Purge The Streets - Dharrovar

 

Points: 2000.

Deployment: Opposing Forces.

Primary Objective: Domination.

The Rift Wardens forces for this brief engagement were formed from surviving squads of previous battles brought together rapidly by chaplain Camelair the day before. This was a sudden and unplanned attack, as the majority of the Rift Warden forces were engaged elsewhere against enemy positions. At the last minute, he was joined a pair of knights who offered their support.

The first fight took place in the streets and transit roads leading out of the Gothos religious center. The incoming convoy of Astra Militarum found themselves ambushed as the loyalist forces poured fire into the oncoming transports. The guardsmen quickly took to the field, but unaware of the exact space marine forces opposing them, their counter-attack halted as they waited for orders. But the shock and awe of the surprise attack stymied the commanders reactions.

This hesitation was fatal, however. With the knight reinforcements gunning down large numbers of guardsmen. When the Militarum commander finally took to the field with a rousing speech, they were able to launch a counterattack and did gain some strategic positions back.

Eventually, the situation resulted in a heavy bogged down firefight, but it was obvious that the space marines were in the better position, The Militarum commander continued to really his men and women but soon, he had no choice but to withdraw for now.

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 for Gothos - Dharrovar

Points: 2000.

Mission: Supply Run.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Noble Lance

Agendas: Drive Them Back, Monstrous Targets and Recover Blackstone Data.

Opponent's Agendas: Cut Off The Head, Raise & Ruin, Strategic Dominance, and Strike & Purge.

The Battle for Gothos was a campaign by the Knightly houses of Dharrovar to recapture the city of Gothos. The city held significant value, especially with regards to the ammunition stores located beneath the streets. The battle was also a critical point in the Dharrovar crusade, as the loyalist forces were close to seizing control of the planet.

Marching forth from their mountain strongholds, the Knights launched an attack that breached the walls. They saw a number of victories on the way to Gothos and when they breached the walls, Imperial command feared that they might lose control of such a vital strongpoint. Chapter Master Arthurus personally arrived to oversee the fortification of the city, and to ensure that supplies reached the defenders.

The Knightly advance stall and was soon reversed. The Knights were forced to fall back under heavy fire. The traitor advance began to disintegrate across the city. Many fled back out into the devastated warzones, while a few tried to bunker down in the streets eager to continue the fight.

Operation: Purge - Dharrovar

Points: 2000.

Mission: Quantum Siege.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Siege Regiment.

Following the recent assault against the walls of Gothos, the Rift Wardens launched a reckless assault on the fleeing Astra Militarum forces who had fallen back to the Baddu-Bak plains. The right flank, defended by a platoon of experienced guardsmen, faced heavy bolter fire from the city and from above. The left flank was defended by the survivours of the Gothos assault. The center was mainly a siege force of tanks and basilisk. The defenders numbered just some 2000 men. The Rift Wardens deployed just a companies worth, supported by dreadnoughts and land raiders. Soon, the frightened Astra Militarum began to run low on ammunition for the tanks and artillery pieces, Furthermore, their defence line was in open ground and impractical for defence against such an elite force. Facing these problems, the Astra Militarum abandoned the area and retreated north.

The Walls of Gothos - Dharrovar

 

Points: 1500.

Deployment and Mission: Tipping Point / Fog of War.

Primary Objective: Purge The Foe.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Hammer of the Emperor.

Captain Andred was in command of a force stationed along Gothos' northern walls. His company sized force was primarily infantry based with a mere handful of tanks and dreadnoughts in support. On the night in question, a sentry on the wall overlooking the northern fields was summoned for a briefing with Andred. With his disappearance, and the sun slowly rising, a force of armoured tanks rushed the walls, blasting great holes in the outer defences and achieving a surprise attack. The Rift Wardend were taken by surprise as artillery shell and heavy bolter rounds slammed into their defences. Within the first few minutes several marines fell as casualties and even Andred suffered grievous wounds, and had to be pulled back into safety. From here, Andred was able to direct his men while the apothecaries saw to his wounds. The enemy Astra Militarum forces attempted to surround the space marines position but later retreated, all while under heavy lascannon fire.

After this, Andred sent one lieutenant to locate assistance from nearby allied forces. He was shot but managed to reach the chapter's knightly allies in House Avalon. The Knights swiftly marched to war against the enemy tanks. Their aid resulted in a number of skirmishes that forced the enemy forces to retreat. The chapter then began to reinforce the walls before any further assaults could be mounted.

Clashes In The Streets - Dharrovar

Points: 1500.

Deployment and Mission: Hammer and Anvil / Rapid Escalation.

Primary Objective: Scorched Earth.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Combined Regiment.

At this time, a Rift Wardens company sized force was stationed in the Gandos Distrixt. The commander of the force was Captain Galadhus. The force consisted of intercessors and heavy intercessors, although many were scattered around the district in small squads. The enemy Militarum forces were a mix of war weary guardsmen and a number of battle tanks. With these forces, the enemy commander managed to repel the space marine intercessor squads. As soon as the counter-attacks began, Galadhus ordered the bulk of his forces to regroup and launch a full assault. The clashes lasted for two days. At this time, thunderhawks arrived and unloaded more intercessors into the rear of the enemy lines. Surrounded by the Emperor's finest, the enemy forces were decimated. The first Imperial victory in Gothos raised morale and the war was renewed.

The Streets of Gothos - Dharrovar

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Search And Destroy / Rapid Escalation.

Primary Objective: Purge The Foe.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Combined Regiment.

On the morning of the offensive, the combined enemy regiments, breached the walls of Gothos hive, and launched an all out attack on the Imperial defenders. Their infantry played a vital role fighting in the streets around the breached walls, in collaboration with a large number of tanks. This force led the attack into the streets, blasting the Imperial forces present with multiple barrages. The enemy troops assaulted the Rift Warden positions, followed closely by a rolling barrage of battle canon fire. The assaults penetrated the Rift Warden lines and took the initiative, fighting the space marines despite being behind enemy lines. Soon, the outer districts were captured by the enemy.

The Battle of Gothos Harbour - Dharrovar

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Sweeping Engagement / Swift Action.

Primary Objective: Terraform.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Combined Regiment.

The Battle of Gothos Harbour was a major Imperial offensive launched from the captured Gothos hive city. The attack failed when a regiment of the planetary defence forces counter-attacked, led by a traitor Cadian regiment and supported by several hundred battle tanks. This force overwhelmed the Imperial forces, inflicting severe casualties. The Rift Wardens fought a harried engagement to allow the Imperial forces to retreat back inside the walls, although it failed and the enemy breached the outer walls of Gothos.

Battle of Solstice Valley - Dharrovar

Points: 2000.

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

Primary Objective: Purge The Foe.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Combined Regiment.

The Battle of Solstice Valley was fought over a week and ended as a decisive victory for the Imperium against the defenders of Dharrovar. Though the battle proved a decisive blow to the planetary defence forces and by extension the ruling Knightly house, it's full significance was not initially appreciate by the Imperial command. It would later become clear that the battle was in fact the beginning of the end for the fallen Knight world of Dharrovar.

Battle of Outpost Dharro - Dharrovar

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Search And Destroy / Maelstrom of Battle / Supply Lines.

Primary Objective: The Ritual..

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Combined Regiment.

As a small PDF force of around 4000 guardsmen with tank support, advanced towards a small military outpost called Dharro, they were unaware that the outpost had been overtaken by the Rift Wardens. As the PDF approached, the space marines took to the defences.

The Rift Wardens, unusually, gave the enemey forces the opportunity to return to the Emperor's grace and join the loyalist forces. None did but it bought the Rift Wardens time to swiftly bolster the defences. Over half the enemy PDF were killed in the opening minutes of the battle, which lasted nearly five hours, and firmly entrenched Dharro under Imperial control.

Battle For Munitions Station Kamala - Dharrovar

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Hammer And Anvil / Sweep And Clear.

Primary Objective: Purge The Foe.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Combined Regiment.

The Battle for Munitions Station Kamala was fought between the Rift Wardens and the Planetary Defence Forces in the aftermath of Hindelgheist's defeat. The battle began as the Rift Wardens attacked on their march eastwards to engage further enemy forces. After taking the munitions station, the Rift Wardens ambushed a PDF supply train carrying a cargo of weapons destined for the front lines, but were forced to leave the site as their ran out of bolter ammunition.

Battle of Muktar Ridge - Dharrovar

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Search And Destroy / Targets Of Opportunity.

Primary Objective: Vital Ground.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Combined Regiment.

The battle of Muktar Ridge was part of the loyalist forces attempts to dislodge the traitor forces in the jungles of Dharrovar Secundus. Fighting between the advancing traitor forces and the retreating loyalists, occurred after the battle for the Rift Valley. Operations occurred over an extensive area north of the Rift Valley and west of the location deeper in the jungles.

Strong Rift Warden defences in those foothills had successfully held out against traitor forces for a week after the previous engagement. But then, those positions were captured after two days of fighting and a cavalry charge broke those lines. The Rift Wardens were forced to fall back as the attacking forces were bolstered by several tanks.

This tank regiment attacked the space marines along an extended front through the wooded foothills over four days. A Rift Warden counterattack as eventually blocked by more tanks arriving from the deeper jungles. The traitorous guardsmen were assisted by cavalry and dozens of small infantry squads. Junction Station was captured and without further supplies, the Rift Wardens fell back to regroup. As a result of this victory, the jungles were fully controlled by enemy forces.

The Fall Of Hindelgeist - Dharrovar

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Dawn Of War / Scrambler Fields.

Primary Objective: Take And Hold

Detachment:  Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Combined Regiment.

This battle was fought over just two days between the loyalist Imperial forces and those planetary defence forces holding the city of Hindelgeist, and came after several loyalist victories across the hive sprawl. The main fighting occurred mainly in the southern districts of Hindelgeist with supporting engagements to the east and west. It was an assault by the Rift Wardens which eventually broke the enemy line defending the core of the city. It forced many enemy regiments to evacuate before the city was captured.

Following Imperial defeats in recent days, both sides had adopted a defensive posture and a stalemate developed. Entrenched defences approximately on the lines were strengthened, and both sides undertook regular mounted recon missions into the open eastern districts. As the stalemate continued, loyalist reinforcements arrived from orbit to replace the large number of casualties suffered by the Astra Militarum during the fighting for Hindelgeist. The enemy defenders were also reinforced and both sides carried out sporadic raids.

Prior to the final loyalist attack, the core of the city had been developed into a strong fortress, with entrenchments, razorwire entanglements and weaponised fortifications. A series of field works, supported by artillery, heavy weapon teams and super-heavy tanks, surrounded this fortress. The loyalist forces began a heavy and almost continuous bombardment of these defences. During this bombardment, the Rift Wardens launched a series of night-time assaults. These were partially succesful due to the strength of the defending garrison. The bombardment intensified and during the next day, the Rift Wardens launched successful attacks on several trench systems. By morning, the defenders had been finally been slain. Following this, any lingering resistance was eradicated, and Hindelgeist was in the hands of the loyalist forces.

Battle of the Rift Valley - Dharrovar

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Dawn Of War / Chilling Rain.

Primary Objective: Vital Ground.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Combined Regiment.

The battle of the Rift Valley was a battle fought between the Rift Wardens and the Astra Militarum traitors in the southern jungles.

The Rift Wardens, reinforced by loyalist Astra Militarum, were able to break into the jungles and engaged the enemy forces. The engagement was brief and the Imperial forces forced to retreat. The battle was a demonstration of the effectiveness of the jungle fighters and their cunning infiltration tactics. The use of the jungle as a weapon played a key role in the victory.

Battle Of The Wadi - Dharrovar

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Sweeping Engagement / Chosen Battlefield.

Primary Objective: Vital Ground.

Detachment: Anvil Seige Force.

Opponents Detachment: Combined Regiment.

The Battle of the Wadi was fought between the Rift Wardens and traitorous Astra Militarum during the southern desert campaign of the Dharrovar crusade.

The battle began the Rift Warden forces were ordered to secure a water source by "any and all means necessary". The traitor force was sent forth to deal with the space marines and were ambushed, and suffered heavy casualties. The remaining space marines withdrew, leaving the Wadi uncaptured. The Astra Militarum forces pursued after the Rift Wardens.

Battle For District 70 - Dharrovar

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Sweeping Engagement / Chosen Battlefield.

Primary Objective: Vital Ground.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Combined Regiment.

The battle for Hindelgeist continues. Attacks to threaten neighbouring districts began in the early summer by the Imperial forces. The Rift Warden objective was to eliminate enemy infantry positions in their way by taking the vital District 70. The attacks were conducted earlier than planned to use terminator squads before they were redeployed elsewhere. The battle for District 70 took place over five days. The Rift Wardens fought four divisions of Cadian and Kreig infantry during the operation. The capture of District 70 was a costly success in which the Rift Wardens inflicted severe casualties on the enemy forces and pinned down troops preventing their escape while loyalist forces secured the area.

Jungle Warfare - Dharrovar

Points: 1500.

Deployment and Mission: Hammer And Anvil / Secret Intel.

Primary Objective: Supply Drop.

Detachment:  Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Combined Regiment.

South of the deep deserts on Dharrovar Secundus lays a vast expanse of alien jungle used for various military resources and hydropology. The jungles were home to a sizeable enemy Militarum force who were making Imperial inroads to the area difficult. As the war for Hindelgeist was going well, a request was directed to the Rift Wardens for assistance. Captain Oberon was dispatched with a force of battle brothers to assist in clearing out the enemy forces. However, things would not go well.

The enemy Militarum commanders contrived to deceive the Rift Wardens that an incoming attack was directed towards a forward firebase in the jungles, when their real goal was the orbital supply station at Jackasta Junction. Their expedition started moving towards the Junction but three squads of Catachans vanished somewhere in the foliage due to reasons unknown. Meanwhile the distraction force approached the firebase drawing the attention of the space marine defenders. The battle began with a surprise bombardment from enemy tanks before the main force charged forwards.

Three regiments attacked the Rift Wardens to secure their attention. Many of them knew this would be a suicidal mission but they would not be put down by the Imperial aggressors. The main Catachan regiment attacked the firebase directly while the others secured the perimeter and occupied the road through to the battle site. The Space Marines were soon significantly outnumbered. Oberon led a counter-attack which did inflict significant damage but by the time the enemy Militarum force retreated, the main attack on Jackasta Junction has been successful and they had escaped back into the jungle with a large amount of supplies and munitions. 

A Friendly Fire Incident - Dharrovar

 

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Search And Destroy / Hidden Supplies.

Primary Objective: Priority Targets.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Noble Lance.

In the deep southern deserts a detachment of Rift Wardens were relayed incorrect information from Imperial Navy pilots about the disposition of enemy forces and led to them coming into conflict with their own allies.

Having detected the supposed enemy forces, the Rift Wardens engaged in a series of fast hit and run strikes, preventing the enemy from recovering easily. However, the return fire and counter-attacks led to significant casualties among the space marines. It was only after an hours fighting, and the destruction of a team of Inquisitorial henchmen that the space marines realized the error of their ways and brought a halt to the fighting.

Despite the death and destruction on both sides, the situation was rectified in parlay, and the chapter offered their services to their Knightly Household in a future engagement. No one told the Inquisitor what happened to to their henchmen.

Operation: Crucible - Dharrovar

Points: 1500.

Deployment and Mission: Crucible Of Battle / Supply Lines.

Primary Objective: Scorched Earth.

Detachment:  Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Combined Regiment.

Operation Crucible was an engagement in the Imperial attempt to capture Hindelgeist. On the first day of the operation, the Rift Wardens captured significant territory. Their forces managed to capture two warehouse districts but fell short of reaching the hive's cathedral district. The cathedral district was the location of the ecclesiarchies' former head quarters prior to the planet's insurrection. Securing it was the primary target for the military operation. Two days later, the enemy forces found themselves severely outnumbered and five days after that, the cathedral district was seized by the Rift Wardens. Captain Lorgraine assumed control of the area before handing it over to the Adepta Sororitas after clearing out the final enemy resistance.

Battle Of The Deep Desert - Dharrovar

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Search And Destroy / Chilling Rain.

Primary Objective: Take And Hold.

Detachment:  Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Noble Lance.

The Battle of the Deep Desert was fought between the Rift Wardens and a force of traitorous Imperial Knights, on the southern continent of Dharrovar.

The battle took place in the southern deep deserts following a series of Imperial victories in the coastal city hives. The Rift Wardens under the command of Lieutenant Tristanm was tasking to engaging a retreating lance of Knights. Outrider patrols discovered them after a couple of days and the remainder of the force got into position to attack the next day. The assault was launched at dawn and became a day of attack and counter-attack. Finally, in the early evening, Tristan, commanding what remained of his Hellblasters, ordered his force to withdraw leaving the Knights force in command of the battle ground.