Tunisia... The seas of immense sand surround us, glistening and scorching under the blazing hot sun above... Oh boy, I can't stand the desert, it's rough and coarse, it's hot, and it's just endless... Occasionally, we find a nice, refreshing, palm tree laden oasis to cool off, but it's still just scorching sand... Though, then again, I do prefer the heat as opposed to the cold, so I'm glad I'm not in Russia.
But that's not the only reason I'm glad for that, for I know that the SS had accompanied the Wehrmacht there as well... That was not the case here.
Here, we have the German Afrika Korps, which I am a part of... These German soldiers fight very fiercely, bravely and honorably, skillfully crushing their opponents... Still, they show much restraint, never committing massacres or other such crimes, and treating prisoners well... I guess you can thank Field Marshall Erwin Rommel for that... I just wish the rest of the Wehrmacht was like the Afrika Korps.
Rommel is indeed an idol of mine... Not only is he a skilled commander, he understands the realistic world of mortality, but he doesn't accept the abuse of it.
I've been fighting fiercely in numerous vicious battles and skirmishes in the deserts and villages of North Africa for about two years now, fighting with my fellow German soldiers against the British forces in the desert... Including my squad... My best friend, Hans Kiefel, fights beside me... We've been friends for many years, and we would never leave each other's side... He was with me at my wedding to Heidi, even with me around the time when I spent my last moments with my wife before being deployed to Africa with Sonnenblume... Another close comrade is Captain Reinifer, a wise an caring man who made the safety of his men as much a priority as the success of a mission. While he was just a Captain, he was ultimately left in charge right now after a recent ambush lead to the death of our Colonel.
I fight very bravely and honorably here... But something I don't understand about Rommel, is how he feels a sort of kinship with the Limeys, how we should've been allies against the Soviets... For me, I hate the British... I hate them because they're the enemy, attempting to destroy my country... I will fight them to the death to defend my home country... And Kiefel, oh he hates the Limeys even more... Honestly, some times, I wish I could be ruthless to them, but I am not because... The expectations that Rommel has for me, and the standards I have for myself as a proud soldier of the Afrika Korps... I know I'm better than that... But I still won't share a drink with the prisoners.
Still, amidst the heat and constant British ambushes, Tunisia isn't all bad... Most notably the local people are very friendly and helpful... My fellow soldiers came across a tribe of nomadic Arabs, traveling to a nearby village for water... And we helped them move some of their possessions and gave them some of our rations... And in return, they gave us much food, some other supplies and even a few words of advice on how to sustain in the desert... That night, we even partied and conversed with the nomads... it was so much fun... I don't think our officers were comfortable to see us fraternizing with the Arabs, except for Captain Reinifer, ...But we didn't really care.
I particularly remember this boy, about ten years old, and I taught him how to play football... Then by next morning, the tribe was on their way to the nearby village, and we waved to them as they walked away... And entered into British territory... It reminded me of back in 1936, shortly after I joined the army, when me and some fellow German soldiers, including Kiefel and Reinifer, visited the lands of China and Japan in the Far East as part of a guard for a delegation, before becoming part of the 21st, and during our time there, we often engaged in very friendly interactions with the Chinese and Japanese locals of those countries... They were so helpful and friendly to us, and we had much fun with them... It saddens me that good people like that get caught up in the conflicts of others...
...These moments of peace I have here while still fighting in battle are refreshing... I will always treasure them... And remember them, even if they become ruined.
Sincerely,
Heinrich Schifler
German soldier of the German Afrika Korps
Tunisia... Little more than sand, heat and British ambushes... After two years of vicious fighting in the deserts, Germany conquered North Africa, but eventually, we found ourselves fighting hard to hold on to this small sandy country of Tunisia... We came to this nearby town called Khirsijine, a major supply route, and we've been holding this defensive line just a couple miles outside of the British controlled village... We believe the British will assault our defensive lines,... We defend it, and if we hold it, we will fight across the desert and seize the town, then hold it to the last man from any counterattacks... That's simple, right?
'Line in the Sand'
Tunisia, North Africa
April 26, 1943
Cpl. Heinrich Schifler
21st Panzer Division
As I sat in my tent, writing in German in my personal notebook, I could feel some bright sun seeping through the opening of my tent's flaps... But I just brushed my golden colored hair out of my eyes as I looked briefly into a nearby mirror, seeing my thin, yet slightly chiseled face with blond hair and a full mustache and blue eyes, then I looked down at my journal and just kept writing, mostly my experiences about the war, or how I am feeling when I think of friends of the past, particularly Heidi, or what I plan to do in the future...
It was at that moment that a voice spoke to me outside of the tent, and like a reaction, I closed my book and hid it in my back pack. "Heinrich, are you in there?" The voice called out, and this gave me relief as I recognized that voice... That of Private Hans Kiefel... My comrade in arms... My friend.
Kiefel entered and looked at me, looking somewhat different from my appearance... We were both about six feet, but while I had a slimmer, more fit and athletic build with blond hair and mustache, Kiefel had a slightly thicker build, with brown hair and mustache, and while I was more fast and agile, he had more muscle strength... We've been together ever since we were teenagers, and as we were in our late twenties now, we still fought alongside each other in the desert.
"I'm fine, Hans," I responded, "What do you want?"
"Well nothing much, Heinrich," Kiefel responded, "...Just checking on my best man... And seeing if he has his future planned out for him yet."
"You know it." I said casually.
"Is Heidi doing well... Still as gorgeous as ever?"
"Yes, Hans... And you just wish you could have her."
"And your house is being kept up, yes?"
"Fine as ever."
This, however, only intrigued Kiefel into seeing my poorly hidden journal, "Still working on that bullshit, are you?" he asked.
"It's not bullshit, Hans," I replied, a little irritated as I held up my journal, "I believe in this... It's important to me."
"All right, all right, I know," Kiefel said, "It's just... You treat this like it's some sort of story, you save somebody, they live happily ever God damn after... Just how many Jews do you plan on saving anyways, and how do you even plan to save them?"
"...I... I don't know... I'm not there yet, but I am working on the escape plan, see," As I then held up my opened journal to the page showing a map of Northern Germany and the Baltic seas between it and Sweden and continued explaining, "...I have friends up in Northern Germany, and they know my sentiments... They have boats that can take them into Sweden."
"And where are you going to get these Jews from, Heinrich... If you manage to get some out of the ghettos, how will you get them towards the sea to Sweden, without getting spotted by any of Hitler's bastards."
"...I'm still working on it."
"If you get caught, all the Jews'll get slaughtered and you'll hang, shot at, have your limbs and tongue torn out... And even if you succeed, what if Hitler decides to just take Sweden too, what then, huh?"
"Shit, Hans," I replied, a bit frustrated, "Why are you always like this?"
"...Look, Heinrich," Kiefel said after a sigh, "You know me... I have nothing against what you're planning, and if anything, you have me with you whatever you decide... I'm just being realistic, and the reality is, it just doesn't look achievable."
"...I'm sorry, Hans." I said solemnly.
"I'm worried about you, Heinrich," Kiefel said with grave concern, "This is very dangerous thinking... Even around here, talking like that would get you in trouble... And, frankly, it's making you rather stressed, enough to make you old."
"Oh, stop it."
"Come on and take your mind off this," Kiefel said as he stood up and walked out of the tent, "Enjoy the endless sun." With my desert tan under shirt, trousers and jackboots on, I put on my brown M 40 tunic jacket and left it unbuttoned as I then wrapped my supply belt around the bottom of my waist and clipped it on just before I put on my back pack and then grabbed my tan M35 Stahlhelm helmet and put it on my head.
After that, I slung my scoped Gewehr 43 rifle onto my back and then brandished my primary weapon, a captured Thompson SMG with a round drum... I usually prefer Allied weapons... And with my Stahlhelm on my head and my Thompson in my hands, I went outside and walked along with Kiefel as we casually moved our way down the German camp surrounding us.
"Well, how's that for relief, Heinrich," Kiefel asked jokingly, "Sand and more fucking sand for us to see." Indeed, there was nothing but sand and palm trees around. There was a small refreshing oasis to the right of them, but still, a sea of sand surrounded them. Here was where the Germans made their position, forming a strong defensive line at the front, aiming towards the desert leading to Khirsijine, which in battle, would be defended by rifle and machine gun armed infantry, a couple of em placed MG42 guns, and even a few Panzer IV tanks to support the infantry from behind.
Behind the German line, was another line of German positions, but then followed by the German camp, where soldiers were busy moving and maintaining weapons, supplies, ammunition and equipment around the camp to prepare for any assault, while other soldiers ate their lunch, drank some cool as ice water under the hot sun and conversed... Kiefel and I walked through the camp over towards the German front defensive line.
"So has Heidi sent you another letter yet?" Kiefel asked.
"Yeah," I said, "...She said that my boy's turned one last October... I just wish I could see him."
"Well... Just remember, if I hadn't given you that time spent with Heidi in late January, right before we were sent here in February, you wouldn't even have a son... And now that you do, I believe thanks are in order."
"Oh, of course you'd take credit for that, you egomaniac," I said sardonically, "...I will not thank you for being able to share a 'private moment' with my wife... And if anything, you should be thanking me, Hans."
"And for what, exactly?"
"First time I saw you in combat," I said, pointing a finger right under the base of Kiefel's skull, "You had a Limey Enfield, pointed right there... My sharp marksmanship saved you, so you owe me."
"Fine... What do you want?"
I thought for a brief moment, and then a devious grin entered on my face as I held out my hand and spoke, "Forty marks."
"What?! ...I'm not paying you just to do your job."
"Well, that's why one does a job in the first place, now hand it over, butter and egg man."
"Butter and egg man? ...Really, Heinrich, you listen to too much Yankee radio, you ought'a be careful... Anyone finds out you listen to that, you could be shot."
"Oh, like what I listen on the radio is any different from what everyone else here in this regiment listens to."
"Yes, but those are just the regulars. Reinifer may be okay with it, but any other officer won't... Besides, I don't have forty marks."
"Fine, I'm generous... I'll be back tomorrow for the eighty marks."
However, as we walked down the pathway, soon we heard a man, our officer, Captain Reinifer, as he readied his MP 40 gun and shouted, "British forces are assaulting our positions! Men, get into your defences now!" ...And immediately, all the German soldiers in the camp put on their Stahlhelm helmets to replace their soft tropical field caps before grabbing their rifles and machine guns and rushing over to their positions, while those already with helmets grabbed supplies and ammunition to set up the MG 42 emplacements.
"Shit, the fucking Limeys are coming here." I said as I readied my Thompson, and then ran over and got in position in the defensive line with Kiefel and the others, with me aiming my SMG at the desert before me and Kiefel aiming his MP 40. The defensive lines were filled a great line with German infantry soldiers, all aiming their rifles at the desert where the British would come from. They mostly had German Gewehr 43s or MP 40s, but many also fielded captured Thompson SMGs, Bren machine guns and even BAR assault rifles from prior engagements with the Americans from the West.
As I was with the great defensive line of German infantry, all aiming our rifles at the desert, behind us were a a couple MG 42 emplacements ready to give covering fire while there were a few other positions around just behind the defensive line that had soldiers that would give covering fire from MP40s and scoped Kar 98ks... And behind them, were a couple of em placed Panzer IV tanks, ready to give support fire or smash Crusader tanks with shells.
...Yes, we were all ready for combat, strong and determined as British artillery shells rained down around the camp, splashing into the sea of desert before the German line and sprinkling glistening grains of sand down on a few of the nearby German soldiers as if they were being salted... The barrage looked intense, but had really only caused very little damage to the camp and the Germans stayed ready... And after a few moments, large amounts of British infantry swarmed across the desert, all in their light tan uniforms and wide brimmed Brodie helmets as yellow as the desert sun, heading towards the German lines with Lee Enfield rifles and Thompson guns in hand.
"Shit," a German soldier said, "British infantry!"
"Open Fire!" Reinifer shouted.
The line of Germans all fired immense gunfire that cut numerous British down while MG 42 machine guns blazed incredible support, while I fired Thompson shots that nailed multiple enemies. Usual rifle fire just riddled enemy soldiers with bullets and ripped through flesh to pour blood out, and most enemies died this way... But those who fell victim to stronger machine gun fire and explosives had a more violent demise, with powerful MG 42 fire ripping apart flesh and tearing limbs off enemies in a bloody, gory mess, was well as shooting off pieces of flesh and riddling enemies in pools of splattering blood. The Germans all kept fighting and firing shots that nailed multiple enemies, furiously defending the trench from assaults.
"Die, you fucking dirty Limeys!" a German shouted.
Fighting viciously and hard, the German soldiers were all firing their rifles and machine guns, firing hails of intense gunfire at the British forces and shooting numerous soldiers. I fired and shot seven enemies with Thompson fire, but the British kept converging on us in the desert. In the vicious fighting that ensued, immense German rifle gunfire was cutting numerous British soldiers down. As the defensive line of German soldiers were firing some intense rifle fire, shooting multiple incoming enemies while still firing shots that raked and pinned some British infantry, shooting multiple enemies, positions behind us blazed supporting fire with MG 42 guns, which raked some British soldiers down... Reinifer even manned a nearby MG 42 to give some cover fire as well, pinning down British infantry with suppressing MG fire, all while the German infantry lining the trench kept firing intense hails of gunfire, which cut multiple enemies to pieces. I fired Thompson fire that nailed six British in the fierce battle, then the line of Germans fired intense gunfire that shot numerous more British as Kiefel and I fired cover shots that raked some others.
In the vicious battle, I fired Thompson fire and shot nine British soldiers. I kept fighting fiercely, firing hails of Thompson fire at British soldiers and shooting numerous more down while Kiefel fired some shots and razed a couple British. The intensely fierce fighting kept up as I shot six more British soldiers with SMG fire and then aimed and shot five more enemies while Kiefel gunned a few others down. The German soldiers kept firing hails of intense rifle fire, cutting numerous British soldiers down in the vicious battle, but while the fierce skirmishes kept up, some enemies returned fire and a few Germans were gunned down... The German soldiers kept fighting fiercely, firing more rifle fire that shot multiple British in fierce fighting, while also raking and pinning the other enemies. I kept fighting fiercely as well, firing more Thompson fire and shooting five more British soldiers with intense fire while Kiefel fired some supporting shots with his MP 40. A couple more Germans were gunned down, but I fired some shots that riddled five more enemies while Kiefel shot a few soldiers down.
The ferocious battle in the desert kept up as German soldiers kept firing immense rifle fire and cutting numerous British soldiers down in vicious fighting. Still, despite the massive amounts of infantry and even a few Crusader tanks coming into view, the Germans Kept fighting very hard, remaining stubbornly defiant. The Germans all kept firing immense gunfire that cut numerous British to pieces as I shot six enemies, then as the line of German infantry fired more intense rifle fire that shot multiple British, I fired Thompson fire that nailed six more enemies, then I kept firing and shooting six more British in the fierce fighting. Kiefel and Reinifer gunned several others down as the line of German infantry and I fired shots that raked and pinned more enemies. Intense German rifle fire kept shooting numerous British soldiers in vicious fighting, with stronger MG fire mutilating and ripping off enemy limbs and explosives shredding flesh open... It was a bloody massacre, but the British persisted and a few Germans were gunned down in return, which made the Germans ever more stubborn and they kept fighting on even fiercely, with German soldiers firing intense hails of rifle fire at British forces, cutting multiple enemies down in vicious fighting.
While the line of German soldiers kept firing intense rifle fire and cutting numerous more British down, I fired some Thompson fire and shot six British soldiers and then fired some covering fire that pinned some others down as well. Reinifer blazed some suppressing fire with his MG 42 and pinning British soldiers down, and as it was being reloaded by a nearby engineer, he kept fighting by firing his MP 40 gun. Kiefel fired some shots and gunned several more British down while a few more Germans were shot, but all the other Germans kept firing intense rifle fire, cutting numerous British down in return as blood stained the golden sand like red wine. A few more Germans were gunned down by enemy fire, but Kiefel and I fired some shots back and gunned multiple enemies in return. Intense German rifle fire kept striking numerous other British to pieces while German Panzers kept blasting enemy Crusader tanks to smouldering ruins resulting in burning steel, while I shot six more soldiers.
I fired some more SMG fire and shot five more British as Kiefel blazed some rounds and gunned down a few other enemies as well. The German line kept firing immense rifle fire and cutting down numerous British soldiers in intensely vicious fighting, and while Kiefel and I kept firing more SMG fire at enemy soldiers, MG 42s kept shredding several enemies to bloody pieces and Panzers destroyed a few more advancing Crusaders. The line of German infantry kept firing immense rifle fire at British forces in the vicious battle, shooting multiple British down in a hail of gunfire, while soldiers in positions behind us fired MP 40 SMGs and MG 42s at British soldiers to rake and pin several other enemies. The line of German infantry kept firing immense hails of gunfire that cut numerous British to shreds as I shot six more enemies with Thompson fire, then the Germans fired intense rifle fire that nailed multiple British in the vicious battle, all of us fighting very hard to defend the trench lines.
"Kill all these Limey bastards!" a German shouted.
As I kept firing Thompson fire at British forces, suddenly, some enemy bullets came and struck the sand near me, as another large British infantry force was making their way to our lines from the right side. "Shit... fucking shit!" I shouted and then kept firing more intense Thompson fire at enemy soldiers, shooting multiple British to pieces, "I'll kill all you fucking Limey bastards!"
"Shit!" a German soldier shouted, "Hit the Limey bastards on the right side, Kill them!"
More British soldiers swarmed across the desert towards the defensive lines as Crusader tanks rolled in from behind, imprinting their treads into the sand as they fired shells down on the Panzers, but though two friendly tanks were destroyed, the other Panzers fired back and destroyed a few of the Crusaders while MG 42 fire shredded enemy infantry.
"Shit," Kiefel shouted, "More fucking Limey infantry! I'll kill those bastards!"
"Come over here and fight, you Limey cowards!" a German soldier shouted.
Kiefel fired off some more furious shots at British soldiers and gunned a couple more down. The vicious battle raged ever intensely, and while a few more friendly soldiers were gunned down, the Germans kept firing hails of rifle fire from the defensive lines and shooting numerous British soldiers down in fierce fighting. As a couple more Germans got shot by enemy gunfire, I fired some intense Thompson fire and shot six British and then aimed at the right and shot five more as well. A few more German soldiers got shot, but as the British kept moving in, German soldiers kept firing more intense rifle fire and gunning more British soldiers down in the vicious skirmish. I kept fighting ever fiercely as I fired and shot five more British soldiers at the right, then fired more Thompson fire straight ahead that shot six more British and then I fired Thompson fire the right and shot another five in the fierce battle. Kiefel gunned a few others down as the line of German infantry kept firing immense hails of rifle fire in vicious fighting and gunning multiple more British soldiers down, raking them with intense fiery gunshots as the fierce battle kept up in blazing heat. I then fired Thompson shots that nailed seven more British soldiers.
"Shit!" a German soldier vented, "Fire the rifles on those fucking Limeys!"
As the German rifle fire and machine guns kept pinning down enemy British with cover fire, I kept fighting fiercely in the intense skirmish, firing more Thompson fire at British infantry and striking numerous enemies down in hails of gunfire. The vicious battle kept on as the line of German infantry kept firing more intense rifle fire at British forces and shooting multiple more enemies down in fierce fighting while Panzers destroyed two more Crusaders with fiery shells. I fired some more immense Thompson fire and shot six more enemies while Kiefel aimed and gunned another couple down. As the German soldiers in the defensive line kept firing more hails of intense rifle fire at British forces, shooting numerous enemies in fierce fighting as the MG 42 guns blazed some powerful rounds that ripped a couple limbs off a few enemies in a bloody display while the Panzers fired some shells that blew a few enemies into the skies. The British pressed on, and as I shot another five with Thompson shots, the line of Germans kept fighting fiercely in the vicious skirmish, firing immense gunfire that cut more down.
"Shit!" a German soldier said, "Hold this fucking line!"
"Burn in Hell, you Limey bastards!" another German shouted.
Kiefel and I kept blazing some covering shots at British infantry while German soldiers kept firing more hails of fire at the British force and gunning some more down. After much incredibly vicious fighting, however, as the German infantry kept firing more intense rifle fire and shooting multiple British soldiers, the enemy offensive started diminishing severely.
"That's it," Reinifer said, "Keep fighting, men! Push the British back!"
I fired some more intense Thomson fire and shot multiple more enemies down in fierce fighting. The line of German soldiers kept firing more intense hails of fire at British forces and gunning numerous down in the vicious battle and, as Kiefel and I fired more SMG fire at the enemy force... They had finally broken and started retreating back across the desert field before us.
"Hah," a German soldier said, "The Limeys are falling back!"
"That's right you British cowards," another German shouted, "Run!"
However, as Kiefel and I and walked over to Reinifer as he stood up from the MG nest, I stood next the officer as he started speaking his next move, "We're not done yet, men... There's still the British supply camp in the desert up ahead. We can use it to launch our assault on Khirsijine... Or else Monty will come back for this line."
"He fucking wishes." I said.
"Schifler," Reinifer continued, "You and Private Kiefel help lead the men across the desert towards the camp. Panzers will provide support."
"Is the presence of Limeys there heavy, Captain?" Kiefel just had to ask.
"Heavy enough," the Captain replied, "...Riflemen, fix bayonets in case of close quarter combat, now." Once the order was given, the Germans who had rifles pulled out their sharp bayonets and slid them onto the barrels of their guns, their shiny blades gleaming in the blazing sun.
"Shit... Well," Kiefel said, "Let's get moving, Heinrich."
Immediately, Kiefel, myself, and most of the German soldiers jumped out of the trenches and charged forth through the desert before us, while some remained to guard the defensive line and Reinifer embarked on one of the tanks and he lead a few other Panzers behind us. Once we had crossed over a dune, we found ourselves overlooking a desert sea of tan sand with several dispersed palm trees, and a great numerous amount of British infantry scattered around with several enemy rifle and machine gun positions and even a few tanks in support.
"Shit, Limey infantry in the desert," a German said, "Let's get the bastards!"
"Charge in!" I shouted, and immediately, Kiefel, myself and the German soldiers charged onto the desert sand, firing hails of rifle fire at British forces in the sandy sea. A vicious battle erupted immediately in the sea of sand as the numerous dispersed German soldiers fired more intense fire at British infantry in the desert, gunning multiple enemies down in fierce fighting as I fired my Thompson and shot two enemies down. It was complete chaos, as dispersed friendly and enemy soldiers were blazing immense fire at one another, and numerous soldiers on both sides were struck down by raging bullets. After several friendlies were gunned down, the German soldiers fired some rifle fire back and shot numerous more British, razing them with bullets that spilled away their blood into pools. The battle in the desert was incredibly fierce, but it kept up as the Germans kept advancing and firing more intense rifle fire amidst returning enemy bullets.
I fired some more Thompson fire and shot five more British down as Kiefel aimed and gunned a couple other enemies as well. Several Germans took cover by scattered Palm trees and kept firing their rifles at British infantry in the desert, and as a few more Germans were gunned down, I blazed some more Thompson fire and gunned two more British down. German rifle fire shot multiple British infantry in the vicious fighting, and blood further stained the sands. While the vicious fighting continued, Kiefel blazed some shots and gunned a few other enemies as I fired some more Thompson fire and shot five more British soldiers. The dispersed German soldiers kept firing immense hails of rifle fire at British infantry in the desert, gunning multiple more enemies down while a few more friendlies were shot as well.
As the infantry kept firing at one another, the Panzers blazed some shells that destroyed a few crusader tanks, though returning shells took out a couple Panzers. As Kiefel took out a couple other enemies with SMG fire, I fired my Thompson and gunned two more enemies down. The German soldiers kept fighting fiercely in eliminating British infantry in the open desert, gunning numerous enemies down in the fierce battle, but after clearing away the infantry in the sand and palm trees, they came to another challenge, enemy defensive nests filled with machine guns and many riflemen as well.
"Shit," a German soldier said, "Limey riflemen in the nests!"
"Fucking Bren machine guns!" Kiefel said, "Use the trees for cover! Clear those bastards out!"
I kept firing more Thompson fire at British infantry in the desert, gunning six enemies down, and as I kept fighting in the vicious battle I held cover behind a tree and then I surveyed the situation, managing to count five enemy defensive nests, each with a Bren machine gun and a platoon of enemy soldiers armed with Lee Enfield rifles or Thompson guns... While I still fired some more shots and gunned two more enemies down, I looked further in the distance, seeing a few Crusader tanks as well.
"Shit," a German soldier said, "They have more Crusader tanks!"
"Let the Panzers deal with those," Kiefel said, "Concentrate on the nests!"
As the German soldiers kept fighting fiercely and firing immense rifle fire at British infantry in the open desert, I kept firing more Thompson fire and gunning multiple British soldiers down in the desert as well. I then charged at a couple of British soldiers and started knocking them down with hard swings with my Thompson's stock, just before bloodily finishing them off with sharp slices from my knife. That's when I ran over to a couple of palm trees with Kiefel, in order to engage the Bren machine gun nests.
Holding our cover behind the trees, Kiefel and I fired some more intense SMG fire and shot six more British soldiers. Several friendlies were gunned down by the enemy machine guns, but as other German infantry kept firing immense rifle fire at British infantry and defensive positions in fierce fighting, Kiefel and I fired some covering shots at the Bren machine gun nests, though the enemy guns blazed some rounds back and gunned a few other Germans down. Still, the German soldiers fired intense gunfire back and pinned the British machine gunners into cover, and as Kiefel fired some covering shots, I fired some more Thompson fire and shot two British soldiers before I then ran over to another palm tree a bit closer to the enemy machine guns.
In the fierce fighting, several more Germans were gunned down my enemy machine gun and rifle fire, but as I fired some intense Thompson fire at the British defensive nests, the other German soldiers kept fighting and firing more immense rifle fire that shot numerous other British soldiers and pinned the machine gunners down.
"Shit," a German soldier shouted, "Machine guns!"
Kiefel and I immediately took to this concern of the men, still struggling with the machine guns as they kept battling the enemy infantry. As immense gunfire blazed and soared all over the open sand, from behind my new closer tree cover, I fired some more Thompson fire at two of the nests, pinning the gunners down with some shots until the return fire had me back behind the tree. That's when Kiefel and a few other Germans blazed some rounds at the enemy nests, and while a few more friendlies were gunned down, the other Germans kept fighting enemy infantry... And Kiefel and I fired intense SMG fire at the two nests, gunning down multiple riflemen in a vicious skirmish. The enemy gunners returned some fire and forced Kiefel into cover... Which was when I aimed and fired some shots that gunned down two more riflemen and then shot down one of the enemy gunners.
I fired some more shots and gunned another two enemies down while Kiefel blazed some rounds and struck another few down as well. A couple more friendlies were killed in the fighting in the desert, but after some more fierce fighting, the German soldiers fired immense rifle fire back and shot numerous enemies, though a few more Germans were gunned down as well. The other gunner kept blazing rapid bullets that splashed through the sand and splintered the trees... And one friendly had the unfortunate fate to get caught in the way... And have a few machine gun bullets shred through his throat, severing his head off and leaving blood to pour from the neck... And this made us more determined, as Kiefel threw a Stielhandgranate that blew off sand right next to the other nest. I then fired some shots that gunned two more British down and, before the gunner could recuperate, Kiefel aimed and blazed some rounds that struck down the gunner and cleared the second nest.
"Only a few more Limey machine gun nests, Schifler," Kiefel said, "Let's finish these fuckers!"
"I'll send you Limey bastards to Hell!" a German soldier shouted.
The Germans kept firing more rifle fire at British infantry and the machine gun nests, which gave time for me and Kiefel to blaze some shots at the other three nests. The returning enemy gunfire forced me and Kiefel back into cover behind our trees, with a few more friendlies getting gunned down. Kiefel fired a few more rounds with his MP 40 and then ran over to another tree to take cover, closer to the enemy nests than I was... And immediately, British riflemen from the nests were firing on Kiefel's position, which made me alerted... So I fired some intense Thompson fire at the enemy riflemen and I shot six more enemy riflemen while pinning several others down in vicious fighting. Several more friendlies were gunned down by enemy gunfire, and in return, German soldiers fired more intense rifle fire that gunned multiple other British down as the fierce battle raged on.
"Shit," a German shouted, "Kiefel... He's pinned!"
The enemy machine gun kept blazing rounds at Kiefel's position, and so I fired some more SMG fire and shot two more enemy soldiers while then firing some rounds at the enemy gunner threatening Kiefel... And with sharp aim, I finally nailed the gunner with a few precise rounds before I then shot down a few other enemy soldiers in the desert near the enemy nest... Only two more nests remained.
As I kept fighting, an enemy threw a grenade towards me, one of those British Mills bombs, but with sharp speed, I picked up the enemy grenade and threw it back at the British, with the blast taking a couple enemies, then I kept firing some intense Thompson fire that shot seven enemies down in a fierce skirmish.
While the two remaining nests kept up their defence, I rushed over to Kiefel's position, and after reloading, Kiefel and I fired more intense SMG fire and shot several more British soldiers in the desert. The other German soldiers kept fighting fiercely against British infantry in the vicious battle in the desert, firing hails of rifle fire that shot numerous enemies... And as this went on, Kiefel and I were mostly concentrating on the Bren gun nests and enemy soldiers near them.
"There's more fucking Limey riflemen in the nests!" I said as I aimed my Thompson, "I'll kill the fucking bastards!"
"Get behind the fucking trees for cover, Heinrich," Kiefel said, "Destroy the machine guns first!"
The remaining two Bren machine guns blazed some more hails of fire at German positions as I fired some more Thompson fire and shot two more enemies. As Kiefel gunned a couple more British down in return, I shot a few more British soldiers with Thompson fire and then I blazed some rounds at the machine gun nests. As the vicious fighting went on, the other German soldiers kept firing their rifles and hitting numerous British enemies down with intense gunfire in the fierce battle in the desert. I fired some more SMG gunfire and I shot two more British soldiers before I kept blazing suppressing rounds at the fourth nest, gunning down another rifleman next to the gunner. The Panzers were still fighting against opposing Crusader tanks, blasting a couple down to pieces, so it was mostly up to the infantry to take care of the nests.
Kiefel and I fired more intense SMG fire at the two nests, gunning down a few more enemy riflemen in a skirmish before Kiefel ran over to another palm tree, even closer to the nests while I gave some covering fire. Once behind the cover of the closer tree, Kiefel turned and shouted over to me "Heinrich... Hand me some grenades!", and with that, I then took two Stielhandgranates and tossed them over to Kiefel, who took out a grenade of his own and then tied them all together with a strip of cloth. After pulling the pin on the grenades, he tossed the explosive sticks over by the Bren gun nests... And the resulting explosion blew off parts of the nests and sent a good amount of sand splashing and soaring into the sky while disorienting the gunners. With this, Kiefel and I fired some SMG fire at the nests... And I aimed precisely at the fourth nest, gunning down a riflemen, and as Kiefel shot a couple others in the nest, I finished it off by taking a concentrated shot at the gunner.
"That's it, Heinrich," Kiefel said, aiming his MP 40, "Strike the fucking machine guns!"
The last Bren gunner was firing his machine gun frantically now, as he realized he was the last remaining machine gun nest. He blazed a great flurry of blinding fire to hold off the attack... But this would ultimately not help him, as I held my cover and then I fired some shots that gunned two more soldiers down and Kiefel took aim and shot down the gunner and another soldier near him... The enemy machine gun nests were eliminated.
"The nests are eliminated," Reinifer said as he fired an MG 42 from his Panzer tank, "Now destroy the remaining defences and seize that camp!"
The German soldiers gunned several more enemies down with rifle shots before some Germans charged and stabbed a few British with their bayonets. A couple Germans swung their rifles to swipe enemy rifles away and knock down a couple British soldiers, just before stabbing them with their bayonets. A German soldier tackled and pinned a British soldier right before viciously beating him, while another German knocked down an enemy with his rifle, then the German seized hold of the British soldier by his tunic as he kept continuously punching him over and over as well.
Kiefel and I fired some shots and gunned a few more enemies down as other Germans kept firing their rifles and hitting multiple British down in the vicious battle. I fired some Thompson rounds and shot two more enemies, then I charged at a British soldier and struck him down with a couple sharp swings with the stock of my gun... and then Kiefel and I ran rapidly across the desert alongside the rest of the German soldiers... And as we crossed over a dune we could see the enemy camp just before us... Along with two enemy defensive lines filled mostly with riflemen.
"Shit," a German soldier said, "More Limey defences!"
"They're mostly just riflemen," Kiefel said, "Move up and take them out!"
Kiefel and I moved up with the other Germans across the desert to engage the British trench line while the Panzers kept up their confrontation against the Crusaders. A nearby Crusader blew apart into pieces from a Panzer shell, and as we got closer to the enemy trench, the British line all blazed their rifles and cut down a few friendlies. However, amidst the blazing hot fire and the raging withering bullets, we pressed on, and once getting close enough, we took cover behind some trees and other barricades while some others crouched down into prone, and we all fired our guns from our new positions at the British line, raking them with intense gunfire.
Once behind my new position of two palm trees, I fired some Thompson fire and shot a couple enemies down as Kiefel ran over to me. A couple more friendlies were gunned down by enemy rifle fire, but once everyone got into their positions, the Germans kept firing their rifles at the British defensive line, and they gunned multiple soldiers down. Once we were at the same position, Kiefel and I fired some SMG fire that gunned a few enemies down in vicious fighting, and while a couple more friendlies were cut down by enemy bullets, the German soldiers fired some intense gunfire back and shot several British down in return. I fired a few more Thompson rounds and gunned two more British down... And soon, after some fierce fighting, German rifle fire cut down most of the British infantry in the first trench line, forcing them into retreat.
"Move up," Kiefel ordered, "Take that trench line!"
Immediately, Kiefel, the German soldiers and myself entered into the former British trench, facing a second British defensive line filled with riflemen and even two machine guns before us from our captured trench. As the German soldiers formed a line of infantry in the trench to face the British opponents, Kiefel and I fired some intense SMG fire at the British line from the trench, striking multiple enemies down. In the vicious battle, the line of German soldiers were all firing their rifles at the British defensive line, firing hails of immense rifle fire at British infantry from their trench line and gunning numerous British soldiers down in vicious fighting. I fired some Thompson fire and shot six British soldiers in a fierce skirmish while Kiefel gunned down a few more. Lines of German soldiers and British infantry were firing hails of gunfire at each other from their trenches in the fierce battle, with the Germans firing immense gunfire and shooting numerous British in the vicious fighting. While several friendlies were gunned down, Kiefel fired some rounds and struck down a couple more British, as I shot two more enemy soldiers with Thompson fire. Still, the German soldiers kept firing immense rifle fire at the British infantry in vicious fighting, gunning multiple more enemies down in a hail of gunfire.
I gunned two more enemies down with some SMG fire as the German soldiers all kept fighting fiercely and firing their rifles. In the vicious fighting, Kiefel fired some shots and gunned a couple enemies down as the line of German soldiers kept firing intense hails of gunfire and cutting numerous British down. Still, the enemy soldiers kept blazing some rounds in return, and a midst the intense British gunfire, few more Germans were shot, but I kept fighting, firing more intense Thompson fire that shot five more British soldiers. Intense German rifle fire shot numerous enemies while Kiefel and I fired some covering shots. As the fierce fighting went on, I fired some Thompson shots and gunned two more enemies down while Kiefel struck a few other soldiers with MP 40 fire. In the vicious battle, the line of German soldiers kept firing immense rifle fire and cutting multiple British enemies down in fierce fighting as I shot two more down as well from our trench line in the skirmish.
The incredibly fierce battle kept raging as I fired some intense Thompson fire and shot five more enemies down. The German infantry kept firing more hails of immense rifle fire and gunning numerous enemies down in vicious fighting and, eventually, after a hard fighting skirmish, the enemy defenses diminished and started retreating... Eventually, the vicious fighting in the desert and trenches had paid off... Now nothing stood in our way to the camp.
"Move into the camp, Heinrich!" Kiefel said.
Immediately, I followed with the German soldiers as we charged in towards the camp, running over the trench lines as we charged forwards. A couple Germans stabbed a few British with bayonets as we took cover behind different buildings, tents and caches at the start of the camp... And suddenly, a British machine gun position opened up and blazed some rounds while we took cover. However, as I fired some covering shots at the enemy gunner, a German with a Flammenwerfer 41 moved up quickly, yet cautiously to the position... And once he was in range, the German aimed his flamethrower stick and blazed a menacing spray of fire into the enemy position, clearing it out as well as incinerating the few British soldiers in the position as well, setting them ablaze.
As the Flammenwerfer operator moved on to incinerate other entrenched enemies with blazing fire, most that remained was just infantry and a few vehicles. I shot a couple others as Kiefel charged and knocked a British soldier down with his MP 40, before we then went further into the camp. As the Germans, Kiefel and I held our positions by some of the tents and caches in the camp, some more British soldiers came out of other tents before us and disembarked from a couple of trucks.
"Shit, more Limeys!" a German shouted, "In the trucks and tents!"
"Let's kill the bastards!" another German said.
From our positions behind tents and caches in the camp, the German soldiers were firing their rifles at British soldiers in a fierce skirmish in the camp, gunning several enemies down. I fired some shots and gunned a few enemies down as well in the tents and in the open. Kiefel also blazed some rounds and gunned a couple British down as well while the other Germans kept firing more intense rifle fire that cut multiple British soldiers down. As the fierce battle in the camp raged, I fired some more Thompson fire and shot several more enemies down as the other German soldiers held their cover behind tenets and caches and kept fighting, firing more hails of gunfire at British positions in the camp. A few friendlies were gunned down, but the Germans kept fighting, firing more immense rifle shots at British infantry in the tents and the outside desert.
I kept fighting enemies in the camp, clearing them from the tents with Thompson fire as Kiefel gunned a few others down with his MP 40. The German soldiers kept firing rifle fire that shot multiple more British, though a couple other friendlies were cut down as well by enemy gunfire. As I shot a few more down, after much more vicious fighting, the Germans had diminished the enemy presence, gunning down most remaining soldiers in the tents and supply buildings... The battle had been won.
After the Germans shot down several more British soldiers, an enemy Crusader tank appeared over a nearby dune, aiming towards the camp... But from behind, Reinifer's Panzer rolled in and blazed a shell that took out the enemy tank. Afterwards, any remaining enemy presence gave up, with the several British soldiers still alive lowering their guns and raising their hands up while German soldiers aimed at them to keep them in order.
While German soldiers rounded up prisoners to take back to camp and other friendlies started moving supplies around from the camp, Reinifer exited his Panzer and walked over to us, "Well done, men," Reinifer said proudly, "The camp is ours... Schifler, Kiefel, good work."
Reinifer walked off smiling with pride as other Germans kept securing supplies and escorting the prisoners. I went to the edge of the camp and l stood on a dune as I looked across the sea of sand to find myself staring right at the town of Khirsijine in the distance... Our next mission.
Kiefel walked up next to me and spoke, "Looks like the last of the Tommies here, Heinrich," Kiefel said, "...Hmph... Maybe after this, we could go home."
"...Not likely, Hans." I replied, as I looked at the village of Khirsijine across the sand and under the blazing hot sun... After the British win at El Alamein, I felt that victory could not be achieved here anymore, even if we win in some places in the desert... Still this wouldn't stop us from fighting... And driving to Khirsijine.
