Battle of Robinson (3144)

Battle of Robinson (3144)
Start Date 23 August 3144 End Date 27 August 3144 Location Bueller, Robinson Battle Academy Planet Robinson Result Draconis Combine victory Territorial changes Draconis Combine conquest
Factions
(Attacker) Draconis Combine	(Defender) Federated Suns
Commanders and leaders
Tai-sa Lawrence Pinkett Sho-sho Kintomo Kido Tai-sa Reynaldo Zapata	Duke Corwin Sandoval
Forces involved
Second Sword of Light Seventh Sword of Light Eighth Sword of Light Ryuken-go Ryuken-nana	Twentieth Avalon Hussars Second Robinson Rangers First Robinson Strikers Robinson Battle Academy Training Battalion Robinson Draconis March Militia

Prelude

On 14 March 3144 the Draconis Combine launched their long delayed invasion of the Federated Suns. Anticipating the line of attack the Second Robinson Rangers rushed to New Ivaarsen to defend the world but were overwhelmed and pushed off world. They regrouped on Robinson hoping to refit and counterattack. Instead they were hit a few week later as the Combine dragon come for them again.

Overview

On 23 August the Combine landed on Robinson for the first time since they were expelled more than two and a half centuries ago. A fierce battle took place in the space and skies above Robinson as Federated Suns forces tried desperately to destroy as many transports as possible. While they were unsuccessful at blunting the invasion, they decimated the Combine aerospace fighter screen; the 243rd Aerospace attached to the Eighth Sword of Light suffered ninety percent loses. Subaltern Avril Feore distinguished herself when her CUT-01D Cutlass engaged in three simultaneous dogfights resulting in two personal kills, with her wingman claiming the third.

The Seventh Sword of Light and formed the tip of the spear, with Second Sword of Light in close support. Drawing on lessons learned from the First and Second Succession War, they landed on the Canaan continent and drove headlong towards the capital city of Bueller, and the Twentieth Avalon Hussars defending it. At the very vanguard of that spear was Chu-i Alisdair Miyamoto's Tengu Lance composed of all RK-4X Rokurokubi. Engaging their Superchargers they slammed into a company of Hussars, utilizing their Swords and Clan-Tech PPCs to brutalize the Hussar lines. After two minutes six Hussar ’Mechs, two tanks, and two squads of Cavalier battle armor lay broken before them. His Company shattered before him, Captain Dairmad Chaines nearly fell to the onslaught as well but a quick reaction force of four Gunsmiths were able to prevent Miyamoto from killing or capturing Chaines, downing one Rokurokubi and driving the three others off. But the damage had been done, and a serious breech in the Hussar lines formed, through which the Sword of Light poured through.

Where as such a breech might have turned into a route, the Hussars held and fell back in orderly fashion allowing their truly staggering array of defensive works to slow the Combine forces down and allow the Hussars to reposition effectively. These works were the product of the Hussar's regiment-strong combat engineer section, the Sandbaggers. By 25 August the Hussar lines had reformed to the point the executed a counter attack, seeking to drive on the grounded Sword of Light DropShips. A battalion of light ’Mechs and tanks sallied forth, where they ran into the battered company of Chu-sa Moishe Tolkowski, Executive Officer of the Seventh Sword of Light. Though low on ammunition and outnumbered nearly four to one, as a heavy and assault company they held the advantage in individual mass and closed ranks in the shallow pass to contain the breakout. Even after expending the last of his munitions, Chu-sa Tolkowski stomped and smashed his SH-1V Shiro against the Hussars, inspiring his command to unmatched courage. At the end of the day the entire battalion was broken and destroyed.

The news was not all good for the Seventh, however. As Tolkowski stopped the Hussar counter attacked, else where on the line of Tai-sa Lawrence Pinkett was killed. Now in command of the Seventh, Tolowski consolidated his troops and positioned them alongside the Eighth Sword of Light who had since made planetfall. Twenty hours after beating back the Hussar counterattack the Seventh stormed through the remaining defenses outside Bueller, sending the Hussars and First Robinson Strikers reeling. With the way to Bueller open and their mission accomplished, the Seventh settled back to lick their wounds while the Eighth and Ryuken-go swamped the city. It had been brutal, with ’Mech losses close to a third but far worse among supporting elements. The Forty-fifth Recon ceased to exist, and the Ninety-ninth Lancers could barely muster a battalion.

Aftermath

Impressed with the performance of their brothers in the Seventh, Chu-sa Tolkowski and his unit were given the honor of hoisting the Combine flag over the Sandoval palace once the world surrendered. The kanrei promoted Tolkowski to Tai-sa, gave him command of the Seventh, and a new SH-2P Shiro.

Gunsho Heihachiro Bora and his NK-1C Narukami Heavy Tank crew had been captured on Barlow's Folly during Operation PELAYO, and held in a POW camp on Robinson ever since. With the Combine's conquest, they regained their freedom and the recognition for disabling Leftenant Colonel Ayven D’Amato's Ostwar.

Bibliography

• Era Report: 3145
• Field Manual: 3145
• Folly's Children
• Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 1
• Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2
• Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 5
• Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 9
• Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 14
• Technical Readout: 3145
• Technical Readout: 3145 Federated Suns
• Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine
• Technical Readout: 3150