'In Her Majesty's Name' - The Bazeilles Compagnie of the 2eme Marine Infanterie

Also known as 'The Lightning Relief Company' – the French Third Republic’s Rapid Reaction Force – the Force d’Intervention Rapide – now at the end of this glorious nineteenth century, used to support the Companies of the Legion Etrangere around the globe to ensure French interests are maintained and protected. Not only can these redoubtable men deploy with the proud vessels of the French Maritime fleets, but they often act as the 'Marines-Aeronautique' complement on any French Aeronautical vessel too.

Nicknamed ‘The Marsouins’, the French term for ‘harbour porpoises’ allegedly because like porpoises, the men accompany French Naval ships without actually being part of the ship’s crew.

The Marsouins in turn refer to all other French Army soldiers as ‘Biffins’, quite literally, the ragmen, from what the Marine Infantry perceive as the Army’s slovenly nature and attire. The single exception is the men of the Legion, where there exists a mutual respect. Since the Marsouins fought through the jungles of Indo-China to relieve the Legion garrison under siege at Tuyen Quang, the special relationship between the two forces has strengthened. Now tradition dictates that when Legionnaires and Marsouins meet up, the exchange a solemn presentation of arms to each other to always commemorate the siege and the relief.

Commandant Etienne Francois Gerard leads the Bazeilles Compagnie, the first choice unit within the Marine Infanterie, assisted by his second-in-command, Capitaine Jean-Michel Joubert.

 

Type	Pluck	FV	SV	Speed	Cost	Talents	Basic equipment
Commandant Gerard	3+	+2	+3	+0		Leadership +2, Inspirational	Lined coat, pistol, sword
Capitaine Joubert	3+	+3	+2	+0		Leadership +2, Duellist	Lined coat, pistol, sword
Sergent-Chef ‘Bigor’	3+	+3	+2	+1		Leadership +2, Tough	Lined coat, military rifle, bayonet
Caporal	4+	+2	+2	+1		Leadership +1	Lined coat, military rifle, bayonet
Marsouin	5+	+2	+2	+0			Lined coat, military rifle, bayonet
‘Colos’*	5+	+1	+1	+1			Lined coat, carbine

* Colos: slang term for the Marine Infantry recruited from the French Colonies, often used as auxiliaries to help augment the French Metropolitan Marine Infantry units, and are competently trained experienced native infantry.

Options

* Caporals and Marsouins may purchase the Marksman Talent (+5 points) and/or the Bayonet Drill Talent (+2 points).

* Colos may purchase the Martial Artist Talent (+3 points) and/or the Stealthy Talent (+5 points).

* Commandant Gerard is a devotee of French literature, especially French Symbolism, since his friend Jean Moreas published the Symbolist manifesto, and therefore may purchase the Erudite Wit Talent (+5 points).

* Capitaine Jean-Michel Joubert has served in just about every part of the globe, fighting enemies of France nearly every time. Therefore he may purchase the Fearless Talent (+10 points).

* Gerard and Joubert may both purchase a Monocular Targeting Array each for 7 points.

* Equip all troops with Brigandine armour for 2 points each. Gerard and Joubert may choose to equip themselves with Steel Breastplates (9 points), Faraday Coats (5 points), or Magneto-static waistcoats (2 points).