Changes

The '''Achilus Crusade''' is an ongoing [[Crusade]] of the [[Imperium]], begun in 777.[[M41]] to reclaim the [[Jericho Reach]] region from [[Xenos]] and [[Heretic]]s.{{Fn|11a}}

Under the command of [[Lord General Militant]] [[Solomon Tetrarchus]], he commands not only [[Imperial Guard]] detachments but also [[Space Marine]] detachments, [[Titan Legion]]s, and [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] forces. The Crusade also operates in close cooperation with the [[Deathwatch]] against various [[Xenos]] forces in the area, but relations can become tense if the Crusade attempts to usurp the autonomy of the Deathwatch.{{Fn|11a}}

The Crusade intended to rapidly conquer the Jericho Reach to use it as a staging area for other Crusades to capture the [[Eastern Fringe]] and potentially begin an offensive against the [[Tau Empire]]. The catalyst for the Crusade was the discovery of an active [[Warp gate]] in [[Segmentum Obscurus]] which had a quick and easy path to the Jericho Reach. When word of this new discovery reached the [[High Lords of Terra]], a Crusade was approved to take advantage of this Warp route. The Crusade's original commander was Lord General Militant [[Tiber Achilus]] (after whom the Crusade was named), but after a [[Gellar Field]] failure on his [[Grand Cruiser]] resulted in the ship being lost to the [[Warp]], Lord General Militant [[Tetrarchus]] assumed command.{{Fn|11a}}

The Crusade is taking place over three salients: designated [[Canis Salient|Canis]], [[Acheros Salient|Acheros]], and [[Orpheus Salient|Orpheus]]. The general Imperial strategy is for Canis Slient to drive towards the core of Jericho Reach and crush native resistance while Acheros and Orpheus Salients move swiftly through uninhabited rim worlds, encircling the core and disrupting [[Tau]] activities in the area. Early on, the Crusade enjoyed rapid success, taking several worlds from heretic and rebel forces.{{Fn|11a}}

In Orpheus Salient the Crusade was the most successful initially under the command of [[General]] [[Curas]], bringing sixty [[system]]s under its control against secessionist forces and petty rebel empires. However, this success was short lived, as [[Tyranid]] [[Hive Fleet]] [[Dagon]] moved into the area and annihilated a large portion of the Salient's crusading forces. Most of the salient's leadership was shattered and at least 50% of troops in the area were lost. At least nine worlds have been overrun by the Tyranids in Orpheus Salient.{{Fn|11a}}

In Acheros Salient, the Crusade is bogged down in bloody fighting against [[Chaos]] forces, including warbands of [[Chaos Space Marines]]. The Chaos Marines orchestrated a massive, well-organized counterattack consisting of [[Space Hulk]]s and [[Cruiser]]-class vessels. The Acheros salient fleet, dispersed across the area in twenty sub-groups, were isolated and destroyed while poorly protected troop convoys were hunted down and ravaged. Only the skill of [[Imperial Navy]] fleet commanders and Space Marine forces prevented a sudden and savage loss of the entire salient, organizing an ordered withdrawal. At least 160,000 troops were lost in the Chaos offensive in six weeks of savage fighting, the majority of which were [[Guardsmen]] who were killed when their transport ships were destroyed.{{Fn|11a}}

In Canis Salient, a bloody war of attrition is taking place against heretic and secessionist forces. Control for key worlds, such as [[Khazant]] and [[Vanity]], has swung back and forth several times.{{Fn|11a}} In addition, Space Marine and Imperial Guard forces began to clash with [[Tau]] [[Cadre]]s dispatched from the [[Sept]] of [[Velk'Han]].{{Fn|2}}

==Crusade Forces{{Fn|11a}}==

*[[Tekarn Gathalamor Heavy Grenadiers]]: 8 Battalions*[[Gunmetalican Armoured]]: 1 Regiment*[[Harakoni Warhawks]]: 1 Regiment

*[[Terrax Maccabian Guard]]: 3 2 Regiments*[[Harakoni WarhawksMerov Penitentiary Indenture]]: 4 [[Penal Legions]]*[[Monrass Scythewind Reconnaissance]]: 1 Regiment

*[[Descaal LancersMortessan Highlanders]]: 1 Regiment

*[[Maccabian Guard]]: 2 Regiments*[[Mortessan HighlandersTekarn Armoured]]: 1 Regiment*[[Gunmetalican ArmouredTerrax Guard]]: 1 Regiment3 Regiments

*[[Space Wolves]]: 1 Company*[[White ConsulsBlood Swords]]: 2 Companies

*[[Order of the Valorous HeartArgent Shroud]]: 1 CommanderyPerceptory

*[[Order of the Argent ShroudCrimson Oath]]: 1 Perceptory2 Missions

*[[Order of the Crimson OathValorous Heart]]: 2 Missions1 Commandery

*[[Knights|Korvat Knight HouseOrdo Reductor]]: 2 Formations*[[Centurio Ordinatus]]: 1 OrdinatusSiege Regiments

*'''Pioneer Administratum Assay Corps''': 3 Regiments1 Corps

*'''Administratum Assay Pioneer Corps''': 1 Corps3 Regiments

====Chaos Space Marines{{Fn|11a}}====

====Cults and Renegades{{Fn|11a}}====

*{{Endn|1}}: [[Deathwatch Core Rulebook]] **{{Endn|1a}}: pgs. 331–349**{{Endn|1b}}: pg. 156