Editing William Harrison von Frisch

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| name                = William Harrison von Frisch
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| affiliation         = [[Lyran Commonwealth]]
| rank                = [[Hauptmann-General]]
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'''William Harrison von Frisch''' was an officer from the Lyran Commonwealth and commanded the [[Fourth Skye Rangers]] from [[3039]] to [[3067]].<ref name=FMLA100-4SR-O>''Field Manual: Lyran Alliance'', p. 100: "4th Skye Rangers RCT: Albion - Officers", William Harrison von Frisch is described</ref><ref name=HW39-138-4SR>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 138: "Deployment Table: Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces", 4th Skye Rangers RCT status and movements during the war</ref><ref name=20yup26>''20 Year Update'', p. 26</ref><ref name=OpjRp23>''Objective Raids'', p. 23</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Lyran Alliance'', p. 100: "4th Skye Rangers RCT: Albion", the Fourth Skye Rangers RCT composition</ref><ref name=FMU177-4SR-1/>

==History==
=== Early Career ===
William Harrison von Frisch was a [[Sanglamore Academy]] graduate like most Rangers officers, he otherwise stood in stark contrast to his predecessor. Von Frisch fully embraced the tactics and strategies of the new AFFC, and his Rangers were skilled in a wide variety of tactics. Commanding the Rangers for at least 30 years, von Frisch was a loyal "son of Skye", ultimately supporting his Duke's push for independence.<ref name=FMLA100-4SR-O/><ref name=TDT147-1>''The Dying Time'', p. 147: Von Frisch graduated from the Sanglamore Academy in 3028, a year ahead of Ciampa</ref>

At their creation and for centuries afterwards, the Fourth Skye Rangers employed a "cautious-aggressive" strategy, waiting for their opponents to make mistakes and avoiding direct confrontation with the enemy until then. Pulling back whenever an engagement was forced and constantly driving their opponents to give chase tended to result in fighting on territory of Albion's choosing, giving them a decisive advantage.<ref name=ER2750-52-4SR-3>''Era Report: 2750'', p. 52: "Fourth Skye Rangers (Albion)", the Rangers since the civil war</ref><ref name=ER2750-142-4SR-1>''Era Report: 2750'', p. 142: "BattleTech Rules: Lyran Commonwealth - Fourth Skye Rangers", the Rangers' tactics at the time of the Star League</ref> At the time of the Fourth Succession War, under Hauptmann-Kommandant Kathleen Heany, the Rangers, although still an elite unit, seemed to have become more reliant on "traditional Lyran" tactics, leading with heavy and assault 'Mechs and consigning conventional elements to their rear areas. They showed little signs of their previous innovation, largely as a result of their leadership.<ref name=FMLA62-KHP-1>''Field Manual: Lyran Alliance'', p. 62: "Commanding Officer", Heany's leadership and "strategic thinking" are described</ref> Under von Frisch, however, the Rangers became effective in a wide range of imaginative combat tactics, fully employing the diverse range of units in the RCT. Like the original Fourth Rangers, they preferred to lure an enemy into overextending themselves before attacking at a time of their choosing.<ref name=FMLA100-4SR-T2>''Field Manual: Lyran Alliance'', p. 100: "4th Skye Rangers RCT: Albion - Tactics", the Fourth Rangers' tactics</ref>

=== War of 3039 ===
[[Caesar Steiner]] was given command of a task force to take [[Kessel]] as part of [[General]] [[Nondi Steiner]]'s [[Operation WINTERSCHNEE]]. Lyran forces entered the system on April 15, [[3039]], one day before the official start of the conflict. The [[4th Skye Rangers|4th Skye Rangers RCT]], commanded by the newly promoted von Frisch as Steiner's second-in-command, were a key part of his task force, serving alongside Caesar's [[2nd Donegal Guards|2nd Donegal Guards RCT]] and an independent 'Mech regiment, the [[Eleventh Lyran Regulars]]. They made planetfall on April 19, skirmishing with DCMS pilots on the way in. Von Frisch took advantage of the garrison's inexperience, sending his Rangers to strike against their fortifications and pulling back. When the cadets gave chase, Von Frisch's troops picked them apart on their way to seize Kessel's capital city, Sverdlovsk. On April 27, following a retreat by the Sun Zhang cadets to their waiting DropShips, the Lyran units took control of the planet, though they did not declare outright victory.<ref name=3039p32>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 32</ref>

The [[Yakuza]] were a major force on Kessel, but stayed their hand until the [[ISF]] made contact on June 29. On July 12, they made their move, staging a campaign of bombings and attacks that killed or injured 126 of the task force's soldiers, including an act of sabotage on an atmosphere processor. Local pro-Commonwealth groups such as the Kessel Freedom Fighters, who had long resisted the Combine, retaliated with a series of bloody reprisals that may have been aided by the 11th Regulars. When the LCAF officers heard of 'Mech attacks on their garrisons, they realized they'd fallen into a trap. The Sun Zhang cadets hadn't left, but had sent their DropShips on without them and stayed hidden, waiting for this moment. Reinforcements, in the form of the [[2nd Sword of Light]], arrived on July 16. Under orders from Leutnant-General Steiner, von Frisch and his Rangers abandoned their fortified position in Sverdlovsk to disperse throughout the continent.

The battle against the Sword of Light, along with the Fifth and Twelfth Sun Zhang cadres, began on July 29. The Lyran battle plan reflected the preferences of Steiner and von Frisch, rather than typical Lyran tactics. The 4th Skye sparred with the Combine troops for over a week before they began to fall back on August 9. The Twelfth Sun Zhang hesitated to follow, having been fooled before, but the Fifth did not. After the Second Donegal slammed into the cadre's flank, Von Frisch ordered his unit to come about, falling on the Fifth with their full weight. Only two companies of the Fifth Sun Zhang escaped their trap. The two sides would continue to skirmish through September, but the ensuing battles were mostly a series of inconclusive probing battles rather than the all-out confrontation of before. Meanwhile, the 11th Lyran Regulars were facing off with the Steel Dragon as they closed in on Lyran HQ. The 4th Skye Rangers rushed back to encircle the Combine forces, pressuring them in the event of any further advance.

The campaign came to an ignominious end when ISF agents destroyed the LCAF ammunition depot on September 3. Despite calls for reinforcement or resupply, the high command was already beginning to pull back into a defensive position. Realizing there was little hope for victory and pessimistic about the task force's ability to hold out against renewed Combine assault, Steiner told his subordinate officers he planned to withdraw on October 5. The last units would leave Kessel on October 9.<ref name=3039p75>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 75</ref>

=== Battle of Morges ===
In [[3054]] he was one of the leaders of Commonwealth forces on the [[Battle of Morges (3054)|Battle of Morges]].<ref name=ER3062-12-T-BOM-1>''Era Report: 3062'', p. 12: "Timeline of Events: 3053-3062", 3054 Feb - Jade Falcon invasion of Morges is repulsed</ref>

=== Lyran Secession ===
When the [[Lyran Alliance]] seceded from the Federated Commonwealth in [[3057]], the Fourth Rangers remained on Morges. [[Khan]] [[Phelan Ward]] arrived in the Morges system in November of that year with two [[Wolf Clan]] [[Galaxy|Galaxies]] in tow, bringing the [[Refusal War]] to Inner Sphere space, and they were granted safe passage by the Khan's father, Duke [[Morgan Kell]].<ref name=BFW262>''Bred for War'', p. 262: Fourth Skye Rangers on Morges at two battalions</ref> The Falcons would soon arrive and engage the Wolves and [[Kell Hounds]] in a climactic battle, but the Rangers and the Twentieth Arcturan Guard would apparently be kept out of that conflict. Meanwhile, the former Skye March was reorganized into the [[Skye Province]], nearly matching the borders of the old Federation of Skye. Little changed for the Fourth Skye Rangers, although from their base on Morges they would become part of the [[Arc-Royal Defense Cordon]], a semi-independent state formed by Grand Duke Morgan Kell, to defend against the Clans and unofficially to oppose Archon [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]]'s rule. The Fourth Rangers and their commander, [[Leutnant-General]] von Frisch, were particularly disturbed by the Archon designating their sister regiments in the Tenth and [[22nd Skye Rangers]] as "sink" units, filling them with incompetent officers and warriors with questionable loyalties, and primarily arming them with second-rate equipment.<ref name=FMLA100-4SR-ARDC>''Field Manual: Lyran Alliance'', p. 100: "4th Skye Rangers RCT: Albion", the Fourth Skye Rangers after the secession</ref> There were even reportedly attempts by the High Command to do the same to the Fourth Rangers,<ref name=SS46-1>''Shattered Sphere'', p. 46: "Military Assets", the Fourth Skye Rangers are listed as a "dumping ground" unit for "Davion loyalists"</ref> but their placement in the ARDC apparently prevented the LAAF from carrying through with that plan.

The Fourth Rangers were again disturbed that the [[LAAF]] command did not decide to rebuild the Tenth Rangers after their sacrifice on [[Coventry]] during the [[Jade Falcon Incursion (3058)|Falcon incursion]] of [[3058]], instead folding them into the 22nd Rangers. The Fourth themselves, as part of the ARDC, were not directly impacted by the LAAF's policies. The Rangers were also disturbed Duke Kell did not release them to raid the Jade Falcon occupation zone, despite the protests of von Frisch, who proposed many offensive operations.<ref name=FMLA100-4SR-ARDC/>

As part of the ARDC, the LAAF refused to send the Fourth Rangers any of the Alliance's new 'Mech designs or equipment, and they were forced to rely on Duke Kell for their logistical needs. Despite this, they continued to boast a high equipment quality, even fielding a small number of captured Clan [[OmniMechs]].<ref name=FMLA100-4SR-2-EQ>''Field Manual: Lyran Alliance'', p. 100: "4th Skye Rangers RCT: Albion - 4th Skye Rangers", Fourth Skye Rangers' equipment situation</ref> They were reportedly back up to full strength as an RCT by this time, with no indications of being short from either the battles against the Falcons or from elements of their conventional assets "defecting" to the Skye Guards back during the rebellion of 3056.<ref name=FMLA100-4SR-ABIB>''Field Manual: Lyran Alliance'', p. 100: "4th Skye Armored Brigade": "4th Skye Infantry Brigade", Fourth Skye Rangers RCT boast a full three armored regiments and five infantry regiments</ref> They were once again stationed on Morges, and were considered likely neutral in the simmering dispute between Katherine and her brother, deposed [[Archon-Prince]] [[Victor Steiner-Davion]].<ref name=SS49-1>''Shattered Sphere'', p. 49: "Lyran Alliance Armed Forces - Deployment as of 30 December 3061", the Fourth Skye Rangers' deployment</ref><ref name=FMLA125-4SR-1>''Field Manual: Lyran Alliance'', p. 125: "Lyran Alliance Forces - Deployment as of November 3062", the Fourth Skye Rangers' deployment</ref> They played no role in [[Operation Guerrero]] or in the destruction of the [[Clan Smoke Jaguar|Smoke Jaguars]] by [[Operation Bulldog]].

===FedCom Civil War and the Third Skye Rebellion===
[[File:Robert Kelswa-Steiner.jpg|left|thumb|Duke [[Robert Kelswa-Steiner]], the Rangers' liege lord]]
In late [[3062]], [[FedCom Civil War]] erupted across both realms of the former Federated Commonwealth. Officially neutral, the Fourth Rangers remained on Morges in the opening months of the war.<ref name=FCCW183-4SR-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 183: "Deployment Tables: Skye Rangers", 4th Skye Rangers RCT remain neutral on Morges</ref>

====Early Actions====
Before the first wave of the conflict ended, Duke [[Robert Kelswa-Steiner]], the son of Ryan Steiner who had succeeded his father as leader of the Free Skye Movement, called all three regiments of the Rangers home to the Skye Province. Although they lacked a [[Command Circuit|command circuit]] of JumpShips and making their way to Skye would take months, the progress of the war would allow them to make their way through the Alliance while drawing little attention to themselves from either the Lyran High Command or the Allies. In their first relocation, the Fourth Rangers made their way to [[Summit]].<ref name=FCCW69-4SR-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 69: "Strategic Movements", Fourth Skye Rangers RCT reach Summit under the orders of Duke Kelswa-Steiner</ref><ref name=FCCW183-4SR-2>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 183: "Deployment Tables: Skye Rangers", Fourth Skye Rangers RCT reach Summit</ref> Leutnant-General von Frisch had an easy time concealing the Rangers' movements as they made their way to [[Mesa Verde]] during the second wave.<ref name=FCCW8990-4SR-1>''FedCom Civil War'', pp. 89–90: "Strategic Movements", Fourth Skye Rangers RCT reach Mesa Verde under concealment</ref><ref name=FCCW183-4SR-3>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 183: "Deployment Tables: Skye Rangers", 4th Skye Rangers RCT reach Mesa Verde</ref> 10 June, [[3064]], the Fourth Rangers finally arrived on Skye, greeted by Duke Kelswa-Steiner who honored them with a parade.<ref name=FCCW105-4SR-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 105: "Strategic Movements", the Fourth Skye Rangers RCT reach Skye and are given a parade by Duke Kelswa-Steiner</ref><ref name=FCCW183-4SR-4>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 183: "Deployment Tables: Skye Rangers", 4th Skye Rangers RCT reach Skye</ref> There are indications that Duke Robert Kelswa-Steiner also helped equip the Fourth Rangers with some of the new Lyran 'Mechs and equipment they had previously been denied in the ARDC, such as the ''[[Hauptmann]]'' OmniMech.<ref name=TDT-137-H1>''The Dying Time'', p. 137: Colonel Kalmar-Carlyle engages a Fourth Rangers' ''Hauptmann'' on Hesperus</ref>

On 16 April, [[3065]], Duke Kelswa-Steiner was arrested by Archon Katherine on charges of sedition and treason. The Duke had planned for this, however, as nominal command of the Free Skye Movement fell to his top aide, General [[John Claverhouse Dundee]]. With the situation in the Skye Province further inflamed, the situation was ripe for the rebellion that Duke Robert Kelswa-Steiner had planned.<ref name=FCCW130131-1>''FedCom Civil War'', pp. 130–131: "The Free Skye Revolt", Duke Kelswa-Steiner is arrested</ref> The [[Third Skye Rebellion]] had begun.

====Hesperus II====
{{main|Hesperus_II#Fifteenth_battle|l1=Fifteenth Battle of Hesperus}}

=====Arrival=====
On 28 June, the Fourth Skye Rangers arrived in the [[Hesperus II|Hesperus]] system, accompanied by two ''[[Fox (WarShip)|Fox]]''-class [[WarShips]], the LAS ''Illustrious'' and the FCS ''Indefatigable'', both under control of the Free Skye military. Their ultimate objective was the [[Defiance Industries]] complex on Hesperus II, the largest BattleMech factory in existence. Fourteen times opposing powers had attempted to seize Hesperus, and fourteen times the Lyrans had rallied to push back the invaders. With Hesperus in its hands, Free Skye would have the military industrial base needed to win its independence from the Alliance. Albion and its Free Skye allies intended the fifteenth occasion to be the charm, with their commanding General, von Frisch, in overall command of the operation, and the Fourth Rangers designated the primary attack force. The Twenty-second Skye Rangers were already on-planet, having used Hesperus III for cover. The Fourth Rangers' flotilla was confronted by the FCS ''Simon Davion'', an ''[[Avalon]]''-class cruiser easily outmassing the two ''Fox''-class corvettes accompanying the Rangers.<ref name=FCCW147-4SR-A-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 147: "Hesperus II", the Fourth Skye Rangers arrive in-system with WarShip support</ref><ref name=TDT49-1>''The Dying Time'', p. 49: Von Frisch named commander of the primary attack force</ref> The ''Simon Davion'' destroyed the ''Illustrious'', but a surprise attack by the ''Indefatigable'' allowed a successful boarding action, giving the rebels control of the ship and opening the door for the Fourth Skye to approach the planet.<ref name=FCCW147-4SR-A-2>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 147: "Hesperus II", WarShip battle results in the Skye Rangers' capture of the ''Simon Davion''</ref> Defending the planet were [[15th Lyran Guards]], the [[36th Lyran Guards]], the corporate [[Defiance Self-Protection Force]], and the infamous mercenary Gray Death Legion, who had earned the enmity of Free Skye ten years earlier on Glengarry.<ref name=FCCW146147-4SR-1>''FedCom Civil War'', pp. 146–147: "Hesperus II", Loyalist defenders of Hesperus II</ref>

[[File:Defiance Industries logo.png|right|thumb|150px|[[Defiance Industries]], the Rangers' primary target]]
Von Frisch's plan called for the Fourth to launch their opening assault on [[Doering Electronics]] in the Caran River basin, far from the planet's capital city of Maria's Elegy and further still from the main objective of the Defiance mountain complex,<ref name=FCCW147-4SR-D-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 147: "Hesperus II", the Fourth Rangers land at Doering, forcing the defenders to withdraw</ref><ref name=TDT133-1>''The Dying Time'', p. 133: the Rangers' DropShip head towards the Doering plant</ref> hoping to lure the defenders away from their base. Indeed, once the Fourth's opening target became clear, the Loyalists, commanded by Leutnant-General [[Gina Ciampa]], sent the Legion and a battalion of her own 'Mechs from the Fifteenth to defend Doering, along with two Lyran Guard conventional regiments.<ref name=TDT134-1>''The Dying Time'', p. 134: Ciampa sends forces to defend Doering</ref> On June 30, the two forces clashed, with von Frisch boldly dropping two companies of light and medium 'Mechs on the facilities themselves in a combat drop while the rest of the Fourth Rangers landed and engaged the main enemy force.<ref name=FCCW147-4SR-D-1/><ref name=TDT136-1>''The Dying Time'', p. 136: the Fourth drop two companies of 'Mechs on Doering before landing</ref> The Loyalist forces attempted to hold Doering, but took serious losses once Albion was able to bring its full strength to bear, scattering the Lyran Guards battalion and driving Legion back. The defenders were forced to retreat to their DropShips and withdraw back to the capital, effectively surrendering the facility to the rebels.<ref name=FCCW147-4SR-D-1/><ref name=TDT140142-1>''The Dying Time'', pp. 140–142: the Skye Rangers drive the defenders away from Doering</ref> General Von Frisch left an armor regiment and two infantry regiments to hold Doering,<ref name=TDT149-1>''The Dying Time'', p. 149: Von Frisch leaves a holding force to defend the Doering plant</ref> then set his sights on his primary objective. The rest of the Fourth Rangers loaded back into their DropShips, and headed towards Defiance Industries.<ref name=FCCW147-4SR-D-2>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 147: "Hesperus II", the Fourth Rangers lift off and begin moving on Defiance Industries</ref>

The Defiance Self-Protection Force found themselves under attack by Skye aerospace fighters and artillery, looking to clear the way for both Ranger units to attack. Skye Ranger 'Mechs soon followed, as the Fourth and Twenty-second began their first push. Although the corporate force couldn't match the skill of the rebels (and certainly not the Fourth Rangers) they, equipped with some of the best 'Mechs Defiance could offer, were well entrenched with their own artillery support, and used static defenses and minefields to good effect. With a six-to-one advantage, however, the Rangers drove the DSPF back. It would be up to the Fifteenth Guards and the Gray Death Legion to stop the rebels from taking the factories.<ref name=FCCW147-4SR-DI-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 147: "Hesperus II", Free Skye fighters attack the DSPF</ref><ref name=TDT153162-1>''The Dying Time'', pp. 153–162: the Skye Rangers meet the DSPF in battle, driving them back</ref> The Gray Death Legion desperately attempted to make it back to the Myoo Highlands using [[Maglev engine|MagLev]] trains, but Skye Rangers were able to ambush the train and scatter much of the Legion.<ref name=FCCW147-4SR-MAG-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 147: "Hesperus II", Loyalists ambush Maglev trains taking the GDL to Defiance</ref> The commander of the Fifteenth, Leutnant-General [[Gina Ciampa]], attempted to send a call for reinforcements from the LAAF High Command through [[ComStar]].<ref name=FCCW147-GC-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 147: "Hesperus II", Ciampa issues request for reinforcements through ComStar</ref><ref name=TDT198-1>''The Dying Time'', p. 198: Ciampa attempts to send an HPG message</ref> The ''Simon Davion'', with its advanced sensors, detected the signal, and alerted von Frisch. Realizing the danger, von Frisch ordered the ''Simon Davion'' to bombard the ComStar [[HPG]] station from orbit in order to prevent the transmission. Von Frisch understood the danger, but intended a surgical strike.<ref name=FCCW147-SD-2>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 147: "Hesperus II", Von Frisch orders the HPG station destroyed; the bombardment destroys much of the spaceport, kills many in the Fifteenth Guards</ref><ref name=TDT198199-1>''The Dying Time'', pp. 198–199: Von Frisch orders bombardment of the Hesperus HPG station</ref> The WarShip [[Captain|Kaptain]], Elena Cerlenko, inadvertently exceeded this, however, destroying not only the HPG station but much of the entire spaceport of Maria's Elegy, where both the Fifteenth Guards and the Legion had been based.<ref name=FCCW147-SD-2/><ref name=TDT199200-1>''The Dying Time'', pp. 199–200: Kaptain Cerlenko orders a broadside</ref> Thousands were killed, including much of the Fifteenth Guards' conventional forces along with several 'Mechs. The barracks the Gray Death Legion had been using was also destroyed, as well as several Legion aerospace fighters.<ref name=TDT200202-1>''The Dying Time'', pp. 200–202: the HPG station is destroyed along with the GDL barracks, GDL fighters, Lyran 'Mechs and vehicles</ref> This action could be considered a war crime under the [[Ares Conventions]], and a horrified Von Frisch resolved himself to capturing the planet to ease the dishonor done to his command and to Skye.<ref name=FCCW147-VF-2>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 147: "Hesperus II", Von Frisch believes redemption will only come in victory</ref><ref name=TDT203204-1>''The Dying Time'', pp. 203–204: Von Frisch believes he must win the battle of Hesperus to avoid political ramifications</ref>

For a full week, the loyalists and rebels sparred. The GDL raided Free Skye positions, attempting to harass and harry them. Despite some successful strikes by the Legion, longtime legionnaire [[Lieutenant Colonel]] [[Davis McCall]], the unit's executive officer, was killed during the fighting on 8 July, crippling the Legion's morale and forcing them to retreat.<ref name=FCCW147-4SR-GDL-DM-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 147: "Hesperus II", Lieutenant Colonel Davis McCall is killed</ref><ref name=TDT248-1>''The Dying Time'', p. 248: McCall is killed fighting a ''Rakshasa'' and a ''Guillotine''</ref> A few days later, the Rangers received reinforcements when the [[32nd Lyran Guards]] RCT, who had been negotiating with Duke Robert Kelswa-Steiner and his representatives for some time, arrived in-system under Skye's banner. Also arriving were the [[17th Skye Rangers]], who had finally made it back to their home province. Von Frisch ordered the Thirty-second, which would make planetfall on the 18th, to make a low-altitude drop directly on the Defiance complex. The Fourth and Twenty-second Rangers would support the landings, and the entire force would then attack in force. He further ordered the Seventeenth to head to Maldon to keep the Thirty-sixth Guards from joining the other defenders in the Myoo Highlands.<ref name=FCCW147-4SR-REF-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 147: "Hesperus II", reinforcements arrive in the Thirty-second Lyran Guards and Seventeenth Skye Rangers</ref><ref name=TDT259-1>''The Dying Time'', p. 259: Von Frisch orders the Thirty-second Guards to join in the main offensive and the Seventeenth Rangers to Maldon</ref> This gave the three remaining Free Skye units, led by the elite Fourth, a distinct numerical advantage over the other defending units - the Fifteenth, the Legion and the HSPF - who had all already taken serious damage during the campaign.

=====First Assault on Defiance=====
[[File:Gray Death Legion logo.jpg|left|thumb|The [[Gray Death Legion]] opposed the Rangers on Hesperus]]
On 18 July, the rebels launched their main assault, with the relatively fresh Thirty-second Guards leading the main drive, supported by the Skye Rangers. The result was the bloodiest fighting of the campaign.<ref name=FCCW147-J18-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 147: "Hesperus II", the Rebels assault Defiance itself on July 18</ref> The Red Arrows pushed directly into the Gray Death Legion while the Rangers pressured the Fifteenth Lyran Guards, driving them back towards the mountain facility.<ref name=TDT266-1>''The Dying Time'', p. 266: the Skye Rangers hit the Fifteenth</ref> The Fifteenth managed to destroy the Twenty-second Rangers as a cohesive unit, though with heavy losses.<ref name=FCCW147-22SR-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 147: "Hesperus II", the Fifteenth Lyran Guards crush the Twenty-second Rangers</ref><ref name=FCCW183-15LG-W5-H-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 183: "Deployment Tables: Lyran Guards", 15th Lyran Guards take heavy damage during Wave Five on Hesperus II</ref> The Legion, however, was forced to hold the line against the turncoat Thirty-second, supported by elements of the Fourth Skye Rangers.<ref name=FCCW147-GDL-2OO-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 147: "Hesperus II", the Legion faces two Free Skye regiments</ref><ref name=TDT266-4SR-S-1>''The Dying Time'', p. 266: a Skye Ranger ''Salamander'' is seen among the Free Skye 'Mechs attacking the Legion</ref> Despite massive casualties to all sides, the defenders were driven back into the mountain complex. Lead elements of the Thirty-second Guards actually drove deep into the Defiance cavern in a running battle with the loyalists.<ref name=TDT266268-1>''The Dying Time'', pp. 266–268: the Rebels drive the defenders into Defiance</ref> In the end, the Legion successfully checked the assault, capturing the Thirty-second's commander, Leutnant-General Alice Day, when her ''[[Axman]]'' was destroyed by Captain Brewer and his lance.<ref name=FCCW147-GDL-AD-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 147: "Hesperus II", Alice Day, the Thirty-second's commander, is captured</ref><ref name=TDT273-1>''The Dying Time'', p. 273: Alice Day is captured after ejecting from her ''Axman'' by GDL infantry</ref><ref name=TDT276-1>''The Dying Time'', p. 276: Alice Day identified</ref> The loss of their commander led the Thirty-second Guards to withdraw, and the Skye Rangers were forced to follow suit. The Legion, however, had been all but obliterated themselves. Colonel [[Lori Kalmar-Carlyle]], the Gray Death Legion's commander, was killed by Free Skye infantry after ejecting from her ''[[Victor]]''.<ref name=FCCW147-GDL-D1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 147: "Hesperus II", Colonel Kalmar-Carlyle is killed along with most of the Legion; survivors join DSPF</ref><ref name=TDT269-1>''The Dying Time'', p. 269: Lori Kalmar-Carlyle is killed by a grenade</ref> Less than a company of 'Mechs had survived, with other combat elements suffering even worse casualties. With most of their ranking officers killed, the Gray Death Legion, one of the most respected mercenary units in the Inner Sphere for fifty years, had effectively been destroyed, their survivors - led by Duke [[Daniel Brewer]], Captain in the Legion and CEO of Defiance - incorporated into the HSPF.<ref name=FCCW147-GDL-D1/><ref name=TDT275276-1>''The Dying Time'', pp. 275–276: less than a dozen damaged 'Mechs still standing at the end</ref>

Despite destroying the Legion and heavily damaging the Fifteenth Guards, the Fourth Rangers and their allied units had all been mauled over the course of the fighting.<ref name=FCCW163164-4SR-1-C>''FedCom Civil War'', pp. 163–164: "Hesperus II", the Free Skye forces had taken damage</ref> The Thirty-second Lyran Guards, without their commander, were completely demoralized with internal dissent, despite having only suffered moderate damage overall.<ref name=FCCW163164-4SR-1-C/><ref name=FCCW183-32LG-W5-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 183: "Deployment Tables: Lyran Guards", 32nd Lyran Guards RCT takes moderate damage during wave five</ref> The Seventeenth Rangers had been mauled opposing the Thirty-sixth Guards,<ref name=FCCW163164-4SR-1-C/><ref name=FCCW183-4SR-H2-2>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 183: "Deployment Tables: Skye Rangers", 17th Skye Rangers take moderate damage during Wave Five on Hesperus II</ref> and the Twenty-second Rangers, who had spearheaded the campaign to begin with, were down to a few survivors, a unit existing mostly on paper.<ref name=FCCW163164-4SR-1-C/><ref name=FCCW183-4SR-H2-3>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 183: "Deployment Tables: Skye Rangers", 22nd Skye Rangers listed as destroyed during Wave Five on Hesperus II</ref> The Fourth Rangers, for their own part, had escaped with moderate damage,<ref name=FCCW163164-4SR-1-C/><ref name=FCCW183-4SR-H2-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 183: "Deployment Tables: Skye Rangers", 4th Skye Rangers RCT take moderate damage during Wave Five on Hesperus II</ref> but could not capture the vaunted factories themselves. As the defending loyalist units lacked the strength to drive the rebels from the planet, however, the campaign fell into a lull. Months passed, with neither side able to do anything to dislodge the other. Meanwhile, the Loyalists of Katherine Steiner-Davion were denied the 'Mechs of Defiance Industries.

=====Second Assault on Defiance=====
On 3 March, [[3066]], General Dundee was able to send reinforcements in the form of the [[14th Lyran Guards]], another RCT defecting to the Free Skye movement. The Fourteenth, despite being under orders to wait for [[Maria Esteban]] to arrive, immediately assaulted the Thirty-sixth Guards at the Maldon mining complex. Although the Fearsome Fourteenth were successful in smashing the Air Surfers and driving them away, the Fourteenth took significant losses themselves during a counterattack by the Air Surfers.<ref name=FCCW164-4SR-14LR-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 164: "Hesperus II", the Fourteenth Lyran Guards RCT arrives and attacks the Thirty-sixth Lyran Guards</ref> Overall, losses to both Lyran Guard units were moderate at that point.<ref name=FCCW183-LG-2>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 183: "Deployment Tables: Lyran Guards", The Fourteenth and Thirty-sixth Lyran Guards both take moderate damage during wave five</ref> Meanwhile, Leutnant-General von Frisch and his troops, seemingly recharged by the Fourteenth's actions, rallied and drove on Defiance once again. The Fifteenth Guards and the HSPF were pushed nearly to the brink with serious losses, but the Free Skye forces were once again forced to retreat.<ref name=FCCW164-4SR-1-LD>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 164: "Hesperus II", the Fourth and their Free Skye allies again attack Defiance, but cannot breach the defenses</ref> This time, losses to the Fourth were heavy.<ref name=FCCW183-4SR-6W-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 183: "Deployment Tables: Skye Rangers", The Fourth Skye Rangers take heavy losses during the sixth wave</ref> This last setback convinced von Frisch that the Free Skye forces could not achieve a victory on Hesperus, and that his troops had shed enough blood in the name of independence. He ordered his Fourth Rangers to begin withdrawing on 11 April,<ref name=FCCW164-VF-R-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 164: "Hesperus II", Von Frisch orders the Fourth Rangers to retreat</ref><ref name=FMU173-SR-2>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 173: "Skye Rangers: Fourth Skye Rangers RCT", the Fourth Rangers abandon Hesperus</ref> heading back to Skye. Ironically, General Esteban was already in-system, burning towards the planet, along with the newly formed [[1st Skye Guard|Skye Guard]] as further reinforcements.<ref name=FCCW164-4SR-E>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 164: "Hesperus II", Maria Esteban arrives just as the Fourth has left</ref><ref name=FMU173-SR-SG-1>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 173: "Skye Rangers: Skye Guards", the Skye Guards on Hesperus</ref> The question of whether Esteban could have won if the Fourth Skye Rangers had remained would be left to the historians.<ref name=FMU173-SR-1>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 173: "Skye Rangers: Skye Guards", the 'what if' debate if the Fourth hadn't pulled out</ref>

====Skye====
[[File:Peter Steiner-Davion HBHS.jpg|right|thumb|[[Archon]] [[Peter Steiner-Davion]]]]
On 19 June, the Fourth Rangers arrived back in the Skye system. Their arrival proved seemingly fortuitous to the rebels, as Skye was under attack by the elite [[11th Arcturan Guards]] RCT. Although Skye had been defended by the [[1st Skye Jaegers|Skye Jaegers]] and numerous planetary militias, they proved no match for a unit that had previously chased Prince Victor's [[Allies (FCCW)|allied]] task force halfway across the Inner Sphere. At the direction of General Dundee, the Jaegers had been forced to abandon the capital of New Glasgow, engaging in a mobile defense all over the continent of New Scotland. When they heard the arrival of the Fourth Skye Rangers, the Eleventh Arcturan, commanded by Leutnant-General [[Linda McDonald (31st c.)|Linda McDonald]], broke off pursuit of the Jaegers and focused instead on the capital, which was still loyal to the Free Skye movement and full of insurgents.<ref name=FCCW164-S-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 164: "Skye", the situation on Skye between loyalists and rebels</ref> General von Frisch, however, contacted McDonald, informing her he intended to remain neutral in the battle, having already lost too many men in the name of independence during the crucible of Hesperus. Before McDonald could resume her pursuit of the Jaegers, however, she received a recall order from General Nondi Steiner on Tharkad. Allied forces were gathering with a presumed strike against the capital, and every loyalist unit available was needed for the defense. The Eleventh soon boosted off Skye, headed to Tharkad.<ref name=FCCW164-S-4SR-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 164: "Skye", the Fourth Rangers arrive at Skye but declare themselves neutral</ref><ref name=FCCW183-4SR-S-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 183: "Deployment Tables: Skye Rangers", The Fourth Skye Rangers RCT move to Skye where they see no combat, then on to Tharkad</ref><ref name=FMU173-SR-4SR-T-1>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 173: "Fourth Skye Rangers RCT", the Rangers hinder the fighting on Skye then move on to Tharkad</ref> Meanwhile, Robert Kelswa-Steiner decided to hedge his bets by sending word from his prison cell for the Fourth Rangers to join [[Peter Steiner-Davion]] and his "Pan-Lyran" allied coalition at Tharkad. Although effectively ending his war for independence, it would earn the Duke a much better political position in the Alliance in the coming new order.<ref name=FCCW183-4SR-S-1/><ref name=FMU173-SR-4SR-T-1/><ref name=FCCW164-4SR-S-2>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 164: "Skye", the Fourth Rangers head to Tharkad to declare themselves for Peter Steiner Davion</ref> Not long thereafter, Duke Robert Kelswa-Steiner was released from Garvinny prison on [[Donegal]] in October, a feat achieved by the [[25th Arcturan Guards]] RCT at the direction of Morgan Kell.<ref name=FCCW177-FSR-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 177: "Free Skye Revolt", Duke Robert Kelswa-Steiner is released from prison</ref>

====Tharkad====
The Fourth Rangers made planetfall on Tharkad in mid-January [[3067]], joining allied forces already on-planet.<ref name=FMU173-4SR-T-2>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 173: "Skye Rangers: Fourth Skye Rangers RCT", the Fourth Rangers arrive at Tharkad to support Peter Steiner-Davion</ref> These included the [[1st Kell Hounds|first regiment]] of the Kell Hounds, the [[21st Rim Worlds]] and [[1894th Light Horse Regiment]]s of the mercenary [[Blue Star Irregulars]], the [[4th Wolf Guards (Clan Wolf-in-Exile)|4th Wolf Guards]] of [[Clan Wolf-in-Exile]], and the Fourth Rangers' old ally from the fighting on Morges, the Twentieth Arcturan Guards RCT. They were opposed by the First and [[2nd Royal Guards]] RCTs, the [[1st Alarion Jaegers|Alarion Jaegers]], the [[24th Lyran Guards]] RCT, the Eleventh Arcturan Guards RCT and ComStar's [[66th Division (ComStar)|66th Division]], all under the command of General Nondi Steiner, Katherine's Regent on Tharkad.<ref name=FCCW175176-1>''FedCom Civil War'', pp. 175–176: "Tharkad", roll call for allies and loyalists</ref> By the time the Rangers arrived, both sides had taken losses, with the Alarion Jaegers destroyed by the Kell Hounds and the Twenty-first Rim Worlds having been savaged by the Eleventh Arcturan.<ref name=FCCW176-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 176: "Tharkad", Alarion Jaegers and Twenty-first Rim Worlds are knocked out of the fight</ref> The task force was based at the [[The Nagelring|Nagelring]], where Peter Steiner-Davion held a meeting of the unit commanders, including von Frisch, on 19 January. Steiner-Davion made it clear that he was not pleased with the Fourth Skye Rangers, given their actions on Hesperus in support of Free Skye. He expressed the belief that the Fourth Rangers were on Tharkad to salvage Duke Robert Kelswa-Steiner's political position. Nevertheless, given the massive stakes of the coming battle, Steiner-Davion, in his bid to become Archon, could not decline the offer.<ref name=E202203-1>''Endgame'', pp. 202–203: Peter Steiner Davion addresses von Frisch and the presence of the Fourth Rangers</ref> The allies settled in, skirmishing with the loyalists over the next month and waiting for his great-aunt to make the first mistake.<ref name=FCCW176-2>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 176: "Tharkad", allies and loyalists settle in</ref><ref name=E204205-1>''Endgame'', pp. 204–205: Peter Steiner Davion decides to wait his aunt out</ref>

On 23 March, the Regent made her move, leading most of her units against the allies and engaging them at the Wash. The Fourth Rangers played a key role, using their specialty and leading the elite Eleventh Arcturan out of position as Linda McDonald attempted to hunt Albion down. This forced Nondi Steiner to commit her reserves, the [[Com Guards]], to prevent her flank from being exposed. Steiner-Davion exploited this, pressuring the Sixty-sixth and Twenty-fourth Lyran Guards until they were pushed back so far that the First Royal Guards were split in two. The loyalists were routed, with Peter and his allies taking a decided advantage.<ref name=FCCW176-3>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 176: "Tharkad", the battle of the Wash results in an allied victory</ref><ref name=E216-1>''Endgame'', p. 216: the Fourth Rangers lure the Eleventh away from the loyalist formation</ref><ref name=E215225-1>''Endgame'', pp. 215–225: Peter and the allies route Nondi's loyalists</ref> Four days later, the allies moved on Tharkad City, eventually emerging successful.<ref name=FCCW176177-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 176: "Tharkad", the battle of Tharkad City results in an allied victory</ref> Casualties to the Fourth Rangers were considered serious,<ref name=FCCW183-4SR-T-PSD-1>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 183: "Deployment Tables: Skye Rangers", the Fourth Skye Rangers RCT join Peter Steiner-Davion at Tharkad; take serious damage</ref> though they fared better than most allied units and certainly better than the loyalist forces.

After the war, the Fourth Rangers relocated back to Skye for rebuilding. Their rather odd actions during the conflict led to them being watched not only by the [[Lyran Intelligence Corps]] but by its fellow units in the Skye Rangers brigade, suspicious over their departure from Hesperus.<ref name=FMU173-4SR-S-3>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 173: "Skye Rangers: Fourth Skye Rangers RCT", the Fourth Rangers are watched by their fellow Skye Rangers</ref> By 1 August, the Fourth Rangers' 'Mech regiment was up to 55 percent strength, with 65 percent of those machines boasting advanced technology. Their aerospace and armored vehicle brigades were at similar levels. Their infantry brigades claimed only 35 percent strength. Yet all units of the RCT continued to merit an elite rating. Hauptmann General von Frisch retained command.<ref name=FMU177-4SR-1>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 177: "Lyran Alliance Armed Forces: Skye Province", Fourth Skye Rangers RCT based on Skye, current strength levels</ref>

== References ==
<references />

==Bibliography==
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* ''[[20 Year Update]]''
* ''[[Bred for War]]'' (novel)
* ''[[The Dying Time]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Endgame]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Era Report: 2750]]''
* ''[[Era Report: 3062]]''
* ''[[FedCom Civil War (sourcebook)|FedCom Civil War]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Lyran Alliance]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
* ''[[Historical: War of 3039]]''
* ''[[Objective Raids]]''
* ''[[Shattered Sphere]]''
{{div col end}}

[[Category:Lyran Commonwealth Characters|Frisch, William Harrison von]]