OBT Forum

Rainbow 6

Any idea what formation the ex SLDF units who joined the FWLM went too?

Takiro

In canon Ice of course is correct but compared to the other Successor States. Not many. I'll post a list when I get to it tonight but seriously the numbers are the lowest. I know cause of the Mercenary Guild book. Biggest possible reason; Kenyon Marik.

Rainbow 6

Ok but can we find a way of working the 19th Recon into the FWLM's order of battle?

I only ask as the only other recon regiment in cannon is the Lexington Combat Groups 32nd Recon and i for one am assuming that the 19th would have come from the same (SLDF) source.

Do you mean the 17th Recon AKA Camacho's Caballeros or does the 19th refer to a different unit?

Unless I am missing something the 17th Recon only formed in the 3030s and has no ties to the SLDF that I've seen. (it is not mentioned in FM:Mercs Rev)

Ice Hellion

Quote from: FirstStarLord on April 14, 2009, 09:29:55 PM
Granted I would like to do so, but the truth is we know very little about the SLDF's Recon regiments. When were they formed? How were they organized? Why are they not mentioned in the SL SB? Then again the Deneb Light Cavalry was never mentioned in that book and they had already been established in canon for years.

The 32nd Recon Regiment is a specialized unit organised in 2765 after the New Vandenberg Uprising.
My guess would be they are ad-hoc units created during the Coup.

Muttley

Probably survivors of Light Horse & Striker regiments as they were the lightest of the SLDF regiments.

Takiro

Okay gang lets kick off the FWLM tonight. I wanted to post the UNR articles concerning the FWL here for possible relevance on the subject at hand. Back to judging the Liberator now. Wink

Marik’s New BattleMech
Keystone (National News Exchange)
   Amid great fanfare the Captain-General and Earthwerks CEO Adrian Harrington announced today the renewed production of the much improved Battleax class BattleMech as an exclusive Marik design. In fact the first manufacturing run of this model is already underway. So why bring back a BattleMech often derided as a “poor man’s Warhammer”? As it turns out there are several good reasons.
   A large reason is the complete redesign of the original that the new ‘Mech is based. Former Star League engineers bought into the Free Worlds League after the Amaris Coup went over the old Earthwerks schematics from head to toe. They determined that the Battleax could better utilize its long range missile packs and jump jet maneuverability (which the Warhammer lacks) to achieve a finer edge in combat.
   Ironically to increase the design’s long range profile the engineering team replaced the original Battleax’s Particle Projection Cannons (PPCs) with Large Lasers. While this decision stripped the ‘Mech of a small portion of its firepower and range it also doubled its long range missile racks. This trade off is generally favored because the PPC is viewed as a “Terran” weapon and in short supply in Marik space thanks to a breakdown in interstellar commerce.
   The result as one Earthwerks test pilot put it “create an Archer-Warhammer hybrid that will be pretty deadly on any battlefield”. Kenyon Marik who has already called the Battleax “the new standard of all Heavy BattleMechs” has ordered a halt to any further Warhammer production in the Free Worlds League. As a result Ronin Incorporated has already announced plans to acquire a license to manufacture the Battleax at its facilities on Wallis.
   For his part in the deal Captain-General Kenyon Marik has already purchased a Battleax for his own personal use. Apparently this custom built model will include top flight Star League technology specially added for this VIP customer. Earthwerks and League officials remain tight lipped on what high end technology will be included on the factory model saying only “it will be the best available to the Free Worlds League Military”.

Battlefield Report: Bolan
Illion (Marik Military Press)
September 1, 2785

After several months the true story of the infamous Bolan attack can now be told even as fallout from this major battle continues to be felt throughout the InnerSphere. In March a large LCAF taskforce jumped into system to halt a supposed build up by the FWLM. While the Commonwealth claims to have evidence of this upsurge and thus sound reasons for their pre-emptive invasion none has been uncovered by public authorities. More likely this was an excuse to seize a strategically important target before the League could act in its defense.

Regardless of the reasons for the attack the smaller Marik defense force in system did its best to thwart the Lyran’s plan. In space the FWLS Merak’s Honor, an aging Stewart class Destroyer, squared off against an entire Commonwealth warship flotilla. Charging directly into the on coming enemy force the Merak was able to cripple a Mako class Corvette and severely damage another. Despite its bravery and initial success in the face of such odds the old Destroyer was just no match for Steiner’s big guns who eventually destroyed the vessel.

Three Commonwealth BattleMech regiments then closed on the planet itself to complete the conquest. Only a single League BattleMech regiment and the Bolan Planetary Militia stood in their way. Using their larger assault machines to crush any opposition offered by the lighter weight defenders the Lyrans soon gained a distinct advantage. Rather than abandon their positions on world Marik troops fought back with determination and made the attackers pay for every inch of ground.

They constantly denied the enemy the use of the planet by destroying all they could as they withdrew. Apparently frustrated by these scorched earth tactics and desiring a quick victory the Commonwealth commander resorted to the use of nuclear weapons. His attempts to annihilate our defenders failed however and bought their full wrath down upon his invading forces. Responding in kind with our own nuclear strikes devastated the attackers but unfortunately wouldn’t change the outcome of the battle.

In May our troops were forced to withdraw off world effectively awarding Bolan to the Commonwealth for the moment. Local resistance continues till this day thanks to the loyal citizens of the Free Worlds League. The Lyrans have apparently stationed a large garrison force on planet to consolidate their hold over the star system. Thanks to courageous defenders of the Free Worlds and the noble sacrifice of our people House Steiner won only a pyrrhic victory.

Regrettably the damage to the planet of Bolan is immense and will take many years to completely heal. The use of nuclear weapons by both sides created vast dead zones on the northern continent of Sakété and southern continent of Kashmir. The greatest damage occurred on the northern island continent of Sabari which was a hub of planetary trade and the site of a major Star League military base. As most of the fighting occurred here over these valuable assets the entire landscape was laid waste causing the entire continent to be declared completely uninhabitable.

Of course, the Lyran Commonwealth claimed to be acting in self defense and accused our forces of starting a nuclear holocaust on world. Officially House Steiner and their news agencies have proclaimed the assault a necessary objective raid with unfortunate consequences for the natives of Bolan. The LCAF while pleased with its conquest was no doubt angered by the loss of the Star League facility and the high causalities it took during the operation. Archon Jennifer Steiner has placed her forces on high alert but hasn’t yet tried to strike at the Free Worlds League.

Captain-General Kenyon Marik wasted little time in condemning this “blatant act of naked aggression” and further declared that House Steiner had violated the Ares Conventions. This cowardly sneak attack has left the people of the Free Worlds League calling for revenge and without a doubt has solidified public opinion behind the Captain-General. Some critics still persist in accusing Kenyon of being preoccupied with the Terran Republic but their voice is shrinking with each passing day. With public debate ending and the realm united in purpose our enemies should wisely capitulate and save themselves from the fury of the Free Worlds League.

Battlefield Report: Operation Avalanche
Marik (Marik Military Press)
November 1, 2785

Today, Central Command announced the start of a military campaign to restore peace to the troubled worlds of the former Hegemony. This effort dubbed Operation Avalanche is being led personally by Captain-General Kenyon Marik and includes military elements from every Province in the Free Worlds League. At this time details of the offensive remain sketchy because of necessary operational security which is maintained closely by SAFE. It is reported however that a full third of the FWLM maybe participating in this massive action. Thanks to foreign news services we also know that at least ten Terran star systems, possibly more, are currently under attack. Further information will no doubt follow later today.

The need to stabilize the vital core worlds of humanity following the devastating events of the Amaris Coup and the Exodus is the key to continued peace. A weakened Terra threatens the prosperity of our nation in this post Kerensky era. The Captain- General quickly realized that the Draconis Combine’s recent assault on Terra might signal its ultimate collapse and leave a dangerous vacuum at the center of the InnerSphere. League forces have been deployed to halt this impending chaos before a general war engulfs the former seat of the First Lord. After some debate the Provinces of the Free Worlds agreed that something had to be done to restore order in the old Hegemony. The objective of this operation is to incorporate Terra and as many of her former worlds as possible into the Free Worlds League.

This operation has of course not been without its critics. Many patriots wonder aloud why the Captain-General has concentrated our nation’s efforts on the Terran Republic. There are those along the Commonwealth border who would like to see a response to the Lyran surprise attack on Bolan. Many people of Oriente and Andurien continue to press for a Capellan offensive which would reclaim certain occupied systems from the Confederation. There are also those committed to peace above all who call this campaign, Kenyon’s War. Some even accuse the government of using this conflict to steal their personal freedoms or acting in some grandiose conspiracy theory. Debate and sound advice has been welcomed by the Captain-General as strength of our freedom loving society.

The Eagle remains committed to his goal of restoring peace to the worlds of the former Hegemony. The Captain-General has scheduled a pre-recorded announcement from the Winter Palace at Dormuth to the nation that will air tonight via the HPG network. Parliament is currently in session debating a resolution to support this action which the Captain-General has legally undertaken with authority granted to him by Resolution 288. Tomorrow they will host Terra exiles and begin the legal process of bringing their worlds into the League. All citizens of the Free Worlds League have been asked to conduct business as usual until otherwise instructed. Please do not hesitate in showing your support for the brave troops of our united military effort.

Good for Business
Atreus (League Business Journal)
December 30, 2785

The Free Worlds League has long been known as the “Gateway to the Stars” for its leadership role in the production of dropships and jumpships. With over 35 shipyards, the League produces a wide range of vessels from small Explorer and Merchant class jumpships to the massive Varyag class carriers. Every sort of dropship needed by the Free Worlds League Navy and the civilian fleets are also manufactured at these shipyards. The production capability of the League’s shipyards is so impressive that other nations would come here seeking ships for their fleets.

With the recent outbreaks of hostility across the Inner Sphere the LCCC has ordered that all foreign orders be canceled and all ships being constructed in the Free Worlds to be turned over to the League Navy when they are completed. The LCCC has also ordered a dramatic increase in the production of warships to meet the expected requirements of the Navy. All across the League shipyards are undergoing dramatic expansions as new building ways and dry docks are constructed and new workers hired and trained. At the Technicron Shipyard orbiting McAffe, the company has recently added two new drydocks capable of building warships of up to 800,000 tons and is constructing four additional drydocks. Two battlecruisers are already under construction at these new facilities. Technicron has also begun employing three shifts at the yard, which is keeping the facility running nonstop.

Other manufacturers across the League have taken similar steps. Based on the current rate of production, current estimates show that the production of dropships will increase by 34% over last year, jumpship production will increase by 27% and warship production will increase by a staggering 95%.