The Tell It Like It Isn't Raid

By;AliasCWN

Chapter 1

The first halftrack entered the cut between the hills, its crew on high alert. The convoy they were escorting was spaced out behind them in single file, each truck maintaining a strict distance between vehicles according to regulations. Each driver eyed the hills that loomed over them with unease, their eyes searching for any signs of an imminent attack. With their destination only an hour away, this was the last good spot for the enemy to launch an ambush. Of course, every driver present knew that the Allies had a certain small unit that roamed these hills and were known to appear out of nowhere and show up when least expected. Just because the desert flattened out after this gap didn't mean that they were home safe.

The first halftrack reached the other end of the gap and picked up speed on the flat desert floor. Suddenly a jeep appeared above the convoy, racing along the top of the hill. The 50 caliber gun in the back of the jeep began to rattle with deadly fire. The truck drivers stomped on the gas, expecting the heavy caliber bullets to start hitting the trucks. To their surprise and delight German guns returned fire, forcing the jeeps to withdraw. On the other side of the gap the scene repeated itself with another jeep and more German guns. The convoy drivers watched as the jeep's occupants admitted defeat and charged off into the desert. Thinking the battle was over; the convoy drivers slowed their trucks and waited to see who had driven the Americans off.

A slight poof drew the attention of one of the truck drivers. He heard the whistle of the incoming mortar round and looked to see what had drawn the fire. The shell hit the truck in front of him, setting off the explosive cargo. Shrapnel hit the driver in the face as the 88 shells in the truck detonated. He didn't live to see any of the carnage that followed. The mortar teams decimated the convoy by trapping it in the gap after taking out the first and last trucks. Men screamed and abandoned the trapped vehicles as the mortars continued to rain down on them.

The commander of the convoy tried to organize his men to mount a defense but many of them were already dead. He called desperately for his men to take cover behind the halftracks assigned to escort them. He was still trying to rally the men when the firing stopped. The mortars stopped falling around them and the only sounds were burning trucks, exploding ammo, and the screaming of wounded men.

A voice called out from above in German asking them for their identification. The commander of the convoy cautiously walked up the hill to meet the commander of the attacking force. Both men were surprised and dismayed to learn that their opponents in this battle were fellow Germans.

Back at the base the commander of the attacking force tried to explain his actions to his commanding officer.

"I don't know how it happened." Lieutenant Dietz repeated. "We went to the coordinates we were given and this was the only convoy we saw."

"Couldn't you see that they were German?" Major Taltzman demanded angrily.

"Yes Sir." The lieutenant admitted. "But the message you gave me said that the Americans had captured the convoy and were trying to sneak through in their place. I thought that they had pretended to be German in order to complete the subterfuge."

"So you opened fire without checking?" The Major snarled. "You destroyed almost the entire convoy and killed half of the men from those trucks. Why would you attack without checking?"

"We were watching them Sir, hoping to determine if they were imposters when we were attacked."

"Yes." The Major answered. "You reported being attacked by two American jeeps. It sounds like the Allies have sent their Rat Patrol to stop our convoys. It was only a matter of time really; we have been getting a lot of convoys through to supply our front lines. I'm sure that they want to disrupt our supply lines; but they were obviously American, that had nothing to do with the convoy."

"They were attacking us Sir," the lieutenant clarified, "but they looked like they were protecting the convoy. I thought that since they were trying to drive us off that I had the convoy of imposters in front of me. Why else would they try to stop us from attacking our own convoy?" The lieutenant's confusion was evident in his tone.

Major Taltzman paused to consider the lieutenant's words. He was fair enough to admit that Lieutenant Dietz had a valid point. Why had the enemy tried to defend the convoy? What were they up to?

German high command had sent word that they had decoded some messages from the Allies. According to the messages, the Allies had captured a convoy and were going to use it to spearhead an attack on the German supply lines. Major Taltzman had sent out a column to find the imposters and destroy them. That plan had backfired disastrously. Lieutenant Dietz had hit the wrong convoy, destroying it and striking a huge blow to the German moral.

"Perhaps they made a mistake."

"Major?" Lieutenant Dietz was once again confused. "What kind of mistake Sir?"

"Perhaps they were the ones who got the convoys confused." The Major smiled. That explanation certainly made more sense than the Americans protecting a German convoy. "We have more than one convoy on its way here right now; perhaps they caught up to the wrong convoy. " The Major nodded as he looked at Lieutenant Dietz. "That must be it. They attached themselves to the wrong convoy. They probably didn't realize that there was more than one out there."

"Then the imposters are still on their way here." Lieutenant Dietz gasped. "I will order my men to go back out immediately to look for them."

"No Lieutenant." Major Taltzman shook his head. "It's too late. I'll have headquarters send some planes to stop them. A convoy of that size cannot hide from planes. If we're lucky, perhaps the Rat Patrol will be with them and we can get them too." The Major smiled at his plan and called for his aide. "I'll arrange for the planes to take off immediately. Perhaps they can still reach the convoy before it reaches the flat desert where it can spread out."

Lieutenant Dietz nodded at the Major's plan but there were shadows in his eyes. He'd made one mistake that had cost German lives; he hoped that the Major wasn't making another one.

A short time later the planes took off in search of the convoy of imposters. They searched the desert for the convoy they were supposed to destroy. They hadn't spotted anything on the flat desert floor near the base so they were extending their search into the hills where the other convoy had been stopped.

Dust rising above the desert floor was the first sign that there was something moving below them. The lead pilot radioed to his fellow pilots to alert them to the dust. One by one they acknowledged the message and fell into position as he angled in that direction.

When the convoy came into range the heavily loaded trucks were crossing an area filled with loose sand. The drivers were struggling to keep the big trucks moving with the bad traction.

The lead pilot reached for his radio to try to contact the convoy. His repeated calls went unanswered as they made two separate passes over the line of trucks.

A call from one of the other pilots alerted him to the sighting of two small vehicles racing along in front of the convoy. They were far enough ahead that it was doubtful that the convoy could see them but it looked like they were running interference for the trucks. The trucks followed along the same path without slowing or seeming concerned by the American jeeps. The lead pilot tried one more time to contact the convoy. While he waited for an answer he saw the jeeps turn and head back toward the line of trucks.

"It looks like this is the convoy we were told to find and destroy." The lead pilot called to his wingman. "The American jeeps are heading back to warn them. We need to attack before they are alerted."

"Are we sure?" One of the other pilots asked over the radio.

"They have not answered my calls and the jeeps are headed back to warn them. What else could it be? They must be the imposters." The leader tipped his wing to turn toward the convoy. "The convoy first and then we'll go after the jeeps. We have orders not to allow the imposters anywhere near the base." Starting his run on the convoy he called to his fellow pilots. "Follow my lead."

The two jeeps halted as they spotted the planes dropping lower in the sky.

"It looks like they are going after the convoy." Hitchcock called to Troy.

Troy nodded, his eyes on the planes. They did indeed look like they were going to attack the convoy. The sergeant turned and looked toward the other jeep.

Moffitt sat in the rear of his jeep holding a metal box in his lap. He smiled and nodded at Troy's inquiring look. "Are you thinking of helping them?"

"No, that would only tip them off to their mistake. I think we should just let them do it." Troy smiled with satisfaction. "They did a pretty good job on the last one."

"Then I would suggest that we find some cover and get the jeeps under the nets. After they finish that convoy I have no doubt that they will turn their attention to us." Moffitt checked the metal box again to make sure that it was still doing its job.

"Keep jamming their radio just in case."

"Right-o." Moffitt leaned forward and tapped Tully on the shoulder. "Off we go." Tully's jeep took the lead while Moffitt looked for a hole they could crawl in and pull in after them. The German planes would soon be looking for them and the desert was hot enough without the added stress of dodging four planes at once.

Moffitt found a suitable wadi and Tully and Hitch jumped out to cover the jeeps with netting. Troy and Moffitt immediately began to erase the tracks where they had left the road and drove onto the wadi. In the distance they could hear the planes dropping their bombs and making strafing runs at the convoy. There was a strong smell of fuel and cordite in the air as ammo trucks exploded and fuel burned. The planes continued to attack as the four men secured their jeeps and prepared to wait out the search for them. With every precaution they could manage having been taken; they took cover under the nets and dug in. The trucks continued to explode in the distance even as the sounds of the planes drew nearer. Each man tensed, prepared to pull the netting and make a fight of it if it became necessary.

The sweat rolled down their faces, making rivulets in the fine grit that covered their skin. The net allowed a small breeze to pass through but it didn't block out the sun enough for the breeze to make much of a difference.

"Here they come." Moffitt whispered into the silence under the netting.

"They're still looking for us," Troy spoke loud enough for all of them to hear, "I don't think they found where we left the road."

"That doesn't mean they won't shoot up every likely spot just for fun." Tully drawled.

"They used up a lot of ammunition and fuel hitting that convoy." Hitch pointed out. "Maybe they'll make a few passes and head for home when they don't find anything."

"The radio." Troy said suddenly. "See if you can find out which frequency they're using."

Moffitt nodded and stood up under the netting to reach the radio. The others kept their eyes on the plane while the sergeant adjusted the knob in search of a signal. At first only static sounded over the radio, but then they heard a voice speaking in German.

"What's he saying Moffitt?" Troy demanded anxiously.

Moffitt held up a hand to signal that Troy should wait but the other sergeant was watching the planes, not him.

"Moffitt?"

"Just a minute, let me listen."

The planes made a pass directly over them and all four of them tensed.

"I think they're leaving Sarge." The lean private from Kentucky drawled. "Maybe Hitch was right; maybe they are low on fuel or ammo."

"I don't care why they leave as long as they leave." Troy answered.

"They are reporting that they destroyed the American convoy disguised as a German convoy and, oh my…"

"What?" Troy turned awkwardly under the netting to question the Brit.

Moffitt didn't answer. Instead he asked a question of his own. "How do you feel Troy?"

Troy frowned at the question and looked down at himself to see what had prompted it. "What? Why?"

The British sergeant smiled as he pulled off the headset and wrapped the wires. "I was just wondering how it felt to be dead. I guess I could answer that question myself though since I seem to be dead too."

"Dead? What are you talking about?"

"Those pilots reported to the base and said that they destroyed the convoy."

"You said that already. What does that have to do with us being dead?"

The Brit shrugged. "Apparently they had radioed the base earlier and reported sighting our jeeps leading the convoy."

"So, we wanted them to think that we were with the convoy."

"It worked. They reported that we were either scouting for the convoy or escorting it. It would seem that they were then ordered to destroy us too." Moffitt explained. "When they radioed this report they were asked about us."

Troy nodded; it made sense that the Germans would want to know if they were still out there.

"The pilots just reported that they managed to kill both of our gunners but the drivers managed to escape with the bodies." Moffitt smiled at Troy's expression.

"Covering their lies? A ground force won't be able to confirm anything if the bodies are gone."

"How are they going to explain your resurrection the next time?" Hitch asked with a grin. He chewed happily on his gum as he waited for an answer.

"Not our problem." Troy laughed. " Let them figure it out."

"Hey Sarge, does this mean Tully and I don't have to take orders from you anymore?" Hitch popped a bubble as he teased the sergeant. His eyes sparkled with laughter as he waited for a response.

"Disobey an order and find out." Troy warned with a mock growl.

Hitch sobered instantly at the sergeant's tone. Turning to apologize, he was taken back by the amused gleam in Troy's eyes. His smile returned as he saw the grin on the sergeant's face, not as broad as before, but still bright.

"Moffitt, stay on the radio for a few more minutes, make sure they aren't coming back. Hitch, hand me a canteen, being dead is thirsty work." Troy nodded his thanks as the blond handed him the canteen. He uncapped it and took a few swallows of the tepid water as he listened for the planes to return. He could hear ammunition still exploding from time to time but he couldn't hear the planes.

The others took their turn with the canteen, drinking while they had the chance. Troy didn't need to explain that he wanted to make sure that the planes were gone before he uncovered the jeeps. Moffitt monitored the radio but he didn't catch any more chatter from the pilots.

"Okay," Troy nodded, "Get these nets off and we'll head back to the base."

"Just a minute Troy."

Troy turned and watched as Moffitt turned the dials on the radio. It wasn't long before they heard an irate voice shouting in German. The sergeant listened for a moment as the other three waited expectantly. Finally he turned the radio off and put the headphones away.

"What was that all about?" Troy asked.

"The convoy got through to the base on the radio."

Troy nodded, since they were no longer jamming the signal he had expected that to happen.

"The commander of the convoy is more than a little upset with the pilots." The Brit smiled.

"Do tell." Troy grinned in return.

"He's demanding help for his wounded. He claims he still has two trucks full of ammunition he needs to deliver. The commander of the base is also upset; he's blaming the pilots. It seems that he's going to demand that the planes be sent back out to cover the convoy until they get those two trucks delivered safely."

"Any idea how long it will take them to get back here?"

"They have to return to their base to refuel first; maybe forty-five minutes to an hour." The Brit guessed. "The commander is saying an hour but he says that he's demanding that they make it shorter."

"Two trucks full of ammunition huh?"

"That's what he said."

Troy glanced around at his little group and smiled. "We can manage two trucks, can't we?"

Troy didn't have to say another word as the others nodded and smiled. The privates pulled the netting, folded it, stowed it, and climbed into their seats, ready to go. The sergeants checked their 50 caliber machine guns, loaded new belts of ammo, and prepared for action.

The convoy commander never had a chance. He was still trying to get organized from the earlier attack and care for his wounded when two small jeeps flew over the top of the hill and took a run at his two remaining trucks. The Germans ducked for cover as the 50 caliber machine guns opened fire. They hugged the sand even closer as the ammunition in the trucks began to explode. Luckily for them the convoy commander had had the two trucks parked away from the area where the man gathered. His concern about the planes returning had paid off in an unexpected manner. He watched helplessly as the trucks burned and the two American jeeps vanished as quickly as they had appeared.