Another game against the Space Marines! This time the Salamanders, though using the normal Space Marine rules. We had to call the game to an end early, though considering the damage I managed to do early on, we agreed it was highly likely to be a victory for the Astra Militarum.
As always, here’s the summary from Lt. Spade…
After Action Report: Engagement with Salamanders Space Marines
Reported by: Lt. Spade, Vilnius 39th Astra Militarum
Summary Info
Date of Engagement: [REDACTED]
Location: Urban Ruins, [REDACTED]
Commanding Officer: Lord Solar Leontus
Engaged Enemy: Salamanders Space Marines
Forces Deployed
Friendly Forces:
Lord Solar Leontus, accompanied by a Cadian Command Squad and a squad of Cadian Shock Troops.
1 Death Korps Marshal, leading a squad of 20 Death Korps of Krieg and a Primaris Psyker.
1 Tank Commander with a Demolisher Cannon.
1 Basilisk
1 Leman Russ Exterminator
1 Leman Russ Battle Tank (deployed in reserves)
1 Rogal Dorn
1 Scout Sentinel with Plasma Cannon
Enemy Forces:
2 Redemptor Dreadnoughts
1 Brutalis Dreadnought
1 Repulsor
2 Intercessor Squads
Aggressors (6-man squad)
Infernus (10-man squad)
Vulkan He’stan
Apothecary Biologis
Operational Summary
Deployment
Our forces deployed in a cohesive line. On the right flank, Lord Solar and his retinue took position within the ruins, supported by a Leman Russ Exterminator and the Death Korps of Krieg. Central deployment saw the Rogal Dorn stationed between two buildings, with the Basilisk providing covering fire. On the left flank, the Tank Commander and Scout Sentinel were poised for rapid engagement. The Leman Russ Battle Tank remained in reserves, ready to respond as the tactical situation demanded.
The enemy forces concealed their initial positions within ruins, with a notable concentration of dreadnoughts on our right flank and an anti-grav vehicle on the left.
Seizing the Initiative
The Vilnius 39th seized the initiative, pushing forward to secure objectives in no man's land. The Basilisk unleashed its wrath upon the enemy Infernus squad, annihilating one marine and suppressing the unit. The Rogal Dorn, identifying an enemy dreadnought, engaged but failed to cause damage.
The enemy's response was swift; dreadnoughts surged forward on the right, with the Brutalis sustaining light damage from overwatch fire. The Repulsor dismounted Aggressors on the left flank, advancing towards our lines. Enemy units focused their firepower on the Rogal Dorn, causing moderate damage, while Vulkan He’stan's Infernus marines inflicted light damage on our Tank Commander. Intercessor small arms fire caused minor casualties among the Death Korps of Krieg, mitigated by the protective ward cast by their Primaris Psyker.
Both forces advances quickly towards the centre.
Striking Back
Our forces continued their advance. The Basilisk maintained pressure on the Infernus marines, killing three more and hampering their advance towards the central objective. The Leman Russ Exterminator engaged the Brutalis Dreadnought, destroying it with a devastating barrage of autocannon fire. The Tank Commander, seizing an opportunity, fired its Demolisher Cannon at a Redemptor Dreadnought, destroying it and causing casualties within a nearby Intercessor squad.
The Tank Commander spies an enemy dreadnought at extreme range (almost 24 inches!)
Emboldened, the Tank Commander charged into the Infernus squad, eliminating two marines under its treads.
After destroying the Redemptor, the Tank Commander couldn’t resist charging forwards. I reasoned he was not long for this world anyways.
The state of play prior to the enemy turn 2 commencing.
In retaliation, the enemy Aggressors destroyed the Scout Sentinel and charged the Tank Commander alongside the Repulsor. On the right, a Redemptor Dreadnought sustained serious damage from overwatch fire and engaged the Leman Russ Exterminator. Heroically, Lord Solar and his retinue intervened in the melee, contributing to the defensive efforts.
The last picture before records were lost. Lord Solar Leontus heroically intervenes to target the lone surviving enemy dreadnought.
Casualties:
Vilnius 39th:
Minor casualties among the Death Korps of Krieg.
Scout Sentinel destroyed.
Moderate damage to the Rogal Dorn.
Salamanders:
Brutalis Dreadnought destroyed.
Redemptor Dreadnought destroyed.
Significant casualties within the Infernus squad.
Minor casualties among the Intercessor squads.
Recommendations:
Enhance infantry support with additional anti-armor weaponry to better counter dreadnought threats.
Improve sentinel reconnaissance and survivability tactics to prevent early losses.
Develop rapid deployment techniques for swift and effective reserve engagement.
Conclusion: The Vilnius 39th, through tactical acumen and sheer tenacity, engaged and overcame a formidable Salamanders force. Each soldier's valiant efforts, from the relentless advance of the Death Korps to the devastating firepower of our tanks, contributed to a hard-fought victory. This engagement stands as a testament to our strength and dedication to the Emperor's cause.
Lt. Spade
Vilnius 39th Astra Militarum
Despite it being very much cut short (we didn’t even complete turn 2), it was pretty fun. I came up against some units I’d never really encountered before, such as Infernus marines. And Vulkan, he’s something else… he really makes flamers something to fear. 10 Infernus marines and him firing overwatch with some of their bonuses is no joke, even against tanks.
When we had to call the game early, we walked through the potentials for the game:
We reasoned it was likely I would win the melee on the right flank - Lord Solar and the Exterminator were going to be backed up by the Death Korps of Krieg, and the Exterminator was still able to shoot into combat with it’s most lethal guns like the autocannons.
Meanwhile, in the centre, the Rogal Dorn being alive and kicking would serve as a nice counter to the Tank Commander likely not surviving a turn.
And on top of this, my Leman Russ Battle Tank in reserve. I was planning on him charging onto the enemy home objective for the points, and also to hammer units on objectives (to benefit from his unit bonus).
All in all, a good game, and next post will be a rematch!
As always thanks for reading, see you next time.
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