2nd Benjamin Regulars

Benjaminregulars2.png
2nd Benjamin Regulars
Formed Star League era or earlier[1]
Nickname Defenders of the Combine[2]
Affiliation Draconis Combine
Parent Command Benjamin Regulars

The Second Benjamin Regulars are an often light[3] BattleMech regiment in the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery. Throughout much of their history, the Second Benajmin have only been as loyal to the state as the level to which the state's treatment has been to the unit, whether in the form of soldiers, machines, or other equipment from the Bureau of Substitution and the Department of Procurement. Negatively viewed as a "mercenary" way of thinking, members of the unit respond that giri, or duty, is a two-way street. They claim to desire no preferential treatment, only that which is due to other regular units, such as those of Galedon or Dieron.[4]

History[edit]

Formation[edit]

Star League Era[edit]

Of the various brigades of Regulars active within the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery during the Star League era, the regiments of the Benjamin Regulars — including the Second Benjamin Regulars — were considered to be the most flexible. This was a reflection of the reality that the Regulars could at any point be called on to fight against the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns, the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces or the Star League Defense Force, as a result of the Benjamin Military District bordering the Federated Suns, Lyran Commonwealth and Terran Hegemony. This was even acknowledged by the Internal Security Force, who gave the Second and the other regiments of the Regulars more leeway than the average DCMS unit — an attitude the Benjamin Regulars repaid by limiting complaints and criticism to supply issues and local concerns, rather than anything to do with politics.[1]

Third Succession War[edit]

In 3025 the unit was stationed on Kajikazawa.[5]

Fourth Succession War[edit]

Ronin War[edit]

War of 3039[edit]

The command was sent as reinforcement to the beleaguered DCMS troops on Telos IV. The Twenty-second Avalon Hussars and Twelfth Vegan Rangers Gamma Regiment onworld did everything to halt the approach.[citation needed] The Second Benjamin lost a battalion of 'Mechs during the planetary insertion.[6]

Clan Invasion[edit]

In early 3050 the Second was based on Kajikazawa.[7]

Bangor[edit]

The Second Benjamin faced three Trinaries of the Jaguar Grenadiers on Bangor in September 3050. Surviving a long-range assault and then headlong rush from their heavy machines, the Second Benjamin nevertheless faced an unending attack from the Smoke Jaguars. The Second made its final stand on the Division Shield, a high plateau overcooking the capital city of Bangor Market.[8][9]

Which mechanism any escaped is unknown, though by 3054, two battalions of the Second were garrisoning Ogano.[10]

Operation BULLDOG[edit]

Dominion War[edit]

The unit fought against the Bears on Dumaring and reinforced the Fifth Galedon Regulars as an additional defense force. With their coordinated defense efforts, they could hold the world until the Courchevel Trial.[11]

Federated Suns Incursion[edit]

Jihad[edit]

The Second Benjamin Regulars defended Benjamin from Davion and Word of Blake forces. These resistance efforts took a heavy toll on the unit, reducing it to a quarter of its pre-Jihad strength.[12] After being relieved by Nova Cat forces the Second rebuilt its numbers by absorbing the survivors of the Fifteenth Benjamin Regulars, who had also been on Benjamin. Once the world was free of Blakist forces, the Coordinator visited. The Second, however, wasn't able to enjoy the visit, as they were rotated off-world. The message that they weren't trusted by the High Command was received, and the Second stopped pushing for treatment equal to other Regular units. Their acceptance of this need to show their loyalty has worked, with the High Command sending some replacement troops.[13]

Dark Age[edit]

The Second raided several systems along the Combine's borders with the Republic of the Sphere and the Rasalhague Dominion, including the Dehgolan system.[14]

Battling these Rasalhague Dominion forces has sharpened the fighting edge to a remarkable degree. So much so that in terms of respect, the regiment stands shoulder to shoulder with the vaunted Sword of Light formations in the eyes of the Coordinator and the Gunji-no-Kanrei. As part of the expansion of the Benjamin Regulars, Warlord Shichiroji Hayashida split one battalion's worth of men and equipment to merge into the new units, leaving the Second with a reduced combat power but leaving the unit's cohesion intact.[15]

As of the Draconis Combine invasion of the Federated Suns in 3145, the Second Benjamin became based on the newly conquered world of Raman in the Proserpine Prefecture. They were heavily deployed during these operations and, after facing off against crack units of the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns, took heavy damage.[15]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Second Benjamin Regulars
General Samson Tartilkoff 3025[5]
Tai-sa Samson Ashura 3050 - 3054[7][10]
Tai-sa Ben Auberjona 3059–3067[4][16]
Tai-sa Yuuto Motou 3085[17]
Tai-sa Tsuyoshi Kanagaki 3145[18]

Other officers[edit]

Tactics[edit]

Star League Era[edit]

The Second Benjamin Regulars favored a strong combined-arms approach, but otherwise were a generalist unit, and deliberately fielded a wide range of BattleMech classes to encourage adaptation to changing circumstances.[1]

Succession Wars Era[edit]

In 3025 the unit was specialized in city fighting.[21]

Clan Invasion[edit]

The Second specializes in assaulting urban targets, using speed to threaten several sections of a city at once and spread out the defenders.[4]

Composition History[edit]

2765[edit]

Second Benjamin Regulars (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[1]

Note: At this point in time the Regulars were stationed on Sendai; attached to the Regulars were a wing of aerospace fighters, an artillery regiment, four infantry regiments, and four armored regiments.[1]

2786–2821[edit]

Second Benjamin Regulars (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[22]

Note: At this point in time the Regulars were a light-weight regiment, operating at full strength and stationed on Trolloc Prime.[22]In 2821 the unit was operating at just below half-strength and stationed on Buckminster.[22]

2830[edit]

Second Benjamin Regulars (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[23]

Note: At this point in time the light-weight unit was stationed on Trolloc Prime with an operational readiness of 83 percent.[23]

2864[edit]

Second Benjamin Regulars (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[23]

Note: At this point in time the light-weight unit was stationed on Trolloc Prime with an operational readiness of 42 percent.[23]

3025[edit]

Second Benjamin Regulars (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[5]

  • CO: General Samson Tartikoff[5]
Note: The Second Benjamin Regulars are a light 'Mech Regiment.[21] At this point in time the unit was stationed on Kajikazawa.[5]

3040[edit]

Second Benjamin Regulars (Regiment/Regular/Questionable)[24]

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

3050[edit]

Second Benjamin Regulars (light 'Mech Regiment/Regular/[2]Questionable)[7]

  • CO: Tai-sa Samson Ashura[7]
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Kajikazawa[7] and support units included a heavy aerospace fighter company, a light combat vehicle regiment, and a conventional infantry battalion.[2]

3054[edit]

Second Benjamin Regulars (2 Battalions/Regular/Reliable)[10]

  • CO: Tai-sa Samson Ashura

3059[edit]

Second Benjamin Regulars (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[4]

Note: The Steel Jaws (Second Company, First Battalion) is an experienced unit in street fighting and had received many upgrades for their heavy/assault machines. The remaining units are mainly medium weight. Approximately 60 percent of the Mechs are upgraded.[25]

War Shrikes (2 Companies/Veteran/Reliable)[4]

Note: As an active fighting unit they saw a lot of combat. Their machines (mainly Slayers & Shilones)spotted many upgrades.
Fifteenth Precinct Armor (Battalion/Regular/Reliable)[4]
Note: The past as a law enforcement unit learned them many city fighting skills. The light IFS are best suited for such fights.

Vlad's Vanguards (2 Battalions/Regular/Reliable)[4]

Note: The unit contains two infantry types, one fast jump infantry battalion and one motorized battalion, this gives the parent unit forces quick response.

3067[edit]

Second Benjamin Regulars (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[16]

  • CO: Tai-sa Ben Auberjona

War Shrikes (Wing/Veteran/Reliable)[16]

  • Wing Commander: Dai-i Jase Montgomery

Fifteenth Precinct Armor (Battalion/Regular/Reliable)[16]

  • Armor Commander: Chu-sa Levar Tomaga

Vlad's Vanguards (2 Battalions/Veteran/Reliable)[16]

  • Troop Commander: Chu-sa Vlad Petrovka

3079[edit]

Second Benjamin Regulars (Reinforced Regiment/Veteran/Questionable)[26]

Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Benjamin.[26]

3085[edit]

Second Benjamin Regulars (Veteran/Questionable)[17]

War Shrikes (Wing/Regular/Reliable)[17]

Fifteenth Precinct Armor (Battalion/Veteran/Questionable)[17]

Minori's Vanguards (Veteran/Reliable)[17]

3145[edit]

Second Benjamin Regulars (2 Battalions/Elite/Fanatical) (65% Strength)[18]

  • CO: Tai-sa Tsuyoshi Kanagaki
War Shrikes (Elite/Fanatical) (70% Strength)[18]
Seventeenth Benjamin Guards (Veteran/Reliable) (90% Strength)[18]
Shannon's Vanguards (Elite/Reliable) (75% Strength)[18]
Note: The unit had an "A" Equipment Rating.

Color Scheme and Insignia[edit]

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The Benjamin Regulars do not agree on a brigade theme to paint their machines. The Brigade insignia is that of a white dagger and red sheath and is painted on a unit's BattleMech's lower left torso. The Kurita dragon crest is on the outside of the right shoulder. The corresponding spot is used for the insignias on any other machines.[21][27][28]

The Second Benjamin paints their machines a light gray and brown scheme to blend into city environments. The regimental insignias of a hunter’s rap and chain worn on the upper right arm of a BattleMech. The chain snakes back up the arm as if to attach itself to the Kurita dragon crest on the ‘Mech’s shoulder.[4]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ a b c d e Field Report 2765: DCMS, p. 10: "Benjamin Regulars"
  2. ↑ a b c d Combat Manual: Kurita, p. 39: "Other Benjamin Regulars Sub-Commands"
  3. ↑ House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 135
  4. ↑ a b c d e f g h Field Manual: Draconis Combine, p. 41: "Unit Profile"
  5. ↑ a b c d e House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 135: "Unit Deployment Table"
  6. ↑ Combat Manual: Kurita, p. 38: "Benjamin Regulars"
  7. ↑ a b c d e 20 Year Update, p. 41
  8. ↑ Invading Clans, pp. 66–67
  9. ↑ Era Report: 3052, p. 57
  10. ↑ a b c Objective Raids, p. 27
  11. ↑ Field Manual: Updates, pp. 106–108
  12. ↑ Field Report: DCMS, p. 8
  13. ↑ Field Manual: 3085, p. 39
  14. ↑ Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine, p. 38
  15. ↑ a b Field Manual: 3145, p. 52: "Benjamin Regulars"
  16. ↑ a b c d e Field Manual: Updates, p. 116: "DCMS Deployment Table - 3067"
  17. ↑ a b c d e Field Manual: 3085, p. 49: "DCMS Deployment Table - 3085"
  18. ↑ a b c d e Field Manual: 3145, p. 63: "DCMS Deployment Table - 3145"
  19. ↑ Shrapnel (Dance of Vengeance short story)
  20. ↑ Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine, p. 38: "EXR-2X Exhumer"
  21. ↑ a b c House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 144: "The Benjamin Regulars"
  22. ↑ a b c First Succession War, p. 136: "Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery (DCMS)"
  23. ↑ a b c d Second Succession War, p. 96
  24. ↑ a b Historical: War of 3039, p. 138
  25. ↑ Field Manual: Draconis Combine, p. 14
  26. ↑ a b Field Report: DCMS, p. 8
  27. ↑ Field Manual: Draconis Combine, p. 40: "District of Benjamin"
  28. ↑ "2nd Benjamin Regulars". CamoSpecs Online. Retrieved 2025-03-06. Per FM: Draconis Combine, pages 40 and 41.

Bibliography[edit]

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