Holdfast Guard

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The Holdfast Guard was a Capellan Confederation military formation, which was originally known as the Blandford's Grenadiers.

The Blandford's Grenadiers trace its origin back to the formerly pre-Confederation nation of the Tikonov Union. Being part of the Tikonov Union Guards, the Grenadier's original commanding officer, Harrison Blandford, reorganized the Regiment and they were added in to Franco Liao's Capellan Defense Force.

The unit actual roots stem from former military commands of the Fourth and Seventh Tikonov Union Guards which were originally formed between 2310 and 2315 respectively. They were reorganized in 2368, where it was used to disbanded private noble armies which stand in the way of the newly formed CCAF.[1]


History

Early History

Formed from the Fourth and Seventh Tikonov Union Guards during the formation of the Capellan Confederation, Blandford's Grenadiers proved their value to Chancellor Franco Liao by disarming a number of noble warbands that opposed him, and Franco's successors would continue the tradition of using the Grenadiers to stamp out any hints of insurrection against the Confederation's rulers.[2]

Star League Era

By the closing years of the Star League era the Grenadiers held the distinction of being one of only two regiments to have been a part of the Capellan Hussars brigade since their formation. Each regiment of the Hussars was associated with a particular Commonality within the Confederation, and the Grenadiers were eventually transferred into the Sarna Commonality. By the eve of the Amaris Civil War the Grenadiers were one of the most experienced regiments in the Capellan Confederation Armed Forces, as a result of so many barduc MechWarriors being transferred into the regiment over the years.[2]

First Succession War

In 2795, following the appointment of Sandol Quinn as regent to Ilsa Liao, the Capellan Confederation Armed Forces launched an invasion of the Federated Suns intended to capture the politically-significant Chesterton system. Planned by Quinn, the operation was intended to take advantage of the AFFS' continuing focus on trying to resist the massive Draconis Combine invasion of the Federated Suns, which stood poised to capture New Avalon itself. Quinn's plan involved encircling Chesterton by taking the systems around it, using mercenary units for the initial invasions - predominantly or exclusively former Star League Defense Force commands that had been recruited by the Confederation - and following up with CCAF line regiments to reinforce the assault and then secure the captured worlds. Whilst launching one or two planetary invasions at a time aimed at systems around Chesterton, Quinn also had the CCAF copy tactics used by the Combine so effectively, leapfrogging over border systems to capture a number of systems further inside the Federated Suns to add pressure to the AFFS. Quinn's strategy worked well for several years; Ulan Batar was assaulted in 2797, with Blandford's Grenadiers securing the planet under Confederation control in January the following year, when they dug the last of the insurgents resisting the invasion out of the foothills around the planetary capital city.[3]

Blandford's Grenadiers were credit in their defense of Lincoln, where they fought against mercenaries in Kurita employ during between 2802-2803. When Free Worlds League employed the mercenary unit Edom's Bandits during their attempt to conquer Sirius in 2810, the Guards destroyed them.[citation needed]

Second Succession War

On Carver V, the unit destroyed the the mercenary unit under House Davion employed called Tamara's Black Sword in 2846 during a deep border raid.[citation needed]

Third Succession War

During the Third Succession War, the unit saw considerable action against mercenaries units employed against Liao worlds. They fought against the Saffron's Slashers in a fierce fight on Wei in 2925. Three years later, they annihilated Normand's Condottiere while the mercenaries tried to raid Palos in 2928, because they used their surrender as a trap.[citation needed]

Between the years of 2930 to 2950, the FWLM deployed number of forces against this command during cross border raids. As the 3rd Capellan Hussars regiment, Chancellor Maximilian Liao, tasked them with the security of the House of Scions to guaranteed that the nobility would their loyalty to him.[1]

The 4th Succession War and its Aftermath

The events of the Fourth Succession War, the unit saw no action during the conflict. It remained on station on at their garrison post on Capella.

Andurien/Canopus Invasion & War of 3039

Sigma Mare & Palladaine

During in 3030s, the Duchy of Andurien with aid of its allies from Magistracy of Canopus, invaded Capellan Confederation during what was known as the Andurien Secession. The Blandford’s Grenadiers had not immediately deployed into action against the invaders until March 3032. The unit launched itself into action against Audurien forces occupying world of Sigma Mare. There the Grenadiers intended to confront the 4th Defenders of Andurien whom had taken the planet a year earlier. However only found a light garrison force in their place/ which they easily overwhelmed and took the planet.[4]

In November of 3034, the Grenadiers arrived on world and took Palladaine without having fire shot, due to lack of defenders. The unit then moved back to its home garrison on Capella.

League Raid during War of 3039

In July of 3039, Ninth Marik Militia conducted a raid against the Grenadier's home world of Capella. The Grenadiers were caught by complete surprise by the League unit, taking heavy casualties. They were only able to barely put token resistance against 9th Militia for two days, before they abandoned the planet.[5][6]

Pre-Clan Invasion Years of 3040s

The Blandford's Grenadiers name was changed to become known as the Holdfast Guard.[7]

Operation Guerrero


Xin Sheng Campaign

From 3063 through 3065, the Guard took an active stand as bodyguards for the House of Scions. They often posted armed men on the House floor to protect St. Ives members. This led to the formation of a second infantry regiment, currently two battalions in strength, for security measures.

Jihad

During the Jihad the Holdfast Guard repelled numerous raids on Capella by the Word of Blake. During the lulls between the raids, the Holdfast Guard rebuilt their ranks by drafting members of the militia, Home Guard, and mercenary units. Barely a third of the unit was combat-ready at the end of the Jihad, and most of those troops were half-trained recruits.[8]

After the Jihad ended, many members of the Holdfast Guard were transferred to the Red Lancers. The Holdfast Guard replaced these transferred personnel with experienced Jihad veterans. These troopers quickly rebuilt the unit, and their battlefield skills are excellent. By contrast, many of these soldiers are ill-equipped to deal with the various political and social aspects of their assignment to protect the House of Scions. To address this issue several Confucian scholars have been assigned to tutor the regiment's warriors in etiquette.[9]

The unit was still stationed in Capella in 3079.[10]

Dark Age

The Guard arrived on Liao not long after it's liberation, likely as insurance against any threat to their newly won holdings. The Guard has been embraced by the planet’s inhabitants, who continue to ride the wave of resurgent Capellan nationalism. In addition the Guard has sent detachments of its troops to numerous neighboring systems to conduct well publicized exercises and to instill "proper Capellan values". The Guards have begun integrating classes on Confucian thought into their educational systems due to the urging of local communities. This has had the Guards assist in the construction of the new Rújiào Institute of Cultural and Philosophical Studies on Liao.[11]

Officers

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Blandford's Grenadiers
Colonel Harrison Blandford 2386[1]
Colonel Richard De Salvo 3025[1]
Colonel Robert Grimm 2925[1]
Commanding Officers of the Holdfast Guard
Colonel Kenneth Razani 3050 - 3054[12][13]
Sang-shao Anson Quinn 3062[14]
Sang-shao Ulan Bey 3067 - 3085[15][16]
Sang-shao Alexei Obradović 3145[17]

Tactics

The Holdfast Guards use solid and not-so flashy military maneuvers in order to wear down an enemy force to defeat it.[14]

Composition History

2765

Blandford's Grenadiers (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[2]

- At this point in time the Grenadiers were stationed on Sarna.[2]

2786

Blandford's Grenadiers (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[18]

- At this point in time the Grenadiers were a heavy-weight regiment operating at full strength and were based on Sarna.[18]

2821

Blandford's Grenadiers (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[18]

- At this point in time the Grenadiers were a heavy-weight regiment operating at just over one-third strength and were based on Sarna alongside the Second Liao Lancers.[18]

2830

Blandford's Grenadiers (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical) [19]

Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on Sarna with an operational readiness of 72 percent. [19]

2864

Blandford's Grenadiers (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical) [19]

Note: At this point in time heavy-weight unit was stationed on Fomalhaut with a operational readiness of 53 percent. [19]

3025

Blandford's Grenadiers (BattleMech Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[20]

  • CO: Colonel Richard De Salvo
  • 1st Battalion (Elite Skilled) - CO: Major Trilby Macao
  • 2nd Battalion (Veteran Skilled) - CO: Major Hardesy Blaze
  • 3rd Battalion (Veteran Skilled) - CO: Major Carol Ling

- Principle BattleMechs that were used in the regiment included Catapult and Thunderbolt designs.

Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Capella. [21]

3028

Blandford's Grenadiers (Regiment/Elite & Veteran/Fanatical)[22]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Capella. [22]

3040

Blandford's Grenadiers (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)[23]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Capella. [23]

3050

Blanford’s Grenadiers (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical) [12]

Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Capella. [12]

3054

Blandford's Grenadiers (Veteran/Fanatical)[13]

  • CO: Colonel Kenneth Razani

3063

Blandford's Grenadiers (BattleMech Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[14]

  • CO: Sang-shao Anson Quinn
  • 1st Battalion Zhong-shao Franklin Sung
  • 2nd Battalion Zhong-shao Ulan Bey
  • 3rd Battalion Zhong-shao Mark Hedgkins

Zhòng-shu Háng-ban (Sunstroke Flight) (2 Aerospace Wings/Veteran/Fanatical)[14]

- Primarily equipped with Transgressors, Transits and old Eagles

Quinn's Backboarders (Combat Vehicle Battalion/Veteran/Fanatical)[14]

  • Armor Commander: Sao-shao Cameron Martinez

- No Combat Vehicle less than 70 tons

1st Blandford's Defenders (Infantry Regiment/Regular/Fanatical)[14]

  • Infantry Commander: Zhong-shao Gabrielle Auks.

- Includes 1 Company of Battle Armor

3067

Blandford's Grenadiers (BattleMech Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[15]

  • Grenadier and Holdfast Guard's Commanding Officer: Sang-shao Ulan Bey

Zhòng-shu Háng-ban (Sunstroke Flight) (2 Aerospace Wings/Veteran/Fanatical)[15]

Bey's Backboarders (Combat Vehicle Battalion/Veteran/Fanatical)[15]

  • Armor Commander: Sao-shao Cameron Martinez

1st Blandford's Defenders (Infantry Regiment/Regular/Fanatical)[15]

  • Infantry Commander: Zhong-shao Gabrielle Auks.

2nd Blandford's Defenders (2 Infantry Battalions/Green/Regular)[15]

  • Infantry Commander: Zhong-shao Jackson Davis

3079

The Holdfast Guard quickly rebuilt after the Jihad by transferring in veterans from other units. They were nearly at their full pre-Jihad strength by 3079.[8]

3085

Holdfast Guard (Veteran/Fanatical)[16]

  • CO: Sang-shao Ulan Bey

Zhòng-shu Háng-ban (2 Wings/Veteran/Fanatical)[16]

  • CO: Kong-zhong-shao Shuk Yi Chu

Bey's Backboarders (1 Battalion/Regular/Fanatical)[16]

  • CO: Sao-shao Yioros Michelakos

1st Blandfords Defenders (Veteran/Fanatical)[16]

  • CO: Zhong-shao Vadim Polzin

2nd Blandford's Defensers (2 Battalions/Regular/Fanatical)[16]

  • CO: Zhong-shao Ching Ting Hui

3145

Holdfast Guard (Elite/Fanatical)[17]

  • CO: Sang-shao Alexei Obradović

Zhòng-shu Háng-ban (2 Wings/Elite/Fanatical)[17]

  • CO: Kong-zhong-shao Lillis Schaffer

Alexei’s Armored-Anvils (Elite/Fanatical)[17]

  • CO: Zhong-shao Wai Kin Ho

Blandford’s Defenders Brigade (Elite/Fanatical)[17]

  • CO: Zhong-shao Adams Jamentz

Notes

The unit was not listed in 20 Year Update sourcebook, however appears as Holdfast Guards in Field Manual: Capellan Confederation which eludes the command continued exist as Grenadiers until its renaming years after the Fourth Succession War and Andurien Crisis.

Rules

Game Rules

First Succession War

  • Between 2786 and 2807, the composition of randomly-generated lances from Blandford's Grenadiers are determined using a single roll on the Random Unit Assignment Tables per lance, with all of the lance 'Mechs being the resulting type. Between 2808 and 2819, the lance composition is determined using two rolls on the Random Unit Assignment Tables per lance, and from 2820 lance composition is determined using one roll per 'Mech per lance.[24]
  • When generating Blandford's Grenadiers forces using Random Unit Assignment Tables during the First Succession War, the Blandford's Grenadiers receives a +4 modifier to each roll on the appropriate table.[25]

FedCom Civil War

  • While using the Force Specific Rules, the Holdfast Guards have access A Rated equipment and ignore any opposing force's special abilities which are directly effect the Guards.[26]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 House Liao (The Capellan Confederation), p. 78, "Blandford's Grenadiers" - Unit's early history from Formation to 3025.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Field Report 2765: CCAF, p. 7, "Capellan Hussars"
  3. First Succession War, p. 81, "Quinn's War: The Confederation-Suns Front"
  4. Historical: Brush Wars, p. 63, "Blandford's Grenadiers retake Liao world of Sigma Mare from Andurien control".
  5. Historical: War of 3039, pp. 63, 140 Free Worlds League Operations/Deployment Tables - The 9th Militia raids Capellan and Grenadiers are damaged heavily & barely able to put up a defense.
  6. Historical: Brush Wars, p. 79, "Capella (July)" - Raid by 9th Militia mentioned in the incursion.
  7. Historical: War of 3039, p. 140, "Unit still known as the Blandford's Grenadiers during both Andurien War & War of 3039".
  8. 8.0 8.1 Field Report: CCAF, p. 8
  9. Field Manual: 3085, p. 23
  10. Field Report: CCAF , p. 8 "Regimental Status"
  11. Field Manual: 3145, p. 30, "Capellan Hussars - Holdfast Guard"
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 20 Year Update, p. 62, "CCAF Deployment Table - 3050"
  13. 13.0 13.1 Objective Raids, p. 41, "CCAF Deployment Table - 3054"
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 Field Manual: Capellan Confederation, p. 55, "Holdfast Guard Unit Profile"
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 Field Manual: Update, p. 32, "CCAF Deployment Table - 3067"
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 Field Manual: 3085, p. 32, "CCAF Deployment Table - 3085"
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 Field Manual: 3145, p. 46, "CCAF Deployment Table - 3145"
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 First Succession War, p. 135, "Capellan Confederation Armed Forces (CCAF)"
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 ’’ Second Succession War’’, p. 95
  20. House Liao (The Capellan Confederation), p. 78, "Unit profile includes individual battalions".
  21. House Liao (The Capellan Confederation), p.105
  22. 22.0 22.1 Historical: Brush Wars, p.87
  23. 23.0 23.1 Historical: War of 3039, p. 140 >Historical: War of 3039, p. 140
  24. First Succession War, p. 147, "Force Compositions"
  25. First Succession War, p. 147, "RAT Die Roll Modifiers by Combat Command Table"
  26. Field Manual: Capellan Confederation, p. 126, "Unit special abilities and benefits

Bibliography