Chapter 9: Fire, Smoke and Carnage.
6th July, 1943. 0100 hours.
The night rumbled with the sound of war. Explosions could be heard far away in the distance, and flashes of light from exploding shells could be seen from the horizon. Eerie sounds of gunfire could also be heard. However, their sector was quiet that night. Maho was sitting on top of the turret; unable to get any rest. She turned round and looked into the Tiger. Her crew were resting; Erika was curled up in her chair, like a cat. Ernst and Christian were both reading, and Felix was leaning back in his chair, attempting to sleep.
'They look so calm. So… peaceful.' She thought to herself. 'But I guess they don't have the pressure of responsibility upon their shoulders.' She paused for a moment. 'But… they do have a responsibility, I guess. To stay alive and come back to their families after the war.' She smiled faintly at the thought. 'Maho, stop putting yourself down all the time. Even though you're always weighed down by worries and thoughts, just think about this; you, Erika, Ernst, Christian and Felix have been together for a long time. They all have their worries. It's natural to have these worries in your head. They all have their promises to other people; whether it's to come home after the war, or to meet their loved ones again; they all have promises they are trying to keep. It's not just you. They are all trying their best to survive this war to fulfil their promises. You are too. You promised Miho you won't be killed. '
'Can you keep such a promise though?' Another voice replied in the back of her head. 'You do worry too much Maho. I'll be honest. But however much you strive to keep your promise to Miho, and to keep your crew alive; your efforts are futile.'
'Oh? Really?' She replied to the voice.
'Yes. Think about it logically, Maho. The war on this front is lost. You said it yourself. Take for example; Stalingrad. The entire 6th Army was encircled and captured. All those soldiers had promises to try and fulfil. Yet they were captured; all their promises destroyed. Isn't that saying something, Maho? Can you do better than those in the 6th Army?'
Maho sighed and shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. She then looked round to her left. Karla was climbing down from her Tiger; jumping down from the turret onto the ground. She stood up and stretched, before looking at Maho, and walking up to her Tiger and climbing up to the turret to join her.
"Can't sleep, Leutnant?" Karla asked quietly. Maho nodded sadly.
"Yeah. The nightmares keep me up every night. It's hard for me to get to sleep. What about you Karla?" She asked. "Why are you awake right now?"
Karla sighed. "I keep on having the same nightmares every night. I can barely sleep. Just like you." She gently rested her head on Maho's shoulder, and Maho put an arm round her.
"What kind of nightmares?" Maho asked quietly.
"The first nightmare is the one when my twin sister was killed. It just replays over and over in my mind. The second one…" Karla sighed. "The second one is worse. Much worse."
Maho shuffled closer to her. "In what way?"
Karla shook her head. "We were in Berlin. I could tell because we were next to the Brandenburg Gate. I mean you, Hauptmann Brandt and me. All three of us were kneeling down; being restrained by some SS men. It all happened so quickly…" She whispered, nuzzling cutely into Maho's shoulder. "An SS officer went over to Erwin. I wake up every time the gunshot sounds."
Maho was about to reply when Erwin came running over from the barn which was made into a makeshift radio station. Seeing Maho and Karla, she stopped in front of them.
"Got a message from HQ." She spoke, although her speech was quite broken due to her panting for breath.
Maho and Karla looked at each other then jumped down onto the ground. "What's the message?" They both asked simultaneously.
Erwin took out a piece of paper scribbled with notes. "The 505th Heavy Tank Battalion is to move overnight; to be attached to the 2nd Panzer Division on their right flank. Orders are to attack with the 2nd Panzers at first light. Objective of the attack is to secure the village of Soborwka. After the village has been secured, we are to attack the hills surrounding Olochowatka. All 3 Tiger Companies are to deploy to this area immediately. Air reconnaissance has shown the hill defences around Olochowatka to be well entrenched and well built, and heavily defended with anti-tank guns and infantry. Also expect a large number of landmines in the surrounding area." She spoke.
Karla tilted her head. "So… we're supposed to go, now?" She questioned. Seeing Erwin nod, she sighed. "Shit… And to think I could rest up a little." She whispered, turning away and walking back to her tank.
Maho looked at Erwin. "What about A Company? They're stationed around the hills southwest of here. Do they know?"
Erwin nodded. "Yeah. I radioed their Company CO. They're moving towards the 2nd Panzers right now. We should get going." She smiled slightly and walked towards her own Tiger and climbing in.
Maho sighed, climbing into her Tiger. Seeing Erika still sleeping, she tapped her on her shoulder.
"Hm? Ahh!" Erika woke up, flinching at Maho's touch. "Oh, It's you, Maho." She whispered, rubbing her eyes slightly. "…Why wake me up so early, Leutnant? It's only… 0115 hours." She muttered, looking at her watch.
"We're being attached to the 2nd Panzer Division. We need to get there before we start another attack at sunrise." Maho explained slowly.
Erika's eyes widened. "Another attack…?" Seeing Maho nod, she sighed. "I thought we were going to get at least a day's rest-"She began, when suddenly Erwin's voice crackled over the radio.
"B Company and C Company, listen up. This is Hauptmann Brandt. We are to move out towards our right flank and join up with the 2nd Panzer Division. We are supporting them on an attack towards the village of Soborwka, and the hills surrounding Olochowatka. That's all the details I've been given from HQ. So, Let's mount up!" She spoke. "I'll lead from the front. Oberfeldwebel Brun and Leutnant Ketler will follow behind, and so on. Let's go!"
"Ernst, wake up!" Erika shouted, kicking his shoulder hard. "We're moving off now!"
Ernst clicked his neck. "I know that… And don't kick me so hard please." He whispered, as he started the engine and started moving the Tiger forward. They were soon in a column behind Erwin's Tiger.
"No lights to be switched on until we reach our rendezvous point, got it?" Erwin ordered.
"Aye, Hauptmann." They all replied.
6th July, 1943. 0150 hours.
"Halt! Who goes there?"
A voice sounded from outside Maho's tank, as their convoy screeched to a stop. Maho pushed open the commander's hatch and stood up, looking down at the source of the voice. Several soldiers were standing their ground, their rifles pointed at Maho.
Maho saw Erwin's commander's hatch open, and Erwin jumped down. She followed suit. The men looked at the two female officers. One, who had dark brown hair and grey eyes, walked up to Erwin. "505th Heavy Tank Battalion, yes?" He asked swiftly. Erwin nodded.
"Yes. We are the 505th. B and C Company. I'm Hauptmann Brandt, Battalion CO of the 505th, also Company CO of B Company. This is Leutnant Ketler. She's Second in Command of the 505th, and Second in Command of B Company."
The man relaxed a little, and saluted them. "I'm sorry for stopping you like this, Hauptmann, but when we let the first Company of the 505th through, some of our men thought some Soviet armoured division had sneaked round us. They are so paranoid these days…" He chuckled slightly. "Anyway. The first company has stopped their tanks next to the 1st Panzer regiment, over at your 11 o'clock. You can stop your tanks there too."
"Thanks a lot." Erwin replied, climbing back into her tank. Maho followed suit. "Alright. This is Hauptmann Brandt. We're to stop our tanks next to A Company. They've stopped next to the 1st Panzer regiment at our 11 o'clock. So, if you see any Tigers, you can stop there. Prep your tank for battle, refuel and refill your shells if you need to. We'll be attacking at first light, so around 0400 hours. Get whatever rest you can. Over."
"Aye, Hauptmann." Maho replied, as they drove towards where the other Tigers were.
A few moments later, the engine went quiet, and the Tiger slowed to a stop. Maho opened the commander's hatch. "I've got a few jobs that need doing. Erika, zero the gun again, and check our turret drive is fully functioning. Felix, make sure we have enough shells. I've noticed we may need more HEAT shells, so load a few more this time. Christian, make sure the coaxial machine gun has enough ammo, get more ammo if needs be. Ernst. Check fuel levels and oil pressure. If we're low on fuel, top up enough so we have a full tank. Everyone clear?"
"Aye, Leutnant." They all replied, before Maho climbed out of her Tank, and went to follow Erwin, who was walking towards a soldier. Erwin turned round and smiled, before walking towards the soldier, who saluted and stood at attention.
"Do you know where the Division Commander is?" Erwin asked slowly. The man nodded.
"Yes, ma'am." He replied. "His headquarters is over there." He pointed to a small building to their left.
Erwin nodded in thanks, and gestured for Maho to follow her. They walked towards the building they had been directed to. They saw a man standing outside, flanked by two soldiers as bodyguards. He was rather thin, was shorter than the usual men of his age. As they got closer, Maho could see that the man's trousers had a scarlet stripe going down each trouser leg, and that his field cap was decorated in gold, rather than silver.
"He's the Division Commander." Maho whispered, as the man noticed them and walked over. Maho quickly adjusted her sidecap and uniform, and Erwin straightened her field cap before both stood at attention and saluted.
"Ah. I guess you are the commanders of the 505th Heavy Tank Battalion?" The man asked. "Oh, before you ask, I'm Generalleutnant Vollrath Lübbe. Commander of the 2nd Panzer Division. Nice to meet you two." He spoke, shaking first Erwin's, then Maho's hand warmly. Erwin smiled nervously.
"Nice to meet you, Generalleutnant." She spoke. "I'm Hauptmann Brandt. Battalion Commander of the 505th, and Company CO of B Company." She then gestured to Maho. "She's Leutnant Ketler. She is my second in command."
"I see. Well I guess you two would want to know what the order of battle is in detail. So, do come in. I'll explain it to you." Vollrath spoke, opening the door for Maho and Erwin as they walked in. Once they'd entered, the two soldiers closed the door and stood guard.
6th July, 1943. 0300 hours.
The door to the building opened, and both the division commander and both females walked out into the clear, moonless night.
"So, are you all clear about the battle plan?" Vollrath stated slowly to both female officers. Maho and Erwin nodded.
"Aye, Sir." Both quickly replied. Vollrath gave them a smile.
"Good, good. I expect good progress to be made. I wish you good luck in the operation." Vollrath explained, shaking both of their hands warmly. Erwin smiled back.
"We'll try our best sir." She replied slowly, saluting to him before walking back towards her tank. Maho followed on quickly, and climbed into her Tiger. Her crew were already waiting for her. There was silence inside the tank for a few minutes, before Felix spoke up.
"What did the division commander want with you, Leutnant?"He questioned. Maho quickly responded.
"The division commander wanted to go through the battle plan in detail with Erwin and I." She spoke calmly. "We'll be setting off at sunrise, so around 0530 hours. We're to take the village of Soborwka, and after that has been taken, we're to attack the hills surrounding Olochowatka. We're spearheading the attack in front of the 2nd Panzer Division, acting as like a shield to protect the lighter armoured Panzer IIIs and Panzer IVs. We'll be using the panzerkeil formation again. We'll have 3 different panzerkiels deployed when we advance. B Company will be in the centre of the formation, C Company on our left flank, and A Company on our right. Everyone clear on what we're doing?"
"Aye, Leutnant." They all replied. Maho forced a smile.
"Good. Now... we wait." She whispered, lying back into her seat and closing her eyes, trying to get a bit of rest before they set off.
6th July, 1943. 0530 hours.
"The time has come! Let's go Let's go!"
Erwin's voice caused Maho's eyes to snap open instantly. She sat up and put her headphones back on. "Let's go! Panzerkiel formation, all companies! A Company, employ a panzerkiel on our right flank! C Company, employ one on our right flank! B Company will take the middle! Let's move!" She shouted, as her Tiger rumbled into life, heading forwards steadily. She opened the commander's hatch and looked round. The sun was slowly rising from the horizon. Behind her were the 2nd Panzer Division; the Panzer III and Panzer IV medium tanks rumbling behind their Tiger's using them as a sort of shield. And in between the tanks came the motorized infantry regiment and motorcycle infantry battalion; dozens of trucks and motorcycles roaring into life.
"Watch out for any movement." Erwin warned. "They could be setting up an ambush as we advance towards the village."
"Aye Hauptmann." They responded.
Maho sighed and looked through her binoculars. As usual, she couldn't see any sign of an anti-tank gun or any sort of defences. Only bushes and tall grass. As they advanced deeper, she got increasingly edgy once more. "Felix. Load a HEAT shell in. I want us prepared for an ambush." Felix quickly loaded a HEAT shell in.
"Shell loaded, Leutnant." He spoke.
For a few more minutes they advanced without any sort of resistance.
'BOOM!'
Suddenly, a Panzer III on their left flank exploded in flames, then almost immediately another two other Panzers instantly burned up. A Panzer IV exploded spectacularly, the turret flying clean off the tank hull. Maho whirled round.
"Ambush!" She screamed into the radio. "Everyone open fire!"
The remaining tanks started lighting up the area with their coaxial machine guns, but with every passing second, another Panzer III or Panzer IV would get hit, and grind to a halt. Either bursting into flames or the ammunition exploded, causing a massive fireball to engulf the entire tank.
"We can't see them! Where the hell did those shots come from!" One tank commander yelled into the radio. Maho looked round. She saw the puff of smoke come out from their direct left.
"Look out for any puffs of smoke coming from the anti-tank guns! Take them out with your main cannon, or with your machine gun! Everyone, engage any target you see! We must take out this pakfront! They've grouped their anti-tank guns into nests!"
Soon enough, the other tanks began firing their cannons, taking out the anti-tank guns. Maho directed several targets, and Erika shot them to smithereens. She spotted another puff of smoke in the near distance, and seconds later, their tank was hit by a shell, but it failed to penetrate.
"Shit!" She shouted. "Erika, anti-tank gun directly in front of us! Distance is around 100m!"
"Target sighted!" She replied.
"Fire!"
The cannon shot and moments later there was a big explosion.
"Target destroy-"
'BOOM!"
Maho turned round as the ground on the Tiger to her left erupted in a fireball. The tracks of the tank fell off and the Tiger ground to a halt.
"Our track's gone, we're stuck!" The commander spoke into the radio frantically. Erwin smashed her fist into the turret in frustration.
"Dammit! Everyone, watch out for anti-tank mines!" She shouted into the radio. A second later, another explosion, and another Panzer III was disabled by an anti-tank mine.
As they advanced, they were being pummelled all over the place with anti-tank fire. The thinly armoured Panzer III and IVs also didn't stand a chance against the powerful anti-tank mines. Maho braced herself as another anti-tank shell impacted hard against the turret, only to ricochet off with sparks flying everywhere.
"Для Советской России!"
"Uraa!"
Maho looked in surprise as a load of men rose up from the tall grass about 100m in front of them, armed to the teeth with rifles, sub machine guns, grenades and anti-tank grenades started running towards them, firing their weapons. "Cut them down!" Maho shouted into the radio. The coaxial machine guns burst into life, cutting down some of the men, but many got close enough to throw their anti-tank grenades at the tanks. The thin armour of the Panzer IV meant that the anti-tank grenades would easily burn through the armour, killing or wounding the inhabitants horrifically. Many of the tanks suffered such a fate.
"Keep firing! Don't stop!" Erwin shouted, as her Tiger engaged a dug in anti-tank gun, blowing it up into shards of broken metal. "We've nearly broken through their defences!" She looked behind her; the grassy plain behind her was littered with the burning wrecks of Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks. Corpses lay on the ground all around them. Several immobilised Tigers also stood there. She sighed. 'We've lost a lot of tanks and men... can we keep this up?'
Maho gritted her teeth. "Fire!" The cannon fired and a group of soldiers about 20m away from her Tiger were blown to bits by the blast.
"We've got them." Erika stated. Suddenly, Karla's voice spoke through the radio.
"We've breached through their defence! Soborwka is right in front of us! We could easily take it now!"
Erwin thought for a moment. "Okay. The two Panzer regiments are to come with us to take the village. We'll leave the motorised infantry and motorcycle infantry to mop up this area. Then they are to join us on the assault on the village. Everyone clear?"
"Aye Hauptmann!" They all replied. Erwin smiled.
"Good. Let's go! We haven't got any time to lose!"
6th July, 1943. 0700 hours.
As the remaining motorised infantry arrived at Soborwka, Maho and Erwin were standing around with the Panzer Brigade commander, as well as the motorised infantry regiment commander; discussing their next plan of action.
"Well. I guess that settles it then. Thank you for your time, sir." Maho spoke.
"No, thank you for supporting us. Without you, our panzer regiments would have been decimated." The brigade commander spoke, saluting Maho and Erwin.
Both Erwin and Maho returned the salute, and began walking back towards their Tigers. Around the village were light 105mm artillery guns from the mobile artillery. They were setting up a perimeter so they can counter any artillery barrage in the area. As they walked back, Karla saw them and walked towards them.
"So what's the plan?" She asked.
Erwin looked at Maho. She sighed. "Why can't you explain, Erwin?" She said slyly. Erwin grinned.
"You can do the explaining once in a while." Erwin replied. "Helps you develop your leadship skills..." Maho shook her head and smirked.
"Fine, fine. So. The plan is to take a quick break, then continue our attack on the hills near Olochowatka." She began. "The motorised infantry, one panzer regiment and the 505th will take part in the attack. The rest are to stay here at Soborwka and defend it against any possible counterattacks.
Karla nodded. "I see. When are we setting off then?" She added. Maho gestured to the moving tanks behind her. Karla blinked. "I guess we're setting off now then..." Maho nodded.
"Good answer, Oberfeldwebel Brun." She joked, walking off towards her tank and climbing in. Karla smiled and followed suit. Erwin walked to the group of men huddled round the corner, smoking.
"Alright men. We're moving off now. Save you cigarettes for later." She spoke, and the men quickly stubbed out their cigarettes and walked back towards their tanks. Erwin climbed into her tank, and put on her headphones. "Comm check. Everyone can hear me, right?" She questioned. From her tank, Maho nodded.
"Aye, Haputmann." Maho responded.
"Hearing you loud and clear, Hauptmann." Karla replied.
"Okay. We are to move out. Employ the panzerkiel again. Same as last time. B Company will take the centre. A Company, right flank. C Company, left flank. We're supporting the attack on the hills near Olochowatka. Everyone clear?" Erwin asked.
"Aye, Hautpmann." They all responded.
"Good. Now. Let's move out!" She shouted.
As they neared the hills, Maho opened the commander's hatch and looked up at the sky. The blue, clear sky was gone; replaced with a dark grey swathe of storm clouds. The area darkened as the sun was obscured by clouds. A rumble of thunder sounded. Then it began to rain. First a few drops pattered down, then a torrential downpour crashed down over their heads. The soil soon turned into sticky mud, slowing down the German advance to a crawl. Maho felt a slight unease grow up her spine. Was it the sudden change in weather? Or more uneasy thoughts that have crept up into her mind? She shivered, already soaked from the downpour of rain, but nevertheless she kept on looking through her binoculars.
'I can't see anything... This is bad.' She thought to herself. 'Chances are, we're probably advancing into another pakfront.' She sighed and spoke into the radio. "This is Leutnant Ketler. Everyone. Keep an eye out for any movement. Stay focused. Do not get distratced." She then looked down to Felix. "Load a HEAT shell."
Felix nodded, grabbing a shell and loading it into the cannon, closing the locking mechanism quickly. "Shell loaded." He whispered. There was a sort of quiet nervousness within the tank. Erika was slowly fiddling with the trigger, her hand poised to squeeze the trigger, and fire the cannon. Maho looked around with her binoculars, but still couldn't see any movement. Suddenly, she heard a quiet howling noise.
"Do you hear that?" She whispered to Erika. Erika nodded in reply. The howling got louder and louder. Maho looked down at Erika in horror. "Katyushas..." She whispered.
'Not this again...'
She instantly took cover inside her tank, and screamed into the radio. "Katyusha rockets! Take cover!" A few moments later, massive fireballs exploded all around them as the rockets impacted, showering their tanks with mounds of muddy earth and rocks. The sound of explosions were deafening, the sound reverberating around inside her Tiger.
"Keep in formation! Don't break off! Keep going!" Erwin shouted into the radio, as several rockets found their mark and hit some of the tanks, instantly blowing them up into charred and splintered remains.
'BOOM!'
A sudden explosion of sparks caused Erwin to turn and look to her left. The Tiger next to her ground to a halt, a hole burned through the engine block. Soon, flames were rising around the tank, slowly enveloping the Tiger with fire. The commander's hatch opened, and the crew bailed out into the pouring rain. She sighed a sigh of relief.
'At least they got out saf-'
The air exploded with the sound of machine gun and small arms fire; bullets flying and ricocheting everywhere. The sound of anti-tank guns could also be heard, shells whizzing overhead or impacting with the armour, causing sparks to fly off the Tigers' hull. The crew members instantly crumpled under a storm of bullets. Karla's eyes widened in surprise and horror. All around them, no more than 100m away, she could see the muzzle flashes of hundreds of guns and anti-tank guns could be seen in the storm.
"It's an ambush!"
Notes:
Here you go. Chapter 9. Hope you guys like it. I think the quality isn't as good, because I can't think well in hot and humid places. But I did my best. (Guess where I am on holiday :D ) I'm still on holiday, but I'll see if I can write up Chapter 10 anytime soon... UPDATE: Chapter 10 is LIVE.
As always, any reviews with constructive criticism would be welcome.
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