Operation: Razorback

 

Points: 3000.

Deployment: Long Haul.

Primary Objective: Breakthrough.

The Imperial forces were determined to make up for the setbacks suffered in the last few months, and organised a much larger force, outnumbering the oncoming Tyranids significantly.

The Imperium regrouped it's forces into several strategic locations in the path of the oncoming Tyranid horde. In response, the Tyranids focused on a single perceived weak point in the Imperial lines, where the Rift Wardens were garrisoned. This forced the space marine commander, chaplain Quintos, to make immediate localised changes to the battle formation he had been assigned to.

The battle began with the Tyranid assault on the Rift Warden positions. It took four days for the Tyranids to break through due to superior delaying actions ordered by Quintos. The Tyranid swarm pushed through seizing a strategic site. A night time counter attack by a force of Knights from House Avalon failed to retake the location. Reinforcements from both the orbiting Rift Warden and House Avalon starships helped bolster the line though. The Rift Wardens suffered surprisingly minimal casualties whist holding the alien hordes back, potentially safeguarding numerous vital Imperial cities and installations. 

Operation: Stormstrike - Corinthia

Points: 2000.

Deployment: Front Line.

Primary Objective: Duel.

A Rift Wardens reconnaissancce force led by chapter master Arthurus began to move from their fire base in the fields of Corinth, in the direction of Sparta. The battle began with an assault on one of the Tau outer defences, and the fighting lasted until nightfall. During this time, a secondary force marched around to flank the Tau.

The space marines took advantage of the terrain and destroyed vehicles managed to push back the Tau and this allowed them to capture territory closer to the twin hive cities. The Tau commander, following recommendations from the Ethereal leaders, gave the order to pull back to the outer cities and prepare to defend them against the Imperial aggression.

After capturing the main transit roads into and out of the hive cities, Arthurus ordered his brothers to halt the attack and dig in. He had observed the Tau positions and realised that they would hold there and not fall back further. Arthurus left half a company to hold this position while he pulled the rest of his forces back to regroup and rearm. Meanwhile, the Tau were unable to launch an attack only due to exhaustion and a lack of supplies and manpower. In addition, the Tau FireWarriors were required to suppress the human civilians within the hive. 

Ultimately, although the Rift Wardens were successful on the battlefield, their goal of recapturing the twin hive cities had met a solid wall under potential Tau defences.

Wasteland Firefight - Vigilus Wastelands / Hyperia Hivesprawl

 

Points: 2000.

Deployment: Front Line.

Primary Objective: Duel.

Having suffered significant losses over the last several months, Guilliman ordered the weakened Rift Wardens back to Hyperia Hivesprawl due to civil disobedience in the hive. Wandering Ork patrols realised this when they saw a patrol outside the city walls, and launched an attack against the walls. Even though the greenskin's operation was initially a success at the start, with reinforcements from the hive city, the Rift Wardens repelled the Orks back into the wastelands.

Right Flank Collapse - Mandragora

Points: 2000.

Deployment: Front Line.

Primary Objective: Pitched Battle.

Later that day, Deathwatch forces launched a massive strike on the Rift Wardens right flank. Rather than continue fighting and losing more battle brothers, the space marines retreated. Their battle line had collapsed.

Battle of Transit Station Beta Kappa 12 - Antares

Points: 2000.

Deployment: Opposing Forces.

Primary Objective: Seize Ground.

At this point in the conflict, both sides had forces in and around the area of Transit Station BK12. In the early hours, a large Rift Warden force advanced to the transit station without encountering any resistance from the Custodes. Further forces advancing from the north met with resistance but managed to advance forward with minimal casualties. By noon, all space marine forces had reached the target. Custodes reinforcements arrived shortly after forming a wall of golden bodies.

The Rift Wardens north of their position received intense fire from the Custodes. Both sides concentrated their destructive firepower and both took heavy casualties. Ultimately after several hours fighting, both sides retreated to rearm and resupply.

Fall of Hive Karston - Talos

Points: 2000.

Deployment: Front Line.

Primary Objective: Duel.

The battle for Hive Karston was one of the largest battles of the campaign. It was fought by the main bulk of the Tyranid forces and the Imperial defenders. The Tyranids broke through the city walls after launching an unprecedented assault, taking minor casualties while slaughtering hundreds of thousands of defending guardsmen, including several high-ranking military officers. The swift overrrun of the Hive City opened the path for the Tyranids to advance further en mass into the Imperial lines, and allowed the hive mind to consolidate a vast swath of territory.

Battle of Hive Haragon - Paragon Secundus

Points: 1000.

Deployment: Front Line.

Primary Objective: Duel.

The Battle of Hive Haragon was fought between the Rift Wardens and the Ultramarines, under Captain Ventris. The Rift Wardens attacked the Hive City in order to find out if they had the means to compete with the Ultramarines stationed there. The battle showed that the Rift Wardens were unprepared ; they stood little chance in the confined streets of the Hive City.  The experiences gained in battle, led chapter master Arthurus to the conclusion that Hive Haragon had to be taken, and it became the target of the chapter's aggression going forward.

Battlefield Chaos - Talos

Points:32000.

Deployment: Ground War.

Primary Objective: Sabotage.

This engagement was one of two major battles that took place after six months of fighting in the Talos system. The battle began when several space marine forces fired artillery tanks against the massed Tyranid horde advancing. In response, the Tyranids turned on the space marines and forced them to retreat. The Rift Wardens called in all available reinforcements but were defeated once again. After eight hours of fighting the astartes had to be evacuated or be overrun.

The Battle of Golgotha - Gehenna Prime

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Sweeping Engagement / Point Blank.

Primary Objective: Terraform.

Detachment: Ironstorm Spearhead.

Opponents Detachment: Deceptors.

The battle of Golgotha was a conflict between the Rift Wardens and the endless forces of the Alpha Legions, fought on the fields of Golgotha. After the initial victory against the traitor legion, the Rift Wardens spread across the globe engaging the enemy, and inflicting significant casualties upon them. 

Under the command of Captain Lorgraine, his battle brothers attacked the massing Alpha Legionnaires at Golgotha. As a result of this successful engagement, the space marines annexed the area and surrounding hive cities. Any traitor marines found were put to the blade and bolter. No quarter was given or expected. 

Wasteland Skirmish - Omegon Theta

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Hammer and Anvil / Martial Pride.

Primary Objective: Purge the Foe.

Detachment: Ironstorm Spearhead.

Opponents Detachment: Warhost.

This brief engagement took place over two days, during the war for Omegon Theta. A patrol of Alaitoc craftworlds with Corsair backup clashed with a Rift Warden patrol. The battle took place in a petrified forest some miles from the dig site. The battle was light and brief, and resulted with the Aeldari pushing the space marines back towards their own lines.