A Death Korps of Krieg Astra Militarum Story by Steve Lyons
After the Christmas break, I find myself getting back to work, but it does have an advantage – time to listen to great audio books. And who doesn’t love a bit of Astra Militarum / Imperial Guard. These tend to be the books that are most commonly released by Black Library and it was Gaunt’s Ghosts that relaunched Black Library!
Krieg by Steve Lyons (Black Library)
From the book:
Krieg is a dead world.
Fifteen hundred years ago, it declared its independence from the Imperium of Man, and paid the price. One loyal soul defied its treacherous rulers, and laid the world to waste. From these ashes emerged a unique fighting force, forged and tempered in nuclear fire…
Today, the Death Korps of Krieg lay siege to a captured hive city on the outskirts of the system-spanning Octarius War, in a desperate attempt to secure the cordon that stops untold masses of Orks and Tyranids from spilling out into the Imperium at large. The Korpsmen are relentless, ruthless, implacable, and unstoppable, even in the face of a war that seems unwinnable. How far will they go to achieve victory, and is history doomed to repeat itself?
Krieg is a two interwoven stories about the Death Korp of Krieg. The first is a current siege of a captured hive city, the second is the origin story of the regiments. And – for me at least – the origin story is the most interesting half of the book. Of course, the current day story has Orks, Tryanids, brave (or reckless) Imperial Guard, Cadians fighting alongside Death Korp troops… and an Inquisitor; but the origin story is new (to me at least) and is a great explanation of how Krieg is where it is now.
And where is it now; well it’s a dead world in the middle of nuclear winter but still able to produce regiments of renown to fight for the Emperor in all fields of the eternal war for survival. They have their rebreathers, lasguns, greatcoats, but most importantly their bravery – which could almost be called fanaticism… if that didn’t go against the Emperor.
In the past, Krieg is fighting a vicious civil war against traitors to the Emperor, and Colonel Jurten is fighting them despite being outnumbered and outgunned. The origin story included in Krieg is essential his story as well as the origin story of the regiment. And I loved it – it fits in very well with the Warhammer 40k background – it’s not good (Jurten himself talks about degrees of evil), but it does show the lengths the Imperium will go-to to keep itself alive and reminds the reader that there are no ‘good guys’ in the Warhammer 40k universe – just a lot of bad things happening and being forced on people.
And so it asks the question – ‘could you?’ or ‘could we?’; which was asked so much in 50s and 60s science fiction after the bombs were dropped on Japan in our own world. This is probably why I like Krieg so much.
Continuing my re-reading of the Dan Abnett series – Gaunts Ghosts – next up is book 6, Straight Silver
‘Commissar Gaunt and his men undertake a seemingly suicidal mission in the blood-soaked trenches of the 41st Millennium.
On the battlefields of Aexe Cardinal, the struggling forces of the Imperial Guard are locked in a deadly stalemate with the dark armies of Chaos. Commissar Ibram Gaunt and his regiment, the Tanith First and Only, are thrown headlong into this living hell of trench warfare, where death from lethal artillery is always just a moment away. The only chance for Gaunt and his lightly armed scouts to survive is to volunteer for a mission so dangerous that no one else dares accept it.’
The Ghosts are stealth and infiltration specialists, but when they are assigned to the wars on Aexe Cardinal they quickly find themselves in the middle of trench warfare… and to make matters worse the enemy has brought some very big siege guns into the war… and the trenches are under intense attack.
After repelling the first attack against their lines, Gaunt convinces the local command to use his troops in a more suitable location… but there is a catch; the Ghosts are split in two. One half is working their way through a forest – still miraculously standing after decades of war – and the other must hold the trenches… and find the location of the big guns.
Unfortunately neither mission is as it seems and the Ghosts have to explore the wood, where their own need for R&R may cause them to forget the basics, whilst those left behind in the trenches must find the guns, so they can be silenced.
Straight Silver is back to classic Ghosts (although it never went far), and I loved it. The descriptions of the battles, unlikely survival of the troopers, and death of some, whilst they infiltrate and fight their own boredom … often at the same time.
This is another novel set in the 40k universe that I was able to relate to, in a way that I sometimes struggle with Space Marines. The Imperial Guard / Astra Militarum remain just men and women… with guns and a little armour… dying in droves to keep the enemy at bay or making small progress. Straight Silver delivers on this promise.
Another great novel and a good read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
— Declan
Previous Gaunt’s Ghosts Book Reviews on Woehammer:
Continuing my re-reading of the Dan Abnett series – Gaunts Ghosts – next up is book 5, The Guns of Tanith.
‘The heretical forces of Chaos fight back in the Sabbat Worlds Crusade, cutting off Imperial forces. Gaunt and his men must recapture the key world Phantine, in order to save the Emperor’s beleaguered forces.‘
Tanith have been joined by Hivers from Verghast – and it’s rapidly becoming a noun for the new soldiers. In The Guns of Tanith Gaunt and his ghosts find themselves fighting on another planet, and being picked for a dangerous mission. They must infiltrate the chaos defenders, find their leader and kill him.
Four teams of Ghosts are assembled to take on the task, whilst the rest of the regiment stay fighting the arch enemy and preparing for the assault. Meanwhile Caffran is accused of killing a civilian and Gaunt and Hawk must try to get him free… but will they treat the Verghastites differently? The Regiment must be as one, but is that possible?
If you’re this far into the series, it’s safe to say you already enjoy the style – and it is unashamedly page turning pulp fiction – and will be eager to read Guns of Tanith… and you definitely should. Dan Abnett’s great idea to bring in new blood in the form of the Verghastites allows new stories (rivalry, and integration) that wouldn’t have been possible with just the Ghosts, but it also answers the question on many readers minds — what happens when they all die? This is the Imperial Guard after all.
The side plot involving Caffran is well done, and a welcome relief from the bullets, lasguns, and explosions — although they are included aplenty in the main plot. Meanwhile the plot races forward, with stories of daring from the infiltrators but just enough gaps in their stories that you are left wondering how exactly they proceed – a technique I really enjoyed and could be very useful as a plot hook if you like RPGs in Warhammer 40k
Another great novel and a good read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
— Declan
Previous Gaunt’s Ghosts Book Reviews on Woehammer:
Peter: Dave’s made a rather sinister looking chariot for his Slaves to Darkness. I love the snow bases Dave goes for with pops of static grass and flowers. The colour scheme is great and I can’t wait to see Dave’s army in the flesh.
Cell
Expert Level Goal:
Miniature Painted
A4
Unit of 2+ Models (Warhammer 40K)
Heavy Weapons Team
C2
Vehicle of Monster (Warhammer 40K)
Basilisk
C3
Any Model (Any System)
Chariot
E3
Fortification of Scenery (Age of Sigmar)
Temple
So that brings Dave up to 40 points for the year with all four at the Expert Level.
Peter:I said you’d been busy last month when you had finished three units, now you’ve gone and smashed that with 9 units this month! That’s an incredible pace and great quality to go with it. It was a shame I never got to use the Kruleboyz you painted up at Burning Skies.The Genestealer pose always makes me think he’s replicating the smart GIF, love it!
You’ve also managed to paint the great pile of horsemeat Kragnos up as well in the same month, that’s a massive boxed ticked for th e Bingo card. Well done, he looks great! I especially love the bronze metal.
Cell
Expert Level Goal:
Miniature Painted
A1
Hero or Character (Warhammer 40K)
Broodlord
A2
Unit of 5+ Models (Age of Sigmar)
Man-Skewer Boltboyz
A4
Unit of 2+ Models (Warhammer 40k)
Big Stabba
B1
Fortification or Scenery (Warhammer 40K)
Sector Mechanicus
B2
Unit of 2+ Models (Age of Sigmar)
Big Stabba
C1
Hero or Character (Age of Sigmar)
Killaboss with Stab-Grot
C3
Any Model (Any System)
Warmaster Squigs
C4
Unit of 5+ Models (Kill Team)
Termagaunts
C5
Hero or Character (Age of Sigmar)
Murknob with Belcha-Banna
D1
Kitbashed Model (Age of Sigmar)
Big Stabba
D2
Unit of 2+ Models (Age of Sigmar)
Man-Skewer Boltboyz
E1
Lord of War or Behemoth (AoS)
Kragnos
This brings Declan to 120 points and 11 at Expert Level.
Peter: Rhys has been cracking on with his flesh-eater courts this month, and don’t they look great! That Ghoul is painted up to an expert standard and considering Rhys has only been painting for a couple of years its incredible, he’s like a miniature painter who’s been painting for 40!
Ryan
Peter:Ryan has been playing around with LED’s in his scenery this month and I think this only adds to what is already a superbly finished piece.
Peter: Steve has been busy once more, tying to get his Crimson Fists company completed. I absolutely love the Space Marine Ancient who is a copy of the space Marine holding an Ork head on the cover of Rogue Trader. Steve, like Declan can power through a pile of models in no time. I’d love to know what both of their back logs look like.
Tony
Peter:Tony has finished of the Crimson Court, and they really look the part in that scenery, the skin just screams vampire and the red armour contrasts nicely!
He’s also done some non- metallic gold on his Steelheart’s Champions for underworlds. Look at that sword!
Peter:Will has done a fantastic job of these OBR. I always like Red and cream as a combo and they are set off nicely by their red earth basing. They’ll look great en masse in an army. Will has also started some “Wet Elves”, I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of the unit.
Continuing my re-reading of the Dan Abnett series – Gaunts Ghosts – next up is book 4, Honour Guard.
Gaunts Ghosts – Honour Guard – Black Library
‘Commissar Gaunt and his Ghosts are back in the thick of the action in a battle to defend a vital shrine-world. But the vile forces of Chaos will never allow them to hold their prize for long and as the counter-attack rages, Gaunt is sent after the most priceless relic of all: the remains of the ancient saint who first led humanity to these stars.‘
In Honour Guard, Gaunt and his Ghosts are tasked with taking a Holy Sabat city, but given impossible deadlines by the General in charge, they have to capture the city quickly… allowing chaos to blow up the city.
Gaunt is blamed for the failure and given the opportunity for one last mission before command of the Tanith First and Only is taken from him – he must recover the bones of the Saint and evacuate them from the planet before it is left to Chaos.
The Ghosts fight through an enemy who shouldn’t be there, in numbers unexpected whilst trying to reach their goal. Meanwhile some injured Ghosts try to join up with the rest of the Tanith to be with Gaunt for his last mission.
More lasguns, big guns, tanks, transports, and fighting! All with Abnett’s characteristic page turning style. This book is a great addition to the books of the Imperial Guard / Astra Militarum and shows how humans can overcome the seemingly impossible in a far future where there is only war.
Another great novel and a good read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
— Declan
Previous Gaunt’s Ghosts Book Reviews on Woehammer:
February is out of the way already, so it’s time to look at how we’ve all got on at Woehammer with our respective goals and painting pledges this month.
Peter: Dave’s smashed another one of the harder to get ones with Scenery piece for Age of Sigmar. What a piece, absolutely love the dark stone look with this one.Who doesn’t love some heavy weapons team, Lovely mix of two mortars and an Autocannon here, they look just like they’re in the thick of the action.
Declan: Dave has managed to do what I really struggle with – actually getting paint on Imperial Guard / Astra Miliatarum. These guys look like they’ve been in a fight… until you zoom in and get a suprise! The scenery is lovely and dark with lots of blood included. Dave has managed to walk the tight-rope between scenery that looks good, but won’t overshadow the toy-soldiers.
Dave:Some quick and dirty painting on the Guard, I’ve many to do but I’m pleased to get these done. I’ll definitely be using these in a lot of my lists in one form or another. I had the terrain for ages, it’s painted simply but will be great for AoS games. Happy with my progress so far, I’m working on my Minotaur this month but might do a bit of AoS for a break too.
Cell
Expert Level Goal:
Miniature Painted
A4
Unit of 2+ Models (Warhammer 40K)
Heavy Weapons Team
C2
Vehicle of Monster (Warhammer 40K)
Basilisk
E3
Fortification of Scenery (Age of Sigmar)
Temple
So that brings Dave up to 30 points for the year with all three at the Expert Level.
Peter:You’ve been very busy this month Declan! Three units finished and I love your kitbashed Big Stabbas. Your Termagaunts really stand out and you have got the orange and blue scheme down to perfection now, have you got a hivefleet name for them?
Declan: Cheers for the kind words Peter; I hadn’t considered a Hive Fleet name as they were painted for Kill Team but it’s a great call. I’ll do some reading to get some inspiration. Although I haven’t finished a lot of models this month, I’ve still managed to get three Hobby boxes finished including the ‘Kitbashed’ one which I struggling to think what to do. Fortunately the Big Stabbas for my Big Waaagh came to my rescue. 4 out of 25 in 2 months also puts me roughly on target so looking good although there’s some larger units and even some Behemoths to go… so lots to do still!
March will hopefully see me finishing some Napoleonic British and keeping my hand in on my Tyranid / Genestealer colour scheme. I’ve also got a Warmaster Tournament and I may get some Squigs painted to augment my Goblin army.
Dave: Great to see the Bonesplitterz, they look excellent too. As Pete says, the kitbashed ones are really fun. You’ve timed the Tyranids beautifully if you’re planning on picking up the new 40k codex!
Cell
Expert Level Goal:
Miniature Painted
B1
Fortification or Scenery (Warhammer 40K)
Sector Mechanicus
B2
Unit of 2+ Models (Age of Sigmar)
Big Stabba
C4
Unit of 5+ Models (Kill Team)
Termagaunts
D1
Kitbashed Model (Age of Sigmar)
Big Stabba
This brings Declan to 40 points and all at Expert Level.
Peter:This is the first month in a while where I’ve managed to paint more than I’ve bought! This includes 10 Necron Warriors that I sold on fleabay this month. I’m over the moon at my progress and have never painted this much in a month before.
Declan: Wow… wow… wow! Peter’s still on fire and whilst he couldn’t get to our small tournament recently he’s definitely on target for the weekend shortly. His Kruleboyz are going to be shooting the enemy to another life. I really like the scheme here – dark and dank models are difficult to do and Peter’s really nailed it. I can’t wait to see the finished Kruleboyz army in the flesh.
Dave: You’ve got loads done! These will look great as you pick them up off the table at Burning Skies 🙂 I’m a pretty slow painter, I’m very impressed with the speed and quality you’ve achieved.
Cell
Expert Level Goal:
Miniature Painted
A3
Unit of 10+ Models (AoS)
Hobgrots
B2
Unit of 2+ Models (AoS)
Man-Skewer Boltboyz
B4
Vehicle or Monster (AoS)
Swampboss Skummdrekk
C1
Hero or Character (AoS)
Swampcalla Shaman
C3
Any Model (Any System)
Beast-Skewer Killbow
D2
Unit of 2+ Models (Underworlds)
Rippa’s Snarlfangs
E4
Hero or Character (Warhammer 40K)
Marneus Calgar
That brings me to 70 points and 7 Expert Level goals completed.
Other Members
This month we’ve also included some of the other guys who were willing to of share some of their pictures.
Steve
Peter: Steve just joined the crew this last month and has been sharing some of his pictures of his Crimson Fists. He’s building an entire company of them, and they look absolutely awesome!
Declan:How many Weapons does this Impulsor Tank need? It’s got them all and a neat and tidy base to finish it off. The Crimson fists colours obviously work together (I love red & blue armies), and this is no exception. The blue on the Plasma is also nicely done, and something I struggled with last year on the Thermic Generators.
Dave: Almost a great Ultramarine tank but you slipped a bit with the red. Seriously, this is really well done and cleanly painted.
Tony
Peter:Like Steve, Tony is a new member of the Woehammer crew and back in January painted these stunning Stormcast flappy birds!The skin on these alone must have taken hours upon hours. True talent on display both with Steve and Tony.
Declan:Dragons… but not the small ones – Tony has gone for the big guys here. Krondys (blue) and Karazai (Red) are looking great in traditional dragon poses. The wings are painted in a more realistic tone than is ususally shown, which matches nicely with the chests and really ties these together – they definitely belong in the same army.
Dave: Skar and Mufasa are both great models and Tony has done a brilliant job on them. Hopefully he and Steve will start bingo cards too!
I read Gaunts Ghost’s on their first release, but lost track of the books after a while. When Black Library offered the first trilogy on ebook at a discount I picked them up and have started to re-read them. You can read my review of the first book First and Only here; and the second Ghostmaker here.
The last book of the opening trilogy is Necropolis:
On the world of Verghast, a grinding war between two hive cities – one loyal to the Imperium, the other fallen to the worship of the Dark Gods – is bolstered by the forces of the Astra Militarum, spearheaded by the Colonel-Commissar Gaunt and the Tanith First and Only. But bitter rivalries and treachery threaten to derail the defence of Vervunhive, and it falls to Gaunt to take command of the Imperial forces and forge victory from an almost certain defeat.
Necropolis is the third book in the Gaunt’s Ghosts series and it is getting closer and closer to being Sharpe in Space…! Or at least Sharpe does Warhammer. Whilst the first two books were essentially collections of short-stories about the Ghosts this is the first story about one battlefield from beginning to end.
Vervunhive is under attack from a neighbouring hive and the Warmaster has sent a few Imperial Guard regiments to shore up the defenses – but Gaunt and his fellow commanders are about to find that there is something more troubling is behind the attack – and that the defenders are not all fully invested in ensuring Vervunhive stands.
Abnett keeps all the action clear despite dotting around about the various combat zones. He also brings short vignettes of soldiers and hivers fighting and dying for minimal gains – or none at all. The Gaunt’s Ghosts novels are beginning to show the randomness of combat in the 41st millenium and the cruelty of it, the Imperium and the luck (or lack of it) that dogs the Ghosts.
I read Gaunts Ghost’s on their first release, but lost track of the books after a while. When Black Library offered the first trilogy on ebook at a discount I picked them up and have started to re-read them. You can read my review of the first book First and Only here!
Having finished the second book, let’s have a look at it:
On Monthax, Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt and his Tanith First-and-Only await the order to advance into the sweltering jungle and drive the alien eldar from the world. As battle approaches, Gaunt walks the lines, raising his men’s spirits and remembering their most heroic deeds – and the tragedies that have dogged Gaunt’s Ghosts from the day of their founding on lost Tanith. The day that Gaunt became known as the Ghostmaker.
Dan Abnett’s classic series of Sharpe in the Warhammer 40k universe continues with Ibram Gaunt and the Tanith First and Only regiment.
Gaunt returns with the Tanith First and Only in their second book and this one – similar to the first – is essentially a series of short stories. Each story covers one of the main Tanith characters, their relationship with Gaunt and within the Tanith Ghosts and as a solider.
As this is my second time reading the series, it was great to read the background and history of the main characters who we grow to know so much about later and this is a fun way to introduce… but it is a collection of short stories, and if that isn’t your thing this will likely be a disappointing book, that you may want to skip and return to later when you have more emotional investment in the characters.
I read Gaunts Ghost’s on their first release, but lost track of the books after a while. When Black Library offered the first trilogy on ebook at a discount I picked them up and have started to re-read them. Having finished the first book, let’s have a look at it:
In the Chaos-infested Sabbat system, Imperial Commissar Gaunt must lead his men through as much in-fighting amongst rival regiments as against the forces of Chaos.
For a thousand years, the Sabbat Worlds have been lost to the Imperium, claimed by the dread powers of Chaos. Now, a mighty crusade seeks to return the sector to Imperial rule. And at the forefront of that crusade are Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt and the Tanith First and Only – better known as Gaunt’s Ghosts. Trapped in the grinding trench warfare of Fortis Binary, the Ghosts find themselves drawn into a conspiracy to assassinate the crusade’s leader, Warmaster Macaroth. With enemies all around them and no one to trust, Gaunt and his men must find a way to save the warmaster and prevent the Sabbat Worlds Crusade from falling into anarchy – even if it means waging war on their supposed allies.
Dan Abnett’s classic series of Sharpe in the Warhammer 40k universe starts here, with Ibram Gaunt and the Tanith First and Only regiment.
The men of Tanith are forced to leave their homeworld when Chaos attacks and Gaunt takes the regiments off world to save them for the Emperor… to die later!
This is essentially a collection of short stories / novellas with the characters and regiment introduced slowly. The stories are also ordered in a non-chronological order, but this just means you find out information as Abnett intended. Whilst there is a not a lot of character development here – apart from Gaunt – there is a lot of information about the Tanith First and Only and about their world. You get the impression of what Tanith is like, and a view into how the scouts are able to contribute to the fighting of the Imperial Guard / Astra Militarum.
The first month of the year is out of the way already, so it’s time to look at how we’ve all got on at Woehammer with our respective goals and painting pledges this month.
It’s because of Dave that both Declan and I are doing the hobby bingo this year. Dave has started out with a large model in the form of a Basilisk for his Renegades & Heretics army.
Peter: I love the webbing on this miniature and the weathering overall. It really looks like its been based near the front for some time now.
Declan: There’s some great work here – first it’s a lovely cleanly painted tank, and with the addition of the netting and the weathering on the barrels this is a great addition to any Astra Militarum army!
Dave:Thanks guys, unfortunately being painted didn’t make it shoot any better in my last game! I’m umming and aahing on my next bingo square so I guess we will see!
Cell
Expert Level Goal:
Miniature Painted
C2
Vehicle or Monster (Warhammer 40k)
Basilisk
So that’s 10 points for Dave right off the bat, and one of the larger models/boxes ticked off already!
Declan also has managed to get one of the harder boxes out of the way, ticking off his scenery for Warhammer 40k. Declan had a number of other goals he was also hoping to complete this year. How is he doing?
Peter:Declan is one of those hobbyists I’ll always be jealous off! He can crank out painted miniatures at a fantastic rate and they look great when they’re finished! Something like this would have taken me a couple of months to do!
Declan: Cheers to Peter for his kind words… I love this kit and have written a full article on it already!As Peter has aluded to aboveI have some other Hobby Goals as well. The good news (for me) is that I’ve managed to tick off 50% of one of the aims already – I’ve finished 4-1 in my first tournament of the year. One of my aims was to get two 4-1s so thats a great start. I’ve also got 3 games of Warmaster played… so a great start to the year and the Hobby. I’ll need to get going to get more of the Bingo sheet completed though.
Dave:I’m not sure if this 40k or part of Declan’s homebrew kit but I like it. I’ve just started playing ninth edition so it’s all a bit confusing for me but this looks cool.
Cell
Expert Level Goal:
Miniature Painted
B1
Fortification or Scenery (Warhammer 40K)
Sector Mechanicus
Also 10 points and an Expert Level goal ticked off for Declan.
I’ve been hard at work this month trying to get my Kruleboyz force painted up in time for Burning Skies on March 26th. So I’ve managed to produce Rippa’s Snarlfangs and the Swampcalla Shaman for that. I also managed to finish off my first Rogue Trader model in the form of Marneus Calgar.
As an added goal this year, I wanted to try and reduce the number of unpainted models in my collection. So my months summary is:
Plus Dave has mentioned that he has some old Dwarfs he’s looking to sell……
Peter:I’m quite proud that I was able to get this lot finished this month, it meant reducing the quality of the Snarlfangs slightly, but I can always revisit them in the future if I need to.
Declan: Peter’s leaving us all in his shadow here with 3 boxes ticked off and the lovely Rogue Trader diamora finished. I’ll take credit for Rippa’s being in his Kruleboyz list and wish Peter luck in finishing off an army. It’ll be great to see it all finished. I think the yellow on the Kruleboyz is a great call and the Shaman and Pot Grot are looking like real killers!
Dave:Pete’s diorama looks excellent and I’m pleased to see him painting the best marines there are, especially as it’s Marneus Calgar – the spiritual liege of all marines everywhere. Rippa and the snarlfangs may sound like an awful college punk band but they look great. I actually disliked the Kruleboyz when they came out but I like what Pete has done with them.
Cell
Expert Level Goal:
Miniature Painted
C1
Hero or Character (AoS)
Swampcalla Shaman
D2
Unit of 2+ Models (Underworlds)
Rippa’s Snarlfangs
E4
Hero or Character (Warhammer 40K)
Marneus Calgar
That brings me to 30 points and 3 Expert Level goals completed.
Hopefully we’ll continue this each month to let you know how we do with our goals.
