Ambermarle's Highlanders

Insignia

The insignia for Ambermarle's Highlanders is a green falcon in flight tethered by a chain.

History

The Highlanders were originally formed as a mercenary unit by wealthy nobles on Aldebaran and Zurich in the hopes of making money from the Capellan Confederation's need for troops during the Third Succession War.

This unit was employed throughout much of the 30th century in diversionary actions along the Marik border. Beginning in 3002 the Highlanders were reassigned to reaction-force duties in the Capellan interior and participated in the defense of Highspire in 3012 and fought against the Davion raid on St. Ives in 3014.

4th Succession War

In the 4th Succession War the Highlanders didn't see any fighting.

Andurien/Canopus Invasion

Ambermarle's Highlanders were based on Xieng Khouang throughout the joint Andurien/Canopian invasion of the Confederation and didn't see active combat service.

Clan Invasion

In 3050 Ambermarle's Highlanders were based on Xieng Khouang, but their loyalty to the Confederation was perceived as being at a low ebb by the Maskirovka. The Highlanders were still in place on Xieng Khouang - and still doubted by the Maskirovka - in 3054.

Xin Sheng Campaign

In 3061 Chancellor Sun-Tzu Liao created the Capellan Brigade, incorporating a number of mercenary units including Ambermarle's Highlanders; while Wendy Ambermarle is alleged to have commented that the Highlanders' acceptance of Capellan sponsorship was because "someone has to bring a little class and breeding to the Capellan Brigade" the Highlanders' chose to paint a single silver thick silver band around the rear quarter of each vehicle, the wing of each fighter and one lower leg on each BattleMech as a reminder of their mercenary origins. Joining the Capellan Brigade saw the Highlanders' redeployed to Aldebaran, one of the worlds from which the battalion had originated, and the Highlanders' immediately began agitating for the recapture of Zurich, the other world associated with the Highlanders' beginnings.

In April of 3066 Ambermarle's Highlanders, supported by the 2nd Battalion of the 2nd McCarron's Armored Cavalry Regiment, successfully attacked the 3rd Free Worlds Guards on Zion. The Highlanders lost a company of 'Mechs and suffered only light losses to their infantry while salvaging three new FWL OmniFighters and inflicting three times their own losses on the Free Worlds Guard. Rumours that the Highlanders had already left Aldebaran before being contacted by the 2nd McCarron's Armored Cavalry have yet to be confirmed.

Officers

As of 3067 the Commanding Officer was Sang-shao Wendy "The Old Witch" Ambermarle. By this point, Sang-shao Ambermarle was more than seventy years old, had commanded the Ambermarle Highlanders since 3022, and had passed an ongoing feud with Ju-Lei Marshigama on to her daughter, Sang-shao Adrienne Marshigama of Marshigama's Legionnaires.

Tactics

The Highlanders are fond of a tactic known as "dump and chase", wherein two lances of light or fast medium 'Mechs drop behind enemy lines in hopes of being chased by opposing units. With the enemy so distracted, the remainder of the Highlanders attack en masse. The Highlanders use this tactic both to draw the enemy into a trap or to lighten the defense of a target site.

Composition History

3025

Ambermarle's Highlanders (1 Battalion/Regular)

• CO: Colonel Wendy Ambermarle
• XO: Major Anthony Duncan

At this point in time, the Highlanders' primary BattleMechs were the Ostroc and the Locust; the unit itself was considered little more than a local militia organisation.

3028

Ambermarle's Highlanders (1 Battalion/Regular/Reliable)

3050-3054

Ambermarle's Highlanders (1 Battalion/Regular/Questionable)

• CO: Colonel Wendy "The Old Witch" Ambermarle

3063

Ambermarle's Highlanders (2 Battalions/Regular/Questionable)

• CO: Sang-shao Wendy "The Old Witch" Ambermarle
• XO/1st Battalion: Zhong-shao Vincent Pedroza
• 2nd Battalion: Zhong-shao Pawel Schmielewski

Ambermarle's Revolutionaries (1 Battalion/Regular/Questionable)

• Infantry Commander: Sao-shao William McCourtney

- Skilled in guerrilla tactics

The low loyalty rating of the Highlanders in 3063 reflected the Highlanders' willingness - or unwillingness, as the case may have been - to stick their collective necks out for the good of the Confederation.

3063

Ambermarle's Highlanders (2 Battalions/Regular/Questionable)

• CO: Sang-shao Wendy Ambermarle

Ambermarle's Revolutionaries (1 Infantry Battalion/Regular/Questionable)

• CO: Sao-shao Jodie Clarke

Following their combat action on Zion, the Revolutionaries were at 86% of full strength and the Highlanders were at 72% of full strength. The Highlanders were operating with 24% of the unit using Star-League technology level BattleMechs and 6% Omni technology.

Notes

Whether by accident or intent, Ambermarle's Highlanders are missing from the NAIS Military Atlases of the 4th Succession War.

Rules

• Ambermarle's Highlanders may use the hidden units special ability.

• Ambermarle's Highlanders have the off-map movement ability but the minimum travel time for units using this ability is 50% longer.

Bibliography

• 20 Year Update
• Field Manual: Capellan Confederation
• Field Manual: Updates
• Historical: Brush Wars
• House Liao (The Capellan Confederation)
• NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1
• Objective Raids