Author Topic: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)  (Read 57630 times)

The Purist

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The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« on: 14 April 2017, 08:27:52 »
Historical Background

Nearly 3000 kilometers northeast of Cienfuegos, along the eastern coast of New Delos' main northern continent, a roughly triangular range of mountains thrusts up from the sea floor. The main folds of these mountain ranges form three meandering well watered valleys that wind their way down to the sea. The Three Valleys are high enough in elevation and the latitude far enough north that the normal high humidity and tropical temperatures give way to a more temperate climate. The upper reaches of the valleys are the site of a number of small and medium sized ore mining operations, the middle reaches of the valley possess numerous farming communities that grow everything from cereal crops to fruit orchards and a few small wine growing operations. The lower ends of the valleys grow sugar cane with coastal villages extracting salt and harvesting some of the aquatic life. The below average soil quality is offset in the Three Valleys by plentiful rain, natural erosion, wide spread use of fertilizers and crop rotation.

It was in The Three Valleys in late May 3014 that the ruling families, knowing the population was divided in its support for the Captain-General Janos Marik and his brother Anton, the Duke of Procyon, had decided that should war come, the region would declare its neutrality under the Home Defence Act. The Three Valleys had never been a major industrial area, possessed no strategic targets of note and was not heavily populated, even by the standards of the 31st Century. In fact, it was all the village and town leaders could do to keep the young from leaving the valleys for greener pastures.

The leading families could muster fewer than 20 serviceable Battlemechs, mostly light Locust and Hermes, less than a handful of mediums and only a brace of heavy models. Traditionally the Three Valleys raised an oversized mechanised infantry regiment (14th New Delos Mechanised), reinforced by extra light and medium tanks, and a single battery of artillery. The only other military force was a typical militia regiment, one battalion to be raised raised from local volunteers from each of the valleys in the unlikely event of a truly desperate crisis.

When the crisis of 3014 broke on May 22nd it was decided to let those who supported the Duke of Procyon mobilize, take their weapons and supplies and march off to war. Those who could not support the rebellion or, considering New Delos' position, were wise enough to keep silent, were allowed to remain behind. That portion of 14th Regiment that did not mobilize (more than 50%) was stood down and in its place a provisional "Neutrality Patrol" force was created. It was from these forces over the course of "Anton's Revolt" that the mercenary command later known as the 1st Mechanised Brigade was founded. Initially forming a single reinforced mechanised infantry battalion, a mixed battalion of light and medium tanks with a motor infantry company and a provisional company of light and medium mechs, the force did not seem to warrant much attention. The Three Valleys would not lend aid to either side in the conflict but would provide non-military aid to those who sought it. The Three Valleys would also offer sanctuary to any who could cross over the borders into the region.

As the events of the revolt unfolded throughout 3014 the residents of The Three valleys soon found themselves hosting more and more "guests". The first arrivals were undoubtedly backers of Janos Marik, citizens of new Delos who could not remain where they were, or those who believed discretion was wiser than risking denunciation by neighbours. However, as time passed and news from the front grew more ominous, there were more and more supporters of the Duke of Procyon arriving in small groups and, later in large enough numbers that resources within The Three valleys began to become an issue. All who arrived, regardless of their politics, were relieved of any weapons and military kit before being dispersed around the valleys. When the end came for Anton Marik a number of fragments of his defeated units trailed their way up over the "Kicking Horse Pass" seeking to avoid the wrath of the victorious Captain-General and an equally vengeful Wolf's Dragoons.

By April 3015 The Three Valleys had problem.

[to be continued...]
« Last Edit: 10 September 2020, 09:52:40 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

The Purist

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The Accidental Mercenaries
« Reply #1 on: 14 April 2017, 10:08:30 »
As the treason trials got underway it took no small amount of negotiating by the Bedford family patriarch, Lord John Bedford, to avoid having to turn over known or suspected members of Anton Marik's rebellion that had sought refuge in the Three Valleys. More than a few of the Captain-General's supporters were put off by the series of threats directed at the Three Valleys despite their loyalty and the risks they took during the rebellion. After weeks of negotiation and at the expense of much of the families political capital earned by refusing to support Anton's rebellion, a compromise was reached. Sir John's third son, Richard Bedford, a Force Commander and commander of a tank company in the defunct 14th New Delos, would lead whatever forces that wanted to follow him, into voluntary exile, outside the Free Worlds League. Richard Bedford was the one who suggested that there was enough discarded military material and disarmed soldiers to put together a mercenary unit, even if it might be somewhat motely in its initial make up. The trouble would be how to fund it.

That issue was solved, in part, by selling or trading away much of the captured and interned military equipment that found its way into The Three Valleys during the recent war (and would not be needed by the new command). Interned members of Anton's forces were allowed to sign on, after careful vetting and on a strictly probationary basis, by giving back 25% of their pay for two years. Finally, Richard Bedford sold just about everything he owned except his manor house near the town of Three Valley Gap and the 20% share he owned in one of the local agricultural and mining equipment machine shops. As transportation was arranged to lift the nascent mercenary command off new Delos and out of the Free Worlds League the formation was sorted out, contracts of service finalized and an inventory of equipment completed, at least on paper, to form the unit's battalions and companies.

It was decided to shape the First Mechanised Brigade as a mixed combined-arms regiment as there was neither money nor captured mechs to do more. In many cases the equipment did not yet exist to fill out the units TO&E, quantities of which would have to arrive while on station or was still to be procured. Contacts with arms dealers were made and orders were placed while the unit's personnel and equipment were undertaking the three months journey to their temporary base on Lindenmarle, in the Magistracy of Canopus. A six month contract for garrison and cadre troops had been negotiated almost as the first drop ships were leaving The Three Valleys. The First Mechanised Brigade settled into its training routine using three battalions, one each of mechanised infantry, one of armour and a third consisting of two thirds light mechs and one third medium mechs. Each battalion was to possess a command lance, the first and second battalion's were a medium weight lance, while the third battalion had a full lance of heavy mechs. The regimental hq hosted a air mobile scout coy under the command of the regimental command lance, also of heavy mechs. Unfortunately, technical support was only at 75% of required needs and the regiment would need to hire local help for some time to come.

First Mechanised Brigade TO&E Sept 3015 - Lindenmarle, Magistracy of Canopus - Six Month Retainer, Garrison/Cadre Contract.


Regimental HQ - Commanding Officer - Brevet Col. Richard Bedford
Command Lance: Heavy - O/C Major Thomas Bedford.
Scout Company: three infantry platoons - O/C Major Thomas Burgh

1st Battalion (The Rifles), mechanised infantry, reinforced - CO Brevet Lt Col. John Talbot; Command Lance - medium (wt)
2nd Battalion (11th Hussars), light and medium armoured - CO Brevet Lt Col John Fastolf; Command Lance - medium (wt)
3rd Battalion (17th Lancers), battlemechs - CO Brevet Lt Col Thomas de Scales; Command Lance - heavy (wt)
1st Service Battalion (maintenance/supply) - CO Major John Ligny II

The regimental hq also contains a tactical hq vehicle (until a "Mobile HQ" can be located) and a light vehicle/infantry escort protects the headquarters staff. There is also a supply maintenance platoon to keep the HQ functioning.

Each battalion hq contains a 'Mobile Command Vehicle' that is the tactical hq vehicle with an escort of light armoured vehicles and hq guard section fulfilling the same role as the hq at the regimental level. The battalions also contains a maintenance/supply company (A Echelon) that draws supply from the regiment's service battalion. The fighting companies in the line battalions each contains a maintenance/supply platoon (B Echelon) that draws its stores from the battalion A Echelon.

<<Game Note: At the time of formation the Tac Hq Units are not deployed as actual units in combat and are not part of the SSBF/ACS stats. The same applies to the Service Battalion as well as the battalion and company echelons. Their role is the game is to check for command activation and supply status.>>

<<Abstract Combat System Stats will be posted later.>>
« Last Edit: 10 September 2020, 09:59:00 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

Daryk

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #2 on: 14 April 2017, 17:20:18 »
I love it!  I use Anton's revolt as character background at every opportunity! O0

snakespinner

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #3 on: 14 April 2017, 17:48:05 »
A lot of people like to start in the civil war period and it is always good.
I like your unit, the only problem I have is the command lances for the infantry and tanks.
Mechs? Wouldn't it be better to have APC's and IFV's for the infantry and higher value tanks for the Armoured.

But that is a minor issue, the unit should be fun to use on the battlefield. O0
I wish I could get a good grip on reality, then I would choke it.
Growing old is inevitable,
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Watching TrueToaster create evil genius, priceless...everything else is just sub-par.

The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #4 on: 15 April 2017, 05:43:54 »
A lot of people like to start in the civil war period and it is always good.
I like your unit, the only problem I have is the command lances for the infantry and tanks.
Mechs? Wouldn't it be better to have APC's and IFV's for the infantry and higher value tanks for the Armoured...

Possibly, however, the premise behind this regiment as planned by Col. Bedford, a serious student of history, is to have mech, tank and infantry work together to overcome the weaknesses of each particular arm. The intent of the command lances in the conventional battalions was to introduce mech pilots to issues faced by their tank and infantry comrades. The battalion commanders would command from their Tac HQs (which are  part of our command control rules), if only because "MHQ" mechs are something of a rarity in the late 3rd SW.

But more on this later.
« Last Edit: 15 April 2017, 12:42:03 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #5 on: 16 April 2017, 13:09:11 »
<<Game Note: The First Mechanised Brigade was the product of a campaign game first begun in the early 1990s, shelved in 1999 and reset in 2007 with a start date of 3010. Beside commanding a great House each player could form his own merc/pirate or House unit (most chose merc). Our game has trundled along for the past decade with three of the original nine players plus a couple of others who "drop in" on occasion to see what is happening and help out for a few turns before real world concerns pull them away again. Like any war game, as soon as the first unit moves or the first dice is thrown the "history" of the universe the game is set in immediately diverges. So you will see events that are definitely not 'canon' but lots of fun all the same.

The actual game has reached April 3019 where we are completing the rather massive conversion to ACS/ISaW from our old hybrid using Battleforce 2's Planetary Assault, the original Mercenary Manual's combat system and the OoB from the original House books. I'm taking the history of the brigade from old notes and game records dating back over the past six years. I hope you'll enjoy the evolution as much as I have had in managing this unit. I'll use the "Game Notes" to help explain certain "non-Canon" decisions made in our game as well as add some context to events.>>

December 3015 - Lindenmarle, Magistracy of Canopus

Three months into the garrison contract and six months since leaving New Delos the First Brigade was beginning to shape up into something resembling a combat force. The infantry battalion was complete and the arrival of more wheeled APCs now meant that two companies were fully mounted, while the third company had taken possession of the first arrivals of hover APCs. Colonel Bedford, along with Lt Col Talbot and Major Burgh were shaping the regiment so that each battalion or combat team had one company that could fill the role as a reconnaissance unit.

The 1st Battalion would maintain two "line companies" with the third company capable of performing the scouting role, form a reserve or rapidly moving flanking force for counterattack or to disrupt an enemy attack. Each of the other battalions would likewise have two line companies and a third company of fast moving hovercraft or the fastest mechs that could be obtained. Each company in the first battalion was composed of four platoons - one hybrid headquarters platoon and three line platoons. The headquarters platoon consisted of two 8 man squads (including the company commander and sergeant major) in APCs and two LRM APC variants. The three line platoons each had 30 men in four squads of seven men plus the platoon officer and senior NCO. The goal was to obtain as many SRM APCs as possible or convert the standard APCs as resources permitted.

This organisation meant that the battalion was significantly faster manoeuvering into a battle and the APCs lent additional fire support and tactical flexibility. Once dismounted the advantage would be lost but the APCs could provide fire support or be ready to get the infantry out of trouble if needed. While the increase in firepower was not significant the added mobility of the APCs meant the infantry was less vulnerable in open terrain and permitted the squads and platoons to carry more kit. Each squad was now able transport additional V-LAW and LAW rockets, with which the platoons practiced vigorously in anti-armour and anti-mech tactics. It was intended that the combination of APC SRMs, the infantry squad versions (where available) and the lighter infantry rockets would be enough to give pause to an enemy force and deter them from getting into dangerously close range.

ACS Combat Team and Battalion Values
:

Experience level: Regular

Battalion Command Lance (reinforces one company): Sz:2; Mov:5; TMM:2; Arm:13; Sh:4; Md:4; Lg:2 (IF1)

A Coy - Sz:1; Mov:6; Trans: 6w; TMM:2; Arm:7; Sh:2; Md:1; Lg:0
B Coy - Sz:1; Mov:6; Trans: 6w; TMM:2; Arm:7; Sh:2; Md:1; Lg:0
C Coy - Sz:1; Mov:10; Trans: 10h; TMM:4; Arm:5; Sh:2; Md:1; Lg:0 (Spec: RCN)

Assuming the Battalion Mech lance reinforce  A or B Coy the Battalion ACS stats read as:

1st Battalion (The Rifles), 1st Mechanised Brigade:

Sz: 1; Mov: 7; Trans: 7w; TMM: 3; Arm: 24; Sh: 7; Md: 5; Lg: 1

<<Game Note: We always thought the one mech, one vehicle but one infantry platoon scale 'felt' wrong so we adjusted things down to the one, mech, one vehicle, one squad scale. It didn't make much difference as we used 4 vehicles and one infantry platoon in a hybrid lance in BF2. With the coming of the Mercenary and Kurita Combat manuals, the infantry squads made their appearance with their individual vehicles so squads can now be carried and deployed in their specific vehicles. And we still haven't noticed much impact on the game (talking AS, BF, SBF and so on).>>
« Last Edit: 13 December 2017, 08:19:31 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

The Purist

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1st Mechanised Brigade (The Ram's Head)
« Reply #6 on: 19 April 2017, 13:43:04 »
February 3016 - First Combat: Testing Tactics

In the second week of February 3016 the MAF's garrison commander advised Colonel Bedford that an attacking force was in the last few days of its burn from the star's nadir point. While the objective of the attackers could not be discerned at the time the normal pattern for pirate raids were to hit food stores, the planet's light industries, including munitions plants, and stock piles of minerals. Since the planet's garrison was too small to cover all potential targets it was decided to cover the capital, its light industry and the space port.

The Marian Hegemony had developed a penchant for raiding the Magistracy and this attack seemed it would be similar to others. The enemy force landed south and east of the capital and began moving in on the space port and industrial sector. It was soon discovered that the Marian forces had landed a mixed light regiment of mechs and tanks south of the city and another similar sized force of mechs and motor infantry to the east supported by a squadron of light aero space fighters. The First Mechanised Brigade deployed into one reconnaissance group and three task forces to meet the attackers in the mixed terrain south of the city.

The hovercraft mounted infantry from the 1st Battalion were paired with the hover tank company from 2nd battalion and given two lances of the regiments fastest light mechs (Hermes, Locusts, and Jenners) and tasked with scouting out the enemy approaching from the south and to harass their advance as much as possible. The remainder of the tanks and infantry were paired into two demi-battalions that took up positions amongst a series of low hills mixed with stands of woods and grassland used for grazing. In reserve, waiting to see where the main enemy attack might fall, was the bulk of the 3rd Battalion (17th Lancers), primarily a light mech force back by four lances of mediums and a command lance of heavy mechs. The regimental HQ and command lance was held close by while the regiments jump infantry scouts screened the flanks and provided spotters for the newly arrived artillery battery.

The enemy pressed hard on their objectives, possessing more over all weight but fewer numbers than the First Mechanised Brigade. The light hovercraft forces did what they could to delay the advance but could do little more than dash into long range for their weapons, salvo at the enemy and then pull away again before the heavier opposing Mechs found their range. The light Mechs scored some hits but they tended to separate themselves too often from their tank and infantry consorts and took some punishment for their indiscretion. A Jenner and two Locusts came away from the encounter so badly damaged they had to withdraw from the fight. One hover APC and its infantry squad were destroyed by a direct hit from a PPC while two Scimitars were crippled and had to be abandoned. As the enemy force pressed into the hills the Brigade's light forces pulled away to observe and report on the Marian advance.

The main engagement followed soon after as the 17th Lancers moved out to engage the Marian Mechs and tanks. The two mixed tank infantry demi-battalions tried to work around the flanks of the Marian forces while the regiment's Mechs advanced against the enemy's centre. Overhead the first rounds of artillery rumbled across the sky to burst behind the enemy APCs pulling up the rear.

The battle soon became one of manoeuvre as both sides sought to slip past or push through the other's formations and gain a position of advantage. After more than a century of conflict, combat in the 3rd Succession War could as often as not be decided by manoeuvre rather than by the outright destruction of enemy formations. The Marian force's weight advantage scored numerous times but the numerically superior and quicker mercenaries kept them from being able to disengage and make for their objectives. After three attempts to push through, the Marian raiders realized they could not break their opponent's front or get around their flanks. Without warning they began pulling back covered by their aerospace fighters, the presence of which forced the lighter mechs of the First Brigade to keep their distance. As the attackers moved back into the more open country the brigade's hovercraft re-entered the battle and hit the rear of the Marion forces, which, not being as well protected in the retreat as the advance, soon began to suffer badly. As the Marian Mechs tried to shift to support their lighter forces they weakened their centre facing the brigade's Mechs, allowing the mercenary medium and heavies the opportunity to finally get truly stuck in.

The Marian formation began to come apart as losses mounted. Unfortunately, the relative inexperience of the First Mechanised Brigade also told as unit formations became ragged, sub-units failing to cover gaps, allowing the enemy to start slipping through. The opportunity to encircle the Marian force was lost and the remaining force made a hasty retreat back towards their dropships. An attempt to end run the retreat with a hastily reformed light mech and hovercraft force failed to strike home and the Marion raiders escaped.

Total losses for the First Mechanised Brigade amounted to seven squads of infantry badly shot up, five APCs, six tanks and five Mechs shot so full of holes they were good only for salvage. A similar number of tanks and mechs were also badly damaged and would need many hours of expensive repair. On the plus side the Marian force left four light, three medium and single heavy mech behind that could be salvaged and abandoned more than dozen heavy and medium tanks plus a number of APCs and soft skin vehicles. The payments for the salvage would come in handy to help replace losses and hard cash would permit the purchase of what the Brigade required rather than what could be scrounged. There was also enough captured supplies to help offset at least some of the cost of the battle. Prisoner interrogation soon discovered that the Marion forces were not aware the First Mechanised Brigade was on planet and expected to easily handle the two infantry regiments and two tank battalions of the regular garrison. Prisoners also meant ransom directly back to their nation or being "sold" to the Magistracy for later prisoner exchanges. Either way it meant more cash.

In the days and weeks that followed the battle, with the clock running down on the brigade's first contract, debriefings and "lessons learned" sessions brought to light a number of deficiencies in the brigade's performance. Tank and infantry cooperation was considered adequate but the APC commanders needed to stick closer to their infantry in order to recover the dismounted troops so they could keep up with the tanks and mechs. At the same time it was noticed that the SRM APCs did much better, actually helping to protect both infantry and tanks by virtue of their additional punch. It was decided to accelerate the conversion of as many APCs to SRM variants as resources and time allowed.

On the other hand, mech cooperation with their tank and infantry comrades left something to be desired. As powerful as Mechs are on the battlefield they cannot fight alone when the enemy mechs are supported by their own tanks and infantry. The Marian Mechs struck out when the opportunity presented itself but as soon as the advantage in doing so decreased they moved smoothly back into the supporting range of their Vedette, Bulldog and Manticore cover fire. The brigade's mechs showed a habit of becoming fixated on their current engagement and did not seem "situationally aware" enough to know when to pull back. 

All in all, the over all performance was good, losses within acceptable limits, morale was high and the noted problems could all be sorted out with more training and more experience. New kit had arrived from previous purchases and new faces joined the lances and platoons. As the brigade was packing up in late March to move on to new opportunities word came down of the awarding of new, short term, high paying, but high risk, contract with the magistracy.

Rumours ran rampant.

« Last Edit: 25 January 2020, 16:36:59 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Ram's Head)
« Reply #7 on: 23 April 2017, 12:27:19 »
The Third Succession War Campaign, Jan 3010-Dec 3011

The campaign game that began in Jan 3010 using the OoB from 3025, tweaked for what we knew of actual unit locations, opened with all sides moving units about in preparation for their main attacks. Few regiments and commands were full strength and units could seldom count on more than 10-12% in replacements and repairs per month. The attacks did not begin until May 3010 when the Draconis Combine, Lyran Commonwealth and Federated Suns all launched offensives. The Free Worlds League sat back on the defensive launching a few raids only to be jumped by the Lyrans while the Capellan Confederation looked for weakness on either front. Between 3010 and late 3012 planets on all fronts had changed hands except one - the FWL/LC front. Here the Lyrans had struck hard and broke through between Tamarind and the Periphery border, capturing eight systems while in the centre three more fell. Sensing blood, the Capellans jumped the FWL from behind and quickly took five systems. Of the five houses the FWL looked to be in the most trouble.


*****

Lindenmarle - end of March, 3016

The new contract just signed with the Magistracy military promised to reap great rewards for the First Mechanised Brigade if everything went to plan - if.

The brigade was tasked with supporting an MAF anti-pirate sweep in the unclaimed space between the Magistracy, Taurian Concordat and the Capellan Confederation. A number of worlds had "gone dark" since the end of the Star League but a number of them were still functioning and able to support clandestine bases. The Magistracy had been suffering for the past eight months from a number of repeated, highly organised raids varying from companies and battalions all the way up multi-regiment attacks. This had all the hallmarks of something more than just piracy and the Magistracy had spent four months scouting a host of systems and they believed they had found one of those "pirate" bases. Whether these were true pirates, pirates supported by a foreign government or perhaps even a Comstar operation to destabilize the sector was unknown but the Canopians wanted answers. Scouts had located suspicious activity near the Capellan border toward New Roland and it was decided to investigate 'with authority'.

The First Canopian Cuirassiers with a regiment of armour, one of infantry, two companies of artillery and two aerospace wings were going to execute a sweep from Early Dawn 'clockwise' along Free World's Leagues border to the suspected base location opposite the Capellan border near New Roland. At each arrival, while the jump ships recharged, fast assault drop ships would carry out high speed burns to scout the system deploying aerospace fighters to take a closer look at any asteroids or usable moons or planets. Following the fighter sweeps the force would jump to the next system.

Departing from Dainmar Majoris a similar force led by the First Canopian Light Horse would sweep anti-clockwise, making a courtesy call at Detroit before turning 'inward', and making for the Capellan border near Repulse. If nothing untoward was found then this command would move on to meet up with the Cuirassiers as they wheeled back towards Canopian space.

The First Mechanised Brigade would reinforce the Canopian Cuirassiers, secure the landing zones and then aggressively patrol the perimeter while the Canopians dealt with any pirate base. The contract was for three months, with an option to extend it monthly afterward. The contract offered nearly 20,000 C Bills per squad per month with a combat bonus of 5,000 C Bills per squad per month if they saw action. However, pay would not start until arriving at the jump off point at Early Dawn. Salvage rights were to be 'Payment in Kind', which meant cash for captured kit and supplies, usually at a respectable rate. The brigade carried its own supplies and could maintain itself for three months along with an additional four combat loads in case of heavy action (enough supplies for four weeks of sustained combat). Spares were adequate but tech support was still an issue and the balance was made up from Canopian support. The only downside was that combat transport had to be provided by the Canopians as the brigade lacked its own lift capabilities and civilian carriers were not fond of prolonged exposure in combat zones, much less in known pirate operations areas. While the fees were to be greatly discounted the idea of not having control over drop ships was a nagging concern.

Departing from Lindenmarle in early April the brigade made four jumps to Early Dawn where the troops had only a few days on the ground to rest from the voyage before setting off again to the target. New intelligence had come in since departing Lindenmarle and it now appeared that the destination had the potential for heavy combat. The last reconnaissance operation jumped into the system at a pirate point and was able to count perhaps two wings of aerospace fighters plus at least a squadron of assault drop ships around a planet that could sustain life and had clearly been colonised in the past. Everything certainly looked like this was more than just a well organised band of pirates. The Canopians added an additional fighter wing and an assault jump ship squadron to their force and the entire fleet jumped out of the system late in the first week of May 3016.
« Last Edit: 12 December 2020, 13:11:49 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

snakespinner

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #8 on: 24 April 2017, 02:26:28 »
2 fighter wings and an assault DS squadron.
That has all the makings of an inner sphere invasion force.
That is going to be a very intense battle. O0
I wish I could get a good grip on reality, then I would choke it.
Growing old is inevitable,
Growing up is optional.
Watching TrueToaster create evil genius, priceless...everything else is just sub-par.

The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #9 on: 04 May 2017, 12:22:54 »
<<Game Note: This battle within a battle is one reason why it never hurts to approach the GM with an idea for something "outside the box". We were just learning the new Battleforce rules from SO, especially the air-to-ground rules, when I asked to conduct the operation in advance of the attack that would be played out by BF2s Planetary Assault rules along with the campaign system in the original Mercenary Hand Book. The pirate players didn't see it coming and didn't leave any serious forces behind when he sent his A/S fighters and drops ships to intercept the incoming Canopians.

This was fun,... and no one left bases undefended again.>>

May 29th, 3016 - Nadir Jump Point: System “Sierra Papa 3624”

Moments after the jump cycle had completed Admiral Seymour was moving to the comm station to send out the order for the fleet to deploy and prepare for a series of one point five gee burns for the next 24 hours, dropping to one gee for a specified period before boosting again to one point five. It would be somewhat uncomfortable for the crews and passengers of the assault force but it was imperative to close on the planet as quickly as possible and hopefully throw off any interceptor’s calculations.

“Commander, get the two scout dropships a half day between us and the Zenith point. I want to know if anything is headed our way as we burn toward the planet.”

Turning to the flagship’s Captain she gave the deployment order. “Ok, Captain. Assault ships with their fighters out in front, then the troop ships and their escorts and then then supply ships pulling up the rear. I doubt anyone will miss our arrival but I want to be well on our way before they sort out what is going on.”

As the command crew bent to their tasks Admiral Seymour returned to her chair, her thoughts turning to small flotilla that arrived the day before at the pirate jump point two and half days from the planet.

“Ok, ‘Top Hat’, see if you can ruffle some feathers on the plump turkey before we arrive.”

June 2nd, 3016 - Nine hours from orbital insertion “Objective Planet SP-3624”

Operation “Top Hat” consisted of two Scout Class jump ships, chosen for their small jump signatures, carrying two Leopard class drop ships into striking distance of the planet. Aboard the first was a medium battle lance and two Thunderbird fighters. The other, a Leopard CV, carried two venerable MM-2 Dragonfly, two TR-7 Thrush and two more Thunderbird D36 heavy fighters. The two Scouts arrived in system via a pirate jump point less than three days from the planet and would use the moon as cover for as long as it was in the line of sight path as they closed slowly on the planet.  Their job was to slip into the atmosphere and hit what reconnaissance believed to be the only thing approaching a star port on the target planet.

Commander Phillip van der Hague noted the weightlessness return as 'Firedrake's' drive cut out and the ship rotated its nose towards the planet. Five hundred meters to port and slightly behind came 'Hurricane' the second ship in the small flotilla. Both ships had completed their burn to within a few hours of the atmosphere from the night side of the planet while their target was passing through the morning sun. If they timed this right they would enter the atmosphere and strike the target thirty minutes before sunset, coming out of the darkening sky to the east. In the meantime they would coast forward as long they could, using thrusters for minor course corrections and attitude adjustments.

June 2nd, 3016 - three hours from orbital insertion “Objective Planet SP-3624”

"It's confirmed, sir." Stated the communications officer. "Eleven drop ships, I can't confirm the types this far out, and twenty-five plus aerospace fighters have formed up near the south pole. They appear to be oriented toward the sun. They are probably planning to intercept the fleet. Admiral Seymour should be six to eight hours out at this point."

"How's our approach?" asked Commander Hague

"They don't seem to have seen us, sir. If they boost even a little way towards the fleet we should have a clear run at the target with no real hope for them to intercept us."

Twenty-two minutes later the communication officer reported the dropships had just engaged their drives and were burning toward the incoming fleet at nearly two gees. Commander Hague smiled to himself as he gave the order to engage the drives to give the fighter pilots and mech drivers some gravity in the final approach before going into battle.

June 2nd, 3016 - 1930 hours, Xiàozhǎng Base

The Xiàozhǎng ground base was part airfield and part small starport. The ferrocrete runway was brand new and only in operation for a few days, heavy equipment and construction spoil were still in place along its length. To the south was small landing pad for spheroid dropships large enough for three or four craft, was holding two Mules this evening. There were four new reinforced hangars completed and six more planned, their place currently occupied by revetments for two squadrons. The perimeter held fuel and munitions bunkers while a control tower and a ground based early warning center dominated the center of the field. Unfortunately for the defenders the fixed defences formed by two flak towers had not yet become operational.

The first any one at the base knew of trouble was when the first pair of Thunderbird heavy fighters rocketed over the field only meters above the ground, their laser's, LRMs and bombs destroying the control tower and early warning facilities. Before the shock could properly register the second pair of Thunderbirds hit the nearest hangers, destroying both and the helicopters sitting inside. Next came the two Dragonfly light fighters which targeted what appeared to be maintenance and warehouse buildings. The two Leopards came in last, making for the landing pads, which were now stirring to life. Before the crews or ground staff could do much, however, both Leopards poured their full weight of PPC, Laser and LRM fire into the two Mules, leaving both tilted and burning amongst bright orange flames and pillars of black smoke.

While the fighters came around for another pass the Leopards circled, the mech carrier lowering its landing gear and heading for the runway. What resistance there might have been faded away as the grounded Leopard discharged two heavy and two medium mechs, which immediately set about blasting what remained of military value on the base and began searching for evidence of who was supporting the "pirates" using this planet. It was then that the fighters watching  from above spotted trouble - enemy reinforcements were closing on the base.

It was the two Thrush 7 light fighters, called down from providing top cover, who spotted a mixed company of enemy Mechs charging towards the base. A quick sighting report let the strike commander know he had eight to ten minutes before he had a dozen mechs in his lap. With that the two Thrush fighters began an attack run that left two mechs badly damaged for the loss of a Thrush, batted from the sky by the combined fire of four nearby medium Mechs. As the Thunderbirds joined the attack the four Canopian Mechs collected what evidence they could and darted back to their Leopard, waiting at the end of the runway, powered up and ready for a fast take off.

Harried by the aerospace fighters the mech company was slowed and took serious damage by repeated attacks from the remaining seven fighters. A total of three mechs were destroyed with seven more battered while three more of the attacking fighters took significant hits, two limping away but still able to make orbit. Once clear of the combat zone all the attackers made for orbit, recovered to their carriers and burned away from the planet. If the naval battle went well they would receive word to join the ground forces on the planet and join the operation.

What they didn't know at the time was that the base they had destroyed was the main depot for pirate forces and their allies. The ammunition they torched accounted for nearly half of that available for the defenders. When word came of the fleet's victory the enemy aerospace force had only two small subsidiary fields to use but lacked in spare parts and ammunition for the coming ground battle, reducing their usefulness to a mere harassment force.

Top Hat could be counted an clear victory for the Canopians. 
« Last Edit: 07 February 2021, 13:13:59 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

Daryk

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #10 on: 04 May 2017, 17:21:45 »
Well played!  I hope that Thrush pilot was able to evade and escape until the ground forces arrived...

The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #11 on: 31 May 2017, 12:46:40 »
Sadly, no. The Thrush was literally blown apart by the nearby mechs as it passed over its target. There was no opportunity for ejection. The lesson learned here from the SO a/s rules was to try and vector in attacks from more oblique angles and, if possible, split enemy fire by having a wingman come in from a different angle or very close behind and 'off-set' to one side or another. I suppose the Thrush flight could have waited a couple of turns and made higher altitude passes with bombs until the Thunderbirds arrived before dropping low for the strafing runs. It was our first official run-through of the SO rules so,... live (and die) and learn.

Besides, these were 'House' fighters,....my lads in the 1st Mech Brigades were only dreaming of their own A/S assets in 3016. I'll post the results of the three week battle for SP-3624 this weekend to move the history closer to the current 3019 date.

Cheers.
« Last Edit: 31 May 2017, 12:54:16 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

Daryk

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #12 on: 31 May 2017, 17:12:25 »
Well, the OTHER Thrush pilot lived and (hopefully) learned, at least...

The Purist

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The First Mechanised Brigade (The Ram's Head)
« Reply #13 on: 05 June 2017, 11:02:43 »
Planet SP-3624, 03 – 09 Jun 3016

Manoeuvre vs Firepower - The Battle for SP-3624

1st Mechanised Brigade Deployment:

Brigade HQ + Reserve:
Bde Tac HQ (Mixed - )
13th Commando (Air Mobile Inf, VTOL)

TF Alpha:
A Coy, 17th Lancers (Med BM+)
B Coy, 17th Lancers (Lt BM)
A Sqdn, 11th Hussars (Hvy CV+, Trk)

TF Bravo:
A Coy, 1st Rifles (Mech Inf+, Whl)
B Coy, 1st Rifles (Mech Inf+, Whl)
B Sqdn, 11th Hussars (Lt CV+, Trk)

TF Romeo (Recce):
C Coy, 1st Rifles (Mech Inf+, Hov)
C Sqd, 11th Hussars (Lt CV+, Hov)
C Coy, 17th Lancers (Lt BM+)

Arty Command:
A Coy, 1st Horse Arty (SP Art, Trk)
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Part I: Advance to Contact

While Operation Top Hat had struck the pirate force’s main base hard for little loss the naval battle that followed seven hours away in space was a bloody affair. The Canopian forces had a decided advantage in numbers but the majority of their aerospace fighters were lighter models that suffered at the hands of the heavier pirate, and newly identified Capellan, defenders. The lighter Canopian fighters took advantage of their superior maneuverability to tie down their larger more clumsy opponents in dogfights until heavier fighters or assault dropships could come to their aid. In this they largely succeeded as the enemy fighters could rarely shake off their opponents long enough to close on the transports or other softer targets without taking damage from the lighter Canopian craft which gained a significant position of advantage. However, whenever the lighter Canopian fighters had to press their attacks to protect the troops ships they inevitably suffered for their efforts. By the time the remaining Capellan fighters and dropships withdrew, the true pirate aerospace elements being all but destroyed, both sides had suffered serious losses and damage.
 
The Canopians could proceed with their landings with the confidence that their hard won aerospace superiority would give them command of any planethead as well as hold some aerospace assets for supporting their ground forces. Though tempted to change the drop zones to include the now crippled spaceport the landings went ahead as planned and the forces grounded some six hours away in open plains that accessed the regions water and road infrastructure. The Canopian Command did decide to change the location for the planethead to the spaceport and ordered a delay in landing all but essential supplies until the spaceport had been secured. The supply dropships would remain in orbit with a strong aerospace escort until that time. Colonel Bedford smiled to himself, now knowing that the decision (and expense) to outfit each company with its own ‘B Echelon’ support lance and each battalion with its own supply column (A Echelon) was fully justified. It meant his companies had at least one complete combat reload (with some additional spare capacity) close at hand. Each battalion also had a mixed company of munitions carriers, recovery vehicles, medics, and fuel or coolant vehicles that could keep the battalion in the fight for two or three days, perhaps longer.

The 1st Mechanised Brigade was tasked with securing the new objective and establishing the defensive perimeter, for which they would be assigned an additional motorised infantry battalion and company of medium tanks from the main force once unloaded. The enemy had their own ideas about the use of the base and a number of skirmishes broke out between the pirate ground forces, identified as ‘Grendel’s Revenge’ and the 1st Mechanised Brigade’s march columns. The pirate scouts seemed intent on drawing the the lead elements of the brigade to the southeast but Lt Colonel Talbot refused to take the bait and kept his troops on task. As air reconnaissance reports came in it soon became clear that the enemy was beginning to concentrate his forces into regimental groups as they converged on the landing zone with others moving towards the spaceport.

The 1st Mechanised Brigade formed four columns as they advanced northeast towards the spaceport along what passed as the local ‘highway’ (an old but serviceable paved road) and the smaller country roads that ran on each side. The reconnaissance and screening force was formed around the headquarters of the 1st Rifles' battalion HQ lance composed of the faster medium mechs, infantry in hover APCs, light hover tanks, and the regiments fastest light mechs (mainly Locusts, Hermes and Jenners). While the hovercraft formed two mixed companies on the wings the fast light mechs manned the centre of the axis of advance closely followed by the battalion HQ lance.

The second column was composed of TF Alpha moving along three roads behind the reconnaissance screen. The third column was composed of TF Bravo, likewise using three roads to avoid congestion on the main highway. Pulling up the rear but trailing somewhat behind was the Brigade HQ, the Artillery Command and air mobile scout company. The slow advance of the guns was improved somewhat by ensuring they made use of the road while the heavy mechs of Brigade’s command lance provided a close ground escort. With two Archers, a Rifleman and Marauder the column was well protected from any probe that might try to take advantage of the guns vulnerability in march column. Above four Karnovs, carrying the scout infantry, zig-zagged above the flanks and rear of the ponderous column. Finally, higher up and in front of the advance a squadron of Canopian aerospace fighters flew top cover, adding their eyes and sensors to the task of spotting trouble before it got too close.

Twenty kilometers from the spaceport the ‘advance to contact’ changed from skirmishes between recce forces to a meeting engagement between advancing pirate and mercenary forces. Grendel's Revenge had come out to force the battle and prevent the 1st Mechanised Brigade from reaching the spaceport.

<<To be continued>>     
« Last Edit: 25 January 2020, 17:01:33 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #14 on: 06 June 2017, 12:33:09 »
<<Game Note: In keeping with the 'style' of warfare and thin resources for replacements in the 3rd SW we placed a premium on manoeuvre in order to convince our opponents to accept retreat with minimal casualties wherever possible. Once one side had had enough and wish to declare they wished to break off they were usually allowed to retreat - usually. This "Operational' level of combat was handled with the regular game maps representing larger areas than regular BT or BF2 action (about 250 meters per hex). The old mercenary handbook had a very clever campaign system for resolving battles for unit sizes from lances to multi-regiment slugfests with rules for both a manoeuvre phase and a combat phase. For campaign game level actions the Planetary Assault rules from BF2 also fit the bill. We adopted a four week per "active" month turn system, monthly turns in quiet times. The bookkeeping involved in translating the losses to individual BF elements was time consuming but only really necessary for our personal units or favourite house regiments. Until Interstellar Operations fell into our hands in early 2016 we had been using these two systems that got us to early 3017 in our general campaign game. IO introduced us to SBF, SSBF and ACS for use with ISaW. Campaign Operations nicely topped the cake with a juicy cherry with unit tables and solar system rules. This campaign on SP-3624 were the last battles fought by my merc regiment before the slow change over to SSBF-ACS/ISaW but the emphasis on manoeuvre is still noticeable.>>

Planet SP-3624, 03 – 09 Jun 3016 (Part II)

Just as TF Romeo was deploying to begin to envelop the sixth roadblock encountered since sunrise a fresh contact report came in to Lt Colonel Talbot’s command vehicle. Team 2 on his left called in a contact identifying a large force advancing from the north that counted approximately 30 mechs with supporting tanks in attendance. The advancing contact was thought to be a reinforced battalion with most Mechs scanning out to be medium weight with a leavening of heavies. In any case it was far more than a task force of hover tanks and light mechs could handle considering he was facing another short company of recce troops to his front. It was time to switch from a reconnaissance mission to one of screening and reporting.

Immediately ordering his left wing to withdraw south he also had the light mech company conform and swing their left flank back to the west and southwest south of the main paved road. The mixed hover tank and infantry of his right wing would anchor that flank on a large farm 500 meters south of the highway. Perhaps he could draw the enemy reinforcements south so TF Alpha could take them in the flank as it hurried forward. Whoever these pirates where, they were acting with more discipline than was normal for a unit of their ilk.

Nine kilometers behind the roadblock Colonel Bedford noted the contact report and watched as his staff updated the computers and punched up the data feed with fresh information. His immediate orders were for TF Alpha to swing north and then east to engage the enemy from the west and open the road for TF Bravo, to be accompanied by the Brigade’s heavy command lance, to advance up the highway with their wheeled vehicles at best speed. Looking at the plumes of dust being raised by the march columns made any hope of surprising the enemy vanishingly slim but if both task forces could engage swiftly they may be able to overwhelm this force and do some serious damage to the enemy position on the planet. Thirteen Commando would continue to shepherd the artillery train forward as there did not seem need, or time, to deploy the guns to support the coming engagement. As his regiment began to deploy from march columns to combat formations he radioed his air liaison to order the supporting Cheetah light fighters to engage the enemy.

The battle that followed was not an equal fight and the pirate battalion sacrificed a number of its lances in a fighting retreat for more than thirty minutes before breaking contact to the north. The stiff resistance did not go unnoticed and added more questions to Bedford’s growing list. These were either very unusual pirates indeed, or their boss was promised great rewards for putting his force in harms’ way in such a manner. Either way, Grendel’s Revenge were no slouches when it came to combat. Bedford briefly considered giving pursuit but reminded himself his objective was the spaceport and his job was to take and hold the planethead. Pirate hunting was officially the client’s job and was left to the Canopians. Bedford also knew the Canopians were reporting growing resistance as they advanced behind the Brigade to the west and northwest and the need for supplies and spares would soon become critical. As Grendel’s Revenge withdrew they left eleven medium and two heavy Mechs along with seven heavy tanks behind them (an SRM carrier, 5 Bulldogs and a Manticore). Numerous other mechs and tanks were also sporting various degrees of damage. In return, the 1st Mechanised Brigade lost two Scorpion light and a Vedette medium tank destroyed with three Manticore’s crippled. Two Hunchback’s and a Centurion medium Mech were crippled with a Rifleman, Marauder, Trebuchet and two Shadowhawks badly damaged. Thankfully, this time, the infantry companies were only lightly engaged and came away from the fight with little damage except for about a dozen wounded and two APCs knocked out (both recoverable).

Even before the battle was decided the enemy’s light forces at the roadblock had withdrawn to the northeast. Noticing the retreat Talbot began disengaging his own recce force and lance by lance wheeled around behind his skirmish line, reforming to the east. The first to push on to the northeast towards the spaceport were the hover tanks and infantry from Team 2. Closely behind them were Team 3 followed within minutes by Team 1 and their light Mechs. As they took up the pursuit the enemy light mechs and hover craft drew away to the north instead of continuing to follow the highway. The path to the spaceport looked open and after a brief conference with Colonel Bedford, Talbot’s command was racing towards the objective at nearly one hundred kilometers per hour. The Karnovs of 13 Commando whistled overhead headed in the same direction to add some additional firepower should there be anyone still defending the spaceport.

To the rear the techs and recovery vehicles of the Brigade’s echelon troops began to move about the wreckage on the battlefield while medics began collecting the wounded and tagging the dead. Prisoners were corralled and two sections of infantry left to guard them and secure the aid station set up to wait for the better equipped Canopians to arrive. The prisoners and captured kit were clearly from Grendel’s Revenge but one badly wounded officer, by the nature of his uniform and kit, was no pirate. An examination of his papers soon told the story – a captain in “Kincade’s Renegades”. Obviously a liaison officer but more importantly the discovery of Liao regulars of the Tikonov Reserves on a planet in the periphery was no mean bit of news and the information was quickly passed up the chain of command.

The salvage was quickly catalogued, collected and reported to the Canopian liaison officer to ensure there were no irregularities. Colonel Bedford had made it clear that all salvage terms were to be strictly adhered to ensure no excuse was given to reduce the generous payout agreed to by accepting ‘payment-in-kind’. That there would some pilfering was an unspoken reality of the mercenary business. With the administrative details taken care of, a security force detached to protect the techs and their equipment and a flank guard thrown out to the north the 1st Mechanised Brigade resumed its road march to the spaceport.

« Last Edit: 25 January 2020, 17:15:12 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #15 on: 07 June 2017, 12:53:20 »
Planet SP-3624 Finale - June-July 3016

When the lead units arrived at the ruined space port on the late afternoon of June 3rd it did not take long for them to take possession of the base and take stock of the destruction created by the previous evening's air raid. The ground facilities were largely ruined along with all but one of the warehouses and maintenance shops. The fuel bunkers were completely destroyed save for a cache of conventional petroleum and only one ammunition bunker had not been turned into a crater. As before the captured fuel and ammunition was catalogued as were various spare parts found in the remaining heavily damaged storage buildings. One unexpected discovery was that most of bodies found in the wreckage did not appear to be from either the pirate battalion or their Capellan allies. It was soon discovered that they were locals hired to do the construction work under the supervision of the Capellans. The bodies were turned over to a delegation from the nearby town for burial.

It took the 1st Mechanised brigade most of the night to concentrate at the spaceport but once the perimeter was secured the port was declared open and the first dropships were setting down by the afternoon of June 4th. The arrival of the Canopian motor infantry battalion on June 5th gave the defence some depth and the troops set about creating a number of bunkers and strongpoints around the base. Debris was cleared away and the Canopian techs began dismantling the wrecked dropships in order to clear the landing pad. By the 10th of June the defence was organised and the job of the Brigade was largely done. Unfortunately, the Canopians were also learning that the Capellan regiments were not going to be easily rounded up or compelled to leave the planet just yet.

The 1st Canopian Cuirassiers and their supporting regiments were extremely short in light Mechs or combat vehicles that could conduct dedicated reconnaissance work. Of nearly 10 battalions on the planet only one light tank battalion could be tasked for reconnaissance. On the other hand, Kincade's Renegades, though possessing only two Mech battalions, one of these was made up of light Mechs while the reinforced armoured regiment that supported them also had a light battalion with plentiful reconnaissance assets. Grendel's Revenge, though mauled was still thought to possess a mixed battalion and had gone to ground, likely in the wooden hills to north and northeast of the spaceport.

For the next two weeks the Canopians engaged in a frustrating game of cat and mouse with the Capellans, attempts to pin them down for stand up fight repeatedly frustrated by the lighter Capellan forces making use of their speed to avoid a fight. Losses were traded but the Canopians were coming away form most encounters the worse off as attrition slowly wrote down both forces. In the last week of June the situation was made more complicated when a Capellan dropship force arrived at a pirate point and make a high speed run to get past the Canopian blockade and drop the St Cyr Armoured Grenadiers on the planet along with some badly needed supplies. This reinforcement cost the Capellans most of their remaining aerospace fighter who were forced into the air to help break the blockade.

The Canopian command was not unduly concerned about the arrival of the Armoured Grenadiers. The force was quickly identified as little more than another battalion of mechs and the single Mule that accompanied the mech battalion could not possibly bring in enough supplies to replace what had been lost or expended. Capellan Mechs were already reduced firing only energy weapons, making use of autocannon and missiles only in extremis. The Canopians also knew the 1st Light Horse was to arrive in a matter of days or a week with plentiful supplies and three more full regiments, a number of their constituent battalions being suited to reconnaissance work. In the meantime, Admiral Seymour and General Fletcher asked Colonel Bedford for the use of his reconnaissance task force until the reinforcements arrived. Bedford agreed once he had confirmed what was needed and that this tasking triggered the bonus pay for combat service.

Lt Colonel Talbot's light task force spent the next three weeks attached to the Canopian brigade and was able to help them slowly pin and grind down the Capellan force. What little hope the Capellans had of holding out for much longer vanished on July 10th when the first dropships of the Canopian Light Horse began landing at the spaceport. On July 13th, Colonel Joshua Kincade strode out towards the Canopian lines and sought 'Honours of War' and retreat from the planet.

The negotiations were relatively brief as both sides new that the Canopians did not want to risk war with a major house by destroying two commands but the Canopians also wanted to send message. The Capellans were allowed to call for evacuation and leave with everything that could move under its own power by the time the dropships arrived. When offered to take what was left of Grendel's Revenge with them Kincade dismissed the idea without a second thought. "They're pirates", he said, "do with them as you like". With that the armistice was announced and the Capellans, prisoners and wounded ransomed so they could be included, were gone from SP-3624 before the end of the month.

The 1st Mechanised Brigade made out like proverbial bandits themselves, even though a few items were subject to intense negotiations. Losses from all sources had amounted to about 8% of the regiments combat force but the additional cash for the combat operation upon landing and then by TF Romeo added handsomely to the totals. After the payout was agreed Bedford arranged to buy some of the salvage back from the Canopians, including a few light mechs. The Canopians wanted as much hard equipment as they could get their hands on but parted with enough kit to reduce the need for the Brigade to have to buy new equipment to replace all that was lost. After all expenses were met the unit ledgers showed a final balance in excess of 117 million C-Bills.

With the negotiations and transfer of C Bills arranged both sides continued the task of packing up to leave. The Brigade was offered a lift back to Canopian space but Colonel Bedford had made arrangement with two cargo dropship captains to deliver the entire brigade to Lopez in Andurien space where they would hire further transport for Galatea. While the battles had been playing themselves out on SP-3624 a courier message arrived with one of the scout ships from the Brigade's agents on Atreus and Galatea. Richard Bedford had opportunities to explore on the Mercenary Star.
« Last Edit: 25 January 2020, 17:24:42 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #16 on: 07 June 2017, 13:27:25 »
<<Game Note: Grendel's Revenge was not purged by the Canopians as it was later discovered that many of its members were actually residents of SP-3624 (known to the locals as Sebastian's Retreat). The pirates had arrived some 20 years before as raiders intent on pillaging the locals for food, medicine, supplies and what industrial goods it could use or trade for ammunition and spares elsewhere. The locals had little in the way of defenses but they put up enough of a fight for the meager possessions they did have that the pirates struck a deal with them. The pirates would "settle" on the planet and use it as a base in exchange for protecting the locals from other pirate attacks. After some haggling over rules and governance the inhabitants agreed to the deal.

For the next 20 years the pirates were slowly converted to a local defence force and truly 'settled down' on Sebastian's Retreat. They still took to raiding when times were truly tough and some of their pillage actually helped the economy on the planet. With a population of less than 500,000 spread over two continents the planet was able to grow its own food and had some light industry that was enough to keep things running. Traders only called rarely and it mattered little to the inhabitants if none came at all. They knew that they had once been part of the Capellan Confederation but the passage of nearly a century and a half since they dropped off the map had changed much and the inhabitants wanted little to do with "Great Houses", the Inner Sphere or any of the trouble that came with it.

The arrival of the Capellan trade mission in mid-3015 ended their happy isolation. The arrival of the Capellan troops and engineers made them very worried. Worry turned to panic and then anger when the Capellans began dragooning labour teams for the construction of the spaceport and then compelling the "Grendels" to cooperate in the faux pirate raids by the taking of hostages. The locals began a low level sabotage campaign in early 3016 delaying the spaceport timetable and were considering open rebellion when on June 2nd 3016 the spaceport was blown to pieces by the fighters of Operation Top Hat. The loss of civilian life at the port was heavy considering the size of the local population but they could not truly blame the Canopians, their anger was instead directed at the Capellans. The Canopians gained a friendly local population for intelligence purposes. Two months later the planet was happy to say good bye to all of the foreigners but did agree to accept delegations from Canopus IV twice a year and to keep watchful eye on the neighbourhood, thanks to the gift of a Scout class jumpship (actually, a long term lease). For their efforts the Canopians had a small unobtrusive 'listening post' not far from the edge of Capellan and Free World space.>>

The First Mechanised Brigade - An embarrassment of riches (almost)

It would take five months for the Brigade to reach Galatea, each four jumps followed by a week on the surface of a planet to avoid the inevitable atrophy, physical and mental, that went with long periods in space. This also gave the Brigade staff time to consider the next moves, place orders for replacement kit and supplies via its commercial agents and generally plan for the future.

The Brigade was now officially "reinforced" and the over strength TO&E also added to maintenance and salary costs. Rather than split the Brigade into two smaller formations it was decided to beef up the maintenance support companies so as to decrease the need for "hired help" when on contract. Unfortunately, with the brigade already being understaffed when it was only slightly over strength it would prove impossible to find enough techs teams to provide its needs by the time the dropships began landing on Galatea.

1st Mechanised Brigade TO&E Dec 3016, Galatea

(n/c) = non-combat Unit not deployed on map except as a scenario "objective".

Brigade HQ:
Tac HQ Lance (n/c), Command Lance (hvy mechs)
Air Mobile Infantry Coy (attached scout/commando) - 3 air mob/jump inf pltns (VTOL fixed wing)

1st Battalion+ (1st Rifles):
Tac HQ Lance (n/c),  Cmnd Lance (med mechs)
A Coy, 4 pltns mech infantry (whl) +1 supply/maint pltn (n/c)
B Coy, 4 pltns mech infantry (whl) +1 supply/maint pltn (n/c)
C Coy, 4 pltns mech infantry (hov) +1 supply/maint pltn (n/c)

2nd Battalion+ (11th Hussars):
Tac HQ Lance (n/c),  Cmnd Lance (med mechs)
A Sqdn, 4 troops, hvy armour (trk) +1 supply/maint troop (n/c)
B Sqdn, 4 troops, lt armour (trk) +1 supply/maint pltn troop (n/c)
C Sqdn, 4 troops, lt armour (hov) +1 supply/maint pltn troop (n/c)

3rd Battalion+ (17th Lancers):
Tac HQ Lance (n/c),  Cmnd Lance (hvy mechs)
A Coy, 4 lances, med mechs +1 supply/maint lance (n/c)
B Coy, 4 lances, lt mechs +1 supply/maint lance (n/c)
C Coy, 4 lances, lt mechs +1 supply/maint lance (n/c)

Artillery Command (1st Horse Artillery)
Tac HQ Lance (n/c),
A Coy, 3 arty lances, Long Tom +1 supply/maint lance (n/c)

1st Service Battalion (n/c):
Tac HQ Lance (n/c)
Hospital Coy, 3 medical pltns, 1 medic flight (rot. wg), (n/c)
Maintenance Coy, 3 recovery and 1 coolant pltn, (n/c)
1st Transport Coy, 3 truck pltns (n/c)
2nd Transport Coy, 3 truck pltns (n/c)
3rd Transport Coy, 3 truck pltns (n/c)

While the Brigade was sorting itself out and undergoing some much needed physical training as well as brushing up on its marshal skills Richard Bedford was busy with agents going over potential contract offers. The 1st Mechanised Brigade was still a relatively unknown entity in the inner sphere but by the end of 3016 a deal with the Steiner agents was close to being sealed. It appeared the Lyrans were having trouble blocking  a series of large raids that rippled up and down their border with the Draconis Combine. They were now turning to mercenary units to beef up the defences to defeat these raids while freeing up their mobile forces for rest and refit in order to meet the next challenge. Come the new year the Brigade would be on its way to Lyons even though some of its kit was still in need of repair. 
« Last Edit: 25 January 2020, 17:29:18 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

The Purist

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Re: 3017 on the Commonwealth-Draconis Front
« Reply #17 on: 12 June 2017, 11:48:20 »
The Third Succession War Campaign, Dec 3012-May 3014

LC-DC Front: The Lyran focus on the FWL Front had drawn away heavy forces to maintain the offensive and by mid 3013 the Combine forces were beginning to make gains against weakened Commonwealth defences. Lyran forces were compelled to redeploy, stalling the drive near Tamarind.

DC-FS Front: The front stalemates during this period as neither side colud muster enough forces to breakthrough. Frontier planets are captured and retaken soon after by counterattack. By May 3014 the DC has gained four FS systems but lost three systems of their own.

FS-CC Front: The Capellans lacked the forces for any major push due to efforts on the FWL front but carried out regular raids. The FS used the Capellan Marches to rest and refit units exhausted fighting on the Combine front. A few systems changed hands but by the end of the reporting period the status quo had been maintained.

CC-FWL Front: The Capellans take advantage of Marik weaknesses on this front and launch an offensive that eventually increases their gains to seven systems. Federal forces finally halt the offensive with provincial forces and the transfer of federal troops returning from the LC front.

FWL-LC Front: As pressure slackens due to Lyran transfers to their Draconis front the FWL military begins transferring troops back to the Liao front while refitting troops for a counterattack against the Lyrans. Thirteen FWL system had fallen to the invasion .The FWL counterattack in early 3014 retakes four systems before Anton Marik makes his move to become Captain General.


A New Contract and a New Employer

Contract between the Lyran Commonwealth and the First Mechanised Brigade, Dec 19, 3016

Mission - Retainer; Cadre/Garrison
Duration - 6 Months
Fees - 70,140,000 C-Bills (15% advance)
Command - Liaison
Transportation Reimbursement - x 1.0
Supply Reimbursement - x 1.25
Salvage - Prize Court/Payment in Kind

Situation:

Combine forces have been launching large scale raids and heavy probes up and down the frontier. Where they find a weakened garrison they reinforce and attempt to destroy the defending formations, forcing the planet to call for help. In the meantime the Combine forces pillage the local industry and economy while they send in additional forces. When reinforcements arrive the Combine forces weigh the situation and either withdraw or begin a low level attrition battle to write down the Lyran forces. In general, the Combine troops get the better of these engagements due to weaknesses in the Lyran senior officer corps. This strategy has led to the change in ownership of the targeted planet in only a few cases  so far but has kept the LCAF from concentrating it forces against the League.

In late 3016 Lyons was subjected to such an attack that all but destroyed the local garrison with a light mech regiment supported by one of tanks and another of infantry. As of early December the only formed Commonwealth formation on the planet was the local militia regiment that had gone to ground and was awaiting help. The local commander assigned a regular Skye armoured regiment to accompany the mercenary 1st Mechanised Brigade to Lyons and remove the Combine forces. The dropships carrying the relief forces, covered by a naval task force with ample aerospace fighters, began landing on Lyons Jan 8th, 3017.
« Last Edit: 12 December 2020, 13:12:30 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

The Purist

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The Social General
« Reply #18 on: 15 June 2017, 13:05:13 »
Lyons- Jan-Mar 3017

Samuel Freiherr von Hazai was tasked by the district commander to clear Lyons of Combine troops and rebuild the garrison of the planet. As a result the dropships were filled with new weapons, equipment and cadre staff to complete the task. Newly minted as a Leutnant-General von Hazai had come up through the replacement branch of the Lyran military and had never held a combat command before. Given this task through family connections he was confident he could achieve his mission. Besides the Lyons militia, now reforming after having gone to ground to observe the Combine forces on the planet, von Hazai's command consisted of the 17th Skye Heavy Armoured Regiment and 1st Mechanised Brigade.

After holding a briefing with the planetary governor, also now out from hiding, and the militia's colonel, the enemy force was identified as the 14th Legion of Vega with two light and one medium battalion. There were also two armoured regiments now on the planet but the infantry regiment had been rotated out after a few bad ambushes by the defending militia fighting as guerillas. The 77th Armoured Regiment had one light, one medium and one heavy battalion while the 88th Regiment possessed three light battalions. It was noted by Bedford and his command staff that their brigade possessed the only light forces that could match the Combine mobility and the fact that the "garrison" was now outgunned. The Combine troops had dispersed across the continent of Fedkirk as well as deployed small teams on each of the other three land masses but the militia advised that their mobility meant they could come together fairly quickly.

The Lyran forces did not need to wait long before the Combine forces tested the metal of the new Lyran force. In late January they began  a series of skirmishes that quickly showed the flaw in the Lyran plan to use firepower to defeat mobility on a fluid battlefield. Combine light mechs supported by light tanks could not be pinned down and for the most part the massive firepower advantage of the Lyran tanks could seldom score. The Kurita combat teams would control most engagements and force the battles to remain at long ranges, sacrificing damage to pin the Lyrans down. While the Lyrans scored a few painful hits, these skirmishes allowed the heavier Kurita companies to slip past and strike at supply lines, bases and, to the growing anger of the local population, civilian industry and infrastructure.

The 1st Mechanised Brigade suffered under this regime as it was compelled to conform to the Lyran plans by dispersing its own light force to screen and scout for the heavy Lyran forces. Rather than form a fast formation of light mechs supported by hover tanks and infantry that could match the fast Kurita forces they were pinned to the heavier formations and their advantage in speed was lost.

By March the Lyrans knew they were not succeeding and one particular attack on the spaceport got past the friendly forces and hit the Brigade's own technical depots. The fighting cost the lives of most of twelve tech teams forced to fight as infantry while nearly the same number were wounded. The Lyran militia at the port did what they could but without heavier support they only managed to damage a few of the attacking mechs. Further disaster was only avoided when the medium and few heavy mechs of A Company and the battalion HQ lance from the 17th Lancers came charging back after managing to disengage from a skirmish with Combine tanks and mechs a few kilometers away. The mercenary mechs took great joy in thrashing a number of light tanks that could not get away as fast as the mechs they were supporting.

In just 10 weeks of hit and run battles the Brigade had lost nearly 10% of its tech support as well as two destroyed mechs and three light tanks with another dozen mechs and tanks badly damaged. Attrition was beginning to tell on unit cohesiveness and combat strength. The Lyran heavy tanks had not suffered badly mainly due to the lighter Kurita forces being wise enough not to close with the enemy heavies unless they had a marked advantage. Thankfully, despite the Combine advantages in speed, their own light forces, mainly the armour, had also suffered from attrition and without a proper base, field repairs could only do so much. By late February they were having troubles formimg companies strong enough to take the field. The Combine attacks dwindled away and they withdrew from the populated areas of the Fedkirk continent. By the end of the March a fleet of Combine dropships landed under heavy aerospace cover, loaded the weakened tank forces and lifted off again. Ominously, a good many aerospace fighters remained on the planet.

<<to be continued>>
« Last Edit: 07 February 2021, 13:27:04 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

The Purist

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Lyons - The end of the Beginning
« Reply #19 on: 16 June 2017, 11:02:14 »
Lyons - Apr-Jun, 3017

A Strange Sort of War

In the second week of April a Lyran naval task force tried to reach Lyons but  it soon became clear the Draconis Combine was far more interested in the planet than was first believed. The Combine assault ships were accompanied by a Vengeance class carrier with its fighter wings and the Lyrans were unable to penetrate the blockade. They had to satisfy themselves with a status report and a promise to return with more aid as soon as possible. No sooner had the Lyran fleet withdrawn than additional Combine transports began landing the 3rd Dieron Regulars to back up the 14th Legion of Vega. Surprisingly, rather than combine their forces the Combine forces masked off the capital and sent out combat teams to occupy the other industrial and populations centers across the planet. The Combine forces had the benefit of absolute air supremacy provided by three aerospace wings and this denied the defenders much of their freedom of manoeuvre. Despite this advantage Lyran scouts calculated the force laying siege to the capital numbered less than two mech battalions, mostly mediums with few light mechs for their own screening and reconnaissance. This meant that no attack on the capital heavier than reconnaissance raids were undertaken by company sized mech and fighter forces and these were seldom pressed home.

The naval blockade and effective occupation of most of the planet had two serious effects on the defences, the first being the outbreak of sporadic uprisings across the planet over the apparent inability of the Lyran military to resolve the situation. In the capital, the protests were aimed at the government and military for their handling of the campaign. The large arms caches, brought in to help re-equip a new garrison, were raided and large numbers of weapons were seized. General von Hazai responded to the protests by withdrawing his forces into a perimeter that included the spaceport and then digging in. He had no intention of turning his weapons on the civilian population even though known troublemakers from the Free Skye movement were leading some of the protests and riots. The militia was ordered to secure government buildings and infrastructure but were also ordered not to get involved with the protests unless they threatened their objectives.

Dispersing the protests and quelling the riots that had broken out fell to the unhappy 1st Mechanised Brigade. In the case of one riot a bomb was detonated that destroyed a wheeled APC and most of a squad of infantry were killed. It took all the discipline the mercenary infantry had not to open fire with their automatic weapons but they restrained themselves and dispersed the crowds with minimal loss of life (and some plundering of the damaged shops in the riot zone). By the end of April the Combine occupation forces had put down most of the protests outside the capital area and the 1st Mechanised Brigade had arrested, captured or, in some cases, killed most of the serious provocateurs within the government controlled areas.

While the mercenary infantry and light tanks dealt with rioters consisting of an estimated 1000 armed insurrectionists, the rest of brigade’s mech and tanks fended off the probes and conducted their own reconnaissance. By May the siege of Clovis’ Point had settled into a routine with slow attrition eating away at attacker and defender alike. Lacking supporting conventional forces the Combine regiments did not seem to want to risk a battle that might damage the spaceport or involve fighting in the built up urban areas of the city. The Lyran defenders did not venture far from their own emplacements other than for local reconnaissance sweeps that triggered short, sharp skirmishes. The mercenaries repeatedly requested permission to form up their combat formations and take the fight to the enemy but von Hazai declined, siting the need to preserve the integrity of the defending force. He believed that as long as the capital and the spaceport were held, Lyons could be liberated and since the Combine did not seem eager to push him off the port he would bide his time and wait.

The Combine dropships returned again in late May and the 14th Legion of Vega was withdrawn, leaving only the 3rd Deiron regulars and the three aerospace wings to maintain the siege. This left the defenders scratching their heads as this meant the invaders were giving up control of most of the planet. In June the Lyran fleet returned in force and lifted the blockade but rather than bring reinforcements or force the battle with Combine aerospace forces, the fleet commander brought orders to withdraw the tank regiment and mercenary force. The militia,  who after seven months of ‘on the job training’ were more like regular infantry, were advised to once more go to ground until a proper relief force could be organised. For their part, the 1st Mechanised Brigade, their contract coming to a close, were perfectly happy to leave Lyons to the Lyrans and their Leutnant-General von Hazai. The previous six months had cost the brigade most of its stockpile of supplies and ammunition as well four mechs, six tanks and three squads of infantry and their carriers. Replacing these losses as well as paying the overhead would consume most of the C-bills earned from the contract.

It was a very strange contract and these Lyrans had a strange way of conducting their war with the Draconis Combine.
« Last Edit: 21 February 2020, 10:53:21 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

The Purist

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Lyons II - Advance, Retreat, Withdrawal, Regroup. Repeat.
« Reply #20 on: 17 June 2017, 10:05:50 »
The Third Succession War Campaign, May 3014- Dec 3015

LC-DC Front: The Lyran transfers halts and then pushes back the DC advance near Alexandria and Port Moseby. General exhaustion results in heavy fighting by regiments giving way to raids by early 3015. Both sides regroup and refit, racing to be ready before the other side can strike.

DC-FS Front: The stalemate is broken by the Kurita transfer of three Mech regiments along with supporting aerospace and conventional support from the Pesht district to reinforce the Galedon regiments. In October 3014 the Federated Sun forces are finally pushed back with heavy losses to already weakened conventional regiments, Kesai IV, Cimeron, Conroe and Groveld III are taken by Combine troops. The weakened Combine Periphery defences are exposed to growing pirate attacks that begin biting into the economy.

FS-CC Front: Capellan troops attempt to support the Combine offensive by sending McCarron's Armoured Cavalry and St Ive's troops to attack Verlo, Ikast and Weatoque. Davion troops respond with heavy forces including the Guards Brigade and after six months the Capellan attacks are defeated. Both sides suffer heavy losses and the front quiets down to raids by late 3015.

CC-FWL Front: Taking advantage of the Marik civil war the Capellans retake two planets in September 3014 just recently liberated by the Marik forces but in so doing antagonize the Andurien government. The Anduriens release two additional regiments and their supporting forces which retake Pilpala and Calseraigne.

FWL-LC Front: The Federal government does not immediately begin the mass transfer of troops to fight Anton Marik's rebel forces but carries out a smaller counterattack that retakes Kilarney, Curaumilla and Rochelle by August 3014. Heavy troops transfers to deal with the rebellion then take place, effectively ending the counteroffensive.

Marik Civil War: Rebel forces make numerous early gains while the League provinces and independent planets decide who's side they are on. Wolf's Dragoons play havoc on the main front and Alpha and Beta regiments actually attack Atreus in Sep 3014 but are repulsed with heavy losses to both sides. Liao missteps swing additional support to the Loyalists and the tide begins to turn in October. Catherine Humphrey's allows an additional regiment to operate with federal forces beyond the usual 30 Light Year range from the Andurien border. It is then a matter of numbers as support for Anton Marik begins to wane. The rebellion is defeated completely by April 3015 but almost every command involved in the fighting has been badly mauled.

A new mercenary command consisting of various elements from both loyalist and rebel forces (the 1st Mechanised Brigade) is founded on New Delos during this period and departs for the periphery to remove itself from the hyper-political environment.>>

Lyons II - Planetary Assault Contract: Sep 3017-Jun 3018

No sooner had the 1st Mechanised Brigade landed back on Galatea in July than regiments officers were "invited" to take part in a thorough debriefing of the action covering the previous six months. Colonel Bedford was anxious to get the Brigade's side of the story out concerning what his officers considered a near fiasco. The debriefing took three days while Brigade agents recruited replacements and purchased the available equipment to fill the gaps in the unit's TO&E. Very shortly thereafter a Lyran Mercenary Liaison offered the Brigade a chance to join a heavily reinforced expedition to retake the planet once and for all. Colonel Bedford was delighted to accept but had certain 'conditions' before he would sign the contract.


Mission - Combat Campaign
Duration - 10 Months
Fees - 267,200,000 C-Bills (25% advance)
Command - Mercenary Command
Transportation Reimbursement - x 1.0
Supply Reimbursement - x 0.75
Salvage - Mercenary Claim

Approximate monthly expenses = 3,000,000 C-Bills + combat expenditure of ammunition and spares per engagement.

The Brigade did not have time to acquire all of the mechs and tanks required to replace losses and some kit would join the unit in September and October once on the planet. The lost tech teams had been replaced by new hires (regulars) along with the hiring of 50 additional teams (regular) to help reduce dependence on employer tech support. It would, however, take three months for these teams to assemble and be transported to the Brigade's deployment area. The brigade had on hand its usual three months of basic supply plus three combat loads of ammunition. Three more months of supply and three additional combat loads were contracted for delivery at Lyons in October. One months supply and two combat loads were to be delivered every month thereafter for the duration of the contract.

The Lyran force that lifted off in the third week of August consisted of:

4th Lyran Regulars; regular/reliable; 1medium, 1 heavy and 1 assault battalion
17th Skye Armoured Regiment; veteran/questionable; 3 heavy battalions
14th Lyran Mechanised Infantry Regiment; veteran/reliable; 3 mechanised infantry battalions
1st Mechanised Brigade (merc); regular/reliable; 1 mixed medium and 2 mixed light battalions, 1 airmobile scout company, 1 artillery company

Naval Support:

Task Force 4 - "LCS Dominance" Carrier Wing (2 heavy fighter wings), III Aslt DS Wing, IV Aslt DS Wing.

« Last Edit: 07 February 2021, 13:37:00 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #21 on: 23 June 2017, 22:57:52 »
The Third Succession War Campaign, Dec 3015 - Jun 3017

LC-DC Front: The Kuritans complete refitting first and launch a series of attacks up and down the length of the front to keep draining the Commonwealth units and deny them the initiative. Unfortunately, the Combine focus on rebuilding Mech regiments meant too few conventional support regiments are available to hold many of the planets taken. By late 3016 the Commonwealth forces have checked the attacks and begin their own counterattacks that erase most Combine gains.

DC-FS Front: Davion forces slow and then stop the Combine advance in mid-3016 by transferring six mercenary commands to back up the Bryceland PDZ. By the end of the year the AFFS recapture all but Kesai IV and Cimeron while Bryceland, Tancredi IV and Anguilla are targets of heavy Combine raids. Both sides begin to reinforce from nearby provinces for the next lunge.

FS-CC Front: As the fighting near St Ives and Victoria dies down the Capellans launch fresh raids from the Tikonov region against the Kentares PDZ but Capellan resources are stretched and the attacks merely pin local forces near the border with no gains of note. AFFS counter raids hit Highspire, Jonathan, New Hessen and Buchlau further taxing Capellan resources.

CC-FWL Front: The end of the Marik civil war sees Capellan forces consolidating their hold over Suzano, Ventabren, Ohrensen, Harsefeld, Goodna, Kujari and Cronulla. Two thirds of Marik forces on this front are too weak for operations and it is mid 3016 before counterattacks supported by Wolf's Dragoons see Ohrensen and Harsefeld retaken.

FWL-LC: League forces along the Commonwealth front are too few to launch major attacks but concentrate on retaking Alhena and Shiloh with the aid of a rebuilt Gamma Regiment from Wolf's Dragoons. Provincial regiments from Regulas help two Marik Militia regiments retake Mederas and Edmondson. The Lyran Commonwealth responds with heavy raids against Bella I, Alula Borealis and Trellisane but otherwise remain on the defensive.


Lyons II - Giving the Enemy the Gift of Time

The Lyran fleet arrived ahead of the transports and found that Combine forces had been reinforced. The 3rd Dieron Regulars were reinforced by a light battalion from 22nd Dieron Regulars and supported by the heavy mechs from Kingston's Cabelleros. The 86th Armoured Regiment, still very much an effective unit, provided two reinforced battalions of medium and heavy tanks. The two naval forces were roughly evenly matched and neither could gain aerospace superiority despite a number of skirmishes. After nearly two weeks of probing for weaknesses both fleets withdrew from the system leaving troops transports to land ground forces on Fedkirk.

By October the Combine's seven mech and two reinforced tank battalions were facing off against three Lyran mech battalions, three battalions of armour, three more battalions of mechanised infantry plus the three mixed battalions from the 1st Mechanised Brigade. Rounding out the Lyran force was the militia, reduced by attrition to two large battalions with a few tanks added as stiffening.

With 14 Lyran battalions facing 9 Kuritas the issue should not have been in doubt for long but between October and late January Leutnant-General von Hazai was unable to pin the Kurita forces down and instead wasted valuable time securing the other three continents before finally turning his attention to the main threat. Beyond a number of skirmishes it was only in February 3018 that the Kurita force was final forced to give battle in the rolling foothills hills leading to the rugged mountain ranges holding the dormant volcanoes in the center of Fedkirk.

To be continued...
« Last Edit: 12 December 2020, 13:13:08 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #22 on: 17 July 2017, 22:06:44 »
The Third Succession War Campaign, Jun  3017 - Dec 3018

LC-DC Front: In order to distract Lyran counterattacks Combine forces begin a strategy of striking numerous planets in a sector looking to find a weak spot. Planets that fall easily are reinforced thereby challenging the LCAF to retake these planets rather than striking over the border. This strategy triggers large battles for Suk II, Planting and Lyons, which are all retaken by late summer 3018. Alexandria is liberated in Dec 3018 leaving only Sevren, Carse and Port Moseby under Combine control.

DC-FS Front: The Combine forces along the Bryceland frontier cannot hold back the AFFS counterattack and are forced onto the defensive. Kesai IV and Cimeron are liberated after costly battles and by late 3018 Delacruz and Valentina are captured with further heavy losses to both sides. The Combine planets Capra, Waldheim and Weisau are also attacked but the arrival of reinforcements from the Benjamin and Pesht districts bring the AFFS assault to halt.

FS-CC Front: The Confederation front with the Federated Suns remains quiet as the CCAF begins to focus its resources on defending the captured FWL planets. The AFFS uses the down time to rest regular commands and rotates (mostly mercenary) commands from the Capellan March to replace exhausted forces on the Draconis front.

CC-FWL Front: Confederation forces are shifted to the FWL front so that two commands are on each of the five remaining captured planets. Another two to four additional commands are earmarked to reinforce these planets should they be attacked. The FWL has rebuilt nearly 50% of their battered commands along this front and begin raiding both the occupied planets as well as a few on the Liao side of the border. Wolf’s Dragoons are withdrawn in late 3018 for further refitting.

FWL-LC: League forces continue to focus on retaking planets captured by the Lyran Commonwealth while both sides continue to carry out small raids to keep frontier forces pinned down. By Dec 3018 the Lyrans have been pushed off all FWL planets except Galisteo and lose Timbiqui when its local forces are left unsupported against a strong probe. Gamma Regiment of Wolf’s Dragoons returns to the Liao front. >>


Lyons - Marseilles Plateau, Central Masif, Fedkirk - February 3018

No sooner had Leutnant-General von Hazai given the order to prepare for the attack on the Central Masif than word was received from Lyran naval pickets of the arrival of a large Combine naval task force at the system’s nadir point. The Lyran naval commander advised he might delay the Combine task force for a few days but the enemy assault craft would make it to the planet within a week or ten days. While the enemy task force contained a number of supply dropships there did not appear to be any large troop or mech transports in the mix. There were, however, a large number of aerospace fighters deployed by the Combine fleet, totalling some 60 craft. Leutnant-General von Harzai realized he had waited too long to press his advantage and now demanded all units attack immediately and defeat the Kurita invaders before their reinforcements could arrive.

The Left Flank

The First Mechanised Brigade was tasked with covering the left flank and ordered to pin the Combine forces to their front so they could not interfere with the main attack by the Lyran mechs and heavy armour in the centre and on the right. The First Mechanised Brigade’s CC R, under Colonel Talbot, conducting reconnaissance sweeps in front of the brigade, were able to report a force consisting of light and medium Mechs of the Dieron Regulars supported by at least a battalion of heavy armour.  As the two formations advanced against each other CC R switched from scouting to screening the brigade’s left and looking for a way around the Combine’s right flank. The light infantry of the air mobile scout company took over the role of scouting behind the Combine defences and looking for weak spots to attack.

<<Combat System – ACS (3.5 days per turn) and Scaled SBF>>
First Mechanised Brigade – CC A (mixed med bn), CC B (mixed lt bn), CC R (mixed lt <recon> bn), 13th Commando (air mobile coy)

The Right Wing:
CC A advanced against the 3rd Battalion of the 3rd Dieron Regulars in their medium mechs. The Kurita commander saw that he was outnumbered even though he had more mechs. Using his superior mobility to keep the range open the Kurita mechs under Sho-Sho Sen Ti Ch’uan made themselves as hard to hit as possible but slowly gave ground. Despite the Kurita manoeuvres CC A managed to land a number of punishing hits while receiving lighter damage from return fire.

Combat – three rounds; 10 days

CC A, 1st Mechanised Brigade -  Mov:4; Arm: 49; S:17; M:15; L:9; Tac: 4; TMM:3 Hits received - 12

vs

3rd Dieron Regulars, 3rd Battalion – Mov:5; Arm:36; S:9; M:9; L:3; Tac: 4; TMM:4 Hits received – 15 (shaken)

The Centre

CC B was engaged by the reinforced 2nd Battalion of the 86th Armoured Regiment and quickly found themselves at a distinct disadvantage.  The Panthers, Javelins and Valkyrie’s did their best to support the light and medium tanks but soon the battalion headquarters lance and the brigade’s own heavy command lance were committed to the fight. Together with a well placed concentration from all three batteries of the brigade’s artillery company the Kurita armour was finally convinced to give way.

Combat – three rounds; 10 days

CC B, 1st Mechanised Brigade – Mov:5; Arm:33; S:8; M:10; L:4; Tac:4; TMM:3 Hits received – 18 (shaken)

vs

2nd Bn, 86th Armoured Reg’t – Mov:6; Arm:34; S:11; M:15; L:7; Tac:4; TMM:2 Hits received – 22 (unsteady)   

The Left Wing

CC R found itself engaged against the 1st Battalion, 22nd Dieron Regulars, which had recently reinforced the 3rd Dieron Regulars. The Kurita light mechs lacked long range hitting power which meant they had to take advantage of their speed to close the range to score hits. When the ranges allowed hits were scored by both sides and losses were evenly distributed. CC R only began to gain the upper hand thanks to the brigade’s air mobile scout company’s repeated harassment of the Combine’s deep right flank and rear. Unlike the events on the far right that led to the collapse of the Lyran assault neither side were able to get past the other’s pickets and strike at supply lines or other soft targets to disrupt the others ability to fight the battle

Combat – three rounds; 10 days

CC R, 1st Mechanised Brigade – Mov:8; Arm:31; S:9; M;10; L:3; Tac:1; TMM:3 Hits received – 6

vs

1st Bn, 22nd Dieron Regulars – Mov:6; Arm:27; S:9; M:6; L:0; Tac:4; TMM:4 Hits received – 13 (unsteady)

Collapse and Retreat

It was at this point that the Lyran liaison officer reported the arrival of the Combine aerospace reinforcements along with the first squadron's attack runs on the Lyran centre. This news was soon followed by word to from von Hazai’s command staff to stand down, prepare to leave the planet and move to Skye as soon as possible. The looks of incredulity on the faces of Colonel Bedford’s command staff said far more than words could describe as he asked for confirmation for the stand down order. The same scene was repeated at each battalion headquarters as the battalion commanders and their staffs simply could not believe their eyes and ears.
 
The retreat order was confirmed. The Lyrans were once again retreating and leaving the planet in the hands of the Kurita occupation forces.
« Last Edit: 12 December 2020, 13:14:13 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

snakespinner

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #23 on: 18 July 2017, 19:50:30 »
The Lyrans must have run out of champagne and caviar.
How could they fight any longer without the proper tools for victory. ;D O0
I wish I could get a good grip on reality, then I would choke it.
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Growing up is optional.
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The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #24 on: 18 July 2017, 20:37:43 »
Tsk! "Social Generals" will get you every time.

The reason for the Lyran difficulties was mainly due to the their commanders "Tactical Skill" being a "1" while the Kurita  commander had a value of "4". What this meant at the operational level is the Kurita forces often outmanoeuvered the Lyrans on the strategic map and left them in very bad positions. As this is the 3rd SW, a force put in that position could ask for terms and depart. We have usually had them forfeit all salvage, supply and pay some sort of ransom. Often the victor would impose some sort of "parole" on the defeated force where they could not be part of attacking forces for X number of moths after the surrender. 
« Last Edit: 29 July 2017, 08:38:49 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #25 on: 18 July 2017, 20:52:59 »
New Glasgow, New Scotland, Skye, March, 3018

To say that Richard Bedford was furious would have been an understatement. Defeat he could handle but he had little patience with incompetence. Not only did the brigade have to abandon all but a small portion of their salvage but they were also compelled by terms of surrender to leave behind their stockpiles of spares, supply and ammunition. Bedford was further infuriated by being forced to move to Skye with the Lyrans regiments instead of Galatea where his agents, base and available stockpiles were cached. He was only slightly mollified when it was explained that the retreat in mid-February was necessary as no reinforcements could be expected until early March. This would have meant that Combine navy and planet based aerospace forces would have had total aerospace superiority to ravage the Lyran forces on the planet for weeks.

The collapse of the right flank of the Lyran line was brought about by a battalion of light Kurita mechs slipping past the heavy armour of the 17th Skye Armored and smashing into the truck mounted Lyons Militia following up behind. With the flank turned it was necessary to redirect the 14th Lyran Mechanised Infantry Regiment on the left to block the penetration while the armour reoriented itself to deal with the mess. With the arrival of the Combine aerospace wings and the disorganized right flank Leutnant-General von Hazai believed the battle lost and send a message to the Kurita commander asking for terms. While it could be argued that the situation on the right was recoverable and the fight could have been pressed, von Hazai argued that preserving the command to fight again was the better option.

Upon landing on Skye Colonel Bedford and his staff were asked to join yet another conference where the next moves were to be explained. For the first time since entering Commonwealth employ he got the feeling that someone was getting grip on the situation, beginning with the replacement of Leutnant-General von Hazai.  The current contract had four months remaining before it expired but the brigade would not have to wait long before orders to return to Lyons were issued. In fact, these orders came remarkably fast as the brigade would be lifting off with a heavily reinforced Lyran combat force in just one week. They were going back and this time Bedford was looking to regain not only the lost salvage but the damage done to the reputation of his command.

Regarding the timing of the launch of the new campaign Bedford pointed out, “One week? That hardly gives us time to repair damage much less begin to purchase replacement supplies, ammunition and spares to say nothing of actual equipment. The brigade is down about 25% normal TO&E.”

Hauptman McAlerny replied, “I am afraid that is all the time we can give you. The assault forces will be dropping on Lyons by the end of the third week of March come Hell, high water or the Combine Coordinator himself. We will give you access to some replacement tanks, four replacement mechs as well as supplies and spares, all at a discount. Credit can be issued against the balance of the contract if you so desire. ”

Bedford smiled grimly at the offer of credit for the equipment and supplies, “Credit will not be needed. We pay cash or we do not make the purchase. Your offer of discounts is appreciated.”

McAlerny continued, “You can also have your agents on Galatea and elsewhere continue to make additional purchases for delivery directly to Lyons if you so choose. Any deliveries will be included in the planned regular supply runs. We are also amending your contract regarding salvage a bit more in your favour to help make up for recent events. We are going back to Lyons in strength this time, including the fleet and heavy aerospace assets, and this time there will be no retreat. In fact, the fleet will be jumping out in just a day or two to sweep the Lyons system clean before the arrival of the troop carriers and supply dropships.”

Once the update was over and the new orders acknowledged the 1st Mechansied Brigade set about making what repairs to equipment that time allowed. After receipt of the replacements the brigade was still nearly 20% under its normal strength but orders had been placed for more equipment, supplies and spares for delivery via the promised supply convoys. If all went well the brigade would be made whole by the time the current contract expired. 

Operation Morgenluft (Morning Air)

For their part, the Lyrans were doubling the strength of the ground forces committed to the campaign and the 3rd Fleet was sending two carrier wings and five other assault dropship wings to sweep the Lyons system clean. Besides the four naval aerospace wings on the carriers LCS Dominance and Indefatigable there were four additional army wings plus spares being deployed.

The ground forces were composed of two brigades each of three regiments. Each brigade was composed of one mech regiment, one of armour and one of mechanized infantry. The 1st Mechanised Brigade with the battered remnants of the Lyons Militia attached (four companies) formed a third semi-independent command. The four army cooperation wings would be tasked with gaining aerospace superiority while the fleet maintained a close blockade to prevent more Kurita reinforcements from arriving.

3rd Fleet – CV Aslt Wing (LCS Dominance), CV Aslt Wing (LCS Indefatigable), III, IV, XIII, XIV, XV Aslt Wings. 2 heavy (veteran/reliable), 2 light (regular/reliable) aerospace wings

4th Lyran Army Cooperation Aerospace Regiment - 2 heavy (regular/reliable), 1 medium (regular/reliable), 1 light (regular/reliable) aerospace wing.

4th Lyran Regulars Brigade:

4th Lyran Regulars (regular/reliable)– 3 heavy battalions
17th Skye Armoured (veteran/questionable) – 3 heavy battalions
14th Lyran Mechanised Infantry (veteran/reliable)– 3 mech infantry battalions

6th Donegal Guards Brigade:
6th Donegal Guards (regular/reliable) – 1 medium, 2 heavy battalions
5th Donegal Guards Armoured (green/reliable) – 1 light, 1 medium, 1 heavy battalion
17th Arcturan Mechanised Infantry (veteran/reliable) – 3 mech infantry battalions

1st Provisional Brigade (mercenary):
1st Mechanised Brigade (regular/reliable) – 1 mixed medium battalion, 2 mixed light battalions, 1 artillery coy, 1 air mobile scout coy
Lyons Militia Regiment (regular/reliable) – 1 reinforced motorised infantry battalion

Late in the first week of March, 3018 the Lyran fleet jumped from Skye to Lyons setting in motion the final phase of the battle for Lyons. Five days later the ground forces would jump into the system and immediately begin burning in-system towards the planet. That the Draconis Combine would take steps to prepare for the next round was not lost on anyone on the Lyran dropships as they lifted off from Skye.
« Last Edit: 21 February 2020, 11:19:23 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #26 on: 20 July 2017, 00:11:13 »
 <<Game Note: The actual battle for Lyons was resolved before the 1st SW book came out and gave us the Aslt AS Wings. We had been using the older Battleforce 2 Planetary Assault rules for aerospace battles until the battle entered the atmosphere, which included basic transport and assault DS formations. The system was basic and worked quite well but dropship groups contained three Elements rather than the newer four Element squadron. The new radar maps are quick and easy and have replaced the BF2 Planetary Map but we still like the older map system as it has a certain panache. I have updated the BF2 forces to match those of the 1st SW squadrons and our own home grown carrier aslt wings for this narrative.>>

The Other Side of the Hill

Draconis Combine Defence of Lyons, March 3018

With pressure building on the Federated Suns front in both the Benjamin and Galedon Districts and other battles ongoing in the Tamar Pact the Dieron District was feeling the strain in supporting the continued fight for Lyons. Nevertheless, it was decided to reinforce the defences of the planet once again in anticipation of the Lyrans return with their own reinforced assault forces.

Kingston's Caballeros were sent into reserve near the Federated Suns front and the garrison increased to four mech regiments, one of armour and one of militia supported by three planet based aerospace wings (arrived February). These reinforcements were to be covered by a naval task force consisting of two carrier wings and two assault dropship wings escorting a large supply convoy. The supply dropships brought in more than three months of combat supplies plus tons of spare parts, ammunition and replacement equipment.

The Lyran fleet arrived in the Lyons system just as the first major deliveries were arriving at the planet, triggering the largest naval battle in years. In the ten days it took the Lyran assault dropships to close on the planet the Combine deployed its own aerospace forces to meet them away from the planet to buy more time for the transports to complete their mission.

Dieron Carrier Division
CV Aslt Wing (DCS Kirishima), CV Aslt Wing (DCS Luthien), Kessel Aslt Wing, Vega Aslt Wing, 2 heavy (regular/reliable), 2 light (regular/reliable) aerospace wings.

23rd Direon Aerospace Regiment - 1 heavy (green/reliable), 1 medium (green/reliable), 1 light (green/reliable) aerospace wing; deployed at Clovis' Point, Fedkirk

Combine ground forces were under the command of the 9th Brigade Headquarters based in the capital

Fedkirk:

Dromini VI Militia Regiment (green/reliable) - 3 infantry battalions (at the spaceport)
86th Armoured Regiment [-] (regular/reliable) - 2 heavy, 1 medium battalion
9th Sun Zhang Academy (green/reliable) - 3 light battalions

Glastone:

2nd Dieron Regulars (veteran/questionable) - 1 medium, 2 light battalions

Leuben:

22nd Dieron Regulars (veteran/questionable) - 1 medium, 2 light battalions

Pairse:

3rd Dieron Regulars (regular/reliable) - 2 medium, 1 light battalion

The Combine commander was aware of the danger of splitting his forces among the four small continents of Lyons but intended to fight delaying actions on all but Fedkirk in order tie up any Lyran attackers until their strength was known. The troop carriers would be kept near and the fleet would cover any redeployment to Fedkirk if required. Should the Lyrans intend on making another major fight for the planet all four mech regiments would fall back on the capital and spaceport at Clovis' Point and, together with the 86th Armoured and the aerospace regiment, defeat the Lyran attack. The militia were tasked with safeguarding the spaceport, the aerospace fighter base and the supply depots so critical to the defence.
« Last Edit: 21 February 2020, 11:27:29 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

snakespinner

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #27 on: 20 July 2017, 02:13:59 »
Nasty battle about to happen.
At least the Lyrans have asf superiority.
What's the tactical skill of the new Lyran commander.1.5 }:) ::) O0
I wish I could get a good grip on reality, then I would choke it.
Growing old is inevitable,
Growing up is optional.
Watching TrueToaster create evil genius, priceless...everything else is just sub-par.

The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #28 on: 20 July 2017, 09:44:53 »
This time the Lyrans sent a "Tac: 3" Leutnant-General by the name of Victor Dankl von Krasnik from the FWL front where he was second in command of the Hesperus defences. He has commanded heavy mechs his entire career but also makes use of supporting regiments and insists on aerospace support for both reconnaissance and ground support.

The Kurita general remained Sho-Sho Kenkichi Ueda (Tac: 4), a fervent proponent of mobile operations and the use of manoeuvre to trump firepower. Like many DCMS commanders he recognized the value of aerospace forces in large battles but held conventional forces in lower regard. He specifically requested reinforcing regiments consist of light and medium mechs but his request for a Sword of Light regiment was declined.
« Last Edit: 20 July 2017, 10:39:53 by The Purist »
Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought upon the unthinking - John Maynard Keynes.

"...Remember also the two "prime directives" in playing BattleTech:
1. HAVE FUN
2. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE RULES THAT YOU STOP HAVING FUN"
Page 168 - Reunification War

snakespinner

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #29 on: 21 July 2017, 01:43:34 »
A Lyran combined arms general against a samurai mech only general.
I'll put ten bucks on the Lyran. ;)
I wish I could get a good grip on reality, then I would choke it.
Growing old is inevitable,
Growing up is optional.
Watching TrueToaster create evil genius, priceless...everything else is just sub-par.