Editing 8th Donegal Guards

{{infoBoxMilitaryCommand
| image          = [[File: Donegalguards08th.png]]
| Designation    = Eighth Donegal Guards RCT
| formed         = 
| Disbanded      = 
| Previous Designation = 
| Nickname       = Boston Regiment (2765)<ref name=FR:2765LCAFp11>''Field Report 2765: LCAF'', p. 11, "Donegal Guards" - Regimental Status</ref><br>Mud Wrestlers (3145) 
| Affiliation    = [[Lyran Commonwealth]]
| Parent Command = [[Donegal Guards]]
| Sub-Command    = 
}}

==History==
===Third Succession War===
The '''Eighth Donegal Guards''' were stationed on [[Port Moseby]] in [[2765]].<ref name=FR:2765LCAFp11/>

In [[2895]], [[Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth|Archon]] [[Elizabeth Steiner]] sent the Eighth Donegal to [[Skye]], with [[Narhal's Raiders]], and twelve [[Combat Vehicle|armor]] and [[infantry]] regiments. The force assisted the [[Seventeenth Skye Rangers]] in their defense against the [[Draconis Combine]] in what would become known as the [[Battle of Skye (2895)|Battle of Skye]].<ref name=HS(LC)p69>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 69: "The Battle for Skye (2895)" - 8th Donegal sent in to help with defense of Skye.</ref> The Eighth, along with other forces that were sent, fought a fierce, 13 month battle for the planet. The battle was a huge success for the Lyran forces, but use of a tactical nuclear weapon against a strategically important dam and many atrocities of the Lyran forces tarnished the victory.

The unit, while not involved in the use of nuclear weapons, was judged guilty of other atrocities during the Skye battle. As a result the officers of the unit aren't considered gentlemen, and forbidden to use braids on their uniforms.<ref name=FMLA69>''Field Manual: Lyran Alliance'', p. 69: "8th Donegal Guards Unit Profile"</ref>

The unit earned its nickname, 'Mud Wrestlers', at the battle of [[Coopers Creek]] on Skye, when an ambush on a Combine patrol degraded into close combat in wetlands.<ref name=FMLA69/>

By [[3025]], the unit had been stationed to the world of [[Sevren]].<ref name=HSp116>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 116: "Deployment Table - 3025"</ref>

===Fourth Succession War===
In the [[Fourth Succession War]], the unit fought on [[Moritz]] and [[Stanzach]].<ref name=FMLA69/>

===Rasalhague and the War of 3039===
In [[3034]], when the Lyran Commonwealth was forced to relinquish many of its wartime gains to the new nation of [[Free Rasalhague Republic|Rasalhague]], a number of clashes between Lyran and Rasalhagian troops took place. Captain Schmelling's [[company]] of the Eighth Donegal Guards took part in the most serious of these, brawling with Bravo Company, Second Battalion of the [[1st Drakøns|First Drakøns]] [[regiment]].<ref>''20 Year Update'', p. 49</ref>

In the [[War of 3039]], the unit got tied down in the fighting on [[Altais]], and lost a third of its strength before it was able to disengage and retreat.<ref name=FMLA69/>

===Clan Invasion Era===
Prior to the [[Clan Invasion|invasion of the Clans]], the Eighth was stationed in the Davion side of the [[Federated Commonwealth]]. It was located in the Capellan March region as part of the Alcyone Command on the world of [[Monhegan]] in [[3050]].<ref name=20Yp21>''20 Year Update'', p. 21, "AFFC Deployment Table - 3050"</ref>

===FedCom Civil War===
====Battle of Kathil====
After Victor Steiner-Davion put out his call to arms, the Loyalist-leaning Eighth Donegal Guards was preparing to assist fellow loyalist units on [[Alcyone]]. However, they received orders from the [[Archon-Princess]] to reinforce the battered and near-depleted [[8th FedCom RCT|Eighth Federated Commonwealth RCT]] on [[Kathil]].  On February [[3063]], the Eighth Donegal, backed up by two free Aerospace Wings and free armored brigade from [[Gallitzin]].  However, not all of the Aerospace Wing assets had arrived, and so were unable to firmly secure aerospace superiority against the [[Kathil CMM]] & [[First Capellan Dragoons]]. The Eighth's Aerospace forces fought an aerospace battle against General Sampreis's aerospace assets. They managed to successfully land their forces in three separate locations on planet. After its landing, the Eighth Donegal fought its way to the planetary capital of District City. The attack was to help the Eighth to link up with the battered 8th FedCom at the city.<ref>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 56: "8th Donegal assaults Kathil to assist the beleaguered 8th FedCom RCT for the Loyalists".</ref>

The Eighth Donegal combined with the Eighth FedCom to push back the Allied forces through District City to secure a secondary GM Plant in the nearby city of Radcliffe.  The Kathil CMM counterattacked by hitting loyalist holdings, causing the Eighth Donegal's attack to lessen. Unfortunately, the raids slowed the Eighth Donegal's efforts enough for allies' [[6th Syrtis Fusiliers|Sixth Syrtis Fusiliers RCT]] land on 18th to reinforce the allied units. Four days later, [[Marshal (rank)|Marshal]] [[Nathaniel Hasek]] arrived quietly, taking command of allied efforts on planet.

On the 2nd March, the Eighth Donegal and its ally vacated its positions they had gained in District City and GM Plant to go on the offensive against CMM. However, the ''Mud Wrestlers'', as Eighth is sometimes is known by, began to be bogged down by winter weather hitting the southern hemisphere of Kathil. The allies began pound on the Eighth FedCom ally to the north, while Guard units were stuck in foul weather. It was not until May the Eighth was able to organized strikes against Marshal Hasek's task force, hitting the Kathil CMM yet again in District City. With coordination of the Eighth FedCom, the unit conducted a three week campaign against the CMM, where they shattered militia unit.  Despite efforts of Marshal Hasek taking vital an aerospace base and nearby city.  Situation changed when allied force in the form of the [[5th Davion Guards|Fifth Davion Guards RCT]] in late July.<ref>''FedCom Civil War'', pp. 56–57: "8th Donegal Guards enter battle take Kathil".</ref>

In January [[3064]], the Eighth Donegal attempted to conduct a flank rear-flanking on continent of Furillo. However, they were stopped by the actions First Capellans. The unit was split in two by the attack and became isolated in Woodbine city region. General Pashik, instructed his forces to destroy series of dams that stopped the First Capellans from taking further actions against them in February.  

In late March, the Eighth FedCom's Commander, General Weintraub, was killed in action. However, his final orders sealed the fate of the First Capellan Dragoons. General order remaining troops to converge on his position attack First Capellans, despite his headquarters were overwhelmed by Fifth Davion Guards, leaving Eighth Donegal's commander leading loyalist officer on planet.

In July 3064, loyalist reinforcements arrived in the form of the [[Second Chisholm's Raiders]], backed up by a naval squadron of assault DropShips. Despite Allied naval blockade consisting of two [[Avalon|Avalon Cruisers]], ''Hanse Davion'' and ''Andrew Davion'', a large portion of loyalist unit made planetfall to assist General Pashik's dire situation.  The arrival of the Raiders changed situation for the Loyalist forces.  They immediately assaulted the GM Plant near District City after their landing, then later worked to retake the city itself from the allies.  Drawing enemy forces away from Woodbine, the Eighth Donegal broke out allies defensive lines attempt to link up with General Helen Eisener and her RCT in District City. Marshal Hasek, forced into action moved secure cities of Carter City and Burlington. By September, the Eighth Donegal managed to linkup with the Second Chisholm. This is after they devastating Marshal Hasek's forces in city of Greenhaven with artillery and missile bombardment. With destruction of allied forces in Greenhaven, the two loyalist forces retired from the field to District City.

2 January [[3065]], the [[Dictionary#Combined Arms|combined arms]] brigade of the Eighth Donegal slammed into the Fifth Davion Guard's string of artillery firebases. Over course of week, brigade consisting of newly built 'Mechs and tanks of scattered the Fifth Davion from the bases. Combined with the Second Chisholm's Raiders, the Eighth drilled into a single brigade of the Fifth Davion. Combined loyalist force pushed them from Tormad Valley and it firebase. General Pashik then had his forces form defensive line around new string of fire bases his forces had seized.  All forces exhausted, three-week ceasefire was established.

On the 8th of March, proved to be the turning point for the Eighth. As the allied reinforcement arrived in the form of [[1st Federated Suns Armored Cavalry|First Federated Suns Armored Cavalry RCT]] arrived in orbit, dropped on Eighth Donegal's rear lines.  This led to allied units striking the weakened RCT's frontlines at the same time. The Eighth Donegal folded in at end of May, with prior to capture it commanding officer.<ref>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 124: "Last chapter of 8th Donegal's fight on Kathil".</ref>

The Eighth FedCom was absorbed by the Eighth Donegal at some point during the conflict on Kathil.<ref>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 169: "Donegal Guards"</ref>

As of 1 August 3067, the Eighth was on Kathil and down to 15% strength.<ref name=FMU179>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 179: "LAAF Deployment Table - 3067"</ref>

===Jihad===
In May of [[3069]], the Eighth Donegal Guards found themselves facing three different Capellan Confederation regiments that were part of [[Operation THUNDERSTRIKE]]'s Task Force ''Shen Lung''.  Still reeling from the damage done during the FedCom Civil War, and now facing overwhelming odds, the unit was believed destroyed.<ref>''Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents'', p. 20: "Operation Thunderstrike, Fourth Wave, 8th Donegal Guards are wiped out by Capellan forces".</ref>

However, the unit managed to survive, becoming enough of a nuisance that the attacking Blakists deployed nuclear weapons against them.<ref>''Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers'', p. 98</ref> The unit was completely wiped out.<ref>''Field Report: LAAF'', p. 11</ref>

===Dark Age===
The Eighth was rebuilt as a [[Light Combat Team]] after the end of the [[Jihad]] and posted to [[Crimond]]. There they act as a deterrent to both [[Clan Jade Falcon]] and [[Clan Wolf]].<ref>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 100</ref>

They were re-formed in [[3137]] and posted to guard [[Hesperus II]]. They received a boost from the disbandment of the [[Seventh Donegal Guards]] after that unit was heavily damaged in fighting on [[Tharkad]]. These new troops swelled the Eighth and provided more tactical experience. In 3145 they were stationed on [[Caledonia]] and launched raids against systems held by the [[Wolf Empire]] and [[Clan Jade Falcon]]. These raids served a defensive purpose: By raiding the Clan worlds and forcing them to respond to the raids, the Clan forces couldn't attack Hesperus II.<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 127</ref>

==Officers==
==Officers==
{| class="wikitable"
|- 
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Rank
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Name
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Command
|-
| colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of the 8th Donegal Guards'''
|-
|[[Hauptmann-General]]
|[[Mitchell Weintraub]]
|[[Fourth Succession War]] and [[War of 3039]]
|-
|[[Marshal (rank)|Marshal]]
|[[Isador Bertini]]
|[[3050]]<ref name=20Yp21/>
|-
|Hauptmann-General
|[[Galen Meinecke]]
|[[3054]]<ref name=ORp14>''Objective Raids'', p. 14, "AFFC Deployment Table - 3054"</ref> 
|-
|Hauptmann-General
|[[Tadeusz Pashik]]
|[[3062]] to [[3067]]<ref name=FMLA69/><ref name=FMU179/>
|-
|Leutnant-General
|[[Jason Smith]]
|[[3085]]<ref name=FM3085p109>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 109, "LAAF Deployment Table - 3085"</ref>
|-
|[[Leutnant-Colonel]]
|[[Lucrecia Sheridan]]
|[[3145]]<ref name=FM:3145p133>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 133, "Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces - Donegal Province"</ref>
|}

==Tactics==
The heavy elements stand in the front of the enemy and hold them in place for the surrounding with the lighter more mobile machines for flanking/rear attacks.<ref name=FMLA69/>

==Composition History==
===2765===
'''Eighth Donegal Guards''' (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FR:2765LCAFp11/>
: Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on [[Port Moseby]].  
===2786–2821===
'''Eighth Donegal Guards ''' (Regiment/Regular/Reliable) <ref name= FSSp139 >''First Succession War'', p. 139</ref>
: Note: At this point in time the heavy-weight unit was stationed on [[Port Moseby]]. In 2821 the command was reduced to 34 percent of its strength and was deployed on [[Port Moseby]]. <ref name= FSSp139/>

===2830===
'''Eighth Donegal Guards''' (Regiment/Regular/Reliable) <ref name=2ndSSp99>''Second Succession War'', p. 99 </ref>
: Note: At this point in time the assault-weight unit was stationed on [[Port Moseby]] with an operational readiness of 87 percent. <ref name=2ndSSp99/>
===2864===	
'''Eighth Donegal Guards''' (Regiment/Regular/Fanatical) <ref name=2ndSSp99/>
: Note: At this point in time the assault-weight unit was stationed on [[Buckminster]] with an operational readiness of 27 percent. <ref name=2ndSSp99/>

===3025===
'''Eighth Donegal Guards''' (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)<ref name=HSp116/>
:Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on [[Sevren]].

===3040===
'''Eighth Donegal Guards RCT''' (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)<ref name = HWo3039p137/>
:Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Gallery]].  <ref name = HWo3039p137 >''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 137 </ref>

===3050===
'''Eighth Donegal Guards RCT ''' (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable) <ref name = 20yup21/>
:* CO: Marshal Isador Bertim <ref name = 20yup21/>
:Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Monhegan]].  <ref name = 20yup21>''20 Year Update'', p. 21</ref>
		
===3054===
'''Eighth Donegal Guards RCT''' (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)  <ref name = OpjRp14/>
:* CO: Hauptmann General Galen Meinecke <ref name = OpjRp14/>
:Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Monhegan]].  <ref name = OpjRp14>''Objective Raids'', p. 14</ref> 

===3062===
'''Eighth Donegal Guards''' (1 Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)<ref name=FMLA69/><br>
CO: Hauptmann General [[Tadeusz Pashik]]<br>
Aide: Leftenant General [[Alun Lewis]]<br>

'''Eighth Donegal Guards Aerospace [[Brigade]]''' (2 [[Wing (Military Unit)|Wing]]s)<ref name=FMLA69/><br>
CO: Leftenant General [[Pierre Condorelli]]<br>
- 14th Donegal Guards Wing<br>
- 62ndDonegal Guards Wing<br>

'''Eighth Donegal Guards Armor Brigade''' (3 Regiments/Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FMLA69/><br>
CO: Leutnant General [[Hubert Beazley]]<br>
Aide: Kommandant [[Annabelle Laclos]]<br>
- 367th Donegal Armored Cavalry Regiment: Leftenant General [[Giavani Allen]]<br>
- 42nd Donegal Heavy Armor Regiment: Leftenant General [[Chapman Mustafa]]<br>
- 47th [[Loxley]] Light Tank: Leftenant General [[Corrine Paquin]]<br>

'''Eighth Donegal Guards Infantry Brigade''' (5 Regiments/Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FMLA69/><br>
CO: Leftenant Generall [[Charles Gruber]]<br>
Aide: Kommandant [[Ramesh Chandra]]<br>
- 17th [[Moneghan]] Infantry Regiment: Leftenant General [[Ilras Miah]]<br>
- 194th Donegal Heavy Infantry Regiment: Leftenant General [[David Hill]]<br>
- 22nd [[Lyndon]] Motorized Regiment: Leftenant General [[Dai Mansaray]]<br>
- 331st Donegal Mechanized Rifles: Leftenant General [[Julianne Ruddle]]<br>
- 311th Donegal Jump Regiment: Leftenant General [[Moksod Samtani]]<br>
- The 311th includes two [[platoons]] of [[Fenrir]] [[battle armor]])<br>

===3067===
'''Eighth Donegal Guards RCT''' (Elite/Reliable)<ref name=FMU179/><br>
CO: Hauptmann General Tadeusz Pasnik<br>

'''Eighth Donegal Aerospace''' (Elite/Reliable)<ref name=FMU179/><br>
CO: Leutnant Kommodore Pierre Condorelli<br>

'''Eighth Donegal Armor Brigade''' (Veteran/Reliable)<ref name=FMU179/><br>
CO: Leutnant General [[Pascal Bell]]<br>

'''Eighth Donegal Infantry Brigade''' (Veteran/Reliable)<ref name=FMU179/><br>
CO: Leutnant General Ramesh Chandra<br>

===3085===
'''Eighth Donegal Guards LCT''' (Green/Fanatical)<ref name=FM3085p109/><br>
CO: Leutnant General [[Jason Smith]]<br>

'''Eighth Donegal Aerospace''' (Green/Reliable)<ref name=FM3085p109/><br>
CO: Colonel [[Godafried Horvatincic]]<br>

'''Eighth Donegal Armor Brigade''' (Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FM3085p109/><br>
CO: Colonel [[Mikala Hodges]]<br>

'''Eighth Donegal Infantry Brigade''' (G/F)<ref name=FM3085p109/><br>
CO: Colonel [[Tybalt Pfaff]]<br>

===3145===
'''Eighth Donegal Guards''' (Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=FM:3145p133/><br>
CO: Leutnant Colonel Lucrecia Sheridan<br>

'''Seventeenth Caledonian Cavalry''' (Veteran/Reliable)<ref name=FM:3145p133/><br>
CO: Colonel [[Shaina Ponce]]<br>

'''Eighth Caledonian Hussars''' (Veteran/Fanatical)<ref name=FM:3145p133/><br>
CO: Colonel [[Mariko Grooms]]<br>

==Notes==
The officers of the Eighth are explicitly forbidden to wear service braids with their dress uniforms, as a result of the unit's alleged involvement in atrocities on [[Skye]] in [[2895]].

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
*''[[20 Year Update]]''
*''[[FedCom Civil War (sourcebook)|FedCom Civil War]]''
*''[[Field Manual: 3085]]''
*''[[Field Manual: 3145]]''
*''[[Field Manual: Lyran Alliance]]''
*''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
*''[[Field Report: LAAF]]''
*''[[Field Report 2765: LCAF]]''
*''[[First Succession War (sourcebook)|First Succession War]]''
*''[[Historical: War of 3039]] 
*''[[House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)]]''
*''[[Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents]]''
*''[[Objective Raids]]''
*''[[Second Succession War (sourcebook)|Second Succession War]]''
{{div col end}}

[[Category:Lyran Commands|Donegal Guards, 08th]]
[[Category:Federated Commonwealth Commands|Donegal Guards, 08th]]