Red Squadron
Red Squadron was a Sword Frigate squadron which fought in Battlefleet Gothic during the Gothic War.[1a]
History
What little history is known of Red Squadron comes from a report by Commodore Vandez in 144.M41, commander of 202nd Red Squadron which consisted of four Sword class frigates.[1b]
Pre-Gothic War
Before the Gothic War, 202 Red Squadron (or at least its commander) seems to have been in Bhein Morr, defending it from pirates and raiders, such as the Eldar and Fra'al.[1b]
Gothic War
After reports from guardian stations in the Lukitar system of an energy pulse of unimaginable magnitude, Vandez proceeded with 202 Red Squadron at full power to investigate, confirming the reports during 2nd Dog Watch, 19th day of Aphrodael. Among the crew this caused fearful whisperings of the Planet Killer, which had not been sighted since Abaddon's attack on Blackstone IV. By the 9th Watch they had visual confirmation of Abaddon's fleet of several capital ships and a dozen escorts heading in-system with a Blackstone Fortress, now looking different, more organic and somehow alive, with surveyors picking up several weapon systems not of Imperial construction building up energy to fire despite the range.[1b]
The Blackstone Fortress proved almost impregnable to the weapons of those few who managed to fight through to attack it and pummeled Lukitar station to rubble, taking only a few minutes with all its armaments (the like of which Vandez had never seen, even on Eldar pirate or Fra'al raider vessels) brought to bear.[1b]
Vandez proceeded with all speed to Brinaga, only a seven light year warp jump away, where Blackstone VI was stationed, to warn them of the attack, believing that the renegades would attempt to capture another Blackstone Fortress. Even with Vandez's warning there were few available ships left to defend Blackstone VI. As with the capture of the first Fortress, the Chaos followers had some means of controlling the Blackstone Fortresses from afar, able to shut down its power systems and turn it into a deathtrap for the tens of thousands of personnel aboard. Brinaga system fell to Abaddon four months after the attack on Lukitar.[1b]202nd Red Squadron was destroyed during the battle.[2]
Sister Squadrons
Sources
