Hive Tartarus
From Lexicanum
Hive Tartarus is a vast Hive on the Imperial world Armageddon and is located on the Armageddon Secundus region of the planet. It was fought over in all three wars for Armageddon. It is the furthest east of the Hives, and as such has been the last bastion of defence in several of the major wars over the planet.
Contents |
First War for Armageddon
During the First War for Armageddon, due to its position on the planet, it took relativly little part in the fighting. Due to the more compact nature and better infrastructure on Armageddon Secdundus, the military forces were able to keep the revolting population down easily, unlike in Armageddon Prime where the rioters and Chaos worshipers ran almost unopposed. Also, the major lines of battle were drawn far from Hive Tartarus, along the border with the central jungle region, effectively sealing off the Secundus region from the forces of Chaos and keeping it safe.
Second War for Armageddon
Due to its position in Armageddon Secundus, it was the complete last line of defense against the Orks. It became the command centre of Herman von Strab after his old centre in Armageddon Prime fell early in the campaign. Two large battles did however occur around Tartarus, the first when the Orks made a desperate last assault in an attempt to destroy the southern manufacturing facilities. This sent waves of Orks into the city, attempting to secure it under the command of Ghazghkull Thraka. Commander Dante took his Space Marines back into orbit, on their ships, and dropped in behind the Orks lines, so managing to destroy an entire tribe. Eventually, they trapped the Orks between the Hive and the Space Marines, and the Orks were eventually slaughtered to the Ork, although Ghazghkull Thraka somehow managed to survive the blood bath. From then on the Imperial forces pushed the Orks back and eventually destroyed them.
Third War
Again, due to its position far from the centre of Armageddon, it was in theory relatively far from the major fighting. It actually appears that it was a centre of fighting. The leader of the Imperial Guard forces in Tartarus was Colonel Clain and, in a tactically sound maneuver, took his forces to relieve the siege on Hive Acheron (or possibly Hive Infernus). Unfortunately he was surrounded and therefore forced to dig in, forming Clain's Stronghold. The defense of the hive was undertaken primarily by the Jopal Indentured Squadrens and the Tartarus Hive Militia, although the Jopal forces had been depleted attempted to hold the Skeletus Factory Complex. The Orks were from Morfang's Gargant Big Mob and managed to break through Clain's Stronghold but were forced back by the Legio Metalica. The Orks swarmed through the gap in Clain's Stronghold left by the Gargants but were pinned down by the Mortars and Heavy Bolters of the Death Korps of Krieg. Unfortunately, the Gargants were taking their toll on the Legion Metalica, but three Gargants were destroyed by the Ordinatus Golgotha from its high position on a spire shuttle pad. The Legio reinforced the Jopal line rather than attempting to pursue.
The Death Korps managed to counter attack and remove the Orks from the Hive and, using timed Mortar bombardments, managed to group and destroy the Orks. They almost managed to trap the Gargants but the Red Wheelz managed to race in and hold the gap open long enough for the Gargants to escape. Four days later, the vanguard of the Space Wolves arrived from the Hemlock Cordon after a four day forced march.
Results Table
This is the table of the results of the Armageddon Campaign showing the strength of control of the Orks and Imperium over certain areas. It shows that the Orks were pushed out of control of every site and the Imperium retained control of two key areas.
| Key feature |
Orks
|
Imperium
|
Outcome |
| The Hemlock Cordon |
30%
|
70%
|
Imperial held |
| Motorway |
42%
|
58%
|
Contested |
| Ork Rok Dropsite |
45%
|
55%
|
Contested |
| Tartarus West Forge Complex |
42%
|
58%
|
Contested |
| Hive Tartarus |
48%
|
52%
|
Contested |
| Clain's Stronghold |
38%
|
63%
|
Imperial held |
| Ash Wastes |
48%
|
53%
|
Contested |
| Hemlock Factory Complex |
42%
|
58%
|
Contested |
| Skeletus Factory Complex |
49%
|
51%
|
Contested |
| Undersea Pipeline |
52%
|
48%
|
Contested |
