Valhallan 12th Field Artillery
The Valhallan 12th Field Artillery is a Valhallan Artillery Regiment of the Astra Militarum.[1]
The 12th Field Artillery is notable for being the first regiment that Ciaphas Cain was assigned to following his graduation to full Commissar[1], in early 919.M41.[3a] Cain was the first Commissar to be assigned to the regiment; prior to this point it was not considered necessary, but Cain had managed (by gambling with an Administratum worker) to get himself assigned to an artillery regiment in order to stay as far away from the front lines as possible.[1][Note 1]
Contents
History
The regiment saw action on Desolatia IV in 919.M41[3a], first against a raiding Ork warband and later in the defence of the planet against a splinter of Hive Fleet Behemoth.[1]
After leaving Desolatia, the 12th Field Artillery was deployed on the agri-world of Keffia, where they fought against Tyranid Genestealers.[3a][3b]
Following the fighting on Keffia, the regiment was one of a number of Imperial forces gathered from across the local sector charged with relieving the planet Perlia, which had been invaded by an Ork Waaaagh led by Gargash Korbul.[3b]
Some time later the regiment was amongst those deployed on Gravalax to reinforce the planet in the event of an attempt by the t'au to annex it.[2b]
Assets
As is typical for an artillery regiment, the 12th Field Artillery was split into a number of Batteries (roughly the equivalent of a company in a line regiment). Each battery consisted of approximately six Earthshakers, plus their support vehicles and personnel.[3b] In particular, this included complements of Trojans for towing the artillery pieces into position.[2b]
In addition to the main artillery pieces, the regiment is known to have featured batteries of Hydras.[1][3b]
Known Members
Imperial Guard
- Mostrue — Colonel. Regiment's commanding officer.[1]
- Divas — Mostrue's second in command.[1]
- Erhlsen — Gunner.[1]
- Jurgen — Gunner. Assigned as Commissar Cain's adjutant.[1] Later left the regiment to continue being Cain's aide after the Commissar was transferred.[2a]
Other
- Ciaphas Cain — Commissar.[1] Later transferred.[2a]
Trivia
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Notes
- Note 1: In one of Amberley Vail's footnotes in Chapter One of Death or Glory, she notes that Ciaphas Cain assumed full Commissarial duties for the 12th Field Artillery shortly after his arrival, and speculates that any Commissars other than Cain that were attached to the regiment were presumably killed on Desolatia.[3b] In the short story Fight or Flight, however, Colonel Mostrue states that Cain was the first Commissar to be attached to the 12th.[1] This could be explained as a mistake on Vail's part (particularly as she admits that she couldn't be bothered to look up the official disposition of the regiment).[3b]
