2nd Marik Militia

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History

Formation

The Marik Militia brigade was formed in the early twenty-third century as the primary offensive and defensive brigade of the newly-formed Free Worlds League. The Second Marik Militia would serve the League for centuries. Like the other regiments of the brigade, the Second was dedicated to serving and defending the people of the League, rather than serving the Captain-General, a distinction that seperated the Militia from other federal formations such as the Atrean Dragoons and Free Worlds Guards.[1]

Reunification War

Active within the Free Worlds League Military during the Age of War and Reunification War, the Second Marik Militia was one of six regiments chosen to serve in the 2nd Marik Auxiliary Corps formed in 2581[2] to support the Star League Defense Force when the Star League decided to intervene in the civil war that had been raging inside the Rim Worlds Republic since 2575.[3]

The 2nd Marik Auxiliary Corps incorporated the Second Marik Militia and a sister regiment, the Sixth Marik Militia, as well as the Second Regulan Hussars, Second Defenders of Andurien and the First and Second Brigades of the Fusiliers of Oriente. The 2nd Marik Auxiliary Corps was one of a number of Corps that made up Task Force MAILED FIST, the military component of Operation MAILED FIST, the Star League operation within the Rim Worlds Republic between 2581 and 2596.[2][4]

The Second Marik Militia sent the bulk of Operation MAILED FIST operating alongside the Sixth Marik Militia and the First Brigade of the Fusiliers of Oriente; together, the three regiments would conduct campaigns in the Star's End system in 2581, on Stirling in 2583, Viborg in 2588, Marisura in 2589, Barcelona in 2591, Gotterdammerung in 2592, Bensinger in 2594 and Crellacor in 2595. The only campaign conducted by this ad-hoc formation that the Second missed was the campaign on Kladnitsa in 2584; the Second remained on Stirling while the Kladnitsa campaign was fought by the Sixth and the Fusiliers of Oriente.[2][4]

The Star's End campaign was one of the first systems to be designated as a target for the Star League forces; still considered a newly-colonised system in the late twenty-sixth century, the population of the Star's End system numbered less than five thousand but was considered a strategically significant system. As a result, it merited a strong garrison, and during the early years of the civil war within the Rim Worlds Republic that garrison was a battalion from the Fifth Amaris Fusiliers. The Fifth were considered to be loyal to First Consul Gregory Amaris but with no idea of how these loyalist forces would react, Task Force MAILED FIST was forced to treat the Fusiliers with suspicion.[5]

The Second Marik Militia and the other FWLM units entered the Star's End system in May 2581. Unsure of what resistance to expect, if any, the Free Worlds League forces were surprised to find no visible military presence when they entered the system. The colonies had all been established on various asteroids along with the military garrison, all of which had gone dark to evade detection; with no charts of the system to draw on, the SLDF forces were forced to survey the system for themselves, a long, laborious fourteen-month task. Despite the difficulties in surveying the system, the Star's End system was declared to be secure in June or July, and the SLDF began to establish a fleet base in the system that ironically became the single biggest customer for the local mining colonies. The SLDF also established a supply depot on Novo Cressidas, the one habitable world in the system.[5]

In addition to facing the Fifth Amaris Fusiliers at Star's End, the Second Marik Militia would also come into conflict with the Third Amaris Fusiliers on Viborg, the Seventh Amaris Fusiliers on Marisura and the Third Amaris Legionnaires on Stirling.[6][7] While many of the campaigns were fought against local militia and partisan forces rather than line regiments from the Rim Worlds Army, the Second Marik Militia found that the overall campaign became increasingly difficult after the atrocities performed by the Draconis Auxiliary Corps when they captured Nightwish in mid-2584 resulted in a massive increase in resistance from local forces and partisans and increasingly rebellious populations.[8]

The Second Marik Militia and their companion units from the 2nd Marik Auxiliary Corps operated largely independently of the other units within Task Force MAILED FIST; the exceptions to this were on Marisura, where they operated alongside the First Arkab Legion and the Fourth Proserpina Hussars from the Draconis Auxiliary Corps, on Barcelona where the forces of the Lyran Auxiliary Corps and the Thirty-First Armor Division were also deployed - with the FWLM forces being on the periphery of the event known as the Day of Rage - and lastly on Bensinger, where the Second fought alongside the Seventeenth Royal Division.[2][4]

Star League Era

When the Star League Council issued the Council Edict of 2650 limiting the size of the military maintained by each Great House the Second was one of nineteen active regiments within the Marik Militia. Like the other regiments of the Militia, the Second remained a popular unit with both the commoners within the League and the peerage because of their public dedication to the people of the League, and like the other regiments of the Militia often acted as training grounds for troops across the League. A significant number of the personnel serving in other more prestigious federal units and various provincial forces within the League had actually begun their careers in the Second or another of the Marik Militia regiments.[1]

Third Succession War

The Second Militia took years to recover from a botched raid on the Lyran world of Algorab in 3020 which cost them over half the Regiment. The Second's main strike unit, the Ridge Riders, survived the battle, as did the Second's command staff, but after three years of rebuilding the Second was still fielding a lot of green recruits. Appleton's Fire Battalion - also known as the "Fender Benders" - had almost two full companies of raw recruits and had managed to survive largely thanks to the instincts of the unit commander, whilst the recon battalion had barely more experience.[9] Transferred to the Capellan front in 3024, it was able to go on the offensive more, albeit at the cost of increased casualties. This lead to continuous cycle of raw recruits into the unit, making it difficult for the Second to grow in experience.[10]

Anton’s Revolt

The Second didn't see any combat in Anton Marik's Revolt. Instead they reinforced worlds that were likely to come under attack or had been recently liberated by forces loyal to Janos Marik. In 3014 and 3015 they moved from their homeworld of Wasat to garrison Avellaneda and Oceana[11] before taking up duty stations on Keystone, where they would spend the rest of the conflict.[12]

Fourth Succession War


Andurien Secession

In late 3032 the Second Marik Militia raided the Federated Commonwealth world of Second Try. Even though the raid cost the Second quite a bit of equipment, the information they gathered about the FedCom's response and tactics was crucial to the LCCC's planning department.[13]

War of 3039

In 3038, in conjunction with the Fourth Marik Militia, the Second staged a successful series of raids that were intended to help both units gain experience. It worked, with the Second going on to carry out several more raids against both the Federated Commonwealth and Capellan Confederation over the next decade.[10]

However, the unit's luck turned bad again in 3049, when faulty intelligence caused the Second to grossly underestimate the defenders on Sarna. Hammered by both the Third FedCom RCT and the Sarna Martial Academy Cadre, the LCCC was forced to send in the Twelfth Atrean Dragoons to extract the Second.[10]

Operation Guerrero

The Second Marik Militia didn't participate in Operation Guerrero.

Operation Bulldog

The Second Marik Militia didn't participate in Operation Bulldog, but during this same time period they did rebuild to full strength.[14]

Jihad

Though largely left alone by the horrors of the Jihad, the Second Marik Militia landed on Vosloorus in 3077 to oppose the occupation of the world by forces from the Principality of Regulus.[15] They were later relocated off the world, which was then taken by Regulan troops.[16]

The Second was stationed on Manihiki and Alterf.[17]

The dissolution of the Free Worlds League hit the members of the Second Militia very hard. Only about half of their troops came from the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth, and the "foreign-born" troops continue to serve simply because they don't know what else to do. The unit's morale is very low at this time, with bitterness and disappointment roiling just below the surface. To overcome this, Colonel Gierke has established an aggressive training schedule to keep the regiment occupied.[18]

Officers

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the 2nd Marik Militia
Colonel Philip Ortega 3025[19]
Colonel Alva Gierke 3050 - 3085[20][21][10][22][23]

Tactics

The Second makes extensive use of scout VTOLs and drone systems for reconnaissance. They're also more experienced in combined arms operations than many Marik Militia units.[10]

Composition History

2765

Second Marik Militia (Regiment/Green/Reliable)[24]

- At this point in time the Second was stationed on Sierra.[24]

2786

Second Marik Militia (Regiment/Green/Reliable)[25]

- At this point in time the Second was a medium-weight regiment operating at full strength and based on Van Diemen IV.[25]

2821

Second Marik Militia (Regiment/Green/Reliable)[25]

- At this point in time the Second was a medium-weight regiment operating at just over half-strength, and was located on Dalcour.[25]

2830

2nd Marik Militia (Regiment/Green/Fanatical) [26]

Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on Dalcour with an operational readiness of 85 percent. [26]

2864

2nd Marik Militia (Regiment/Green/Fanatical) [26]

Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on Circinus with an operational readiness of 33 percent. [26]

3025

Second Marik Militia (Green/Reliable)[19]

  • CO: Colonel Philip Ortega[9]
  • Ridge Riders Battalion: Lieutenant Colonel Barton "Black Bart" Burton[9]
  • Appleton's Fire Battalion: Graham "Fuzzy" Karker[9]
  • Recon Battalion[9]

=== 3028 ===2nd Marik Militia(Regiment\Green\Reliable)[27]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Park Place. [27]

3050

Second Marik Militia (Regiment/Green/Reliable)[20]

  • CO: Colonel Alva Gierke [20]
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Hassad. [20]

3054

Second Marik Militia (Green/Reliable)[21]

  • CO: Colonel Alva Gierke

3059-3067

Second Marik Militia (1 Regiment/Green/Reliable)[10][22]

  • CO/First Battalion: Colonel Alva Gierke
  • Second Battalion: Force Commander Kate de Michaelis
  • Third Battalion: Force Commander Vittorio Kleinen

- Split in 3 specialized battalions
- Appelton's Fire Battalion equipped with the most heavy 'Mechs
- Ridge Raiders contains medium class 'Mechs

Second Marik Aerospace (1 Wing/Regular/Reliable)[10][22]

Ninth Orloff Armored Brigade (The Green Machine) (1 Regiment/Green/Reliable)[10][22]

  • Armor Commander: Force Commander Oleg Green

161st Artean Rifles (1 Regiment/Green/Reliable)[10][22]

3079

The low intensity conflict with the Regulan Hussars reduced the Second by 20%. The remaining 80% was still able to garrison their assigned worlds, however.[17]

3085

Second Marik Militia (Regular/Reliable)[23]

  • CO: Colonel Alva Gierke

Second Marik Aerospace (Wing/Regular/Green)[23]

Second Marik Armor Brigade (Regular/Reliable)[23]

  • CO: Colonel Lucas Rusnak

161st Atrean Rifles (Regular/Fanatical)[23]

  • CO: Lieutenant Colonel Epaphras Schermer

Rules

First Succession War

  • As a Marik Militia regiment the Second receives no modifiers to die rolls when generating forces on RAT tables during the First Succession War.[28]

Notes

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Field Report 2765: FWLM, p. 10, "Marik Militia"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Historical: Reunification War, p. 152, "Rim Worlds Republic Front (Jump-off - 2587)
  3. Historical: Reunification War, p. 131, "False Starts (2579-81)
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Historical: Reunification War, p. 153, "Rim Worlds Republic Front (2588-2596)"
  5. 5.0 5.1 Historical: Reunification War, p. 132, "Persistence, Treeline, Star's End and Black Earth (May-December 2581)"
  6. Historical: Reunification War, p. 154, "Rim Worlds Republic Front (Jump-off - 2587)
  7. Historical: Reunification War, p. 155, "Rim Worlds Republic Front (2588-2596)"
  8. Historical: Reunification War, p. 134, "Arlina to Viborg (December 2584 - September 2588)"
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 House Marik (The Free Worlds League), p. 91, "2nd Marik Militia"
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 Field Manual: Free Worlds League, p. 55, "2nd Marik Militia Unit Profile"
  11. Historical: Brush Wars, p. 33
  12. Historical: Brush Wars, p. 35
  13. Historical: Brush Wars, p. 64
  14. Field Manual: Updates, p. 148, "2nd Marik Militia"
  15. Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 46
  16. Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 52
  17. 17.0 17.1 Field Report: FWLM, p. 8
  18. Field Manual: 3085, p. 82
  19. 19.0 19.1 House Marik (The Free Worlds League), p. 108, "FWLM Deployment Table"
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20 Year Update, p. 56, "FWLM Deployment Table - 3050"
  21. 21.0 21.1 Objective Raids, p. 38, "FWLM Deployment Table - 3054"
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 Field Manual: Updates, p. 160, "FWLM Deployment Table - 3067"
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 Field Manual: 3085, p. 91, "FWLM Deployment Table - 3085"
  24. 24.0 24.1 Field Report 2765: FWLM, p. 10, "Regimental Status"
  25. 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 First Succession War, p. 138, "Free Worlds League Military (FWLM)"
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 ’’ Second Succession War’’, p. 98
  27. 27.0 27.1 Historical: Brush Wars, p.86
  28. First Succession War, p. 147, "RAT Die Roll Modifiers by Combat Command Table"

Bibliography