Holdfast Guard

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The Holdfast Guards was a House Liao military formation, which was originally known as the Blandford’s Grenadiers.

The Blandford’s Grenadiers trace its origin back to the formerly pre-Confederation nation of the Tikonov Union. Being part of the Tikonov Union Guards, the Grenadier's original commanding officer, Harrison Blandford, reorganized a Regiment and they were added it to Franco Liao's Capellan Defense Force.

The unit actual roots stem from former military commands of the 4th and 7th Tikonov Union Grenadiers which were originally formed between 2310 and 2315 respectively. They were reorganized in 2368, where it was used to disbanded private noble armies which stand in the way of the newly formed CCAF.


History

Early Succession Wars as the Blandford's Grenadiers

The Blandford's Grenadiers, were credit in their defense of Lincoln, where they fought against mercenaries in Kurita employ during between 2802-2803. When Free Worlds League employed the merc unit, the Edom's Bandits, the Guards destroyed then during their attemp to conquer Sirius in 2810.

On Carver V, the unit destroyed the Tamara's Black Sword (a mercenary House Davion employed unit) in 2846 during a deep border raid. During the Third Succession War, the unit saw considerable action against mercenaries units employed against Liao worlds. They fought against the Saffron's Slashers in a fierce fight on Wei in 2925. Three years later, they anihillated Normand's Condottiere were on Palos in 2928, because they used their surrender as a trap.

Between the years of 2930 to 2950, the FWLM deployed number of forces against this command during cross border raids. As the 3rd Capellan Hussars regiment, Chancellor Maximilian Liao, tasked them with the security of the House of Scions to guarented that the nobility would their loyality to him.[1]

The 4th Succession War and its Aftermath

The events of the Fourth Succession War, the unit saw no action during the conflict. It remained on station on at their garrison post on Capella.

Andurien/Canopus Invasion & War of 3039

Sigma Mare & Palladaine

During in 3030s, the Duchy of Andurien with aid of its allies from Magistracy of Canopus, invaded Capellan Confederation during what was known as the Andurien Secession. The Blandford’s Grenadiers had not immediately deployed into action against the invaders until March 3032. The unit launched itself into action against Audurien forces occupying world of Sigma Mare. There the Grenadiers intended to confront the 4th Defenders of Andurien whom had taken the planet a year earlier. However only found a light garrison force in their place/ which they easily overwhelmed and took the planet.[2]

In November of 3034, the Grenadiers arrived on world and took Palladaine without having fire shot, due to lack of defenders. The unit then moved back to its home garrison on Capella.

League Raid during War of 3039

In July of 3039, 9th Marik Militia conducted a raid against the Grenadier's home world of Capella. The Grenadiers were caught by complete surprise by the League unit, taking heavy casualties. They were only able to barely put token resistance against 9th Militia for two days, before they abandoned the planet.[3][4]

Pre-Clan Invasion Years of 3040s

The Blandford's Grenadiers name was changed to become known as the Holdfast Guard.[5]

Operation Guerrero

Xin Sheng Campaign

From 3063 through 3065, the Guard took an active stand as bodyguards for the House of Scions. They often posted armed men on the House floor to protect St. Ives members. This led to the formation of a second infantry regiment, currently two battalions in strength, for security measures.

Jihad

During the Jihad the Holdfast Guard repelled numerous raids on Capella by the Word of Blake. During the lulls between the raids, the Holdfast Guard rebuilt their ranks by drafting members of the militia, Home Guard, and mercenary units. Barely a third of the unit was combat-ready at the end of the Jihad, and most of those troops were half-trained recruits.[6]

Officers

Tactics

The Holdfast Guards use solid and not-so flashy military manvueners in order to wear down an enemy force to defeat it.[9]

Composition History

3025

  • Blandford's Grenadiers (BattleMech Regiment) - CO: Colonel Richard De Salvo[10]
    • 1st Battalion (Elite Skilled) - CO: Major Trillby Macao
    • 2nd Battalion (Veteran Skilled) - CO: Major Hardesy Blaze
    • 3rd Battalion (Veteran Skilled) - CO: Major Carol Ling

- Principle BattleMechs that were used in the regiment included Catapult and Thunderbolt designs.

3063

  • Blandford's Grenadiers (BattleMech Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)
    • 1st Battalion Zhong-shao Franklin Sung
    • 2nd Battalion Zhong-shao Ulan Bey
    • 3rd Battalion Zhong-shao Mark Hedgkins
  • Zhòng-shu Háng-ban (Sunstroke Flight) (2 Aerospace Wings)

- Primarily equipped with Transgressors, Transits and old Eagles

  • Quinn's Backboarders (Combat Vehicle Battalion/Veteran/Fanatical)
    • Armor Commander: Sao-shao Cameron Martinez

- No Combat Vehicle less than 70 tons

  • 1st Blandford's Defenders (Infantry Regiment/Regular/Fanatical)
    • Infantry Commander: Zhong-shao Gabrielle Auks.

- Includes 1 Company of Battle Armor

3067

  • Blandford's Grenadiers (BattleMech Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)
    • Grenadier and Holdfast Guard's Commanding Officer: Sang-shao Ulan Bey
  • Zhòng-shu Háng-ban (Sunstroke Flight) (2 Aerospace Wings/Veteran/Fanatical)
  • Bey's Backboarders (Combat Vehicle Battalion/Veteran/Fanatical)
    • Armor Commander: Sao-shao Cameron Martinez
  • 1st Blandford's Defenders (Infantry Regiment/Regular/Fanatical)
    • Infantry Commander: Zhong-shao Gabrielle Auks.
  • 2nd Blandford's Defenders (2 Infantry Battalions/Green/Regular)[11]
    • Infantry Commander: Zhong-shao Jackson Davis

3079

The Holdfast Guard quickly rebuilt after the Jihad by transferring in veterans from other units. They were nearly at their full pre-Jihad strength by 3079.[6]

Notes

The unit was not listed the 20 Year Update sourcebook, however appears as Holdfast Guards in Field Manual: Capellan Confederation which eludes the command continued exist as Grenadiers until its renaming years after the Fourth Succession War and Andurien Crisis.

Rules

Game Rules

While using the Force Specific Rules, the Holdfast Guards have access A Rated Requipment and ignore any opposing force's special abilities which are directly effect the Guards.[12]

References

  1. ↑ House Liao (The Capellan Confederation) p. Blandford's Grenadiers - Unit's early history from Formation to 3025.
  2. ↑ Historical: Brush Wars, p. 63 - Blandford’s Grenadiers retake Liao world of Sigma Mare from Andurien control.
  3. ↑ Historical: War of 3039, pp. 63, 140 Free Worlds League Operations/Deployment Tables - The 9th Militia raids Capellan and Grenadiers are damaged heavily & barely able to put up a defense.
  4. ↑ Historical: Brush Wars, p. 79, - Capella (July) - Raid by 9th Militia mentioned in the incursion.
  5. ↑ Historical: War of 3039, p 140 - Unit still known as the Blandford's Grenadiers during both Andurien War & War of 3039.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Field Report: CCAF, p. 8
  7. ↑ House Liao (The Capellan Confederation), p. 78 - Founder and unit first commanding officer listed with year he served.
  8. ↑ House Liao (The Capellan Confederation) p. 78 - Unit information includes 3025, commanding officer.
  9. ↑ Field Manual: Capellan Confederation, p. 55 Holdfast Guards - Tactics.
  10. ↑ House Liao (The Capellan Confederation) p. 78 - Unit profile includes individual battalions.
  11. ↑ Field Manual: Updates p, 20, 32 - 2nd Infantry formation for body guard duties added to Guards.
  12. ↑ Field Manual: Capellan Confederation, p. 126 - Unit special abilities and benifits from field manual: CC.


Bibliography

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