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The principal concentration of War Hounds [[astartes]] (around 8,000 Legionaries) had been grouped into the [[13th Expeditionary Fleet]], alongside dedicated support and naval elements. As the Crusade wore on and the various Legions grew in size to the point where they no longer needed a standing reserve reinforcement force, the scattered units of War Hounds were consolidated into the 13th Fleet, upon the legion muster-world of [[Bodt]]. Added to the 13th were many other Imperial forces, especially those who had similarly dark or questionable reputations for violence, particularly [[Feral World]] and [[Abhuman]] troops. Notable additions to the 13th were the [[Titans]] of [[Legio Audax]] and the warriors of the [[Numen Gun Clans]], both powerful elements whose conduct had fallen under a pall of suspicion and distrust. It is believed this particular grouping was a deliberate choice by the [[War Council]] to corral into one force all the Imperial elements which had shown a tendency to cause massive destruction and loss of enemy life during their campaigns, so that the Imperium had a formation at hand that could be deployed where the total annihilation of the enemy and their works was desired. The war record of all of these various forces led to the 13th Expeditionary Fleet becoming known as '''"The Bloody 13th"''' in various Imperial circles.{{Fn|15c}}

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|quote = '''''"Primarch! General! Your warriors were eaters of cities, lord, but with you to command us the War Hounds will be eaters of worlds!"'''''<br>

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When it became clear that almost two-thirds of the deployed forces had survived the [[life-eater]], Horus made plans to saturation bomb their positions from orbit. However, his stratagem was altered by the actions of Angron, who seemingly decided that the survivors of his legion should be cut down by his own hand. Descending to the surface, with a full 50 companies of World Eaters at his back, Angron made straight for the largest concentration of his own betrayed troops and engaged them in close combat. Watching from orbit in outrage, Horus realised he had no choice but to commit his own ground forces in order to reinforce Angron's move. Thus the [[Battle of Isstvan III]] was begun.{{Fn|15h}}

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Not all World Eaters rendezvoused with Angron, however. Several warbands remained behind in Ultramar, forming [[Butcher Fleets]] to oversee their own reign of terror. The bloodthirsty hordes ignored strategically important targets and instead targeted areas with high populations.{{Fn|40}}

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