Jade Falcon Incursion (3058)

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Jade Falcon Incursion was a Clan Jade Falcon military campaign which was launched January 30th, 3058 into the Lyran Alliance. This would be first of many such incursions into the Lyran space. The Incursion was is also better known as the Battle of Coventry.

Brief

In late 3057, Clan Jade Falcon engaged in a massive Trial of Refusal against former ilKhan Uric Kerensky and his Clan Wolf. The two sides fought within Clan Jade Falcon's Occupation Zone in series of brutal combat trials> These brutal battles of this conflict became known as the Refusal War. In its wake, the bulk of Clan Wolf was defeated and absorbed. The war had been won but, at a steep cost to Clan Jade Falcon. The Wolves gutted Falcon's touman of valuable combat forces, reducing them as shadows of what they used to be. With their armed forces in such state of weakness, this left Clan vulnerable to other Clans would try to Absorb them. Shortly after the war, the Clan would go through an upheaval of its leadership. With both Khans dead and Clan Wolf reborn from its very ranks, Marthe Pryde would emerge as Falcon's new supreme leader. She begun crash course of ramping up her sundered military, her depleted cluster's ranks would filled with inexperience cadets graduated early from their schools. She would bring in these would-be warriors to Falcon's Occupation Zone's border. There she would select units that would assemble an expedition force consisting of these unblooded troops. The expedition aim would be help gain experience for her these unblooded warriors at the cost of Lyran troops, while proving to all factions that the Falcons were still a force to be reckoned with.

In January 30th 3058, her task force of forces would cross border and begin their way down from Occupation Zone to their final destination, Coventry.[1][2]

Forces

Clan Jade Falcon Expedition

Inner Sphere Forces

Lyran Alliance

Coventry Expeditionary Force

Campaign History

Crossing the Alliance

In January 30th 3058, Khan Marthe Pryde organizes her expedition into four task forces, which would travel independantly the Lyran Alliance. As they proceeded into the Alliance's interior, these Task Forces would conduct a series strikes against Lyran worlds. These worlds leading to Coventry did not usually have significantly strong garrison force to challenge these mostly unblooded warriors of the Clan.

Among the notable engagements of the insertion to Coventry are as following;

In 3rd February, elements of the Jade Falcon Expedition would arrive on Engadine, where they fought the 22nd Skye Rangers. The Rangers regiment was conducting training exercises with an local non-'Mech militia. The Falcons choose deploy their 2nd Falcon Jaegers and 7th Falcon Regulars against the Lyran defenders. With barely time to prepare, the Rangers and militia would engage in a running six day battle around frigid cold waters of Manistuque Lake. Hoping to hold out for reinforcements to arrive, the Lyran forces were able to bloody the Regulars as they pursued them. Lyrans were caught off guard when the Jaegers arrival when they conduct a combat drop on top of their position during snow storm. The Rangers and Militia were smashed brutal by clan forces. Falcons would force worthy bondsmen join them or kill those didn't surrender.[4]

On February 10th, Neerabup would be visited by a task force of Falcon Jumpships. Its commanders would chose deploy some of its ground forces to challenge locally stationed Periphery March Militia unit. Determined to fight the Falcons, the Neerabup PMM answer the Clan's batchal and chose their military compound, Fort Dresden, as their battlefield. The Falcons would chose to deploy their 5th Battle Cluster against the Militia unit, Falcon Warriors believed that Trial would be a easy fight. To the surprise the Cluster, the Neerabup Militia turned out to be an serious opponent. From their harden positions in their base, the Neerabup PMM put up tremendous fight for the unblooded Falcon attackers, impressing them with their courage. Militia was unable to prevail against the 5th Battle and was defeated. Despite regional militia defeat, the Falcons took number of Bondsman for their depleted ranks.[5][6]

On the 12th, Bucklands would be threaten by Marthe Pryde's task force. The Khan choose to deploy her unblooded warriors to gain some experience against planet's local militia. They hadn't expected that the Bucklands Militia to be little more than a social club for retired veterans. Retirees taking this threat seriously, would take cobble together force of armed Industrial 'Mechs. In less than hour time on the Coursey Plains, the Bucklands Militia was wiped out by the 3rd Falcon Talon Cluster.[7][8]

Planetary Assault of Coventry

By March 10th the entire expedition would rendezvous in Coventry system, where they began landing operations to drop on their designated targets.[9] The Falcon's JumpShip fleet consisting of three Star Lord Class JumpShips would utilize Coventry's pirate Jump Points.[10]

Jade Falcon Landings

  • Port St. Williams Space Port: The Falcon forces would being drop in and round the Port St. Williams Spaceport on March 10th. Dropships belong to the 2nd Falcon Jaegers would swoop by the city's spaceport, where the Cluster would drop directly on the port itself. The Spaceport was defended by the 3rd Battalion of the 10th Sky Rangers, under command of Kommandant Heinrick Oheler. The Falcons landing was not as précised due to inexperienced troopers among Cluster's numbers. During the Cluster's reorganizing after its drop, the Kommandant would haphazardly call in artillery fire support. The first salvos from 1st Artillery Support Company became first shots fired in the campaign for the Coventry. Artillery rounds would go off course and hit civilian areas surrounding the spaceport. The Rangers would dispatch their mechanized infantry squad to aid in the spotting for battalion's incoming fire support. After an observation post was established, the Ranger's artillery fire finally struck Falcon's mix of 'Mechs and elements Battle Armor units. However, the Falcons detected Rangers infantry, forcing them to withdraw from their positions. This retreat would lead to the entire battalion to retreat from the Space Port and into the city.[11][12]
  • Coventry Military Academy: The Academy's student cadre engaged with the Jade Falcon Eyrie Cluster as they came to take their school. Most of the combatants were infact students or unblooded clan warriors, whom were lead by veterans their teachers. The inexperienced warriors of the Clan engaged the Lyran students in melee ranged combat. Both sides caualties amount up evently, but Clans warriors would get the upper hand due to technology advantage. This would forced Academy's Kommandant Rohorson to order a general retreat. The fighting on academy grounds would end and students withdraw, but not before burning critical parts of the school to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. Most of these cadets would withdraw to west of the city, while some would get lost and accidently engage and be defeated by 2nd Falcon Jaegers making their way through the city.[13][14]
  • Coventry Metal Works: Third prong of the Falcon's invasion was assigned to Star Colonel Devin Buhallin's Gyrfalcon Eyrie Cluster. Given the task take valuable 'Mech factory complex, Gyrfalcons dropships move quickly take their goal. The Coventry Air Defense Force's Gamma Flight would engage with the Cluster's Dropships and other AeroSpace into an intense air battle. After the Lyran Aerospace Fighters destroyed one of his Dropships, Stat Colonel Buhallin would order his assault force alter course and head to alternate landing zone. This detour would cost cluster time, since alternate landing zone would add an hour of travel to reach the 'Mech plant's perimeter. Gamma Flight would by time for the beleaguered Militia have more time to prepare. The Cluster approached the 2nd Coventry Donegal March Militia's defensive positions, the Falcons would come underfire by Gamma Flight. The Lyran fighters would get strafe Cluster's forces few more times until Clan interceptors would cause them to break off. Kommandant Claudia Peyman, whom had only a company of old tech BattleMechs knew the odds were long against the Falcons. After Cluster closed with them, the Militia opened fired on the inbound Falcon troops, which would devastate them in the initial barrage. Gyrfalcon Eyries would adapt and change tactics by separating into three groups and charged Militia's defensive positions independently. The notable point of the bitter battle was during during a savage engagement between Kommandant Peyman and Star Colonel Buhallin. In mists their fight a young militia MechWarrior in a Firestarter would use his weaponry to cause Buhallin to eject from his Man O' War. The reservist then turned his flamers on the down Star Colonel killing him in cold blood. A Clan Lucifer Fighter strafe both the Militia Firestarter and his commanding officer's near crippled Banshee, which would lead to both their deaths. The Falcons ultimately would forced Lyran Militia force's survivors to withdraw from the factory. The battle devasate the Militia at the cost of nearly 75 percent of its numbers.[15] battle.</ref>[16]

Guerrilla War for Coventry

After the initial take over of Coventry's key sites, the surviving components of the Coventry's defenses forces would go ground and began a guerrilla style resistance against the invaders.

Among these units was the 1st Battalion of the 10th Skye Rangers, which was on detached duty defending various industrial sites. After his company withdrew from its garrison post to meet with rest of the Battalion, Hauptmann Caradoc Trevena was forced to take command of the unit due its commander, Kommandant Horst Sarz, was found to be incompetentant and a drunkard. Trevena was able to utilize series of mining tunnels to elude Falcon forces and conduct series of daring raids against Falcon's forces. Most notable action during Hauptmann Trevena's campaign was a two prong attack against an Falcon supply base garrisoned by elements of the 5th Battle Cluster on April 5th. Part of the Battalion would attack would act as a distraction force, while another portion would carry out a daring raid against the Falcon's supply depot get vitally needed supplies. The distraction force lead by Hauptmann Trevena would lead Falcon forces away from the base into an ambush where his able destroy the Falcon 'Mech force due false readings created by narrow pass. After successfully carrying out Trevena's plan, they mustered back at their underground base. They would soon learn that Falcon's surviving forces at base had been withdrawn. It became clear that to them that Inner Sphere reinforcements had finally arrived on Coventry.[17] battle.</ref>[18]

Lyran Reinforcements arrive on Coventry

On April 10th saw the arrival of House Steiner's Coventry Expeditionary Force, lead by Wolf's Dragoon Colonel Shelly Brubaker. The multi-mercenary force would be broken up into three task forces, which two task forces would be tasked in securing an landing zone and other distrupting Falcon forces. The Eridani Light Horse's DropShips committed to a hot drop on Falcon held city of Leitnerton. Caught by surprise and unable to fight entire regiment, Falcon's 1st Falcon Strike Cluster would be forced into a fighting withdraw from the city.[19]

The Wolf's Dragoons' Delta Regiment would attempt either take or destroy Port St. William SpacePort's facilities. Delta's commander, Colonel Brubaker would issue batchall to the defenders for Trial of Possession for the spaceport. The 12th Falcon Regulars Cluster's Star Colonel Creed Mattlow agrees and would bid two trinaries worth of 'Mechs to fight the Dragoon's 1st Battalion. After being allow to safely land on planet, the Brubaker lead her battalion forward into the spaceport where they engage outliners of the Falcon forces guarding the Space Port. After easily dispatching them, Brubaker would order her people to raze the facilities. After 15 minutes of destruction, bulk of the Falcons would arrive and engage in a bitter struggle for the port. Close quarters combat would be described as most brutal in Battle for Coventry. Falcon and Dragoons 'mechs use every weapon in their arsenal including taking steel girders from rubble and using them as clubs. After 20 minutes of this onslaught, Brubaker would break her bid to call in reinforcements. This action would escalate the fight even more with Falcon free to call in more assets. Both sides' fighters and artillery fire from support units add to the devastation of the battle. However, Dragoons would forced to withdraw from combat, but not before achieving one their goals in denying the Falcons usable facilities. Star Colonel Mattlow would also claim victory due in part for Brubaker having her to break her bid and to call reinforcements.[20][21]

The last of the Expedition's forces, consisting of the Waco's Rangers and Crazy Eights mercenary companies, did not participate in hot drops secure the landing zones for the forces. However, these units did destroy some OmniFighters and OmniMechs during the transit to the planet.[22]

The Struggle for Coventry

CEF's Assault against Port St. Williams

Survivors of the Coventry's Militia, academy cadre and the 10th Skye Rangers would made their way to safe haven established at Leitnerton. The Expedition's command staff would devise a plan of attack which would begin their offensive to retake Port St. Williams. Expedition plan called for a first three prongs attack against the city. Two of these would consist of the attack by the Dragoon's Gamma and Delta Regiments and Eridani Light Horse's 71st Light Horse. While they attacking the Spaceport, the third prong of the attack would could a sneak attack in Falcon's rear areas. Guided by by surviving Lyran regulars, the Waco's Rangers and Crazy Eights would conduct attack of the third prong.

However, the Gamma Galaxy's commander Star Colonel Arimas Malthus surmised what CEF's plans to strike in Falcon's rear flank. He would convince other the Falcon commanders to skim personnel from all Galaxies being used to garrison Port St. Williams. These skimmed OmniMechs and Elementals would form two make-shift Clusters named the Red Tail and Harrier Strike Clusters. He would instruct them to use vague version of Clan Honor to allow them to ambush the Rangers' Task Force moving through the hilly Dales region. Despite her reservation, Khan Marthe Pryde authorized the plan, but would forbid to continue use deceptive tactics in the future.

On April 21st as Dragoons and the Eridani Light Horses began their attack against Spaceport. The quick light and medium 'Mechs of the Falcon's Harrier Strikers move in and hit Waco's task force outside of the Dales. In this action, the Falcons' lured the Waco's Rangers task force walk into Dales towards a clearing in broken up hills area. Hauptmann Trevena's scout company gave warnings that there were Falcon units hidden in the area. However, the stubborn Colonel Waco led his Rangers and the Crazy Eights into ambush where heavier 'Mechs of the Red Tails fired volleys of missile fire from their machine destroy number of Waco's advancing Mechs. Trevena's company fought a delaying action just long enough to keep from Rangers and its allies from being completely annihilated. The Delta Regiment of the Dragoons would arrive, but only to see that majority of the task force would be destroyed, and Colonel Waco among the missing.[23][24]

First and Second Assaults against Lietnerton

Attack on Port St. William's Space Port would prove to be costly for the Expedition, cost well needed firepower. As time passed the entire expedition begun to grow low on supplies. Leitnerton would come under siege by the Falcons for several weeks. The expedition had hedged hopes that additional Inner Sphere reinforcements would arrive in time.

On May 8th, the Falcons would press an assault on Lietnerton, using heavy thunderstorms for cover, the Clanners would target the exhaust elements of the Lyran regulars's defenselines in a bid to pentrate the city. General Winston hearing of the situation on the Militia's front, she would scramble Aerospace Fighters to help combat the Falcon assault in contest with Skye Ranger's last artillery piece.

The next day, the Falcon forces would target the southern part of Lietnerton where the Eridani Light Horse's battlements. The clash begun with Clan firing artillery salvos at Eridani's combat lines. However, the Clan's inexperience using the stolen artillery pieces kept hitting their targets. The Eridani's more proficient artillery men fired their Arrow IV[25] artillery was able wipe out several OmniMechs from 305th Assault Cluster. The Eridani initial attacks did not cause the Falcon's advance to their positions to slow, so they continued to fire on the inbound units. Clan Artillery attempted counter attack but, they would lose the artillery duel. The Clan force would lose three of their captured Long Tom batteries in the exchange of fire. Clan commanders pulled out their remaining Fire Support force from the field. The Falcons would turn to their Aerospace Fighters to provide cover for their ground forces, striking a number of Light Horse 'Mechs. Eridani would scrambled their own fighters to protect their own ground forces The brutal battle raged for five hours with Eridani managed to hold on their battle lines. The Falcons would choose to withdrew, but each side of the battle would paid high price in casualties.[26]

The Sky Battle of Coventry

On May 10th, the Expeditionary Force would attempt another strike against the Falcons held up at Port St. Williams. Motivated by a fear of a third assault against them, the Expeditionary leaders would devised a plan to use the Wolf's Dragoons air and ground assets for this attack. The Dragoon's ordinance laden AeroSpace Fighters flew to Port St. Williams despite the questionable weather. As they began their strikes against Falcon's defensive position, they would be spotted by Falcon OmniFighters. The Falcon Air Patrol's engagement with the Dragoon's fighters would rouse both sides' fighter assets to join the fight with little preparation. The massive air battle proved to be the bane for Expedition, where their fighters were unable deliver bombing that was needed to allow their ground assets to hit the Falcons.[27]

The Whitting Raid

At the end of May, Hauptmann Trevena would propose a plan to use a series hidden mining tunnels in the Cross-Divide mountains to strike Falcon's in their rear command area at town of Whitting. By this time, the Expedition's supplies and other materials were running dangerously low. These conditions would cause their morale to dip face of a long weathering campaign. However, influx of hidden supplies would revive its flagging morale. On May 30th, the Delta Regiment would strike Falcons garrisoning Whitting after Hauptmann Trevena had lead his recon company with mix dismounted MechWarriors and infantry through the tunnels to into southern part of the city. The city remaining unengaged defenders consisting elements of the Jade Solahma Cluster were are caught by surprised by Trevena's force. City's defenders soon were overun by Trevena's people, they would move to trash Falcon's headquarters. In the Falcon Headquarters, they would obtain intelligence on Falcon and capture Star Colonel Arimas Malthus. The Expedition would learn the reasons behind their Lyran invasion.[28][29]

Unlikely Outcome

The Falcons and Lyran forces were exhausted after from months of fighting. The Coventry Expeditionary Force's command concluded that they would give up Lietnerton and break down into smaller units to resume a Guerrilla campaign against the Falcons. On June 5th, a week after the Whitting raid, an Inner Sphere Relief force would arrive and change the situation. Lead by FedCom First Prince Victor Steiner-Davion, his multi-national expedition would issue its own batchall to Falcons. Honor-bounded, Khan Pryde would grant safcon Victor and his command staff to land at Whitter.

At the same time, Khan Marthe Pryde would receive word from Khan Vladimir Ward of Clan Wolf announcing his intentions strike at her worlds in Occupational Zone unless withdrew from Lyran Space. This left her in a bind: Her Clan would be dezgra if she retreated from Coventry without a fight save her worlds. If she remained, she would loose number worlds, would earn the contempt of her people. Victor too face dilemma of his own: Aside from his six regiments being evenly matched against remaining Falcons on planet, political dilemma depending on out come of the battle. Through the advice of his Clan advisers, he came up with solution. He granted hegira Khan Pryde and her people which would leave Coventry without losing their honor.

Soon after bondsman and prisoners were exchanged the two sides part Falcons would return to their Occupation Zone. The coalition efforts proved that the Inner Sphere factions could work together, soon lead to first Whitting Conference and the formation of the Second Star League and war to destroy Clan Smoke Jaguar.[30][31]

Notes

As of this writing, there is no listing for the Crazy Eights mercenary company in any existing sourcebook for mercenaries. They only have brief mentioning in two scenario books pertaining to this battle and the novel.

Inner Sphere and Falcon combat units mention in this article are come from the original and later scenario. Other units are mentioned in other scourcebooks, but not listed here.

References

  1. ↑ Battle of Coventry, p. 6 Learning to Fly - The original sourcebook's description of events leading to Falcon's expedition to Coventry.
  2. ↑ Operational Turning Points: Falcon Incursion, p. 8 - Basic description of background for Falcon Incursion. Newer senario book indirectly calls the event the Falcon Incursion.
  3. ↑ Battle of Coventry, pp. 10, 44-45, 47-48 - Scenarios and unit listings for temporary formations Harrier Strike Cluster and the Red Tails.
  4. ↑ Operational Turning Points: Falcon Incursion, p. 18 Touchpoint Engadine - Details of the battle on Engadine from the scenario Touchpoint.
  5. ↑ Operational Turning Points: Falcon Incursion, p. 19 Touchpoint: Neerabup - Scenario details more of the battle against the falcons.
  6. ↑ Field Manual: Lyran Alliance, p. 117 - Neerabup MTM - Unit's fight with the Falcons noted, and outcome.
  7. ↑ Operational Turning Points: Falcon Incursion, p. 20 Touchpoint: Bucklands - Scenario details slaughter of the Bucklands Militia and by which Falcon cluster.
  8. ↑ Battle of Coventry, p. 6 Proving Grounds - Bucklands Militia and its cobbled together industrial 'Mech force is noted in the original campaign history.
  9. ↑ Historical Turning Points: Falcon Incursion, p. 8 - Date of arrival noted and campaign landings against militia forces.
  10. ↑ Battle of Coventry (scenario pack), p. 7 - Falcon's arrival details noted: Including number, class of JumpShips, where they initially arrived at.
  11. ↑ Battle of Coventry, p. 7 Coventry - battle at the space port.
  12. ↑ Operational Turning Points: Falcon Incursion, p. 8 - Date for the Main Space Port established.
  13. ↑ Battle of Coventry, p. 7 Coventry - Academy battle noted.
  14. ↑ Operational Turning Points: Falcon Incursion, p. 22 - Coventry Military Academy Battle - Scenario detailing some aspects of the fight at the Academy.
  15. ↑ Battle of Coventry, p. 8 Coventry - Coventry Metal Works' battle and its highlights.
  16. ↑ Operational Turning Points: Falcon Incursion, p. 23-24 - Scenarios for air and ground fight for the Coventry Metal Work.
  17. ↑ Battle of Coventry, p. 8 Guerrilla Warfare- Coventry Metal Works' battle and its highlights.
  18. ↑ Operational Turning Points: Falcon Incursion, p. 23-24 - Scenarios for air and ground fight for the Coventry Metal Work.
  19. ↑ Battle of Coventry, p. 9 Relief at Last - Eridani Light Horses land on the 10th, forcing out the 1st Falcon Strike Cluster due sheer numbers.
  20. ↑ Battle for Coventry, p. 8 Runaway - Details of Wolf's Dragoons struggle at Space Port during landings on Coventry.
  21. ↑ Operational Turning Points: Falcon Incursion, p. 8, 25 - Battle at Space Port described in fluff and in the scenario.
  22. ↑ Battle for Coventry, p. 8 Runaway - Waco's Ranger and the Crazy Eights actions during their arrival on Coventry.
  23. ↑ Battle of Coventry, pp. 10, 41-43 Probing Defenses/Ambush! - Actions of Coventry Expedition and the ambush of Waco's Rangers.
  24. ↑ Operational Turning Points: Falcon Incursion, p. 8, 27 Dales - Basic history of the campaign and Dales scenario outlines the ambush of the Rangers.
  25. ↑ Battle of Coventry, p. 10 - fluff indicate missiles were used as part of Eridani's artillery fire.
  26. ↑ Battle of Coventry, pp. 10, 12 Siege and Relief - The second assault on Lietnerton, with Falcons fighting the Eridani Light Horse.
  27. ↑ Battle of Coventry, pp. 12, 55-56 Foiled by Fate/Stormy Skies - Massive air battle that foiled the Inner Sphere forces' assault against Port St. Williams.
  28. ↑ The Battle of Coventry, pp. 12-13 Whitting - The Whitting Raid info from scenario book.
  29. ↑ Operational Turning Points: Falcon Incursion, pp. 8, 29 Campaign History/Touchpoint: Whitter - Whitter raid mentioned, Scenario reveals detail including unit defending Whitter during 10th Skye Ranger's raid.
  30. ↑ Battle of Coventry, p. 13 Endgame/Aftermath - Coalition arrival and Falcon's honorable withdraw from the planet.
  31. ↑ Operational Turning Points: Falcon Incursion, p. 8 - History of the end of the Coventry Campaign its influence on future Inner Sphere affairs.

Bibliography

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