51st Shadow Division
Sarna News
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| Fifty-first Shadow Division | |
| Disbanded | December 3078 (destroyed)[1] |
| Nickname | Azrael's Terran Guard[2] |
| Affiliation | Word of Blake |
| Parent Command | Shadow Divisions |
Unit Description[edit]
The Fifty-first Shadow Division was one of the Word of Blake Shadow Divisions, composed of the hyper-elite, cybernetically enhanced Manei Domini. The unit was stationed on Terra and known for its actions during Case White and Operation SCOUR. It was the first Shadow Division to see combat during the Jihad.
History[edit]
Case White[edit]
The unit was among the last of the Shadow Divisions to have been formed for the Manei Domini but was rushed into action ahead of schedule to deal with the coming Case White invasion. The Fifty-first ravaged the few Com Guards units that survived their landings in Northern Europe. In particular, they faced the 166th Division. These conflicts required minimal support of TerraSec to slow down the invading Com Guards while the Fifty-first moved into position.[2][3][4]
Garrison Duty on Terra[edit]
Since the ComStar landings, the unit had remained garrisoned on Terra. It dispatched several Level IIs to local inhabited settlements of the Terran system, including Titan, Io, Mars, Luna, and Venus.[2]
A Radio Free Terra broadcast dated 12 January 3070 reported that the Fifty-first Shadow Division operated in radioactive zones in Europe following the nuclear strikes during Case White, using these areas for training in radiation exposure and decontamination. According to the report, prisoners were forced into contaminated zones to test anti-radiation drugs, and those who survived were captured and used in medical training at the Sandhurst Royal Military College.[5]
Operation SCOUR and Destruction[edit]
At the start of the invasion of Terra during Operation SCOUR, elements of the Fifty-first were deployed to the British Isles to defend the Sandhurst Royal Military College. Between 23 and 30 August 3078, these forces were redeployed to continental Europe after conducting a series of assaults against Stone's Coalition forces.[6]
After crossing to Europe, the Fifty-first struck Coalition forces near Geneva in September 3078, attacking the Fifth Lyran Guards at the spaceport in coordination with the Fourth Word of Blake Militia Division, then withdrew westward along Lake Geneva. The Shadow Division fought a series of rearguard actions across Switzerland and Austria before retreating toward Eastern Europe, ultimately escaping destruction during the pursuit.[7]
In November 3078, elements of the Fifty-first secured the evacuation of a high-ranking Word of Blake official from the Baikonur spaceport in Central Asia. To buy time for launch preparations, they ambushed advancing elements of the First Crucis Lancers and the Twenty-third Arcturan Guards, forcing both units to withdraw.[8]
Eventually, the Fifty-first was destroyed in December 3078.[1]
Officers[edit]
| Rank | Name | Command | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commanding Officers of the Fifty-first Shadow Division | |||
| Precentor | Azrael | 3068 – 3078[3][4][1][9] | |
Other Officers[edit]
- Precentor Geryon, commander of the Fifty-first forces stationed on the British Isles in August 3078.[6]
- Ghost Adept Omega Anaku, MechWarrior during the Jihad.[10]
Tactics[edit]
The unit specialized in operations in the Terran system.[11]
Composition History[edit]
3068[edit]
Fifty-first Shadow Division (Division/Elite)[11]
- Note: The exact composition of the unit remained unknown.[2]
Notes[edit]
- Rules for the Fifty-first Shadow Division can be found in Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents.[11]
- The unit was rated with SD for its Equipment.[11]
References[edit]
- ↑ a b c Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 126: "Shadow Divisions Status"
- ↑ a b c d Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 107: "Fifty-first Shadow Division"
- ↑ a b By the Sword
- ↑ a b Omega
- ↑ BattleCorps: INN MilSpecs, 12 January 3070: "Word of Blake Terran Guard seen exercising near ruins of Riga"
- ↑ a b The Blood of Man
- ↑ Total Chaos, pp. 185–188: "Terra - European Theater"
- ↑ Total Chaos, pp. 212–213: "The Final Countdown"
- ↑ Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 135: "What's Really Happened on Hilton Head?"
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3075, p. 66: "Notable MechWarriors"
- ↑ a b c d Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 143: "Rules Annex"
Bibliography[edit]
- BattleCorps: INN MilSpecs, 12 January 3070
- The Blood of Man (short story)
- By the Sword (short story)
- Jihad: Final Reckoning
- Jihad Hot Spots: Terra
- Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents
- Omega (short story)
- Technical Readout: 3075
- Total Chaos