3rd Pesht Regulars
Third Pesht Regulars | |
Formed | Star League era or earlier[1] |
Previous Designation(s) | Third Proserpina Hussars[2] |
Nickname | The Grey Panthers |
Affiliation | Draconis Combine |
Parent Command | Pesht Regulars |
The Third Pesht Regulars were a light BattleMech regiment in the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery.[3]
Contents
History[edit]
The Star League era[edit]
During the Star League era the Third Pesht Regulars shared a common structure with the other regiments of the Pesht Regulars, although the exact competition of each regiment and supporting formations would vary depending upon the role being performed. Lacking a border with a hostile major power, the Regulars usually suffered from lower holdings of combat expendables, including armor, because of the low chances of them seeing combat. However, as guardians of Luthien, the capital of the Draconis Combine, the Regulars were well-trained in performing drills, marches and parades, providing examples to encourage greater loyalty amongst the citizens of the Combine. The Regulars were evidently successful at this, as the Pesht Military District continued to generate far more recruits for the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery than it did the Star League Defense Force.[1]
The second and markedly less savory role performed by the Regulars was that of suppressing civilian rebellions; acting in support of other formations, particularly the Sword of Light brigade, the Regulars took on responsibility for garrisoning and policing pacified areas, freeing other, higher-readiness formations for other actions. The Regulars would also be redeployed to other Military Districts on a temporary basis to cover garrison postings where other combat units had been deployed forward. In the closing years of the Star League, the Third Pesht Regulars and her sister regiments were frequently understrength, as a result of higher-quality personnel being moved on to other district brigades and even Sword of Light regiments, with replacement personnel being supplied slowly by the Bureau of Substitution.[1]
While few of the Pesht Regulars had any interaction with the SLDF, the Third Pesht Regulars being posted on the Luthien made them the notable exception. Despite this, the Third for the most part kept their distance figuratively and literally from the SLDF garrison.[4]
First Succession War[edit]
In May 2787 the Draconis Combine launched a massive invasion of the Federated Suns. The invasion was so swift and targeted communications and JumpShips so effectively that many border systems didn't have a chance to transmit warnings or alerts, leading to widespread confusion on the part of the AFFS. Three days after the initial attacks another large wave of attacks was launched by the DCMS, based around two salients; one, under the overall command of Coordinator Minoru Kurita, struck into the Clovis Combat Region, beginning with invasions of Cartago, Clovis and Olancha. Leading the assault on Clovis was the Coordinator himself at the head of the Third Sword of Light.[5]
Clovis was the location of the headquarters of the Clovis Combat Region within the Draconis March, and the Commanding Officer of the Region, Field Marshal Grover Simons, was on Clovis when the Combine invasion forces arrived in-system. In addition to the Third Sword of Light, Minoru had brought two other BattleMech regiments - the Third Pesht Regulars and Ninth Dieron Regulars - eighteen assorted regiments of armor and infantry and enough aerospace fighters to ensure aerospace superiority, along with a substantial WarShip flotilla from the Third Fleet. Although the WarShips took no part in the ground campaign, the WarShip flotilla - consisting of two Samarkands, an Aegis and four Narukamis - battled the Federated Suns naval picket in the system, destroying the New Syrtis-class carrier FSS Midale and the Davion-class destroyer FSS Reynard Davion.[5]
On the ground, Field Marshal Simons used the time bought by the naval picket to have the First Clovis Guards and the three conventional regiments available to him dig into defensive positions around Gorst City, the planetary capital; the DCMS believed that Simons had three 'Mech regiments available to him, not one, and the ferocious defense put up by the defenders stymied the Third Sword of Light and other DCMS forces for the first week, while Simons called for reinforcements. Due to the pace of the invasion every unit that could have answered had either been destroyed or was desperately fighting to survive, but a small part of reinforcements from Xhosa VII did manage to make it to Clovis aboard the Robinson-class carrier FSS New Ivaarsen, arriving five days into the second week of battles. This was too late to save Clovis, but Field Marshal Simons attempted to have his surviving forces form an orderly retreat from Clovis, to save what he could. Unfortunately for Simons, his Leopard-class DropShip, the last to leave the surface of Clovis, was destroyed ten kilometers above the surface when it attempted to fight rather than surrender; with Simons' death, defense in the Clovis Combat Region collapsed, and by the end of May the DCMS had conquered most of the Clovis Combat Region, half of each of the Dahar and Robinson Combat Regions and a chunk of the Fairfax Combat Region.[5]
Late Succession Wars Era[edit]
From 3025 to 3038, the Third Pesht Regulars were stationed on their namesake world of Pesht. During the Combine's counterattack in the War of 3039, the Third was transferred to Oshika to free up the Sixteenth Galedon Regulars to retake the captured Combine world of Thestria. Following the conclusion of the conflict, the Third returned to station on Pesht, remaining there from 3040 up until 3049 just before the Clan Invasion.[6][7]
Clan Invasion and Destruction[edit]
The Third Pesht Regulars were stationed alongside the Eleventh Pesht Regulars on Teniente in January 3052 when Clan Nova Cat launched an invasion of the planet. The Third and the Eleventh tried to fight using zellbrigen and were decimated as a result; the remains of both regiments came under the command of Hohiro Kurita, who led them in a guerrilla campaign until forces commanded by Prince Victor Steiner-Davion extracted Hohiro and the survivors from Teniente. The few survivors of the Third Pesht Regulars were most likely reassigned to other units.[8]
The Third Battalion of the Third Regulars was destroyed when their Tai-sa ordered them to charge a Clan Nova Cat position.[9] Hohiro Kurita took command of the Third and ordered the Tai-sa offworld. When the Tai-sa arrived on Luthien, Takashi Kurita ordered him to commit seppuku to atone for his failure.[10]
At the same time, the Third (and Eleventh) were combined into a new force, the 311th Pesht Regulars.[11] They broke into more mobile forces and harassed the Clan forces.[12]
Reconstruction[edit]
After the Jihad and the formation of The Republic of the Sphere several units who lost their homeworlds were reassigned to existing DCMS units. One such unit was the Third Proserpina Hussars. The Hussars were reduced to a third of their nominal strength. To rebuild that unit, and add some extra strength to the Pesht Regulars, the survivors of the Third Proserpina Hussars were redesignated the new Third Pesht Regulars and rebuilt with veterans of other Regulars units. The former Hussars have inspired their new arrivals to higher efforts and greater performance on the battlefield. The Third also benefits from the presence of the Hussars' former officers, many of whom are instructors in the Hussars' mobile academy. This academy followed the Hussars into the Regulars, and provides training in the tactics that served the Proserpina Hussars well.[13]
Second Combine-Dominion War[edit]
By the late 3090s, the regiment was assigned to garrison Clan Diamond Shark controlled world of Itabaiana. The unit was assigned defend newly built Logistic Hub on planet named LAW-8i. The Third would take advantage of the Clan Nova Cat production facilities and be fitted out with some of their allies' Clan-Tech built 'Mechs. In the second wave of the Second Combine-Dominion War, The Third Pesht came under attack by Clan Ghost Bear's Beta Galaxy on April 19th, 3099. Prior to the landings, Tai-sa Nanami Ueno had ordered the surrounding area of the complex to be reinforced, now that Diamond Shark forces had withdrawn to their moons enclaves not wanting to intermix with Draconis Combine lead people on world. Unaware of the Ghost Bears' orders to avoid action against Draconis Combine Forces, Galaxy Command Vigo Hall ordered the entire Galaxy to plow through the LAW-8i defenses and destroy the complex. The Regulars would take heavy casualties, with only company of 'Mechs withdrawing into the interior of LAW-8i complex itself. Hall believing that the Regulars' Nova Cat–built 'Mechs were sign that the Clan had integrated itself into the unit, order an artillery bombardment of the complex kill Nova Cat civilians and most of the Third Pesht in the process.
The unit's near annihilation at hands of the Ghost Bears would rally the by then reluctant Draconis Combine to enter war with Clan Nova Cat. While Third Pesht would slowly rebuild over the coming decades.[14]
After Gray Monday[edit]
By 3145, the Third Pesht had been rebuilt as shadow of its former self, with only a battalion of BattleMechs among its roster. Warlord Doppo Saito who maintains overall command of the entire brigade, resisted building the Third along with other units in his command back to regimental strength. He would reframe their deployment to the frontlines of the invasion of the Federated Suns in 3144, holding them as part of garrison force protecting Dragon's holdings. Officer of the unit would be upset with DCMS due for them not allowing the Third to help re-form the Proserpina Hussars now that the planet had been retaken from the Republic.[15][16]
Officers[edit]
Rank | Name | Time Period in Command | |
---|---|---|---|
Commanding Officers of the 3rd Pesht Regulars | |||
General | Kester Hsiun Chi | 3025[3] | |
Tai-sa | Alfred Tojiro | 3050-3052[7][17] | |
Tai-sa | Nanami Ueno | 3085[18] | |
Tai-sa | Dante Cohen | 3145[15] |
Tactics[edit]
Star League Era[edit]
As a regiment within the Pesht Regulars, the Third was primarily trained in garrisoning pacified areas, conducting operations to dig insurgents and rebels out of urban areas, and frontal assaults against prepared defenses.[1]
Third Succession War[edit]
Primarily consisting of light 'Mechs during the Third Succession War, the Third were experts in the field of reconnaissance.[19]
Composition History[edit]
2765[edit]
Third Pesht Regulars (Regiment/Green/Fanatical)[1]
- - At this point in time the Third was based on Luthien and was supported by a single aerospace fighter wing, five infantry regiments and three armor regiments.[1]
2786–2821[edit]
Third Pesht Regulars (Regiment/Green/Fanatical)[20]
- - At this point in time the Third was a light-weight regiment stationed on Luthien and was operating at full strength.[20] In 2821 the unit was reduced to just above one-third of full strength.[20]
2830[edit]
Third Pesht Regulars (Regiment/Green/Fanatical)[21]
- - At this point in time the Third was a medium-weight regiment stationed on Luthien and had rebuilt to almost full strength.[21]
2864[edit]
Third Pesht Regulars (Green/Fanatical)[21]
- - At this point in time the Third was a heavy-weight regiment stationed on Kagoshima and was operating just below two-thirds of full strength.[21]
3025[edit]
Third Pesht Regulars (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[3]
- CO: General Kester Hsiun Chi
- Note: The 3rd Pesht Regulars was a light 'Mech unit.[22] At this point in time the unit was stationed on Pesht.[23]
3040[edit]
Third Pesht Regulars (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[24]
3050[edit]
Third Pesht Regulars (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[7]
- CO: Tai-sa Alfred Tojiro[7]
- Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Pesht.[7]
3085[edit]
Third Pesht Regulars (Regular/Reliable)[18]
- CO: Tai-sa Nanami Ueno
Third Regulars Aerospace (Wing/Regular/Questionable)[18]
201st Pesht Assault Team (Veteran/Reliable)[18]
- CO: Tai-sa Spurius Travers
3145[edit]
Third Pesht Regulars (Elite/Reliable)[15]
- CO: Tai-sa Dante Cohen
Third Regulars Aerospace (Wing/Regular/Fanatical)[15]
- CO: Sho-sa Goemon Hayashi
Seventy-seventh Regulars Armor (Regiment) (Veteran/Fanatical)[15]
- CO: Tai-sa Kiko Saiki
201st Pesht Assault Team (Veteran/Reliable)[15]
- CO: Tai-sa Wally Schröder
Unit Note 3145: Equipment rating for the unit is B, while the unit's fighting strength is between 100% and 95% in readiness.
Notes[edit]
The disbandment of the 3rd Pesht Regulars was confirmed by Øystein Tvedten, Strategic Assistant and BattleTech Developer for Catalyst Game labs:
“ | The Third and Eleventh Pesht Regulars was effectively wiped out on Teniente in January 3052 as the world came under attack by Clan Nova Cat, who sent two assault Clusters to take the world.
Hohiro assumed command after both regiments had been decimated trying to fight using zellbrigen, and assumed an guerrilla campaign that Prince Victor Steiner-Davion had to extract him from, at Omi's behest. The small number of survivors which was extracted was probably reassigned to other units. |
” |
— Øystein, 22 Mar 2012 at 08:17:03 |
Rules[edit]
- Field Manual: 3145 - When determining randomly what the Regulars' piloting skills are, add +1. When the Third Pesht is facing Rasalhague Dominion forces, the unit gains a +2 to its initiative, if players are using Special Command Abilities.[15]
- Combat Manual: Kurita - Two lances of each company must contain light or medium (Size 1 or Size 2) Units. Each company commander is a Veteran (Skill 3) and a battalion commander or higher is an Elite (Skill 2) pilot. All other units are Green or Regular experience (Skill 5 or Skill 4). Aerospace pilots are Elite or Veteran (Skill 2 or 3).[25]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Field Report 2765: DCMS, p. 12: "Pesht Regulars"
- ↑ Field Manual: 3085, p. 42
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 134: "Deployment Table"
- ↑ Field Report 2765: DCMS, p. 13: "Pesht Regulars"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 First Succession War, pp. 38–39: "The Battle for Clovis"
- ↑ Historical: War of 3039, p. 139: "Deployment Table"
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 20 Year Update, p. 42: "Pesht Military District - Kagoshima Prefecture - 3rd Pesht Regulars"
- ↑ Catalyst Game Labs forum comment by Øystein, CGL Strategic Assistant
- ↑ Lost Destiny, p. 34
- ↑ Lost Destiny, pp. 100–102
- ↑ Lost Destiny, p. 263
- ↑ Lost Destiny, p. 60
- ↑ Field Manual: 3085, p. 42
- ↑ Historical: Wars of the Republic Era, p. 28: The Last Stand on Itabaiana - Third Pesht Regulars' actions during the 2nd Combine-Dominion War and their near destruction
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 Field Manual: 3145, p. 56: "DCMS Deployment Table - 3145"
- ↑ Era Report: 3145, p. 23: Timeline - 3144 "Draconis Combine begins its delayed invasion of the Federated Suns
- ↑ Lost Destiny, ch. 3
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Field Manual: 3085, p. 51: "DCMS Deployment Table - 3085"
- ↑ House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 145: "Selected Regiments - The Pesht Regulars"
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 First Succession War, p. 137: "Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery"
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Second Succession War, p. 97: "Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery (DCMS)"
- ↑ House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), pp. 144–145: "The Pesht Regulars"
- ↑ House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 134
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Historical: War of 3039, p. 139
- ↑ Combat Manual: Kurita, p. 40