Per Usual: Images and links are from Lexicanum or the Warhammer 40k wiki

And all things Warhammer are owned by Games Workshop and do not forget it.

This is going to be more of a cut and paste, I will bringing in information from the Warhammer 40k Lexicanum, the first link above because this weekend I somehow abused my back enough (probably by just existing) that I have been barely able to move or even sit for any length of time.  So I will be relying much more on the Lexicanum   So the Death Korp of Kreig – religious zealots with absolutely no sense of self preservation and see death as the only way to have peace, like I mentioned before they are the only Korp allowed to produce regiments that use combined arms – tanks, artillery, cavalry, and troops.  And I do mean cavalry in the old sense as they actually do use horses, well at least before they were genetically tweaked, they were horses, now, not so much.  To the info which again is provided by Lexicanum 

Tactical Role

Death Riders fulfill a number of roles within Death Korps siege regiments. As battlefield reconnaissance units they take the place of Sentinels and ride out far ahead of or on the flanks of the main force to scout the enemy’s disposition, and are used as shock-troops to smash through the enemy’s battlelines. They are also held back as mobile reserves during battle, either to counter-attack or press a breakthrough themselves. Once the enemy has been routed Krieg infantry will hold their freshly-captured position while the Death Riders mercilessly pursue the fleeing survivors, a function for which they have gained a bloody reputation.^[1]

Death Rider units are organized into companies, which are further broken down into squadrons. Each squadron consists of ten riders, including a Ridemaster to lead them. Each company consists of six squadrons led by a five-man command squadron, including a Lieutenant.^[2b]

Equipment

Death Riders for the most part carry the same equipment as infantrymen with some notable exceptions. Their uniforms are the same except they are issued tall, hardwearing riding boots instead of the low marching boots and an ornamental breastplate. Made of plasteel with a chrome facing, the cumbersome item is worn more out of tradition than anything else, and often discarded to save weight when performing reconnaissance missions. For long-range patrols extra supplies of rations, chemical filters and other important necessities are carried in saddlebags. Instead of the standard respirator Death Riders are issued the Type V model, which is identical save that the regulator unit is carried in a canister and worn on their back.^[2a]

The Death Rider’s primary weapon is the Hunting Lance, a hollow lightweight metal shaft measuring 3.5 meters long and tipped with a shaped charge spear point. Upon impact a small explosive is detonated, with the blast and fragmentation effect is directed forwards towards the enemy, and the lance is discarded. Though useful in an initial charge it is unwieldy in close quarters combat. His back-up weapon is a 95 cm long heavy-bladed sword used specifically for thrusting: ending in a sharp “spear” point the blade is designed to resist buckling upon impact during a charge, while the bowl hand guard provides additional protection and the weapon’s grip causes it to naturally align with the arm when extended. A laspistol, while also carried, is seen as a weapon of last resort and ill-suited for normal usage.^[2a]

The most impressive piece of equipment issued to Death Riders are their horses. The product of extreme genetic engineering, these distant relatives of ancient Terran horses are grown in vitaegenic cloning vats beneath the surface of Krieg and under the watchful eye of the Adeptus Mechanicus Magos Biologis, who individually number brand them. Nearly hairless, with a longer neck and broader shoulders and girth, these horses’ superior strength and splayed feet allow them to power through thick mud and leap trenchlines easily, while numerous additional organs including osmotic lungs allow them to survive unscathed on even the most toxic battlefield. Sub-dermal organic armoring and a fully-integrated drug injection system with combat stimulants and palliatives not only makes Krieg horses fearless in battle but far more aggressive than normal and virtually impossible to put down short of massive bodily trauma. However the horse’s unstable body chemistry must be constantly monitored by the Death Rider and counterbalanced with additional chemicals.^[1][2a]

Other Units and their equipment and roles, again credited to  Lexicanum 

Equipment

Uniform

The heavy greatcoat is the most distinctive part of the Death Korps uniform, a warm and waterproof coat made locally on Krieg of thick cloth in a variety of colours. Double-breasted with brass buttons, the greatcoat itself can provide limited protection, but is further reinforced against biological and chemical agents through a chemical impregnating process which gives it a pungent smell. The soldier’s regimental tag is a distinctive colour and shape, such as a red square, which is assigned by high command prior to a campaign and stitched to his greatcoat’s collar. Matching trousers are held close to the legs through leg-bindings, while the standard-issue low marching boots use hob-nailed soles for grip and include an anti-vesicant dubbing kit which can be rubbed in to seal against chemical attacks. The standard-issue Mark IX helmet is made of plasteel and constructed to ensure a good fit around the gasmask; ventilation is provided through a top spine, which has its own internal filter to keep out biological and chemical agents. Plasteel shoulder pads are buckled to the greatcoat and embossed with rank insignia in the case of Watchmasters and higher ranks. When worn together with his respirator a Death Korps soldier in full uniform is completely sealed against any contaminated environment.^[2a]

In contrast to the typical Death Korps mindset of conformity over individuality, as per Departmento Munitorum regulations officer uniforms must be distinguishable from the rank and file so that they may provide inspiration and authority on the battlefield. They are therefore often tailor-made for the individual and produced from superior-quality material; as many officers will come from Death Rider units they will also incorporate elements of their previous uniform, such as the tall riding boots and breastplate. Officers wear a variation of the Mark IX helmet with distinctive decoration and a red sash for additional battlefield identification purposes.^[3b]

Personal Gear

The three-piece respirator unit issued to every Death Korps guardsman is what gives them the ability to operate in any toxic environment. The first piece, a regulator unit, is carried inside a leather satchel buckled to his webbing and is the most complex part of the system. A battery-powered fan draws in air, which is passed through particle filters and air-quality samplers, before being pumped up through an air pipe into the guardsman’s gasmask. An exterior display panel provides information on the regulator’s functionality and the toxicity of the surrounding air, while the use of a “positive pressure” breathing method means the constant flow of air will prevent toxic particles from entering through any compromised sections. The regulator also includes antidote chemicals which can be introduced into the incoming air and a water supply, supplemented by soluble stimulants and nutrient tablets, connected to the gasmask by a separate pipe. Both air and water pipes are protected by an exterior hose that screws into the gasmask through a brass breather valve, which contains an additional filter and non-return valve. The gasmask itself consists of a bag, a screw attachment for the breather valve and eye-pieces made of a double layer of toughened glass treated with an anti-fogging compound.^[2a] Staff officers, who will spend most of their time inside sealed command bunkers, are issued lightweight respirators which lack the large regulator unit and so are useful for only short exposure times.^[3b]

Leather webbing with carrying straps and pouches allows the Death Korps infantryman to carry additional gear including maintenance kits, replacement filters, and antidote vials. A leather backpack buckles to the webbing shoulder straps and provides additional carrying capacity, including a bedroll/waterproof shelter-half and dry-tin canister for storing perishables against the environment. A small entrenching tool is also issued to all Krieg guardsmen and worn on the belt, with larger mattocks and shovels provided as needed.^[2a] Death Korps officers are issued a small refractor field generator, typically disguised as jewelery or decoration such as a gorget, for their own personal protection.^[3b]

Personal & Support Weapons

Every Death Korps infantryman is given the standard-issue Lucius pattern no. 98 Lasgun as their primary weapon. Operating at a higher charger range than other lasguns gives the weapon more punch but drains the powerpack after only twenty-five shots and results in a slower recharge rate. In addition he is also issued as standard one no. 38 Frag Grenade, although more will be provided prior to an attack, as well as Krak Grenades. Finally his Close Combat Weapon is a heavy bladed 45 cm long sword-bayonet, which can be attached to his lasgun’s bayonet lug. Bayonet drills are practiced at an early age, and such is their proficiency with the weapon that the bayonet charge remains a preferred tactic among Krieg commanders.^[2a] Krieg officers also arm themselves, although for those serving at the regimental level it is more of a matter of protocol and ritual rather than practicality. Often these will be a Laspistol and sabre, holdovers from their time as a Death Rider, while many will choose to carry other weapons as a personal preference.^[3b]

Meltaguns are the preferred special weapon used to support Death Korps infantry squads, however they also make use of Flamers, Plasma Guns and Grenade Launchers. Among heavy weapons squads the Heavy Bolter is the preferred weapon but they will also make use of Autocannons, twin-linked Heavy Stubbers, Lascannons and Mortars.^[2f][5]

Vehicles

During the rebellion on Krieg the increasingly under-equipped militia began to create their own combat vehicles, often variants of civilian vehicles which were heavily modified. This led to the creation of many unique vehicles such the Götterdämmerung, the Blitzen, the Bruennhilde, the Siegfried and the Ragnarok. Since the war’s conclusion these vehicles have continued to serve in limited fashion in other conflicts, such as the Baran War.^[6]

For the most part Death Korps siege and armoured regiments make use of the Leman Russ Battle Tank and its variants, including the Vanquisher, Exterminator, Executioner, Conqueror, Eradicator, Punisher and Annihilator, with preference towards siege tanks such as the Demolisher and Thunderer. Even the Destroyer is used by Krieg units. These tanks are often heavily modified so as to better survive the toxic, trench-crossed battlefield, typically with Dozer Blades, trench rails, and additional filters to prevent the poisonous atmosphere from affecting the crew or engine^[2e]

Siege regiments do not normally use the ubiquitous Chimera for transport, instead preferring the Gorgon to transport infantry across no-man’s land when necessary, while command and grenadier squads often use the Centaur.^[2c] Hades Breaching Drills are also used to circumvent trench lines. However, other formations such as armoured regiments will employ the Chimera and its variants the Salamander Command and Salamander Scout, along with the Sentinel.^[7b] Other vehicles used by Death Korps regiments of all types include the Hydra, Hellhound and Cyclops, while the Atlas and Trojan provide noncombat support. Super-heavy support includes the Malcador and Macharius and their variants, plus the Baneblade, Shadowsword, Stormsword, and Stormblade and the rare Minotaur.^[8]

Many thanks to Lexicanum for the information, I would have loved to have been able to add more of my own personal views, but health and time are not permitting this evening.

Next week a look at one of the famous jungle fighters from Catachan – Sly Marbo and many of his exploits.

Till next week and take care of your back.