Re: [Epic] IG and Planetary Assault Landings

From: Chris Miller <ironstar_at_...>
Date: Thu, 1 Jan 1998 00:07:38 -0600

>Armored divisions and mech. infantry take quite a bit long to deploy due to
>their "heavy gear", without which they are very ineffective. The vast
>majority of such equipment is transported by sea due to weight limitations
>of aircraft. Also the heavy divisions are able to sustain operations
>longer without resupply than light divisions.
> -Mike
>
>
----------> The only problem I have with this comparison is that from
Real-World examples we have two methods of deployment - air & sea.
Air-mobile units tend to be moveable in hours to days but are lightly
equipped. Sea-transportable units are deployed in days to weeks but have the
heavy stuff. Main reasons for this split is that it's hard to move an M1A2
by aircraft.

Fine.

But in 40K, we have one method of transport - Space travel.
So, to me the issue isn't who has the heavy equipment, etc, but who is
ORGANIZED in such a fashion as to be a rapid-reaction force, whos ships are
made to do this, etc. All the fluff sets up Marines to perform this role.
They clear a beachead , and the IG lands within and begins grinding it out.

Given this, since technology is not a limiting factor, but organization , in
the vastness of the imperium, you might have a guard force set up for rapid
reaction, but it would probably be a one-time thing - once the IG lands,
they tend to stay there. It also leads to the intersting concept of a titan
legion rapid-deployment force...

Oh, and as far as the Tyranid invasion meaning some IG has to go in as
assault troops, well, um, the location of the fleet is not exactly unknown ,
so what the IG does is reinforce worlds in the area _before_ they get
invaded - troops pouring in and the Imperial fleet staying in system in
anticipation of an attack.

Chris Miller
Received on Thu Jan 01 1998 - 06:07:38 UTC