My proposal to that question.
Inquisitorial Intelligence Report: Slawkenberg Formations
Author: Inquistor Nathan Polix, Ordo Militarus
Name: The 47th Special Weapons Task Force.
Alias: (Internally) The Dogcatchers, (Externally) The Stray Dogs
The Dogcatcher unit is a Regiment-sized formation, primarily based around infantry and engineer units, which are often deployed against spacemarine formations and deploy special weapons and tactics to counter them. These units typically fight in larger formations, relying upon mass concentrations of fire, power, and equipment to take down their Enhanced opponent. This means that while individual sections or platoons may be used, more often than not they are deployed as company or even regimental assets. In a way, their use is more reminiscent of specialised anti-air or anti-vehicle systems than traditional Infantry. While a comparison to anti-vehicle tactics is quite understandable, especially as they do employ a significant number of weapon systems that are traditionally used against the vehicles, there appears to be significantly more based around neutralisation and negation rather than destruction. For example, weapons such as plasma cannons or heavy armour like tanks would traditionally be a lot more useful, but are not employed in any significant number in the Dogcatcher Unit. The unit itself is a mix of standard Protectorate human infantry, as well as several space marines deployed, both as their own unit, as well as individual squad support. While the existence of a single space marine has been positively identified, apparently called Hektor, it is heavily suspected that there are anywhere from five to fifty-eight different space marines that make up this force's heavy support. After disabling a space marine, it has been observed that one of their first acts traditionally performed is to have their medic Inject them with a drug, which seems to instantly disable the augmented human. The fact this knocks even a Khornate Berserker unconscious suggests a level of potency that borders closer to an instant-kill drug than anything else.
The name seems to be based on their use of a Dog as their unit marker, specifically one reminiscence of the original 12th region marker, from before their reformation into the World Eaters. This symbol is quite widespread, with examples of it being displayed on flags, unit markings, and as well as painted on their vehicles, equipment, and even spacemarine armour. Despite being a specialized unit, they are also part of line formations and so have all the weapons usually given to the soldiers of the Protectorate. However, there are also several unique weapons made specifically for their special task, particularly notable are their magnetic charges. These anti-armour charges have magnetic charges as a part of their construction and will stick to a ceramite surface after being activated. captured have shown them to be powerful enough to damage tanks and vehicle armour, although not strong enough to kill the spacemarine inside. It appears that these were created as a form of crippling weapon, in order to help the mortal members of this unit disable their augmented targets. Multiple captured examples of these weapons have shown that they can even be set for different charge levels, numbered 1-10, with 1 being the weakest level. There is also an 11th level, represented by a Skull icon, which is likely intended for maximum destruction. Proposals to employ imperial versions of this have been made to the Mechanicus, and have been rejected for being heretical technology.
One of the unit's most remarkable features is its tendency towards targeting World Eaters specifically. While it has been observed that they will fight almost any threat, the unit has been observed much more frequently targeting and engaging the Khornate berserks of the World Eater Traitor Legion, than any other foe. As my aide has pointed out, anytime, the World Eaters Traitor legion encounters the forces of the Cainite protectorate, this unit will almost certainly be heavily engaged in the fight. The Traitor Legions remain one of the single, most tangible threats to the imperium, as a whole, and human survival. The idea of specialized units trained specifically to target these kinds of threats is not a new concept and has been considered as far back as the early days of the Horus heresy. In a way, the Dogcatchers are little more than the latest iteration of a long-held idea that specialized units with specialized equipment can counter obscene advantages in strength, speed, and viciousness, which the traitor, legions hold over much of humanity. Our scouts have even observed rear echelon units of Dogcatchers taking part in the deployment of heavy vehicles and specialised containment devices, including what appears to be collars being deployed on defeated traitor marines. At this time we don't know what happens to the Marines that have been removed from the battlefield in this matter, it has been speculated that that this is so that the armor can be harvested, and any surviving marines can be taken for interrogation. As many interrogators are more than well aware, attempting to do so is effectively a massive waste of time and resources and as such we can safely that they will be getting no useful information from them
One fascinating note, we believe we have identified the command vessel for the dog according to the intelligence we have managed to acquire. They are operating a repurposed merchant vessel, thought lost at Adumbria, which has been repeatedly seen at engagements in which the unit itself is a participant. The fact the vessel has been witnessed that every engagement that the unit has taken part in suggests that, even if it isn't their Homebase, it is likely heavily associated with them. This has been given the operational codename, 'Kennel', and is to be marked and recorded at any other engagement. We have, as of yet, no records of the Kennel successfully engaging in direct confrontation, instead preferring to relocate when under threat. This suggests that the vessel itself may not even be armed, or if it is, in a capacity that is much more limited than one would expect. For such a well-used unit, that fills such an important role not having a heavily armed vessel, creates interesting implications for the supply of ships and weapons for the naval forces of the Protectorate.
Relation to other forces;
The Dogcatcher units appear to be intensely focused and specialized. While it has been observed fighting Orks, Tyranids, Genestealers and other automatically hostile threats, there have yet to be confirmed incidents where they open fire on loyal guardsmen or space marines first. The entire unit seems to take great pains to avoid confrontation with units that they don't consider overly confrontational. A known example of this would be the Nautilus incident. For those unfamiliar, the Imperial Guard deployed several Mordian and Tallarn regiments to the planet of Nautilus, in an attempt to take out what was suspected to be a World Eater facility. Upon arriving, it was discovered that the Dogcatchers along with several supporting units had already arrived on the planet and engaged the traitor Legion. The Tallarn regiments attempted to engage both forces, only for the Dogcatcher and protectorate Infantry to perform an orderly retreat, away from the advancing Imperial Lines. This is especially notable, as the Dogcatchers and Protectorate Infantry had prepared positions, equipment, and even a not inconsiderable numbers advantage over the advancing imperial forces. However, they abandoned all of this, seemingly in a desire to not engage the oncoming Imperial Guard. Many commanders have taken this to indicate that the Protectorate infantry is cowardly, disorganized, and unwilling to fight. I disagree. The fact that a unit such as the Dogcatchers exists at all suggests that this is not a group that is afraid of a standup fight and the potential casualties that come with it. I instead suspect that what we have observed, was essentially a prioritization of threats and enemies. It is quite likely that the Dogcatcher and the Protectorate members in general do not view the imperial as a whole, as their primary enemies. The fact that they seemingly want to avoid casualties suggests that they are aware of the larger confrontation between the Imperium and the enemies of mankind, and would still prefer the Imperium to win on most occasions.
Threat Assessment: Low
Remarks: If my candid comments may be excused, I feel that this is an example of an issue better left undealt with. Yes, this is a notable group of chaos-worshiping traitors, those who directly threaten the imperium's existence and stability. On the other hand, their primary duty and acts seem to be more focused towards dealing with other much more threatening chaotic forces. The World Eaters have ravaged hundreds if not thousands of worlds whereas the Cainite Protectorate at the time of writing has two, maybe three worlds. The scale of the threats is simply not comparable. It certainly is unpleasant to even consider issuing an order to avoid targeting a group of heretics. However these Heretics are fundamentally the better option, I would even go so far as to employ a phrase that so many of my inquisitorial Associates seem to hate so much and call them the lesser of two evils. These units have an outsized impact on the presence of Traitor Legion members near our space. It is no exaggeration to say that they're presence significantly reduces the chance of encountering World Eater Traitor Marines, so much so that they could almost be considered an additional asset in the defense of any neighbouring subsectors.