Operation Cobra

July 25th, 1942

Logan Walker

Caen, Near Marigny, French S.S.R.

Logan was looking up as 2 fighter planes flew by close to the ground.

"Yeah!" Yelled a female US soldier.

"Hit 'em hard!" Yelled a male.

"Woo-hoo!" Shouted Keegan.

Logan loaded his M1 Garand and started walking forward, there were German Tiger I tanks ready to move out alongside American Sherman tanks. Logan continued walking until he met up with Merrick, who was talking with a German commander.

"Lieutenant." Logan greeted respectfully.

"Ah, just the man I wanted to see. Logan, This is-"

The German commander held out his right hand for a handshake.

"Commander Peter Muller of the Bundeswehr."

Logan held out his own right hand, accepting the handshake.

"Private Logan Walker."

"Your Lieutenant and I were just recalling our time in Tobruk last year."

"You both Fought in the siege of Tobruk?"

"We did, Muller's panzer division lead the charge against the Soviet armour while a platoon lead by me secured and destroyed the Soviet AT, AA and flak guns in the surrounding areas, allowing our air support to bomb the city and force the surrender."

"We still hold Tobruk today, but the Soviets still have about 2 million men left in North Africa."

"Well, let's hope our work here hinders their efforts there."

"Agreed, speaking of which..." Merrick then gave an order to the rest of the platoon. "Alright 1st platoon, we're rolling out! Let's Go, Let's Go!"

Muller climbed up onto his Tiger I and climbed into the tank via the main turret hatch while ordering something to his driver.

"Kertz, We're moving out! Get the tank started!"

Logan started to climb up onto the Tiger tank but stopped when he heard Rorke's voice.

"Hey."

Logan turned to see David, who turned when Rorke put his hand on his shoulder.

"You should be resting."

"What makes you think I'm tired, Sergeant? I'm not spending another day away from my brother and my wife, Sir. We three have a bond that will get us through this war."

"Bonds are easily broken, Walker. Your wife may be able to heal, but she can only heal below the neck. So, if you get shot in the head..."

David had a blank expression on his face, but Logan knew internally he was very pissed. Rorke turned around and walked away. Once he was gone David and Logan looked at each other.

"I hate that man." David hissed.

"Don't let him get in your head." Logan replied.

The brothers were prevented from saying anything else when Muller's Tiger was started.

"Tiger tank 237 ready to roll out!" Said Muller.

Logan and David climbed onto the tank. Logan was on the back-right side, standing up. Keegan next to him, David on the Front-Right, Elsa opposite of him, Muller's upper half was on the outside of the hatch on top of the main turret, holding a pair of binoculars.

"Hang on tight, boys. It's gonna get tough." Elsa warned.

"Yeah, what else is new?" Keegan replied.

"I think Rorke dislikes you." Muller said to David.

"yeah? The feeling's mutual."

The Sherman tanks ahead of Muller's Tiger started moving.

"Come on, Let's Go!"

The tank started moving with jolt of movement.

David Looked back at his brother. "Looks like you're holdin' up alright."

"Yeah, How 'bout yourself?"

"Couldn't let you guys have all the fun."

"Eh fun's not allowed under Rorke. You know why he's always riding you?" Muller said before he turned to Logan. "Kasserine Pass."

"Lost my best friends there." Keegan added.

"Yeah, earned him an Article 15 and a demotion. He had to be a hardass and his men paid the price. Mission was a massacre. Soviets had no mercy. Hell, we only survived cause they didn't have time to seal the Western exit. Almost lost everything thanks to that son of a bitch. And Merrick still isn't over it. Matter of fact, he was the one who wrote him up. Rorke figures if he makes you a model platoon, he'll get it scrubbed." Muller explained.

"Only we're doing the scrubbing."

"Heh, yes. Now you're getting it. It's why he's never going to give up. He'd kill to have it removed."

"Hey, you know what I'd kill for? Some decent food." Elsa said.

"You just had supper." David replied.

"Hey, the rations they've giving us taste like shit, okay?."

The convoy approached a clearing, there were destroyed Soviet tanks, artillery and transports as well as tons of bodies.

"You see that? The Luftwaffe hit this area a few hours ago. We Germans took down a potential dictatorship, held the line with the Italians against the Red Army for 7 months, allowing the British and French to prepare for the war, and even though we're leading the charge here and now, We still get looked down."

Logan felt sympathy for Muller and put his hand on Muller's shoulder and gave him a smile and a nod, mentally telling Muller that he and his crew had Logan and his squad's support.

"They never stood a chance." said Keegan.

"I'm guessing 'no' to the open casket." Elsa replied.

"Hey, that's somebody's son, Elsa." Logan snapped.

"No, Logan, they're commies." Elsa shot back.

"Logan's right, Elsa. They're not all bad." David replied.

"And don't forget their inventions. You got the power transformer, the radio, super helpful for us..." Keegan began.

"And those cool-looking winter hats, the ones made with fur that also cover your ears." David added.

"Ushankas." Logan corrected.

"That's it, thanks! Hey, remind me to pick up one of those before winter, ok?"

Elsa scoffed. "You men are killing me."

Suddenly there was an ominous sound overhead.

"Uh, you guys hear that?" Elsa asked as the sound grew closer.

"It's headed this way!" Exclaimed Keegan

"Soviet fighters! Inbound!" Yelled Muller.

2 Soviet Lavochkin La-5 Fighter planes dove out of the sky, lining up with the convoy and dropping bombs on and destroying the three Sherman tanks ahead of Muller's tank.

"SHIT!" Screamed Elsa.

"SCHEISSE!" (SHIT!) Yelled Muller.

Suddenly the squad was taking fire from Soviets ahead of them.

"CLEAR ZE TANK!" Muller Shouted as he got in his tank, closing the top hatch.

Logan and David Jumped off the tank, after which another Soviet plane was making an attack run. The plane started firing, forcing David to run back towards the end of the tank as Muller shouted again.

"T-34s!"

Just as Muller yelled, one T-34 fired and hit the Panzer IV tank that was following Muller's tank, disabling it.

"Get off the road! We'll circle around! Move!" Merrick ordered.

The squad Followed Merrick around to a wall behind a destroyed barn.

"We have to protect the tanks. That's flak fire in the distance. We're gonna capture one of their AA Guns and bring down those planes!"

The squad fought they're way through the barn, a hayfield and a treeline before they reached the flak guns and secured one.

"Those bombers are killing our armour! You've gotta take'em down, Logan!" Merrick ordered.

"Yes, sir!" Logan shouted as he began operating the flak gun.

"Here they come!" David yelled.

"2 o'clock!" said Merrick.

Using the flak gun's targeting lens, Logan quickly spotted 3 bombers flying by and shot them down.

"Good shooting! Keep it up!" Merrick praised.

Suddenly the radio nearby was going off with the angry shouts of a Soviet commander.

"Guy on the radio sounds pissed! Soviets don't know what's happening!" Said Elsa.

"More coming in!" David yelled.

"1 o'clock!" Merrick said.

Once again, Logan quickly shot down the planes.

"Nice shot, Logan!"

"I'm getting pretty good at this!" Logan said to himself.

On the radio the Soviet commander was giving an order to the planes.

"They're on to us!" Elsa yelled.

"Enemy planes attacking our position!" Keegan yelled as they took fire from the planes, which were quickly shot down by Logan.

"2 more! 11 o'clock high!" Rorke shouted.

Logan quickly destroyed the planes.

"Dead ahead!" David shouted.

3 planes were diving straight at the squad but were stopped by Logan using the flak gun.

"Is that it?" David asked.

"Skies are clear for now. Good job, Logan." Merrick praised.

Logan got up from the seat of the flak gun and grabbed his M1 Garand. Just then 2 Sherman tanks and 1 Tiger tank came out from the bushes ahead of the squad.

"Hey, it's Muller!" David exclaimed.

"Hey Muller, you okay?" Merrick asked.

"They got my friend Mills in the ambush, but we hit 'em back hard. The holdouts are dug in with BS-3s up ahead. Gotta clear them out." Muller said.

"All right, Rorke, take Logan, David, Keegan and Elsa through the orchard and find an over-watch position. After you take out the BS-3s, I'll lead the main assault with Muller."

"You four, you're with me. Come on!" Rorke ordered.

Logan, David, Keegan and Elsa followed Rorke up a side road that would give them a good over-watch position.

"Muller said BS-3s? What the hell's that?" Elsa asked.

"Soviet artillery. 100mm anti-tank cannon.. Didn't you read the briefing?" Keegan replied.

"What are we supposed to do against 100mm cannons?"

"We blow them the fuck up."

The squad ran through the orchard where a wrecked plane had crashed.

"It's one of ours. P-47." said Keegan.

"Damn it. Wish I had gotten to that flak gun sooner." Logan said.

"Can't blame yourself." David replied.

The squad was met with a shock as they passed a tree that had 2 people hanging from nooses tied to it.

"Those are civilians... This is a war crime." Keegan said, shocked.

"No shit, Keegan. We're fighting Communists." Elsa snapped.

"Over here! We've got a vantage point!" Rorke ordered.

Logan got out his binoculars.

"There's Muller and his division. They're heading right into Hell. We gotta hit those Cannon operators hard." Rorke explained.

Logan put his binoculars away and pulled out his M1.

"Everyone open fire!" Rorke ordered.

"Keegan, aim for the fuel cans! That shit will blow 'em to hell!" David advised.

"Now we're talking!" Keegan replied, aiming with his Lee enfield sniper rifle and shooting the nearest red Fuel can causing it to explode, disabling one of the BS-3s and killing it's operators.

"I can't see any fuel cans by the second Cannon!" Keegan exclaimed.

"I'll take it out!" Elsa yelled, pulling out a M1 Bazooka.

"Do you even know how to use that thing?!" Rorke exclaimed.

Elsa responded by pulling the trigger causing the launcher to fire a rocket straight at the other Cannon disabling it.

"Nice shot, Elsa!" David praised.

"Huh, not bad. Let's get down there!" Rorke shouted.

The squad proceeded down the hill they were on and quickly cleared the position of Soviet Infantry.

"All clear!" Rorke yelled. "Watch out! Friendly tanks coming over the trenches!"

Once the tanks crossed over the trenches, they stopped and Muller spoke.

"Another enemy position just past the hedges! Fall in behind the tanks!"

"Everyone fall in! FALL IN!" Rorke shouted.

The squad stacked up behind Muller's tank.

"Let's put Stefan to work! All tanks forward!" Muller ordered.

The tanks pushed forward through the hedges and started taking gunfire.

"Machine gunners!" shouted one of the Sherman tank commanders.

"Stay behind the tanks!" Rorke ordered.

"We got Commies running out of the trenches!" shouted the Sherman tank commander.

The tanks continued to push forward.

"Schneider! Target that Gunner nest, right side! FEUER! (FIRE!)" Muller ordered before his tank fired and destroyed a gunner nest.

"Gunner! Target that MG nest! FIRE!" A Sherman tank fired on another gunner nest, destroying it too.

"Keep pushing! More Soviets behind this ridge!" Muller shouted as the tanks crossed over the second trench line.

"The Reds are retreating!" Rorke yelled.

"Ha! They run like cowards! They are cowards!" Muller yelled. "That's right! Run you communist bastards!"

"Keep Moving! Keep pushing forward!" Rorke Ordered as the tanks pushed forward again

"Incoming!" Shouted one of the Sherman tank commanders before his tank was destroyed.

"Allied tank is down!" Shouted the other Sherman commander. "Taking fire from BS-3s! Need eyes on them!"

"We can't advance until those BS-3s are down!" Shouted Muller. "Get to high ground and take out the BS-3 crews! All tanks, button up!"

"Logan! Move to one of those barns! Take up a sniping position!" Rorke ordered.

Logan then fought his way through one of the barns and made it to a perfect sniping position.

"Grab a scoped rifle and take out those guns!" Rorke ordered.

Logan picked up a soviet Mosin-Nagant sniper rifle.

"Got eyes on 3 cannons, Logan! Aim for the ammo boxes!" Rorke advised.

Logan then aimed with the sniper rifle and shot of the red ammo boxes next to one of the cannons, causing it to explode and destroy the cannon.

"Two more!"

Logan did the same for the cannon furthest to the left.

"Alright, two cannons down! One to go!"

Logan then destroyed the last cannon.

"Not a bad shot, Logan. Keegan will be proud." Rorke said. "Tanks are advancing! Clear those trenches!"

"Thanks for the fire support, Logan!" Muller shouted. "All tanks, light up those trenches! Let's clear it out!"

The tanks started moving forward again.

"Rorke, get your men up there and clear those trenches!" Muller ordered.

"Roger that! Everyone move up and clear those trenches!"

The squad then entered the trench and forced any remaining soviets to surrender.

"Hey, It's Merrick! He's alright!" Keegan yelled, Pointing to the Road.

The squad ran up onto the road to regroup with their lieutenant.

"Lieutenant." Logan said.

Merrick turned around to face Logan, putting his hand up signalling Logan to wait.

"Hold on. CO Approaching!" Merrick Ordered.

Logan turned around to see another allied Jeep arriving with his and David's Dad, Elias, in the passenger seat.

"Alright, listen up. Charlie company's under assault near the church. They need ammo and fire support. Send a squad immediately." Elias ordered.

"Sir, we're already stretched pretty thin." Merrick explained.

"Then stretch thinner!" Elias replied firmly.

"Yes sir!" Merrick replied.

Then Elias; Jeep started to turn around and return to the command post.

"Shit." Merrick said after the jeep left.

"We can take the Jeeps, but we're gonna need armored support.' Rorke suggested.

"Alright, that's the plan" Merrick agreed. "Muller! Rorke'll follow you with the squad."

"Can't do it. Just got orders from Collins. We're heading west with the 11th." Muller replied.

"God dammit." Merrick cursed.

"Those soldiers are running out of time." Rorke said urgently.

"You're on your own. Take the Jeeps and head out. Move!" Merrick ordered.

"All right, snap to it. Charlie's up shit creek we're the paddle. Let's go, let's go!" Rorke barked.

The squad then got in the Jeeps and drove up the road towards the church. They arrived just in time to clear out the Soviets attempting to take their position.

"All clear!" Rorke confirmed.

Logan let go of the M1919 MG mounted to the back of the Jeep and got out.

"Rally up!" Said Rorke.

"We gotta stop meeting like this." Said the leader of Charlie company, a woman.

"Don't you be going soft on me, Murphy." Rorke joked as he helped the squad leader to her feet.

"Well, thanks for showin' up when you did." Murphy replied.

"Thank Colonel Walker, it was his orders." Rorke explained as he looked at the setting sun. "Ok. It's too late to press on. Looks like you guys got a reprieve."

"Excuse me, Sergeant." Elsa spoke up.

"Yeah?"

"Isn't half the Red Army on the other side of those buildings? Shouldn't we find a better place to set up a perimeter?"

"Sure Private, why don't you book us a room at the Ritz?" Rorke replied sarcastically.

"Sir." David intervened. "She's just scared, that's all. You can't blame her."

"Why don't you worry about your own problems, Walker?"

"I'm right as rain, Sergeant." David replied.

Rorke turned to Logan.

"Logan, keep an eye on your brother. The only thing a man fears is losing the people he loves." Rorke said. "Rest up, soldiers. We take Marigny at first light."