The Secret Raid
By: AliasCWN
Chapter 1
"So you see Sergeant, it's very important that the Germans don't realize we know anything about these tests. It is essential that you are not spotted anywhere near that base or the test fields."
"So get in, get the results, and get out without the Germans knowing we were ever there?"
"That's right Sergeant. It won't be easy; the Germans are extremely determined to keep all of this a secret."
"Are we going to be flying in?"
"No, that isn't possible." Major Wallis from G-2 explained. "It has been decided that it would be better if you drove your jeeps there."
"Excuse me Major," Moffitt interrupted, "but that is over three hundred miles inside of the German lines."
"That's correct Sergeant." The Major acknowledged.
"How does headquarters expect us to drive that far without being spotted at all?"
"I don't know Sergeant Moffitt, but Captain Boggs tells me that if anyone can do it, it's your unit. He has quite a bit of confidence in your abilities. What if you drove at night?" The major suggested.
"Night driving is risky." Troy growled.
"So is driving during the day." The major countered. "The Germans are going to be keeping a close eye on that entire area."
"There is less chance of being spotted at night." Captain Boggs agreed.
"And a lot more chance of damaging a jeep out in the middle of nowhere." Troy clarified.
"That's a chance we will have to take." The major answered in a sharper tone.
"Excuse me sir."
The major looked over at Hitch as if he had forgotten that the privates were there. "What is it Private?" His tone was abrupt as he waited to hear Hitch's objections to the mission.
"How are we going to get supplies Sir? We won't have enough room in our jeeps to carry enough to get us there and back without resupplying."
"How much more room do you think you'll need?"
"It will take us nearly a week just to get to the target." Troy began to do the math out loud. "Another week to get back, although we might be able to cut a day or so off of that by traveling during the day when we get close to home."
"We don't want you seen coming from that direction either." The major insisted.
"We could make a detour to make it look like we are coming from a different direction." Moffitt suggested.
"I don't like it." Major Wallis shook his head. "It's too risky. The most important part of this mission is the secrecy."
"All right," Troy nodded, "then we are looking at two weeks minimum, probably more."
"That's going to require a lot of supplies." Hitch repeated. "Especially gas and water."
"You won't be able to use the regular water holes." Major Wallis explained. "Jerry has patrols stationed at every one of them."
"We're gonna need another jeep." Tully added quietly.
"What's wrong with the ones you have?" The major asked in surprise. "Captain Boggs tells me they are the best kept jeeps in North Africa."
"Nothing." Tully answered as everyone turned to look at him. "But if we had a third jeep we could carry more supplies."
"That means another driver." Captain Boggs answered thoughtfully. "Do you have someone in mind?"
"No, we wouldn't necessarily need another driver." Moffitt replied with sudden understanding. "If we are going to stay out of sight we wouldn't need two men to a jeep. We could load the extra jeep with the extra supplies and one of us could drive it."
"Would that give you enough room?" The major asked with interest.
Tully looked at Hitch and both of them did some quick mental calculations. Hitch was the first to nod.
"I think we could fit it all in if we use all three jeeps. We would need to leave enough room in our regular jeeps to fight if things go bad." Hitch looked at Tully for his opinion.
"It would be tight but I think we could do it." Tully agreed.
"You have it." Major Wallis declared. "You also have free rein on any supplies you think you'll need."
Troy glanced at Moffitt and nodded. "We'll work up a list and get it to you."
"Give it to my clerk and he'll type up all of the requisition forms for you." Captain Boggs ordered.
"Our spies say that the Germans are worried about your unit specifically when they talk about the secrecy of this project." The major warned Troy. "Your reputation has preceded you. They will be watching for you in particular."
"Do we know who is in charge of the tests?" Troy asked.
"A Major Hermann Koft." The major replied. "He was recently promoted from Hitler's armored forces in eastern Europe. That seems to suggest that this new weapon may be some kind of armor or possibly a new type of tank. We haven't been able to determine its true nature yet. That will be part of your job. We just don't have enough information to tell what we are dealing with here."
"When are these tests supposed to be taking place?" Moffitt questioned.
"They are supposed to start in less than a week." The major answered. "We have no idea how long they will continue. Our spies say they should last three or four days at least but that is only a guess. That's why it's so important that you leave as soon as possible."
"We'll stock the jeeps and head out this afternoon." Troy decided.
"Not in daylight Sergeant." The major objected.
"If, as you say, they are worried about us in particular you can be certain that they will have their spies watching us. If we just disappear they will be suspicious." Moffitt warned.
"That's why we need to leave in daylight." Troy agreed. "They need to see us leave. It has to look like a normal patrol. They'll report our departure to their contacts."
"They'll also tell them which way you go." The major frowned.
Troy smiled. "We'll head out in a southwestern direction for a while until we're sure we're not being followed." He explained. "Once we're sure we're clear we'll find a place to hide until dark. After dark we'll circle and head north toward our target."
"They might wonder about that third jeep." Captain Boggs pointed out.
"We won't have a third jeep Captain." Troy explained. "We'll leave you a list of things to load into that jeep before we go. Don't load the jeep until after we leave. Once you get it loaded have a driver drop it off at an abandoned barn east of here." Troy went to the map and pointed out the spot he meant. "Have him park it in the barn and leave. We'll be watching to be sure he's not followed. Once we're sure it's all clear we'll pick up the jeep and head out. Even if the drivers talk they won't know anything. They can guess all they want but they won't know for sure."
"That might work." Captain Boggs admitted. "I have a couple of men who can deliver the jeep. They're trustworthy and won't talk if I tell them to keep quiet."
"May I suggest a different approach Sir?" Moffitt asked.
"Such as?" Major Wallis asked.
"Perhaps we could make it look as if the drivers are stealing the supplies to sell on the black market. It happens; perhaps we could use it to our advantage."
Troy grinned. "That's a good idea."
Captain Boggs looked at Major Wallis and nodded. "I can arrange that. We could even arrest the men for theft and ask them where they hid the supplies. They could refuse to answer and the MPs could haul them away where no one would be able to question them. It could all be done very publically."
"Do it!" Major Wallis ordered without any hesitation.
"On it sir." Captain Boggs called to his aide and asked him to find the men he wanted and have them come to his office discreetly.
The major turned to Troy. "Make your list and get it to Captain Boggs." The major ordered. "I'll expect you to leave this afternoon, early."
"Yes sir," Troy nodded, "we'll get on it right away."
"I'll expect you back here in approximately two weeks." The major rose and signaled that the meeting had come to an end.
"Yes sir."
"One more thing Sergeant."
Troy turned expectantly and waited.
"You will maintain complete radio silence. You're on your own out there; if you run into trouble we won't be able to do anything to help you."
The room got quiet at the statement. Troy looked at his men and saw his own thoughts reflected in their eyes; they were expendable.
"Understood sir." Troy turned and led his men from the office.
"Do you really think they can pull this off?" Major Wallis asked Captain Boggs.
"If they can't do it I don't think it can be done." Captain Boggs answered.
"They asked intelligent questions and came up with solutions pretty quickly." The major admitted. "They were quick to point out the things that we missed in our rush to get this mission set up."
"They are flexible when it comes to plans." The captain explained. "They can change plans without a lot of talk too. I usually just give them the job and let them figure out how to do it. They don't need a lot of guidance."
"I can certainly see why you would feel that way." The major admitted. "I just hope they can live up to your faith in them."
"So do I." The captain admitted softly.
