26th Lyran Guards

The 26th Lyran Guards was a BattleMech regiment and later RCT in service to House Steiner.

History

Formation

For much of their history, the Twenty-sixth Guards were known as a "crackdown" unit, assigned to put down internal rebellions against the government of the Lyran Commonwealth. To that end, they were given the nickname "Steiner’s Boots", an homage the Guards apparently accepted and adopted, even incorporating it into their regimental insignia.

Some years prior to the Fourth Succession War, elements of the Twenty-sixth were assigned to defend world of Sevren when House Kurita's 4th Proserpina Hussars launched a raid. Colonel Kester's Second Battalion lured the Hussars into an industrial park using the then-unfamiliar Hatchetman 'Mech. The remainder of the battalion evacuated the local hospital and university. Taking advantage of the cover offered by the park's structure, the Hatchetman repeatedly ambushed the confused Combine soldiers, leading to a favorable outcome for the Guards.

As of 3025, the Twenty-sixth Lyran Guards were a veteran formation, assigned to defend their homeworld of Tamar and commanded by Leutnant-Colonel Woodruff Patterson.

In 3026, at the order of Archon Katrina Steiner, the Twenty-sixth Guards were one of dozens of Lyran commands reorganized into a regimental combat team, growing to brigade-strength with the permanent attachment of conventional regiments, the same formation that had proved so successful for House Davion. In addition, AFFS officers were brought in to "advise" Lyran units in the field, particularly in combined-arms tactics.A lightning company was also attached to the regiment, composed of light and medium 'Mechs and staffed by warriors who had been trained in mobile tactics in the Federated Suns so they could take advantage of their superior mobility.

Fourth Succession War

Main article: Fourth Succession War

As one of the crack veteran units in the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces, the Twenty-sixth Lyran Guards were a natural choice for inclusion as part of Operation Götterdämmerung, the Lyran invasion of the Draconis Combine in 3028. Tamar was used as a major launching point against the Rasalhague Military District, with various other commands taking up the defense of the Tamar Pact capital, ranging from the green 12th Donegal Guards to the mercenary Grave Walkers.

Kandis

In the second wave of the invasion, the 26th Lyran Guards and their supporting units attacked Kandis. Defended primarily by the St. Cyr Heavy Assault Group, the heavy Guards caught the second battalion of the mercenaries exposed on the plains of Icic. Steiner's Boots dealt out severe damage amidst the icy wasteland, compelling the HAG to retreat from the planet. Kandis would become part of the Lyran Commonwealth for the first time in centuries.

Engadin

Eager to press the advantage the Lyrans had won in the first wave, General Nondi Steiner commanded the 26th Lyran Guards and many other regiments were ordered to continue further into Combine space. Their goal was not only to win more territory, but to eliminate as many DCMS commands as was possible. Although a viable strategy, the lack of rest and refit time pushed many of the soldiers of the LCAF to their breaking point. The Twenty-sixth Lyran Guards, though exhausted, struck at Engadin, where they again faced the St. Cyr Heavy Assault Group, as well as the remnants of the 5th Sun Zhang Academy Cadre. This came as a major surprise to the Guards, who expected to face only the under-strength Cadre. Their initial landings went poorly, with the Lyran 'Mechs landing several kilometers from their support personnel, equipment and supplies. The St. Cyr HAG, though previously damaged, seized the advantage by capturing the Guards' equipment. The Twenty-sixth quickly pursued the mercenaries, but were in a poor position to do so indefinitely. Fighting on Engadin was still ongoing when the "lull" came in early 3029, an unofficial cease-fire in the war that saw most combat operations stalled for several months. The exhausted Twenty-sixth used this as an opportunity to regroup and take stock of their situation. When the lull ended in May, the Guards shifted strategies, attacking Zurin Spaceport, through which it was hoped the Lyran High Command would soon be able to bring in supplies and reinforcements. It was also the main Kuritan aerospace base on the planet. Although they caught most of the fighters on the ground, the HAG struck at the Guards' rear during the attack at Flanders Swamp. Acting quickly, Leutnant-Colonel Patterson split his forces, using his heavier elements to hold off the mercenaries while their lighter 'Mechs attacked the spaceport. The plan was successful, destroying the Kuritan fighters and forcing the HAG to withdraw. The much-needed supplies soon arrived.

Although able to recover somewhat, the Guards still faced a difficult challenge. When they attempted to move on the capital city of Yonkers, they were repulsed by the Fifth Cadre, using the supplies the Guards had lost during their original landings. In June, however, the Blackhearts, a Lyran mercenary unit, landed as reinforcements. The Lyran Guards held off the HAG while the mercenaries used artillery elements to devastate the Cadre positions, ultimately forcing them to surrender. Realizing their position was untenable, St. Cyr's HAG retreated once again. The Twenty-sixth Lyran Guards had won their second planet of the conflict.

Not long after, the Fourth Succession War ended. The Lyran Commonwealth had gained dozens of worlds from the Draconis Combine, and although most of these would eventually be turned over to the Free Rasalhague Republic, the Twenty-sixth Lyran Guards had proven their status as a crack command. They had also made successful use of their conventional assets, most notably of the Packrat patrol vehicle, using it to go around the Kuritan flanks and scout enemy positions. The Twenty-sixth Guards ultimately resumed their post on Tamar.

War of 3039

Main article: War of 3039

In 3039, Hanse Davion launched his long-awaited joint-offensive against the Draconis Combine, eager to destroy House Kurita once and for all. As a respected veteran RCT, the 26th Lyran Guards were one of the many commands designated to take part. They left the garrison on Tamar, travelling to Phalan, a major "jump-off" world and supply depot.

Alnasi

On 15 April, 3039, a flotilla consisting of the Twenty-sixth Lyran Guards RCT and the 1st Argyle Lancers appeared at a Pirate Jump Point above the Combine world of Alnasi, an industrial world defended only by a small planetary militia. Woodruff Patterson, now holding the rank of General in the LCAF, commanded the invasion force, and was determined to secure the planet quickly. The Alnasi militia, however, waged an effective guerrilla war despite fielding only a company of 'Mechs. Ultimately, however, Patterson was able to surround the capital of Gantarius, forcing the planetary government's surrender. It took the invaders until mid-May, however, before they could run down the militia 'Mech company. With the planet in their grasp, the Guards and the Lancers dug in to prepare for the possibility of a DCMS counter-attack. Losses to the Twenty-sixth during the conquest were considered light.

Unfortunately for the Guards, guerilla warfare by the surviving militia and an insurgency by the local population (and supported by the Internal Security Force) kept them from ever fully securing the planet. Sabotage to Lyran equipment became common-place, and matters weren't helped when the Argyle Lancers were rotated off-world to prepare for follow-up attacks. On 22 July, Combine reinforcements arrived in the form of the 6th Alshain Regulars and the 5th Sun Zhang Academy Cadre, using the same pirate point the Lyrans had. Although they held an advantage in skill, experience and sheer numbers over the Regulars and the Cadre, their position was highly compromised. Patterson sent his aerospace fighters to interfere with the incoming enemy transports, but they inflicted only minor damage before being chased off by Kuritan fighters and assault DropShips. The Guards then sent their second battalion (supported by armor forces) and their lightning company to harry the DCMS landing zones. They were quickly repulsed by the overwhelming ferocity of the Alshain Regulars, piloting 'Mechs (provided by ComStar) never before seen by the Lyrans. The Kuritans soon built a formidable defensive position around their LZ, and within a few days, the Regulars were prepared to attack the Lyran-held capital from the west while the Cadre struck from the northeast. The Cadre's approach was botched, however, when they ran into entrenched Lyran armor positions. Nevertheless, the Guards faced a deteriorating position, attacked on two sides and facing heavier opposition within the city. By 30 July, Patterson was forced to pull his troops back deeper within the city. The entrenched men and women of Steiner's Boots proceeded to repulse five Combine assaults in succession, but terrorist attacks by the ISF and the local citizenry grew progressively worse. On 5 August, a suicide bomber killed General Patterson and 26 other members of the Guards. Two days later, Colonel Joy Corelli, acting commander of the Twenty-sixth, ordered the Guards to began withdrawing from the planet. Within a week, the last remaining Lyran troops had lifted off-world. Overall casualties to the Twenty-sixth during the counter-attack were moderate, allowing it to maintain unit cohesion. The Twenty-sixth returned to Phalan, and ultimately were rotated back to Tamar when the war ended. After the conflict, Colonel Corelli was promoted and confirmed as the Twenty-sixth's commander.

Clan Invasion

Main article: Clan Invasion

The Twenty-sixth, like the rest of the LCAF, became part of the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth when it was formed after the war against House Kurita. At the dawn of the Clan Invasion in 3050, the Twenty-sixth Guards were once again stationed on Tamar as that world's primary defenders. Corelli remained in command of the veteran RCT, now holding the rank of Marshal.

Tamar

The Fall of Tamar

Main article: Battle of Tamar (Clan Invasion)

Despite the protests of Duke Selvin Kelswa III, the government of the Federated Commonwealth refused to provide reinforcements to Tamar's defense to meet the coming invaders, citing the need to defend other worlds. Furious, Kelswa returned to Tamar City to prepare his own defenses, refusing to cooperate with any AFFC officials, even those of the Twenty-sixth Guards, despite their years of service as Tamar's principle defenders. On 7 November, 3051, saKhan Natasha Kerensky of Clan Wolf arrived in orbit over Tamar, leading the Wolves' Alpha Galaxy. The former command of Nicholas Kerensky, the Dire Wolves were arguably the premier formation in all the Clans, the elite of the elite. Marshal Corelli accepted Kerensky's batchall, and arranged her defenses between the Clan landing zones and Tamar City. The first major clash between the two forces came at Shonick Dale, where the Wolves attempted to break through the Lyran lines of defense. Although they held for six hours against Kerensky, the Wolves' second attempt came at night and drove the Guards back amidst vicious fighting. Corelli reorganized at Smitton, a village north of the capital, organizing her troops in the thick forests to offset Clan air cover and their superior weapon ranges. Unfortunately, this allowed two Elemental headhunter stars to easily penetrate their lines, sowing confusion and chaos. When Alpha Galaxy attacked, they were forced to pull back once again. When they attempted to organize again at Tamar City, they were denied entry by Duke Kelswa, who by this point had gone mad. The Twenty-sixth reluctantly set up their defenses outside the city walls, awaiting the coming Wolves. The following day, the assault began with a series of air strikes, followed up with harrying attacks by the 13th Wolf Guards. With nowhere left to run, Corelli decided to preserve the remainder of her forces and retreat off-world. Offering transport to Kelswa, the Duke declined and would ultimately die with his men, but did send his daughter, Morasha Kelswa, along with the Guards. Steiner's Boots retreated to Kobe. Not long thereafter, the Wolves attacked the capital, leading to the destruction of the Kelswa Guard and the Tamar War College Training Battalion, with both units fighting almost to the death. Duke Kelswa himself fell at the controls of his Atlas. Despite the betrayal of Duke Kelswa, one of the Guards' armor units, the 343rd Tamar Heavy Armor Regiment, would serve as Duchess Morasha's honor guard in the years to come, and were permanently detached from the Twenty-sixth.

Kobe

On Kobe, the Guards had little time to prepare before Clan Wolf's Beta Galaxy arrived in December, commanded by Khan Garth Radick. The Twenty-sixth were supported by the 1st and 2nd Kobe Mechanized Brigades, but these were green militia troops, with little hope of slowing down the Clans. In the first clash at Ash Valley, the Arctic Wolves repeated the tactic that Alpha had used against the Guards on Tamar, deploying Elementals to slip behind enemy lines and seek out the Lyran command. The elite Clan infantry severely injured Marshal Corelli, and knocked her into a coma. Her replacement as acting commander, Leftenant General Jinders Green-Davion managed to stabilize the situation, and there were further battles at New Pompeii and Cinder Bay. The Guards were ultimately too damaged to hold Kobe, and they retreated to Thun.

Thun

On Thun, Green-Davion, still in acting command, deployed his forces around the city of Logan Delta, allowing his reserves to respond to any attacks. Khan Radick and Beta Galaxy arrived shortly thereafter, determined to finish off the Twenty-sixth Guards. This time, the Lyrans were ready for the headhunter strategy, and Beta's Elementals failed to find their headquarters. The Guards' lines held until Radick led the Alpha Command Star of the Silver Keshik on a drop from Beta's DropShips, disrupting the Lyran defenses. Green-Davion was forced to call for another retreat, but was successful in getting the remains of his command off-world. The Guards would see no more action for the remainder of the conflict. The Twenty-sixth had faced the elite of Clan Wolf on three worlds, and withdrawn in good order each time even while more famous commands had met their end.

Recovery and the Lyran Alliance

The Clan Invasion was eventually halted at the Battle of Tukayyid. So damaged was the Twenty-sixth by the fighting that they did not even appear in a ComStar report on the deployment of AFFC forces in 3054. Nevertheless, they managed to avoid being formally disbanded. Like most traditional Lyran units, the Twenty-sixth switched their loyalties to Archon Katherine Steiner-Davion and the Lyran Alliance Armed Forces during the secession of 3057, this despite the fact their commanding officer was a distant cousin of the ruling Davion family. Although they took no part in Operation Bulldog or other major actions, the Guards nevertheless maintained their veteran status when they returned to full strength. Joy Corelli officially remained commander, despite still lingering in a coma. As of late 3061, the Guards were stationed on Port Moseby.

In October 3062, Corelli finally passed away, and Jinders Green-Davion was allowed to take command with the rank of Leutnant-General. Green-Davion had reorganized the rebuilt and well-armed Twenty-sixth, turning the third battalion into a highly-mobile crack formation composed primarily of fast and jump-capable 'Mechs. A battalion of jump-capable battle armor was attached to the Guards' 270th F-C Jump Infantry regiment, and successfully began training in the same headhunter tactics the Wolves had used against the Twenty-sixth during the Clan Invasion. This and other factors, such as being issued several OmniMechs, helped forge the Guards into one of the Alliance's core units. As November 3062, the Guards remained on Port Moseby.

FedCom Civil War

Main article: FedCom Civil War

When the FedCom Civil War inevitably broke out in late 3062, the Twenty-sixth Lyran Guards initially attempted to stay out of the fighting. It was only late in the conflict that they finally took to the field on the loyalist side. The world of Dalkeith had emerged as one of meat-grinders of the conflict. Both sides had poured precious reinforcements to the critical world, only to watch their soldiers die in a hopeless stalemate. The Allies were holding out with the remnants of the 4th Davion Guards and the 4th Deneb Light Cavalry. The Loyalists, under the command of Leutnant-General James Ito, were composed of the 5th Alliance Guards (which had earlier absorbed the survivors of the 13th Donegal Guards) and the 3rd Royal Guards. Although they were all formidable commands, the long years of war had watched the 'Mechs and supporting regiments of these forces ground down. The Twenty-sixth, by contrast, was a fresh, veteran command, and when they arrived in-system, Ito hatched a plan to employ this card with the most devastatingly effect. In mid-April, 3066, the loyalist formation launched a major offensive against the allied-held capital city of Newhaven. Although they advanced far, a counter-attack by the Fourth Deneb forced them to retreat in disarray with the Cavalry in pursuit, threatening to turn it into a route. This proved to be a trap as Ito ordered the Twenty-sixth Guards to use an avalanche drop maneuver, coming down from orbit directly onto the over-extended Cavalry. The move was successful, and when the other loyalist forces turned and attacked, the Fourth Deneb were completely destroyed. The Twenty-sixth Guards had lost four companies of 'Mechs and several battalions of conventional forces, but they had successfully turned the tide decisively for the loyalists.

Though hopelessly outnumbered and unable to retreat, the Fourth Davion Guards chose to fight to the bitter end. On 27 September, the final assault on Newcastle began, with the Twenty-sixth attacking from the north, while the Royal Guard struck from the east and Ito's own Alliance Guard approached from the southwest. The Davion Guards attempted to fight their way out by attacking the Third Royals, and very nearly succeeded. The Royals were broken, but the casualties for the allies were very high, and when the Twenty-sixth Lyran Guards and Fifth Alliance Guards fell on them from behind, destroying the last of the allied forces. Casualties to the Twenty-sixth were heavy, but the battle of Dalkeith had finally been brought to a close.

Jihad

Main article: Jihad

The Twenty-sixth Lyran Guards were not spared the horrors of the Word of Blake Jihad. In 3070, the Twenty-sixth Lyran Guards were fighting elements of Clan Jade Falcon's Gamma Galaxy. The Guards attempted to use their conventional forces to hold off the 1st Falcon Hussars while their 'Mech forces attacked. However, under the command of Galaxy Commander Quinn Kerensky, the Falcons used inferno missles to compromise the Guards' position, ultimately destroying them.

As of 3145, there is no record the Twenty-sixth Lyran Guards had ever been reconstituted.

Officers

As of 3025, the Twenty-sixth Guards were commanded by Leutnant-Colonel Woodruff Patterson. Colonel Kester commanded the Second Battalion at this time. Patterson led the Guards capably up until his death during the War of '39.

When Patterson was killed during the War of '39, Joy Corelli took over temporary command of the Guards, and eventually on a permanent basis.

Jinders Green-Davion took command of the Guards when an Elemental attack left Corelli in a coma, though he was unable to take permanent command until Corelli's passing nearly ten years later. Green-Davion successfully commanded the Guards through the latter part of the Clan Invasion and the FedCom Civil War. It is assumed he remained in command up until the unit's destruction during the Jihad.

Jeanette Scarlett served as the Twenty-sixth's executive officer during the Clan Invasion, under both Corelli and Green-Davion. After the conflict, she requested a transfer to the 9th Lyran Regulars, where she later took command.

Another noted officer who served with the Twenty-sixth against the Clans was one Julius Gramstad. Although Gramstad's record with the Guards was somewhat maligned, he would excel after transferring to the 41st Avalon Hussars, rising to the rank of Leftenant General and serving as the Hussars' second-in-command.

Tactics

Like most Lyran units, the Twenty-sixth Lyran Guards were heavier than average. Under the command of Green-Davion, the third battalion was reorganized with more mobile equipment and the most talented warriors. Using force concentrations, the Guards setup their opponents not only with their mobile elements, but with combat drops as well. The Guards' battle armor also became skilled in headhunting-style operations.

Composition History

3025

26th Lyran Guards (Veteran/Reliable)

• CO: Leutnant-Colonel Woodruff Patterson

Even prior to their official reorganization as a Regimental Combat Team, the Twenty-sixth Lyran Guards carried permanently attached conventional assets with a full support battalion composed of a recon, tank and jump infantry companies.

3050

26th Lyran Guards RCT (Veteran/Reliable)

• CO: Marshal Joy Corelli
  • XO: Leftenant-General Jeanette Scarlett

3062

26th Lyran Guards (1 Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)

• CO: Leutnant-General Jinders Green-Davion
  • Aide: Hauptmann-Kommandant Benjamin Groeschel

26th Lyran Guards Aerospace Brigade (3 Wings)

• CO: Leutnant-Kommodore Branislav Drane
  • 245th Alliance Heavy Wing
  • 17th Sudeten Wing
  • 2250th Independent Aerospace Wing

26th Lyran Guards Armor Brigade (3 Regiments/Veteran/Reliable)

• CO: Colonel Cassie Masch
  • Aide: Hauptmann-Kommandant Benjamin Groeschel
• 232nd Alliance Heavy Armor Regiment (Reinforced with an extra Heavy Armor Company): Colonel Ross Mosay
• 71st Smolnik Armor Regiment (Reinforced with an extra Heavy Armor Company): Leutnant-Colonel Ahmed Mortazavi
• 20th Zebebelgenubi Artillery Group: Kommandant Michael Duran

26th Lyran Guards Infantry Brigade (4 Regiments/Regular/Questionable)

• CO: Colonel Cedric Spahr
  • Aide: Leutnant-Colonel Ju Wang
• 489th Alliance Heavy Infantry (Regiment)
• Colonel: Del La Rosa
• 2744th Alliance Mechanized Infantry Regiment: Colonel Pamela Jorden
• 33rd Tamar Mechanized Infantry Regiment: Leutnant-Colonel Lars Obotette
• 270th F-C Jump Infantry Regiment: Colonel Wilhelm Nuernberg

Note: The 270th includes a Battle Armor Battalion

Insignia and Color Scheme

Befitting their nickname, the Twenty-sixth Guards bore the insignia of a world with the scuffmark of a boot across it. As was the case with the rest of the Lyran Guards brigade, the Twenty-sixth used a blue-and-white paint scheme for their machines. One report, however, indicated some officers and warriors were permitted to repaint their machines in other colors, such as dark green.

Notes

• In an apparent typo, the 26th Lyran Guards were not listed among those Lyran units destroyed during the Jihad in a 3085 report.
• The Twenty-sixth does not appear in Objective Raids, despite never having been disbanded.
• According to the Wolf Clan Sourcebook, Marshal Corelli was killed during the fighting on Kobe. This was later contradicted by Field Manual: Lyran Alliance, which states she was left in a coma. As the Field Manual is the later publication, this article assumes its accuracy.
• Further, the Wolf Clan Sourcebook lists Corelli as a Hauptmann General at the time of her "death", despite having named her a Marshal earlier in that same work. The 20 Year Update supports her rank of Marshal, and this article is written on that assumption.
• In yet another apparent omission, the Twenty-sixth Lyran Guard is not listed on the LAAF deployment table in Field Manual: Updates, even though the unit is described earlier in the text.
• According to Field Report: LAAF, Leutnant-General Theodore Hess was the commander of the Twenty-sixth Guards at the time of their destruction. Multiple sources, however, name Hess as the commander of the 6th Lyran Guards, so this is likely in error.

Game Notes

The Guards' player receives a +2 modifier when rolling on the random lance table. The Guards' OmniMechs and battle armor may make use of the off-map movement special ability.

Bibliography

• 20 Year Update
• Era Report: 3052
• FedCom Civil War (sourcebook)
• Field Manual: Federated Suns
• Field Manual: Lyran Alliance
• Field Manual: Updates
• Field Report: LAAF
• Historical: War of 3039
• House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)
• NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1
• NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2
• Objective Raids
• Shattered Sphere
• Technical Readout: 3025 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3039
• Wolf Clan Sourcebook