90
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Changes
From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
→The Battle of the Iron Cage
====Assaulting the Eternal Fortress====
The loyalists approached the Fortress in a massive formation four [[company|companies]] across. Overseeing the battlefield from a tower, Perturabo directed the defense against his brothers' forces. The Imperial Fists were immediately met with heavy defenses. With the aid of tank traps and minefields, the Iron Warriors neutralized their armor and pinned their infantry units.<sup>3b</sup>
Upon breaking out, the loyalists discovered less resistance than 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. Crucially, this allowed the Primarch of the Iron Warriors 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 had been reduced to largely fighting battle-brother by battle-brother.<sup>3b</sup>
