Dawn Of War - Santorini (The Barrens)

Points: 1000.

Mission: Strut Your Stuff.

The desert planet of Santorini is a fringe world of the Imperium. Governed by outdated corporations who owned the legitimate planetary governor through money, bribes, and threats. Santorini has one mega hive built into the slopes of a long dead volcano along the equatorial deserts. Mining gangs and Mechanicus cults mine this vast peak and the lava tubes below for rare and exotic minerals and compounds. The largest corporation is the Nivis Mining Consortium and Inquisitorial concerns had drawn them to call upon the Rift Wardens to seize control of the company and the planet fully for the Imperium.

A small force, designated Task Force Tantalus, led by librarian Quirion was dispatched by drop pod to initiate a tactical and literal hostile take over. The drop pod smashed through the plexiglass canopy of the boardroom and the space marines opened fire on any who attempted to flee or put up a fight. Within minutes the site was secured. But it was not to last.  Aerial patrols over the outer barrens, the last inhabitable zone before the desert reclaimed the original settlement, detected Death Guard forces moving through the streets. Quirion left a skeleton force and relocated his marines to engage these unexpected enemies. It soon became obvious that the plague marines target was a water supply station and that they sought to contaminate the hives drinking water.

The water supply station came under swift attack. Quirion made contact with the orbiting strike cruiser requesting reinforcements as hostile forces had been uncovered. Those incoming forces were turned back by flights of Heldrakes that burst forth from the warp in low orbit. Without these immediate reinforcements, Quirion's marines were on their own and low on munitions.

Quirion dispatched scouts to capture and hold the water supply station but they ultimately failed. The Death Guard, supported by a horde of plague zombies managed to reach the site following the deaths of the scouts.

Task Force Tantalus, although determined, struggled to withstand the enemy assault due to limited forces and supplies. The Death Guard were able to cut off escape routes and effectively isolate the area from easy evacuation. Intense close quarter fighting and the supernatural resilience of the enemy, eroded the space marine operation. However, the losses inflicted by the Rift Wardens was enough to just about prevent the Death Guard from being successful. Without the means to adequately contaminate the hive's water supply, they fell back into the Barrens. Task Force Tantalus had little option but to fall back as well.

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.

Operation: Thunderbolt - Dharrovar

Points: 1000.

Deployment: Front Line.

Primary Objective: Duel.

Operation: Thunderbolt was a military operation to capture the religious center of Hive Gothos. It took the Rift Wardens three days of heavy fighting in the streets, but the district came under loyalist control. The enemy guardsmen in adjacent districts attempted to counter-attack but no amount of manpower and tanks could dislodge the Rift Wardens.

Battle of the Colicos Mines - Pariah

Points: 1000.

Deployment: Front Line.

Primary Objective: Duel.

The battle of the Colicos Mines took place in and around an abandoned mining station less than a mile from the main battle site at Hell's Point. The Necron forces advancing on the left flank were attacked by a sentry patrol of Outriders. The Rift Wardens engaged in heavy fighting but had to pull back from the mines themselves. The Necron commander pushed the warriors under his command in to swamp the Imperial defenders. With the arrival of Skorpek warriors, the site was seized in a matter of hours.

The following morning, a Rift Warden assault was repulsed but some time later, the warriors were ordered to abandon the mines, allowing the space marines to recapture it, although cautiously. Two days later, the Necrons returned in even greater numbers and once again the Rift Wardens fell back. A bloody battle begun in which the Rift Wardens took significant casualties. The mines were captured but Lieutenant Tristan led a tactical counterattack and after a fierce battle, the site had exchanged hands once again. That night, the Necrons surged forward again. Tristan's forces were pinned down in the mine opening.

Reinforcements, intended for the Hell's Point front, arrived to bolster the Necron forces. Tristan ordered his outnumbered battle brothers to fall back, but fighting continued throughout the night, Tristan pulled his few units back and retreated to the main Imperial lines. The Necrons abandoned the mines to give pursuit.

Second Battle of the Olatu Valley - Talos

Points: 1000.

Deployment: Front Line.

Primary Objective: Duel.

The second battle of the Olatu Valley took place just two days after the Rift Wardens abandoned their territory at the western end of the valley. It largely took place at the valley entrance where a few units had been left to guard against the Tyranid advance. It was part of a larger offensive by three waves of Tyranid organisms, aimed at encircling the space marines. 

In the battle both sides suffered heavy losses. While the site was overrun by the Tyranids, they failed to outflank the space marine defenders. Because of that, the battle, being less decisive than the Hive Mind wanted, was a both a tactical victory and a strategic defeat for the Tyanids.

Sudden Withdrawal - Omegon Theta

Points: 1000.

Mission: Dig Site Raid

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Guardian Battlehost.

Agendas: Armoured Assault, Drive Them Back and Recover Blackstone Data..

Opponent's Agendas: Calculated Destruction and Fulcrum of Fate.

After the most recent engagement where the Aeldari showed their superiority, they suddenly withdrew their forces from the engagement lines. The Rift Wardens responded by attacking the retreating forces. Under Arthurus leadership the space marines slaughtered numerous enemy forces in close combat. But this did not hinder the Aeldari retreat. Under advisement from his captains, Arthurus did not pursue the enemy but fell back to safeguard their defences around the buried Craftworld.

Fields Of Fire - Dharrovar

Points: 1000.

Mission: Quantum Siege.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Noble Lance

Agendas: Drive Them Back, King Slayer and Recover Blackstone Data.

Opponent's Agendas: Kingslayer and To The Last.

This engagement, known as the Fields of Fire, took place over several weeks following the recent battle in Gothos against the enemy Knights. The successive engagement was fought against the fleeing Knights by the Rift Wardens, later assisted by allied Knights. The loyalist forces won a significant victory here before returning to Gothos, continuing to purge the enemy forces still within the walls.

Battle for Cell Block H - Carceri

Points: 1000.

Mission: Nullification Field.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Vanguard Spearhead

Agendas: Central Position, Drive Them Back and Recover Blackstone Data.

Opponent's Agendas: Battlefield Survivours, Drive Them Back, Know No Fear and Survivalist's.

The Rift Wardens retaliated and attacked the advancing Raven Guard intending to annihilate them all. The Raven Guard surveyed their prospective battlefield: a small most empty prison block, characterised by tight avenues, high towers and multiple ambush points, bordered by high walls north and south. This area had to be crossed if the Raven Guard were to reach their target. Thus, the sons of Corax claimed the shadows and the high grounds, where the prepared for the Rift Wardens assault.

Meanwhile, the main force advanced along the center line with scout squads supporting along the flanks. Despite frequent hit and run raids by these scouts, the Rift Wardens under Arthurus himself, managed to drive the Raven Guard from their high ground, although it left their flanks exposed, allowing the enemy chapter the opportunity to regain some corners of the cell block complex.

The following day, this Raven Guard force found itself isolated from the mainstay of the chapter. Arthurus used this moment to regroup, positioning his forces against the right flank of the Raven Guard. He gave his battle brothers a rousing speech and declared victory over their former battle brothers!

That evening, a Rift Warden Intercessor force carried out a feint attack against the the Raven Guard positions, drawing them westward after a small skirmish, allowing the Rift Wardens to redeploy to a better position. In the early hours, Arthurus led the attack with his chapter quickly gaining the upper hand and forcing the enemy back to the outskirts of Cell Block H. Victory was assured once Arthurus joined in the fray, striking a flanking attack, charging a much larger force with his bladeguard bodyguards, and fighting the Raven Guard in close quarters combat. This effectively routed the enemy and cleared Cell Block H of enemy forces.

Skirmish At Fuel Station Zigma - Vigilus Wastelands

 

Points: 1000.

Mission: Polarising Energies.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Dredd Mob

Agendas: Calculated Devastation, Drive Them Back and Headhunters.

Opponent's Agendas: Calculated Devastation, Overwhelming Aggression and Skrag Killiest Gits!

This small skirmish was fought between elements of the Rift Wardens and rampaging Orks around the Zigma 12 fuel depot. The engagement was brief, lasting a little under two hours. Unfortunately, it saw the space marines pushed back into the wastelands while the greenskins refueled their vehicles and walkers.

Purge The Alien - Corinthia

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Search and Destroy / Raise Banners.

Primary Objective: Linchpin.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Kroot Hunting Pack.

At the front of Operation: Hellstorm, Tau resistance was falling away. Unprecedented numbers of fire warriors and kroot mercenaries were slain during the campaign, and a new attack was swiftly prepared. Captain Gwaine tasked the Rift Wardens under his command to advance from the south along the Ashflow river, towards the position of Kroot forces threatening the Astra Militarum forced at the forefront of the Imperial attack. Together with other space marine chapters, this would, if successful, disrupt the Tau efforts to reform a defensive line. At dawn, the space marines led by the Rift Wardens headed the attack, although the other chapters only provided a handful of companies despite promises of aid.

The first barrier to the attack was the Ashflow river itself and the flooded ground around it. It was there that the Rift Wardens launched the initial attack. The Kroot soon ranged the space marines and the Rift Wardens lost a handful of battle brothers before they laid down heavy fire against the aliens. Even so, the Kroot forces defended in depth the defensive lines and held them securely. Gwaine led the charge across the river and into the enemy lines.

Further north, a force of Rift Wardens attacked the flanks of the Kroot trenchworks. The Kroot defence here was haphazard and the space marines assaulted the lines with no casualties, while the aliens were slaughtered in brutal hand to hand combat. The space marines slaughtered the enemy and their lines now in Imperial hands.

The Defence of Hive Apothis - Talos

Points: 1000.

Mission: Screaming Into The Void.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Invasion Fleet.

Agendas: Critical Objectives, Drive Them Back and Monstrous Targets.

Opponent's Agendas: Hunt & Slay and Tyrannoform The Prey World.

The Defence of Hive Apothis was fought shortly after the fall of Vardenghast, in the last days of the Talos colony. After the Tyranid's victory over that hive city, the remnants of the Rift Wardens and the Imperial defenders were pursued across the warped countryside. More and more organisms poured into the battle zone after them, hunting down and slaughtering any that failed to escape. A remnant force of Rift Wardens, led by librarian Anwyr, managed to cross hundreds of miles to reach the last remaining bastion of Imperial defiance, Hive Apothis.

The Tyranids followed behind, pursuing along their right flank. Once the space marines reached the hive city, the Tyranids threw themselves against the walls under the cover of nightfall. Some of these bypassed the entrenched defenders and soon the streets were the scene of savage hand to hand fighting, which continued through the night. It was not enough and by morning, the xenos had breached the defences.

Craftworld Offensive - Omegon Theta

Points: 1000.

Mission: The Gathering Shroud

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Battle Host.

Agendas: Angels of Death, Drive Them Back and Recover Mission Archives.

Opponent's Agendas: Cleanse Infection and Forward Observers.

This offensive was part of a major attack by the Aeldari against the Mechanicus research stations around the buried Craftworld ship. It was fought over the course of a month, and was one of the largest battles in the initial stages of the war. It involved millions of skitarri, aeldari warriors as well as the majority of the Rift Wardens chapter. It was one of the deadliest campaigns for the Rift Warden, and ultimately the loss of these dig sites worsened the morale of the Mechanicus command.

Battle for Samakah - Talos

Points: 1000.

Mission: Routed Prey.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Invasion Fleet.

Agendas: Angels of Death and Monstrous Targets.

Opponent's Agendas: Hunt & Slay and Tyrannoform The Prey World.

Following a number of victories in the Samakah region, a combined series of attacks by the Tyranids, supported by extensive aerial support from flying monsters, allowed the hive mind to achieve a number of victories against the defenders. A Rift Wardens expeditionary force in the area were, by the attacks, to forced to fight back and push the Tyranids back, all but briefly. The Tyranids retreated to avoid being outflanked, Although the hive mind withdrew, they had inflicted significant casualties upon the Imperial defenders, although the Rift Wardens suffered few actual casualties.

Cover The Evacuation - Talos

Points: 1000.

Mission: Empty The Vaults.

Detachment: Anvil Strike Force.

Opponents Detachment: Invasion Fleet.

Agendas: Central Position, Hunting The Behemoth and Monstrous Targets.

Opponent's Agendas: Hunt & Slay and Tyrannoform The Prey World.

With Vardenghast overrun by the Tyranids, the majority of the Rift Wardens escaped via Thunderhawk but a small force led by Librarian Anwyr covered the ground escape from the city in a last ditch honour battle. 

Very few tanks could be spared for this attack, so the over flying Thunderhawks blasted the Tyranid horde on their way out. They provided concentrated fire which decimated the Tyanid forces under a creeping barrage that allowed Anwyr's forces to get to a suitable position in which to hold the enemy back. Their position consisted of a fortified position supported by old Militarum trenches and strong points. Here is where they made their stand.

The Tyranid horde smashed into their lines shortly before dawn the next day. The enemy found it difficult to breach the fortifications, which were held determinedly by the Rift Wardens. Anwyr's battle brothers suffered heavy casualties and he himself was laid low, leaving lieutenant Tristan to take control and hold the line. Eventually their force was recovered but not before suffering significant casualties.

The Gates Are Breached - Talos

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Sweeping Engagement / Rapid Escalation.

Primary Objective: Purge The Foe.

Detachment: Firestorm Assault Force.

Opponents Detachment: Synaptic Nexus.

This engagement was fought by the invading Tyranid forces against the Rift Wardens and those brave civilian militia, and commanded by captain Lorgraine. The Tyranids had breached the walls of Vardenghast and were spilling into the streets, slaughtering all in their way. This brief engagement was notable for being a significant confrontation at this point in the war for Vardenghast, and set the tone for the eventual fall of the sprawling hive city.

Operation Annihilation: The Second Battle For Orks Drift

 

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Hammer And Anvil / Fog Of War.

Primary Objective: Terraform.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: War Horde.

The second battle of Orks Drift took place over three days, during the Imperial operation designated Annihilation. It is notable for being the first occasion in which the Astartes and the Orks fought major tank battles against each other. It was the biggest and most successful tank action of the Orks during the entire Vigilus crusade.

A counter-attack by two huge mobs of boyz led by Ghazkul Thrakka attacked the Rift Wardens by night and they forced the space marines out of the area. Ghazkul's presence was crucial in pushing back the space marines with the greenskins fortifying the former Astartes positions.

The Second Battle of Ashen Fields - Antares

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Crucible Of Battle / Smoke And Mirrors.

Primary Objective: Burden Of Trust.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Shield Host.

As the Rift Wardens pushed forward along the trade route from Kastlehall, the Custodes started building trenches, and bringing in tanks to form a defensive line some kilometers from the first battle. During this time, the Rift Wardens captured several strong points overlooking the Custodes lines. The offensive against the Custodes launched just days later. The main force commanded by Captain Oberon took the trade route and cut the Custodes reinforcements, and led the assault against the enemy defenses. After a grueling battle, the Rift Wardens smashed through the Custodes and captured their defences by nightfall. All of this occurred with hardly any resistance, It's unknown why the attack took the Custodes by surprise, as they could see the Rift Wardens approaching.

Operation: Skyfall - St Keeler's Rest

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Tipping Point / Rapid Escalation.

Primary Objective: Scorched Earth.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Bringers Of Flame.

Following the conclusion of the Vigilus Cruasade, the Rift Wardens departed back into Imperial space looking for their next war zone. Arthurus was furious over the events at the dawn of the war where the Sororitas attacked them and that fury grew until he ordered his forces to change course to follow the Sororitas back to their shrine world. The plan would be to launch a surprise drop assault and eradicate their forces in revenge. It did not go well.

Despite the initial orbital assault, which won the Rift Wardens some small victories, their forces were quickly overrun by Sororitas forces under the surprise command of Morvenn Vahl. The relative quick pace of the Sororitas counter-attack was due to limited forces available initially for the chapter on the ground. By the end of the first few days of fighting, the Sororitas had shown a strong devotion to defending their world and the Rift Wardens needed to alter their strategies if victory was to be assured.

The Black Fields Campaign Begins - Grendel

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Hammer And Anvil / Scrambler Fields

Primary Objective: Scorched Earth

Detachment: Gladius Strike Force.

Opponent's Detachment: Teleport Strike Force.

The Black Fields campaign took place over two weeks following the initial battle of Black Fields just days previously. Initially, the Grey Knights committed to large incursions into Rift Warden held territory. Firstly the main trade road into Ascension Hive was successfully captured over two days, followed by the capture of overlooking escarpments. The first battle for the larger Black Fields took place over several days when the Grey Knights mounted a large teleport strike, reinforced with terminator squads and dreadknights.

The Rift Wardens command base located in the Black Fields was strongly garrisoned and during the battle received reinforcements from units of eradicators coming from Ascension Hive itself. Their presence on the battlefield proved effective and eventually forced the attacking Grey Knights to retire back to their own lines. Their retreat and other victories here allowed the Rift Wardens to consolidate their positions. The front line was adjusted to compensate for expected teleport assaults.

After several unsuccessful attempts by the Grey Knights, a new attack was led by grand master Voldus against the main trade road once more. The Grey Knights under his command came under heavy fire from the entrenched Rift Wardens but they fought through to reach the space marines, and under Voldus' leadership they began recapturing former positions.

Meanwhile strike teams and purifiers marched north and south of the main assault. Their objective was to effectively cut the space marines supply lines from Ascension Hive. That supply line was strongly defended by the Rift Wardens and their positions had been reinforced to better repel the Grey Knights. The strike squads and dreadknights were sent forward to bolster the attack to the north but this took considerable time to organise. Athought the combined force of Grey Knight battle brothers with dreadknight support made a determined attack but Voldus was forced to withdraw them when it became clear that the defenders were too strong, making it difficult if not impossible to achieve the operation's objective. After days of fighting, the only territorial gains the Grey Knights achieved were minimal.

Battle Of Hesperous Gate - Hesperous Prime

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Dawn Of War / Chosen Battlefield.

Primary Objective: Supply Drop

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Inner Circle Task Force.

The Battle of Hesperous Gate, took place during the Dark Angel attack on Hesperous Hive as part of a new offensive to drive the Rift Wardens out of the hive. The offensive began against the defenders and pushed them back to the north gate of the lower hive. The capture of Hesperous Gate, a strategically important trade road, would have brought the Rift Wardens in range of the Dark Angels tank forces. Captain Angrad brought a force of reinforcements to help shore up the defensive line and soon after the Dark Angels launched an attack to capture the Gate. After a determined defence by Angrad's battle brothers, the Dark Angels were close to success until Angrad led a counter attack. He restored the defensive line and halted the Dark Angels advance.