A Battle plan rarely lasts more than five seconds, until you start getting lead shot at you.
One word goes through a Soldier's brain:
Survival.
... My Dad said something to me after the divorce. "Each Soldier has two families: The one you raise, and the one you raise Hell with."
I've spent EIGHT days here. Watching my men, my family, kill, and be killed...
Eight Days, wishing it would stop...
You sometimes just wake up in a war-zone, you can't remember what happened. Until you get on your feet...
That was my situation on Hill 30... I didn't really save my men, as everyone thinks I did...
"Baker! You okay Baker!" a voice, I couldn't place it at first. It was Legget, our Radio Operator.
"He's fine! Get him on his feet!" Mac, the one above me in this squad. Old tough guy, a brute, "LEGGET! Get on that GODDAMNED Radio!" I got up, and suddenly wish I hadn't. I moved up beside Legget, and grabbed my M1.
"Yes sir! This is Fox Three, I need armor support now! I can't get anyone!" Legget shouted, and tried again as Mac sent him the meanest glare you'll ever see.
Oh yeah, Mac had us take cover on this ridge of dirt, somewhere on Hill 30. A single wall of dirt protecting us against the best the Germans had to offer...
"JUST KEEP FIRING! No one breaks through!" I looked over the wall, and rushed a few shots before taking cover to reload.
"Sir! We''ve gotta get the HELL out of here! We're about to be over-run!" Red's voice. He was usually the hottest tempered member of our squad, he's never broken down like this. I leaned up over the dirt, and fired again.
"WE ARE NOT FALLING BACK!" Mac hollered, he was getting pretty pissed off...
"Man Down! Alan!" I whispered a few swears, and looked around to see Legget hunched over Alan's body. I continue firing regardless, If I don't...
"Come on, man... Don't die..." Legget was a friend of Alan, as I recall.
"LEGGET! We're ALL gonna die if you don't get on that FUCKING radio!" Mac's voice rang out, as I ducked down to dodge a few bullets. A frontal assault was their only choice, we've managed to curtail all flanking motions that the Germans would employ... Sadly, they still have cover...
"DAMMIT! Fucking Kraut bastards!" Legget snapped? This was a first, for sure. I looked over, and saw Legget running for his radio, Alan was... Dead. Still clutching his neck...
"This is Fox Three! Come in! I need Armor support NOW! I MEAN RIGHT NOW! CAN YOU FUCKING HEAR ME?" Legget snapped, apparently put my arm on his shoulder to comfort him, then went back to firing...
"Get back! This is going to be bad!" Mortar shells rained from the heavens, and struck near me. I was again on my back, and I realized I would have a nasty scar from that one.
"YOU WANT ME!" Legget went fully automatic, I don't know if he knew what he was doing...
"FUCKING TAKE ME!" Legget started firing his .45, and yelled at the top of his lungs. He got a Tiger Tank's attention...
That was the last time anyone saw Legget in one piece, he was completely unrecognizable after the shell hit him...
Besides his face, that managed to stay formed...
I blacked out a bit later, and woke up in a Medical tent. I was released a bit later when I was considered able to work...
Hartsock talked a lot to the Colonel after Hill 30. I guess the Colonel wanted to know what happened.
Somehow, I was morphed into a hero overnight. I 'saved' my squad back at Hill 30.
I didn't, Legget did, Hartsock told me. After I went down, the fourth Armored showed up, and saved the squad. Legget's radio was broken, to a degree. He was still transmitting...
Poor Legget, everyone lets the 'Baker saved us' thing live in Legget's memory...
Dedicated to those who served in the Military, and gave their lives in service to their country. We shall never forget...
