8th Division (Word of Blake)

History

Pre-Jihad

The unit was based on Terra, in the North African region.

Jihad

In 3068, Elements of the unit was dispatched to Dieron with Hannibal's Hermits and Burr's Black Cobras. There they focused their efforts at SLDF's Eridani Light Horse and DCMS's Third Dieron Regulars.

Most of the unit was re-assigned to the Capellan Theater in late 3069, leaving a single Level III on Dieron. The Word hired several small mercenary forces to garrison Dieron, and placed these units under the 8th Division's command Units in the Capellan Theater split up into two forces attempting to capture Slocum and St. Andre. With WarShip support, the 8th managed to capture Slocum, but heavy resistance on St. Andre repulsed elements of the Division off world.

In late 3070, the unit's forces unified and struck St. Ives with 17th Division and the mercenary unit Simonson’s Cutthroats. Fighting on the planet turned against the 8th its allied forces taking heavy losses, but it had caused significant damage to the planet. The unit was believed heavily damaged and reduced to only raiding forces.

In June 3071 the 8th Division forces on Dieron were withdrawn and joined their colleagues in the Capellan Theater. The 19th Division took over the garrison duties of Dieron.

The 8th Division went to Sian, where its first assignment was to destroy the independent Capellan patrols before they could report back to their commanders. This increased the confusion of the Strategios and hampered the defense. Attempting to seize the Sian Center for Martial Disciplines, the 8th and 24th Divisions faced off against the Red Lancers, Warrior House Imarra, and the 3rd Canopian Fusiliers. The Capellan and Magistracy troops didn't understand that their opponents were using live ammunition until their fellows started to die.

The unit joined forces with the 24th Division, with aid from Kali Liao's Warrior Houses White Tiger and Rakshasa in 3074. The units assaulted the Celestial Palace together, but Warrior House White Tiger attacked the Rakshasa troops. When the Blakists attempted to drive off the White Tigers, the Tigers attacked them as well. In the confusion, the CCAF defenders attacked the Blakist forces. The Blakist units, including the 8th, were gutted and forced to withdraw.

Disbandment

Following the damaging campaign on Sian, the 8th Division was disbanded with the survivors folded into the 2nd Division. The 2nd would subsequently be destroyed on Dieron in 3078.

Officers

As of 3062, the commanding officer of the 8th Division is Precentor VIII Alex Winningham. In 3068 Precentor XIV Alex Winningham remained in command. He also commanded the unit during its assault on Sian.

Composition History

3067

• Lost Memories III-Theta - CO: Precentor VIII Alex Winningham

• Forbidden Fruit III-Mu - CO: Precentor XII Llewellyn Licht

• Steel Rain III-Gamma - CO: Demi-Precentor (Precentor VII) Mary Stahl

• Heathunters III-Kappa - CO: Demi-Precentor (Precentor VI) John Flakne

Notes

Game Rules

Due to their skill in small-unit actions in 3062, the 8th receives a +1 to Initiative when operating in Level II or smaller formations.

Bibliography

• Jihad: Final Reckoning
• Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents
• Jihad Turning Points: Dieron
• Jihad Turning Points: Sian