Post by Wilhelm Schlegal on Jan 17, 2010 6:21:53 GMT
Date: June 1944, a few days after the first landings...
Location: 3 miles outside Utah Beach
Weather: Cloudy, no chance of rain
The bogage, that's what the French called dense forests and hedgerows. They were a pain in the ass, not for the Germans, but for the Americans. The Allies had begun their invasion of Festung Europa, completely catching the Germans off guard. German intel believed that they would invade at the Pas De Calais, thus concentrating their forces at that area. It was interesting, really, that the Germans had implemented such casualties on the Americans, British, and Canadians. Now, one patrol was making it's way to the frontlines, all in part of Rommel's plan of driving the Allies back into the sea...
The roaring of the Panzer IV's echoed throughout the forest, blending in with the screaming, artillery shells, and MG fire from the beaches. German grenadiers walked alongside the 5 Panzer IV's attached to the 21st Panzer Division. It was 20 infantrymen total, most of them carrying the Kar98, some with the MP40 and two MG teams with MG34's. There was one radioman, who could be useful if they needed him. They knew they would be facing Allied Tanks, but their tanks were far more superior to the Sherman tanks. They had better armor and far more powerful guns that could knock out a tank in a single shot.
One of the Sergeants of the patrol, Wilhelm Schlegal, had been attached to this makeshift unit of grenadiers. Most of them were young teenagers from the Hitler-Jugend while others were vets of the division. None of them knew of Wilhelm's past, where he started out as an SS Sergeant and then joining a unit of the 21st in Africa. He was attached to the Waffen 2nd Panzer Division until the Allies invaded, and then his superior officer ordered him to go on partol with these men. He admired all of them, even if he didn't know them personally.
They were approaching a set of crossroads where Allied Tanks were sure to be rolling down in the next couple of hours, according to reports from the beachheads. Finally reaching the crossroads, Wilhelm raised his fists, ordering the men and tanks to stop. Looking around, Wilhelm had decided this was a perfect area to ambush the tanks. The lead Panzer Commander opened the top hatch door and stretched his arms. "Was halten sie, Unteroffizer?"
It was a perfect spot to set up an ambush. It would be difficult if the Allies came from all directions. Perhaps, if they could get the radio to work, they could call reinforcements if needed.
"Kommandant, haben zwei Ihrer Behälter auf jeder Seite der Straße, die den Norden, einen Behälter auf der Westseite der Straße, einen Behälter auf der Ostseite der Straße und den anderen Behälter in der Reserve gegenüberstellt. Stellen Sie sicher, dass sie im Laub, Ihre camo Filetarbeit sollten Ihnen heraus helfen versteckt werden."
"Ja herr." the commander said. He went about giving orders to the other tanks and as they began moving into position, Wilhelm began waving his hands, pointng to the left and right, positioning the men into defensive positions. "Stillstehen Sie herauf Männer, wir erhielt ein vollständiges Los des Kampfkommens iges. Essen Sie was Sie kann, Rest, während Sie können." There was a small growl in the men as they trudgidly moved into position. Morale was low. Their Fuher promised them that the Atlantic Wall was impregnable, that their massive obstacles would deflect any attack the Allies could amass. Now, the Germans were on the run, at least for now.
Translations:
Was halten sie, Unteroffizer?- What do you think, Sergeant?
"Kommandant, haben zwei Ihrer Behälter auf jeder Seite der Straße, die den Norden, einen Behälter auf der Westseite der Straße, einen Behälter auf der Ostseite der Straße und den anderen Behälter in der Reserve gegenüberstellt. Stellen Sie sicher, dass sie im Laub, Ihre camo Filetarbeit sollten Ihnen heraus helfen versteckt werden."- Commander, have two of your tanks on each side of the road facing the north, one tank on the west side of the road, one tank on the east side of the road, and the other tank in reserve. Make sure they are hidden in the foliage, your camo netting should help you out.
"Stillstehen Sie herauf Männer, wir erhielt ein vollständiges Los des Kampfkommens iges. Essen Sie was Sie kann, Rest, während Sie können."- Rest up men, we got a whole lot of fight coming. Eat what you can, rest while you can.
Location: 3 miles outside Utah Beach
Weather: Cloudy, no chance of rain
The bogage, that's what the French called dense forests and hedgerows. They were a pain in the ass, not for the Germans, but for the Americans. The Allies had begun their invasion of Festung Europa, completely catching the Germans off guard. German intel believed that they would invade at the Pas De Calais, thus concentrating their forces at that area. It was interesting, really, that the Germans had implemented such casualties on the Americans, British, and Canadians. Now, one patrol was making it's way to the frontlines, all in part of Rommel's plan of driving the Allies back into the sea...
The roaring of the Panzer IV's echoed throughout the forest, blending in with the screaming, artillery shells, and MG fire from the beaches. German grenadiers walked alongside the 5 Panzer IV's attached to the 21st Panzer Division. It was 20 infantrymen total, most of them carrying the Kar98, some with the MP40 and two MG teams with MG34's. There was one radioman, who could be useful if they needed him. They knew they would be facing Allied Tanks, but their tanks were far more superior to the Sherman tanks. They had better armor and far more powerful guns that could knock out a tank in a single shot.
One of the Sergeants of the patrol, Wilhelm Schlegal, had been attached to this makeshift unit of grenadiers. Most of them were young teenagers from the Hitler-Jugend while others were vets of the division. None of them knew of Wilhelm's past, where he started out as an SS Sergeant and then joining a unit of the 21st in Africa. He was attached to the Waffen 2nd Panzer Division until the Allies invaded, and then his superior officer ordered him to go on partol with these men. He admired all of them, even if he didn't know them personally.
They were approaching a set of crossroads where Allied Tanks were sure to be rolling down in the next couple of hours, according to reports from the beachheads. Finally reaching the crossroads, Wilhelm raised his fists, ordering the men and tanks to stop. Looking around, Wilhelm had decided this was a perfect area to ambush the tanks. The lead Panzer Commander opened the top hatch door and stretched his arms. "Was halten sie, Unteroffizer?"
It was a perfect spot to set up an ambush. It would be difficult if the Allies came from all directions. Perhaps, if they could get the radio to work, they could call reinforcements if needed.
"Kommandant, haben zwei Ihrer Behälter auf jeder Seite der Straße, die den Norden, einen Behälter auf der Westseite der Straße, einen Behälter auf der Ostseite der Straße und den anderen Behälter in der Reserve gegenüberstellt. Stellen Sie sicher, dass sie im Laub, Ihre camo Filetarbeit sollten Ihnen heraus helfen versteckt werden."
"Ja herr." the commander said. He went about giving orders to the other tanks and as they began moving into position, Wilhelm began waving his hands, pointng to the left and right, positioning the men into defensive positions. "Stillstehen Sie herauf Männer, wir erhielt ein vollständiges Los des Kampfkommens iges. Essen Sie was Sie kann, Rest, während Sie können." There was a small growl in the men as they trudgidly moved into position. Morale was low. Their Fuher promised them that the Atlantic Wall was impregnable, that their massive obstacles would deflect any attack the Allies could amass. Now, the Germans were on the run, at least for now.
Translations:
Was halten sie, Unteroffizer?- What do you think, Sergeant?
"Kommandant, haben zwei Ihrer Behälter auf jeder Seite der Straße, die den Norden, einen Behälter auf der Westseite der Straße, einen Behälter auf der Ostseite der Straße und den anderen Behälter in der Reserve gegenüberstellt. Stellen Sie sicher, dass sie im Laub, Ihre camo Filetarbeit sollten Ihnen heraus helfen versteckt werden."- Commander, have two of your tanks on each side of the road facing the north, one tank on the west side of the road, one tank on the east side of the road, and the other tank in reserve. Make sure they are hidden in the foliage, your camo netting should help you out.
"Stillstehen Sie herauf Männer, wir erhielt ein vollständiges Los des Kampfkommens iges. Essen Sie was Sie kann, Rest, während Sie können."- Rest up men, we got a whole lot of fight coming. Eat what you can, rest while you can.
