell,''' and '''Arthur Blankenship''', Lance Commanders circa 3025<ref name="MH-97">''The Mercenary's Handbook'', p.97</ref>
 +
* '''[[Major]] [[Donna Wilson]]''', Commanding Officer, 3056-3077<ref name=MS-65/><ref name=JHS:Tp18/>
 +
** '''[[Lieutenant]]''' (later [[Captain]]) '''Kern Verrick''', Executive Officer, circa 3059-3067 <ref name="FMM-94">''Field Manual: Mercenaries'', p. 94</ref><ref name=MS-65/>
  
 
==Tactics==
 
==Tactics==
−
Favoring an up close and personal tactical doctrine<ref name=FMM-94/> the Hussars like to hammer their opponents into the ground while the attached and assigned conventional assets wreak havoc in the enemies' rear. Due to this doctrinal preference the Hussars prefer heavier weight of [[BattleMechs]] whenever possible<ref name=MS-65/>
+
The Hussars favor up-close-and-personal tactics<ref name=FMM-94/><ref name=MS-65/>,  using 'Mech forces to hammer their opponents at close range while conventional assets wreak havoc in the enemies' rear. The Hussars prefer heavier-weight [[BattleMechs]] whenever possible, but rarely have more than a few functioning.<ref name=MS-65/>
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Rules==
 +
<div class="gamerules">
 +
===Game Rules===
 +
====3050====
 +
'''Alpha Strike''': All Hussars units begin the scenario/campaign damaged, losing 1/3 of their armor. One Unit per Formation suffers random Critical Hits. The Hussars' player also has 75% of the normal starting assets in a campaign. Special Command Abilities: ''Hit and Run, Overrun Combat, Zone of Control''.<ref name=CMM-70/>
 +
 
 +
====3067====
 +
'''BattleTech''': Hussars units gain ''Overrun Combat'' in ''Hold the Line, Breakthrough, and Extraction''; As the Defender in these scenarios, they also use ''Hidden Units'' for all Infantry and up to two Vehicle Lances.
 +
Hussars units gain -1 to-hit for ranged and close-combat attacks when fighting at ranges of less than 3 hexes, and may spend 2MP to use Zone of Control in their front facing. Only units which have Jump Jets can block other units with Jump Jets.<ref name=MS-78>''Mercenaries Supplemental'', p. 78, "Wilson's Hussars"</ref>
 +
</div>
 +
 
  
 
==Composition History==
 
==Composition History==
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'''Mech Assets''' (1 [[Company]]/Regular/Questionable)<ref name=MH-93/>
 
'''Mech Assets''' (1 [[Company]]/Regular/Questionable)<ref name=MH-93/>
 
* CO: Captain David Wilson
 
* CO: Captain David Wilson
−
:* Command Lance
+
:* Command Lance - ''[[Marauder]]'' (Good Condition); ''[[Griffin]], [[Blackjack]], [[Phoenix Hawk]]'' (all Crippled)
−
:* Assault Lance
+
:* Assault Lance - ''[[Warhammer]]'' (Damaged); ''[[Awesome]], [[Hunchback]]'' (Destroyed); ''[[Rifleman]]'' (Crippled)
−
:* Fire Lance
+
:* Fire Lance - ''[[Archer]], [[Jenner]]'' (Damaged), ''[[Enforcer]], [[Wasp]]'' (Crippled)
−
:* Recon Lance
+
:* Recon Lance - ''[[Ostroc]], [[Stinger]]'' (Damaged), ''[[Wasp]]'' (Crippled), ''[[Locust]]'' (Destroyed)
−
- The majority of the equipment of the Hussars is of Salvage or Destroyed quality at best. At this time there are only six fully functional 'Mechs in the company.
+
:* Unassigned - ''[[Thunderbolt]], [[Ostscout]]'' (Severely Damaged)
 +
- The majority of the equipment of the Hussars is of Salvage or Destroyed quality at best. At this time there are only eight functional 'Mechs in the company.
 +
 
 +
===3050===
 +
'''Mech Assets''' (1 [[Company]]/Veteran)<ref name=CMM-70>
 +
*CO: Captain David Wilson
 +
:* Command Lance (Medium-Heavy) (Includes 1 ''[[Catapult]]'' with Clan Double Heat Sinks)
 +
:* Unknown Lance (Light-Medium)
 +
'''Aerospace Assets''
 +
:* [[DropShip]] ''Red Eagle''<ref name=CMM-70/><ref name=MH-93/>, Unknown Class
  
 
===3067===
 
===3067===
Line 66: Line 98:
 
* Mighty Mighty Drillsons - Lieutenant Daniel Jarra
 
* Mighty Mighty Drillsons - Lieutenant Daniel Jarra
 
- Note: 12 [[Drillson]] Tanks in 6 Lances
 
- Note: 12 [[Drillson]] Tanks in 6 Lances
 +
 +
'''Aerospace Assets''
 +
:* [[DropShip]] ''Raconteur'', [[Union]]-class <ref name=MS-65/>
  
 
==Support==
 
==Support==
 +
===3025===
 +
The unit's support is "bleak", with only two Techs, a tiny stockpile of generic parts, no weaponry, and the majority of the Company's 'Mechs destroyed or barely operational. Only Wilson's [[Marauder]] is in good repair, and more than half of the 'Mechs are damaged beyond recovery.
 +
 +
===3050===
 +
No tech support, other than the MechWarriors themselves. <ref name=CMM-70/>
 +
 +
===3059===
 +
The unit is seeking contracts that pay in parts and tech-support, with one advanced weapon (an ER PPC) and no Techs.<ref name="FMM-94"/>
 +
 +
===3065===
 
Minor repairs can be handled by the integral support staff, MechWarriors and crews, but major repairs, updates and overhauls need additional support from external sources<ref name=MS-65/>
 
Minor repairs can be handled by the integral support staff, MechWarriors and crews, but major repairs, updates and overhauls need additional support from external sources<ref name=MS-65/>
 +
 +
  
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
Line 78: Line 125:
 
File:Wilsonhussars-headband.png
 
File:Wilsonhussars-headband.png
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 +
 +
==Notes==
 +
* The most recent canon source, [[Combat Manual: Mercenaries]], states that the dropship the Hussars used to return to Outreach was the same ship on which they evacuated Ingersol. [[Mercenary's Handbook]], however, claims that they sold the ship (the ''Red Eagle'') to purchase transport from House Liao to the Periphery. It is plausible that the Hussars re-named a purchased or stolen ship after her, causing confusion in the MRB on their return, or even re-purchased the lost ship. [[Mercenaries Supplemental]], however, names the Dropship as the ''Union''-class ''Raconteur''.
 +
 +
* [[Field Manual: Mercenaries]] (In-universe date 1 Oct 3059) gives information that directly conflicts with the dates and unit strengths given in the more recent [[Mercenaries: Supplemental]] (referencing the unit's FedCom Civil War performance and the period 3056-3060). This data is deliberately omitted.
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 18:43, 22 February 2017

Template:InfoBoxMercUnit

History

Foundation

Originally a Liao battalion, the Lafarge Hussars, the unit which would one day become Wilson's Hussars started as a proud and celebrated unit, faithfully serving House Liao for countless years in numerous battles under the command of near-legendary Major Alexander Floyd. This all ended on the contested planet Burroughs in 2996, when the Federated Suns 6th Syrtis Fusiliers crushed them. Over a third of the unit's MechWarriors - as well as Major Floyd - died. The rest of the battalion surrendered and were allowed to become a regular militia attached to the House Davion victors. [1]

They remained in service to House Davion for many years, giving faithful if not exemplary service. Finally, shorted by three months of back pay, Major Jennifer Langstrom led the fully restored Hussars battalion out of Davion service for the mercenary life. She believed it would prove more profitable than the garrison duties they were drawing from their Federated Suns masters. Taking service with House Kurita in 3007, they did at first excel and the Hussars seemed destined for greatness. [1]

After their initial successes came a series of less successful missions and the Hussars left Kurita service for more glory and the hopes of a restored reputation in the service of House Liao. Though initially the unit served well and was successful, their luck ran out in 3014 on the planet St. Ives. Defending against a House Davion raid Major Langstrom lost her life when armored units destroyed her BattleMaster. Her brother Michael Langstrom then took command, leading to an era of disaster and deterioration for the once storied Hussars. [1]

Under Michael Langstrom's uninspired leadership the unit's morale deteriorated. His command style caused near mutiny and his inability to effectively lead led to disaster after disaster, culminating on Ingersol, where, due to incompetence and panic, he caused most of the Hussars to be destroyed in the crash of the DropShip he ordered into danger to save him [1]. Though Langstrom did survive the initial crash, his 'Mech was soon destroyed by energy weapon fire. His assistant, Captain David Wilson, led the remnants of the unit to safety on their remaining DropShip.[1]


The Periphery Years

In 3018, a corrupt Kurita official framed the Hussars for bribery, and successfully sued in the MRB courts to withhold payment for their successful raid on Suk II. They launched a counter-raid on Kobe, but were badly beaten.[1] By 3021 Wilson's Hussars had officially gone rogue, based on the Periphery world of Butte Hold and in the employ of the Bandit King Redjack Ryan. Ryan tasked the Hussars with raiding the Draconis Combine world of Kimball VI. Kimball VI had a population of just 100,000, and relied on the small planetary militia and a hired mercenary unit for defense; Ryan envisaged an easy raid, securing him mining and ore processing equipment in the face of little resistance.[2] Sheila Bannock, the unit's Executive Officer (and close friend of Captain Wilson) had recently been killed in a bar brawl, however, and Wilson's grief had compromised his usual tactical skill[3].

The Hussars landed 30 kilometers south of a mountain range with active mines and moved north in company strength. By the time the Hussars reached the foothills they had been targeted by the mercenary garrison, who proceeded to ambush and harass the Hussars using their Warrior H-7 Attack Helicopters. The Hussars couldn't close with the fast VTOLs after the initial ambush against the Hussars' Recon Lance, but Wilson insisted on trying, leading his entire company in pursuit of the mercenaries. That pursuit ended in an ambush in a box canyon, where the waiting planetary militia dropped SRMs and Infernos on the luckless Hussars. After losing 3 'Mechs Wilson called for a general retreat, and his surviving 'Mechs were harassed constantly by the mercenary helicopters all the way back to their drop zone[2].

Following the disastrous defeat, the Hussars terminated employment with Ryan. They picked up a contract with Helmar Valasek, Bandit King of Santander V shortly thereafter. Valasek assigned some of his own MechWarriors to assist the Hussars in raiding Longbow Mountain in the Taurian Concordat. This raid failed "disastrously". When the news reached the Bandit King, he ordered the retreating Hussars to be abandoned in the Outworlds Alliance, where they remained through at least 3025[3].

Return to the Inner Sphere

In 3050, following a possible tangle with the Clans, the Hussars returned to Outreach with just two operational Lances of 'Mechs and - allegedly - the same trashed Dropship that had evacuated them from Ingersol thirty years previously. While David Wilson was still in command, his daughter Donna (who led their retreat from the Periphery)[4] would assume his mantle by 3056[5]. It seemed the prototypical hard-luck unit had finally hit bottom, because from there on their luck changed and for once it was for the better.

On Outreach the Hussars initially scrambled for contracts, willing to accept anything to allow them to continue to exist as a unit.[5] After months of fruitless searching a bit of luck fell their way when a small security force agreed to a merger, bringing with them a company of Drillson tanks and two platoons of infantry as well as much needed support personnel. From there on out things began to change for the better.[6]

Taking a contract with the Federated Suns in 3056 on the eve of the FedCom Civil War, the unit served admirably, culminating with the defeat of the 17th Arcturan Guards on the planet Small World. The Hussars were tasked with command of an ad-hoc unit of many smaller mercenary units in this victory. Afterwards many of the forces they led chose to join the Hussars, increasing their 'Mech assets from two Lances to a full Battalion in strength. [6]

With this added strength the Wilson's Hussars once again flirted with greatness. For the first time in a long time, they seemed ready to face the future with at least a chance for victory.[6]

The Jihad

Wilson's Hussars were part of an AFFS force that landed on Schedar on the 2nd of December 3076. Schedar was one of three worlds to be attacked simultaneously by the AFFS - the other two worlds being Caselton and Mirach - in an attempt to liberate the worlds from the Word of Blake Protectorate.[7][8] The battle for Schedar was particularly brutal, and Wilson's Hussars were wiped out completely attempting to blunt the advance of Word of Blake troops counterattacking the AFFS forces. The sacrifice made by the Hussars gave the 2nd Federated Suns Armored Cavalry the opportunity needed to regroup and eventually force the Blakists back.[9]

Officers

Tactics

The Hussars favor up-close-and-personal tactics[5][6], using 'Mech forces to hammer their opponents at close range while conventional assets wreak havoc in the enemies' rear. The Hussars prefer heavier-weight BattleMechs whenever possible, but rarely have more than a few functioning.[6]


Rules

Game Rules

3050

Alpha Strike: All Hussars units begin the scenario/campaign damaged, losing 1/3 of their armor. One Unit per Formation suffers random Critical Hits. The Hussars' player also has 75% of the normal starting assets in a campaign. Special Command Abilities: Hit and Run, Overrun Combat, Zone of Control.[4]

3067

BattleTech: Hussars units gain Overrun Combat in Hold the Line, Breakthrough, and Extraction; As the Defender in these scenarios, they also use Hidden Units for all Infantry and up to two Vehicle Lances. Hussars units gain -1 to-hit for ranged and close-combat attacks when fighting at ranges of less than 3 hexes, and may spend 2MP to use Zone of Control in their front facing. Only units which have Jump Jets can block other units with Jump Jets.[11]


Composition History

3025

Mech Assets (1 Company/Regular/Questionable)[1]

  • CO: Captain David Wilson

- The majority of the equipment of the Hussars is of Salvage or Destroyed quality at best. At this time there are only eight functional 'Mechs in the company.

3050

Mech Assets (1 Company/Veteran)<ref name=CMM-70>

  • CO: Captain David Wilson
  • Command Lance (Medium-Heavy) (Includes 1 Catapult with Clan Double Heat Sinks)
  • Unknown Lance (Light-Medium)

'Aerospace Assets

3067

Wilson's Hussars (1 Battalion/Veteran/Questionable}[6]

  • CO: Major Donna Wilson
    • XO: Captain Kern Verrick

Murphy's Wrath (Mixed Armor/Infantry Company/Regular/Reliable)[6]

  • Able Platoon - Captain Malcolm Kavanaugh
  • Baker Platoon - Lieutenant Scott Walker
  • Mighty Mighty Drillsons - Lieutenant Daniel Jarra

- Note: 12 Drillson Tanks in 6 Lances

'Aerospace Assets

Support

3025

The unit's support is "bleak", with only two Techs, a tiny stockpile of generic parts, no weaponry, and the majority of the Company's 'Mechs destroyed or barely operational. Only Wilson's Marauder is in good repair, and more than half of the 'Mechs are damaged beyond recovery.

3050

No tech support, other than the MechWarriors themselves. [4]

3059

The unit is seeking contracts that pay in parts and tech-support, with one advanced weapon (an ER PPC) and no Techs.[5]

3065

Minor repairs can be handled by the integral support staff, MechWarriors and crews, but major repairs, updates and overhauls need additional support from external sources[6]


Gallery

  • Wilson's Hussars MechWarrior.jpg
  • Wilsonhussars-warriors.png
  • Wilsonhussars-pin.png
  • Wilsonhussars-mechwarrior.png
  • Wilsonhussars-headband.png

Notes

  • The most recent canon source, Combat Manual: Mercenaries, states that the dropship the Hussars used to return to Outreach was the same ship on which they evacuated Ingersol. Mercenary's Handbook, however, claims that they sold the ship (the Red Eagle) to purchase transport from House Liao to the Periphery. It is plausible that the Hussars re-named a purchased or stolen ship after her, causing confusion in the MRB on their return, or even re-purchased the lost ship. Mercenaries Supplemental, however, names the Dropship as the Union-class Raconteur.
  • Field Manual: Mercenaries (In-universe date 1 Oct 3059) gives information that directly conflicts with the dates and unit strengths given in the more recent Mercenaries: Supplemental (referencing the unit's FedCom Civil War performance and the period 3056-3060). This data is deliberately omitted.

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 Mercenary's Handbook, p. 93
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Technical Readout: 3026, Revised Edition, p. 20, "Warrior H-7 Attack Helicopter"
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Mercenary's Handbook, p. 94
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Combat Manual: Mercenaries, p. 70
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Field Manual: Mercenaries, p. 94
  6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 Mercenaries Supplemental, p. 65, "Wilson's Hussars Profile"
  7. ↑ Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 23, "Timeline of the Jihad"
  8. ↑ Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 56, "The Jihad In Review"
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 18-20, "AFFS Reclaims Three Worlds"
  10. ↑ The Mercenary's Handbook, p.97
  11. ↑ Mercenaries Supplemental, p. 78, "Wilson's Hussars"

Bibliography

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