Difference between revisions of "Battle at the Phall system"
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==Failed Deployment to the Isstvan System== | ==Failed Deployment to the Isstvan System== | ||
| − | To support Horus, the [[Gods of Chaos]] had afflicted the [[Warp]] with terrible storms to obstruct the [[Imperium]]'s response to Isstvan. The storms strongly interfered with [[astropaths]]' ability to navigate and [[psychic]]ally communicate between worlds, which disrupted the Imperial Fist deployment.{{Fn|1}} 1/3 of the Retribution Fleet was destroyed during the attempted navigation to the Isstvan System. The Command of the Fleet, Yonnad, was killed during the voyage. Command over the mission transferred to [[Alexis Polux], who Yonnad had designated his successor. Although there were more experienced commanders with the Fleet, Polux was considered by Yonnad to have a spark of genius and untapped potential. {{Fn|4}} | + | To support Horus, the [[Gods of Chaos]] had afflicted the [[Warp]] with terrible storms to obstruct the [[Imperium]]'s response to Isstvan. The storms strongly interfered with [[astropaths]]' ability to navigate and [[psychic]]ally communicate between worlds, which disrupted the Imperial Fist deployment.{{Fn|1}} 1/3 of the Retribution Fleet was destroyed during the attempted navigation to the Isstvan System. The Command of the Fleet, Yonnad, was killed during the voyage. Command over the mission transferred to [[Alexis Polux]], who Yonnad had designated his successor. Although there were more experienced commanders with the Fleet, Polux was considered by Yonnad to have a spark of genius and untapped potential. {{Fn|4}} |
The Fleet was unable to find a way through the warp storms to the Isstvan System. Instead, Polux ordered the Fleet to establish a base of operations in the Phall System, where a break in the Warp Storm was discovered. There, the Imperial Fists would probe for safe voyage to continue on to their objective.{{Fn|4}} | The Fleet was unable to find a way through the warp storms to the Isstvan System. Instead, Polux ordered the Fleet to establish a base of operations in the Phall System, where a break in the Warp Storm was discovered. There, the Imperial Fists would probe for safe voyage to continue on to their objective.{{Fn|4}} | ||
Revision as of 21:58, 28 October 2015
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The Battle at the Phall System was fought between the Iron Warriors and Imperial Fists early in the Horus Heresy.
Contents
Retribution Fleet
After intercepting the Eisenstein and learning of Horus's treachery at Isstvan III, Rogal Dorn, Primarch of the Imperial Fists, responded immediately. Dorn divided his legion in two. He would lead the Legion’s veteran companies to Terra to inform the Emperor of the betrayal unfolding. Meanwhile, Dorn ordered Sigismund to lead the remainder of the Legion as a "Retribution Fleet" to the Isstvan system. The Retribution Fleet was to to reinforce the loyalist elements of the Traitor Legions and strike back at Horus.
However, shortly before the Fleet departed from the Phalanx, Sigismund met with Euphrati Keeler, who warned him of the cataclysmic battle to come on Terra. Sigismund decided that his duty was to remain at his primarch's side, despite Dorn's orders, and so requested that command of the fleet be given to someone else.[3a] Dorn acceded, and command of the fleet fell to Captain Yonnad.[3b]
Under Yonnad's command, the Retribution Fleet was composed 1/3 of the Imperial Fists's warriors and vessels, numbering over 500 ships. These forces were augmented by Astra Milataris from the Sol System and elements of the Saturine Reserve Fleet. [4]
Failed Deployment to the Isstvan System
To support Horus, the Gods of Chaos had afflicted the Warp with terrible storms to obstruct the Imperium's response to Isstvan. The storms strongly interfered with astropaths' ability to navigate and psychically communicate between worlds, which disrupted the Imperial Fist deployment.[1] 1/3 of the Retribution Fleet was destroyed during the attempted navigation to the Isstvan System. The Command of the Fleet, Yonnad, was killed during the voyage. Command over the mission transferred to Alexis Polux, who Yonnad had designated his successor. Although there were more experienced commanders with the Fleet, Polux was considered by Yonnad to have a spark of genius and untapped potential. [4]
The Fleet was unable to find a way through the warp storms to the Isstvan System. Instead, Polux ordered the Fleet to establish a base of operations in the Phall System, where a break in the Warp Storm was discovered. There, the Imperial Fists would probe for safe voyage to continue on to their objective.[4]
Imperial Fists at the Phall System
The Phall System consisted of two habitable agri worlds, Phall I and II. Both were recorded as peaceful, loyal to the Imperium, and lightly populated.[4] From the Phall system, the Legion's fleet conducted scouting operations into surrounding space to search for a break in the storms. The objective was to find clear passage either to the Issvan system, terra, or, at the very least, a way to communicate with the Imperium. An around-the-clock routine of high alert was quickly established by the fleet: astropaths attempted to break through the warp storms while battle stations were manned by the crew.[1]
The Iron Warriors Attack
The Loyalist fleet was unaware that after the traitor victory at Isstvan V, Horus ordered the Iron Warriors to intercept them, believing such a large force should not go unmolested.[2] Months after the Imperial Fists had departed for the Isstvan system, the Iron Warriors struck with over twenty large warships and many more smaller vessels. The attack was able to achieve surprise and inflicted heavy losses. Within the first minutes, the Battle Barge Hammer of Terra was destroyed, two others crafts of the same type were heavily damaged, and a dozen other smaller craft were torn apart. The Iron Warriors strategy was to plunge themselves into the heart of the Imperial Fists fleet, scatter their formation, and destroy them piecemeal.
However, the Imperial Fists decision to maintain a high alert allowed them to respond rapidly and the Iron Warriors assault was quickly blunted. The loyalist fleet concentrated their fire on the leading warships, destroying an unreported but substantial number. No sooner did the Imperial Fists gain the initiative and the chance to go on the offensive did they receive urgent orders to return to Terra at once, their first contact with the Imperium in months.
As a testament to their discipline, the loyalists disengaged and set course for Terra. A number of light cruisers were deployed to cover their withdrawal, all of which were lost to the action of Iron Warriors battle barges.[1]
Aftermath
The engagement was not the decisive victory sought by the Iron Warriors, with both the loyalist and traitor fleets suffering substantial losses. Most significantly, however, the bulk of the Imperial Fists Legion regained contact with the Imperium and was able to return to Terra, allowing the Imperial Fists to subsequently make decisive contributions to the larger war effort.
Related Articles
Sources
- 1: Horus Heresy (Artbook Series): Collected Visions, pgs. 342-3
- 2: Fulgrim (Novel) by Graham McNeill, Chapter XXV.
- 3: The Crimson Fist (Novella) by John French - Shadows of Treachery (Anthology):
- 4: The Horus Heresy Book Three - Extermination, Chapter "The Battle of the Phall"
