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The Chaos Space Marine counteroffensive on Vraks began when the [[World Eater]]s warband the [[Berserkers of Skallathrax]] launched a [[Dreadclaw]] assault on the planet from the Battleship ''Blood Dawn''. The attacks were aimed at the rear of the Krieg regiments, which were now encircling the primary Fortress of Vraks. The Krieg forces themselves were busy in the '''Assault on Mortuary Ridge''', a key strategic highground overlooking the Fortress. The attack was typically bloody for both sides, but the situation became catastrophic for the Krieg forces when the Chaos fleet above began a fierce orbital bombardment of [[Macro-cannon]] shells. Next came the [[Drop Pod]]s and Dreadclaws, each full of screaming [[Khorne Berzerker]]s. The bloodthirsty killers and their orbital bombardment threw the Krieg Regiments into full-scale confusion, and the Guardsmen fell back in a full rout. Other Chaos vessels began to land on the planet, disgorging not only other Chaos Space Marines from [[Death Guard]], [[World Eater]], [[Iron Warriors]], and [[Black Legion]] warbands but also hundreds of thousands of [[Cultist]]s, [[Mutant]]s, [[Beastmen]], and other fighters of Chaos. Worse still, [[Traitor Titan Legions|Traitor Titans]] from the [[Legio Vulcanum]] landed on the planet, unloading [[Warhound Scout Titan|Warhound]] and [[Reaver Battle Titan|Reaver]] [[Titan]]s. Seeing an opportunity for a dramatic turnaround, the Vraksian renegades launched a major attack from their own embattled positions, causing the Krieg troops to become attacked on all sides. A full-scale counter-offensive by the Forces of Chaos was underway, and the Imperial Guard faced total defeat.{{Fn|2b}}
What had once been a war with clearly defined frontlines now became a messy affair, as the Krieg Regiments were attacked on all sides by a wide variety of enemies. The Krieg forces withdrew in quick order, and [[Segmentum Command]] soon dismissed Lord Commander Zuehlke and appointed [[Marshal_(Imperial_Guard)|Marshal]] [[Amim Kargori]] in his stead to salvage the operation. Marshal Kargori gathered a relief force to save the beleagured Krieg regiments, consisting of Titans from the [[Legio Astorum]] as well as fresh Regiments from [[Krieg]] itself. While this relief force was mobilized, the Krieg forces on Vraks fought for their lives.{{Fn|2b}}
By now, Xaphan had lost most control over his forces. Arkos and the warlords of the various Chaos Space Marine warbands operating on the planet assumed direct control, and Xaphan became a mere figurehead who made less and less public appearances. Various [[Nurgle]] affiliated warbands such as [[The Purge]], [[Apostles of Contagion]], and [[Lords of Decay]] plundered Vraks' stocks, unleashing a dreadful chemical weapon known as [[TP-III]] which could even eat through the Krieg Guardsmen gas masks. The Death Guard forces, consisting of many [[Plague Marine]]s, slaughtered the 19th Krieg Regiment with their new weapon in a gleeful harvest for Nurgle.{{Fn|2b}}
