World War Two RPG

As Sergeant Cress makes his way to what he is told is the Company command post he sees Lieutenant Turnbull with a few other NCOs and another officer in tow heading towards the Company assembly are. Cress decides to follow the procession and talk to the other NCOs to get an idea where they are going. But as soon as he asks, the Lieutenant calls out, "Dog Company gather 'round!" The men get up from relaxing, napping, cleaning, and eating and filter into an area around the CO with in loose groups as they stick with their platoons. Turnbull takes a look around at the assembled men noting faces. "All right, lets get focused on what we need to do. Objective Y," he starts pushing some rocks around on the ground in the path you are standing on. "is located not too far from our rally point here." He begins placing some used K-rat boxes on the ground. "Gents, we had time for the formal briefs, time for the down and dirty skinny. Colonel Gorham wants those pillboxes," he points at the rocks, "neutralized come dawn. Dog Company is going to lead the battalion assault. on them. These are critical, we all know why, the rest of the Army isn't going to be able to move on the roads north of Gela with these guys still operating unopposed. Dog Company will be the main opposition tonight."

He points at the Breakfast box, "You eat breakfast like a king right? Second Platoon will lead the assault off as kings, gents, its frontal anyway you look at it. So we need to move hard an' fast." He pushes the breakfast box at two rocks on the left end of the line, he then puts his boot next to the dinner box,

"3rd platoon will be a feint to draw fire from the pillboxes interlocking fire with the ones we are tasked to destroy. If it can be pulled off and Sergeant Williams, in command will make the call, they will become a flanking force as well after second makes it tenable for them to assault. They will be the princes."

He picks up the Supper box. "We eat supper like paupers. 1st Platoon is hit hard. Sergeant Marks will be told by me when to commit to either first or second, or to move in and support if we manage to take a pillbox out. After we make a chink in the line, Dog may well shift and eliminate other positions."

"Weapons," he tosses a D-ration bar on the ground. "will support with their one remaining thirty cal and will put smoke down. We lucked out, we got our mortars, but only a few smoke rounds and not too many HE. Sergeant Peters, the mortars are at your discretion, make sure you use them when you need to. Lieutenant Mitchell you can have that bar when we're done here." This elicits some laughs from the men.

"Order of march to the objective is the same as the attack. Second will be point for the entire battalion, so make sure you boys stay alert. Don't fall asleep out there."

"Any questions?"

Ryker steps up to LT Turnball, "Any intel on what we are up against as to German troops, and second, would you be against some kind of distraction from the first or second squad? To draw the pill box gunners away from the left or right flank of where either of the squads will go for the main assault?"

Ryker looks around for Cress

"What do you think, sound reasonable??"

"Sounds fine by me Bill." Sgt. Cress joins Bill and Lt. Turnball. "I can put Orbell and, if you wouldn't mind loaning me, Newbiggin's teams on ore, or both, the flank to spray the embrasure with as much fire as possible. I got four other riflemen. I can put two on Cpl. Bynum with Newbiggin and the other two with myself and Orbell's team. Then while the Krauts have they hands full with dodging MG fire Bill can take his squad up to the Pillbox and roll in a few grenades. If we could use the mortars to lay down fire that would be very helpful as well." The whole time Frank had been squatting down next to Lt. Turnball's 'map' and down lines to suggest the strategy. "Anything I miss?"

"Fubar already you think Frank?" Ryker comments to Frank while still looking into the LT's eyes

"OK, lets get this done, smoke on the pillbox openings, then say alternating frog jump moves by both squads cover firing the other up to the pillbox (from the left for 1st squad, and right for second squad), then we can get a Bazooka round, as well as grenades in there. IF they have some heavy MG support in their, we're screwed I think. Just make sure those smoke rounds hit home, otherwise my squad will wait until the next mortar round comes through on target. Good enough for you LT? Frank, anything to add here?"

"Sorry to say, but the Lieutenant's plan with the other platoons providing covering fire makes the most sense to me. My previous example combined with your leapfrogging and the Lieutenant's smoke would work. One platoon covering from the left and the other from the right. We give each one of our MG's since they are too much to carry during an assault. We go leap frog, one through the other, not side-by-side, which provides less direct cover. Putting smoke on the embrasure would draw unneeded fire from the Germans firing blindly to the front. It is better off in the middle like the Lieutenant says. It will drift towards the embrasures instead of over the top of the pillbox, giving us cover longer. How does that sound sir?"

"hey buddy, I call em' like I see em'......Has anyone checked the wind direction yet, if so I hav'nt heard a word on it!! As to not listening, I did so, and as we were trained, if you see other options that may be viable, you need to speak up, don't ya think, it could save lives, as well as reach the objective compared to what we are dealing with now."

Ryker

"Frank, we need to assault ON THE LEFT SIDE of the pillbox, AND on the right, get it, we mash two squads together on the same side and we will have problems. We need to split the Germans fire, so it is not so concentrated!! That is where we need the smoke, from the left side, and the right. Meanwhile the supporting squads can fire frontally at the pillbox before the smoke rounds hit, it could confuse them for those critical seconds while we get the Bazooka into range and take a shot, as well as those grenades!!"

"First squad listen up, gear up and head to the left hand side of the pillbox just over the that rise about 1500 yards?? away, but don't be seen just yet."

"Frank, did you want the Bazooka team with you or maybe along with me?"

Ryker talking to the support squads

"30 cal needs to set up and fire just before we go in and before the smoke is fired for both sides, remember guys shoot at the front of the pillbox and not to the left or right!!"

"Come on Bill. The point of the two platoons firing from either side is to keep their heads down while we move up and finish them off." By leap frogging over top of each other we provide better cover up the center." Frank breaks away and walks over towards his squad.

"2nd Squad on your feet were moving out. Weapons and ammo only. Put a few K-Rations in your pockets but that's it. Head Quarters will bring the rest up. Smoke if you got them we leave in five." Pulling Jaime aside he gives him the lowdown, "We're moving up the center leap frogging with first squad. First and Third Platoon will provide suppressing fire. We move hard and fast up the center and toss in some grenades. No heroics, I don't need to be sending your parents a telegram. Make sure that canteen is full....with water not boose. How's that sound?"

"better to be safe than sorry on our first live fire OP, but time will tell Cress" Ryker comments to Franks back while he walks away"

What the hell, Ryker thinks, I said my peace, so if the bodies start coming in, we will see, I guess I will have West come with me and his loader, I won't lack for firepower at least.

"Hey West, are ya looking for some action with first squad?" Bill grins at West "and what about your loader Miller? Are you guys ready to get into the war yet?"

"The same goes for you Sgt. I better not have to send your parents a telegram. All due respect. Have a drink."
He hands Sgt. Cress the bottle of wine and sarcastically says, " Drink as much as you want. The more you drink, the more water I can fit in my canteen."

" Na Jaime" Ryker laughs "save that for after our little battle, then we can all enjoy a drink of fine wine, or what passes for it, ya know buddy?"

"You can do what ever you want with the wine you find Bill!" Sgt. Cress takes the bottle from Bynum's out stretched hand and takes a swig and grimaces. "Oh Lord that's bitter. What kind of wine you drink down south that makes this stuff so good. You can have it back."

"Well now I guess we wait until the Captain says that it is time to head out. In the mean time," Cress unslings his M1 and works the chamber. "we might as well make sure we are ready."

Awkwardly grabbing the few unused rounds out of the firing chamber Cress tossed them on the ground and pulled a fresh clip out of his pockets. He inserted the clip and closed the chamber before returning the rifle to his shoulder.

" Well back home we spice it up a little bit with some of ol' pappy's shine. It makes it a whole lot better that way. If only we could have found some 'Hellwater' instead of this ol' wine." He says to Sgt. Cress while inspecting his gear and his weapon. " Why heck if I had some of pappy's 'Hiawasee Hellwater' it'd keep us from getting sick and we could keep these weapons cleaner than when they was issued."