Blades of Fire Superpost Part Two - The Armies

And Now on to part 2 of the Superpost which covers The Composition of the two opposing forces

Pre-corruption Organisation

The Original Chapter comprised of 12 Companies with 120 Marines each, and unlike codex Chapters each company was organised as a self contained fighting force - each company was expected to keep and maintain it own Tanks, equipment and support as well as its own recruitment, scouts were considered 'support' and were not deemed to be part of the main fighting force
The 1st Company was the Veteran Company, I was a high honour to be transferred into their ranks.
Each Captain was given far more flexibility that those in other Chapters regarding the Equipment and tactics used, as companies  often conducted campaigns independently.


Current Numbers

After the Betrayal on Deneris, approximately 840 marines turned traitor while roughly 360 remained loyal. About 240 Marines where killed during the battle.


Unit Composition

Loyalists

Reconnaissance Squads – Remnants of the Chapters Veterans and squads proven in battle are formed into small teams, rarely more than 6 marines, to hunt down Traitor forces and alert of the Chapter of any finds. Usually operating from an ‘Gladius’ class ships they spend vast amounts of time behind enemy lines, and so get access to the highest quality wargear.

Space Marine Squads – Led by a Sergeant or a Squad Leader, they are tactically flexible and have access to a wide variety of weapons and equipment. Larger squads form the backbone of a Task Force while small squads take on specialised roles.

Sergeant – Blades of Fire Sergeants are Veterans who lead the squads in battle. Due to limited numbers their experience is invaluable and they are often needed to lead Task Forces.

Squad Leader – Due to the small number of Sergeants, Marines with have proven leadership skills are given the title of Squad Leader and fulfil the same role as Sergeants.

 Scout Squads – Scouts are used as pathfinders for the main Task Forces. In battle they take up fire support roles.

 

Terminators – Terminators are the spearhead of a Task Force to which they are attached. Due to limited numbers, they are only deployed when the presence of a Traitor Blade warband is confirmed.

Task Force – Called in by the Reconnaissance Squads, Task Forces vary in size and unit composition based upon size of the enemy force, the recommendations of the Reconnaissance Squads and the limitations of loyalist forces available. Task Forces are led by one of the loyalist Captains or a Senior Sergeant. If another member of the task force has the same rank as the commander, the commander is given the title prefix of ‘1^st’ (e.g. 1^st Sergeant). Vehicles and support personnel are deployed with Task Forces as needed. Task Forces operate from Strike Cruisers with a small escort and set up temporary encampments as a base for operations on the surface.

 

Traitors

Squads – The pre-corruption Squad structure has been abandoned by the traitors. Marines follow dominant Sergeants to increase their own standing in the chapter. The Squads weapons are dependent on the personal equipment of the marines assembled.

Daemons – Daemons are summoned by the Liberians-turned-sorcerers to supplement the warbands. Due to Aemalianus’ failings on Selene, these are often weak servants of the minor Chaos Gods.

Cultists – Traitor Blades often recruit Cultists on worlds they invade to destabilize the planet, cover their movements and act as cannon fodder for the main warband.

Warbands – Like the Loyalist Task Forces, Traitor Warbands vary in size and composition and vary from single squads to multiple companies. Some have been sent by Aemalianus to uncover artefacts or gain favour with the Chaos Gods and other Traitor Legions and Chapters, some are sent to cause havoc on Imperial worlds. Others still have left the Chapter altogether, preferring to gain the favour of the Chaos Gods on their own.