17th Benjamin Regulars

Template:InfoBoxStateUnit The Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars are a heavy BattleMech Regiment in the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery.

History

Star League Era

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 Seventeenth 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 Seventeenth 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]

Although the ISF had rated the Seventeenth as a questionable command in 2765, this was not due to disloyalty, but rather a representation of the reduced combat effectiveness of the regiment while it was rebuilding, having taken damage during a bandit raid shortly before. It was anticipated that the Seventeenth wouldn't reach full strength again until at least early 2766.[1]

Third Succession War

The Seventeenth participated in the Galtor campaign during 3025.[2] On the 12th of September two battalions from the Seventeenth chased down Seymour's Battalion of the Raman Draconis March Militia. While the two battalions from the Seventeenth skirmished with Seymour's Battalion, the two Seventeenth scored few if any kills, as the attached Combine aerospace fighters had complete control of the air and were responsible for strafing and destroying almost all of the Raman DMM 'Mechs encountered. The last three surviving members of Seymour's Battalion made it to the Innersea coast of the McGraw Plains, with the two battalions from the Seventeenth in close pursuit; faced with no support or ability to retreat, the senior surviving AFFS MechWarrior, Bernard Domingo, challenged Tai-sa Timothy Elazar of the Seventeenth to a duel to decide their fate; Domingo offered the surrender of all three survivors if he was defeated, but requested that the three be released to the Raman DMM with their 'Mechs if he defeated Elazar. Elazar agreed, stating that Domingo's offer brought honor to himself and the Raman DMM; however, before the duel could begin, Combine aerospace fighters attacked and destroyed all three AFFS 'Mechs, killing their pilots, despite orders and pleas from Elazar and the other warriors of the Seventeenth to break off the attack. Elazar and a fellow Tai-sa, Jacob Gonen, were so incensed with what they saw as the disohonorable actions of the aerospace pilots that they actively worked to suppress details of the battle, assuring that the aerospace forces received no honor or praise from the battle; the two Tai-sas also recovered two of the three fallen MechWarrior's bodies and transported the remains to New Wuhan City for burial or return to their families, with full honors and respect due. The third body was recovered later, and two of the fallen were husband and wife, Bernard Domingo and Annabelle Domingo; Elazar and Gonen made a point of returning to Galtor III in 3045 to visit their graves, and paid for a special dual gravestone to be erected for the Domingos, replacing the generic AFFS markers in place. The truth about the battle with Seymour's Battalion on Galtor III came to light in 3065, after a detailed investigation by Professor Douglas Running-Elk of the NAIS and a Combine academic, Tai-i Toshibo of the Dover Institute for Higher Learning.[3]

After routing the Thirty-third Avalon Hussars several times, the Seventeenth took serious losses outside New Wuhan City when a battalion of the Twelfth Vegan Rangers performed a daring night-time drop and ambushed them from behind. This allowed the Thirty-third to smash into the Seventeenth, and the two units began grinding the Seventeenth between them. The Seventeenth was able to withdraw from the field, but the inability of the Benjamin Regulars to destroy the Davion defenders led to Warlord Yorioshi being relieved of his command.[2]

Fourth Succession War

The Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars were one of the DCMS regiments deployed in counter-attacks against the Lyran Commonwealth first major offensive of the Fourth Succession War, Operation GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG.[4] The Fourth Skye Rangers had deployed their Second Battalion and Lightning Company to conquer the planet Komephoros during the exploitation phase of the operation, following on from the dramatic successes of the first wave of attacks.[5][6] Following the order to begin the exploitation phase, issued by Archon Katrina Steiner on the 21st of October 3028[6] the Rangers had been in the process of pacifying the planet when the Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars arrived in December 3028 or January 3029; the Rangers managed to hold their own, despite being spread across both Komephoros and Kimball II, but being attacked while the command was dispersed hampered their effectiveness and hurt their pride.[4]

The Rangers used the lull in major combat operations in early 3029 well, resting their troops and preparing new plans, and when the orders were issued to restart offensive operations in May 3029 the Rangers were ready, well-rested and well-prepared. The Rangers swiftly pushed the Regulars out of their rich river valley and began chasing them around the planet, until the Regulars were recalled by the DCMS in July, despite still having the edge on the Rangers in terms of numbers.[7]

The unit was home based on Benjamin outside the city of Deber City.[8] While the Seventeenth never adhered strictly to the samurai code of other units, it only implemented Theodore Kurita's reforms slowly, refusing to stoop to dishonorable tactics.[9]

Clan Invasion


Operation Bulldog

The Seventeenth landed on Port Arthur with the Second Legion of Vega and the Fifth Sword of Light, securing the world and preventing Smoke Jaguar attacks.[10][11]

Dominion War

The Seventeenth held their position on Chandler, denying the Ghost Bears a chance to take the world. The soldiers of the Seventeenth were not happy with this decision, but they obeyed the Coordinator's orders.[11]

Federated Suns Incursion


Jihad

The Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars saw action early in Operation SCOUR, serving on the Federated Suns front as a part of Group III. Group III attacked Tybalt in early 3077, when it was targeted in the first wave of assaults made by the allied coalition forces that made up the Federated Suns front of Operation SCOUR.[12] Serving alongside Delta Galaxy of Clan Nova Cat and the Fifth Lyran Guards,[13] the liberation of Tybalt saw the local citizenry finding itself in the unusual position of throwing a victory parade that, for the first time in the history of Tybalt, honoured a unit from the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery.[12]

As part of Group III the Seventeenth took part in the assault on Nanking in late 3077. Arriving in-system at almost the same time as a Capellan attack group, the 5th and the rest of Group III arrived above Nanking a day after the Capellans had landed, only to find that the Capellan forces led by Warrior House Fujita were trapped in their deployment zone, exhausted from the punishing trip in and under fire from the Nanking Protectorate Militia. Group III dropped behind the Militia forces and proceeded to launch an attack that saw Delta Galaxy and the Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars punish the Militia with ranged fire before the Fifth Lyran Guards launched a devastating assault that broke the Blakist forces.[13]

The Seventeenth participated in the assault on Terra. There they were assigned to General Connor Sortek's command. The Seventeenth and the Third Lyran Guards then seized the Pacific Northwest, part of the North American continent.[14]

During their time with the Coalition, they were followed by a Voice of the Dragon broadcast team. These embedded reporters followed the Seventeenth's members through the liberation of Terra. These broadcasts were so popular among the people of the Benjamin Military District that enrolment in the Benjamin Regulars increased 50% over the pre-Jihad level. Though the propaganda value was excellent, the Seventeenth suffered during the Jihad. Only a third of the unit remained to take up station on Alnasi.[15]

The Seventeenth's honorable conduct went far in preventing the entire Benjamin Regulars from being stained by the betrayal of the Sixth. As mentioned earlier, the Seventeenth's actions led many people to volunteer for service in the unit. As a result the Seventeenth had many more conventional assets than it did previously and so was making use of more combined arms tactics.[16]

Dark Age

During the Second Combine-Dominion the Seventeenth was assigned to recapture Mualang from the invading Ghost Bears. They landed on Mualang on August 1st, supported by the Dragonscales Cluster. Intelligence indicated that the world was only garrisoned by the Eighth Bear Curiassiers, but the world also hosted the Rho Trinary Galaxy Command. The Seventeenth was shattered by the Curiassiers, and the Rho TGC hounded them all the way back to their DropShips.[17]

Officers

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the 17th Benjamin Regulars
Tai-sho Syovo Yorioshi 3020 - 3025[citation needed]
Tai-sho Hirushi Shotugama 3025 - 3028[18][19]
Tai-sa Tucker Orsinian 3050 - 3054[20][21]
Tai-sa Timothy Tousley 3059 - 3067[9][22]
Tai-sa Prudencio Kulmala 3085[23]

Tactics

Star League Era

The Seventeenth 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]

Third Succession War

In 3025 the unit specialty was open-country fighting expertise, utilizing its heavy 'Mechs to maximum effect.[16]

Clan Invasion

By 3059 the Seventeenth had improved their use of open-field tactics to include Thunder munitions to keep enemy forces at bay, allowing artillery strikes, and strafing runs by their attached aerospace complement.[9] With so many conventional forces attached to the unit, the Seventeenth of 3085 is skilled in combined-arms tactics.[16]

Composition History

2765

Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars (Green/Questionable)[1]

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

2786

Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars (Green/Questionable)[24]

- At this point in time the Regulars were a heavy-weight regiment, operating at full strength and stationed on Matar.[24]

2821

Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars (Green/Questionable)[24]

- At this point in time the Regulars were a heavy-weight regiment, operating at just above one-quarter of full strength and stationed on Donenac.[24]

3025

Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[19]

- The command contains 9 heavy companies.[25]

- At this point in time two of the battalions within the Seventeenth were commanded by Tai-sas Timothy Elazar and Jacob Gonen. Gonen's battalion was equipped with heavy and assault 'Mechs.[3]

3028

Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars (BattleMech Regiment/Veteran) [18]

  • CO: Tai-sho Hirushi Shotugama

3040

Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[26]

3050-3054

Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[20][20]

  • CO: Tai-sa Tucker Orsinian

3059

Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars (BattleMech Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[9]

  • Second Battalion: Chu-sa James Elliot
  • Third Battalion: Chu-sa Randy Olson

- Note:Approximately 60 percent of the heavy and assault Mechs are upgraded.

Petals on the Wind (Expanded Wing/Veteran/Reliable)[9]

  • Wing Commander: Tai-sa Jasmine Imikoto

- Note: Includes 1 Vengeance-DropShip for transport duties.

Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars Armor (2 Battalions/Regular/Reliable)[9]

  • Armor Commander: Chu-sa Harry Smith

Third Benjamin Heavy Motorized Infantry (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[9]

  • Troop Commander: Tai-sa Lynn Yuan-ming

- Note: Includes 3 companies artillery and also battle armor forces.

3067

Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars (Battletech Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[22]

  • CO: Tai-sa Timothy Tousley

Petals on the Wind (4 Air Companies/Veteran/Reliable)[22]

  • Wing Commander: Tai-sa Jasmine Imikoto

Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars Armor (2 Battalions/Regular/Reliable)[22]

  • Armor Commander: Chu-sa Harry Smith

Third Benjamin Heavy Motorized Infantry (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[22]

  • Troop Commander: Tai-sa Lynn Yuan-ming

3079

Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars (BattleMech Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[15]

3085

Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars (Regular/Reliable)[23]

  • CO: Tai-sa Prudencio Kulmala

Petals on the Wind (Veteran/Reliable)[23]

Seventeenth Benjamin Armor (2 Battalions/Regular/Questionable)[23]

  • CO: Chu-sa Cyrus Coleman

Third Benjamin Heavy Motorized Infantry (Regular/Reliable)[23]

  • CO: Tai-sa Timotej Merlo

3145

Seventeenth Benjamin Regulars (2 Battalions/Regular/Fanatical) (90% Strength)[27]

  • CO: Tai-sa Tyrell Bell

Petals on the Wind (Veteran/Fanatical) (100% Strength)[27]

  • CO: Sho-sa Gwen Cabrera

Seventeenth Benjamin Armor (Veteran/Reliable) (105% Strength) [27]

  • CO: Tai-sa Michael Byrd

Seventeenth Benjamin Infantry (Regular/Reliable) (90% Strength)[27]

  • CO: Tai-sa Ssekien Ochiai

Notes:

The unit had an "A" Equipment Rating.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Field Report 2765: DCMS, p. 10, "Benjamin Regulars"
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Historical Turning Points: Galtor, p. 11 "Aftermath"
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Citations of Respect
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 61, "End Of The Offensive"
  5. ↑ NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 44-45, "Operation GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG"
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 59, "Follow-up Invasions"
  7. ↑ NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2, p. 71, "Ryde Theater"
  8. ↑ House Kurita: (The Draconis Combine) - Benjamin planetary profile.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 Field Manual: Draconis Combine, p. 46, "17th Benjamin Regulars Unit Profile"
  10. ↑ The Dragon Roars, p. 10
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Field Manual: Updates, p. 106
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 36, "First Wave Complete"
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 39, "War To The Knife"
  14. ↑ Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 96
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Field Report: DCMS, p. 8
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Field Manual: 3085, p. 39
  17. ↑ Historical: Wars of the Republic Era, p. 37
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2, p 107
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 137, "DCMS Deployment Table"
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20 Year Update, p. 41, "DCMS Deployment Table - 3050"
  21. ↑ Objective Raids, p. 28, "DCMS Deployment Table - 3054"
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 Field Manual: Update, p. 116, "DCMS Deployment Table - 3067"
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 Field Manual: 3085, p. 49, "DCMS Deployment Table - 3085"
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 First Succession War, p. 137, "Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery (DCMS)"
  25. ↑ House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 146
  26. ↑ Historical: War of 3039, p. 138
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 Field Manual: 3145, p. 63, Draconis Combine - Deployment Table continued

Bibliography

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