4th Marik Militia

Marikmilitia04th.png
Fourth Marik Militia
Nickname The Fearsome Fourth (2765);[1]
The Fighting Fourth (3015)
Affiliation Free Worlds League
Parent Command Marik Militia


History[edit]

Formation[edit]

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 Fourth Marik Militia served the League for centuries. Like the other regiments of the brigade, the Fourth was dedicated to serving and defending the people of the League, rather than serving the Captain-General, a distinction that separated the Militia from other federal formations such as the Atrean Dragoons and Free Worlds Guards.[1]

Reunification War[edit]

The Fourth Marik Militia fought alongside the First, Third and Fifth Marik Militias in the Reunification War as a part of the Marik Auxiliary Corps assigned to support the Star League Defense Force VII Corps during the invasion of the Magistracy of Canopus. VII Corps was the largest of the corps at the time, and was commanded by Captain-General Marion Marik; the Marik Auxiliary Corps was commanded by General Ian Marik, and while VII Corps took the lead on many of the planetary campaigns, elements of the Marik Auxiliary Corps were present on almost every campaign of the war between the Star League and the Magistracy. The 4th were no exception to this, seeing service in no less than five planetary conquests.[2][3][4]

Payvand[edit]

The Fourth were stationed on the world of Hindmarsh when military operations against the Magistracy began, and were the only regiment out of the four Marik Militia regiments to not be involved in a planetary invasion in 2577. That changed in 2578, when the Fourth was assigned to the operation against Payvand. One of three former Free Worlds League which had defected to the Magistracy in the 2550s, Payvand was a heavily industrialized world even at the time of the Reunification War, and when the SLDF task force invaded in July there was a significant level of resistance despite the lack of MAF units on the world. Although four regiments from the FWLM had been assigned to the invasion of Payvand - the Fourth, alongside the Fifth Marik Militia, the Second Oriente Hussars and the Juggernaut regiment of the Stewart Dragoons - the Marik forces didn't get to make a major contribution. All four were 'Mech formations, assigned alongside the Thirty-fifth Royal CAAN Marine Regiment to support the VII Corps' Fifty-seventh Brigade, and the level of resistance was such that the Fifty-seventh was forced to occupy both the city of New Barcelona and the PayMax Industrialplex, one of the very few occasions in the Magistracy campaign where the terms of the Ares Conventions were breached. Despite the need to operate in urban areas because of the local resistance, the Captain-General ordered that 'Mech troops must not operate in urban areas on Payvand, leaving the Fifty-seventh Brigade's infantry regiments to clear buildings, stage riot control operations and deal with the urban guerrilla resistance. Although Payvand was declared to have been pacified by late November 2578 and the planetary governor had already begun the process of requesting readmission to the Free Worlds League, resistance to the SLDF garrison would rumble on until 2580.[5]

Obrenovac and Afarsin[edit]

When the war began, Obrenovac was a key trade hub for the Magistracy of Canopus, and in March 2579 it was targeted for conquest by the Star League Defense Force task force. Following setbacks earlier in the war the task force was proceeding slowly but steadily in 2579, ensuring that planets were invaded by overwhelming numbers of troops to reduce the effect of any resistance; in a short campaign lasting from the 19th to the 25th of March 2579, Obrenovac was conquered by the combined forces of the SLDF Fifty-fifth and Fifty-sixth Brigades supported by the First and Fourth Marik Militia. With more than twenty assorted regiments of troops used in the conquest of Obrenovac the occupation itself was little more than a police action, with the SLDF rapidly taking control of government buildings and infrastructure. By January 2580 the task force had also secured the worlds of Eleusis and Bethonolog alongside Obrenovac, and in doing so had secured the entire anti-spinward flank of their advance into the Magistracy.[2][6]

Afarsin was an agrarian world of little strategic importance and which hadn't merited a MAF garrison so far during the war, but which was seen as a stepping stone to other worlds, based on Afarsin's location as one of the most anti-spinward worlds in the Magistracy. The SLDF moved in force to capture the world in April 2583, deploying the Fifty-fifth Brigade along with four Marik regiments to secure the world. This was the first combat action since Obrenovac for the Fourth, who served alongside the Second Oriente Hussars, Second Orloff Grenadiers and the Third Regulan Hussars and the assembled strike force captured the world quickly.[3][7][8]

Marantha[edit]

In comparison to the previous battles the Fourth had fought since the Reunification War began, Marantha was by far the toughest fight the Fourth had seen - and would see - during the war. In addition to the Fourth, the strike force used against Marantha in 2584 consisted of the VII Corps' Fifty-sixth Brigade, who the Fourth had served alongside during the campaign for Obrenovac, and the Third Regulan Hussars. This time, the Fourth would face more than just home guard forces; the MAF had positioned the elite First Canopian Light Horse on Marantha, as well as the mercenary unit Mieselsen's Marauders. Both Canopian units bitterly contested the invasion of Marantha, and when the First Light Horse finally retreated from the planet the Marauders had already fought until the unit had been effectively been destroyed.[3][9][10]

Candiear[edit]

The battle for Candiear was the last major engagement for the Fourth during the Reunification War. By the time the SLDF task force moved against the world in 2585, the ultimate fate of the campaign was already certain but the remaining MAF units continued to resist. VII Corps dropped an ad hoc division of troops on Candiear, consisting of the combined forces of the Fifty-sixth Brigade, the Sixty-first Royal Brigade and the Sixty-second Royal Brigade. The Fourth deployed alongside the Second Oriente Hussars and the Third Regulan Hussars again, as they had on Afarsin. Although heavily outnumbered, some of the best units in the MAF were defending Candiear; the SLDF troops had to face both the Second and Fourth Canopian Light Horse as well as Buquoy's Bandits, the personal regiment of the MAF commanding officer, Colonel Adam Buquoy. Although the SLDF strike force outnumbered the Canopian regiments, they couldn't pin them down and destroy them, and all three regiments escaped to fight again on other worlds.[3][9][10] The campaign was marred by the bitter war of words that erupted between the CO of the Third Regulan Hussars and others regarding the performance of the various units, a war of words that was the direct consequence of the general feeling amongst the Third Hussars that they had been slighted by not being selected for the assault on Canopus the year before.[11]

Star League Era[edit]

When the Star League Council issued the Council Edict of 2650 limiting the size of the military maintained by each Great House the Fourth was one of nineteen active regiments within the Marik Militia. Like the other regiments of the Militia, the Fourth 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 Fifth or another of the Marik Militia regiments.[1]

Early Succession Wars[edit]

The Fourth was effectively destroyed more than once during the early Succession Wars; in 2793,[12] the destruction of the Fourth at the hands of the Twenty-first Centauri Lancers[13] - a battalion from the Third Centauri Guards regiment of the St. Ives Armored Cavalry[14] - as part of a Capellan counterstrike against the world of Anegasaki was an omen for the Captain-General that the tide of his war against the Capellan Confederation was changing.[13] The Third Centauri Guards were part of a task force consisting of the Guards, three support regiments and a battle fleet; the recapture of Anegasaki removed a critical world from the logistical network being used by the FWLM to prosecute the war against the Confederation. Combined with the use of a strong task force directed against the center of the FWLM front, the defeat at Anegasaki was enough to cause the FWLM to pause and consolidate their forces, rather than continuing to push deeper into the Confederation.[12]

The rebuilt Fourth were considered heroes in the Free Worlds League, and were destroyed for a second time by Capellan forces, this time on the world of Berenson in 2840.[15]

Anton's Revolt[edit]

Though not a participant in the Marik Civil War, the Fourth was rebuilt from the remnants of forces loyal to Anton Marik and parts taken from a raid on Nanking by the Sixth Marik Militia in 3021. The decision by the newly formed unit to name themselves after the destroyed Fourth sparked controversy at the time, and resulted in a posting to the backwater world of Park Place. The reconstituted Fourth was staffed initially with a mixture of inexperienced cadets and malcontents from other regiments of the Marik Militia that Duncan Marik wanted to be rid of, commanded by Colonel Vernon Cherenkov - an officer Duncan Marik despised, and who was renowned for dissecting dead opponents in the name of science.[16][15]

Fourth Succession War[edit]

The Fourth spent the entire Fourth Succession War on their garrison world, Park Place, but despite the lackluster posting the Fourth did take the opportunity to launch several raids against Second Try and Tsitsang in the decade between the Fourth Succession War and the Andurien Secession.[15]

Andurien Secession[edit]

Captured Ryerson from secessionist Andurien forces in 3038 in conjunction with the Second Marik Militia.[17]

Operation Guerrero[edit]

The Fourth Marik Militia invaded Denebola along with the Sixth Free Worlds Legionnaires and the Atrean Hussars. Though normally defended by a Sarna March Militia unit, the Denebola FTM was conducting exercises on Caph with Gustafson's Grenadiers at the time[18] which left the system's defense to the small planetary militia. The planetary militia surrendered without firing a shot.[19]

Operation Bulldog[edit]

The Fourth Marik Militia didn't participate in Operation Bulldog. In 3065 however they were redeployed to New Delos, the world which Anton Marik used as his headquarters.[20]

Jihad[edit]

The Fourth Marik Militia was persuaded to take up station in the Rim Commonality by Colonel Sandra Relph, commander of the 8th Orloff Grenadiers. The Grenadiers returned to Orloff but didn't want to leave the Commonality defenseless. The Fourth split into two smaller subcommands, with Lesnovo and Campoleone both receiving a detachment of Militia troops.[21]

Post-Jihad[edit]

As the Free Worlds League fragmented, the Fourth Marik Militia and their sister regiment the Ninth Marik Militia both chose to defect to the Rim Commonality, which sorely lacked an able defensive force at the time. Having taken up station within the Commonality, the Fourth soon began establishing themselves as a native military organization, changing uniforms and color schemes. The new pattern set by the Fourth rapidly became the new standard uniform for those other units serving within the Commonality.[22]

Sometime after 3080 the Fourth was split to form the Third and Fourth Rim Commonality Guards.[23]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the 4th Marik Militia
Colonel Vernon Cherenkov 3021-3025[24]
Colonel Kenneth Gunderson 3050 - 3065[25][15]
Commodore Becky Sorhagtani 3065[26]

Tactics[edit]

The Fourth Marik Militia of the late thirty-first century was composed mostly of light and fast medium 'Mechs. They specialized in reconnaissance missions and supporting other friendly units by attacking an enemy's flanks.[15]

Composition History[edit]

2765[edit]

Fourth Marik Militia (Regiment/Green/Reliable)[27]

- At this point in time the Fourth was stationed on Uhuru.[27]

2786[edit]

Fourth Marik Militia (Regular/Reliable)[28]

- At this point in time the Fourth was a light-weight regiment operating at full strength and based on Berenson.[28]

2786–2821[edit]

Fourth Marik Militia (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[29]

Note: At this point in time the light-weight unit was stationed on Berenson. The unit was destroyed during the war.[29]

3025[edit]

Fourth Marik Militia (Green/Reliable)[30]

  • CO: Colonel Vernon Cherenkov

3028[edit]

Fourth Marik Militia (Regiment\Green\Reliable)[31]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Park Place.[31]

3050[edit]

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

  • CO: Colonel Kenneth Gunderson[25]
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Park Place.[25]

3059[edit]

Fourth Marik Militia (1 Regiment/Green/Reliable)[15]

- Almost of the 'Mechs weigh less than 45 tons, with less a company being upgraded with new technology

Fourth Militia Aerospace (2 Squadrons/Regular/Questionable)[15]

- Skilled in ground operations

Ninth Park Light Armor (1 Regiment/Green/Questionable)[15]

121st League Airmobile Brigade (2 Regiments/Green/Questionable)[15]

- Includes Karnov UV and Planetlifter transports as support.

3067[edit]

Fourth Marik Militia (Green/Reliable)[32]

  • CO: Commodore Becky Sorhagtani
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on New Delos.

Fourth Militia Aerospace (2 Squadrons/Regular/Questionable)[32]

Ninth Park Light Armor (Regiment/Green/Questionable)[32]

  • CO: Force Commander Simon Ferrier

121st League Airmobile Brigade (2 Regiments/Green/Questionable)[32]

  • CO: Lieutenant Colonel Chris Daniels

3079[edit]

Fourth Marik Militia (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[33]

Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Lesnovo and Campoleone.[33] During the Jihad the Fourth lost a quarter of its troops.[21]

Colors[edit]

When the Fourth became state troops of the Rim Commonality they chose to adopt a new uniform and color scheme. Firmly in place by 3081, the new uniform consisted of a new uniform for the troops, featuring bloused trousers over which a khaki closed-collar jacket was worn, with a red fez for headgear. The color scheme for the Fourth's equipment changed as well, with 'Mechs and vehicles painted a sandy yellow with crimson accents.[22]

Notes[edit]

It was confirmed that the Twenty-first Centauri Lancers were a battalion within the Third Centauri Guards in 2793 and responsible for the destruction of the Fourth Marik Militia on Anegasaki by the BattleTech Developer Adrian Gideon in the Catalyst Game Labs official errata forum:

Handbook House Liao (print)

Pg 30, Timeline: First Succession War, Dev-level errata: 2793 - The Twenty-First Centauri Lancers destroy the Fourth Marik Militia on Anegasaki, in one of their first contracts as mercenaries after the Star League Defense Force's withdrawal.

Replace with: 2793 - The future Twenty-First Centauri Lancers, a battalion of the 3rd Centauri Guards, destroy the Fourth Marik Militia on Anegasaki.

  — Adrian Gideon, BattleTech Developer, 0243 26 Jan 2016

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Field Report 2765: FWLM, p. 10: "Marik Militia"
  2. 2.0 2.1 Historical: Reunification War, p. 148: "Magistracy of Canopus Front (Jump-Off - 2582)"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Historical: Reunification War, p. 149: "Magistracy of Canopus Front (2583-2588)"
  4. Historical: Reunification War, p. 95: "SLDF Task Force Canopus"
  5. Historical: Reunification War, p. 100: "Ruschegg, Payvand and Scheuerheck (July December 2578)"
  6. Historical: Reunification War, p. 100: "Eleusis, Obrenovac and Bethnolog (March 2579-January 2580)"
  7. Historical: Reunification War, p. 150: "Magistracy of Canopus Front (Jump-Off - 2582)"
  8. Historical: Reunification War, p. 102: "Afarsin, Adherlwin, Megarez and Nobel (March-April 2583)"
  9. 9.0 9.1 Historical: Reunification War, p. 151: "Magistracy of Canopus Front (2583-2588)"
  10. 10.0 10.1 Historical: Reunification War, p. 105: "Mopping Up (2584-2588)"
  11. Historical: Reunification War, p. 38: "Third Regulan Hussars"
  12. 12.0 12.1 First Succession War, p. 61: "Losing Ground"
  13. 13.0 13.1 House Marik (The Free Worlds League), p. 29
  14. Developer Level Errata, Catalyst Game Labs Forum, 26 0243Z Jan 2015
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 15.7 15.8 Field Manual: Free Worlds League, p. 56: "4th Marik Militia Unit Profile"
  16. House Marik (The Free Worlds League), p. 92: "4th Marik Militia"
  17. Historical: Brush Wars, pp. 76–77
  18. Field Manual: Lyran Alliance, p. 114
  19. Shattered Sphere, p. 74: "Operation Guerrero, First Wave"
  20. Field Manual: Updates, p. 148
  21. 21.0 21.1 Field Report: FWLM, p. 13
  22. 22.0 22.1 Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 92: "The Rim Commonality"
  23. Field Manual: 3085, p. 88
  24. House Marik (The Free Worlds League), p. 94
  25. 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 20 Year Update, p. 56: "FWLM Deployment Table"
  26. Field Manual: Updates, p. 148
  27. 27.0 27.1 Field Report 2765: FWLM, p. 10: "Regimental Status"
  28. 28.0 28.1 First Succession War, p. 138: "Free Worlds League Military (FWLM)"
  29. 29.0 29.1 First Succession War, p. 138
  30. House Marik (The Free Worlds League), p. 108: "FWLM Deployment Table"
  31. 31.0 31.1 Historical: Brush Wars, p. 86
  32. 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 Field Manual: Updates, p. 160: "FWLM Deployment Table - 3067"
  33. 33.0 33.1 Field Report: FWLM, p. 13

Bibliography[edit]