A route had now been discussed and agreed, although not all parties would stay together. General Haas would hunt around the other side of Vienna to find any units that could still be mobilised to fight. Some of the nurses would go with them. Corporal Heinz and Colonel Kiesl had been ordered to retreat with the British into Prussia. They thought about using the River Danube from Vienna to Passan. Then they would go through the mountains to Ratisbon and then onto Stuttgart. This was just a basic plan, but it gave them hope.
The Austrians that were coming with the British believed their families would have fled to Prussia. The constant threat of war with Prussia in recent times was a cause for concern, but the truth was, there was nowhere else to run. The thought of losing their families amongst the refugees was enough to inspire them to quicken their step and move faster.
Colonel Kiesl had struck up an agreement with the major regarding leadership and rank. Whilst the British numbers were larger than the Austrians in the new group, it made sense for the major to lead them. Should this change, then the colonel would take command.
Scouts were sent ahead to check the route in both directions. Several guards were posted on top of the trains to keep an eye on the encroaching enemy. The general gave everyone an hour to get ready. It was a case of moving out as soon as possible.
The dust cloud was gaining pace. Captain Hayward stood with Colonel Kiesl and discussed the enemy and their tactics. The Austrian was awestruck by how they were swooping across his country and wiping out anything that got in their way.
He did feel that having creatures which had not been fought against before was giving them an overpowering advantage on the battlefield.
The flesh-eaters did not seem to tire, nor did the long-limbed beasts. The drone soldiers could march until they dropped dead. Then there were the giant riders and bears with two heads. It just went on.
With the dust cloud coming more and more into focus, it was time to say their goodbyes. The general gave a quick speech, thanking everyone for helping them get this far and wished them all Godspeed to their next destination. He shook the hands of his officers and men.
He stopped when he got to Captain Hayward and Major Richmond.
“I owe you a lot, my friends. Thank you for helping us Austrians. May you get home without losing any more lives.”
The pain of his country being swallowed up was written all over his body. A horse was brought over to where he stood and he mounted it. Riding to the front of his group, he moved them on.
The horses were split amongst both parties. Most of them were being utilised to pull carts, but some would be for scouts. This left the rest on foot. The plan for the British and Austrian Engineers was to go around the south of Vienna and see what boats could be found to help their journey.
Both groups set off at a reasonable pace. A Gatling gun had been taken by each party and one cannon. The rest of the weaponry on the train had been destroyed. Nothing was being left for the enemy.
Captain Hayward spoke to Corporal Heinz about leading the scouting party. He would be in charge of five men, all Austrian. Their use of German in Prussia could save time and lives.
The nurses within the British group included Heidi. She was concerned for her family and hoped and prayed they would follow the rest of the refugees into Europe. Their group numbered over two hundred people. It was roughly the same size as the group that had left the fort all several weeks ago.
The major was on foot, with the captain in the middle of the convoy. Sergeant Butcher was with a squad of men covering the rear. Colonel Kiesl was at the front with twenty or so Austrian soldiers.
The plan was to get to the villages along the Danube. They knew they would have to take a chance to see if there were any boats there.
The noise of banging drums filled the air behind them. It was a good motivator to keep moving. The convoy was being steered south of Vienna. They were taking a chance as Vienna had recently fallen. The scouts had not been into the city, but the fires and smoke could be seen from miles around. General Haas was heading south as well, but they were moving towards Graiz. He hoped that there would be forces there he could unite and family members as well. He had not given up hope on the Austro–Hungarian Empire.
Timing was imperative, as they did not want to be outside in the open after dark. Judging by the large dust cloud, the force that had destroyed Vienna was of considerable size. That would mean they would need large scouting parties that could cause them a lot of trouble if found.
The track they were using bore the marks of a retreat. There were broken carts and clothes scattered along its sides.
However, no one could see any signs of fighting or dead bodies. This hopefully meant the villages were intact, but would there be any boats left? This was an overwhelming question going through Captain Hayward’s mind.
The pace was starting to slow. They could amble along for a short while, but they could never stop. The fact that there were two groups would benefit both parties as this would split the would-be hunters.
Corporal Heinz was returning to update Colonel Kiesl on the situation. They had mounted one Gatling gun on a cart. This was stationed in the middle of the convoy. Should there be a surprise attack they would have some firepower to hold back a considerable attack. The major commented on how he wished they had had that at the Uzhok Pass.
The nurses with them were fit young women. Most had grown up on farms and were used to hard work. They helped carry supplies and could use weapons if need be. The extra rifles were kept near the Gatling gun. Captain Hayward had commandeered an enemy weapon. It was something he had heard was in development in Europe, but now he had his own. It was loaded with several rounds and he was eager to try it out, but was in two minds as that would mean they were under attack.
The hours passed and the day was drawing in. It was important to judge whether they should press on or find somewhere safe to spend the night. The scouts returned and made that decision. There was a small empty monastery ahead. It was not ransacked and there was even some food – some unused vegetables – left in there.
They were close to the Danube, but not close enough to walk through the night. The dark belonged to the creatures at the moment.
The group arrived at the monastery and quickly got everyone in the courtyard and shut the gates. They backed up the Gatling gun to face out of the gates should they be attacked in the night. It was not heavily fortified, but it did have a large stone wall around it and one tower by the main entrance. There were several buildings inside, all very modest and in keeping with a monk’s lifestyle. The stables were clean and ready for use and there was a good supply of fresh hay.
The animals were fed and watered. The cook began his endless task of preparing food for this large party of hungry people. He did have a small team of helpers and he was happy to work from a reasonable-sized kitchen.
The guards were posted in the tower and told to stay low. They did not want to bring any unwanted visitors to this site. Their experience taught them that the long-limbs, and anything else that was quick on its feet, would be first on the scene.
There were a few beds scattered around the monastery which were given to the wounded or nurses first. The soldiers were just happy to sleep under a roof in dry conditions. It was less crowded than the train and more spacious. The nights had been mostly dry, but the chance of rain was higher at that time of year.
The vegetables were peeled and a broth prepared. The food was appreciated, as usual, and it set the mood for people to relax and unwind. They found being around buildings brought some normality back to the proceedings. In a way, they could switch off from what was happening outside.
Captain Hayward and Major Richmond could not switch off. They were joined by Colonel Kiesl to review the route and what action to take in the morning.
The soldiers had been asked to keep the noise levels down. They did not want an evening attack of any sort. The decision was made to set off early and scour the villages alon
g the river for boats.
Private John Brown took a moment to break off from his duties to speak to Heidi. She had been helping some wounded men with food and water. Their eyes lit up upon meeting each other. They embraced and hugged. Then they kissed for a moment or too. John liked the way her soft lips felt pressed against his.
“Your uniform is kind of appealing,” whispered Heidi.
She looked at him with a smile on her face.
“You look kind of appealing yourself, soldier boy.”
They both giggled, then kissed again. It was not the time or place to find somewhere to have an intimate moment, so they had to make do with that brief encounter.
“Heidi, don’t stray too far away from me. Whatever is happening to this world, I want you close to me.”
She smiled and nodded her head as she walked back to her quarters. John returned to checking ammunition and the status of the carts.
Dawn broke with a sudden downpour. It was hard to get going with the rain falling and most people wanted to stay in the warmth until it stopped. They felt safe and secure from what was out there. The major understood this, but realised that, should they be found, they would be swarmed within minutes and then there could only be one outcome. They had to move on.
They had found a disused wagon with a canvas canopy. It was perfect for the wounded to go in and would free up more space. The cook took what extra fresh food he could. The carts were loaded and the group set off for the river.
The track was waterlogged in some places as the rain continued to fall. The horses pulled the carts and wagon along through thick, sticky mud and kept the convoy on the move.
There was no sign of the enemy, but this did not relax anyone. When they were following behind it at least gave away their location. Now they could be anywhere. The scouts were sent out in all directions and each soldier was told to be extra vigilant.
Hours passed before they came across a small village. It was close to the river, but did not have any boats. It was hurriedly searched and left, as nothing of use was found. Their maps pointed to a fair-sized town a couple of miles further down the Danube. Setting off at speed the group covered the ground quickly. The town was in reach, but the scouts were first sent to check it over.
They came back reporting a small group of drone cavalry men were stationed there. It also had a large steam boat moored. This was seen as a moment of sheer luck. They had to get on that boat at all costs. The scouts estimated the drone group to be around thirty strong. Some were guarding the boat; others sitting around drinking coffee. Their full unit strength was not really known, so it was going to have to be a lightning attack. As far as they knew, they outnumbered them.
A battle plan was drawn up in the soil. Colonel Kiesl would lead around ten mounted soldiers to the east of the town and cause a small diversion. Then Captain Hayward would take one hundred British soldiers to attack the village from the front. Reinforcements would come down to the major, should they need them.
Private Brown was told to help guard the nurses and wounded men. The operation was to happen straight away as they did not want the enemy to spot them coming. Rifles were readied; bayonets fixed.
Captain Hayward got the men to advance at a slow pace as the mounted soldiers rode past at speed. The soldiers looked at each other as they advanced through a field leading up to the small town. The grass blew in the wind and the leaves shook as a soft breeze carried the men towards their destination.
The soldiers were formed into two groups of fifty. They slowly closed in on the outskirts of the town. The layout of streets and buildings was not known. Sergeant Butcher was going to take fifty men through the main streets, whilst the captain led the other fifty to the boat. The boat could not leave under any circumstances. The drone cavalry might not be part of a larger force in the area, but it still meant the enemy was this far south in Austria and represented a massive threat.
The soldiers who had been drinking and sitting outside the town house where now loading a wagon with supplies. Their Commander was sleeping outside the town hall. The British entered the village as quietly as they could. Two drone guards were dispatched with bayonets as they casually strolled around. The element of surprise and lack of concern from the enemy played into the British’s hands.
Captain Hayward had his revolver drawn and moved with his men towards the dock. The thought of getting to the boat was racing through his mind. He wondered how long it would be before the first gunshot would get the boat moving off down the river.
Major Richmond followed his men through his binoculars. Their red tunics and blue spiked helmets helped him locate them as they advanced.
The first shot fired was at a drone cavalryman who came out of a building, carrying water. He looked shocked to see the soldiers coming through the town and started to sound the alarm when a bullet pierced his lungs, sending him flying backwards. He wriggled around in agony, arching his back and flailing his legs.
No soldier should enjoy watching another soldier die. The soldier who shot him went over and finished him off with a bayonet through the heart. This all happened quickly, but still allowed the other drones to rush to their rifles. Gunfire now broke out around the town. For once, the British had the upper hand and were well placed to exploit it.
Captain Hayward started to run with his men to the boat. A couple of drone soldiers were frantically trying to release the ropes that were anchoring the boat. The British Engineers started shooting at them as they moved forward. One man was hit and fell back. The other raised his hands. The captain rushed past him and onto the gangway. His revolver was drawn and he was followed by his men. A couple had hung back to collect the surrendered drone soldiers and wait for more orders.
The house which had the drone Commander in it was surrounded. The fighting was fierce. The British used the other buildings for cover and broke into the houses which were situated around their stronghold. Bullets shot past as men tried to get closer to the building. An Engineer fell down, holding his face. He died almost immediately.
Colonel Kiesl arrived with the mounted cavalry. They had swept through the town to make sure there were no more hidden men. They then joined in the fighting. Sergeant Butcher was crouching behind a wall, popping up and down when he thought it was safe to shoot. Shards of masonry pinged off the bricks as the bullets impacted into them. Glass windows were broken in order to shoot out of.
The captain spoke to the sergeant and suggested they rushed the house from the side as it was only being covered by a small window at the top. This would then give them a chance to get closer to the building and throw in a couple of grenades. Colonel Kiesl wasted no time and asked for two soldiers to help. The Austrian Commander then led them in a daunting run to the base of the house. The drone soldiers tried to shoot at them from the solitary window, but found it hard to get a good aim. Once the men reached the side of the house they pressed their bodies up close and tight to the wall. Then the captain took two grenades and lit them. He smiled at the two soldiers with him and then rushed around the corner. He threw both grenades into the building and then peeled away and ran back to the two British soldiers.
The explosions shook the house. Colonel Kiesl wasted no time rushing back round and into the building where he found several drone soldiers looking shocked and dazed from the explosion. He had his revolver drawn and shot three of them as they went to take aim. He was followed in by his British counterparts. The gunfire in the house was intense as they were practically on top of each other.
Colonel Kiesl used this to his advantage, shooting an oncoming drone soldier in the chest as he burst in through the living room door. Two more could be seen darting from the room to the bottom of the stairs. They glanced up to fire their rifles at the commander and his men. Bullets punctured the walls behind them. One of the British Engineers tipped over the kitchen table and then used it as a shield. As this was unfolding, several more soldiers started to come in through the ground floor windows to join the three
men in the kitchen. Colonel Kiesl told the unit to direct their fire at the bottom of the stairs. They loaded cartridges into their rifles and shot at a good rate. One drone soldier fell forward with multiple hits. His comrade was now crawling up the stairs. The British Engineers cautiously approached them.
The colonel got them to stand back and launched a grenade upstairs. After the explosion they rushed up the steps.
They were greeted with five dead bodies and four wounded men. The drone commander was holding his stomach. His eyes looked weak and blood was trickling out of his mouth. The soldiers tried to help the wounded men. They spoke in a language which was close to Russian. Colonel Kiesl was not sure of it and tried to speak first German, then English to them. There was no reply.
He knelt down next to the commander and asked if he needed a drink of water. The man looked up and nodded. The wound was deep and the blood from it was now seeping through the floor.
“I can speak some English,” mumbled the drone commander.
Colonel Kiesl leaned in to hear the man better.
“You will all perish. This is not a war to win.”
The colonel took off his hat and put it next to the pool of blood.
“You may have the upper hand at the moment, but wars are messy things. Maybe the devil is backing you, but rest assured there are many who will fight you to the bitter end.”
The dying man looked up.
“This is the end.”
He let out a huge breath and then passed away.
“We need to lock the prisoners in the barn. We can leave them medical supplies. They will be found soon enough as the fighting will bring more here now,” said Captain Kiesl.
Captain Hayward cautiously searched the ship. They had encountered little resistance since they came on board. The drone soldiers had been relaxing and playing cards when they had been startled by the inrushing British. They were then frogmarched out of the boat and onto dry land and then taken to the others to be locked in the barn.
Europe Has Fallen Page 17