Author Topic: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)  (Read 57725 times)

The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #120 on: 28 May 2018, 12:16:33 »
Alrescha, Tikonov Commonality, Week 1b Jun, 3020

The Davion aerospace fighters hit the atmosphere at just after 0300 hours on the 07th of June. As planned, the dropship wings aborted their descent and skimmed the edges of the upper atmosphere, the aerospace fighter carrier Enterprise and its escorts kept a close eye on the defending aerospace fighters as they rose to high altitude. When it became clear that the dropships had aborted their approach, the Capellan fighters tried to make adjustments to intercept them further north. However, it soon became apparent this would have allowed the Davion fighter wings to come in behind them. Abandoning the effort they rolled back to the south and prepared to engage the incoming fighter wings.

The first to engage were the fast and agile light fighters. Colonel Valois’ wing dove into the larger light wing belonging the MacGregor Scouts while the light fighters belonging to the 8th Crucis Lancers engaged their counterparts from the New Hessen mercenaries. Attempts by the two wings belonging to the Capellan Scouts to close the range were foiled because their mixed wings included a slower less nimble medium squadron that dragged on the entire formation's maneuverability. While Valois managed to tie up the larger wing and avoid any serious damage to his smaller formation, the light Davion wing got the better of the Hessen mercenaries and inflicted a number of telling hits.

The medium and heavy wings belonging to No.1 Group met the planetary garrison’s medium fighters head on and paid the price in an exchange of heavy fire that badly shot up 501 Wing, forcing it to withdraw covered by the 302. The Capellan fighters also suffered losses but deftly avoided more than a few annoying strikes from the 302's heavy craft. The Cavalier’s heavy wing supported by the Lancers’ own understrength 2nd wing dove into the MacGregor Scouts 2nd Aerospace Wing and did heavy damage. This did not prevent the understrength Davion wing from suffering additional damage forcing it to disengage and withdraw.

With both sides having expended most of their ordnance in just 20 minutes the Capellans realized they could not break though the fighter screen. With the dropship’s fighter escort still intact and with losses and damage serious enough to question pushing the attack further, the Capellans disengaged. The combined Davion fighter force regrouped and positioned itself to receive the approaching dropships, now making their final approach for entering orbit. Round one went to the Davions.

Alrescha Defence Brigade – Aerospace

MacGregor’s Armored Scouts 1st Aerospace Wing (light) [r] - r17; Mv:6; Arm - 19; S:4; M:4; L:0 – BOMB3

MacGregor’s Armored Scouts 2nd Aerospace Wing (medium) [r] - r17; Mv:6; Arm - 12:21; S:6; M:6; L:1 – BOMB4

New Hessen Armored Scouts Aerospace Wing (light) [r] - r13; Mv:6; Arm – 15:19; S:4; M:4; L:0 – BOMB3

Alrescha Garrison Aerospace Wing [r] (medium) – r13; Mv;6; Arm:6; Arm – 15:21 - S:6; M:6; L:1 – BOMB4


Davion 8th Brigade – Aerospace Command

8th Crucis Lancers 1st Aerospace Wing (light) [r] – r15; Mv:11; Arm - 18; S:3; M:3; L:0 – BOMB3

8th Crucis Lancers 2nd Aerospace Wing (heavy) [r] – r19; Mv:5; Arm - 12:27; S:9; M:9; L:3 – BOMB6 ch:td2
 
Swann’s Cavalier Heavy Aerospace Wing (heavy) [r] – v27; Mv:5; Arm – 27; S:9; M:9; L:3 – BOMB6

No. 1 Group – 504th (Nottingham) Wing (light) [r] – r14; Mv:10; Arm – 12; S:4; M:4; L:0 – BOMB2

No. 1 Group – 501st (Gloucester) Wing (medium) [r] – r14; Mv:6; Arm – 6:12; S:5: M:6; L:2 – BOMB2 ch:wd, (unsteady)

No. 1 Group – 302nd (Krakow) Wing (heavy) [r] – r16; Mv:5; Arm – 19; S:8; M:8; L:4 – BOMB4

*****

« Last Edit: 13 November 2020, 09:34:54 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 #121 on: 02 June 2018, 11:10:16 »
Cavalier-Two, Holbrook’s Wood – 1km from Cord Spaceport, Week 2a Jun, 3020

Sargent Perez had scanned the terrain around the spaceport's north eastern quadrant and decided the small copse of trees known as Holbrook’s Wood would suit his teams needs almost perfectly. Located on a small hill with a remarkably good field of view, it was just 35 x 25 meters with adequate underbrush to hide his three troopers. It was in the middle of a field of new wheat that was only just above the knee in height. The team was now dug in with one main and one security observation post facing the spaceport and one communication post on the opposite side of the wood that also doubled as a second security position. Despite these precautions there was no intention of fighting unless there was absolute no choice. The three man team was only lightly armed and would not last long in a firefight against real opposition. Looking around, Perez noted the copse was also small enough that it should not attract attention as long as the team maintained discipline. Since dropping three days ago the routine patrols had not yet come closer than the dirt track nearly 100 meters from the edge of the woods but there was no point in inviting unwanted attention.

This initial plan to drop during the hours of darkness on June 6th was scrapped when the dropships diverted to make an orbit to allow the fighters time to clear the approach. With the air battle in full swing the few hours the diversion took meant the team had to drop after the sunrise. This raised a few eyebrows as the entire team, their kit and even parachutes were all black. Captain Johanna Flanders simply cursed and modified the landing coordinates so they would land further away from the spaceport. The three equipment canisters were the first to be dropped, their descent checked by pilot chutes. As the teams dropped from the ships at over 20,000 meters they ‘flew’ to rendezvous with the canisters, adjusted their dive angle and came down softly an additional twenty kilometers from the initial aiming point. Waiting until almost the last moment before deploying their chutes the three teams landed safely in a broad coulee more than five kilometers from the nearest farm buildings, quickly burying the parachutes and light-weight equipment canisters the scouts set off on foot for the objectives.

All three teams made the cross country march to the original assembly point by late-afternoon where they rested for an hour before they moved out in the gathering dusk to their assigned observation areas. Two were placed to watch the spaceport from the northeast and south with clear lines of site at a range of between one and two kilometers. The third post was placed 5 kilometers north of the spaceport and one kilometer east of the main road leading from the city. The only activity since the drop date had been the regular combat air patrols launched each day. All this was duly reported to the friendly dropships hanging in orbit over the planet. That was the routine until first light on June 8th.

The activity at the spaceport began early and it was soon evident that something big was happening. A long column of truck mounted infantry formed up with most of the tanks that had been based at the spaceport and the entire force rolled north at a stately 35 kilometers per hour. Only three kilometers from the spaceport the column turned northeast on a secondary road and quickly disappeared over the horizon. At the same time every serviceable aerospace fighter launched, flight by flight, until the only craft left at the base were those too badly damaged to fly. A quick check with Cavalier One to the north advised that Captain Flanders could see large dust columns further north. It was clear that the enemy was not going to be content with waiting for the invasion force to come to them, they were marching to meet their attackers in the open country east of the city.

*****


Battle of Banfield, Alrescha, Week 1b-2a Jun, 3020

With the withdrawal of the Capellan fighters the dropships were able make a clean descent in the early daylight hours of June 6th. As the lead elements of Swann’s Cavaliers' probed the outer defences of Banfield it soon became clear that the Davion plan for the quick defeat of the New Hessen Scouts and destruction of the Banfield agricultural facility was far too optimistic. The Hessen infantry regiment supported by a heavy tank battalion were dug in around the grain and rail centers behind barbed wire and other heavy obstacles. Their artillery battalion was deployed to the north in wooded hills and out of reach for the moment. Hoping to use their superior numbers the Cavaliers', with a regiment of Davion jump infantry attached tried to take the town with a hasty attack. The attacking jump infantry was caught by a well-timed pre-registered artillery bombardment that brought them up short of their objective. The Cavaliers' own artillery inflicted serious losses on the defenders but it was not enough.

To make matters worse the three battalions of Hessen light and medium Mechs supported by two medium tank battalions could not be pinned down by the Cavaliers' own heavy Mechs and tanks. Only a single battalion of medium Mechs and two more of medium tanks had proven capable of maintaining an engagement with the lighter Capellan formations but could not decide the issue alone. The Cavaliers air wing, reloaded with bombs, helped suppress the artillery but they could not silence all of the guns, which contiued to be a threat. With reports of the main Capellan force on the move east from the capital city time for dealing with the defenders of Banfield was running out. Leaving behind his 2nd Motorised and 1st Mechanised infantry regiments to help finish the battle, Marshall Wargo left the fight for Banfield in the hands of Lieutenant-Colonel Sean Nally of the Lancer’s mechanised infantry. His instructions were to “finish this and get back to the main body as fast as you can”. With that the Marshall wheeled his command west with the equivalent of three mixed regiments moving at full speed just as first contact was being made by the 4th Dragoons with the lead elements of MacGregor’s Armoured Scouts. 


Davion Garrison, Banfield, Week 2a June, 3020:

8th Crucis Lancers Jump Infantry Regiment [r]:
   1st Battalion (CI): r14; Mv: 1; Transport MP: 6; TM: 4; Arm – 3:9; S: 6; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – CAR16
    2nd Battalion (CI); r14; Mv: 1; Transport MP: 6; TM: 4; Arm – 3:9; S: 6; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – CAR16
        3rd Battalion (CI); r14; Mv: 1; Transport MP: 6; TM: 4; Arm – 3:9; S: 6; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – CAR16

2/8th Crucis Lancers Motor Infantry Regiment [r]:
   1st Battalion (CI): r16; Mv: 1; Trans Mv: 6; TM: 1; Arm – 9; S: 6; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – CAR12; IT12
   2nd Battalion (CI): r16; Mv: 1; Trans Mv: 6; TM: 1; Arm – 9; S: 6; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – CAR12; IT12
   3rd Battalion (CI): r14; Mv: 1; Trans Mv: 6; TM: 1; Arm – 9; S: 6; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – CAR12; IT12

ACS Stats: Move:6; Tactic: 9; Mor: 7; Skill: 4

New Hessan Armoured Scouts, Week 2a June, 3020 - 30km north of Banfield:

New Hessan Amoured Scouts Mech Regiment [r]:
    1st Battalion (BM): r13; Mv: 6; TM: 4; Arm – 15:24; S: 6; M: 6; L: 0 – RCN
   2nd Battalion (BM): r13; Mv: 6; TM: 4; Arm - 15: 24; S: 6; M: 6; L: 0 – RCN
   3rd Battalion (BM): r13; Mv: 5; TM: 4; Arm – 25:34; S: 7; M: 7; L: 5

ACS Stats - Move: 5; Tac: 5; Mor: 7; Skill: 4 – Special: RCN

New Hessen Scouts Armoured Regiment [r]:
   1st Battalion (CV): r13; Mv: 7; TM: 3; Arm – 15:21; S: 9; M: 9; L:3 ; Spec – IT21
   2nd Battalion (CV): r13; Mv: 7; TM: 3; Arm – 21; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3; Spec – IT21
   3rd Battalion (CV): r13; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm – 0: 30; S: 12; M: 12; L: 3; Spec – IT15

ACS Stats - Move: 7; Tac: 3; Mor: 7; Skill: 4 – Spec: IT42

Davion Pursuit Force, Week 2a June, 3020 - 28 km north of Banfield:

Swann’s Armoured Cavaliers [r]:
   1st Battalion Swann’s Mech Reg’t (BM): v24; Mv: 5; TM: 4; Arm – 30; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3
   1st Battalion Swann’s Arm’d Reg’t (CV): v26; Mv: 7; TM: 4; Arm – 24; S: 6; M: 9; L: 3; Spec – IT21
   2nd Battalion Swann’s Arm’d Reg’t (CV): v26; Mv: 7; TM: 4; Arm – 24; S: 6; M: 9; L: 3; Spec – IT21

ACS Stats: Move: 5; Tac: 4; Mor: 6; Skill: 3 – Spec: IT42

1/8th Crucis Lancers Mechanised Infantry Regiment [r];
   1st Battalion (CVI): r14; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm – 15:21; S: 8; M: 5; L: 1; Spec – CAR28, IT35
   2nd Battalion (CVI): r14; Mv:6; TM:2; Arm – 15:21; S:8; M:5; L:1; Spec – CAR28, IT35
   3rd Battalion (CVI): r14; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm – 13:21; S: 8; M: 5; L: 1; Spec – CAR28, IT35

ACS Stats: Move: 6; Tac: 4; Mor: 7; Skill: 4 – Spec: CAR84, IT105

Banfield finally fell early in Week 2a but the remaining mobile elements of the New Hessen Mechs and medium armour were still at large and being harried across open country to the north by the Cavaliers' medium armour and the Crucis Lancers 1/8th Mechanised Infantry. The location of what remained of the Hessen artillery, after suffering accurate airstrikes, was unknown but suspected to be dispersed in the woodlands near Banfield. The town was now garrisoned by the battered Davion jump infantry and another regiment of motorised infantry, who set about finishing the destruction of the grain and rail facilities. The remaining Cavalier Mechs, heavy tanks and artillery were moving west to reinforce the main battle now developing 70 kilometers west of Banfield.

*****
« Last Edit: 13 November 2020, 09:52:47 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 #122 on: 11 June 2018, 01:23:11 »
MacGregor’s Armoured Scouts Tactical Headquarters, 35km East of Cord, Alrescha Week 2a Jun, 3020

As Colonel Bailey read the latest intelligence updates it was now almost certain the invading force possessed less than two standard Davion regimental combat teams. The Capellan commander was not overly fussed about the numbers as he had organised his main command into three brigades varying in strength from two to six battalions. His own forces could not be easily dismissed, in fact, a rough estimate of the contents based on the identified dropships suggested that he may actually possess more troops than his opponent. His own ‘Armoured Scouts’ had one battalion each of medium and heavy Mechs, while the Mech regiment’s third battalion had consisted of mechanised infantry since the late 30th century. He also had three medium tank regiments, one mechanised infantry regiment, two more regiments of motorised infantry, two battalions of artillery and the light and medium aerospace fighter wings.

Also attached to his command were the recently rebuilt New Hessen Armoured Scouts, now heavily engaged at Banfield and doing better than expected. The commander of the Hessens had already been order to hold the town as long as he could but then break contact and bring his mobile forces around the enemy positions to the north and join the main force as it marched east. The Hessen’s light aerospace wing was also a welcome addition to the defences. The planet also offered a second line militia regiment mounted in buses but it was mainly a leg infantry formation. The militia, along with a light tank battalion had been left behind in the capital to guard government buildings and depots as well as support the spaceport garrison if called upon. The garrison also had an additional two regular motorised infantry regiments and two medium tank battalions. One battalion of infantry with a tank platoon from the capital had been left behind to protect the spaceport but the remaining troops were attached to his Armoured Scouts and were marching east to engage the invaders.

As the Hessen infantry fought to the bitter end at Banfield he had decided the time to strike was now and he would use everything in reach to strike at the invader of ‘his’ planet. The orders went out for the entire command, less the small security force for the city and spaceport, to assemble and be ready to roll east before 1000h that morning. His attention was on the latest report from Banfield when an aide opened the door to the small office in his headquarters vehicle and announced, “Sir, ground reconnaissance had made contact, light Mechs and hovercraft. Just over 40 kilometers to the east, probably enemy reconnaissance units looking for us.”

“Thank you, Commander,” Colonel Bailey replied. “I’ll be right in. Have all regimental commanders report their status and get my Mech brought up from the column. Alert the command lance to be ready to move.”

With a quick salute the aide left as Colonel Bailey began a quick change from his field uniform to just boots, shorts and cooling vest covered by a light windbreaker devoid of any rank insignia. Thinking to himself, he quickly called to mind the terrain maps and the positions of the march columns containing his command. He was mildly surprised to find the enemy so far west at this point.

“That would put the Davion force a few kilometers west of the Willow Hills," he mused. "So, the enemy commander didn’t wait to finish off the Hessen’s before moving west. Interesting.”
 
With that the Capellan commander strode through the metal door and into the command centre of his mobile headquarters.

*****

Romeo Two-Two Bravo, Six kilometers west of the Willow Hills, Alrescha, Week 2a Jun, 3020

“Romeo Two, this is Two-Two Bravo. Enemy contact, wait, out.”

The already infrequent tactical chatter found within a comms net went completely silent as the vehicles and Mechs of the reconnaissance formation waited for the next transmission from Two-Two Bravo. The tactical call sign identified the sender as Sargent Caroline de Berrie of Two Troop. Two Troop in turn belonged to Major Edmund Beaufort’s B Squadron, 4th Dragoons, 1st Mechanised Brigade. Also listening in were the communications techs of the 4th Dragoons tactical headquarters some few kilometers further back. These techs immediately advised Lieutenant-Colonel John Beaufort, the commanding officer of the 4th Dragoons, while at the same time passing this initial contact notification and radio frequency up the command chain to the brigade headquarters and Colonel Bedford’s staff.

For tactical reconnaissance the three combined arms squadrons in the 4th Dragoons adopted a modified deployment doctrine. Romeo Two, or B Squadron, was deployed in two troops, each consisting of six vehicles and Mechs with four more hover tanks forming the squadron headquarters. Each troop in B Squadron had two light Mechs, two hover tanks, two hover APCs carrying an infantry squad each , divided into three patrols of two units. The patrols were so configured as it allowed the three sub-units to scout a broad front ahead of the battalion with each vehicle or Mech able leap frog its partner as they advanced bound by tactical bound. While one unit took up a position to observe the second moved forward to the next position where it took up a similar observation position. Its partner then deployed forward. It provided security while at the same time being more difficult to spot than the regular movement by an entire lance or platoon. If enemy action was imminent the standard four unit troops of the squadron could be quickly reformed.

“Romeo-Two-Two, this is Bravo. Enemy tanks, grid four-five-niner, three-three-six, range one-five-zero-zero meters moving east. Eight vehicles, mixed wheeled and hovercraft. Over.”

“Two-Two-Bravo, this is Romeo Two, roger, eight enemy vehicles, wheeled and tracked, moving east one-five-zero-zero meters west of your position. Continue to observe and report. Do not engage. Out.”

Major Beaufort was about to check his other sub units but just as he drew his breath and prepared to key his microphone he was interrupted by another contact report.

“Romeo-Two-One, this is Two-One-Charlie, contact. I have twelve, I say again, twelve enemy tanks, range one-six-five-zero, grid four-six-one, three-three-seven. Mostly wheeled and light tracks, moving west in tactical formation, over.”

The squadron commander paused for a three count checking the map against the new contact by his first troop’s fourth vehicle. Nearly two kilometer apart the contacts were drawing a picture of the enemy’s movement. With twenty tanks spotted moving amongst the fields and small woods in front of the squadron Edward Beaufort was already certain an enemy tank battalion was coming his way.

Within a few seconds a third report came in from Romeo-Two-One, the troop commander of B Squadrons’ first troop. Then quickly, two more contacts reports were received from other squadron call signs. Like the others they had identified numerous enemy tanks moving nearly two kilometers to their front. The enemy had arrived but they were not moving in the classic reconnaissance method. Instead they were moving tactically, in more compact platoon formations, almost as if they were expecting contact at any moment. While this provided more security and concentrated firepower, it did mean the Capellans were moving with less stealth, making it more difficult for them to spot their enemy at longer ranges while at the same time the denser formation made it easier to be spotted themselves. So much the worse for them.

“Romeo Two-One, Two-Two, Two-Three, this is Two. Pull back 500 meters to the crossroads at grid four-five-eight, three-three-four. Standard deployment and spacing.  Move now, out.”

Reaching right above his shoulder Beaufort flipped the selector switch to change his radio from the squadron set to the battalion set and sent his own contact report.

“Romeo-Nine, this is Romeo-Two. Sit-rep, over”

The response was almost immediate. People were listening.

“Romeo-Two, this is Nine. Send, over.”

“Nine, Enemy armour, approximately battalion strength, mixed hover and wheel with a few tracks. Grid coordinates four-five-seven, three-three-five through four-six-three, three-three-four. Moving west to east, over.”

“Romeo-Two, this in Nine. Message received. Be advised friendly fast air is in the area and enemy has been marked by friendly Hotel-Romeo assets. Begin harassing the contacts and see if you can draw them away to the south.”

The commander of the 4th Dragoons released the transmit button on his mike to avoid jamming frequency. Pausing a few heartbeats he continued.

“Romeo-Three is also in contact to your south, same contact types and numbers. Romeo-One is not engaged and moving west to find the enemy flank and see what is behind your contacts. Suspect there is a medium regiment to your front. ‘Golf’ call-sign available if requested. Send sitrep when able. Romeo-Two out.”

Major Beaufort noted the information as he saw the rest of his squadron’s Mech and hovercraft slide smoothly into positions to his front. With a battalion of armour to his immediate front he knew he could not engage them in a stand up fight. However, with his eight hover tanks, platoon of mechanised infantry and lance of fast light Mechs, a Hermes IB, two Jenners and a Javelin, he could make high speed passes at their  flanks to harass and hopefully deflect their advance. He would not inflict much damage but the speed would help protect his own vehicles and Mechs. If he was annoying enough the enemy may take the bait and try to engage him in a direct firefight as he angled his command southeast and then south.

As he raised his left hand to the microphone on his throat to give his squadron their orders he couldn’t help but think of his cousin’s unofficial motto for his battalion, “Never a dull moment in the Dragoons.” As the squadron began to deploy for combat Major Beaufort adjusted the frequency on the command net to contact Golf-Nine. As the enemy armour drew closer it was time to ‘call the thunder’.

“Golf-Niner, this is Romeo-Two, fire mission, over.”


*****

1st Mechanised Brigade, 4th Dragoons (+), [r] – Combat Team Stats
   Romeo 9 (mix): v23; Mv: 8; TM: 3; Arm – 6; S: 3; M: 2; L: 0 - Spec: CAR2, IT2, RCN, DRO
   Romeo 1 (mix): v24; Mv: 9; Jump: 1; TM: 3; Arm – 8; S: 4; M: 3; L: 0 – Spec: CAR6, IT6, RCN
   Romeo 2 (mix): v23; Mv: 8; Jump: 1; TM: 3; Arm – 10; S: 2; M: 3; L: 2 - Spec: CAR4, IF1, IT4, RCN
   Romeo 3 (mix): v23; Mv: 8; Jump: 1; TM: 3; Arm – 7:9; S: 3; M: 3; L: 2 – Spec: CAR4, IF1, IT4, RCN

ACS Combat Unit Stats: v23; Mv: 8; TM: 3; Arm – 31:33; S: 12; M: 11; L: 4 –Spec: Car16, IT16, RCN, DRO

ACS Formation Stats – Move: 8; Tac: 1; Mor: 6; Skill: 3 – Spec: CAR16, IT16, RCN

No. 1 Group, 501 Wing (City of Gloucester) [r] –
   501 Wing (med): r14; Mv: 6; Arm – 4:12; S: 5; M: 6; L: 2; Spec- BOMB3 – ch: td, mv
ACS Formation Stats: Move: 6; Tac: 4; Mor: 7; Skill: 4 – Spec: BOMB3

MacGregor’s 3rd Armoured Regiment [r] –
   1st Battalion (CV): r16; Mv: 8; TM: 3; Arm – 15:18; S: 9; M: 9; L: 0 – Spec: RCN
   2nd Battalion (CV): r16; Mv: 7; TM: 3; Arm – 9:21; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3; - Spec: none
   3rd Battalion (CV): r16; Mv: 7; TM: 3; Arm – 21; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3; - Spec: none

ACS Formation Stats: Move: 7; Tac: 3; Skill: 4; Mor: 7 – Spec: none

With an additional lance of light Mechs attached from the brigade’s command company, the 4th Dragoons were split into two demi-battalions in order to better manage the fight against MacGregor’s screen of light and medium tanks. Two squadrons of the Dragoons conducted high speed harassment attacks against the forward light battalion of Capellan armour, exchanging relatively light damage. The left hand Capellan battalion of medium tanks was not so lucky. An artillery fire mission initiated by the Dragoon's B Squadron, and carried through with aid of Boomerang spotter planes and ground drones, landed squarely on target with devastating results to the Hetzer, Vedette and larger hovercraft. The headquarters and A Squadron of the Dragoons darted to the west, south of the developing battle, skirting the Capellan flank and gather more information on what sort of numbers were coming towards the 1st Brigade.

Overhead the aerospace forces from both sides hurled themselves at each other striving to win control of the air, the sky marked with white contrails or black smudges and streaks marking where fighters had lost their private battles and plummeted earthward or staggered away toward a friendly airstrip or orbiting dropship. Number One Group’s attempt to use the 502 Wing to support the Dragoons failed to tip the balance and additional craft were damaged or lost. As the battle drifted to the south, up on the western edge of the hills, eyes with high-powered electronic ranging  binoculars could make out the tall shapes of Capellan Mechs and their supporting armour more than six kilometers away. The enemy’s van was approaching and once it had completed deploying from its march columns the Capellans would certainly engage. With nearly five hours before sunset the battle was expected to continue into the night.

*****

« Last Edit: 13 November 2020, 10:13:16 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

The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #123 on: 17 June 2018, 11:41:29 »
Willow Hills, 74 Kilometers east of Cord, Alrescha, 1700h  Week 2a Jun, 3020

Standing on the top of the turret of the Manticore heavy tank that was serving as his forward command post, Richard Bedford surveyed the ground that was spread out below him from his position on the crest of Hill 352.6 on the western edges of the Willow Hills. The two reconnaissance forces, still skirmishing, had slowly drifted off to the east and south, the flashes of explosions and tracer marking the flight of high velocity shot showing more clearly in the early evening as the sun sank to the west. The 4th Dragoons were doing their best to manoeuvre the enemy light and medium armour away from the brigade’s main line but the enemy commander was too savvy to take the bait entirely. To the southwest what appeared to be most of a battalion of medium tanks was still close enough to warrant a wary eye be kept in that direction.

Immediately below his position at perhaps two or three kilometers to the west the Techs of Task Force 1.2 and 1.3 had darted down from the hills with recovery vehicles to see what kit might be salvaged. The enemy was near, and drawing nearer with each minute, so time was at a premium. Under the watchful eyes of the two forward task forces the vehicles darted from one apparent wreck to the next where a quick evaluation was done. If the senior Tech in the crew thought the vehicle might be saved they quickly dismounted to hook up the vehicle and start dragging it away.

The real concern was the approach of the enemy Mechs off in the distance. It was clear they were deploying into tactical formations and they gave every impression of preparing to advance. The brigade’s four spotter aircraft were keeping an eye on the enemy preparations noting large numbers of armoured personnel carriers and their supporting light and medium armour. The Hi-Scout Drones carriers attached to the headquarters of task forces 1.2 and 1.3 had also been deployed and were moving forward to gather more information. A rough count suggested roughly a regiment or more of mechanised infantry supporting two battalions of Mechs, mostly medium or heavy. The UAVs had to be careful, the Davion invasion force had not yet won air superiority which kept the spotter aircraft at lower altitudes. The low altitude came with its own dangers. If the light craft got too close to the enemy formation they risked being shot from the skies by ground fire.

Zooming in with the powerful electronic binoculars Richard Bedford half hoped the enemy would delay the attack until morning. This would allow the main body of the 8th Crucis Lancers to catch up with the 1st Mechanised Brigade and Davion 2/8th Mechanised Infantry Regiment. As soon as became clear that Banfield was not going fall on schedule Bedford called a quick conference with his Davion counterpart and advised that they move west into the only good defensible ground in the region, the Willow Hills. Colonel Dupuis of the Two-Eight dithered at first but agreed once he realised the move west would give his own infantry better ground to fight in than the open steppes they occupied just a few kilometers west of the dropship landing zones.   

The two formations moved west and occupied the hills earlier that afternoon. The brigade had deployed Task Force 1.2 and 1.3 farthest to the west on the very western edge of the hills. Task Force 1.1 and the brigade’s command company stood in reserve, hidden in the low ground behind the second range of hills just three kilometers behind the other two battalions. The Davion mechanised regiment was echeloned to the rear with its first battalion immediately behind the right flank of Task Force 1.3, its second and third battalions, one each of infantry and armour, were further back and to the north. Another 30 kilometers to the rear was the main body of the Crucis Lancers minus the infantry left to mop up Banfield and secure the attack forces’ rear. To the north Swann’s Cavaliers Mechs and tanks were trying to run the mobile elements of the New Hessen mercenary command to ground or at least stop them from linking up with the main Capellan force now deploying before him.

Colonel Bedford’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of outgoing artillery passing overhead. Raising the binioculars again he could see the enemy was advancing, the tall Mechs standing out against the background, often towering over small stands of light woods and brush that obscured the approach of the ground vehicles. From the direction of the advance it soon became clear that John de Scalles’ 17th Lancers would take the brunt of the enemy assault. The headphones in his helmet spoke.

“Kilo Six, this is November Two-Alpha. Enemy Mechs and armour are moving east, course zero-eight-zero. No sign of additional support or artillery. Estimate two battalions of Bravo-Mike, one heavy on the left, one medium on the right, three to four battalions of mechanised infantry with tanks in support, over.”

A quick acknowledgement by Captain John Hardyng, the Brigades intelligence platoon commander, closed out the conversation on the radio net and Bedford noted that the tech teams were abandoning the efforts to drag off any more derelicts. Mounting their vehicles they withdrew as fast as they could now that they were warned the enemy was headed their way.

*****


Colonel Bailey’s orders to his lead regiments were simple. They were going to attack the hills to their front and destroy the mixed force of Mechs and tanks before the enemy had an opportunity to concentrate their forces. What air reconnaissance he had told him that the enemy was broken into three sections. The first section was here to his front, estimated at two battalions of mixed forces, probably mercenary, deployed in the hills. They had some infantry support a few kilometers to their east, echeloned to their right, likely motorised or mechanised infantry with the usual tank support. The next enemy column was nearly 25 kilometers to the east, moving cross country and would likely arrive in the hills shortly before nightfall. Bailey’s attack was to ensure his own forces were already in the hills by then. The third enemy column was another 35 kilometers to the north and east, pursuing the New Hessen mercenary’s Mechs and armour that had been ordered to withdraw from Banfield once it became clear the town would fall.


His own forward regiment of light and medium tanks had not been able penetrate the enemy’s screen and its second battalion had been badly hurt by artillery. It was withdrawn to an observation positions where they could form a reserve for the other two battalions of the regiment. The remaining two battalions were still engaged to the south, chasing the enemy’s light scout forces. With him he had two full regiments, the Armoured Scouts and his mechanised infantry. He would hurl four of his six battalions, including his heavy Mechs, at the enemy wing to his left and drive in their line to separate them from the forces advancing from the east. Their comrade’s to the south would be pinned by his medium battalion supported by one more of mechanised infantry. The medium Mechs and their consirts would then screen the flank of his main attack as it advanced into the hills.

Twenty kilometers to his west the medium and heavy armour of the 1st and 2nd Armoured Regiments were moving forward and would arrive before sunset. They would deploy to his left and drive into the hills further north. Ten kilometers behind the armour were the two regiments of motorised infantry and two tank battalions belonging to the planetary defence brigade, which he would use as a reserve. The last column consisted of his two artillery battalions and the 1st and 2nd Motorised Infantry Regiments. The guns were slow and had actually left Cord before the local defence brigade. They were not expected to be in firing positions until well after darkness had fallen but would be deployed in depth behind the main line of defence.

That was in future. The business at hand was to attack the force to his front. As he pushed the throttle forward and propelled his Catapult into motion he saw his troops were already moving forward. The Mech battalions were on the left and right, the regiment’s own mechanised infantry in the centre. The second wave consisted of the supporting mounted infantry and armour of the 1st Mechanised Infantry Regiment. The attack formations were compact and they would hit the enemy on a narrow front.  It was promising to be a bloody evening.

*****

The Capellans advanced into the low ground in front of the 1st Mechanised Brigade and were immediately taken under long range fire. The medium Mech battalion on the right, supported by a mechanised infantry battalion, deployed into a skirmish line and faced the right end of the line held by Task Force 1.2. The infantry deployed in two large stands of light and heavy woods behind the Mech and tanks, their carriers taking what cover they could but staying close to their charges.

On the left and centre the heavy and assault Mechs supported by one infantry battalion and closely followed by two more, attacked directly into the line held by Task Force 1.3. Facing three full Mech companies as well as the tank companies from three mechanised infantry regiments, Task Force 1.3 soon began to take casualties. The slower heavy and assault Mechs, not being able to keep up with the tanks and armoured carriers, kept up a steady stream of fire onto the heights. The tanks and Mechs of Task Force 1.3 scored numerous hits on the approaching tanks, being the more immediate threat, but as the lead enemy assault troops reached the lower slopes of the hills the mercenaries gave way and retreated from the heights. Their own infantry, abandoning individual slit trenches and fox holes, boarded their APCs and Task Force 1.3 retired down the back slope of the hills and dashed across the narrow valley to a lower range of hills to the east.

To the front of Task Force 1.2 the enemy skirmish line was beginning to hurt the right wing despite the range. The enemy’s skirmish line began to slip eastward into a gap between the mercenary battalions as Task Force 1.3 withdrew. The Brigade’s artillery delivered a punishing blow to one company of Capellan Mechs but were unable to adjust their fire to stay on the target as it repositioned itself. With nearly half his command unengaged Lieutenant-Colonel John Falstof advanced his left wing in a wheel to the right in order to bring more firepower to bear on the enemy skirmish line. Soon he had his entire battalion engaged with the enemy along with Colonel Bedford’s command company lending support from the heights.

*****

The enemy, sensing victory on the left, came up the slopes at speed, the heavy Mechs, struggling to match the pace, slowly fell further behind. As the Capellan tanks crested the hills they took up firing positions and continued to engage Task Force 1.3’s combat teams now deploying below them on the lower hills to the east. The infantry carriers pushed on down the slopes, those with LRM’s pausing briefly to loose a salvo before pressing on behind their counterparts with machine guns or SRMs. The tanks and Mechs of Task Force 1.3 let loose with everything they had while artillery rounds began dropping among the enemy tanks and leading Mechs. At that moment the first battalion of the Davion 2/8th Mechanised Regiment arrived behind Task Force 1.3, deploying its infantry in the heavy woods between the second range  and third of hills. The medium tanks remained on the third range of hills using the light woods as cover, they took the advancing Capellans under fire.

As the heavy Capellan Mechs crested the hills to their front their assault Mechs tried to skirt the slopes and speed their arrival into the valley to the front. At the same time the tanks advanced down the slopes and pressed Lieutenant-Colonel’s de Scalles command severely. With losses mounting on both sides the Capellans drove their assault onto the second range of hills until the Capellan infantry were dismounting and their carriers were in range to engage with machine guns and SRMs. Task Force 1.3 pulled back again less than a kilometer to the third range of hills where they turned once again to engage their tormentors.

Piloting his Marauder 3L, Thomas de Scalles keyed his microphone to the command channel.

“Sunray this is Tango Three-Nine. Losses mounting, Richard. Have pulled back to position three. Request everything Golf-Nine has on Position Two. Over.”

Hearing the concern in the voice of Thomas de Scalles, Richard Bedford knew it meant his men and women in the 17th Lancers were suffering. Despite this he knew he needed to draw the enemy deeper into the hills before he could  launch his own counterattack. For this he needed more time.

“Tango Three-Nine, understood. Continue the operation. Tango Two is moving to support. Out”

Flipping the radio’s selector switch to the command net for the 11th Hussars he give a quick order, “Two-Nine, Sunray. Push it hard John, the Lancers are getting hurt. I need you to pin their screen and start working around their western flank, over.”

“Sunray, Two-Nine, understood. Moving now, out.”

With the order received and understanding his comrades were under heavy pressure John Falstolf ordered his entire line to advance against the enemy skirmish line and its supporting infantry and tanks. While his own command was being hurt against the more numerous Capellan Mechs the overall numbers favoured Task Force 1.2 and it was now time to make use of that advantage. As his Mechs and armour advanced they began to score repeatedly and the enemy screen began to bow in the centre. The enemy’s supporting infantry and tanks were being driven west and north while the Mechs were pressed northeast. If he could split their line the Hussars could get behind the enemy advance and retake the hills behind them.

*****

The Capellan tanks had broken through. As the Lancers began to fall back once again, this time to a long hill with steep slopes that ran northeast to southwest, two companies of Capellan medium tanks dashed forward and succeeded in cutting off Combat Team 3.1 from the rest of the task force. If the enemy tanks had been more numerous or heavier models this breakthrough may have been the decisive moment of the battle, however, the daring push turned out to be more of a problem for the Capellans than the Lancers and their supporting Davion troops. Combat Team 3.1 was ably supported by the Davion infantry and tanks on the northern extension of the third range of hills. As the Davion infantry and APCs brought the advancing Cappellan infantry under heavy fire the Davion tanks and Combat Team 3.1 poured their fire into the Capellan tanks from the north. To their south the other two combat teams and the Task Force command lance turned their guns and lasers on the now pocketed Capellan armour. It was only the speed of the tanks and their quick decision to get out of the kill zone that saved them from crippling losses. Even so an number of burning wrecks or crippled vehicles remained in the valley.

With retreat of the Capellan armour the battle’s intensity seemed to fade as if both sides needed to pause to draw a breath. It was then that Richard Bedford gave the order that changed the tide of the battle. The Capellan attack was now the better part of three kilometers into the mercenary lines and its organisation had become disrupted by the terrain, the Capellan formations had become strung out. The attacking heavy Mechs were still on the heights of the first hills while their assault Mechs were in the valley between the first and second range. The Capellan tanks had suffered heavily for their aggressiveness and the infantry companies were either under fire from the Davion troops to the north or spread out between the second and third ranges.  The 1st Horse Artillery was getting the range and more and more shells were landing with accuracy among the Capellan formations. 

Observing all of this from a high peak nearly three kilometers to the south and with light failing rapidly now that the sun was below the horizon, Richard Bedford gave the order to  Task Force 1.1.

Tango One-nine, this is Sunray. Execute. Hit them hard, John, over.”

"Sunray, Tango One-nine. Understood and with pleasure. Moving now, out.”

Lieutenant-Colonel John Talbot was an infantryman but no one could question is command abilities. He knew and understood the need for combined arms training and willing took the Mech training offered within the brigade. For this battle he mounted the Ostroc 2D that was kept ready for him in the battalion command lance. Feeling perfectly at home in his MCV with maps and radios or in a prepared position with his “children”, this time he would pilot a Mech into battle with a relish. Keying his radio over his command net to his combat teams and sub units he gave the order.

“Tango One, all call signs. Advance bearing 310 degrees. Engage and destroy all targets of opportunity. Move now, out.”

With that the 1st Rifles, Task Force 1.1, the 1st Mechanised Brigade’s heaviest battalion, strode and rolled forward from their hidden positions on the right rear or the Capellan advance. As they crested the rise of the first hill to their front in the gathering gloom the colonel gave the order and as one every Mech and vehicle turned on their searchlights and lit up the low ground below them.

*****

Battle of the Willow Hills

Alrescha 10th Brigade -
MacGregor’s Armoured Scouts [r] –
   1st Battalion (BM): r14; Mv: 5; TM: 4; Arm – 10:34; S: 7; M: 7; L: 5 unsteady
   2nd Battalion (BM); r13; Mv: 4; TM: 2; Arm - 38:42; S: 9; M: 10; L: 8
        3rd Battalion (CVI); r14; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm - 16:21; S: 8; M: 5; L: 1 – Spec: CAR28, IT35

MacGregor’s 1st Mechanised Infantry Regiment [r] –
   1st Battalion (CVI): r14; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm – 12:21; S: 8; M: 5; L: 1 – Spec: CAR28, IT35 shaken
   2nd Battalion (CVI): r14; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm – 19:21; S: 8; M: 5; L: 1 - Spec: CAR28, IT35
   3rd Battalion (CVI): r14; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm – 18:21; S: 8; M: 5; L: 1 – Spec: CAR28, IT35

ACS Formation Stats – Move: 4; Tac: 6; Mor: 7; Skill: 4 – Spec: CAR112, IT140

Davion 8th Brigade (-) -

1st Mechanised Brigade (+) [r] –
   Task Force 1.1 (mix); r19; Mv: 5; TM: 3; Arm - 54:55; S: 18; M: 18; L: 13[9]– Spec: CAR19, (IF4), IT19
   Task Force 1.2 (mix); r18; Mv:5; TM: 3; Arm - 38:44; S: 13; M: 12; L: 12[8] – Spec:  CAR16, (IF4), IT18
   Task Force 1.3 (mix); r18; Mv:5; TM: 3; Arm - 39:46; S: 12; M: 13; L: 9[6] – Spec: CAR16, (IF4), IT17 
   1st Battalion [2/8th Mech Inf] (mix); r19; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm - 12:21; S: 8; M: 5; L: 1 – Spec: CAR28, IT35 shaken

ACS Formation Stats – Move: 5; Tac: 3; Mor: 7; Skill: 4 – Spec: CAR79, MHQ2, IT89

1st Mechanised Brigade Artillery Command (-) [r] –
   1st Horse Artillery (CV): r17; Mv: 3; TM: 1; Arm – 20; S: 3; M: 1; L: 0 – Spec: ART-LT8, ART-S4, CAR2, IT2, MHQ2

ACS Formation Stats – Move: 3; Tac: 5; Mor: 7; Skill: 4 – Spec: ART-LT8, ART-S4, CAR2, IT2, MHQ2

<<Note: this brawl was actually fought using Advanced SBF so the formation stats are a bit misleading. In the actual battle the six battalions would been deployed in SBF Formations of 3-4 lances/platoons.>>
« Last Edit: 13 November 2020, 10:40:50 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 #124 on: 19 June 2018, 10:51:09 »
Valasov Fiefdom, Alrescha, Week 2b-3a, Jun 3020 – The Ground Battle

As the darkness finally settled over the battle in the Willow Hills MacGregor’s Armoured Scouts’ managed to conduct a fighting withdrawal and avoided being encircled. They were aided in this by the arrival of the lead battalions of the Capellan 1st and 2nd Armoured Regiments on the left. This prevented two battalions of the Davion 2/8th Mechanised Regiment from enveloping their left flank. In fact, the 2/8th might have found itself in trouble of its own in facing as many as six tank battalions had they persisted in the attempt. As events transpired, the arrival of the lead battalion of 8th Crucis Lancer’s own 1st Armoured Regiment followed shortly thereafter by the lead company of medium Mechs only a short distance behind them brought the battle on the Capellan left to halt.

On the Capellan right the intervention from the west by the battered medium tanks of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Armoured Regiment threatened to expose the left of Task Force 1.1 if it continued its push north. The only troops remaining uncommitted from the 1st Mechanised Brigade was the command lance, the headquarters tank platoon and the air mobile 13th Commando. With no small degree of frustration Colonel Bedford ordered the Brigade to cease its pursuit of the retreating Capellans and secure the battlefield, especially any salvage. The battle wound down on this flank and the two sides drew apart.

The battle flared up again the following morning but for the next three days the action was primarily on the right of the 1st Mechanised Brigade. Colonel Bailey had removed his heavy Mech battalion from his right hand formation and added it to the two armoured regiments that had arrived late the previous night. The infantry and tanks of the Alrescha defence forces had also arrived during the night and were deployed on the left to support the Mechs and armour. Behind these, arriving in the early morning darkness, were his command’s two artillery battalions and their supporting infantry, which should be able to join the battle after taking time to deploy.

On his right the Capellan commander recalled the 3rd Battalion of his armoured regiment deployed to his south skirmishing with the 4th Dragoons, in turn sending the weakened second battalion to the screening force. This left the light first battalion with the task of keeping the mercenary scouts at bay but in this case it was largely a matter of hover tanks versus hover tanks in a number of inconclusive skirmishes. The medium tanks, supported by the battered medium Mech battalion and mechanised infantry, were left to watch the 1st Mechanised Brigade on the right.

The Davion Marshal had completed his own concentration and had deployed his three battalions of heavy and assault Mechs along with four heavy and one assault tank battalion from 1st, 2nd and 3rd Armoured Regiments. This collection of heavy firepower was organised into a battlegroup and prepared to take the fight to the Capellans. In support he also had the remaining two light and one medium tank battalions from his remaining regiments and the Lancer’s own artillery. Close by he held his remaining motorised and mechanised infantry regiments. Finally, coming up from Banfield on his right, and expected later that morning, were Swann’s Cavaliers two heavy Mech battalions and one more of heavy armour along with its artillery.

As the sky began to lighten in the east movement could be detected on both sides of the lines. What followed was a meeting engagement that could only be described as a wild melee on fringes of the hills and the open steppes to their west. The Davion Mechs and heavy armour quickly outmanoeuvered the Capellans despite the fact that the Armoured Scouts’ tanks were significantly more agile. The battle soon developed into running duel at point blank range that could only have one outcome – the mauling of the Capellan heavy Mechs and the destruction of five of the six tank battalions committed to the battle. The Davion tanks and Mechs did not get away unscathed, however, and their pursuit of the broken Scouts to their front was deflected by the near disaster that befell their own right wing just at the moment of  victory.

Similar to the attacks in the Davion centre the troops of the 8th Crucis Lancers moved out at first light with the remaining light and medium armour from the commands 1st and 2nd Armoured Regiments supported by the weakened 1/8th Mechanised Infantry and the command’s artillery. They ran straight into the Alrescha planetary defence forces with two medium tank battalions and two motorised infantry regiment. While the tanks fought each other to a standstill the Alrescha infantry got behind the 1/8th Mechanised and before the troops could dismount the Capellan infantry was upon them. For little cost the entire Davion infantry regiment was gutted, its 1st and 2nd Battalions almost destroyed entirely. If not for the artillery finally checking the attack the Davion right may have been overwhelmed and the flank exposed. Fortunately for 8th Lancers the arrival of Swann’s Cavaliers heavy Mechs and armour and the commitment of the Lancers remaining motorised infantry convinced the Capellans to withdraw.

As the third week of June began the entire Capellan left and centre was falling back. As soon as the their right wing began to conform with the move it was spotted by the forward pickets of the 1st Mechanised Brigade. Soon after the brigade received orders to advance and engage the remaining intact elements of the Capellan army on Alrescha.

*****

<<This battle was fought using Adv SBF>>

Alrescha Defence Brigade -

MacGregor’s Armored Scouts [r] – Centre Formation I
   
2nd Battalion (BM), MAS Mech Regiment – hvy; Mv: 4; TM: 2; Arm – 9:42; S: 9; M:10; L:8 – Spec: none (routed)ch;td
1st Battalion (CV), 2nd Armoured Regiment – med; g12; Mv: 7; TM: 3; Arm – 21; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3 – Spec: IT21
3rd Battalion (CV), 2nd Armoured Regiment – hvy; r13; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm – 0:30; S: 12; M: 12; L: 3 – Spec: IT15

ACS Formation Stats – MV; 4; Tac: 6; Mor: 8; Skill: 4 – Spec: IT36

MacGregor’s Armored Scouts [r] – Centre Formation II

1st Battalion (CV), 1st Armoured Regiment – med; r14; Mv: 7; TM: 3; Arm – 0:21; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3 – Spec: IT21
2nd Battalion (CV), 1st Armoured Regiment – med; r14; Mv: 7; TM: 3; Arm – 0:21; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3 – Spec: IT21
3rd  Battalion (CV), 1st Armoured Regiment – med; r14; Mv: 7; TM: 3; Arm – 0:21; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3 – Spec: IT21
2nd Battalion (CV), 2nd Armoured Regiment – med; r13; Mv: 7; TM: 3; Arm – 0:21; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3 – Spec: IT21

ACS Formation Stats – Mv: 7; Tac: 3; Mor: 7; Skill: 4 – Spec: IT84

Alrescha Defence Forces [r] – Left Wing Formation III
1st Battalion (CI), 1st Infantry Regiment – r15; Mv: 6; TM: 3;  Arm – 3:9; S: 6; M: 3; L: 0 – Spec: CAR27, IT 27 (unsteady)
2nd Battalion (CI), 1st Infantry Regiment – r15; Mv: 6; TM: 3;  Arm – 2:9; S: 6; M: 3; L: 0 – Spec: CAR27, IT 27 (unsteady)
1st Battalion (CI), 2nd Infantry Regiment – r15; Mv: 6; TM: 3;  Arm – 3:9; S: 6; M: 3; L: 0 – Spec: CAR27, IT 27 (unsteady)
2nd Battalion (CI), 2nd Infantry Regiment – r15; Mv: 6; TM: 3;  Arm – 4:9; S: 6; M: 3; L: 0 – Spec: CAR27, IT 27 (unsteady)
3rd Battalion (CI), 3rd Infantry Regiment – r15; Mv: 6; TM: 3;  Arm – 2:9; S: 6; M: 3; L: 0 – Spec: CAR27, IT 27 (unsteady)

ACS Formation Stats – Mv: 1; Tac: 4; Mor: 7; Skill: 4 – Spec: CAR135; IT135

Alrescha Defence Forces [r] – Left Wing Formation IV

2nd Battalion (CV), Alrescha Def Bde – med; r15; Mv: 7; TM: 3; Arm – 8:21; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3 – Spec: IT21 (unsteady) ch:td
3rd Battalion (CV), Alrescha Def Bde – med; r14; Mv: 7; TM: 3; Arm – 13:21; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3 – Spec: IT21 (shaken)
   
Versus

8th Davion Brigade

8th Crucis Lancers [r] – Centre Formation A

2nd Battalion (BM), 8th Crucis Lancers – aslt; r14; Mv: 4; TM: 2; Arm – 22:40; S: 13; M: 13; L: 10 – Spec: none
3rd Battalion (BM), 8th Crucis Lancers – aslt; r14; Mv: 4; TM: 2; Arm – 40; S: 13; M: 13; L: 10 – Spec: none

ACS Formations Stats – Mv: 4; Tac: 6; Mor: 7; Skill: 4 – Spec: none

8th Crucis Lancers [r] – Centre Formation B

1st Battalion (BM), 8th Crucis Lancers – hvy; r14; Mv: 4; TM: 2; Arm – 31:38; S: 12; M: 12; L: 8 – Spec: none
3rd Battalion (CV), 3/8th CL Arm’ Reg’t – aslt; r18; Mv; 5: TM: 2; Arm: 25:32; S: 11; M: 13; L: 4 – Spec: IT11

ACS Formations Stats – Mv: 4; Tac: 6; Mor: 7; Skill: 4 – Spec: IT11

8th Crucis Lancers [r] – Centre Formation C

3rd Battalion (CV), 1/8th CL Arm’d Reg’t - hvy; r16; Mv; 6: TM: 2; Arm: 21:30; S: 9; M: 12; L: 3 – Spec: IT15
3rd Battalion (CV), 2/8th CL Arm’d Reg’t - hvy; r13; Mv; 6: TM: 2; Arm: 21:30; S: 9; M: 12; L: 3 – Spec: IT15
1st Battalion (CV), 3/8th CL Arm’d Reg’t - hvy; r18; Mv; 6: TM: 2; Arm: 21:30; S: 9; M: 12; L: 3 – Spec: IT15
2nd Battalion (CV), 3/8th CL Arm’d Reg’t - hvy; r18; Mv; 6: TM: 2; Arm: 21:30; S: 9; M: 12; L: 3 – Spec: IT15

ACS Formations Stats – Mv: 6; Tac: 4; Mor: 7; Skill: 4 – Spec: none

8th Crucis Lancers [r] – Left Formation D

1st Battalion (CV), 1/8th CL Arm’d Reg’t – lt; r16; Mv: 7; TM: 3; Arm – 12:21; S: 6; M: 9; L: 3 – Spec: IT9
2nd Battalion (CV), 1/8th CL Arm’d Reg’t – med; r16; Mv: 7; TM: 3; Arm – 24; S: 6; M: 9; L: 3 – Spec: IT21
1st Battalion (CV), 2/8th CL Arm’d Reg’t – med; r13; Mv: 7; TM: 3; Arm – 24; S: 6; M: 9; L: 3 – Spec: IT21

ACS Formation Stats – Mv: 7; Tac: 3; Mor: 7; Skill: 4 – Spec: IT51

8th Crucis Lancers [r] – Left Formation E

1st Battalion (CVI), 1/8th CL Mechanised Infantry – r14; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm: 1:21; S: 8; M: 5; L: 1 – Spec: CAR28, IT35 (routed)
2nd Battalion (CVI), 1/8th CL Mechanised Infantry – r14; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm: 1:21; S: 8; M: 5; L: 1 – Spec: CAR28, IT35 (retreating)
3rd Battalion (CVI), 1/8th CL Mechanised Infantry – r14; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm: 6:21; S: 8; M: 5; L: 1 – Spec: CAR28, IT35 (retreating)

ACS Formation Stats – Mv: 6; Tac: 4; Mor: 7; Skill: 4 – Spec: CAR84, IT105 (routed)

*****
« Last Edit: 13 November 2020, 10:59:12 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 #125 on: 21 June 2018, 13:04:17 »
Valasov Fiefdom, Alrescha, Week 2b-3a, Jun 3020 – The Aerospace Battle

The line that divides the Fief of Valasov, including the Willow Hills, and the Valasov Fiefdom to the west could only be found on local maps or in planetary land registration offices. To the aerospace fighters that twisted and turned over the hills and the open plains below no such boundary was evident. To the ground troops struggling to decide the fate of the planet below such lines were illusory but neither pilots above nor troops below could have cared less. As the battle moved westward from the Willow Hills the struggle for air supremacy carried on throughout the second week of June as both sides manoeuvred to attain an advantage and decide the battle.

The turning point came late in the second week of June as the fighters of the 8th Cruicis Lancers and 1st Mechanised Brigade, operating from ground strips as well as orbiting dropship carriers, were finally able to gain a level of superiority over the defending Capellan fighters. In two major engagements the Alrescha aerospace brigade's wings were caught at a disadvantage and, one after another, their fighters were destroyed or badly damaged and forced to return to the spaceport near Cord. Those too badly damaged to make it back to their own base ended up making forced landings in fields or on back roads.
 
The Davion and mercenary wings also took additional damaged but there could be no discounting the level of their success. By the early in third week of June the only aerospace craft in the skies belonged to the 8th Crucis Lancers or the mercenary commands supporting them.
 
Alrescha Air Defence Brigade [r] –

MacGregor’s 1st Aerospace Wing (lt) – r17; Mv: 6; Arm – 1:19; S: 4; M: 4; L: 0 – Spec: BOMB3 ch:wd2, (routed)
MacGregor’s 2nd Aerospace Wing (med) – r16; Mv: 6; Arm - 0:21; S: 6; M: 6; L: 1 – Spec: BOMB4 ch:mk
Alreascha Aerospace Wing (med) – r13; Mv: 6; Arm – 0:21; S: 6; M: 6; L: 1 – Spec: BOMB4
New Hessen Aerospace Wing (lt) – r13; Mv: 6; Arm – 0:19; S: 4; M: 4; L: 0 – Spec: BOMB3

Davion 8th Brigade Aerospace Group [r] –

1/8th Crucis Lancers Aerospace Wing (lt) – Mv: 11; Arm – 13:18; S: 3; M: 3; L: 0 – Spec: BOMB3
2/8th Crucis Lancers Aerospace Wing (hvy) – Mv: 5; Arm: 12:27; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3 – Spec: BOMB6
Swann’s Aerospace Cavaliers (hvy) - Mv: 5; Arm: 26:27; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3 – Spec: BOMB6

No. 1 Group, 1st Mechanised Brigade [r] –
   
504 Wing (City of Nottingham) (lt) – Mv: 10; Arm – 8:12; S: 3; M: 3; L: 0; - Spec: BOMB2
501 Wing (City of Gloucester) (med) – Mv: 6; Arm - 4:12; S: 4; M: 4; L: 0 – Spec: BOMB2
302 Wing (City of Krakow) (hvy) – Mv: 5; Arm – 19; S: 8; M: 8; L: 4 – Spec: BOMB4

*****
« Last Edit: 17 November 2020, 01:02:53 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"
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The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #126 on: 25 June 2018, 10:45:15 »
MacGregor’s Armoured Scouts Field Headquarters, Valasov Estate, Alrescha week 3a June 3020

The army was in retreat but from the looks on the faces of the troops this was definitely not a rout. Colonel Bailey had ordered the army back to within 25 kilometers of Cord, sending the guns of his artillery back first. His two infantry regiments were also ordered back and told to dig in along the outskirts of the capital. The Alrescha brigade was badly depleted but it still possessed strength enough to extend the fight. Unfortunately, he could only count on two medium and a single light tank battalion as well as three more battalions of mechanised infantry as effective fighting units. His Mech regiment could form less than one battalion and together with the regiment’s own infantry it could deploy just over two battalions. The Alrescha defence forces were battered but still in the fight despite the fact that most of the battalions were oversized companies. To stiffen sections of the line he ordered their last regular battalion forward from the spaceport, their place being taken by a battalion of militia from the capital.

If he was going to hold on until reinforcements arrived in July he needed to bring the three battalions of Mechs and two more of armour belonging to the New Hessen mercenaries south to join the main body. These five battalions had been doggedly pursued by Swann’s Cavaliers medium Mech and armoured battalions, holding the inside track on the long retreat from Banfield, preventing the Scout’s from turning south. The new Hessen Commander, Major Nicole Gallibar, had been told to shake off her pursuers and rendezvous with the main army east of the Capital. Early in the third week of June Major Galibar turned a battalion of light Mechs and one of medium tanks southeast and attacked her pursuers. With luck the heavier Cavaliers could be delayed long enough to permit the rest of light Scouts to slip away to the south.

*****

<<This battle was fought using Adv SBF>>

New Hessen Armoured Scouts [r] –
1st Battalion (BM), NHAS Mech Regiment – lt; r13; Mv: 6; TM: 4; Arm – 5:24; S: 6; M: 6; L: 0 – Spec: RCN (unsteady)
1st Battalion (CV), NHAS 1st Arm’d Reg’t: - med; r13; Mv: 7; TM: 3; Arm – 0:21; S: 9; M: 9; S: 3 – Spec: IT21

ACS Formation Stats: Move: 6; Tac: 4; Mor: 7; Skill: 4 – Spec: IT21

Versus

Swann’s Cavaliers [r] –
1st Battalion (BM), Swann’s Cavaliers – med; v24; Mv: 5; TM: 4; Arm – 30; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3 Spec: none
1st Battalion (CV), Swann’s Arm’d Cavaliers – med; v26; Mv: 7; TM: 3; Arm – 15:24; S: 6; M: 9; L: 3 – Spec: IT21 (shaken)
2nd Battalion (CV), Swann’s Arm’d Cavaliers – med; v26; Mv: 7; TM: 3; Arm – 15:24; S: 6; M: 9; L: 3 – Spec: IT21 (shaken)

ACS Formation Stats: Move: 5; Tac: 4; Mor: 6; Skill: 3 – Spec: IT42

After the first engagement it looked as if the Hessen blocking force may have succeeded in delaying the Cavaliers for only minor losses but as the Capellan medium armour began to make its withdrawal it was charged by the medium Mechs of the Cavaliers. The Mechs got into close range while their supporting tanks poured additional firepower into the overmatched armoured troops. An attempt by the light Capellan Mechs to extricate their wheeled and tracked comrades only resulted in further losses as the Cavaliers’ Mechs turned their weapons on their lighter opponents. Despite valiant resistance and excellent gunnery skills the entire medium battalion of Hessen tanks were lost along with over half of the remaining light Mechs in the first battalion. However, the sacrifice was not in vain as the remaining tanks and Mechs of the Hessan Scouts had safely withdrawn to the southwest. Just as the main body of the Davion force was preparing for their final push later that week, MacGregor’s main body was reinforced from the north by over three battalions of comparatively fresh troops.

*****
« Last Edit: 17 November 2020, 01:08:06 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"
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The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #127 on: 05 July 2018, 13:04:11 »
Malinovski Fields, Alrescha, Week 3b June, 3020

The two armies that faced each other east of Cord on Alrescha late in the third week of June had certainly seen better days. Capellan battalions had been badly battered and many had ceased to exist entirely. Nevertheless, Colonel Bailey, commanding MacGreogor’s Armored Cavalry, managed to reform a line just 20 kilometers east of the capital city. His left was held by the remnants of the New Hessen Armored Scouts Mech and tank forces numbering just four understrength battalions. To their south were the redoubtable planetary defence forces consisting of six weakened battalions of infantry and two depleted medium tank battalions. Bailey’s right centre was held by his remaining medium and heavy Mechs and their mechanised infantry battalion supported by the Command’s 2nd Infantry Regiment and a battalion of artillery. The right wing was still held by the Armored Scouts mechanised infantry regiment and the medium tanks of the 3rd Armored Regiment, all supported by an artillery battalion.

Finally, holding a thin screen between the spaceport and the capital were two battalions of light hover tanks, one each from the Armored Scouts and the other belonging to planet’s defence forces. A regiment of militia had two battalions in the city and one recently moved to the spaceport. The aerospace brigade of four wings had been reduced to just 2 serviceable fighters with another dozen or so cripples that had limped back to the base after a losing battle for aerospace superiority. The Capellans needed a win to buy time, or space, so they could survive until reinforcements arrived.

*****

Marshal Neale Wargo was not at all pleased with how the attack on Alrescha had developed. For the second time in four months his command had taken serious losses in fighting enemy formations that were reported to be seriously understrength. His Regimental Combat Team had two battered infantry regiments garrisoning Banfield and securing the area around the dropship landing zones. Only days before he had nearly lost an entire regiment of mechanised infantry in a melee with Alreschan defenders and his remaining infantry battalions were well below established strength. His Mech and tank battalions had also suffered significant losses although he could take some comfort that captured enemy equipment was being salvaged from the battlefields behind his advancing forces and was being packed away on dropships.

The right of the Davion line was formed by the three Mech and three tank battalions of Swann’s Cavaliers deployed in two mixed regiments and supported by their own artillery. His own right hand division was formed by three light and medium tanks battalions and his 2nd Motorised Infantry Regiment backed up by the Lancer’s artillery. The left hand division of the Lancers was his main punch. Here he had deployed his heavy and two assault Mech battalions and supported them with three battalions of heavy and one battalion of assault armour. The southern wing of the Davion line was composed of the Lancers 2/8th Mechanised Regiment, with two mechanised infantry and one medium tank battalion. This regiment was attached to the army’s anchor on the left, the reinforced 1st Mechanised Brigade. This brigade deployed three combat ‘taskforces’ supported by their inherent artillery and Brigade Combat Group centered around the brigade’s headquarters company. Deployed in the open spaces between the city and the spaceport was the 1st Mech Brigade’s 4th Dragoons, a reconnaissance battalion of fast light Mechs, hover tanks and hovercraft mounted infantry. Reinforcing the Dragoons was the airmobile scouts of Number 13 Commando. Unknown to the enemy, three small observation teams from No. 13 Commando had been in place, observing the comings and goings at the spaceport, since the early days of the battle.

The scouts of No. 13 Commando had quietly reported the activities at the spaceport for nearly two weeks. Of interest were reports that a number of aerospace fighters, likely cripples, remained on the base along with the mass of dropships belonging to the defenders. The massed firepower of these craft had kept the Davion and mercenary aerospace forces at a respectful distance but a few bombs and missiles had scored hits against the grounded craft. The intelligence reports send back to the 1st Brigade’s headquarters by these teams had placed in the mind of Colonel Richard Bedford the idea to take the Spaceport and capture as much of the aerospace equipment that remained there as he could.

*****

<< to be continued>>
« Last Edit: 19 November 2020, 18:29:05 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"
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The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #128 on: 06 July 2018, 10:04:09 »
<<Game system used to resolve combat was Adv SBF>>

Malinovski Fields, Southern Front, Battle of Yalena’s Farm

MacGregor’s Armored Cavalry Formation F [r] -
1st Battalion (CVI), 1st Mechanised Infantry Reg’t – r14; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm – 4:21; S: 8; M: 5; L: 1; Spec – CAR28, IT28 retreating
2nd Battalion (CVI), 1st Mechanised Infantry Reg’t – r14; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm – 4:21; S: 8; M: 5; L: 1; Spec – CAR28, IT28 retreating
3rd Battalion (CVI), 1st Mechanised Infantry Reg’t – r14; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm – 12:21; S: 8; M: 5; L: 1; Spec – CAR28, IT28 unsteady
2nd Battalion (CV), 3rd Armoured Reg’t – r16; Mv: 7; TM: 3; Arm – 0:21; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3; Spec – IT21
3rd Battalion (CV), 3rd Armoured Reg’t – r16; Mv: 7; TM: 3; Arm – 13:21; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3; Spec – IT21 shaken

ACS Formation Stats – Move: 6; Tactics: 4; Mor: 7; Skill: 4; Spec – CAR84, IT126 retreating

MacGregor’s Armored Cavalry Formation G [r]-
1st Battalion (CI), 1st Motor Infantry Reg’t – r17; Trans Mv: 6w; Mv: 1; TM: 2; Arm – 9; S: 6; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – CAR36, IT36
2nd Battalion (CI), 1st Motor Infantry Reg’t – r17; Trans Mv: 6w; Mv: 1; TM: 2; Arm – 9; S: 6; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – CAR36, IT36
3rd Battalion (CI), 1st Motor Infantry Reg’t – r17; Trans Mv: 6w; Mv: 1;TM: 2; Arm – 9; S: 6; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – CAR36, IT36

ACS Formation Stats – Move: 6; Tactics: 4/9; Mor: 7; Skill: 4; Spec – CAR108, IT108

MacGregor’s Armored Cavalry Formation H [r]-
2nd Artillery Battalion (CV), MacGregor’s Arm’d Scouts – r15; Mv: 3; TM: 1; Arm – 14:30; S: 3; M: 0; L: 0; Spec – ART-S12 shaken

Versus

8th Davion Brigade Formation VIII [r]:

HQ Reg’tl Combat Group (BM), 1st Mechanised Bde – r19; Mv: 5; TM: 3; Arm – 16; S: 6; M; 5; L: 2; Spec – CAR2, DCC20, IT2; MHQ2
Task Force 1.1 (Mix), 1st Mechanised Bde – r19; Mv: 5; TM: 3; Arm – 42:55; S: 18; M; 18; L: 13(9); Spec – CAR19, IT19; MHQ2
Task Force 1.2 (Mix), 1st Mechanised Bde – r18; Mv: 5; TM: 3; Arm – 29:44; S: 13; M; 12; L: 12(8'); Spec – CAR16, IT18; MHQ2 shaken

ACS Formation Stats – Move: 5; Tactics: 3; Morale: 7; Skill: 4; Spec – CAR37, DCC20, IT39, MHQ2 shaken

8th Davion Brigade Formation IX [r]:

1st Battalion (CVI), 2/8th Mechanised Reg’t – r19; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm – 5:21; S: 8; M: 5; L: 1; Spec – CAR42, IT42 retreating
2nd Battalion (CVI), 2/8th Mechanised Reg’t – r19; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm – 14:21; S: 8; M: 5; L: 1; Spec – CAR42, IT42
2nd Battalion (CV), 2/8th C.L. Arm’d Reg’t – r18; Mv: 7; TM: 3; Arm – 15:24; S: 6; M: 9; L: 3; Spec – IT21

ACS Formation Stats – Move: 6; Tactics: 4; Morale: 7; Skill: 4; Spec – CAR84, IT105 retreating

8th Davion Brigade Formation XII [r]:

1st Horse Artillery (CV), 1st Mechanised Bde – r17; Mv: 3; TM: 1; Arm: 20; S: 3; M: 1; L: 0; Spec – ART-LT8, ART-S4   

ACS Formation Stats – Move: 3; Tactics: 5; Morale: 7; Skill: 4; Spec – ART-LT8/S4

The plan of attack at Yelena’s Farm called for the 1st Mechanised Brigade’s Task Force 1.1 and 1.2, along with the supporting Davion troops, to brush aside the Capellan defenders to their front and advance on the capital. The two task forces would then close up on the city of Cord while Task Force 1.3 and the 4th Dragoon struck across the Mius-Ekaterinaberg Highway, isolating the spaceport before the Dragoons and No. 13 Commando would turn southeast to take the objective. The Capellans had their own plans and they did not include being crushed by their heavier opponents.

The mercenary task forces stepped off just as their artillery opened fire with a bombardment of the Capellan positions. Within minutes the sky to the south was alive with the contrails of smoke as dozens of dropships began lifting off in tight groups of four craft, the dull roar of their drives audible from more than 30 kilometers away as wave after wave took to the skies over Alrescha. It was clear their captains were not going to wait placidly on the ground to be scooped up by the Davion invaders.

Task Force 1.1 had managed to obtain a favourable position against the Capellan mechanised infantry when the ground around their Mechs and tanks erupted in massive explosions. The gunners of MacGregor’s 2nd Artillery Battalion were on their game and brought the massed fire of all 36 guns accurately onto their targets. Badly shaken the troopers of Lieutenant-Colonel Talbot’s command still managed to mangle the nearest enemy battalions. To their left Task Force 1.2 was engaged in a shootout with a medium tank battalion, exchanging hits, giving and taking damage. Things almost came apart for the attackers when the Davion infantry and tanks failed to properly screen their flank as they closed on the third battalion of MacGregor’s mechanised infantry regiment. Leaving only a single battalion on their right they were counterattacked by MacGregor’s 2nd Motorised Infantry, which almost overran the flank guard.

The battle soon degenerated into an untidy melee that went on into the last week of June before the Capellans broke contact and retreated into, and then through the city of Cord. As neither the Davion nor mercenary troops of the 1st Mechanised Brigade were going to violate the Ares Convention and carry the fight into the city, the Capellans were allowed to withdraw. Among the last to pull back was plucky 2nd Infantry, none the worse for wear from their recent engagements. MacGregor’s mechanised infantry and medium tanks had been further reduced in strength but were still functional formations. The attackers cordoned off the battlefield and called up their Tech formations to begin collecting what equipment could be salvaged. The battle had lasted longer than anticipated and the timetable for withdrawing was slipping. It was time to regroup, pack up everything that could be moved and depart Alrescha before the Capellans could receive help. It was then that word came that the spaceport had fallen.

*****

<< to be continued>>
« Last Edit: 20 April 2021, 17:36:22 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"
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The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #129 on: 08 July 2018, 12:30:52 »
The Battles for Highway 17 (Mius-Ekaterinaberg Road) and the Alrescha Spaceport, week 3b-4a June, 3020

The initial plan to take the Spaceport southeast of Cord called for Task Force 1.3 to cut the road from the south while the 4th Dragoons raced to the objective supported by No. 13 Commando. Since the heavier task force had little chance of catching two battalions of wheeled and hover tanks the 4th Dragoons were tasked with finding and pinning down at least one of the battalions until TF 1.3 could come up and finish them off. When the dropships began to lift off at the start vof the new attacks against the Cord defences, it was first thought that the prize had bolted. That soon changed when the scouts that had been placed around the spaceport reported that five dropships remained grounded but that might change at any moment.

With new urgency the Dragoons sped out of their concentration areas and immediately moved to engage the Capellan armour. Still deployed into two demi-battalions the Dragoons soon fixed and engaged the light armour of MacGregor’s 1st Battalion, 3rd Armored Regiment. The Capellans were caught wrong footed and immediately pinned down in close combat. Try as they might they could not open the distance and on the second day of the battle for the highway the main body of TF 1.3 arrived, having circled around to the south, separating the two Capellan formations from supporting each other. By that afternoon the Capellan companies had been shot to pieces with a few survivors surrendering once it was clear they could not get away. The second light battalion, manned by the planetary defence forces, tried to intervene from the south but, seeing the collapse of MacGregor’s battalion, they turned west and retreated with the 4th Dragoon in hot pursuit. This left Task Force 1.3 and No. 13 Commando in position to turn south and make for the spaceport.

The arrival of Lieutenant-Colonel de Scales command from the north seemed to catch the infantry of the Alrescha Militia Regiment’s 3rd Battalion at least partly by surprise. With only a single platoon of medium tanks for support the infantry began manning positions along the base’s norther perimeter. Just as the first long range missiles began to land amongst their positions four Karnov light transports whistled onto the base from the southeast, followed shortly by four Planetlifter heavy transports. In a sudden flurry of confused combat, with the roar of friendly aerospace fighters overhead adding to the sound of dropship engines, the troopers of No 13 Commando with four Panther light Mechs attacked the hangars and remaining grounded dropships. As the Mechs, tanks and personnel carriers pressed home their attack from the north militiamen began throwing down their weapons and raising their hands in surrender. The battle for the spaceport was over.

<<Adv BF was used to resolve this combat>>

8th Davion Brigade Formation X [r]:
Task Force 1.3 (Mx), 1st Mechanised Bde – r17; Mv: 5; TM: 3; Arm – 38:46; S: 12M: 13; L: 9(6); Spec – CAR16, IT17, MHQ2
No. 13 Commando (CVI), 1st Mechanised Bde; v25; Mv: 11; TM: 4; Arm – 6; S: 3; M: 2; L: 0; Spec – AM, CAR18, CT24, VTOL

ACS Formation Stats – Move: 5; Tac: 3; Mor: 7; Skill: 4; Specials – CAR34, CT24, IT17, MHQ2

8th Davion Brigade Formation XI* [r]:
   4th Dragoons (MX), 1st Mechanised Bde – v21; Mv: 8; TM: 4; Arm – 23:33; S: 12; M: 11; L: 4(2); Spec – CAR16, IT16, MHQ2; RCN

ACS Formation Stats – Move: 8; Tac: 0; Mor: 6; Skill: 3; Specials - CAR16, IT16, MHQ2; RCN

*The 4th Dragoons were deployed in two demi-battalions; the first was made up of a reinforced battalion HQ (Command lance, Tac HQ and a Lt Cav lance from Bde HQ) and the light Mechs from Lancer (3rd) Squadron. The second demi-battalion was made up of the hover tanks and hovercraft mounted infantry of Dragoon (1st) and Sabre (2nd) squadrons.

MacGregor’s Armored Cavalry Formation H [r]-

1st Battalion (CV), MacGregor’s 3rd Arm’d Reg’t – r16; Mv; 8: TM: 3; Arm – 0:18; S: 9; M: 9; L: 0; Spec – RCN
1st Battallion (CV), Alrescha Def Bde – r14; Mv; 8: TM: 3; Arm – 16:18; S: 9; M: 9; L: 0; Spec – RCN

ACS Formations Stats – Move: 8; Tac: 2; Mor: 7; Skill: 4 – Specials - RCN

MacGregor’s Armored Cavalry Formation H* [r]-

3rd Battalion+ (CI), Alrescha Def Bde – g11; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm – 0: 9; S: 6; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – IT7

ACS Formation Stats – Move: 6; Tac: 5; Mor: 8; Skill: 5; Specials - RCN

*Like the 4th Dragoons, the 3rd Battalion of the Alrescha Militia Regiment (a standard regiment, not a “Confederation" Militia Regiment) was deployed in two demi-battalions due to possessing a reinforced battalion HQ. The light battalions fought as one unit as the two smaller formations were not particularly strong and, as it turned, were so overmatched by TF 1.3 that surrender was definitely the better part of valour.

*****

Three disabled dropships and over a dozen fighters were still at the spaceport when it fell to the 1st Mechanised Brigade. Technicians soon arrived and began swarming over the cripples and declared that they might be able to make two of the dropships, a Leopard Aerospace Carrier and a Gazelle, serviceable in one or two days. They would fly but little else, the crippled Union would be stripped of everything of value in the time remaining and the hulk left behind. The Techs also found two perfectly serviceable Cheetah F10 fighters along with more than a dozen crippled or wrecked fighters. With time running short before the brigade was scheduled to leave Alrescha the Techs chose the most likely candidates and made ready to load ten medium fighters. Considering the brigade’s own loss of 5 medium and 1 light fighters, with another craft 3 crippled and 12 other with various levels of damage, the new craft would be welcome, if only for spare parts.

With fall of the space port the 8th Davion Brigade had less than six days to reorganise, collect and load their own damaged kit along with the salvageable enemy equipment and then depart for the rendezvous with their dropships. The 1st Mechanised Brigade captured a large number of enemy tanks, almost all light or medium models, but only six Mechs. These were quickly packed away in every available extra space on the dropships along with the plundered supplies. With that the Brigade lifted off from the planet by the end of the month, their new destination was Halloran V in the Capellan March.
« Last Edit: 20 November 2020, 13:05:38 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 Brigalde (The Rams Head)
« Reply #130 on: 09 July 2018, 12:25:05 »
The Third Succession War Campaign, Apr - Jun, 3020

LC-DC Front: The Lyran-Draconis front remained quiet in April but May brought the news that Wolf’s Dragoon’s had signed a contract with the Lyran Commonwealth. As it was written in the contract  that the Dragoons could not be used against their most recent employers, for the DCMS this could only mean one thing. The Dragoon’s announced their arrival in June by launching punishing raids against Vega, New Wessex, Cebalrai, and Alnasi using four out of five regimental commands. Fearing the resumption of the invasion of the Dieron Military District the DCMS placed the entire Prefecture on alert and began moving their available commands closer to the front to meet any attack head on. Two other newly rebuilt commands had additional training cancelled and were sent forward from Benjamin to form a reserve behind Kessel.

The Lyrans used the arrival of Wolf’s Dragoons to transfer additional commands to back up the defences of the Isle of Skye, no doubt planning to use them in the heavy fighting with the Free World’s League. Finally, two Lyran carrier groups led by the LCS Dominance and Fredrik Barbarossa attacked Kessel, conducting a hit and run raid against the aerospace forces belonging to the three ground commands defending the prefecture capital. Both sides traded losses in a quick firefight before the Lyrans withdrew from the system.   

DC-FS Front: While both sides launched a few raids near Dobson and Proserpina the main fighting remained in the Galedon Military District. The AFFS paused briefly in April to shuffle forward reserve mercenary commands to augment the regular troops still strong enough to continue the fight. Combine forces were driven from Schimeck and Budigen fell after a stout defence by the 3rd and 4th Pesht Regulars. In May the AFFS shifted to its left and struck Huan and Altdorf, taking both systems while the DCMS rotated exhausted or depleted commands back to Galedon V. Combine counterattacks in June from An Ting against Altdorf failed to dislodge the 2nd Ceti Hussars and 3rd NAIS Cadet Cadre supported by two commands of the Eridani Light Horse. After inconclusive fighting the 1st Sword of Light,15th Benjamin Regulars and McGee’s Cutthroats withdrew when it became apparent they could not drive the Federated Suns troops from the planet. Finally, the 8th Galedon Regulars supported by Waco’s Rangers attacked Huan from Misery but the mercenary Fighting  Urakhai’s 5th Heavy Cavalry and 8th Striker commands, supported by the 17th Avalon Hussars, managed to turn back the assault.

The only good news came from Waldheim where the Draconis and Federated Suns fleets met in a major battle at the systems’ Zenith point. In 10 days of fierce aerospace battles the FSS Robinson and Kentares IV carrier groups were both crippled with heavy damage to dropships and painful losses in aerospace fighters. The FSS Admiral Kenneth Jones was also badly damaged but managed to withdraw with comparatively intact fighter wings. The Federated Suns naval force in the sector was reduced to just two operational carrier groups under the FSS New Avalon and Alexander Davion. For their part the Combine Admiralty reported heavy damage to DCS Kagoshima with the Mikasa and Mutsu both reporting light to moderate damage. While aerospace fighter losses were significant, by the end of June all three Draconis carrier groups were reported ready for action.

FS-CC Front: If the Federated Suns thought that the Capellans were going to accept the heavy attrition attacks without some sort of riposte, by June they were left with little doubt the CCAF could still fight back. At Ronel in April the FSS New Syrtis carrier group, flying cover for a strike by the 2nd and 3rd Davion Guards, was jumped by a Capellan naval force of assault dropships carrying three aerospace fighter wings. While the heavier firepower of the Federated Suns carrier group eventual won out the action denied needed aerospace support to the ground troops who suffered additional losses. The ground fighting on Ronel resulted in Kerr’s Intruders and House Hiritsu suffering serious losses but the Guards knew they had been in a fight. When the 8th Crucis Lancers and its two supporting mercenary commands struck Alrescha in June the FSS Enterprise withheld its aerospace fighters for most of the battle to guard against a potential naval attack, once again denying support to the ground forces. MacGregor’s Armoured Scouts, the rebuilt New Hessen Armoured Scouts and the planet’s garrison forces gained the upper hand early despite being caught dispersed. The issue was in doubt for nearly two weeks before the 8th Crucis Lancers and its consorts finally cornered MacGregor’s command and inflicted heavy damage including the capture of two dropships. While Davion and mercenary losses were higher than anticipated they managed to break contact by the end of June and withdrew with a large haul of salvage and captured equipment.

With the focus on the fighting near Tikonov, the Capellan command decided to try and divert Davion attention by sending two of McCarron’s Armored Cavalry commands against target’s in the Sidar PDZ. Happy to oblige, Archibald McCarron launched heavy raids with his 2nd and 3rd Regiment’s Regiments against Shaunavon and Horsham, meeting disaster on the first raid but brushing aside the planetary garrison troops with ease on the second. The AFFS quickly realized it could not maintain its effort against Galedon, a secondary effort against the Tikonov Commonality, raids against the Benjamin and Dieron districts and the defend against new Capellan attacks at the opposite end of Federated Suns space. Something, somewhere was going to have to give.

CC-FWL Front: With already weakened commands being hunted by the Federated Suns and the decision to open a raiding front against the Sidar sector the CCAF decided not to overstretch their resources more than they could afford. Despite suspecting that the League’s success against the Lyrans could only be achieved by weakening their front with the Confederation, House Liao was not in a position to take advantage of any opportunities. In the last year seven complete CCAF commands had been destroyed along with two long serving mercenary commands. Two more mercenary commands quit the Confederation but may return if guaranteed the proper levels of support. The losses have only been replaced by deploying smaller ‘People’s Militia’ commands, little stronger than a standard mercenary force. These militia commands have been parceled out along the front to augment the regular army until the resources to replace the heavier losses can be arranged.

With all these factors in play the Capellan-League front remained stone cold silent but Maximillian Liao still quietly grumbled about the ‘abomination’ represented by the loss of Hall. The only action came from a few pirate raids along the periphery that had no material effect on either side and were largely ignored but for the mounting of a few rotating patrols.
 
FWL-LC: When the Free World’s League launched its offensive into the Isle of Skye and the Rahneshire in August 3019 they had originally hoped to capture five or six systems and divert Lyran attention from their drive against Kessel. Inevitable counterattacks would follow and the League planned to execute a fighting withdrawal back to the border. No one had considered that the LCAF would “roll with the punches” and trade space for time while they continued to batter the DCMS in repeated battles of attrition at Kessel. Nearly a year later the FWLM had completely conquered and pacified eighteen Lyran worlds with four more being fought over as attack met counterattack. The ‘limited offensive’ had grown into a serious threat to Lyran Commonwealth.

Three more worlds in the Isle of Skye had rebelled and the LCAF had to divert newly raised “Landwehr” commands to suppress the uprisings on Thorin, Zollikofen and Nusakan. Hesperus II was tying down three other commands as a guarantee against a League attack, leaving only twelve regular commands to hold the line and launch counterattacks when the opportunity arose. Janos Marik’s standing in parliament rose higher than it had been in 20 years, softening opposition and seemingly regenerating his own optimism and confidence in the League’s ability.

With the arrival of Wolf’s Dragoons on the Combine front, the Lyrans felt able to maintain some pressure against the Combine while transferring additional ground and naval forces to the Isle of Skye. In May, Mizar was liberated only to be retaken by the League in June. Haddings and then Menkent fell to the League in April and counterattacks failed to retake either, heavy losses were suffered by both combatants. Rahne fell once again to Marik troops as the Commonwealth pulled troops back to rebuild. In June, Alcor exchanged hands once more as the FWLM was soundly defeated and driven off world even though the attacking Lyrans crippled themselves in the attempt. The FWL also abandoned  Lamon and Caledonia to shorten their front. Despite the fact that few solid gains were realized by the recent counterattacks a point of equilibrium seems to have been reached. Whether the LCAF has finally mustered the strength to blunt the Free World invasion remains to be seen. It is clear from the number of worlds within the Isle of Skye on the verge of rebellion that Tharkad must do something before the risk of a full blown rebellion by the Isle of Skye becomes a reality.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gethin, Halloran V, Capellan March, Federated Suns, Week 1b July, 3020

The casualty and damage list appeared to go on for pages as John Ligny II put the finishing touches on the report detailing the losses from the battles on Alrescha the previous month. It was not that the death toll was excessive, in fact, the opposite was true. The brigade’s investments in tracked ambulances for every company, a full hospital company, including a flight of four converted helicopters for medi-evac, had paid for itself any number of times over the past five years. What stood out what the number of damaged vehicles and Mechs from the line companies that reduced the true combat power of the formations far below what the raw numbers revealed.

Running through the numbers for Task Force 1.1 the toll came to just 11 dead with 42 wounded. Two Packrat T-5s, a pair of Packrat laser variants, five wheeled APCs with SRMs, another with an LRM kit were destroyed, a sixth Packrat was crippled along with a Goblin LRM and a Rifleman-3N. A Goblin SRM, Bulldog LRM, six Manticore and two of the precious von Luckner heavy tanks all sported various levels of damage that would take time and millions to repair. Also damaged were a Shadow Hawk, two Crusaders, an Ostroc, two Marauders and the brigade’s only assault Mech, the Cyclops 10Z, nicknamed “Jack”.

Task Force 1.2 had suffered 4 dead and 45 wounded, a half dozen Mech pilots amongst them. Equipment losses amounted to a wheeled APC (srm), a Packrat T-5, a Hunter light tank and a Valkyrie QA destroyed. The battalions MCV was crippled along with 6 wheeled APCs (srm), 1 wheeled APC (lrm), 3 Scorpion light tanks, 3 Scorpion (srm) and a Scorpion (lrm) variant, one Hunter light tank, an SRM Carrier as well as a Javelin, Panther, Catapult and Trebuchet BattleMech. Adding to the list were damage to a Manticore heavy tank, one Wolverine, one Shadow Hawk, two Trebuchets, a Hunchback, Dragon, Rifleman, Archer and Thunderbolt Mech.

The fates were more kind to Task Force 1.3 which lost just 3 dead and 10 wounded. No equipment was written off but an wheeled APC (srm), Scorpion (srm) and Scorpion (lrm) were crippled along with a Panther, Whitworth, Crusader and Catapult. A Shadow Hawk, Quickdraw, Hunchback, Crusader, Catapult, Archer and three Marauders were all sporting hits that required attention before the next battle. Task Force 1.4, the 4th Dragoons, lost 10 dead and 17 wounded as well as 2 hover APCs (srm) a Packratand a Locust 1M BattleMech destroyed. A Pegasus, 2 Scimitars, a Phoenix Hawk, Locust, Firestarter, 2 Javelins, 2 Hermes 1B, and 2 Jenners were crippled. The damaged kit added one more Jenner and 4 Saracen hover tanks to the list of equipment requiring attentions before going back into battle.

The last group of casualties and damage came from the aerospace fighters of No. 1 Group. One pilot was killed and two others wounded while three more ejected safely from their doomed craft. Total losses amounted to one Sholagar 21L, four of the hard to come by Shilone 17AC and a single Stingray 90S. One Sholagar, 1 Shilone, 2 Sabre 27 and 2 Stingray F90 were crippled along with damage to 4 more Sholagars, 1 Sabre, 1 Centurion, 1 Shilone  and a Stingray. Only the heavies of 302 Wing came away from the battle with little more than scorched paint and few dents in their armour despite being involved in both air-to-air and ground support missions.

Saving the file and attaching the required appendices and annexes before sending it to the command staff, the commander of the 1st Service Battalion stood up from his desk and walked over to the coffee station in his office. The lights were on despite the time and all hands were at their stations. The Techs and assistants would be burning the midnight oil for weeks to come to repair the damage. Then they would turn their attention to the captured equipment and salvage.
« Last Edit: 12 December 2020, 13:28:36 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 #131 on: 19 July 2018, 11:47:59 »
Gethin, Halloran V, Capellan March, Federated Suns, Week 2a July,  3020

As the Davion Captain read through the list of crippled vehicles, Mechs and Aerospace Fighters that the 1st Mechanised Brigade had managed to drag away from Alrescha, he also read off a C-Bill value assigned to each item by the liaison team. Further down the table, Captain Rory Fitzhugh was turning as red as his thin hair as the tally of C-Bills grew higher and higher. Fitzhugh was the Brigade’s own paymaster and keeper of the books, he was, as were so many in his profession, extremely diligent in carrying out his responsibilities and was tight, very tight, with money. His own and the Brigade’s. He was also extremely fair and was quick to point out when the brigade owed money and ferocious when he was convinced the Brigade should collect.

In this case Fitzhugh had been warned that the Davion liaison team would be rough on the Brigade as it had managed to collect a full sixty armoured vehicles. These vehicles, most little more than wrecks, included everything from a single Skulker Scout car to six self-propelled Sniper artillery vehicles and just about every sort of light and medium combat vehicle in between. A further six Mechs were captured, each one just as badly shot up as the vehicles. Tough he could handle but what he was hearing was, in his opinion, little better than gouging, if not outright legalized theft. When the Davion accountant was finished and summed up the total, Richard Bedford thought his bookkeeper was going to have a stroke and collapse there and then. He managed to catch Rory’s attention and with a tilt of his head let him know he should relax.  Other faces around the table were equally flushed or pale depending upon how the recipient took in the final sum.

Rising from the head of the conference table Bedford simply stated, “Thank you, Captain Simmonds. That is quite a hefty bill and it will be paid in full as per the terms of the contract.”

“Colonel Bedford, as the charges for retaining this captured equipment need only be deducted from your fees at the end of the contract, there will be interest charged on a monthly basis. You could clear the bill immediately if you so choose but the Federated Suns is willing to extend a very reasonable rate of interest if you choose to exercise your rights under the terms of “Payment in Kind” and delay payment. Alternately, you could agree to sell all, or part of your captured salvage to the Suns to reduce the costs. You might even turn a small profit.”

“Well, that is very generous of you, Captain.” As his hand took in the assembled officers as he walked slowly around the table he added, “However, I think we will arrange transfer of the eighty-seven million C-Bills before the end of the week and keep our account clear.”

The Davion officer swallowed once and shifted his computer pad in his hand before he said, “You,… will clear the entire invoice, sir?”

“Aye, the entire invoice, Captain.  Is there a problem?”

“No, sir. No. I will have the appropriate forms transmitted to your accounting office this afternoon. Of course, in order to avoid even the administration fees the invoice will need to cleared before the end of the week.”

“And so it shall, Captain. Thank you.” Pausing he added, “If there is nothing else you are dismissed.”

The Davion captain nodded, placed his forge cap on his head as he came to attention and saluted the mercenary commander.

“Thank you, Colonel. Congratulations on your success and I hope the equipment serves your brigade well.”

Returning the salute Richard Bedford thanked the Davion officer who then turned, signaled his two enlisted clerks to follow him and left the conference room.

Once the door closed behind him the assembled mercenary staff were stone silent as they heard the footsteps of the Davion party fade. After one or two throats were cleared and John Talbot let out a soft cough, Bedford turned to his own accountant as he slowly circled the table.

“Ok, Rory, how badly will this hurt the balance sheet?”

“Hurt, sir?” Fitzhugh exclaimed. “Hurt? It’s breaking my heart and stealing my breath at the same time.”

“The battle damage and repairs for our existing equipment will cost just under twenty-two million. Repairing the captured kit is estimated by Colonel Ligny to run another sixteen and half million and that does not include dipping into about seven million worth of existing spares. The total costs this month will be in excess of one hundred and twenty-five million C-Bills. And this does not include the cost of hiring third party Tech support to maintain the now surplus equipment above our own abilities. That could run another four or five million per month.”

“Do we have the money?” asked Bedford. Fitzhugh and the other officers already knew the answer. Mercenary commanders who did not understand the business of the mercenary trade were not in the business very long.

“That we do, sir. It will, however, bleed most of the colour from the accounts.”

Turning to the commander of the 1st Service Battalion, Bedford asked, “John, does the captured equipment help us replace our losses without new purchases?

John Ligny was quick to reply.

“Most definitely, sir. All except the Valkyrie, we should buy a replacement. The Locust will be replaced by the captured Phoenix Hawk once it’s repaired. I’m told Sargent Harrington is properly chuffed at the ‘promotion’. With arrival of the dozen Packrats we purchased before Alrescha we can begin the replacement of the lost APC’s in the infantry companies right away. We are missing the few laser variants but a standard ‘Rat’ can stand in for now. By months end we can deploy three half-batteries for Tom’s third company of artillery and still have about three dozen spares of various types of Vedettes, Scorpions, Hunters and the like. If we repair and then sell the vehicles that do not ‘fit’ our TO&E or doctrine, such as the Harraser, Skulker, the six Hetzers and so forth, we can recoup some of the expenses. After all, what we were charged for the salvage is still less than what we can sell a fully functional vehicle for, even after factoring in the repair costs. The margins will be tight but profit is profit.”       

“Fitz, what’s the balance sheet going to look like at the end of July if we need to deploy?” Bedford asked.

Fingers moving quickly over his computer notebook’s keys, Fitzhugh soon replied, “We’ll have twenty-two, maybe twenty-three million in the bank plus another nine million in spares and ammunition. If we want to deploy the entire brigade we will need to accept Davion dropships this trip.”

Pausing he turned in his seat and looked at the brigade’s commander as other heads came up and around with questioning looks.

“Why, are we going somewhere, sir?”

Smiling to himself as much as to the gathered staff Richard Bedford simply stated, “Pay the bills, Rory.”

Sitting back down he poured a glass of water and then sitting back, he added, “So, what other business do we have today?"

*****
« Last Edit: 21 August 2018, 06:06:40 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

DOC_Agren

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #132 on: 19 July 2018, 14:48:55 »
I know accountants like Rory Fitzhugh, but shocked you managed to get away without him saying something about the screwjob
"For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast, And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed:And the eyes of the sleepers waxed deadly and chill, And their hearts but once heaved, and for ever grew still!"

The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #133 on: 21 August 2018, 11:11:18 »
Gethin, Halloran V, Capellan March, Federated Suns, Week 4a July, 3020

Seated around the ornate conference room were the senior staff members of the 8th Crucis Lancers, Swann's Cavaliers and the 1st Mechanised Brigade. The enlisted rank servers finished pouring coffee, glasses of water and placing dishes of small Danish pastries strategically around the table as the attending officers began settling themselves. The last to be seated was Marshal Neale Wargo who quickly called the meeting to order.

"Good morning, Gentlemen," he began. "There is no way to sugar coat this so we will get down to the point right away and then discuss options. The Lancers are too badly damaged to renew operations in August and may not even be ready by September. At least, not unless we want to absorb large number of inexperienced drafts."

Motioning to Colonel Duvalier of Swann's Cavaliers and Colonel Bedford of the 1st Mechanised Brigade the Davion Marshal continued. "I understand that both the Cavaliers and the Mechanised Brigade also need more time to refit before being fit for another round of heavy combat against the Capellans. With this in mind we have to look at options to ensure we maintain the momentum we have gained."

Nodding to a Davion major seated nearby the Davion intelligence officer rose to his feet and moved to a projection screen that his assistant activated. Major Nathaniel O'Rourke was already known to the officers of the Brigade from his briefing on Nopah before the Alrescha operations. Major O'Rourke turned on a laser pointer and drew a circle around a group of Capellan Confederation planets within 60 light years of the Halloran system.

"Gentlemen, the strike group based on the 8th Crucis and others based around the 5th Guards and the 5th and 8th Deneb Light Cavalry have also inflicted significant damage on the Capellan commands based in the Tikonov Commonality. While we have taken our own lumps the balance sheet is definitely in our favour."

As the screen scrolled down the border of the Capellan March it came to rest on Davion Sidar PDZ where the major's pointer circles a small cluster systems around Jonzac, Sirdar and Shaunavon.

"In response to our attacks the Capellan command has begun a series of raids using McCarron's mercenary regiments supported by Ambermarle's Highlanders. Thus far they have not struck any major worlds and have had only mixed success despite punishing a few of our planetary garrisons. This activity has had a political effect and is forcing New Avalon to redirect some of our resources to Sirdar so our taking time to rebuild and lower operational tempo is fortuitous."

"With these factors in mind we are looking at two options for August and September while the Cavaliers and Lancers rebuild." Indicating to Colonel Bedford, Major O'Rourke added, "Only the 1st Brigade will be ready for operations in August but is not large enough to engage a Capellan House command on its own."

Richard Bedford smiled and gave a nod to the Davion officer but remained silent.

"Colonel Bedford, we want you to look at two possible courses of action for the August. Option one, is a solo operation within one jump of Halloran against a minor target with no known heavy garrison. The suggested targets are Yangtze, Slocum, Shensi, Shipka, or Foochow. Your mission would be to engage the garrison and destroy whatever military targets of opportunity you may find. As per the current strategy by the end of the month your command jumps out to a world other than Halloran V to rendezvous with the strike force at a later date. Your operation would be supported by raids launch by both the 8th Crucis and the Cavaliers to distract Liao attention and resources both in August and September."

"Option two is less aggressive but geared towards deception. In this case all three commands will begin a series of reconnaissance and supply raids into the Tikonov Commonality. The targets would be New Hessen, Algol, Ning Po, Genoa, Poznan and Styks," the laser pointer moving to the border between the Tikonov and Sarna Commonalities. "The last of these lies here in the Sarna Commonality. Raids in September would continue along these lines striking the same targets again if need be."

Major O'Rourke turned back to the assembled officers where he concluded, "By striking targets in the Tikonov Commonality we hope to focus Capellan attention on targets already hit while we prepare for an October strike into the Sarna Commonality aimed at St Andre, Jonathan or Menkar. We have information that the Chesterton Reserve commands have been shuffling slowly into the region from St Andre to Menkar-Jonathan and down to Tsigtao. Max Liao may be thinking of making a strike toward Kathil or even a renewed attempt at their historical claim to Chesterton itself."

With a nod to Marshall Wargo the intelligence officer returned to his seat while the Marshall himself stood and and addressed the assembly.

"There you have it gentlemen," he began. "While raids have the potential to drain additional strength if they go wrong we believe we can both rebuild and keep the pressure on the Capellan military. In two day's time I want suggestions from the staffs of each command." Motioning to the mercenary commanders he added, "Colonels Duvalier and Bedford, when you are ready we will meet to review the options presented. Feel free to be creative but your commands need to be ready be ready to return to the main script by October. That will be all."

Major O'Rourke called the room to attention and offered Marshall Wargo a salute as the meeting adjourned.

*****

<<to be continued>>
« Last Edit: 21 November 2020, 15:13:03 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 #134 on: 23 August 2018, 11:07:48 »
Inner Orbit, Genoa, Tikonov Commonality, week 1a, Aug 3020

In the closing days of July Colonel Bedford proposed to strike either Styks or Shensi with the full strength of the 1st Mechanised Brigade while 8th Crucis Lancers and Swann’s Cavaliers raided other targets in the Tikonov Commonality. Marshall Wargo thanked Bedford for his aggressive stance but instead ordered the brigade to organise itself for raids in August and September. The August raid was to target the agricultural world of Genoa. The idea was to try and convince the Capellan garrison troops that the assault was aimed at the agricultural complexes near the capital of Columbus in much the same manner as the attack on Alrescha had. However, the raid was actually intended to draw out the defenders and for the Brigade to ascertain just what additional units, if any, had moved to the planet.

The most recent intelligence had noted that the planet was defended by little more than a pair of infantry regiments and perhaps a light tank battalion. However, the MIIO had not devoted resources to Genoa for some time so information was considered dated and unreliable. The Brigade was to determine if any larger formations had reinforced Genoa and to report the strength of the defences. It was free to strike whatever industrial and military targets that presented itself and, because the Brigade was operating independently, any captured salvage would be retained without charge.

Realising that the raiding force would need to be made up of fast and flexible units the task fell to Major Edmund Beaufort of Sabre Squadron, 4th Dragoons. Major Beaufort decided to take along two reinforced combat teams drawn from all three squadrons and the battalion command lance. Combat Team Alpha, carried in two Fury class and two Leopard class dropships assigned from the Davion command, would be composed of the battalions command lance, Lancer Squadron’s command lance under Major Christina Castillo, two platoons of infantry mounted in hover APCs from the battalion infantry company and the squadron B Echelon vehicles of Sabre and Lancer squadrons loaded with spare parts and ammunition. Lieutenant-Colonel John Beaufort was somewhat surprised at his brother’s request for his battalion command lance, including his own beloved Phoenix-Hawk 1K. Although Edmund promised his older brother and commanding officer that the Mech would be well looked after. Even though he stressed that a veteran Mech pilot would be at the controls the Dragoon’s commanding officer couldn’t hide his concern and mild pique at the request.

Combat Team Bravo was made up of all four troops of hover tanks from the battalion. This reinforced squadron would consist of four Scimitar missile tanks, four Pegasus scout tanks, and eight Saracen hover tanks. Team Bravo would be commanded by Major Beaufort himself and carried aboard the “HMS Princess Phillipa”, one of two dropships recently captured on Alrescha. The Gazelle’s vehicle bay, designed for 15 heavy tanks, would carry the sixteen smaller hover tanks with space enough for additional supplies and ammunition. Also assigned to the raid were a squadron of the Brigade’s light fighters, Sholagars and Sabres, aboard a Davion Leopard CV and a second squadron of medium fighters, all Stingrays, aboard the “HMS Edward III”, the Brigade’s own newly acquired Leopard CV. 

The entire fleet of seven dropships emerged at a pirate point roughly aligned with the orbital plane of the planet’s moon, a risky insertion that proved successful even though emergence of the three Scout Class and one Invader jumpship was soon detected. With the two Leopard carriers and both aerospace squadrons leading the other dropships, the attack force burned hard for the planet to avoid allowing more time for the defenders to prepare themselves.

As events transpired the defenders deployed a squadron of light fighters in orbit and these were engaged by both mercenary squadrons as they came out to meet the attackers. Engaged and then pinned down by the more experienced mercenaries the attacking dropships easily slipped passed the defending fighters while they were engaged in a losing dogfight.
 
<<Adv BF abstract aerospace combat was used to resolve this battle>>

Genoa Defence Brigade, Green Squadron (light) [r] -
r13, Mv: 11; Arm – 0:6; S: 1; M: 1; L: 0; - Spec: BOMB1; Fuel 20

vs

504 Sqn (Nottingham), No. 1 Group, 1st Mechanised Brigade (light) [r] –
r18, Mv: 10; Arm - 5:6; S: 2; M: 2; L: 0 – Spec: BOMB1; Fuel20

501 Sqn (Gloucester), No. 1 Group, 1st Mechanised Brigade (medium) [r] –
r16, Mv: 6; Arm – 7; S: 2; M: 2; L: 1 – Spec: BOMB1, Fuel 20

The light Capellan fighters managed to hold the attacking Stingrays at bay while they focused on the attacking light fighters. However, without reinforcements the outcome was inevitable. The light Sholagars and Sabres managed to keep the range open and score repeated hits while the less nimble Stingrays scored from longer range. In return, two of the attacking craft were damaged, one Sholagar quite badly, before the last defending craft was disabled. Three of the six Capellan fighters were discovered to be salvageable with their pilots captured after they ejected. The captains of the two Leopard Mech carriers were advised to be prepared to collect the derelicts and transfer them into their empty fighter bays once they had unloaded their passengers for the ground battle.   

<<to be continued…>>
« Last Edit: 21 November 2020, 15:20:35 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 #135 on: 26 August 2018, 15:04:53 »
Columbus Agriplex, Columbus, Genoa, Tikonov Commonality, Week 2a, Aug 3020

Explosions shook the Sargent Wallis’ Saracen violently as a volly of LRM missiles from a Capellan Manticore heavy tank landed in front of and behind the vehicle. The range was long but if the enemy gunners were bracketing their targets now, the probability of the next salvo scoring on the hover tank were likely very high. Keeping the range open, making use of evasive tactics and the hover tanks high speed had avoided any major damage from being inflicted in this engagement so far but there was no point in pressing their luck. The plenums on more than one of the hover tanks were badly bent or holed and another near miss might disable the hovercrafts ability to ‘float’ and that would mean the loss of the tank.

“Trooper, back us out of range, fast.” The order had no sooner left his lips then the hover tank slewed sideways, turned on a tight arc and accelerated out of range of the enemy heavy tanks just as a second Manticore fired its PPC. The blue-white bolt of energy seared through the space the hover tank had occupied just a second before. This was the third engagement for the demi-squadron of Combat Team Bravo Two since landing earlier in the previous week. In each engagement the teams had feinted towards the large agricultural complex near the capital city of Columbus on the surface of Genoa, even getting close enough to lob a few long range missiles at the loading docks, only to pull back once the defenders had put in an appearance. A cold, near-arctic desert, most of Genoa’s settlements were underground as were most of the natural resources. Agriculture was one Genoa’s largest exports but the grain needed to be collected, processed and stored at the agriplex in order to be loaded on grain carriers and shipped off-world.

In order to achieve better tactical flexibility, the two mercenary combat teams had immediately split into demi-squadrons upon landing. The four troops of hover tanks were now operating as two independent ‘Sabre’ formations of two troops on the right and left flanks of the raiding force. The two lances of light Mechs formed a third heavy ‘Lancer’ formation backed up by the mounted ‘Dragoon’ infantry in the fourth company. The entire force operated in a ‘T’ shaped formation with the Lancers in the centre, a Sabre squadron on each wing and the hovercraft infantry placed behind in reserve.

As his own hover tank and its troopmates slipped out of range the light Mechs darted into range from the centre and let loose with a flurry of laser and missile fire, scoring more hits but not disabling any of the enemy heavy tanks. The attack did distract the tanker’s attention while the Mechs sprinted out of range again. So far neither side had scored much in the way of damage but almost every Mech and vehicle was sporting impact hits from either solid shot, missile or beam weapons. The mercenaries were not on Genoa looking for a fight, however, they wanted information, and in the past week the information gathered on the defences had proved Davion intelligence to be far out of date, if not totally wrong.

Instead of finding a pair of infantry regiments and some light tanks the 4th Dragoons had now engaged two heavy tank companies and another of mixed mechanised and jump infantry. The infantry and one company of tanks had been identified as belonging to the 98th Home Guard Regiment while the other tank company had the markings and tactical call signs known to belong to Genoa’s garrison tank battalion. This new engagement was another case of finding more than what was expected. The company to their front was another unidentified unit and to their rear another company of mechanised infantry could be seen manoeuvering to get around the flank of 4th Dragoons. Mercifully no Mechs had been identified as part of the garrison and no House units had been encountered.

All of this meant that Genoa was likely held by an augmented garrison that included two Home Guard regiments, now identified as the 97th and 98th Regiments, in addition to the standard militia, regular infantry and tanks. Aerial reconnaissance had spotted a sixth formation of motor infantry and medium tanks that had the all the looks of being one of the “Confederation Militia” regiment. If this was the case then the defences were significantly stronger than thought. Home Guard Regiments usually boasted a heavy tank battalion, a second battalion of mechanised infantry possessing more medium tanks and a third battalion of jump infantry with a squadron of attack helicopters. A Confederation Militia regiment numbered just two battalions of motor infantry but a company of medium tanks were attached to its second battalion giving this small regiment some extra punch . This meant that Genoa held perhaps twelve battalions of infantry, varying from militia to mechanised along with their transports. The forecasted single light tank battalion had instead turned out to be three battalions of heavy armour plus the medium companies attached to the Confederation Militia and mechanised infantry battalions and a company of attack helicopters. The defender’s aerospace wing remained a factor even though it limited itself to combat air patrols over its base at the starport.

With each day that passed, the various elements of the Capellan garrison had been getting themselves organised and had been slowly throwing a broad cordon around the raiders operating area. So far they had avoided being caught and pinned but the numbers were simply stacked too high against the mercenaries. Command would have to make do with the information they had obtained. It was time to call the dropships and withdraw before the Dragoons suffered any serious damage.
« Last Edit: 26 November 2020, 00:01:37 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 #136 on: 07 September 2018, 11:44:36 »
Gethin, Halloran V, Capellan March, Federated Suns, Week 1b Sep, 3020

The ramp on the Princess Philippa was down and techs from the 1st Service Battalion were gingerly trying to manoeuvre two badly damaged Scimitar hover tanks down the steep incline. The badly worn hover tanks and light Mechs of the 4th Dragoons had spent nearly two weeks sparing with the local garrison forces on the agricultural world of Genoa in the Tikonov Commonality. Their mission to collect as much information on the garrison as possible was considered a success with thankfully little loss of life. While the casualty count was numbered in single digits, the Dragoons involved were tired and their equipment was badly battered.

Only half in jest Lieutenant-Colonel John Ligny II’s view of the raids was as a painful, almost personal waste of lives and materiel. No enemy equipment had been captured and no salvage plundered to offset the cost of repairing the damage inflicted to ‘his’ equipment. Although he fully understood the value of good intelligence, every gouge in the armour plate or damaged missile launcher drained his store of spares. Without even doing a full inventory he knew it would take nearly two weeks to repair all the damage to the light tanks and Mechs that had taken part in the raid. More painful again was the fact that the 11th Hussars, Task Force 1.2, were at that very moment landing on another planet to raid supplies, steal spares and test the defences.  As he turned back towards the Mech hanger behind him he knew this meant more supplies consumed and more damage to be repaired. He was keenly aware that the Brigade would soon be in heavy combat again and he needed every spare part to keep the Brigade in fighting trim.

Six Kilometers from Hamal Militia Training Center, Depot 1-A, Hamal, Tikonov Commonality, Week 1b Sep, 3020

The cold desert air was coming down through the open commander’s hatch and right down Corporal January Summer’s neck. January still wasn’t sure if she should thank or curse her parents for the joke but the juxtaposition of her two names had been the cause numerous fights with other girls, and more than a few boys, when a young teen. Her father doted on her and she had a natural inclination towards sports so it came as no surprise to anyone that she grew into the classic image of the tomboy. Something over one and a half meters tall she was also tough as nails and no one in her squadron ever accused her of not pulling her own weight. Hours spent with weights had given her excellent upper body strength that allowed her to heft AC 5 rounds into ammunition bins or swing a vehicle radio set through the commander’s hatch with little difficulty.

Corporal Summer was also the gunner, and a damned good one, of Bravo-Two-Two-Charlie, one of two Vedette medium tanks in the combat team’s third tank troop assigned to this raid. As with the raid the previous month, two Mech lances (an Archer, Catapult, four Trebuchets, a Shadow Hawk and a Panther) were paired with two mechanised infantry platoons to form Combat Team Alpha. Combat Team Bravo consisted of all four tank troops belonging to Task Force 1.2, the 11th Hussars of the 1st Mechanised Brigade. The tank squadron’s sixteen tanks were mainly a mix of Scorpion and Hunter light tanks with the two Vedette mediums and a single Manticore, SRM Carrier and a refurbished Demolisher, nick named 'the Monster'. Each combat team brought along its B Echelon of recovery, supply and medical support vehicles.

They had jumped into the Hamal system without incident and made planet fall without the defenders appearing to notice anything out of the ordinary. Landing out in the flat desert some 15 kilometers from the targeted militia base the troopships unloaded 'Mechs and infantry which deployed into two demi-companies and with their support vehicles dashed ahead of the slower Combat Team Bravo. Upon landing Team Bravo also split into two demi-companies and pushed two tanks troops of Vedette, Scorpion and Hunter tanks into the desert as a blocking force between the target base and the civilian center twenty kilometers away. The remaining tanks, including the heavies were held in reserve equidistant between the base, the dropships and the blocking force. With a Demolisher and SRM Carrier slowing them down, Corporal Summer did not expect any fast response from Bravo-One. The single cargo ship, who's presence many thought was wishful thinking, remained in orbit with the two leopard fighter carriers until the landing zone was declared secure.

*****

Hamal Militia Training Center, Depot 1-A, Hamal, Tikonov Commonality, Week 1b Sep, 3020

The first the sleepy occupants of the planetary training and equipment depot knew of the enemy presence was when a volley of short range missiles streaked in from the darkness outside the perimeter fence and shattered the front gate and guard house. The explosions were followed immediately by a charge through the debris by six Mechs and four armoured personnel carriers disgorging combat infantry as they slowed. Caught completely by surprise the on duty personnel were easily overwhelmed with only a few shots and it soon became apparent the base was largely unoccupied, manned only by a regular training cadre and a few maintenance teams. The raiders had just captured an equipment depot and training facility with a battalion’s worth of heavy tanks, all covered in camouflaged tarpaulins and parked in three neat rows.

Major Thomas Woodstock jumped down from his modified infantry carrier as it came to a halt in front of the rows of tanks. A quick glance at the shapes told him they were mainly Vedette, Manticore and Bulldog models but two had the unmistakable outline of the massive Ontos, a favourite of the Capellan armoured forces. Slipping off his gloves, he looked over his shoulder with grin that would have put the canary eating cat to shame.
 
“Bill,… how many of our troopers can drive a tank?”

Smiling himself, “Damned if I know, sir. Some of these kids are from the back of the backwoods, we had to teach them what a computer pad was. Others are more tech savvy than I ever wish to be.”

Pondering the rows of tanks the company Sargent-Major continued, “I doubt we’ll have time to arm any of them but we could drive a few away, that I’m su-“

Before he finished his sentence three muffled shots off to the left of the carrier broke the otherwise quiet night air, an automatic pistol by the sound of the report. The shots were immediately answered by the chatter of a submachine gun and quickly followed by the dull thump of a grenade.  There was a flurry of activity as experienced infantrymen pivoted towards the sound, ready to react to any danger. Less experienced troopers fell to the ground and tried to ready their weapons with suddenly clumsy fingers.

Crouching near the wheel of his APC Major Woodstock keyed his throat microphone and asked, “Lieutenant Pitts, report”.

As silence fell across the base again nearby soldiers relaxed as the threat of danger subsided. Having received the report Major Woodstock spoke again, “Get a perimeter established, two squads, with carriers. And find out who we have that might be able to drive a tank.” Pausing to switch to the frequency used by the Mech company the Major continued, “Captain Dagworth, place a lance on security detail, use the Mechs with the best long range fire power and least capable of carrying crates. As soon as we have an idea what kind of stocks we have I want to start moving ammunition and parts back to the landing zone.”

To the combat teams’ senior non-commissioned officer he continued,

“Bill, we’ll have company soon enough. That ruckus was in an office with the base's comms gear. The locals got off a message. Anything that can fit in the carriers of One Platoon, get it loaded and get it back to the dropships. Escort them with Two Platoon. Once offloaded, leave Two's infantry at the landing zones and send all the carriers back. We’ll load the empties with all the ammunition and parts they can carry and send them back to the ships with One Platoon riding on top or on anything else we can find with wheels.”

Keying his microphone again he spoke, “Bravo Six, this is Nine. The jig is up, they know we are here. Set two road blocks, the first ten klicks north, the second eight klicks out. Anything comes your way from the city you delay them. If it’s small enough to handle, do it. If it’s more than you can manage fire and move back towards the DZ. The Bravo-Mikes will be up your way once we are done here. Hotel call-signs are on stand-by and will carry out an aerial recce to your north. Over.”

Captain John Fortescue, commanding Combat Team Bravo listened intently as he checked his map and circled the likely spots for his blocking positions.

“Nine this is Bravo Six, understood.  We’ll be in position in ten. Over.”

“Bravo Six, understood, out.” As he climbed up into the wheeled APC Major Woodstock smiled again as he spoke to his Sargent-Major,  “Ok Bill, lock up the prisoners in their barracks, post a guard until we’re done here. Then get on the VHF set and contact Edward Get both squadron’s down into the atmosphere. Never mind the bombs, if enemy air shows up they’ll have to jettison and there in no point in throwing away good ordnance.”

Pausing a moment to collect his thoughts the raid commander concluded, “Ok,…let’s get this bit of highway banditry on the road before the entire neighbourhood wakes up”.

*****

<<to be continued>>
« Last Edit: 26 November 2020, 10:26:59 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 Rams Head)
« Reply #137 on: 08 September 2018, 11:33:19 »
Combat Team Bravo One, Hamal, Tikonov Commonality, Week 1b Sep, 3020

Corporal January Summer could just make out the prone form of Sargent Max Bernstein though the sight glass mounted next to her AC 5s gunsight. Bernstein was in front of the tank with a pair of electronic binoculars watching the road some 500 meters to his front. The Vedette was ‘turret down’ behind a low dune completely hidden from the road. Eighty meters to the south was the troop’s second Vedette while the two Hunter missile tanks were deployed behind small dunes or natural folds in the ground. The small combat team’s other troop of Scorpion and Hunter tanks were deployed in echelon to the left and back approximately 500 meters to south and east.

The night was fading as the eastern sky began to brighten but the glow of the city in the desert to the north could still be seen against the few clouds drifting by in the cold, dry air of Hamal’s deserts. The tactical channels were quiet except for the low hiss of static and a few clipped situation reports. Two kilometers to the south the other demi-company of combat team Bravo was deployed immediately adjacent to the road on both sides. Another kilometer to the south a Mech lance with an Archer, Catapult, Trebuchet and Shadow Hawk had moved up from the south and had taken up position behind the roadblock, the Mechs kneeling or crouching among the low dunes or small Mesquite-like trees.

Corporal Summer felt as much as she heard the rumble of an approaching column. She could not see the road but she saw her crew commander shift his position and focus his binoculars to the northwest. After nearly a minute he keyed his microphone,

“January, get ready. The locals are coming hard and fast. There’s a recce troop out front, Packrats by the look of 'em, and a long column coming south at speed, headlights blazing. Looks like a short battalion of armour with a few trucks, probably carrying infantry.”

Just then the radio crackled to life and the troop commander radioed in his report to the squadron commander. The lieutenant was experienced and knew his trade, having come up through the Brigade in its earlier days from Sargent to commissioned officer. As he gave orders to his troop Corporal Summer already knew the well-tried battle drill.

They would engage the column from the flank, two tanks at a time, to try and turn part of the force their way. As the first pair of tanks manoeuvred back to a new firing position, the second pair would engage the enemy before they, in turn, displaced to a new position. When the troop had retrograded east far enough to expose the enemy flank to the team’s second troop, it would then engage from the south, trying to confuse and disrupt the enemy force. The two troops would then manoeuvre together as they fell back east and south towards the landing zone, teaming up with the other demi-company and Mechs.

Sargent Bernstein leapt easily up the front hull of the Vedette, grabbing the barrel of the autocannon to steady himself as his next steps carried him up to the turret roof in crouch. As he quickly reeled in the extension cord he plugged back into the vehicle’s intercom system.

“Ok,… four Scouts, well spread out in advance of the main column but moving too fast to do any real scouting. When we crest the dune ignore them. Take the seventh or eighth vehicle in the lead column, two aimed squirts from the autocannon, Summer, make ‘em count. If I know Leftenant Idema he’ll target the head of the second column.”

“Matheson?”, he was addressing the tank's driver. “When I give the word you back us the hell away, jink us fifty meters north and pull up behind that small hillock we saw behind us earlier.” Receiving confirmation his orders were understood the tank commander dropped into the turret, leaving the hatch locked open. Looking into the sight glass to his front he also kept an eye on the tanks electronic sensors, such as they were, and cleared his throat.

“Gunner, take over.”

Taking her cue Corporal Summer keyed her intercom,

“Driver, advance, slow.”

The engine went from low idle and revved up as the fifty ton tank crept up the low dune. January Summer, both eyes pressed into the gunsight depressed the gun to keep the crest of the dune in sight as the view rose. Knowing the gun’s barrel was lower than then the gunsight on the turret roof she let Matheson creep the tank forward a few moments more so that the only part of the tank visible to the enemy would be from the gun barrel to the top of the turret.

“Driver, halt”. The Vedette stilled almost immediately as Corporal Summer quickly traversed the turret just a few mils before settling her aiming marks on an enemy tank.

There was no need for the intercom as Sargent Bernstein barked out a target order.

“Target, tank! 500! On!!”

A flick of a switch next to her thumb on the gun's firing handle sent a ranging laser that instantaneously fed the fire control computer the range. Another click with her thumb on the electric turret traverse handle locked the gyrostabilizer on the target to keep the gun locked on the target in azimuth and elevation.

"On!", Summer responded as she acknowledged the target selection

"Fire!", came the command

“Firing, now!!", came the gunner’s response, a split-second pause to time the “now” with the actual firing of the autocannon.

As Corporal January Summer squeezed the trigger of the autocannon to her left she felt the familiar thump as three rounds streaked towards its target. Pause only for a half-breath she squeezed the trigger again, the autocannon recoiling as it spat high velocity shot at its target. Her skill was rewarded as she counted five of six rounds intersecting with the left flank of the target tank. Sparks flared in the predawn gloom as armour plate flaked and spalled away, mixed with track links and chunks of shattered road wheels. The target slewed to the left carried by momentum and the sudden loss of power to its left side, a thin trail of smoke curling from the lower hull that took the worst of the impact.

Almost immediately three other rounds streaked into the enemy column from the right as the troop commander’s tank engaged the lead tank in the second group. The reaction within the enemy column was electric. Armoured vehicles broke to the left and right of the road as momentary confusion gripped the enemy formation. Clearly the enemy did not know the exact location of the enemy fire and Sargent Bernstein was keen to take advantage of the confusion while it lasted.

Twisting the traverse over-ride, Bernstein quickly centered a new target in his own sight. An enemy Vedette had turned right off the road and come to a halt facing west, presenting its rear engine compartment to its enemy was an invitation not to be passed by.

“Target, tank! Five-five-zero! On!"

Quickly locking on the target Corporal Summer yelled, “On!!”

"Armour piercing! Fire!", came the response.

"Firing - nowww!", this time she dragged the end of word as she warmed to her work.

As she squeezed the trigger twice, she thought “I got you, you Malfing’- ", the autocannon barked as three rounds raced down range followed almost immediately by three more. Before the armour piercing shot could reach their intended target a Scorpion light tank crossed in front of the enemy Vedette and took the full force of four rounds slamming into the right side of the twenty-five ton tank. Again track links, pieces of road wheels and super-heated shards of armour soared skyward. The tank slithered to a halt, throwing up a huge cloud of sand and dirt, effectively screening the vehicle on its opposite side.

Not waiting for the enemy to get organized Bernstein spoke into the intercom, “Driver reverse!!”

Trooper Matheson was already prepared for the order and had already placed the tank’s transmission into reverse. As he hit the accelerator the Vedette jumped backwards and sped away from its firing position.  Just in case someone could see their escape Matheson jinked the tank hard to the right and then back to left as he willed the tank to grow wings.

Just as he was given the order to move right to the second firing position he saw explosions from long range missiles dance across the low dune they had just vacated a few seconds before. As trooper Matheson threw the transmission into forward gear he found himself unconsciously pressing himself down lower in the driver’s compartment.

*****
« Last Edit: 26 November 2020, 18:07:23 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 #138 on: 08 September 2018, 11:47:43 »
Route 416, Hamal, Tikonov Commonality, Week 1b Sep, 3020
 
Almost as if in slow motion Thomas Woodstock watched the clutch of bombs trace a shallow arc as they left the Capellan Transit aerospace fighter. The arc ended where the bombs met and enveloped a Bulldog heavy tank, the graceful flight transformed into a series of flashes as explosions surrounding the tank in flaming black smoke, sand and pieces of what was moments before a deadly fighting machine.

The enemy fighter then broke hard left and clawed for altitude just a Slayer 15A dove on it from above. Leading the Capellan craft the mercenary fighter corrected for the offset and opened fire with its autocannon and medium lasers. The Transit flew straight into the path of cannon shot and laser fire as they flashed across its topside blasting and boiling away armour and then the structure that gave the craft flight. The Capellan fighter came apart in the air in a flash of light and a red-tinged black ball of smoke. There was no ejection from what was left of the cockpit.

The Slayer now found itself under the guns of its victim’s wingman and its pilot threw his craft into a sharp diving turn coming level just fifty meters from the ground. The pursuing Transit unleashed its heavy AC 20 at long range from above and behind the Slayer. The Slayer’s pilot, perhaps anticipating the attack, threw his craft into a climbing half roll and the cut hard to the right at full throttle. The enemy cannon and laser fire missed its target to impact empty desert but the pilot managed to match the turn and retain its position behind the raider.

It was now the turn of the Slayer’s wingman to intervene as his flight leader led the enemy towards him. Whether the Transit pilot saw the second craft or his threat receivers screamed their warning loud enough to catch his attention, the Capellan pilot pushed home his throttle and dove under the incoming Slayer without further harm, streaking away to the west. For now at least the lighter enemy aerospace wing had conceded local air space to the heavy mercenary squadrons.

The entire engagement, from the release of the bombs to the escape of the Transit fighter had taken less than ten seconds. It had happened so fast that the dust and debris from the destroyed Bulldog were still settling to the ground near the point of impact. As the mercenary major passed the wreckage of the Bulldog in his armoured personnel carrier he wondered who the young man or woman was who had volunteered to drive the stolen tank.

“Alpha One, this Nine. Sit-rep, over”.

With only a pause of a second or two Captain Tommy Dagworth responded, “Nine this is Alpha One. We are engaged with a full battalion of very angry medium tanks and maybe a company or two of motor infantry. Bravo is pulling back, minus two tracks and we are giving fire support. Alpha Two is coming up on my right. The locals seems a little less enthusiastic now that they are facing Mechs,... but not by much. Over.”

“Alpha One, Nine. Understood.  Fall back in stages. We’ll be loaded in perhaps one-five minutes, another ten minutes to secure the extra vehicles. Enemy ‘fast air’ has engaged. Hotel One and Two are on station and available to support. Just make the call. Nine, out.”

The raid had started quite well but Major Woodstock wondered if he had overplayed his hand. The supplies and ammunition were already loading on the Mule but perhaps the idea to steal the eight tanks was too much. Heavy tanks were slow and these were driven by infantryman with no real training. It had taken too long to find or crack the access codes to the ignition locks, prep the vehicles for the move and then actually put the column on the road.

The air strikes had not helped. Two Bulldogs and a Manticore had been lost and the transport dropship commander advised they needed some extra time to secure the vehicles in their cargo holds meant for containers and crates. Not an uncommon practice but it still took more time.

The good news was they left the depot in a shambles. With limited explosives the handful of engineers had focused on the ammunition bunkers and maintenance buildings. Some of the ammunition in the storage bunkers was piled around the remaining tanks, in particular the pair of Ontos, and then detonated. The explosion might wreck only a few of the tanks but most would need at least repairs before being used again. The columns of black smoke could still be seen nearly ten kilometers away.

As his carrier pulled up under the guns of the dropships he had made his decision. Keying his microphone he sent word over the command channel to his four sub units,

“Alpha One, Bravo One, this Nine. Fighting withdrawal back to the dropships. Hotel One and Two will cover your withdrawal. Everyone comes home, don’t leave any dismounts behind.”

After receiving acknowledgement of his orders he paused in thought for a moment, deciding on an extra measure to help extract his command. Switching his radio to the frequency used by the Davion dropships he began,

“November this Sunray One, over.”

Almost immediately came the response, “Sunray One this November, receiving, over.”

“November, we are beginning our pull out and I’m bringing down Edward for added top cover. Can you place Thunder on her wing? We’ll be loading infantry and stores, the tracks, then the tall boys. I want all the Hotels and their carriers providing cover until we are clear. Over.”

“Sunray One, this is November. We’ve been monitoring your comms and understand the situation. Thunder will support.” After a pause, “You pay for the damages and the first round back at the mess.”

Woodstock was smiling again, “November, this is Sunray One. You have a deal. Sunray, out.”

Looking out from the carrier’s top hatch to the north Major Thomas Woodstock could hear the distant rumble of thunder he knew was the sound of battle. Switching his headset to intercom, “Bill, bring the troops in and let’s go home.”   

*****

« Last Edit: 26 November 2020, 18:14:43 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 #139 on: 10 September 2018, 11:23:44 »
The Third Succession War Campaign, Jul - Sep, 3020

LC-DC Front: Expecting a renewed offensive against the Dieron District’s Vega Prefecture, the DCMS high command had deployed nearly a dozen commands in an arc from Dromini VI to Aubisson. The expected offensive failed to appear, however, with Wolf’s Dragoons continuing a series of alternating raids in July and September. A probing attack was launched by the Lyrans against Port Moseby in August but the Combine defenders pushed the Lyran force off world by the end of the month. The lack of activity was explained when news arrived of a major Lyran counteroffensive launched in July against the Free Worlds League’s invasion of the Isle of Skye.

The other major event that took place in August came on the political front. Archon Katrina Steiner made a “Peace Proposal” to all the heads of the Great Houses of the Inner Sphere. The actual proposal was little more than a call for a cease fire but Takashi Kurita was quick to dismiss the proposal as a sign of weakness on the part of the Lyran Commonwealth. Despite the weakened state of the DCMS and the uncertainty on the Galedon Front, Lord Kurita has ordered forces to be assembled for a strike into Commonwealth space.

DC-FS Front: The naval defeat at Waldheim as well as heavy casualty rates among the lead AFFS and supporting mercenary commands finally brought a halt to the Federated Suns’ offensive into the Galedon District. Of the fifteen forward AFFS commands none were stronger than 60 or 70% in strength with many significantly below even this level. The commands deployed by the DCMS were in little better shape with most of the Galedon Commands having been sent back for rebuilding, their place in the line taken over by commands from the Pesht or Benjamin districts.

Both sides settled for a series of active raids opposed by both standing and naval patrols, for which the Federated Suns were better prepared due to employing more mercenary commands. Admiral Delia Trine, commanding the AFFS Navy welcomed the respite to withdraw the battered carrier divisions for heavy repairs and rebuilding of their fighter wings. The DCMS admiralty also took the opportunity presented by decreased levels of activity on both active fronts to rebalance the fleet’s deployment.

The arrival of the Archon’s peace proposal on New Avalon was met with surprise but a polite refusal by Hanse Davion. The First Prince did respond that he appreciated the sentiment and that, perhaps in the future, the Lyran Commonwealth and Federated Suns could discuss a more lasting peace.

FS-CC Front: The Federated Suns continued its attacks against the Tikonov Commonality and the military units deployed there but the level of activity showed a marked decline due to casualties and limited resources. As with the Galedon sector, both combatants had suffered heavy losses but as the fighting on the Capellan March was considered a secondary theatre by the AFFS command, replacements were harder to come by. As for the CCAF, it continued to rotate its commands as best it could and by September had deployed all five commands of the Confederation Reserve Cavalry to the Tikonov Commonality to back up the Tikonov Reserve brigade and part of the Chesterton Reserves in the region.

The Capellan command was forced to undertake a major redeployment of forces to cover gaps created by the series of defeats and heavy losses, cancelling even the raids being launched by McCarron’s mercenary commands, lest they draw a response the Sian Commonality could not respond to. Instead Maximillian Liao is said to have struck on a new plan to take the fight to Federated Suns on terms set by the Capellan Confederation. Davion intelligence has spotted a number of commands belonging to the Chesterton and Sarna Reserves deployed along the border with the Suns between Jonathan and Ares. Book takers on Galatea are giving even odds an attack may be in the offing. Others are betting on a huge bluff, opining the CCAF cannot take another drubbing similar to the fiasco suffered in the Terran Corridor in 3019.

As far as the Liao reaction to Archon Katrina Steiner’s peace proposal was concerned, there was none. Maximillian Liao simply told his advisers that short of House Steiner recognizing him as the one true and supreme Star Lord there was nothing to discuss.

 
CC-FWL Front: When word came of the Lyran counteroffensive against Marik forces in the Isle of Skye was gaining ground, SAFE detected an immediate increase in espionage and sabotage operations along the Zion and Oriente sectors. Enough of these operations were bungled so badly that evidence pointed directly to Sian. In September, when it was further reported that there had been an attempt to instigate a rebellion on Hall, combined with an attempt to sabotage the newly constructed fort, Janos Marik declared he had had enough. SAFE and the high command were ordered to send an unmistakable signal to Sian as soon as possible. Whether this signal will be overt or covert will be determined by the Captain-General after reviewing the competing plans being prepared. 

FWL-LC: The Lyran counterattack began in the opening days of July and struck 6 of 21 systems occupied by FWLM. Marik forces that had paused to regroup and prepare for their own offensive in August were caught up in defensive battles as the commands defending the forward systems were badly battered and driven back. By the time the fighting subsided due to exhaustion after nearly three full months of non-stop fighting, Carsphaim, Alcor, Mizar and Menkent had been liberated. The FWLM managed to hold Alioth and Haddings but these two planets were almost untenable after the troops rushed to reinforce the systems had been savaged in defensive fighting.

Heavy attacks also hit Cor Caroli and Vindemiatrix but both systems turned back the attackers with heavy losses. As September came to a close both sides had been forced to withdraw more than 50% of the forces they had involved for major rebuilding while trying to come up with additional troops to either feed the attack or stabilize the defence. Naval commands on both sides were likewise seriously damaged to the point where neither side had a carrier force capable of serious frontline operations in the region.

In the midst of this maelstrom came Katrina Steiner’s peace proposal. Timed to be presented after the results of the counteroffensive had shown promise the Archon was clearly trying to initiate negotiations with a strong hand. Janos Marik, being highly dubious of both the timing and proposal sent back a counter-offer proposing a cease fire based on the frontlines as they were at the end of June. The response from Tharkad was that only the full retreat to the frontier as it was before August 3019 would be acceptable. Expecting the FWL to give up the territory conquered at such high cost over the past year would be unthinkable, especially as the Lyran counteroffensive had only managed to liberate a few systems and the FWLM was holding the line. The Archon’s offer was rejected but strategists on both sides noted that, though the attempt had failed, there was for the first time in decades a negotiation between the two houses.
« Last Edit: 12 December 2020, 13:29:30 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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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #140 on: 18 September 2018, 12:15:35 »
Gethin Spaceport, Halloran V, Capellan March, Federated Suns, Week 3b Sep, 3020

The format of the briefings held by the command staff of the 8th Crucis Lancers was beginning to feel like routine. Davion Marshal Wargo had his staff draw up plans based on input from the various intelligence services and the status of the three commands in the Lancer's ‘brigade’. After sifting through the potential targets, the logistics involved in moving the commands and deciding on the goal of the operation, a general briefing was called to update the regimental commanders and their senior staff. So it was again in late September 3020 as Richard Bedford and his seven battalion commanders filed into large hanger in the military zone of the Gethin spaceport. He had already received orders to begin loading his brigade for a combat insertion and the required dropships had been requisitioned from the Davion Navy.

“Shades of Eridani,” quipped John Talbot, commanding officer of Task Force 1.1, “this all feels very familiar.”

Thomas de Scales, combat leader of Task Force 1.2 responded, “You would think that after eight years in the  ‘Valley’ militia, and five years charging about the Inner Sphere with us that these sorts of things would become ‘old hat’. They never do.”

“One thing is certain,” added John Ligny, nodding towards the podium on the raised stage, “if Nathaniel O’Rourke is here we are certain to be off on another adventure. Which means you lot will be getting our Mechs and other kit shot full of holes in short order.”

Just as the commander of the 1st Mechanised Brigade’s service battalion finished his sentence the same  Major O’Rourke, the head of the 8th Crucis Lancers intelligence team, tapped the microphone three times and asked the assembled officers to take their seats. In the next two minutes each command found its section of seats and officers organised themselves according to the cards attached to each chair. The less formal mercenaries tended to not worry about sitting in the exact seating assignment. The Davion officers seemed a little bit more formal as they sorted themselves out.

“Good afternoon, Gentlemen,” began O’Rourke, “we have had a change of plans.” Attaching a lapel microphone to the front of his duty uniform tunic the major came around to a projector and computer station. Turning on the projector, it lit up a large screen behind the stage and with a few key strokes, a map of the Sarna Commonality resolved itself. A few adjustments and the screen shifted toward the Federated Suns border between the Capellan systems of Tikonov and Ares.

“We had planned on continuing the ‘Punishment Raid’ campaign into the Sarna Commonality but while you were all distracting the Capellans with your raids on targets in the Tikonov region, our agents spotted a buildup of troops in this area.” As he spoke the red dot of a laser pointer drew an oblong circle around the group of planets from St Andre to Tsingtao.

“Judging from the number of commands and their names, we believe the Capellan military might be planning a multi-command spoiling offensive to draw us away from the Tikonov Commonality. Either that, or the Chancellor has revived the centuries old gambit to retake the Chesteron Salient.” The laser pointer now circled and area encompassing New Aragon, Valexa, Chesteron and Mira in the Valexa PDZ.

“The Chesterton Reserve Brigade has deployed en masse to planets such as Algol , New Hessen and St Andre, each with a single command supported by another of mercenaries. On Johnathan and Highspire there are two Chesterton commands each. Hurloc’s Hussars are known to be on Tsingtao and finally, our agents spotted the Blackwind and Preston’s Lancers, McCrimmon’s Light Cavalry and the CCS St Ives on Sarna. These last three commands and the carrier group apparently have orders to move to Shipka and Foot Fall.”

Making another adjustment to the screen the view changed toward the Federated Suns region bordered by Valexa, Kathil and Cammal.

“The Capellans may also be thinking of striking towards Axton or Kathil, both being high value targets that could cause us no end of grief if lost or damaged. If this is the case they may bring in a number of the St Ive’s commands all of which have been very silent of late.”

Dimming the screen and setting down the pointer the Davion Major came forward to the front of the stage.

“The danger we face is that during last year’s campaign in the ‘Terran Corridor’ we were forced to shift large numbers of reserves towards the Tikonov Commonality and the ‘Corridor’. When that campaign wrapped up late last year and our offensive in the Combine’s Galedon District resumed, we had neither the jumpships or resources to reposition the majority of those troops.”

This drew a murmur from the assembled officers as many drew the same conclusion. Raising a hand to still the audience O’Rourke continued, “As some of you may have surmised, this means the Velexa PDZ is exposed with definite gaps in the front and very little behind it as a reserve.”

Returning to the projector and computer controls he called up a new screen that showed the systems between Mira and Lee, New Aragon and Kathil. One by one arrows appeared and moved from one planet to another, some with multiple “Jumps”. Rectangles appeared with the names of commands and supporting units. For the assembled group, the brightest of these arrows “jumped” from Halloran V and landed on Valexa, a large rectangle with the name “8th Crucis Lancers Brigade Group” in bright yellow.

“We did consider a pre-emptive strike but if we attacked with the massed commands currently in the Chesterton Salient toward Highspire, for example, and the Capellan goal is Chesterton, we may only succeed in deflecting the Capellans towards Axton and Kathil and thus create  a bigger problem for ourselves.”

Turning off the screen and back to the assembly the Davion strategist concluded, “Instead we will elect to receive the offensive. The 8th Crucis Lancers , Swann’s Cavaliers and the 1st Mechanised Brigade, accompanied by the FSS Enterprise, will move immediately to Valexa where we will reinforce the Valexa CMM.”

The abbreviation stood for to the Velexa Capellan March Militia. This Regimental Combat Team was the Valexa PDZ’s reserve command made up of local soldiers or those who had requested duty closer to home. Slightly smaller than a regular Regimental Combat Team, this militia had seen fairly regular combat over the past ten years and its level of experience was higher than the average militia formation. At present the Valexa CMM was the only command between the Capellan concentrations on St Andre, Jonathan and Highspire and the Federated Suns world of Chesterton. Even with its fairly sizeable garrison, the Valexa CMM would not last long against as many as five Capellan commands set on blasting their way to Chesterton.

“Other local commands will adjust their deployment to reinforce Chesterton and Ashkum. If we are lucky, perhaps we can snuff out any attack against Chesterton before it can build momentum. More details are in your briefing packets. We lift off as soon as the last dropship is finished loading.”

Major O’rourke then yielded the stage to Davion Marshall Wargo as he rose from his seat off to the side of the stage.

“Thank you, Major, excellent briefing as always.” Addressing the larger crowd he added, “you have been asked to load your dropships as if we are going directly into a planetary assault. The reason for this is simple, we don’t know when, or even if, the Capellans will move. I don’t want us to land on Valexa and find we need to scramble to ‘unpack’. When we ground, I want everyone able to roll out to your deployment areas immediately.”

To the mercenary officers Marshall Wargo added, “Any last minute questions or needs, pass them through your liaison officers and we will do what we can to fill them before we boost. That is all. Good luck and good hunting.”

*****
« Last Edit: 06 December 2020, 20:21:00 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 #141 on: 24 September 2018, 09:35:38 »
Valexa Lunar Zone 2, Capellan March, Week 1b-2a Oct, 3020

“The Capellans have stolen a march on us and now we have to play catch up”. Those were the first words Admiral Drummond aboard the FSS Enterprise uttered once the Davion fleet emerged from hyperspace at the Valexa Zenith point. In less than thirty minutes after the jump into the system it became clear the situation was not what was expected. The response to what should have been a routine contact message from the fleet to Valexa advised the admiral that a large Capellan fleet had emerged from hyperspace at a non-standard jump point just a few hours before. What had beein a mission to reinforce the defences just 30 minutes ago had changed into a relief operation.

The Capellan fleet was initially three days ahead of their Davion opponents and Admiral Drummond had immediately ordered the fleet to begin chasing the invaders along their projected path to an intercept point near the orbit of the planet’s moon. Quickly accelerating to 1.5 Gs the Davion fleet burned for the planet only to learn when they were one day from intercept that the Capellans had also accelerated. It was clear the attackers would reach the planet first and a calculation run on the number of dropships detected by the patrolling fighters of Valexa militia told of at least three incoming combat commands, perhaps even four.

Between the planetary defence force’s mixed wing, the Valexa March Militia could add one light and one medium wing. If they tried to oppose the six to eight wings headed their way they would likely be shot to pieces before the Enterprise and its escorts could arrive. Admiral Drummond ordered the defenders to keep an eye on the incoming waves of dropships but they were not to become decisively engaged until the relief forces had arrived.

“You want us to let the Capellan dropships hit the atmosphere before we engage?”, was the incredulous response from the Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the light and heavy squadrons of the planetary garrison wing.

“Let them land,” Drummond’s stated flatly. “With seven fighter wings plus the assault wings of the Enterprise’s escorts coming in behind them the Capellan commander is not likely to enter the atmosphere where manoeuvre is much more difficult. Considering the size of their force it is my belief they will turn to engage us. They will try to buy time for their ground forces to get established by keeping us at arm’s length.”

“We will ram our fighters down their throats and blast a hole for our dropships to make their landing. Your planet based wings can then engage and help crush their aerospace forces between two pincers.” Pausing for a moment the admiral concluded, “We’ll have the ground forces blockaded.”

Less than twenty-four hours later, in the midst of the dropships final manoeuvers before entering the atmosphere, the aerospace fighters of six Capellan wings broke away from the formation and burned towards the Davion fleet. As the Capellan fleet neared the planet and the Enterprise fleet closed in from behind, sensors finally had confirmed that the Capellan formations also possessed nearly two dozen dropships. The implication was clear, the Capellans had brought their own naval force and the Davion plan was forced to change one more time.
 
Capellan Invasion Force – Aerospace Command

Hamilton’s Highlanders Aerospace Regiment

Hamilton’s 1st Aerospace Wing [f] – e32;  med; Mv: 6 Arm – 21; S: 6; M: 6; L: 1; Spec – BOMB4
Hamilton’s 2nd Aerospace Wing [f] – e39;  hvy; Mv: 6; Arm – 23; S: 8; M: 8; L: 2; Spec – BOMB5
Grenadiers’ 1st Aerospace Wing [f] – e36; hvy; Mv: 6; Arm – 23; S: 8; M: 8; L: 2; Spec – BOMB5

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 6; Tac: 2; Mor: 5; Skill: 2

Ariana Grenadiers Aerospace Regiment

Grenadiers’ 2nd Aerospace Wing [f] – r13; hvy; Mv: 6; Arm – 23; S: 8; M: 8; L: 2; Spec – BOMB5

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 6; Tac: 4; Mor: 7; Skill: 4

3rd Chesterton Aerospace Regiment

1/3rd Voltigeurs Aerospace Wing [r] - r18; med; Mv: 6; Arm – 21; S: 6; M: 6; L: 1; Spec – BOMB4
2/3rd Voltigeurs Aerospace Wing [r] - r19; med; Mv: 6; Arm – 21; S: 6; M: 6; L: 1; Spec – BOMB4

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 6; Tac: 4; Mor: 7; Skill: 4

1st Sarna Naval Assault Division, Capellan Confederation Navy

X Naval Assault Wing [r] – r18; aslt; Mv: 4; Arm – 36; S: 9; M: 12; L: 9; – Spec: AT24
XI Naval Assault Wing [r] – r18; aslt; Mv: 4; Arm – 36; S: 9; M: 12; L: 9; - Spec: AT24

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 4; Tac: 6; Mor: 7; Skill: 4


Task Force 8, Davion 4th Fleet

FSS Enterprise Carrier Group

Enterprise Carrier Wing [r] – r15; aslt; Mv: 4; Arm – 39; S: 11; M: 13; L: 9; Spec – AT56
17th Naval Aslt Wing [r] – r15; aslt; Mv: 4; Arm: - 36; S: 9; M: 12; L: 9; Spec – AT24
18th Naval Aslt Wing [r] – r15; aslt; Mv: 4; Arm: - 36; S: 9; M: 12; L: 9; Spec – AT24
2/8th Crucis Lancers Aerospace Wing [r] – r19; hvy; Mv: 5; Arm – 27; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3; Spec – BOMB6

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 4; Tac: 6; Mor: 7; Skill: 4

FSS Enterprise Interceptor Group

1/8th Crucis Lancer Aerospace Wing [r] – r15; lt; Mv: 11; Arm – 18; S: 3; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – BOMB3
7th Interceptor Wing (FSS Enterprise) [r] – r15; lt; Mv: 11; Arm – 18; S: 3; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – BOMB3
8th Interceptor Wing (FSS Enterprise) [r] – r15; lt; Mv: 11; Arm – 18; S: 3; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – BOMB3

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 11; Tac: 0; Mor: 7; Skill: 4

No. 1 Group, 1st Mechanised Brigade (+) 

Swann’s Cavaliers Aero Wing [r] – v27; hvy; Mv: 5; Arm – 27; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3; Spec - BOMB6
504 (Nottingham) Wing [r] – r18; lt; Mv: 6; Arm: 19; S: 7; M: 7; L: 1; Spec – BOMB3
501 (Gloucester) Wing [r] – r19; hvy; Mv: 5; Arm: 24; S: 8; M: 8; L: 4; Spec – BOMB5

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 5; Tac: 0; Mor: 7; Skill: 4

Valexa Aersopace Fighter Group

Valexa Garrison Aerospce Wing[r] – r16; mix; Mv: 5; Arm: 21; S: 5; M: 5; L: 1; Spec – BOMB4
Valexa CMM 1st  Aero Wing [r] – r18; lt; Mv: 11; Arm – 18; S: 3; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – BOMB3
Valexa CMM 2nd Aero Wing [r] – r18; med; Mv: 6; Arm – 21; S: 6; M: 6; L: 0; Spec – BOMB3

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 5; Tac: 5; Mor: 7; Skill: 4

*****

<<to be continued…>>
« Last Edit: 06 December 2020, 20:28:41 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 #142 on: 24 September 2018, 16:55:24 »
Won't the planetary airwing be able to shred the Capellans that are still headed for the planet?  ???

The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #143 on: 26 September 2018, 12:42:17 »
Nope. The A/S wings of the Valexa CMM and planetary garrison managed to avoid an engagement on turn 1a and moved from I1 to I4 to avoid the inbound Capellans (8 wings). Not knowing where the space battle would develop on turn 1b they were held out of battle until things shook themselves out and by the time the pieces had finished moving the Cappy DS were in the CZ, a battle had brewed up in M1 and the CMM and garrison wing were back in I1.

Interesting thing about ACS is that a move that does not result in an engagement can leave a Formation standing around listening to crickets while battles roil around in adjacent zones or hexes.
« Last Edit: 26 September 2018, 12:46:59 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 Rams Head)
« Reply #144 on: 27 September 2018, 13:48:04 »
Valexa Lunar Zone 2, Capellan March, Week 1b-2a Oct, 3020

Battle for Position

The light fighters of the Enterprise and Crucis Lancers led the way when the two aerospace forces collided. Leading the way for the Capellan force was the elite heavy wing from Ariana's Grenadiers and both elite medium and heavy wings of the Hamilton Highlanders, all fanatic devotee’s to House Liao. The lighter Davion fighters pressed their attack right into the heart of the Capellan formation. Scoring what damage they could and using their marked advantage in speed to avoid the worst damage the heavier Capellan fighters could inflict.

The three mercenary wings tried to move to support the lighter Davion formation but were intercepted by the medium wings of the 3rd Chesterton Voltigeurs. The lighter Capellan fighters tried to keep the range open and managed to score some initial hits against Swann’s Cavaliers heavies while taking modest damage in return.

As the Enterprise, assault dropships and heavy fighter escorts closed in to join the battle they were surprised to be immediately intercepted by the heavy fighters of the Ariana Grenadiers second aerospace wing, supported by the Capellan assault dropships. The Grenadier’s heavy fighters misjudged their interception and found themselves uncomfortably close to and under the guns of the entire Davion formation and the wing was savaged. Nevertheless, Enterprise also took solid hits from long range firepower from the Capellan dropships and was forced to fall back.

Both sides then drew apart and shadowed each other for the next few days. The Cappelan fleet maintained its position along the orbital plane of Valexa’s moon while the Davion forces kept station between the planet and enemy fleet. Unable to engage in the initial round of combat the Valexa March Militia and planet based garrison wing escorted the troopships as they executed their landing on the planet.

Early in the second week of October, as the ground forces began to come to grips with each other the Capellan fleet closed to engage. This time the elite heavy fighters of the Highlanders and Grenadiers managed to engage the Enterprise group before the light interceptors could interfere. The light Davion fighters were unable to effectively engage and contributed little to the second phase of the battle. The elite Capellan pilots knew their game and closed into dangerously close range where they scored more hits on Enterprise and damaged both assault dropship wings. They could not avoid all of the return fire, however, and by the timer they broke away the Highlander’s medium wing was badly shot up and both heavy wings were down to 50 to 60 percent effectiveness.

The Chesterton Voltigeurs again chose to take on the mercenary fighter formation.  Pressing into closer range they scored well against both heavy wings but the weight of the return fire also reduced both Capellan wings to 50% effectiveness by the time they pulled back to join the heavy fighters.

As the Capellan assault dropships manoeuvered to try and engage the Enterprise the light and medium fighters of the Valexa March Militia drove home their own attack right up under the dropships guns. Pressing the engagement hard and making use of their superior manoeuverability the Militia avoid all but the slightest damage but their wild manoeuvering meant they also scored less than they otherwise might have.

By the end of the second week of October both fleets had again settled into parallel orbits with the Capellans out on the Lunar plane while the bulk of Davion aerospace force screened the planet from high orbit. Admiral Drummond felt confident enough in his numerical advantage and the difference in damage inflicted that he despatched the medium wing of the planet’s garrison wing and the  light fighters from Enterprise and the Crucis Lancers to lend badly needed ground and aerial reconnaissance support to the hard pressed ground forces.

*****

Capellan Invasion Force – Aerospace Command

Hamilton’s Highlanders Aerospace Regiment

Hamilton’s 1st Aerospace Wing [f] – e32;  med; Mv: 6 Arm – 4:21; S: 6; M: 6; L: 1; Spec – BOMB4   ch:mv
Hamilton’s 2nd Aerospace Wing [f] – e39;  hvy; Mv: 6; Arm – 11:23; S: 8; M: 8; L: 2; Spec – BOMB5
Grenadiers’ 1st Aerospace Wing [f] – e36; hvy; Mv: 6; Arm – 14:23; S: 8; M: 8; L: 2; Spec – BOMB5

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 6[5]; Tac: 2[3]; Mor: 5; Skill: 2

Ariana Grenadiers Aerospace Regiment

Grenadiers’ 2nd Aerospace Wing [f] – r13; hvy; Mv: 6; Arm – 2:23; S: 8; M: 8; L: 2; Spec – BOMB5  ch:td

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 6; Tac: 4; Mor: 7; Skill: 4

3rd Chesterton Aerospace Regiment

1/3rd Voltigeurs Aerospace Wing [r] - r18; med; Mv: 6; Arm – 9:21; S: 6; M: 6; L: 1; Spec – BOMB4   ch:td
2/3rd Voltigeurs Aerospace Wing [r] - r19; med; Mv: 6; Arm – 11:21; S: 6; M: 6; L: 1; Spec – BOMB4

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 6; Tac: 4; Mor: 7; Skill: 4

1st Sarna Naval Assault Division, Capellan Confederation Navy

X Naval Assault Wing [r] – r18; aslt; Mv: 4; Arm – 33:36; S: 9; M: 12; L: 9; – Spec: AT24
XI Naval Assault Wing [r] – r18; aslt; Mv: 4; Arm – 31:36; S: 9; M: 12; L: 9; - Spec: AT24

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 4; Tac: 6; Mor: 7; Skill: 4


Task Force 8, Davion 4th Fleet

FSS Enterprise Carrier Group

Enterprise Carrier Wing [r] – r15; aslt; Mv: 4; Arm – 21:39; S: 11; M: 13; L: 9; Spec – AT56
17th Naval Aslt Wing [r] – r15; aslt; Mv: 4; Arm: - 29:36; S: 9; M: 12; L: 9; Spec – AT24
18th Naval Aslt Wing [r] – r15; aslt; Mv: 4; Arm: - 29:36; S: 9; M: 12; L: 9; Spec – AT24
2/8th Crucis Lancers Aerospace Wing [r] – r19; hvy; Mv: 5; Arm – 27; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3; Spec – BOMB6

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 4; Tac: 6; Mor: 7; Skill: 4

FSS Enterprise Interceptor Group

1/8th Crucis Lancer Aerospace Wing [r] – r15; lt; Mv: 11; Arm – 13:18; S: 3; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – BOMB3
7th Interceptor Wing (FSS Enterprise) [r] – r15; lt; Mv: 11; Arm – 9:18; S: 3; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – BOMB3  ch:td
8th Interceptor Wing (FSS Enterprise) [r] – r15; lt; Mv: 11; Arm – 9:18; S: 3; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – BOMB3  ch:td

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 11; Tac: 0; Mor: 7; Skill: 4

No. 1 Group, 1st Mechanised Brigade (+) 

Swann’s Cavaliers Aero Wing [r] – v27; hvy; Mv: 5; Arm – 19:27; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3; Spec - BOMB6
504 (Nottingham) Wing [r] – r18; lt; Mv: 6; Arm: 19; S: 7; M: 7; L: 1; Spec – BOMB3
502 (Gloucester) Wing [r] – r19; hvy; Mv: 5; Arm: 17:24; S: 8; M: 8; L: 4; Spec – BOMB5

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 5; Tac: 0; Mor: 7; Skill: 4

Valexa Aersopace Fighter Group

Valexa Garrison Aerospce Wing[r] – r16; mix; Mv: 5; Arm: 21; S: 5; M: 5; L: 1; Spec – BOMB4
Valexa CMM 1st  Aero Wing [r] – r18; lt; Mv: 11; Arm – 17:18; S: 3; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – BOMB3
Valexa CMM 2nd Aero Wing [r] – r18; med; Mv: 6; Arm – 20:21; S: 6; M: 6; L: 0; Spec – BOMB3

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 5; Tac: 5; Mor: 7; Skill: 4

*****

« Last Edit: 29 November 2018, 23:27:28 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 #145 on: 04 October 2018, 13:15:26 »
Wallachian Badlands, North Wallachia, Valexa, Capellan March, Week 2b-4a Oct, 3020

Understanding the danger they faced from the large incoming Capellan attack force the commanders of the Valexa defence forces determined to buy themselves time until help could arrive. The mobile formations of the planet’s defenders raced to load every weapon and ton of ammunition into their vehicle before they abandoned their main bases, the capital and spaceport. Only the comparatively immobile local militia regiment was left behind, its commander taking her troopers into the rolling hills and then digging in amongst the ravines and woodlands to observe and report on the invaders activities.

Striking out into the Wallachian Badlands, a barren semi-desert region of wadis and cuts formed millennia before by glacial meltwaters, the main body of the defenders prepared for the arrival of the relief force that jumped into the system and were just days behind the attackers. There had been discussion of making a stand at the spaceport but even with the comparatively large size of the planet’s defence brigade to augment the Valexa March Militia, the defenders would have faced long odds until help arrived.

Now nearly two weeks after the Capellans had first appeared in the Valexa system the defenders had avoided combat and had linked up with the 8th Davion Brigade Group deep in Badlands. The news of the naval battle that had forced the Capellan naval and aerospace formations away from the planet was tempered as word came in regarding just who the attackers were. It was no secret to anyone near the Chesterton Salient that Hamilton’s Highlanders and Ariana’s Grenadiers were composed, at least in part, of elite troops fanatically loyal to the Liao cause. The addition of the 3rd Chesterton Voltigeurs did nothing to dilute the danger facing the defenders by the Capellan commands now on the planet.

As the Lancer’s force began to deploy in the second week of October, the Valexa Militia and defence brigade had concentrated near the landing zones. The three commands of the 8th Brigade Group would now be reinforced by eight assorted regiments of infantry, an artillery battalion reinforced by the planet’s own artillery company, two armoured regiments, three more independent tanks battalions and the four medium and heavy Mech battalions belonging to the March Militia’s regiment and planet’s garrison. On paper the defending army could now match the invaders in numbers if not quality.

As Colonel Bedford of the 1st Mechanised Brigade was introduced to the senior officers of the Valexa garrison he was impressed by their professional demeanour and it soon became apparent these troops had seen their fair share of combat. These men and women were no mere collection of part-timers, farmers and shopkeepers. Brigadier-General Elizabeth de Burgh presented a clean, concise report on the battalions and regiments under her command as well as the latest local intelligence readings of the Capellan troop dispositions.

The 1st Mechanised Brigade would be augmented by de Burgh’s forces even though she was nominally his superior in rank. Brigadier de Burgh had admitted that she was brevetted up from Colonel by the governor so she would not be outranked by any of the mercenary commanders. De Burgh was professional enough to understand the difference in combat experience and capabilities even though her command was considerably larger than Colonel Bedford’s. An agreement was made early on that the defence brigade’s formations would cooperate closely with the 1st Mechanised Brigade even though de Burgh retained over all command.

The 8th Crucis Lancers plus the 2nd Infantry Regiment of the Valexa Defence Brigade formed the right hand division of the Davion army. Two light tank battalions formed a reconnaissance screen on the right front and flank of the Lancers line of march. On the left were the Valexa Capellan March Militia and Swann’s Cavaliers. The Cavaliers’ veteran troops were deployed to augment the March Militia and the two commands formed the strongest division of the Davion force on the planet, including four medium and two heavy Mech battalions. The left wing also deployed six medium and three heavy tank battalions along with two artillery battalions and three motorised, two mechanised infantry and a jump infantry regiment.

In the centre stood the five reinforced battalions of the 1st Mechanised Brigade on the left of Valexa garrison. The 4th Dragoons reinforced by No. 13 Commando deployed into two demi-battalions out in front while Task Forces 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 formed the Brigade’s main body. Following behind came the Headquarters battlegroup, 1st Horse Artillery and the 1st Service Battalion, the last formations transports and maintenance vehicles bulging with supplies and spare parts.  The Valexa garrison troops placed a light and medium tank battalion in a reconnaissance regiment to their front and the main body comprised the remaining motor infantry regiment, Valexa’s mechanised infantry regiment in wheeled APCs and tanks, a heavy tank battalion and the garrison’s pride and joy, the mixed heavy Mech battalion of the Valexa Volunteers. Deployed behind the garrison troopers were the planets sole company of self-propelled sniper artillery pieces.

In the last days of the second week of October, Davion ground and aerial reconnaissance reports confirmed the Capellans had secured the capital and spaceport. Deploying a number of light and medium tanks plus light Mechs into scouting regiments the invaders began to sweep the Badlands, trying to locate the defending army and bring it to battle. Marshall Wargo and General Fren were more than happy enough to oblige.

*****

The arrival of Federated Suns reinforcements almost on top of his invasion force had not overly concerned Colonel Rudolph Baxter, commander of the Ariana Grenadiers and overall commander of the invasion force. He was confident his three commands could defeat whatever Davion forces had made it to the planet. Having secured the capital and spaceport he had deployed his army in three divisions and had deployed out four reconnaissance formation to locate the enemy formations. It wasn’t long before the scouts had reported the enemy had been located out in the semi-arid terrain known locally as the ‘Badlands’. Colonel Baxter’s orders were simple, take and hold Valexa, destroying any defenders that were found on the planet.

For his part, Colonel Maxwell Smyth Leng was satisfied with his task in the mission. His 3rd Chesterton Voltigeurs were deployed in the centre of the Capellan army marching out to meet the enemy. His left was protected by the Ariana Grenadiers and to his right were Hamilton’s Highlanders. Both commands were known for their tenacity and skill in battle and were not known for being shy about bringing the fight to the enemy. With his flanks secure he had pushed his light Mech battalion supported by another of light armour out in front of his three main march columns.

The scouts had already been heavily engaged by a larger force of light armour and Mechs from the Davion force to his front and they had been unable to penetrate their screen and learn the exact positions of the enemy. The skirmishing had revealed that the enemy screen consisted of two light formations, one drawn from the planet’s regular garrison, the second from a mercenary command that had been fighting alongside the 8th Crucis Lancers for most of the past year. The 8th Crucis Lancers and its subordinate mercenary commands had been one of the Davion commands that had raising hell in the Tikonov Commonality for most of a year and the Colonel Leng was eager to exact revenge for the damaging raids. As his main columns came up on the suspected enemy positions the light screen gave way and artillery and long range missiles began to land among his lead companies.


<<to be cont'd,...>>
« Last Edit: 08 December 2018, 13:13:49 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"
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The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #146 on: 05 October 2018, 12:39:29 »
The Battle of the Drova River

1st Mechanised Brigade [r]:

Brigade HQ Battlegroup – v22; Mx; Mv: 8; TM: 4; Arm – 15; S: 6; M: 5; S: 3; Spec – MHQ2  Tac: 0; Mor: 6; Skill: 3
Task Force 1.1 (1st Rifles) – v22; Mx; Mv: 5; TMM: 3; Arm – 36:55; S: 19; M: 19; L: 13; Tac: 2; Mor: 6; Skill: 3
Task Force 1.2 (11th Hussars) – v21; Mx; Mv: 5; TMM: 3; Arm – 37:44; S: 13; M: 12; L: 12; Tac: 2; Mor: 6; Skill: 3
Task Force 1.3 (17th Lancers) – r18; Mx; Mv: 5; TMM: 3; Arm – 35:47; S: 12; M: 13; L: 10; Tac: 3; Mor: 7; Skill: 4
Task Force 1.4 (4th Dragoons) – v23; Mx; Mv: 8; TMM: 4; Arm – 21:33; S: 12; M: 12; L: 4; Tac: 1; Mor: 6; Skill: 3
Artillery Command (1st Horse Artillery) – r17; CV; Mv: 3; TM: 1; Arm: 30; S: 4; M: 1; L: 1; Spec – ART-LT8/S6  Tac: 5; Mor: 7; Skill: 4

ACS Formation Stats – Mov: 5; Tac: 2; Mor: 6; Skill: 3; Spec – ART-LT8/S6; DCC20, MHQ2

Valexa Capellan March Militia (Det 4)[r]

1st Bn, 2nd Valexa CMM Mech Infantry - r15; CVI; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm – 13:21; S: 8; M: 5; L; 1;  Tac: 4; Mor: 7; Skill: 4
2nd Bn, 2nd Valexa CMM Mech Infantry - r14; CVI; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm – 13:21; S: 8; M: 5; L; 1;  Tac: 4; Mor: 7; Skill: 4
3rd  Bn, 2nd Valexa CMM Mech Infantry - r14; CVI; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm – 13:21; S: 8; M: 5; L; 1;  Tac: 4; Mor: 7; Skill: 4 
3rd Bn, 2nd Valexa CMM Armoured Reg’t - r14; CV; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm - 16:30; S: 9; M: 12; L: 3; Tac: 4; Mor: 7; Skill: 4

ACS Formation Stats – Mov: 6; Tac: 4; Mor: 7; Skill: 4

Versus

3rd Chesterton Volitigeurs (right wing)[r]

2nd Bn, Chesterton Volitigeurs – r13; BM; Mv: 5; TM: 4; Arm - 5:34; S: 7; M: 7; L: 5; Tac: 5; Mor: 7; Skill: 4  crit: td  broken
3rd Bn, Chesterton Volitigeurs – r13; BM; Mv: 5; TM: 4; Arm - 5:34; S: 7; M: 7; L: 5; Tac: 5; Mor: 7; Skill: 4  broken
3rd Bn, 1st Chesteron Armoured Reg’t – r17; CV; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm - 7:30; S: 12; M: 12; L: 3; Tac: 6; Mor: 7; Skill: 4  crit: td broken
2nd Bn, 3rd Chesteron Armoured Reg’t – r14; BM; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm - 3:30; S: 12; M: 12; L: 3; Tac: 6; Mor: 7; Skill: 4  crit: td retreating
3rd Bn, 3rd Chesteron Armoured Reg’t – r14; BM; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm - 2:30; S: 12; M: 12; L: 3; Tac: 6; Mor: 7; Skill: 4 crit: td retreating
1st Bn, 3rd Chesteron Mech Infantry – r15; BM; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm - 10:21; S: 8; M: 5; L: 1; Tac: 6; Mor: 7; Skill: 4
2nd Bn, 3rd Chesteron Mech Infantry – r15; BM; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm - 4:21; S: 8; M: 5; L: 1; Tac: 6; Mor: 7; Skill: 4  retreating
3rd  Bn, 3rd Chesteron Mech Infantry – r15; BM; Mv: 6; TM: 2; Arm - 1:21; S: 8; M: 5; L: 1; Tac: 6; Mor: 7; Skill: 4  retreating

ACS Formation Stats – Mov: 5; Tac: 5; Mor: 7; Skill: 4 retreating   

The Drova River was not a major obstacle but the valley through which it flowed was fairly rugged with large numbers of steeped sided ‘benches’ formed by erosion scattered along its course. The 3rd Voltigeurs opened the advance deployed into three combat and one reconnaissance formation supported by the two artillery battalions. Their right wing consisted of eight battalions including the commands two medium Mech, three heavy tank and three of mechanised infantry with one battalion of artillery supporting. The frontage of this wing overlapped part of the right wing of the Valexa March Militia and drew in a reserve formation from the Davion left. The Votigeurs left wing consisted of a full five battalions of medium armour supported by the commands second artillery battalion. The third formation was composed of the two regiments of motor infantry with the light Mechs and tanks of the reconnaissance regiment screening the right flank.

The 1st Mechanised Brigade deployed all three of its task forces along the river with the 4th Dragoons and the Brigade HQ Battlegroup in reserve, supported by the guns of the Artillery Command. The 2nd Valexa CMM Mechanised Infantry Regiment with a supporting heavy tank battalion was immediately to the Brigade’s left and could not avoid being drawn into the battle when the Voltigeurs mechanised infantry attack struck their positions on the left of Task Force 1.2.
 
The Voltigeurs pressed home their attack with what amounted to a charge by all eight battalions, intent on closing the range and blasting through the Davion center. What followed was melee at point blank range amongst the rocky benches that saw heavy casualties inflicted by both sides. The 1st Mechanised Brigade was soon forced to give ground and Colonel Bedford called in the light and medium fighters of 504 Wing to help hold back the initial attacks. On the Brigade’s immediate right the Valexa planetary defence regiments, supported by their own medium fighter wing, held the tanks of the Voltigeurs near the river and were only forced to give ground when the Votilgeurs’ infantry attacked through the stalled armour. General de Burgh’s forces stepped backed in concert with the 1st Mechanised Brigade and the 2nd Valexa CMM Mechanised just as the larger battle broke apart into three separate sections, each influenced by local combat results. 

Now free of defending a fixed position the 1st Mechanised Brigade was able to make use of it mobility, more flexible tactics and experience to open the combat range. Day by day the Brigades’ gunnery skill wore down the Voltigeurs strength until the breaking point was finally reached. After more than ten days of heavy fighting the 3rd Voltigeurs conceded the battle and were compelled by mounting losses to break off the attack, withdrawing back towards the spaceport to conform to the movements of the other Capellan forces on the planet. The fighting to the Brigades’ left saw Hamilton’s Highlanders driven back towards the capital after suffering the worst of the encounter with the numerically superior Valexa CMM and Swann’s Cavaliers supported by light aerospace fighters. The battle on far right of the Davion line broke down into a series of untidy engagements between the Ariana Grenadiers and the 8th Crucis Lancers where both sides pummeled each other’s formations before breaking off an engagement, only to regroup and then come on again.

By the last week of October neither side held a decisive advantage and losses had reduced many of the ground battalions and regiments to collections of lances and platoons, sometimes individual Mechs and vehicles. The intervention of Davion and mercenary fighter wings had been effective but returning ground fire had eaten further into the strength of the Davion aerospace forces. Gambling that this was the opportunity to further damage or drive away the Davion naval force before the end of month, and likely reinforcements, the Capellan naval commander turned his attack force towards the planet.

*****
« Last Edit: 13 October 2018, 06:48:30 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:
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Daryk

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #147 on: 05 October 2018, 15:11:30 »
That's looking like a pretty big risk for the Capellans.  The Davion force has definitely been in a fight, but the Capellan ground forces have been absolutely mauled.

snakespinner

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #148 on: 05 October 2018, 19:32:54 »
That was a massacre for the Chesterton Voltigeurs.
Commiting your AS fighters would only be a good idea to extract the remaining troops.
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The Purist

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Re: The First Mechanised Brigade (The Rams Head)
« Reply #149 on: 06 October 2018, 11:56:21 »
Naval Attrition – Inner Zone Five, Valexa, Capellan March, Week 4b Oct, 3020

Soon after the naval battle in early October the Capellan fleet commander realised that the most heavily damaged wings belonging to the Hamilton Highlanders and Ariana Grenadiers would be of no further use to the fleet accept to serve as cannon fodder to soak up the enemy’s firepower. Rather than waste what was left of the two wings and their surviving pilots, their remaining fighters were brought aboard the assault dropships. This reduced the Capellan fleet to just six wings, all of which had suffered damage to one extent or another.

Leading the attack, the remaining elite heavy wings drove hard for the Enterprise and her escorting assault dropships. They were intercepted by the heavy wings of Swann’s Cavaliers and Number 1 Group as well as the heavy fighters of the Crucis Lancers. Denied their attempt to attack the carrier, the more experienced Capellan pilots managed to keep the range open and exchange long range fire with the Davion craft, each side scoring only slight additional damage.

Before the Capellan commander could execute his next move with his assault ships Admiral Drummond sent his light fighter wings from Enterprise and the Crucis Lancers, recalled from the supporting the troops, to pin the enemy. The three light wings pressed home the engagement but were largely ignored by the dropships who could see the Enterprise group closing quickly. The fighter’s defensive tactics and constant high speed manoeuvering also spoiled their aim so much that they scored little additional damage.

As Enterprise and her consorts closed on the Capellan formation both sides adopted the 31st Century equivalent of a three dimensional ‘line ahead’ formation. At the optimal range for their weapons the two sides open fire with their full broadsides as they passed. Enterprise, already heavily damaged, staggered under the blows from the Capellan X Naval Wing, finally breaking formation on fire and venting atmosphere. The Capellan assault ships did not get off lightly as the return fire from both Enterprise and the Davion 17th Naval Assault Wing raked their own fire across the hulls of the enemy ships. Like Enterprise the Capellan wing, crippled and burning, limped away behind a screen belatedly established by the Chesterton medium wings.

As the two lines passed each other the guns of the Capellan XI Naval Wing came to bear on the Davion 17th. Letting loose with its own salvo, missiles, energy beams and autocannon fire struck the opposing dropships forcing them to drop out of the line behind Enterprise. Finally, it was the turn of the Davion 18th Naval Assault Wing as it came abreast of the Capellan XI wing. Like the salvoes that had gone before, explosions danced and played along the hulls of dropship after dropship, armour melting or being blasted into the space around the two fleets. As the two formations passed each other their course was strewn with wreckage and debris from the damaged and destroyed dropships. Broken bodies of the vessels’ crews also drifted or cartwheeled away into space where eventually the planet’s gravity would capture them and draw them in for a fiery funeral upon re-entry into the atmosphere.

On both sides there were wings that had either mistimed their engagements or were left out of the battle entirely. These wings now formed defensive screens as the two fleets parted, the bloodied and decimated Capellan formations again withdrawing to the moon’s orbit, the  Davion wings taking station above the northern hemisphere of Valexa, keeping a watchful eye on the enemy. On the vessels of both sides anxious eyes checked the ship’s chronometers, willing the arrival of reinforcement that both sides new were en route.   

Capellan Invasion Force – Aerospace Command

(less the Hamilton Highlander 1st wing and the Ariana Grenadiers 2nd wing)

Hamilton’s Highlanders Aerospace Regiment

Hamilton’s 2nd Aerospace Wing [f] – e39;  hvy; Mv: 6; Arm – 8:23; S: 8; M: 8; L: 2; Spec – BOMB5 crit:td shaken
Grenadiers’ 1st Aerospace Wing [f] – e36; hvy; Mv: 6; Arm – 11:23; S: 8; M: 8; L: 2; Spec – BOMB5 crit:td shaken

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 6; Tac: 2; Mor: 5; Skill: 2

3rd Chesterton Aerospace Regiment

1/3rd Voltigeurs Aerospace Wing [r] - r18; med; Mv: 6; Arm – 9:21; S: 6; M: 6; L: 1; Spec – BOMB4   ch:td shaken
2/3rd Voltigeurs Aerospace Wing [r] - r19; med; Mv: 6; Arm – 11:21; S: 6; M: 6; L: 1; Spec – BOMB4

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 6; Tac: 4; Mor: 7; Skill: 4

1st Sarna Naval Assault Division, Capellan Confederation Navy

X Naval Assault Wing [r] – r18; aslt; Mv: 4; Arm – 6:36; S: 9; M: 12; L: 9; – Spec: AT24 crit:td retreating
XI Naval Assault Wing [r] – r18; aslt; Mv: 4; Arm – 18:36; S: 9; M: 12; L: 9; - Spec: AT24 retreating

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 4; Tac: 6; Mor: 7; Skill: 4;  retreating


Task Force 8, Davion 4th Fleet

FSS Enterprise Carrier Group

Enterprise Carrier Wing [r] – r15; aslt; Mv: 4; Arm – 9:39; S: 11; M: 13; L: 9; Spec – AT56 crit:td retreating
17th Naval Aslt Wing [r] – r15; aslt; Mv: 4; Arm: - 17:36; S: 9; M: 12; L: 9; Spec – AT24 crit:wd retreating
18th Naval Aslt Wing [r] – r15; aslt; Mv: 4; Arm: - 29:36; S: 9; M: 12; L: 9; Spec – AT24
2/8th Crucis Lancers Aerospace Wing [r] – r19; hvy; Mv: 5; Arm – 27; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3; Spec – BOMB6

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 4; Tac: 6; Mor: 7; Skill: 4;  retreating

FSS Enterprise Interceptor Group

1/8th Crucis Lancer Aerospace Wing [r] – r15; lt; Mv: 11; Arm – 13:18; S: 3; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – BOMB3
7th Interceptor Wing (FSS Enterprise) [r] – r15; lt; Mv: 11; Arm – 8:18; S: 3; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – BOMB3  ch:td  unsteady
8th Interceptor Wing (FSS Enterprise) [r] – r15; lt; Mv: 11; Arm – 8:18; S: 3; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – BOMB3  ch:td unsteady

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 11; Tac: 0; Mor: 7; Skill: 4

No. 1 Group, 1st Mechanised Brigade (+) 

Swann’s Cavaliers Aero Wing [r] – v27; hvy; Mv: 5; Arm – 18:27; S: 9; M: 9; L: 3; Spec - BOMB6
504 (Nottingham) Wing [r] – r18; lt; Mv: 6; Arm: 14:19; S: 7; M: 7; L: 1; Spec – BOMB3
502 (Gloucester) Wing [r] – r19; hvy; Mv: 5; Arm: 17:24; S: 8; M: 8; L: 4; Spec – BOMB5

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 5; Tac: 0; Mor: 7; Skill: 4

Valexa Aersopace Fighter Group

Valexa Garrison Aerospce Wing[r] – r16; mix; Mv: 5; Arm: 13:21; S: 5; M: 5; L: 1; Spec – BOMB4
Valexa CMM 1st  Aero Wing [r] – r18; lt; Mv: 11; Arm – 17:18; S: 3; M: 3; L: 0; Spec – BOMB3
Valexa CMM 2nd Aero Wing [r] – r18; med; Mv: 6; Arm – 20:21; S: 6; M: 6; L: 0; Spec – BOMB3

ACS Formation Stats - Mov: 5; Tac: 5; Mor: 7; Skill: 4
« Last Edit: 13 October 2018, 13:08:16 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