Wilfred Eichler
Sarna News
Wilfred Eichler | |
|---|---|
| Personal | |
| Died | 3145 |
| Affiliation | Eridani Light Horse |
| Career | |
| Profession | MechWarrior |
Wilfred Eichler was a Lieutenant General in the Eridani Light Horse, which was a main protagonist in the Battle of Hesperus (3145).[1]
History
Wilfred Eichler was one of several officers which attempted to resurrect the Eridani Light Horse unit, destroyed in the Jihad. He gathered some ELH survivors from Dieron, creating a unit with that name, in the Dark Age. His claim wasn't the strongest one, but apparently no one contested it.[2]
Battle of Hesperus
By September/October 3144 the Light Horse, then one regiment strong and led by Eichler, was contracted, along with other mercenary units, by the Lyran Commonwealth to protect its valuable factories on Hesperus II against the upcoming attack between Clan Hell's Horses and Clan Jade Falcon. When both Clan forces appeared in 3145, they moved to defend the planet along with a mix of forces: other mercenaries, the local militia, and a company from the Third Royal Guards. The planetary militia and Royal Guards abandoned the world after putting up just a token resistance, leaving the mercenaries to face the full brunt of the attack. When the Light Horse and the other mercenaries moved to Defiance Industries to take shelter there, they were refused entry. The band of mercenary units then attempted to surrender to Clan Jade Falcon, but were cut down. Without alternative, the Light Horse troops made for Maria's Elegy, trying to reach their DropShips, but were foiled by the Raptor Keshik. A few surviving Light Horse warriors escaped into the mountains, only to be hunted down to the last soldier by the Falcons. To the best of the Republic of the Sphere's knowledge, none survived.[3]
DEath and Legacy
Eichler's death was confirmed later by the Commonwealth authorities, but they keep it quiet for political reasons, probably to hid the Eridani's shameful abandonment by the Lyrans.[4]
However, he wasn't the last Eridani's commanding officer: 5 years later, in the Federated Suns, another strongest claimants, Colonel Amelia Donovan managed to gather several ELH claimant groups and finally resurrect the unit.[5]