44th Shadow Division
Sarna News
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| Forty-fourth Shadow Division | |
| Disbanded | September 3074 (missing)[1] |
| Nickname | Avitue's Avenging Angels[2] |
| Affiliation | Word of Blake |
| Parent Command | Shadow Divisions |
Unit Description[edit]
The Forty-fourth Shadow Division was one of the Word of Blake Shadow Divisions, composed of the hyper-elite, cybernetically enhanced Manei Domini. The unit was known for its actions on New Avalon, particularly during the Third Battle of New Avalon in the Jihad.
History[edit]
The entirety of the unit appeared in their first major action in 3072 in the conquest of Yunnah under the command of Specter Precentor Sigma Avitue. However, other elements of the command have seen combat since 3068, where they have been seen assisting special operations groups such as the Opacus Venatori throughout the Inner Sphere.[2][3]
In December 3072, the unit was send to New Avalon, where it reinforced the remnants of the Thirty-first and Thirty-sixth Word of Blake Miltia Divisions in an attempt to finally consolidate control of the Federated Suns' capital world. The arrival of the Forty-fourth reversed the Blakists' previous trend of using weapons of mass destruction due to the unit's orders to avoid civilian casualties and collateral damage.[4]
In early 3073, the Forty-fourth helped secure a narrow victory in the Third Battle for New Avalon. Precentor Geoffrey Zucker of the Thirty-sixth Division coordinated the majority of the Blakist forces, while Avitue led a smaller force on a mission that resulted in the death of Marshal of the Armies Jackson Davion, allowing the Blakists to secure Mount Davion and the ruins of Avalon City.[5]
However, in September 3074, the Division was ordered to withdraw, due to the increasing Davion resistance. The Forty-fourth Shadow Division fought off the Davion Heavy Guards and remnants of the other surviving AFFS forces on-planet as they withdrew, dropping napalm and fuel-air-explosives onto the ruins of Avalon City and planting explosives that destroyed the Fox's Den by collapsing Mount Davion into itself.[6]
The Forty-fourth Shadow Division vanished after its departure from New Avalon and was listed as missing in action by the end of the Jihad.[1] Later accounts suggested that the Division may have followed Berith into exile on Obeedah and Taussen, to carry on the legacy of the Master and Jerome Blake beyond the Jihad era.[7]
Officers[edit]
| Rank | Name | Command | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commanding Officers of the Forty-fourth Shadow Division | |||
| Specter Precentor Sigma[8] | Avitue | 3072 - 3074[2] | |
Other Officers[edit]
- Demi-Precentor Armaros, XO of the Forty-fourth in 3073.[9]
- Banshee Demi-Precentor Delta Jaegar van Ribkis, battle armor infantryman during the Jihad.[3]
Tactics[edit]
The unit specialized in both mountain tactics and urban fighting.[10]
Composition History[edit]
3072[edit]
Forty-fourth Shadow Division (Division/Elite)[10]
- Note: The exact composition of the unit remained unknown.[2]
Notes[edit]
- General rules for the Forty-fourth Shadow Division can be found in Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents.[10] Additional campaign-related rules can be found in Jihad Turning Points: New Avalon.[4]
- The unit was rated with A for its Equipment.[10]
- The Forty-fourth was noted for its preference for avoiding non-combatant casualties and damage to civilian structures.[10]
References[edit]
- ↑ a b Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 126: "Shadow Divisions Status"
- ↑ a b c d Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 105: "Forty-fourth Shadow Division"
- ↑ a b Technical Readout: 3075, p. 20: "Asura Medium Battle Armor"
- ↑ a b Jihad Turning Points: New Avalon, p. 7: "Forty-fourth Shadow Division"
- ↑ Isle of the Blessed, Book 2, chs. 5-6
- ↑ Jihad Turning Points: New Avalon, p. 10: "Scenario: Davion Falling"
- ↑ Ghosts of Obeedah, pp. 59–60: "Aegaeon's Truth"
- ↑ BattleTech: Legends II, p. 96: "Avitue"
- ↑ Isle of the Blessed, Interlude
- ↑ a b c d e Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 142: "Rules Annex"