Battle of Fort Temu - Hesperus Prime

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Breakout / Point Blank.

Primary Objective: Syphoned Power.

Detachment: Ironstorm Spearhead.

Opponents Detachment: Wrath of the Rock.

The Battle of Fort Temu was an attack on the Dark Angel command bunker by the Rift Wardens. The Dark Angels garrison held out for two months until The Lion sued for negotiations with Chapter Master Arthurus. The Rift Wardens chapter master refused and directed his forces to pummel the Dark Angels. Many enemy marines were slain and The Lion escaped mysteriously from the fort. This was a significant victory for the Rift Wardens.

Fires of Hesperous - Hesperous Prime

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Search and Destroy / Fog of War.

Primary Objective: Linchpin.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Unforgiven Task Force.

The Fires of Hesperous or the Hesperous Operation was one of the largest battles between the Dark Angels and the loyalist Rift Wardens. In the early summer, the Rift Wardens threatened the Dark Angels, and it was decided to launch a massive offensive on the the enemy forces beyond the walls of Dendelgheist. The Rift Wardens had not anticipated that the Dark Angels would put up such a fierce defence, and many of the chapter found themselves encircled and slain.

Second Battle of Hesperous Gate - Hesperous Prime

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Search and Destroy / Inspired Leadership.

Primary Objective: Scorched Earth.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Vanguard Onslaught.

With the war dragging out for weeks, the Lion gave orders for Azrael to launch an attack on the Hesperous Gate, which was being defiantly held by the Rift Wardens chapter, while he led an assault elsewhere to breach the city walls.

Azrael's forces attacked the game two days later but due to expertly designed defence works, the attack failed. Chief Librarian Uther then counter-attacked but was unable to defeat the Dark Angels forces present. The Dark Angels counter-attacked twice, but were unable to breach the gate. Azrael pulled his battle brothers back and dispatched a third of them to assault a second nearby gateway. When the Dark Angels forces withdrew in different directions, Uther was able to transform the initial success of the counter-attack into a general defeat of Azrael and his battle brothers. The disintegration of the Dark Angels lines was remarkably rapid.

Battle of Kandaras District - Hesperous Prime

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Tipping Point / Hidden Supplies.

Primary Objective: Scorched Earth.

Detachment: Anvil Strike Force.

Opponents Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

The Dark Angels had captured the Hellias district and began to move in the direction of the Kandaras district. After crushing the Rift Warden defenders they began an advance along the Kandaras viaduct, and reached their destination. The Rift Wardens attempted to stop the Dark Angels but lost and retreated deeper into Dendelgheist. During the battle, it became obvious that the Rift Wardens were become desperate and needed a morale boosting victory.

Battle Of Hesperous Gate - Hesperous Prime

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Dawn Of War / Chosen Battlefield.

Primary Objective: Supply Drop

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Inner Circle Task Force.

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

Battle Of District 218 - Hesperous Prime

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Search And Destroy / Chosen Battlefield.

Primary Objective: Vital Ground.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Inner Circle Task Force.

The battle of District 218 was a major battle in the conflict between the Rift Wardens and their former allies, the Dark Angels. In this engagement, the Dark Angels brought a series of assassins to sow disorder among the Rift Wardens.

The fighting mostly took place within the sub-domains of District 218, to the south of Dendelgheist hive. This area was held by the Dark Angels led by Belial. The Rift Wardens led by captain Vortigern pushed from the south with the goal of capturing a supply line into the heart of the hive city. Major fighting took place and although the Rift Wardens inflicted heavy casualties, they were unable at this time to seize their target.

Battle Of Cerberus Woods - Hesperus Prime

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Crucible Of Battle / Hidden Supplies.

Primary Objective: Supply Drop.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Ironstorm Spearhead.

The battle of Cerberus Woods took place over a week during the Dendelgheist campaign. The battle was fought in the outskirts of the hive. The area had been destroyed by the huge quantity of shellfire from both sides, and the area had changed hands several times.

Grand Master Azrael continued the Dark Angels general attacks with limited objectives. The attacks were led by squads of scout and bladeguard, followed by small numbers of dreadnoughts with a increased amount of heavy weapons support, with the scouts advancing behind waves of creeping barrage.

The advance was planned to cover 3000 feet and stop of reverse slopes, which were easy to defend, enclosing ground which gave observation of Rift Warden reinforcements routes and counter-attack assembly areas. Preparations were then made swiftly to defeat Rift Warden counter-attacks, by mopping up and consolidating the captured ground with defences. The attack inflicted a severe blow to the Rift Wardens, causing many losses and capturing a significant portion of the battle grid, which threatened the Rift Warden hold on the area.

The dry weather continued to benefit the Dark Angels by solidifying the ground and raising dust clouds which obscured the bladeguard attacks around dawn. The dust cleared during the morning and revealed the Rift Wardens to air and ground observation. The Rift Wardens counter-attacked repeatedly but these efforts failed and the space marines hastily fortified their positions after the battle.

Roar Of The Lion - Hesperus Prime

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Crucible Of Battle / Hidden Supplies.

Primary Objective: Supply Drop.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: 1st Company Task Force.

This was a battle fought in the streets of Dendelgheist between the forces of the Rift Wardens and the Dark Angels. The battle marked the end of a string of highly successful Rift Warden attacks. Only the supporting attacks in the neighbouring districts achieved a substantial advance. On the main front, the Dark Angels withstood the limited amount of artillery fire achieved by the Rift Wardens. The ground among the streets had been severely-damaged by heavy weapons fire, making some areas hard to traverse.

Dreadful ground conditions had more effect effect on the Rift Wardens who needed to move a number of tanks and ammunition to support the next attack. The battle was a defensive success for the Dark Angels although costly to both sides. The weather and ground conditions put severe strain on all involved and hindered both sides. After several days of heavy fighting, the Dark Angels were suddenly joined by their Primarch - Lion El'Johnson! His appearance on the battlefield turned the tide of battle, halting the Rift Warden advance.

Battle For Mount Ortega - Hesperous Prime

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Search And Destroy / Chilling Rain.

Primary Objective: Take And Hold.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

The attack began mid morning and after fierce and bloody fighting, the Rift Wardens had captured the Dark Angels outpost atop Mount Ortega. Azrael promptly sent a task force to retake the site. The Rift Wardens now occupying the outpost were attacked by terminators and heavy intercessors who retook it, the Rift Wardens resistance notwithstanding. Although the chapter had lost a number of vital battle brothers, the engagement did draw Dark Angel forces away from the main fighting.

Power Play - Hesperous Prime

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Hammer And Anvil / Chilling Rain.

Primary Objective: Sites Of Power.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

The Dark Angels plan now is to assassinate the Rift Warden leadership and plunge the chapter into disarray, thus making them easy prey. The first attempt to do so was ill conceived and the Rift Wardens crushed those troops sent against them. However, within days the Dark Angels defeated an advancing column of enemy troops and slew their lieutenant commander. In retaliation, a sizeable force was marched to battle and the two space marine chapters faced each other in the lower streets of Dendelgeist Hive.

The Rift Wardens opened the battle early in the morning, but their heavy weapon fire was put out of commission by the Dark Angels. Terrified civilians described the battle opening with a charge by the Rift Warden's Outriders. However, the Dark Angels fired their bolt weapons in rapid succession and the slew dozens of the loyalist marines. The Dark Angels then assaulted and fought to kill in assault, specifically targeting those Outriders they could reach. 

The Rift Wardens realised that they were outmatched here and were able to withdraw. The Dark Angels however, burnt the enemy dead, denying them any of their precious geneseed. 

First Battle of Dendelgeist Docks - Hesperous Prime

 

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Dawn Of War / Chosen Battlefield.

Primary Objective: Priority Targets.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

The First Battle of Dendelgeist Docks was an attack by the Dark Angels against a smaller force of Rift Wardens located in the depths of the hive's docking circles. This was located on the edge of territory claimed by the Rift Wardens early in the war before the betrayal. The Dark Angels had advanced close to this location and the capture of the docks was the culmination of their attacks. The attacks were intended to advance the right flank and eliminate any forward enemy forces.

Prior to the main assault, captain Ezekiel conducted numerous attacks to capture territory in the central Rift Warden defences and to gain observation positions to determine the location of Rift Warden patrols. The Rift Warden defences were based in the ruined structures surrounding the docking circles.

Numerous attempts were made by Ezekiel to co-ordinate joint attacks, which failed due to the recovery of the Rift Wardens from their early defeats. War weary and low on supplies, the effectiveness of the Dark Angels was soon diminished. The Rift Wardens were, unknown to their enemy, also suffering from similar difficulties. At this time, the two chapters were forced into a similar piecemeal defence.

Battle of Dendelgheist - Hesperous

Points: 1000.

Mission: Desperate Raid.

Secondary Objectives: Behind Enemy Lines, Codex Warfare and Raise The Banners High.

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Behind Enemy Lines, Grind Them Down and Raise The Banners High.

The battle of Dendelgheist opened with the Rift Wardens launching a heavy missile barrage into the Dark Angel lines, devastating their forces. The chapter then attacked en mass although the Dark Angels stood their ground. The center of the line fell, and the Rift Wardens broke through, threatening to reach the enemy command bunker. The offensive overwhelmed the outnumbered Dark Angels.

Azrael hastily sent terminator reinforcements, and deployed the fifth company to engage the Rift Wardens in case they succeeded in pushing past the Dark Angel lines. The situation was critical, but the commitment of reserves and the the arrival of Azrael himself gradually improved the situation.

The Rift Wardens advanced further into Dendelgheist and the district fell to them within days. However, by this time the Rift Wardens were low on numbers and munitions, and had intermittent supply lines. The new Dark Angel defensive lines held and they repeatedly repelled the Rift Wardens. Soon they started a counter-offensive and slowly regained ground.

Battle of Promethium Refinery 426 - Hesperous Prime

Points: 1000.

Mission: Surge Of Faith.

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

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Engage On All Fronts, Grind Them Down and Raise The Banners High.

The battle of Promethium Refinery 426 was a small engagement fought by between the Rift Wardens and the Dark Angels. The Rift Warden force was made up mainly of intercessors, aggressors and dreadnoughts. They had had some success against the Dark Angels in earlier engagements which was why they were dispatched to capture the refinery. The Dark Angels force was primarily Deathwing led by Azrael himself.

The primary reason for this battle was to capture the refinery as both chapters needed promethium to fuel their tanks. The Rift Wardens got their first and bolstered the defences around the site. They then fought off a series of small Dark Angel patrols. Eventually after a string of losses, the Deathwing were deployed by teleport assault into the Rift Warden defences, where after a brief firefight, the Dark Angels seized control of the refinery.

Trench Warfare - Hesperous Prime

Points: 1000.

Mission: Cleanse The Land.

Secondary Objectives: Assassination, Oaths Of Moment and Raise The Banners High.

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Oaths Of Moment, Raise The Banners High and Warp Ritual.

The Rift Wardens were now in a precarious position, their defences still far from constructed as the Dark Angels upped their attacks. Ezekial led the force of Deathwing terminators to attack the Rift Wardens in three waves. The chapter was able to bring their bolters to bear and poured fire into the Dark Angels. The missile launchers caused devastation among the Rift Warden ranks before their charged into their lines. The Deathwing decimated the defenders and forced them to withdraw.

Battle in the Streets - Hesperous Prime

Points: 1000.

Mission: Cleanse The Land.

Secondary Objectives: Raise The Banners High, Shock Tactics and Warp Ritual.

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Oaths of Moment, Raise The Banners High and Stubborn Defiance.

The Dark Angels moved their Deathwing forces forward, placing several units of terminators at key points in the ruined streets. When the command was given, they attacked the Rift Wardens positions with missile fire before the Dark Angels charged forward. Two attempts were repelled, but the third assault pushed the Rift Wardens back. The chapter fought hard but to prevent units being cut off from the main force, they were pulled back. The Rift Wardens then set up a new defensive line and awaited the next Dark Angel assault.

Deathwing Assault - Hesperous Prime

Points: 1000.

Mission: Surge of Faith.

Secondary Objectives: Assassination, Oaths Of Moment and Shock Tactics

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Behind Enemy Lines, Oaths of Moment and Retrieve Nephilim Data.

The war had raged on for weeks and Arthurus was becoming frustrated that the Dark Angels had not capitulated despite suffering heavy casualties and frequent defeats. He devised a plan to secure the ground in Sector 971 and push the offensive into the Dark Angel lines once again. By this time, both sides had been reinforced. The Rift Wardens planned to  send to fresh companies in ahead while an outrider force advanced in from the north-west. A third offensive would be made from the north advancing the ruined streets and thinly defended hab-blocks. The Outriders attacked first followed swiftly by the remaining companies although they did so under heavy fire. Overhead both chapters engaged in frantic aerial battles as their aircraft vied for aerial supremacy.

The main Rift Warden attack faced only light opposition, even so the chapter's captains were cautious and this limited their early objectives and failed to forcefully push into enemy territory. The Dark Angels were able to bolster their defences, preventing the Rift Wardens from penetrating too far into their territory. Swiftly the assault had stalemated into static "trench" warfare. The outriders however, managed to further in from the north, capturing territory from the Dark Angels and diverting enemy forces from the west to attack them.

Lieutenant Agrippa's strike force came close to seizing their target but was not able to claim it until the following the morning. On that morning, Agrippa led an attack on a narrow front to coincide with an outrider assault on the rear of the Dark Angel defences. The Dark Angels were well prepared and Agrippa's attack was a costly failure. The outriders had been slain during the night and individual squads that had supported them had become trapped behind enemy lines. Attempts to resume the attack were repulsed as the enemy introduced their secret weapon; the teleport deployment of teminators and deathwing knights. Throughout the Rift Warden lines, terminators materialised and the chapter suffered many casualties. The Rift Wardens held out for a further two days before the Dark Angels attacked en masse, led by librarian Ezekial. The Dark Angels recaptured lost territory and the Rift Wardens best hope of victory this time was lost.

Battle for Sector 17 - Hesperous Prime

Points: 1000.

Mission: Surge Of Faith.

Secondary Objectives: Assassination, Grind Them Down and Raise The Banners High.

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Martial Interdiction, Psychic Interrogation and Stubborn Defiance.

The Rift Wardens had assembled a force of 600 marines in sector 17, under the command of captain Lorgraine as a planned invasion of Dark Angel held territory. The Dark Angels under the direct command of chapter master Azrael had taken this territory as a operations base. His forces consisted of around 200 battle brothers and a handful of veterans in terminator armour. Azrael's forces had taken this ground despite incoming artillery strikes and even succeeded in capturing a small Rift Wardens outpost along the main highway. The Rift Wardens had managed to position themselves either side of the enemy positions Azrael, realising that the counter-attack was imminent, ordered his battle brothers to withdraw. As they did so, Lorgraine activated the trap and a phenomenal amount of bolter fire poured into the Dark Angels. Enemy eliminators and heavy weapons returned fire but they soon fell silent as the rearguard were destroyed. The Dark Angels fell back to territory they could hold. There were two more attacks by the Dark Angels on the border but both were repulsed with heavy losses.

Capture The Spaceport - Hesperous Prime

Points: 1000.

Mission: Cleanse The Land.

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

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Oaths of Moment, Raise The Banners High and Stubborn Defiance.

With the war definitely in the hands of the Rift Wardens, Arthurus made the decision to cut off the Dark Angels from potential reinforcement and fresh supplies. The order was given to launch a landing from the Purity of Hate to capture the main space port of the city.

The initial landing was two hundred battle brothers with dreadnought support led by Captain Agamemnon. The Purity of Hate moved into low orbit and performed a series of orbital bombardments on the Dark Angel positions to make way for the incoming thunderhawks. When the Rift Wardens landed and launched the attack they faced little resistance/ The chapter captured the ill-prepared Dark Angel positions swiftly, seizing what undamaged supplies and ammunition remained after the bombardment. The space port was swiftly abandoned by the Dark Angels when their captain Lazarus was almost mortally wounded by Agamemnon.

Retribution - Hesperous Prime

 

Points: 1000.

Mission: Ascension.

Secondary Objectives: Assassination, Retrieve Nephilim Data and Shock Tactics

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Grind Them Down, Martial Indication and Stubborn Defiance.

From the war against the Alpha Legion, the Dark Angels had constructed five firebases, each of which was situated to give supporting fire to one another if needed. The earthworks included deep trenches and dugouts with overhead protection. The Dark Angels viewed these firebases as almost impregnable.

Dark Angel forces under the command of an interrogator chaplain split from the retreating companies and turned southwards towards these firebases. Upon arrival they bolstered the defences in preparation for the expected Rift Warden attack. The chapter was on the backfoot and needed to slow down the Rift Warden advance even if it cost the lives of their own to do so. That night the Rift Wardens attacked the fortifications, charging over meters of open ground. After suffering heavy casualties the Rift Wardens succeeded in capturing one of the firebases. The following day, the Dark Angels counter-attacked and somehow forced the Rift Wardens out. With the arrival of captain Andred, the Rift Wardens assaulted the firebases again. This time the Dark Angels were destroyed completely, including the brave chaplain who led this defence. 

The war on Hesperous was not going the way the Dark Angels inner circle had anticipated. 

Press The Advantage - Hesperous Prime

Points: 1000.

Mission: Desperate Raid.

Secondary Objectives: Assassination, Engage On All Fronts and Retrieve Nephilim Data.

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Oaths of Moment, Raise The Banners High and Stubborn Defiance.

With the Dark Angels in retreat, one captain gathered about him his most experienced battle brothers. They held firm to prevent the Rift Wardens overrunning their forces. Together they launched a counter-attack  despite it leaving them separated from their own forces. Though they might die, they would go down in the records of their chapter.

The Rift Wardens attacked the Dark Angel position with full force and fury. The Rift Wardens had intercepted vox communications and thus were well prepared for what awaited them. The attack was a costly failure but their expectations were bolstered by the arrival of Captain Andred and Lieutenant Agrippa. Under their command advances were made and the Dark Angel force before them was once more forced to fall back. This time the Rift Wardens did not challenge the retreat. The Dark Angels were neither attacked not pursued.

The next day, Andred noted that the fleeing Dark Angels had been forced by terrain to split into two groups, which offered the possibility of an enveloping pincer attack from the flanks. The risk was that should the enemy be reinforced by their battle brothers before them that the Rift Wardens might suffer greater casualties. Andred chose a cautious policy of preventing the danger by targeting one force with everything at his disposal and then moving to eradicate the other, thus lowering the risks to his own forces.

Attempts by the Dark Angels to halt those attacks were repulsed and requests for reinforcements were sent out. With their arrival, Lieutenant Agrippa suggested to his captain that a direct large assault was what was needed here but Andred overruled his request. Although Andred reported his actions as a successful victory to chapter master Arthurus, in truth his own forces had lost a number of battle brothers to death and injury. Andred wisely pulled his forces back and looked at the possibility of flanking the Dark Angels as they further retreated away from the Rift Wardens.