Kieldar Offensive

The Kieldar Offensive was a major campaign waged by the Astra Militarum against the rebellious Fortress World of Kieldar in 956.M41 after it declared its independence from the Imperium of Man. The campaign proved successful and Kieldar was restored to Imperial rule.

History
The Kieldar rebellion began with a declaration of independence and flagrant rejection of the Imperial Creed. Shortly thereafter all those deemed a threat to the newly "independent" Fortress World -- including representatives of the Ecclesiarchy and military advisors from nearby Cadia were executed.

Unbeknownst to the rebels, an Astropath attached to the Cadian delegation was able to send warning of  Kieldar's uprising. Fearing that misrule would spread -- especially to the nearby, and vital Agri-worlds of the Dinorwyc Cluster, an Astra Militarum task force was assembled by the Segmentum Obscurus Command and ordered to crush the Kieldar rebellion.

The forces involved included regiments drawn from Cadia, Elysium, Vostroya, Mordian, Tallarn, Harakon, Paragon, Birmingham, Pintax, Jjojos, Loriar, and Morox.

Campaign Progress

 * Days 1 to 7 - Three attempts to secure a drop site on the northern continent are defeated. The fourth drives the enemy from the beach-head.
 * Day 18 - Blitzkrieg assault on outer defence line. Thunderbolt fighters provide air cover.
 * Days 20-24 - Reconnaissance elements destroyed whilst cutting enemy supply lines. Reports pointed to captured Imperial Guardsmen having been ritually sacrificed by the rebels, indicating Chaos Cultist presence among the enemy.
 * Days 25-40 - Taskforces Ironwind and Steel Hammer engage in pyrrhic sieges of outlying enemy-held cities and trenchlines. The mission goal is that the task forces should die slowly enough to prevent the enemy reinforcing his stronghold. Presence of daemons reported, but not independently verified.
 * Days 41-63 - Flank March. Unexpected victory by Taskforce lronwind allows seizure of the Krokorax bastion from Chaos Renegade agitators. Taskforce Ironwind advances upon enemy positions in the Kieldar Darkridge.
 * Days 60-93 - The Siege of Darkridge. The Darkridge Hold fortifications are reduced to rubble by thirty solar days of continuous bombardment. Kieldar rebel defence units fall back before the Imperial infantry advance. Taskforce Ironwind cuts enemy line of retreat. Kieldar returns to the control of the Imperium shortly thereafter.