Blood On The Streets - Dirkden Hivesprawl

Points: 2000.

Deployment: Opposing Forces.

Primary Objective: Duel.

This skirmish was a week of significant street battles in Dirkden that marked the beginning of the fall of Dirkden. Six months after the Vigilus crusade started, the cult members were now ready to overthrow their Imperial oppressor's. 

The Rift Wardens and the remaining Astra Militarum joined the battle, but once the cult assaulted the Imperial command bunkers through the sewers and supply runnels, the loyalist resistance soon fell apart. Chapter Master Arthurus ordered an evacuation of the hive, deeming it presently lost to the Emperor's Grace.

The Fall of Mortwald - Mortwald

Points: 2000.

Deployment: Front Line.

Primary Objective: Relic Hunt.

The Fall of Mortwald is described in Imperial Records as a series of engagements around the hive city which ultimately led to the Imperial defenders abandoning the city. The Rift Wardens sought to evacuate as many Astra Militarum as they could while taking any available munitions and supplies as could be carried. Ultimately, the Death Guard forces present proved too strong and the space marines abandoned their human allies to an horrific end at the tentacles and plagues of Grandfarther Nurgle. 

Resurgence - Dirkden Hivesprawl

 

Points: 2000.

Deployment: Opposing Forces.

Primary Objective: Duel.

At dawn just days after the evacuation of Direkden Hivesprawl, in the shadowy hours before the sun arose, the Genestealer Cult attacked the last force of Imperial defenders along the outer wall. The Cult attacked with thousands of cultists armed with a variety of a small arms and machine guns, a couple fast moving buggies. The defenders were a handful of Rift Warden squads and a lone Knight..

Initially the attack was repulsed with heavy losses. One by one the Cult's vehicles were destroyed or rendered immobile. The Cult regrouped and attacked again later that morning. This time, the Cult attacked in multiple locations, wearing down the space marine resistance, cutting through the defences and engaging the Rift Wardens in close combat offensives. With such few forces left, the Rift Wardens found their position untenable and the survivours were evacuated, finally leaving the Hive in the hands of the cult.

Assault on Corinth City - Corinthia

Points: 2000.

Deployment: Disordered.

Primary Objective: King of the Hill.

In the days after Operation Stormstrike failed, Arthrurus finally committed his entire chapter to an assault against the Tau lines. The Rift Wardens swiftly made contact with the enemy. This advance included an outflanking maneuver around the battle grid to the north of the twin cities through the grass wastes. They captured outlaying fire bases providing some protection from the north. 

The battle between the Rift Wardens and the Tau took over two weeks with much of the fighting taking place over the same recent firefights. The Tau leadership fortified itself within Corinth City, and protecting themselves with troop reinforcements from orbit.

A couple days later, the Rift Wardens attacked all along the edges of Corinthi City. Pushing the Tau back, the space marines fought their way up into the outer districts, where every defensive point had to be stormed against entrenchments and withering fire.

After a month, the outer districts were in the space marine handsm but once the enveloping movement against the Tau left flank failed, the battle descended to a typical head to head confrontation of infantry, battle suits and knights. Arthurus launched his main attack into the center of the TAu lines, and was initially successful in pushing them back. For the Rift Wardens, this was the peak of their achievement in the battle.

For days during this battle, ammunition failed to reach the front because of successful harassment of the space marine fire bases and raids by Tau aircraft intercepting the supply shuttles. The entire chapter had been deployed but fresh firewarriors and battle suits were arriving daily from the orbiting Tau ships. All of this ended the initial success of the space marine attack. 

The situation became so desperate for the previously successful space marines that Arthurus was reluctantly forced to recall the surviving marines back to almost their original position. Cursing the alien, he began to plot a new strategy to take the twin cities back.

The Second Battle of New Horizon - Dontoria Hivesprawl

Points: 2000.

Deployment: Ground War.

Primary Objective: Breakthrough.

On the eve of the battle, the Rift Wardens that remained occupied a single district of New Horizon. These were mainly basic battle brothers with a handful of scout units scattered about as advance warning. In addition, a handful of allied Knights provided backup. All of this was under the command of Chaplain Ramius.

Five days after the first battle, the Rift Wardens were attacked by hordes of plague zombies supported by pestilent daemon engines. With ammunition low and the scout forces overrun, Ramius decided a withdrawal back towards the hivesprawl's outer walls would provide a tactical defence line. Ramius dispatched back to Arthurus in the capitol his intentions and requested extraction at the first opportunity. By mid-morning, the space marines were marching from their position to the outer walls. But a lack of supplies and constant hounding by plague drones, forced the usually disciplined space marines into a disorganised rout, with squads splitting up to avoid concentrated enemy fire. During this time, the Death Guard pushed thousands of plague zombies - former civilians, astra militarum and arbites - into a relentless pursuit. Any who stood to fight were pulled down and devoured by the flesh eating undead. Only Ramius' forces, with one Knight for fire support, kept formation and was able to conduct a fighting retreat although they suffered heavy casualties..

At this point, the overrun and decimated Rift Warden forces in Dontoria crumbled. After the battle, the Death Guard had captured the entire hivesprawl. Any survivours were struck down by plague and reanimated as zombies. One hivesprawl had fallen to enemy forces within the first few months of the war.

Battle of the Omnissiah's Shrine - Megaborealis

Points: 1500.

Deployment: Front Line

Primary Objective: Duel.

The shrine with the holy shrine to the machine god, was strategically significant  as from it's position, the whole of Bore-Hive Ultris could be seen and dominated. Arthurus decided to send in three companies worth of battle brothers to reclaim this site from the foul daemons of Slaanesh.

The Rift Warden attack began in the dark of night, and was led by Arthurus himself. The chapter master brought split his companies worth to form left and right flanks. They launched their attacks against the outlying defensive cordon of demonettes. The space marines lacked dreadnoughts or vehicles, and the fighting was fierce. Bladeguard were able to defeat counterattacks in brutal close quarters combat.

After several hours of heavy combat, the Rift Wardens managed to force the daemonettes forced to withdraw into the shrine itself. The space marines used this brief lull in the fighting to bolster other depleted formations. 

As midday approached, the Riift Wardens began a coordinated advance on the shrine from three separate directions. Under heavy pressure, the daemons, after heavy hand to hand combat, withdrew eastwards. They ran into Arthurus' detachment and this combat was viewed as the first significant victory of the assault.

At the end of the day, the daemons of Slaanesh established defensive positions. Subsequent attempts by the space marines saw their numbers reduced by the savage attacks of the defending daemons. By the next afternoon, the daemons pushed the Rift Wardens back into the bore hive.

On day three, roaming bands of daemons attacked and took back control of the districts around the shrine, and fought back numerous counterattacks by the space marines. After regrouping and strengthening their numbers, the daemons initiated a strong attack but it was repulsed by Arthurus' depleted forces, although the demons likewise suffered heavy casualties.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Battle of Dig Site Gamma 12 - Omegon Theta

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Hammer and Anvil / Adapt or Die.

Primary Objective: Purge the Foe..

Detachment: Ironstorm Spearhead.

Opponents Detachment: Aspect Host.

The Aeldari attacked a Rift Warden outpost at a location around the buried craftworld known to the Mechanicus as Gamma 12. The Aeldari planned to annihilate all space marine forces present. Their rangers scouted out the area, it was a hilled area with deep ravines with a few Mechanicus digging machines scattered around. The Aeldari deployed their forces deep in the hills and claimed the high ground.

Meanwhile, an Aspect Host advanced through the wastelands towards the site, using the excavated vessel to hide their approach. Despite sustained firepower by the well trained space marines, the Aeldari advance managed to drive the space marines from their outpost, although poor coordination left the Aeldari left flank exposed, allowing the Rift Wardens the chance to regain some ground.

On the second day, the Rift Wardens occupied an abandoned dig site, opening up a gap between the two Aeldari forces, but found themselves isolated between those same enemy groups. Captain Gwaine used the opportunity to regroup his surviving forces, positioning them opposite the weakened right flank. Gwaine gave an inspiring speech which bolstered the marines morale.

That evening, a Rift Warden strike force carried out a feint attack against the Aspect Host, drawing them westward after a light skirmish, allowing the marines to relocate unharmed. In the early hours, the Aeldari appeared out of nowhere, launching an attack and swiftly gaining the upper hand, forcing the space marines back again. The tide of battle was once again in the Aeldari's favor. Flanking attacks followed by savage hand to hand fighting, pushed the space marines back further from the dig site.

Hold The Line - Talos

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Dawn of War / Ruinscape.

Primary Objective: Linchpin.

Detachment: Ironstorm Spearhead.

Opponents Detachment: Crusher Stampede.

During the battle of Neiman Ford, Tyranid forces, where were led by the Swarmlord bypassed the space marine defences to engage the Rift Warden rearguard beyond the Neiman Ford. Their advance was slow due to the tenacity of the Rift Wardens. By the evening of the second day of the battle, the Swarmlord's forces had surrounded the rearguard and attacked.

The hills beyond the Ford were defended by 500 marines, who counter-attacked several times trying to halt the advancing swarm. After a day of fighting, the space marines were destroyed. Then they turned their attention on the main engagement. When they arrives, the battle was in full force. The Tyranids dominated the battle grid and the arrival of reinforcements trapped the space marines between two powerful detachments.

The Swarmlord and the monstrous creatures it had brought to bare, took the space marines by surprise, and after a short fight it was obvious that the Rift Wardens could not defeat such a foe. Captain Lorgraine took charge of the evacuation, managing to pull the majority of the surviving battle brothers to safety.

Second Battle of the Mekon Delta - Omega Theta

Points: 1500.

Deployment and Mission: Dawn of War / Rapid Escalation.

Primary Objective: Hidden Supplies.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Armoured Warhost.

The Rift Wardens defended themselves on a clifftop overlooking the buried Craftworld, but after the previous engagement the space marines ran out of ammunition and were subsequently massacred by the Aeldari. This was a major blow to the space marines but in the subsequent days, the chapter returned and extracted a dreadful revenge upon the Aeldari.

Battle of Neiman Ford - Talos

Points: 3000.

Deployment: Ground War.

Primary Objective: Relic Hunt.

The battle of Neiman Ford was a large battle fought against the Tyranids by the Rift Wardens chapter. It took place at the Neiman Ford between three of the surviving Imperial cities. After suffering incredible losses in recent campaigns, the Rift Wardens tried to force a defensive line to hold out against the inevitable Tyranid encroachment. The Tyranids outflanked the space marines, defeating them once again and after weeks of heavy fighting, the Rift Wardens fell back to the tri-cities to resupply.

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.

Asteroid M40 - The Core

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Tipping Point / Bloodlust.

Primary Objective: Take and Hold.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Needgaard Oathband.

The conflict for Asteroid M40 began shortly after the Imperial attack on the Votann mining colonies and the space dwarves would not cede control so easily. Thus far, the Leagues had successfully expelled most of the Imperial occupiers. The Leagues mining this asteroid formed a sizeable retaliation force with many of the miners volunteering to fight. Uther took command of the force, which consisted of some 4000 dwarves. The gathered what weapons they could and soon they marched out to confront the oncoming space marines.

The League forces fought like madmen and against the space marines, they lost many of their warriors. Further League reinforcements arrived to bolster their numbers but the fighting separated into numerous smaller engagements. Eventually the Leagues fell back and barricaded their defences against the Rift Wardens. On Asteroid M40, the fighting would continue for months.

The Fields of Corinth - Corinthia

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Tipping Point / Point Blank.

Primary Objective: Purge The Foe.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Retaliation Cadre.

This engagement took place over the course of a month between the Rift Wardens and the Tau defenders of Corinth and Sparta. The fighting was especially focused on the fields beyond the walls of Conrinth City. Despite a lengthy and non-stop battle, neither side managed to force a victory but the space marines suffered such heavy casualties that they were forced to fall back to the roadside defences.

Sweeping Engagement - Grendel

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Sweeping Engagement / High Octane.

Primary Objective: Burden Of Trust.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force

Opponents Detachment: Warpbane Task Force.

As day turned into evening, the Rift Wardens found themselves under assault once more. To counter this threat, chapter master Arthurus ordered a heavy force to charge the Grey Knight flanks. After a huge clash, the Grey Knights fell back towards Apothe Gate.

After a brief lull, the Grey Knights managed to finally break through the Rift Warden defensive line and pushed into the streets they were fighting. Numerous space marines were slain and Arthurus ordered a retreat. In doing so, they spotted a second Grey Knight force led by Castellan Crowe, emerging from the hab blocks of the north east.

The two Grey Knight companies united under Crowe and formed a strong line, but did not initiate an assault. Arthurus ordered all forces to launch an all out assault before the Grey KNights could start their attack. A host of dreadnoughts made a frontal charge, while chief librarian Uther was ordered to flank attack to the left of the Grey Knight lines. The counter attack was initially successful but within half an hour, the Grey Knights received reinforcements from their orbiting starship. Arthurus has no option but to once again call a retreat.