Mordecai: Progress at Abrax Mines

As 02.020M42 began, General Kutuzov was determined to make a breakthrough on Mordecai Secundus. The Imperial Guard were gradually recovering from the sickness that hat overtaken the main garrisons, and the Imperium could still count on support from the Grey Knights and the Hammers of the Emperor chapters of astartes. House Corvus' knights remained in reserve refitting and repairing, while Kutuzov began to plan the next phase of the offensive against the Abrax mines.

 

Even with astartes support, it was clear that a sweeping breakthrough would not be possible in 02.020M42. The chaos forces were well defended and numerous, and the fleets at the Mordecai docks prevented the Imperium from bringing overwhelming orbital support to bear. Kutuzov could however rely on the astartes strike cruisers for close support in any upcoming offensive.

 

The grey Knights opened the operation to take the Abrax mines, launching an assault agains the Death Guard to the north of Imperial positions. the battle was hard fought, and the Grey Knights only just managed to escape from superior nurgle forces after causing massive disruption to the chaos supply lines. Taking heavy casualties the astartes withdrew, but they had been successful in their mission. Kutuzov's main offensive could now begin without fear of a flank attack from the north.

 

The Novgorod Guard launched the new offensive towards the lava lakes of the eastern hemisphere on 0802.020M42, advancing on a wide front. The Emerald Serpent defenders were constantly harried by orbital bombardments from astartes strike cruisers, as the Imperial Guard relentlessly pushed forwards. By 1102.020M42 the chaos line had been bent back towards the coast of the lava sea, giving up almost two thirds of the mining installations on the coast. The chaos line wasn't broken, but they had suffered a heavy defeat. Kutuzov was mindful however of the over extension of his lines, and concious of the threat now posed by the chaos salient on his southern flank, and called off any further advance. The Abrax mines - targets for day one of the invasion, were finally falling into Imperial hands, some three months later.