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1894th Light Horse Regiment

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1894th logo.jpg
1894th Light Horse Regiment
Nickname The Thoroughbreds (3025);
Keepers of the Flame
Affiliation Mercenary;
Star League (formerly)
Parent Command Blue Star Irregulars;
XLVIII Corps (formerly)

The 1894th Light Horse Regiment was a part of the Star League Defense Force Regular Army, until it was incorporated into the Blue Star Irregulars Mercenary unit.

History[edit]

Star League Era[edit]

In 2764, the 1894th Light Horse was assigned as a part of the XLVIII Corps, Seventeenth Army to the Periphery Military Region.[1] The unit was part of Task Force Sagittarius, a well-rounded brigade that patrolled the rimward edge of the Magistracy of Canopus in order to deter the higher-than-average number of bandits operating in the region.[2]

The 1894th continued to serve in the Periphery during the Periphery Uprising. The unit survived the war and the Hegemony Campaign, and a part of the regiment joined the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns,[1] merging with surviving elements of the Eighth Striker Regiment to form the Second Ceti Hussars[3][4] and the First Argyle Lancers.[4] The remainder evidently became a part of the mercenary unit known as the Blue Star Irregulars.[5]

First Succession War[edit]

In February 2787 a battalion from the 1894th supported an AFFS raiding force drawn from elements of the Fourteenth Avalon Hussars in a raid against the Draconis Combine world of David. During the course of the week-long raid the Fourteenth and 1894th battled elements of the Third Arkab Legion at the port city of Sassari in an hour-long engagement before forcing the Legion to withdraw and looting a number of warehouses of spares and munitions. The Fourteenth and 1894th also conducted a number of air patrols across David during the course of the week, before withdrawing back to Federated Suns space, content that they had gained the measure of the Combine's border defenses.[6]

Unknown to the Fourteenth or the Blue Star Irregulars, the Third Arkab Legion had deliberately only fought back using half their available forces and had withdrawn from battle intentionally, to give the raiders a misleading impression of the strength of the garrison on David and to prevent the Fourteenth discovering the presence of either the Third Dieron Regulars, concealed in hidden bases deep in the Northern Andropo badlands or the conventional forces hidden in bunkers constructed to look like transient villages dotted along the Fatima River Basin. The deception was conducted in accordance with orders issued by Warlord Jinjiro Kurita as part of widespread preparations for the upcoming invasion of the Federated suns.[6]

Fourth Succession War[edit]

All three regiments took part in the invasion of the planet Liao during the first wave of the war in 3028.[7] They fought alongside the Thirty-third Avalon Hussars in that conflict.[8] They later assaulted Genoa and Arboris.[9] Genoa was easily captured, again with the 33rd Avalon Hussars help.[10]

War of 3039[edit]

Clan Invasion[edit]

Following the destruction of the Twenty-first Rim Worlds Regiment on Fort Loudon by Clan Jade Falcon in 3054, the 1894th and the Avatars of Painful Death Regiment received permission from Marshal of the Armies Morgan Hasek-Davion to launch a retaliatory raid against Quarell in the Clan Jade Falcon Occupation Zone in 3055.[11][12] The Irregulars ignored the Falcons' transmissions requesting that they participate in a batchall, allowing the Falcons to use their entire force in the Quarell system (three Clusters, a Fredasa-class WarShip, and its escorting OmniFighters against the Irregulars and the Hell's Black Aces. The 1894th Light Horse had captured several Falcon supply dumps, but could not help the Avatars, who were destroyed after being trapped by two Falcon Clusters.[11]

Colonel Alexander Duff-Gordon, commander 1894th Light Horse and the Irregulars overall, decided to finally follow Clan traditions to extricate his people. The 1894th captured a large Falcon supply dump, and Colonel Duff-Gordon issues a batchall, demanding the return of all Irregulars taken as bondsmen, all captured Blue Star medals, and safe passage back to FedCom space if he won a Trial of Possession, and offering to return the captured WarShip and supplies if he lost. Star Colonel Padrick Shi-Lu accepted Duff Gordon's batchall. Colonel Duff-Gordon led two lances of Irregulars against Star Colonel Shi-lu and a Star of Falcons. The Irregulars won the Trial, at the cost of six of their MechWarriors, including Colonel Duff-Gordon. The Irregulars retreated to Rasalgethi.[11]

After the formation of the Lyran Alliance in 3057, Archon Katherine Steiner-Davion attempted to convince the Irregulars to support her instead of her brother First Prince Victor Steiner-Davion. Colonel Raldin Lwai sent his reply: "The Blue Star Irregulars will forever support a rightful claim to the Federated Commonwealth." The Irregulars then relocated from Rasalgethi to Morges in the Arc-Royal Defense Cordon and placed themselves under the command of Grand Duke Morgan Kell. Katherine had to rush reinforcements to Rasalgethi before the Jade Falcons realized the planet was undefended.[13][14]

FedCom Civil War[edit]

During the Jade Falcon Incursion of the FedCom Civil War, the Second Battalion of the 1894th garrisoned Black Earth after the Falcons were driven off the world.[15] The First Battalion was assigned to hold Roadside after liberation.[16]

The 1894th also took part in Peter Steiner-Davion's invasion of Tharkad, although they wanted to join Victor Steiner-Davion's task force.[14] During the Battle of Tharkad City, the 1894th broke through the Loyalist defenders, forcing the 11th Arcturan Guards to surrender.[14]

Jihad[edit]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the 1894th Light Horse Regiment
Colonel Alexander Duff-Gordon 30493055[17][11]
Colonel Raldin Lwai 3058[18][13]
Colonel Wu Sen Tang 3067[14]

Tactics[edit]

The 1894th is skilled at high speed maneuvers, and capable of executing ones requiring precise timing while maintaining tight formations.[14] The 1894th often flanks an enemy forces that has stretched itself thin.[13] While the 1894th has trained in combined arms tactics,[19] its high speed maneuvers often leave its supporting armor forces trailing behind the 'Mechs.[13]

Composition History[edit]

2764[edit]

1894th Light Horse Regiment

As an SLDF Light Horse regiment, the 1894th would have been composed of light to medium vehicles, with at least two recon companies comprising BattleMechs and vehicles designed for information gathering, as well as other regular 'Mechs.[20]

2786–2821[edit]

1894th Light Horse (Regiment/Elite/Reliable)[21]

Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on Muskegon. In 2821 the command was reduced to 42 percent of its strength and was deployed on Muskegon.[21]

2830[edit]

1894th Light Horse (Regiment/Elite/Reliable)[22]

Note: At this point in time the heavy-weight unit was stationed on Alnadal with an operational readiness of 91 percent.[22]

2864[edit]

1894th Light Horse (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[22]

Note: At this point in time the assault-weight unit was stationed on Perkasie with an operational readiness of 20 percent.[22]

3025[edit]

1894th Light Horse (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[23]

  • CO: (CO: General Mona Troy)
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Ozawa.

3040[edit]

1894th Light Horse Regiment (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[24]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Rasalgethi.[24]

3050[edit]

1894th Light Horse (medium 'Mech Regiment/Veteran/[17]Reliable)[25]

  • CO: Colonel Alexander Duff-Gordon[25]
Note: Each 'Mech battalion is made of a heavy company, a medium company, and a light/medium company.

1894th Calvary (combat vehicle Regiment)[17]

Note: Each battalion contains a company of Demolisher tanks.

1894th Tactical Recon Group (infantry Regiment)[17]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Rasalgethi.[25] Support units included a heavy aerospace fighter wing and an artillery company.[17]

3054[edit]

1894th Light Horse (Regiment/Veteran/Questionable)[26]

  • CO: Colonel Alexander Duff-Gordon[26]
Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Rasalgethi.[26]

3059[edit]

1894th Light Horse (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[13]

Note: At this point in time the 1894th Light Horse's regimental command lance was a strengthened lance of six 'Mechs. Each battalion had a standard strength command lance. The 1894th had a company's worth of Clan OmniMechs, another company's worth of Clan standard BattleMechs, and another battalion's worth of advanced Inner Sphere 'Mechs refitted with Clan technology.[13]

Star Hunters (Strengthened Wing (26 fighters)/Elite/Fanatical)[13]

1894th Cavalry (2 Battalions/Veteran/Fanatical)[13]

1894th Tactical Recon Group (1 Battalion, First Company equipped with VTOLs)[13]

Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Morges.[27]

3067[edit]

1894th Light Horse Regiment (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[14]

Note: At this point in time the 1894th Light Horse was at 82% strength. The regimental command lance is a strengthened lance of six 'Mechs. Each battalion had a standard strength command lance. Each command lance has at least one Clan 'Mech. First Battalion has a company equipped with Clan OmniMechs and Clan Standard BattleMechs. Two companies' worth of Inner Sphere OmniMechs are distributed through the regiment.[14]

Star Hunters (Strengthened Wing 26 fighters/Veteran/Fanatical)[14]

  • Wing Commander: Major Iso Kasigi

1894th Cavalry (1 Battalion)[14]

1894th Tactical Recon Group (1 Battalion, First Company equipped with VTOLs)[14]

  • Infantry Commander: Major Karstan Rappahladron
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Black Earth.[14]

Color Scheme and Insignia[edit]

The 1894th Light Horse paints its units dark blue, accented with many silver-steel stripes.[28]

The insignia of the Blue Star Irregulars is a blue-steel star on a silver shield. The 1894th Light Horse uses a horse (brown and white pinto for 'Mechs, a light blue Pegasus for aerospace, and a Clydesdale for combat vehicles) painted on the lower left torso for 'Mechs. Sparks and stars trail behind across the torso. Stars are painted red as kill-markers.[28][14][29]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

  1. a b The Star League, p. 155: "Seventeenth Army"
  2. Field Manual: SLDF, p. 204: "XLVIII Corps - Independent Regiments"
  3. Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 64: "2nd Ceti Hussars RCT: Three of Diamonds"
  4. a b First Succession War, p. 33: "Those Left Behind"
  5. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 151: "Blue Star Irregulars"
  6. a b First Succession War, p. 37: "Holding Back: The Battles for David and Saffel"
  7. The Fourth Succession War Scenarios Volume One, p. 9
  8. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 16
  9. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 12
  10. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 32
  11. a b c d Field Manual: Mercenaries, p. 40: "Blue Star Irregulars: The Return of Kerensky"
  12. Field Manual: Mercenaries, Revised, p. 46: "Blue Star Irregulars Unit Brief"
  13. a b c d e f g h i Field Manual: Mercenaries, p. 42: "1894th Light Horse Unit Profile"
  14. a b c d e f g h i j k l m Field Manual: Mercenaries, Revised, p. 47: "1894th Light Horse Unit Profile"
  15. FedCom Civil War, p. 118
  16. FedCom Civil War, p. 120
  17. a b c d e f Combat Manual: Mercenaries, p. 24: "Blue Star Irregulars Unit Brief"
  18. Fast Deployment (CCG - Crusade)
  19. Field Manual: Mercenaries, p. 41: "Blue Star Irregulars: Available Forces and Organization"
  20. The Star League, p. 133: "Regiments - Light Horse"
  21. a b First Succession War, p. 135
  22. a b c d Second Succession War, p. 95
  23. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 149
  24. a b Historical: War of 3039, p. 140
  25. a b c 20 Year Update, p. 26
  26. a b c Objective Raids, p. 23
  27. Field Manual: Mercenaries, p. 109
  28. a b Field Manual: Mercenaries, Revised, p. 46: "Blue Star Irregulars: Colors and Insignia"
  29. "Blue Star Irregulars". CamoSpecs Online. Retrieved 2025-06-24. Per FM: Merc (revised), page 46-48.
  30. Field Manual: Updates, p. 183

Bibliography[edit]