Death Korps Grenadier

A Death Korps Grenadier is an individual guardsman that is a member of a strong and sizable elite force within the larger Death Korps of Krieg Imperial Guard Regiments that hail from the post-nuclear Death World of Krieg in the Segmentum Tempestus. Grenadiers are chosen from the ranks of infantry squads, usually by their Watchmaster or a Commissar and recommended for appointment as a Grenadier. They are also drawn from veterans and survivors of decimated squads and platoons. This is not a promotion, as Grenadiers still carry the same rank, but they are regarded as having a seniority over rank and file Guardsmen by dint of their experience and veteran status. After serving with a Grenadier squad for a time, Krieg Guardsmen can then be returned to the infantry as a Watchmaster. Casualty rates amongst grenadiers are very high, and although service in the heavy infantry is regarded as a privilege, it is also seen as a duty. A Krieg soldier appointed to a Grenadier squad cannot refuse, and adopts the skull facemask as a symbol of accepting his fate. Statistically, eight out of ten Grenadiers are killed in action. The men behind the skull masks have accepted that they are essentially already dead.

Grenadiers are principally used by the Death Korps regiments in a heavy infantry role to form the leading edge of assault waves and smash key enemy defence points during a wider attack. Many grenadiers consider themselves already martyred in the Emperor's service and will not falter in their onslaught, regardless of the odds ranged against them. Breaking with conventional Storm Troopers training, they are never deployed by grav-chute, and instead often carry the brunt of an initial advance on foot, or as small tactical units in rapid moving Centaur carriers. Where this is the case, as well as a high proportion of special arms (such as Flamers and Meltaguns, ect.) they will also employ relatively unorthodox weapons such as Heavy Flamers in two-man teams or the squad may carry an additional Heavy Stubber to increase their firepower. Fatality rates among the Death Korps Grenadiers are very high, but it is considered an honour to be chosen to join their ranks. Their high standards of training and equipment coupled with their mental resilience ranks the Death Korps Grenadiers among the most proficient soldiers the Imperial Guard has to offer.

Uniform
The grenadier's uniform is standard issue to all Krieg infantry. The greatcoat, trousers and boots are all exactly the same as those issued to other Krieg infantry. Under their armour, grenadiers retain their normal uniform, and so wear the same colours as the rest of the regiment. Intended for deployment where the fighting is fiercest, Death Korps grenadiers are equipped with heavy carapace armour integrated into the standard Krieg wargear. This comprises the Mark IX helmet, rebreather facemask, three-piece shoulder guards, chest plate with additional abdomen plates and shin and knee guards. All are made of plasteel and reinforced with a ceramite layer for additional strength, heat resistance and weight reduction. This armour is very cumbersome, and whilst the extra protection it provides is welcomed by the grenadiers, soldiers often find it necessary to discard some parts of the armour during lengthy operations. A grenadier will often stencil their identification number on their chest plates and will add their squad numbers to their right shoulder pads. Often, the standard Mark IX helmet will have a front plate attached, with the Imperial Eagle embossed to show loyalty. A part of the grenadier's initiation into his squad, he renews his oath of allegiance to the Emperor, and this plate acts as a reminder of a grenadier's duty.

Weapons
The standard armament of the Death Korps Grenadier is the type XIV Lasgun (heavy), referred to by troops as the turbo-discharge "Hellgun" or, more rarely, the "Hotshot" lasgun. In effect, this weapon is an overpowered lasgun that fire in the 28 megathule range and is linked to a high capacity power cell worn on the back. The heavy powerpack supplies enough power to keep the weapon firing up to 200 shots, depending upon the power setting and the weapon's condition. Hellguns require a lot of maintenance, and have a reputation as being unreliable in the field. Without maintaining proper maintenance, the weapon's rate of fire will start to drop off. Hellguns are not well liked by the troops, most prefer the standard lasgun, but regulations require grenadiers to carry them, and the weapon's additional impact and damage is seen as compensation for all the weapon's faults. Although the hellgun does not have a bayonet lug, the grenadier still carries a bayonet, for hand-to-hand combat.

Additional Equipment
As well as their main weapon a Death Korps Grenadier also carries numerous anti-personal and anti-tank grenades as standard, vital when involved in close assaults against fortified enemy positions. The grenadier's belt pouches contain spare respirator filters, ration packs and the hellgun's maintenance kit. Because of their extra armour, grenadiers cannot wear the standard regulator unit. Instead they wear the type V, where the regulator unit is inside a canister that is worn on the back. This unit serves exactly the same purpose as the standard type, and contains the same filters and antidotes. Again the entire repirator is an over-pressured system.