The 31st Nexu Battalion was an elite unit of clone troopers in the Galactic Republic's Grand Army that specialized in assault, infiltration, and reconnaissance. It was commanded by Jedi Knight Ralos Velense and Clone Commander CC-2831 "Keck" during the Clone Wars. It was deployed to numerous contested planets across the galaxy during the conflict between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems, including Taris, Sajun, and Dremulae.
History[]
Battle of Ithor[]
During the Clone Wars, the Separatist invaded the planet of Ithor with intentions of utilizing its agricultural wonders for their own benefit. The Republic sent the 31st to engage with the Separatist on the planet. It was a hard-fought battle, that resulted in a Republic victory, and earned the 31st much recognition.
The Taris Skirmishes[]
The Taris Skirmishes were multiple brief battles fought on Taris during the Clone Wars. The 31st Nexu Battalion was headquartered on Taris, despite the planet’s neutrality claim, and hence was the spearhead of the planet’s defense. The skirmishes would rather consist of Separatist droid forces, or Mandalorian raiders, but each assault would fall in favor of the Republic.
Battle of Telos IV[]
The Battle of Telos IV was an excursion that occurred during the Clone Wars when the 31st was deployed to assault the planet Telos IV to force the Separatist to relinquish control. The battle should've been long and difficult, with the mass of Separatist forces on-world, droids and militia alike, but was won swiftly and easily with clever strategies developed by General Velense and his men. They performed several infiltration missions, guerrilla assaults, and other various tactics, considered brutal but effective in attaining victory. This battle made the 31st well known for savage yet brief eliminations of opposing forces, thus being dubbed the “Nexu” Battalion.
Battle of Ansion[]
In 20 BBY, the planet Asion was invaded by Separatist forces. The Galactic Republic sent the 31st Nexu Battalion to push the enemies off-world. The 31st's Coal Company took charge during the battle. The 31st's Jedi General, Ralos Velense, participated in the battle, Burner Squad alongside him.
Battle of Sajun[]
During the middle of the Clone Wars, the Confederacy of Independent Systems sent troops to Sajun, where the Galactic Republic had a base of operations set up. Once the Republic found out about this, they immediately sent reinforcements, the 31st Nexu Battalion. Wreck Company was used to engage with the Separatist on foot, distracting them so LAATs could be deployed for a bombing operation. The 3rd Strike Platoon was specifically chosen to spearhead the bombings. The bombings, known as Operation Crate, successfully took out several battle droid battalions and gave the Republic a soaring victory.
Mission to Kirrek[]
In 21 BBY, the 31st deployed the 2nd Push Platoon to the planet Kirrek for reconnaissance. The platoon proceeded to get involved in defending themselves from Separatist forces, having to battle many battle droids in an effort to reserve their lives.
As their fight for survival continued on, they eventually discovered the Separatist's base on operations on the planet. The platoon proceeded to infiltrate the Separatist listening post to make contact with the Republic fleet, with whom they were cut off from by Separatist interference. After successfully making contact, they rigged explosive devices within the base and made their exit, detonating the explosives from a far as they awaited a pickup back to the fleet.
Defense of Dremulae[]
In the later years of the Clone Wars, the rich planet of Dremulae was invaded by the Separatist. The 31st was sent to defend the planet. The Separatist's army was massive, and nearly overwhelmed the battalion. Amidst the chaos of the battle, Captain Coggs was killed in action, alongside a platoon of men, which included sergeants Shots and Zapp. The battle was ultimately won, but at a great cost of half of the 31st's members.
Order 66[]
Near the end of the war, Velense was present on Coruscant, having just returned from battle. He and the men of the 31st did not have time to rest though, for the Great Jedi Purge began and the soldiers with Velense at the time received Order 66. Velense felt a disturbance in the Force of the Jedi being attacked across the galaxy, which alerted him in time to deflect blaster shots coming from his own men. He proceeded to cut down his men so that he could flee. He fought and dodged several clones firing on him before eventually slipping away into the streets of Coruscant, escaping the fate that had befallen many Jedi.
Known Units Within The 31st Nexu Battalion[]
The 31st obtained three active companies which contained many platoons. Two of these companies possessed three platoons with three squads each, while the other had four platoons and four squads each. The battalion wasn't too large of a battalion. Nearing the end of the Clone Wars, the battalion had up to 11 companies, 57 platoons, and 420 squads. Many units were unnamed or unassigned numbers.
Coal Company[]
Coal Company was a sub-unit that was utilized for assault. The company was used much during the Clone Wars. It was best known for its squads, Burner Squad and Hellfire Squad. Burner Squad was the most acclaimed since it sought the most action, under the command of the 31st's Jedi General, Ralos Velense. The company contained up to about three platoons, each containing three squads. The company was led by Clone Captain CT-2129/14, also known as "Coggs."
- CT-2129/14 "Coggs" (Killed in Action)
- CT-6479 "Stakker"
3rd Strike Platoon[]
The 3rd Strike Platoon was a part of Coal Company. The platoon was famous for it's expert pilots. The platoon contained three squads, two of which, flew LAATs. The platoon's LAAT pilots were considered the best of the whole battalion. The platoon was most famous for it's use in the Battle of Sajun, where they were sent in to bomb Separatist bases, an operation known as Operation Crate.
- CT-2929/18 "Loaded"
2nd Push Platoon[]
The 2nd Push Platoon was a part of Coal Company. It was responsible for taking out Separatist operations on the planet Kirrek. The platoon was led by Clone Lieutenant CL-3039, also known as "Bron."
- CL-3039 "Bron"
- Burner Squad
- CT-5601 "Zipper"
- CT-1021 "Grapple"
- CT-3508 "Zen"
- CT-7860 "John" (Killed in Action)
- CT-7090 "Datus"
- The Nexu Riders
- ARC-5327 "Ragnar"
- ARC-7031 "Marr"
- Jump Squad
- Lefts' Squad
- CT-7274 "Lefts"
Wreck Company[]
Wreck Company was a sub-unit that focused on besieging enemy fortifications and providing artillary reinforcement for other companies. This company contained a larger amount of units than other companies. The company had around 144 troopers. It had up to four platoons each having four squads. The company had vehicles such as A6 Juggernauts, Clone Personel Walkers, and AT-AP Walkers.The head of the company was Clone Captain Tols.
- Captain "Tols"
- The Red Demons
Intel Company[]
An intelligence support company meant to gather and provide important intel for the battalion to use to its advantage. The company was led by Clone Captain CT-6580, nicknamed "Chess."
- CT-6580 "Chess" (Killed in Action)
- Fireteam Prowler Sigma
Armor[]
A 31st AT-RT unit.
The 31st bore red and gray markings over their white armor. The shoulder, knee, and elbow pads would be red while below that would be gray. Mainly on 31st helmets, the bottom part of the helmet would be red with a little bit of grey in the middle of the helmet and a bit of red on the top, mainly the fin.
Vehicles[]
The 31st was known to use AT-RT walkers, BARC speeders, Infantry Support Platforms for anti-infantry and recon purposes, and A6 Juggernauts as heavy missile platforms/troop transports.