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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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→Assaulting the Eternal Fortress
====Assaulting the Eternal Fortress====
In what followed, the Imperial Fists assault on the Eternal Fortress was all but entirely decimated. The loyalists approached the Fortress in a massive formation four companies across. Overseeing the battlefield from a tower, [[Perturabo]] directed the defense against his brothers' forces. Initially, the Imperial Fists were met with heavy defenses which incorporated tank traps and minefields, pinning them. Casualties were heavy and upon breaking out, the loyalists discovered less resistance that expected. Unknown to the loyalists, Perturabo was withdrawing portions of his force to entice the Imperial Fists to assault their positions and take additional casualties. Also, this allowed the Primarch of the Iron hands to control the movements of the loyalists, directing them into carefully planned traps and kill zones. By repeating this tactic, the Iron Warriors were able to break apart the formations of the Imperial Fists, first company by company and then squad by squad. By the sixth day, the Imperial Fists largely fought battle-brother by battle-brother.<sup>3b</sup>
The battle lasted another three weeks. The Imperial Fists' ammunition was expended and they fought individually in half flooded trenches with their combat knives,<sup>1b</sup> refusing to submit while they dug into the mud and used their fallen battle-brothers for cover.<sup>3b</sup> Dorn personally turned back a number of attacks. The Legion's captains pleaded with their primarch to organize a breakout and retreat, but Dorn refused. Ever loyal, the Imperial Fists resigned to die fighting alongside their lord if necessary.<sup>3b</sup>
