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Siege of Inwit

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==Prelude==
By 009.M31, the Inwit Cluster was targeted by the forces of the Warmaster, with the Traitors conducting spoiling raids across the [[Imperial Fists]]' domain. Unwilling to withdraw forces from the defence of the [[Sol System]] to reinforce the cluster as Horus anticipated, [[Rogal Dorn]] ordered the garrison upon Inwit to marshal as many troops from local systems to the cluster’s defence as possible, as well as accelerating and expanding their [[Inductii|induction]] of new [[Legionaries]]. These efforts involved the strike frigate [[Light of Inwit]], which redirected vessels stationed at the fleet anchorage of [[Pilgrim’s Rest ]] within the [[Tallarn system]] to the Protectorate’s muster, leaving the system with only a handful of [[Warp]]-capable void craft.{{Fn|8}}
==Battle==
During the Traitor's blockade, the stoic defenders of the fortified cryo-hives on Inwit were confronted with starvation and inevitable defeat should their supplies of food and ammunition be cut off entirely. It was only through the relentless bravery of Imperial Fists and allied Loyalist [[Divisio Aeronautica]] pilots that disaster was adverted. Thousands of supply drops were made over the course of several years, [[Marauder Bomber|Marauder]] transports escorted by [[Xiphon Interceptor]]s and ground-to-air batteries time and again. Only later was it revealed that many of these supply drops were in fact covert troop insertions, allowing Loyalists hunter-killer teams to infiltrate the ice wastes and to kill key individuals in the Traitor's command hierarchy.{{Fn|4}}
By 012-013.M31, The the Traitors’ blockade of Inwit had become a protracted siege, and forces loyal to the [[Warmaster]] established footholds upon the surface of the planet in addition to the growing cordon around the entire system, forcing the Imperial Fists and their Auxilia allies to fight from increasingly isolated pockets of resistance on numerous planets throughout the cluster. These locations relied on scarce supplies of ammunition and reinforcements, air dropped in by [[Divisio Aeronautica]] pilots who flew thousands of perilous sorties over the course of the engagement. Amongst the troops inserted into the thick of the fighting were [[Salamanders]] squads, specially equipped for fighting within the close confines of the ice hives and hab blocks of Inwit. In coordination with the VIIth Legion forces already entrenched within the defences, the sons of [[Vulkan]] conducted guerilla raids on Traitor positions on every planet throughout the cluster, setting deadly traps for enemy troops, destabilising their supply lines and sabotaging their war machines. Loyalist morale was significantly boosted when one such raid successfully destroyed two [[Warhound Titan]]s and critically damaged a [[Reaver Class Titan]] as it was undergoing refit and resupply. Despite suffering heavy losses in these dangerous actions, comparatively small numbers of troops were able to disrupt the enemy’s actions where the option of conventional attack was not viable.{{Fn|7a}}
However, after [[Warmaster]] [[Horus]]' gained the advantage during the [[Solar War]], a direct [[Siege of Terra|assault]] on [[Terra]] drew the many traitors away from the Inwit Cluster.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|6}} This allowed a relief force of [[Salamanders]], Imperial Army, and Mechanicum forces to reach Inwit and break the siege.{{Fn|3}} In the wake of the traitors' retreat, however, they left behind a string of burning and wasted worlds across the Inwit Cluster.{{Fn|1}} After their victory at Inwit, the local loyalists intervened in the [[Malagant Conflict]].{{Fn|3}}
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