2nd McCarron's Armored Cavalry

Insignia of the 2nd McCarron's Armored Cavalry
Second McCarron's Armored Cavalry
Nickname "Angel's Regiment"
Affiliation Capellan Confederation
Parent Command McCarron's Armored Cavalry

History[edit]

Formation[edit]


Third Succession War[edit]

In 3007 the regiments of McCarron's Armored Cavalry raided New Valencia, baseworld of Wolf's Dragoons. Though they seized several small communities, the Dragoons were able to hold off the Armored Cavalry units long enough for the Eridani Light Horse regiments to arrive. The MAC regiments didn't inflict any damage to the Dragoons, but did raze several villages.[1]

In 3015, Archie McCarron put Marcus Barton in command of the MAC's second regiment. He ordered Marcus to create the biggest, meanest assault regiment that the Inner Sphere had ever seen. Marcus would do just that, when he took his newly revamped command into action for the first time against House Marik, on the world of Einath. Barton's regiment relived the Blackwind Lancers, who had taken considerable damage from continual raids from House Marik.

Barton discovered that the fortress Gorndack on the planet Ohrensen was the main resupply and repair facility for all Marik forces attacking into the Capellan Confederation. Barton planned on hitting the planet hard and fast and to get out without taking any major damage. A week later, Barton and his regiment jumped into the system, but found it on full alert.

Barton had never been one to run away from a fight, and ordered his DropShips to detach and move towards Ohrensen. After a massive aerospace battle saw Barton's forces drive off the Marik air guard, Barton brought down his DropShips and unloaded his 'Mechs. Now on the ground, Barton had barely established a defensive perimeter when Marik 'Mechs were sighted advancing on his position. Barton ordered his fastest 'Mechs forward to deal with the Marik scouts along with is aerospace fighters, which easily routed the Marik recon units. With that, Barton ordered the all-out attack on Fort Gomdack, and after five hours of heavy fighting, Barton prevailed, driving off the Marik defenders and allowing his forces to escape with all the loot they could carry. This would be the beginning of Barton's reputation as a "Fort Buster".[2]

By 3016, Barton had brought his regiment back to full strength, only to break it down at the command of House Liao. Davion had stepped up raids on Liao words and the individual battalions were needed to garrison systems. Barton would do so, seeing heavy action against constant raids from 3017 to 3020. The most noteworthy fight involved Wayne's Wreckers, garrisoned on Necromo. Davion had sent the mercenary unit Smithson's Chinese Bandits to gain info about the planet. The Bandits had heard of the MAC but never fought them so they had no idea what to expect.

Necromo, a flat dry world with lots of DropShip repair installations. The Wreckers had posted a series of infantry and tank support to serve as early warning, and the Wreckers were able to get where needed to stop the enemy. The fight lasted several hours, and the Wreckers heavier 'Mechs finally stalled the Bandits. Attempts from the Bandits to flank the Wreckers failed when they ran into vibromines and tanks. The Bandits were unable to secure their objectives and eventually retreated off planet.

In 3020, tired of defending worlds against constant Davion raids, Barton made more noise both to Archie McCarron and to House Liao High Command about turning the tables on Davion. Archie agreed, and the Second would play key roles in McCarron's Long March in 3020. Barton would bring his regiment along with Archie to attack the Forty-second Avalon Hussars on Kathil. The Hussars put up a good fight, but once they realized that the MAC were here to avenge previous losses to the Hussars in 3018, they scattered into the wilderness until reinforcements could arrive. Not wanting to spend time hunting down these medium 'Mechs, Archie and Barton moved onto their real target: Marlette.

The fortress of Bourgogne on Marlette had not been attacked in over a hundred years, and was widely considered one of the most fortified bases in the Inner Sphere. It was also the primary resupply base for the Capellan March Militia and also a local defense point for the planet. The MAC landed and advanced towards Bourgogne. Reaching the Stannic Bridge, a three mile long bridge of Lostech era built by the Star League, Barton took the initiative, ordering his regiment across the bridge and sounded the all-out attack on the fortress. The fighting was brutal and when Davion 'Mechs led by Colonel Winchester counterattacked. The fight went on for a day, with each side rotating hurt 'Mechs back and trying to push the other side back. Barton finally broke through the Davion lines, and attacked the fort. Winchester ordered his troops to withdraw.

Concerned with the MAC's mounting losses after two days, Archie ordered Barton to back out. In a rare disagreement, Barton refused, and invoked the MAC custom of giving the company commanders the option of staying with the attack or pulling back. The majority voted to stay and finish the attack against the fortress. Archie granted them one more day, but would then have to return to the DropShips if they could not break the fortress by then. Barton agreed and threw everything he had at Bourgogne, and by the late afternoon, the MAC had breached the wall, and destroyed the CMM. The MAC would loot the fortress and by morning, all that was left of the Fort Bourgogne was nothing but a smoking ruin. Barton's reputation as "The Fort Buster" continued to grow. Maximilian Liao would shower Barton and his regiment with awards and titles for their actions.[3]

Fourth Succession War[edit]

During the St. Ives conflict known as "Cristobel's Regiment" and in 3025 as "Barton's Regiment". In 3027, Archie McCarron had been double-crossed in a deal for high-tech equipment by Simon Kincaid, who fled with McCarron's money to Hesperus. Archie ordered Barton to mobilize the Second and pay Kincaid a visit at the Defiance Industries on Hesperus II to collect. While Barton had some concerns about hitting the Lyran Commonwealths most important facility, he agreed to Archie's plan. The MAC would hit Hesperus and would break into the main complexes. Stealing as much loot as they could carry, Barton and his troops were heading back to the drop point, when the Twenty-sixth Lyran Guards counterattacked, hitting Barton's DropShips as his forces were returning. Barton was able to call his aerospace fighters in to protect Barton and his forces as they rapidly loaded their ships with their loot and their own 'Mechs. Barton's aerospace fighters did immense damage to the Lyrans, forcing them to hold back and get into defendable positions and this delay allowed Barton to finish loading his DropShips and lift off, giving Barton the newly added accomplishment to his legend of having spearheaded a successful raid against Hesperus II.[4]

In the Fourth Succession War all regiments of McCarron's Armored Cavalry except for the First were stationed on Menke. They later fought along campaign to defend Sarna and mauled the Fifth Syrtis Fusiliers RCT, and then a prolonged campaign against the Crater Cobras and Screaming Eagles mercenary commands began that took the large part of several months. Neither side was able to communicate off planet due to a communications interdiction by ComStar. However, when Davion reinforcements in the form of the Davion Brigade of Heavy and Light Guard RCTs arrived, Archie McCarron made the hard choice to abandon Sarna. In an effort to ensure that the overall command could load as much of their equipment before leaving, Barton led his regiment along with two battalions of heavy armor and infantry in a counterattack against the Davion forces. Laying down defensive positions and planting vibromine fields, Barton sounded the attack.

Barton's counterattack shocked the Cobra and Eagle commanders because Barton's force was half the size of their combined units. But with the Davions wanting Barton killed for the massive damage he had inflicted upon them over the years, the Crater Cobras and Screaming Eagles advanced to meet Barton's force. The battle would last nearly 2 long hours and was one of the most brutal battles of the Fourth Succession War.

In the end, Barton had lost almost half his force, and some of those that managed to make it back to the DropShips were little more than wrecks. But they had reduced the Crater Cobras and Screaming Eagles by nearly 2/3 each. Barton was one of the last 'Mechs off the field before the DropShips left. The Federated Commonwealth had won the fight, but the MAC still stood.[5]

Andurien/Canopus Invasion[edit]

In the aftermath of the Fourth Succession War, Barton realized that he needed significant resources to bring his regiment back to full strength. Archie McCarron temporarily placed Samuel Christobal in charge of Barton's Regiment, and Barton would then accompany Archie as they turned to Solaris, Galatea, and the newly built mercenary star of Outreach to rebuild the unit. McCarron would also be successful in acquiring the newly rediscovered technology from the Gray Death Memory Core. With the new recruits and technology, Barton was able to rebuild the Second back to full strength in just three years.

When the Andurien Crisis began, Archie had already sent Barton back to command the Second. Barton wasted little time in getting ready, and the four regiments of McCarron's Armored Cavalry would make a landing on Betelgeuse to strike the Andurien forces that had occupied the planet. With Betelgeuse being a primary staging and resupply base for the entire Andurien invasion force, this was a major loss for the Anduriens and their Canopus allies, which ultimately broke the back of their invasion of the Capellan Confederation.[6]

War of 3039[edit]

With the war of 3039 raging between House Kurita and the Federated Commonwealth, Barton took advantage of the internal strife to launch major raids into Federated Commonwealth territory. Barton led raids against Kathil, Alcyone, and Addicks. In all three of these battles, Barton defeated sizable Davion garrisons and captured significant caches of spare parts.

On Kathil, the elite Davion Guards were able to make a landing and fought Barton's regiment to a draw. The damage that Barton did to the Federated Commonwealth was not unnoticed by House Kurita, who shipped Archie McCarron a brand new Charger as a gift for his assistance.[6]

Return to Marlette[edit]

In 3044, House Liao learned that Davion was upgrading their Capellan border defenses, including the planet Marlette, which Davion took from the Capellan Confederation. Archie decided to send the Baxters Brawlers to harass Davion, but Barton learned during the planetary briefing that his sworn family enemy, General Lester J Otto, commanded Marlette. Barton insisted on bringing his regiment along as 'tactical advisors'. Archie agreed but knew that only Barton's unit would see the real action. Despite the Davions' efforts of upgrading the Marlette forces with their latest technological advances, and their efforts to raise the fortress to be as Barton-proof as possible and virtually dared Barton to come and try. Barton would not let down the Confederation. Within hours of landing, Barton had crossed the Stannic Bridge and was laying siege to what he would later call "The Ring of Death", a series of some of the most advanced fortifications ever laid in the Inner Sphere to make the fortress as Barton proof as possible. Barton would break through the ring and battered down the wall and fought hard with the Marlette Capellan March Militia. During this fight, Davion forces used a new 'Mech design based on old Star League plans. General Otto piloted the 'Mech, the Devastator. Barton would prevail, would kill Otto and avenge his family's honor and take the Devastator prototype back to the Capellan Confederation. And for the second time in twenty years, Barton would leave the fortress of Bourgogne a pile of smoking ruins.[7]

Operation Guerrero[edit]

The First and Second Regiments of McCarron's Armored Cavalry assaulted Hsien during Operation Guerrero.[8] This would be the first action taken after the entire McCarron's Armored Cavalry had ceased to be a mercenary unit and joined the rolls of the Capellan Confederation.

Xin Sheng Campaign[edit]

Took Brighton from the St. Ives Compact during the Xin Sheng Campaign. Later occupied Milos and held it against the Eridani Light Horse.[9]

In 3066 the Second MAC and Ambermarle's Highlanders landed on Zion, disrupting the Third Free Worlds Guards and preventing them from attacking the Capellan Confederation.[10] The two units ripped into the Guards, only returning to Capellan space after several strongly worded orders from the Strategios.[11] They were stationed on Menke in 3067.[12]

Jihad[edit]

In 3069 the Second MAC and Warrior House Dai Da Chi attacked Kathil.[13] The two Capellan units destroyed the shipyards located there. They then attacked Almach, Valexa, and Ashkum.[14]

While fighting on New Aragon in 3077, Angel Bodez was killed. Rhamses McCarron was appointed to take her place. In 3079 the unit was broken into two smaller units and stationed on Nanking and Arboris.[15]

Republic Era[edit]

During the Capellan Confederation's assault on The Republic of the Sphere, the First and Second MAC were assigned to Gan Singh. While there the VIII Hastati Sentinels and several regiments of Principes Guards destroyed the First MAC. The Second MAC then tore into the Eighth Hastati, but were eventually pushed off of Gan Singh.[16] This severe fighting reduced them to a third of their nominal strength. They were assigned to garrison Mitchel in 3085.[17]

Dark Age[edit]

Ramses McCarron carried a grudge against the Republic for the death of his sister, Faith, but wasn't able to fight them directly. Instead the Second used their anger to spur them into action during the Victoria War. They eventually had to retreat, but were satisfied with their performance. The Second fought on New Aragon, Hunan, and Halloran V later on, but they were stopped by the defenders of Kansu. They later withdrew as part of the CCAF's general retreat.[18]

They also fought on Pleione, St. Andre, and Shensi. They were successful on those attacks.[18]

In 3144 elements of the Second MAC landed on Liao in order to return the world to the Capellan Confederation. The Second MAC used fast strikes to put the Republic defenders (the V Triarii Protectors and the V Principes Guards) on the defensive. As time passed the Republic forces were able to recover, but when the Second MAC joined forces with students from the Liao Conservatory of Military Arts and the fighters from a local terrorist movement, the Republic started to crumble. The arrival of the Dynasty Guard only accelerated the process. Infighting among the Republic forces led to a breakdown in command structure, and the Capellan forces were successful in their bid to remove Liao from the Republic.[19] They also fought on Gan Singh as part of this operation.[18]

December 3144 found the Second fighting on New Hessen. They took the world for the Capellan Confederation.[20][21] This assault was led by Sao-shao Danai Liao-Centrella.[22] Near the same time, they assaulted Yangtze and Alrescha before taking part in the capture of Tikonov.[18]

During Task Force Navarre's raids in 3146, a battalion of the Second MAC managed to corner a mercenary company on Halloran V but failed to engage any of Navarre's other units.[23] Two years later the Second took part in the CCAF's counterattack against New Syrtis.[24] When Operation BÀOYÌNG was launched in February 3149, under Danai Centrella-Liao's direct command, they attacked Hall alongside the Second Liao Guards. After several weeks of hunting the Fourteenth Principes Guards the Capellan troops finally destroyed the RAF garrison.[25]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Second McCarron's Armored Cavalry
Colonel Marcus Barton 3015–3044[26]
Colonel Samuel Christobal 3050–3054[27][28]
Sang-shao Angel Bodez 3063–3077[9][29]
Sang-shao Rhamses McCarron 3077–3109[17]
Sang-shao Xavier McCarron 3109–3111[18]
Sang-shao Terrance McCarron 3134[30]
Sang-shao Shaiming Tao 3135–3146[31][32][33]
Sang-shao Danai Liao-Centrella 3146[34]

Other Unit officers[edit]

Tactics[edit]

The unit counter any development with unorthodox tactics. Often the enemy is lured in a trap.[9] When Marcus Barton commanded the regiment, it was renowned for its ability to attack, and was legendary against heavily fortified positions and were often referred to as "Fort Busters".[36]

Composition History[edit]

3025[edit]

Barton's Regiment (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[37]

  • CO: Colonel Marcus Barton
  • First Battalion: Major Sally Mardox
  • Second Battalion: Major Patric Hurn
  • Third Battalion: Major Sam Christobal
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Menke.[38]

3028[edit]

Barton's Regiment (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[39]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Menke.[39]

3040[edit]

Barton's Regiment (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[40]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Menke.[40]

3044[edit]

Second McCarron's Armored Cavalry

  • CO: Colonel Marcus Barton[6]

3050[edit]

Christobal's Regiment (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[27]

  • CO: Colonel Samuel Christobal
Note: The command was deployed at Harloc.[27]

3054[edit]

Christobal's Regiment (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[28]

  • CO: Colonel Samuel Christobal

3063[edit]

Second McCarron's Armored Cavalry (1 Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[9]

  • CO: Sang-shao Angel Bodez
  • Second Battalion: Zhong-shao Rhamses McCarron
  • Third Battalion: Zhong-shao William Styles

- First Battalions Third Company fielded two OmniMech lances but the inexperienced mechanics could not handle the maintenance of the machines forced the command to replace them with Inner Sphere designs.

McCarron's Armored Mosquitoes (1 Wing reinforced to 4 Flights/Elite/Fanatical)[9]

- The unit use special improved fighters with higher speed as normal expected to surprise their enemy.

Angel's Gypsies (1 Reinforced Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[9]

  • Task Commander: Zhong-shao Desmond Hernandez

- First Battalion - Desmond Devils: The subcommand use a mix of heavy armor vehicles and Battle Armor.

- Second Battalion: The Second contains artillery and security details.

- Third Battalion - McCarron's Moths: The light hovercraft are supported by VTOLs and aircraft. The unit also fields paratroopers and special scout teams.

- Fourth Battalion: The last battalion are specialized in urban fighting. The heavy infantry is supported by armor.

Baxter's Commando (1 Mixed Battalion/Elite/Fanatical)[9]

- The unit includes three companies:

First Company: 8 Regulator tanks support the lance of assault 'Mechs.
Second Company: The 3 armor lance provide additional security to the overall commander of the McCarron's Brigade.
Third Company: The squadron of fighters are all heavy and support the other two companies of the Battalion.

3067[edit]

Second McCarron's Armored Cavalry (Elite/Fanatical)[29]

  • CO: Sang-shao Angel Bodez

McCarron's Armored Mosquitoes (4 Flights/Elite/Fanatical)[29]

  • CO: Kong-zhong-shao Rikkardo Monsilori

Angel's Gypsies (4 Battalions/Elite/Fanatical)[29]

  • CO: Zhong-shao Desmond Hernandez

3079[edit]

Second McCarron's Armored Cavalry (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[43]

Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Nanking and Arboris.[43]

3085[edit]

Second McCarron's (Rhamses' Regiment) (Elite/Fanatical)[17]

  • CO: Sang-shao Rhamses McCarron

McCarron's Armored Mosquitoes (4 Flights/Elite/Fanatical)[17]

Rhamses' Gypsies (4 Battalions/Veteran/Fanatical)[17]

3135[edit]

Second McCarron's Armored Cavalry

3145[edit]

Second McCarron's Armored Cavalry (Veteran/Fanatical)[32]

  • CO: Sang-shao Shaiming Tao

McCarron's Armored Mosquitoes (Regular/Fanatical)[32]

Tao's Gypsies (4 Battalions/Veteran/Reliable)[32]

McCarron's Commando (Battalion/Elite/Fanatical)[32]

Notes[edit]

  • McCarron's Commando is the MAC's overall command unit. While administratively attached to the Second Regiment, it can attach itself to any of the other Regiments in the organization.
  • During the Jihad the unit's nickname is Rhamses' Regiment.[17]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Wolf's Dragoons, p. 10
  2. ↑ McCarron's Armored Cavalry, p. 7
  3. ↑ McCarron's Armored Cavalry, p. 8
  4. ↑ McCarron's Armored Cavalry, p. 9
  5. ↑ McCarron's Armored Cavalry, p. 10
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 McCarron's Armored Cavalry, p. 11
  7. ↑ McCarron's Armored Cavalry, p. 12
  8. ↑ Mercenaries Supplemental II, p. 35
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 Field Manual: Capellan Confederation, p. 88: "2nd McCarron's Unit Profile"
  10. ↑ Field Manual: Updates, p. 13
  11. ↑ Field Manual: Updates, p. 26
  12. ↑ Field Manual: Updates, p. 33
  13. ↑ Jihad Hot Spots: 3070, p. 43
  14. ↑ Jihad Hot Spots: 3070, p. 66
  15. ↑ Field Report: CCAF, p. 15
  16. ↑ Field Manual: 3085, p. 26
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 Field Manual: 3085, p. 33: "Capellan Confederation Armed Forces Deployment Table - 3085"
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 Era Report: 3145, p. 44
  19. ↑ Dark Age Turning Points: Liao, p. 6
  20. ↑ Era Report: 3145, p. 24
  21. ↑ Technical Readout: 3145 Capellan Confederation, p. 26
  22. ↑ Era Report: 3145, p. 35
  23. ↑ Shattered Fortress, p. 18
  24. ↑ Shattered Fortress, p. 56
  25. ↑ Shattered Fortress, p. 64
  26. ↑ McCarron's Armored Cavalry, p. 6
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 20 Year Update, p. 63: "CCAF Deployment Table - 3050"
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Objective Raids, p. 41: "CCAF Deployment Table - 3054"
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 Field Manual: Updates, p. 33: "CCAF Deployment Table - 3067"
  30. ↑ Dark Age Turning Points: Liao, p. 8
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 Principles of Desolation, ch. 5
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 32.4 Field Manual: 3145, p. 46: "CCAF Deployment Table - 3145"
  33. ↑ Shattered Fortress, p. 23
  34. ↑ Blood Will Tell, ch. 5
  35. ↑ BattleCorps Scenarios: Brains vs Brawn
  36. ↑ McCarron's Armored Cavalry
  37. ↑ House Liao (The Capellan Confederation), p. 95: "McCarron's Armored Cavalry"
  38. ↑ House Liao (The Capellan Confederation), p. 107
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 Historical: Brush Wars, p. 88
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Historical: War of 3039, p. 140
  41. ↑ McCarron's Armored Cavalry, p. 39
  42. ↑ McCarron's Armored Cavalry, p. 37
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 Field Report: CCAF, p. 15
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 Principles of Desolation, ch. 9

Bibliography[edit]

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