Catachan Jungle Fighters
From Lexicanum
Catachan Jungle Fighters are Imperial Guard regiments from Catachan. They have the well-deserved reputation of being the deadliest experts of jungle warfare in the galaxy. Their homeworld of Catachan is a jungle deathworld, where natural selection ensures only the best survive. Extremely resourceful and uncompromising warriors, they are deadly up close with their specialised close combat blades or from ambush with their lasguns. In jungle terrain they are unsurpassed, with each Catachan being worth ten of any other regiment.1
| Basic Data | Example Miniature | |
| Regiment Name: | Catachan Jungle Fighters |
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| Homeworld: | Catachan | |
| Specialties: | Jungle Warfare | |
Organization
Catachan regiments generally lack Commissars. Even these tough and uncompromising officers are unable to assert their authority over the Catachan soldiers; in fact, they are resented by troops, and it is not uncommon for Commissars assigned to Catachan regiments to be "fragged" by their own troops. Ogryns however - who may well have evolved on Catachan themselves - commonly fight in Catachan regiments.
Due to their heavily developed physiques, normal human Catachans are sometimes referred to as "baby Ogryns."
- Battle Style
They make extensive use of traps, mines and other unpleasant surprises. They use traps, Spring Mines, Shredder Mines and Plasma Charges, each specializing in killing certain types of troops.
- Appearance & Uniform
The Catachan Jungle Fighters are based on real world US Marines during the Vietnam War in the 60s and 70s.
- Battles
The Catachan Jungle Fighters are known to have fought on Epsion Octarus against the Orks of Warboss Grubnak at his Gargant construction site.6
- Weapons & Equipment
Catachans make use of many close combat weapons including the Catachan Fang, measuring up to 20 inches of gleaming steel, which is the most common weapon. It is also used for settling disputes between Catachans. Another knife is the Night Reaper, which is smaller and blackened, effective in night infiltration and assassinations. They are sometimes poisoned to improve their kill strength, the poisons coming directly from Catachan. The Devil's Claw, named after the great predator on Catachan, is the longest weapon, up to four feet long. It is closer to a sword than a knife and has achieved status among the Orks who call it 'Da Cutta'. The blade is hollow and half filled with mercury in order to improve swing strength and control, and the design of this weapon has been copied by Catachan regimental officers for use as a power weapon.
As specialists in ambush tactics, the Jungle Fighters also make notable use of demolition charges and improvised explosives, as well as possessing their own sniper cadre.
Their preferred heavy and special weapons are the Flamer and Heavy Bolter.1
Notable Regiments
Catachan II
The Catachan 2nd are made up of many Catachan Devil Squads. They presumably took part in the Battle of Moden's Ridge, during the Yaquit 27 Campaign, fighting the L'Huraxi. Nork Deddog is also known to have served under Colonel Greiss within the 2nd regiment.1
Catachan III "Green Devils"
- Notable Members
- Captain Rock - commented on the similarities between Varestus Prime and Catachan (see Quotes Imperial Guard)
Catachan IV
The Catachan 4th took part in the Macharian Crusade and were wiped out during the Invasion of Jucha.5-p9
Catachan V
The Catachan 5th took part in the Macharian Crusade and met fierce resistance during the Invasion of Jucha.5-p9
Catachan VI
The Catachan 6th "The Cobras" 7-p104 took part in the Macharian Crusade and were deployed from the Battlecruiser Opus Dei during the Invasion of Jucha.5-p9
Catachan XI
Catachan XII
The Catachan 12th took part in the Macharian Crusade and deployed from the Battlecruiser Defiance during the Invasion of Jucha.5-p9 They also fought during the 13th Black Crusade.5-p9
Catachan XIV
The Catachan 14th took part in the Macharian Crusade and were victorious in their objectives during the Invasion of Jucha.5-p9
Catachan XVII
The Catachan 17th, or the 'Screaming Devils'5-p30, is led by Captain Thorn and includes the famous Sniper Dell, who won the Silver Bullet seven years in a row.2
Catachan XVIII "the Swamprats"
The Catachan 18th fought Tyranids in a seven year campaign on Koralkal VIII, during which they covered themselves with the ichor of the Lictors to mask their scent. They subsequently spent two years in decontamination before they were allowed to return to active duty. A notable member is Colonel Gator1-p6. They also have a Thunderer Siege Tank as part of their forces.3-p76
Catachan XIX "Scorpion Fangs"
The Catachan 19th is known to include a Mars pattern Leman Russ Exterminator, the third tank of the third squadron of the only company supporting the rest of the regiment. Equipped with a bulldozer blade to aid it in fighting in Armageddon Secundus.3-p51
Catachan XXIII
The Catachan 23rd fought on an unstated jungle world against the Eldar.
Catachan XXIV "The Waiting Death"
The "Waiting Death" are known for their extensive use of traps. They destroyed Warlord Krakskull's entire Ork horde with a single massive pit trap.
Catachan CXLVI "Red Cobras"
Catachan CCCXCI "Coiling Cobras"
The Catachan 391st are also known as the 'Coiling Cobras'.5-p30
Notable Catachan Jungle Fighters
- Sly Marbo - Sniper, considered a 'One Man Army'
- Colonel 'Iron Hand' Straken - Regimental leader, chest and arm bionics
- Colonel Greiss
- Nork Deddog - Ogryn bodyguard
Miniatures Range
Sources
- 1:Codex: Catachans (3rd Edition)
- 2:Codex: Imperial Guard (3rd Edition, 1st Codex)
- 3:Imperial Armour Volume 1 - Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy
- 4:Codex: Tyranids (4th Edition)
- 5:Codex: Imperial Guard (3rd Edition, 2nd Codex)
- 6:Codex: Imperial Guard (2nd Edition)
- 7:US White Dwarf 286 November 2003

