View source for 33rd Avalon Hussars

{{infoBoxMilitaryCommand
| image          = [[File:Avalon Hussars 33rd logo 3052.png|200px]]
| Designation    = Thirty-third Avalon Hussars
| formed         = [[Age of War]]
| Disbanded      = ca. [[3052]]
| Previous Designation = 
| Nickname       = The Spelunkers (Reunification War)<ref name=hrw33>''Historical: Reunification War'', p. 33</ref><br>March Madmen (Star League)<ref name="FR:FS2765p9"/><br>Liao's Bane (Third Succession War)<ref name=FMDp34/>
| Affiliation    = [[Federated Suns]]
| Parent Command = [[Avalon Hussars]]
| Sub-Command    = 
}}

==History==
In [[2431]] the '''Thirty-third Avalon Hussars''' defended [[Kentares IV]] against the [[Terran Hegemony]]. The Hegemony forces destroyed the unit.<ref name=galtor43/>

===Reunification War===
During the [[Reunification War]] the Thirty-third Avalon Hussars, along with the [[1st Avalon Hussars|First]], [[7th Avalon Hussars|Seventh]], [[11th Avalon Hussars|Eleventh]], and [[20th Avalon Hussars|Twentieth Avalon Hussars]], formed part of the Federated Suns Auxiliary Corps assigned to support the [[SLDF]] on the [[Taurian Concordat]] border.<ref>''Historical: Reunification War'', p. 65</ref> The soldiers of the Thirty-third Hussars became experts at finding and destroying scores of hidden bunker complexes on [[Mavegh]] and [[Montour]]. These actions required the Thirty-third's troops to fit their 'Mechs into tight spaces that other units couldn't, giving rise to their nickname: "The Spelunkers." Light 'Mech pilots in particular were adept at moving into very tight areas and clearing out enemy locations.<ref name=hrw33/>

In [[2581]] and most of [[2582]] the Thirty-third was on [[Weippe]], but in mid-2582 they relocated to [[Verdigreis]].<ref>''Historical: Reunification War'', p. 144</ref> They would spend the next five years on that world, before moving to [[Cyrton]] in [[2587]].<ref>''Historical: Reunification War'', p. 145</ref>

=== Star League Era ===
The Thirty-third Avalon Hussars was one of many [[Avalon Hussars]] [[regiments]] to be deactivated during the [[Star League]] era after the Star League Council issued the [[Council Edict of 2650]], which limited the maximum permissible size of the military of each [[Great House]]. When the Council Edict of 2650 was revoked in the mid-twenty-eighth century each of the Great Houses began an extensive rearmament program, including the [[Federated Suns]]. The Thirty-third was duly reactivated in [[2760]] and swiftly attempted to resurrect the regiment's traditions.<ref name="FR:FS2765p9"/>

When the Thirty-third was originally founded during the [[Age of War]] the first Commanding Officer of the regiment was the graduating class Most Valuable Player of the Albion basketball team; that CO brought basketball to the Thirty-third as a sporting tradition, one that the CO of the newly reactivated Thirty-third, [[Colonel]] [[Walter Nellis]], brought back despite knowing nothing about basketball. While not everyone in the regiment was required to be basketball fan, one of Nellis' decisions was to hire a professional basketball coach on behalf of the regiment so that the tradition would continue.<ref name="FR:FS2765p9">''Field Report 2765: AFFS'', p. 9: "Avalon Hussars"</ref>

The 33rd Avalon Hussars, like all the Avalon Hussars had rejected [['Mech]] technology, which in reality turned them more like planetary garrisons.<ref name=TGCp43/>

=== First Succession War ===
The First Succession War was to be the time to prove their worth, but instead Kurita and Liao [[BattleMech]]s shattered their outdated tanks and hovercraft.<ref name=TGCp43/>

=== Second Succession War ===
In [[2828]] the Thirty-third was rebuilt and sent to [[Novaya Zemlya]], where they faced the [[CCAF]]'s elite [[Prefectorate Guard]]. The green Thirty-third was effectively destroyed by the Capellan unit, losing 90% of their equipment and troops. To maintain morale, the High Command rebuilt the unit.<ref name=galtor43>''The Galtor Campaign'', p. 43</ref>

The Thirty-third Avalon Hussars landed on [[Northwind]] in [[2841]] alongside the [[Davion Assault Guards]]. They faced off against the [[3rd Kearny Highlanders]] and [[Stuart's Highlanders]] regiments of the [[Northwind Highlanders]].<ref name=NHp20>''Northwind Highlanders'', pp. 20-21</ref> The Assault Guards pinned the Highlanders in place and the Hussars flanked them, forcing the Capellan units to withdraw. Eventually the Hussars, Assault Guards, and mercenary forces would destroy the Capellan units.<ref>''Second Succession War'', pp. 64–65</ref>

=== Third Succession War===
====Galtor III====
As of [[3025]], the unit was based on [[Nopah]],<ref>''House Davion (The Federated Suns)'', p. 136: "Addicks PDZ"</ref> though headquartered on [[New Syrtis]] and described as a personal regiment of the [[Duke of New Syrtis]], [[Michael Hasek-Davion]].<ref name=TFTp5>''The Fox's Teeth'', p. 5: "A Traveler's Guide to the Federated Suns"</ref> The 33rd Avalon Hussars took part in the fighting for Galtor III.<ref>''Historical Turning Points: Galtor'', p. 6</ref> They spent much of their time guarding the Star League depot found on the world. A battalion of the 33rd was stationed on the Wagnall Plain<ref>''The Galtor Campaign'', p. 10</ref> The other two battalions were stuck in transit,<ref>''The Galtor Campaign'', p. 13</ref> and one was later diverted to assault [[Marduk]] in a spoiling attack where they crushed [[Moroushi's Independent Assault Battalion]].<ref name=TGCp70>''The Galtor Campaign'', p. 70: ''Decision at Marduk''</ref><ref>''The Galtor Campaign'', p. 19</ref> The other missing battalion eventually arrived.<ref>''The Galtor Campaign'', p. 22</ref> The 33rd fought the [[17th Benjamin Regulars]] several times around New Wuhan City.<ref>''The Galtor Campaign'', pp. 22–24</ref> At the end of the fight, the unit had suffered 84,354% casualties.<ref name=TGCp43/> Wilson Mandella, its commanding officer, died in the early stages of the operation.<ref>''The Galtor Campaign'', p. 17</ref>

=== Fourth Succession War ===
====Liao====
During the First Wave the unit invaded [[Liao III]] in support of all three regiments of the [[Blue Star Irregulars]]. They were opposed by several veteran CCAF units including [[Warrior House Lu Sann]], [[1st Confederation Reserve Cavalry]], [[Vincent's Commandos]] and the [[Protectorate Guard]].<ref>''The Fourth Succession War Scenarios Volume One'', pp. 8–9</ref>

The 1st [[Blue Star Irregulars]] regiment defeated [[Vincent's Commandos]] after a short battle.

The 33rd [[Avalon Hussars]] forced the [[1st Confederation Reserve Cavalry]] to retreat.

The 2nd Blue Star Irregular regiment destroyed the 1st Battalion of [[Warrior House Lu Sann]] after a fierce fight.

The 3rd Blue Star Irregular regiment was attacked after probing raids from the Reserve Cavalry. The merc unit followed them into an ambush through the [[Protectorate Guard]].

The Avalon Hussars tried to close the gap around the CCAF forces but were hindered by the Reserve Cavalry. The special forces of the elite Warrior House used the chaos to a raid behind the lines of the AFFS forces. Only reinforcement through the arrival of the [[Redfield Renegades]] changed the tide of battle to the FedSuns side. The mercs entered the Forbidden City. These event was the signal to all remaining Liao forces to retreat. Only one Battalion each from the Warrior House and the Reserve Cavalry together with the [[Protectorate Guard]] left the planet.<ref name=NAISv1-016>''NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1'', p. 16</ref>

===War of 3039===
Listing [[Genoa]] as their homeworld as late as [[3038]],<ref>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 135</ref> during the [[War of 3039]], they [[Battle of Caph (3039)|saw action]] on [[Caph]] against the ''[[Ryuken]]''. After the war, they were reassigned to [[Tikonov]].<ref>''Historical: War of 3039'', pp. 61, 135</ref>

===Clan Invasion===
As of early [[3050]], they were based on [[Suk II]].<ref>''20 Year Update'', p. 26</ref>

In early [[3052]], they were called on to defend Suk II against [[Khan]] [[Natasha Kerensky]] and [[Clan Wolf]]'s [[Alpha Galaxy (Clan Wolf-in-Exile)|Alpha Galaxy]] during the Fifth Wave of the [[Clan Invasion]]. The battle lasted several weeks as the Clan force expended most of its ammunition. Alpha Galaxy eventually prevailed when one of the Hussars' heavy tank regiments was hit hard by [[Elemental (Battle Armor)|Elementals]], allowing the Wolves to breach the Hussar lines. The Hussars retreated off-world to [[Orkney (LC)|Orkney]].<ref>''Wolf Clan Sourcebook'', p. 68</ref>

The remaining Hussars were not mentioned on Orkney, by then a majority possession of [[Clan Steel Viper]].<ref>''Invading Clans'', p. 89</ref> Federated Commonwealth forces apparently abandoned the world, as no battle between FedCom and Clan forces is noted in any reports.<ref>''Jade Falcon Sourcebook'', p. 33</ref><ref name=JFSBp43>''Jade Falcon Sourcebook'', p. 43</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 33rd Avalon Hussars'''
|-
| [[Colonel]]||[[Walter Nellis]]||[[2760]]<ref name="FR:FS2765p9"/>
|-
| [[Colonel]]||[[Hieronimus Zibler|Hieronimus "Harry" Zibler]]||[[2830]]<ref name=SH:I13>''Shrapnel Issue 13'': Planet Digest: Gandy's Luck</ref>
|-
| [[Colonel]]||[[Francis Coughlin]]||[[2841]]<ref name=NHp20>''Northwind Highlanders'', pp. 20-21</ref>
|-
| [[Lieutenant-General]]||[[Wilson Mandella]]||[[3025]]<ref name=HD136>''House Davion (The Federated Suns)'', p. 136: "Addicks PDZ"</ref><ref>''Historical Turning Points: Galtor'', p. 9: "Aftermath"</ref>
|-
| [[Hauptmann General]]||[[John Yapt]]||[[3050]]<ref name=20yup26/>
|-
|}

===Other Officers===
* [[Leftenant General]] [[Brook Ripken]], commander of the 516th Air Cavalry Regiment during the late Succession Wars and Clan Invasion.<ref name=FMDp34>''Force Manual: Davion'', p. 34: "Thirty-third Avalon Hussars RCT"</ref>

==Tactics==
=== Star League Era ===
During the Star League era all of the Avalon Hussars were required to focus on being both flexible and mobile, with every regiment required to be capable of deploying within eight hours, although many of the Hussars struggled to actually achieve this.<ref name="FR:FS2765p8">''Field Report 2765: AFFS'', p. 8: "Avalon Hussars"</ref>

=== Third Succession War ===
In 3025, the 33rd Avalon Hussars were comfortable piloting their 'Mechs through cities, but in other terrain types they had some difficulty targeting units at long range.<ref>''Historical Turning Points: Galtor'', p. 7</ref>

==Composition History==
=== 2765 ===
'''Thirty-third Avalon Hussars''' (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)<ref name="FR:FS2765p10">''Field Report: AFFS'', p. 10: "Regimental Status"</ref>
:* CO: Colonel Walter Nellis<ref name="FR:FS2765p9"/>
:Note: At this point in time the Thirty-third was stationed on [[Rowe]].<ref name="FR:FS2765p10"/> In common with the other regiments of the Avalon Hussars the Thirty-third had an attached aerospace wing, although these forces were primarily tasked to provide ground support rather than escort duties.<ref name="FR:FS2765p8"/>

=== 2786–2821===
'''Thirty-third Avalon Hussars''' (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)<ref name="FSWp134">''First Succession War'', p. 134: "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns (AFFS)"</ref>
:Note: At this point in time the Hussars were a medium-weight regiment stationed on Rowe and were operating at four-battalion strength.<ref name="FSWp134"/> In 2821 the regiment were stationed on [[New Aberdeen]] and were down almost two battalions in combat strength from their prewar status.<ref name="FSWp134"/>

=== 2830 ===
'''Thirty-third Avalon Hussars''' (Regiment/Regular/Fanatical)<ref name="SSWp94">''Second Succession War'', p. 94: "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns (AFFS)"</ref>
:Note: At this point in time the Hussars were a medium-weight regiment and had managed to rebuild to close to three battalions in strength. The Hussars were stationed on New Aberdeen.<ref name="SSWp94"/>

=== 2841 ===
'''Thirty-third Avalon Hussars'''<ref name=NHp20/>
:* '''First [[Battalion]]'''
::* '''Regimental Command [[Lance]]'''
:::* CO: Colonel [[Francis Coughlin]] - ''[[Marauder]]''
:::* [[Leftenant Colonel]] [[Bill Friedman]] - ''[[Orion]]''
:::* [[Leftenant]] [[Kiro Petkov]] - ''[[Rifleman]]''
:::* Leftenant [[Lavel Dering]] - ''[[Hunchback]]''

=== 2864 ===
'''Thirty-third Avalon Hussars''' (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)<ref name="SSWp94"/>
:Note: At this point in time the Hussars were a medium-weight regiment stationed on [[Northwind]], and had been reduced to just over four companies in strength.<ref name="SSWp94"/>

===3025===
'''Thirty-third Avalon Hussars''' (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)<ref name=TGCp13>''The Galtor Campaign'', p. 13: "Phase One Units"</ref><ref name=TGCp43>''The Galtor Campaign'', p. 43: 33rd Avalon Hussars"</ref>
:* CO: Lieutenant General Wilson Mandella<ref name=HDTFSp134>''House Davion (The Federated Suns)'', p. 134: "Federated Suns Deployment Table"</ref>
: Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on [[Nopah]].<ref name=HDTFSp134/> The 'Mech regiment contains heavy-weight designs.<ref name=HD138>''House Davion (The Federated Suns)'', p. 138</ref>

<u>Regiment TO&E</u>
:; Regimental BattleGroup: (Four [[Combat Vehicle|Armor]] [[Lance]]s, two [['Mech]] Lances)
:; Benham's [[Battalion]]
:* Battalion Headquarters
:* Epsom's [[Company]]
:* Parkerson's Company
:* Whiteway's Company
:; Meade's Battalion
:* Battalion Headquarters
:* Astor's Company
:* Fennell's Company
:* Hosmer's Company
:; Lyon's Battalion
:* Battalion Headquarters
:* Buller's Company
:* Marten's Company
:* Previn's Company
:; Support Vessels
:* ''[[Union]]''-class [[DropShip]]s - ''[[Century City]]'', ''[[Parthenon]]'' and ''[[Waytaminit ]]''<ref>''The Galtor Campaign'', p. 13</ref>
:Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on [[Nopah]].  In other expansions, the '''Thirty-third Avalon Hussars''' is considered a Reinforced Regiment<ref name=HD136/>  As of [[3025]], the 33rd's BattleMech contingent is a heavy reinforced Regiment that includes an extra battalion of assault 'Mechs.<ref>''Camo Specs'', p. 35</ref> This could mean that after the Galtor Campaign the unit was expanded.

===3040===
'''Thirty-third Avalon Hussars''' (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)<ref name=HWo3039p135/>
:Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Tikonov]].<ref name=HWo3039p135>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 135</ref>

===3050===
'''Thirty-third Avalon Hussars RCT''' (Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)<ref name=20yup26/>
:* CO: Hauptmann General John Yapt<ref name=20yup26/>
:Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Suk II]].<ref name=20yup26>''20 Year Update'', p. 26</ref> The unit was destroyed during the Clan invasion.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Avalon Hussars 33rd logo 2596.png|Insignia of the 33rd, ca. [[2596]]
Avalon Hussars 33rd logo 3025.png|Insignia of the 33rd, ca. 3025
Avalon Hussars 33rd logo 3052.png|Insignia of the 33rd, ca. 3052
Camodavionavalonhussars.png|(Unseen) ''[[BattleMaster]]'' in Hussar colors
</gallery>

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
* ''[[20 Year Update]]''
* ''[[Camo Specs]]''
* ''[[Field Report 2765: AFFS]]''
* ''[[First Succession War (sourcebook)|First Succession War]]''
* ''[[Force Manual: Davion]]''
* ''[[The Fourth Succession War Scenarios Volume One]]''
* ''[[The Fox's Teeth: Exploits of McKinnon's Raiders]]''
* ''[[The Galtor Campaign]]''
* ''[[Historical: War of 3039]]''
* ''[[Historical: Reunification War]]''
* ''[[Historical Turning Points: Galtor]]''
* ''[[House Davion (The Federated Suns)]]''
* ''[[Invading Clans (sourcebook)|Invading Clans]]''
* ''[[NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1]]''
* ''[[NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2]]''
* ''[[Northwind Highlanders (scenario pack)|Northwind Highlanders]]''
* ''[[Second Succession War (sourcebook)|Second Succession War]]''
* ''[[Shrapnel Issue 13]]''
* ''[[Wolf Clan Sourcebook]]''

[[Category:Federated Suns Commands|Avalon Hussars, 33rd]]
[[Category:Federated Commonwealth Commands|Avalon Hussars, 33rd]]