FIrstly, i do not own Girls und Panzer anime nor its characters. Any names that similar to other Fanfiction/Mangas were coincident.
INTODUCTION:
Battle of Kursk, which is regarded as the most largest tank battles in history ended with the soviet union being victorious although they suffered lot of casualties than their German enemy. At the same year, the German military in North Africa is also forced to surrender to the Allied Forces and Germany's only Allies, Italy was close to a downfall. At the east, couping with their staggering losses the USSR ready to launched a counter attack against the German Armies in hope the Germans will not able to establishing a strong defensive points. Unlike the Soviet, Germany's losses of tanks can not be replaced. And they were on high stakes pushing back the Soviet or perished. however, Kursk will be remembered as the days where the superior German Tanks tremble the earth forever,not just changing the armoured warfare for the future but also inspiring fear and fame to both friends and foes alike..
Summer 1943, Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant) Maho von Austermann returned to her line of duty as Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger commander at the German Panzerwaffe (Armoured Division). Being previously wounded during the Battle of Kursk, which happened just months ago Maho, now a fully decorated officer found herself in the middle of her own forces retreat as the Soviet Union start pushing the German forces deep to the west...
Chapter 1: New Faces
Somewhere near the bank of Don River,Ukraine,USSR ,10 June 1943
It was once a beautiful Russian green steppes covered by countless acres of green far from there a large river flows dividing the land into two big chunks. Now, all that's left is Soldiers carrying the injured, mass graves for those who lost their lives during the battle and countless Tanks or other War Vehicles. The sky is filled with the sound of firing artilleries or screams from the wounded soldiers.
Since the Kursk offensive was stalled, the German Army was retreating back to west despite having inflicted heavy casualties to the Soviets are like a Tsunami killing and raping all in it's path. Their numbers bolstered with the change of days and their tanks flood the battlefields. The war is closing to an end with Germany being pushed back on both fronts. Maho always thought this to herself but she still have some reason to fight. Especially because she has her little sister and her mother awaiting for her to came back.
"But.. how long can I cheat death like this?" Maho closed her eyes for a second, thinking about her sister Miho. They used to put together Weapons using makeshift ingredients anywhere they could find them. She fell deep into her mind. All she hears now are just the sounds of little Miho's laugh more than anything.
"Oberleutnant! Oberleutnant you there?"
The voice of a girl wakes Maho from her imagination. She was sat on her commander chair inside of her Tiger tank. Maho knows who is calling her so she quickly climbed out of the hatch. She saw Erika Zoller, her Gunner is standing still outside the Tiger waiting for her.
"Ah Erika, sorry for taking too long. What is it?"
"Hauptmann Brunschwig wants you to report to her immediately" Hearing that 'Hauptmann Brunschwig' words made Maho suddenly smile a little. Why not? She and Erwin are like sisters despite Erwin being her superior. She suddenly remembered how close she was with her when they were still kids.
"I'll report immediately then" said Maho nodding her head "And Erika, if you don't mind, the Optics feels like dirty a bit. Everytime I see through it there is a black spot covering the calibration so can you clean it?"
"Jawohl, Oberleutnant" said Erika nod her head then quickly climb their Tiger to check what's wrong with the Optics. Maho look at her for a while before walking away to Erwin's Command Post.
Maho arrived in a big tent guarded with two Soldiers in the front of it's entrance. She adjusts her Visor cap and her black Panzerwaffe Uniform that now has multiple medals embedded on it. She proceeds to salute to the guarding soldiers.
"Oberleutnant Von Austermann, reporting to Hauptmann Brunschwig"
"Jawohl, Oberleutnant"
"This way"
The two soldier open the tent's door and gives salute to maho as she steps in. Inside, there are a few tables one with a Typewriter on it. Another table filled with a Books,Maps, Telegram papers, a field phone and a small wooden box used to store the fallen soldier's Dog Tags. Erwin was sat at the table with the typewriter on it and when she sees Maho, she quickly got up and hugged her trusted Second-In-Command.
"Good to have you back Oberleutnant" Erwin let go of her and the two formally giving salute to one another. Maho smiled and stroke Erwin's Cheek in a gesture
"Never feel so good to being in the front" said Maho. "So what's the news?"
"The USSR is launching massive counter attacks since our defeat at Kursk. We will be annihilated if we don't fall back to west and cross the Don River over there" Erwin opened a desk in her table and pulled out 2 cigarettes and a lighter. She gave one to Maho before lighting her cigarette and exhaling a thick cloud from her mouth.
"The problems is, their tanks are pressing us hard. We need to pack up everything and move the injured to our reserve lines. Since the russians are on a warpath, we can't get our men from the frontlines" Maho lit her cigarette and exhaled tobacco smoke seconds later. She later looks at Erwin.
"So what's the plan, you have one don't you?"
"Of course I do" Erwin chuckled "We need to push the soviets back to their lines for a while so that we can get our troops from the front"
"What?" there is a disbelieve in Maho's tone upon hearing Erwin's plan."You know them, they just keep sending out tanks no matter how much we destroy them"
"that's it, we just have to destroy as many of them as possible so their commanders would realise they just keep sending their men to a meat grinder" Erwin take out a paper from a pile and gave it to Maho. "Here, take a look of what we will use"
Maho read the Paper that is a blueprint of a newly-designed Heavy tank Destroyer. It uses the Heavy Calibre 88mm L/71 anti tank turret and the Vehicle itself weighed almost 70 tons. It has thick armor plating around the front and can decimate an enemy tanks from up to Kilometres away using it's incredibly powerful turret.
"You have to be kidding me" said Maho while keep looking at the blueprint. Erwin chuckles again "Yes this vehicle sounds like a joke because as you know, they suffered some mechanical damage often in Kursk but there was a platoon of 6 Ferdinands that destroyed almost a full brigade of T-34s and KV-1s before they were even able to return fire"
"I admire how that gun works ,but this is a 70 tonnes it get break down we don't know how to pull it it takes two Tiger to pull up a single Ferdinand"
"That's why they Upgraded it in this new production series..it's now have new transmission design and called Elefant now"
"So what do you want from me about this Elefant?" Maho seem a little bit confused "One of the new Elefants has arrived here. It was commanded by Oberfeldwebel Hans Mitterstein. Who is a renown commander back in Africa. Your job is to provide cover and support for Oberfeldwebel Mitterstein and his Elefant".
Erwin got up from her table and put on her Visor cap with Golden Eagle on it, describing her ranks "Of course you are not alone, I have assigned 173th Heavy Panzer Company under your command consisted by 7 Tigers,14 Panzer IVs, 20 Panzer IIIs… and..."
A figure walked into the tent they were in. It was a woman with long reddish hair and she gave salute immediately to both Maho and Erwin. It takes some time for Maho to realise who she is,Leutnant Lisa Eichwald an innocent girl-turned out to be a Panzerkommandant.
"Leutnant Eichwald here will also accompanied you"
"Oberleutnant Maho, it's good to be serving with you again"
The two hugged one another immediately and small tears begin to drop from Lisa's Green eyes."I missed you so much Oberleutnant" Lisa whispers to Maho as she stares at her.
"Me too. How are you now? Feeling good after being promoted?" Erwin, Karla, and Maho laugh. Lisa have been promoted to the rank of Leutnant while on Kursk for her action on taking the village of Soborowka with Maho and Erwin. Although she is in category of Senior, being in the Panzerwaffe since the France Blitz, her superiors rarely check her file. Thanks to Erwin, who demand her promotion to the her staffs.
"The Responsibility shakes me often. But I know I must not let up, my men have their own families and I promised to get them all back home" Lisa smiled widely.
"That's what I like to hear from you" Maho strokes Lisa's hair "You will be a honoured commander in no time"
Erwin picks up a pack of cigarette from her desk and put it insider her wears her Visor cap then start to walk outside "Let's go then,Oberfeldwebel Mitterstein must be waiting for us" they all exit the tent and two guard soldiers on the front gives them salute to which they replied likewise.
Erwin takes both Maho and Lisa to a wide field full of tanks under repair. Maho can see some Tigers run their engines while the Engineers are busy adjusting cables and sprockets on it. Another Tiger is undergoing track repair because it ran toward a landmine. The last Tiger she saw is crowded by it's crew and several engineers where the commander showed them a hole where a shell striking it, for obvious reasons the crew survived. They arrived into the last tank on the field which is so big that it surprised Lisa when she saw it. The tank looked exactly the same as it did in the blueprint Maho saw recently and two of it's crew seems busy running some maintenance. One possible commander is busy rearming the MG34 in the cupola and another one repair some cables in the Engine grill.
"Oberfeldwebel Hans Mitterstein?!"
Erwin shouted to them as the noise of the machinery was deafening. Hearing Erwin's Voice, the man on the cupola turned his head to them and quickly jumped to the Ground. He proceeds to salute Erwin before introducing himself.
"Oberfeldwebel Hans Mitterstein, C Company, 57th Heavy tank destroyer Battalion reporting ma'am!"
"Oberfeldwebel, this is Oberleutnant Von Austermann and Leutnant Eichwald. They will be your superiors now and will provide you assistance in the field" Mitterstein gently shakes Maho's hand while his face showed some admiration "Oberleutnant i know you! Y-you are the famous 'black lady', they talk about you all the time in Kriegsberichter!"
"Excuse me?" Maho tilts her head, indicating confusion. "Of course! Your actions at Soborowka earned you that nickname and every sunday they released a little biography of you"
"Looks like someone is a local celebrity" said Erwin jokingly. She and Lisa then burst out in joyous laughter. "I don't know why they are talking about this back there but the ones who deserved the credit are those who lost their lives. I am just taking orders"
'Taking orders and fighting to the death, but for how long? Germany is losing, all we received now is just propaganda. I should have died a long time ago so there's must be a reason why death has not reached me yet. Besides I made a promise to Miho and my mom, a promise that I will keep'
"Oberleutnant, are you okay?"
Maho shakes her head to make her back to her senses "Yes I'm fine I just wondering how big this tank of yours is"
"It's armed with an 88mm L/71 Cannon, a very powerful gun that can strike a target up to kilometres away. The armor around the superstructure is also very thick too but the drawback is..."
Hans jerked his head and touched his hair with his hand, attempting to clean it. He then sighed "The excessive weight makes it very slow to move… I wish we could still fight in our Panzer IV back"
"Just what I expected" said Maho clearly "But there's must be a reason why have you been reassigned to Elefant right? Your superiors trust you, and you have to keep their trust by keep fighting no matter what, understood Hans?"
"Jawohl Oberleutnant! Maybe you have some time to talk about how you get into all of this?" Maho looks at Hans and smiled little "We'll see".
"Alright gather around everyone" Erwin's voice dismissed their conversation. They gathered in the Elefant hull where Erwin showed them a map of the Don sector "Based on Intelligence we received from the Abwehr, The Soviet Union will soon launch a counterattack from the southwest of the River. don't ask me why, the terrain is very flat for both of us and there is little cover for the tanks as it is wide steppes with no grass like in Kursk… I would like to send Oberfeldwebel Hans to the hilly terrain overlooking the steppes here. There is a small forest nearby which you can use to cover"
"But what if he is spotted? Of course Elefant can not run into that forest, it's not big enough " said Lisa "That's why Leutnant Eichwald, I want you and your tanks to take position near the hill itself so if Oberfeldwebel Hans get spotted, he can fall back to a safe position"
"The thick armor of my Elefant can not be penetrated by soviet tanks so we'll be fine if we run into some trouble" Maho jerks her head and looks at Hans "Just like you said to me earlier Oberfeldwebel, the Elefant is too slow and if the Soviets can't penetrate the armor they might look to flank you… I suggest several tanks are sent to guard Oberfeldwebel Hans in case of a situation like that"
Erwin smiled to Maho and nodded. She is very thankful to have a best friend who is clever like Maho "You are right, Oberleutnant Von Austermann… get some of your Panzer IVs to Cover Hans, Placed them somewhere near the forest. They should be useful to provide suppressing fire as well… and like I said, you are now in command of the 173rd Heavy Panzer Company"
"Thank you, Hauptmann Brandt. We'll looking for the best"
"Alright the plan is to destroy as many Soviet tanks as you can so I suggest you get more ammunition. If the USSR starts taking too many losses, they should fall back and give us sometime to rescue our trapped forces and fall back. If you run out of ammunition don't force yourself to fight just pull back… the High Command told me we can not lose such Tigers like what happen in Kursk again also,the reserve lines is keep moving back so don't be afraid of get leaved behind everyone understood?"
"Jawohl Hauptmann Brunscwheig!" They replied smiled and start to move but Hans suddenly step in her front.
"Permission to speak Hauptmann!"
"Permission granted. What is it?"
"Allow me to introduce my crew before we get going!" Hans clapped his hands and 4 males walked out of the Elefant. They all give salutes to Erwin, Maho and first man with thick brown hair and small goatee stepped forward and introduce himself.
"I'm Feldwebel Donner Hengel, Gunner of The Elefant Jagdpanzer… I have been with Oberfeldwebel Mitterstein since we were in Afrikakorps" Hans walks aside Donner "Donner here is the most skilled Gunner I have ever had,His calculations will give help us in our fight against the Soviets".
A Second man with bald head steppe forward "I'm Feldwebel Gottfried Gotch, Driver of this Elefant tank destroyer. Oberfeldwebel Mitterstein is a good man he will keep us together"
"Gotch is my finest Driver, he can operate a Panzer IV with only an hour of reading the manual… he is an expert mechanic too"
The third man, looked more calm than the other two stepped forward "I'm Gefreiter Fritz Kestner,the Loader and radio operator… it's an honour to serve with you"
The last man stepped forward. He is looked much younger than the other three and looks new in the Panzerwaffe. Maho can tell by just looking to his face.
"Unteroffizier Inglomar Seth, Loader and machine Gunner... Even though I'm new to Oberfeldwebel Hans' crews, I believe he is a good commander"
Erwin smiled and nodded her head. She then took off her visor and combed her hair using her hands before start giving the order.
"Alright Man,and woman listen will go on 0600 dark should cover us from soviet spotter planes and we'll arrive at the Ambush point approximately...0100 hours i want you to get prepared now stock up your munitions,rations,fix anything need to be anyone copy?"
"Jawohl Hauptmann!"
"Good,now go get back to your tanks..Maho,report to me when your preparation is done"
"Understood" said Maho while nodding her moments later,everyone was back to their business Hans and his crew stock up their supplies,Erwin goes back to her command post,and Maho with Lisa walks together to their Tigers.
"So,Oberleutnant did you think this mission will be goes well?" Lisa asked while holding Maho's suddenly feels like she is on a small walk with Miho, her beloved younger sister.
"I'm not sure about it since we have to deal with massive numbers of russian tanks.." Maho smiled "But we are soldiers of the Fatherland,we take order and get the job done..especially if it's came from Erwin..she know the best for her men and woman"
"I never seen you so optimistic like this before Oberleutnant" Lisa stared at Maho's eyes with a little bit confused "You though me first that...we are losing and fighting useless campaigns"
Maho just grew silence hearing Lisa's words..since meeting with Erwin earlier,she suddenly felt lot of happiness rushed into her every inch of her fibres.
"Was it because Hauptmann Erwin? you two are so close don't you?" Maho suddenly blushed hard and her face start to changing colour to red
"W-What? Quit it!" said Maho while still trying to hide her feelings. Lisa can't hold back her laughter anymore and start to laugh.
"I'm sorry Oberleutnant im just guessing" said Lisa while attempting to stop her laugh "Listen Lisa,sometime you just have to be a little optimised..you can't be always pessimistic right?"
"Understood,Oberfeldwebel" They stop at the front of Lisa's Tiger where her crew are busy with their own thoughts "Alright you better get your crew and tank ready,i suggest double the ammo for Armor Piercing rounds,we'll be facing lot tanks this time"
"Okay,I see you in 0600 hours!" Lisa quickly climb her tank and start ordering the crew to start resupplying and prepare the walked to her tank few metres away from Lisa's and she was greeted by Christian Foch,her loader and Erika who gives salute to her.
"Good to have you back Oberleutnant" said Christian smiled to him and approach Erika,who is sitting near the driver's hatch.
"Christian,Thank you"
"So what it is now Oberleutnant?" ask Erika when Maho stop her step near her.
"We are about to stop a soviet counter attack and rescue the trapped forces on the front..we are falling back from here"
"Falling back? to where?"
"I don't know,maybe somewhere near the Romanian borders..Erika how's the optic?"
"Just a little bit dirty but its now functional like usually" Erika responded while jump from the tank to Maho's front "Good..now i want you and Chris to get us some supplies,we'll be off at 0600 hours"
Chris approach both Erika and Maho "So what do you required for the supplies oberleutnant?"
"Some extra AP shells i guess since we will facing lot of tanks rather infantry,Magazines for our MP40s and Pistols...Belt Magazines for the MG34 in the cupola and in the assistance driver's seat"
Jürgen Klopp came out from the Driver's hatch and Maho stared at him "Jürgen,we are about to travel at a distances of 100KM i guess,what do you think about how much fuels we need for it?"
"We still have some fuel left from our last mission..it will be enough for 25-30 Kilometers i guess so..refuelling the Gas tank to full is a good one"
"Alright,that's all we need..you guys get the supplies ready and check if this tank need some maintenances,i want that all finished in 0500 hours"
"Jawohl Oberleutnant!" said them later,Erika,Chris,and Jürgen are busy checking and resupplying their and Jürgen with the help of Several Panzergrenadier Soldiers carries the boxes full of Ammunition for both AP Shells and for their Personal sees as the Shell being loaded one by one to the tank by Jürgen Erika suddenly appeared behind Maho and surprised her.
"Boo!"
"Kyaaa! Erika stop it!"
The laughter of Erika can be heard as she saw Maho's Expression
"You're still the same Oberleutnant,never change a bit" she then wrapped her hands on Maho's shoulder.
"Do we need some necessary HE Shells?"
"How much shells we have now?"
"About 45 Ammo Piercing Shells,doubled just like you requested" Erika look at the boys and Maho can see her eyes staring still at Jürgen
"Ah then we just need 10 High Explosive shells then" Maho shouted to Chris and told him to get 15 HE nodded and he quickly grabs a wooden box full of HE into the hull of Tiger.Jürgen then takes the Load into the Ammo Rack inside the Tiger.
"I heard we also received a new tank too in the unit Oberleutnant" Said Erika while changing his focus to Maho,who is fixing her Iron Cross 1st Class Medal at her Jacket "So how it's like? is that same as Tiger or something more powerful?"
"It's the Heavy tank Destroyer Ferdinand,upgraded and renamed Elefant..well it have strong Case Mate Armor and it's cannon are far more deadly than our Tiger but slow as hell..that's why Hauptmann Erwin asked me to guard it" Maho look at her watch and sees the time already 1600 hours in the the Horizon,she can see the sun slowly disappearing from the sky of this russian steppes..a mild wind blows gentlely and it's also blows Maho's Dark Brown Hair.
"Oh i see then,i've heard about what that Monster did to a brigade of Soviet tanks back in Kursk..since it's now upgraded,i hope its performance would be far more good" Erika smiled and Maho replied with cleansing her cheek from dark oil's fumes "You work so hard this day Erika,mind for a little rest..i need your sharp eyes for taking down that communist scums"
"I will,as soon as i finished get this big cat ready for action" Erika hugged Maho tightly as a gesture of how much she be thankful for being cared by her commander.
Meanwhile on the other side of the Field,a Column of three Tiger tanks and four Panzer IVs Infantries behind them start dismissing their formation..Erwin see through the window of her tent and realised they are not normal Heer uniform was in feldgrau colour and their Collar tabs showed the insignia "SS" Bolt on their left..they are look scary and mysterious with the shadow of their stalhelms begin covering their eyes,leaving their mouth and nose only to be visible.
One man raised from the hatch of the First wear a complete dark uniform with SS Rune on his left collar tab and four dots on the black uniform is embedded with multiple medals like Iron Cross 1st Class,Tank Destruction Badge 1st Class,and a Knight's Cross wrapped in his neck like a necklace. his blue eyes scanned the entire camp coldly and suddenly,he begin to smiled.
"What the Hell are this SS want here?"
-To be Continued
NOTE:
Here goes the First Chapter! A little bit info that this fanfic will not historically accurate but im trying my best to make it so. Any reviews or constructive critics will be surely appreciated! Your review will also help me to know what do next.
Dictionary will be added in the Chapter 2. Thanks for reading and stay tune for some more update!