1st Orloff Grenadiers

Orloffgrenadiers1st.png
First Orloff Grenadiers
Formed 2691[1]
Nickname Soldiering in Purple[1]
Affiliation Free Worlds League
Parent Command Orloff Grenadiers


History[edit]

Founding[edit]

The First Orloff Grenadiers were founded in 2691 when House Orloff cited the Camlann vs. Free Worlds precedent and broke the planets of Kievanur and Semenyih away from the Federation of Oriente to form the new Duchy of Orloff. The Duchy then immediately announced the formation of the Orloff Grenadiers, which would be funded solely by House Orloff.[1]

Star League Era[edit]

Swiftly building a reputation for excellence, the First Orloff Grenadiers wanted for very little during the Star League era; the First and the other regiments of the Grenadiers were provided with top-of-the-line equipment procured by House Orloff and had initiated an extremely stringent recruiting mechanism that included all members of the First swearing oaths not to fight against the Grenadiers or House Orloff.[1]

Despite House Orloff's secession from the Federation of Oriente and although the Grenadiers were officially provincial forces of the Duchy of Orloff[1] - all of the forces associated with provinces officially having become provincial forces in 2650, decades before the founding of the Grenadiers, in what was at least partly an act of fiction to avoid disbanding a large number of regiments under the demands of the Star League Council Edict of 2650[2] - House Orloff and House Allison maintained a close relationship. As a result the First could be - and often were - deployed throughout the Federation of Oriente, protecting worlds of importance to Oriente rather than just Kievanur and Semenyih, neither of which was of particular interest to pirates and raiders.[1]

The Grenadiers as a brigade chose to stand by House Allison during the Marik Civil War, a decision that resulted in the Grenadiers not being called on to fight, but which also strained the relationship between the Grenadiers, the Free Worlds League Parliament and the Captain-General.[1]

During the decade leading up to the Amaris Civil War the First was very active, dealing with pirate raids against various Federation worlds; like its sister regiments, the First displayed consistently rapid response times - which helped the First limit collateral damage and casualties - and the high degree of operational latitude given to the commanding officer of the First by House Orloff. Funded by House Orloff, equipped with the best equipment and given a great deal of operational latitude, morale was consistently high in the First during this era despite the operational tempo. In exchange for this high level of support and operational freedom, to ensure that the high standards of the Grenadiers were met, the commanding officer of the First enforced high standards of conduct and strict dress codes consistent with those being enforced across the brigade. These standards, whilst harsh and imposing, were supported by the First, who felt that the discipline was a key part in allowing the Grenadiers to continue to outshine every other provincial and federal brigade within the Free Worlds League.[1]

It was during the Star League era that the Grenadiers established the tradition of regimental commanding officers being democratically elected by the personnel in their unit, with each commanding officer being elected for a two-year term. This tradition was a source of some concern for the Free Worlds League Military due to the risk that an elected commander might not agree with the policies and direction provided by House Orloff, in contrast with an appointed commander.[1]

First Succession War[edit]

In 2996, a detachment of infantry, armor and BattleMechs of the Grenadiers was send to Tsinghai, as an honor guard of Skylar Orloff, Duke's son, while he tried to convince the planetary authorities to join his Duchy. Then, they received the news of the Duke's assassination, making Skylar the new Duke, and the planet fell under the Capellan invasion. A Capellan officer recognized a high-value target's presence on planet, launching two lances against him and his escorts. Despite suffering high casualties, they downed most Grenadiers 'Mechs, capturing an Awesome pilot... but he was not Skylar, being Grenadiers captain Cyril de Milo, who had exchanged 'Mech with Skylar. Apparently, the new Duke managed to evacuate safely the planet.[3]

Anton's Revolt[edit]


Fourth Succession War[edit]


Andurien Secession[edit]


Clan Invasion Era[edit]

With so much history the First often performed ceremonial duties and conducted "show the flag" tours, but was a highly skilled combat unit during this era.[4]

In order to maintain their excellent public image, members of the First were constantly required to adhere to strict dress codes. Soldiers in the unit who wore the wrong uniform or a dirty one were subject to heavy fines. Should a soldier consistently fail to adhere to the dress codes, they could receive black marks on their records or even be cashiered from service.[4]

Operation Guerrero[edit]

In 3057, the First attacked Oliver in conjunction with the Twentieth Marik Militia, forcing the Third NAIS Cadre from the planet.[4] After that they engaged in several smaller anti-terrorist operations throughout the Duchy.[5]

Jihad[edit]

The First Orloff Grenadiers weren't really in any serious fighting during the Jihad. They garrisoned Hassad and kept it safe from threat forces.[6]

After the Jihad, the Duchy of Orloff merged with the Grand Duchy of Oriente. The First Orloff Grenadiers were honored for their long service by being placed second in the Duchy's list of honor, after the Fusiliers of Oriente and above the Oriente Hussars. This has led to some grumbling from the Oriente Hussars, but the First Grenadiers expulsion of the 5th Regulan Hussars from Emris IV has silenced most critics.[7]

Dark Age[edit]

The First Orloff Grenadiers were assigned to put down a pro-Regulus coup on Elektrougli in 3141. They arrived and fought elements of the 14th Regulan Hussars, eventually forcing them from the world.[8][9]

The First Orloff found the transition to federal service more difficult than any other formerly provincial unit. The LCCC left the unit's tradition of electing the senior colonel in place to improve the unit's morale. One significant change however is that any soldier who hasn't achieved the Grenadier's traditional membership requirements automatically forfeits their vote. This basically eliminates the vote of an entire lance. As a result, lance commanders frequently nominate "not yet Grenadiers" for membership in the Order of the Saber.[10] The two battalions of the First Orloff Grenadiers were stationed on Sophie's World and Kyeinnisan in 3145.[11]

When Regulan troops invaded the Oriente Protectorate in August 3146, the First Orloff battled the First and Fourth Regulan Hussars on Sophie's World and Kyeinnisan. The Orloff troops managed to pin the enemy forces in place on these worlds until FWLM counterattacks elsewhere forced the Regulans to withdraw.[12]

Two years later, when the League mounted its own assault on the Regulan Fiefs, the First Orloff Grenadiers attacked Tiber alongside elements of Alpha Aimag and drove the First Regulan Hussars offworld. The First Orloff subsequently joined the League task force that appeared in the Regulus system itself before the war's end.[13]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the First Orloff Grenadiers
Colonel Polzin 2996[14]
Colonel Sigurd McDowell 3017 - 3025[15][16]
Colonel Douglas Hoppe 3050 to 3067[17][18][4]
Colonel Judy Westings 3085[19]
Colonel Candice Jackson 3145 - 3148[20][21]

Other Officers[edit]

In 3067, after the elevation of Douglas Hoppe to overall command of the Orloff Grenadiers, Brevet-Colonel Aumi Shapiro was given operational command of the unit.[22]

Tactics[edit]

The command is trained to respond to many battlefield situations with the right tactic, but in urban warfare they excel.[4]

Composition History[edit]

2765[edit]

First Orloff Grenadiers (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[23]

- At this point the First was based on New Delos.[23]

2786 - 2821[edit]

1st Orloff Grenadiers (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[24]

Note: At this point in time the assault-weight unit was stationed on New Delos. In 2821 the command was reduced to 34 of its strength and was deployed at Vanra.[24]

2830[edit]

1st Orloff Grenadiers (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[25]

Note: At this point in time the heavy-weight unit was stationed on Vanra with an operational readiness of 76 percent.[25]

2864[edit]

1st Orloff Grenadiers (Regiment/Elite/Reliable)[25]

Note: At this point in time the assault-weight unit was stationed on Vanra with an operational readiness of 48 percent.[25]

3025[edit]

First Orloff Grenadiers (Regular/Reliable)[16]

  • CO: Colonel Sigurd McDowell

3028[edit]

1st Orloff Grenadiers (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[26]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Vanra.[26]

3050[edit]

First Orloff Grenadiers (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[17]

  • CO: Colonel Douglas Hoppe[17]
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Vanra.[17]

3059[edit]

First Orloff Grenadiers (1 Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[4]

First Orloff Aerospace (1 Wing/Regular/Reliable)[4]

Second Vanra Armored Militia (1 Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[4]

Fourteenth Orloff Irregulars (1 Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[4]

3067[edit]

First Orloff Grenadiers (Regular/Reliable)[22]

  • CO: Brevet-Colonel Aumi Shapiro

First Orloff Aerospace (Wing/Regular/Reliable)[22]

  • CO: Commodore Philip Zissimou

Second Vanra Armored Militia (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[22]

  • CO: Force Commander Jadwiga Szragh

Fourteenth Orloff Irregulars (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[22]

  • CO: Lieutenant Colonel Phoebe Hughes

3079[edit]

First Orloff Grenadiers (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[27]

Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Hassad.[27] The First came through the Jihad in good shape. They were at 100% of their nominal strength.[6]

3085[edit]

First Orloff Grenadiers (Regular/Reliable)[19]

First Orloff Aerospace (Wing/Regular/Reliable)[19]

Second Vanra Armored Militia (Green/Reliable)[19]

Fourteenth Orloff Irregulars (Regular/Fanatical)[19]

3145[edit]

First Orloff Grenadiers (2 Battalions/Veteran/Questionable)[20]

  • CO: Colonel Candice Jackson

First Orloff Aerospace Wing (Veteran/Reliable)[20]

Fourth Vanra Armored Militia (Regular/Questionable)[20]

Eighteenth Orloff Irregulars (Regular/Reliable)[20]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Field Report 2765: FWLM, p. 19: "Orloff Grenadiers"
  2. Field Report 2765: FWLM, p. 4: "Circumventing Directive 30"
  3. High Value Target, p. 200
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Field Manual: Free Worlds League, p. 102: "1st Orloff Grenadiers Unit Profile"
  5. Field Manual: Updates, p. 157: "1st Orloff Grenadiers"
  6. 6.0 6.1 Field Report: FWLM, p. 13
  7. Field Manual: 3085, p. 84
  8. Technical Readout: 3145 Free Worlds League, p. 26
  9. Technical Readout: 3145 Capellan Confederation, p. 42
  10. Field Manual: 3145, p. 103
  11. Field Manual: 3145, p. 115
  12. Shattered Fortress, pp. 20–21
  13. Shattered Fortress, pp. 53–54
  14. High-Value Target
  15. House Marik (The Free Worlds League), p. 103: "1st Grenadiers Profile"
  16. 16.0 16.1 House Marik (The Free Worlds League), p. 109: "FWLM Deployment Table - 3025"
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 20 Year Update, p. 57: "FWLM Deployment Table - 3050"
  18. Objective Raids, p. 39: "FWLM Deployment Table - 3054"
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 Field Manual: 3085, p. 92: "FWLM Deployment Table - 3085"
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 Field Manual: 3145, p. 115: "Free Worlds League Military"
  21. Hunting Season, ch. 29
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 Field Manual: Updates, p. 162: "AFFS Deployment Table - 3067"
  23. 23.0 23.1 Field Report 2765: FWLM, p. 19: "Regimental Status"
  24. 24.0 24.1 First Succession War, p. 138
  25. 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 Second Succession War, p. 98
  26. 26.0 26.1 Historical: Brush Wars, p. 86
  27. 27.0 27.1 Field Report: FWLM, p. 13

Bibliography[edit]