Editing Death Commandos

{{infoBoxMilitaryCommand
| image = [[File:Death Commando.jpg|150px]]
| Designation = Death Commandos
| Formed = [[2988]]{{cn}}
| Disbanded = 
| Previous Designation = 
| Nickname = 
| Affiliation = [[Capellan Confederation]]
| Parent Command = [[Chancellor of the Capellan Confederation]]
| Sub-Command = 
}}

<onlyinclude>
The absolute elite of the [[Capellan Confederation Armed Forces]] (CCAF), the '''Death Commandos''' are among the most feared units in the [[Inner Sphere]]. They are meant to counterbalance the [[Warrior House]]s (which exist outside of the regular [[Capellan Confederation|Capellan]] military and are loyal directly to the person of the [[Chancellor]]), and appease feelings of jealousy within the CCAF by giving the military a similarly prestigious and capable unit. Their skills and wide-ranging authority raised misgivings even within the CCAF, which were partially satisfied when Chancellor [[Maximilian Liao]] opened membership to any sufficiently distinguished CCAF officer in [[3003]].

Unofficially known as the Chancellor's "storm troopers", members of the Death Commandos have very wide latitude in the performance of their duties. For example, they are allowed, on their own authority, to summarily execute any Capellan soldier, and even members of the nobility, under certain circumstances.<ref name=FMCC67>''Field Manual: Capellan Confederation'', p. 67</ref>
</onlyinclude>

==History==
===Formation===
The Death Commandos were created by Chancellor [[Tormax Liao]] in [[2988]], initially by drawing troops from the Warrior Houses. This created an elite and fanatically loyal unit which also benefited from the unique training regimen imposed by the Warrior Houses. Each member of the Death Commandos was a multiskill soldier, trained both as [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarriors]] and in black ops, and sworn by blood oath to defend the Chancellor and destroy all enemies of the Confederation.<ref name=HLTCC70>''House Liao (The Capellan Confederation)'', p. 70</ref>  When Tormax Liao was overthrown by [[Maximilian Liao]], much of the unit was destroyed defending the Chancellor over two nights of quiet fighting with Maximilian's Warrior House allies, though it was quickly reconstituted afterwards and swore loyalty to the new Chancellor.<ref name=HHL36>''Handbook: House Liao'', p. 36</ref>  However the unit remained a bone of contention between the regular [[CCAF]] and the Warrior Houses.  As part of Maximilian's efforts to play both sides off each other, in [[3003]] he agreed to open the Death Commandos to the qualified personnel from the CCAF, bringing in more traditional tactics to the Death Commandos' repertoire.<ref name=HHL36/><ref>''House Liao (The Capellan Confederation)'', p. 51</ref>

===Succession Wars===
====Third Succession War====
The Death Commandos participated in the invasion of [[Stein's Folly]] and the capture of [[Redfield]] in [[3025]].<ref>''The Sword and the Dagger'', p. 13</ref><ref name=HLTCC70/>  During this time the Death Commandos were battalion-sized in strength and their primary base of operation was [[Grand Base]].<ref name=HLTCC107>''House Liao (The Capellan Confederation)'', p. 107</ref>

====Fourth Succession War====
Near the end of the [[Fourth Succession War]], with no other troops to spare, the Death Commandos along with the [[4th Tau Ceti Rangers]] were sent to raid [[Kathil]] in [[3029]] as part of a daring and desperate attempt to hold back the [[Federated Commonwealth]] juggernaut.  Unfortunately, the intelligence provided to them had been supplied by [[Justin Xiang Allard]], a double-agent who passed along a warning of the attack to FedCom forces.  In the resulting battle with the [[1st Kathil Uhlans]], the Death Commandos were believed to be completely wiped out.<ref>''Handbook: House Liao'', p. 45</ref>  In truth, nine managed to return from the mission, although two of them would never pilot a 'Mech again.<ref name=FMCC67>''Field Manual: Capellan Confederation'', p. 67</ref>  Though they had been reduced to seven members, the remaining Death Commandos would form the core around which their unit would rebuild.<ref name=HHL77>''Handbook: House Liao'', pp. 77–78</ref>

Almost simultaneously with the attack on Kathil, the Death Commandos supposedly attacked the [[New Avalon Institute of Science]].  However, postwar investigation by FedCom intelligence discounted this as being the work of actual Death Commandos, eventually settling on the theory it had been a covert assault by the [[Com Guards]], though the exact purpose for the covert assault was unknown.<ref>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 10</ref>

====Andurien Wars====
In September [[3030]], Grand Base came under attack from the [[6th Defenders of Andurien]] as part of the [[Andurien Crisis]].  The planet was primarily defended by [[Warrior House Fujita]] and local militia units, however there were a number of Death Commando trainees and their instructors at their training compound as well.  When Andurien forces arrived at the compound in November, they found it strangely deserted.  Believing the area secure, the Sixth's Gamma Battalion set up its headquarters there...and then the disappearances began.  It wasn't until January [[3031]] before the Andurien's fears were confirmed when a pair of [[Sneak Suit]]ed assailants were killed, bearing the Death Commando insignia.  Their existence exposed, the Death Commandos began to engage the Anduriens openly and inflicted heavy losses, though their covert operations apparently continued: Mildred Humphreys, commander of the Sixth and daughter of [[Catherine Humphreys]], was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head in her office on 9 March, though the sentries standing just outside never heard a gunshot.  The Death Commandos and Warrior House forces launched the final assaults which finally drove the Anduriens off Grand Base on 17 April.<ref>''Historical: Brush Wars'', pp. 53–54, 60–61</ref> The 16 of May of 3035, after the ejection of all Andurien and Canopus forces of Confederation space, Romano Liao send a reprisal attack against the first ones: a detachment of Death Commandos attacked Duchess Humphreys' palace in Jojoken, [[Andurien]]. The demi-company was destroyed, after causing considerable damage, and it was said they were stopped within meters of killing the duchess. It is unknown if this was his objective. It was the only known reprisal attack of Capellan forces in Andurien territory.<ref>''Historical Brush Wars'', p. 67</ref>

The effort to fully rebuild the Death Commandos would last for many more years: not until [[3041]] was the battalion back to full strength, with a second battalion of two [[Company|companies]] formed in [[3055]], reaching full strength in [[3060]]. The Death Commandos were always intended to be a full regiment, but the high standards for entry meant that recruiting was difficult.<ref name=FMCC67/>  It was also during this time that the Death Commandos transferred their base of operations from Grand Base to [[Sian]].<ref name=HHL77/>

===Clan Invasion===
====Operation Guerrero====
In [[3057]], prior to [[Operation Guerrero]], [[Sun-Tzu Liao]] sent Death Commando [[Loren Jaffray]] to [[Northwind]] as part of a plot to destroy the [[Northwind Highlanders]] for their betrayal of the Confederation during the Fourth Succession War. Jaffray, the son of former Highlander members who had remained in House Liao's service after the war, ultimately defected to the Highlanders, which the Chancellor apparently did not object to as the [[Federated Commonwealth]] was still deprived of the Highlanders' service as a result of the mission.

Two battalions of Death Commandos arrived in Northwind space soon after Jaffrey in support of his mission. Though never activated by Loren Jaffray, the Commandos did intercept the 3rd Royal Guards RCT diversionary force that lured Northwind's aerospace fighters away from the planet, inflicting considerable damage.

The operation destroyed the 3rd Royal Guards RCT and the Armored Infantry Battalion of the 2nd NAIS Cadre.

====Operation Bulldog====
During [[Operation Bulldog]], the Death Commandos were one of the only elite defensive forces left on [[Sian]]. The rest of the defenders were assigned to [[Star League Defense Force]] task forces.<ref>''Jihad Turning Points: Sian'', p. 5</ref>

====''Xin Sheng'' Campaign====
During the [[Xin Sheng Campaign|''Xin Sheng'' Campaign]], the Death Commandos took over the pacification of [[Wei]] after a "rebel" nerve gas attack killed an entire Battalion of the [[1st McCarron's Armored Cavalry]], allotted just seven days to complete their mission.

On the first day, the Commandos infiltrated Wei without BattleMechs to avoid giving away their [[DropShip]]s, seizing control of a major communications center to deliver a demand for the Wei government's unconditional surrender within thirty minutes; if refused, the demand would be made again in exactly one week.

Blowing up the center after thirty-one minutes when the government declined to answer, over the next six hours the Commandos systematically eliminated thirty-seven highly placed government officials and military officers. Forty-eight hours after the initial surrender demand was made, the highest-ranking officer left on the world was a [[Major]] and the Death Commandos had destroyed the planet's three largest supply depots and primary space tracking station, finally allowing their DropShips and BattleMechs to strike without mercy.

By the sixth day, a newly-formed Wei administration had begun to desperately transmit its surrender on all frequencies, all of which the Commandos ignored, instead focusing on shattering the last vestiges of the planet's militia. On the seventh day the Commandos mopped up any straggling military resistance before one of their DropShips dramatically leveled the planet's primary government buildings, finally accepting Wei's surrender at midnight, exactly seven days from their initial demand.<ref name=FMCCp68/>

During the War, a Death Commandos strike team of two companies was send to attack a convoy of humanitarian aid led by [[Kuan-Yin Allard-Liao]] on [[Targa]]. Unfortunately by them, the convoy was escorted by [[The Medusans]] mercenary group.
The Medusans surprised the Commandos DropShips, which massive firepower vaporised a full Commando company, sending the other to fall to the death of Tanga's atmosphere.<ref>''Mercenaries Supplemental II'', p. 50</ref>

After the formation of the [[Fronc Reaches]], the new government made noises about including [[Detroit]] in the new nation. The Death Commandos were stationed on [[Repulse]], and the request immediately went away. ''Sang-shao'' Korskav delivered a package to the new government's leaders, and shortly thereafter the Reaches closed their borders to all traffic except the most essential.<ref>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 21</ref> In [[3067]] the Commandos were stationed on [[Castrovia]].<ref>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 32</ref>

===Jihad===
During the [[Jihad]] the Death Commandos inflicted critical damage on the shipyards at [[Kathil]] and rescued [[Kai Allard-Liao]] from [[New Syrtis]] during [[Operation THUNDERSTRIKE]].<ref name="J:FRp47">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 47: "The Jihad In Review"</ref> Elements of the Commandos also took part in the battle to recapture [[Imalda]], acting alongside the [[5th Confederation Reserve Cavalry]] against the defending [[21st Illician Rangers]] until lack of supplies forced the [[Illician Lancers]] to give up their guerrilla campaign and retreat to [[Sendalor]].<ref name="MSUp73">''Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 73: "Illician Lancers"</ref> The Death Commandos would defend [[Sian]] from the [[Word of Blake]] attacks, protected [[Thomas Marik]] during his visit in [[3073]],<ref name="JHS3076p34">''Jihad Hot Spots: 3076'', p. 34: "Timeline of the Jihad"</ref><ref name="J:FRp52">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 52: "The Jihad In Review"</ref> and captured [[Kali Liao]] on [[Highspire]] to bring her to Sian.<ref name="J:FRp52"/><ref name="JHS3076p38">''Jihad Hot Spots: 3076'', p. 38: "Timeline of the Jihad"</ref> In addition, a company of Death Commandos escorted the [[Magestrix]] to her home in the [[Magistracy of Canopus]].<ref name="frcc10">''Field Report: CCAF'', p. 10</ref>

During the first Battle of Sian, the Death Commandos fought alongside the [[Red Lancers]] and [[3rd Canopian Fusiliers]].<ref>''Jihad Turning Points: Sian'', p. 9</ref> Several of the Death Commando's senior officers actually assumed control of the Red Lancers when that unit's command staff was killed.<ref>''Jihad Turning Points: Sian'', p. 7</ref> Several Death Commando lances surrounded the [[Dragon's Breath (Mercenary Command)|Dragon's Breath]] [[mercenary]] unit when they attacked the Forbidden City. They rapidly destroyed the mercenary unit.<ref>''Jihad Turning Points: Sian'', p. 6</ref> In [[3074]] small groups of Death Commandos were sent out to discover the Word of Blake's hidden staging areas. They did so, but at a high cost to their ranks.<ref>''Jihad Turning Points: Sian'', p. 11</ref>

The commander during the Jihad, Michael Hyung-Tsei, killed a [[Warrior House Rakshasa]] cyborg by ripping out his trachea bare-handed. Later he oversaw the operation to liberate [[Kai Allard-Liao]] from the [[Capellan March]].<ref>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 25</ref> The Death Commandos were posted on [[Sian]] in [[3085]].<ref>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 33</ref>

===Dark Age===
During the [[Victoria War]] the Death Commandos and [[2nd Capellan Defense Force]] drove the [[6th Oriente Hussars]] off of [[Bentley]].<ref>''Historical: Wars of the Republic Era'', p. 57</ref> The Commandos and Second CDF followed the Hussars to [[Goodna]], and the Death Commandos killed every senior officer of the Sixth Hussars. This threw the Oriente unit into chaos, and they withdrew again, traveling to [[Ipswich]]. The Death Commandos and Second CDF took [[Cronulla]], then the Commandos moved on and took [[Iknogoro]] by themselves. Shortly after this they were relieved by other CCAF commands and returned to their garrison post on Sian.<ref>''Historical: Wars of the Republic Era'', pp. 60–61</ref>

In 3110 a company of Death Commandos, supplemented by two battalions of the [[Holdfast Guard]] landed in the [[Liao]] system. They inflicted massive losses on property in the city of Chang-an. This attack was later known as the "Night of Screams" in the Confederation, while in the Republic of the Sphere it was named the "Massacre of Liao."<ref>''Historical: Wars of the Republic Era'', p. 76</ref><ref>''Operational Turning Points: Capellan Crusades'', p. 8</ref> On [[Sakhalin (CC)|Sakhalin]] the Death Commandos partnered with the [[Red Lancers]] to stop [[Kai Allard-Liao]]'s swath of destruction.<ref>''Historical: Wars of the Republic Era'', p. 71</ref><ref>''Operational Turning Points: Capellan Crusades'', p. 9</ref> A company of Commandos faced Kai Allard-Liao at Bedlam's Barrow: Allard-Liao killed nine of the twelve Commandos and heavily damaged the remaining three 'Mechs. The remaining Commandos and Red Lancers withdrew when [[Stone's Lament]] landed on the world, but not before the Commandos attached a recovery beacon to ''[[Yen-Lo-Wang]]'' so the Republic forces could recover Kai's body.<ref>''Historical: Wars of the Republic Era'', p. 82</ref><ref>''Operational Turning Points: Capellan Crusades'', p. 10</ref>

During their withdrawal, the Commandos and Red Lancers were joined by [[Sun-Tzu Liao]]. The [[Chancellor]] and these elite forces traveled through uninhabited systems to [[Liao]], where they reinforced the [[Dynasty Guard]]. The Commandos assaulted the [[IX Hastati Sentinel]]'s position in a predawn assault, but elements of the [[Amaterasu]] were able to reinforce the Ninth and provide time for them to recover. The Republic forces broke, however, when the Chancellor's ''[[Emperor]]'' BattleMech was destroyed and the Red Lancers flew into a rage.<ref>''Historical: Wars of the Republic Era'', p. 83</ref><ref>''Operational Turning Points: Capellan Crusades'', p. 10</ref> Three months later as the CCAF forces were digging in for their last stand against a reinforced Republic force, word arrived that an armistice had been signed and the Capellan Crusades were over.<ref>''Historical: Wars of the Republic Era'', p. 85</ref>

In January [[3145]] a Death Commando team raided [[New Syrtis]] and captured [[Duchess]] [[Amanda Hasek (31st c.)|Amanda Hasek]].<ref>''Era Report: 3145'', p. 25: "Timeline of Events"</ref> On their way out of the Hasek Ancestral Palace, the Commandos were interrupted and arranged for the destruction of the Palace as a diversion.<ref>''Era Report: 3145'', p. 35</ref> There were also some rumors that the Death Commandos had dispatched hit squads to kill [[Jacob Bannson]].<ref>''Era Report: 3145'', p. 88</ref> Later in 3145, they participated in the CCAF assault on [[Tikonov]]. While there they destroyed an [[Armed Forces of the Federated Suns]] ammunition dump and faced the [[3rd Federated Suns Lancers]]. The Commandos killed nearly half the Lancers.<ref>''Era Report: 3145'', p. 156</ref><ref>''Technical Readout: 3145 Capellan Confederation'', p. 52</ref>

==Officers==
{| 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 Death Commandos'''
|-
| ||[[Warren Po]]||[[3013]] (at least) - [[3015]]<ref name=WDsp16>''Wolf's Dragoons (sourcebook)'', p. 16</ref>
|-
| [[Major]] (honorary)||[[Icarra Sung]]||[[3015]] - [[3025]] (at least) <ref>''House Liao (The Capellan Confederation)'', p. 130</ref>
|-
| ''[[Jiang-jun]]''||[[Michael Hyung-Tsei]]||[[3063]] - [[3067]]<ref name=FMCCp68>''Field Manual: Capellan Confederation'', p. 68: "Death Commandos Profile"</ref><ref name=FMUp32>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 32: "CCAF Deployment Table - 3067"</ref>
|-
| ''Jiang-jun''||[[Kuhyen Zhen-Nei]]||[[3085]] - [[3112]]<ref name=FM3085p33>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 33: "Capellan Confederation Armed Forces Deployment Table - 3085"</ref><ref>''Operational Turning Points: Capellan Crusades'', pp. 10–12</ref>
|-
|}

===Other Unit Officers===
* ''[[Sao-shao]]'' [[Herman Wu]] during the [[Dark Age]].<ref name=TRO3145CCp>''Technical Readout: 3145 Capellan Confederation'', p. 28: "ABS-5Y Anubis"</ref><ref name=TRODAp18>'"Technical Readout: Dark Age'', p. 18: "ABS-5Y Anubis"</ref>

==Tactics==
The Death Commandos are trained in all aspects of modern warfare and special operations: infiltration, demolition, sabotage, assassination, intelligence-gathering, kidnapping, code-breaking, terrorism, local planetary customs, poisons, and various martial arts skills.  They are given the latest in special equipment and weapons, even at the expense of other senior regiments.<ref name=HLTCC70/>  This includes [[BattleMechs]], of which each Death Commando is allowed two: the first typically a cutting-edge model, the second often an older yet more dependable one, with either one or both heavily customized.  On the battlefield the Death Commandos are the equal of any other warriors, Inner Sphere or [[Clan]], a reputation they use to give themselves a further edge.  Moving unerringly as though they were of one mind, the Death Commandos are often straightforward in their attacks, diving directly into the heart of the enemy in order to tear it out.  Each and every one is also considered an officer one step above their nominal rank, allowing them to commandeer any regular forces.<ref name=FMCCp68/>

==Notes==
Very few candidates to the Commandos have turned down a place in the unit. Sang-shao [[Victor Renshield]], commanding officer of [[Renshield's Dragoons]] was one of them.<ref>''Field Manual Capellan Confederation'', p. 80</ref>
The only known commando to have left the unit alive was [[Loren Jaffray]].

==Composition History==
===3025===
'''Death Commandos''' ([[Battalion]]/Elite)<ref name=HLTCC107/>
:Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on [[Grand Base]].<ref name=HLCC>''House Liao (The Capellan Confederation)'', p. 107</ref>
=== 3028 ===
'''Death Commandos '''(Battalion/Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=HBSp88/>
:Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Grand Base]].<ref name=HBSp88>''Historical: Brush Wars'', p. 88</ref>

===3040===
''' Death Commandos''' (Battalion/Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=HWo3039p140/>
:Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Grand Base]].<ref name=HWo3039p140>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 140</ref>

===3057===
'''Death Commandos''' (Two Battalions/Elite/Fanatical)
:* CO: ''Jiang-jun''
* 1st Battalion: ''[[Sang-shao]]'' Hertzog<ref name=HGc2>''Highlander Gambit'', ch. 2</ref>
* 2nd Battalion: ''Sang-shao''

===3063===
'''Death Commandos''' (Two Battalions/Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=FMCCp68/>
:* CO: ''Jiang-jun'' Michael Hyung-Tsei
* 1st Battalion: ''[[Sang-shao]]'' Thad Roonstock
* 2nd Battalion: ''Sang-shao'' Vladimir Korskav

- Independent Command [[Lance]]

===3067===
'''Death Commandos''' (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=FMUp32/>
:* CO: ''Jiang-jun'' Michael Hyung-Tsei

===3079===
'''Death Commandos''' (Battalion/Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=frccaf10>''Field Report: CCAF'', p. 10</ref>
: Note: Given the hard fighting that took place during the [[Jihad]] years, the Death Commandos were greatly reduced in numbers. An exact figure is impossible to know, but they lost at least a battalion of troops in various high-risk missions.<ref name="frcc10"/>

===3085===
'''Death Commandos''' (One Battalion/Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=FM3085p33/>
:* CO: ''Jiang-jun'' [[Kuhyen Zhen-Nei]]

===3145===
'''Death Commandos''' (Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=FM3145p45>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 45: "Capellan Confederation Armed Forces Deployment Table - 3145"</ref>
:* CO: ''Jiang-jun'' [[Tianzhu Liu]]

==Color Scheme==
Death Commando soldiers paint their BattleMechs black, occasionally trimming them with Liao Green. They do not place the Confederation crest on their 'Mechs, but instead use their unit insignia.<ref name=FMCCp68/>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Death Commando.jpg|Death Commandos insignia
Death Commandos logo-alt.png|Alternate Death Commandos insignia
Deathcommandosnew.png|Death Commandos command insignia from ''[[A Guide to Covert Ops]]''
Catapult_C1_CBTU.jpg|A Death Commandos ''[[Catapult]]''
Liaouniform3025deathcommando.png|A Death Commando in action
Celestial Presence Sun-Tzu Liao.jpg|A pair of Death Commandos accompany the Chancellor at all times
DeathCommandoLeap.jpg|A Death Commando leaps toward a ''[[Victor]]''
</gallery>

==Notes==
*Special rules for the Death Commandos can be found in ''Era Report: 3145'' (p. 163) and ''Historical: Wars of the Republic Era'' (p. 103).

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Dagger Point]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Era Report: 3145]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: 3085]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: 3145]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Capellan Confederation]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
* ''[[Field Report: CCAF]]''
* ''[[Highlander Gambit]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Historical: War of 3039]]''
* ''[[Historical: Wars of the Republic Era]]''
* ''[[House Liao (The Capellan Confederation)]]''
* ''[[Jihad Turning Points: Sian]]''
* ''[[Mercenaries Supplemental Update]]''
* ''[[Objective Raids]]''
* ''[[Operational Turning Points: Capellan Crusades]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3145 Capellan Confederation]]''
* ''[[Threads of Ambition]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Wolf's Dragoons (sourcebook)|Wolf's Dragoons]]''

[[Category:Capellan Confederation Commands|Death Commandos]]