Beyond the Rhine

by Griff Hosker

  Same White shouted, “Grenade!” He sprayed the top of the next building as the grenade exploded in front of Emerson’s jeep. The Bergens saved them from injury. Once again Fred’s quick reactions had saved us. The twisting road turned and there was the Schloss directly ahead of us on a piece of high ground above the river. Machine guns and a cannon opened fire. I saw that the road was flanked by woodland. It looked to have been an ornamental one from the nineteenth century. It was cover and we would use it.

  “Emerson, into the woods!” I whipped my wheel around and we entered the woods. The castle had a fine position and was on a rock. I was just grateful that they had left the vestiges of a hunting forest. We had shelter. Gordy almost made it without damage but machine gun bullets shredded his rear tyre and he barely managed to avoid overturning it.

  We had done this many times and my men knew what to do. They spread out and took shelter in the trees.

  “Get the mortar and the rifle grenade ready!”

  The Kangaroos were close behind us. We discovered that they had a serious anti-tank gun when the first Kangaroo was hit by a shell. Two Panzerfaust rockets sped after it and the engine began to pour smoke. As the men began to bail out the machine guns and rifles from the castle hit four of them. Davis began to fire, seeking the gunners who were hurting our men. I aimed at the gate. I saw muzzle flashes. White and Foster sent a grenade high into the air. It exploded just in front of the men at the gate. The concussion and the shrapnel made their machine guns stop firing. The anti-tank gun fired at the second Kangaroo which was busy trying to get into cover. It was hit but it was on the side and did little damage.

  It was time to evaluate the situation. It was getting late. We had more chance of defeating them in the dark. “Davis and Hewitt, take White and Foster, get as close to the castle as you can. I am guessing that they use the river as a moat. I don’t want the bridge damaging.”

  “Sir.”

  “Hay and Ashcroft set up the mortar. I want shells inside the castle.”

  “Sir!”

  “Fletcher, get on to the main column. Tell them we have lost a Kangaroo.”

  “Sir.”

  “The rest of you I want you to work your way as close as you can to the castle without exposing yourself.”

  Lieutenant Poulson shouted, “Sir, just there, to the right are some buildings. They have been damaged by bombing but we could use them to shelter.”

  I glanced to where he pointed. They were forty yards away from the bridge and the road. We might be able to enfilade the gate from there. “Right, lead on MacDuff!, Emerson you are in charge of the vehicles. Betts. You stay with the corporal and help him change the tyre.”

  Captain Wilberforce had set up his Bren guns and they were firing at the gate. It allowed us to slip through the woods without too much attention being drawn to us. There was a crude bridge to the buildings. It was, literally four long planks. The river was just twenty feet wide but the planks were each only a foot wide. We made it across. When we reached the buildings I saw that they had been in use until they had been bombed. Other than having no roof they were in good repair. I heard a whistle and saw that Davis and Hewitt, along with White and Foster had somehow managed to get on to the first floor of the wrecked building. I held up my thumb.

  “Gordy, come with me. Lieutenant see if you can join our intrepid climbers.” As we went around the back of the building I saw that it was made of brick and not stone. It was not medieval. The light was fading but, when we turned the corner I saw that the tower and the wall of the castle were stone. I saw brick as well. This castle had been modernised. I saw that there was a double bridge. One went over the River Emse and the other over the moat.

  I slid down through the nettles and overgrown undergrowth. We were hidden by the night. I heard the crack of Davis’ rifle and heard a scream. He would keep the defenders heads down. When I reached the river I saw that there was a sort of path which ran along it. I took a chance and followed it. Up ahead, in the fading light, I saw a small footbridge which went over the river. There was a bank and, at the top of it, a low wall. I turned to Gordy, “Let’s see if they have any sentries on that bridge. If not then we are in.”

  “I’m game sir.”

  As we moved I heard the sound of mortars, machine guns and rifles. As we moved around the sound became slightly fainter. The path had not been used in some time and was overgrown. It was harder going than I thought. However, the reward was that we approached slowly and I saw that they had no sentry there. As we neared it, I saw why. There were some of the planks missing. A stray bomb or perhaps poor maintenance had left it almost ruined. However we could get across. It was only a couple of feet to the water below. As darkness fell we made our way up to the bridge. I slung my Thompson over my back. I would need both hands. I made the sign for Gordy to wait and cover me. That way only one of us would be risked. The light had gone almost entirely and that did not make the crossing any more appealing. I checked the rear of the castle. They had no one watching the walls. It was barely five feet to the water but I knew that these moats were deep. With grenades festooned on my battle jerkin I would be dragged under if I fell. When I reached the gap I jumped. I made it. I hurried to the other side. I could barely see Gordy and so I whistled.

  I unslung my gun and cocked it. I heard heavy breathing as Gordy emulated my feat. His smoking meant he did not make the jump as smoothly as I had. When he joined me we climbed the bank. In medieval times defenders would have slaughtered anyone doing what we did but the rear of the castle was deserted. When we reached the wall I saw that it was just nine feet high. Gordy stood with his back to the wall and cupped his hands. I ran and jumped into his hand with my right foot. Gordy was a strong man and he boosted me high enough for me to grab the top of the wall. By putting my foot on his head I was able to reach the top.

  I straddled the wall. There was a courtyard. I could see men and weapons. The sound of the battle was louder here. There was a cacophony of noise and confusion. Men ran around. Some were burning documents. There was a brazier and an officer was piling documents into it. I saw that one of the buildings was on fire and men were trying to douse it. In the light of the fire I saw black uniforms by the gate. They were S.S. That was why they were fighting. Surrender was not an option.

  I reached down as far as I could and Gordy grabbed my hand with his two. He began to walk up the wall. The mortar on the stone was not the best and he found purchase. He joined me. I pointed to the gate. We needed to gain control of the gate but first we had to reach it unseen. We had the advantage that there was so much noise we would not have to worry about silence. We dropped the eight feet to the ground on the inside. Bill Hay was using the mortar bombs sparingly. He was also moving the mortar for each shell. They were unpredictable. That was as dangerous for us as it was for the Germans. We clambered up the bank. I sprayed a burst at the men burning the documents. If the S.S. wanted documents burned then we needed them to be saved. My burst made some of the Germans turn around. Gordy had me covered and his gun scythed through them. I ran towards the gate. One of Bill’s shells hit the building behind me. The concussion threw both Gordy and me to the ground. It probably saved our lives for machine gun bullets flew over our heads.

  I rolled to the right and, while on my back fired a burst in the direction of the gunner. I stood and began to zig zag towards the gate. I took a grenade and pulling the pin threw it the forty feet towards the gate. Gordy did the same and we both hit the ground. The two grenades did not reach the gate. They both exploded eight and six feet short. I saw holes appear in the gate. Standing I emptied my gun at the firing platform above the gate and reloaded. I ran at the gate. We had badly damaged it. I shouted, “Hit it together!”

  “Sir!”

  We threw ourselves at the damaged door. It cracked and flew open throwing us to the ground. If we had not done so then we would have been hit by the bullets from Captain Wilberforce’s Bren guns. From the ground we both sprayed the crews of th
e machine guns and the 88 mm. Gordy pulled the pin on a grenade and shouted, “Grenade!”

  I curled up in a ball, protected by the body of a dead German. The grenade ended the defence of the gate. I stood and waved my arm, “Commandos!”

  There was a roar and then Captain Wilberforce led his company across the two narrow bridges and past us. We followed them and I ran to the brazier with the papers. While Captain Wilberforce and his men winkled out the defenders Gordy and I ran to collect as many papers as we could. Many had been burned but we filled a cardboard box with the ones that survived.

  “Local knowledge sir?”

  I turned around to see Lieutenant Poulson and my men. I smiled, “No Lieutenant. I just followed my nose.”

  The rest of my men came through the door. The silence told me that resistance had ended. Sam White shook his head, “Well sir, I never thought I would ever assault a medieval castle. If I ever get to teach history I can really bring it to life.”

  His words made me think, “Anyone hurt?”

  Bill Hay shook his head. “We were in cover and they were just using the 88 to destroy armour. They hit another of Captain Wilberforce’s lorries. We are all fine and Freddie has replaced the tyre.”

  “Then go and fetch them, Sam. We might as well have the night in the castle. Who knows there might even be beds.”

  Hewitt said, “Come on Tom, let’s go and find them first!”

  Chapter 14

  We were a little crowded but Hewitt found us a room with actual beds. We drew cards for them. I lost and was one of the six who slept on the floor. I didn’t mind. There were solid walls and, once again, we did not have to do a duty.

  I did not get a full night’s sleep. I was awoken at 0100 hours when the Brigadier arrived. “Sorry to wake you, Harsker, but those papers you found, McMillan from Intelligence has read them. They talk of death camps to the east of us. They also confirm the secret facility at Nordhausen. They use the word Uranverein.” I looked up. “You have heard of it?”

  “Yes sir. There were other references to it in Austria and Bavaria. That is the code word for their terror weapon.”

  “That confirms that we need to get east as soon as we can.”

  “Sir.”

  “Anyway, you had better get back to bed.”

  “Sir, we need armour to back us up sir. We lost one Kangaroo and almost lost a second. We need some firepower.”

  “I know. I am working on it. 30 Corps is north of us and they are leading the drive for Hamburg. I have asked if they have a spare unit. Even a couple of Fireflies would be useful.”

  “Sir.”

  “I will impress upon the Field Marshal what we need.” I turned to go.

  Despite my disturbed sleep I was still up early. Partly that was Gordy’s snoring. He had been lucky and drawn a face card which meant he had had a bed. The soft bed and lying on his back meant I slept with a buzz saw above me. I smelled bacon frying. The Germans loved their pork and ham. I had no doubt that the S.S. would have had good supplies of it. I followed my nose and found the kitchen. The Brigadier and his senior officers were there and seated around a table. Brigadier Young grinned, “A true Commando! You sniff out food in your sleep! Jones, a couple of bacon sandwiches for the Major,”

  “Thank you sir and a cup of tea if you have it!”

  One of the cooks said, “We have a pot of Sergeant Major tea here sir if you like it that way!”

  “Perfect!”

  I sat down and saw that they had a map before them. “I have been in touch with Monty. 12 Corps are sending us eight tanks from the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry. They are Sherman Firefly tanks.” He shook his head, “You would have thought that we were using them for a weekend away the way I had to beg! We will brigade them with Captain Wilberforce’s men. You two seem to work well together.”

  The cook handed me the bacon sandwiches, “Sorry sir, no H.P. sauce.”

  “I will have to rough it then sergeant.” He had soaked the slices of bread in the bacon fat and it ran down my chin as I bit into it. It was the army’s way of cooking. I defy anyone in the world to resist the smell of frying bacon and when it was cooked to a crispy crunch like this one then it was the nectar of the gods. The Brigadier handed me a tea towel and I wiped away the grease from my chin. I swallowed and drank some tea. “Sir, he has taken losses.”

  “I know. We have made good those losses but he was adamant he wanted to be with you.”

  I ate my sandwich and finished my tea while the Brigadier discussed the next moves with his officers. When I had finished and wiped my hands, he handed me a map. “Here is your new route. We head south and east to Delbrück this means that we can skirt Paderborn. It is a big place and Jerry will defend it. The Black Watch and their armour will attack it and that will protect our flank. The target is Göttingen. I am afraid that the road from there will be more hazardous. It is just thirty seven miles from there to the secret facility but the roads pass through mountains. The Germans can defend it easily.”

  I nodded, “I take it the Americans further south, are heading towards it too.”

  He nodded, “Yes, I am afraid it is a race.”

  “But surely we are all on the same side, sir.”

  “You would like to think so wouldn’t you? This German technology is going to be a powerful weapon once the war is over. The Russians want it too.”

  I said nothing. Colonel Reece said, “Look, Major, it doesn’t change what we are doing. We need to end German resistance. Our column was always intended to strike into the heart of Germany.”

  I nodded, thinking about the soldiers I had lost so far, “Yes sir but this haste may cost us soldiers’ lives.”

  “You are correct, Major, but it is what we do.”

  The Brigadier was right. I nodded and took the map. “Very well sir, we will do our best. Do we have any more fuel or ammo?”

  The Brigadier turned to a sergeant who was taking notes, “Williams?”

  “There is some fuel here in the castle. We were lucky it didn’t get hit in the firefight, sir. It is in the building at the back.” I nodded. “What ammo do you need sir?”

  “Mortars and .45.”

  “Mortars you can have but .45 ammo?” He shook his head, “We use Lee Enfields sir and Bren guns, sir.”

  The Brigadier laughed, “You and your lads are living in the past!”

  “And that is why we are still living, sir. Tell me sergeant, what happened to the German weapons that were captured?”

  “In the armoury sir. It is also in the building at the back.”

  “Then, with your permission sir, we will see what they have.”

  “Of course!”

  I roused my men and took them, via the kitchens, to the armoury. The Brigadier and his officers had left. The cook was preparing the breakfast for the rest of the men. My men were like a plague of locusts. They snaffled whatever the officers had left and then took fresh ones handed to them by the sergeant.

  For us it was like an Aladdin’s cave. When my eyes lighted on the eight MP 40 sub machine guns I knew we had fallen lucky. Using the same ammunition as the MP 34 it could take a 32 round magazine and had a slightly better rate of fire. We took them and all the ammunition we could carry. Lieutenant Poulson discovered a Panzerfaust and four rockets. That would do too. Gordy collected all the spare grenades and we headed out of the Schloss Rheda to our jeeps. It was 0700 when we reached our vehicles. Having lost one of our number we now had more room and we reorganized our equipment. I made sure that every jeep had one of the MP 40 submachine guns. The other three went to Hay, Fletcher and Hewitt.

  While we waited for the Fireflies to arrive and for the new men to join Captain Wilberforce I showed my drivers the route and the checkpoints. “It is a short hop to Delbrück. Before that we just have Amt Rietberg. I think Amt Rieberg will be too small to cause us a problem but that is your job Davis. You have done a sterling job up to now. Delbrück is another matter. Approach it as though it is defended.”
/>
  “Where do we bivouac tonight, sir?”

  “The powers that be seem to think we can cover a hundred miles today and that Jerry will just let us through. When we get to Göttingen then we have to make a break through enemy lines. Our final objective is another of the German’s underground facilities. This one is the biggest that they have.”

  “And then sir?”

  I smiled at Tom Foster, “And then, my keen young friend, with any luck the war will be over and we can stop playing silly buggers!”

  Fletcher laughed, “Nah sir, you will miss this too much! You like the excitement.”

  Shaking my head I said, “I did but after five years it has paled somewhat. A quieter life for me.”

  Lieutenant Poulson said, “Our Major is getting married as soon as the war is over!”

  Fletcher grinned, “A nice girl, sir, I expect.”

  I nodded, “Well you seemed to think so.”

  He looked bewildered. He normally had an answer for everything but I had confused him. I saw him wracking his memory. “Me sir?”

  “Yes Fletcher, the sergeant WAAF on the radio, the one you thought fancied you is my fiancée!”

  For the first time since I had known him he looked shocked. My men, of course, thought it was hilarious. Barker said, “Typical of you, Scouse, you try and pinch the major’s girl! I am surprised he didn’t have you court martialed.”

  “But sir I didn’t know. I would have said nowt if…”

  I held up my hand, “It is not a problem, Scouse I am certain that Susan would be flattered to know that her voice could inspire such ardour.”

  Fletcher’s embarrassed blushes were spared by the arrival of the tanks. There were only seven of them. We discovered that one had broken down and would be joining them when it was repaired. Now that they had arrived we set off. One night in a bed and bacon sandwiches and hot tea do not sound much but to us it was as though we had had a leave!

  I was right about Amt Rietberg. There were too many side roads around it and it had no defensible features. We raced through. Delbrück was a different proposition. When we were more than a mile and a half away Davis had Emerson stop his jeep. We pulled next to him. Davis was using his telescopic sight as a telescope. I took out my glasses. “Armour sir and infantry dug in.”