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1st Marik Militia

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History

Formation


Reunification War

At the start of the Reunification War the First Marik Militia was stationed on Rohinjan. The Militia was selected to support the VII Corps invasion of Cranston, one of the first worlds to be attacked in the opening stages of the invasion.[1]

Cranston

Cranston was expected to be a tough battle, and the SLDF 58th Brigade had already been ordered to redeploy most of the brigade's fighters to the 57th Brigade for their assault on the nearby world of Restitution. The 1st Marik Militia and the 2nd Orloff Grenadiers were deployed alongside the 58th Brigade to bolster the invasion. Defending Cranston when the strike force landed in October 2577 were the 1st Canopian Grenadiers, who were soon discovered to be much better armed and equipped than SLDF intelligence had indicated - a result of an illicit trade in weapons and material with agents and companies within the Free Worlds League and Capellan Confederation. Although the 58th and the FWLM units had the Canopian Grenadiers heavily outnumbered, the Canopians played to their own strengths by using manoeuvrability, speed and the local terrain to constantly harass the SLDF units, hitting hard and fading back before any of the task force unit could bring their superior numbers to bear.[2][3]

Hampered by a lack of AeroSpace forces to do any reconnaissance or gather intelligence and facing a foe that refused to engage in stand-up battles dragged the SLDF campaign out into November; events then took a turn for the worse when, on the 9th of November, the SLDF WarShip picket line in the system reported an unidentified vessel arriving at a pirate point in the system. The new vessel was inside the picket, and successfully deployed DropShips onto the northern continent of Cranston, from which emerged the 3rd Canopian Light Horse, fresh and supposedly the garrison for Restitution according to SLDF intelligence. Suddenly faced with twice the number of enemy forces and completely outmatched in the air thanks to the significant AeroSpace forces accompanying the 3rd Light Horse, the 58th Brigade commander decided to split his forces; General Michael Martinnson deployed two thirds of his forces against the 1st Canopian Grenadiers, while ordering the other third and both Marik regiments to prevent the 3rd Canopian Light Horse from linking up with the Canopian Grenadiers. The next three weeks were a brutal campaign, particularly for the scratch company of AeroSpace pilots and fighters that were all the 58th, the 1st Marik Militia and the 2nd Orloff Grenadiers could muster to defend them from the Canopian AeroSpace assets; by the time the MAF defenders had been forced to retreat from Cranston, three weeks after the 3rd Light Horse's arrival, the 58th and both FWLM regiments had been bloodied, the MAF had proved that the war was going to be fought in a fashion entirely different to that predicted by the SLDF planners, and the surviving SLDF AeroSpace pilots from the scratch company were the first recipients of the Star League Medal of Honor in the Canopian theatre.[2][3]

Granera

After the campaign for Cranston, the 1st Marik Militia were rotated through the supply and staging world of Granera, presumably for repair and resupply. Intelligence received by the commander of the MAF, Colonel Adam Buquoy, indicated that the second-line troops acting as garrisons on various supply worlds throughout the border region of the Free Worlds League were ill-prepared for any attack and that where plans for the defence of supply worlds existed, they weren't being practised. Buquoy acted decisively on this information; in addition to personally leading four mercenary units against the important supply world of Meadowvale, he dispatched units to strike at three other supply and staging worlds - Ayn Tarma, Saonara and Granera. The 2nd Canopian Light Horse were dispatched to attack Granera, and did manage to successfully destroy their assigned targets, but the presence of the 1st Marik Militia on the world came as a complete surprise to the Canopians. The Militia used this surprise to deadly effect, brutalizing the 2nd Light Horse and destroying almost a battalion of Canopian 'Mechs before the 2nd could withdraw.[3][4][5]

Ruschegg

In contrast with the difficult campaign to capture Cranston, the deployment to capture Ruschegg in 2578 was relatively easy; one of three former Free Worlds League worlds which had defected to the Magistracy in the 2550s, all three were conquered through a display of overwhelming force and agile diplomacy by Captain-General Marik. The defenders of Ruschegg effectively offered no resistance to the SLDF landings, although it would have been difficult for any local militia to contest an invasion which saw the SLDF 58th Brigade deploy alongside the 62nd Royal Brigade, the 1st and 3rd Marik Militia and the 1st and 2nd Brigades of the Fusiliers of Oriente. Within a very short period of time the planetary leader of Ruschegg had not only surrendered but was actively petitioning for Ruschegg to be admitted into the Free Worlds League. The relatively peaceful capture and annexation of Ruschegg, Payvand and Scheuerheck was an important moral victory for the Free Worlds League, one that the Captain-General's allies in the Parliament used extensively against opponents of the Star League.[1][6]

Obrenovac

When the war began, Obrenovac was a key trade hub for the Magistracy of Canopus, and in March 2579 it was targetted for conquest by the Star League Defense Force task force. Following setbacks earlier in the war the task force was proceeding slowly but steadily in 2579, ensuring that planets were targetted with overwhelming numbers of troops to reduce the effect of any resistance; in a short campaign lasting from the 19th to the 25th of March 2579, Obrenovac was conquered by the combined forces of the SLDF 55th and 56th Brigades supported by the 1st and 4th Marik Militia. With more than twenty assorted regiments of troops used in the conquest of Obrenovac the occupation itself was little more than a police action with the SLDF rapidly taking control of government buildings and infrastructure. By January 2580 the task force had also secured the worlds of Eleusis and Bethonolog alongside Obrenovac, and in doing so had secured the entire anti-spinward flank of their advance into the Magistracy.[1][6]

Tetski

The heavily industrialised world of Tetski was the site of one of the more important battles of the SLDF campaign against the Magistracy. In the 26th century Tetski was one of the most rimward colonies in the Magistracy, and the site of some of the most extensive BattleMech repair facilities in the Magistracy; an important cog in the MAF war machine, battalions and regiments of Canopian troops were regularly rotated through Tetski, Tetski was one of the few worlds other than Canopus to merit a permanent naval WarShip picket from the ranks of the Magistracy Navy. On the 3rd of September 2582 the defending garrison on Tetski, the 3rd Canopian Light Horse, were witness to two battalions of the 1st Marik Militia arriving in-system. The Militia harrassed orbital traffic before making landfall near a major refinery close to the city of Sendai, where they promptly tore through the local garrison.[1][3][7]

The MAF responded quickly; the naval picket blocked attempts by the Militia's DropShips to link up with their JumpShips, while the 3rd Light Horse attempted to pin the Militia forces down and use their greater numbers to wear them down. The Militia responded the same way the MAF had since the beginning of the campaign - they refused to face the 3rd Light Horse directly, instead moving quickly and pulling the 3rd Light Horse further away from their established defences. The Militia played hit and run for a week, and on the 10th of September, the second stage of the attack on Tetski began. An SLDF flotilla jumped in at a pirate point just ten hours out from Tetski and ripped through the two Magistracy corvettes in orbit before dropping more troops onto the planet - a lot more troops. The 3rd Light Horse made a cross-country race towards the capital city of Tokhai, arriving inside the city defences just as the 'Mechs of the 58th Brigade entered the atmosphere.[1][7]

Unable to catch the 3rd Light Horse out in the open, the 58th were faced with a siege; bolstered by the 5th Marik Militia and the 3rd Brigade of the Fusiliers of Oriente, the 58th spent three weeks forcing their way into the city, but even when the task force had seized the industrial, economic and political centers of the city, the 3rd Light Horse refused to surrender. Instead, the Canopians fought until every man was down, inflicting heavy casualties on both sides. The loss of Tetski and the facilities there was a heavy blow to the MAF war effort.[1][7] A unit citation was issued to the 1st Marik Militia for their bravery in the campaign for Tetski, and the citation was added to the regimental standard; the Militia still carry the citation proudly today.[8]

Canopus IV

The Militia were largely inactive in 2583, but in 2584 they were a part of the Captain-General's massed assault on the Magistracy capital, Canopus IV. Three complete brigades of troops landed on Canopus in early May, the 58th and 60th Brigades along with the 63rd Royal Brigade. Bolstering the brigades were three independent SLDF regiments along with almost half the FWLM auxiliary division. The 1st Marik Militia fought alongside the 3rd Marik Militia for the first time since Ruschegg, as well as the 4th Brigade of the Fusiliers of Oriente, the 3rd Orloff Grenadiers and the 1st Defenders of Andurien. The battle for control of the planet took several weeks before the MAF defence was routed at the city of Delphi, and the 1st Militia wouldn't take part in another planetary invasion until the final year of the war.[1][9]

Kossandra's Memory

Settled shortly before the outbreak of the war by the MAF for use as a redoubt and base of operations should Canopus IV fall, the outback world of Kossandra's Memory was the site of the final battle between the SLDF task force and the Magistracy Armed Forces. The MAF had managed to keep the existence of Kossandra's Memory secret for much of the war although it hadn't been able to evacuate the Magestrix to Kossandra's Memory when Canopus fell in 2584; when Captain-General Marion Marik finally invaded Kossandra's Memory in 2588 the 2nd Canopian Light Horse and Buquoy's Bandits were the only surviving major MAF units and were both on the world. Numbering just a few mismatched battalions, the MAF units still contested the landing, under the command of Colonel Adam Buquoy himself; Marik landed the 1st Marik Militia and the 3rd Regulan Hussars on Kossandra's Memory, along with the 62nd Royal Brigade and led them personally into battle.[10][11][12]

Marik used three regiments drawn from those who had landed in her assault against Buquoy's positions, and while Buquoy tried to trick Marik into making rash attacks that he could capitalise on, the Captain-General kept her cool and used her superior numbers to grind the Canopian forces down. With the last of the Magistracy forces finally defeated after eleven years of campaigning, the war between the Magistracy and the Star League finally ended when Marik accepted Buquoy's surrender with a firm handshake.[10] The part the Militia played in this final battle wasn't recognised with a unit citation, unlike their actions on Tetski, but their role still generated almost as much pride in the regiment. Hanging in the regimental mess on Marik is a painting of Marion Marik accepting Adam Buquoy's surrender with 'Mechs from the 1st standing overwatch.[8]

Anton's Revolt


Third Succession War

Took part in two famous battles. The Battle of Skada Ravine on Megrez in 3018, where the Regiment's Third Battalion (better known as the Perth River Strike Battalion) saved the other two battalions from a LCAF assault.[13]

4th Succession War


Andurien Secession

In 3039, the unit was involved in operations on Andurien, north of the capital Jojoken. What started as a minor battle with the 6th Defenders of Andurien trapping a Company of the First Militia in the city of Baroda escalated into a meeting engagement that became the pivotal battle on planet, shattering the First and Sixth Defenders.[13]

In later years the First staged a reprisal raid against the Capellan Confederation's Warrior House Ijori on Jasmine.[13]

War of 3039


Operation Guerrero


Operation Bulldog


Jihad


Officers

In 3025 the unit is commanded by Colonel Shanna del Rey.[14]

As of 3059 the Commanding Officer was Colonel Siva Rashpurtey, who had been in the position since 3055.[13]

Tactics

Proved in reconnaissance missions and hit-and-run tactics.[13]

Composition History

3025

1st Marik Militia (Veteran/Fanatical) [15]

3059

1st Marik Militia (1 Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[13]

  • CO/1st Battalion: Colonel Siva Rashpurtey
  • 2nd Battalion: Force Commander Maggie Bahn
  • 3rd Battalion: Force Commander Judith de Hereford

- The 1st & 2nd use fast light 'Mechs
- The 1st contains additional a lance of Owens OmniMechs

San Anshelm Air Wing (1Wing/Veteran/Reliable)[13]

53rd Fletcher Armored Brigade (2 Regiments/Regular/Reliable)[13]

  • Armor Commander: Lt. Colonel Alix Bains

- Two light recon regiments

381st Garrison Division (Division/Green/Reliable)[13]

  • Troop Commander: General Austin Fox

Gallery

  • A Stinger in the colors of the First Marik Militia

Notes

Rules

Reunification War

  • When randomly generating forces, the 1st Marik Militia adds a +1 bonus to Random Experience rolls.[16]
  • The 1st Marik Militia adds a +2 bonus to rolls to determine the availability of supplies and equipment.[16]
  • The 1st Marik Militia may double the amount of Advanced Components fielded per lance.[16]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Historical: Reunification War, p. 148, "Magistracy Of Canopus Front(Jump-Off - 2582)"
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Historical: Reunification War, p. 98, "Restitution and Cranston (October-November 2577)"
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Historical: Reunification War, p. 150, "Magistracy of Canopus Front (Jump-Off-2582)"
  4. ↑ Historical: Reunification War, p. 99, "Meadowvale (January 2578)"
  5. ↑ Field Manual: Periphery, p. 34, "2nd Canopian Light Horse"
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Historical: Reunification War, p. 100, "Ruschegg, Payvand and Scheuerheck (August-October 2577)" Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "H:RWp100" defined multiple times with different content
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Historical: Reunification War, p. 101-2, "Tetski (September-November 2582)"
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Historical: Reunification War, p. 38, "First Marik Militia"
  9. ↑ Historical: Reunification war, p. 103-105, "Canopus (March-April 2584)
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Historical: Reunification War, p. 105, "Mopping Up (2584-2588)"
  11. ↑ Historical: Reunification War, p. 149, "Magistracy Of Canopus Front (2583-2588)"
  12. ↑ Historical: Reunification War, p. 151, "Magistracy Of Canopus Front (2583-2588)"
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 13.7 13.8 Field Manual: Free Worlds League, p. 54, "1st Marik Militia Unit Profile"
  14. ↑ House Marik (The Free Worlds League), p. 108, "FWL Deployment Table"
  15. ↑ House Marik (The Free Worlds League), p. 108
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Historical: Reunification War, p. 183, "Free Worlds League"

Bibliography

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