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Post by Daniel Steinert on May 10, 2010 20:23:54 GMT -5
The air was fresh, the birds chirping, and the tanks roaring. It was some sort of demonstration to higher up officers. Some point that needed proving that was only known to Generals. Any how half of the entire 1st armored division and elements of others were mobilized for the "War Games." It was to be a huge scale mock up of combat between 1/2 of the 1st armored versus elements of the airborne and infantry divisions in nearby. The playing field was 150 square miles of English countryside. It had hills, forests, rivers, and anything Western Europe would contain including a village which had been bombed by the Luftwaffe and deserted.
Daniel was atop his M3 Stuart and his squad around him. The 1st was in a formation with two columns in the center with medium armor, trucks with infantry, jeeps, and howitzers. Daniel and his men were on the outer edges as recon elements comprising of his Stuart, a scout car, and a halftrack. There was also a jeep with four MP's which would call "hits". "Even though we got blanks and MP's, this will be nothing like real combat." thought Daniel. He looked around and saw anticipation on the replacement's faces. There were so many after the heavy casualties they took in Africa.
"Alright, I know this isn't real but I want you to treat it as if it were, this will show me what you have learned and what you need to improve on, got it?" "Yes sarge!" he heard in unison. "Good." Daniel had different thought though: "If were facing off against airborne and infantry, than this must be a test if they can hold against a German counter attack and we must be the Germans. That means they are planning to invade Europe somewhere and the airborne will be involved. Interesting"
"Uh, sarge we got some high ground coming up, looks like it is a perfect vantage point." said private Grudier, a veteran of Africa. "Alright, I want 1st squad moving up with the halftrack to take the left side of this hill, 2nd (Daniel's squad) to move up the center with the Stuart, and 3rd with the scout car along the right side, the flanks will converge up the back once they meet up and sweep the sides." said a young 2nd LT.
Daniel saw MP's dismount and split up, on to each squad and one staying with the jeep. There were also large amounts of spotting planes. "Must be them generals, or more MP's" thought Daniel. "Alright lock and load, they are up there, that's how you should treat every hill." Every man jammed blanks into his M1 and the Stuart started crawling up the hill. "No bayonets, no knives, just blanks. Move up!"
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Post by Harry Hamilton on Jul 9, 2010 19:07:41 GMT -5
Today, the 1st Armored Division and the Airborne were conducting a mock battle. When Harry had gotten the memo, he'd realized that something was going to happen. A demonstration of this scale only meant one thing and one thing only--they were going into combat soon. He hadn't fought since his transfer to the 1st Armored. After getting wounded in North Africa he'd been reassigned, as was customary for wounded soldiers, and had become the executive officer of 3rd platoon, Baker Company. He'd spent the past few months training the men for combat. Most of them were teenage replacements who'd never seen combat. There were a few veterans but not many. The last time the platoon had seen action it had taken many casualties. This training exercise would be important for both him and the men. It would be a test for both parties--would he be a good leader under fire? Would they trust him and follow his orders? He was still thinking about all this when their convoy reached the field. The English countryside was beautiful. The sylvan landscape seemed to stretch out for miles. Someday, when this thing is over, I'm going to find some place like this and live the rest of my life in peace--if I'm lucky enough to survive. The trucks let them off near a hill Daniel Steinert and his squad were climbing. Harry observed them briefly before looking towards the forest. "Alright, men, our orders are patrol the woods over there for prisoners. Stay low and stick with the man beside you. In a real combat situation these woods could be crawling with Krauts, so stay alert. Move out!" The platoon leader started into the forest slowly, his blue eyes alert. ( OOC: Hope it's okay for me to join--no one had replied, and I didn't know if it was open or not. )
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Post by Wiktor Boguslaw on Jul 11, 2010 9:00:06 GMT -5
2nd Lieutenant Wiktor Boguslaw found himself sitting in one of the numerous staff cars of the 1st Armored, as it gently drove down the English countryside. Although it appeared to be more of a leisure activity, Wiktor did indeed have work to do that morning. There was a “war game” set for that day, and his division was asked to be present and perform in the event. Wiktor agreed to this, although he knew he really had no choice, and now he was driving to the designated land where the “war game” was to be held. He was going observe how his division would perform, and see what needed to be improved, and what was already doing fine. He knew this would provide good experience for his men, as his division had seen very little combat in the war so far.
Of the officers in his division, the only ones he knew would be present would be Sergeant Daniel Steinert and Sergeant Harry Hamilton. Wiktor knew that Daniel had experienced plenty of combat in Europe from his previous assignment in the 101st Airborne. He had also fought in Africa for awhile with the previous commander of the division, Walter Gunther, before he relieved himself of command. Harry however, as far as to Wiktor’s knowledge, hadn’t seen much action, and indeed he hadn’t experienced battle since being assigned to the 1st armored. So this would be his first time experiencing some type of action with the elements of an armored division. This made Harry one of the main people Wiktor would be watching in this “war game.” Wiktor would observe how he handled his squad, and how he himself reacted when under fire. Wiktor had good hopes for Harry however; he seemed like a good soldier and was almost certain he would perform exceptionally.
Trapped in these thoughts, Wiktor did not notice that his car had arrived at the destination, a large hill that provided the best vantage point of the entire area designated for this event. Wiktor climbed out of the car and thanked the driver, who immediately drove off back to the 1st armored’s base. Wiktor took a deep breath of the fresh morning air, taking a moment to relax. However he was called to attention by a siren that alerted that the “war game” would start in five minutes. Wiktor climbed the hill with ease; it wasn’t very steep, and arrived at the observation platform on top. There were already a group of assembled men present, some from other armored divisions present, some from the other divisions present, and some VIP’s that were allowed to view this training exercise. Wiktor climbed up to the top of the platform and exchanged greetings with a few of the gathered officers. He then took a position on the platform which allowed him to view the side of the area where his division would be starting.
A private walked up to him, one of the soldiers that was stationed on guard next to the platform, and greeted Wiktor while he handed him a pair of binoculars to view the event. Wiktor thanked him and placed the binoculars on the railing next to him. He stood there admiring the countryside until the siren once again went off, this time starting the “war game”. Wiktor grabbed the binoculars and studied there side of the field, and quickly saw his forces. There was a main column of armor that was combined from other armored divisions present. Wiktor then viewed the right flank of the column, and at once saw Steinert’s Stuart tank, showing that he was present in that area. While watching this recon group, they began mobilizing around and on top of a hill, no doubt a move to get a higher vantage point on the enemy. This was a good move, and also gave Steinert a defensive location if they were attacked.
Wiktor then noticed a platoon next to the recon group, and noticed that this was Hamiliton’s platoon, and at once looked around for the Sergeant. He found him taking point in the platoon, as they began moving through a forest, not that far away from Steinert and his hill. Wiktor now having located both his officers set the binoculars down, ready to watch as the spectacle unfolded.
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Post by Daniel Steinert on Jul 11, 2010 13:42:03 GMT -5
As The half track drove around the left flank, and the scout car around the right, the Stuart began crawling up the hill at a reasonable angle that would be an easy assent for the Stuart. The top of the hill was very suspicious in that it had trees that blocked line of sight and there was a low stone wall. From what Daniel could see, the rest of the hill had okay cover with large rocks, scattered trees, and a bombed out farm house. "Private Benson I want you up on the .50 providing over watch for the squad, keep your eyes open for movement and don't hesitate to fire. Grudier and Richards, get in that house and provide over watch as well." Daniel tapped on the tank and the commander popped out: "Sgt. Point, you see the enemy you fire with everything you have but watch out for friendlies, we got the red armbands so don;t you forget it." "eye sir" said Sgt. point, and with that he buttoned down the hatch and Pvt. Benson got on the 50 mounted on the turret. "You two with me, were going up the hill, cover to cover. Everyone, safeties off!"
Daniel got out his BC 611 hand radio that he was given as he was a recon element. He contacted 1st and 3rd squad and instructed that if either one reaches the top of the hill and does not encounter enemies, then to use red smoke to indicate that 2nd squad should not engage the hill. If there was enemies, and the combined force of 1st and 3rd were to use a flare gun to indicate that they were up there and should watch their fire, Daniel himself instructed Pvt. Pawlowski to use his own flare gun to signal their own presence .Daniel was also contacting the company commander when the hill erupted in small arms fire. "Get ready!" The flash from a .30 cal machine gun appeared and with that the battle begun.
MP's were taking notes and observing every second that passed. The Stuart let loose with it's 37mm cannon, .50 machine gun, and hull mounted.30 cal machine gun. Daniel's base of fire from the house also opened up. "Johnson, Draper: Move to the cover, get out of the Goddamn open!!!." The inexperience of the new troops was applauding. Pvt. Johnson got to cover immediately behind a large rock, but Pvt. Draper froze up. "Dammit, your a few feet from that tree and ditch" thought Daniel. "Covering fire!!!" Daniel sprinted the short distance to the frozen private and knocked him down harder than intended, but at least he was in cover now. "Fire on the enemy and stay in cover!" Daniel was able to snap Pvt. Draper out of his trance and he saw him load and fire his weapon just like he was trained to do. But then an MP came up and wrote out a slip and gave it to Pvt. Draper: KIA. He looked and Daniel and said: "that was close, but you are fine."
At this point Daniel had no idea what 1st and 3rd squad's conditions were so he had to assume they were pinned down because the man at the top of the hill were still firing, less than before, but still firing. "Johnson, Pawlowski as soon as the smoke builds we assault the top of the hill, move to the low wall and keep your heads down. Once there toss one grenade each and lay down as much fire as possible. Daniel yelled back to the two men in the house: "once we toss the grenades, come up to the wall and lay down fire." Then Daniel tried to contact 1st and 3rd with the radio, but to no luck. He then contacted Sgt. Point in the Stuart: "You will advance up to the wall after everyone has made it, until then you will spray covering fire over our heads, and until you make it to the wall, don't use the cannon, the MP's will call it if you do." Daniel pulled the pin and tossed his smoke grenade and waited for the smoke to build.
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Post by Harry Hamilton on Jul 13, 2010 20:37:31 GMT -5
Everything was quiet save for the sound of machine guns and small-arms fire in the distance behind them. Probably Daniel's squad, Harry assumed. As they headed deeper into the forest the noise faded completely. It was too quiet for Harry's taste. He kept a lookout and ordered his men to stay alert as well as they kept walking. Harry heard a rustling of leaves and signaled for his men to stop and get down. He held his hand up and listened. "Safeties off.." he whispered to his men. The enemy was close. He could hear footsteps. As if on cue, a paratrooper leapt out of the bushes and began firing blanks at them. "Move! Find cover, now!" Harry barked, diving behind a tree. The men did as they were told as more paratroopers advanced from the trees. "Open fire!" he ordered. From his position behind a tree, Harry set up his bipod and lay prone, aiming the BAR at the incoming paratroopers. He selected the automatic setting with the Fire Selector Lever and held down the trigger. His men followed suit, opening fire with their M1 Garands from concealed positions. An MP began handing slips to the men from the other group, indicating who had gotten hit. The "survivors" began to retreat in a leapfrog motion--one man would cover his buddy as he ran, and then they would switch roles. "Cease fire!" Harry shouted once the last paratrooper had fled. He stood up and looked over the platoon. I haven't lost a man, he realized, as the MP's hadn't handed them any slips. Unfortunately, I can't say it'll stay that way when we get in a real fight. "Excellent job, men. All of you did a great job. You followed orders and you stayed calm under fire. Were any of you scared?" Each man shook his head. Harry smiled. "That's good. It's not a real battle, but it's okay to be scared--it's alright to be scared during real combat. Any man who says he's not is either dead or a damn liar." He allowed the men to take this in before continuing, "Let's get moving--there's probably more of them up ahead. Move out!" BAR at his hip, Harry led the platoon after the paratroopers. They didn't meet up with them until they reached an open field outside the woods. They stopped just before entering the field. Harry ordered his men to get down before climbing silently up a tree. Two Browning .30 caliber machine guns were set up on two seperate hills overlooking the field. One was aimed to the left, and the other to the right. When fired, anything in the middle would get decimated. In addition to this, there were about 30 or so infantrymen stationed about the area. He descended the tree and turned to his men. "Simmons, I want you up in that tree firing down at those soldiers over there. Daniels, you get in the other tree and fire at the ones next to that gun. Wait for my order before you fire." The two men each replied with "Yes sir!" before getting into position. Harry then divided the rest of the platoon into two. Half of then were to go with Private Ernest Stiles ( a veteran of the North African campaign ) and attack the gun on the right while the rest went with Harry to take the second gun. "Remember, heads down, and take cover when possible. When we're out in that field remember to keep moving. Don't just stand and shoot." Harry instructed the men. He took his squad and yelled, "Follow me!" urging them forward as they ran across the field. He could hear the machine gun fire and he started firing his BAR from the hip at a group of paratroopers to the left of the gun. "Open fire!" The two men he'd stationed up in the trees started firing down at the parachute infantry in the field. The paratroopers were taken by surprise, having been preoccupied with Harry and his squad. Harry crouched and fired a volley of shots at the troopers. He was in the line of sight of the machine gun on the right, but Stiles and his squad were drawing its fire away from him, giving him the chance to take out the ten paratroopers to the left of the other machine gun. He ordered his men to toss their grenades ( which, for this exercise, were harmless smoke grenades ) at the gun and attack the group of paratroopers. He then led his men to the left flank of the gun and aimed at the two men manning it, firing warning shots into the air to indicate point-blank hits. They'd successfully captured the machine gun. Behind them and to their left was another squad of 10 paratroopers who began to charge up the hill. One of Harry's men, a replacement by the name of Fred Jennings, sprinted forward and knelt, firing his Garand. An MP marked him as killed. "The rest of you hold your ground! We'll let them come to us." He crouched and fixed his BAR on the troopers. "Now!" The hill erupted with fire. Several of the paratroopers were 'killed' and three surrendered. He ordered six of his men to guard them while he took the others to reinforce Stiles. He led them across the field to Stiles' squad and fired on the remaining six paratroopers ( four had been labeled as KIA ). Stiles's squad had lost two men--Williams and Bishop. Once they had subdued the enemy, the MP's marked the two hills as taken by Harry's platoon. "You all fought well, men. I know that you'll show as much skill that you've shown here in a real battle." Harry then faced the three rendered KIA. "Jennings, I appreciate your spirit, but we're not here to try and be heroes--we're here to do a job, and we have to work as a team. It was just a game, today, but showing off will result in you getting killed." The other two men had been shot down by machine gun fire. "Remember, if there's no cover to speak of, get down and stay prone, but keep moving! You'll be a lot harder to hit if you're on the ground as opposed to standing up." He looked at all of his men before saying, "I don't ask for you to be heroes--I just ask for you to be good soldiers. If you do that, then you have made your country proud."
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