Tanstaafl Military Structure (2302)

 

Adapted from data in GDW's 'Aurore' and 'Kafer Dawn' sourcebooks, by D Hebditch

 

Tanstaafl Free Legion

The TFL is the regular cornerstone of Tanstaafl’s defence, and uniquely it is entirely staffed by mercenaries. Years of vicious, low tech fighting have honed its soldiers into some of humanities most experienced Kafer fighters. They are currently engaged in hunting down the remnants of Kafer assault units landed in January 2302.

Command Structure

The TFL is organised differently from most military organisations. In that it has no permanent field headquarters at a level higher than the Company. (Although the Commander TFL possesses an ad-hoc Legion Tactical HQ which is sometime deployed to the field, and ad-hoc Militia/TFL Task Forces are sometimes created for large operations.) Operational commands are located at static points in operations rooms, and are known as Area Headquarters. The Area HQ’s are assigned companies as needed and are responsible for their deployment and support as well as liaison with the local Militia command and any other forces. Which uses a separate command structure.

The current Area HQ’s are: Central Area HQ, based at the airfield in Tanstaafl City, which has tactical jurisdiction over the nearby area as well as responsibility for all of the TFL training and administration. Northern Area HQ based at Equator Flats and Southern Area HQ at Junction are purely fighting commands. Each area command has a HQ Company, consisting of signals, logistic and maintenance personnel. In addition an Area Staff exists (of conventional structure), and is supported by the TFL Military Intelligence department.

Hover Infantry

The TFL has 3 HI companies (1st, 2nd & 4th Hover Infantry Companies (It should be noted that although each Company has a numbered designation they are normally known after their commander, usually a Captain.)) each equipped with the workhorse Kangaroo Mark IV. Supplies of this venerable beast are now running somewhat low, and the 3rd HIC was re-rolled to free up its ‘Roos. The Tanstaafl government hopes to re-equip these units with a more modern type (and is in discussions with America and Germany.) and pass the ‘Roos onto the militia.

The HIC are the backbone of the TFL heavy forces and are normally held in reserve and used en-masse, with artillery, armour and militia support.

Motorised Infantry

The 5 MI companies (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th Motorised Infantry Companies) are the main front-line infantry strength of the TFL. They make up garrison and patrolling forces, and are supplemented by the part-time militia. It is the role of these soldiers to ward off smaller Kafer groups, and to buy enough time for the Ramrod teams and Reserves to deploy in the face of large Kafer war parties. They equipped with a range of trucks and all-terrain vehicles for movement purposes. These units fight dismounted.

Airmobile Companies

These units (1st & 2nd AC) are the rapid response reserves of the TFL and one is always at stand-by at Blackjack Airfield at Tanstaafl City. Its troopers are the pick of the line infantry companies, and are all veterans of the fighting. It is their role to reinforce garrison units, if the immediate Ramrod support is insufficient to repel the threat. They are also called in to assist in mopping up operations, cutting of the Kafer retreat and hunting them down.

They are mounted in tilt-wing transports. In addition each company has four converted tilt-wing gunships in close support. The troopers of these companies insist that AC stands for Air Cav, and operate in a fitting manner.

Hovertank Company

There is one armoured unit in the TFL and that is the Independent Hovertank Company (formally Autonomous Hovertank Company) and is equipped with the 7 LkPz-IX still surviving from those donated by the German govt. Their crews are experts in the use of armoured support against Kafers. However the surviving LkPz-IX’s are valuable resources that the TFL is loath to risk. They are normally used in conjunction with the Hover Infantry Companies for major defensive or offensive actions.

The Tanstaafl government is in negotiation to gain more hovertanks from virtually any source, and is considering the purchase of a number of surplus French ABR-76 vehicles as a stop-gap measure.

Training Companies

The TFL has two training companies, both based at its Blackjack Base. The 1st Training Company is responsible for the assessment and preliminary training of recruits. If assessed of trained to be at the correct level the 2nd Training Company educates the recruit in TFL tactical doctrine and procedures as well as lessons in survival in Tanstaafl’s harsh climate.

Artillery Batteries

The TFL has three batteries (1st, 2nd and 3rd) all equipped with the standard 120mm MRL mounted on a variety of chassis. The rounds are manufactured locally and lack most of the ‘smart’ features Earth militaries will be familiar with. Nevertheless thanks to impressive professionalism these units perform with great accuracy and alacrity which has saved many Tanstaaflian lives.

The units normally operated in 3 gun Half-Batteries, which have an array of support vehicles and two Forward Observation parties. (some of Tanstaafl’s most valuable soldiers) Normally one battery is assigned to each Area HQ.

Commando/Ramrod Units

The glamorous elite of the TFL these units have been reorganised in recent years in the light of operational experience. Originally deployed as independent platoon sized units they have been re-organised into company sized ‘Commandos’ of three troops (each originally a commando in the old system). This was found to allow greater flexibility, co-ordination and support of these units. The first troop is commanded by a Captain, whilst the remaining two are commanded by Lieutenants (or Sergeants if no officers are available).

1st Commando. This unit was the first to be re-organised and re-rolled to become the TFL’s special forces capable unit. Trained by TFL specialists and off-world advisors, this unit replaced the nearly annihilated Rural Police in the long range recon role whilst adding the ability to launch raids. This unit is always under the direct command of the commander of the TFL and answers directly to him.
 
2nd Commando. 2nd Commando is the only Commando force now equipped with tilt-wings for rapid response. The remainder of these valuable assets have been reassigned to the Airmobile Companies. 2nd Commando uses the call-sign FIREFORCE (Two, Two-One and Two-Two) and is a rapid-response unit with greater reach than a Ramrod team. 2nd Commando normally has one troop located with each Area HQ at the airfield.
 
5th, 7th, 10th, 13th and 17th Commandos. These units are the traditional Ramrod, armoured rapid-response units (named from their call-sign RAMROD (5, 51, 52 etc.)) that are used to provide close support to besieged Militia and TFL units. The Ramrod teams are often frequently used to provide ‘spearhead’ forces in large scale attacks. Two Commandos are dispersed around both Northern and Southern Areas, whilst one remains at Blackjack Airfield.

Air Squadron

The TFL’s air squadron, rebuilt in 2301 has once again been reduced to operating a mere 6 Conventional Frontier Fighters (including the original Faith, Hope and Charity airframes that at one time were Tanstaafl’s only fighters.) The air squadron also still has one (of the original two) ‘Reaper’ gunship, a converted Loadmaster aircraft equipped with side firing mass driver, plasma and conventional weaponry. A great boon in the later stages of scouring the initial Kafer infestations. However the latest invasion and the influx of Snapfire missiles has made flying this beast extremely risky.

Rank structure

The TFL has a simple rank structure based purely on command, any soldier above the rank of private is expected to command men. If he cannot he will be reduced back to private. Officers are normally either commissioned through the ranks (and swiftly trained), transferred from the Militia, or have command experience from previous service. Specialists (such as signallers, gunners etc) are paid extra for their skills but will not receive promotions because of these skills.

Enlisted ranks: Private, Lance Corporal, Corporal, Sergeant, Sergeant Major.
 
Commissioned ranks: Lieutenant (1st and 2nd), Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel.

Equipment

The TFL remains equipped with a variety of equipment and weapons often governed by the personal choice of the individual troopers. However the basic uniform pattern, and the use of the AS-89 have become something of a standard.

 

The Tanstaafl Regional Defense Paramilitary Militia

The Tanstaafl RDPM is an umbrella organisation for a number of groups that constitute the bulk of Tanstaafl’s defence against the Kafer threat. Although the mercenary Tanstaafl Free Legion provides the colony’s regular forces and first line of defence, the contribution of the RDPM should not be overlooked.

The RDPM consists of three bodies: the Metropolitan Police, Rural Police and Militia.

Metropolitan Police

The Met Police are the various police departments established in the urban areas of the colony. The Met Police during the war mainly worked in controlling refugee flows and organising evacuations. However many also died fighting the Kafers, and the 1st Tanstaafl City Commando was formed by members of the Tanstaafl City MPD SWAT Team.

Rural Police

The Rural Police have a wide ranging brief to police the huge areas of Tanstaafl that aren’t covered by Metropolitan Police organisations. They operate in a very similar manner to the Texas Rangers and are in part modelled on that organisation. During the initial fighting they were the first line of Tanstaafl’s defences and took huge casualties in doing so. Later because of their survival skills they were called on to make recon patrols into Kafer controlled territory, further thinning their numbers.

The creation of the TFL’s 1st Commando and the use of militia Commandos to patrol has allowed the Rural Police to regroup and concentrate on their primary role. However they still play a vital role in the early detection of Kafer raids and the protection of isolated farmhouses. In addition Rural Police Reserve Tracker Teams (RPRTT, call-sign REPEAT) often using special trained tracker dogs are called in to help hunt down Kafer units.

Militia

The militia consists of volunteer soldiers who are mostly poorly equipped, trained and led. However they have been at the forefront of saving the colony, especially in the time before the formation of the TFL. They are citizen soldiers who are called up from their jobs at short notice to fight, although in times of need (and there have been many in recent years) they can be called out permanently. They are organised into local units, mostly at Company level. There are several different types of unit.

Commandos

Named after units of Boer farmers who fought the British Empire in the 1900’s the Commandos are the elite of the militia. They are sometimes full-time soldiers, but always on quick notice to move (they usually carry beepers) and back up the TFL rapid reaction units. They also conduct patrolling operations in their vicinities. Equipped with modern military weaponry, fast (but un-armoured) vehicles and manned by the best militia soldiers, the Commandos can put up a respectable fight. Many Commandos go on to join the TFL.

Commandos are 60 strong units commanded by a Captain and named after the towns in which they are raised.

Motorised Infantry Companies

The Mobile Militia Companies are the second line of the RDPM forces. They are committed soldiers on 6 hours notice to move. Equipped with adequate weaponry and motorised transport they are designed to back up forces under attack.

Infantry Companies

Militia Companies are the basic forces of the RDPM, supposedly on 24 hour stand-by, however in front-line areas they are often permanently on garrison duty. They have no integral mobility and only poor weaponry so are normally used for static defence. However on large scale offensives they are often brought in to add bulk to the participating forces and protect lines of communication.

Heavy Weapons Companies

Militia Support Companies are similar to Mobile Militia companies in that they are motorised and are on 6 hour stand-by. However they are armed with Mortars, Heavy Machine Guns and a very few missiles.

Engineer Companies

Militia Engineer Companies provide both basic engineering support, demolitions, fortifications and bridging. As well as being able to fight like infantry if the need arises.

Regiments

The Militia Regiments are mainly administrative bodies, controlling locally raised units, but can act as command HQ’s in the field. However it is more normal for the TFL Area HQ’s to take control of RDPM units and deploy them along side the TFL Companies.

1st Militia Regiment

1st Tanstaafl City, 2nd Tanstaafl City, Blackjack, Cross Roads and Newton Commandos
1st and 2nd Mobile Militia Companies
1st and 2nd Militia Companies
1st Militia Support Company
1st and 2nd Militia Engineer Companies
1st Motor Transport Company
1st Hover Transport Company
1st Maintainance Unit
1st Medical Company

Based in Tanstaafl City the 1st Regiment is a large regiment that also operates as the reserve for the colony’s defence.

2nd Militia Regiment

Farside, Plains and Vista Commandos
3rd and 4th Militia Companies
3rd Militia Engineer Company

Based in Farside the 2nd Regiment is a small units that protects the large, sparsely populated area to the west of Tanstaafl City

3rd Militia Regiment

Adam’s Ford, Bristow, Confluence, Glory Centre, 1st Junction, 2nd Junction, Rhett, New Dawn, 1st Zuckerman, 2nd Zuckerman Commandos
3rd Mobile Militia Company
5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th Militia Companies
2nd Militia Support Company
4th Militia Engineer Company
2nd and 3rd Motor Transport Companies
2nd Hover Transport Company
2nd Medical Company

Based in Junction the 3rd Regiment has taken the brunt of the recent fighting since January 2302, its companies have been on permanent service for most of that time. Some of the southern based Commandos are based in ruined towns and manned by volunteers, they provide a forward screen against the alien threat in the Broadtop forests of the south.

4th Militia Regiment

Platt, Ruckkauf, Spring Flood and Texas Commandos
4th Mobile Militia Company
11th and 12th Militia Companies
5th Militia Engineer Company

Based in Ruckkauf the 4th is another small regiment protecting a wide, devastated area along the western Equatorial River.

5th Militia Regiment

Carlyle, Etahome, Roaring Falls, 1st Hamilton, 2nd Hamilton, New Amarillo Commandos
5th Mobile Militia Company
13th, 14th, 15th and 16th Militia Companies
3rd Militia Support Company
6th Militia Engineer Company
4th Motor Transport Company
3rd Medical Company

Based in Hamilton, this regiment protects the west of the relatively intact Eastern Equatorial Region.

6th Militia Regiment

Avarice, Equator Flats, Flat O, Highrise, Garrison and Zero Commandos
6th and 7th Mobile Militia Companies
17th, 18th, 19th and 20th Militia Companies
4th Militia Support Company
7th Militia Engineer Company
5th Motor Transport Company
3rd Hover Transport Company
2nd Maintainance Unit
4th Medical Company

Based in Equator Flats, this regiment is the eastern sister of the 5th Regiment. It has recently opened an all-volunteer Commando detachment at the TFL Firebase near the ruined town of Garrison in the East.