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.

Battle of the Badlands - Vigilus Wastelands

Points: 3000.

Deployment and Mission: Crucible of Battle / Night Fighting.

Primary Objective: Scorched Earth.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: War Horde.

After the Imperium lost their campaign against the Orks of the Scrap Cities, they fell back into the wastelands pursued by the greenskins. Arthurus gathered a company worth of battle brothers and dreadnoughts to hold off the wrath of Ghazkhull while the surviving forces retreated. Even so, the Orks had the numerical advantage.

Arthurus, decided to forestall their advance and ordered his brothers to hold the line. Initially the Rift Wardens were able to destroy the oncoming forces and were briefly able to push them back. The Ork hordes concentrated their war bands and rushed the space marine lines. Heavy fighting ensued and the battle lines became a deadlock.

Over the next two days, the Rift Wardens pushed the Orks back but then Ghazkhull arrived to bolster their numbers. Under his command, the Orks recaptured territory lost to them and inflicted heavy casualties on the space marines. With the main Imperial force now safely out of harm's way, Arthurus pulled his forces back to the hive cities and plotted a revenge against the Orks.

Operation Annihilation: The Ending - Vigilus Wastelands

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Hammer and Anvil / Swift Action.

Primary Objective: Terraform.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: War Horde.

After months of brutal fighting, the greenskins launched a counter-offensive against the Imperial forces assaulting the scrap cities and looking to regain territories seized during the fighting. The initial attack was so great that it forced the Astra Militarum to withdraw almost entirely. Then, they turned their attention to the astartes chapters remaining. A fierce battle for the outer scrap cities lasted almost a month, finally ending with am Ok victory.

Finally, the space marine chapters suffered severe casualties and Imperial command ordered an immediate withdrawal. Operation Annhilation had achieved some successes but had proved far too costly in manpower and equipment. For the time being, command would leave the scrap cities to the geenskins and seek to stymy their assaults elsewhere.

Battle of Cargo Dept 1145 - Vigilus Wastelands

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Dawn of War / Fog of War.

Primary Objective: Take and Hold.

Detachment: Firestorm Assault Force.

Opponents Detachment: War Horde.

In the early hours, Ork forces attacked the wasteland cargo depot from three sides. At the same time, squig riders headed eastwards to cut off any reinforcements from aiding the defenders. The defenders put up a strong resistance but only the sudden arrival of a Rift Warden force gave them any hope. With their presence ensuring that the battle ensued for longer than the greenskin warboss expected, rokkitboy reinforcements were called in.

Heavy fighting lasted throughout the day and into the night with many casualties on both sides. The ork squig riders managed to halt the Rift Wardens and allowed the greenskins to push deeper into the depot. The orks went building to building, killing and looting.

On the morning of the third day, the main Ork assault began, with more and more reinforcements running in from the wastelands, After an further hour of heavy fighting, the depot was captured and with it vast amounts of lootable ammunition and equipment. 

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.

Operation Annihilation : Assault on the Stompa Factories - Vigilus Wastelands

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Tipping Point / Inspired Leadership.

Primary Objective: The Ritual.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Bully Boyz.

This battle was part of the Imperial offensive against the Ork scrap cities and was fought between the Rift Wardens and the Orks occupying their Stompa factories. It was fought while the main Imperial forces fell back to rearm and resupply, and the objective was to hinder the Ork forces during this time. The Rift Wardens attack resulted in the Orks present being cut off from their forces elsewhere in the scrap cities, and allowed the space marines to encircle their prey. The Orks attempted to to use their superior numbers to try and counter-attack but suffered severe losses. Chief Librarian Uther led the attack and under his leadership his brothers planted hundreds of explosives which destroyed the factories in one massive explosion.

Operation Annihilation: Counter Assault - Vigilus Wastelands

 

Points: 1250.

Deployment and Mission: Sweeping Engagement / Hidden Supplies.

Primary Objective: Linchpin..

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Dread Mob.

The Rift Warden offensive against the Ork scrap cities was launched chief librarian Uther's forces marched South in order to block the Orks from receiving reinforcements. Uther cut the greenskin supply lines with ease. During the next two days, his battle brothers took several districts from the enemy, routing a force of killa kans and other mechanised forces back into the heart of the scrap cities. On the same day, the Rift Wardens pushed back against the Orks.

On the following evening, the Orks attempted to counter attack and poured numerous bodies into the front lines. Boss Snikrot led a force and were able to establish a defence line. Elsewhere the greenskin lines collapsed and fell back into the heart of the scrap cities. Snikrot was the only Ork warboss to remain in the area and he would led a defence for now.

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.

Operation Annihilation: The Second Battle Of Skumtown - Vigilus Wastelands

 

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Crucible Of Battle / Sweep And Clear.

Primary Objective: Scorched Earth.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: War Horde.

As the Imperial offensive against the Ork base of operations failed over the last few weeks, the Orks launched their own counter-operation against them. Their limited tactical goal in the area known as Skumtown was to encircle the Rift Wardens and krump them proper. Heavy fighting broke out immediately and the space marine lines collapsed, and the Rift Wardens withdrew towards their allies but the Orks had successfully outmaneuvered them. The Rift Warden command ordered their battle brothers to occupy the ramshackle buildings and defend for as long as possible. The Orks besieged their positions with the largest number of Boyz seen in the war so far. Related engagements were fought in the surrounding areas as some Rift Wardens squads found themselves cut off from their battle brothers.

Over the next few days the two forces clashed multiple times but the Orks were repelled each time. The greenskins brought up heavy walkers ad started firing onto the space marine positions, and the Rift Wardens were forced to evacuate eastwards. The Orks captured their former positions, but using land raiders and spartans, the Rift Wardens managed to fight their way through the advancing Orks.

Operation Annihilation: Second Battle of Gork's Landing - Vigilus Wastelands

 

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Search And Destroy / Minefields.

Primary Objective: Take And Hold.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: War Horde.

The second battle of Gork's Landing occurred over three days when the greenskins sent a detachment to recapture the site from the Rift Wardens during the Imperium's Operation Annihilation. Here the Ork horde attacked the Rift Wardens positions, forcing them back from Gork's Landing and out into the deserts of Vigilus.

Heavy dust storms put an end to the Imperium's efforts temporarily after the Ork victory. This lull in the fighting offered the opportunity for the greenskins to consolidate their positions. Extensive repairs and bolstered defences were put into place and gretchin brought in a vast supply of ammunition.

Munitions Raid - Kaelac's Bane

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Sweeping Engagement / Chilling Rain.

Primary Objective: Deploy Servo Skulls..

Detachment: Stormlance Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Waaagh! Tribe.

Coming out of a sudden snowstorm, the Orks led by Ghazkull Thrakka, launched a surprise raid on one of the remote arctic munitions storage depots. After an initial aerial bombardment, small bands of greenskins attacked. An hour late, captain Mallegant of the Rift Wardens arrived with a force of outriders to aid in the defence. The Orks breached the defences with ease, and follow up units took over the attack. Ghazkull advanced deep into the depot, breaking the defensive lines and slaughtering the defenders, Mallegant was unable to repel the attack and pulled back, leaving the regimental survivours to look to their own defence. The Orks gathered up all they could loot and returned back to the frozen wilderness.

Operation Annihilation: Counter-Attack! - Vigilus Wastelands

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Dawn Of War / Targets Of Opportunity.

Primary Objective: Purge The Foe.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Waaagh! Tribe.

Captain Gwaine's advance through the giant scrap city was delayed by Ork rearguard units, and the Orks used this to delay to heavily fortify their positions along a low ridge stretching through the ramshackle buildings north of the expected battleline. 

The Rift Wardens force contained a mix of heavy infantry, 1st company aggressors and a detachment of outriders. Gwaine decided to use his forces to directly assault the Ork positions while the outriders flanked around to the East. This strategy depended on surprise, an element which was lost when spotted by a greenskin patrol. Aerial reconnaissance detected Ork movement to reinforce their east flank but Gwaine decided to proceed regardless.

The battle opened shortly before dawn. The outriders did not flank far enough east and attacked the Ork position where it had been reinforced instead of circling around the trenches. The main infantry suffered significant losses and was only able to withdraw once the aggressors with Gwaine launched an attack on the center of the Ork trenches. At the end of the day, Gwaine broke off the engagement to prevent further casualties.

Operation Annihilation: First Battle Of Skumtown - Vigilus Wastelands

Points: 1000.

Mission: Spawning Grounds.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Waaagh! Tribe.

Agendas: Eradicate The Swarm and Monstrous Targets.

Opponent's Agendas: Battlefield Survivors and Critical Objectives.

Just before midnight, three companies of Rift Wardens began their attack upon the settlement known as Skumtown, which housed thousands of greenskins. Arthurus made the decision to leave many of his battle brothers supporting the Astra Militarum forces assaulting the scrap cities, and instead took what he felt was the minimum needed to defeat the Orks at Skumtown. The marines approached from three sides, seeking to breach through where the defence was weakest. Unfortunately a couple bolter shots alerted the Orks early. The Rift Warden advanced paused after finding trenchworks filled with Orks. A sudden heavy burst of bolter fire along the whole front began the space marine attack and within a couple hours, they managed to push past those initial defences.

The Rift Warden centre and left companies were skillfully led round the open flank of the Ork entrenchments and into the outer streets. They then led a charge into the enemy positions. Although outnumbered the Orks present fought an effective delaying action at close quarters, but were forced to relinquish ground slowly and were ultimately pushed back just before dawn. The Orks were eventually forced back; withdrawing slowly, unit covering unit with steady fire, staving off a general attack and bolstering a fall back position. During the retirement, the right flank of the Orks suffered considerable losses, but managed to hold their ground. Soon after, the new Ork lines were reinforced by heavy weapons which succeeded in blunting the space marine attack.

The Orks then relied on the savagery of the squiggoths they released upon the space marines, to cause chaos and devastation until further reinforcements could arrive. By the time the sun had risen above the horizon, many of the giant beasts had been brought down by lascannon and missile launcher fire. The Orks now found themselves outflanked by strong space marine forces. More of the giant squiggoths were ordered released and they charged into the Rift Warden right flank. The Rift Warden heavy weapons and artillery now opened fire on the Ork defences and camps; missile strikes inflicted some losses but explosive shells were smothered by the sand and dust. The Rift Wardens succeeded in defeating the squiggoths and pushed further into Skumtown. However, they were unable to press further, as they now came under heavy fire from those Orks entrenched in the middle of the settlement.

Having been held south of Skumtown, Arthurus led his own forces in a further outflank maneuver to the west, concentrating his company in one battle zone. This outflanking action was steadily progressing through the weaker lines and causing some mayhem among the Orks.

The Ork forces gradually reformed to combat this new assault. This time Arthurus' forces were pushed back and the Orks continually harassing their right flank. Arthurus was compelled to fall back slowly, although many of his battle brothers continued to hold positions and engage the greenskins. Without their support, the other space marine flanks were forced to likewise fall back.

The Rift Warden attack, although initially successful had now been blunted. Ork reinforcements poured in from the other scrap cities or from the deserts, making it hard for the space marines to push forward once more and reclaim the ground they had. Arthurus ordered his forces into a holding action for now and called for reinforcements from his captains. The initial assault had failed but the greenskins could not stop the full force of the Rift Wardens chapter in the days to come.

Operation Annihilation: Battle For Orks Drift - Vigilus Wastelands

 

Points: 2000.

Mission: Data-Scry Salvage.

Secondary Objectives: Bring It Down, Shock Tactics and Warp Ritual

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Engage On All Fronts, Get Da Good Bitz and Grind Them Down.

The Battle of Orks Drift lasted nearly six months with the Imperial assault throwing everything into the scrap cities of the Orks. The attack was made by five regiments of Astra Militarum supported by the Rift Wardens and Ultramarines. The Ork defence mostly collapsed and the space marines had a "complete success" in their frequent vanguard strikes. On the south side of the battle zone, the Ork defence was made incapable of resisting another attack and a substantial retreat began. The greenskins fell back into the heart of the scrap cities. However, to the north, the Ork defenders commanded the high ground and inflicted a huge defeat on the Rift Wardens, who took an unprecedented number of casualties.

Operation Annihilation: Battle of Gork's Landing - Vigilus Wastelands

Points: 1000.

Mission: Cleanse The Land.

Secondary Objectives: Bring It Down, Oaths Of Moment and Shock Tactics. 

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Engage On All Fronts, No Prisoners and Stomp Em Good.

The battle of Gork's Landing was the first two weeks of the Imperial offensive known as Operation Annhiliation, The Imperial forces launched an artillery bombardment and the Rift Wardens attacked from the south. The space marines inflicted a considerable defeat upon the greenskins while the Dark Angels to the north suffered a significant disaster, while the Astra Militarim regiments suffered over half a million casualties. Against Imperial commands wishes, the Dark Angels abandoned the northern offensive to reinforce the Rift Wardens in their successes to the south, where they pressed forward into the Ork lines. Despite the initial failures of the Imperial attack, the Rift Warden offensive turned the tables.

Operation Annihilation - Vigilus Wasteland

Points: 1000.

Mission: Reconnaissance Mission.

Secondary Objectives: Bring It Down, Engage On All Fronts and Oaths Of Moments. 

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Behind Enemy Lines, Get Da Good Bitz and Grind Them Down.

Operation Annihilation was the beginning of the second Imperial campaign against the Ork scrap cities. The campaign was largely made up of Astra Miliatarum regiments, Mchanicus maniples, several space marine chapters and several knightly households. The first objective of the attack was to capture the outer defensive ring. The Rift Wardens were the vanguard of an assault from the south.

 The Ork defence to the south mostly collapsed and the Rift Wardens had complete success as did the Ultramarines and Dark Angels on the west and northern fronts. The Ultramarines reached all their objectives, while the Dark Angels suffered heavy casualties during the attack. The Astra Militarum then captured the earthwork fortifications to the west, failed to the north and only had a temporary success when backing up the Rift Wardens, where the Orks were overrun.

Ork counter-attacks during the recaptured most of the lost ground while more Imperial attacks were costly failures. To the north the attack was a disaster, with a large number of Dark Angels casualties. The Rift Warden attack was also costly, with only a partial advance. The Ork defeats against the Ultramarines were incapable of resisting another attack. 

Battle In The Dunes - Vigilus Wastelands

Points: 2000.

Mission: Secure Missing Artefacts.

Secondary Objectives: Bring It Down, Engage On All Fronts and No Prisoners. 

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Engage On All Fronts, Get Da Good Bitz and Grind Them Down.

After the Rift Wardens recent engagement with the Orkish speed waaagh outside the walls of Dontoria Hivesprawl, Captain Oberon was tasked with reorganising the defences north of the city in the anticipation of another assault. A number of squads were drawn from other positions, abandoning those and moved to bolster the new defence works. The new position was a series of tightly packed dunes covered with hardy brush, which became thicker the further in the marines went. The surrounding plains provided no cover, meaning the attacking ork force would be subjected to murderous fire from the Rift Wardens.

Oberon ordered his battle brothers into a frontal assault as the orks advanced towards their position. It was impossible for any flanking actions due to the openness of the terrain. Intercessor squads were sent into the attack - holding the left and right flanks - with hellblasters held in reserve. The force was supported by a repulsor executioner which blasted the ork positions from a far distance. Before they could reach the Rift Warden positions, the orks were forced back by bolter rifle, heavy bolter and some artillery fire. However, this did not stop the greenskins from continuing the attack and they soon swiftly advanced upon the space marine positions.

By late afternoon, more and more orks supported by battle wagons and giant walkers arrived from the wastelands. With the arrival of such weapons of war, the orks let out a battle cry and charged. The orks failed again to reach the space marine lines, suffering heavy casualties. A few isolated squads of boyz reached the dunes as night fell but were forced to retreat by Rift Warden counter-attacks. Despite further reinforcements, the orks were once more forced to withdraw. The greenskins then waited until night had fallen and sneakily attempted to use it to their advantage.

The third and final wave occurred once the sun had set and the desert wastes were lit only by the hellish light of the great rift, and straight away the orks suffered the same problems as earlier, only this time compounded by the lack of light. Eventually, with numbers on their side, the orks were able to force their way into the dunes and into the space marine positions. It was here that the advance stopped. In the darkness many orks had become lost and some fell back into the deserts to regroup. At the same time the ork heavy vehicles and walkers, who had become bogged down in the sands, rejoined the attack. Oberon and his forces held on to the dunes until dawn, when the events of battle and fearing heavy casualties, forced him to order a withdrawal back to Dontoria. 

The Speedwaagh! - Vigilus Wastelands

Points: 1000.

Mission: Ascension.

Secondary Objectives: Bring It Down, No Prisoners and Shock Tactics.

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Get Da Good Bitz, Psychic Interrogation and Stomp 'Em Good.

Out in the wastelands a force of speed freaks mounted a reconnaissance raid into the lines of the Imperial defenders near to Dontoria Hivesprawl. A Rift Wardens patrol of 400 battle brothers attacked the oncoming buggies and bikes from three different positions. The marines inflicted significant casualties and forced the Orks to retreat slightly. 

The Rift Wardens followed up their ambush and attacked the Orks again. All night long, the Orks fought hard and fast, using their bikes and buggies to great advantage against the footslogging space marines. With speed and ferocity on their side, the tide of battle turned in the greenskins favour. 

The Ork warboss led a counter-attack as the sun rose. The Orks charged as fast as they could, blasting everything in front of them. The speedwaagh split into three points, slamming into the Rift Wardens. The space marines suffered many casualties and were forced to fall back to the Imperial lines with many cut down as they did so. The Orks hit the Imperial lines, punching a hole in the lines. Many stayed to fight the defending Astra Militarum, but more surged forth to reach the good fighting within the city walls.

Hold The Line - Vigilus Wastelands / Dontoria Hivesprawl

 

Points: 1000.

Mission: Sacred Ground.

Secondary Objectives: Bring It Down, Shock Tactics, and Raise The Banners High.

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Behind Enemy Lines, Bring It Down, and Grind Them Down.

The Rift Warden counter attack occurred the following day after the Ork attack. The Orks had decimated the Astra Militarum defenders and the Rift Wardens were soon halted by the immense horde of Greenskins. The chapter succeeded in recapturing one of the forts and their battle brothers rallied around it. Over the next two days the Rift Wardens fought but were unable to slay enough of the Orks.

On the morning of the third day of battle, the chapter was reinforced by Arthurus leading a force of aggressors but even their presence was not enough and they took heavy losses. The chapter was now pinned down, and could not advance or retreat. Despite their predicament, Arthurus ordered his battle brothers to continue the attack and slay as many of the Orks as they could.

Captain Lamorak gave up defending the outer walls of Dontoria to aid his chapter master. Under his command, his detachment fought through the Ork lines reach the defenders although he lost around half his force in casualties. With his assistance, Arthurus ordered an withdraw to the hive city walls. On the horizon however, more Orks were incoming.

Battle Beyond The Walls - Vigilus Wastelands / Dontoria Hivesprawl

 

Points: 1000.

Mission: Ascension.

Secondary Objectives: Oaths of Moment, Shock Tactics, and Raise The Banners High.

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Assassination, Engage On All Fronts, and Grind Them Down.

Nearly three years into the Vigilus war, the Orks were concentrated in the wastelands mainly south of Dontoria Hivesprawl, leaving their scrap cities largely undefended. Following the failed attempts by the Imperium to destroy the scrap cities two years earlier, the Ork speedwaagh in the area had substantial freedom of movement. This allowed the Orks to conduct a number of raids on Astra Militarum fortifications surrounding Dontoria. 

Then, one morning, as the sun rose above the horizon, the Orks surrounded and attacked the defence fort on the approach to the hivesprawl. Early in the battle, the Ork warboss was killed and chapter master Arthurus seriously injured as a immense Gorganaut exploded spectacularly. This left lieutenant Agrippa to lead the Rift Warden defence of the fort. The Orks brought up killa kans and deffkoptas, whose weapons were able to inflict considerable damage to the fort's defences. Despite having superiority in weapons and defences, the Rift Wardens were unable to prevent the Orks from breaking into the fort. Around middday after several hours of fighting, the Rift Wardens withdrew back to Dontoria, leaving the Astra Militarum to continue fighting the Orks.