1st Canopian Brigade

1st Canopian Brigade
Formed	mid-thirty-first century
Nickname	Farmers of the Outback
Affiliation	Magistracy of Canopus
Parent Command	Magistracy Armed Forces

The 1st Canopian Brigade is an independent BattleMech regiment, which was raised by colonists in the Magistracy of Canopus.

History

Formation

The Brigade's origins can be traced to Addasar, a colony world in the Magistracy of Canopus. The world was never a priority for the Magistracy's armed forces to permanently station a force on planet. The colony world, still in its settlement stages needed more protection than the MAF could provide. A local farmer Felicia Joppa, advocated the colony hire lone MechWarriors to help form a protective unit on planet from raiders. This ad hoc unit of loners successfully repelled pirate raids, justifying Joppa's view of the situation. Thus began the unit's true formation on world, with word of other local colonies worlds raising their own homebrew units.

Survival and Recognition

As the unit became larger, Joppa became its commanding officer despite having no formal military training. The unit suffered growth problems, due from lack of discipline and death of several of its pilots. Joppa's personal charisma and forceful personality was all that held the unit together. The Magistracy government soon became aware of the young unit's existence and struggle to survive. Magestrix Emma Centrella and the MAF arranged a deal to build up the unit that was similar to arrangement with then then expanded Magistracy Cavaliers. Two of its battalions would be made available for use by the MAF, while a single battalion would always be retained on planet under world's control.

Despite it becoming a frontline unit by 3064, it is not considered reliable with exception of the units commanding officer. Equipment utilized by the unit was of Succession War grade, with little in way of upgraded technology. The MAF High Command is concerned with the unit's response if Colonel Joppa should be replaced. The MAF high Command has not released or assigned support units such as armor and aerospace fighters to Brigade.

By 3067, the MAF continued to cycle the Brigade's battalions off Addasar, never leaving the same battalion for its garrison duty. The practice help stimulate and gave the regiment's elements more experience. The practice is viewed as a way to combat the regiment's earlier problems of discipline and lack of experience. Two of the unit's battalions were to be deployed to Luxen for their forward deployment, while retaining one back on its homeworld.

The Jihad

During the Jihad the two battalions located on Luxen lifted offworld and returned to Addasar. Combined into a single regiment, the unit was able to drive off many raids by pirates sponsored by the Word of Blake and disguised Blakist units. The Magestrix returned to Canopus, and the MAF ordered the unit to garrison Luxen and Cate's Hold. Eventually the unit responded, but they only went to Dunianshire so they could rapidly return to Addasar. The unit's slow response to their orders, and the delay in deploying the 1st Raventhir Cuirassiers, caused the MIM to rate the unit as Questionable. As a punishment for their tardy response, the unit hasn't been fed the reinforcements or replacements of other units. They have also been stationed on Marantha and Bass, two worlds on the opposite side of the Magistracy from their homeworld.

The Dark Age

The First Canopian Brigade was deployed to the anti-spinward regions of the Magistracy at the turn of the thirty-second century as a punishment for the lax command structure the Brigade operated under and the Brigade's general unwillingness to follow orders from further up the chain. However, what the high command viewed as a punishment came to be seen by the Brigade as a gift; stationed far from Canopus IV, the Brigade could operate as it saw fit, redeploying as needed without needing to wait for permission or approval from the high command.

The Brigade attacked Tellman's Mistake in 3146. When the 5th Rim Commonality Guards arrived to liberate the world, the First engaged in an offensive campaign that drove the Fifth into a retreat. While repositioning, the Fifth lost several other stragglers. This quickly led both forces to a similar size, and the conflict dragged into a stalemate.

In 3150 the First Canopian Brigade, First Magistracy Highlanders, and Third Canopian Highlanders drove Marian Hegemony forces off of Marantha and Gambilon.

Officers

Rank	Name	Command
Commanding Officers of the 1st Canopian Brigade
Colonel	Felicia Joppa	3064 - 3067
Colonel	Rei Fujimoto	3085
Colonel	Ashley Gorman	3145

Tactics

The Brigade was first formed, the unit utilize a style of guerrilla warfare. A favored maneuver, the unit would disappear before enemy had reached Brigade's engagement zone. They would then strike from the flanks unexpectedly.

Composition History

3064

First Canopian Brigade (BattleMech Regiment/Green/Questionable)

• CO: Colonel Felicia Joppa

• XO/1st Battalion: Major Bently Nelson

• 2nd Battalion: Major Jaman Clay
• 3rd Battalion: Major Park Jackson

3067

First Canopian Brigade (BattleMech Regiment/Green/Questionable)

• CO: Colonel Felicia Joppa

3079

The First Canopian Brigade came through the Jihad at eighty-five percent of their nominal strength. Their skill level had improved to regular, but they were still considered to have Questionable loyalty.

3085

First Canopian Brigade (Regular/Questionable)

• CO: Colonel Rei Fujimoto

3145

First Canopian Brigade (Veteran/Fanatical)

• CO: Colonel Ashley Gorman

- The First Brigade was posted on Booker at this point in time and was operating at ninety percent of full strength.

Notes

Game Notes

While using Scenario rules, such as Force Specific Rules found in Field Manual: Periphery, the Brigade is given following abilities. In a scenario, for each of the Brigade's BattleMechs not fielded on map, the controlling player receives cumulative +1 initiative bonus. Also, for every three 'Mechs not deployed, unit's to-hit modifier receives -1 to weapon attack rolls. These bonus only remain in effect as long as the reserve 'Mechs remain out of play.

Bibliography

• Field Manual: 3085
• Field Manual: 3145
• Field Manual: Periphery
• Field Manual: Updates
• Field Report: Periphery
• Shattered Fortress