The Stein Battalion (シュタイン大隊 Shutain 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 Stein Battalion was created under the 1st Terrestrial Mobile Division of Zeon's Earth Attack Force in Europe. Led by and named after Maj. Joshua Stein, the battalion was part of the 7th Mixed Mobile Brigade and was mostly composed of companies of infantry and units of Zaku 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 Stein Battalion was tasked with the recapture of Cluj-Napoca military base currently under EFF's control. For an effective recapture operation to take place, the Stein Battalion partnered with several army units under the 7th Mixed Mobile Brigade including the Armored Battalion, the 1st Armored Infantry Company and mobile suit squadrons the Red Wolves and the Salamanders[1]. 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 several 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. When the Zeon's infantry and tank columns were approaching the intended target, they were ambushed by the 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. Maj. Stein desperately called the partnered Gaw carriers for reinforcement, and the Red Wolves and Salamanders MS squadrons duly obliged and parachuted their Zaku II mobile suits to the ground and rescued the beleaguered Battalion from the brink. With assistance from the MS squadrons, the Stein Battalion suppressed the Federal Force's ambush and occupied the base's main building and surrounding facilities soon afterwards, with Maj. Stein proclaimed victory over the EFF and delivered a celebratory speech to his soldiers at the main building square in the evening[1].
Zeon's victory at Cluj-Napoca was short-lived, however, as the Federal Forces mounted a surprise raid at the Stein Battalion 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. The EFF, spearheaded by the RX-78(G)E Gundam EX, inflicted tremendous damage to the base and casualties, including the loss of Red Wolf's pilots Reid Ghelfi and Kale Zavaleta, the commanding officer of 1st Armored Infantry Company, plus the annihilation of the Armored Battalion and Salamanders Squadron. Led by Red Wolves' captain Iria Solari, the remaining Zeon troops made an audacious escape from Gundam EX's attacks.[2] With the EFF recaptured the Cluj-Napoca base once more, the Stein Battalion's mission ultimately failed and the fate of Maj. Stein is unknown.
Known Members[]
- Maj. Joshua Stein (Commander)
- Johnson (Supplies Officer)
Gallery[]
Anime[]
Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance[]
Illustrations & Artwork[]
Notes & Trivia[]
Close-up of Stein Battalion's soldiers
- Due to animation error, all the Stein Battalion's soldiers gather at the Cluj-Napoca base's main square (14:00 in Episode 1) feature the same appearance and complexion.
Appearances[]
- OVAs and ONAs
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance Episode 1, Haunted Forest
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance Episode 2, Broken