Lockhardt's Ironsides

Chlockartsironsides.png
Lockhardt's Ironsides
Nickname Power of Perseverance
Affiliation Mercenary
Capellan Confederation
Parent Command Independent
Citizens' Honored


One of many low-key mercenary units in long term Capellan employ, the Lockhardt's Ironsides accepted Capellan sponsorship in 3061.

History[edit]

Formation[edit]

The Ironsides voided their contract with the Free Worlds League in 2976 over a dispute regarding overdue shipment of spare parts.[1] Within six months they were contracted by the Capellan Confederation and raided Cursa.[2]

"Lady Lockhardt's Lovelies" gained a reputation as good fighters in the siege of Fletcher in 2985, and in 2988 in the repulse of Kittery Borderers on Mitchel, using their large number of Warhammers to good effect. Around 3025 the Ironsides were pulled close to Sian in response to attacks against the commonality capital.[3]

Fourth Succession War & Andurien/Canopus Invasion[edit]

However, prior to the Fourth Succession War the Ironsides barely maintained a regular quality rating, and the unit had no further chance to distinguish itself neither in the Fourth Succession War nor the Andurien-Canopus invasion a few years later as it didn't see any action. Throughout the Confederation’s lean years, when other units faced supply shortages of all kinds, the mercenaries managed to prosper by keeping quiet and hoarding what little support found its way to them.[citation needed]

Xin Sheng Campaign[edit]

In the years just before and during the Clan invasion, the CCAF found the Ironsides at a strength of three green battalions and showing no inclination to leave Capellan service. The unit was rotated to the Periphery in 3059, to assist the Magistracy of Canopus against the Marian Hegemony. After a year of limited maneuvers, the Ironsides were recalled to Victoria.[4]

The Ironsides were sent back to the Magistracy in 3067. Instead of facing the Marian Hegemony, they were stationed on Joppa[5] to monitor the Fronc Reaches and maintain the Confederation's connection to the Magistracy.[6]

Jihad[edit]

The Ironsides were part of the CCAF's assault on Halloran V. While on that world, the unit lost two battalions of forces to a Word of Blake Level III from the Forty-eighth Shadow Division that constantly attacked them.[7] In 3079 they were still on Halloran, looking to rebuild from battlefield salvage.[8]

Republic Era[edit]

In 3081 the Ironsides hit Yangtze. Their offensive strategy was effective, forcing Republic of the Sphere forces to withdraw from a pincer movement between the Ironsides and the Harloc Raiders. However, the Republic's Sixth Auxiliary forced the Ironsides back to Kansu. The Ironsides then began to fall back after offering only minimal opposition to attackers. This left them with more combat strength, but upset many in the CCAF's command structure.[9] Despite their self-preservation, in 3085 they were at a quarter of their nominal strength.[10]

Dark Age[edit]

During the Capellan invasion of the Capellan March, Lockhardt's Ironsides were assigned to garrison Taygeta. There they had to deal with a strong resistance movement and AFFS troops who remained behind. The Ironsides established a series of firebases to control critical areas and left the rest of the world to the resistance.[11]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of Lockhardt's Ironsides
Major Judith Lockhardt 3025[3]
Sang-shao Rhianna Lockhardt 3063 to 3085[4][5][10]
Sang-shao David Lockhardt 3145[12]

Tactics[edit]

The Ironsides were specialists in defensive tactics. On their second deployment to the Magistracy of Canopus, however, they trained in fast-drop insertion techniques.[6]

Composition History[edit]

3025[edit]

Lockhardt's Ironsides (1 Battalion/Regular/Reliable)[13]

  • CO: Major Judith Lockhardt.
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Ito.[13]

3050[edit]

Lockhardt's Ironsides (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[14]

  • CO: Colonel Judith Lockhardt.[14]
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Ito, Westerhand and Palladaine.[14]

3059[edit]

Lockhardt’s Ironsides (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[15]

  • CO: Colonel Judith Lockhardt[15]
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Carmen.[15]

3063[edit]

Lockhardt's Ironsides (1 Regiment/Green/Reliable)[4]

  • CO: Sang-shao Rhianna Lockhardt
  • 2nd Battalion: Zhong-shao Robert Lockhardt
  • 3rd Battalion: Zhong-shao Aristotle Adropopulous

87th Sax Home Guard (1 Regiment/Green/Reliable)[4]

  • Armor Commander: Zhong-shao Brian Pang

Lockhardt's Enforcers (1 Company/Regular/Reliable)[4]

  • Infantry Commander: Sang-wei Juno St. Clair

3067[edit]

Lockhardt's Ironsides (Green/Reliable)[5]

  • CO: Sang-shao Rhianna Lockhardt

87th Sax Home Guard (Green/Reliable)[5]

  • CO: Zhong-shao Harry Mudd

Lockhardt's Enforcers (Company/Green/Reliable)[5]

3079[edit]

Lockhardt’s Ironsides (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[8]

Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Halloran V.[8]

3085[edit]

Lockhardt's Ironsides (Regular/Reliable)[10]

  • CO: Sang-shao Rhianna Lockhardt

87th Sax Home Guard (Regular/Reliable)[10]

Lockhardt's Enforcers (Company/Regular/Fanatical)[10]

3145[edit]

Lockhardt's Ironsides (Regular/Reliable)[12]

  • CO: Sang-shao David Lockhardt

Lockhardt’s Iron Flight (Regular/Reliable)[12]

87th Sax Tracked Ironsides (Regular/Reliable)[12]

Lockhardt's Enforcers (Green/Reliable)[12]

Notes[edit]

The Ironsides employ basic camouflage paint schemes, depending on their station. The unit insignia slightly alters the Capellan crest, placing it on an iron shield.[4]

References[edit]

  1. Handbook: House Marik, p. 43
  2. House Marik (The Free Worlds League), p. 44
  3. 3.0 3.1 House Liao (The Capellan Confederation), p. 99: "Lockhardt's Ironsides Profile"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Field Manual: Capellan Confederation, p. 95: "Unit Profile"
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Field Manual: Updates, p. 33: "CCAF Deployment Table - 3067"
  6. 6.0 6.1 Field Manual: Updates, p. 27
  7. Total Chaos, pp. 167–168: "Ravaged Iron"
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Field Report: CCAF, p. 16
  9. Field Manual: 3085, p. 27
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Field Manual: 3085, p. 33: "CCAF Deployment Table - 3085"
  11. Technical Readout: 3145 Capellan Confederation, p. 8
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 Field Manual: 3145, p. 46: "CCAF Deployment Table - 3145"
  13. 13.0 13.1 House Liao (The Capellan Confederation), p. 107: "Deployment Table"
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 20 Year Update, p. 63: "CCAF Deployment Table - 3050"
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 Field Manual: Mercenaries, p. 107

Bibliography[edit]