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{{Update Needed|[[On Solid Ground]]}}
{{infoBoxMilitaryCommand
| image = [[File:Benjaminregulars3.png|150px]]
| Designation = Third Benjamin Regulars
| formed = [[Star League era]] or earlier<ref name="FR2765p10">''Field Report 2765: DCMS'', p. 10</ref>
| Disbanded =
| Previous Designation =
| Nickname = Pride of Benjamin<ref name=CM-Kp38/>
| Affiliation = [[Draconis Combine]]
| Parent Command = [[Benjamin Regulars]]
| Sub-Command =
}}

The '''Third Benjamin Regulars''' was an assault [[BattleMech]] [[regiment]] in the [[Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery]].

==History==
The Third Regulars' regimental insignia was a ring of stars, the topmost one very bright. These stars represented [[Benjamin]]'s sun and the twenty artificial "semi-suns" that surrounded the planet.<ref name=FMDC42>''Field Manual: Draconis Combine'', p. 42, "3rd Benjamin Regulars"</ref>

===Formation===
{{Expand section}}

===Star League Era===
During the early years of the [[Star League]], the Third Benjamin Regulars were the Combine unit that triggered the so-called [[First Hidden War]]. In [[2681]], the Third's then Dueling Master [[Amanda Kazutoyo]] strode toward the front gate of Fort Shandra, the [[Star League Defense Force]] base on Benjamin, and lifted her ''[[BattleMaster]]'''s fist and loudly declared that all SLDF [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarriors]] lacked the warrior's spirit and the courage to duel her. When the base commander asked her to leave, she refused and parked her 'Mech squarely in front of the gates, remaining there unmoving for ten days, periodically reissuing her challenge to the MechWarriors inside the fortress. Eventually her insults wore down the resolve of the SLDF troops, with one [[Lieutenant]] [[Bradley Grebbers]] leaving the fort without permission to face her in his ''[[Warhammer]]''.<ref name=SL-58>''The Star League'', p. 58</ref>

After agreeing to a suitable location away from the fort, Kazutoyo and Grebeers would fight for little more than ten minutes before the Benjamin MechWarrior achieved the advantage, disabling her opponent's legs with incredibly precise missile fire. Grebber's ''Warhammer'' forced to its knees, Kazutoyo walked behind him and placed her 'Mech's [[PPC]] at the back of his cockpit, callously executing him to the horror of the SLDF spectators. The fort's commander barely prevented his warriors from attacking Kazutoyo ''en masse'', with [[First Lord]] [[Michael Cameron II|Michael Cameron]] vigorously protesting this and further duels with similar outcomes for the hapless SLDF.<ref name=SL-58/>

Of the various [[brigade]]s of Regulars active within the DCMS during the [[Star League era]], the regiments of the Benjamin Regulars - including the Third Benjamin Regulars - were considered to be the most flexible. This was a reflection of the reality that the Regulars could at any point be called on to fight against the [[Armed Forces of the Federated Suns]], the [[Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces]] or the SLDF, as a result of the [[Benjamin Military District]] bordering the [[Federated Suns]], [[Lyran Commonwealth]] and [[Terran Hegemony]]. This was even acknowledged by the [[Internal Security Force]], who gave the Third and the other regiments of the Regulars more leeway than the average [[DCMS]] unit - an attitude the Benjamin Regulars repaid by limiting complaints and criticism to supply issues and local concerns, rather than anything to do with politics.<ref name="FR2765p10"/>

=== Third Succession War ===
In [[3015]], the Third Benjamin Regulars were responsible for the successful invasion of [[Mara]]. This was accomplished by redeploying under fire to support the Dieron Regulars.<ref name="HKp89">''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 89</ref>

The unit's skills deteriorated from the moment [[Brigadier General]] [[Jakodo Naguchido]] was made commanding officer, and the [[Galtor III|Galtor]] Campaign in [[3025]] would show how much.<ref name=TGCp51/> His performance was so bad that the unit was mustered out of the campaign after botching its initial landing, entering an enemy minefield without ECM cover and losing twenty-seven 'Mechs, an additional ten damaged and three missing in action, plus two [[Slayer]] medium fighters destroyed with no return as they were unable to kill a single Davion 'Mech nor their air cover in the first two days of fighting. The unit lost nearly a third of its strength in the operation.<ref name=TGCp51/> After this, the Third Benjamin Regulars were assigned to bolster the defense of the world of [[Irurzun]] alongside the [[Sixth Benjamin Regulars]] and three [[infantry]] regiments.<ref name=HK3>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 187</ref>

===Fourth Succession War===
During the [[Fourth Succession War]], the Third was assigned with the Sixth Benjamin Regulars and twenty infantry and [[Combat Vehicle|tank]] regiments to attack the [[First Chisholm's Raiders]] [[RCT]] on [[Deshler]].<ref name=FSWMAV1>''NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1'', p. 80</ref> While the Raiders consistently outmaneuvered the invaders, the Kurita taskforce had superior numbers, slowly but progressively wearing the Davion unit down. When the Combine offensive swept past Deshler the AFFS attempted to pull their unit out, but the Chisholm Raiders chose to stay and fight, tying up the Combine units for months before being effectively destroyed.<ref name=FSWMAV2>''NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2'', p. 28</ref>

===Ronin War===
{{Expand section}}

===War of 3039===
In August 3039, the Third Benjamin was part of a task force including the [[Second Galedon Regulars]] and two additional conventional infantry regiments assigned to retake the world of [[Klathandu IV]]. Under the command of ''[[Tai-sa]]'' Samuel Nelson, the forces made planetfall at Pere Caplais, methodically moving from one stronghold to another. This conservative approach gave his adversary, [[Marshal (rank)|Marshal]] [[Winston Vaskursian]], the opportunity to oppose him with feints and retreats when faced with overwhelming force, but attack at the weak points of the Kuritan offensive. For six weeks, the two commanders parried each other. With their smaller, though more motivated forces, the Kuritans were unable to rotate for rest and the Combine warriors began to falter, eventually making suicidal charges at the Federated lines when faced with unwinnable situations. Battlefields were left in the hands of the Federated troops, and the Kuritans could not salvage their fallen machines. By October, only nine mixed battalions of ''[[Tai-sa]]'' Nelson's original eight regiments remained and his air cover could number only ten fighters at any given time. Over three days at Pere Urucin, with the final battle beginning on 11 October, artillery and aerospace fighter attacks drew the Combine forces into a small defensive ring. However, the wider [[War of 3039]] had failed elsewhere. Despite his final victory being at hand, Marshal Vaskursian received immediate recall orders and left Klathandu in Combine control.<ref name=H3039p90>''Historical: War of 3039'', pp. 90–91: "Wave Two and Counterattack - Klathandu IV"</ref>

Though the 'unofficial' War had officially ended in January [[3040]], bureaucracy and military confusion surrounding the end of hostilities continued. In late October 3040, an expeditionary force from the Third Benjamin returned to [[Galtor III]] from [[Irurzun]] to find the [[mercenary]] [[Clifton's Rangers]] following their last orders of assisting the people and dismantling the administrative structures built by the Combine since the capture of the planet in the Fourth Succession War. Both sides were stalemated with heavy losses until the Regulars were forced to retreat. Negotiations regarding the return of PoWs and the resistance to widening the conflict prompted the AFFS [[Armed Forces of the Federated Suns#High Command|High Command]] to order the Rangers off-world. Instead, the Rangers broke their contract with the [[Federated Suns]] to sign directly with the planetary government. In December, the Third Benajmain returned, along with the [[1st Amphigean Light Assault Group|First]] and [[Second Amphigean Light Assault Group]]s to end the resistance. After fifteen months, Clifton's Rangers and the [[Galtor III Militia|Galtor Milita]] were destroyed, tens of thousands of civilians were dead, and anti-Kurita propaganda was rampant. Marital law was required to keep the planet under control, an order that did not end for fifteen years.<ref name=H3039p100+>''Historical: War of 3039'', pp. 100–102: "The Last Battle"</ref>

===Clan Invasion===
In [[3048]], the Third's base was raided by [[Federated Commonwealth]] mercenaries. The Third's 'Mech forces ignored the mercenary forces at first, instead choosing to seize the mercenary forces' [[DropShip]]s. Once these were secured, the 'Mechs of the Third turned towards their headquarters and caught the mercenary raiders from the rear as the Third's conventional forces attacked from the front. The mercenaries were destroyed in this hammer and anvil maneuver.<ref name=CM-Kp38>''Combat Manual: Kurita'', p. 38: "Third Benjamin Regulars"</ref>

In early [[3050]], the Third Regulars were stationed on Irurzun.<ref name=20yr42>''20 Year Update'', p. 42</ref> The Third's main action in the [[Clan Invasion]] was against the [[Smoke Jaguar]]'s [[19th Striker (Clan Smoke Jaguar)|Nineteenth Striker Cluster]] on [[Battle of Asgard (3052)|Asgard]]. The Third struck from the beginning of the battle with artillery barrages while heavy 'Mechs pinned down the Clan forces and allowed the lighter machines to escape. While the DCMS command did not expect the Third to hold the Clan troops off, the Third exceeded expectations by holding out for an entire month and inflicting heavy losses on the Jaguars, who did not pursue the Combine forces once on their DropShips.<ref name=FMDC42/>

Survivors of the [[Eleventh Benjamin Regulars]] were integrated into the unit and the Third was moved up in upgrade priority.<ref name=FMDC42/>

===Operation BULLDOG===
When the [[Second Star League]] launched [[Operation BULLDOG]] one of the worlds marked for liberation was [[Asgard]]; when Star League forces landed - forces which included the Third Benjamin Regulars and the [[Davion Heavy Guards]] - they faced the [[4th Jaguar Dragoons (Clan Smoke Jaguar)|Fourth Jaguar Dragoons]] as well as the Command Keshik of [[Epsilon Galaxy (Clan Smoke Jaguar)|Epsilon Galaxy]]. In the resulting campaign the Fourth Jaguar Dragoons were driven back by the [[DCMS]] forces, leading to the Epsilon Galaxy Command Keshik retreating into the path of a [[company]] from the Davion Heavy Guards.<ref name="TRO:3055Up32">''Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade'', p. 32</ref><ref>''The Dragon Roars'', p. 10</ref>

The large [[Elemental]] contingent within the Command Keshik and the superior technology enjoyed by the Smoke Jaguar warriors led to them quickly gaining the advantage over the Davion Heavy Guards; the tables turned when a company from the Second Battalion of the Third Benjamin Regulars which had been pursuing the Command Keshik plunged into the battle. The actions of the Third Benjamin Regulars turned the battle; the Benjamin Regulars forces included a [[lance]] commanded by ''[[Chu-i]]'' [[Hidekazu Moriyama]] which proved key to the battle, as the two ''[[Komodo (BattleMech)|Komodo]]'' BattleMechs within that lance cut a swath through the Command Keshik's Elemental forces, with the lance as a whole also claiming two heavy [[OmniMech]]s as victims before the battle was complete.<ref name="TRO:3055Up32"/> The Benjamin Regulars were not alone in claiming trophies from the battle, however - one noted loss on the part of the Smoke Jaguars was a [[Star Commander]] taken down in close quarters by the ''[[Nightsky]]'' 'Mech piloted by [[Leftenant]] [[Osias Eisenberg]] of the Davion Heavy Guards during the desperate holding action while the Heavy Guards waited for reinforcements.<ref name="TRO:3055Up40">''Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade'', p. 40</ref>

===Federated Suns Incursion===
The Third Benjamin Regulars were assigned the honor of capturing [[Kentares IV]] during the DCMS Reprisal against Duke [[James Sandoval]]'s attempted invasion of the [[Draconis Combine]]. On January 23, [[3065]], the Regulars landed on Kentares and immediately engaged Duke [[Ian Dresari]] and his [[Kentares DMM]] in battle. Although Ian and the DMM were determined to hold off the Regulars, the DMM was heavily outnumbered and outgunned.

Salvation for Duke Ian and the DMM came in the form of the pro-Victor [[Tenth Lyran Guards]], who were en route to the planet [[Tikonov]] to assist Prince [[Victor Steiner-Davion|Victor]], but were forced to make an unscheduled stop in the Kentares system due to the sabotage of their [[JumpShip]]s. Marshal [[James McFarland]], commander of the Tenth, decided to assist the beleaguered Duke Ian. A week later, the surviving Third Benjamin Regulars were destroyed and the few survivors were imprisoned on Kentares.<ref>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 106</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 Benjamin Regulars'''
|-
| ''[[Brigadier General]]''||[[Jakodo Naguchido]]||[[3025]]<ref name=HTP:Gp7>''Historical Turning Points: Galtor'', p. 7</ref>
|-
|''[[Tai-sa]]''||[[Samuel Nelson]]||[[3039]] – [[3054]]<ref name=H3039p90/><ref name=20yr42/><ref name=ORp27/>
|-
|''[[Tai-sa]]''||[[Clifford Allen]]||[[3059]]<ref name=FMDC42/>
|-
|}

==Tactics==
=== Star League Era ===
The Third Benjamin Regulars favored a strong combined-arms approach, but otherwise were a generalist unit, and deliberately fielded a wide range of BattleMech classes to encourage adaptation to changing circumstances.<ref name="FR2765p10"/>

=== Third Succession War ===
In 3025, when the Third Benjamin Regulars participated in the Galtor Campaign, the Third Benjamin Regulars were skilled in open-field battles.<ref name=HTP:Gp7/><ref name=HKDCp144>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 144</ref> This specialization continued until at least ca. [[3050]].<ref name=CM-Kp38/> The third preferred to target their enemies lightest machines first, giving them a numerical advantage. Flanking raids, feined retreats, and combined heavy fire wear down the remaining forces within a few rounds of alternating waves. These tactics did not fare well against the Clan's advantages in ranged weapons.<ref name=FMDC42/>

==Composition History==
===2765===
'''Third Benjamin Regulars''' (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)<ref name="FR2765p10"/>
: Note: At this point in time, the Regulars were stationed on [[Dover]]; attached to the Regulars were a wing of [[aerospace fighter]]s, an artillery regiment, four infantry regiments, and four armored regiments.<ref name="FR2765p10"/>

===2786–2821===
'''Third Benjamin Regulars''' (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)<ref name="FSWp136">''First Succession War'', p. 136</ref>
: Note: At this point in time the Regulars were a heavy-weight regiment, operating at full strength and stationed on Dover.<ref name="FSWp136"/>In 2821 the unit was operating at just above one-third of full strength and stationed on [[Odabasi]].<ref name="FSWp136"/>

===2830===
'''Third Benjamin Regulars''' (Regiment/Regular/Reliable) <ref name=2ndSSp96>''Second Succession War'', p. 96 </ref>
: Note: At this point in time the heavy-weight unit was stationed on [[Odabasi]] with an operational readiness of 81 percent. <ref name=2ndSSp96/>

===2864===
'''Third Benjamin Regulars''' (Regiment/Regular/Fanatical) <ref name=2ndSSp96/>
: Note: At this point in time the heavy-weight unit was stationed on [[Dehgolan]] with an operational readiness of 47 percent. <ref name=2ndSSp96/>

===3025===
'''Third Benjamin Regulars''' (Regiment/Regular/Questionable)<ref>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'' p. 137</ref><ref name=TGCp13>''The Galtor Campaign'', p. 13</ref><ref name=TGCp51>''The Galtor Campaign'', p. 51</ref>
:*CO: ''Brigadier General'' Jakodo Naguchido
:Note: The Third Benjamin Regulars was a heavy 'Mech Regiment<ref name=HKDCp144/>. At this point in time the unit was stationed on [[Irurzun]]. <ref name=HKDCp135> House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p.135 </ref>

:<u>Regiment TO&E</u>
:; Regimental BattleGroup (4x [[combat vehicle|armor]] lances, 1x reinforced 'Mech lance, 1x 'Mech lance)
:; Air Squadron (1x [[wing]] of aerospace fighters)
:; Ismail's [[Battalion]]
:* Battalion Headquarters ('Mech)
:* Glover's [[Company]] ('Mech)
:* Lane's Company ('Mech)
:* Quinn's Company ('Mech)
:; Shazli's Battalion
:* Battalion Headquarters ('Mech)
:* Chu's Company ('Mech)
:* Zetti's Company ('Mech)
:* Bardeen's Company ('Mech)
:; Gamasy's Battalion
:* Battalion Headquarters ('Mech)
:* Astaire's Company ('Mech)
:* Roger's Company ('Mech)
:* Kelly's Company ('Mech)
:; Auxillary Group (2x armor lances, 1x infantry [[platoon]])

===3040===
'''Third Benjamin Regulars''' (Regiment/Regular/Questionable)<ref name = HWo3039p138/>
:Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Irurzun.<ref name = HWo3039p138>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 138</ref>

===3050===
'''Third Benjamin Regulars''' (heavy 'Mech Regiment/<ref name=CM-Kp38/>Veteran/Questionable)<ref name=20yr42/>
:*CO: ''Tai-sa'' Samuel Nelson<ref name=20yr42/>
: Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Irurzun<ref name=20yr42/> and support units included a medium [[aerospace fighter]] [[Inner_Sphere_Aerospace_Organization|company]], an all heavy and assault class [[combat vehicle]] battalion, and a conventional [[infantry]] battalion.<ref name=CM-Kp38/>

===3054===
'''Third Benjamin Regulars''' (Battalion/Veteran/Questionable)<ref name=ORp27>''Objective Raids'', p.27</ref>
:*CO: ''Tai-sa'' Samuel Nelson

===3059===
'''Third Benjamin Regulars''' (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)<ref name=FMDC42/>
:* CO/1st [[Battalion]]: ''Tai-sa'' [[Clifford Allen]]
::* XO: ''[[Chu-sa]]'' [[Amanda Mattile]]
:* 2nd Battalion: ''Chu-sa'' [[Onyoko Akagi]]
:* 3rd Battalion: ''Chu-sa'' [[Gerrard Teyku]]
:Note: Over 50 percent of the command is upgraded with new technology. The unit is heavy to assault with a few light/medium 'Mechs for scouting. All machines have the heaviest armor available. Furthermore, the command received 12 IS OmniMechs.<ref name=FMDC42/>

:'''Third Benjamin Regulars Aerospace''' ([[Wing]]/Veteran/Reliable)<ref name=FMDC42/>
:* Wing Commander: ''[[Sho-sa]]'' [[Brandon Klein]]
::Note: 12 ''[[Slayer]]'' fighters were modified to carry on each wing pod with 5 tons pod space.<ref name=FMDC42/>

:'''Rook's Armored Wall''' (Regiment/Elite/Reliable)<ref name=FMDC42/>
:* Armor Commander: ''Tai-sa'' [[Maximillian Rook]]
::Note: Because of their extraordinary bravery during the battle on Asgard against the Clans, the command received upgrades with [[lostech]] equipment and six lances of new armor.<ref name=FMDC42/>

:'''Dragon's Gentle Kiss''' (2 Battalions/Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FMDC42/>
:* Troop Commander: ''Chu-sa'' [[Sath Reinholdt]]
::Note: The command included three companies of heavy artillery and the remaining members were trained to lay mines or to act as demolitions experts.<ref name=FMDC42/>

==Notes==
* Rules for the Third Benjamin Regulars can be found in ''[[Historical Turning Points: Galtor]]''<ref name=HTP:Gp7/> and page 38 of ''[[Combat Manual: Kurita]]''.<ref name=CM-Kp38/>
* ''[[Combat Manual: Kurita]]'' notes the Third Benjamin maintains a ca. 3050 core of veterans from a battle on [[Marduk]], including ''[[Sho-sa]]'' [[Haruto Wakahisa]].<ref name=CM-Kp38/> The Third is not noted elsewhere as taking part in any battles on Marduk.<ref name = HWo3039p138/> Either veterans of that battle were transferred ''en masse'' to the Third from the [[Sixth Benjamin Regulars]], or the report confuses the two and no such veterans are present in the Third.

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* ''[[20 Year Update]]''
* ''[[Combat Manual: Kurita]]''
* ''[[The Dragon Roars]]''
* ''[[FedCom Civil War (sourcebook)|FedCom Civil War]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Draconis Combine]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
* ''[[Field Report 2765: DCMS]]''
* ''[[First Succession War (sourcebook)|First Succession War]]''
* ''[[The Galtor Campaign]]''
* ''[[Historical: War of 3039]]''
* ''[[Historical Turning Points: Galtor]]''
* ''[[House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)]]''
* ''[[NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1]]''
* ''[[NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2]]''
* ''[[Second Succession War (sourcebook)|Second Succession War]]''
* ''[[The Star League]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade]]''
{{div col end}}

[[Category:Draconis Combine Commands|Benjamin Regulars, 03rd]]

3rd Benjamin Regulars - Revision history

imported>Csdavis715: link, number format