For most of the Draconis Combine's existence the Pesht Regulars were responsible for guarding the core of the Combine from Periphery-based threats. Until the Clan Invasion, however, the largest threat from the Periphery were bands of pirates. As a result, a posting to the Pesht Regulars was often used as a final post before an officer retired or used as a punishment for soldiers.
Lacking a border with a hostile major power, the 9th Pesht Regulars usually suffered from lower holdings of combat expendables, including armor, because of the low chances of them seeing combat. However, as guardians of Luthien, the capital of the Draconis Combine, the Regulars were well-trained in performing drills, marches and parades, providing examples to encourage greater loyalty amongst the citizens of the Combine.
The second and markedly less savoury role performed by the Regulars was that of suppressing civilian rebellions; acting in support of other formations, particularly the Sword of Light brigade, the Regulars took on responsibility for garrisoning and policing pacified areas, freeing other, higher-readiness formations for other actions. The Regulars would also be redeployed to other Military Districts on a temporary basis to cover garrison postings where other combat units had been deployed forward.
During the Clan Invasion the 9th Pesht Regulars quickly honed their skills. The Clans were the single largest challenge ever faced by the Pesht Regulars, and though they weren't always successful in defending against the Clans they learned their lessons: Instead of a retirement post or position of dishonor, the Pesht Regulars realized that they were responsible for defending the heart of their nation.
During the Dominion War, the Ninth Pesht Regulars were posted to Idlewind, and were one of the first commands hit by the Ghost Bear forces. Their commanding officer was killed early in the fighting and the Ninth lost all unit cohesion. More than 90% of the unit's soldiers were killed, and the remaining troops were assigned to other commands to make up personnel losses.During the Dominion War, the Ninth Pesht Regulars were posted to Idlewind, and were one of the first commands hit by the Ghost Bear forces. Their commanding officer was killed early in the fighting and the Ninth lost all unit cohesion. More than 90% of the unit's soldiers were killed, and the remaining troops were assigned to other commands to make up personnel losses.
The unit is pictured at the beginning of their deployment to Idlewind. While most Pesht regulars used a white parade scheme with grey stripes, the 9th used jade trim instead - the origin of this custom lost in time, but popularly believed to result from aid the unit's CO gave members of the O5P in the early Succession Wars period.
The 'Mech component of this battalion is classically Kuritan - no medium 'Mechs whatsoever. The CO leads his Command lance from his Atlas AS-7K, supported by a Warhammer WHM-7M, Victor VTR-9K, and Charger CGR-3K.
The Fast Assault lance is made up of Kuritan classics - a Dragon DRG-7K, a Grand Sragon DRG-5K, a Dragon DRG-7N, and a Catapult CPLT-K2K.
While an Order Lance of Panthers - PNT-12A, PNT-10K, PNT-10KA, and PNT-C1 - round off the 'Mech company.
TAG-equipped Scimitar hovers make up the primary recon/striker function for the battalion
Supported by speedy but hardy Myrmidon tanks
And nimble Packrat LRPVs.
Third Company deploys Field Infiltrators by squads, one per Packrat LRPV. The Raiden battle-armor is transported by two locally produced heavy wheeled APCs - their MG armaments removed to enable cramming in two full squads per vehicle. Finally, a platoon of rifle infantry protect a Field Artillery Forward Observer, travelling in a salvaged Galleon GAL-200 - removal of the turret, medium laser, power amplifiers and heat sinks providing the infantry with a hard-shelled battle transport.
White. Why did it have to be white ...
Well, it was self-inflicted. The unit is part of my "use up my old stocks before the KS hits" initiative. This included a Fatlas - being fair, I'm quite fond of this sculpt. And I did a proof of concept for a white scheme. Which came out indicating I could get a good result without too much effort.
What I hadn't accounted for was that the Fatlas had much deeper cuts than the more modern IWM & plastic minis making up the rest of the units, including some of the not-so-nice first-try CGL box plastics. Suffice it to say, it took a lot more work than planned, and not until the very end did I start to enjoy the results. Not Cazaril-white standard, but they look good enough for the table, I hope.
The APCs are BTR-60s, as many will recognise. They're from Skytrex' Action 200 line - WW2 and modern 1:200 scale armour. Just about perfect, and per-unit prices are excellent - however, the flat 15 pound international shipping fee may be a limit. I'll be picking up some M-60s - A1 and A2 - to represent Pattons and Rommels, respectively. They do also have a great selection of armoured recovery and bridging vehicles, of which I will be using in the future. Recommended for big-ish purchases!
This will almost certainly be my last effort at "worktroll white". This is the future - revolving around Citadel contrast paints.
Test pieces - Alpha Strike pack plastics. Seer grey base, black ink was, white contrast, drybrushed with Corax White, then a slightly lighter layer with a very bright white from Humbrol. It's a different style, but effective in it's own way, and much much less fiddly.
Comments, cheers, and brickbats welcomed as always,
W.