Chp. 8: Finishing the First Leg
May 10, 1995
West of Drop Zone Chateau
Gräbner spread the map across the front of his Leopard 1's hull and tapped the end of his pen at the western end of Solis Ortus's Eastern borough.
"Dismounted reconnaissance has determined that an Osean force of unknown size has seized the positions we were forced to leave late in the afternoon. Based on earlier assessments, they've likely moved anti-tank missile teams into the area. At this point we're facing a reinforced brigade of Osean paratroopers. Excluding units trying to hold their drop zone, somewhere around here, we're facing at least a thousand troops at this point."
The man standing next to the Captain scowled at the mention of having to retreat. Major Ludolf Von Rheindars, commander of the 16th Panzergrenadiers, screamed aristocrat from head to toe. From his polished boots and black, leather gloves to his soft cap and scarf. Gräbner recognized his surname; personally he was surprised the man wasn't leading Panzers like he was. Though fittingly, he was commanding a battalion at the rank of Major. His eyes were inevitably drawn to the Democratic Liberal Party pin on the man's uniform.
"What about air support? Artillery support?" The Major asked.
"We have mortars, but most of the heavy guns available to us have been destroyed. Air support has been sporadic and we haven't had many chances to effectively use it. The priority seems to be further south, where the Allied Forces are trying to break through to their units here."
"Very well...then your tanks will provide fire support to my APCs. I have a mortar section attached to my battalion that can augment yours. Do they have any armor available?"
"None, Major."
"Good, then we will hit them hard and fast. Once we break their line along the northern end of the city. We can push them back towards their landing zone. I've been assured that our allies from Oured are pushing south through the mountains."
"I would like some time to pinpoint where they have their missile teams, Herr Major."
"That is time we don't have. They have already been given a good chance to dig in, and we must attack them before their position is too strong."
"If that's what you believe they'll do, then we should lure them to us. We have the advantage in firepower and on open terrain that advantage is much greater."
"Your recommendations have been considered, Herr Hauptmann, but I am the superior officer here."
He ran a finger down the road between the woods and the edge of the buildings.
"I will lead my first company in feint down the highway, while my second conducts a flank attack on the Oseans' right. Your tanks will position themselves along this part of the treeline and destroy any missile launchers or strongpoints. My third company will then make an attack that will escort you to the edge of town. From there, you'll support their advance as we work to squeeze the Osean forces into a pocket."
"Sir, I suggest you reconsider until we have a better idea of th-"
"Thank you Herr Hauptmann, that shall be all." Rheindars interrupted.
Gräbner bristled, then stood up straight and rendered a proper salute. The Major did the same as an afterthought before he walked to his G-Wagen.
"Be ready to move in 30 minutes. I need those tanks in position to support my feint." He added."
"Yes, Herr Major." The Captain nodded.
Gräbner folded up his map and climbed up the front of his tank. Rheindars returned to his headquarters placed among several pristine-looking M113s, of which one was his personal vehicle. His company commanders were all waiting for him, uniforms as crisp as his. They rendered their salutes quickly before the Major brought them around to the tent over the back of his vehicle. There, he reiterated the plan he'd hashed out with Gräbner. Or rather, he expanded on the role his own companies would play. He had limited resources in terms of heavy weapons; his Luchs carried their 20mm cannons but were lightly armored. His MILAN-equipped M113s had to take into account their missiles' wire guidance. Thus, he would have to rely heavily on Gräbner's tanks to support the attack…
"El-Tee? There's a lot of engines revving up out there."
Josh heard his Senior NCO, but he was still in the process of waking up when he said it.
"Lots of engines?" He repeated.
"Yes sir."
"Six aware?"
"Yes sir."
Josh nodded and forced himself to his feet as quickly as he could. He sent Lohern to join 1st while he went to 2nd and 3rd. His two strongest infantry squads were positioned along a block of houses, backed by TOW teams sent by battalion. Josh hurried up a street near the highway, past one of 4th Squad's houses, then across to a traditionally-styled gasthaus. As he drew close, he could hear the distant sound of engines carrying through the evening air. A soldier guarding the door motioned him inside, then to the nearest set of stairs. He was met by Staff Sergeant Dale Julian, who took him to a command post in the southern half of the building. Josh pulled out his binoculars and put them up to the end of his NVGs as the two crouched by a hole in the wall. A few miles down the road he saw boxy shapes skirting the highway. To their left were more, weaving through the trees; to the right he saw what looked to be Leopard 1s. He estimated maybe 20 vehicles moving through the final minutes of light.
"Julian, your TOW teams ready?" He asked.
" Tell them to focus on the tanks to our left, and pass the word to break out any AT4s on hand."
"Gotcha sir."
Josh unhooked the handset and started going over what details he could get to. He rested his M16 atop some of the rubble and balanced it with his right hand while he made a proper report to Losch. The high-pitched whistle of mortar shells sent him onto the floor as an explosion went off to the left. Several more landed wildly, including one that managed to shake the gasthaus. He scooted to the side and eased up until he could poke his rifle out of the hole a little. He raised his binos again and saw the bombardment had shifted from explosives to smoke. He keyed the radio frantically as the rumble of engines grew closer.
"Baker 2 Actual to Mike 1 Actual, Baker 2 actual to Mike 1 Actual. Request SITREP."
"Baker 2 Actual this is Mike 1 Actual, one launcher damaged, two teams are not responding. Awaiting orders." The man in charge of the TOW teams replied.
"Copy 1 Actual...spotted multiple Leo 1s on the left. Concentrate fire on them and move to alternate defensive positions after two shots each."
"Copy 2 Actual."
Josh tracked the first sign of movement he saw, waiting for the leading elements of the attack to come into range. He looked towards the advancing Leopards, then heard a cross between a gunshot and a whooshing sound. A spec of light raced off into the smoke from almost directly below him at the same time as another on the left. Josh saw an M113 emerge from the smoke and opened fire. He was joined by an M60 in the next building, then ducked back when the vehicle's MG3 replied. He flinched as a tank round blew a chunk out of the other side of the gasthaus. Another M113 came out of the smoke as the first one took a direct hit from someone armed with an M203. The M60 kept hosing the machine as it lurched to a stop, then someone fired another round from a 203. Belkan troops poured out the back of the damaged APC into a free for all. They'd stopped well short of the city limits.
Twice more missiles rushed from buildings and holes in the walls around them towards the forest. He could see multiple fires burning, all of which were good news for him. Josh spotted a third and fourth APC as they veered off the highway and launched smoke grenades. He fired rounds at the turrets, where the gunner's heads just barely rose above their gun shields. One raised his MG and sprayed about 100 rounds in his direction. Josh ducked back once more as the wood and plaster turned to dust. The M60 drew him off, then the distinct bang of an AT4 put an end to the Belkan's shooting. The other APC disgorged its infantry, who moved to assist their wounded and dead comrades. One silenced the M60 with a grenade launcher.
"Baker 2 Actual, Tango is moving at this time. Got three tanks down so far."
Josh acknowledged and directed his M60s to sweep the left flank while his support moved. The Leopards moved into the open as the M113s were bogged down near the highway. Through the thinning veil, he could see other APCs to the north, moving towards 1st Platoon's positions. Much like his opponents, they were charging in like mad in their 113s.
"Baker 2 Actual, Baker 2 Actual this is Baker 6. Come in Baker 2 Actual."
Josh put his handset to his ear as he slid back into cover.
"Go for 2 Actual."
"I've got Easy 3 on standby with HE. Awaiting your final go; keep your boys on the line or moving deeper into town, how copy?"
"Copy 6, fire for effect!"
Josh popped out again and switched his M16 to burst mode to help suppress the attackers who'd gotten close. When his magazine was empty, he tossed a grenade to buy himself some time to reload. Shells landed as requested seconds later, impacting what few Belkan APCs and troops had managed to form a fighting line. A shot from one of the Leopards was returned in kind by a TOW; the mass of Belkan infantry that'd disembarked further back and was trying to get to good positions in the field were at the mercy of PFCs and Specialists behind their M60s and SAWs. Josh gulped and let out a shaky breath as he watched. It was a damn-near slaughter.
Down on the highway, Rheindars clutched his MG3 as he ordered his APC forward. The attack was faltering and Graber was down to three tanks, all of whom had retreated and were trying to deal with Osean anti-tank teams. Despite his orders to move forward! Attack! Crush these paratroopers under their vehicles. He flinched as a Luchs on his left exploded, hit by an anti-tank rocket. He pointed his machine gun in the direction of one of the enemy-held buildings and pinned back the trigger.
"Driver, move to the right! All remaining Blitz 1 elements, follow my lead!" He radioed after the burst.
"Understood, Strum 1!" The company commander replied.
"Fennek, I need your tanks to move forward and support my attack!"
"Enemy anti-tank missiles have rendered my force combat ineffective, Strum 1. Am unable to fulfill your request." Gräbner reported.
"Eliminate them and move forward." Rheindars growled.
"Unable to fulfill your request at this time."
The Major felt his blood pressure jump at the insolence of the junior officer. How had such a coward gotten his position? As the APC bounced over a berm next to the road, he let off another long burst again, followed by one from First Company's lead vehicle. The two vehicles stopped with a jolt while the rest of the company's APCs started to spread out across the field. Rheindars keyed the radio to order a collection of the wounded when Blitz 1's vehicle burst into flames before his eyes. He turned to see where the rocket had come from when something threw him back. Rheindars fell back against the turret ring with a ghastly pain in his upper chest. He weakly brought a hand up as he sank into the APC, and saw blood just before he realized the stuff was coming out of his neck. One of his staff rushed forward, screaming his name while another demanded someone get the first aid kit. Rheindars's gaze stared at the engine compartment in utter shock. Opa would be mad at him for getting blood on his scarf, he realized. Gräbner's voice was in his ear, but it was faint. Too faint to hear before his vision greyed out and he couldn't breathe anymore...
McKaffey raised his binoculars as the A-10 raced into the valley. It made a shallow dive, fired a burst from its 30mm cannon, then broke right, leaving a string of flares in its wake.
"You ever notice that the gun on a Warthog kinda sounds like a whoopie cushion?"
"...Shiiit, it does. Thanks, now all I'll ever hear is the thing farting when it makes a pass."
The two infantrymen providing security probably didn't realize the general had heard them, but he let it be. Lord knew the one man was right He thought. A second Warthog followed the first, chewing away at some more trees and enemy infantry below before it went in the opposite direction. McKaffey spotted a missile just before it exploded near the jet. The FAC nearby exchanged a few frantic words with the pilot before determining that the aircraft would at least be able to clear the mountains and head south.
"Sir, Wolf 2 is egressing at this time. Unable to collect proper BDA." He spoke up.
"Thank you, Sergeant." The General replied.
McKaffey squinted at the position the two jets had attacked and saw something burning. A vehicle, he assumed. He lowered himself behind the boulder and pulled out a map. The position was about a mile and a half away. Between that and the Oseans it was a long, narrow piece of open ground. He considered a minefield once more, then stowed the idea and looked at the officer next to him.
"Alright Captain, do you think you can hold through the night?"
"We have a chance. They've attacked twice since the initial push. First move took our old positions and the second was recon in force, but they haven't tried much since." Captain Rodriguez replied.
"There's a reason for that. I've gotten word from Eagle 6 that they're more worried about our brethren in the Marine Corps."
"I'll gladly let 'em join in some of the fun, sir."
McKaffey glanced at the fuel trailers nearby as they supplied the nine tanks that remained in the company and the four TOW-equipped Humvees sitting in hastily-made fighting positions reinforced with wood and rock. He was kind of wishing he had voiced some support for Ollie's suggestion to dedicate more tanks up here. He checked with the FAC again for the next flight's ETA, but there was no solid timeframe. He heard footsteps and looked back to his RTO as the man came up to their observation point.
"Sir, it's Rider 6 with an after-action on that Belkan attack from the West." The young man spoke up. McKaffey turned and accepted the radio.
"Go for Bulldog 6." He said.
"Bulldog 6 this is Rider 6, have stopped enemy mechanized counterattack in the Western AO. Baker 6 reports they've destroyed 9 enemy armored vehicles and damaged another 8. Light casualties reported, but we lost three TOW teams and their launchers." Lieutenant Colonel Al Garrity explained.
"Copy that Rider 6...be advised it may be some time before I can get more TOWs to your position.
"Understood Bulldog."
"Anything else to report, Rider?"
"We have a fix on where the Belkans have concentrated most of their forces. With your permission, I'd like to order two companies with fire support to attack the position. It's a peach orchard."
Garrity passed along the coordinates and let the General chew on the idea for a minute. McKaffey tapped a finger against the feature on the map, then drew a line to the highway intersection. Where 1st and 3rd Brigade were supposed to link up.
"What time do you plan on moving on it, Rider?" He asked.
"Pending your approval, I'd like to attack sometime between midnight and dawn." Garrity replied.
"Copy...hold position until further notice. I want to check some things before I give a final yay or nay. And get me a detailed plan on your end, too!"
"Roger that Bulldog!"
McKaffey hung up and looked at Captain Rodriguez.
"Is there anything else to pass along, Captain?" He asked.
"No sir. Once the remaining tanks are ready, I should be set. They won't get through tonight, sir." Gabe assured. He lowered himself from the rock, then spoke up again.
"For what it's worth, sir, I think Rider 6 should take that orchard. Less we're getting squeezed the better, right?"
Murdoch's words from yesterday guided McKaffey's response.
"This ain't a democracy, but you have a point."
McKaffey and his small entourage retreated down the slope to a pair of Humvees and made haste to their new headquarters at Grossansicht Ski Resort. McKaffey had his HQ set up by the loading docks on the left side of the main building. He exited his vehicle and returned several salutes as he approached a large tent with a pair of command and control Humvees connected to it. He entered the tent and walked straight to a man who had the mind-numbing job of racking the casualty numbers. McKaffey didn't want to look, but he did anyway so he could make a good decision. A total of 77 men had been killed, and another 123 wounded. Of the latter, 10 had been evaced and 54 were laid up at the resort.
"Only two platoons, General." The soldier said with a poor attempt at a smile as he looked up. McKaffey grimaced and nodded.
"Go get some sleep, Simmons. At least a couple hours; have a doc give you some pills if you can't conk out on your own."
"Yes sir…"
McKaffey turned and walked to the back of one of the command Humvees, where a Master Sergeant and a pair of Specialists were. He waved away their salutes and held out a hand.
"Sergeant Karns, I need you to get Dragon 6 on the horn." He explained.
"Yes sir." The burly NCO replied. He handed McKaffey a handset and adjusted the boom mike he had on his headset.
"Go for Dragon 6." Ollie replied after a few calls.
"Dragon 6 this is Bulldog 6, was inquiring to see if you might have anyone able to support a possible attack near our rendezvous point at the interchange."
"What do you have in mind, Bulldog?"
"Got a map nearby? Then we can get down to business."
