The Hidden Depot Raid
By: AliasCWN
Chapter 9
The explosions were a complete surprise. The convoy was rolling along smoothly, no sign of trouble, and then suddenly all hell broke loose. The fuel and ammunition trucks began going off like an American Fourth of July.
He ordered everyone to separate the trucks and abandon them until they were sure there were no more explosives. The first round of detonations seemed to be the only ones. He counted the trucks by the light of the fires. A full two thirds of his trucks were now hunks of burning scrap. The most valuable portion of his load was gone. Calling to the radio operator, he tried to report the destruction of his cargo to the Colonel at the base.
"I'm sorry Captain, I can't raise the base. They seem to be having radio troubles." The radio operator eyed the Captain uneasily.
"That's alright private, I'm afraid that right about now the radio is the least of their troubles." The Captain stared out over the desert searching for the glow in the sky that he was sure he would find. A few minutes later, he saw it, a series of bright flashes followed by a warm red glow in the night sky where the base should be.
"Private."
"Yes Sir?"
"Radio our base and report that the Colonel's base has been located by the enemy and destroyed. Report our losses as well." He added as an afterthought.
"Who could have done this Captain? No one has been near the trucks except the drivers since we left the Colonel's base." His second in command arrived with a tally of their losses.
"I'm sure that the charges were placed in the trucks before we left the base Lieutenant. Even now, the Colonel's base is burning." He pointed to the glow in the night sky.
"But how Captain? How could anyone find that base, let alone get inside to destroy it?"
"I'm afraid that the Colonel himself is responsible Lieutenant. I tried to warn him but he refused to listen. He took two of the saboteurs to the base himself and led the others to it. Remember this Lieutenant, if you remember nothing else I tell you, never underestimate the Rat Patrol. The Colonel did and he has paid with his base and who knows how much more." The Captain stood contemplating his next move while the convoy reformed and waited for his orders. "Lieutenant, take the convoy on to its destination. I will take my halftrack and one other and see if there is anything that we can do to help the base."
"Yes Sir." The Lieutenant saluted and called the men to order. He guided the convoy toward the beleaguered troops while Dietrich returned to the secret base.
