2786 – Opening Moves
2786 is considered, by some historians, as the opening of the First Succession War, however although the Capellan Confederation launched its assault on the Federated Suns, and the Lyran Commonwealth became active in the Periphery, four of the major power remained unengaged in major operations. It is this last point which leads many to see the Lyran assaults in early 2787 as the official start of the war, however, for those in the Federated Sun’s Terran regions, the distinction made no difference.
MILITARY STRENGTHS – January 2786
STATE House Mercs Total WarShips
Draconis Combine 172 18 190 210
Federated Suns 152 25 177 188
Lyran Commonwealth 156 14 170 221
Capellan Confederation 148 18 166 162
Free Worlds League 137 16 153 173
Terran Hegemony 61 61 85
Taurian Concordat 11 3 14 16
Magistracy of Canopus 9 1 10 8
Outworlds Alliance 8 1 9 11
Rim Commonality 7 7 7
Oberon Confederation 3 3 6 3
Circinus Federation 3 3 4
Illyrian Palatinate 3 3 3
The fighting in 2786 would set the scene for the remainder of the war, showing how far the Hegemony would allow the Concord of Terra to be pushed with respect to the Areas Conventions. Targeting of the JumpShips and DropShips, though frowned upon, became an accepted way of life by the end of the year, as claims that merchant vessels were carrying “war supporting†material was actually provable by law, though a dubious argument at best, as all materials could be seen as supporting the war in some way. Merchant vessels began to steer clear of war zones and losses, especially to DropShips, began to mount quickly, with both the Capellan Confederation and Federated Suns striking at any target in contested systems that was moving. Though there were many in the Hegemony Government who urged that action be taken, the limitations of the HAF in backing up any sanctions, meant that the reality of the application of the Ares Conventions of 2786 fell somewhere between the Age of War ideal and the total war of the Amaris Coup and Reunification War. This fed over into fighting on the ground that generally, but not always, avoided large civilian centres, causing heavy damage to infrastructure on several worlds hit by the fighting. Hayes’s dream of saving mankind from mass destruction looked to have worked, if just barely, however, the scale and savagery of the fighting would take its toll on all of the belligerents.
Terran Hegemony
The eye of a storm is always the calmest place, however, just beyond the eye is the region of greatest destruction. Commanding General Lauran Hayes and Director-General Marianna Althaus knew this and feared for their former citizens on the worlds beyond the Hegemony Core. With the Capellan offensives beginning and DCMS forces massing beyond Chaville, the inability of the HAF to meet growth targets gave both leaders pause.
Matters were not all dark however, as the HAF added six regiments to the rolls and launched twelve new WarShips in 2786, whilst the economy started to rebound, with worlds across the core reporting improved output and conditions. Terra, where most resources had been spent, was being used by the government to pull the other worlds up by dragging them up, aided by the first large shipments of raw materials from trade with the Periphery.
As the year developed and the DCMS forces around Chaville and Shimonita continued to mass, whilst appearing to the HIB to be exercising against mock SLDF and HAF formations, the THN was restructured to better integrate with Operation TRIPWIRE. The ships of the fleet were separated by age, with the newest vessels assigned to the Expeditionary Fleet, which at the end of 2786 consisted of sixteen WarShips: eight Triumph-class corvettes; four Sabre-class destroyers; and four Kuznetsov-class carriers. The Sabre and Triumph were next generation WarShips under development by the SLN before the Exodus, which had been on a long and slow development process during the war against the Usurper. The designs were quickly completed and put into production by the THN during the departure of Kerensky. The Kuznetsov was a result of the Hegemony’s crash rearmament program and was a redesigned Sovetskii Soyuz hull, with one of the main cargo bays converted to carry Aerospace Fighters. The Star League had been able to produce Sovetskii Soyuz-class vessels in large numbers and the THN was betting on being able to do the same with the revamped design. The THN planned to add nearly thirty more ships to the Expeditionary Fleet by the end of 2788, including new Hegemony-class transports, Trafalgar-class missile cruisers and Terra-class battleships. Though the Expeditionary Fleet would have the newest ships the Terran yards could produce, experience for the new crews was another matter, with transfers from Home Fleet’s ex-SLN regulars limited, to ensure that the Terran system was well defended at all times.
Home Fleet was the largest of the three fleets, consisting of the majority of the ex-SLN vessels and crews, with fifty-nine WarShips in twenty squadrons. Home Fleet was the last integrated SLN task force in the Inner Sphere, with a core of heavy ships only the Lyrans and League could realistically match. Three battleships, a McKenna, Texas, and a reconditioned Farragut led the fleet, backed by four Black Lion and three Cameron-class battle cruisers. Fifteen cruisers and frigates supported the main line, all covered by twenty seven destroyers, mainly Lola III and Essex II, with seven Vincents serving as the eyes of the fleet. Home fleet was integrated, well trained, highly experienced, and represented the most powerful task force in the Inner Sphere. However, as the THN was no longer building hulls to support it, any losses would slowly erode the fleet’s capabilities, therefore, Home Fleet was tied to the Terran system, to retain its combat value for as long as possible.
Reserve Fleet was to become the training and support unit for the HAF, consisting of old THN designs and the fleet’s few dedicated transport WarShips. Riga, Naga, Carson, Baron and Bonaventure-class vessels made up the bulk of the eighteen ship fleet, which though based in the Terran system, conducted border patrols with the Expeditionary Fleet.
Capellan Confederation
Chancellor Liao knew that a quick, successful action, before the other realms could get organised, would allow the Capellan state to have a fighting chance in the wars to come. To that end, the CCAF was to put the AFFS off balance with a quick victory, secure further valuable systems in the former Hegemony, and then pull back, regroup, and be ready to it back at any attempts to drive into the Confederation.
To that end, Operation BLAZING DRAGON launched on 17 February, 2786. The first wave had three primary aims: shock the AFFS into a defensive mindset; take Chesterton; and begin cutting off AFFS regiments close to Terra. Six systems were struck over the course of three hours, as the CCAF unleashed its power on key points in the defences of the Federated Suns.
The battle of Chesterton was the main propaganda assault for the Chancellor, and Barbara Liao knew it. Eschewing additional and more valuable worlds, Liao hit Chesterton with everything she could spare, seeking a fast and decisive victory to set the tone for the campaign. Eleven BattleMech and more than twenty-five supporting regiments jumped into the Chesterton system, supported by fourteen WarShips, a mix of SLN, old Capellan and new generation designs. The massive flotilla gave the FSN force in system little opportunity to call for help or organise itself, falling on the defenders en masse. Four Davion WarShips were destroyed, a cruiser, a destroyer and two Robinson II-class transports, whilst a pair of Davion II-class destroyers were captured, the FSS Richard Davion and Sarah Davion. The FSS Joseph I Davion managed to escape to get word out, though the ship suffered extensive damage during its run from the system. For the Capellans, the CCS Jasmine Liao, the flag unit of the task force, a Du Shi Wang-class battleship and the CCS Aer, an Essex-class destroyer, and one of the best crewed ships in the fleet, took heavy damage, with four other CCN WarShips suffering moderate damage. However, the actions of the fleet ensured that the ground forces landed without interference.
On the ground, the 8th Syrtis Fusiliers planned to fight a mobile campaign, whilst the Chesterton CMM held the capital. Despite a well prepared plan, the sheer numbers of Capellan troops rendered any coherent battle plan moot, as the AFFS units were broken apart and destroyed in detail. Barely a battalion survived to surrender, with the prisoners paraded in the streets and sent to Sian to raise the spirits of the Capellan people. As soon as victory as assured and the troops had rested and rearmed, six regiments lifted off for second wave targets, whilst the Chesterton Cuirassiers, 4th Chesterton Cavalry, and 1st, 2nd and 3rd Chesterton Voltigeurs dug into defend their spiritual home from the expected Davion counter-attack.
The victory on Chesterton was rapidly followed by the Chancellor’s announcement of a larger Chesterton Commonality, with worlds from Sarna and Capella ceded to the Commonality. Celebrations erupted across Capellan space, with a week of official celebration on Sian marking what would become an annual holiday for the Capellan people on Chesterton Day.
Chesterton was not the only world targeted, with significant Capellan forces dispatched to several other worlds as well. On Demeter, the Chesterton Guardians, Tristram’s Avengers, and the 1st and 2nd Kearny Highlanders rolled over the Argyle Lancers and 4th Avalon Borderers, who retreated from the world with less than a regiment between them. On New Florence, Blanford’s Grenadiers dispatched the militia and waited for follow on troops, as the 4th Fleet’s 1st Division covered the system from above and began interdicting Federation shipping in the area. On Hean, the 10th Confederation Reserve Cavalry and 1st 'Sarna' Lancers brutalised the 8th Deneb Light Cavalry, however the ex-SLDF unit refused to budge, despite being reduced to less than 50% strength. On Rio, the 4th Liao Guards and 15th Tikonov Lancers had a harder time with the Bald Eagles Regiment of the Screaming Eagles mercenary command, though by the end March, they controlled over two-thirds of the planet. Meanwhile on Tybalt, the enthusiasm of the 2nd Ariana Fusiliers was sorely tested by the assault on their landing zone undertaken by the Storm Eagles, with matters looking grim until the landing of the 14th Tikonov Lancers relieved the beleaguered Fusiliers. However, the Storm Eagles withdrew in good order and began harassing both Capellan units.
By the end of March, the Capellan Confederation had claimed three systems, destroyed a Davion squadron and two regiments. Boyed by the success of the operation so far, Chancellor Liao authorised wave two for early April. However, the AFFS was not entirely idle, despite the lack of enthusiasm showed by John Davion over protecting the Terran corridor. Prince John took a middle road, hampered as he was by inter-service and inter-regional animosities in the AFFS, and not desiring to get drawn into a war over territory he had no real interest in any more. Others could spend the coin to rebuild the Hegemony, as in his own eyes he could always come and claim those worlds once they were rebuilt. However, two main actions, which would rock the CCAF, were set in motion for Chesterton and New Florence, the two key worlds in Prince Davion’s eyes. However, even as the limited response from the AFFS began, the CCAF struck at eight more worlds. Three assaults were designed to shield Chesterton from direct assault and cut off the expected Davion counter-attack, whilst the others were to complete the task of cutting off the Sun’s Hegemony holdings.
The battle for Chesterton reignited in early April, as three Capellan task forces left the system. The most heavily damaged ships from 7th Fleet headed for the repair bays over Ares, leaving 11 WarShips in system, most of which were damaged to one degree or another. Two Mech brigades, one with the 5th Capellan Chargers and the 2nd and 8th Confederation Reserve Cavalry, and the other consisting of the 7th Tikonov Lancers and both Grave Walkers Regiments, departed for New Rhodes III and Ankaa respectively. Five days later, elements of the FSN’s 3rd Fleet – Task Force 3.1.3, eleven ships in all, led by the Davion II-class destroyer FSS Duke Leech, escorting the 3rd and 6th Crucis Lancers and the three regiments of the Fighting Urak-hai arrived. The fresh Davion squadron closed with the Capellan WarShips and went for the throat, paying back in full the losses suffered two months earlier. Six Capellan vessels were lost in the one sided exchange, though four of the Davion WarShips were badly handled by the defenders. The remaining five Capellan vessels jumped away when the battle’s outcome became inevitable.
The landing on Chesterton were largely unopposed, as the relatively inexperienced Capellan forces formed a tight cordon around the capital, with the veteran Chesterton Cuirassiers forming a mobile reserve in the heart of the city. The AFFS did not want to devastate their own world and so cautiously probed the defences for weeks, until hitting the 4th Chesterton Cavalry hard on the night of May 3rd. The 4th fell back into the city, where flanking attacks on the advancing troops by the Cuirassiers and 1st Voltigeurs drove the 6th Lancers and Bar Hounds back out of the city. The AFFS troops continued to probe, striking and fading in an attempt to draw the Capellans out, however, news of the fall of Tedibhyr and Goshen, and the deteriorating situation on Ulan Batar saw Davion call his troops home. Chesterton was a lesser prize in Davion’s eyes, as he had plans for more important Capellan worlds and did not want to bleed his army prior to his own assaults.
Davion forces also hit hard at New Florence, where 1st Fleets Task Force 1.2.1, led by the Black Lionsclass Battlecruiser FSS Lioness charged into the system and routed the WarShips of the CCN’s 4th Fleet’s 1st Division. The loss of a corvette and two destroyers, one of which was captured, was not a severe loss for the Capellans, however, the driving off of the remaining six WarShips meant that interdicting the Terran corridor would be far more difficult with a Davion WarShip presence right in the middle of the advance. However, despite the successes over the world, the landing of the 41st Avalon Hussars and 3rd Deneb Light Cavalry ran headlong into a carefully laid ambush by Blanford’s Grenadiers, who had been secretly reinforced by the 11th Tikonov Lancers. The 41st were sent reeling back to their DropShip, where they retreated to join the fleet and were joined a week later by the 3rd Deneb. Both units sought reinforcements and supplies before they would be willing land again.
On Deneb Kaitos, a large Capellan battle group consisting of the Chesterton Guardians, Tristram’s Avengers, and the 1st and 2nd Kearny Highlanders were able to secure the system from the 2nd and 9th Deneb Light Cavalry within six days, leaving less than half the AFFS defenders alive to flee the system. On Galatia III, a critical system, whose fall would cut the corridor, especially if New Florence was cleared of FSN WarShips, the 1st Arcadian Cuirassiers fought a desperate action to hold the world against the 4th Capellan Chargers and the Capellan Cuirassiers. The Cuirassiers fought valiantly, but were outmatched at every turn, however, they refused to retreat and showed the other regiments in the AFFS what could be accomplished if there was a firm will to resist.
The 9th Robinson Chevaliers had been rushed in to reinforce New Rhodes III, where they faced the 5th Capellan Chargers and the 2nd and 8th Confederation Reserve Cavalry. Battered from the start, the 9th was barely able to maintain a footing on the worlds whilst it screamed for reinforcements. Nearby on Ronel, 4th Deneb Light Cavalry were badly handled by the 16th Tikonov Lancers and 15th Dracon, but refused to retreat, hoping for assistance from nearby AFFS units.
On Hean, the arrival of the 1st Liao Guards sealed the fate of the 8th Deneb Light Cavalry, who surrendered on May 21st. Likewise, the arrival of the 4th Tikonov Lancers on Rio saw the Gold Eagles forced to retreat from the system, unable to cope with an entire Capellan Mech brigade. On Tybalt, the arrival of the 3rd Chesterton Cavalry forced the Storm Eagles to admit there was no way off world and surrender to the CCAF.
On Goshen, the 3rd Confederation Reserve Cavalry, 13th 'Jonathan' Lancers, and 42nd Striker Regiment of the 12th Star Guards destroyed all but a battalion of Tyson’s Troublemakers before driving the remanets off world. Tedibhyr saw another Capellan brigade, consisting of the Ariana Grenadiers, 8th Chesterton Cavalry, and 2nd 'Glasgow' Lancers hammer the 28th Avalon Hussars into a hasty retreat. Only on Ulan Batar was there any good news, but it was tinged with bitter tidings as well. The 1st Chesterton Cavalry, 1st Confederation Reserve Cavalry and 5th 'Demeter' Lancers landed on top of the 4th Avalon Borderers, who were still recovering from their heavy losses on Chesterton. Quick thinking by the Argyle Lancers and 12th Syrtis Fusiliers managed to savage the 1st Chesterton Cavalry, but it was too late, as the 4th Borderers were destroyed and the CCAF turned to face the remaining defenders.
By mid-year, the situation within the Terran regions was becoming critical for the AFFS, with ten worlds, four regiments and six WarShips lost3 The only bright spot was the destruction or capture of nine Capellan WarShips in two successful actions, however, these victories had not appreciably slowed the Capellan advance.
July saw the Confederation go for the kill, as waves three and four were authorised on a new timetable. Capellan troops freed up from successful assaults, and the remaining reserve formations were sent into battle to finish off the spirit of the AFFS in the region, as other troops dug in along the worlds near Chesterton. The AFFS pulled off Chesterton and redeployed along the inner edge of the Crucis March, as additional troops were rushed to the region, not to strike at the Confederation, but to protect the flank of the advance into the Draconis Combine planned for the following year.
In addition to reinforcing several ongoing battles and dispatching fleet units to clear New Florence, the CCAF hit five additional worlds. Prince Davion on the other hand was now loathe to waste any more resources in the region and stated that if the troops in place could not hold, he would withdraw all units from the Terran area. The world of Ozawa fell quickly to the 10th Confederation Reserve Cavalry, 1st Liao Guards, and 1st 'Sarna' Lancers, with only militia remaining on world. This early setback was critical for later Davion actions and was seen by most as the beginning of the end for the Federated Suns hope for retaining former Hegemony territory. Meanwhile over New Florence, 7th Fleet returned from refit over Ares and drove off Task Force 1.2.1, capturing the FSS Charles Davion.
A series of strikes were launched to cover Tikonov with a line of worlds, like what was underway for Chesterton. On Caselton, the 4th Liao Guards, 4th Tikonov Lancers, and 15th Tikonov Lancers made life miserable for the Night Eagles, as the Screaming Eagles mercenary command continued to be caught in the middle of the war. On Mirach, the 2nd Ariana Fusiliers, 3rd Chesterton Cavalry, and 14th Tikonov Lancers drove the Gold and Snow Eagles from the world, whilst on Sonnia, the 1st Ariana Fusiliers and 18th Sian Dragoons sent the Bald Eagles into retreat.
On Galatia III, the arrival of the 25th Robinson Chevaliers was too little too late to save the 1st Arcadian Cuirassiers from being overrun in a heroic last stand. Likewise, on New Rhodes III, the arrival of the 12th Heavy Assault Group of the 12th Star Guards saw the end of the 9th Robinson Chevaliers. The invasion of Small World was brought forward, as Hamilton's Highlanders and the 1st and 2nd Kearny Highlanders rampaged through the 2nd, 5th and 9th Deneb Light Cavalry, destroying the 2nd and forcing the remaining AFFS forces to retreat. On Ulan Batar, the arrival of the 16th 'Valexa' Lancers was too much for the remaining Davion defenders, who retreated into the Crucis March.
On October 11th, Prince Davion issued his recall order, abandoning Galaita III, Addicks, Errai, Towne, Lockdale, and Northwind, with Capellan forces rushing onto each world, lest the Draconis Combine take advantage of the situation. The Capellan victory was complete and stunning, with all targets taken, the AFFS savaged and the naval war ending in a draw. Celebrations across the realm erupted, as the CCAF began to quickly apply the lessons of the short war. The CCN underwent a restructuring, with the mixed fleets giving up their best units to a roving battle fleet. Meanwhile, as reserve corps was moved into the heart of the Confederation to react with force to any incursion.
Outside of the campaign against the Federated Suns, the Confederation had not been idle. During the course of the year, ten WarShips had launched – most going to the new 7th Fleet – and thirteen regiments of the Sian Dragoons and the new Capellan Grenadiers had been formed and used to reinforce the Sian Commonality, which had been weakened to support the recent war. This infusion of strength saw the Capellans begin annexing worlds in the space between the Confederation, Magistracy of Canopus, and Taurian Concordat.
Elements of the Sian Dragoons were able to secure six systems, however, alerted to the CCAF’s moves, both the TDF and MAF reacted. Fighting on Fronc (24th Sian Dragoons, 4th Canopian Light Horse), Independence (6th Confederation Reserve Cavalry, 15th Sian Dragoons, Hyades Guards, Black Band Legion), and McEvans’ Sacrifice (10th Sian Dragoons, Red Chasseurs) was largely stalemated for most of the second half of 2786. This remained the status quo until the CCAF upped the ante, by striking the Concordat directly and taking Rockwellawan with the 7th Sian Dragoons. As the year ended, the potential for escalation was palpable.
