42nd Shadow Division

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History

The Forty-Second assisted the Blakist 29th Division's assault on the Draconis Combine world of Pesht in early February 3071, devastating the defenders with biological and nuclear weaponry.[1]

Arriving on Luthien in May of 3071, the largely veteran 42nd originally served as support and security forces for the 9th Division.[2]

On June 19 3072, a task force identified by Clan Nova Cat as belonging to the Word of Blake (but superficially marked as though from the Draconis Combine) damaged the SLS Vision Quest over Irece and attacked the capital, both with nuclear weaponry. The 42nd Shadow Division was identified as the closest Word of Blake unit and most likely to have undertaken the assault.[1][3]

The 42nd became more embroiled in the battle for Luthein when the Nova Cat's Xi Galaxy arrived in July 3072 and declared a Trial of Annihilation against the unit. During their assault, they engaged Clan Nova Cat forces within the Nagasaki community zone, of the Crane district on Luthien on 21 August, 3072. Demi-Precentor Eric Hughes engaged a Nova Cat OmniMech, an SM1 hovercraft and a binary of troops embedded in a mechanical shop.[4] While Belial's troops and the 9th Division both suffered heavy losses, the 42nd managed to devastate the Nova Cats through both orbital and ground attacks supported by tactical nuclear strikes.[2]

On 23 August 3072, the 42nd took part in an unsuccessful defense of a large Blakist supply base within the Kyoto Zen Arcology Project against the two-pronged attack of the Nova Cat Xi Galaxy and the DCMS-aligned Izanagi Warriors and Otomo. The DCMS flanking maneuver was intended to sow confusion within the Blakist defenses, and though deflected, did just that. A Star was able to breach the rear of the base and set off an enormous chemical explosion, resulting in the destruction of multiple units on both sides and a significant loss to the Blakist ammunition supply.[5]

In February 3073, the 32nd Division arrived on Luthien in order to assist the 42nd and 9th divisions in defending the Imperial City, following the departure of the Sathen's Snipers mercenary unit due to battle fatigue.[6]

On March 14th 3074, the Word of Blake ROM had leaked information regarding the presence of Buda Weapons Chief Researcher Hideoshi Yamika and his prototype Large X-Pulse Laser to the Kokuryu-kai as a means of wearing down Loyalist defenders in Skytower City. The resulting battle ended with Yamika and his prototypes being hustled aboard a Blakist DropShip.[7]

In December of 3074, Clan Ghost Bear's Alpha, Omega, and Rho galaxies struck Luthien. The 42nd managed to inflict heavy damage on both Alpha and Rho, but the unit was reportedly destroyed by three to five clusters of Ghost Bear troops.[8] No evidence surfaced to suggest Precentor Belial or his command Level II were among the dead.[2] Later intelligence would confirm that the 42nd had been destroyed on Luthien.[9][10]

Officers

As of 3071, the commanding officer was Precentor Belial.[2]

Tactics

The 42nd were experts in Urban Combat.

Composition


Notes

The presence of the 42nd in orbit of Irece in June 3072 is unconfirmed, as Nova Cat personel only determined the 42nd was the closest Word unit and the most likely to undertake the attack.

Rules

Game Rules

During the Battle of Luthien, the 42nd's skill at identifying a building's weak points was demonstrated by the unit having the opportunity to cause the building's collapse result in greater damage to adjacent units.[2]

Reference

  1. 1.0 1.1 Jihad Hot Spots: 3072, p. 76, "Agents Provocateurs"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Jihad Turning Points: Luthien, p. 7, "42nd Shadow Division"
  3. ''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072, p. 96, "Drake News Flash – 24 July 3072": In spite of the "dropped link" suggesting destruction over Irece, the SLS Vision Quest was active less than a month later over Luthien.
  4. Jihad Turning Points: Luthien, p. 1, "Manifest Destiny"
  5. Jihad Turning Points: Luthien, p. 9, "Feline Ferocity"
  6. Jihad Turning Points: Luthien, p. 7, "32nd Division [Word of Blake]"
  7. Jihad Turning Points: Luthien, pp. 10-11, "Light Machine"
  8. Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 104, "42nd Shadow Division"
  9. Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 132
  10. Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 125, "Shadow Divisions Status"

Bibliography