Armored Battalion

The Armored Battalion (機甲大隊 Kikō Daitai^?) was a Principality of Zeon's military unit during the One Year War. It is featured in the ONA Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance.

Overview[]

The Armored Battalion was created under the 1st Terrestrial Mobile Division of Zeon's Earth Attack Force in Europe. It was part of the 7th Mixed Mobile Brigade and was mostly composed of Magella Attack main battle tanks for the ground combats against the Earth Federation Forces in European frontlines^[1]. As Zeon's war situation worsened by late October U.C. 0079 and with the major Federation counterattack against the Odessa region imminent, the Armored Battalion was one of the many partnered army units with the Stein Battalion, which was tasked with the recapture of Cluj-Napoca military base in Romania currently under EFF's control. The recapture operation occurred on November 6, U.C.0079.

History[]

One Year War[]

On November 6, U.C. 0079, the Stein Battalion, in partnership with Armored Battalion and other Zeon army units, commenced the recapture operation of Cluj-Napoca military base at around 3:27pm, as the base was thought to be emptied by the retreating Federal Forces. 2nd. Lt. Ander Heaton's Magella Attack tank was one of the Armored Battalion's vanguard units which were hit by the ambushing EFF's infantry and M61A5 MBTs which were hiding nearby. The Federal Forces attacked in front and rear and cut off any escape route for Stein Battalion's infantry and tanks to escape, with Heaton's and other Magellas being destroyed but the former managed to escape from the wreckage and survived. When the partnered Zaku IIs of Red Wolf Squadron and Salamanders Squadron descended onto the ground and suppressed the EFF attack, the Stein Battalion and what's left of its army partners were finally safe and eventually occupied the Cluj-Napoca base.

The Federal Forces soon mounted a surprise raid at the Stein Battalion and its partner units in the early morning of November 7, U.C. 0079, which was preluded by the violent explosion caused by the pre-planned timed explosives in the main building. Despite the utilization of all mobile weapons available including the remaining Magella tanks of the Armored Battalion for base defense, the EFF, spearheaded by the RX-78(G)E Gundam EX, inflicted tremendous damage to the base and casualties, leading to the annihilation of the Armored Battalion with Heaton being the sole survivor. Led by Red Wolves' captain Iria Solari, Heaton joined the remaining Zeon troops in an audacious escape from Gundam EX's attacks.