Wellon Army: 2300AD

6th Wellon Armoured Regiment

Introduction

The 6th Wellon Armoured Regiment (6 WAR) is one of the youngest units in the Royal Wellon Armoured Corps having been formed only in 2297. However it is the only Medium Tank regiment of the Wellon Army to have seen action as it is deployed to the French Arm with the Wellon Expeditionary Force. It has been equipped with the modern Montgomery and has thus far proved itself the equal of similarly equipped units from the British, Canadian and Alician Armies.

Below: Montgomery Mk.1 'Double Grouse' of 2 Troop, Whiskey Squadron, 6 WAR Battle Group prior to the Battle of Bayview.

Narrative

Whiskey Squadron's first actions occurred whilst temporarily attached to the Canadian Armoured Brigade, originally bolstering a company of Princess Louise's Canadian Fusiliers. The Canadians were helping clear the north of the German Continent and had run into a Kafer Stronghold, which had held one of the last major formation of Kafer armour as well as many fugitive Remnants. They'd discovered that rumours of the Kafer's demise had been greatly exaggerated and veteran Deathsled crews were taking a serious toll on the Canadians by attacking out of ambush.

W Sqn was the first element of 6 WAR to arrive on Beta Canum and had been hastily grabbed by the Corps Commander to reinforce the Canadians. Much to the fury of Brigadier Vandeleur-Kahn! We'd been flown out by Ravens which got us right into the Canadian brigade maintenance area and unexpectedly into action.

The closely forested slopes of the Upper Jurgenburgs were utterly alien to most of our soldiers, used as we were to the wide open areas of Shorncliffeshire. Our progress was slow and painful, every corner holding the possibility of ambush and we restricted by the absolute necessity of keeping infantry in close support. At the end of three weeks the squadron was being supported by no less than a battalion of German colonial irregulars, Canadian Fusiliers and a company of the Royal Southerns.

We lost eight Montgomeries, although these were soon replaced by brand new models produced in orbital factories above Beowulf. More importantly was the loss of 13 highly trained warriors, many of whom were hand picked for 6 WAR from across the regiment. The price was high but the lessons learnt would stand us in good stead in the months to come.

Extract from 'Whiskey & War'
Trooper Rachel Bravo (ret.) Ares Military Press April 2304

Index

History
Wellon Armoured Regiment
6 WAR Battle Group
Kafer War
Recruitment
Training
Units
6th Wellon Armoured Regiment
6 WAR Battle Group
Equipment Totals
Personalities
Insignia and Traditions
Battle Honours
Colour Plates

History

The Wellon Armoured Regiment

Wellon had long been used as a vast training area by the British armed forces. In particular the Eastern Training Area in Shorncliffeshire was used to conduct vital large scale manoeuvre warfare training almost impossible on a crowded Earth. When the Dominion of Wellon was formed in 2241 its newly consolidated armed forces began to work towards the formation of mobile armoured units to supplement the British Army of Alpha Centauri which guaranteed Wellon's security.

Wellonese 'cavalry' units were converted to the use of the Phantom ACV gunsled. Classed as a tank destroyer and only in limited service with the British on Earth it was used throughout the BAAC as a hovertank. Ever since the Royal Wellon Armoured Corps has operated only with hovermobile platforms and has a considerable bank of experience in their use. To aid the conversion of the Wellonese 'cavalry' to a high intensity role from their usual light recce or mobile infantry tasks, a RWAC Depot was established at New Shorncliffe. Over the years the Depot had become a centre of excellence for manoeuvre warfare thinking and theory, picking the brains of its Anglo-Wellonese staff and an array of visiting lecturers.

In 2277 Wellon became a Commonwealth and achieved full home rule from Britain who wished to reduce her military presence on Tirane. Consequently the Wellonese Defence Forces underwent a substantial period of expansion including the formation of a second Armoured Division and a number of independent armoured units. A decision was made to form entirely new units rather than expanding the existing RWAC regiments. The result was the Wellon Armoured Regiment.

Three Wellon Armoured Regiments were created in the first wave of unit formations. Although most of the rank and file were new recruits from across Wellon, its officers and NCOs were some of the best and unorthodox soldiers from both Wellonese and British armoured units. Since its formation the WAR have concentrated on maintaining the highest professional standards and meritocratic outlook, disdaining the airs and graces of the more socially exclusive Old Cavalry as having no place on the modern battlefield.

6 WAR Battle Group

The 6th Wellon Armoured Regiment was formed at Ferguson Barracks in New Shorncliffe in the summer of 2297. It was intended that 6 WAR would be the last armoured regiment raised for some time in Wellon, (although the Kafer War would force the later creation of 7 WAR to fill an operational requirement) as the last of six formed over 20 years its formation went very smoothly.

The rank and file were predominantly experienced soldiers transferred from the other WARs, and only a few promising recruits were posted direct to the unit until it had found its feet. Similarly the leadership cadre of the regiment were brought in from other WAR, although two officers and the RSM were posted across from the British Royal Tank Regiment. 6 WAR was to be the Medium Tank Regiment of 1 (Wellon) Armoured Brigade replacing the Volunteer Light Dragoons who were moving to the 2nd Light Division.

6 WAR took only 12 months to reach its required operational effectiveness levels, although it couldn't yet match the performance of the older units. However when the Kafer War began to hot up on the French Arm the formation of a Wellon Expeditionary Force was mooted. Although it was expected that only light infantry formations would be sent under the command of the British, the possible need for armoured units had been considered. 11th Armoured Division's 1 Brigade was stood to and began a long build up of training and re-organisation.

It was recognised that the organisation of the brigade and its component units had to be altered to allow it to be more easily transported between star systems and retain its effectiveness when there. The model for most of these changes was the British 79th Armoured Brigade which was the only British armoured force of note in the French Arm and had long been used to being shuttled from world to world.

6 WAR's complement of personnel also changed as the WAR began to feed its best soldiers into the unit. The training priority given to 6 WAR also allowed for concentrated training at a level rarely allowed in training budgets. The regiment also was able to conduct full scale training with other units of the brigade acting as a proper battle group working with elements of the Wellon Guards and Royal Southerns as well as other parts of the brigade. By the time 6 WAR left Tirane in 2302 it was at a very high level of training and had scored very highly in real-time exercises.

The Kafer War

The initial concept for the Wellon Expeditionary Force was poorly defined. Although the idea had wide backing from politicians of virtually every party what it was to do when it reached the French Arm wasn't so well defined. An expedition to Aurore or perhaps participation in some retaliatory raid into Kafer space had been mooted, although critics doubted the practicality of both measures.

However when Triumphant Destiny launched his massive assault on Hochbaden and began to eviscerate the other worlds of the Eta Bootis finger the future of the WEF seemed more immediate. The WEF was almost immediately offered to the British, however most of the available starlift capacity was taken up with transferring forces within the Beta Canum cluster and from Sol to Beowulf. The WEF, and 6 WAR with it, were stranded for the time being on Tirane and threw itself into yet another round of training.

In the meantime Kimanjano fell and in rapid succession Beta Canum and Crater followed it. Finally the first heavy elements of 6 WAR began to move on board the merchants Old Soldier and Stellaris Paratus. They were held up initially at Sol before news of the victorious Battle of Beowulf emerged and they sped up the arm with a minimal escort. At Beowulf 6 WAR's personnel disembarked for a short period of training, using Montgomeries borrowed from the Alician Defence Force and assimilating the latest lessons of the fighting so far.

The regiment's stay on Beowulf was for little more than a fortnight, enough time as it turned out to just get their body-clocks confused before re-embarking on their transports. They were rushed up to Beta Canum with the Alician Expeditionary Brigade to reinforce British and Canadian Armoured Brigades involved in mopping up operations. On arrival above BCV-4 6 WAR was the first element of the brigade to disembark and was rushed into action.

The 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade Group was engaged in a nasty series of fights in the German Continent against Kafer Remnants and some surviving armoured units. 6 WAR BG was attached to the brigade to provide additional armoured support and 1 CABG was further swelled with the addition of German colonial light infantry. The three week campaign was a nasty one with significant casualties in the forests of the area and 6 WAR had to learn new skills fast. This they accomplished by pioneering the use of jump jets to send cut off groups deep behind Kafer positions.

Once returned from the command of 1 CABG 6 WAR rested and reorganised until the whole brigade was committed to the Battle of Bayview, the liberation of the last occupied New African city. The battle was an tooth and nail urban fight with two armoured brigades committed to the close support of a number of crack infantry brigades. Although this was not a role the Montgomery was designed for 6 WAR became known for its willingness to send its armour forwards into the rubble choked streets. Although the main resistance was overcome inside two weeks, mopping up took a further two months and a squadron from 6 WAR was constantly deployed there during that time.

After Bayview the Wellon Armoured Brigade was assigned to the 7th Armoured Division until the arrival of the Wellon led Commonwealth Armoured Division HQ. 6 WAR was committed to a number of mopping up actions, primarily aiding the destruction of Kafer strong-points as very few Kafer armoured vehicles remained in service. Due to the brigade's Afanc patch it became known as the 'White Bears' to the New African press and public.

From January 2303 6 WAR began to re-consolidate and commence training for mobile operations either on Beta Canum or further up-Arm in the event of another major Kafer assault on the Eta Bootis finger. A human assault into Kafer Space is a possibility but one hampered by the lack of starlift capacity for troops and logistics. Currently 6 WAR is occasionally called upon to provide squadrons in support of operations in the K-Zone but is beginning to stagnate a little, loosing its sharpness. It is planned that 6 WAR will return to Tirane when 4 Wellon Armoured Brigade begins arriving to replace the current contingent in September 2303.

Recruitment

The WAR recruits from across Wellon and favours no particular area above another. Naturally most of the recruits come from the more populous areas such as the North Albion Plain, Cam Valley and southern New Scotland. However the WAR is proud of its national reach, boasting that it has 'warriors' in its ranks from all of Wellon's Counties and Cities.

The WAR is relatively small in overall manpower terms, having around 2500 personnel in all its seven regiments. It recruits solely from graduates and most of its potential soldiers come from Technical College backgrounds and have solid engineering or scientific backgrounds. This has resulted in a formation with a high standard of technical aptitude in contrast to some of the other units of the RWAC.

The WAR has a reputation as being something of a regiment of 'techies' amongst the rest of the Wellon Army. This is a reflection of the seriousness in which the WAR takes its role and is a point of pride amongst the regiment. Indeed the WAR has the highest proportion of post-graduates in its ranks of any of the Wellonese teeth arms.

The proportion of women in the WAR is lower than the overall Wellon Army average, but one of the highest in the RWAC exceeded only by the Wellon Royal Lancers. The WAR also has a high level of women in command positions.

Training

Phase 1 training for the WAR's recruits is done at local training centres across Wellon. This means that most WAR recruits are on their own or in small groups at these centres. This has given rise to a problem with wastage of recruits both from lack of peer group support and from poaching by more local regiments. The WAR has attempted to try to get centralised Phase 1 training established but this has so far been rejected by the WMoD.

Phase 2 training is conducted at the RWAC Depot in New Shorncliffe and is common to all soldiers of the RWAC except the Wellon Reconnaissance Regiment. This is an eight month course and recruits are trained in basic infantry, medium recce and medium tank roles. The course aims to give every trooper of the RWAC the basic knowledge in maintenance as well as being able to take his place in every position in both the Rifleman, Craufurd and Cavalier AFV's.

Once Phase 2 training has been completed the newly minted warrior is assigned to one of the WARs and begins a long period of consolidation training to finally reach operational readiness. On arrival they will first become an Alternate or reserve crew member whose role is to assist in the maintenance of the AFVs and to crew them when the Primary crew is unavailable or needs rest. In the meantime the Alternates spend a considerable amount of time on the simulators.

6 WAR was very highly trained when it left Tirane. It had been given the run of the Eastern Training Areas for live manoeuvre and fire training whilst also receiving priority on simulator training. The concentration of effort resulted in excellent results against an OPFOR provided by 7 Armoured Brigade and their sister regiment 4 WAR in training. Tactical updates were disseminated when they were received, mostly from the Kimanjano and Beta Canum fighting, and new tactical doctrines developed. The counter-Kafer training it received on Beowulf was more aimed at infantry enemies but also included some useful manoeuvre warfare tips.

6 WAR was also required to convert to the Montgomery HBT which was to become virtually the standard issue hovertank of the Commonwealth Expeditionary Force. Most of the regiment was trained on the later model Cavalier and conversion was relatively painless.

For all of the RWAC units training for manoeuvre warfare across the open terrain of Tirane had become an ingrained part of their doctrine. All of the troopers and officers were used to making wide tactical flanking moves, penetrating deep into the enemy's rear in self-contained squadron groups. However in the mopping up fighting on Beta Canum they would have to learn how to use hovertanks in close combat situations with the intimate support of light infantry, and the learning process was not always an easy one.

Units

6th Wellon Armoured Regiment

Above: CO of 6 WAR and her command tank 'Matilda'. RHQ vehicles re-arming in reserve prior to Operation Bear Garden, the Battle of Bayview.

During peacetime 6 WAR is organised as a conventional Medium Tank regiment. It has some 58 Montgomery HBT split between four 'sabre' squadrons and the HQ squadron. The Wellon Army maintains pure armoured units during peacetime as it simplifies maintenance and training. When well trained in the Battle Group system it also maintains a degree of flexibility with the units being well practised in re-grouping and working with attached units. The normal manpower strength of the regiment is some 392 soldiers of whom 31 are officers and some 144 vehicles.

U Squadron

U Sqn is a typical Medium Tank Sabre Squadron. It has an array of armoured vehicles, the most important of which are 14 Montgomery HBT. In total the squadron includes 60 troopers, 54 from the WAR and 6 attached from the Wellon Electrical and Mechanical Engineers for maintenance purposes. The squadron in the basic tactical element within the regiment and will rarely operate in smaller units than this. All of the squadrons HBTs are named after U Class warships.

Sabre Troops
 
There are three sabre troops within the squadron numbered 1, 2 and 3 Troops. They are identically organised with 4 Montgomery HBT, each tank has a commander, driver and Alternate crew member. The troop is lead by a 2nd Lieutenant or Lieutenant, a Sergeant and two Corporals are the other vehicle commanders. The remaining members of the troop are usually Troopers or Lance Corporals. Alternates are trained to double as field medics or maintenance crews.
 
HQ Troop
 
HQ Troop is responsible for the administration and command of the Squadron whilst also retaining an impressive punch. The vehicle complement of the troop includes 2 Montgomery, a Rifleman Command Vehicle and a single Reynard II light ACV for liaison purposes. The Montgomery's have the same troop complement of 3, however one is commanded by the Squadron Commander a Major and the other by his 2 i/c a Captain. The Rifleman is responsible for communications, administration, logistics co-ordination and has a minimal EW capacity. It is commanded by the Squadron Sergeant Major and has two crewmen and a Communications specialist. The Reynard II is usually driven by an Alternate.
 
When 6 WAR is operating as a battle group the HQ Troop will be reinforced with elements from other parts of the battle group or brigade.
 
Immediate Supply Troop
 
The speed and firepower of the Squadron can result in it operating far from the close logistics support of the Battle Group. Consequently the Squadron has an Intimate Supply Troop to feed it at such moments and to maintain ammo resupply in the worst conditions. The troop is equipped with 4 'stretched' Dragoon Modular Armoured Supply variants, which in addition to being armed for self defence carry a flat-pack modular supply load. It is normal for three vehicles to carry Fuel/Ammo packs and one a Missile pack with integral loading crane. The Dragoon is fast enough to keep up with the Squadron and stealthy enough to survive as long as it doesn't blunder straight in to an enemy.
 
The IST is commanded by the Squadron Quarter Master Sergeant and includes seven other soldiers. These soldiers are 4 dedicated drivers and 3 supply specialists but can act as Alternates as well should casualties become exceptionally heavy. The Dragoons seat 4 and usually help to move the sabre troop's alternates as well.
 
Immediate Repair Troop
 
From the early 20th century mobile warfare has relied upon the ability of maintenance crews to recover and repair broken down or knocked out vehicles and return them to action as soon as possible. The IRT has 2 Rifleman Hover Vehicle Recovery variants manned by 6 soldiers from the WEME and it is their job in peacetime to aid in the maintenance of the squadron's vehicles. On operations they also provide for first line recovery of AFVs. Each Rifleman HVR has an extra seat and that is usually occupied by a more experienced Alternates with armourers or systems repair skills.

V Squadron

V Sqn is organised in the same manner as U Squadron. Its HBT are named after V Class warships.

W Squadron

W Sqn is organised in the same manner as U Squadron. Its HBT are named after famous brands of Whisky.

X Squadron

X Sqn is organised in the same manner as U Squadron. Its HBT are named after pulp science-fiction heroes.

HQ Squadron

HQ Squadron is the command, administration, logistics and reconnaissance element of 6 WAR.

RHQ
 
The Regimental Headquarters includes the key personnel within the regiment, and their AFV's and crew. This includes the Commanding Officer, his 2 i/c, Adjutant, Operations Officer, Intelligence Officer and Regimental Sergeant Major. They have two Montgomeries and four Rifleman CVs and a total of 18 personnel.
 
Reconnaissance Troop
 
The Recce Troop is responsible for providing the battalion with its close recce, flank protection and route selection capacity. They also tie in with the Fire Planning Cell as well as divisional and corps recce assets. In addition to the close recce troops it has a Drone Section providing long range UAV support. It is equipped with eight Craufurd armoured vehicles, 2 Dragoon Drone carriers and has 32 troopers led by a Captain.
 
Defence Troop
 
6 WAR's defence troop is an unusual body as it exists only on deployment. Its stated role is to protect the battalion HQ and logistics elements. However in 6 WAR it also has the secondary role as a pool of Alternates. Given the distance from Wellon and the likelihood that reinforcements will take inordinately long to arrive, so as a result an extra pool of Alternates has been assembled from across the WAR.
 
6 WAR has also taken the unusual set of integrating a section of combat walkers for close in defence of the Bn HQ location. These are manned by newly trained, but fast learning, troopers as something of an experiment. Although many in the regiment were initially sceptical these Bowman proved themselves in the Jurgenburgs acting in concert with the Sabre Squadrons. Defence Troop has 3 Rifleman APCs, a Dragoon MAS converted as a CW carrier and is manned with 38 soldiers.
 
Signals and Admin Troop
 
S & A Troop is responsible for the maintenance of communications within the battalion, up to brigade and beyond when on operations. In addition two of its signallers are trained to deal with the battalions routine administration once the normal Admin Section is left behind. It has two specially modified Rifleman CV's and four Reynards for liaison and rebro tasks. The normal strength is 18 led by the Regimental Signals Officer and his Warrant Officer.
 
Medium Supply Troop
 
The MST is the interface between brigade and company logistics assets. It has Dragoons to bring supplies close in to the Fighting Echelon and AT8 ('at eight's') soft-skinned hover trucks to move large supplies to be cross-loaded to Dragoon MAS or ground dumped. It comprises 20 staff led by the Regimental Quartermaster (a Captain) and the RQMS (a WO2).
 
Medium Repair Troop
The MRT is responsible for undertaking major repairs on the battalions equipment and assessing what can be repaired by it and what has to be passed back to brigade assets. Vehicles include Rifleman HVR and AT8's of which three carry supplies and spare systems and the other is a mobile workshop. There are 26 WEME craftsman in the troop.

Below: Bowman A 'Duchess' and 'acquired' Hover Rover 500 GS (6 WAR is officially issued WMV Reynard II) of the Defence Troop. Defence Troop has 6 Bowmans known as the 'White Mice' after a popular WBC children's show.

Equipment Totals

58 Montgomery HBT
8 Craufurd
10 Rifleman CV
14 Rifleman HVR
3 Rifleman APC
25 Dragoon MAS
8 Reynard II
6 Bowman A
12 AT8

6 WAR Battle Group

Above: Unofficial badge found on locally produced t-shirts popular with the Battle Group.

When 6 WAR finally arrived on Beta Canum it became active as the 6 WAR Battle Group. In the BG system individual sub-units (Squadrons and Companies) are swapped between the battalions and regiments in the brigade to produce mission tailored battalion sized task forces. The 6 WAR BG was controlled by the 6 WAR HQ Coy and included a variety of sub-units. These were usually but not exclusively:

U Squadron, 6 WAR

As above.

W Squadron, 6 WAR

As above.

HQ Squadron, 6 WAR

As above.

B Company, 2nd Battalion The Wellon Guards

B Coy, 2 Wellon Guards was attached to the BG almost throughout the whole of the units service on Beta Canum. It is an armoured infantry company equipped with 15 Templer infantry fighting vehicles and around 120 infantrymen. The Guards had a reputation for excellent battlefield discipline but sometimes lost out to the Royal Southerns in terms of individual aggression and initiative.

C Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Southern Regiment

C Coy, 1 R South R was an occasional but welcome attachment to the battle group. They first teamed up with the BG during the fighting in the north of the German Continent where their skills in fighting in arboreal conditions proved excellent. They too are an armoured infantry company equipped with Templer AFV's.

Above: Cavalier Mk.3 FOV hovertank 'From Wellon With Love' of 202 RWHA.

FO Troop, A Battery, 202 Medium Regiment, Royal Wellon Horse Artillery

The Forward Observation Troop of A Bty, 202 RWHA included four forward observation teams (led by Captains) mounted in specially equipped Cavalier Mk.3's and a Fire Planning Cell under the Battery Commander (a Major) mounted in two Rifleman CV's. One FO Team was assigned to each Squadron or Company in the BG and was responsible for calling in and co-ordinating all indirect fire support and close air support. The FPC co-ordinates all of the above assets on behalf of the BG Commanding Officer.

Forward Group 1, 101 Armoured Field Ambulance, Wellon Army Medical Service

The Forward Group includes 6 Rifleman Medical Variants which are designed to keep the soldier alive whilst being transferred from the front-line to the Field Ambulance at the Brigade Maintenance Area. The vehicles operate in a central pool trying to anticipate where the fighting will be heaviest.

Auxiliaries

On Beta Canum most of the fighting was conducted against enemy foot-borne Remnants in areas unsuitable for pure hover tank operations. Consequently more infantry support than integral armoured infantry companies was required, on most occasions this was provided by local irregulars which often became closely associated with the Battle Group.

Partisangruppe Holbeck
 
This guerrilla formation was formed in the North of the country by German Gebirgsjäger cut off during the fighting. By the time of the 2nd Liberation it had grown almost to battalion strength and was operating as a large scale striking force against the Kafer occupation forces. When 6 WAR was called in to bolster the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade Group it found itself very short of infantry and Gruppe Holbeck was brought in to reinforce the infantry. The Gruppe had 6 rifle armed companies and proved highly useful in the forested slopes of the Jurgenburgs and their scouting enabled 6 WAR to conduct several successful strikes. They were disbanded at the end of the campaign.
 
3rd/5th Hunter Group, The New African Legion
 
The 3rd/5th Hunter Group was assigned to 6 WAR once it arrived back in New Africa from the German Continent. It was an amalgamation of two NAL Hunter Battalions formed from English speaking volunteers from the International Continent and New Africa. They both took heavy casualties at the 2nd Battle of Uethan and were re-grouped and mechanised with soft-skinned vehicles and supplied with some elementary heavy weapons. The group consisted of two Company Groups of around 200 soldiers each and was an excellent addition to the Battle Group especially in the Battle of Bayview.
 
Its soldiers were experienced in fighting Kafers but were mostly motivated by revenge. The group also gained a reputation for brutality towards Quislings until suppressed by 6 WAR's CO. The group was reformed in December 2302 as the 3rd (Hunter) Battalion, NAL and transferred to the New African Special Duties Brigade.

Detached Duties

X Squadron
 
X Sqn was detached as part of 2 Wellon Guards Battle Group for almost all of its time on Beta Canum.
 
V Squadron
 
V Sqn was normally attached to 1 Royal Southern Battle Group.

Personalities

Lt Col Dr Melissa Idris York, FPK DSO
Commanding Officer, 6th Wellon Armoured Regiment

Mel York was born in a small village in the Mid Cam Valley region downstream from the city of Doorn. Her family were relatively wealthy combining small-hold farming with providing mechanical repair services to the farmers in the surrounding countryside. Mel's family was typically Wellonese being of a mixture of races and nationalities and Mel is simply a 4th Generation Wellonese as no other tag applies.

She was educated locally and proved a bright, if not over-achieving pupil, in addition she took a full part in other activities at the school leading a number of sporting teams and becoming Head Pupil. One of her favourite hobbies was the racing of scratch built one man ACV's on the Cam, an exhilarating if occasionally hazardous pursuit. She also joined her local Cadet unit at the urging of a cousin serving in the Royal Doorn Regiment. When the time came to go to university she applied for and received a scholarship from the Wellon Army and attained a place at New Camelot Technical University.

She thoroughly enjoyed her time at NCTU studying Systems Engineering as well as serving with U Company of 4 NCLI as required by the conditions of her scholarship. On graduation she decided to commit to a career in the Army, and although head hunted by a number of Corps and Regiments she opted to join the relatively new Wellon Armoured Regiment. During her training she shone in most aspects but was especially impressive as a gunner, and she is still acknowledged as a gunnery specialist.

Initially serving with 2 WAR, she was soon sent to RMANC where after a year she was commissioned as an officer. She returned to 2 WAR where she led the regiment's entry into the III Corps Gunnery competition and won the Fuller Trophy for the Wellon Army for the first time. In her service with the WAR she has served as a Troop and Squadron Commander in 2 WAR, OC of the RWAC Gunnery Wing and was Regimental 2 i/c at the formation of 6 WAR. In addition she has served an exchange tour with the Armour Regiment of New Canberra's 4th Squadron as well as representing the RWAC Gunnery Team on Earth. She was chosen as CO for 6 WAR due to her professional skill and reputation within the WAR and wider RWAC.

A diminutive and slightly built woman Mel York's strengths lie in her immense concentration and mastery of the technical arts of her chosen career. She is an efficient if not inspired tactician and is part of an unfashionable group within the RWAC that believes that manoeuvre has been stressed at the expense of firepower and has been vindicated somewhat by her Battle Group's experience on Beta Canum. She is a well respected leader within her regiment although she has constant disagreements with her old brigadier and the CO of 2 Wellon Guards.

Mel York is divorced from an officer in the Lord Woolf's Dragoon Guards and has one child from the relationship. She is something of a technocrat having several postgraduate qualifications and has been frequently used as a consultant by Black Arrow on their AGATS system.

Sergeant Robert Lal Singh, MC
Troop Sergeant, 2 Troop, U Squadron, 6th Wellon Armoured Regiment

Rob Singh is the son of Anglo-Indian colonists who came to Wellon as a result of their work. He was born in Knightsbridge in the Wellon Arctic Territories and was raised their until the age of ten when his parents moved to Dartmoor. His time at school in Dartmoor was not a happy one in spite of a fairly privileged upbringing and he fell into bad company having numerous brushes with the Dartmoor Metropolitan Constabulary. His education faltered badly until at 15 he was involved in a stabbing incident and was sent to a special educational facility outside the city. He seemed to settle better here but still retained an aggressive edge to his behaviour.

He won a place at Dartmoor Caledonian University on a vocational mechanical maintenance course. Here he again fell into a life of petty crime getting involved in the sale and alteration of stolen vehicles. However after his graduation he was involved in procuring a car which took part in an armed robbery that went badly wrong and was encouraged to seek a new path in life. His response was to enlist in the Army, not particularly wanting to join an New Scots infantry regiment he instead plumped for the WAR.

Rob Singh's first brushes with military authority didn't go well, but he soon began to learn how to use his natural aggression. After training he swiftly became a competent Alternate and earned a place as a primary. He served mostly with 4 WAR in the OPFOR role and became adept at small unit tactics and disrupting enemy advances. By this time he was put forward for JNCO courses at RMANC and was steadily promoted until transferred to 6 WAR as it prepared to spearhead the RWAC.

On Beta Canum he has proved an excellent leader once his Troop Commander was killed in the Jurgenburgs. He has been responsible for three Deathsled kills and at Bayview his troop co-operated with Australian Paratroopers to destroy a Behemoth for which he has been awarded a Military Cross. An aggressive if somewhat bullying leader his 2 Troop is an efficient, slickly drilled unit.

Trooper Rachel Bravo
Alternate, W Squadron, 6th Wellon Armoured Regiment

Born in Victoria's middle class Peel District to a Wellonese mother and Brazilian father. Her upbringing was coloured with her fathers stories of his service with a Brazilian Armoured Cavalry unit against the Argentines in the 3rd Rio Plato War. Rachel was not particularly technically minded and went on to take a degree in English Literature in New Anglia. Once she graduated she enlisted and joined the WAR to partly follow in her father's footsteps.

She struggled in training, being one of the less able of the recruits however she was assigned to 6 WAR as an Alternate in January 2300. A position she has remained in during her service with the Battle Group on Beta Canum in spite of casualties in the primaries. However she is still a popular member of the Squadron as she keeps morale in the unit high in spite of her own disappointment, whilst many in the unit feel protective towards her.

A good looking, dark-haired woman she turns heads wherever she goes, and although flirtatious she maintains her distance from most of the men's attempts to involve her in romance. She is keeping a detailed dairy of her experiences in the army and hopes to turn it into a book once she leaves the service.

Insignia and Traditions

'The first time I see an officer of this regiment playing polo, attending a pony club meet or going anywhere near a bloody horse I will have him cashiered.'

Lt Col Steve Redfern, 1st CO 1 WAR

The WAR has relatively few acquired traditions. However it tries to maintain a distinct 'No Cavalry' ethos. That is it comes down on any attempt to bring cavalry style affectations in to the regiment. The so-called 'esprit de hover-tank' is based on professionalism, common-sense and a constant questioning of the status quo. Similarly the relationship between officers and other ranks is very open due to the closeness of working conditions and the high standards of education.

The WAR has a black beret and silver capbadge descended from that of the Royal Tank Regiment, although its colours are black and silver. The regiment has no distinctive dress uniform instead using standard khaki coloured Service Dress with their beret.

The Regimental HQ is located in the Ferguson Barracks complex in New Shorncliffe. It is currently engaged in a rearguard action with the Old Cav dominated RWAC commander about founding a WAR Band. The RHQ is also responsible for maintaining the WAR's links with foreign regiments which the unit takes very seriously. The main Allied Regiment is the Royal Tank Regiment but links also exist with the Armour Regiment of New Canberra, the French Régiments de Chars de Combat and the Freihafen Luftkissenpanzer arm.

Below: Wellon Armoured Regiment stable belt.

Battle Honours

6 WAR has been awarded 3 Battle Honours: Northern Jurgenburg, Bayview and New Africa II. In addition 6 WAR was awarded the right to carry the Maple Leaf on their vehicles by the commander of the Canadian Expeditionary Force in thanks for their actions whilst under command of 1 CABG.

Colour Plates

Plate One

Montgomery Mk.1, W Squadron, 6th Wellon Armoured Regiment, 1 (Wellon) Armoured Brigade (Cpl M Hardy)

Assembly Area Zebra, New Africa, BCV-IV, September 2302

This Montgomery is shown after the end of the campaign in the Northern Jurgenburgs attached to the Canadian Armoured Brigade. It is shown in the distinctive ad-hoc pattern applied during that period of fighting and became a signature of 6 WAR for the rest of the campaign. Even replacement Montgomery Mk.3's were quickly given this pattern.

This tank flies the 6 WAR pennant (B) from one of its radio antenna, which was a common sight on all 6 WAR hovertanks. The CO's tank also flew Wellon and New African flags. Applied to the side sensor panels is the 1st Wellon Armd Bde insignia (A) of a white Afanc, commonly misidentified by New Africans as a white bear. This has been modified with the addition of a Black Maple leaf with the permission of the commander of the Canadian Brigade. A small Canadian flag is also applied to the sensor barbette.

Tactical markings include callsign (W21) in front of the intake pods as well as on the stern and rear of the turret. A unit code (D) is applied to the intake pod and represents W Sqn, the lead battle group of the Wellon Bde. To the rear of the crew compartment on either side of the vehicle are the primary crew's names and blood types.

More idiosyncratic markings are the tank's name applied to the left hand side of the turret. In Whiskey Squadron all the tanks are named for brands of scotch. In the case of this tank it is 'Double Grouse' (C) and carries that brand's logo. Rumours persist that the Squadron members have attempted to use this to generate unofficial sponsorship. Lastly the 6 WAR tanks all carry a legend in cyrillic (E) on the cargo bin which translates roughly as 'With Care To Petrograd'. It is unsure what this represents.

Plate Two

Cavalier Mk.3 Forward Observation Vehicle, A Battery, 202 Medium Regiment, Royal Wellon Horse Artillery, 1 (Wellon) Armoured Brigade (Capt C Baxendale)

K-Zone Sector West, New Africa, BCV-IV, December 2302

The only Wellonese Cavaliers deployed with the WEF were these specially modified Mk.3's of A Battery 202 RWHA. A Battery is assigned to the support of 6 WAR and so was initially issued Cavaliers to blend in with the armoured regiment it operates alongside. However when 6 WAR was re-equipped with Montgomeries A Bty had to retain its Cavaliers as their were no FOV Montgomeries then available.

The Cavalier Mk.3 FOV is a fully featured Mk.3 with extra communications systems and can be recognised by the turret antenna and secondary satellite antenna on the rear deck. In addition they have the Black Arrow Damocles artillery control system and the CASIS air support co-ordination unit. This enables the two man crew to interface with the full range of brigade and division support assets.

202 RWHA deployed to Beta Canum using the standard Eastern Training Area pattern of green and brown. As the regiment took no part in the campaign in the Jurgenburgs A Bty retained this pattern until after the new year when they changed to 6 WAR's pattern to blend in better. Tactical markings are limited to side and aft mounted callsign, and there is no unit 'zap' code. The only unit specific marking is the RWHA pennant (A) flown from a radio mast.

The RWHA FOV crews were allowed great leeway over individualised artwork on their vehicles. On this Cavalier the crew has added eyes (B) to either side of the turret, comments to the hatches (C) and elsewhere on the hull. Finally the primary satellite antenna (D) has received an unusual paint scheme.


Copyright, 2009, D Hebditch