Death Guard in heavy fighting

The heavy fighting continued on Mordecai Secundus throughout 11.019M42 as it became obvious to Kutuzov that the invasion of the smaller remaining chaos world was still going to be a tough challenge. Several weeks into the campaign, the Imperial army had still not taken Festergax Primus, the Abrax mines or fort Abruphus, all targets for the first week of the invasion. Ever since landing the chaos forces, in particular the Death Guard forces, had put up stubborn and unyielding resistance, and their defences were far stronger than had been hoped.

The astartes were once again looked upon to provide the shock troops to break the enemy lines, with the Ashen Sons and the Grey Knights conducting surprise assaults on the chaos positions. The Grey Knights achieved their objectives, smashing apart a plague marine cohort and its support units and managing to further expand the Imperial bridgehead north and east of the landing zone.

Further south, the Ashen Sons were less successful. In an operation intended to break open the Death Guard defences protecting the Abrax mines, the astartes chapter faced heavy resistance from the traitor legion. and the attack at first stalled, then was driven back by superior forces. The Ashen Sons were badly mauled in the encounter and the Imperium had gained no strategic advantage. As 12.019M42 approached, senior commanders began to wonder whether the campaign on Mordecai Secundus was going to turn into another long drawn out affair.