Ghoul Stars Incursion

The Ghoul Stars Incursion was an Imperial defensive campaign conducted by the New Dawn Space Marine Chapter against a splinter-Tyranids Hive Fleet that invaded one of the worlds of the Ghoul Stars monitored by the Chapter.

History
A splinter of the Hive Fleets of the Tyranid menace from the Eastern Fringe appeared, disoriented and twisted by its passage through the Ghoul Stars and landed upon one of the world's monitored by the Dawn. Serving faithfully to their duties as a sentinel force, the Chapter stood vanguard over the desolate world. However the favoured tactics of the New Dawn could not break a foe such as the Tyranids. The conflict quickly escalated into a grueling war of attrition, with heavy losses suffered by most of the veteran elements of the Death-Corps Assault Company, and other line officers of Brother-Captain Eshara's choice and nearly the entirety of the bloody 3rd Devastator Company.

Led by Brother-Captain Bololf, who had overall command, the 'Bloody Third' (so-called for their stubborn resolve and sheer refusal to give ground even in the face of insurmountable odds) formed the bulwark of the operation. The Third would dig in and form the anvil where the 8th would sweep in from behind and serve as the hammer. Two Stormraven gunships and a Thunderhawk would provide close air support. However, even with such a force the New Dawn knew that this operation was tantamount to suicide. Still they held the line for three months as their forces ground down the neverending tide of the tyranids.

Unfortunately, by the time support came the Eighth and the Chapter's hand-picked troops had all been killed save for Eshara himself, whom was facing a Hive Tyrant in single combat. The Third had fared little better, thinned to mear squads by the time they were extracted. Ultimately, what the Dawn bought the Imperium was much-needed time and experience fighting such a relentless foe.