Devon Royal Peltasts

**Devon Royal Peltasts** are Astra Militarum ligh infantry Regiments from the agri-world of Devon III, a world with very rough terrain. The planet is ruled by the Pelt-Devon royal family and their domain was named after them. Again. Originally came they and the Devon Royal Peltasts from Pelta, the moon of Devon III, but were pushed out by Bad Moons Orks who destroyed the surface. And since then are the Devon Royal Peltasts on an enternal crusaid against those Xenos from this particular Klan. But the Peltasts showed great success against enemies operating on rough terrain and skirmishing with enemies in initial engagements before they retreat back into save lines.

## History

Devon III and its settled moon Pelta was once a primitive world until the Ultramarines opened communications with the world and helped in establishing a central Government under the Pelt-Devon royal family. Records about the early centuries of the Devon Royla Peltasts are scarre and mostly lost in the Ork invasion of M32 during the War of the Beast when Orks from the Bad Moons Klan who damaged the ecosystem extremly and forced the population to flee to Devon III. Their new home saw high economic growth after the War of the Beast, but the money wasn`t enough to heal the psychologic damaged suffered by its people. Large scale recruitment was only again possible in early M34 with the raising of 21 new Regiments. And since then reached the number of Regiments traditionally 34 and were time and time again reinforced or reorganized after destruction. The Peltasts saw combat against many different enemies and Xenos but they swore never to forget their grudge against the Orks from the Bad Moons Klan.

## Notable Campaigns

* **Defence of Pelta (M32):** Tens of thousands of Orks from the Bad Moons Clan invaded thuring the War of the Beast the peacfull world of Pelta. Local Astra Militarum and Planetary Defence Force Regiments fought bitterly for each ground, killing many of the famed Ork Mechboyz, but shouldn`t prevail. Ork forces used chemical weapons to render the moon uninhabitable and forcing the population to flee to Devon III.
* **WAAAGH Ubaduk (990.M34-090M35):** A conflict against an Ork WAAAGH from the Bad Moons Klan fought through the Cicerus Sector. The Orks even came from the planet from which the Orks arrived who destroyed their Homeworld. Seeing the chance to get revenge were 12 full Regiments mobilised and steadly reinforced by volunteers from the Planet and the PDF.
* **Uprising on Juhan Secundus (unknown.M37):** Four Regiments of the Devon Royal Peltasts took part in the counter-offensive on the world of Juhan Secundus when gangs had risen up and looted heavy weapons. The 23rd Regiment earned itself there a reputation as meele fighter.
* **The Kundum Revolts (392.M37, 431.M39 and 599.M41):** On three different occaisons revolted the population on the Industrial World of Kundum anf fought against the Imperium. All three times supported Devon Royal Peltasts imperial reinforcements in suppressing the revolutions.
* **Post Fall of Cadia Operations (999.M41-012.M42):** After the fall of Cadia, the most important bulwark against Chaos Forces, operated 1/3 of all Regiments from Devon III in the region. Mainly to control the resulting damage and help to regain ground on five planets.

## Regimental Organisation

### Ranks

* **General -** Commander of taskforces and battle groups. General staff
* **Colonel -** Commander of a regiment
* **Major -** Commander of a Bataillon
* **Captain -** Commander of a company.
* **First Lieutenant -** Commander of a battery or Senior commander of a platoon
* **Second Lieutenant -** Common platoon officer
* **Master Sergeant -** Vehicle commander and non-commissioned officer
* **Gunnery Sergeant -** Often operator of heavy weapons or in support platoons
* **Sergeant -** Squat leader
* **Corporal**
* **Private**

### Structure

 1st Battailon
 HQ Company
1st Recon Company
1st Rifle Company
2nd Rifle Company
3rd Rifle Company
4th Rifle Company
Light Support Company
2nd Recon Company
5th Rifle Company
6th Rifle Company
7th Rifle Company
8th Rifle Company
Light Support Company
3rd Recon Company
9th Rifle Company
10th Rifle Company
11th Rifle Company
12th Rifle Company
Light Support Company

## Combat Doctrine

Devon Royal Peltasts are specialized in hit-and-run tactics and in fighting of enemy forces in the distance, prevered behind or near heavier units. Key parts of their doctrine is the fast movement of their units and the march through rough terrain faster than normal units could do it. Officers form there battle lines where the terrain not only gives cover, but also where attacking forces either can`t relay on armoured vehicles or the use of strict formations. The ability to move without problems through terrains like mountains, hill chains or bombarded areas, present itself as a ticket to flanks or as a way tu suprise attack enemy forces. If direct combat has to be avoided, then retreat the Royal Peltasts behind allied lines and give them support through snipers and anti-tank infantry.

## Wargear & Equipment

* 1 M35 Lasgun and 4 charge packs
* Laspistol and 2 charge packs
* Bayonet/combat knife
* Flak vest
* 2 frag grenades
* Uniform
* Poor weather gear
* Rucksack
* Basic toolkit
* Mess kit and water canteen
* Blanket and sleeping bag
* Rechargeable lamp-pack
* Grooming kit
* Dog tags
* Imperial Infantryman’s Uplifting Primer
* 2 weeks’ rations
* Gas mask
* Camouflage net

## Vehicles

* Tauros
* Tauros Venators
* Sentinels
* Taurox (variants with Autoguns and Missile Launchers)

## Notable Regiments

* **7th Devon Royal Peltast "Sky Hammers":** The Sky Hammers are an airmobile units formed in early M40 and uses Vendettas as close-air-support. Their main task is to provide air forces ground targets and to kill enemy anti-air units. As regimental symbol was a hammer in front of a cloud chosen.
* **12th Devon Royal Peltasts "Scrappers":** The 12th is a recon unit specialized in the elimination of enemy tank squadrons.
* **23rd Devon Royal Peltasts "Hickso`s":** A Regiment known for its meele combat prowness.

## Notable Members

* **Corporal Janet Heckler:** A Corporal in the 30th Regiment operating as Vox-Specialist. She was noted to have had the longest service career in a Devon Royal Peltast Regiment with 45 years.

## Regimental Appearance

Devon Royal Peltasts use the standart Imperial Guard helmet model but with modifications. The upper part of the helmet is more pointy and has a small crest coloured in black, while the helmet is coloured in bronze. A combat skirt called Kama, with white franses and red borders, protects the lower part of the torso and parts of the cribs. The Flak vest is painted with with red borders, cut in a style similiar to ancient Greek armour. Common colours of the non-armour cloths are commonly coloured in blue or red.

Veteran and elite units use royal red and royal blue as colours for their cloths and their armour is cut in a different style.

## Relations

### Enemies

* **Orks from the Bad Moons Klan:** Responsible for the destruction of their original homeworld, earned Orks from this Klan a specific hatred from the Devons.