Chapter 2 Clean Sweep
Commander Johnson and his men returned back to the base after rescuing the professor from the Soviets. They were received with a warm welcome since Professor Einstein's return signified the first significant victory for the Allied Force.
Allied Headquarters Frankfurt, Germany
A few days later, Von Esterling the supreme commander of the Allied Force ordered Commander Johnson to his briefing room. It seemed that the base personnel were preparing to abandon the base.
"You and your men have done well Commander," General Esterling praised as Commander Johnson entered the briefing room. Ironically the general's face showed a grim look as he greeted the field commander.
" Thank you sir," Commander Johnson said. Esterling frowned a bit because the situation was getting worse. General Starvos the man responsible for gathering intelligence faced the commander.
"Although your mission was a success, our defense is collapsing," Esterling said. Johnson stood there silently.
"Even worse, our convoys coming from the home front are being threatened by the Reds," Starvos cut it.
"Indeed… Commander, we can't afford to lose these convoys because they are carrying vital supplies for our troops," Esterling continued and then he put his finger on the map.
"I want you to establish a forward base at this location here at Harrisburg Road and destroy all Soviet units. You must guard that pathway because the convoys will pass through there. The Reds already established a base there so you should destroy it if possible. Go to it Commander," Esterling ordered. The location that Esterling pointed was a couple miles away from Frankfurt. With a salute Commander Johnson headed out from the briefing room. He headed towards the barracks where his 10th Brigade were resting.
"Attention!" the senior officer saluted as Johnson entered the barracks. Rest of the soldiers stood up, some of them stopping what they were doing.
"At ease," Johnson said quietly. "Listen up! We have a new assignment from General Esterling. We'll leave for Harrisburg Road at two oh hundred hours. Dismissed!"
After the Commander's briefing the men at the barracks began to get busy. Some of them inspected their rifles, some of them were taking shower and shaving. At two oh hundred hours, several of army trucks and a mobile construction vehicle (MCV) moved out of the base. MCV looked more like a container truck with a round dome on the back instead of rectangular shape. Its heavy armor seemed to prohibit the vehicle from going faster than 40 mph.
After few hours Johnson ordered everyone to halt. Johnson and his men arrived at the location that General Esterling specified at the base.
"This seems to be the location. Order the MCV to deploy here. Rest of you spread out and secure the area," Johnson shouted.
The soldiers began disembarking from the trucks and spread out. As soon as MCV deployed into a construction yard, Soviets approached the new base hoping to disrupt the base building.
"We have the enemy on sight. All units fire at will!" Johnson shouted. 10th Brigade opened fire shooting short bursts at the approaching Soviet troops. The enemy troops didn't expect any resistance and most of them were cut down quickly.
As soon as the Soviets were beaten back, the construction yard built an Allied barracks, two pill boxes at the entrance of the base. Few reinforcements arrived from the main base consisting of Hum Vees equipped with M60 machine gun and rocket troopers. Johnson ordered the group of rocket troopers to stand ground in the middle of the base because he anticipated an aerial attack from Soviets. The communications officer Sergeant Thomson approached Johnson.
"Sir, we have a message from the HQ. General Esterling is reminding you that our convoys are approaching this area in 20 minutes. He wishes you to send a squad out to search and destroy any remaining Soviet units, " Thomson informed. Johnson nodded and called Lieutenant Hopkins. A man of about mid 30's approached Johnson. He saluted and Johnson also saluted.
"Yes, Commander. Did you wish to speak to me sir?" Hopkins asked.
"Yes I did. I want you to take the First Squad and sweep the area. I don't want any of the Soviets kept alive. Take some Hum Vees with you as a back up. When you are finished return to base immediately. You have about 20 minutes," Johnson said. Hopkins saluted and called his men to gather around. Most of men of the First Squad were eager to engage the Soviets as soon as possible.
"You are to shoot anyone wearing Soviet uniform, is that clear?" Hopkins shouted.
"Sir! Yes sir!" the First Squad answered cheerfully and then moved out of the newly established base. The Hum Vees followed closely from behind. As they approached the road leading to the Soviet base, Soviet soldiers popped out from bushes and opened fire. Some of the First Squad went down but the Hum Vees quickly made short work out of them. With Soviet resistance decreasing Hopkins and his men charged into the Soviet base shooting at the barracks, refinery and Soviet construction yard. Few of the oil barrels surrounding the buildings erupted because of bullet fire and engulfed the construction yard in flames. Hopkins looked at his watch and he had 10 minutes to spare. He ordered the First Squad to sweep the surrounding area to make sure they didn't miss anything and then radioed the forward base.
"Commander, this is Lieutenant Hopkins. We destroyed the Soviet base and looks to me that all of the Reds either are killed or fled the nest. Requesting permission to return to base, over," Hopkins spoke.
"Well done, Lieutenant. Return to the base immediately, over and out!" Johnson replied.
"We are returning to base. The Hum Vee group will bring up the rear, move out!" Hopkins ordered. Few minutes later the convoys from the home front passed through the pathway that Johnson was guarding and proceeded to the front lines where Allied forces are heavily engaged with Soviets.
To be Continued