GM Note: It only started with Day 6 due to my replies originally being in email form only...


Day 6

19th Imperial Army

Southern Sector

78th Infantry Corps
All units of the 78th Corps safely disengage from the enemy. It is believed that the opposing III Corps is aware of the retrograde movement. 78 GSF is already preparing a secondary line. 78 Corps is now in line with 34 Corps.

12th Airborne Corps
12 GSF is preparing a secondary line alongside 78 GSF.

7053rd are ready for drop insertion.

2nd Corps
The 75th Gresned Horse launches an assault against the probing 194th Quinset and succeeds in holding them off and allowing the 7th BPB to withdraw in good order. Casualties are light on both sides as neither regiment is in much of a mood to push things. The 75th Gresned ceases its attacks by nightfall on Day 5 and by Day 6 has withdrawn in conjunction with the 7th BPB

Enemy casualties: 50 KIA (?), (?) WIA, 4 IFVs
Friendly casualties: 25 KIA, 25 POWs, 8 tanks.

All units of 2nd Corps notify Fane that all are prepared to provide tactical reserve duties.

33rd Infantry Corps
The pressure on the 7th BPB is relieved by the 75th Gresned Horse allowing the regiment to withdraw. The 194th Quinset is observed to be occupying the brigade’s former position.

34th Infantry Corps
The enemy have appeared to have bridged the anti-tank bridge in several areas in preparation for an armoured assault. Artillery fire has proven to be ineffective against the bridging conducted. 34 GSF has notified you, Caedmon Barr, that the secondary line of the 33rd Corps is ready - along with another anti-tank ditch.

1st "Freedom” Infantry Corps
Itching for a fight, this corps is ready for combat.

In General, General:
The 19th Imperial Army Engineering Support Force reports that they will begin expanding current workshop facilities to the level where construction work on basic trucks and other vehicles can begin. They believe that with more resources allocated they can begin to uparmour and upgun those trucks they produce.

19th Army Intel believes that the enemy are aware of the movement of the 1072nd Corps.

Day 7

19th Imperial Army

Southern Sector

78th Infantry Corps
78 Corps makes itself at home as 78 GSF strengthens the secondary line of defence. Opposing III Corps has made no movement.

12th Airborne Corps
12 GSF still helping 78 GSF.

7052nd are ready for drop insertion. FHSB ready for drop insertion. Troops bucked up Fane’s visit.

2nd Corps
The 75th Gresned Horse reports that their movement south has been spotted by enemy air recon. They’ll arrive at 1 Corps positions in two days time.

All other units sited in ordered areas.

33rd Infantry Corps
7 BPB is shelled quite comprehensively and takes: 150 KIA, 600 WIA, 40 trucks.

Raid not as successful as planned causing approximately 600 casualties amongst the enemy. 7 BPB casualties: 200 KIA, 400 WIA, 3 tanks, 4 IFVs

34th Infantry Corps
34 GSF has finished preparing the secondary line to above the standard required. Raid on enemy bridges only knocked out 2 bridges. Casualties: 7 KIA.

Raid on 15 TS quite successful. Heavy damage caused! Estimated casualties: 150.

1st "Freedom” Infantry Corps
Is now merging into the southern section of the line.

In General, General:
Recon of Strutham suggests that the enemy are seriously engaged in construction activities and that there are high levels of movement from the area towards Clanistor with both air and road traffic.

ETA of naval forces are 2 days.

Intel believes that the enemy may have executed one of their regiments for mutiny: The 800th Stofeles.

Day 8

19th Imperial Army

Southern Sector

78th Infantry Corps
No change.

12th Airborne Corps
12 GSF returns to strategic reserve in the south, having finished helping 78 GSF.

Troops of the 12th are ready for combat.

BP Commandoes report that any attack would be noticed. They note that 43 HLI has begun to conduct widespread patrols in the area.

2nd Armoured Corps
7the Gresned Horse has completed its move south and has been transferred between commands.

101 GIM came under attack and responded in force, however the enemy continually retreated before them as they pursued the Imperial dogs back to their lines. However 101 GIM took casualties: 50 KIA, 100 WIA.

8th Armoured Brigade reports that they engaged 1 TITR in a small skirmish, destroying ten of their tanks in six minutes with three rounds of gunfire from a troop (four) of 8th Armoured tanks. 102 GIM also reports skirmishes with GPDF troops before bunkering down in the defence line between NIR and 56 HR.

33rd Infantry Corps
1. The 5th Blood Pact Brigade has come under an intense assault! In the early hours of this morning, a raiding force, believed to be from the 194th Quinset struck at the reserve force, 101 GIM, and successfully drew its attention away from the main attack. At the same time as the diversionary force launched its assault, two enemy regiments punched north and south of the 5th Blood Pact Brigade before a third enemy regiment supported by a massed and continuous artillery barrage punched into the brigade’s position. Caught between attempting to retreat to the new line of defence and being attacked from three sides, the brigade simply melted away by 1057 hours. A group of desperate survivors led by their fanatical CO tried to gain chaos lines but ran into what was believed to be a Cadian blocking force of mixed armour and infantry. The last cohesive group of survivors of 5 BPB were all killed and/or captured, but the CO manages to make chaos lines with about twenty survivors. He reports causing severe damage to the attacking forces.

Friendly casualties: 5779 MIA, 80 tanks, 80 SP Art’y Guns, 400 trucks
Enemy casualties: 80 tanks (?), 80IFVs (?), 2400 KIA, 6000 WIA

34th Infantry Corps


15 TS, 313 Z and 1 TITR prepare to launch their offensive as 15 TS engineers struggle to put in the new bridges in time under a ferocious enemy barrage. The GITF lays down a tremendous barrage on the chaos lines and fires smoke rounds to shield the engineers more effectively. The barrage slams into the combined lines of the New Island Rifles and the 56th Henly Rifles creating a spectacular show of Imperial firepower. As the barrage continues, the 15 TS engineers finish their bridging operations and report that they’ve used up their heavy bridging equipment (temporarily) and that fifteen bridges are now in place.

The barrage continues as the lead elements of the three assault regiments cross the ‘start line’ and roll forward. Just as the lead tanks and infantry cross the bridges, the barrage lifts and the assault force takes the trench line without opposition. A lot of enemy dead seem to have been left behind and they are tentatively identified as being from the New Island Rifles as the assault force occupies the position and presses forwards and outwards.

Lead elements of 313 Z and Naval Air support report that the enemy regiment is withdrawing as Imperial forces clash with retreating chaos forces. The enemy rearguard is contacted by the 313th Zintess and the first armour battle of the campaign is fought out on the Beltane plains between the 2/313, 3/313 Zintess and the 1/15 Tharkad and what appears to be a mixed armour and infantry force from the New Island Rifles. The chaos troopers fight back with considerable élan from their prepared positions and take their toll on the attacking Imperial forces that fall back from their first assault. A battalion of artillery from the GITF is called and the enemy position ‘softened up.’

The combined force attacks again and meets fierce resistance from the rearguard who fights doggedly and determinedly and force the attackers back again. Again GITF fires a barrage and this time the 1456th Bomber Squadron is called in to assist. The barrage lifts and the Imperials go forward yet again…and are forced to fall back again. Another barrage slams into the defenders and for the fourth time, the Imperials attack and finally punch through the rearguard, completely destroying it.

Enemy Casualties: 85 tanks, 18 Salamanders, 400 KIA, 360 WIA
Friendly Casualties: 37 tanks, 23 SP Art’y Guns 500 KIA, 100 POWs. (NIR)

The assault force pushes forward on the heels of the New Island Rifles with fierce rearguard actions by ad-hoc elements delaying the Imperial advance. By 0943, Imperial forces have come up against a second AT ditch and another enemy defence line into which the New Island Rifles have retreated.

2. 300 logistics soldiers in the both regiments are turned into infantry.

3. COs acknowledge the directive, but suggest that the regiment be co-located before merger.

4. Air evacuation of wounded conducted

5. The engineers give it two weeks with everything asked for. 1 week for the tented hospital.

6. All orders relating to the frontline have been changed by the early enemy offensive outlined above.

1st "Freedom” Infantry Corps
All 1st Corps units report they have come under attack by the enemy who probed the line, but did not launch any actual committed assaults. 11 GPDF launched an impromptu attack against the 254th Mordian but failed, suffering heavy casualties.

Friendly casualties: 200 KIA, 400 WIA.

Also, 1 GSF came under attack by Imperial commandoes who destroyed seven supply dumps, 35 trucks and caused 100 casualties (50 KIA, 50 WIA). Imperial commandoes also struck at the 75th Gresned Horse, destroying 10 of its trucks and causing 50 casualties amongst its logistics component (25 KIA, 25 WIA).

In General, General:
Naval Forces in position.

Day 9

19th Imperial Army

Southern Sector

78th Infantry Corps
All 78 Corps Infantry units withdraw back to new defensive line. The Foreign Legion replaces the 8th Blood Pact Armoured Brigade.

12th Airborne Corps
The roadlink between NORCOM and SOCOM is attacked en masse by the BP Commando Brigade. Several patrols of the 43rd HLI are wiped out, but a number of Blood Pact Commandoes are brought to bear and killed outright. At least two smaller OPs have been overrun and the supply roadlink is cut.

Friendly casualties: 20 KIA, 40 WIA.

Torham Airbase has also been raided en masse by the Fort Hern Special Brigade. They easily penetrated the perimeter, mowed down the Naval Ground Defence personnel, blew up most of the airbase, flew off with about four squadrons of aircraft and blew the rest of the place up.

Add: 24 Marauders and 24 Thunderbolts to the Chaos forces.
Friendly casualties: 20 KIA, 40 WIA.


2nd Armoured Corps
8th Armoured is repositioned in the north as per Fane’s Orders.

The remainder follow through with orders, though 101 GIM falls back from probing made by 6 GPDF.

33rd Infantry Corps
1. No action today for 33 Corps as it repositions itself.

1st "Freedom” Infantry Corps

1. Caedmon Barr receives his new communicator.

2. 1st Corps falls back without coming under attack.

3. The 75th joridan is merged with 11 GPDF (just make the adjustment on your OOB, AJ – 11 GPDF “Tank Hunters”)

4. The raising of the SPF of approximately brigade strength goes a long way to properly protecting Imperial convoys from government forces.

5. SPF also includes artillery under its command.

6. A new dump up to 130% supply is rapidly built up.

7. All forces prepared for offensive action, especially the GPDF who are itching to go toe to toe with the oppressors.

34th Infantry Corps
1. 34 GSF easily builds another line as per required.

9. All NIR logistics personnel now turned into infantry and 34 GSF now takes over the supply role. The NIR gets some much needed rest as the art’y empties all ammo stocks on their opposition. Incidentally, AJ, you should retain some logistics troops as they also represent your MED elements for the regiment (approx, 25-50).

10. The raid turns into another bombardment of an enemy regiment. No results determined.

11. Artillery stocks brought back up to 150% levels with 24 hours by 34 GSF.

12. The raid is cancelled when the opposition is found to be an enemy infantry unit, which is soundly bombarded instead.

13. The air force will bomb the bridge at dawn tomorrow.

14. All of 34 Corps line comes under bombardment from Imperial Artillery: 300 KIA, 600 WIA divided evenly between all three regiments.


In General, General:

An assassination squad, dressed as Desyndian Rangers struck at II Corps HQ. The squad manages to bypass the small security for the HQ before being properly challenged and then wiped out in the ensuing firefight. However, a demo pack was thrown into the command tent, wiping out the communications element of II Corps HQ. All of II Corps higher communications with Corps HQ are down.

The assassination squad sent against VI Corps HQ, is simply let down by their sheer stupidity. They make it no further than the first pair of sentries on the front gate, where they stuff up the password procedure, and they are all mown down as they try to exit from their truck whilst firing and yelling warcries.

A truck bomb was detonated outside III Corps HQ after three trucks crashed through the gate. Two trucks were stopped, but the third simply rolled to a stop outside of the command centre where the dying operative simply hit the detonator and wiped out most of III Corps HQ and again destroying communications between HQ and III Corps units.

Day 10

19th Imperial Army

Southern Sector

78th Infantry Corps
Successfully does its reorganising, but won’t be complete until tomorrow. The Foreign Legion reports no enemy activity in the region of 34 Corps.

1072nd Amphibious Corps/12th Airborne Corps

5. Vordiston Docks comes under attack! Enemy shells smash into the defences as the enemy’s amphibious corps makes its debut and drop troops land to the north of the docks. The 1st Abraxian immediately goes onto the attack against the newly arrived drop troopers. Again bitter fighting marks the conflict and one by one the Abraxian tanks are knocked out one after the other. The Abraxians are pushed back to the perimeter of the docks themselves where they fail miserably to halt the drop troop’s advance and fall back into the Docks complex itself, just as the 8th Gathalmor…

Meanwhile, two whole enemy regiments make their landing against the beach defences laid by the 8th Gathalmor and the 1st Abraxian behind a thick smokescreen fired by the accompanying naval escorts. In a thoroughly conventional fashion, the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force hits the beach under heavy fire from the 8th Gathalmor and begins the task of ousting the defenders. Initially, they’re bogged down, but with continuing waves of reinforcements arriving along with a battalion of tanks soon pushes the battle irrevocably in the favour. As the beach defences fall, the 8th Gathalmor withdraw to the already compromised Docks perimeter and barely manage to hold on as 1 MEF moves in on the attack.

1 MEF, deploying itself in full by mid-afternoon, makes another attack on the 8th Gathalmor and sweeps the Sons of Odin aside and cracks open the southern perimeter of the Dock’s defences. The 1076th Malazar Supply Battalion arms itself and heads to the fighting miraculously propping up the faltering defenders and managing to hold onto the Docks complex itself. All the while the defenders scream for reinforcements from the 22nd Waterford Light Infantry who finally arrive late in the afternoon due to communications difficulty.

Total casualties:
1 MEF: 200 KIA, 300 WIA, 32 IFVs.
8th Gathalmor: 200 KIA, 400 WIA
1st Abraxian: 200 KIA, 100 WIA, 9 tanks.
7053rd Harakon Drop Troops: 200 KIA, 100 WIA.
1072nd Malazar Supply Battalion: 40 KIA, 80 WIA.

3 MEF reports that they have cut the road and are driving northwards to the city Unnamtor and have linked up with the northern elements of 7053rd Harakon who have successfully landed and destroyed the bridge to the north.

2nd Armoured Corps
2. 6 GPDF has been struck in four places, its anti-tank defences only being half-prepared, really let down their defensive efforts as two enemy armoured regiments slam into the ‘Mountain Men’ at 0530 hrs after a momentous artillery barrage.

In the north four enemy armour battalions from the 8th Armoured Brigade slam into the 6th GPDF’s 2nd Brigade. The enemy tanks from the elite regiment, backed up the screaming hordes of the 7th Blood Pact Brigade slice into the tough and tenacious fighters of the Gensal mountain fighters. The tanks roll flat the defenders, slicing deep into the Imperial rear allowing the troopers of the 7th Blood Pact Brigade access to their hated foes (well, they hate everyone). 132nd Mordian gives sterling support to defence of the area, but the rapid advance of the 8th Armoured Brigade forces the entire regiment to relocate hurriedly, only just narrowly escaping being contacted by the enemy armour – more to follow on that.

The 110th Cadian comes under attack from the 723rd Mounted Infantry, the 6th and the 8th Blood Pact Brigades. The Cadians, enraged by the news from home about the attacks on the Cadian Gate give absolutely no quarter as the attacking chaos forces slam into their defensive line. The first assault is turned back with extremely heavy losses as accurate and focused fire simply destroys the first wave. The second wave is likewise devastated by concentrated fire from the “Shadow Corps.’” The third wave is not as brutally cut-up as the previous two, but it makes no gains.

In two hours of brutal combat the 6th GPDF feeds more and more if its reserves to the fight against the 7th Blood Pact Brigade which gives no and takes no quarter. Hundreds of casualties pile up on both sides as the battle between the two infantry forces swings back and forth, each side throwing more of their forces into the fray. By midday, the gaps in the line are still not sealed as the 7th Brigade fights to the bitter end, the 101st Gensal Independent Militia make an appearance and advance into the fray causing the 6th GPDF to go completely over the top. Insane charge after insane charge kills hundreds on each side as the fighting goes completely hand to hand in scenes reminiscent of clan warfare on Beltane before the war…

By mid-afternoon, the 8th Armoured Brigade begins rolling southwards, overrunning two batteries of Mordian artillery left behind as a rearguard to ensure the regiment’s escape from a vastly superior force. The lead battalion of the 8th Armoured Brigade engages the Cadian armour for the first time and slices through it with almost contemptuous ease, leaving only three surviving tanks, hidden by the burning wrecks of their former companion tanks.

The fourth wave finally makes some headway, forcing the Cadians from their front trenches in brutal and bitter hand-to-hand fighting. A counter-attack from the Cadians restores their position however, leaving the attackers no choice but to try again as the Blood Pact bloodlust reaches new levels. Again they manage to take the front trenches but are forced out once more by the vengeful Cadians. The sixth wave makes no headway against the Cadians, and the 723rd Mounted Infantry Commander calls off the attack. However, the position of the 110th Cadian has been compromised and joining with the 132nd Mordian they begin to move south.

By evening, the 6th GPDF, 101st Gensal Independent Militia, and the 7th Blood Pact Brigade have completely gutted themselves in an epic bloodbath titled, ‘The Eastern Slaughter.’ The 8th Armoured Brigade harries the retreating 110th Cadian as it falls back under tremendous pressure held up by the sterling artillery support of the 132nd Mordian. This combined task force, known as ‘TF Kasrtor’ moves southward along with II Corps HQ…

The remnants of the 6th GPDF scream defiance from their massively shrunken perimeter.

Total casualties:
6th GPDF: 10000 KIA, 4000 WIA.
132nd Mordian: 50 KIA, 20 SP Art’y Guns, 50 POWs
110th Cadian: 42 tanks, 700 KIA, 1200 WIA
8th Armoured Brigade: 37 KIA 11 tanks, 40 WIA
7th Blood Pact Brigade: 5000 KIA, 1400 WIA, 80 tanks.
6th Blood Pact Brigade: 3000 KIA, 1000 WIA, 64 tanks.
101st Gensal Independent Militia: 8000 KIA, 2000 WIA
723rd Mounted Infantry: 150 KIA, 150 WIA, 52 tanks.
8th Blood Pact Brigade: 12 tanks, 500 KIA, 1000 WIA.

33rd Infantry Corps
For results see 2nd Armoured Corps


1st "Freedom” Infantry Corps
1. The Mordians report that they have contacted some 75th Joridan survivors who come up out of the gloom, but they quickly laugh and fire some shots at the Mordians before going to ground. This seems to be the start of the enemy’s offensive here in the south as a creeping barrage is fired onto the Mordians. The Mordians, pinned down by the barrage, are relieved when it lifts, only to have a whole mass of screaming Skaxon coming at them. The Mordians react as they always do – without undue worry, the Mordians take to their trenches from their dugouts and open fire at point blank range at the Skaxon taking a fearful toll, but the momentum of the enemy cannot be checked as the enemy unit, tentatively identified as the 11th GPDF, comes to hand-to-hand grips with the Mordians. Mordians fall by the dozen as they bravely try to repel the attackers from their forward trenches…

On their northern positions, the creeping barrage is lifted to reveal whole battalions of tanks and IFVs! Enemy troopers are disgorged from the IFVs and attack the Mordians with flamers and shotguns clearing the forward trenches in a brutal and nasty fashion…
The 254th Mordian fight back and fight back hard, throwing every single soldier they have into the defence and the battle swings back and forth in both sides favour. But by midday, the right flank of the Mordians is completely gone, and enemy tanks are beginning to drive eastwards. The Mordians realise that for their own survival they need to withdraw as fast as they can and mount all their survivors up in IFVs and trucks and fall back from the fighting in an attempt to outpace the enemy armoured regiment.

Total casualties:
75th Gresned Horse: 23 tanks, 24 IFVs, 400 KIA, 1200 WIA.
11th GPDF: 1500 KIA, 3000 WIA.
254th Mordian: 1000 KIA, 800 WIA, 78 IFVs, 4 SP AT Guns, 3 SP AA Guns, 15 trucks.

2. The 281st Cadian, responsible for much of the slaughter in Derrton is hit by the same tactics as employed by the enemy attacking the 254th Mordian. Screaming war cries as well as ‘remember Derrton,’ the 10th GPDF rips into the 281st Cadian with utter pleasure. The bloodthirsty and terrifying Skaxon tear apart the Cadians who struggle against a foe that knows no fear. Cadians are hacked down and ripped to shreds and prisoners die screaming. No quarter is given. Under such an attack the Cadians do not quail however and counterattack with their armour and artillery reaping a heavy toll of the attackers. As the 10th GPDF seems to be expiring itself under the grinning Cadian guns, the 1st Gensal Regiment begins a series of hit and run attacks all along the Cadian line, drawing off the Cadian reserves as every time, their IFVs creep forward blasting away before pulling back. This gives greater impetuous to the Skaxon assault that begins take Cadian position after Cadian position. No matter how hard they try, the Cadians are forced back at every turn as the regiment that many former residents of Derrton call home simply tears them apart. The few Cadian prisoners taken soon become sport for the Skaxon troopers who do unspeakable things to them. The Cadian Field Hospital is overrun, their wounded hacked apart, and their medics massacred trying to defend the wounded and still the 281st fights on. With no chance of recovering their wounded, the Cadians have to listen to their screams as they are tortured then killed. Finally by mid-afternoon, it’s all too much for the 281st - they simply crack, break and run despite the flailing of their commissars. They rout past the positions of the 123rd Darkwold who nervously shift a battalion to face the south, unsure of what to face…

Total casualties:
1st Gensal Regiment: 11 IFVs, 50 KIA, 100 WIA.
10th GPDF: 1000 KIA, 2000 WIA.
281st Cadian: 1000 KIA, 2000 MIA, 12 tanks.

3. The 75th Gresned Horse, logistics and engineering elements in tow, drives eastwards as fast as it can, trying to catch and destroy and the rapidly withdrawing 254th Mordian.
4. A large conglomeration of medical units, all co-ordinated by 1 GSF, brings in the thousands of wounded and begins the care and treatment of them. Air evacuation of wounded continues efficiently and promptly throughout the day which in combination with the victories being won, pushes all if 1st Corps morale up one level (AJ, all your units morale levels increase by one).

34th Infantry Corps
1. 34 GSF finish the second AT ditch, bridge both, wire for demolition all bridges and improve the defences for the infantry. All in a day’s work.

2. Combat engineers from 56 HR and NIR also turn the AT ditches into AP ditches as well.

3. Medics returned to duty in the NIR.

4. Art’y is successful, though enemy counter-battery fire against NIR artillery elements caused the loss of 3 vehicles and caused the NIR gunners to remember things like ‘re-location.’ Enemy artillery does not fire during the day, however.

5. Scouts end up in a series of skirmishes with GPDF patrols with negligible results on both sies.

6. Raid was called off, when the enemy where alerted by skirmish between a 5 man GPDF patrol and the lead raiding elements.

In General, General:

1. High Command believes that new pilots will be available in 24 hours.

2. Although air support smashed all Vordiston River bridges, a freak storm front has ground all their planes at Fradisthar. The Storm front is expected to lift in 48 hours.

3. During the night, II Corps HQ quickly managed to relocate when the alarm was sounded that chaos SF were in the area, and they joined with the 132nd Mordian to gain better protection.

4. … the remnants of III Corps HQ pick themselves up after a massive SF assault basically levelled the place. Lt Gen De Brye barely managed to escape with his life as his defence company sacrificed themselves to protect the general from literally hundreds of chaos commandoes.

5. VI Corps HQ defence company fends off an enemy SF assault during the night.

Day 11

19th Imperial Army

Southern Sector

78th Infantry Corps
See 1st Corps for a description of battle results. All units transferred to General Caedmon’s command.

1072nd Amphibious Corps/12th Airborne Corps
1. At 0400 the defenders of the Vordiston Docks surrounded and with no help whatsoever, say their prayers and take up their weapons to fight against the foul chaos enemy. Enemy marines, closing in with shotguns and flamers are driven back by the fanatical resistance of the defenders, especially the 1076th Malazar Supply Battalion troops who form the numerical backbone of the defence. Being III Corps supply base, ammunition is not really a problem for the defenders as they throw back a second chaos assault with heavy losses.

The enemy changes tactics, using their tanks and IFVs in extremely close support of their infantry and this time breakthrough in the 1st Abraxian sector, completely overrunning the unit destroying completely and enemy marines from 1 MEF proudly capture the 1st Abraxian’s second set of colours. A counter-attack by a reserve drawn from the 8th Gathalmor manages to hold the ever-shrinking perimeter.

But, the enemy with vastly superior numbers crush another section of the perimeter and burst through the defences at 1015 hours. The enemy marines are stopped by a fanatical charge of Malazar Supply troops led by their CO, LTCOL Ferraxus that throws the enemy back with heavy losses on both sides. However, it is soon apparent that the shrinking Imperial perimeter cannot be held forever and by 1217 hours, the enemy make their final assault and rip through the Imperial defences, brushing aside Gathalmor resistance with flamers and close-range tank fire. The marines set to the task of mopping up the Imperial survivors and by 1301, the last group of Imperial survivors’ rallies around LTCOL Ferraxus. One by one they fall, until the LTCOL himself is the last one standing, he aims his bolt pistol at the impromptu ‘explosives’ set up (a huge pile of munitions) and empties his clip into it moments before his body is riddled by enemy fire…then the pict-feed goes dead.

Total casualties:
1st MEF: 200 KIA, 400 WIA, 14 IFVs, 12 tanks.
2nd MEF: 300 KIA, 500 WIA, 23 IFVs, 6 tanks.
1st Abraxian Irregulars: 300 MIA
8th Gathalmor: 700 MIA
1076th Malazar Supply Battalion: 1000 MIA
Captured Equipment: 150 trucks, 32% of III Corps supply stores, 43% of SOCOM’s supply stores, 2 sets of Imperial colours (1st Abraxian, 8th Gathalmor), and 4 merchant ships.

2. The Blood Pact Commandoes continue their war with the 43rd Heran Light Infantry. No substantial reports have come from the area.

3. 3 MEF has moved into Unnamed-Tor and set up its positions. The locals all cower indoors. The blocking battalion digs in and begins patrolling in its area and especially out to the east. The main part of the force in the city begins patrolling north and west.

4. The destroyers are still steaming around, preparing to give fire support to 1st Corps. Due to a command mix-up they were not available for the battle for Vordiston today.

5. The 7053rd Harakon Drop Infantry and the Fort Hern Special Brigade slightly adjust your orders and launch their assault (by the way, covert drop was successful) on the 22nd Waterford Light Infantry at 0200 hours, enabling the 1st and 2nd MEF to assault the Docks complex. Using the air transport at their disposal, the commanders of both units manage to completely surround the 22nd Waterford Light Infantry. Without bothering to call for their immediate surrender both the Drop Infantry and the Special Brigade close in from all sides. The Waterford fight desperately to escape from the trap but by early afternoon is completely annihilated.

Total casualties:
7053rd Harakon: 200 KIA, 700 WIA
Fort Hern Special Brigade: 300 KIA, 400 WIA
22nd Waterford Light Infantry: Wiped Out. 1000 POWs.

6. The propaganda crew catch all the heroism of the soldiers of the 12th and 1072nd Corps as they crush the slaves of the oppressive government and liberate Vordiston.

2nd Armoured Corps
For 8th Armoured results, see 33 Corps battle reports. 8th Armoured Brigade was attacked en force before it could conduct its planned fall back. Now that the enemy have withdrawn, the commander of the 8th has withdrawn back as part of his orders. He recovers 20 of his tanks from the field. The commander of the 8th reports that an enemy infantry regiment has been spotted moving westwards from Tanfar: it is unidentified as of yet.

The 101st GIM pulls back and assists 2 GSF while the 102nd GIM is temporarily transferred to Caedmon’s control.

33rd Infantry Corps
1. The 7th Blood Pact prepare to withdraw from the enemy’s 6th GPDF but come under attack by the enemy’s 194th Quinset, luckily for the 7th Brigade, the 723rd Mounted Infantry is close at hand…

The 194th Quinset launches its assault at 0600 hours against the 7th Blood Pact Brigade and basically run rings around them and chop up their infantry at will. Long range fire seems to work the best and the Quinset are content to sit off at long range and gun down bloodthirsty Blood Pact troopers with their IFV multilasers and heavy bolters. Even when the Blood Pact deploy their some of their artillery in the assault gun role, Quinset infantry move forward in the long Beltane grass and silence them one by one with accurate AT missile fire. With Blood Pact losses mounting, the 194th Quinset commander presses the attack but deploys a screening force in the direction of possible enemy reinforcements. At 0800 the vanguard of these reinforcements arrives, the 723rd Mounted Infantry, who immediately engage the Quinset. The enemy attack is well handled and sent back reeling, several tanks and IFVs ‘brewing’ up on the battle field. The Quinset commander presses his luck against the hated die-hard chaos followers and throws them back in serious disarray as the 7th Blood Pact Brigade dissolves as a cohesive organisation. However the arrival of further 723rd Mounted Infantry reinforcements forces the Quinset to move back and fight delaying actions against the enemy armour. By 1800 on Day 11, the Quinset have withdrawn past the minor Vordiston River tributary taking the remnants of the 6th GPDF with them.

Total casualties:
7th Blood Pact Brigade: 200 KIA, 300 WIA, 13 SP Art’y Guns
723rd Mounted Infantry: 75 KIA, 150 WIA, 7 tanks, 9 IFVs
194th Quinset: 75 KIA, 150 WIA, 3 IFVs

2. At 0700, the biggest armour clash of the war heats up between the 1st Tharkad, 132nd Mordian, 110th Cadian, and 18th Desyndians and the elite of the chaos armour forces, the 8th Armoured Brigade. The night move by the 18th Desyndians has not caught the enemy by surprise that seem to relish the chance to go toe to toe with a ‘slaves of the oppressive government’ armoured regiment.

The armoured battle rages for six hours and tank after tank is hit and destroyed and by 1200 hours it is apparent that the Imperials have made no progress whatsoever. Both sides retreat from the other to lick their wounds…

Total casualties:
1st Tharkad: 76 tanks, 266 KIA, 266 WIA
110th Cadian: 7 SP AT Guns, 14 KIA, 14 WIA
132nd Mordian: 13 SP Art’y Guns, 32 KIA, 33 WIA
18th Desyndian: 17 tanks, 13 IFVs, 129 KIA, 180 WIA,
8th Armoured Brigade: 39 tanks, 5 SP Art’y Guns, 149 KIA, 149 WIA

3. At 0600, the 110th Cadian attacks the merging line between the 6th and 8th Blood Pact Brigades and the attack is moderately successful causing a minor break in the link between the two enemy regiments despite sustained artillery fire.

Total casualties:
110th Cadian: 50 KIA, 150 WIA
6th Blood Pact Brigade: 200 KIA
8th Blood Pact Brigade: 200 KIA, 100 WIA

4. Overall, 33 Corps is in dire straits, with all of its constituent regiment’s way below strength. Luckily for you, Blood Pact commander, there are some replacements available! See the ‘in general, general’ topic below. 33 Corps situation is not entirely desirable, but it is not completely lost either.

1st "Freedom” Infantry Corps
1. The Gresned Horse forward patrols report that the Mordians seems to have withdrawn to the north and that there are no longer any enemy units in the way of an advance on Vordiston. The regiment reaches Vordiston just after lunch and set up defensive positions and send out IFV patrols both north and west. The patrols report that the enemy has dug in what appears to be a very large infantry regiment to the north.

2. Navy destroyers are ready to give naval support but their range is limited…

3. 11th GPDF links up with the 75th Gresned Horse late in the afternoon.

4. Supplies from 1 GSF top up the 75th Gresned and 11th GPDF which is also liberally supplied with about 400 one-shot AT rocket launchers.

5. The criminal Darkwolders, eager to finally get to grips with an enemy that has proven to be elusive thus far swing their line south to face up against the 1st Gensal Regiment and 10th Gensal Planetary Defence Force during the late evening and manoeuvre their elements into position. All through the night they are subjected to the following:

"You have slaughtered the innocent for futile misguided cause. Darkwolders, surrender the Cadian butchers and you need not suffer this *insert screaming POW*. Cadians bring your officers in chains and you will be spared.”

The 123rd engages in a number of skirmishes during the night against the 10th GPDF, who seem to be probing their lines. A number of Salamanders are hit by AT fire but only three are knocked out. The CO of the 123rd prudently has his vehicles withdraw and sends out his infantry to exclusively while the remainder of the regiment try to get some rest for the battles tomorrow. The small infantry skirmishes are resolved in mere seconds before one side or the other withdraws no significant casualties reported.

Friendly casualties: 3 Salamanders, 2 KIA.
Enemy casualties: 1 KIA, 2 POWs.

6. At 0600, the 123rd Darkwold and the 281st Cadian are attacked from three sides simultaneously. Skaxon infiltrators, who during the night managed to get quite close to the Darkwold lines, make themselves known as Darkwold Salamanders close in for hit and run attacks on the Skaxon infantry who move forward quite professionally. Many Darkwold Salamanders are destroyed by close range AT fire before infantry support can flush out the Skaxon AT teams. With attackers closing in from both the east and the west, the CO of the 123rd Darkwold has to abandon the original plan of hit and run and opts for bending his line to try and fend off the mechanised assault coming in from his left flank. However the Darkwold left flank collapses quicker than expected under a determined enemy assault and the Darkwold position is so dire, that their CO sends in his attached Cadian tanks and some of the dispirited 281st Cadian Infantry. The counterattack is successful, driving the 1st Gensal Regiment back and retaking the Darkwold positions, although Darkwold casualties have been heavy.

Total casualties:
123rd Darkwold: 100 KIA, 200 WIA
281st Cadian: 25 KIA, 50 WIA
1st Gensal Regiment: 5 IFVs, 100 KIA, 200 WIA

On the right flank, the Women’s Legion using their hypnotic power, close far too close to the Darkwold positions with only the commissars of the regiment being able to resist the witch’s power. They try to rally the defenders, but it’s too late and the commissars can only give their lives uselessly as the women warriors of the Legion swarm over the Darkwolders and take their positions with consummate ease. The disaster is total.

Total casualties:
123rd Darkwold: 300 MIA
Gresned Regiment of Foot: 10 KIA, 20 WIA
The Women’s Legion: 20 KIA, 40 WIA

The frontal assault of the 10th GPDF punches through the Darkwold position through sheer guts, bravery and aggression. Darkwold Salamanders prove easy meat for the multitude of one-shot Skaxon AT devices and the Darkwolders prove to be little match for the ferocity of the Skaxon assault. The CO of the Darkwolders pulls his troops back into his left flank and using his Cadian tanks pushes out from the near trap, abandoning the 281st Cadian Infantry, but many Cadian infantry cling to the sides of the Cadian armoured vehicles in an attempt to get away. The Cadian logistics troops grab as many trucks as they can and scatter in all directions in an attempt to get away as enemy artillery bombard their position. The scene is rather ugly as over 200 Cadians are captured by the enemy, their will to resist broken.

Total casualties:
123rd Darkwold: 34 Salamanders, 100 KIA, 300 WIA
281st Cadian: 350 MIA, 45 trucks
10th GPDF: 150 KIA, 300 WIA

By now, III Corps HQ had sent their Zintess reinforcements south to prop up the situation best seen fit – help the Darkwold. With all plans of attacking the amphibious troops gone, the Zintess tankers arrive by mid-morning and bring the enemy advance to a halt and enabling the 123rd Darkwold to stop their retreat and dig in once more. An armour engagement between Zintess tanks and chaos SP AT Guns goes horribly bad for the Imperials who lose quite badly and are forced to retreat from the enemy guns, losing at least a dozen tanks, but the enemy advance has been halted.

Total casualties:
313th Zintess: 12 tanks, 42 KIA, 42 MIA
Gresned Regiment of Foot/ The Women’s Legion: 0 casualties

7. Although a near rout has been headed off by the timely intervention of the 313th Zintess, the seriously understrength 254th Mordian makes a westwards drive against the enemy’s 1st Corps. They run headlong into the redeploying 1st Gensal Regiment and at first the advantage goes the Mordians way, but after half an hour, the rather crazed troopers of the 1st Gensal Regiment begin to push back the Mordians despite the Mordians taking their toll of enemy IFVs with their SP AT Guns. With casualties mounting and with news of the enemy’s victory over the 123rd Darkwold coming in over the comm-net, the 254th Mordian sees no point in continuing the fruitless assault and pulls back, conveniently filling the gap between the 313th Zintess/123rd Darkwold line and the 8th GPDF.

Total casualties:
254th Mordian: 12 IFVs, 50 KIA, 100 WIA
1st Gensal Regiment: 24 IFVs, 125 KIA, 250 WIA

7. The wounded are being appropriately taken care of with ground evac to Fradisthar already taking place…

7. (A) an accurate picture of enemy dispositions is made based on the recon mission undertaken by the Valkyries at your disposal (see the GLFF map)

8. It is believed that after 12 hours of scouring approximately 1000 soldiers could be equipped from former 281st Cadian equipment.

34th Infantry Corps
1. The hospital is now up and running with basic tentage prepared. More hard-lying facilities are being built.

2. At 0400, 12 GPDF comes under an intense enemy barrage of airburst and ground burst shells. The barrage only lifts when the attackers, a mix of Skaxon and regular chaos infantry are close. The 12th GPDF troopers set to their defence with gusto, eager to prove themselves against their hated foes. However, the enemy attack carries them forward and they capture the forward trenches, their tanks close behind providing support.

Into this fray go the 1/313th Zintess that does spectacularly badly against the enemy armour, losing several tanks without destroying a single enemy one. 12 GPDF, seeing their armour support not living up to expectation goes into the counterattack and manages to retake many of their fallen positions. The enemy manage to stem the flow, until the extra reserve task force arrives, this time having greater success than the 1/313th Zintess in engaging the enemy armour. The enemy, at 0600 retreat back to their positions, leaving the 12th GPDF with their seemingly first victory!

Total casualties:
12th GPDF: 400 KIA, 400 WIA
313th Zintess: 15 tanks
15th Tharkad: 0 casualties
56th Henly Rifles: 200 KIA, 400 WIA, 11 tanks
102nd GIM: 300 KIA, 200 WIA

3. The New Island Rifles engage in some skirmishes with the 13th GPDF: their opposite numbers.


In General, General:
1. Captain-General Hearn has been glad to see the back of the new reinforcements. He didn’t like these strange die-hard fanatics…. 7000 Blood Pact replacements are available for southern sector along with 120 IFVs and 40 tanks.

2. The troops of 10 and 11 GPDF petition for a name change. The 10th GPDF wants to be the ‘2nd Gensal “The Derrton Regiment.”’ 11 GPDF wants to be the ‘3rd Gensal “Vordiston’s Own.”’

3. The 78th Gensal Independent Militia has also arrived: (GQ) 78th Gensal Independent Militia (MOT): 10000 soldiers, 1000 logistics soldiers, 1000 combat engineers, 700 trucks, 200 engineering vehicles. Good Morale.

4. Weather clears earlier than expected. Air support available from evening of Day 11.

19th Imperial Army

Day 12 – 1800 Hours

Southern Sector

78th Infantry Corps
1. At 0200, the 110th Cadian launches its assault tears its way through the 6th Blood Pact Brigade, having snuck up during the preceding two hours. The 110th Cadian Infantry win a total victory over the 6th Brigade and throwing its remnants back in confusion, and the assault on the 8th Brigade although not a resounding success destroys most of the unit. By 0500, the 110th Cadian, not wishing to tarry any longer than need be heads east, its engineers mine the road at certain points.

Total casualties:
6th Blood Pact Brigade: 300 KIA, 500 WIA, 37 SP Art’y Guns, 75 trucks.
8th Blood Pact Brigade: 100 KIA, 200 WIA, 100 trucks
110th Cadian: 100 KIA, 200 WIA, 4 SP AT Guns

2. See the attack by 8th Armoured under 2 Corps update.

3. The Foreign Legion joins up with the 8th Armoured around early afternoon.
1072nd Amphibious Corps
1. 1 MEF secures Vordiston much to the rejoicing of the Skaxon left in the place.

2. 1072nd GSF unloads at the docks and begins to build defences and repair the bridge in consort with the 78th Combat Engineers. The bridge is quickly repaired in time to enjoy an enemy air raid on the Docks. One merchant ship is sunk and the docks heavily damaged. The bridge is unharmed however and the pursuing 19th Army fighters have no luck in shooting down a single enemy aircraft.

3. 2 MEF takes the positions of the 7053rd HDI and reports that enemy Salamanders can be seen prowling about on the north bank.

4. 3 MEF comes under ‘attack,’ or should I say ‘ambushed:’

14 GPDF however, was not expecting any enemy to be in the area and paid for it accordingly. The lead battalion was hit by concentrated tank, artillery and mortar fire before enemy infantry moved in quickly to finish the job off. The truck mounted 2nd battalion is absolutely savaged by the enemy assault and its tattered elements fall back hurriedly. The enemy do not pursue.

Enemy Casualties: 200 KIA, 200 WIA, 40 trucks destroyed.
Friendly Casualties: 0

3 MEF also reports that enemy mechanised elements have approached the city from the west.

5. The Destroyers (4) head east and up around the coast, looking for Imperial shipping but haven’t found any yet.


12th Airborne Corps

1. The BPCB report that they are still interdicting the northern MSR. No enemy supply convoys are getting through.

2. The FHSB and 7053rd HDI mount up in the air transports and return to Fradisthar where they begin to rest.


2nd Armoured Corps
2. At 113 hours, the 8th Armoured and 34th GIM arrive at the positions of the 7th Skalansburg and halt when they spot the prepared and ready 7th Skalansburg. They are promptly bombarded for a full hour by 8th Armoured guns and tanks before they 19th Army launches their assault. The 8th Armoured Brigade with its massed infantry support simply overwhelms the 7th Skalansburg despite artillery support from the 132nd Mordian, at its centre and simply drives through and then fans out behind it with half of its strength to begin the operation to more fully destroy the drug-crazed infantry who fight to the death. The remaining half drives on the bridge that has been recently rebuilt and runs straight into the 18th Desyndian who is advancing to help the 7th Skalansburg. The 8th is momentarily halted but destroys several Imperial armoured vehicles in the exchange for some loss to them. With the appearance of Desyndian infantry, the 3 enemy armour battalions begin to give ground while shelling the advancing Desyndians. The ‘mopping up’ operation of the 7th Skalansburg doesn’t go so well with the drug crazed troopers inflicting heavy casualties on the GIM infantry.

The advance of the 18th Desyndian is broken by the rather timely arrival of 19th Army airpower that makes the most of the complete lack of ground AA fire. A squadron of Marauders and a squadron of Thunderbolts tears apart 14 Imperial vehicles and the Desyndians advance is halted. This appearance of 19th Army airpower also destroys the repaired bridge over the Tanfar sending the engineers running for cover. An air assault on the 132nd Mordian is costly for the 19th Army however with 9 Marauders shot down for the loss of 17 Imperial artillery guns.

The 8th Armoured and 34th GIM press the attack against the 7th Skalansburg and with a mixture of HE and artillery fire the Skalansburg prove to be quite easy to mop up… the only that saves them is the appearance of tanks from the 701st Terran and the 1st Tharkad. Both of these armoured units push forward and 8th Armoured and 34th GIM pull back, content with the destruction caused. However the 8th Armoured rearguard hands out a pasting to the 1st Tharkad who lose 4 tanks to chaos’ 1.

Total casualties:
8th Armoured: 24 tanks, 84 KIA, 84 WIA
34th GIM: 500 KIA, 100 WIA
7th Skalansburg: 1500 KIA, 600 WIA
18th Desyndian: 14 SP Art’y Guns, 1 tank, 4 IFVs, 13 Salamanders, 145 KIA, 76 WIA
132nd Mordian: 17 SP Art’y Guns, 42 KIA, 43 WIA
701st Terran: 0 casualties
19th Army aircraft: 9 Marauders
1st Tharkad: 4 tanks, 10 KIA, 21 WIA

33rd Infantry Corps
1. See 2nd Corps update for battles fought by the 6th and 8th Blood Pact Brigade.

1st "Freedom” Infantry Corps

1. 10 and 11 GPDF are renamed appropriately. The Skaxon are quite pleased by this.

2. Vordiston’s Own enters Vordiston with much rejoicing and with Fane’s propaganda crew present. They dig and begin recruiting, swelling their ranks by 300.

3. The Gresned Horse moves northwards and shadows retreating enemy GPDF who dig in about early afternoon.

4. The 78th CEB in combination with 1072 GSF quickly have the bridge repaired. They then move onto constructing civilian buildings.

5. The artillery bombardment goes ahead, allowing 1 Corps to reposition itself.

6. The retreating regiments then dig in, establishing good positions.

7. Reinforcements that have arrived move south-east to link up with the 3rd Gensal.

8. 1st Gensal breaks contact and falls back to 1 GSF.

9. Name changes completed, but actual shifting of units will occur until late in the afternoon of Day 13.

10. GROF transfers to Mech Inf (drop their quality by one level to reflect their inexperience at fighting from IFVs) designation. GROF requests mechanics from either 34 or 342 GSF to assist in helping to maintain vehicles

11. 78th GSF renamed 342nd GSF. Logistics troops are transferred to strength the capabilities of 34 Corps units.

12. 56th New Island Rifles is combined.

13. It is noted in the last update that at least 120 IFVs are available from the replacement pool, perhaps 20 could be taken from there? Vehicle crews for IFVs means that the strength of 1 GR has been maligned and that the strength of the regiment should increase by 300 to accommodate this. The increase and reshuffling of troops still occurs however and is completed by evening along with the reallocation of advisors from other regiments.

A crew for a Leman Russ tank is 7. 50 tanks transferred from the 75th Gresned Horse. This move is completed by evening as well. Morning of Day 13 will see the regiment begin their training (reduce their quality by one level to reflect their inexperience with the new equipment).

1 GR would require about 100 logistics troops and the trucks to transport all of them (about 30) per 800 soldiers in the regiment.


34th Infantry Corps
1. 34 GSF moves in and occupies the hospital site as the engineers go about constructing a hard-standing facility.

2. Artillery barrages are fired to cover the reshuffling of 34 Corps.

3. One shot AT weapons (approximately 500) are supplied to 102 GIM.

In General, General:
1. Who’s got control over the new 78 GIM? There are also still 40 tanks and 80 IFVs to be distributed.

2. 313th Zintess attacked by 19th Army aircraft. 13 tanks destroyed.

3. The enemy have rebuilt a bridge to facilitate their escape in the III/VI Corps area.

4. Airforce can launch 3-4 large attacks per day, or 6-8 small attacks. Currently the Airforce has launched 3 major attacks and 1 small for Day 12.

19th Imperial Army

Day 13 ¡V 1800 Hours

Southern Sector

32nd Infantry Corps

1. Has just been deployed at the rear area of 33 Corps via a once-off air-transport mission.

78th Infantry Corps

Disbanded

1072nd Amphibious Corps
1. 2nd MEF has dug in and taken anti-air measures and concealed its heavy equipment. However forty trucks and 40 personnel (20 KIA, 20 WIA) were lost from the MEF¡¦s logistics element. They also report that the enemy Salamanders on the north bank have withdrawn eastwards.

2. 3 MEF reports they have come under assault:

Scout teams from the 123rd Darkwold approach the city and begin scouting out the northern side of the city. They don¡¦t spot much in the way of armour or artillery (GM: which has been cunningly held in reserve by the CO of 3 MEF) before they come under fire from enemy infantry from the rough two-storey homes of the Skaxons. The teams withdraw and then the assault by the exhausted Mordians and the tired Darkwolders is conducted in their mounted vehicles after the Darkwold Salamanders launch a diversionary attack as two vehicles are hit by enemy AT fire. With no real room to manoeuvre in the narrow streets, the vehicles pull back.

The assault from the west is swiftly bogged down in house to house fighting. Every time some sort of headway is made a 3 MEF tank makes an appearance, blasts the advance and then pulls back. 14 GPDF is not having much success either, making zero headway against your forces. By midday, the CO of the 123rd Darkwold calls the attack off in light of superior enemy numbers and their position, including armour.

Total casualties:
254th Mordian: 50 KIA, 150 WIA
123rd Darkwold: 2 Salamanders, 100 KIA, 200 WIA
14th GPDF: 200 KIA, 400 WIA
79th Gensal Independent Militia: 50 KIA, 150 WIA
3rd Marine Expeditionary Force: 50 KIA, 100 WIA

3. The destroyers steam south, but spot no Imperial activity. Vordis Bay is clear of enemy activity

12th Airborne Corps

1. The BPCB report that they are still interdicting the northern MSR. No enemy supply convoys are getting through but enemy presence and activity has really heated up and the commander of the Brigade is requesting further orders.

2. The FHSB enjoy their day¡¦s rest which consists of either getting drunk or getting laid or for some of the luckier ones, both.

3. The 7053rd HDI launches its assault:

During the night, the 281st Cadian was attacked en masse by the Harakon Drop Infantry and at first they held, but in the face of overwhelming odds the Cadians broke, their remaining commissars gunning them down as they fled. Enemy infantry seized several abandoned Basilisks left by the fleeing gunners and turned them onto the Cadian¡¦s Leman Russ tanks. This precipitated a sudden tank vs. artillery duel between the Cadians, the enemy and themselves, very soon all Cadian armour had been wiped out by either enemy infantry or themselves. The panicked survivors of those who weren¡¦t already taken prisoner simply broke and fled back across the bridge¡K

Total casualties:
281st Cadian: 200 KIA, 345 POWs, 30 tanks, 40 SP Art¡¦y Guns, 57 trucks
7053rd Harakon Drop Infantry: 100 KIA, 200 WIA
Captured Personnel/Equipment: 345 POWs, 4 SP Art¡¦y Guns

2nd Armoured Corps

1. See 33 Corps for 8th Armoured results.
2. See 1072nd Corps for 79th GIM results.

33rd Infantry Corps
1. A massive 19th Army air attack at dawn throws any plan to move north into confusion. 27 Bombers and 72 Fighters scream and tear apart the remaining armoured and soft-skinned vehicles of the 18th Desyndian, totally destroying the lot! Your aircraft then fly off, their grim harvest complete.

Then 33 Corps fires a 185 gun ¡¥salute¡¦ to the forces of II and XIII Corps for a good hour, tearing apart the defensive line of the 7th Skalansburg and the dispositions of the exposed 110th Cadian. The Cadian commander quickly disperses his forces, but not after suffering casualties. Following orders to the letter however and seeing that the enemy aircraft have buggered off has his regiment drive north while the enemy seem to be getting into position, basically by driving like hell itself is pursuing them!

After the barrage of HE, the enemy fire a massed smokescreen and a creeping barrage and then advance behind it, the creeping barrage only lifts when the enemy are completely in position. The barrage lifted and the smoke screen dissipated screaming hordes of Blood Pact troopers descend on the 7th Skalansburg who take their combat drugs and meet the challenge. It¡¦s a bloodbath.

The commander of the 8th Armoured, seeing what had happened, merely diverted his forces south and struck at the armoured forces of the 1st Tharkad. Outnumbered three to one by enemy armoured forces the Tharkad are quickly crushed by the far superior enemy. Leaving behind the blazing wrecks of their comrade¡¦s tanks, the 1st Tharkad hurriedly pulls back under the covering fire of the 132nd Mordian who then finds that they themselves need to pull back as a new enemy armoured regiment pursues them, ¡¥The Foreign Legion.¡¦ The 132nd Mordian lose several Art¡¦y Guns in their rearguard as they beat a retreat southwards extremely quickly.

The arrival of the reserve forces of the 15th Tharkad and 313th Zintess save the day and bloodily bring the advance of the Foreign Legion to a halt. Four dozen enemy tanks are destroyed with no loss to the 2/313th Zintess or the Tharkadians.

The reserve forces facing off against the 8th Armoured is thrown into confusion by the retreating forces of the 1st Tharkad and thus are off-balance when the 8th Armoured arrives. However the 8th Armoured fights an indifferent battle with 4/313th Zintess and 2/15th Tharkad and then breaks contact content with their savaging of the 1st Tharkad.

The bloodbath between the 7th Skalansburg and the Blood Pact hordes continues throughout the day as the fanatical chaos worshippers and the drug crazed Imperial troopers fight to the death. By evening there is still no result and still no casualty report!

Total casualties:
18th Desyndian: 235 KIA, 235 WIA, 27 Salamanders, 35 SP Art¡¦y Guns, 187 trucks
110th Cadian: 100 KIA, 200 WIA
132nd Mordian: 12 SP Art¡¦y Guns, 30 KIA, 30 POWs
1st Tharkad: 224 KIA, 224 WIA, 64 tanks
15th Tharkad: 50 WIA, 3 Salamanders
313th Zintess: 5 tanks, 18 KIA, 17 WIA
8th Armoured: 5 tanks, 17 KIA, 17 WIA
The Foreign Legion: 54 tanks, 189 KIA, 189 WIA

2. The 723rd Mounted Infantry chases after the rapidly withdrawing 194th Quinset.

1st "Freedom¡¨ Infantry Corps

1. The Derrton Regiment advances and by midday, contacts the enemy¡¦s III Corps elements, a regiment of GPDF. Many trophies are taken en-route from dead Imperials.

2. The 75th Gresned Horse advance along the river and link up with the right flank of the Derrton Regiment.

3. Vordiston¡¦s Own is now thoroughly tooled up with weapons, ammo, fuel and weapons from SOCOM and III Corps stores and heads north-east to Unamtor. They expect to arrive on the morning of Day 14. A further two-thousand recruits from the surrounding towns and villages appear along the way and join the regiment

4. 78 CEB divides in two and begins reconstruction tasks borrowing engineering vehicles from 1 MEF to assist with the heavy tasks required at the Docks.

5. 1 GSF engineers believe it¡¦ll take them at (GM: I really have no idea how long it takes to lay down an all weather road) a month and a half weeks to metal all roads leading from Vordiston back to Derrton (GM: Divide the time by the distance you want metalled).

6. Captured merchant vessels continue to steam back to Fradisthar.

7. Transfers of personnel completed.

8. 1st Gensal Regiment increases in size due to more ¡¥de-programmed¡¦ Imperial soldiers arriving from the Skitarri. The new regiment likes their new title and their new method of warfare.

9. Two weeks to get GROF from PQ to AQ.

10. New uniforms are provided by 34 GSF.

34th Infantry Corps

1. The 34 Corps leisurely advances after the retreating VI Corps. Engineers disable a lot enemy traps and minefields but there are still casualties from the 102nd GIM who lose about 100 WIA to various traps. Most enemy fortifications are simply bypassed and clear paths made to allow 34 Corps elements safe passage.

By 1759, lead elements of 34 Corps have come under enemy artillery fire and most of the corps has halted and dug themselves in lightly.

2. GROF practices with its new toys improving steadily.

3. 34 GSF continues working on the hospital, finishing the airstrip and generator complex.

4. 34 GSF would require a defence unit for the hospital.

In General, General:
1. Resupply convoys of hundreds of trucks continue to arrive at various GSFs. The first 3 merchant vessels arrive at Vordiston to offload at the single remaining pier (capacity: 2 ships at a time). 24 hours to offload.

2. No contact with enemy air transport fleet reported.

3. Air recon reports that the enemy are channelling a good sized regiment south down from Torham. All other enemy activity noted on the map.

4. All 19th Army morale in the south is running higher than usual as victory after victory throws the foul oppressors back.

5. There are no real gripes from any Southern Sector Regimental commanders.

6. OOB updated except for casualties ¡V you guys have to do that. ƒº

19th Imperial Army

Day 14 – 1800 Hours

Southern Sector

32nd Infantry Corps

1. The 1/14 Blood Pact Division mops up the 7th Skalansburg survivors and destroys the 18th Desyndian. The 18th Desyndian are caught out by the victorious advance of the 1/14th Blood Pact Division and understandably, totally destroyed under a massed enemy attack that comes from all sides. A few survivors manage to make it to the river and swim across, but the regiment is for intents and purposes destroyed. The colours of the 18th Desyndian were recovered by one of those survivors.

2. 13/15th Blood Pact Division joins the 8th Armoured in pursuit of the 110th Cadian, but the foul enemy has escaped to the foothills of the Thanfar Mountains. The Divisional commander has his engineer’s take the northern-most bridge and repair it.


33rd Infantry Corps
1. The battle between the 7th Skalansburg and the 5/6th and the 7/8th Blood Pact Brigade has continued throughout the night. By early morning both Blood Pact Brigades have been gutted by the drug crazed troopers of the 7th Skalansburg but are totally drug fethed and totally exhausted when the enemy commits the 1/14th Blood Pact Division. The 7th Skalansburg is wiped out to a man and its colours captured.

Total casualties:
5/6th Blood Pact Brigade: 2000 KIA, 1000 WIA
8/7th Blood Pact Brigade: 2000 KIA, 2000 WIA
1/14th Blood Pact Division: 200 KIA, 200 WIA
7th Skalansburg: 3900 MIA

2. The 723rd Mounted Infantry continues to pursue the 194th Quinset eastwards without fail or without stop.
3. The Foreign Legion notes that the enemy have completely withdrawn from their sector.

78th Infantry Corps

Disbanded

1072nd Amphibious Corps
1. Some GIM sentries are eliminated by enemy infiltrators during the night and a force of probably GPDF disguised as civilians were turned back.

At 0513, 3rd Gensal Regiment elements are spotted moving north-east towards 14 GPDF giving them time to prepare. At 0536 the 3rd Gensal Regiment launch their attack and come under a hail of fire from the GPDF troopers. The assault is thrown back. The 3rd Gensal Regiment falls back and then tries again, this time with tanks and they throw themselves forward in a massed assault on all points of the defensive line and this time drive 14 GPDF back. By 0713, however 14 GPDF has managed to rally and halt the 3rd Gensal Regiment advance just north-east of Unamtor.

Total casualties:
14 GPDF: 400 KIA, 300 WIA.
3rd Gensal Regiment: 700 KIA, 400 WIA.

2. The 1/3 MEF takes the junction and digs in, but:

At 1100, a brigade of the 33rd DGLI heads out for the Lexicon Road Junction. At around 1400 they arrive and immediately come under fire from 1/3 MEF. They quickly throw two battalions out and around the flanks of the marines and then launch their assault. Despite the presence of 1/3 MEF armour, 33 DGLI manage to drive the marines off the road junction. 1/3 MEF pull back, leaving 33 DGLI in possession of the junction where they immediately begin setting up defences based on the work the marines have already prepared.

Total casualties:
33 De Geb Light Infantry: 200 KIA, 200 WIA.
1/3rd Marine Expeditionary Force: 2 IFVs, 50 KIA, and 100 WIA

3. The destroyers roam south out of Vordis Bay. It is believed that they will be off the coastal road in about three days.

12th Airborne Corps

1. The BPCB has completed their demolitions work on several large sections of road works as enemy troops beginning tackling the MSR with greater numbers and determination. The BPCB has pulled back.

2. The raid on Clanistor Space Port failed due to the extensively high security the enemy had in place as the team was rumbled by no less than a whole company worth of Skaxon Home Militia. After the massacre, the infiltration team then pulled out.

3. The 1st half of the 7053rd HDI was surprised and attacked on their DZ by the extraordinarily fast-moving 110th Cadian. 25 KIA, 25 WIA to the 7053rd HDI. The Cadians punched through and drove off northwards. The remaining half of the 7053rd reported that the Quinset made no attempt to retreat southwards and that the 7053rd has set up blocking positions astride the road.

2nd Armoured Corps

1. Foreign Legion is static and reports that the enemy have pulled back in their sector.

2. 8th Armoured has chased the 110th Cadian to the Thanfar Mountains foothills.

1st "Freedom” Infantry Corps and 34th Infantry Corps

1. 2 GR raids the enemy GPDF in preparation for the main assault.

2. The Gresned Horse and the GROF launch a highly successful operation and surround 1 and 8 GPDF with consummate ease. A 75th Gresned Horse probing attack was driven back with no loss after coming under fire near the enemy bridges. They report that the enemy seems to be retreating. The propaganda is still broadcasted however, prompting the surrender of 8 GPDF two hours later at 0900.

Total casualties:
8 GPDF: 1300 POWs
1 GPDF: 400 KIA, 300 WIA
Gresned Regiment of Foot: 300 KIA, 400 WIA, 13 IFVs
75th Gresned Horse: 50 KIA, 50 WIA, 5 tanks

3. The remainder of your forces takes all their objectives throughout the morning, but it is obvious that the enemy have completely withdrawn from their bridgehead save for 1 GPDF.

4. Se 1072nd Corps update for attack results from 3rd Gensal Regiment.

5. 3 MEF and 79 GIM are completely resupplied and the wounded are evacuated to Vordiston. However, air transports negate the need for trucks to carry the wounded and the logistics elements return by midday.

6. Adjust the OOB as seen fit, though only half the captured tanks are available for repair.

7. Engineers keep working. Hospital working fine and expanding all the time. Vordiston work proceeding slowly.

In General, General:
1. Air raid on the 110th Cadian at first light destroys 15 trucks.
2. Massive enemy resupply convoy spotted heading south-west from Strutham. Bombed and strafed. Two Marauders shot down. Fifty enemy trucks destroyed.
3. Recon overflights keep you updated on where exactly the enemy are (see the map).

19th Imperial Army

Day 15 – 1800 Hours

Southern Sector

32nd Infantry Corps

1. 1/14th Blood Pact Division has moved into northward facing blocking positions astride the Imperial’s northern MSR.

2. The 13/15th Blood Pact Division has moved into southward facing positions towards Tanfar. This move is combined with the Foreign Legion and the 8th Armoured.

33rd Infantry Corps

1. Both the 5/6th and the 7/8th Blood Pact Brigades move eastwards and dig in facing Tanfar and overlooking the remnants of the bridges.

2. The 194th Quinset heads southwards drawing the 723rd Mounted Infantry after them as the 132nd Mordian prepares. At 1132 hours, with still no assisting forces from III Corps, the 194th Quinset commander still gives the go-ahead to the ambitious plan. It miraculously works!

Employing their Basilisks in assault gun mode, the 132nd Mordian and the heavy weapons of the 194th Quinset give the 723rd Mounted Infantry a thorough working over, destroying 32 tanks in the initial clash. As the 723rd Mounted Infantry beat a thoroughly disorganised retreat a further 15 tanks were destroyed.

132nd Mordian: 4 SP Art’y Guns, 10 KIA, 10 WIA
194th Quinset: 10 KIA, 20 WIA
723rd Mounted Infantry: 47 tanks, 8 IFVs, 204 KIA, 205 POWs


1st "Freedom” Infantry Corps/34th Infantry Corps

1. The 75th Gresned Horse breaks off from combat under a covering artillery barrage, links up with the 1st Gensal Regiment and heads west to engage 33 DGLI at the Lexicon Road Junction. They arrive early in the afternoon and begin their attack:

At 1532 hours, the 33rd De Geb Light Infantry are put under an extremely heavy attack from an enemy armoured regiment and mechanised infantry regiment. The Light Infantry fight back from their prepared positions with heavy weapons and then small arms fire when the 1st Gensal Regiment infantry manage to work their way close… the De Geb hands out a shock defeat to the usually rampant 19th Army armour and halt them in thoroughly bloody fighting! By the end of the day, the Lexicon Road Junction is still firmly in Imperial hands.

Total casualties:
33rd De Geb: 50 KIA, 100 WIA
75th Gresned Horse: 36 tanks, 126 KIA, 126 POW
1st Gresned Regiment: 12 IFVs, 200 KIA, 400 WIA

2. At 0600 hours, 1 GPDF comes under attack from all points on the compass:
"Surrender! You have no supplies and no hope!
Surrender! You so called allies have abandoned you for dead!
Surrender! Others have realised the side of true justice!
Surrender! Can you not hear your fellows scream? Do you not want your homeland?"

In two hours, the regiment has been completely overrun; the prospect of fighting against their one time kith and kin is too much, their will sapped by the continual propaganda broadcasted from Chaos lines, the remaining 1 GPDF troopers surrender to the enemy. Even with the almost complete annihilation of 1 GPDF, the enemy seem to have launched air evac operation that manages to rescue 400 surviving troopers who managed to break out of the cordon towards the river. An enemy bombing raid takes place however, with their Marauders dropping their entire load of ordinance on the Women’s Legion causing heavy casualties amongst them.

Total casualties:
1 GPDF: 1000 KIA, 3900 POWs
The Women’s Legion: 300 KIA, 600 WIA
Gresned Regiment of Foot: 13 IFVs, 200 KIA, 400 WIA
2nd Gensal Regiment: 200 KIA, 400 WIA

3. 56 NIR takes up its positions, digs in and begins launching patrols while salvaging left behind Imperial equipment: 11 trucks.

4. 34th GSF finishes some hard-standing areas and some basic shelter areas and then drives to the bridge in front of 56 NIR. They link up 342nd GSF and the 56th NIR engineers and repair the bridge, construct the pontoon bridge and wire the lot for demolition in two hours.

7. 8th GPDF POWs are disarmed, moved to rear, and then checked by Skitarii Psychological Assessor Teams. They determine that the entire group of 8th GPDF prisoners can be broken in a week and be ready for assimilation in nine days.

8. 78 CEB finishes some civilian bunkers and manages makeshift repairs on the second pier before getting ready to move east.

9. Merchant shipping offloads much needed supplies of fuel, ammo and food at the Vordiston docks and it is all promptly distributed by 1072 GSF which becomes the LOG unit in charge of Vordiston.

10. Cadians are not entirely possible to be broken says a 7A Skitarii Psychological Assessor Team. Give them a good month before any progress can be made.

78th Infantry Corps

Disbanded

1072nd Amphibious Corps

1. At 0600 hours, the 14th GPDF and 123rd Darkwold come under a sustained assault by enemy forces. The defenders are routed and fall back from under pressure. They fall back northwards and westwards.

Total casualties:
123rd Darkwold: 14 Salamanders, 100 KIA, 200 WIA.
14th GPDF: 600 KIA, 400 POWs
3rd Gensal Regiment: 200 KIA, 400 WIA
3rd Marine Expeditionary Force: Nil.

12th Airborne Corps

1. FHSB has ambushed a resupply convoy meant for the Lexicon Road Junction. 13 trucks destroyed, 13 enemy dead, 13 POWs. No friendly casualties. Entire regiment is well in position.

2. BPCB units begin their pull out from their area and the SF troopers are glad to get teir day passes!

3. 7053rd HDI is back together and north of Tanfar.
2nd Armoured Corps

1. At 0600 hours, the 33rd De Geb come under attack from the 102nd GIM and suffers casualties. Sporadic skirmishes mark the day until the assault on the road junction is launched by 1 Corps.

102nd GIM: 25 KIA, 25 WIA
33rd De Geb: Casualties factored into assault by 1 Corps.

2. 8th Armoured and the Foreign Legion are now north of Tanfar facing off the 701st Terran and watching the 723rd Mounted Infantry withdrawing to their area rather quickly.

In General, General:

1. From the air force commander: The enemy forced a lifter drop through our fighter cordon though we shot down 11 for the loss of 8 fighters, though we managed to launch an air strike on both the 254th Mordian and 110th Cadian destroying 22 IFVs and 5 trucks respectively. Our aircraft numbers are roughly equal to the enemy’s it seems and the flight times required by our air forces is twice that of Imperial aircraft, perhaps it would be best to use the hospital airstrip as a place to refuel and rearm our aircraft and enable us better access to the target rich environment?

2. All morale levels for southern sector should be at excellent unless they’re already at exultant. Except for the 723rd Mounted Infantry, their morale should be at average after their shock defeat as well as the 1st Gensal Regiment and the 75th Gresned Horse.

19th Imperial Army

Day 16 – 1800 Hours

Southern Sector

32nd Infantry Corps

1. All 32 Corps units in position. 1/14th BPD is blocking the northern MSR, dug into the foothills as well as covering the north of the Tanfar.

2. 13/15th BPD moves southwards and halts astride the SE road to Unamtor.

3. A long line of Skaxon refugees has been spotted moving down the SE road towards Unamtor.

4. Imperial Lifters and Valkyries spotted moving overhead constantly under heavy escort. No enemy transport aircraft are brought down despite the Imperials losing more craft than 19th Army does.

33rd Infantry Corps

1. Both the 5/6th and the 7/8th Blood Pact Brigades dig in facing Tanfar and overlooking the remnants of the bridges.

2. 1 TITR and 313 Z move north and engage enemy armour north of the city. In a couple minutes of fighting against the Foreign Legion, the Imperial regiments fall back as planned. The 723rd Mounted Infantry seems unconcerned with the move, but the Foreign Legion, eager to avenge its earlier bloody defeat at the hands of the 313th Zintess drives forward seeing an ‘opportunity.’ The chaos tankers lose 23 tanks in the first firing salvo of dug in Imperial Tank Destroyers. Coming under such serious and accurate fire, the Foreign Legion quickly pulls back.

Total casualties:
723rd Mounted Infantry: Nil.
Foreign Legion: 23 tanks, 81 KIA, 80 WIA.
313th Zintess: 2 tanks, 7 KIA, 7 WIA
1st Tharkad: 2 tanks, 7 KIA, 7 WIA

3. The 8th Armoured is engaged in a series of battles with the enemy’s retreat from Tanfar.

4. The following is picked up in the morning by your forces:
"People of Tanfar, I ask for your attention," He pauses for a few moments, "Today I Lieutenant General Martus Svenal speaks to you out of both necessity and compassion, events have unfolded that will mean, very shortly, Imperial forces will have to retreat from Tanfar and regroup. The enemy is devious and cunning and would like nothing more than for this to mean every single one of you is left within the city for them to do as they will.

As human beings we cannot allow this to happen. The high command and I believe that a large body of civilian refugees would not need to fear attack from any enemy forces, largely due to the fact that our own forces should occupy them aplenty. Therefore I ask that you gather what provisions you can and begin to head towards Strutham. There you will find some of the best facilities upon Gensal as well as, I am sure, a warm welcome from both local populace and Imperial forces alike.

I urge as many of you as possible to take this road as Tanfar simply is no longer safe. Many of you will have lived here for your entire lives. To you I say this: We will return here and retake this city for the Emperor and the people of Tanfar.

That is all."

4. With the infantry units of III Corps being airlifted out, the armoured columns prepare to move out with the 2/15th Tharkad Sturmtroopen and 1/1st TITR in the lead, backed up by artillery from 203 IA. This vanguard quickly runs straight into trouble…

The engagement is short and rather sharp. The 8th Armoured swinging around to the east of the city has run straight into the retreating columns. Salamander after Salamander explodes as the tankers of the 8th Armoured thoroughly enjoy the target rich environment. With the 2/15th thoroughly in disarray, the tankers of the 1/1st TITR charge forward and engage the chaos tankers and are comprehensively beaten. A thorough barrage from Imperial Artillery manages to save the day somewhat for the bloodied vanguard as it lays down a thick smoke screen for the Tharkadians to withdraw behind.

Total casualties:
15th Tharkad: 21 Salamanders, 105 KIA.
1st Tharkad: 24 tanks, 84 KIA, 84 WIA
8th Armoured: 3 tanks, 10 KIA, 11 WIA

5. Lt. Gen Svenal orders the group to head south and then east with the 203 IA between the retreating columns and the 8th Armoured. Again, the 8th Armoured attacks, but runs into the efficient 203 IA and is beaten off by the combined fire of Hunter-Killer missiles and Vanquisher cannons.

Total casualties:
203rd Ilindartos: 3 tanks, 10 KIA, 11 WIA.
8th Armoured: 11 tanks, 37 KIA, 40 WIA.

6. The withdrawing columns head eastwards with the 203rd Ilindartos and the 8th Armoured shadowing each other. Throughout the afternoon, the retreat is marked by a number of short and sharp engagements between the Imperial vanguard and the enemy rearguard.

Total casualties:
203rd Ilindartos: 11 tanks, 37 KIA, 40 WIA.
8th Armoured: 23 tanks, 81 KIA, 80 WIA.

7. 34 Corps units seize Tanfar in the early afternoon.


1st "Freedom” Infantry Corps/34th Infantry Corps

1. Merchant ships keep on coming and going, but the docks have taken a hit (see In General, General).

2. All POWs are transferred to the Skitarii, who rub their hands with glee.

3. 56 NIR is the first 19th Army unit to move into the ruins of Tanfar. They take the surrender of the remaining 400 1st GPDF troops left and report the city clear of all enemy forces. The airbase is destroyed and the runway cratered, but the engineers reckon they can get the place up and running in two days time.

4. 34 GSF reports that a new concrete runway has been laid and will be good for service tomorrow when it dries out. Bomb shelters for aircraft have already been constructed and a number of hard standing areas built. A generator complex for the new airbase has been built.

5. The two battalions of DGLI at the road junction are overrun at 1000 by sheer weight of numbers. Reports of Skaxon GIM, mechanised infantry and tanks come in and the unit, being surrounded has no chance for survival, having said that, the force manages to hold out for 4 hours. There is no surrender.

Total casualties:
33rd De Geb: 1400 KIA.
102nd GIM: 600 KIA, 1000 WIA
75th Gresned: 20 tanks, 70 KIA, 70 WIA
1st Gensal: 10 IFVs, 100 KIA, and 100 WIA

6. The 254th Mordian comes under attack during the night as the 3rd Gensal Regiment comes screaming in! The Mordians although not caught unawares are simply overwhelmed by the 7000-odd Skaxon ‘screamers’ who outnumber the Mordians by at least 7 to 1. The Mordians fight back stubbornly and with determination, but their remaining Infantry battalion is so quickly overrun in the fighting that the battle soon dissolves into a rather ugly brawl. In one hour, the 254th Mordian is completely overrun; the last survivors hunted down and killed. No prisoners were taken by the enemy who screamed ‘Vengeance for Vordiston’ as part of their battle cries. The 123rd Darkwold unable to ascertain what was happening in the fighting was unable to come to the aid of the 254th Mordian.

Total casualties:
254th Mordian: 788 KIA, 79 IFVs, 34 SP AT Guns, 9 SP AA Guns, 60 trucks.
3rd Gensal Regiment: 700 KIA, 1000 WIA.

7. Cargo drop on Tanfar of shovels carried out. Laughs all round amongst 19th Army.

78th Infantry Corps

Disbanded

1072nd Amphibious Corps

1. The 33 DGLI battalions at the Lexicon Road Junction are annihilated. There is no surrender and no prisoners are taken.

12th Airborne Corps

1. BPCB has finished pulling out and begins the total campaign of rest and relaxation.

2. FHSB sets up in ‘The Spine’ area.

3. 7053rd HDI pulled back to newly built airbase.

2nd Armoured Corps

1. See other corps updates for an update.

In General, General:

1. Withdrawing column is hit by what seems to be every aircraft the enemy have. Despite the heavy AA fire, dozens of casualties are caused, several armoured vehicles hit and at least three dozen trucks destroyed. Imperial fighter cover hasn’t managed to keep the enemy away from the columns and has suffered badly from the enemy fighter as well.

Total casualties:
Enemy aircraft: 3 Marauders, 6 Thunderbolts.
Imperial Aircraft: 6 Thunderbolts.
15th Tharkad: 11 Salamanders, 55 KIA.
77777th Umbridge Supply Battalion: 36 trucks, 36 KIA, 36 WIA.
1st Tharkad: 3 tanks, 10 KIA, 11 WIA
313th Zintess: 2 SP AA Guns.

2. There have been enemy commando raids all across our rear areas. The bridge at Vordiston destroyed as well as a pier at Vordiston Docks. A merchant ship sunk in the harbour is fast making the place unusable. Several convoys have been attacked; the airbase was also raided with 12 Marauders destroyed on the ground as the bases security was compromised. Raids have been reported all across Southern Sector’s rear areas.

19th Imperial Army

Day 17 – 1800 Hours

Southern Sector

32nd Infantry Corps

1. The combined armoured forces of the 723rd MI, 8th Armoured and Foreign Legion move out at dawn to pursue the enemy columns. By 1800, they have received transmissions from 1 Corps units that are engaging an enemy mechanised infantry regiment. 8th Armoured moves to the south to engage enemy infantry formations attempting to beat a hasty retreat but the 723rd MI and FL are in perfect position to strike from the west against the 15th Tharkad!

2. The 123rd Darkwold and 14th GPDF are caught between the combined fanaticism of the 3rd Gensal Regiment and the cold brutality of the 8th Armoured. 14 GPDF is simply crushed by the 8th Armoured and is sliced open by armoured columns that punch through to the 123rd Darkwold who finding themselves between elite units on hand and a fanatical unit on the other are simply crushed. The shattered 123rd Darkwold is broken up and scattered…

123rd Darkwold: 54 Salamanders, 55 trucks, 500 KIA, 1000 POWs
14th GPDF: 250 trucks, 400 KIA, 800 POWs
8th Armoured: 24 tanks, 84 KIA, 84 WIA
3rd Gensal: 300 KIA, 600 WIA

3. The 13/15th BPD move into Tanfar and declare the city clear of traps. Sites to emplace AA guns are constructed easily by the entire devision and the combined manpower of engineers and Blood Pact Infantry sees the airfields runways and taxiways repaired easily.

4. By 1500 hours, both bridges at Tanfar are repaired allowing free movement fro the brigades to enter city.

5. The 1/14th BPD regroup and scout northwards encountering several enemy patrols. Small skirmishes have very little result and both sides pull back for the night.

33rd Infantry Corps

1. See ‘In General, General.’
1st "Freedom” Infantry Corps/34th Infantry Corps

1. Vordiston bridge repaired.

2. 34 GSF reports that they don’t need more defensive forces, just tighter protocols from the current group of combat personnel.

3. At 0530, the vanguard of the 15th Tharkad under attack from elements of enemy armour and mechanised infantry and is driven back with heavy losses.

15th Tharkad: 45 Salamanders, 202 KIA, 202 WIA
75th Gresned Horse: 10 tanks, 35 KI, 35 WIA
1st Gensal: 20 IFVs, 100 KIA, 100 WIA

4. TWL and the GROF (bit of a misnomer there) chase after the enemy’s retreating columns. The TWL is mounted in trucks from 32 GSF to keep up with the GROF.

5. The refugees do not care much for the truth, as they angrily demand why the ‘liberators’ had all their homes burnt with their aircraft and their ‘fire bombs.’ They sit down on the road refusing to move, though there are factions that support the Imperials or support chaos or even support the independence of all Skaxon peoples.

7. Airbase in Tanfar repaired (taxiways and runways).

78th Infantry Corps

Disbanded

1072nd Amphibious Corps

1. Minor movements.

12th Airborne Corps

1. BPCB deploys company strength groups at all important strategic objectives.

2. FHSB sets up in ‘The Spine’ area and reports that the enemy units advancing south-east down the Gormenhilt road have halted and are digging in, well-short of artillery range of ‘The Spine.’

3. The 7053rd HDI drops in its 1st Battalion on the objective but it’s disastrous and is involved in some of the most confusing fighting of the campaign so far! At precisely 1000 hours the infantry arrive via Valkyrie insertion…right on top of two Cadian heavy Infantry battalions. With the fighting confused and bewildering it takes until daybreak before the last knot of HDI resistance was eliminated. Due to the nature of the fighting, the rest of drop was cancelled.

110th Cadian: 100 KIA, 300 WIA
7053rd Harakon: 400 KIA, 200 POWs


2nd Armoured Corps

1. See other corps updates for an update.

In General, General:

1. At daybreak, the 1st Tharkad is bombed comprehensively by enemy airpower:

Enemy aircraft rip straight through the Imperial fighter screen. The 1st Tharkad is hit repeatedly and the smoke from burning trucks and tanks blackens the sky. Dozens of casualties are reported and the entire situation for the retreating column is dire…

1st Tharkad: 36 tanks, 45 trucks, 171 KIA, 171 WIA
Imperial Aircraft: 13 Thunderbolts.
Enemy Aircraft: 8 Thunderbolts, 3 Marauders.

The aircraft come back again using their faster turn around times to their advantage and pounce on the 1st Tharkad again without any interference from Imperial airpower.

1st Tharkad: 22 tanks, 64 trucks, 141 KIA, 141 WIA

2. Orders from Captain-General Hearn:

a) Merge 32 Corps into 33 Corps and split the 32nd GSF up as required. Merge the 5/6th and 7/8th Blood Pact Brigades into the 5678th Blood Pact Division and put the extra 6000 Blood Pact replacements that have arrived into the new division.
B) Captain Fane, for your victorious campaigns and the great calamity you have brought upon the enemy, I hereby bestow the rank of Major upon you; keep up the good work, Major.
c) Look into sending forces northwards up the Torham road where the 1/14th BPD happens to be. By threatening the area, perhaps we can tie up further reinforcements that the Imperials seem to be pulling out from their arses. This would work well with my breakthrough in the northern sector as I have managed to finally crush the last sections of the Gothic Line and have sent I Corps reeling – for the second time.
d) Lieutenant-General Caedmon Barr, your rank is now official and I look forward to further reports of your successes in the south. Your destruction of several enemy formations is to be commended and judging by intercepted transmissions, your forces are causing some consternation amongst the enemy’s commanders.

19th Imperial Army

Day 18 – 1800 Hours

Southern Sector

33rd “Blood Pact” Infantry Corps
1. 1/14th and 13/15th Blood Pact Divisions encounter the enemy’s 23rd Cathedrian but have no success in breaking them - yet.

The 23rd Cathedrian has come under attack all night and all day by Blood Pact elements. Though they’ve managed to hold on, they are totally exhausted. The GPDF training battalions have acquitted themselves well.

1/14th Blood Pact Division: 2000 KIA, 1000 WIA
13/15th Blood Pact Division: 1800 KIA, 900 WIA
23rd Cathedrian: 600 KIA, 1200 WIA, 6 tanks
Training Battalions: 300 KIA

2. The 8th Armoured is raided by the enemy! With the position of the 8th Armoured fixed by Terran scouts, the hit and run force is assembled from the 313th Zintess, 203rd Ilindartos and 701st Terran and 0200 strikes…

…though surprise is not total, the 8th Armoured has been caught wrong footed and falls prey to the quick and sudden movement of the Imperial forces and their losses mount quickly! The one-sided battle continues for two hours as the 8th Armoured is beaten back until they finally completely withdraw allowing the routed elements of the 14th GPDF a safe route out of the danger area. 8th Armoured has been defeated!

8th Armoured: 70 tanks, 170 KIA, 170 WIA
203rd Ilindartos: 10 tanks, 35 KIA, 35 WIA
313th Zintess: 22 tanks, 77 KIA, 77 WIA

3. Although the 723rd MI and the FL in consort with 1st Corps units, wipe out the 15th Tharkad Sturmtroopen…

1201: 15th Tharkad Sturmtroopen report that enemy are moving in on all sides: requesting immediate assistance.
1203: Fellow III Corps units unable to comply with assistance request, still not refuelled and rearmed. GITF fires in support however.
1222: 15th Tharkad Sturmtroopen report that perimeter is under attack from all sides. The ‘Women’s Legion’ has engaged but has been driven off in brutal close quarter fighting.
1253: 15th Tharkad Sturmtroopen’s east flank collapses and the 75th Gresned Horse drive through the breach with a mechanised battalion and a tank battalion.
0113: 15th Tharkad Sturmtroopen resistance slacking off as the regiment is being attacked from all quarters. Reports suggest that the ‘Women’s Legion’ is most likely wiped out as well.
0245: 15th Tharkad Sturmtroopen is no more, all contact lost.

Foreign Legion: 25 tanks, 88 KIA, 87 WIA
Women’s Legion: 1500 KIA, 500 WIA
75th Gresned: 10 tanks, 43 IFVs, 301 KIA, 405 WIA
Gresned Regiment of Foot: 25 IFVs, 250 KIA, 250 WIA
15th Tharkad: 1553 KIA, 1706 POWs, 106 IFVs, 50 trucks, and 390 Salamanders
723rd Mounted Infantry: 5 tanks, 17 KIA, 18 WIA.

4. The hospital is set up (its tent city) and the 5678th Division digs in on all the approaches to the ruined city.

2nd Armoured Corps

See above for details.

1st "Freedom” Infantry Corps/34th Infantry Corps

“You speak of yourself as a hero and liberator of this land but all I have seen of your ‘Imperial’ troops is cowardice and screaming under a sharp blade, only when they rape and slaughter women and children do they feel like men. What do you know of honour? It is often said in this land, as near as I can translate, ‘An unacknowledged hero is nothing. A claim to glory without proof is less than nothing’. Words of my fellow command being tied to Derrton are cheap, worth less than the paper they are printed on, although nicer than a handful of grass. Where is your proof? For any of this? Fane too likes his cameras and his grandstanding. Although, even if he needs to be watched at least he can provide food and ammunition to my troops which you blatantly cannot. You cannot even manage such for your own! Better a competent devil than an incompetent, cowardly and deceitful one.”

Caedmon Barr

1. 102 GIM reports that the enemy unit has departed… defensive positions suggest a battalion group plus artillery.

2. The 701st Terran move out and simply tear apart the 3rd Gensal Regiment forcing them back and nearly putting them to flight when the time for the Terrans to disengage arrives and they pull back.

701st Terran: 200 KIA, 400 WIA
3rd Gensal Regiment: 600 KIA, 1200 WIA

3. 123rd Darkwold remnants escape along with 14th GPDF remnants.

4. For the destruction of the 15th Tharkad, see 33rd Corps update.

5. 1 GR reports no contact. The enemy unit seems to have moved on.

6. The refugees seem to be split evenly into three camps, though the pro-19th Army camp is gaining support as food, water and shelter is being set up by 342 GSF.

7. 56 NIR begins its march

8. The remainder of 34 GSF begins turning Tanfar into a stronghold..

9. 78 CEB reports that sunken ships unable to be re-floated without some specialist naval craft and maybe a floating dry dock.

10. 1072 GSF unable to comply with orders as they have bordered along with the MEFs.

11. Propaganda leaflets distributed.

1072nd Amphibious Corps
1. The MEFs reboard their ships just as the 5th Infantry Corps is unloaded.
2. The destroyers are now off Strutham and at night move out and bombard the space port! They then shelter in a convenient bay, stringing out sea coloured camouflage nets!
3. 1072 Corps HQ and GSF reboards its vessel along with the MEFs.

12th Airborne Corps
1. Your strike force arrives to find the entire group of prisoners butchered, slaughtered and massacred. The scene is sickening beyond belief, but some Intel staff along for the ride takes plenty of pictures…
2. BPCB is on rest and relaxation duty, well for them it might as well be!
3. The FHSB continues its raid, unsettling the 12th and 13th GPDF units and destroying a dozen engineering vehicles.

5th Infantry Corps
1. Arrives at Vordiston via ship and is formed up by the end of the day (not marked on map due to the restrictions on space).

In General, General:

1. Lt. General Windrider’s body is parachuted back over 19th Army lines and lands in the Terhampton River…
2. All airpower is busy in the north, though a recon flight spotted a group of enemy near 1st Corps HQ and GSF.
3. Captain-General Hearn believes that ‘High Command’ is looking to send some more ‘chaos stuff’ to keep 19th Army in line.

4. There are 100 ‘Scorpion’ up-gunned and up-armoured trucks now available to southern sector.
5. 15 Thunderbolts have been lost in the north.

19th Imperial Army

Day 19 – 1800 Hours

Southern Sector

33rd “Blood Pact” Infantry Corps

1. The 723rd Mounted Infantry disengage easily at daybreak and begin heading to join the Blood Pact Divisions. The CO estimates that it will take at least 2-3 days hard driving before they’re in position.

2. The 5678th Blood Pact Division is now entrenched around Tanfar. The place is sealed…

3. The Blood Pact Divisions, well, launch ‘probing’ attacks that see the 23rd Cathedrian put under extreme pressure but they manage to fight off another Blood Pact assault:

1/14th Blood Pact Division: 300 KIA, 600 WIA
13/15th Blood Pact Division: 200 KIA, 500 WIA
23rd Cathedrian: 200 KIA, 400 WIA

2nd Armoured Corps

1. 8th Armoured and the Foreign Legion report no enemy found, so switch to next set of orders and by evening the 8th Armoured is arriving at the positions of the Fort Hern Special Brigade.

1st "Freedom” Infantry Corps/34th Infantry Corps

1. The 18th Beltane Reconnaissance Battalion is formed although Hearn informs you that the Scorpions already come with crew but he sends enough crew to crew the Salamanders.

2. The 38 SP AT guns did survive, yes, but their crews dismounted for some strange reason. Nonetheless the vehicles have been recovered by the 75th Gresned Horse.

3. The Gresned Horse reports that vehicle crews are understrength and that their mechanized infantry component is no longer functioning.

4. 3rd Gensal Regiment drives down to Vordiston easily.

5. 1st Gensal Regiment reports that it is in position and has camouflaged its positions effectively to prevent detection.

6. The GROF follows the Imperial forces and comes with observation range of ‘The Spine.’ The enemy appears to be heavily dug in.

7. 102 GIM reports that they were contacted by the 701st Terran but they managed to pull back in good order. No substantial casualties reported. They have linked up with the Gresned regiments.

8. 56 NIR continues moving east.

9. 34 GSF works on its civilian aid tasks, much like 342 GSF.

10. 2nd Gensal Regiment has some success in persuading at least 3000 Skaxon to return to Tanfar as well as gaining 500 recruits for the unit.

11. 78th Engineer Battalion puts in a quick defence line, but there is no need for it as it turns out.

1072nd Amphibious Corps

1. The MEFs begin steaming out towards Gormenhilt. The CO of the 1072nd Corps reckons that it’ll take about 3-4 days before they’re offshore.

12th Airborne Corps

1. Continuing much as before, with the FHSB reporting a good success against the logistics element of 12 GPDF. They also report that the enemy are seriously fortifying the area.

5th Infantry Corps

1. The 4th Hawkian digs in and puts its construction elements on civilian aid tasks. This gets the 3rd Gensal Regiment an extra 200 recruits.

2. The remaining 3 Hawkian units are motorised during the night with trucks stripped from supply units, hospitals, engineering units, static combat units – every single truck is put to good use and by midday all Hawkian Divisions are on the road following in the wake of the two armoured regiments of the 2nd Corps.

In General, General:

1. Hearn acknowledges that adequate replacements are hard to come by and is proposing a complete restructuring of all commands 19th Army wide to make up for falling numbers. This will be made easier by the transfer of the all corps of the Northern Sector to the Southern Sector. This is due to ‘High Command’ sending some more ‘specialist’ troops to the Northern Sector so as they can be there to appropriately smash the Imperial heartland on Beltane, thus Hearn is being sidelined to the south. A new chaos general wants the glory of smashing Clanistor and his forces of more ‘chaosy’ stuff will provide him with the ample resources with which to do that.

Hearn however, will not be taking direct control of Southern Sector and will be moving into a more strategic and less hands on role. Vordiston incidentally will be the new home for 19th Army’s supply and other logistics unit as Fradisthar Space Port is being given over to the new chaos forces arriving on the continent.

The new command structure of units will be occurring on Day 20-21 and may affect some units greatly, others not a bit.

19th Imperial Army

Day 20– 1800 Hours

Southern Sector

33rd “Blood Pact” Infantry Corps

1. The 723rd Mounted Infantry is still enroute. 2 days ETA.

2. The Blood Pact Divisions, well, launch ‘probing’ attacks that see the 23rd Cathedrian put under extreme pressure but they manage to fight off another Blood Pact assault , though the Imperials seem to have brought up some serious artillery support!

1/14th Blood Pact Division: 300 KIA, 900 WIA
23rd Cathedrian: 50 KIA, 150 WIA

2nd Armoured Corps

1. 0600: Hawkian and 8th Armoured artillery bombards the positions of the 194th Quinset, 33rd De Geb and 14th GPDF. As the airbursts go off, casualties are heavier than expected amongst the 14th GPDF as they were moving and deployed in marching order. All the troops took cover, but were totally unprepared for the armoured assault that took place!

0615: The 8th Armoured and the Foreign Legion catch the rather unprepared 14th GPDF out and basically roll them flat, before driving up the road.

0715: The 8th Armoured and the Foreign Legion crush the company of the 33rd De Geb that was setting out for the Lexicon Road Junction equally as easily as they rolled over the 14th GPDF. Your armour then pushes the lightly armed De Geb off the road and the 8th Armoured barrels on eastwards along with the Foreign Legion.

0900: The 194th Quinset reports they have run into the 3rd Hawkian Infantry Division. No progress is made.

0911: The 43rd Heran Light Infantry and 6th GPDF also run into the same unit, which is digging in and blocking any Imperial movement.

0945: The 110th Cadian and the 1st PNIB immediately react to the your breakthrough by striking northwards, but they too run into the 2nd Hawkian Infantry Division that outnumbers them considerably. They halt, unable to make any progress, either. This is reported by the 218th Orengard as well.

1100: All II Corps units unsure of what to do next, dig in on shaky defence lines.

1402: 14th GPDF mopped up.

Casualties:
14th GPDF: Wiped out.
1st Hawkian Infantry Division: 100 KIA, 400 WIA
3rd Hawkian Infantry Division: 50 KIA, 60 WIA.
Foreign Legion: 17 tanks, 30 KIA, 70 WIA
8th Armoured: 4 tanks, 5 KIA, 15 WIA
33rd De Geb: 300 KIA, 300 WIA

1st "Freedom” Infantry Corps/34th Infantry Corps

1. 3rd Gensal Regiment rests up in Vordiston and watches as the air transport fleets ferry in GIM regiments ‘from up north.’

2. The bridge over Vordiston was severely damaged by an enemy air raid. Repairs being conducted.

3. A further 4000 refugees return to Tanfar with a further 500 joining the 2nd Gensal Regiment.

1072nd Amphibious Corps

1. The MEFs begin steaming out towards Gormenhilt. The CO of the 1072nd Corps reckons that it’ll take about 2-3 days before they’re offshore.

12th Airborne Corps

1. Continuing much as before, with the FHSB passing on the maps of enemy positions before being pulled out of the area.

5th Infantry Corps

1. The 4th Hawkian digs in and puts its construction elements on civilian aid tasks. This gets the 3rd Gensal Regiment an extra 300 recruits.

2. See 2nd Corps update for further news regarding the Hawkians.

In General, General:

1. Northern Sector Corps have begun to be redeployed to Southern Sector. 4th and the 743rd Corps have already been redeployed. Hearn’s reorg of all 19th Army forces will now only occur once all units have been arrived in the south.

2. Two convoys were ambushed destroyed by enemy commandoes, along with part of their escort: 4 IFVS, 40 KIA, 40 WIA (1 SPF). Enemy prisoners were taken, some sort of Skaxon SF group.

19th Imperial Army

Day 21– 1800 Hours

Southern Sector

33rd “Blood Pact” Infantry Corps

1. The 723rd is now a day away.

2. The 13/15th Blood Pact Division launches a successful raid, which turns somehow into an out and out assault, resulting in the loss of the entire raiding force!

23rd Cathedrian: 200 KIA, 300 WIA
13/15th Blood Pact Division: 400 KIA

2nd Armoured Corps

1. 8th Armoured and the Foreign Legion along with the 1st Hawkian Division charge up the Imperial MSR, refreshed with supplies brought in by lifters during the night and from several captured Imperial convoys. At midday, they strike the 4th Avernus mechanised and promptly attack them. The Hawkians launch a series of feints to the 4th Avernus’ front while the 8th Armoured and Foreign Legion slip around the flanks and close on the rear elements, putting the logistical tail to flight. The Hawkians extend their line on both flanks of the 4th Avernus and surround them. The 4th Avernus however, concentrate their force and smash a hole in the 2nd Brigade causing heavy casualties. Though the Avernus themselves take heavy casualties, they manage to break away.

4th Avernus: 500 KIA, 500 WIA, 200 POWs, 79 IFVs, 50 trucks
1st Hawkian: 300 KIA, 400 WIA
Foreign legion: 300 KIA, 300 WIA, 23 tanks, 23 IFVs

1st "Freedom” Infantry Corps/34th Infantry Corps

1. All regiments are now stationary. Although the 78th CEB has rebuilt the bridge.

1072nd Amphibious Corps

1. The Imperial Navy sends in a bomber squadron against the MEFs heading out of Vordis Bay, and quickly finds them in the daylight hours. Enemy AA is especially heavy as the Marauders begin their attack run with two being blasted apart before they could even steady their craft. Through the very teeth of enemy fire a further three are brought down before missiles, bombs and cannon fire slam into three enemy transports. One begins listing dramatically to port, another seems to settle and begins to sink, and the last one catches fire.

2nd MEF: 500 KIA, 400 WIA, 25 IFVs, 12 tanks.

They manage to put the fire out, and the other has now been righted although it will be moving slowly. The remaining transport begins to sink. The Corps commander is still optimistic about being off Gormenhilt in exactly two days time.

2. The destroyers have destroyed a large Imperial supply convoy heading down the road. The destroyers will link up with the MEFs tomorrow.

12th Airborne Corps

1. The Fort Hern Special Brigade carries out a textbook operation and carries out its orders with ease. A second ‘Devil’s Garden’ has been created! They’ll begin night raids later tonight.

23rd Airborne Corps

1. The 75th and 83rd Harakon both execute a hassle free landing and begin their attacks

The 33rd De Geb comes under attack from enemy paratroopers who are also supported by light tanks, and who promptly push the De Geb back quickly. Their rate of retreat is so rapid that the De Geb retreat past the somewhat puzzled 110th Cadian who manages quite easily to hold the line.

33rd De Geb: 100 KIA, 300 WIA, 250 POWs
110th Cadian: 50 KIA, 150 WIA, 6 tanks
83rd Harakon: 100 KIA, 200 WIA, 6 tanks

2. The 43rd HLI reports that your paratroopers have been spotted in their area. An hour later they come under attack from the east. The Herans are pushed back by your determined paras who are supported by light tanks, but they manage to slow your advance.

43rd Heran: 100 KIA, 300 WIA
75th Harakon: 50 KIA, 150 WIA


5th Infantry Corps

1. The 194th Quinset run promptly into the Hawkians moving in the other direction caught out of place, the Quinset fall back towards the 701st Terran, later in the day, the 4th Gensal Regiment moves into position linking the 102 GIM with the left flank of the 3rd Hawkian Infantry Division.

194th Quinset: 50 KIA, 150 WIA, 10 IFVs
3rd Hawkian Infantry Division: 200 KIA, 400 WIA

3. The 218th Orengard struggle throughout the day against 2nd Division elements, but my mid-afternoon, it’s obvious that no progress has been made.

218th Orengard: 100 KIA, 300 WIA
2nd Hawkian Infantry Division: 200 KIA, 400 WIA

2. Enemy artillery fire has prevented further Hawkian elements moving down the road to support your current breakthrough.

In General, General:

1. 2nd Armoured Corps has captured 100 trucks and has put them to use moving their supplies along with them.

2. Further Imperial reinforcement regiments have arrived so be advised that it is most likely that a corps strength force will be arriving in Strutham, with further elements arriving in Clanistor.

3. The 17th Infantry Corps has been redeployed in the south.

4. The 1001st Cultist Corps has arrived in the north. Already the new Chaos warlord of the north is crowing over a victory he won over I Corps.

5. Fighter cover is now flying high over the Spine, waiting for some fat milk cows of Imperial lifters to turn up so that they can shoot them down in flames. A high level bombing raid strikes a ridge killing several dozen GPDF troopers.

19th Imperial Army

Day 22– 1800 Hours

Southern Sector

33rd “Blood Pact” Infantry Corps

1. The 723rd has arrived.

2nd Armoured Corps/ 23rd Airborne Corps

1. The 4th Avernus is encircled by drop troops, Hawkian motorised infantry and 8th Armoured tanks during the early evening of the night before and are completely wrecked by overwhelming odds. A surviving battalion group manages to punch out however, but most of the regiment is no more.

4th Avernus: 3150 MIA, 256 IFVs, 15 tanks
8th Armoured: 15 tanks
1st Hawkian Infantry Division: 800 KIA, 1500 WIA
7053rd Harakon Drop Infantry: 300 KIA, 300 WIA
Foreign Legion: 23 tanks

2. An enemy assault is still carried out the assault still goes ahead, and simply put, rolls the 75th Harakon Airborne flat. They manage to retreat and the STF hits the MSR and heads east along the MSR.

36th Airborne Brigade: 1000 KIA, 2000 POWs, 40 Light tanks, 100 Scorpions
313th Zintess: 122 tanks
701st Terran: 200 KIA, 400 WIA

3. The airstrike against the 8th Armoured doesn’t go quite right as they run into a veritable wall of flak. Nine Marauders are brought down in their attack runs before they can fire and the survivors are forced to fly off. In the end, they crater the road ahead of the attacking enemy, but it doesn’t slow them down much as they slam into the rearguard of the 79th CTLLI late in the day.

…early afternoon sees the first of a series of ambushes by the entirety of the BPCB. Command detonated mines shred a lot of CTLLI but the commissars keep them going despite the somewhat herd like mentality of the soldiers. The enemy conduct a lot of hit and run attacks and slowly bleeds the 79th CTLLI slowing it down considerably as it struggles forward. Late afternoon sees the rear battalion being attacked by what are reported to be tanks and lots of tanks and some more tanks, contact is soon lost and as the column falls sub-unit at a time to the your forces, it becomes apparent that the 79th CTLLI is in serious trouble…

79th Chi Tan Lo: 300 KIA, 300 WIA, 400 POWs
8th Armoured: 7 tanks.
1st Hawkian Infantry Division: 100 KIA, 200 WIA.


1st "Freedom” Infantry Corps/34th Infantry Corps

1. During the night, the 12th GPDF come under a serious barrage from enemy mortar and artillery fire. Casualties are not as heavy as first suspected, but the nuisance value of being kept up all night is niggling.

12 GPDF: 100 KIA, 200 WIA.

At daybreak the 12th GPDF comes under attack from your formations just as the 13th GPDF begins its assault! Shelling meant for your forces in defended positions falls amongst the assault columns instead and massed for the assault, casualties are extremely high, breaking up the entire enemy assault. Shells still fall on the 12th GPDF positions causing heavy casualties as the intensity of the barrage is quite intense, but the 102nd GIM is thrown back easily, unable to make headway in the hour it’s under intense bombardment from GITF.

The 13th GPDF drives forward against the shaken Vordis River Regiment and suffers casualties from shells that drop short, but still they press on and throw the 19th Army Skaxon out of their trenches taking the positions by force and determination. In the midst of this victory, the Gresned Horse moves in and forces the 13th GPDF is hurriedly withdrawn to their original positions.

13th GPDF: 300 KIA, 300 WIA
12th GPDF: 200 KIA, 200 WIA
Vordis River Regiment: 400 KIA, 800 WIA, 200 POW

2. The Derrton Regiment and Vordiston’s Own head out according to your orders.

3. Bridge will be reinforced with the arrival of the major components of the 19th Army’s Northern Sector forces.

1072nd Amphibious Corps

1. The MEF is a day and a half from Gormenhilt.

12th Airborne Corps

1. Night raids have been called off by the FHSB, due to seriously increased enemy activity.

5th Infantry Corps

1. See 2nd Corps update for the 1st Hawkian Infantry Division.

2. Other units in place as per required.

In General, General:

1. All of 19th Army has been transferred to Southern Sector and will be completely free to manoeuvre tomorrow.

2. Air support in positions over the MEF forces.

3. Air patrols over The Spine in place.

19th Imperial Army

Day 23– 1946 Hours

Southern Sector

33rd “Blood Pact” Infantry Corps

1. Both Blood Pact Divisions don’t bother to co-ordinate with the 723rd Mounted Infantry and attack the 23rd Cathedrian comes with wave after wave of bloodthirsty killers. They launch themselves four times at the shrunken Imperial positions but supporting enemy artillery and the sheer weight of small arms fire throws back all four waves with extremely heavy casualties. There are no wounded for they are not collected and are left to die, their screams of pain echoing at across the night.

23rd Cathedrian: 200 KIA, 200 WIA
1/14th Blood Pact Division: 1200 KIA
13/15th Blood Pact Division: 1100 KIA

2. The 5678th Blood Pact Division is ordered north to attack the Clanistor region and begins marching northwards.

Gormenhilt Offensive

1. The 79th Chi Tan Lo retreat as fast as possible up the road at first light, but run straight into prepared MEF positions and are totally chopped to pieces in their attempts to try and get past. The marines throw back the Chi Tan Lo with contemptuous ease, and while the regimental command tries to come up with a solution, the 8th Armoured, Foreign Legion and motorised Hawkian infantry slam into the battalions and rout the rear elements. Mass panic follows with the commissars unable to restore order as 8th Armoured tanks, Foreign Legion Mech Inf and Hawkian infantry crush all resistance. The 79th CTLLI tries to break out to the west but finds its way out cut-off again. Hurriedly, with the light infantry being mopped up easily, the CO of the division has his remaining elements dig in to try and continue they fight. They manage to hold out until evening but are completely trapped against the shoreline.

79th Chi Tan Lo: 1200 KIA, 1100 WIA, 3400 POWs, 70 trucks, 60 Art’y Guns
Foreign Legion: 200 KIA, 400 WIA, 12 IFVs, 12 tanks
8th Armoured: 6 tanks
1st MEF: 200 KIA, 400 WIA, 13 IFVs, 10 tanks
1st Hawkian Infantry Division: 100 KIA, 300 WIA

The Spine

1. For all of the morning, shells fall on the 27th Brigade’s position, but the Gresned Horse are well-concealed and apart from a few successes, there’s not much to show for the all of the shells being hurled into their location. At around 1400 hours, the planned major offensive begins by firing a massive bombardment at the positions of 12 GPDF. Although counter-battery fire is in full effect, 25th, 26th, and 28th Brigade artillery fires shell after shell and mortar bomb after mortar bomb into the area for a full two hours. Strangely enough, the area to the east is continually hit by enemy artillery pieces.

When the assault is launched it’s from the west, north-west, south-west, north, north-east and east and cracks open the 12th GPDF like an egg. Defending artillery is firing like mad, but with so many attacks from so many directions, it proves hard to concentrate artillery in any meaningful manner. Reserves from 13th GPDF are held by up a ferocious multi-pronged assault from the 4th Gensal Regiment, leaving the 1st Tharkad to launch the counter-attacks required. The Tharkadians unfortunately, fail to cover themselves with glory as they are outgunned by the mass of 19th Army armour closing in from all directions…

…in only two hours time, the 12th GPDF has been driven off its two major defensive features along with the 1st Tharkad, leaving the 41st, 27th and 28th Brigades in direct sight of the logistical support area of III Corps. The Armageddon engineer battalions hurriedly man the internal perimeter as 12 GPDF troop and 1 TITR tanks withdraw to defensive positions. 701st Terran elements have been spotted arriving via air to shore up the defence and help the 12th GPDF and 1st Tharkad to retreat in good order. Luckily for the Imperial forces, the 13th GPDF manage to hold on quite easily in the face of the 4th Gensal Regiment attacks and with the setting sun the offensive is halted.

25th Infantry Brigade: 3 SP AT Guns, 100 KIA, 200 WIA
26th Infantry Brigade: 4 tanks, 150 KIA, 300 WIA
27th Armoured Brigade: 14 tanks, 3 SP AT Guns,
28th Mechanised Brigade: 31 IFVs, 8 tanks, 100 KIA, 300 WIA
41st Infantry Brigade: 300 KIA, 600 WIA
42nd Infantry Brigade: 300 KIA, 700 WIA
43rd Infantry Brigade: 100 KIA, 200 WIA
4th Gensal Regiment: 300 KIA, 600 WIA
1st Tharkad: 40 tanks
12th GPDF: 900 KIA, 200 WIA, 1600 POWs
13th GPDF: 400 KIA, 400 WIA

2. At 0600, the II Corps guns open up and slam shell after shell into the 37th Airborne Brigade’s positions. 110th Cadian AA guns open fire on the 2nd Hawkian Infantry Division’s positions as well as the 36th Brigades positions. The two companies of Hydras are sent to attack the 36th Airborne Brigade’s position and as soon as the Hydras open fire, but find themselves quickly under return artillery and tank fire. Several Hydras are smashed like children’s toys as battlecannon rounds slam into them. The Hydras return fire with streams of autocannon shells but at such extreme range, they lack the power to seriously damage the Terullian tanks from the 18th Heavy Infantry Brigade. Several more Hydras are hit and destroyed before the remaining four manage to break contact.
A 203rd Ilindartos battalion sized tank element with a battalion sized logistics element has tried to breakthrough the 18th Brigade’s lines just after the 110th Cadian Hydras were beaten back. The assault is turned back easily in the first salvo of defensive fire with the enemy losing 7 tanks and 7 trucks. The enemy seem to have no heart for the combat and retreat.

In the 2nd Hawkian Division area, the Hydras keep up a steady beat of autocannon fire and periodically shift their position. Fifteen minutes later nine Hydras are blasted apart from the Tank Destroyers of the 2nd Hawkian Division. The Hydras beat a hasty retreat, losing another Hydra before breaking contact.

After the third barrage, the Orengard and 6th GPDF charge forward at the 37th Brigade’s positions, mechanized units leading the way. Just as they make contact with the paratrooper’s lines, the fourth barrage falls - on both sides. The attacking Orengard and 6th GPDF take heavy casualties from shellfire and numerous vehicles are hit and destroyed. Nonetheless, the pure battle rage of the two regiments carries them through their own artillery fire and rips open a hole in the paratrooper’s line as they are driven from their positions savagely. 2nd Hawkian Division as well as 17th Army shelling of the Orengard and 6th GPDF intensifies.

203rd Ilindartos: 7 tanks, 7 trucks
110th Cadian: 24 SP AA Guns
6th GPDF: 500 KIA, 200 WIA
218th Orengard: 16 tanks, 400 KIA, 600 WIA, 14 IFVs
37th Airborne Brigade (83rd Harakon Airborne): 600 KIA, 600 WIA, 23 Light Tanks, and 42 Scorpions

3. The 6th GPDF and the 218th Orengard moves quickly eastwards to escape the 2nd Hawkian Division’s artillery fire and attacks not the 36th Airborne Brigade as first thought but the 18th Heavy Infantry Brigade! However, caught on the wrong foot, the 18th Heavy Infantry Brigade is defeated and forced northwards with the 6th GPDF and 218th Orengard in pursuit.

18th Heavy Infantry Brigade (603rd Terullian): 11 tanks, 23 SP Art’y Guns, 400 KIA, 100 WIA
218th Orengard: 400 KIA, 200 WIA, 16 tanks, 12 IFVs
6th GPDF: 400 KIA, 400 WIA

4. The 2nd Hawkian Infantry Division sends in a brigade from its frontline and closes up the gap made by the 6th GPDF and 218th Orengard breakthrough. However, the remaining two brigades wait in position. Realising what has occurred; the 110th Cadian CO immediately orders the attack, lest the first wave be completely cut off behind 19th Army lines. However, the attack makes no progress against such large unfavourable odds and the 110th Cadian commander is forced to call of the attack.

110th Cadian: 100 KIA, 100 WIA
43rd Heran: 100 KIA, 200 WIA
194th Quinset: 200 KIA, 100 WIA

5. The 218th Orengard and 6th GPDF rampage onwards pursuing the retreating 18th Heavy Infantry Brigade, when they are attacked in their left flank by the 36th Airborne Brigade. Though coming quite close to causing quite a bit of damage, the paratroopers are thrown back allowing the advance to continue. The 18th Heavy Infantry Brigade is pushed back yet again but only after meting out heavy casualties to the attackers.

18th Heavy Infantry Brigade (603rd Terullian): 11 tanks, 4 SP Art’y Guns, 400 KIA, 200 WIA
218th Orengard: 800 KIA, 20 tanks, 24 IFVs
6th GPDF: Wiped out.

6. With the loss of 6th GPDF, the 218th Orengard sees the opportunity to withdraw eastwards and takes it, successfully breaking contact.

Report regarding prisoner breakout:
7. 1930: A series of attacks by the 36th and 37th Airborne Brigades against the 313th Zintess result in five tanks being destroyed under the cover of darkness.
1942: Sporadic skirmishes reported on all fronts.
1955: 313th Zintess logistics element attacked in force.
2025: A 313th Zintess logistics battalion is wiped out. Armoured battalion suffers badly when going to their assistance and is diverted to the remaining logistics battalion.
2056: 1/701st and 2/701st Terran RRF arrives to the help the embattled Zintess. This show of strength ceases overt paratrooper attacks, although Imperial positions are frequently fired on by light tanks. Attempts to destroy tanks have failed due to close tank-infantry co-operation.
2230: 33rd and 35th Brigades launch a massive assault from the north and south against the 701st Terran.
2236: A series of air transport craft are seen lifting off.
2245: Enemy confused but still holding firm.
2252: Assaults still being held off, but attacks from all quarters continue.
2322: Assaults still being held off.
2412: 33rd Brigade drop-troopers manage to breach perimeter and begin freeing prisoners.
2420: Enemy counter-attack fails to stem the rescue effort despite making some progress.
2436: A second counter-attack is stalled by running into an 33rd Brigade attack. A stalemate occurs.
2458: 33rd Brigade has freed all prisoners and begun pulling back.
0122: All elements of the 33rd Brigade and prisoners have been rescued.

701st Terran: 300 KIA, 600 WIA
313th Zintess: 400 MIA, 12 tanks, 80 trucks
33rd Airborne Brigade (7053rd HDI):300 KIA, 400 WIA
35th Airborne Brigade (FHSB): 100 KIA, 200 WIA
36th Airborne Brigade: 100 KIA, 300 WIA
37th Airborne Brigade: 100 KIA, 100 WIA
Rescued prisoners from the 36th Brigade: 2000 POWs

8. The 3rd Hawkian Infantry Division seals off the southern section of the enemy’s defensive positions on ‘The Spine.’

Air Combat over the Spine:
The enemy seem to have reinforced The Spine in force flying in what appears to be their entire air transport fleet under the cover of every single aircraft they can muster for escort. With only a rotating patrol of aircraft, the 19th Army aircraft are unable to stop the landings from going ahead and get into a massive air brawl with the 17th Army aircraft. With fighters going down on both sides, the enemy are able to safely unload their air transports and with the 19th Army aircraft driven back by sheer numbers allowing the air transports to fly off to the south-east with ease.

Imperial Fighters: 15 Thunderbolts
19th Army Fighters: 18 Thunderbolts

2nd Corps

1. Under orders from Captain-General Hearn, the 14th Infantry Task Group moves into Tanfar to take place of the 5678th Blood Pact Division.

1st "Freedom” Infantry Corps/34th Infantry Corps

1. The 30th, 31st, and 32nd Brigades move eastwards to the Spine and arrive mid-afternoon in the rear areas of the 41st, 42nd, and 43rd Brigades.

2. For the results of the major offensive, see the above ‘The Spine’ report.

3. 29th Brigade have to make way for 3rd Corps troops using the road and will arrive at the end of tomorrow.

4. The 18th Beltane Recon, 8th and 9th GH and the 10th Vordiston elements move east with the 29th Brigade.

5. Caedmon Barr request gets 450 volunteers. Each Skaxon warrior when inspected has a fierce pride in not only his or her tribe but also in this grand army in which they serve and all have a willingness to follow Barr on whatever mission he has in mind.

6. Hearn replies that the… target… is located in an abandoned Skaxon town just east of the Gothic Line and is guarded by a battalion of elite Blood Pact troopers.

12th Airborne Corps

1. Blood Pact Commando Brigade reports that several enemy soldiers have been spotted prowling around rear areas, but no attacks have been made, heavy defensive work spotted nearing Strutham.
2. See prisoner breakout for the operations conducted by the other two brigades.

5th Infantry Corps

1. The 4th Hawkian Infantry Division joins the 743rd Infantry Corps in moving eastwards.
2. See other combat reports for results of the other divisional level attacks.

3rd Corps
1. At first light, the tanks, IFVs, Art’y Guns, trucks and thousands of troops of 3rd Corps head eastwards to battle. They begin arriving at the Lexicon Road Junction by late afternoon.

1072nd Corps
1. See Gormenhilt Offensive

23rd Corps
1. See ‘The Spine’ and ‘Prisoner Breakout’ for further results.

In General, General:

1. The bridge over the Vordiston River is beginning to be reinforced.
2. The 4th and 43rd Corps is now in ‘strategic’ reserve mode and is concentrated in the Vordiston area.
3. Resupply of the Gormenhilt offensive is conducted by air.

19th Imperial Army

Day 24– 1800 Hours

Southern Sector

33rd “Blood Pact” Infantry Corps

1. A little quiet today.

Gormenhilt Offensive

1. The 79th Chi Tan Lo come under heavy attack and their attempt to breakout through the 38th Brigade has failed miserably. However, despite being shelled heavily and being put under extreme pressure the 79th Chi Tan Lo manages to hold on for several hours, but eventually with no hope and no chance of being saved, the regiment surrenders, its knot of commissars being disposed of by being handed over to the 8th Armoured. Enemy aircraft were active, but didn’t have much impact.

79th Chi Tan Lo: 800 KIA, 1600 WIA, 4900 POWs, 4 Truck-drawn Art’y Guns, 130 trucks
Foreign Legion: 300 KIA, 300 WIA, 24 IFVs, 3 tanks
8th Armoured: 13 tanks
1st MEF: 200 KIA, 100 WIA, 11 IFVs, 6 tanks
1st Hawkian Infantry Division: 200 KIA, 300 WIA

2. All forces roar off up the road towards Strutham.

The Spine

1. Throughout the evening 1st and 34th Corps forces heavily shell the logistics area of III Corps. Soon enough the fires of burning trucks and some of the exposed supply dumps light up the area. Casualties are extraordinarily heavy as napalm, air burst, ground burst and incendiary rounds land amongst the support units. At 2400, the 27th and 28th Brigades launch a major offensive. The 12th and 13th GPDF come under heavy fire as the 1st and 34th Corps forces fire a creeping barrage from which they then launch their attack straight into the GPDF positions. The GITF fire off several rounds in support, but die off quickly as it seems they are trying to conserve ammunition. Soon a massed battle fought by the light of flares and the flames of burning trucks, tanks and IFVs is fought. By 0430, the 701st Terran (later identified through prisoners as the 32nd Gaulten) is being forced back, the 12th GPDF is withdrawing quickly, but the 13th GPDF manages to hold on quite easily. An inspiring defence by the GITF who fire their guns over open sights enables the 12th GPDF to fall back in good order, narrowly missing being completely overrun.

1st and 34th Corps forces (including both the 12th and 13th ITGs as well as the 4th Gensal Regiment) continue their advance against the 12th GPDF and 32nd Gaulten who find themselves on the back foot and losing ground fast. Soon the battle is raging amongst the support areas of III Corps and the logistics troops join the battle against the 19th Army forces, managing to delay their advance. At 0600, the 1st Tharkad roars off, with two battalions of 32nd Gaulten Mechanised Infantry against the 25th Brigade.

Coming under heavy AT fire from the supposed ‘LI’ brigade combined with TD fire, the mechanised force finds itself unable to make any decisive breakthrough. Soon burning wrecks from both sides, litter the battlefield and the Gaulten are forced to attack on foot, but they make no decisive progress and are thoroughly bogged down by the 25th Brigade. With the III Corps perimeter falling fast, the order to breakout by any means possible is given just before the comms blackout descends. The 34th Corps advance continues haphazardly driving the forces of III Corps before them but stops short, obviously exhausted. Taking this opportunity, the remaining units of III Corps gather all that they can and hit a newly found section of thinly held ground. The 32nd Gaulten assault guns (Leman Russ with battlecannons only and no turrets) grind down a 3rd HID infantry battalion in consort with the remainder of the regiment, with that, all of III Corps, or what’s left of it, breaks out and heads south-east.

12 GPDF: 300 KIA, 200 POW, 100 WIA
13 GPDF: 300 KIA, 300 POW, 300 WIA
1st Tharkad: 25 tanks, 40 trucks
32nd Gaulten: 60 IFVs, 20 Assault guns, 6 SP Art’y Guns, 400 KIA, 300 POW, 400 WIA, 30 trucks.
154th Armageddon Combat Engineer Battalion: 200 KIA, 200 POW, 200 WIA, 5 engineering vehicles, 30 trucks.
346th Armageddon Combat Engineer Battalion: 100 KIA, 100 POW, 100 WIA, 15 engineering vehicles, 20 trucks.
77777th Umbridge Supply Battalion: 200 KIA, 200 POW, 200 WIA, 25 trucks.
234th Ferraxian Field Hospital Battalion: 50 KIA, 100 POW, 20 trucks.
78564th Serrax Field Hospital: 200 POW, 25 trucks.
Gensal Iron Task Force: 15 SP Art’y Guns, 2 SP AA Guns.
41st Brigade: 100 KIA, 200 WIA
42nd Brigade: 300 KIA, 700 WIA
43rd Brigade: 150 KIA, 350 WIA
25th Brigade: 25 IFVs, 10 TDs, 200 KIA, 100 WIA
27th Brigade: 15 tanks, 25 IFVs
28th Brigade: 5 tanks, 15 IFVs, 200 KIA, 200 WIA
4th Gensal Regiment: 200 KIA, 500 WIA
3rd Hawkian Infantry Division: 400 KIA, 400 POWs (subsequently shot).

2. At precisely 0600, the 313th Zintess is attacked by the 6th Armoured and 2nd Mechanised Brigades. With the amount of armour deployed against them, the 313th Zintess is unable to conduct any adequate resistance and succumbs to the armoured assault in a pitched tank battle by 0620 hours. Its remaining logistical battalion promptly withdraws past the former positions of the 203rd Ilindartos and runs into an ambush set up by the FHSB. After putting up some heavy resistance, the battalion promptly surrenders when the 6th Armoured Brigade destroys the last of the 313th Zintess’ tanks and approaches its rear elements.

313th Zintess: 31 tanks, 50 KIA, 350 POWs, 80 trucks
6th Armoured Brigade: 11 tanks.
35th Brigade: 50 KIA, 50 WIA.

3. The 32nd Gaulten driving south at the head of III Corps’ breakout, then runs into the gun line of the 6th Armoured Brigade and is beaten back. The Imperial forces, temporarily checked, build up for another all or nothing attack, when both brigades acting under orders surprisingly move off eastwards! Taking this opportunity, III Corps drives across the MSR and moves near the remaining X Corps unit in the area, the 33rd De Geb. However, the rearguard of the force comes under attack from the 2nd Hawkian Infantry Division but the attack is beaten off with some difficulty. By evening, the remnants of III Corps are hurriedly digging in around the old 4th Avernus’ position.

32nd Gaulten: 25 IFVs, 15 Assault Guns, 100 KIA, 150 WIA.
13th GPDF: 150 KIA, 350 WIA
2nd Hawkian Infantry Division: 300 KIA, 700 WIA
6th Armoured Brigade: 10 tanks.

Air Combat over the Spine:
No air combat is conducted, although two Thunderbolts on some sort of recon patrol over the Vordiston area were intercepted by the ‘Bloodhawks’ and shot down.

2nd Corps

1. Nothing to report

1st "Freedom” Infantry Corps/34th Infantry Corps

1. The 12th and 13th ITGs have swapped positions.

2. For the results of the major offensive, see the above ‘The Spine’ report.

3. 29th Brigade arrives in the evening along with the 8th Beltane Recon, 8th and 9th GH and the 10th Vordiston.

4. Caedmon Barr’s request gets a further 5 volunteers who know the area. Former tank crewmen from the 2nd Terhampton Lancers they are ready and willing to go on the mission. Several surveillance photos of the target area are provided along with weak spots in enemy defences.

12th Airborne Corps

1. Blood Pact Commando Brigade reports that the enemy are setting up mining and ambushing works along the road, heavy defensive work is continued at Strutham. BPCB will start conducting raids tomorrow when a complete intel picture has been made.
2. FHSB reports that the enemy have airlifted their 203rd Ilindartos Armoured out of the area. The FHSB has been returned along with 23rd Corps troops to the Tanfar Airbase.

5th Infantry Corps
1. The 4th Hawkian Infantry Division has just moved past the Lexicon Road Junction.
2. See other combat reports for results of the other divisional level attacks.

3rd Corps
1. See ‘The Spine’ for combat reports. Otherwise the remaining brigades have reached the 18th Heavy Infantry Brigade’s position.

1072nd Corps
1. See Gormenhilt Offensive. MEFs occupy the city of Gormenhilt (don’t be put out by the map!) and are ready to board ships.

23rd Corps
1. See ‘The Spine’ for further results. Otherwise, the units have been pulled out.

In General, General:

1. The bridge over the Vordiston River is still being reinforced.
2. Resupply of the Gormenhilt offensive is conducted by air.
3. It is believed that II Corps has been withdrawn off-world
4. The enemy enacted a comms blackout that enabled them to escape ‘The Spine’ by jamming all known channels. Most 19th Army units switched to alternate frequencies within the hour, but the damage was done.
5. Hearn completely agrees and goes up to Tanfar to personally give out ‘Hearn’s Pence’ to two soldiers who were instrumental in the victorious rescue operation. Several medals and commendations are also presented pushing the 12th Corps morale up through the roof.
6. Fane notes that the 19th Army Skaxon units have a new found pride in themselves and their units now that they’ve been renamed after their home regions. They are still eager to crush the weakling and impotent Imperial forces.
7. Hearn replies (in person) that Caedmon Barr is planning an operation to assassinate Warlord Boneripper, thereby destabilising the Blood Pact forces in the north under his control. Possibly giving Hearn control over totally expendable forces with which to crush the slaves of the corrupt and impotent government and freeing the Skaxon of the north of having to be anywhere near either side.

19th Imperial Army

Day 25– 1800 Hours

Southern Sector

33rd “Blood Pact” Infantry Corps

1. A sudden offensive has been launched by the forces of the 33rd Infantry Corps, crushing Imperial resistance and throwing it back almost all the way to Torham!

The 23rd Cathedrian comes under attack an hour after they were joined by the two brigades of the 5th Skalansburg and the Armageddon replacements. The Blood Pact Divisions attack, heedless of the casualties suffered and attack the line of ridges the Cathedrians have occupied since the battles in this area occurred. However, the sheer numbers of Blood Pact soldiers deployed in the area and with tanks firing on the Cathedrian positions from ridges opposite out of range of Cathedrian heavy weapons, the defence begins to crumble. The sheer weight of the artillery in support of the attackers far outweighs the defenders artillery in the form of the 222nd Edana and soon the 23rd Cathedrian finds itself overwhelmed and forces into slow retreat. The 5th Skalansburg suffer heavy casualties, losing two entire battalions to the Blood Pact as an entire ridge is seized by sheer determination.

The 23rd Cathedrian withdraw to two large ridges as the 5th Skalansburg take up positions on their right flank. Again the Blood Pact attack, and again, with the sheer weight of fire directed at Imperial positions, throws the Imperial Guardsmen back again. This process continues throughout the morning and early afternoon, until there are no more positions to retreat to in the foothills and the forests which keep the fast moving 723rd Mounted Infantry armour and IFVs back. Finally, both units cross a minor tributary of the Torham River and wait on the other side of the bridge…

23rd Cathedrian: 600 KIA, 600 WIA, 23 tanks, 15 SP Art’y Guns
5th Skalansburg: 1600 MIA, 800 KIA, 1400 WIA
1141315th Blood Pact Division: 2000 KIA, 46 tanks
5678th Blood Pact Division: 1500 KIA, 45 tanks
723rd Mounted Infantry: 100 KIA, 200 WIA, 12 tanks, 22 IFVs

2. Due to combat losses, the 1/14th and 13/15th Blood Pact Divisions have been merged to form the 1141315th Blood Pact Division.

Gormenhilt

1. The 12th GSF and the 14th Infantry Task Group arrive at Gormenhilt. The Thanfar Rangers of the 14th ITG dig in quickly around Gormenhilt and begin aggressive patrolling in the area. The division is noted as being rather assertive and motivated in its duties.
2. 12th GSF immediately sets up a supply operation to keep the advancing units on the Strutham road fed and watered. The expert airborne engineers suggest that building an airbase at Gormenhilt would mean that it is more easily defended and supplied but cuts down on the amount of time the aircraft can be in the air. From Gormenhilt it’d take about four hours to fly to Strutham and four hours back. Building it two days drive north would mean that it would take one hour there and one hour back.

The Spine

1. The 2nd Hawkian Infantry Division launches its assault in consort with the 2nd Mechanised and 6th Armoured Brigade. Though the 12th, 13th GPDF and the 33rd De Geb fight bravely, they are pushed back steadily by the 19th Army soldiers. Yelling the battle cry of ‘For the City of Karnstadt,’ the Hawkians shove the increasingly desperate Imperials back. Artillery barrages from the GITF and 32nd Gaulten have more of an effect than originally envisaged with the savage ‘tree bursts’ occurring felling many Hawkian soldiers, but the ammunition soon runs out and the artillery support is no more. When the 12th GPDF breaks, the 32nd Gaulten heads into the fray, managing to stem the tide and bring the Hawkian attack at one point to a standstill

But the Hawkians are numerous enough and simply expand their line and outflank the Imperial line on the left. With the collapse imminent, the 33rd De Geb throws some of its last troops into the line, but they quickly break… leaving the Hawkians with the opportunity to completely outflank the Imperial line – which they take. Soon, panicked GPDF troopers are streaming back through the forest, with only one thing on their minds – survival. However the Imperial Guardsmen form their last positions and dig in to await the inevitable…

12th GPDF: 100 KIA, 200 POWs
13th GPDF: 200 KIA, 300 WIA, 100 POWs
33rd De Geb: 100 KIA, 300 WIA, 100 POWs
32nd Gaulten: 9 IFVs, 200 KIA, 300 WIA
2nd Hawkian Infantry Division: 400 KIA, 800 WIA

Air Combat over the Spine:
Enemy air activity is nil.

Strutham Offensive

2nd Corps

1. The 14th ITG is transferred to 12 Corps control (as its next to 12 GSF).

1st "Freedom” Infantry Corps/34th Infantry Corps

1. Both of these corps are now headed northward to attack the enemy’s heartland.

12th Airborne Corps

1. The BPCB reports that the enemy have begun to heavily patrol the areas surrounding their defences at Strutham Space Port. It has been definitely confirmed that two observation teams have been compromised. It has also been confirmed that the enemy have set up ambushes and minefields along the road to Strutham for a whole day’s drive worth south of the space port.
2. All airborne troops are resting at Tanfar. A quick survey of the 19th Army reveals that ‘The Derrton Regiment’ is the best place to find motivated, keen and highly experienced volunteers for the airborne regiments.

5th Infantry Corps
1. All units advancing towards Strutham save for the 2nd Hawkian which is involved in attacks against III Corps.

3rd Corps
1. The 5th ITG is nominated for MSR security duties.

1072nd Corps
1. MEFs have boarded ships.

23rd Corps
1. The units have been pulled out to Tanfar.

In General, General:

1. The bridge over the Vordiston River is still being reinforced.
2. Resupply of the Gormenhilt offensive is conducted by air, but the first supply convoy has arrived at Gormenhilt by road.
3. Four companies of marines and a Terullian HI unit have arrived.
4. Hearn advises that a corps reshuffle may have to occur due to so many of the corps being spread out all over the place. It certainly won’t be as drastic as last time though!

19th Imperial Army

Day 26– 1800 Hours

Southern Sector

33rd “Blood Pact” Infantry Corps

1. The corps units move quietly and confidently into position south of Torham, setting up a pontoon bridge system with which to cross the river to the south of Torham, out of observation by the defending Imperial forces. Shelling of 23rd Cathedrian forces inflict some damage.

Gormenhilt

1. The Thanfar Rangers are surprised to be given orders that enable them to have an even better chance of killing the hated invaders! Morale is exceptionally high in this unit as they head northwards to catch up with the ‘8th Armoured’ offensive.
2. 12th GSF sets up an airfield at Gormenhilt to handle incoming flights anyway and begin the digging of extra defences around it as the MEFs are disembarked from their ships with much grumbling and move into the areas of the Thanfar Rangers. The 1072nd Corps commander mentions that it is very time consuming to load the corps in the first place…

The Spine

1. The GITF and artillery battalions of the 32nd Gaulten pull back at first light as per orders just as 19th Army launches its attack. With the Basilisks heading southwards, the 2nd Hawkians and the Heavy Infantry of the 2nd Mechanised Brigade with a few tanks of the Household Brigade, pushes forward under a heavy creeping barrage. Savage tree bursts fell many De Geb Light Infantry and wound dozens of Strum Grenadiers as the Imperial infantry struggle to hold on in the face of vastly superior numbers…they fail to do so. In forty minutes, the perimeter is breached in dozens of places and it soon becomes every man for himself as all combat units order their troops to break out southwards.

32nd Gaulten: 800 KIA, 400 POW (400 WIA), 90 IFVs, 25 Assault Guns, 10 trucks
33rd De Geb: 800 KIA, 700 POW (700 WIA), 20 trucks
1st Tharkad: 15 tanks
2nd Hawkian Infantry Division: 400 KIA, 700 WIA
6th Household Armoured Brigade: 7 tanks
2nd Mechanised Brigade: 100 KIA, 200 WIA, 13 IFVs, 5 tanks

2. The armoured and mechanised units pull back due to the heavily wooded nature of the forests, but the 2nd Hawkians move in nonetheless and chase after the fleeing III Corps troopers.

Air Combat over the Spine:
An enemy lifter squadron as spotted heading outbound from the forests but they disappeared into a cloud bank before an intercept could be achieved.

Strutham Offensive
1st Hawkians, 8th Armoured and the Foreign Legion continue at slow speed up the road, so far no ambushes or minefields have been encountered, but they are well south of the positions reported by the BPCB.

The BPCB pull back somewhat, but report that the enemy are digging fresh ambush points along the road and have sighted artillery on the old positions. The enemy have also thrown a complete perimeter around Strutham.

2nd Corps

1st "Freedom” Infantry Corps/34th Infantry Corps

1. Both of these corps are now headed northward to attack the enemy’s heartland.

12th Airborne Corps
Troops resting at Tanfar.

5th Infantry Corps

1. All units advancing towards Strutham save for the 2nd Hawkian which is involved in attacks against III Corps.

3rd Corps

1. The 5th ITG is nominated for MSR security duties.

1072nd Corps

See Gormenhilt Offensive for details.

23rd Corps

Resting at Tanfar

In General, General:

1. The bridge over the Vordiston River is reinforced. Roads in the area are no longer dirt roads and are entirely tar.
2. There reports that a fresh Imperial army may be deployed to Beltane, the 13th.
3. Intel reports that the four companies of marines are Imperial marines and they have been brutalised a fair bit in NORCOM. The Terullian HI unit is loitering around the Clanistor region.
4. Hearn agrees to your plan of reinforcing the specialist units with high quality Skaxon infantry.
5. The entirety of the ‘MEF’ brigades has been brought up to strength from high quality Skaxon infantry drawn from the Derrton and Vordiston’s Own Regiment.
6. The entirety of the 7053rd has been brought up to strength through Derrton Regiment volunteers.
7. The Fort Hern Special Brigade has been brought up to strength with volunteers from the Derrton Regiment.
8. The two Harakon Airborne Regiments (75th and 83rd Brigades) have been brought up to strength from the Southshires Foot Regiment and new Scorpions.
9. The 12th and 23rd Corps has been merged to create the 25th Airborne Corps.
10. The Gresned Horse has been brought up to strength with Vordiston’s Own volunteers.
11. The 18th Beltane Recon Battalion has been airlifted up to be attached to the 8th Armoured to provide it with a Recon capability.

19th Imperial Army

Day 27– 1800 Hours

CLANISTOR REGION

33rd “Blood Pact” Infantry Corps

The Battle of Torham

1. At 2300 hours, the two Blood Pact Divisions south of the tributary leading into the Clanistor River launch their assault under the cover of a massed artillery barrage designed to keep the defenders head down while the Blood Pact cross the river in assault boats and rush the bridge. Despite the artillery fire, the Edana FOs call in artillery strikes blindly onto the river and the opposite bank causing very heavy casualties. However, crazed Blood Pact troopers still make it to the other side of the bank and launch themselves into the assault.

The 5678th Blood Pact Division manages to get at least two battalions worth of troops into the 23rd Cathedrian lines but the Cathedrians refuse to budge. The other 5678th Division attack on the bridge is less successful… despite the barrage, Cathedrian heavy weapon crews mow down any Blood Pact attempt to get across the bridge and knock out the squadron of tanks sent to help out the troopers, effectively blocking the bridge off. By dawn however, the Cathedrians have mopped up the 5678th Blood Pact Division troops who have managed to cross the river and are in full control of their sector.

5678th Blood Pact Division: 2400 KIA, 800 WIA, 10 tanks
23rd Cathedrian: 500 KIA, 300 WIA

The 1141315th Blood Pact Division enjoys much greater success against the 5th Skalansburg Rifles brigade dug in opposite them. Using direct fire from their tanks to knock out positions across the river, the Blood Pact troopers find their job a little easier in establishing a foothold across the river, despite Edana barrages. This foothold then turns into a bridgehead and then turns into a breakthrough as the 5th Skalansburg is pushed back steadily before withdrawing quickly to Torham Imperial Airbase. The battalion of Galach are hurriedly mobilised to act in defence of the Airbase and they arrive just in time to throw back the first Blood Pact attack. The arrival of the 1st GPDF also shores up the situation in the nick of time as they arrive to protect the flank of the 23rd Cathedrian which had been exposed by the Skalansburg withdrawal. With such a show of force, the Blood Pact ceases their attacks for the moment…

5th Skalansburg: 400 KIA, 200 WIA
1141315th Blood Pact Division: 1200 KIA, 600 WIA
34th Galach: No casualties
1st GPDF: 50 KIA, 25 WIA
7th Airborne Corps

The Battle of Clanistor

The assault went well enough, the Skaxon academy was razed, the supply depots captured, Firelight HQ destroyed and two-thirds of the space port in 19th Army hands. Captain-General Molotov’s favourite hat and coffee mug were also captured. All 7th Corps units have dug in around the captured section of the space port as supplies of heavy weapons and infantry armour are hurriedly loaded on lifters.

An intercepted communications transmission gives the Imperial picture of the raid:

0600: 34th Galach forward piquets attacked by enemy forces. Terhampton bridge destroyed by mass air strike. 6 Thunderbolts from the 7067th Squadron are downed during their dawn patrol, 9 enemy fighters destroyed.
0611: All 34th Galach positions under attack from all directions. Several breaches reported as the sheer number of enemy attacks ties up reserves
0612: Firelight HQ is attacked by enemy SF. Heavy fighting reported.
0632: The enemy now identified as Harakon airborne, breach the perimeter of Clanistor Space Port and clears a landing pad of Galach heavy infantry despite bitter resistance. Heavy enemy casualties inflicted.
0647: IV Corps HQ attacked by enemy SF. 1st enemy assault overwhelms the perimeter and enters the HQ. Bitter hand-to-hand and close quarter fighting between Captain-General Molotov’s 4th General Guard Company (HI) and what is estimated to be three companies worth of Fort Hern Special Brigade.
0712: 34th Galach CO reports that his forces, badly overstretched are rapidly loosing ground to the attacking enemy forces. A force of the 124th Necromundan supply troops and 783rd Unvern supply troops barely manages to hold the line under extreme pressure from the enemy’s 83rd Harakon Airborne.
0731: All Imperial Aircraft takes off in support of the 34th Galach, minus the bomber squadron flying in support of I Corps. These, combined with ground based AA, account for a full 17 enemy fighters. Imperial casualties: 7 Thunderbolts, 2 Marauders.
0746: 34th Galach reports that enemy forces have captured a full 32% of the space port, and have taken a full landing pad. Heavy casualties on both sides reported. Defences around Clanistor holding firm. GDPF training battalions being readied for combat duty under Major Gregory. Clanistor City Militia taking over Clanistor defences to free 34th Galach troops to combat the threat at the space port.
0759: Firelight HQ overrun, about a squad worth’s of survivors managed to break out.
0822: IV Corps HQ is overrun, but the 4th General Guard Company manages to save the Captain-General from certain capture. Communications between all units and Corps HQ is destroyed.
0845: Further waves of enemy reinforcements seen arriving directly at the captured section of the space port itself. Recalled elements of the 40th Tchzeryphx combine with the 4th General Guard Company and retake IV Corps HQ in bitter fighting, from the reinforced elements of the Fort Hern Special Brigade.
0857: Imperial aircraft diverted to Torham Imperial Airbase for refuelling and rearming, a further 3 Thunderbolts and 2 Marauders have been lost.
0912: The enemy’s second wave appears to be armour and with a combined arms attack smashes aside the logistics units and seizes the supply warehouses. A desperate counter-attack by the 124th Necromundan Supply Battalion is unsuccessful.
1015: GPDF training battalions strike out towards the space port.
1055: GPDF training battalions launch their attacks towards the space port and run straight into the 6th Household Armoured Brigade heading in the other direction. The Skaxons are swiftly mown down by the Terullians. Major Gregory manages to salvage three battalions of survivors and withdraws to Clanistor itself. The enemy seize the Skaxon academy.
1125: 34th Galach reports enemy are still applying pressure and pushing them back though recalled 40th Tchzeryphx elements have assisted in slowing down the enemy advance. A full 53% of the space port is in enemy hands. Scattered bands of enemy reported to be roaming the city. Skaxon city militia activated to hunt them down.
1130: Smoke seen rising from the Skaxon Training Academy.
1132: Security at IV Corps re-established and comms patched up.
1141: 34th Galach Armour embroiled in tank fight with the Terullians of the 6th Household Armoured.
1159: Fighting all across space port front has now reached fever pitch.
1219: 34th Galach counter-attack by the 2nd and 3rd Battalions manages to overrun the Skaxons of the 5th Seaford Light Infantry of the 17th Brigade, and throw the enemy attack off-balance.
1236: IV Corps HQ under attack from Fort Hern Special Brigade troops who seem to have commandeered captured Imperial IFVs and are using them to blast apart the defences and suppress the defenders!
1252: Enemy attack stopped with Imperials in control of 51% of the space port; however, the supply areas have fallen into enemy hands.
1313: IV Corps HQ overrun for a second time. Communications again smashed.
1348: Skaxon militia have been unable to prevent Imperial built facilities in the city from being destroyed. The main cathedral has been saved though.
1357: Imperial fighters driven off by mass enemy air cover. Ground based AA accounts for 7 more enemy fighters.
1413: Enemy renew assault, this time directed at the 40th Tchzeryphx. The Tchzeryphx are pushed back. 34th Galach withdraws armour from fighting due to heavy casualties.
1450: Enemy breakthrough in the 40th Tchzeryphx area, forcing the 34th Galach to give up its ground and withdraw to the Clanistor proper defences lest they become encircled. Imperial forces still retain 33% of Space Port.
1503: IV Corps HQ recaptured with the assistance of the 34th Galach. The ‘Molotov Hilton’ has the 17th Army flag raised above it. Captain-General Molotov notes that his favourite hat and coffee mug has been stolen.
1512: Small enemy parties have been driven from the city by Galach fire-sweeps. IV Corps forces gather to launch a counter-attack.
1530: IV Corps forces conduct counter-attack, seizing space port defences from enemy.
1532: Enemy activate concealed explosives in recaptured defences, causing heavy casualties.
1553: A break in the thick black smoke over Clanistor reveals that constant stream of enemy transport craft is flying in and out of the space port!
1610: Enemy dig in at current positions trading fire with IV Corps forces. Clanistor city reported secure, although Clanistor city elders are missing.
1630: Frontline at space port is deadlocked in a bloody stalemate with the smashed vehicles of both sides burning and the mounds of dead and wounded littered all across the space port and approaches to the city.

Imperial Casualties:
40th Tchzeryphx: 22 tanks, 12 SP Art’y Guns, 14 IFVs, 900 KIA, 750 WIA, 23 trucks
34th Galach: 65 tanks, 33 SP Art’y Guns, 97 IFVs, 750 KIA, 1200 WIA, 58 trucks
124th Necromundan Supply Battalion: 500 KIA, 400 WIA, 156 trucks
783rd Unvern Supply Battalion: 400 KIA, 300 WIA, 300 trucks
Clanistor City Militia: 800 KIA, 1200 WIA
GPDF Training Battalions: 2000 KIA, 1000 WIA
Thunderbolts: 16
Marauders: 4

19th Army Casualties:
7053rd Harakon Airborne: 300 KIA, 450 WIA
75th Harakon Airborne: 36 Scorpions, 15 Calder Light Tanks, 300 KIA, 400 WIA
83rd Harakon Airborne: 42 Scorpions, 22 Calder Light Tanks, 400 KIA, 500 WIA
Fort Hern Special Brigade: 200, 200 WIA
6th Household Armoured Brigade: 24 tanks
16th Brigade: 200 KIA, 400 WIA
17th Brigade: 800 KIA, 600 WIA

GORMENHILT OFFENSIVE

1. Some reorganisation of corps has been conducted to more accurately reflect various unit’s positions. Units and designations in red are changes.

Major Arrakus Fane (Fort Hern Special Brigade) – Commander of the 5th, 12th, 3rd, and 1072nd Corps

5th Infantry Corps (2 days south of Strutham)
5th GSF
1st Hawkian Infantry Division "The City of Highgarden Regiment" (Two days north of Gormenhilt)
4th Hawkian Infantry Division "The City of St. Lucius Regiment" (Two days north of Gormenhilt)

5th Armoured Task Group
8th Brigade (8th Armoured) (Two days north of Gormenhilt)
The Foreign Legion (Two days north of Gormenhilt)

14th Infantry Task Group
44th Brigade (Two days north of Gormenhilt)
45th Brigade (Two days north of Gormenhilt)


1072nd Amphibious Corps (Gormenhilt)
1072nd GSF (Gormenhilt)
4 Naval Destroyers

1st Marine Task Group
38th Ichar Marine Brigade (Amphibious – 1 MEF) (Gormenhilt)
39th Ichar Marine Brigade (Amphibious – 2 MEF) (Gormenhilt)
40th Ichar Marine Brigade (Amphibious – 3 MEF) (Gormenhilt)

12th Airborne Corps (All over the place)

12 GSF (Two days north of Gormenhilt)
34th Brigade (Special Forces - BPCB) (Strutham Region)
35th Brigade (Special Forces - FHSB) (Clanistor) (Attached to 7th Corps)

3rd Armoured Corps (Gormenhilt)

3rd Hawkian Infantry Division "The City of Grenoble Regiment" (The Spine)

2nd Armoured Task Group
9th Brigade (“Royal Guard” Armoured) (One day north of Gormenhilt)
38th Brigade (Motorised) (One day north of Gormenhilt)

5th Infantry Task Group
19th Brigade (“1st Seaford” Motorised) (One day north of Gormenhilt)
4th Brigade (Mechanised) (One day north of Gormenhilt)
20th Brigade (Motorised) (One day north of Gormenhilt)

444th Corps (The Spine)

2nd Hawkian Infantry Division "The City of Karnstadt Regiment" (The Spine)
4th Gensal Regiment (The Spine)

1st Armoured Task Group
2nd Brigade (Mechanised) (The Spine)

2. 12th GSF has begun to send out survey teams to site an airfield. The Thanfar Rangers accompany them, happy to with any assignment that gets them closer to the hated invaders.

3. The Ichar Marine brigades begin training their new inductees, the transfer of skills is good as the good quality of Skaxon inductees is noted and the fact that they’ve already been trained in motorized warfare means they can easily adapt to mechanized warfare. The CO of the 1072nd Corps gives it a week to make the new inductees competent.

4. Forward forces begin moving north-west.

5. Forward BPCB teams report that the Imperials have set up their ambush sites along a stretch of road a day south of Strutham (as in all along it).

THE SPINE

1. The 2nd Mechanised Brigade and 2nd Hawkian Infantry Division report that the enemy have withdrawn their forces in the forests via air. A number of rough landing sites have been discovered along with the added bonus of the remainder of their supply caches and a lot of heavy equipment. The survey turns up the following:

a. Two days worth of supplies. A lot of fuel, some food and very little ammunition.
b. 972 trucks
c. 63 engineering vehicles

STRUTHAM

Teams of Skitarii turned GPDF troopers, intel agents, Skaxons drawn from the Vordiston’s Own regiment and several saboteur teams from the FHSB have been infiltrated into Strutham and have begun to set up operations and spread rumours as per your orders. An initial report hits your mobile field desk:

a. Northern defence lasers are poorly guarded, with only their crews on duty.
b. Southern defence lasers haven’t been spied on yet.
c. There are amphibious defences at all points, though it seems the docks are more heavily guarded and defended by Merentgar soldiers. They seem competent.
d. Not all AA guns have been spotted due to Imperial security measures. It is believed that there is approximately 2 battalions (80) worth of AA guns.
e. Civilian attitudes towards 17th Army is good. Civilian attitudes to 19th Army are negative.

IN GENERAL, GENERAL:
1. Engineering units are being driven up to begin making the roads all-weather.
2. A Hawkian engineering battalion is diverted to assist 12 GSF in airbase construction.

19th Imperial Army

Day 28– 1800 Hours

A message from your I Corps, 17th Army as retrieved from the field of battle:

“Greetings from I Corps, blasphemous traitors. This message comes with a gift, my own personal…present to you. The heads falling around you belonged to those you worshipped, and as I have no need of them, I return them to you. But that is not all I give you. I give you the gift of knowledge, that you may repent a life poorly spent. Your best are vanquished, your leaders are dead, and your allies have betrayed you. Your vaunted, “Warlord Boneripper”, was assassinated by your compatriots in 19th Army. His second-in-command was killed in a brutal attack by the Fort Hern Special brigade. Your hopes are futile, your chances non-existent. Your “Gods” have abandoned you, and you have preyed upon the Skaxon for too long. Pray to the Emperor for forgiveness, and ask for His Mercy, for they shall have none.”

CLANISTOR REGION

33rd “Blood Pact” Infantry Corps

The Battle of Torham

1. All throughout the night, the 1131415th Blood Pact Division’s bridgehead is pounded by the 222nd Edana artillery. Savage mixtures of shells are fired and by the time the attack by the 1st GPDF goes in, the Blood Pact are stunned and demoralised. The GPDF easily throw the Blood Pact back into the river and return the north bank to Imperial control.

11131415th BPD: 1200 KIA
1st GPDF: 200 WIA

7th Airborne Corps

Day 2 of the Clanistor ‘raid’ was a failure. Extremely heavy casualties were suffered for very little gain. The space port was not destroyed by explosives.

1801 – Clanistor Space Port

1800: 6th Household Armoured moves up behind the 75th Harakon Airborne ‘quietly.’
1815: 3/34th Galach comes under attack by the 17th Harakon Infantry Brigade.
1829: 17th Harakon has made no progress against 3/34th’s positions, friendly casualties light, enemy casualties almost nil.
1830: Southern flank of the 3/34th Galach attacked by 16th Harakon Infantry Brigade.
1840: First assault bogged down in close quarters fighting in forward positions, moderate casualties on both sides.
1840: ‘LOG’ forces attacked. Enemy defenders turn out to be the 2/34th Galach as the Necromundans feint a sudden panicked withdrawal, ceding forward trenches to the 75th Brigade.
1841: 124th Necromundan former positions blown, causing heavy casualties amongst the 75th Brigade forces.
1842: 75th Harakon Airborne assault runs into prepared 2/34th Galach positions and is turned back with heavy casualties.
1842: 3/34th Galach cede forward trenches to 16th Harakon Brigade.
1843: 3/34th Galach forward trenches blown resulting in heavy casualties. A flanking move by a GPDF training battalion actually stalls the Harakon attack!
1847: Second assault turned back by 2/34th Galach.
1850: 2/34th Galach attacked by 7053rd Brigade forces emerging from drainage system who appear amongst them. Galach recover from shock far too quickly and Chimeras are hurriedly used to drive these troops back underground through the sheer weight of automatic fire. Chimeras are then parked with weapons trained on exit points, scything down any attempt to break out.
1900: Reports received of the. 20th Manteuffel is arriving in position and that the 303rd Terullian is preparing to arriving from the north!
1915: 16th and 17th Harakon storm the 3/34th Galach positions, pushing the infantry back. 1923: 3/34th Galach rally on edge of space port.
1928: Further assaults being turned back by the 2/34th Galach. Galach combat engineers reported to be demolition charging the drainage system; Harakon drop troopers in drainage system not happy about change in operational climate. Extremely heavy casualties amongst the 7053rd Brigade.
1930: Enemy snipers reported to be extremely active simply shooting any 19th Army soldier who appears out of cover. Soon, the 75th Harakon Airborne forward elements are pinned down.
1945: 16th Harakon Brigade moves north around 3/34th Galach’s positions, as a 17th Harakon Brigade assault is turned back.
2005: 75th Harakon Brigade renews attack, this time supported by 6th Household Armoured. 2/34th Galach bitterly resists but is forced back, friendly casualties are reported to be light.
2006: Forward trenches blown once again, causing heavy casualties.
2010: GPDF battalions launch an attack on 17th Harakon Brigades rear, bloody stalemate ensues. 17th Harakon Brigade cut off!
2015: Imperial artillery barrage begins. Over the next four hours: Fuel storage destroyed. Corps ammunition bunkers cannot be feasibly damaged. Airfield section brought under fire. Truck Park flattened. IV Corps supply facility set ablaze. 2nd Royal Terullian Engineers suffer very heavy casualties.
2020: As 2/34th conducts a fighting withdrawal that slowly bleeds the 75th Harakon Airborne and 6th Household Armoured (though not without heavy Galach casualties) the 1/40th Tchzeryphx and 1/34th Galach launch a counter-attack!
2028: Fort Hern Special Brigade withdraws. Skaxon Academy booby-trapped and mined.
2034: Counter-attack cuts deep into 75th Harakon Airborne Brigade’s flanks causing heavy casualties. Harakon attack stalls.
2042: 17th Harakon Infantry Brigade moves further northwards, and engages 124th Necromundan. 124th Necromundan is wiped out, but inflicts surprising losses on 17th Brigade.
2056: 1/34th Galach attacked by a battalion of the 83rd Harakon Airborne, but throws it back after ceding the front trenches and then detonating the explosives. 1/34th Galach then joins with 3/34th Galach in a launching a counter-attack against the 17th Harakon Infantry Brigade which turns into a mangled stalemate, with heavy casualties on both sides.
2104: 2/34th Galach is forced to retreat back to main city defences, where the Harakons halt their attack.
2123: Captain-General Molotov enters the field of battle, leading two battalions of Clanistor Militia against the 17th Harakon Infantry Brigade with the 4th General Guard Company in tow. This attack is combined with an assault by the GPDF battalions and the 1st and 3rd/34th Galach. The assault slams into all sides of the embattled Harakons who find that even with their desperate fighting, the situation is grim and casualties are very heavy.
2142: 6th Household Armoured combined with elements of the 75th Harakon Airborne Brigade attack the 1st and 3rd/34th Galach, making to punch a gap through which the severely bloodied and beaten elements of the 17th Harakon Brigade can withdraw through. Judging by what they leave behind, there’s not much of the brigade left!
2200: 303rd Terullian with support from 4 companies of marines (or is that the other way round?) launch an attack on the northern defences of the space port. They simply rout the 83rd Harakon airborne brigade, who reels back under the shock assault of the marines and swarms of Terullian Heavy Infantry. Forward trenches are not blown in the rout.
2215: IV and V Corps units withdraw back to city defences. 7th Corps elements content to watch them go and reorg.
2230-0600: The fighting at Clanistor Spaceport becomes Terullians versus Terullians - Heavy Infantry from ‘The Shamed’ battle against, Household Cavalry, Emperor’s Own Terullian Hellrifles and Royal Guard.
0445: As the 7th Corps forces reel under the pressure of the marines, the Terullian Heavy Infantry and constant and heavy artillery fire, the 40th Tchzeryphx move and take part of the ceded portion of the Imperial Spaceport.
0600: Though the fighting rages throughout the early hours of the morning, by daybreak, 19th Army is in possession of 52% of the spaceport and 17th Army the remaining 48%. 13th Army’s 742 Corps transport craft are spotted descending from orbit, ground based fire has no effect on Imperial Navy heavy transports.
0900: Contingency Plan Suckerpunch activated. Imperial artillery from the 303rd Terullian, IV and V Corps fires away non-stop at the target rich-environment causing very heavy casualties amongst forces grouping together to board craft and simply blowing craft either out of the air as they land or blows them apart as they sit on the plascrete waiting to board troops. With such heavy shellfire, the engineers abandon their efforts to patch the demolition effort back together again and simply board their craft to withdraw
0900-1200: The 221st Edana deploy a ‘GIANT ROKKIT’ that after a few heart-stopping moments when it actually flew back towards the Imperial lines, lands amongst the 17th Harakon Brigade, totally gutting it in a huge pyrotechnical explosion.
1206: Last transport flies off and 17th Army and 13th Army units move in take stock…

Imperial Casualties:
124th Necromundan Supply Battalion: 100 KIA (wiped out)
34th Galach: 500 KIA, 800 WIA, 60 IFVs, 12 tanks
GPDF Training Battalions: 900 KIA, 1500 WIA
Clanistor City Militia: 900 KIA, 400 WIA
40th Tchzeryphx: 300 KIA, 400 WIA, 6 tanks
303rd Terullian: 1300 KIA, 700 WIA, 30 IFVs, 50 tanks
Castigators: 20 KIA, 20 WIA

19th Army Casualties:
7053rd Harakon Airborne: 1000 KIA, 300 WIA
75th Harakon Airborne: 1100 KIA, 500 WIA, 30 Scorpions, 15 Calders
83rd Harakon Airborne: 900 KIA, 200 WIA, 60 Scorpions, 15 Calders
16th Harakon Infantry Brigade: 800 KIA, 500 WIA, 25 tanks, 32 SP Art’y Guns
17th Harakon Infantry Brigade: 1000 KIA, 200 WIA
6th Household Armoured Brigade: 60 tanks, 400 KIA, 200 WIA
8th Armoured: 30 tanks
8th Household Cavalry: 400 KIA, 200 WIA
1st Royal Guard: 800 KIA (wiped out)
3rd Emperor’s Own Terullian Hellrifles: 400 KIA, 200 WIA
43rd Armageddon Anti-Aircraft: 20 SP AA Guns
Air Transports: 60 Valkyries, 100 Lifters

100th Heavy Infantry Brigade is disbanded and returned to parent units.

GORMENHILT OFFENSIVE

1. Some reorganisation of corps has been conducted to more accurately reflect various unit’s positions. Units and designations in red are changes.

Major Arrakus Fane (Fort Hern Special Brigade) – Commander of the 5th, 12th, 3rd, and 1072nd Corps

5th Infantry Corps (1 day south of Strutham)
5th GSF
1st Hawkian Infantry Division "The City of Highgarden Regiment" (Three days north of Gormenhilt)
4th Hawkian Infantry Division "The City of St. Lucius Regiment" (Three days north of Gormenhilt)

5th Armoured Task Group
8th Brigade (8th Armoured) (Three days north of Gormenhilt)
The Foreign Legion (Three days north of Gormenhilt)

14th Infantry Task Group
44th Brigade (Three days north of Gormenhilt)
45th Brigade (Three days north of Gormenhilt)


1072nd Amphibious Corps (Gormenhilt)
1072nd GSF (Gormenhilt)
4 Naval Destroyers

1st Marine Task Group
38th Ichar Marine Brigade (Amphibious – 1 MEF) (One day north of Gormenhilt)
39th Ichar Marine Brigade (Amphibious – 2 MEF) (One day north of Gormenhilt)
40th Ichar Marine Brigade (Amphibious – 3 MEF) (One day north of Gormenhilt)

12th Airborne Corps (All over the place)

12 GSF (Two days north of Gormenhilt)
34th Brigade (Special Forces - BPCB) (Strutham Region)
35th Brigade (Special Forces - FHSB) (Torham) (Attached to 7th Corps)

3rd Armoured Corps (Gormenhilt)

3rd Hawkian Infantry Division "The City of Grenoble Regiment" (The Spine)

2nd Armoured Task Group
9th Brigade (“Royal Guard” Armoured) (Two days north of Gormenhilt)
38th Brigade (Motorised) (Two days north of Gormenhilt)

5th Infantry Task Group
19th Brigade (“1st Seaford” Motorised) (Two days north of Gormenhilt)
4th Brigade (Mechanised) (Two days north of Gormenhilt)
20th Brigade (Motorised) (Two days north of Gormenhilt)

444th Corps (The Spine)

2nd Hawkian Infantry Division "The City of Karnstadt Regiment" (One day south of Gormenhilt)
4th Gensal Regiment (The Spine)

1st Armoured Task Group
2nd Brigade (Mechanised) (One day south of Gormenhilt)

2. 12th GSF begins construction on the forward airfield as the Thanfar Rangers move out and conduct aggressive patrolling and dig defences around the airfield with gusto.

3. The Ichar Marine brigades head north towards Strutham after loading up for the night.

STRUTHAM

Teams of Skitarii turned GPDF troopers, intel agents, Skaxons drawn from the Vordiston’s Own regiment and several saboteur teams from the FHSB have been infiltrated into Strutham and have begun to set up operations and spread rumours as per your orders. An initial report hits your mobile field desk:

a. Northern defence lasers are poorly guarded, with only their crews on duty.
b. Southern defence lasers haven’t been spied on yet.
c. There are amphibious defences at all points, though it seems the docks are more heavily guarded and defended by Merentgar soldiers. They seem competent.
d. Not all AA guns have been spotted due to Imperial security measures. It is believed that there is approximately 2 battalions (80) worth of AA guns.
e. Civilian attitudes towards 17th Army is good. Civilian attitudes to 19th Army are negative.
f. A new mechanised corps has landed and is now headed eastwards.
g. Imperial infantry and support units are all over the place at Strutham.
h. The enemy have deployed the 9th Kovnian Gharkas to begin counter-insurgency operations.
i. Fresh troops from III Corps have been spotted making all sorts of preparations around Strutham.
j. A new map will be forwarded, once finalised.

IN GENERAL, GENERAL:
1. Engineering units are being driven up to begin making the roads all-weather.
2. A Hawkian engineering battalion is diverted to assist 12 GSF in airbase construction.
3. A ‘red ball’ express is formed from all the captured trucks and keeps the Gormenhilt Offensive well-supplied.

19th Imperial Army

Day 29-31– 1800 Hours

CLANISTOR REGION

33rd “Blood Pact” Infantry Corps

1. The entire front has been quiet save for a raid by enemy forces that actually captured some troopers from the 5678th Blood Pact Division.

17th Infantry Corps

1. The newly created corps has arrived in the Torham Sector. The troops are noted as being rested and ready, although many of the Skaxon battalions have yet to see actual combat.

2. Hearn sends an official letter of reprimand for the over confidence shown on Lt. Gen. Yalaman’s part and the severe loss of personnel amongst the highly trained, well-experienced and well-equipped forces of 19th Army. All for very little long term gain. The raid has done little to really damage the enemy’s ability to make war. Lt. Gen. Yalaman’s reassignment to command of the Torham front is permanent for the time being or until the Captain-General sees otherwise.

7th Airborne Corps

The Corps rests after the brutality of the failed Clanistor raid and morale is noted as being poor.

GORMENHILT OFFENSIVE

1. Some reorganisation of corps has been conducted to more accurately reflect various unit’s positions. Units and designations in red are changes.

Major Arrakus Fane (Fort Hern Special Brigade) – Commander of the 5th, 12th, 3rd, and 1072nd Corps

5th Infantry Corps (In Position, south of Strutham)
5th GSF
1st Hawkian Infantry Division "The City of Highgarden Regiment" (In Position, south of Strutham)
4th Hawkian Infantry Division "The City of St. Lucius Regiment" (In Position, south of Strutham)

5th Armoured Task Group
8th Brigade (8th Armoured) (In Position, south of Strutham)
The Foreign Legion (In Position, south of Strutham)

14th Infantry Task Group
44th Brigade (In Position, south of Strutham)
45th Brigade (In Position, south of Strutham)


1072nd Amphibious Corps (In Position, south of Strutham)
1072nd GSF (Gormenhilt)
4 Naval Destroyers

1st Marine Task Group
38th Ichar Marine Brigade (Amphibious – 1 MEF) (In Position, south of Strutham)
39th Ichar Marine Brigade (Amphibious – 2 MEF) (In Position, south of Strutham)
40th Ichar Marine Brigade (Amphibious – 3 MEF) (In Position, south of Strutham)

12th Airborne Corps (All over the place)

12 GSF (In Position, south of Strutham)
34th Brigade (Special Forces - BPCB) (In Position, south of Strutham)
35th Brigade (Special Forces - FHSB) (Torham) (Attached to 7th Corps)

3rd Armoured Corps (Gormenhilt)

3rd Hawkian Infantry Division "The City of Grenoble Regiment" (In Position, south of Strutham)

2nd Armoured Task Group
9th Brigade (“Royal Guard” Armoured) (In Position, south of Strutham)
38th Brigade (Motorised) (In Position, south of Strutham)

5th Infantry Task Group
19th Brigade (“1st Seaford” Motorised) (In Position, south of Strutham)
4th Brigade (Mechanised) (In Position, south of Strutham)
20th Brigade (Motorised) (In Position, south of Strutham)

444th Corps (The Spine)

2nd Hawkian Infantry Division "The City of Karnstadt Regiment" (In Position, south of Strutham)
4th Gensal Regiment (The Spine)

1st Armoured Task Group
2nd Brigade (Mechanised) (In Position, south of Strutham)

2. The airfield is completed and its defences have been constructed along with dispersal areas and rough shelters for aircraft. Bays for AA guns have been dug out and other personnel areas have been constructed.

3. All units report that they have arrived south of Strutham and avoiding the road.

STRUTHAM

Infiltration teams around Strutham have been driven underground by the heavy GPDF and Gharka presence. If Imperial forces increase the amount of troops, any activity conducted will be fraught with danger.

IN GENERAL, GENERAL:
1. The roads are being made to be all-weather.
2. An extra unit, ‘The Women’s Legion’ has been made available for suicide assault purposes. This unit is currently attached to the BPCB.
3. Enough tanks have been purloined from the Gored Infantry to make good the losses of the 6th Household. An artillery regiment has also been created and flown in to 5th Corps. The FHSB reported easy success after dressing up 19th Army drivers and supply clerks like Dalthus Mire HI and then simply taking the vehicles along with seriously fabricated paper-work and lots of intimidation. It has been noted that the Gored are seriously dumb enough to believe anyone dressed in a Dalthus Mire uniform with a massive rank badge. All the artillery has been taken that 19th Army has trained crews for. Further heavy equipment can be taken as ‘spares.’ This new regiment, the Tanfar Bombardiers is attached to 5th Corps
4. The FHSB raid on Clanistor is unsuccessful. The enemy have appeared to jam all frequencies the detonators operated on and thus the team was withdrawn without loss.
5. A battalion of new arrivals have joined the 7th Airborne Corps. An independent battalion of the 1st/27th Ruulian Drop Troops.
6. The 46th Fradisthar Guards Brigade is converted to HI and is attached to 5th Corps.
7. The 700th Armoured Brigade has been raised as has ‘The Derrton River Horse’ regiment to fill it. This equipment has been taken from the 5678th Blood Pact Division.

19th Imperial Army

Fools. Why do you stand and face certain death when your betrayers yet live? Your Dalthus Mire allies are dead, your frothing hordes exterminated, and your leaders dead at the hands of Hearn. They send you to die, and you blindly rush to do their bidding, as if fawning at the feet of your masters. What could he have promised you for such foolish devotion? Money, perhaps? Women and material wealth? Fah, you are all dead men. You fight for a worthless cause, and your vaunted Hearn knows it. He has thrown you away to give him time to escape his fate. Face me, and face death. Face him, and face betrayal. You are lost.

Lt. General Akritedes, CO I Corps, 17th Imperial Army.

Day 32– 1800 Hours

CLANISTOR REGION

33rd “Blood Pact” Infantry Corps

An intercepted Imperial comms log gives a full picture of the disaster to befall the 33rd Corps:

1959: The 1313th Merentgar and 30th Ottoma relieve the 5th Skalansburg, who move back and take up positions as a secondary line. The 32nd Ihmaar moves into position at break neck speed, their efficiency at top notch! All VI and I Corps units in place through what appears to be a minor miracle of organisation (thus they are only 1 hour behind schedule)!
2000: All I and VI Corps artillery units open fire on pre-registered positions and as called in by Forward Observer teams onto the 5678th Blood Pact Division. 1313th Merentgar and 30th Ottoma open fire with heavy weapons on noted enemy positions. The 32nd Cadian and 5490th Mordian begin to cross the river.
2013: Enemy counter-battery fire noted.
2018: 1/32nd Cadian comes under savage counter-attack by Blood Pact forces but beats them back easily. CO, 32nd Cadian, calls in 32nd Ihmaar for close support of his regiment as it forces a bridgehead.
2028: Enemy counter-battery fire neutralised as entire artillery complement ceases firing on the 5678th Blood Pact Division infantry to smash its artillery. The sheer concentration of fire catches rapidly re-deploying enemy guns and smashes them asunder!
2032-0432: Vicious, ferocious and fanatical enemy counter-attacks are the name of the night as they throw their forces against the 32nd Cadian initially. The Cadians hold on long enough to allow the 5940th Mordian to deploy across the river and the battle devolves into a vicious and close fight. The sheer weight of enemy tanks and artillery threaten to throw the Imperials back in disorder allowing the enemy to grind them to death against the river, but the inspired leadership of Lt. Gen. Akritedes leading from the front and the sheer weight of artillery manages to stabilise the situation and turn the enemy six-hour wave assaults into a thoroughly bloody stalemate with neither side making any advances. The Imperials have a bridgehead, but the Blood Pact has managed to contain it.

32nd Cadian: 500 KIA, 400 WIA
5940th Mordian: 700 KIA, 1000 WIA
1141315th Blood Pact Division: 2200 KIA, 1200 WIA, 80 tanks.

0447: Imperials launch assault to break out of bridgehead.
0617: Imperial forces breakout of enemy containment lines, causing heavy casualties. Again Imperial artillery is the major ‘force multiplier’ for this victory. 1141315th Blood Pact Division is pushed back towards the bridge guarded by VI Corps.

32nd Cadian: 300 KIA, 400 WIA
5940th Mordian: 500 KIA, 400 WIA, 40 tanks
1141315th Blood Pact Division: 1200 KIA, 800 WIA, 60 tanks

0627: Lt. Gen. Benedict orders the 1st GPDF to go onto the attack, over the bridge watched over by the 23rd Cathedrian. 1st GPDF moves quickly to cut-off the 1141315th Blood Pact Division.
0647: 1st GPDF completes movement against the 1141315th Blood Pact Division rear area and overruns its logistics element.

1141315th Blood Pact Division: 100 KIA

0657: The enemy’s 723rd Mounted Infantry launches a counter-attack against the 1st GPDF. Again, what seemed to be sure enemy victory against the Skaxon troopers turns into a stalemate as a curtain of artillery fire simply descends onto the enemy attack and they fall back quickly.

1st GPDF: 100 KIA, 200 WIA
723rd Mounted Infantry: 23 tanks

1213: 1141315th Blood Pact Division encircled and with no hope of rescue is smashed to oblivion.

1141315th Blood Pact Division: 3005 KIA, 116 tanks, 40 SP Art’y Guns, 20 SP AA Guns, 1000 trucks
32nd Cadian: 200 KIA, 400 WIA
5940th Mordian: 200 KIA, 400 WIA
1st GPDF: 300 KIA, 200 WIA
1st Tyrician: 250 KIA, 250 WIA

1225: 723rd Mounted Infantry is spotted beating a quick retreat southwards along the main enemy road.
1300: 32nd Cadian reports that they have reached the stage where the unit has been reduced to battalion size. The 5940th Mordian reports they have suffered heavy losses. I Corps offensive operations ceased.
1500: VI Corps commits its newly arrived 66th Cathedrian and the 5th Skalansburg to the offensive and both regiments move quickly to cut off the 5678th Blood Pact Division.
1522: VI Corps and 742nd Corps units combine to attack the 5678th Blood Pact Division.
1525: 221st Edana deploys a battery of heavily modified Manticores. The ammo packs are fired… and they turn out to be filled with monofilament wires! A whole battalion of Blood Pact are flayed alive!
1542: Hun’Over Ogryns breakthroughs Blood Pact positions and promptly go on a rampage, tearing and ripping apart screaming Blood Pact troopers.
1559: 5678th Blood Pact Division fighting a mobile retreat fall back hurriedly. Cathedrian tanks, backed up Cathedrian infantry systematically push back the Blood Pact back.
1636: 5678th Blood Pact Division falls back, but is unable to shake the 66th Cathedrian. The Division’s tanks go forward and are brutally annihilated by Imperial artillery and the Leman Russ battlecannons of the 66th Cathedrian.
1713: 32nd Cadian, mopping up the remnants of the 1141315th Blood Pact Division, attack and wipe out the colour party of the division. They capture four brigade’s worth of Blood Pact colours (as in four sets)!
1745: 5678th Blood Pact Division, suffering terribly, fall back southwards as fast as they can. This withdrawal turns into a rout, especially when Commander ‘Piker’ Matt, CO of the 33rd Corps is captured by the Ogryns of the 445th!
1800: Enemy 723rd Mounted Infantry has completed total withdrawal to the south. The 23rd Cathedrian and 5th Skalansburg have taken up blocking positions along the forest’s edge. The 5678th Blood Pact Division is routed and retreating south. Continued shelling of enemy positions by massed artillery has been conducted all throughout all phases of the operation.

445th Hun’Over: 100 KIA, 200 WIA
1st Tyrician: 100 KIA, 200 WIA
5th Skalansburg: 500 KIA, 800 WIA
66th Cathedrian: 60 tanks
23rd Cathedrian: 100 KIA, 500 WIA
5678th Blood Pact Division: 2100 KIA, 500 WIA, 94 tanks

17th Infantry Corps

1. Lt Gen Caius Yalaman’s forces have arrived and deployed alongside the MSR. They’re quick, efficient and security conscious – erecting cam-nets and digging in quickly and quietly. They send out patrols in the local area and set up several forward listening and observation posts. From the report from the 56th Brigade, they’ve setup with all the hallmarks of their campaigns in SOCOM – pre-zeroed artillery and mortars, interconnecting fields of fire, channelling points with relatively innocuous obstacles, the works and all in 24 hours!


STRUTHAM OFFENSIVE

Intercepted comm-transmissions, observation posts and intelligence officers at all unit levels have given you the following picture:

The Second Battle of Strutham - Night

Initial Report 2152 Hours
203rd Ilindartos
Ambushes have been withdrawn due to enemy forces in large numbers in the area. Enemy have obviously known the position of our ambush sites for some time now. Large numbers of enemy infantry spotted directly to the south.

Contact Report 2300 Hours
113th Hamek’s Landing Rifles
Enemy forces spotted attempting to infiltrate through our defences in our sector. Regiment has gone to stand to. Skaxon refugees reported as well and are entirely women. Refused entry. Sporadic skirmish then began, no casualties reported.

Contact Report 2352 Hours
1316th Merentgar Chevaliers
Contact with forward listening posts lost. Regiment has gone to stand to, but unidentified troops have been spotted and heard moving through our sector. Sporadic skirmishes reported at points along the line. Situation is confused.

Observation Report 2354 Hours
154th Armageddon Combat Engineer Battalion
Enemy ships spotted off docks area.

Southern Defence Lasers

Contact Report 0005 Hours
113th Hamek’s Landing Rifles
Enemy shelling of Imperial positions is extremely heavy and accurate. Forces withdrawn immediately to secondary line of defence. Casualties moderate.

Contact Report 0023 Hours
113th Hamek’s Landing Rifles
Enemy has launched a full assault. Perimeter is holding.

Contact Report 0122 Hours
113th Hamek’s Landing Rifles
Enemy shelling of Imperial positions is extremely heavy and accurate. Enemy has attacked four times. Each attack has been stopped. Casualties moderate.

Contact Report 0213 Hours
113th Hamek’s Landing Rifles
Three enemy assaults have been thrown back. Casualties mounting. 3/701st Terran committed as the last of the reserves.

Contact Report 0243 Hours
113th Hamek’s Landing Rifles
Enemy deployed in overwhelming numbers and have struck the entire perimeter. Perimeter is falling. Hand-to-hand combat reported. Communications with positions failing.

Contact Report 0433 Hours
113th Hamek’s Landing Rifles
Perimeter totally overrun. Casualties extraordinarily high. Enemy pushing past sub-units. Unable to withdraw.

Contact Report 0512 Hours
113th Hamek’s Landing Rifles
Last troops have entered into the battle. Headquarters under attack. Remnants pulling back to regimental HQ.

Contact Report 0542 Hours
113th Hamek’s Landing Rifles
Remnants of the regiment ordered to pull back past defence lasers. Good discipline reported by regimental commissar.

Contact Report 0558 Hours
113th Hamek’s Landing Rifles
Enemy has seized southern defence lasers. Regiment has fallen back onto the right flank of the 1314th Merentgar Chevaliers.

Casualties:
113th Hamek’s Landing: 2000 KIA, 700 WIA, 22 tanks, 17 SP Art’y Guns
3/701st Terran: 300 KIA, 300 WIA
Blood Pact Commando Brigade: 1800 KIA, 1000 WIA, 135 Scorpions
Fradisthar Guards: 500 KIA, 200 WIA
Thanfar Rangers: 1200 KIA, 800 WIA

Strutham City

Contact Report 0022
4079th Jantine Base Hospital
Enemy bombers have firebombed Strutham City. Fires are out of control. Skaxons are running in panic in all directions.

Report 0032
4079th Jantine Base Hospital
Troops have begun demolishing Skaxon buildings too close to the hospital complex.

Report 0152
4079th Jantine Base Hospital
Hundreds of Skaxon refugees in hospital grounds.

Report 0232
4079th Jantine Base Hospital
Fire is totally out of control in the city. Hospital is cut off by flames, but is not threatened.

Report 0545
9th Kovnian
Skaxons are fleeing the city in all directions. Thousands of refugees have swamped the eastern landing pad in search of safety.

Vordiston Docks

Observation Report 0022 Hours
154th Armageddon Combat Engineer Battalion
Enemy shelling of docks area has increased. All units standing to. Enemy transports spotted. Fires reported.

Observation Report 0136 Hours
154th Armageddon Combat Engineer Battalion
Shelling is continuing. Enemy destroyer strikes mine.

Observation Report 2354 Hours
154th Armageddon Combat Engineer Battalion
Enemy ships spotted moving out of visual range. Enemy destroyer begins to sink.

Casualties:
154th Armageddon Combat Engineer Battalion: 25 KIA, 25 WIA
1/1315th Merentgar Chevaliers: 100 KIA, 50 WIA
1/1316th Merentgar Chevaliers: 50 KIA, 100 WIA

The Second Battle of Strutham – Dawn

1. The Skaxon Militia battalions are awoken by their Terran Officers and dragged out for a run.

2. The Terran MPs report that they are unable to reach the hospital due to the fires burning out of control in the city. Both the CSO and CMO accept your apologies.

3. All records of the ‘incident’ are binned by a clerk who throws the three data slates into the garbage.

4. The 4/701st returns to its parent regiment.

5. No messages have been intercepted due to refugees pouring onto the Eastern landing pad, though the Kovnian CO points out that they could search the refugees for insurgents much more easily.

6. Colonel Baek looks impressed when Volgin and his staff dress in Jantine colours and join his regiment. However he doesn’t say anything.

7. The enemy have emplaced a series of artillery batteries on the high ground of the defence lasers and are firing on all observed targets. The commander of the 333rd Corps reports that he has deployed his forces to block any enemy attempts to advance directly north into the warehouse complex or the spaceport itself.

The Second Battle of Strutham – 0630 Hours

1. All COs of the units earmarked for OP Solar Flare, report that in light of current enemy positions, all planned offensive actions for their units have been cancelled. The enemy have been shelling all troop concentrations with virtual impunity.

2. The 33rd Corps begins shelling enemy positions around the defence lasers with simple blanket fire, though enemy counter-battery fire is proving to be rather more effective in return. This continues for a further two hours until the enemy cease fire.

3. The enemy assault is preceded by a massive barrage directed at the 1315th Merentgar positions. In short order, the enemy artillery devastates the Merentgar defenders who are left dazed and stunned are easy meat for the massed enemy assault. Waves of tanks and infantry simply overrun the 1315th Merentgar in two hours of bitter fighting. Two entire enemy divisions strikes the 1316th Merentgar and wipe it out in three hours with wave after wave of Hawkians backed up by massed artillery and tanks. The 113th HLR and 3/203rd Ilindartos comes under orders from the 333rd Corps commander to pull back ASAP, which they do and only just in time!

4. The enemy push forward and strike the 203rd Ilindartos lines. The elite tankers pull the fire and retreat tactic which causes much havoc amongst the enemy armoured forces, with burning 19th Army tanks littering the field of battle. But still the enemy advance onwards, bringing their artillery fire to bear as the Imperial Navy scrambles all their craft to strike at the assaulting forces.

5. The 1314th Merentgar ends up in a massive brawl with enemy marines who land north of their position. Simultaneously, 8th Armoured forces approach from the east and enemy FHSB soldiers appear from the south. Trapped and with no way out, the Merentgar are totally destroyed, but not before causing extremely heavy casualties to the Ichar Marines.

1130 Hours

1. With the Merentgar perimeter totally overrun, the 42nd Jantine, 701st Terran, 203rd Ilindartos and the forces of the 333rd Corps form up and counter-attack….

…and are savagely beaten by the forces of 19th Army who employ the much-feared 8th Armoured to their great advantage, despite Imperial forces inflicting extremely heavy losses to the Foreign Legion. Driving the Imperials back the 8th Armoured Brigade forms the advance guard for an assault that includes two Hawkian Infantry Divisions and the Terullians of the 4th and 38th Brigades.

The Hamek’s manage to shore up the right flank, with a truly heroic action of the 113th HLR that tore apart the counter-attack of the Foreign Legion, but on the left the Hawkians employ massed firepower and numbers to whittle away the elite Imperial Heavy Infantry. With the Terrans, Jantines and Ilindartos expiring under the massed guns of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Hawkian Infantry Divisions as well as the feared 8th Armoured, the Imperials are beaten back despite the valiant leadership of Lt Gen Volgin.

The Ichar Marines advance unhindered onto the western landing pad when they are suddenly engaged by the Ready Reaction Force led personally by Lt. Gen. Svenal. With some truly inspired gunnery and driving the 32nd Gaulten roll up the Marines right flank causing heavy casualties. But Svenal just doesn’t have the numbers to make good the opportunity that lies before him, and sure enough the Ichar Marines rally on the western edge of the space port and drive his forces back.

With the forces of XIII Corps displacing back like crazy and taking a heavy toll on the Hawkian advance, the Strutham City Militia, 9th Kovnian and 1213th Gensal Light Infantry quickly take up position amongst the hangars on the southern end of the spaceport and the eastern most warehouses and as the battered XIII Corps regiments pull back past them, they allow the exuberant Hawkians to get closer before opening up at point blank range, checking the Hawkian advance. The 9th Kovnian CO orders a quick withdrawal to escape the barrage that then falls on the old positions. Although the 1213th Gensal Light Infantry manages a quick escape, the Strutham City Militia, undisciplined, fail to respond to their Terran officers and are caught out by the heavy barrage, causing heavy casualties amongst the Skaxon warriors who simply charge forward to bring death to the Hawkians. Needless to say they’re scythed down by the rallying Hawkians and the Terran officers rejoin their regiment.

The Hawkians move up and begin to regroup, just as the XIII Corps counterattack is launched with the 42nd Jantine Patricians at the forefront. Fighting like demons, they rip into the 2nd Hawkian Division causing extremely heavy casualties. 19th Army artillery unwilling to fire into their own troops is rendered impotent!

A bit to the north, the 8th Armoured is redirected against the forces of III Corps and the battle is short and sharp with the armoured vehicles of the HRRF ripped apart by highly accurate 8th Armoured gunnery. Lt. Gen. Svenal is seen rallying nearby troops to defend the central control buildings and his makeshift command takes shelter there.

With the Hawkians reeling, the 333rd Corps goes onto the counter-attack, with a truly fearsome barrage launched by the 16th Hamek’s Landing onto the 1st Hawkian Infantry Division. With the 14th and 15th charging in and closing with the enemy, the Hawkians break and fall back shocked at the enemy’s pace of advance. With Hawkians being scythed down left right and centre, the 19th Army assault on Strutham stalls on the left flank, but tears apart what little the Imperials are able to patch together on the right.

The 3rd Hawkian Infantry Division charges forward on the right and secures the southern landing pad, clearing it of the 1st Provisional Naval Infantry Battalion. Again, 8th Armoured assists in tearing apart all attempts to stop the 19th Army advance on the spaceport.

In the centre, Lt Gen Volgin content with the destruction and damage inflicted on the 2nd Hawkian Infantry Division and realising the danger of being encircled pulls his forces back and throws the 203rd Ilindartos up against the 8th Armoured. As both elite regiments face each other off, 19th Army reserves in the shape of the Thanfar Rangers and Fradisthar Guards combined with the 9th Royal Guard Armoured put a stop to the 1st Hawkian Infantry Division’s rout, forcing the 333rd Corps forces to pull back. This is done under intense artillery fire that causes many casualties and it seems like the Hamek’s are about to break until the 113th Hamek’s Landing Rifles intersperse themselves between the withdrawing 333rd Corps and the advancing elements of 19th Army allowing their comrades to escape relatively unhindered, but the 113th HLR is surrounded by the Thanfar Rangers and Fradisthar Guards and fights itself a last stand. Finally, with the bodies piled high on both sides, the 113th HLR is reduced to a small knot of soldiers around the colours. Bullet-riddled and shot up, the colours don’t fall…

The battle between the 203rd Ilindartos and 8th Armoured barely gets a chance to get going, and although tanks on both sides are blazing away, filling the sky with smoke, the rays of the setting sun, brings the day’s bloodshed and carnage to an end….

Imperial Casualties:
1314th Merentgar Chevaliers: 2000 KIA, 1500 POWs, 100 trucks
1315th Merentgar Chevaliers: 1800 KIA, 900 POWs, 100 trucks
1316th Merentgar Chevaliers: 1900 KIA, 800 POWs, 100 trucks
701st Terran: 700 KIA, 600 WIA, 30 tanks, 20 IFVs, 20 Scorpions
42nd Jantine: 400 KIA, 900 WIA, 40 tanks
203rd Ilindartos: 300 KIA, 700 WIA, 70 IFVs, 80 tanks
14th Hamek’s Landing: 500 KIA, 500 WIA, 110 IFVs
15th Hamek’s Landing: 70 tanks
16th Hamek’s Landing: 100 SP Art’y Guns
113th Hamek’s Landing: 1600 KIA, 18 tanks
1st Provisional Naval Infantry Battalion: 400 KIA, 200 POWs
32nd Gaulten: 100 KIA, 100 WIA, 100 POWs, 50 IFVs
1st Tharkad: 10 tanks
Imperial Navy: 14 Marauders, 20 Thunderbolts
9th Kovnian: 400 KIA, 600 WIA
1213th Gensal Light Infantry: 300 KIA, 400 WIA
Strutham City Militia: 1500 KIA, 800 POWs

19th Army Casualties:
1st Hawkian Infantry Division: 3000 KIA, 2000 WIA
2nd Hawkian Infantry Division: 3500 KIA, 2100 WIA
3rd Hawkian Infantry Division: 2100 KIA, 1100 WIA
8th Armoured: 60 tanks
701st Artillery Brigade: 70 Sp Art’y Guns
Ichar Marines: 700 KIA, 1200 WIA
Foreign Legion: 200 tanks, 700 KIA, 300 WIA, 100 IFVs

2. The airfield is heavily defended by the 1st Airlanding Task Group.

IN GENERAL, GENERAL:
1. The roads are being made to be all-weather.
2. A further 120 artillery guns, 90 tanks have been ‘lifted’ from the Gored, although a report of a Chaos Marine Warlord taking control seems to show that the former forces of Warlord Boneripper are steadily getting back under control. There are no crews available for this equipment however, which has gone into the surplus stores.
3. The Somerset Fusiliers weren’t attached to the Foreign Legion, as they already had enough infantry to man their IFVs.

19th Imperial Army

Day 33– 1800 Hours

On a vid-set transmission picked up by 17th Corps HQ, the Blood Pact colours of the 1st, 13th, 14th, and 15th Brigades are burnt by four Imperial COs and the following speech is picked up:

Men of I Corps! Valiant brothers-in-arms! You have faced the screaming hordes of Chaos, and you did not flinch. You have faced traitorous brethren, former comrades in the service of the Emperor, and you did not turn from your duty. You have even fought Traitor Astartes, millennia old and thirsting for humanities blood, and you prevailed. The foe we face at Strutham is far fouler than those we have fought on the Stonewall plains, in the District of Torham. The 19th "Imperial" Army is composed entirely of traitors, turned from the light of the Emperor. But their blasphemy does not end there, they continue to profess "loyalty to the True Imperial Democracy", a cult lead by their serpent-tongued "Captain-General" Hearn. They blacken the name of the Imperial Cult with their very existence, and profane this planet with their warp-spawned vileness. As we speak, they assail the city of Strutham, casting down the valiant warriors of XIII, III, and CCCXXXIII Corps. Not content to wage war against the soldiers of the Imperial Guard, they have set the city ablaze, as they did Tanfar in the far east. They have breached the city defences, and despite Herculean efforts by our comrades, they have gained the upper hand. That ends today. We go to stop them in their tracks, and cast them down in the righteous flames of Purgation. Let none survive, for they shall offer no quarter, and receive none in return. It is a day for fell deeds, and come tomorrow, a red dawn shall bear witness to our glory. ONWARDS, GUARDSMEN! TO VICTORY!

CLANISTOR REGION

33rd “Blood Pact” Infantry Corps

1. During the night, the 66th Cathedrian link up with the 1st GPDF and with support from 742nd Corps units chases after the fleeing Blood Pact forces. Hundreds of Blood Pact troopers are incinerated, blown apart, gunned or plain hacked down by the Cathedrians and GPDF troopers. The 66th Cathedrian, along with the 1st GPDF slices across the southward advance of the 5678th Blood Pact Division. 19th Army lifters and Valkyries not engaged in the operations to support the Strutham assault aircraft conduct evacuations throughout the night as the encirclement tightens and tightens. 221st Edana continues to pound the Blood Pact ‘perimeter’ with all sorts of weird and wacky weaponry. Their best yet, is the ‘Funky Bomb’ which ends up sending whole clusters of further FAEs amongst the screaming Blood Pact troopers.

By late-afternoon, the remnants of the division have been cornered and then systematically butchered. Some elements have managed to withdraw by air, but there’s not a whole lot left.

5678th Blood Pact Division: 4508 KIA, 775 trucks, 40 SP Art’y Guns
66th Cathedrian: 6 tanks
1st GPDF: 150 KIA, 150 WIA
1st Tyrician: 50 KIA, 300 WIA

2. The operation to massacre an Imperial hospital is cancelled.

3. 33 GSF delivers the jerry cans and the engineers wire the supply dup as ordered. They then pull out quickly alongside the 32nd GSF.

17th Infantry Corps

1. A Det, 11th EOTH, moves out on its anti-recon mission. They are unable to ambush scout patrols without raising the alarm but keep track of a number enemy units, though identification as to their exact nature is hard.

2. B Det, 11th EOTH, combines with A Det, to keep track of enemy units. Again, positive identification is difficult, but the western most enemy units appear to be armour.

3. C Det, 11th EOTH, finds no enemy artillery unit from its current position, the OIC believes he’ll be able to slip his detachment around the enemy’s right flank by tomorrow.

4. D Det, 11th EOTH, sets up OPs and heavily conceals their vehicles in doing so.

5. 32 GSF carries out your orders, but reports it will only be complete within 24 hours, after which they shall join the 723rd battalion in the pass.

6. The 723rd Mounted Infantry moves out as required but loses a ten truck convoy to enemy shell fire as well as some logistics personnel. The battalion that withdraws to the pass begins its fortification task.

7. 49th, 56th Brigades and 723rd MI, move out to the west as TF Chaser.

8. 50th Brigade heads south to the pass leaving behind their acting troupe for OP Miserae.

9. 47th Brigade wires up all the jerry cans and then heads south to the Redoubts at the pass. Both it and the 50th Brigade will arrive tomorrow.

10. Administrative reorg carried out.

11. Your Acting Troupe is picked up by Imperial forces, now it’s a waiting game…

STRUTHAM OFFENSIVE

Night

Intercepted comm-transmissions, observation posts and intelligence officers at all unit levels have given you the following picture:

1. At 2100, the first wave of the 20th Manteuffel arrives. The downside is that its assigned drop zone is right in top of an enemy unit; the 1st Brigade CO of the 20th reports the misfortune as his forces descend into the combat zone and make one of the most unpleasant discoveries. Fighting is confused but goes terribly for the Imperial forces as the drop zone is compromised by a quick-thinking enemy reaction force and the 1st wave is scattered to all corners pursued by enemy troopers. Communication is patchy…but casualties are certainly in abundance and burnt and wrecked Manteuffel vehicles light up the night…

20th Manteuffel: 200 KIA, 200 WIA, 400 POWs, 15 SP AA Guns, 10 tanks
75th Harakon Airborne Brigade: 100 KIA, 50 WIA

3. At 2350, the 2nd wave of the 20th Manteuffel arrives at an alternated DZ, this time further west and disembarks untroubled. They move up in the night and from a line upon which the 1st wave tries to rally to. Further skirmishes turn into further battles as enemy tanks tear apart the Manteuffel’s first wave which falls back as fast they can!

20th Manteuffel: 200 KIA, 250 WIA, 200 POWs, 15 tanks, 25 SP AA Guns, 5 Sp Art’y Guns
75th Harakon Airborne Brigade: 250 KIA, 100 WIA
6th Household Armoured Brigade: 15 tanks
16th Harakon Infantry Brigade: 30 KIA, 60 WIA

4. With the situation so confused, the 1st wave of the Manteuffel scatters in the night with the enemy close behind them. The enemy attack then runs into the 2nd wave of Manteuffel and throws them back with a vicious assault, the co-operation between armour and infantry is seamless as the Manteuffel are thrown back. To their credit they maintain a steady defence at all times.

20th Manteuffel: 200 KIA, 250 WIA, 200 POWs, 30 tanks, 4 Sp Art’y Guns
75th Harakon Airborne Brigade: 300 KIA, 150 WIA
6th Household Armoured Brigade: 4 tanks
16th Harakon Infantry Brigade: 10 KIA, 30 WIA

5. With the Manteuffel in full retreat and with the DZ and alternate DZ compromised, the 5490th Mordian and the 1313th Merentgar deploy at 0300 in a new DZ along the western road. The enemy, at the presence of the new wave of Imperial reinforcements, withdraw

Day

6. At 0600 hours, with the dawn, the 32nd Ihmaar, 30th Ottoma and 32nd Cadian deploy and the I Corps battleline is sorted out. At 0700 hours I Corps moves out to the west against the enemy positions.

7. At 0700 hours, the Lifter flight with 30th Ottoma’s vehicles along with much of the I Corps support units arrives at the DZ, only to be bounced by enemy aircraft! The Imperial Navy pilots scatter like mad, trying to avoid the sleek enemy interceptors as they pounce like hawks upon the pigeons. Imperial transports go down in flames all over the place as 32nd Ihmaar AA fire downs at least 9 enemy fighters. With the wave scattered, the drop is cancelled and the pilots fly back to Clanistor not willing to risk certain death in broad daylight again.

19th Army: 9 Thunderbolts
17th Army: 25 Lifters, 13 Valkyries, 130 KIA, 24 Salamanders, 39 trucks

8. The assault goes in at 0800 hours, but after 3 hours of fighting, progress has been slight in the face of determined enemy who continually has the distressing habit of opening fire, pinning down Imperial forces, then pulling back before Imperial art’y can zero in on their positions…

5490th Mordian: 300 KIA, 600 WIA
1313th Merentgar: 600 KIA, 100 WIA
30th Ottoma: 400 KIA, 100 WIA
16th Harakon Infantry Brigade: 250 KIA, 300 WIA
6th Household Armoured Brigade: 4 tanks
75th Harakon Airborne Brigade: 150 KIA, 600 WIA

9. At 1100 hours however, I Corps links up with its paratroopers and then attempts to assault the enemy regiments now dug in on the high ground. Marching stoically forward, the Mordians are first into the assault but are thrown back, despite the sheer weight of Imperial artillery!

5490th Mordian: 300 KIA, 500 WIA
The Gensal Regiment: 200 KIA, 300 WIA

10. At 1200 hours, the 1313th Merentgar, 30th Ottoma and 32nd Cadian kick off the assault, this time with an extra long preparatory barrage before attacking the enemy positions. This time the assault is a complete success, with the Cadians managing to clear the forward trenches of Skaxon troopers and allowing the Merentgar to exploit their success. The Imperial forces manage to throw back the first counterattack.

The Gensal Regiment: 600 KIA, 200 WIA
32nd Cadian: 50 KIA, 30 WIA
1313th Merentgar: 250 KIA, 200 WIA
30th Ottoma: 200 KIA, 300 WIA

11. Almost immediately at 1300 hours a second heavier counterattack goes in on the Imperial positions with Terullian Heavy Infantry from the Household Cavalry and Royal Guard! Again, despite the supporting artillery, the Terullians acting closely with the Gensal Regiment and using their armour and heavy weapons to good effect, rush the positions of the 30th Ottoma and quickly get to grips with them routing them! As the Ottoma stream back down the ridgeline, the flank of the Imperial attack is wide open. Lt. Gen. Akritedes throws the Mordians back into the attack to restore the situation as the Airforce of 19th Army appears right over the 32nd Ihmaar and begins to bomb and strafe it continually.

The Mordian attack almost succeeds, but the flight of the Ottoma slows down their advance on their right flank, allowing the Terullians to deploy some armour which quickly throws the Mordian attack back in a shambles.

5490th Mordian: 200 KIA, 300 WIA
30th Ottoma: 100 KIA, 300 WIA, 150 Summary Executions.
2nd Brigade: 50 KIA, 100 WIA

The Ottoma are rallied.

12. At 1400 hours, the counterattack on the imperial foothold is made but is unable to budge the Cadians and Merentgar.

The Gensal Regiment: 200 KIA, 400 WIA
2nd Brigade: 100 KIA, 200 WIA
1313th Merentgar: 200 KIA, 300 WIA
32nd Cadian: 50 KIA, 100 WIA

13. The final attack of the day is that of the 43rd Raddigan and 1st Bekkan at 1500 hours, against the right flank of the Gensal Regiment. The elite paratroopers and drop troopers make a little progress against the superior enemy positions and manage to gain a toehold and keep a hold of it against two ferocious enemy counterattacks.

43rd Raddigan: 200 KIA, 100 WIA
1st Bekkan: 300 KIA, 400 WIA
The Gensal Regiment: 500 KIA, 600 WIA

14. The 32nd Ihmaar reports that they’ve lost 50 artillery pieces and shot down 5 enemy aircraft.

15. Imperial Preachers are openly murdered by insurgents in the crowd dressed in Imperial uniforms! Several satchel charges are thrown amongst the civilians who simply scatter and run amok halting the 543rd Hamek’s Landing Supply Battalion and 17th Army Support Battalion from moving anywhere, it’s a complete mess…

…a supply convoy drives into XIII Corps HQ and then blows up, Kovnians are found garrotted, murdered and decapitated, and a whole ammunition bunker is destroyed lighting up the night sky! A team of Kovnians is even seen slaughtering dozens of Skaxon civilians! GPDF soldiers start throwing grenades into the crowds of civilians and gunning them down at will! However, not all goes the enemy’s way: several Blood Pact commando teams are shot up by the 701st Terran as they make their way back to their lines with Kovnian heads and ears, and whole groups of 8 GPDF personnel are gunned down as they try to infiltrate Imperial positions, invariably using stolen trucks loaded with explosives or with bombs strapped to their chests. Taking stock of the damage to XIII Corps HQ, almost the entire communications, supply and other supporting staff have been wiped out by the massive blast, the Terran support units are untouched, but the HQ not accompanying Lt. Gen. Volgin (basically everyone, bar the Life Guard Company) are dead or severely injured.

Imperial Counter-Attack – XIII/333rd Corps

16. The counter-attack is launched in full force – against an enemy who simply and meekly gives up ground easily. Casualties are minimal. By 0136 hours, the enemy have retreated to the high ground where they suddenly show a lot fight and halts the Imperial counter-attack through sheer weight of fire. The 16th Hamek’s Landing taking a battering every time it fires from counter-battery fire. It even seems that the enemy have a lot more artillery up there than suspected!

14th Hamek’s Landing: 200 KIA, 400 WIA
15th Hamek’s Landing: 30 tanks
16th Hamek’s Landing: 35 SP Art’y Guns

The 333rd Corps digs in. All through the night, Hamek artillery pounds the ridges and hills of the enemy positions but by daybreak, the 16th HL is battered by increasingly accurate mass barrages, destroying large numbers of vehicles throughout the day, within an hour the CO is begging to be allowed to withdraw to save his regiment from total destruction and is shot by the chief commissar of the regiment.

1st Hawkian Infantry Division: 500 KIA, 700 WIA
2nd Hawkian Infantry Division: 300 KIA, 600 WIA
701st Artillery Brigade: 45 SP Art’y Guns
16th Hamek’s Landing: 75 SP Art’y Guns, 25 Heavy SP Art’y Guns, 1 summary execution

Angry muttering can be heard from the COs of the 14th and 15th Hamek’s Landing. They also report that all their positions as can most of the Imperial lines be seen from the high ground. In fact, if it wasn’t for the smoke pall rising from Strutham City, they’d probably see most of the space port as well…

7. The 42nd Jantine and 701st Terran launch their attack against the 3rd Hawkian, closing up in the night before launching their brutal assault. They totally rout the Hawkians in two hours of fighting, but do not pursue due to the presence of enemy tanks in very superior numbers, tanks incidentally that have withdrawn away from the Ilindartos firing.

42nd Jantine: 300 KIA, 300 WIA
701st Terran: 500 KIA, 250 WIA
3rd Hawkian: 1400 KIA, 500 WIA

IN GENERAL, GENERAL:
1. Hearn is reorganising some of the forces to take advantage of the Imperial fear of the EoTH and 8th Armoured, he has also had the Fradisthar Guards paint fake unit IDs on their armour so as they can be mistaken as the entire EoTH HI complement!
2. A comms-intercept from the enemy’s chief supply officers seems to indicate that they will run out of supplies in 7 days to run offensives on all three fronts. Until Clanistor is fully repaired, they will only be able supply an offensive on ONE front only!
3. A battalion of FHSB has been deployed well to the west as per your orders.
4. The 17th Harakon Brigade has deployed around the airbase, but is frankly really too tiny.
5. There is a report that the Skaxon chiefs from Clanistor have been rescued and the guards killed by enemy SF.
6. There is a report that enemy SF are really busy severing Gored supply lines.
7. The mined destroyer is irrevocable but the destroyers go about firing on the forces of I Corps.
8. Enemy shelling of the 4th Hawkian Division has caused, 500 KIA, 800 WIA.
9. The 113th HLR has escaped back to Imperial lines.
10. The 701st is bolstered by an extra 70 pieces of artillery but go on to lost 50 to enemy fire…
11. Defence line is well under construction.
12. The Gensal Regiment is bolstered by an extra shipment of AT weapons. Ex-Imperial in fact.
13. A EoTH Brigade has been created, not much unlike the 9th Royal Guard, and 6th Household. This unit has been deployed behind the IMBs on Landing Pad – West. This force is under the direct command of Hearn himself and also includes two brigades of reserves deployed around Vordiston.
14. 1st “Freedom Corps” is on its way. Upon the return of Caedmon Barr, the 56th Henly Rifles will be transferred back to this corps.

19th Imperial Army

Day 34– 1800 Hours

“These images are coming to you live from the formation ceremony of the new 33rd Thanfar Defence Legion.

<image of ranks upon ranks of red-uniformed soldiers>

“This unit has been formed by the personal order of top 19th Army generals to be the backbone of defensive measures designed to protect the Skaxon natives of Beltane from the depredations of the nefarious Imperial Warmachine.”

<image of grinning Skaxon family with red-uniformed soldier>

“The members of this unit are veteran warriors, each and every one of them, and their red uniforms signify the blood they are willing to shed for the Gensalese people to protect them.”

<image of a standard being presented – an iron fist on a crimson background>

“The red uniforms are said to be the mark of a true warrior of the 19th Army and have been awarded to hand-picked soldiers from 19th Army ranks.”

<image of victorious 19th Army troops planting flag on Hill 255, atop a mound of Imperial dead>

Already Skaxons of the Thanfar mountain region have expressed their relief that a specialised unit for their defence is being put into place and 19th Army sources say that this highly-trained and well-equipped unit will soon go into battle at an as yet unspecified location.

<final image of soldiers marching off the parade ground>

CLANISTOR REGION

33rd “Blood Pact” Infantry Corps/17th Infantry Corps

1. The 33rd Thanfar Defence Legion is created with much pomp and ceremony which is mainly for the camera’s sake!

2. The Derrton Regiment propaganda detachment makes a successful insertion into Torham and they make tremendous progress, leaving the Torham elders in no doubt as to the dangers of having a battle fought in their city. They’ll have to take the idea of not letting in Imperial units under consideration though, as the Imperials have more troops next door than does 19th Army and that sort of thing can persuade even the most stubborn mind… hint, hint. The comms-station is taken out, the codes captured and much of the equipment taken…

3. A DET, 11 EoTH, reports that enemy scouts are few on the ground, and that the forest is seemingly clear of all Imperial forces. A troop of A DET chimeras have spotted a company strength element of Imperial skirmishes but that’s about all…

B DET, 11 EoTH, reports that enemy units have grouped together for some reason are in total defensive modes.

C DET, 11 EoTH, scouts out the landing site for the raid later on that night, however, they note that no enemy artillery unit is present in the east. Just infantry.

D DET, 11 EoTH, continues observation of the road. Their chimeras are heavily camouflaged to avoid detection.

4. The 222nd Edana is attacked by Ruulian Drop Troopers screaming, ‘For the Emperor!’ The Ruulians infiltrated the base by using captured Imperial trucks and logistics uniforms from the Merentgar. Managing to sneak in under the guise of artillery resupply, they jumped out and cut loose on the 222nd Edana. This seemed to be the signal for Skaxons from the Southshires Foot and Fradisthar Guards to emerge and attack from all quarters as the comms vehicles (2) were taken out by satchel charges thrown from infiltrators dressed as logistics soldiers. A lot of artillery is destroyed in the attack, but the Edana HQ is on the ball and whistles up reinforcements via a battery HQ communication vehicle, from the 66th Cathedrian and the 5th Skalansburg ‘Strike Force.’ The reinforcements are a little slow to arrive, but the Edana make a stand using three artillery battalions and dismounted artillerymen, proving they can fight a standard battle as well, the artillery men manage to hold out long enough to allow for the reinforcements to arrive, but not without heavy loss!

222nd Edana: 160 artillery pieces
Fradisthar Guards: 200 KIA, 200 WIA
Southshires Foot: 200 KIA, 300 WIA

5. TFs Chaser and Ice merge to form TF Forester. The 723rd is making its way slowly to the eastern edge of the forest. TF Forester constructs strong-points seeded with cache’s of explosives.

6. 32 GSF begins the construction of a trail for armoured units to use.

7. 33 GSF continues working on the Redoubts and the lines of defences concerned.

8. The Torham bridge is sent crashing into the fast-flowing Torham River and the Valkyrie overflight reveals details that are repeated on the map.

STRUTHAM OFFENSIVE

2. At precisely 1801, the enemy artillery throws shell after shell into all I Corps positions, just as all Imperial artillery opens fire on the 2nd Brigade. With both sides quickly conducting counter-battery fire, it soon turns into an artillery duel of epic proportions, but with both sides still shelling original targets! It is soon apparent that 19th Army has much more artillery than first thought, easily able to conduct both counter-battery fire and shell the positions of I Corps.

3. Even amongst the heavy shelling, at 2100 Lt. General Akritedes manages to piece together his attack with the 1st Gensal Assault Brigade and go forward, then the terrible reputation of the 32nd Ihmaar comes to the fore… they fire their shells short…

…the attack is stalled as toxic shells slam into the 1st Gensal Assault Brigade causing, 400 KIA and 300 WIA immediately and causing a lot of confusion amongst the attacking waves. The attack grounds to a halt with heavy casualties being suffered and in fact the 32nd Ihmaar seems to be dropping their shells even shorter onto the 1st Gensal Assault Brigade’s positions! More casualties are sustained as the shells slam home…

…furious comms transmissions are made and the 2/20th Manteuffel descends on the offending two artillery battalions in force, only to be ambushed en-masse by a superior force! The carnage is total as the battalion is wiped out in a mere 50 minutes of fighting! However, the alarm has been raised and the regimental commander of the 20th Manteuffel throws his forces in reserve and advances back to the positions of the 32nd Ihmaar, only to run into a massed and well-prepared enemy formation – Harakon Drop Troopers! As the Manteuffel get to grips with the ‘old enemy’ the artillery fire of the 32nd Ihmaar slackens off considerably as battalion after battalion is overrun, captured or destroyed. Trying to beat a hasty retreat, the 32nd Ihmaar CO is promptly executed by the chief commissar, throwing the entire unit into confusion. As enemy troopers close in from all sides, Ihmaar artillery goes down fighting, firing their artillery over point-blank sights, but enemy AT fire and assault tactics wear down and then wipe out the 32nd Ihmaar. The 7053rd Harakon Airborne Brigade seizes the colours of the 32nd Ihmaar and the regiment is no more…

…The 20th Manteuffel, unable to breakthrough to the pleading Ihmaar are rendered impotent by the 83rd Harakon Airborne who conduct hit and pull back operations. When the last transmission is cut by a victorious 7053rd trooper who announces that the, ‘32nd Ihmaar is now off the air,’ the CO of the 20th Manteuffel can bear the shame of defeat no more and commits suicide.

32nd Ihmaar: 300 POWs, 170 SP Art'y Guns, 30 SP AA, 40 trucks, 10 Salamanders, 1 summary execution.
7053rd Harakon Airborne Brigade: 100 KIA, 400 WIA
Fort Hern Special Brigade: 100 KIA, 200 WIA
83rd Harakon Airborne Brigade: 600 KIA, 100 WIA, 22 Calders, 52 Scorpions
20th Manteuffel: 300 KIA, 900 WIA, 25 tanks
1st Gensal Assault Brigade: 500 KIA, 400 WIA

The enemy appeared to have flown off at 2035.

4. Some unit shuffling amongst the 30th Ottoma and 1313th Merentgar is conducted and the units merged to create the 1st Gensal Light Brigade. They lay minefields and make traps all during the night before returning to their positions. The 1st Bekkan and 43rd Raddigan Airborne hold their positions in a similar fashion.

5. At 2100, in the biggest air transport display ever put on by the Imperium and with some of the most inventive packing of air transports, the remainder of I Corps is deployed by a full 365 Lifters and 946 Valkyries, without a fuss. I Corps support units are deployed in the region of a demoralised 20th Manteuffel, whereas the 2nd and 3rd Bekkan are deployed on time, on target.

6. The assault of the two Bekkan regiment against the 75th Harakon Airborne goes exactly to plan. Professional and competent, the Bekkans manage to get completely in position without being detected and simply send the 75th Harakon back, reeling. As the 19th Army flank is being rolled up, the 1st GLI launches its attack as well, seeking the opportunity of the total destruction of the 75th Harakon Airborne. As they surge up the hills, the retreat of the 75th Harakon nearly turns into a rout, but they gain assistance from the newly arrived 4th Brigade from reserve, the remaining elements of the 2nd Brigade and a massive deployment of three battalions from The Gensal Regiment. 19th Army manages to shore up their rapidly collapsing flank, but only just, and by morning, the Bekkans have pushed all 19th Army elements back from their defensive positions all along the eastern flank of the 19th Army positions. The only thing holding I Corps back from taking the remaining two defence lasers back is the massive influx of enemy reserves from the 1st Hawkian Infantry Division and the savage amount of artillery directed at I Corps forces.

19th Army Casualties:
2nd North Shore Yeomanry: 5 tanks
12th Seaford Light Infantry: 200 KIA, 400 WIA
1st Sandringham Foresters: 200 KIA, 400 WIA
2nd Sandringham Foresters: 200 KIA, 400 WIA
3rd Northshires Bombardiers: 15 SP Art’y Guns
1st North Shore Yeomanry (A): 10 tanks.
4th Somerset Fusiliers: 100 KIA, 200 WIA
1st Somerset Fusiliers: 75 KIA, 125 WIA.
3rd Somerset Fusiliers: 150 KIA, 250 WIA
3rd Westham Bombardiers: 25 SP Art’y Guns
The Gensal Regiment: 100 KIA, 200 WIA
1st Hawkian Infantry: 500 KIA, 700 WIA

17th Army Casualties:
2nd Bekkan: 50 KIA, 100 WIA, 3 tanks
3rd Bekkan: 50 KIA, 500 WIA, 6 tanks
43rd Raddigan: 50 KIA, 400 WIA
1st Bekkan: 250 KIA, 400 WIA, 12 tanks
1st Gensal Light Brigade: 50 KIA, 200 WIA

XIII/III Corps

1. The Imperial preachers are still attacked despite bodyguards! One preacher and an entire squad are blown up by a GPDF suicide bomber; another is attacked by two groups of Skaxon civilians who gun the preacher and the whole bodyguard down before merging back into the fleeing civilians and another narrowly escapes death thanks to his bodyguard who blast apart the group of 8 GPDF soldiers coming up for a ‘blessing.’ Further insurgent attacks on Imperial positions such as bombings and ambush of truck convoys hampers the resupply efforts as 8 GPDF soldiers continue to massacre groups of Skaxon civilians. Several groups of these GPDF soldiers are hunted down and killed by the platoons drawn from the 1213th GLI. There seems to be some attempt to organise the Skaxon.

2. At precisely 1801, the tanks and Mech Inf of the most hideous combination ever seen smash straight into the 56389th Terran Military Police Battalion. The lightly armed MPs are no match for the tanks of the 8th Armoured and the efficient killers of the Emperor’s Own Terullian Hellrifles, within a few heart-stopping moments the MPs are trying to fight off the assault and then the next sees them running from a truly feared enemy. 8th Armoured tanks and EoTH Heavy Infantry tear the ‘other enemy’ apart and then advance onwards. The EoTH attack the 1st/1316th Merentgar in the flank and rear and overrun them in twenty minutes of quick fighting with insurmountable odds.

1st/1316th: 100 KIA, 150 POWs, 300 summary executions.
56389th Terran MP: 200 KIA, 400 POWs
Emperor’s Own Terullian Hellrifles: 25 KIA, 50 WIA

3. The 8th Armoured rolls across the tarmac of the northern landing pad, uncontested and guns straight for the 132nd Cadian Supply Battalion. With the roar of battlecannon and the chatter of heavy bolters the Cadians are sickeningly mown down by the 8th Armoured battalions. The roar of Hydra autocannon wipes out any attempt to form a defence…

132nd Cadian Supply Battalion: 200 KIA, 300 WIA, 150 trucks
8th Armoured: 4 tanks

…a single brave Cadian blasts apart no less than four 8th Armoured tanks with a requisitioned Missile Launcher before escaping into the night with the blazing Cadian supply depot behind her.

The sounds of fighting and the presence of the most feared enemy units, disheartens all of the Imperial defenders. The Skaxon civilians stampede southwards in an attempt to get away from the 19th Army units loitering around the northern landing pad. Loitering soon turns to intent as the EoTH overrun the III Corps HQ and wiping out the comms and support staff and taking the 77777th Umbridge entirely prisoner as they find their situation entirely hopeless, getting rid of their commissar who seems intent on fighting to the death. The EoTH put the III Corps supply depot to the torch metaphorically speaking, i.e. they blow the entire lot up.

77777th Umbridge Supply Battalion: 50 KIA, 355 POWs
Emperor’s Own Terullian Hellrifles: 25 KIA, 50 WIA

4. The 9th Kovnian moves out to cause woe against both the Ichar marines and Hawkians but is ambushed by the Blood Pact Commandoes! More Kovnian heads and ears soon adorn the Commandoes gear as they go up 2-0 in the bloodthirstiness stakes! Screams of Kovnian prisoners can be heard throughout the night and the Kovnian’s blood is up!

5. With reports of the 8th Armoured and EoTH rampaging in the north, the 203rd Ilindartos is mobilised to strike northwards. After an hour of reorientation, the Ilindartos surge forward to cause some much needed damage to the 8th Armoured. Finally the showdown that both sides have been hanging out for occurs!

What starts out initially as looking to be Ilindartos victory soon turns sour… the Ilindartos simply don’t have the numbers to make good their success and are brought to a standstill. Leaving behind a battlefield blazing with wrecks from both sides, the 203rd Ilindartos quickly pull back as the sheer numbers of 8th Armoured tanks present is made apparent! To the jeers of the 8th Armoured tank crews, the 203rd Ilindartos counts the cost:

203rd Ilindartos: 10 tanks
8th Armoured: 15 tanks

6. The GITF-E listens on to the battle raging to their south and when they see the flames of the burning 132nd Cadian Supply depot, they immediately cease all operations. Their forward observer team reports that the 8th Armoured and the EoTH have seemingly withdrawn back. As GITF-E waits quietly, they spot enemy soldiers moving around on the high ground to the east taking control of the defence lasers, finally what appears to be an enemy mech battalion passes close to their position and then they spring their surprise by opening fire at point blank range! Under the glare of flares and illumination rounds, the enemy battalion is devastated and is quickly routed.

3rd Ichar Marines: 200 KIA, 200 WIA, 50 IFVs

7. The counterattack by Svenal and the remnants of III Corps against the Ichar Marines. The battle is looking good with the element of surprise and the forward positions are quickly taken, right up until the EoTH go in for the counterattack! In an epic struggle that sees the fighting rage from about 0130 to 0600, the forces of III Corps fight back with the fury that only total faith in the Emperor can bring….it’s just such a pity that the EoTH are screaming ‘For the Emperor,’ as well…

…just when it seems that the HRRF can still hold on, Terullian and 8th Armoured tanks arrive, sealing the fate of the HRRF, the only survivors are the 113th HLR who manage to hold out in a warehouse complex with at least five hundred dead Ichar Marines lying about the place and wrecked IFVs burning all over the place. Svenal is still alive, fighting alongside the ‘Hamek’s,’ the colours of III Corps still held tightly in his grasp, quickly surrounded, the forces of 19th Army surge around the remaining Imperial pocket and head south to tear into XIII Corps.

The stoic 1213th GLI make their stand amongst the service buildings holding out as best they can, but enemy armour simply drives pass them offloading the tank-riding Ichar’s to surround the Skaxon infantry. 8th Armoured and the EoTH strike southwards engaging the 203rd Ilindartos and 9th Kovnian but as the dawn breaks, the enemy’s 6th Household and 9th Royal Guard strike from the south and totally tear the guts out of the 42nd Jantine. The 42nd Jantine is overrun as 1st Hawkian and Terullian artillery pieces close up and blast the Jantine’s out of their defences at close range. 19th Army aircraft fly in strafing runs and several shot down, but with the 203rd Ilindartos stranded essentially out on a nice flat landing pad, the destruction of Imperial vehicles continues unabated.

In the morning sky, XIII Corps dies. Terullian tanks, 8th Armoured tanks, Hawkians and Ichar marines close in from all sides. Pushed into an ever shrinking perimeter, the Jantine, Kovnians and Ilindartos fight back with all the vigour that could be ever expected. Knots of Imperial troops struggle in hand to hand fighting with never ending waves of Hawkians and Ichar soldiers. After an entire day of being blasted point blank by art’y, having 8th Armoured tanks grind their screaming comrades into the dirt and totally exhausted from slaying hundreds of Hawkians and Ichar marines, XIII Corps is unable to manage any sort of defence. The coup de gras is conducted by the Emperor’s Own Terullian Hellrifles and 8th Armoured wiping out the last of the Kovnians, Ilindartos and most of the Jantines. Lt. Gen. Volgin manages to make an escape with his bodyguard and the remnants of the 42nd Jantine by punching out on foot via the drainage system. They manage to make Imperial lines by nightfall…

17th Army Casualties:
203rd Ilindartos: 1100 KIA, 750 POWs, 30 tanks, 110 IFVs, 120 SP Art’y Guns, 40 SP AT Guns, 40 SP AA Guns, 125 trucks.
42nd Jantine: 900 KIA, 200 POWs, 40 tanks, 240 IFVs, 80 SP Art’y Guns, 200 trucks
9th Kovnian: 3500 KIA, 200 POWs, 50 trucks
1213th Gensal Light Infantry: 300 KIA, 400 WIA
32nd Gaulten: 500 KIA, 188 POWs, 10 IFVs, 20 SP Assault Guns
1315th Merentgar: 400 KIA, 550 POWs
113th Hamek’s Landing: 200 KIA, 200 WIA

19th Army Casualties:
Aircraft: 5 Marauders, 12 Thunderbolts
8th Armoured: 60 tanks
Emperor’s Own Terullian Hellrifles: 300 KIA, 400 WIA, 24 IFVs, and 7 tanks
38th Ichar Marine Brigade: 400 KIA, 300 WIA, 40 IFVs, 30 tanks
39th Ichar Marine Brigade: 700 KIA, 700 WIA, 50 IFVs, 30 tanks
40th Ichar Marine Brigade: 1100 KIA, 700 WIA, 50 IFVs, 40 tanks
3rd Hawkian Infantry Division: 900 KIA, 500 WIA
6th Household: 200 KIA, 400 WIA, 12 tanks
9th Royal Guard: 50 KIA, 150 WIA, 15 tanks

17. The 333rd Corps comes under assault from the Thanfar Rangers Brigades and the EoTH (Fradisthar Guards)! The Hamek’s working seamlessly throw back the well-led and disciplined Skaxon. The fighting is tough, but the Hamek’s manage to hold onto their ground.

Thanfar Rangers: 200 KIA, 500 WIA
Fradisthar Guards: 300 KIA, 400 WIA
14th Hamek: 100 KIA, 200 WIA
15th Hamek: Nil losses

In General, General:
1. The Castigators and 303rd Terullian have launched a spectacular raid on the supply facilities at Fradisthar, routing the Cultists guard details and putting all Gored and 19th Army stocks to the torch. The Imperial presence was only temporary so Chaos will continue to land supplies at Fradisthar, but the destruction of supply stocks is certainly a positive bonus to the Imperium.

2. Gored supply lines in the north are besieged by enemy SF.

3. 1st Corps is still being trucked up from Vordiston, ETA: day 39.

4. The 1314, 1315, and 1316th Merentgar Chevaliers have all joined the 19th Army cause wholeheartedly based on promises of land to farm and call their own on Beltane. They are grouped as the 604th Infantry Brigade, under the administrative control of 4th Corps, a ‘Corps of Reserve.’ They are near the front lines however at Strutham however.

5. A new Skaxon regiment will be arriving at Vordiston tomorrow, the product of at least three months solid training under the eyes of Terullian instructors.

6. 2nd Corps is 2 days from the Torham Front.

19th Imperial Army

Day 34– 1800 Hours

Surplus Equipment Captured:
100 engineering vehicles
350 trucks
160 Ambulances

CLANISTOR REGION

33rd “Blood Pact” Infantry Corps/17th Infantry Corps

1. Enemy skirmishers manage to give your forces the slip! They must have left while the 11th EoTH was coming together

2. The 1/27th Ruulian cancels the operation when they find that they enemy have two battalions dug in on the southern end and something approaching a brigade dug in on the north.

3. 33 GSF queries these ‘boats’ they’ve been ordered to cover…they do move up to extend the lines of defence.

4. 32 GSF continues on the roadway.

5. 33 TDL moves up as the 723rd sets up a lifter-grade airfield.

6. An air-taxi operation is set up as the reshuffling is completed amongst units.

STRUTHAM OFFENSIVE

It’s over. Strutham has fallen to the forces of the 19th Army. Westward advances have netted the pocketing of the 5940th Mordian and the 20th Manteuffel and mounds of equipment. The Imperium has fled back to its last stronghold as the corps of 13th Army just starting to begin an offensive against the Gored….

….Imperial forces are in headlong retreat from Strutham and its only been a last ditch stand by I Corps units that has prevented the armoured spearhead from barrelling along the road…