Hey everyone,
So today we have another major fluff for the army this time going into the background. As always hope you enjoy.
--------------501st Expeditionary Report--------------
Expeditionary Commander: Captain Soban 14th Company XVI Legion
To: XVI Legion Command, Imperial Remembrance Order.
Subject: 501st Expeditionary Fleet Assets and brief History
Numeration: 14th Company
Cognomen: The Iron Spear, The Wolves of Terra.
Observed
Strategic Tendencies: Combined Arms, Decapitation Strikes, Ship-borne
Assaults and Boarding Actions, Void Raiding, Vanguard Exploration.
Expedition Fleet:501st
Notable Alliances: Alliance with Forgeworld Volcanus, Legio Astorum, Questoris Familia Knights of the Wolf.
Present Company Commander: Captain Soban
Allegiance: Fedelitas Constantus
Primary Recruit Stock: Jermani Province Terra
Secondary Recruitment Stock: Luna, Cthonia, Small Influx of Recent Compliant Worlds.
Present Company Strength: 564 Estimated Legionaries
Brief History and combat doctrine.
The 14th company
is one of the longest serving companies presently in the XVI Legion.
Founded in the Jermani Province of Terra in the closing days of the
unification wars. Serving in Campaigns including the Pacification of
Luna, Oort Cloud, and the Romulas Campaign, its battle history is one
that contains many honours of the Great crusade. With many honours and
glories this company is one that shines as an example of all the Luna
Wolves stand for.
The 14th company
was originally designed as an armoured company that saw it in some of
its earliest actions shipped into many war-zones. With this design in
mind the company was primarily equipped with the few baneblades of Terra
as well as Malcador heavy tanks in the Imperial Inventory. With this
mix of heavy and fast tanks this lead to a mixed combat doctrine where
the heavy baneblades would form a center while the Malcadors would out
flank. This would be a preferred combat doctrine that would see constant
use even up to heresy Era.
During
its earlier years during the unification wars the company would
constantly be shifted around from battle to battle due to its highly
mobile nature. This lead to the company to gain considerable experience
though with it causalities where not easily replaced due to constant
movement. Because of the constant movement and re-deployments this
would cause the company not to grow as much but be a highly elite force.
This would force it later on to another role that would shape the
company.
After the Pacification of Luna the 14th company,
though a small but elite force, was left behind on Terra to be a
training company for new recruits. Though retaining many battle hardened
officers and line sergeants the 14th was slowly being
drained of other viable personal and equipment per the needs of the
crusade. This would eventually hurt the morale of the company who were
missing the action especially with the invasion of the Oort cloud
underway. It wouldn’t be till half way through the campaign that the 14th would see action again.
The
current commander of the time, Captain Thaddeus, petitioned daily to
both Legion command as well as the war council to be readied back to the
crusade. Though it took many years the 14th company would be given their chance and given command of the 501st Expeditionary
fleet. Taking several mothballed ships and others that were under
repair, he built a power force back up of recently trained but also a
core of veterans from the Unification War. With his command again back
on the front lines they would undergo a new change.
With
the directives of the company it changed from an armoured formation to a
combined force that was to be the vanguard of the crusade doctrines and
new equipment would take effect. No longer a force comprised of just
tanks, the company still preferred highly mobile and a combined arms
approach. Utilizing both rhino, stormeagle and other highly mobile
transports, the company would focus on quick engagements that would
break through and quickly cut off opposing forces. This would later be
refined into speartips that other Luna Wolves Forces would use
especially after the finding of the Primarch.
The Primarch and second Captain
The
finding of Horus would see minor changes in the company compared to
other companies. Owning to the highly mobile and blitzkrieg focus this
was in line with the preferred operational doctrines of the Primarch.
The only changes that would initially happen would be the deployment of
the despoiler type squads and eventually the adoption of terminator
armour units. The other thing that prevented further change was also the
low Cthonia recruitment into the company and would have effects later
on.
One
thing that did cause a major change was the appointment of a new
captain. After 10 years of the crusade Captain Thaddeus would meet his
end at the conclusion of the Romulas campaign and with him a new captain
had to be found. At the time Centurion Soban would be given command by
Horus himself. This honour was bestowed due to leadership and for
redeeming the company during the campaign after a high amount of
casualties. The new captain set several new doctrines and new formations
would be created to further assist the company.
One
of his first acts as captain would see a expansion of several key
groups in the company. His first was the creation of smaller fixed
platoon like structures to build a rigid command structure with each
platoon holding to a particular combat doctrine. One of the first
platoons to be made was a elite assault group that would be able to
clear heavily entrenched enemies as were faced on Romulas and the
company had a hard time rutting them out. From here a recon element and
other commando groups that could identify and then eliminate key
personal. Lastly would be an formation of a body guard that would both
defend the command staff as well as the flag to prevent the tragedy that
happened to the company on Romulas.
With this created the company was given a blessing by Horus in the support of some elements of the 1stCompany.
Both Justerain and Reavers would rotate in to the company to provide
support and also in gratitude for both Soban and Thaddeus fighting
alongside Horus and with Thaddeus taking a fatal wound that was aimed at
the Primarch. This would further boost the company assault element as
well as provide valuable combat leaders that the company sorely needed
after heavy losses. With this last gift the 14th was again ready to wage war in the great crusade.
Unqiue Formations.
Reichsritter
- An elite group within the company, the Reichsritter are some of the
companies greatest fighters and some of the best assault units.
Originally an informal title for the few infantry legionaries in the
company in the unifaction wars, these units had seen some of the
fiercest combat up to the battle of Romulas. After the ascension of
Soban to captian, the formation was given the job of both defending the
flagship but as well as serving as the spear tip of the company. The
unit is also marked out by the gold trim on the shoulder pads of their
armour and many officers and sergeants have served in this elite
formation.
The
Ghosts – The self appointed title of the companies Recon and Seeker
squads, this group has a dark reputation within the company. Charged
with the elimination of enemy commanders as well as gathering
intelligence, this small force has often been the silent knife that has
won many campaigns. The major reason for their dark reputation is there
is a rumour that some of the ghosts have been also used against both
human and legionary allies who where impeding campaigns or wasting lives
in fruitless campaigns. If this last rumour is true this would be a
dark stain on an otherwise honourable company.
Das
Schnitter ( Aka the Reapers)- The Informal name of the Justerain and
Reaver Detachment presently on permanent detail with the 14th Company.
Lead by their grim commander Centurion, Heron Lupus, this
elite group is often called up to crack tough defenses and be the tip of
the spear. This elite formation often competes with the Reichsritter
over battle honours and being the 1st one to crack opposing
lines. Of recent regularity this group is found alongside Captain Soban
and have formed a body guard around the captain shielding him both from
danger as well as slaughtering those that get in their way.
Famous Armour and other Vehicles.
The
Wolf of Terra- An ancient but powerful baneblade that has been around
since the formation of the company. Often used as the command tank of
the company this tank has seen every campaign of the 14th and
its rolls of honours is the history of the company itself. Reserved for
either the captain itself or the best tank commander in the company it
is the most fought over command in the 14th.
The
Wolves Honour- This Desolator Class Battleship, is the current flag of
the fleet and also one of the longest serving ships in the Great
Crusade. Serving as a flag ship in multiple fleets and fighting in the
Fierce Pacification of the Oort Cloud. During that part of the Campaign
she was heavily damaged and almost abandoned to rot in a moth ball yard
due to her damage. It was here that 14th company, wishing to
rejoin the crusade and secure a heavy asset for its forming
Expeditionary Fleet, requested the battleship to be repaired and given
to their growing fleet. The request was granted the ship was
re-christened the Wolves Honour. During this time she would be refitted
as a Legion Astartes Battle Barge and could hold several hundred
legionaries plus armour giving the ship a improved planetary invasion
role. From this time she served as the Flagship of the fleet and has
gained a reputation in the fleet as a fierce combatant and reliable
ship.
Note-Worthy Personal.
Captain Soban- Captain of the 14th and commander of the 501st Expenditory
fleet. This Terran Legionary has served since the formation of the
company and has seen the companies greatest battles as well as worst
defeats. Tactically, Soban has a preference for highly mobile campaigns
as well as keeping causalities low, he is well liked by the company and
has gained many allies in many theaters. This fiercely loyal commander
with his ideals the great crusade may have his faith soon tested in the
dark days to come.
Gerald Widald- Admiral of the Fleet for the 501st Expeditionary Fleet he is the second in command after Captain Soban. Another Terran Legionary he has served in the 14th since the formation of the 501st Expenditory
Fleet. A very able commander his greatest strength lies into space
combat. Due to this he has been appointed to the Admiral of the fleet
and has become close friends with Soban .
Heron Lupus- Centurion and commander of elements of the 1st company
present in the expeditionary fleet. A Cthonia by birth, this fierce
and able commander is considered one of the most able fighters in the
fleet. Of major concern is the divided loyalty this Officer has, one to
Horus who he swore a oath to first, and second to Soban who he has
fought alongside of for many years.
Sergeant
Ferdinand- A old Terran Veteran of the unification wars this Veteran
Sergeant is usually found leading new recruits into battle. One of the
few in the 14th company that enjoyed his time as a instructor
this old veteran regularly trains new recruits into the company.
Despite being a very able commander has personally declined multiple
promotions preferring to stay in the field guiding new legionaries in
the ways of warfare.
Sergeant Nero- Joining about mid crusade this Line sergeant was transferred from the 33rd Company
to replace lost officers after the Romulas campaign. Due to being
Cthonia he was able to bring fresh ideas and new tactics to the company
from a previously all Terran Company. A popular figure among new
recruits from Cthonia, he is considered reckless by some older sergeants
and centurions due to his aggressive tactics. Despite this he has
favour with Captain Soban who enjoys his unique perspective on war and
has even adopted some Cthonia unit formations since Nero joined the
company.
Centurion Gespenst-an Engima in the company since its unknown when he joined or if Gespenst is his real name. A legion Moritant in service with the company, he leads the few destoyer units into battle. Now being deployed with grim reality due to fiercer combat the company is now engaging on a regular basis, some wonder if the Captain would be able to reign him in when mercy is needed.
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End Report
Alright everyone as always hope you enjoy it post below what you think what you might think it might improve it.
General Soban
Signing off till next time
