Editing 3rd Crucis Lancers

{{infoBoxMilitaryCommand
| image          = [[File:Crucis Lancers 3rd logo.png]]
| Designation    = Third Crucis Lancers
| formed         = [[2765]]–[[2785]]<ref name="FR2765:AFFS">''Field report 2765: AFFS''</ref><ref name="FSWp33">''First Succession War'', p. 33: "Those Left Behind (Continued)"</ref>
| Disbanded      =
| Previous Designation =
| Nickname       = Achernar Lancers
| Affiliation    = [[AFFS]]
| Parent Command = [[Crucis Lancers]]
| Sub-Command    =
}}
The '''Third Crucis Lancers''' was originally a [[Federated Suns]] [[BattleMech]] regiment that later grew to become the centerpiece of a [[Regimental Combat Team]] under the same name.

==History==
===Reunification War===
In January [[2583]], the Third Crucis Lancers were deployed to the world of [[Kinkaid II]] in the [[Outworlds Alliance]]. The [[Federated Suns]] occupation of seven worlds within the Outworlds Alliance between March [[2582]] and January 2583 was a deliberate political move by First Prince [[Alexander Davion]] to frustrate the [[Star League]] and [[Draconis Combine]] forces attempting to shorten the border between the Federated Suns and the Outworlds Alliance. The Third Crucis Lancers were commanded at this point by [[Major General]] [[Gabriela Davion-Hart]] and followed her orders to subdue the Kinkaid Militia, rather than destroy them, but it took a four hour battle and five demands the militia surrender before the Lancers finally held the planetary capital.<ref name="H:RWp122">''Historical: Reunification War'', p. 122: "Continued Maneuvers Politic..."</ref>

===First Succession War===
[[Ulan Batar]] was one of several worlds the Confederation managed to capture and hold during the [[First Succession War]], despite a heavy counterattack by the Federated Suns<ref name="HB:HLp31">''Handbook: House Liao'', p. 31: "Capellan Confederation after First Succession War - [2822] Map"</ref><ref name="HB:HLp29"/> in [[2809]]<ref name="FSWp98">''First Succession War'', p. 98: "The Davion Counter-Offensives"</ref> after [[Chancellor of the Capellan Confederation|Chancellor]] [[Ilsa Liao]] offered to withdraw her claim to the title of [[First Lord of the Star League|First Lord]] of the Star League and to instead support [[Paul Davion (29th c.)|Paul Davion]]'s claim if the Federated Suns would return [[Chesterton]] to the Confederation.<ref name="HB:HLp31"/><ref name="HB:HLp29">''Handbook: House Liao'', p. 29: "Ilsa Liao and Chesterton - A Gamble"</ref> The counterattack ordered by Paul Davion saw the Third Crucis Lancers attack Ulan Batar while the [[Fifth Crucis Lancers]] attacked the nearby [[Farwell]] system, beginning two more years of conflicts in the region around Chesterton.<ref name="FSWp93">''First Succession War'', p. 93: "Far Enough: The Confederation-Suns Front"</ref>

The Third was used to ambush Capellan forces attempting retake the totemic world of Chesterton in [[2812]], along with its sister unit, the Fifth Crucis Lancers, and other AFFS units.  They utterly destroyed [[Cochraine's Goliaths]], and heavily damaged the [[1st Ariana Fusiliers|First]] and [[Second Ariana Fusiliers]] after a brutal battle for the planet.<ref>''House Liao (The Capellan Confederation)'', p. 47: "A Proffered Hand" - Units fighting for Chesterton are named and their results.</ref>

===Third Succession War===
In [[3022]], the Third landed on [[Al Na'ir]] and faced the [[Fifteenth Dieron Regulars]].<ref>''Tripwire'', p. 3</ref>

In response to the [[Fifth Sword of Light]]'s invasion of [[Ozawa]] the Third arrived in [[3026]]. They were able to drive off the Fifth in a few days, with the help of the [[Ozawa Urban Defense Brigade]].<ref>''Sorenson's Sabres'', p. 42</ref> The Fifth took its revenge a few months later, however, when they forced the Third off of [[Markab]].<ref>''Sorenson's Sabres'', p. 53</ref>

At this time the Third actually had four BattleMech battalions available.<ref>''House Davion (The Federated Suns)'', p. 142</ref>

===Fourth Succession War===
In the [[Fourth Succession War]], the Third Crucis Lancers attacked [[Tikonov]] with the other Crucis Lancer RCTs. After Tikonov was secured, the Third attacked [[Tigress]] with the [[Second Crucis Lancers]]. On Tigress [[Laurel's Legion]] destroyed the Third's headquarters unit, but the Lancers were still able to force the Legion offworld.<ref>''The Fourth Succession War Scenarios Volume One'', p. 18</ref> Once they had pacified that world the Third moved on to attack [[Kawich]], leaving the Second to garrison Tigress. The Third spent the rest of the Fourth Succession War garrisoning Kawich.<ref>''NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1'', p. 11</ref>

They took part in the [[Battle of Kawich (3029)]], part of [[Operation RIPOSTE]].

===War of 3039===
The Third Crucis Lancers served as the garrison for [[Caph]] before and during Wave One of the [[War of 3039]].<ref name="3039p61C">''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 136: "Caph (June)"</ref><ref name="3039p136DT">''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 136: "Deployment Table"</ref> In June, the [[Ryuken-ni]] and the [[Ryuken-san]] [[Battle of Caph (3039)|attacked Caph]]. The [[Ryuken]] attacked the Third Crucis Lancers at their military base outside of the city of Aswan. Unknown to the Ryuken,<ref name=3039p61C/> the [[Davion Assault Guards]], [[Thirty-third Avalon Hussars]], and the understrength [[Alpha Regiment (Wolf's Dragoons)|Alpha Regiment]], [[Gamma Regiment (Wolf's Dragoons)|Gamma Provisional]], [[Delta Regiment (Wolf's Dragoons)|Delta Provisional]], [[Epsilon Regiment|Epsilon Provisional]], and [[Zeta Battalion|Zeta Provisional Battalion]] of Wolf's Dragoons had been deployed to Caph in preparations for an assault on [[Dieron]].<ref name=3039p135DT>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 135: "Deployment Table"</ref><ref name=3039p61C/><ref name=3039p141DT>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 141: "Deployment Table"</ref> The Lancers were initially overwhelmed by the Ryuken until reinforcements provided by Wolf's Dragoons and the Assault Guards arrived. The Ryuken escaped off-planet by raiding the Hussars' staging base on the continent of Brunnel.<ref name=3039p61C/> The Third Crucis Lancers took only light losses.<ref name=3039p136DT/>

The Third Crucis Lancers were redeployed to [[Marcus]]. On September 9th the [[Twenty-fifth Marik Militia]] arrived and found a full [[RCT]] waiting for them. Within a month, the Third Crucis Lancers devastated the [[Marik]] forces and forced them evacuate on October 8th.<ref name=3039p122>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 135: "Marcus (September-October)"</ref>

===Clan Invasion===
As the Clan Invasion began in [[3050]], the Lancers were stationed in the Kentares PDZ on the Lyran side of the [[Federated Commonwealth]].<ref name=FMFS69>''Field Manual: Federated Suns'', p. 69: "3rd Crucis Lancers Unit Profile"</ref> The unit was held in reserve until it was called up by [[Field Marshal]] [[Morgan Hasek-Davion]]. He assigned them to [[Babaeski]], where they stayed even after the [[Truce of Tukayyid]] was signed.  They conducted a number of raids into [[Clan Jade Falcon|Clan Jade Falcon's]] [[Jade Falcon Occupation Zone|Occupation Zone]], including hitting the capital world of [[Sudeten]].

The unit was forced to withdraw from garrison duty on Babaeski by the newly formed [[Lyran Alliance]] in [[3057]]. However, the Lancers remained in place until [[Arc-Royal Defense Cordon]] forces could relieve them.  During their time in the Lyran Alliance, they acquired from their raids a number of Clan vehicles and OmniMechs, including two new ''[[Hauptmann]]'' [[OmniMech|Heavy OmniMechs]].{{cn}}

===Civil War===
The Third mostly stayed out of the [[FedCom Civil War]], remaining on station in the Draconis March to dissuade [[Draconis Combine]] forces. In their time on [[Cassias]] the Third Crucis Lancers constructed an extensive series of fortresses and fighting positions.<ref>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 151</ref> The Seventh Crucis Lancer Armored Regiment and a 'Mech battalion were organized into a single combat command that followed [[Tancred Sandoval]]. That combat command reinforced the [[Mayetta Draconis March Militia]], who were being attacked by the [[Bremond Draconis March Militia]] and [[Milligan Draconis March Militia]].<ref>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 58</ref> The Lancers and Mayetta DMM relocated to [[Woodbine]]. There the Third's combat command and Mayetta DMM survivors were combined into one task force. On Woodbine they faced the [[Third Lyran Regulars]]. The fight didn't go well, but the timely arrival of a brigade from the [[First Crucis Lancers]] reinforced the Third Crucis and split the Third Lyran Regulars in two.<ref>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 79</ref> More reinforcements from the First Crucis Lancers arrived, and the Lancer units captured most of the Third Lyran Regulars.<ref>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 80</ref> The Crucis Lancers then landed on [[Tsamma]], where they were pinned in place by the [[Tsamma Crucis March Militia]]. The [[First Royal Cavaliers]] also arrived on the world, and the Loyalist units inflicted serious losses on the Lancer units.<ref>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 97</ref> This was due partly to the Cavaliers' use of artillery shells loaded with chemical weapons. The chemical weapons were accidentally used, but the Lancers were pushed back by the Cavaliers.<ref>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 142</ref> Shortly thereafter a battalion of the Third Crucis Lancers dropped directly on the Cavaliers' base and captured it. This forced the Cavaliers to surrender. After securing their prisoners, the Third Crucis Lancers moved to [[New Valencia]], the first stop on their way to [[New Avalon]].<ref>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 161</ref> Soon the Third Lancers joined [[Victor Steiner-Davion]] on [[Marlette]], and arrived on New Avalon shortly after that.<ref>''FedCom Civil War'', p. 172</ref> They took few losses, and actually gained an additional aerospace wing, the 594th Federation Wing, during that deployment.<ref>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 128</ref> As of [[3067]], they were stationed on [[Chenier]].<ref name=FMUp141>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 141: "AFFS Deployment Table - 3067"</ref>

===Jihad===
In [[3072]], the Third Crucis Lancers attacked the [[Outworlds Alliance]] planet [[Tellman IV]] after rumors led them to believe that the [[Word of Blake]] was using the planet as a base. This information was incorrect, and a combined [[Alliance Military Corps]]/[[Clan Snow Raven]] force destroyed the Third Crucis' 'Mech regiment.<ref>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072'', p. 97</ref> The Third Crucis Lancers RCT was deactivated, and the RCT's conventional regiments were reassigned to the [[Second Crucis Lancers]] and [[Seventh Crucis Lancers]] to help those units rebuild.<ref>''Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers'', p. 46</ref><ref name=FR:AFFS11>''Field Report: AFFS'', p. 11: "Crucis Lancers"</ref>

In late February [[3075]], diplomats from the Federated Suns traveled to Outworlds Alliance space to negotiate with the Snow Ravens. As well as a peace settlement, the negotiators hoped to arrange for the release of captured personnel from the Third Crucis Lancers and for the Snow Ravens to contribute aid to the coalition assembled by [[Devlin Stone]]. While the negotiations did result in assurances from the Snow Ravens that they wouldn't strike at the Federated Suns again unless provoked, the Clan refused to contribute to the allied coalition and claimed all of the captured AFFS personnel as ''[[isorla]]''.<ref name="JHS:Tp14+">''Jihad Hot Spots: Terra'', pp. 14–15: "Timeline of the Jihad"</ref><ref name="J:FRp53">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 53: "The Jihad In Review"</ref>

==Officers==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Rank
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Name
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Command
|-
| colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of the 3rd Crucis Lancers'''
|-
| [[Major General]]||[[Gabriela Davion-Hart]]||[[2583]]<ref name="H:RWp122"/>
|-
| [[Marshal (rank)|Marshal]]||[[Jessie Pedroza]]||[[3025]]<ref name=HD136>''House Davion (The Federated Suns)'', p. 136 (PDF version): "Addicks PDZ"</ref>
|-
| [[Hauptmann General]]||[[Acabee Zardetto]]||[[3050]] - [[3054]]<ref name=20YUp19>''20 Year Update'', p. 19: "AFFC Deployment Table - 3050"</ref><ref name=ORp23>''Objective Raids'', p. 23: "AFFC Deployment Table - 3054"</ref><ref name=FMFS69/>
|-
| [[General]]||[[Melissa Coulier]]||[[3067]]<ref name=FMUp141/>
|-
| Major General||[[Julien Emerson-Green]]||[[3145]]<ref name="FM:3145p90">''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 90: "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns"</ref>
|-
|}

===Other Unit Officers===
* At some time prior to the Jihad, one of the Third Crucis Lancers officers was [[Major]] [[Ephraim Pasquale]].<ref name=WNN>''BattleCorps: INN Newscast (Solaris Broadcasting Co. section), news item published [29/06/3072]: "Pundits Pound It Out!"''</ref>

==Tactics==
The Lancers prefer to be on the offensive, using the combination of both 'Mechs and Tank forces.  As part of their strategy, they have their infantry forces fortified and hide their positions to surprise unsuspecting enemies pushing through their lines.<ref name=FMFS69/>

==Composition History==
===2786–2821===
'''Third Crucis Lancers''' (Regiment/Regular/Questionable)<ref name="FSWp134">''First Succession War'', p. 134: "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns (AFFS)"</ref>
:Note: At this point in time the Lancers were a medium-weight regiment stationed on [[Marlette]] and were operating at four-battalion strength.<ref name="FSWp134"/> In 2821, the unit was stationed on [[Listowel]] and had been reduced to just over half-strength.<ref name="FSWp134"/>

===2830===
'''Third Crucis Lancers''' (Regiment/Regular/Questionable)<ref name="SSWp94">''Second Succession War'', p. 94: "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns (AFFS)"</ref>
:Note: At this point in time the Lancers were a medium-weight regiment and had rebuilt to a little over full strength. The Lancers were stationed on Listowel.<ref name="SSWp94"/>

===2864===
'''Third Crucis Lancers''' (Regiment/Regular/Questionable)<ref name="SSWp94"/>
:Note: At this point in time the Lancers were a medium-weight regiment stationed on Listowel, and had been reduced to just over three-quarters of full strength.<ref name="SSWp94"/>

===3025===
'''Third Crucis Lancers RCT''' (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)<ref name=HD136/>
:* CO: Marshal Jessie Pedroza<ref name=HD136/>
:Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on [[Caph]].<ref name=HD136/>

===3040===
'''Third Crucis Lancers RCT''' (Regiment/Elite/Reliable)<ref name=HWo3039p136/>
:Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Sarna]].<ref name=HWo3039p136>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 136</ref>

===3050===
'''Third Crucis Lancers RCT ''' (Regiment/Elite/Reliable)<ref name=20yup19/>
:* CO: Hauptmann General Acabee Zardetto<ref name=20yup19/>
:Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Cylene]].<ref name=20yup19>''20 Year Update'', p. 19</ref>

===3054===
'''Third Crucis Lancers RCT''' (Regiment/Elite/Reliable)<ref name=ORp23/>
:* CO: Hauptmann General Acabee Zardetto<ref name=ORp23/>
:Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Babaeski]].<ref name=ORp23/>

===3062===
'''Third Crucis Lancers''' (1 Reinforced [[Regiment]]/Elite/Reliable)<ref name=FMFS69/>
:* CO: [[Leftenant General]] Katriel Macon
::* Aide: [[Leftenant Colonel]] Kevin Kirschner
:Note: Four [[Battalion]]s of medium-heavy '[[Mech]]s, equipped with eight lances of [[OmniMech]]s

:'''Third Crucis Lancers Aerospace [[Brigade]]''' (2 [[Wing (Military Unit)|Wing]]s)<ref name=FMFS69/>
:* CO: [[Rear Admiral]] Dmitri Mollerskov
:* Fifth Crucis Lancers Aero Wing
:* Sixth Crucis Lancers Aero Wing

:'''Third Crucis Lancers Armor Brigade''' (4 Regiments/Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=FMFS69/>
:* CO: General Acabee Zardetto
::* Aide: Leftenant General Lloyd Ra
:* Seventh Crucis Lancers Armored Regiment - [[Colonel]]: Isis Jaske
:* Eighth Crucis Lancers Armored Regiment - Colonel: Terri Kuhn
:* Ninth Crucis Lancers Armored Regiment - Leftenant General: Jennifer Boyd
:* Eighth [[Elbar]] Light Armor - Colonel: Albin Jancar
:* Third Crucis Lancers Artillery Battalion - Leftenant Colonel: Theo P. Reaves III
:Note: One Battalion with ''[[Alacorn]]''s and ''[[Challenger|Challenger X]]''es

:'''Third Crucis Lancers Infantry Brigade''' (5 Regiments/Veteran/Reliable)<ref name=FMFS69/>
:* CO: [[Major General]] Tina Dorsey
::* Aide: Colonel James Mingjun
:* Fifth Crucis Lancers Infantry Regiment - Leftenant General: Raghib Li
:* Sixth Crucis Lancers Infantry Regiment - Colonel: Emma Valentino
:* Fifth Crucis Lancers Mechanized Infantry Regiment - Colonel: Christopher Snow
:* Sixth Crucis Lancers Mechanized Infantry Regiment - Colonel: Lei Ntwana
:* Third Crucis Lancers Jump Infantry Regiment - Colonel: Ronald Montrose
:Note: The Sixth Infantry includes heavy towed weapons. The Fifth Infantry has engineering equipment.

===3067===
'''Third Crucis Lancers RCT''' (Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=FMUp141/>
:* CO: General [[Melissa Coulier]]

:'''Third Crucis Lancers Aerospace Brigade''' (Elite/Reliable)<ref name=FMUp141/>
:* CO: Leftenant General [[Zebulon Netanyahu]]

:'''Third Crucis Lancers Armor Brigade''' (Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=FMUp141/>
:* CO: General [[Edward Cook]]

:'''Third Crucis Lancers Infantry Brigade''' (Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FMUp141/>
:* CO: Major General [[Lyons Freeman (3rd Crucis Lancers)|Lyons Freeman]]

===3145===
'''Third Crucis Lancers RCT''' (Green/Reliable)<ref name="FM:3145p90"/>
:* CO: Major General Julien Emerson-Green

:'''Third Crucis Lancers Aerospace Brigade''' (Green/Fanatical)<ref name="FM:3145p90"/>
:* CO: Vice Admiral [[Alice Wong]]

:'''Third Crucis Lancers Armor Brigade''' (Green/Reliable)<ref name="FM:3145p90"/>
:* CO: Major General [[Michelle Myers]]

:'''Third Crucis Lancers Infantry Brigade''' (Regular/Reliable)<ref name="FM:3145p90"/>
:* CO: Major General [[Barry Glendale]]

==Notes==
The Crucis Lancers brigade appears to have been created with the formation of the [[First Crucis Lancers]] in [[2782]], as the brigade didn't exist in [[2765]].<ref name="FR2765:AFFS"/> The [[Second Crucis Lancers]] were founded in [[2783]],<ref name="FSWp33"/> and the [[7th Crucis Lancers|Seventh]] in [[2784]],<ref name="FSWp33"/> while the Third and [[4th Crucis Lancers|Fourth]] had been formed by [[2786]], although the [[6th Crucis Lancers|Sixth]] and [[Eighth Crucis Lancers]] were formed during the First Succession War,<ref name="FSWp134"/> indicating that the brigade commands weren't founded in strictly numerical order. A founding date range of 2765–2785 has therefore been given for the Third, to take into account that latest date in which the Third hadn't been founded and the earliest date by which they were definitely known to exist as a command.

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
<div class="desktop-3-col">
* ''[[20 Year Update]]''
* ''[[List of Solaris Broadcasting Co. articles#Pundits Pound It Out.21|BattleCorps Solaris Broadcasting Co., 29/06/3072: "Pundits Pound It Out!"]]''
* ''[[FedCom Civil War (sourcebook)|FedCom Civil War]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: 3145]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Federated Suns]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
* ''[[Field Report: AFFS]]''
* ''[[Field Report 2765: AFFS]]''
* ''[[First Succession War (sourcebook)|First Succession War]]''
* ''[[The Fourth Succession War Scenarios Volume One]]''
* ''[[Historical: Reunification War]]''
* ''[[Historical: War of 3039]]''
* ''[[House Davion (The Federated Suns)]]''
* ''[[House Liao (The Capellan Confederation)]]''
* ''[[Jihad: Final Reckoning]]''
* ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: 3072]]''
* ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: Terra]]''
* ''[[Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers]]''
* ''[[NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1]]''
* ''[[Second Succession War (sourcebook)|Second Succession War]]''
* ''[[Sorenson's Sabres (scenario pack)]]''
* ''[[Tripwire]]''
</div>


[[Category:Federated Suns Commands|Crucis Lancers, 03rd]]
[[Category:Federated Commonwealth Commands|Crucis Lancers, 03rd]]