1st Sword of Light
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First Sword of Light | |
Nickname | The Ivory Dragon[1][2] |
Affiliation | Draconis Combine |
Parent Command | Sword of Light |
The First Sword of Light, representing the Pillar of Religion, is the epitome of bushido in the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery, and the unit's loyalty to the Coordinator is unmatched. Like all Sword of Light regiments, the warriors of the First are first-rate and receive the best in equipment, training, and personnel, though the First's posting to Luthien does result in less combat for the protectors of the Coordinator.[2]
Contents
- 1 History
- 2 Officers
- 3 Tactics
- 4 Composition History
- 5 Colors and Unit Insignia
- 6 Notes
- 7 References
- 8 Bibliography
History[edit]
Age of War Era[edit]
In 2475 on the planet Nox, the attacking First Sword of Light fought a Lyran Commonwealth occupation force. This clash later became renowned as the first BattleMech versus BattleMech conflict, with the First Sword losing the battle. [3]
Star League Era[edit]
In 2765, the First Sword of Light was stationed on Capra. Relations between the First and the SLDF were cold,[4] despite the SLDF placing the Eighty-second Royal Jump Infantry Division[5] and the headquarters of XXIII Corps in the same system.[6]
First Succession War[edit]
In the spring 2787 Coordinator Minoru Kurita launched an attack on the Federated Suns involving over fifty BattleMech regiments to demonstrate the might of the Draconis Combine and support his claim to the throne as First Lord of the Inner Sphere. The first Combine unit to land on Franklin, the First Sword of Light was led by Minoru's eldest son and Heir-designate Jinjiro Kurita.[7][8]
Third Succession War[edit]
Takashi Kurita[edit]
In 3023, a company from the First Sword of Light accompanied Coordinator Takashi Kurita (along with a company from the Seventh Sword) on a raid of the Davion world of Quentin. Coordinator Takashi wanted to see his newly hired mercenaries, the famed Wolf's Dragoons, in action on an objective raid. The Kuritan troops spearheaded the final push to secure the Independence Weaponry factory, though they lost some warriors during their charge.[9]
In 3025 the unit was stationed on Luthien.[10]
Fourth Succession War[edit]
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Ronin War[edit]
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War of 3039[edit]
Halstead Station[edit]
In August 3039, the First attacked Halstead Station supported by the Seventh Sword of Light. There they faced the green Fifth FedCom RCT, supported by the Bar Hounds regiment of the Fighting Urukhai. Tai-sho Ano Rentoshi deployed the First in a frontal assault to pin down the inexperienced Fifth, who defended from well-prepared fortifications near Halstead city. A rear orbital drop from the Seventh Sword, with advanced equipment gained from ComStar's Operation ROSEBUD, led to a rout of the Federated Commonwealth forces. A battalion of the Fifth deserted, though the remaining Fifth was saved by a flanking attack of the Bar Hounds.[11][12][13] From mid-August, Halstead Station was returned to Combine control, though by 12 September a company of the Twenty-second Avalon Hussars arrived from Telos IV and were able to aid in the retreat of the remaining FedCom forces.[2][14]
Clan Invasion[edit]
During the Battle of Luthien in 3052, the First Sword of Light stopped several assaults by the Smoke Jaguars and Nova Cats including the First Jaguar Guards Cluster and 119th Nova Cat Striker Cluster on the Tairakana Plains.[15] The First Sword was successful, but these actions cost it two of its four battalions. To replace their losses, the First recruited an entire battalion from the Fifth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre.[16]
Operation Bulldog[edit]
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Dominion War[edit]
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Federated Suns Incursion[edit]
After the Ghost Bear/Combine war was ended, the Federated Suns was in control of Proserpina. The Coordinator ordered the First Sword of Light to retake the system, which they did.[17]
Jihad[edit]
Upon hearing of the Black Dragon Society's coup on Luthien the First requested permission to return to Luthien, but Kanrei Minamoto provided them with different orders. The First Sword of Light conquered Xhosa VII in 3068. They repelled five separate Federated Suns counterattacks, only leaving the world in 3074 to join Operation SCOUR.[18]
In 3077 the First Sword of Light attacked Quentin with Tau Galaxy. There the two units destroyed the 47th Shadow Division, but only after the Blakists launched biological weapons that killed many and poisoned food stores.[19] The next year saw the First Sword of Light taking Epsilon Indi away from the Word of Blake. The Combine warriors saw the Blakists use biological weapons again, which poisoned the world's water supplies.[20]
During the liberation of Terra the First Sword of Light attacked ROM headquarters in Cairo with the Kell Hounds, 2nd Dieron Regulars, and Stone's Revenants.[21] The 36th Division and several Light of Mankind special operations teams set a trap that devastated the Kell Hounds and Dieron Regulars. The First Sword of Light, previously guarding the flanks, redeployed quickly to shelter the survivors and hold the territory the Hounds and Regulars gained. The mission to take Cairo became a brutal slugfest as ROM operatives used any weapon, including chemical and biological agents, to hold off the Coalition forces. Eventually, the First Sword of Light had to settle for a siege, containing the Blakists in their fortress. After a few months of this Precentor ROM Kernoff tried to escape from the Cairo Castle Brian complex only to be captured by Sword of Light members.[22] The actions taken by the Coalition forces left the First Sword with a low opinion of the RAF.[23]
After all the fighting on Terra ended, the First Sword of Light was reassigned to David.[18] In 3085 they were assigned to the Raven Alliance border, garrisoning Sverdlovsk.[24]
Dark Age[edit]
During the Second Combine-Dominion War, the First Sword of Light was kept away from the front lines at the order of Coordinator Hohiro Kurita. He was worried about his son Shinjiro, who was commanding in the First at that time. Instead, the unit was sent to the Raven Alliance borderworld of Niles and fought forces from that realm many times.[25]
In the early 3110's, the First Sword of Light fought the Raven Alliance on Schirmeck.[26] During the destruction of Clan Nova Cat the First Sword of Light faced elements of Alpha Galaxy's Ninth Cluster on Irece.[27] Afterwards they volunteered to be posted to the Rasalhague Dominion border. Though deliberately missing out on the invasion of the Federated Suns, the First sees more honor in protecting the Dragon by being in close proximity to four large formations of Rasalhague Dominion troops.[28]
Officers[edit]
Rank | Name | Command |
---|---|---|
Commanding Officers of the 1st Sword of Light | ||
Tai-sho (General) | Ano Rentoshi | 3025 – 3039[29][11] |
Tai-sa | Shigeru Yoshida | 3050 – 3058[30][31][16] |
Tai-sa | Tahara Sakamoto | 3067[32] |
Tai-sa | Soru Yukimura | 3085[24] |
Shinjiro Kurita | 3100[25] | |
Tai-sho | Theodore Ichiriu | 3145[33] |
Other Unit Officers[edit]
- Sho-sa Seth Granderssen, company commander during the Dark Age.[34]
- Sergeant Bill Nasake, during the Jihad.[35]
Tactics[edit]
The unit was skilled in night fighting.[2][1]
Composition History[edit]
All Sword of Light Regiments are reinforced to four battalions.[2]
2765[edit]
First Sword of Light (Expanded BattleMech Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[36]
Note: at this time all Sword of Light regiments were supported by two Aerospace Wings and stationed on Capra.[36]
2786–2821[edit]
First Sword of Light (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[37]
- - At this point in time the First Sword was a heavy-weight regiment operating at a strength of four battalions and stationed on Capra.[37] In 2821 the unit was operating at five-sixths of full strength and stationed on Benet III.[37]
2830[edit]
1st Sword of Light (Regiment/Regiment/Elite/Reliable)[38]
- Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on Benet III with an operational readiness of 145 percent.[38]
2864[edit]
1st Sword of Light (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[38]
- Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on Luthien with an operational readiness of 57 percent.[38]
3025[edit]
First Sword of Light (Expanded Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[29]
- CO: General Ano Rentoshi
- Headquarters Air Lance CO: Major Sheila Utchakov
- Leopard CV-class DropShip Hai Namb[39]
- Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Luthien.[10] The unit contained two medium, one heavy, and one assault battalion.[1]
3040[edit]
First Sword of Light (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[40]
- Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Luthien.[40]
3050[edit]
First Sword of Light (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[30]
-
- Two medium 'Mech battalions, one heavy 'Mech battalion, and one assault 'Mech batallion[2]
- Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Luthien[30] and support included two heavy aerospace fighter wings.[2]
3054[edit]
First Sword of Light (2 Battalions/Veteran/Fanatical)[41]
- CO: Tai-sa Shigeru Yoshida
3059[edit]
First Sword of Light (Expanded BattleMech Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[16]
- CO/First Battalion: Sho-sho Shigeru Yoshida
- XO: Tai-sa Tahara Sakamoto
- Second Battalion: Chu-sa Paul Katarious
- Third Battalion: Chu-sa Alexander Horitsu
- Fourth Battalion: Chu-sa Thomas Owen
Note: The unit contains 36 OmniMechs and many of the other machines were heavily upgraded. Some machines were unchanged because they were a legacy of the forefathers.
101st Aerospace Wing: Dragonkind (Wing/Elite/Fanatical)[16]
- Wing Commander: Sho-sa Carter Richtoff
Note: The command is attached permanently to the 1st Sword of Light.
1st Luthien Battlesuit Infantry (Battalion/Green/Fanatical)[16]
- Troop Commander: Chu-sa Gavin Bjornsson
Note: Only recently introduced, these newcomers must fight their first battle.
3067[edit]
First Sword of Light (Expanded BattleMech Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[32]
- CO/1st Battalion: Tai-sa Tahara Sakamoto
101st Aerospace Wing: Dragonkind (Wing/Elite/Fanatical)[32]
- Wing Commander: Sho-sa Raimer Hettig
Seventy-second Proserpina Militia (Battalion/Green/Reliable)[32]
- Troop Commander: Tai-i Andrei Yokohama
3079[edit]
First Sword of Light (Reinforced Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[42]
- Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on David.[42] After the Jihad the First Sword of Light was reduced to 40% of its nominal strength.[18]
3085[edit]
First Sword of Light (Elite/Fanatical)[24]
- CO: Tai-sa Soru Yukimura
101st Aerospace (Wing/Elite/Fanatical)[24]
Seventeenth Sverdlovsk Militia (Green/Fanatical)[24]
- CO: Tai-sa Leon Arena
3145[edit]
First Sword of Light (Veteran/Reliable)[33]
- CO: Tai-sho Theodore Ichiriu
Seventy-third Aerospace (Wing/Veteran/Fanatical)[33]
Eighth Kiamba Regulars (Regular/Reliable)[33]
- CO: Tai-sa Vladimir Sakarai
Colors and Unit Insignia[edit]
All Sword of Light regiments use a flat red paint scheme in the field and on parade.[43] The first Sword paints the regimental ivory Kuritan Dragon insignia on their BattleMechs' left shoulder and the Flaming Sword of Light for the division on the front of the right leg and machine's back.[16][44]
Notes[edit]
- Special Rules for the 1st Sword of Light can be found in First Succession War, p. 147,[45] and Combat Manual: Kurita, p. 28.[2]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 141
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Combat Manual: Kurita, p. 28: "Sword of Light"
- ↑ House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 35
- ↑ Field Report 2765: DCMS, p. 8
- ↑ Field Manual: SLDF, p. 256
- ↑ Field Manual: SLDF, p. 182
- ↑ House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 53: "History - The First Succession War - The Dragon Strikes"
- ↑ Handbook: House Kurita, p. 40: "History of the Nation - The First Succession War"
- ↑ Wolves on the Border, p. 69
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 134
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Historical: War of 3039, p. 83
- ↑ Combat Manual: Kurita, p. 28
- ↑ Hard Luck Case
- ↑ Combat Manual: Kurita, p. 9: "Test of Honor" (short story)
- ↑ Luthien, pp. 41-43: "Sword Play (scenario)
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 Field Manual: Draconis Combine, p. 84: "1st Sword of Light Profile"
- ↑ Field Manual: Updates, p. 111
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Field Report: DCMS, p. 13
- ↑ Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 33: "Official Update 3"
- ↑ Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 70: "Fomalhaut, Epsilon Indi Liberated"
- ↑ Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 96
- ↑ Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 115: "Cairo Surrenders"
- ↑ Field Manual: 3085, p. 44
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 Field Manual: 3085, p. 50: "DCMS Deployment Table - 3085"
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Historial: Wars of the Republic Era, p. 22: "Hohiro Kurita"
- ↑ Era Report: 3145, p. 75
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine, p. 18
- ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 56: "First Sword of Light"
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 134: "DCMS Deployment Table"
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 20 Year Update, p. 42
- ↑ Luthien, p. 16
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 Field Manual: Updates, p. 116: "Deployment Table"
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 Field Manual: 3145, p. 63: "DCMS Deployment Table - 3145"
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3145 The Clans, p. 36: "GDR-1D Gravedigger"
- ↑ Total Chaos, p. 168
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 Field Report 2765: DCMS, p. 8
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 First Succession War, p. 137: "Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery (DCMS)"
- ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 Second Succession War, p. 97
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3025, p. 142: Shilone entry (Notable Pilot Major Sheila Utchakov)
- ↑ 40.0 40.1 Historical: War of 3039, p. 139
- ↑ Objective Raids, p. 28
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 Field Report: DCMS, p. 13
- ↑ Field Manual: Draconis Combine, p. 83: "Sword of Light Colors and Insignia"
- ↑ "1st Sword of Light". CamoSpecs Online. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
Per FM:Draconis Combine, page 83.
- ↑ First Succession War, p. 147: "Modifiers by Combat Command"
Bibliography[edit]
- 20 Year Update
- Combat Manual: Kurita
- Era Report: 3145
- Field Manual: 3085
- Field Manual: 3145
- Field Manual: Draconis Combine
- Field Manual: SLDF
- Field Manual: Updates
- Field Report: DCMS
- Field Report 2765: DCMS
- First Succession War
- Handbook: House Kurita
- Hard Luck Case
- Historical: War of 3039
- Historical: Wars of the Republic Era
- House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)
- Jihad Hot Spots: Terra
- Luthien
- MechWarrior, First Edition
- Objective Raids
- Second Succession War
- Technical Readout: 3145 The Clans
- Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine
- Test of Honor (short story)
- Wolves on the Border (novel)