Dont wanna miss the party
The howitzers thunder loudly, men scramble around them readjusting the sights and loading in fresh shells as fast as they can. One man talks on the radio, every now and then issuing new orders to the gun crews who shift their fire accordingly. Captain Nellis turns his attention away from the guns and continues along the path down the hill towards the farmhouse that is being used as the battalion headquarters. He crosses the courtyard, walks up to one of the doors on the north wall and steps inside. The room is in chaos. People run about, operators talk into their headsets. The noise from the constant chatter is all that can be heard. Nellis crosses the room to a smaller office in the back. As he steps through the doorway he stops, stands at attention and salutes. Colonel Gaillard returns the salute and Nellis stands at ease.
“Whats the situation?”
“Soviet tank battalion smashed through our lines half and hour ago. C company was forced to pull back to Hamm and now theyre cut off. They’ve got heavy casualties and are under fire.”
“Then we gotta go get em.” Gaillard shakes his head.
“Soviets hold the crossroads northeast of here, you cant get to em. That battalion of tanks I was talking about is linking up with a larger force to the west. No doubt for their big push across the Rhine. If they get across the river they’ve got a straight drive to Antwerp. Don’t think I need to stress the implications of that.”
“No sir.”
“Good. Twaddle is pulling us out. Go tell your men.”
“Yes sir” Nellis salutes and walks out.
As Nellis exits the farmhouse his exo spots him and hurries over.
“Get ahold of as many trucks as you can, if anyone gives you a hard time tell them to take it up with Colonel Gaillard. Tell the boys to head to the armoury grab their gear and as many spare rifles as they can carry. Also grab as many mortars and bazookas as they can. Anyone gives them any probs, tell em were pulling out and to talk to Gaillard if they have a problem.”
“So what are we doing really?”
“Were gonna retake the crossroads and break through to that lost company.”
“Did Gaillard order this?”
“No, hes ordering us to pull out with everyone else.”
“So were gonna miss the party huh?”
“Oh I dunno about that…”
“Whats the situation?”
“Soviet tank battalion smashed through our lines half and hour ago. C company was forced to pull back to Hamm and now theyre cut off. They’ve got heavy casualties and are under fire.”
“Then we gotta go get em.” Gaillard shakes his head.
“Soviets hold the crossroads northeast of here, you cant get to em. That battalion of tanks I was talking about is linking up with a larger force to the west. No doubt for their big push across the Rhine. If they get across the river they’ve got a straight drive to Antwerp. Don’t think I need to stress the implications of that.”
“No sir.”
“Good. Twaddle is pulling us out. Go tell your men.”
“Yes sir” Nellis salutes and walks out.
As Nellis exits the farmhouse his exo spots him and hurries over.
“Get ahold of as many trucks as you can, if anyone gives you a hard time tell them to take it up with Colonel Gaillard. Tell the boys to head to the armoury grab their gear and as many spare rifles as they can carry. Also grab as many mortars and bazookas as they can. Anyone gives them any probs, tell em were pulling out and to talk to Gaillard if they have a problem.”
“So what are we doing really?”
“Were gonna retake the crossroads and break through to that lost company.”
“Did Gaillard order this?”
“No, hes ordering us to pull out with everyone else.”
“So were gonna miss the party huh?”
“Oh I dunno about that…”