Death Korps Engineers
Death Korps Engineers[1c], also called Combat Engineers[2], are members of the Engineer Korps who specialise in large engineering works necessary to break through enemy trench lines. They have particularly expertise in subterranean warfare such as digging saps or counter-mining the enemy's own tunnels.[1c]
Contents
Organization
Death Korps engineers operate in dedicated companies,[1a] but can also be parceled out in smaller units to other formations. The basic work team is a five-man squad consisting of a Watchmaster and four Engineers. These work teams can also be combined into larger ten-man units when necessary.[1d]
Equipment
Engineers' uniforms are largely similar to the standard uniform of Death Korps infantry, except the long overcoat has been replaced with a short tunic jacket for better maneuverability in the tight confines of a tunnel network. Likewise engineers wear heavy Carapace Armour similar to that worn by Death Korps Grenadiers, including a helmet, a breastplate modified to carry a powerful light source, shoulder guards and abdomen plates, though kneepads are worn in place of shin guards. Their type VI respirator is likewise a modification of the type V, utilising twin air-lines and a separate oxygen source allowing them to operate in any atmospheric conditions, and their respirator masks are fitted with a monocular infra-red night vision eyepiece for fighting in total darkness.[1b]
Standard weapon for the Engineer is a shotgun, in particular the Lucius pattern Mk 22c, a semi-automatic shotgun perfect for clearing tunnels or trenches. Krak and Frag grenades are also standard for use in close-quarters combat, as are sword-bayonets issued to regular Guardsmen, though their shotguns do not feature bayonet lugs. Engineers are also authorized and trained to use melta-bombs, demolition charges, and small gas canisters containing lethal acidic gas. While considered a weapon of last resort, the highly corrosive gas released by these grenades has ensured victory and given Krieg regiments their sinister reputation.[1b][1c]
Engineers are also issued and trained to use a wide variety of tunneling and engineering equipment, from simple tools like heavy-duty cutters, pick-axes and folding shovels to seismic-augers and geo-thermic auspex gear. Detonators and detonator cords allow the use of various shaped charges, including melta-charges, for blasting out tunnels while Mole Launchers, also known as breaching torpedoes, allows engineers to attack enemy strongpoints from below. They also make use of Remote Mines.[2] This gear is carried on each engineer through use of a simple frame in place of the standard-issue backpack.[1b][1c] In addition to personal gear the Death Korps engineers also make use of larger tunneling equipment, most famously the Hades Breaching Drill.[1]
Images
Death Korps Engineers from Forge World (2007)[5]
Death Korps Engineers with Mole Mortar from Forge World (2008)
Combat Engineers squad (2025)[4]
Death Korps Engineer (2025)[6]
References
- 1: Imperial Armour Volume Six - The Siege of Vraks - Part Two
- 2: Imperial Armour Volume Twelve - The Fall of Orpheus, pg. 165
- 4: Warhammer Community: World Championships Preview – The Death Korps mobilise for all-out war (Posted 22/11/2024) archived page, original link: https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-us/articles/csbikvdh/world-championships-preview-the-death-korps-mobilise-for-all-out-war/ (Posted 22/11/2024)
- 5: ForgeWorld webstore : Death Korps of Krieg Subterranean Assault Squad (saved archive page, last accessed 13/01/2022)
- 6: Warhammer Community: March down to your Warhammer store for a Death Korps of Krieg miniature and coin (posted 31/3/2025) saved page, original link: https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/eyae53ow/march-down-to-your-warhammer-store-for-a-death-korps-of-krieg-miniature-and-coin/ (last accessed 31/3/2025)
| Imperial Guard Infantry | |
|---|---|
| Command | Company Command Squad • Platoon Command Squad • Scion Command Squad • Tank Commander • Regimental Advisors • Commissar • Primaris Psyker • Tech-priest Enginseer • Priest • Ogryn Bodyguard |
| Specialists | Master of Ordnance • Breacher • Scout • Medic • Vox-Operator • Weapons Specialist • Sharpshooter • Operator |
| Troops | Infantry Squad • Heavy Weapons Team • Special Weapons Squad • Armoured Fist Squad • Veteran Squad • Engineer Squad • Scions Squad • Canids • Penal Legion Troopers • Ogryn Squad • Ratling Squad • Psyker Battle Squad • Rough Rider Squad • Field Ordnance Battery • Jump Trooper • H-Grade Combat Servitor • Cyber-Altered Task • Servo-Sentry |
