January 11th 1945
5 miles Outside of Eschdorf
0430 Hours
Liberion's Able company alongside the Hibernian Commandos from the raid in Houffalize prepare for a night assault which ultimately determins whether the Neuroi resistance will be expelled from the Ardennes region. The Neuroi have used Eschdorf as a major converge point to attack the Allied forces in the Ardennes and previously it was used as a supply hub for the Allied forces untill its capture in December. Captain Vastano and Lieutenant O'connor's forward recon platoon would scout ahead in order to find a weakness for the main force to cross safely as the enemy has a stubborn defence in the Area along with destroying anything of value. The main force of Liberion mechanized troops are awaiting on the other side of the forest awaiting the signal flare for them to attack.
"Alright boys, once we move out i want everyone to take a good look at your surroundings and defensive fire only." Johnny said as he loaded an extra magazine into his pack.
"You heard him lads, We aren't looking for a fight unless we have no choice that clear?" James said as he readied his sten.
"Yes sir!" the commandos replied.
Supporting them were witches from the 501st; Shirley,Francesca, Eilla and Sanya as they are a key element in passing through the lines undetected and away from the Neuroi but joining them as well was Corporal Belle and Perrine.
"Alright Move out!" Captain Vastano called out as the combined strike force moved out into the forest.
"Keep your eyes peeled." A Liberion Paratrooper said.
"Right by your side buddy." A Hibernian Commando replied.
An hour or so later.
0530 Hours.
The Strike force were ralliedin the middle of the forest as the Officers began discussing their position. The witch vanguard kept watch in the skies above keeping an eye out for Neuroi both ground or flying but so far Sanya's senses were empty.
"Alright i think we are at least a mile away from the town but we still have to worry about the Patrols in the Area." Vastano said as he pointed to their supposed position on the map.
"Wait a minute, isn't the Neuroi guarding all the roads into Eschdorf? Then what about this road here? What is its purpose?" James said as he pointed to a small dirt road on the eastern side of the map into the town.
"Hang on Sir, it looks like a service road maybe we could bring our main force this way." sergeant mccarthy said pointing at the dirt road near the clearing.
"Is it guarded? We can't know for sure unless we have eyes on, Tell the night witch to take a peek over this area." Vastano told his signaller.
"Sparrow squadron this is Eagle, what is your current position?" the signaller asked on the radio.
"Hovering at 1000 feet, 10 metres north from your position over." Sanya replied on the radio.
The witches were keeping tabs on the Neuroi and their positions as Shirley noted down their positions on a map whilst Francesca was hovering half-asleep.
"When are we gonna get this over with? This mission is so boring." Francesca said much to the annoyance of Perrine.
"Hey! Don't get any fun ideas! We're on a mission and you should stay focused!" Perrine said as she growled at Francesca.
"Just when i thought that the Strike witches live up to their name." Lily pondered and sighed.
"Hey don't think that way, at least this way you know that we are a force to contend with." Shirley said as she a gave a smile and thumbs up.
"Alright everyone, Eagle team is asking us to take a look at a small service road somewhere over there and to let them know if its guarded or not." Sanya said as she pointed to the position somewhere on the right in the edge of the forest.
"As long as its worth our time then lets go!" Eilla said as she flew out first followed by the rest.
The witches flew to the small service road which stretches to at least 100 metres towards the town and miracrously as expected the Neuroi are completely absent from the area as Sanya doesn't detect any signatures aside from those at the main road. There is a clearing next to the road and town as it seems to be filled with an abandoned cache of supplies or equipment from the Liberion army withdrawing from the town.
"Eagle team this is Sparrow, All clear at indicated position there are no Neuroi on sight." Sanya said on the radio. Reassuring Captain Vastano and Lieutenant O'connor's team to finally move out of the forest and into the directed clearing slipping through underneath the Neuroi defences undetected and unscathed.
"Shit it looks like they missed this." Vastano said as he commented at the various array of supplies laying before them.
"Well we aren't strangers so pick up whatever you can." O'connor said as he rallied his men.
The paratroopers then armed themselves with rifle grenades,30-cal Brownings and some spare M1 Bazookas along with the commandos. The witch platoon kept an eye out for any of the patrols as the troops on the ground prepare themselves for the onslaught.
"Think its time?" Vastano asked as he looked at the time on his watch; 0543.
"You tell me sir but we're here now."
"So be it." Vastano said as he pointed and fired the flare gun up towards the clear sky. The shot from the flare whistled through the air at about several metres just high enough and bright enough for the main force to see it before slowly descending back to the ground.
Vastano saw the flare with awe untill his gaze was interrupted by a beam hitting the ammo crate next to him causing the shrapnel to scratch him shocking the strike force as the Neuroi began attacking their positions.
"Medic!" O'connor yelled out as he scrambled to get his unconscious body to safety covered by the paratroopers and Commandos as they fire their PIATS and Bazookas at the Neuroi. The Witch platoon soon come under attack by the flying Neuroi but stood their ground as more are headed their way along with the ground Neuroi.
"Damn! Where the hell are they coming from?!" Shirley yelled as she dodge more of their beams.
"They're springing out like rabbits!" Lily said as she fired her Bren at a couple of Flying Neuroi destroying them both.
"Alright! Now this is why i signed up!" Francesca called out as she did a spin firing her browning at a column of Neuroi stemming their way to her effectively destroying them.
Sanya fired a burst of rockets at the Neuroi tanks that was pinning the troops on the ground destroying a Neuroi Sherman tank and Jagdtiger. The troops on the ground fiercely fought on as casualties soon begin to mount and time soon runs out as the Neuroi began pouring everything they have to seal the corridor. Vastano although wounded with his arm being full of shrapnel continued to fight despite the pleas of his subordinates to stay back, fired his Thompson at the Neuroi defiantly.
"DIE YOU ALIEN BASTARDS!" Vastano yelled as he fired at the flying Neuroi raining hell on them, destroying a pair or more. The attacks began to intensify with explosions from the beams rocking the troops back and forth like chest pieces as the reinforcements attempted to head through to them the best as they can.
Like cornered tigers, the men on the ground fired their rifles and machine guns at the attacking Neuroi even the wounded are taking up arms against them. Nearly half of Able company is killed and a quarter of the commandos but nonetheless they continued to fight on as the witches use their shields to cover them as best as they can.
"This is not good!" Francesca yelled out as she fired at another band of Neuroi.
"Keep them off the wounded!" Eilla yelled as she conjured a shield above a group of Liberion paratroopers running back towards cover.
"Running low on Ammo here!" Lily said as she fired another burst at the small flying Neuroi.
"Hey! Keep it together everyone!" Shirley called out whilst firing her BAR.
All seemed lost untill a distant sound of cannon fire rang through towards them and a Neuroi tank was tipped over to its side. Liberion Sherman tanks began to charge forward and fire back pushing the Neuroi back and the troops from the armoured force began moving in to clear the town. 50 cals from the mounted Brownings on the shermans began tearing the flying Neuroi apart and ground fire from the troops pushed the Neuroi back. Captain Vastano looked at the massive sight of Armour and men moving into the town as the attacks begin to cease at his position but it was the last straw as he soon collapsed.
Lieutenant O'connor and several of the witches rushed in to attend the wounded Captain, it was soon evident that he passed out due to losing too much blood.
"Medic! We need a Medic!" O'connor called out and a medic soon rushed in to check the wound.
"Shit he's not gonna make it here!" the Liberion medic said as he tried to stop the bleeding.
"What do you mean? Can't you fix him?" O'connor said giving a puzzled look.
"Unless you got morphine and plasma in your pocket, He's not gonna make it here buddy. The nearest Aid station is at least several miles back." the medic said as he put some bandages over the captain's arm.
"Maybe i could take him, my striker is fast enough to get to there." Shirley said.
"Alright take him then and be sure to cover her from stragglers that made it through alright ladies? I need to clear the town with my boys so get to it!" O'connor said picking his sten from the ground.
Shirley took the wounded captain up and carried him on her back, not long after they were in the sky covered by Lucchinni and Belle. Shirley rushed herself forward pushing her striker to the maximum as his time began to run out for Captain Vastano as Belle and Lucchinni are struggling to keep up.
"Damn that witch is fast!" Lily said, pushing her striker to the limit.
"I know right?! She's a speed demon for a reason!" Lucchinni said with a smile.
8 miles from the front,Allied Aid station
Shirley landed her striker near the tent with a red cross clearly seen from the sky and soon rushed in carrying the young wounded captain into it. The orderlies see her coming and then rushed with medical equipment and tools along with a doctor. Shirley laid Captain Vastano down at an operating table and a doctor began examining his wound.
"Alright we need to prep him for surgery, get me those trauma shears!" the doctor called to the orderly as they began to operate on him.
"Is he going to be ok?" Shirley asked.
"You did what you can but please back up, you'll know in a few hours." the doctor urged Shirley as she soon backed up outside the tent.
"Sure hope he makes it but then again he was a tough bastard even before the war from what i heard." Shirley thought to herself leaning on the hood of a nearby Jeep, Lucchinni and Belle then caught up to her as they stripped off their strikers.
"Is the captain going to be Ok?" Francesca asked noticing the troubled look on Shirley's face.
"The doctors are working on him now but we would know sooner or later, for now what's the situation at Eschdorf?" Shirley replied and then Belle soon spoke up.
"They're halfway through the town and the Neuroi are almost out of there, according to the radio traffic but i'm not sure." but as she said that the radio in the Jeep Shirley leaned on turned on with the voice of Lieutenant O'connor.
"All units! Eschdorf is secured! I repeat Eschdorf is secured! The Neuroi are retreating back to the North! We've got the reds on the run!" O'connor said on the radio much to the relief and excitement of the girls.
"So that's it then, the battle is over and they're on the run" Shirley said grinning to herself and the just then a droning and humming sound of engines are heard above their heads.
"Its really happening isn't it? The war is almost over." Belle said looking up to see a large formation of Liberion B-17 Bombers very high up in the clear sky, flying towards Karlsland.
"Hey! That means we can go home much faster now! Hehe i can finally see Romagna again!" Francesca said cheerfully and enthusiastically.
A/N: thank you Readers!
Sorry for the delay in updating the chapters, kinda been busy for the past few months but for you readers enjoying the story i would like to thank you guys for reading as the story is ending soon in the next couple upcoming chapters.
Also i have another story coming up so if you readers are interested its coming soon so stay tuned for that ;)