Third War for Armageddon var addthis_config = {"data_track_addressbar":true};

Ork forces rampage on the fields of Armageddon^1-p6

The Third War for Armageddon was fought in the latter years of M41, fifty seven years to the day after the Second War for Armageddon. Ghazghkull Thraka was again the leader of the invasion and he was faced by his old nemesis Commissar Yarrick, who Ghazghkull had let go following his capture at the Battle of Golgotha to make the ensuing invasion more entertaining.^2-p1564a

Prelude

Following his defeat in the Second War for Armageddon at the hands of Commissar Yarrick, Ghazghkull marshaled his forces, licked his wounds, and gathered his strength for a fresh offensive. The Warboss was not deterred and understood that to destroy your foe you must first know him. For Ghazghkull, the war for Armageddon had been a way to learn how the Imperium would react and deal with a major invasion. Thus it went that Ghagzhkull began preparations for an even greater invasion of Armageddon.^2b

Over the next few years, Ghazghkull allied with another prominent Ork Warboss, Nazdreg Ug Urdgrub, known for having the best Mekboyz in the galaxy in his employ. Nazdreg's Mekboyz were particularly well known for their tellyporta technology, something Ghazghkull coveted deeply. Thus Ghazghkull struck a deal with Nazdreg, helping him against the Dark Angels during the assault of planet Piscina IV in exchange for the secrets of the Tellyporta.^2b

Ghazghkull left Piscina for the Golgotha system, intending to seize the resource-rich world and convert it into a giant factory to fuel his second great Waaagh!. However, he was unaware that Yarrick had located him and was in hot pursuit. Easily overrunning the planet's defenses, in the ensuing Battle of Golgotha Ghazghkull eventually crushed Yarrick when his forces arrived, capturing the Commissar himself. However in the end the Warboss decided to let his arch-rival go as he was "too much fun".^2b

Early Invasion

The invasion began with a massive Ork fleet arriving in the Armageddon Sector, a fleet which outnumbered the Imperial defenders six to one. Ork Kill Kroozers made suicidal rushes against the Imperial Navy blockade of the planet and despite their skill the Imperial ships found themselves unable to turn back the Orkish tide. Worse yet, monitor stations were warning that three more massive Ork fleets were inbound to the Armageddon system. The combined fleets of Ghazghkull and his allies soon constituted the largest fleet ever to assault a world of the Imperium and Battlefleet Armageddon found itself outnumbered six to one.^4a

As the Ork fleet arrived in the Armageddon System, Imperial forces under Yarrick made frenzied preparations. Forces from the Imperial Guard, Collegia Titanica, Sisters of Battle, and more then twenty Space Marine Chapters reinforced the world.

Six weeks after arriving in the Armageddon System, hundreds of Ork Roks smash into the surface of Armageddon, millions were killed as Hades Hive - the site of Ghazghkull's previous defeat - was completely annihilated by an asteroid launched from an orbiting Ork Space Hulk in an act of vengeance against Yarrick.^4a Soon after after wave after wave of Ork landers descended upon the world, and though Imperial Navy fighters and ground defense lasers took a terrible toll upon the invaders there were simply too many incoming Orks to stop.^4a

Meanwhile, the true purpose of the descending Ork Roks became apparent. Slowing their descent with powerful force fields, the Roks landed on Armageddon and from them surged not only innumerable Orks but also an endless stream of heavy equipment teleported in directly from orbit. The plan was made possible only by Tellyporta technology designed by Mek Boy Orkimedes, whom Ghazghkull had in his employ.^2a Soon Titans and Gargants beyond number were engaged in the action and took a bitter toll upon both sides in the fighting.^2-p156 In addition Feral Orks, born on the world shortly after the Second War for Armageddon, emerged from the equatorial jungles and spread like wildfire throughout the hives.^4a

Acheron Hive then fell to the Orks without warning, this time captured by treachery from within. It was soon revealed that the infamous war criminal a former Governor of Armageddon Von Strab had overthrown the hive in cooperation with Ghazghkll and now ruled it as its overlord.^4a

Imperial Counter Attack

Again it was left to Commissar Yarrick to defend Armageddon from Ghazghkull's forces. He did this by forging the PDF and Armageddon Regiments into a perfectly disciplined fighting force, an 'unstoppable machine of iron and steel'. When Ghazghkull heard that his old nemesis was once again in the fray he redoubled his efforts and tried to break the back of Armageddon.

Yarrick also received much help from various Space Marine Chapters, as they knew all to well the strategic value of Armageddon.^2-p156 The Space Marines began to establish battle lines and Von Strab was hunted down and killed by a unit of Penal Legion troopers known as the Last Chancers. The situation improved dramatically for the Imperial forces as the Season of Fire broke upon Armageddon. Temperatures outside the Hives soared until even the Orks were forced inside. Faced with this new situation, a stalemate has been reached.^4b

The War Continues

Becoming bored by the growing stalemate, Ghazghkull quickly ran out of patience. He left the conquest of Armageddon to his generals and went in search of something more entertaining. When word of this reached Yarrick he too left Armageddon with a strikforce of Black Templars, determined to hunt down Ghazghkull and end things between them once and for all.^4b However there are still countless Orks infesting Armageddon and the war rages till this day. For the Orks, the war has become known as the "Big Scrap" and more Orks arrive to the system with each day as word spreads.^4b The cost of the war is measured in human lives, and the death toll spirals towards the billions. The Imperials know one thing however. Whatever the cost Armageddon must not fall.^2-p156

Order of Battle

Imperial

Space Marine Chapters

• Angels of Fire: 7 Companies^1-p.32
• Angels of Redemption: 4 Companies^1-p.32
• Angels of Vigilance: 6 Companies^1-p.32
• Angels Porphyr: 8 Companies^1-p.32
• Black Dragons: 9 Companies^1-p.32
• Black Templars: 3 Crusades^1-p.32
• Blood Angels: 1 Company^1-p.32
• Celebrants: 10 Companies^1-p.32
• Celestial Lions: 10 Companies^1-p.32
• Exorcists: 12 Companies^1-p.32
• Flesh Tearers: 5 Companies^1-p.32
• Iron Champions: 7 Companies^1-p.32
• Marines Malevolent: 2 Companies^1-p.32
• Mortifactors: 10 Companies^1-p.32
• Omega Marines: 9 Companies^1-p.32
• Raptors: 5 Companies^1-p.32
• Relictors: 10 Companies^1-p.32
• Salamanders: 6 Companies^1-p.32
• Silver Skulls: 7 Companies^1-p.32
• Sons of Guilliman: 6 Companies^1-p.32
• Space Wolves: 3 Great Companies^1-p.32
• Storm Giants: 5 Companies^1-p.32
• Storm Lords: 2 Brotherhoods^1-p.32
• White Scars: 3 Brotherhoods^1-p.32

Imperial Guard and PDF

• Armageddon IG and PDF
  • Armageddon Ash Wash militia: 5 Regiments^1-p.32
  • Armageddon Command Guard: 5 Companies^1-p.32
  • Armageddon Hive Militia: 120 Regiments^1-p.32
  • Armageddon Ork Hunters: 5 Regiments^1-p.32
  • Armageddon Steel Legion: 25 Regiments^1-p.32
• Arphista Penal Legion: 11 Legions^1-p.32
• Asgardian Rangers: 2 Regiments^1-p.32
• Cadian Shock Troops: 15 Regiments^1-p.32
• Catachan Jungle Fighters: 3 Regiments^1-p.32
• Death Korps of Krieg: 5 Regiments^1-p.32
• Elysian Drop Troops: 14 Squadrons^1-p.32
• Jopall Indentured Squadrons: 17 Battalions^1-p.32
• Krourk Ogryn Auxilis: 2 Regiments^1-p.32
• Minervan Tank Legions: 3 Legions^1-p.32
• Monglor Ogryn Auxilia: 1 Regiment^1-p.32
• Mordian Iron Guard: 6 Regiments^1-p.32
• Noctan Strike Forces:6 Regiments^1-p.32
• Ocanon Phalanax Troops: 11 Regiments^1-p.32
• Pyran Dragoons: 10 Regiments^1-p.32
• Savlar Imperial Guard
  • Savlar Chem-Dogs: 6 Regiments^1-p.32
  • Savlar Chem-Riders: 2 Regiments^1-p.32
• Semtexian Bombadiers: 9 Batteries^1-p.32
• Storm Troopers: 18 Companies^1-p.32
• Zouvan Skirmishers: 4 Brigades^1-p.32
• 13th Penal Legion³

Adepta Sororitas

• Order of Our Martyred Lady: Equivalent 3 Companies^1-p.32
• Order of the Argent Shroud: Equivalent 7 Companies^1-p.32

Adeptus Mechanicus

• Centurio Ordinatus: 4 Ordinatus^1-p.32
• Legio Crucius: Demi-Legio^1-p.32
• Legio Ignatum: Legio^1-p.32
• Legio Invigilata: Legio^1-p.32
• Legio Magma: Quatro-Legio^1-p.32
• Legio Metalica: Demi-Legio^1-p.32
• Legio Tempestor: Legio^1-p.32
• Legio Victorum: Legio^1-p.32
• Skitarii: 14 Regiments^1-p.32

Departmento Munitorum

• Engineer Corps: 2^1-p.32
• Pioneer Corps: 1^1-p.32

Adeptus Arbites

• Precincts: 20^1-p.32
• Punitive Battalions: 12^1-p.32

Officio Assassinorum

• Agents: CLASSIFIED^1-p.32

Officio Sabatorum

• Agents: 34^1-p.32

Ordo Xenos

• Kill-Teams: 2^1-p.32

Templars Psykologis

• Disruption Squads: 15^1-p.32

Imperial Navy

• Imperial Deep Space Support
  • His Will - Apocalypse Class Battleship^1-p.32
  • Triumph - Apocalypse Class Battleship^1-p.32
  • Insomine Veritas - Emperor Class Battleship^1-p.32
  • Green Lake - Oberon Class Battleship^1-p.32
  • First-Line Cruiser Squadrons: 6^1-p.32
  • Second-Line Cruiser Squadrons: 9^1-p.32
  • Light Cruiser Squadrons: 12^1-p.32
  • Escort Squadrons: 36^1-p.32
  • Starhawk Bomber Strike Wings: 43^1-p.32
  • Fury Interceptor Strike Wings: 67^1-p.32
  • Space Marine Battle Barges: 14^1-p.32
  • Space Marine Strike Cruisers: 103^1-p.32
  • Thunderhawk Gunships: Various^1-p.32

Ork

Note: Warband sizes are estimated to be between 300 to 3,000 Orks each, with associated war machines and artillery typically equal to 20-25% of total strength. Speed Kult and "artillery" warbands are estimated to have war machines and artillery equal to 50-100% of total strength.^1-p.32

Armageddon Prime

Forces of the Great Despot of Dregruk^1-p.32

• Despot Gazgrim's War Horde - Estimated 200 warbands, 18 Gargants
• Warlord Thogfang's Gargant Big Mob - Estimated 3 warbands, 7 Gargants
• Warlord Rukgor's Gargant Big Mob - Estimated 5 warbands, 6 Gargants
• Warlord Badfang's Battle Forts - Estimated 3 warbands, 16 Battle Fortresses
• Black Slayers Tribe - Estimated 30 warbands, 4 Gargants
• Firebellies Tribe - Estimated 18 warbands, 3 Gargants
• Varga's Drop Legion - Estimated 24 warbands
• Razor Speed Freeks - Estimated 21 'Speed Kult' warbands
• Warlord Gorshag's Big Gunz - Estimated 7 'artillery' warbands

Armageddon Secundus

Forces of the Ork Warlord Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka^1-p.32

• Great Overlord Ghazghkull's War Horde - Estimated 400 warbands, 18 Gargants
• Warlord Morfang's Gargant Big Mob - Estimated 6 warbands, 7 Gargants
• Warlord Skarfang's Gargant Big Mob - Estimated 3 warbands, 6 Gargants
• Warlord Burzuruk's Gargant Big Mob - Estimated 4 warbands, 9 Gargants
• Warlord Kroksnik's Deth Traks - Estimated 4 warbands, 32 Battle Fortresses
• Blackskull Tribe - Estimated 30 warbands, 3 Gargants
• Crooked Moon Tribe - Estimated 21 warbands, 5 Gargants
• Red Fin Tribe - Estimated 30 warbands, 4 Gargants
• Red Wheelz Speed Freeks - Estimated 18 'Speed Kult' warbands
• Burning Death Speed Freeks - Estimated 25 'Speed Kult' warbands
• Warlord Thugsnik's Big Gunz - Estimated 6 'artillery' warbands
• Warlord Morbad's Big Gunz - Estimated 12 'artillery' warbands

The Fire Wastes

Forces of Urgok the Unstoppable^1-p.32

• Great Slayer Grimskul's War Horde - Estimated 60 warbands, 8 Gargants
• Warlord Blagrot's Gargant Big Mob - Estimated 4 warbands, 3 Gargants
• Warlord Skrag's Gargant Big Mob - Estimated 2 warbands, 3 Gargants
• Vultures Tribe - Estimated 16 warbands 3 Gargants
• Stompers Tribe - Estimated 11 warbands, 1 Gargant?
• Slasherz Speed Freeks - Estimated 12 'Speed Kult' warbands
• Warlord Rukglum's Big Gunz - Estimated 11 'artillery' warbands

The Dead Lands

Forces of the Over-Fiend of Octarius^1-p.32

• Great Fiend Gorsnik Magash's War Horde - Estimated 250 warbands, 160 Battle Fortresses
• Warlord Bogsnik's Blitz Brigade - Estimated 8 warbands, 26 Battle Fortresses
• Warlord Skabsnik's Blitz Brigade - Estimated 12 warbands, 41 Battle Fortresses
• Black Cloud Speed Freeks - Estimated 20 'Speed Kult' warbands
• White Lightning Speed Freeks - Estimated 31 'Speed Kult' warbands

Orbital support

• 12-16 Space hulks^1-p.32
• 2-3,500 Fighta-Bommer squadrons^1-p.32
• 2,100+ Attack Craft^1-p.32
• 80-100 Roks^1-p.32
• 250-400 Kroozers^1-p.32

Related Articles

• Hive Helsreach
• Operation Thunderstorm

Sources

• ¹:Codex: Armageddon (3rd Edition)
• ²:Warhammer 40,000 4th Edition Rulebook
  • ^2a: p. 25
  • ^2b: p. 23-24
• ³:Last Chancers (Novel Series)
• ⁴: Codex: Orks (4th Edition)
  • ^4a: pg. 24
  • ^4b: pg. 25