812th Tetuanis Greyhounds

Regimental Standard	Regiment Overview		Regimental Colors
	Name:	Greyhounds
	Homeworld:	Tetuanis
	Regiment Type:	Mechanized
	Commander:	Colonel Erich Steiner
	Colors:	Blue and Grey
	Manpower:	~2500
	Affiliation:	Imperial
	Creed:	Vincere Vel Mori! (Conquer or Die!)

Overview

The Tetuanis 812th 'Greyhounds' are a Tetuanis Mechanized Infantry regiment. It is frequently known as the Greyhounds named after the hunting buggies and common canine companion on Tetuanis. Currently led by Colonel Erich Steiner, the 812th has proven an integral part of the rapid reaction Battlegroup as part of the larger theater army responsible for defending Eternum's many fronts.

History

Part of the 8th founding of Tetuanis's mechanized regiments, the 812th quickly distinguished itself in numerous battles against lightning raids led by small fleets of the Rotbelchers in the years leading up to the advent of the Second Poxwar. Due to their speed and own countering strikes, the 812th could quickly cordon off invaders or heretical uprisings and break them under the unceasing tread of their Chimeras - this would eventually lead to them assisting the Crimson Bulwark in the Atkan raid. The Atkan raid was led by a foul sorcerer of the Rotbelchers and designed to test a new variety of the fearsome plague zombies, a test that was all too effective and led to the world quickly being overrun by the undead. Following the lead of the marines who arrived to battle the masterminds of the outbreak, the 812th carved a path through the zombie horde for the Bulwark to capitalize on and allowing them to decapitate the sorcerers and their defenders. This led to a professional, but somewhat genial, relationship between the Crimson Bulwark and the 812th and thus they can occasionally be found fighting together.

This raid also brought the 812th to the attention of Lord Inquisitor Barborasa, who was quick to put the regiment through his test through a clear and hold action on the death world Senomorf. Surviving and holding off the incessant waves of xenosfauna and allowing the Inquisitor's acolytes to gather what they came for, the 812th became another occasional resource for the Lord Inquisitor to requisition when needed, thus the 812th can be found fighting alongside Hammer of Judgement Stormtroopers and Interrogators, or more rarely the Lord Inquisitor himself. During the psychic awakening Primaris Psyker Othar Wukalis was assigned to the regiment where, even faced with the initial chagrin of the traditionally psyker-less regiment, quickly established himself as a useful intelligence gatherer and force multiplier. He has served with Colonel Steiner loyally since.

Strategy and Combat

Regimental Colonel Steiner has led the 812th for decades, focusing on spearheading vehicles screened by dismounted infantry following the wake of mechanized infantry in IFVs, with tactical strikes by veterans and specialist units. The grim reality of command has not gone unnoticed by the average guardsmen, and their fear is moderated by trustworthy sergeants and fearless commissars. The 812th has strong morale, though Guardsmen are not immune to breaking when facing the worst horrors spawned by the Rotbelchers.

The 812th is a blacksmiths workshop in combat, infantry form the anvil that the hammer of the vehicles hit, and specialist squads and veterans form the tools that keep the iron malleable. The anvil suffers, but the hive cities of Tetuanis always have more lives to send. The 812th has, for most of its combat history, focused on fighting the Rotbelchers and the minions of Nurgle on the Aural Front. They have fought orks and Eldar as well, though more rarely than the predominant enemy on the Aural Front.

The 812th's leadership has learned to trust their officers, and in turn his officers trust the regimental headquarters- nowhere is this made more manifest than the relationship between Colonel Steiner, Major Jackson, and Lt. Colonel Whitman that was present even before the start of the Second Poxwar. Given loose instructions, subordinate officers are able to carry out the intent of the orders versus the raw letters - a critical component of any fast attack mechanized regiment.

For the standard Guardsmen and platoon level command, bravery is prized but so is discretion - unlike Line Infantry where a foolish action will cost a handful of lives, an infantry fighting vehicle making a foolish charge will damage a vehicle of the Imperium. Life is cheap in the Imperium, but vehicles less so, so while the 812th is not afraid to charge it is done with consideration. Likewise, as the pestilent of Nurgle are particularly vicious in close quarters, range is where the 812th shines, firing volleys of accurate lasgun or plasma fire before scorching the area with flamers and vehicle support.

Priority Engagements

The 812th is a large regiment, as are the urban battlefields they often fight on. Although the front can be large, generally fighting focuses on one critical location. During battles against Nurgle's followers, the majority of the 812th focuses on holding the line and protecting the flanks against the standard chaff of cultists, while the best companies focus on the most dangerous part of the front. The Rotbelchers the 812th fights use large amounts of damned cultists, renegades, and traitors to send wave after wave at the flanks and the bulk of the frontline, while using their best (heretic marines, foul vehicles, and daemons) to attack or defend the battlefield's most critical locations. The 1st, 2nd, and 5th Companies are used to fight them in these locations due to not only their experience and power but close relationship with Regimental Headquarters.

Notable Companies

1st Company

Led by Captain Friedrick Barbory, 1st Company makes up the bulk of the 812th's priority engagement zones. Squads utilize unique markings and contain the majority of the most experienced guardsmen of the regiment. The veteran squads in 1st Company use a painted symbol on their pauldron, though the symbol can vary. Veteran specialist squads who are not part of a fully formed formal squad will have a white diamond on top of regimental colors, whereas the formal squads have their left pauldron hold their squad number. Squads are referred to by their livery, (ex.  Blue Sun Squad, Fire Dog Squad) except Diamonds. Company command Chimeras utilize a 1 for company marking and a stylized skull. Non-command Chimeras utilize a 1 for Company and a colored plate that matches the squad, with custom livery chosen by the crew. 1st Company's standard is carried by Barbory and is a shield with "1st C" embroidered on.

2nd Company

Led by Captain Gunther Marus, 2nd company are recognized by their right shoulder pads bearing a squad letter on a squad by squad basis for standard squads. The bulk of shock troopers, vanguard, and force recon sergeants belong to 2nd Company, all of which combine to make 2nd excellent at striking enemy units but worse at long term holding of positions. 2nd Company veteran squads color their left pauldron the same and are referred to as 2nd <Color> Squad (ex. Second Green Squad, Second Blue Squad). Standard squads wear a letter that corresponds to their squad name (ex. A for Avenger, C for Crusher). Command Chimeras follow the traditional scheme of Company Number (2) and stylized skull. Squad Chimeras utilize Company Number and Letter - for example, Alpha Squad would have a 2 and an A.

3rd Company

Led by Captain Luther Caine, 3rd company is unique in that it is comprised of mostly squads with embedded heavy and special weapons. While other companies will have specialist and heavy weapons specialists to attach, 3rd company contains the bulk of the regiments embedded infantry squad firepower. 3rd company elements will generally follow the advances of 1st and 2nd company to support them with targeted heavy weapons, while Caine leads more concentrated squads of elite specialists or heavy weapons.

5th Company

Led by Colonel Whitman, 5th Company is the most experienced and powerful armored company in the 812th. Containing the bulk of the Lemen Russ Executioners,  the company is used for priority engagements. Artillery is led by Major Werfe, and has become incredibly skilled at supporting Whitman's spearheads. As the most experienced armored company, 5th company does not denote 5th directly on its vehicles, instead carrying the regimental number of '8'.

Notable Squads

The Blue Suns Engage Xenos

1st Company 1st Squad "Blue Suns"

Led by Sergeant Gunthar 'Volley' Constantine, the Blue Suns are some of the best plasma gunners and mid range riflemen in the regiment. They are almost never seen without their advanced tactical helmets, which feed them useful information on enemy targets as well as plasma heat levels for the gunners. Squad marking is a fleur de leur in a circle on the right pauldron.

The Blue Suns are a common site in the advent of the 2nd Poxwar, taking part in critical actions defending Auerilis IV.

1st Company 2nd Squad "Fire Bats"

Led by Sergeant Thomas "Mad Dog" Bernem the Fire Bats excel in close range, high heat warfare. Carrying melta guns and a heavy flamer, the Fire Bats melt whatever stands in their way. Constant exposure to promethium fumes, as well as the never-ending experience of seeing melting bodies, has turned the Fire Bats into a gruff, uncouth bunch, but none can deny their efficiency. Squad marking is a stylized flame on the right pauldron. The Squad Standard, worn as a cloak by the sergeant, is a stylized flame on a line, with four lines underneath. The current squad flamethrower operator is Corporal Rost 'Ironskin' Lambe, who has served with the squad since its inception and survived several close calls (including one where his promethium tank was hit by a bolter round) and amazingly walked away from them all. It remains to be seen if his luck will hold, but he'll continue to display the same flame obsessed, cavalier attitude that's always accompanied by his taunt to the heretics, "Say hello to Mr. Yellow" (Lombe began using that phrase after reading historical texts on the Sabbat Crusade, shortly thereafter Sergeant Bernem banned Lambe from reading historical texts) until he earns martyrdom.

1st Company 3rd Squad "3rd Eyes"

Led by Sergeant Corvo, the 3rd eyes are made up of guardsmen who, while excellent shots, prefer their trusty lasguns over more complex weaponry. Named after their uncanny ability to pinpoint weak points in enemy armor and squads, the 3rd Eyes have brought down terrible creatures with volley after volley of lasfire. A recent change, the squad also began bringing one plasma gunner whose responsibility is only to open up a chink in the enemy's armor for lasgun shots to exploit. The squad makes use of a smaller blue and yellow 3, chosen from the markings of a chimera the squad once had their instincts demand they took cover behind, an action that saved them from being torn to shreds from blight-launchers.

1st Company 4th Squad "Last Rounders"

Currently led by Sergeant Undzer and named after a particularly lucky shot by Sergeant Linus where his last bolter round managed to take out an advancing plague marine when the rest of his squad was out of ammunition and options, the name has survived even since Sergeant Linus tried to throw a frag grenade while forgetting he had stikkgloves on. The Last Rounders as a bunch lean on the rambunctious side but have proven their skill on and off.

5th Company 8th Strike Squad "Killers"

Armed with lascannons and hunter killer missiles, the 8th are often seen serving as the vanguard of the 812th's operations, running ahead of the main force to strike hard and fast with their lascannon and hunter killers before serving as infantry support platforms. Although they use armored sentinels, any form of enemy anti-tank will quickly put them out of commission so it's common for them to pop smoke and reposition, using sniper tactics with anti tank weapons.

The Second Poxwar

The emergence of the Rotfleet during the Second Poxwar was a shock to the sector still recovering from the First Poxwar so many years before, though the Imperium was prepared. As the ships of the Rotbelchers descended on Auerilis IV and Battlefleet Caligulas moved to engage, the 812th and many other regiments of the rapid response Battlegroup were moved to assist. Their first engagement would find them assisting, unbeknownst to them, Interrogator Crucibald under the guise of a joint Naval-Guard interception. The once loyal Benediction of Hate had reappeared in the Auerilis System on a collision course with Auerilis IV, threatening the ongoing defense of the world. The 812th were deployed to investigate the ship, and if necessary, destroy her. Onboard, they found themselves engaged by the remains of the crew who had succumbed to the Gellarpox infection and their Rotbelcher masters, along with Eldar xenos who fought both sides. The 812th managed to secure the hangar bay to facilitate a more proper deployment, and began moving deeper into the ship to destroy the accursed vessel, ready to fight both traitor and xenos alike.