Sarna News: Bad 'Mechs - Icestorm

Difference between revisions of "2nd Bolan Guards"

m
m
 
(110 intermediate revisions by 25 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{infoBoxStateUnit
+
{{infoBoxMilitaryCommand
−
| image    =  
+
| image         = [[File:Allianceguards3rd.png|200px]]
−
| nickname = As 11th FedCom Corp, The Boys from Skye, 3rd Alliance Guard RCT, The Boys from Skye
+
| Designation   = Second Bolan Guards
−
| parent formation = [[Federated Commonwealth Corps]]/[[LAAF]]
+
| formed        = [[3049]]
−
| formed  = [[3049]]
+
| Disbanded      =
−
| year    = 3067
+
| Previous Designation = Eleventh FedCom RCT<br/>
−
| unitname = 3rd Alliance Guard RCT
+
([[3049]] - [[3057]])
 +
----
 +
Third Alliance Guards<br/>
 +
([[3057]] - [[3085]])
 +
| Nickname      = The Boys from Skye<br/>
 +
(3057 - 3085)
 +
| Affiliation    = [[Federated Commonwealth]]<br/>
 +
([[3049]] - [[3057]])
 +
----
 +
[[Lyran Commonwealth]]<br/>
 +
([[3057]] - present)
 +
| Parent Command = [[Federated Commonwealth Corps]]<br/>
 +
([[3049]] - [[3057]])
 +
----
 +
[[Alliance Guards]]<br/>
 +
([[3057]] - [[3085]])
 +
----
 +
[[Commonwealth Guards]]<br/>
 +
([[3085]] - present)
 +
| Sub-Command    =  
 
}}
 
}}
 +
Previously known as the '''Eleventh FedCom [[RCT]]''' and the '''Third Alliance Guards RCT''', the '''Second Bolan Guards [[LCT]]''' is a military formation that has, over the decades, served the [[Federated Commonwealth]], [[Lyran Alliance]] and [[Lyran Commonwealth]]'s Armed Forces.<ref name=FM3085-99>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 99: "Lyran Commonwealth - Commonwealth Guards"</ref>
  
−
Unusual for such a Lyran unit, meduim and light Battlemech designs of Federated Suns manufacture make up two thirds of the RCT , generally in the First and Second Battalions.  The Third Battalion has more of a Lyran flavor with more Lyran produced Battlemechs generally in the Heavy and Assault Class. After the [[FedCom Civil War]] the RCT had been reduced to only a Battalion of operational Battlemechs.
+
==History==
 +
===Early Years===
 +
Formed in [[3047]], the Eleventh FedCom RCT was stationed on the world of [[Skye]] until [[3058]] and, unusually for a FedCom Corps unit, drew almost all its recruits from the [[Skye March]] itself. These ties ensured that after the secession of the [[Lyran Alliance]] in [[3057]], the RCT remained in the [[LAAF]].  The unit was renamed the Third Alliance Guards but was reorganized by the newly formed [[LAAF]] High Command, who removed the most ardently [[Free Skye|pro-Skye]] troops and replaced them with ones more loyal to the Archon.  Due to grumblings about the poor respect given the Alliance Guards and many of the unit's troops still maintaining strong ties to their former homeworld, a spirit that was typified by the Third's nickname of ''The Boys from Skye'', the [[LIC]] kept the unit under a close eye.<ref name=FMLA45>''Field Manual: Lyran Alliance'', p. 45: "3rd Alliance Guards Unit Profile"</ref>
 +
 
 +
In mid-[[3058]], the still untried Third Alliance Guard was relocated to the world of [[Blue Hole]] on the [[Jade Falcon Occupation Zone|Jade Falcon border]] in reaction to the [[Jade Falcon Incursion (3058)|recent invasion]] of [[Coventry]].  Believing they'd finally have a chance to prove themselves, the Third's repeated requests to stage raids on the Clans were refused by [[Melissia Theater]] commander [[Sharon Bryan]] on the basis of their lack of experience.  The unit was also not selected for participation in [[Operation Bulldog]] for the same reason, much to its chagrin.<ref name=FMLA45/>
 +
 
 +
===FedCom Civil War===
 +
In May of [[3064]], while the Third Alliance Guard and the allied [[Storm's Metal Thunder]] [[mercenary unit]] were embroiled in a shooting standoff with the [[Eighth Deneb Light Cavalry]], [[Clan Jade Falcon]] finally attacked. The Third faced down the [[Turkina Eyrie (Clan Jade Falcon)|Turkina Eyrie]] while Storm's Metal Thunder engaged the [[First Falcon Swoop]]. The fighting was so brutal that even the [[Eighth Deneb Light Cavalry]] attempted to aid the Loyalist units, although they were only fired upon in exchange for their efforts.  Taking heavy casualties, the Third was forced to withdraw to [[Melissia]] with only four companies of BattleMechs left standing, leaving the mercenaries to fend for themselves.  The Metal Thunder was entirely destroyed save for two solitary 'Mechs that managed to retreat to Melissia.<ref>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 114</ref>  On 16 August, 3064, [[Clan Jade Falcon]] reached Melissia and launched an immediate assault on the battered Third. In the resulting fighting, the Third Alliance Guard were almost entirely destroyed by Clan Jade Falcon forces under the command of [[Khan]] [[Marthe Pryde]]. Only the command staff and a handful of survivors made it off-world, under the command of General [[Adam Steiner]].  They fell back to [[Chapultepec]] and later took part in some of the engagements there.<ref>''FedCom Civil War'', pp. 114, 116</ref>
 +
 
 +
After the [[FedCom Civil War]], the Third was slated for deactivation, but remained on LAAF rolls at the request of [[Hauptmann-General]] [[Isadora Agravaine]].  The pitched fighting against Jade Falcon forces had reduced them to a single battalion of salvaged BattleMechs, supported by two companies of vehicles, and their attempts to rebuild were hindered by the LAAF's emphasis on rebuilding what they considered to be combat worthy units.<ref>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 166</ref> By [[3067]], the Third Alliance Guard had returned to Melissia and took up a garrison post there while they slowly rebuilt.<ref>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 178</ref>
 +
 
 +
===Jihad===
 +
As with the rest of the Alliance Guards, the Third acted as a reserve force during the [[Word of Blake]] [[Jihad]], supplementing commands damaged during the occupations of [[Tharkad]] and [[Hesperus II]]. The unit's sole action of note during the period was an incident during its defense of [[Timbiqui]]'s famous brewery from pirate raiders.  Video footage of a Third Guards ''[[Zeus]]'' bring sprayed down by a beer truck as it tore a bandit ''[[Centurion (BattleMech)|Centurion]]'' apart with its energy weapons receiving extensive airplay across the [[Inner Sphere]].<ref name=FRLAAF-8>''Field Report: LAAF'', p. 8: "Alliance Guards"</ref>
 +
 
 +
Much of the losses suffered by the Third during the Jihad came not from combat but as troops and matériel were transferred out to recoup the losses of more favored commands, a move by High Command that further damaged the unit's poor morale.  Near the end of the quartermaster's supply priorities at the best of times, the Third, like the rest of the Alliance Guards, chose to sacrifice its older equipment in order to prioritize the maintenance of its more modern machines as the Jihad crippled interstellar shipping.<ref name=FRLAAF-8/>
 +
 
 +
===Dark Age===
 +
When the Lyran Alliance was officially renamed back to the Lyran Commonwealth by Archon [[Adam Steiner]],<ref name=FM3085-94>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 94: "The Lyran Commonwealth - General Review"</ref> the Alliance Guards were rechristened the Commonwealth Guards.  Subsequently, the Third Alliance Guards became the Second Bolan Guards and were restructured as a Davion-style LCT rather than rebuilt to their full RCT size.<ref name=FM3085-99/>
  
−
==History==
+
On 23 June 3083, after [[Tamari LaRue]] of the [[Inarcs Archonette]] refused to return her powers to Tharkad, Adam Steiner sent the Second Bolan Guards, along with the [[First Royal Guards]] RCT and ''[[Yggdrasil (Individual Mjolnir-class WarShip)|Yggdrasil]]'', to subdue her. The Second quickly secured the task force's drop zones and easily defeated local militia resistance while the First Royal Guards advanced on the defending [[Blackstone Highlanders]] and quickly captured the Duchess. The Second remained behind to secure Inarcs while the First Royal Guards transported Duchess LaRue to stand trial on Tharkad.<ref name=FM3085-95>''Field Manual: 3085'', pp. 94–95: "The Lyran Commonwealth - Reclaiming Authority"</ref>
−
Formed in [[3049]], the 11th FedCom was stationed on the the world of [[Skye]] until [[3058]] were it had recruited the bulk of its troops, and after the seccesion of the Lyran Alliance the RCT was renamed to the 3rd Alliance Guard.. In mid-[[3058]] the 3rd Alliance Guard was relocated to the world [[Blue Hole]] on the Jade Falcon border in reaction to the recent invasion of Coventry. Repeated requests to stage raids on the Clans were refused, due to their lack of experience and the RCT did not take part in Operation Bulldog for the same reason. <ref name=FMLA>''Field Manual: Lyran Alliance'', pg. 45</ref>
+
 
 +
Though the Second completed its mission successfully, the fighting on Inarcs only worsened the unit's morale issues. Many personnel in the unit were dismayed at again being forced to fight their own countrymen. In addition, the Second, despite its many name changes and long history as a Lyran-sympathetic unit, still maintained a sizable number of troops originally from the Federated Suns.  These troops, already alienated by serving in the Lyran Alliance for so long, felt even more trapped in a foreign unit with this latest name change.  The LCAF attempted to combat these loyalty issues by assigning the Second to [[Bolan]] alongside the [[First Bolan Guards]] in the hopes that garrisoning it there would allow its members to bond with its namesake world and develop pride by serving in its defense.<ref name=FM3085-99/>
  
−
By May 3064, the 3rd Alliance Guard had been in a shooting standoff with the [[8th Deneb Light Calvary]] alongside [[Storm's Metal Thunder]] when Clan Jade Falcon attacked. The 3rd Alliance Guard would end up fighting against the [[Turkina Eyrie]] and [[Storm's Metal Thunder]] against the [[First Swoop]].  The fighting was brutal and even the [[8th Deneb Light Calvary]] would try to aid the Loyalist RCT's, though would be fired upon for their efforts. Soon though the 3rd Alliance Guards would have enough and withdrew to [[Melissa]] with only four companies of Battlemechs, while [[Storm's Metal Thunder]] would remain on world and soon was destroyed but for two mechs that would later retreat to Melissa. <ref name=FCCW1>''FedCom Civil War'', pg. 114</ref>  On August 16th,3064, the 3rd Alliance Guard would take part in the fighting on [[Melissa]] were the 3rd Alliance Guard were essentially destroyed by Clan Jade Falcon forces under the command of Khan Marthe Pryde, with the command staff and a few survivors making it offworld under the command of General [[Adam Steiner]] to [[Chapultepec]] and would take part in some of the fighting there. <ref name=FCCW1>''FedCom Civil War'', pg. 114, 116</ref>
+
During the Commonwealth's [[Operation HAMMERFALL|invasion]] of the [[Duchy of Tamarind-Abbey]] in [[3137]], the Second Bolan Guards were at the forefront of the fighting. Luckily, their advanced position meant that they weren't damaged by [[Clan Wolf]] forces as they established the [[Wolf Empire]].  During the formation of the Empire, the Second Bolan Guards were able to tie up a large number of [[Free Worlds League Military]] forces, which allowed other [[LCAF]] units to escape. One of these fighting withdrawals involved a skirmish between the Second and the [[First Tamarind Regulars]].<ref>''Technical Readout: 3145 Free Worlds League'', p. 42</ref>
  
−
After the [[FedCom Civil War]] the 3rd Alliance Guard would remain on the LAAF rolls at the request of Hauptmann-General Isadora Agravaine, even though after the war the RCT had beed reduced to only a Battalion of salvaged Battlemechs and two companies of vehicles with the rest of the RCT being a present only on paper. The 3rd Alliance Guard's attempts to rebuild has also been hindered by the [[LAAF]]'s emphesis on rebuilding combat worthy units, rather than replacing the 3rd Alliance Guard's losses. <ref name=FMU>''Field Manual: Updates'', pg. 166</ref> By 3067 the 3rd Alliance Guard would return to [[Melissa]] and take up a garrison post there to rebuild. <ref name=FMU>''Field Manual: Updates'', pg. 178</ref>
+
In [[3145]], the Second had returned to its station on Bolan.<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 123</ref> A year later, the unit found itself battling the First Tamarind Regulars once more when that unit invaded Bolan. Although they were initially successful, managing to drive the invaders back, the Second was later stymied and then driven off-world when League reinforcements arrived.<ref>''Shattered Fortress'', p. 20</ref>
  
 
==Officers==
 
==Officers==
−
Leutnant-General Martin Andor has commanded the since [[3052]], a former member of the Kathil Uhlans he was nominated for the command by Prince Hanse Davion. The 3rd Alliance Armor Brigade is commanded by Colonel Roberto Huntingdon, and the 3rd Alliance Infantry Brigade is commanded by Colonel Bill Scathlock.
+
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Rank
 +
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Name
 +
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Command
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of the Eleventh FedCom RCT'''
 +
|-
 +
| [[Hauptmann General]]||[[Amos Harrington|Amos Bronson Harrington]]||[[3050]]<ref name=20yup27>''20 Year Update'', p. 27: "Federated Commonwealth Deployment Tables - Skye March - Wyatt Theater - Gacrux Command"</ref>
 +
|-
 +
| [[Leutnant-General]]||[[Martin Andor]]||[[3052]]<ref name=FMLA45/> - [[3057]]
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of the Third Alliance Guards'''
 +
|-
 +
| Leutnant-General||Martin Andor||[[3057]] - [[3085]]<ref name=FMLA45/>
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of the Second Bolan Guards'''
 +
|-
 +
| Leutnant-General||[[Conger McConnaugh]]||[[3085]]<ref name=FM3085-107>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 107: "Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces (Deployment as of 31 October 3085)"</ref>
 +
|-
 +
| [[Colonel]]||[[Eli Colt]]||[[3145]]<ref name=FM:3145p132>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 132: "Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces - Buena Province"</ref>
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
==Tactics==
 
==Tactics==
−
The 3rd Alliance Guard and and before that the 12th FedCom train in a medly of tactics both offensive and defensive, though up until the FedCom Civil War had little chance to practice their training.
+
The Third Alliance Guards, and before that the Eleventh FedCom, trained in a medley of tactics both offensive and defensive, though up until the FedCom Civil War had little chance to put their training into practice.<ref name=FMLA45/>
 +
 
 +
==Composition History==
 +
===3050===
 +
'''Eleventh FedCom RCT ''' (Regiment/Green/Reliable)<ref name=20yup27/>
 +
:* CO: Hauptmann General Amos Bronson Harrington<ref name=20yup27/>
 +
:* Base: [[Skye]]<ref name=20yup27/>
 +
 
 +
===3054===
 +
'''Eleventh FedCom RCT''' (Regiment/Green/Reliable)<ref name=ORp19/>
 +
:* CO: Hauptmann General Marlin Andor<ref name=ORp19/>
 +
:* Base: [[Skye]]<ref name=ORp19>''Objective Raids'', p. 19</ref>
  
−
==Composition==
+
===3062===
−
In [[3067]] the unit consisted of:
+
'''Third Alliance Guards''' ([[Regiment]]/Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FMLA45/>
−
* 3rd Alliance Guard [[Battalion]]'''  
+
* CO: Leutnant-General [[Martin Andor]]
−
* 3rd Alliance Guard Armor Brigade'''  
+
* XO: Colonel [[Marion Leaford]]
−
* 3rd Alliance Guard Infantry Brigade'''  
+
* Base: [[Blue Hole]]
 +
 
 +
:'''Third Alliance Guards Aerospace Brigade''' ([[Wing (Military Unit)|Wing]])<ref name=FMLA45/>
 +
:* CO: [[Kaptain]] [[Nasir Hammed|Nasir Malik Hammed]]
 +
:** '''Second Alliance Wing'''
 +
 
 +
:'''Third Alliance Armor Brigade''' (2 Regiments/Green/Reliable)<ref name=FMLA45/>
 +
:* CO: Colonel [[Roberto Huntingdon]]
 +
:* XO: [[Leutnant-Colonel]] [[Megan O'Brien]]
 +
::* Eleventh Alliance Heavy Armor Regiment
 +
:::* CO: Colonel Roberto Huntingdon
 +
::* Ninety-second Skye Light Armor Regiment
 +
:::* CO: Colonel [[Jonathan Lyttle]]
 +
 
 +
:'''Third Alliance Infantry Brigade''' (4 Regiments/Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FMLA45/>
 +
::* CO: Colonel [[Bill Scathlock]]
 +
::* Aide: Leutnant-Colonel [[Mercham Miller]]
 +
:::* Twenty-first Alliance Infantry Regiment
 +
::::* CO: Colonel [[Gerald Watson]]
 +
:::* Twenty-second Alliance Infantry Regiment
 +
::::* CO: Colonel [[Corrinne de Kondservsky]]
 +
:::* Forty-fourth Independent Mechanized Infantry Regiment
 +
::::* CO: Colonel [[Andrew Clatworthy]]
 +
:::* Eleventh FedCom Jump Infantry Regiment
 +
::::* CO: Colonel [[Adebayo Fasinro]]
 +
 
 +
===3067===
 +
'''Third Alliance Guards RCT''' (Veteran/Reliable)<ref name=FMUp178>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 178</ref>
 +
:* CO: Leutnant-General Martin Andor
 +
:* Base: [[Melissia]]
 +
 
 +
:'''Third Alliance Guards Aerospace Brigade''' ([[Wing (Military Unit)|Wing]]/Veteran/Reliable)<ref name=FMUp178/>
 +
:* CO: [[Kaptain]] Nasir Malik Hammed
 +
 
 +
:'''Third Alliance Armor Brigade''' (2 Regiments/Veteran/Reliable)<ref name=FMUp178/>
 +
:* CO: Colonel Roberto Huntingdon
 +
 
 +
:'''Third Alliance Infantry Brigade''' (4 Regiments/Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FMLA45/>
 +
:* CO: Colonel Bill Scathlock
 +
 
 +
===3079===
 +
'''Third Alliance Guards ''' (Regiment/Regular/Questionable)<ref name=FRFWLMp8>''Field Report: FWLM'', p. 8</ref>
 +
: Note: At this time the unit was stationed on [[Timbiqui]].<ref name=FRFWLMp8/>
 +
 
 +
===3085===
 +
'''Second Bolan Guards LCT'''<ref name=FM3085-107/>
 +
:* CO: Leutnant-General [[Conger McConnaugh]]
 +
:* Base: [[Bolan]]
 +
 
 +
:'''Second Bolan Guard Aerospace'''<ref name=FM3085-107/>
 +
:* CO: Kommandant [[Diarmait Rocha]]
 +
 
 +
:'''Second Bolan Armor Brigade'''<ref name=FM3085-107/>
 +
:* CO: Colonel [[Vikot Olofsdotter]]
 +
 
 +
:'''Second Bolan Infantry Brigade'''<ref name=FM3085-107/>
 +
:* CO: Colonel [[Tyge Podsednik]]
 +
 
 +
===3145===
 +
'''Second Bolan Guards''' (Veteran/Questionable)<ref name=FM:3145p132/>
 +
:* CO: Colonel Eli Colt
 +
:* Base: [[Bolan]]
 +
 
 +
:'''Second Bolan Guard Aerospace''' (Veteran/Reliable)<ref name=FM:3145p132/>
 +
:* CO: Kommandant [[George Robinson]]
 +
 
 +
:'''Second Bolan Armor Brigade''' (Regular/Questionable)<ref name=FM:3145p132/>
 +
:* CO: Colonel [[Anna Gray]]
 +
 
 +
:'''Second Bolan Infantry Brigade''' (Veteran/Questionable)<ref name=FM:3145p132/>
 +
:* CO: Colonel [[Donald Watson]]
 +
 
 +
==Unit Colors and Insignia==
 +
*When the Second Bolan Guards was a member of the Federated Commonwealth Corps RCTs, it primarily used the FedCom Corps crest as its insignia.  After being renamed to the Third Alliance Guards, the insignia was changed to the Lyran Mailed Fist on a Skye green disk with the Roman number III emblazoned beneath it.
 +
*While with the [[FedCom Corps]], the unit wore the colors standard to that formation. After being converted to Alliance Guards, their colors were changed to the Guards' brown and tan scheme, replacing that scheme's black edging with green edging in honor of Skye.
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
−
*When the 3rd Alliance Guard was a member of the Federated Commmonwealth Corp RCTs, the 12th primarily used the FedCom Corps crest as their insignia.  After being renamed to the they changed it to the Alliances Mail Fist on a skye green disk and beneath it the Roman number III.
+
*During its existence as the Third Alliance Guards, the unit's First and Second Battalions were primarily [[BattleMech#Medium|medium]] and [[BattleMech#Light|light]] [[BattleMech]] designs of [[Federated Suns]] manufacture, such as the ''[[Stealth]]'' and ''[[Fireball]]''. Its Third Battalion had more Lyran produced BattleMechs, generally in the heavy and assault classes, such as the ''[[Banshee (BattleMech)|Banshee]]'' and ''[[Falconer]]'' 'Mechs.
−
*The parade colors of the Third, is the same as when it was a member of the FedCom Corps, navy blue with gold banding on the arms and legs of 'Mechs. Gold is also used to highlight panels on the upper torsos of 'Mechs and turrets of armor units, resulting in a checkerboard pattern. Aftr being renamed, the color scheme was changed to a brown and tan paint scheme and replaces the black edging with green edging.  
 
−
<references/>
 
  
 
==Reference==
 
==Reference==
−
*[[Field Manual: Lyran Alliance]]
+
<references />
−
*[[FedCom Civil War (sourcebook)]]
+
 
−
*[[Field Manual: Updates]]
+
==Bibliography==
 +
<div class="desktop-3-col">
 +
* ''[[20 Year Update]]''
 +
* ''[[FedCom Civil War (sourcebook)|FedCom Civil War]]''
 +
* ''[[Field Manual: 3085]]''
 +
* ''[[Field Manual: 3145]]''
 +
* ''[[Field Manual: Lyran Alliance]]''
 +
* ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
 +
* ''[[Field Report: LAAF]]''
 +
* ''[[Objective Raids]]''
 +
* ''[[Shattered Fortress]]''
 +
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3145 Free Worlds League]]''
 +
</div>
  
  
−
[[Category:Lyran Alliance Commands|3rd Alliance Guard RCT]]
+
[[Category:Lyran Commands|Bolan Guards, 02nd]]
 +
[[Category:Federated Commonwealth Commands|Bolan Guards, 02nd]]

Latest revision as of 06:42, 3 April 2024

Allianceguards3rd.png
Second Bolan Guards
Formed 3049
Previous Designation(s) Eleventh FedCom RCT

(3049 - 3057)

Third Alliance Guards
(3057 - 3085)

Nickname The Boys from Skye

(3057 - 3085)

Affiliation Federated Commonwealth

(3049 - 3057)

Lyran Commonwealth
(3057 - present)

Parent Command Federated Commonwealth Corps

(3049 - 3057)

Alliance Guards
(3057 - 3085)

Commonwealth Guards
(3085 - present)

Previously known as the Eleventh FedCom RCT and the Third Alliance Guards RCT, the Second Bolan Guards LCT is a military formation that has, over the decades, served the Federated Commonwealth, Lyran Alliance and Lyran Commonwealth's Armed Forces.[1]

History[edit]

Early Years[edit]

Formed in 3047, the Eleventh FedCom RCT was stationed on the world of Skye until 3058 and, unusually for a FedCom Corps unit, drew almost all its recruits from the Skye March itself. These ties ensured that after the secession of the Lyran Alliance in 3057, the RCT remained in the LAAF. The unit was renamed the Third Alliance Guards but was reorganized by the newly formed LAAF High Command, who removed the most ardently pro-Skye troops and replaced them with ones more loyal to the Archon. Due to grumblings about the poor respect given the Alliance Guards and many of the unit's troops still maintaining strong ties to their former homeworld, a spirit that was typified by the Third's nickname of The Boys from Skye, the LIC kept the unit under a close eye.[2]

In mid-3058, the still untried Third Alliance Guard was relocated to the world of Blue Hole on the Jade Falcon border in reaction to the recent invasion of Coventry. Believing they'd finally have a chance to prove themselves, the Third's repeated requests to stage raids on the Clans were refused by Melissia Theater commander Sharon Bryan on the basis of their lack of experience. The unit was also not selected for participation in Operation Bulldog for the same reason, much to its chagrin.[2]

FedCom Civil War[edit]

In May of 3064, while the Third Alliance Guard and the allied Storm's Metal Thunder mercenary unit were embroiled in a shooting standoff with the Eighth Deneb Light Cavalry, Clan Jade Falcon finally attacked. The Third faced down the Turkina Eyrie while Storm's Metal Thunder engaged the First Falcon Swoop. The fighting was so brutal that even the Eighth Deneb Light Cavalry attempted to aid the Loyalist units, although they were only fired upon in exchange for their efforts. Taking heavy casualties, the Third was forced to withdraw to Melissia with only four companies of BattleMechs left standing, leaving the mercenaries to fend for themselves. The Metal Thunder was entirely destroyed save for two solitary 'Mechs that managed to retreat to Melissia.[3] On 16 August, 3064, Clan Jade Falcon reached Melissia and launched an immediate assault on the battered Third. In the resulting fighting, the Third Alliance Guard were almost entirely destroyed by Clan Jade Falcon forces under the command of Khan Marthe Pryde. Only the command staff and a handful of survivors made it off-world, under the command of General Adam Steiner. They fell back to Chapultepec and later took part in some of the engagements there.[4]

After the FedCom Civil War, the Third was slated for deactivation, but remained on LAAF rolls at the request of Hauptmann-General Isadora Agravaine. The pitched fighting against Jade Falcon forces had reduced them to a single battalion of salvaged BattleMechs, supported by two companies of vehicles, and their attempts to rebuild were hindered by the LAAF's emphasis on rebuilding what they considered to be combat worthy units.[5] By 3067, the Third Alliance Guard had returned to Melissia and took up a garrison post there while they slowly rebuilt.[6]

Jihad[edit]

As with the rest of the Alliance Guards, the Third acted as a reserve force during the Word of Blake Jihad, supplementing commands damaged during the occupations of Tharkad and Hesperus II. The unit's sole action of note during the period was an incident during its defense of Timbiqui's famous brewery from pirate raiders. Video footage of a Third Guards Zeus bring sprayed down by a beer truck as it tore a bandit Centurion apart with its energy weapons receiving extensive airplay across the Inner Sphere.[7]

Much of the losses suffered by the Third during the Jihad came not from combat but as troops and matériel were transferred out to recoup the losses of more favored commands, a move by High Command that further damaged the unit's poor morale. Near the end of the quartermaster's supply priorities at the best of times, the Third, like the rest of the Alliance Guards, chose to sacrifice its older equipment in order to prioritize the maintenance of its more modern machines as the Jihad crippled interstellar shipping.[7]

Dark Age[edit]

When the Lyran Alliance was officially renamed back to the Lyran Commonwealth by Archon Adam Steiner,[8] the Alliance Guards were rechristened the Commonwealth Guards. Subsequently, the Third Alliance Guards became the Second Bolan Guards and were restructured as a Davion-style LCT rather than rebuilt to their full RCT size.[1]

On 23 June 3083, after Tamari LaRue of the Inarcs Archonette refused to return her powers to Tharkad, Adam Steiner sent the Second Bolan Guards, along with the First Royal Guards RCT and Yggdrasil, to subdue her. The Second quickly secured the task force's drop zones and easily defeated local militia resistance while the First Royal Guards advanced on the defending Blackstone Highlanders and quickly captured the Duchess. The Second remained behind to secure Inarcs while the First Royal Guards transported Duchess LaRue to stand trial on Tharkad.[9]

Though the Second completed its mission successfully, the fighting on Inarcs only worsened the unit's morale issues. Many personnel in the unit were dismayed at again being forced to fight their own countrymen. In addition, the Second, despite its many name changes and long history as a Lyran-sympathetic unit, still maintained a sizable number of troops originally from the Federated Suns. These troops, already alienated by serving in the Lyran Alliance for so long, felt even more trapped in a foreign unit with this latest name change. The LCAF attempted to combat these loyalty issues by assigning the Second to Bolan alongside the First Bolan Guards in the hopes that garrisoning it there would allow its members to bond with its namesake world and develop pride by serving in its defense.[1]

During the Commonwealth's invasion of the Duchy of Tamarind-Abbey in 3137, the Second Bolan Guards were at the forefront of the fighting. Luckily, their advanced position meant that they weren't damaged by Clan Wolf forces as they established the Wolf Empire. During the formation of the Empire, the Second Bolan Guards were able to tie up a large number of Free Worlds League Military forces, which allowed other LCAF units to escape. One of these fighting withdrawals involved a skirmish between the Second and the First Tamarind Regulars.[10]

In 3145, the Second had returned to its station on Bolan.[11] A year later, the unit found itself battling the First Tamarind Regulars once more when that unit invaded Bolan. Although they were initially successful, managing to drive the invaders back, the Second was later stymied and then driven off-world when League reinforcements arrived.[12]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Eleventh FedCom RCT
Hauptmann General Amos Bronson Harrington 3050[13]
Leutnant-General Martin Andor 3052[2] - 3057
Commanding Officers of the Third Alliance Guards
Leutnant-General Martin Andor 3057 - 3085[2]
Commanding Officers of the Second Bolan Guards
Leutnant-General Conger McConnaugh 3085[14]
Colonel Eli Colt 3145[15]

Tactics[edit]

The Third Alliance Guards, and before that the Eleventh FedCom, trained in a medley of tactics both offensive and defensive, though up until the FedCom Civil War had little chance to put their training into practice.[2]

Composition History[edit]

3050[edit]

Eleventh FedCom RCT (Regiment/Green/Reliable)[13]

  • CO: Hauptmann General Amos Bronson Harrington[13]
  • Base: Skye[13]

3054[edit]

Eleventh FedCom RCT (Regiment/Green/Reliable)[16]

3062[edit]

Third Alliance Guards (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[2]

Third Alliance Guards Aerospace Brigade (Wing)[2]
Third Alliance Armor Brigade (2 Regiments/Green/Reliable)[2]
  • Eleventh Alliance Heavy Armor Regiment
  • CO: Colonel Roberto Huntingdon
  • Ninety-second Skye Light Armor Regiment
Third Alliance Infantry Brigade (4 Regiments/Regular/Reliable)[2]
  • Twenty-first Alliance Infantry Regiment
  • Twenty-second Alliance Infantry Regiment
  • Forty-fourth Independent Mechanized Infantry Regiment
  • Eleventh FedCom Jump Infantry Regiment

3067[edit]

Third Alliance Guards RCT (Veteran/Reliable)[17]

  • CO: Leutnant-General Martin Andor
  • Base: Melissia
Third Alliance Guards Aerospace Brigade (Wing/Veteran/Reliable)[17]
Third Alliance Armor Brigade (2 Regiments/Veteran/Reliable)[17]
  • CO: Colonel Roberto Huntingdon
Third Alliance Infantry Brigade (4 Regiments/Regular/Reliable)[2]
  • CO: Colonel Bill Scathlock

3079[edit]

Third Alliance Guards (Regiment/Regular/Questionable)[18]

Note: At this time the unit was stationed on Timbiqui.[18]

3085[edit]

Second Bolan Guards LCT[14]

Second Bolan Guard Aerospace[14]
Second Bolan Armor Brigade[14]
Second Bolan Infantry Brigade[14]

3145[edit]

Second Bolan Guards (Veteran/Questionable)[15]

  • CO: Colonel Eli Colt
  • Base: Bolan
Second Bolan Guard Aerospace (Veteran/Reliable)[15]
Second Bolan Armor Brigade (Regular/Questionable)[15]
Second Bolan Infantry Brigade (Veteran/Questionable)[15]

Unit Colors and Insignia[edit]

  • When the Second Bolan Guards was a member of the Federated Commonwealth Corps RCTs, it primarily used the FedCom Corps crest as its insignia. After being renamed to the Third Alliance Guards, the insignia was changed to the Lyran Mailed Fist on a Skye green disk with the Roman number III emblazoned beneath it.
  • While with the FedCom Corps, the unit wore the colors standard to that formation. After being converted to Alliance Guards, their colors were changed to the Guards' brown and tan scheme, replacing that scheme's black edging with green edging in honor of Skye.

Notes[edit]

  • During its existence as the Third Alliance Guards, the unit's First and Second Battalions were primarily medium and light BattleMech designs of Federated Suns manufacture, such as the Stealth and Fireball. Its Third Battalion had more Lyran produced BattleMechs, generally in the heavy and assault classes, such as the Banshee and Falconer 'Mechs.

Reference[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Field Manual: 3085, p. 99: "Lyran Commonwealth - Commonwealth Guards"
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 Field Manual: Lyran Alliance, p. 45: "3rd Alliance Guards Unit Profile"
  3. ↑ FedCom Civil War, p. 114
  4. ↑ FedCom Civil War, pp. 114, 116
  5. ↑ Field Manual: Updates, p. 166
  6. ↑ Field Manual: Updates, p. 178
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Field Report: LAAF, p. 8: "Alliance Guards"
  8. ↑ Field Manual: 3085, p. 94: "The Lyran Commonwealth - General Review"
  9. ↑ Field Manual: 3085, pp. 94–95: "The Lyran Commonwealth - Reclaiming Authority"
  10. ↑ Technical Readout: 3145 Free Worlds League, p. 42
  11. ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 123
  12. ↑ Shattered Fortress, p. 20
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 20 Year Update, p. 27: "Federated Commonwealth Deployment Tables - Skye March - Wyatt Theater - Gacrux Command"
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 Field Manual: 3085, p. 107: "Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces (Deployment as of 31 October 3085)"
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 Field Manual: 3145, p. 132: "Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces - Buena Province"
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Objective Raids, p. 19
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Field Manual: Updates, p. 178
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Field Report: FWLM, p. 8

Bibliography[edit]

Retrieved from "https://www.sarna.net/wiki/index.php?title=2nd_Bolan_Guards&oldid=1064918"