Chp. 15: Bridge Hill

January 24, 2005

On Approach to Halle Beach

Lieutenant Colonel Savi Bassoli lifted his goggles as the landing craft slowed. He reached for the plastic cover that protected his MG3 from the elements and fed it the start of its belt. Most of the fighting ahead had moved to either side of his intended landing point; the Eruseans weren't even lobbing that much artillery at the landing craft. Time was turning against them, as the change in tides would start to favor the defenders. With the beaches starting to link up, there was hope that they could secure enough breathing room to get heavy equipment ashore. Bassoli had sailed from the Comona Islands knowing his mission would be dependent on what the initial waves had done. Eventually, the battalion commander had been informed he'd be helping to force a breakout. For his task he'd been given a mechanized task force drawn from units of Brigade Valoroso. The force centered on 1st Tank Battalion, 40th Armored Regiment would consist of two companies of tanks, one of Centauro tank destroyers and one of infantry with Dardo IFVs.

Bassoli scratched his short, graying beard and pulled his collar up a little higher to fight off the cold sea spray. To his relief the boat's ramp started to lower,and one of its crew was on the beach to direct them in. He shielded his helmet's microphone with a hand and keyed the radio.

"Standby to go ashore." He commanded.

His driver, Corporal-Major Campeol, moved the tank forward and brought her onto the damp sand. Bassoli had him go just far enough to give their wingman tank, commanded by company commander Captain Fenzi, room to get ashore. As the sailor ran back towards the landing craft, a man in combat gear ran over to the tanks. Bassoli descended from his tank and met the man, who turned out to be a Lagunari Captain, near the back of the hull.

"Buongiorno, Colonnello. My men and I are elated to see your tanks and IFVs. Captain Giulo Pavesi, Commander of 3rd Company, 18th Lagunari Battalion." He said, making a very quick salute.

"Glad to finally join the battle. I was given few details and told I'd be briefed properly once ashore." Bassoli replied, returning the gesture.

Captain Pavesi unfolded a map and Bassoli dug his out from his anti-spalling vest.

"The southern and central advances have gained a foothold past the Eruseans' main defensive line. However, they've concentrated at least two companies of heavy armor between us and the Aucklins on Crowne Beach. We believe these to be T-80s, with support from heavy mortars and a handful of machine gun bunkers." He explained.

Bassoli traced a finger along the dirt access road that went up the hill. He stood up and peeked over the back of his tank's hull towards their objective. Someone was exchanging tracers with the Cordicovian infantry who'd tried to advance up it. The fire grew in volume, followed by the impact of a few mortar shells. Pavesi joined him and grimaced.

"Looks like they're trying another counterattack." He observed.

"How many have they tried?" Bassoli asked.

"This will be their second."

"Alright, the Centauros attached to my force will be arriving any moment. You can assure me that you'll hold the left flank while we move up the hill?"

"Yes, Colonnello."

Pavesi switched his maps for an AR70/90 and hurried back to the tall grass. As he did, bits of sand leapt up as someone had a bead on the officer. Bassoli hurried up the side of his tank and through the open hatch. One or two bullets bounced harmlessly off the turret of the tank, which prompted Bassoli's gunner to turn the gun in that direction.

"Gunner, see if you can pinpoint that fire. Loader, stick to HEAT rounds for now." He shouted, still in the process of reconnecting his headset.

Sergeant Ventre replied with a quick "roger" as he switched to thermals and raised the main gun. Bassoli got the platoon he was with moving as fast as possible.

"Gunner has a target! Infantry, 900 Meters at our 11 o'clock!" Ventre added.

"Engage!"
"Firing!"

The 120mm weapon recoiled and spat a single HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) at a grouping of infantry. The platoon fanned out with what space it had to engage the Eruseans up the hill. An Erusean from another position fired an M79 Osa at them. Fenzi deployed smoke just before the rocket grazed the back of his hull. A second rocket struck the front of his tank just as Ventre fired back.

"Lanica 6, are you okay?" Bassoli radioed.

"Minor damage, Colonnello; we're moving towards enemy positions. Want to try and get inside the minimum range of their RPGs." his wingman replied.

"We're with you. Lancias 1-1 and 1-2, are you ashore yet?"

"Just got ashore and moved to engage. What's our plan, Colonnello?" Second Lieutenant Tazio Lelli reported.

"Attack up the slope, stick close to the road. Watch for T-90s and bunkers! Clear the way for Puledro and Elefante."

Bassoli's loader, Corporal Araldi, slammed a fresh DM12 HEAT round in as Bassoli and 1st Platoon started towards the road. The Colonel gave Ventre free reign to search for and engage targets. The going was slow for the first handful of minutes as Bassoli waited for his tanks to get ashore. He switched to the fire support channel to see about air support. At the same time, he moved his thermal viewer towards the biggest concentration of muzzle flashes and rocket fire. He hit his rangefinder as he keyed the radio.

"Coniglio 37, this is Gradivus 6, requesting air support against enemy infantry positions, 850 meters from my location! Watch for friendlies near the road to my east." He reported.

"Copy that Gradivus, standby." The backseater aboard an AMX-ATA replied.

Bassoli zoomed out and saw movement at the top of the hill. He tensed and zoomed out, then called the sight out to the others. Ventre requested that his partner queue up a DM33 "Sabot" round for the next shot as he saw antennas and heavy machine guns rising into view. Close to a dozen T-80UD main battle tanks poured over the crest. They weaved through the Erusean positions onto a break in the slope.

"Commander has multiple targets: company-sized enemy force at our front! Range is 890 Meters. Gunner, concentrate on those targets.." He reported.

Bassoli barely caught the man's acknowledgement before he switched to the radio again. The tanks that were ashore spread out as fast as they could, and the Erusean armor seemed to be under the impression that they'd stumbled upon a shooting gallery. Bassoli watched their main guns point every which way. Ventre picked the first one he could get a bead on and fired, aiming for the Erusean's thermal searchlight. The shot struck to the left, but by now Aradli had fed the main gun a new shell. An Erusean shell flashed by, filling the air with an almost demonic hiss. Ventre dropped his aim slightly and pulled the trigger. This time he made contact; the T-80 lurched to a stop and stood still.

Campeol moved to the right, towards the road, with their wingman tank positioned off their right rear quarter. He had to fight with the tank as it traversed the rain-beaten sand, and pray every second or two that they wouldn't get stuck. He moved towards a concrete ramp leading to a parking lot as fast as he could. Ventre lined up another T-80 as it was coming down to the foot of the slope It took additional fire from the friendly troops placed up and down the road, enough to disable one of its tracks. Ventre took the chance to ensure its death with another DM33.

"Lanica 6, what's your status?" Bassoli asked.

"One of the landing craft was hit, Gradivus 6. At least two tanks knocked out, another two got close enough to get ashore." Fenzi reported.

"Gradivus 6, this is Puledro 6. We're one minute from landing, but under heavy fire. Please cover us!" The commander of Bassoli's Centauros spoke up.

"Understood Puledro, we'll do what we can. Coniglio 37, do you have air support for us yet?"

"Copy that, Gradvius 6, we've a flight of attack aircraft inbound. We're directing them to hit the left flank of the enemy advance." the AMX replied quickly.

Bassoli checked his perescopes as the two sides exchanged another round of shots. He saw Lieutenant Lelli's tank take a direct hit to the front of the turret and stumble. His wingman fired back, allowing them to keep up with the pace. As they reached the berm, he ordered the entire platoon to slow down.

"Gradvius 6, this is Sirena 11, we're committing to the attack at this time. Stay clear." Someone said; Bassoli assumed it was their air support.

He turned his viewfinder to the west as two Cordicovian Navy Harriers entered their attack runs from well off shore. Each fired an AGM-65G Maverick, then circled around and fired another. Bassoli saw the missiles as they struck the slowly advancing T-80s on his far left. Both came to a halt as Ventre's first kill was brewing up. He ordered more smoke launched to cover their move onto the parking lot.

"All Lanica elements, form a defensive line at the base of the parking lot ramp by my position. Use the terrain for cover until we can establish numerical superiority. Cover the follow-on landing craft." He radioed.

Campeol brought the Ariete to a stop on his commander's signal. The remaining two platoons of Erusean tanks started forward again to close the gap. What Bassoli assumed was a command tank pulled back and fired a few more rounds at the incoming landing craft. The mortars supporting the Eruseans took over that job as Ventre turned the gun towards Bassoli's target.

"TC identify! Command tank at 11 o'clock, 700 Meters!"

"On the way!"

The turret rocked, shaking even the bear of a colonel and his rugby-playing loader. Araldi yanked another Sabot round from its rack and fed it into the breech with a growl. As the enemy tanks started down another slope, they exposed more of their tops. Ventre killed one in a single shot that way, which seemed to signal to the others their attack was losing steam. The few remaining tanks deployed smoke and retreated at increasing speed.

"Gradvius 6, Lanica is assembled and ready to move. Puledro is assembling on the beach and should be right behind us." Fenzi spoke up.

"Copy! All Lanica and Puledro units, advance up the slope and establish defensive positions. Don't stop!" Bassoli replied.

The tank took the rest of the ascent like it was nothing, and gained speed as it went for the road. The infantry on the right side stayed down while they passed by and fanned out into the grass beyond. The other six tanks in the force spread out based on that, with the Centauros taking the left to flush out the remaining Erusean infantry. Bassoli opened his hatch and very carefully exposed just enough of himself to reach his MG3. He swung it towards the first tracers he could see and squeezed off several bursts. Araldi switched back to HEAT rounds at his comrade's request, who fired two of them into a concentration of Erusean anti-tank weapons. He went back to Sabot rounds as they crested the hill. Bassoli grabbed the binoculars hanging from his neck and scanned the groups of trees a few hundred meters away. Ventre fired at something in them, so he dropped down to check his thermals. More T-80s emerged from cover, moving towards a line of bunkers near a paved road. The highway, the Colonel guessed.

"Gradvius 6 has spotted another company of heavy armor emerging from nine o'clock, 800 meters away. Enemy positions in the same direction, roughly 750 meters away. Puledro, concentrate fire on those fortifications. Lanica, stay mobile!" He radioed.

"Lanica 6 copies." Fenzi replied over the report of tank guns.

"Puledro 6 copies!" Captain Arico echoed.

Bassoli had the tank swing out a bit further so their frontal armor was all the Eruseans had to shoot at. One of 2nd Platoon's tanks exploded off to the far left as it crested the hill, but its leading tank hooked around it and returned fire. The bunkers offered little more than their machine guns, which did nothing more than cause a knocking sound to echo through the turret. The Centauros made quick work of each.

"Loader, how many shells are left?" He asked.

"We have 18 HEAT shells and 15 Sabot shells left." Araldi replied as he lifted one of the latter.

The tank suddenly slowed and cut to the right, then came back to the left. Bassoli keyed his boom mic, thinking they might have a new threat to deal with.

"Camepol, what was that about?" He demanded.

"Colonello, I see warning signs ahead. There must be a minefield in front of the bunkers." Campeol reported. The Colonel went to his thermals.

"Directly ahead?" He asked.

"Just about."

"Keep moving; those T-80s have to have a way to access this field."

Bassoli reached over and deployed more smoke, coordinating his armor in light of the obstacle. The T-80s advanced steadily in a single line, firing in volleys at the Arietes. Bassoli frantically searched for a way through the mines as they got closer and closer. The Erusean tanks stopped on the other side of the highway and the bunkers and trenches became enveloped in ribbons of gray smoke. Another round just barely missed the tank, and Ventre retaliated by shooting the offending T-80 in the gun mantle.

"Coniglio 37, this is Gradivus 6, do you have any additional air support available?" Bassoli asked.

"Gradivus, Sirena 11 and 12 have enough ordinance for 1 or 2 more attacks. Be advised that we have reports of enemy aircraft inbound." the AMX replied. He ordered them to be committed immediately.

"Gradivus, Colonello, Puledro can move to flank those T-80s. They're concentrating almost exclusively on you." Arico declared.

"Keep your distance, Puledro; friendly aircraft are moving to attack enemy armor. IF you intend to push, push after they've pulled off." Bassoli instructed.

The Colonel decided to use the rest of his smoke grenades to keep up their cover. He went back and forth with the AMX until they determined who was where. The Harriers moved towards the beach this time, ascending and rolling over from the southeast. They dropped two Mk.82 general-purpose bombs each on the tanks and pulled off. Whatever the effects, Arico's tank destroyers moved inland and came around from the rear. Bassoli clenched his jaw as the Captain stormed in with little forethought. He rose from his cupola and wrapped a hand around his MG again.

"All Lanica elements, push forward. Find lanes through that minefield." He ordered.

They emerged from the smoke, and Bassoli opened fire on the remains of one of the bunkers. One Erusean emerged with an M79 on his shoulder, but it was futile. He looked to where the T-80s were and saw several pillars of black smoke intermingled with flames. He raised his binoculars again, looking for the signs that Campeol had spotted. He spotted one, along with random stakes forming a path towards the road.

"Driver, adjust your approach! I think we have a path forward at our twelve o'clock." He reported hurriedly.

Bassolli breathlessly changed to the radio to inform the others of the breakthrough. He ordered Campeol to pick up the pace; the less time they spent on a narrow path, the better. He sprayed the trenches as they became evident, despite the fact that they were almost empty. The T-80s were falling back, but still firing. Campeol cut to the right and went for a couple of trees. Ventre engaged one, then another. Camel moved towards the burning hulk of one of the Erusean tanks and used it for some extra protection. Arico's tank destroyers had, miraculously, survived with only some superficial damage.

"Lanica and Puledro, establish a defensive line on the other side of the highway and hold position. Elefante, what's your status?" He ordered as quickly as he could speak.

"First Platoon is disembarking at this time. Estimate another five minutes before we're able to move out in force. Tasso is right behind us." Captain Meazza, commander of his second tank company, replied.

"Understood, make it in less if you can."

Bassoli held tight as his Ariete lurched to a stop. He looked around to get a proper count of how many vehicles he'd lost, and how many the Eruseans had lost. The scene was dotted with a dozen knocked-out T-80s, many with their turrets separated from their hulls. Four of his tanks were intermingled with them, and despite his apprehension Bassoli looked for bodies that needed to be recovered. His radio came to life with a new voice as the Cordicovian line strengthened. It was in Lenish.

"Gradvious 6 this is Bravo 1. We're moving up the hill on your…right flank I believe! Copy, right flank. Moving to link up and establish defensive positions, so watch your fire to the north and northeast."

"Copy that Bravo 1." Bassoli replied in accented Lenish.

He looked in that direction and saw three lines of infantry ascending the slope from Crowne Beach. His attention was drawn elsewhere as a few shots zipped past him. He turned and squeezed the trigger of his MG a few times in response. He got so focused on the new wave of incoming fire, that he didn't notice the shapes appearing from the clouds above. Not until Lelli's wingman tank was wrapped in an explosion…

Leonard hit the ground as two aircraft passed by overhead, leaving chaos in their wake. When he raised his head, he saw several new fires brewing where the Arietes had been. His eyes went to the sky and spotted a pair of Su-25Ks breaking inland. He quickly looked from side to side as troops scrambled for cover. He rolled off the hiking trail and between a pair of shrubs as one of the aircraft came around from a different angle. It passed over, making a short but ineffective gun run. A few of Leonard's fellow Diggers raised their weapons and fired bursts at the jet. The attack aircraft banked left, drawing fire from the RBS teams down on the beach. Leonard urged on the anti-aircraft missiles as he put his radio's handset to his ear.

"Bravo 6, Bravo 1 here. Under fire from enemy Frogfoots, and we can't touch 'em with what we've got! Need help as soon as you can get it!" He said, having to speak louder as the second Sukhoi jet made another run.

"We're aware of the situation, Bravo 1, and working on it! Keep your heads down and don't be an easy target." Major Peterson assured, shaving to compete with the noise too.

Leonard hooked the handset in place just as a fresh pair of Frogfoots appeared from inland. One split to his left, probably to go after the Cordicovian tanks again. It pulled out of its dive before it could fire; Leonard looked around and saw a pair of missiles rising from the sea. The slow Frogfoots had lost the element of surprise, and now anyone who could take a shot at them was happy to do so. He pumped a fist at the help.

"God bless the palm trees and the anti-air guys." He said to himself.

As the words left his mouth, he heard the approach of jet engines. He looked around, but couldn't see the attacking Frogfoot before it fired its cannon at his position. Ironically, that Frogfoot was confronted by a pair of Stinger shoulder-launched missiles near the center of Halle Beach. Like the ones before them, the Su-25s were too low and too slow to effectively defend. Over the radio, one of the RAF Sentries was drumming up proper air cover for the Eruseans' last push to stop the landings.

"Sky Eye to any available aircraft. All aircraft to the central beach now. Shoot down any incoming aircraft."