10th Lyran Regulars

The 10th Lyran Regulars, known as the "Stinging Barflies" was a battlemech regiment in service to House Steiner.

History

Formation

By the early 31st century, the 10th Lyran Regulars had developed a reputation for hard drinking, hence their unfortunate nickname.

When Archon Alessandro Steiner began Operation Concentrated Weakness in 3002, it encouraged the Free Worlds League Military into aggressively attacking Lyran worlds. Archon Katrina Steiner took the throne in 3007 and was committed to reversing this trend, and ordered a series of counter-attacks. To that end, the 10th Lyran Regulars, then a Veteran unit, were paired with the 6th Donegal Guards and sent to attack the planet Denebola V. Unfortunately, Denebola was far more heavily defended than the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces was led to believe. Unsupported, two sides wound up spending several years fighting a war of attrition. By 3025, the Lyran Regulars were still based on Denebola, unable to take the planet but unwilling to withdraw.

Well after the end of the Third Succession War, the Lyran and House Marik governments mutually agreed to end the fighting, and the Lyran troops left Penobscot in Marik hands. Though not technically considered a failure, the Regulars were nevertheless demoralized by the campaign, a state of affairs that continued for decades. The Regulars were then charged with defending the world of Penobscot on the Free Worlds League border.

Fourth Succession War

At the start of the Fourth Succession War in 3028, the 10th Lyran Regulars were still based on Penobscot. Penobscot was not targeted by the Free Worlds League during Operation Dagger, and the 10th Lyran Regulars wound up seeing no action during the conflict.

War of 3039

Prior to the War of 3039, the Regulars were based on Timbiqui. They were briefly moved to Ryde in preparation for possibly joining the invasion. When the Combine counter-attacked, those future invasion plans were called off. The 10th Lyran were returned to Timbiqui.

Clan Invasion

When the Clan Invasion hit in 3050, the 10th Lyran Regulars were still based on Timbiqui. Now part of the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth, they were part of the new Tamarind March command. They were not called up to the front lines, and remained on Timbiqui as of 3054. Although the 10th maintained its Regular troop rating, they had gone decades without seeing any true combat aside from the occasional raid.

Lyran Alliance

When the Lyran Alliance seceeded from the Commonwealth, the 10th Lyran Regulars naturally went with them. After some lobbying, they were given a high-profile assignment defending Cavanaugh II. They were also given better support at this point, receiveing a permanent attachment of a Tank Regiment and an Infantry Regiment.

FedCom Civil War

When the FedCom Civil War finally broke out in 3063, the 10th Lyran Regulars were still on Cavanaugh II. After a visit by the 2nd Crucis Lancers, they openly declared themselves for Victor Steiner-Davion's Allies. When the 2nd Crucis left the planet, they found themselves in a strange position. Although they faced no military opposition on Cavanaugh II, that world was the seat of power to General Richard Steiner, son of General Nondi Steiner and commander of the Cavanaugh Theater. Richard Steiner attempted to ensure Leftenant General Darrel Ingles that he was loyal to the Alliance as a whole rather than to either claimant, all the while attempting to gather forces to crush the "mutinous" 10th.

In the Summer of 3065, General Steiner succeeded in ordering the Bolan Jaegers and the 7th Lyran Regulars to Cavanaugh II to crush the 10th Lyran Regulars. The 10th's strong defensive position and knowledge of the local terrain combined with Richard Steiner's gross mishandling of the situation turned what might have been a quick battle into a major campaign. Soon, elements of ComStar's 182nd Division joined with the allies after Steiner ordered them attacked.

In May of 3066, the battle for Cavanaugh II was still ongoing, and beginning to turn in favor of the Allies. The 10th Lyran Regulars had managed to goad the Regulars into a series of ill-advised attacks on their reinforced positions, inflicting signifcant losses on the 7th Regulars. Later the Penobscot CTM joined on Richard Steiner's side with the 42nd Avalon Hussars joining the Allies. When Steiner began micromanaging the CTM in their battle with the Hussars, they were defeated and forced to withdraw.

By September, the Allies' had the advantage of airpower and numbers while the 7th Regulars and Penobscot CTM were on the verge of collapse. Elements of the 7th defected to the 10th after General Steiner executed their commanding officer. By February 3067, the Allies were finally ready to crush Margrave Steiner's force, liberating the capital. By now, most of the Loyalists were completely demoralized, having been ordered to fight to the death, most quickly surrendered. Steiner himself, however, evacuated before he could be captured, fleeing the planet on a Dropship. The 10th Lyran Regulars had taken heavy losses, but had emerged victorious in one of the most important battles of the conflict.

In the aftermath of the war, the 10th Lyran Regulars were largely shunned by the rest of the Lyran Regulars Brigade, who considered them traitors for siding against the Katherine. They remained on Cavanaugh II at roughly 60 percent stregth.

Jihad

In March 3068, during the Jihad, Lyran forces loyal to the Isle of Skye and to Duke Robert Kelswa-Steiner launched attacks on the Free Worlds League, quickly conquering the worlds of Megrez, Cascade and Togwotee. It was believed these attacks were launched from Ford and Loric, and it was suggested the 7th and 10th Lyran Regulars on Cavanaugh II might soon take part in future attacks.

In September of 3068, Cavanaugh II was assaulted during a counter-attack by the Free Worlds League Military, particularly forces under the command of Jeremy Brett. Fighting on Cavanaugh was still ongoing in late 3069. The status and condition of the 10th Regulars at this point is unclear.

Officers

As of 3025, their commanding officer was Leutnant General Galway Ashbery.

As of 3050, their commanding officer was Leftenant General Gary Terlecki.

As of 3054, their commanding officer was Leftenant General Darrel Ingles. He was still in command as of 3062 and 3067.

Tactics

The 10th Lyran Regulars had spent several years fortifying defensive positions on Cavanaugh II, including minefields and other battlefield obstacles.

Composition History

3062

10th Lyran Regulars (Battlemech Regiment)

• Co: Leftenant General Darrel Ingles

840th Alliance Panzer Regimen (Armored Regiment)

• Co: Leutenant-Colonel Fritz Horvath

1st Cavanaugh Irregulars (Infantry Regiment)

• Co: Leutenant-Colonel Elizabeth Lutz-Kellon

Notes

• The insignia for the Tenth Lyran Regulars is the caricature of a flying insect, maw open and fangs dripping with blood.

Bibliography

• 20 Year Update
• Dawn of the Jihad
• FedCom Civil War (sourcebook)
• Field Manual: Lyran Alliance
• Field Manual: Updates
• Historical: War of 3039
• House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)
• Jihad Hot Spots: 3070
• NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1
• Objective Raids
• Shattered Sphere