Carlyle's Commandos
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Carlyle's Commandos was a small mercenary unit of lance size. Effectively destroyed in 3024, many of its survivors joined the famous Gray Death Legion.
History
Led by Hauptmann Durant Carlyle, the unit consisted of Carlyle's Phoenix Hawk, a Shadow Hawk, two Wasps, several support vehicles and infantry.
Since 3019 they were stationed on garrison duty on the world of Trell I under contract with House Steiner. In 3024 the unit met its end in a sneak attack by Oberon Confederation troops, who pretended to be friendly forces arriving as replacement garrison, but in truth worked for Duke Hassid Ricol from the Draconis Combine. Upon arriving at the starport, the DropShip and it's BattleMech cargo launched a surprise attack, killing Carlyle in his Phoenix Hawk. Together with the efforts of an indigenous saboteur the Commandos were shattered in short order and the few survivors forced to retreat off planet, leaving only Grayson Death Carlyle, Durant's son, behind, for he was belived to be shot.
Unexpectedly showing both leadership capabilities and military genius, young Grayson Carlyle subsequently rallied the local defenders and formed a militia that could resist the invaders long enough to thwart Ricol's plot and save the planet. Following the successful fighting on Trellwan he went on to create a mercenary unit, the Gray Death Legion, from the remains of Carlyle's Commandos and his Trellwan Lancers.
Later, the Legion would adopt the name Carlye's Commandos for its Recon Lance.[1]