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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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The growing disillusionment that began to show itself during bitter and pointless battles such as the [[Sak'trada Deeps Campaign]] would eventually translate into a tragic explosion of despair and rage as the Iron Warriors learned that their own homeworld, [[Olympia]], had revolted against [[Imperium|Imperial rule]]. Enraged, [[Perturabo]] drew his [[Space Marine Legion|Legion]] away from the extermination campaign they were waging upon the [[Hrud]] and led them homewards, falling upon the world with no mercy. The planet was battered into submission, and he gave orders that the cities were to enact decimation, killing one in every ten of their own or face extermination and enslavement. Cities burned, and over five million inhabitants were killed. Some Iron Warriors refused to take part in the genocide, and they too were struck down.{{Fn|25a}} In the aftermath, the legion as a whole seemed aghast at their actions, aware that they had committed an unforgivable atrocity.{{Fn|1c}}{{Fn|1d}}
However, before word of their actions could reach the other arms of the [[Imperium]], the Iron Warriors once again received orders to move into action. This time it was to move to the [[Isstvan system]]. While the Iron Warriors had been engaged in suppressing the rebellion on [[Olympia]], the [[Galaxy]] had turned upside down: [[Horus]] had rebelled against the [[Emperor]], [[Fulgrim]], [[Angron]] and [[Mortarion]] had joined him, and the [[Space Wolves]] had slaughtered the [[Thousand Sons]] on [[Prospero]]. If the Iron Warriors had committed an outrage on Olympia, then their brother [[Space Marine Legion|Legions]] seemed determined to outdo them; the [[Horus Heresy]] had begun.{{Fn|1d}} Horus promised Perturabo not only forgiveness for his genocide on Olympia but even commended him for it. So Perturabo soon swore a secret oath of loyalty to the Warmaster.{{Fn|1c}} Upon being informed of the destruction of Olympia, some Iron Warrior units broke away from their Legion, subsequently joining the Loyalists in the upcoming civil war.{{Fn|88}}
===The Horus Heresy===
[[Image:TacticalSupportMarine.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Heresy-era Iron Warriors Space Marine{{Fn|20f}}]]
The Iron Warriors were ordered to join the second assault on the Traitors' position on [[Isstvan V]], but instead declared their true allegiance to [[Horus]] and fell upon their former brothers of the [[Raven Guard]] and the [[Iron Hands]] without mercy during the [[Drop Site Massacre]].{{Fn|1d}} Following the Massacre on Isstvan V, the next major action of the Iron Warriors was the ambush of the [[Imperial Fists]] fleet [[Battle of Phall|at Phall]].{{Fn|13}} While these main contingents of the Iron Warriors under Perturabo became major assets to the debeloping Traitor campaign, the Legion saw a great number of garrisons and isolated expeditions declare for the Loyalists or go completely rogue at the Horus Heresy's start.{{Fn|88}}
Following the action at Phall and the [[First Siege of Hydra Cordatus|reduction of Hydra Cordatus]], the [[Space Marine Legion|Legion]] under [[Perturabo]]'s personal command would journey with [[Fulgrim]] to the [[Crone World]] of [[Iydris]], pursuing an ancient weapon known as the [[Angel Exterminatus]]. However the [[Battle of Iydris|entire affair]] was a ploy by Fulgrim to achieve [[Daemon Prince|daemonhood]].{{Fn|14}}
*{{Endn|86}}: [[Legions Imperialis: The Devastation of Tallarn]], pg. 17
*{{Endn|87}}: [[Ahriman: Eternal (Novel)]] - Chapter 1
*{{Endn|88}}: [[Campaigns of the Age of Darkness: The Battle of Beta-Garmon]], pg. 155
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