The History of the 13th Cadian Rifles
It is
known that the Imperium is made up of superstitious people, afraid of things
where saner people would clearly say otherwise. The Imperial Guard is an place
where superstition is replaced with a solid faith in the Emperor and an weapon
in your hands. There is nothing to fear for that what bleeds can be killed,
right?
For
several millennia the 13th Cadian regiment has been the subject of
superstition. 13 is a number of bad luck, correct? This was so deeply rooted in
with the Departmento Munitorum that they forbade the deployment of the regiment
anywhere else besides on Cadia. But after several millennia it was becoming more
awkward and shameful to be the only regiment with no honours sown on it’s holy
fabric, to be the only regiment that was an PDF unit that has never partaken in
any severe fighting other then minor incursions of chaos raiders.
It
was decreed by the Lord Castellan of Cadia that the 13th regiment was
to be sent to war, to baptise the regiment, for even the Castellan could not
bare to see the grief of the commanders who were forced to command the 13th.
Hence, the 13th had it’s ranks filled with veterans and platoons
from other regiments, to give it some combat experienced personal. They would
train the other less experienced troops during transit.
The
Castellan decreed that the regiment would join with the nearest Imperial Crusade
and join them in their sacred task. They were to link up with Task Force Chimera,
which was on route to the Eastern Fringes, to help defend worlds against Tau
invaders and Chaos raiders. Where ever they went, a victory was produced. Where they landed, their banners were unfurled and held high, for all to see. And with each battle, a new honour was added. And with each honour, they grew closer to succeeding in their task.
The 13th
would fight in the same spirit as the other regiments, enforcing the Emperor’s
will and Cadia’s honour with great skill and pride, fending off viscious xeno
attacks and supressing seperatist uprisings swiftly.
During the years of front-line fighting they lost key equipent due to loss or damage. But they also acquired several persona that would bolster the depleted ranks and aid in the constant struggle. First and foremost amongst these are several platoons of Aracani militia, who's hearts warmed to the Imperial cause and decided to join the crusades. They made for excellent cannon fodder and diversionairy attacks. The old sanctioned psykers, all long executed or killed were replaced by local wyrds and in some cases, supplied by the Ordo Hereticus in the form of penitent witches. These tortured husks were always to their limits in an effort to make them die for the cause.
