| CODEX CHAPTER SQUAD BADGES
The following pages show the tactical shoulder pad markings for each
of the squads within a typical M41 (41st Millennium) Codex Chapter.
These markings are displayed on the right shoulder pad of the Marines'
armour. In this example the rims of the shoulder pads display the Company
colour. The white tactical symbols indicate the designation of the Squad
and the numerals simply refer to the Squad number within the Company.
The Codex provides for a number of variations on this basic system and
also suggests that each Chapter periodically revise its tactical markings
in order to confound the enemy. This has led to many differences between
the many Codex Chapters. It also explains why it is that some Chapters
have varied their appearance over the course of millennia. In fact some
Scholars within the Adeptus Administratum use the changes in the Ultramarines
iconography as a means of dating ancient files and monuments. The Ultramarines
are particularly useful for this because they are the most documented
Chapter in the history of the Imperium. Even so their records are not
complete or are vague and this leads to much speculation within scholarly
circles about the exact dates for events in the distant past.
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ULTRAMARINES
COMPANY
BANNERS
A Chapter's Company standards are possibly the most revered of all of
their artefacts. On this and the following pages are displayed the Company
banners of the Ultramarines Chapter (M41). |
| 1ST COMPANY |
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VETERANS
This Company comprises the elite veteran's of the Chapter. They can
fight as either Veteran Squads or as Terminator Squads, The Veteran
Squad tactical symbol is a graphic representation of the Crux Terminates. | |
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TERMINATORS
The left shoulder pad of Terminator armour carries the large stone tactical badge
known as the Crux Terminarus. The Chapter
symbol is therefore displayed on the right pad. A number differentiates
each of the squads. | |
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The banner of the 1st Company combines a Crux Terminatus design with
an Imperial eagle and Ultramarines Chapter symbol. |
| 2ND BATTLE COMPANY |
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This shows the classic division of the Battle Company into six Tactical,
two Assault and two Devastator Squads. Traditionally the Tactical Squads
are numbered one to six, the Assault Squads as seven and eight and the
Devastators as nine and ten. | |
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This banner is very typical of a Space Marine Company banner. Its design
includes the Chapter symbol and a number of very common imperial motifs
including the double-headed eagle, laurel wreath, skull and name scroll.
These elements occur time and again on Space Marine banners. |
| 3RD BATTLE COMPANY |
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The Tactical Squad symbol is shown as a large white vertical arrow.
This is but one of a number of different symbols noted in the Codex
as being suitable to designate a Tactical Squad. | |
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This banner is the newest in the Chapter having been relatively recently
awarded to the Company for heroic actions during the First Tyrannic
War. The banner incorporates a Tyranid Warrior trophy head to mark the
famous victory. |
| 4TH BATTLE COMPANY |
The Assault Squad symbol is shown as crossed double-headed arrows.
This marking is derived from
an ancient crossed swords badge that is still in use by some Chapters. | |
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This banner displays the heraldic iron gauntlet badge of Captain Idaeus
the current commander of the 4th Company. It is a great honour for the
Chapter Master to sanction the use of personal motifs and this shows
Idaeus to be a mighty hero of the Ultramarines. |
| 5TH BATTLE COMPANY |
Devastator Squads are designated by the inverted V sign. Again this
is but one of a number of different markings described in the Codex Astartes. | |
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The Captain of the 5th Company of the Ultramarines bears the rank of
Master of the Marches and this banner displays his badges of office,
an Imperial eagle grasping a laurel wreath with skull pendant. The Master
of the Marches is one of the many honorific titles for officers within
the Chapter's Headquarters staff. |
| 6TH RESERVE COMPANY |
The 6th Company may be deployed as Tactical Squads or as Bike Squadrons
or some combination of the two. Individual Squads may be attached to the
Battle Companies to bolster their fighting strength. | |
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This banner commemorates the role of the Company in the Gerio Sector.
The 6th Company has a prominent role in the patrol sweeps of Ultramar
and neighbouring sectors. The Company fought for a year and a day to
foil the ork incursion into the forge worlds of Cassillus and Protean
and has constantly impressed Lord Macragge with its resilience and fortitude. |
| 7TH RESERVE COMPANY |
The 7th Company may he deployed as Tactical Squads or as Land Speeder
Squadrons or some combination oi she two, These Squads and Squadrons might be required to fight with other companies. | |
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The 7th Company of the Ultramarines are known within as the 'Defenders
of Caeserean'. The Company successfully defended the Imperial Capital
of Caeserean IV against the heretic army of Korus the Defiler. Legend
has it that the Ultramarines were outnumbered by a thousand to one and
yet refused to give up one building to the Chaos horde. |
| 8TH RESERVE COMPANY |
This is a powerful close combat formation as it comprises ten Assault
Squads of trained hand-to-hand fighters. These warriors can also fight as Bike
or Land Speeder Squadrons. | |
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This is a newly fabricated banner to mark the reformation of the 8th
Company. The Company had suffered hellish losses during the Alutian
Wars such that mass recruitment was required to bring the Company back
to fighting strength. The replacement squads completed their training
on Cava II in record time. |
| 9TH RESERVE COMPANY |
This Company contains the largest concentration of heavy weapons in
the Chapter. The ten Devastator Squads are most often deployed to secure and reinforce
battlefield objectives. | |
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The banner celebrates the 9th Company's status as the Devastator Reserve
and carries a traditional Ultramar design of explosion and lightning
bolts. |
| 10TH COMPANY |
| SCOUTS
Space Marine Scouts can be deployed as Scout Squads or as Scout Bike
Squadrons. There is no fixed number of Squads in the Scout Company.
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