Difference between revisions of "4th Republican Guards"

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{{infoBoxStateUnit
 
{{infoBoxStateUnit
| image    =  
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| image    = [[File:Republican4th_BaranovsRepublican.JPG|150px]]
 
| nickname = "Baranov's Republican Guard"
 
| nickname = "Baranov's Republican Guard"
 
| parent formation = [[Tikonov Republican Guards]]
 
| parent formation = [[Tikonov Republican Guards]]
 
| formed  = [[3029]]
 
| formed  = [[3029]]
 
| year    = 3067
 
| year    = 3067
| unitname = Fourth Republican
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| unitname =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
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==History==
 +
The '''Fourth Republican Guards''' was a regiment originally in service to the [[Tikonov Free Republic]], then later to the [[Federated Commonwealth]] and after that to Emperor [[William "Bud" Baranov]] of [[Hall]].
 +
 +
=== Formation ===
 +
The Fourth Republican Guard was formed in March or April [[3029]] as the '''Fourth Republican BattleMech Regiment''', part of the [[Tikonov Free Republic Army]].<ref name="FSWMAv2p80">''NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2'', p. 80, "Free Worlds League Front"</ref> Following negotiations between [[Colonel]] [[Pavel Ridzik]], (former) chief military advisor to [[Chancellor]] [[Maximillian Liao]] of the [[Capellan Confederation]], and [[AFFS]] [[Lieutenant General]] [[Ardan Sortek]], conducted in February [[3029]], Ridzik created his own breakaway nation, the Tikonov Free Republic. The Republic was created by incorporating those worlds of the Capellan [[Tikonov Commonality]] that hadn't already been conquered during the first half of the [[Fourth Succession War]]. Ridzik returned to [[Elgin]], the new capital of the Tikonov Free Republic, on the 3rd of March 3029 and swiftly began implementing a new government consisting of family members, friends and other appointees loyal to himself, purging dissident elements on the various Republic worlds and taking the opportunity to settle old scores. He also formed the Tikonov Free Republic Army, purging those military forces available to him in an effort to ensure the troops were loyal to him.<ref name="FSWMAv2p16">''NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2'', p. 16-17, "Tikonov Free Republic"</ref> The Fourth was one of five 'Mech regiments established at the founding of the TFRA, and like one of it sister regiments, the [[Fifth Republican BattleMech Regiment]], the Fifth was created by taking individual soldiers formerly of the [[Capellan Confederation Armed Forces]] who had survived the Fourth Succession War to date and combining them with new graduates of [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]] training programs.<ref name="FSWMAv2p80"/>
 +
 +
=== Tikonov Free Republic Offensive ===
 +
Goaded by requests from [[Archon]] [[Katrina Steiner]] and [[First Prince]] [[Hanse Davion]], and aided by advice from Ardan Sortek, Pavel Ridzik decided to launch an offensive against the [[Free Worlds League]] in the second quarter of 3029. Ridzik's offensive targeted four League worlds, one of which was [[Talitha]]. Talitha was expected to be an easy campaign, as the planet was defended solely by a planetary militia. The Fourth was assigned to conquering Talitha, supported by an armor regiment and two regiments of infantry. The TFRA forces quickly routed the planetary militia and captured the planet.<ref name="FSWMAv2p80">''NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2'', p. 80, "Free Worlds League Front"</ref>
  
==History==
+
Following the assassination of Lord Ridzik by an agent of the [[House Liao]]'s [[Maskirovka]] and the subsequent absorption of his Free Tikonov Republic into the [[Federated Commonwealth]], the Fourth Republican along with its sister regiments joined the [[AFFC]] (though rated at "questionable" loyalty), and as of January [[3050]] were part of the FedCom's Nanking Command together with the [[Nanking SMM]], the [[2nd FedCom RCT]] and [[Wolf's Dragoons]] (with only the latter two units considered reliably loyal to the FedCom).<ref name=20YU>''20 Year Update'', p. 24 - Federated Commonwealth deployment tables</ref>
===The Tikonov Free Republic Army===
 
The Fourth Tikonov Republican Guard regiment was formed in 3029 by Supreme Lord [[Pavel Ridzik]] from the survivors of several Capellan regiments destroyed during the [[Fourth Succession War]] and recent graduates of the mechwarrior academies in the [[Tikonov]] region.<ref>[[NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2]] pg. 17</ref> Shorty after the unit's creation, as part of a larger invasion at the behest of his Lyran and Davion allies Supreme Lord Ridzik sent the Fourth Guards accompanied by an armor regiment and two infantry regiments to Talitha quickly routing the Free Worlds League planetary garrison capturing the planet for the Tikonov Free Republic.<ref>[[NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2]] pg. 80</ref> Following the assassination of Lord Ridzik by an agent of the House Liao's [[Maskirovka]] and the absorption of the Free Tikonov Republic into the [[Federated Commonwealth]] in 3031, the Fourth Republican along with its sister regiments joined the [[AFFC]].  
 
  
 
===The AFFC and the Marik-Liao Invasion of 3057===
 
===The AFFC and the Marik-Liao Invasion of 3057===
As with the other regiments of the Tikonov Republican Guards, the Fourth's first true test came during the Marik-Liao Invasion of 3057. Garrisoned on Hall since the conclusion of the Fourth Succession War the Fourth was a hotbed of anti-FedCom sentiment with a reputation for discipline problems and unreliability despite the unit's short history of existence. Upon hearing of the Marik-Liao attack, the Fourth prepared to resist the impending invasion that ultimately never came. Rather than send troops, Chancellor [[Sun-Tzu Liao]] had his agents ferment rebellion on Hall which was ruthlessly crushed by the Fourth Republican Guards. In the chaos following the secession of [[Katrina Steiner-Davion]] and the [[Lyran Alliance]] from the [[Federated Commonwealth]], thus leaving the entirety of the Sarna March exposed and vulnerable the Fourth Republican's commander the opportunistic Leftenant General William "Bud" Baranov saw the writing on the wall and went rogue with his unit in tow proceeding to seize Hall for themselves.<ref>[[Chaos March (Sourcebook)]] pg. 39</ref>
+
As with the other regiments of the Tikonov Republican Guards, the Fourth's first true test came during [[Operation Guerrero]], the Marik-Liao Invasion of [[3057]]. Garrisoned on [[Hall]] since the conclusion of the Fourth Succession War the Fourth was a hotbed of anti-FedCom sentiment with a reputation for discipline problems and unreliability despite the unit's short history of existence. Upon hearing of the Marik-Liao attack, the Fourth prepared to resist the impending invasion that ultimately never came. Rather than send troops, Chancellor [[Sun-Tzu Liao]] had his agents foment rebellion on Hall which was ruthlessly crushed by the Fourth Republican Guards. In the chaos following the secession of [[Katrina Steiner-Davion]] and the [[Lyran Alliance]] from the [[Federated Commonwealth]], thus leaving the entirety of the Sarna March exposed and vulnerable the Fourth Republican's commander the opportunistic Leftenant General William "Bud" Baranov saw the writing on the wall and went rogue with his unit in tow, proceeding to seize Hall for themselves.<ref name=CM39>''Chaos March (sourcebook)'', p. 39</ref>
  
 
===The Emperor of Hall===
 
===The Emperor of Hall===
After a quick meeting with his officers, Baranov led the Fourth to Hall's planetary capital city of Harney swatting aside the local opposition and declaring himself Emperor of Hall. Upon seizing the capital, Baranov and the Fourth were largely unopposed by the planet's populace. Soon after however two rival factions arose, one led by Count Radliffe McNally - a local planetary noble with sufficient military strength and economic assets to resist Baranov and the other being Cater's Cohorts consisting of former Fourth Republican personnel that turned against Baranov in shortly after seizing Harney led by Major Dick Cater. Also on Hall were Yuri and Nikoli Ridzik, the twins sons of Baranov's former master Pavel Ridzik who had recruited a small army and brought their force to Hall hidden from the eyes of Baranov and the Fourth hoping to eliminate Baranov then resurrect their father's Tikonov Free Republic.<ref>[[Chaos March (Sourcebook)]] pg. 39 and 92</ref>     
+
After a quick meeting with his officers, Baranov led the Fourth to Hall's planetary capital city of Harney, swatting aside the local opposition and declaring himself Emperor of Hall. Upon seizing the capital, Baranov and the Fourth were largely unopposed by the planet's populace. Soon after, however, two rival factions arose, one led by Count [[Radcliffe McNally]] - a local planetary noble with sufficient military strength and economic assets to resist Baranov, and the other being [[Cater's Cohorts]], led by Major Dick Cater and consisting of former Fourth Republican personnel who had turned against Baranov shortly after he seized Harney. Also on Hall were the twin sons of Baranov's former master Pavel Ridzik, [[Yuri Ridzik|Yuri]] and [[Nikoli Ridzik]], who had recruited a small army and brought their force to Hall hidden from the eyes of Baranov and the Fourth hoping to eliminate Baranov and resurrect their father's Tikonov Free Republic.<ref>''Chaos March (sourcebook)'', pp. 39 and 92</ref>     
 +
 
 +
After Major Cater's rebellious troops were forced to withdraw to Hall's southern hemisphere, the three major factions on Hall settled into their respective territories, occasionally fighting each other for supplies and territory. In the mean time, Baranov and the Fourth turned towards the Ridzik Twins in which Baranov skillfully manipulated the situation, causing the disappearance of Nikoli and sending his brother fleeing off planet, thus eliminating the threat the Twins posed with their small military force.<ref>''Kings & Pawns'' Scenario p. 15</ref> Next, Baranov and the Fourth turned again to Major Cater and his rebellious troops, eventually engaging and shattering Cater's Cohorts and allowing Baranov and the Fourth to further consolidate their control of Hall.
 +
 
 +
Soon Count McNally and his array of forces were the only obstacle preventing Baranov from controlling the planet. Hall gradually settled into a stand-off between the Baranov's Republican Guards and Count McNally's coalition of forces including his own McNally Guard, [[Burton's Brigade]], the remnants of Cater's Cohorts, and the mercenary [[Critchley's Cavaliers]].
  
After routing his rebellious troops led by Major Cater on the streets of Harney forcing them to withdraw to Hall's Southern Hemisphere, the three major factions on Hall settled into their respective territories occasionally fighting each other for supplies and territory. In the mean time, Baranov and the Fourth turned towards the Ridzik Twins in which Baranov skillfully manipulating the situation causing the disappearance of Nikoli and sending his brother fleeing off planet thus eliminating the threat the Twins posed with their small military force.<ref>Kings and Pawns Scenario pg. 15</ref> Next, Baranov and the Fourth turned again to Major Cater and his rebellious troops eventually engaging and shattering Cater's Cohorts allowing Baranov and the Fourth to further consolidate their control of Hall. Soon Count McNally and his array of forces were the only obstacle preventing Baranov from controlling the planet. Hall gradually settled into a stand-off between the Baranov's Republican Guards and Count McNally's coalition of forces including his own McNally Guard, Burton's Brigade, the remnants of Cater's Cohorts, and the mercenary Critchley's Cavaliers that would last several years.  
+
The stand-off between Baranov and McNally was finally broken in late [[3066]] when the Fourth Republican Guards, supported by the mercenary [[Stealthy Tigers]], finally overwhelmed the forces of Count McNally, killing the Count and routing his surviving forces, earning Baranov tenuous control over Hall. The survivors of Count McNally's forces, led by Burton's Brigade ([[Elly Burton]] being the mother of McNally's child) allied themselves with the Com Guard troops hoping to escape Baranov's wrath, and entrenched themselves.  
  
Around the same time period, with the formation of the [[Allied Mercenary Command]] to combat the spread of [[Word of Blake]] influence in the [[Chaos March]], the AMC's 3rd [[Dismal Disinherited]] regiment had taken up station on Hall to support the [[Com Guard]] troops already on planet to ward off against Blakist operations. The stand-off between Baranov and McNally was finally broken in late 3066 when the Fourth Republican Guards supported by the mercenary [[Stealthy Tigers]] finally overwhelmed the forces of Count McNally, killing the Count and routing his surviving forces earning Baranov tenuous control over Hall. The survivors of Count McNally's forces led by Burton's Brigade allied themselves with the AMC-Com Guard troops hoping to escape Baranov's wrath. Then in the summer of 3067, Emperor Baranov announced that he had invited the Free Worlds League to annex Hall hence undermining the positions of both the Com Guard and the AMC troops on planet and legally forcing all those forces aligned against him to withdraw off world.
+
Following the formation of the [[Allied Mercenary Command]] to combat the spread of [[Word of Blake]] influence in what was now the [[Chaos March]], the 3rd [[Dismal Disinherited]] regiment was sent to Hall by the AMC to support the [[Com Guard]] troops already on planet to ward off against Blakist operations and investigate suspected ties between Baranov and the Word of Blake. Then in the summer of [[3067]], Emperor Baranov announced that he had invited the Free Worlds League to annex Hall, hence undermining the positions of both the Com Guard and the AMC troops on planet and legally forcing all those forces aligned against him to withdraw off world.
  
Combat again broke out when the Colonel John Marik-Johns of the 3rd Dismal Disinherited refused to recognize the authority of the [[4th Oriente Hussars]] which had arrived on Hall to officially annex the planet on behalf of the Free Worlds League. Convinced the whole thing was a Blakist ploy, Colonel Marik-Johns commanded his 3rd Dismal Disinherited and Burton's Brigade to attack the 4th Oriente Hussars which was being supported by Emperor Baranov's troops including the Fourth Republican Guards and the Stealthy Tigers. The renewed fighting on Hall was short but fierce lasting less than a month ending ultimately with a League victory but not before Emperor Baranov and Captain Elly Burton had perished in a 'Mech duel during the final confrontation in Harney.<ref>Kings and Pawns Scenario pg. 4</ref>
+
Combat again broke out when the Colonel [[John Marik-Johns]] of the 3rd Dismal Disinherited refused to recognize the authority of the [[4th Oriente Hussars]] which had arrived on Hall to officially annex the planet on behalf of the Free Worlds League. Convinced the whole thing was a Blakist ploy, Colonel Marik-Johns commanded his 3rd Dismal Disinherited and Burton's Brigade to attack the 4th Oriente Hussars who were in turn supported by Emperor Baranov's troops including the Fourth Republican Guards and the Stealthy Tigers. The renewed fighting on Hall was short but fierce, lasting less than a month and ending ultimately with a League victory but not before Emperor Baranov and Captain Elly Burton had perished in a 'Mech duel during the final confrontation in Harney.<ref>''Kings & Pawns'' Scenario p. 4</ref> This coincided with the [[Fourth Whitting Conference]] and the outbreak of the [[Jihad]].
  
 
===The Jihad===
 
===The Jihad===
The fate of the Fourth Republican Guards is not known after the victory on Hall, because shortly thereafter the Word of Blake Jihad begins and the planet Hall is annexed into the [[Word of Blake Protectorate]]. Presumably the survivors of the Fourth Republican are absorbed into the Protectorate Militia.
+
The Word of Blake annexed Hall into the [[Word of Blake Protectorate]]. The fate of the Fourth Republican Guards following the victory on Hall at the onset of the Jihad was not mentioned.  
 
 
  
 
==Officers==
 
==Officers==
'''Emperor William "Bud" Baranov''' : William “Bud” Baranov began his career with the [[Capellan Confederation Armed Forces]], graduating from the Tikonov Martial Academy. He was then posted to [[Stapleton's Iron Hand]]. Baranov's early career was shrouded in a cloud of scandal, with rumors that he murdered a professional rival. He became a suspect during the course of the investigation, but the outbreak of the Fourth Succession War precluded such things as the CCAF needed every Mechwarrior it could get it’s hands on. Wounded during the defense of Tikograd, Baranov spent his convalescence on Hall. Recalled to active duty upon his full recovery, he was posted with the Fourth Republican Guard of the newly formed [[Tikonov Free Republic]]. With the Fourth, Baranov saw action in the offensive that Colonel [[Pavel Ridzik]] launched against [[House Marik]], and was decorated for his actions on [[Talitha]]. Reposted to Hall after the absorption of the Tikonov Free Republic into the [[Federated Commonwealth]], Baranov began quietly consolidating power on the planet. In the chaos that followed the [[Marik-Liao Invasion of 3057]] and the collapse of the [[Sarna March]], Baranov saw an opportunity he could not pass up. Baranov moved quickly, but decisively. He led his troops into the capital city of Harney, crushing what little opposition he found, and crowned himself Emperor of Hall. Though harried from the start by Count Radcliffe McNally, and even by rebellions from his own troops, his first major task was to eliminate the threat to his military power posed by the twin sons of his former Commander, Pavil Ridzik. Baranov skillfully cultivated an atmosphere of mistrust between the brothers by playing on their fears. The disappearance of Nikoli Ridzik forced his brother to flee Hall for [[Solaris VII]], abandoning any hopes of a revived Tikonov Free Republic. The “Idiot Twins” — as Baranov referred to them — were out of the way. Since then Baranov has systematically neutralized all opposition on Hall - save for Count McNally and [[Burton's Brigade]]. The struggle for overall control of [[Hall]] rages to this very day, and its outcome is far from certain. A bear of a man with a shaggy beard and multiple tattoos, Baranov looks more like the proprietor of a wild roadhouse than a military commander and strategist. This impression is one that
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{| class="wikitable"
Baranov goes to great lengths to cultivate, causing many “more refined” rivals to dismiss him as a ham-handed buffoon. An
+
|-  
impression they always regret.<ref>Kings and Pawns Scenario pg. 14-15</ref>
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! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Rank
 
+
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Name
Emperor William "Bud" Baranov was finally killed on October 9, 3067 while engaged in a 'Mech duel with Captain Elly Burton of Burton's Brigade in the suburbs of Hall's capital city Harney during which both combatants were slain. <ref>Kings and Pawns Scenario pg. 10</ref><ref>[[Mercenaries Supplemental II]] pg. 4-5</ref>
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! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Command
 
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|-
'''Major Dick Cater''' : Originally one of Leftenant General Baranov's senior officers prior to [[Operation Guerrero]]. Following Baranov's decision to go renegade and seize Hall for himself, Major Cater was one of several Fourth Republican Guards officers who rebelled against Baranov, ultimately causing the two factions to skirmish in the streets of Hall's capital city Harney. Eventually Baranov's forces prevailed and pushed the rebels out of the city, forcing Cater's forces to withdraw to the south.<ref>[[Chaos March (Sourcebook)]] pg. 39</ref> By 3058, Major Dick Cater and his Cohorts are largely destroyed by Baranov's forces, what few survivors that remain proceed to join the coalition of forces aligned against Baranov led by Count McNally and [[Burton's Brigade]].<ref>[[Mercenaries Supplemental II]] pg. 27</ref>
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| colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of the 4th Republican Guards'''
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|-
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|[[Leftenant General]]||[[William Baranov|William "Bud" Baranov]]||[[3067]]
 +
|}
  
 
==Tactics==
 
==Tactics==
None Specified
+
Unknown.
  
 
==Composition History==
 
==Composition History==
===3029=== (Unit created)
+
===3029===
* Fourth Republicans ([[BattleMech]] [[Regiment]])
+
'''4th Republican BattleMech Regiment''' ([[BattleMech]] [[Regiment]])
  
 
===3040===
 
===3040===
''' 4th Republican''' (Green/Questionble)<ref name=HWO3039>''Historical: War of 3039'' , p. 138 </ref>
+
'''4th Republican''' (Regiment/Green/Questionable)<ref name = HWo3039p138/>
 
+
:Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Hall]].  <ref name = HWo3039p138>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 138 >''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 138 </ref>
===3050=== (Unit Stationed on Hall)
 
* Fouth Republicans ([[BattleMech]] Regiment)<ref>''[[20 Year Update]]'' p. 24 - Nanking Command - Unit strength and where its stationed in 3050.</ref>
 
  
 +
===3050===
 +
'''4th Republican ''' (Regiment/Green/Questionable) <ref name = 20yup24/>
 +
:* CO: Leftenant General William "Bud" Baranov <ref name = 20yup24/>
 +
:Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Hall]].  <ref name = 20yup24>''20 Year Update'', p. 24</ref>
 +
 
===3054===
 
===3054===
4th Republican (Green/Questionalbe) <ref name=MWobraidp18 > ''Objective Raids'', p. 18</ref>  
+
'''4th Republican''' (Regiment/Green/Questionable) <ref name = ORp18/>
:*CO: Leftenant General William "Bud" Baranov <ref name=MWobraidp18 />
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:* CO: Leftenant General William "Bud" Baranov <ref name = ORp18/>
 
+
:Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Hall]]. <ref name = ORp18>''Objective Raids'', p. 18</ref>  
 
 
'''3057''' (Before Marik-Liao Invasion of 3057)
 
* Fourth Republicans (BattleMech Regiment)<ref>[[20 Year Update]] pg. 24</ref>
 
 
 
'''3058''' (After Marik-Liao Invasion of 3057 and subsequent combat)
 
* Baranov's Republican Guard (Approx. 1 BattleMech [[Battalion]])<ref>[[Chaos March (Sourcebook)]] pg. 39</ref>
 
 
 
'''3067'''
 
* Baranov's Republican Guard (Approx. 1 BattleMech Battalion plus conventional support troops including at least 1 armor company)<ref> Kings and Pawns Scenario pg. 9 and 12</ref>
 
  
==Notes==
+
===3058===
 +
'''Baranov's Republican Guard''' (Approx. 1 BattleMech [[Battalion]])<ref name=CM39/>
  
 +
===3067===
 +
'''Baranov's Republican Guard''' (Approx. 1 BattleMech Battalion plus conventional support troops including at least 1 armor company)<ref>''Kings & Pawns'' Scenario pp. 9 and 12</ref>
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references />
 
<references />
  
 +
==Bibliography==
 +
* ''[[20 Year Update]]''
 +
* ''[[Chaos March (sourcebook)]]''
 +
* ''[[Embers of War]]
 +
* ''[[Historical: War of 3039]]''
 +
* ''[[Kings & Pawns]]''
 +
* ''[[Objective Raids]]''
 +
* ''[[Mercenaries Supplemental II]]''
 +
* ''[[NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2]]''
  
[[Category:Lyran Commands|Tikonov Republican Guards, 04th]]
+
[[Category:Tikonov Free Republic Commands|Tikonov Republican Guards, 04th]]
 
[[Category:Federated Commonwealth Commands|Tikonov Republican Guards, 04th]]
 
[[Category:Federated Commonwealth Commands|Tikonov Republican Guards, 04th]]
[[Category:Tikonov Free Republic Commands|Tikonov Republican Guards, 04th]]
 

Revision as of 10:35, 2 September 2019

Template:InfoBoxStateUnit

History

The Fourth Republican Guards was a regiment originally in service to the Tikonov Free Republic, then later to the Federated Commonwealth and after that to Emperor William "Bud" Baranov of Hall.

Formation

The Fourth Republican Guard was formed in March or April 3029 as the Fourth Republican BattleMech Regiment, part of the Tikonov Free Republic Army.[1] Following negotiations between Colonel Pavel Ridzik, (former) chief military advisor to Chancellor Maximillian Liao of the Capellan Confederation, and AFFS Lieutenant General Ardan Sortek, conducted in February 3029, Ridzik created his own breakaway nation, the Tikonov Free Republic. The Republic was created by incorporating those worlds of the Capellan Tikonov Commonality that hadn't already been conquered during the first half of the Fourth Succession War. Ridzik returned to Elgin, the new capital of the Tikonov Free Republic, on the 3rd of March 3029 and swiftly began implementing a new government consisting of family members, friends and other appointees loyal to himself, purging dissident elements on the various Republic worlds and taking the opportunity to settle old scores. He also formed the Tikonov Free Republic Army, purging those military forces available to him in an effort to ensure the troops were loyal to him.[2] The Fourth was one of five 'Mech regiments established at the founding of the TFRA, and like one of it sister regiments, the Fifth Republican BattleMech Regiment, the Fifth was created by taking individual soldiers formerly of the Capellan Confederation Armed Forces who had survived the Fourth Succession War to date and combining them with new graduates of MechWarrior training programs.[1]

Tikonov Free Republic Offensive

Goaded by requests from Archon Katrina Steiner and First Prince Hanse Davion, and aided by advice from Ardan Sortek, Pavel Ridzik decided to launch an offensive against the Free Worlds League in the second quarter of 3029. Ridzik's offensive targeted four League worlds, one of which was Talitha. Talitha was expected to be an easy campaign, as the planet was defended solely by a planetary militia. The Fourth was assigned to conquering Talitha, supported by an armor regiment and two regiments of infantry. The TFRA forces quickly routed the planetary militia and captured the planet.[1]

Following the assassination of Lord Ridzik by an agent of the House Liao's Maskirovka and the subsequent absorption of his Free Tikonov Republic into the Federated Commonwealth, the Fourth Republican along with its sister regiments joined the AFFC (though rated at "questionable" loyalty), and as of January 3050 were part of the FedCom's Nanking Command together with the Nanking SMM, the 2nd FedCom RCT and Wolf's Dragoons (with only the latter two units considered reliably loyal to the FedCom).[3]

The AFFC and the Marik-Liao Invasion of 3057

As with the other regiments of the Tikonov Republican Guards, the Fourth's first true test came during Operation Guerrero, the Marik-Liao Invasion of 3057. Garrisoned on Hall since the conclusion of the Fourth Succession War the Fourth was a hotbed of anti-FedCom sentiment with a reputation for discipline problems and unreliability despite the unit's short history of existence. Upon hearing of the Marik-Liao attack, the Fourth prepared to resist the impending invasion that ultimately never came. Rather than send troops, Chancellor Sun-Tzu Liao had his agents foment rebellion on Hall which was ruthlessly crushed by the Fourth Republican Guards. In the chaos following the secession of Katrina Steiner-Davion and the Lyran Alliance from the Federated Commonwealth, thus leaving the entirety of the Sarna March exposed and vulnerable the Fourth Republican's commander the opportunistic Leftenant General William "Bud" Baranov saw the writing on the wall and went rogue with his unit in tow, proceeding to seize Hall for themselves.[4]

The Emperor of Hall

After a quick meeting with his officers, Baranov led the Fourth to Hall's planetary capital city of Harney, swatting aside the local opposition and declaring himself Emperor of Hall. Upon seizing the capital, Baranov and the Fourth were largely unopposed by the planet's populace. Soon after, however, two rival factions arose, one led by Count Radcliffe McNally - a local planetary noble with sufficient military strength and economic assets to resist Baranov, and the other being Cater's Cohorts, led by Major Dick Cater and consisting of former Fourth Republican personnel who had turned against Baranov shortly after he seized Harney. Also on Hall were the twin sons of Baranov's former master Pavel Ridzik, Yuri and Nikoli Ridzik, who had recruited a small army and brought their force to Hall hidden from the eyes of Baranov and the Fourth hoping to eliminate Baranov and resurrect their father's Tikonov Free Republic.[5]

After Major Cater's rebellious troops were forced to withdraw to Hall's southern hemisphere, the three major factions on Hall settled into their respective territories, occasionally fighting each other for supplies and territory. In the mean time, Baranov and the Fourth turned towards the Ridzik Twins in which Baranov skillfully manipulated the situation, causing the disappearance of Nikoli and sending his brother fleeing off planet, thus eliminating the threat the Twins posed with their small military force.[6] Next, Baranov and the Fourth turned again to Major Cater and his rebellious troops, eventually engaging and shattering Cater's Cohorts and allowing Baranov and the Fourth to further consolidate their control of Hall.

Soon Count McNally and his array of forces were the only obstacle preventing Baranov from controlling the planet. Hall gradually settled into a stand-off between the Baranov's Republican Guards and Count McNally's coalition of forces including his own McNally Guard, Burton's Brigade, the remnants of Cater's Cohorts, and the mercenary Critchley's Cavaliers.

The stand-off between Baranov and McNally was finally broken in late 3066 when the Fourth Republican Guards, supported by the mercenary Stealthy Tigers, finally overwhelmed the forces of Count McNally, killing the Count and routing his surviving forces, earning Baranov tenuous control over Hall. The survivors of Count McNally's forces, led by Burton's Brigade (Elly Burton being the mother of McNally's child) allied themselves with the Com Guard troops hoping to escape Baranov's wrath, and entrenched themselves.

Following the formation of the Allied Mercenary Command to combat the spread of Word of Blake influence in what was now the Chaos March, the 3rd Dismal Disinherited regiment was sent to Hall by the AMC to support the Com Guard troops already on planet to ward off against Blakist operations and investigate suspected ties between Baranov and the Word of Blake. Then in the summer of 3067, Emperor Baranov announced that he had invited the Free Worlds League to annex Hall, hence undermining the positions of both the Com Guard and the AMC troops on planet and legally forcing all those forces aligned against him to withdraw off world.

Combat again broke out when the Colonel John Marik-Johns of the 3rd Dismal Disinherited refused to recognize the authority of the 4th Oriente Hussars which had arrived on Hall to officially annex the planet on behalf of the Free Worlds League. Convinced the whole thing was a Blakist ploy, Colonel Marik-Johns commanded his 3rd Dismal Disinherited and Burton's Brigade to attack the 4th Oriente Hussars who were in turn supported by Emperor Baranov's troops including the Fourth Republican Guards and the Stealthy Tigers. The renewed fighting on Hall was short but fierce, lasting less than a month and ending ultimately with a League victory but not before Emperor Baranov and Captain Elly Burton had perished in a 'Mech duel during the final confrontation in Harney.[7] This coincided with the Fourth Whitting Conference and the outbreak of the Jihad.

The Jihad

The Word of Blake annexed Hall into the Word of Blake Protectorate. The fate of the Fourth Republican Guards following the victory on Hall at the onset of the Jihad was not mentioned.

Officers

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the 4th Republican Guards
Leftenant General William "Bud" Baranov 3067

Tactics

Unknown.

Composition History

3029

4th Republican BattleMech Regiment (BattleMech Regiment)

3040

4th Republican (Regiment/Green/Questionable)[8]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Hall. [8]

3050

4th Republican (Regiment/Green/Questionable) [9]

  • CO: Leftenant General William "Bud" Baranov [9]
Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Hall. [9]

3054

4th Republican (Regiment/Green/Questionable) [10]

  • CO: Leftenant General William "Bud" Baranov [10]
Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Hall. [10]

3058

Baranov's Republican Guard (Approx. 1 BattleMech Battalion)[4]

3067

Baranov's Republican Guard (Approx. 1 BattleMech Battalion plus conventional support troops including at least 1 armor company)[11]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2, p. 80, "Free Worlds League Front"
  2. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2, p. 16-17, "Tikonov Free Republic"
  3. 20 Year Update, p. 24 - Federated Commonwealth deployment tables
  4. 4.0 4.1 Chaos March (sourcebook), p. 39
  5. Chaos March (sourcebook), pp. 39 and 92
  6. Kings & Pawns Scenario p. 15
  7. Kings & Pawns Scenario p. 4
  8. 8.0 8.1 Historical: War of 3039, p. 138 >Historical: War of 3039, p. 138
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 20 Year Update, p. 24
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Objective Raids, p. 18
  11. Kings & Pawns Scenario pp. 9 and 12

Bibliography