1st St. Ives Sentinels

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Unit Description

The Roman's Mounted Fusiliers was originally a light/medium weight House Liao BattleMech regiment that specialized in using the swiftness of their 'Mechs to outmaneuver their enemies. Their light BattleMechs were well trained in reconnaissance. By 3063, the regiment has become adept in urban warfare.

The unit was also known as Shepard's Mounted Fusiliers and Aliesha's Mounted Fusiliers depending on the current Commanding Officer at the time.

Several Brigades were restructured after the Capellan Crusades of 3111 revealed weaknesses in the CCAF.[1] A new naming convention was introduced that made the First St. Ives Sentinels the official name of the regiment.[2]

They are a second-line regiment of the St. Ives Commonality by 3063.[3]

History

As the Shepard's Mounted Fusiliers

The Fusiliers were first formed in the late 2985 from several mercenary battalions that volunteered to form the unit during the Third Succession War. They were assigned to the St. Ives Armored Cavalry Brigade.

The unit's first notable action came in 2987 alongside Justinia's Cuirassiers, Hampton's Hessens and whatever reserves the CCAF had left. The invasion of Lee was a desperate attempt to divert the AFFS from its massive offensive against Tikonov. The operation was a success in both taking Lee and holding Tikonov. The Mounted Fusiliers, Bullard's Armored Cavalry, Hampton's Hessens, Kincade's Rangers, Kerr's Intruders, Justinia's Cuirassiers and Stapleton's Iron Hand then raided Aosia where the Fusilier's Light 'Mechs were leading elements, used as forward scouts against Davion forces and were deployed to lure them into ambushes. Despite initial success, they were forced to withdraw by the arrival of Davion reserves.[4]

The unit continued its mercenary traditions despite becoming a formal house unit for House Liao. In 3003, the Fusiliers conducted a planetary raid against the Davion world of Pinard. The Fusiliers obtained ten cases of the planet's famed and rare Pinard Pinot during the unauthorized raid. The capture of these rare wines gained them the envy of the St. Ives Armored Cavalry.[5]

During the Fourth Succession War, the unit was stationed on Texlos where unlike many of its hard-pressed sister units during the early parts of the war, they went unengaged.[6] However, the succession of Duchess Candace Liao's St. Ives Compact during this period forced a crisis of loyalty on this proud regiment. The Fusiliers voted to return to their mercenary roots in protest. Duchess Candace Liao then offered to hire them for her realm. The new mercenary regiment accepted due to their ties to the people and their well founded fear of what Romano Liao would do to them.[7]

As the Aliesha's Mounted Fusiliers

By 3050, Colonel Aleshia Carling had taken over and its name was changed to Aliesha's Mounted Fusiliers. The unit was stationed on Vestallas during this time period as the Clan Invasion began spinward.[8]

Capellan-St. Ives War and its Aftermath

In 3061, six St. Ives Compact planets came under occupation of Star League Defense Force Peacekeepers following the attempted assassination of First Lord Sun-Tzu Liao by the Blackwind Lancers. One of these planets was the Mounted Fusiliers' garrison world of Vestallas with the 2nd Dieron Regulars arriving under SLDF Colors. The Dieron's Commander, Tai-sa Jim Nicolas, ordered the Fusiliers and the Vestallas Home Guard to disarm. The SIMC units refused and began fighting the Regulars. This later would be referred to as the beginning of the Capellan-St. Ives War. Reinforcements were deployed to help reinforce the Fusiliers' position but the stalemate ended with the arrival of 1st McCarron's Armored Cavalry. The elite former mercenaries of House Liao forced the Fusiliers to quit Vestallas for Armaxa to rest and refit. By March of 3062, they were on Nashuar fighting the 2nd McCarron's Armored Cavalry. By July of 3062, they were on St. Ives fighting Ishara's Grenadiers. Around September of 3062 saw them on Ambergrist engaging the 2nd and 6th Confederation Reserve Cavalry. Finally, the St. Ives's High Command ordered the Fusiliers to relieve the beleaguered defenders of St. Loris. The burn into the St. Loris system proved to be problematic, where its 84th Fusilier Air Wing was virtually wiped out by Capellan forces. Fighting on the planet with Confederation forces was conducted in a series of hit and fade actions, where the Fusiliers tried to tie up CCAF units without an all-out engagement. Near the end of the conflict the Fusiliers were outnumbered and out of supplies. Feeling she had no choice, Colonel Aliesha Carling ordered the unit to surrender to Liao forces rather than the unit being destroyed. Their surrender of St. Loris was a blow to the Compact's war efforts but it allowed the unit to survive.

After the conflict concluded, Chancellor Liao ordered the release of the Fusiliers and returned their equipment. Sun-Tzu then offered full citizenship to the mercenaries in return for them becoming a house unit once again. The Fusiliers accepted the offer and became a reserve Regiment in the newly formed St. Ives Sentinels brigade. In the years after the Fusiliers became a full-fledged unit, its status was left as questionable. St. Ives's SIMC shortened supplies to the unit while they were still stationed on St. Loris. Strategic Military Director Zahn ordered an investigation in the shorting of supplies, as Sang-Shao Aliesha Carling tried to rebuild her damaged unit.[9]

As Roman's Mounted Fusiliers

Sang-shao Aliesha Carling's sudden retirement in 3065 split her former regiment into factions. This would be resolved when the new Commanding Officer, Sang-shao Peter Roman, cashiered the troublemakers out of the service. Henceforth called Roman's Mounted Fusiliers, they would be back to near full strength and stationed on Texlos in 3067.[10]

Jihad

On 25 June 3068, Duke George Hasek of the Capellan March launched an assault against the Capellan Confederation called Operation SOVEREIGN JUSTICE. Ostensibly to support the liberation of the old St. Ives Compact, most of the former St. Ives Military Command units did nothing while others fought for or against the Davion invaders. By October, numerous planets had fallen with the invaders appearing to use Warships in an orbital strike against the Forbidden City on Sian itself.[11]

Initially reluctant to fight what used to be their allies five years before, news of Duchess Candace Liao's death in the Forbidden City Bombardment galvanized Roman's Mounted Fusiliers into picking a side. On 28 July 3069, the Mounted Fusiliers attacked Combat Command Gamma of the 2nd Janissaries on Warlock. This 2nd Janissaries sub-unit had chosen to side with Duke Hasek and destroyed the loyalist 2nd Ranger Auxiliary regiment stationed alongside them. After surrounding the planetary capital, the Fusiliers drove the 2nd Janissaries into the center of the city. Not a single Janissary survived the brutal five hour battle that claimed thirty percent of the Mounted Fusiliers as well.[12]

The regiment would spend the next ten years moving within the St. Ives Commonality defending planets from Word of Blake raids while the St. Ives Armored Cavalry was away.[13]

On 15 June 3078, a task force composed of Warrior House Hiritsu, the Harloc Raiders and Roman's Mounted Fusiliers liberated Pleione from the Word of Blake Protectorate.[14] Unlike an earlier failed attack headed by Warrior House Matsukai on 2 May 3078, the Hiritsu Task Force had Warship support that cleared the area of WoB Pocket Warships.[15] The hard fought campaign cost all three regiments dearly with the Mounted Fusiliers bearing the brunt of the damage.

The regiment is still on Pleione by 3079. The unit is in high spirits despite the losses they have taken.[16]

During Operation GOLDEN FORTRESS, Roman's Mounted Fusiliers defeated the 46th Nova Cat Cavaliers on Buchlau and drove the former ComGuard Second Auxiliaries and Fourth Auxiliaries off Yangtze. They then launched a series of raids on Basalt, Angol and Achernar designed to sow chaos. Finally Stone's Liberators and Stone's Revenants caught up to the Mounted Fusiliers on Slocum and effectively destroyed them.[17] The unit was relocated to Indicass by 3085 to rebuild from its heavy losses.[18]

Republic Era

Personally led by Daoshen Liao, Roman's Mounted Fusiliers and the Red Lancers retook Pella II as part of the Capellan counteroffensive during the Victoria War. On 25 February 3104, they severely damaged the Eighth Orloff Aerospace Wing before engaging the Eighth Orloff Grenadiers on the ground.[19] The 8th Orloff Grenadiers left the planet with a third of their BattleMechs and virtually all their armor and infantry destroyed.[20] The FWLM regiment fled to Shuen Wan where both CCAF regiments found them. Only a suicidal holding action by some Grenadier 'Mechs allowed the 8th Orloff to evacuate.[21]

The Red Lancers and Mounted Fusiliers then attacked Ipswich, this time without Daoshen Liao. They fought the 1st Oriente Hussars and the 6th Oriente Hussars for control of the planet. Weakened from previous fighting on Pella II and Shuen Wan, the Capellans could not break the desperate Hussars.[22] They left the heavily damaged Marik units and withdrew back to Shuen Wan.[23]

As First St. Ives Sentinels

During Operation CELESTIAL REWARD of 3144, the 1st St. Ives Sentinels remained in St. Ives while the rest of the Sentinels garrisoned the border between the Sarna Commonality and Capellan March. They still raided various Federated Suns planets within range. After a raid on Redfield attracted the Alcyone CMM to the planet, Danny's Mounted Fusiliers raided Alcyone itself. The regiment caused mayhem on the planet's capital city, destroying the Duke of Alcyone's home and throwing millions of money into the streets before finally leaving with their loot.[2]

Unit Emblem

Its emblem was originally a grizzly bear mounted atop an armored personnel carrier.

By 3063, the insignia is a roaring grizzly bear against a green field.[9]

Officers

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Shepard's Mounted Fusiliers (House Liao Unit)
Colonel Nathan Kerr 3025[24]
Commanding Officers of the Shepard's Mounted Fusiliers (Mercenary Unit)
Colonel Nathan Kerr 3025[24]
Commanding Officers of the Aliesha's Mounted Fusiliers (Mercenary Unit)
Colonel Aleisha Carling 3050 - 3062[25]
Commanding Officers of the Aliesha's Mounted Fusiliers (House Liao Unit)
Sang-shao Aleisha Carling 3062 - 3065[26]
Commanding Officers of the Roman's Mounted Fusiliers
Sang-shao Peter Roman 3065 - 3085[27][18]
Commanding Officers of the 1st St. Ives Sentinels
Sang-shao Danny O'Sullivan 3145[28]

Tactics

In its earlier career when the unit was known as Shepard's Mounted Fusiliers, it used light and medium class BattleMechs to allow for swift combat. The Fusiliers employed these lighter BattleMechs in the reconnaissance role in support of other Liao formations. They also used tactics to lure opponents into traps where they could ambush its enemies.[29]

By 3063, the unit's tactics had changed under the leadership of Aleisha Carling. As Aleisha's Mounted Fusiliers, they specialized in urban battlegrounds. The unit became skilled in maneuvering in the tight quarters of a city environment.[30]

Composition History

3025

Shepard's Mounted Fusiliers (2 Battalions) (Regular/Reliable) [31]

  • CO: Nathan Kerr
  • 1st Battalion - Major Jonathan Martell
  • 2nd Battalion - Major Aleisha Carling

Notes: Primary BattleMech unit. Consisting primarily of Commando & Vindicator BattleMechs.[32]

Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Texlos. [33]

3050

Aliesha's Mounted Fusiliers (Regiment/Regular/Reliable) [34]

  • CO: Colonel Aleisha Carling [34]
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Vestallas. [34]

3059

Aliesha's Mounted Fusiliers (Regiment/Regular/Reliable) [35]

  • CO: Colonel Aliesha Carling [35]
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Vestellas. [35]

3063

  • Aliesha's Mounted Fusiliers (2 BattleMech Battalions/Veteran/Reliable (Questionable))
  • CO/1st Battalion: Sang-shao Aleisha Carling
  • 2nd Battalion: Zhong-shao Valerii Peletev
  • 3rd Battalion: Zhong-shao Doyle O'Connor

84th Fusiliers Air Wing (1 Squadron/Regular/Reliable (Questionable))

Fusiliers Auxiliary (1 Reinforced Regiment/Veteran/Questionable (Reliable))

3067

Roman's Mounted Fusiliers (1 BattleMech Regiment)

  • CO: Sang-shao Peter Roman[36]
Notes - The Unit was considered to be Veteran Skilled and had a Questionable Loyalty rating. Half of its equipment was Star League era upgrades.

84th Fusiliers Air Wing (1 Squadron)

  • CO: Kong-sao-shao Quntus James Petrov
Notes - Unit was considered to be Veteran Skilled and was given a reliable loyalty rating. It was rated at 40% with Star League technology upgrades.

Fusiliers Auxiliary (1 Reinforced Regiment)

  • CO: Zhong-shao Gren Phillips

Notes - The Auxiliaries were listed with Regular skilled troops and a questionable loyalty rating. It had a 45% rating of being upgraded with Star League technology.

3085

Roman's Mounted Fusiliers (1 BattleMech Regiment)

  • CO: Sang-shao Peter Roman[18]
Notes - The Unit was considered to be Veteran Skilled and had a Questionable Loyalty rating. It was reduced to a quarter of its nominal strength, but 80% of those units were upgraded to Star League level technology.

84th Fusiliers Air Wing (1 Squadron)

  • CO: Kong-sao-shao Quntus James Petrov
Notes - Unit was considered to Veteran Skilled and given a reliable loyalty rating. The squadron was a mere shadow of itself since the fighting cost them 90% of their strength. The few craft they had left were not upgraded at all.

Fusiliers Auxiliary (1 Reinforced Regiment)

  • CO: Zhong-shao Gren Phillips

Notes - The Auxiliaries were listed with Regular skilled troops and a questionable loyalty rating. They were reduced to a third of their nominal strength, and only a third of those troops had upgraded tech.

3145

First St. Ives Sentinels (Veteran/Reliable)[28]

  • CO: Sang-shao Danny O’Sullivan

Eighty-fourth Fusiliers Air Wing (Veteran/Reliable)[28]

Fusiliers Armor (Regular/Reliable)[28]

Fusiliers Infantry Auxiliary (Veteran/Questionable)[28]

  • CO: Zhong-shao Vollert Goldbeck

Alternate Emblems

Notes

The Mounted Fusiliers traditionally adds the regimental Commanding Officer's name to the unit's identification. This can be either the first or last names depending on its convenience.

Rules

Game Rules

The Field Manual: Capellan Confederation offers Force Specific Rules for the Aleshia's Mounted Fusiliers for use in scenarios. As part of the unit's special / unique rules, it has the following;

  • Unit Assignments: When rolling up the unit using the Random Assignment Table, a player rolling up 'Mech assignments may choose on the "B" Equipment Rating twice per Lance. Also its optional to also roll on Federation Suns' rolling table if a player chooses, due to their past with the FedCom.
  • State of Repair: Capellan-St.Ives War inflict serious damage to the unit which hadn't been repaired as of 3062, thus the following rolls for units being used in a scenario. For each Lance used in a scenario, a controlling player will roll 1D6 -3 prior to start of the game. If the results is negative, the player must randomly roll up a 'Mech in each lance give the following critical damage. Rolling a 1D6 - 1-Engine, 2-Sensor, 3-Foot, 4-Jump Jet, 5-Shoulder Actuator, and 6-Gyro. Then again, randomly roll which critical slot it damaged.
  • Regiment Abilities: When the Mounted Fusiliers are operating in scenario that has city environment, they get a +2 Initiative rolls and a -1 to-hit modifier for any physical attacks they may do. They also do not need standard piloting rolls while running or turning on paved hexes. This remains in effect as long as 'Mech's leg actuators remain intact with no critical damage.[37]

The Fusiliers have a "C" Equipment rating for when 'Mechs and other vehicles are rolled up or chosen.

References

  1. Field Manual: 3145, p. 27, "General Review"
  2. 2.0 2.1 Field Manual: 3145, p. 42, "St. Ives Sentinels"
  3. Field Manual: 3145, p. 28, "THE NEW OLD-FASHIONED WAY"
  4. House Liao (The Capellan Confederation), pp. 50, 91, 96 - Unit history as noted in the old House Liao sourcebook.
  5. House Liao (The Capellan Confederation), pp. 50, 91 - Unit history as noted in the old House Liao sourcebook.
  6. NIAS The 4th Succession War Military Atlas Vol.1, p. 102 - Capellan Casualties, units noted as unengaged for first part of the Fourth Succession War.
  7. Field Manual: Capellan Confederation, p. 107. - Return to Mercenary service.
  8. 20 Year Update, p. 29 - Unit new Co has unit's name changed and its status.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Field Manual: Capellan Confederation, p. 108 - Unit background as the Aliesha's Mounted Fusiliers.
  10. Field Manual: Updates, pp. 29, 34 St. Ives Sentinels - New CO takes over the Mounted Fusiliers and brings end to internal squabbling.
  11. Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, pp. 17-18, "OPERATION: SOVEREIGN JUSTICE"
  12. Jihad Hot Spots: 3070, p. 65 Liberation! - CBS report from Reporter imbedded with Roman's Mounted Fusiliers relays the terrible battle for Warlock against the 2nd Janissaries.
  13. Field Report: CCAF, pp. 19, "St. Ives Sentinels"
  14. Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 77-78 - Pleione Secured - Actual date and what force consisted of noted in Capellan Newscast.
  15. Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 73 News from Pleione - Military Intel of true events of Pleione.
  16. Field Report: CCAF, p. 19 St. Ives Sentinels. - Reported status of Mounted Fusiliers as of 3079.
  17. Field Manual: 3085, p. 32
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 Field Manual: 3085, p. 34
  19. Technical Readout: 3145 Free Worlds League, p. 48
  20. Wars of the Republic Era, p. 57
  21. Wars of the Republic Era, p. 60
  22. Technical Readout: 3145 Free Worlds League, p. 44
  23. Wars of the Republic Era, p. 60-61
  24. 24.0 24.1 House Liao (The Capellan Confederation), pp. 34, 106 - Unit leadership.
  25. Field Manual: Capellan Confederation, p. 108 - Unit Profile
  26. Field Manual: Capellan Confederation, p. 108 - Unit Profile
  27. Field Manual: Updates, p. 34 - Commanding officer of newly renamed Fusiliers listed.
  28. 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 28.4 Field Manual: 3145, p. 46, "Capellan Confederation Deployment Table - 3145"
  29. House Liao (The Capellan Confederation), p. 91 - Tactics employed when the unit was known as the Shepard's Mounted Fusiliers'.
  30. Field Manual: Capellan Confederation, p. 108 Tactics - Unit's tactics as of 3063.
  31. House Liao (The Capellan Confederation) p. 105
  32. House Liao (The Capellan Confederation), p. 34 - "Shepard's Mounted Fusiliers bio" - Primary BattleMechs
  33. House Liao (The Capellan Confederation), p.105
  34. 34.0 34.1 34.2 20-Year Update, p.
  35. 35.0 35.1 35.2 Field Manual: Mercenaries, p. 110
  36. Field Manual: Updates, p. 34 - Unit listing as of 3067, including assigned support units.
  37. Field Manual: Capellan Confederation, p. 131 Rules Annex - Aleshia's Mounted Fusiliers special unit abilities and negative effects.

Bibliography