WORLD WAR MACHINE
Chapter 1: Battle in the Trenches
Let me know what you think about my Novella, "World War Machine".
Any input is appreciated.
I hope you all enjoy! :-)
Our story begins in a place that many soldiers would call nothing less than a living Hades; the Eastern Front. A bloody battlefield.
Little did the soldiers fighting these gruesome battles know that their actions would have consequences that would reverberate and last for generations to come; each battle leaving a mark on more than a nation's geography, but upon the history of the entire world.
The following battle that you will see was no different, for in this battle many Allied troops lost their lives and were captured while defending their forward command center after a surprise attack by Axis forces.
One squad, however, called "Aries squad", refused to yield in the midst of a strong enemy push and turned the tide of the battle in an instant under intense enemy bombardment.
"That's it men! ATTACK!" The squad's Captain yelled, "Tank divisions one and five give us cover while we advance!"
"Copy that." The tank commanders replied through the radios.
They began a bombardment upon the enemy infantry taking shelter in the trenches opposite of the position the Allied infantry were advancing towards.
The atmosphere was heavy, the sky darkened with smoke and ash.
The battle had only been fought for about twenty minutes, but every soldier felt exhausted and parched as if they had been fighting for hours.
Aries squad along with two other companies continued to advance under heavy fire, each soldier keen on reaching the forward trenches they had previously lost as quickly as possible.
Just then two tank shells exploded just ahead of them.
"Captain, enemy tank division advancing fast on the right." the Lieutenant said; his form wavering as he ran as a result of the blasts that had partially blinded him.
"I see them Bart." The Captain replied, "Keep moving! We need to reach the forward trenches before they can recapture them!"
Enemy tanks were taking aim at the advancing infantry, and multiple soldiers were taken out with each round launched into the midst of them.
They kept running however, there was no stopping now. They were nearly to the trenches, and they could see where the enemy was entrenched.
They, along with what was left of the other two companies, finally made it, and they opened fire on the enemy, now not fifteen yards in front of them.
Each side exchanged volleys that created casualties every time they were fired.
"Well this be a' fine mess we're a' in now." Their gruff Specialist grumbled loudly, as an artillery shell exploded a few yards in front of him.
"Hold your ground men!" The Captain shouted, "Air support is on the way!"
"Grenade out!" Their Sergeant yelled.
It was as difficult to see as it was to reload in the midst of combat, the only reason they kept firing was because it was mechanical for them; especially for Aries squad.
They all could remember the first time they opened fire on the enemy, their first battle, and how much they hated their guns for their refusal to load or fire.
But that was months ago. They were experienced now, and chose to ignore the stubbornness of their weapons and savor every new shell fired upon the enemy.
They no longer thought about reloading or firing, it was an instinctive part of them as much as their arms or legs.
Every minute spent like this felt like an hour, each soldier covered in dirt, sweat and blood.
Many soldiers ground their teeth with every shot they fired, feeling like their gun's accuracy was derived solely from their anger towards their targets.
Others often drifted into a space one could only call an abyss of consciousness. Within there were no worries or fears, only thoughts and solitude. There was no war, there were no guns to fire, there was no danger.
One might think that these men were ignorant of their surroundings or absent minded even; but you'd be wrong. Each of these soldiers saw everything as it happened because they didn't see solely with their eyes, but with their minds.
When a man finds himself aware of both the inward and the outward at the same time, a sensation occurs within and upon a man that likens to an omniscient state of being. But unlike God, this state of being is temporary, and lasts but a moment.
This consciousness was broken by the sound and sight of their air support raining death upon their enemies ahead of them.
There was no time to celebrate, they quickly exited the trenches and ran towards their stunned and incapacitated enemies.
A few of the soldiers were shot at they climbed out by the few Axis defenders left alive in the trenches after the air strike.
They quickly overtook their enemies with ease and finished off anyone who was still firmly among the living.
Now occupying enemy fortifications, they continued to fire at distant regrouping enemy infantry.
Axis tank lines were being pushed back by Allied tank support, and air support was hassling enemy supply lines that were in route to resupply their forces…They had them on the run.
"Ha ha! That's right, run you cowards!" Their Specialist shouted victoriously.
"They aren't retreating, not yet." The Captain replied firmly, "They are most likely regrouping for a counter strike if their support managed to get past our air support."
"Awe, come on Capt'n, why do you have to take the fun out of everything?" The Specialist said almost sadly.
"What's our next move Captain?" The Lieutenant asked.
"We wait for command to relay orders", the captain said firmly, "we don't advance until we have the support and manpower to do so."
"Air support is only going to last for so long though, sir.
"I am fully aware, Bart, but we can't risk our ground forces like that."
"Yes sir."
The men had come to respect their Captain's judgement even if they disagreed.
Their bloodthirsty Sergeant still grumbled about it however.
"Darn all a' this, I want to blow 'em up now!"