Prinz Eugen Mutiny

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The Prinz Eugen Mutiny was a rebellion and desertion that took place in 2785 during the Exodus from the Inner Sphere. It was dealt with quickly and ruthlessly by forces loyal to General Kerensky and would have far-reaching repercussions.[1]


Prinz Eugen Mutiny
Part of Exodus from the Inner Sphere
Start Date August of 2785
Planet Uncharted star system mid-way through Kerensky's Exodus route
Result Victory for the SLDF task force
Commanders and leaders
Major Elizabeth Hazen General Wilbur Braso (mutineer leader)
Forces involved
Small SLDF task force and marines Various officers and crews of nine vessels
Environment
Space
Conditions
n/a


Prologue

General Aleksandr Kerensky lead the bulk of the Star League Defense Force away from the Inner Sphere in 2784, in an attempt to save the men and women of the Regular Army from the horrors of war and the machinations of the self-serving House Lords. His fleet was not only made up of soldiers, but also many civilian families who chose to accompany them into exile in the Deep Periphery. Through several months of travel on a meandering course meant to discourage pursuit, the fleet moved deeper and deeper into the unknown. But before long, tensions due to the hardships of travel as well as from the strain of confinement in the cramped space of JumpShips and DropShips would manifest - sometimes in horrific ways[2] - but more often as simple dissent.[3][4]

Sedition and Mutiny

This dissension would grow first among many of the civilians, and later among the crews and officers of several vessels. Many of these dissatisfied people would raise doubts about where they were headed, with some even wondering if the Great General even had a planned destination at all. Soon enough, mutiny would be thick in the air on many vessels of the Exodus fleet.[3][4]

Events would come to a head in August of 2785, nearly 14 months since their departure from the New Samarkand rendezvous point. Nine vessels, led by the Texas class Prinz Eugen and officers General Wilbur Braso, Captain Peter Karpov, and Captain Nigel Karrige among several others would announce that they were headed back to the Inner Sphere, tired of the long and seemingly pointless journey into the unknown.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag[5]

General Kerensky and his staff's reaction would be swift and brutal. A small task force detached from the rest of the fleet led by Major Elizabeth Hazen with 160 Marines, and accompanied by Andery Kerensky (who had played a role in the rebel's decision to head back), was sent out in pursuit of the renegade ships. After a short boarding action accompanied by an intense firefight in the halls of the Prinz Eugen, SLDF Marines secured the vessel. The other eight ships of the fleet surrendered without a fight soon afterward.[6][7]

Major Hazen lead the ships back to the fleet where swift trials were conducted. All officers at or above the rank of Captain were executed, with Major Hazen giving the orders to carry out the punishment. Andery Kerensky would likewise take part in the execution at the request of his father.[6][7]

Aftermath and Legacy

This incident would have a further negative effect on the morale within the Exodus fleet. The mutiny itself was bad enough, but General Kerensky's harsh reaction was viewed in a shocking light by many who accompanied him on the Exodus.[8]

In response to this, Kerensky would issue General Order 137, which is etched at eye level in every Clan vessel even to this day. It was as much a justification for his reaction to the mutiny as it was a statement about the operation's goals. It would come to be the core of what is known as the Hidden Hope Doctrine.[8]

"Return to the Inner Sphere is impossible for us. Our heritage and our convictions are different from those we left behind. The greed of the five Great Houses and the Council Lords is a disease that can only be burned away by the passing of decades, even centuries. And though the fighting may seem to slow, or even cease, it will erupt again as long as there are powerful men to covet one another’s wealth. We shall live apart, conserving all the good of the Star League and ridding ourselves of the bad, so that when we return - and return we shall - our shining moral character will be as much our shield as our BattleMechs and fighters." —Commanding General Aleksandr Kerensky, General Order 137, 5 October 2785[8]<ref>Historical: Operation Klondike, p. 17 - Commanding General Aleksandr Kerensky, General Order 137

References

  1. Historical: Operation Klondike, p. 16, 17 - "Prinz Eugen"
  2. Historical: Operation Klondike, p. 17 - Lieutenant Nigel Polczyk, letter to his brother, 22 May 2786
  3. 3.0 3.1 Wolf Clan Sourcebook, p. 8 - "Exodus"
  4. 4.0 4.1 The Clans: Warrior of Kerensky, p. 7 - "Exodus"
  5. Historical: Operation Klondike, p. 111 - "Jason Karrige Profile"
  6. 6.0 6.1 Jade Falcon Sourcebook, p. 9 - "Elizabeth Hazen"
  7. 7.0 7.1 Historical: Operation Klondike, p. 16 - Major Elizabeth Hazen, Personal Journals, 28 September 2785
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Wolf Clan Sourcebook, p. 9 - "Hidden Hope"

See Also

Operation Exodus Hidden Hope Doctrine Elizabeth Hazen Andery Kerensky Anna Rosse Jason Karrige


Bibliography