|
Here is my old, old, old army list for the Ork hunters. Well it would be if the file survived, but half seems to have been corrupted, probably by my half witted attempts at recovery. But the intro text is still there!
Can't see the wood for the trees
The jungle. On 'civilised' industrial Imperial worlds it can be tamed or non existent. On Hive worlds destroyed by environmental collapse what chance does it have?
But this is a massive, old galaxy. Species have been transported from all over space to planets with unexpected results. Terraforming processes have broken down or taken routes contrary to their creator?s intentions with the break down in human technologies necessary for effective monitoring and control. And finally some species cling to life as tenaciously as Man himself. Changing, adapting and becoming more hostile.
Armageddon is a hive world. True it still has oceans of a sort, but life has only really been able to resist the toxic sands in the (insert) jungles (insert). Whether the world was some kind of deathworld conquered by humanity or surviving flora and fauna had to become this dangerous to survive is unknown. It was thought nothing could survive in an organised fashion within the jungles lethal confines, a dangerous misconception when it concerned the Orks.
Numerous solutions have been considered. Cutting it down (ref. 10.4567.r2) - abandoned due to the impracticalities of operating machinery on that scale in the surrounding 'countryside'. Fire (ref. 10.21583.t4) - simply ineffective. Many species seem to be able to survive and recolonisation takes place within hours, not to mention some areas simply resist high temperatures to an incredible degree (all to be expected, otherwise how could the jungle survive the fire and dust storms that batter its flanks?). Even orbital bombardment was investigated (ref. 18.673297.e21). Though effective even the most conservative models predicted a nuclear winter of crippling length and ferocity.
Fortunately though the common soldier came to the planets aid. Many men had stubbornly resisted death during campaigns to purge the space around Armageddon of Orks. Well past the point of rehabilitation into society, even founding their own on (insert world name), these veterans could yet serve a useful purpose. Plunged into hell again they became the infamous Ork hunters of Armageddon, sent to serve the Emperor one last time amidst the deadly jungles. Ork hunting abilities were quickly matched by all those who still wished to live and fight by survival skills enabling them to live for months on end cut off from all support. Cerebus base was established in the least dangerous area of jungle, though any real sort of permanent settlement is impossible due to the steady increase in hostility of the native life, forcing relocation on a regular basis.
The centre for the toughest training in the sector the base has been used by elite troops from all over the Imperium to hone their skills. Prior to the 3rd war regular regiments had their best troops sent to familiarise themselves with the Orkish threat. Not all were able to be brought back before the onset of the war proper and they are there for the duration - if they survive recognisably. Further reinforcement came in the shape of as many regiments as could be raised of Catachans and other specialised jungle fighters.
These men and women have the best survival skills on the planet, frequently joking the jungles are akin to the parks of Holy Terra. Of course this has led to some resentment and no end of skirmishes between the veteran Ork hunters and the new arrivals, but even the Catachins have to admit the former have skills and experience in fighting the Orkish threat they cannot yet match.
Supply is a constant problem for the 'Guard in such a war zone, especially the trapped regular troops who cannot subsist as easily as their more feral fellow soldiers. Supply drops are erratic and equipment, even robust Imperial STC's, needs constant maintenance. The area commander, allegedly a former captain in a regiment of hive militia but known locally only as 'The General', is adept at squeezing every last drop from Imperial supply chains to the extent of striping or requisitioning Valkries bringing the occasional VIP or munitorium evaluation team to Cerebus. Commissaral retaliation is impossible, as none are listed as alive in the jungles. Those that didn't adapt and 'go native' as leaders of men instead of disciplinarians died or met with accidents like latrine landmines.
An attempt was made to investigate shortly before the season of fire by a righteous commissarial team and their stormtrooper escort. Unfortunately while waiting in the Cerebus control tower it was hit by a very precise mortar strike from outside the base. No doubt an Ork team using a captured Imperial mortar. The stormtroopers and transports were quickly requisitioned by The General and shortly after that all contact was lost with Cerebus (a not uncommon event normally precipitated by an Ork attack or upsurge in hostility from the area), though scattered unintelligible comm traffic is still picked up during any lull in the storms.
If anyone is still alive they will have to wait until after the season of fire for an official expedition to reach them, until then regular orbital supply drops continue with no way of knowing which side is being supplied.
The deployed Imperial troops are a varied group. Some armour has been maintained, deployed only in pitched battles normally in and around Cerebus, and a few Valkries supported by even fewer Vultures give support in the direst of circumstances. Even Catachan pattern Sentinels are getting scarcer as attrition and maintenance requirements take their toll. Transports like Chimera, unnecessary in dense terrain, are used as tanks or converted to Hellhounds.
The majority of patrols and search and deploy sweeps are conducted by Catachans and Ork Hunters, brought up to strength with secondments from the other regiments. When not risking life and limb in the jungle they train and reinforce the regiments who defend Cerebus, conduct short range patrols and secure supply drops. A large number of Ogryns have ended up with the humans in the base. These are units who have proved more 'unruly' than their compatriots (even for Ogryn) so are sent out of sight and mind to the jungles, where it has to be said they seem to enjoy themselves. Even the terrifying (insert name) who got shipped on mass after the incident at Infernus rally point theta 381 seem to be mixing well (dismissed as propaganda by all officers who have seen them in other theatres).
Infantry are armed with an array of weapons. Lasguns, functioning even in this harsh environment, are the mainstay. Some troopers carry Ork weapons if one can be found that works with a reasonable regularity. Close combat weapons are carried by everyone, from knives to 'Choppers. Energy weapons are preferred to those requiring ammunition, always in short supply now typically relegated to vehicle mounts. Flamers can be refuelled locally from various substances which while not as effective as promethium at least don't run out! Grenades are jealously horded by troopers, who show generosity only while delivering them live to the enemy. Most squads carry demolition charges, often jury rigged from artillery and battlecannon shells. Missile launchers are the most common weapon after flamers and melta (research melta weapons) weapons, which isn't saying much but they do allow supply drops to deliver a wider variety of munitions with the minimum of spares. Most are issued to the regular Guard units and deployed in fixed defensive positions.
Artillery support is provided by whatever works and has ammunition (making rocketry impractical). Mortars (some stripped from vehicles or adapted from scavenged Ork equipment) are the easiest to maintain and sometimes accompany patrols expecting a lot of resistance (even then the added weight is resented). Fixed artillery at key points gives support to any commander persuasive enough to get the ammunition expended. A handful of self propelled pieces remain at Cerebus, able to move to whatever area needs them most.
AA support is not normally needed, incoming fighta bomber squadrons can be avoided or if necessary intercepted by orbital assets. Some reconnaissance is conducted by air from bases outside the jungle. Cerebus has a few fixed batteries; typically jury rigged quad heavy stubbers or their Orkish equivalent. The few pieces of armour present do present a tempting target and any mobile AA is attached to them.
Army Special Rules
GT Special Rules
Terrain
As per the GT scenario 1 piece of terrain is layed (text lost)
Leaders of Men
Commissars either adapted or died. Those with genuine ability realised they needed to inspire and lead, intimidation was impossible when compared with the daily conditions. Desertion is an impossibility, suicide is far more common and what fear does death hold then? Any regular command structure was also unsustainable, men under these conditions pick leaders themselves. Instead individuals with ability, command experience or simply guts have risen to the fore.
(rest of text lost as file seems to have corrupted)
_________________ If using E-Bay use this link to support Tac Com!'Abolish red trousers?! Never! Red trousers are France!' – Eugene Etienne, War Minister, 1913 "Gentlemen, we may not make history tomorrow, but we shall certainly change the geography." General Plumer, 191x
|
