TALLARN DESERT RAIDER
The traditional headscarf or 'Shemagh', is the distinctive garment of the Tallarn people. They are worn by everybody from that planet as a matter ot social custom. The Shemagh acts as a protection against the worse effects of the suns rays, and in the hottest conditions is sometimes worn after being soaked in water, to help reduce body temperature and prevent sunstroke. The scarf also doubles as a dust mask, rapped across the face to prevent inhaling dust and sand. Combined with goggles, this provides good protection against the worst effects of sandstorms. Other standard issue clothing (not visible here), are an linen undershirt, combat trousers, heavy-weight marching boots and leg bindings. Tallarn Imperial Guardsmen will scavenge replacement equipment, and on campaign uniforms often show minor variations. This Tallarn officers carries equipment which has much in common with all Tallarn Imperial Guardsmen. His goggles are of tinted plexiglass and leather construction and are standard issue to all Desert Raiders. They provide protection against wind-blown sand and dust, most irritant gases and the dazzling effect of strong sunlight. They are not photo-chromatic, and offer only minimal protection against sudden flashes such as photon grenade explosions. The officer still wears his No 38, Mark III plasteel shoulder pads. The right should badge bears the winged skull symbol, showing that the regimen! is a fully inducted member of the Imperial Guard. The shoulder pads attach via small buckles to the webbing. A front and rear plasteel chest and back plate can also be attached to complete the armour. These solid blocks of plasteel are regarded as too heavy by most men and are rarely used. The protective shoulder pads are often disgarded by tank crews who find them encumbering within the confines of an armoured vehicle, and feel they have little need for personal protection. His webbing and belts are made of leather and used to hang general equipment, pouches, water canteens, scabbards and holsters from. As a tank crewman, the officer has little need of extra carrying pouches, his personal kit will be stowed on his vehicle. The triple pouch cross-belt contains replacement powercells for his standard issue laspistol (his sidearm is not visible in this picture. It is usually stored in the tank). He also has a standard issue canteen, vital in Taros' climate. The officer's only visible weapon is his knife. The distinctive curved knife, known on Tallarn as the 'Khalig', comes in many shapes and sizes and is preferred by natives of Tallarn over standard issue knives or bayonets. For most Tallarn Guardsmen it is their only close combat weapon. This is a particular fine example, with a cast lion's-head pommel and ornate scabbard It was probably uniquely manufactured and awarded to the officer in recognition of a battlefield victory or a heroic action. The size of a Khalig can vary from that of a small belt knife to those the size of a sword. Powersword's also mimic the distinctive shape. The officer bears the cloth badges of his regiment on his upper left arm. Tallarn 17 is a common shoulder strip sewn onto all the men's smocks. Underneath this is the regimental arm patch, a red lion rampant on a white background. This patch is issued to all men once their training is complete and they become full members of the 'Desert Lions'. Given the badge's size and colour many choose not to sew it onto their smock to aid camouflage, and simply keep the badge amongst their personal kit instead. Imperial Guardmen are often very superstitious and many men carry personal good-luck totems, blessed by the regiment's Priests, to help protect them from misfortune or injury in battle. These small items vary widely, from the skins of animals native to their homeworld, to pendants or other jewelry, to scrolls bearing passages from the Fede Imperialis. This officer wears the Imperial Eagle badge on the right sleeve, pledging his allegiance to the Emperor, in the belief the Emperor will protect him. On his left breast this highly decorated officer displays his medals. Largest is the Honorifica Imperialis Armorum, commonly referred to as the 'Tank Battle Badge'. It is awarded for outstanding gallantry in the face of the enemy, whilst serving as crew in an armoured vehicle, and is rarely awarded. He also bears the Medallion Crimson for being wounded in the line of duty. Within the 17th Tallarn Regiment, it is traditional that any member of the regiment who has served for over five years is awarded a silk sash, regardless of rank. Worn around the waist, under the belt, it is the mark of a veteran campaigner. Men who wear the sash are viewed as senior to men of the same rank who do not bear it. The sash is usually made of the best quality material available and can be in any colour, depending on the availability of cloth.  This is Captain Suhara of the 17th Tallarn Desert Raiders Regiment. He is the commanding officer of the regiment's first Armoured company. A veteran officer of the regiment, hero of the Yarant III campaign, and bearer of the Honorifica Imperialis, he was also awarded the Medallion Crimson after being injured during the Battle of Byron's Hill.
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This rank officer wears the general service uniform issued to all members of Tallarn Imperial Guard regiments, regardless of their specific role. The Tallarn desert smock is a piece of utility clothing made of very bard wearing natural materials. The desert smock usually hangs to just above the knee in length and often has voluminous sleeves. This veteran commander has modified his smock by narrowing the sleeves, because unwieldy pieces of cloth are not practical when working within the confines of an armoured vehicle. The desert smock traditionally has no pockets, all items must be carried in the webbing pouches, backpacks or sling-bags issued to all ranks. Smocks are manufactured in a wide variety of colours, including desert camouflage patterns. Most are a brown or sandy yellow colour, although there is little standardisation even within the same regiment or company. Some maybe brown whilst others are camouflaged.