Splinters of the Republic

[Metallgewitter]

If you go by the numbering of the late RAF forces almost none of the original Hastati, Principes or Triarii units returned to Prefecture X. Stone's Brigade did (or what was left of that unit anyway as for example Stone's Liberators and Stone's Pride were disbanded before Grey Monday hit). I think only Stone's Lament existed in any meaningful capacity. Of course we have the Standing Guards of the Prefecture X worlds and probabvly splinters of units that either switched sides or decided to stay behind. The only "original" units stayed with the Republic Remnant: the 7th Hastati,the 3rd Principes and the 8th Triarii. 

[Cannonshop]

[snip] I would be surprised if we get more than that barring someone taking a swing in shrapnel

Someone may well do that, if the editors accede to it, because it DOES represent a largely un-mined area that could advance the main and major plots.

[Church14]

If you go by the numbering of the late RAF forces almost none of the original Hastati, Principes or Triarii units returned to Prefecture X. Stone's Brigade did (or what was left of that unit anyway as for example Stone's Liberators and Stone's Pride were disbanded before Grey Monday hit). I think only Stone's Lament existed in any meaningful capacity. Of course we have the Standing Guards of the Prefecture X worlds and probabvly splinters of units that either switched sides or decided to stay behind. The only "original" units stayed with the Republic Remnant: the 7th Hastati,the 3rd Principes and the 8th Triarii.

The ones I listed as reaching the fortress are namechecked mostly as “survivors of A and B formed the core of new formation C.” Like the survivors of VI Triarii and VII Triarii were the core of XIII Triari. Only the ones you listed. the X ones, and the brigade survived as cohesive units.

[Stormlion1]

If you go by the numbering of the late RAF forces almost none of the original Hastati, Principes or Triarii units returned to Prefecture X. Stone's Brigade did (or what was left of that unit anyway as for example Stone's Liberators and Stone's Pride were disbanded before Grey Monday hit). I think only Stone's Lament existed in any meaningful capacity. Of course we have the Standing Guards of the Prefecture X worlds and probabvly splinters of units that either switched sides or decided to stay behind. The only "original" units stayed with the Republic Remnant: the 7th Hastati,the 3rd Principes and the 8th Triarii.

Standing Guard unit troops and gear were used to build up other formations i believe. But the Republic probably didn't want older gear and personel to use or waste time transporting and upgrading. So I could see former Standing Guard troops pulling out older gear that was left behind. Probably a good basis for metc troops that exist more for garrison jobs than anything.

[Metallgewitter]

Yeah Stone basically disbanded all Standing Guard units to fill up the rosters of line units. Tucxker questioned this move in FM 3145 especially as the Staning Guard was not rebuild. Again, we come to the "The Republic runs out of manpower argument. Which I find kind of questionable since at that point the Republic had at least a few planets from which to draw personel. Unless of course they couldn't find enough volunteers. Even if it is just to fill out armor and infantry units.

[Cannonshop]

Yeah Stone basically disbanded all Standing Guard units to fill up the rosters of line units. Tucxker questioned this move in FM 3145 especially as the Staning Guard was not rebuild. Again, we come to the "The Republic runs out of manpower argument. Which I find kind of questionable since at that point the Republic had at least a few planets from which to draw personel. Unless of course they couldn't find enough volunteers. Even if it is just to fill out armor and infantry units.

consider the lifestyle of 'warrior class' in the BTU, even in the Republic, it could well be that social/class divisions meant overlooking people who would fight, if they were given the chance.  This is, after all, a setting where a company in what amounts to walking tanks (twelve of 'em!) can conquer/dominate a planet with a population in the millions or even billions.

[Spirit Cat Refugee]

Yeah Stone basically disbanded all Standing Guard units to fill up the rosters of line units. Tucxker questioned this move in FM 3145 especially as the Staning Guard was not rebuild. Again, we come to the "The Republic runs out of manpower argument. Which I find kind of questionable since at that point the Republic had at least a few planets from which to draw personel. Unless of course they couldn't find enough volunteers. Even if it is just to fill out armor and infantry units.

The issue is less soldiers and more Mechwarriors. You can only train so many Mechwarriors at a time with academies. Stone had near what 40 regiments on Terra of Mechwarriors by 3151?

[Church14]

At their peak in 3149ish, 43 regiments. That doesn’t include the over 80 regiments of tanks and 100+ of infantry. Or the ASF and BA. Or Japan. Or the smaller mercenary commands. Or the rest of the highlanders and not just the two battalions on Terra.

And Battletech doesn’t recruit like real world does. It recruits at something like 1/400th the rate.

[worktroll]

Fingers crossed for a "Second dawn guard" with a lightly less annoying paint scheme

Brian, PM me if you like - I did Dawn Guard that wasn't too annoying, with average competency paintskills, and was pretty happy with the results. Remember when you're bulk painting, consistency & lack of complexity are king! More than happy to share.

[RifleMech]

I think it was mostly just Kurita that kept trying to get through the Wall.  I doubt most nations list many people to the Wall.

Still, how many were lost before they knew about it and stopped trying?

Republic was losing control of those regions. Thanks to the betrayals of Steel Wolves, Stormhammers, Swordsworn, Spirit Cats, etc. and the conflicts those groups started, the RAF was staring down the barrel of bleeding out within a few years having to fight those and any house getting in on the action. They were losing that territory no matter what happened. Nobody can fight a war of attrition that encompasses effectively 100% of your territory at all times. So Republic executed Fortress Republic, ordering withdrawals from 90% ish of their territory, though it's not clear how much was already functionally lost.

I was curious and tried to figure out how many units deserted. At a glance:
- 4/10 Triarii were wiped out or deserted. VIII ended up with Redburn, and five others (II, IV, VI, VII) made it in the fortress.
- 8/10 Principes were wiped out or deserted. III ended up with Redburn, and X Principes made it in.
- 7/10 Hastati units were wiped out before Fortress republic. None seem to have deserted. VII ended up with Redburn, then II and X Hastati made it in the fortress.
- All of Stone's brigade made it

So 14/36 RAF units may have deserted. But some might have been destroyed outright. I would be surprised if we get more than that barring someone taking a swing in shrapnel

I get being surrounded and needing to pull back. I can also understand having to leave some behind. But in this case, they were not only left behind but the way home slammed shut on them. They either had to fight and die, surrender, or go else where to survive. I would think that would case all oaths of allegiance would be null and void as their realm abandoned them. Since they need to provide for those they can, I don't see a problem with them either joining another house, or becoming mercenaries. I also don't see why others would have a problem hiring them.

Now if a unit showed up intact, with pristine units, from behind the wall, with a transit time that showed they left before their world fell, or was even attacked, then I could see people thinking of them as deserter. Then I would think they either wouldn't hire that unit or would have strict contract in their favor in case that unit takes off.

[Arkansas Warrior]

Still, how many were lost before they knew about it and stopped trying?

Maybe one or two jumpships, each with a crew of a couple dozen?  I mean, we know of exactly two Lyran attempts to get through, one by the CC, and none by the FS or FWL (AFAIK).  Not to say there weren’t any, but it’s not like anyone was throwing entire regiments at the wall or anything.  I seriously doubt “vengeful family of people killed by the Wall” are ever going to be a significant force for anything going forward.  Outside of the one Kurita with his WarShip, I don’t think anyone more important than a random jumpship captain was ever killed by it.

[Metallgewitter]

The Combine had the most spectacular as it killed it's heir when he tried to breach the wall. The Confederation lost at least two entire regiments when Julian and the Dawn Guard ruse baited them into attacking. Plus at least one attempt to follow Julian into the then Fortress and the failure of Taskforce Daikini. And Era Report 3145 makes it sound as if there had been numerous attempts but only two were actually known (The Lyran tradeship and of course Theodore Kurita) And I think even for the Runup of Eruptio there had been several attempts as Tucker stated "No, the images from the last time have given me nightmares"

[Arkansas Warrior]

I forgot about Daoshen sending multiple regiments in, I only remembered that Mask ‘ship that tried to follow Julian.  One more case where the CC and the DC have beef with the Republic.

[Spirit Cat Refugee]

The Combine had the most spectacular as it killed it's heir when he tried to breach the wall. The Confederation lost at least two entire regiments when Julian and the Dawn Guard ruse baited them into attacking. Plus at least one attempt to follow Julian into the then Fortress and the failure of Taskforce Daikini. And Era Report 3145 makes it sound as if there had been numerous attempts but only two were actually known (The Lyran tradeship and of course Theodore Kurita) And I think even for the Runup of Eruptio there had been several attempts as Tucker stated "No, the images from the last time have given me nightmares"

There was also the merchant attempt in Bonfire of Worlds.

[BrianDavion]

I forgot about Daoshen sending multiple regiments in, I only remembered that Mask ‘ship that tried to follow Julian.  One more case where the CC and the DC have beef with the Republic.

Yeah I mean How dare the republic not let them invade willy nilly!

[Metallgewitter]

I forgot about Daoshen sending multiple regiments in, I only remembered that Mask ‘ship that tried to follow Julian.  One more case where the CC and the DC have beef with the Republic.

In all honesty Yori should send the Republic a thank you note. After all this event set the change in leadership in the Combine in motion.

[thesilverback]

Brian, PM me if you like - I did Dawn Guard that wasn't too annoying, with average competency paintskills, and was pretty happy with the results. Remember when you're bulk painting, consistency & lack of complexity are king! More than happy to share.

Ok, those look OK, and nice job on the painting, but the pictures in the books and others I have seen are just to bright.

[Spirit Cat Refugee]

In all honesty Yori should send the Republic a thank you note. After all this event set the change in leadership in the Combine in motion.

Yori didn't want the Coordinatorship though, it actually put her life in far more danger to be elevated to puppet Coordinator than to just be a nobody.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

Still seems to have worked out well for her.

[tassa_kay]

Still seems to have worked out well for her.

Agreed, and good on her. Toranaga only elevated her to serve himself anyway, and I really like how things shook out in the end.

[Metallgewitter]

Agreed, and good on her. Toranaga only elevated her to serve himself anyway, and I really like how things shook out in the end.

The Theodore gene runs strong in her. Let's see how she handles the Bears though as that will be her ultimate test. Selling her nation that the war against the Davions has not developed to the Dragon's advantage is one thing but now Luthien seems to be under a real threat

[Church14]

Minor, notable detail we got for remnants of the Republic. There is a picture out and about of the cards in the first SL3 pack. Two as-yet-unseen variants, one newer variant of the jackalope that is from a recent shrapnel.

It also confirms Herman Manes as the lament pilot (not shocking). We see the back of his card. Basically, he went diehard Star Leaguer. So his mech being painted Hastati is really weird and I'm curious what the whole story it.

[BrianDavion]

Minor, notable detail we got for remnants of the Republic. There is a picture out and about of the cards in the first SL3 pack. Two as-yet-unseen variants, one newer variant of the jackalope that is from a recent shrapnel.

It also confirms Herman Manes as the lament pilot (not shocking). We see the back of his card. Basically, he went diehard Star Leaguer. So his mech being painted Hastati is really weird and I'm curious what the whole story it.

might be something as simple as they hadn't decided on the colour scheme of his new SLDF mech when they made the pack and thus went with a ROTS. Also might as as simple as wanting a varity of schemes and thus wanting something other then SLDF olive again

[Church14]

might be something as simple as they hadn't decided on the colour scheme of his new SLDF mech when they made the pack and thus went with a ROTS. Also might as as simple as wanting a varity of schemes and thus wanting something other then SLDF olive again

Yeah, that’s possible. It might be nothing. Just found it a curiosity

[Stormlion1]

The Wolves might use the Republic schemes for newly formed units rather than go to the Olive Drab Scheme short term. In time the schemes will change to something else or the Wolves will adopt the Republic paint jobs and call it tradition. You know, absorbed units.