35th Division (Word of Blake)

Division 35th (Word of Blake) logo.png
35th Division
Formed Late 3060s
Disbanded 3078
Nickname Purity of Blood
Affiliation
Parent Command Word of Blake Militia

The Thirty-fifth Division was a "hidden" Word of Blake Militia unit that was revealed during the second year of the Jihad. The unit was known for its actions in the Blakists' Capellan Combat Theater, where it engaged in many clashes between Capellan forces and with Free Worlds League nations on its border.

History[edit]

Securing Worlds for the Blake Protectorate[edit]

The unit's first known appearance in combat was August of 3068 where it split into two strike forces consisting of roughly two Level III forces each. These forces struck worlds of Genoa and Liberty.[1] On Genoa, the Purity of Blood's forces attempts to conquer the planet faltered causing them to bring in more troops. The reinforcements, ROM-supervised mercenary units, helped secure the planet using nuclear weaponry. However, this seems to have failed as the 35th Division's elements left planet with guerrilla resistance activity continuing against Blakist occupation forces. Precentor Sergio Alveraz was killed in 3068 during the first days of the Genoa invasion.[2]

On Liberty, the planet's weakened defense forces were easily overcome by the two Level III of the 35th Division. Securing the planet as part of Word of Blake Protectorate.

The Division re-formed prior to December, the four-Level III force assaulted the Capellan world of Pleione. The Little Richard's Panzer Brigade was overwhelmed by the 35th's assets and shattered. They were killed to the last man without being under contract.[3] After wiping out the unit

Conflict in the Capellan Space[edit]

The unit split up again in 3070, when the Aerospace elements of the unit assisted the 24th Division first battle assault of Sian. The elements fought a strictly Aerospace battle in space.[4]

The entire unit conducted a raid against the Capellan world of Turin, during a clash by Liao and Andurien forces in January of 3071, disrupting the battle between the two combatants. Three years later the Thirty-fifth fought its most noteworthy battle in February 3074 on Herotitus. On the continent of Weissholz, the Blakists destroyed Warrior House Lu Sann during the annual Tree Walk; throughout the fighting the oldest and largest of the migrating trees swept BattleMechs aside from their path.[5] [6]

Destruction[edit]

The 35th was one of fourteen separate Militia Divisions to be destroyed on Terra in 3078.[7]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the 35th Division
Precentor Sergio Alveraz 3068[2]

Tactics[edit]

The unit specializes in ambush tactics and are experts in close-quarters combat.[8]

Composition[edit]

3069[edit]

Notes[edit]

The unit's force strength is reported only being in 4 Level III strength, however Jihad Secrets: The Blake documents files are known by canonly reporting from intellience reports. Thus, force can be larger than what is said from this source.

Although the publication Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents states that the 35th Division (Word of Blake) first appeared with the attack on Genoa and Liberty in August 3069, this contradicts the Jihad timeline given in Jihad Hot Spots: 3072 and Jihad: Final Reckoning. It was confirmed by one of the BattleTech Line Developers that Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents is in error.

Hello,

Blake Documents is in error; the assaults took place in 3068.

Thank you,

- Herbert Beas

  — Herbert Beas, BattleTech Line developer, 11 Jun 2012

Rules[edit]

Game Rules[edit]

35th Divisional elements are given a negative modifier for all physical and weapon attacks when conducted at point-blank or short ranges. However, same elements will suffer at medium-range and beyond. When the 35th is acting as the defender, a percentage of its forces are hidden.[9]

Reference[edit]

  1. Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 45, "The Jihad In Review"
  2. 2.0 2.1 BattleCorps: INN Newscast (Solaris Broadcasting Co. section), news item published [09/09/3068]: "Blakist Shock Troops Kill Millions on Genoa"
  3. Mercenaries Supplemental Update, p. 13 - "Rolls of Honor" - Little Richard's Panzer Brigade is wiped out completely, by Blakist forces and listed on the MRBC's Rolls of Honor.
  4. Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 96, "Capellan Theater" - 35th Division - Unit's aerospace elements played minor role in Aerospace battle over Sian in 3070.
  5. Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 96, "Capellan Theater" - 35th Division - The Division raids a series of Capellan worlds and is noted for destroying Warrior House Lu Sann's forces.
  6. Touring the Stars: Herotitus, p. 6
  7. Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 126, "Word Of Blake Militia"
  8. Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 142 - "Rules Annex" - 35th Division's tactics listed among Force Specific rules.
  9. Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 142, "Rules Annex"

Bibliography[edit]