Chapter 4

Thirty minutes later they pulled up in front of M Company's temporary command center, Lt. Hanley picked up the satchel intended for the Company Commander and stepped out of the jeep.

"Private, see that the jeep is refueled and stretch your legs a bit, be back here in (glancing at his watch) fifteen minutes". Hanley said before turning and walking into the building.

Fifteen minutes later they were back on the road. "I received word from Captain Jampel that the German's are on the move, our scouts located a patrol twenty miles from where King Company is set up." Hanley rubbed at his temple as he scanned a map of the area, looking for an alternate route in case they couldn't stay on the main one.

The main route provided no cover and was a straight shot into camp, it would be faster but they would be easy targets for German guns or mortars. An alternate route would take them through a dense forest of trees and would get them close to the camp but they would be in the open for the last few miles.

"Keep us on this route for the next thirty miles, Private." Hanley said glancing at Kovac. "We may have to take a different route if we run into any Germans."

"Yes Sir." Kovac responded. Scanning the area as the jeep ate up the miles, they had covered twenty of the sixty miles to King Company when he noticed movement from the West. Squinting to focus he caught the Sun reflecting off of glass or metal, he couldn't tell what it was but it seemed to be moving. "LT, I think we have company, to the West, something is coming this way but I can't make it out, it's too far."

Scanning the road to the West the LT caught the movement. "I think you should step on the gas Private, keep moving straight ahead."

Hanley checked his carbine as he spoke and grabbed one of the packs from the backseat, rummaging through it til he found a couple of grenades, placing them beside his hip, he put the pack down next to his feet. The vehicle moving toward them didn't have the speed of the jeep and if Kovac kept his foot down they would easily out run it. Hopefully they would be able to pull off into the trees a short distance from their current position and let the vehicle pull ahead so that they could see who it was.

The pursuit vehicle was still trailing behind five miles later.

"Kovac, slow it down just a notch…get as close to the trees as you can." Hanley ordered.

"What do you have in mind Sir?" Kovac spared a quick glance in the LT's direction.

"Soon as we're near the tree line, I'm going to hop out and hide among the trees, when our friends back there pass by…I'm going to lob a few of these." Hanley balanced two grenades in his left hand. "When you hear the explosions pull off the road, I'll make sure they can't follow."

"Then what, Sir." Kovac asked.

"I'll head in your direction." Hanley responded.

They were fast approaching the point Hanley wanted to reach, glancing in the side views, Kovac slowed down just enough to let the LT out. Catching Hanley's eyes for a brief moment. "Be careful LT."

Hanley held the Privates gaze, with a quick nod he grabbed the carbine and his pack then disappeared into the trees.

As the other vehicle approached the LT could see it was a German troop carrier, besides the driver and passenger there were six additional soldiers in the bed, two of them were standing...leaning against the cab with rifles pointed ahead. {probably trying to get within range before they open fire on the jeep.} Once the truck moved past his position, Hanley pulled the pin on one of the grenades and tossed it among the soldiers in the back, watching as one of the Germans tried to reach it, yelling at his comrades, not giving the Germans time to react he tossed the other hitting the ground when the first one went off followed a few seconds later by the other.

Not taking time to see how many soldiers were down, Hanley stood quickly, keeping the trees between himself and the damaged vehicle. As the soldiers tried to get away from the fire and smoke Hanley took them down one by one, then the gasoline tank on the truck blew. The LT moved further in the trees, protecting himself from any flying debris, a few minutes later...hearing no sounds, Hanley quietly approached the wreckage. Smoke bellowed from the engine compartment and a few small fires remained in the bed, keeping the carbine ready he checked the bodies, taking count as he did...eight men total, no survivors. Hanley heard a vehicle approaching from the direction Kovac had driven, stepping into the trees he wait to make sure is was the Private.

When Kovac heard the second explosion he made a quick U-turn, heading back to where he had left the LT, he was several yards away when he heard the report of Hanley's carbine firing several shots. In the silence that followed, Kovac wasn't sure if the plan had worked or not, he caught sight of smoke then he saw the wreckage, coming to a stop he grabbed his rifle and slowly approached the burning vehicle.

When Lt. Hanley could tell it was Kovac returning he stepped out of the trees and walked toward him.

"You alright Sir?" Kovac asked as he scanned the LT features.

"I'm fine." Hanley said as he stepped beside the other man. "You were supposed to stay put Kovac."

"I know, Sir but I thought you might need some help." Looking over what used to be a truck and catching sight of a few bodies lying around he caught the Lt's eyes. "You took them all out?" Kovac asked quietly.

"I didn't give them much of a chance Private." Hanley said "We better get going, in case there's any more German's heading this way."

"Yes Sir," Kovac said watching as Hanley moved toward their ride.

When both men were back in the jeep Kovac hit the switch and they continued toward King Company.