Hyrkan Regiments
The Hyrkan Regiments were Imperial Guard Regiments raised from the planet Hyrkan.[1a][3]
Contents
Overview
The first Founding from Hyrkan, approximately 20 years before the beginning of the Sabbat Worlds Crusade, raised six infantry regiments for the Imperial Guard, a total of six thousand men.[1a] These proved effective enough to justify further recruitment from Hyrkan afterwards.[3]
The commander of the initial Hyrkan Regiments was General Caernavar. In addition, the chief political officer provided for all six regiments at their Founding was Commissar-General Delane Oktar, whose progressive command and discipline style was based around principles of unity, honour, and the value of the individual Guardsman. Oktar's martial philosophy was drilled into the Hyrkan officers and at least one Cadet-Commissar, Ibram Gaunt, who came under his purview.[1a]
Doctrine
Due to the command philosophy of the regiments, Hyrkan battle-style was based around 'selecting the right tools for the job', with a notable de-emphasis on straightforward massed infantry assaults. Before military actions, the abilities of each trooper were considered when assigning battlefield roles.[1a]
Although the Hyrkans were considered well-drilled and disciplined soldiers, they were noted by Commissar Ibram Gaunt to compare unfavourably to other regiments when it came to scouting and reconnaissance operations.[3]
Weapons & Equipment
The standard Hyrkan uniform was dark grey, with beige webbing and forage caps. Winter battledress included camouflaged gloves and greatcoats.[1a]
Though classified as infantry, the Hyrkan make use of attached field-artillery pieces.[1a]
Notable Engagements
- Darendara[1a]
- Gylatus Decimus[1b]
- Khedd 1173[1d]
- Pashen Nine-Sixty[1c]
- Sorsarah[4]
- Khulen[5]
- Sabbat Worlds Crusade[3]
- 13th Black Crusade[2]
Known Hykran Regiments
- Hyrkan Fifth[1d]
- Hyrkan Sixth — a.k.a. Hyrkan 6th Regiment.[1d][2]
- Hyrkan Eighth[3]
Notable Personnel
- Caernavar — General. Commanding officer of the first Hyrkan Regiments to be founded.[1a]
- Delane Oktar — Commissar-general. Chief political officer of the first Hyrkan Regiments to be founded.[1a] Poisoned to death on Gylatus Decimus.[1b]
- Ibram Gaunt — Served with the Hyrkan Regiments while in training as a Cadet Commissar.[1a] Remained with the regiments after promotion to full Commissar rank[1b][1c] until the aftermath of the Battle of Balhaut, being promoted to the rank of Colonel-Commissar and given command of the Tanith Regiments by Warmaster Slaydo.[4]
- Tanhause — Major.[1a]
- Walthem — Trooper[1a]
See also
Sources
- 1: First and Only (Novel) — The Founding (Omnibus)
- 1a: A Memory: Darendara, Twenty Years Earlier, pgs. 37-43 (Interstitial between Parts One and Two)
- 1b: A Memory: Gylatus Decimus, Eighteen Years Earlier, pgs. 69-70 (Interstitial between Parts Two and Three)
- 1c: Part Five, Chapter One
- 1d: A Memory: Khedd 1173, Sixteen Years Earlier (Interstitial between Parts Five and Six)
- 2: The 13th Black Crusade (Background Book), pg. 91
- 3: A Ghost Return (Short Story) — The Founding (Omnibus)
- 4: Of Their Lives in the Ruins of Their Cities (Short Story) — The Founding (Omnibus)
- 5: Honour Guard (Novel) — The Saint (Omnibus), Chapter Eleven
