--- In praetorian-IG@..., "W Camp (NoelVH)"
<noelvh@g...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
> Great job on this one.
> I hope you don't mind but I turned you document in to a 2 volume
mini book
> set.
> I put the files in the file section for downloading. Simply print
the PDF
> file and fold the paper into the 2 books. The instructions for
folding are
> in the same location.
> Good job.
> Wes.
>
>
> On 8/22/06, James <frogboyjhk@l...> wrote:
> >
> > Fantastic Work.
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > *From:* praetorian-IG@... [mailto:
> > praetorian-IG@...] *On Behalf Of *david_statter
> > *Sent:* Tuesday, August 22, 2006 1:58 PM
> > *To:* praetorian-IG@...
> > *Subject:* [praetorian-IG] History of the Praetorian Guard and
Praetoria
> > (you'll love this)
> >
> >
> >
> > The World of Praetoria
> >
> > From their initial planet fall as inexperienced colonists to the
> > present day as hive-toughened warriors, the Praetorians have had to
> > fight to survive. Over the centuries they have adopted a strict
> > discipline which together with their talent for organization of the
> > smallest details (essential in a hive where even the air is rationed)
> > serves them well on the battlefield. They detest slovenliness and
> > disorder, and even at the height of battle will ensure that their
> > uniforms are correctly buttoned and the buckles buttoned on their
> > ammunition pouches polished to a brilliant shine.
> >
> > Praetoria is a heavily populated Hive World that lies in a system
> > close to the Imperial naval base at Bakka. The overpopulated hive
> > cities of Praetoria are renowned for their squalor and degradation,
> > and produce some of the toughest gangers on any of the hive worlds in
> > the Imperium. This vast population work as little more than slave
> > labour in the huge factory complexes of Praetoria, producing the goods
> > that have made the planet (and its ruling class) one of the richest in
> > the Imperium, with a huge fleet of merchant craft that trade all over
> > the Segmentum and beyond. Imperial Guard regiments raised on Praetoria
> > are renowned for their iron discipline and bravery, even in the face
> > of the most overwhelming odds. According to the planetary lords of
> > Praetoria, it is only through fearsome training and draconian
> > punishments for the most minor infringements that the hive-toughened
> > inhabitants of their planet can be made to follow orders and do as
> > they are told. Whatever one's views on the training methods used, they
> > seem to work, producing troops that are as ferocious on the attack as
> > they are determined in defense.
> >
> > Regimental Founding
> >
> > Nearly every generation, the lords of Praetoria found a new 13th Guard
> > Regiment. The regiment holds a place of honor on Praetoria, among the
> > elite of its foundings. Many up-and-coming new nobles duel for a
> > posting in the 13th. The regiment is recruited from many levels of the
> > Praetorian realm.
> >
> > The officer corps of the regiment is chosen from the three different
> > major social classes. The majority at 66% of the officers are
> > nobly-born, with 20% chosen from among the merchant guild houses, and
> > finally 14% are chosen from the remaining PDF forces. Usually the last
> > 14% make up the majority of the armor battalion, as it is the least
> > favored by the upper class of Praetorian officers to serve in. Most
> > nobly-born feel that the infantry is where the glory is to be had and
> > seek a post appropriate to their status.
> >
> > The bulk of the regular troops are taken from the Praetorian Royal
> > Defense Guards Regiments, which serve as the elite guard of the
> > realm's PDF. Praetoria is a realm onto itself much like the Forge
> > Worlds of the Adeptus Mechanicus. The vast merchant fleets have
> > established many colonies that serve as satellite worlds to Praetoria.
> > The remaining troops as well as all of the armor forces in the
> > regiment are drawn from colonial PDFs.
> >
> > From this gathering of forces the regiment is forged through
> > discipline and rigorous training into an elite Imperial Guard
> > regiment. The many traditions and past histories of the previous 13th
> > Regiments are instilled into the new founding. Many of the companies
> > in the regiment compete with each other for best company during this
> > time, as a source of pride in the regiment. The current 13th was
> > officially founded in 988.M41 by order of the Praetorian lords.
> >
> > Regimental Combat Team
> >
> > The current organization of the regiment was changed following its
> > latest tour of duty in the Eastern Fringe. This was following the
> > events of the war with the Eastern Alliance. The regiment has returned
> > to Bakka where it was reorganized and rebuilt into it's current TO&E.
> > Many officers and enlisted veterans have come to calling this
> > reformation a second founding of the regiment, as much was changed,
> > but the core of the regiment remains. The regiment was enhanced with
> > two new support battalions, a new armored battalion, and fresh
> > recruits from the world of Praetoria to replace losses suffered in
> > battle. The previous armor battalion was removed to become the core of
> > the new 72nd Praetorian Royal Armor Regiment in the Imperial Guard.
> > This reformation of the 13th is a step forward in its evolution to
> > becoming a more efficient and valuable asset to the Imperial Guard.
> > Rumor among the ranks is that this new 13th will be the core of a
> > possible new force being formed to aide the forces of the Cadian gate
> > in their ongoing war with the ruinous powers of Chaos and their
forces.
> >
> > Organization
> >
> > Regiment
> >
> > The regiment consists of six battalions. Three infantry battalions,
> > two support battalions, and one armor battalion. The regiment is a
> > combined arms force allowing for independent operations in the field.
> > Infantry companies can be enhanced with support units from the two
> > support battalions, and armor support from the armor battalion. Before
> > any mission is undertaken, Regimental Command and Control provides
> > companies with all the support forces they will need. With the
> > available forces in Command's control, battalion and company
> > formations can operate independently if needed with existing support
> > forces. A regimental company commands all operations, with each
> > battalion having it's own command and control company and working it's
> > way down to company and platoon commands.
> >
> > Support Battalions
> >
> > Support battalions are the catch-all of the regiment. They consist of
> > recon, storm trooper, additional heavy weapons, artillery, abhuman,
> > sniper, transport, and other forces that are non-standard infantry.
> > These battalions exist mainly on paper for organizational reasons,
> > since most of the time they are spread out among the regular line
> > battalions. With the exception of rear line command support
> > formations, these forces can be broken down from near full companies
> > to small squad formations wherever they are needed. The majority of
> > the officers in these battalions are mustang officers from the ranks,
> > or Praetorian merchant class members who have bought their commissions
> > into the officer corp.
> >
> > Armor Battalion
> >
> > The armor battalion is a similar formation to the standard Imperial
> > Guard armored regiments. The majority of the battalion is made up of
> > Leman Russ MBTs with various variants. Widely unfavored by the noble
> > class for officer assignments, most of the armor officers have risen
> > from the ranks. This has given the armor battalion a low rating when
> > it comes to discipline and organization. However this is not a bad
> > thing, as tank commanders are more independent in their thinking and
> > operation of their machines. This has given the battalion a maverick
> > cavalry mentality.
> >
> > Infantry Companies
> >
> > Infantry companies can vary in size from 150 - 400 troops. Depending
> > on the mission assigned, companies can receive support troops from
> > other battalions in the regiment. Officers are encouraged to follow
> > the chain of command, and to follow orders to the letter. Most of the
> > command structure of the regiment is nobly-born or of merchant class
> > descent. Of course there are always enlisted men whose leadership
> > distinguishes them from their peers, and who receive promotions to
> > higher ranks. These mustang officers are more liberal with their
> > commands, but still adhere to military discipline when needed.
> >
> > Praetorian Uniform
> >
> > Over the centuries Praetorian regiments have changed little in their
> > field and dress uniform. The red tunic and black trousers tucked into
> > calf-high boots are the standard field uniform for all infantry troops
> > and officers. Trousers are also enhanced with a red stripe running
> > down the outside of the legs. This is a sign of devotion to Praetoria
> > in the service of the God Emperor.
> >
> > This is enhanced with gold epaulets, gold buttons, and white
> > belt/buckle/webbing. A silver Aquila insignia is worn on the left side
> > of the tunic. The standard Praetorian Pattern white helm completes the
> > uniform. The material used in the uniforms is an advanced form of
> > fabric that complies with Imperial Guard ballistic fabric requirements
> > for protection.
> >
> > Officers may further wear a red greatcoat over their uniform. This
> > coat has an elaborate cuff design. It also provides additional
> > ballistic protection.
> >
> > Since the regiment also fields different support branches in the
> > field, their tunic and trousers may vary in color. Independent heavy
> > weapons units use blue to dark blue instead of red, chosen men wear
> > green uniforms, mounted hussar squadrons use a different pattern of
> > color scheme for their uniforms and armor uniforms are gray for crew
> > members. Officers in these branches wear uniforms in accordance with
> > their post, but are also allowed to wear the standard red field
uniform.
> >
> > Rank pins are worn on uniform epaulets. Any special titles or branch
> > divisions will be incorporated into the rank pin, or other proper
> > location. Some troops are allowed to wear different uniforms to note
> > special status, as in the example with chosen men.
> >
> > A properly cleaned and pressed standard uniform is modified for dress
> > uniform occasions, for the ease of procurement. All personnel are
> > allowed black berets or forage caps, with officers allowed peaked caps
> > as an additional option. Officers also wear white gloves, and wear a
> > gold sash for being nobly-born or a silver sash for being merchant or
> > lower class. Enlisted personnel wear a white sash similar to an
> > officer's but slightly slimmer. All awards and decorations are
> > displayed on the sash.
> >
> > All uniforms and battle gear are expected to be in parade condition at
> > all times. NCOs and officers are encouraged to report all uniform
> > violations. All violators will be appropriately disciplined. No
> > exceptions!
> >
> > Ranks
> >
> > Enlisted Personnel and NCOs
> >
> > Banner Sergeant
> > Master Sergeant
> > Sergeant
> > Lance Corporal
> > Trooper
> >
> > Officers
> >
> > General
> > Colonel
> > Lt. Colonel
> > Major
> > Captain
> > Lieutenant
> >
> > Special Titles
> >
> > Noble Houses
> > Merchant Guilds
> > Chosen Men
> > Life Guards
> > Hussars
> >
> > Awards and Decorations
> >
> > Praetorians are known for their pomp and circumstance when it comes to
> > their uniforms and equipment. Everything has to be in order, and this
> > also goes for any decorations worn on their uniforms. Along with their
> > standard ribbons for campaigns or battles, a few awards stand out
> > especially. Awards are worn on their dress uniform sash, with all
> > other ribbons. The exception is the Praetorian Cross which is worn
> > around the neck from a ribbon.
> >
> > Praetorian Cross
> >
> > This award is give those few who have shown valor above and beyond the
> > call of duty. This is the highest award a Praetorian trooper or
> > officer can receive from the lords of Praetoria. The recipient of this
> > award is known as a hero to the people of Praetoria, for their courage
> > in the defense of the Imperium and Praetoria.
> >
> > The award is a 4 inch white bursting cross (like the Black Templar
> > space marines cross), with a silver aquila in the center, on a red
> > disc background. The bearer's Name, Unit, Date of the action, and
> > Location of the action are etched into the 4 sides of the cross. The
> > award is worn on a gold ribbon around the neck. Many have nicknamed
> > the award the big red saucer because of its large size.
> >
> > Cluster of the Lion
> >
> > This award is given to those who display Praetorian courage on the
> > field of battle; those who follow commands and excel in their
> > execution; who help attain victory in the field; who never fall back
> > or break in the face of the enemy; who hold the line with iron
discipline.
> >
> > The award is an image of the Praetorian sun in gold with a leaping
> > silver lion in the center. A diamond is placed over the leaping lion.
> > If the recipient is given the award more than once, a new gem is
> > placed with the previously received gems. The cluster is worn on a
> > blue ribbon.
> >
> > 1st time: Praetorian Diamond
> > 2nd time: Praetorian Sapphire
> > 3rd time: Praetorian Jade Crystal
> > 4th time: Praetorian Ruby
> >
> > Silver Sabre
> >
> > This award is given to anyone who shows exceptional valor in
> > hand-to-hand combat. Usually the recipient is given a promotion if
> > they are a trooper or NCO. Officers who receive this award are given
> > higher priority when it comes to general promotions.
> >
> > This award is different because it is given in different versions. The
> > award is a silver sabre in a slashing motion on the background of the
> > race with which the recipient was engaged in hand-to-hand combat. For
> > example a purple Tyranid head, green Ork head or orange Tau head
> > background. The award is worn on a brown ribbon.
> >
> > Sapphire Tear
> >
> > This award is given to all troops and officers who have been injured
> > in the field. This decoration can be awarded multiple times to anyone
> > who is injured more than once.
> >
> > The award is a small white lion's head background with a blue tear
> > sapphire in the middle, worn on a purple ribbon.
> >
> > Chosen Brand
> >
> > Given to members of the Chosen Men units upon joining the Chosen Men
> > ranks. This decoration signifies that they are part of the elite
> > Chosen and are entitled to all the privileges and responsibilities
> > that come with joining such a special unit.
> >
> > The decoration is worn on the left arm, as a white ribbon with the
> > name of the Chosen unit's name.
> >
> > Leman's Lion
> >
> > This award is given to armor crews who have shown exceptional service
> > on the field of battle. Through the execution of their mission, valor
> > on the battlefield, excellence in the operation of their armor, or any
> > other exceptional feat that merits recognition.
> >
> > This award is given to the entire crew of the armored vehicle. It is a
> > roaring gray lion's head over the background of a black Leman Russ
> > turret. It is has been known that crews will sometimes paint a gray
> > lion's head or an image of the award on the side of their vehicle to
> > denote that they have been awarded this medal. The award is worn on a
> > black and red striped ribbon.
> >
> > Standard Weapons Issued
> >
> > MK III Praetorian Pattern Lasrifle
> > MK X Praetorian Pattern Longlasrifle (Special Issued)
> > Kantrael Pattern Laspistol (NCO, Officer, and Special Issued)
> > Mark IX Rechargeable Power Pack
> >
> > Armageddon Pattern Autopistol (NCO Issued)
> >
> > MK III Plasma Pistol (Officer and Special Issued)
> >
> > Model 482 Boltgun (Officer and Special Issued)
> > MK III Bolt Pistol (Officer and Special Issued)
> >
> > MK V Mordian Pattern Grenade Launcher (Special Issued)
> > Ultima Pattern Meltagun (Special Issued)
> > MK II Catachan Pattern Flamer (Special Issued)
> > M35 Megacore Plasma Gun (Special Issued)
> >
> > Doctrines
> >
> > Iron Discipline
> > Close Order Drill
> > Veterans
> > Ratling squads
> > Rough Riders
> >
> > Battle Histories of the Black Guard
> >
> > Double 13
> >
> > Following the events on Montar VII, where the 24th Praetorian was
> > crushed by an Ork Waaagh!, word soon reached Praetoria. When word
> > reached the lords of Praetoria, the 13th was finishing up its founding
> > training and was serving as garrison troops on Praetoria. The 13th's
> > officers and troops petitioned command to assign them to the
> > counter-attack on Montar VII; they wanted to avenge the 24th, their
> > sister regiment. When the surviving members of the 24th returned, the
> > regiment underwent rebuilding; officers and regular troops of the 13th
> > requested transfers to be part of the new 24th. In a rare event,
> > Imperial Guard Command allowed a high number of transfers to the 24th
> > for fast rebuilding reasons. The Praetorian command also provided more
> > elite palace guards from the PDF for both regiments. Everyone wanted
> > pay-back and both regiments were aiming for major retribution. Both
> > regiments were brought back up to full strength and built a blood bond
> > between them.
> >
> > When the 24th and 13th were deployed in the reconquest of Montar VII,
> > the Black Guard was sent in to retake Glazer's Creek; the site of a
> > small victory in the first battle of Montar. The 13th mounted a full
> > assault on the small Ork garrison. Disorganized and leaderless, the
> > Orks stood no chance against the 13th's righteous fury.
> >
> > The Black Guard soon set up a firebase and prepared for a
> > counter-attack. While the main force lead by the 24th sacked the
> > central Ork village, the 13th prepared to be the anvil to crush the
> > Orks upon. Driven towards the creek by Imperial forces, the orks
> > fought a fighting retreat. Lord Sherdan allowed the Imperial Guard to
> > drive the Orks towards imperial outpost by the creek. The orks
> > couldn't let such a sweet target escape them: more battle, more blood,
> > more WAAAAAGGGHHH!!! The Orks amassed in a valley that ran beside the
> > creek, divided by a low rise.
> >
> > The Orks rushed over the hill screaming in their foul Orkish tongue.
> > The first thing to surprise them was the heavy barrage of artillery.
> > Still they kept coming, wanting to destroy the base and all the
> > guardsmen there. A Speed Kult led the assault on the firebase. Soon
> > they were working their way into the creek valley. At the same time
> > from behind, an Imperial air strike forced the rear elements of the
> > Ork warband onwards into the Praetorians' guns. Pressed into a box,
> > the Orks fought on to the death.
> >
> > The final element of the plan came into play when the 24th Praetorian
> > led the counter-attack on the Ork remains from behind, while the 13th
> > held them off. As the Orks were about to the reach the firebase, the
> > 13th's armor battalion rushed forward to challenge the Ork Speed Kult,
> > and closed the trap. The Orks were smashed between the 24th's hammer
> > and the 13th's anvil. This would finish the Orks' dominion of Montar
> > VII. Following this victory all that was left to do was to clean up
> > the last remains of the Ork Waaagh!. The 13th was given this mission
> > which took a few months to accomplish.
> >
> > War with the Eastern Alliance
> >
> > The Eastern Fringe is the Wild West of the Imperium. Following the
> > events of the Damocles Crusade, Imperial forces fell back to more
> > secure lines. Many worlds were left to their own fate, abandoned due
> > to alack of forces to protect them. Smugglers, renegades, rogues,
> > pirates, Xenos, they all came to this interstellar no-man's-land for
> > different reasons. Several worlds on the fringe came together to form
> > an alliance of worlds outside of Imperial control. Run by a coalition
> > of humans and Xenos, the worlds first began to work together for
> > mutual defense. The pact prospered as well as can be expected in a
> > stellar desert. The worlds held their own against outside threats. The
> > pact was also ignored by the Imperium, which didn't have the resources
> > to deal with a minor power, and which wasn't under threat from the
> > alliance at the time. Rumors also state that the Ordo Xenos operated
> > out of such worlds for intelligence reasons.
> >
> > The pact grew to 13 worlds, with the Tau looking to make an alliance
> > with them as well. Then around 985.M41, Imperial worlds started coming
> > under raids from pirates operating out of the Eastern Alliance as they
> > were calling the coalition. The raids grew in frequency and size over
> > the years, pirates taking everything from hardware to enslaved
> > Imperial citizens. In 994.M41, a group of pirate bands mounted a
> > devastating raid on an Imperial naval convoy transporting weapons and
> > heavy hardware for Imperial worlds in the sub-sector. The entire
> > convoy was taken by the raiders, and was never heard from again except
> > for the remains of a few patrol ships that were found later on by a
> > local sector battlefleet.
> >
> > The Imperium was forced to play its hand in a resourceless sector of
> > space. An attack on this alliance was going to be organized, to free
> > the enslaved Imperial citizens and rid the Imperium of this thorn in
> > its side. A gathering of forces was called for, and the 13th
> > Praetorian answered the call along with several other Imperial Guard
> > regiments. The majority of the invasion force was made up of local
> > PDFs and Militias from the sector dragooned into Imperial service due
> > to the lack of resources. A strike force of the Adeptus Astartes Space
> > Sharks Chapter also joined the invasion. The Ordo Xenos also provided
> > some additional forces as well as much of the intelligence on the
> > alliance.
> >
> > The 13th joined the 101st Tallarn Desert Raiders, the 8th Brimlock
> > Dragoons and several PDF regiments to form Taskforce Z. The taskforce
> > was also joined by a rogue trader, who was able to raise the
> > equivalent of an additional three regiments of his own personal guard
> > and mercenaries. The taskforce was given orders to take the world of
> > Rudolpho's Den. Other taskforces were given different assignments to
> > attack the alliance on different worlds to keep them off balance. The
> > world of Rudolpho's Den was a pirate world which had two major
> > settlements and a few known fortresses. It was also known that the
> > main alliance defense fleet and raider fleets used this world as their
> > home port. For this reason the Imperial Navy provided several heavy
> > detachments to Taskforce Z.
> >
> > The initial entry into the system was met with a major fleet action
> > that would rout the battlefleet of the alliance and keep the Imperial
> > Navy busy for the remainder of the system's invasion. With the local
> > space defenses broken and on the run for the time being, the Navy made
> > a run in-system to deploy the Imperial Guard regiments. The 101st made
> > the initial landing to scout and prepare for the main troop drop. The
> > consecutive landings went as planned with a central command base being
> > established. With the Guard and its allies now on the ground, plans
> > were underway to take both of the major settlements on the world.
> > General Gordon of the 13th had overall command of ground operations in
> > this campaign. The combined forces would march on the main spaceport
> > of Freemeza, also the capital of the world. It was known that the main
> > slave pens were located outside of the city and the general wanted
> > nothing more than to free the Imperial citizens and wipe out the
> > pirate scum. His rogue trader ally was given 3 militia regiments to
> > augment his forces, and was assigned the job of taking the smaller
> > settlement of Laz Zerpentaz. The 8th Brimlock would remain in reserve
> > at the main beachhead base, along with another dragooned PDF Regiment.
> > The 4 remaining dragooned PDF regiments would join the 13th in their
> > assault on Freemeza. The 101st would split up into smaller units and
> > perform forward scouting operations as well as conduct any
> > counterinsurgency in the event of raiders taking on the main Guard
> > columns moving to their objectives.
> >
> > It was not known at the time of the invasion, but the Tau had begun
> > making overtures to the alliance to join their larger Tau Empire.
> > Several Gue'vesa Cadres had been sent to the alliance as a gesture of
> > mutual cooperation between the two nations. The Gue'vesa were deployed
> > to several of the alliance worlds to serve alongside their defense
> > forces. The Tau still didn't trust the alliance; so they only sent
> > their lesser human troops, instead of frontline Fire warrior Cadres.
> > Two Gue'vesa Cadres were deployed on Rudolpho's Den and were posted at
> > the main barracks of Freemeza. Rudolpho's Den's defense force was made
> > up of 15 regiments spread over the two main settlements and the
> > spaceport. Ten regiments were all-human and the other five were made
> > up of Xenos and human mercenaries. Several pirate bands also operated
> > in the wastelands, although they were very irregular and varied in
> > size and firepower.
> >
> > The alliance put up no resistance to the initial landing of the
> > Guard's regiments. This gave Gordon the chance to deploy his forces as
> > he saw fit. This lull did not last long as a response force of 5
> > regiments was sent out once the Imperial Guard drop zone had been
> > located. The 101st Tallarn were the first to meet this initial force
> > as they mounted counter-raids on the alliance forces. The general
> > finally made a stand in the mountains near the spaceport. There for 2
> > months, Taskforce Z smashed the initial alliance counter-attack. The
> > main engagement came at Razorz Pass, where the general committed his
> > entire armor force and crushed the better part of 4 alliance regiments
> > in one day of fighting. After this battle, the 13th continued on its
> > push to the city of Freemeza unopposed. Taskforce Z split up to their
> > objectives, and pressed the alliance into retreat. Gordon's casualties
> > were still light, and he pressed on to assault both the main city and
> > the spaceport. The 13th would be given the objective of taking the
> > spaceport.
> >
> > Colonel Felix, the acting second-in-command of the 13th would lead the
> > attack on the spaceport. At this time the presence of the Gue'vesa was
> > still unknown to the Imperial Guard. Alliance forces at first gave way
> > to the 13th's push into the spaceport complex. This was a trap
> > however, and once most of 1st battalion was committed to the attack,
> > the Gue'vesa mounted a devastating counteroffensive on them. The
> > fighting in the complex was fierce and brutal. The general refused to
> > retreat while Colonel Felix rallied the battalion and pressed an
> > assault on the main HQ building of the alliance forces. At the same
> > time a company of Chosen Men made a surprise attack on the Gue'vesa
> > command and control. The dual attack succeeded in breaking the Tau's
> > troops command and control, while also smashing into the alliance's
> > main defense force. Colonel Felix gave his life leading the main
> > assault on the alliance command bunker. The Gue'vesa fell back
> > demoralized into the wasteland. The other Imperial Guard and PDF
> > Regiments were deployed to support the 13th and took the spaceport.
> >
> > With the spaceport taken and being held by Imperial forces, Navy
> > support ships began to resupply the Imperial Guard, as well as taking
> > care of the casualties. General Gordon began a siege of the main city.
> > Over the next month the 13th would mount an offensive to take the
> > slave pens and outer perimeter of the city. Gue'vesa forces attempted
> > to harass the effort, but the 101st Tallarn kept them occupied for the
> > remainder of the siege. The spaceport became the hub of the Imperium's
> > effort to take the world's capital. Reinforcements and supplies
> > arrived to help in the effort, along with a welcome surprise in the
> > form of a strike force of Space Shark Space Marines. The Strike
> > Cruiser Imperial Jaws, along with its escort of 2 Gladius Class
> > Frigates, a Hunter Class Destroyer and 3 Nova Class Frigates joined
> > the Imperial Navy in cleaning up the system. Along with them came
> > roughly half of the Space Sharks' 4th Company. With the help of the
> > marines, General Gordon would mount the final push to take the city.
> >
> > Meanwhile, the 13th was making up its battle losses by taking in
> > replacements from the PDF forces. This would keep the 13th at full
> > battle readiness, but began to degrade the regiment's efficiency due
> > to the increasingly low quality of its troops. Gordon pulled the 13th
> > from the line and allowed them a little bit of time before the final
> > push to integrate the new troops into the regiment. As the final push
> > was about to begin, the 13th came back to the line at nearly 100%
> > manpower.
> >
> > The final push into the capital began with two companies of the 13th's
> > Chosen Men mounting several deep strikes into the city to take out the
> > main power and also destroy as many communication nodes as could be
> > located. Once a sufficient amount of chaos had been created in the
> > city, the 13th's armor battalion along with the Space Shark strike
> > force made a frontal assault. A deep push was made before the city's
> > defenders were able to mount any kind of organized counter-attack. It
> > was too late for the alliance as the Imperium held its ground long
> > enough to deploy the rest of the regiments into the city. From this
> > point on, it became a grind out house-to-house battle in the entire
> > city. The 13th would lead the Imperial Guard into the heart of the
city.
> >
> > The battle for Freemeza would last just short of a week. It ended with
> > the 13th leading the final rush into the alliance HQ that was built
> > into a mountain-side. Fierce battles between alliance defense forces
> > and the 13th ensued inside the palace. Major Sharpe led a team of
> > Chosen Men into the main command bunker and took the high command of
> > the alliance prisoner.
> >
> > The city was taken and the flag of the 13th flew over the alliance
> > palace. Gordon took over as military governor for the world until such
> > time that the Imperial high command would be able to relinquish
> > command to the proper Imperial authority. The 13th would take a much
> > needed rest to lick its wounds and prepare for the next push.
> >
> > The next phase of the invasion of the alliance never came for the
> > 13th. Out of the initial 5 worlds targeted by the Imperium, only 3
> > were taken; the other 2 were not taken and the Imperial forces had to
> > fall back. The 13th was given garrison duty and began the process of
> > rebuilding the world. For the next 4 years the 13th would remain on
> > Rudolpho's Den rebuilding, while the war with the alliance continued.
> > At the end of this tour of duty the regiment was pulled back to Bakka
> > for reforming into its current state.
> >
> > Notable Personnel
> >
> > Col. Tarlton Felix
> >
> > Col. Felix was an old school officer who never took no for an answer.
> > He drove his officers hard, and expected exceptional results. He was
> > never one to sit back and let his subordinates do all his work either.
> > He always set an example for his men to follow and they respected him
> > as a result. He led from the front and because of this trait he was
> > given the post of XO of the regiment following Gen. Gordon. His final
> > mission during the assault on Freemeza's spaceport was a perfect
> > example of how Felix commanded his troops.
> >
> > Once the trap was sprung on his 1st Battalion, he rallied the entire
> > battalion around him. In the battles for the main complex of the
> > spaceport, Felix employed the signature square formation of the
> > Praetorian regiments; folding the battalion to a fighting core that
> > would hold its own again the various assaults by alliance and Tau
> > forces. The battalion held their lines, but time was working against
> > them as reinforcements were not coming and casualties were mounting.
> >
> > In an attempt at breaking the enemy and forcing them onto the
> > defensive, Felix led a counter-attack out of the center of the
> > battalion's formation into the alliance forces. Demoralized from not
> > being able to break the 13th's defense, the alliance formation was
> > smashed into by Felix. Little did the 1st Battalion know that due to
> > communication jamming, a relief force was also working its way in to
> > save them. Felix's attack climaxed when his force smashed into the
> > field command center of the alliance forces and they fought it out in
> > the complex. Col. Felix was struck down as he led the charge into the
> > command center of the alliance forces at the spaceport complex.
> >
> > For his courageous actions in the spaceport, Col. Felix was awarded
> > the Praetorian Cross posthumously.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Wes.
> Links to my 15mm Fantasy & SciFi Web Pages
> New site http://noelvh.googlepages.com/
> http://www.displacedminiatures.com/noelvh/
>

thanx mate, no problems, hope u enjoy it