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Author Topic: Thomas's New Model Army  (Read 5573 times)

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masterarminas

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Thomas's New Model Army
« on: August 10, 2011, 09:41:24 AM »
Based on discussions that Irose, Takiro, I, and others had in the past here on the site, I have taken a new look at the TDF BattleMech Force and decided to give it another shot.  This one I call Thomas’s New Model Army (Cromwell eat your heart out!) and think it may actually work for the Taurians.  Beginning in the early 3000s, Thomas Calderon took a long hard look at the organization of the TDF and decided to reorganize the field forces to give his units a different look than traditional Inner Sphere/Star League formations.

The major difference between ‘traditional’ and ‘New Model’ formations is that the New Model Army incorporates the unique Taurian maniple system.  In this system used by the TDF Armored Corps, two vehicles form a maniple, with three maniples making a lance.  This gives lances a strength of six and companies eighteen—fifty percent larger than traditional forces.  In addition, the New Model Army replaces the fourth ‘Mech company with a light armored cavalry troop consisting of six VTOLs, twelve hover tanks, and ninety infantry troopers.  This company serves as scouts and pickets and provides rear area security for the ‘Mechs.  Overall strength of a New Model Army battalion is 54 BattleMechs, 8 Aerospace Fighters, 6 VTOLs, 12 hovercraft, and 90 infantry; compared to 48 BattleMechs and 8 Aerospace Fighters of the traditional battalion.  The introduction of the Concordat and Bull class DropShips in 3012 provided transport vessels for the new, larger Concordat battalions.  These new DropShips also allowed the TDF to continue to use a pair of Merchant-class JumpShips to provide transport for an entire battalion; a vital necessity in a state starved for interstellar transport.

In canon, the TDF (circa 3025) has at its disposal twenty-six battalions of ‘Mechs, divided among nine regiments with four Corps HQ.  Eight of those regiments are three-battalions strong, while only one has two-battalions.  In conjunction with restructuring the battalions in the New Model formations, I also propose making all regiments two battalions strong.  This gives each Regiment a strength of 108 BattleMechs (equal to a standard Inner Sphere Regiment), with 16 ASF, 12 VTOLs, 24 hover tanks, and 180 infantry.  Transport would consist of six Concordat class and two Bull class DropShips, and the entire regiment could be embarked aboard four Merchants.  In addition, the Regimental HQ would include a command company (18 ‘Mechs plus a Concordat) and a heavy support company (a composite company consisting of an artillery platoon of 6 guns, a combat engineer platoon, and a ranger/pathfinder/spec ops platoon equipped with VTOLs; transport would be a modified Bull-class DropShip).  This gives total Regimental strength of 126 BattleMechs, 16 ASF, 18 VTOLs, 24 hover tanks, 6 combat engineering vehicles, 210 infantry, and 30 combat engineers, with seven Concordats and three Bulls, requiring five Merchants or Invaders to transport.

Now, I imagine the line regiments (i.e., all but the Guard Corps) are stationed in battalion strength on garrison duty in their operating theatre.  Taurian Regiments only seldom operate together as a single distinct formation, but the Regimental HQ normally accompanies one battalion (usually the senior battalion).  Even the Guard Corps dispatches just one battalion at a time, except in the most dire of circumstances.  Changing the TDF from 3-battalion regiments to 2-battalion units gives us a total of 13 Regiments of the Line (without considering mercenary forces), organized into six Corps formations (Guard, I, II, III, IV, and V) with a total OB strength of 1,638 BattleMechs, 208 Aerospace Fighters, 234 VTOLs, 312 hover tanks, 78 CEVs, 2,730 infantry troopers, and 390 combat engineers.  Transport requirements are 91 Concordats and 39 Bulls, requiring 130 docking collars (around 65 Merchants and Invaders).

In comparison with canon strength circa 3025, we see a fairly large increase in ‘Mechs and a substantial increase in support elements (traditional TDF numbers 1,332 BattleMechs, which includes Regimental HQ lances and Corps HQ companies, and 208 Aerospace Fighters; these forces required 108 Unions and 9 Leopards for transport, for 117 docking collars).  This is an increase of 31% plus in ‘Mech strength alone, not counting the combat power that the battalion cavalry troops and regimental support companies add to the mix.

Now, since the TDF expanded by six battalions (approx 212 BattleMechs) between 3025 and 3050, without suffering any degradation in the quality of existing formations, it is clearly possible for such an increase to occur.  So, having said all of that, I give you the Taurian New Model Army, circa 3025.


Guard Corps
1st Battalion, Taurian Guard (Elite; Fanatical)
2nd Battalion, Taurian Guard (Veteran; Fanatical)
1st Battalion, Taurian Velites (Veteran; Fanatical)
2nd Battalion, Taurian Velites (Veteran; Reliable)
1st Battalion, Concordat Commandoes (Veteran; Fanatical)
2nd Battalion, Concordat Commandoes (Veteran; Reliable)

I Corps
1st Battalion, Concordat Jaegers (Veteran; Fanatical)
2nd Battalion, Concordat Jaegers (Veteran; Reliable)
1st Battalion, Red Chasseurs (Regular; Reliable)
2nd Battalion, Red Chasseurs (Regular; Reliable)

II Corps
1st Battalion, Concordat Cuirassiers (Veteran; Reliable)
2nd Battalion, Concordat Cuirassiers (Veteran; Reliable)
1st Battalion, Hyades Light Infantry (Veteran; Reliable)
2nd Battalion, Hyades Light Infantry (Regular; Reliable)

III Corps
1st Battalion, Pleiades Hussars (Regular; Reliable)
2nd Battalion, Pleiades Hussars (Regular; Reliable)
1st Battalion, Taurian Lancers (Regular; Reliable)
2nd Battalion, Taurian Lancers (Green; Reliable)

IV Corps
1st Battalion, Taurian Grenadiers (Veteran; Fanatical)
2nd Battalion, Taurian Grenadiers (Veteran; Reliable)
1st Battalion, Taurian Dragoons (Veteran; Reliable)
2nd Battalion, Taurian Dragoons (Veteran; Reliable)

V Corps
1st Battalion, Pleiades Lancers (Veteran; Reliable)
2nd Battalion, Pleiades Lancers (Regular; Questionable)
1st Battalion, Taurian Fusiliers (Green; Reliable)
2nd Battalion, Taurian Fusiliers (Green; Reliable)


I kept the same ratings (experience; loyalty) as Periphery 1st for the 3025 roster, but by using two battalion regiments instead of three, we gained FOUR additional regiments.  The names are mine, but since the TDF doesn’t seem to number its ‘Mech units, I thought they would fit.  Plus, we were able to add two new Corps HQs to the mix.


And if we look at 3050, here is what the New Model Army just might look like.


Guard Corps
1st Battalion, Taurian Guard (Elite; Fanatical)
2nd Battalion, Taurian Guard (Veteran; Fanatical)
1st Battalion, Taurian Velites (Veteran; Fanatical)
2nd Battalion, Taurian Velites (Veteran; Reliable)
1st Battalion, Concordat Commandoes (Veteran; Fanatical)
2nd Battalion, Concordat Commandoes (Veteran; Reliable)
1st Battalion, Taurian Grenadiers (Veteran; Fanatical)
2nd Battalion, Taurian Grenadiers (Veteran; Reliable)

I Corps
1st Battalion, Concordat Jaegers (Veteran; Fanatical)
2nd Battalion, Concordat Jaegers (Veteran; Reliable)
1st Battalion, Red Chasseurs (Regular; Reliable)
2nd Battalion, Red Chasseurs (Regular; Reliable)

II Corps
1st Battalion, Concordat Cuirassiers (Veteran; Reliable)
2nd Battalion, Concordat Cuirassiers (Veteran; Reliable)
1st Battalion, Hyades Light Infantry (Veteran; Reliable)
2nd Battalion, Hyades Light Infantry (Veteran; Reliable)

III Corps
1st Battalion, Pleiades Hussars (Regular; Reliable)
2nd Battalion, Pleiades Hussars (Regular; Reliable)
1st Battalion, Taurian Lancers (Regular; Reliable)
2nd Battalion, Taurian Lancers (Green; Reliable)

IV Corps
1st Battalion, Pleiades Lancers (Veteran; Reliable)
2nd Battalion, Pleiades Lancers (Regular; Questionable)
1st Battalion, Taurian Dragoons (Veteran; Reliable)
2nd Battalion, Taurian Dragoons (Veteran; Reliable)

V Corps
1st Battalion, Taurian Fusiliers (Green; Reliable)
2nd Battalion, Taurian Fusiliers (Green; Reliable)
1st Battalion, Taurian Regulars (Regular; Reliable)
2nd Battalion, Taurian Regulars (Green; Questionable)

VI Corps
1st Battalion, Concordat Uhlans (Regular; Reliable)
2nd Battalion, Concordat Uhlans (Green; Questionable)
1st Battalion, Taurian Carabinier (Green; Questionable)
2nd Battalion, Taurian Carabinier (Green; Reliable)

Now we are up to SEVEN Corps HQs, with a total of 16 Regiments and 32 Battalions.  OB strength is 2,016 BattleMechs, 256 Aerospace Fighters, 288 VTOLs, 384 hover tanks, 96 CEVs, 3,360 infantry troopers, and 480 combat engineers; with 112 Concordats and 48 Bulls, requiring 160 docking collars for transport (around 80 Merchants).  Of course, the Concordat has expanded in 3050 with 52 canon worlds claimed by the TC outside the Hyades, which actually gives us worse coverage than in 3025 in a ‘Mech battalion to planets ratio!  But, the New Model Army is the rapid deployment force of the TC and is intended to respond to threats while the local armor and infantry forces fend off the initial assault or raid.  Unless an attacker is unlucky enough to pick a system that a ‘Mech battalion is currently garrisoning, that is.

None of those numbers includes Corp Headquarters, because I don’t see the Corps as a field force.  Seriously, as old as many Marshalls are, I doubt they are taking the field to command a single battalion with their HQ.  Now, they may have ‘Mechs (heck, they probably do have at least a company of 18 for security), but I really picture these formations as rear echelon command elements, not line.  So, for that reason I have not included Corps HQ in any of the totals.

I refuse to go beyond 3050 in canon, attempting to disbelieve that abomination that is Shraplen and TPTB’s gutting of the Concordat.  But I did think that I would share these thoughts with you good folks.  Happy hunting!

Oh, and just for your further information:  in 3025, this vision of the TDF can field the equivilent of 15 standard Regiments, 1 Company, and 1 and 1/2 Lances.  In 3050, it is equal to 18 standard Regiments, 1 Battalion, 2 Companies, and 2 Lances.

MA
« Last Edit: September 28, 2012, 12:31:48 AM by masterarminas »
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Takiro

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Re: Thomas's New Model Army
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2011, 12:04:48 PM »
Sort of a ComStar type organization but not. You've got Demi-Battalions at company level and Demi-Regiments at battalion level. Like the combined arms company that the 54 Mechs would operate with. I'll have to give it an in depth look over for further comments. Not bad so far.
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SSJGohan3972

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Re: Thomas's New Model Army
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2011, 12:10:36 PM »
I have the Taurians doing something very similar to this in my timeline under Edward Calderon (who took over during the 4th Succession War and didn't die until later) circa 3030-3040 but my 3050 TDF looks very similar to yours (different names but the 2 overstrength battalions per regiment idea). I really like your organization though, all those combined arms make each of those battalions a force to be reckoned with (especially in the periphery).
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masterarminas

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Re: Thomas's New Model Army
« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2011, 12:50:03 PM »
Mercenary units of the Taurian Concordat tend to use traditional formations.  These forces are listed below.


TDF Mercenaries (circa 3025)

I Corps
1st Battalion, Gordan’s Armored Cavalry (Elite; Questionable)
2nd Battalion, Gordan’s Armored Cavalry (Veteran; Questionable)
3rd Battalion, Gordan’s Armored Cavalry (Veteran; Questionable)

II Corps
1st Battalion, Longwood’s Bluecoats (Veteran; Questionable)
2nd Battalion, Longwood’s Bluecoats (Regular; Questionable)

III Corps
1st Battalion, Bannockburn’s Bandits (Veteran; Questionable)
2nd Battalion, Bannockburn’s Bandits (Regular; Questionable)

Total strength is approximately 252 BattleMechs and 42 Aerospace Fighters.


TDF Mercenaries (circa 3050)

I Corps
1st Battalion, Gordan’s Armored Cavalry (Elite; Questionable)
2nd Battalion, Gordan’s Armored Cavalry (Veteran; Questionable)
3rd Battalion, Gordan’s Armored Cavalry (Veteran; Questionable)

II Corps
1st Battalion, Longwood’s Bluecoats (Veteran; Questionable)
2nd Battalion, Longwood’s Bluecoats (Regular; Questionable)

III Corps
1st Battalion, Bannockburn’s Bandits (Veteran; Questionable)
2nd Battalion, Bannockburn’s Bandits (Regular; Questionable)

IV Corps
Roughneck Cavalry (Veteran; Reliable)
*The Roughnecks use a traditional style Taurian formation, with four companies.

Total strength is approximately 300 BattleMechs and 50 Aerospace Fighters.
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Ice Hellion

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Re: Thomas's New Model Army
« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2011, 01:38:27 PM »
I like the idea of a true combined arms unit but I am just wondering whether or not your Regiment with only 2 Battalions is missing a little bit of flexibility (you know the good old "2 in the front, 1 in the rear" thing).
« Last Edit: August 10, 2011, 01:39:35 PM by Ice Hellion »
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"In turn they tested each Clan namesake
in trial against the Ice Hellion's mettle.
Each chased the Ice Hellion, hunting it down.
All failed to match the predator's speed and grace.
Khan Cage smiled and said, "And that is how we shall be."

The Remembrance (Clan Ice Hellion) Passage 5, Verse 3, Lines 1 - 5

masterarminas

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Re: Thomas's New Model Army
« Reply #5 on: August 10, 2011, 01:49:52 PM »
Yeppers, it would--if the TDF normally deployed REGIMENTS as REGIMENTS.  Instead, they are far more likely to be deployed in individual battalions (sometimes with a Regimental HQ, sometimes not).  At least, that is how I think the TDF would operate.

MA
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Halvagor

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Re: Thomas's New Model Army
« Reply #6 on: August 10, 2011, 06:59:53 PM »
I think there are a lot of good things in this, and I like the idea of an 18-unit company much better than a 12-unit company.  I, on the other hand, favor a quartet of normal four-unit platoon/lances, led by a two-unit command section.  This lets me form two 9-unit demi-companies if necessary, and provides for more strategic flexibility than a straight-up increase in the size of the lances. 

Really, it all depends on how flexible the TDF wants to be in their doctrine.  A larger company-like force makes a great deal of sense for the Concordat, which must guard both a long border against an enemy they greatly fear (much like Pakistan against India), but also has to police their other borders against bandits (which is still like Pakistan).  I'd expect these battalions, much like the original AFFS RCT concept, to actually be "based" on a particular world, but with detachments out and about patrolling and conducting anti-piracy operations at nearly all times, so even with the 54-mech battalion strength officially rated, chances are good that only 36 are on the "homeworld" at any given point of time.  Which would still work out to the benefit of the TDF as the AFFS couldn't depend on an easy numerical superiority unless they threw a whole RCT at the planet.

On the other hand...the Marian Hegemony is already using "maniples" of five units, though, really, their organization is different only in name from Binaries, small clusters, and light galaxies.  Your maniples make more sense.
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masterarminas

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Re: Thomas's New Model Army
« Reply #7 on: August 10, 2011, 08:16:24 PM »
Not my maniples, Halvagor--I believe Periphery 1st edition made mention of their use in the Taurian armored corps formations.  Two vehicles to a maniple, three maniples to a lance, etc., etc.  And Irose (among others) was a proponet of adopting the system for TDF BattleMech formations (although I think he wanted to keep four companies per battalion--which would have given the TDF 72 BattleMechs per BATTALION; yikes!).

MA
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Halvagor

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Re: Thomas's New Model Army
« Reply #8 on: August 10, 2011, 08:42:50 PM »
I go with 84-88 'mechs per battalion (4x companies of 18 + 3-4 additional lances).  Still, I'd much rather label these maniples (whoever came up with them) as "sections", as that is the NATO term for a unit smaller than a platoon (which is what a Lance is, taken from 17th century Polish cavalry, if memory serves).  Leads to much less confusion for those familiar with the 31st century Marian reforms in the Hegemony (even though those are clearly modeled after the 2nd-century BC Marian Reforms, which ironically eliminated the maniple).
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"...but if evil men were not now and then slain it would not be a good world for weaponless dreamers."  From Kim, by Rudyard Kipling, 1901

masterarminas

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Re: Thomas's New Model Army
« Reply #9 on: August 10, 2011, 09:18:32 PM »
Agreed, but the Concordat uses odd terminology for a lot of things:  for example 'divisions' of four aerospace fighters, 'comptroller' as a military rank, etc., etc.

If it were my ideal universe, these it would be sections for two-unit formations, platoons for six-unit, and companies for eighteen--whether vehicle or infantry.  Two ASF would a pair; four a flight; eight a squadron; and sixteen or twenty-four a group (18 ASF does not a WING make, people!).  There, got that off my chest.

 ;D

MA
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lrose

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Re: Thomas's New Model Army
« Reply #10 on: August 10, 2011, 09:43:36 PM »
Quote from: masterarminas on August 10, 2011, 08:16:24 PM
And Irose (among others) was a proponet of adopting the system for TDF BattleMech formations (although I think he wanted to keep four companies per battalion--which would have given the TDF 72 BattleMechs per BATTALION; yikes!).

No I was was sticking with 3 companies per battalion, but keeping 3 battalions per regiment. 
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masterarminas

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Re: Thomas's New Model Army
« Reply #11 on: August 10, 2011, 10:45:01 PM »
Sorry, memory ain't all it's cracked up to be (and to be honest probably never was).   ;D

MA
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Ice Hellion

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Re: Thomas's New Model Army
« Reply #12 on: August 11, 2011, 03:36:12 PM »
If Regiments are deployed as Battalions then you will have bigger units in size but less in total numbers.

And Lances come from "Lances fournies", a Middle-Age military unit that the Polish cavalry also used.
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"In turn they tested each Clan namesake
in trial against the Ice Hellion's mettle.
Each chased the Ice Hellion, hunting it down.
All failed to match the predator's speed and grace.
Khan Cage smiled and said, "And that is how we shall be."

The Remembrance (Clan Ice Hellion) Passage 5, Verse 3, Lines 1 - 5
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