In 2898, the Blackhawks were in service to the Free Worlds League and were being used to conduct offensive operations against the Capellan Confederation. The 38th and 90th Dragoon Regiments were involved in an assault against Ingersoll, while the 321st Hussar Regiment was assigned to the attack on Bandora alongside the 7th Marik Militia and a mercenary unit, "Damage, Inc."
After overcoming the moderate Capellan Defense in a few weeks, Bandora seemed to be a quick victory. Unfortunately a furious Capellan counter-attack erupted when Liao reinforcements arrived on-world. The Marik commander was taken completely by surprise by this turn of events and was woefully unprepared to counter the Capellan attack. The 321st Hussar Regiment fought hard to keep the Liao forces off balance but found itself cut off from the other Marik forces. The other mercenary unit, Damage, Inc. was ordered to break through the Capellan line and help the 321st link up with the full Marik contingent. Meeting stiff opposition, Damage, Inc. chose instead to withdraw. Leaving the 321st cut off, Damage, Inc. retreated back to the Marik landing zone and fought their way onto their DropShip transports and fled offworld.
The Capellan forces then turned their attention to the Marik Militia which quickly began to lose unit cohesion and was in danger of a full rout. With the full attention of the Capellans focused on the 7th MM, the 321st Hussars hit the Capellan perimeter hard and managed to punch through and breakout into open country. Once clear of the encircling Capellans the 321st tried to head for the Marik DropZone but were forced further afield by Capellan counter moves. A the same time the 7th MM finally collapsed and began a headlong retreat towards their DropShips. In the panic that ensued, elements of the 7th Marik Militia commandeered the 321st Hussars DropShip transports and left the Blackhawk unit stranded on Bandora to fend for themselves.
When the other Blackhawks learned of the situation on Bandora and that the 321st Hussars were trapped in enemy territory, the entire unit exploded in fury at the abandonment of their comrades. The 90th, 38th and 89th Dragoon Regiments immediately pulled out of their current missions and regrouped on New Delos to mount a rescue operation. In March 2899 the Blackhawks Dragoon Regiments landed on Bandora and slammed into the Capellan defenders like a sledgehammer. Unable to stand before the furious onslaught, the Capellans found themselves being torn to pieces.
After several days of heavy fighting the 38th Dragoons were able to locate and link up with surviving units of BattleGroup Jackal. Trapped on Bandora for four months the 321st Hussars fought a long battle of evasion against the Capellan garrison forces. Using every tactic available the 321st still found itself hounded and hunted at every turn. Although blooding the Capellans at each encounter the 321st simply couldn't keep the Liao forces completely at bay and attrition took its heavy toll.
When the smoke cleared on Bandora the terrible price paid by the 321st became all to clear. Less than a battalion remained of BattleGroup Jackal, and faring far worse were BattleGroups King and Lion whose survivors numbered in the dozens. After the survivors were tended to the Blackhawks left Bandora and headed to Galatea where they secured a contract with the Capellan Confederation. This arrangement was agreed upon to enable the Blackhawks to repay the treachery of their former employer, the Free Worlds League.
As a result of the devastating losses suffered by BattleGroups King and Lion, they were officially and ceremoniously disbanded with full honors. To rebuild the 321st Hussars BattleGroup Kaiser and BattleGroup Leopard were commissioned to stand alongside BattleGroup Jackal and have honored the fallen heroes of the Blackhawks by establishing their own record of distinguished service.
In honor of their lost brothers, BattleGroups Kaiser and Leopard display black streamers bearing the names of BattleGroup King and Lion on their guidon banners alongside their campaign and award streamers.
