Chapter 8: Hamburg Melee
Zach kept his head down as the Hind continued to spew bullets against the building. It finally stopped and flew off to reload.
"Fuck!" he screamed, "Body count."
"Three dead!" yelled Karl, "Two were caught outside. Another got hit by a stray bullet."
"Shit. Let's get out of here. Where are we in the city?"
"Pretty deep," answered a private, "We have a lot of ground to cover to get out."
"All right. All units move out. We need to get back to friendly territory."
The soldiers ran outside and looked around. There were no Soviet soldiers waiting for them.
"HQ, this is Sergeant Keith. My men need transport out of the city."
All he got in reply was static.
"We're on our own," said Zach, "Move out."
The soldiers quickly moved out of the street. They peeked out from behind buildings in search of any Soviet soldiers. Fortunately, there were none for the first several minutes. They walked through the city, trying to find friendly forces. Suddenly someone started firing on them. They dropped down immediately. Machinegun fire raked them again. Zach looked around and spotted the gun post. There were two men there. He got his sniper rifle out and took aim. A quick shot ran out and struck the Soviet gunner in the forehead. He quickly aimed again and fired on the loader. The bullet struck him in his heart. More gunfire started. Zach looked back and saw several Soviet soldiers converging on his position. He raised his M-16 and prepared to open fire once the enemy troops got in range. The other soldiers didn't wait and opened fire immediately. They dropped two Soviets while the others ducked for cover. The two sides traded shots for several minutes before Zach ordered a retreat. The troops slowly fell back to another position, this one better suited for defense. The Soviets were suddenly caught out in the open and they realized their mistake. They tried to run back but were shot in the back. Zach looked forward and didn't see any enemy troops.
"Move out," he ordered, "Let's get back to friendly lines."
Suddenly his radio cracked to life.
"Sergeant Keith, this is HQ. Do you copy?"
"HQ, this is Sergeant Keith. I read you."
"Sergeant, Soviet tanks are trying to get into the city. There's only one road junction that leads into the city and is free of debris and they control it. We need you to do something about it."
"Roger. Where is this road?"
The officer on the other end gave him the location and signed off.
"All units, we have a road junction to block. Move out."
The soldiers got up and turned around. Instead of getting back to safe territory, they had to go up against Soviet armor. None of them grumbled. They were professional soldiers and if they didn't do the dirty work than no one would. Certainly not the politicians that made all of the decisions. As they ran they heard no sounds of guns or bullets. That was rather fortunate considering all they had been through already. The troops still stayed low in order to avoid enemy fire just in case. They stopped at another block behind some fallen debris. Two soldiers looked around the bend and didn't see any soldiers. They slowly crept out. Suddenly gunfire riddled them. One soldier was hit in the leg while another was shot up in the chest. Zach pulled back the other man behind the debris. Gunfire continued to pelt them for several more seconds.
"Where the hell did that come from!"
"A block down," said Herman, "Looks like a team of Soviet infantry. They've holed up there."
Zach peered up and saw what Herman was talking about.
"Shit. Herman, Karl, lock and load. Fire two missiles at them. We need to drive them out."
"Yes sir."
The two soldiers shouldered their bazookas and fired. One of the missiles struck the side of the Soviet position while the other one hit dead center. Two Soviets were blown out of the position while another just plain exploded. Three others ran out. That was just what Zach was waiting for. He dropped one with his sniper rifle while the other troops fired with their M-16s. The Soviets fired back and a lucky shot caught a soldier in his head. Zach aimed again and dropped another Soviet. The last one was taken down by five different rifles. Zach quickly ran over to the downed soldier. He checked a pulse but shook his head. The man was dead.
"HQ, this is Sergeant Keith. I need reinforcements if I'm to block that junction," he said.
"Acknowledged Sergeant. Two more teams are being coptered in to reinforce you. Load dead and wounded onto them. ETA, 5 minutes."
Zach switched off the radio and looked out again.
"We stay here for five minutes," he said, "Reinforcements are coming."
Zach settled down and waited for the backup. There was nothing he could do about any of this right now. Karl bandaged the other soldier's leg wound and tried to make him comfortable. The other body was dragged behind the debris and laid with the soldier that got shot in the head. There was no way either of them could have made it but it was still painful. Finally the sound of helicopters came. Two Chinooks appeared and one landed in the only clear zone. A group of SA soldiers came out with two medics. The two medics loaded up the wounded soldier and the two bodies and the Chinook took off. The other Chinook landed and another team of SA soldiers came out.
"You're Sergeant Keith?" one asked Zach.
"That's right."
"I'm Corporal Berman. I have orders to assist you in blocking a road juncture that the Soviets are using."
"All right. We have to move out now. I'm not going to be a sitting target."
The SA units got their equipment assembled and followed Zach's team. They ran through the streets and miraculously avoided any enemy troops. The team was rather large and that provided some protection. Suddenly Zach and his team dropped. The SA units followed their example. Zach and two soldiers crawled up and looked around. There was a Soviet tank parked a block away but it was looking the other way. Two grenadiers were standing by it. Zach signaled and Karl and Herman came up.
"I want you two to take out the tank after you see the two grenadiers drop," he said, "Michel, take the grenadier on the right."
The three soldiers nodded. Zach aimed with his sniper rifle and nodded to Michel. Two seconds later both of the enemy soldiers fell. Karl and Herman let loose their missiles, both striking on target and destroying the enemy tank. Soviet soldiers ran out into the open towards them and the other soldiers opened fire. Zach picked off several with his sniper rifle but it wasn't enough. He raised his rifle and fired everything he had at the rushing troops. The SA units broke off into several pairs and seemed to disappear. They reappeared a few feet away and ambushed five Soviet soldiers. They then ran off and did the same trick again. After several minutes a silence laid in.
"Casualties," Zach asked.
"None. We got lucky this time Sergeant."
"All right. The junction is half a mile away. Soviet armor is scheduled to move into the city in half an hour. Let's try not to let them through."
They followed Zach as he headed towards the junction. They stayed against the wall in fear of being attacked by enemy troops. However, there seemed to be no such problems. Zach looked around and continued walking. So far no enemy troops were following them or were ahead of them. They were rather close to the road junction to not have encountered much more resistance. Just then machinegun fire was directed to them. The soldiers got behind walls and rubble and waited until the sound stopped. Two soldiers looked up and saw five machinegun positions guarding the junction. Zach took out his sniper rifle and quickly killed the three soldiers at one of the posts. Two more Soviet soldiers quickly took up position of the three dead soldiers.
"Herman, missile into that position," ordered Zach.
Herman placed his bazooka on the debris and carefully aimed. He let loose a missile which struck the machinegun and exploded, taking the two soldiers with it. Bullets strafed where Herman originally was but he had managed to duck. Karl followed his example and fired another missile into a Soviet position. Six other soldiers started throwing their grenades and destroyed two more positions. Now the last one was firing everything it had everywhere. A SA soldier ran up and threw another grenade but got caught in a burst from the machinegun. Two seconds later the last machinegun exploded.
"Quickly," said Zach, "Place charges and let's create a roadblock."
"Too late," observed the SA commander.
Zach looked over and saw a Mammoth Tank coming out of the dust.
"Shit. Herman! Karl! Blow that thing to hell!"
Five separate missiles struck the massive tank but it continued to roll. It fired two missiles which struck Karl and blew him to pieces. Grenades were thrown at the massive beast but they could not penetrate the armor.
"Sir, if we stop that tank here, the Soviets won't be able to get any other tanks around it," said Berman.
Zach nodded. He ran off to the side and rolled behind the remains of a wall. The Mammoth Tank's turret was turned the other way and Zach ran up to it. It suddenly turned at him and fired two missiles but he dropped to his stomach and the missiles flew past him. He threw a grenade under the tank and got out of the way. An explosion under it seemed to slow it but it kept going. Zach then ran up to the gun and slid a grenade down the barrel. He quickly sprinted away. A few seconds later the entire turret blew up and the tank ground to a halt. Two other tanks could be seen behind it but they were stuck. They fired their missiles at Zach but he jumped under some concrete and managed to survive with some scratches. Two more missiles truck the tank behind the destroyed one but again the armor was too thick. Herman had sneaked up to the side of the second tank and fired a missile at the treads. It destroyed part of it and that tank also was dead.
"Fall back!" Zach ordered.
The soldiers quickly retreated while the frustrated Soviet soldiers could do nothing to get the two damaged tanks out of the way.
"HQ, Sergeant Keith. Mission accomplished. Soviet armor stuck at the junction."
"Acknowledged. Good work Sergeant."
A few minutes later five Apaches appeared and poured their missiles upon the T-66 tanks behind the three Mammoth Tanks. The Soviet forces had suffered another disastrous defeat.
Zach and his team were making their way out of the city when they came under fire again.
"Shit. HQ, my troops need transportation out of here," said Zach.
"Sergeant Keith, this is General Rommel. APCs and light armor are headed towards your position. Remain where you are and the transports will reach you."
"Understood General. All units! Get into the buildings! Reinforcements are on the way!"
The soldiers ran into the buildings and then upstairs. They traded shots with Soviet soldiers in other buildings and on the roofs. Zach used his sniper rifle to pick off enemy troops as they showed their heads. The soldiers stayed buckled down and did their best to avoid enemy fire while at the same time kill their harassers. A soldier next to Zach got clipped in the shoulder and Zach pulled him back further into the building.
Finally after twenty minutes APCs and two light tanks appeared. The light tanks opened fire upon the enemy troops and killed dozens of them. More were flushed out and the machineguns on the APCs chewed them to pieces. Zach and another soldier carried the wounded soldier down to the APC and got in themselves. He then saw five of his soldiers not boarding.
"Why aren't they boarding!" he yelled to the driver.
"We don't have enough room," answered the driver.
"Fuck this. If they aren't leaving then neither am I."
He got out and joined his soldiers.
"Let's get the hell out of here together," he said.
The soldiers saluted and they started running behind the convoy. The tanks and APCs quickly drove through the streets but Zach and his troops were too slow. They kept running through the rocks and concrete towards friendly territory.
Rommel listened to the commanding officer's explanation.
"If you don't bloody decorate the boy, we will," said General Richard O'Connor.
Rommel allowed a smile to show. O'Connor was one of the few British officers he respected.
"I'm sure the Wehrmacht will have something for him."
Zach and his exhausted team finally entered the Allied base. After walking eight miles they had made it to friendly territory. To their surprise, dozens of officers and soldiers were there to greet them. Zach nearly collapsed but two of his squad members that had ridden back on the APC held him up.
"General Rommel wants to see you," one said.
They helped him into the general's office. Rommel stood when he saw Zach and the other soldiers enter.
"Sergeant Keith. Think you can stand for five more minutes?"
"Yes sir."
"Good. It is my privilege to award you the Knight's Cross 1st Class for bravery under fire and beyond the call of duty. You stayed with your men even when you could have gotten out and walked back with them through enemy territory."
Rommel pinned a cross onto Zach's uniform and saluted him. Zach returned it.
"Congratulations Sergeant. Now go get some rest. You've earned it."
The soldiers inside and outside the office cheered as Zach nodded and left the room. He was literally carried by three of his friends to the barracks. Two minutes later he was fast asleep while his fellow teammates told of how they got into this mess and Zach had led them out.
End of Chapter 8
Z98
Zach kept his head down as the Hind continued to spew bullets against the building. It finally stopped and flew off to reload.
"Fuck!" he screamed, "Body count."
"Three dead!" yelled Karl, "Two were caught outside. Another got hit by a stray bullet."
"Shit. Let's get out of here. Where are we in the city?"
"Pretty deep," answered a private, "We have a lot of ground to cover to get out."
"All right. All units move out. We need to get back to friendly territory."
The soldiers ran outside and looked around. There were no Soviet soldiers waiting for them.
"HQ, this is Sergeant Keith. My men need transport out of the city."
All he got in reply was static.
"We're on our own," said Zach, "Move out."
The soldiers quickly moved out of the street. They peeked out from behind buildings in search of any Soviet soldiers. Fortunately, there were none for the first several minutes. They walked through the city, trying to find friendly forces. Suddenly someone started firing on them. They dropped down immediately. Machinegun fire raked them again. Zach looked around and spotted the gun post. There were two men there. He got his sniper rifle out and took aim. A quick shot ran out and struck the Soviet gunner in the forehead. He quickly aimed again and fired on the loader. The bullet struck him in his heart. More gunfire started. Zach looked back and saw several Soviet soldiers converging on his position. He raised his M-16 and prepared to open fire once the enemy troops got in range. The other soldiers didn't wait and opened fire immediately. They dropped two Soviets while the others ducked for cover. The two sides traded shots for several minutes before Zach ordered a retreat. The troops slowly fell back to another position, this one better suited for defense. The Soviets were suddenly caught out in the open and they realized their mistake. They tried to run back but were shot in the back. Zach looked forward and didn't see any enemy troops.
"Move out," he ordered, "Let's get back to friendly lines."
Suddenly his radio cracked to life.
"Sergeant Keith, this is HQ. Do you copy?"
"HQ, this is Sergeant Keith. I read you."
"Sergeant, Soviet tanks are trying to get into the city. There's only one road junction that leads into the city and is free of debris and they control it. We need you to do something about it."
"Roger. Where is this road?"
The officer on the other end gave him the location and signed off.
"All units, we have a road junction to block. Move out."
The soldiers got up and turned around. Instead of getting back to safe territory, they had to go up against Soviet armor. None of them grumbled. They were professional soldiers and if they didn't do the dirty work than no one would. Certainly not the politicians that made all of the decisions. As they ran they heard no sounds of guns or bullets. That was rather fortunate considering all they had been through already. The troops still stayed low in order to avoid enemy fire just in case. They stopped at another block behind some fallen debris. Two soldiers looked around the bend and didn't see any soldiers. They slowly crept out. Suddenly gunfire riddled them. One soldier was hit in the leg while another was shot up in the chest. Zach pulled back the other man behind the debris. Gunfire continued to pelt them for several more seconds.
"Where the hell did that come from!"
"A block down," said Herman, "Looks like a team of Soviet infantry. They've holed up there."
Zach peered up and saw what Herman was talking about.
"Shit. Herman, Karl, lock and load. Fire two missiles at them. We need to drive them out."
"Yes sir."
The two soldiers shouldered their bazookas and fired. One of the missiles struck the side of the Soviet position while the other one hit dead center. Two Soviets were blown out of the position while another just plain exploded. Three others ran out. That was just what Zach was waiting for. He dropped one with his sniper rifle while the other troops fired with their M-16s. The Soviets fired back and a lucky shot caught a soldier in his head. Zach aimed again and dropped another Soviet. The last one was taken down by five different rifles. Zach quickly ran over to the downed soldier. He checked a pulse but shook his head. The man was dead.
"HQ, this is Sergeant Keith. I need reinforcements if I'm to block that junction," he said.
"Acknowledged Sergeant. Two more teams are being coptered in to reinforce you. Load dead and wounded onto them. ETA, 5 minutes."
Zach switched off the radio and looked out again.
"We stay here for five minutes," he said, "Reinforcements are coming."
Zach settled down and waited for the backup. There was nothing he could do about any of this right now. Karl bandaged the other soldier's leg wound and tried to make him comfortable. The other body was dragged behind the debris and laid with the soldier that got shot in the head. There was no way either of them could have made it but it was still painful. Finally the sound of helicopters came. Two Chinooks appeared and one landed in the only clear zone. A group of SA soldiers came out with two medics. The two medics loaded up the wounded soldier and the two bodies and the Chinook took off. The other Chinook landed and another team of SA soldiers came out.
"You're Sergeant Keith?" one asked Zach.
"That's right."
"I'm Corporal Berman. I have orders to assist you in blocking a road juncture that the Soviets are using."
"All right. We have to move out now. I'm not going to be a sitting target."
The SA units got their equipment assembled and followed Zach's team. They ran through the streets and miraculously avoided any enemy troops. The team was rather large and that provided some protection. Suddenly Zach and his team dropped. The SA units followed their example. Zach and two soldiers crawled up and looked around. There was a Soviet tank parked a block away but it was looking the other way. Two grenadiers were standing by it. Zach signaled and Karl and Herman came up.
"I want you two to take out the tank after you see the two grenadiers drop," he said, "Michel, take the grenadier on the right."
The three soldiers nodded. Zach aimed with his sniper rifle and nodded to Michel. Two seconds later both of the enemy soldiers fell. Karl and Herman let loose their missiles, both striking on target and destroying the enemy tank. Soviet soldiers ran out into the open towards them and the other soldiers opened fire. Zach picked off several with his sniper rifle but it wasn't enough. He raised his rifle and fired everything he had at the rushing troops. The SA units broke off into several pairs and seemed to disappear. They reappeared a few feet away and ambushed five Soviet soldiers. They then ran off and did the same trick again. After several minutes a silence laid in.
"Casualties," Zach asked.
"None. We got lucky this time Sergeant."
"All right. The junction is half a mile away. Soviet armor is scheduled to move into the city in half an hour. Let's try not to let them through."
They followed Zach as he headed towards the junction. They stayed against the wall in fear of being attacked by enemy troops. However, there seemed to be no such problems. Zach looked around and continued walking. So far no enemy troops were following them or were ahead of them. They were rather close to the road junction to not have encountered much more resistance. Just then machinegun fire was directed to them. The soldiers got behind walls and rubble and waited until the sound stopped. Two soldiers looked up and saw five machinegun positions guarding the junction. Zach took out his sniper rifle and quickly killed the three soldiers at one of the posts. Two more Soviet soldiers quickly took up position of the three dead soldiers.
"Herman, missile into that position," ordered Zach.
Herman placed his bazooka on the debris and carefully aimed. He let loose a missile which struck the machinegun and exploded, taking the two soldiers with it. Bullets strafed where Herman originally was but he had managed to duck. Karl followed his example and fired another missile into a Soviet position. Six other soldiers started throwing their grenades and destroyed two more positions. Now the last one was firing everything it had everywhere. A SA soldier ran up and threw another grenade but got caught in a burst from the machinegun. Two seconds later the last machinegun exploded.
"Quickly," said Zach, "Place charges and let's create a roadblock."
"Too late," observed the SA commander.
Zach looked over and saw a Mammoth Tank coming out of the dust.
"Shit. Herman! Karl! Blow that thing to hell!"
Five separate missiles struck the massive tank but it continued to roll. It fired two missiles which struck Karl and blew him to pieces. Grenades were thrown at the massive beast but they could not penetrate the armor.
"Sir, if we stop that tank here, the Soviets won't be able to get any other tanks around it," said Berman.
Zach nodded. He ran off to the side and rolled behind the remains of a wall. The Mammoth Tank's turret was turned the other way and Zach ran up to it. It suddenly turned at him and fired two missiles but he dropped to his stomach and the missiles flew past him. He threw a grenade under the tank and got out of the way. An explosion under it seemed to slow it but it kept going. Zach then ran up to the gun and slid a grenade down the barrel. He quickly sprinted away. A few seconds later the entire turret blew up and the tank ground to a halt. Two other tanks could be seen behind it but they were stuck. They fired their missiles at Zach but he jumped under some concrete and managed to survive with some scratches. Two more missiles truck the tank behind the destroyed one but again the armor was too thick. Herman had sneaked up to the side of the second tank and fired a missile at the treads. It destroyed part of it and that tank also was dead.
"Fall back!" Zach ordered.
The soldiers quickly retreated while the frustrated Soviet soldiers could do nothing to get the two damaged tanks out of the way.
"HQ, Sergeant Keith. Mission accomplished. Soviet armor stuck at the junction."
"Acknowledged. Good work Sergeant."
A few minutes later five Apaches appeared and poured their missiles upon the T-66 tanks behind the three Mammoth Tanks. The Soviet forces had suffered another disastrous defeat.
Zach and his team were making their way out of the city when they came under fire again.
"Shit. HQ, my troops need transportation out of here," said Zach.
"Sergeant Keith, this is General Rommel. APCs and light armor are headed towards your position. Remain where you are and the transports will reach you."
"Understood General. All units! Get into the buildings! Reinforcements are on the way!"
The soldiers ran into the buildings and then upstairs. They traded shots with Soviet soldiers in other buildings and on the roofs. Zach used his sniper rifle to pick off enemy troops as they showed their heads. The soldiers stayed buckled down and did their best to avoid enemy fire while at the same time kill their harassers. A soldier next to Zach got clipped in the shoulder and Zach pulled him back further into the building.
Finally after twenty minutes APCs and two light tanks appeared. The light tanks opened fire upon the enemy troops and killed dozens of them. More were flushed out and the machineguns on the APCs chewed them to pieces. Zach and another soldier carried the wounded soldier down to the APC and got in themselves. He then saw five of his soldiers not boarding.
"Why aren't they boarding!" he yelled to the driver.
"We don't have enough room," answered the driver.
"Fuck this. If they aren't leaving then neither am I."
He got out and joined his soldiers.
"Let's get the hell out of here together," he said.
The soldiers saluted and they started running behind the convoy. The tanks and APCs quickly drove through the streets but Zach and his troops were too slow. They kept running through the rocks and concrete towards friendly territory.
Rommel listened to the commanding officer's explanation.
"If you don't bloody decorate the boy, we will," said General Richard O'Connor.
Rommel allowed a smile to show. O'Connor was one of the few British officers he respected.
"I'm sure the Wehrmacht will have something for him."
Zach and his exhausted team finally entered the Allied base. After walking eight miles they had made it to friendly territory. To their surprise, dozens of officers and soldiers were there to greet them. Zach nearly collapsed but two of his squad members that had ridden back on the APC held him up.
"General Rommel wants to see you," one said.
They helped him into the general's office. Rommel stood when he saw Zach and the other soldiers enter.
"Sergeant Keith. Think you can stand for five more minutes?"
"Yes sir."
"Good. It is my privilege to award you the Knight's Cross 1st Class for bravery under fire and beyond the call of duty. You stayed with your men even when you could have gotten out and walked back with them through enemy territory."
Rommel pinned a cross onto Zach's uniform and saluted him. Zach returned it.
"Congratulations Sergeant. Now go get some rest. You've earned it."
The soldiers inside and outside the office cheered as Zach nodded and left the room. He was literally carried by three of his friends to the barracks. Two minutes later he was fast asleep while his fellow teammates told of how they got into this mess and Zach had led them out.
End of Chapter 8
Z98