Disclaimer: The Strike Witches series is fully owned by Shimada Humikane, Noboru Yamaguchi and Gonzo Animation Studios while the non Strike Witches elements are fully owned by me.
Authors Foreword: And here we are again, back with new chapters of this story. Again got busy studying for exams and got caught playing several hours of the old Deus Ex game which is…fun…perhaps. Anyway, let's get on with the story. Oh and do forgive me if I made some mistakes if there are inconsistencies within this story or there is something that bugging you readers. Oh and All credits goes to Nim Maj for beta-reading.
Chapter 10: The Battle of El-Alamein
[10th of August, 1944. I'm now standing on one of the hills we successfully captured after the first phase of Operation Blanket ended. As of now, I've discussed with my ol'chap Rommel, Patton and the American Admiral Robertson regarding the next phase of the operation while we wait for further reinforcements and supplies coming to relief of our battered boys. The death count after the first phase of the Operation is staggering. 20,000 brave, young, men and witches killed or missing in action, about half of our armoured units are either destroyed or damaged and nearly 45%of our air forces are either crashed or burn on the bloody sands of North Africa and some are damaged beyond repair. Rommel advised me to hold the assault on El-Alamein as he wanted his units recover to their full battle capacity but Patton, rash and hot blooded chap as he is before however demand to press onwards while the Neuroi's still recovering from our assault against their defensive line. Robertson (thank God he isn't someone like Patton) thinks otherwise and supported Rommel's suggestion to wait and replenish our forces before we move into the attack. Right now, I'm hearing Robertson's fighter jets doing their routine bombing run on the Neuroi position surrounding the outskirts of El-Alamein since yesterday and I can safely say, their efforts have saved a lot of our boy's lives when the bloody Neuroi's attempted a small counter attack which was repelled but not without leaving a large number of casualties. Thankfully reinforcements and supplies have arrived and our boys will begin their assault on El-Alamein. Fortunately, several of the surviving local Royal Egyptian ArmedForces lead by General Gaman Abdel Nasser has finally linked up with us ever since we've been driven out of Cairo by the Neuroialthough his distrust on us and especially the Witches ever since the Neuroi drove us and any human inhabitant out from Egypt has made it hard to work together with the Egyptian Forces. But whatever grudge or hatred the Egyptians may hold for us, all must be forgotten if we are going to win this bloody war or at least this bloody campaign. – War Journal of Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, Overall Commander of the Allied Forces in North Africa, written on August 10th 1944 at Hill 389 prior before the assault on El-Alamein.]
Date: August 10th 1944
Location: Hill 389, Several Miles from the Coastal City of El-Alamein, Egypt.
It was a clear and early morning as the sun began to appear if watched from top of the recently captured Hill 389, one of the defensive lines which was previously manned by Neuroi forces that was successfully retaken during the first phase of Operation Blanket whichbecame a temporary Field Operation Headquarters. Several artillery batteries are also being deployed by Liberion and Britannian Field Artillery units in anticipation of the assault against the coastal city of El-Alamein.
Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery watched over the preparations of his forces which he took overall command as the Allied Supreme Commander of the North African Front after replacing its predecessor, Field Marshal Harold Alexander by the order of their Prime Minister to regain the initiative back in North Africa against the Neuroi's and also mostly due to his excellent commanding ability during the Allied Forces Evacuation of Gallia in 1940 which propels him straight to the rank of Field Marshal.
"Field Marshal Montgomery, you are needed at the Command Tent sir!" One Britannian Soldier saluted as he informed the Britannian Field Marshal.
Montgomery turns back and gave a nod, "Alright, tell them I'll be there shortly. Dismissed." He dismissed the soldier and began heading to the newly established Command Tent to co-ordinate the operation on the field.
As he went to the Command Tent, he has some thoughts playing in his mind. Two days before, just after the first phase of Operation Blanket ended in success, he consulted with his fellow commanders mainly the Karlsland Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, Liberion General George S. Patton and the American Admiral Frank Robertson on how they can proceed with phase two of the Operation which is an assault to retake El-Alamein.
At first, Rommel suggested waiting for further reinforcements and supplies to replenish the already battered and exhausted troops but Patton on the other hand, demanded that they should press onwards with the attack to not give the Neuroi a time to dig in. Discussion turned into an argument as the two field commanders argued on which action they should take to a point where the two commanders drew their sidearms against each other.
Luckily, Admiral Robertson finally stepped in and stated his reason as he supported Rommel's suggestion to wait for reinforcements and supplies. Patton wanted to rebuthim but one of his men arrived to inform him about the lack of fuel and munitions as well as damage report on a large number of tank forces causing Patton to back down from his demand to press onwards on the attack.
Today, he saw soldiers preparing their equipment for the upcoming assault. Most of the soldiers Montgomery sees are mostly a fresh batch of recruits who just got out from their training course. They never saw real actions against Neuroi but he hoped it is enough to even the odds.
"Good Morning Field Marshal Montgomery, you're heading back to the Command Tent sir?" A voice caught Montgomery attention as he turned to see a man whom he noticed is an Arab native, wearing military uniforms with the rank of General. Montgomery finally recognize the Arab as Gaman Abdel Nasser, part of the local Royal Egyptian Army which manages to link up with the Montgomery forces after they were driven out from Cairo.
"Yes General Nasser, thank you. Have your men to prepare for the assault and meet me in the Command Tent for briefing on the assault plan." Montgomery said to the Egyptian commander.
Nasser sighs and began to walk away from Montgomery, "I hope you and your Witches won't abandon me and my people to protect yourself again like what you all have done when the Neuroi overran Cairo." He said with a tone of disdain.
"I promise you, this is not the same fiasco as it has been four years before General Nasser. You have my word." Montgomery assured the Egyptian General as he watch him walk to his men.
Montgomery knows that he himself is to blame for the General's distrust in him and the Witch Units under his command, back then prior to the Neuroi assault on Cairo, he and the Witches under his command have been given explicit orders to protect only strategic areas of military interest rather than to protect the local populace. The result was devastating, civilians suffered massive casualties during the Neuroi's assault and the local Egyptian Army suffered massive casualties before being driven out with the remaining inhabitant.
Since the fiasco in Cairo, Montgomery secretly hid his guilt from everyone even his closest aide and fellow commanders and vowed to free North Africa and gain back the trust of the local populations in the war against the alien Neuroi and he will no matter what the cost.
Meanwhile,
Date: August 10th 1944
Location: Onboard the USS Eisenhower, off the Coast of Egypt, several miles from El-Alamein
After the successful assault on the defensive lines, the Joint Naval Fleet that is lead by Admiral Robertson which linked up with the Allied Mediterranean Fleet currently on situational readiness for the assault on the coastal city of El-Alamein.
On board the flight decks of the Eisenhower, Major Mio Sakamoto is having her usual routine exercises with Yoshika and Lynette joining her as they usually do although they do catch the attention of several of the Eisenhower's flight crew.
"Alright you girls give me 20 pushups! I want you two in tip top shape for the upcoming operation and you better not disappoint me!" Mio in her usual drill sergeant tone ordered the two Witches to do more pushups.
"Y-Yes Ma'am!" The two comply; continuing their pushups even as they are being watched by the Flight Deck Crews of the USS Eisenhower.
Lynette noticed this began whispering to Yoshika, "H-Hey Yoshika, d-don't you think this is a bit awkward?"
"Why Lynette?"Yoshika asks, curious about what Lynette meant after she notices the Britannian Witch's face look flustered.
"T-Those men over there are watching us y-you know." Lynette panted as she continued to do pushups while whispering to the Fusoan Witch.
Yoshika take a glance to see several flight deck crews do their usual duties but she noticed some of them watch with a smile on their face, causing her immediately flustered.
Mio, as oblivious as ever noticed Yoshika slacking off, "Miyafuji! Don't slack off!"
Immediately Yoshika continues her pushups while whispering back to Lynette, "I-I see…this is embarrassing."
Lynette Bishop couldn't agree more with Yoshika's statement as the two continue their pushup exercises.
Somewhere inside the Eisenhower's weapons armory, one of the Karlsland Witches, Captain Gertrude Barkhorn arrived after they've been called by several of the Eisenhower's sailors to meet someone at the armory.
A woman came to them as she gives a salute, "You must be Captain Gertrude Barkhorn. I'm Senior Chief Petty Officer Daniela Young head of this ships weapons armory, I'm sorry if you were busy by the time my boys called you."
"Don't worry Officer Young; I'm not too busy for today." Gertrude gives a smile at the American Senior Chief Petty Officer as she continues to ask, "Is there any reason you called me to this place?"
Senior Chief Daniela Young showed a grin on her face after giving a small chuckle at the Karlslander, "Well good thing you asked Captain, we've seen you fighting against this Neuroi and we couldn't help but want to assist you and the rest of the Witches."
Gertrude looked at the American Senior Chief Petty Officer with a confused looks and asks, "W-We thank you for your effort in helping us but what are you implying?"
"We've been talking with the Admiral about this and he agrees, so me and my boys here have created something for you Ma'am." Senior Chief Petty Officer Daniela then nodded to several of the sailors and they bring out weapons which caught the attention of Gertrude.
"This is…isn't this the machinegun you put on your helicopter?" Gertrude said as she looks the weapon which is revealed to be a heavily modified M134 Minigun that is usually found inside the Seahawk transport helicopter. The Minigun itself has been modified with a handle and a large ammunition pack to carry the Minigun rounds.
"Yes Captain, the M134 Minigun with rate of fire for about 2,000 to 6,000 RPM's. We've taken some liberty to modify this for a prolonged use." The Senior Chief Petty Officer proudly showing the Minigun to the Witches as she continues, "The barrels here are air-cooled so it should be good for long engagement but be warned though, continuous firing will make this baby overheats and you won't like it when that happens."
"A-Amazing." Gertrude muttered as she stares at the Minigun on the table of the armory. She never quite imagined a machinegun with that much rate of fire than the famous MG42 which she primarily used in combat. It can surely dispatch the Neuroi more quickly under the intense volume of raw firepower the Minigun can bring to bear.
"Of course but this is only the prototype, we don't actually have the air cooled variant of this back at our time since the ones used on vehicles and aircrafts are water-cooled…but I can guarantee this, you'll be the first person to use this in combat. So will you take it?" The Senior Chief Petty Officer explained and in the end, extended her hands to the Karlsland Captain.
Gertrude Barkhorn smiled and shook hands with the Senior Chief Petty Officer, indicating that she's agreed to test the new weapon, "Alright, so what's the catch?"
"Actually ma'am, we have taken an interest in your…Striker Units. If its isn't troubling you, can we take a look into it after your mission is finished?" She asks with a hint of hope in her eyes which the Karlsland Witch could see.
Gertrude nervously laugh as she said, "Uh…If you want to know about the Striker Unit, you could asks Captain Yeager since I'm not that well-versed in anything mechanical."
There was a collective sigh of disappointment coming from Senior Chief Petty Officer and her crews but Gertrude immediately said, "B-But I can asks her if she can help you guy to know a thing or two about the Striker Unit."
With that, Senior Chief Petty Officer Daniela and her crews express their excitement and Daniela finally clapped her hands, "Excellent! Randall, I want this gun loaded before the operation commences." She ordered one of the armory staff and then turned back to Barkhorn, "It'll be ready as soon as possible before the operation starts Captain Barkhorn."
Barkhorn nodded and feels delighted about testing a new gun against the Neuroi and prepared to leave the armory before Master Chief Petty Officer Daniela calls to her again, "Captain wait a second, where is your wingman? Isn't she always stick to you every time?"
Barkhorn sighed as she tells the American Master Chief Petty Officer, "Well Pilot Officer Hartmann is still sleeping. Do you want to meet her?"
"Oh no Captain, I'm just asking and thanks for the visit. We'll be prepping the Minigun as soon as we can." Master Chief reassured the Karlsland Witch and Barkhorn leaves the armory to wake up her lazy wingman from her sleep.
Meanwhile,
On the Eisenhower's observation deck, a certain red-haired Witch named Shirley Yeager observes the scene before her on the observation deck. She could see the flight deck crews doing their usual duty of preparing planes for takeoff while also glancing at her fellow witches YoshikaMiyafuji and Lynette Bishop being trained by Mio as usual.
"I knew I'd find you here out of all places on this ship Shirley." A voice caught her attention as she looked back to see Hawke Yeager in his naval airman aviation flight suit smiling at Shirley.
Shirley gives out a chuckle as she greets the pilot, "Well I should say good morning to you then Hawke."
Hawke chuckled back and reply her greeting as he walks next to her, "Good morning Shirley, where is Lucchini by the way? Still sleeping?"
"You know her; she might still be sleeping with Erica back at their bunks." Shirley replied.
Hawke chuckles then leaned himself on the railings while watching the view before him, "You know Shirley? Linda always spends her morning up here looking at the scenery before we ended up on combat patrols or missions."
Shirley was surprised that Hawke suddenly talked about his late girlfriend. She was blushed a bit before asking him, "D-Did she go here on her last day?"
"You mean before both of us were captured? Yes." Hawke didn't looked at Shirley but the Liberion Witch notice the sad look on his face, remembering that day was a painful reminder to him.
He was going to say something when his partner Albert Lebowski interrupts him by his arrival, "Hey Hawke, we got word from the Admiral, hewants us to perform air support for the upcoming attack." He paused after noticing Hawke is with Shirley.
"Did I interrupt something important Hawke?" Albert asks his partner.
Hawke let out a sigh and smiled at Albert, "Nothing Al. It is one of those nostalgic times I'm experiencing here right now." He then patted his partner's shoulder before looked back at Shirley, "Well I think we can talk about this later."
Albert then remembers something as he looked at Shirley, "Ah I almost forgot. Major Sakamoto is calling you for a briefing on the operation too."
"Thanks Lieutenant." Shirley nodded and the three went back to their own units to prepare themselves for the assault on El-Alamein or formally called, the second phase of Operation Blanket.
Several Hours Before,
Location: Allied Command Tent, Hill 389.
Date: August 10th 1944
At the Allied Command Tent which is recently established by Montgomery's unit to act as a forward command base for the next phase of the Operation which is occupied by men from the Britannian Royal Corps of Signals which maintains all local communications between allied units. Other than the communication units, there also several command staff helping Montgomery to co-ordinate the operation strategically.
Right now, several important members of the Allied Forces which is Field Marshall Erwin Rommel, General George S. Patton, Admiral Robertson and also General Gaman Abdel Nasser much to Robertson surprise seeing the future founder of Pan-Arabism and first President of the Egyptian Republic is here with him, planning for the operations have been assembled for a briefing on the operation with Field Marshal Montgomery starts the briefing.
"Good morning lads, today will be the day we make our move to retake El-Alamein from the Neuroi." Montgomery greeted as he looks over the large map of El-Alamein and its surroundings with markers indicating allied and enemy positions.
Holding his pipe, he then pointed at several red markers which indicated Neuroi position, "According to reports from the air and ground intelligence we've gathered for the past few days, we've identified Neuroi strongholds located on three roads leading into El-Alamein. The main roads are heavily defended by a mix of Heavy and Light Walker-Type Neuroi whiles both east and west roads are secured by several Turtles and Flying Goblets."
Then General Nasser interjects, "But that's only their main defense into the city, we should expecting more Neuroi's to be holed up inside the city center itself and that is where we'll be facing a strong defenses."
Montgomery looked at the Egyptian General and then back at the map again, "That won't be a problem, the Desert Air Force along with the Witches and Admiral Robertson's own air support will take care of the defenses which our units couldn't take it out."
Admiral Robertson looked at the map again and then asks, "I suggest that we relegate priority for the air support especially to the ones leading the assault on the main roads those heavy and light walker types would be a problem."
"I agree with that Admiral." Montgomery nodded and then turns to the Liberion General George S. Patton and pats his shoulder, "Patton, I thought you'll be delighted to lead the main attack would you?"
Patton suddenly aired his own confidence after Montgomery offers him to lead the attack against the main road, "You want me attacking the main sector Monty? Well expect that area to be free from the Neuroi by the time you called me for an afternoon tea, I can guarantee that."
Rommel then voiced his own concern on Patton, "General Patton, as much as I like your free-spirited Liberion-style enthusiasm, you really do need more support than we do when the assault begins. I mean that place is heavily defended. I even doubt that your Girls are enough to eliminate the most."
Patton thought about this and nodded, "You don't have to worry about that Rommel and never underestimate my Girls." Then he looked at the Admiral, "Admiral Robertson, I'm expecting your assistance too. Those long range missiles and your precision bombing did quite a number on those Neuroi bastards on our last operation. I hope you could use it again to help us."
Robertson nodded in reply then turned back to the Britannian Field Marshal, "So I guess with Patton leading the main attack group, Field Marshal Rommel and Commandant LeCreux will be attacking the flanks?"
"Yes Admiral, Rommel's group will move in and eliminate resistance from the eastern roads while Commandant LeCreux will be attacking from the western roads…" Montgomery said as he moves the marker indicating Rommel's and the French Marine Commandant battle group to where he pointed at.
"Once secured, reinforcements will arrive to hold these sectors while the attack group will press on their attacks until they can link up at the city center where the Neuroi might possibly hold in large numbers. Artillery support will be available in this operation so don't hesitate to use it." Montgomery then looked at his fellow commanders, waiting for anymore questions regarding the operation.
Rommel speaks about Montgomery's plan, "This sounds simple, a classic pincer movement on three fronts. How many casualties projected for this operation?"
"The casualties will be heavy I admit but if we managed to get rid of the Neuroi from El-Alamein, it's worth the risk we're taking here." Montgomery said grimly, he was gambling the fate of the whole campaign on this operation alone. If they failed, the Neuroi will have a strong foothold in North Africa and the Middle-East while Europe will be in danger of being attack from two fronts.
"So if there isn't any question, you all may proceed to do some final preparations, the attack will begin at 1300 Hours." Montgomery dismisses the meetings as the commanders began doing their usual duty, leaving him and the Egyptian General Nasser.
"You're taking a big risk here Field Marshal; my people will suffer if we fail. I hope you know what you're doing." General Nasser said with a concerned tone to the Britannian Field Marshal.
"I know that General. We can only pray to God that we will see through this." Montgomery smoked from his pipe and headed out from the command tent with the Egyptian General in tow.
Several Hours After,
Location: Allied Forces Staging Area, Hill 389
Date: August 10th 1944
After the briefing by Montgomery, the orders have passed through the ranks and all personnel's began preparing themselves for the offensive, some began cleaning their kit from the dust and sands while others began to pray for their protection. Some armored units began inspecting their vehicles and doing last minute maintenance.
Among the armored units of the allied forces which consist of Sherman's, Panzer IV's and Crusaders, there was a tank that looked formidable to the eyes of the allied forces and a deadly weapon against the Neuroi, a new Unit consist of ten Pzkpfw VI Tiger Tanks from the 101st Tigergruppe (Tiger Group) of the 503rd Heavy Tank Battalion dispatched from the Orussian Eastern Front to support the effort on North Africa and lead by Major Maximillian Voss, a Tank veteran from the Eastern Front with a kill score of 40 Neuroi to his credit who comes along with his own crew.
"A brand new engine…and it runs like Scheiß!" One of the Tiger crew curses as he performs a repair the engine of their Tiger.
The rest we're sitting on their tank while waiting for their tank commander as one of them turned to their fellow crew working on the Engine, "Well try to make it hold for the whole day Arno, after that we might asks Hauptmann Voss to requisitioned a new engine."
"Easy for you to say Litzke! If this thing brakes down, we're toast." Arno Schriof, the driver of the Tiger who's repairing the Engine retorted back to his fellow crew named Alfred Litzke, the Tiger's loader.
"Oh come on you two, at least we got help from those Witches and the Joint Naval Fleet or whatever they named themselves to be. It wouldn't be a problem to us!" Another crew of the Tiger named, Dieter Berndt who is the Tiger's radio operator casually said at his crewmate while leaning his back to the Tiger's rear turret.
Another one of the Tiger crew named Joseph Shultz, the Tiger's gunner comes out from the turret and yawning, "Can you guys keep the conversation low? I'm sleeping for Gottsakes!"
Before anyone of the crew wanted to reply, they are greeted by a female voice which they turned to see it was one of Karlsland Ground Witches waving at them while holding the Panzerbüchse 39 Anti-Tank Rifle.
Arno immediately noticed the Witch, "Oberleutnant Helma Frunze? Is that you?"
The Witch named Helma Frunze smiled at the Tiger's driver, "It's been awhile isn't it Arno? Oh and please, just call me Helma."
Arno jumped down from the Tiger and walk towards Helma, "It is indeed and I heard you got transferred out from the Eastern Front but I never expected you here on North Africa!"
"So did I." Helma chuckled before looking around and asks, "Where is Hauptmann Voss? I haven't seen him and you guys since Kharkov." Helma asks as she hasn't seen the tank commander.
"Oh what do we have here? Ah Oberleutnant Frunze! It's good to see you again after Kharkov." The man appeared wearing a typical standard issued Afrika Krops uniform but with a visible Iron Cross on his collar greets the Karlsland Witch.
Helma smiled at the man greeted him, "Hauptmann Voss, glad to see you again. I take it that you miss the cold snow of Orussia after being in North Africa for awhile?"
"I definitely miss the Orussian winter but who am I to complain? I guess we'll be supporting each other this time Ja?" Voss chuckles at his own comment.
Helma could only laugh for awhile and then she decides to go to her unit, "Well Hauptmann, I will be with my unit. I'll see you on the fields then!"
After leaving, Voss turns to his crew with a serious look, "Alright men get inside the tank. Inform the rest of the Tigergruppe! We're moving out!"
Back at the Carrier Task Group of the Joint Naval Fleet,
Location: USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, Off the Coast of Egypt, several miles out from El-Alamein
Date: August 10th 1944
It was almost two hours since Admiral Robertson returned from his meeting with the Britannian Field Marshal and briefed the Witches along with the Carrier Fighter Wings on the upcoming operations. After that, the rest of the Witches and the Carrier Fighter Wings began to make their last minute preparations before taking off to proceed with the mission.
"Alright girls, we'll be providing air cover for our troops during the assault but that doesn't mean we can't help them on the ground either. So if you have the opportunity to help them, do it." Mio said as she loaded her Type 99 Cannon and brandished her sword.
"Yes ma'am!" Both Lynette and Yoshika acknowledge her orders.
Erica Hartmann and her partner, Gertrude Barkhorn makes a final inspection on their Strikers and weaponbut Erica notices that Gertrude is waiting for something…or someone she might think.
"Hey Trude, are you waiting for someone? Did you find some good men on this ship?" Erica said with the usual grin on her face.
Hearing the Karlsland Ace's comments, Gertrude immediately blushed and tried to deny it, "W-What makes you think of that!? I-I am waiting for something but it is not a Man!"
"Hmm~ Really Trude?" Erica said with a suspicious look on her face before several men and a woman arrives to meet Gertrude.
"Captain Barkhorn, your weapon is ready." The woman said as several men brings two identical weapons with a backpack that contains the ammo canisterand gives it to Gertrude while giving the Karlsland Ace brief instructions on the weapons along with the tips on its safety.
Erica saw the new weapon being held by Gertrude and then ask her, "Trude, is this what you're waiting for?"
Gertrude nodded as she activated the switch running the inbuilt electric motor inside the weapon which in turn, spins the barrel and Gertrude deactivated the switch again.
"Yeah Erica, the Americans called this a Minigun. I couldn't wait to use it in action!" Gertrude said in excitement as she puts on the backpack which contains her weapons ammo.
Erica couldn't help but to stare in awe at the look of the weapon in Gertrude's possession until Mio arrives and inform the two, "Are you two done? Get on the deck for takeoff. oh and Gertrude, nice weapon you got there."
"Thanks Mio." Gertrude thanked Mio then turned to Erica. "Alright, let's go and shoot some Neuroi!"
Erica couldn't help but to smile, she never seen Gertrude felt excited except for certain occasions and seeing her became gung ho and ready to shoot the Neuroi after acquiring her new weapon makes Erica feels happy for her.
Meanwhile,
On the top of the USS Eisenhower's deck, the Witches and several Fighter Planes are already prepared their planes and Striker for takeoff. Most of the Pilot including the Witches themselves is looking forward to the operation.
Shirley just boarded her Striker when she saw Hawke and his WSO Albert heading onto their plane in their fully equipped flight suit she shouted at the two, "HEY! HAWKE! ALBERT!"
Hawke walks to her and give a smile, "So, are you ready? We'll be counting on you to help us today."
"Don't worry Hawke, we got your back!Even Trude there looks excited with the new weapon you guys gave to her." Shirley and Hawke glanced at Gertrude who's still fixated with the new Minigun.
"Well…she did looks like she wanted to rain hell on the Neuroi's. That Minigun in her hand could shred those Neuroi without them firing back." Hawke gives a short chuckle before Albert patted him to get onto his plane.
Shirley gives an encouraging smile at the American pilot, "Don't let me hold ya back Hawke! We'll be right behind you!" She shouted as Hawke gives her a thumb up before heading to his F/A-18F.
Mio fires up her Strikers and turned to the rest of her Witches, "Alright girls! We'll do like what we did the last time! Don't screw up and support each other!"
The rest of the Witches acknowledge and one by one, they took off from the deck of the Eisenhower after the fighter wings of Major Hawke Yeager took off first, followed by two more fighter squadrons and one AEW aircraft to coordinate the squadron for the offensive.
This operation will be their toughest operation yet.
Location: Unknown, Somewhere on the outskirts of El-Alamein (Main Road Sector).
Date: August 10th, 1944.
As the allied ground forces began to mobilize, somewhere near the main road sector, a small group of US Marine Force Recon lead by Captain Tim Farrell are waiting for the rest of his men to give coordinates for the artillery strike to soften up the enemy position.
He just regrouped with the second team which is scouting the Eastern Road Sector but he hasn't gotten any word on the Western Road Sector scouting unit. He couldn't help but worry for his men.
"Lieutenant, have you got the line on Sergeant DeMilo's units? We need their status ASAP!" The Captain asks his fellow Marine and his second in command First Lieutenant Antonio Santos.
Santos still trying to contact the third recon unit but still to no avail before he finally receives the news he and the Captain are hoping for.
(Radio)[This is Sergeant DeMilo of the Third Squad, sorry for not responding to your contact LT. We have to lay silent, too many Neuroi patrols.]
The Captain then asks Santos to give him the receiver and began asking the third squad team leader, "Sergeant, this is Captain Farrell. How far are you currently Sergeant?"
(Radio)[Not too far, we'll be arriving in…30 minutes]
"Good, the attack will start soon and the artillery section requesting the fire coordinates as soon as we can!" Farrell stresses the objectives to Sergeant DeMilo.
(Radio)[Ten-Four sir! We're approaching the RV point now]
Just then Farrell's men finally saw the third squad approaching as they waved at Farrell. The Sergeant, a 36 year old Italian-American by the name of Vincent DeMilo saluted at his Captain.
"Sorry for the delay sir, Sergeant DeMilo reporting." DeMilo reported at his Captain.
Captain salutes back and began checking on his watch before looking back at the Sergeant, "Not a moment too soon. Have you acquired the coordinates Sergeant?"
DeMilo the pulls out a map which contains the coordinate numbers and gives it to him. Farrell takes a glance the map and then thanked DeMilo before dismissing him to his men.
Farrell calls up the radio and began contacting the artillery section which consists of Britannian 4th Royal Horse Artillery that commanded a section of 25-pdr Guns and the 105mm Howitzers of the Liberion 34th Field Artillery Battalion.
"Attention Artillery Section, this is A Company. Do you copy?" Farrell contacted the allied artillery unit and a reply came in the form of British accented English which Farrell assumed was a Britannian.
(Radio)[Roger that A Company we hear you. Have you acquired the coordinates?]
"Roger, we need artillery fire at area grid Echo Six-Seven-Five, November Zero-Eight-Seven and Whiskey Five-Five-Niner. Fire for effect." Farrell transmitted the coordinates to the artillery section.
(Radio)[Copy, coordinates received. Firing for Effect.]
At the distance, the Marines heard sound of artillery firing and shells began to fly overhead and landed in a quite audible explosion at the marked target coordinates. They knew a massive ground assault will soon follow.
"Alright Marines, we better get back and regroup with Patton's men. Pack up and move out!" Farrell ordered his men and the rest began to move out from the area to evade Neuroi patrol units.
Location: Main Road sector to El-Alamein
Date: 10th August 1944
While the artillery began sending shells against the heavily fortified positions the Neuroi has around the major road leading to El-Alamein, Liberion Army Group commanded by General Patton begun to move into the attack with the Witches of the Patton Girls unit and several tank columns leading the spearhead.
Patton still in his jeep when his radioman informed him, "Sir, Captain Savon informed that their units have been engaged by Neuroi on their right. They're fighting them as we speak."
"Good, send First and Second Tank Company to reinforce the Witches. The rest will advance and engage any enemy they see." Patton ordered which were relayed to the rest of his battle group.
Just then, he saw the fighter jets and Witches of the 501st make a pass over them with several of Patton's men cheering after seeing them up in the sky.
"Good luck…you'll need it." Patton muttered as he lit a cigar and ordered his troops to move forward.
"Sir, we're reporting that US Marine Force Recon troops have linked up with our main force. They're awaiting your orders." Patton's radioman informed again as he and the General saw two Tomahawk Cruise Missile passes overhead, heading to a possible Neuroi target.
"Well? What do you think? Lets pick 'em up!" Patton immediately ordered his driver to drive towards where the Marines are as Patton's forces began to engage in the battle against the Neuroi.
Location: Eastern Road Sector to El-Alamein
Date: 10th August 1944
As the Liberion Army spearheading the attack against Neuroi position on the main road, Karlsland Forces under the command of Erwin Rommel also began their attack with the Tiger Tanks of the 101st Tigergruppe along with several tank companies consists of Panzer III and IV to assists the Tiger in spearheading the Karlsland attack.
(Radio) [All Kampfgruppe listen up! This is Feldmarschall Erwin Rommel! Our objective today is to secure the Eastern Road Sector so that we can proceed to link up with the French and Liberion forces. Your objective is to eliminate any enemy Neuroi to clear the way for reinforcements to arrive. Do this and we are one step closer in winning this campaign.] Rommel said as he wanted to make clear the objective to his unit as he moves together alongside his forces in his Sd. Kfz. 250/3 Command Tracked Vehicle.
"Mein Feldmarschall, our spearhead unit has reported Neuroi contact and is engaging them as we speak." Rommel's staff informed him after he received information from the spearhead unit.
"Send the 11th and 5th Panzerdivision along with the 12th Hexenjäger Abteilung to reinforce the spearhead rest will proceed to guard the flanks." He ordered which his staff complies and began transmitting Rommel's order.
Rommel then turned to one of his support staff and asked, "How's our Tigergruppe holding up?"
"They are reporting an engagement with the Neuroi Herr Feldmarschall, our Tiger Striker unit is also in support to counter the Neuroi's assault." His staff answered.
Rommel rubbed his eyes and sighed as he looks his unit advances to support the spearhead unit and mutters, "I hope God is with us today."
Meanwhile,
As the 101st Tigergrupper of the 503rd Schwere Panzer Bataillon lead the spearhead units in attacking forward Neuroi position, they are coming under heavy fire with two of their ten Tiger tanks knocked out but fortunately help arrived as they are supported by Witches of the 4thSchwere Hexenpanzer Bataillon using a Striker variant of the venerable Tiger I tank along with several reinforcements of Panzer IV and III's which makes up the spearhead unit.
"Arno gets us moving schnell! Shultz light them up! Berndt give me status update on our Tigergruppe!"Hauptmann Voss who leads the 101stTigergruppe gave orders to his crews as they tried their hardest to evade Neuroi attack and return fire at the same time.
"Herr Hauptmann! The rest of the Tigergruppe reported functional and are engaging enemy Neuroi units but we lost two Tiger's in the process!" Berndt informed their Tank Commander on the situation as Shultz fired the Tigers 88mm gun on occasion.
Litzke loaded another round into the Gun and Shultz sets his sight on a Neuroi Turtle-type and muttered, "Come on you schwein! Take this from Papa Shultz!" and he fired the gun which the shell finally found its mark.
"HA! Another one down! Litzke load more rounds!" Shultz ordered as he tried his sights at another Neuroi Turtle firing at one of the Witches.
Shultz then heard Litzke voice as he finishes loading the AP rounds into the gun, "Shultz! It's loaded!"
Without a word, Shultz fired the gun and hit the Neuroi directly at the center and destroyed it, "Got another one!"
Ignoring the cheers of his gunner, Voss quickly communicated with the rest of his Tigergruppe, "Achtung Tigergruppe! This is Hauptmann Voss speaking! Continue engaging enemy Neuroi but keep yourself safe! We don't want any more losses than we should have. Let's show them the Tiger's spirit!"
He heard the other cheering and acknowledgement of orders from the rest of his Tiger Group until he is contacted again by a Witch.
(Radio)[This is Oberleutnant Helma Frunze of the 12th Hexenjäger Abteilung. You guys really did a good job there especially you Hauptmann Voss.]
Voss blinked for a moment but then give a smile as he replied, "The pleasure is mine Herr Oberleutnant. Now let us pave a way for our forces and show these Neuroi a good fight…the Karlsland way."
(Radio)[*chuckles* Verstanden Hauptmann Voss. We'll cover you and your forces' advance.] The Karlsland Witch said as she and her units began providing covering fire for the rest of Voss Tiger Groups to advance.
"Arno! Panzer Motor to 700 P-S! Advance at full speed! Berndt! Arm the Maschinengewehr 42! Shultz fire any Neuroi on sight and Litzke, keep the shells coming!" Voss distributed the order to his crew and continues, "Let's show them the might of the Tiger!"
Location: Allied Command Tent, Hill 389
Date: 10th August 1944
As the assault is underway, British Field Marshal Montgomery began observing the attack via UAV footage provided by the Americans while managing orders directly by radio. He's now observing the Western Road Sector assault which is lead by a French Marine Commandant LeCreux. LeCreux forces consist of the combined units from the Britannian troops, French Marines and the local Egyptian forces of General Nasser.
"Sir, we got transmission coming from Commandant LeCreux." One of his radio staff informed as Montgomery still watching the footage of the French AMX-10RC Tank Destroyer annihilating several Neuroi units.
(Radio)[Command, this is Commandant LeCreux reporting. We are currently engaged with the Neuroi's but the roads are clear. Awaiting further instruction.]
"Good, hold until reinforcements arrived." Montgomery sends his orders and then turned to one of his command staff, "What's the situation on the East and the Main road sector offensive?"
His staff, a Brigadier informed him, "General Patton said they made significant advances and reported to have eliminated the Neuroi on the Main Road Sector but he also informed of heavy casualties he suffered."
Montgomery sighed after hearing this from his staff and decided to ask something else, "What's the status on Rommel's forces?"
"He reported that the Eastern Road Sector is secured but he also received casualties. He's now awaiting reinforcements to proceed with the attack." His staff replied back.
Montgomery thinks about something and then he ordered, "Prepare my Command Tank. We'll move out with the reinforcements."
At the same time,
Location: Western Road Sector.
Date: 10th August 1944.
At the Western side of El-Alamein, combined soldiers of Romagna, Egyptian, Britannian soldiers with the French Marines lead by Commandant LeCreux are in an intense battle against the Neuroi which are on the defensive. Several soldiers take cover in some abandoned house while armored units engage the Neuroi in maneuver battle.
Commandant LeCreux, is a battle hardened 40 year old French Commandant who leads the French premier combat units, the Troupe de Marine from Afghanistan to Mali and faced many foe who are mainly ruthless terrorists but this is not something he would imagine leading his men into the fight.
"I never thought I would fight something other than those Terroristes…I just hope I could survive another day again." LeCreux sighed as he watched the battle from the safety of his own AMX-10RC Command Vehicle variants.
"Commandant, troops informed that they have seized the initiative and are holding position until the reinforcements arrived." One of the French Marine who is with the Commandant informed him as he trying to gather information from the radio.
"Bonne, send the Sixth and Twelve Tank Company to assists. I want this road free from Neuroi by the time the reinforcements arrived." LeCreux ordered as the tanks which consist of the fast moving Crusaders and Romagnan Fiat M15/42 Medium Tanks along with the Britannian Land Witches units moves forward to reinforce the units who are still engaging the remnant Neuroi resistance.
The Neuroi's on the Western Road Sector are struggling to defend their positions from the onslaught of their Human enemies. At first they easily outgunned the Allied tanks but suddenly they are under fire from long range which hampers their effort in repelling the Allied forces attacks.
The units who provide the long range fire for the Allied tanks are the French six-wheeled AMX-10RC Wheeled Tank Destroyer which boasted a powerful 105 mm Gun complimented with advanced computer system forces the Neuroi to be distracted by the oncoming volley but that has given the Britannian and Romagnan Tanks to see an opportunity to flank the Neuroi's and annihilate them.
By noon, all the three road sectors has fall into Allied hands and the remaining Neuroi regrouped into the city of El-Alamein itself.
Location: Above the sky over El-Alamein
Date: 10th August 1944
As the ground battle intensifies, so does the battle to control the airspace above El-Alamein as squadrons of fighter planes from the Desert Air Force and Robertson's fleet engages flight elements of Neuroi drones. The fighters are not alone however as the witches of the 31st JFS and the 501st JFW enters the battle although the Desert Air Forces are taking heavy losses at the start of the aerial engagement.
"Target acquired, Fox Three! Fox Three!" Hawke announces as he releases his radar guided AIM-120 AMRAAM which has locked onto one of the Light-class Neuroi drones and the missiles has found its mark.
"Woohoo! That's another kill Major! Nice shot!" Hawke WSO cheered as he visually confirmed the kills made by Hawke.
(Radio)[Major, this is [Reaper 3]. We've got more contacts at 5 O'clock position! [Reaper 2] and [Reaper 5] are engaging them as we speak.]
As his fellow pilots finished informing him, Hawke replies back but this time he's contacting their AWACS callsigned [Griffins] from the VAW-121 Airborne Early Warning Squadron.
"[Griffins] this is Major Hawke Yeager of [Reaper 1], status on the remaining airborne hostile targets over?" Hawke asks and he immediately received a reply.
(Radio)[This is [Griffins]. Uh…we're still counting at least five squadron sized hostiles still in the area. The Witches and Desert flyboys are currently engaging some of them. Head over to assist.]
"Copy that [Griffins], [Reaper 1] out! Attention to all [Reaper] flight, we're heading to help the Witches follow me and assist them by any means." Hawke ended his communication and banking away to help the Witches and the Desert Air Force airmen which are currently engaging with the Neuroi.
The Star of Africa, Hanna-JustinaMarseille of the 31st JFS fires off her MG34 machinegun into one of the Medium-Type Neuroi drone, filling it with holes before the outer shell is shattered and reveals the core. She then saw a Karlsland Bf 109 dives in and shoots the core in which the Neuroi immediately shrieked and disintegrated.
"Well that's one down." Hanna muttered as she reloads her MG34, then she heard a distinctive dull buzzsaw sound although it's not similar to the buzzsaw sound of the MG42.
Hanna turned to the source of the sound and saw Gertrude Barkhorn wielding a weapon which is new to her as she never saw it before. She notices the barrels of the weapon rotates and suddenly unleashes a hailstorm of bullets towards an unfortunate Neuroi with thousands of shell casings ejected out from the weapon.
Hanna flies close to Barkhorn and heard her complimenting the new weapon she wielded on both of her hands, "Well they sure know how to make these weapon!"
Barkhorn then noticed Hanna fly towards her with a curious face appears on the Star of Africa's face. Barkhorn grins as she greets her, "Ah Leutnant Marseille, having fun?"
"As much as you do, Hauptmann Barkhorn." Marseillegrinned back then turned to Gertrude's weapon, "What's that mean looking weapon you got there?"
Gertrude grins back and then lifted her weapon, "The Americans called this the Minigun and I can only say this…this is the best weapon I have ever wielded!" She then spotted another Neuroi and both Witches began engaging it.
Hanna empties her MG34 rounds into the Neuroi and reloads after her ammunition is used up, then she saw Gertrude aim at the Neuroi with the barrels of her Minigun which spins and began unleashing a hail of lead which out runs any of the existing machineguns of this era. The Neuroi are visibly obliterated by Gertrude and Hanna only could watch in awe after seeing the show of firepower from Gertrude's Minigun.
Gertrude heard a click from her Minigun she dislodges the magazines canister and loaded a new one after taking a new canister from her backpack when she receives contact from Pilot Officer Erica Hartmann.
(Radio)[Trude where are you? We got multiple inbounds coming on our positions from the west. Mio, Yoshika, Lynette andthe flyboys aren't enough to help us here! We need your help!]
"Roger that Hartmann, I'm coming!" Barkhorn replied then turned to Hanna who immediately came out of her stupor which makes the Karlsland ace grins, "See ya later after the battle Hanna!"
Hanna wanted to say something but the Karlsland witch already left the scene until she is contacted by her own Squaron Leader Katou Keiko ordering her to return back to her units.
"I really wish I had that weapon like Gertrude have." Hanna mutters before she flies back to her group and continues engaging the Neuroi throughout the day.
Back on the Ground,
Location: City of El-Alamein, Eastern Sector.
Date: 10th August 1944.
After reinforcements arrived to reinforce the now controlled road sectors, allied forces continue to push their attack into the City of El-Alamein itself. The Neuroi's began to go on the defensive by holding in against the Allied advance.
Hauptmann Voss Tiger Group along with the Land Witches engaging the Neuroi in a close quarter armored engagement. Voss' own Tiger managed to shoot several Neuroi that tried to ambush them.
"Arno, engine status." Voss asks the driver of his Tiger.
"The engine is running smoothly, the new filter is working. We won't risk having a breakdown anytime soon sir." Arno explained as he slowly moves the Tiger tank up the road with Schultz occasionally fired the 88mm Gun in support of the Witches who are engaging the Neuroi.
"Litzke! Load more rounds now!" Shultz shouted as he found another Neuroi Turtle-type target and fired the 88mm which punches through the Turtle, scoring another kill for his Tigergruppe.
Voss then observes his surrounding to spot any Neuroi's that might hide behind the rubbles or waiting to ambush his unit when several Neuroi's consists of Light and Heavy Walker-type appears and began firing at his unit and the Witches. Some of Voss Tiger tanks exploded after being hit by the Neuroi's laser fire.
(Radio)[Scheiß! We lost Tiger no. 102 and no. 100! We need orders Herr Voss!] One of his Tiger Tank units contacted as they are under fire from the Neuroi.
"Keep firing at them! Support the Witches! Tigergruppe! Show them the might of Karlsland Tiger!" Voss ordered and immediately all of his Tiger tank units opened fire at the Neuroi group, causing them to be pushed back as the Witches takes the opportunity and began destroying the Neuroi easily.
As some of them cheered, a radio transmission coming through from Field Marshal Montgomery itself and Voss listen thoroughly at the announcement.
(Radio)[To all Battle Groups, this is Field Marshal Montgomery speaking, the air above El-Alamein are now under our control. I repeat, the air above El-Alamein are now under our control. We've received the intel that most of the Neuroi are now beginning to hold their ground at the city center. It's time for us to drive them out of El-Alamein once and for all]
Voss then ordered Berndt to switch the frequency to contact the rest of his Tiger Group, "Achtung Tigergruppe, listen up! The Neuroi are making their last stand at the city center and no doubt will put up a hard fight! Liberions and the Frenchs are moving in to annihilate the Neuroi." Voss paused and take a deep breath before continues, "This is it Tigergruppe! Crush them and crush them hard! Give no respite for the enemy!"
After that, his unit and the rest of Rommel's armored unit began moving forward to engage the Neuroi forces now holding at the city center. There the battle has already started as Liberion troops under George S. Patton began to attack the entrenched Neuroi with armored tank support but the Neuroi however managed to repel several attacks, causing high casualties among the Liberions.
One of the attacking forces in the Liberion Army Group is the A Company of the Marine Force Recon under Captain Tim Farrell which manages to link up with Patton's group and is now leading his men to assault the Neuroi hold on the city center.
"Santos, bring some of our men to the right flank. I will lead the rest and remember, always get those AT4's and SMAW's ready." Farrell gives the orders before hopping on an M4 Sherman tank with some of the men he of them is Private Rigby Ames.
"Oorah Captain, just be careful out there." Lieutenant Santos said as he brings several Marines with him to move on the flanks.
As the Captain and Rigby ride on one of the Sherman's, Captain Farrell then turns to the Marine Private, "Listen Rigby, I heard what's happened from Lieutenant Santos. But I suggest you should take care of yourself first while we're here okay?"
"I'll try sir. I'll try." Rigby nodded as the column began to move into what seems to be a bombed out business district thanks to the allied artillery and Robertson's fighter squadron bombing runs. An abandoned shop came into the view of Liberion soldiers and American Marines.
It was for about five to ten minutes when the column suddenly ran into an ambush made by a small group of Neuroi consisting of two turtles and five Flying Goblet type Neuroi.
"Jesus! Ambush! Take cover!" A Liberion soldier shouted before the Sherman tank he rode on suddenly exploded after being shot at by Neuroi sending what's left of the Liberion soldiers flying along with the debris of the M4 Sherman.
The rest of the Liberion soldiers immediately dismounted from the tanks and began to take cover behind every corner of the buildings and occasionally fired their weapons while others tend to the wounded. Several Land Witches of the Patton Girls also taking cover and opening fire at the Neuroi.
"Goddamnit! We need support here or we're fucked!" One of Farrell's men shouted as he reloads his M4 assault rifle and continues shooting at the approaching Flying Goblets-type Neuroi.
Several Marines also targeted the Goblets which they managed to shoot it down until one Turtle fires its lasers and hits another unfortunate M4 Sherman tank which spectacularly exploded and sent several men who are near to it flying several feet in the air before landed with a loud thud.
Captain Farrell then grabs an AT4 from his back and aimed at the walker as he muttered, "Take this ya bastard!" and fired the projectile which hit directly at the Turtle-type Neuroi, stunning the Neuroi long enough for one of the Patton Girls to appear from the corner of a building and fire AP shells from her Witch Combat Gun into the Turtle, effectively killing it.
After destroying the whole attacking Flying Goblets, the sole remaining Turtle began to pull back while firing its lasers. Eventually the Liberion armored column began to move again with Liberion soldiers advancing as a forward observer in case they stumbled at another Neuroi ambush.
"Man this shit is almost like what we faced in Fallujah man…but still weird shit we're being ambushed by that thing." Lance Corporal Isaiah Dawson commented as he and the rest of the Marines under Farrell's command move out along with the Liberion troops.
Rigby turns to Dawson and shook his head, "Well at least compared to this, Fallujah is a cakewalk."
Dawson shrugged and began checking his M27 IAR, "I guess you're right about that." Then the two saw Captain Farrell walks towards them and the other Marines.
"Alright Marines, Command just called in, the other forces have finally linked up and are now engaging a small but fierce pocket of Neuroi resistance." Captain Farrell walked up while informing the rest of the Marines, "So far the surrounding outskirts of the City is in our control thus making this city effectively ours. So we're just making a mop up operation." As he finished that, the ground shook and the rest including Liberion troops looked at the dark cloud rising not far from where they are.
"It seems those bastards are still fighting hard…" Farrell heard one of his men and he began issuing orders, "Alright Marines! We'll be linked up with Lieutenant Santos men. Move out!"
As soon as he finished sending orders, the rest of his Marines shouted, "Oorah!" and began to follow their Captain.
Location: El-Alamein City Center.
Date: 10th August 1944
After a long grueling fight the remaining Neuroi which consisted of ten Turtle types, three Heavy Walker types and a handful of Flying Goblet type Neuroi have dig in against incoming allied assault which has effectively taken control of El-Alamein.
And so far, the Neuroi began to reeling from the continuous assault. Several allied infantry with armor and Land Witches advanced slowly on their position despite the intense laser fire of the Neuroi's.
"Don't stop ya bloody wankers! We're almost there!" One Britannian officer shouts as he led his unit into the fray while firing his rifle.
Captain Marylin Savon and the rest of the Patton Girls began moving up and opened fire at the Neuroi while erecting a shield occasionally to protect their own from Neuroi counter-fire. They linked up with the Britannain and Karlsland Land Witch unit which supported the main forces last assault on the Neuroi.
"Major Miles! Good to see you again!" Marilyn greeted the Britannian Witch next to her as she reloads her weapon after shooting a Neuroi.
"Good to see you again Marilyn…" Major Miles greets back while shooting at an incoming Flying Goblet with her gun and continued, "…I heard you've been promoted to Captain and I thought it's a bit late but congratulations."
"Thanks Major, now let's go kick some Neuroi ass!" Marilyn shouted as she and the rest of the Land Witches move in to the attack.
Other units also began to open fire while taking cover behind anything from a destroyed tank to a ruined building, taking potshots at the Neuroi which has formed a defensive circle and fired anything that came to their view.
The Marine Force Recon lead by Captain Farrell has linked up with Lieutenant Santos and his unit and joined the assault with Fighter planes from Admiral Robertson Carrier Air Group and Witches of the 31st JFS and 501st JFW came in to support their friendly forces after managed to regain control of El-Alamein airspace.
"Attention! We need air support on grid Charlie-One-One do you copy?" A Marine Radioman sends firing coordinate under Captain Farrell's order to his radio when he received the word that air support is available.
(Radio)[Roger Alpha Company this is [Reaper 1], dropping payload] the voice of Major Hawke is heard as explosions heard and several F/A-18F flying overhead the Allied forces, gathering cheers after they manage to take out two Heavy Walker type from their bombing run.
"Alright Marines! We're Oscar-Mike!" Farrell shouted and the Marines began advancing to eliminate the remaining Neuroi's.
With the Neuroi ranks becoming dangerously dwindled, Allied forces began closing in and the Neuroi have no chance of retreating back to their hive at Cairo as they are cut off and surrounded by all sides.
Marine Force Recons with the Liberion 1st Infantry Division are now supported by the Karlsland soldiers of the AfrikaKorps and the combined French; Britannian along with Romagnan and Free Gallian forces to begin their last push against the Neuroi.
The Marines linked up with their French counterparts and engaged the Neuroi holding up at the city center which are accompanied by Witches and armored units to mount the killing blow but the remaining Neuroi is still adamant in attacking the advancing forces.
The advancing units began to take cover from laser fire but some of them got hit. The rest kept pushing as the injured are handled by the arriving medics and pulls the injured out from the battle.
"They won't give the fucking up do they?!" Marine Force Recon PFC Daryl curses as he taking cover behind rubble next to a French Marine who still firing at the Neuroi with his FAMAS.
The French Marine turns to his American counterpart and grins as he loaded a magazine into his FAMAS, "Well those connards are aliens and have no feelings, what should we expect? Come on we need to move."
Explosions erupted at the city center with the Neuroi nearly annihilated until only a couple of Neuroi remaining but they won't go down without a fight.
Farrell's Marines and other allied troops advance under the covering fire of allied Tanks and things are looking good when the Neuroi's managed to return fire and took down several men including Farrell's own Marines.
"FUCK! FUCK!" The rest curse as they see their brothers in arms lay with wounds from the laser fire is visible on their BDU's while some lost their limbs and one could see the smoke rises from one of the missing limbs after being hit by Neuroi's fire.
"Hold dammit! We can't risk ourselves in the open!" Farrell shouted as a tank blew up from a laser fire.
"Sir! With all due respect, we can't let them out there in the open!" Private Rigby said while the others agreed after looking at the soldiers who are shot by the Neuroi's moaned in pain on the ground.
"Goddamn it Rigby! No I won't risk another Marine out there! Do you understand!?" Farrell said as gunfire and explosion heard in the background.
Without any warning Private Rigby and several of the Marines began grabbing anyone they could save and drag them to safe positions despite the warnings from Captain Farrell.
"Rigby! Fuck sakes covering fire!" Farrell ordered as the rest provide heavy cover which got the Neuroi's attention and began charging the lasers when suddenly the Neuroi is shot from above.
The rest looked up and saw the 501st witches with the 31st JFS swoops in and opened fire at the Neuroi's, sending a final blow to the Neuroi which now turns into white shards. The destruction of the last Neuroi signifies the end of the offensive of El-Alamein.
"I'll be damned." Captain Farrell muttered as the rest of the allied soldiers began cheering after the last Neuroi is destroyed, they also cheered at Witches who passes over them. Farrell should make a reminder to reprimand Pvt. Rigby and several other Marines under his command for the action they've done today.
At the same time,
Field Marshal Montgomery is anxiously waiting for the news on the result of the assault from his M3 Grant Command Vehicle when he finally received the word from his command staff.
"Sir, Field Marshal Rommel has informed that the Neuroi has been annihilated. El-Alamein is free. The rest also reporting the same and they need medical and ammunition supplies, also they requested more medics and healing Witch to tend to the wounded." He said after Rommel and other commanders contact Montgomery.
Montgomery felt relieved that his gamble has paid off. Now with the majority of North Africa liberated and El-Alamein secured, he can proceed in securing the Suez Canal and eventually annihilating the Neuroi's last hold in Cairo which will effectively ending the North African campaign.
But right now, he needs to issue the next orders, "Alright then...Captain Giles, order the supply units to move in and dispatch any available medic and healing Witches available. Oh and let Admiral Robertson knows that the assault is a success. Oh and don't forget to give me the lists of casualties and also equipment losses on my desk by tomorrow. Oh and Giles, contact HQ for more reinforcements too if you please."
"Yes sir." His staff answered as he begin contacting the related unit and give them instructions.
Montgomery nodded as he looked up at the sky to see the Witches and the American fighter planes pass overhead and he muttered, "It seems our prayer has been answered after all then. I hope with this…Humanity can actually survive in this war."
Chapter End.
Facts: -
1) During the course of the Assault on El-Alamein, official records stated that the allied casualties suffered are the largest than any other operations on North Africa, with nearly 50,000+ Men and Witches killed in action and armored combat vehicle losses recorded are high with 10,000 armored vehicles of tanks to troop transport were lost in the engagement with the Neuroi. Allied Desert Air Forcerecorded loss of nearly half of their wings due to equipment malfunction and engagement with the Neuroi aerial elements.
2) With El-Alamein liberated, the Allies have control of the east side of the Suez Canal in which they would link up with the Allied Force Z Squadron arriving from the South-East in the Cairo Offensive which will took place on September 1st 1944.
Authors Note: Greetings again reader and forgive me if I hadn't update this as quickly as you guys hoped and thanks for all the feedback and suggestions you all give and I will try to satisfy you guys as best as I can but it may took another long time since I need to prepare myself for my final exam (Wish me luck mates). In the next chapter will be a break from all the fighting and also the eventual meeting of a certain Ace War Veteran Pilot and the Witches of the 508th which some of you may anticipated. But again due to the time constraints and also my busy university life, it'll take some time for me to write it but I WILL write it eventually. So again, please Read, Review, follow and fave. Until we meet again – Fuji92.
(P.S. If there is any suggestion or anything you want to talk about with me just PM me and I'll try my best to help.)
