Field Manual: Arcadian Free March Updates - 3036
Unit Updates
Arcadian Guards
Campaigns: Cajamarca, Washburn, Stewart, Atreus
The Arcadian Guards have had a busy year, including participating in the capture of not one but two capital worlds of former FWL Successor States, including taking Atreus City in the final month of the year. They've not taken significant losses in the campaign, at least, and as the year ends the unit is preparing for a final showdown with the 2nd Marik Guards on the continent of Corin.
Unit Changes:
The veteran light aerospace pilots of the Arcadian Guards Aerospace Group are now considered elite.
Arcadian Rangers
Campaigns: Cajamarca, Rasalas, Stewart, Atreus
After leading the way onto the collapsing capital of the former realm of the Yupanqui, the Arcadian Rangers saw to the taking of Rasalas and joined OpForce Malleus in its assaults on Stewart and Atreus itself.
Unit Changes:
The Arcadian Rangers Armored Infantry Battalion is being reactivated as of 1 January 3036.
1st Free March Cavalry
Campaigns: Shasta, Bainsville, Stewart
After nine months of rest following the Bolan Rescue Operation and the activation of O'Brien's Irish Lancers, the 1st Cavalry joined the frantic campaigning of 3035 in action alongside the new 8th Strikers Regiment. Hard fighting against Marik line units on Bainsville resulted in tough losses, and further casualties in the fight for Stewart resulted in the unit needing to be left behind to garrison that world instead of joining the descent on Atreus.
Unit Changes:
The losses on Bainsville were such that O'Brien's Irish Lancers are now considered inactive and will be restored in 3037. A light fighter wing was also considered lost.
Proctor Light Horse
Campaigns: Cajamarca, Washburn, Stewart, Atreus
As always the Light Horse were quick to take the field, fighting in three quarters of the year. On Atreus they faced their hardest fight in years, suffering significant losses against the 8th Marik Militia after being bogged down in the Moors of Paltos.
Unit Changes:
Due to losses to all units, 1st Battalion is considered inactive until replacements can be mustered through 3036.
Bolan Heavy Guards
Campaigns: Colfax, Niihau, Stewart, Atreus
These battle-hardened Bolanese pilots have fought the entire year for their new nation, securing former worlds of the Kashamarka Antisuyu and aiding in the war against Marik. Their infantry will be reassigned to them in the new year after spending 3035 suppressing an insurgency on Colfax by diehard members of the garrison there.
8th Strikers
Campaigns: Shasta, Bainsville, Stewart, Atreus
In their first year back on the rolls, the Sunhawks have proven their mettle. Following the surrender of Shasta they put down the Marik kampfgruppe that attempted to hold Bainsville and saw hard fighting on Stewart and Atreus. In the final month of the year they joined the Arcadian Guards in the capture of Atreus City itself.
Unit Changes:
The 8th Aerial Striker Battalion was rendered hors d'combat on Bainsville. It will be reconstituted by new musters in 3036.
1st Dar-es-Salaam Cavalry
Campaigns: Escobas, Rasalas, Stewart, Atreus
Rebuilt and upgraded, the Sword of the Faithful were ready for war, joining in the securing of the old Kashamarkan heartland before plunging into fights with Marik forces for the rest of the year. They've not suffered significant losses and are eager to see the completion of the conquest of Atreus.
Bolan Hussars
Campaigns: Cascade, Preston, Zortman, Atreus
Upgraded and trained up for line duty, the Bolan Hussars and their attached Arcadian support forces spent much of the year securing worlds of the former Dixie Salient of the Kashamarka Antisuyu. They were called to join the invasion of Atreus, which has proceeded smoothly.
Bolan Rangers
Campaigns: Cascade, Thermopolis, Paradise, Mundrabilla
These combat-drop trained raiders spent their first year in service to the Free March securing former Kashamarkan worlds, culminating with winning over the garrison on Mundrabilla.
Bolan Cavalry
Campaigns: Cascade, Thermopolis, Paradise, Mundrabilla
The Bolan Cavalry was involved in the surrenders of two worlds and fighting on two others. Hard fighting on Paradise cost the unit some losses, but they remain in good spirits.
Unit Changes:
The 3rd Battalion was broken on Paradise by the Kashamarkan diehards that refused to surrender the world to Arcadia. It will be reconstituted from new musters in 3036.
1st Free March Regiment
Campaigns: Kirkenlaard, Laureles, Tongatapu
After spending the first months as a garrison on Campbelton, the 1st FMR participated in the captures of three Marik worlds.
2nd Free March Regiment
Campaigns: None
Following the severe damage the unit took on Trellisane in '34, the remains of the 2nd FMR spent the year as garrison for McAffe, where new units were constituted to join them while the Strathclyde Shipyards rebuilt their transport DropShips.
Unit Changes:
The 2nd Regiment is the first FMR to have an entire regiment of battle armor infantry attached, the 3rd Armored Infantry Regiment. It is commanded by Colonel John McKinsey. It has likewise seen a full aerospace group assigned, the 10th, under Colonel Greta von Hammer.
3rd Free March Regiment
Campaigns: Loyalty, Kirkenlaard, Laureles, Ionis
The 3rd Free March Regiment is the only one of their number to spend the year fighting, starting with securing the planet Loyalty from former Kashamarka and then participating in securing three Marik worlds within 1 to 2 jumps of Atreus itself. The 3rd Regiment has performed its duties splendidly.
4th Free March Regiment
Campaigns: Kirkenlaard, Laureles, Alterf
After being relieved from garrisoning Campbelton by the mercenary outfit Astoc's Army, the 4th Free March Regiment took part in the securing of the worlds around Atreus.
Concord Borderers
Campaigns: Corsicana Insurgency, Alterf
After spending most of the year suppressing the Marik insurgency on Corsicana, and eventually securing the honorable surrender of the insurgents, the understrength Borderers were called in to assist the 4th Regiment, their former garrison mates on their homeworld, with the conquest of Alterf. Said conquest turned into a parade as the planet surrendered rather than fight.
Unit Changes:
The Borderers have become one of the first Arcadian regiments to employ the new "square" formation of four battalions instead of three, as well as the assignment of the newly-formed 7th Armored Infantry Regiment of three battalions of battle armor infantry. The fighter group is likewise restored to two wings.
1st Bolan Irregulars
Campaigns: None
The 1st Bolan Irregulars have sat out the war, remaining assigned to Rosice throughout the year.
Unit Changes:
Replacement units mustered on Zvolen will be bringing the 1st Irregulars back up to strength.
2nd Bolan irregulars
Campaigns: Drosendorf Insurgency
The 2nd Irregulars have spent the year in repeated skirmishes with the Marian-armed insurgents on Drosendorf. Despite said Marian support, the insurgents have mostly surrendered or given up now, and the final pockets will be eliminated by the first month of 3036.
Arcadian Navy Changes
The carrier wing of the AFMS Audacious suffered further loss at the Battle of Stewart, now reduced to just two wings of light fighters. Additionally the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Marine Regiment was wiped out to the last man by the self-destruction of the cruiser MCS Charles Marik near Stewart, including all command officers.
The assault dropships assigned to the AFMS Liberator and AFMS Guardian have been replaced by new, upgraded ships.
New Units
Hyde Lancers: Always Steadfast
The history of the Hyde Lancers goes back to the collapse of Lyran authority in the border regions. The Anglo-German nobility of Hyde formed the combined-arms regiment from their retinues and whatever they could scrounge from LCAF assets. Despite the odds the Hyde Lancers survived numerous invasions by pirates, mercenaries, and other rogue elements, becoming the epitome of martial courage to the people of Hyde. When their world joined the foundation of the Free March, the Lancers were invited to join the AFFM, and were eventually formed into a component of the 1st Free March Cavalry Brigade. After decades of service as a combined arms force and then a BattleMech battalion, the Hyde Lancers were nearly wiped out on Bolan by the Vth and VIth Legions of the Marian Hegemony. In recognition of their bravery, the Hyde Lancers are now reconstituted as an independent regiment of the AFFM, much to the satisfaction of their homeworld.
The regiment's insignia is a pair of crossed lances over the likeness of Hyde's main continent. Their parade colors are ocean blue and green.
Hyde Lancers BattleMech Regiment (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Maxwell Steuben
XO: Colonel Natasha Volkova
1st Batt: Lt. Colonel Kevin Richards
2nd Batt: Lt. Colonel Mohinder Nehru
3rd Batt: Lt. Colonel Johann von Lohringhoven
4th Batt: Lt. Colonel Frederick Druthers
The Hyde Lancers are a medium weight 'Mech regiment, with only a few faster heavy 'Mechs (typically heavy cavalry types) in their number. They have trained in cavalry tactics and assaulting isolated enemy units where the need may call for it.
3rd Aerial Cavalry Regiment (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Colonel Jack O'Malley
Two battalions worth of VTOL and airbeathing conventional aircraft provide additional reconnaissance and tactical air support to the Hyde Lancers.
29th Free March Artillery Battalion (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Lt. Colonel Ferdinand Saint-Martin
Colonel Saint-Martin is a younger officer than usual for his rank. A skilled mathematician and artillery officer, he is hoping to employ some of the latest refitted weapon systems in the Arcadian arsenal.
5th Armored Infantry Regiment (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Colonel Joanna Ridley
The 5th Armored Infantry includes a higher than usual number of former militia infantry, reflecting the AFFM's growing need for infantry troopers. Far from undermining their capability, the 5th's training and mustering shows these soldiers are slightly more capable than their rated competency level due to long experience.
Hyde Lancers Aerospace Group (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Colonel Paula Reuben
The Hyde Lancers Aerospace Group matches the new standard TO&E of line unit air support, with a wing of medium-weight fighters and two wings of interceptors. Colonel Reuben is training the wings to operate together and to execute tactical strike missions when the land forces need the assistance.
Garrison Brigades
Fourteen new formations, modeled after the Light Militia Brigades established at the end of 3034, these units are primarily drawn from the new worlds of the Free March, including draft classes from such worlds that practice conscription. The higher number of conscripts and the situation involving their worlds means these fourteen units are considered to be of Questionable reliability as well as being inexperienced troops with militia-quality gear, but the need for garrison units to reduce reliance on MOOK Security Enterprises and the limited economic resources of Arcadia until recently demanded their employment. In the long term, many garrison brigades may be replaced by militia forces of more reliable nature.
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