Hampton's Hessens
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Contents
Unit Description
Hampton's Hessens was a House Liao multi-regimental mercenary unit raised by Capellan noblity during the Succession Wars era.
Regimental History
Formation and Early History
Raised on New Hessen during the ravages of the late Succession Wars, they were principally created by Liao nobility to defend the planet itself and the neighboring worlds of Westerhand and Alrescha. Originally formed with local troops and military-oriented families, the first of the regiments, 1st New Hessen Irregulars, was not deployed beyond the Tikonov Commonality for most of this time period prior to the end Third Succession War. In fact, the 1st Irregulars were sent on their only raid in this time period to the Davion world of Aosia in 2987. The Hessens were successful in overrunning the planet's fortified positions, capturing several lances worth of artillery and support equipment. However, Davion reserve forces proved too much for them and they withdrew from the planet.[1]
The Fourth Succession War and the Federated Commonwealth
The Fourth Succession War proved devastating to the mercenary unit. In the course of engagements of the war, the New Ivaarsen Chasseurs devastated the 1st and 2nd Irregular regiments on New Hessen, leaving only the Armored Scouts intact on Westerhand.[2] With only a battalion of 1st Irregulars managing to retreat, the unit begun to reassess their situation: Their home worlds were now in FedCom hands and new Chancellor Romano Liao threatening death to anyone assisting the Federated Suns. There was only one realistic option it could take and the unit's surviving leader, Kurt Festerling, managed to negotiate a contract which allowed to the Hessens to serve the Federated Commonwealth. The long-term contract included a clause allowing it to remain as part of the garrison force defending its ancestral homelands. The Armored Scouts, only surviving regiment of the Hessens, remained in defense of the their home worlds for twenty years. However, as the contract up for renewal, the Clan Invasion had begun and reports made it clear fighting the Clans was a death sentence. So the regimental leaders negotiated a contract with the local New Hessen government to provide an economic solution to their world's garrison needs. In 3054, the unit received donations from local nobility to allow the unit to expand to five battalions from the Scout's original three. This allowed General Festerling to re-constitute 1st Irregulars regiment with three of the five battalions. It also isolated the newly reconstituted unit from the poor reputation the Scout's had gained due to their refusal to be deployed to the Clan front.[3]
FedCom Civil War and The Jihad
In 3062, prospects of New Hessen being drawn into the Federated Commonwealth Civil War became a major concern for General Festerling. In order to move attention away from warring factions of the War, the General decided move Hessens to Mercenary's Star, Galatea. Before doing so, he began planning to bring the Hessens back to its three regiment strength. Hearing of his intentions, the mercenaries received donations ranging from discounts on BattleMechs, munitions and advance technology upgrades. The donations allowed for the reconstituted 1st and 2nd New Hessen Irregulars to come full strength in no time, and by 3067 the unit had moved to Galatea to review contracts from the major powers.[4]
Regiment Lists
Notes
References
- ↑ House Liao (The Capellan Confederation) page 96 - Hampton's Hessens brigade profile - brief pre-Fourth Succession War history of the unit.
- ↑ NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1 page 103 - Hampton's Hessens status during the 4th Succession War.
- ↑ Mercenaries Supplemental II page 41 - History of the New Hessen Armored Scouts - Unit refusal to go to the Clan front created bad rap for the merc unit.
- ↑ Mercenaries Supplemental II page 40 - Main article for Hampton's Hessens mercenary unit for 3067.