Battle Of Black Fields - Grendal

Points: 1000.

Mission: Rotting Biomass.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Teleport Strike Force.

Agendas: Malefic Hunter and Retrieve Mission Archive.

Opponent's Agendas: Battlefield Survivors and Headhunters.

The Battle of Black Fields was a battle fought in the agri-fields surrounding Ascension Hive. The battle was fought in two flanks, one to the north side if the hive and one to the south. The engagement was hindered by persistent rain, smoke and the volume of artillery fire had reduced the fields to a crater field swamp. Both sides in the conflict found these conditions made transporting fresh munitions and supplies extremely difficult.

The Grey Knights on the southern flank managed a recovery after a string of defeats, with fresh companies arriving by teleportarium to replace exhausted and wounded squads, Aircraft, tanks and fresh ammunition allowed the Grey Knights there to challenge the Rift Wardens air superiority and to support their own forces with artillery observation and increased combat patrols.

The Grey Knights to the North, lost much less ground and suffered fewer casualties but the proportion of casualties was in excess to those fighting south of the hive. Terrain and weather conditions were a lesser problem for the Grey Knights, who were able to teleport around the battlefield and pushed the Rift Wardens back on several occasions. The space marines who had greater numbers were however, reduced to progressively local operations.

While their battle brothers fought for dominance within the hive itself, those in the Black Fields fought for survival and refused to give up.

Mind War - Grendal

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Hammer And Anvil / Supply Lines.

Primary Objective: The Ritual.

Detachment: Gladius Strike Force.

Opponent's Detachment: Teleport Strike Force.

This battle was the first large scale offensive of the Grey Knights during the war for Ascension Hive. The attack was intended to benefit from assistance by freeblade knights led by Canis Rex in the hours after the initial attack. The battle was fought in the streets of the lower outer levels of the hive, and areas overlooking territory claimed by the Rift Wardens.

The Rift Warden positions were well fortified and the space marine defenders fought with great determination but the this soon declined due to the confusing nature of the close quarters fighting in the maze of streets, make-shift trenches, dug outs and shell craters. The final Grey Knight objectives were not reached until their forces reorganized and teleported into the marine positions. Organisaional difficulties and deteriorating weather frustrated the Grey Knight command, and even their forces soon became disjointed and declined in effectiveness, at the same time as the Rift Wardens were bolstered by the chapter's librarians who brought much needed psychic strength to the conflict.

The Grey Knights struck hard in response with multiple teleport strike teams, heavy firepower from their freeblade allies and focused strikes. The Rift Wardens struggled to withstand the Grey Knight forces fielded against them at this time, despite the psychic reinforcements. The battle became a costly one in casualties for the space marines.

Battle of Morvaal District - Mortwald

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Crucible Of Battle / Chilling Rain.

Primary Objective: Purge The Foe.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Berzerker Warband.

The battle of the Morvaal district was an attack during the defence of Mortwald by the Rift Wardens, where the chapter sought to dislodge a World Eaters force led by Lord Invocatus from the district. The main Rift Warden attack was postponed to combine with attacks by the Cadian 4445th regiment and several small detachments from other space marine forces in the hive.

The attack was to close up the enemy defences between three different sub-districts. The combined attack from the north was also intended to deprive the World Eaters from reinforcements, before the 4445th attacked.

The three targeted sub-districts were captured and many casualties inflicted on the World Eaters. The Cadian 4445th made slow progress however, due to collapsed hab-blocks and ruined structures blocking the streets on their planned route. The Rift Wardens moved north to allow the Cadians more room to deploy their forces but the great quantity of daemonic war engines limited the guardsmens advance. The Rift Wardens under the command of captain Lorgraine advanced deep into enemy territory and left the World Eaters in severe difficulties, particularly when it appeared that Invocatus had been slain.

Streets Of Dirkden - Dirkden Hivesprawl

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Dawn Of War / Minefields.

Primary Objective: Deploy Servo Skulls.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Realspace Raiders.

This engagement was fought during the Dirkden crusade, by the Rift Wardens against the Drukhari raiders who had launched raids into the spires in weeks previously. Despite repeated attempted by the space marines, the strategic objective of a decisive victory had not been achieved although the infliction of many casualties on the alien attackers and the defensive of several battle zones was considered a considerable tactical victory.

The Drukhari defensive successes on the right flank made exploitation and the use of outflanking units impossible. Raiders and Ravagers dominated the airspace between the spires and without air support, the Rift Wardens found themselves in a difficult position. The Drukhari advance did fail due to the sheer amount of small arms fire but they were slowly taking ground. Outriders did eventually make it through at the rear of the enemy to expose their weaker lines. 

The rear attack was a limited success, after supply issues and enemy counter-attacks. Drukhari reinforcements were soon incoming and the Rift Wardens were driven back, sustaining heavy casualties. The Rift Wardens suffered the greatest losses here than they had anywhere else during the Vigilus Crusade.

First Battle of Look Out Point - Pariah Nexus

Points: 3000.

Deployment and Mission: Crucible Of Battle / Hidden Supplies.

Primary Objective: Supply Drop.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Awakened Dynasty.

The Rift Wardens attacked north of Hell's Point, capturing the Necron positions and the roads into the area. Captain Galadhus led his forces along the left flank, capturing the high ground and destroying thousands of enemy warriors. Hhis forces then attacked further south, pushing towards the Necron tomb complex but after three days they failed to capture any new territory.

Galadhus attacked again on the north flank, advancing on the left and gaining more ground. Then the Necrons counter-attacked, stopping the space marine advance. When the space marines took the enemy positions at "Look Out Point" they were in a position to block the enemy counter-attack, forming a boundry between the two forces.

Two days later, the space marines attacked towards the tomb complex and attacked multiple enemy positions, breaking through the Necron defences. Over the next few days, the Rift Wardens hunkered down and they defeated several big enemy counter-attacks. Further attacks though, were stopped by difficult terrain and the appearance of a vast Tesseract Vault.

Necron attacks were suspended at this time in order to bring in fresh warriors from the complex, despite the repeated Rift Warden attacks. The Necrons now reinforced, began to put increasing pressure on the space marines, who met frequent counter-attacks. Despite the initial successes, the battle bogged down into stalemate.

Second Battle Of Greigan Reservoir - Otek Hivesprawl

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Search And Destroy / Secret Intel.

Primary Objective: Supply Drop.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Ascension Day.

The Rift Wardens prepared defensive positions around the Greigan Reservoir, 200 marines were stationed there with another two hundred kept in reserve just beyond the perimeter. The Cult conducted a frontal assault on the defensive position. Vehicle artillery and desolator missile strikes blasted the enemy formations.

Teams of cultists attempted to circumvent the flank and prepared to assault the Rift Warden positions. However, battle blasted terrain and disruptions to their communications, caused them to arrive later than expected. Captain Lorgraine's reserves were positioned in a good location to strike the enemy flanking and with heavy bolter fire, the cultists were routed.

After three days of heavy fighting, the Cult withdrew their forces into the surrounding hivesprawl. The Rift Wardens had regained territory from the enemy and even set about restoring the hive's water source. Meanwhile, the Cult looked for other potential targets elsewhere.

Operation: Crucible - Dharrovar

Points: 1500.

Deployment and Mission: Crucible Of Battle / Supply Lines.

Primary Objective: Scorched Earth.

Detachment:  Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Combined Regiment.

Operation Crucible was an engagement in the Imperial attempt to capture Hindelgeist. On the first day of the operation, the Rift Wardens captured significant territory. Their forces managed to capture two warehouse districts but fell short of reaching the hive's cathedral district. The cathedral district was the location of the ecclesiarchies' former head quarters prior to the planet's insurrection. Securing it was the primary target for the military operation. Two days later, the enemy forces found themselves severely outnumbered and five days after that, the cathedral district was seized by the Rift Wardens. Captain Lorgraine assumed control of the area before handing it over to the Adepta Sororitas after clearing out the final enemy resistance.

First Battle of Dendelgeist Docks - Hesperous Prime

 

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Dawn Of War / Chosen Battlefield.

Primary Objective: Priority Targets.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

The First Battle of Dendelgeist Docks was an attack by the Dark Angels against a smaller force of Rift Wardens located in the depths of the hive's docking circles. This was located on the edge of territory claimed by the Rift Wardens early in the war before the betrayal. The Dark Angels had advanced close to this location and the capture of the docks was the culmination of their attacks. The attacks were intended to advance the right flank and eliminate any forward enemy forces.

Prior to the main assault, captain Ezekiel conducted numerous attacks to capture territory in the central Rift Warden defences and to gain observation positions to determine the location of Rift Warden patrols. The Rift Warden defences were based in the ruined structures surrounding the docking circles.

Numerous attempts were made by Ezekiel to co-ordinate joint attacks, which failed due to the recovery of the Rift Wardens from their early defeats. War weary and low on supplies, the effectiveness of the Dark Angels was soon diminished. The Rift Wardens were, unknown to their enemy, also suffering from similar difficulties. At this time, the two chapters were forced into a similar piecemeal defence.

Forced Evacuation - Talos

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Hammer And Anvil / Hidden Supplies.

Primary Objective: Take And Hold.

Detachment:  Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Invasion Fleet.

This battle was fought as the Imperial forces prepared to evacuate the southern continent to focus on the defence of the western continent. The Tyranids had breached the Imperial lines and into the main base of operations, causing much chaos and disruption. Arthurus learnt of this shortly after the attack began and dispatched Lieutenant Tristan to investigate.

The Rift Wardens were forced to withdraw almost immediately in the face of overwhelming Tyranid numbers. Despite several skirmishes, the Tyranids never succeeded in drawing out the main body of the space marine forces to face their superior numbers. However, despite this the Imperial forces lost several important supply locations when they were forced to evacuate before they were ready.

Battle Of The Deep Desert - Dharrovar

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Search And Destroy / Chilling Rain.

Primary Objective: Take And Hold.

Detachment:  Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Noble Lance.

The Battle of the Deep Desert was fought between the Rift Wardens and a force of traitorous Imperial Knights, on the southern continent of Dharrovar.

The battle took place in the southern deep deserts following a series of Imperial victories in the coastal city hives. The Rift Wardens under the command of Lieutenant Tristanm was tasking to engaging a retreating lance of Knights. Outrider patrols discovered them after a couple of days and the remainder of the force got into position to attack the next day. The assault was launched at dawn and became a day of attack and counter-attack. Finally, in the early evening, Tristan, commanding what remained of his Hellblasters, ordered his force to withdraw leaving the Knights force in command of the battle ground.