Miller's Crossing

+++Astropathic transmission+++

+++Sender: Captain M Petronius Aventine XIII+++
+++Recipient: Lt Gen Ivona Sonnambler+++
+++Thought for the day: Always wear sunscreen+++
+++Transmission begins+++


+++After action report – Miller's Crossing – Calhun Province – Varsila Prime+++

+++Elements of Aventine XII tasked with reconnaissance and scouting encountered heavy Tyranid presence while crossing tributary of Mosse River+++
+++Testimony from reports of 1st Sergeant Jones, Attached Storm Troopers and one of the few survivors: “We crossed the river under orders of [REDACTED] while seconded to the Aventine, despite some arguments the bozo in charge chose to use a Leman Russ to force a way across the crossing, naturally it got stuck yeah? While the rest of us kitted down a bit a couple hundred metres down the road as they got it out the mud we found ourselves surrounded by the bugs, thousands of em. 2nd Squad took one side, we took the other and we managed to repel most of the main wave with Devil Dog support, ever seen one of those big bulgy spewing out little uns ones get a Melta Cannon to the face? Its sweet. By the time we'd got a lid on the situation though the bugs had managed to overwhelm most of the men, they sold em selves well but we lost an entire damn platoon to the things along with that Russ... wasnt worth it, real mess. Then when we saw those big buggers sitting pretty and eating the dead at the other end of the field... I took command and gave the order to fall back, my squad and a couple of the Snipers were about all that was left, we clung to the sides of those Dogs and got out of there”+++
+++Cross examination of Jones and survivors indicates that Lt Goreman of 2nd Platoon led men into Ambush by poor positioning of Heavy Armour+++
+++Lt Goreman held the river crossing with his command squad for approximately 5 minutes against approximately 30+ Tyranid organisms classified: Hormagaunts+++
+++Infantry squads formed up and held against several waves of Tyranid creatures, most noticeably Genestealers. Excellent use of cover and defensive grenades repelled attackers at heavy cost. Further waves of Termagants eventually wore down the platoons defences and they were overwhelmed+++
+++Conclusion+++
+++Tyranids obtained complete surprise against the Recon column, managing to hold 4/6ths of the battlefield after 1 hours combat duration. Despite strong efforts on Guardsmens side the Xenos superiority in Melee wore down and destroyed the Imperial forces+++
+++Due to heroics of defence it is suggested the Lt is awarded posthumous Martyrs Cup medallion, unfortunately due to leading his men into such a situation all benefits to next of kin must cease+++
+++Crews of Aventine Light Armour - “Divine Wind” “Sunspear” to be awarded marksmens medals+++
+++Orbital and surface Artillery to barrage Grids AZ81-BZ79 and further search and destroy operations to be carried out+++

+++Message ends+++   

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