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.

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.

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.

Operation: Judgement - Corinthia

Points: 2000.

Deployment: Front Line.

Primary Objective: Duel.

Operation: Judgement took place on the approach to two fallen hive cities: Corinth and Spartra, during the war to liberate Corinthia from the Tau. Here, elements of the Rift Wardens under Uther clashed with forces of the Tau Empire.

After the victory of Operation: Hellstorm, squads from the Rift Wardens began their assault towards the hive cities. The Tau forces present, which at this time occupied positions along the road leading towards them found themselves in a difficult position. The ethereal comanding these forces ordered his troops to concentrate in the vicinity of Corinth. The capitol of the planet was of strategic importance to the Tau, as it's position on the great plains, enabled them to look over the surrounding countryside and offered a safe route to withdraw their ground forces eastwards.

Chief Librarian Uther ordered his battle brothers to capture the capitol and cut off the enemy evacuation route towards Spartra. The initial battle allowed the space marines to capture the roadside positions with ease but this was short lived as Tau reinforcements from the city arrived before fortifications could be set up.

That evening, reinforcements were brought down from the Litany of Hate to retake the roads. With these fresh battle brothers, Uther led a charge into their lines. Despite stiff Tau resistance, the roadside defences were in Imperial hands by nightfall, but the assault on the capitol city had been blunted for now. Even so, the presence of a chapter of space marines beyond their walls complicated the position of the Tau Empire.

Operation: Hellstorm Completes - Corinthia

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Pincer Attack / Martial Pride.

Primary Objective: Hold Out.

Detachment: Ironstorm Spearhead.

Opponents Detachment: Kauyon.

The final days of Operation: Hellstorm was a strategic offensive conducted by the Rift Wardens against the remnants of the Tau forces in the area. The operation ended with the defeat of the Tau and their evacuation from the warzone. With the space marine victory, Imperial forces advanced in and secured the area for future offensives.

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.

Operation: Hellstorm - Corinthia

 

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Search And Destroy / Minefields.

Primary Objective: Vital Ground.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Mont'Ka.

Operation Hellstorm was the initial battle in a series of engagements where the Imperial forces sought to reach the Tau command and eliminate the xenos leadership. It was the point at which the Rift Wardens got the closest to achieving that goal. The battle was fought between the attacking Rift Wardens and the defending Tau forces. The attack was an attempt to take the Tau position at Hive Secundus where previous attempts had failed. This marked the end of the first Imperial offensive.

Battle Of The Paradan Trade Route - Corinthia

 

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Sweeping Engagement / Supply Lines.

Primary Objective: Scorched Earth.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Kauyon.

The battle of the Paradan trade route was an offensive against the Tau on the southern continent after a major Imperial victory in the region. After a  lengthy stalemate a series of coordinated attacks were launched by the Rift Wardens on the Tau forces occupying a trade route between two major hive cities. During the fight for the road, the space marines managed to break up the enemy lines with ease. Over the next week, attacks were launched the Rift Wardens in attempt to capture the the Tau command position

Despite their failure to dislodge the Tau defenders, the continuing pressure drew in more Tau reserves, which made the attacks strongly contested. At this time, in coordination with flanking attacks, the Rift Wardens made another inconclusive assault with dreadnought support. This engagement continued into the following day, until the Tau defenders began to withdraw, as a consequence of the ferocious space marine assault.

Defence of Hive Galathon - Corinthia

Points: 1500.

Deployment and Mission: Sweeping Engagement / Vox Static.

Primary Objective: Purge The Foe.

Detachment: Vanguard Spearhead.

Opponents Detachment: Kauyon.

The Defence of Hive Galathon was a military engagement fought between the Rift Wardens chapter and the Tau Empire, during the Corinthian campaign. Galathon was defended by a strongly entrenched Rift Warden force, which had been reinforced while the Tau were busy elsewhere across the planet. The space marines manned the hive's defences and a line of strong redoubts which extended eastwards along a trade road. The defenders were attacked by a Tau expeditionary force made up of three infantry divisions supported by numerous battle suits. However, the strength of the Rift Wardens, their entrenchments and supporting vanguard forces decimated the Tau attackers.

The Second Battle of the Caladon Flats - Corinthia

 

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Crucible of Battle / Scrambler Fields.

Primary Objective: Priority Targets.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Kauyon.

The second battle of the Caladon Flats was fought between the Rift Wardens and Tau forces several days after the first battle. The engagement was part of the Rift Wardens campaign to retake Hive Imperialis.

The Rift Warden task force, led by lieutenant Tristan, recaptured the Flats, bur the Tau garrison there did not get trapped as the space marine commander had hoped. The Tau commander, Shadowsun, managed a good-order retreat from the Caladon Flats of her remaining troops, pursued by the Rift Wardens. With this territory recaptured, the Rift Wardens planned their recapture of Hive Imperalis.

Battle Of The Caladon Flats - Corinthia

Points: 1500.

Deployment and Mission: Search And Destroy / Supply Lines.

Primary Objective: Priority Targets.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Kauyon.

The Battle of the Caladon Flats was an engagement fought to capture fresh territory by the Tau Empire during the early days of the Corinthian Crusade. The Tau expeditionary force attacked an entrenched Rift Wardens garrison close to the main battle front. The battle marked the beginning of fighting in and around the Caladon Flats.

After the Tau victory at Hive Imperialis, the Imperial forces had been forced back to the southern territories as the Tau expeditionary force pushed eastwards, supported by extended supply lines. This advance depended on securing safe supply routes from the Tau main lines. As they expanded their territory, an attack on the Rift Warden positions become possible. During the day long assault, the space marine garrison defended a series of fortified redoubts and trenches on rising ground surrounded by flat grassland. They were eventually encircled by the Tau battlesuits and fire warrior teams, By the late afternoon, the Tau had captured the central redoubt and the remaining defences were occupied shortly afterwards.

The Fall of Hive Imperialis - Corinthia

 

Points: 1000.

Mission: Ascension.

Secondary Objectives: Assassination, Grind Them Down and Shock Tactics.

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Aerospace Targeting Relays, Assassination and Decisive Action.

The garrison of Hive Imperialis, under Captain Gwaine and Lieutenant Agrippa, consisting of 500 space marines plus numerous Astra Militarum. In order to prepare for the Tau attack, a number of outer districts were burned and large areas of trenchworks were constructed.

When the Tau Empire attacked they pillaged much after breaching the city walls. On the same day, they tried to enter the city proper but the Rift Wardens forced them to retreat. On the next day, the Tau commander ordered an artillery barrage which inflicted significant casualties on the space marines. The Tau commander himself led the assault, where his forces once again defeated the space marines. He then demanded surrender of the Imperial defenders. The Astra Militarumd defenders felt abandoned by the space marines and without hope of support. Nonetheless, they continued to fight.

As the assault progressed,  morale among the defenders began to sink lower and lower. Unwilling to loss their military forces, the Imperial fell back from Hive Imperials, handing the city to the Tau.

Hunt The Traitor - Corinthia

Points: 2000.

Mission: Custom / Narrative.

Inquisitor Rosalyn Rosarius of the Ordo Xenos approached Arthurus and informed him that she had learned who was responsible for the Tau invasion. Planetary governor Argustus Bale had spent years reaching out to the Empire and syphoning resources off them as overtures to Corinthia joining them. Rosalyn had come to understand that the Empire was preparing to evacuate Bale and she knew where the meeting was going to take place. While the majority of the Rift Wardens chapter engaged the Tau forces, Rosalyn with Master of Sanctity Mordred would take a strike force to the meeting point and capture the traitor.

The battle against the Tau began with the bulk of the Rift Wardens conducting holding attacks while the strike force advanced towards the meeting point. The Tau rushed forth to form a bulwark against the space marines. Supply lines were implemented to provide a constant supply of ammunition to the space marines. A smaller force attacked on the right flank to the south, to draw some fire from the main spearhead.

By dawn of the next day, the battlefield was blanketed by thick smoke from multiple fires and burning wreckage. By nightfall, the strike team had been successful. The Tau ethereal had been slain and the traitor captured. With the loss of their leader, the Tau began to suffer from low morale. The Rift Wardens were able to push forwards and capture a wide swath of territory. Advances to the south began to push the Tau army into a tight pincer, surrounded on two sides by the champions of the Emperor. Artillery fire from whirlwinds, predators and repulsor tanks punished the weakened Tau lines. The alien forces attempted to rally but it was too late and under extreme firepower, the Tau fell to a man.

The Tau presence in the area had been destroyed and the traitor captured. Today was a good day for the Rift Wardens, Mordred's name would go down in the history of the chapter for his deeds this day. Meanwhile, Inquisitor Rosarius took the traitorous governor away but pleased with the chapter's actions this day, promised to return to them in the future.

Second Battle of Sartur - Corinthia

Points: 1000.

Mission: Shifting Front.

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

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Aerospace Targeting Relay, Engage On All Fronts, and Slay The Warlord.

Following a series of minor victories against the Tau elsewhere across the surface of Corinthia, the Imperial commander in this warzone persuaded Arthurus to launch a second offensive against the Tau forces besieging the hive city of Surtur while they lacked immediate reinforcements. The commander argued that his troops, many natives of Surtur themselves, would be demoralized if forced to retreat and leave the city in the hands of the enemy. He also pointed out that the Tau were not as strong as they appeared to be.

On the day of battle, after a night deployment, the Rift Wardens advanced through the wastes and outflanked a Tau division, having been left largely unprotected. The battle was brief and inflicted sixty percent casualties on the enemy, capturing one of the city gates as a result.

To the south, the Astra Militarum regiments were still moving up and were not ready for combat.  Hearing of the space marine victory to the north, to rushed to engage the Tau forces. However, their expected air support did not arrive in time to assist. The Tau in the area were well aware of the Imperial intentions due to the Rift Wardens attack, and had spend time preparing for the assault by moving up their heavy support. At first the Imperial attack went well, but it faltered once it came under Tau artillery fire, and the Tau were able to easily turn the Imperial flanks and force them to retreat.

Rather than press the attack once again, the Militarum regiments turned north to assist the Rift Wardens. Their flanks were then attacked by Tau battle suits and gravitic tanks. Unable to advance without sustaining heavy casualties, the guardsmen were forced to stop and fight. The Rift Wardens were ordered to pull back from Sartur to assist which meant their hard won victory at the north gate was for nothing.

The Offensive Begins - Corinthia

Points: 2000.

Missions: Data Scry-Salvage.

Secondary Objectives: Bring It Down, Oaths of Moment and Raise The Banners High.

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Aerospace Targeting Relays, Engage On All Fronts and To The Last.

The main Imperial offensive in the south began when Arthurus led two hundred of his battle brothers north-east towards Fort Sanctus, and two regiments of Astra Militarum advanced on their left. One regiment also advanced slowly towards Hive Gothos, as a flank guard against Tau attack from the wastelands. The Rift Wardens had captured several vital locations further south in the days before hand, to protect the southern flank as the army advanced forward.

Despite warnings from Imperial commanders against splitting their forces, Arthurus decided to spread his forces out to cover more territory. Tau troops withdrew during the day allowing the Rift Wardens to recapture Fort Sanctus, and the Militarum regiments to advance much further than expected. At dusk, the Astra Militarum attacked Hive Gothos and was engaged by artillery and long range fire, which repulsed them with many casualties. On the second day of the attack, Tau long-range artillery had been able to bombard the Militarum artillery and infantry, inflicting greater and greater casualties.

The Rift Wardens had to attack methodically after artillery preparation but managed to push back the Tau. Scouts soon report an identified line of resistance of fire warriors close to the advanced Imperial troops and that a counter-attack was imminent. On day two, the Tau opposed the Imperial advance with long range artillery fire and day three, the Militarum received reinforcements. When the Tau were found to have evacuated the city, Arthurus ordered his marines to head north after them, while the guardsmen mopped up any stragglers.

A Tau counter attack occurred a couple days later, forced to separate battles on the Imperial armies, who were then defeated and retreated. The Tau pursuit was slow and it allowed the Imperium to occupy positions east of the city and extend the right wing towards the south. The right flank was attacked and driven back from their positions from whence the offensive had begun. Reluctantly, the Rift Wardens fell back to maintain contact with the main Imperial forces.

The First Battle of Sartur - Corinthia

 

Points: 2000.

Missions: Data Scry-Salvage.

Secondary Objectives: Bring It Down, Oaths of Moment and Stranglehold.

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Aerospace Targeting Relays, Behind Enemy Lines and No Prisoners.

On the first day, the Tau forces split into two columns, both attacking the city of Sartur from the east and west. The Tau assault was suppressed by artillery fire, leading to an artillery duel that lasted for the remainder of the day. A second Tau offensive from the east was successfully repulsed by the Rift Wardens. Unknown to the space marines however, the Tau were in the process of being reinforced by two more detachments including a variety of battle suits.

On day two, the Tau launched a series of large scale attacks on the Imperial centre and eastern flanks. The Rift Wardens held their ground, counter-attacking later in the afternoon, and driving a wedge between the Tau columns. This caused the Tau to halt their assault and pull back to regroup. For a time this allowed the Imperial defenders to retake lost ground and resupply their arms and munitions. The space marines also reinforced their numbers with three hundred battle brothers and several dreadnoughts.

Shortly before dawn on the third day, the Tau returned to assault the hive city, bringing with them many battlesuits and hammerhead tanks. They opened fire while the Imperial defenders were unprepared. The Tau fire warriors penetrated the Imperial lines, capturing the city gates and allowing their army immediate access to the city streets. The Rift Wardens offered stubborn resistance, refusing to yield until the local civilian population had been evacuated even though it cost them many lives. The Imperial line was eventually overpowered and the defenders forced back into the heart of the sprawling city.

Turn of the Tide - Corinthia

Points: 1000.

Mission: Crossfire.

Secondary Objectives: Engage On All Fronts, Oaths of Moment and Slay The Warlord.

The battle of Corinth Starport was a small engagement that saw lieutenant Aurelius become a legend among the honours of the Rift Wardens chapter. 

The Tau arrived at Cortinth in a high flying manta aircraft and invaded the city without encountering any serious opposition from the local defence forces. The Rift Wardens forces within the city were led by lieutenant Aurelius and under his command, he organised his battle brothers to lead the defence of the space port.

In the first week of fighting, the Tau captured and overtook the Heingeist district close to the main space port landing site. They busied themselves digging trenches and preparing fortifications while they waited for further reinforcement.

The Tau commander foresaw that the space marines present would jeopardize the Tau position. As such, he ordered the troops under his command to attack the Imperial positions as soon as possible to prevent the space marines from attacking the Tau command positions. At the same time, the Aurelius led his battle brothers to attack the Tau in the very fashion that the enemy commander feared. The Rift Wardens used the cover of night to advance, and just before dawn they attacked. The Tau were surprised and responded in a disorganized fashion without the benefit of any heavy weapons. The Tau were defeated in under two hours and the space port was returned to Imperial control.

Although Aurelius was gravely wounded, he survived and was honoured by the chapter for his daring. 

The Tau Advance Continues - Corinthia

Points: 1700.

Missions: Four Pillars

Secondary Objectives: Engage On All Fronts, Investigate Sites and Thin Their Ranks.

Less than a week into the invasion, the Tau high command found itself occupying an abandoned settlement several miles from the frontline of the war. A council had been called to discuss the Tau battle plans since the war was going better than initially expected.

The Rift Wardens 4th company has fortified a series of bastions and defence lines across the anticipated path of the Tau advance. This site was chosen to restrict movement of the Tau fire warriors so that they could locked down and destroyed by more mobile Astra Militarum mechanised detachments. To protect this defensive line, the company was divided into four with each occupying a quarter of the total length.

The Tau forces carefully scouted and observed the space marine positions for three days. It was determined by the war council that the space marines had positioned themselves to hold off a dedicated attack force coming from the front. A weakness was detected in the right flank that the Tau could use to their advantage.

In the early hours and under cover of night, Tau fire warriors and stealth teams approached a steep slope to the east of the Rift Wardens right flank. From here the surprise attack was nearly total. Barely challenged on their way in, they were into the Rift Wardens' position with but a few stray shots. The Tau began to fire down into the space marine positions inflicting many casualties before advancing down into the lines.

The fighting lasted until just after sunrise when the Rift Wardens present recieved communications to fall back to a secondary fire base. The Tau, accepting a victorious fight against the Imperium, harried the retreating space marines while simultaneously claiming the fortified network for themselves and creeping ever closer to the main target, the capitol hive city of Corinthia.

First Strike - Corinthia

 

Points: 1500.

Missions: Retrieval Mission.

Secondary Objectives: Domination, Raise the Banners High and Thin Their Ranks.

In the aftermath of the Indomitus crusade, the Tau Empire sought to expand once again into Imperial territory. Their target at first was the Corinthian system. The Tau plan was to deploy ground forces, wear down the defenders and attempt to force a surrender and recruit the world into the Empire rather than destroy them outright.

The planetary governor dispatched an astropathic call for aid, and the Rift Wardens arrived to bolster the defences. Chapter master Arthurus led his men to intercept the vanguard of the alien army. Dismissing reports on the enemy size, he declared that the Tau would not survive their encounter with the Rift Wardens. Spying the approaching forces, Arthurus directed his captains to hold back and counter any outflanking actions. He then moved his forces forward into the outlaying ruins, planning to surprise the Tau. Unfortunately, Arthurus has underestimated the strength of the Tau forces arrayed against him.

The Tau completely swamped the space marines with their opening fire. Although he fought valiently, Arthurus suffered grievous wounds, and was forced to fall back out of the fight. The Rift Wardens suffered many injuries and casualties before the order was given to fall back to the nearest forward fire base. Tau casualties on the other hand, were extremely light.

Victory to the Tau Empire.