The War Diaries - Chapter 5
The lieutenant finally goes into a battle. He meets a new companion and gets into a sticky situation.
So next chapter. I am sorry it takes me time to write. I am very slow.
Chapter 3 comments
@ Xara: Thanks
Chapter 4 comments:
@ Faith K: No probs and yeah you do encourage me to write. Yes I find a lack of war novels. Tom Clancy is alright not my favorite but still great. And yes they are I made it so.
July 15th 1944, 2230 hours, St Lo
After five days of traveling we reached the outskirts of a city called St. Lo. According to brass, it is an important village and must be captured. We heard of our allies from Patton's 3rd army, XIX corps (19th corps) is getting a bad beat and finally we are being assigned to an army group. We were an independent army group before. From that Moment on, we are E platoon in C Company of 96th battalion of the 6th brigade 3rd division. But for now were referred to as Easy platoon.
Back on the 11th before left, we received 15 reinforcements. I could proudly say that I was in command of 45 young tough men, ready to go into battle. But now joining our Corps, I see how small of a force we are. The men heard stories of battle inside St. Lo and the new ones were a bit apprehensive. The older guys were less anxious being in 1 or 2 battles already. The drive took four days even though it was in a very short distance. But finally we got there.
We set up our tent at our designated location. It was perfect we were close to the forest and close to the city so that we got front row seats to the carpet bombing that was leveling the city. One particular night, a squadron or planes come over our positions and dropped their usual load of bombs. This time though something was very strange. The bombs did not seem to be closer to the city but to us!
- "Move back!! Fall back!! Bombs are being dropped on us!! Retreat into the forest!" I scream to my platoon.
- "Why though I see no bombs..." says Lenny
- "Look to the sky! Do you see that black stuff falling! Those are called bombs! Now move unless you want to stay here eternally (dead)!"
- "Oh! Shoot! Okay I'm out of here" says Lenny
I look around to see if anyone was left. Most of my platoon was gone but I saw through a tent someone sitting and reading a book. I go in and I see Solomon Praying inside the tent!
- Solomon! Get the hell out of here! The bombs are dropping on us!!!
Bomb started to rain down on us! With big booms, each bomb shook the ground like a ferocious earthquake. We both get out of the tent and started running like the wind. Faster and faster trying to get out of the "Red Zone" it was a pain. The once clear sea of green was now a big mush of brown. Craters in the ground as big as swimming pools back at home. Gee, home was really far away. But no! I can't stop to daydream we need to get out right away!
Bomb seems to get closer every time we start zigzagging to avoid them as much as possible. We finally reached the forest and the safety of the trees. I find a foxhole and jump into it. There was already a guy inside this trench.
- "Cor Blimey mate! What are ye doing in my Foxhole! Find yer own you dirty private." Says the man.
He was a small muscular guy he looked like a professional boxer. He looked quite funny crunched in a foxhole. But he had just insulted me and I won't have any of it.
- Mate I'm a lieutenant in the American army! You will treat me as one or I will have you on charge! What is your platoon and where are they! I said
- "I am a sniper for the General Leslie McNair. When the bombs started dropping in front of us one hit our tent and killed everyone inside of it except for me so I ran for it. Damn it those crazy Jackasses at the 8th air force they think that they are gods! If I get hold of one... "
- "That is enough Private. We are Easy company part of Patton's 3rd army if you would like to join us you can. I need another foreigner companion too many Americans here."
- "Ha-ha! I shall join you seeing as I am the only one left. I can be a supporting sniper for you. My name is George Benson. Lance corporal Benson."
- Well then Lance corporal Benson. Welcome to the platoon. We are Easy Company.
After our brief introduction and his quick and easy induction into the platoon we got out and retreated to the others. While approaching the platoon we heard shouts of joy and relief. I guess they were happy for their lieutenant to be finally with them. I did a quick headcount and counted one person missing. Solomon was still stuck in the forest. I decided not to end their happiness now and break the news to them during supper.
I went back to battalion headquarters to report the news and inform then on our loss and my idea for a search and rescue mission. The Major look up at me expressionless and said:
- "Son, I see your determination to keep your platoon together. You may try and find him tonight only. Tomorrow the XIX corps which includes us being sent into St. Lo. Good luck soldier. I hope you get your man back. Dismissed.
At that moment, I go back to the platoon who was eating in silence. I broke the news to them.
- Easy platoon! Pay attention! Tonight at 2300 hours we are going to set out and try and find Solomon Levi. This is a search and rescue mission so only your weapons and survival kit will be needed. Oh and bring some medical supplies. Meet me right here at 2245 hours on the dot! Not a second late.
At 2245 hours we all met at mess hall which was situated right outside the forest. At 2300 we went out into the unknown, black and dense forests of France. We walked slowly making as little noise as possible not to wake the Germans. On the German sides I felt like there was a lot of activity. Flares were being thrown into the air and random bursts of machine gun fire came from the fortress city. Using small flares, we see the devastation of our bombs. The trees were torn into a million little wood chips; the ground had holes the size of the moon in them. It was hell on earth.
Suddenly I hear German voices talking I could make out what they were saying:
- "Ich höre Amerikaner." Says one
- "Wir werden hinterhalt sofort bereit!" said another
- "German ambush! Get down!" I shout
At that moment I hear shouting from the Germans and the familiar sound of rifle fire. My men responded with our Thompson sub-machine guns, M1 Garand's and Browning Automatic rifles. We seem to have the upper hand as they were only a few and we were 32 men strong. I decide that there is no point to lose men to this kind of battle so I make a plan
"Ok men listen." Bullets fly over my head "We will attempt a flanking maneuver I will take 10 to the left, Sergeant Thomas, take another group of 10 to the right and Sarge will attack from the front. Ok George Benson I want you to come with me. Take up a sniper position and show us what you're made of! Ok Break!
I took my 10 men and went to the right. We say the battle ensuing on the front line. I had Curtis, Philips, Benson and 7 other men. Benson and a guy took up sniper position 20 meters in back of us. The rest of us went forward. We were on the flank of the frontal group when we met our own problem.
A Group of four tiger tanks was rolling right to us.
Chapter 3 comments
@ Xara: Thanks
Chapter 4 comments:
@ Faith K: No probs and yeah you do encourage me to write. Yes I find a lack of war novels. Tom Clancy is alright not my favorite but still great. And yes they are I made it so.
July 15th 1944, 2230 hours, St Lo
After five days of traveling we reached the outskirts of a city called St. Lo. According to brass, it is an important village and must be captured. We heard of our allies from Patton's 3rd army, XIX corps (19th corps) is getting a bad beat and finally we are being assigned to an army group. We were an independent army group before. From that Moment on, we are E platoon in C Company of 96th battalion of the 6th brigade 3rd division. But for now were referred to as Easy platoon.
Back on the 11th before left, we received 15 reinforcements. I could proudly say that I was in command of 45 young tough men, ready to go into battle. But now joining our Corps, I see how small of a force we are. The men heard stories of battle inside St. Lo and the new ones were a bit apprehensive. The older guys were less anxious being in 1 or 2 battles already. The drive took four days even though it was in a very short distance. But finally we got there.
We set up our tent at our designated location. It was perfect we were close to the forest and close to the city so that we got front row seats to the carpet bombing that was leveling the city. One particular night, a squadron or planes come over our positions and dropped their usual load of bombs. This time though something was very strange. The bombs did not seem to be closer to the city but to us!
- "Move back!! Fall back!! Bombs are being dropped on us!! Retreat into the forest!" I scream to my platoon.
- "Why though I see no bombs..." says Lenny
- "Look to the sky! Do you see that black stuff falling! Those are called bombs! Now move unless you want to stay here eternally (dead)!"
- "Oh! Shoot! Okay I'm out of here" says Lenny
I look around to see if anyone was left. Most of my platoon was gone but I saw through a tent someone sitting and reading a book. I go in and I see Solomon Praying inside the tent!
- Solomon! Get the hell out of here! The bombs are dropping on us!!!
Bomb started to rain down on us! With big booms, each bomb shook the ground like a ferocious earthquake. We both get out of the tent and started running like the wind. Faster and faster trying to get out of the "Red Zone" it was a pain. The once clear sea of green was now a big mush of brown. Craters in the ground as big as swimming pools back at home. Gee, home was really far away. But no! I can't stop to daydream we need to get out right away!
Bomb seems to get closer every time we start zigzagging to avoid them as much as possible. We finally reached the forest and the safety of the trees. I find a foxhole and jump into it. There was already a guy inside this trench.
- "Cor Blimey mate! What are ye doing in my Foxhole! Find yer own you dirty private." Says the man.
He was a small muscular guy he looked like a professional boxer. He looked quite funny crunched in a foxhole. But he had just insulted me and I won't have any of it.
- Mate I'm a lieutenant in the American army! You will treat me as one or I will have you on charge! What is your platoon and where are they! I said
- "I am a sniper for the General Leslie McNair. When the bombs started dropping in front of us one hit our tent and killed everyone inside of it except for me so I ran for it. Damn it those crazy Jackasses at the 8th air force they think that they are gods! If I get hold of one... "
- "That is enough Private. We are Easy company part of Patton's 3rd army if you would like to join us you can. I need another foreigner companion too many Americans here."
- "Ha-ha! I shall join you seeing as I am the only one left. I can be a supporting sniper for you. My name is George Benson. Lance corporal Benson."
- Well then Lance corporal Benson. Welcome to the platoon. We are Easy Company.
After our brief introduction and his quick and easy induction into the platoon we got out and retreated to the others. While approaching the platoon we heard shouts of joy and relief. I guess they were happy for their lieutenant to be finally with them. I did a quick headcount and counted one person missing. Solomon was still stuck in the forest. I decided not to end their happiness now and break the news to them during supper.
I went back to battalion headquarters to report the news and inform then on our loss and my idea for a search and rescue mission. The Major look up at me expressionless and said:
- "Son, I see your determination to keep your platoon together. You may try and find him tonight only. Tomorrow the XIX corps which includes us being sent into St. Lo. Good luck soldier. I hope you get your man back. Dismissed.
At that moment, I go back to the platoon who was eating in silence. I broke the news to them.
- Easy platoon! Pay attention! Tonight at 2300 hours we are going to set out and try and find Solomon Levi. This is a search and rescue mission so only your weapons and survival kit will be needed. Oh and bring some medical supplies. Meet me right here at 2245 hours on the dot! Not a second late.
At 2245 hours we all met at mess hall which was situated right outside the forest. At 2300 we went out into the unknown, black and dense forests of France. We walked slowly making as little noise as possible not to wake the Germans. On the German sides I felt like there was a lot of activity. Flares were being thrown into the air and random bursts of machine gun fire came from the fortress city. Using small flares, we see the devastation of our bombs. The trees were torn into a million little wood chips; the ground had holes the size of the moon in them. It was hell on earth.
Suddenly I hear German voices talking I could make out what they were saying:
- "Ich höre Amerikaner." Says one
- "Wir werden hinterhalt sofort bereit!" said another
- "German ambush! Get down!" I shout
At that moment I hear shouting from the Germans and the familiar sound of rifle fire. My men responded with our Thompson sub-machine guns, M1 Garand's and Browning Automatic rifles. We seem to have the upper hand as they were only a few and we were 32 men strong. I decide that there is no point to lose men to this kind of battle so I make a plan
"Ok men listen." Bullets fly over my head "We will attempt a flanking maneuver I will take 10 to the left, Sergeant Thomas, take another group of 10 to the right and Sarge will attack from the front. Ok George Benson I want you to come with me. Take up a sniper position and show us what you're made of! Ok Break!
I took my 10 men and went to the right. We say the battle ensuing on the front line. I had Curtis, Philips, Benson and 7 other men. Benson and a guy took up sniper position 20 meters in back of us. The rest of us went forward. We were on the flank of the frontal group when we met our own problem.
A Group of four tiger tanks was rolling right to us.
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