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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
→Overview
The Deathwing formed mainly from the remains of the [[Host of Crowns]] of the [[Unification Wars|Unification]] and [[Great Crusade]]-era First Legion. This Host was famed for its line breaking and marksmen abilities, and those of its Inner Circle who survived an infamous swore oaths that no member of the wing would ever leave the field of battle in the hands of the enemy, accepting death over dishonor or retreat. During the [[Horus Heresy]] they acted as a special operations unit specializing in not only line-breaking but also as elite veteran infantry and honor guards.{{Fn|11}}
The company's armour is a bone white colour, rather than the dark green of the majority of the Chapter, or the black of the original Legion . Originally their armour were black but after a single squad of Terminators freed [[Thranx]] - one of the Chapter's [[recruitment world]]s and the squad's original homeworld - from a [[Genestealer]] infestation it was forever decreed that the company's armour would be white to honour their valour.{{Fn|20}} This alteration of the color scheme applies only to the Dark Angels, not to their successor Chapters. The Deathwing's insignia is a variation of winged sword worn by the rest of the Chapter - the blade of the sword is depicted as being broken in Deathwing iconography. More so even than the regular Dark Angels, the Deathwing are notoriously stubborn and resistant, refusing to buckle under extreme pressure from enemy advances, even when it would be more advantageous to retreat.{{Cite thiscitethis}}
The Deathwing's insignia is a variation of winged sword worn by the rest of the Chapter - the blade of the sword is depicted as being broken in Deathwing iconography.{{citethis}} While it has been stated that the entire Deathwing company fights exclusively in [[Terminator armour]],{{Cite thisFn|20}} Dark Angels wearing the bone colour of the 1st Company have also been seen in non-Terminator armour.{{Fn|17}}{{Fn|10}}{{Fn|18}}
The Deathwing is not solely a tactical formation - promotion to the Deathwing also means that an individual is bestowed many of the darkest secrets of the Chapter. The most closely guarded of these secrets is that of the betrayal of [[Luther]] and the [[Fallen]], and the subsequent fate of their [[Primarch]], [[Lion El'Jonson]].{{Fn|1}}
When a battle-brother is being considered for a place in the Deathwing, it is standard procedure for them to be judged by the [[Chief Librarian|Grand Master of the Librarius]], who determines if they are worthy of ascension.{{Fn|7}}
More so even than the regular Dark Angels, the Deathwing are notoriously stubborn and resistant, refusing to buckle under extreme pressure from enemy advances, even when it would be more advantageous to retreat.{{Cite this}}
The Deathwing itself contains multiple specialized sub-formations, such as [[Deathwing Command Squad]]s and the dreaded [[Deathwing Knights]], who comprise the elite of this already veteran Company.{{Fn|4}} As of the [[Era Indomitus]], it has also come to include [[Primaris Space Marine|Primaris]] [[Bladeguard Veteran]]s.{{Fn|10}}
