Battle of Robinson (3149)

Battle of Robinson (3149)
Conflict details
Part of	Operation ERUPTIO
Start Date	18 October 3149
End Date	25 November 3149
Planet(s)	Robinson
Result	Republic Armed Forces victory
Territorial Changes	RAF conquest, on behalf of Federated Suns
Attacking Forces
Affiliation	Republic of the Sphere
Commanding Officer(s)	Paladin Max Ergen
Command(s)	1st Army Group X Hastati Sentinels X Principes Guards X Triarii Protectors First Fides Defenders 2nd Army Group XI Principes Guards XII Principes Guards XII Triarii Protectors Second Fides Defenders
Defending Forces
Affiliation	Draconis Combine
Commanding Officer(s)	Tai-shu Angmar Kyuzu
Command(s)	Seventh Sword of Light Eighth Sword of Light Ryuken-ni Ryuken-go Ryuken-nana First Ghost Regiment
Other Forces

Overview

On 18 October 3149, Task Force ERUPTIO jumped into the Robinson system with First and Second Army Group each arriving at a different jump point. Draconis Combine aerospace fighters concentrated on the Second Army Group flotilla, claiming a DropShip transporting elements of the Second Fides Defenders. Both Army Groups landed and pursued different objectives.

First Army Group

First Army Group landed on the Cannan continent with the objectives of Tiberias which contained the Robinson Battle Academy and bordered the Robinson Standard BattleWorks. They moved at a slow yet methodical pace, taking two weeks to move into position to encircle their objectives. These were two weeks the Combine forces used to much effect, and the triple shifts the RSBW pulled allowed them to rush several OTL-8E3 Ostsols onto the field so fresh off the lines they didn't have paint. While the main body was moving on the objectives, the First Fides Defenders' special forces battalion infiltrated the Academy and fomented a riot. When the defending Ryuken-nana turned inward to focus on the riotous students, the First Fides Defenders pushed hard on them, routing Ryuken-nana from the academy.

After subjecting the Eighth Sword of Light in the industriplex to three days of continuous airstrikes and fending off probing attacks from Ryuken-ni, on 25 October 3149 Paladin Max Ergen ordered the main body of his "First Army Group", X Hastati Sentinels, X Principes Guards, and X Triarii Protectors to constrict the encirclement. Upon realizing the situation, Ryuken-ni punched through the lines and retreated but the Eighth Sword of Light attempted to hold out. Their resolve evaporated when Ergen destroyed Tai-sa Lincoln Marovitch's Tenshi and soon they too abandoned the field but not without dealing considerable damage to the X Principes Guards. Both regiments presumably abandoned the world as well, as battle ROMS do not record their later involvement. Marovitch was captured.

Second Army Group

Second Army Group was set against the planetary capital of Bueller and the Seventh Sword of Light, led by Tai-shu Angmar Kyuzu. Perimeter security was established by XI Principes Guards and XII Principes Guards while the Second Fides was to take the city itself. In a prelude to the actual assault, a twelve-man group was sent to abduct Daimyo Adam Ogata, the planetary governor. Despite repeated attempts, they were unsuccessful and the majority of these operatives lost their lives.. Two lances of Marauder IICs, one in each perimeter regiment, helped anchor those lines and accounted for at seven Seventh Sword of Light ’Mechs during this stage alone.

Combine Reinforcements

Shortly after the last failed attempt on the Daimyo, reinforcements sent by Gunji-no-Kanrei Matsuhari Toranaga consisting of the First Ghost Regiment and Ryuken-go (both still battered from earlier encounters with ERUPTIO) entered the system. Republic aerospace assets proved ineffective and both regiments made planetfall in and around Bueller to support the Seventh Sword of Light. The Seventh pushed out from Bueller and attempted to fix the XI Principes while the First Ghost Regiment flanked them, but the more mobile XII Principes and Triarii forces were able to turn their flanks in turn. Taking advantage of the holes in the line created by this Combine counterattack the Second Fides Defenders pushed into the city and claimed the government center only to find Daimyo Ogata had slipped away. With their supply base lost and their rear threatened, the Seventh and go rushed into the XI Principes. Tai-i Collin Carlyle piloting a salvaged RAF King Crab claimed four kills in this action and inflicted heavy damage against the Eighth. This headlong assault was in turn broken when the Second Fides and a relief force from First Army Group crushed the Combine forces in a pincer. The Marauder IIC lances once again proved valuable, holding the XI Principes line long enough for the pincer to close on the Combine flanks and accounting for at least another eight kills.

Electing not to admit defeat to the coordinator, Tai-shu Kyuzu sought death in battle, but instead was taken captive. Shortly thereafter the Seventh Sword of Light broke and the Combine forces limped to any DropShips they could find. On 25 November 3149, Paladin Ergen declared Robinson liberated in the name of the Federated Suns.

Aftermath

A brief but brutal guerilla campaign was waged on Robinson after Ergen's announcement, including a shooting that put the Paladin in the hospital for three weeks. First Fides forces eventually discovered Daimyo Ogata's location, and with his capture resistance virtually halted. Tai-shu Kyuzu was allowed to request permission from the coordinator to commit seppuku but received no response, so he continued to sit in prison. Tai-i Collin Carlyle was able to withdraw with other elements of Ryuken-go and is rumored to be in line for a promotion and a transfer to Ryuken-ruko for his actions.

Paladin Ergen departed Robinson with First Army Group to rearm on Terra before heading back into the fray against Shiloh and Clan Wolf. Second Army Group remained on Robinson until AFFS units could relieve them—which they did sometime prior to February 3150 in the form of the First Davion Irregulars—before rejoining First Army Group on Shiloh.

Upon learning of the RAF's departure, the Sixteenth Galedon Regulars made an unsuccessful attempt to retake Robinson in 3150.

Bibliography

• Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 5
• Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 6
• Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 14
• Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 28
• Shattered Fortress