This will be my last battle report for a bit, as since playing this game I’ve moved, to an entirely different country! But in the meantime, here’s the latest dispatch from the Vilniaus 39th, written as usual by Lt Spade…
Overall a fun game. As my opponent was playing three Knights, we agreed to not do a normal mission with primaries and secondaries, but just ‘whoever kills the other better, wins’.
This proved a fun match-up, though I have to say it did favour Guard quite a bit. We have an awful lot of tools for bringing down big things, and an awful lot of tools to bring back units for a second (or even third) go at it!
After Action Report: Assault on Chaos Knights Behemoths
Reported by: Lt. Spade, Vilnius 39th Astra Militarum
Summary Info
Date of Engagement: [REDACTED]
Location: Strategic Ruins, [REDACTED]
Commanding Officer: Lord Solar Leontus
Engaged Enemy: Chaos Knights
Friendly Forces:
Lord Solar Leontus and Ursula Creed, each leading a platoon of Cadian Shock Troops
Leman Russ Battle Tank
Leman Russ Exterminator (proxied by a Punisher)
Ordinance Field Battery armed with Heavy Lascannons
Rogal Dorn, with an attending Techpriest Enginseer
A squad of Death Korps of Krieg in a Chimera
Rough Riders
Enemy Forces:
Knight Tyrant (PURPLE) - the enemy Warlord
Knight Abominant (BLUE)
Knight Despoiler (GOLD)
Deployment
The Vilniaus 39th deployed with strategic caution, focusing on cover to shield their units from direct enemy line of sight:
The central formation was anchored by Lord Solar Leontus and Ursula Creed, leading Cadian Shock Troops, supported by heavy armor including the Rogal Dorn and a Leman Russ Battle Tank.
On the right flank, the Ordinance Field Battery occupied ruins for defensive positioning, supported by the Leman Russ Exterminator.
On the left flank was poised for rapid advancement with a Chimera carrying Death Korps of Krieg.
In reserves deployed the Rough Riders, ready to arrive where needed.
The Chaos Knights, constrained by dense ruins, adopted a linear formation, signaling their intent for a direct and formidable advance.
The Vilniaus 39th, prepared to face three fearsome Chaos Knights.
Lord Solar oversees the forces in the centre of the Imperial lines.
Operational Summary
Battle Round One
Chaos Onslaught
The battle commenced with the Chaos Knights seizing the initiative, swiftly advancing towards our positions. The BLUE knight aggressively moved to engage our left flank, targeting and annihilating our Chimera transport with precise and devastating firepower. This aggressive move aimed to disrupt our mobility and flank security early in the engagement.
BLUE is sighted advancing towards Imperial defensive lines.
Strategic Responses
The Vilniaus 39th, undeterred by the enemy's initial push, coordinated a calculated response. The PURPLE knight, boldly advancing on our right, became the focus of our countermeasures. The Rogal Dorn, piloted by one of our most experienced crews, unleashed a barrage against PURPLE, aiming to neutralize this significant threat. Despite a well-coordinated attack, the initial salvo failed to penetrate the knight's formidable defenses.
The Vilniaus 39th initiated a swift counter-attack.
Tactical Maneuvers
Simultaneously, the Leman Russ Exterminator, positioned for optimal field coverage, moved forward to engage PURPLE. Utilizing its hunter-killer missile, it managed to inflict serious damage, highlighting the effectiveness of our armored units against these colossal foes.
Battle Round Two
Continued Aggression by Chaos
The Chaos Knights, undeterred, pressed their advantage. PURPLE, despite sustaining damage, advanced, engaging our forces with increased ferocity. A notable confrontation ensued with the Rogal Dorn, where its harpoon, though fearsome, was ultimately ineffective against our tank's armored hull.
Meanwhile, BLUE, exploiting the gaps in our left flank, inflicted casualties among the dismounted Death Korps of Krieg and dealt moderate damage to the Leman Russ Battle Tank with ancient weaponry.
The GOLD knight, exploiting its position, managed to engage directly with the Rogal Dorn, delivering a crushing blow that would lead to the legendary tank's destruction.
The GOLD knight charges forwards and destroys the Rogal Dorn in a single round of tank shock and melee. The attending Techpriest Enginseer was not amused at all by this!
Strategic Reinforcements
Despite the chaos unfolding on the battlefield, the Vilniaus 39th remained resolute. The Rough Riders, embodying the spirit of the Astra Militarum's cavalry traditions, made a dramatic entrance.
The (light) cavalry arrives! They did absolutely nothing.
The Leman Russ Exterminator, leveraging its mobility, continued to attack PURPLE. In combination with fire from the Leman Russ Battle Tank, the Exterminators subsequent ramming into the knight was finally able to destroy it.
Charge! As usual, I manage to charge something with a tank.
Battle Round Three
Chaos's Relentless Assault
The battle escalated further as the remaining Chaos Knights intensified their assault. The BLUE knight, utilizing its whip tail, caused havoc among our ranks, diminishing our infantry's effectiveness.
It then focused its volkite weaponry on the Leman Russ Battle Tank, significantly reducing our armored capability on the left flank. Meanwhile, GOLD opened fire on multiple targets, including eliminating most of the Rough Riders.
BLUE continues moving on our left flank. Also, lots of sixes from my shooting!
Vilniaus 39th's Determined Stand
Facing mounting casualties and the psychological toll of the engagement, morale within the Vilniaus 39th began to waver. However, the arrival of a reinforcing Ordinance Field Battery provided a much-needed boost to our artillery capabilities.
The Leman Russ Exterminator, demonstrating remarkable resilience and tactical acumen, engaged the GOLD knight, further reducing its threat level. Lord Solar, in a display of unmatched bravery, confronted GOLD in melee, managing to inflict critical damage with his pistol that felled the mighty war machine.
Lord Solar bests GOLD in melee with his pistol.
Battle Round Four
Chaos's Last Stand
As the battle reached its climax, the BLUE knight, now the last of its kin, launched a desperate attack. Creed's platoon faced annihilation, with Ursula Creed herself standing as the sole survivor. The knight's onslaught continued, targeting the newly arrived Ordinance Field Battery and successfully eliminating a gun and the Leman Russ Battle Tank, effectively reducing our heavy support capabilities.
BLUE as it eliminates the remnants of Creed’s platoon, and prior to it’s destruction of the Leman Russ Battle Tank.
The 39th's Triumph
In the face of adversity, the Vilniaus 39th rallied for one final push. The Leman Russ Exterminator, having played a pivotal role throughout the engagement, managed to deliver a staggering blow to the BLUE knight, removing 15 wounds and securing its destruction. This act, combined with the concerted efforts of our remaining forces, ensured a hard-fought victory over the Chaos Knights.
Our remaining forces moving in. The Leman Russ Exterminator, clearly the MVP of the game, did the final wounds to fell BLUE once and for all.
Casualties
Friendly Forces: Significant, with notable losses among the Cadian Shock Troops and Rough Riders. The sacrifice of these units, particularly in the face of overwhelming odds, will be remembered.
Enemy Forces: Complete destruction of the enemy knights, ensuring the operational area is secured from the taint of Chaos.
Recommendations
Tactics Adjustment: Enhance anti-armor capabilities and infantry support to mitigate heavy losses against formidable foes.
Unit Training: Increase emphasis on maneuver warfare, utilizing mobility to exploit enemy weaknesses.
Morale and Cohesion: Continue to foster unit cohesion and battlefield adaptability to maintain operational effectiveness under stress.
Conclusion
The Vilniaus 39th's victory over the Chaos Knights exemplifies the Astra Militarum's resilience and strategic acumen. Through the combined efforts of every soldier and commander, we have once again demonstrated our unwavering commitment to the Imperium's cause. The Emperor protects.
Lt. Spade Vilniaus 39th Astra Militarum
Hopefully the wait will not be too long until my next report or article, but in the meantime thanks for reading!
Hope the move goes okay!!
Safe travels!