Damn it's Cold

[Matthaeus Hinrichs]

The sun was finally coming out and the spring flowers were beginning to open up into buds. Just what every person was hoping for, warmth and melting snow. The whit tundra blanket was something that had begun to irritate everyone in the Scandinavian area. But soon animals were beginning to leave their sleeping holes and move out to the trees and fields to live happier lives again.

Nine Germans were all spread across a large corridor of the town hall, looking about the rest of town. It was said by Headquarters that there were around half a platoon of Russian Conscripts moving through the town. It had all happened when a Sentry post positioned out on the edge of the fields towards the main road leading into town spotted the men. They did not know exact numbers or rank but it was said there were at least 10 or so, enough to cause some trouble if not stopped.

Therefore, Matthaeus and his men were dispatched to the town hall in the middle of town to intercept the Russians and stop them from moving through the medium sized town. Matthaeus was sure that the Germans had fire power on their side, but if there were anymore then a platoon they might have some trouble. Therefore Matthaeus had the area covered by his Machine Gunners and hoping there wouldn’t be any trouble with that. If the Russians could be pinned down, then the Germans could swiftly take them out. And if things were to get too bloody, Matthaeus had a medic on standby in the corridor with them.

Matthaeus finally decided to look around and voiced out to his men ”Be prepared for anything. Also, Machine gunners keep a base of fire down field. If you two can pin them down then the rest of us should be able to take them out with our rifles. Remember, we have a medic on our side. Don’t feel threatened by them; we have experience and firepower on our side. Crush those dirty Ruskies.” With that Matthaeus hoped his men were fired up and ready to kill the Russians. Then, with one movement, Matthaeus lifted his binoculars up and began to scan the area in front of the town hall. No movement yet.

[Mikhail Vostrikov]

img855.imageshack.us/i/cold1.png/

Slowly and cautiously Mikhail moved his men forward through the brush and trees. He and his men had been tasked with securing a small town on the front lines and so far their maneuver had been uneventful. Their morale was on the rise with the weather turning to more hospitable conditions, and the lack of incoming bullets so far bolstered it all the more. However they had yet to come across many buildings on the way to the town, mostly just sparse forests and an odd barn or two, although lofts tended to be a snipers choice, it seemed that the Germans had not yet sent them deeper for recon and disruption. Given these facts, chances were high that they would find hostilities in this town.

Mikhail motioned for his men to move into a pair of buildings closest to their entry point, standard procedure. They scanned the area ahead for any signs of enemy activity, if they gathered any usable knowledge then they would advance based upon it. The Soviets had a tendency to use high numbers as their main weapon, just overrun the enemy and worry about the bodies later, it wasn’t the best of tactics, but it had gotten the job done in the past, unfortunately. Given its past success the commanders still relied heavily on the idea of throwing men at the enemy until they broke. As luck would have it Serzhant Vostrikov did not have the luxury of an endless reserve of soldiers so this weight was not on the minds of he or his men, not that he preferred the tactic in the first place. Mikhail was a firm believer that if you spilled your blood on it, you better plant your flag in it, but at this rate they would have to build a boat for the flag, otherwise it would be drowned in needless bloodshed. The absence of a superior also allowed him the ability to dismiss any such orders. He and his men were the only ones tasked with this mission, odd, but they happily embraced the opportunity.

However the enemy had been used to piles and piles of Soviet soldiers’ bodies lining the streets at the end of their day, if luck ever existed then maybe they were still expecting the same. Mikhail had previously discussed this with his Efreitors and that they may be able to use the knowledge of Soviet tactics against their enemy. If they could appear to be a larger force than they really were they could hopefully use fear to drive off the small patrols and force the larger ones to think that the small group off to the side were simply a distraction. They had yet to try the idea out, but if they could cover the same ground several times without the enemy being able to notice them returning to their staging area then they might just be able to convey that message.

Their leader spoke up ”Take a good look men. This is our objective area, chances are that the Germans know we want it simply because if they were smart enough they would want it as well. Always remember that, if it looks good to you, it probably looks better to them. If you would take a shot at your enemy’s foot or hand because that is all you can see, believe that they are already placing their sights upon yours. Stay small and keep Mother Russia in your hearts.” These were his words to his men before they filled the closest buildings. Most men would take up positions within them while a small number would remain outside, it kept most of them in cover while not completely giving up their ability to view a large portion of their surroundings, it also allowed for better communication.

”We will remain here for a few minutes to check our gear, take a breath or two and look into the town. I doubt the enemy would be standing out in the open for us, but it never hurts to look. Once we are satisfied we will start filing the men around the alleyways, use some cover to crawl back behind and file a few more men, keep the numbers random so they can’t pick up on our scheme, always assume you are being watched and you won’t be caught off guard when you are found. You have your orders.” And with those words his senior men nodded and headed back to their respective places among the group. Although he was in a relatively safe location, Mikhail liked to stay near the front of his troops, if not the very front, unlike his own leaders, he didn’t stay in the back and push his men, he hoped they respected him enough to appreciate him taking the stress away form them.

[Nathan Whyte]

Moderation Post:

Allied Soldiers:
Soviet
Serzhant Voskitrov
Efr. Fyodor Sorokin
Efr. Oleg Lukin
Efr. Aleksandr Kovalenko
Efr. Konstantin Danilov

Ryd. Adrik Ivanov
Ryd. Viktor Grigorev
Ryd. Grigori Kyznetsov
Ryd. Vadim Fedorov
Ryd. Andrei Vorobev
Ryd. Ustin Morozov
Ryd. Vladimir Petrenko
Ryd. Ludmila Kuzmina (F)
Ryd. Oleg Novikov
Ryd. Anna Arkhipova (F)



Morale
Medium

Axis Soldiers:
German
Leutnant Hinrichs


Morale
High

Actions:
- Both forces are in position, feeling good, but unaware of the enemy soldiers.
- The medic and strong machine gun position of the Germans is keeping them very high in spirits, but they may take these assests for granted.

Can both members provide me with a list of NPC's in this battle so I can keep track of the wounded etc. Thank you.
- Next Post:[/u] Hinrichs[/color]

[Matthaeus Hinrichs]

[OOC: I used two shades of red but both are the MGs sweeping back and forth. I used two different colors because they both overlapped each other and it would have looked like a pile of lines with the same color. The yellow lines are the rifles firing when the MGs go to reload. Also, Sorry for the wait, School is in the last quarter and its getting hectic.]

Matthaeus was continuing to look around the area with his binoculars not knowing exactly what to expect out of the area. It was beginning to get warmer out, which was a great plus, but still cold enough to see breaths in the air. Soon enough the medic next to Matthaeus said something quietly to him ”Sir, eleven o’clock, enemies in the two buildings.”

Matthaeus shook his head as he looked at the two buildings and saw them. Sure enough they were Soviets. Calling out softly to his Machine Gunners Matthaeus ordered them ”Make clean sweeps of the two buildings at eleven o’clock. The buildings are full of Russians.” With that being said the machine guns opened fire and soon enough every other gun in the building was ready to fire also.

Lifting his binoculars Matthaeus looked at the building as the bullets hit it and everything outside of it, hoping dearly that whatever was inside would be ripped to shreds and possibly into Swiss cheese. Matthaeus now had to yell out his orders as he raised his voice to every one else ” Don’t let up machine gunners. When they reload, Riflemen fire your clips at the windows. We must keep them pinned until we can push them out of here. We must not lose this corridor.”

Unit Names:

NPC: Machine Gunner: Velten Stahnke
NPC: Machine Gunner: Babo Mossdorf
NPC: Pvt. Emil Westberg
NPC: Pvt. Ortwin Roellecke
NPC: Pvt. Osmar Herff
NPC: Pvt. Aloys Fleck
NPC: Pvt. Justus Groth
NPC: Medic: Donovan Hansberry

[Nathan Whyte]

Moderation Post:

Allied Soldiers:
Soviet
Serzhant Voskitrov
Efr. Fyodor Sorokin
Efr. Oleg Lukin
Efr. Aleksandr Kovalenko
Efr. Konstantin Danilov

Ryd. Adrik Ivanov
Ryd. Viktor Grigorev
Ryd. Grigori Kyznetsov
Ryd. Vadim Fedorov
Ryd. Andrei Vorobev
Ryd. Ustin Morozov
Ryd. Vladimir Petrenko
Ryd. Ludmila Kuzmina (F)
Ryd. Oleg Novikov
Ryd. Anna Arkhipova (F)



Morale
Slightly scared by the enemy's volume of fire.

Axis Soldiers:
German
Leutnant Hinrichs

Machine Gunner: Velten Stahnke
Machine Gunner: Babo Mossdorf
Pvt. Emil Westberg
Pvt. Ortwin Roellecke
Pvt. Osmar Herff
Pvt. Aloys Fleck
Pvt. Justus Groth
Medic: Donovan Hansberry


Morale
Slightly decreased, as their CO appears to be going against most conventional SOP's.

Actions:
- There was initially confusion on the order to fire - considering the range they couldn't be too sure if they were firing on Soviets or Germans.

- However when Hinrich's checked with his binoculars, eventually fire opened up from the two MG42's, who followed the order to empty an entire belt of ammunition in to the enemy buildings.

- In Scandinavia, wooden buildings are exceptionally strong, walls made of hardwoods almost as dense as stone. As such, the machine gun fire which quickly became highly inaccurate and had very little penetrating power on the wooden walls. It was a very similar effect on the stone buildings, windows were covered in holes, chips of masonry flew everywhere, but the occupants were suppressed for the thirty seconds it took the 1200 RPM weapons to empty in bursts of fire.

- This had a few ill effects. The Northern MG42's barrel which had recently been at very low - almost freezing - temperatures, heated suddenly. The barrel needs replacing before any further fire can take place. Luckily, the gunner has one with him, but it will take valuable time to do it safely.

- Also, this is a marching patrol. Emptying a whole belt each means that approximately a third of the MG42 ammunition is gone.

- Vostrikov's men are now behind cover, and will require some inspiring leadership to get them up, but a firing position isn't an option now as the Souther MG42 is still firing, albeit at a reduced rate of fire to get bursts on to both buildings.
-- Next Post:[/u] Vostrikov[/color]

[Mikhail Vostrikov]

img842.imageshack.us/i/map4io2.jpg/ - move and fire

img801.imageshack.us/i/map4io2a.jpg/ - cleaner version

Mikhail started to remove his map from his jacket pocket but was halted by the sudden barrage of gunfire coming down on them, he winced slightly as the rounds started to impact the building before turning to Kovalenko. "See what I mean, always assume you are being watched!" he shouted of the distant sounds of gunfire. "When it slackens up we best regroup with the rest of the men and hand out a plane of action." Kovalenko nodded and turned an ear toward the shots ringing into the air.

When it seemed the machine guns were reloading Mikhail darted out the door of his small building and gathered his men outside with his men who had been staying low in their building and staying away from the windows. They didn't look too upset about what was going on, most likely because they were in no real danger. He nodded toward his troops and they returned his gesture. With a slight smile he called out to them. "Welcome to the war men, I wish each and everyone of you a glorious day with me." He pulled his rifle out in front of his body and checked to make sure it was loaded. He already knew that it was, it was more to show the men that he will be in the fight just as much as they will. "If we work together this will be an easy objective to take, the hard part is over, we know there are hostile forces out there and we have a general idea of where they are, not to mention they have some heavy weaponry." He paused for a moment to look at his men to see their expressions pertaining to the Germans firepower before he continued. "This most likely means that they are intent on staying put because they can't move their forces easily. I don't think they will want to split up either, but if they do then that is another advantage we will have. So remain mobile and we'll be drunk come nightfall after we are relieved." that brought a few smiles to the crowd.

He cleared his throat and leaned over to try and peer out of the window, he caught a glimpse of muzzle flashes and leaned beck to safety. "Alright, they have at least one machine gun set up in the building across the courtyard, the really big one with all of the windows. Chances are that most, if not all of them, are there as well, so let's try and see if we can draw some of them out. Kovalenko, you and Sorokin take your men out back and move them across to the adjacent building, not all at once, don't want them taking enough notice to put any volume of fire on you. If you see that it is safe enough move back toward the woods we just came from and crawl back, then repeat the process. Just like we talked about, let's try and get them thinking that they have just fired on an entire company!" Mikhail didn't know how many Germans they were opposing either, but the bigger they looked the better. "Now listen, if you can't get back to us, that is fine, don't risk it, we will take a few shots to draw their attention, then Kovalenko if they turn their attention toward us, take a shot, just one, no more you understand me?" Kovalenko nodded toward Vostrikov and continued listening. "Reason being I want you to take your time, and if you get close they will turn their fire on you, so once you make the shot get back behind the building. If we can make them think we can hit them where they are while remaining safe, they will most likely relocate." Mikhail slowly looked at his men, each of them one at a time. When he finished he shifted his weight back and fourth and scurried out the back door, holding it open for Sorokin and Kovalenko, followed by their respective troops.

Once they had lined up along the back of the building he turned toward his men inside and nodded, after the first couple of shots the men out back started moving across, one, two at a time. Eventually they all made it across. Only Kovalenko and Grigorev remained while the rest moved off to the east to start working their way back. Mikhail turned back to the rest of his men who had already gotten down below the windows. "Hit them again!!" he screamed at them, and within a few seconds a couple rifles were up to window level and sounded off. Mikhail shot his view back to Kovalenko, the man had listened. He was taking his time, then he saw it, his rifle kicked and they ducked back behind the wall. Vostrikov smiled, he was proud that his men could follow orders, course he also knew that this was still the early stages of the engagement, there may still very well be a long way to go.

[Nathan Whyte]

Moderation Post:

Allied Soldiers:
Soviet
Serzhant Voskitrov
Efr. Fyodor Sorokin
Efr. Oleg Lukin
Efr. Aleksandr Kovalenko
Efr. Konstantin Danilov

Ryd. Adrik Ivanov
Ryd. Viktor Grigorev
Ryd. Grigori Kyznetsov
Ryd. Vadim Fedorov
Ryd. Andrei Vorobev
Ryd. Ustin Morozov
Ryd. Vladimir Petrenko
Ryd. Ludmila Kuzmina (F)
Ryd. Oleg Novikov
Ryd. Anna Arkhipova (F)



Morale
Morale is good, their commanders know what he is doing, and they are trading blow for blow with the German force.

Axis Soldiers:
German
Leutnant Hinrichs

Machine Gunner: Velten Stahnke
Machine Gunner: Babo Mossdorf
Pvt. Emil Westberg
Pvt. Ortwin Roellecke
Pvt. Osmar Herff
Pvt. Aloys Fleck
Pvt. Justus Groth
Medic: Donovan Hansberry


Morale
With one MG42 down, and Soviet fire coming in, morale is slightly decreased, but this will likely change once both machine guns are working again.

Actions:
With a reduced volume of fire from the German position, the Soviet's began moving around.

The Germans and Soviets more or less took turns giving volleys through bolt-action rifles. A few rounds got close to people, but given the speed at which people were popping up and firing, nobody was hit.

Next Post:[/u] Hinrichs[/color]

[Matthaeus Hinrichs]

Map

The temperature had begun to rise, or maybe that was because the building was warmer and the weapons that were firing began to make everyone a bit warmer. Soon enough the volume of fire weakened though and Matthaeus looked from the south to the north noticing that the machine gun in the north was soon enough now not firing, though before he could ask what was going on the machine gunner said out loud ”Nuts! I must change barrels.”

With that being said, Matthaeus looked to his right, noticing a young private that had seen combat before tensing up. To make sure he wasn’t getting cold and stiffened up, Matthaeus yelled out to him ”Justus! Go, hurry to Babo and give him and hand in putting the new barrel on his gun. Listen to what he tells you and run to him then run back to your spot in that window to keep a watch out for the enemy.” Babo had already taken the old barrel off and set it on the floor getting ready to put the new one on before Justus had taken off. Running across the hall, Justus said to Matthaeus. ”Yes sir.”

Scanning the rest of his men and then the area Matthaeus let out a quick holler to his units ”Look! To the alleyway, two, three Russians in the open. Emil get over there with those two and open fire. Shoot until they are down and dead!” Matthaeus pointed to Ortwin and Osmar that had just begun to open fire before Emil arrived and shot his weapon with the other two. Though before Matthaeus could check on the Babo and Justus, the young private was charging across the room and arrived to his position once again.

Matthaeus scanned both of his Machine gunners that were readying to fire ”No wait! Don’t fire, wait for them to get out into the open, then open fire and take out those dirty Russians. As soon as you see one of them, open fire!” With that Matthaeus waited for the Russians to come out and play, only to be mowed down by machine guns.

[[OOC: The private that ran over to help the machine gunner in the north ran back to his spot when he was done. The machine guns are still ready to fire on the enemy when they see them. Just because they aren’t firing now doesn’t mean they won’t fire when the enemy gets out in the open, therefore once the enemy is in the open they will fire on them as specified in this post. Just wanted to clear that up, not trying to be an asshole just better safe then sorry.]]

[Heiko Alkema]

Moderation Post

Let's do this Heiko style.

**New Map**

Leutnant Hinrichs

- Babo the Machine Gunner, finished changing barrels before Justus even got there, as it took the gunner all of about 20 seconds to swap out barrels. Chalk up one point for German weapon design. When Jutus arrived the following words were exchanged: "Brauch Hilfe?" "Nein." "... prima." Justus was back to his original position before...

- The German riflemen opened fire on the Soviets through the alleyway as ordered. In the first volley a puff of red was visible coming from one of the intended targets before they all dropped out of sight behind the snow bank. That didn't stop the German riflemen from firing. But what happened next did.

- Soviet rifles answered the Germans, with one of the Soldats taking a heavy Soviet round to the face. The aforementioned man is now missing a good portion of the flesh from the cheek bone to the jaw. He's not dead or in immediate danger of dying, but he's by no means a happy camper. On the upside, he's almost guaranteed a badass nickname after this.

- After hearing the cries of his comrade, Babo disobeyed orders and let loose a single short burst at the northern building where a moment ago he had briefly seen an enemy.

Serzhant Vostrikov

- German fire abruptly ended the Soviet movement behind the alleyway as a German rifle round impacted one of the Soviets in the shoulder. The bullet luckily missed anything of vital importance but it's nonetheless a painful wound and shooting is more or less out of the picture for him. He and the rest of his group hugged the ground as bullets ripped through the snow bank above them.

- Taking the chance to pick off some of the exposed Germans, the Soviets in the Northern building took a few potshots at the enemy but were quickly pushed back out of sight again as fire shifted toward them. One of their number earned a dent in his helmet and lost his little finger to ricochets.

Next post: Vostrikov
[/color]

[Mikhail Vostrikov]

Mikhail continued waching out of the rear door of the building, things seemed to be going pretty well for the soviet forces so far. Then things changed a bit, one of his men screamed out as he had taken a round from German fire. Mikhail stepped out of the doorway a bit and waved his arm quickly for his troops to keep moving then he helped them to their feet once they had reached a safe distance. "Well at this rate by the time we onvince them there are more of us than they will want to deal with I'll be out of soldiers." he mumbled to himself as he helped the wounded man inside to rest against the wall. "Novikov, put some pressure on this wound and wrap it up!" Mikhail ordered.

He turned back to his troops. "Sorokin, I have another task for you." Bofore Vostrikov could explain his new plan to his senior man another scream eminated from the room. Mikhail quickly turned to see what happened. Kuzmina had been dazed by a round that winged her helmet and it seemed another had hit her hand. She immediately dropped below the window and grabbed her injured appendage. "Morozov, assit her!" He shouted out then looked to Sorokin again. "Take three soldiers around to the right side, see if you can work up their flank and pin them on one side. If there are less windows they will not be able to place much fire on you. I'll do the same from the left side if I can get around and link up with Kovalenko. Take this with you, if you can get close, use it." Mikhail said firmly as he handed a grenade to Sorokin, wh nodded and stuff the grenade into his belt for safe keeping. "I want you to move first, since you have more cover I wouldn't mind you and your troops drawing a little fire while I move around the other side with mine. Stay in front of your men, chances are that they will hit the ones in back more so than the ones in the front, but the closer together you all stay, the more likely you won't get hit at all since they will have less time to react and less of a window to fire." Sorokin rounded up three healthy soldiers to move with him along the norther flank. They waited patiently just outside the rear door for the order to move.

Mikhail turned to another of his veteran soldiers. "Lukin, I want you to stay here with Novikov and do what you can for the wounded. The quicker we eliminate the German forces, the quicker we can get them proper medical care. If you find a few moments send a few rounds into the enemy building. And for the love of the motherland keep your heads down!" Lukin nodded and turned his attention toward the pair of wounded troops in the room. Mikhail rounded up the rest of the men in the room and took them out the back door, making their way toward the southern corner. He motioned for Kovalenko to come closer, Kovalenko scurried his way toward the corner closest to his commander while staying below the windows. "Sorokin is taking some troops around the right flank, I'm taking some around the left flank. Once he starts moving we are hoping the german forces will shift fire, which will give you a window to move farther around. Once you see your chance, you haul some ass across that road!" Kovalenko took a moment to look over to Sorokin who already had his men ready then turned to look at the road then he faced Vostrikov and nodded confidently before moving back to the southern corner.

Mikhail took a few moments to let everyone catch their breath then he shouted at Sorokin "MOVE OUT!!" When he did Sorokin waved his men forward and took off as fast as he could around the flank. After several moments Kovalenko and his man stood up and sprinted across the road, Mikhail had been waiting for Kovalenko to move so that they moved at the same time. He didn't want himself or the men following him to move to early and draw attention or move to late and be caught in the fire.

imageshack.us/photo/my-images/23/cold1a.jpg/ - Movement

imageshack.us/photo/my-images/688/cold1z.jpg/ Clean...ish

[Heiko Alkema]

Moderation Post

Lolwut. No changes to the map so I didn't bother making a new one.

Serzhant Vostrikov

Unfortunately, nothing remotely exciting happened. Or I guess that would be "fortunately". Everyone reached their intended destinations without much incident. There was a short exchange of rifle fire but nothing other than the buildings' aesthetics was harmed.

Leutnant Hinrichs

Again, nothing important happened. But the Soviet figures darting around with little opposition (due to sight lines) has the German defenders a little uneasy and more than a little impetuous.

Next post: Hinrichs

[Matthaeus Hinrichs]

Requesting the closing of this battle. Hope you two understand but I won't be very active for a while and don't see myself posting anytime soon. Sorry jt, maybe we can finish a battle some other day.

Although if you don't wish this battle to close jt, I can possibly come back to post in a couple months. Your call.
~Adam

[Edward"Butcher"McMillan]

This isn't out of the blue since you have informed us of your responsibilities...because of such i have no issues with this battle being closed.

-JT

[Matthaeus Hinrichs]

Sounds good. Sorry again jt just life has taken over. May e we can finis a battle sometime later.

[Heiko Alkema]

Moderation Post

Battle closed per player request.

Leutnant Hinrichs - 10CP
Draw for 21st Panzer - 0 kills - 0 loses

Serzhant Vostrikov - 10CP
Draw for 28th Motor-Rifle - 0 kills - 0 loses