Editing 8th Orloff Grenadiers

{{infoBoxMilitaryCommand
| image          = [[File:Orloffgrenadiers8th.png|150px]]
| Designation    =  Eighth Orloff Grenadiers 
| formed         = 
| Disbanded      = 
| Previous Designation = 
| Nickname       = Scourge of the Periphery
| Affiliation    = Free Worlds League
| Parent Command = [[Orloff Grenadiers]]
| Sub-Command    = 
}}

==History==
===Formation===
{{main|Orloff Grenadiers}}

===Anton's Revolt===
The Eighth landed on [[Tiber]] to support the [[1st Regulan Hussars]] and [[5th Orloff Grenadiers]] in their fight against Wolf's Dragoons Beta Regiment. However the Eighth was stopped by the assault 'Mechs of Zeta Battalion.<ref>''Historical: Brush Wars'', p. 30, "Tiber"</ref>

The Eighth joined the [[6th Orloff Grenadiers]] in reclaiming [[Sophie's World]]. Later they were both part of an attack on [[Emris IV]], where they smashed the [[18th Marik Militia]] and [[5th Ducal Guard]].<ref>''Historical: Brush Wars'', p. 32</ref>

===Fourth Succession War===
The Eighth spent most of the early 31st century patrolling the [[Free Worlds League]]/[[Periphery]] border. They raided worlds in the [[Illyrian Palatinate]], [[Magistracy of Canopus]], as well as chasing down pirates on [[Astrokaszy]]. During these conflicts the Eighth had little interest in minimizing collateral damage and developed a reputation as a brutally efficient unit.<ref name="FMFWL104">''Field Manual: Free Worlds League'', p. 104, "8th Orloff Grenadiers Unit Profile"</ref>

===Andurien Secession===
During the Andurien Secession the Eighth landed on [[Sadurni]] to engage a battalion of the [[3rd Defenders of Andurien]]. Supported by the [[11th Atrean Dragoons]], the Eighth engaged in massive retaliations against the Third's hit-and-run attacks. The large amounts of damage to the civilian targets that the Eighth inflicted convinced the Third to leave the world after two weeks.<ref>''Historical: Brush Wars'', p. 76, "Sadurni"</ref>

In April 3039 the planetary government of [[Lurgatan]] was an annoyance to Janos Marik as well as a tempting target for the [[Capellan Confederation]]. The Eighth was dispatched to reinforce the world and prevent Capellan adventurism. The Eighth's reputation was sufficient to cause the planetary government to surrender the planet to the Free Worlds League.<ref>''Historical: Brush Wars'', p. 77, "Lurgatan"</ref>

===Post–Clan Invasion===
In late [[3054]] a civil war broke out on [[Jiddah]]. The [[LCCC]] deployed the Eighth to the world as a peacekeeping force. As soon as the Eighth arrived, their reputation caused most overt hostilities to end, but it would be another two years before the planet was stable enough for the Eighth to redeploy elsewhere.<ref name="FMFWL104"/>

In the late 3050's the Eighth was separated into battalion sized formations and deployed on three worlds: The First Battalion was on [[Lesnovo]], the Second Battalion was on [[Campoleone]], while the Third Battalion garrisoned [[Tematagi]].<ref name="FMFWL114">''Field Manual: Free Worlds League'', p. 114 "Deployment Table"</ref>

By [[3065]] the regiment had redeployed and all three battalions were located on [[Lesnovo]]. Several business owners threatened to bar members of the Eighth from their establishments until Colonel Relph offered to relocate her unit to Tematagi. The threatened boycott never occurred, but tensions between the Grenadiers and the locals remain high.<ref>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 157, "8th Orloff Grenadiers"</ref>

===Jihad===
In the earliest part of the [[Jihad]] the Third Battalion was stationed on [[Tematagi]] to defend the [[Nimakachi Fusion Products Limited]] factories on the world. Unfortunately the [[Order of the Faithful]] pirate band landed with a full regiment of troops and destroyed the Third Battalion and the Nimakachi plant completely.<ref>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3070'', p. 54</ref>

When the [[Rim Commonality]] left the [[Free Worlds League]] the Eighth Orloff Grenadiers were the only [[FWLM]] force stationed in the nation. They didn't oppose the vote or try to prevent the Commonality from leaving the League.<ref>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3076'', p. 27</ref>

By [[3079]] the Eighth Orloff Grenadiers left the Rim Commonality and returned to the Duchy of Orloff. There they took up station on [[Vanra]] and [[Carbonis]].<ref name=frfwl13>''Field Report: FWLM'', p. 13</ref>

The inhabitants of Vanra were disgusted by the Eighth's willingness to engage in "frontier justice" and by the Eighth's lack of social graces. The unit drove the [[2nd Regulan Hussars]] in [[3082]], but even this wasn't enough to turn public opinion in their favor. Several of the Eighth's members were involved in drunken brawls with the general public; As a result the entire unit was confined to base in [[3085]].<ref>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 84</ref>

===Early Dark Age===
====Victoria War====
The Eighth was part of a task force of three Oriente Protectorate regiments dispatched during the [[Victoria War]].
The Protectorate's Captain-General [[Jessica Marik]], has determine while [[House Davion]]'s Duchess [[Amanda Hasek (31st c.)|Amanda Hasek]] initiated her own invasion of Capellan Confederation, she would try to secure three worlds.

In [[3104]] the Eighth landed on [[Pella II]], where initially they only were met by planetary militia when they drove them from the planet's planetary capital of Theodora. Having secured the planet within weeks time. However, the Capellan's response to the invasion would come in the form of the [[Red Lancers]] and [[Roman's Mounted Fusiliers]] on February 25th. The Grenadiers' aerospace forces had great difficulties holding off the [[4th Sian Defense Wing|Fourth Sian Defense Wing]], while the bulk of the elite Capellan forces made landfall. In the ensuing battle, Pella II would be laid waste to the capital city. In fighting withdrawal from the planet, the battle had reduced the unit's BattleMech numbers by a third and forcing the 8th Orloff to abandon ninety percent of its supporting forces; the Twenty-ninth Light Recon and the Bashi-Bazook infantry regiments. After having to retreat to [[Shuen Wan]].  

However, after making planetfall, both Red Lancers and Roman's Mounted Fusiliers would arrive in hot pursuit. Barely having time to recover, the Grenadiers formed a ragged line of battle in order to buy time for Oriente's officials and regiment's commanders to evacuate the planet and insure the destruction of the oriente's intelligence apparatus that was on the planet. It would be in the aftermath, that the regiment's survivors learned that the Chancellor's [[heir apparent]] [[Daoshen Liao]] had led the assault against them and why the two Capellan regiments had fought so fiercely.<ref>''Historical: Wars of the Republic Era'', p. 5-58, 60''- 8th Orloff Grenadier's action during the Victoria War</ref>

===Late Dark Age===
In [[3141]], a series of summits between [[Andurien]] and the [[Magistracy of Canopus]] led the [[Capellan Confederation]] to launch several raids against the reborn [[Free Worlds League]]. This was in retaliation to the FWL interference in the Andurien/MoC détente.<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 99</ref> 

One of these raids pitted the 8th Orloff Grenadiers against the [[4th Capellan Defense Force]]. The battle was a decisive victory for the Capellans and severely mauled the Grenadiers.  

In the aftermath of the raid, the Eighth had taken such serious losses that the [[LCCC]] considered decommissioning the unit and using the troops to rebuild units of the [[Oriente Hussars]].The Duchy of Orloff, [[Orloff Military Academy]], and the Eighth's battalion commanders opposed this so vehemently that the [[Warden-General]] granted a reprieve. During this time, the Eighth threw itself into rebuilding exercises and sent out a message through the [[Order of the Saber]] chapterhouses requesting troops. Several members of the Order of the Saber who were serving in other FWLM units transferred into the Eighth, and the regiment was able to build its two battalions to acceptable levels.<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 103</ref> 

In [[3145]] the Eighth's two battalions garrisoned [[Sophie's World]] and [[Kyeinnisan]].<ref name="FM:3145p115"/>

==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 Orloff Grenadiers'''
|-
| [[Colonel]]||[[Andracar Shikovitch]]||[[3025]]<ref name=HMp109>''House Marik (The Free Worlds League)'', p. 109, "FWL Deployment Table - 3025"</ref>
|-
| Colonel||[[Sandra Relph]]||[[3050]] - [[3085]]<ref name="FMFWL104"/><ref name=20YUp57>''20 Year Update'', p. 57, "FWLM Deployment Table - 3050"</ref><ref name=ORp39>''Objective Raids'', p. 39, "FWLM Deployment Table - 3054"</ref><ref name=FMUp162>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 162, "FWLM Deployment Table - 3067"</ref><ref name=FM3085p92>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 92, "FWLM Deployment Table - 3085"</ref>
|-
| Colonel||[[Jerri Shepard]]||[[3145]]<ref name="FM:3145p115">''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 115, "Free Worlds League Military"</ref>
|-
|}

==Tactics==
Though they were skilled in defensive operations, the Eighth's pirate hunting duties also provided them with extensive small-unit experience. The Eighth was also comfortable fighting in cities.<ref name="FMFWL104"/>

==Composition History==
=== 2786 - 2821===
'''8th Orloff Grenadiers^ ''' (Regiment/Veteran/Questionable) <ref name= FSSp138 >''First Succession War'', p. 138</ref>
: Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on [[Emris IV]]. In 2821 the command was reduced to 43 of its strength and was deployed at [[Calloway VI]]. <ref name= FSSp138/>
=== 2830 ===
'''8th Orloff Grenadiers''' (Regiment/Veteran/Questionable) <ref name=2ndSSp98>''Second Succession War'', p. 98 </ref>
: Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on [[Calloway VI]] with an operational readiness of 107 percent. <ref name=2ndSSp98/>
=== 2864 ===	
'''8th Orloff Grenadiers''' (Regiment/Elite/Reliable) <ref name=2ndSSp98/>
: Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on [[Aodh]] with an operational readiness of 59 percent. <ref name=2ndSSp98/>


===3025===
'''Eighth Orloff Grenadiers''' (Regular/Reliable)<ref name=HMp109/>	
* CO: Colonel Andracar Shikovitch
=== 3028 ===
'''8th Orloff Grenadiers''' (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)<ref name =HBSp86/>
:Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Lesnovo]].  <ref name =HBSp86>''Historical: Brush Wars'', p.86</ref>

===3050===
'''8th Orloff Grenadiers ''' (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)<ref name=20YU57>''20 Year Update'', p. 57, "Free Worlds League Deployment Table"</ref>
:* CO: Colonel Sandra Relph<ref name=20YU57/>
: Note:  At this point in time the unit was stationed on [[Lesnovo]].  <ref name=20YU57/>

===3054===
'''Eighth Orloff Grenadiers''' (Regular/Reliable)<ref name=ORp39/>
* CO: Colonel Sandra Relph

===3059-3067===
'''Eighth Orloff Grenadiers''' (1 [[Regiment]]/Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FMFWL104/><ref name=FMUp162/>
* CO/1st [[Battalion]]: Colonel Sandra Relph
** XO: [[Force Commander]] Mitchel Blucher
* 2nd Battalion: Force Commander Hannah D'Arcy
* 3rd Battalion: Force Commander David Fleischman

'''Eighth Orloff Aerospace''' (2 [[Wing (Military Unit)|Wing]]s/Veteran/Reliable)<ref name=FMFWL104/><ref name=FMUp162/>
* Wing Commander: [[Commodore]] Maggie Jordan
- Includes enough [[DropShip]]s and [[JumpShip]]s to move entire unit in one lift.

'''Twenty-ninth Light Recon''' (1 Regiment/Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FMFWL104/><ref name=FMUp162/>
* Armor Commander: Force Commander Tudor Jones

'''The Bashi-Bazook''' (1 Regiment/Regular/Questionable)<ref name=FMFWL104/><ref name=FMUp162/>
* Troop Commander: Colonel Dexter Lindsay
- A mercenary unit under long term contract to the [[FWL]].

===3079===
'''Eighth Orloff Grenadiers ''' (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable) <ref name =“frfwlm13“>'' Field Report: FWLM'' , p. 13</ref>
: Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on [[Vanra]] and [[Carbonis]].<ref name =“frfwlm13“/> The Eighth Grenadiers came through the [[Jihad]] in relatively good shape. They only lost five percent of their forces to the Jihad.<ref name=frfwl13/>

===3085===
'''Eighth Orloff Grenadiers''' (Veteran/Reliable)<ref name=FM3085p92/> 
* CO: Colonel Sandra Relph

'''Eighth Orloff Aerospace''' (Wing/Veteran/Fanatical)<ref name=FM3085p92/> 
* CO: [[Major#Free Worlds League|Commander]] Wes Griffin

'''Twenty-ninth Light Recon''' (Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FM3085p92/> 
* CO: Lieutenant Colonel Kay Arnesen

'''The Bashi-Bazook''' (Veteran/Questionable)<ref name=FM3085p92/> 
* CO: Lieutenant Colonel Amun Johansson

===3104===
*'''Eighth Orloff Grenadiers''' (Veteran/Reliable)

Note: 29th Light Recon and Bashi-Bazook were effectively destroyed, to barely 5 percent of their fighting strength.<ref>''Historical: Wars of the Republic Era'', p. 57,60,65 - Strengths of the regiments as of 3104.</ref>
===3145===
'''Eighth Orloff Grenadiers''' (2 Battalions/Regular/Reliable)<ref name="FM:3145p115"/>  
* CO: Colonel Jerri Shepard 
   
'''Eighth Orloff Aerospace Wing''' (Veteran/Reliable)<ref name="FM:3145p115"/>  
* CO: Commander Joey Wagner
  
'''Thirty-third Light Recon''' (Regular/Fanatical)<ref name="FM:3145p115"/>  
* CO: Lieutenant Colonel Ali Compton 
   
'''The Bashi-Bazook''' (Veteran/Fanatical)<ref name="FM:3145p115"/> 
* CO: Lieutenant Colonel Quinn Wilder

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Camomarikorloffgrenadiers.png|A ''[[Hermes II]]'' in 8th Orloff Grenadiers colors.
</gallery> ‎

==References==
<references />
==Bibliography==
*''[[20 Year Update]]''
*''[[Field Manual: 3085]]''
*''[[Field Manual: 3145]]''
*''[[Field Manual: Free Worlds League]]''
*''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
*''[[Field Report: FWLM]]''
*''[[Historical: Brush Wars]]''
*''[[House Marik (The Free Worlds League)]]''
*''[[Jihad Hot Spots: 3070]]''
*''[[Jihad Hot Spots: 3076]]''
*''[[Objective Raids]]''
*''[[Technical Readout: 3145 Free Worlds League]]''

[[Category:Free Worlds League Commands|Orloff Grenadiers, 08th]]