Albion Ironsides

The Albion Ironsides are a Loyalist Imperial Army Regiment raised on Terra at the conclusion of the Unification Wars from the region of Albia. They are unique amongst the mortal soldiery of the Excertus Imperialis in that they utilize armaments normally reserved for the Legiones Astartes, Power Armor and Dreadnoughts. However these are not the advanced models in use today but the comparatively primitive ones found in the technology inclined nations of pre-Unification Terra. Despite this or perhaps because of it they are one of the most renowned and feared fighting forces outside of the Space Marine Legions.

History
As one of the Old Hundred the Albion Ironsides' origins are in the final days of the Unification Wars, when the Emperor came to their homeland of Albia. Their people had survived Old Night through their mastery of technology and fierce martial culture, resisting tenaciously against any attempts at conquest. When invaded they would retreat from the lowlands to their mountainous holdfasts and later launch sallies that shattered the enemy forces at a dozen difference places.

Rather than subject his forces to such a fate the Emperor, alone, unarmored, and unarmed, met with the clan chiefs. What transpired has never been made public but the day after the Emperor returned to his forces the clan chiefs went to the Imperial camp and dipped their banners in deference to the Emperor's authority. Their forces were reorganized into the Albion Ironsides, a shrewd decision both politically and militarily. With the Ironsides off fighting for the Imperium amongst the stars and the most fit of each generation being dispatched to replenish the regiment's numbers they could pose no threat to the Emperor's powerbase on Terra.

If the Ironsides were aware and cared about the hidden meaning behind Emperor's decision they never let it diminish their fighting spirit. Their unique tactics and disposition made them fast friends with the warriors of the Tenth Legion, who would later be known as the Obsidian Guard. Swiftly the Ironsides were assigned to the Obsidian Guard's principle Expeditionary Fleet, the 38th. The blood of Albia was shed alongside that of Feuerstadt on many a battlefield throughout the Great Crusade, Halcyon Age, and the dark days of the Ruins.

Training
Raised in a martial culture the Ironsides can fight as soon as they can hold a blade and rifle, driving as soon as they can reach the pedals, and wearing heavy armor as soon as they are strong enough to bear its weight. In this manner the most capable warriors rise above their peers and are chosen to join their forefathers in the Ironsides. Before shipping off they are put through a suitably rigorous training course covering weapons use, mechanics, tactics, and other necessary skills. Over half the candidates fail but the other half join the ranks of the elite of the Imperial Army.

Equipment
As stated earlier the armament of the Ironsides is what truly separates them from all their fellow Imperial Army soldiers, armor so advanced only the battleplate of the Emperor's genhanced warriors is superior and a small contingent of Proto-Dreadnoughts carefully maintained by the Ironsides' Enginseers. Likewise they have an above average quantity of special weaponry, making use of Volkite, Plasma, and in the case of senior officers Bolt weapons.

On the subject of vehicles they have a vast armory of Aurox Armoured Personnel Carriers and Carnodon Battle Tanks

Tactics
The Albion Ironsides' favoured tactics involve a sudden and focused armored assault upon an enemy position to break through the enemy then flood the opening with mechanized forces. Albeit risky the Ironsides won innumerable victories in such a manner, though not without significant casualties.

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