British Colonial Ground Forces in 2303 AD

The Kafer War had a huge effect on many of Britain's colonies. Crater was completely occupied for many months. New Africa was invaded and although never totally conquered, most of her population became refugees and her cities were devastated. New Cornwall escaped unscathed when Joi was invaded although volunteers from the colony fought to clear the Kafers from the other nation's colonies. Alicia had mobilised fully in preparation for an assault that was forestalled by the climactic Battle of Beowulf.

All of this has brought about a profound change in the status of the armies of these colonies since the last survey at the turn of the century. All are now larger and re-organised, looking for multi-lateral inter-planetary links in addition to links back to the mother country. All are now re-equipping as well with advanced weaponry.

Alicia
New Africa
Crater
New Cornwall

Alicia - Beowulf - Queen Alice's Star

Alicia was not invaded by the Kafers but was strongly effected by the war as Alicia was the main logistic base for the multi-national forces operating further up the French Arm. As such she was host to army and space navy personnel from many nations, a range of new, fortified logistics bases (based on Australian designs) were constructed. Alicia's Army was also called upon to act as OPFOR for exercising troops.

The ADF became much more professional and restructured itself, adding striking power to its traditional manoeuvrability. A force was prepared for possible deployment off-world with the British Army, and its Field Forces became an effective fighting force. The length and breadth of Alicia was surveyed and prepared for defensive manoeuvre battles and a guerrilla campaign prepared. As the Kafers came closer and closer Alicia prepared itself to fight for its survival, but the human victory in the system threw back the Kafer threat.

Alician Defence Forces

The Alician Defence Forces consist of three wings, Naval, Ground and Air. Each of which have close ties to their British counterparts and normally have a proportion of officers from those services seconded to them.

Ground Wing

The Ground Wing is the Alician Army, and is commanded by a General. In the years before the War it had undergone a substantial expansion, the war however forced upon it further administrative changes. Although no new infantry units were formed, many combat support units were brought into being. The Ground Wing now consists of a Corps HQ, an independent Armoured Brigade, a Marine Brigade, two light armoured divisions and four territorial divisions.

IV (Alicia) Corps

Corps Reconnaissance Group
Corps Engineering Group
1st Heavy Engineer Regiment, Royal Alician Engineers
1st Medium Engineer Regiment, RAE
2nd Heavy Engineer Regiment (V), RAE
Corps Artillery Group
4th Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery of Alicia
6th Heavy Regiment (V), Royal Artillery of Alicia
8th Heavy Regiment (V), RAA

IV Corps is organised in a similar manner to I and II (British) Corps on Earth and III (Wellon) Corps on Tirane. Controlling all British and Alician assets on Alicia, IV Corps is primarily a defensive formation and was Headquartered in numerous underground command facilities. IV Corps is predominantly Alician, but with a strong British presence, it also has staff personnel seconded from Australia, Canada, America and New Zealand.

As a defensive body IV Corps sits at the centre of a web of remote sensor equipment scattered throughout Alicia. It also has a recce unit attached to it, the Corps Recce Group (CRG) an all-arms formation dedicated to gathering information. IV Corps also controls a strong engineer group, and Alicia's mobile ASAT assets. IV Corps also has operational control of most of the Air Wing's combat assets.

7th Brigade

1st and 3rd Battalions, Royal Alician Marines (1 & 3 RAM)
4th (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Alician Marines (4 RAM)
5th Marine Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery of Alicia

The 7th Brigade is Alicia's rapid reaction brigade. These are light infantry formations covering the intervention roles covered by airborne and marine forces in other armies. 7th Brigade can be transported by air, sea or land and is normally stationed in the Ramadenthian archipelago.

8th (Alicia) Brigade

1st Battalion, The Duke of Alicia's Own Regiment (1 DAO)
2nd Battalion, Royal Alician Marines (2 RAM)
1st Battalion, The Dragon Regiment of Alicia (1 DRAGON)
1st Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery of Alicia

8th (Alicia) Brigade is Alicia's Expeditionary Brigade. It is an armoured brigade of three armoured infantry heavy battle-groups (called battalions). These formations are equipped with Templer IFV and Montgomery AFV, it has recently deployed to BCV-4 and has seen some mopping-up actions on the German continent.

1st Division

King's Mounted Rifles (KMR)
2nd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery of Alicia
3rd Medium Engineer Regiment, RAE
1st Brigade
The Duchess of Alicia’s Dragoons (DAD)
1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Alicia (1 RRA)
2nd Battalion, The British Beowulf Fusiliers (2 BBF)
1st Regiment, RAA
2nd Brigade
The 1st Alician Hussars (1 AH)
3rd and 4th Battalions, The Royal Regiment of Alicia (3 & 4 RRA)
3rd Regiment, RAA
6th Brigade
The Red Lancers of Alicia (RLA)
1st Battalion, The British Beowulf Fusiliers (1 BBF)
2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Alicia (2 RRA)
4th Regiment, RAA

2nd Division

The 2nd Alician Hussars (2 AH)
3rd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery of Alicia
2nd Medium Engineer Regiment, RAE
3rd Brigade
The 2nd Alician Light Horse (2 ALH)
1st and 2nd Battalions, The New Gloucestershire Regiment (1 & 2 NGR)
5th Regiment, RAA
4th Brigade
The Northern Grays (NG)
1st and 2nd Battalions, The Royal Strathy Highlanders (1 & 2 RSH)
7th Regiment, RAA
5th Brigade
The 1st Alician Light Horse (1 ALH)
1st and 2nd Battalions, The Alician Light Infantry (1 & 2 ALI)
2nd Regiment, RAA

The 1st and 2nd Divisions form the main strength of Alicia's regular ground defences. Both Divisions were organised late in July 2301 when the news of the Kafer invasion and fall of Hochbaden and Dunkleheim forced the British and Alician governments into action. Both divisions are relatively conventional, but have few gunship support assets, strangely this has increased their manoeuvrability. The Divisions are equipped with Dragoon AFV and recently acquired Montgomery hovertanks (produced under licence in Herot).

3rd (Western) Division

1st Field Force
1st Battalion, Alician Black Watch (Western Volunteers)
2nd Battalion, Western Volunteers
3rd Battalion, Beowulf Canadians (Western Volunteers)
2nd Field Force
4th Battalion, MacDonald's Own (Western Volunteers)
5th Battalion, Strathy Cameronians (Western Volunteers)
6th Battalion, Western Volunteers
3rd Field Force
7th Battalion, Western Volunteers
8th Battalion, McAlister's Raiders (Western Volunteers)
9th Battalion, Strathy Lowland Rifles (Western Volunteers)

4th (Central) Division

4th Field Force
1st Battalion, Central Volunteers (Vandeleur's Own)
2nd Battalion, Central Volunteers
3rd Battalion, Central Volunteers
5th Field Force
4th Battalion, Central Volunteers
5th Battalion, Central Volunteers
6th Battalion, Central Volunteers
6th Field Force
7th Battalion, Central Volunteers
8th Battalion, Central Volunteers (Gloucester Volunteers)
9th Battalion, Central Volunteers

5th (South-West) Division

7th Field Force
1st Battalion, South Islanders (Eastern Volunteers)
2nd Battalion, North Islanders (Eastern Volunteers)
3rd Battalion, Spenceton Rifle Volunteers (Eastern Volunteers)
8th Field Force
4th Battalion, Queen Alice's Volunteer Grenadiers (Eastern Volunteers)
5th Battalion, Paget's Own (Eastern Volunteers)
6th Battalion, Eastern Volunteers
9th Field Force
7th Battalion, Eastern Volunteers
8th Battalion, Aliceport Dragoons (Eastern Volunteers)
9th Battalion, Eastern Volunteers

6th (North-West) Division

10th Field Force
10th Battalion, Herot Light (Eastern Volunteers)
11th Battalion, Grendal's Own (Eastern Volunteers)
12th Battalion, Herot Light (Eastern Volunteers)
11th Field Force
13th Battalion, Avonmouth Volunteers (Eastern Volunteers)
14th Battalion, Herot Light (Eastern Volunteers)
15th Battalion, Smith's Own (Eastern Volunteers)
12th Field Force
16th Battalion, Coastal Fusiliers (Eastern Volunteers)
17th Battalion, Taine Valley Lancers (Eastern Volunteers)
18th Battalion, Four Lakes Rifles (Eastern Volunteers)

The regional Divisions are part-time volunteer formations, predominantly composed of infantry. Originally raised in the face of continuing tension in the Ramadenthian Archipelago, the volunteers came of age during the Kafer War. Faced with the catastrophic loss of Beta Canum Venaticorum, the ADF mobilised the Field Forces. Problems in the first days were rife, but were soon ironed out. Cadres of ex-regulars were brought in from Earth and other places and the Field Forces were whipped into shape.

The key roles for the volunteers were urban and guerrilla warfare, and they swiftly became skilled in these roles. Esprit de corps was fostered and many units changed their names to reflect the areas they were raised in, or benefactors who had purchased new equipment on their behalf. One major change was the establishment of divisional headquarters for the Field Forces which took place in April of 2302.

However the outcome of the Battle of Beowulf has led to the demobilisation of the volunteers, much to the relief of many captains of industry and the Alician economy in general. However training still remains at a high level than pre-war, and most of the units contain a core of men and women whose skills benefited greatly from the period of mobilisation.

Independent Units

The 26th (Alician) Special Air Service Regiment (26 SAS)
1st Commando, Royal Alician Marines (1 Cdo, RAM)
Advanced Training Detachment, Royal Alician Marines (ATD, RAM)

Commands

The ADF retains its three main commands, Eastern, Central and Western. However these commands are now restricted to training, administrative and disaster relief tasks.

Regiments and Units

The Corps of Royal Alician Marines

Formerly the Alician Maritime Regiment, the RAM came into existence in January 2301, and despite the change of names remains a part of the Ground Wing. The RAM is the largest and most prestigious unit it the Alician military with 5 regular battalion sized units and one reserve battalion. The RAM has added new units to organisation in recent years, an armoured infantry battalion (2 RAM) and a battalion (1 Cdo) has just finished training as a 'Red' unit to serve alongside Britain's 6 Commando Bde or on-board the ships of the RSN.

The RAM also have a unique Advanced Training Detachment, a force designed to act as an OPFOR using Kafer tactics and armed with captured Kafer weaponry. Hardened by skirmishing in the Archipelago and armed with exceptional moral the RAM are an aggressive and well trained force. The RAM cap-badge resembles that of the Royal Marines, except Beowulf replaces Earth and the scroll reads 'Ramadenthian', and a trident (a remnant of the insignia of the AMR) covers the globe vertically.

The Dragon Regiment of Alicia

The Dragon Regiment was formed in late 2301 from volunteers from throughout the Alician military, who answered the call for a unit to serve off-world. Like the Duke of Alicia's Own Regiment it is a combined arms formation including armour and infantry. However the Dragons never left Beowulf and had to be content with preparing to defend Alicia. Since the Battle of Beowulf however the regiment has deployed to BCV as part of 8th Brigade and has seen some action.

Its name comes from both the flag of Alicia and the Dragon from the ancient saga of Beowulf. Its internal organisation has Red, Green, White and Fire Companies. The soldiers of the regiment continue to wear their original berets, however a specially issued green side cap with red and white trim is more commonly worn.

The King's Mounted Rifles

The KMR are a recently formed reconnaissance formation, trained to act as a divisional recce group for 1st Division. Originally called the Herot Mounted Rifles, the unit was inspected by King Christian on his visit to Alicia, and were granted permission to bear the royal title. The KMR was formed alongside the 2nd Alician Light Horse, but whilst that formation had a backbone formed from serving members of the ADF, the KMR was mostly composed of former soldiers, both British and Alician, living in Herot and recalled to the Colours. The cap-badge of the KMR is a knight from a chess set, over crossed SMLE rifles, surmounted by a crown and above a scroll reading 'Osons'. It is worn on a rifle-green beret.

The 26th (Alician) Special Air Service Regiment

The Alician SAS was established before the war for service in the Ramadenthian Archipelago, its regular strength was increased by an extra squadron (No. 2) during the war. However the greatest change came in the establishment of the Home Guard Squadrons. These were units trained and equipped to lead and organise a campaign of guerrilla war and sabotage against the Kafers. It is believed that these units (most sources claim 4 squadrons) have now been reduced to part-time units, but they still remain a part of the Alician SAS. No.1 Squadron 26 SAS is believed now to be operating further along the French Arm. Most of the regiments recruits come from the RAM.

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New Africa - BC 4 - Beta Canum Venticorum

New Africa Defence Forces

New Africa was one of the hardest hit of the British colonies during the war. The destruction of the Beanstalk and Kafer ground force invasion was followed swiftly by the capitulation of the demoralised French forces. German troops were the next to come under the hammer and were smashed in a number of vicious confrontations that lead to the occupation of their colony.

British and New African forces fared better, abandoning New Middlesex which was targeted from orbit and set ablaze. In an epic defensive battle across New Africa's Grasslands the British Army's 79th Armoured Brigade drew the sting from the Kafer offensive and saved the colony from occupation. With the majority of Kafer troops withdrawn from the planet to continue on to attack Crater and then Joi, New Africa remained free, although Kafer infantry infested many parts of the colony, and mechanised raids were undertaken to and from the other colonies.

However the Kafer ships left in orbit extracted a high price for this resistance bombarding most of the major cities forcing most New Africans in to a mobile existence. Nevertheless fighting continued with guerrilla bands forming and taking the fight to the Kafers in occupied areas like New Middlesex and the Westmark. Regular British and New African forces staged raids and attacks to keep the Kafers off-balance and from concentrating against the guerrillas. Fugitives from the French and German colonies travelled to New Africa to continue the fighting against the aliens.

Rochemont's attempts to relieve BCV were actually little more than debacles. His first attempt was saved from disaster only by the hard fighting of the 1e REP and USMC troops who managed to cut their way through to New Africa. The second attempt was more successful, but it was not until the Battle of Beowulf had been won and large numbers of regular troops from Earth came up that BCV was truly secured. Fierce fighting continues however especially in the backwoods of the colonies, where troops from many nations attempt to eradicate the last of the alien threat.

The arrival of these troops, has given the NADF an opportunity to reorganise and re-equip. A number of the more successful irregular units have been brought into the regular forces. An attempt has been made to bring the various guerrilla bands under control but this has yet to occur satisfactorily. The new structure of the NADF consists of an independent armoured brigade and a light division both based on the British model. There is also a substantial special operations capability.

1 (New African) Armoured Brigade

Tiger Hussars (TH)
2nd Battalion, The New African Light Infantry (2 NALI)
1st Battalion, The Mavericks (New Middlesex Irish) (1 MAV)

3rd (New Africa) Light Division

Jameson's Scouts
1 (New Africa) Light Brigade
1st Battalion, The New African Light Infantry (1 NALI)
1st Battalion, The New Middlesex Scottish (1 NMS)
3rd Battalion, The New African Regiment (3 NAR)
2 (New Africa) Light Brigade
1st Battalion, The New African Regiment (1 NAR)
4th Battalion, The New African Regiment (4 NAR)
6th Battalion, The New African Regiment (6 NAR)
3 (New Africa) Light Brigade
1st Battalion, The Royal Volunteer Rifle Corps of New Africa (1 RVRC)
2nd Battalion, The New African Regiment (2 NAR)
7th Battalion, The New African Regiment (7 NAR)

Special Duties Command (SDC)

The Scouts (NA SAS)
15 Commando
The Westmark Rifles

Militia Forces

New Africa has a huge array of militia forces some of which are barely under government control. The are normally organised into Brigades which range in size from the 10 000 men and women of the Westmark Brigade to fewer than 100 in the Halmen Brigade on the southern coast.

Regiments and Units

The Tiger Hussars

The Tiger Hussars are an amalgamation of two of the most successful guerrilla units operating in the New African Grasslands. The Tigers were a unit of former military personnel from the nearby garrison town of New Aldershot, they operated as foot borne infantry in small units deep behind the Kafer lines. Dennison's Hussars were a horse mounted infantry unit that gained fame in hunting down Kafer stragglers in the aftermath of the Battle of Johnson's Ford.

As the Grasslands were never long under control of the Kafers the units were brought under stricter military control and amalgamated as a recce unit mounted on all-terrain vehicles. With the Liberation the unit was sent to Alicia and re-trained and re-equipped with the latest Montgomery tanks. The unit has just returned to New Africa.

The Mavericks (New Middlesex Irish)

The Mavericks are a hard fighting unit that started as a volunteer militia unit created just before the invasion of BCV from New Middlesex's Irish community. When the capital was evacuated the Mavericks also withdrew, but returned to harass the Kafer garrison. The fighting in ruined New Middlesex was of the greatest ferocity and took on a life of its own as so few regular soldiers took part in it. In fact only the Mavericks maintained any real cohesion as other units became little more than armed bands. New Middlesex was finally secured when the Light Division was massed, combining the expertise of the Mavericks and other units with the firepower of the regulars enabled the humans to force out the last Kafers.

The Mavericks were then re-organised and re-equipped as a more conventional light infantry unit, gaining more heavy weaponry (much of it stolen from the Kafers) in the process. With the liberation the Mavericks were combined into an ad-hoc brigade along with the Westmark Rifles and served oversees. These two units gained themselves an excellent reputation in fighting alongside regulars from Earth. The Mavericks returned for a much needed rest and were re-organised as an armoured infantry battalion, and a number of volunteer battalions were also created. Although the Mavericks are now an armoured infantry unit they retain a specialisation in urban warfare that is a major part of their training. The unit is still composed mainly of battle-hardened veterans.

The Mavericks cap-badge is a golden bull in profile upon a green background, worn upon a brown infantry beret. This bovine symbology has given rise to the units obvious scatological nickname in wide use through the rest of the units in New Africa.

The Scouts (New African Special Air Service)

The Scouts existed before the war in squadron strength and concentrated predominantly on the long-range reconnaissance role. During the war this continued to be their primary role alongside R Squadron of 24 SAS, and it was a joint patrol from this unit that destroyed the Kafer safe-place under construction in the Westmark with a tactical nuclear device. The Scouts added B Squadron which specialised in urban reconnaissance, but suffered from much higher casualty rates than the pre-war A Sqn. After the war the Rangers from the Westmark Brigade were added into the Scouts as C (Ranger) Squadron.

15 Commando

During the war most guerrilla units were of somewhat poor quality, the commanders of the defence of New Africa tried to create forces that were more suited for aggressive action. The best, most aggressive soldiers from the guerrillas were creamed off and organised under a number of regular officers. These units were called Commandos.

The Commandos were straightforward shock troops, composed of men who had lost their homes or families and wanted nothing else but to hit back at the invaders. Poorly armed, but highly motivated they often worked in combination with Scout patrols to find valuable Kafer targets and then assault them. Commando units sometimes were destroyed to a man, but they managed to scare even the slow-witted Kafers into defending the rear areas more effectively.

After the liberation most of the Commandos were disbanded and returned to their previous units to help train them properly. However three Commandos (3, 15 and 19) were retained in the Commando Brigade that served in the German and French continent. On its return the remaining commandos were consolidated into 15 Commando. 15 Commando was given better training and equipment to enable it to conduct more sophisticated attacks than it had conducted during the war. It is expected that 15 Commando will be the lead unit from New Africa to be deployed off planet to fight on other Kafer occupied planets.

The Commandos now wear a green beret with a Commando Knife cap-badge surrounded by a scroll bearing the words 'No Surrender'. A black and white Kafer skull badge is worn on the arm as well as a red and white Commando flash.

The Westmark Rifles

Of all the guerrilla forces operating in New Africa the Westmark Brigade was probably the most effective. The Kafers invaded the remote and mountainous Westmark region in order to begin construction of a Safe Place. In doing so they destroyed most of the major towns and settlements and forced those that didn't escape into camps. The local people, mostly Levellers, swiftly organised into a unique structure and set about freeing the captured and harassing the aliens.

The Westmark Brigade had some three battalion sized units of volunteers, the best soldiers of those battalions were chosen into a battalion sized unit called the Westmark Rifles. The best of the Rifles were chosen for a company sized unit called the Rangers. In keeping with the beliefs of the Levellers the units elected their officers and NCO's. The Rifles were remarkably successful in their forested and hilly country and contributed heavily to the eventual destruction of the planned Safe Place. After the Liberation the Rifles served overseas and are now a part of the NADF proper although they retain their unique traditions and recruitment from the Leveller community.

The Westmark Rifles wear no distinguishing head gear, and are issued only with combat fatigues. Their reliance of self-discipline has already brought them into conflict with more traditional officers from the NADF.

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Crater - Henry’s Star

Crater was invaded by the Kafers on the 27th of February 2303, the few troops stationed in Rimview withdrew into the tunnels under and surrounding the city to conduct a guerrilla war against the invaders. The occupation developed into a stalemate with the British able to harass the Kafers but unable to dislodge them, the Kafer found themselves in a similar position. However little was known about the status of the settlements outside of Rimview.

In May Admiral Rochemont dispatched a brigade of French Marines and Para-Commandos to liberate the colony. However the landing attempt went badly wrong, with the French being caught under fire in the landing zones. Unable to bring to bear effective orbital support to bear the French were in danger of being annihilated. They were saved by an ad-hoc offensive of troops and irregulars pouring out of the mines and tunnels. Fighting was fierce and bloody and caused a precipitous Kafer withdrawal. A swift sweep of Rimview was conducted and Rochemont declared the colony liberated, and he recalled his battered troops.

The Kafer threat hadn't been defeated however, many mining sites were occupied and rumours persisted of a Kafer Safe Place that had been constructed on Crater's Dayside. Unable to cope with the threat the remnants of the Crater Defence Force and the resident British battalion requested additional British forces. These arrived in the form of the Paratroopers of the 6th Assault Brigade (formerly 6 Airborne Bde) and Kampfgruppe Kielmansegge from the Royal German Legion fresh from the Liberation of BCV - 4.

These troops, supported by the CDF conducted the Dayside Campaign, fighting that became dominated by high casualty storming operations against Kafer infested mines, and combat walker operations in the inhospitable Dayside. The final operation of the campaign was the storming of the partially constructed Kafer Safe Place, codenamed 'Krak des Chevaliers', that had been mostly built by slave labour. With the official end of the campaign the Paratroopers and Legionnaires were withdrawn to rest an refit. However mopping up operations continue in the Dayside and raids against isolated mining outposts are continuing.

The Crater Defence Force

1st Battalion, The Crater Regiment
2nd Battalion, The Crater Regiment
3rd Battalion, The Crater Regiment
The Armoured Commando
The Storm Commando

Infantry Forces

The primary reform that caused much debate in the colony was the disbandment of all of the CDF’s infantry units. The Duke of Crater’s Regiment, the Crater Defence Regiment and the independent Crater Defence Units.

The DCR had a bad reputation from the pre-War years and its initial operations were far from successful, the debacle of the Storming of the Georgetown Mine resulting in an influx of regular British Army troops being brought in to take over the job. The DCR retrained, re-organised and returned as a much better unit fighting well in the Dayside Campaign and the Storming of Krak des Chevaliers. However it’s attitudes towards the other CDF units recruited from guerrilla units was lamentable.

The CDR was formed from the guerrilla Crater Defence Units that fought the Kafers under the city of Rimview. After the liberation many returned to their civilian jobs, but substantial numbers stayed on to continue mopping up the Kafers. The Rimview CDU’s were organised into a single battalion under the CDR name. They retained their skills in tunnel warfare, but lacked the conventional military skills required for storming operations and fighting above ground.

The remaining CDU’s were organised from small guerrilla units operating outside of Rimview or units raised after the liberation taking over from the destroyed militia companies. CDU’s suffered in the Kafer raids that preceded the Dayside Campaign, being unable to protect their small communities or even to buy enough time for a Fireforce from Rimview to arrive. The vulnerable communities were turned into veritable fortresses with additional troops from the CDR, but began to loose economic viability.

The solution to the problem was to remove the social exclusivity and hidebound ways of the DCR and to invest the miner raised units with better military skills and discipline. As such a new, unified Crater Regiment was formed. The Crater Regiment consists of three Battalions, the 1st Battalion mainly drawn on DCR personnel, the 2nd from CDR and the 3rd to cover all the CDU’s with a ‘umbrella’ organisation. From now on all recruits would be trained at a single depot, and postings between the units were to be encouraged and enforced.

So far, six months later, the fruits of this reorganisation have yet to seen, but there is reason for optimism.

Commando Forces

There are two Commando units within the CDF, commanded from Commando Forces HQ attached directly to CDF HQ. The Commando units are elite forces undertaking dangerous and demanding military tasks, they are the best the CDF has to offer. While the CDF accepts recruits from Crater and the rest of the Commonwealth it is policy within Commando Forces to accept qualified volunteers of any nationality. Cynics would say that the high levels of casualties amongst these units is the reason why.

The largest force within Commando Forces is the Armoured Commando, led by Major A. U. Frost MC. The Armoured Commando consists of all of the CDF’s combat walkers and their support units. The Dayside Campaign revealed that offensive infantry operations in the arid and hostile Dayside areas are virtually impossible. As a result Combat Walkers have acquired an importance for military operations on Crater far above normal levels.

The Daylight Campaign saw the British Army’s Provisional Battle Group (composed of CW units from the RGL, Coldstream Guards and Parachute Regiment) pioneer this form of combat. As the campaign drew to a close the CDF created two CW platoons to assist the Provisional Battle Group, although only one saw service. With the withdrawal of most of the British regular forces, most of the Bowman combat walkers were transferred to the CDF along with a number of British CW pilots. The CDF created the Armoured Commando to emulate and replace the Provisional Battle Group.

The Armoured Commando consists of a headquarters element, normally based at Rimview but now forward deployed to Krak des Chevaliers, and a number (currently 6) of CW Troops. The Troop’s each consist of 24 Bowman combat walkers, in three combat sections of 6 walkers and one headquarters section of 6 walkers. Training is somewhat disorganised, with much training done in the troops ‘on the job’, but a new training establishment is being set-up at Rimview.

The second commando unit is the Storm Commando. A special unit of troops whose role is to create breaches and spearhead storming operations, it is skilled in close in fighting and demolitions, and is mostly manned by veterans of the Liberation and Dayside Campaign. It consists of a HQ and 3 Troops of 25 men each. This unit has yet to see action, and is expected to take heavy casualties when it does. The troopers are paid even more than the Armoured Commando men because of these risks. Much discussion is underway about whether to expand this units role to include more traditional special forces tasks.

The Troopers of the Commando Forces are a mixed and varied bunch, predominantly Crater nationals or seconded British service personnel. The Commando also includes Americans, Japanese, French, Elysian, Germans and many from the Commonwealth nations.

Fireforce

Currently as well as the forward deployed troops at Krak des Chevaliers the CDF maintains a Fireforce at Rimview spaceport. Normally this duty rotates between the CDF and the resident British infantry battalion. When the CDF undertakes this role, a company of the Crater Regiment, and a troop from both the Armoured and Storm Commandos are on stand-by to move to reinforce any attacked outpost.

These units are moved by Landers from a detachment of four stationed at Rimview from the Royal Space Navy’s 1108 NIS (Naval Interface Squadron.)

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New Cornwall - Joi - 61 Ursae Majoris

The small, recently established colony of New Cornwall had fewer than a quarter of a million colonists and no organised military. Military preparations began in earnest when the scale of the Kafer incursion into the French Arm became obvious. The resident 79 Armoured Brigade was deployed to New Africa and was replaced by the light troops of the 1st Gurkha Brigade as invasion of Joi was considered unlikely.

The Paramilitary Division of the British Joi Police was rapidly re-organised as an infantry battalion and dubbed the Duke of New Cornwall's Light Infantry. A further three battalions of armed civil defence militia were formed under the aegis of the New Cornwall Defence Force. However all these forces were very lightly armed with few support weapons beyond those normally available to the battalion and no artillery.

The Kafer invasion on the 15th of March 2302 concentrated primarily on the German and Japanese colonies and no fighting took place in New Cornwall. Rochemont's arrival on the 20th of March swung the balance by savaging the Kafer fleet. Unwilling to use his front-line forces and desiring to pursue the Kafer force and destroy it, Rochemont landed only the Vogelheim Brigade (a formation created from the peacekeeping detachments at Vogelheim before the war) and used his landers to shuttle uncommitted British and Azanian troops to the fighting further North.

Although described as 'mopping up' in the immediate histories of the war, written mostly by pro-Rochemont historians, the fighting was of considerable length and duration. Colonial forces particularly took heavy casualties, but led by regulars of the Vogelheim Brigade and Gurkhas alongside Elysian forces who proved equally skilled in counter-insurgency as they had in guerrilla fighting, the human forces destroyed the Kafers.

New Cornwall's contribution to this force came in the shape of an ad-hoc battalion culled from the ranks of the DNCLI, civil defence battalions and patriotic citizens at large. The unit, the New Cornwall Volunteers fought mainly in the German colony and although suffering high rates of casualties always received a good supply of replacements. At the end of the campaign however the NCV disbanded, although many veteran soldiers signed up with the DNCLI or with the regular British Army to continue the fight off-world. Several NCV veterans now serve in the Crater Defence Force.

New Cornwall Defence Forces

Regular Forces

1st Battalion, The Duke of New Cornwall's Light Infantry

Civil Defence Forces

A, B and C Battalions

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Copyright 2009, D Hebditch