Girls Und Panzer: Euro-League
Chapter 2: Heavy Guns (The Dragon's Breath)
It was the day we were to meet our tank destroyer unit from the Leclerc Girls' Academy. What we met one the hills outside the school are the biggest regulation guns in all of France. The engine growled, and the tank destroyer rumbled over the hills and stopped in front of our tanks. The commandant of the team exited out of the vehicle first.
We were all in our school uniforms which consisted of a white kepi, a tan button-up jacket, navy blue pants, and knee-high black leather boots, "Present teams, attention!" I ordered, and they followed, "eyes right! Teams...salute!" I went up to meet with the commandant of this new unit so that we can start getting acquainted with each other.
"Teams steady! At ease!" I ordered asserting myself as the leader
The Germans were already forming their teams for the competition. It is high time we do the same, "Ah yes, it is good to see these light tanks in working order, a testament to the reputation of this fine school," said the brunette commandant with a welcoming grin and a salute, "I am Commandant Bernadette Peneaux of Team Sainte-Martha,"
"Carry on now," I said to let our teams meet the new team on the block, I turned an eye to the present tank destroyer, "and this must be the Dragon Slayer?"
"Yes, she is an AMX 50 Foch, she is a very rare one, but that gun is capable of dealing with any tank in it's way," Bernadette said with pride in her voice, and introduced the crew of four that operate her, "this is Marlene Emilion our driver, Esmeralda De Maurier our team gunner, and finally Audrey Belmont our team loader, and that is the lot,"
Gabrielle was the first to inspect the gun of the new tank destroyer, "That's an 120mm AC SA46," said Esmeralda tapping the gun pivot, "and it's up to me and Audrey here to make things go boom," other members of our team began to look and congregate around the mighty machine. The same went for our tanks, and the tank destroyer unit.
"Hmm...with our combined firepower and your light tank units speed, I believe we have a combination that can ensure us a victory," said Bernadette.
"That is if they don't flank you," said Cherie, pointing out one the AMX 50 Foch's weaknesses. The armor on this tank destroyer is thin on the sides, and rear.
"We still have to work with the Germans though, without them we would not last long against the Japanese teams," I pointed out, Bernadette crossed her arms. I had my own questions about the Germans. What kind of equipment will they be bringing? What are the German teams going to be like? Until then, we tried out new field exercises.
First started with new attack formations, "Peneaux, have your tank destroyer as support, we will be the first wave of attack, if they have any heavies your team can make short work of them," I radioed in from the turret of our tank. I knew that when I meet with the German team leaders. We both have to share that responsibility between us.
"10-4, Alright ladies, let's move behind the front ranks, and give them support," She radioed to her crew,
"10-4 Filion, we are right behind you, en avant!" radioed in Anne-Marie Joffre. The tracks creaked, and the engine growled as we attacked with three teams in a 'V'-formation. We each fired five rounds at the targets, and used our speed to turn our tanks around into a retreat. It was then that the new tank destroyer unit was signaled into action.
The 120mm gun of the Foch roared like thunder, and handled the long range targets with ease. The disadvantage of the ELC-AMX Bis is that our tank has paper thin armor. Not surprising since this light tank was designed for airborne units. This tank's biggest weapon is it's speed. For the AMX 50 Foch, it is all about frontal armor and firepower.
After spending a few hours out on the target range and exercise trails, we went inside to the Mess Hall for some dinner and to discuss tactics. The Mess Hall never has a fixed menu. There is always something new, and creative everyday. Today, it was seafood vou-au-vent, "Now that we are settled down, let us discuss tactics for the competition,"
"The food here is wonderful," said Marlene tasting the school's cooking for the first time.
"Well, a wise man once said that an army marches on it's stomach," I replied, and laid out a map of a detailed outline of a competition battlefield according to the Japanese League, "right then, I believe a tactic we can use is called a feigned retreat, it worked for Atilla the Hun, I believe it can work well with tanks," I explained to our teammates.
"It is just like we practiced out in the training area," I said, using a blue marker to map out our positions. I used blue for our team, and black for the Germans, "here, the attacking vanguard will consist of two of our tanks and two German tanks attacking in a wedge formation, they will handle any light or medium tanks that they might have,"
"And what about us?" asked Audrey, "you don't expect to keep us out of action, do you?"
"Never, the reserve units will come in after the vanguard fires off a few rounds, your signal comes when the main attacking force is in retreat, your task will be the most important," I reminded Audrey, and the members of Team Sainte-Martha, "your team will spring the trap, and lure in the heavy tanks or any other tanks that might fall in it,"
"In the retreat our rears will be exposed, making us vulnerable," said Sabaya, and she had a good point
"That is true, that means timing is everything if we are going to make this tactic work," said Cherie.
"Atila the Hun would be proud of us," said Bernadette with an agreeing smile, "the next thing we have to think about is using the terrain to our advantage, if the competition field has heavily wooded areas, that can provide us with enough cover for our tank destroyer and the reserve units, this is technique, the Japanese teams will suspect a trap,"
"It is one thing to expect a trap, but it is another thing to know how to get out of one," said Gabrielle.
"Very true, Rouchet, very true," I said, standing up and putting my gentle hands on her shoulders, "right then, we have more tactics we can work on until the Germans arrive, and run it by them, so let's get some rest, and work on this technique some more tomorrow," Gabrielle and I cleaned off our plates, and headed back to our dorm.
I placed my kepi on the coat rack, and looked at Gabrielle with a smile, "You did well today," I said unbuttoning my jacket while Gabrielle was in the washroom. I was wearing a white tank top, and a pair of black athletic shorts, "what kind if tanks do you think the German team will bring?" I asked while emailing a message to the Germans.
"Hmm...I would say something like a medium tank, probably with a powerful gun too," replied Gabrielle falling down on her bed like a freshly fallen tree. She rested her head on her pillow, and turned her eyes toward me, "for now, let us rest, you maybe the one in charge, but you need your rest too, Noemi," she reminded me, showing her care.
"You maybe my driver, but I know something about you, Gabby," I said slyly like a fox, Gabrielle tilted her head,
"That you...are...TICKLISH!" I said going on the tickling attack on her waist, and feet. Gabrielle was laughing hysterically. Gabrielle is my best friend, and hearing her laugh brings joy to my heart, "I suppose that is enough, good night, Gabby," I locked the doors, and turned out the light. The only thing we can do now is train our crews, and wait.