Taking Sicily, One Step at a Time

[Mac Bargett]

((Light blue privates, dark blue Mac, middle blue Felix.))

The metal protractor slowly slid along the grid lines of the 100,000 meter map and stopped when it’s zeros were positioned over a small blocky blemish crossed with a faint penciled ‘X.’ SSgt. Bargett bent over the table and read the protractor’s duel numbers that overlapped the nearest grid lines. As he quickly scribbled down the numbers into their respective columns, the other men resting in the shack, five of the 3ID’s new replacements, did what they could to past the time. With the 10th digit marked down, Mac stood up to fold the soft topographic paper and slip the documents into his jacket pocket.

“It’s noon,” mentioned the Staff Sergeant after checking his watch, “I think I might radio Command, see if there’s anything we need to watch out for and how long we are going to have to stay in this Italian shack. .”

“You think we are going to need to investigate the other side of this farm?” asked the sitting Private.

“Probably,” Mac replied, “We would have done it already but that river is the dividing line between our lines and the Germans. That building over there might be booby trapped, or worst.” Mac had another reason for not wanting to cross the river. Back when he was a wet nose like the privates around him, Bargett had heard a rumor about a British outpost in North Africa. It was just like the farm his squad was sitting, with a large middle right down the middle. When their Staff Sergeant took a couple of men to investigate the opposite side, he tripped a bouncing betty on the bridge and wiped out the entire squad and the rest of the platoon had to pull back, halting the English advance. Even though 3 years had pasted, the story had kept in Mac’s mind and guided his actions. It taught him to be caught, don’t be a hero, and to watch out for the safety of his men. Hopefully there wouldn’t be a reason for anyone to have to cross that river.

Hopefully.

[Edward"Butcher"McMillan]

img195.imageshack.us/img195/3000/sicily.png
Orange = McMillan
Red = PVT


Edward and his small band of men approached the farm from the southeast, the sun was beaming down, but the slight breeze kept it bearable. They hadn't been walking too far from their outpost, just a routine patrol, one of the men had twisted an ankle so McMillan said he would take his spot, kept him away from supervising sandbag duty and that was not too his liking. Hadn't been any reports of anything in the area so their patrol numbers were reduced to keep morale higher in the barracks. Hopefully nothing much would happen, so few men and most with bolt action rifles, things could turn bad quickly.

They stopped just shy of walking inot the first building after peering through the windows, the front line was only a few yards away, the fact that the area had been quiet for so long was rather odd, but the less there was to fight, the less there was to do...worth while that was. Edward took out his canteen and took a few swallows before replacing the cap and sliding it back into it's pouch, from the sound of it the rest of the men followed suit, the short distance had kept them from being too hot and the sweat was just beginning to bead up on their faces and forearms. McMillan again sporting just the undershirt, he rarely wore the tunics they had provided him, restricted movement a bit and when it came to combat, looking pretty was the last thought on his mind. He could here one of the Privates shuffling with some papers, a quick glance let him know it was a small map printed onto the patrol orders, after all this was the front and going any farther could be horrible for the small group. "Prüfen Sie Ihren Gang, bevor wir die Linie laufen, trinkt etwas Wasser, zwei Minuten." he said as he slid his rifle over his back letting the sling catch over his chest, his hand cannons were always hot, but he still checked them regularly, maybe a bit of paranoia as they did tend to be big souveneirs on this side of the line.




TRANSLATIONS:
Prüfen Sie Ihren Gang, bevor wir die Linie laufen, trinkt etwas Wasser, zwei Minuten.
Check your gear before we walk the line, drink some water, two minutes.

[PuNk! ™]

Moderation Post:

[/b][/center][/color]

Taken the liberty of dictating the weather, due to no host setting the weather terrain, but got a vague idea from the posts made.

Weather: Clear skies & very hot.
Time: 1302hrs (Just after noon)

Allies:
Squad Morale: Moderate/Calm

• The shack provided good shelter from the blistering sun, but also acted as a sweat-box for the heavily geared soldiers. Hot and bothered, a couple of the men contemplated on opening a window or two, but reframed from doing so due to unwanted reflections being cascaded across the river, should the enemy be lying in wait.
  

---

Axis:
Squad Morale: High/Calm
(Mainly due to your Cert JT, they're happy to be on patrol with an experienced NCO)

• The two soldiers refreshed from their canteens, without a worry in the world. Accompanied with a well renowned NCO who was even equipped with numerous armoury, the two men were in high spirits and therefore let their guard down somewhat.
  
  One of the soldiers fumbled into his tunic pocket, withdrawing a packet of cigarettes, shaking the paper crumpled pack, before fiddling out a cigarette between his two fingers. Turning to Edward McMillan, the soldier grinned widely and held the cigarette out, saying;
  
  “Zigarette?”

[/b]

Although the two men were in high spirits, their guard wasn’t completely raised and therefore, felt very relaxed within their NCO’s presence. Sensing no danger.
[/li][/ul]

---

Felix/Seth, your turn to post next.
~Danny

[Jamie-Todd Peterson]

Private First Class Peterson knelt by the side door of the small Sicilian farmhouse, wiping down his Browning Automatic Rife with a greased rag before slipping a fresh magazine in, pulling back the bolt, and slinging it over his right shoulder. He was hot but in otherwise good condition, having poured onto the shores of the island at about 0900, entering quick skirmishes with small pockets of Axis resistance before meeting up with a Staff Sergeant and setting up a temporary defensive position on the north side of a stream, gratefully taking it as a chance to relax his aching feet. Jamie unhooked his canteen from his belt and shaking it, hearing only a tiny slosh at the bottom, providing no more than one hot sip. "Hey, Carpy, you got any water left?" Peterson asked, tapping the metal of his to signify that it was empty. "I do, but I isn't sharin' any with you, Jamie." He said half-jokingly, half seriously as the New Yorker took off his helmet and rubbed his sweaty bald head. Carpazo was somewhat of a grizzled soldier, promoted three times to Corporal and once to Sergeant, but each time he purposely got busted back to Private. The soldier said that he didn't like taking orders, but giving them was much worse. The other soldier that had accompanied Jamie was Henry Smart, a draftee from Nebraska with a wiry frame and strawberry blond hair. Both of them where bogged down with gear and their heavy M1s, having lugged them all the way from the beaches the Privates and Peterson where both a good deal tired.

Out of pure curiosity, the young Pfc. cracked the door open the tiniest bit and was surprised to see two goats in a cramped pen, looking oddly healthy for being abandoned. Peterson shut it again and sighed, tinkering with the bayonet on his BAR. It was as sharp as a razor, its blackened blade tapering to a sharp tip with a raised blood groove down the middle, U.S. stamped on the olive drab grip. It had not yet tasted human blood, and he hoped to keep it that way. Peterson was a reluctant killer, doing it more for the safety and benefit of his kin than hate for the Germans, for they had done nothing to him other than allying with the Japanese, which he hated for bombing his brother to oblivion. His finger slid down the blade, testing it for dullness and finding none, but it did succeed in getting itself sliced. Jamie sucked on it quickly before wiping the blood on his trousers, hoping no one had noticed his childish gesture. None of that would be accepted if he was to get wounded in battle, god forbid.

[PuNk! ™]

Moderation Post:

[/b][/center]

Jamie, you must edit the map with your units, before the next person may post. Please do this as soon as possible, so the next person can enter the thread and this battle can continue promptly. Heiko, once he's edited the map with his unit positions/entrance, you may post...

---

EDIT:
Heiko you may post, I didn't realise Felix had been placed on the map during Mac's initial placement post. During your next round of posting Mac, could you change Felix's colour to a more noticeable colour please? The 'medium blue' isn't eye catching for a member colour.

Thank you!
~Danny[/color]

[PuNk! ™]

Moderation Post Update:

[/b][/center]

Heiko you have one day left remaining to enter this thread, although the 72hr scheme can be surpassed by the host of this battle (unless he states otherwise), the 72hr policy is a mod-marking policy of my own during moderating and unless you have given notice of absence or unable to post for a particular reason, then I'm afraid I'm going to have to push you a little to post.

If each member took three days to post, with four members in a single battle, we could see this battle prolonging for weeks on end and this battle is only classed as a skirmish. Bigger battles I wouldn't be so strict over, obviously, but if you could post by the end of today I'd be greatful. If you are unable to post, then please advise in advance and your turn to post won't be skipped in future.

Everyone can take this message as a brief warning - thanks guys.
~Danny[/color]

[Heiko Alkema]

Afrika had been lost to the Tommies... That fact cut to the heart sergeant Alkema. He had come accepted the desert wastelands of the northern part of the continent as his home. And his eventual grave just like the other men of zweiter Zug. He had fought with those men since the beginning of the German intervention. Now, two years later, only himself and one corporal Dietmar Busse were the only original members left. Not to say that he didn't see them anymore.

He found himself in Sicily now, standing between the the American and British hordes and the weak Italian homeland. Heiko cared little for either group. The Americans were no better than the French-aiding British and the Italians were overambitious cowards hiding behind Hitler's coat tails. Regardless of his disdain for the Italians, they were good fodder for the defense of the Fatherland. Thus he fought for their defense, not for their sake but for his own. For the moment he and two others were on patrol wondering dry hills of the Sicilian front.

"Koennen wir ein Pause einladen, Herr Unteroffizier?" piped up a voice behind Alkema. He didn't need to turn to see who it was but did nonetheless to drive home his disapproval of the question. The voice belonged to one of the replacements, a younger man from Bonn, one private Heinz Riepold. Upon seeing the look on Heiko's face the replacement averted his eyes and starred at his feet. Heiko also caught a glance from Busse, the soldier had similar displeasure etched into his brow. With a knowing half-smile, Heiko turned back to toward the front and small ridge.

Heiko motioned for the lot of them get lower as the approached the little ridge, going from fully upright to crouched to finally crawling up it the peak. It wasn't very high but from here he could see to the Northwest there was a small farm house with a chicken coop close by and a small stream a little further away... and an SS patrol. A wave of anger bubbled up from Heiko's stomach. It was an SS man that was responsible for the most of deaths of the original 2nd Platoon men. That and a deep ideological resentment of the organization clouded his mind for a moment. He had is weapon ready to fire on any enemies, and for a fraction of second, he felt the urge of fire on the symbols of everything that was wrong with his country. But the urge past as reason got the better of him.

With an order to take a drink from their canteens, the trio lifted themselves up and over the tiny ridge and made their way up the farm with Riepold now on point. It wasn't that far of a walk, but Heiko felt tense approaching the SS men. He motioned for Busse to take a peak into the house before greeting the other patrol.

“Heil. Unteroffizier Alkema des 21. Panzer.” Heiko simply identified himself quickly looking over the men before him. There were only three outside, two in full field dress, but the third and probably most senior only wore the undershirt and trousers... and what looked like two American pistols at his side. Probably a cocky self-identified super soldier, that kind of man grated his nerves. Once again, Heiko caught the eyes of Busse who had peered into the windows and merely shook his head to indicate that no one was inside, but he also pointed through them bringing the existence of the second building across the stream to his attention. Heiko nodded and then signalled for Busse to take a look around the other side of the building. Riepold just stood a bit behind his sergeant.

“Haben Sie das andere Gebaeube geprueft?” he didn't yet know who was senior here so he addressed the group in general but the two SS men in their tunics immediately cast their eyes on the “superman”, seemingly confirming his original guess. Without really waiting for an answer, Alkema pushed past the trio to a window near the corner peering through it and another window for a better look at the other building. Nothing of note could be seen, the door was closed and no other windows were visible from this spot. Much to his dismay, when Heiko turned back Riepold had wondered over to the coop and was crouched down behind it... staring at the chickens inside... the boy was hopeless...


Translations:

"Koennen wir ein Pause einladen, Herr Unteroffizier?"
- Could we have a break, Sergeant?

“Haben Sie das andere Gebaeube geprueft?”
- Have you already checked the other building?"

[PuNk! ™]

Moderation Post:

[/b]

*** Click for map! ***[/center][/color]

*Just a note, Edward was handed/offered a cigarette during my last post by a soldier, this is in no way a bonus, but merely an expression of how relaxed the men are feeling. Should Edward hand the men a cigarette (bought from the shop) then a morale boost would follow*

---

Allies:
Squad Morale: Moderate/On Alert!

Units:[/b] (In ranking order)
- Staff Sergeant; Bargett
- Private First-Class; Petterson

- Private Carpazo
- Private Smart

(No names specified for two of them)
- 2 Privates[/color]

---

• Idly looking out of the windows and resting as best they could, the men’s morale was in good shape, perhaps as good as it can get for sitting in idle ‘enemy’ territory with lesser numbers, no on-duty officer and the sweltering heat. Things didn’t seem too bad, for once.
  
  A few of the men had resorted to unbuttoning their under-shirts and taking their helmets off, trying the smallest of things to ease off the humidity they were subtly suffering within the sweatbox of the cabin.
  
  “Can’t we get some air in here Sarge’?”

[/b] one of the soldiers asked with a bothersome tone to his voice, insinuating that maybe they could open some windows or wedge the door open? Before Staff Sergeant Bargett could even answer, one of the men at the windows roared into life. The young private stood beside the staff sergeant clutched his M1 Garand with both hands and yelled; “WE GOT MOVEMENT!” immediately, like a herd of cows springing to the farmer’s call, the soldiers darted over towards the window, where the young private hollered like a rooster at dawn.

Pointing his finger and tapping it against the glass of the window in the process, he pointed towards the direction where he’d seen something or possibly someone, but inevitably was now out of sight, having knelt behind the fence (chicken-coop). “I swear it Sarge’! Someone’s there!”[/I] the young private adamantly trialled for them to believe him…
[/li][/ul]

---

Axis:
(Currently moderating the morale separately, as you’ve both just adjoined the battlefield together and no-one has arose to be the commanding officer as of yet. You are both from different military-branches too, hence forth, both having different mind-sets. Until Edward takes charge of the wehrmacht squad, if he does, the wehrmacht units in this thread will not benefit from Edward’s experience and presence - Certification)

SS Squad Morale: High/Conspicuous of the Wehrmacht soldiers.

Units: (In ranking order)
- SS-Sturmscharführer; McMillan.
(No names specified)
- 2 Privates

Wehrmacht Squad Morale: Moderate/Unsure of the Waffen-SS’s presence.

Units: (In ranking order)
- Unteroffizier; Alkema
- Corporal Busse
- Private Riepold

---

• Descending from their rear, abruptly, yet sneakily, were three Wehrmacht soldiers. Momentarily, one of the Waffen-SS soldier’s postures stiffened, as if caught by surprise and turned to swing the barrel of his Karbiner rifle into their general direction from the hip. Luckily, his finger didn’t slip upon noticing their tunics.
  
  *Although it’s not dark and you didn’t exactly sneak up on the Waffen-SS units, they were unsuspecting to your presence in the area and should attempt to use signal words to prevent unforeseen circumstances in the future, particularly when approaching from behind. Example: Flash/Thunder - Leicester/Square - etc…*
  
  
• Corporal Busse meanwhile snuck around the building for a quick peep across the river. Quietly making it to the end of the building, his legs shifted down against the dirt to kneel, whilst he simultaneously removed his helmet/field-cap (didn’t specify?) to place behind himself. Brushing his hair back, Corporal Busse leant out slowly from behind the building and cradled his rifle whilst doing so, taking a long look across the river. Due to the glare on the building’s windows, he was unable to see any sign of Allied activity in the slightest, nor’ hear anything from such a distance. Slowly sliding back to lean against the wall, he wiped the sweat from his face and picked his headgear up, not wanting to forget anything.
  

---

Mac Bargett! Next to post.
~Danny

[PuNk! ™]

Moderation Post:

[/b][/center]

Just a reminder Mac, you have 24 hours to post. If you are unable to post for any given reason, please let me know. Again, with four people in one skirmish, I'd like to keep this thread running smoothly and not a thread that would last weeks or months, predominately due to inactive posting times.

Cheers,
~Danny[/color]

[Mac Bargett]

"Hey, Carpy, you got any water left?"
"I do, but I isn't sharin' any with you, Jamie."

His subordinates’ mentioning of water caused S/Sgt Bargett’s mouth to suddenly feel very dry. He groped at his side for his canteen, and almost took out his entrenching tool before he unsnapped the correct clasps and pulled out the metal container. After allowing the cap to fall against it’s tiny chain, Mac took a small gulp of water. Although the clear, cool liquid was refreshing, it’s unnatural chemical taste told him that he wasn’t that thirsty, but, before he sealed the can up tight, Mac took off his helmet, poured a little water into a handkerchief, and tied the hanky around his neck Now he didn’t need to taste the chlorine as the water refreshed his hot body. Once he was done with cooling himself off, S/Sgt. Bargett got the Pfc.’s attention with a quick ’Yo’ before tossing the closed canteen over to him.

“If anyone else needs any extra water, you’re going to have to run down to the river and get some, but don’t forget your pills, who knows what had drained down from those goats over there.” With that, Mac hoped his squad would be satisfied with what they had, for it was a lot; a mostly clean source for water, company, and shade in a nice, quiet sector, what dogface could ask for more?

Private Faceman could. “Can’t we get some air in here Sarge’?” he complained, but before a frustrated Mac could respond with, ‘The Almighty God gave you sweat for a reason,’ Private Hannibal interrupted with something much more important, “WE GOT MOVEMENT!”

Suddenly, most of the squad was up at the window, trying to find what B.A. saw, and Mac himself had his binoculars opened and was quickly scanning where the Private was pointing. “I swear it Sarge’! Someone’s there!” the private insisted, but no one else saw anything. Mac could only reply, “I don’t see anything, H.M, try these?” as he took the binoculars off his neck and handed them over to the eagle eyed private. He too gave the area a couple of focused scans, but even staring at the area where he thought he saw movement didn’t turn anything up. Without any results, Mac took back his binoculars and returned to his own search.

Quickly, the tension in the air evaporated and once he knew that an entire German division wasn‘t about to barrel down on the farm, Mac gave his orders, his voice almost to a whisper, “Alright, until we figure out what Private Hannibal saw, no one is going to be opening any windows or door. It’s probably nothing, possibly, some lose farm animal or even a mirage. But we need to keep on our toes, incase it’s not. So Hannibal, keep watching wherever you saw it first, it was around that orange structure right? Private Smart, you come over here and watch that building, especially that door and that right corner. Private Faceman… Watch the north window, incase that was a diversion.”

As the privates switched their positions, the Staff Sergeant bent down, picked his helmet back up and placed it firmly back onto his head before walking over to the other side of the window and then scanning the area once again. This time he took his time, slowly drifting the binoculars from the corner of that building across the river to each window, pausing just enough to try and see into the building, but it was impossible, and he hoped it was just as difficult to see into his window. After the windows his sharp gaze moved to the door and the next window, but still nothing, Private Hannibal probably had only seen a mirage. But what if he hadn’t, and Mac missed the Germans sneaking up on them. What if it caused someone to get hurt, to die a senseless death. Mac would not be able to live with himself afterwards. And so he continued his relentless search, from the building to the smaller structure. Now that he was examining it much more closely, it looked awfully like a chicken coop, and seeing that it was a farm, that’s what it probably was. Then, after the chicken, Mac got an eyeful of dirt, nothing but dirt until he couldn’t see out of the window any more, right before the river met the bridge. And so, he repeated the search, hopefully that there was some kind of sign that it was just something innocent, and not some dangerous German that wanted to kill them all.

[PuNk! ™]

Moderation Post:

[/b]

*** NO MAP CHANGE ***[/center][/color]

---

Allies:
Squad Morale: Moderate/Still on alert…

Units:[/b] (In ranking order)
- Staff Sergeant; Bargett
- Private First-Class; Petterson

- Private Carpazo
- Private Smart
- Private Hannibal
- Private Faceman[/color]

---

• After Private Hannibal took a look through the binoculars and scanned the area in which he thought he saw something, the rest turned up trump and all he could quickly see was a few birds swooping low overhead in the distance and nothing much else… Unfortunately.
  
  
• Taking the binoculars back, Staff Sergeant Bargett seized the role as the commanding unit of the troop and eagerly took a long look across the river himself. At first, Staff Sergeant Bargett thought he saw a glimpse of movement through one of the building windows, but upon closer inspection, reflections shimmering from the river once again trumped his suspicion; perhaps the private had seen something similar?
  
  Feeling as though it was just a reflection from the water or even one of the farm’s abandoned wildlife roaming free from it’s pen or the likes, the Staff Sergeant didn’t see any other inclusive facts of enemy activity. That was until the silhouette of man could clearly be seen through one of the building’s windows, with a firm long stare through the binoculars at lengthy range…
  
  Although the silhouette could be seen (remember the glare/sunlight), Staff Sergeant Bargett couldn’t see the details of any tunic or military orientated equipment, but most certainly the outline of a human-being.
  
  Civilians? Enemy troops? Friendly troops? Or just another trick of the mind, with the river’s shimmering surface and numerous glares from the windows cascading about randomly? Staff Sergeant Bargett was unsure.
  

---

Axis:

SS Squad Morale: High/Conspicuous of the Wehrmacht soldiers.

Units: (In ranking order)
- SS-Sturmscharführer; McMillan.
(No names specified)
- 2 Privates

Wehrmacht Squad Morale: Moderate/Unsure of the Waffen-SS’s presence.

Units: (In ranking order)
- Unteroffizier; Alkema
- Corporal Busse
- Private Riepold

---

• Corporal Busse took a swig from his warm canteen and sat leaning against the building’s wall, taking a sneaky break for two minutes, but also continuing to scan across the river quietly in intervals. Using his wit, he didn’t keep his head sticking out and neither did he do it for too long each time, but rather quick glances across the river, for seconds at a time.
  
  Perhaps his precautionary methods were the reasons behind not seeing much activity across the river? Either way, Corporal Busse kept a keen eye, even against the glare of the sunlight, but in the back of his mind, had already concluded the farm was abandoned.
  
  Which then spawned thoughts about going down to the river and refilling his canteen quickly…
  

---

JT, You’re up buddy!
~Danny

[Edward"Butcher"McMillan]

McMillan nodded kindly as he accepted the cigarette from Ulrich, pulling it to his mouth and lighting it up. He took a long drag, he hadn't had one in a good while and with the amount of sunlight there was no need to refrain from smoking. Soon after that they were approached from the rear, turning abruptly he went to shoulder his rifle but noticing the uniforms he stopped himself from send lead at the friendly soldiers. The leader of the small group asked about the opposite building, realizing that there was no way for the man to tell what his rank was Edward spoke up to his question. "Negativ, wir sind sich nur nur angekommen, bin ich Sturmscharführer Mcmillan, der für Unterscharführer Berg einspringt, scheint, dass er unter dem Wetter ist. Kennen Sie nicht, was Ihre Reihenfolgen sind, aber es scheint, dass die seperate Gruppen von uns so zur Linie schließen, wäre nur der richtige Betrag der Männer herausgenommen zu werden, bevor irgendjemand um es kennen würde, würde ich Sie schätzen und Ihre Männer, die uns anschließen, wenn es nicht zu viel Schwierigkeit, bald als unsere Patrouille ist, sind über wir uns freuen, der Gefallen zurückzukehren, und Ihnen zu helfen, und Männer, den Ziele die Sie Unteroffizier vollenden müssen." He threw a look toward his men, more then likely they wouldn't mind as they too might have felt a bit uneasy walking the line with such small numbers.

"Kellen, sammeln Sie diese Kantinen, nur einer von jedem Mann, für die Männer auf, die nur uns ebenso anschließen, Kopf hinunter zum Flüsschen und füllen Sie sie. Ulrich, nehmen Sie eine Position innerhalb dieser Struktur ein, sich um ihm zu kümmern, Unteroffizer, wenn Sie sendine einer von Ihren Männern zur südwestlichen Ecke nicht bedenken würden, Augen auf ihm ebenso ich zu behalten, wäre viel anerkennendes." he told the other Private accompanying them. There was no need ot have all of their canteens with the man in case something was to happen. He placed a firm hand onto Kellen's shoulder, holding him up for a moment so he could look over the area himself before sending his man into the open alone. He reached into his pack propped up against the exterior wall and pulled out his binoculars and knelt down leaning slightly over to peer around the corner. After several seconds he placed them back into his pack and leaned the other way, again reaching into his pack, pulling out a smoke canister, he stood, heaving it across the small stream, was a short distance really. He waited and watched as smoke eventually began to spew from the small can, the plume billowing up an all sorts of random shapes and sizes, which reminded him of his cigarette, he took another drag and pushed it inot the sand and as he blew out the gasious cancer he began motioning for Kellen and Ulrich to move out. Once the Privates passed Edward, the Sturmscharführer pulled the buttstock of his rifle into his shoulder, keeping it pointed low, he didn't want to get tunnel vision or have his weapon itself block out the view of his own man while he was watching out for him.

He watched as Ulrich skirted along the structure before darting in, taking up a position near the front window on the northern side. Kellen was only feet behind him, when Ulrich ducked in he turned quickly and headed for the only amount of cover available, a small wooden bridge, might not be much but when you were out in the open alone, it was far better then thin air. Edward watched as Kellen slid into the sand, pressing himself into the side of the bridge, slightly under it, at least the sun wouldn't be so bad on him while his heart was undoubtedly beating quickly.

img36.imageshack.us/img36/2793/sicily2.png

TRANSLATIONS:
Negativ, wir sind sich nur nur angekommen, bin ich Sturmscharführer Mcmillan, der für Unterscharführer Berg einspringt, scheint, dass er unter dem Wetter ist. Kennen Sie nicht, was Ihre Reihenfolgen sind, aber es scheint, dass die seperate Gruppen von uns so zur Linie schließen, wäre nur der richtige Betrag der Männer herausgenommen zu werden, bevor irgendjemand um es kennen würde, würde ich Sie schätzen und Ihre Männer, die uns anschließen, wenn es nicht zu viel Schwierigkeit, bald als unsere Patrouille ist, sind über wir uns freuen, der Gefallen zurückzukehren, und Ihnen zu helfen, und Männer, den Ziele die Sie Unteroffizier vollenden müssen.
Negative, we only just arrived ourselves, I'm Sturmscharführer McMillan, filling in for Unterscharführer Berg, seems he's under the weather. Don't know what your orders are, but it seems the seperate groups of us so close to the line would be just the right amount of men to get taken out before anyone would know about it, I would appreciate you and your men joining us if it isn't too much trouble, soon as our patrol is over we would be happy to return the favor and assist you and your men in whatever objectives you need to accomplish Unteroffizier.

Kellen, sammeln Sie diese Kantinen, nur einer von jedem Mann, für die Männer auf, die nur uns ebenso anschließen, Kopf hinunter zum Flüsschen und füllen Sie sie. Ulrich, nehmen Sie eine Position innerhalb dieser Struktur ein, sich um ihm zu kümmern, Unteroffizer, wenn Sie sendine einer von Ihren Männern zur südwestlichen Ecke nicht bedenken würden, Augen auf ihm ebenso ich zu behalten, wäre viel anerkennendes.
Kellen, gather up these canteens, only one from each man, for the men just joining us as well, head down to the creek and fill them up. Ulrich, take up a position inside this structure to watch over him, Unteroffizer if you wouldn't mind sendine one of your men to the southwestern corner to keep eyes on him as well I'd be much appreciative.


OOC: Obviously, if I end up spotting anyone I wouldn't still send my PVT out there or give them a chance to take advantage of the smoke grenade, I'd hang onto that..

[PuNk! ™]

Moderation Post:

[/b]

Had to use TINYPIC to upload image, sorry JT, Imageshack ain’t workin’ for me.
*** MAP! ***[/center][/color]

---

Allies:
Squad Morale: Low/Worrying & awaiting orders

Units:[/b] (In ranking order)
- Staff Sergeant; Bargett
- Private First-Class; Petterson

- Private Carpazo
- Private Smart
- Private Hannibal
- Private Faceman[/color]

---

• Staff Sergeant Bargett was already on semi-guard, having spotted what may have been a person through one of the corresponding windows across the stream, but wasn’t about to raise the alarm completely until clarified otherwise. What would be the point in spiking the men’s attention, when it simply could have been a reasonable explanation or nothing to worry about?
  
  They had it good for the time being. A roof over their heads, shade (despite the humidity inside) and a resting place. Which was a lot better than fox holes or patrolling unknown terrain.
  
  
• ~Thump…. PSSSSSTTTT!!!~
  Surprising the noise could be heard loud and clear within the building to the Allied soldiers, a loud thump followed by an horrendous hissing noise. At first, it seemed as Italy was home to the python snakes, but all became clear as Staff Sergeant Bargett’s binoculars dropped slowly from his face.
  
  A smoke canister.
  
  The smoke canister had landed just shy of the stream (will be explained in the Axis part of this mod) and a tough billowing smoke plumed from the canister almost immediately. With little to no breeze on the hot summer’s day, the smoke drifted like a grey thunder cloud and heavy mist, completely blocking any visibility through the smoke.
  
  Private Hannibal shrieked worryingly next to Staff Sergeant Bargett and flagged the rest of the troop to the goings-on outside. “Told you! Told you! We got company!” he alerted, which inevitably spiked the entire troop’s morale momentarily. A sickening feeling setting in, before the men manned the windows and reframed from shooting what they couldn’t see. Then all eyes fell on the Staff Sergeant, did they shoot? Move? Hide? If a smoke canister had been thrown, then they must be making a heavy advance, they must know they’re there!?
  
  Then two Nazi uniformed men lingered across the building from what Staff Sergeant Bargett could see; a battle was about to commence.
  
  

---

Axis:

SS Squad & Wehrmacht Morale: Moderate/Weary of new faces watching their backs.

Units: (In ranking order)
- SS-Sturmscharführer; McMillan.
- Unteroffizier; Alkema
- Corporal Busse
- SS-Private Kellen
- SS-Private Ulrich
- Private Riepold

---

• Sturmscharführer McMillan didn’t spot anything out of the ordinary, again, due to heavy glare from building windows and reflective sparkles from the stream, it was real hard to wager on any sign of life through the buildings.
  
  
• The smoke canister thrown, didn’t go as far as across the river, but just dropped shy of the river and more importantly, didn’t land or roll into the river either. Hitting the dirt hard, the smoke canister lodged it’s self into the ground, before the smoke began to fizzle out excessively in the heavy dormant climate, with little breeze.
  
  
• Private Kellen was completely unsure, nervous and worried. He was going to be running across open ground to gather water? As far as he and the rest of the men knew, they hadn’t even checked the other side of the river yet, so the area was un-secure and he was about to risk his neck to fill everyone’s canteens. Even the new-comers.
  
  Obeying the orders issued, he shouldered his rifle and listened carefully to what he was told, before disembarking with Private Ulrich part of the way after the smoke canister was thrown, before running like mad towards the stream. The bridge was the only means of cover in the process - he didn’t look, put a foot wrong or even wait until Private Ulrich got into the building before sprinted like crazy to the stream.
  
  
• Once Private Kellen successfully fell behind the wooden bridge, he panted for breath and laid on his stomach, sprawling the canteens out in front of him and removing his rifle from his shoulder to wield for a moment. Adrenaline was coursing through his veins and his eyes darted all over the place in fear of someone popping out of no where to comprise his shoddy position in the open (as such).
  
  Calming himself and glancing to the smoke billowing in thick clouds across the ground above and around himself slowly, he began to fill the canteens, muttering to himself nervously the whole while, hoping they could even see him through the smoke. What was the point of covering him if they couldn’t see him in the next minute or two!?
  
  
• Meanwhile Corporal Busse was completely unaware to what was going on. Talking, running footsteps, a loud fizzling noise!? Peering out from beside of the building, he saw a smoke canister, but didn’t see any friendly units, nor get told of the plan of action.
  
  Confused and a little concerned, he shouldered his rifle and abandoned his position, running back towards the group, assuming the smoke canister was the enemy’s and that perhaps they were making their move, having seen or heard their presence.
  

---

Petterson, you’re up! This post may be a little tricky for you, because you haven’t received orders from Mac and neither can you god-mode his character to give orders. I didn’t control Mac during this moderation, mainly due to the fact you all should know what to do and I like to avoid controlling member’s in moderations as much as possible. Only ever for reactions if need be.
~Danny

[PuNk! ™]

Moderation Post:

[/b][/center]

Peterson, you have 24/48 hours to post, you've well and truly missed the "72 hour" window, so please have a post up within 24/48 hours or so and your turn will not be skipped.

So post immediately please! Just because I've stated 48 hours, does not mean you'll get it!
~Danny[/color]

[PuNk! ™]

Moderation Post:

[/b]

Petterson has Failed to post, the following actions have occurred:

Had to use TINYPIC to upload image, sorry JT, Imageshack ain’t workin’ for me.
*** NO CHANGE - SAME MAP! ***[/center][/color]

---

Allies:
Squad Morale: Very Low/Worrying & awaiting orders

Units:[/b] (In ranking order)
- Staff Sergeant; Bargett
- Private First-Class; Petterson (Frozen in battle)

- Private Carpazo
- Private Smart
- Private Hannibal
- Private Faceman[/color]

---

• Petterson has frozen in battle and failed to initiate any course of action, that has inevitably caused a further drop in squad morale...
  
  
• Alert and confused to what their orders should be, the men are starting to panic and getting highly agitated; should they engage? Hold-fire? Pull-back? They all began to agitatedly shift their eyes back and forth from S.SGT Bargett, not knowing whether a full scale assault was taking place or an air-strike was about to land on them - the smoke confusing the entire squad.
  

---

Axis:

SS Squad & Wehrmacht Morale: Moderate/Weary of new faces watching their backs.

Units: (In ranking order)
- SS-Sturmscharführer; McMillan.
- Unteroffizier; Alkema
- Corporal Busse
- SS-Private Kellen
- SS-Private Ulrich
- Private Riepold

---

• No change to German movements or placements - Canteens are still being filled by the man down by the river and all corresponding units are on alert.
  
  
• Enemy still hasn't been seen in the lodge, due to no retaliation by the Allies.
  

Heiko, your turn to post next.
~Danny[/color]