13th/5th Imperial Army

The 13th/5th Imperial Army, also known as "Hylgar's Hellraisers," was an Imperial Army formation according to obscure but extensive records. Although this unit is listed in current Imperial records as an Imperial Guard formation of the late 41st millennium (circa 975-988.M41), there are many inconsistencies in this unit's records. The formation is listed in no contemporary order of battle and many of its elements are in fact highly archaic. What little information can be gleaned from the limited sources available is that this unit's regimental designation stands for the 13th Imperial Army of the 5th quadrant, and that the formation's original commander, Julius Hylgar, is listed as bearing multiple titles.

History
The earliest origins of the vast organisation known as the Imperial Guard can be traced back to the so-called Imperial Army of the Great Crusade at the dawn of the Age of the Imperium. At some point, either prior to, or more likely during the cataclysmic events of the Horus Heresy, the Imperial Army was dissolved and became known as the Imperial Guard. As with so much of the earliest histories of the Imperium, this transition can only be glimpsed through a limited number of sources which have survived the tide of millennia in crumbling reliquaries and data-stacks. Unfortunately, this existing records are often complicated by commentaries and postulations of later periods after much knowledge in regards to the Age of Darkness was suppressed or lost. Within the dusty pict-archives of Enfield IV, obscure by extensive records can be found on the 13th/5th Imperial Army formation of "Hylgar's Hellraiders." Though listed as a contemporary Imperial Guard regiment of the current millennium, this records is patently a later copy from an earlier reference.

This formation is listed in no contemporary order of battle, which in itself, is not unusual but for the fact that the formation's original leader, Julius Hylgar, is listed as bearing multiple titles which includes: Cardinal of Kolarne, Imperial Commander and holder of the Grand Marnier Militaris (curiously, no other references has ever been found to this title). The first title is a reference to the system in which the 13th/5th are based and the latter is a title of the Priesthood, the martial branch of the Administratum, being the Administratus Militarium (a possible precursor or antecedent of the Departmento Munitorum. No individual has been permitted both Ecclesiarchical and military ranks since the terrible events of Goge Vandire's infamous Reign of Blood and the Age of Apostasy during the 36th millennium.

Organisation
"Only in your deepest self is the truth of what you can be. And, without a doubt, that truth is terrible to hear."

- Sensei saying

The units of the 13th/5th exhibit a frankly puzzling assortment of weapons and troops, including Mutants and grav-vehicles. All such units were outlawed after the Horus Heresy according to the earliest volumes of the Tactica Imperium. Therefore, it is eminently likely that the 13th/5th date back to before this era, probably to the early 31st millennium. No conclusive information could be garnered from further investigation however. As with so much of the origins of the Imperial Guard, knowledge can only be pieced together through speculation and supposition based around known events, as Hylgar's Hellraisers aptly demonstrates.

Composition
The 13th/5th was comprised of 12 Army brigades, and Hylgar was able to call upon the services of a contingent of the Imperial Fleet, possessing three Warp-capable craft for his private use. The Hellraisers' 12 brigades were garrisoned in the Kolarne System and their headquarters was located on the paradise planet of Durla V. The garrisons were each led by a senior officer of the Imperial Army with the rank of Brigadier-General, and each brigade was divided into 10 companies, led by a Captain. The Hellraisers contained a number of Abhuman squads that were composed of Ogryns and Squats. They also had access to various heavy armoured vehicles and support weapons which included: Land Raiders, Land Speeders, Mole Mortars, Rapiers and Tarantula Sentry Guns.

Company Composition
The following is an example of the duties and composition of the 10th Company. The duties of the 10th Company were to maintain order in the Kolarne System and to protect the sector from incursions by the Orks and Eldar Corsairs. This was no easy task, and the Hellraisers were hard-pressed in the face of such a multiplicity of enemies.

Rank Structure

 * Brigadier-General (Human)
 * Lieutenant-General (Human) - Subordinate to Hylgar.
 * Company Captain (Human) - Subordinate to Lieutenant-General.
 * Lieutenant (Human) - Assistant to Company Captain.
 * Sergeant Major (Human) - Senior enlisted Guardsman. Subordinate to Captain and Lieutenant.
 * Squat Sergeant Major (Squat) - Senior enlisted Squat. Subordinate to Captain and Lieutenant.
 * Veteran Sergeant (Ogryn Command) (Human)

Specialist Ranks

 * Sanctioned Psyker

Squad Types
[[Category:I]]
 * "Tornadoes" (Tactical Squads) - 1 Sergeant, 8 Guardsmen, 1 Heavy Weapons Specialist (Flamer)
 * "Forge-Fires" (Squat Tactical Squads) - 1 Squat Sergeant, 8 Squats, 1 Heavys Weapon Specialist (Flamer)
 * "Whirlwinds" (Striker Squads) - 1 Sergeant, 8 Guardsmen, 1 Heavy Weapons Specialist (Heavy Bolter)
 * "Iron Hammers" (Squat Striker Squads) - 1 Squat Sergeant, 8 Squats, 1 Heavy Weapons Specialist (Heavy Bolter)
 * "Hurricanes" (Guard Squads) - 1 Veteran Sergeant, 9 Veteran Guardsmen (7 armed with Bolters, 1 Flamer and 1 Missile Launcher)
 * "Volcanoes" (Squat Guard Squads) - 1 Squat Veteran Sergeant, 9 Veteran Squats (7 armed with Bolters, 1 Flamer and 1 Missile Launcher)
 * "Eagles" (Reconnaissance Squads) - 1 Sergeant, 9 Guardsmen (8 Lasguns, 1 Plasma Gun)
 * "Cyclones" (Assault Squads) - 1 Sergeant, 9 Guardsmen (8 Lasguns, 1 Flamer)
 * "Thunderbolts" (Squat Assault Squads) - 1 Squat Sergeant, 8 Squats (8 Laspistols, 1 Flamer)
 * "Destroyers" (Ogryn Squads) - 1 Sergeant, 6 Ogryns (Ripper Guns and an assortment of hand weapons)