OVERVIEW OF THE BATTLE ( III, IV, V ) COMPANY STRUCTURE The Dark Angels chapter differs from codex chapters in many ways. The most outstanding features are the Deathwing and Ravenwing companies. Partly as a result of the creation of the Ravenwing Company, the battle line reduced to three battle companies. Their composition and strength too altered because of their unique needs. The third, Fourth and Fifth companies are standard battle companies. Command Each of the battle companies are commanded by their respective company masters. As described previously, these are usually of grandmaster rank, though those with the rank of master may also be in that position. In addition to the master of the company, a number of specialists are also assigned to the company from their various sub-commands. Each company is thus assigned a chaplain, an apothecary and a techmarine as standard deployment from their respective commands. The first squad in each company contains the most experienced troops. The commander of such a squad is invariably at least of a veteran sergeant rank and remain in the same position when promoted to that of brother-captain. This provides the essential second order commander whether to command a second element of the company or to takeover from an incapacitated master of the company. Master of the Third company Master Belial Master of the Fourth Company Master Sheol Master of the Fifth Company Master Sammael Battle Line Complement Each battle company consists of ten squads of ten Dark Angel space marines. The squad commander is the sergeant, who may, depending on his battle honours and achievements, be promoted to a veteran sergeant. Each battle company comprises of six tactical squads, two assault squads and tow devastator squads. Within the tactical squads the three most experienced battle brothers are further chosen for special honours within the squad. The most experienced is given the status of veteran prime within the squad. He acts as the sergeant's deputy and when in battle, can command a combat squad of five men while the sergeant leads the other half. The other two veterans are each given the honour of wielding the squad's special weapons and heavy weapons. A similar hierarchy exists within the assault squads, but the weapons specialists are armed with plasma pistols, more useful in the close assault. Within the devastator squads, the most honoured are those four who are allocated the heavy weapons. Company Armoury Within the company, each squad is allocated a rhino transport. Where the Dark Angels differ from the Codex Astartes is that they have a smaller complement of rhino MkII APC transports (12 instead of the allocated 15) and have six razorback IFVs assigned to their companies. Another difference is the singular lack of bikes, attack bikes and land speeders from the three battle companies, these being concentrated within the Ravenwing Company. OVERVIEW OF THE RESERVE COMPANY STRUCTURE ( VI, VII, VIII, IX ) The reserve companies of the Dark Angels chapter closely resemble those of the codex chapters. Each contains ten similar squads. These are uSed to bolster the battle companies when need or on occasion take to the field of battle in company formation at strategic locations, where their particular expertise becomes crucial. Command Each of the reserve companies are commanded by their respective company masters. As described previously, these are usually of grandmaster rank, though those with the rank of master may also be in that position. In addition to the master of the company, a number of specialists are also assigned to the company from their various sub-commands. Each company is thus assigned a chaplain, an apothecary and a techmarine as standard deployment from their respective commands. The first squad in each company contains the most experienced troops. The commander of such a squad is invariably at least of a veteran sergeant rank and remain in the same position when promoted to that of brother-captain. This provides the essential second order commander whether to command a second element of the company or to takeover from an incapacitated master of the company. Battle Line Complement Each reserve company consists of ten squads of ten Dark Angel space marines. The squad commander is the sergeant, who may, depending on his battle honours and achievements, be promoted to a veteran sergeant. Each reserve company comprises of ten squads of the same type depending on the company. The sixth and seventh companies comprise of ten tactical squads each, the seventh contains ten assault squads and the eighth maintains ten devastator squads. Within the tactical squads the three most experienced battle brothers are further chosen for special honours within the squad. The most experienced is given the status of veteran prime within the squad. He acts as the sergeant's deputy and when in battle, can command a combat squad of five men while the sergeant leads the other half. The other two veterans are each given the honour of wielding the squad's special weapons and heavy weapons. A similar hierarchy exists within the assault squads, but the weapons specialists are armed with plasma pistols, more useful in the close assault. Within the devastator squads, the most honoured are those four who are allocated the heavy weapons. Both squads also have their own veteran prime and sergeant. Company Armoury Within the company, each squad is allocated a rhino transport. Where the Dark Angels differ from the Codex Astartes is that they have a smaller complement of rhino MkII APC transports (12 instead of the allocated 15) and have six razorback IFVs assigned to their companies. |
This entire section is one attempt to describe the long history of the Dark Angels in a linear form. Every known piece of history and event based on GW publications has been written in my own words and linked together in a reasonably plausible manner by additional fiction. This is in no way the official GW version nor is it in anyway an attempt to infringe on their IP. There are many versions of imperial history buried within the sands of time and this is but just one of them. Read on if you dare! |
BATTLE & RESERVE COMPANIES Dark Angels Chapter Chronicled By ( Shadow Guard ) |
CODEX ASTARTES ANGELUS MORTIS |
The sixth company contains adequate numbers of space marine bikes and attack bikes for the entire company to be deployed on such vehicles. Similarly the seventh company also maintains adequate land speeders including the tempest, typhoon and tornado variants. These do not belong to the revered Ravenwing Company. They are standard equipment allowing the flexibility of rapid response. This allows each company to deploy in full strength using bikes or land speeders. These companies also usually provide the crew complement for the armoured vehicles assigned to battle groups from the chapter armoury. |
