Editing 5th Sword of Light

{{Cleanup|reason=review needed|date=September 2023}}
{{infoBoxMilitaryCommand
| image = [[File:Sword of Light 5th logo.png]]
| Designation = Fifth Sword of Light
| Formed = [[2796]]
| Disbanded = 
| Previous Designation = 
| Nickname = The Gold Dragon
| Affiliation = [[Draconis Combine]]
| Parent Command = [[Sword of Light]]
| Sub-Command = [[Sorenson's Sabres]]
}}
[[Image:DragonKick.jpg| A Fifth Sword of Light [[Dragon]] stomps onto an enemy 'Mech|thumb|right|250px]]

The '''Fifth Sword of Light''' is a [[House Kurita]] BattleMech Regiment, which is noted for using aggressive actions to achieve its objectives. This unit represents the Pillar of Gold, or government, with a regimental patch of a gold Kurita dragon.

==History==
===Formation===
Formed at the order of [[Jinjiro Kurita]] late [[twenty-eighth century]], it was formed to act as a fanatically loyal Household Guard unit in order to protect him from his political enemies. The unit was also tasked to protect Jinjiro's younger brother, [[Zabu Kurita]].

In [[2765]] the Fifth Sword of Light was stationed on [[Awano]]. They shared this world with the [[SLDF]]'s [[159th Jump Infantry Division]]<ref>''Field Manual: SLDF'', p. 256</ref> and the [[XIV Corps (Star League)|XIV Corps]] headquarters.<ref>''Field Manual: SLDF'', p. 172</ref> Relations between the SLDF and the Fifth were cold.<ref>''Field Report 2765: DCMS'', p. 8</ref>

===The First Succession War and as Household Guards===

A Company of the 'Mech force would accompany either Coordinator Jinjiro or Zabu whenever they entered a battlefield. A House Guards, regiment be broken up with some of its units used its lance components protected personnel holdings.  This left the Fifth Sword scattered across the Combine, protecting these personal assets of the Jinjiro. Worlds they would be deployed were major planets, including New Samarkand, Pesht and its majority on Luthien protecting Jinjiro himself. In [[2787]] during the [[First Succession War]] the Fifth Sword of Light participated in [[Operation BROKEN BLADE]]'s assault of [[Hesperus II]],<ref>''Broken Blade''</ref> but was spared the carnage other frontline units suffered during this destructive era.<ref>''Sorenson's Sabres'', p. 7: Fifth Sword of Light - Brief Regimental History - Early years of the Fifth Sword including its creation as personal regimental house guard unit for the Coordinator</ref>

===The Second Succession War===
====Duty to Coordinator Zabu and Assignment to Sun Zhang Military Academy====
Years after the First Succession War ended in [[2821]], Coordinator Jinjiro succumbed to insanity.
In his place, his brother Zabu Kurita took the throne in April [[2837]].  As the Second Succession War raged, Zabu attempted to reform the Combine economy and military.  He being naïve man, reassigned Fifth Sword to other duties, since he felt he no longer needed such a large force for bodyguards to protect him from his own people.

Zabu then transferred the elite and well equipped regiment to the newly formed [[Sun Zhang Military Academy]] on [[New Samarkand]].  It was his hope that the regiment would be a means to motivate new cadets entering Combine's service.  For the next eight years, the unit served at the academy as trainers and aides.  This changed in [[2838]], when the Coordinator [[w:Seppuku|committed ''seppuku'']].  Zabu's son then recalled the Fifth Sword to return to duty as his Coordinator's house guard unit once more.<ref>''Sorenson's Sabres'', p. 7: Fifth Sword of Light - Brief Regimental History - Unit time serving as Guards and serving at Sun Zhang Military Academy</ref>

====Duty on the Frontlines====
However, within days of being recalled, Coordinator [[Yoguchi Kurita]] ordered the unit to raid [[House Davion]]'s border when he realized how well equipped and intact the Fifth Sword was. At the time, there were few intact units due to sheer destruction the First Succession had caused on Combine troops.

In [[2838]] the Fifth Sword conducted a raiding campaign along the [[Draconis March]].  The unit participated in five major battles and 40 lesser ones over the next three decades.  The unit concentrated on the worlds close to [[Dahar IV]], [[Cassias]], and [[Royal]].  The unit would develop its infamous tactics of targeting civilian and military targets in its "Total War" doctrine.

=====Battle for Gandy's Luck=====
In December of [[2851]], the Fifth Sword fought mostly in defense of the Combine world of [[Gandy's Luck]]. The unit had returned from several raid-in-force missions, Gandy's Luck served as its refit and rearming base. The [[Ninth Galedon Regulars]] were also on the planet trying to rebuild due to combat losses.

Unknown to them, within days of arriving in-system, a task force of Davion troops made up of 4 regiments worth of troops had arrived. Included in their numbers was a battalion of BattleMechs from the [[Davion Guards|Davion Guard]] Brigade.  Both depleted from previous battles, the Ninth Galedon joined with the Fifth Sword as a unified force. The reinforced Fifth Sword began using their knowledge of the terrain to their full advantage as they fought the large Davion Task Force. The Fifth Sword engaged its Davion opponent initially in "thrust and parry" attacks, then proceeded to grind each other down in grueling firefights. The battle encompassed the entire continent. After three days of fighting losing battles, the Davion forces withdrew from the planet, leaving the continent scarred with reminders of their fight. The Fifth Sword and Ninth Galedon were devastated after the battle. It was decided to retire the Ninth's colors to allow the remnants to strengthen the Fifth.

=====End of the war=====
By the end of the Second Succession War, the unit had been fighting on the Davion world of [[Crossing]]. Entrenched and ready to continue its battle, word of the ceasefire reached them. The unit withdrew across the border to [[Reisling's Planet]]. Following the year after arriving, they were relocated to the [[Dieron Military District]], where they continued to garrison various worlds for the following two years.<ref>''Sorenson's Sabres'', pp. 7–8: Fifth Sword of Light - Brief Regimental History - Unit's actions during the Second Succession War. From soft guards to elite attack unit</ref>

===Third Succession War===
By October [[2866]], at the beginning of the [[Third Succession War]], the Fifth Sword was positioned in the Dieron Military District by [[Coordinator]] [[Miyogi Kurita]] as the stage area with a dozen other regiments for the beginning of the next conflict.

====First and Second Offensives====
At the start of the war, the Fifth Sword was part of a task force which set out to take worlds in the [[Lyran Commonwealth]].  Unprepared, Steiner's forces failed to resist invasion, losing a number of worlds in the initial attack. The Fifth Sword was involved in battles that claimed [[Kessel]] for the Combine in December and [[Vega]] in January [[2867]]. However, in [[2872]] the troops of the Fifth Sword began to resent the new orders that they were to avoid destruction of infrastructure and to refrain from molesting civilians. The Fifth Sword began to ignore such orders; however, the unit paid quite a price for their behavior, since Lord Kurita then pulled them from the frontline and placed them in garrison duty on the Davion front for the next decade and a half.

In [[2887]], the unit was finally recalled to the Steiner front when the Coordinator mounted a second offensive into Steiner space. In the resulting fighting, the Fifth Sword claimed the world of [[Ryde]] for the Dragon.<ref>''Sorenson's Sabres'', p. 8: "Fifth Sword of Light" - Brief Regimental History - Fifth Sword's actions during first two offensives into House Steiner, and its punishment for disobeying the Coordinator</ref>

====The Invasion of Skye: 2893–2894====
In [[2893]], the DCMS invaded the planet [[Skye]], the capital of the [[Federation of Skye]]. As one of the [[DCMS]]' finest units, the Fifth Sword of Light was part of the invasion force. Despite the stiff defense by the defending [[Steiner]] troops, major parts of the planet had fallen under Kurita control within a year.

The Battle of Bannockburn Bogs was the turning point of the campaign. A 'Mech battalion of the Fifth Sword and a tank regiment were assigned to take the city of New Glasgow for the Dragon. However, the Kurita force had to stop its advance when they tried to pass through a swamp outside of the city. Two companies of the [[17th Skye Rangers|Seventeenth Skye Rangers]] used their superior knowledge of the terrain and surrounded the Kurita force. In the ensuing battle, most of the DCMS force was destroyed. The Battle of Bannockburn Bogs is notable to be the first battle ever to be lost by the Fifth Sword of Light.

Afterwards, the DCMS was on the defensive and finally had to retreat in [[2894]].<ref>''Sorenson's Sabres'', pp. 8–9: Fifth Sword of Light - Brief Regimental History - brief history of the Fifth Sword's attempt to take the planet. Regiment did leave according to the fluff and the campaign is noted as being greatest unsuccessful challenge</ref>

====Rebuilding, Household Guards, and traveling the Combine====
The unit, still damaged from the Skye campaign, participated in a joint expedition with other units to take [[Sakhalin (LC)|Sakhalin]] in [[2899]].  The unit was then used as garrison force on many of the worlds captured during the early years of the Third Succession War.

The unit then would be recalled to Luthien in [[2907]] by Coordinator [[Hugai Kurita]], where it would spend almost twenty years in the role it was created for: as Household Guards to the Coordinator.

By [[2925]], Lord [[Hohiro Kurita (30th c.)|Hohiro Kurita]] decided his household guards would be reduced to a battalion of BattleMechs.  He elected to rotate a single battalion from Fifth Sword and its sister unit, the [[2nd Sword of Light|Second Sword]].  He had the Regiment travel the Steiner and Davion borders of the Combine to perfect their "Art of War" through experience gained in battle. During this time period, the unit had given itself the nickname of "the twitchy stiletto". After 41 years, the unit had traveled to 48 different worlds setting a record of travel in the Combine.

In [[3004]], [[Takashi Kurita]] took over as Coordinator after the assassination of his father. He changed the tactical doctrine of his military units, having them break down into company size forces to allow better mobility and attaining elite skills over less experienced battalions.<ref>''Sorenson's Sabres'', pp. 8–9: The Last Hundred Years - Fifth Sword is dispatched on a long tour of the active borders gaining experience.  Takashi Kurita put a stop to it, has the frontline unit break down to companies so they can refine the skills to allow them to be elite</ref>

In [[3014]], second-in-command Conti Palmer replaces his commanding officer Leonard Ohira after leaking information to the [[ISF]].  The Silvereen's Stallions (Company) is deployed to [[Worrell]], where its commanding officer is killed in a food riot in [[3021]].  Conti has his command lance members killed for failing to protect Captain Silvereen.  He then promotes ''Chu-i'' [[Daniel Sorenson]] to ''[[Tai-i]]'' and renames the unit [[Sorenson's Sabres]].

Pirate raids in the Rasalhague region of the combine caused the Fifth Sword's Tarwater's Battalion to deploy to [[New Caledonia]] in May [[3023]].  The unit fights in a number of food raids and is successful in fighting the pirates off by [[3024]] with aid from the new Sorenson's Sabres Company.

The start of [[3025]] has the unit was stationed on [[Dieron]].<ref name=HKDCp133>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 133</ref>

The entire Fifth Sword of Light is sent in 3025 into the Davion border to claim more worlds for the Combine.  Dozen worlds are attacked, even though not as many are claimed by the campaign's end.<ref>''Sorenson's Sabres'', pp. 10–11: Timeline & Palmer Conti - Fifth Sword of Light's campaigns up to 3026</ref>

The Fifth Sword of Light's invasion of [[Ozawa]] crushed most of the [[Ozawa Urban Defense Brigade]]. With the [[3rd Crucis Lancers|Third Crucis Lancers]]' arrival in [[3026]], Davion Forces were able to drive off the Fifth in a few days, with the help of the surviving elements 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 [[Markab]].<ref>''Sorenson's Sabres'', p. 53</ref>

===The Fourth Succession War===
====Battle for Northwind====
As part of [[House Liao]]'s request for strikes conducted in the Terran Corridor of [[House Davion]] held space, ''Tai-sho'' Palmer Conti led the Fifth Sword with assistance of the [[36th Dieron Regulars|Thirty-sixth Dieron Regulars]] to the world of [[Northwind]] in January, [[3029]].<ref>''Warrior: Riposte'', pp. 291–292: "FedSuns Minister of Intelligence [[Quintus Allard]] debriefs [[Prince]] [[Hanse Davion]] of the Battle of Northwind"</ref> The Fifth introduced a deadly virus to the planet to weaken the [[AFFS]] forces; this virus killed thousands of people.<ref name=cmk29>''Combat Manual: Kurita'', p. 29</ref> There the Fifth's commander had Thirty-sixth Dieron to lure main garrison unit, [[5th Deneb Light Cavalry|Fifth Deneb Light Cavalry]] from their defensive positions. Once out of position, the Fifth Sword shattered the understrength Davion regiment.  The Cavalry's mercenary support units counterattacked by attacking the Fifth Sword's Headquarters.  However, the arrival of ''Tai-sho'' [[Yorinaga Kurita|Yorinaga Kurita's]] ''[[Genyosha]]'' regiments stopped the [[Kell Hounds]]' Third Battalion and [[Team Banzai]]. Genyosha efforts heavily damaged both mercenary units, forcing them to withdraw.<ref>''Warrior: Riposte'', p. 283: "Team Banzai second-in-command meets with Third Kell Hounds Battalion commander Scott Bradley, tells him of actions of the Kurita forces"</ref> After repulsion of Davion mercenary units, reinforcements sent by Prince Hanse Davion arrive in form of entire brigade of [[Northwind Highlanders]].

In the fighting with the Northwind Highlanders, the Fifth Sword is able to seriously damage the [[First Kearny Highlanders]], prior to ''Tai-sho'' Conti's withdrawal from the planet.  Conti orders the Thirty-sixth Dieron to cover the withdrawal of the Fifth, resulting in heavy damage.<ref>''Warrior: Coupé'', p. 183: "Theodore Kurita criticizes Palmer Conti's efforts on Northwind, showing he could have conducted a counterattack using canyon mazes near the battlefield"</ref>

In August, the unit traveled to [[Moore]] where, some [[Dieron Military District|Dieron District]] commanders meet with ''Prince'' [[Theodore Kurita]].  Where he shows them a semisecret counterattack against the Lyran front of the war. The units would stage on the secretly captured Lyran world of [[Dromini VI]], where they would strike out from the planet into a number of Skye worlds.  However, Lyran Commonwealth sent the [[10th Lyran Guards|Tenth Lyran Guards]] to disrupt the operations. Though the attack was repulsed, Lyran [[LIC]] agents sabotaged the majority of Lord Kurita's task force's JumpShips.

====Battle on Nusakan====
On 23 October 3029, the Fifth Sword engaged the Kell Hound regiment on Nusakan. The Fifth Sword's commander, ''Tai-sho'' Conti, had attempted to steal the glory from the Genyosha after the Lyran sneak attack on [[Dromini VI]].<ref>''Warrior: Coupé'', p. 292: "''[[Chu-sa]]'' [[Akira Brahe]] discusses the situation on Nusakan with his father ''Tai-sho'' Yorinaga Kurita"</ref>  Fifth Sword fought a grueling battle with the Kell Hounds, leaving many 'Mechs destroyed including Conti's own ''[[Banshee (BattleMech)|Banshee]]''.<ref>''Warrior: Coupé'', pp. 295–296: "Conti battles and loses to vengeful Major Scott Bradley for events on Northwind"</ref><ref name=nais2>''NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2'', pp. 78–79</ref>

Men of the Fifth cheered as Genyosha approached, urging them to attack Kell Hounds. However, they refused and threatened to destroy the Fifth if it interfered with the battle between Yorinaga Kurita and Colonel [[Morgan Kell]].<ref>''Warrior: Coupé'', pp. 294–296: "Genyosha arrives at battle with Fifth Sword of Light and the Kell Hounds"</ref><ref name=nais2/>  Fifth Sword forces back off from the arena like battlefield and witness samurai duel.

===War of 3039===
====Pike IV====
In the second Wave of the conflict, the Fifth Sword of Light teamed up with the [[24th Dieron Regulars|Twenty-fourth Dieron Regulars]] on 19 July [[3039]] as part of Combine's counterinvasion.  The Fifth Sword's commander ''[[Sho-sho]]'' Jonathan Fujimoto, was given command of two unit task force, leading the inexperienced Twenty-fourth Dieron.

''Sho-sho'' Fujimoto keep his force together than divided, his task force where he focused his energies on [[Hansen's Roughriders]].  Playing a game of cat-and-mouse, he and Colonel Hansen fought in skirmishes. Colonel Hansen attempted keep his unit from being smashed by elite skill and very well equipped Fifth Swords.  Time ran out for one of Hansen's Battalions, where Fifth Sword finally cornered it in the mining city of Mercator.  Using their well-trained skills of urban fighting, plowed quickly into the city.  Inflicting high considerable damage to the 'Mech Battalion and the city itself.  Only half the battalion survived, pulling out the city well enough regroup in highland areas.<ref name=cmk29/> During the two-week cat and mouse hunt, FedCom reinforcements had arrived, in the form of the [[Seventeenth Skye Rangers]], who then entrenched themselves into the planetary capital city of Stratopolis.

On 20 August the unit's Second Battalion (led by ''Chu-sa'' Hohiro Tatsuma) assaulted Stratopolis aided by [[ISF]] agents attempting cause insurrection within the city as well. However, the Seventeenth Skye Rangers' defense was brutal and insurrection was failure.  By September after the failed assault, the Fifth Sword's front lines were more formalized 300 km south of Stratopolis.

The conflict became a stalemate, Fifth Sword and the Twenty-fourth Dieron had cut up the FedCom supply chain.  Unfortunately for the Fifth Sword, the [[Thirtieth Lyran Guards]] and its reinforcements from the Seventeenth Skye Rangers' aerospace fighters had dominance in the Skye.<ref name=cmk29/>

By November the Fifth Sword's luck changed, Hansen's Roughrider departed Pike IV due to its contract expiring.  While ''Sho-shoo'' Fujimoto, feeling his honor was stained by the Fifth Sword's performance, committed ''seppuku'' to make amends despite ''Kanrei'' [[Theodore Kurita]] objections.  The command then was passed to ''Chu-sa'' Hohiro Tatsuma.<ref>''Historical: War of 3039'', pp. 84–86: Pike IV (July–November) - Fifth Sword of Light leads force to counter the invasion of Pike IV</ref>  In December, with the war's end the Lyran affiliate forces of the FedCom withdrew from the planet.

After securing the world for the Dragon, Tatsuma then returned his regiment back to Dieron.<ref>''Historical: War of 3039'', pp. 136, 138: Deployment Tables - Tables show Lyrans withdrawing, while Fifth and its support regiment the Twenty-fourth Dieron securing the planet and returning to their garrison posts in 3040</ref> The unit had been reduced to a single battalion in strength.<ref name=cmk29/>

===Clan Invasion Era===
====Early 3040s, Raids & Escorts Duty, and Reconstruction====
Through the 3040s, the Fifth Sword was sidelined from frontline combat, by Coordinator Takashi Kurita. Its losses it accumulated from the Fourth Succession War and War of 3039 were substantial. However FedCom Raids through early 3040s had reduced the unit single battalion of green troops.  The unit was reduced to escort duties, no longer elite regiment it once was.  ''Tai-sa'' Tatsuma carefully rebuilt the unit, however the DCMS's Bureau of Substitution had denied them green troops, and if were not the unit's past it would disbanded the Fifth Sword. Bureau Tatsuma broke from Fifth Sword's traditions and began recruiting women in the unit.  The Bureau despite denying it veteran troops, allowed command staff be rebuilt with officers from other regiments of the [[Sword of Light]] [[Brigade|brigade]].  So badly sundered, Fifth Sword was not deployed during the [[Clan Invasion]] of early 3050s.

In the 3050s, Tatsuma had reorganized the regiment so that each of its battalions would each different battlefield specialty. It was envisioned the regiment by being able handle any situation, by splitting its combat expertise between the battalions.  The Tatsuma in his efforts to rebuild allowed for technical support staff become elite in their field.<ref>''Field Manual: Draconis Combine'', p. 86: Fifth Sword of Light - Unit brief history after the Fourth Succession War and War of 3039</ref>

====Operation Bulldog====
Positioned on [[Bicester]] as of [[3059]], the unit was part of the reborn [[SLDF]] invasion forces for [[Operation Bulldog]]. The task forces which Fifth Swords were part of launched its invasion of [[Clan Smoke Jaguar]] held world of [[Port Arthur]].  [[Operation Bird Dog]] force sent ahead to secure the planet, consisted of a battalion of the [[First Davion Guards]]. The FedCom Unit had fought considerable campaign against the determined bondsmen of the [[168th Garrison Cluster (Clan Smoke Jaguar)|168th Garrison]] [[Cluster]].  The Fifth Sword and other forces of the task force arrive to utterly destroy Smoke Jaguar Cluster.

After the liberation, the unit remained on world a garrison until the Operation officially ended.<ref>''Dragon Roars'', pp. 10, 15: Unit Summaries & Wave One: Fall of the Katana - Fifth Sword's brief actions and notation during Operation Bulldog</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 111: Unit Bulldog actions during 3059 conflict and what it did after words</ref>

====Dominion War====
After Bulldog, the unit had since then transferred to [[Baruun Urt]], where help defend the [[Galedon Military District|Galedon District]]. It was stationed there until the outbreak of the [[1st Combine-Dominion War|Ghost Bear War]] in [[3062]].  The Fifth Sword was sent to support the [[17th Galedon Regulars|Seventeenth Galedon Regulars]], but arrived too late. It was able inflict heavy damage against Ghost Bear units there in form of revenge for the fallen Regulars.<ref>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 111: Fifth Sword of Light - Combine-Dominion Ghost War Conflict actions</ref>

===Federated Suns Incursion===
The Fifth Sword was deployed in DCMS's reprisal against the Federated Suns incursion during the [[FedCom Civil War]]. The unit attempted to claim the FedSun world of [[Cassias]] alongside the [[Ryuken-go]], but poor coordination led to the Davion defenders maintaining control of the planet.<ref>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 111: "Sword of Light brigade - Fifth Sword Unit profile"</ref> [[Hauptmann-General]] [[Kev Evans]], the Commanding Officer of the defending [[Seventeenth Avalon Hussars]] [[RCT]], managed to end five months of mobile defensive actions against the Fifth Sword and Ryuken-go on 12 November [[3065]], taking up a defensive line at the base of the Romen Mountains. The center of Evans' defensive position was the Callas Line, a series of entrenched fortifications that had been constructed in the past by a combination of the planetary militia and the [[Third Crucis Lancers]].<ref name="TRO:3058Up136">''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 136: "BSW-X1 Bushwacker"</ref>

After the initial [[DCMS]] attack on Evans' position had been thrown back, ''[[Tai-sa]]'' [[Davis Shotoku]] of the Ryuken-go led elements of his command on a flanking attack that led them into direct combat with the Third Battalion of the Seventeenth. The Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion, [[Major]] [[Chad Thomas]], was killed in the first few minutes of the battle, and [[Captain]] [[Sarah Blair]] assumed command of the battalion from the cockpit of her ''[[Bushwacker]]''. Sarah's leadership led to the Third throwing back repeated attacks by the Ryuken-go, and gun camera footage from the engagement showed Blair trading fire with Shotoku's ''[[Hatamoto-Chi]]''.<ref name="TRO:3058Up136"/>

The heavy losses taken by the DCMS forces in what was known as the Battle of Callas changed the campaign for control of Cassias, allowing Evans to inflict further losses over the next several weeks as the RCT applied pressure to the Fifth Sword and the Ryuken-go. With the prospect of defeat looking, Shotoku assembled two [[companies]] of volunteers for an all-out attack on the Seventeenth, an attack he launched on 31 January [[3066]]. Shotoku's 'Mech was downed during the resulting battle, and recordings of the battle showed that while Shotoku was engaged by three different Hussars 'Mechs, it was Sarah who was responsible for the final blow, her accurate ranged strikes felling Shotoku. The Combine forces subsequently gave up the battle for control of the planet on 6 February.<ref name="TRO:3058Up136"/>

===Jihad===
During the [[Jihad]] the Fifth Sword of Light served as the Dragon's claws, tearing the traitorous [[Black Dragon Society]] out of existence. Their greatest achievement during this time was the complete destruction of the [[First Proserpina Hussars]], who had been suborned by the Black Dragons. In [[3076]] they received support from the [[Order of Five Pillars]], who were also investigating traitorous activities in the Combine. In [[3079]] the Gold Dragon was assigned to [[Biham]].<ref>''Field Report: DCMS'', p. 13</ref>

===Dark Age===
[[3085]] found the Fifth Sword of Light on [[Kiamba]], a system near the Combine's border with the [[Ghost Bear Dominion]]. Their presence here led to multiple raids and Trials by Ghost Bear forces, but these were repelled by the Sworders. The Sword continued to rebuild, despite being the largest unit in the Sword of Light brigade. Their constant low level conflict against the Bears probably assisted this. Though these raids and Trials took place monthly, the Fifth hadn't launched any retaliatory strikes of their own, seemingly content to respond to the Bear's actions.<ref>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 44</ref><ref name=er3145p47>''Era Report: 3145'', p. 47</ref>

The Fifth Sword of Light was used to make a spoiling attack on the [[300th Battle (Rasalhague Dominion)|300th Battle Cluster]] on [[Sternwerde]]. They inflicted heavy losses on the unit, but began to take unacceptable casualties so they withdrew.<ref>''Historical: Wars of the Republic Era'', pp. 31–32</ref> In [[3100]] the Fifth Sword of Light and the [[Eleventh Ghost]] landed on [[Trondheim (FRR)|Trondheim]]. The Fifth Sword landed dropped directly onto the [[55th Provisional Garrison (Clan Ghost Bear)|Fifty-fifth PGC]] and inflicted heavy losses on the Clan unit. The Fifth took some losses, but they outnumbered the Clan unit nearly six to one, and quickly destroyed it before making up their losses from captured Clan equipment.<ref>''Historical: Wars of the Republic Era'', p. 33</ref> The Fifth Sword of Light then used their [[DropShip]]s to make suborbital hops to track the [[1st Tyr Assault (Clan Ghost Bear)|First Tyr Assault Cluster]] as that unit moved between Trondheim and its four moons.<ref>''Historical: Wars of the Republic Era'', p. 35</ref>

The Fifth was later ordered to oversee the relocation of [[Clan Nova Cat]] survivors and the dismantling of their industrial complexes. In the early days after the [[Blackout]] the Fifth was used to seize several worlds from [[The Republic of the Sphere]].<ref name=er3145p47/> In late [[3136]] the Fifth Sword of Light assaulted [[Vega]] with the support of the [[44th Benjamin Regulars|Forty-fourth Benjamin Regulars]]. There they faced the [[Twelfth Vegan Rangers]] and [[Clan Ghost Bear]]'s [[Omega Galaxy (Clan Ghost Bear)|Omega Galaxy]]. After hard fighting, the Fifth left the world with the information gained from their reconnaissance-in-force.<ref>''Dark Age Turning Points: Vega'', pp. 6, 21</ref> This information convinced the DCMS High Command that attacking Vega was ill-advised.<ref name=er3145p47/>

The Fifth Sword of Light was one of several [[DCMS]] units that raided [[Palmyra]] and destroyed several [[AFFS]] regiments. The Fifth engaged [[Caleb Davion]], First Prince of the Federated Suns, and killed him.<ref>''Era Report: 3145'', p. 34</ref> They are known to have faced the [[27th Avalon Hussars|27th Avalon Hussars]], [[Demeter CMM]],<ref>''Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine'', p. 30</ref> and [[1st Royal Cavaliers|First Royal Cavaliers]].<ref name=er3145p47/>

They were later used to attack [[Mauckport]], [[Gambier]], and [[Tsamma]].<ref name=er3145p47/> The Fifth shattered the Gambier militia in less than an hour.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine'', p. 32</ref><ref>''Technical Readout: 3145 Federated Suns'', p. 12</ref> As of [[3145]], the Fifth has lost a third of their 'Mechs and half of their fighters and tanks.<ref name=FM3145p58>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 58: "Fifth Sword of Light"</ref>

8 July [[3146]] found the Fifth Sword of Light on [[New Avalon]], alongside the [[2nd Genyosha|Second Genyosha]], [[Ryuken-hashi]], and several [[Wolf's Dragoons]] units. The Dragoons held back and let the DCMS take the lead. Facing off against the [[Davion Assault Guards]], [[New Avalon Crucis March Militia]], and [[1st Avalon Hussars|First Avalon Hussars]]. Despite the heavy fighting, the AFFS and DCMS troops were fairly evenly matched. After three months, the AFFS troops began to make mistakes that the DCMS capitalized on.<ref>''Shattered Fortress'', p. 28</ref>

The [[2nd Robinson Rangers|Second Robinson Rangers]] performed a combat drop on the Fifth Sword of Light's Second Battalion and pinned them in place. Things were looking good for the AFFS, with the Rangers destroying the Second Battalion, but Wolf's Dragoons entered the fray and inflicted heavy losses on the Rangers. They were forced to withdraw, and this ended effective resistance on New Avalon.<ref>''Shattered Fortress'', pp. 29, 109</ref>

The Fifth was relocated to [[Coloma]] after the fall of New Avalon. They were in place when the [[1st Davion Guards|First Davion Guards]] and First Avalon Hussars arrived. The Fifth inflicted heavy losses on the First Hussars, but after two weeks of fighting the Fifth was forced to withdraw.<ref>''Shattered Fortress'', p. 69</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="3" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of the Fifth Sword of Light'''
|-
| ''[[Tai-sho (rank)|Tai-sho]]''||[[Leonard Ohira]]||[[3013]]<ref name=SSp10-11>''Sorenson's Sabres'', pp. 10–11: Service Timeline & Palmer Conti - Palmer Conti has previous commanding officer executed by ISF, officer name is given</ref>

|-
| ''Tai-sho''||[[Palmer Conti]]||[[3014]] – [[3029]]<ref>''Sorenson's Sabres'', p. 10: Service Timeline - Palmer Conti installed as commanding officer of the Fifth Sword of Light</ref><ref name=NAIS1p120>''NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1'', p. 120</ref><ref name=NAIS4SW-7879-N-1>''NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2'', pp. 78–79: "Nusakan", Conti's actions and disgrace on Nusakan</ref><ref name=WC48-291296-PC-1>''Warrior: Coupé'', pp. 291–296: Conti is defeated by Scott Bradley on Nusakan</ref><ref name=WC52-314318-PC-1>''Warrior: Coupé'', pp. 314–318: Conti is present at Yorinaga Kurita's ''seppuku'' ceremony</ref>
|-
| ''[[Sho-sho]]''||[[Jonathan Fujimoto]]||[[3039]]<ref name=HW3039p84a>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 84: Unit commander noted</ref>
|-
| ''[[Tai-sa]]''||[[Hohiro Tatsuma]]||[[3040]]<ref name=HW3039p84b>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 84: Unit commander Tatsuma noted taking over after ''seppuku'' of Fujimoto</ref><ref name=FMUp118>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 118: Tatsuma still commanding officer of Fifth Sword of Light as of September of 3067</ref> - [[3059]]<ref name=FMDCp86/>
|-
| ''Tai-sa''||[[Hinata Akiyama]]||[[3085]]<ref name=FM3085p49>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 49: "DCMS Deployment Table - 3085"</ref>
|-
| ''Tai-sa''||[[Robert Rees]]||[[3124]] – [[3136]]<ref name=DATPVp8>''Dark Age Turning Points: Vega'', p. 8</ref>
|-
| ''Sho-sho''||[[Orimitsu Takamatsu]]||[[3145]]<ref name=FM3145p66>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 66: "DCMS Deployment Table - 3145"</ref>
|}

==Tactics==
Unit reorganization in [[3011]] left the unit without specialization; as of 3025 the command where skilled in urban combat.<ref name=HSDCp144>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 144</ref> After the heavy losses inflicted in the War of 3039, the Fifth Sword of Light was no longer an urban combat specialist.<ref name=cmk29/>

==Composition History==
===2765===
'''Fifth Sword of Light''' (Expanded [[Regiment]]/Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=fr2765DCMSp08>''Field Report 2765: DCMS'', p. 8</ref>
:Note: At this point in time command was stationed on [[Awano]].<ref name=fr2765DCMSp08/>

===2786–2821===
'''Fifth Sword of Light''' (Expanded Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)<ref name="FSWp137">''First Succession War'', p. 137: "Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery (DCMS)"</ref>
:- At this point in time the Fifth Sword was a medium-weight regiment operating at a size of four battalions and was stationed on [[Awano]].<ref name="FSWp137"/> In 2821 the unit was operating at roughly five-sixths of full strength and was stationed on [[Scheat]].<ref name="FSWp137"/>

===2830===
'''Fifth Sword of Light''' (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)<ref name=2SWp97>''Second Succession War'', p. 97</ref>
: Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on [[Scheat]] with an operational readiness of 112 percent.<ref name=2SWp97/>

===2864===
'''Fifth Sword of Light''' (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)<ref name=2SWp97/>
: Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on [[Robinson]] with an operational readiness of 58 percent.<ref name=2SWp97/>

===3023===
'''Fifth Sword of Light''' (Regiment)
* First Battalion (specific names known)
** Death Knell Company<ref name=KHp54>''The Kell Hounds'', p. 54</ref>
*** Command Lance
*** Fire Lance
*** Recon Lance
** Thunderstrike Company<ref name=KHp54/>
*** Command Lance
*** Fire Lance
*** Recon Lance
** Demonblade Company<ref name=KHp54/>
*** Command Lance
*** Fire Lance
*** Recon Lance

===3025===
'''Fifth Sword of Light''' (BattleMech [[Regiment]]/Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=HKTDCp133>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 133: "DCMS Deployment Table"</ref>
:* CO: General Palmer Conti<ref name=HKTDCp133/>
: Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on [[Dieron]].<ref name=HKTDCp133/>

''[[Overlord]]''-class [[DropShip]] ''[[Calliope (Individual Overlord-class DropShip)|Calliope]]''<ref name=SSp11>''Sorenson's Sabres'', p. 11</ref>

===3028===
'''Fifth Sword of Light''' (Expanded BattleMech Regiment)<ref name=NAIS1p120/><ref name=4SWS1p36>''The Fourth Succession War Scenarios Volume One'', p. 36</ref>
* CO/First Battalion (Blades of Death): [[General]] Palmer Conti

===3040===
''' Fifth Sword of Light''' (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=HWo3039p139/>
:Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Dieron]].<ref name=HWo3039p139>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 139</ref>

===3050===
''' Fifth Sword of Light''' (Battalion/Green/Fanatical)<ref name=20yup40>''20 Year Update'', p. 40</ref>
:* CO: ''Sho-sa'' Hohiro Tatsuma<ref name=20yup40/>
:** Second Battalion CO: ''[[Chu-sa]]'' [[Leopold Hiraguchi]]
: Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Dieron.<ref name=20yup40/>

===3054===
''' Fifth Sword of Light''' (Regiment/Green/Fanatical)<ref name=ORp27>''Objective Raids'', p. 27</ref>
:* CO: ''Tai-sa'' Hohiro Tatsuma

===3059===
* '''Fifth Sword of Light''' (1 Expanded [[Regiment]])
** CO/First [[Battalion]]: ''Tai-sa'' Hohiro Tatsuma
*** XO: ''[[Chu-sa]]'' Kristine Johnson
** Second Battalion: ''Chu-sa'' Kent Palmer
*** Second [[Company]]: ''[[Sho-sa]]'' Kerri Tanaga
** Third Battalion: ''Chu-sa'' Christian Chang
** Fourth Battalion: ''Chu-sa'' Astin Kolchiara
** Support Commander: ''Chu-i'' Casper Rodriguez

- All 'Mechs are fully upgraded and the unit possesses 36 [[OmniMech]]s also. The unit is rated with Green Skills and has a Fanatical Loyalty rating.<ref name=FMDCp86>''Field Manual: Draconis Combine'', p. 86: "Unit Profile"</ref>

===3067===
'''Fifth Sword of Light''' (BattleMech Regiment)

- The unit is station on world of [[Kaznejoy|Kaznejov]], with Regular Skill rating and Fanatical loyalty.  At 54% percent strength, unit technology levels are listed as; 35% Clan/42% Star League/20% obsolete regular equipment.<ref>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 118: Deployment Table as September of 3067 - Unit strength, status, and where about as of September 3067</ref>

===3079===
'''Fifth Sword of Light ''' (Reinforced Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)<ref name="frdcms13">''Field Report: DCMS'', p. 13</ref>
: Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on [[Biham]].<ref name="frdcms13"/> Reduced to 60% of their pre-Jihad strength.<ref>''Field Report: DCMS'', p. 13</ref>

===3085===
'''Fifth Sword of Light''' (Veteran/Fanatical)<ref name=FM3085p49/>
* CO: ''Tai-sa'' [[Hinata Akiyama]]

===3145===
'''Fifth Sword of Light''' (Elite/Reliable)<ref name=FM3145p66/>
* CO: ''Sho-sho'' Orimitsu Takamatsu

'''Scaled Angels''' (Elite/Fanatical)<ref name=FM3145p66/>
* CO: ''[[Sho-sa]]'' [[Ingrid Henson]]

'''301st Armor''' (Regular/Fanatical)<ref name=FM3145p66/>
* CO: ''Tai-sa'' [[Rikuto Himura]]

- The Fifth Sword of Light contained twenty squads of [[Kishi]] battle armor.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine'', p. 4</ref>

==Notes==
* As with the other Sword of Light regiments, the Fifth uses a flat red paint scheme.<ref name="fmdc83">''Field Manual: Draconis Combine'', p. 83: "Colors and Insignia"</ref>
* In 3025, the 'Mech forces used a Black and Gold color scheme.<ref>''Warrior: Coupé'', p. 294: "Fifth Sword's paint scheme witnessed by ''Chu-sa'' [[Akira Brahe]] as approaches the battle between Conti and Bradley"</ref>
* The BattleCorps story [[Broken Blade]] by [[Steven Mohan Jr.]] has the Fifth attacking [[Hesperus II]] in [[2787]], nine years before the date found in other sources for the unit's formation in [[2796]].

<gallery>
Image:Camokuritaswordoflight2.png|''Fifth Sword of Light Wasp''<ref name="cs6">''Camo Specs'', p. 6: "Sword of Light"</ref>
</gallery>

==Reference==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* ''[[Camo Specs]]''
* ''[[Broken Blade]]''
* ''[[Combat Manual: Kurita]]''
* ''[[Dark Age Turning Points: Vega]]''
* ''[[Daughter of the Dragon]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Era Report: 3145]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: 3085]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: 3145]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Draconis Combine]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: SLDF]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
* ''[[Field Report: DCMS]]''
* ''[[Field Report 2765: DCMS]]''
* ''[[First Succession War (sourcebook)|First Succession War]]''
* ''[[Gray Death Legion (scenario pack)|Gray Death Legion]]''
* ''[[Historical: War of 3039]]''
* ''[[Historical: Wars of the Republic Era]]''
* ''[[House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)]]''
* ''[[MechWarrior, First Edition]]''
* ''[[NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2]]''
* ''[[Objective Raids]]''
* ''[[Second Succession War (sourcebook)|Second Succession War]]''
* ''[[Shattered Fortress]]''
* ''[[Sorenson's Sabres (scenario pack)|Sorenson's Sabres]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade]]
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3145 Federated Suns]]''
* ''[[Warrior: Coupé]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Warrior: Riposte]]'' (novel)
{{div col end}}


[[Category:Draconis Combine Commands|Sword of Light, 05th]]