Battle Standards

[Adam Vagus]

While posting in anther thread a question came to mind. According to FM:FS one of the Crucis Lancers units were allowed to carry the Davion standard into battle. Also the ELH is shown to have had a standard in one of the early source books. This begs the question: Did battlemechs charge into battle holding standards like in early battles of history? Flags waving and standard bearers falling only for another man to drop his weapon and pick up the standard to rally his men. It seems kinda weird if this is the case but it appears to be if I'm correctly remembering the fluff for that one Crucis Lancers regiment.

[Maelwys]

Well, it would certainly fight with the "knightly-ideal" that Battletech had, especially in the earlier days. However, I would think that for the most part, actual standards would be restricted to say, parade duty, while during combat a painted icon on a `Mech would be used instead.

[monty]

The FWLM award Allisons chain as a decoration to the unit that demonstrates the greatest valour under fire each year. This 3 strand (gold,silver,platinum) chain is traditionally wrapped around the command lances regimental standard. Tradition holds that this has never fallen to the enemy which I would take to mean that the standard is carried into battle as otherwise its not much of a tradition to boast about.The chain was held by the Orloff Grenadiers in 3025, the 4th Free Worlds Legionnaires in 3059 & the Ducal Guard of the Fusilliers of Oriente in 3067.

Until Thomas Mariks reforms Oriente forces used the rank of Banner & Andurien those of Banner & Master Banner. These were a senior grade of Sergeant (Serjeant in Andurien) superior to a Sergeant-Major who along with their regular duties had the responsibility of bearing regimental or other flags into battle. This rank was given only to enlisted men of great loyalty & long service & in Andurien forces had greater authority than Lieutenants who technically outranked them.

[Adam Vagus]

So there are actually 'Mechs running around waving ginormous flags/standards in battle. ORSM [rockon]

[Nav_Alpha]

I would think it would be more akin to what modern armies do with battle standards: it would be kept with the headquarters company.
So, yes, it would come with the unit when they invaded a planet but it would be more likely found hung up inside the unit's Mobile HQ vehicle or in the command tent.

My cav unit was one of the most decorated in the Australian Army and our colours would be assigned to certain people attached to the headquarters unit.

This way, the colours do actually come on campaign and can potentially be taken by the enemy - but they're not in the way, fluttering into your cockpit's view port as you line up a shot!  :D

[Marveryn]

I would think it would be more akin to what modern armies do with battle standards: it would be kept with the headquarters company.
So, yes, it would come with the unit when they invaded a planet but it would be more likely found hung up inside the unit's Mobile HQ vehicle or in the command tent.

My cav unit was one of the most decorated in the Australian Army and our colours would be assigned to certain people attached to the headquarters unit.

This way, the colours do actually come on campaign and can potentially be taken by the enemy - but they're not in the way, fluttering into your cockpit's view port as you line up a shot!  :D

i wouldn't be suprrise if certain units or mech group are award standards and they painted there mechs to symbolize that they posses it.  Like a red star  on the company mech to signafied that they won such and such award.. nothing comes to mind right now but it a passing thought as i think about it.

[Nav_Alpha]

i wouldn't be suprrise if certain units or mech group are award standards and they painted there mechs to symbolize that they posses it.  Like a red star  on the company mech to signafied that they won such and such award.. nothing comes to mind right now but it a passing thought as i think about it.

"Smith's lance, Bravo company, 2nd battalion, were permitted to paint lower arms of their mechs a deep blood red in honor of their heroic stand on Misery in 2999. Future members were also permitted to paint their mechs in a similar fashion after serving one year with the lance."

[Maelwys]

The FWLM award Allisons chain as a decoration to the unit that demonstrates the greatest valour under fire each year. This 3 strand (gold,silver,platinum) chain is traditionally wrapped around the command lances regimental standard. Tradition holds that this has never fallen to the enemy which I would take to mean that the standard is carried into battle as otherwise its not much of a tradition to boast about.The chain was held by the Orloff Grenadiers in 3025, the 4th Free Worlds Legionnaires in 3059 & the Ducal Guard of the Fusilliers of Oriente in 3067.

You can risk a regimental standard falling into battle without having a `Mech carrying a giant pole with a flag on it. A mobile HQ could be overrun, a base lost, a DropShip captured/destroyed. Then the standard would have been lost in battle without having been actually carried into battle.

[Stormlion1]

Good money on that the standard has a man assaigned to it to keep it from capture as well. Probably with orders to run with it if there losing or to destroy it if capture is a near.

[Lysenko]

Actually, people, look on pg 36 of Total Warfare. A Cyclops of the Davion Guards is shown with a "back banner" standard.

EDIT: And looking on CamoSpecs, I found the 'mech from TW:

[Stormlion1]

Also don't forget the cover of Era Report: 2750...

[Redfaction]

Plus there are pictures in Field Manual 3085 of a Combine Urban Mech with the Kurita standard on its back, indicating this practice was kept up even if the Jihad era. The Marian Hegemony also has Aquifiers, the men/machines responsible for carrying the units standard into battle. I should the other states of the IS (especially those chivalric ones) often do have banners that they would carry. Plus, just how bad ass is it to have your army bannered out :p 40k got that right!

[fltadm]

Here is a thought , would it be the actual Colours, Guidons, ect going in to battle or would they be camp flages. Colours being realy important camp flags no near as much


Guidon


Camp Flag

[Redfaction]

I suppose it depends on the nation or the unit? One might say that in the case of banners that are said never to have been captured, its a good chance its the real deal, or possibly a copy? I dont think there is any real canon on that subject to my knowledge of reading through awards.

BTW fltadam, as a Canadian I respect the choice of flag to use there  O0

[fltadm]

Thats only because wiki did not have the LdSH(RC)

[Adam Vagus]

So they are carried into battle then given what was just said. ORSM  O0

[Marwynn]

There's also the Hatamoto series from the DCMS. They must be called "banner bearers" for a reason...

[Stormlion1]

I wonder if the back banner actually would change the weight of a mech or require the removal of some of the back armor to allow it to be added on?

[Weirdo]

I wonder if the back banner actually would change the weight of a mech or require the removal of some of the back armor to allow it to be added on?

Nah. Per the Solaris VII MapPack(which hasn't been superceded yet I think), cosmetic changes such as false weapons or intimidating visual alterations take up zero mass and zero crits. I'd say a huge DCMS back banner or FedSuns flag would qualify for those rules.

[Stormlion1]

Nah. Per the Solaris VII MapPack(which hasn't been superceded yet I think), cosmetic changes such as false weapons or intimidating visual alterations take up zero mass and zero crits. I'd say a huge DCMS back banner or FedSuns flag would qualify for those rules.

Thanks, been a while since I've looked through that.

[Charlie Tango]

There's also this one on Camospecs:

http://camospecs.com/Miniature.asp?ID=4340

[Adam Vagus]

Niiiiiiice  O0