The Second Battle of the Vangalt Defence Line - Vigilus Wastelands

 

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Defensive Line / Night Fighting.

Primary Objective: Purge The Foe.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Soulforged Warpack.

The second battle of the Vangalt Defence Line was part of an ill-fated offensive by the Rift Wardens on the Black Legion occupying this strategic site after the recent battle. In this case, they found that Abaddon had summoned Vashtorr the Arkifane, and they would be forced to deal with his followers as well.

The Rift Wardens assault with the aim of cutting off one division of Black Legion and encircling them. One of the assaulting forces, managed to breach the front line and assaulted a fortified bunker, defended by a small number of cultists. After a brief skirmish, the chapter had captured a suitable command position, As the Rift Wardens took no prisoners, they slaughtered hundreds of traitor marines and even brought down Vashtorr, banishing back to the Warp. Following this, Abaddon joined the battle was forced to teleport back to the Vengeful Spirit having suffered grievious wounds from Chief Librarian Uther. The Rift Wardens had suffered minimal casualties as now the Black Legion lacked enough firepower to repel the loyalist forces and their counter-attack was repelled. Over the next twenty four hours the Rift Wardens broke through the defence line and obliterated the enemy forces. A significant victory had been achieved.

Battle of Hellfire Bridge - Birmingham

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Last Stand / Lords of War.

Primary Objective: Burden of Trust.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Skysplinter Assault.

While the chapter's various companies moved out to engage the Drukhari, Captain Pellenor and his battle brothers attacked the Drukhari positions on the Hellfire Bridge. The area was defended by many warriors with ravager and raider support, and were led by Lellith Hesperex. The Drukhari under her leadership formed strong pockets of resistance, a tactic that proved superior to their usual massed assaults.

Due to this, the Rift Wardens could not fully exploit their numerical advantage. In addition, poor command decisions caused the marine squads to begin their attacks on the Drukhari in a piecemeal fashion. In addition, Pellenor had ordered his forces to attack the enemy frontally across the narrow bridge. After the initial assault was repelled by heavy dark lance fore, the Drukahri counter-charged the Rift Wardens, and an intense hand to hand ensued. Both sides suffered major casualties, including the loss (for now) of Hesperex herself. When Drukhari reinforcements arrived from the under hives, Pelenor ordered a retreat from the field.

Pestilent Expansion - Dontoria Hivesprawl

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Pincer Attack / High Octane.

Primary Objective: Linchpin.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Mortarian's Hammer.

Following their defeat at the hands of the Death Guard reinforcements, the Rift Wardens had fallen back to the southern city walls to rearm and resupply. Unfortunately this meant that the Imperium had to given up vast amounts of territory to the enemy forces but they still retained enough forces to contain the Death Guard within the vast hive city. 

By this time, over 70% of Dontoria lay in Chaos hands and the population dead or mutated by plague. The Rift Wardens and their allies were struggling to save the hive.